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Subei in NW Chinas Gansu offers subsidies of up to 100,000 yuan for families with two or three children

10:04, November 20, 2024 By Zhang Wanshi ( Global Times

Nurses take care of newborn babies at a hospital in Zunyi, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo/Xinhua)

The local government in the Subei Mongolian Autonomous County, Northwest China's Gansu Province, has recently introduced an incentive scheme offering families with two or three children a cumulative subsidy of up to 100,000 yuan ($13,823).

The main incentives for families with permanent household registration in Subei who have two or three children include support for childbirth, maternity leave, and medical assistance, as stated on the government's official website on November 14. The medical assistance includes subsidies for residents' medical insurance, maternity medical expenses, and inpatient care.

The policy applies to families who have a second or third child over a three-year period. In the first year, families receive a monthly allowance of 1,000 yuan and 2,000 yuan respectively. In the second year, these amounts increase to 1,400 yuan and 3,000 yuan, and in the third year, they rise further to 1,700 yuan and 3,300 yuan per month.

For those living and working within the borders of Subei County, who register themselves and their children as residents of the county and voluntarily have one child, an additional reward of 10,000 yuan will be granted to those who meet the assessed conditions.

The region is currently in the policy promotion phase, and relevant departments have not yet received any subsidy applications. However, some individuals have already inquired about the specifics of the incentive policy, according to thepaper.cn.

He Yafu, an independent demographer, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the incentives introduced by Subei provide relatively higher subsidies compared to similar policies in other regions. He also noted that the action is a response to the new birth support policy measures unveiled in October by the General Office of China's State Councilto promote the building of a birth-friendly society.

So far, many regions including Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, and Shenzhen offer subsidies for families with two or three children. Bangjiangdong village in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, introduced an incentive scheme in May that offers 10,000 yuan for a second child and 30,000 yuan for a third child. This policy officially took effect on June 1.

Hohhot, the capital city of North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has also introduced parenting subsidies to families with more children. For families having a second or third child, they will be given a one-time subsidy of 5,000 yuan.

He added that there is also a need to enhance the availability of inclusive childcare services to address the concerns of families with working parents.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
At the opening ceremony of its new six-floor facility, the Hospital Evangelic de Barcelona (Evangelical Hospital in Barcelona) in the second largest city in Spain celebrated a new phase in its nearly 150-year history - and also its new name. Previously known as Nou hospital evangelic, the hospital hosted an event on Oct. 25 (2024) with leaders from the evangelical community and wider healthcare field gathered to show their support and appreciation.

The new building encompasses a surface area of more than 10,000 sqm (~108,000 sqft), with a 200-bed capacity for 2,700 patients per year, alongside a ground floor area for outpatients.

Dignitaries at the opening event included Juan Martinez, Chairman of the Consell Evangelic de Catalunya; Carolina Bueno, Executive Secretary of the Federation of Evangelical Religious Entities of Spain (FEREDE); and Ramon Bassas, Director General of Religious Affairs of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Catalan government.

At the ceremony, Bassas highlighted the fundamental role of the evangelical hospital in intermediate care in the city, since health is not just about healing the wound, it is also about empathy and humanity, characteristics that define this hospital.

Martinez spoke about the feeling of pride and gratitude for a building like this, imbued with human and Christian values. He added that the hospital has left an indelible mark on the lives of many people and on the city of Barcelona.

Bueno emphasized that the hospital is a clear symbol of courage, sacrifice and dedication.

Medical staff have already worked on-site since April. The building will host meetings and training as part of the hospitals key role in providing leading healthcare with an integrated, Christian approach.

The event marks a key moment for the hospital, reaffirming its commitment to integrated person-centered care, grounded in Christian values, a principle it has maintained since its foundation in 1879 [by the Evangelical Hospital Private Foundation], Reyes Gualda, the chief executive officer of Grup Assistencial Evangelic, told Christian Daily International after the event.

The new center will not only alleviate healthcare capacity in the city but provide innovation in intermediate and palliative care.

Specially designed to humanize spaces with modern infrastructure that facilitates patient recovery, the hospital is positioned as a fundamental pillar in the care of Barcelonas most vulnerable people, added Gualda.

Its collaboration with other leading healthcare centers in the city such as Hospital del Mar and Hospital de Sant Pau makes for greater coordination in the care of patients with complex needs, offering an integrated, humane service.

Jordi Urbea, master of ceremonies and member of the board of the Evangelical Hospital Private Foundation, welcomed attendees to the opening ceremony and highlighted the importance of the facility for both the hospital and city community. He also presented an introduction video showcasing the essential values of the Hospital Evangelic de Barcelona.

Francisco Mira, chairman of the boards of trustees, then recounted the hospitals history and its continuing mission to serve the Barcelona community with the Kingdom of God being the essence of the healthcare facility.

The history of the hospital has been marked by commitment and faith, said Mira, and this building is the result of the organizations vision and the evangelical communitys desire to serve its environment.

A time of thanksgiving during the event involved Dr. Gerard Urrutia reflecting again on the history and his own personal connections to the hospital. Prayers were led by Dr. Josue Garrigos, who also recalled the 14 years of stirling effort to ensure the construction of the new building.

Gualda then prayed about the future of the institution, saying: It is a great project because it is grounded in solid values, makes the evangelical community visible, and most importantly, has a profound impact on the people and families of Barcelona. We feel immensely grateful.

A highlight of the event was a prize given to Mira, the board chairman, by writer Rosa Serra, author of at least 20 books and known for writing about historical recollection such as Entre dos focs looking at the suffering of children during the Spanish Civil War and the humanitarian work of the Quakers at that time.

Serra, giving the award, emphasized the connection between her own work preserving historical memory and the values of the evangelical hospital, namely compassion, service and care of people.

A musical performance of jazz and soul by artiste Wilma Ann also delighted attendees at the event.

Then guests toured the hospital to see the facilities, including an empathetic room. This room is an innovative model of a ward for two, meeting therapeutic needs and the autonomy, privacy, comfort and social interaction that patients require, Gualda said.

The beds are strategically arranged in an opposite direction to create the sensation of a private room, enhancing the well-being of both patients and their companions or family members, she added.

Guests were also given a copy of the newly published book Una historia dhumanitat i compromis [a history of humanity and commitment], about the institutions 150 years of history.

With this inauguration, the Hospital Evangelic de Barcelona continues to write a history of service and commitment to the city and to the evangelical community, looking to the future with the same vocation of care and love for fellow men and women that has marked its trajectory for 150 years, added Gualda.

The hospital, with the motto, a hospital where people take care of people, is the third oldest hospital in Barcelona offering intermediate care with integrated services for effective patient recovery. It has been part of the public health network since 1976, with a focus not only on physical and emotional but also spiritual well-being. It has five values of integrity, compassion, excellence, cooperation and faith.

The hospital has also set up an innovative XPA program (Patient Experience), which encourages patients to participate in their recovery process. It enables staff to be more sensitive to patients individual needs and preferences.

Another unique offering is the hospitals support, befitting its Christian foundation, with local partner organizations as well as non profits helping vulnerable people, such as +QSalut, MercyShips and Sociedad Biblica. The hospital took part in a Nurses Christian Fellowship World Congress, sharing experiences and practises, as reported earlier by Christian Daily International.

An essential pillar of the hospitals work are its volunteers, many of whom come from evangelical communities, said Gualda. They play a key role, providing emotional, spiritual and practical support to patients and their families, reflecting the spirit of service and love for ones neighbor.

Gualda added that the Hospital Evangelic de Barcelona, for all these reasons, offers more than a standard medical care center.

It is an institution committed to the integral well-being of people, rooted in Christian values and a clear vocation of service. With over a century of dedication and a future packed with innovative projects, this hospital continues to be a beacon of hope and compassion in the city of Barcelona.

Another opening event for the hospital is due this December, 2024.
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A researcher working in the Miyake Lab at Colorado State University. Credit: Colorado State University College of Natural Sciences/John Cline

Researchers at Colorado State University have found a new approach for breaking down PFASa group of human-made "forever" chemicals commonly used for their water-resistant properties that can carry health risks from long-term exposure.

The carbon-fluorine bond found in PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) compounds is particularly challenging to break apart. That durability has led to widespread use of these manufactured chemicals in medical, industrial and commercial settings.

However, that inherent stability has also made them difficult to dispose of, and over time, they have made their way into water, air and soil across the world, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA says exposure to these lingering compounds can lead to health problems, including cancer or reproductive issues.

In a paper published in Nature, CSU researchers showcase an effective LED light-based photocatalytic system that can be used at room temperature to break down those key carbon-fluorine bonds. The system is an improvement over traditional chemical manufacturing processes that typically require high temperatures to achieve similar results.

Work at CSU was led by Professor Garret Miyake in the Department of Chemistry. His team partnered with fellow CSU chemistry Professor Robert Paton as well as Professor Niels Damrauer at the University of Colorado Boulder on the paper.

Miyake said complementary expertise across those teams led to this high-impact interdisciplinary research finding.

"Our approach is a fundamental advancement in organic synthesis that achieves activation of these challenging carbon-fluorine bonds across a variety of situations," he said. "Our method is more sustainable and efficient and can be used to address stubborn compounds in plastics, for example, in addition to the obvious uses around PFAS."

Professor Garret Miyake speaking with a researcher in the lab. Credit: Colorado State University College of Natural Sciences

Most people in the world have been exposed to PFAS by touching or eating materials containing them. A common source of exposure is drinking water, but the compounds can also be found in non-stick consumer products, food packaging, and common manufacturing processes.

Research led by the EPA shows that even low-level exposure can result in developmental effects like low birth weight or reduced immune response, among many other health issues.

Postdoctoral researcher Mihai Popescu served as an author on the paper and contributed to the mechanistic understanding of the research using computational chemistry. He said the next challenge will be in taking the technology and preparing it for application in the field across many instances.

"We need to make this technology more practical so it can be used in water or soilplaces where PFAS are found," said Popescu. "We need the chemistry we are showcasing here to be useful in those conditions and that is where a lot of work remains."

Miyake currently serves as director of the Center for Sustainable Photoredox Catalysis (SuPRCat) on campus. That center was launched in 2023 with the goal of developing chemical manufacturing processes that harness light energy and utilizing readily available materials as catalysts.

Miyake noted that similar research projects to the one discussed in the paper are happening every day through the center. Postdoctoral researcher Xin Liuwho led the synthetic development of this work and is also a member of SuPRCatsaid the work holds many possibilities.

"This paper deals specifically with forever chemicals, but our approach in SuPRCat to using LED lights presents a host of possibilities towards achieving these reactions in a more sustainable and efficient way," said Liu.

"From dealing with plastics that don't degrade quickly to improving the manufacturing process of needed fertilizers, this is a key area and something CSU is well positioned to lead on."

More information: Photocatalytic CF bond activation in small molecules and polyfluoroalkyl substances, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08327-7 Journal information: Nature
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Workshop with community members to draw the map of their land. Credit: Luisa F Bedoya Taborda 2022

As a lawyer Luisa Bedoya Taborda worked with rural communities forced off their land by armed groups in Colombia, South America. Now, she is doing a PhD at the University of Sydney on the impact of climate change in communities affected by conflict and has found that many countries most impacted by these crises are being overlooked.

"Talking to the people who had lost their lands and preparing for these cases made me realize how conflict and climate change were so closely connected," said Ms. Luisa Bedoya Taborda, who spent countless hours hunting down land deeds and interviewing conflict-affected communities to fight for their land rights.

She went on to lead a study examining the relationship between climate change and conflict, including civil war, which has identified that South America, Oceania, and Southeast Asia are understudied regions.

The study, published in WIREs Climate Change, examined over 212 papers on the topic spanning 15 years (20072023). It revealed that while researchers have focused on linking climate impacts to the onset of conflict, there has been less attention to how climate impacts affect communities already experiencing conflict or involved in peacebuilding.

This is despite the fact that in many communities in Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines, climate-induced impacts such as typhoons, floods, droughts, and coastal erosion are already intensifying socio-political tensions and often triggering or escalating conflicts.

The researchers say the findings underscore the need for peacebuilding and efforts to limit climate change in risk-prone regions to be designed to work together, and not in isolation.

Crucial perspectives were also missing in most of the reviewed studies on climate change and conflict.

"Many of those studies are in English and studies published in Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog, and other languages are underrepresented in current databases, so we are missing important perspectives and understanding of these situations," said Ms. Bedoya Taborda.

Researchers warn that this gap could directly impact Australia's humanitarian response by challenging the effectiveness of its economic aid, peacebuilding, and climate adaptation efforts.

"Climate-driven instability in neighboring countries could lead to regional security concerns, migration pressures, and humanitarian crises in Australia, and these areas are under-researched," said Associate Professor Michele Barnes, co-author of this study at the University of Sydney with James Cook University's Professor Tiffany Morrison.

"I was helping communities in Colombia that were dealing with climate change impacts like droughts or flooding and, simultaneously, they were affected by conflict. The same lands that were abandoned or seized, and I was helping to recover, were also intensely impacted by climate change," Ms. Bedoya Taborda said.

In 2022, she moved to Australia to complete a master's degree at James Cook University. Two years later she is commencing a Ph.D. on this topic at the University of Sydney's School of Project Management, Faculty of Engineering.

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"It's very complicated because we don't actually know how to help communities facing these simultaneous shocks."

"Our review showed there is a major gap regarding what's happening in communities that are already affected by conflict. So, these communities are basically alone, trying to face these two significant, compounded shocks," said Ms. Bedoya Taborda, who led the study as a master's student.

The researchers revealed that climate-induced stress is already exacerbating existing socio-political tensions, often leading to the outbreak or escalation of conflicts.

One example the researchers gave was Nepal, in Southern Asia. The country began a peacebuilding process after a 10-year civil war. The peacebuilding process attempted to lessen poverty and improve communities' livelihoods, but Nepal's communities faced significant difficulties due to the persistence of the underlying causes of the civil war combined with climate change impacts. The Midland region was severely deforested, and there was a shortage of wood and food.

This type of climate-security-driven crisis in Australia's neighboring regions could lead to an increased demand for humanitarian aid, migration support and diplomatic and security assistance.

"There's an urgent need to study climate change impacts in conflict-affected communities so we can better understand how to design policies and projects that can help address these compounding issues in ways that work toward both climate resilience and enduring peace," said Dr. Barnes.

More information: Luisa Fernanda Bedoya Taborda et al, Adaptation and Peace: Extending the Agenda for CapacityBuilding in Climate and ConflictAffected Communities, WIREs Climate Change (2024). DOI: 10.1002/wcc.921
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Activists say rich nations have an obligation to fund the energy transitions for poorer countries least responsible for climate change.

Negotiators toiled Tuesday to break a deadlock at UN climate talks after G20 leaders acknowledged the need for trillions of dollars for poorer nations but left key sticking points unresolved.

With three days left in the COP29 conference, ministers haggling in Azerbaijan had been waiting for the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro to issue a declaration that might jump-start the stalled negotiations.

Activists and diplomats gave the text a mixed verdict, saying the statement lacked enough direction on climate finance and failed to explicitly mention the need to transition away from fossil fuels.

The lead negotiator of COP29 hosts Azerbaijan, Yalchin Rafiyev, said the G20 statement sent "positive signals" to the efforts in Baku.

"G20 delegations now have their marching orders for here in Baku," UN climate chief Simon Stiell said in a statement.

"We urgently need all nations to bypass the posturing and move swiftly towards common ground, across all issues," he said.

Brazil is host of next year's climate talks in the Amazonian gateway of Belem, and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged good progress in Baku.

"We cannot leave the task of Baku until Belem," Lula told the G20 summit.

G20 hopes 'too high'?

Rich nations are being urged to significantly raise their pledge of $100 billion a year to help developing countries adapt to climate change and transition to clean energy.

But efforts to finalize the deal in Baku are hampered by disputes over how much the deal should entail, who should pay for it, and what types of financing should be included.

Those key questions were not answered in the G20 statement.

"We were waiting for a boost. Our expectations were maybe too high," a European negotiator told AFP.

The declaration, however, recognizes "the need for rapidly and substantially scaling up climate finance from billions to trillions from all sources".

It also states the need to increase international collaboration "with a view to scaling up public and private climate finance and investment for developing countries".

Michai Robertson, a negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States, said the G20 paragraph on climate finance "is not saying much".

Adonia Ayebare, the Ugandan chairman of the G77+China grouping of developing nations, told AFP the Rio statement was a "good building block" for the climate talks.

But Ayebare said he was "not comfortable" with the wording saying the money should come from "all sources".

"We have been insisting that this has to be from public sources. Grants, not loans," Ayebare said.

Harsen Nyambe, head of the 55-nation African Union delegation at COP29, said the G20 "had a statement of goodwill".

"But it's up to the countries who are negotiating here at the end of the day to decide what they want to put forward for the globe," he told reporters.

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Can't 'backslide'

A new draft deal on climate finance is expected by Wednesday night.

Some developing countries, which are the least responsible for global greenhouse gas emissions, want an annual commitment of $1.3 trillion.

"The reality of the situation is that 1.3 trillion pales in the face of the seven trillion that is spent annually on fossil fuel subsidies," Fiji's deputy prime minister, Biman Prasad, told COP29 delegates.

"The money is there. It is just in exactly the wrong place," he said.

Developed nations, facing their own debt problems and budget deficits, say the private sector must play a key role in climate finance.

The United States and European Union are also pushing for the donor base to be expanded to include countries such as China, which has become the world's second-biggest economy but is still officially listed as a developing nation.

Negotiators say the talks have also been held up by Saudi Arabia's resistance to any reference to last year's pledge at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates for the world to move away from fossil fuels.

"Let me state once again that we as a global community cannot afford to backslide," EU climate envoy Wopke Hoekstra said in a speech, without naming any country.

"We all must build on what we call the UAE consensus. There is simply no success without it," he said.

 2024 AFP
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A carbon tax is the most effective way for New Zealand to cut emissions while supporting a stable economy, according to a University of Auckland study.

The study compares the effects of three environmental policiescarbon taxes, emissions trading schemes and emission intensity targets on New Zealand's economy. It also explores environmental impacts on the economy by factoring in how pollution spreads across regions.

The article, "Evaluating the macroeconomic impact of environmental policies in New Zealand: A New Keynesian DSGE model to sustainability," is published in the November Journal of Environmental Management.

The researchers behind the project, Associate Professor Stephen Poletti, Dr. Selena Sheng, Professor Emilson Silva, Dr. Le Wen and lead author, doctoral candidate Simon Tao, say that while all policies caused some short-term welfare losses, a carbon tax was gentler on New Zealanders' welfare and wallets overall.

Energy Center director, Silva says although carbon taxation may increase the cost of living, particularly by increasing food, transportation and energy prices, the revenue raised can be used to mitigate some of the subsequent burdens faced by households through income tax rebates or direct transfers to struggling families.

The researchers say a carbon tax could work well alongside the current emissions trading scheme (ETS) under which agriculture is exempt.

Poletti says the study reinforces the view of many economists that the best way to reduce emissions is to impose a carbon tax.

"It gives certainty to businesses as to the carbon price compared to the price set by an emissions trading scheme which is volatile."

Unlike countries such as China, which introduced an environmental protection tax in 2016 alongside its ETS, the New Zealand government has chosen to refrain from levying a carbon tax, especially for emissions from the agricultural sector, which is exempt from the ETS.

"Relying on the ETS for emissions reduction is ineffective in terms of meeting New Zealand's environmental goals, and agricultural emissions pose a considerable challenge," says Tao.

The study also highlights a tricky aspect of implementing environmental policies: in New Zealand, emissions tend to rise when the economy grows and fall during downturns, a pattern the researchers describe as pro-cyclical.

To help overcome the pro-cyclicality of environmental policies, Tao says the government could consider dynamic carbon pricing.

"A flexible carbon price that increases during economic growth and decreases in recessions can help stabilize emissions. This would counteract emissions spikes in agriculture where production tends to rise during expansions, by setting higher carbon prices in growth periods."

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The study also discusses the importance of cross-regional cooperation, with environmental policies often affecting neighboring countries.

Sheng emphasizes the importance of New Zealand's collaboration with neighbors like Australia.

"By working together, we can enhance the impact of our environmental policies and contribute to a more sustainable region," she says.

"As is the norm in Europe, Australia and New Zealand could investigate establishing a joint forum to devise a framework that harmonizes tax policy to maintain the region's investment appeal.

"In this way, both governments could offer tax incentives or financial support to companies engaging in environmentally sustainable projects, supporting gradual progress toward greener economies."

The study also highlights the crucial role of policymakers in educating the public about the benefits of a carbon tax.

More information: Miaomiao Tao et al, Evaluating the macroeconomic impact of environmental policies in New Zealand: A New Keynesian DSGE model to sustainability, Journal of Environmental Management (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122968 Journal information: Journal of Environmental Management
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Marine fossils from Level 4. (A) Pholadomya gigantea (Sowerby, 1836) (PV18 H29 159); (B) Granocardium productum (Sowerby, 1832) (PV22 9047); (C) Pleurotomaria sp. (PV20 F27); (D) Tetragramma variolare (Brongniart, 1822) (PV19 G27). Credit: Quaternary (2024). DOI: 10.3390/quat7040049

Research led by the Universidad de Burgos has uncovered evidence suggesting Neanderthals engaged in collecting activities based on discoveries at the Prado Vargas Cave in Burgos, Spain. Fifteen Upper Cretaceous marine fossils were found, indicating that Neanderthals may have gathered these objects for reasons beyond practical utility.

Collecting objects simply for their aesthetic interest is considered a very human thing to do, a modern leisure activity involving the gathering of art, stamps, coins, marbles, comic books, Pokemon or Magic cards, and figurines of every description. Just about anything can become collectible if the collector decides to indulge themselves.

Assyrian King Ashurbanipal in the 7th century BCE was a collector of clay tablets, the first version of a book collection in recorded history. But the true habit of hanging on to interesting objects is likely far older than that. For instance, a reddish jasper stone resembling a human face was found in the Makapansgat Valley in South Africa and is thought to have been collected by an Australopithecus africanus, who placed it in a cave for safekeeping. An engraved mussel shell found on the island of Java was associated with Homo erectus.

In Neanderthal dwellings, many such curiosities have been unearthed, often coming from sources far away from the Neanderthal home: sea shells and quartz crystals, antlered skulls and a variety of fossils, with some fossils centered on cutting tools.

This is all evidence that early hominins exhibited curiosity and interest in objects that had no immediate practical use, but held a positive aesthetic value.

In a study titled "Were Neanderthals the First Collectors? First Evidence Recovered in Level 4 of the Prado Vargas Cave, Cornejo, Burgos and Spain," the team examines 15 fossils lacking utilitarian value that appear to have been intentionally brought into the cave.

The research is published in the journal Quaternary.

Detailed analysis of the Prado Vargas Cave's stratigraphic sequence revealed fossil artifacts on Mousterian Level N4, an area dated to approximately 39.854.6 thousand years ago. Archaeological evidence suggests Neanderthals occupied the cave as a stable camp, engaging in toolmaking, deer hunting, and possibly symbolic behaviors.

Geological and geographical situation of Prado Vargas site. Credit: Quaternary (2024). DOI: 10.3390/quat7040049

Fifteen marine fossils were identified, with an average size of under 2 inches (5 cm), including species like Tylostoma, Granocardium productum, and Pholadomya gigantea. Showing no signs of use as tools or ornaments, their presence in the cave could be attributed to collecting activities motivated by an aesthetic or symbolic interest.

The artifacts were not native to the cave's immediate geological context and were likely collected from Upper Cretaceous formations in the surrounding area, some originating from over 30 kilometers away.

Detailed examination revealed that only one fossil showed signs of potential use as a hammer, while the rest lacked modifications indicative of practical utility. Possible motivations for collecting these fossils suggested in the study include aesthetic appreciation, symbolic significance, or social practices such as gift-giving or exchange.

Cognitive capacities involved in this behavior suggest the collector possessed abstract thinking abilities. Previous evidence has indicated that Neanderthals participated in practices such as burial, use of pigments, the creation of ornaments and cave wall art. Collecting non-utilitarian objects like fossils enhances our comprehension of their cultural complexity.

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The study mentions the presence of children among the Neanderthal settlement, and even suggests that it might be the children who collected the fossils. Something not specifically mentioned in the study is a social practice prolific among modern-day children. What if the collected items were used in some sort of a game?

Gaming and toy artifacts are often overlooked as possessing utility in archaeology. Even when considering modern human artifacts, unknown aesthetic objects are often ascribed to having a ritualistic or symbolic meaning, only later to be reconsidered as gaming pieces or children's toys.

If the Neanderthal motivations were like our own, they likely spent a decent amount of time at play. It is at least worth considering that we could be seeing the earliest version of a fossil dice or marble game, or perhaps a more complicated game where the collection of exceptionally rare pieces offers a distinct advantage on game night.

Then again, if they were really like us, they could just have been curious about the extinct creatures they found captured in the fossil record.

More information: Marta Navazo Ruiz et al, Were Neanderthals the First Collectors? First Evidence Recovered in Level 4 of the Prado Vargas Cave, Cornejo, Burgos and Spain, Quaternary (2024). DOI: 10.3390/quat7040049

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The Honeybee Robotics prototype during lunar VSAT (Vertical Solar Array Technology) testing inside Chamber A at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston. Credit: NASA/David DeHoyos

Imagine designing technology that can survive on the moon for up to a decade, providing a continuous energy supply. NASA selected three companies to develop such systems, aimed at providing a power source at the moon's South Pole for Artemis missions.

Three companies were awarded contracts in 2022 with plans to test their self-sustaining solar arrays at the Johnson Space Center's Space Environment Simulation Laboratory (SESL) in Houston, specifically in Chamber A in building 32. The prototypes tested to date have undergone rigorous evaluations to ensure the technology can withstand the harsh lunar environment and deploy the solar array effectively on the lunar surface.

In the summer of 2024, both Honeybee Robotics, a Blue Origin company from Altadena, California, and Astrobotic Technology from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania put their solar array concepts to the test in Chamber A.

Each company has engineered a unique solution to design the arrays to withstand the harsh lunar environment and extreme temperature swings. The data collected in the SESL will support refinement of requirements and the designs for future technological advancements with the goal to deploy at least one of the systems near the moon's South Pole.

The contracts for this initiative are part of NASA's VSAT (Vertical Solar Array Technology) project, aiming to support the agency's long-term lunar surface operations. VSAT is under the Space Technology Mission Directorate Game Changing Development program and led by the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, in collaboration with Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

"We foresee the moon as a hub for manufacturing satellites and hardware, leveraging the energy required to launch from the lunar surface," said Jim Burgess, VSAT lead systems engineer. "This vision could revolutionize space exploration and industry."

Credit: NASA

Built in 1965, the SESL initially supported the Gemini and Apollo programs but was adapted to conduct testing for other missions like the Space Shuttle Program and Mars rovers, as well as validate the design of the James Webb Space Telescope. Today, it continues to evolve to support future Artemis exploration.

Johnson's Front Door initiative aims to solve the challenges of space exploration by opening opportunities to the public and bringing together bold and innovative ideas to explore new destinations.

"The SESL is just one of the hundreds of unique capabilities that we have here at Johnson," said Molly Bannon, Johnson's Innovation and Strategy specialist. "The Front Door provides a clear understanding of all our capabilities and services, the ways in which our partners can access them, and how to contact us. We know that we can go further together with all our partners across the entire space ecosystem if we bring everyone together as the hub of human spaceflight."

Chamber A remains as one of the largest thermal vacuum chambers of its kind, with the unique capability to provide extreme deep space temperature conditions down to as low as 20 Kelvin. This allows engineers to gather essential data on how technologies react to the moon's severe conditions, particularly during the frigid lunar night where the systems may need to survive for 96 hours in darkness.

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"Testing these prototypes will help ensure more safe and reliable space mission technologies," said Chuck Taylor, VSAT project manager. "The goal is to create a self-sustaining system that can support lunar exploration and beyond, making our presence on the moon not just feasible but sustainable."

The power generation systems must be self-aware to manage outages and ensure survival on the lunar surface. These systems will need to communicate with habitats and rovers and provide continuous power and recharging as needed. They must also deploy on a curved surface, extend 32 feet high to reach sunlight, and retract for possible relocation.

"Generating power on the moon involves numerous lessons and constant learning," said Taylor. "While this might seem like a technical challenge, it's an exciting frontier that combines known technologies with innovative solutions to navigate lunar conditions and build a dynamic and robust energy network on the moon."

Provided by NASA
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Part of the TESS light curve of HD 34736. Credit: Semenko et al., 2024.

Using various telescopes, an international team of astronomers has conducted a comprehensive study of a double-lined spectroscopic binary known as HD 34736. The study, published November 6 in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, delivers important insights into the properties of this system.

So far, the majority of binaries have been detected by Doppler shifts in their spectral lines, hence these systems are called spectroscopic binaries. Observations show that in some spectroscopic binaries, spectral lines from both stars are visible, and these lines are alternately double and single. These systems are known as double-lined spectroscopic binaries (SB2).

HD 34736 is an SB2 system consisting of two chemically peculiar late B-type stars, located some 1,215 light years away. Previous observations of HD 34736 have found that the system has an extraordinarily strong magnetic field exceeding 4.5 kG. The effective temperatures of the primary and secondary star were found to be 13,700 and 11,500 K, respectively.

In order to shed more light on the properties of HD 34736, a group of astronomers led by Eugene Semenko of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, decided to investigate this system in detail with various observing facilities worldwide.

"For this study, we organized a multi-site spectroscopic and spectropolarimetric monitoring campaign with observational facilities in Europe, Asia, and North America," the researchers wrote in the paper.

The observations found that the primary object in HD 34736 is a chemically peculiar helium-weak star with an effective temperature of 13,000 K and rotational velocity of 75 km/s.

When it comes to its companion, the collected data indicate that it is a chemically peculiar star exhibiting variability of magnesium and silicon emission lines, with an effective temperature of 11,500 K and rotational velocity of 110180 km/s. The two components orbit each other on a highly eccentric orbit with an orbital period of 83.2 days.

According to the study, the primary star has a rotational period of approximately 1.28 days, which is lengthening at a rate of about 1.26 seconds per year. The secondary star's rotational period turned out to be shorterabout 0.52 days, reducing at a rate of 0.14 seconds per year.

Furthermore, the observations found that the primary star showcases a strongly asymmetric global magnetic field, whose strength varies from 6.0 to 5.0 kG. For the secondary star, the astronomers identified weak spectropolarimetric evidence of a magnetic field.

Based on the obtained data, the authors of the paper suppose that there may be a third cooler component in the HD 34736 system, likely a T Tauri variable star. However, further studies of the system are required in order to confirm this hypothesis.

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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Scientists have found new evidence that desertification, potentially linked to global warming, leads to large amounts of nutrient-rich dust landing in the sea, causing ocean algae to grow rapidly. Biological oceanographer John A. Gittings and an international group of researchers have found an example of this phenomenon in the Indian Ocean south-east of Madagascar.

They analyzed satellite images that showed how the color of the sea in that area had changed over the years. Phytoplankton (microscopic algae found in the oceans) affect the color of the water when they grow rapidly in response to higher levels of nutrientsincluding iron that's found in dust. The researchers found that drought in southern Africa's drylands had caused the strongest phytoplankton bloom in about 27 years, south-east of Madagascar.

What is a phytoplankton bloom?

Millions of tiny organisms called phytoplankton live in every aquatic environment. They are critical components of the Earth systemphytoplankton are estimated to produce about 50% of Earth's oxygen.

They have a crucial role in the global carbon cycle.

Phytoplankton also form the foundation of marine food webs. They provide an essential food source for organisms like zooplankton (tiny marine animals), which in turn sustain larger species such as fish and whales. This directly benefits fisheries and human communities that rely on them.

Just like land plants, they grow more in certain seasons. When light, nutrients and other conditions, such as temperature, are at the best level for phytoplankton, they can rapidly multiply and flourish. This leads to the development of a phytoplankton bloom.

Phytoplankton cells contain chlorophyll, a green pigment that affects the color of oceanic surface waters. This can be detected from space using specialized satellite ocean color sensors. It is difficult to say exactly how many phytoplankton cells made up the bloom. However, this bloom off the Madagascar coast covered an estimated 2,000km.

During the spring/summer of 2019/2020 in the southern hemisphere, an exceptional phytoplankton bloom was discovered in the Indian Ocean south-east of Madagascar. This was during a period of the year when blooms are not expected. The bloom began in November 2019 before diffusing into the Mozambique channel and broader Madagascar basin in December 2019 and January 2020.

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What were the causes of this?

To determine the cause, we conducted an in-depth analysis of what's known as Lagrangian trajectories in this part of the ocean. This is like following the path of an object as it moves through space. Imagine you're watching a leaf floating on a river: instead of just looking at the river's flow, you focus on the leaf's journey, tracking where it goes and how it moves over time.

We analyzed the movement of water parcels (a mass of water of similar properties that can be tracked). This allowed us to investigate whether nutrients important for phytoplankton growth had originated from the east coast of Madagascar and the south-east Africa continental shelf. We then explored whether the settling of dust from the air or atmosphere could have been what had fertilized the ocean.

We found that in the 60 days prior to the bloom beginning, about 75% of water parcels we tracked to the bloom area did not originate from nearby land masses.

The bloom near Madagascar was caused by nutrient-rich dust that blew from drought-stricken drylands in the western parts of southern Africa. The Etosha and Makgadikgadi salt pans in Namibia and Botswana, pans and ephemeral rivers in the coastal Namibian desert, as well as the south-western Kalahari pan belt, are major suppliers of dust to the Southern Ocean and its outer edges.

Carried over long distances by wind, the dust was deposited into the nutrient-limited surface waters south-east of Madagascar through intense rainfall events. Blooms of this magnitude are rare. But rising air temperatures, increasing dryness, and higher dust emissions in southern Africa suggest that such events could become more common in the future.

How was ocean and marine life affected?

The effects of the 2019/2020 bloom on the broader marine food web in waters south-east of Madagascar still need to be fully investigated. But this abundant food supply could have potentially boosted populations of zooplankton and fish species in the region.

The oceans play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making them essential for climate regulation. During the 2019/2020 bloom, the region acted as a significant carbon sink because of the high rates of photosynthesis occurring. (Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and algae use sunlight to produce food; in doing so, they absorb carbon dioxide from the air.) As the phytoplankton thrived during the bloom, they took in large amounts of carbon dioxide.

Phytoplankton blooms like this one are uncommon. This one was the first of its kind since the beginning of the satellite ocean color data recordin other words, the first in about 27 years.

Current trends in air temperatures, aridity and dust emissions in southern Africa suggest that such events could become more probable in the future. Together with recent findings on ocean fertilization by drought-induced megafires in Australia, our results point towards a potential link between global warming, drought, aerosol emissions and ocean blooms.

Dust that fertilizes the ocean and leads to an increased number of phytoplankton blooms could help remove carbon from the atmosphere. This will only be confirmed by further research.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Swift orbits above Earth in this artist's concept. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab

After two decades in space, NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is performing better than ever thanks to a new operational strategy implemented earlier this year. The spacecraft has made great scientific strides in the years since scientists dreamed up a new way to explore gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe.

"The idea for Swift was born during a meeting in a hotel basement in Estes Park, Colorado, in the middle of a conference," said John Nousek, the Swift mission director at Pennsylvania State University in State College. "A bunch of astrophysicists got together to brainstorm a mission that could help us solve the problem of gamma-ray bursts, which were a very big mystery at the time."

Gamma-ray bursts occur all over the sky without warning, with about one a day detected on average. Astronomers generally divide these bursts into two categories. Long bursts produce an initial pulse of gamma rays for two seconds or more and occur when the cores of massive stars collapse to form black holes. Short bursts last less than two seconds and are caused by the mergers of dense objects like neutron stars.

But in 1997, at the time of that basement meeting, the science community disagreed over the origin models for these events. Astronomers needed a satellite that could move quickly to locate them and move to point additional instruments at their positions.

What developed was Swift, which launched Nov. 20, 2004, from Complex 17A at what is now Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Originally called the Swift Observatory for its ability to quickly point at cosmic events, the mission team renamed the spacecraft in 2018 after its first principal investigator Neil Gehrels.

Watch to learn how NASAs Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory got its name. Credit: NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center

Swift uses several methods for orienting and stabilizing itself in space to study gamma-ray bursts.

Sensors that detect the sun's location and the direction of Earth's magnetic field provide the spacecraft with a general sense of its location. Then, a device called a star tracker looks at stars and tells the spacecraft how to maneuver to keep the observatory precisely pointed at the same position during long observations.

Swift uses three spinning gyroscopes, or gyros, to carry out those moves along three axes. The gyros were designed to align at right angles to each other, but once in orbit the mission team discovered they were slightly misaligned. The flight operations team developed a strategy where one of the gyros worked to correct the misalignment while the other two pointed Swift to achieve its science goals.

The team wanted to be ready in case one of the gyros failed, however, so in 2009 they developed a plan to operate Swift using just two.

Any change to the way a telescope operates once in space carries risk, however. Since Swift was working well, the team sat on their plan for 15 years.

Then, in July 2023, one of Swift's gyros began working improperly. Because the telescope couldn't hold its pointing position accurately, observations got progressively blurrier until the gyro failed entirely in March 2024.

"Because we already had the shift to two gyros planned out, we were able to quickly and thoroughly test the procedure here on the ground before implementing it on the spacecraft," said Mark Hilliard, Swift's flight operations team lead at Omitron, Inc. and Penn State. "Actually, scientists have commented that the accuracy of Swift's pointing is now better than it was since launch, which is really encouraging."

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For the last 20 years, Swift has contributed to groundbreaking resultsnot only for gamma-ray bursts but also for black holes, stars, comets, and other cosmic objects.

"After all this time, Swift remains a crucial part of NASA's fleet," said S. Bradley Cenko, Swift's principal investigator at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "The satellite's abilities have helped pioneer a new era of astrophysics called multimessenger astronomy, which is giving us a more well-rounded view of how the universe works. We're looking forward to all Swift has left to teach us."

Swift is a key part of NASA's strategy to look for fleeting and unpredictable changes in the sky with a variety of telescopes that use different methods of studying the cosmos.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

People from Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin and the north-east of England are better at detecting someone imitating their accent than people from London and Essex, new research from the University of Cambridge has found. People from Belfast proved most able to detect someone faking their accent, while people from London, Essex and Bristol were least accurate.

The study, published in Evolutionary Human Sciences found that the ability of participants from Scotland, the north-east of England, Ireland and Northern Ireland to tell whether short recordings of their native accent were real or fake ranged from approximately 6585%. By contrast, for Essex, London and Bristol, success ranged from just over 50%, barely better than chance, to 6575%.

In the biggest study of its kind, drawing on 12,000 responses, the researchers found that participants across all groups were better than chance at detecting fake accents, succeeding just over 60% of the time. Unsurprisingly, participants who spoke naturally in the test accent tended to detect more accurately than non-native listener groupssome of which performed worse than chancebut success varied between regions.

"We found a pretty pronounced difference in accent cheater detection between these areas," said corresponding author Dr. Jonathan R Goodman, from Cambridge's Leverhulme Center for Human Evolutionary Studies, and Cambridge Public Health.

"We think that the ability to detect fake accents is linked to an area's cultural homogeneity, the degree to which its people hold similar cultural values."

The researchers argue that the accents of speakers from Belfast, Glasgow, Dublin, and north-east England have culturally evolved over the past several centuries, during which there have been multiple cases of between-group cultural tension, particularly involving the cultural group making up southeast England, above all London.

This, they suggest, probably caused individuals from areas in Ireland and the northern regions of the United Kingdom to place emphasis on their accents as signals of social identity.

The study argues that greater social cohesion in Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow and the north-east may have resulted in a more prominent fear of cultural dilution by outsiders, which would have encouraged the development of improved accent recognition and mimicry detection.

People from London and Essex proved least able to spot fake accents because, the study suggests, these areas have fewer strong "cultural group boundaries" and people are more used to hearing different kinds of accents, which could make them less attuned to accent fakery.

The study points out that many speakers of the Essex accent only moved to the area over the past 25 years from London, whereas the accents of people living in Belfast, Glasgow and Dublin have "evolved over centuries of cultural tension and violence."

Some might have expected Bristolians to authenticate recordings of their accent more accurately, but Goodman points out that "cultural heterogeneity has been increasing significantly in the city". The researchers would also like to obtain more data for Bristol.

An evolved ability

Previous research has shown that when people want to demarcate themselves for cultural reasons, their accents become stronger. In human evolution, the ability to recognize and thwart "free riders" is also thought to have been pivotal in the development of large-scale societies.

Dr. Goodman said, "Cultural, political, or even violent conflict are likely to encourage people to strengthen their accents as they try to maintain social cohesion through cultural homogeneity. Even relatively mild tension, for example the intrusion of tourists in the summer, could have this effect.

"I'm interested in the role played by trust in society and how trust forms. One of the first judgments a person will make about another person, and when deciding whether to trust them, is how they speak. How humans learn to trust another person who may be an interloper has been incredibly important over our evolutionary history and it remains critical today."

Overall, the study found that participants were better than chance at detecting fake accents, but is it surprising that so many people failed 4050% of the time?

The authors point out that participants were only given 23 second clips, so the fact that some authenticated with 7085% accuracy is very impressive. If participants had heard a longer clip or been able to interact with someone face-to-face, the researchers would expect success rates to rise but continue to vary by region.

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How the tests worked

The researchers constructed a series of sentences designed to elicit phonetic variables distinguishing between seven accents of interest: north-east England, Belfast, Dublin, Bristol, Glasgow, Essex, and Received Pronunciation (RP), commonly understood as standard British English. The researchers chose these accents to ensure a high number of contrasting phonemes between sentences.

Test sentences included: "Hold up those two cooked tea bags"; "She kicked the goose hard with her foot"; "He thought a bath would make him happy"; "Jenny told him to face up to his weight"; and "Kit strutted across the room."

The team initially recruited around 50 participants who spoke in these accents and asked them to record themselves reading the sentences in their natural accent. The same participants were then asked to mimic sentences in the other six accents in which they did not naturally speak, chosen randomly.

Females mimicked females, males mimicked males. The researchers selected recordings which they judged came closest to the accents in question based on the reproduction of key phonetic variables.

Finally, the same participants were asked to listen to recordings made by other participants of their own accents, of both genders. Therefore, Belfast accent speakers heard and judged recordings made by native Belfast speakers as well as recordings of fake Belfast accents made by non-native speakers.

Participants were then asked to determine whether the recordings were authentic. All participants were asked to determine whether the speaker was an accent-mimic for each of 12 recordings (six mimics and six genuine speakers, presented in random order). The researchers obtained 618 responses.

In a second phase, the researchers recruited over 900 participants from the United Kingdom and Ireland, regardless of which accent they spoke naturally. This created a control group for comparison and increased the native speaker sample sizes. In the second phase, the researchers collected 11,672 responses.

"The UK is a really interesting place to study," Dr. Goodman said. "The linguistic diversity and cultural history is so rich and you have so many cultural groups that have been roughly in the same location for a really long time. Very specific differences in language, dialect and accents have emerged over time, and that's a fascinating side of language evolution."

More information: Evidence that cultural groups differ in their abilities to detect fake accents, Evolutionary Human Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1017/ehs.2024.36
Protest to be Held in Front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. to Stand in Solidarity with 45 Imprisoned Hong Kong Democracy Activists

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NEWS PROVIDED BY

Christian Defense Coalition

Nov. 19, 2024

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2024 /Christian Newswire/  The Christian Defense Coalition will be leading a prayer vigil and public witness at the Chinese Embassy on Wednesday, November 20, at 1:00 PM.

The address of Chinese Embassy is: 3505 International Pl NW, Washington, DC 20008.

On Wednesday, November 19, 45 Hong Kong democracy activists received 4 to 10 year prison sentences for peacefully working to bring democratic reforms and expand freedom in Hong Kong.

Human rights activists will be laying 45 flowers in front of the Chinese Embassy to remember those who have unjustly imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party, pray for justice and call upon the United States and world leaders to demand their immediate release.

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition and long time advocate for human rights and freedom in China and Hong Kong, states;

It is an outrage the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has imprisoned 45 democracy advocates for peacefully calling for democratic reforms and freedom in Hong Kong. This brutal persecution and oppression by the government against their own people demonstrates how the CCP crushes free speech and has no regard for basic human rights and justice.

We are gathering to pray and leave flowers at the Chinese Embassy to stand in solidarity with these heroic freedom fighters and call upon the United States and world leaders to demand their immediate release and condemn this oppression by the Chinese Communist Party. We echo the words of Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Elie Wiesel, as he states; I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. We will never be silent when it comes to human rights in Hong Kong.

Rev. Mahoney fighting for human rights in Hong Kong during the 2019 Siege of PolyU

For more information or interviews call

Rev. Patrick Mahoney at: 540.538.4741

SOURCE Christian Defense Coalition
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Members of the expedition take samples. Credit: ICTA-UAB

The international BIOCAL expedition, led by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB), provided new evidence on the phenomenon of "atlantification" of the Arctic Ocean, a process related to climate change that involves the progressive invasion of Atlantic waters into the polar Arctic Ocean.

The campaign collected samples to study the change in marine biodiversity through the analysis of calcifying planktonic organisms. Calcifying planktonic organisms contribute to the regulation of atmospheric CO 2 and seawater chemistry. These organisms form calcium carbonate shells and are particularly sensitive to ocean acidification and climate change.

During this past August and September, the oceanographic research vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa sailed from Vigo (Spain) to Reykjavik (Iceland), after sampling through the archipelagos of the Azores (subtropics) and Svalbard (polar), analyzing the North Atlantic and South Arctic Oceans.

Water and sediment samples were collected throughout the journey, and in-situ experiments were performed to assess marine biodiversity and biogeography and their role in the carbon cycle, with a particular focus on calcifying plankton. Research in regions of different latitudes, from the warmest areas of the Atlantic to the cold waters of the Arctic, allowed the scientific team to gather evidence of the impact of "atlantification" on the physicochemical characteristics of water and on pelagic ecosystems.

Expedition members prepare to take samples. Credit: ICTA-UAB

"The intrusion of Atlantic waters is turning the Arctic into an ocean that is becoming warmer and less saline due to the accelerated melting of ice. In addition, this intrusion is rapidly changing the marine ecosystems and species distribution of the Arctic," explains Patrizia Ziveri, oceanographer at ICTA-UAB and chief scientist of the campaign.

This phenomenon changes the primary and secondary productivity and allows species from more temperate latitudes to expand their habitat northwards, generating food competition and predation on Arctic species.

In the Svalbard archipelago, scientists observed calcifying plankton species of coccolithophores, shelled pteropods and foraminifera (the 3 main calcifying groups) at the edge of their usual geographic range, in addition to higher-than-average surface temperatures over the past 22 years for August and September. The extensive area studied in the campaign from subtropical to polar regions allowed scientists to observe the overall signature of climate change on the biogeography of common calcifying planktic species.

Samples on the deck of the scientific vessel. Credit: ICTA-UAB

This project is based on the evidence that marine biodiversity loss represents one of the greatest threats to the oceans, but most knowledge comes from large macro-groups and animals. Anthropogenic climate change and environmental degradation are generating alarming effects, such as ocean warming, acidification, stratification and deoxygenation, affecting both small plankton and fish.

Despite humanity's clear dependence on the oceans, the consequences of these changes on biodiversity are still not fully understood, particularly at the food web level.

This expedition involved a multidisciplinary team of scientists (ICTA-UAB, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of Oxford and Rowan University): oceanographers, biologists, geologists, and environmental and social science specialists from several countries.
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Clay objects roughly the size of fingers were discovered during a dig at the ancient city of Umm el-Marra. The engraved symbols may be part of the earliest known alphabet. Credit: Glenn Schwartz, Johns Hopkins University

What appears to be evidence of the oldest alphabetic writing in human history is etched onto finger-length, clay cylinders excavated from a tomb in Syria by a team of Johns Hopkins University researchers.

The writing, which is dated to around 2400 BCE, precedes other known alphabetic scripts by roughly 500 years, upending what archaeologists know about where alphabets came from, how they are shared across societies, and what that could mean for early urban civilizations.

"Alphabets revolutionized writing by making it accessible to people beyond royalty and the socially elite. Alphabetic writing changed the way people lived, how they thought, how they communicated," said Glenn Schwartz, a professor of archaeology at Johns Hopkins University who discovered the clay cylinders. "And this new discovery shows that people were experimenting with new communication technologies much earlier and in a different location than we had imagined before now."

Schwartz will share details of his discovery on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the American Society of Overseas Research's Annual Meeting.

A Near Eastern archaeologist, Schwartz studies how early urban areas developed throughout Syria and how smaller cities emerged in the region. With colleagues from the University of Amsterdam, he co-directed a 16-year-long archaeological dig at Tell Umm-el Marra, one of the first medium-sized urban centers that popped up in western Syria.

Clay objects roughly the size of fingers were discovered during a dig at the ancient city of Umm el-Marra. The engraved symbols may be part of the earliest known alphabet. Credit: Glenn Schwartz, Johns Hopkins University

At Umm-el Marra, the archaeologists uncovered tombs dating back to the Early Bronze Age. One of the best-preserved tombs contained six skeletons, gold and silver jewelry, cookware, a spearhead, and intact pottery vessels. Next to the pottery, the researchers found four lightly baked clay cylinders with what seemed to be alphabetic writing on them.

"The cylinders were perforated, so I'm imagining a string tethering them to another object to act as a label. Maybe they detail the contents of a vessel, or maybe where the vessel came from, or who it belonged to," Schwartz said. "Without a means to translate the writing, we can only speculate."

Using carbon-14 dating techniques, researchers confirmed the ages of the tombs, the artifacts, and the writing.

"Previously, scholars thought the alphabet was invented in or around Egypt sometime after 1900 BCE," Schwartz said. "But our artifacts are older and from a different area on the map, suggesting the alphabet may have an entirely different origin story than we thought."
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Remote underwater video captures valuable king george whiting in South Australian coastal waters. Credit: Flinders University

In Australia, shellfish reef restoration projects are helping to recover degraded coastal systems and enhance fish habitat, but much more research is needed to support and evaluate these efforts, researchers say.

Flinders University researchers are gaining insights into how shellfish reefsincluding oyster, mussel and razor clam (pinnid) reefssupport marine biodiversity, and seeking solutions from dozens of international studies led by the US.

"This knowledge will aid in their conservation and restoration in Australia and globally," says Bradley Martin, Flinders University Ph.D. candidate, who led a sweeping review of global research of shellfish reefs, just published in the journal Restoration Ecology.

"This synthesis of research clearly shows a lack of data on shellfish reef fishes," says Mr. Martin, from the Ecosystem Resilience Research Group at Flinders University's College of Science and Engineering.

As centuries of human degradation continue to impact shellfish reefs, including the loss of 85% of global oyster reefs, and >90% of Australian oyster reefs, these impacts are likely to also effect fishes, including species with recreational and cultural value, he says.

Understanding where and how to monitor shellfish reef fishes is critical for supporting shellfish reef conservation and delivering fisheries benefits.

Flinders University researchers study reef life at a local metropolitan beach in Adelaide, South Australia. Credit: Flinders University

This led the Flinders University marine biologists to trawl through more than 110 international studies assessing shellfish reef fishes to investigate fish monitoring methods and research gaps applicable to southern Australia.

In the systematic review of 116 peer reviewed studies from 16 countries, 23 looked at reef-forming shellfish, while 26 investigated different fish monitoring approaches. About 60% of studies assessed how fishes responded to shellfish reef restoration.

However, they also found that 67% of studies were carried out in the United Statesand most (more than 80%) focused only on oyster reefs.

Shellfish reefs provide important refuge and foraging grounds, as well as nurseries for diverse fish communities, including species with major socioeconomic value, which in southern Australia include whiting, snapper, and bream.

In another study, recently published in the Journal of Applied Ecology in collaboration with Flinders researchers, it was estimated that restored Australian shellfish reefs generate an average fish production of 6,186 kg per hectare per year, with fisheries species making up 98% of this production.

Fishes were surveyed using stereo-video cameras and assessed using artificial intelligence software from oyster reefs constructed as apart of The Nature Conservancy's Reef Builder program.

Credit: Georgia Tiller and Brad Martin, Flinders University

Flinders University researchers and collaborators are working to enhance the knowledge and monitoring needed to support the conservation and restoration of important coastal ecosystems.

For example, research published in Marine Environmental Research, led by Flinders Honours student Georgia Tiller, has demonstrated that dense patches of artificial razor clams (pinnids) in the Port River rapidly enhance biodiversityparticularly gobies, shrimps and juvenile blue swimmer crabs (see video attached).

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"Our research efforts include understudied shellfish ecosystems and reef designs, including those characterized by native and introduced oysters, and razor clams (pinnids)," says Dr. Ryan Baring, Flinders University coastal and marine lecturer.

"We found that existing research on shellfish reef fishes was concentrated to northern America, with few studies in tropical regions, or beyond oyster reefslike mussel and pinnid reefs," says Dr. Baring, senior author of the new article.

"Past studies have used diverse fish monitoring methods, ranging from underwater video to various nets and traps, but they are under-reporting valuable monitoring information, such as the reef types or water parameters.

"By understanding these trends, we made recommendations to guide future monitoring approaches and identify key research gaps."

More information: Brad Martin et al, Fishing for more than shellfish: a systematic review of fish community monitoring of shellfish reefs, Restoration Ecology (2024). DOI: 10.1111/rec.14323 R. M. Connolly et al, Estimating enhanced fish production on restored shellfish reefs using automated data collection from underwater videos, Journal of Applied Ecology (2024). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14617 Georgia Tiller et al, Razor clam (Pinna bicolor) structural mimics as drivers of epibenthic biodiversity; a manipulative experiment, Marine Environmental Research (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106658 Journal information: Journal of Applied Ecology
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Rivers and streams serve as critical connectors across vast geographical landscapes, trickling out of tucked-away headwaters and snaking thousands of miles toward oceans and deep seas. These waterways directly impact human and environmental health, agriculture and energy production, and supply the United States with two-thirds of its drinking water. And yet, compared with other larger waterbodies, the microbiology of rivers is relatively understudied.

A Colorado State University-led team of scientists have contributed to changing thatdetailing for the first time both broad and specific information about the presence and function of microorganisms in rivers covering 90% of the watersheds in the continental U.S.

Cataloging the microbiome of these rivers is the result of a yearslong participatory science effort published in the journal Nature.

This new research suggests that microbes play a significant role in shaping the overall health of rivers. The paper's authors describe river microbes as "master orchestrators of nutrient and energy flows that will likely dictate water quality under current and future water scenarios."

What's more, the authors found these microbes are interacting with contaminants found in the water, adding new detail to an existing body of evidence showing that rivers are impacted by artificial inputs such as antibiotics, disinfection products, fluorinated compounds, fertilizers and microplastics.

Notably, river microbes had the ability to degrade microplastics into smaller carbon compounds, and microbes found near wastewater treatment plants expressed high levels of antibiotic resistance genes.

The study also found that river microbe behavior supports a decades-old idea known as the River Continuum Concepta macro-ecological theory that views rivers as one continuously integrated system. For example, a particular type of fish thriving at a particular spot in a river is inextricably linked to what's happening upstream. Turns out, this is also true of river microorganisms.

"People used to think of rivers almost just as pipes, a way to move water from one place to another," said CSU Research Professor Mikayla Borton, lead author on the paper. "But rivers are much more than thatthey're performing all kinds of activities. And there's a pattern to it; those activities can be predicted. Now, we know what microbes are performing some of those activities."

The study involved cataloging more than 2,000 microbial genomes from about 100 rivers across North Americaa majority from water samples collected by local community members through a sampling program run by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, or PNNL, an environmental and physical sciences research lab located in Washington state and operated by Battelle, a private nonprofit, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy.

"When we look at how the land around a river is managed, we can see the processing of certain kinds of anthropogenic contaminants or chemicals through the microbes in their DNA," said Kelly Wrighton, a professor in CSU's College of Agricultural Sciences and a co-author on the paper.

"There's a very strong relationshipit suggests there's a signal in the microbiome of how we're living on and managing the land that is perpetuated into the river system and then downstream."

Microbiome science is an emerging scientific field. One of the key promises of this research area is that microbes can function as a kind of canary in the coal mine for the health of both humans and critical ecosystemssoils, oceans, or, say, the overall wellness of a river.

"Our hope," said Wrighton, one of the leaders of CSU's Microbiome Network, an interdisciplinary research group, "is that this information can eventually be used to develop new diagnostics that are indicators of a healthy river versus an unhealthy river."

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Participatory science on a large scale

In addition to unlocking new insight into river microorganisms, the research published this week also showcases how participatory science can be successfully executed on a large scale, Wrighton said.

Wrighton first considered the project in 2018, while attending a national Department of Energy research meeting in Washington, D.C. At the meeting, Wrighton met James Stegen, a PNNL earth scientist, and learned that Stegen and his colleague, Amy Goldman, were already overseeing a massive, worldwide river sampling effort known as the Worldwide Hydrobiogeochemistry Observation Network for Dynamic River Systems, or WHONDRS.

The program enlisted both scientists and non-scientists to collect river samples locally and send the samples to PNNL for analysis. Wrighton realized those same samples could also be analyzed for microbial data.

"There's a lot of interest in mapping microbiomes, and there was this huge absence of microbial river data," Wrighton said.

"But I was also thinking, 'Can we do this science at scale?' Because if we can do science like this, if we can demonstrate that it works, we can tackle the world's big problems like climate change. We could take this and apply it everywhere. We're already working on a similar approach with wetlands."

Stegen is excited by the results and the possibilities for new research to flow out of this work. "This is new frontier kind of stuff; we're really opening the doors to a deeply under-characterized part of the Earth," Stegen said. "It is extremely gratifying to have built something that will benefit a lot of folks beyond our team."

One of the keys in opening this work to a broader audience, Borton said, was to make the information accessible in a user-friendly database. To accomplish that, Borton turned to CSU Associate Professor Matt Ross, an ecosystem scientist who works with data analytics. Ross' lab helped build the river microbiome data into a searchable, web-friendly platform.

"I'm really proud of the data accessibility part of this project," Borton said.

Ross, a co-author on the paper, also helped Borton contextualize the data for the paper's final analysis. He was somewhat surprised that granular microbial data connected so well to longstanding theories about big river ecosystems.

"One of the key ideas from the paper was that this tied back to river theoryhow rivers change from small creeks to really large rivers," Ross said. "This work aligns quite well with these old theories."

In addition to being impacted by land use, river microbes were affected by other variables such as the size of the river, how much light hit the water surface, air temperature and the speed of the water flowing in the river. Those same factors also impact larger river species.

What's more, these factors were predictive of what microbes the researchers found, regardless of where in the U.S. the river was located. In fact, the team found six microbes in particular that were present and active in each of the roughly 100 rivers they studied. All six of those core microorganisms used light as an energy source.

"Microbes are active in these systems in such a way that is predictable across the continental U.S.," Borton said.

"I thought that we would find similar organisms in these different river systems, but I didn't think the microbes would follow the tenets of these old river concepts for macro-organisms. That's very cool, and I think says a lot about the robustness of the science that was done prior to our work."

Borton hopes non-microbiome scientists will start using the data infrastructure they've built around river microbiomes, including incorporating microbial processes into efforts to better model ecosystems on a large scale.

"We need to be better at studying across landscapes," Borton said, "and better understanding rivers can help us do that."

More information: Kelly Wrighton, A functional microbiome catalogue crowdsourced from North American rivers, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08240-z. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08240-z Journal information: Nature
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

If parents have a choice, the decision about where to send a child to school and what will be best for them can be a really difficult one.

One question that comes up frequently in media reporting is whether single-sex or co-ed schools are better for students. There is ongoing debate about this for both private and public schools.

There has been community outcry over some schools' plans to go co-ed. So it may surprise parents to know this isn't a key question for many education researchers.

As someone who studies gender, social justice and schools, there are other questions I consider to be more important, such as: does a school give students equal opportunities for education and future life success? And how do we make sure all our schools do this?

What does the research say?

Single-sex vs. co-ed debates have been going for decades. Which creates better outcomes? Is co-ed better for boys? Is single-sex more suitable for girls?

But decades of research into the topic is inconclusive.

What we can say is that the biggest predictors of a student's academic success are socio-economic status, whether they live in a rural or remote area, and whether they are Indigenous.

There is also a widespread view it's good for boys to be with girls, but better for girls to be on their own. But again, there is little comprehensive research evidence to support this premise.

These debates are also dominated by a belief that girls and boys learn differently. There is no strong basis for this in educational research.

A different question

Looking only at gender differences between boys and girls at school can mean we ignore other important factors that impact on students' educational success such as social class, race, school location and funding.

This is why, instead of getting stuck in old debates about single-sex vs. co-ed schools, we should be asking more important questions:

do schools support all students?

do they create an environment that gives every student a fair chance to succeed?

US philosopher Nancy Fraser has a helpful framework for us to think about these questions. Her framework provides guidance about what schools and schooling systems should focus on to provide a fair and quality education.

This includes three elements: economic, cultural and political justice. These elements support not only students' academic and social learning but also their physical, social and emotional well-being.

What about funding?

Economic justice is about fair access to resources. In Australia, reforms like the Gonski model aim to do this by focusing on student needs, such as location, Indigenous background, disability and language support. The idea is schools in needier areas should get more government funding and support.

However, there's still a long way to go for funding equity. Public schools that serve the most disadvantaged students remain underfunded compared to private schools, which receive substantial government support.

This funding gap limits students' access to the resources, safe spaces and support they need to thrive.

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Respecting all backgrounds

But money alone isn't enough. Schools need to respect and value the different backgrounds and experiences students have.

In Australia, with its rich multicultural makeup, it's important schools focus on cultural justice by recognizing and challenging discrimination based on gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religious background and ability.

They can do this by, for example, including Indigenous perspectives across the curriculum, teaching gender respect in relationships and setting up classrooms where cultural differences are valued. This helps create a welcoming and supportive school environment for everyone.

This is not about reducing identities to stereotypes. It is about supporting a deep understanding of different cultures that goes beyond labels and addresses the issues that keep certain groups marginalized.

Are all voices heard?

Schools also need to foster political justice. Good schools provide opportunities for all voicesespecially those from marginalized communitiesto be heard and be part of decision-making.

This is something that can easily be obscured in debates about single-sex or co-ed schools being better for one gender. For example, while single-sex schools may try to address gender-specific needs, they often reinforce stereotypes and can exclude non-binary and transgender students.

Schools can foster political justice by creating ways for all students, families, and communities to have a real say in policies and practices.

Inclusive decision-making helps students, families, and the school community feel connected and valued.

What can you look for in a school?

Parents interested in whether a school is working to give all its students opportunities to succeed, could ask questions such as:

how does the school allocate resources to support disadvantaged students and ensure equal access to facilities and opportunities?

does the curriculum include diverse perspectives, celebrate cultural differences, and address issues like racism, sexism, and ableism?

are teachers trained to respond to diverse student needs?

how does the school ensure students, families and communities have a voice in decision-making?

finally, does the school's staff reflect the diversity of its student body and if not, are there steps to rectify this?

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Budvirus image obtained with transmission electron microscopy. Credit: Helena Henriques Vieira, Biology Centre CAS

Scientists from the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences found forty new freshwater viruses infecting aquatic microorganisms this year. The first one, which they isolated and described in detail, was named Budvirus after the South Bohemian capital Ceske Budejovice. It belongs to "Giant Viruses" and it infects unicellular algae called cryptophytes.

Researchers have confirmed that this virus has an important role in the ecosystem, as it controls algal bloom, helping to maintain balance in the aquatic environment. The discoveries of all the viruses were made at the Rimov reservoir near Ceske Budejovice, which has been regularly monitored by South Bohemian hydrobiologists for five decades and is one of the most studied freshwater reservoirs in Europe. The work is published in The ISME Journal.

Although we have freshwater ecosystems such as lakes, ponds, reservoirs and rivers all around us, their microscopic representatives, especially viruses and bacteria, are still a little-explored area. A drop of water can contain a million bacteria and ten times more viruses, but only a handful of them have been described. Recent methods, such as environmental DNA analysis, are making great strides in the study of the aquatic microworld. This is also one of the methods used by the Czech scientific team.

"The way it works is that we extract all the genetic material from a water sample, analyze it using DNA sequencing methods, and from this, we can trace which species of organisms were present in the water. This provides us with clues to find new viruses or bacteria," explains Rohit Ghai, head of the Microbial Ecology and Evolution Laboratory at the Biology Centre CAS. Using these molecular clues, the scientists then search for the existing virus in other water samples. They also try to bring it to the laboratory, preserve it in laboratory conditions and subject it to detailed examination.

Flasks of Rhodomonas culture. The big red one in the middle is a healthy culture (not infected by virus); the green/yellowish ones on the sides are Rhodomonas cultures infected with giant viruses. Credit: Helena Henriques Vieira, Biology Centre CAS

The newly discovered Budvirus likely inhabits many lakes in Europe or other continents

Hydrobiologists first detected the Budvirus this spring, at a time when microscopic algae grow rapidly in the water. They knew that thanks to planktonic predators (such as protozoa, rotifers or cladocera) and nutrient depletion, these algae would disappear again in a short time. But they have now confirmed that a newly discovered giant virus is a major contributor to this algal decline and that its activity is especially important during spring plankton growth.

"Budvirus is the first virus ever described that infects cryptophytes of the genus Rhodomonas, which are some of the most common phytoplankton algae. It can be assumed to be representative of a globally distributed group of viruses in freshwater ecosystems and to occur worldwide," says team member Helena Henriques Vieira.

Budvirus capsid has an icosahedral shape measuring 200 nanometers, roughly ten times larger than the usual size of viruses. Its genome encodes over 400 proteins, half of them with an unknown function. There are many algae viruses of similar size called "Giant Viruses," and Budvirus belongs to them.

Using environmental DNA, the researchers discovered that genetically almost identical giant viruses could be found in many lakes in Europe or other continents. In this respect, studying one location intensively has a worldwide impact on the study of microbes in freshwaters.

Sampling at the Rimov reservoir. Credit: Petr Znachor, Biology Centre CAS

Rimov reservoir near Ceske Budejovice has been regularly monitored by Czech hydrobiologists for five decades and is one of the most studied freshwater reservoirs in Europe. Credit: Petr Znachor, Biology Centre CAS

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Exploring the ecosystem players and their interactions helps to understand unexpected changes

Freshwater ecosystems are very dynamic environments, full of complex interactions between organismsfrom microscopic bacteria, viruses, algae, and protozoa to larger organisms such as fish. Their mutual interactions, whether predation, parasitism, competition or symbiosis, have a major impact on the balance of the ecosystem and its ability to respond to external changes such as temperature fluctuations, changes in water chemistry or the introduction of new species.

With the new discovery, the team of Czech scientists is contributing to the understanding of the ecological and evolutionary interactions between viruses and their hosts in freshwater environments.

"It is important to have a thorough understanding of these ecosystem players and their interactions. When unforeseen changes occur in the water, we will know what happened," adds Ghai.

More information: Helena H Vieira et al, Isolation of a widespread giant virus implicated in cryptophyte bloom collapse, The ISME Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae029 Journal information: ISME Journal
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Electronic nose and odor delivery system. Credit: Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp1764

A group of scientists led by University of Hertfordshire researchers have collaborated to create a particularly fast and small "electronic nose."

The device, roughly the size of a credit card, works at unprecedented timescales, as it can identify odors within mere tens of milliseconds and decode rapid odor fluctuations approaching the speed at which mice perform similar tasks.

The University of Hertfordshire has led the work, which also involves researchers from University College London, the Francis Crick Institute and Western Sydney University (Australia). The paper is published in the journal Science Advances.

It has already been proven that mice can reliably distinguish between different temporal structures of odor pairs up to frequencies of 40 Hertz. This is important for their survival, because it allows them to distinguish between odor sources that are in close proximity against those that are separated. These timescales have not hitherto been matched in robotic systems.

In a series of experiments, the researchers tested their electronic nose on a range of stimuli, including short pulses of odorants for pineapple, banana, eucalyptus and cheese. When compared to the performance of mice in distinguishing rapidly switching odors, the electronic nose outperformed them.

The activity of the sensors inside the device provides a nuanced "map," which can help to detect different gases, smoke, explosives and a range of other odors. As the device is fast, it could be used for robot-assisted monitoring campaigns. This could include use in industrial and environmental settings.

Nik Dennler, a recent Ph.D. graduate in Neuromorphic Computing and Sensing at the University of Hertfordshire and the Western Sydney University (Australia), and Professor Michael Schmuker, a pioneer in neuromorphic olfaction at Herts, explained, "Existing solutions for artificial olfaction devices have been either slow, bulky, expensive or power-intensive. This has made real-world applications very limited. Our work is significant because it overcomes all these challenges.

"A key part of the challenge has been temperature control. The sensor reaction depends strongly on heat, which is difficult to control in a turbulent environment. We have assembled electronics and devised algorithms that rapidly control the operating temperature. This allows the sensors to work with incredible precision."

Dennler added, "A wide range of applications may be possible for the electronic nose. We regard the field of robotics as particularly promising. Many odor-based monitoring scenarios could benefit from a mobile platform, such as a drone or a robot. Think, for example, about localizing gas leaks, monitoring wildfires, or finding explosive materials, all based on the odor. To become feasible, this requires high sensing speed, which we demonstrate in our work.

"Further, the design will likely find usage in neuromorphic computing and sensing, an emerging technology that takes inspiration from the brain to achieve low-power and low-latency artificial intelligence."

Their research concludes that, "This study marks a groundbreaking advancement in electronic olfaction systems, demonstrating the ability to discern odors and decode odor patterns with unprecedented temporal precision in miniaturized low-power settings."

More information: Nik Dennler et al, High-speed odor sensing using miniaturized electronic nose, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp1764 Journal information: Science Advances
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Seeds from domesticated and wild chili pepper varieties. Seeds are the part of a plant most likely to be preserved in archeological sites and are therefore key to studying the history of plant domestication. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2413764121

The history of the chili pepper is in some ways the history of humanity in the Americas, says Dr. Katherine Chiou, an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology at The University of Alabama.

As a paleoethnobotanist, Chiou studies the long-term relationship between people and plants through archaeological remains. In a paper published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Chiou outlines evidence that the domestication of Capsicum annum var. annum, the species responsible for most commercially available chilies, occurred in a different region of Mexico than has been previously believed.

Unearthing evidence

"Typically, what has been preserved in Mexico are extraordinary circumstances like cave sites, for example, that are high and dry with conditions that allow for extraordinary preservation," Chiou said.

In the realm of domestication research, the assumption has been that the origin of a species' domestication is the area of greatest diversity.

Preserved cave sites and the diversity of chili pepper varieties in the Tamaulipas region of Mexico have led to the assumption that it was the origin of Capsicum annum, the species that gives us the jalapeno, poblano, bell pepper, Thai chilies and other commercially grown chili pepper varieties.

Using a multidisciplinary approach, Chiou and collaborators in Mexico have developed a new understanding of the likely birthplace of cultivated chili peppers. One of the primary data sets is an extensive collection of seeds from modern chili pepper species and cultivars alongside detailed descriptions of their environment and growing requirements.

This modern cultural and botanical information was layered with electron microscope imaging of archaeological seeds, ecological models stretching back 20,000 years and, courtesy of the government of Mexico, information from all registered archaeological sites in the country. With multiple lines of evidence, the researchers teased out a different story of the origins of a chili pepper that is now cultivated and eaten all over the world.

Challenging the chili pepper narrative

Two things emerged. First, Tamaulipas, the region assumed to be the origin of this Capsicum species, did not have conditions that would support wild chili pepper growth in the Holocene era, the time when domestication appears to have begun. The data indicate that the lowland area near the Yucatan Peninsula and southern coastal Guerrero is a more likely candidate for first encounters between wild Capsicum and early humans.

Second, and potentially more interesting, is that chili pepper domestication is not a firmly drawn boundary. "We think domestication was around 10,000 years ago or earlier," said Chiou. "But through Postclassic Maya times, which is relatively late in the cultural history of the region, we see this continuum between wild and domestic."

Usually, domesticated plants are kept mostly separate from their wild progenitors, but chilies appear to have continually been interbred with wild varieties until quite recently. Some wild varieties are still consumed today, like the chiltepin in the southwestern U.S., and many more varieties are curated by native peoples in Mexico. It's a messy story, but that may not be a bad thing.

"What we are saying is that we need to engage with that ambiguity," Chiou said. "Ambiguity is actually telling us something."

A hot take on agriculture

The modern domesticated chili pepper is adaptable and plastic, able to take root in many climates and be bred into many shapes, colors and flavors. Chiou teaches in her archaeology of food class that food carries a history, that every meal is a microcosm of human experience.

In the context of today, part of the story is that we are losing agrobiodiversity at an alarming rate. Monoculture and a preference for commercial varieties for economic reasons create vulnerability in our food supplies, especially in times of climate variability.

"Farmers used to keep seeds on the side," Chiou said. Not just with chilies, but with other domesticated plants, farmers once kept their own banks of seed varieties. One cultivar might be more drought tolerant, for example, and the farmers would have some ability to adapt to conditions.

Maintaining varieties ensures you have a backup plan. Commercial agriculture may soon have to re-learn some of the lessons farmers once knew. "As I teach about the archaeology of food, I'm continually tying what we see today with what happened in the past," Chiou said.

Why we love the heat

Chilies are different from other foods that researchers use to learn more about ancient humans, Chiou said. For one, they have almost no nutritional value. People don't eat chilies for calories or to stave off vitamin deficiencies.

We eat chilies for the experience.

"You're sweating, and your senses are under attack," Chiou said. "And as a result, your body dumps endorphins and you get almost a sense of euphoria." As a child, she watched an aunt eat spicy food, crying and laughing at the same time. "Chilies inspire this love and fascination. It's just one of those plants that gets under people's skin."

More information: Katherine L. Chiou et al, Interdisciplinary insights into the cultural and chronological context of chili pepper ( Capsicum annuum var. annuum L.) domestication in Mexico, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2413764121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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An Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) licks nectar from the Ethiopian red hot poker flower (Kniphofia foliosa). Credit: Adrien Lesaffre

New findings, published in the journal Ecology, describe a newly documented behavior of Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensis).

Researchers at the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program (EWCP) observed Ethiopian wolves foraging for the nectar of the Ethiopian red hot poker (Kniphofia foliosa) flower. Some individuals would visit as many as 30 blooms in a single trip, with multiple wolves from different packs exploiting this resource. There is also some evidence of social learning, with juveniles being brought to the flower fields along with adults.

In doing so, the wolves' muzzles become covered in pollen, which they could potentially transfer from flower to flower as they feed. This novel behavior is perhaps the first known plant-pollinator interaction involving a large predator, as well as the only large meat-eating predator ever to be observed feeding on nectar.

Dr. Sandra Lai, EWCP Senior Scientist based at the University of Oxford, and lead author on the new study, said, "These findings highlight just how much we still have to learn about one of the world's most-threatened carnivores. It also demonstrates the complexity of interactions between different species living on the beautiful Roof of Africa. This extremely unique and biodiverse ecosystem remains under threat from habitat loss and fragmentation."

An Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) feeding among the blooming Ethiopian red hot poker flowers (Kniphofia foliosa). Credit: Adrien Lesaffre

An Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) with its muzzle covered in pollen after feeding on the nectar of the red hot poker (Kniphofia foliosa). Credit: Adrien Lesaffre

Professor Claudio Sillero, EWCP founder and director based at the University of Oxford, describes seeing this behavior, "I first became aware of the nectar of the Ethiopian red hot poker when I saw children of shepherds in the Bale Mountains licking the flowers. In no time, I had a taste of it myselfthe nectar was pleasantly sweet.

"When I later saw the wolves doing the same, I knew they were enjoying themselves, tapping into this unusual source of energy. I am chuffed that we have now reported this behavior as being commonplace among Ethiopian wolves and explored its ecological significance."

The Ethiopian wolf is the rarest wild canid species in the world, and Africa's most threatened carnivore. Found only in the Ethiopian highlands, fewer than 500 individuals survive, in 99 packs restricted to 6 Afroalpine enclaves.

The Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program (EWCP) was set up in 1995 to protect the wolves, and their unique habitat. It is a partnership between the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) at the University of Oxford, the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), and Dinkenesh Ethiopia. EWCP is the longest-running conservation program in Ethiopia, aiming to safeguard the future of natural habitats for the benefit of wildlife and people in the highlands of Ethiopia.

More information: Sandra Lai et al, Canids as pollinators? Nectar foraging by Ethiopian wolves may contribute to the pollination of Kniphofia foliosa, Ecology (2024). DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4470 Journal information: Ecology
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Edwin Hubbles work showed that Andromeda (pictured) was a separate galaxy outside the Milky Way. Credit: Nasa/JPL-Caltech

On Sunday November 23, 1924, 100 years ago this month, readers perusing page six of the New York Times would have found an intriguing article, amid several large adverts for fur coats. The headline read: Finds Spiral Nebulae are Stellar Systems: "Dr. Hubbell Confirms View That They Are 'Island Universes'; Similar to Our Own."

The American astronomer at the center of the article, Dr. Edwin Powell Hubble, was probably bemused by the misspelling of his name. But the story detailed a groundbreaking discovery: Hubble had found that two spiral-shaped nebulae, objects made up of gas and stars, which were previously thought to reside within our Milky Way galaxy, were located outside it.

These objects were actually the Andromeda and Messier 33 galaxies, the closest large galaxies to our Milky Way. Today, up to several trillion galaxies are estimated to fill the universe, based on observations of tens of millions of galaxies.

Four years before Hubble's announcement, an event called "the great debate" had taken place in Washington DC between the American astronomers Harlow Shapley and Heber Curtis. Shapley had recently shown the Milky Way to be larger than previously measured. Shapley argued that it could accommodate spiral nebulae within it. Curtis, on the other hand, advocated for the existence of galaxies beyond the Milky Way.

In hindsight, and ignoring certain details, Curtis won the debate. However, the method Shapley used to measure distances across the Milky Way was critical to Hubble's discovery, and was inherited from the work of a pioneering US astronomer: Henrietta Swan Leavitt.

Measuring distances to stars

In 1893, a young Leavitt was hired as a "computer" to analyze images from telescope observations at Harvard College Observatory, Massachusetts. Leavitt studied photographic plates from telescope observations of another galaxy called the Small Magellanic Cloud carried out by other observatory researchers.

Leavitt was searching for stars whose brightness changed over time. From over a thousand variable (changing) stars, she identified 25 were of a type known as Cepheids, publishing the results in 1912.

The brightness of Cepheid stars changes with time, so they appear to pulse. Leavitt found a consistent relationship: Cepheids that pulsed more slowly were intrinsically brighter (more luminous) than those pulsing more quickly. This was dubbed the "period-luminosity relationship."

Other astronomers realized the significance of Leavitt's work: the relationship could be used to work out distances to stars. While a student at Princeton University, Shapley used the period-luminosity relationship to estimate distances to other Cepheids across the Milky Way. This is how Shapley reached his estimate for our galaxy's size.

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But, in order for astronomers to be sure about distances within our galaxy, they needed a more direct way to measure distances to Cepheids. The stellar parallax method is another way to measure cosmic distances, but it only works for nearby stars. As the Earth orbits the sun, a nearby star appears to move relative to more distant background stars. This apparent motion is known as stellar parallax. Through the angle of this parallax, astronomers can work out a star's distance from Earth.

The Danish researcher Ejnar Hertzsprung used stellar parallax to obtain the distances to a handful of nearby Cepheid stars, helping calibrate Leavitt's work.

The New York Times article emphasized the "great" telescopes at the Mount Wilson Observatory near Los Angeles, where Hubble was working. Telescope size is generally assessed by the diameter of the primary mirror. With a 100-inch (2.5-meter) diameter mirror for collecting light, the Hooker telescope at Mount Wilson was the largest telescope at the time.

Large telescopes are not only more sensitive to resolving galaxies, but also create sharper images. Edwin Hubble was therefore well placed to make his discovery. When Hubble compared his photographic plates taken using the 100 inch telescope with those taken on previous nights by other astronomers, he was thrilled to see one bright star appear to change in brightness over time, as expected for a Cepheid.

Using Leavitt's calculations, Hubble found that the distance to his Cepheid exceeded Shapley's size for the Milky Way. Over subsequent months, Hubble examined other spiral nebulae as he searched for more Cepheids with which to measure distances. Word of Hubble's observations was spreading among astronomers. At Harvard, Shapley received a letter from Hubble detailing the discovery. He handed it to fellow astronomer Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, remarking: "Here is the letter that has destroyed my universe."

Expansion of the universe

Besides estimating the distance to a galaxy, telescopes can also measure the speed at which a galaxy moves towards or away from Earth. In order to do this, astronomers measure a galaxy's spectrum: the different wavelengths of light coming from it. They also calculate an effect known as the Doppler shift and apply it to that spectrum.

The Doppler shift occurs for both light and sound waves; it is responsible for the pitch of a siren increasing as an emergency vehicle approaches, then decreasing as it passes you. When a galaxy is moving away from Earth, features of the spectrum known as absorption lines have longer measured wavelengths than they would if they were not moving. This is due to the Doppler shift, and we say that these galaxies have been "redshifted."

Beginning in 1904, the American astronomer Vesto Slipher used the Doppler technique with a 24-inch telescope at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. He found that nebulae, including Andromeda, were all redshifted. Slipher found they were moving away from Earth at speeds as high as a thousand kilometers a second.

Hubble combined Slipher's measurements with his distance estimates for each galaxy and discovered a relationship: the further a galaxy is from us, the faster it is moving away from us. This can be explained by the expansion of the universe from a common origin, which would become known derisively as the Big Bang.

The announcement 100 years ago cemented Hubble's place in the history of astronomy. His name would later be used for one of the most powerful scientific instruments ever created: the Hubble space telescope. It seems incredible how, over the course of just five years, our understanding of the universe was brought into focus.

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Christian Music Festival

Nov. 20, 2024

TORONTO, Ontario, Canada, Nov. 20, 2024 /Christian Newswire/  In a landmark decision on November 14th, 2024, Torontos City Council officially declared December as Christian Heritage Month, sparking jubilation among the citys Christian community. This historic celebration will take place in the very council chambers where a heated debate on the topic unfolded, adding profound significance to the occasion and reflecting the depth of engagement surrounding this important decision

To commemorate this milestone, a celebratory event will be held on Thursday, November 21st, from 4:30 to 7:30 PM, providing a space for Christians across the region to come together and honor their faith and heritage. The event is being organized by Christian Music Festival.

The celebratory event on November 21st promises to be a powerful expression of faith and freedom, uniting communities to honor the historic declaration of Christian Heritage Month.

The movement to declare December as Christian Heritage Month is being spearheaded by Molly Banerjei, a passionate advocate for the initiative, who has garnered support from a diverse coalition of volunteers, pastors, faith leaders, and community members from across Canada. This national grassroots movement has received backing from Canadians of various backgrounds, including First Nations, African, South American, Asian, Caribbean, and European communities.

As a proud Christian Canadian, this moment fills me with hope and gratitude, said Molly Banerjei. Christian Heritage Month is not just about celebrating faith but about honoring the values of love, service, and community that have strengthened our nations fabric for generations.

With this declaration, Toronto joins over 30 municipalities across Canada, including Ottawa, Mississauga, Markham, Vaughan, and Durham Region, that have also recognized December as Christian Heritage Month. Many of these municipalities will be holding flag-raising ceremonies to mark the occasion, signifying the importance of this movement in the Canadian mosaic.

This is not just a celebration of Christianity; its about recognizing the contributions of Christian communities to every aspect of Canadian society, said Banerjei. By celebrating Christian Heritage Month, we honor the diversity that makes Canada strong and the faith that has shaped this great nation.

Councillor Lilly Cheng added, Theres so much good and beauty in Christianity. So, I dont think its something to be ashamed of to say Im Christian. This is an important day for our city and the Canadian people.

As December approaches, churches across Toronto, Vaughan, Durham Region, and beyond are preparing events, services, and outreach activities to mark this historic occasion. The recognition of Christian Heritage Month in Toronto is seen as a major step toward greater inclusivity and acknowledgment of the values that unite Canadians across the country.

The celebratory event on November 21st promises to be a powerful expression of faith and freedom, uniting communities to honor the historic declaration of Christian Heritage Month.

For more information or to join the celebration of Christian Heritage Month in Toronto, please contact:

Molly Banerjei

Phone: 647-979-3220

Email: mollybanerjei@icloud.com

www.Christianheritagemonth.ca

SOURCE Christian Music Festival
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Iowa Chief Public Defender Jeff Wright spent Tuesday in Scott County on a mission.

"I'll be there to literally beg lawyers to help out," Wright said Monday. "We are in a really, really tough situation in Scott County.

"People have a constitutional right to be represented in court. Our public defenders have too many cases and we don't have enough private attorneys willing to represent people who can't afford a lawyer in Scott County. Something has to change."

Wright has turned to other desperate measures as he tries to make sure people who can't afford an attorney are represented while public defenders are not so burdened with cases they cannot provide quality counsel to clients.

On the last day of October, Wright wrote a letter to Seventh District Chief Judge Henry Latham. The first paragraph of that letter cut straight to the point: due to the workload on the attorneys in the Scott County Public Defender's Office, those attorneys would no longer represent people charged with misdemeanor crimes.

"The office will continue to accept appointments for all felony matters but will no longer provide services in misdemeanor cases. This designation change is made to address the overload of cases being handled by each attorney employed in the Davenport Office and comes after exhausting all apparent options," Wright wrote to Latham.

Wright said he made the decision in an effort to put focus on the issue of a lack of local private lawyers willing to work as contract attorneys.

He said Seventh District judges "have to start appointing contract attorneys to help ease the workload" on the Scott County Public Defender's Office.

Latham's office said he was not available to comment on Wright's letter or on who is representing indigent people charged with misdemeanors in Scott County.

In an email, Steve Davis, the director of communications for the Iowa Judicial Branch, said "the state public defenders ability to no longer accept misdemeanor cases in Scott County will need to be answered by a higher court.

"In the interim, the Seventh Judicial District will continue to make every effort to work with groups, including the Scott County Bar Association, to encourage qualified trial court attorneys to accept appointments in order to assist the state public defenders office in fulfilling its responsibility to coordinate the legal representation of criminal defendants who face the possibility of imprisonment and cannot afford an attorney."

A two-tiered system

Wright said he believes Iowa's system of public defense "is the best model out there. When it is managed properly, it provides quality attorneys for people who need them and cannot afford them."

In Iowa and Illinois, a public defender's office represents people who cannot afford an attorney. That system is supported by "conflict" or "contract" attorneys  private lawyers who have a contract with the state to represent indigent clients when the public defender's workload is too high or the public defender's office has a conflict representing a client.

According to Wright and Latham, there are not enough contract attorneys to take the cases. In March and April of 2023, Latham threatened to start appointing local attorneys to represent people, even if the attorneys didn't have contracts with the state.

A number of local attorneys rejected the idea. Latham did not start appointing local attorneys and Wright said the problem grew.

"It has been a problem now in Scott County and throughout Iowa for a while," Wright said. "If private attorneys don't step up, if judges don't start assigning attorneys to cases, we are going to have unrepresented people."

A failed attempt

In early October, Wright attempted to force judges in Scott County to address the lack of contract attorneys by filing a writ of mandamus with the Iowa Supreme Court.

Wright laid out how Scott County judges were not ruling on public defenders' requests to withdraw from cases because of workload. He asked the Supreme Court to direct the judges to make rulings on those requests.

"When the request for a writ of mandamus became public, the judges in Scott County ruled against all the requests," Wright said. "And the Supreme Court said the issue was moot because the judges had made rulings.

"So we are back to square one."

By Oct. 8, attorneys from the public defender's office in Scott County had asked to withdraw from 220 misdemeanor cases.

"The workload is preventing some of our attorneys from ever seeing their clients in person," Wright said. "We cannot ethically say we are representing people if this continues to go on."

Wright noted that while there are 11 attorneys in Scott County's Public Defender office, four were added since August.

Eight of the attorneys in the office are handling an average of 300 cases, a workload that Wright says drove attorneys from the job.

"We have had high turnover in the Davenport office," Wright explained. "And workload was the number one reason given."

A fundamental disconnect?

In the letter to Latham, Wright said in 2019 he was "made aware of a lack of contract attorneys accepting cases in Scott County. Our office reviewed the list of contract attorneys willing to accept cases for Scott County, and we found the number of attorneys was consistent with the number of contractors in other similarly sized jurisdictions in Iowa."

Wright said he then learned "the court had their own list of attorneys and the legally required list our office provides was not used."

"I had a list of something like 30 contract attorneys," Wright said Monday. "And the court said the judges and attorneys in Scott County were working with a list of three attorneys.

"Of course, the workload on the contract attorneys was too high and those attorneys quit or asked to pause their contracts."

In his letter, Wright said: "At that time, I informed the court this process made it nearly impossible for the State Public Defenders office to coordinate indigent defense in Scott County if it did not have accurate information regarding how many attorneys were accepting cases."

Wright said his office instituted 35 changes aimed at helping Scott County recruit, maintain and educate contract attorneys and reduce the workload of Scott County's public defenders.

"Despite the many efforts of this office to improve the conditions for attorneys representing indigent clients in Iowa, Scott County continues to suffer from a lack of attorneys willing to accept court appointments," Wright said in the letter to Latham. "As a result, the Davenport Office of the State Public Defender is overwhelmed with cases. Our office withdraws from cases due to their overload and other conflicts that necessitate a withdrawal and the Court has delayed ruling on the motions for as many as eight months."
The famous beef fajitas are served at The Original Ninfa's on Navigation in Houston. Kirsten Gilliam

In Texas, sizzle comes with a deep dish of tall tales on the side.

You wouldn't know it today with the hundreds, if not thousands, of restaurants across the country that serve a sizzling fajita platter, but it wasn't all that long ago when this staple dish was relatively unknown outside of Texas.

Many have claimed invention of the dish. But like most origin stories in the food world, some of those declarations are more dubious than others.

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Long before Texas-based chains like Chili's, On the Border and Chuy's began popularizing fajitas in the 1990s, the irresistible sound and smell of meat and veggies crackling away on cast-iron could be found at small, independent restaurants across the state.

But who did it first? That's a little harder to pinpoint.

Many sources credit Sonny Falcon as the godfather of fajitas. A meat market manager from Austin, Falcon reportedly operated the first food stand serving fajita tacos at a Diez Y Seis celebration in Kyle in 1969. That claim even has government backing with an official proclamation from the City of Kyle that reads,

"WHEREAS, The City of Kyle will forever be known and recognized as home of the great Fajita;

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NOW, THEREFORE, I, Travis Mitchell, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor, on behalf of Kyle, Texas do hereby proclaim August 18th, 2020, as Fajita Day in Kyle and call upon the people of Kyle to celebrate this great addition to the food we eat, in the spirit of tradition and enjoy it and remember the fajita founder, Sonny Falcons delicious contribution."

Just don't say that too loud here in San Antonio.

La Margarita on Market Square in San Antonio claims to be the first restaurant to serve sizzling fajitas. HELEN L. MONTOYA/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

The Market Square mainstay La Margarita Mexican Restaurant & Oyster Bar, which opened in 1981, says, "We are home to the original Sizzling Fajitas, just one of the extraordinary dishes we serve in our vintage New Orleans-style building," on its website (lafamiliacortez.com).

In August, William Cortez, the grandson of the late Cortez family patriarch Jorge Cortez, told syndicated program The Texas Bucket List that Jorge, "went traveling to Monterrey and Laredo. And thats where he discovered those fajitas." Jorge Cortez, who died Nov. 11 at age 81, was undeniably a powerhouse in the culinary world, driving a portfolio of properties that have helped transform Market Square into a major destination in downtown San Antonio.

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There are others who would wear that crown.

In 1993, Texas Monthly magazine wrote that Rio Grande Valley restaurateur Otilia Garza of the late Round-Up Restaurant in Pharr was a fajita queen as early as 1969, and that "Garza probably also deserves the credit for the two innovations that have become synonymous with fajitas: the sizzling platter and the mountain of condiments."

Houston restaurant The Original Ninfa's on Navigation helped popularize fajitas. Cooper + Ricca

The late Ninfa Laurenzo of the famed The Original Ninfa's on Navigation in Houston probably wasn't the first to serve sizzling fajitas, but Ninfa's definitely played an outsized role in popularizing the dish. The Hyatt Regency Austin hotel was also an early champion, reportedly selling 10,000 pounds of fajitas every month in the early 1990s.

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La Margarita on Market Square in San Antonio claims to be the first restaurant to serve sizzling fajitas. Mike Sutter/San Antonio Express-News Jorge Cortez, patriarch of the family behind the iconic San Antonio restaurant Mi Tierra and other eateries, died at the age of 81. Robin Jerstad Beef fajita tacos with onions and peppers on a handmade flour tortilla are a popular order from La Margarita. Mike Sutter/San Antonio Express-News Jorge Cortez, patriarch of the family behind the iconic San Antonio restaurant Mi Tierra and other eateries, died at the age of 81. ScottBall/Scott Ball

Regardless of who first planted the fajita flag, the dish was part of Texas cuisine long before any restaurant got its hands on it.

The word "fajita" refers specifically to strips of meat cut from the skirt steak. Prepared over an open flame or in a pan, fajitas date back to at least the 1930s as cowboy chow. According to the lore, those early vaqueros didn't have access to prime cuts, instead filling their bellies with the then tough and less-desirable skirt steak. Those times have certainly changed: Skirt steak regularly sells for more than $10 per pound today, thanks in no small part to the popularity of fajitas.

The sizzle is more than just show, as well. Those thin slices of meat cool quickly when transferred to a plate. A bulky slab of scorching hot cast-iron keeps the meat hot long enough to enjoy your whole meal.

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You don't have to book a table at a restaurant to enjoy fajitas. They're easy to make at home, whether you serve them sizzler-style or not. Outside skirt steak is preferred, but flank steak may be substituted. Additionally, swap the beef for chicken, shrimp or another protein, if desired.

Mama Ninfas Fajitas

2 cups butter

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

5 pounds outside skirt steak

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons black pepper

2 tablespoons garlic powder

 cup soy sauce

1 pound jalapenos

4-5 pounds spring onions

Instructions: In a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat the butter until fluffy. Add garlic and parsley and mix until incorporated. Cover the garlic butter with plastic wrap and reserve.

Heat a grill to 400 degrees. Cook the steak to 125 degrees for medium-rare, about 3-5 minutes per side, seasoning with salt, ground black pepper, garlic and soy sauce while cooking. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice across the grain.

Heat a skillet over high heat. Cook the jalapenos and onions until they start to blister and develop color. Remove from heat, add the steak, and top with garlic butter. Serve alongside pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream and queso.

Makes 6 servings
A weekend vandalism spree that left the windows of at least six Broad Street businesses shot out has been linked to a previous mass vandalism in Sandston.

Over the weekend, businesses in Richmond from Willow Lawn to Church Hill had their windows shot out by what is believed to be an airsoft or BB gun.

Those who work at The Hill Cafe told The Times-Dispatch that Saturday night was the second time it had been hit in six weeks and the damage amounted to around $10,000.

Henrico County officials met with the Sandston community Tuesday night to address a similar spree in late October where 34 incidents of vandalism were reported. Officials say they believe the two incidents are linked.

We dont know if there are multiple individuals, but I can tell you we are looking at this as related incidents, said Henrico County police Chief Eric English. There are some differences to what has taken place. Its kind of odd that they went from Sandston to ... multiple locations across the city.

English said Henrico is working with Richmond authorities to find out what connection might exist.

Henrico County police Detective Mike Zinn said it was initially believed Octobers incident in Sandston was an isolated incident, until the events that happened this past weekend.

34 incidents reported in one night

The Sandston vandalism spree struck streets all across the community  from West McClellan Street in the north to the roads around Seven Pines Elementary School in the south.

This past weekends incident in Richmond also reportedly hit areas of eastern Henrico, in addition to the storefronts with shattered glass on Broad Street.

Were developing leads that we can follow up on, Zinn said. Hopefully Ill have some better news in the coming weeks.

Video footage released by police in October showed suspects driving a small sedan. Richmond business owner Staples Macdonald told The Times-Dispatch on Monday that The Hill Cafe surveillance cameras captured a gray, four-door sedan.

Of the 59 recorded vandalisms that have happened in the area this year, 34 happened on that one night in October when car and home windows were shot out.

Eastern Henrico County has also reportedly seen a rise in car break-ins and other thefts. Police statistics say the number of larcenies from places like cars, under-construction homes, businesses and sheds increased around 30% over the previous year. Just over half of the vehicles robbed were unlocked.

English said that Henrico police had arrested a juvenile after officers observed them try to get into five different vehicles in the Sandston area.

Some of the Sandston residents questioned whether Henricos police department was adequately funded and staffed to increase its presence in their neighborhoods.

English said that the department is currently down about 40 officers from where it was four years ago.

When he started in 2020, the department was funded for 662 officer positions. Today, the department is funded for 702 positions, but it has staffed 620, English said.

Henrico increased the number of funded positions because English said it was needed. However, he says, like in many localities, recruiting has been an issue.

I didnt ask for those positions just to ask for them. I asked for them because we need those bodies, English said.

He added that recruiting has been difficult since 2020, when nationwide protests erupted against police in the wake of George Floyds death.

The academy has 14 candidates that are on track to graduate in February. English said he hopes the next class starting in January can have 20 to 25 candidates.

Police: Lock your vehicle doors

Police and Henrico officials are urging everyone to make sure to lock their vehicles at night. Officials are also asking people to support their investigation by submitting video or images from front door cameras such as Ring. An online portal has been created to send evidence to police.

I understand the frustration that someone is vandalizing my house, my home, my car, English said. But I can tell you that our folks are working diligently to make sure we bring this to a solution.

During a regularly scheduled weekly news conference on Wednesday, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said the vandalisms in Richmond and Henrico County are unacceptable.

It seems to me that  some people got some toys and decided to play games. And when you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes, Stoney said.

What they can expect is, were going to find you, and youre probably going be in trouble with law enforcement for a pretty long time because you chose to do something stupid, he added. The work from our Real Time Crime Center has produced some leads, and so were going to follow up on those leads and trying to bring these individuals to justice.
Brad Chandler Simpson, 53, was charged with murder on Nov. 7 in connection with his wife's disappearance last month. His attorney's motion seeks evidence or his release from jail. Courtesy of BCSO

The attorney for Brad Simpson, the husband of missing real estate agent Suzanne Simpson, is asking that the state present evidence that he killed her  or release his client from jail.

Suzanne Simpson's body has not been found.

A new hearing, which has been scheduled for Dec. 9, seeks to determine whether enough evidence exists to indict Brad Simpson.

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The motion for the hearing was filed by Brad Simpson's lawyer, Steven Gilmore, on Nov. 14 and scheduled Tuesday.

In his motion, Gilmore requests that the state provide sufficient evidence to support a finding of probable cause that Brad Simpson committed the offense of murder.

If they don't present sufficient evidence, the motion asks for the charges to be dismissed and that Brad Simpson be discharged and released.

Gilmore declined a request for comment.

Brad Simpson, 53, was charged with murder on Nov. 7 in connection with his wifes disappearance. He is being held at the Bexar County jail in lieu of $5 million bail, Bexar County court records show.

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He's charged with murder and two felony charges  tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and possession of a prohibited weapon.

He also faces a federal felony charge of possessing an unregistered firearm that was filed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. A detainer  a formal notice that someone in state custody is also wanted on federal charges  seeks to prevent Simpsons release from jail.

In a 15-page affidavit supporting Simpson's arrest, Olmos Park Police Lt. Hector Ruiz described Brad Simpsons movements the night Suzanne Simpson was last seen alive and the next day, Oct. 7, when she was reported missing by a friend.

According to the affidavit, Olmos Park police officer Jarrod Tubbs said a teacher at the Simpsons 5-year-old daughters school said the child told her that on that the night of Oct. 6, a Sunday, her father had pushed her mother against a wall, hit her on the face and hurt her elbow. Her father also turned off her mothers cellphone, the girl said.

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A neighbor told police he witnessed Brad Simpson and Suzanne Simpson loudly arguing and physically struggling on Oct. 6 after 10 p.m. in front of his home.

The neighbor said he later heard screams coming from the wooded area across from his home. About an hour later, he heard Brad Simpsons truck start and leave the area, Ruiz wrote.

Police tracked Brad Simpson to his daughters school, a Boerne Whataburger and a local Home Depot, where he purchased concrete, heavy duty trash bags and Clorox disinfectant spray among other items. Police were able to view surveillance tapes from those locations to confirm his wheareabouts and the items visible on his truckbed.

A man told police that Brad Simpson walked up to him in the Home Depot parking lot and asked him where the nearest dump was in Boerne. The man gave him directions to the solid waste site in Boerne.

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Surveillance video captured Brad Simpson leaving the Boerne waste site and going to a nearby gas station.
Revolution Day military parades go ahead despite pouring rain

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  Military parades around the state of Quintana Roo went ahead despite torrential rain Wednesday morning. Despite the downpours, Revolution Day parades went ahead as scheduled.

Participants in the Playa del Carmen military parade marched in pouring rain Wednesday morning.

Most parades began their military march shortly after 8:00 a.m. despite the wet weather. Cancun Mayor Ana Paty Peralta lead the citys morning parade with fervent patriotic love to remember the heroes who defended Mexico, she said.

Peralta led the civic-sports military parade for the 114th Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution where more than 3,500 people participated. Cancun was one of the 11 municipalities to participate in Mexican Revolution Day.

A group of children seemed undeterred by the wet weather on Isla Mujeres Puerto Morelos marched on wet streets

This is how our traditional parade commemorating the Mexican Revolution was lived! Families, students and community groups filled the streets with color, pride and enthusiasm, remembering the heroes who marked our history.

The rains stopped for Tulum to celebrate Revolution Day.

We thank all the participants who made this event a true celebration of unity and tradition. Thank you for joining us in this traditional celebration! Tulum Mayor Diego Castanon Trejo wrote on social media.

Cancun celebrated Revolution Day in the pouring rain.

Further south, Jose Maria Morelos Mayor Erik Borges Yam celebrated the national holiday in sun. Participants in the 2024 military parade marched through dry town streets Wednesday morning in celebration of the Mexican Revolution of 1910.

Jose Maria Morelos participants marched in semi-sunny weather Wednesday.

The parade, which began at 7:30 a.m. with the participation of 4,500 people, was able to finish ahead of the torrential rains.

Cozumel was also soaked by the torrential rains Wednesday.

Heavy rain was forecast for the Yucatan Peninsula ahead of the arrival of a mass of U.S. arctic air. The cold air, Cold Front 10 which began to enter Mexico Tuesday, is forecast to blast Quintana Roo with its first winter weather Thursday before heading off for the weekend.
Suspect charged in stabbing death of Isla Mujeres man

Isla Mujeres, Q.R.  Police have charged a suspect with the stabbing death of an Isla Mujeres man. Carlos Alberto N is facing murder charges for the May 19 altercation that lead to the attack and subsequent death of an mainland unidentified resident.

In a statement, police said Carlos Alberto N was charged for events that occurred on May 19 of this year, when he attacked a male with a knife, causing injuries that led to his death.

The incident happened in the Isla Blanca area of mainland Isla Mujeres. Carlos Alberto N was arrested on the streets of SM 95 by elements of the Investigative Police of the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Combating Homicide.

During his hearing, a judge granted the prosecution the procedure and ordered Carlos Alberto N to remain imprisoned while he faces charges of qualified homicide.

On Tuesday, a man was sentenced to 31 years for the abduction of an Isla Blanca area resident that happened in 2022. Police continue to search for his body.
City Council members ask questions during a financial presentation from CPS Energy during a special session at City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

In an odd role reversal, the city of San Antonio will hand over nearly $26 million to CPS Energy  the first of what could be yearly payments to the city-owned utility.

Normally, the city is on the receiving end of big revenue transfers from CPS.

District 4 councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia, left, asks questions to the citys Chief Financial Officer Ben Gorzell during a financial presentation about CPS Energy at City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News San Antonios Chief Financial Officer Ben Gorzell walks to the podium to give a presentation about the citys payments to CPS Energy during a special session briefing at City Hall on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 19, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News District 7 councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito asks questions to the citys Chief Financial Officer Ben Gorzell during a financial presentation about CPS Energy at City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Rudy D. Garza, President and CEO of CPS Energy, addresses city council members during a special session held at City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News District 3 councilwoman Phyllis Viagran, left, asks questions of CPS Energy officials as District 2 councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez listens during a special session briefing at City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Mayor Ron Nirenberg addresses city council members and CPS Energy officials during a special session briefing at City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News District 6 councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda, left, talks with City Manager Erik Walsh before the start of a special session at City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Council members listened to a presentation from San Antonios Chief Financial Officer Ben Gorzell, CPS Energys CFO Cory Kuchinsky and other CPS Energy officials. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

But with future rate hikes looming, the City Council is looking to reduce the frequency and size of such increases. A majority of council members believe the way to do that is by returning most of the revenue windfall that the city receives from CPS when the utility makes a killing selling excess electricity on the Texas power grid.

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In fiscal year 2024, which ended Sept. 30, the city received $46.1 million from these spot market sales  a city record.

CPS had extra power to sell largely because of its acquisition of three power plants in Corpus Christi and Laredo this spring.

For the next several years, theres an opportunity to see more city payment from off-system sales, but over time that is going to decline, Ben Gorzell, the citys chief financial officer, told the council during a Tuesday briefing. Were going to grow into that load. There will not be as much excess power available to sell into the market.

READ MORE: CPS Energy ends summer with record wholesale revenue as it preps for winter demand

CPS gives 14% of its annual gross revenue to the city. That payment makes up roughly a quarter of the citys general fund budget, which pays for basic city services, such as emergency first-responders and street repairs.

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In recent years, revenue from spot market sales has left the city with a surplus  more money than it had budgeted receiving from CPS. The council has used that money to fund pet projects, such as the reproductive health care fund and new spay and neuter clinics.

But a majority of council decided in April to take a different approach, starting with the CPS revenue collected last year.

They agreed to cap the amount of spot market revenue the city collects from CPS at $10 million.

Any revenue above that amount would first be used to plug holes in the city budget caused by CPS revenue coming in lower than expected  which doesn't happen often. The remainder would go back to CPS to pay for projects intended to reduce the risk of power outages.

The day before the City Council adopted this years city budget in September, Council Members Phyllis Viagran, Teri Castillo and John Courage pitched scrapping that policy in order to free up windfall revenue from CPS as San Antonios budgetary outlook darkens.

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Slowing sales and property tax revenues and rising expenses forced the city to cut close to $24 million out of the new fiscal year budget, which left far less money for council members favored projects. More cuts will be needed in next years budget.

On Tuesday, Viagran and Castillo again proposed using spot market revenue to fund city programs, such as one that pays for home repairs to reduce energy loss. They found little support among their colleagues for dropping the plan.

Doing so would be undisciplined and foolish, said District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte.

To Viagrans frustration, CPS Energy CEO Rudy Garza and Chief Financial Officer Cory Kuchinsky couldnt say how much the $25.9 million transfer would cut into future rate hike requests.

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Unexpected large expenses  such as emergency repairs to a plant  can crop up between its rate requests.

Kuchinsky said any new revenue CPS brings in, either from the city or the wholesale market, does have a positive impact on its rate increase requests.

Maybe it brings that amount that were asking for down, Garza said.

The council approved a 4.25% rate increase in December 2023 that hit customers bills in February. The utility has said it will need to request another hike of up to 5.5% in late 2025 that would take effect in early 2026, with another request likely in 2027.

Viagran, who represents the Southeast Sides District 3, said she couldnt support returning money to CPS without knowing how it would minimize the next rate increase request.

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That makes it easier for me to go out to my residents and tell them, This is whats happening, she said.

CPS will use some of the $25.9 million to install reclosers throughout its service area. These devices minimize the number of customers that lose power and the length of an outage when a circuit fails.

It will use the remainder to fix leaks at its J.K. Spruce 2 power plant. Kuchinsky said the plants boiler tubes sprang leaks over the summer, which caused the plant to be taken offline temporarily.
Durability of carbon dioxide removal is critical for stabilizing temperatures

Posted on 20 November 2024 by Zeke Hausfather

This is a re-post from the Climate Brink

The world is emitting over 40 gigatons of CO2 per year, contributing to an accelerating warming of the planet. The world needs to cut emissions rapidly to be remotely on track to meet our Paris Agreement goals of limiting warming to well-below 2C, and we should be spending the vast majority (>95%) of our resources today on reducing emissions.

But once we get close to zero emissions, we will need to rely on an increasing amount of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to stabilize temperatures. As I discussed in an earlier Climate Brink article, every ton of CO2 we put in the atmosphere continues to warm the earth for millennia to come. Getting to zero emissions will stop the Earth from warming, but will not cool the planet back down. The only way to do that, or to counterbalance any remaining positive emissions in the system, is to actively remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

However, because of the extremely long warming effects of our emissions today, Ive long argued that only carbon dioxide removal that removes CO2 from the atmosphere for millennia  comparable to the atmospheric residence time of CO2  can actually counterbalance our fossil fuel emissions.

Net-zero requires a like for like framework

I have a new paper out in the Nature journal Communications: Earth and Environment today titled Durability of carbon dioxide removal is critical for Paris climate goals. I teamed up with ETH Zurich researchers Cyril Brunner and Reto Knutti to run climate model simulations of differing carbon removal durability over the next 500 years.

Figure 1 from our paper, shown below, explores the climate impacts of 1 GtCO2 emissions and 1 GtCO2 removals deployed simultaneously. The red line shows what would happen to the climate if the captured CO2 was immediately re-released, while the orange, dark blue, and light blue lines show the impact of 100-year, 1000-year, and permanent carbon removal, respectively.

Here we see that only permanent storage fully reverses the climate impact of a pulse of CO2 emissions over a 500-year timeframe. Notably, there is no significant cooling of the climate that occurs after the emissions pulse, suggesting that we cannot use temporary climate removal to buy time until the climate cools back down (similar to how geoengineering would not actually solve the problem).

This reinforces the finding (by many of the climate scientists behind the idea of net-zero emissions) in Allen et al 2022 that durable, climate-neutral net zero strategies require like-for-like balancing of anthropogenic greenhouse gas sources and sinks in terms of both origin (biogenic versus geological) and gas lifetime and that the requirement that any continued generation of fossil CO2, whether or not it is emitted to the atmosphere, must be balanced by geological CO2 sequestration or equally permanent disposal.

Breaking the Paris Agreement targets

CDR plays two different roles in our mitigation scenarios. First, it is used to deal with any overshoot of a temperature target, as only net-negative emissions can significantly cool the climate after the point of net-zero emissions. But it also plays an important role in dealing with some residual emissions in the economy that are to difficult or expensive to fully mitigate. Deep decarbonization scenarios typically deploy around 6 gigatons of CO2 (GtCO2) per year at the point of net-zero to deal with these residuals.

In our paper we explored the climate impacts of using differing durabilities of CDR to deal with these residual emissions. We deliberately chose not to explore overshoot scenarios to minimize the amount of CDR we were simulating.

The figure below shows both the emissions and climate response over time with 6 GtCO2 residual emissions under a SSP1-2.6 scenario (designed to limit warming to around 1.8C by 2500.

We find that using 100-year durability removals (which characterize many forestry and soil carbon projects today) to neutralize 6 GtCO2 per year residual emissions would result in approximately 0.8C warming by 2100, bringing temperatures up to around 2.6C by 2500 rather than stabilizing global temperatures well-below 2C.

That said, less durable solutions still have a role to play. Temporary removals such as afforestation/reforestation or soil carbon can counterbalance land use emissions, and have real value in minimizing peak temperatures.

But the science is clear: if we want to stabilize global temperatures, only permanent removals (>1,000 years) can credibly neutralize ongoing emissions from fossil fuels, and it is important that our net-zero systems reflect this physical reality.
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Read more about this recipe in Slates list of the 25 Most Important Recipes of the Past 100 Years.

In Slates list of the 25 Most Important Recipes of the Past 100 Years, one recipe stands out for being a little different from the others. Its the recipe for baklawa, the traditional Syrian and Lebanese dessert, published in a West Virginia Orthodox churchaffiliated cookbook in 1966. Rose Previte, the chef of Washingtons Michelin-starred Maydan, tells the story of learning to cook alongside her mother with the Green Book, as the Ohio family called this book passed along by relatives. She particularly remembers cooking baklawa, a recipe that her mother didnt have memorized and so required returning to the Green Book over and over. There was storytelling happening while you buttered every sheet of phyllo, Previte said.

Shums il Bir is still going strong and still sells the cookbook, and when we spoke to members of the club on the phone, they told me theydd just finished making dozens of pans of baklawa for their annual banquet, using that very recipe. One member, Loretta Haddy, expressed delight that a chef who grew up in Ohio and now owns restaurants in D.C. has a copy of the clubs work. After all, she said, the books were meant to bring together immigrant communities far from homeand to pass the knowledge of these recipes down to younger generations.

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With permission, were republishing the Shums il Bir baklawa recipe from the 1966 edition of the Green Bookwith addenda from Rose Prevites mom, Jeanneas well as the updated recipe Previte serves at her restaurants.

Baklawa

From the Shums il Bir SyrianLebanese Cookbook, 1966

Handwritten notes added by Jeanne Previte

2 lbs. commercial dough

Baklawa filling (for 1 tray):

2 lbs. shelled English walnuts or 8 cups (coarsely ground)

 cup sugar

2 3 tbsps. orange flower water in nuts

Combine ingredients and mix well.

3 cups melted rendered butter

Method:

Butter baking pans thoroughly. Place one (1) lb. of dough in pan, brushing butter between each sheet. Do not butter top sheet. Spread nut filling evenly on last layer. Place one (1) lb. of dough over nut filling, brushing butter between each layer. Cut in diamond shapes. Pour remaining butter over Baklawa. Bake in preheated 400 oven for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 325 oven for 45 minutes.

Note: Keep dough covered with damp cloth or plastic while using, to prevent dough from drying.

Syrup:

2 cups sugar

1 cups water

 tsp. lemon juice [3 tbsp./1 whole lemon]

1 tsp. [3 tbsp.] orange flower water

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Mix sugar and water and boil over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes  hour. Add lemon juice and orange water before removing from heat. Let syrup stand for 10 minutes before pouring evenly over cold Baklawa.

Notes: Cook to strong consistency. Cool  hr. before adding lemon. Syrup must be cold before pouring over hot Baklawa. Dont add mazaher (orange flower water) until syrup is cooked and is still warm but not hot. Bake at 300 for 1 hr., then reduce to 250 for another hour in middle of oven.

Baklawa

From Maydan: Recipes From Lebanon and Beyond, by Rose Previte with Marah Stets, 2023

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In Lebanon, baklawa is filled with walnuts instead of pistachios only during Ramadan. Perhaps this is because walnuts are especially filling, which is important when adults eat only after sundown for an entire month. In my family, however, we always use walnuts. This generous recipe makes enough for a crowd and then some, but dont hesitate to make this if youre serving a smaller group. Leftovers keep beautifully for weeks.

Its important to cut the baklawa all the way through before you bake it; you wont be able to do it afterwards without crushing the pastry, and those cuts allow the syrup to soak all the way through every piece, which is key to baklawas divine flavor and texture.

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Makes about 80 (1-in./4-cm.) pieces

For the filling:

2 pounds (910 g) shelled walnuts, ground medium-fine in a food processor

 cup (150 g) sugar

2 to 3 tablespoons orange blossom water

For the syrup (see Notes):

1 cups (300 g) sugar

Juice of  lemon

3 tablespoons orange blossom water

2 pounds (32 ounces/910 g) phyllo dough, thawed (see Notes)

2 pounds (910 g) salted butter, clarified (see Notes)

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To make the filling, in a large bowl combine the walnuts, sugar, and orange blossom water and use your hands to rub it all together until very well mixed with no lumps. Set aside.

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To make the syrup, in a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and 3 cups (720 ml) water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then boil gently for 15 minutes. Add the lemon juice and cook another 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the orange blossom water. Let cool completely, then chill until cold.

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 400F (205C). Have ready a 17 by 12 by 1-inch (43 by 30.5 by 4 cm) baking pan. Trim the phyllo dough if necessary to fit the pan. Brush the bottom and sides of the pan with a thin layer of butter.

While working with phyllo, make sure to keep then dough that youre pulling from covered with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel so that it wont dry out.

Place one sheet of phyllo on the bottom of the pan and lightly brush butter over the entire sheet. Repeat with each layer, buttering each layer until 1 pound (455 g) of phyllo is used; do not butter the last sheet.

Place the nut mixture on top and use your hands to spread it into an even layer and pat it down lightly.

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Using the other pound of phyllo, place a sheet on top of the nuts and lightly brush it with butter. Continue in the same manner as before with the second pound of dough, making sure each layer is lightly buttered.

Cut the baklawa into squares or diamonds before baking. To cut it into diamonds, starting at the short side of the pan, score the middle of the pastry. From that point score at intervals of two finger widths or approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm). You should have eight rows marked. Use a very sharp knife to cut down the length of each scored line, slicing all the way through all the layers of dough.

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Turn the pan 90 degrees and score diagonally at even intervals across all the rows; you will have 80 to 90 pieces. Use your knife to cut all the way through all the layers.

Bake the baklawa for 15 minutes. Turn the oven temperature down to 325F (165C) and bake until the top layer is flaky and a light golden brown, about 45 minutes.

Remove the baklawa from the oven, and while it is still hot, pour the syrup all over the surface of the pastry, first going down the sides and then continuing row by row, covering the full width and length of the baklawa.

Let cool completely in the pan. You may serve directly from the pan. Cover the pan or transfer to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Notes: Have syrup and clarified butter prepared at least one day ahead. If you have the option, buy the thinnest phyllo you can. If there are numbers on the boxes, buy the one marked #4 thin.
Read all the stories from Slates 25 Most Important American Recipes of the Past 100 Years.

It was early the week of Thanksgiving 1959, and the young Knopf editor Judith Jones was trying to tie up loose ends before making the long drive north to Vermont, where her family would convene. She was deep in work when her colleague William Koshland stopped by her desk and handed a thick, unwieldy stack of paper over. Koshland, who hadnt a clue about cookbooks, asked Jones if shed weigh in on the submission. Everyone knew that Jones had spent years in Paris and had even run a private supper club out of her apartment on the Rue de Cirque.

Jones eyed the manuscript. The book was huge750 pages long. French Recipes for American Cooks by Louisette Bertholle, Simone Beck, and Julia Child, the cover read. Jones had been searching for a good French cookbook since returning to the States. The American foodscape had shifted radically in the postwar years, with small grocers and specialty shops giving way to supermarkets that kept food in boxes and cans and behind glass. Everything was going into packages so the poor little woman wouldnt soil herself with cooking, the ignominy of cooking, Jones told me while I researched my book, The Editor: How Publishing Legend Judith Jones Shaped Culture in America.

Jones tried to make do. But shed tried cookbook after cookbook, finding each one lifeless and uninspired. What rankled her most, though, was that the books didnt work. At the time, most cookbooks relied on cursory instructions and assumed home cooks had a great deal of skill and knowledge. All that brevity and vagueness left ample room for improvisation (and error). Not one of the French cookbooks Jones tried offered the precision, detail, or depth of explanation she sought. She took the manuscript home and began cooking from it, starting with boeuf bourguignon.

If you prepare recipes from cookbooks, read culinary memoirs, watch cooking shows, or consume food-related content on the internet, you areperhaps unbeknownst to youunder the influence of the late, legendary editor Judith Jones. Its no coincidence, then, that four of the 25 recipes on Slates list of the most important recipes of the past 100 yearsincluding that very bourguignoncame from books Jones shepherded into existence.

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French Recipes for American Chefs needed work. Its comprehensiveness was one of its strengths, but Jones knew the book would benefit from a good pruning. And the recipes needed to be tested in the U.S. to make sure home cooks had access to the ingredients and equipment the book called for. But Jones saw its genius and promise; it walked home cooks, step by granular step, through preparing complex French recipes in such a clear, detailed manner that success in the kitchen was all but guaranteed.

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No one at Knopf knew anything about cookbooks. They looked down on the genre. Food wasnt the stuff of serious literature, it was the stuff of womens pages. Jones, though, thought differently. She thought that if Americans only had the right tools and some encouragement, they would wake up to the pleasures of cooking and eating. She devised a wily workaround to pitch Childs book to Knopfs top editors (she wasnt allowed in editorial meetings yet; she was too young and too, well, female). It worked. Once Jones had the project in her hands, she took it in her teeth and ran.

It took over a year of fastidious work to overhaul the manuscript that became Mastering the Art of French Cooking, months in which Jones and Child recognized in one another a shared proclivity for hard work and penchant for perfection. They also shared a politics, one that went against the grain of early second-wave feminism: Jones and Child believed the kitchen didnt have to be a site of drudgery and oppression, but could rather be one of creativity, cultural exploration, and sensual pleasure.

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In the fall of 1961, Knopf published Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Jones understood that books needed help finding an audience, so she cold-called Craig Claiborne, whod recently become food editor at the New York Times, and James Beard, a beloved and central figure in the then tiny world of food, and enlisted both of them to help launch the book. Mastering took off. By the end of the books first week in the world, Knopf had ordered a second printing of 10,000 copies more, doubling the books run, and had already made plans for a third round of the same. The senior editors at Knopf were stunned, but no one was more pleased than Jones and Child, whose joint, symbiotic labor had made the book what it was, and who had launched each others careers in food.

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Jones had a feeling that other authors could do for other cuisines what Julia Child had done for French food. And while she also worked with literary heavy hittersshe discovered the novelist Anne Tyler, and edited both her and John Updike, among other luminaries, for decadesit was the cookbooks she edited that made her a legend.

Jones rescued Madhur Jaffreys An Invitation to Indian Cooking from a publishing house that had abandoned it; the book was, for many Americans, their first introduction to Indian cuisine and culture. She encouraged Anna Thomas, a college student from California, to write The Vegetarian Epicure, a hit with counterculture and mainstream cooks and eaters alike. She found a singular voice and perspective in the stories and recipes of Claudia Roden, whose Book of Middle Eastern Food Knopf published in 1972. She convinced James Beard to write Beard on Bread, which came out in 73.

And she became a true collaborator with Edna Lewis, one of the most influential and iconic voices in American cooking. Lewis was Black, the granddaughter of formerly enslaved people who had helped settle a farming community called Freetown in Virginias Piedmont region. Knopf published Lewis The Taste of Country Cooking in Americas bicentennial year, making a powerful, celebratory statement about the influence of the African diaspora on American culture, and of Black cooks on what weve come to think of as American food. Lewis dedicated the book to the people of Freetown, and to Judith Jones for her deep understanding.

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Related From Slate The 25 Most Important Recipes of the Past 100 Years Read More

The 15-year span between the launch of Mastering and Edna Lewis Taste were some of the most tumultuous and formative in American culture; movements for Civil Rights, womens liberation, environmental conservation, and an end to the Vietnam War rocked the nation, and the rise of identity politics and an overhaul of Americas immigration policy raised important questions about who, and what, counted as American. The cookbooks Jones worked on, and the authors with whom she collaborated, did the same, both mirroring and shaping shifts in American culture.

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Jones editorial skills and prowess, her dogged attention to detail, and her devoted, intimate collaboration with her authors are now the stuff of legend. But her particular genius was in using food as a lens, and cookbooks as a form, to bring people to the literal and proverbial table, encouraging them to communicate across differences of race, religion, nationality, region, gender, sexual orientation, and classsometimes without their even knowing itthrough the universal language of food.

Though other forms of mediaglossy magazines, cable TV, and, later, the internetbegan to take up more of the food space starting in the 1980s, Jones continued to make influential cookbooks right up until she died in 2017, 60 years after she started at Knopf. All of which is to say: The way we cook and eatindeed, the way we livehas been under Judith Jones influence for a long time now. We are all the better for it.
Read all the stories from Slates 25 Most Important American Recipes of the Past 100 Years.

The chocolate lava cake is firmly entrenched in the culinary pantheonits the kind of decadent treat you see on Valentines Day prix fixes or order for dessert before prom. But the Tunnel of Fudge, which won Mrs. C.J. Helfrich of Houston second prize in the Pillsbury Bake-Off in 1966, seems to have introduced the concept of a soft-centered chocolate cake to the world. It created a sensation, single-handedly reviving sales of the floundering ring-shaped Bundt panthe company that had been about to discontinue the model suddenly ramped up production to 30,000 pans a week.

For a time in the late 60s, you couldnt attend a PTA potluck without finding a Tunnel of Fudge. But when I took a shot at baking the cake for Slates 25 Most Important Recipes of the Past 100 Years project, I discovered that its not as easy as it looksin part because of a discontinued ingredient that avid chefs have been trying to track down, replicate, or kludge for decades. My quest for the perfect Tunnel of Fudge had me searching the far reaches of the food-blog world, telephoning the headquarters of baking companies, and inadvertently coating my kitchen in a substance that resembles, but is not, chocolate.

The Tunnel of Fudge is, basically, an engineering problem: How do you hold up that roof when theres nothing solid underneath? Think of it as a Gothic cathedral of cake. Vaulted ceilings above, glory filling the nave. Typically, the top of a cake is held in place by the rest of the cake, but when the center of your cake is goop, youre really counting on the fully-baked walls of the cake to keep everything standing. (Unlike a cathedral, the Tunnel of Fudge is not designed with flying buttresses.) And while the personal lava cakelet you might receive at Chilis is small enough to retain its structural integrity until your fork pierces its shell, the Tunnel of Fudge is full-sized, a 10-inch torus full of gooey fudge. Thats a puzzle that might have any building inspector scratching her head.

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My first Tunnel of Fudge was not up to code. Though I followed the recipe on Pillsburys website carefully, 10 minutes after I turned the cooled cake onto a platter, the roof collapseda disaster that left the cake, and my baking confidence, in ruins. Over the next month, I cooked the other 24 recipes on Slates listgenerating several other baking catastrophesbut also looked deeper into why my Tunnel turned into a heap. As I soon discovered, Im not the first person whos been dissatisfied with Pillsburys official recipe. Indeed, chefs have been trying to crack the mystery for decades. And Pillsbury isnt helping.

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It turns out the recipe currently online is not the recipe as Ella Helfrich first wrote it. You can find that recipe in a booklet, The Pillsbury Busy Lady Bake-Off Recipes, a 96-page beauty that sold so many copies in the mid-1960s that you can still find dozens for sale for, like, $6. (Obviously, people have also scanned the recipe and put it on the internet.) The recipe resembles the modern version but for one crucial difference: Where Pillsbury 2024 calls for cocoa powder, Ella Helfrich called for one package of Pillsbury Two Layer Size Double Dutch Fudge Buttercream Frosting Mix.

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These days, if you buy frosting in the store, youre getting it in plastic-lidded tubs. But powdered frosting mix was once a crucial baking shortcut. A mix of cocoa, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, frosting mix was one of the many food-tech discoveries of the midcentury era that promised to make life easier for the busy housewife.

Indeed, in many ways, the entire concept of the Pillsbury Bake-Off was about the power of convenience through baking innovation. Contestants submitted their recipes, and then, the booklet notes, the winning recipes were shortcutted, streamlined, and up-to-dated for you in the companys test kitchen, with an eye toward using new Pillsbury products to their full potential. Captions tout the revolutionary simplicity of these recipes: You cant taste the shortcuts in these cookies! Ready for the oven in 5 minutes! No-kneading. Quick-rising. Seasoned with soup mix. All thanks to Pillsburythe Idea Flour.

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The frosting mix in the Tunnel of Fudge seemed to perform some alchemical process to create the cakes gooey center. And so when, at some point in the following decades, Pillsbury discontinued its powdered frosting mix, the Tunnel of Fudge endured a crisis. Pillsburys new version, with its chocolatey glaze meant to (somewhat) replicate the magic of the original, was but a pale imitation.

Home cooks tried using thermometers to find the exact right temperature of underdoneness to approximate fudge. They tried substituting pudding mix, or even spooning pudding directly into the Bundt pan. Amateur food scientists tried to re-create powdered frosting mix at home, getting in spirited online debates about what space-age ingredients to use. (Powdered butter?!)

I figured, why not just ask Pillsbury what used to be in their frosting mix? Surely the company would be proud of this influential recipe and would be interested in helping me rediscover it in its full glory. After a dozen phone calls and emails to Pillsburys customer help line and media team, I finally received the following fulsome response:

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Dear Dan,

Thanks for contacting us regarding Pillsbury.

We enjoy hearing from our consumers and we truly value your comments. A copy of your message has been forwarded to the appropriate department and they will contact you if interested.

Ref # 13977327

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Hmm. Some food bloggers have characterized Pillsburys attitude toward their attempts to replicate a long-lost cake as one of baffled disdain, and perhaps they were right. However, in 2011, one such blogger, RetroRuth, wrote a long, exuberant post on her site Mid-Century Menu, recounting her discovery that Jiffy brand frosting mix makes a perfect Tunnel of Fudgeone that sent her and her husband into Proustian reveries of their childhoods.

Unfortunately, my grocery store didnt sell Jiffy frosting mix. Neither did the one across the street. Neither did (uh-oh) Amazon. More Googling revealed that Jiffy, too, has discontinued their frosting mix as of 2017. When I called the company to ask why, I ended up on the phone with Jiffys CEO, the grandson of the companys founder, a former race-car driver who ran the Indy 500 six times (best finish: 6th place). His car featured the Jiffy logo on its side. His name is Howdy Holmes, and he radiates Midwestern bonhomie.

When I explained what I was trying to do and asked him if they had any old boxes of frosting mix sitting around they could send me, he said, Well, Dan, theyd be expired by now, Im afraid.

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But you did sell it much longer than Pillsbury sold theirs, I said.

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Well, that wasnt because of sales, he said. Sometimes you keep selling a product because people are attached to it. But you cant do that forever. As he spoke, it became clear that he, too, had been at least a little attached to the frosting mix. I think the thing that made our particular frosting mix really great was the fact that it was almost crunchy, he mused. The size of the sugar granulation was huge compared to the rest of the worlds frosting mixes.

Wouldnt you like to taste that again? I asked.

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That would be nice, he agreed, but he didnt really think he could put his R&D team to work trying to re-create the product, as interesting as that would be. Theyre swamped, he said. So to ask them to take this task on, for one article and a product that were not selling anymore, doesnt make a lot of sense.

I agreed that wouldnt make sense. I guess I was just hoping, I said, to appeal to your sense of whimsy.

Ill tell you what, Dan, Howdy Holmes said. If I wake up at night overwhelmed with whimsy, Ill give you a call.

One Redditor claimed that a Whole Foodsbrand frosting mix could workwhy does Whole Foods make powdered frosting mix?!but had some caveats. The major difference is that this frosting mix has none of the fat that Jiffy has and calls for butter to supply that fat content, they wrote. Their suggestion: For each box of Whole Foods frosting mix you use in your Tunnel of Fudge, add 2 tablespoons of shortening. This seemed like a huge pain, and anyway, I was unable to find a Whole Foods within a 25-mile radius of my house that stocked the product.

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This was getting ridiculous. But then, finally, after what seemed like hours of searching, I discovered that at least one company still makes and sells powdered frosting mix, or at least manufactured some recently enough that it hasnt yet expired: Krusteaz. Presumably their market is not individual bakers trying to make a single cake but commercial kitchens, because Krusteaz Professional Chocolate Fudge Icing Mix is only sold on Amazon in 5-pound boxes.

Yes, I bought one. Yes, it arrived three days later in a large carton that, even as I carried it to my kitchen, leaked dusty brown powder all over the floor. The interior bag in the Krusteaz box had split, and when I pulled it out, a small mountain of frosting mix poured onto my counter. I gathered as much as I couldfar more than Id ever needinto a Tupperware, and then tried to clean up what was left. It turns out that it is very difficult to clean up a product that, by design, transforms into chocolate frosting the instant it comes into contact with water. Wipe up a little bit of powder, and suddenly youve got a blob of frosting. Wipe up more, and theres frosting everywhere. Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didnt stop to think if they should.

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But finally, I felt prepared. Id finished cooking all 25 of the recipes on Slates list, but I was gonna take another crack at the Tunnel of Fudge. The previous cake, though an engineering debacle, had actually turned out fairly deliciousthe crumbled exterior resembled a brownie, and the center was fairly gooey. With the help of this secret ingredient, I might finally taste success.

This time, I remembered to soften the butter first. This time, I didnt dump all the flour in the mixer at once, leading to a mushroom cloud of dust. I weighed the quantity of fudge frosting mix that I felt certain would change my cakes fortunesit was so much frosting mix, a giant bowlful of space-age food techand smoothed out the top of my batter after I poured it into the Bundt pan. I removed the cake precisely when it was done, and patiently let it rest for a full two hours.

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And when I tipped the Bundt over, the warm cake slid outreluctantly, and with some cosmetic damage, but also seemingly stout and secure. I called my wife and daughter into the kitchen, proud as any 1960s hausfrau. Ceremoniously, I cut into the cake, ready to reveal the luscious fudge within.

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The cake, in fact, was cooked all the way through. It looked and tasted like just a cake.

I dont know what I did wrong. Maybe it was a mistake, no matter what the scientists in the Pillsbury test kitchen said, to let the cake cool. Maybe I needed to add a little more frosting mix, or a little less. Or maybe it was time to confess that this cake from the era of convenience food might never make the jump into the 21st century.

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Sure, standard ingredients have changed in various ways since Ella Helfrich had her eureka moment in a Houston kitchen. Eggs are bigger. Baking soda activates without warm water. But a recipe utterly dependent for its effect on a product made by but one corporation simply cannot stand the test of time. We have better cakes now. Perhaps I should bake those. If you want to try, though, and youre in the D.C. areaIve got, like, 3 pounds of frosting mix Im looking to get rid of, and hardly any of it has been on my floor.
Update, Nov. 21, 2024, at 11:25 a.m.: The bill this piece concerns passed the House this morning largely along party lines, with only one Republican, Thomas Massie, voting nay. However, 15 Democrats joined Republicans in voting yea to pass the bill. The original piece remains below.

President-elect Donald Trump should be expected to try to crack down on civil society in his second term. He has promised to deport protesters, and the prior time he was in office, he mused about having protesters practicing their First Amendment right to free assembly shot in the legs.

Members of Congress, and especially Democratsostensibly the opposition partywill thus be presented with a choice: Do they want legislation that emboldens him in this goal or that could potentially serve as a check against it?

One such early example is HR 9495, a bill that, through seemingly innocuous language, could very well be used to make things difficult to impossible for nonprofits and their actions, like organizing and advocatingwork that is both an important part of a functioning liberal democracy and, sometimes, a crucial pushback on power.

What is HR 9495?

The bill is the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. It postpones certain tax-filing deadlines for Americans and their spouses who are wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad. Great, you say. I have no problem with that.

I agree! However, HR 9495 also terminates the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations. Basically, per the text of the legislation, the treasury secretary can designate any organization as having met certain standards to qualify as terrorist supporting. The organization then has 90 days to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it isnt actually terrorist supporting. If it cant do so, its designated as such and has its tax-exempt status revoked. Rescinding the terrorist supporting designation is also up to the secretary. No evidence or explanation is required.

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OK, but I dont want nonprofits supporting terrorism to have tax-exempt status.

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Sure! And thats fair! But as the American Civil Liberties Union put it, This legislation would have granted the Secretary of Treasury the unilateral power to investigate and effectively shut down any tax-exempt organizationincluding news outlets, universities, and civil society groupsby stripping them of their tax-exempt status based on an unilateral accusation of wrongdoing. And while we think of terrorism as an unambiguous thing, the label can be thrown around for political reasons.

For example, in 2021, Human Rights Watch objected when Israel labeled six Palestinian groupsincluding Defense for Children Palestine, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, and the Union of Palestinian Womens Committeesas terrorist organizations. Earlier this year, Amnesty International warned that Russia was using anti-terrorism laws to curb dissent (things there have spiraled such that prison sentences are now handed out for posting online). It is not difficultfor me, anywayto see a Trump treasury secretary using this legislation to go after groups engaged in, say, pro-Palestine advocacy or that oppose police violence against Black Americans. Lets take, for example, Jewish Voice for Peace, a group that Anti-Defamation League head Jonathan Greenblatt called an on-campus Iranian proxy. Could that group lose its not-for-profit status for supporting terrorism? What about groups that have donated to JVP? In 2020 a police guide suggested that Black Lives Matter activists should be treated as terrorists. What if the secretary feels similarly?

Oh. I see.

Right.

OK, so what happened to the bill?

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An earlier iteration of the legislation (which, we should note, is bipartisan) from back in April passed easilyonly 11 members voted against it. (Per the Intercept, it then languished in the Senate.) This current version, though essentially identical, was voted down just last week, after coverage that pointed out that the bill would expand Trumps powers, and after lobbying from various groups involved in civil rights in various capacities. (In the interest of full disclosure, I should here note that I have been working as a fellow with the Nexus Project, which works on issues pertaining to antisemitism and Israel, and that people on the political side of Nexus, of which I am not a part, does have people who speak to various Hill offices, including on the importance of checking executive overreach.) More than 100 Democrats who voted for it the first time flipped, and it failed to get the two-thirds majority of votes it needed. Some Democrats, however, still voted for it, and you can see who they were here. Notably, no one in Democratic House leadership voted for the bill.

Oh, so its dead! Wait, why are you writing this?

Because yes, it failed, but its alive.

I dont follow.

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On Monday, the House Rules Committee passed it. Republicans voted for it, Democrats voted against, but Republicans are in charge and dominate the committee, so it passed. It now goes to the House floor, where it will need just a simple majority to pass. That vote is expected Thursday.

Related From Slate Trumps Cabinet Picks Are the Israeli Settler Movements Dream Come True Read More

Why does it need a simple majority this time if it needed two-thirds last time?

Last weeks vote was a suspension vote, which is a procedure used to dispose of non-controversial measures expeditiously. But obviously this turned out to be a more controversial measure than expected, so this time around it will be considered in normal order, per Rules Committee guidelines. That means it needs only a simple majority, which Republicans have. And that votes expected this week.

So youre telling me that after all this, this things going to pass the House?

Probably, yes. And to my mind, the question for the Democrats who voted for it last week is whether they want to be a part of helping turn the power to designate members of civil society as terroristswithout evidence or explanation or really much in the way of recourseover to Trump and the Republican Party.

What about the Senate? Would it pass there?

No, it wouldnt pass the Senatefor now. But next session, Republicans will be in control there too.
Update, Nov. 21, 1:40 p.m.: That was fast! In a post on X/Twitter, Matt Gaetz has announced that he is withdrawing from consideration to be attorney general. While the former Florida Republican representative wrote that he is stepping back because the controversy around him was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition, CNN reporter Paula Reid raised a different potential explanation:

EXCLUSIVE: Gaetz withdrew from AG nomination 45 mins after we called to say we were going to report that Ethics committee told there was a *second* sexual encounter between Gaetz and 17 year old in 2017. w/@sarahnferris. Full story: https://t.co/z244tATQIU  Paula Reid (@PaulaReidCNN) November 21, 2024

According to CNN, a woman who was 17 at the time of a previously-reported-upon alleged sexual encounter with Gaetz in 2017see below for more contexthas testified to the House ethics committee that she in fact had two sexual encounters with the former congressman at a party that they both attended. He has denied ever having sex with a minor.

Although Gaetz resigned his seat in the House upon being nominated, he also won reelection to another term earlier this month, which means that he is eligible to re-join the chamber when its new session begins in January. He has not said whether he plans to do so.

Original post, Nov. 20, 2:17 p.m.: Since we wrote last week that Donald Trump seems to have homed in on having been on TV as the main qualification hes looking for in Cabinet members, the TV appointments have continued: Pro wrestling executive Linda McMahon (wife of Vince) has been nominated for some reason to lead the Department of Education, where her job will basically be to hit the Department of Education with a chair. Dr. Oz has been selected to manage the Medicaid and Medicare programs, which means you can now use those programs to purchase fat-busters and miracle cures that dont work. (Not really. Yet.)

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Trumps most attention-getting nomination, though, remains Matt Gaetzthe now-former representative from the Florida panhandle who has been tapped to become attorney general. (Gaetz resigned from Congress after his nomination was announced.)

Here is the deal with Gaetz, and bear in mind when you are reading that the attorney general is often referred to as the nations top law-enforcement official:

 In 2022, a friend and political ally of Gaetzs named Joel Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison for a Florida smorgasbord of crimes that included paying a minor for sex. Prosecutors alleged, specifically, that Greenberg had introduced an underage woman to other men who had sex with her. Reporting about the case surfaced allegations that Greenberg and Gaetz had both participated, in CNNs words, in sex parties near Orlando that featured local political figures, young women, Venmo payments, alcohol, and drugs.

 The Department of Justice investigated Gaetz on suspicion that he had engaged in sex trafficking, i.e., arranging for and paying the women at these parties to have sex with the men who attended. That case was closed without charges being filed against him, reportedly because prosecutors had doubts about the credibility of the women who would have served as witnesses.

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 The (Republican-controlled) House Ethics Committee, however, has continued to investigate the matter as part of a wider probe into Gaetzs behavior. (Another member of Congress, for instance, has said that Gaetz was known for showing other representatives explicit sexual photographs on his phone on the House floor.)

 According to an attorney who represents them, two women involved in the Florida case have testified to the House committee that Gaetz paid them on a number of occasions to travel to events where they were expected to have sex with the men who were present. (The two women were older than 18 at the time.) ABC has obtained documents, which it says are in the possession of the House committee, that appear to show Gaetz making a series of payments via check and Venmo to the two women.

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 The attorney also says that one of his clients testified to the House committee that in 2017, she saw Gaetz having sex with a female minor who was 17 years old at the time. According to other reporting, a civil lawsuit related to Joel Greenbergs case includes sworn testimony given by a woman who says she had sex with Gaetz in 2017, when she was 17.

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Gaetz has denied that he has ever had sex with a minor or paid women for sex.

Almost incidentally, while Gaetz does have a law degree, he has never worked as a prosecutor and has little experience practicing law; he graduated from law school in 2008 and joined the Florida state Legislature in 2010. He does serve on the House Judiciary Committee, though.

Hows this all going over in the Senate, which will have to confirm Gaetzs appointment by majority vote, unless Trump tries some sort of end-around adjournment and recess appointment gambit that would create an instant constitutional crisis?

Well, Republicans are expected to hold 53 seats in the chamber, but even a lot of Republicans dont care for Matt Gaetz personally and may not like the idea of running for reelection in two or four years after having put their stamp on Mr. Alleged Sex Venmo. Texas Sen. John Cornyn has suggested that senators could call witnesses identified in the House investigation to testify at Gaetzs confirmation hearings, although the attorney representing the two women mentioned above has said that they would prefer not to testify in public. Other GOP senators have said they would like to see the House Ethics Committees Gaetz report, which was reportedly set to be released before he resigned his seat. (Apparently, House ethics investigations are considered closed if the member in question leaves Congress.) According to the Wall Street Journal, Gaetz is likely short of the votes he needs to be confirmed. Trump, nonetheless, is going full steam ahead and has been calling senators personally on Gaetzs behalf.

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Related From Slate There Is Only One Reason Trump Would Put These Absolute Crackpots in Charge of Military and Intelligence Agencies Read More

Whats the upside scenario for Trump here? Isnt there someone who doesnt have this stuff going on who he could nominate insteadsomeone who would still gladly investigate Rosie ODonnell at his behest when instructed to do so by a post on social media that was otherwise mostly about Trump-branded cryptocurrency? Yes, definitely. But Gaetz is the kind of total loyalist that Trump likes to have close to him, and as the New York Times notes, even if Gaetz is ultimately dropped, the standard for an acceptable candidate will have shifted so much that the Senate may simply approve his other nominees, even if they have appalled much of Washington. (Good phrasing. Why, I do declare, Washington is saying.) Its a win-win scenario in Trumps mind, probably.

Then again, nominating Gaetz might be the kind of thing that contributes to President Trump 2.0 being so instantaneously unpopular that Republican members of the House in swing districts refuse to pass the things he wants them to pass. But then again again, we are talking about a president whose most recent act in office was declining to intervene when told that a violent mob, which he had sent to the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to cancel the results of an election, was trying to kill the vice president. Why would he care about stuff like how bills become laws according to the Constitution? That is the big question that pertains to Donald Trumps stewardship of the Department of Justice, and as of now it doesnt have a good answer.
Coverage of President-elect Donald Trumps nomination of Matt Gaetz to be attorney general has concentrated largely on his sex scandals and the question of whether the House Ethics Committee will release its long-awaited and probably damaging report on Gaetzs alleged sexual encounter with an underage girl. Another wrinkle came Tuesday, when it was reported that a hacker had stolen files with details of the sexual encounter from attorneys working on a civil case focused on some of the allegations.

I understand the attraction of the sex angle. Its simple. Its salacious. Everybody loves a sex story. Also, so the theory in some Democratic circles presumably goes, it would give Senate Republicans terrified of defying Trump an easy excuse to vote against Gaetz: Hes a pervert, a sexual predator, and maybe a criminal. And we certainly cant have somebody like that as attorney general.

Nonetheless, I think the obsessive focus on Gaetzs alleged sexual misconduct is a mistake, both for the media and, in due course, for senatorial opponents of the nomination. In the first place, the notion that being a sexual predator is disqualifying for the highest offices in the land now seems almost quaint. After all, Gaetz hasnt been found by any court to have committed a sexual offense. The man who nominated him has. It would be interesting indeed to hear Republican senators attempt to distinguish the master from his man. One suspects that the vast majority of them lack the stomach for that task.

In addition, except in the unlikely event that a large number of Senate Republicans signal in advance that Gaetz is unacceptable, a confirmation fight focused on sex and the contestable memories of vulnerable young women would too easily be distorted by Trump, Gaetz, and the right-wing media into just another example of the detestable liberals trying to smear a patriot (see: Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh) with disgusting lies.

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More importantly, Gaetz as attorney general would be a disaster not because he (allegedly) had sex with a 17-year-old. The real issue is that, regardless of his alleged sexual misconduct, he is stupefyingly unqualified for the job and his confirmation would present an immediate danger both to the rule of law and, though they may not yet see it, to Republicans themselves.

Lets start with basic qualifications.

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The Justice Department, in which I served for a decade, comprises more than 40 component organizations and more than 115,000 employees. It is responsible for representing the United States in federal court in all criminal prosecutions, including public corruption, fraud, money laundering, narcotics, computer crime, and racketeering, as well as in extraordinarily complex matters, some criminal and some civil, involving consumer protection, immigration, national security, tax, environmental issues, civil rights, and antitrust policy. The department also includes four major police agenciesthe FBI, DEA, ATF, and Marshals Serviceas well as the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

The DOJ is not only big but immensely powerful. It is, by design, capable of confronting not merely individual wrongdoers but vast criminal networks and incalculably rich corporations and commercial magnates. Its authority can crush individuals. If misused, as happily it rarely has been, it can be a terrible force of oppression.

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Therefore, plausible attorney generals should at a minimum be experienced, accomplished lawyers familiar with federal law and practice and thus capable of assessing the innumerable legal questions that reach their desks. Of even greater importance, the AG must be a person of unflinching integrity determined to resist abuse of the departments vast power. Because the AG must also manage a sprawling governmental agency, including its relations with Congress, some management experience is highly desirable.

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Matt Gaetz is a lawyer. But his entire legal experience consists of three years between 2007 and 2010 as a new associate with a tiny local law firm, plus handling a few legal matters thereafter while he was a Florida state representative. According to one recent review, he appears as attorney of record in fewer than a dozen cases, none of them criminal, none of them federal, and none of them involving a matter of even local consequence. Likewise, he has no experience managing any organization other than his congressional office.

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Even if Gaetz were a man of unimpeachable character, no one would think him remotely professionally qualified to be attorney general of the United States. And even leaving aside his alleged sexual misconduct, his character deficiencies are legion.

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As his congressional colleagues know better than anyone, he is poisonously obnoxious, temperamentally unsuited to be the leader of any organization too large to meet in a broom closet.

But his most obvious and disqualifying flaw is that he has no observable principles beyond dedication to his own self-advancement. Having alienated virtually everyone in the House, including its Republicans, his only remaining path to advancement is through doglike devotion to Donald Trump.

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Where previous presidents might have privately wished or (like Richard Nixon) even privately schemed to turn the DOJ against their perceived enemies, Trump has openly announced his intention to do just that. It seems plain that Gaetz secured Trumps backing by selling himself as the candidate most determined to accomplish Trumps stated objective. If confirmed, there seems little doubt that he would set about dismantling the DOJ as a neutral, professional law-enforcement agency and turning it into an instrument of revenge for Trump and a vehicle for deploying the law to settle a whole panoply of MAGA (and personal) grievances.

This genuinely terrifying prospect is the primary reason why anyone who cares about the rule of lawthe central pillar of constitutional governmentshould reject Gaetz. But it also ought to be a powerful consideration in the private deliberations of Senate Republicans, even if they dont give a fig for constitutional government. If the Senate approves Gaetz after he (and Trump) has expressly promised that he will use the agency as a vehicle for retributive criminal prosecution, then Republicans will have no ground for complaint when he does just that. More to the present point, they will have no assurance that the targets will be limited to Democrats, or even avowed Never Trump Republicans like Liz Cheney.

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Related From Slate The Disturbing Reason Senate Republicans Might Greenlight All of Trumps Nominees Read More

When Gaetz was in Congress, his specialty was stabbing fellow Republicans in the back (RIP Kevin McCarthy). A good many fellow Republicans have made no secret of their loathing of Gaetz. And Gaetz returns the sentiment. Republicans in both the House and Senate should realize that an Attorney General Gaetz would be an ever-present threat to them as well as to Trumps openly declared foes. Any dissent from Trumps commandsor for that matter Gaetzs own whimswould open dissenters to the threat or reality of a criminal probe.

Publicly, Gaetz backers might say that those with nothing to hide would have nothing to fear. But almost everyone, particularly those in public life, has something they would prefer to remain unknown. More importantly, the whole point of the Trump-Gaetz threat to use the DOJ against enemies is that investigations will be unleashed against those enemies regardless of whether they have committed any crime.

And investigations alone, even if they never result in an indictment or conviction, can be a crushing burden on those investigated. They are prohibitively expensive to defend. They eat up the targets time and energy. Conducted as Gaetz-sanctioned investigations surely would be, with constant leaks of salacious tidbits and nasty innuendo, they destroy reputations regardless of their legal result.

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A classic attribute of authoritarian revolutionary movements is that they direct their greatest fury at dissenters within their own ranks, then, once they can, at allies who are insufficiently compliant with the leaders commands. To install Matt Gaetz as attorney general would make the Department of Justice an instrument of Trumpian discipline and Gaetzian caprice. Republicans should be reminded that not even they want that.

If Gaetzs opponents fall into the trap of exclusive focus on whether he did or didnt have sex with a high school girl and lose sight of the systemic catastrophe Gaetz as AG would cause, they may well lose this fight.
Here we go again. If youre experiencing alarming levels of deja vu this week with the debate over Matt Gaetzs fitness to run the DOJ, its not just you. We have seen this play before. Women make credible allegations of sexual misconduct or harassment against a man who has been nominated for a powerful position. The allegations spark an outcry. There is a bruising public airing of the claims, followed by a backlash and claims of a witch hunt. Eventually, the allegationsand the women making themare reduced by an offhand dismissal of the misconduct as a mere he said, she said. The women are mistaken or making it up, their stories cannot be verified, and no mans career should be derailed on that basis.

We have seen the invariable result play out again and again. The victim, dismissed as sympathetic but somehow not credible, is consigned to the #MeToo Accusers Hall of Fame, and the accused is confirmed. Power players congratulate themselves for getting their man across the finish line. It happened with the confirmation of Justice Clarence Thomas in 1991. It also happened with the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. We are here not to relitigate those hearings but, rather, to explain why this play should have a different endingwhy both Democrats and Republicans should not let it happen again this time, with Gaetzs nomination for U.S. attorney general, the chief law-enforcement officer of the land.

First, lets be clear: The sex-trafficking investigation by the Department of Justice, the very same agency Gaetz would purportedly lead, was opened during the Trump administration by Trumps thenAttorney General Bill Barr. It was not a deep-state witch hunt. Barr, who shut down accountability for Trump allies like Roger Stone and Michael Flynn, let this one move forward. Although the investigation ended without criminal charges, that doesnt mean that there wasnt serious reason to believe that Gaetz violated the law (even his lawyers were careful to maintain that distinction). Prosecutors decline to seek charges because of legal issues like the statute of limitations or because of the high burden of proof, guilt beyond a reasonable doubt that they must meet in order to convict in a criminal case. The stakes are different in a congressional confirmation hearing, when a nominees fitness to hold office must be scrutinized by senators. A congressional confirmation hearing is a job interview. Gaetz is not owed that job; he is, on the contrary, required to prove that he is worthy of it. A standard much lower than proof beyond a reasonable doubt should be and frequently has been used to assess a candidates background. We are all old enough to remember when an attorney general nominee withdrew her name from consideration following allegations she had hired as a nanny an immigrant lacking permanent legal status.

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Related From Slate The Disturbing Reason Senate Republicans Might Greenlight All of Trumps Nominees Read More

So, the absence of criminal charges against Gaetz is not, as Gaetz has claimed, an exoneration. And it is certainly not an endorsement of his fitness to be attorney general. The allegations have never been tested in a court of law, and they must be tested now as part of the Senate confirmation process if he moves forward with his nomination. We need not abandon our common sense as we consider Gaetzs nomination. If he did nothing wrong, as he claims, and if the evidence the House Ethics Committee gathered exonerated him, Gaetz, Trump, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson would not be working so hard to suppress the committee report that probed these matters.

Second, although the House Ethics report that is currently being kept from public view absolutely can and should be released, lets not get sucked into the fallacy that the Senate will not have and/or cannot obtain enough information regarding allegations of Gaetzs alleged wrongdoing to make an informed decision about his fitness for public office. Almost all of these allegations, which include sex with a minor and related federal crimes, showing videos of sex acts to others, and illicit drug use, have been made publicly by the attorneys of the women and by lawmakers themselves. Disappearing the ethics report will not disappear the evidence. No senator deciding how to vote on Gaetzs nomination can hide behind a claim that absent the release of the final ethics report, there is insufficient evidence of wrongdoing for them to vote against him. Americans will not believe it because the evidence is ubiquitous. It is in the public domain. It has been discussed widely by Gaetzs colleagues on Capitol Hill. This proceeding is not about proving crimes beyond a reasonable doubt in a court; its about whether, leaving aside his absolute absence of the experience necessary to run the Justice Department, Gaetz is fit to do so. The evidence strongly suggests he is not.

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Last, and perhaps most important, while there is no question that we, like many others, believe that neither Thomas nor Kavanaugh should have been confirmed, there is a critical difference in an appointment for the attorney general, the countrys chief law-enforcement officer, that isnt at play with those positions. Trust in law enforcement is a key factor in determining whether victims and witnesses will come forward to report crimesviolent, horrible crimes like rape, sex trafficking, child pornography, and child enticement. Ask yourself why any victim would have faith in a DOJ led by Matt Gaetz. Why would a department with Gaetz in charge take their stories seriously? The tone is always set at the top. Why would anyone have confidence they would be believed and treated with respect when the boss got his job based on the premise that the victims of such crimes always lie?

It doesnt take a fortune teller to predict that if Gaetz is confirmed, attorneys for defendants charged with sex crimes will quote the new attorney generals comments about smear campaigns and false claims made by victims when arguing their clients cases to juries and judges. Appointing a man who is credibly accused of this kind of misconduct to be attorney general crosses over the red line that signals either that the pursuit of justice matters or that it does not matter. If the Senate confirms Matt Gaetz, the message that victims matter less than the powerful men who abuse them will echo through Main Justice and out across the country.

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Of course, Trump has every right to nominate the person of his choice to lead the DOJ, and deference should be afforded to that nominee, even those whom we might not have selected had we that opportunity. But the advice-and-consent provision of the Constitution requires more than a rubber stamp from the Senate. Senators, including those being threatened with primary opposition if they stray from the fold, should think long and hard about the impact confirming Gaetz would have on the same prosecutors, victims, juries, and judges who are essential to prosecuting the types of violent crime they claim to care so deeply about. Nothing would say women are second-class citizens like confirming Gaetz to be the nations top cop. If Trump and the Senate forge ahead, no one should pretend that isnt the message.
Since winning the presidential election two weeks ago, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated a handful of the most shocking Cabinet picks ever selected and exerted pressure on the U.S. Senate to bend the knee and submit. The positive spin on these picks, and the aggressive strategy behind them, is that theyre much-needed disruptors. One might also look at them as anti-nominees, sent as a messagea middle finger, specificallyto the civil service.

Republicans are still working out their talking-point defenses of these nominees on a case-by-case basis. But the overarching defense of Trumps selection strategy is that the American people voted for dramatic change, to shake things up, and to do away with business as usual in the capital. And many powerful Republicans are playing fast and loose with a dangerous word: mandate.

We are ready to deliver on Americas mandate in the next Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson said at a House GOP press conference the week after the election.

A clear mandate for change from the American people, Elon Musk posted on Nov. 16, after Trump had crossed the 76 million vote threshold.

Winning the popular vote provides a mandate and a national public confidence to accomplish what he wants to do from the Oval Office, longtime Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller said a couple of days after the election. That comes from a CNN story in which Trump is described as having a much different mentality than he did in 2017 and feeling like his popular vote win gives him a mandate as he speaks with world leaders, top aides and allies, business CEOs and his transition team.

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A mandate discussion arrives shortly after each presidential election. It is always frustrating. Its treated as a binary questionmandate or no mandate??as if there is a certain numerical threshold from which one crosses into the other. If the winners popular vote and Electoral College margins were above the subjective Mandate Line, then we are to suppose he has the publics blessing to do whatever he wants. If theyre below the Mandate Line, then buddy? Youd better watch your step.

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It had been 20 years since Republicans won the presidential popular vote, so one can understand their exuberance. But theyve pegged the Mandate Line to the single ballot that put them atop Vice President Kamala Harris in the popular vote.

Maybe Trump will execute a bold reimagining of almost every aspect of the government, and Republicans will be rewarded with the broadest, most enduring vote of confidence since the New Deal coalition.

Or maybe Republicans are making a grave misreading of why they were elected.

How substantial was Trumps popular vote margin? As more and more California votes have been tallied, less and less so. Trumps share of the electorate has dipped below 50 percent, and hes on track for about a 1.5 point victory over Harris. He swept all seven swing states, though six of those were by a margin of 3.2 percentage points or less. It was a slightly stronger Electoral College win than Bidens in 2020, though Biden won the popular vote by 4.4 points with 81 million votes. (It goes without saying that Republicans believed Biden had fallen well short of the Mandate Line.) Trumps popular vote margin was also narrower than that of George W. Bush in his 2004 reelection bid. Bush, with 50. 7 percent of the vote, remains the last Republican presidential candidate to win a majority of the popular vote.

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After that election, Bush, too, claimed a mandate, famously saying that I earned capital in this campaign  and now I intend to spend it. He spent it rather quickly, pursuing a partial privatization of Social Security that tanked while giving Democrats an economic issue to rally around in the 2006 midterms. That issue was not what got Bush elected. He and his party learned it the hard way.

Which issues got Trump elected? This is a much better question to ask, and for his team to consider, than whether he has a mandate.

Two things stand out. Immigration was Trumps best issue all year, and he has strong support, including from a significant chunk of Democrats, for stricter policies at the border. Wed delineate that a bit from his plan for mass deportation because, despite some surveys showing substantial support for this in the abstract, the ugly stories and images that could emerge from the execution of that plan could sharply turn public opinion back the other way. Family separation during Trumps first term, and the awful stories that emerged from that, was one of his worst-ever issues.

The other major issue on which Trump had a mandate was to bring the cost of living down, a goal thats in conflict with his plans for mass deportations and to impose blanket tariffs. Good luck to him on that.

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What we do not see is a broad request from the American people to appoint a vaccine antagonist to oversee the vaccine department. We dont see a desire to take a wrecking ball to the Justice Department and replace it with personal errand boys to the West Wing. Im not seeing in the data large-scale support for a managerial novice from television to take over the Defense Department. This is just the very, very beginning, too. The first big legislative effort from the unified Republican government, for example, will be tax cuts, and youd better believe that theyre looking at offsetting the cost of that by raiding Medicaid and food stamps.

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You might be asking, well, what does Trump care if he overreads his mandate and ends up wildly unpopular, since hes term-limited? Thats an important consideration, though wed observe that most politicians dont enjoy being hated even if theyve run their last race.

Related From Slate What I Heard in the Capitol When Matt Gaetzs Nomination Was Announced Says It All Read More

And unlike Trump, most Republicans in Congress have not run their last race. Their fates will be directly tied to the popularity of the Trump administration. If Trump runs his administration into the ground by seeking only to please the ~5,000 right-wing influencers streaming on platforms Ive never heard of, all those other Republicans would suffer the consequences.

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If theres a quote from this postelection period that captures Republicans belief in Trumps mandateas well as Trumps once-again-peaking control over the partyit was from Texas Rep. Troy Nehls last week.

Hes got a mission statement, his mission and his goals and objectives, whatever that is, we need to embrace it, all of it, every single word, Nehls told reporters.

If Donald Trump says, jump three feet high and scratch your head,  he added, we all jump three feet high and scratch our heads. Thats it.

Well see in a couple of years how well that works out for them.
For coffee professionals of a certain age, the name Batdorf & Bronson evokes some big time nostalgia. The cafe and roastery began life all the way back in the late-80s in Olympia, Washington. Created by Dick Batdorf and Shannon Bronson, the brand was one of the first specialty coffee brands to expand beyond state lines, opening up an East Coast operation in Atlanta in the mid-90s (many folks may actually know B&B more as an East Coast coffee roasters in fact).

Over time, Batdorf & Bronson moved away from the name, having previously opened up cafes under the moniker Dancing Goats, which it officially transitioned to in 2022. That same year, the company was acquired by St. Louiss Kaldis Coffee Roasters, seemingly putting an end to the B&B name for good.

But Batdorf & Bronson is back! Thanks to a split of the company and a partial sale to Dillanos Coffee, the iconic Pacific Northwest has made a triumphant return.

As reported by Yahoo Finance, the Dancing Goats brand has been divided into two operations along geographical lines. Kaldis original purchase of Dancing Goats was driven primarily by their desire to break into the Atlanta market and have held on to that portion of the operation, including the roastery and cafes. Having less interest in the PNW locations, Kaldis then sold that portion to another longstanding Washington specialty roaster, Sumners Dillanos Coffee.

With the split, the Olympia outpost of Dancing Goats will revert to the original Batdorf & Bronson name. As part of the acquisition, the Dancing Goats roaster will eventually close as the operation will take place at Dillanos HQ. But Dillanos co-CEO David Morris states that he hopes to keep the other locations open. Per Yahoo, Kaldis planned to close the two downtown Olympia locations, but they plan to remain open under the new name; one location is currently under review for viability.

Still, whats old is new again. The 90s are hot right now, and what could be hotter than the Pacific Northwest during that particular era? So throw on some relax fit jeans and a flannel, grab your favorite Chuck Taylors or Sambas, and get over to the new Batdorf & Bronson, just like your parents used to.

Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
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As Biden Adds Fuel to Ukraine Fire With Mines, Russia Vows Unshakable Defense

As Biden Adds Fuel to Ukraine Fire With Mines, Russia Vows Unshakable Defense

Sputnik International

The administration of outgoing US President Joe Biden is fully committed to continuing the conflict in Ukraine and is doing everything to achieve this, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

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Earlier in the day, The Washington Post reported, citing two US officials, that President Biden had approved the shipment of antipersonnel mines to Ukraine. This decision reportedly aligns with the current White House administration's efforts to assist the Kiev regime in trying to stop Russia's steady advance. One official stated that Ukrainian lawmakers have committed to refraining from using these mines in heavily populated areas.It's difficult to determine the accuracy of reports regarding Biden's approval of sending antipersonnel mines to Kiev, although the official suggested that it is a possibility.Measures Taken to Ensure Safety of All Critical Russian Infrastructure FacilitiesNecessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety of all critical infrastructure facilities in Russia, including the Crimean Bridge, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.Only Ukraine Fond of Committing Sabotage & Terrorism on Baltic Sea FloorKremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Wednesday that it is Ukraine, not Russia, that engages in sabotage and acts of terrorism at the bottom of the Baltic Sea.On Monday, the German and Finnish top diplomats published a joint statement, in which they expressed deep concern over a "severed undersea cable", connecting the two countries in the Baltic Sea.Such accusations pointing the finger at Russia as the one allegedly responsible for blowing up the cables in question in the Baltic Sea are absurd and groundless, the spokesman replied.US Embassy in Kiev Shuts Doors Over Alleged Attack?Reports of an alleged possible airstrike on Kiev, which was divulged by the American Embassy in Ukraine, is related to the course of the special military operation and the Defense Ministry, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.Earlier in the day, the US diplomatic mission in the Ukrainian capital announced it was temporarily closing its doors amid reports of an alleged potential airstrike.

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Sarah Forgany is a news anchor at KENS 5 in San Antonio. KENS-TV

KENS 5 viewers will no longer start the day with Sarah Forgany, as the anchor is set to move to the news station's afternoon broadcasts.

The station announced Tuesday that Forgany's last day on the morning newscast will be Friday. Next week, she will begin co-anchoring the noon and 4 p.m. broadcasts with Audrey Castoreno and the 5 p.m. show with Deborah Knapp.

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Forgany said a recent health scare and raising her 3-year-old daughter prompted her to make the switch.

"After waking up at 1:30 a.m. for the last 13 years, Im smashing that alarm clock and sleeping in a bit. I look forward to being with my daughter, Bella, when she wakes up in the morning," Forgany said.

The anchor began suffering health issues in March 2023, when she left a vacation in Italy to be hospitalized in the U.S. She was back in the hospital in June, when her family shared on social media that she was on a ventilator.

Forgany later told viewers that she had experienced sudden heart failure and was placed on the ventilator because her lungs filled up with fluid. She spent one month in the hospital and doctors were "baffled" because she has no history of heart disease, she said.

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"That first night in ICU I thought my time was up but God had other plans," she said at the time. "I know no one is guaranteed tomorrow, not even a next minute so as you can imagine, I am so Thankful to God for giving me a second chance and to be breathing today."

Forgany joined KENS 5 in 2010 and said she hopes fans will stick around amid her schedule shift.

"I hope our viewers who had breakfast with me all of those years will also be able to join me for lunch and dinner," she said.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/biden-approves-sending-antipersonnel-mines-to-ukraine---reports-1120936251.html

Biden Approves Sending Antipersonnel Mines to Ukraine - Reports

Biden Approves Sending Antipersonnel Mines to Ukraine - Reports

Sputnik International

US President Joe Biden has approved sending antipersonnel mines to Ukraine, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing two US officials.

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russia's special operation in ukraine

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The move reportedly comes as the US administration tries to help Kiev contain the advancement of Russian forces. One official said that Ukrainian lawmakers vowed not to use the mines in heavily populated areas. Russia has repeatedly said that arms supplies to Ukraine hinder the conflict settlement and directly involve NATO countries in the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine will be a legitimate target for Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/pokrovsk-pincer-why-russias-advance-on-strategic-city-could-doom-ukraines-donbass-defenses-1120017448.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/brazil-signs-letter-of-intent-with-chinas-spacesail-as-alternative-to-starlink---reports-1120939619.html

Brazil Signs Letter of Intent With China's SpaceSail as Alternative to Starlink - Reports

Brazil Signs Letter of Intent With China's SpaceSail as Alternative to Starlink - Reports

Sputnik International

Brazil's Telebras communication company has found an alternative to its Starlink satellite communications system by concluding a letter of intent with China's SpaceSail amid a dispute between local authorities and Starlink owner Elon Musk, the G1 news portal reported on Wednesday.

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The terms of the agreement indicate the intention of Telebras-SpaceSail cooperation, should the Chinese company start operating in Brazil. However, a deal between the two companies has not been finalized yet, the report added. Brazilian Communications Minister Juscelino Filho was quoted as saying that SpaceSail possesses 40 satellites on orbit and is set to place another 648 satellites in the next 14 months. Once these satellites are successfully launched, the Chinese company will be able to provide services in Brazil, the minister added. On August 30, Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered X's suspension in the country after Musk refused to appoint a new legal representative for the social network. The judge had also frozen Starlink's accounts in Brazil for the same reason, but the Supreme Court later unblocked them.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/starlink-confirms-court-froze-its-accounts-in-brazil-says-will-address-issue-legally-1119954265.html

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china-brazil cooperation, telebras spacesail, starlink alternative, brazil x suspension, twitter brazil
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/brics-corridor-china-eyes-pacific-atlantic-rail-project-via-bolivia-and-brazil-1120940377.html

BRICS Corridor: China Eyes Pacific-Atlantic Rail Project via Bolivia and Brazil

BRICS Corridor: China Eyes Pacific-Atlantic Rail Project via Bolivia and Brazil

Sputnik International

China will assess the possibility of building a railway between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, which will pass through Bolivia and Brazil, Bolivian President Luis Arce said.

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On Tuesday, Arce met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Xi also expressed interest in cooperation in the financial sector, mining, lithium production and expanding a joint aerospace program, Arce added. Last week, Peru opened a major port connecting Latin America and China, which creates major trade opportunities for Bolivia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241028/pepe-escobar-brics-make-history---can-they-keep-the-momentum-1120707386.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/china-refuses-to-hold-meeting-with-pentagon-chief-over-us-arms-sales-to-taiwan---reports-1120939485.html

China Refuses to Hold Meeting With Pentagon Chief Over US Arms Sales to Taiwan - Reports

China Refuses to Hold Meeting With Pentagon Chief Over US Arms Sales to Taiwan - Reports

Sputnik International

The Chinese government rejected a meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin over US arms sales to Taiwan, CNN reported, citing a US official.

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Austin wanted to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, at the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus in Laos, but China rejected the offer, the report said on Tuesday. Taiwan has been governed independently of mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan, a territory with its own elected government, maintains that it is an autonomous country, although it has stopped short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official contacts by foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/ex-russian-lawmaker-accused-of-paying-for-rumors-about-kadyrov-assassination-attempt-1120939287.html

Ex-Russian Lawmaker Accused of Paying for Rumors About Kadyrov Assassination Attempt

Ex-Russian Lawmaker Accused of Paying for Rumors About Kadyrov Assassination Attempt

Sputnik International

Magomed Gadzhiev, a former State Duma deputy from Dagestan and designated foreign agent in Russia, was accused by compatriots Abdula Mamadibirov and Murad Goshdadov in a video shared with Sputnik of orchestrating rumors about an assassination attempt on Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, promising them $2.5 million each for spreading the claims.

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russia

ramzan kadyrov

khikmet gadzhiev

russia

chechen republic

assassination plot

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In the video, Mamadibirov and Goshdadov accuse Gadzhiev of tricking them into spreading false information about an attempt on Kadyrov's life. They claim that Gadzhiev promised them $2.5 million each to spread rumors and defame the businessman and Senator Suleiman Kerimov. Mamadibirov and Goshdadov claim to have fulfilled their part of the agreement, but never received the money. They demanded that the ex-deputy confess to Kadyrov that no assassination attempt was actually being prepared by Kerimov."You promised us $2.5 million each to tell the story you made up about an assassination attempt on Ramzan [Kadyrov] in order to stigmatize Suleiman [Kerimov]. We risked our lives for you," Mamadibirov and Goshdadov said. Gadzhiev may be seeking to leave the country following the scandal. "At the moment, Gadzhiev holds a passport of the Republic of Turkiye, but he has not given up his attempts to obtain American citizenship," one source told Sputnik. He wanted to create an interethnic conflict between Russia's neighboring republics, the source added."According to the plan of Gadzhiyev and his handlers from foreign intelligence services, the statement about the impending assassination attempt was meant to ignite an ethnic conflict between [Russia's regions of] Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia," the source said.

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Ex-State Duma Deputy Accused of Paying for Rumors About Kadyrov Assassination Attempt Sputnik International Ex-State Duma Deputy Accused of Paying for Rumors About Kadyrov Assassination Attempt 2024-11-20T11:20+0000 true PT0M45S

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/fsb-says-detained-in-kaliningrad-german-citizen-plotting-diversions-on-energy-facilities-1120939969.html

FSB Nabs German Citizen in Kaliningrad Over Sabotage Plot Targeting Energy Facilities

FSB Nabs German Citizen in Kaliningrad Over Sabotage Plot Targeting Energy Facilities

Sputnik International

German citizen Nikolai Gaiduk was detained while crossing into Russia's Kaliningrad region from Poland to organize diversion of the region's energy infrastructure, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Wednesday.

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2024-11-20T11:57+0000

russia

russian federal security service (fsb)

kaliningrad

terror

war on terror

terrorism

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"N. Gaiduk was detained while crossing again from Poland into the Kaliningrad region to conduct acts of sabotage against energy objects. After his car, a Ford Focus was inspected... 16.9 ounces of liquid explosives were seized," the FSB said, adding that the detainee, born in 1967, is a resident of Hamburg. A criminal case has been opened against Gaiduk on charges of committing a terrorist act and smuggling explosives, the federal security agency said, adding that he is currently in custody. "At the moment, measures are being taken to identify and prosecute persons who assisted N. Gaiduk in carrying out illegal activities," the FSB said in a statement. The detainee was also involved in an explosion at a gas distribution station in Kaliningrad in March 2024, when he attempted to use a homemade explosive device to blow up a low-pressure pipe at the station in question, the statement said. "It was determined that the order for staging the explosion, along with military bomb components, was received by Gaiduk from Alexander Zhorov, a Ukrainian citizen born in 1967 who resides in Hamburg under a German residence permit," the report added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241029/russias-fsb-releases-video-of-thwarted-ukrainian-attempt-to-infiltrate-bryansk-region-1120713177.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/hungary-convenes-defense-council-after-russian-nuclear-doctrine-update-1120942972.html

Hungary Convenes Defense Council After Russian Nuclear Doctrine Update

Hungary Convenes Defense Council After Russian Nuclear Doctrine Update

Sputnik International

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday convened the country's defense council over the recent update of Russia's nuclear doctrine after some Western states authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles for strikes into Russian territory.

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2024-11-20T13:07+0000

military

russia-nato showdown

ukrainian crisis

army tactical missile system (atacms)

european union (eu)

vladimir putin

viktor orban

nato

russia

ukraine

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"Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday morning called a meeting of the defense council because of the latest developments in the Ukrainian ... [conflict] and the increased risk of conflict escalation," Orban's spokesman, Bertalan Havasi, was quoted by the MTI news agency as saying. The members of Hungary's defense council are "reviewing the military situation after Washington gave permission to use Western weapons against distant Russian territories" and "assessing Russia's decision to expand the list of military threats which Moscow finds permissible to neutralize with the use of nuclear weapons," the spokesman said. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order updating Russia's nuclear doctrine on Tuesday. The expanded list of grounds for Russia's use of nuclear weapons includes retaliation against the use of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction against Russia or its allies; aggression against Russia or Belarus with the use of conventional weapons that poses a critical threat to their sovereignty; credible information that ballistic missiles have been launched to attack Russia or its allies; the use of weapons of mass destruction against Russian facilities and military personnel located outside Russia's territory. On Sunday, the New York Times reported, citing unnamed representatives of the US administration, that Biden had for the first time authorized Ukraine to use US long-range missiles to strike Russian territory. According to the sources, the first strikes deep into Russian territory will most likely be carried out with ATACMS missiles. European media reported that France and the UK had also authorized Ukraine to use their long-range weapons to attack Russian territory, but later removed this information from its article. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell claimed that this authorization pertains to strikes within a 300-kilometer (186 miles) radius inside Russia. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the authorization to strike deep inside Russia, if it was accepted and communicated to the Kiev regime, would mean a new round of tension. Peskov also recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin had clearly formulated Moscow's position on decisions to strike Russian territory with long-range weapons. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in September that NATO countries were not only discussing the possible use of Western long-range weapons by Kiev, but were essentially deciding whether to become directly involved in the Ukraine conflict. Direct involvement of Western countries in the conflict will change its nature, and Russia will be forced to make decisions based on the threats to it, Putin added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/as-biden-adds-fuel-to-ukraine-fire-with-mines-russia-vows-unshakable-defense-1120938203.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241119/full-text-of-russias-updated-nuclear-doctrine-1120932192.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/over-half-of-czechs-not-willing-to-defend-their-country-if-necessary---poll-1120936591.html

Over Half of Czechs Not Willing to Defend Their Country If Necessary - Poll

Over Half of Czechs Not Willing to Defend Their Country If Necessary - Poll

Sputnik International

More than half of people in the Czech Republic are not prepared to defend their country if necessary, according to a survey by NMS Market Research.

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2024-11-20T04:39+0000

world

russia-nato showdown

czech republic

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The Nation's Memory survey conducted by NMS Market Research revealed that four-fifths of Czechs believe that the security situation in Europe has worsened due to the conflict in Ukraine. Two-thirds of respondents fear that the conflict will escalate beyond Ukraine's borders. Most worryingly, more than half of Czechs would not be willing to protect their country if necessary. Only two out of ten respondents have a positive view of the country's military preparedness. At the same time, only 29% of respondents are ready to take part in the defense of the country, with 19% unable to give a clear answer," the Tuesday survey reads. In addition, respondents from the country's opposition are five times less supportive of Ukraine and twice as unwilling to defend the Czech Republic as supporters of the ruling party. Some 67% of respondents believe that NATO membership strengthens the country's defense capabilities, while the same percentage believe that Prague must enter a conflict if a member of the alliance is threatened. Two-thirds of respondents believe that NATO would provide direct military support to the country in the event of a direct threat, according to the survey. Some 94% of respondents fear an escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. Doubts about the need for further support of Ukraine exist among people with a low level of education and less mobile. More than half of the respondents do not want to increase the involvement of NATO countries in the conflict. About 65% of respondents would support the introduction of compulsory military service, which was abolished in the country 20 years ago. The survey was conducted in November among 1,000 people all across the country.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/no-indications-russia-preparing-to-use-nuclear-weapon-within-ukraine---pentagon-1120935865.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/russia-enables-global-south-to-develop-viable-economies-takeaways-from-sputnik-hosted-media-event-1120938503.html

Russia Enables Global South to Develop Viable Economies: Takeaways From Sputnik-Hosted Media Event

Russia Enables Global South to Develop Viable Economies: Takeaways From Sputnik-Hosted Media Event

Sputnik International

Dmitry Kiselev, Director-General of Rossiya Segodnya, Sputnik's parent media group, spoke at the event held under the motto of "BRICS Potential: Expanding Humanitarian, Political, and Trade-Economic Development as a Driving Force for Fostering a New World Order," held in Delhi.

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world

russia

india

dmitry kiselev

discussion

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world order

currency

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BRICS and Russias role in the global arena was one of the key topics that dominated a roundtable discussion on future cooperation prospects between Russia and India, hosted by Sputnik on November 20.He referred to last months 2024 BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan, which resulted from two parallel processes that started in the early 21st century, when Vladimir Putin became president of Russia and the country started to build a multipolar world.Peace always comes on the heels of war, now we have to build a new kind of future and Russia has been fighting on the frontline of this battle for new world order, Kiselev pointed out. With Russia defending its borders and sovereignty amidst NATO's eastward expansion, Moscow underscores the need for a balanced global architecture while addressing escalating arms races and military threats, he added.Kiselev was echoed by Russian Ambassador in India Denis Alipov, who focused on the emerging future world order during the roundtable discussion.He said that the BRICS Summit in Kazan took place at this turning point in the history, with new powers getting a stronger voice in the global affairs. Alipov touted BRICS as an organization that respects equality, diversity, mutual interest and mutual benefit.Indias side was represented by Shri Amb. Kanwal Sibal, former foreign secretary, who praised BRICS as a platform for Global South to push for global governance reforms. Also in attendance was Dr. Ashwani Mahajan, national co-convenor of the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and professor at PGDAV College at the University of Delhi, who gave his thoughts on India's role in the globe. Its very clear: we believe there has to be cooperation not hegemony; we have to make this world a better place to live," Mahajan stressed.Moderating the discussion was Professor Alexander Dugin, Russian philosopher and founder of the Geopolitical School and Eurasian Movement. During his speech, he called to rethink all theories of international relations, taking into account the new era in which all forgotten civilizations reemerged and are becoming the main actors. Russia now is not fighting against Ukraine  it fights against unipolar world order and in favor of multipolar one. Putin is leading a battle for the whole of humanity, that's the mission of Russia: to be the driver of a just, democratic and prosperous and peaceful multipolar world, Dugin concluded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241026/multipolarity-equality-and-noahs-ark-brics-banknotes-hidden-meaning-revealed-by-creator-1120685966.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/russia-intends-to-protest-unescos-report-on-journalist-safety--foreign-ministry-1120941606.html

Russia Intends to Protest UNESCOs Report on Journalist Safety

Russia Intends to Protest UNESCOs Report on Journalist Safety

Sputnik International

Russia intends to lodge a protest with UNESCO over its recent report on the safety of journalists which omitted cases of casualties among Russian journalists covering the Ukraine conflict, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

2024-11-20T12:08+0000

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2024-11-20T12:57+0000

russia

maria zakharova

rostislav zhuravlev

russia

ukraine

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zaporozhye

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"We have seen a colossal reaction from the Union of Journalists, from correspondents and newsrooms. Everything we have received, everything that has been published on this matter will not just be handed over or brought to UNESCO's attention, but will be stated as a protest," Zakharova told Radio Sputnik. UNESCO published the Highlights of the 2024 Director-Generals Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity on November 2. It omitted several cases of deaths and injuries among Russian journalists in the line of duty. In particular, the report did not mention Sputnik correspondent Rostislav Zhuravlev, who died in July 2023 as a result of Ukrainian shelling in the Zaporozhye region. The Rossiya Segodnya media group, Sputnik's parent company, has sent a letter to UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay demanding that the organization stop hushing up facts about violations of the rights of Russian journalists. Similar letters have been sent to UNESCO by the Russian Union of Journalists, and the VGTRK and RT broadcasters.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/unesco-faces-backlash-over-anti-russian-bias-in-journalist-safety-report-1120898552.html

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ukraine

zaporozhye

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freedom of speech, assault on journos, assault on journalists, attacks on russian journalists, ukraine crimes
Elizabeth Zavala covers federal courts for the Express-News. She can be reached at ezavala@express-news.net.

Zavala is a veteran reporter who has been a journalist for nearly 40 years. She joined the Express-News in 2013 and covered the Bexar County criminal courts for nine years. Liz grew up on the near West Side. She graduated from Fox Tech High School and Texas Womans University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism.

Liz has worked in various reporting and editing positions at five daily newspapers in Texas, including The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Denton Record-Chronicle.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/russian-forces-liberate-ilyinka-as-airstrikes-hit-key-ukrainian-infrastructure-1120938736.html

Russian Forces Liberate Ilyinka as Airstrikes Hit Key Ukrainian Infrastructure

Russian Forces Liberate Ilyinka as Airstrikes Hit Key Ukrainian Infrastructure

Sputnik International

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that forces of the Tsentr Battlegroup have successfully liberated the settlement of Ilyinka in the Donetsk People's Republic.

2024-11-20T11:08+0000

2024-11-20T11:08+0000

2024-11-20T11:28+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukraine

donetsk

kharkov

russian ministry of defense

russian armed forces

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The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that forces of the Tsentr Battlegroup have successfully liberated the settlement of Ilyinka in the Donetsk People's Republic.Furthermore, Russian aviation and artillery struck military airfield infrastructure, energy facilities supporting Ukraine's military-industrial complex, and drone depots. Air defense systems shot down 141 drones, four Hammer guided bombs, and a HIMARS rocket."Operational-tactical aviation, strike UAVs, missile forces, and artillery of the Russian Armed Forces targeted military airfield infrastructure, energy facilities used for Ukraine's military-industrial complex, UAV depots, and concentrations of enemy manpower and military equipment in 139 areas," the ministry reported.Other DevelopmentsTsentr Battlegroup: Repelled 12 attacks in a day. Ukrainian forces lost up to 390 personnel and a "Kazak" armored vehicle. It targeted personnel and equipment of the 100th Mechanized, 1st Tank, 109th Territorial Defense, and 12th National Guard brigades near Druzhba, Shcherbinovka, Dzerzhinsk, Zarya, and Sukhaya Balka in the DPR. It also repelled counterattacks by units from multiple mechanized, ranger, and assault brigades. Ukrainian losses included a "Kazak" armored vehicle, two cars, a US-made 155mm M777 howitzer, three 122mm D-30 howitzers, a 152mm D-20 gun, and a 152mm Msta-B howitzer.Sever Battlegroup: Repelled a counterattack by a Ukrainian assault brigade in the Kharkov Region. It also inflicted losses on the 95th Air Assault and 22nd Mechanized Brigades near Liptsy, Borshchevaya, Chernoglazovka, and Volchansk. Ukrainian losses exceeded 105 personnel, two tanks, two APCs, an infantry fighting vehicle, two cars, and a 152mm D-20 gun.Zapad Battlegroup: Engaged personnel and equipment of 11 Ukrainian brigades in various areas of Kharkov, the DPR, and LPR, improving tactical positions and repelling five counterattacks. Ukrainian losses reached 420 personnel, an infantry fighting vehicle, three cars, a US-made M113 APC, a 155mm M198 howitzer, and a 105mm M119 gun. It destroyed four ammunition depots and a drone depot.Yug Battlegroup: Advanced into enemy defensive positions, targeting personnel and equipment of several mechanized, motorized, and marine brigades in areas including Zaliznyanskoye, Nikolayevka, and Chasov Yar in the DPR. It repelled two counterattacks by the 116th Territorial Defense Brigade. Ukrainian losses amounted to 500 personnel, a "Kazak" armored vehicle, four pickups, a US-made 155mm M777 howitzer, a 105mm M119 gun, and two 122mm D-30 howitzers. It also destroyed a US-made AN/TPQ-36 radar and five ammunition depots.Vostok Battlegroup: Improved frontline positions, striking Ukrainian units including the 33rd Mechanized Brigade and multiple territorial defense brigades near Razliv, Velikaya Novoselka, and Oktabr in the DPR. It repelled two counterattacks by the 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade. Ukrainian losses included 115 personnel, a tank, a US-made M113 APC, two cars, a 155mm "Bohdana" SPG, and two US-made M198 howitzers. It also destroyed an "Enclave-N" electronic warfare station.Dnepr Battlegroup: Targeted personnel and equipment of the 65th and 110th Mechanized Brigades, and territorial defense brigades near Novopavlovka, Malaya Tokmachka in Zaporozhye, and Dneprovskoye, Nikolskoye, and Kazatskoye in Kherson. Ukrainian losses included up to 80 personnel, three cars, a 152mm D-20 gun, an "Enclave-N" electronic warfare station, and a Plastun electronic reconnaissance station. It also destroyed a military-technical warehouse.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/russian-forces-liberate-five-settlements-in-key-regions-1120893605.html

ukraine

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/scholz-quarrels-with-zelensky-over-refusal-to-supply-taurus-missiles-to-ukraine---reports-1120935993.html

Scholz Quarrels With Zelensky Over Refusal to Supply Taurus Missiles to Ukraine - Reports

Scholz Quarrels With Zelensky Over Refusal to Supply Taurus Missiles to Ukraine - Reports

Sputnik International

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz never discussed the supply of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but "quarreled" with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy over Berlin's refusal to provide Kiev with these missiles, German newspaper Bild reported, citing sources.

2024-11-20T01:47+0000

2024-11-20T01:47+0000

2024-11-20T03:47+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia-nato showdown

olaf scholz

friedrich merz

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christian democratic union (cdu)

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sputnik

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Scholz is convinced that supplying missiles to Kiev would be "irresponsible" since it could lead to an escalation of the conflict, the report said on Tuesday. Scholz also reportedly became "furious" after the head of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Friedrich Merz, said that if elected chancellor, he would call on Russia to stop striking Ukrainian infrastructure within 24 hours, otherwise Berlin would supply Kiv with the long-range Taurus missiles. Scholz told his party members that he considered the issuance of such ultimatums by a non-nuclear country towards a nuclear power to be dangerous "machismo," the report read. On Sunday, The New York Times reported, citing unnamed US administration officials, that US President Joe Biden had for the first time authorized Ukraine to use US long-range missiles to strike Russian territory. The sources said the first strikes deep into Russian territory were likely to be carried out with ATACMS missiles. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the permission to strike deep into Russia, if it was accepted and communicated to Ukraine, means a new round of tensions and a qualitatively new situation in terms of US involvement in the conflict.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241118/us-permission-to-strike-deep-into-russia-will-not-change-scholzs-stance-on-taurus--berlin-1120919138.html

russia

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will germany send taurus cruise missiles to ukraine, taurus to ukraine, who will be new german chancellor, nato weapons not sent to ukraine,
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/strikes-deep-into-russia-may-be-us-effort-to-prevent-negotiations---special-envoy-1120942272.html

Strikes Deep Into Russia, Possible US Ploy to Prevent Negotiations, Diplomat Suggests

Strikes Deep Into Russia, Possible US Ploy to Prevent Negotiations, Diplomat Suggests

Sputnik International

The outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden, which media reports claim approved Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory using LRMs, may be attempting to block negotiations, Rodion Miroshnik, the Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry for the Crimes of the Kiev Regime, suggested on Wednesday.

2024-11-20T12:57+0000

2024-11-20T12:57+0000

2024-11-20T13:04+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia-nato showdown

vladimir putin

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army tactical missile system (atacms)

ukraine

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rodion miroshnik

white house

ukrainian crisis

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"A certain group of Democrats, who are either losing or relinquishing power, are trying to escalate the situation amid the transfer of power to Donald Trump, who has increasingly been speaking about some kind of peaceful resolution to the conflict, namely a political and diplomatic path. I think the task of the White House or its satellites was to disrupt this trajectory, essentially halting even the possibility of discussions about a peaceful settlement," Miroshnik told the Solovyov Live show. He added that the long-range weapons supplied to Ukraine are unlikely to drastically change the situation in the conflict zone. On Sunday, the New York Times reported, citing unnamed representatives of the US administration, that Biden had for the first time authorized Ukraine to use US long-range missiles to strike Russian territory. According to the sources, the first strikes deep into Russian territory will most likely be carried out with ATACMS missiles. European media reported that France and the UK had also authorized Ukraine to use their long-range weapons to attack Russian territory, but later removed this information from its article. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell claimed that this authorization pertains to strikes within a 300-kilometer (186 miles) radius inside Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that on the night of November 19, Ukrainian forces launched six ATACMS ballistic missiles at the Bryansk Region. According to the ministry, Russian air defense systems shot down five missiles and damaged one. Its fragments fell on the technical territory of a military facility in the Bryansk Region, causing a fire, which was promptly eliminated. There were no casualties or significant damage. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called the use of the ATACMS ballistic missiles in Russia's Bryansk Region a signal that the West is seeking an escalation of the Ukraine conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that such a permission, if the decision was made and communicated to Ukraine, meant a new round of tensions. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in September that NATO countries were not only discussing the possible use of Western long-range weapons by Kiev, but were essentially deciding whether to become directly involved in the Ukraine conflict. Direct involvement of Western countries in the conflict will change its nature, and Russia will be forced to make decisions based on the threats to it, Putin added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241119/nuclear-doctrine-changes-signal-russias-willingness-to-take-on-global-power-obligations---expert-1120928505.html

ukraine

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/trump-might-seek-wider-deal-with-iran-despite-hawkish-rhetoric---ex-israeli-prime-minister-1120941997.html

Trump Might Seek Wider Deal With Iran Despite Hawkish Rhetoric - Ex-Israeli Prime Minister

Trump Might Seek Wider Deal With Iran Despite Hawkish Rhetoric - Ex-Israeli Prime Minister

Sputnik International

US President-elect Donald Trump's future administration might seek to negotiate a wider agreement with Iran, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak suggested in an interview with Politico out Wednesday.

2024-11-20T12:33+0000

2024-11-20T12:33+0000

2024-11-20T12:33+0000

world

donald trump

tehran

israel

russia

iran

iran-israel row

ehud barak

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"It isn't inconceivable that in spite of the appearance of being very hawkish vis-a-vis Iran, the overall isolationist mindset of this new administration will lead them to look at a much wider deal," Barak said. Barak suggested that the grand deal could include interconnected talks with Russia on Ukraine and Iran. He speculated that Trump might ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to help him "convince Tehran to halt its proxy actions" and "find some formula" for Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel to all live peacefully side by side. "It would probably include a new internationally backed nuclear agreement with Iran," he added. The Iranian deputy foreign minister in charge of political affairs, Majid Takht Ravanchi, said on Monday that Iran was open to talks with the future Trump administration but would not budge unless Washington ended its "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241106/trumps-election-win-how-will-it-change-the-world-1120758368.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/tucker-carlson-warns-bidens-atacms-decision-risks-hot-war-with-russia-1120946921.html

Tucker Carlson Warns Bidens ATACMS Decision Risks Hot War With Russia

Tucker Carlson Warns Bidens ATACMS Decision Risks Hot War With Russia

Sputnik International

US political commentator Tucker Carlson warned on Wednesday that outgoing US President Joe Biden's decision to allow Kiev to use US-made ATACMS missiles to strike deep into Russia put all Americans at risk.

2024-11-20T18:52+0000

2024-11-20T18:52+0000

2024-11-20T18:52+0000

americas

us

tucker carlson

joe biden

americans

russia

ukraine

democratic party

senate

army tactical missile system (atacms)

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"A lame duck president just started a hot war with the world's most dangerous country. All of us are very close to being killed," Carlson said on X, commenting on a post about Russia mass-producing KUB-M nuclear bomb shelters. Biden, whose Democratic Party has lost control of the Senate in the 2024 US elections and is projected to fail to win a majority in the House of Representatives, has reversed his Ukraine policy in the waning months of his presidency to allow Kiev to fire at targets deep inside Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that Ukraine fired six ATACMS ballistic missiles at the western Russian region of Bryansk. Moscow updated its nuclear doctrine that same day. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the use of the ATACMS ballistic missiles a signal that the West was seeking an escalation in the Ukrainian conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in September that if Western countries gave permission for their long-range weapons to be used by Ukraine for attacks on Russia, this would change the nature of the conflict and make them directly involved.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241119/atacms-strike-on-russias-soil-equates-declaration-of-war-expert-1120935239.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/ukrainian-opposition-politician-calls-zelenskys-resilience-plan-admission-of-fear-1120945361.html

Ukrainian Opposition Politician Calls Zelensky's 'Resilience Plan' Admission of Fear

Ukrainian Opposition Politician Calls Zelensky's 'Resilience Plan' Admission of Fear

Sputnik International

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's new national plan for bolstering domestic resilience shows that the man is at the end of his rope, frightened and clueless about the situation his country is in, Ukrainian opposition politician Viktor Medvedchuk said on Wednesday.

2024-11-20T16:06+0000

2024-11-20T16:06+0000

2024-11-20T16:06+0000

world

volodymyr zelensky

viktor medvedchuk

donald trump

ukraine

verkhovna rada

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"The internal development plan, unveiled by illegitimate Zelensky in the Verkhovna Rada, was nothing but a panicked reaction of a frightened, immature individual faced with real circumstances... He appeared before the lawmakers as confused, unconvincing and insecure. It was very difficult for the audience to understand his reasoning, as much of it was incoherent," Medvedchuk wrote in an op-ed for Smotrim.ru website. Medvedchuk argued that Zelenskys latest address to parliament laid bare his fears, as evidenced by the secretive nature of the parliamentary session. Medvedchuk suggested that Zelensky feared his own people, falsely claiming that the constitution barred presidential elections while martial law was in place. The politician also said that Zelensky promised enhanced rights protections for service people in an apparent effort to stave off a potential military coup. Medvedchuk highlighted Zelenskys apparent apprehension over Donald Trump's looming return as US president. Zelensky has repeatedly mocked Trumps peace initiatives, claiming sole credit for any potential conflict resolution, he said. Zelensky presented his "resilience plan" at a closed-door session in parliament on Tuesday. This is the Ukrainian president's second grand plan in little more than a month. It follows up on the "victory plan," which Zelensky announced in mid-October in a bid to strengthen Kiev's position with allied help.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/ukraine-will-lose-if-us-ceases-military-aid---zelensky-1120937377.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/ukrainians-less-hopeful-of-joining-nato-eu-by-2034---poll-1120939314.html

Ukrainians Less Hopeful of Joining NATO, EU by 2034 - Poll

Ukrainians Less Hopeful of Joining NATO, EU by 2034 - Poll

Sputnik International

Fewer and fewer Ukrainians believe that the country will join NATO or the European Union in the next 10 years, a new Gallup survey showed on Wednesday.

2024-11-20T10:37+0000

2024-11-20T10:37+0000

2024-11-20T10:37+0000

world

russia-nato showdown

ukrainian crisis

nato

european union (eu)

ukraine

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In August, 51% of Ukrainians expressed confidence that Kiev would be admitted to NATO in the next decade compared to 73% in 2023, according to the poll. In addition, 22% of Ukrainians said that the country would never become a NATO member state. Meanwhile, 61% of Ukrainians believe that the country will become an EU member in the next 10 years compared to 73% in 2023. Some 15% of respondents said that Ukraine would never join the EU. The number of participants in the poll and the margin of error were not provided. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Ukraine's possible admission to NATO is a security threat to Russia and this became one of the reasons for launching the special military operation.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/ukraine-will-lose-if-us-ceases-military-aid---zelensky-1120937377.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/us-decision-to-send-antipersonnel-mines-to-ukraine-to-disrupt-global-balance-of-power---belarus-1120942129.html

Belarus Blasts US Move to Send Antipersonnel Mines to Ukraine

Belarus Blasts US Move to Send Antipersonnel Mines to Ukraine

Sputnik International

- The decision of the outgoing US administration to supply antipersonnel mines to Ukraine will further undermine the global balance of power, prompting the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to take action, Belarusian First Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Muraveiko said on Wednesday.

2024-11-20T12:42+0000

2024-11-20T12:42+0000

2024-11-20T12:51+0000

military

collective security treaty organization (csto)

belarus

ukraine

army tactical missile system (atacms)

joe biden

dmitry peskov

ukrainian crisis

russia-nato showdown

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This move will prompt the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to take action, he added. The general warned that there was no guarantee that such weapons would not be used against the CSTO member states, given deteriorating geopolitical relations, increasing instability and the failure of international political institutions to influence these processes. These factors have a significant impact on the security of Belarus and the entire Eastern European region, Muraveiko added. The New York Times reported on Sunday, citing unnamed US administration officials, that outgoing US President Joe Biden had for the first time authorized Ukraine to use US-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles to strike deep into Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the move as escalatory.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/as-biden-adds-fuel-to-ukraine-fire-with-mines-russia-vows-unshakable-defense-1120938203.html

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balance of power, check and balancing, offshore ballancing, csto, collective security treaty organization
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/us-reportedly-drops-objections-to-ukraines-storm-shadow-attacks-on-russian-territory-1120946478.html

US Reportedly Drops Objections to Ukraines Storm Shadow Attacks on Russian Territory

US Reportedly Drops Objections to Ukraines Storm Shadow Attacks on Russian Territory

Sputnik International

The United States has lifted its objections to Ukraine's use of UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory, The Times reported on Wednesday, citing senior UK government sources.

2024-11-20T17:32+0000

2024-11-20T17:32+0000

2024-11-20T17:32+0000

military

vladimir putin

joe biden

dmitry peskov

russia

ukraine

united kingdom (uk)

army tactical missile system (atacms)

storm shadow cruise missile

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Washington is now expected to grant permission for Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles, given that Kiev has already deployed US-supplied weapons against targets in Russia, and its previous objections are said to have been dropped, sources said. Any successful use of Storm Shadow missiles would be impossible without American navigational data, the newspaper reported. It referred to claims about Russia drafting North Korean soldiers as a "turning point" that made Washington reconsider its policy. The New York Times reported on Sunday, citing unnamed US administration officials, that President Joe Biden had for the first time authorized Ukraine to use US-made long-range missiles, such as ATACMS, to strike deep into Russia. Le Figaro initially reported that France and the UK had also allowed Ukraine to use their long-range weapons to attack Russia but later removed this information from its article. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the move as escalatory and pointed to Russian President Vladimir Putin's position on long-range strikes against Russia. Putin said in September that potential use of long-range Western weapons by Kiev would change the nature of the conflict in Ukraine, forcing Russia to respond to emerging threats.

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Legacy Racing of Delaware and Nanticoke Racing's Melvin G rolled to his sixth consecutive victory on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at Bally's Dover, leaving his five rivals well behind en route to a 1:57.2 score in the faster of two $28,169 second-round divisions of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund series for two-year-old male trotters.

With two horses breaking stride before the start, Melvin G and driver Jim Morand only had three rivals to contend with at race's outset, and they pushed through at the pegs to seat Perfect Suprise (Pat Berry) in the pocket through a :29 first quarter. After rating a :58.4 half, Melvin G began to pull away from the others, extending his margin to 2-1/2 lengths at three-quarters in 1:28 before passing the winning post five lengths clear of the late-gaining Legend Of Rock (Corey Callahan) while geared down. Perfect Suprise faded to third.

Les Givens trains Melvin G, an E L Platinum-Jersey Punk gelding whose sixth win from nine starts pushed him to $146,382 in lifetime earnings. He paid $2.10 to win as the 1-20 favourite.

In the first division, second-time starter Yale and trainer/driver Art Stafford Jr. narrowly held off Chex Check for a 1:58.4 win.

After finishing third to Melvin G on debut last week, Yale sustained a two-wide push through the first turn to work clear of Wolfpack Cheddar (Callahan) past a :28.4 first quarter before yielding for the pocket with a circuit to go. The E L Platinum-Press Corp colt pulled the pocket past three-quarters in 1:29, reeled in Wolfpack Cheddar and evaded a late push from Chex Check (Tony Morgan) up the open stretch to win in 1:58.4. Bucky Highway (Berry) rallied to finish third over the engulfed Wolfpack Cheddar.

Yale, who paid $6 to win as the 2-1 second choice, competes as a homebred for Stacy Johnson-Stafford.

In addition to Melvin G, Yale, and first-round winner Wolfpack Cheddar, the following horses have qualified for the $110,000 USD DSBF series final, to be held on Nov. 26: Chex Check, Bucky Highway, Legend Of Rock, Delaware Exactly and Perfect Suprise.

Chapheart survived early interference and won the $35,211 Open Trot for driver Pat Berry.

Crystal Fashion (Jason Green) and 2-5 favourite Herodotus (Tim Tetrick) slugged it out early approaching the quarter pole. Herodotus earned the lead after passing the opening quarter in :27.3. Herodotus continued on the engine and led to half comfortably in :56.2 as the field followed in single file. Chapheart chased first-over up the backstretch to challenge Herodotus, and the two trotters raced as a team to the three-quarters in 1:24.3. Both trotters drew off from the field in the stretch, but Chapheart won by two lengths in 1:53.1. Herodotus finished second and Outside The Fire (Allan Davis) was third.

Chapheart, a five-year-old Chapter Seven gelding who paid $9.20 to win, is owned by Michael Casalino Jr. and Dylan Davis Racing. Dylan Davis was the winning trainer.

Tim Tetrick drove five winners on the 14-race card: Shocking Truth ($18.60) for trainer Eddie Dennis, Check On Me ($5.20) and Zappa ($8) for Chuck Crissman Jr., Beggin For Bacon ($14.20) for Jim King Jr., and Renegade Gypsy ($3.40) for Dylan Davis.

The second round of the DSBF two-year-old pacing filly series takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 20, with three $20,000 USD divisions programmed as the first, fourth and sixth events on a 15-race card. Majorca N and Incaseyoudidntknow will square off in the $25,000 USD Mares Open Pace on Wednesday. First post is 4:30 p.m.

The Progress Pace elimination, with a field of 11, will take place as the 10th race on Thursday, Nov. 21. The Progress Pace final, with an estimated purse of $250,000 USD, will be raced on Nov. 27.

(With files from Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund and Dover Downs)
Julie Alexander, 37, was charged with child abandonment/endangerment after abandoning her newborn along the Salado Creek Greenway trail on Tuesday. mbbirdy/Getty Images

A 37-year-old woman accused of abandoning her newborn along a hiking greenway trail on the San Antonio's Northeast Side has been arrested.

Julie Ann Alexander was charged with abandonment/endangerment of a child, a second-degree felony.

San Antonio police responded to what had originally been reported as an assault around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday along the Salado Creek Greenway in the 1900 block of Austin Highway.

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As officers arrived, they said no assault had taken place but that it was reported that a man had taken possession of a newborn child who was left at the trail.

The man told officers that he saw Alexander leaving the trail shortly before finding the child, according to a police report. He assumed the child belonged to her.

Officers later found Alexander, who showed signs of recently giving birth, at a nearby location.

The 37-year-old mother and the newborn were taken to a hospital for treatment.

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Police then arrested Alexander and booked her into the Bexar County jail on Wednesday.

Alexander has had an extensive criminal history that dates back to 2011that include charges for burglary, forgery, evading arrest, trespassing, assault, drug possession, and driving while intoxicated, court records show.

Texas' "Baby Moses Law" authorizes a designated emergency infant care provider to take possession of a child appearing to be 60-days-old or younger from the child's parent, if the parent does not express intent to return for the child, according to the Texas Health & Human Services Commission.

The law protects parents who choose to abandon their babies at a designated emergency infant care provider from criminal prosecution.

Pamela Espurvoa Allen, CEO of Eagles Flight Advocacy and Outreach, a local nonprofit, wrote on Facebook that the "Texas Baby Moses Law has saved lives since 1999."

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She's pushing for boxes to be installed at select fire stations throughout the city.

"Thankfully, this baby was saved," she wrote. "Hopefully, the City of San Antonio will move quickly to have those boxes installed."

Last year, a man and woman left a 1 day-old baby boy inside a basket outside of the Grissom Road Church of Christ on the Northwest Side.

The newborn was left unattended at the church for almost 20 hours until a person riding a bicycle found the child. The temperature on that day reached 110 degrees, police said. The man and woman have not been arrested in this case, according to Crime Stoppers.

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In 2015, Roseanne Welch left her baby, who was born roughly six weeks premature, in a toilet bowl in a Northeast Sid VIA Park and Ride on Halloween night. The baby was taken to the hospital where they survived.
Three $21,127 featured events for up-and-coming horses topped an excellent next-to-last card of the 2024 meet at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 19.

In the lone headlining contest devoted to trotters, the Father Patrick sophomore gelding Ordained, having upset Breeders Crown elimination winner Daiquiri Hanover in his last start, fooled exactly nobody here (the second choice to the heavy favourite went off at 25-1) with a facile 1:54.4 triumph. Tyler Buter (who had four victories on the day) brushed to the lead in front of the stands, and any lingering foes were left well behind in the last quarter for trainer Ron Burke and the ownership of Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi, Beasty and Frank Baldachino.

In a pacing contest for males, Oakwood Heymiki IR was again impressive, following up on his 1:49.2 victory in his initial U.S. start at The Meadowlands with an open-length tally on Tuesday in 1:50.1. The Always B Miki gelding tucked early for Tyler Buter, went first-over and still had :54 and :26.4 back numbers in him for the easy triumph, and he is a horse to watch for trainer Robert Cleary while racing for the trainers stable name of Huschka&Flowers.

The Mcwicked sophomore filly Kiss My Cheek shipped in from Yonkers and promptly reduced her mark to 1:51.4 with an emphatic victory in the tri-feature devoted to pacing distaffs. Matt Kakaley worked her to the lead before the quarter and the pair remained in full control of the race, with back fractions of :55.1 and :27.2 too much to overcome for her opposition. Nik Drennan conditions the filly for Joseph Davino, Drennan Stable and Patrick OBrien.

World record-setter and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion Beach Cowgirl made short work of a $20,423 pace for fast-class distaffs, coming home in :27 to win in 1:50. Now four and a winner of $506,446, the daughter of Captaintreacherous made the lead just past the quarter and won as she pleased for the combine of meet leaders, driver Matt Kakaley and trainer Ron Burke (both of whom had three victories on the program), and owners Joseph Di Scala Jr., Zippett Racing Stable and Scarlett Stables.

The 2024 racing season at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania concludes this coming Saturday, Nov. 23 with a 14-race card starting at 1 p.m., at which time the leading horsepeople of the meet will be honoured.

(PHHA / Pocono)
Raj Kumar Singh Vs Commissioner of Customs (CESTAT Allahabad)

CESTAT Allahabad held that penalty imposable for the act of smuggling of battery scrap by concealing the same with plastic scrap through un-notified route from Nepal. Accordingly, penalty upheld and appeal dismissed.

Facts- The officers of Gorakhpur Customs intercepted a vehicle bearing registration no. UP 55 T 2566 on the Basti-Bansi route near Rudhauli. The driver of the vehicle Shri Afzal Khan (Appellant-1) produced tax invoice No. 14 & 16 both dated 12.01.2014 issued by M/s Bunty Scrap Sup

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China's internet sector shows great vibrancy as 2024 Wuzhen Summit opens

10:08, November 20, 2024 By Zhang Weilan ( Global Times

The Light of Internet Expo kicks off on November 19, 2024, during the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang Province. (Zhang Weilan/GT)

The 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit kicked off on Tuesday in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang Province, with representatives from high-tech companies and participants from China's digital sector praising the WIC as a critical platform to showcase China's technological outcomes, digital market prospects and openness.

This year's WIC Wuzhen Summit highlights the technological and industrial advances in AI, along with its effects on human society and the world economy, according to the event organizers. Representatives from over 30 countries and regions gathered at the four-day summit, which is themed "Embracing a People-Centered and AI-for-Good Digital Future - Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace."

"As the global competition in AI technology intensifies, Chinese AI companies are ramping up their efforts in independent innovation and we are already seeing positive outcomes," Wang Shijin, executive dean of the iFlytek AI research institute told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Wang stated that the company is committed to contributing to the development of the global internet through developing advanced AI-related products and vows to collaborate with various partners to create a more intelligent, open, and inclusive cyberspace.

At the Light of Internet Expo, a side event of the 2024 WIC, Chinese companies such as Huawei, Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent and iFlytek, as well as applications for AI algorithms, AI-generated content products, the low-altitude economy, intelligent connected vehicles and cybersecurity are in the limelight. Foreign participants include US tech company Microsoft, IBM, Russia's leading cybersecurity company Kaspersky and Indian software company Infosys. The expo has attracted 665 domestic and foreign enterprises and institutions from 53 countries and regions.

The exhibition hall features key milestones in the Chinese internet sector and notable technological innovations, highlighting China's remarkable advancement in the wave of global digitalization and the crucial contribution of the sector to driving global economic growth, analysts said. Attendees are invited to jointly explore the development trends of cutting-edge digital technology, such as humanoid robots, digital cultural and creative products and hydrogen-powered drones. More than 40 large language models and over 10 embodied AI robots were presented.

Unitree, a Hangzhou-based robotics startup, showcased its latest humanoid robot, Unitree G1, which can move at 2 meters per second. The robot can jump, walk at a top speed of over 7 kilometers per hour, and even climb stairs littered with construction debris. This kind of humanoid robot can be used in applications in daily life scenarios and will continue to lead industrial development in the future.

"We have sold more than 100 such robots, priced from $16,000-90,000 each, offering an insight into the huge market potential for the full commercialization of humanoid robots," said Chen Xiyun, a marketing manager at Unitree.

Chen said that the swift advances in AI technology have led to major breakthroughs in the core technologies of humanoid robots. Notably, over 95 percent of the company's industrial chain integration is based on its own research and development.

China's digital industry has seen robust growth in recent years as it embarks on a tech-driven development path, promoting high-quality development in emerging sectors such as AI, AI-driven robots and smart driving, Pan Helin, a member of the Expert Committee for the Information and Communication Economy under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Over the past decade, China has undoubtedly been at the forefront of the global digitalization process. These efforts have not only significantly contributed to the development of the world's second-largest economy, but also fueled development dividends across the world. And these achievements hold considerable importance against the backdrop of ongoing uncertainties and a global economic slowdown, Pan said.

From 2012 to 2023, the scale of China's digital economy jumped from 11 trillion yuan ($1.51 trillion) to nearly 54 trillion yuan, with internet applications, the number of netizens and AI development leading the world, official data showed.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A new generation of lasers using ultrashort bursts of light is showing great potential for the sustainable manufacturing of precision parts.

German mechanical engineer and research manager Martin Osbild is a fan of avoiding waste. At home, he would far sooner repair than replace broken household itemsfrom washing machines to food blenders and bicycles. At work, the same environmental principles are high on his agenda.

Osbild is leading a team of researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (Fraunhofer ILT) in Aachen, Germany, who are looking at how improvements in laser technology could help cut down on waste and enhance environmental sustainability in manufacturing.

Their work is part of a four-year EU research collaboration called METAMORPHA that will conclude in August 2026.

Precision production

The main focus is on laser micromachiningthe extremely high-precision shaping and processing of metals and other materials needed in areas such as electronics, aerospace and medical applications.

This work is becoming increasingly important amid a growing demand for miniature components. Today's production lines rely on micromachining in the production of intricate parts for use in products ranging from high-end electronics to luxury watches.

According to Osbild, many existing micromachining techniques involve inefficient and inflexible mechanical and electrochemical processes that consume lots of energy while producing extensive waste and harmful chemicals.

"Many industrial processes are quite old, which means they're well studied, but also not environmentally friendly," he said.

For Osbild and his team, the solution lies in laser technologyand more specifically, so-called ultrashort-pulse (USP) lasering. Using extremely short pulses of light lasting just quadrillionths to trillionths of a second to cut and structure surfaces allows far greater precision than a longer laser pulse or continuous radiation.

The higher first-time accuracy of laser processing reduces waste and also avoids the use of chemicals required in traditional processes. In addition, the technique gets around the need to replace tools as there is no wear and tear. It also minimizes surface heating, energy loss and the need for coatings. USP lasers can process almost any material with micrometer-scale precision.

Finger on the pulse

One of the obstacles the researchers face is that USP lasers require intense laser power to be efficient on an industrial scale.

"The drawback of USP lasers for years was that they were not powerful enough to be competitive for more industrial applications with big parts," said David Bruneel, group research coordinator at LASEA, a manufacturer of industrial laser machines based in Liege, Belgium.

LASEA is working closely with the team at Fraunhofer ILT and other research partners from France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Spain to scale up USP laser technology for large-scale manufacturing.

The researchers are now involved in testing a 1-kilowatt USP system that they believe could significantly open up the range of applications for USP micromachining compared to current commercial systems operating at powers of 200 to 300 watts.

"Now we see a real rise in power, which will make micromachining a lot more productive," said Bruneel.

The aim is to replace the whole micromachining manufacturing chain with a single digital USP laser system. This will incorporate 3D sensors and machine learning algorithms to maximize efficiency, help tailor designs and monitor waste.

Industry 5.0

Tests show that this technology could potentially cut both waste and energy use by 90%. It can be applied in making a wide variety of products, from electronic components to razor heads and machines for embossing metal sheets used on car bodies and food and drink cans. The potential is huge.

LASEA has been involved in a number of EU-funded projects on the development of laser technology and photonics over the years, benefitting from both EU funding and the shared expertise of a wide range of European partners. This has helped the company to grow exponentially since 1999.

It has also helped to keep high-end jobs and technical know-how in Europe in a sector of strategic importance.

For Bruneel, EU funding in the laser manufacturing sector is helping to drive the region towards Industry 5.0in which people work together with advanced and AI-driven technology to contribute to environmental improvements and resilience, while also prioritizing worker well-being.

"Europe is guiding the development of the region's economies and technology towards a better world," he said.

Natural inspiration

LASEA was also involved in an earlier EU-funded research initiative called LAMPAS that developed a high-power USP laser system inspired by biological processes. Observing the self-cleaning properties of lotus leaves, for example, led to the development of surfaces with water-repellent features.

"Taking inspiration from biology is especially powerful because nature has evolved incredibly efficient surface functionalities," said Professor Andres Lasagni, a photonics and laser surface engineering specialist at Dresden University of Technology in Germany who coordinated the research.

The technology developed can be used for laser-produced surfaces with easy-to-clean properties in ovens, fridges and other household appliances, as well as anti-fingerprint surfaces. Laser-based treatment of appliances for heating water in dishwashers has also resulted in less accumulation of minerals, helping prevent the machines from getting clogged up.

Shark skin was another source of inspiration for surface designs that reduce friction and drag, with implications in sectors like transportation and aerodynamics.

"By mimicking these biological systems, we can create materials that perform better, last longer and contribute to energy savings," said Lasagni.

Driving force

Lasagni also stressed that the collaboration fostered by EU support to the sector is a driving force for European industry. LAMPAS, which finished in 2022, involved laser technology companies from Belgium, France, Germany and Spain.

"This level of collaboration is key to fostering innovation and ensuring that the latest advances in technology are not only developed in Europe, but also commercialized here," he said.

Looking ahead, he said laser technologies are set to become more widely adopted as manufacturers across industries continue seeking ways to improve efficiency and performance while reducing environmental impact.

"The functionalities such technologies provide are not just nice to have," he said. "They can fundamentally improve product performance in many industries."
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The US government said Wednesday it has finalized a grant with chipmaker GlobalFoundries to support its semiconductor manufacturing investments, as President Joe Biden works to secure parts of his legacy before Donald Trump's White House return.

The binding contract provides up to $1.5 billion in direct funding and comes under the CHIPS and Science Act, a suite of incentives to boost research and US semiconductor production.

The United States produces just about 10 percent of the global supply of chips, relying on East Asia for 75 percent of world production, the White House noted in 2022.

"By investing in GF's domestic manufacturing capabilities, we are helping to secure a stable domestic supply of chips that are found in everything from home electronics to advanced weapons systems," said US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

The finalized award comes after a preliminary agreement announced in February, and means that funds can begin flowing when milestones are reached.

The Biden administration has unveiled billions in grants through the CHIPS Act but much of the funds have not been disbursed.

Officials have since been working to get deals across the finish line.

Tuesday's announcement comes about two months before President-elect Trump, who has previously criticized the CHIPS Act, takes office.

The award is aimed at supporting broader investment of around $13 billion by GlobalFoundries (GF) over the next 10 years or so, in its manufacturing sites in New York and Vermont, the Commerce Department said.

This will improve US "competitiveness in current-generation semiconductor production," the department added.

The sites produce semiconductor tech in key areas like automotive, aerospace and defense, as well as communications.

There are currently just four companies outside China that provide "current and mature foundry capabilities at the scale of GF," said the Commerce Department.

And GF is the only one of these firms headquartered in the United States.

"We are strategically strengthening every part of the semiconductor supply chain to ensure we meet our national security objectives and have the ability to out-compete and out-innovate the rest of the world," Raimondo added in a statement.

The aim is to boost economic and national security by increasing domestic manufacturing capacity and bringing back technologies key to US defense and intelligence communities.

The company's investment is estimated to generate about 1,000 manufacturing jobs across both sites.

Last week, US officials finalized a grant to Taiwanese chip giant TSMC as well, for up to $6.6 billion in direct funding to help build facilities on American soil.

 2024 AFP
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Jay McClelland is one of three scholars who earned a 2024 Golden Goose Award in recognition of the impact their research has had in the field of AI. Credit: LiPo Ching

Federal funding for cognitive research in the late 1970s and early 1980s unexpectedly led to significant advancements in artificial intelligence. This research transformed our understanding of human cognition through computational models and also laid the groundwork for the deep learning systems driving today's AI technology.

When federal agencies issue a research grant, they never know if their investment will reap rewards for society. This was almost certainly true in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research funded projects by James "Jay" McClelland, David Rumelhart, and Geoffrey Hinton to model human cognitive abilities.

Yet that investment led to a cascade of research progress: a neural network model of how humans perceive letters and words; two volumes published in 1986 describing the team's theory of how neural networks in our brains function as parallel distributed processing systems; and a seminal article in Nature by Rumelhart, Hinton and a student named Ronald J. Williams demonstrating the power of what's called the backpropagation algorithma way of training neural network models to learn from their mistakes.

And that research in turn spawned much of modern AI. "Today, the backpropagation algorithm forms the basis for all of the deep learning systems that have been developed since, and for virtually all of the AI systems that have become drivers of the modern tech industry," says McClelland, the Lucie Stern Professor in the Social Sciences in the Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences and director of the Center for Mind, Brain, Computation and Technology at Stanford's Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute.

It's an outcome that earned the threesome a 2024 Golden Goose Award in recognition of the impact their basic science research has had on the world.

McClellandlike the NSF and ONRnever anticipated such a result. As a cognitive scientist, "I was never thinking about building an AI," he says. But now the progress in AI has come full circle. "I'm drawing inspiration from what's been learned in AI and deep learning to help me think about the human mind, while also asking what the mind and brain have to teach AI."

From letter perception to neural networks

In the 1970s, when McClelland and Rumelhart began collaborating, their ideas about how the brain works diverged from the mainstream. Researchers such as Noam Chomsky and Jerry Fodor at MIT believed that language processing was an inherently symbolic process that involves manipulating organized arrangements of symbols according to clear rules.

McClelland had a different view. With a background in sensory neurophysiology and animal learning, he couldn't reconcile the abstractions that people like Chomsky and Fodor talked about with what he'd seen in animal experiments. For example, experiments that measured single neurons in the cortex of a cat as it responded to line segments showed that perception didn't seem to follow clear rules.

"It's continuous and doesn't happen in discrete steps. And it's sensitive to context," he says. McClelland wanted to build a model that captured that sensitivity.

Meanwhile, Rumelhart published a paper in 1977 proposing that whenever we're trying to understand a letter, a word, a phrase, or the meaning of a word in a sentence, we're using all of the available information simultaneously to constrain the problem. Again: Context matters.

After McClelland read Rumelhart's paper, the two met and soon realized they could formalize their ideas in a computational neural network modela set of layered, simple computing elements (sometimes referred to as "neurons") that receive inputs from each other (i.e., take context into account) and update their states accordingly.

"We wanted to develop a neural network model that could capture some of the features of how the brain perceives letters in different contexts," says McClelland. For example, we recognize letters faster when they are in a word than when they are in a string of random letters; and we can intuitively determine what a word is likely to be even if part of it is obscured, distorted, or masked, he says.

Their initial model produced results similar to those seen in language experiments with human subjectsMcClelland's primary goal. This suggested that neural network models, which are parallel processing systems, are appropriate models of human cognition.

But the team's initial model treated letters and words as discrete units ("neurons") with connections between them. When Hinton joined the team in the early 1980s, he suggested the team should back away from the idea that each unit, or neuron, represents a letter, word, or some other symbol recognizable or meaningful to a human.

Instead, he proposed, the symbolic representation of a letter, word, or other symbol should be thought of as only existing in the combined activity of many neurons in the model network. Parallel Distributed Processing, a two-volume book published by the group in 1986, set forth these theories.

Next came the coup de gras: The backpropagation algorithm that Rumelhart, Hinton, and Williams presented in Nature, also in 1986.

Until then, neural network models' learning capabilities had been fairly limited: Errors were only adjusted in the final output layer of the network, limiting how effectively experience could shape the model's performance. To overcome that limitation, Hinton suggested Rumelhart set minimizing error as a specific goal or "objective function," and derive a procedure to optimize the network to meet that goal.

From that inspiration, Rumelhart found a way to send the error signal backward to teach neurons at lower levels of a model how to adjust the intensity of their connections. And he and Hinton showed that such networks could learn to perform computations that couldn't be solved with a single layer of modifiable connections.

"Others developed backpropagation at around the same time," McClelland notes, "but it was Dave and Geoff's demonstrations of what backprop could do that struck a responsive chord."

At the time, Rumelhart was using backpropagation with networks that had a very small number of input units and one layer of units in between the inputs and the output, McClelland says. By contrast, today's models may have thousands of intermediate layers of neurons that are learning the same way.

Despite the elegance of the backpropagation algorithm, neural network models didn't immediately take off. Indeed, it wasn't until 25 years later that Hinton and his students leveraged Fei-Fei Li's ImageNet datasetusing computers that were many orders of magnitude more powerful than the computers Rumelhart had at his disposalto demonstrate convolutional neural networks' impressive ability to classify images. "Before then, it was very hard to train networks that were deep enough or had sufficient training data," McClelland says.

From the brain to AI and back again

Meanwhile, McClelland continued to use neural nets to model human cognition, consistently finding that these models effectively capture data from human experiments. He remains fascinated by the ways human cognition both resembles and differs from computerized neural networks.

"The neural networks in our brains that allow us to function, speak, and communicate with each other in continuous sentences are clearly neural networks similar in some ways to these AI systems."

Today's language models, which use distributed representations and are trained using back propagation, have also achieved human-like fluency in translation, he says. "They can translate from one language to another in ways that no symbolic, rule-based system ever could."

In addition, unlike the models that preceded them, large language models that rely on the so-called transformer architecture exhibit an interesting brain-like feature: They can hold information in context as new information is provided. "These models are using the information in context as though it were sort of hanging in mindlike the last sentence somebody said to you," McClelland says.

And that development inspired McClelland to join collaborators at Google DeepMind to explore whether neural network models, like humans, reason more accurately when they have prior contextual knowledge compared to when they are given completely abstract topics requiring symbolic logic.

For example, people struggle with a question like "If some A are B, and all B are C, are any C A?" But phrase the same question in a specific context using familiar concepts ("If some cows are Herefords and all Herefords are mammals, are any mammals cows?"), and they are more likely to give the correct answer.

"Our research found that that's also what these models do," McClelland says. "They are not pure logic machines. Humans and models alike infuse their thinking with their prior knowledge and beliefs." They are also biased toward factually true or widely believed conclusions, even when they don't follow from the given premises, he says. These results were published in a 2024 paper in PNAS Nexus.

"This research helps me convince others that the way we humans think is less strictly logical and more grounded in the kind of intuitive knowledge that comes from adjusting connection strengths across a neural network," he says.

Despite these similarities, McClelland notes that there are differences. One that separates humans from machines is our ability to learn both fast and with little data. "These language models need approximately 100,000 times more data than a human would need to learn a language. That's a lot!" he says. "So, we're interested in understanding how the biological brain is capable of learning with far less data than today's AI systems."

Rumelhart's backpropagation algorithm is part of the problem: "It's why these AI systems are so slow and require so much data," he says. Neural networks have nearly countless connections, andcompared with humansthey require lots of extra data to determine which connections matter most.

For example, if a large language model makes a mistake in predicting the last word in a sentence such as "John likes coffee with cream and honey," it might learn to make the word "sugar" less likely in general, rather than learning that it's just John who has unusual taste.

"All these connections are getting little changes to try to reduce the error, but to figure out which ones are important, you have to include many training sentences in which the common preference for sugar is maintainedand that's inefficient," McClelland says.

It's also not the way the brain works. "Backpropagation was a wonderful solution to a computational problem," McClelland says. "But no one ever thought it captured an accurate view of how the brain works." In backpropagation, the network is activated in one direction and the errors are propagated backward across the same network, McClelland says.

By contrast, in the brain, activation itself is bi-directional, and many different parts of the brain are interactingincluding multiple senses perceiving the world simultaneouslyto provide an integrated perceptual experience of the world.

Hinton was well aware that backpropagation failed to capture the way the brain works, and he went on to develop several other algorithms that are much closer to being biologically plausible, McClelland says. And now McClelland is taking on the same task but in a different way: by going back to studies of neuron activation in animals and humans.

"I've become inspired to find ways of understanding how our brains so efficiently target the right connections to adjust," he says.
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 view of PigeonBot II without covering, showing the feathers and some of the mechanics. Credit: Eric Chang, Lentink Lab

Have you ever wondered why an airplane has a vertical tailfin? The plane needs it to stabilize its flight. Since flying without a vertical tail is much more energy-efficient, the aviation industry has worked hard to accomplish thisso far without much success. However, birds don't need a vertical fin, which raises the question: how do they do it?

David Lentink, Professor of Biomimetics at the University of Groningen, has developed a robotic bird model with real pigeon feathers to show how they do it. In previous work, he found that birds continuously adjust the shape of their wings and tail. In his latest paper, he shows that his pigeon-like robot can replicate these movements.

The study is published in the journal Science Robotics.

How the feathers on the wings and the tail respond reflexively to movement of the robotic bird (which mimics flight). Credit: Eric Chang, Lentink Lab

Fuel-efficient airplanes

An algorithm controls nine servo motors which move the feathers to continuously change the shape of the wings and tail. The algorithm mimics reflexes, which are thought to be used by birds to stabilize themselves.

In 1929, German scientist Franz Groebbels proposed that this enables birds to fly like "automatic airplanes." Almost a century later, the robotic bird "PigeonBot II" confirmed his idea, as it was successfully tested in a wind tunnel, and then flown autonomously in the open air.

PigeonBot II flying in the open air. Credit: Eric Chang, Lentink Lab

Apart from showing how birds manage to fly without vertical tailfins, Lentink opened the way to designing more fuel-efficient airplanes. "The European Airbus group created a concept, visualizing how such a plane should look. Our study provides the knowledge to realize their ideas."

Furthermore, the new design concept reduces a plane's radar signature, which can improve jet fighter operations.

More information: Eric Chang et al, Bird-inspired reflexive morphing enables rudderless flight, Science Robotics (2024). DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.ado4535. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.ado4535 Journal information: Science Robotics
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump listens as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speak at Shelby Park at the U.S.-Mexico border, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. At right is Freeman Martin, deputy director of Texas Homeland Security Operations and second from right is Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump walks at Shelby Park during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. From left are Freeman Martin, deputy director of Texas Homeland Security Operations, Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, Adjutant General for the State of Texas, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Michael Banks, special adviser to the governor on border matters. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press Freeman F. Martin, the Senior Deputy Director at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will replace Steven McCraw as the Texas Homeland Security Director at DPS. State of Texas

The Texas Department of Public Safety has a new top leader for the first time in 15 years.

Freeman F. Martin, a deputy of retiring DPS director Steve McCraw, will be the states new top law enforcement officer overseeing everything from Gov. Greg Abbotts expansive border crackdown to the operation of Texas driver license offices.

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His appointment was decided unanimously by the departments five-member commission on Wednesday after a final round of interviews with three final candidates. The other two interviewees were not named.

McCraw, who was appointed by former Gov. Rick Perry in 2009, has led the department through numerous changes and controversies, including the botched law enforcement response to the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. The department has also played a growing role in Abbotts Operation Lone Star, as hundreds of troopers have been sent to the border to arrest migrants on trespassing charges.

READ MORE: Texas DPS Director McCraw receives $45,000 raise

Theres really big boots to fill, but there was one clear choice, said commission member Steven H. Stodghill. All five commission members are appointed by the governor.

Martin, like McCraw, began this three-decade career at DPS as a Texas Highway patrol trooper. He then rose through the ranks of the Texas Rangers. As McCraws deputy, he led the departments responses to Hurricane Harvey, the Sutherland Springs mass shooting and helped to create the Texas Anti-Gang Center in San Antonio.

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Martin has taken on a more public profile in recent years.

Last year, he was among the DPS officials pushing back on a right-wing conspiracy theory that Mexican cartels controlled parts of a sprawling housing development outside of Houston called Colony Ridge. In February, he appeared alongside Abbott and then-presidential candidate Donald Trump as they toured the states border operation in Eagle Pass, where Texas seized a public park along the Rio Grande and strung up thick coils of razor wire on the banks.

The appointment, and McCraws retirement, is effective on December 1. McCraw is a close ally of Abbott, who has touted McCraws encyclopedic knowledge of transnational gangs and his commitment to law and order.

He is a leader, a visionary, and a quintessential lawman that Texas is so famous for  big white cowboy hat and all, Abbott said in August.

Some Uvalde families called for McCraws resignation after the shooting that killed 19 students and two teachers, saying the DPS director had pushed false information and his handling of the massacre was absolutely unacceptable, hurtful, painful. The calls were echoed by state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican, whose district includes Uvalde. Hundreds of officers, including dozens from DPS, responded to the elementary school and waited more than an hour before a federal Border Patrol team killed the shooter.

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McCraw resisted the push, saying at a heated meeting in Oct. 2022 that DPS as an institution, right now, did not fail the community, plain and simple.

Last year, the commission raised his pay by $45,000, bumping the directors salary to $345,250.
Anti-poverty campaigners have hailed a decision by G20 leaders meeting in Rio to make sure the world's billionaires "are effectively taxed."

Getting the super-rich to cough up more in taxes has been a priority of left-wing Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is hosting the summit of the world's biggest economies.

Lula, a former metalworker who grew up in poverty, complains that the super-rich pay proportionately much less tax than the working class.

A 2021 White House study showed that the wealthiest 400 billionaire families in the US paid an average federal individual tax rate of 8.2 percent, compared to 13 percent for the average taxpayer.

According to anti-poverty NGO Oxfam, the richest 1 percent have accumulated $42 trillion in new wealth over the past decade

It says the richest one percent have more wealth than the lowest 95 percent combined.

Increasing taxes on the wealthiest is also seen as a way to boost state coffers at a time of ballooning budget deficits and as developing countries seek huge amounts of funding to help them weather global warming.

"Tax the rich" has for years been a battle cry of the global left, while a group of US self-described Patriotic Millionaires have themselves called for higher tax bills.

In Rio, activists projected giant slides on buildings during the G20 summit marked "Tax the super rich for people and planet."

French economist Gabriel Zucman, an expert on inequality who authored a report on the issue for Brazil's G20 presidency, estimated that if the planet's 3,000 billionaires paid at least 2 percent of their wealth in income tax each year, governments would rake in an extra $250 billion in revenue.

Proposals for a minimum global income tax pushed by Brazil, Colombia, France, South Africa, Spain and the African Union have come to naught with the US and Germany among the naysayers.

In a move hailed as marking progress, however, G20 finance ministers in July for the first time agreed to "engage cooperatively to ensure that ultra-high-net-worth individuals are effectively taxed."

On Monday, G20 leaders corroborated that decision in a statement with the same wording.

Zucman called it a "historic decision."

Oxfam Brazil said Lula had "lit a path toward a more just and resilient world."

But it warned that "real change" would only come about when countries increased taxes enough "to dramatically reduce inequality" and raise trillions of dollars towards fighting poverty and climate change.

In 2021, more than 130 countries agreed on a minimum tax for multinational companies, establishing that they should pay at least 15 percent in taxes on their profits.

With US President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House in January, flanked by the world's richest man, billionaire Elon Musk, in a top role, chances of further progress appear slim in the medium-term.

The Forbes magazine billionaires list shows that 16 of the world's 20 richest people are US citizens.

Trump has pledged to slash rather than increase taxes.

Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei, a fan of Trump, on Monday rejected the G20's tax proposals as well as their backing for greater state intervention to fight hunger.

He touted "free-market capitalism" as a panacea for poverty.
Vice President-elect JD Vance is planning to bring several of Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees to Capitol Hill this week, three sources familiar with the plans told CNN. Trump's nominees will likely be part of meetings with key Republican senators involved in their confirmation process.

Vance is expected to attend some of these meetings, including sessions with former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump's nominee for attorney general. Sources said that former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, who is set to lead the Department of Defense, will also be present.

Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy, a Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told CNN that he plans to meet with Gaetz and Vance on Wednesday.

This week, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's ambassador to the United Nations nominee, as well as former Rep. Doug Collins, who he has selected to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, will also meet with senators.

"President Trump's incoming administration is moving at an accelerated schedule in order to make good on getting key nominees confirmed in order to start delivering for the American people. Rep. Collins (VA), Rep. Gaetz (DOJ), Pete Hegseth (DOD), and Rep. Stefanik (UN) will all begin their meetings this week with additional Hill visits to continue after the Thanksgiving recess," Trump-Vance Transition spokesman Brian Hughes said in a statement.

As Trump continues to form his cabinet before returning to the White House, two of his picks  Gaetz and Hegseth  are under intense scrutiny over allegations from their past.

Lawmakers from both parties are urging the release of a House Ethics Committee report investigating allegations of illicit drug use and sexual relations with underage women against Gaetz.

Hegseth faces allegations of paying a woman to prevent her from filing a sexual assault lawsuit that could have jeopardized his career.

"Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed," Trump Communications Director Steven Cheung said in a statement to NPR. "We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again."

Meanwhile, Gaetz has been reaching out to GOP senators, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, and former House colleagues. On Monday night, he attended a private meeting with the House Freedom Caucus. Last week, Gaetz called GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, urging him to "give him a shot," according to Hawley, who confirmed the conversation to CNN.

Hawley, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he is open to hearing Gaetz address the allegations during his confirmation hearing next year. However, he declined to comment on whether the House Ethics report on Gaetz should be released, noting he expects the information to surface regardless.
"JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY!" were the words of President-elect Trump as a judge handed over a guilty verdict to a Venezuelan man accused of killing the Georgia student. On Wednesday, Jose Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

"The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes," Trump wrote on his Truth Social site.

"Although the pain and heartbreak will last forever, hopefully this can help bring some peace and closure to her wonderful family who fought for Justice, and to ensure that other families don't have to go through what they have," he went on to add. "We love you, Laken, and our hearts will always be with you. It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!"

After a four-day trial, Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard convicted Ibarra of all charges, which include murder, aggravated assault with an attempt to rape, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, and others.

The 22-year-old student was jogging in a park on the University of Georgia campus in February when she was attacked by Ibarra. Authorities said that she died of blunt force trauma.

During the trial, prosecutors claimed that Ibarra had attacked her with the intention of rape. However, the defense stated that while Riley was murdered, her death's link to Ibarra was only "circumstantial."

Before the sentencing Riley's mother, Allyson Phillips, requested Judge Haggard to show no mercy to Ibarra who killed her "precious daughter."

"There is no end to the pain, suffering and loss that we have experienced or will continue to endure," Phillips said during family impact statements in court. "On that horrific day, my precious daughter was attacked, beaten and shown no mercy. She fought her life and dignity and to save herself from being brutally raped," she continued.

"This sick, twisted and evil coward showed no regard for Laken or human life," Phillips said. "We are asking the same be done to him."

Riley's murder sparked a nationwide debate, with Republicans pointing at the Biden administration's immigration efforts. The 26-year-old had entered the U.S. illegally in September 2022. Despite being apprehended at the border, he was allowed to stay in the U.S. while making his immigration case, Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.

During his speech accepting the Presidential nomination at the National Republican Convention in July, Trump referenced Riley's killing, saying: "Yet another American life was stolen by a criminal alien set free by this administration. Tonight, America, this is my vow: I will not let these killers and criminals into our country."
Joey Guerra is the music critic for the Houston Chronicle. He also covers various aspects of pop culture. He has reviewed hundreds of concerts and interviewed hundreds of celebrities, from Taylor Swift to Dolly Parton to Beyonce. Hes appeared as a regular correspondent on Fox26 and was head judge and director of the Pride Superstar singing competition for a decade. He has been named journalist of the year multiple times by both OutSmart Magazine and the FACE Awards. He also covers various aspects of pop culture, including the local drag scene and "RuPaul's Drag Race."
Gia vang the gioi sang nay ap sat moc 3.000 USD/ounce  muc ky luc chua tung co trong lich su. Trong nuoc cung khong ngoai le, khi lan luot tang tu 700 en 1 trieu ong/luong. "Vang ang trong thi truong tang gia dai han. Chung toi du bao gia se giao dich trong khoang 3.000-3.200 USD trong nam nay", Alex Ebkarian, giam oc ieu hanh tai Allegiance Gold cho biet.
How Bosnian reporters uncovered a series of apparent frauds in public contracts for pandemic-related medical supplies.

Journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina have exposed a number of irregularities in the public procurement of medical supplies in the three months since the COVID-19 emergency began.

The reports by Semira Degirmendzic of the Fokus.ba news site attracted the most attention. She revealed that the government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH)  one of Bosnias two semi-autonomous regions, or entities  paid 10.5 million convertible marks ($5.8 million) for the purchase of 100 respirators from China. The order went to Srebrena malina, a fruit and vegetable grower and processor.

Fokus also reported that the FBiH agency for medical products issued the necessary permit for importing medical equipment to the company, based on an authorization signed by Fahrudin Solak, the director of the Federation Department of Civilian Protection.

Other media outlets soon joined the investigation. Klix.ba reported the price of each respirator  80,000 marks  named in the contract signed by Solak and the director of Srebrena malina, Fikret Hodzic. N1 journalist Hana Sokolovic used a simple search on Facebook to cast doubt on government claims that Hodzics firm was chosen because respirators are difficult to get. The Public Procurement Agency then revealed that the firm is not registered in the public procurement system and issued a press release dismissing as fake news the claims that the law regulating public procurement had been suspended during the pandemic or that the agency had eased procurement rules or allowed contracts to be signed without publication of a procurement notice.

On the heels of these media reports, the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutors Office opened a case, while SIPA (the State Investigation and Protection Agency) investigated in parallel. On 4 May, the case was transferred to the Prosecutors Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina as prosecutors determined the case falls under its jurisdiction. That meant that a resulting trial could end up in the highest ordinary court in the country, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As of 13 May, however, the prosecutors were yet to name any suspects. SIPA has, in the meantime, raided the premises of Srebrena malina and its accounts have been blocked. Solak has been suspended from his duties. Investigators from SIPA and the Prosecutors Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina also searched the offices of the Federation government on 13 May in connection with the case.

The Srebrena Malina Affair

Degirmendzic says she tried to get official confirmation of the purchase of respirators for 10 days before Fokus ran the story.

Solak never answered her calls or Viber messages. Neither did FBiH Prime Minister Fadil Novalic or Srebrena malinas owner, Hodzic. She then attempted without success to get in touch with the head of the FBiH Inspection Administration, Anis Ajdinovic.

Finally, she heard from the Federations health minister, Vjekoslav Mandic, and the assistant minister, Goran Cerkez. They informed her that the FBiH Department of Civilian Protection had taken over all procedures regarding the procurement of respirators.

Degirmendzic also asked the Federation government public relations office to convey her query  about whether Srebrena malina received 10.5 million marks for the purchase of respirators  to any member of the government at one of the regular briefings to update the press on coronavirus measures. The question was not asked at the briefing, held without the presence of journalists under lockdown conditions.

In any case, the respirators arrived before we had official confirmation that our information was correct. Only after turning to the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina, after the respirators had already arrived, did we get confirmation of the importers identity, Degirmendzic explained. She says that that the authorities were evidently hiding the information.

Degirmendzic also says that her sources confirmed that her story was indeed the reason the cantonal prosecutors opened the case in the first place. As, step by step, she learned that Srebrena malina was involved with the procurement, some sources who had helped in the past (at least off the record) said that they werent allowed to say anything about this contract.

Finally, I had unofficial confirmation and evidence of the amount paid for the respirators, Degirmendzic continued.

Sources, public servants or otherwise, rarely dare to bring this kind of information to the police, generally choosing to leak it to the media, something that speaks to the devastating lack of trust in the rule of law, she believes.

But this case is an opportunity for Bosnias judicial institutions to show their strength and independence, and restore the long-shaken trust, she said.

As the public waits for the findings of the investigation, civil protection chief Solak, prior to being suspended, asked the same prosecution office to turn the tables and investigate the media for printing biased and false allegations about the respirator deal and running a smear campaign against the Federation government and his department. His threat prompted the BH Journalists Association to lodge a protest note, declaring that after almost all media outlets in Bosnia and Herzegovina reported in detail about the non-transparent and extremely suspicious purchase of respirators in recent days, Fahrudin Solak is now trying to manipulate and shift the responsibility for these possibly illegal actions to journalists and the media.

Furniture Restorers Into Virus Testers

Prosecutors in Sarajevo Canton have launched an investigation with several similarities to the Srebrena malina case. The probe concerns the non-transparent procurement of 20,000 COVID-19 tests that the Department of Civilian Protection purchased from Cubicus  a furniture restoration firm. Zurnal.info broke the story, and also revealed that the test kits came from Turkey, and not South Korea as the government claimed.

Reporter Branka Mrkic-Radevic says she faced numerous obstructions as institutions refused to grant access to information.

Part of the reason her source came to her is distrust in those institutions, she says. Public servants are often extremely nervous about what might happen if they are revealed as a source for a news story. Although this information in some ways may fall under the job description of the source, there is a great sense of fear that revealing it would lead to sanctions, or even losing their job, Mrkic-Radevic said.

Zurnal also published a story about possible fraud surrounding the procurement and delivery of personal protective equipment to Slovenia organized by Senad Zilo, a businessman from the Bosnian city of Zenica. SIPA also opened an investigation into those allegations.

Zurnal journalist Amarildo Gutic says prosecutors have opened at least 20 cases as a result of their articles.

It should also be said that a number of these investigations focused more on revealing our sources than on the illegalities we wrote about, Gutic says.

A Construction Job in Srebrenik

Journalists from the Balkan news outlet BIRN uncovered another apparent case of improper public procurement abuse connected to the construction of an isolation facility in Srebrenik. The construction job was awarded to a firm in which Fadil Smajic, a city councilor in Srebrenik, owns 33 percent; the law, however, prohibits firms from taking part in public procurement when an elected official owns more than 20 percent of the capital. After BIRNs report was published, the Public Procurement Agency investigated the matter and forwarded its report to the Tuzla Canton Prosecutors Office.

The story began when a source approached BIRN with information that Smajics firm had won the job and that the same firm had previously won a contract from the city.

To be completely honest, we didnt ask the source if they were doing this out of distrust in the investigative bodies, but it is not a stretch to deduce that the source felt a media investigation was a good way to shed some light on the matter. After all, it was our reporting that led to a formal investigation, said Semir Mujkic, a reporter and editor with BIRN.

As in other recent instances when the press reported violations of procurement rules, in this case, too, local authorities put obstacles in the way of obtaining information of public importance.

After a delay the Srebrenik city administration finally sent BIRN the documents it had requested.

What surprised us was that they explicitly claimed that the city councilor was not an owner of the company that was awarded the contract, Mujkic said. A court document uncovered later on revealed that he, in fact, owns 33 percent.

Another problem was that the city administration web page did not contain all the documentation on the construction of the isolation facility. In emergency situations, such as this pandemic, when public trust is especially important, institutional transparency should be far greater. What we are seeing now is that, since February, public bodies have significantly reduced the disclosure of information on public procurement projects.
KPMG in Bahrains breakfast seminar, "Future of Risk," highlighted critical risks such as geo-politics, cyber threats, climate-related challenges and reputational risks.

Sectors including the Financial Services, Energy, and Industrial sectors were identified as facing complex transformation pressures. Geopolitical risks and the role of generative AI were discussed as pivotal forces reshaping operational resilience.

The event brought together industry leaders and experts to discuss the evolving landscape of risk management and its implications for business continuity, growth, and resilience.

Key insignts

The Seminar was led by Ivan Prince, Associate Partner, KPMG Advisory Services, and featured key insights from sector specialists including Suraida Subhi, Associate Director (Financial Services); Ashish Tyagi, Associate Director (Energy and Industrial sector); and Naren Pasupalati, Manager (ESG Manager).

Prince said: The risk landscape is becoming increasingly complex due to converging factors such as geopolitical tensions, rapid technological advancements, and regulatory shifts. Businesses must integrate advanced analytics and proactive strategies into their risk frameworks to remain resilient.

Based on KPMGs global report Future of Risk - Building a trusted risk function to succeed in a riskier world. Jeyapriya Partiban, Partner and Head of Advisory, KPMG in Bahrain, stated: It is often a shift within the marketplace, such as regulatory changes, technological advancements, geopolitics, or major incidents (nature based or human-caused), can significantly impact organisations across multiple dimensions. Operationally, they may necessitate rapid adaptation to new processes, potentially leading to disruptions.

Domino effect

From a liquidity standpoint, unforeseen shifts or a domino effect from other transitional shifts can strain cash flows, impacting an organisations ability to meet obligations. Credit risk may escalate as counterparties face similar challenges, increasing the likelihood of defaults. Moreover, failure to effectively manage these transitions can impact an organisation's reputation, eroding stakeholder trust. Proactive risk management and strategic planning are essential to navigate these evolving threats.

Reputational Risk Management

Drawing examples from global case studies, including high-profile incidents of corporate mismanagement, the team stressed the importance of embedding reputational risk into the enterprise risk framework.

The importance of proactively managing reputational risk to maintain stakeholder trust and safeguarding long-term value.

Sector-Specific Insights

For the Financial Services sector, evolving regulatory demands, cybercrime, and third-party dependencies were identified as top priorities.

The Energy and Industrial sectors face risks associated with clean energy transitions, supply chain disruptions, and technological vulnerabilities. Agile risk management frameworks will be required to help organisations strategically turn risks into opportunities for value creation.

Digital Transformation in Risk

The integration of AI and advanced analytics is revolutionising risk functions, enabling near-real-time monitoring and enhanced decision-making capabilities.

Business leaders need to understand that leveraging digital acceleration is not just about compliance but also about innovating their processes and operations to achieve sustainable growth.

The Evolving Role of Leadership

With over 61% of executives surveyed anticipating an increase in risk management responsibilities over the next three to five years, fostering a risk-aware culture is paramount.

The session underscored the need for leaders to align risk strategies with organisational goals to drive resilience and agility.

Insights from the Future of Risk Report

The seminar drew upon findings from KPMGs "Future of Risk" report, which surveyed four hundred senior executives globally. Key insights included:

*67% of respondents acknowledged improved decision-making through integrated risk frameworks.

*AI and generative AI technologies were identified as transformative tools in managing risks.

*Leadership fostering a risk-aware culture was highlighted as the top driver for successful risk transformation.

The "Future of Risk" seminar provided actionable insights for business leaders, equipping them with the knowledge to navigate uncertainty while embracing risk as a strategic enabler.--TradeArabia News Service
The 20th GCC  CIGRE International Conference and 30th Exhibition for Electrical Equipment, GCC POWER 2024 Conference & Exhibition, have opened in Manama, Bahrain focusing on the need to generate sustainable power.

Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohamed, President of the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), top officials, dignitaries, industry leaders, speakers, panelists, analysts and financial experts participated in the event. The three-day event gives participants the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the electricity and energy industry, as well as providing exhibitors with access to the most lucrative deals.

Mohamed said the main theme of the gathering is to provide sustainable electricity for all through the development of power system expertise globally. He urged the GCC region to play its role in producing sustainable energy and reducing carbon footprints. He said Bahrain stands at a moment, where growing energy demands, sustainability goals, and economic aspirations require a thoughtful, innovative approach in the energy sector.

Diversifying energy sources

During a session moderated by Dr Lawrence Jones, Senior Vice President for International Programmes at the Edison Electric Institute in the US, the President reviewed Bahrains plans to diversify energy sources, touching on the EWAs efforts to implement the renewable energy transformation plan, which includes increasing the share of renewable energy by 20% by 2035, and reducing carbon emissions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

Also discussed was the Authoritys gradual shift towards adopting advanced technologies aimed at improving operational efficiency in the energy sector, along with plans to replace old stations with more efficient stations.

Ahmed Naser Al-Nasr, Chairman, GCC CIGRE, Board of Directors, in his keynote address noted that CIGRE operates in the world's foremost knowledge programme, spanning 16 domains of work encompassing all the core areas of the power system. Across these domains 250+ Working Groups draw and build on practical expertise to solve existing and future challenges facing the power system.

Our mission is to contribute to the betterment of power systems and electricity by enhancing the community of power system expertise and leading the most innovative global community for the sharing and development of electric power system expertise.

Platform for dialogue

He emphasised the value of this forum as a platform for essential dialogue, innovation, and collaboration in the energy sector. Highlighting the key priorities and challenges, he added that collaboration, grid resilience, and sustainable energy integration are the key to growth.

GCC CIGRE, Technical Committee Chairman Ahmed Ali Al-Ebrahim, said that GCC POWER 2024 promises to be an essential gathering for anyone involved in the electrical and energy industries. Exhibitors can look forward to connecting with a diverse audience and the potential for lucrative business opportunities, while attendees can enhance their knowledge through tutorials.

We will also cover specialised topics such as transformer design, manufacturing, and performance, overhead lines and insulated cables, HVDC and FACTS technology, renewable and nuclear energy for the Gulf States, smart grids, and asset management for power systems.--TradeArabia News Service
Saudi oil giant Aramco has announced that it has, along with its key affiliate - Saudi Aramco Jubail Refinery Company (Sasref) - signed a development framework agreement with Chinese group Rongsheng Petrochemical at a special event in Beijing that paves the way for expansion of a vital Sasref faclity in Jubail.

The tripartite agreement outlines the co-operation mechanism and planning relating to the design and development of the project, which aims to expand Sasrefs refining and petrochemical capabilities while fostering international collaboration, said a statement from Aramco.

The Sasref expansion project is located in Jubail Industrial City along the Arabian Gulf coast in Saudi Arabias Eastern Province. The city has well-developed infrastructure and strategic geographical advantages.

The project, which is currently in the Pre-FEED stage, envisages construction of large-scale steam crackers and the integration of associated downstream derivatives into the existing Sasref complex, enhancing its ability to meet growing demand for high-quality petrochemical products.

Mohammed Y. Al Qahtani, Aramco Downstream President, said: "By aligning our efforts, Aramco and Rongsheng Petrochemical aim to deliver additional value to our stakeholders. This agreement underscores Aramcos intentions to fostering closer collaboration with key partners and progressing its strategic downstream expansion, both in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and internationally."

"It also highlights the potential of the Kingdoms downstream sector to attract overseas players," he stated.

Rongsheng Petrochemical Chairman Li Shuirong said the signing of the agreement sets the stage for the Chinese group's in-depth participation in the Sasref expansion project.

"Saudi Arabia has abundant energy resources and significant market potential, and Rongsheng Petrochemical will bring strong momentum to the partnership through our excellent operation and management capabilities and market competitiveness," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Diriyah Company has undertaken the official groundbreaking for seven world-class luxury hotels during the second edition of its annual event Bashayer  Delivering our Future.

It marks the continued growing momentum in creating world-class properties that will eventually total more than 40 hotels and over 6,500 rooms across the Diriyah and neighboring Wadi Safar development areas.

These latest groundbreakings took place for Raffles Diriyah, Armani Diriyah, Orient Express Diriyah, Baccarat Diriyah, Corinthia Diriyah, Fauchon LHotel Diriyah and Rosewood Diriyah offering a total of 877 rooms across the seven hotels.

The Bashayer  Delivering our Future event saw participation from global investors, hospitality companies, construction firms, infrastructure experts and representatives from the sports, arts, culture, tourism and retail sectors.

Commenting on the successful groundbreakings, Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: "At Diriyah we are committed to offering the highest world-class standards of hospitality and we are enormously proud to have broken ground on these seven prestigious properties."

Diriyah, he stated, expects to welcome 50 million visitors a year in the future and the delivery and provision of a world-class range of hotels and hospitality option is an integral part of putting the right infrastructure in place to meet visitor demand from within the Kingdom, the region and worldwide.

"We will be a destination where you can find every one of the best global hotel brands delivering unrivalled levels of luxury, experience and service as Diriyah welcomes increasing numbers of guests from inside Saudi Arabia and around the world," he stated.

Inzerillo pointed out that this was the second Bashayer event where Diriyah had undertaken hotel groundbreakings and demonstrated the progress and accelerated development in building The City of Earth.

"The development of these hotels is an important part of Diriyahs ongoing commitment to support the economic diversification of Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030 and helping to boost the impact of tourism on the Kingdoms GDP to 10 per cent by 2030," he added.

The Diriyah project is one of Saudi Arabias five giga-projects backed by the worlds 5th largest sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, and is building homes for 100,000 people, creating 178,000 jobs, will host 50 million visits a year in the future and contribute $18.6 billion Saudi Arabias GDP.-TradeArabia News Service
John Lawler, left, Alex Radtke, and Glenda Randtke, right, wear turkey hats at the annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade downtown in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff photographer

The H-E-B Thanksgiving Parade returns Thursday, bringing thousands of spectators to downtown Houston for its 75th annual Thanksgiving Day celebration.

This marks the first parade under Mayor John Whitmire, and it will feature nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis as the grand marshal. Road closures are expected to impact portions of downtown during the event, so commuters and attendees should be careful to plot their route in advance.

Heres what to know about this years event.

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What time does the Houston Thanksgiving parade start?

Performers at the annaul Thanksgiving Day parade in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff Photographer

The parade kicks off at 9 a.m. Thursday in downtown Houston, but get there early to find a good spot along the parade route. For those watching from home, the parade will be televised live on KHOU 11.

Will there be street closures?

Children cheer on the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Yes, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, the following streets will be closed: Allen Parkway (inbound) between Taft and Bagby, Bagby (northbound) between Dallas and McKinney, Bagby (southbound) between Walker and Clay, Lamar between Louisiana and outbound Allen Parkway at Interstate 45 overpass.

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From 8 to 11 a.m., the following streets will be closed: Smith between Lamar and Walker, Walker between Smith and Milam, Milam between Walker and Pease, Pease between Milam and Louisiana, Louisiana between Pease and Clay, Clay between Louisiana and Smith, Smith between Clay and Dallas.

MORE FROM ANA KHAN: 10 Houston holiday, nutcracker markets to shop local this season

Where can I find a Houston Thanksgiving parade route map?

The parade will begin on Smith at Lamar, head north to Walker, east to Milam, south to Pease, west to Louisiana, north to Clay, west to Smith and north ending at Smith and Dallas.

The H-E-B Thanksgiving Parade route winds through downtown Houston. Ken Ellis Staff

Transportation and parking

H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade guests in downtown Houston. Marie D. De Jesus/ Staff photographer

Parking is available along the parade route for easy access. Metro buses will run on a holiday schedule to assist attendees. For detailed routes and schedules, visit ridemetro.org.

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How much are tickets for the parade?

City of Houston HEB Thanksgiving Day parade with Co-Grand Marshalls Mayor Sylvester Turner, Rudy Tomjanovich and Calvin Murphy November 23, 2023. Donna Carson

Tickets for the Smith Street seated area are $28.25, including service fee, and are available online at houstonthanksgivingparade.org. Seating is located at the intersection of Smith and McKinney streets. Seating opens at 7 a.m. You must be in your seat by 8:15 a.m. Seats are general admission. There will be no on-site sales.

Who is the grand marshal?

Nine-time gold medalist, Carl Lewis, will lead the 75th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade. Natacha Pisarenko/Associated Press

Nine-time gold medalist Carl Lewis will serve as the parade's grand marshal, with the event also honoring Houston athletes from the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

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Who is performing?

Bands march at the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

The parade will begin with a tribute to Houston-area Olympians and Paralympians from the Paris Games, featuring a special performance of songs from "Bring It On: The Musical" by Lin-Manuel Miranda, presented by Theatre Under the Stars. Highlights include a vocal duet from the Broadway musical "Frozen," 21 giant balloons and 19 floats, including favorites like Tom Turkey and Santa Claus, alongside new additions celebrating the parades 75th anniversary, Houstons Olympians, coastal conservation and local non-profits.

The lineup also includes six marching bands, performances by the Apache Belles and Bellville Brahmadoras, dance groups, the KHOU 11 Toy Drive Float and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

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The total amount of Grade A office space in Riyadh is expected to grow by 1 million sq m to hit 6.3 million sq m by the end of 2026 ion sq m, thanks to the Program HQ which is contributing to increased demand for office space in the Saudi capital, further influencing office lease rates, according to global property consultancy, Knight Frank.

Indeed, 517 companies have now committed to establishing their regional headquarters in the Kingdom, well ahead of the 2030 target of 480, stated Knight Frank in its Autumn 2024 Saudi Arabia Commercial Market Review.

As a result, Riyadh has recorded the highest national increase in Grade A office lease rates over the last 12 months at 31% to around SAR 2,604 per square metre, followed by 2.9% in Jeddah and by 2.2% in the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA), it added.

Faisal Durrani, Partner  Head of Research, Mena, explained: "Vision 2030 is reshaping Saudi Arabias economy and society, with a central focus on transforming Riyadh into a key regional and global centre for business, finance, leisure, and tourism."

"Indeed, 49% of the new jobs created in the Kingdom over the last five years has been in Riyadh, which is adding to the upward pressure on office rents, with many key office districts and business parks fully leased, with waiting lists," he stated.

"The limited availability of office space is also forcing up Riyadh's Grade B rents, which have climbed by 27% over the past year. Similarly, in the DMA region, Grade A rents have climbed by 2.2% since Q3 2023, fuelled mainly by strong demand from the public sector," he added.

Knight Franks analysis shows that Jeddahs office market saw steady growth over the 12 months leading up to the end of Q3 2024, driven by rising office demand.

This demand has impacted rents, with Grade A office rents increasing by 2.9% to SAR 1,235 per square metre, while Grade B rents rose even faster, up by 3.8% to SAR 810 per square metre from Q3 2023 to Q3 2024.

Occupancy in Grade A offices decreased slightly by 1 percentage point over this period, reaching 94%. In contrast, occupancy for Grade B spaces grew by 2 percentage points, reaching 90%, it stated.

Data centre infrastructure

Over the past two decades, Saudi Arabia has recorded robust growth in the development of its data centre infrastructure, driven largely by the governments Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the national economy.

Aggregate supply volumes in Riyadh are presently 263.61MW, while in Jeddah they are tracked at 121.48MW. Dammam, the largest market in the Kingdom, operates an aggregate supply capacity of 392.38MW.

Stephen Beard, Partner  Global Head of Data Centres, said: "Saudi Arabias data centre market holds strong investment potential, driven by supply-demand gaps and government-backed digital initiatives. Strategic incentives through Vision 2030, Special Economic Zones, and favourable regulations like the Personal Data Protection Law position Saudi Arabia as a prime market for scalable data infrastructure"

"High-growth cities like Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah offer significant opportunities aligned with current and future demand," he stated.

Beard pointed out that investors were being encouraged to focus on deploying hyperscale-ready, energy-efficient facilities that can serve the needs of cloud providers and AI-driven applications.

"Strategic partnerships with local stakeholders will be essential for navigating regulatory frameworks and optimizing the benefits of government incentives. Emphasising sustainable and resilient infrastructure investments aligned with local data policies will ensure long-term value capture in this expanding market," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Bridgestone, a global leader in tyres and sustainable mobility solutions, launched a new Bandag retreading facility, marking a significant stride towards a greener and more sustainable future.

This state-of-the-art facility underscores Bridgestones as well as Bandags commitment to innovation, environmental sustainability, and providing sustainable tyre solutions for businesses and consumers alike. The launch event, which was attended by guests, partners, and key stakeholders, highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving shared sustainability goals. Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal, a key collaborator in this initiative, played a vital role in supporting the event and furthering the collective efforts to promote sustainability and innovation within the industry.

The event also received strong support from Ahmad Bin Eisa Al Serkal, Vice Chairman of Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal; Abdul Monem Bin Eisa, Managing Director of Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal; and Ahmad Al Thani, Managing Director of Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal, Automotive Division. Their efforts have reinforced the strategic collaboration between their group and Bridgestone in advancing green technologies and sustainable solutions.

Innovative solutions

Ahmad Al Thani, Managing Director of Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal, Automotive Division, said: At Alserkal, we believe that collaboration is essential to building a sustainable future. Contributing to this groundbreaking project with Bridgestone aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering innovative solutions that drive both economic growth and environmental protection. Together, we are taking meaningful steps toward a greener tomorrow, and we are proud to be part of this journey toward a more sustainable and responsible future for all.

Jacques Fourie, President of Bridgestone Middle East and Africa, said: Every decision we make shapes the future. We are proud to launch this state-of-the-art facility and further lead the way in sustainable mobility. This new facility bolsters our dedication to minimising our environmental impact while delivering high-quality tyre solutions. It also embodies our shared values of quality, efficiency, innovation, and sustainability. By introducing this facility, we aim to build a future where sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.

With a 60-year legacy in tyre retreading, Bandag remains committed to establishing new benchmarks for quality and sustainability. The new facility is a testament to the companys commitment to meeting the growing demand for eco-friendly tyre solutions.

By retreading tyres, Bandag reduces energy consumption by 30 per cent and diverts millions of tyres from landfills, making a significant positive impact on the environment. To date, Bandags retreading initiatives have saved over 300 million tyres and conserved over 4 billion gallons of oil.

Fourie added: The significance of collaboration and shared expertise in addressing the challenges of a sustainable future cannot be overstated. With the support of our partners, customers, and employees, we are creating tyre solutions that meet the demands of today while crafting a cleaner and more sustainable tomorrow.

Sustainable goals

The launch of Bandags new facility aligns with Bridgestones broader sustainability goals, embodied by its E8 Commitment. This framework, focused on Efficiency, Extension, and Economy, guides every aspect of Bridgestones operations, from product development to manufacturing. The new Bandag factory will not only enhance production capabilities but also further Bridgestones mission of driving environmental stewardship in the tyre industry.

The new Bandag facility will manufacture high-quality retreaded tyres, minimising the need for raw materials and promoting efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible mobility. By serving as a catalyst for change, this facility will contribute to shaping a future where sustainability and innovation are at the forefront.

Through this collaboration, customers will not only benefit from cutting-edge sustainable solutions but also have the opportunity to lower their tyre-related costs without compromising quality. The retreading process enables both businesses and consumers to access high-performance, eco-friendly tyres at a more cost-effective price, helping to optimise both their operations and environmental impact.

Furthermore, it is poised to play a pivotal role in ensuring Bridgestones continued leadership in delivering exceptional mobility solutions while safeguarding the planet. By driving positive change in the automotive industry, Bridgestone aims to create a more sustainable future for all.--TradeArabia News Service
Secure Domains, the first cloud native cybersecurity platform in the GCC specialising in DNS security, has announced the launch of its operations in the Middle East and Africa.

As a cloud native cybersecurity vendor, Secure Domains helps organisations protect their users, data, and applications against advanced threats in a borderless infrastructure. The company is also the first vendor in the GCC to deliver unparalleled cloud-based DNS security services through its flagship SaaS product, DNS Armor.

DNS security is crucial in todays cybersecurity landscape due to its critical role in preventing cyberattacks. The launch of our operations marks a significant step in Secure Domains commitment in reshaping the cybersecurity and tech industry across the GCC and Africa region leveraging AI and ML. We are a customer centric organisation fully focused on delivering key values related to reducing cyber risk, increasing productivity and optimising cost while maintaining compliance, said Wissam Saadeddine, Co-Founder of Secure Domains.

Against cyber threats

As organisations in the region undergo digital transformation and adopt emerging technologies like SD-WAN and cloud computing, their security exposure expands. This leaves connected devices and networks more vulnerable to a range of cyber threats. We are excited to bring our expertise and advanced solutions to help organisations safeguard their operations against evolving cyber threats. We also look forward to supporting the UAE's journey towards a more secure digital future, Mohammed Al Tenbakji, Co-founder of Secure Domains added.

With 90% of cyber threats leveraging DNS in the cyber kill chain, DNS Armor positions itself as a critical first line of defense for businesses. Combining advanced threat intelligence with AI-driven DNS security, DNS Armor proactively blocks malicious domains, detects DNS tunneling, and prevents data exfiltration.

DNS Armor empowers organisations to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to stay ahead of evolving threats and safeguard sensitive data

DNS Armor is built to support Managed Service Providers with flexible, scalable multi-tenancy, allowing IT teams to protect the organisation anytime, anywhere while adhering to business policies. DNS Armor is fully operational across 25 data centres strategically located in the US, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa, enabling global reach and robust service delivery.

Strategic roadmap

Secure Domains has a strategic roadmap to rapidly enhance and expand the platform, with a focus on adding advanced cybersecurity capabilities and tools. This development will enable the company to better serve its customers in the region, addressing the increasing demand for comprehensive cybersecurity solutions across various industries.

As a part of its go-to-market strategy, Secure Domains aims to expand its channel network by recruiting, enabling, and aligning with key distributors and channel partners in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, and later expanding its operations to other countries across the Middle East. Activating and enabling the channel is key to the companys growth as a vendor and to its customer success.

With its headquarters in the UAE, Secure Domains is well-positioned to provide comprehensive coverage and support across the Middle East and North Africa region and beyond.--TradeArabia News Service
Tawal, a leading Saudi ICT Infrastructure Company, and 5SKYE, a pioneering provider of edge AI infrastructure solutions, have signed a partnership to support the acceleration of Saudi Arabias digital transformation.

Under the agreement, Tawal and 5SKYE will jointly deploy 5SKYEs next-generation 5G AI micro edge data centres, providing scalable, real-time data processing to power a connected, sustainable future.

The agreement was signed at the Connected World KSA with the support and facilitation of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia.

Intelligent applications

By combining Tawals robust telecommunications expertise with 5SKYEs innovative and aesthetically pleasing edge AI use case infrastructure, the partnership will enable industries across the kingdom to adopt intelligent applications that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and drive growth. The infrastructure will support transformative use cases such as IoT-driven CCTV AI Analytics, Digital Advertising, and Edge Compute/MEC, further empowering sectors like public safety, logistics, retail and industrial automation, as well as smart cities initiatives.

Abdulrahman Almoaiqel, Chief Commercial Officer of Tawal, stated: By combining Tawals existing robust telecommunications infrastructure with 5SKYEs innovative and visually impactful micro data centres, we are delivering next-generation solutions that will drive value across key industries. This partnership is about more than technology, its about enabling smarter, faster, and more sustainable ways of working for businesses, governments, and communities throughout the kingdom.

The partnership focuses on enabling critical industries to leverage real-time analytics and data-driven solutions, transforming the way businesses and services operate. From enhancing public safety and optimising urban mobility to driving innovation in industrial automation and digital advertising, Tawal and 5SKYE are at the forefront of Saudi Arabias shift to a smarter, more connected and innovative future.

Wolf Hisserich, Founder and CEO of 5SKYE, said: We are thrilled to join forces with Tawal to advance the kingdoms digital transformation. 5SKYEs high-performance, scalable infrastructure allows industries to embrace AI-driven innovation and deliver solutions at the near and far edge. This collaboration strengthens Saudi Arabias position as a leader in digital modernisation and sets the stage for sustainable AI-adoption across different sectors and markets.--TradeArabia News Service
Jewellery in 2025 is set to celebrate individuality, sustainability and cultural fusion. As more people seek pieces that reflect personal stories and ethical values, the industry responds with designs that blend tradition with modern innovation.

Next years trends showcase a world where sustainability, personalisation, and bold aesthetics converge, creating jewellery that resonates deeply with todays conscious, style-savvy consumer.

With insights from leading jewellery designers and experts from Jewellery & Watch Show Abu Dhabi, 2025 promises a jewellery landscape defined by creativity, responsibility, and timeless appeal.

Sustainability leads the way

According to Colette Payen Marquez, a GIA-accredited Gemmologist and Founder of Colette Jewellery, sustainability is emerging as a foundational pillar in jewellery design for 2025, as both brands and consumers increasingly value ethical practices and transparency. This shift goes beyond aesthetics; it speaks to a global movement towards responsible sourcing and eco-conscious production.

Marquez, a leader in sustainable jewellery, explains that blockchain technology is now being integrated into the supply chain, allowing consumers to trace the journey of gemstones and metals from mine to market. This transparency provides reassurance for eco-conscious buyers prioritising brands that adopt recycled metals, lab-grown diamonds, and conflict-free gemstones.

In addition to ethical sourcing, brands are rethinking their packaging with eco-friendly materials and designing pieces intended for longevity to reduce waste.

Nosheen Bakhsh, a Saudi jewellery designer and member of the Dubai Business Group for Gold and Jewellery Designers, adds that technological advancements like virtual try-on tools reduce the need for excessive inventory and help to cut down on unsold stock. The emphasis on sustainability is not only about materials but also about educating consumers to make informed, responsible choices. By aligning beauty with ethical values, the jewellery industry creates a lasting impact that resonates with modern, socially aware buyers.

Personalisation as a canvas for storytelling

The personalisation trend redefines the jewellery landscape in 2025 as consumers seek pieces that reflect their individual stories, values, and styles. Todays buyers are not merely looking for beautiful pieces; they want jewellery that is deeply meaningful, one-of-a-kind, and uniquely theirs.

Tamara Al Shamari, known for her expertise in bespoke designs and a member of the Dubai Business Group for Gold and Jewellery Designers, notes that customisation has moved beyond simple initials or birthstones. Consumers are now drawn to pieces featuring symbols, custom-cut gemstones, and engravings that hold personal significance, turning jewellery into storytelling.

With digital design tools becoming more sophisticated, personalisation has become more accessible than ever. Colette Payen Marquez points out that online platforms now allow consumers to bring their visions to life from the comfort of their homes, enabling them to select materials, styles, and details that best capture their individuality.

This trend signifies a broader movement in the jewellery industry towards self-expression and authenticity, where each piece is a personal statement rather than just an accessory. The demand for custom jewellery is set to grow, making personalisation one of the most compelling trends in 2025.

Vibrant colours and statement designs

2025 is also shaping to be a year of bold colours, and statement designs that stand out. With consumers gravitating towards expressive, eye-catching pieces, vibrant gemstones are taking centre stage.

Gemstones like sapphire, tanzanite, aquamarine, and morganite are expected to dominate collections, adding a rich palette of colours that bring energy and sophistication to any look. Statement-jewellery Designer Salam Swaid sees this resurgence in maximalism as an opportunity for wearers to make a visual statement that feels both powerful and personal.

In addition to colourful gemstones, Gemmologist Marquez highlights a growing trend of tech-organic jewellery, which merges natural elements with advanced technology. For example, wearable technology is seamlessly integrated into jewellery with features like health-monitoring sensors, allowing pieces to be elegant and functional.

Statement pearls, chunky chains, and geometric shapes also make a strong comeback, providing versatile options that appeal to minimalist and maximalist tastes. These bold styles embody confidence, allowing consumers to embrace a look that is as vibrant as it is unique.

Cultural fusion and heritage revival

In 2025, cultural heritage inspires jewellery designers to blend traditional motifs with contemporary aesthetics, creating pieces celebrating identity and legacy. This trend is particularly significant in the Gulf, where natural pearls and motifs inspired by regional architecture are gaining renewed attention.

Ghada Hussain Al Fardan, VP and CEO of Al Fardan Jewellery UAE, explains that Gulf-inspired designs are being reimagined to appeal to a global audience, blending timeless craftsmanship with modern design elements that resonate with consumers across generations.

This fusion of heritage with modern style not only honours cultural traditions but also offers a deeper, more meaningful connection to jewellery. Younger generations are particularly drawn to pieces that reflect their roots while also suiting contemporary tastes, allowing them to celebrate heritage in a fresh and relevant way.

By incorporating these cultural influences, jewellery in 2025 is expected to serve as a bridge between the past and the present, giving consumers pieces that are as rich in symbolism as they are in beauty.

Social media as the trend accelerator

Social media remains an unparalleled force in shaping and accelerating jewellery trends, with platforms like Instagram and TikTok transforming how people discover, engage with, and purchase jewellery.

For 2025, social medias influence is only set to grow, offering a powerful direct-to-consumer path allowing brands to connect with global audiences. Vinita Michael, a member of the Dubai Business Group for Gold and Jewellery Designers, explains that these platforms are not only reshaping the way jewellery trends emerge but also how they evolve, with influencers and user-generated content driving demand in real-time.

Social media has also made personalisation more accessible, as consumers now see and engage with unique, custom pieces that align with their tastes.

Through shoppable posts and live-streamed showcases, platforms like Instagram allow brands to reach consumers instantly, creating a sense of immediacy and excitement around new collections. As Marquez observes, social media fosters curiosity and connection, enabling brands to showcase their craftsmanship and engage with audiences meaningfully. By leveraging these platforms, the jewellery industry is tapping into a global community that values individuality and personal expression.

Jewellery in 2025

The upcoming year promises an array of standout pieces and innovative collections, each capturing the essence of 2025s top trends. Statement pearls are expected to return boldly, offering a modern twist on a classic. These pieces will feature striking designs highlighting individuality and versatile styling options, as noted by Colette Payen Marquez. Chunky chains and oversized earrings are also set to dominate, allowing wearers to embrace dramatic flair and personal expression.

For those drawn to celestial influences, collections featuring zodiac-inspired designs and blue-hued gemstones like tanzanite and sapphire will be ones to watch. Le Vians anticipated celestial collection will bring a unique touch, celebrating the mystique of the night sky in elegant jewellery. Geometric designs will also play a prominent role, with pieces that incorporate innovative shapes and partial pave settings, creating a contemporary aesthetic that appeals to modern tastes.

Natural pearls remain highly sought after in the Gulf, as explained by Ghada Hussain Al Fardan. Local designers merge tradition with innovation, creating capsule collections that celebrate cultural heritage while adapting to modern design sensibilities. Al Fardan Jewellery, which pioneered the integration of natural pearls into watch designs, will continue this trend, making these pieces a symbol of elegance and cultural pride.

Another key trend is modular and transformative jewellery. As highlighted by Nosheen Bakhsh, these pieces offer multiple ways to wear a single item, catering to the modern consumers desire for versatility and functionality.

Lab-grown diamonds

With the rise in demand for lab-grown diamonds and gemstones, brands are expected to introduce exclusive collections that reflect this eco-conscious choice, blending luxury with ethical values. Additionally, tech-integrated jewellery, such as health-monitoring accessories and NFC-enabled pieces for secure data sharing, is poised to add a new dimension to wearable luxury.

For designer fans, Salam Swaid suggests keeping an eye on visionary designers like Julia Maria Kunnap and Amama Jewels, who consistently push creative boundaries. Their work epitomises a blend of artistry and innovation, setting the tone for whats to come in the jewellery landscape.

The Jewellery & Watch Show Abu Dhabi will return to Adnec Centre Abu Dhabi from November 12 to 16, 2025, with an even deeper exploration of these trends. It will offer various workshops and collections celebrating sustainable practices, customisation, and cultural fusion. With immersive experiences and expert insights, Jewellery & Watch Show 2025 will be a destination for those passionate about the evolving world of jewellery.--TradeArabia News Service
Women in Travel CIC  the UK-based social enterprise dedicated to advancing gender equity and fostering inclusivity in the travel industry  has released a programme for the inaugural International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum Gulf (IWTTF Gulf), which is taking place on November 19 in Dubai.

The Dubai event is the first international offshoot of the enormously successful IWTTF event in London, which is now in its fifth year and has become the essential platform for thought leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators to discuss and drive progress in DEI in all its forms within the travel industry.

IWTTF Gulf will be hosted by Google at its office at the Innovation Hub at Dubai Internet City, and is further supported by IWTTF founding partner Intrepid Travel, alongside DiamondAir International and Jumeirah.

The theme of the half-day event is building a gender-inclusive, economically empowering travel and tourism industry and within that is a keynote speech from content creator and motivational speaker Zainab Al-Eqab, who became amputee at the age of seven as a result of an accident, followed by a case study, two panel sessions, peer-mentoring and networking.

Subjects covered include how travel and tourism can be a transformational force for gender empowerment in the Gulf region, and how travel and tourism can retain and develop local female talent to secure its long-term vitality and prosperity.

All the sessions aim to educate, inspire and provide actionable insights for driving change within the industry and the wider community.

Opening remarks will be delivered by Anthony Nakache, Managing Director MENA at Google, and Women in Travels Founder and MD Alessandra Alonso, while the conference will be closed by Christina Lawford, Founder and CEO of DiamondAir International.

Speakers include:

Amal AlBarout, Senior Sales Director, Miral

Elham Bolooki, Senior Manager, Dubai College of Tourism

Marie de Ducla, MENA Sector Lead for Travel, Retail and Consumer Goods, Google

Jenny Gray, Senior Product Manager, Intrepid Travel

Mohamed Jassim Al Rais, Executive Director & Partner, Al Rais Travel & Shipping Agencies LLC

Sarah Kopit, Editor in Chief, Skift

Shurouq Lashkri, Content Producer and Creator

Abeer Abu Shmeis, Managing Director, Originative Capital

Jaime Emiley Simpson, General Manager, Jumeirah Mina Al Salam

Alonso said: The programme for IWTTF is shaping up to be a fantastic afternoon of thought-provoking and agenda-setting discussions and Im grateful to our advisory panel, our speakers and our sponsors for their collaboration, advice and contribution.

I am confident that delegates will come away having heard and participated in truly transformational conversations that will edge us closer to meaningful change and better gender inclusion in our beloved travel industry, both in the Gulf and beyond.

Jaime Emiley Simpson, General Manager, Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, said: Our participation in IWTTF highlights Jumeirahs commitment to diversity and womens empowerment within the hospitality industry.

We are focused on building a colleague-driven culture that fosters empowering leadership and delivers customer-focused excellence in line with our values of innovation and inclusivity.

Through our collaboration with Women in Travel, we are developing new approaches to sourcing, nurturing, and inspiring talent, ensuring everyone can reach their full potential.

Christina Lawford, Founder and CEO at DiamondAir International, said: We are delighted to continue our deep partnership with Women in Travel in helping to bring IWTTF to the Gulf region.

As a woman entrepreneur in travel, I am proud to support what promises to be an inspiring afternoon, hearing and learning from travel leaders and experts from the region on the challenges and opportunities faced by women in our industry.  TradeArabia News Service
The Mihas@Dubai Halal Food Expo will be held from November 18-20 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, as the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), the organisers, aims to achieve export sales worth $250 million during the event, a report said.

Matrade will organise an international sourcing programme (INSP) involving 120 buyers from all over the world, including premium buyers identified by Matrade Offices in Dubai, Doha and Jeddah, Emirates News Agency, WAM, said.

Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of Matrade, noted that Mihas@Dubai would be a stepping stone for Matrade to strengthen the effort to internationalise Mihas, especially in the Middle East.

Dubais strategic location in the Middle East, presents it with excellent connectivity to major cities in the region, said Abdul Aziz.

This will provide Malaysian exporters access to diverse regions namely the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.

The Chairman of Matrade Dato, Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, said: Mihas@Dubai will be the first international event overseas with the largest Malaysian companies participation led by Matrade.

" Mihas@Dubai is poised to capitalise on the vast potential of the halal market in the Middle East, further solidifying its status as a globally recognised trade show.

Additionally, the event plays a key role in positioning Malaysia as a leading figure in the international halal landscape," he added.

A total of 125 Malaysian companies that will be participating in Mihas@Dubai, are operating in sectors such as food and beverage, beauty, agriculture and environment, Muslim friendly travel, franchise, Islamic finance as well as halal logistics.
Blackshape, an Italian aircraft design and manufacturing company (part of Angel Holding), is making waves at the Air Expo Abu Dhabi, a key international event for the aviation industry, running from November 19-21, 2024.

For the first time in the UAE, Blackshape is showcasing the all-composite Gabriel BK160-200 at stand 440, an advanced and versatile aircraft that exemplifies Italian excellence and technological innovation.

Founded in Monopoli (Bari, Italy), Blackshape is celebrated for its quality "Made in Italy" design and cutting-edge technology, earning it recognition among pilots and aviation enthusiasts worldwide.

With over 100 aircraft produced, Blackshape excels in utilising composite materials to craft sleek, high-performance aircraft that cater to civil, military, and recreational markets.

The Gabriel BK160-200 is an all-composite, piston-engine, two-seat tandem aircraft with retractable landing gear, fully certified by both EASA and FAA.

Its versatility makes it ideal for basic flight training for both civilian and military pilots, as well as for private and recreational use.

Available in AVGAS and MOGAS versions, Gabriel provides an advanced, flexible solution that meets both performance and sustainability standards.

As part of its participation in the Air Expo, a Gabriel BK160-200 made a journey of over 4,000 kilometres from Italy to the United Arab Emirates, piloted by the company's chief pilot, symbolising Blackshape's ambition and pioneering spirit.

This flight also served as a real-world demonstration of the aircraft's reliability and long-distance performance. In addition to the Gabriel, Blackshape manufactures the Prime, a two-seat tandem ultralight aircraft, also made of composite materials.

Certified by aviation authorities in several countries, the Prime is admired by pilots and aviation enthusiasts for its agility and high performance.

We are thrilled to showcase the Gabriel BK160-200 for the first time at this event and to see our engineering and manufacturing excellence appreciated in a region that has always valued avantgarde technology and innovation, said Blackshape CEO Niccolo Chierroni.

"This participation represents a strategic step to strengthen our presence in international markets and to further position Blackshape's Gabriel, along with future developments, as a reference platform for primary/basic aeronautical training.  TradeArabia News Service
Leading Saudi low-cost airline flynas has announced plans to launch three non-stop weekly flights from the Saudi city of Madinah to Egyptian capital Cairo starting from December 11.

Under this plan, flynas will operate flights on Sundays, Wednesdays and Friday from Prince Muhammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah and Sphinx Airport in Cairo, thus increasing the frequency of its flights to the Egyptian capital.

This comes in line with flynas growth and expansion plan and parallel with the national goals in the aviation sector, the Saudi budget carrier said in a statement.

The opening of this new route will further help flynas expand its flight network in line with its expansion strategy, launched under the title We Connect the World to the Kingdom, in parallel with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy.

This will enable the national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 150 million tourists yearly by 2030, and the objective of the Pilgrim Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques.

According to flynas it connects Egypt to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with more than 120 weekly direct flights from 5 Saudi cities, namely Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah, and Al Ula, to Cairo, Sohag, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and El Alamein.

The Egyptian capital is connected to the kingdom with flynas direct flights to Cairo International Airport and Sphinx International Airport, which is now served with direct flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and soon from Madinah, said the statement.

flynas connects more than 70 domestic and international destinations with more than 1500 weekly flights and has flown more than 80 million passengers since its launch in 2007, aiming to reach 165 domestic and international destinations, which is in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez attend "The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power" world premiere in Leicester Square on Aug. 30, 2022, in London. Gareth Cattermole/TNS SEARCH Homeless Services today announced that it has received a $5 million grant from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez through the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund to help end homelessness for families in the Houston area. Scott Dalton/v

Amazon founder and executive chairman Jeff Bezos with his fiancee Lauren Sanchez have awarded a $5 million grant to SEARCH Homeless Services in Houston through the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund.

It was announced on Wednesday that 40 non-profits focused on ending homelessness across the U.S. received $110.5 million in grants from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. Bezos established the eponymous fund in 2018 to support organizations that give families access to stable housing and other critical services. SEARCH previously received a $5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund in 2018.

"We're pretty surprised. It's remarkable that we've been awarded twice," SEARCH President and CEO Alexis Loving told the Chronicle. "What's really beautiful is that Day 1 funds are uniquely flexible. Public funding can have so many strings attached. This way, we're able to address problems creatively."

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SEARCH Homeless Services today announced that it has received a $5 million grant from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez through the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund to help end homelessness for families in the Houston area. Scott Dalton

Loving explained that her team was invited to submit a proposal of how the funds would be used. They were able to apply for up to $5 million.

"We described a program to work with generation families. In this project, we'll be working with youth and young adults who are already parenting," she said. "It's an already vulnerable population who often become homeless because of that situation. Hopefully we get to break the cycle for two generations, the parents and child at the same time."

Since the organization was founded in 1989, SEARCH has served Houston's homeless communities with a mission to resolve each housing challenge as quickly as possible.

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Loving expects to serve between 20 to 25 families annually with the Bezos Day 1 Family Fund's most recent $5 million grant. "This is not an existing project, it's something we'll have to design from scratch."

Bezos attended River Oaks Elementary in Houston from fourth to sixth grade.

The Bezos Day 1 Family Fund launched seven years ago with a $2 billion commitment to support existing non-profits addressing familial homelessness and create a network of new, non-profit tier-one pre-schools in low-income communities. More than $750 million has since been awarded through 248 grants in all 50 states.

The announcement outlining the Fund's 2024 round up giving was made during National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week.

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Montgomery Countys new forensic facility is seen, Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in Conroe. Montgomery County is now the 14th county in Texas to become a medical examiners office after commissioners unanimously approved the decision without discussion. The Tuesday action comes after commissioners approved the departments $3.2 million budget in September. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Montgomery County is now the 14th county in Texas to become a medical examiners office after commissioners unanimously approved the decision without discussion. Dr. Kathryn Pinneri, who became director of forensic services in 2016, will be the county's first chief medical examiner. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Montgomery County is now the 14th county in Texas to become a medical examiners office after commissioners unanimously approved the decision without discussion.

The Tuesday action comes after commissioners approved the departments $3.2 million budget in September.

Dr. Kathryn Pinneri, who became director of forensic services in 2016, will be the county's first chief medical examiner.

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Conversion to a medical examiners office shifts all death investigation and certification responsibilities to the staff of the forensic services department who are specifically trained and certified to perform these duties, Pinneri said Wednesday. This allows the justices of the peace to focus on their other job responsibilities, which have also increased over the years.

Pinneri said until now, county justices of the peace offices have handled death investigations. However, since 2019, Pinneris office has been assisting those offices with investigations.

District Attorney Brett Ligon said the conversion is essential for the county and will centralize death investigations under one department.

The fact the department is led by one of the premier pathologists in Texas should give the community confidence that is going on, Ligon said.

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Pinneri said that with the growth of the county and several Level II trauma hospitals along Interstate 45, the need for a medical examiners office has become critical.

If those patients die (even if they are not from Montgomery County), the death falls under the jurisdiction of Montgomery County, Pinneri said.

According to the National Institute of Health, a Level II trauma hospital provides immediate, definitive care for all injured patients, with around-the-clock access to general surgeons and a range of specialists, such as orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and anesthesiologists.

Pinneri said between 2017 and 2023, the number of deaths referred to the forensic services department increased 51%. In 2023, more than 1,700 deaths were handled through the previous system. She said that was duplicative and often confusing for families searching for information about their loved ones.

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In October 2022, the county opened its new $12 million, 25,000-square-foot forensic facility to give Pinneri and her staff more room to handle cases. The new center at 9900 Carl Pickering Drive also houses the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office crime lab and forensic lab.

Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack said during a previous court meeting the change makes sense.

Its going to help our offices be more efficient and not have as big of a backlog (on cases), Wayne said.

Pinneri said she was excited about the new chapter for the department.

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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.
Trinidad and Tobago Red Force backed up skipper Joshua Da Silvas pre-game declaration that his pacers would lead the charge against Barbados Pride in the fifth round of the West Indies Four-Day Championship.

Fast bowling would have been very much on the minds of the Kensington Oval curators as they prepared the pitch for the Barbados home match against T&T.
China no longer top source of international students in US, political atmosphere, opportunities at home among reasons: expert

10:09, November 20, 2024 By Li Yawei ( Global Times

File photo shows an aerial view of Manhattan in New York City, the United States. (Photo/Xinhua)

While India and China still make up over half of all international students in the US, India has overtaken China as the top source for international students in the US for the first time in about 15 years, according to new data released on Monday.

A total of 331,602 Indians studied in the US during the 2023-24 school year, compared with 277,398 Chinese, according to the latest annual survey by the Institute of International Education (IIE), a report sponsored by the US State Department. Indian students saw a 23 percent increase from the previous academic year, while Chinese students saw a 4 percent decrease.

Chinese students had been the largest foreign group since the 2009-10 school year, but their numbers have steadily declined from 2019-20 onward, South China Morning Post reported.

Experts attribute the decline in the number of Chinese students in the US to factors including a hostile political atmosphere, harassment by US security personnel against Chinese students, and increasing opportunities in China.

The unfriendly narratives and specific measures the US government has adopted in recent years, such as the so-called China Initiative, targeting Chinese students and scholars in the US, have led to a decrease in the number of Chinese students studying there to a certain extent, Lu Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday. The so-called "China Initiative" was launched by the US Justice Department in 2018 to probe trade secret theft and economic espionage activities considered threats to US national security.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in January that the US has long been wantonly suppressing and ill-treating Chinese students traveling to the US with lawful and valid identifications and visas. Some of the students were interrogated, confined, forced into confession, induced and even deported without just cause. Every month for the past few months, the US deported dozens of Chinese arriving in the US, including students.

The shift in rankings, in line with student visa data from the Department of Homeland Security, comes amid heightened anxiety from Chinese nationals in the US after the presidential election, according to an SCMP report. Donald Trump's first term saw numerous restrictions on travel and immigration, including a presidential proclamation to limit the entry of graduate students and researchers from China, according to the report.

Chinese observers noted that the increasing number of opportunities in China has provided Chinese students with a growing number of choices, which also contributes to the decline of Chinese students in the US.

Even though the China Initiative has been halted in 2022, the hostile atmosphere continues. In June, Kurt Campbell, US Deputy Secretary of State and the second-ranked US diplomat, said that the US needed to recruit more international students for those fields, but from India - an increasingly important US security partner - not China, Reuters reported.

The US recognizes India as the largest country in terms of population, and in Washington's strategic scheme, they regard India as a significant player that could balance against China in the future, which is why the US has expressed its interest in attracting India, including students from India, Lu said.

Chinese students contribute irreplaceably to basic scientific research in the US, said Lu, and the US should recognize that universities are for basic scientific research and should be for all humanity with no national boundaries.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
A rare and historically significant postcard signed by Clyde Barrow, infamous for his role in the 1930s crime duo Bonnie and Clyde, is up for auction through Thursday. Photo courtesy Nate D. Sanders Auctions

A rare and historically significant postcard signed by Clyde Barrow, infamous for his role in the 1930s crime duo Bonnie and Clyde, is up for auction through Thursday.

Dated Sept. 30, 1929, this postcard was sent by a 20-year-old Barrow from Mexico to his mother, Mrs. H.B. Barrow, in Dallas, according to Nate D. Sanders Auctions which has put the item up for auction.

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A rare and historically significant postcard signed by Clyde Barrow, infamous for his role in the 1930s crime duo Bonnie and Clyde, is up for auction through Thursday. Photo courtesy Nate D. Sanders Auctions

The minimum bid is $8,000 and the sale continues through 5 p.m. Thursday PST on the Nate D. Sanders Auctions website.

In it, he writes, "hello Mother  just fine. We are in old Mexico. drunk as hell. Will see you in about 3 weeks. Clyde + Grace." Barrow met Bonnie Parker a few months later, and would be dead within five years after a multi-state crime spree that captured the public imagination.

"This postcard provides a fascinating glimpse into Barrow's life just months before he met Bonnie Parker and embarked on a notorious crime spree that captured the public's imagination," according to a release from the auction company. "The postcard, measuring 3.25" x 5.5," includes a Mexican stamp in the upper right corner and is framed with photographs of Clyde and Bonnie."

This is an undated photo of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, who spent some of their short lives in the Dallas area. The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde bus tour is a once-a-year event sponsored by the Dallas Historical Society which offers glimpses of the outlaws' lives through anecdotes and visits to sites of key events in the Dallas area. Associated Press

The image is framed with three photos of the duo on a burgundy mat background.

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One of Montgomery County's claims to fame is the famous pair would pass through Conroe where Barrow would visit his relatives who lived in the city.

Lore is that the gang would hang out near an iron bridge over the San Jacinto River just west of the city. They chose to stay out of town as not to cause trouble for the Barrow relatives who were of good standing in town.

A historic metal truss bridge along FM 2854 known as the Bonnie and Clyde Bridge is shown Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Conroe. It collapsed into the San Jacinto River from floodwaters during flooding. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

BETTY WHITE STAMP: Late American funny lady Betty White getting a USPS stamp in 2025

Earlier this year, the bridge washed into the river in a flood. Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation to have the bridge moved to county property where it is being restored.

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The bridge's final destination will be an almost 400-acre park in the Woodforest community where the bridge will serve as a memorial to the nine lawmen the couple killed during a string of robberies.

Nate D. Sanders Auctions has conducted auctions in Los Angeles since 1990. Sanders is particularly known for his knowledge of sports, historical and Hollywood memorabilia according to company information.
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Despite some challenges, Vietnams shrimp exports will continue to steadily increase and the nation is on track to fulfill its annual export target of US$4 billion, according to an expert in the local shrimp sector.

In a recent article for Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Dr. Ho Quoc Luc, chairman of southern Soc Trang Province-based Sao Ta Foods JSC, affirmed that the target is within reach given this year's stable growth.

From January to October, Vietnams shrimp exports brought in $3.2 billion, an increase of 13 percent from 2023, he said.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), shrimp exporters earned a turnover of $394 million last month, up 24 percent compared to 2023, with shipments to all the country's key markets recording double-digit growth.

Dr. Luc stated that the sector now has many opportunities to penetrate further into the international market, including the U.S., one of the top shrimp importers from Vietnam.

These opportunities stem from many free trade agreements (FTAs) combined with Vietnamese exporters' increasing level of shrimp processing.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Commerce released an announcement on countervailing duty rates imposed on shrimp imports.

Accordingly, Vietnamese shrimp is subject to a 2.84-percent duty, lower than other countries including India (5.77 percent) and Ecuador (3.78 percent).

Following this announcement, the U.S. International Trade Commission will issue a final judgment on such countervailing duty rates on December 5.

The final approved rates will be officially applied from December 12.

Dr. Luc pointed out that while Vietnam has gained advantages in the industry, challenges remain in the domestic shrimp sector.

One challenge is that 30-40 percent of shrimp farms have been impacted by bacterial infection, coupled with a poor water source.

This contagion caused commercial shrimp output to halt, resulting in shrimp prices skyrocketing to $1.5 per kilogram, higher than those charged by Vietnam's main competitors India and Ecuador.

In the 2010-15 period, shrimp breeders bought insurance for their farms but after a prolonged mass loss of products, insurance firms will no longer provide insurance service.

Dr. Luc encouraged shrimp farmers to determine the exact reason for the infection, discussing two scenarios.

If shrimp die 60 days or more after breeding, farmers should check their water sources for potential issues.

If shrimp die within the first 30 days, they should investigate whether a pathogen that previously affected the shrimp might be the cause.

Dr. Luc advised that large-scale shrimp farms meet required standards, with farms covering up to 100 hectares, to ensure stable and high-quality production.

He warned of challenges in taking full advantage of FTAs as they demand strict compliance with standards, while global events can influence their benefits.

For example, he said, shrimp exported to the European Union must comply with the EU's stringent standards set forth in the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement.

Farmers must meet these requirements to access the incentives offered by such pacts.

Even if shrimp farmers comply with all the necessary rules and standards, these incentives hinge on global political, diplomatic, and economic conditions, meaning factors outside the farmers' control can influence whether they are able to fully benefit from these tax breaks.

Dr. Luc also proposed that authorities should enforce policies that encourage investing in shrimp breeding and launch a program for greening' the shrimp industry to meet relevant standards.

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Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presented three proposals to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during a discussion on sustainable development and energy transition at the 2024 G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Tuesday.

At the event, chaired by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, many leaders agreed that the implementation of the SDGs is slowing down, pointing out the difficulties developing countries face in ensuring a fair energy transition.

Several leaders also proposed solutions to address economic inequality, enhance social welfare, and safeguard the environment.

They expressed unified support for policies promoting green finance and the mobilization of international resources to assist developing countries.

They affirmed the need to increase financial resources for the global energy transition, emphasizing the urgency to diversify investment capital sources for technology and infrastructure, and also strengthen public-private cooperation to promote energy transformation.

In his speech, PM Chinh reiterated Vietnam's consistent policy on sustainable development and the country's commitment to never sacrifice social welfare, progress, social equality, or the environment for mere economic growth.

Vietnam pledges to make every effort alongside the international community in achieving the net-zero emissions goal before 2050, contributing to the development of a green, clean, beautiful, and sustainable world for future generations, he affirmed.

The PM brought forward three proposals, each helping accelerate the SDGs implementation, ensuring they will be fulfilled on schedule.

The first is to focus on promoting three key transformations, namely digital, green, and energy, he said, stressing that science, technology, and innovation play a crucial role and are key to sustainable development.

In the second proposal, the PM concentrated on promoting investment in people, as well as paying attention to progress, fairness, social security, and environmental protection.

The official emphasized Brazil's commitment to reducing inequality, particularly for women and children, during its G20 Presidency.

These efforts aim to promote social justice and inclusive development, which he described as essential prerequisites for achieving sustainable development and a successful energy transition, making sure no one is left behind.

Finally, PM Chinh proposed creating models for innovative financial cooperation and efficient investment, especially public-private partnerships, to unlock, mobilize, and effectively use all resources for sustainable development and energy transition.

The Vietnamese leaders proposals were met with widespread praise and agreement.

PM Chinh also announced that Vietnam will host the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in April 2025, demonstrating the countrys commitment to furthering the implementation of the SDGs and accelerating the energy transition.

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Authorities recovered the body of a young man, believed to be a foreign national, from the Hoai River in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam on Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, the owner of a restaurant near the scene said that a cyclo (pedicab) driver found the body floating in the river at around 2:00 pm the same day.

Police and other officials quickly arrived to cordon off the scene, retrieve the body, and initiate legal procedures.

Eyewitnesses at the scene described the victim as a young man in his 20s and suspected he was a foreigner.

The discovery has drawn significant public attention, as earlier the same day, social media platforms were flooded with posts about a foreign tourist who went missing during an outing with friends in Hoi An.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident.

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Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made three proposals to help get the process of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals back on track and ensure timely completion, while addressing a discussion on sustainable development and energy transition, as part of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Tuesday (local time).

-- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had meetings with leaders of countries and international organizations on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday (local time).

-- Vietnam and Mongolia should enhance practical and effective cooperation in sectors that align with their respective potential and strength, Party General Secretary To Lam said during his reception for Mongolian Minister for Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Jadamba Enkhbayar in Hanoi on Tuesday, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Society

-- Authorities in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam are investigating the discovery of the body of a male foreigner floating in the Hoai River on Tuesday. Meanwhile, social media platforms have circulated reports about a young foreign man who went missing while spending time with friends in Hoi An.

-- The Vietnam Institute of Water Resources Planning anticipates conducting a feasibility study in 2025 for the construction of two water retention dams on the Red River basin through Hanoi.

-- A sand hill in Hue City, Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam suddenly collapsed on Tuesday while a student was playing with friends nearby, burying him and causing his death.

Business

-- Germanys QuickPack, a household goods and hygiene products specialist, will invest 30 million (US$31.8 million) in Vietnams Long An Province, following a memorandum of understanding signed with Long An-based Dongtam Group on Monday in Cologne, Germany, as part of the Vietnamese provinces ongoing investment promotion activities in Europe.

-- PepsiCo Foods Vietnam has secured the top spot among the 100 best medium-sized companies to work for this year, marking its second consecutive win, according to the annual ranking by human resources consulting firm Anphabe in partnership with market research firm Intage Vietnam.

Lifestyle

-- For the first time, Da Nang City in central Vietnam has lit a giant Christmas tree downtown and hosted festive activities along the Han River to celebrate the upcoming Christmas.

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Douglas Griffith, Houston Police Officers Union president, second from left, and Ray Hunt, Houston Police Officers Union executive director, right, attend as Acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite speaks to Mayor John Whitmire and City Council members about the police department's report on the origin and cause of the Suspended-Lack of Personnel code Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

While investigating a fight between a commander and two off-duty officers, Houston Police Department leaders turned to body cameras, a violation of federal wiretap laws, officer union leadership argue.

Ray Hunt, executive director of the Houston Police Officers Union, confirmed his group sent a letter Oct. 1 to department leaders notifying them they thought the handling of an argument at IAH may constitute a violation of federal law. The ongoing dispute, which centers around how department leaders used technology to go back and retrieve officers body camera video, is the latest in a brewing fight between the union and city leaders over the technology.

We believe officers have an expectation of privacy, Hunt said.

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MORE FROM HOUSTON CHRONICLE: Where do Houston city leaders stand on Trump's mass deportation plans?

Updated body camera policy allows footage to be extracted, using a "record-after-the-fact" technology, even if an officer doesn't turn it on.

Domingo Garcia, a retired Houston police officer who worked at the airport, said in April the commander overseeing airport policing argued with two officers from other agencies working extra jobs over traffic control.

Union leaders allege an assistant chief used the record-after-the-fact-technology to piece together what happened during that argument. Hunt said the commander was issued a written reprimand for his actions. The commander has since been reassigned to the departments gang division as part of an agency-wide shakeup under Chief Noe Diaz.

Because the argument wasnt criminal, and the officer involved didnt request the body camera, those involved had an expectation to privacy, Hunt said. Instead, union leaders are questioning why the assistant chief that ultimately pulled the body camera video hasnt been disciplined.

If it had been a sergeant who had done this, they would have already been demoted, Hunt said. If it had been an officer, they would be home, relieved of duty.

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A spokesperson with the Houston Police Department said they hadnt received a letter about the incident itself, but referred questions to the city attorneys office. The city attorneys office said they had nothing to add to the police department's response.
The government of Vietnam has demanded that local authorities across the country strengthen drowning prevention efforts, especially for children and students.

On behalf of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy PM Nguyen Hoa Binh on Tuesday issued an official directive highlighting the need for intensified safety measures following a drowning incident which left five students dead this week.

The drowning occurred on Monday afternoon in a Red River section passing through Hien Quan Commune in Tam Nong District, Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam.

At around 3:00 pm on Monday, a group of 10 students went to play near the river, with six of them taking a bath in there.

While one managed to swim to the shore, five eighth-grade students went missing and were suspected to have drowned.

The five bodies were recovered as of Wednesday morning.

PM Chinh urged the administration of Phu Tho and the National Committee for Disaster Response and Search and Rescue to provide support for the affected families.

He asked provincial and city leaders to maintain close collaboration with relevant agencies, including the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and Vietnam Womens Union chapters, in preventing drowning incidents among children and students.

Educational institutions must maintain strict oversight to ensure student safety and prevent drowning, as well as increase investments in swimming facilities and public campaigns to teach water safety skills to children, parents, and students via media and local communication systems.

Local authorities were tasked with identifying and mapping dangerous water areas such as rivers, ponds, and reservoirs; setting up barriers and warning signs at hazardous locations; regularly inspecting water safety measures; and holding officials accountable for the implementation of drowning prevention plans.

The Ministry of Education and Training was assigned to urge local authorities and educational institutions to collaborate with families to teach students water safety and swimming skills.

The education ministry also has to develop and launch comprehensive drowning prevention programs in schools.

The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs must oversee the implementation of national programs for drowning prevention and conduct inspections in high-risk areas.

Although drowning fatalities in the Southeast Asian country have shown a gradual fall in recent years, drowning is one of the top 10 causes of accidental death among children.

A report by the social affairs ministry indicated that close to 2,000 children died from drowning each year between 2015 and 2020.

Thanh Nien (Youth) newspaper cited statistics from the education ministry as reporting that approximately 500 drowning incidents nationwide claimed the lives of 1,956 students during the 2020-22 period.

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The Japanese governments Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Projects (GGP) is believed to have significantly improved local living standards while fostering goodwill and positive sentiments among the Vietnamese people toward Japan, according to Japanese Consul General Ono Masuo.

Masuo made the remarks while signing a new grant agreement with the deputy chairman of the Krong Pac District People's Committee Y Djoang Nie at the Japanese Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday.

This grant agreement will cover classroom construction and teaching equipment provision for Y Jut Elementary School in Ea Kenh Commune of Krong Pac District, Dak Lak Province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Valued at US$86,842, the project involves constructing a two-story building with four classrooms and equipping the classrooms with teaching equipment.

Consul General Masuo believed that the grassroots grant aid projects, although small in scale, have widespread implementation across many localities and help strengthen the friendship between Japan and Vietnam.

These efforts foster closer and more effective cooperation between the governments of Japan and Vietnam, especially in the context of the rapidly changing geopolitical challenges faced by both countries, he said.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the representative of Krong Pac District was committed to the strict management of the project, ensuring regular maintenance and repairs to guarantee its long-term effectiveness.

From 1995 to 2023, under the GGP, the Japanese government aided 226 projects in 26 southern provinces and cities of Vietnam, with a total value exceeding $18 million.

The aid projects primarily focus on education, healthcare, agriculture, and rural infrastructure, such as bridges and roads, directly addressing the daily needs of local communities.

According to the diplomat, these projects have further strengthened the bond between the Vietnamese and Japanese people, forming a solid foundation for the two countries to upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2023.

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Many parents on Monday complained that medical check-ups for students at a middle school in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam were done too quickly, averaging under 30 seconds per student.

In total, 960 students at Nguyen Chanh Middle School underwent medical examinations for 450 minutes, or a little less than 30 seconds per student.

At the beginning of the school year, Nguyen Chanh announced that all students would undergo a check-up on October 13, from 7:30 am to 11:30 am and from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

Thus, the total time for the checksa was 450 minutes.

The students went to the medical station in Tinh Ha Commune, Son Tinh District, Quang Ngai Province for these appointments, and each class had 15 minutes no matter the head count.

One parent said she thought the examination would help detect her childs illness, so she prepared for it carefully. However, the check-up was done with minimal effort.

Similarly, another parent claimed that her child only had their height and weight checked. The process took roughly five seconds and did not include bone, heart, eye, or tooth examinations.

Many parents vented their frustration on social media, sharing what their children confirmed and that only their height and weight were checked. Occasionally doctors asked only a small fraction of the students about their eyesight and heart conditions.

Many netizens were surprised by the incredible speed of the check-ups, which took less than 30 seconds each. Normally, it takes longer just to reach the doctors desks, not to mention measuring blood pressure, heart rate, and conducting eye and tooth checks.

Student health examinations are carried out under a directive from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Training, aimed at evaluating the health of students across different age groups. At Nguyen Chanh Middle School, these medical check-ups are mandatory and cover a range of assessments, including height, weight, blood pressure, eyesight, dental health, and checks on the ears, nose, throat, and bones.

The health examinations are mandated for all schools nationwide to enable collaboration with parents in promptly addressing students health needs and to help the schools design suitable learning and activity schedules for each student.

Lu Dinh Bao, principal of Nguyen Chanh Middle School, acknowledged the parental complaints and assured that the school would work with them, hoping for their understanding and cooperation.

Bao admitted that only seven medical workers conducted the examinations, which were limited to checking the students height and weight and asking about their eye and heart health.

He acknowledged the validity of parents' frustrations, agreeing that the check-up process was too brief.

The principal assured that this served as a lesson for the school to improve the quality of future medical examinations.

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For the first time, Da Nang City will ring in the holiday season with a dazzling illuminated Christmas tree and a 20-day festival along the Han River, promising to become a new holiday attraction of the coastal city in central Vietnam.

Organized by the Da Nang Department of Tourism, Da Nang Christmas-New Year Festival 2025 will run from December 14 to January 2 and feature a series of cultural, tourism, and recreational activities centered around the citys iconic Dragon Bridge.

Key locations include the eastern bank of the Dragon Bridge, near Tran Hung Dao and Ly Nam De Streets, and the western bank's scenic spots across from the Cham Sculpture Museum.

The festival is intended to create unforgettable holiday experiences for residents and visitors.

Nguyen Thi Hoai An, deputy director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism, underlined the significance of this inaugural event.

The Christmas-New Year 2025 Festival is expected to bring joyful and memorable moments while establishing Da Nang as a must-visit destination during the year-end festivities, An said, adding that this initiative lays the foundation for an annual celebration.

Festival highlights and activities, according to danangfantasticity.com, an official website of the Da Nang Department of Tourism, are as follows:

Saturday, December 14

7:30 pm: Grand Lighting Ceremony

The ceremony features vibrant Christmas music, childrens performances, and a New Year wish-writing activity to kick off the festival.

Location: Northern platform on the western bank of the Dragon Bridge (opposite the VTV8 building)

Friday, December 20

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm: Grand Opening Ceremony

An artistic showcase combines festive colors, dynamic audiovisual effects, and captivating performances.

Location: Northern platform and eastern part of the Dragon Bridge

7:00 pm: Have Fun with Santa Claus Parade

The parade includes synchronized music and dance performances, with residents, tourists, and local businesses dressed in festive costumes.

The march starts at Bach Dang Pedestrian Street (Bach Dang  2/9 Street Intersection) and heads toward the Illuminated Christmas Tree.

Christmas tree decorations in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre

Sunday, December 24

8:00 pm: Gifts from Santa Claus

Santa distributes meaningful gifts, offering residents and visitors a chance to meet him in a lively, festive atmosphere.

Location: Northern platform on the eastern bank of the Dragon Bridge

Daily and nightly attractions

December 14 to January 2

5:00 pm to 10:30 pm: Creative Check-In Spaces

Capture festive moments at three unique installations: a sparkling Christmas tree, a giant gift box, and a colorful 'Welcome 2025' sign.

December 20 to January 2

5:00 pm to 10:30 pm: Christmas and New Year Market

Discover handcrafted souvenirs, OCOP-certified products, and over 100 festive dishes from local and international cuisines, alongside a Beer Festival and interactive wine-making activities.

Location: Eastern part of the Dragon Bridge

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm: Interactive Holiday Activities

Enjoy tree decorating contests, candy cane games, scavenger hunts, and crafting sessions for cards, wreaths, and 2025 calendars.

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm: Nightly Art Performances

Location: Northern platform, eastern bank of the Dragon Bridge

Enjoy themed shows, Christmas and New Year celebrations, and DJ performances on December 20, 24, and 31.

Citywide activities

Various districts and attractions in Da Nang will host supporting events, including:

* Street carnivals, Han River dances, and street music

* Traditional Bai Choi singing -- a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage art form

* Magic shows, youth art showcases, and traditional instrumental performances

* Events at Bach Dang Pedestrian Street and Nguyen Van Troi Bridge like scenic check-in spots, book fairs, and community spaces.

Local businesses, hotels, and restaurants will join the celebration by decorating their spaces with festive themes and offering holiday promotions.

The event will also launch the Da Nang Food Tour campaign, introducing a Digital Culinary Map and Culinary Passport.

Visitors can collect stamps at selected dining locations for exclusive rewards, adding another layer of excitement to the festive season.

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SBS, NITV and Screen Australia have confirmed 10 teams currently undergoing an exclusive workshop in Sydney in their Digital Originals program.

Up to five projects selected to receive further development funding. Of these, up to three will be chosen for production funding and commissioning with SBS, NITV and Screen Australia.

The 10 teams will hear fro, guest presenters Dylan River, Corrie Chen, Julie Kalceff, Clare Atkins, Mohini Herse, Taofia Pelesasa and Nicole Coventry.

SBS Head of Scripted, Nakul Legha, said: Were delighted to welcome this phenomenally talented cohort of storytellers to a brand new round of Digital Originals. The Digital Originals initiative is the only one of its kind in the world and remains unmatched in the ambition, impact and quality of the stories and storytellers that emerge from it. Selected from over 150 applicants, were thrilled to back these 10 teams with the resources, industry expertise and support to create stories that will surprise and delight audiences everywhere.

NITV Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production, Dena Curtis, said: Digital Originals plays a significant role in developing and elevating First Nations voices. We are thrilled to see three First Nations projects take part in this years program and we look forward to supporting this new generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers, fortifying their experience in the industry.

Screen Australia Head of Online and Games, Lee Naimo, said: Were excited to welcome these 10 talented teams to the Digital Originals cohort. This highly competitive initiative continues to attract top creators, with recent success stories like Appetite, Latecomers and Night Bloomers. Its clear that Digital Originals is a powerful launchpad for emerging talent. Now in its fifth year, this program, in partnership with SBS and NITV, remains to be a one-of-a-kind initiative  giving teams a unique opportunity to receive this level funding and support to develop their projects and skills.

The selected Digital Originals projects and the teams for the workshop, are:

Banana Milkshake!: When budding high school filmmaker Oliver Zhang and his older cousin Alan Juicy Yan discover their teachers affair, they hatch a plan to blackmail them for ransom using their filmmaking know-how, only to find themselves entangled in a web of deceit and danger that puts their futures at risk.

Team: David Ma, Johnathan Lo, Georgia Noe.

Front of House: A young Tunisian man immigrates to Australia and finds himself enticed by the underworld of the Melbourne hospitality industry.

Team: Sarah Ben-mrad, Kay Lawrence.

Hardly a Wallflower: When a totally-blind romance novelist with writers block is forced to run her best friends flower shop in the lead up to Valentines Day, she learns the only way to get her writing back on track is to open herself up to love.

Team: Jessica Smith, Olivia Muscat, Scarlett Koehne.

In Her Body: Two unfulfilled immigrant women  corporate lawyer Vanessa Li and her house cleaner Thelma Alfonso  switch bodies and are forced to work together to figure out how to change back.

Team: Rae Choi, Rachel Maxine Anderson.

Mangrove Mansion: When her estranged activist dad refuses urgent medical care, legal-aid lawyer Sunny and fiance Alex commandeer his houseboat to get him to the mainland. Crashing into a stinking mess of mud and mangroves, they must figure out how to survive and get unstuck.

Team: Rhianna Malezer, Mary Duong.

Nailing It!: When a culturally estranged Aboriginal womans new nail salon becomes a gateway for ancient spirits, she must master the art of spiritual cleansing alongside cuticle care  or risk unleashing supernatural chaos on her unsuspecting clients while confronting her own cultural identity.

Team: Takani Clark, Kartanya Maynard.

Rejecting Elle: When chronically ill people pleaser Elle Cotton is faced with the agonising choice of whether to live or die, the real question is whether the life she has is one thats worth fighting for.

Team: Lauren Rowe, Steve Anthopoulos, Mansoor Noor, Belinda Dean.

Staying Late: Its a Melbourne heatwave but Kira and Lanes love life is on the fritz (like their aircon). So when Lane succumbs to temptation and Kiras new job takes a sinister turn, their crumbling rental becomes a pressure cooker of secrets.

Team: Isaac Elliot, Reilly Archer-Whelan, Chanel Bowen.

Tantrum: Varsha told best friend Jeev her gig was career-defining. Jeev brought their toddler anyway. When the kids meltdown ruins the show, Varsha loses it in a public outburst that goes viral. Soon the two friends are locked in a life-changing feud that has them questioning whether found family really is forever.

Team: Vidya Rajan, Jemma Cotter, Sunanda Sachatrakul.

Thirdwheel: A professional and perfectionists first date goes hilariously off-script when an unexpected guest forces her to embrace the chaos and discover that sometimes when things go wrong, they end up right.

Team: Douglas Watkin, Shontell Leah Ketchell.

Alumni of the Digital Original initiative have also gone on to execute key creatives roles across the industry including: Appetite Writer and Director Mohini Herse who went on to become the set-up director of SBS Original drama, Four Years Later; Latecomers Producer Liam Heyen and Director Madeleine Gottlieb who reprised these roles on the SBS anthology series Erotic Stories, The Tailings Director Stevie Cruz-Martin who went on to Safe Home; filmmaker Dylan River (Thou Shalt Not Steal, Mystery Road: Origin) who directed Robbie Hood; and Corrie Chen (New Gold Mountain, Bad Behaviour) who directed and executive produced Homecoming Queens .
Police respond to an officer-involved shooting in the 300 block of Capitol on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. A man was wounded after being shot at several times by a Houston Police Department officer. Courtesy/OnScene TV

A man was rushed to a Houston hospital Monday night after he was shot by a downtown police officer, police said Tuesday.

The man was shot as police were struggling to detain another person. Police feared the man was armed and shot him when he took a shooting stance while refusing to follow officers commands, police officials said in a news release.

He was hit at least once, and was in stable condition on Tuesday afternoon, police said

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MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Workplace violence is on the rise for Texas nurses

It was the 27th time this year that a Houston police officer had fired a gun on duty. The shootings have resulted in nine people being wounded and 13 people being killed, according to the departments self-reported statistics.

The shooting happened around 9:45 p.m. in the 300 block of Capitol, on the west side of downtown near the theater district.

Asst. Chief Adrian Rodriguezs briefing on officer involved shooting in the 300 block of Capitol St. https://t.co/8DwCXS2Gpi  Houston Police (@houstonpolice) November 19, 2024

Police were initially called about two people trespassing, and threatening a property manager with a gun. When police arrived, they found the people walking along the nearby bayou, officials said.

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Officers moved to stop one of the people, a woman. While they were detaining her, the man began approaching officers.

The officers told the man to stop and show his hands, police said. While they were confronting him, the woman pulled away from an officer, causing her and the officer fall to the ground.

The man then jumped into a shooting stance, brought both hands together and pointed them at the officers, police said. One officer fired his weapon multiple times, striking the man.

No one else was wounded in the shooting. The woman was also taken to a hospital for minor injuries she suffered in her fall.

Police described both the man and woman as suspects, though neither had been charged with a crime as of Tuesday afternoon.

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The departments description of the events leading up to the shooting changed throughout the day. During a briefing on Monday night, HPD Assistant Chief Adrian Rodriguez said that police were called to the scene about a woman and described the mans actions as a sudden movement.

The department news release, which was sent out just after noon, was based on information from the departments Special Investigations Unit, officials said. The unit is one of two HPD divisions investigating the shooting, along with the internal affairs division

Houston police are allowed to use deadly force when they have "an objectively reasonable belief that deadly force is necessary to protect themselves or others from the imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death," according to the department's standing orders.

The officer who fired his weapon joined the department in June 2023. He was placed on administrative duty following the shooting.
The growing potential of cruise tourism

According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), cruise tourism generates 40% more revenue compared to air or road travel, making it a preferred and highly developed sector in many advanced countries.

Wendy Yamazaki, Regional Vice President of Royal Caribbean Group, emphasises that the potential for cruise tourism in Asia is enormous. In Southeast Asia, alongside Thailand and Singapore, Vietnam is one of the top three destinations for international cruise passengers.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau's strategic location along the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), combined with its appealing coastal tourism products and well-developed port infrastructure, positions the province as an attractive destination for major international cruise ships. These factors are vital for drawing numerous large cruise liners carrying foreign passengers to its ports.

On October 22, the Coral Princess, a global cruise ship with over 1,800 American tourists, docked at the SSIT port in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai cluster. Earlier, on October 14, the Carnival Panorama, with 3,605 passengers, mostly from the U.S., also docked at TCCT port in the same cluster.

According to the Provincial Department of Tourism, nearly 50 cruise ships have registered to dock at the Cai Mep-Thi Vai cluster through May 2025, underscoring the immense potential of cruise tourism in the region.

Plans for an international passenger port

Currently, international cruise ships must dock at the Cai Mep-Thi Vai cluster, where facilities are shared with commercial cargo ports. This arrangement affects both the operational efficiency of the ports and the safety of passengers.

As outlined in the 2021-2030 development plan for Ba Ria-Vung Tau, with a vision for 2050, the province is set to become a national centre for maritime economics and a global tourism hub. To achieve these ambitious goals, the construction of a specialised, modern cruise port is essential.

In October 2024, the consulting consortium of PORTCOAST, TEDIPORT, and HPEC presented a proposal to the provincial People's Committee for the construction of the Vung Tau International Passenger Port.

According to the proposal, the port will be located near the cable car station at Tam Duong Beach in Vung Tau. With an estimated investment of around 8,000 billion VND, this project is expected to be the largest port in southern Vietnam. The facility will feature a passenger terminal with duty-free shops, a hotel and serviced apartment complex, a marina, taxi and bus parking, technical infrastructure, landscaping, piers, breakwaters, and facilities for official vessels, pilots, and port authorities.

The terminal will include a pier capable of handling ships up to 225,000228,000 GT, or even larger when conditions permit. The pier will span 420 metres, with a 120-metre-long passenger platform and a 700-metre bridge connecting the pier to the shore. The inner area will include a marina, official port services, and maritime facilities for pilots and port authorities. A separate seaplane dock will be located to the east and southeast.

The provincial People's Committee has tasked the Department of Planning and Investment, in coordination with the Department of Transport, with selecting an investor through a bidding process. Once the Department of Transport completes the pre-feasibility study, it will gather feedback from potential investors before submitting the proposal for official approval.

Upon completion, the Vung Tau International Passenger Port will be a world-class landmark, designed as a destination port rather than a transit stop. It will serve as a hub for regular community events and host major provincial and regional activities.  VNS
HA NOI  Since the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into effect in August 2020, the European Union (EU) has emerged as a leading trade partner for Viet Nam. Vietnamese businesses could unlock significant opportunities from the EVFTA if they know how to capitalise on its benefits.

That is what delegates heard at a seminar on promoting trade in the European market, focusing on the potential for expanding exports to the European market via official channels held by the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on Monday.

Speaking at the event, inh Sy Minh Lang, an official from the MoITs European-American Market Department, said that data from Viet Nam Customs indicated that in the past four years, Viet Nams exports to the EU were estimated to exceed US$200 billion, achieving an annual growth of 1215 per cent.

In July 2024 alone, Viet Nam recorded a trade surplus of over $20.2 billion with the EU, a 19.4 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Its export turnover grew by approximately 16.8 per cent, while imports rose by around 10 per cent. The EU is now among Viet Nams six largest import-export markets.

A survey by the European Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (EuroCham) showed that the EVFTA had significantly boosted Viet Nam's exports to the EU, from EUR35 billion ($36.9 billion) in 2019 to over EUR48 billion in 2023. Sectors such as electronics, textiles, footwear, agriculture and seafood had particularly benefitted from the phased tariff reductions under this agreement.

Lang emphasised that formal export methods were more complex due to stricter documentation and higher taxes and fees, but ensure rigorous quality control. This approach enhanced the reputation of Vietnamese enterprises and products in global markets.

Participation in official channels also allowed businesses to access markets, particularly demanding markets and benefit from state support policies, thereby contributing to sustainable economic growth, he added.

To succeed in exports via official channels, businesses needed to identify target markets, research standards and regulations and assess their own capabilities to develop effective strategies, he suggested.

Moreover, they should adopt suitable standards for their products, build and maintain quality management systems, enhance employee skills, upgrade technology, and focus on producing high-quality goods that satisfy stringent export market demands.

Meanwhile, according to former trade envoy at the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK Nguyen Canh Cuong, the UK is one of the worlds largest economies, with a population of over 67 million. British consumers prioritise quality, sustainability and unique value propositions. They are willing to pay a premium for products that meet high-quality standards and demonstrate a commitment to environmental protection.

However, the UK market is governed by stringent technical standards and regulations, particularly in food safety and environmental practices. To succeed in this highly competitive landscape, businesses must be thoroughly prepared to meet these requirements and differentiate themselves effectively.

Cuong highlighted the opportunities provided by the UK-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), which eliminates over 99 per cent of tariff lines within six years. Key beneficiaries include seafood, textiles, footwear, furniture and processed agricultural products.

For example, catfish and frozen shrimp are expected to achieve an export turnover of over $30 million in 2024, an increase of more than ten per cent over the previous year. Products made from natural and sustainable fibres are attracting British consumers. Moreover, this is Viet Nam's second largest import market in Europe, with a high demand for modern furniture.

He suggested using digital marketing and artificial intelligence (AI) for entry into the UK market, as well as participating in international trade fairs and collaborating with trade support organisations.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) plays a crucial role in ensuring that products meet the technical, legal and commercial requirements of the UK market. Products that adhere to BSI standards are highly regarded for their quality and safety, making them more likely to gain the trust of British importers and consumers. By meeting these standards, businesses also reduce the risk of their products being rejected at customs for failing to comply with technical or safety regulations.

Moreover, BSI certifications are widely recognised, which can facilitate access not only to the UK market but also to the broader European market.

He also advised businesses to align products with British consumer preferences by using recyclable and biodegradable materials, providing clear information on product composition and origin and choosing neutral colours for packaging.

Nguyen Thanh Hung, a senior advisor to the Government, stressed the importance of minimising risks in cross-border transactions. Accordingly, businesses should verify information, proactively validate broker-supplied information through official channels such as industry associations or Vietnamese diplomatic missions in the buyers country.

Companies should engage directly with partners to avoid over-reliance on intermediaries, he said, adding in any transactions, they must draft contracts with clear and comprehensive terms to tightly bind all parties involved.

By adopting these strategies, Vietnamese firms could enhance their competitive edge in the European market while navigating the complexities of formal export processes, he said.  VNS
BINH INH  The Binh inh Economic Zone Authority has granted an investment certificate for the TnB Vietnam fashion manufacturing plant project, funded by HGQ ASIA PTE. LTD (Singapore).

Located in Hoa Hoi Industrial Park, Cat Hanh Commune, Phu Cat District, the project spans over 8.4 hectares with a total investment of VN495.8 billion (approximately US$20 million). The capital includes $8 million in equity and $12 million in mobilised funds.

The project will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1, covering 3.3 hectares, will be see building work until October 2026. It includes building workshops, warehouses and office spaces, installation of machinery, workforce recruitment and training, and initiating production operations.

Phase 2, spanning 4.8 hectares, will run from November 2026 to November 2027. This involves constructing additional workshops, installing equipment, recruiting additional workers and starting full-scale production.

When completed, the plant is expected to produce seven million high-end fashion items annually. The project is set to operate until 10 March 2067, as per the terms of the initial investment certificate. Capital contribution and fund mobilisation will proceed according to the project timeline.

The Binh inh Economic Zone Authority has mandated that the investor adhere strictly to the projects objectives, scope and committed schedule, while complying with regulations on construction, land use, environmental protection, labour and investment laws throughout the projects execution.  VNS
HA NOI  Bilateral trade turnover between Viet Nam and Mongolia has tripled from US$41.5 million in 2017 to $132 million in 2023.

Director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Development Tran Cong Thang released the figures at the Viet Nam - Mongolia Agricultural Business Forum in Ha Noi on November 20.

The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in coordination with the Viet Nam - Mongolia Friendship Association.

According to Thang, in the first seven months of 2024, bilateral trade turnover reached $65.5 million and the two countries are now working to reach the goal of a bilateral trade turnover of $200 million. Viet Nam and Mongolia both have outstanding advantages in the field of agriculture, with Viet Nam a leading exporter of products such as rice, coffee and tropical fruits.

Meanwhile, Mongolia is famous for its high-quality beef, lamb and dairy products. These are areas where businesses from both countries can exploit opportunities to meet the growing needs of the global market, said Thang.

Therefore, the forum will be an important bridge for businesses of the two countries to meet, exchange information and seek cooperation opportunities. In addition, through this event, the two governments will share preferential policies and support mechanisms so that businesses can access each other's markets more effectively.

"We hope that the forums results will be an important foundation for the two sides to go further in growing bilateral trade turnover, " said Thang.

At the forum, delegates discussed the potential for trade cooperation including procedures for importing goat and sheep meat into the Vietnamese market and the potential to trade livestock between Viet Nam and Mongolia.

They also discussed cooperation opportunities for Viet Nam and Mongolia in the field of services and the potential for the import and export of agricultural products between Viet Nam and Mongolia.

Doan Khanh Tam, Deputy Director, Deputy Head of the Office, National Border Committee, Former Vietnamese Ambassador to Mongolia, said that due to Mongolia's cold climate, livestock farming is much more developed.

Cattle in Mongolia graze naturally on the vast steppe, feeding on about 3,000 types of herbs, which gives the meat a distinctive flavour.

Meantime, Mongolia has been a member of the World Organization for Animal Health since 1989.

Transport is also still a problem that hinders Viet Nam - Mongolia traffic.

The Mongolian side said it welcomed Viet Nam's participation in the trilateral Railway Transport Agreement Mongolia - Russia - China signed in 2016. During the visit to Viet Nam on November 5, 2023, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh also officially reiterated that the Mongolian Government will proactively work with China to create favourable conditions for Viet Nam to join this agreement.

Within the framework of the forum, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on cooperation and distribution of Mongolian goat and sheep meat in Viet Nam.  VNS
QUANG NAM  Following the launch of direct services to major ports in India in August this year, Chu Lai Port has expanded its international network with a direct route to the US.

This marks a significant milestone in its strategy to attract cargo and shipping lines, broaden its transportation network and solidify its position as an international transshipment gateway in the central and the Central Highlands regions.

On November 18, at Chu Lai Port, a shipment of 400 semi-trailers produced by THACO INDUSTRIES was loaded onto a vessel headed for Jacksonville Port on the US east coast.

It marked the first direct shipment from Chu Lai to the US market without the need for transshipment via mother vessels as required in the past.

The route passes through major ports such as Kanda (Japan), Busan (South Korea), Chu Lai (Viet Nam), and Nantong (China), before reaching its final destination in Jacksonville.

With this route, Chu Lai Port opens up opportunities for businesses to quickly access major markets in Asia and the US, Viet Nam's largest export market.

A spokesperson for an export business said: "The American market, particularly the US, has a large import-export turnover with groups of goods that can be transported two-way by sea such as wooden products, vehicles, spare parts, and more.

Chu Lai Ports direct shipping route to the US is essential, allowing exports from the central and the Central Highlands regions to bypass transshipment, and, if combined with convection transport of imported goods, it would help businesses significantly save time and costs."

Optimal solutions for export businesses

The demand for exports to the US from businesses in the central region is huge.

To meet this demand, Chu Lai Port has expanded collaborations with international shipping lines and enhanced its maritime routes to connect with major US ports such as Savannah, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Chicago, New York, Jacksonville, and Seattle at a frequency of four shipments a month.

Notably, Chu Lai Port, which is operated by Truong Hai International Logistics Limited Liability Company (THILOGI), also offers voyage services with flexible schedules, enabling businesses to transport goods quickly during peak production periods or for urgent orders, without relying on international vessels with fixed schedules.

Phan Van Ky, director of Chu Lai Port, said: Since the deep-water wharf was put into operation with a capacity to handle general cargo ships of up to 50,000 DWT and equipped with modern, high-capacity loading equipment, Chu Lai Port has attracted numerous domestic and international shipping lines, increasing port traffic.

The development of the direct shipping route to the US will help businesses in Chu Lai, Tam Thang and Thuan Yen industrial parks (Quang Nam), VSIP (Quang Ngai), and surrounding areas reduce transshipment costs to major ports in the north and south."

THILOGIs successful registration for an FMC license from the US Federal Maritime Commission has minimised risks and costs for export businesses at delivery and transshipment points because the US market imposes strict regulations on cargo declarations and customs clearance and so on.

This year, Chu Lai Port has handled nearly 1,000 vessels across diverse service routes, providing optimal transportation solutions for businesses.

In future the port will continue to expand its market, and enhance the exploitation of export shipments from industrial parks and clusters and economic zones in the central and the Central Highlands regions, Laos and Cambodia to attract new shipping lines to establish new international routes.

Chu Lai Port is accelerating digital transformation, optimising its services and operations to meet the growing import-export demand and aiming for sustainable growth to become a "green port" in future.

Chu Lai Port is not only a strategic connectivity gateway but also a driving force for economic development in the region, delivering significant benefits to import-export businesses.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nams shrimp exports in October reached US$394 million, a strong 24 per cent increase year-on-year, according to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

In the first ten months of the year, total shrimp export turnover reached $3.2 billion, recording a 13 per cent growth year-on-year.

All major markets achieved double-digit growth in October, signalling a strong recovery in demand.

Notably, shrimp exports to mainland China and China's Hong Kong in October reached $91 million, up 44 per cent year-on-year.

Over the ten months, turnover totalled $676 million, a growth of 31 per cent.

Lobster exports surged by an extraordinary 157 per cent, reaching $298 million. Chinas consumer stimulus policies have further driven imports of this product, creating significant opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises.

Similarly, shrimp export turnover to the EU in October rose by 32 per cent, bringing the ten-month total to $408 million, a 17 per cent year-on-year increase. Stable demand from the EU has maintained consistent growth since April.

In the US market, shrimp exports in October exceeded $80 million, a 17 per cent increase.

Year-to-date exports to the US amounted to $646 million, up 10 per cent.

With a decline in supply from the three largest shrimp-producing nations, the US faces a shortage of imported shrimp.

Improved market sentiment, reduced inventories and a gradual imbalance between supply and demand have further driven higher import demand. Prices are expected to rise and with President-elect of the US Donald Trumps proposed import tax increases, if implemented, prompting US businesses to accelerate imports before the new tariffs take effect.

In the short term, this is expected to boost US shrimp imports demand further.

Shrimp exports to Japan and South Korea also showed significant recovery in October, growing 18 per cent and 28 per cent, respectively, after a period of instability.

Export shrimp prices, especially for white-leg shrimp, are on an upward trend, significantly improving profit margins for businesses.

Additionally, processed shrimp products are experiencing robust growth, highlighting Vietnamese enterprises' focus on high-value-added products.

Data from the first ten months indicate a positive outlook across major markets. Demand from the US and EU remains stable, while China, with its consumption-supporting policies, continues to be a promising destination for Vietnamese shrimp.

With this growth trajectory, shrimp exports in 2024 are likely to reach $4 billion.  VNS
VIENTIANE  The women's association under the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted tea party in Vientiane on November 19, bringing together female diplomats, spouses of diplomats, and representatives from international organisations in the country.

Joining the event, Vietnamese representatives, dressed in traditional ao dai (long dress), introduced Vietnam's history and culture through music, dance, and traditional dishes.

The Vietnamese booth highlighted the culinary and cultural essence of Ha Noi and Viet Nam as a whole, captivating the audience and strengthening cultural diplomacy.

The event featured traditional Lao and international performances, along with a display of crafts and food, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for visitors.

Held annually, it serves as a platform for female diplomats and spouses to share experiences, foster solidarity, and showcase their nations' unique cultural heritage.

Alouni Kommasith, spouse of Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, noted the importance of such gathering, especially as Laos successfully chaired the ASEAN Summits and related meetings this year.

She thanked all participants and ASEAN partners for their contributions to these achievements, emphasising the critical role of women in diplomacy. VNA/VNS
HAVANA  The official visit to the Dominican Republic during November 19-21 by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse is of great significance, marking a big step forward in the two countries relations, and showing the importance the Southeast Asian nation attaches to the Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly the Dominican Republic, according to a diplomat.

In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Havana, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba and the Dominican Republic Le Quang Long said that this is the first official visit by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to the Dominican Republic since the two countries established their diplomatic relations on July 7, 2005.

The bilateral relationship has made steady progress across various fields over the past 19 years. Chinh's visit is not only of political significance but also presents an opportunity to enhance cooperation in the areas of economics, culture, and sustainable development. This reflects Viet Nam's determination to strengthen ties with the Latin American and Caribbean region for peace and mutual development, stated Long.

According to the diplomat, the trip comes at a time when both countries are striving for sustainable development. Viet Nam is aiming to become a developed, high-income nation by 2045. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic, under the leadership of President Luis Abinader and the new 2024-28 Congress, is implementing strategies for sustainable socio-economic development, promoting economic diplomacy, and attracting investment. As the two countries look forward to the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2025, the visit will contribute to further solidifying their friendship and laying a strong foundation for realising the potential of bilateral cooperation.

The trip is expected to not only enhance bilateral political relations but also open up new opportunities for collaboration in the fields of economics, trade and investment, particularly in such areas as agriculture, tourism, energy, telecommunications, and infrastructure. On this occasion, the two countries will sign several cooperation agreements, thus creating a legal framework to further promote bilateral collaboration, stated Long.

Regarding the bilateral ties, the ambassador said that in 2023, the Dominican Republic opened its embassy in Viet Nam, marking an important milestone in the development of bilateral relations. In July 2024, the Dominican Republic-Viet Nam Friendship Parliamentarians Group was officially established, demonstrating the commitment of both sides to promoting legislative cooperation.

In the economic field, two-way trade reached US$112 million last year. The two countries have also reached agreements on investment in industry, services and technology development.

In the cultural sphere, a statue of President Ho Chi Minh was inaugurated in Santo Domingo in 2013, while a statue of Dr. Juan Bosch, the first President of the Dominican Republic, was also placed in Hoa Binh (Peace) Park in Ha Noi in 2018, symbolising the respect and affection between the two nations.

In the healthcare sector, Viet Nam actively supported the Dominican Republic in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and combating African swine fever. Viet Nam sent technical teams to the country to provide guidance and assist in the vaccination campaign against this disease. These efforts have helped strengthen healthcare capacity and food safety in the Dominican Republic.

At international forums, the two countries frequently coordinate and support each other on global issues, such as environmental protection, responding to climate change, ensuring food security, and contributing to regional and global stability and sustainable development.

Ambassador Long went on to say that there remains ample room for bilateral collaboration in the coming years. As one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America, the Dominican Republic prioritises attracting investment in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy, telecommunications, and digital transformation.

Viet Nam and the Dominican Republic can strengthen cooperation in trade and investment by implementing existing agreements, particularly in agriculture, tourism, technology, renewable energy, resource exploitation, and telecommunications, he said, adding that the two countries also aim to increase bilateral trade to $500 million in the next 4-5 years by promoting investment cooperation and expanding markets for each other's key products. Vietnamese businesses investing in other Latin American and Caribbean countries can also seize the opportunity to access the Dominican Republic market and, from there, expand into other regional ones.

Additionally, the two sides can further enhance cooperation in healthcare, particularly in disease control and strengthening public health capacity. The exchange of medical experts and training collaboration will help improve the quality of healthcare systems in both countries.

In the fields of culture, education, and tourism, they can organise more cultural and educational exchange programmes and promote tourism destinations to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen ties between their people, suggested Long.

In the areas of science, technology, and the environment, the diplomat proposed the two nations promote the sharing of technologies related to renewable energy, telecommunications, and the implementation of environmental protection projects. They can also work together to enhance the management and sustainable use of resources, and collaborate on researching environmentally friendly technologies, improving water quality, and addressing the impacts of climate change, he added.  VNS
HA NOI  The upcoming trip to Cambodia by National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man is expected to advance the relations between the two countries into a new development period on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, effective cooperation, and respect for each other's interests, a legislator has said.

Man will lead a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Party and State to pay an official visit to Cambodia and attend the 12th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and the 11th Plenary Session of International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) from November 21-24.

The NA's Foreign Affairs Committee said the trip will be made at the invitation of President of the Cambodian People's Party Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Khuon Sudary, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the ICAPP Chung Eui-yong.

In an interview granted to the press, Vice Chairwoman of the NA Committee for External Relations Le Thu Ha said this marks Mans first official visit to Cambodia as the top legislator.

The visit holds significant importance, reaffirming the foreign policy set forth by the 13th National Party Congress, which gives high priority to the "good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability" with the neighbouring country, she noted.

It underscores the mutual trust and close bond between the high-ranking leaders of the two nations, particularly between the NA Chairman and Cambodia's top leaders, the official continued.

During the visit, the two countries leaders are scheduled to outline major directions and measures to enhance the effectiveness of and create new momentum for economic cooperation, and promote connectivity between Viet Nam and Cambodia in the future, Ha said, adding the visit is also expected to foster the bilateral legislative ties.

With regard to ICAPP 12, Ha said the leaders attendance at the event reflects the Vietnamese Partys commitment to active and constructive engagement in ICAPP, aiming to strengthen ties with political parties across Asia, contribute to addressing regional issues, and enhance relations with the Cambodian People's Party.

Meanwhile, his attendance at IPTP 11 as a guest of the host country demonstrates Viet Nam's support and goodwill toward Cambodia, particularly during its tenure as IPTP Chair.

The Vietnamese NA Chairman will deliver a keynote speech at the opening session of ICAPP 12, highlighting ICAPP's pivotal position and role in strengthening international solidarity and promoting the resolution of international disputes and conflicts through dialogue and multilateral cooperation in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter.

Man will reaffirm Viet Nams foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, and multilateralisation, and standing ready to be a friend, a reliable partner, and an active, responsible member of the international community. He will also emphasise Viet Nams support for ICAPPs objectives and its commitment to actively contributing to the implementation of these goals, while proposing a number of policies and directions to promote peace and reconciliation in line with the theme of the conference.

He is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with leaders of foreign political parties and parliamentary representatives.  VNS
Inmates seen inside the Harris County Jail on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, in Houston. Godofredo A. Vasquez/Staff photographer

A man accused of killing his grandmother in 2022 has been accused of beating another Harris County jail inmate to death that same year while awaiting transfer to a state mental health hospital.

Chad Maydwell, 33, was charged Tuesday with murder in the November 2022 death of his cellmate Michael Griego, 45. Authorities accused Maydwell of throwing the other inmate off his top bunk and pummeling him, according to court records. He died in a hospital two weeks later.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to request for comment. A sheriff's office spokesperson at the time said Griego was residing in a pod with several other defendants when someone may have attacked him.

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Both men were facing competency proceedings at the time of Griegos death.

Defense attorneys for Maydwell said Wednesday that Griegos death was preventable, pointing to their July 2022 request to jail officials to keep Maydwell isolated from others following a suicide attempt. The attorney, James Stafford, wrote that he thought Maydwell should remain in a single cell under suicide watch for the remainder of his case.

ANOTHER JAILHOUSE KILLING: Man pleads guilty in death of Harris County inmate Fred Harris amid trial

Stafford also questioned how Maydwell obtained a razor blade inside the jail despite his documented history of mental health issues  issues Stafford on Wednesday described as a schizophrenia diagnosis. He had been institutionalized in the past.

Chad has a very long documented history of mental illness and has been committed to several facilities due to this illness, Stafford wrote, according to emails reviewed by the Chronicle. Hopefully you can keep him safe till this case is finished.

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A court later ruled in September that Maydwell was incompetent to stand trial  a finding prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed to  in the death of his grandmother, Judith Maydwell, and ordered that he be sent to a state mental health hospital. At the time of Griegos death, about two months later, Maydwell remained at the jail and was waiting for the court-ordered transfer to a state hospital, his attorneys said.

Stafford followed up with the sheriffs office that December as his clients alleged implication in the death became known.

If (Maydwell) was involved, if my request that he be housed in a single cell had been followed, Mr. Griego would be alive today, Stafford wrote.

A response from Phillip Bosquez, the assistant chief of detentions command, offered Stafford no explanation of what happened but said his inquiry had been forwarded to their legal department, according to their communications.

Andrew Figliuzzi, a Harris County prosecutor handling Maydwells case and others involving mental health issues, highlighted the extensive waits that keep inmates in the jail, sometimes for months, until a state hospital bed opens up.

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We have hundreds of inmates waiting to go to a state hospital for competency treatment, but the legislature hasnt figured out how to staff these hospitals and create more beds, Figliuzzi said. Until that happens  the county is forced to figure out how to house these mentally ill, violent defendants.

Figliuzzi said Maydwell was eventually transferred to a state hospital as Griegos death remained under investigation. He was deemed competent to stand trial earlier this year.

Maydwells attorneys, meanwhile, plan to argue at trial that their client was insane at the time of his grandmothers killing, according to court documents.

Stafford noted Wednesday that Griego was facing similar competency issues at the time of his death. A judge ordered in June 2022 that he undergo a restoration attempt at the jail, according to court records. He was pending trial on an aggravated assault charge filed earlier that year.

Griegos death was cited in a pending 2023 lawsuit as an example of the sheriff's office failing to protect inmates. In the lawsuit, lawyers contend Griego was attacked in an area observed by detention officers. By the time they intervened, Griego was unconscious.

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In a filed response, the county denied any allegations that it failed to step in and stop Maydwell's attack on Griego.
KUALA LUMPUR  The Malaysia visit by Party General Secretary To Lam will set the stage for a deeper partnership between the two countries, reinforcing ASEAN's role and influence under Malaysias leadership, Collins Chong Yew Keat, an expert on foreign affairs and security at the University of Malaya, told the Vietnam News Agency's resident reporter.

Collins said the visit provides an ideal platform for both nations to pursue shared goals, aiming to maintain regional peace and stability while ensuring economic resilience and fostering new growth through strategic economic and trade development.

It also carries significance in sustaining and enhancing Viet Nam-Malaysia relations, and sends a strong message of shared values and a unified agenda based on broader collaboration in policies and approaches aimed at fostering stable, peaceful and prosperous development for ASEAN and the wider region.

Under the Action Plan to deploy the bilateral strategic partnership in the 2021-25 period, Viet Nam-Malaysia ties are set to grow stronger. This promises to yield wider-reaching impacts, from deep economic ties to stronger people-to-people connections and national defence and security.

The increased exchanges at various levels will also contribute to building greater strategic trust between the two nations.

The expert underlined Viet Nam's critical role in shaping and leading regional frameworks to ensure stability, freedom and openness in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

Viet Nam continues to demonstrate its exemplary leadership, leveraging its experience and achievements to promote regional peace and stability. This is reflected in Viet Nam's "four no's" defence policy. These include no military alliances, no siding with one country against another, no foreign military bases or using Vietnamese territory to oppose other countries, and no use of force or threatening to use force in international relations.

On the economic front, Collins noted that both Viet Nam and Malaysia are working to expand two-way trade, targeting US$18 billion by 2025 and $25 billion by 2030, particularly in emerging industries.

Trade remains one of the strongest pillars, with Malaysia ranking among Viet Nam's top 10 trading partners.

In recent years, two-way trade has shown steady growth, surpassing $15 billion in 2023, a 35 per cent increase from $11.1 billion in 2021.

Traditional cooperation areas such as tourism, people-to-people exchanges and education continue to thrive, while emerging sectors like sustainable agriculture, climate management, green and carbon-neutral agendas, disaster response, renewable energy, food security, supply chain resilience, and hi-tech manufacturing hold strategic significance.

As both countries navigate their economic transitions, they are positioning themselves as key global investment hubs, particularly in hi-tech manufacturing. Their collaboration extends to the digital economy, the energy sector, and technology-driven initiatives.

Collins believed that Viet Nam and Malaysia are set to strengthen economic and technological cooperation in mutually beneficial key industries, particularly those critical to global and regional geo-strategic and geo-economic concerns.

Both nations are actively improving supply chain resilience and reliability, food security, defence capabilities, and the development of future-critical technologies, including semiconductors, green energy, and the digital economy.

Collins also underscored Viet Nam's significant rise in economic prestige and leadership in the region since joining ASEAN in 1995. Now one of the worlds largest emerging economies, Viet Nam plays a leading role in regional supply chains and markets.

Viet Nam's unique position and influence are evident in addressing critical regional issues such as the Myanmar crisis and potential conflicts in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea).

These strengths underpin Viet Nam's capacity to assert itself within ASEAN and collaborate effectively with global partners in shaping a prosperous future for the region, he said.  VNA/VNS
RIO DE JANEIRO  Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made three proposals to help get the process of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track, and ensure timely completion, while addressing a discussion session on sustainable development and energy transition, as part of the G20 Summit, in Rio de Janeiro on November 19 (local time).

In his speech, Chinh reaffirmed Viet Nam's consistent policy on sustainable development and the country's commitment that it never sacrifices social welfare, progress, social equality, and the environment for pure economic growth.

Emphasising that every action taken today will determine the future of generations to come, he affirmed Viet Nam is committed to making every effort, alongside countries, partners, and the international community, to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, thus contributing to the development of a green, clean, beautiful, and sustainable world for the future of the next generations.

Regarding the three proposals, the Vietnamese leader stressed that the first important action that needs to be done is to promote three key transformations: digital transformation, green transformation, and energy transformation, with digital transformation being an objective requirement and a foundation; green transformation being a core and guiding direction; and energy transformation being a driving force for sustainable development and carbon emission reduction.

The Prime Minister highlighted that science, technology, and innovation play a core and breakthrough role, serving as the key to these transformation processes for sustainable development.

Therefore, Chinh proposed the G20 take the lead in connecting resources, sharing experiences, transferring technology, providing financial support, enhancing capacity, and creating an open ecosystem for science, technology, and innovation for developing countries, based on the principle of not politicising science, technology, and innovation.

The PMs second proposal emphasised prioritising investment in human development in line with the consistent principle that people are the core, object, target, driver, and ultimate beneficiary of development. It also placed significant importance on fostering social progress, equity, welfare, and environmental protection. With this spirit, the Government leader commended Brazils efforts in its G20 presidency to address social inequalities, particularly concerning women and children, to ensure social justice, and to promote inclusive development.

He further highlighted that the work is essential for sustainable development and a just energy transition for the sake of the people with no one left behind.

Last but not least, Chinh called for the promotion of innovative financial cooperation and effective investment models, particularly through public-private partnerships, to unlock, mobilise, and efficiently utilise all resources available for sustainable development and energy transition.

The PM took the occasion to announce that Viet Nam will host the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in April 2025. He stated that it reflects the countrys efforts to boost the implementation of work towards sustainable development and energy transition.

The G20 Summit successfully adopted a joint declaration underscoring international solidarity, multilateralism, and a shared commitment to combating poverty and promoting sustainable development.

At the closing ceremony, the ceremonial gavel was passed to officially transfer the G20 presidency to South Africa, with the 2025 summits theme expected to centre on solidarity, equality, and sustainable development.

PM Chinhs participation in and responsible contributions to the summit were highly praised by G20 members and guest nations, reflecting Vietnams growing stature, role, and credibility in addressing global challenges.

Later in the afternoon, PM Chinh, accompanied by his spouse and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam, departed Rio de Janeiro for an official visit to the Dominican Republic at the invitation of President Luis Abinader and his spouse.  VNS
SANTO DOMINGO  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived at Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo on November 19 evening (local time), beginning an official visit to the Dominican Republic.

The visit is made the invitation of President Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona and his spouse. This is the first visit by a key Vietnamese leader to the Dominican Republic, demonstrating Viet Nam's commitment to strengthening and deepening the solidarity, friendship, and cooperation between the two countries, towards the 20th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations.

Chinh and his entourage were greeted at the airport by the Dominican Republics Minister of Agriculture Limber Cruz, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Julio Gomez, and other officials of both countries.

The Vietnamese Government leader is scheduled to hold talks with President Luis Abinader Corona, and meet with the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the leaders of left-wing political parties in the Dominican Republic.

He will attend the inauguration and wreath-laying ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Monument in Santo Domingo, join a Viet Nam - Dominican Republic Business Forum, and engage in other activities.

Over the past two decades, the bilateral ties have blossomed across various sectors, including politics, diplomacy, trade, agriculture, culture and sci-tech. Significant milestones include the appointment of the Dominican Republic's first resident ambassador to Viet Nam in October 2021 and the inauguration of its Embassy in Ha Noi in February 2023. These have made bilateral ties more effective and substantive.

Although the trade partnership currently represents a modest portion of each countrys overall trade volume, it has seen remarkable growth. Two-way trade surged from US$36.5 million in 2013 to nearly US$150.2 million in 2022, with expectations for continued expansion.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Thanh Binh said the visit underscores Viet Nam's foreign policy of fostering friendship and cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean for peace and development. It is expected to generate momentum for expanding bilateral economic, trade, and investment ties, especially in promising fields such as agriculture, industry, construction materials, export processing zones, energy-oil and gas, telecommunications, and tourism.  VNA/VNS
PHNOM PENH  National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Mans upcoming official visit to Cambodia aims to solidify, nurture, and expand the two countriess comprehensive and enduring relationship guided by the principle of "good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability" while underscoring Vietnam's commitment to addressing regional and global issues, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang has said.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the trip from November 21 to 24, Tang highlighted that this is Mans first official visit to the neighbouring country in his capacity as the top legislator. During the visit, he will also represent Vietnams Party and NA at two major international conferences hosted by Cambodia, namely the 12th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and the 11th Plenary Session of International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP).

According to the diplomat, the NA leader and his Cambodian counterpart, Samdech Moha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, are scheduled to co-chair the inauguration ceremony of the Cambodian NA's new administrative building. This 12-storey facility, valued at US$25 million, is a gift from the Vietnamese Party, State, and people. Its construction began in December 2021 and was completed after nearly three years. The building is considered a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations, as emphasised by Cambodian NA Secretary General Leng Peng Long.

Tang went on expressing his optimism about the Viet Nam-Cambodia relationship in the years to come. While challenges remain, the two nations have significant opportunities to elevate their partnership, especially as Cambodia enjoys peace and stability.

Beyond traditional areas of collaboration, the ambassador identified potential new fields for cooperation, including high-tech, digital technology, green technology, clean energy, digital transformation, processing industries, information technology, and artificial intelligence.

On key priorities for the bilateral relationship, the diplomat pointed to the maintenance and promotion of political ties to provide strategic direction for the overall relationship. It is also necessary to overcome challenges and seize opportunities for cooperation improvements across fields, particularly economy, as well as to maintain close collaboration in security, defence, and diplomacy to ensure peace and stability for both nations. Other priorities are to encourage practical cooperation between the sides ministries, parliaments, localities, and social organisations to strengthen people-to-people connections, and to educate citizens, especially the youth, about the historical ties between the two countries.

The ambassador said the legislative bodies of Viet Nam and Cambodia have maintained strong and growing cooperation. Viet Nam has participated in every ICAPP General Assembly since the beginning of its membership, and made its debut at IPTP-11 as a special guest at Cambodia's invitation..

The top legislators attendance at both conferences underscores Viet Nams respect for Cambodias hosting and reflects the rising influence and credibility of Viet Nam on the international stage, Tang said. He affirmed that Viet Nam stands ready to engage in regional and global forums to contribute to peace and happiness of humanity.  VNS
HA NOI  A delegation from the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, held talks with a delegation from Lao News Agency (KPL), headed by General Director Vannasin Simmavong on Wednesday at the headquarters of KPL in Vientiane.

During the discussions, VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang congratulated KPL on successfully fulfilling its mission of providing news coverage for Laos' 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship Year, contributing to enhancing the countrys image and role within the region.

On behalf of Laos, KPL General Director Vannasin Simmavong commended the efforts of VNAs resident correspondents in Vientiane for their dedication to political reporting and for serving as a bridge to strengthen the Laos-Viet Nam relationship.

He also appreciated their close collaboration and consistent support for KPL colleagues.

Both agencies agreed to intensify professional collaboration, particularly in information sharing, to expand coverage across key areas such as politics, diplomacy, economy, culture and society. This exchange aims to further enhance the special friendship, solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos.

KPL committed to supporting VNA in distributing its Vietnamese-language magazine Vietnam Pictorial to a broader Lao audience. It also pledged continued promotion of VNAs online platforms, such as Vietnam Pictorial and VietnamPlus, on KPLs digital channels.

Additionally, KPL will continue to assist VNAs Vientiane bureau with operational activities and provide guidance on press procedures in Laos.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Lao Peoples Democratic Republics National Day (December 2, 1975  December 2, 2025), both agencies agreed to jointly develop a comprehensive communication plan. This includes organising photo exhibitions in Laos and publishing detailed reports on Laos achievements and the enduring Laos-Viet Nam relationship.

VNAs Vientiane bureau was tasked with collaborating with KPL counterparts to develop and implement a detailed action plan.

The two sides agreed to coordinate communication activities for several significant milestones, including the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (February 3, 1930  February 3, 2025), the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Viet Nam and National Reunification (April 30, 1975  April 30, 2025) and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (September 2, 1945  September 2, 2025).

Both agencies also agreed to consider producing a special news series on their unique relationship to mark the 80th anniversary of VNAs Traditional Day (September 15, 1945  September 15, 2025).

In the field of technical operations, both parties committed to enhancing the exchange of governance and operational models for media organisations in the digital age. They agreed to hold online discussions on professional and technical topics and explore the possibility of VNA sending personnel to assist in inspecting KPLs technical systems.

The two sides pledged to maintain close collaboration and mutual support in multilateral journalism forums such as the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA). They also agreed to encourage relevant ministries and agencies in both countries to incorporate suitable cooperative activities into the bilateral programmes of the Viet Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee.

At the conclusion of the talks, VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang presented KPL with technical equipment and computers to support news production and enhance image quality. The two general directors also signed a cooperation memorandum for the upcoming period.  VNS
HA NOI Party General Secretary To Lam and his wife are heading to Malaysia on an official visit from November 21 to 23, a trip that is highly significant in strengthening the already excellent ties between Malaysia and Viet Nam, Deputy Ambassador of Malaysia Cik Aida Safura Niza Othman told the press.

Last year, Malaysia and Viet Nam celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations, marked by a successful official visit by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Ha Noi in July, she said.

This year, the visit by Party General Secretary To Lam at the invitation of our Prime Minister reflects both countries' commitment to strengthening our ties. Viet Nam is an important partner for Malaysia, and the hope is for the visit to provide a catalyst for even greater economic, trade and investment cooperation; cooperation in renewable energy and green technology, information and communications technology, digital economy, tourism, cultural and educational exchanges as well as strengthening regional collaboration, especially within the ASEAN framework, the deputy ambassador stated.

She said as the ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia's priorities will focus on several key areas that align with the region's evolving needs and aspirations. These include strengthening ASEAN centrality, enhancing ASEAN intra-trade and investment, promoting ASEANs capability in leveraging advances in science, technology and innovation, and harnessing the benefits of the digital transformation and new technologies.

Malaysia will also ensure that the elements of inclusivity and sustainability, which is the theme for 2025, remain a focus in our regional community-building efforts, she said.

She said 2025 is also a significant year for Viet Nam in relation to ASEAN, as it marks 30 years of Viet Nams membership.

As for our hope for Viet Nam's contribution to Malaysias chairmanship, Viet Nams strategic position and active role in ASEAN will be essential as we work together to address challenges such as climate change, digital transformation and regional security. I believe that Malaysia and Viet Nam, as close partners, can continue to work hand-in-hand in strengthening ASEANs global influence and ensuring the security, prosperity and cohesion of our region, she said.

Le Hoai Trung, head of the Party Central Committees Commission for External Relations, said Malaysia is an important country in Southeast Asia, with prestige and influence in ASEAN.

The official visit to Malaysia to be made by Party General Secretary To Lam is of great significance in implementing the foreign policy of the 13th National Party Congress and the documents of the Party and State on foreign affairs, he said.

According to those documents, relations with ASEAN countries, Southeast Asian countries and ASEAN as a bloc are of utmost importance.

He confirmed that the visit will contribute to elevating the relationship between the two countries to a new level, thereby helping to create new and important conditions for consolidating peaceful environment and mobilising more resources for national development.

Lam is scheduled to hold meetings with Malaysian politicians and top leaders, including the Malaysian Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and chairmen of the largest political parties in Malaysia.

He will deliver an important policy speech at the University of Malaya, the largest and most prestigious university in Malaysia and a top institution in the region.

The Party General Secretary and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation will meet with the business community, embassy officials, community representatives and Vietnamese students studying in Malaysia.

Trung said Malaysia has witnessed significant growth in digital and green technology, especially with the MADANI Economy, the latest economic framework proposed by the Malaysian Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, Viet Nam is entering a new era of national development, with big changes on the horizon, including new economic orientations in the areas of high technology, the green economy, and energy. These are also important developments for Malaysia, he said.

On that basis, the two countries will complement each other, creating a strong foundation for them to enter a new stage of development and strengthen cooperation in response to new challenges, as well as promote advantages internationally, especially promoting the central role of ASEAN in the region, he noted. VNS
PHAN THIET  US Ambassador Marc Knapper and US Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kevin B. Schneider, joined the Air Defence Air Force (ADAF) Commander Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Hien for the handover of five T-6C Trainer Aircraft on Wednesday.

The delivery of the first batch of T-6C Trainer Aircraft  with a final 12 expected  is a significant milestone in the bilateral defence relationship.

This delivery represents an important step forward in our growing partnership with Viet Nam, said US Ambassador Marc Knapper. The T-6C Trainer Aircraft will provide valuable support to Viet Nams pilot training program, reflecting our shared vision for a strong, prosperous, independent and resilient Viet Nam that contributes to regional stability and security."

In 2021, the Ministry of National Defence and the US Air Forces committed to the T-6C Trainer Aircraft to operationalise and improve the ADAFs pilot training programme.

The delivery of these innovative and technologically advanced aircraft underscores the increasing cooperation between the United States Department of Defense and Viet Nams Ministry of National Defence and reinforces the commitment to joint training and capacity building. This collaboration exemplifies the spirit of the US-Viet Nam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which fosters mutual growth and shared objectives.

Speaking at the event, ADAF Commander Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Hien said: "This aircraft supports Vietnamese military pilots in complementing, enhancing the capability of training, interoperability, meeting the requirements of training military pilots, mission readiness, homeland protection. Viet Nam commits to collaborate with the US in exploiting and utilising T-6C aircraft in the most effective manner, to serve as a basis for the training and assigning tasks in Viet Nam Air Defence Air Force".  VNS
VIENTIANE  Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang met with leaders of Laos in Vientiane on Tuesday on the occasion of attending the 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus).

Making a courtesy call on the General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, Minister Giang congratulated Laos on the success of its ASEAN chairmanship in 2024 with many important meetings. Viet Nam continues its support for Laos during this crucial year, he said.

He also briefed the Lao leader on the current situation in Viet Nam and the results of cooperation between the two countries' defence ministries.

The Lao leader appreciated the meeting between the two countries' defence ministers, expressing satisfaction with the development of their bilateral cooperation.

Affirming that defence is a key pillar of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Viet Nam, Sisoulith urged the two defence ministries to continue to coordinate for the effective implementation of cooperation protocols, programmes and plans. He also stressed the need to widely disseminate the historical and strategic importance of Laos-Viet Nam special relations in the armed forces.

On the same day, Giang also met with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, who stressed that defence cooperation is always one of the pillars of Laos-Viet Nam relations and affirmed that strengthening this cooperation remains a priority for Laos.

Minister Giang reaffirmed the importance Viet Nam attaches to preserving and deepening the special and unwavering relations between the two nations. He thanked Laos for its assistance in searching for, collecting and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who died in Laos during the war.

He informed the Lao PM of the cooperation between the two defence ministries in the recent past, highlighting the success of the second Viet Nam-Laos border defence friendship exchange last October.

Also on the day, Minister Giang had a meeting with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Chansamone Chanyalath, during which the two sides agreed to closely coordinate to implement the defence cooperation protocol for the 2025-29 period as well as the cooperation plan for 2025.

They pointed to several priorities for bilateral cooperation, including Party's work and communication activities about the historical relations and strategic importance of Viet Nam-Laos ties.

The two ministers agreed to maintain available cooperation mechanisms, such as high-level delegation exchanges and defence policy dialogues at the level of deputy ministers, and intensify joint efforts to address non-traditional security challenges, manage and protect the shared borderline, train human resources and continue to research and repatriate the remains of Vietnamese soldiers who died in Laos during wartime.

On this occasion, Giang invited Deputy PM and Defence Minister Chansamone Chanyalath and leaders of the Lao Defence Ministry and the Lao People's Army to attend the 80th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam Peoples Army, the 35th anniversary of the National Defence Day, and the second Viet Nam International Defence Expo slated for mid-December.  VNA/VNS
RIO DE JENAIRO  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held separate meetings with leaders from Spain, Paraguay, Canada, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Vatican, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil, on November 19 (local time).

The Vietnamese government leader respectfully conveyed the regards from Party General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to the leaders. He extended Lam's and Cuong's invitations to the leaders to visit Viet Nam.

Meeting with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, PM Chinh expressed his gratitude to the Canadian government for assisting Viet Nam in recovering from the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi and extended an invitation for PM Trudeau to visit Viet Nam soon.

To deepen and elevate the Viet Nam-Canada Comprehensive Partnership, both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in high-level delegation exchanges, economic, trade, and investment cooperation, ODA collaboration, peacekeeping force training, and to better leverage the strengths of the CPTPP, of which both countries are members.

Meeting with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, Chinh affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to and wishes to deepen its strategic partnership with Spain, and thanked the Spanish government for its support to help Viet Nam in overcoming the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi.

He proposed the two sides strengthen delegation exchanges at all levels and soon sign a new joint action programme between the two governments; promote cooperation with Viet Nam in areas of transport infrastructure, renewable energy, science - technology, and agriculture.

He expressed his hope that Spain will help urge other European Union (EU) member countries to quickly ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and the European Commission (EC) to lift its 'yellow card' warning against Vietnamese seafood.

Agreeing with Chinh's proposals, Sanchez called on the two sides to cooperate in infrastructure development such as subways, urban railways, and urban planning; and promote people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation in sports, tourism, and culture; and mutually support each other at multilateral forums.

In his meeting with Ahmed Sayegh, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates, PM Chinh affirmed Viet Nam's readiness to become a strategic supplier of Halal products, contributing to ensuring food security for the UAE.

The two sides discussed measures to further intensify bilateral cooperation in order to implement the outcomes achieved during the Vietnamese leaders visit to the Middle East nation, and to prepare for the upcoming visit to Viet Nam by the UAE President. They agreed to boost cooperation in maritime connectivity, tourism, aviation, labour, and other potential fields.

The UAE Minister of State stated that his country will actively support and share its experience with Viet Nam in building an international financial hub; and strengthen the connection between innovation hubs of the two nations.

Talking to President of Paraguay Santiago Pena, PM Chinh proposed that the two countries strengthen political and diplomatic exchanges; expand economic, trade and investment cooperation; boost people-to-people exchanges; and promote negotiations on cooperation agreements.

The Vietnamese leader asked Paraguay to continue supporting the completion of the internal review process of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) to facilitate the signing of the Viet Nam-MERCOSUR free trade agreement as soon as possible.

For his part, Pena affirmed that his country always treasures the relationship with Viet Nam and stands ready to act as a bridge promoting Viet Nam's relations with MERCOSUR  the world's leading food trading region.

During their discussion, Chinh and his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong discussed orientations to strengthen bilateral relations in the future, including promoting bilateral cooperation mechanisms; developing new-generation Viet Nam-Singapore industrial parks; enhancing infrastructure and logistics connectivity, and digital connectivity between the two economies. They also talked about collaborating on developing clean and renewable energy systems, forming an electricity grid within ASEAN, and sharing experiences in building international financial hubs. The two PMs also addressed regional and global issues of mutual concern.

During a meeting between PM Chinh and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the two sides expressed their pleasure at the positive developments in the Viet Nam-Holy See relationship in recent times, as evidenced by high-level visits and exchanges between the two sides leaders.

Chinh took the occasion to invite Pietro Parolin to visit Viet Nam. The Vatican PM accepted the invitation with pleasure and said that Pope Francis eagerly looks forward to visiting Viet Nam, thus contributing to promoting the bond between the Holy See and the Catholic Church in Viet Nam, and further fostering the relationship between Viet Nam and the Vatican.

In a discussion with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Chinh thanked and valued WHO for providing effective vaccines to Viet Nam through the COVAX mechanism, which helped Viet Nam respond to and overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that Viet Nam always attaches importance to developing cooperation with WHO to ensure public health.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commended Viet Nam's policies and efforts in responding to epidemics, hoping that Viet Nam will actively support the international community in swiftly adopting a global agreement on epidemic prevention and response for the future. He also proposed strengthening cooperation with Viet Nam to develop an ecosystem for biotechnology and healthcare.  VNA/VNS
The University of Texas at Austin tower on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Austin Alyssa Gisselle Olvera/Staff photographer

Texas students whose families earn less than $100,000 in annual income will soon be eligible for free tuition at every University of Texas System school, administrators announced Wednesday.

The plan expands existing "promise programs" at the system's nine academic institutions, making the benefit available to seven million families that fall under a wider income threshold, UT System Chancellor James Milliken said. The Board of Regents' Academic Affairs Committee passed the measure Wednesday, and the full board finalized it Thursday.

UT System officials said the program will be the farthest-reaching of its kind among Texas public institutions.

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Its a game changer, board Chairman Kevin Eltife said at the committee meeting. There are so many people out there that think they dont have the opportunity to go on to higher education. They think its out of their reach.

The expansion, covering tuition and mandatory fees, will take place for eligible in-state undergraduates in fall 2025.

A majority of Texans would qualify: The state's median household income was $73,000 in 2022, and U.S. Census estimates from 2019 placed 72% of Texas households as earning less than $100,000 a year, according to the Texas Comptroller's Office. In the Gulf Coast region, the number was slightly lower, at 67% of households.

Our hope is that this is a message to Texas students and their families, that you can afford to attend college, Milliken said.

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The UT System Board of Regents established the flagship's program in 2019 with a $167 million endowment. Since then, UT-Austin students with families earning less than $65,000 have been eligible for full tuition coverage, but partial support has also gone to families earning less than $125,000.

Regents brought the program system-wide in 2022, setting up a second endowment of $300 million for its seven other schools. They kicked in another $1 million to help cover Stephen F. Austin State University the next year after it joined the system. The universities have offered free tuition to students at varying family incomes, ranging from annual household earnings of less than $70,000 to earnings of less than $125,000.

To increase the threshold to a minimum of $100,000 next year, UT regents will send an additional $35 million from endowment distributions, the Available University Fund and other resources directly to the universities, Milliken said. The board will then consider additional allocations to the promise program endowments each year after, he said.

Vice Chairman Janiece Longoria received several "hear, hears" at the committee meeting when she pointed out the endowment contributions that enabled the promise programs. The UT System and Texas A&M University System share the nation's largest public university endowment called the Permanent University Fund, a pool of money that collects oil and gas royalties from 2.1 million acres of state-owned land in West Texas.

But for the University Lands and the revenue thats been generated from fossil fuels, none of this would exist, Longoria said.

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UT officials on Wednesday boasted the accomplishments of the program, pointing to increased eligibility at UT El Paso in recent years and widespread use at UT Rio Grande Valley. There, more than 90% of resident undergraduates receive free tuition from the fund, according to a news release. And the number of UT System graduates with debt has declined to 48% in 2023, from 54% in 2019.

Student Regent Anthony John Dragun said his visits to various campuses around the system have also yielded frequent comments about the program.

"This is the single thing that I hear most that students are so appreciative for," Dragun said. "It touches students at every campus who would otherwise not have an opportunity, not only for themselves to get an education but to lift their families out of the cycle as well."

Eltife, who called the program "the proudest thing" he's been a part of on the board, said he hopes increased funding to the endowments will raise the income threshold in future years. The current expansion comes at a significant time for students, however, aligning with Gov. Greg Abbott's call to freeze tuition for two more years.

Were really dovetailing with the governor on his intent," Eltife said. "Hes saying, keep tuition low, and were saying, we agree with you. Were going to hold the line on tuition and on top of that were going to have an endowment that will help students that make $100,000 or less in their family to get there. It's kind of a one-two punch."

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Clarification, 10:28 p.m. Wednesday: An earlier version of this story did not reflect the number of families that are eligible under the new program.
VIENTIANE  The 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM-18) commenced on November 20 in Vientiane, Laos, under the chair of Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Chansamone Chanyalath.

Viet Nam's delegation to the event is led by Defence Minister & Politburo member Phan Van Giang.

In his opening remarks, Deputy PM Chansamone Chanyalath highlighted the importance of peace and security as foundations for economic and social progress, especially amid current global uncertainties. The ADMM-18, he noted, seeks to strengthen international cooperation to address regional challenges, promoting a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient ASEAN.

Minister Giang affirmed Viet Nam's support at the highest level for Laos to fulfil its heavy duty as Chair of ASEAN in 2024.

ADMM-18 adopted several key documents, including guidelines for ADMM-Plus Expert Working Group observers which were co-developed by Laos, the Philippines, and Singapore; and a strategic framework titled ADMM and ADMM-Plus Ready for the Future from Brunei and Singapore. It also approved the second ASEAN-US Maritime Exercise in 2025 and the agenda for the 11th ADMM Plus, scheduled for November 21.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Vientiane Joint Declaration: Together for Peace, Security, and Resilience, which underlined the importance of ADMM and ADMM+ in regional security frameworks. It reaffirmed ASEANs outward-looking approach, fostering trust and mutual understanding with external partners while upholding ASEANs centrality and unity. The declaration reiterated adherence to principles and essential targets specified in the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in enhancing ASEAN's centrality and unity and maintaining a rules-based regional structure in accordance with international law for people's interest.

The document repeated the commitment to peaceful and constructive cooperation of all sides to make the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) a region of peace, stability and prosperity through the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early conclusion of a substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  State President Luong Cuong emphasised that Viet Nam values its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Armenia, underscoring the need to advance bilateral ties in a more substantive and effective manner.

He made his remarks while receiving President of the Armenian National Assembly, Alen Simonyan, on Wednesday in Ha Noi. The meeting took place during the Armenian President's official visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

President Simonyan affirmed Armenia's recognition of Viet Nam as a key partner in the region. He stated that the visit provides an opportunity to continue discussions with Vietnamese counterparts on expanding cooperation across various sectors.

He also highlighted the longstanding mutual support between Viet Nam and Armenia on international platforms, expressing hope for the establishment of new cooperation mechanisms, particularly in trade, commerce and investment, leveraging their memberships in international trade organisations.

President Cuong noted the significant contributions of thousands of Vietnamese students who have studied at Armenian universities and colleges. Many of these individuals have become high-ranking leaders and leading experts in Viet Nam across various fields, forming a valuable connection to further bolster bilateral cooperation.

He praised the outcomes of the talks between National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and the Armenia President and encouraged both legislative bodies to continue working together to create a robust legal framework that facilitates efforts to strengthen cooperation, benefiting both nations while contributing to regional and global peace, stability and development.

President Cuong acknowledged recent positive developments in economic, trade and investment ties, noting that two-way trade exceeded US$400 million in the first months of 2024. However, he remarked that this figure remains modest compared to the potential of both nations.

To unlock this potential, the Vietnamese leader proposed enhancing exchanges and delegation visits at various levels and through different channels to build political trust.

He also suggested intensifying economic, trade and investment cooperation, promoting cultural exchange and people-to-people ties, advancing tourism, connecting localities and resuming educational and training collaboration.

Additionally, President Cuong called for expanding into new areas of cooperation where both sides can complement and support each other, while continuing to coordinate and support one another at international organisations and multilateral forums, especially within the United Nations and the Francophonie.

President Cuong extended an invitation for Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan to visit Viet Nam whenever was convenient.  VNS
BEIJING  People must be at the heart of digital transformation and serve as the driving force and ultimate purpose of sustainable development, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long said on Wednesday.

Speaking to an audience of approximately 1,000 delegates from countries, regions and international organisations across the globe at the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit in Chinas Zhejiang province, Long stressed that digital transformation is an inevitable trend, an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority for countries, towards rapid and sustainable development.

Artificial intelligence, blockchain, Internet of Things, big data, and cloud computing are becoming crucial production tools. Strong digital transformation brings both opportunities and challenges to people, he noted.

He called on countries and organisations to bolster close cooperation to build an Internet community of safety, responsibility and development while laying stress on Viet Nam's significant progress in the digital transformation programme until 2025 with a vision to 2030, focusing on the three pillars of digital government, digital economy and digital society.

Viet Nam, he said, has carved out positive results in digital growth, ranking among the world's top 10 fastest-growing e-commerce markets, 74th among 193 countries in the e-Government Development Index, and 44th out of 133 in the Global Innovation Index this year.

The Deputy PM outlined Viet Nam's key priorities for the new development phase, including perfecting institutional frameworks with special mechanisms for digital transformation, strengthening national digital infrastructure, developing high-quality human resources, promoting digital platforms for citizens and businesses, and building a healthy digital culture while preserving traditional values.

He expressed his confidence that China will continue promoting its important role in the global economy, particularly bolstering digital transformation and green transition, adding with joint international efforts, countries could build a peaceful, safe and prosperous digital future for humanity.

Themed Embracing a People-Centered and AI-for-Good Digital Future - Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace, the summit runs from November 19-22 and features 24 specialised forums addressing critical issues from digital education to AI governance.

On the same day, Long received Lu Dongliang, Chairman and President of China-ASEAN Information Harbor Ltd, during which he highlighted the robust Viet NamChina friendship and comprehensive cooperation over the recent past.

He stated that the Vietnamese Government creates favourable conditions for ministries, sectors and localities to enhance win-win collaboration with Guangxi enterprises, including China-ASEAN Information Harbor Ltd.

He suggested the firm step up discussions, share experience in the development of IT infrastructure as well as IT management with the Vietnamese sides, and bolster collaboration in digital economy with Vietnamese tech giants.

Lu, for his part, expressed his admiration for Viet Nam's digital transformation journey, saying he hopes to foster cooperation with the country in building a data exchange platform and digital workforce training.

The Vietnamese Deputy PM will have a meeting with Wang Hao, Secretary of the Party Committee and Governor of Zhejiang province on Thursday.  VNA/VNS
VIENTIANE  The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) should continue to maintain a close and effective relationship with, and help the Lao News Agency (KPL) keep up with the development of the current digital media, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has said.

Sonexay made the suggestion while hosting a reception in Vientiane on Wednesday for a VNA delegation led by its General Director Vu Viet Trang, who is on a working visit to Laos from November 19-21.

Trang reported to the Lao PM the traditional and faithful cooperative relations between the two national news agencies of Viet Nam and Laos, both during the past arduous struggle and the present cause of national construction and development.

VNA and KPL have always accompanied and supported each other in carrying out information and communications tasks, affirming their roles as national news agencies in each country, she said.

Currently, VNA and KPL are effectively implementing the Professional Cooperation Agreement for the 2022-25 period in the fields of information exchange, professional support and technical equipment, sharing professional experience and communications coordination, especially on important events and holidays of the two countries, Trang added.

Sonexay highly evaluated the traditional, effective and practical cooperative relationship between VNA and KPL, which contributed to consolidating and disseminating information about the special relationship between the two countries.

On behalf of the Lao Government, he thanked VNA for its comprehensive support and assistance to KPL in all fields, emphasising that this clearly demonstrated the close relationship between the two news agencies, helping to strengthen, tighten and further develop the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and two States.

The Lao PM also noted that the two agencies need to do well the tasks of the press such as communicating policies, supervising the implementation of the Party and State's policies and guidelines, and refuting false information.

Notably, in 2025, it is necessary for the two agencies to well-perform the tasks of disseminating information about important events of Laos and Viet Nam as well as the great friendship and special cooperation between the two nations.

Trang thanked the Lao Government and the PM personally for their attention and close guidance on communication activities. VNA and KPL will continue to make efforts and support each other for mutual development to make it commensurate with the special relationship between the two countries, she stressed.

Earlier on the same day, VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang paid courtesy calls to Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suonsavan Viyaketh and Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam, and held talks with KPL General Director Vannasin Simmavong.  VNA/VNS
VIENTIANE  A high-ranking Vietnamese delegation led by Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang attended the ASEAN-US Defence Ministers Informal Meeting in Vientiane, Laos on Wednesday.

The event was co-chaired by Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.

In his address, Giang underlined the increasingly substantive and effective defence cooperation between ASEAN and the US, noting that the US has regularly proposed holding informal meetings with ASEAN defence ministers, actively joined the seven ADMM+ Experts Working Groups, and proactively initiated efforts to enhance cooperation and build capacity for ASEAN member states.

The Vietnamese defence ministry highly values the effectiveness and practicality of the US-proposed activities, which are crucial for regional peace, security and self-resilience, as well as the common development of ASEAN member countries, he said.

With the fifth cycle of the ADMM+ Experts Working Groups underway, Giang reaffirmed the commitment of all parties to promoting dialogue, building trust and making substantive contributions to maintaining regional peace and stability.

This includes consolidating cooperation in the seven areas outlined in the 2022 ASEAN-US Leaders' Statement on the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.

Expressing confidence in the successful co-chairing of the ADMM+ Experts Working Group on Military Medicine by the US and Indonesia in this cycle, Giang reiterated Viet Nams support for and active involvement in US-ASEAN cooperation activities, particularly within the ADMM+ framework.

Austin expressed the USs desire to further enhance practical and effective defence collaboration with ASEAN for the sake of regional peace and security.

In reply, ASEAN defence ministers affirmed their readiness to collaborate with the US and other partners to navigate security challenges, both traditional and non-traditional.

On the sidelines of the 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-18) and the 11th ADMM+ meeting in Vientiane, Giang held a bilateral meeting with Lieut. Gen Domingos Raul, Chief of Defence of Timor Leste.

Both sides acknowledged the positive initial results of Viet Nam-Timor Leste defence ties, including meetings between leaders of the two defence ministries during multilateral events.

A notable example of successful cooperation is the Military Industry-Telecommunications Group (Viettel), which operates in Timor-Leste under the brand Telemor. It has emerged as one of the largest telecom providers in the country, boasting coverage of up to 96 per cent.

Minister Giang wished for enhanced cooperation in areas that align with the needs and capabilities of both countries, and support for Viettel's increasingly effective operations in Timor-Leste.

On the sidelines of ADMM-18, he also engaged with his counterparts from Cambodia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Brunei, discussing measures to reinforce defence ties.  VNA/VNS
THUA THIEN HUE  Hue Central Hospital in the coastal central province of Thua Thien Hue has been actively engaged in international collaboration, gradually mastering many modern medical techniques to make its mark on the global map of medical training.

This move is part of efforts to help the hospital become a leading medical centre in the region.

It is estimated that each year, up to 110 delegations comprising around 500 international experts, doctors and students visit the hospital for research and training.

Mark Richardson Ward, a student from the United Kingdom, chose the hospital as his research and study destination due to its diverse range of specialties and high patient volume, which offered excellent opportunities for observation and learning.

The hospital is also renowned for its medical education services, providing a robust environment for teaching and mentoring in challenging clinical situations.

The most fascinating aspect of his internship was observing the differences in treatment methods as the hospitals doctors, with their expertise in epidemiology, guided him in understanding the diseases prevalent in Viet Nam.

I was also deeply impressed by the diagnostic skills of the doctors here," he said.

Laura Crumly, who was a student at the hospital around 20 years ago, has returned as a nursing expert with colleagues from the Medrix Organisation to train and enhance the capabilities of nurses in post-operative cardiac care.

The trainer said she has noticed significant improvements in the nursing sector at the hospital and praised the strong sense of unity and the nurses' daily commitment to self-improvement and learning.

They make a concerted effort to listen, absorb and apply the knowledge imparted by the Medrix Organisations experts. The development in both knowledge and practical skills has led to significant improvements in patient care, she said.

The hospitals international training and workforce exchange programme, established in 1990, has enabled its medical staff to progressively master advanced healthcare techniques, achieving a level on par with modern medical standards regionally and globally.

In early October, the hospitals Paediatrics and Haematology - Blood Transfusion Department - successfully carried out two sibling stem cell transplants to treat thalassemia in the Central Highlands region.

Professor Lawrence Faulkner, a Paediatric Haematologist-Oncologist Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist, praised the smooth and rapid stem cell collection process.

He commended the nurses and doctors for their careful monitoring and patient care, which minimised the risk of infections.

He believed that the hospital had the necessary expertise in haematology and laboratory testing to effectively implement stem cell transplant techniques.

Previously, the hospital had successfully performed autologous stem cell transplants for 42 paediatric patients, after carefully preparing the infrastructure, technical capabilities, human resources and receiving support from international experts.

To participate in the stem cell transplants, o Thi Kim Hoa, a doctor of the hospitals Paediatric Centre, undertook five months of study in the United States and Japan. She maintained regular online communication with international specialists to acquire further knowledge and experience.

In particular, she learned patient management techniques to ensure the best possible outcomes for the complex treatments.

With the assistance of foreign experts, highly trained medical professionals like Hoa have contributed to significant medical advancements at the hospital and the countrys healthcare system.

A beacon of international friendship

When people mention the 'Japanese mother', no one at the hospitals Paediatric Centre is unaware of Watanabe Kazuyo, President of the Asian Children's Care League.

For paediatric cancer patients and their families, Watanabe is known as a fairy godmother, bringing light and hope to many children suffering from illness.

She has played a crucial role in helping the hospitals Paediatric Centre develop both its infrastructure and the quality of care it provides.

In 2018, she secured funding to help the hospital add a fifth floor to its Paediatric Oncology-Haematology-Stem Cell Transplant Unit, complete with modern medical equipment.

The doctors and nurses there had also benefited from scholarships to study in paediatric oncology.

As a result, the survival rate for child cancer patients has significantly improved, from just 20 per cent in 2014 to 70 per cent in 2024.

Thanks to her efforts, numerous international organisations have become aware of and supported the hospital.

Between 2005 and 2023, she raised nearly JPY140 million (approximately US$ 137.8 million) in funding.

Many international experts in paediatric oncology have also visited the hospital to exchange knowledge, following her invitations.

After nearly 30 years of involvement, Thua Thien Hue Province has become her second home.

Without the long-term, friendly cooperation with the hospital, I would not have been able to return here. I look forward to continuing my collaboration with the hospital and the local community to improve care for cancer patients and increase their survival chances," she said.

Regional healthcare hub

The hospital is playing a pivotal role when Hue City is nearing the final stages of becoming a centrally governed city.

A key part of the transformation is the development of the city into a leading healthcare hub at the regional and international levels.

Therefore, the city is strengthening international cooperation to explore investment opportunities to further elevate the hospital's standards in the years to come.

South Korea has been a particularly important partner in recent years.

Many collaborative projects between the two countries are implemented in the city, including the development of hospitals second facility in Phong ien District over the past 12 years.

Significant improvements in workforce and professional expertise at the facility have been partly thanks to support from South Korean organisations.

Notably, the 36,000 sq.m medical facility was a result of joint efforts, from design to construction.

As the hospitals second facility expands, several non-governmental organisations, hospitals and South Korean businesses are eager to collaborate to enhance and elevate the facilitys capabilities.

In a recent online meeting with the hospitals leader, Speaker of the Republic of Korea (RoK)s National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo, committed to providing continued support to further strengthen healthcare collaboration between the two countries.

Deputy Director of the hospital, Nguyen Thanh Xuan, said the hospital had developed following a balanced approach, offering high-quality services across numerous specialised fields, with high levels of patient satisfaction.

The hospital had attracted numerous foreign experts and students for professional exchange and many young doctors received training in countries with advanced healthcare systems.

This is one of the hospitals key strengths and provides a solid foundation for future international collaborations, connecting with advanced healthcare systems worldwide, he said.

In addition to its long-standing relationships with Japan and South Korea, the hospital was also closely linked with countries such as the United States, France and Germany.  VNS
HA NOI  The 108 Military Central Hospital and Facing the World, a UK-based charity foundation, have formed a partnership to provide surgeries for children with facial deformities in Viet Nam.

The five-year cooperation programme was signed by Major General Le Huu Song, Director of the 108 Military Central Hospital, and Facing the World CEO Katrin Kandel at a ceremony in Ha Noi on November 19.

Under the agreement, Facing the World will provide training fellowships to 108 Military Central Hospital doctors. The foundation will promote cooperation between experts from Facing the World and the hospital's doctors, including both teaching in Viet Nam and fellowship programmes abroad. It will also help promote collaboration between the 108 Military Central Hospital and England's Royal College of Surgeons.

The 108 Military Central Hospital will cover additional funding to invite expert doctors from Facing the World to the hospital for academic and research collaboration.

Speaking at the ceremony, Major General Song said that the agreement will not only help bring smiles to Vietnamese children with facial deformities, but will also give the hospitals medical staff the opportunity to go abroad to study and receive professional training from leading experts.

With the support of Facing the World, a Centre for Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery was established at the 108 Military Central Hospital as the countrys first centre to perform specialised craniofacial orthopaedic techniques in December 2018.

The foundation also organised over 100 fellowship visits for Vietnamese medical specialists and donated InTouch Health telemedicine systems to all partner Vietnamese hospitals.

In the next five years, Facing the World plans to establish appropriate self-sustaining craniofacial centres and outreach programmes in Viet Nam. It will also sponsor training missions to its partner hospitals in Viet Nam and provide 40,000 operations for children with facial deformities in Viet Nam.

The 108 Military Central Hospital has also received a certification from the Royal College of Surgeons of England in recognition of the professional skills of the hospital's surgeons.

The certification not only demonstrates the training quality of the Ha Noi hospital, but also reflects the capacity and professionalism of all doctors and medical experts who work there.

In 2023, the 108 Military Central Hospital, Hong Ngoc and Viet uc (Viet Nam-Germany Friendship Hospital) were the first three hospitals in Viet Nam to receive prestigious accreditation from the Royal College of Surgeons of England.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Transport has said toll collections should be suspended if they cause traffic risks.

Recently issued specific regulations address cases where toll collection at Build-Operation-Transfer (BOT) stations is temporarily suspended and strictly prohibit any fraudulent actions involving road usage fees.

Circular No. 34/2024/TT-BGTVT includes additional regulations on the suspension of toll collection for violating BOT projects.

Specifically, BOT projects must suspend toll collection if the road maintenance quality is poor and has been formally warned twice by the competent authority in writing, with deadlines for rectification provided.

BOT toll stations are also required to suspend toll collection if there are risks to traffic safety. The issue has been highlighted twice by the competent authority with written notices and deadlines, but it remains unresolved or has been resolved late.

The Ministry of Transport stipulates that in both cases, toll collection will be suspended until the issues are resolved, with a minimum suspension period of one day.

Additionally, BOT projects must suspend toll collection if the technology systems or equipment directly related to toll collection break down or malfunction and are not timely repaired in accordance with regulations on electronic payment for road usage.

Suspension may also occur at the request of competent authorities in cases of epidemics, natural disasters, wars, etc; or if the toll operator, management unit or service provider intentionally delays or fails to comply with decisions from competent authorities.

Suspension cases not caused by the fault of the toll management unit, operator, or service provider will be handled according to relevant laws or service agreements.

If toll stations must cease operations due to unforeseeable events, the toll operator must ensure that traffic congestion at the toll station area does not occur, and must promptly report to the toll management unit, the service provider and the competent authority to develop mitigation measures and restore operations as soon as possible.

In cases of traffic congestion caused by force majeure events in the toll station area, the toll operator must open the toll gates and immediately report to the toll management unit and the competent authority for traffic flow management solutions.

The Ministry of Transport also strictly prohibits BOT projects from engaging in fraudulent practices related to road usage fees, colluding to manipulate toll collection activities, interfering with toll collection systems or allowing toll collectors to accept cash payments from road users without issuing a ticket or issuing tickets that do not match the vehicle type passing through the toll station. VNS
A NANG  The Viet Nam-UK Institute for Research and Executive Education (VNUK), under the a Nang University, has plans for an international university  a key base of the a Nang University  in the 2030-50 Master Plan.

A source from the university confirmed that the establishment of a new education body, will help build up a foundation for the development of a Nang as an international knowledge centre in the future.

It said a 6.7 hectare site has been allocated for building the VNUK International University as part of the 286.5ha a Nang University Urban Area project in Hoa Quy Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District of a Nang City and ien Ngoc Ward of ien Ban Town in neighbouring Quang Nam Province.

The Government has approved a project in developing the University of a Nang upgrading it to national status as part of a triangle of strategic education development to include Ha Noi and HCM City.

Deputy Director of the a Nang University and Director of VNUK Nguyen Manh Toan said VNUK, which started in 2014, has already built links with 50 international universities and institutes in the world for education development.

He said a lab for scientific research and biomedical technology of the VNUK was given an investment of VN50 billion (US$2 million) as a progressive factor in boosting its education programmes in terms of start-up, innovation and global citizenships.

According to the Master Plan, the a Nang University Urban Area project would accommodate for more than 66,000 students, lecturers and managing officials by 2035.

The project would need an investment of VN1.7 trillion ($75.2 million)

a Nang University, which is one of the top 50 universities in ASEAN, and a key human resource centre for the central and Central Highlands regions, has developed 12 college-level education centres and trains 90,000 students in technology, engineering, science, economics, trade, finance, foreign languages, medicine, culture, tourism and media studies.

It had signed agreements with Sioux Technologies, the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis and the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) (Francophone University Association).

A Maker Innovation Space was established at the university in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Arizona State University.

The first training course for aviation engineering was also opened in the Technology Science University, under the University of a Nang, in supplying manpower for the Universal Alloy Corporation, an aircraft components factory company from the US, operating in the city. VNS
EQ Resources Ltd is a global tungsten producer with mining activities in Australia and Spain. Meanwhile, TMG Group is the owner and operator of the largest and most advanced ferrotungsten (FeW) plant outside of China, with the potential to produce 4,000 tonnes per annumof FeW. The facility is located in Haiphong, and was built in 2011.

Australia's EQ Resources Limited takes over Tungsten Metals Group Limited. Photo: TMG

The facility has mainly operated as a toll treatment facility for third-party customers, converting primary and secondary tungsten raw materials into high-quality FeW. Due to its scale and favourable cost structure in Vietnam, particularly concerning electricity usage and cost of labour, the facility is regarded as one of the most competitive in the industry.

Per the terms of the agreement, EQR has determined that the enterprise value of TMG Group is A$13.5 million ($8.8 million). The deal is subject to customary due diligence procedures and shareholder approval, and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.

EQRs CEO, Kevin MacNeill, said, EQR is pleased to announce the execution of a 100 per cent acquisition of TMG Group. This transaction aligns with EQRs strategic initiatives to be the pre-eminent western tungsten producer. Upon completion of the transaction, EQR will have achieved a strategic diversification of products, customers and geography, and be the proud 100 per cent owner and operator of critical western tungsten operations on three continents. Additionally, EQR will have achieved vertical integration of our upstream operations, leveraging our substantial resource base and existing production output, throughout the tungsten supply chain.

TMGs executive chair, Tony Adcock, said, "Bringing together TMG Groups advanced ferro tungsten plant in Vietnam with EQRs high quality upstream operations represents a compelling investment case for all shareholders. The TMG board believes there are significant synergies that can be realised following this potential transaction, with the enlarged EQR positioned very well to benefit from the tailwinds in the tungsten and ferro tungsten markets globally.

The facilities production capacity represents more than 80 per cent of the FeW capacity installed outside of China and Russia. The main markets for FeW outside of China are Europe, Japan, South Korea, and the Americas, with a combined annual consumption of 5,000 tonnes. FeW is primarily used as an alloying agent for specialty alloys, with the defence, aerospace, and automotive industries key end markets for the product.

Tungsten is one of the metals classified in the US Restoring Essential Energy and Security Holdings Onshore for Rare Earths Act as a rare earth metal not able to be sourced from China for US armaments after 2026.

SK Group acquires Iscvina Manufacturing for $300 million South Korean conglomerate SK Group has acquired a semiconductor company in the northern province of Vinh Phuc in a deal worth $300 million.

Singapore's M1 acquires 70 per cent stake in Vietnams ADG M1 Limited (M1), a leading telecommunications provider in Singapore, announced on October 29 that it has signed an agreement to acquire a 70 per cent stake in ADG National Investment and Technology Development Corp (ADG), a prominent Information Technology (IT) solutions provider based in Vietnam.
Donna Umechuruba joins the protest of the removal of Lantrip Elementary School principal, Valiza Castro, during a demonstration outside the school on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Castro was put on administrative leave by the school district. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Parents and students protest the removal of Lantrip Elementary School principal, Valiza Castro, during a demonstration outside the school on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Castro was put on administrative leave by the school district. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Murray Gilmore-Innis holds up a sign as hs joins a demonstration protesting the removal of principal, Valiza Castro, at Lantrip Elementary School on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Castro was put on administrative leave by the school district. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Parents and students protest the removal of Lantrip Elementary School principal, Valiza Castro, during a demonstration outside the school on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Castro was put on administrative leave by the school district. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Parents and students protest the removal of Lantrip Elementary School principal, Valiza Castro, during a demonstration outside the school on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Castro was put on administrative leave by the school district. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Parents and students protest the removal of Lantrip Elementary School principal, Valiza Castro, during a demonstration outside the school on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Castro was put on administrative leave by the school district. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Parents and students protest the removal of Lantrip Elementary School principal, Valiza Castro, during a demonstration outside the school on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Castro was put on administrative leave by the school district. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Parents and students protest the removal of Lantrip Elementary School principal, Valiza Castro, during a demonstration outside the school on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Castro was put on administrative leave by the school district. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Parents and students protest the removal of Lantrip Elementary School principal, Valiza Castro, during a demonstration outside the school on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Castro was put on administrative leave by the school district. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Lantrip Elementary School parents protested Wednesday morning for transparency following Houston ISD's abrupt decision to place Principal Valiza Castro on administrative leave.

More than 50 adults with students protested at the East End campus with signs reading "Transparency 4 Parents" and "Our children are worth a good quality education." Parents protested with chants familiar to many other schools across the city, including "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Mike Miles has got to go" and "Mike Miles must go." A child yelled "We love Lantrip," leading parents to start up a chorus of "We love Lantrip."

Lantrip parents are calling on the district to reevaluate its decision to place Castro on leave and to provide clear, transparent communication on the reasoning behind this decision and its plan.

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Central Division Superintendent Luz Martinez acknowledged in a Monday announcement this change is abrupt and that parents will have questions and concerns.

"Ultimately, we believe this shift will best support your child's learning and the workplace experience for Lantrip teachers and staff," Martinez wrote.

But the decision ambushed many parents who came to love Castro's leadership. Parents praised her community engagement events to keep up school grounds, the efficiency to drop-off and pick-up, and support to teachers amid massive turnover, which parents said to be a 70% turnover rate in a website calling for Castro to return and state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles to be fired. Fifteen teachers left the environmental science magnet school in June alone, according to a Chronicle analysis of district records.

Timothy Suing, left, joins a demonstration protesting the removal of principal, Valiza Castro, at Lantrip Elementary School on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Castro was put on administrative leave by the school district. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Timothy Suing, holding a sign with an acrostic that reads "Education requires Accountability 2 Build Community," said the school has seen a dramatic change in culture since the takeover. His daughters both attended Lantrip, with his younger daughter in fifth grade.

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"It used to be a culture where we had a lot of certified teachers who volunteered their time for extracurricular activities," he said. "That's all gone. It's been replaced by a culture of fear. Teachers are afraid to use their own judgment in creating effective lesson plans. They're being watched. They're all afraid to speak. And I think this takeover is really disingenuous. What we have instead is we have an entity that's running the schools that leaves us voiceless."

Holding a sign saying "D is for Diploma not Depression" beside him, fifth-grader Samantha Suing said she feels bored at school this year with demonstrations of learning, a reform implemented by Miles, and presentation slides. She said she wishes there were more fun activities and projects.

"Last year we had a lot more freedom when it came to learning," she said. "Like, there are multiple ways to learn."

District leadership will work with families to build a principal profile to hire a new permanent principal for the next academic year, Martinez wrote Monday. There was no mention of the 18-year educator potentially returning to her role.

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Dave Louie, parent of a second grader, said prior to the protest as word of Castro's removal reached parents that he couldn't think of a reason why HISD would remove Castro in November, just a few months into the school year. He said Castro has communicated well with parents.

"She's very involved with the kids and involved with the activities, whether it's stuff that's going on on weekends or throughout the school week. I think she does a really good job of that," Louie said.

At a Tuesday special board meeting, parent Kelsey Gilmore-Innis expressed regret for supporting HISD's now-defeated bond proposal. She said she read the proposal and found it well thought-out. She discussed it with friends and parents of fellow students and, while she shared with them fear and a lack of trust, she thought the proposed bond was bold and showed commitment to invest in HISD.

"As a parent at Lantrip, I really regret that vote. I feel like a sucker, because that commitment to invest that I saw in that proposal has been completely undercut by the actions taken with regards to our principal," Gilmore-Innis said. "Valiza Castro is committed. She is taking less than nothing that we have at our 85% Latino, 80% disadvantaged school and putting in the time and the effort to make it better."

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Lauren Zentz, parent of a first grader and a pre-K student, said her children are doing well at Lantrip as teachers work hard to make it feel like a normal school year while needing more staff and support.

"The district stripped them of a lot of their resources," Zentz said.

Zentz said it feels like teachers are working harder to make up the difference. Castro came over the summer, and Zentz attended introductory meetings where the principal laid out her plans for the year.

"And she just, I mean, seemed like a major hustler and go-getter who really, really cares about the students and their success, who really cares about building a great school and a great community," Zentz said.
In Vietnam, more than 150 leading healthcare professionals in the fields of cardiovascular, endocrinology, rheumatology, geriatrics, infectious diseases, preventive and general medical practitioners from Southeast Asia gathered in Ho Chi Minh City on November 16 to share diverse perspectives and discuss scientific data, disease burden, global clinical practices, and solutions for adult disease prevention.

First international scientific summit on shingles prevention in adults held in Vietnam

Important issues highlighted by experts at the summit included that ageing weakens the immune system, increasing vulnerability to infections; shingles presents a significant threat beyond skin lesions and pain, especially for adults over 50 and those with compromised immune system, comorbidities increase the risk of shingles, and the prevalence of multiple comorbidities rises with age, compounding this risk; and physicians play a crucial role to protect older adults.

According to experts, as people age, the function of the immune system declines, a process known as immunosenescence, which includes both genetic and environmental factors.

Dr. Anita Sharma, a medical lecturer at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, University of Queensland, and director of the Platinum Medical Centre in Brisbane, Australia, said, As the immune system weakens, the risk of infectious diseases increases along with their complex complications. Age is the leading risk factor for shingles. The incidence of shingles rises sharply after age 50, with data recorded in various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia."

One in three adults will develop shingles, and the complications of the disease are considered a threat to both physical health and the quality of life of patients. Shingles complications include postherpetic neuralgia, which can last more than three months after the onset of the disease, with the risk increasing significantly from age 50.

Additionally, other rare complications of shingles have been reported, such as vision loss following shingles in the eye area, and hearing loss. Studies have shown association of shingles with cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infraction or heart attack and stroke. Pain from shingles significantly affects the quality of life, impacting sleep, daily activities, work, and mood, leading to a sense of not enjoying life. Dr. Anita further elaborated on the risks and burden of the disease.

According to Dr. Than Ha Ngoc The, former head of the Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Care at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, the prevalence of chronic diseases in people aged 50 and over is quite common, including having at least two chronic diseases recorded in different age groups.

Patients with chronic diseases have an increased risk of developing shingles along with serious complications of the disease. The risk of shingles is much higher in over-50 patients with diseases such as diabetes, hypertension or kidney diseases, she said.

Shingles has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and hospitalisation. In some studies, episodes of shingles were shown to be linked to increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. By age group, older patients and those with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease are patients aged 5170 have a higher risk of shingles recurrence compared to those of younger ages.

Shingles may trigger worsening or exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, increase symptoms or dyspnoea, hospitalisation, and receive prescription medication. Additionally, asthma can increase the risk of shingles complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia and corneal inflammation due to shingles.

Diabetic patients have a higher risk of prolonged postherpetic pain (6 months) compared to non-diabetic individuals. Shingles has been associated with negatively affect blood glucose control, with HbA1c increasing by 24 per cent in previously well-controlled patients. Medical costs associated with shingles outbreaks rise, indicating that shingles can become more severe in diabetic patients.

Many national recommendations advocate for vaccination with the shingles vaccine for adults aged 50 and older to prevent the disease, including specific guidelines for those with underlying conditions. Countries such as the US, Germany, Canada, Spain, and Italy have provided guidelines for shingles prevention through vaccinations.

It is estimated that annually, vaccinations can save four to five million lives globally, prevent over five million cases of illness, nine million cases of potential long-term disabilities, and 20 million deaths from 2001 to 2020. Vaccinations can also significantly control infectious diseases.

However, as a lesson from influenza vaccinations, challenges remain with low vaccination coverage among adults and those with chronic conditions. Reasons include low awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases, concerns about the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, and worries about costs and barriers to implementation in healthcare facilities. Therefore, according to Dr. Anita Sharma, quoting recommendations from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, doctors play an essential role in advising and recommending appropriate vaccination plans to patients, as healthcare professionals are the most valued and trusted source of health information for adults.

Arnas Berzanskis, vice president and regional medical affairs head at GSK Emerging Markets, stated, "As we age, our immune system declines; this is a reality we must accept. Consequently, the risk of infectious diseases becomes higher than usual. GSK recognises the importance of addressing healthcare challenges related to infectious diseases by collaborating with health authorities, international and local medical associations, and leading experts to help healthcare professional, patients, and communities increase their awareness of diseases, recognise risks, and prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. Together, we can get ahead of diseases in the coming era of population ageing."

GSK Vietnam and EPLUS partner to increase access to new vaccines GSK Vietnam and EPLUS Research JSC signed an MoU for a strategic partnership on July 3 to bring new medicines and vaccines to Vietnam and help people access the world's innovative healthcare solutions.
QuickPack's state-of-the-art packaging manufacturing facility, the largest in Southeast Asia, will be situated in Long An Province. Photo: Dong Tam Group

The signing was held during the Trade and Investment Promotion Programme in Europe held in France, Belgium, and Germany from November 11-21.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Joerg Schwaderer, chairman of QuickPack Group, expressed his sincere thanks to Long An'sl leadership for their invaluable support in establishing the first factory in Thuan Dao Industrial Park in 2017.

Thanks to the partnership with the industrial park investor, Dong Tam Group has provided an optimal environment for QuickPack to thrive as a leading foreign investor, Schwaderer said.

QuickPack made significant strides in exports, increasing from over 50 TEUs in its initial year to over 2,000 TEUs in 2024. In a strategic move to meet growing demand, QuickPack has committed to doubling its production capacity in Vietnam by expanding its existing 10-hectare industrial facility, which has been in operation for the past seven years. The new factory is set to break ground in 2025, featuring the world's most advanced equipment to produce high-end goods for export to the European, North American, and Australian markets.

One day before, on November 17, the Long An delegation, accompanied by Dong Tam Group, embarked on a visit to the QuickPack Factory in Cologne, Germany.

The purpose of the visit was to gain insights into QuickPack's manufacturing processes and product range, with a particular focus on their eco-friendly products. These products are entirely recyclable, aligning with QuickPack's commitment to environmental sustainability.

This signing ceremony was a pivotal moment for the Southeast Asia Long An Industrial Park, signalling a new era of economic growth for the region. The integrated Long An International Port project, developed by Dong Tam Group, covers a vast 1,935 hectares in Can Giuoc district. This ambitious project brings together an industrial zone, port, urban centre, and industrial service area, creating a synergistic and self-sufficient development ecosystem.

The Long An International Port Complex development in Can Giuoc district. Photo: Dong Tam Group

Long An province aims to transform Can Giuoc District into a global logistics hub and a major trading gateway. The strategy is centered around Long An International Port, Long An Economic Zone, and the surrounding ring road transportation system which will serve as a new growth driver.

This dynamic development will incorporate modern economic models based on existing urban areas, supported by a multi-sector industrial system, advanced port and logistics infrastructure, thriving tourism, service, and trade sectors.

Nguyen Van Duoc, Secretary of Long An Party Committee, talked about a convergence and commonalities between the strengths of Germany and Vietnam, as well as Cologne and Long An.

With a focus on fostering future development, Long An has identified cities such as Cologne, with their strong industrial and mechanical engineering sectors, as prime targets for investment attraction.

The government's dynamic, confident approach and its commitment to providing maximum support for investors make it a perfect partner for Germany. Our shared vision for 2050 aligns perfectly, making this cooperation a natural fit. I propose the establishment of a Long An - Cologne Industrial Park in Long An to facilitate increased investment and cooperation between the two regions, Duoc said.

I would like to request the support of IHK, AHK, and GTAI in realising this initiative. While the German business community in Long An is still developing, the success of companies such as QuickPack highlights the potential for future growth, he added.

Philipp Rosler, former Vice Chancellor of Germany and honorary consul of Vietnam in Switzerland, said in his speech at the event that Vietnam, in general, and Long An, in particular, possess immense untapped potential for development.

Long An, with its developing infrastructure, shared border with Cambodia, and the presence of Long An International Port, offers numerous opportunities to attract foreign investment. Fifteen European Union countries have already invested in Long An, and I am eager to see more German companies join them. The Mekong Delta, especially Long An, is increasingly becoming a hub for high-tech agriculture, demonstrating the regions potential beyond traditional farming and fisheries, he added.

Long An is the first province in the Mekong Delta to be approved for its development planning for 2021-2030, with a vision of becoming a dynamic, efficient, and sustainable economic development centre of the southern region by 2050, and a leading industrial province nationwide by the same year.

With its strategic location, rapid urbanisation, strong infrastructure, and being ranked second in the country for the 2023 Provincial Competitiveness Index, Long An is a prime foreign investment destination.

QuickPack was established in 1966 in Stuttgart-Feuerbach, specialising in household and hygiene products. By expanding its manufacturing footprint to Germany, Poland, and Vietnam, and fostering strategic partnerships worldwide, QuickPack has demonstrated its commitment to growth and adaptability in a dynamic market.

The Dong Tam brand was founded in 1969 in Vietnam, with core competencies in manufacturing and trading of construction materials, as well as interior-exterior decoration. Over its 55 years in the market and 20 years in the development and leasing of industrial park infrastructure, Dong Tam has successfully transformed into a multi-faceted corporation, demonstrating agility and modernity.

Long An province enhances investment ties with US firms A business mission from the southern Vietnamese province of Long An, accompanying Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong's working trip to attend the ongoing APEC 2023 Summit Week in the United States, met with major US companies to promote investment relations between the two sides.

Dong Tam Group and CS Wind Corporation to build $200 million wind power equipment factory Dong Tam Group and CS Wind Corporation signed a deal on September 10 to lease land for the construction of a wind farm equipment factory, with a total investment of up to $200 million.
This significant step underscores Mitsubishi Estate's commitment to delivering high-quality logistics facilities to meet rising regional demand.

Groundbreaking ceremony of Logicross Hai Phong at Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park on November 19

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by authorities, strategic partners, and Mitsubishi Estate Vietnam executives. Logicross Hai Phong, together with Logicross Nam Thuan, marks a new milestone in Mitsubishi Estates global expansion of the Logicross brand.

According to Savills' Industrial Whitepaper, rising demand has driven ready-built factory and warehouse occupancy rates in northern Vietnam to 80 per cent, with high rents observed in Haiphong and Bac Ninh, underscoring the urgent need for additional supply. In response, Logicross Hai Phong, covering 150,968 square metres, will provide a net leasable area (NLA) of 85,700 sq.m of international standard warehouse facilities. The project features two independent warehouse blocks, with a minimum leasing size of 4,400 sq.m. Upon completion, Logicross Hai Phong will stand as one of the largest warehouse facilities in northern Vietnam.

At the event, Takashi Kagamoto, general director of Mitsubishi Estate Vietnam, remarked, This project reflects our confidence in Vietnams industrial sector. With Haiphong leading in foreign direct investment and rising demand from both international and domestic manufacturers, the need for top-tier logistics facilities will continue to grow. Logicross Hai Phong is positioned to meet this demand by offering efficient, flexible, and worldwide standard facilities, backed by our 10 years of expertise in developing high standard logistics facilities in Japan.

Strategic location

Logicross Hai Phong is located in Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park, offering accessibility to major ports and airports, including Haiphong Port, the largest trade gateway in northern Vietnam, facilitating seamless transportation for domestic and international shipments.

The recent completion of the parallel road linking Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park to Tan Vu - Lach Huyen Bridge significantly enhances access from Logicross Hai Phong to key locations, including Haiphong CBD, Lach Huyen port, and nearby industrial zones. Furthermore, this new road is expected to reduce traffic congestion on the extended National Road 5 and within the Dinh Vu area, ultimately optimising both transit times and transportation costs for tenants.

Logicross Hai Phong will also benefit from northern Vietnam's advanced and integrated infrastructure network, with 10 completed expressways and four more under construction. Its proximity to major routes, including national roads 5A, 10, and 18, and the North-South Expressway, the Hanoi-Haiphong Expressway, and the Van Don-Mong Cai Expressway, ensures fast connections to key economic centres and coastal regions, enhancing logistics operations and tenants competitiveness.

Modern infrastructure

Logicross Hai Phong features advanced infrastructure that meets international standards.

Logicross Hai Phong offers infrastructure that meets international standards, designed to enhance operational efficiency and promote tenant fulfilment. The facilitys ceiling height of 10.5 metres allows for optimised vertical storage, while the floor loading capacity of 3.0 tons/sq.m ensures the safe storage of heavy goods, supporting businesses with diverse storage needs. Additionally, integrated natural lighting and LEDs with a motion sensor system provide sufficient illumination throughout the warehouse, promoting better visibility while conserving energy.

Prioritising tenant wellbeing, Logicross Hai Phongs facilities incorporate biophilic design elements, blending nature-inspired aesthetics with functional spaces. The canteen area, offering free Wi-Fi and equipped with Japanese style napping spaces adorned with tatami fabric, creates a comfortable and relaxing environment. This thoughtful design fosters a positive workplace culture, enhancing daily experiences for both employees and visitors.

Commitment to sustainability

Logicross Hai Phong aims to achieve EDGE Advanced Certification, underscoring the projects commitment to energy conservation and reduced environmental impact. Insulation on the roof and walls will regulate indoor temperature, conserve energy, and improve the quality of the working environment. In addition to enhancing tenants' operational efficiency, Logicross Hai Phong supports them in building a sustainable brand.

With its strategic location, sustainable infrastructure, and advanced logistics solutions, Logicross Hai Phong is well-positioned to meet Vietnams growing demand for high-quality logistic infrastructure. The project reinforces Mitsubishi Estates commitment to fostering industrial growth in Vietnam by offering tenants innovative and cost-effective logistics solutions that adhere to global standards.

Contact Information:

Mitsubishi Estate Vietnam Co., Ltd

Address: 17th Floor, Capital Place Tower 1, 29 Lieu Giai Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

Phone: (+84) 24 7304 6068 ; Website: https://logicross.vn

LinkedIn: Logicross Vietnam

About Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1937, Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. is one of Japans largest comprehensive real estate developers, with operations spanning multiple sectors. The companys history dates to 1890, with the acquisition of the Marunouchi site, which has grown into Japans premier business district.

The Logicross brand, launched in 2014, reflects Mitsubishi Estates vision for the future of logistics. With 23 successful projects in Japan, Vietnam marks Logicrosss first step in international expansion, responding to growing demand for world-class logistics facilities in the region.
The initiative was unveiled on November 11, coinciding with the upcoming celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and New Zealand.

For the February 2026 intake, the NZUA offers a total scholarship fund of nearly VND3.2 billion (over $133,000), providing 14 scholarships worth NZ$15,000 each. These scholarships are applicable to all eight of New Zealands universities: University of Auckland , Auckland University of Technology, University of Waikato, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, and University of Otago. Applications are expected to open in May 2025, with further details to be announced soon.

Speaking at the scholarship launch in Ho Chi Minh City, Caroline Beresford, New Zealands Ambassador to Vietnam, highlighted the central role of education in the long-standing partnership between the two countries.

This scholarship launch coincides with the upcoming celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, marking a significant milestone. The provision of scholarships across all three levels underscores New Zealand's dedication and commitment to supporting Vietnamese students, Beresford said.

Caroline Beresford, New Zealands ambassador to Vietnam. Photo: New Zealand Embassy

The ambassador emphasised the transformative impact of education on Vietnamese students studying in New Zealand. By offering these scholarships, we aim to create even more opportunities for students, enabling them to access high-quality education, unlock their potential, and future-proof their careers, she added.

Beyond academic achievement, Beresford stressed the importance of these scholarships in fostering bilateral ties. By participating in this programme, students will gain valuable skills and insights that they can bring back to contribute to Vietnams ongoing development. These scholarships strengthen the bonds between New Zealand and Vietnam, reinforcing our commitment to the Vietnamese community through meaningful and impactful educational

The NZUA programme complements other New Zealand scholarship initiatives tailored for Vietnamese students. These include the New Zealand Schools Scholarships (NZSS) for high school students in grades 8-10 and the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships for postgraduate studies. Together, these programmes provide a full spectrum of support for Vietnamese students across all education levels.

In addition to government-backed scholarships, New Zealand universities offer a variety of financial support options for Vietnamese students, with values ranging from NZD 5,000 to 35,000. Many institutions have introduced dual scholarships and pathway program funding, further enhancing opportunities for international students. Universities also focus on equipping students with job-search skills, career planning, and networking opportunities to boost employability.

New Zealands higher education system is globally renowned, with all eight universities ranked in the top 2 per cent worldwide, according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. The country also leads in sustainability, as recognised by the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024. Notably, half of New Zealands universities hold the prestigious "Triple Crown" accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), an honour achieved by only 1 per cent of business schools globally.

Ben Burrowes, acting general manager of International at ENZ, highlighted the importance of the NZUA programme. The inclusion of all New Zealand universities in the NZUA programme underscores our strong commitment to expanding learning and development opportunities for Vietnamese students at our world-leading institutions. This initiative also demonstrates New Zealands dedication to fostering bilateral educational ties as we approach the 50th anniversary of our partnership with Vietnam.

New Zealands policies also offer significant post-graduation opportunities for international students. Graduates can stay and work in New Zealand for up to three years after earning a bachelors degree. Many international students gain valuable experience with New Zealand companies before advancing their careers in global markets or returning to Vietnam.

With the introduction of the NZUA programme, New Zealand solidifies its commitment to Vietnamese students and strengthens its educational ties with Vietnam. By investing in the academic and professional futures of Vietnamese students, the program not only enhances individual growth but also reinforces the shared vision of development and collaboration between the two nations.
Collaboration to build a skilled workforce that meets international standards has become a concern for businesses in this sector.

At SEMIExpo Vietnam 2024, held on November 7 at the National Innovation Centre (NIC), Do Thi Thu Huong, Intels director of Vietnam Government Affairs, emphasised the importance of business and training institution collaboration to improve the semiconductor workforce quality. In collaboration with training institutions, Intel can enhance the curriculum by providing input and expertise for various roles in the semiconductor industry, she said. To date, Intel has helped train 8,000 to 10,000 semiconductor engineers in Vietnam through various initiatives.

Similarly, Le Quang Dam, general director of Marvell Technology Vietnam, emphasised the need for stronger ties between academia and industry. We need to strengthen collaboration between universities and enterprises. Universities can supply a skilled workforce and engineers, and partner with businesses on projects utilising advanced technologies, Dam said.

Chip manufacturing at Intel's factory. Photo: Duc Thanh

In response to the growing demand for semiconductor talent, training institutions and businesses are launching new programmes to equip learners with practical skills. These initiatives integrate advanced technology into teaching, develop training roadmaps with strong real-world applications, and promote collaboration between educational institutions and enterprises.

Ding Ming Chee, senior director and ASEAN Customer Solution Experience at Dassault Systemes, Asia-Pacific South, a company specialising in science and technology, told VIR, To build a strong semiconductor workforce in Vietnam, our core strategy focuses on partnerships with academic institutions, training the workforce with cutting-edge software tools, continuous learning and certification programmes, and potential internship programmes within the industry.

To bridge the gap between academic learning and industry demands, Dassault Systemes offers semiconductor training solutions using its Virtual Twin Experience, which digitally replicates chip manufacturing processes, allowing learners to engage with real-time data, 3D visualisations, and process feedback. The scalable system supports a sustainable talent pipeline and has been introduced to institutions like the HUTECH Institute under the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi.

In addition to technological solutions, Ding stressed that training collaboration is about addressing immediate workforce needs and implementing sustainable strategies to meet the long-term demands of the semiconductor industry. Close collaboration between educational institutions, government agencies, and semiconductor businesses is essential to ensure the workforce remains agile, adaptive, and equipped to tackle the challenges of an increasingly high-tech, competitive global market, Ding said.

Building on this approach, Dassault Systemes is collaborating with the government to align its workforce development strategies with Vietnams semiconductor industry goals. In early October, the company signed an MoU with NIC to explore key areas of interest, including semiconductor sector development.

Advanced technology is being integrated into semiconductor teaching programmes. Photo: Shutterstock

Elsewhere, FPT Jetking, an educational institution with a clear roadmap for specialised skills development and strong ties with industry, is steadily aligning its training goals with the needs of businesses.

FPT Jetking, a collaboration between FPT University, a division of Vietnam's FPT technology group, and India's 77-year-old Jetking institution, launched its semiconductor design programme in May, aligning with Vietnam's growing appeal to international investors like Samsung, Qualcomm, and Amkor.

Tran Huong, head of communications and corporate cooperation at FPT Jetking, told VIR, We target second- and third-year students majoring in electronics and telecommunications, those with foundational knowledge. At FPT Jetking, they engage in hands-on learning, focusing on tools and real-world challenges faced by businesses. Our programme is optimised to suit the current market and business needs.

The semiconductor design programme at FPT Jetking includes 70 per cent practical training, with instructors providing direct, hands-on guidance. The curriculum focuses on essential skills such as programming, and the use of tools for electronic design automation, system-on-chip design, and VLSI design.

In addition to its industry-focused curriculum, FPT Jetking collaborates with IT, high-tech, and semiconductor companies to link students with businesses through company visits, office tours, and industry seminars. Huong noted that these activities offer students insights into workforce demands, essential skills, and emerging technology trends, enabling them to gain a clearer understanding of the industry.

FPT Jetking has also reviewed its curriculum to ensure that students gain the knowledge and skills required by employers. When collaborating with businesses, we reviewed whether our teaching materials met industry standards, and most companies responded positively. They believe our graduates are well-qualified for junior positions, Huong told VIR.

Efforts to promote high-quality workforce training for the semiconductor sector are also being led by the government. So far, NIC has signed agreements with companies like Qorvo, Cadence, Marvell, Siemens, and ARM to implement talent development programmes in semiconductors.

Nguyen Chi Dung, minister of planning and investment, said at SEMIExpo Vietnam 2024 that the government plans to introduce policies by the end of this year to support semiconductor businesses in workforce development, including the establishment of investment funds for training.

Providing further details, Dung stated at a National Assembly discussion on November 4 that the ministry would propose mechanisms to promote public-private partnerships (PPP) in semiconductor workforce training. This would be part of the review and amendment of laws related to PPP investment, science and technology, and the management of public assets.

According to the government's programme on developing human resources in the semiconductor industry, Vietnam aims to train 50,000 to 100,000 highly skilled workers between 2025 and 2030, in preparation for a new wave of investment in the sector.

Frank Steinert General director, NXP Semiconductor Vietnam Graduates would benefit greatly from understanding the working environment they will enter, including the ability to reflect on their work and processes, and the confidence to question even their instructors. It is also crucial for engineers to grasp the business context behind their tasks, recognising that value must align with customer needs. Many suppliers focus solely on their own benefit, overlooking the fact that the true value they create should be measured by its impact on the customer. Engineers equipped with this mindset will approach their work with a broader perspective, continuously assessing if their contributions remain relevant and valuable. Too often, individuals persist in outdated methods simply because it is the requirement, without stopping to question if a change is needed. Fostering a culture where engineers dare to question their actions is essential for progress. Universities should forge partnerships with industry to ensure students gain practical experience during their studies. This collaboration enriches the educational process and creates revenue streams through joint ventures and spin-offs. Ultimately, such initiatives enable students to bridge the gap between theory and practice, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in real-world environments.

Le Thai Ha Director, Phenikaa Semiconductor Training Centre, Phenikaa University The quality of trainers holds paramount importance in semiconductor training programmes. Trainers must possess a strong foundation in theoretical knowledge paired with practical expertise, and experience in the industry. Scaling up the pool of trainers is the first step to enhance the value of training programmes. Additionally, one of the biggest challenges facing fresh graduate engineers in Vietnam is the gap between their skill levels and the industry's requirements. In the semiconductor industry, companies are prioritising senior engineers over fresh graduates and junior engineers, creating a loop. To break this cycle, it is crucial to provide opportunities for junior engineers and fresh graduates, as senior engineers are ultimately developed from their junior counterparts. Phenikaas training centres were established to bridge this gap by offering advanced courses designed to upskill emerging talent. Phenikaas investments, spanning from facilities to human resources, are focused on long-term growth and scaling. However, the current challenge is maintaining patience. Students and learners tend to be cautious; it takes time for them to recognise the value of upskilling programmes. Furthermore, companies are still evaluating whether our training programmes meet their standards and deliver adequate value. This requires us to remain patient and prioritise quality in our work.

Bach Hung Truong Leader, GIZs Programme Reform of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Vietnam The Programme Reform of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Vietnam is implemented by the German Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ), in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs. Through this programme, a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, comprising various institutes, has been established to support academic institutions by offering inclusive and innovative programmes in fields such as energy and semiconductors, all aligned with German standards. TVETs orientation and goal are to provide skilled workers for tasks in the backend of the semiconductor industry. This requires institutes to be equipped with sufficient practical training facilities and adequate budgets for consumables. They also need highly qualified and skilled instructors capable of delivering practical training to trainees. Overcoming these obstacles and ensuring partnerships between businesses and training institutes are pivotal to bridge the gap between industry demands and workforce training outcomes.

Vietnam poised to become hub in global semiconductor supply chain Vietnam is showcasing the potential to become a key link in the global semiconductor supply chain, with growing appeal in Southeast Asia, improved infrastructure, and a clear development strategy.

Quality must come first in chip mission Companies involved in Vietnams promising semiconductor manufacturing industry have described how they are going about business and outlined what else must be done for them, and the country, to succeed.
Thailand's Thantawan Industry implements a state-of-the-art factory in Tay Ninh. Photo: Savills Vietnam

The lease agreement marks Thantawans inaugural investment in Vietnam, and further strengthens the country's position as a key player in the regional manufacturing and industrial landscape.

The new facility spans 43,057 square metres and features a state-of-the-art factory with a gross floor area of 24,436sq.m. Purpose-built for advanced virgin plastic packaging production, the facility is designed with a production capacity of 9,000 tonnes annually. This project is expected to generate significant local employment opportunities while adhering to strict environmental standards.

Thantawan Industry (Vietnam) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Thantawan Industry Public Co., Ltd., leverages more than 40 years of expertise in delivering innovative and eco-friendly packaging solutions. The investment reflects the companys commitment to meeting rising demand across Southeast Asia while maintaining its reputation for international quality and sustainability.

With a 30-year lease term, this transaction represents one of the longest ready-built factory leases in Vietnams industrial market.

John Campbell, director and head of industrial services at Savills Vietnam, which facilitated the factory lease, said, Phuoc Dong Industrial Park offers a combination of modern infrastructure, strategic connectivity, and access to skilled labour that aligns perfectly with Thantawans operational needs. This partnership underscores Tay Ninhs growing appeal as a destination for industrial investment, particularly for companies seeking competitively priced, ready-built facilities outside traditional hubs like Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Dong Nai.

In the same vein, Tran Manh Hung, chairman of Saigon VRG Investment JSC, which invests in Phuoc Dong Industrial Park, remarked, The facilities at Phuoc Dong Industrial Park have been designed to accommodate diverse industries and meet the precise technical requirements of Thantawans packaging plant. We are confident in the companys potential for sustainable growth at Phuoc Dong Industrial Park and in Vietnam. Our team remains dedicated to ensuring the project progresses smoothly and achieves stable production.

Thai investors increase activities across industries Thai companies continue to deepen their footprint as they bet on the potential of the Vietnamese market.
Sreenivas Tirumala from RMIT University Vietnam

Sreenivas Tirumala, senior lecturer of IT at RMIT University Vietnam

Due to the huge capabilities and influence the US boasts in these domains, the US's cooperation is necessary for developing most countries, including Vietnam, to advance in science and technology. However, recent reports indicate that President-elect Donald Trump is developing sentient technology export policies that might impact Vietnam's technological advances, particularly in AI and cybersecurity.

Although the likelihood of continuing the technological cooperation agreements signed by businesses from both countries in September 2024 is high, the new policies around 'America First'  emphasising design, development, and manufacturing in America  may impact technology transfer through offshore economic and services industries that are planning to invest in Vietnam.

Due to its strategic location, Vietnam is an important partner for the US. This implies that Vietnam will not have to be self-reliant when it comes to cybersecurity, which is one of the country's biggest problems.

The US can provide the necessary technologies to help Vietnam tackle this threat, which can help the US monitor various common threat actors. As decentralised cyber resilience networks are emerging, the US may consider investing in cooperation with Vietnam.

Digital transformation is progressing at a good pace in Vietnam, including in e-government development. However, several areas still need automation, particularly in service industries, which US tech giants like Microsoft would be interested in pursuing.

While key fields like agriculture, manufacturing, and oil and gas could be improved through digital transformation, cooperation in these areas seems unlikely due to the in-country manufacturing and 'Drill, baby, drill' policies of Donald Trump, which encourages American companies to move back to the US or start new manufacturing domestically. Therefore, minimal, if any, support is expected in these areas in terms of technology transfers.

The US has been a world leader in technological advancements, particularly AI. As Vietnam is an emerging nation in AI, technological cooperation and transfer are very important. There is no specific mention of AI-based implementations or support in Donald Trump's policies. However, recent developments in other technological cooperation suggest that the US may be interested in investing (and testing) their AI-based technologies for disaster management and natural calamities in Vietnam.

Seeking support in areas like air pollution and weather forecasting will be a win-win for both the US and Vietnam. The US would have the opportunity to test their new equipment and AI-based models in Vietnam before implementing them on a large scale back home.

However, given Donald Trump's stance on climate change, cooperation's implications remain uncertain.

Scott McDonald, lecturer of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at RMIT University Vietnam

Scott McDonald, lecturer of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at RMIT University Vietnam

While tariffs present challenges, they may also drive innovation and improvement across the Vietnamese industry. The resulting transformation could position Vietnam as an even more valuable trading partner for the US in the years ahead.

There are several key approaches that could reshape Vietnam's export landscape over the next decade. Most importantly, the focus must shift from pure cost competition to value creation. Vietnamese manufacturers would benefit from increasingly investing in advanced technologies and skilled workforce development to move up the value chain.

This transformation is already being discussed across several sectors. Major manufacturers are implementing Industry 4.0 technologies, including AI-driven quality control systems and automated production lines. These investments not only improve efficiency but also help offset potential tariff impacts through reduced operational costs.

Supply chain optimisation emerges as another crucial strategy. Some Vietnamese businesses are developing sophisticated logistics networks that incorporate real-time tracking, advanced inventory management, and predictive analytics. These improvements reduce waste, lower costs, and provide better service to US customers.

Relationship building with US partners is proving equally important. Many Vietnamese companies are moving beyond traditional supplier roles to establish strategic partnerships with US businesses. These collaborations often include joint product development, shared market research, and long-term supply agreements that can help buffer against market fluctuations.

There is an observable shift toward more integrated business relationships. Vietnamese companies are opening US offices, creating distribution networks, and developing direct relationships with end customers. This closer market presence helps maintain competitiveness regardless of tariff levels.

Innovation and specialisation are becoming key differentiators. Rather than competing solely on price, manufacturers are developing unique product offerings and specialised capabilities that make them valuable partners for US businesses. This includes investment in research and development, custom product development, and enhanced quality control systems. We are seeing some Vietnamese companies transform from contract manufacturers to true business partners, capable of delivering comprehensive solutions to US customers.

Looking ahead, several trends might emerge in Vietnams manufacturing industry like increased adoption of digital twin technology for supply chain optimisation; development of green manufacturing processes to meet US market demands; implementation of blockchain-based tracking systems for transparency; establishment of more US-based distribution centres; growth in joint ventures with US technology providers.

Vietnamese businesses are also strengthening their trade compliance capabilities. Companies are investing in expertise and systems to ensure smooth customs processes and maintain trusted trader status with US authorities. This professional approach to compliance helps build confidence with US partners and reduces transaction friction.

As global supply chains continue to evolve, Vietnam's strategic approach to maintaining strong US trade relationships demonstrates the country's growing sophistication in international commerce. Through technology adoption, relationship building, and continuous improvement, Vietnamese businesses must work now towards ensuring their place in the future of global trade.

Considering the political goals of the new administration about to take over the Oval Office, the future of Vietnam-US trade relies on the ability of Vietnamese businesses to adapt and innovate.

Trump claims 'magnificent' victory over Harris Donald Trump claimed a "magnificent" victory over Kamala Harris in the fight for the presidency on Wednesday as results put him on the verge of one of the most stunning comebacks in US political history.

Industrial real estate stocks benefit from US election results Industrial real estate stocks are forecast to benefit from a surge in factory relocations driven by increased FDI following Donald Trump's US election victory.
VLCA 2024 honours corporate governance excellence as listed companies raise the bar

Organised by the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, the Hanoi Stock Exchange, and VIR, with exclusive sponsorship from Dragon Capital, the awards aim to drive continuous improvement in corporate governance standards across Vietnams capital markets.

This years awards introduced updated evaluation criteria, placing greater emphasis on best practices aligned with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development standards.

This marks a deliberate shift towards encouraging Vietnamese companies to go beyond compliance with legal requirements and adopt more advanced governance frameworks that integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles  benchmarks of well-developed markets.

Organisers highlighted that Vietnam is striving to become one of the top five ASEAN countries in corporate governance. This ambition, they noted, is more than a strategic objective; it forms a critical foundation for enhancing national competitiveness, attracting foreign investment, and building a positive reputation in the global financial community.

Ha Thu Thanh, chairwoman of the Vietnam Institute of Directors, underscored the pivotal role of leadership in elevating governance standards.

The first and most critical step in improving corporate governance is changing the mindset of leaders, including board members and executives. Boards of directors must ensure that business strategies are designed and executed with a focus on transparency, efficiency, and sustainability, she said.

Thanh emphasised the importance of ESG integration for long-term growth.

By 2025, companies must establish clear ESG goals, ensuring that these objectives are embedded into their annual business strategies, she noted. These goals should be actively discussed and monitored at board meetings to ensure consistency and meaningful execution.

Achieving governance excellence requires embedding governance and ESG principles systematically across all organisational levels. Boards and executive teams must integrate these elements into regular decision-making processes, ensuring alignment and continuity.

Governance frameworks must evolve beyond policy declarations into actionable processes tied to robust risk management systems. Clear structures that meet transparency and accountability requirements are essential for measuring and managing risks across all levels of the organisation, ensuring consistent implementation.

Among the 25 companies honoured, large-cap firms stood out for their superior governance practices and disclosure standards. However, smaller companies were encouraged to accelerate their efforts to align with their mid- and large-cap peers.

The Corporate Governance Excellence Awards reflect Vietnams commitment to strengthening corporate governance as a cornerstone of its financial markets credibility and competitiveness.

These efforts will not only advance Vietnams global standing but also create a foundation for long-term, sustainable growth and greater investor confidence, the VLCA organising team stressed.

Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability Awards 2024 honors leaders in sustainability innovation Some of the Asia's leading changemakers in sustainable development were recognized at the Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability Awards (ACES) ceremony last week.

VLCA 2018 praises worthy winners A major awards ceremony has honoured companies with strong corporate governance and sustainability reports, in an effort to extend good reporting practices to the entire stock market and bring Vietnam closer to overseas capital inflows.

Ceremony trumpets top companies The Vietnam Listed Company Awards 2020 have shone a light on listed companies with outstanding corporate governance and sustainability efforts during a year when coronavirus dominated global headlines.

Businesses urged to usher in sustainability era Though Vietnam has pledged to achieve net zero by 2050, sustainability awareness remains an obscure concept among listed enterprises. Therefore, a shared understanding of what constitutes sustainability is being deemed critical at local and regional levels to attract and allocate resources towards green development.
The Houston ISD seal is seen before Superintendent Mike Miles speaks before the districts first public budget workshop for the 2024-2025 school year at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Mount Carmel Academy, a charter school partnered with Houston ISD, will have its last day of instruction on Dec. 20, the school's business manager said.

The closure at 7155 Ashburn follows declining enrollment, part of a national trend spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, business manager Vic Bonner, Jr. said. Student enrollment is below the threshold to break even financially.

U.S. NEWS RANKINGS: See where HISD schools rank

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The closure, first reported by Houston Public Media, leaves families to decide what to do for the latter half of the school year. Bonner said the school is following HISD's advice on proper procedures to close the school out.

"Everyone is devastated," Bonner said. "The school has been in existence for 16 years. We have been providing quality education for high school students in the Houston and surrounding areas for 16 years, and we're very proud of that," Bonner said of the school and noted the school is among U.S. News' top high schools.

Houston ISD said the school's administration and board announced the closure at the end of the calendar year due to financial reasons.

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Earl Givens, left, talks with outreach worker Hernan Aguilar on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in the greater Fifth Ward area in Houston as part of the annual point-in-time count. Givens said he stayed in a nearby house that had a hole in the roof and that lacked utilities and that he made money by opening the door for convenience store patrons. The Coalition for the Homeless in Houston and Harris County hopes that outreach will allow them to help people before they become homeless and reduce the presence of people on the streets. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Hernan Aguilar, left, an associate of housing at the Housing Navigation Center, talks with Thomas Smith on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in the greater Fifth Ward area in Houston during the annual point-in-time count. Smith said he had been homeless since his house burned down four years ago. Man, Ive been catching the blues, he said. The Coalition for the Homeless in Houston and Harris County hopes that outreach will allow them to help people before they become homeless and reduce the presence of people on the streets. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

When Kelly Young became chief executive of the Coalition for the Homeless in Houston and Harris County at the beginning of the year, her challenge was clear: The funding cliff looming on the horizon.

During the pandemic, Houston and Harris County poured $150 million of COVID-related funding into fighting homelessness. The number of people counted as living in shelters, cars and tents or places not meant for habitation, such as sidewalks, dropped 17% in 2024 from 2020.

But that money was already winding down and would be gone by the end of 2025. What's more, the Houston Housing Authority, like many housing authorities across the county this year, froze its voucher program, which was a source of housing the coalition pulled from. The pace at which people without homes could be moved into apartments was falling.

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Early that year, Young gave slide presentations to the Houston Rotary Club and other groups with a picture of a cliff at the end, making it clear that, for the coalitions continued success, it was in dire need of funding. By summer, the coalition calculated that unless it filled the $50 million-a-year budget hole, homelessness would spike by 60% by the end of 2026.

And by August, the average stay at the navigation center, which is used to temporarily house people between the time their encampment is shut down to the time apartments open up, had grown to 60 days, hampering the citys ability to decommission encampments.

Something needed to be done.

Kelly Young, the new CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston and Harris County, poses for a photograph on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 at Career and Recovery Resources in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

A new mayor and a case study

Read more about Houston's changing plan to fight homelessness Advocates are doing what they can to prevent a spike in homelessness as COVID-related funding runs out. Sources say Mayor John Whitmire will also host a press conference this week about how the city and its partners plan to address the homeless response budget hole of $70 million a year and reduce the visibility of homelessness in public spaces. Read what we know here.

At the same time the coalition was raising concerns, Mayor John Whitmire, who had campaigned on finding a site outside the public eye where people without homes could get connected with shelter and resources, was looking for a way to do so.

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He tapped Mike Nichols, who had retired from his position as chief executive of the coalition just weeks before, as his housing director.

Nichols quickly began talks with Young and the Downtown Management District. This fall he also began discussing the issue with Larry Satterwhite, who had come to the mayors office from the Houston Police Department and was very familiar with how residents were repeatedly calling for help dealing with homelessness.

During all this, the coalition got a call in late summer from the business district in Westchase, a neighborhood along the western edge of Beltway 8 where it intersects the Westpark Tollway.

Officials at the business district were concerned about a spike in what appeared to be homelessness in the area. But the coalitions annual count of the homeless population did not reflect such a spike. The conversation reflected a common difference between what the coalition was seeing in its annual count and what it was hearing from residents and businesses. Staff decided to go out and gather more data.

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Outreach workers went out to Westchase three times  once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once at night. What they found was more complex than the picture painted by their point-in-time count, which asked people where they slept on a single night in January.

It showed us a migration of folks during the day, said James Gonzalez, the vice president overseeing the coalitions programs, including outreach.

While about 10 people were sleeping on the streets overnight, there were roughly twice as many people there during the day, many of whom abused substances, suffered from mental illness or panhandled to afford the motels they were sleeping in.

While people who stay at motels or crash with friends dont meet HUDs definition of homeless, even if they spend their days out on the streets, their housing was so unstable that it was easy to see how they could one day wind up living in a shelter, car, tent or other place not meant for habitation.

Young used an analogy: The coalition and its partners were busy pulling out people who had fallen into the river of homelessness. By connecting vulnerable people with existing resources, they might be able to prevent them from falling in.

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The coalition began taking this new approach  and local officials noticed an improvement. Mark Hubenak, the Westchase District's vice president of public safety, said he's seen a difference after the coalition began its outreach.

"One thing that helps is they're not scattering them," he said. "They're actually meeting them and trying to get them to the right resource at the right time."

Outreach workers Khena Minor, left, and Hernan Aguilar speak with a homeless man who sleeps in front of an empty building Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in the greater Fifth Ward neighborhood in Houston during the annual point-in-time count of homeless people. The Coalition for the Homeless in Houston and Harris County hopes that outreach will allow them to help people before they become homeless and reduce the presence of people on the streets. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

The coalitions plan

The beauty of the idea was that it was something they could start doing even if they didnt get additional funding. For instance, they could connect people who have mental illnesses with the Harris Center, or those struggling with addiction with the Sobering Center, both of which had their own streams of funding.

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With any luck, they could even collect data to show that their interventions actually saved other institutions money.

This has long been a holy grail of homelessness intervention: showing that helping people stay housed actually saves systems money, and getting those systems that benefit to chip in.

For example, sometimes people are discharged after a surgery even though they dont have a place to live. If the coalition and their partners could show that the cost of housing someone in that situation is less than the costs borne by the hospital or insurance system when the individual is repeatedly hospitalized, maybe there would be a world in which those systems would help pay for housing as preventative care.

After months of discussions with the coalition, Nichols, Satterwhite and Mike Lykes, Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcias chief of staff, joined Young at a panel to discuss the future of homelessness in Houston. There, Nichols pointed to public transit as another example.

Metro has a huge issue with homelessness and a huge expense for dealing with the issue, he said. If Houstons new plan could get off the ground, he said there would no longer be the need to spend so much on security, so he was talking to Metro about chipping in.

Its not a replacement for the need of funding, Young said. Its a strategy because we dont have funding.

Another part of the coalitions plan is to create physical locations throughout the city where people who are homeless or whose housing is unstable can get connected to the relevant resources. I think about it as the library resource referral desk, Young said. Those locations would be at existing organizations that are willing to stay open into the evenings and provide support to people who walk in or are dropped off.

The ultimate goal is what Young called equilibrium. While its impossible to end homelessness, it is possible to make it rare and brief. Equilibrium, by her definition, would mean moving the people who fall into homelessness into housing at a pace such that no one stayed homeless or in a shelter for longer than 30 days.

The coalition calculates it would cost $70 million a year to achieve equilibrium.
A man waits for help to move from an encampment Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, near Minute Maid Park in Houston. A worker from Coalition for the Homeless Houston waited with the man as workers cleared and cleaned the areas around his tent. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

For months, when residents and businesses have raised concerns about homelessness, Houston officials have assured them that a comprehensive plan would soon be announced. Now their $70 million plan is coming into focus, but questions remain about where the money will come from and how the city will carry out its new strategy.

The stakes are high. The new plan comes as Houston, which has been recognized and praised as a model for fighting homelessness, faces a crossroads: Its homelessness initiatives, once buttressed by COVID-related funds, are headed for a budget shortfall.

And while Houstons homelessness strategy has long invested its limited funds in permanent housing instead of temporary shelters, there is increasing pressure  especially from Mayor John Whitmire, who was inaugurated this year  to also find a way to move people out of public spaces while they await that permanent housing. Where the money would come from is unknown.

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One thing that city officials wanted to stress? The new plan, contrary to Whitmires recent statements, will not involve a city-sponsored encampment, according to Larry Satterwhite, the citys director of public safety, and Mike Nichols, the citys director of housing and community development.

Read more about Houston's changing plan to fight homelessness While the details of Houstons $70 million homelessness plan are still to be announced, the Coalition for the Homeless has already outlined a plan of what it will do to try to prevent a spike in homelessness as COVID-related funding runs out. Read about that plan here.

Whitmire on Oct. 30 said the city planned to open its own "city-sponsored encampment," which he defined as a safe residential facility, maybe a tent because the homeless in public space is just not going to be acceptable.

But an encampment is not part of the city's plans, officials said.

When the mayor got frustrated last week, he spoke about something like that, Nichols said during a panel on the future of Houstons response to homelessness. Thats not where were going.

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Instead, the plan  a joint effort by the Coalition for the Homeless in Houston and Harris County, the city, the county and their partners  involves an increased focus on preventing people from falling into homelessness and providing those who do with a place to stay off the streets while theyre awaiting housing.

But how those goals will be achieved, and to what degree, is far from certain.

Carrie Campbell of Houston pauses on the sidewalk Midtown as outreach workers approach her during the annual national point-in-time count of homeless people on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 in Houston, TX. Sharon Steinmann

Who will pay for the city's homelessness plan?

So far, the coalition and its partners have revealed a price tag  $70 million  and details about how they will increase outreach. However, the $70 million has not yet been secured and it is unclear whether it will be by the end of 2025  and whether the city will have the capacity for people to stop sleeping on the streets.

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The chief calls it a moonshot, Nichols said  he was sitting next to Satterwhite, who was interim head of the Houston Police Department. He pointed out the Houston area had made it to the moon before.

Officials also have yet to provide details on a plan for where people without homes will be able to stay while awaiting housing. The city plans to host a news conference about its strategy this week.

Nichols outlined what stood to be lost if the city, county, philanthropists and others fail to pull together the resources to keep homelessness low.

If we dont pull together this money, and homelessness goes the other direction, it may cost Satterwhite and me our jobs, he said. And it may even cost the mayor his job. But the worst will be it will break this system thats wonderful, that works.

Mayoral candidate John Whitmire speaks at a forum hosted by Healthcare for the Homeless for mayoral candidates to speak on their positions on homelessness on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Mayors office promises details

Its all going to come down to the funding, said Mike Lykes, Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcias chief of staff, at the panel with Nichols, Satterwhite and the coalition's chief executive, Kelly Young.

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But funding is one of the biggest question marks in the new plan.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a recent news release that county commissioners were looking into using property tax revenue from Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones to fund housing-first homelessness initiatives. A TIRZ is a special district that can capture taxes to revitalize that specific area.

Nichols said that philanthropists, Metro, TIRZ or management districts were potential sources for the $70 million, and that his department had already located $16 million, although he declined to say what programs that money had been diverted from. Lykes suggested that the state legislature would be able to create a sustainable funding source for the region to use to battle homelessness, such as a special district or a hotel or liquor tax.

The other major question mark, of course, is what the mayor has been talking about since before he was inaugurated: a place where people can go while waiting for homes.

Before mentioning a city-sponsored encampment, his office had discussed utilizing partners, such as the Sobering Center and the Harris Center, to increase the number of shelter beds.

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But the mayors office declined to answer questions about where people will be able to go while awaiting housing, how much money it has secured and what programs theyve come from and what other sources the city will turn to for funding.
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SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster rocket lift off during a test flight Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster rocket lift off during a test flight Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster rocket lift off during a test flight Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster rocket lift off during a test flight Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster rocket lift off during a test flight Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster rocket lift off during a test flight Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster rocket lift off during a test flight Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket flies shortly after liftoff during a flight test Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Super Heavy booster rocket lands in the Gulf of Mexico after its return to the launch pad was called off during a test flight Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Super Heavy booster descends towards the Gulf of Mexico after its return to the launch pad was called off during a flight test Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Super Heavy booster explodes after touching down in the Gulf of Mexico during a flight test Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Joe Wilkinson waits at a roadblock hoping to see President-elect Donald Trumps motorcade before a SpaceX flight test Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A bird flies near the SpaceX Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft before its scheduled launch Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A man watches preparations for a flight test of the SpaceX Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Newlyweds Holley Bolinger and Chris Bell decorated their jeep for a SpaceX flight test Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Newlyweds Holley Bolinger and Chris Bell joke around as they head to their camp site to watch a flight test of SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Two dogs play in water at a campsite as people gather to watch a planned flight test of the SpaceX Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Dozens of people gathered at a campsite to watch a planned flight test of the SpaceX Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A dog with dyed fur plays ahead of the planned launch of the SpaceX Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer People wait for the launch of SpaceX's Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A photograph taken with a camera modified to capture infrared light shows the SpaceX Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft ahead of a planned flight test Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A photograph taken with a camera modified to capture infrared light shows preparations for a planned flight test of the SpaceX Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A photograph taken with a camera modified to capture infrared light shows preparations for a planned flight test of the SpaceX Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Birds fly near the SpaceX Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft before its scheduled launch Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft separate during a flight test Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster rocket lift off during a test flight Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket fly during a flight test Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A woman holds a toy before a SpaceX flight test Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer People wait at a roadblock hoping to see President-elect Donald Trumps motorcade before a flight test of SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, near Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

SpaceX launched the sixth flight test of its Starship rocket on Tuesday in South Texas, failing to stick its robotic landing as President-elect Donald Trump watched nearby with his new political ally, SpaceX founder Elon Musk.

The company didn't meet the necessary criteria to catch its rocket booster with giant mechanical arms, a key step as SpaceX works to create the world's most powerful and fully reusable rocket, and instead directed Super Heavy to land in the Gulf of Mexico.

The launch came just over a month after the company first caught its Super Heavy booster at the launch tower. It was also the first launch since Trump won the presidency and announced he is tapping Musk to lead a new commission to slash government spending.

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The Starship spacecraft, which sits atop the booster and has its own engines and flaps to control its descent, entered space and landed as planned in the Indian Ocean roughly one hour after liftoff.

SpaceX is developing Starship to land humans on the moon and Mars, and Trump has voiced his support for missions to Mars.

Tuesdays liftoff  five weeks after the Oct. 13 launch  was the fastest turnaround between flight tests. The companys iterative style has been somewhat slowed by rebuilding the launch pad, federal mishap investigations, environmental reviews and other factors.

Ultimately, SpaceX hopes to launch, land, refill and immediately launch again. This is partly because one Starship will not have enough propellant to reach the moon or Mars.

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SpaceX will have to launch multiple Starship spacecraft into Earths orbit. These will transfer propellant into a single spacecraft circling the planet, and that orbiting vehicle will provide propellant to the final Starship venturing into deep space.

More immediately, SpaceX said speed is needed to learn quickly and meet the companys commitment to land NASA astronauts on the moon. This is slated to occur in 2026, though many in the industry expect that will slip.

A fully reusable rocket with orbital refilling is the critical breakthrough needed to make life multiplanetary, Musk said Tuesday on X.

The companys sixth flight test had multiple objectives, including reigniting a Starship engine in space  which it accomplished  and testing new thermal protection materials. SpaceX also removed sections of Starships heat shield tiles. On future tests, these tiles would interfere with hardware used to catch Starship akin to how SpaceX catches Super Heavy.

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SpaceX said it didnt catch Super Heavy due to an issue with hardware on the tower that catches the booster.

"We accept no compromises when it comes to ensuring the safety of the public and our team, and the return will only take place if conditions are right," SpaceX said on its website before liftoff.

A stuffed toy shaped like a banana was placed inside Starship as the vehicle's first official payload, nodding at the "banana for scale" trend that helps show an item's actual size. It was also an opportunity to practice the Federal Aviation Administration's payload approval process.

And moving the launch to the afternoon  rather than the morning when previous launches occurred  meant it was daylight when Starship landed in the Indian Ocean, giving its cameras a better view of the landing.

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Give voters a greater say on replacing misbehaving politicians, urge campaigners

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Nov 20th, 2024

Campaigners called for voters to be given a say over who replaces Senedd politicians booted out of office for bad behaviour under a proposed system of recall.

Jessica Blair, director of the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) Cymru, supported calls for a recall system to allow voters to remove misbehaving politicians between elections.

But Ms Blair said voters should have a say over the replacement, warning an element of personal accountability will be lost with the Senedds new closed-list electoral system.

From 2026, people will vote for parties rather than individuals as Wales ditches first past the post in favour of a full form of proportional representation, with no by-elections being held.

Ms Blair said: This idea of replacing someone with the next person on the list, it could be  from the voters perspective  seen as a party being rewarded for bad behaviour.

Punished

Giving evidence to the Senedds standards committee, she added: This shouldnt be necessarily about parties keeping control, it should be about voters having their say.

Labours Mick Antoniw pointed out it is the person, not the party, that has transgressed.

But Ms Blair said: That could also reflect badly on the party or the way a partys handled it, so I dont think its necessarily as clear cut, as this is one persons actions.

She told the committee that three of the four UK Parliament by-elections triggered by recall petitions since 2019 were won by a different party.

She said: Parties can be punished for an individuals bad behaviour or it could be a reflection of changing political support post election. There doesnt seem to be a real case for retaining that partys seat, especially three years after an election, for example.

Accountability

The standards committee will make recommendations on how a recall mechanism should work in Wales as part of its inquiry on Senedd members accountability.

Hannah Blythyn, who chairs the committee, asked witnesses whether the circumstances for recalling a Senedd member should be the same as Westminster.

Ms Blair suggested the triggers  a custodial sentence of less than 12 months, a suspension of at least ten sitting days, or an expenses offence conviction  make a good starting point.

Nia Thomas, ERS Cymrus research officer, agreed rules should be the same for Senedd members as councillors who can be removed if they do not attend meetings for six months.

Ms Blair added: In any other job, you wouldnt be able to do that? If I didnt turn up to work  people would be like whats happening here?, I think there has to be a line in the sand and I think a recall petition is probably appropriate in this instance.

Massive burden

In an earlier evidence session on November 19, Clare Sim, of the Association of Electoral Administrators, warned against replicating Westminsters flawed system of recall.

Ms Sim described the recall process as a massive administrative burden as she raised concerns about the cost to the public purse.

She argued recall petitions, which are open for six weeks in Westminster, should close once the threshold of 10% of the electorate signing has been met.

Mr Antoniw, the former counsel general, suggested a simple yes-no public vote on whether a politician should remain in office in place of a pointless two-stage process.

Colin Everett, chair of the Wales Electoral Co-ordination Board, said it could be a feasible alternative to reduce the administrative burden while protecting the voice of electors.

Far more complex

Ms Sim added that a minimum 25-day timetable would be required for a quasi by-election.

She warned of complications with the 32 constituencies used in Julys general election being paired to create 16 for the Senedd poll in 2026, with each returning six members.

She said: Were talking about potentially three-four authorities being involved  its far more complex than any other process anywhere else in the UK.

Calling for consistency and simplicity, Mr Everett said electors would expect to be able to vote in person on a designated day or days, with a right to a postal or proxy vote.

He rejected suggestions the 10% threshold should need to be met in each of the paired constituencies, saying this would question why they were combined in the first place.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
Wrexham MS and MP call on residents to support Christmas Shoebox Appeal

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Nov 20th, 2024

Residents across Wrexham are being encouraged to support disadvantaged children around the world by taking part in this years Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

Wrexhams Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths, a long-time supporter of Teams4U, recently visited their headquarters on the Llay Industrial Estate, along with Wrexhams Member of Parliament, Andrew Ranger.

Each year the charity runs a nationwide shoebox appeal to provide Christmas gifts to vulnerable children and families who are unlikely to receive any presents.

People are asked to find an old shoebox, wrap it in Christmas paper and fill it with useful gifts. Essential items include toys, educational supplies such as colouring books and pencils, and hygiene provisions such as toothbrushes and combs.

When completed, the shoeboxes should be dropped off at the Teams4U warehouse in Llay before the deadline of Monday 2 December.

Teams4U work alongside the British Red Cross to ensure the packages are handed out to some of the most disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe, many of whom have fled the war in Ukraine.

Last year, Teams4U distributed 64,000 shoeboxes to those in need and any gifts donated that cannot travel abroad for whatever reason are given to local schools.

The famous shoebox gift concept was started in Wrexham over 30 years ago by Teams4U founder, Dave Cooke.

After her visit, Lesley Griffiths MS said: The Shoebox Appeal is such a worthy cause and I am proud this local initiative continues to have such a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable children across the world.

The work Dave, Simon and the team do is commendable. The refugees who fled war-torn Ukraine are in desperate situations and the difference the shoeboxes make to the lives of children and parents cannot be overstated.

Ultimately, the key reason for the initiatives prolonged success is due to the generosity of local residents and I hope people in Wrexham continue to help Teams4U spread joy to children who are living in some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

Andrew Ranger MP added: I was delighted to join Lesley at Teams4U to support their fantastic Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

The incredible work that Dave, Simon and the wider team do makes such a positive impact on children who are often extremely vulnerable, having fled Ukraine.

The fact that they distributed 64,000 shoeboxes last year and are hoping to do the same this year, shows the generosity of the people of Wrexham and beyond.

I donated my own shoebox to bring some Christmas joy to children and families and I look forward to hearing about the continued success of the appeal in 2025 and beyond.
Update (12/10, 2:20 p.m.):

The Reno Police Department has released an incident video regarding the shooting death of Kristopher Gari, which includes bodycam footage, and information regarding the two days leading up to the shooting.

The video is behind an age gate, due to the graphic content of the video.

***The following content may contain graphic or violent imagery.***

Update (11/20, 12:10 p.m.)

The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiners Office has identified the man who died in police shooting near 4th Street in Reno early Monday.

The coroner says 25-year-old Kristopher Gari of Reno died on scene, from multiple gunshot wounds.

The Sparks Police Department is handling the law enforcement investigation for this case.

The shooting remains under investigation.

4:30 P.M. UPDATE 11/18/2024:

A suspect was fatally shot by an officer with the Reno Police Department early Monday morning in northwest Reno.

It happened in the area of 4th Street and Keystone Avenue just before 1:40 a.m.

According to a release from the Sparks Police Department, the suspect had fled from Reno officers twice in his car during incidents over the weekend.

On Monday morning the suspect and an officer got into an altercation, resulting in shots being fired by police.

The suspect was pronounced dead on scene after officers and REMSA tried life-saving measures.

The Sparks Police Department will be the lead investigative agency in the shooting, with assistance from the Washoe County Sheriffs Office.

The identity of the suspect is being withheld until the next of kin can be notified.

---

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

A person is dead after being shot by police in west Reno early Monday morning.

It happened around 1:30 a.m. near the Maverik gas station on West Fourth Street.

Police say officers in the area noticed a suspect who was wanted on a warrant, inside a car.

"Officers located a wanted subject behind me at the Maverik. They attempted to take that individual into custody. That individual is deceased, says Chris Johnson, Reno Police.

Reno Police say one officer suffered minor injuries.

Sparks Police Department will be taking over the investigation.

If you have any information that can help authorities, call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.
11/22/24, 9:45 P.M. UPDATE

More than 500 people are without power across northern Nevada Friday night according to NV Energy's outage map.

The cause for most of the outages is under investigation according to NV Energy, but a car crash west of Carson City is causing an outage for six people, while a tree on the line is causing an outage for three in south Reno.

Right now, three people are confirmed as being without power due to a PSOM. Those customers are expected to have power back by 9 a.m. on Saturday.

There is no estimated time for power to be restored for the majority of those affected by outages at this time.

---

11/22/24, 5 P.M. UPDATE

NV Energy is reporting 82 people without power in the Reno-Sparks area, and 16 more without power across the rest of northern Nevada.

The cause for the Reno-Sparks outages is not known at this time according to the NV Energy website.

Meanwhile, 16 people are without power in the Carson/Genoa area where NV Energy warned of PSOM outages.

Of those 16, NV Energy's outage map confirms three are the result of a PSOM, while data is unavailable on 12 of the customers affected and the cause of another outage is under investigation.

---

11/22/24, 8:40 A.M. UPDATE

A planned power outage is currently underway for portions of Carson/Genoa.

NV Energy says, "due to the changing weather conditions, we had to begin the outage earlier than expected. We apologize for the disruptions."

Previously NV Energy said that if this outage would occur, it would last until 7 p.m. which includes time to patrol the area before re-energization, if there's no damage found on patrol.

* Genoa North

* South Carson City  Clear Creek

* South Carson City - Jacks Valley

NOVEMBER 21:

NV Energy has ended its planned outages for parts of Genoa and Jacks Valley but warns Genoa may need to undergo another outage on Friday.

NV Energy says the planned outages ended Thursday for Genoa North, Clear Creek and Jacks Valley and customers were back on by about 8:30 a.m.

While patrolling, utility crews found broken cross arm that had to be fixed before all customers could be fully re-energized.

Due to the high winds forecast for Friday, NV Energy says the Genoa North zone will need to re-enter a PSOM watch for a potential outage. This is a small group of customers.

If an outage does occur, it would run from approximately 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., which includes time to patrol the area before re-energization, if there's no damage found on patrol.

11/20/24, 7:45 P.M. UPDATE

Most NV Energy customers affected by PSOM outages throughout Wednesday have had their power restored.

In a release, the power company said about 42 customers in the Genoa North, Clear Creek, and Jacks Valley area will remain without power until Thursday morning due to continued high winds.

Customers in the Virginia City Highlands, Washoe Valley, Southwest Reno, and Galena zones have had their power restored.

---

11/20/24, 7:10 P.M. UPDATE

The Carson City School District has announced that all schools in the district will be open on Thursday.

In a release, the district said this includes all school sites including Bordewich Bray and Carson Middle School.

---

11/20/24, 3 P.M. UPDATE

NV Energy is reporting that teams have begun patrols of their equipment following hurricane-level winds Wednesday morning that forced power shutoffs.

Pending the results of those patrols, many customers could see their power restored by Wednesday night, the utility company said in a release.

If damage is found, customers could remain without power until Thursday.

If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous and report it immediately by calling 911.

---

11/20/24, 1:15 P.M. UPDATE

NV Energy has pro-actively shut off power to more than 10,000 customers across Northern Nevada for 'wildfire mitigation'.

Most of the outages started around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday across Genoa North, South Carson City - Clear Creek, South Carson City - Jacks Valley, Virginia City Highlands, Galena, Washoe Valley and Southwest Reno.

Customers in Verdi remain in a WARNING status. NV Energy warns it may need to de-energize that area if certain conditions are met but they remain in power at this time.

There's no estimated time on restoration, for most of the outages.

At one point, more than 15,000 customers had their power shut off.

SCHOOL CLOSURES

WCSD says all classes and events at Pleasant Valley, Huffaker and Roy Gomm Elementary schools will be canceled for Wednesday, November 20, and there will be no before - or after school activities.

Meanwhile, NV Energy has imposed a planned Power Outage at four school sites in Carson City. School will be closed/canceled for the entire day at Bordewich Bray Elementary, Carson Middle, the District Office and Student Support Services.

All employees and students who report to these specific school sites should remain home. No student activities, afterschool programs or practices will occur at only these schools. All other school sites will have power and the school day will remain unchanged.

It recently rained/snowed, why is NV Energy still issuing a PSOM?

The utility says, "the recent precipitation received in northern Nevada is no match for the high winds forecasted for Wednesday. The prefrontal winds will dry and cure fuels to critical levels erasing any relief the previous moisture provided. Safety is NV Energys highest priority. Proactive outages are a key measure of defense to help protect the community and environment from wildfires."

WARMING CENTERS

Douglas County has established a warming center at the Douglas County Community & Senior Center (1329 Waterloo Ln, Gardnerville, NV 89410). Residents needing a place to warm up can visit during the centers regular business hours (6 a.m. - 9 p.m.).

Douglas County Emergency Management is assisting with lodging accommodations for impacted residents. If you are an impacted resident and need assistance finding overnight lodging, contact dcem@douglasnv.us or 775-783-6037.

RESORTS

Peppermill Reno is offering special rates to Washoe County residents impacted by recent power outages. Resort fees will be waived.

Rates per night:

 North/West Wing: $55

 Peppermill Tower: $65

 Tuscany Tower: $95

Does not include tax or tourism surcharge. Guests must mention code HEVAC at the time of booking and present proof of Washoe County residency upon check-in.

The Eldorado Resort Casino, Circus Circus Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino is offering a special rate of $59 with complimentary resort fee for anyone that has been affected by the power outages in Northern Nevada due to high winds. Call 1-800-223-7277 to book this rate.

0:31 +5 Liberty Utilities implements planned outages to parts of California Liberty is now implementing a planned power outage to numerous customers across California.

FOOD CONCERNS

---

11/19/24, 4 P.M. UPDATE

NV Energy has announced that due to weather conditions they are moving into a PSOM warning.

A watch had been issued earlier Tuesday.

The energy company is extending the potential time frame of the outage for the eight zones identified previously today.

A proactive outage is possible on Wednesday starting at 6 a.m. and lasting well into Thursday.

All impacted customers have been notified via phone, text and email messages.

The proactive outage may be cancelled if weather conditions improve.

Additional information including PSOM updates, PSOM criteria, preparedness information and PSOM Zone maps can be found at nvenergy.com/PSOM.

---

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Looking at current weather patterns, NV Energy is issuing a Public Safety Outage Management Watch in the area.

The PSOM Watch is in effect for the following locations:

* Genoa North

* South Carson City  Clear Creek

* South Carson City - Jacks Valley

* Virginia City Highlands

* Verdi

* Galena

* Washoe Valley

* Southwest Reno

A proactive outage is possible on Wednesday starting at 6:00 a.m. and lasting until 12:00 noon.

The timeframe of the potential outage takes into account the duration of the weather predicted to come through the area, and the time it would take NV Energy crews to inspect lines before restoring power.

During a PSOM proactive outage, lines are de-energized in high-risk zones to protect the area from wildfires.

For tips and information on preparing a safety plan, visit NV Energy's website.
Airshow China mirrors new high of aviation market

13:48, November 20, 2024 By Qiu Chaoyi, He Linping, Gu Yekai ( People's Daily

Visitors watch an aerobatic performance at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on Nov. 15, 2024, the first public day of the event. (People's Daily Online/Deng Guohui)

The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, was held in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong province from Nov. 12 to 17. The event was joined by over 1,000 enterprises from 47 countries and regions.

From major national defense equipment to intelligent devices, and from green technologies to low-altitude economy, the 15th Airshow China showcased the technological innovations in China's aviation, aerospace, and defense sectors, building a platform for domestic and international companies to exchange and collaborate.

Around 285.6 billion yuan (about $39.7 billion) worth of deals were signed at the exhibition, involving a record 1,195 aircraft.

At the exhibition, a large number of cutting-edge products made their debut, dazzling the audience.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) brought nearly 200 technological achievements to the event, including the Chang'e-6 lunar probe and the Long March 12 carrier rocket. Seventy-five percent of these achievements were unveiled for the first time.

In particular, a model of the world's first geostationary microwave meteorological satellite caught audience's attention. "After years of research and development, we have overcome a series of technical challenges. This satellite can achieve three-dimensional detection of clouds, rain, and atmospheric internal structures in real-time, all-weather, and high-frequency," said Yang Zhihao, deputy director of the science and technology committee of the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, CASC.

The satellite is expected to be launched around 2026 and will play an active role in disaster prevention and reduction, Yang revealed.

People visit a pavilion at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, Nov. 15, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Deng Guohui)

Intelligent unmanned equipment of all types was a highlight at the exhibition. "The application of intelligent equipment and command control systems has equipped us with the wings of informatization, digitization, and unmanned operation," said Cheng Ziheng, a spokesperson of China North Industries Group Corporation Limited.

Among the 67 exhibited products brought to the event by Aero Engine Corporation of China, nearly half were unveiled for the first time. Many green products of the corporation left a deep impression on the audience.

At the entrance of the exhibition hall, there were two domestically produced engines, the CJ2000 and the CJ1000A. "They are used for wide-body and single-aisle aircraft respectively, featuring low emissions, low noise, and low fuel consumption," said Yang Song, a spokesperson of Aero Engine Corporation of China.

Prior to the event, a special sea bass auction was held in Zhuhai. A drone flew to a remote sea farming platform, where it was loaded with 150 kilograms of sea bass, and returned to the auction site in just 10 minutes. Upon opening the box, the fish were still lively.

With the booming development of low-altitude economy, a low-altitude economy pavilion was set up at this year's Airshow China. In addition to showcasing new products and applications, the event also hosted various forums, performances, signings, and other activities to provide a platform for exchange and cooperation in the development of the low-altitude economy.

As the number of low-altitude aircraft surges, how to manage them in a science-based and efficient manner has become a hot topic. Some companies provided solutions at the air show.

For example, Aviation Industry Corporation of China exhibited a series of low-altitude security equipment, which can be used to protect important facilities such as airports, warehouses, oil fields, and substations. Guangzhou Haige Communications Group launched a low-altitude flight management service platform, which can provide full-process services before, during, and after flights. China Electronics Technology Group Corporation showcased a low-altitude flight management service platform that supports real-time monitoring of more than 100,000 flight operations.

An eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft manufactured by Chinese drone maker EHang Holdings Limited is exhibited at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, Nov. 13, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Long Wei)

As one of the world's top five air shows, the Airshow China serves not only as a showcase for new equipment, technologies, and applications from both domestic and international participants, but also as a major stage for aviation and aerospace companies to deepen cooperation and expand their market presence.

It is reported that the number of foreign exhibitors at this year's Airshow China increased by 104 percent compared to that in the previous edition, with countries such as Russia, France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Italy taking part in group displays. Leading global aviation companies like Airbus and Embraer also came to the event to seek cooperation opportunities.

Today, China is Airbus's largest single-country market. Airbus predicted that over the next 20 years, more than 20 percent of the total global demand for new passenger and cargo aircraft will come from the Chinese market.

During the air show, Airbus signed a series of cooperation agreements covering various areas such as innovative research and development and industrial collaboration.

George Xu, CEO of Airbus China, said that the company will continue to expand its presence in China, support the high-quality development of the Chinese aviation industry, and actively contribute to the global aviation sector.

This year, GE Aerospace joined the Airshow China as an independent brand for the first time. The company, together with its joint venture, has signed strategic cooperation agreements with several Chinese airlines, securing orders worth nearly $1.9 billion.

Xiang Weiming, vice president of GE Aerospace, expressed confidence in the prospects of the Chinese market. He said the company will continue to expand its aircraft engine maintenance network in China, increase investment in production and manufacturing, and support the development of China's civil aviation industry.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Octavia Johnson is a general assignment reporter for the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Bluesky (@octaviajnews.bsky.social), TikTok (@octaviaj_news) and Facebook (Octavia R. Johnson).

Before joining the Chronicle, Octavia worked as a digital content producer at WATE-TV in Knoxville, Tenn., where she became a leader in producing fast-paced, audience-focused content.

Octavia graduated from UNC Pembroke with a bachelor's degree in journalism before earning her master's degree in media and communications at Norfolk State University.
Weather Alert

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM PDT SUNDAY... * WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. Winds over Pyramid Lake 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph and waves 2 to 5 feet. * WHERE...In California, Surprise Valley California. In Nevada, Northern Washoe County, Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake, and Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area. * WHEN...From 11 AM to 8 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Reduced visibility is also possible due to blowing dust especially near desert areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds may knock down burned trees in the Davis Fire burn area. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Now is the time to secure loose outdoor items such as patio furniture, holiday decorations, and trash cans before winds increase which could blow these items away. The best thing to do is prepare ahead of time by making sure you have extra food and water on hand, flashlights with spare batteries and/or candles in the event of a power outage. &&


Investor Presentation

Perth, Nov 20, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd ( ASX:PIQ ) is pleased to release a copy of the presentation to be provided by Dr Richard Lipscombe today to attendees of the Bell Potter Healthcare Conference 2024.



*To view the presentation, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/E331RHW6





About Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd





Proteomics International Laboratories (ASX:PIQ) is a wholly owned subsidiary and trading name of PILL, a medical technology company at the forefront of predictive diagnostics and bioanalytical services. The Company specialises in the area of proteomics - the industrial scale study of the structure and function of proteins. Proteomics International's mission is to improve the quality of lives by the creation and application of innovative tools that enable the improved treatment of disease.

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A$3.7M Capital Raising Successfully Completed and Drill Rig Mobilising

Perth, Nov 20, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Redcastle Resources Ltd. ( ASX:RC1 ) is pleased to advise that the Share Placement and Share Purchase Plan ('SPP') announced on 18 September 2024 have been successfully completed, raising total proceeds of A$3.7M. This will fully fund the Company's drilling program as outlined in an ASX release dated 14 November 2024.



HIGHLIGHTS:



- Successful completion of A$3.7 million Share Placement and Share Purchase Plan (SPP) triggers commencement of decisive exploration round.



- 8,000-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Queen Alexandra and Redcastle Reef Projects due to start this week following mobilisation of rig.



- Drilling to follow up on expanding and identifying new JORC resources and new targets in known zones of gold mineralisation.



- Redcastle is now logistically positioned to rapidly unlock significant value in its core Eastern Goldfields assets, WA.



The Company expects a drill rig to arrive on site this week to commence drilling. In total the program involves an 8,000m Reverse Circulation ('RC') of drilling within its 100% owned Queen Alexandra ('QA') and Redcastle Reef ('RR') Projects, situated within the highly prospective Eastern Goldfields, between Leonora-Laverton region (Figure 1). The Queen Alexandra component of the program will be supplemented by a deep diamond cored exploration hole following Redcastle's securing of co-funded support through the Western Australian Government's Exploration Incentive Scheme, as announced on 05 November 2024.



Management Commentary



Commenting on the latest developments, RC1 Chairman Dr Ray Shaw said: "The ability to successfully complete this significant capital raising during a period of record gold commodity prices when investors understandably target gold producers, attests to the confidence our shareholders place on the focused and systematic approach our technical team and board intend to exercise in what will be a determining period of the Company's future growth. I extend my gratitude to our shareholders and Lead Manager, Xcel Capital ,for their ongoing support in providing Redcastle with this exciting opportunity.



With a robust position in a proven, world-class gold mining district, Redcastle's market capitalisation makes it uniquely placed to unlock shareholder value in the short term, given the exposure this drilling program affords. We look forward to providing further updates as progress continues.".





About Redcastle Resources Limited





Redcastle Resources Limited (ASX:RC1) is focused as a gold and mineral resources exploration company. Its immediate focus will be pursuing success at its 100% owned Redcastle Gold Project within the north eastern goldfields of Western Australia.

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Memorial Hermann Hospital is seen in 2022 in Houston. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the Memorial Hermann Health System for allegedly prohibiting off-duty police officers from carrying their firearms at the organization's facilities, according to court records. Leslie Plaza Johnson/Contributor

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the Memorial Hermann Health System for allegedly prohibiting off-duty police officers from carrying their firearms at the organization's facilities, according to court records.

The suit, which was filed Tuesday, claimed that, in at least 10 instances, law enforcement officers were barred from carrying their service weapons at Memorial Hermann locations in and around Houston. Paxton is seeking $1,000 in civil penalties for each violation, in addition to associated legal fees.

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The alleged violations, which occurred between 2022 and October 2024, were reported at various Memorial Hermann locations by both active and retired law enforcement officers, including one former FBI special agent, according to the complaint.

According to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, an establishment serving the public may not prohibit or otherwise restrict a peace officer or special investigator from carrying on the establishment's premises a weapon that the peace officer or special investigator is otherwise authorized to carry.

The Texas Attorney General's Office and the Memorial Hermann Health System did not immediately respond to the Houston Chronicle's request for comment.

The suit against Memorial Hermann followed similar litigation filed by Paxton earlier this year. In March, four Dallas businesses, including the state fair, were sued by the state for failing to comply with the law.

Paxtons legal spat with the state fair culminated in an appearance before the Texas Supreme Court that ended with the justices upholding the fairs gun ban, which made specific exemptions for off-duty police.

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It's the second dispute between the Texas attorney general and Memorial Hermann in two years.

In 2023, the Memorial Hermann Health System said it would add clarifying language to it's website regarding the availability of records for parents inquiring on behalf of their children after Paxton accused the organization of possible misrepresentations of record availability.

Law enforcement officers have a duty to carry firearms, according to the Harris County Sheriffs Office. While off duty, Harris County deputies must carry or have in their immediate possession their issued badge, HCSO identification and an approved firearm.

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Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee filed a lawsuit on behalf of retired HISD teacher Wanda Jackson, who said she was scammed out of two properties. In this photo, Menefee answers a question during a press conference responding to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons lawsuit challenging the Uplift Harris program Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Harris County Administration Building in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Wanda Jackson said she doesnt remember signing away the rights to her two properties, one of which was the home where she raised her two children.

At the time, she was recovering from an illness that she said affected her mental and physical abilities.

It never dawned on me, because I didn't have the mental function to say, Wait a minute, something has happened because I didn't know, said Jackson, a former Houston ISD teacher. Because to me, there were no signs of anything being wrong.

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Now, Jackson is at the center of a lawsuit filed last week by Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee. The lawsuit alleges that two men, Malcolm Pryor and James Mayer, were involved in a series of circumstances that ultimately cost Jackson ownership of both properties.

Jackson was the previous owner of two properties, one being her Houston home of over 40 years and the other being her late mothers East Texas home.

The roof of Jacksons home was damaged in 2018 during Hurricane Harvey, but she did not have sufficient means to replace it, according to the lawsuit. The East Texas property also needed repairs, the lawsuit states.

Pryor approached Jackson and said he would make repairs to both properties, according to the lawsuit. In the meantime, Jackson agreed to sign over the titles of both properties to Pryor's company, South Victory Group, LLC, and told her the titles would be transferred back once repairs were complete, the lawsuit alleges.

Last year, Pryor was found guilty of a felony of providing a false statement to obtain credit involving $150,000 to $300,000, court records show. He could not be reached for comment as of Wednesday morning.

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While Pryor did complete several repairs to Jacksons East Texas homes, his company gave one of the properties and transferred ownership of the other property to James Mayer, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that both Pryor and Mayer financially benefited from the operation.

Mayer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Despite her legal efforts, Jackson was evicted from her Houston home in April 2023.

As for Jackson, once the proud owner of two modest homes, she is now left with no home and without most of the contents from both homes, the lawsuit reads. After merely seeking financing for repairs to both properties, Jackson lost both homes, the unfortunate consequence of defendants greed and fraud.

The lawsuit accuses both men of deceptive trade practices act violations and real estate fraud. Pryor is also accused of recording of fraudulent lien and mandatory statutory disclosure liability.

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Schemes like those perpetrated by Pryor and Mayerparticularly those that prey on the elderly and vulnerablehave no place in Harris County, the lawsuit reads.

Jacksons story is also the driving force behind Menefees newly launched Stay Scam Free initiative, which aims to prevent Harris County residents from falling victim to predatory scams.

A free downloadable resource guide is available to residents and includes educational information about the most prevalent types of scams. The guide also offers free tips and tools to recognize, avoid and report fraud.

The Harris County Attorneys Office is dedicated to protecting our residents from dishonest business practices. If you are a business trying to take advantage of your neighbors, we will do everything we can under Texas law to stop it, Menefee said in a news release. By sharing knowledge, reaching out, and getting involved, we believe we can continue to help build trust and keep consumers safe.

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Jackson said she hopes the initiative is a force of good in the community.
Beyond Snack, banana chips brand, announces a groundbreaking collaboration with Mythri Movie Makers to celebrate the upcoming release of Pushpa 2: The Rule. This partnership introduces Flower Nahi Firea limited-edition, fiery banana chip flavor inspired by Pushpa, the unstoppable character who has won the hearts of millions across India.

As excitement builds for Pushpa 2, the sequel to Pushpa: The Rise, Beyond Snacks Flower Nahi Fire brings the movies intensity into the snacking world. With a bold spice blend and signature crunch, this unique flavor delivers an adventurous taste experience crafted to reflect Pushpas energy and resilience.

A First in Movie-Inspired Flavors

Beyond Snack makes history by launching the first-ever movie-inspired banana chip flavor, celebrating the fierce spirit of Pushpa 2. This exclusive flavor serves as a tribute to Pushpas strength, embodying the boldness that has made him a cultural icon.

Inspired by Iconic Dialogue

Named after Pushpas famous line, Flower Nahi Fire, this flavor packs a powerful punch with a rich blend of spices, honoring the characters intensity and fearlessness. Each bite delivers a unique heat and flavor combination, offering fans a taste thats as bold as Pushpas words.

This Pushpa 2 collaboration celebrates the fiery flavors of India and the equally bold characters we love to see on screen, said Manas Madhu, Founder of Beyond Snack. We created Flower Nahi Fire to capture Pushpas unbreakable spirit. With its intense spices and signature banana chip crunch, this snack is as memorable and impactful as the movie itself.

Why Flower Nahi Fire Is a Must-Try

Beyond Snacks Flower Nahi Fire flavor brings a carefully crafted, layered experience that marries fiery spice with natural banana sweetness.

 Bold Spice Blend: Featuring locally sourced spices, Flower Nahi Fire is designed for those who enjoy bold, intense flavors. The spice blend builds with each bite, offering layers of heat and complexity.

 Signature Crispness: Staying true to Beyond Snacks commitment to quality, each chip is fried to perfection, achieving a satisfying crunch that complements the bold spices.

 Collectors Packaging: The limited-edition Flower Nahi Fire flavor comes in packaging adorned with visuals from Pushpa 2, making it a true collectible for fans of the film.

This collaboration is more than a flavor launch; its a way for fans to experience Pushpa 2 in an unexpected, delicious form. Pushpa Raj is all about power and resilience, said Y.Ravishankar, Producer, Mythri Movie Makers. Beyond Snacks Flower Nahi Fire flavor captures that spirit, letting fans experience Pushpas energy off-screen.

Founded in 2020, Beyond Snack has become a household name across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Supported by NABVentures, this Kerala-based brand has revolutionized the traditional banana chips market with its focus on premium quality, hygiene, and trust. Known for its 24 Carat Taste commitment, Beyond Snack has quickly set new standards in snacking.

Also Read: Beyond the Stereotypes: How Brands are Honoring Men's Day
Halder Venture Limited achieved a 133% year-on-year (YoY) revenue growth, reaching INR 17,475.91 lakhs. This growth was primarily fueled by strong demand in both the domestic and international markets. The companys EBITDA for the quarter was INR 1,200 lakhs, reflecting a 58% increase compared to the same period last year. The EBITDA margin expanded by 150 basis points to 15.1%, driven by enhanced operational efficiencies and improved cost management strategies. This solid performance was further supported by the consistent quality of Halders rice offerings under brands like Bhojmoti, Bhoj, and Diva, which continue to gain traction in both local and global markets.

In terms of revenue breakdown, Halder Venture Limited saw significant growth in its domestic market, with revenues increasing by 60% YoY to INR 9,500 lakhs. This growth was primarily attributed to the increased sales of its Odaana edible oil brands, particularly in East India. On the international front, the companys revenues rose by 200% YoY to INR 7,975 lakhs, contributing significantly to overall performance.

The company also saw a positive shift in its gross margin, which expanded by 200 basis points to 22% in Q2, compared to 20% in Q1 of FY25. Halder Venture Limited attributed this improvement to premium pricing on its products and better control over raw material costs, especially in the edible oil segment. This helped the company maintain healthy margins despite fluctuations in commodity prices.

The quarter also marked key strategic expansions for Halder Venture Limited. The company successfully expanded its operational footprint in West Africa, strengthening its presence in key markets such as Ghana, Benin, Cameroon, and Togo. The Bhoj and Uma rice brands gained traction in these new markets, while the Golden Delight variant under the Tumi rice brand further solidified the companys position in the region. Domestically, the company increased the availability of its Odaana rice bran oil, mustard oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil in the eastern regions of India, as part of its Phase One activation strategy.

In a statement, Mrinal Debnath, CFO of Halder Venture Limited, compared the companys performance in Q2FY25 with the previous quarter, Q1FY25, noting, While we saw strong growth in Q2, we are particularly pleased with the improvement in our margins, which expanded by 200 basis points from Q1. This shows our continued focus on operational efficiency and cost management. The demand across both our domestic and international markets remains strong, and we are confident that the momentum will continue into the second half of the fiscal year.

The companys stock has also seen a positive trend, with shares rising by 21.72% during the quarter. The stock closed at INR 880 on the BSE at the end of Q2FY25, up from INR 157 in the previous quarter. This reflects strong investor confidence in the companys performance and its expanding international presence.

Looking ahead, Halder Venture Limited remains on track to meet its growth targets for FY25. The company is focused on expanding its rice production capacity and strengthening its edible oil portfolio. In a visionary outlook, Keshab Kumar Halder, Managing Director and CEO of Halder Venture Limited, emphasized the companys long-term strategy, stating, We are pleased to announce Halder Venture Limited's strong performance in Quarter 2, reflecting the effectiveness of our strategic decisions. These results validate our growth trajectory. By expanding our global footprint and diversifying rice and edible oil operations, we have established a solid foundation for sustainable growth. Through continuous quality improvement and product diversification, we are confident that the coming quarters will bring us closer to achieving even greater milestones. This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, committed to delivering long-term stakeholder value through operational efficiency, sustainable practices, and the adoption of advanced technology.

Keshab Kumar Halder further commented, We remain fully committed to expanding both locally and globally, combining organic growth with strategic acquisitions. Our recent merger bolsters our position in key markets, enabling rapid scaling, enhanced synergies, and innovative product introductions. These initiatives solidify Halder Venture Limiteds position as a global FMCG brand.

With continued growth in both domestic and international markets, the company is optimistic about sustaining its upward trajectory in the coming quarters.

For more information, please visit https://halderventure.in/ or contact Subhajit Banerjee at subhajit@halderventure.in.

Also Read: Halder Group redesigns Odaana Packaging to bolster domestic market presence
Piramal Finance is making significant strides in enhancing financial inclusion across Bharat with the launch of Phase Two of their Hum Kagaz Se Zyada Neeyat Dekhte Hain campaign. This new phase continues to focus on empowering micro-entrepreneurs and individuals from Tier 2 and 3 cities, reinforcing the brand's commitment to serving those who often face challenges in accessing formal financial services. By addressing the need for minimal documentation and focusing on real-life customer stories, the campaign resonates with the challenges faced by small business owners and daily wage earners, making finance more accessible to them.

In conversation with AdGully, Arvind Iyer, Head of Marketing, Piramal Finance, speaks at length about the inspiration behind the enhanced campaign. He explains how Phase Two builds upon the success of the first phase by bringing real entrepreneurial stories to the forefront, showcasing how Piramal Finance is making a difference in the lives of underserved customers. The campaign is designed to break down barriers and invite individuals who may feel excluded from the traditional banking system to approach Piramal Finance for their financial needs, all while highlighting the companys core values of empathy and customer-centric solutions.

Phase Two builds on the success of the original campaign, Hum Kagaz Se Zyada Neeyat Dekhte Hain. Could you share the inspiration behind this enhanced version and the key messaging you aim to convey through these new stories?

Sure. Let me quickly give you some background. In the first phase of the campaign, we were launching the Piramal Finance brand after acquiring DHFL. The campaign centered around our promise as a brand  we dont just underwrite paperwork, we underwrite people. We serve small business owners and those employed with smaller firms who may not have the traditional financial documentation that many institutions require. Our focus is on helping the underserved customers of Bharat, those who are making livelihoods but may not have the necessary paperwork to showcase their financial health. We wanted to communicate this with empathy, which led to the birth of our first campaign.

In the second phase, we wanted to build on this by portraying real customer stories. We've doubled our customer base, and after meeting them, we found stories that truly personified our mission. We selected two stories to bring to life, highlighting real situations of our customers, like a gannewali (sugarcane vendor) and a rickshaw driver. These characters reflect the challenges faced by individuals who believe they might not be eligible for loans. We want to invite them to talk to us, to show them that were here to help, regardless of their doubts or paperwork. This campaign is all about starting that conversation and breaking down the stigma.

Phase two introduces the idea of minimal documentation to make loans more accessible. How has Piramal Finance incorporated this approach into its lending processes, and what impact do you foresee on potential borrowers?

At Piramal Finance, we treat each customer as unique, understanding their individual needs and creating tailored solutions for them. We know that a hardware store in Sinnar, Maharashtra, may operate differently than one in Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh, so we adapt our creditworthiness criteria accordingly. While we offer the same products, like home loans or MSME loans, the way we evaluate and engage with customers varies to ensure that we meet their specific financial needs.

By incorporating minimal documentation into our processes, we're removing barriers for those who might otherwise not qualify for loans, giving them greater access to the capital they need to grow their businesses or buy homes. This tailored, empathetic approach ensures that more potential borrowers are reached.

Storytelling plays a significant role in the Phase two campaign. What role do these real-life entrepreneurial stories play in building trust and engagement with your audience?

Storytelling allows us to connect with our audience on a deeper, more personal level. Customers dont just interact with brands through advertising, they experience us through multiple touchpoints, from branches and call centers to interactions with relationship managers. By using real-life stories in our campaign, we ensure that the empathy and fairness that we practice daily in these interactions are reflected in our messaging.

These stories, inspired by real conversations between our staff and customers, help potential borrowers see themselves in the campaign. Its not just an ad; its a portrayal of genuine experiences. This authenticity builds trust and encourages people to approach us for loans, knowing we understand their needs.

How do you see Piramal Finance contributing to the growth of micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses through this campaign?

Our advertising is targeted at small business owners and entrepreneurs  whether they run a kirana shop or a small manufacturing unit. We aim to serve the MSME segment with a variety of financial products, such as home loans, MSME loans, personal loans, and loan against property, all tailored to their needs. We help them grow by providing access to capital that fuels their working capital requirements, enabling them to expand their businesses or buy their first homes.

We focus on the underserved, so whether its a hardware store in a Tier 2 city or a small-scale industry in a rural area, were committed to helping these entrepreneurs thrive.

Who is the primary target audience for the Phase two campaign, and how does the messaging and storytelling in the campaign cater specifically to their needs and challenges?

The primary target audience includes small business owners and individuals working in smaller firms across Tier 2 and 3 cities. Weve shown diverse characters, like a sugarcane vendor and a rickshaw driver, to reflect this variety. By portraying their challenges, we hope to make our audience realize that we understand their needs and that Piramal Finance is for them.

The idea is to encourage more people to reach out to us for loans, even if they think they dont qualify. The campaign is designed to make them feel seen and understood, breaking down any hesitations they might have.

What were the key challenges in crafting a campaign that connects emotionally while also delivering a strong financial message?

One of the biggest challenges was balancing the emotional storytelling with a clear financial message. We wanted the scenarios to feel real, like everyday situations you could encounter, and not like a scripted advertisement. We aimed to deliver our message of minimal documentation and empathy, while keeping the storytelling authentic.

We hope the final product achieves this, making people feel that Piramal Finance isnt just another financial institution, but one that understands their unique situations and is ready to help.

What was the thought process behind featuring real-life entrepreneurial stories in the campaign, and how do they reflect Piramal Finances core values?

Our core value is centered around people, not just paperwork. Whether someone is buying their first home or looking for working capital, we want to be supportive of their dreams and aspirations. The real-life entrepreneurial stories in this campaign reflect our commitment to understanding and helping our customers, even when they might not have all the traditional documentation.

We celebrate the momentous occasions in our customers lives  buying their first home or expanding their business  and we want them to see Piramal Finance as a partner in those achievements. By telling these stories, we show our customers that we care about their journeys, not just their paperwork.

Phase two seems to focus on a more humanized portrayal of borrowers. How does this approach differentiate Piramal Finance from other players in the financial sector?

We focus on what we want to do  serve people, not just paperwork. Our approach is deeply empathetic, and we aim to help customers who might otherwise be overlooked by traditional financial institutions. Instead of focusing solely on documentation, we look at the person, their needs, and how we can help them achieve their goals. This sets us apart, as we prioritize relationships and understanding over rigid criteria.

What sets Piramal Finance apart from other players in the financial sector?

As I mentioned earlier, we want to help budget-conscious customers in Bharat with smaller wallet sizes, and we aim to do this at scale. While there are other financial institutions that may provide loans to these customers, our goal is to be one of the few institutions that can cater to all of their financial needs. Everything we do, from structuring our brand to our operational strategies, is aligned with this vision. This focus is also reflected in the way weve expanded our network of branches, particularly in Tier 2 and 3 markets, where we are seeing increased interest. We are also tailoring more products and solutions specifically for this customer segment. So, essentially, our commitment to serving Bharat at scale is what sets us apart.

As the financial services industry evolves, what key trends in the BFSI sector have influenced your marketing and execution strategy for this campaign?

Weve drawn significant inspiration from both BFSI and non-BFSI sectors, particularly from brands that are going direct-to-customer (D2C). However, our starting point has always been the customer. We are deeply focused on understanding our customers, and our in-depth customer research plays a vital role in everything we do, be it marketing, product development, or customer experience design. Our approach is entirely customer-driven. While we also look at other innovative D2C and BFSI brands for inspiration, we always marry these insights with our own customer interactions to come up with ideas that are relevant to us and, more importantly, to our customers.

Whats next for Piramal Finance after Phase two? Are there any future campaigns or initiatives aimed at expanding financial inclusion for underserved communities?

Absolutely. After every campaign, we always go back to our customers, keeping our ears to the ground to understand how were doing and how customers are perceiving us. From there, we derive insights to plan our next steps. Our approach to the next phase will follow this same pattern of constant testing and customer interactions will shape our future campaigns. We are excited about this process because our customers will help us craft the next wave of initiatives.

How did you strategise for the festive season this year?

The festive season is incredibly important for us and our customers, and we always do something special every year. For example, last year during Diwali, our employees visited 10,000 customers who were celebrating their first Diwali in the homes they had purchased with the help of our loans. It was a moment of joy for them, and for us too, as we celebrated this milestone together. These kinds of initiatives, sometimes regional and sometimes on a larger scale, are part of our effort to make our customers' celebrations even more meaningful. Rather than limiting ourselves to traditional campaigns, we strive to create deeper, more personal interactions with our customers.

How was Phase one of the year for Piramal Finance, and what are your expectations for Phase two?

Phase 1 has been great for us, weve managed to grow our customer base significantly. The campaigns weve rolled out, both television commercials and our digital and below-the-line efforts, have been well-received across the country. We consistently gather feedback to understand whats working and where we can improve. Were now very excited about Phase 2 of the year, as weve taken valuable lessons from the first half and are using them to shape the future. Were optimistic about our new campaign and the rest of the year.

Also Read: Piramal Finance collaborates with Sri Lanka Cricket
WhatsApp has announced a major update to its business communication services, making enterprise messaging free. This strategic move aims to promote the use of AI-driven chatbot conversations and strengthen WhatsApp's position in Indias enterprise communication sector, currently dominated by traditional SMS.

Effective November 1, 2024, businesses can now send unlimited service messages for free. Previously, this was capped at 1,000 free conversations per month. WhatsApp clarified in a statement that while businesses can freely engage with users via non-template messages, these interactions must occur within an open customer service window.



By eliminating fees for service messaging and utility templates, WhatsApp is positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative for business communication, likely to accelerate its adoption in Indias competitive enterprise messaging landscape.

Historically, sending service messagessuch as order updates or ticket reschedulingvia WhatsApp cost businesses 0.25 per message in India, compared to SMS charges of 0.120.15 and Googles Rich Communication Services (RCS) pricing of 0.200.25. Despite WhatsApp's significant penetration as a messaging platform, SMS retains 90% of the enterprise communication market, while WhatsApp holds around 30%.

This new policy could drive more two-way communication on WhatsApp, encouraging brands to invest in click-to-WhatsApp ads across Meta platforms. This, in turn, may enhance customer engagement and loyalty, particularly as AI-based tools become integral to customer interactions.

Additionally, WhatsApp has announced plans to make utility templates free starting April 1, 2025. These templates, used to send essential updates like delivery notifications, will be free if sent within the customer service window. However, utility messages sent outside this window will continue to incur charges at the current utility rate.

Also Read: WhatsApp partners with Abhay Deol to raise awareness against scam
Heated Clash in Maharashtra Elections: Shiv Sena Leader Allegedly Threatens NCP Candidate 2

A tense confrontation unfolded on Wednesday afternoon at Gurukul College campus in Nandgaon, Maharashtra, when Sameer Bhujbal, an NCP leader and independent candidate, arrived with police to investigate alleged bogus voting. The incident quickly escalated into a heated exchange between Bhujbals camp and supporters of Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) MLA Suhas Kande.

In the midst of the altercation, Kande allegedly issued a death threat to Bhujbal, declaring in Marathi, Tujha murder fix aahe aaj (your murder is fixed today). The threat, captured on video, has caused an uproar. Bhujbal has since filed a legal complaint against Kande, and the police are processing the case.

The confrontation underscores the growing tensions within Maharashtras ruling alliance. Kande, a prominent Shiv Sena leader, defeated Pankaj Bhujbal, Sameers cousin, in the 2019 elections. Sameer Bhujbal, despite holding the position of Mumbai president for the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), is contesting the election as an independent candidate, adding to the volatile political dynamics.

Responding to the allegations, Kande claimed the situation was misrepresented. He alleged that Bhujbals supporters had tried to prevent sugarcane cutters from voting, which led to the scuffle. I did not name Sameer Bhujbal. I only warned those fighting to stop, as it would result in someones death, he stated.

The incident, captured on video and currently under investigation, reflects the intensifying rivalries ahead of Maharashtras high-stakes elections.
Montgomerys Jackson Hospital today announced leadership changes as it continues to overcome financial hurdles.

Beckers Hospital Review is reporting that CEO Joe Riley and COO Michael James are leaving their positions as of Tuesday. Ronald Dreskin, partner with EisnerAmpers Health Care Services Group, will serve as interim CEO.

Retired Brig. Gen. Edward Crowell, chair of the hospitals board of directors, thanked the two for their service.

This announcement is part of a restructuring initiative aimed at transforming the hospital into a focused clinical organization and restoring the hospital to financial stability, Crowell said in a news release.

Allen Wilen was named chief restructuring officer in September after the hospital defaulted on a bond payment.

The hospital remains open and plans to transfer operations of the Hospice of Montgomery service to a hospice care organization, and sell the Jackson Wellness Center to a fitness organization, according to Beckers.

Earlier this year, Montgomerys Jackson Hospital defaulted on about $60 million worth of Medical Clinic Board of the City of Montgomery series 2015 bonds, which comprises 86% of the hospitals long-term debt. The admission came with the S&P explained in a statement why it had lowered the hospitals rating to D from CC.

Riley was appointed president and CEO of Jackson Hospital in 2012.

A new billboard off Interstate 85 near Montgomery is using Jackson Hospitals financial trouble to lobby for state action to expand Medicaid.
A viral phenom who broke the Internet and a standup champ with SNL clout are coming to Birmingham, promising big laughs in very different ways.

Comedy shows by Matt Rife and Jim Gaffigan were announced this week, giving the citys 2025 concert calendar an extra dose of stardom. Heres what you need to know.

Matt Rife, a viral comedian known for his crowd work, is set to perform on June 22, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham.(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Matt Rife

Rife, a controversial comedian with a devoted following, is set to perform on June 22, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater, Birminghams new $46 million concert venue. The 9,380-seat amphitheater, 2350 15th Ave. North, is under construction and expected to be ready for concerts in mid- to late June.

Tickets for Rifes 7:30 p.m. show go on sale Friday, Nov. 22, at 12 p.m. CT via Live Nation/Ticketmaster, after a round of pre-sales that start on Wednesday at noon. Prices are $39.50, $59.50, $79.50, $99.50 and $149.50, plus service charges, according to promoter Live Nation.

The Birmingham date is part of Rifes Stay Golden tour, which runs from March through December 2025, stopping in more than 30 cities. (See all of Rifes tour dates here.)

Rife, 29, made his Birmingham debut in October 2023, playing two-sold out dates at the BJCC Concert Hall. He followed that with a show in June 2024 at the Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville. Rife has been catapulted to fame over the past few years, mostly due to TikTok videos that focus on his interactions with the audience, known as crowd work.

He became such a sensation, fans flooded the internet to buy tickets to Rifes 2023 tour dates, causing the Ticketmaster site to crash. Rife now has more than 30 million followers across social media, with 19.1 million followers on TikTok and close to 9 million followers on Instagram. His career has moved beyond social media, as well.

He also released a wildly popular, controversial Netflix special, Natural Selection, which kicked off with a domestic violence gag  and garnered over 10.3 million views in its first two weeks when it dropped in 2023, The Hollywood Reporter says. The streaming platform swiftly signed him up for two more, along with a gym/workplace sitcom that he intends to write and star in.

More recently, Rife delivered the first of those specials, Lucid, which marked Netflixs first-ever crowd work special. It dropped in August, and quickly entered the 10 top in 37 countries. Looking ahead, he has a memoir, which hes titled Your Moms Gonna Love Me, and the beginnings of a film career. The latter includes Rolling Loud, an R-rated comedy co-produced by Live Nation Productions and American High, which is set for release in 2025.

Rifes bad-boy image is showcased in a NSFW promo video for his tour, released this week and spoofing drug use and sex. The 1:40 clip also touts his career trajectory, noting that hes played almost 700 shows in two years. It also says Rifes life has been full of some extreme highs and some extreme lows.

Jim Gaffigan, left, served as emcee for the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in October 2024 in New York City. The comedian is set to perform in Birmingham at the BJCC Concert Hall in 2025.(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Jim Gaffigan

Gaffigan, a comedy veteran with eight Grammy nominations to his credit, is scheduled to perform on Feb. 19, 2025, at the BJCC Concert Hall in Birmingham. The venue, which seats about 3,000 people, is part of the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex at 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North.

Tickets for Gaffigans 7 p.m. show go on sale Friday, Nov. 22, at 10 a.m. CT via Ticketmaster, after a round of pre-sales that start on Wednesday at 10 a.m. CT. Prices are $35.75-$95.75, plus service charges, according to the Ticketmaster listing.

The Birmingham date is part of Gaffigans Everything is Wonderful! tour, which starts on Jan. 31 and runs through Oct. 25. Hes also doing some co-headlining dates in 2025 with Jerry Seinfeld. (See all of Gaffigans tour dates here.)

Gaffigan, 58, recently drew kudos for his folksy portrayal of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz  Kamala Harris Democratic running mate in the 2024 presidential election  during the 50th anniversary season of Saturday Night Live.

Essentially Im portraying my brother Mitch, who lives in Indiana, who has a very Chicago accent, Gaffigan told comedians Dana Carvey and David Spade on a November episode of their podcast, Superfly.

Gaffigan has a long and distinguished history as a comedian, dating back to the early 1990s. His career has included standup dates, tours, appearances on late-night TV, comedy specials, albums, books and a plethora of movie and TV roles.

Gaffigan also was the emcee for this years Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a high-profile event attended by US. political figures, religious leaders and business executives. The dinner on Oct. 17 raised $8.9 million for charities that help needy children in New York, according to the foundation website.

Gaffigan is no stranger to Birmingham, performing in the city several times over the years. He also stopped in Orange Beach and Tuscaloosa in 2019, on his Quality Time tour.

In a 2019 feature story for AL.com, Ben Flanagan described Gaffigan as a global success thanks to his spin on observational humor on fatherhood, food and much more. Gaffigan made his fame with clean comedy, avoiding profanity in his jokes and offering self-deprecating quips about his laziness, family life and religion.

My view is that my jokes, while they might be about my faith or Christianity, theyre really making fun of humans, Gaffigan told AL.com in 2019. Im definitely not questioning someones faith. It helps also that my wife [Jeannie] has received early admissions to heaven. I come from a small town in Indiana, so I dont think personality-wise Im trying to say things to upset anyone. Its not to say I dont challenge people. Youve got to keep it interesting. My comedy isnt constructed on shock or discomfort.

READ: Jim Gaffigan on God, comedy, college football and of course, food

Gaffigan has 1.7 million followers on Facebook, 1.4 million followers on Instagram, 1.1 million followers on TikTok and nearly 1 million subscribers on YouTube.

More comedy

Several other comedians are on the calendar for Birmingham in 2025, including Legacy Arena dates from Martin Lawrence with Rickey Smiley, Jan. 18; Kat Williams; Feb. 8; Mike Epps and Kountry Wayne, March 15; Shane Gillis, April 26; and Dude Perfect, July 20.

The BJCC Concert Hall will present the Bored Teachers: The Struggle Is Real! Comedy Tour, March 14; the Legends of Laughter featuring Sommore, Lavell Crawford and friends, April 11; and Ali Siddiq, June 14.

The Alabama Theatre agenda includes Joe Gatto, Jan. 10; and Brad Williams, July 12. The Lyric Theatre will see performances by Dusty Slay, Jan. 17; Heather McMahan, Feb. 7-8; Sam Morril, Feb 19; Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, April 2; and Stavros Halkias, April 7.

READ: How Alabama native Dusty Slay became the hottest comedian on Netflix
Authorities have released the name of a man killed Sunday in east Birmingham.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the victim as Jose Luis Reyes. He was 36 and lived in Haleyville.

East Precinct officers were dispatched at 12:30 a.m. to a report of a person shot in the 1000 block of Huffman Road.

They arrived to find Reyes unresponsive on the ground near several businesses, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald.

Birmingham medics took the victim to UAB Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 2:19 p.m.

Details surrounding the investigation are limited, and no arrests have been announced.

Reyes is the citys 141st homicide this year. Of those, 10 have been ruled justifiable and therefore arent deemed criminal.

In all of Jefferson County, there have been 176 homicides including the 141 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
A Republican legislator and prosecutor wants to change Alabama law to allow the death penalty for rape or sodomy of a child younger than 6.

Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne has pre-filed the bill in advance of next years legislative session.

I think these crimes are some of the worst crimes that are possibly out there, Simpson said. I think when you injure and take the innocence of an individual that young, theres no rehabilitation for someone like that.

This is not something that, Oh, Ive learned my lesson. I raped a 5-year-old, so Ive learned my lesson. No, this is a situation that these are the worst of the worst crimes. And sometimes the worst of the worst crimes deserve the worst of the worst punishments.

Simpsons bill would add first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy of a child younger than 6 to Alabamas list of 21 capital offenses. The others are all murder offenses with aggravating circumstances.

Alabama law already mandates a sentence of life without parole for first-degree rape or sodomy when the victim is younger than 6.

Simpsons bill says the sentence would be either death or life without parole. Offenders younger than 18 would be sentenced to life without parole or life with the possibility of parole.

Simpson said changing the Alabama law to allow the death penalty and similar bills in other states could lead to a successful challenge to a 2008 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that prohibited the death penalty for child rape.

In that case, Kennedy vs. Louisiana, the defendant was sentenced to death for aggravated rape of his 8-year-old stepdaughter.

In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court overturned the sentence. The opinion, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, noted that Louisiana was one of only six states to authorize the death penalty for child rape. Kennedy wrote that there was a social consensus against the death penalty for child rape.

Kennedy noted that no person had been executed for rape of an adult or child in the United States since 1964, and that no execution for any other non-homicide crime had been done since 1963.

The opinion concluded that the death penalty for child rape violated the Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishments.

Simpson said the Supreme Court has changed since 2008 and noted that other states are passing laws similar to his bill. Florida passed a law calling for the death penalty for child rape in 2023. A Florida prosecutor sought the death penalty under that new last year, although the defendant made a deal to receive life without parole.

Simpson has handled cases with child victims during his career as a prosecutor in Baldwin and Mobile counties. He said those victims and their families relive the experience for the rest their lives.

I think the death penalty would hopefully be able to send a message to the community and send a message to the individuals that Alabama is serious about crime, Simpson said. Especially if youre taking advantage and doing horrific things to little ones.

Simpsons bill has 11 co-sponsors. The legislative session starts Feb. 4.

Read more: Nobody sees us: Alabama lawmaker pushing to create alert system for missing Black youth

Republican leader of Alabama Senate going to work for Gov. Kay Ivey
An east Alabama mother of eight children and her 1-year-old son were killed in a single-vehicle crash Tuesday morning in Cherokee County.

Alabama State Troopers identified the woman as 46-year-old Brandi D. Odell of Gadsden.

State Troopers do not release the names of juvenile victims, but family members on social media identified the child as her son, Andrew, who just turned 1.

The wreck happened at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday on U.S. 411 near Pine Cone Road, about one mile south of Leesburg.

Odell was taking two of her children to daycare and then headed to work as a social worker, co-workers posted on Facebook.

She was driving a Nissan Murano that left the road and struck a tree, said Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey.

Odell and Andrew were pronounced dead on the scene. Odells 3-year-old daughters survived the crash and was taken to the hospital.

The crash remains under investigation by troopers.
Peter Warren is a general assignment reporter for the Houston Chronicle's breaking news team.

Before joining the Chronicle, Peter lived in Dallas, where he covered the sports as a freelancer for the Dallas Morning News and other outlets. He has been published in Texas Highways Magazine, DMagazine.com, the Star Tribune and Bowlers Journal International. Peter graduated from Northwestern University in 2021.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Vincent native Embry Kidd to serve on the federal appeals court that covers Alabama, Georgia and Florida, making Kidd just the second Black male appellate judge approved by the upper chamber in the last 10 years.

Kidd, who now lives in Florida and is a federal magistrate judge there, was confirmed Monday for a seat on the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in a 49-45 vote along party lines.

Judge Kidds experience in private practice and public service, in addition to his experience as a magistrate judge, has prepared him to serve with distinction on the federal bench, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said in a statement.

I congratulate Judge Kidd on becoming the forty-fifth Circuit Court judge confirmed under the Biden-Harris Administration, and the latest example of the Senate Judiciary Committee advancing highly qualified nominees to bring balance to the federal judiciary.

During his confirmation hearing in June, Kidd described Vincent as a small town where my family has lived for generations.

He noted his father, Robert Kidd, served on the Vincent Town Council for 20 years and was succeeded in the seat by his cousin, Bridgette Smith.

My father and my late mother, Mary Ellen Kidd, first instilled in me the importance of public and community service service, Kidd said.

Durbin said Mondays confirmation of Kidd to the 11th Circuit is part of the Judiciary Committees work filling judicial vacancies with highly qualified, diverse candidates who help ensure the fair and impartial administration of the American justice system.

Kidd is just the second Black man confirmed for a federal appeals court judgeship in the last 10 years and the first since 2022, according to Bloomberg Law.

State Rep. Kelvin Datcher, D-Birmingham, applauded Kidds confirmation.

Another GREAT one from City Of Vincent Alabama - Congratulations to Embry Kidd CONFIRMED to the US 11th Court of Appealsand now a potential US Supreme Court of the United States Justice! Datcher posted on social media.

Kidd received his bachelors degree from Emory University in Atlanta and his law degree from Yale Law School.

Since 2019, he has been a U.S. magistrate judge in Orlando for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Prior to his magistrate judgeship, Kidd worked in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida and was an associate at the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Williams & Connolly.
Customers of the Birmingham Water Works will ring in the new year with another price increase.

Birmingham Water Works Board today approved a 4.9% rate increase for 2025.

Officials said the rate increase for customers will represent a monthly increase of $2.14 on average bills.

The utility serves about 770,000 customers in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount and Walker counties.

Nobody wants rate increases, and we were all committed to reducing the burden on our customers as much as we could, Water Works Board Chairwoman Tereshia Huffman said in a statement this afternoon. We are proud that our 2025 increase remains below national averages while providing the revenue necessary to maintain and improve our system.

The increase was approved on a vote of 5 to 3. Members George Munchus, Lucien Blankenship and Mashonda Taylor were no votes.

The operations and maintenance budget for 2025 totals $142.5 million, which is a 7.9% increase over the current year. The capital budget for 2025 is $115.6 million, a 37.5% increase over 2024.

Major projects for 2025 include the first phase for automated meters to reduce billing and service issues, increased pipeline replacement and major renovations to the Lake Purdy Dam in Shelby County.

Our immediate priorities are improving customer service while upgrading our infrastructure to ensure we can continue to provide our customers the very best water, said Interim General Manager Darryl Jones.

The hike comes after a mandated public hearing Nov. 4 and a town hall Nov. 13 where some residents questioned the annual increase and asked officials for alternatives.

Munchus, the longest-serving board member, said he agreed with residents and Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson who urged the utility to take a pause from another annual rate hike.

There are other ways to generate revenue and not just look for ratepayers to pay operations cost but they will not engage in any robust business and economic development that could generate revenue to offset costs on the backs of ratepayers, Munchus told AL.com after the vote.

Additionally, Munchus said he has lingering questions about major capital projects that were ignored by the board, including details regarding the $85 million upcoming overhaul of the Lake Purdy Dam.

Its all about transparency and accountability, he said. The ratepayers deserve better.
Novembers election has come and gone and now residents of one predominantly Black south Alabama community are worried money from the federal highway agency to fix a flooding problem may never arrive.

Residents of the Shiloh community, near Elba in Coffee County, say a highway construction project resulted in floods that damaged their homes and created health risks. They say they need federal action before January 20, 2025, when a new administration takes over in Washington D.C.

We pray and hope that Secretary Pete Buttigieg would keep his promise that he made back in April of this year," said community spokesperson Timothy Williams Monday.

The residents say the flooding began after the project to expand Highway 84 started in 2018.

The Federal Highway Administration, in 2022, opened an investigation into complaints that the project disproportionately harmed Shiloh residents because of their race. And in April, Buttigieg came to the community to see things for himself.

The federal highway agency last month reached an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation to modify Highway 84 to stop the flooding. But the community is also calling for compensation for the damages.

With the election of Donald Trump, the Shiloh community is uncertain about what will come of their demands.

Robert Bullard, an environmental activist and Elba native who has been an advocate for the community, calls for immediate action from the Joe Biden administration.

Again, I am pleading with you to fully resolve the highway flooding problem and secure the funds for binding commitments to cover flood damages to homes, businesses, and property in Elba, Alabamas historically Black Shiloh community before the Biden-Harris administration comes to an end on January 20, 2025, Bullard wrote in an open letter to the transportation secretary published Monday morning.

Later that day, Trump announced Sean Duffy, a Fox News show co-host and former congressman from Wisconsin, as his nominee for Secretary of Transportation, to replace Buttigieg.

We have two months to get justice for the Shiloh community, Bullard added in his letter. Lets not fail them.

Bullard calls for binding commitments and an agreement to address damaged homes, property, and businessesbecause it is unlikely the next USDOT under a second Trump administration would be inclined to resolve highway flood damages and losses of Shiloh residents that were caused by ALDOT under the first Trump administration USDOT.

He explained that since Alabamas action led to the flooding, the state should not only fix the highway but also pay for property damages and business losses.

Buttigiegs office did not immediately answer queries from AL.com for this story but provided a statement later on Wednesday after the initial publication.

The Alabama Department of Transportation said it is working with the federal government to bring resolution to the issues. The department has also denied violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits race discrimination in federally-funded programs.

An ALDOT spokesperson, in a statement Monday, said we have been engaged with the Federal Highway Administration for quite a while as we work this process.  We anticipate having more to say on this matter in a few days.

The community is, however, anxious to get things started.

Because its been six years and the community has been given false hope and theyre feeling that because were Black, thats why we cant get no help, said community representative Williams.
The arrests last year of two Alabama journalists, school board members and school employees were part of an unconstitutional scheme by the former superintendent of Escambia County Schools and her allies in law enforcement, according to a new federal lawsuit filed Wednesday.

The arrests that occurred last year were orchestrated to dole out punishment over a political dispute and were part of a conspiracy aimed at retaliation over a controversial decision to oust former Superintendent Michele McClung, according to the court filing.

The 70-page complaint was filed ahead of a news conference outside the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Alabama in downtown Mobile.

None of our clients did anything wrong said Jared McClain, an attorney with the Arlington, Va.-based Institute for Justice, which is representing the four plaintiffs in the case who call themselves the Atmore Four.

He added, What happened here was obviously a violation of the Constitution.

The lawsuit claims that Escambia County District Attorney Stephen Billy, Sheriff Heath Jackson, and four sheriffs deputies  Arthur Odom, Kevin Durden, Matthew Rabren, and Stephen Dereck Lowery  violated the constitutional rights of the four plaintiffs during their separate arrests after the Escambia County School Board voted 4-3 to not renew McClungs contract.

The case surfaces about seven months after the Alabama Attorney Generals Office dismissed all criminal charges against the journalists and school officials  Atmore News publisher and Escambia County School board member Sherry Digmon, Atmore News journalist Don Fletcher, Escambia County School Board member Cynthia Jackson and Escambia County school employee Veronica Ashley Fore.

(Billy and Jackson) were going after anyone who they thought was possibly standing in the way of Michele McClung, McClain said.

Constitutional violations

Escambia County District Attorney Steve Billy speaks with the parents of Superintendent Michele McClung during a break at the Escambia County School Board's meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Atmore, Ala.John Sharp/jsharp@al.com

The complaint alleges that Billy, Jackson and the four sheriffs deputies conspired with McClung to violate the First and Fourth Amendment rights of the four plaintiffs in the case. The plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages.

McClung is not named as a defendant, but the lawsuit claims she had knowledge of the arrests before they occurred.

We cant speak to what is in their hearts, McClain said when asked about the motive as to why the countys top prosecutor and its sheriff pursued the arrests. Its a very good question. For now, we know they were being motivated by their own personal interests and it had nothing to do with the law.

Billy and Sheriff Jackson could not be reached for immediate comment Wednesday. McClung also could not be reached for comment.

The case highlights much of the activity that led to their arrests and indictments of the journalists in late 2023, and which stirred national attention over press freedoms and the extent to which prosecutors can punish the media for publishing confidential material.

In the Atmore case, the story at issue revolved around the publication of confidential information contained in a subpoena and published in a story written by Fletcher in The Atmore News in late October 2023.

Read more: Small-town Alabama journalist talks arrest, dismissal of case: My heart was beating fast

The case also focuses on the activities of Billy, the countys longtime top prosecutor, who the lawsuit states made both private and public warnings to punish anyone who opposed McClung through the grand jury process.

It also alleges Jackson wanted to unleash his wrath on McClungs detractors so they would have to eat his hotdogs all weekend, while at the Escambia County Jail.

Digmon and Jackson, as board members, voted against renewing McClungs contract twice in September and October 2023. Fletcher was arrested based on writing a newspaper story that Billy claimed was a violation of the states grand jury secrecy law. Fore was arrested for allegedly disclosing grand jury secrets.

Two other board members -- Kevin Hoomes and Loumeek White -- also voted against renewing McClungs contract. Neither of them was pursued with any criminal wrongdoing.

Malicious, Abusive

Billy, Jackson and the four deputies are named for being malicious, abusive, and retaliatory for their arrests of all four plaintiffs.

The lawsuit also includes details about the arrests of each of the plaintiffs.

At new news conference, the arrests created emotional reactions from Fore, who claimed a female shower stall inside the Escambia County Jail was missing a door and that she had to be shielded from people walking through the facility.

The guard, bless her heart, was as sweet as she could be and blocked the doorway as best she could, Fore said. But people walked by as I showered and as I changed from my street clothes into my jump suit. The reversal happened when I made bond and was released ... I had to change in the same stall.

Escambia County School Board member Sherry Digmon, who is also the publisher and co-owner of The Atmore News, attends the board's meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2023, in Atmore, Ala.John Sharp/jsharp@al.com

Specifically, Digmon, 73  who was arrested three times during the course of the investigation  was once placed in handcuffs and taken to the county jail, directed to remove all her clothes, handed a rag and instructed to shower. Digmon showered in front of a female officer, who made her squat, the lawsuit states. And because there was no door to the shower, male officers could see inside the shower as they walked by, the filing says, with some shielding their eyes.

Digmon was then given an XL orange jumpsuit that did not fit her, according to the complaint.

Officers led Digmon back and forth through the mens holding cell to take her mugshot and then to get her fingerprints while she had to hold her orange jumpsuit closed with her hands as she walked through a holding cell that was filled with eight to 10 men, according to the complaint.

Fore said she can recall walking past Digmon while the two were inside the jail.

The guard walked me out and I looked across the way and there stood Ms. Sherry Digmon in handcuffs and all I could think was that Ms. Sherry is fixing to go through what I went through, Fore said. At 47, I am a strong and can handle it. But it infuriated me.

Lawsuit emerges

The lawsuit claims that Billy pursued criminal charges on Sept. 19, 2023, one day after a local GOP meeting in which Jackson claimed he would arrest any of McClungs detractors and require them to eat his hotdogs while they were incarcerated for a weekend.

Billy pursued criminal charges that all four plaintiffs disclosed grand jury secrets. He then issued a subpoena to the Escambia County School Board pursuant to his powers as district attorney.

But the federal lawsuit claims that Billy characterized his subpoena as a secret grand jury document. The document, the lawsuit says, very clearly came from him  not a grand jury."

Billy, in February, recused himself from prosecuting the case at which time it was forwarded to the Attorney Generals Office before the office dismissed the charges about two months later.

The arrests over the school board decision also drew the ire of the Alabama Association of School Boards, which assisted Digmon against an impeachment charge Billy also brought against her. The impeachment proceeding was based on a violation to the School Board Governance Act of 2012, which establishes training requirements and accountability measures for all school board members.

Sally Smith, president of the AASB, called the impeachment charge in November the most outlandish situation shes seen of outside influence in a school board matter in her 37-year career with the organization.
Police say a Mobile County father accidentally shot and killed his daughter on Monday.

Now, 911 transcripts reveal the distressing calls made to first responders after the incident occurred.

The Mobile County Sheriffs office said that on Nov. 18 Rickey Smith accidentally fired his gun while loading it in a car with his daughter Emily Roney and her husband Martin Roney.

Emily was struck by a bullet as the weapon discharged and would subsequently succumb to her injuries.

911 transcripts obtained by Fox10 News describe the aftermath of the incident.

According to Fox10, it was unknown whether Martin or Smith called first but the caller told a dispatcher, Oh, we were...we were uh loading up a gun and it went off by accident.

Shortly after the first call another individual called 911 and said he said he accidentally shot his daughter.

Smith was not arrested and a grand jury will convene to hear the case. The 911 transcripts will be evidence used in the grand jury proceedings.
Get ready for some cold temperatures over the next few days.

First there was Tuesdays cold front, which brought beneficial rain and a few storms to Alabama.

The National Weather Service will be tracking another strong but dry cold front as it moves through the state today. It will bring breezy conditions and a dose of much colder air.

Forecasters said clouds are expected to clear from the west to east today behind the front.

Today will still be on the warm side for those ahead of the front, with temperatures expected to reach the 70s in parts of central and south Alabama. But the cold air will begin to move into north Alabama, and highs will only reach the 60s there. (Todays forecast is at the top of this post.)

Temperatures overnight are expected to dip into the 30s across most of Alabama, with low to mid-40s closer to the coast. Here are tonights expected low temperatures:

Much colder air will take over tonight, with temperatures falling into the 30s in much of the state.NWS

The change will really be felt on Thursday. Highs on Thursday will only make it into the 50s and 60s, even in south Alabama:

Much colder temperatures are expected on Thursday.NWS

The weather service said a reinforcing dry front will move through on Thursday with another dose of cold air. It will also continue to be breezy, but likely it wont be windy enough to warrant a wind advisory.

Thursday night temperatures will again dip into the 30s for much of north and central Alabama, with 40s possible in south Alabama. Here are the forecast lows from Thursday night into Friday morning:

Low temperatures by Friday morning will be even colder.NWS

Friday will be downright chilly, the weather service said, with highs only reaching the 50s and windy conditions, which will make it feel even colder.

Here are the forecast high temperatures for Friday:

Friday could be the coldest day of the week.NWS

The coldest night could be Friday night into Saturday morning, according to the weather service.

Winds will finally die down, but that will allow temperatures to fall even further. Parts of north Alabama will likely dip below freezing, and lows will be in the low 30s with widespread frost expected across north and central parts of the state. Even south Alabama will have to deal with temperatures in the 30s:

Friday night into Saturday morning will be the coldest of the week, and possibly of the fall.NWS

This cold snap isnt expected to last all that long, according to the weather service.

Saturday will be another chilly day, but not as cold as Friday. And temperatures are expected to warm up even more on Sunday.

By Monday and Tuesday temperatures are expected rebound back into the 60s and 70s.

The next chance for rain is expected just before Thanksgiving.
After receiving state approval on Wednesday, the Huntsville Hospital system will move forward with its $150 million expansion plans, which include additional beds, more private rooms for patients and two new intensive care units.

The Alabama Certificate of Need Review Board, which evaluates hospital expansion proposals to avoid duplication of services, unanimously approved the initiative at its meeting Wednesday, the hospital said in a statement.

The extra capacity will help us decrease wait times in the Emergency Department, and well achieve another important milestone in our history  the end of double occupancy rooms at Huntsville Hospital, CEO Jeff Samz said in the statement. No one wants to share a hospital room, and well finally be able to end this practice.

The hospital said that the approval of 50 additional patient beds will bring the total to 931 at its flagship facility, Madison Street Tower, and the project will include turning 70 double rooms into single rooms.

Samz said in July the hospital would add five floors above the emergency room at the facility, creating 350 jobs.

Expanding the Madison Street Tower will give us the space to meet the advanced health care needs of North Alabama and southern Tennessee for decades to come, Samz said in Wednesdays statement. We are excited to now have the states approval so we can move forward with construction.

The $150 million project will add 154,000 square feet at the northeast corner of the hospital facing Madison Street and St. Clair Avenue, the hospital said.

The two-year expansion will, according to the statement, include:

A new Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit

A new Neuro Intensive Care Unit for neurosurgical and stroke patients

Three floors of new acute medical space

120 new private patient rooms

A new and improved Emergency Department vehicle entrance

Burr Ingram, vice president for communications and marketing , said that increasing population necessitates the expansion.

The growth in the community is obviously the primary reason, and the growth of the hospital, the need for beds, is because of the high census were experiencing, Ingram told AL.com.
Republicans on the House Ethics Committee voted Wednesday against releasing a report on the panels long-running investigation into President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, the top Democrat on the panel said.

Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania said the ethics panel, which is evenly split between the two parties, voted at a lengthy closed-door meeting, and no Republican joined Democrats who wanted to release the report.

Wild said she was compelled to speak up after the panels Republican chairman, Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, characterized what had transpired at its session. He had said there was no agreement reached on the matter.

It was not my intention to make any comment, Wild said. But she said she did not want the American public or anyone else to think that Mr. Guests characterization of what transpired today would be some sort of indication that the committee had unanimity or consensus on this issue not to release the report.

The impasse on the panel comes as Gaetz launched an effort to personally secure his embattled nomination, meeting behind closed doors Wednesday with Republican senators who have heard questions about the sexual misconduct and other allegations against him.

At least one Republican senator decried the scrutiny as a lynch mob forming against Gaetz, who if confirmed would become the nations top law enforcement official.

Im not going to legitimize the process to destroy the man because people dont like his politics, said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., as he left the private senators meeting .

He deserves a chance to make his argument why he should be attorney general, Graham said. No rubber stamp, no lynch mob.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who is supportive of Gaetzs nomination, emerged saying, If you have concerns, thats fine. But dont make up your mind yet. Let the guy testify first.

As the senators met in the out-of-the-way Strom Thurmond Room, Hawley said Gaetz was in a cheerful mood. The former Florida congressman met with different senators over the course of about four hours.

It was the start of a personal push by Gaetz, who has long denied the mounting allegations against him, to shore up the Senate support needed to be confirmed as the nations attorney general. He brings with him wide-ranging proposals to rid the Department of Justice of those perceived by Trump to have weaponized their work against the president-elect, his allies and conservatives in general.

Trump himself told senators that he hoped to get Matt across the finish line, said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.C, who was with the president-elect and others for a SpaceX rocket launch Tuesday with billionaire Elon Musk in Texas.

Cramer said from his observation of Trumps plans, None of these people including Matt Gaetz are nominated as a diversion to the others. He wants them. He knows what he wants, he says what he wants and hell see it through to some conclusion.

Gaetz is being shepherded by Vice President-elect JD Vance, an Ohio senator. His meeting with Senate allies was largely a strategy session where he emphasized the need to get a hearing where he could lay out his and Trumps vision for the Justice Department.

It follows a meeting Gaetz had at the start of the week with the conservative House Freedom Caucus, whose members have expressed enthusiasm for his approach to wholesale changes, which have instilled a climate of anxiety and dismay at the department.

Vance reminded the GOP senators that Trumps presidential victory had coattails that boosted their ranks to the majority. He deserves a Cabinet that is loyal to the agenda he was elected to implement, the outgoing Ohio senator posted on social media.

Gaetz, however, is also racing the clock against the potential release of the House Ethics Committees report which would publicly air the allegations against him.

Attorneys involved in a civil case brought by a Gaetz associate were notified this week that an unauthorized person accessed a file shared between lawyers that included unredacted depositions from a woman who has said Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17, and a second woman who says she saw the encounter, according to attorney Joel Leppard.

The Senate Judiciary Committees Democrats sent a letter Wednesday asking FBI Director Christopher Wray to provide to the panel the complete evidentiary file, including the forms memorializing interviews in the closed investigation of former Congressman Matt Gaetzs alleged sex trafficking of minors.

Gaetz has said the departments investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him.

The grave public allegations against Mr. Gaetz speak directly to his fitness to serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the federal government, wrote Judiciary Chairman Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and others on the panel.

While House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said the committee should not release the report because Gaetz swiftly resigned his congressional seat after Trump announced the nomination, several GOP senators have indicated they want all information before having to make a decision on how they would vote.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who also met with Gaetz, said of the committees report, We didnt get into a lot of detail as to what he expects to be in there, but he expressed confidence that what is before the committee are a series of false accusations.

Trump has long had a valued ally in Gaetz, who was a star at congressional oversight hearings as he railed against what conservatives claim is favoritism within the Justice Department, which indicted Trump over alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left office and for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, which lost to Democrat Joe Biden, before the Jan. 6, 2021 attack at the Capitol.

But the president-elects pick has been among the most surprising, and provocative.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., a Trump ally, said she had a great meeting with Gaetz and looked forward to a speedy confirmation for our next attorney general. She wrote on social media that Trumps Cabinet is going to shake up the D.C. swamp, and we look forward to moving his nominees.

Cramer still said that Gaetz had a steep climb to confirmation.

Donald Trump is understandably, legitimately and authentically concerned that he has an attorney general thats willing to do what he wants him to do, Cramer said. Matt Gaetz is definitely the guy that will not hold on any punches. "

As soon as the new Congress convenes Jan. 3, 2025, when Republicans take majority control, senators are expected to begin holding hearings on Trumps nominees, with voting possible on Inauguration Day Jan. 20.
If former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz wants to be the next attorney general, he would need the votes of Senate Republicans he has personally criticized in a chamber he once dubbed the swampiest nursing home in America.

In a range of public comments in recent years, the 42-year-old Floridian lobbed broadsides at more GOP senators than he can afford to lose, with Republicans anticipating a likely 53-seat majority. That means Gaetzs confirmation could be blocked if four Republican senators join all Democrats and independents to vote against him.

Gaetz, among other comments, derided Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., as a disgrace to the Republican Party. He called Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., one of the America-last Republican senators. And when it came to a border deal negotiated in part by Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., Gaetz labeled it as a Lankford amnesty bill, and said it was backstabbing to the people who want a secure border.

Gaetz, who resigned from Congress last week after President-elect Donald Trump said he would be his pick to lead the Justice Department, left the chamber as one of the most notorious instigators, an insult-hurling firebrand whose brash rhetoric and behavior alienated Democrats and infuriated Republicans.

He didnt constrain that approach to House members, in remarks on his podcast, in media interviews and on social media. He has attacked specific senators who he saw as not in line with the Republican Party shaped by Trump.

Former South Carolina Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy, on a recent podcast, raised concerns about Gaetzs vindictiveness and said his former House colleague has been gratuitously critical of GOP senators.

And not for any real reason, just because he wanted to. He just enjoys inflicting pain on other people, Gowdy said. I can think of no one that has gone out of his way more to attack and demean and vilify other people.

In the race for majority leader, Gaetz publicly backed Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. On his podcast, Gaetz said that Senate Republicans do not need to pick one of the Johns  John Thune of South Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas or John Barrasso of Wyoming.

I think that there are going to be better options than the Johns, Gaetz said. Senate Republicans elected Thune.

Cornyn, a member of the Judiciary Committee that would vet Gaetzs nomination, has said he wants to see details of a House Ethics probe into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use by the four-term congressman. Gaetz has steadfastly denied wrongdoing.

I think there should not be any limitation on the Senate Judiciary Committees investigation, including whatever the House Ethics Committee has generated, Cornyn said.

Tillis, also a member of the Judiciary Committee, told reporters that a Gaetz pick could face some trouble. Hes going to have to overcome some of his temperament as it relates to his Republican colleagues, thats the way Id see it now, Tillis said.

All I know is he likes picking fights on social media. [Hell] have to deal with that in committees, Tillis later said.

Gaetz on his podcast criticized Tillis after the North Carolinian spoke on the Senate floor in February in favor of a supplemental package to provide aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Tillis was one of 22 Republican senators to vote for the bill.

Gaetz said the legislation was primarily supported by Democrats and called Tillis one of the America-last Republican senators who advocated vociferously for this legislation.

Gaetz also has singled out Mullin, the Republican senator from Oklahoma, who previously has said Gaetz in the past has shown videos on the House floor of people he had slept with. Hed brag about how he would crush ED medicine and chase it with an energy drink so he could go all night, Mullin told CNN.

Gaetz mocked Mullin after the senator challenged a witness at a committee hearing to a fight, saying the incident was weird and a real strange display.

I have frequently used the statements of witnesses in the past to impeach them, but I try to use like my brain and my words and logic and reason  tying that to some consequence, maybe defunding things that arent working, Gaetz said.

Mullin beating someone up isnt going to help his constituents, Gaetz said.

In 2020, Gaetz criticized Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, over their opposition to confirming a Supreme Court nominee so close to the general election.

Trump supporters should not be taken for granted in Maine, Alaska or anywhere else, Gaetz said in an interview with Fox News. And if they are unwilling to do their job and take a vote on who the president nominates, they should not have the privilege of continuing to serve in the Senate.

Gaetz has been outspoken about Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and cheered when the Kentucky Republican announced he would not run for the leadership post again.

McConnells work on confirming Trump judicial nominees and passing the former presidents tax bill was doing the bare minimum as a Republican leader, Gaetz said.

Gaetz, in the wake of that announcement, scorned McConnells support for Ukraine, tore into him for not doing enough on border security and accused him of serving the swamp.

Mitch McConnells real legacy is that he was missing in action when we needed him most and spent a lot of his time in the Senate putting special interests above American interests, Gaetz said on his podcast in February after the announcement. Real good at sloshing that special interest money around.

And on social media, Gaetz gloated: Weve now 86d: McCarthy McDaniel McConnell, referring to former Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel and former Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted as House speaker last year in a push led by Gaetz.

Gaetz has also shown a willingness to get into the politics of the Senate. For example, Gaetz endorsed Rep. Matt Rosendales bid for Senate in Montana. Senator-elect Tim Sheehy went on to win the seat.

Gaetz, for his part, has shown a certain amount of self-awareness.

I am not a deeply popular person with the leadership of my own party, Gaetz said in 2022 on his podcast. Probably in either the House or the Senate.

___

2024 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Visit cqrollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Medicares open enrollment period is open through Dec. 7. But, as you compare your coverage options, federal officials are warning you to keep your eyes out for scammers looking to take advantage of any changes you might be making.

In a new alert, the Federal Trade Commission said scammers often pretend to be from Medicare or connected to Medicare to steal your money or personal information. They might contact you to say they need your Medicare, bank account or credit card number for a new Medicare card, officials warned, despite the fact that Medicare cards are sent free.

Scammers might also say they need your Medicare number for a medical equipment claim you dont remember making. Thats a scam, too. They want to file fake claims using your Medicare number, officials said.

To protect yourself, the FTC recommends:
Houston drivers planning road trips for this Thanksgiving holiday should be mindful of possible rainfall in other parts of Texas next week. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

Thanksgiving is often cited as the busiest travel holiday of the year and this year is no different.

AAA Texas projects 5.7 million Texas residents will saddle up to travel 50 miles or more from home for Thanksgiving. An estimated 5.3 million people are expected to hit the road, a change of just 1.2% from last year and a 1.8% increase from pre-pandemic Thanksgiving travel in 2019.

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Weather can make or break the holiday travel mood. Whether youre going down the road or hundreds of miles away, lets discuss where Mother Nature may slow you down.

Texas travel outlook

If your Thanksgiving holiday travel keeps you in the Lone Star State this year, we have fairly high confidence that weather shouldnt slow you down too much. If youre driving or flying, much of the state is expected to remain dry in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.

The National Weather Services Climate Prediction Center also concurs that below-normal rainfall is expected across the western half of the state through Thanksgiving.

The American GFS forecast model suggests a half-inch or more of rain is possible through the morning of Thanksgiving and would be found mainly across northern and eastern Texas. WeatherBELL

Not every corner of the state will hold onto rain-free conditions, though. Showers are most likely along and east of Interstate 35 and north of Interstate 10, which includes some of the most populous cities in Texas.

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A cold front is likely to stretch from the Great Lakes to Texas next Tuesday and Wednesday. This could result in pockets of heavy rain, especially the farther east you travel. Without being able to give too many fine details, plan on at least some weather-related delays if your Thanksgiving travel will be taking place Tuesday or Wednesday in this part of the state.

Best travel weather: Great Plains

The Great Plains will be the one area of the country where rain and snow shouldnt generally slow down holiday travel. A sprawling area of high pressure will push into this region of the country early next week from Canada.

Next weeks cold front that will be draped across the Plains will usher in temperatures that will be much colder than normal. If youre taking that long drive to feast on turkey, be sure to winterize your vehicle before leaving town.

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Worst travel weather: East, West Coasts

Both coasts may have difficult travel early next week.

Well start on the West Coast, where a trough of low atmospheric pressure is expected to bring heavy rain and snow to the Pacific Northwest. The Cascade and Sierra Nevada Ranges could see heavy snow total a foot or more between Sunday and Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. Outside of higher elevation snowfall, heavy rainfall could slow commutes or result in airport delays, especially from Oregon to California.

The National Weather Services Climate Prediction Center expects many parts of the country could get heavy rainfall, shown in light green, and snow, shown in purple, in the days leading up to and following Thanksgiving. Climate Prediction Center

Periods of heavy snowfall are also possible between Tuesday and Thanksgiving across higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains and the adjacent Great Basin outside of Salt Lake City.

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Heavy rainfall and snow may spread east of the Rockies beyond Thanksgiving, where return travel after Thanksgiving could be slower in the northernmost tier of the country, from North Dakota to Maine.
A Los Angeles-based celebrity who is keeping his identity secret is suing an attorney representing 120 alleged victims of Sean Diddy Combs. The man says the lawyer tried to extort a payout in return for not identifying him as a sexual abuser tied to the hip-hop mogul.

The celebrity  referred to in the lawsuit as a high-profile individual and identified only as John Doe through his lawyers  says Houston attorney Tony Buzbee wrote demand letters in which he made wildly false horrific allegations. Buzbee said the individual raped minors at a Combs party and that  unless he agreed to a mediated settlement  there would be consequences, according to the lawsuit.

Combs, 54, remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has denied multiple abuse claims. Buzbees law firm has filed many of those civil lawsuits against Combs since his arrest in September. The accusers lawyers say that other celebrities participated in rapes and sexual assaults at freak-offs organized by Combs and that some victims were minors.

Attorneys for the celebrity said Buzbee, in communications, threatened to unleash entirely fabricated and malicious allegations of sexual assault.

This is textbook extortion, the lawyers added.

Buzbee allegedly confronted the man this month with vile allegations. According to the lawsuit, Buzbee accused the celebrity of raping multiple minors, both male and female, who had been drugged at parties hosted by Combs. The lawyer said that if the celebrity did not agree to a confidential mediation, then the lawyer would take a different course, the suit claims. Buzbee attached an image of a ticking clock to the message, according to the lawsuit.

Buzbee said he and his firm would not allow the powerful and their high-dollar lawyers [to] intimidate or silence sexual survivors and warned that a lawsuit against the unnamed plaintiff was looming.

It is obvious that the frivolous lawsuit filed against my firm is an aggressive attempt to intimidate or silence me and ultimately my clients, Buzbee wrote in a statement. That effort is a gross miscalculation. I am a U.S. Marine. I wont be silenced or intimidated. Neither will my clients. Since our professional efforts at resolution obviously have failed, we will instead disclose the demand letters we sent at the time we filed suit.

Buzbees more than two dozen civil lawsuits have, for the first time, accused celebrities other than Combs of participating in assaults during parties hosted by the Bad Boy Records founder. The stars, however, have not been identified by name.

Buzbee has previously vowed to name celebrities who he says were involved in the alleged sexual abuse. He said during a news conference in September that the names contained in the suits would shock.

In one federal lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York, a woman identified as Jane Doe says she was 13 when she was raped by Combs and a male celebrity, identified only as Celebrity A, while a female celebrity, referred to as Celebrity B in court papers, watched.

The woman alleges in the legal filing that the night of Sept. 7, 2000, began with her outside Radio City Music Hall in New York City, trying to talk her way into the Video Music Awards. Later, at a freak-off hosted by Combs, the unnamed male celebrity allegedly raped the girl while Combs and the unidentified female celebrity watched. Combs then raped the girl as the other two celebrities watched, according to the lawsuit.

Combs attorneys denied Buzbees allegations. Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone  adult or minor, man or woman.

Attorneys at L.A. law firm Quinn Emanuel who filed suit Monday on behalf of the unnamed celebrity said Buzbee capitalizes on the bravery of those victims who came forward against Combs to win unearned settlements from innocent celebrities, politicians, and business people.

Defendants devised a scheme to obtain payments through the use of coercive threats from anyone with any ties to Combs  no matter how remote, lawyers for the unnamed plaintiff wrote. Defendants claim to be investigating the facts, but the reality is they are finding deep pockets and trying to smear all of them with the same brush.

___

2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A Brooklyn businessman has different ideas on what to do with the S.S. United States, which currently remains docked in Philadelphia as it prepares for its journey down to Mobile to become the worlds largest artificial reef.

John Quadrozzi Jr., concrete magnate and owner of the Gowanus Bay Terminal in Brooklyn, recently told Gothamist that he would like to turn the vessel into a sustainable floating ecosystem.

Coworking space, incubators. Preferably things that are more maritime and environmentally focusedThe vessel is just filled with small spaces in it, which would be ideal for that type of use, he said.

It gets built up in increments. There are residences. There are commercial spaces. There are industrial spaces.

Quadrozzi and his backer Dan McSweeney, co-founder of a conservancy dedicated to the S.S. United States, who recently pitched an idea to turn the ship into a floating affordable housing complex docked on the Hudson River, are rushing to stop the ship before it disembarks for Mobile.

It was previously scheduled to depart on Nov. 14 but was delayed due to weather concerns. Officials have not announced a new date for the ship to be moved.

Once the date is reset, it will take roughly two weeks for tugboats to tow the ship down to Mobile.

In Mobile, contractors will begin the process of ensuring it is safe for ocean life and poking holes in its hull to make it land upright at the bottom of the Gulf.

This process is predicted to take a year to complete after which the ship will take its final journey to a location about 20 miles south of the Florida Panhandle region in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area, according to the Okaloosa County Commission.

But Quadrozzi said he is not confident the ship can make it down to the shore for its rework.

Taking a vessel like that magnitude out into the deep sea and around the horn of Florida, the likelihood of it even making it there is questionable, he told Gothamist.

Although Quadrozzi is still working to find a way to keep the ship up in the Northeast, Okaloosa County officials say he has not reached out to them. Currently, their plan for the S.S. United States remains unchanged.

Im not familiar with that gentleman and what he has going on in Brooklyn, Nick Tomecek, a Okaloosa County spokesperson, told Gothamist.

I do know Okaloosa County has purchased this vessel for the use of the worlds largest artificial reef.

Originally designed as a top-secret, convertible troop carrier during the Cold War in 1951, the S.S. United States has transported presidents, famous actors, heads of state, tourists, members of the armed forces, and immigrants before it was retired in 1969.

Notable passengers included four U.S. Presidents (Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, and a young Bill Clinton), Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, and John Wayne.
The Republican who has served as the top-ranking member of the Alabama Senate for four years is leaving that office to join the Gov. Kay Ivey administration.

The governor announced today that Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, R-Jasper, will serve as her senior advisor to workforce transformation.

Ivey said Reed will be integral in the transition of the Alabama Department of Labor to the Department of Workforce, a change resulting from legislation passed this year.

Increasing our states labor force participation rate and setting us up for long term success remains a priority for my Administration, Ivey said in a press release. Greg has effectively represented his district in the Legislature and has been an outstanding partner as pro tem. Alabama is fortunate to continue benefiting from his service.

Reed was elected president pro tempore of the Senate in 2021. He was elected to the Senate in 2010 and became majority leader in 2014. He represents District 5, which includes Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties.

Reeds appointment is effective Jan. 1. Reed told senators about the decision at a caucus meeting this afternoon. Reed said the Republican caucus, which holds 27 of the 35 Senate seats, will meet to nominate a new president pro tempore on Dec. 3.

Ivey will call a special election for District 5 to replace Reed.

Ivey praised Reed for helping pass legislation to support workforce development, including the CHOOSE Act, which will give eligible Alabama families the option to receive $7,000 to pay for private school tuition starting in the 2025 school year.

The governor also mentioned Reeds leadership on the Working for Alabama legislative package. That included the bill to consolidate responsibilities for workforce development within one agency. The changes are intended to improve Alabamas workforce participation rate, one of the lowest in the country.

Alabama is poised to chart a new path in workforce development and economic growth, and I am immensely grateful to Governor Kay Ivey for giving me the opportunity to be a part of her team as a Senior Advisor to Workforce Transformation, Reed said.

Ivey said Marty Redden will continue as secretary of the Department of Labor as it transitions to the Department of Workforce, which will officially launch during the summer of 2025.

Marty has done a bang up job leading the Department of Labor during this transition to the Department of Workforce, Ivey said.
A deadly Birmingham shooting following a dispute on the social audio app Clubhouse showed the suspect on surveillance video lunging toward a victim with what appeared to be a gun, a detective testified on Tuesday.

The attorney for that suspect contends his client was shot at first and there is no way he should have been charged in what could possibly be a self-defense shooting.

Roddregus Williams-Johnson, 32, is charged with capital murder in the Aug. 10 slaying of 32-year-old Brandon Lee.

He is also charged with attempted murder in the wounding of Keandra Hendrix, who was Lees girlfriend and who police say was involved in a dispute with the suspect.

Jefferson County District Judge Katrina Ross ruled there was enough evidence to send the charges to a grand jury for indictment consideration.

North Precinct officers were dispatched about 11:55 p.m. that Saturday to 30th Avenue North in Birminghams Collegeville public housing community.

Officers made entry into the home and found a man and woman injured.

Lee was pronounced dead on the scene. The woman was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Two children, ages 7 and 5, were inside the home were unharmed.

The dispute between Williams-Johnson and Hendrix appears to have started on the social audio app Clubhouse, which is similar to a Zoom call.

The argument could be heard on the app as the suspect arrived at the apartment and listeners said to call police.

Multiple shots were then heard.

Jefferson County Deputy District Charissa Henrich is prosecuting the case. Williams-Johnson is represented by attorney Roderick Walls.

Birmingham homicide Det. Ronald Davenport was the lone witness in the hour-long hearing.

Davenport said when he arrived at the apartment, Lee was dead in the kitchen from gunshot wounds to the chest, torso, hand and arm.

Hendrix had been taken to UAB Hospital with a gunshot wound to the head, and cuts and scrapes from shrapnel.

Detectives found about eight shell casings on the scene  one from a 9 mm gun, and the rest from a 40-caliber gun.

No gun was found in Lees apartment, and no guns have been found in connection with the shooting, Davenport said.

Hendrix told investigators she was at the apartment with Lee and his two children. Williams-Johnson, a contractor who did maintenance at the public housing complex, showed up at the home, she told them.

A man was killed and a woman injured in a shooting on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Birmingham's Collegeville community.(Carol Robinson)

Davenport said Williams-Johnson and Lee did not know each other, but that Williams-Johnson and Hendrix were acquaintances and were in some type of argument. He did not disclose the nature of the dispute.

Williams-Johnson arrived at the apartment in a burgundy SUV and Hendrix was standing at the doorway of the apartment. At some point, Lee came downstairs and was standing behind his girlfriend.

The interaction was captured on Birmingham Housing Authority surveillance cameras monitored by the police departments Real Time Crime Center.

Davenport said Williams-Johnson had a cell phone in one hand and what appeared to be a gun in his other hand.

He said there was no audio on the footage, but it showed the two arguing. Lee could not be seen on the video.

Williams-Johnson, he said, lunged toward Hendrix and then started firing, continuing to do so as he ran back toward the waiting SUV.

At around 1:40 a.m. that Sunday, Williams-Johnson showed up at UAB Hospital suffering from a gunshot wound to his left arm. North Precinct officers detained him, and he has been in custody since then.

Davenport said video from UAB Hospital showed Williams-Johnson arriving at the emergency room in the burgundy SUV seen in Collegeville. He was wearing the same clothing as the shooter in the housing authority footage.

Under questioning from defense attorney Walls, Davenport said Hendrix did not tell him who fired the first shot.

Williams-Johnson, testimony showed, said that Lee fired on him first.

I didnt find anything in the video to confirm or deny, Davenport said.

Asked by Walls why charges were filed against Williams-Johnson when he claimed he was shot at first, Davenport said the gunfire didnt start until the suspect lunged at Hendrix.

In my experience as being a homicide detective, Davenport said, just because you didnt shoot first, doesnt mean youre not wrong.

Walls asked the detective if he was aware that Hendrix had posted statements in the Clubhouse app that contradicted what she told police, and Davenport said he had heard rumors of that but that investigators have not yet been able to get access to the Clubhouse posts.

Davenport also responded to questions from the defense attorney that Hendrix said she did not know what happened to the gun used by Lee.

Walls argued the charges against his client should be dismissed.

To charge him with capital murder is not just a stretch, but goes beyond, Walls said. If someone shoots you with a 9 mm gun, you have a right to shoot back and thats where we are.

Henrich pointed out that Williams-Johnson never called 911 and is a convicted felon so therefore shouldnt have been in possession of a firearm.

Does that make him guilty of capital murder? Walls asked.

The prosecutor said any possible self-defense arguments are an issue for a jury to decide and not something decided at a probable cause hearing.

Judge Ross said she understands Hendrix has made conflicting statements, however her initial statement is what the detectives based the warrants on.

The victim stated that (Williams-Johnson) shot her and her boyfriend and theres a foundation for the capital murder because of the shooting into an occupied dwelling and there were also children present, Ross said. I feel the state has met its burden of probable cause.
Police are asking for the publics help identifying two suspects in a shooting outside two west Birmingham businesses that left one man dead and another injured.

Johndarius Decareious Ward, 26, was killed Oct. 5 outside the Shell station and Boston Fish Supreme which city officials previously labeled as a launching pad for criminal activity.

Birmingham police on Wednesday released surveillance photo showing the two suspects walking, and also contained images of their vehicles, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald.

The shots rang out about 3 a.m. that Saturday in the 800 block of Third Avenue West.

One man was killed an another seriously injured in a shooting early Saturday outside Shell and Boston Fish Supreme on Birmingham's Third Avenue West.(Carol Robinson)

Police received four different Shot Spotter notifications. In all, the gunfire detection system registered about 42 shots.

When officers arrived, they found Ward unresponsive inside a vehicle. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead on the scene.

Roughly two dozen shell casings surrounded his sedan which was stopped in front Boston Fish Supreme. Another cluster of shell casings was right in front the Shell, feet away from the stores front door.

Authorities said it appeared Ward was trying to leave the parking lot when the shooter came from around a building and opened fire on the vehicle.

The shooter or shooters, who police said ambushed the victim, fled.

Police are asking for the publics help identifying to suspects a shooting outside two west Birmingham businesses that left one man dead and another injured.(Birmingham Police Department)

While officers were on the scene, they learned an additional victim showed up at Princeton Baptist Medical Center via private vehicle. He was transferred to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Ward had been parked outside Boston Fish Supreme earlier, police said. His killing appears to be targeted but a motive has not yet been disclosed.

Once the shooting started, Sgt. LaQuitta Wade previously said, somebody outside of Shell also began firing, and that is when investigators believe the bystander was caught in the crossfire.

Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Linda McMahon, currently co-chair of Donald Trumps presidential transition team and wife of WWE co-founder Vince McMahon, is expected to be tapped as secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, an agency Trump has vowed to abolish.

McMahon was slotted in after it became evident that she was not going to be tapped as the secretary of commerce, CNN reported, citing four sources familiar with the matter. That position went to Howard Lutnick, her fellow transition team co-chair and CEO of investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald.

McMahon headed the Small Business Administration when Trump was president the first time, leaving after two years to helm pro-Trump super PAC America First Action. She serves on the board of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a think tank favoring Trumps ideas that she formed with several former Trump advisors in 2021.

Under McMahons leadership, the AFPI has spent the past three years drafting proposed executive actions, policy memos and other presidential prep in the event of a second Trump term, as Politico noted.

Prior to her work with Trump, the rumored education pick twice ran for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut, losing in both 2010 and 2012.

She also co-founded the WWE with her husband and helped build it into a media monolith.

The McMahons have found themselves at the center of many lawsuits in recent years, including one late last month that accused them of knowingly allowing the sexual abuse of young ring boys throughout the 1980s and 90s.

According to the suit, the former WWE execs were aware that the organizations ringside announcer, Mel Phillips, used his prominent position to hire boys as young as 12, often from broken homes, who were then were groomed, exploited and sexually abused by Phillips.

Vince McMahon resigned from his roles at parent company TKO in January after a former WWE employee accused him of sexual misconduct, though he has vehemently denied all the allegations against him.

With News Wire Services

2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center board awarded a $3.9 million contract to a minority-owned business Wednesday to upgrade its outdoor space.

The contract is to rebuild the central outdoor space that connects Legacy Arena to the BJCCs concert hall, theater and exhibit halls.

The redesigned piazza will be more inviting for public use and more versatile for different kinds of events, said BJCC CEO Tad Snider. The space will have a park-like feel, with grassy areas, decorative plants, artistic elements and a water feature.

Plans are for construction will begin by the end of this year and are expected to summer 2025.

The BJCC board has awarded a $3.9 million contract to rebuild the central outdoor space that connects Legacy Arena to the BJCCs concert hall, theater and exhibit halls.Contributed, BJCC

Our goal is to turn a space that is now mostly concrete and bricks and make it an asset for our guests and the community at large, Snider said. We want this to be a space you would enjoy for a while before going to a concert or show, and a space that can also host smaller events.

The project was awarded to SDAC, whose $3.9 million bid was the lowest of three submitted. The company is based in Homestead, Florida, and has an office in Selma.

SDAC recently conducted the site-grading work for the Coca-Cola Amphitheater.
This is an opinion column.

Well, thats just perfect.

Say its name: The Governor Kay Ivey Correctional Complex.

Ivey Prison. Just perfect.

I laughed out loud when I learned the states new $1.25 billion mens prison in Elmore County will be named for our governor  courtesy of the Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority, with Iveys blessing.

I laughed and cringed. Laughed, cringed and shook my head.

Laughed because it is absolutely fitting, as I all but called last year. Prisons are Iveys thing. Maybe more than anything else shes hyped since taking office in 2017.

Shes led the long-overdue replacement of the horrid prison systems most antiquated facilities. And shes been an unyielding proponent of executions in the mighty name of law and order, even when the victims family was against it. Even when the state couldnt get it right.

I cringed at the thought of someone some day lamenting, Dang, my cousin just got 20 years down at Ivey.

Then I shook my head because our governor, who will leave office at the end of her current term, could have scripted a much more noble legacy. She could have been lauded, honored and heralded for so many other accomplishments. Actions that could have improved, elevated  even extended  the lives of generations of Alabamians.

Instead, her name will be chiseled into the walls of a prison. A prison in this state.

A state whose system was deemed unconstitutionally horrific by the U.S. Department of Justice, which sued Alabama citing violent conditions. A state where incarcerated men and women are sardined into inhumane spaces and provided with few resources to help them rehabilitate, rebuild and reclaim life.

A state where too many of our incarcerated die for reasons sometimes hidden from their families. Or because our heartless tough-on-crime zealots are loathe to allow the terminally ill and no-longer-dangerous-to-anyone to transition at home.

A state where the parole pipeline is choked by a singular figure who acts as if her calling is to feed the states need for cheap prison laborers.

A state where, under Iveys watch, Alabama logged the most executions in recent memory and even changed the rules on death warrants to give the state more time to execute more people. The state even found a new way to kill people, suffocating inmates with nitrogen, something no other state had done and something veterinarians deemed too cruel for strays.

Congratulations, governor, this prison system is all yours. Its your legacy.

Thats how Alabamians yet unborn will know you, will remember you: Ivey Prison.

Just perfect.

To be sure, having a prison named for you isnt always a dubious homage. Julia S. Tutwiler, for whom the states prison for women is named, was heralded as the angel of prisons, as an advocate for reform, especially safer conditions. Thats before the facility became infamous for sexual assault by guards.

The William E. Donaldson facility in Bessemer was named for a correctional officer who was killed by an inmate in 1990 while trying to dispense medicine. But today its just known as another of Alabamas ridiculously dangerous and deadly prisons.

It is heartbreaking that we as Alabama citizens, when our loved ones go into an Alabama prison, we pray every day that they do not come out in a body bag because thats what happening repeatedly, said Kelly Helton of Foley, speaking to lawmakers this year on behalf of a friend whose son was severely beaten at Donaldson.

Ivey wont be the first Alabama governor with a prison named in their honor. Kilby Correctional in Montgomery County is named for Gov. Thomas Erby Kilby, who occupied the office between 1919-1923.

Ivey visited Kilby two years ago to prove the prisons are fine, no matter what the DOJ argues. But today Kilby is one of the more overcrowded close-security prisons in the state, with 1,461 beds in a facility designed for just 440. That math aint mathin. Its dangerous, as proven by this: Kilby saw 13 sex abuse cases and 11 new death investigations in just the third quarter of this year.

Ivey could have done much better. Should have done much better.

Instead, she could have built a legacy of lifting our children from the darkest depths of the education barrel. State education funding is at record levels and test scores are rising in every subject. Alas, according to U.S. News & World Report, were 43rd in the nation in K-12 education.

So, no high-flying Gov. Kay Ivey Elementary schools.

She could have been known as Gov. Jobs. In March, she touted that some $49 billion had been invested in the state since she became governor. At the same time, however, the states workforce participation lags the national average, even as it slowly ticks upward.

Gov. Kay Ivey Workforce Training Centers? Whod show up?

She could have forged a legacy of making Alabama  still fighting an image tainted by its sordid racial history and hateful laws and policies  more welcoming. With open arms for all. Instead, she giddily signed into law a bill scorching diversity, equity and inclusion programs and spaces at public institutions (already causing some bright faculty minds to consider leaving or retiring) and two anti-LBGT laws.

One of the latter laws turns doctors into criminals by banning gender-affirming surgery in trans youth, a decision that should be between a physician, the patient and the patients family  with the governor nowhere to be seen.

Gov. Kay Ivey Welcome Centers? Please.

Gov. Kay Ivey Public Library? Forget that, too.

As GOP lawmakers considered bills to lock up librarians, Ivey turned around and appointed a top critic to the Alabama Public Library Service Board.

Most assuredly, Ivey could have easily been known as the states most pro-life governor ever  and not because she signed one of the most Draconian anti-abortion laws in the nation.

She could have been hailed as the states most pro-life governor ever by ensuring that on her watch 220,000 more working families could afford health insurance. She could have helped rural hospitals stay open instead of shuttering due to financial strains. And she could have championed solutions to help more babies live vibrant, healthy lives beyond their first birthday, reversing Alabamas grim rise in infant deaths.

She could have expanded Medicaid.

Alas, shes not the life governor, shes the death and dangerous prisons governor.

Gov. Kay Ivey Hospital and Prenatal Centers? Nah.

Just plaster her name upside a prison wall. Right where it belongs.

I was raised by good people who encouraged me to be a good man and surround myself with good people. If I did, they said, good things would happen. I am a member of the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame, an Edward R. Murrow Award winner, and a Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary. My column appears on AL.com, and digital editions of The Birmingham News, Huntsville Times, and Mobile Press-Register. Tell me what you think at rjohnson@al.com, and follow me at twitter.com/roysj, Instagram @roysj and BlueSky.
By Anna Scheyett

UGA Today

ATHENS  If youre like most Americans, you probably dont give too much thought to where your food comes from. And you likely pay even less attention to the people who supply it.t

But recent research from the University of Georgia suggests the unique stresses from farm life may be taking a toll on one of the pillars of the families that make your dinners possible: the women who keep farming families running.

If we dont control our food sources, we dont control our health and safety, Anna Scheyett, lead author of the study and a professor in UGAs School of Social Work, said. Its a matter of national security that farmers survive in the United States. And one of the big factors in helping farms survive is women.

The researchers held six focus group sessions with more than two dozen women married to farmers in rural Georgia.

Women are vital in farming, Scheyett said. Many women are farmers themselves while others work the farm alongside their spouse. But much of their work is invisible, sometimes even to the women themselves. Thats a theme that emerged among the women in the groups.

They often take care of everything but the farm, managing housework, yardwork and child care. One participant even described herself as being, in a sense, a single parent, saying, If it has to do with our kids or my household  that is 100% on me.

Because farming is uncertain and one bad frost can spell disaster for the seasons crops, two-thirds of the women in the study also work full-time outside the home. This provides more financial stability and health care coverage for the families, but it also increases the mental load the women carry.

On top of their careers and role handling all the non-farming tasks, more than half of the women in the study also managed the books for their families farms, a unique source of stress for many of them.

He doesnt look at the bank account  as far as looking at it on paper, what we have coming in and what we have going out; I carry that burden, one woman said.

Many also work on the farm as well. But they often discounted their own contributions to farm work, saying things like they only managed hay or that their husband was the primary farmer.

The women described feeling like they had to be the bright spot in everyones day, saying it was up to them to manage their husbands emotions when things got rough and the farmers got grumpy.

Any time theyre under stress, boy, youre going to get the brunt of it, one participant said.

They lead an isolated and often lonely life, the women agreed.

What a lot of people dont realize is as a farmers wife  you cant get off at 5 oclock and go and hang out with your friends like normal  because its a full-time, seven-day-a-week deal, one participant said.

It is really easy to get sad, said another.

The women often minimized the difficulties they experience, describing their farm work as simple and their husbands as the real work. And they also minimized the negative emotions they absorbed from their spouses.

I dont think that they mean it and I just tune it out were common refrains from the women in the focus groups.

A positive repeatedly stated by women was the pride they felt in farm life and how it gave them real joy to see their children raised on a farm. One wife noted how lucky she felt because we live right here in the midst of it all, so theres no life like it while others talked about how its a great way to raise kids.

And they dont want your pity, the researchers said. The participants universally agreed that raising their families on a farm was a uniquely challenging but rewarding experience, and they wouldnt change that.

Still, a little recognition of their contribution to securing the U.S. food supply could go a long way, the researchers said.

Id love to see a campaign thanking farmers and their families for their service to the country, Scheyett said. They put their bodies on the line every day so we can eat and live.

Another obstacle is child care. Rural child care is hard to find and often extremely expensive when you do find it. Policies increasing access to quality and affordable care would give the women a little bit of breathing space, Scheyett said.

I ultimately would hope that people can move beyond whatever stereotypes they have about farming and families who farm, Scheyett said. If we dont support these families, were in big trouble as a country because we wont be able to generate our food.

Special Photo via UGA/CAES Special Photo: Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA










English News China takes actions to cope with climate change

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 18 Novembre 2024



China is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with all parties to jointly address the challenges of climate change, support the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, and promote the establishment of a fair, reasonable, and mutually beneficial global climate governance system.

By Kou Jiangze, Sun Xiran, People's Daily China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) recently issued a report on China's policies and actions for addressing climate change. The report comprehensively summarizes the progress and achievements of China in combating climate change since 2023.



This year marks the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Xia Yingxian, director of the MEE's department of climate change, said that China places high priority on addressing climate change, adding that the country was among the first parties to join the UNFCCC and one of the earliest countries to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement.

China has taken a series of actions to comprehensively advance its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and achieved positive results.



According to Xia, the country has worked continuously to reduce its carbon intensity. In 2023, non-fossil energy accounted for 17.9 percent of total energy consumption, while the proportion of coal dropped from 67.4 percent in 2013 to 55.3 percent.



Forest stock volume reached 19.493 billion cubic meters, an increase of 6.5 billion cubic meters compared to 2005, Xia said.



By the end of July this year, the total installed capacity of wind and solar power reached 1.206 billion kilowatts, 2.25 times that of late 2020, achieving the 2030 installation target more than six years ahead of schedule.



China's national carbon trading market serves as a crucial policy tool in achieving both the dual carbon goals and the country's climate action commitments under the NDCs.



"Since being launched in July 2021, the national carbon trading market has demonstrated steady growth, with cumulative trading volume reaching nearly 500 million tons of carbon allowances and total transactions amounting to 29.7 billion yuan ($4.11 billion). The market has shown stable operation with gradually rising carbon prices," Xia noted.



In May this year, the MEE issued a plan to build and implement a unified carbon footprint management system, which clearly defines the objectives for building a carbon footprint management system.



According to the report on China's policies and actions on addressing climate change, the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2035 is being implemented successfully.



Xia explained that the MEE has designated 39 cities nationwide as pilot sites for enhanced climate-adaptive city development, actively exploring development paths and models for climate- adaptive cities.



Meanwhile, the ministry is actively promoting climate impact and risk assessments, while strengthening climate adaptation efforts in key regions such as the Yellow River basin and the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.



China has actively joined and led global climate governance. Through the South-South cooperation on climate change framework, China has long provided support to other developing countries, especially small island states, least developed countries, and African nations, in their climate action efforts.



Xia noted that China has signed 53 climate cooperation memorandums of understanding with 42 developing countries. The cooperation includes establishing low-carbon demonstration zones, carrying out mitigation and adaptation projects, and conducting training workshops to strengthen these countries' climate response capabilities.



"China will continue to strengthen South-South cooperation in addressing climate change by leveraging its advantages in photovoltaic technology, new energy vehicle, and early warning," said Xia.

"Through material assistance, technical support, exchanges, seminars, and joint research, China aims to carry out practical cooperative projects," he added.



Climate finance, as a focal, challenging, and high-priority issue in the international climate process, is key to making multilateral progress. At the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UNFCCC, parties are expected to finalize the global climate finance targets and related arrangements for the period after 2025.



Xia said China advocates upholding the principles, provisions, and mandates of the Paris Agreement to ensure there is no renegotiation or rewriting of its terms. Developed countries should fulfill their financial commitments and continue to take the lead in mobilizing funds, while encouraging voluntary contributions from other nations.



He said developed countries should honor their pledged funding targets by 2025. It must be clarified that the primary source of funds should be public financing from developed countries. This public funding should send a positive and stable policy signal to the international community, further leveraging and expanding financing from multilateral development banks and investments from the private sector.



The report also outlines China's fundamental stance and propositions regarding the COP29. It says China is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with all parties to jointly address the challenges of climate change, support the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, and promote the establishment of a fair, reasonable, and mutually beneficial global climate governance system.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > China's economic resilience: overcoming challenges, advancing with confidence High-quality Belt and Road cooperation create opportunities for global growth China's new chapter in global innovation Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
District Attorney Kim Ogg speaks to the media at the District Attorneys Office on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Houston, about charges against ex-Harris County health official Barbie Robinson. Karen Warren/Staff photographer District Attorney Kim Ogg speaks to the media at the District Attorneys Office on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Houston, about charges against ex-Harris County health official Barbie Robinson. Karen Warren/Staff photographer District Attorney Kim Ogg speaks to the media at the District Attorneys Office on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Houston, about charges against ex-Harris County health official Barbie Robinson. Karen Warren/Staff photographer District Attorney Kim Ogg speaks to the media through the video screen of a videographers camera at the District Attorneys Office on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Houston, about charges against ex-Harris County health official Barbie Robinson. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

District Attorney Kim Ogg said Tuesday her offices investigation into Harris County Public Health contracts remains active, after prosecutors filed charges against the departments former director.

Barbie Robinson was charged Friday with a felony count of misuse of official information, accused of sharing private information with IBM officials about a contract the company would later bid for and win.

Texas Rangers uncovered emails between those IBM officials and Robinsons personal email address, in which they discussed a 'sole source' contract in Harris County  a way to avoid the competitive bidding usually required in government contracts. After the county's purchasing department insisted on a competitive process, IBM officials supplied job descriptions for Robinson to use in crafting the proposal, according to the charging document.

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This is cheating, Ogg said. IBM became much more informed than any other competitor, giving them a tremendous advantage at what is nearly a $30 million contract.

NEW CHARGES: Former Harris County Public Health chief Barbie Robinson charged with misuse of official information

Robinsons civil attorney has not responded to requests for comment. It is not clear who will represent her in the criminal case. Robinson has not appeared before a magistrate, according to court records, and she could face 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000 for the felony charge.

The charge does not require proof that Robinson herself benefited for sharing the information, Ogg said, though prosecutors are investigating whether that occurred.

The crime here is that there was great value to that information, Ogg said. She gave that information up, she gave it early, she gave it to a preferred friend.

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The allegations center on a program Robinson implemented in Sonoma County, Calif., using IBM as a contractor. When she moved to Harris County in 2021, Robinson and IBM officials discussed continuing the work here. The program was called ACCESS (Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self Sufficiency) Harris County, an effort to focus on critical needs for residents with mental health issues, substance abuse, or housing insecurity, among other issues.

While there are many questions about the ACCESS program that our prosecutors are learning as this investigation continues, what we are certain about is that the lawful procurement process was diverted, Ogg said.

That program started with a $16 million contract awarded by Harris County commissioners in February 2022, months after Robinson's communications with the IBM officials. The second-place bidder for the contract had offered a price of $2.2 million, Ogg said.

Robinson served as Harris Countys top health official from May 2021 to August 2024, when she was fired by County Administrator Diana Ramirez. The termination came after two revelations: A Chronicle investigation that found private communications between Robinson and another contractor she worked with in Sonoma County that started winning work here; and a consulting contract Robinson took with Yuba County in California this year, while she was still working for Harris County.

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Neither the emails with the contractor nor the consulting contract were disclosed to Harris County leadership, according to Ramirez, though a lawyer for Robinson has said her termination letter was categorically false. Robinson planned to sue the county after her firing, with her lawyer alleging the county retaliated against her after failing to respond to her complaints of harassment and a hostile workforce. It does not appear that lawsuit has been filed in the Harris County courts.

The Chronicles investigation centered on a California company named DEMA Consulting & Management, which ran housing sites during the Covid-19 pandemic in Sonoma. Ogg suggested Tuesday that her office continues to investigate that contract, as well, and prosecutors bail recommendations asked that Robinson be forbidden from communicating with DEMA officials.

Ogg said Tuesday Robinson only served on an evaluation committee twice in her tenure as the county's director of public health: Once for the IBM contract, and the other for DEMA. She said the investigation into Robinson began after her termination.

Robinson recruited DEMA to Harris County in 2021 to run two Covid-19 testing and vaccination sites, but DEMA soon won a larger contract to respond to certain nonviolent 911 calls.

During that bidding process, the companys CEO, Michelle Patino, emailed a job offer to Robinson, seeking to hire her for legal consulting services back in California. Robinson, who later served on the evaluation panel that recommended DEMA for the job over a local nonprofit, said she did not see the job offer and it did not affect her judgment.

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Another DEMA official sent an email that fall suggesting he knew the company would get the contract before it had been chosen.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo described the charges as another political attack from Ogg, who previously filed similar charges against three of Hidalgos aides in 2022. Hidalgo suggested those charges have stalled because they are without merit. Ogg invited prosecutors under Attorney General Ken Paxton this year to handle those cases without recusing her office.

Were not in high school, and our cases arent based on opinions, Ogg said in response Tuesday. The opinions of politically elected individuals are irrelevant to the criminal process.

Ogg, who will leave office in January after suffering a bruising loss in a Democratic primary this March, has frequently sparred with the countys Democratic leadership. This fall, she endorsed GOP Sen. Ted Cruzs re-election campaign and featured prominently in his television ads, fueling speculation that she may switch parties.










English News CIIE builds platform of win-win cooperation for companies around world

Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 16 Novembre 2024



By making the pie of opening up bigger and the list of cooperation longer, China will continue to achieve its own development through open cooperation, thereby making greater contributions to global economic stability and prosperity.

By Du Yifei, People's Daily The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. The total contracted exhibition area has reached 366,000 square meters, and more than 2,000 companies from over 100 countries and regions have confirmed their participation so far.



Over 70 countries and international organizations are scheduled to join the Country Exhibition, including first-timers such as Norway, Slovakia, Benin, Burundi, Madagascar, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Free exhibition booths will be provided to exhibitors from 35 least developed countries, to facilitate the entry of their unique products into the Chinese market.



As the world's first national-level import-themed expo, the CIIE has seen an expanded "circle of friends" over the past seven years. It has served as a window for fostering a new development pattern that creates new opportunities for the world through China's further development, and as a platform of high-standard opening-up that allows China's enormous market to be shared by the world, providing shared international public goods and services that facilitate an open world economy.



The vibrant annual CIIE has become more and more attractive to global exhibitors. Deus Nuwagaba, chief operating officer of the Uganda Coffee Farmers Alliance, has been preparing for the seventh CIIE, as the coffee harvest season arrived in Uganda.



On a coffee plantation on the slopes of Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda, where coffee trees spread out in a lush and green expanse, Nuwagaba was overseeing the purchases and sales of coffee beans. "I'll bring these coffee beans to China!" said Nuwagaba.



The CIIE has become a prominent platform for innovation, with a wide range of new products, cutting-edge technologies, and high-quality services making their debuts every year. For instance, at the sixth CIIE last year, a total of 442 new products, technologies, and services were launched, offering splendid exhibitions for the global audience.



It is reported that this year, the expo's technology and equipment exhibition area will, for the first time, feature a new materials section to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces. Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders from the United States, Japan, Germany, Singapore, Brazil and Italy, among others, as well as "hidden champions" that lead global niche markets, have confirmed to join this new section.



During the first CIIE in 2018, Medtronic, one of the largest medical device companies in the world, exhibited the world's smallest cardiac pacemaker that weighs only about 2 grams, garnering widespread attention.



Medtronic has participated in the CIIE for six consecutive years, presenting over 300 innovative products and treatments, including more than 50 debut products. Over 10 innovative products and treatments have transitioned from exhibits to traded goods.



Alex Gu, senior vice president of Medtronic, said that China's vast population and the government's focus on public health indicate enormous potential in the Chinese market.



He noted that Medtronic has always been optimistic about the Chinese market and firmly believes that China will become the world's largest medical market and an innovation hub for medical technologies.



"Leveraging the platform of the CIIE, Medtronic is rapidly bringing innovative products to the Chinese market, while enhancing its local research and production capabilities and developing the value chain in China," Gu said.



The seventh Hongqiao International Economic Forum, an important part of the CIIE, themed "High-Standard Opening up for Universally Beneficial and Inclusive Economic Globalization," will include a main forum and 19 sub-forums.



Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), a world leader in container shipping, has participated in the CIIE multiple times and has been operating and investing in the Chinese market for over 20 years with expanded business scope.



According to Soren Toft, CEO of MSC, the world economy today still faces many uncertainties. China is committed to open cooperation and creating a better economic and trade environment, providing crucial support for the stability and smooth flows of the global industrial and supply chains.



Toft said that the high-level international exhibitions such as the CIIE, Canton Fair, and China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) held by China have provided mutually beneficial cooperation platforms for enterprises from various countries. This demonstrates China's determination to expand opening-up and contributes to global economic recovery and development.



The CIIE is China's major initiative to still widen market access to the rest of the world and a concrete action by China to advance an open world economy and support economic globalization.



By making the pie of opening up bigger and the list of cooperation longer, China will continue to achieve its own development through open cooperation, thereby making greater contributions to global economic stability and prosperity.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > China's economic resilience: overcoming challenges, advancing with confidence High-quality Belt and Road cooperation create opportunities for global growth China's new chapter in global innovation Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
A recent post-election doomsday headline reads, Trumps White House return poised to tangle health care safety net. The following are quotes from the litany of dire predictions that Trump will destroy the Medicaid safety net.

...increase uninsured rate;

...create new barriers to abortion;

...erode...[ACA]...consumer protections;

...insert work requirements into Medicaid;

...impose funding cuts to the safety net insurance;

...challenge federal agencies that safeguard public health.

The last is particularly egregious after the immense medical, financial, and societal harm done to the American people during the COVID scam by the FDA, CDC and NIH, the very agencies tasked with safeguard[ing] public health. Challenge is the least that should be done to them.

Rather than disprove the above accusations in detail, consider why and how the U.S. medical safety net is indeed a tangled, complex, inefficient structure that spends too much and doesnt provide adequate medical care. Answer: Washington. The federal government is constantly over-regulating Medicaid and Medicare so that medical care becomes increasingly less accessible while spending insane amounts of taxpayer dollars doing it.

The original 1965 Medicaid medical safety net was intended to increase benefits [for a small number of Americans] under the Old-age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance System. In 1966, four million Americans were enrolled in Medicaid. With repeated federal expansion of eligibility rules over 57 years, the Medicaid safety net covered 92.3 million Americans  27.6 percent of the entire population  by December 2022.

Not only did CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid) greatly expand eligibility over the years, it also increased benefits. The resulting medical costs of the program skyrocketed to consume 10 percent of the entire U.S. budget in 2023.

Washingtons joint state-federal matching funding mechanism, FMAP (Federal Medical Assistance Percentage), encourages spending, not saving. The federal government applies a multiplication factor to what a state budgets for its Medicaid program budget and gives that amount each year to the state. The poorest states, i.e., with the lowest per capita incomes, have the highest multiplication factors.

Note that the more one state budgets for its Medicaid program, the more taxpayer dollars are distributed by the federal government to that state.

In addition to constant expansion of medical costs and the drive for states to spend more (to get more), there is the ever-increasing cost of federal complexity called BARRCOME  bureaucracy, administration, rules, regulations, compliance, oversight, mandates, and enforcement. This expense is estimated at 31 percent to more than 50 percent of all U.S. healthcare spending. In 2023, that was $1.5 trillion to $2.4 trillion Washington took from care for Americans and paid to ... itself.

At present, the U.S. has an unnecessarily complex, ever-changing, user-unfriendly, and massively expensive medical safety net. The word tangled is too mild a descriptor.

The way to fix our medical safety net is simple: follow the law. Below is Section 1801 of the original 1965 Medicaid law.

SEC. 1801. Nothing in this title [the law] shall be construed to authorize any Federal officer or employee to exercise any supervision or control over the practice of medicine or the manner in which medical services are provided, or over the selection, tenure, or compensation of any officer or employee of any institution, agency, or person providing health services; or to exercise any supervision or control over the administration or operation of any such institution, agency, or person.

Untangle Medicaid using Section 1801. Other than funding, Washington should have no involvement in state Medicaid programs. No federal BARRCOME, none.

If California wants to make illegal residents eligible for its safety net and Texas does not, that is proper and legal.

If Oklahoma wants work requirements for able-bodied enrollees and Illinois does not, no problem.

The Supreme Court returned abortion decision-making to the states when it overturned Roe v. Wade. The federal government should have no say, and Trump has said he will follow the Supreme Court decision. If Alabama prohibits abortion and New York allows it, both are following the rule of law.

If Texas, like most of the nation, no longer trusts the FDA, and wants to start its own TDA (Texas Drug Agency) within existing resources as part of its safety net, that should be a Texas prerogative.

Funding of state Medicaid programs should be a block grant. California provides a good demonstration of why funding should be a fixed sum from Washington, not an amount that varies with state budgeting. If Governor Newsom wants to provide medical care for illegals, or if he believes housing and food are medical benefits of a safety net, that is his decision. But he should pay for it out of the fixed sum allocated to the Golden State and not demand taxpayer dollars from other states to fund his ideas.

Untangling Medicaid can be simple: follow the law. As a side benefit, taxpayers could save trillions of dollars. (We hope RFK, Jr. and/or Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are reading this!)

Deane Waldman, M.D., MBA is Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Decision Science; former Director of Center for Healthcare Policy at Texas Public Policy Foundation; former Director of New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange; and author of 12 books, including multi-award winning, Curing the Cancer in U.S. Healthcare: StatesCare and Market-Based Medicine. Follow him on X.com a @DrDeaneW or contact via www.deanewaldman.com.

Vance Ginn, Ph.D., is president of Ginn Economic Consulting, host of the Let People Prosper Show, and previously chief economist of the Trump White House's Office of Management and Budget. Follow him on X.com at @VanceGinn.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
During his November 1 Friday mosque sermon at the North Hudson Islamic Center in New Jersey, CAIR official Ayman Aishat made a seemingly starting claim:

We live in America, the United States of America. Brothers and sisters, those who do not know history, not too long ago, the USA was paying the jizya to the Ottoman Caliph.

Could this be?

First, let us define jizya. In brief, it is the monetary tribute that conquered or cowed infidels pay their Islamic overlords in exchange for peace, according to Koran 9:29:

Fight those among the People of the Book [Christians and Jews] who do not believe in Allah, nor the Last Day, nor forbid what Allah and his Messenger have forbidden, nor embrace the religion of truth [Islam], until they pay the jizya with willing submission and feel themselves subdued.

And yes, Aishat is correct: once upon a time, in its fledgling youth, the United States succumbed to paying jizya to appease Muslim terrorists. That story is instructive -- not least as it includes the genesis of the U.S. Navy.

Between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, the Muslims of North Africa (Barbary) thrived on enslaving Europeans. According to the conservative estimate of American professor Robert Davis, between 1530 and 1780 there were almost certainly a million and quite possibly as many as a million and a quarter white, European Christians enslaved by the Muslims of the Barbary Coast. (With countless European women selling for the price of an onion, little wonder by the late 1700s, European observers noted how the inhabitants of Algiers have a rather white complexion.)

As Barbary slaving was a seafaring venture, nearly no part of Europe was untouched. From 1627 to 1633, Lundy, an island off the west coast of Britain, was actually occupied by the pirates, whence they pillaged England at will. In 1627 they raided Denmark and even far-off Iceland, hauling a total of some 800 slaves.

Such raids were accompanied by the trademark hate. One English captive writing around 1614 noted that the Muslim pirates abhor the ringing of the [church] bells being contrary to their Prophets command, and so destroyed them whenever they could. In 1631, nearly the entire fishing village of Baltimore in Ireland was raided and 237 persons, men, women, and children, even those in the cradle seized.

By the late eighteenth century, Barbarys strength relative to Europe had plummeted, and the Muslims could no longer raid the European coastline for slaves -- certainly not on the scale of previous centuries -- so its full energy was spent on raiding non-Muslim merchant vessels. European powers responded by buying peace through tribute, which the Muslims accepted as jizya.

Fresh and fair meat appeared on the horizon once the newly-born United States broke free of Great Britain and was therefore no longer protected by the latters jizya payments. In 1785 Muslim pirates from Algiers captured two American vessels, the Maria and Dauphin; they enslaved and paraded the sailors through the streets to jeers and whistles. Considering the horrific ways Christian slaves were treated in Barbary -- sadistically tortured, pressured to convert, and sodomized, as described in the writings of missionaries, redeemers, and others (e.g., John Foxe, Fr. Dan, Fr. Jerome Maurand, Robert Playfair) -- when the Dauphins Captain OBrian later wrote to Thomas Jefferson that our sufferings are beyond our expression or your conception, he was not exaggerating.

Jefferson and John Adams, then ambassadors to France and England respectively, met with Tripolis ambassador to Britain, Abdul Rahman Adja, in an effort to ransom the enslaved Americans and establish peaceful relations. In a letter to Congress dated March 28, 1786, the hitherto puzzled American ambassadors laid out the source of the Barbarys unprovoked animosity:

We took the liberty to make some inquiries concerning the grounds of their pretentions to make war upon nations who had done them no injury, and observed that we considered all mankind as our friends who had done us no wrong, nor had given us any provocation. The ambassador answered us that it was founded on the laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as prisoners, and that every Musselman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to Paradise.

This, of course, was a paraphrase of Islams so-called Sword Verse (Koran 9:5), which ISIS invoked earlier this year.

At any rate, the ransom demanded to release the American sailors was over fifteen times greater than what Congress had approved, and little came of the meeting.

Back in Congress, some agreed with Jefferson that it will be more easy to raise ships and men to fight these pirates into reason, than money to bribe them. In a letter to a friend, George Washington wondered:

In such an enlightened, in such a liberal age, how is it possible that the great maritime powers of Europe should submit to pay an annual tribute to the little piratical States of Barbary? Would to Heaven we had a navy able to reform those enemies to mankind, or crush them into nonexistence.

But the majority of Congress agreed with John Adams: We ought not to fight them at all unless we determine to fight them forever. Considering the perpetual, existential nature of Islamic hostility, Adams was probably more right than he knew.

Congress settled on emulating the Europeans and paying off the terrorists, though it would take years to raise the demanded ransom. In 1794 Algerian pirates captured eleven more American merchant vessels.

Two things resulted: the Naval Act of 1794 was passed, and a permanent standing U.S. naval force was established. But because the first war vessels would not be ready until 1800, American jizya payments -- which took up 16 percent of the entire federal budget -- began to be made to Algeria in 1795. In return, some 115 American sailors were released, and the Islamic sea raids formally ceased.

American jizya and gifts over the following years caused the increasingly emboldened pirates to respond with increasingly capricious demands.

One of the more ignoble instances occurred in 1800, when Captain William Bainbridge of the George Washington sailed to the Dey of Algiers (an Ottoman honorific for the pirate lords of Barbary), with what the latter deemed insufficient tribute. Referring to the American crew as my slaves, Dey Mustapha proceeded to order Bainbridge to transport the Muslims own annual tribute -- hundreds of black slaves and exotic animals -- to the Ottoman sultan in Constantinople (Istanbul).

Adding insult to insult, the Dey commanded the U.S. flag taken down from the George Washington and the Islamic flag hoisted in its place; and, no matter how rough the seas might be during the long voyage, Bainbridge was ordered to make sure the vessel faced Mecca five times a day for the prayers of Mustaphas ambassador and entourage. Bainbridge condescended to being the Muslim pirates delivery boy.

Soon after Jefferson became president in 1801, Tripoli demanded another, especially exorbitant payment, followed by an increase in annual payments -- or else. I know, Jefferson concluded, that nothing will stop the eternal increase of demand from these pirates but the presence of an armed force. So he refused the ultimatum, and, on May 10, 1801, the pasha of Tripoli, having not received his timely jizya installment proclaimed jihad on the United States.

Thus began the United States first war as a nation, the First Barbary War (1801-1805).

But that is another story.

Raymond Ibrahim, author of Defenders of the West and Sword and Scimitar, is the Distinguished Senior Shillman Fellow at the Gatestone Institute and the Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum.

Image: Public Domain
Trump seems to be on track to eradicate socialism for good in America. While thats a tall order, Trumps history indicates that, uniquely, he can do it. Trump himself has declared, I alone can fix it.

Why has no one else been able to stand up to the left the way he has? What is it about him that has enabled him to accomplish so much and have such a unique story? It started in 2016 when he pulled off the greatest political upset in history with no prior political experience. He sat on the sidelines and watched for years before he made his move and did so at the perfect momentthe last chance our nation had to escape socialism.

Remember those three Supreme Court seats he got to fill? If he hadnt won, Hillary Clinton would have filled them with judges who believe in a living Constitution (i.e., the Constitution says what we say it does). The Democrats would have quickly passed their voting rights legislation (totally antithetical to the Constitution), and we would never have had another free election in this country again.

Image by AI.

Not that 2016 was a fair election (the mainstream media was shamelessly biased), but it was at least free, as evidenced by the fact that Trump was able to win in 2016. With a Democrat takeover, the left would have complete control over our elections, fixing the FEC so that it would only have five members overseeing it with a Democrat-appointed chair. The referees would be working for one team. Close calls would forever go in one direction. Plus, think of all those illegal aliens Hillary would have allowed in who would be voting.

Here are five reasons Trump is the perfect man to bring about the change he promises:

First, Trumps energy has enabled him to be as successful as he is. An often-overlooked fact is that Trump appears to be what people call a short sleeper. Short sleepers make up about 1-3% of the population. He has been known to sleep for just 4 to 5 hours per night and wake up feeling rested.

How many people have the energy to keep up the kind of schedule one must keep up to be President for not just one but two terms? Not many. At his age, most people would not be in the kind of mental and physical shape to campaign for and be president.

Second, Trump has psychological resilience. The amount of rage that has been directed at him has been astronomical, to say the least. Nor can he ignore it because he must watch what the press is doing. Very few people could stand up to that amount of hatred.

Third, Trump is an independent thinker. YouTube is full of videos playing clips of all the people declaring he wouldnt be president. Only an independent man can stand against the naysayers not once but three times.

Fourth, Trump has a strong moral compass. He knows what is right and refuses to believe lies, no matter how many times his adversaries repeat them about him.

Fifth, Trump can read minds. While its true that he cant tell you what number between one and a million youre thinking of, in every other sense, he can read minds. A close look at his rhetoric suggests he has a unique gift. He genuinely understands people.

For example, during the 2016 campaign, Trump claimed President Obama had insulted a Trump supporter who had crashed a Hillary rally at which Obama was speaking. In fact, Obama had been polite. However, what Trump understood is that all the Democrats genuinely dislike the people whose votes they seek. Very often, Trumps strategy is to articulate what people are figuring out for themselves. This is how the press keeps giving him billions of dollars in free press despite their utmost efforts to destroy him. Hes exploiting their disconnect with voters, and they dont understand that.

Sixth, Trump has the unique ability to bait his opponents into exposing the worst side of themselves. Thus, he forces them to show Americans the lunacy of wokeness. This brings moderate Democrats to Trumps side.

What are the chances that all these characteristics would exist in a single person? Very low. This is why Trump is a legend.
It turns out that most Americans want election measures that call for transparency, according to the November 18 Rasmussen Poll on election integrity.

Rasmussen reported that there was broad support for measures that ensure election integrity. The poll found that [a] majority of voters support measures to ensure that elections are honest and that results are reported quickly. Remarkably, the responses to the poll mostly showed very little political polarization, with majority support in all political categories.

Rasmussens survey of 800 U.S. Likely Voters conducted on November 1214 found that for proposal number one in the survey, 65% of U.S. Likely Voters want disputes over election results to be investigated fully, using forensic ballot audits.

The responses to the second proposal favoring efficient Election Day reporting of results show that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters want a federal law requiring votes to be counted quickly and want results reported within 12 hours of polls closing on Election Day.

In the third proposal, Rasmussen asked Likely Voters about paper ballots, with 63% of all Likely Voters believing that federal laws should require paper ballots.

Notably, support for the three election integrity measures seems to transcend party:

Sixty-four percent of Republicans, 63% of Democrats, and 59% of unaffiliated voters think disputes over election results should be investigated fully, including the use of forensic ballot audits.

Seventy-six percent of Republicans, 56% of Democrats, and 58% of independent voters believe that election results should be counted and reported on Election Day, within 12 hours of polls closing.

Sixty-five percent of Republicans, 57% of Democrats, and 55% of unaffiliated voters agreed that federal election laws should require the use of paper ballots.

Men were slightly more likely to advocate for a federal law requiring paper ballots, with 61% of men and 57% of women advocating for their use.

All three election integrity proposals garnered majority support, regardless of race.

Lower-income voters indicated they were more likely to support requiring paper ballots in elections. Only 44% of Likely Voters with incomes greater than $200,000 thought paper ballots are important.

When broken down by age group, 72% of Likely Voters under the age of 40 felt that the count and results should be reported quickly, within 12 hours of the close of polls on Election Day. Between the ages of 40 and 64, support for efficient Election Day reporting dropped to 61%. While still a majority, support for faster Election Day reporting dropped to 57% for Likely Voters 65 and older.

Regarding federal election laws that would require the use of paper ballots, all three age groups were close in their support for the measure, with under-40s at 58%, 40- to 64-year-olds at 59%, and those over the age of 65 at 60%.

There was also solid support in the two lower age groups for the use of forensic ballot audits as a way to investigate election result disputes. Sixty-eight percent of 18- to 39-year-olds favored the use of forensic ballot audits, and 40- to 64-year-olds were at 69% favorable to the proposal.

Those 65 and older still favored forensic ballot audits but were not quite as enthusiastic, with 55% of the elders favoring the measure to ensure that result disputes be settled with forensic ballot audits.

Notably, there was a huge disparity between those with lower education levels and those with graduate school education when it comes to the importance of the efficient counting and reporting of election results. Forty-six percent of those who attended graduate school thought Election Day counts and fast reporting are important. On the other hand, the majority of graduate school attendees favored full forensic ballot audits and the use of paper ballots, coming in at 61% and 52%, respectively.

The only proposal that those with a liberal ideology supported with a majority of responses was the use of forensic ballot audits to settle disputes over results (61%). Forty-five percent of liberals supported efficiency on Election Day counting and results. Forty-six percent of individuals with a more liberal ideology supported federal election laws requiring the use of paper ballots.

Concerning the parties polled, they were evenly distributed. Thirty-five percent of the Likely Voters polled were Democrats, 33% were Republicans, and 32% were Other. The poll also looked at ideology to drill down, segmenting respondents into four ideological categories: Conservative, Moderate, Liberal, and Not Sure.

Image: cagdesign via Pixabay, Pixabay License.

Rasmussen Polls graciously permitted American Thinker to publish Platinum content for this article.
Just when you thought Speaker Mike Johnson couldnt be more of a Democrathes entirely responsible for billions of our dollars flowing to Ukraine and passing the Democrats wish list spending bill (the Continuing Resolution) just two months backhe goes and voices his support for the LGBTQ agenda.

During a press conference yesterday, a reporter quizzed Johnson on the biological sex of a newly-elected representative from Delaware, the first openly trans member of Congress, asking if Sarah McBride is a man or woman. (Identifying McBride as the first open cross-dresser/transsexual makes me wonder if there are secret ones still in the closet.)

Johnson spat back, saying this, via a report from Fox News:

Look, Im not going to get into this. We welcome all new members with open arms who are duly elected representatives of the people, Johnson responded. I believe its a command that we treat all persons with dignity and respect, and we will. And Im not going to engage in silly debates about this. Theres a concern about uses of restroom facilities and locker rooms and all that. This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before. And were going to do that in a deliberate fashion, with member consensus on it. And we will accommodate the needs of every single person.

Now, the question came up because South Carolinas Nancy Mace recently put forth a resolution that would formally prohibit biological males in womanface from using the womens facilitiesbut naturally, Low-T Johnson wasnt on board:

Im not going to address the plans on any of that, Johnson said. I just told you what Im going to say about the issue. Im not going to engage in this. We dont look down upon anyone. We treat everybody with dignity and respect. Thats a principle that I've pursued my whole life. And we will take care of this, you know, issue  a first impression for Congress  as we will any other thing. We will provide the appropriate accommodation for every member of Congress.

Speak for yourself JohnsonI absolutely look down on a man who rejects his masculinity, dresses in womens clothing, and forces himself into private female spaces, and that sort of behavior, by virtue of itself, is undignified, and therefore, is unworthy of respect.

I certainly dont mean to suggest that the appropriate response is to stage a protest a la Westboro Baptist Church, or that these people dont have inalienable rights as members of the human family, but theyre clearly mentally ill, all too often dangerous, and cannot be trusted to behave honorably and reasonably; social pressure to conform is not always a bad thing, and can be a great mechanism for restoring a functioning and healthy society. There is something wrong with these people, and we dont need to pretend theres not, just so they can live in a fantasy world. In fact, affirming these delusions only hurts people like McBride, is obviously struggling with an identity crisis, because he is clearly not a woman.

Establishing a distinction between the two sexes just makes for silly debates according to our conservative Republican speaker of the House, and he will be sure to accommodate the needs of McBride. Cant wait to get the bill for all the gender-neutral facilities Johnson will probably commission!

Dude, just use the mens bathroom where you belong.

Allow me to call your attention back to the speakers fight in 2023: the Democrats on the Republican side of the aisle put up a hell of a fight when it came to Thomas Massie and Jim Jordan but Johnson? They suddenly surrendered and gave us conservatives our manand that, that was the moment I knew he was going to be a disaster.

Now, Johnson has since tried to backtrack, but his dignity had long since left the building:

MIKE JOHNSON: "Let me be unequivocally clear. A man is a man and a woman is a woman. And a man cannot become a woman."

pic.twitter.com/39UOqSsFPM  CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) November 19, 2024

Image: Public domain.
The world will become safer when the adults in the room are gone.

The Biden administration has repeatedly told Israel to stop harming terrorists and sign ceasefire deals so they can continue their mission to destroy Israel, but in Ukraine, the U.S. and Europe repeatedly blocked peace deals, to keep this massively expensive and deadly war going.

Bidens team also succeeded in building up Iran and Russia, while expanding the Ukraine war to include adversaries China and North Korea.

Now, as Biden is wandering around the rainforest in Amazon, after almost three years of this current round of the Russia-Ukraine dispute, and while he is on the way out of office, he has approved Ukraine using U.S. weapons to shoot deep into Russiawhich Ukraine promptly did.

And, Biden has also approved land mines for Ukraine:

US President Joe Biden has agreed to give Ukraine anti-personnel land mines, a US defence [sic] official told the BBC, a move seen as an attempt to slow Russian troops who have been steadily advancing in Ukraines east in recent months. The official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity, said such mines would be delivered soon and Washington expected that they would be used on Ukraines territory. Ukraine was also committed to not using the mines in densely-populated areas, the official said.

Using land mines can be considered a war crime, and you can see why: theyll be used in areas that arent densely-populated... which still means theyre areas that are populated to some degree.

Does anyone really think Biden is calling the shots?

Where are the journalists and other Democrats complaining about these escalating decisions? Where are the Code Pink women and all the anti-war activists? Imagine how they would act if Trump or other Republicans took these actions.

Bob Gates famously said that Joe Biden has been wrong on every foreign policy decisionan impeccable record that Biden seems keen to maintainbut most of the media cheers about how great Bidens domestic and foreign policy decisions have been and how dangerous President Trump and Pete Hegseth would be for America. How could it be worse than blowing up civilian children and blocking peace deals?

While Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran are building weapons, ships, and armies, the Biden administration has been focused on pretending they can control the climate and DEI. I wonder what went wrong.

The world was much more peaceful when Trump was in office, but the media and other Democrats have never cared about actual results. They care about power, nothing more. I wonder why people dont trust the media?

When Biden and his team of incompetents took over, the media cheered that finally the adults were back in the room; well thankfully, the children will be back soon and the U.S. and the world will become safer again, but it will take time to correct all the damage that has been done in four short years.

Image: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
Watching the meltdowns on social media after Trumps election was mildly amusing until I got to the fourth clip of some hysterical woman cursing at her phone, and then it just reminded me of my ex-wife. However, the recent wave of Euro-weenie whining on display in an Atlantic article by Mckay Coppins got me smiling again.

In the article, Coppins quotes several Brussels-style bureaucrats saying that Trump is egging on European populist movements, and every right-thinking European knows that these are a threat to democracy. Although the Europeans have a different perspective than Americans, one would think that at some point they too would grow tired of being lectured to, labeled as threats to democracy and Hitler reincarnate.

Coppins quotes others as saying that now that Trump is back, Europe needs to stand on its own. It was a familiar refrain during Trumps first term in office. Theyre like a girlfriend who keeps threatening to leave, and you keep encouraging her to do so, and nothing really comes of it. Besides, if Europe were to part ways with America, they would have to cough up the money for defense, cut short their summer vacations by a month, and rethink their plans to retire at age fifty-five.

Theres also that preachiness about climate change that makes European leaders so intolerable to listen to at a diplomatic dinner, or when gathered in a resort on the French Riviera in between pastry buffets and dips in the pool, as Coppins writes. Trump would just roll his eyes and utter the word hoax before they could say change.

Coppins writes about a former Portuguese minister who,

[S]coffed at Trumps decision to create new, lofty-sounding administration posts for Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, and was baffled by the Silicon Valley types who believe the billionaires will transform the federal government, usher in a new era of unprecedented economic growth, and colonize Mars.

While I will admit that transforming the federal government seems as challenging as colonizing Mars, it can be done under the mandate that Trump has been given by the American people. Besides, what have the Euro-weenies done other than form the European Union and censor anyone who disagrees with it? Maybe when Elon and Vivek are done transforming the federal government, they can tackle the liberation of Europe.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
Android 15 stable arrived weeks ago to eligible Google Pixels, and even third-party Android brands have already started rolling it out to some of their devices. While feedback around the update has been generally positive, there are some expected features, like Notification cooldown that were not available. However, a new finding suggests that Notification cooldown will arrive to everyone in Android 16.

The long-awaited notification cooldown feature could arrive with Android 16

Initially, it was thought that the Notification cooldown option would arrive in Android 15 since Google included it in Android 15 DP1 (Developer Preview 1). However, it disappeared when the software reached the public beta stage. That made many fear that Google left the feature behind. Fortunately, it seems that the company simply decided to delay it until the next major Android release.

As spotted by Mishaal Rahman of Android Authority in the recently released Android 16 DP1, the notification cooldown option is available on Pixel phones under Settings > Notifications. It looks like Google has tweaked the features behavior a bit. In Android 15 DP1, you could enable it for all notifications or just for notifications from chat/messaging apps. Now, you can just enable or disable the feature; nothing more.

Considering that Android 16 DP1 is a fairly early version of the software, Google will likely make further adjustments to the Notification cooldown option before a mass rollout.

A feature to reduce stress

Notification cooldown is an especially useful feature if you receive a lot of notifications in a row from the same app. The option will gradually reduce the volume of notifications that arrive all at once from the same source. Plus, it will reduce alerts from your phone for up to two minutes, except for notifications that come from calls, priority conversations, and, of course, alarms.

This feature has the potential to positively impact your overall well-being. There are people who find the constant receipt of notifications causes some anxiety if they dont check their phone. Having the device ring and vibrate uncontrollably while all the alerts come in at once doesnt help either. Therefore, implementing the notification cooldown feature would truly qualify as a Quality of Life (QoL) enhancement.

As for Android 16, Google is reportedly working on some important changes. For example, the company may split the notifications and quick access panel into two panels, allowing users to access them with a single swipe gesture. Lastly, Google will launch Android 16 on June 3, 2025, months earlier than usual.
Google has announced that Google Lens is getting an AI-powered update to help users when they are shopping in-store. The new feature arrived after the company infused AI in Google Shopping last month. The company is now bringing the same AI magic to make Google Lens your in-store shopping friend.

Google Lens will now help you decide what to buy in-store

The new feature will provide users with more information about products when purchasing in physical stores. The users in the US can capture a photo of any item on the store shelves to get detailed information. The new feature will show customer reviews, stock, and price comparisons for online and other physical stores. Notably, it will also show if similar products are available in the same store.

According to Google, the new Google Lens functionality has been developed using major advancements in our AI image recognition technology. Without saying, this feature requires users to share their location data to deliver relevant information. This feature can recognize which physical store you are shopping inside, only if you share your location in the Google app.

The new feature currently offers information on limited products

The new Google Lens in-store shopping guide feature only provides information about select product categories. These include beauty products, toys, and consumer electronics items. So if you are purchasing a product from one of the aforementioned categories, then just take a photo and Google Lens will deliver more information about it. The new feature is currently only available in the US for both Android and iOS device users. However, if the testing is successful, it will be available in more regions in the coming weeks.

Notably, Google released a similar AI-powered shopping feature to maps earlier this month. The new functionality provides users with real-time product inventories from select stores. The company continues to enhance the shopping experience of users by infusing artificial intelligence into its products from time to time.
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., tapped to be America's next top law enforcement officer, is one of several controversial picks for Donald Trump's Cabinet. Chip Somodevilla/TNS

Cabinet picks

Regarding As he fills his new administration, Trump values loyalty above all else, (Nov. 14): Donald Trumps picks for Cabinet posts arent prepared to run their various departments anywhere but into the ground. Its hard to believe they were appointed to manage their departments or to make them work better. Many seem to be there only to destroy them.

We elected a president, not a dictator god-king. The U.S. government is based on the rule of law, not the rule of men. The rule of law itself is the target, and the Republican Party, it seems, has been putting shots on the bullseye for decades.

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They are now in a position to kill the rule of law entirely. They love democracy when they win, and call opposition to their power treason. They dont call opposition to the Democrats treason when Democrats are in power. They call enforcing the law lawfare under a Democratic president, and breaking any laws they feel like democracy under a Republican president.

The stacked, partisan Supreme Court ruled that presidents can break the law with impunity if, in their opinion, the president does so as an official act, yet would not let President Joe Biden forgive student loans. They argued it was a vast new program that exceeded congressional authorization.

Under the Republicans, the law is something to be ignored and laughed at as they trample it underfoot. Power is a drug, and they are on a crack binge.

Bruce Ellis, Houston

Regarding Matt Gaetz knows the law from inside out, unfortunately | Editorial, (Nov. 15): By nominating for attorney general Matt Gaetz, a man who expressed no issues with abolishing the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the upcoming criminal in chief has signaled his intent to enable criminals and terrorists.

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The United States voting populace has been conned, by the false promise of cheaper eggs, into Making America Lawless Again.

David Haim, Houston

Bravo for having the backbone thats missing in Washington high places! Your editorial was informative (there were some points you clarified for me). It was even funny (in tragedy we can use some comedy) when making reference to our cringeworthy, illustrious Texas attorney general  my most favorite character to write letters about. Thank you.

Toy Halsey, Houston

Regarding Veterans hear you loud and clear. You dont care about us. | Opinion, (Nov. 15): I echo the concerns about the president-elects evident hostility toward service members and their values, particularly their allegiance to the Constitution. His nominations of a suspected sex-trafficker of minors to be attorney general and a news commentator with minimal active military experience to be secretary of defense tell us clearly that we losers and suckers are beneath contempt by those who decide our lives and our deaths.

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I even have a bone spur on my left foot; it failed to keep me out of Afghanistan or Iraq or any of the other unpleasant deployments occasioned by my active service. I hope and expect that our troops and their military leaders remain loyal to their nonpartisan oaths as we ride this out, and that these next four years are years of lawful peace that do not squander anybodys blood.

Tom Berg, retired colonel, U.S. Army Reserve, Houston

Post-election

Regarding Ted Cruz crushed Colin Allred. Will Democrats ever win in Texas? | Editorial, (Nov. 6): The editorial board correctly acknowledges that the Democratic Party is out of step with the majority of Texans, and that something must change if Democrats are ever again to win a statewide election.

The assumption, however, seems to be that Texans must change their values and lifestyles and conform to the left-wing agenda of the current Democratic Party. Only then, it is assumed, Democrats can recapture any statewide dominance. I believe the opposite is true. If the Democratic Party wants to win elections, it is the party that must change to be more aligned with the values of Texans.

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William Leverich, League City

Regarding Learn from Trumps victory. The American Dream depends on it. | Editorial, (Nov. 10): Reading the subject article made me think about the Chronicles editorial board composition. Are there any Republicans or conservatives in the group? And I dont mean the Liz Cheney type. The fact that you often refer to Fox News as biased but mention no other network as such is very telling.

This editorial is typical of the previous ones where Trumps behavior and words trump all else. However, for the average hard-working American, the high cost of living and the effect of illegal immigration on their lives are much more important than Trumps public persona. Many are aware of Trumps previous four years and can compare them to the Joe Biden/Kamala Harris tenure. Then there is the far-left agenda on transgender issues, diversity, equity and inclusion mandates, electric-car push, college loan giveaways, inefficient government spending and more.

One reason that Trump won overwhelmingly this time around is that most of the public now knows that the so-called mainstream media is biased toward the Democratic Party and the left, and they do not pay much attention to articles such as this one. After all, was Biden in full command of his faculties until suddenly he was not? The fact that Harris and the media (other than Fox News) hedged on Bidens condition for may months is an example of the medias dismal reporting and why many voters did not trust Harris.

Juan Campo, Houston

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Since the election, Im reminded of the Bible verse from 2 Peter 2:22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to its own vomit, and a sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.

Its going to be an interminable presidential term, and we will all suffer for it.

Valerie Barnes, Missouri City

Although there was some truth in this soul-searching editorial, two things stood out as outright delusions. First, the statement that Nothing in Trumps record shows he will sacrifice for America. I dont think fortune is what drove Trump, a very wealthy man already, to run for president. He was not a politician, which is likely one reason many found him relatable.

Second, the statement, Trump profited from his first presidency. Trump chose to forego his salary. How many other presidents in history donated their salary?

The media got a wakeup call with Trumps win, but I think the handwringing and crocodile tears are more out of bruised ego than love of country.

Barbara Goodson, Kingwood

Now that the election is over, I have some thoughts with the Chronicle in mind.

1. Saturday Thumbs should be happy since it will have Ted Cruz to bash for six more years.

2. Chris Tomlinson will probably be leaving since he said Donald Trump was coming for him because of his job. But who will take over the job of criticizing the oil and gas industries? You know, the industries that built Houston, that provide thousands of good, paying jobs and keep millions of cars and trucks rolling.

3. Your ink supply folks will have to stock up on red (Trumps tie) and orange (Trumps hair) for political cartoonist Nick Anderson.

4. On a positive note, the editorial boards endorsements are much fairer than before. Of the 74 candidate endorsements made on Election Day, only 54 were Democrats. Keep up the unbiased work.

Larry Roland, Fulshear

Speaks volumes

Regarding Im Mexican American. I voted for Trump. No, I dont hate myself. | Opinion, (Nov. 14): I read with interest the op-ed by J. Marcos Peterson, a gay Latino man who voted for Trump. Unfortunately, I found it to be only partially illuminating.

He begins by claiming that the Democratic Party spent the last four years demonizing men and blaming us for all of societys ills. As a man who studiously keeps up with the news on a daily basis, I believe this assertion is not only unfounded, but absurd and facetious. In fact, it reeks of misogyny.

He then gets to the reasons for his vote, which he summarizes as the cost of groceries, safety, jobs and the border crisis. Since real wages and crime trends run contrary to his fears, I must dismiss them (though Trumps deregulation proposals should put all Americans in fear of our safety). That leaves us with pocketbook expenses and immigration, two issues on which he and I may disagree, but which are, at least, understandable.

But Peterson says nothing about a host of other issues. Nothing about climate change or clean energy. Nothing about abortion, womens health care rights and accessibility. Nothing about gun control. Nothing about protecting pillars of democracy  including voting, the press and the courts  from attack by Trump and his party. I have to conclude that he cares not a whit about these matters, or at least that they are not a part of his voting analysis.

Nor does he explain how, as a gay man, he supports a party that has shown clear and well-documented antipathy to LGBTQ rights. He has convinced himself that Trump, of all people, speaks to regular Latinos, even though Trump will likely appoint even more federal judges and Supreme Court justices bent on rolling back civil rights.

Even leaving authoritarianism aside, one can only wonder whether anyone could be too personally despicable a candidate for Peterson if he believes that person will rein in household costs and immigration. I am left scratching my head after reading Petersons column. What he does not discuss speaks volumes.

Rory Alter, Houston

Jewish vote

Regarding Support for Trump grew in almost every demographic group. Why not Jews? | Opinion, (Nov. 13): I think the question asked by Robert Zaretsky is excellent. His attempt at an answer is pretty weak.

I realized this was not going to be a serious analysis when he used the phrase though a convicted felon and twice impeached. People on the left and the Chronicle editorial board love to include this when talking about Trump. This inserts an air of negativity to any discussion that cannot be overcome and taints the outcome. Why dont you ever argue that the trials Trump endured were a sham and all should have been thrown out of court before they started? Why dont you ever say that the impeachments were strictly political and were intended to obstruct and smear President Trump?

The fact that Kamala Harris got more Jewish votes than Trump astounds me. Mr. Zaretsky mentions Trumps antisemitism, but he doesnt mention Harris' hypocrisy. A day or two before Election Day, the Harris campaign reportedly launched ads targeting Jewish and Arab-American voters with different messages. Ads running in Pennsylvania, a state that had a large number of undecided Jewish voters, were more supportive of Israel. Meanwhile, ads targeted in Michigan, with its large Arab American population, were more pro-Palestine.

Whats the poor voter to think? What does she really believe and what was her policy going to be? Trump is a better friend to Israel than Harris or any Democrat in Congress. Why would any Jew vote for Harris?

Im still searching for an answer to the question that Mr. Zaretsky raised.
Today, Google released the first developer preview for Android 16. At launch, the Android 16 DP1 system images are available for the Pixel 6 series and newer models. Considering the presence of the Pixel 6 series in the list of Android 16 DP1 eligible devices and other reasons, a popular Android insider now hints that the devices could get stable Android 16 next year.

The Google Pixel 6 series could get a stable Android 16 update next year

Google, at the launch of the Pixel 6 series, said it would offer 5 years of software updates, out of which three would include Android updates. The remaining two years would only include security patches. With Android 15 rolling out in October, the Pixel 6 series reached the end of official support for Android updates.

Now, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are only left to get security updates until at least October 2026. However, the list of eligible devices for Android 16 DP1 released by Google says otherwise. Apart from the Pixel 7, 8, and 9 series, Google has also added the Pixel 6 series to the list of devices eligible for the first developer preview of Android 16.

Mishaal Rahman (via Android Police) believes that it could be an indication that the Pixel 6 series might get the stable Android 16 update in 2025. He further notes that he would be shocked if Google doesnt do so and added a few more things in his latest report to support his speculation.

Rahman adds that A-series phones with later release dates have received quarterly platform releases (QPRs) in the past. But, the same isnt true in the case of the main phones in the lineup. He referred to the rollout of Android QPR3 as an example. To catch you up, the Pixel 5a received Android 14 QPR3 with the June Pixel update. However, the Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5 didnt. Considering that, one can assume the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro wont receive Android 16, but the Pixel 6a will.

Possible reasons why Google could do so

According to him, that wont be the case with the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. The Android reporter notes, It doesnt make sense for Google to do, for multiple reasons. One prominent reason behind this is the use of the same SoC across the Pixel 6 series and Pixel 6a. He points out that the things Google would do to push Android 16 to the Pixel 6a would carry over to the Pixel 6 series too.

In addition, porting Android 16 (and later Android 17) will allow Google to live up to its promise of providing 5 years of security updates to the Pixel 6 series. Worth noting that despite practicing backporting security patches, Google suggests phone manufacturers migrate their devices to the latest Android version.

Rahman further adds that the company recommends doing that to keep the devices Linux kernel up-to-date with the latest fixes. He also expects Google to push Android 17 as the final update to the Pixel 6 series. Moreover, its uncertain at this point if Google is planning anything as such.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, joined a congratulatory phone call between Donald Trump and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, according to a report by The Information. The call followed Trumps election victory over Kamala Harris in the recent presidential election on November 5. This collaboration highlights the intricate ties between tech leaders and Trumps incoming administration.

Musks presence on the call adds another layer to his already significant influence within Trumps orbit. The conversation raises questions about Musks role in shaping tech policy under the next administration, especially given his critical stance on Googles search algorithms.

Musks role in Trumps inner circle grows

Elon Musk has become a near-constant figure in Trumps inner circle. Recently appointed as co-lead of a newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, Musk has reportedly been involved in various sensitive discussions. These include phone calls between Trump and world leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This marks the first instance of Musk joining a conversation between Trump and a major tech CEO.

Musks inclusion in the call with Pichai is notable, given his outspoken criticism of Google. Both Musk and Trump have accused Google of alleged bias in its search results. Musk has suggested that searches about Trump often bring up news unrelated to him, such as content about Harris.

Despite these tensions, Musks involvement in discussions with tech executives like Pichai signals his potential sway over tech policy in the Trump administration. Analysts speculate that Musks presence could reflect an effort to align tech giants with the administrations goals.

Tech leaders and Trump forge connections

This call also sheds light on broader efforts by tech leaders to establish connections with Trump. Sundar Pichais outreach mirrors earlier calls between Trump and other executives, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.

Musks dual role as a tech magnate and government appointee has drawn scrutiny. His proximity to Trump, both figuratively and literally, amplifies concerns about conflicts of interest and the influence of private industry on public policy.
Playing games in the cloud with the PlayStation Portal has never been an option and Sony made this perfectly clear prior to the handhelds launch, even if adding it was a no-brainer and what many thought would be accessible. Regardless, Sony launched the PlayStation Portal as nothing more than a remote player to use with the PS5. You power on your PS5 or PS5 Pro, you power on the PlayStation Portal, and youll be able to stream games from your console.

This was intended to be a way to play your PS5 without having to see the content on the screen it was connected to. It works perfectly for situations where someone wants to watch TV while you want to play games. Its also a great option if you just want to play PS5 games in a different room than the console. Soon, however, the PlayStation Portal will support cloud games from the PlayStation Plus library. Youll need to be subscribed to PlayStation Plus Premium to access this feature, however.

PlayStation Portal can play PS5 cloud games following an update

If you own a PlayStation Portal, then chances are youve wanted to stream games from the cloud to it. Because it just makes sense. Users who have requested this feature will soon get their wish. Sony has confirmed in a PlayStation Blog post that following an update for the device, users will be able to access the cloud streaming feature. As mentioned, youll need to be a PlayStation Plus Premium subscriber to access the cloud streaming.

The update is rolling out starting today in the US, with updates headed to users in Europe on November 20. Once the update is live and youve installed it, cloud streaming should be available.

The cloud gaming feature is currently in beta

Although the feature is rolling out to US users today, the feature is still in beta. Sony has laid out a list of which features will be available in the beta, and it seems like almost everything youd want is accessible. Save perhaps for a few things, like 4K visual quality.

There are over 120 PS5 games in the PS Plus catalog that you can stream, and all of them will be playable on PlayStation Portal with this beta feature. Streaming will be capped at 1080p resolution though and frame rates will stick to 60 frames per second. You can also expect DualSense features like adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and more. PlayStation Plus cloud storage will also be available so you can save your games.

To stream PS5 games to your PlayStation Portal there are internet speed requirements. But theyre nothing that hasnt been seen before. Streaming at 720p requires a mere 7Mbps down which just about everyone should have with modern internet these days. Even bumping up to streaming in 180p only has a minimum requirement of 13Mbps down.

There are some things that wont be accessible. For example, you wont be able to stream PS4 or PS3 games. You also cant stream games that have been purchased from the PS Store. Game trials will not be available in the beta either. Still, even with these limitations, the PlayStation Portal is getting some new life breathed into it with this feature.
Text messaging just got more seamless. Google and Samsung have partnered to drive the adoption of Rich Communication Services (RCS), a modern messaging standard aimed at bridging gaps between platforms. With Apples latest iOS update supporting RCS, users can now enjoy enhanced features even when communicating across Android and iOS devices.

Samsung announced the development on its official blog, emphasizing its commitment to cross-platform compatibility.

Google and Samsung have worked together for years to establish RCS as a universal messaging standard. This modern protocol enhances messaging with features such as higher-quality media sharing, improved group chats, and expressive text reactions.

Weve been collaborating with Google to ensure users experience seamless communication, said Patrick Chomet, Executive VP of Samsung Electronics. This milestone brings us closer to universal compatibility.

Google echoed this sentiment, highlighting Samsungs role in driving RCS adoption. Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem at Google, noted that the partnership modernizes messaging by meeting user expectations for usability and security.

Google Samsung enhances RCS adoption

RCS elevates text messaging to a new level. Unlike older SMS systems, RCS supports high-resolution image and video sharing, delivering media with greater clarity. Group chats are also more flexible, allowing users to add or remove participants regardless of their platform.

Text reactions, similar to those seen on social media, make conversations more interactive. These features were previously confined to Android devices but are now accessible on iPhones running iOS 18 or later.

However, end-to-end encryption remains available only for Android-to-Android communication. Both Google Messages and iOS users must enable RCS for the features to work seamlessly.

A step toward industry-wide standardization

The broader adoption of RCS signals progress toward a universal messaging standard. Samsung emphasized its belief in open industry standards as a foundation for innovation.

The transition to RCS reflects the industrys shift toward interoperability, aiming to eliminate barriers between operating systems. As adoption increases, users worldwide are set to benefit from a richer, more secure messaging experience.

RCS adoption is helping break down communication silos, said Chomet. Its about creating an open, collaborative ecosystem for everyone.

For users, this partnership means more reliable and engaging messaging. With iOS now supporting RCS, the future of texting looks brighter, more connected, and less restricted by device limitations.

Samsungs blog highlights the importance of this progress: This wider adoption takes us into a new era of compatibility.
In todays smartphone-heavy world, the best camera is often the one you carry around with you. While flagship mobile devices are getting better and better when it comes to cameras, there are still limits that they cant reach. The new Sony Alpha 1 II is here to remind us why the professional camera segment is still very much alive.

The mirrorless Sony Alpha 1 II succeeds the original 2021 model. The camera integrates improvements that we have seen in models such as the A7R V and A9 III. It promises outstanding performance in practically any condition, both for photos and videos. However, this is normal considering its hefty price tag and the niche market it is targeting.

The Sony Alpha 1 II keeps the same sensor, but greatly improves the experience and integrates AI

The Sony Alpha 1 II maintains the same 50.1 MP stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor from the original model. This is good news, as it still boasts the 15 stops of HDR. It excels at shooting moving subjects thanks to its up to 30 fps blackout-free continuous shooting. A new Pre-Capture feature will create a buffer of images 1 second before you press the shutter. This ensures that youll never miss the ideal moment.

In the artificial intelligence era, almost every flagship tech product has AI-powered features, and the Alpha 1 II is no exception. Sony integrated a dedicated AI chip to boost subject recognition capabilities. This is in addition to Sonys Bionz XR ISP that boosts the performance of the Eye Autofocus featurewhich focuses on a subject while tracking its eyeby up to 50% for birds and 30% for other animals (and humans).

Both the ISP and the 759 autofocus points, which cover 92% of the sensor, have improved overall autofocus performance. The camera makes image capture easier by automatically setting the ideal parameters based on the subject and scene.

Video recording of the highest level

Sonys new Alpha 1 II also offers impressive professional video recording capabilities. Theres support for 8K/30fps, 4K/120fps and Full HD/240fps (ideal for slow motion). Professionals will appreciate the user LUT support and up to 8.5 stops of stabilization thanks to the improved IBIS (in-body image stabilization) system. You can enable extra stabilization assistance via the gimbal-like option that slightly crops the image.

Sony has improved the ergonomics of its new camera for more comfortable use and a better grip. Theres a redesigned 3.2-inch LCD screen and a 9.44-million-dot OLED viewfinder (240Hz refresh rate). The more comfortable user experience carries over to the redesigned menu layout. The camera even integrates an additional customizable button for greater versatility.

The Sony Alpha 1 II offers support for 5G connectivity and real-time image transfer via LAN, among other useful features for professionals. Adobe Creators Cloud includes integration with Lightroom and Google Drive to make things even easier for you.

Connectivity options

For the connectivity section, you will find HDMI, USB-C, and Ethernet ports. The latter has been improved, now supporting 2.5Gbps of bandwidth for even faster transfers. You can use UHS-II SD cards to store all your photos and videos thanks to the CFexpress Type-A card slot.

Sony is one of the companies pushing standards that facilitate tracking AI-manipulated content. In line with this, the company announced that the Alpha 1 II will support detailed metadata through its Camera Authenticity system. The feature will arrive in a future update, although there is no date yet.

Sony Alpha 1 II price and availability

The new Sony Alpha 1 II mirrorless camera is priced at $6,499.99 in the US. The company has kept the same launch price as the original model announced a few years ago. It will be available in December.
[Updated to include T-Mobiles response]

In recent years, T-Mobile has been one of the carriers hardest hit by hacking or data breach incidents. These hacks have surely caused concern among its customers. However, it seems that the company has notably improved its security practices and protocols. According to a recent report, T-Mobile managed to prevent a recent data breach attempt.

Currently, American mobile carriers are in the middle of a chain of alleged attacks from China. According to the FBI, the hacker groups have targeted the countrys telecommunications infrastructure. The background suggests an ongoing campaign of constant breach attempts that seek to obtain key data related to national security or prominent political figures.

T-Mobile may have prevented a data breach by detecting suspicious activity early

That said, in the midst of this situation, T-Mobile could be the one that is doing the best. According to Bloomberg, the mobile carrier anticipated a planned attack by detecting early signs of suspicious activity within its infrastructure. While the alleged attackers had access to a limited number of devices, they did not reach the deeper layers where the data is available. Basically, the hackers were only able to perform reconnaissance activity before being expelled from the infrastructure, according to the report.

In this case, there are no details about the origin of this alleged hacking attempt. According to T-Mobile, this is part of the same issue reported before. A recent report from The Wall Street Journal added T-Mobile to the list of carriers allegedly affected by the campaign, along with AT&T and Verizon.

The closeness of the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg reports suggests that the two incidents could be the same. However, in the absence of more specific details, we can only speculate. Still, its a good thing that T-Mobile is finally getting serious about securing its customers data, which is key in todays tech industry. Perhaps the FCCs warnings and fines for previous data breaches played a role in this.

T-Mobile has issued an official statement with regard to this story as it is linked to the one from November 16:

T-Mobile is closely monitoring this industry-wide attack. Due to our security controls, network structure, and diligent monitoring and response, we have seen no significant impacts to T-Mobile systems or data. We have no evidence of access or exfiltration of any customer or other sensitive information as other companies may have experienced. We will continue to monitor this closely, working with industry peers and the relevant authorities.
A fourth grade science teacher during a tour of Benavidez Elementary School on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

The Texas State Board of Education narrowly approved a controversial set of new state-written lesson plans on Friday that integrate Biblical teachings and are viewed by many as connected to a national effort to return Christianity and prayer into public schools.

The lessons and textbooks, known collectively as Bluebonnet Learning, were drafted by the Texas Education Agency. Although there is also a math component, the reading and language arts lessons have drawn the most attention for their Biblical references. Schools will have the option to use the textbooks and lesson plans and will receive extra state funding if they do.

The plans are likely to face a legal challenge from civil liberties groups. The SBOE considered more than 100 sets of lesson plans and textbooks this week seeking designation from the board as "high quality instructional materials," but only Bluebonnet was created by the TEA.

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The lesson plans have faced criticism from Democrats and some Republicans. Academics have warned that they include teachings from the Bible without contextualizing them as religious beliefs and downplay the role of racism and slavery in American history, while some on the right have argued they teach material too advanced for younger children.

Proponents say the materials are based on a scientific understanding of the best way to teach reading and they believe it will lead to higher standardized test scores.

There's a line between indoctrination or evangelism and education. In my view, these stories are on the education side and are establishing cultural literacy, Will Hickman, a Houston-area Republican who supported the Bluebonnet curriculum, said during debate earlier in the week. Hickman added that districts can still choose whether or not to use the lesson plans.

In the 8-7 vote on Friday, each of the boards four Democratic members voted to remove the Bluebonnet materials from the slate of approved materials. Three Republican members joined them, including longtime members Pat Hardy and Pam Little.

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If this is the standard for students in Texas, then it needs to be exactly that. It needs to be high quality, and it needs to be the standard  free of any Establishment Clause issues, free of any lies, and it needs to be accurate, said Staci Childs, a Houston Democrat who opposed the curriculum.

Evelyn Brooks, a new Republican member who joined in opposing the lesson plans, said the TEA should not be in the business of developing lesson plans.

The TEA is in the business of making sure that our students are achieving, that they can read, that they can write, that they can do fundamental math, and theyre not doing that job very effectively, if you want to ask me, Brooks said. So I say, enough with the experiments.

Lawmakers empowered the TEA to start developing its own curriculum last year under a new state law, with some arguing it would make teachers' lives easier and ensure districts had access to textbooks and lessons that taught the state standards. Critics, such as teachers unions, said it would take away creative freedom from classroom instructors and be used to control them.

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The Bluebonnet curriculum covers kindergarten through 5th grade mathematics and reading, as well as middle school math and algebra.

The reading language arts lessons are inspired by classical curricula, integrating historical, theological and literary examples through the reading lessons. In the initial drafts, approximately 10% of the lesson plans included religious source material, not including ancient mythological or Native American examples.

"These materials were developed using the best evidence on how to teach reading and math with extensive feedback from teachers and parents to construct a product that is effective, engaging and grade-level appropriate," TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said in a statement after the vote on Friday.

A report from religious scholar David Brockman and the Texas Freedom Network, which has been critical of the lesson plans, said they could effectively turn public schools to Sunday schools by introducing Christian stories and ideas to young kids without contextualizing them properly as religious beliefs. Theres far more focus on Christianity and Jesus Christ than on other world religions, the report says.

The lesson plans also faced criticism for their teaching of history and downplaying the role of slavery and racism in American history and to the founding fathers and other important American figures.

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The Republicans on the winning side of the vote were joined by Leslie Recine, whom Gov. Greg Abbott appointed to the board earlier this month, temporarily filling a seat left open by Democrat Aicha Davis run for the Texas House. Tiffany Clark, a Democrat who ran unopposed in November and has said she would have voted against Bluebonnet, is set to fill the seat permanently in January.

The third-term governor has been a strong supporter of the state lesson plans. Recine will serve in office only for this meeting of the SBOE, so her short-lived appointment gave the board the extra vote it needed to move forward.
Al Murray and James Holland ride through London on Second World War-era tank

Comedian Al Murray and historian James Holland rode through central London on a Second World War era armoured vehicle on Wednesday.

The co-hosts of the Second World War-themed podcast, We Have Ways Of Making You Talk, drove from Westminster to the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth on a 17pdr SP Achilles.

The pair made the journey to mark the general sale of tickets for their festival, We Have Ways Fest.

Asked about the armoured vehicle, Murray, known for his character of The Pub Landlord, told the PA news agency: Strictly speaking its not a tank.

He added: The bread and butter of the festival is people being picky about things like this.

Holland, who is the brother of fellow historian and The Rest Is History podcast host Tom Holland, clarified that its got a high-velocity anti-tank gun on a tank chassis.

Tickets for We Have Ways festival have gone on general sale (Nick Warren/PA)

The two-day festival, described by Murray as a safe space for Second World War enthusiasts, will take place in September 2025 near Silverstone race circuit.

Murray billed the festival, the fifth held by the podcasting duo, as a weekend of talks, of tanks, of convivial company, aircraft flying through the sky and the history of the Second World War.

The festival falls in the year marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Holland said the end of the war needs to be viewed through a different prism on this anniversary.

The pair travelled from Westminster to the Imperial War Museum (Nick Warren/PA)

I think we do need to see it as a warning from history, he said.

We need to actually learn those lessons and consider those lessons a bit more seriously rather than just flag wave and look at it through a sort of prism of nostalgia.

The historian said the parallels between the current decade and the 1930s worries me a lot.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Russian president Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin voices have frequently threatened the West with its nuclear arsenal.

Looking back at the Second World War, Holland warned: This was catastrophic for the world.

These are the consequences of a global war.

There is a much more serious lesson to be learned in 2025 and everyone just needs to wake up.
British soldiers have fired a new artillery gun for the first time on a tactical exercise in Finland.

Soldiers from the 19th Regiment Royal Artillery are currently in Lapland as part of Exercise Dynamic Front, the largest Nato artillery joint-fires exercise that Finland has hosted since it joined the organisation in 2023.

The Swedish-made Archer 155mm self-propelled guns have been acquired as an interim replacement for the 32 AS90s which the UK has donated to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

The Archer, which is designed and built by BAE Systems Bofors, has double the maximum range of the AS90, greater operational mobility, greater availability and reduced time into action, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Smoke fills the air during live firing of the British Armys new Archer Mobile Howitzer gun (Ben Birchall/PA)

Major Mortimer, second in command of 19 Rgt RA, said: This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our modernised artillery capability in front of all our Nato partners and alongside their guns, like the French Caesar, the Swedish Archer, the Finnish K9 and the American MLRS.

The 19 Rgt RA (The Scottish Gunners) currently supports 12 Mechanised Brigade in the armoured field artillery role and has fire support teams mounted in Warrior Mechanised Artillery Observation Vehicles equipped with MSTAR (Man-portable Surveillance and Target Requisition Radar).

The regiments three gun batteries are equipped with the Archer, and 19 Rgt RA makes up the majority of the 250 British Army troops in Finland, with soldiers from 5 Rgt RA operating the Taipan and 26th Regiment Royal Artillery also in support with the MLRS.

Major Mortimer said the regiment arrived amid a snowstorm with temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees.

He added: It was quite a culture shock to a lot of our personnel to be up here in quite testing conditions.

Even though its warmed up a bit, its still been quite challenging, but we addressed those challenges before deploying by completing the cold-weather operator course and some snow and ice driver training.

Since being out here weve been assisted by Arctic warfare instructors, both from the UK and also the Finnish Jaeger Brigade, to help us learn some techniques to survive the cold and we have all our usual cold-weather kit.

British Army soldiers take part in training with the British Armys new Archer Mobile Howitzer gun (Ben Birchall/PA)

19 Regt RA is a close-support artillery regiment which can fire long range in support of infantry and cavalry battlegroups and part of the 1st Deep Reconnaissance Strike Brigade Combat Team.

Major Mortimer said: The Archer represents a switch from a tracked self-propelled gun to a wheeled self-propelled gun and rather than using, what we would call, dumb high-explosive rounds.

The future is about firing smart munitions which increases our lethality with anti-armour munitions and extended-range munitions.

Its very exciting to be firing Archer for the first time here in Finland, along with the first Taipan live acquisitions here on Exercise Dynamic Front.

It shows our Nato partners were a modernising artillery and continually advancing.

This is a fantastic opportunity for our regiment for so many reasons, including being more expeditionary and enables us to go through the full deployment process, mounting through the air and ship component.

Exercise Dynamic Front has been organised by the United States Armys 56th Artillery Command, but this is Finlands first time hosting a military training exercise of this size since joining Nato in 2023, with more than 5,000 troops from across 28 allies, all collaborating on joint live fires utilising 130 different weapon systems.
Energy companies will spend a combined 500 million to help customers struggling with energy bills this winter after talks with the Government.

Companies will lend money to people to help cover costs, reduce standing charges, which make up a segment of all energy bills, and help fund a national debt advice campaign.

Ministers have been looking for ways to reduce the impact of cutting winter fuel payments for about 10 million elderly people, which officials estimate will push 100,000 pensioners into relative poverty this decade.

Some of the money announced on Wednesday will also go to charities which help hard-to-reach consumers (Danny Lawson/PA)

Consultancy Cornwall Insight forecast that energy bills will rise by 1% this winter, after wholesale prices rose by 10% in October.

Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: The impact of the energy crisis is still being felt by people across the country, and the Government and energy suppliers are working in lockstep to help vulnerable households this winter.

She said the support from companies combined with the Governments warm homes plan, which helps fund home upgrades to make properties more energy efficient, will come to about 1 billion of support.

Ovo Energy, Octopus and British Gas had already pledged to continue financial support schemes from previous years, in commitments worth a combined 120 million for this winter.

Some of the money announced on Wednesday will also go to charities which help hard-to-reach consumers.

While the latest support measures will help people this winter, Ms Fahnbulleh will lead a working group with industry representatives as part of a push to make energy more affordable on a long-term basis.

Several suppliers have called for a social tariff, something which is already used in the telecoms industry to help people who receive benefits like Universal Credit pay their broadband bills.

The measure, which campaign groups have proposed for several years, would likely take the form of a targeted discount energy deal for poorer customers, and could be below the price of the cheapest available standard energy tariff.

Dhara Vyas, boss of the trade body Energy UK, pointed to record high levels of consumer debt of 3.7 billion in June.

She said that many people are yet to recover from a sustained period of high energy bills and an accompanying increase in the cost-of-living.

As in previous winters, energy suppliers have already been stepping up the amount and range of support they offer to customers.

There is, however, only so much they can do when a large number of households are struggling to afford energy at the price it costs to supply it.

Weve very much welcomed the Governments constructive approach in our discussions so far and the recognition this is not a temporary problem.

The establishment of a working group and the commitment to look at how data sharing can help target support are important steps towards putting in place an enduring plan for future winters.
The downtown Houston skyline is visible looking north from Interstate 45 Gulf Freeway south Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

The U.S. Department of Energy signed a deal with energy developers Wednesday for the creation of a $1.2 billion clean hydrogen hub based in Houston.

The announcement allows federal funds to start flowing and comes a year after the Biden administration announced Houston as one of seven clean hydrogen hubs that would be built around the country to try and reduce the nation's greenhouse gas emissions.

"The Biden-Harris Administration has followed through on its promise to kickstart a new domestic hydrogen industry that can produce fuel from almost any energy resource in virtually every part of the country and that can power heavy duty vehicles, heat homes, and fertilize crops, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement.

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The Houston project is being developed by HyVelocity Hub, a group that includes Exxon Mobil, the University of Texas at Austin, French gas supplier Air Liquide, Texas-based oil major Chevron, the nonprofit Center for Houston's Future and GTI Energy, a research and development company based in the Chicago area.

The Gulf Coast already possesses the bulk of the nation's hydrogen infrastructure, converting natural gas to hydrogen through a carbon-intensive process necessary for the refining of oil and other industrial processes.

The Houston hub aims to clean up those facilities by capturing their emissions and storing them in underground aquifers beneath the Gulf of Mexico. They also plan to build new wind and solar-powered hydrogen facilities, which would convert water into hydrogen fuel.

Earlier this month, Houston business leaders travelled to Japan and South Korea to meet with companies there to discuss building up international trade around clean hydrogen, which can be used in place of natural gas and other carbon-emitting fuels.

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The Queen has been praised for her exceptional efforts to advance literature as she received an honorary doctorate from her sister-in-law the Princess Royal.

Camilla donned ceremonial robes as she was recognised for her long-standing promotion of literacy and literature during a ceremony at the University of London on Wednesday, where Anne has been chancellor since 1981.

An avid reader, Camilla has visited schools, workplaces and prisons across the Commonwealth to see the work of adult literacy schemes and is patron of several literary organisations including the National Literacy Trust and BookTrust.

Camilla speaks to Sir Ian Rankin during a reception with authors, actors and lovers of literature attending the Queens Reading Room Literary Festival at Hampton Court Palace in June (PA)

She launched The Queens Reading Room as an online book club with her own recommendations in January 2021 before it became a charity last year to promote the benefits of reading.

Honorary degrees have been awarded annually by the University of London since 1903 as part of its Foundation Day, with previous recipients including King George V, Sir Winston Churchill and Dame Judi Dench.

Camilla and Anne arrived at Senate House together, with the Princess Royal helping the Queen navigate several tricky steps at the entrance.

Anne first inspected a guard of honour formed by members of the universitys Officer Training Corps, Air Squadron and Royal Naval Unit

The sisters-in-law then greeted other honorary graduates and fellows, before Camilla was briefly joined by the young son of honouree Dr Nahim Ahmed, who playfully climbed onto a window ledge behind her as she signed a visitors book.

Anne and Camilla in their ceremonial robes (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)

After donning her red and brown ceremonial robe, Camilla joined a lengthy procession down a flight of stairs into William Beveridge Hall.

Anne, wearing a black and gold robe of office, said in her welcoming address that those recognised were remarkable individuals and each leaders in their own field of public service.

Abdul Bhanji received an honorary fellowship before Anthony Neoh, Professor Sir Michael Arthur and Dr Ahmed received honorary doctorates in law, medicine and social sciences respectively.

As Camilla was presented with her honorary doctorate of literature, the chairman of the universitys board of trustees, Sir Mark Lowcock, said: No one, I think, better captured the joy to be found in literature than Her Majesty when she said, and I quote, Reading is exciting, reading is fun, reading is cool. Theres nothing quite like the thrill of opening a book and being drawn into another world to meet new people and to discover their stories. Its like making new friends.

So its only fitting that this honorary doctor of literature recognises Her Majestys exceptional efforts to advance literacy and education, not simply as a public duty, but as a personal mission inspired by a lifelong love of reading.

Camilla then kneeled in front of Anne and, with a hood placed over her hair, they shook hands before the Queen was handed her diploma scroll.

The Princess Royal placed a hood over her sister-in-laws hair (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)

University vice chancellor Professor Wendy Thomson told the PA news agency: Its a huge privilege for the University of London to be able to honour the Queen in this way, and its really very much in keeping with the event.

We chose this year for this recognition because we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the School of Advanced Study, and this is the home really of the humanities for the whole of the UK.

(Camilla) also was a student of ours in the days gone at the University of London Institute in Paris.

Its also the case that we often recognise people who studied with us, so shes appropriate on a number of counts.

Prof Thomson described the Princess Royal as an outstanding public servant and a huge stalwart for the university in her role as chancellor.

The Princess Royal has been chancellor of the University of London since 1981 (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)

Camilla is already an honorary fellow of Kings College London and holds an honorary doctorate from three other universities in England and Scotland.

The Queen has now appeared at several events after falling ill with a chest infection earlier this month.

She attended a Booker Prize reception with shortlisted authors at Clarence House last week before joining the King at a special reception at Buckingham Palace celebrating the TV and film industry, although she pulled out of the royal premiere of Gladiator II on the same night.

Camilla, who suffered the death of her beloved Jack Russell terrier, Beth, on Monday, hosted a glittering white-tie diplomatic reception alongside Charles at the Palace on Tuesday night.
The mother of late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins will not attend the world premiere of Rust as she claims it is an attempt for Hollywood star Alec Baldwin to unjustly profit from her daughters death.

Rust will debut at the Camerimage Festival in Poland on Wednesday, an event focusing on achievements in cinematography, three years after the prop gun US actor Baldwin was holding went off and fatally injured Ms Hutchins on the set of the western in New Mexico.

It comes months after a judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin.

Actor Alec Baldwin reacts after a judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case for the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming of the Western movie Rust (Ramsay de Give/Pool Photo via AP)

Ms Hutchins mother Olga Solovey, who filed an ongoing lawsuit against Baldwin, said in a statement issued by her lawyer Gloria Allred given to the PA news agency: It was always my hope to meet my daughter in Poland to watch her work come alive on screen.

Unfortunately, that was ripped away from me when Alec Baldwin discharged his gun and killed my daughter.

Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologise to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death.

Instead, he seeks to unjustly profit from his killing of my daughter.

That is the reason why I refuse to attend the festival for the promotion of Rust, especially now when there is still no justice for my daughter.

Alec Baldwin on the set of the movie Rust following the incident in which Halyna Hutchins was killed (Santa Fe County Sheriff)

Ms Allred confirmed to PA that Baldwin filed a motion on Tuesday to pause the civil lawsuit against him and others.

We will be opposing their motion to stay our case, she said.

In a separate statement, Ms Allred said Ms Solovey will not be attending the world premiere of Rust because Baldwin had disrespected her family.

Even though Mr Baldwin discharged the gun that killed Halyna, he has never called them to apologise, she said.

Even worse, he argued, through his attorneys, that Halyna was emotionally distant from her family in Ukraine. That is false, hurtful and insulting.

Further, the decision not to even call the family to say he is sorry is cruel and dishonours Halyna and her memory,

Now, a decision has been made to promote Rust to buyers in order to make a profit for Alec Baldwin and others that had a role in Halynas death.

Alec Baldwin practising drawing his revolver on the set of the Rust film (Santa Fe County Sheriff)

Rust director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting, was expected to introduce the film at the premiere, along with Bianca Cline, the cinematographer who completed the film.

The films armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is serving an 18-month prison sentence after she was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter following the shooting of 42-year-old Ms Hutchins in October 2021, at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe.

Rust is billed as the story of a 13-year-old boy who, left to fend for himself and his younger brother following their parents deaths in 1880s Wyoming, goes on the run with his long-estranged grandfather after being sentenced to hang for the accidental killing of a local rancher.

The Polish festivals ticketing website reportedly crashed on Tuesday morning due to high demand for tickets to the world premiere.
An inquest has been opened into the death of 24-year-old Harshita Brella, whose body was found in a car boot after it is believed she was strangled.

Senior coroner Anne Pember opened the hearing at Northampton Coroners Court on Wednesday and adjourned the inquest to May 21 next year.

Ms Pember said: I open an inquest touching on the death of Harshita Brella, a 24-year-old lady found in a vehicle in Ilford.

Pankaj Lamba has been named as the prime suspect (Northamptonshire Police/PA)

The East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit have informed me that Harshita was murdered at her home in Corby by her husband Pankaj Lamba. Her husband is then believed to have fled the country.

Ms Pember added that the preliminary cause of death has been given as manual strangulation, pending further test results.

She told the hearing that the body has not yet been released.

An international manhunt was launched after Ms Brellas body was found in a silver Vauxhall Corsa parked in Brisbane Road, Ilford, in the early hours of Thursday.

Northamptonshire Police detectives believe she was murdered in Corby on the evening of November 10 before her body was driven to Ilford in the car boot the next day.

Police released new CCTV images of the prime suspect of her killing, her husband Pankaj Lamba, 23, in east London after he is thought to have killed her and abandoned her body in the vehicle.

A silver Vauxhall Corsa on Brisbane Road, Ilford, which police believe was driven by Pankaj Lamba (Northamptonshire Police/PA)

A post-mortem examination carried out at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Friday gave the preliminary cause of death as strangulation, police said.

A neighbour has said she heard two blistering rows, involving one where a woman sounded scared, days before Ms Brellas body was found.

A police spokesman confirmed Ms Brella had previously been the victim of domestic violence and was made the subject of a domestic violence protection order (DVPO) at Northampton Magistrates Court in September.

Ms Brellas parents, speaking from India, told BBC News they want justice after their daughters death.

Sonia Dabas, Ms Brellas sister, said the family thought something was wrong by November 13 after her phone was off for two days, and asked people to file a complaint.

Northamptonshire Police have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of previous contact with Ms Brella.

Anyone who may have information is asked to call police on 101 quoting Operation Westcott or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
An inquest is to open into the death of a 24-year-old woman who is believed to have been strangled, as police released CCTV images of the prime suspect in her killing.

Stills released on Tuesday show Harshita Brellas husband Pankaj Lamba in east London after he is thought to have killed her and abandoned her body in a car boot.

Northamptonshire Police detectives believe she was murdered in Corby on the evening of November 10 before her body was driven to Ilford in the car boot the next day.

An international manhunt was launched after the body was found in the car parked in Brisbane Road in the early hours of Thursday.

Pankaj Lamba (Northamptonshire Police)

A post-mortem examination carried out at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Friday gave the preliminary cause of death as strangulation, police said.

An inquest is expected to open into her death in Northampton on Wednesday.

Detectives released the CCTV to prompt anyone who may have interacted with the suspected killer between Sunday morning and November 11 evening to contact police.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell, from the East Midlands Special Operations major crime unit, said: We are working closely with policing colleagues and our partners in the CPS, and in order to secure justice for Harshita, there are certain aspects of this investigation we are unable to comment on.

Our inquiries have established that Pankaj Lamba drove a Silver Vauxhall Corsa from Corby to Ilford sometime on the morning of Monday November 11.

We suspect Harshitas body had been placed in the boot of the vehicle by Lamba before leaving Corby.

Lamba then abandoned the vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford and made his getaway.

Any information, no matter how small, may be relevant to the investigation and help us get justice for Harshita.

Ms Brellas parents, speaking from India, told BBC News they want justice after their daughters death.

Sonia Dabas, Ms Brellas sister, said the family thought something was wrong by November 13 after her phone was off for two days, and asked people to file a complaint.

A neighbour has said she heard two blistering rows, involving one where a woman sounded scared, days before Ms Brellas body was found.

A police spokesman confirmed Ms Brella had previously been the victim of domestic violence and was made subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) at Northampton Magistrates Court in September.

Northamptonshire Police have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of previous contact with Ms Brella.

Anyone who may have information is asked to call police on 101 quoting Operation Westcott or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Police are continuing to piece together the final moments of Harshita Brella's life (PA)

The husband of Harshita Brella was arrested then released on bail after she made a report of domestic abuse weeks before she died, a police watchdog has revealed.

The 24-year-old's body was found in a car boot in east London four days after she was believed to have been strangled to death in Corby, Northamptonshire.

Police have named her husband, Pankaj Samba, 23, as the prime suspect in their investigation and believe he has fled the country.

On Tuesday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Brella made a report of domestic abuse in August and that Lamba was arrested on 3 September. He was released on conditional bail and a domestic violence protection order was put in place.

Police are hunting for Pankaj Lamba. (PA) (Northamptonshire Police/PA Wire)

The IOPC said it will investigate Northamptonshire Police's contact with Brella, whose body was discovered in the boot of a silver Vauxhall Corsa in Brisbane Road, Ilford, east London, on 14 November.

IOPC regional director Derrick Campbell said: We understand Mr Lamba was arrested by Northamptonshire Police on 3 September and was released with bail conditions and a domestic violence protection notice imposed on him.

Harshita Brella's body was found inside the boot of a vehicle in Ilford. (PA) (Northamptonshire Police/PA Wire)

Our investigation will consider the actions and decisions taken by Northamptonshire Police in relation to the report made by Ms Brella and their subsequent investigation."

What we know

Northamptonshire Police were contacted on 13 November by a member of the public concerned for Brella's welfare. Officers went to her home in Skegness Walk, Corby, but there was no answer.

A missing persons investigation was launched and her body was found in a silver Vauxhall Corsa in Brisbane Road, Ilford, east London, on 14 November.

Pankaj Lamba, on Jaffe Road in Illford. (PA) (Northamptonshire Police/PA Wire)

A Silver Vauxhall Corsa on Brisbane Road, Ilford, which police believe was driven by Pankaj Lamba. (PA) (Northamptonshire Police/PA Wire)

Police say they believe Brella, 24, was murdered on the evening of 10 November by her husband. They think he then put Brella's body in the boot of the vehicle before driving from Corby to Ilford sometime the following morning.

It is alleged he then abandoned the car and "made his getaway.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit, said officers are following "numerous lines of inquiry".

A forensic post-mortem examination carried out at Leicester Royal Infirmary on 15 November gave the preliminary cause of death as strangulation.

Specialist police dog and its handler searching areas around Corby Boating Lake in connection with the murder of Harshita Brella.

Police have released numerous sets of images of Lamba, 23, as he travelled to London and CCTV pictures of him walking around the streets near where he abandoned the car.

On 22 November, police turned their attention to piecing together the final moments of Brella's life, saying the pair were seen around Corby Boating Lake on 10 November.

Police have urged anyone with any information that may assist inquiries  no matter how small  to contact them. More than 60 detectives are now working on the case.

An inquest into Brella's death was opened by senior coroner Anne Pember at Northampton Coroners Court and adjourned until 21 May next year.

A photo issued by issued by Northamptonshire Police of Pankaj Lamba. (PA) (Northamptonshire Police)

What we don't know

Northamptonshire Police have also made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of its previous contact with Brella.

It is not known which country Lamba has fled to, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.

(PA)

Police have also confirmed Brella had previously been the victim of domestic violence, and in early September was made the subject of a domestic violence protection order (DVPO) at Northampton Magistrates Court.

The Northamptonshire Telegraph reported that the DVPO banned the perpetrator of the violence from visiting Brellas workplace.

'We will never forget you'

Brella's family has said they will "never forget you till our last breath" in tribute to their daughter.

In a tribute released through Northamptonshire Police on Friday 22 November, her family said: Harshita, you left this world but you are still with us in our hearts and will always be there.

"We will never forget you till our last breath. Always stay with us. We miss you in every very moment of our life."

Previously, Brellas sister Sonia Dabas described her as very innocent and childlike.

She told Sky News: If its two steps or two hours away, [we were] always together. We wore similar clothes, even after marriage, even if she was shopping we would show each other on video calls, even if it was buying a T-shirt. Even though we were far, we were so close.

Dabas said her sibling was very excited to move to the UK in April after an arranged marriage with Lamba, but said she didnt live a very happy life. She said Brella had been working in a warehouse while Lamba was a student in London.

Her father, Satbir Brella, told the BBC on 18 November: I want my son-in-law to be brought to justice and I want my daughters body brought home.

A view of the property in Skegness Walk in Corby, Northamptonshire, after the death of Harshita Brella. (PA) (Joe Giddens - PA Images via Getty Images)

Neighbour Kelly Philp told the Daily Mirror said she heard a row between a man and a woman in the days before Brella's body was found.

She said: They were arguing in a different language so I couldnt understand what was being said. But it sounded angry and there were raised voices and the woman sounded scared.

I heard a commotion between a man and a woman and I heard banging around. I didnt call the police. I just thought it was a relationship argument.

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Graham Stringer asked Angela Rayner whether Allison Pearsons ordeal was a concern to the Labour Government

A Labour MP has labelled the police investigation into Allison Pearson over a social media post as Stasi-like.

Graham Stringer, the MP for Blackley and Middleton South, said the police should be focusing on fighting crime rather than intimidating journalists and threatening press freedom.

Mr Stringer, a former leader of Manchester city council, said: We are in a critical phase where we have to protect the things that most of us have taken for granted about freedom of the press and freedom of speech.

His comments come 10 days after police officers called at Ms Pearsons home at 9.40am on Remembrance Sunday to tell her she was under investigation for allegedly stirring up racial hatred in a social media post on X a year ago.

They invited her to a voluntary interview but allegedly refused to tell her any details about which post was being investigated or who had made the complaint against her.

At Prime Ministers Questions, Mr Stringer asked Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister: Is she as concerned as I am about the Stasi-like interview that was given to Allison Pearson, The Daily Telegraph journalist, a week last Sunday?

And does she agree with me that the Essex police force and other police forces would be better trying to deal with shoplifting, burglaries and other crimes, rather than intimidating journalists?

Ms Rayner said free speech and our press was part of our democracy, adding: But also in direct response to his question, of course police are independent and its a live investigation, and therefore it wouldnt be appropriate for me to comment on that.

But I do believe that we should have a free press  its part of our democracy  and we should have free speech. But with that comes responsibility of those that do it.

Speaking to The Telegraph after the exchange, Mr Stringer said the police action over Pearson appeared to be part of a pattern of restrictions being placed on journalists and politicians.

He cited recent cases, highlighted by The Telegraph, including that of Julie Bindel, a prominent feminist writer, who was visited by two police officers at her home on a Sunday afternoon after one of her posts was reported by a transgender man from the Netherlands.

Tom Hunt, a former Tory MP, also revealed at the weekend how a non-crime hate incident (NCHI) was recorded against his name following a complaint from a Labour activist.

Mr Stringer said: We are being squeezed down as to what we can say. Theres a feeling that journalists and politicians have to be worried about what they write or say and it is threatening.

Some of it is self-imposed. I think we should say loudly and clearly that people can say what they like so long as it is not inciting violence of some sort.

Pearsons experience has prompted a backlash against Essex Police. Elon Musk, the owner of X, who has been outspoken on free speech and the actions of the British police during the riots, posted about her treatment saying: This needs to stop.

Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said: This is Orwellian in the extreme, while Boris Johnson also criticised the force, calling its behaviour appalling and saying police were being forced to behave like a woke Securitate.

Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has committed to making it easier to report non-crime hate incidents related to anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

Last week, a Downing Street spokesman said: The Home Office is looking at how to do this whilst also balancing the fundamental right of free speech, and ensuring that the police can spend their time dealing with the issues that matter most to our communities.

In a debate on police reform on Wednesday, Sammy Wilson, the Democratic Unionist MP, told MPs confidence in policing had been undermined by three forces being involved in the Pearson case at a time when officers were failing to investigate real crimes such as burglary, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

We find that three police forces have spent a year investigating a tweet by a columnist. Surely if there is going to be reform of the police, one of the things we should be doing is telling the police they are no longer the thought police, he told MPs.

Theyre meant to be a police dealing with crime, and if it is required to change the bad law introduced by the last government, will she make sure that thats done so we dont have any more of this kind of nonsense?

Non-crime hate reports on rise

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, demanded tighter rules on police recording non-crime hate incidents by raising the bar for recording them so they were only logged if there was a real and imminent risk of criminality.

This would increase the threshold even higher than the tighter level he set in government last year. Those guidelines stipulate that officers are only allowed to record a non-crime hate incident if it is clearly motivated by intentional hostility and where there is a real risk of escalation causing significant harm or a criminal offence.

However, since then, the number of non-crime hate incidents recorded by police have increased despite the crackdown. It also emerged last week that children have been among thousands of people investigated by police for non-crime hate incidents in the past year.

They included a nine-year-old who called a primary school classmate a retard and two secondary schoolgirls who said that another pupil smelled like fish.

Richard Tice, the Reform UK deputy leader, urged the Government to scrap the recording of non-crime hate incidents, saying: My residents in Boston and Skegness want police on the streets, preventing anti-social behaviour and preventing crime.

They dont want our valuable police resources wasted on monitoring tweets for non-crime hate incidents, threatening and bullying residents, and then that record remains on someones database and can prevent them getting a job in the future.

Its a complete waste of time. We should just scrap those guidelines as an unnecessary use of valuable time and resources.

Sir Julian Lewis, the chairman of the intelligence and security committee, urged the Government to require police forces to log and publish the data showing what proportion of their time was spent investigating crime and non-crime hate incidents.

Dame Diana Johnson, the policing minister, said she understood that very little time was spent on non-crime hate incidents but she accepted that there needed to be common sense, consistency and training for police in when and how they were recorded.

She pointed out that they originated from the Macpherson inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence and were designed to provide police with important intelligence to keep track of potential flashpoints that could escalate into serious violence.

Dame Diana said: This came out of the Macpherson inquiry into the Stephen Lawrence murder, recognising that joined-together intelligence can be useful for the police in dealing with what can develop into criminal offences.

Essex Police was contacted for comment.
Countries at Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, are still trying to agree on how to channel funds to developing countries to ease the ramifications of the climate crisis. Photograph: Aziz Karimov/Reuters

Australia is locked in a standoff with Turkey over which will host vital UN climate talks in 2026, where the question of whether the world can limit global heating in line with scientific advice is likely to be decided.

Australias government wants to host the summit in partnership with Pacific nations, which are among the countries most threatened by climate breakdown.

Turkey is classed as a developing country under the UN system, and may gain the backing of several recent hosts in the same region.

The question could be decided behind closed doors at the Cop, now reaching its final stages in Baku, Azerbaijan. The conference is scheduled to end on Friday but is likely to carry on into this weekend, as nations were still in disagreement on Wednesday night about how to channel funds to developing countries.

Cop29 is supposed to produce a new global financial settlement on the climate, by which developed countries would ensure that poor countries have the money they need to cut their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt their infrastructure to cope with the impacts of extreme weather.

At least $1tn a year is likely to be needed for this effort by 2030. Not all of that, but a substantial slice, should come from the rich countries that have historically been most responsible for carbon emissions. But they have so far refused to put firm promises of cash on the table, arguing that big emerging economies such as China and petrostates such as Saudi Arabia should also pay into the funds.

Developed countries are likely to propose a target of about $300bn coming from their overseas aid budgets, representing a tripling of the $100bn-a-year pledge now in place, the Guardian understands, though others have suggested a lower figure of $200bn could be put forward.

The rest of the $1tn could then come from the private sector and a variety of other sources, including new forms of taxation on fossil fuels and high-carbon activities.

Poor countries have said this level of guaranteed funding  known in the talks as the quantum  from developed countries will not be enough. Evans Njewa, Malawis negotiator and chair of the Least Developed Countries grouping, told the Guardian the group wanted at least $900bn globally in guaranteed funding from public sources in the developed world, and that most of this should be in the form of grants rather than loans.

At least $220bn of the total should be directed towards the worlds 45 least developed countries, he added.

Im sure developed countries understand the struggles we face, he said. No one wants to be a least developed country. Everybody would like to graduate out of this grouping.

The host country, Azerbaijan, promised to produce new texts of a draft deal by the early hours of Thursday morning in the hope of clarifying the basic issues and generating much-needed progress in the stalled talks.

Australia is playing a key role at Cop29, taking on the role alongside Egypt of shepherding the new financial settlement through the complex negotiations and into a final deal. Chris Bowen, Australias climate change minister, gave a flavour of the difficulty of the talks. I heard from developing countries a requirement of $1.3tn of finance mobilised, he said. But we heard different proposals for the split between the provided elements [grants] and the elements which would be mobilised [loans and private investment].

He added: We have heard three different proposals for the provided quantum, of $900bn, $600bn and $440bn. Others have mentioned a floor of $100bn.

Bowen is separately drumming up support for Australias bid to host Cop31. He said he was respectful of Turkeys bid but clarity would be good for everyone involved  us, Turkey and all the parties, particularly our Pacific colleagues, who are very excited about the opportunities.

If successful, Turkeys bid would mean the Cop staying in the Middle Eastern/central Asian region for four out of five years: Cop27 in 2022 was in Egypt; Cop28 in 2023 was in the United Arab Emirates; Cop29 is in Azerbaijan and next years will be in Brazil.

Australia is understood to have the support of 23 out of 29 countries in a group made up mainly of western European nations among whom the 2026 summit will be held. But UN decision-making is a consensus process and Turkey has reasserted its bid in recent days.

Bowen said: Of the 29 Cops, six have been held in the southern hemisphere, 23 in the northern hemisphere. Its time.

Turkish media reported that the president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had told the Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, during a side meeting during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro that his country would not withdraw its candidacy. Turkish officials have also been quoted saying it should be preferred in part because unlike Australia it was not a major fossil fuel exporter.

The Australian push has been largely supported by Pacific leaders. The president of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr, told Cop29 he very much hoped the Australia-Pacific bid would be successful during the Baku summit. He urged those involved in this decision to not deny the Pacific this rare opportunity to help host what is the most important international forum for our future.
Police move to remove pro-Palestinian protesters and an encampment at UC Irvine on 15 May 2024. Photograph: Leonard Ortiz/Orange County Register via Getty Images

As riot police arrested 50 people during a May 2024 pro-Palestinian demonstration at the University of California, Irvine, Tiffany Willoughby-Herard was escorted away by riot police, her hands zip-tied behind her back.

A video of the tenured professor speaking passionately to reporters as she was arrested circulated widely on social media. We cannot have a genocidal foreign policy in a democracy, she says in the video. These police officers out here today  thats thousands of students scholarships.

On Thursday, Willoughby-Herard and 10 others will appear in court facing three misdemeanor charges including resisting arrest, resisting a peace officer with the threat of violence and failure to disperse.

It was bedlam and chaos and a revelation that there was a real failure in leadership and no one really in charge, she added. Basically $2.9m was spent on swatting the entire university community. 

The thing that was so egregious about what happened on May 15 is because of bias and discrimination around Palestine, the response was not an orderly or thoughtful response.

Thousands of scholars around the US and abroad have signed petitions opposing the charges against her. An additional 39 individuals were charged on 16 October in relation to the May protest, with their arraignments scheduled in the coming weeks. Twelve protesters have accepted a deal to enter a pretrial diversion program in response to the charges.

Hundreds of police officers in riot gear from agencies around the region descended on the UC Irvine campus on 15 May after reports of a Gaza solidarity encampment occupying a lecture hall. Fifty people were arrested in clearing the protest.

A professor of global and international studies, Willoughby-Herard said she was facing the most punitive criminal senior charges of any of the 49 arrestees. All other protesters except one are facing one misdemeanor count each of failing to disperse, while one other protester is also facing a resisting arrest charge.

She claimed she has struggled with injuries she sustained during her arrest that continue to cause her pain due to neuropathy in her leg she said was caused by police while arresting her. She also said she has faced harassment and doxxing, and has received rape and death threats.

I walk stooped over. Im in a doctors appointment every single day, I can barely drive my children to school without excruciating pain, she said.

The university has not disciplined her or another lecturer who was arrested and charged, though students have faced repercussions from the school that have included suspensions. Five students who led the universitys encampment in support of Gaza filed a lawsuit over the summer against UC Irvine, alleging their due process was violated when they were suspended.

More than 3,200 people have been arrested in the US during pro-Palestinian protests, according to an analysis by the Appeal. The analysis shows that of 935 arrests, 440 cases are still pending, 120 people have been formally charged, charges for 181 have been dismissed, 33 cases were sent to pretrial diversion programs and one protester was sentenced.

After the charges were announced by the Orange county district attorneys office in September 2024, a truck billboard drove around the UC Irvine campus with the names, faces and charges of 10 individuals charged, including Willoughby-Herard, launched by the far-right activist group Accuracy in Media.

There has been significant organizing in the US and abroad in protest of the charges against Willoughby-Herard, one of few US professors with pending charges related to pro-Palestinian protests.

The American Political Science Association condemned her arrest. An open letter signed by more than 8,000 faculty, scholars and students around the US and abroad has been circulating, calling for the charges against her to be dropped. Another petition protesting the charges has been circulated by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair).

Annie McClanahan, associate professor of English at UC Irvine and chair of the Irvine Faculty Association, criticized the charges and the response to the protests by UC Irvine.

Its very clear, looking at the way that charge-stacking is being used against Dr Willoughby-Herard in particular, that theres a racial component of that as well, and the fact the campus administration has essentially done nothing to request the DA office to not pursue these charges, is really concerning, she said. Willoughby-Herard is Black. Among the 50 protesters charged, only one other protester, a Latina graduate student, faces any additional charges beyond failing to disperse.

A spokesperson for the Orange county district attorneys office said in response to the charges and allegations of bias that everyone arrested was treated equally under the law.

Freedom of speech is a right afforded to everyone, but university campuses are not immune from criminal consequences when peaceful protests cross the line into criminal behavior, they said.

McClanahan argued the charges, doxxing and harassment of protesters has had a chilling effect on campus activism.

The idea that the campuss response to that is going to be to participate in this political and legal repression, its just crazy to me, she added.

A spokesperson for UC Irvine said that the school has a longstanding commitment to upholding free speech and peaceful protest. While we encourage all members of the campus community to exercise their right to express their views, they are also expected to comply with all applicable laws, university policies, and codes of conduct while doing so.

They added: It is important to clarify that the university is not involved in the decision by the Orange County District Attorneys office to file criminal charges against individuals arrested on campus during the May 15 incident.

Willoughby-Herard criticized the criminalization of protesters for calling out the use of funds and resources from universities toward militarism and genocide, and for pushing for divestment and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

You cannot war-machine your way out of massive social problems that actually require study and reflection, she said.
Randy Boissonnault rises during Question Period on 18 Nov. 2024 in Ottawa. Photograph: Adrian Wyld/AP

Canadas employment minister has resigned from the cabinet after weeks of scrutiny over both his business dealings and his shifting claims of Indigenous ancestry.

Moments before question period on Wednesday, prime minister Justin Trudeaus office said Randy Boissonnault would step away from cabinet effective immediately and will focus on clearing the allegations made against him.

Boissonnaults claims to Indigenous identity were the subject of an investigation by the National Post in early November, which revealed that a company he co-owned positioned itself as Indigenous-owned or Aboriginal while bidding on federal contracts. Boissonnault, the minister for employment, workforce development and official languages, blamed his former business partner and denied any knowledge of the claims.

The Alberta lawmaker never explicitly said he was Indigenous but often described himself as non-status adopted Cree. He also spoke often about his great-grandmother as a full-blooded Cree woman.

In 2018, Boissonnault told a parliamentary committee that as a child, his great grandmother told him: We come from the land, Randy, and some day well go back to the land, and the land will be all shared in the future.

The National Post also found instances in which Boissonnault would speak a few words in Cree when making funding announcements for the governing Liberal party.

That is Cree for: Guests youre welcome, theres room here, Boissonnault told an Edmonton crowd in 2019. And if my great-grandmother, full-blooded Cree woman Lucy Brenneis were here, she may well welcome you in exactly that same way.

Last week, Boissonnault apologized for not being as clear as he could have been about his heritage. Days later, Boissonnaults office acknowledged his adoptive great-grandmothers had Metis lineage, not Cree, after being presented with census records by the Post.

A spokesperson for the minister said his own understanding of his familys heritage was inaccurate.

The revelations triggered a political row with lawmakers in the Conservative and New Democratic parties calling for his ejection from cabinet.

Earlier this week, NDP member of parliament Blake Desjarlais said Trudeau should kick Boissonnault out of the cabinet if the minister didnt leave voluntarily.

The real victims here arent the Liberals. The real victim isnt Randy. The real victim is Indigenous businesses, Indigenous people that did everything right. They did all that, just to learn that the system is rigged right here at the top, Desjarlais, who is Metis, told reporters, accusing the education minister of pretendianism.

Related: Is a previously unheard-of First Nation just Canadas latest Pretendian case?

Jody Wilson-Raybould, who served as Trudeaus attorney general and justice minister wrote on social media that we get to watch white people play ancestry wheel of fortune and that if the prime minister was committed to true reconciliation then he would have ejected Boissonnault from cabinet long ago.

Separately, Boissonnault is embroiled in a scandal over whether he was improperly involved in the daily operations of the PPE company Global Health Imports while serving as cabinet member after records of text messages show someone named Randy in a discussion about a wire transfer of roughly C$500,000 to secure a large shipment of nitrile gloves.

Boissonnault denied he was the person identified in messages between his former business partner and the representative of a California-based company.

The Conservative ethics critic Michael Barrett told reporters it stretches reason and belief that someone working Global Health Imports was also named Randy but whose last name is unknown to Boissonnault. Earlier this summer, Conservatives recently filed a motion calling for the other Randy to appear at the ethics committee.
HMS Albion had been due to go out of service in nine years time but John Healey, the defence secretary, said it had, in practice, already been taken out of service. Photograph: Luron C Wright/PA

The defence secretary, John Healey, has announced he will scrap British navy vessels and army drones as part of 500m in cost-saving measures in what was described as a black day for the new government.

Two former Royal Navy flagships, a frigate and two support tankers will be decommissioned, with the savings reinvested into the defence budget. Healey blamed the move on a dire inheritance left by the previous Tory administration.

The announcement was described by the shadow defence secretary, James Cartlidge, as cuts instead of a pathway to 2.5% and a black day for the Royal Marines.

The government said it would raise UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, but is yet to provide an end date for the initiative. As part of the measures, the assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark will be decommissioned.

Julian Lewis, the chair of the intelligence and security committee, asked the defence secretary: Does he agree with me that we have no way of knowing whether the absence of that capability for the next decade wont be an incentive to somebody to try something like the Falklands in the future?

Healey responded: On HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, he is right. Both ships were not due to go out of service for nine and 10 years respectively, but neither, given the state theyre in, the decisions taken previously by the last government, were set to sail again. In other words, theyd, in practice, been taken out of service, but ministers had not been willing to admit this.

Healey claimed that amphibious capability would be provided by remaining ships and the 9m a year that would be saved would be focused on the development of support ships that promised greater capability and a broader range of ability for the future.

The cuts will also have an impact on the provision of helicopters, with the 14 oldest chinook transport aircraft removed early from service and the Pumas lifespan not being extended beyond March 2025.

Healey said: This acceleration of their retirement will apply to the 14 oldest helicopters in the fleet of more than 50. Some of those are more than 35 years old, and it means that these oldest 14 will be retired at the point where they are due to enter a costly maintenance package  that will not happen.

It means that we can speed up the transition to the new, much more capable chinooks that will arrive, and it also means that we can save money for defence that we can redeploy to other purposes.

Healey informed MPs that he had spoken with his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, in Kyiv on Tuesday and they had discussed the UKs plan to provide support.

He said: Weve seen over recent weeks significant change in the action and in the rhetoric on Ukraine, and Ukraines action on the battlefield speaks for itself. We as a nation and as a government are doubling down on our support for Ukraine and determined to do more. I discussed this with Minister Umerov in a call yesterday [Tuesday] where he talked about the robust response that Ukraine is making to recent Russian escalations.

Thats the escalation in the attacks on Ukrainian cities and children, the escalation in attacks on their energy system and the escalation with deploying 10,000 North Korean troops in combat positions on the frontline.

We discussed also our plans as the UK to support them throughout 2025. I remain committed to keeping parliament as fully informed as possible and [the shadow defence secretary] and the house I think will understand the reasons why at this point, Im not able to go into any further operational details.

The army fleet of 47 Watchkeeper drones is also being culled, even though they have only been in service for six years. A UK defence source said that it would allow the MoD to exploit the more modern technology used in Ukraine.
Randy Macchi speaks to the Houston City Council after the council votes to hire him as head of Publics Works Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Randy Macchi, seated inside right, sits with his family as the Houston City Council votes to hire him as head of Publics Works Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Randy Macchi, seated center, reacts with his family as the Houston City Council votes to hire him as head of Publics Works Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Randy Macchi speaks to the Houston City Council after the council votes to hire him as head of Publics Works Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Randy Macchi prepares to address the Houston City Council after the council votes to hire him as head of Publics Works Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

Houston City Council voted unanimously to change a city ordinance requiring the Public Works head to be a professional engineer in order for Randy Macchi  the department's Chief Operating Officer, as well as a podcaster, former attorney and life coach  to take over as its lead.

Council Members Tiffany D. Thomas, Abbie Kamin, Joaquin Martinez and Mario Castillo were absent from the vote.

Under previous city rules, the Public Works head had to be a professional engineer registered in Texas. Now, the leader of the department can be a professional engineer, someone with at least five years of full-time experience leading public or business administration or someone who has an equivalent combination of training, education, and experience sufficient to provide leadership and perform the duties of the office, according to the proposal.

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Houston Public Works is the citys largest department at nearly 3,900 employees, and is tasked with overseeing the city's street and drainage budgets, treating wastewater, providing water to Houston homes and issuing permits.

LATEST CITY HALL HIRE: Mayor John Whitmire aims to change ordinance to bring Randy Macchi on as Houston's Public Works head

Macchis appointment to the position came despite pushback from the American Society of Civil Engineers, who wrote to the mayor on Nov. 7 cautioning officials against removing the professional engineering requirement for the departments head.

Officials from the American Council of Engineering Companies have said they supported the administration keeping the professional engineering requirement, and said if the head is not an engineer that the city engineer be placed in a position to make sure the department complies with laws laid out by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

Macchi, whose appointment as department head was also confirmed by the council unanimously Wednesday, has served as the Public Works chief operating officer since 2023. He previously was an attorney and started his own life coaching business.

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He took the helm leading the department alongside city engineer Richard Smith in April. Macchi has handled the departments administrative matters while Smith has handled all engineering matters.

The departments new leadership configuration will still place the city engineer in charge of signing off on the departments engineering decisions, Whitmires Chief of Staff Chris Newport said Tuesday. Whitmire said Wednesday the department would bring on a new city engineer, OJ McFoy of the Buffalo Sewer Authority in Buffalo, N.Y. A spokesperson for Houston Public Works said McFoy will assume his new role in January, and Smith will be managing engineer.

Whitmire, ahead of the vote, said he prided himself in the department head appointments hes made.

The mayor described a broken Public Works department when he first came into office with a slow permitting office and issues with exorbitant water bills. Whitmire said Macchi had been helpful in fixing those issues, and said the water meter reader sensor replacement plan that was initially supposed to take five years was now slated to be done by Thanksgiving under Macchis leadership.

I know each council member has observed how responsive he is to our offices, Whitmire said. I have heard compliments across the city. He would make the natural  but he didnt have the full authority of that position that would even make him better.

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Whitmire continued: I ran to fix things. Randy was fixing things before my living eyes. He quickly became my go-to person.

The mayor noted that while experience mattered, the citys health department previously had to be led by a doctor, and BARC by a veterinarian, he said.

The direction of efficient city government has been (to) put the best person in the position that can make a difference, Whitmire said.

Whitmire addressed the ASCEs criticism Wednesday, saying the organization was protecting their turf and didnt want an example of a non-engineer conducting an excellent operation in our department.

Houston is not the only city that has a non-professional engineer leading their Public Works department. The director in Kansas City, for example, was previously in law enforcement.

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Im excited for Houstonians, Whitmire said. I'm excited for city government that we're going to recognize and give someone the authority to work with the city engineer to be responsive on water breaks, infrastructure  (Macchis) the real deal.

Macchi told the council Wednesday he was exceptionally grateful for their support, but the department still had work to do. Macchi also thanked public works employees and those who have come forward asking the department to improve.

I promise to you that the desire to do better is there, and the willpower to do better is there, and we're (planning) the action steps that we need to do so that we can deliver on that, and we're going to deliver on it very shortly, Macchi said, pointing toward the citys need to address water bills, customer experience and improvements in its water system.

Council members applauded Macchis appointment, with Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum calling the move good policy that will allow the city flexibility in doing whats best for them.

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While the administration did not have the support of the ASCE, they had the backing of regional organizations like Houston Real Estate Council, Houston Regional Business Coalition, Greater Houston Builders Association, Houston Association of Realtors and the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation.
Police at the scene on Ravenscraig Road where the remains of a baby were found in a field - Ryan Jenkinson/PA

Police are investigating after a dog walker found the remains of a baby in a snow-covered field in Greater Manchester.

The unidentified woman found the body near Ashtons Field in Little Hulton, Salford, close to the M61 motorway bridge, at 1pm on Wednesday.

Greater Manchester Police said it was too early to tell the babys ethnicity and gender, but it was following several lines of inquiry.

Speaking near the spot where the child  whom the force is calling Baby A  was found, Ch Supt Neil Blackwood said a cordon would remain in place while officers carried out inquiries.

Police appealed for anyone with even the most minor detail about the circumstances surrounding the incident to come forward.

This is extremely sensitive, Ch Supt Neil Blackwood tells the media - Ryan Jenkinson/PA

Ch Supt Blackwood said: All of this is extremely sensitive, and this investigation needs to be handled with the utmost care it deserves, and it is going to take time.

We know that this news will devastate our communities, and while we do not have all the answers to these questions yet, I want to reassure residents that we will do all we can to find out what has happened here.

He added: The most important thing for us right now is to find answers for this baby and I would urge anyone who has any information at all to get in touch with us.

Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation. If you have seen anyone in the area over the last few days, or know who the parents could be, please call us as soon as you can.

A post-mortem examination is expected in the next two days.
Peter Kyle said he used to enjoy X, formerly Twitter, before Elon Musk took over - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph

The Science Secretary said he could leave X, formerly Twitter, as he no longer enjoys using the social media platform after its takeover by Elon Musk.

Peter Kyle refused to say whether he saw the billionaire owner as a friend or a foe before revealing that he no longer scrolls through the app.

Mr Musk, who will have a senior role in president-elect Donald Trumps administration, describes himself as a free speech absolutist and has unbanned thousands of accounts.

The Guardian quit X in the wake of Mr Trumps US election victory earlier this month, citing concerns over far-Right conspiracy theories and racism on the ever more toxic site.

Asked whether his experience on X had improved since Mr Musk took over, Mr Kyle told LBCs Nick Ferrari: No, it hasnt. In fact, I dont scroll through it.

I use it because I know that it is an audience that I really want to communicate with and me and my team both have access to my account now and post materials on it. But I have to say in the past I really enjoyed interacting on X, that enjoyment isnt there any more.

But I do realise there are people who are on that platform that are really, really keen to connect with and to communicate with and to share the information that comes out of the work that I have as Secretary of State.

Asked whether he could see himself following The Guardian off the platform, Mr Kyle replied: I can see the circumstances where I would.

But at the moment, I really strive to try and communicate with people from as many backgrounds, as many perspectives, as possible.

It would be a very big thing for me to turn away from it, from an audience, but I dont know what the future holds. I keep an open mind about these things.

Mr Kyle declined to say whether Mr Musk was a friend or foe for your ambitions, replying: I just dont look at the world in that way.

He hailed the billionaires incredible SpaceX rocket launch earlier this week but was more critical of X, saying it should comply with all of the values that we expect.

At the G20 summit this week, Sir Keir Starmer said he had no plans to move his own account or that of the Government off X.

It comes ahead of Mr Musk being summoned by MPs to testify at a parliamentary inquiry into disinformation and the riots that swept Britain after the Southport killings.

He could be quizzed in the Commons about the spread of harmful content and fake news if he were to accept the invitation from the science and technology committee.

Posts on X wrongly identified the man suspected of fatally stabbing three young girls, claiming he was an asylum seeker who had crossed the Channel in a small boat last year.

Mr Musk claimed the unrest showed Britain was heading for civil war and called the Prime Minister two-tier Keir after people were jailed for stirring up racial hatred online.

Senior executives from Meta, which runs Facebook and Instagram, are also expected to be called as part of the science and technology select committee social media inquiry.

Chi Onwurah, the Labour chairman of the select committee, told The Guardian: [Musk] has very strong views on multiple aspects of this. I would certainly like the opportunity to cross-examine him to see how he reconciles his promotion of freedom of expression with his promotion of pure disinformation.

The first hearings will take place in the new year, as concern grows that the laws designed to counter misinformation in the Online Safety Act are not fit for purpose and being left behind by rapidly advancing technology.
The use of e-scooters is highly contentious - Asadour Guzelian

What do we do we with a problem like e-scooters?

You may think the humble e-scooter is a thing of little importance. But it arouses great passions. The law on e-scooters is an ass, with a million people owning them but not legally allowed to use them, on either roads or pavements. It is legal to sell them but not to use them.

The issue is so politically divisive that in the run up to the General Election I was banned by Number 10 from even consulting on changing the law. The fear was that being soft on e-scooters would lose us seats up and down the country, as local protests erupt. I was accosted by MPs in the tea room in Parliament, outraged at rumours that I was not tough enough on this scourge of modern life.

So I have a confession  yes, I do like e-scooters, and have ridden them myself in many cities around the world. They are fun to ride with the wind in your face, and much quicker than walking. They are a cheap and convenient form of transport. They take people out of cars and reduce congestion, noise and pollution. I think people in Britain should be legally allowed to use them  under in the right conditions. So, I welcome the decision of Louise Haigh, the transport secretary, to move forwards on the issue. The question is, what should the conditions be?

The UK has the most restrictive laws on e-scooters in Europe. Our highway laws are archaic, from the early days of the motorcar, and strictly ban outright any new form of transport without a change to primary legislation. The only way that e-bikes (where human pedal power is augmented by an electric motor) were allowed was by a political sleight of hand, by which they were legally designated as ordinary bikes. There was little fuss because the public and road safety groups are used to the concept of bikes.

But e-scooters (without pedals) are new and unknown. The only legal way to use them on public land is as part of trials of rental e-scooters in certain towns and cities across the UK. The trials have helped us learn how people use e-scooters, and what the risks are, and have been repeatedly prolonged.

But I was not allowed to extend the trials to new areas. Towns asked to be able to start scooter trials (they are a source of revenue for councils), but the answer was no. A disabled woman pleaded with me to be allowed to use a childs mobility e-scooter on a pavement. It was ludicrous and cruel that she was banned from using it, and I had to set up a whole workstream to try to get an exemption for disabled people (but the General Election intervened).

Most of the resistance to e-scooters comes quite rightly from concern about e-litter, where rental e-scooters are left cluttering up the pavement, an inconvenience to pedestrians and a danger to the visually impaired. But as other cities, such as Brussels, have shown, that is easily dealt with by requiring rental e-scooters to be left in designated spaces (the technology means riders physically cannot drop off an e-scooter outside a designated parking space).

The concern about e-litter is also irrelevant to the debate about the use of private e-scooters, since owners are not going to leave their own devices lying about on the pavement. The relevant concerns are essentially about ensuring private e-scooters are used safely  can they be ridden on pavements, what is the speed limit, should riders be required to wear helmets, should there be an age restriction, should riders have to have insurance, should they be registered with number plates and pay an annual licence fee like a car and should riders be required to have training, as with motor bikes?

On some of these issues the answer is clear. After some differences of approach, almost all European countries have now banned e-scooters from pavements, and that clearly should remain the case in the UK. On the other issues, different European countries have gone different ways  some require helmets and insurance, and some dont. Most have age restrictions, but the allowed age varies (the most common is 14 years old).

Most European countries do not require registration, although the police everywhere push for it. I think a whole national scheme and bureaucracy requiring owners to register e-scooters, paid for by an annual licence fee, and enforced by a new regime of fines, is not justified by the benefits.

The general approach should be to copy the policies for ordinary bicycles, unless a change can be clearly justified by the evidence. If there is no legal requirement for riders of e-bikes or ordinary bikes to wear helmets, have insurance and be registered, so why should there be those requirements for riders of e-scooters?

As frequently reported in the press, there is concern about the safety of e-scooters, with some accidents resulting in deaths. The same obviously is true of ordinary bikes  we need to ensure any restrictions are proportionate to the risk. The data from the trails shows that almost all e-scooter accidents occur with riders who are novices, happening in the first five times they have ridden one.

The difference with bikes is that most people know how to ride bikes, because they grew up with them. If you unleashed a million bikes on a population who had never ridden them, then you would get far more bike accidents. The solution could be to require e-scooter riders to do a familiarity course, as with motorbikes, or lessons similar to that provided by the Bikeability training programme.

There are huge potential benefits from e-scooters, and it would be a shame if we remain the only European country where they are banned. We just need to make sure scooter trials stop the e-litter, and that e-scooters are used safely. It is time to give e-scooters a chance.

Anthony Browne is a former transport minister
Eileen Diss, winner of the Special Award, arrives at the Bafta Television Craft Awards at the Dorchester in London in 2006 - PA/Alamy

Eileen Diss, who has died aged 93, was the doyenne of set designers whose television credits included Jeeves & Wooster, Porterhouse Blue and A Dance to the Music of Time; she also worked on films, notably Up The Junction, 84 Charing Cross Road and A Handful of Dust, while her gift for conjuring up period detail and atmosphere also made her a firm favourite with playwrights such as Harold Pinter and Simon Gray.

She began in the early 1950s as the only woman in the BBCs newly minted set design department where she started in childrens programmes before making her first big impact with Maigret (1960-63), starring Rupert Davies as Simenons French detective.

Eileen Diss spent months scouring France for suitable items of furniture, ornaments, posters and cigarette packets. Half these things may never be in sharp focus on the screen, she told an interviewer in 1961. But when in a close-up you see a terribly French door-knob behind someones left ear, it does make just that extra difference.

Jonathan Pryce, Tom Brooke and Peter McDonald in The Caretaker at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool in 2009 - Donald Cooper/Alamy

The series won her the design award of the Guild of Television Producers and Directors (now Bafta), and brought her to the attention of the theatre world, though as one critic observed, she never abandoned the slightly crazy mix of boarding-school perfectionism and free-spirited iconoclasm she had developed at the BBC.

As a stage set designer her eye for period detail was evident in numerous works by or directed by Harold Pinter. The playwright usually set his own plays within the confines of a single, often seedy, room, and Eileen Diss relished the challenge of helping him to build the atmosphere of brooding menace that characterises such works as The Homecoming and The Caretaker.

A production of the latter at the Liverpool Everyman in 2009 (later at the Lyttelton Theatre and Trafalgar Studios in London), starred Jonathan Pryce as Pinters disgusting old tramp Davies and opened against the backdrop of what one critic described as Eileen Disss near-perfect dump of a mid-20th-century flat with piles of old suitcases and yellowing newspapers, a bucket hanging from the ceiling to catch drips and, beside an unconnected gas stove, a garish statue of the Buddha.

Rosemary Harris and Joely Richardson in Steel Magnolias at the Lyric Theatre in London in 1989 - Donald Cooper/Alamy

An Eileen Diss set could redeem an otherwise unconvincing production. In 2004, Simon Grays The Old Masters, set in the art critic Bernard Berensons Italian home, was staged at the Comedy Theatre in a production directed by Pinter and starring Edward Fox and Peter Bowles. Sheridan Morley observed that while heaps of talent could not salvage Grays art-world venture, only the designer, Eileen Diss, seems absolutely confident of precisely what is going on where, as her terrace around Villa I Tatti has a perfect air of idyllic, tranquil, period confidence, no matter what emotional, sexual or financial traumas erupt upon it.

An only child, Eileen Winifred Diss was born on May 13 1931 to Thomas Diss, a dental technician, and his wife Winifred, nee Irvine, and educated at Ilford County High School and the Central School of Art and Design.

She joined the BBCs design department as a junior assistant designer in 1952, initially working on childrens programmes such as Billy Bunter and Zoo Quest before broadening her scope to everything from Blue Peter to Play for Today. In the mid-1950s she was given responsibility for British televisions first soap, The Grove Family (1954-57), set in the home of a lower middle class family in Hendon. Her sets, observed one critic, look like a cross between early Corrie and Meet Me in Saint Louis, which is to say, brilliant.

Eileen Diss accepts an award from Princess Anne, with Mark Phillips, first left, at the Society of Film & Television Arts Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in 1974. Also in attendance are Ian Martin and Sydney Samuelson of the SFTA - Bafta via Getty Images

At a time when television technology was being revolutionised, Eileen Diss pioneered many design techniques that are still in use today, including combining staged set pieces with location filming.

By the time she worked on Maigret she was freelance, but she continued to do much work for television, eventually notching up six Bafta awards, culminating in a Bafta Lifetime Achievement Special Craft Award in 2006. In 2005 she won a Lifetime Achievement Award for Design from the Royal Society for Television. For her theatre work she was nominated twice for Olivier Awards, and from 1975 she was one of only 200 British men and women credited as a Royal Designer of Industry.

In 1953 Eileen Diss married Ray Everett, an airline pilot, who died in 1994. She is survived by two sons and a daughter.

Eileen Diss, born May 13 1931, died November 5 2024
Steve Reed has visited a farm only once in three months - Ian Forsyth/Getty Image

The Environment Secretary visited a farm just once in his first three months in the job, it has emerged.

Steve Reed is one of the Cabinet ministers leading the arguments that Labours inheritance tax raid on farmers is justified.

He was appointed to head the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs after Labours election victory, having shadowed the brief in opposition.

But a Freedom of Information request has revealed that between taking up the role on July 5 and Oct 15, more than three months later, he made only a single visit to a farm in his official capacity.

It appears the visit was to an Essex farm where animals had recently been tested for bluetongue.

Mr Reed is being painted by his political opponents as being out of touch with farmers. The Tories have called him City Steve because of his south London seat of Streatham and Croydon North.

Steve Reed visited an Essex farm where animals had recently been tested for bluetongue

Robbie Moore, the Tory shadow farming minister, told The Telegraph: Steve Reed doesnt seem to have had much of an interest in farming before he became secretary of state, and even less of one now.

Labours family farm tax will have such a negative impact on the countryside that hes now even advising farmers on how to avoid it. These damaging tax hikes will wreck farmers livelihoods, raise prices for consumers and jeopardise the UKs food security. The Conservatives would reverse them.

Labours decision to end the decades-old practice of letting farmers pass down their estates without paying inheritance tax has proved one of the most controversial aspects of the Budget.

Estates worth over 1 million will incur an effective inheritance tax rate of 20 per cent, though some farmers may be spared on estates worth up to 3 million if they pool tax-free allowances.

Labour argued that only a fraction of farms will be impacted, and argued the policy closes a loophole that allows tax-avoiders to buy up agricultural land.

But critics, including the thousands of farmers who descended on Westminster on Tuesday to protest against the change, have said genuine farming families will be forced out of business.

Mr Reed is already under political pressure after he explicitly ruled out changes to agricultural property relief  the tax relief being altered  before the general election.

He said during the campaign that Tory claims Labour could alter APR were desperate nonsense, and months earlier had ruled out any changes when addressing a conference about the countryside.

The same FOI request, responded to by Defra, revealed that Daniel Zeichner, the junior minister tasked with farming policy, had been on eight farm visits in his first three months.

A Defra spokesman said: The secretary of state has championed British farming and rural communities from the moment he took office, speaking with farmers and holding regular meetings with organisations such as the National Farmers Union, Country Land and Business Association and Tenant Farmers Association.

Against the challenges of the 22 billion hole in the public finances, we have secured 5 billion for farming over the next two years  the largest ever directed at sustainable food production in our countrys history.
An Essex Police vehicle

A hate crime ambassador at Essex Police was forced out of her job after raising concerns about Black Lives Matter, she has claimed.

Michelle Harris said she was ousted from the role after complaining about Black Lives Matter comments made during an annual police conference.

During a speech at the National Association of Independent Advisory Groups conference in 2022, a speaker suggested that black lives matter because now is our time. Our opportunity.

Ms Harris complained, suggesting all life has an equal value.

Ms Harris completed training to become a hate crime ambassador (HCA) in 2021 while living in Ilford, east London.

But despite being cleared to work as an Essex Police ambassador while living outside the county, the force reversed the decision, costing her the role.

Ms Harris stepped down in February 2023 after a suggested transfer to the Met Police never happened, she said.

Allison Pearson, who should have been treated with respect, says Michelle Harris - Heathcliff O'Malley

Speaking out amid the controversy of Essex Polices investigation into Allison Pearson, the Telegraph journalist, Ms Harris said freedom of speech must be defended.

She said: If looking at a hate crime, its important to look at all perspectives. We live in a democracy where there is freedom of speech which must be defended.

However, there are clear rules as to what constitutes a hate crime. The conference was for hate crime ambassadors from all over the country.

All sections of the community should have had time for discussion and understanding.

The National Independent Advisory Group conference is a gathering where group members from across the country can share their views and help develop guidance for police forces.

In 2022, it was hosted by Bedfordshire Police in Luton, with attendees including senior officers and hate crime ambassadors from across the country, including Essex.

To become a hate crime ambassador, volunteers must complete a half-day accredited training session run by Essex Police.

They must also take part in a minimum of two hate crime/incident educational or awareness-raising activities annually, either individually or in conjunction with other partners, HIRCS or hate crime ambassadors, according to a job description.

Ambassadors are responsible for raising awareness of hate crimes and signposting victims to help report them.

It comes as Essex Police continues its criminal investigation into Pearson, an award-winning writer, for allegedly stirring up racial hatred with a social media post made in November last year.

In a visit to Pearsons house, officers refused to tell her any details about which post on X, formerly Twitter, was being investigated, or who made the complaint against her

Ms Harris accused Essex Police of bullying Pearson when they should have treated her with respect.

She added: As a journalist myself, it is important that our rights to articulate an opinion are defended. Allison is highly respected and a thorough professional.

Essex Police should have treated her with respect and seemingly she has been bullied which is worrying.

If somebody is offended  their feelings are to be respected which is part of the training, but not to the detriment of a professional simply doing their job. If accused of a crime, it should be substantiated.

There needs to be trust and respect between Essex Police and the community. From my own experience and training, nobody should feel bullied by Essex Police.

I hope this situation is resolved and Allison is allowed to continue her journalistic work.

On Friday, it emerged the force had set up a gold group, usually used to deal with major incidents such as terror attacks, to deal with the investigation.

The purpose of gold groups is to ensure the effectiveness of ongoing police response and they are usually headed by an assistant chief constable or above.

Essex Police was contacted for comment.
Von der Leyen has chosen 26 European commissioners to lead EU policies. Photograph: dts News Agency Germany/REX/Shutterstock

European parliament leaders have reached a deal to approve Ursula von der Leyens top team, paving the way for the new European Commission to take office on 1 December.

Leaders of the centre-right European Peoples party (EPP), the Socialists and the centrist Renew group  who between them have 56% of the parliaments 720 seats  forged a compromise on Wednesday intended to ensure that von der Leyens nominees would be approved in a vote next week.

Von der Leyen has chosen 26 European commissioners to lead EU policies including the climate crisis, competitiveness, trade, industry, agriculture and nature, but the whole team has to be approved by MEPs in one vote, which is expected next Wednesday.

Each commissioner faced a three-hour hearing in the parliament, but the approval process began to unravel when the Socialists threatened to block the appointment of Italys vice-president nominee, Raffaele Fitto, a member of Giorgia Melonis hardline Brothers of Italy party.

The EPP in turn threatened to block the Spanish Socialist vice-president nominee, Teresa Ribera, who conservatives have attempted to blame for the catastrophic floods in Valencia.

Ribera, who is a deputy prime minister of Spain as well as its environment and energy minister, said climate change was responsible for the deadly floods and Spain must improve officials capacity to respond. Speaking to the Spanish parliament on Wednesday, she said actions, protocols, regulations and alerts were of little use if those who have to respond do not know how to do so.

The regional president of Valencia, Carlos Mazon, of the centre-right Popular party (PP), has faced calls to resign over his handling of the floods that killed 216 people in his region. His administration has been criticised for the hours-long delay in sending an alert to peoples phones.

Spains sharply polarised politics arrived in Brussels last week when Mazons allies in the PP attacked Ribera during her hearing, seeking to blame her for the floods.

She is in line to be von der Leyens most powerful commissioner, responsible for the green transition and competition.

The standoff meant all six vice-presidential nominees were held up. They were Kaja Kallas, who is also the EUs high representative for foreign policy; Frances Stephane Sejourne, who will be in charge of industrial policy; Henna Virkkunen, intended to lead on technology policy; and Roxana Minzatu, given the job title of people, skills and preparedness. Hungarys nominee, Oliver Varhelyi, was also blocked amid concerns about his countrys democratic backsliding.

If several candidates were rejected, von der Leyen would have had to seek new nominees from national governments, delaying her commission beyond 1 December, which is already a late start.

Diplomats took an acid view of what they saw as a circular firing squad. It meant the EU was squabbling over internal processes rather than presenting a united front while facing a dire situation on the Ukrainian battlefields, with Donald Trump poised to return to the White House.

The new commission is now expected to start work on 1 December, almost six months after European elections when voters returned more far-right MEPs than ever before in a vote that weakened governments in France and Germany.

Under the agreement hashed out on Wednesday, the three groups have agreed that the rule of law, a pro-Ukraine stance and a pro-European approach are core aspects of our cooperation.

Agreement by party leaders does not guarantee every vote, so the commission will be looking for votes from Melonis European Conservatives and Reformists, as well as the Greens.

One French socialist MEP, Christophe Clergeau, said he condemned the validation of a far-right executive vice-president of the commission, referring to Fitto, as he announced he would vote against the commission.

In her first 100 days, von der Leyen has promised a clean industry strategy to ensure good jobs as the EU prepares for net zero emissions by 2050, a white paper on European defence, and plans for agriculture, artificial intelligence and getting the bloc ready for enlargement.
A Mongrel Mob member was arrested just minutes after the gang patch ban came into force in New Zealand. Photograph: Sarah Bicknell/Hawkes Bay Today

New Zealands gangs will need to hide their gang patches or face prosecution after a new law banning gang insignia in public came into force on Thursday  a move critics believe could risk breaching the Bill of Rights and do little to reduce gang membership.

At midnight, it became illegal for gang members to display signs, symbols or patches  large insignia sewn on to jackets, for example  anywhere in public. This includes displaying insignia on their clothing or vehicles.

Breaches of the ban carry a sentence of up to six months imprisonment or a $5,000 fine, and insignia would have to be forfeited and destroyed.

Three minutes after the ban came into effect, a Mongrel Mob member based in Hastings was arrested for displaying a large Mongrel Mob sign on the dashboard of his car, the police confirmed to the Guardian. He was issued a summons to appear in court and the sign was confiscated, police said.

Related: Unusual bedfellows: how gangs are pushing New Zealands Covid vaccination drive

The free ride for gangs is over, said Paul Goldsmith, the minister for justice. Gangs in our country think theyre above the law and can choose which laws they comply with, and this government does not accept that.

The ban forms part of the governments wider crackdown on gangs, including non-consorting orders and police being given the power to stop gangs from associating and communicating.

Greater weight will also be given to gang membership at sentencing, enabling courts to impose more severe punishments, Goldsmith said.

Those who have been prosecuted for breaching the gang patch ban three times will also be banned from wearing the patch at home, and police will have increased powers to search homes if they suspect members still have insignia.

Police have been meeting with gangs ahead of the law changes and said they will actively enforce any breaches.

Gangs are well aware that once this law comes into effect, they are not allowed to wear a gang patch in public, said Paul Basham, assistant commissioner and controller of the nationwide operation to enforce the law.

If we come across anyone wearing gang insignia in public, we wont be taking the excuse of ignorance as a defence.

Gangs have existed for decades in New Zealand and hold a complex space in society: while they can be linked to violence and crime, they can also act as forces for good within their communities. Police figures provided to the Guardian puts membership at roughly 9,384.

Members of the countrys largest gang, the Mongrel Mob, are a familiar sight in many provincial towns and cities, and it is common for members to have insignia, including bulldogs, tattooed on their faces. Tattoos and coloured clothing have been excluded from the ban.

Black Power gang life member and community advocate, Denis OReilly, told RNZ there will be a spectrum of response from gang members to the law changes, including resistance.

The main advice gang leaders are providing their members is that of Minister Goldsmiths: dont get caught, he said. But in the main, I think people will use subterfuge, theyll wear patches inside out, theyll wear cloaksto try and get around the law.

Mongrel Mob members who held a meeting on Wednesday in Opotiki, in the North Islands Bay of Plenty region, told Stuff many would not surrender their patches.

Were all backing one another on this, were all together on this. We die for our patch. Weve said that forever, from day one.

Others said the ban was a human rights issue: its taking away our freedom. I dont go tell [you] what to wear.

Critics of the ban say the legislation is vague and could risk infringing the Bill of Rights, while doing nothing to alter gang membership.

In an open letter to Goldsmith in August, the Law Society said the law allowing authorities to search homes for insignia was an incursion into private life that could raise Bill of Rights concerns.

The society said the law could result in a person being held criminally liable for being proximate to someone in possession of gang insignia, while the definition of gang insignia could  when taken literally  include printed reproductions of gang insignia, making it a criminal offence to possess a newspaper with a gang symbol in it, or certain books.

The residential ban could extend to insignia never intended to be displayed in public  such as a gang member having their father or grandfathers patch as a memento, it said.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins told media it was unlikely the law changes would lead to a reduction in gangs.

This is a measure by the government to look tough on crime. The reality here is it is not going to lead to one single person leaving a gang.
Detectives met with Sir Alan Bates, a leading campaigner and victim of the scandal, at the weekend to update him on their investigation - Peter Nicholls/Getty Images Europe

The Metropolitan Police has identified two new suspects in its investigation into possible criminal offences as part of the Post Office Horizon scandal.

It takes the total number of individuals to four  as the force also revealed it believes more suspects will be identified as the inquiry progresses.

Scotland Yard said members of the investigation team met with Sir Alan Bates, the leading Post Office campaigner, and fellow victims to update them on Sunday.

More than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongfully prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 as a result of the Horizon scandal, in which the faulty computer software incorrectly recorded shortfalls on their accounts.

Of these, hundreds of people are still awaiting compensation despite the previous government announcing that those who had convictions quashed were eligible for payouts of 600,000.

Oral evidence at the Post Office inquiry concluded this month. It came after public interest in the scandal ramped up following the broadcast of ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, starring Julie Hesmondhalgh and Toby Jones, helped bring the scandal to wider public attention - ITV STUDIOS

In Octobers Budget, the Chancellor announced she was putting aside 1.8 billion towards compensation for victims of the scandal.

A Met spokesman said: On Sunday Nov 17, members of the investigating team met with Sir Alan Bates and a number of affected sub-postmasters to provide an update on our progress and next steps, following an invitation to do so.

Our investigation team, comprising of officers from forces across the UK, is now in place and we will be sharing further details in due course. The team is preparing to contact other affected sub-postmasters soon.

They added: While four suspects have been formally identified at this stage, this number will grow as the investigation progresses.

However, Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Commissioner, has warned it could be years before anyone faces charges because of the tens of millions of documents that must be worked through.

Speaking previously on the matter, he said: I think at the core of this youve potentially got fraud, in terms of false documents, if its for financial purposes.

Clearly, we have to prove beyond all reasonable doubt, so really its 99.9 per cent, that individuals knowingly corrupted something.

Sir Mark added: So thats going way beyond incompetence, you have to prove deliberate malice, and that has to be done very thoroughly with an exhaustive investigation.

So it wont be quick. But the police service across the country are alive to this and we will do everything we can do to bring people to justice if criminal offences can be proven.
Media tycoon Jimmy Lai is on trial in Hong Kong accused of collusion. Photograph: Vincent Yu/AP

The pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai has said he never tried to influence foreign policy or ask foreign officials to take concrete action on Hong Kong, on his first day giving evidence at his national security trial.

However, he hoped against hope that Donald Trump would stop Beijing imposing its national security law on the city, and so sought to have Apple Dailys coverage of the then president be less critical.

Lai has been charged with one count of conspiracy to publish seditious publications and two counts of conspiracy to foreign collusion, under the citys punitive national security law (NSL), introduced in 2020.

On Wednesday, Lai stridently defended himself against the charges and spoke proudly of the media company he founded, which has been a thorn in the side of Beijing and the Hong Kong government for decades.

Related: Im very proud of him: Sebastien Lai on Hong Kong, accountability and his father Jimmys trial

Lai said: To participate in delivering freedom was a very good idea for me at that time. The more information you have, the more you are in the know and the more you are free.

The 77-year-old has not been heard in public since he pleaded not guilty in January. On Wednesday morning he was led into court by three police officers, and waved at supporters and family in the public gallery. Swearing an oath on the Bible, Lai sounded hoarse, but his voice grew stronger as he gave testimony. He sat straight-backed at a desk in front of the three-judge panel hearing his case, his reading glasses on the table in front of him.

Prosecutors have alleged Lai asked the US and other countries to impose sanctions or engage in other hostile activities against China and Hong Kong, in response to the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement after the protests in 2019.

Lai was asked about dozens of foreign individuals listed on a prosecution document of his external political connections. It included Trump, the then US president, and senior members of his administration, Taiwans former president Tsai Ing-wen, and a number of UK, US and Taiwan activists, academics, politicians and journalists.

Lai confirmed meeting some, but he denied asking for any concrete action beyond speaking in support of Hong Kong.

In court, Lais lawyer asked him: Did you try to influence foreign policy on China through these people?

Never, replied Lai.

Did you ever request these people to take any action against China or Hong Kong?

Never, Lai replied again.

Later on Wednesday, Lai defended earlier evidence that he defied pushback from Apple Daily colleagues and other pro-democracy figures on a lobbying campaign to encourage readers to write to Trump and ask him to help Hong Kong. Lai told the court if the NSL came into enforcement then Apple Daily would be finished.

Lai said he had urged the papers international section to not go against the US president because the time had become critical that we wanted President Trump to stop the NSL.

I was hoping that [Trump] would stop the NSL, maybe by asking China not to do it  a call to China, a call to Xi Jinping, whatever, he added.

Lai had earlier told the court he had never met, spoken to, or exchanged messages with Trump, but believed the then president had been briefed about him. He confirmed that in July 2019, shortly after the start of the mass pro-democracy protests, he met the then vice-president, Mike Pence, the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, and the speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, in Washington DC. He said he did not request anything of Pence and Pompeo, and did not speak at the Pelosi meeting.

Lai said: I would not dare to ask the vice-president to do anything, I just relayed to him what happened in Hong Kong when he asked me. I asked him to voice up for Hong Kong and support us, but there was never anything particularly that I asked for.

Lai also revealed he knew Tsai Ing-wen before she became president of Taiwan, considered her a friend, and met her several times after. I think her interest in meeting me is of course because of my media  Shed ask me sometimes about the general opinion of the people  I think it was more PR for her than anything she wanted to discuss with me of substance.

He also introduced her to US defence officials because her aide told him she wanted to know what the Trump administration was thinking internally about Taiwan.

Asked why he wanted to help Taiwan, Lai said: Taiwan is the only democracy of Chinese people, for the whole history of Chinese people.

Lai denied testimony from an earlier witness that he appeared to become more politically radicalised after a 2019 foreign policy speech by Pence, which markedly extended the US governments hawkishness on China.

If I was radical, I was radical all along, he said.

The case against Lai centres on various media appearances and social media posts and more than 160 articles published in the now-closed tabloid Apple Daily, which supported the 2019 pro-democracy protests and often criticised Beijings leadership.

Lai told the court he became political after the Tiananmen Square massacre on 4 June 1989, and decided to use the wealth from his clothing business to start a media company, and later launched Apple Daily.

He said there was no editorial policy regarding political stances and that Apple Daily became popular because it shared the core values of Hong Kong people. We assume anybody given the freedom to express would express the core values of Hong Kong values. Rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly.

Lai said he regarded advocating for the independence of Hong Kong as a reality too crazy to think about and banned discussion of it by his paper and staff.

Lai is expected to spend weeks giving testimony. His case is one of the most prominent under the NSL, with western countries and rights groups demanding his release. But Hong Kong and Beijing have rejected the criticism, condemning Lai as a voluntary political tool of foreign forces trying to curb China through Hong Kong.

The crowd outside the court on Wednesday morning was smaller than for Tuesdays sentencing of the 45 pro-democracy figures. About 100 people were queueing up by 8am, huddled against the driving rain and wind as a heavy police presence patrolled the area.

William Wong, 64, said he had long followed the case against Lai and Apple Daily, which was forced to close in 2021 after police raids and the arrests of Lai and senior editors.

Im a reader of Apple Daily. Its been a few years, and Mr Lai is jailed. Hes elderly and his health is not too well, so I want to support him in person.

At the front of the queue a buoyant group of Lai supporters rallied themselves together, sharing takeaway hot chocolates and warming themselves under space blankets.

We really want to support him. Its for us Hongkongers, for Hong Kong, for my Hong Kong, said CY Chen, a man in his 70s who said he had been jailed on charges of illegal assembly during the 2019 protests.

People like Jimmy Lai are very few nowadays, people who can speak for us. So we treasure him and we care about him.

Lai is being held in solitary confinement at Hong Kongs Stanley prison, serving a separate jail term, and concerns have been raised for his health.

The case of Jimmy Lai is not an outlier, its a symptom of Hong Kongs democratic decline, the Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement on Monday.

Hong Kongs treatment of Jimmy Lai  and more broadly of independent media and journalists  shows that this administration is no longer interested in even a semblance of democratic norms.

Last month, British prime minister, Keir Starmer, told parliament that Lai, who has British citizenship, was a priority for his government. On Monday Starmer raised the issue in a meeting with the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping.
The value pursued by APEC is clear: cooperation and development: Global Times editorial

Global Times) 15:46, November 20, 2024

The 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held on Saturday in Lima, the capital of Peru. President Xi Jinping will deliver an important speech at the meeting to elaborate on the significant measures taken by China to deepen reform and opening-up and propositions on advancing Asia-Pacific cooperation. This speech attracts widespread attention, not only because China is a key member of APEC, but also because promoting economic cooperation among countries across the Pacific through genuine multilateralism is people's shared aspiration in the region.

This APEC meeting is themed "Empower, Include, Grow," placing a clear emphasis on the host's focus on regional unity and development, cooperation, and innovation. The three priority areas for discussion under the meeting's theme are trade and investment, innovation and digitalization, and sustainable growth. These align with the Putrajaya Vision 2040 adopted at the 2020 APEC meeting, reflecting the body's pragmatic pursuit of goal-setting. Some analyses suggest that the selection of these topics indicates the host's intention to maximize consensus and foster more inclusive and resilient APEC cooperation, while avoiding unnecessary divisions in key areas.

Indeed, in the face of unprecedented uncertainty, the APEC Lima meeting saw a high degree of consensus among participants. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that cooperation with the Global South must be enhanced to "tap into the vast new potentials and opportunities." Vietnamese President Luong Cuong stated, "Isolationists, protectionism and trade wars lead only to recession, conflict, and poverty." This clearly demonstrates that promoting sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region through trade and investment remains at the core of APEC's activities.

It has been noted that during the meeting, many parties sought dialogue with China, whose initiatives and proposals garnered considerable attention and discussion. This is a natural reflection of China's growing contributions to and influence within APEC and highlights the appeal of China's consistent commitment to APEC's principles and goals. Since joining APEC in 1991, China has consistently worked to promote the liberalization and facilitation of regional trade and investment, reducing its overall tariff level from 39.5 percent to 7.3 percent. It has become a major trade partner and export market for most APEC members and has maintained an open attitude toward trade arrangements that contribute to shared development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

As the world's second-largest economy and the second-largest economy within APEC, China plays a critical role in fostering mutual development and prosperity through win-win cooperation. China's own development creates opportunities for growth and collaboration across the Asia-Pacific. Whether it's through the shared development path "from Chancay to Shanghai," the widespread implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative in the region, active participation in regional free trade agreements such as the RCEP, or its strong support for advancing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific agenda, China consistently contributes to regional development and prosperity. These efforts align with the interests of many APEC economies, fostering mutual benefits and win-win outcomes. China's proposals and approaches have guided and propelled APEC forward, making China a vital advocate, promoter, and participant in international cooperation. This is a significant contribution by China to APEC beyond the economic and trade sphere.

Some political elites in Western countries now like to promote "value-driven higher standards," aiming to establish alternative regional economic arrangements under their leadership, or even to replace APEC. At its core, this represents a new variation of forming exclusive cliques, unilateralism, and hegemonism. The Asia-Pacific region encompasses countries with diverse resources. If there is a shared value system, it is meeting the needs of nations for development and people's desire for a better life through cooperation. In this respect, Western countries with more advantages in funding, capabilities, and technology should work in alignment with development partners, including China, and take on greater development responsibilities, particularly by following their commitments.

The 21 APEC economies account for over 60 percent of global GDP and over 40 percent of global trade volume, making APEC a crucial engine of economic growth in the Asia-Pacific and globally. For APEC economies, pursuing development is far more important and meaningful than competition for influence. People have already observed that more stakeholders are joining hands to build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future. This makes the Asia-Pacific, as a vital engine of global economic growth, a region with an even more promising future.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Migrants walk on the U.S. side of a buoys system on the Rio Grande south of Eagle Pass, Texas, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News A string of buoys, part of a new barrier the state of Texas is deploying in the Rio Grande in an attempt to stop migrants from entering the United States, is set in place on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Billy Calzada/Staff photographer State law enforcement officers stand guard as workers install a string of buoys to prevent migrants from swimming across the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass on July 14, 2023. Jordan Vonderhaar/For The Texas Tribune

Gov. Greg Abbott is making good on his promise to expand the floating buoy barrier along the Rio Grande to prevent migrants from entering the state near Eagle Pass, even as border crossings have declined dramatically there.

Were not letting up at all, were continuing our efforts, Abbott told Sean Hannity on the Fox News Channel on Tuesday night.

Abbott said that on Wednesday morning they were preparing to add more to the 1,000 feet of the orange barriers in the Rio Grande, which had provoked lawsuits from the federal government. That case remains tangled up in the courts as the federal government has argued Abbott did not have the authority to put barriers in a national waterway. Abbott did not specify how many more feet of buoys he planned to deploy.

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The courts initially ordered Abbott to remove the barriers and halt further construction while the case proceeded, but in September the motion was reversed after a federal appeals court overruled the lower court judge. Abbott initially planned last year to have over 3,000 feet of movable barriers deployed in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, which was the site of a surge of migration in 2023.

The barrier is made up of individual buoys that are 4 feet each in diameter, packed together to prevent passing between them. The buoys rotate if people try to climb or get around them. They also have netting below the surface to prevent people from going under them.

The barriers are moveable, which Abbott has said will allow them to be used in other sections of the border if needed.

Critics of the barriers say they are making it even more dangerous for migrants who have already made a perilous trek from Central or South America. Abbott has insisted that the goal isn't to harm people crossing but to deter them from getting in the river in the first place to reduce the risk of drownings along unpredictable parts of the 1,200-mile river.

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Abbotts buoy expansion comes as the Texas Department of Public Safety has ramped up its presence again in Eagle Pass since Election Day in preparation for any potential surge of migrants trying to cross into Texas before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.

Displaying a show of force will effectively deter the potential for a mass migration event, DPS Lt. Christopher Olivarez said.

Monthly border crossings have steadily declined since March, according to newly released U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. In October, the agency reported that 27,000 migrants had been encountered in the five Texas sectors of the border with Mexico. That is lower than the final months of the first Trump presidency, when they were encountering 44,000 people per month in Texas.

The sector of the border that includes Eagle Pass saw 8,500 encounters in October. Before Abbott first deployed the barriers in July 2023, more than 50,000 people had been encountered in one month.

Besides the buoys, Abbott has also taken over a city park in Eagle Pass where they have created makeshift border walls out of shipping containers and strung miles of razor wire to prevent migrants from getting on shore.

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During his interview with Hannity, Abbott also said he fully supports Trumps plan to begin mass deportations, starting first with people with criminal backgrounds.
Matt Gaetz at the Republican national convention in Milwaukee. Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP

The House ethics committee was deadlocked on releasing a report examining allegations of sexual misconduct against Matt Gaetz, the former Republican representative and Donald Trumps choice to lead the US justice department, after the panel met behind closed doors on Wednesday.

Emerging from the meeting after roughly two hours, most members of the panel declined to offer details on their discussion, but the Republican chair, Michael Guest, told reporters that there was not an agreement by the committee to release the report.

Susan Wild, the top Democratic representative on the ethics committee, told reporters that the panel did hold a vote on the matter, but there was no consensus. Wild implied that the committee, which is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, broke along party lines and thus could not reach a decision. The panel plans to reconvene on 5 December, Wild added.

The panel has previously said it was investigating claims that Gaetz may have engaged in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift.

Guest told reporters before the meeting on Wednesday that he had some reservations about releasing the report when it had not yet gone through a review process.

That is something that we will be talking about today, and thats another reason I have some reservations about releasing any unfinished work product, Guest said.

The justice department launched its own inquiry into accusations that Gaetz engaged in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, but the department closed its investigation last year without filing charges. Gaetz has consistently denied the allegations.

Two women testified to congressional investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex and that he was seen having sex with the 17-year-old, a lawyer for the women has said.

As the ethics committee is evenly split between the two parties, it would take only one Republican siding with every Democrat on the panel to have the report released. But prominent Republicans, including the House speaker, Mike Johnson, have cautioned against releasing the report on Gaetz, who resigned his seat immediately after Trump announced his nomination as attorney general.

I think that would be a Pandoras box, Johnson told CNN on Sunday. I dont think we want the House ethics committee using all of its vast resources and powers to go after private citizens, and thats what Matt Gaetz is now.

Gaetz was on Capitol Hill on Wednesday with the vice-president-elect, JD Vance, meeting with some of the senators who will decide his fate. After his conversation with Gaetz, Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump loyalist, indicated he was open to supporting the attorney general nominee and condemned the lynch mob raising concerns about the sexual misconduct allegations.

My record is clear. I tend to defer to presidential cabinet choices unless the evidence suggests disqualification, Graham said in a statement. I would urge all of my Senate colleagues, particularly Republicans, not to join the lynch mob and give the process a chance to move forward.

Other Republicans, including Senator Markwayne Mullin, have suggested the report should be at least made available to the senators who will vote on confirming Gaetzs nomination.

I believe the Senate should have access to that, Mullin told NBC News on Sunday. Now, should it be released to the public or not? I guess that will be part of the negotiations. But that should be definitely part of our decision-making.

Democrats have appeared open to the idea of releasing the report. Nearly 100 House Democrats signed a letter requesting the ethics committees findings be released, noting that there was some precedent for issuing reports on former members who resigned amid scandal.

Representative Sean Casten, who led fellow Democrats in signing the letter, indicated on Wednesday that he would introduce a privileged resolution to require a full House vote on releasing the report. Casten would need the support of only a handful of Republicans to get the resolution approved in the House, where Gaetz has made enemies on both sides of the aisle.

Democratic members of the Senate judiciary committee, which will hold Gaetzs confirmation hearings, have also requested the FBIs file on the attorney general nominee.

The Senate has a constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on presidential nominees, and it is crucial that we review all the information necessary to fulfill this duty as we consider Mr Gaetzs nomination, the Democrats wrote on Wednesday in a letter to the FBI director, which was obtained by Politico. The grave public allegations against Mr Gaetz speak directly to his fitness to serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the federal government.

RThe representative Susan Wild, the top Democratic representative on the ethics committee, said on Monday that she supported the reports release, echoing comments made over the weekend by a fellow Democrat on the committee, Rthe representative Glenn Ivey.

It should certainly be released to the Senate, and I think it should be released to the public, as we have done with many other investigative reports in the past, Wild told reporters, peraccording to NBC News. There is precedent for releasing even after a member has resigned.

If the ethics committee report is released, it could further damage Gaetzs prospects of Senate confirmation, but Trump has floated the idea of installing his nominees via recess appointment to circumvent the confirmation process.
European nations have witnessed a spate of cyber-attacks, arson, incendiary devices, sabotage and even murder plots. Photograph: Cultura/Rex/Shutterstock

A Ukrainian strike using American-made missiles to hit targets deep inside Russia using American-made weaponry, has prompted renewed fears of reprisal through hybrid warfare  a chaotic tool of conflict that muddies borders and broadens the scope of a frontline.

Over recent years, European nations have witnessed a spate of incidents  cyber-attacks, arson, incendiary devices, sabotage and even murder plots. The aim of such episodes, security officials believe, is to sow chaos, exacerbate social tensions among Ukraines allies and disrupt military supplies to Kyiv.

Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general, has warned that Russias intensifying campaign of hybrid attacks highlights the way in which Moscow is quickly shifting the frontline from Ukraine to the Baltic region, to western Europe and even to the high north.

Such efforts to spread mayhem have taken many forms: even before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow was linked to broad disinformation campaigns during the 2016 US election and the Brexit referendum, meant to sow discord and confusion among the electorate through social media.

But the strategy can also narrow to a tighter focus: Estonia fended off a hacking campaign by Russia in 2022, the same year Norwegian police arrested several Russian nationals equipped with drones and cameras who were located near oil and gas infrastructure.

What is new about attacks seen in recent years is their speed, scale and intensity, facilitated by rapid technological change and global interconnectivity, Nato said in June. Counter-hybrid support teams would provide assistance, but it was primarily up to individual countries to protect themselves.

On Tuesday, Matthew Miller, US state department spokesperson, said Washington was incredibly concerned about the threat of hybrid warfare and that American diplomats were in close contact with European allies.

Recent incidents have included several conspiracies that could apparently have led to murder or even mass casualties. Over the summer, US and German intelligence reportedly foiled a Russian plot to assassinate European defense industry executives, including the CEO of the leading German arms manufacturer, Rheinmetall.

Last month, British counter-terror police revealed that they had been investigating a suspected Russian sabotage plot involving incendiary devices hidden on a plane to the UK that may also have been a dry run for a similar attack on the US and Canada.

But some of the plots appear to have been crude and amateurish: French intelligence officials believe that a group of Moldovans were recruited to carry out a low-budget antisemitic graffiti campaign using star of David stencils across Paris, in an attempt to amplify societal divisions against the backdrop of the Israel-Gaza war.

And the challenge in fending off hybrid attacks lies in the vast array of possible targets  which could include military bases, transport and telecoms infrastructure  and the plausible deniability of the attacks.

In January, a group called the Cyber Army of Russia Reborn infiltrated a water tower in Texas, releasing tens of thousands of litres of water before state officials halted the attack.

Disabling cyber-attacks are striking water and waste-water systems throughout the United States, Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, and Michael Regan, the EPA administrator, wrote in a letter to state governors earlier this year. These attacks have the potential to disrupt the critical lifeline of clean and safe drinking water, as well as impose significant costs on affected communities.

In many cases, the most vulnerable infrastructure is also poorly protected. A recent cyber-attack on a Canadian facility that treats the wastewater of 1.2 million people avoided catastrophe because the hackers were only able to breach a limited component of the digital systems. But the incident exposed the deep weakness of water-treatment facilities across the country.

Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, warned in October that Russian GRU military intelligence was engaged in a campaign to generate mayhem on British and European streets using proxies that further reduces the professionalism of their operations.
The conduct of the officer, who called himself Rob Harrison, will be examined by a public inquiry, along with that of 139 police spies between 1968 and 2010 Photograph: Handout

A woman has revealed how an undercover police officer formed a long-term intimate relationship with her without disclosing his real identity, vanished from her life  and then reappeared seven years later.

When the officer came back, she says, he persuaded her to break up with her then boyfriend of five years, saying he wanted to resume their relationship and have children together.

He then slept with her for a single night, disappearing from her life again before dawn the next morning without explanation. She feared he had made her pregnant as he had not wanted to use a condom, and so she had to get the morning-after pill.

Related: It was as if he set out to destroy my sanity: how the spy cops lied their way into womens hearts  and beds

The woman, known as Maya, has described how the officer, who used the fake name Rob Harrison, tormented her during their relationship with what she felt was controlling and coercive behaviour, such as regularly accusing her  falsely  of infidelity via text messages and then not speaking to her.

She said his abusive behaviour drove her to self-harm and to use heroin. Sometimes I hope that he really loved me. Other times I think, oh, you sick bastard, she said.

Maya had started the one-year relationship with Harrison in 2006, while he was infiltrating pro-Palestinian campaigners.

His conduct is to be examined by a judge-led public inquiry, which is looking at how about 139 undercover officers spied on more than 1,000 predominantly leftwing groups between 1968 and at least 2010. One of the key issues for the inquiry is how the police spies frequently formed intimate relationships with women, often lasting years, without telling them they were undercover officers infiltrating political groups. Some fathered children during their deployments.

Harrison declined to comment. His lawyer said the officer had provided a detailed statement to the inquiry and is co-operating with the inquiry and believed that was the correct venue to deal with the matter.

Maya found out only in 2019 that Harrison was a police officer, which caused her to experience periods of suicidal feelings and further self-harm.

In a three-year covert deployment that started in 2004, Harrison infiltrated the International Solidarity Movement, a group supporting Palestinians, and anti-war campaigns. As part of his fake persona, he said he had a job as a sound engineer in south London and was a DJ called Boogie Knight.

What Maya calls her shittiest relationship started in May 2006. She was not politically active  but lived next door to campaigners in south London and socialised with them.

At a fundraising concert, Harrison made a sudden move on her, she said, asking out of the blue  So you want to kiss me now? And Im like, what?. I was shocked and flattered at the same time. She was in her 20s, younger than Harrison, and inexperienced in relationships.

During their relationship, she said, he saw her only when he visited her home at night, and they would rarely go out as a couple. I pretty much isolated myself from people who were very good friends, she said.

She said she wondered how much was he really using me to spy on people, versus how much was he using me just for sex, because, when he would come round, it would be 11 at night, one in the morning, these kind of crazy hours.

I was always getting text messages  accusing me of running off with somebody else  he just wouldnt reply to any of my calls. And so that would make me more frantic.

She added: I indulged in a lot of self-harm. And then I would tell him afterwards. And then he [would say] I dont want you to hurt yourself. And then were back together. Then he comes up with more accusations. And it was just like this cycle.

I would have my phone constantly on, because hed be sending a text message at one in the morning, saying, look out the window. And I look out the window, and there he is outside the window, and then he comes into the house. She added that she feared that if she did not answer, he would accuse her of sleeping with another man.

It just made me constantly on anxiety mode for many months because I was even too afraid to go to sleep in case he had texted, she said.

She added: He led me to believe that his outbursts of unreasonable behaviour were due to past trauma.

Around April 2007, Harrison told Maya he had to move to Durham to look after his mother, who was dying of cancer. She had not met his family as he had said he had little contact with them.

She was devastated by his abrupt departure. I didnt know how to cope with that, and I turned to heroin. I never even smoked cigarettes. I didnt smoke weed. I just went straight to class A. She took heroin for three months.

For several years, they did not meet but exchanged intermittent emails. She recalls one email saying we should meet up and then I can tell you all about it. And then he said, then you can fuck me. I just felt so offended.

In August 2014, the officer got back in touch with Maya, still using the fake name of Harrison. He claimed to live nearby and to be working as a corporate consultant.

He told me that in all the years that hed been away, hed never been with another woman, that he couldnt stop thinking of me, that he was so sorry he had to go away, that he had to bury his mum alone, and that if there was any chance we could get back together.

Related: Secrets and lies: untangling the UK spy cops scandal

Maya said he told her he wanted to have children together. At the time she had been living with her boyfriend, but she broke up with him after Harrison persuaded her over several months to resume their relationship.

In February 2015, she and Harrison again slept together. He had sex with me, and then I never saw him again. He left in the early hours of the morning  maybe 4am, 5am  before dawn.

Harrison had told her he did not want to use a condom. I just was so scared that I could be pregnant, so I had to go and get an emergency morning-after pill. I still think to this day, if I had totally trusted him, if I was ready to have family, if I didnt get that emergency pill, I could have had his baby by now, but that he didnt even communicate with me at all after that, she said.

He had returned to her a few months after Theresa May, the then home secretary, had commissioned the public inquiry in March 2014, following a series of revelations about the misconduct of the undercover officers.

She does not know why he returned to her and said he wanted to marry her. It is not known when he had left the police.

Maya last heard from Harrison in 2016, when he sent her a cryptic email to say he thought he had seen her at a train station, adding: Then I remembered the clouds and the storm, and they are coming. Yes, they are coming.

 The Guardian is broadcasting a short documentary on Wednesday in which three women describe how they were deceived into intimate relationships by undercover officers. The documentary  We did not consent: a restaging of Britains undercover police scandal  has been directed by the film-maker Dorothy Allen-Pickard.
Jimmy Lai (photographed here in May 2020), the founder of Apple Daily, was detained in December 2020 under Hong Kongs then-new national security law. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters

Related: Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai defiant as he gives evidence in foreign collusion trial

Jimmy Lai, the detained pro-democracy activist and media mogul who is the target of Hong Kongs most high-profile national security case, took the stand in court on Wednesday. For the first time since he was detained in December 2020, Lai spoke publicly about the charges against him, for which he faces spending the rest of his life behind bars.

Four years after his arrest, the 77-year-old seemed older and not as strong as he used to be. His first words  swearing an oath on the Bible  were delivered hoarsely.

Lai, a British citizen, is charged with one count of conspiracy to publish seditious publications and two counts of conspiracy to foreign collusion, under the citys national security law (NSL), which was introduced in 2020 and has been widely condemned as a tool to crush freedoms. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Here are the key points from his testimony:

Lai wanted to stop the national security law

Lai had been very opposed to the national security law that is now being used against him. He said that Apple Daily, his once hugely popular, but now shuttered, pro-democracy newspaper, would be finished if the law came into effect. The newspaper closed in 2021.

He had wanted Donald Trump, the then president of the US, to stop the law. I was hoping that [Trump] would stop the NSL, maybe by asking China not to do it  a call to China, a call to Xi Jinping, whatever, he said.

Lai had urged the Taiwanese edition of Apple Daily to not go against the US president because the time had become critical that we wanted President Trump to stop the NSL.

But he said he had never met, spoken to, or exchanged messages with Trump personally.

Lai is friends with former Taiwanese president

Lai said that he had known the former president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, since before her time in office, and considered her a friend. He said that they had met several times. I think her interest in meeting me is of course because of my media  Shed ask me sometimes about the general opinion of the people.

He had also introduced her to US defence officials because her aide had told him she wanted to know what the Trump administration was thinking internally about Taiwan.

Asked why he wanted to help Taiwan, Lai said: Taiwan is the only democracy of Chinese people, for the whole history of Chinese people.

Lai met foreign officials, but didnt make any requests of them

Lai testified that in July 2019, shortly after the start of the mass pro-democracy protests, he met the then US vice-president, Mike Pence, and the then US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo. He said that he didnt request anything of either of them other than support.

Lai said: I would not dare to ask the vice-president to do anything, I just relayed to him what happened in Hong Kong when he asked me. I asked him to voice up for Hong Kong and support us, but there was never anything particularly that I asked for.

He also confirmed his having met Nancy Pelosi, who at the time was the US House speaker, but he said that he did not speak in that meeting, only listened. He denied ever trying to appeal to foreign officials to influence government policy in China.

Eric Lai (no relation), a research fellow at the Georgetown Center for Asian Law, said Jimmy Lais evidence showed that the charge of colluding with foreign forces under the NSL was so broad and unreasonable that [it] criminalises ordinary exchange and communications activities with [people] overseas.

He has not called for Hongs Kong independence

Apple Daily represented Hong Kong values of the rule of law, democracy, and political and social freedoms, Lai said.

But he said that neither he  or the paper  ever went as far as calling for Hong Kongs independence. Such ideas were a reality too crazy to think about and discussion of it was banned in Apple Daily.

I always thought the advocacy of independence for Hong Kong was a conspiracy, because people just wanted us to advocate just to get us into a trap, he said.

But the newspapers readers were not easily impressionable, Lai insisted.

The more information you have, the more you are in the know and the more you are free, he said.
Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella on the campaign trail during the European election, in which Mr Bardella played a prominent role - THOMAS PADILLA/AP

Marine Le Pens young protege Jordan Bardella has been likened to Brutus for hinting that he could run for the French presidency if she is banned from elected office.

On Wednesday, Ms Le Pen was forced to defend the 29-year-old chairman of her hard-Right National Rally (RN) party, insisting the pair enjoy a trusting relationship.

Mr Bardella declared on Monday that no candidate for high office should have a criminal conviction.

Ms Le Pen, the presumptive candidate for the Elysee Palace in 2027, is on trial along with two dozen members of National Rally accused of embezzling European parliament funds in a fake jobs scheme.

She has complained that judges are denying her a fair trial as part of a bid by the deep state to torpedo her presidential ambitions.

With Emmanuel Macron out of the running after two successive terms, polls suggest she could clinch the presidency in her fourth attempt.

Jordan Bardella skirted the question when asked what would happen if Marine Le Pen was found guilty, insisting that she was totally innocent - THOMAS PADILLA/AP

Not having a criminal conviction is for me rule number one if you want to be a member of parliament, Mr Bardella said in an interview on BFM TV.

Asked what would happen if Ms Le Pen, a serving MP, is found guilty, he skirted the question, insisting that she was totally innocent and if convicted would be cleared on appeal.

However, when pressed on whether the principle that the party should exclude any parliamentary candidate with a conviction should also apply to Ms Le Pen, he said, Obviously, before quickly adding, but Marine Le Pen is innocent.

Ms Le Pen, 56, denies all charges, but if she is convicted prosecutors have demanded that she be barred from public office for five years as well as receive a five-year jail sentence, with three years suspended.

That would dash her hopes of becoming Frances first female head of state. The trial is due to end next week and the verdict is expected early next year.

Commentators in France were split over whether the comments were a calculated move or a blunder by Mr Bardella, who was appointed as party chairman by his mentor Ms Le Pen in 2020.

It was clumsy

RN party insiders insist it was a faux pas. He wanted to appear whiter than white and got pilloried for it, one party source told Le Parisien. It was clumsy. He slipped up and realised his error as he was saying it.

However, his opponents quickly jumped on the potential blunder.

This is kicking someone when theyre down or if you prefer Brutus killing his mother, said Paul Vannier, MP for the Leftist France Unbowed party.

We knew Bardella was in a hurry. This is a flagrant case of speeding, quipped Olivier Faure, the Socialist Party leader.

An MP from the government camp told AFP: Youll have to go and get Freud from his grave to explain this.

Marine Le Pen has defended Jordan Bardellas comments, insisting the pair have a trusting relationship - CHRISTIAN HARTMANN/REUTERS

On Wednesday, Ms Le Pen defended her dauphin, saying: Theyre making a big deal out of nothing.

Ms Le Pen, who also backed a law imposing a ban from public office of those found guilty of corruption, added: For years, the National Rally has been asking its candidates for their criminal records.

This rule has existed, exists and will continue to exist. All Jordan did was remind us of it.

The populist leaders woes come as Mr Bardella has taken increasing prominence in the party and ran its successful European election campaign in June, despite coming across as shaky on policy.

Le Pen could axe coalition truce

If Ms Le Pen is banned from running for president, her aides have suggested that her party could back an opposition confidence vote that would automatically bring down the government.

That would end a truce in which she agreed to keep Michel Barniers coalition in power to burnish her credentials as a responsible future leader keen to avoid political turmoil.

On Wednesday, Ms Le Pen re-issued that threat, saying she would not hesitate to back a no-confidence vote before Christmas if the purchasing power of the French is cut in the draft 2025 budget currently being debated in parliament.

Mr Barnier is expected to be forced to bypass a parliamentary vote next month because of opposition to the budget  a move that will likely prompt a no-confidence motion.

An Elabe poll published on Wednesday suggested that 51 per cent of the French backed a vote to bring down the government.
Kamel Daoud after winning the Prix Goncourt for Houris earlier this month. Photograph: Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters

Two complaints have been filed in Algeria against the French-Algerian author Kamel Daoud, the winner of Frances most prestigious literary award, and his wife, a therapist, alleging that they used a patients life story as the basis for his prize-winning novel.

The writer, the first Algerian novelist to be awarded the Prix Goncourt, won this years prize for his novel Houris, a fictional account of a young woman who lost her voice when an Islamist cut her throat during the countrys brutal 1992-2002 civil war.

A survivor of the conflict between the Algerian government and Islamist groups  in which up to 200,000 people were killed and thousands more disappeared, or subjected to torture and sexual violence  has said the story uses her experience.

Related: Two novels on impact of post-colonial conflict win key French literary awards

Using a speech aid, Saada Arbane told Algerian TV that the story of Aube, the central character in Houris  which has not been published in Algeria  is hers, as she related it during treatment to the therapist who is now the novelists wife.

Right after the publication of the book, we filed two complaints against Kamel Daoud and his wife, Aicha Dehdouh, the psychiatrist who treated the victim, her lawyer Fatima Benbraham told Agence-France Presse on Wednesday.

Both complaints, the first on behalf of a national organisation for victims of terrorism in Algeria and the second on behalf of Arbane, were filed with the court in Oran, where the author and his wife live in Algeria, Benbraham said.

The lawyer said the cases alleged violation of medical confidentiality  as well as the defamation of victims of terrorism and the violation of the law on national reconciliation, which bans publications regarding the period of the civil war.

The law drastically restricts what can be said about the conflict and states that anyone using the wounds of the national tragedy to weaken the Algerian state can be punished by prison or a fine.

The complaints were first lodged in August, Benbraham said, some time before Daoud won the Goncourt. We did not want to talk about it, so it wouldnt be said that we wanted to disrupt the authors nomination for the prize, she said.

Antoine Gallimard of the publishing house Editions Gallimard has defended Daoud, who worked as a journalist and columnist in Algeria but now works in Paris for the French magazine Le Point, and his wife, saying they are the victims of orchestrated attacks.

While Houris was inspired by the tragic events that occurred in Algeria during the civil war of the 1990s, its plot, its characters and its heroine are purely fictitious, Gallimard, who was told the publishing house could not participate in this months Algiers book fair, said this week.

Since his novels publication, Kamel Daoud has been the target of violent and defamatory campaigns orchestrated by certain medias close to the regime, of whose nature everyone is aware, the publisher added.

Now, after his book was banned and his publishers forbidden to attend the Algiers book fair, its the turn of his wife, who has played no role whatsoever in the sourcing of Houris, to see her professional integrity attacked.

Daoud told Le Monde in September that so little was taught about the violence of the 1990s in Algeria that his own teenage daughter had not at first believed that his book could be based on real events.

Algerias war of independence against France was well taught, he said, but the civil war had not been addressed. During the war of independence, violence was noble, we were defending ourselves, he said. In 1992, we were killing among ourselves.
The bipartisan human right committee, chaired by Labor MP Josh Burns, pictured, has thrown up significant roadblocks to the controversial migration bill. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

The human rights committee has warned the Albanese governments migration bill could result in lengthy spells in detention before non-citizens are deported to countries paid to take them.

In a report tabled on Wednesday the bipartisan committee, chaired by Labor MP Josh Burns, threw up significant roadblocks to the controversial bill and also queried the move by the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, to reimpose ankle bracelets and curfews on those released from immigration detention.

The bill, introduced earlier in November and set to pass with Coalition support, facilitates removal of non-citizens from Australia, including by giving the government authority to pay third countries to take them and allowing them to be re-detained if they refuse.

Those susceptible include the more than 200 people on Bridging Visa R, released as a result of the high court ruling that indefinite detention is unlawful; 374 non-citizens in immigration detention; and those on general bridging visas granted so they can make acceptable arrangements to depart Australia.

Related: Vulgar content in the Sesame Street time slot: how the Kyle and Jackie O show skirts decency laws

Experts and the Greens estimated this includes thousands of people who have been refused protection visas with no merits review application afoot, people brought to Australia from offshore detention and people whose protection visas were rejected by the fast-track method.

The committee noted that after Australia struck a deal with a third country there may be a significant intervening period before they are in a position to accept them, for example where reception facilities require construction. This could result in non-citizens being held in immigration detention for a significant time, it said.

Because the bill gives the foreign country the ability to set conditions on receiving non-citizens from Australia, imposition of unattainable or unrealistic conditions may mean that affected persons are subject to extended immigration detention.

The bills explanatory memorandum notes that it is not intended that Australia will owe human rights obligations to non-citizens once they leave.

But the committee noted the test in international law is whether Australia is exercising sufficient control, which may make Australia responsible for separation of families or the person being returned to the country from which they sought protection.

In November the high court ruled that regulations imposing ankle bracelets and curfews as default visa conditions on those released from indefinite detention was unlawful.

But Burke remade regulations allowing him to reimpose those visa conditions, if the minister were satisfied it is necessary to protect against the harm of serious crimes.

The committee said it remains unclear why punitive conditions including electronic monitoring are necessary to manage the potential safety risk posed by those released.

This is particularly so noting that Australian citizens who have been convicted of a criminal offence and served their sentence do not have equivalent conditions or restrictions imposed on them indefinitely.

The committee said that mandatory minimum sentences of one year in prison for breach of the conditions removes judicial discretion to take into account all of the relevant circumstances of a particular case and may lead to the imposition of disproportionate or unduly harsh sentences of imprisonment.

The bill passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday. It is set to be examined in a one-week inquiry by the legal and constitutional affairs committee, with a hearing to be held on Thursday evening. The government is yet to give any detail about which countries it proposes to send non-citizens to.

A home affairs department spokesperson said the bill would provide the legislative framework to enable the department to agree on an arrangement for the removal of non-citizens who have exhausted all pathways to remain in Australia, and cannot be returned to the country from which they came.

It would not be appropriate to comment on individual third [country] reception arrangements, the spokesperson said.
A courtroom artist depicts Gisele Pelicot looking on while her husband, Dominique Pelicot gives evidence - AP/Valentin Pasquier

Dominique Pelicot accepted he may die alone like a dog, after admitting to drugging his former wife and inviting dozens of men to rape her.

Mr Pelicot, 71, gave evidence at the Vaucluse criminal court in Avignon, where he was on trial along with 49 of the men accused of accepting his invitation to rape Gisele Pelicot in their Provence home over a decade.

Questioned by his lawyer Beatrice Zavarro, Mr Pelicot admitted that he had been a sex addict, but reiterated his denial of allegations that he had subjected his daughter Caroline Dalian, a pen name, to the same treatment as his wife.

Ms Dalian has told the court she believes she was also drugged and offered to other men by her father, after the discovery of photos on Pelicots hard disk in a file entitled: My daughter naked. The images show her asleep in underwear that was not hers. While Mr Pelicot kept scores of films of men sexually abusing his wife, none have been found involving his daughter.

This week, Ms Dalian dubbed herself the forgotten victim of the trial.

Mr Pelicot, who has denied taking the photos, was asked by a lawyer who he would most like to see in prison and replied: Id like to see my daughter face to face. To tell her my truth, it hurts me to see her like this.

His daughter cut him off by shouting: Ill never go to see you ever. Youll finish alone like a dog.

He replied: If I had taken [the photos] I would say so, but I cant remember. She will never believe me. I may die like a dog. I am not asking her to stand behind my coffin [when I die]. There wont be a coffin.

But he insisted: Even if she doesnt love me any more, I will always love her. I know what I did. I know what I didnt do.

In his closing statement, Maitre Antoine Camus, Giseles lawyer, paid tribute to her for waiving her right to anonymity in hope, as she put it this week, that macho, patriarchal society will stop trivialising rape.

Despite everything she has suffered, Gisele Pelicot has chosen to transform this mud to go beyond the blackness of her story to give it meaning, he said.

His client had been the victim of a mass rape committed at the instigation of her husband over ten years, he went on.

All the defendants had contributed to the monstrous ordeal of this woman, he said. Even a defence lawyer has admitted that it is close to torture and barbarity.

Mr Camus rejected claims made by many of the defendants that they had been manipulated by Pelicot, with some alleging that he drugged them too when they arrived at the family home in Mazan, near Avignon. The defendants were free to leave the house when they discovered Gisele inert, the lawyer said, after she had been given such a heavy dose of sedation that doctors likened her state to a coma.

Gisele Pelicot chose to waive her anonymity ahead of her husbands rape trial - GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The manipulation stopped at the bedroom door, said Mr Camus. All, upon leaving this house of horror, realised that other men had been there beforehand. None thought it necessary to alert the police.

In her final address to the court on Tuesday, Gisele Pelicot denounced defendants as cowards and that the acts of barbarity she had endured would prevent her from feeling at peace until the end of my life. She added: Ill learn to live with it. Ill rebuild myself. But therell forever be 51 people who have defiled me.

Fourteen men have confessed to raping her, while the others deny the charges, arguing that they thought they were taking part in consensual sex games.

For me, this trial is the trial of cowardice, she said, adding that while she offered a modicum of recognition to those who confessed to rape by looking at them in the eye during their testimony, none had spared her despite her plainly comatose state when they entered the couples home.

She said the defendants recruited by her ex-husband may have been naive to come to the house. But she insisted: Your conscience has to kick in when you step into the bedroom. They [the defendants] are not children.

Saving their own skin

Ms Pelicot said: It was every man for himself. They all left thinking that there was a problem and they thought about saving their own skin, but not that of this poor unconscious woman. For me, they are all guilty.

She said Mr Pelicot, with whom she was married for 50 years and had three children, used her to fulfil his sexual fantasies. Referring to him as Monsieur Pelicot, she said: He found a way by drugging me. He said to himself, I will do what I want with her, by delivering her to strangers.

I think Monsieur Pelicot had a lot of fantasies that I perhaps could not satisfy with him. He was very frustrated. But how did he get to that point?

As I didnt want to go to a swingers club, he thought hed found the solution by putting me to sleep.

Mr Pelicot confirmed her analysis on Tuesday by saying his main motive was to subjugate an unsubmissive woman.

She said she had no idea of the abuse until police showed her video evidence they stumbled upon after arresting Mr Pelicot for upskirting in a supermarket in 2020.

The court was told that the first she knew of the rapes was when police started investigating her former husband after he was caught filming under womens skirts in a supermarket in 2020. Officers then discovered the videos he had made of men having sex with his unconscious wife.

Asked if her ex-husband was a sexual predator, she said: Of course, certainly, adding: I dont forgive him. His actions were unforgivable. I was betrayed and fooled.

I couldnt have imagined for a second he was capable of chemical submission  my friends, my family saw nothing.

As to her decision to make the trial public to ensure shame changes sides, she told the court: I knew what I was exposing myself to by refusing [a trial] behind closed doors. I admit that I feel tired now. I have been in the courtroom all the way through.

Asked why she continued to use her ex-husbands name during the trials, she said: I have grandchildren who are called that. Today, I want them to be proud of their grandmother.

My name is known across the world now. They shouldnt be ashamed of carrying that name. Today, we will remember Gisele Pelicot.
People seen outside HM Prison Brixton in London

Ministers have been forced to rewrite rules on early prison releases after discovering some murderers could be freed prematurely.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has quietly laid an order in Parliament changing the rules to prevent murderers from being released 40 per cent through their sentence rather than halfway.

Murderers convicted in England and Wales are already exempt from Sir Keir Starmers early release scheme, but officials realised that some who were convicted abroad and are now in UK jails could be freed 40 per cent of the way through their sentences.

This is because some countries such as the Netherlands and Norway have determinate fixed-term sentences for murder, unlike the UK where convicted killers can only be freed if they are deemed safe by a parole board. The early release scheme in England and Wales only applies to offenders on determinate sentences.

The parliamentary order reveals murder is one of six offences where ministers are closing loopholes identified since the scheme was launched in September with the early release of 1,750 offenders.

It follows the blunder over the mistaken release of 37 criminals who had broken restraining orders including some convicted domestic abusers. All have since been returned to jail.

The other offences that will now be excluded from the early release scheme include revenge porn, defined as disclosing, or threatening to disclose, private sexual photos or films with intent to cause distress under section 33 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.

It also includes stalkers convicted of breaching orders under the Protection of Harassment Act and offenders who have breached sexual harm prevention orders, designed to protect the public from sex pests.

No murderers have been freed under the early release scheme. An MoJ spokesman said: We have kept the measures under review and acted immediately to address a small number of anomalies.

Labour was forced to introduce the early release scheme, known as SDS40, after prisons in England and Wales came close to running out of space. There were fewer than 100 places left in adult male jails on the August bank holiday weekend after a surge in rioters being imprisoned over the summer.

Domestic abuse campaigners have criticised the scheme for only including specified abuse offences such as coercive control, stalking and strangulation.

A jailed offender who has been convicted of assaulting their ex-partner, for example, remains eligible because it is not classed as a specific domestic abuse offence.

The SDS40 early release scheme is intended to last for only 18 months to allow for more prison places to be built and the Governments sentencing review to be completed.

The review is expected to propose an expansion of sentences served at home under house arrest with curfews and tags to monitor offenders movements.

Courts would have powers to enforce the virtual prisons through the use of technology such as GPS tags, smartphones and special watches that remind offenders to attend meetings with probation officers, drug treatment courses and work placements.

The moves come in response to official forecasts that jails could again run out of space by autumn next year despite the early release of thousands of prisoners after serving 40 per cent rather than half of their sentences.
The US plans to invest close to $800m in Tinian, part of the Northern Mariana Islands, to build up defence operations. Photograph: raksybH/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The governor of the Northern Mariana Islands says an $800m US military upgrade plan which includes a new airfield in the Pacific territory has to happen amid concern over Chinas recent missile tests in the region.

Tinian, home to about 3,500 people, is one of the three main islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, an unincorporated US territory. During the second world war, the US launched a nuclear bomb against Japan from Tinian, and now a major rehabilitation of a deserted airfield and other military upgrades are under way on the island.

The development is part of a broader strategy by Washington to beef up its Indo-Pacific security presence amid growing tensions in the region.

Related: China test launches intercontinental ballistic missile for first time in decades

The world is changing in the Indo-Pacific and we need to acknowledge that. We need to face reality, said Arnold Palacios, governor of the Northern Mariana Islands, who added the defence base development on Tinian has to happen.

That needs to happen with the way the situation is, he told the Guardian.

Do I wish that we dont have to have military bases? I think everybody in this world would like to see peace, but the best deterrent is to have a good defense and to be prepared.

Palacios pointed to concerns over Chinas recent missile test over the Pacific Ocean and deployment of forces around the waters of Taiwan.

Thats the first chain of violence. Were the second chain of violence. If something happens, we will be impacted, he said.

It is not yet clear how the incoming Trump administration will adjust Bidens Indo-Pacific strategy, but recent appointments have suggested a hawkish policy towards China. The Indo-Pacific plan, released in 2022, seeks to strengthen the position of the US in the region amid a changing strategic landscape, specifically the mounting challenge posed by China.

Located about 2,414km (1,500 miles) south of Tokyo, Tinian has an area of 101 sq km (39 sq miles). During the second world war, it served as a base for B-29 Superfortress bombers that took part in the bombing of Tokyo in March 1945 and the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.

Tinian is known in the region for its pristine beaches, cattle ranches and hot peppers, which grow abundantly throughout the island. It is dotted with historical sites that attract tourists interested in the second world war.

Over the next few years, the US Department of Defense plans to invest close to $800m in Tinian to build up defense operations. Work began in 2022 and the first phase of the project, which includes the updated runway, is due to be completed in 2025.

The US air force is restoring over 1.85m sq metres (20m sq feet) of degraded pavement to create a rejuvenated runway, said Lt Cmdr Michelle Tucker, spokesperson for the Joint Task Force-Micronesia. The taskforce is a newly formed command overseeing military operations in the Pacific.

Tucker said air force engineers are conducting rehabilitation work on Tinian to allow the US to rapidly deploy and sustain forces in diverse environments.

Neighbouring island Guam is at the core of the US militarys Indo-Pacific strategy and home to air force, naval and marine bases. Tucker said the Northern Marianas Islands are part of the US and critical to US defense and power projection across the region.

Given Tinians strategic location, Tucker said the island is considered a backup site to meet mission requirements for the US military to support bases in Guam or other Pacific locations.

The construction work on Tinian is part of a broader initiative to expand facilities and general port and airport options throughout the Indo-Pacific region, Tucker said.

The US is leasing two-thirds of the land on Tinian for defense and military development. In addition to the $384m airport rehabilitation project, the defense department has also contracted $409m for operations and training developments including equipment, facilities and other related projects to support the military on the island. The defense department also plans to build a training site for combat skills on Tinian.

Related: Mapped: the vast network of security deals spanning the Pacific, and what it means

Tucker said a proposed military training complex will include multiple ranges, landing zones and base camps to provide service members realistic joint combat training in a tropical environment.

The US is also exploring possibilities for waterfront and wharf improvements at Tinian harbour berths to accommodate various navy vessels, Tucker said.

Michael Walsh, visiting researcher at the Lasky Center for Transatlantic Studies at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, said it made sense for the US military to build up its capability on Tinian as part of a network across the region.

What is planned has the potential of being very valuable in terms of strategic signalling and deterrence effect, he said, while also noting it could also be easily neutralised by China in the event of the outbreak of a major confrontation.

Palacios said defense development on Tinian is needed in the current environment.

We hope that things will get dialled down and everybody finally figures out that we need to all get along in the region. We cannot afford to be afraid.
Official vehicles line up along the bank of the Rio Grande near an encampment of migrants, many from Haiti, near the Del Rio International Bridge, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, in Del Rio, Texas. Julio Cortez, STF / Associated Press

Texas is offering 1,400 acres along the border to the incoming Trump administration to aid its mass deportation efforts.

Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham offered up the land in a letter to President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday, writing the former ranch could house deportation facilities.

The General Land Office provided Hearst Newspapers a copy of the letter, which was first reported by Fox News.

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My office is fully prepared to enter into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or the United States Border Patrol to allow a facility to be built for the processing, detention, and coordination of the largest deportation of violent criminals in the nations history," Buckingham wrote.

The state bought the land last month to build a roughly 1.5-mile stretch of border wall. The rancher who owned the land refused to allow the wall to be built and actively blocked law enforcement from accessing the property, Buckingham wrote.

A GLO press release about the purchase of the land said it is currently a farm producing onions, canola, sunflowers, grain sorghum, corn, cotton and soybeans. The press release said the agency is proud to foster acreage that provides state-grown produce for Americans and aims to acquire land constantly to generate revenue for the school children of Texas through the Permanent School Fund.

It is unclear if the farm would continue operating if Trump uses the property to stage deportations.

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The land offer comes as the incoming Trump administration is reportedly considering locations and talking to private prison companies about building detention centers to house immigrants before they are deported.

NBC News reported the administration is aiming to double the 41,000 detention beds allocated to Immigration and Customs Enforcement by Congress to hold migrants for short periods of time while they await deportation after their arrests inside the U.S.
More than 10,000 farmers descended on Whitehall on Tuesday to protest against the Governments inheritance tax raid - Paul Grover for The Telegraph

A Treasury minister has been accused of patronising farmers after urging them to find out about how inheritance tax works.

James Murray, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, accepted the strength of feeling about the policy but said those concerned should familiarise themselves with the system.

His remarks came after more than 10,000 farmers descended on Whitehall on Tuesday to protest against the Governments inheritance tax raid on farms.

Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, announced at the Budget that farms worth more than 1 million will become eligible for 20 per cent inheritance tax.

Mr Murray told the BBC: I can understand there is a real strength of feeling about the decision that we have taken, and that people might be anxious if they are trying to work out if these changes might affect them.

And what I would really encourage everyone to do who is anxious about this is to find out about how inheritance tax works.

Mr Murray was then told that was exactly what farmers would have been doing since the Budget, and it was suggested to him that his comment was rather patronising.

He replied: No. I think that inheritance tax is something that many people who have been accessing agricultural property relief since the last changes in 1992, they may not have looked into the detail of inheritance tax because they havent had to think about it for the last 30 years.

Earlier this week, Baroness Mallalieu, who has sat in the Lords as a Labour peer since 1991, said her party had become too urban to understand the impact of the tax raid.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, and Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, were among those who attended the farmers protest on Tuesday to show their support.

They were joined by Jeremy Clarkson, the star of Clarksons Farm, and Lord Lloyd-Webber, both of whom warned that the inheritance tax policy would have unintended consequences.

Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly claimed that the vast majority of farms will be unaffected by the policy. On Tuesday, Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, said that only around 500 farms would be impacted by the tax raid, a figure that has been questioned by many industry figures.

There have been the first signs of mutiny on the Labour benches over the policy as Steve Witherden, the MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, suggested changes may be needed.

Andrew MacNae, who represents Rossendale and Darwen, added that it was not clear whether the inheritance tax proposed change would protect family farms.

Downing Street and the Treasury have refused to back down over the scheme, despite the protests and warnings that it could end the tradition of family farms while harming Britains food security.
Hookworm - Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library

A pensioner strangled his wife after becoming convinced they both had hookworm, a court has heard.

Brian James, 81, is accused of murdering Carol James, also 81, at their home in Bexleyheath, south-east London.

It is alleged James believed both he and his wife were infected with hookworm, a parasite that lives in the small intestine. Symptoms include itching, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

On the morning of November 15, Mrs James was intending to go to a hair appointment, when the defendant allegedly tried to prevent her by hitting her with a pan and then throttling her.

During the attack, she grabbed the saucepan and hit him over the head with it, it is claimed.

Police responded to a 999 call to the property at 8.22am last Friday and found Mrs James collapsed in bed. Police and paramedics carried out chest compressions but she was pronounced dead at 9.10am.

The defendant was treated in hospital for a head injury before being taken to Lewisham Police Station and charged with murder.

On Wednesday, Mr James was not deemed to be in a fit state to attend a hearing at the Old Bailey before Judge Mark Dennis.

Prosecutor Nicholas Hearn said the cause of Mrs Jamess death was compression of the neck.

Judge Dennis set a plea hearing for March 10 and a trial of up to seven days from September 1 next year.

The defendant was remanded into custody.
John Fetterman speaking ahead of Kamala Harris at a rally in Pittsburgh in November - AFP/Rebecca Droke

Prominent Democrat John Fetterman, a vocal critic of his partys election strategy, has endorsed a handful of Donald Trumps cabinet nominees.

The outspoken Pennsylvania Senator has said he supports Elise Stefanik as UN Ambassador, Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and said he would vote for TV personality Dr Mehmet Oz to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Mr Fetterman also said he would vote to confirm the cabinet position of his former opponent Dr Oz, who ran against him for his senate seat in the 2022 midterms.

During the race, Mr Fetterman teased Dr Oz for not living in Pennsylvania and mocked him for complaining about the cost of crudites.

Responding to Mr Trumps appointment of Dr Oz, Mr Fetterman said if he is about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, Im voting for the dude.

Dr Oz has previously courted controversy for recommending various alternative medicines for health conditions, including umckaloabo root extract for cold symptoms, green coffee extract as a magic weight loss cure and raspberry ketones as a miracle in a bottle to burn your fat.

Mehmet Oz speaking in Pennylvania, with Donald Trump in his shadows - AFP/Ed Jones

Mr Fetterman also said that he looks forward to voting for Ms Stefanik to continue a strong and unapologetic pro-Israel position.

When pro-Palestine protesters demonstrated outside his home earlier and accused him of supporting genocide, Mr Fetterman stood on his roof waving an Israel flag.

Ms Stefanik played a crucial role in grilling several Ivy League university presidents about antisemitism on campus during a congressional hearing.

Responding to a UN special committee report which claimed that the policies and practices of Israel during the reporting period are consistent with the characteristics of genocide, Mr Fetterman wrote on social media: Whats actually consistent is UNs rank, pervasive antisemitism. I reject this report in its entirety.

Mr Fetterman also said Mr Trumps selection of Mr Rubio for Secretary of State was a strong choice.

Unsurprisingly, the other teams pick will have political differences than my own, Mr Fetterman said.

He added: That being said, my colleague @SenMarcoRubio is a strong choice and I look forward to voting for his confirmation.

Several Democrat Senators have approved of Mr Trumps appointment of Mr Rubio.

Donald Trump pats Marco Rubio on the back - AP/Rebecca Blackwell

Mark R Warner, who serves as the chairman of the intelligence committee, described the Florida senator as smart, talented and said he will be a strong voice for American interests around the globe.

Democrat senators Cory Booker and Mark Kelly also supported Mr Trumps pick.

Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat congressman who has accused members of his party of antisemitism, praised Mr Trumps pick of Ms Stefanik, Mike Waltz as national security advisor and described Susie Wiles as one of the greatest campaign strategists.

Mr Fetterman, once a star of the progressive arm of the Democrats, has in recent months emerged as one of the partys key moderate voices.

I love people that are absolutely going to vote for Trump, he said, when asked about Kamala Harris referring to Mr Trump as a fascist.

He told Politico: Theyre not fascists. Theyre not those things.... Scolding harder or clutching the pearls harder, thats never going to work for Democrats.
The US Capitol in Washington DC. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Senate Republicans must soon consider several of Donald Trumps cabinet picks whose nominations were met with intense criticism: Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, Matt Gaetz as attorney general, Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense and Robert F Kennedy Jr as secretary of health and human services.

Each of those cabinet announcements landed with somewhat of a thud on Capitol Hill, raising questions about whether the nominees will be able to muster the majority-level support needed in the Senate to get confirmed.

But the president-elect has proposed an archaic and in recent years little-used mechanism to get his nominees installed without Senate confirmation: recess appointments.

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 earlier this month. We need positions filled IMMEDIATELY!

If Trump pursues a strategy of recess appointments, it could severely curtail the Senates power to serve as a check on the new presidents nominations and allow controversial picks to move forward.

Heres everything to know about recess appointments:

What does the constitution say about Senate confirmation of presidential nominations?

Article 2, section 2 of the US constitution states that the president shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States.

Hundreds of senior officials in the federal government, including all members of the presidents cabinet, are subject to Senate approval, meaning they need the support of a majority of the 100-member upper chamber to be confirmed.

How do recess appointments allow a president to circumvent the Senate confirmation process?

Although the US constitution outlines how the Senate serves as a check on presidential nominations, it also provides an alternate route for installing officials who are usually subject to the confirmation process.

Article 2, section 2 further states that 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 allows the president to install nominees in posts that might otherwise go vacant while the Senate is out of session. If Trump were to utilize recess appointments at the start of his term, those appointees could stay in their posts until the end of the next Senate session, or until the end of 2026.

Why do recess appointments exist?

Recess appointments have been criticized as an anachronism dating back to the countrys founding, when Congress was in session much less frequently than it is now and correspondence over an important vacancy in the federal government could take weeks.

Today, when instant communication and air travel are the norm, the idea that the president may need to rely on recess appointments to fill key government posts appears absurd, sparking criticism of the practice in recent years.

Have other recent presidents relied on recess appointments?

According to the Congressional Research Service, Bill Clinton made 139 recess appointments, while George W Bush made 171 recess appointments. But Barack Obama only made 32 recess appointments, as the supreme court issued a critical ruling on the practice during his presidency.

In its 2014 decision of NLRB v Noel Canning, the court ruled that several of Obamas recess appointments had violated the constitution because the Senate was not out of session long enough to merit those appointments. The court noted that a Senate recess of at least 10 days is required to allow for recess appointments.

Related: Trumps administration and White House staffing picks and likely contenders  so far

In recent years, particularly when the Senate and the White House have been controlled by opposing parties, Senate majority leaders have relied on pro forma sessions, in which no real congressional business is conducted, to limit recesses. For that reason, neither Trump nor Biden had any recess appointments.

Would Senate Republicans allow Trump to use recess appointments for his cabinet nominees?

That remains unclear, although the newly elected Senate majority leader, Republican John Thune of South Dakota, has suggested he is open to the idea.

We must act quickly and decisively to get the presidents nominees in place as soon as possible, [and] all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments, Thune said. We cannot let Schumer and Senate [Democrats] block the will of the American people.

That being said, Thune acknowledged that it might be difficult to recess the chamber if a substantial number of Republican senators oppose a particular nomination.

You have to have all Republicans vote to recess as well, Thune told Fox News last week. So the same Republicans  that might have a problem voting for somebody under regular order probably also have a problem voting to put the Senate into recess.

Another complication is the role of the House in the recess process, as the constitution stipulates that neither the House nor the Senate can adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other chamber. But the House speaker, the Republican Mike Johnson, has suggested he is open to a recess.

I believe in the principle of the president being able to choose his team, Johnson told Fox News on Sunday. If this thing bogs down, it would be a great detriment to the country, to the American people.

Senate Democrats could attempt to at least slow the recess appointment process by holding a vote-a-rama, a tedious and lengthy procedure that could force the chamber to stay in session, but such tactics are unlikely to change the final outcome when Republicans hold a 53-47 majority.

If Republicans did clear the way for recess appointments, they could significantly damage one of the Senates most important functions at a time when their party has just won a governing trifecta in Washington. Such a decision would only further underscore the iron grip Trump has over the Republican party.
The Chinese carrier Yi Peng 3, in the background, is monitored by a Danish naval patrol vessel in the Sea of Kattegat, off the coast of Jutland, Denmark, 20 November 2024. Photograph: Mikkel Berg Pedersen/AP

Swedish police investigating the believed sabotage of two fibre-optic undersea cables in the Baltic Sea have said a Chinese ship off the coast of Denmark was of interest as Danish officials said its navy was shadowing a Chinese-registered cargo ship.

The ship, identified by Denmark as the Yi Peng 3, passed the two cables on Sunday and Monday about the time it is believed they were severed in a suspected malicious attack. The ship has been shadowed by a Danish navy vessel since it was located in waters between Sweden and Denmark.

The Danish defence command said: The Danish Defence can confirm that we are present in the area near the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3. The Danish Defence currently has no further comments.

Swedish officials have confirmed they are interested in the ship but did not give further details.

Specialist Swedish underwater search crews were at the site of the Finnish-German cable on Wednesday  one of the two undersea fibre-optic cables that was damaged  gathering evidence for Swedish investigators. A cable between Sweden and Lithuania was also damaged.

Swedish police said a Chinese ship off the coast of Denmark was among those they were looking at. Per Engstrom at Swedens National Operative Department said: It is part of the sphere of interest, but there may be more.

He said the Swedish coast guard is assisting with increased surveillance around the relevant areas, adding: We are ready to take investigative measures to get a clearer picture of what may have happened.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for Chinas foreign ministry, said: China has consistently and fully fulfilled its obligations as a flag state and requires Chinese vessels to strictly abide by the relevant laws and regulations.

The Swedish navy said earlier it had an almost 100% identification of the ships that were in the area of the two cable breaks.

Related: We assume damage to Baltic Sea cables was sabotage, German minister says

According to Vesselfinder tracking data, the last time the cargo ship, which is owned by Ningbo Yipeng Shipping, a company registered in Ningbo, visited a port was on 15 November in Ust-Luga in western Russia, close to the border with Estonia.

It stopped overnight on Tuesday to Wednesday in the Kattegat strait between Denmark and Sweden.

The Russian maritime pilot Alexander Stechentsev, who had boarded the ship to guide it out of port, said there was nothing unusual about the vessel. The Ust-Luga port authority employee said he took the ship to a receiving buoy located 11 miles offshore before disembarking. He described the Yi Peng 3 vessel as a standard 225-metre bulk carrier with a crew of Chinese nationals.

He said: There was absolutely nothing unusual about the ship.

A Russian maritime database confirms that he left the Yi Peng 3 vessel on the afternoon of 15 November.

Russia has denied any involvement in the cable incidents. On Wednesday the Kremlin said such accusations were ridiculous and it was absurd to accuse Russia without evidence.

Sweden and Finland are jointly investigating the incidents as potential sabotage, with Sweden leading the investigation.

The Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, said on Wednesday: We assume that this could very well be sabotage but we dont know anything yet. The destroyed cables must be carefully investigated, both by the police and internationally. We have seen sabotage in the past, so we take it very seriously.

The investigators in Sweden were analysing any potential role by the Chinese ship but the Swedish government did not comment on this. A government source said information on the incident was moving very quickly.

Last year, the anchor of another Chinese vessel, the container ship Newnew Polar Bear  was found to have damaged a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia. Authorities have not said whether they believed the incident to be intentional or accidental.

Overnight, the Swedish navy used unmanned, remote-controlled submarines to investigate the southern site of the two cables, but said it would take several days due to the challenges of forecast bad weather and the potential for poor visibility.

Jimmie Adamsson, a Swedish navy spokesperson, said the navy had been asked to support the Swedish prosecutor and police with their investigations and ships were sent out immediately. They have been asked to gather evidence at the sites of the two breaks  one 100-150 metres deep (the Sweden-Lithuania cable) and the other 20-40 metres deep (the Finland-Germany cable). They have also been asked to put together a picture of what vessels were there, and at what time.

The navys crew, which is trained to search underwater, has performed similar tasks twice before during the investigation into the suspected sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022.

Adamsson said: Yesterday [Tuesday], a couple of navy ships left the Swedish ports and went to the most southerly point of the two. They have been working throughout the night until the morning. There was a bit of rough weather.

At any given time, there are about 4,000 large vessels in the Baltic passing over a web of underwater cables transporting data, electricity and gas across Europe.

The Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, has said she was not surprised by the potential for sabotage. If the immediate assessment is that it is sabotage and it comes from outside, then it is obviously serious. I am not surprised that it can happen, she said.

Germanys defence minister, Boris Pistorius, has already said he assumed the act was sabotage. No one believes that the cables were accidentally damaged, he said.

Swedens civil defence minister, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, quickly made the link between the movement of ships and the severed cables. There are ship movements that correspond to this crime on maritime surveillance, he said.

The Finnish security intelligence service (Supo) said it was too early to assess the cause of the cable damage but it was supporting other authorities with their expertise. It said about 200 submarine cable breakages happened every year, the most common cause being human activities such as fishing or anchoring.
Ollolai is in the mountainous Barbagia region of Sardinia. Donald Trump is also welcome to invest in the project, but that might defeat the object, says Francesco Columbu. Photograph: Alberto Maisto/Alamy

The mayor of a small town in Sardinia has said thousands of Americans keen to escape Donald Trump have expressed an interest in moving there after he offered homes to them for as little as 1.

Francesco Columbu, the mayor of Ollolai, has staged similarly enticing initiatives in the past as a way to combat depopulation. He released more homes for sale after sensing he was on to a winner when Trump clinched a second term as US president in elections earlier this month.

On Tuesday, Columbu launched a website mainly targeted at disgruntled Americans, inviting them to start planning their European escape in the splendid paradise of Sardinia.

Colombu said: Within a day, we had 30,000 requests [from would-be residents] and over 156,000 visitors to the site. . He said the objective was not to interfere in US political issues but to create investment and jobs in Ollolai, a town in the mountainous Barbagia region of the Italian island with a population of roughly 1,150.

The project is open to other nationalities too, although US applications would be fast-tracked, he added.

Ollolai claims to be the birthplace of the global 1 homes phenomenon, having first offered dilapidated homes for sale in 2018. The scheme attracted a flurry of buyers who then spent thousands on doing the properties up, but rarely do the owners take up year-round residency.

A project to lure digital nomads called Work from Ollolai has been more successful in that respect, with 10 American professionals moving to the village last year and paying just 1 a month in rent. Americans were also picked on that occasion because of the village being the birthplace of a former Mr Universe who was a close friend of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Columbu is hoping that the latest plea for new residents will attract more people able to work remotely. As part of the deal, Ollolai will offer three types of accommodation: free homes to certain categories of digital nomads, 1 properties in need of renovations and habitable ones for up to 100,000 (83,230).

A team of experts would be on hand to help guide people through the process of buying a property, dealing with paperwork or finding contractors for renovation works.

Related: Sardinian town invokes Arnold Schwarzenegger link to give population a US boost

The whole point is to revitalise the town and improve the life of inhabitants, Columbu said. We are a population of mostly elderly people in a town which is depopulating and we need to invest in our future. We cant resolve the issue with these initiatives, but at least we are creating a bit of activity.

Surrounded by nature and blessed with plenty of sunshine, Columbu said any new resident to Ollolai would want for nothing. Whats more, the village is part of an area in Sardinia designated a blue zone  one of five regions of the world where people live much longer than average.

On top of that, Columbu said the village boasts great culture and delicious food. He joked that if Trump wanted to invest in the village, he would be welcome, although that might defeat the object of his plan.
Donald Trump joined Elon Musk for the launch of his SpaceX rocket in a sign of the growing partnership between the two men.

The president-elect travelled to Brownsville, Texas, to watch Mr Musks Starship take off from its launch facility.

Starship, which at roughly 400ft tall is the largest rocket ever built, launched at 5pm ET on its sixth test flight and splashed down in the Indian Ocean just over an hour later.

In the days leading up to the election, Mr Trump frequently marvelled at Mr Musks achievements in space.

At the previous Starship launch in October, SpaceX managed to catch the rockets booster in a pair of giant mechanical pincers, or chopsticks, as it returned to earth.

Mr Trump would often praise the achievement on the campaign trail in the days leading up to the election.

Elon Musk and Donald Trump were seen in discussion ahead of blast off - Brandon Bell/Pool via Reuters

However, SpaceX said on Tuesday in the minutes following take-off that it would not attempt the same manoeuvre, citing the safety of the crew on the ground.

The booster, called Super Heavy, instead made a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico near Mr Musks Starbase.

Nevertheless, the flight marked a series of firsts for SpaceX. It managed to ignite one of Starships Raptor engines in space for the first time, paving the way for the enormous rocket to reach a stable orbit around the earth.

The rocket was also carrying its first-ever physical payload  a banana, referencing a meme where internet users demonstrate the size of objects by comparing them to the fruit.

Starship is roughly the same size as a 30-storey building.

After its successful launch, Starship eventually splashed down in the Indian Ocean - AP Photo/Eric Gay

According to the SpaceX website, Starship will one day be able to carry 100 people on long-duration, interplanetary flights. It will also help enable satellite delivery, the development of a Moon base and point-to-point delivery on Earth.

Mr Trump was seen talking to Mr Musk multiple times ahead of the launch and during the test flight.

The SpaceX founder, who spent an estimated $200 million on the Republicans re-election effort, has been a near-constant presence at his side since polling day, staying at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and travelling around the country with him.

Im heading to the Great State of Texas to watch the launch of the largest object ever to be elevated, not only to space, but simply by lifting off the ground, Mr Trump wrote on social media earlier on Tuesday.

Good luck to Elon Musk and the great patriots involved in this incredible project.

Speaking after the launch, Mr Trump told the media he would not back down on his nomination of Matt Gaetz as attorney general despite disquiet from Republicans over allegations that the former congressman had slept with an underage schoolgirl.

Asked if he was reconsidering his Cabinet pick, Mr Trump replied: No.

Mr Gaetz has consistently denied the allegations.

11:06 PM GMT

Starship splashes down

Starships engines have reignited and it splashes down in the Indian ocean to cheers from the SpaceX control room. It appears to be on fire, which the SpaceX commentators attribute to the lesser gen heat shield.

11:06 PM GMT

Starship passes through the clouds

Starship is now rapidly losing altitude and should be splashing down at any moment.

10:54 PM GMT

Were seeing what Starship can take

Dont be surprised if you see some wackadoo stuff here, one of the SpaceX commentary says, adding that they are testing to see what [Starship] can take.

SpaceX has previously said it removed entire sections of heat shield tiles on either side of the rocket to assess new secondary thermal protection materials.

10:44 PM GMT

Starship ignites raptor engine for first time

Starship has ignited one of its raptor engines in space for the first time. The development is significant because it paves the way for the rocket to ascend to a stable orbit.

SpaceX had previously attempted to ignite the engine on a launch in March but was forced to abandon this after losing control during coasting.

10:40 PM GMT

Watch: Trump reacts as SpaceX launches

Launch video: SpaceX

10:22 PM GMT

What is Starship doing now?

Starship is now in its coasting phase, meaning it has reached outer space but does not have enough velocity to enter a stable orbit around the Earth. SpaceX said before the launch that the rocket would splash down in the Indian Ocean around 6:30pm ET.

10:19 PM GMT

Pictured: Trump watches Starship embark on test flight

Donald Trump looks on during a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket - Brandon Bell/Getty Images

10:16 PM GMT

Watch: The moment Starship launches

SpaceX

10:08 PM GMT

Super Heavy splashes down

The Super Heavy booster has splashed down near the Gulf of Mexico.

Super Heavy initiates its landing burn and softly splashes down in the Gulf of Mexico pic.twitter.com/BZ3Az4GssC  SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 19, 2024

10:07 PM GMT

SpaceX will not catch Super Heavy in chopsticks

Commentators on the SpaceX livestream are saying that they will not be able to catch its Super Heavy booster in its mechnical pincers, as they did last month. They suggest this would put the crew on the ground at risk.

10:03 PM GMT

Starship travelling at more than 4,000km an hour

At two minutes into its test flight, Starship has reached more than 4,000km an hour.

Starship has cleared the pad! Vehicle is on a nominal flight path  SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 19, 2024

10:01 PM GMT

Starship launches

Starship has now launched, taking off from the SpaceX launch facility near Brownsville, Texas.

The SpaceX Starship lifts off from Starbase near Boca Chica, Texas - CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

Starship takes off from the SpaceX launch facility in Texas - CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

09:59 PM GMT

Why will Starship be carrying a banana?

When Starship takes off in just a matter of minutes on its sixth test flight, it will be carrying first ever physical payload - a banana.

It is a reference to the banana for scale meme, where internet users demonstrate the size of objects by comparing them to fruit. Starship, which is roughly the same size as a 30-story building, is the largest rocket in history.

09:55 PM GMT

Starship five minutes away from launch

Starship is now just five minutes away from launch, according to SpaceX.

09:54 PM GMT

Pictures: Trump and Musk speak ahead of Starship launch

Donald Trump speaks to Elon Musk and senators Ted Cruz and Bill Hagerty - Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Elon Musk, the SpaceX founder, speaks to Donald Trump in Brownsville, Texas - Brandon Bell/Getty Images

09:35 PM GMT

Watch: Donald Trump in the launch viewing gallery

09:16 PM GMT

What happened at the last Starship test flight?

Elon Musks SpaceX successfully caught a booster from its Starship rocket for the first time in a lift to humanitys hopes of travelling to Mars.

The first-stage booster returned to the launch pad after the fifth test flight of the marquee rocket on Sunday.

The super heavy booster contains fuel to propel the 3,000-tonne rocket off the launchpad. After being emptied and detaching from the main body of the Starship rocket, the booster flew itself back to the launchpad where it was plucked out of the air by a set of giant mechanical fingers.

Read the full story by Joe Pinkstone from 13 October here.

09:08 PM GMT

Starship pictured ahead of sixth test flight

Starship ahead of its sixth test flight - https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1858894148914606196

09:02 PM GMT

Trump wishes Musk good luck ahead of launch

Donald Trump has wished Elon Musk good luck ahead of the Starship launch, which is due to take place from around 5pm ET.

The president-elect wrote on social media: Im heading to the Great State of Texas to watch the launch of the largest object ever to be elevated, not only to Space, but simply by lifting off the ground.

Good luck to Elon Musk and the Great Patriots involved in this incredible project.

I'm heading to the Great State of Texas to watch the launch of the largest object ever to be elevated, not only to Space, but simply by lifting off the ground. Good luck to @ElonMusk and the Great Patriots involved in this incredible project! https://t.co/UVpVSkpEyu  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2024

09:01 PM GMT

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the live blog. Benedict Smith here. Well be bringing you all the updates as Elon Musk prepares to launch Starship on its sixth test flight, which is scheduled to take place around 5pm ET.
Donald Trump looks on as Elon Musk talks - Getty/Brandon Bell

Donald Trump and Elon Musk have been virtually joined at the hip since the president-elects election victory two weeks ago.

The Tesla billionaire has accompanied Mr Trump for family meals at his home in Florida, travelled with him to a meeting with congressional Republicans in Washington, and watched a UFC fight in New York with him.

But their most recent outing, at the launch of Mr Musks SpaceX rocket on Tuesday, appeared more than a little awkward for the two men.

The president-elect looked like a fish out of water and appeared to be intimidated by Mr Musk during the Starship test flight, according to Darren Stanton, a former police officer and body language expert.

Mr Trump has long exuded an alpha male persona, and in his first term in the White House was known for offering a handshake to world leaders before violently jerking them off-balance.

But the traditional Trump power gestures seemed to be absent on Tuesday as he waited for lift-off from a viewing platform a short distance away from the SpaceX launch pad in Texas.

As Mr Musk gestured across to Starship, which at some 400-foot tall is the largest rocket ever built, the Republican buttoned up his jacket before checking each of his pockets, which Mr Stanton said suggested he was a little intimidated.

Its very rare that we see Trump do these self reassurance gestures, he told The Telegraph.

He was playing with his pockets, but he didnt put his hands in his pockets its the anxiety of not knowing what to do with your hands.

Mr Trump did not perform any of the gestures he typically uses to assert himself, such as his accordion hand or placing his fingers together to form a steeple. The only other figure with whom the president-elect is so submissive is Vladimir Putin, Mr Stanton believes.

Mr Musk, who voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election and Joe Biden in 2020, endorsed Mr Trump in June and ploughed an estimated $200 million into his re-election campaign.

Throughout their interactions on Tuesday, Mr Trump kept his arms hanging limply at his side: an act of anxiety and awkwardness, according to Mr Stanton.

Trump was very uneasy usually he comes over as this alpha male, the most empowered, most powerful person in the room. I think hes quite intimidated by Musk, he said. He was out of his depth  his hands were just by his side like a mannequin.

When Mr Musk spoke, it was with his palms open and arms outstretched in a display of openness and confidence.

By contrast, Mr Trump, who looked out of his element despite his trademark Make America Great Again cap, kept his hands down and nodded stiffly.

At one point, when the group on the viewing platform had a photo taken, Mr Musk took up his position in front of the president-elect and struck a pose, assertively placing his hands on his hips.

Fresh off his decisive win over Kamala Harris this month, Mr Trump brought a entourage with him to the Starship launch including Bill Hagerty, his former ambassador to Japan.

But Mr Hagerty, a long-time ally of Mr Trump, appeared engrossed as he talked with Mr Musk while the president-election turned awkwardly between them.

Mr Stanton said that the two men were mirroring each others body language and had developed a rapport, while the president-elect was out of the loop of the conversation.

If youve got three people that are in rapport with each other, theyll form like a triad, whereas, basically Trump was just facing forward not knowing quite how to intervene, he said.

Mr Musk is reported to have had a stand-up row at a Mar-a-Lago dinner with Boris Epshteyn, a member of the Republicans legal team, whom he apparently blamed for nominating unqualified figures to government positions.

Those present described it as a massive blow-up and huge explosion.

There is also speculation of clashes down the line with figures who are more hawkish on immigration than Mr Musk, such as Stephen Miller, the architect of the Muslim ban in Mr Trumps first term.

One insider told NBC News this week that Mr Musk was behaving as if hes a co-president and taking lots of credit for the presidents victory.

Hes trying to make President Trump feel indebted to him. And the president is indebted to no one, they added.

It is clear however that Mr Musk is not having everything his own way.

He publicly pushed Mr Trump to appoint Howard Lutnick, the former head of financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, as Treasury secretary  only for the president-elect to name him Commerce secretary.

Mr Trump reportedly soured on his selection as a result of the infighting among Mr Lutnick and others whose names had been floated in connection with the job.

While the transition team claimed Mr Trump and Mr Musk are great friends and brilliant leaders, it marked the first clear breach between the two men.
Matthew Whitaker was an acting attorney general in the first Trump administration but has no previous experience in foreign affairs - Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Donald Trumps pick for Nato ambassador previously said that the United States would always have to spend more than its fair share on defence.

The president-elect, who will take office on Jan 20, tapped Matthew Whitaker to become his most senior civilian official at the Western military alliance.

Mr Whitaker is an unusual appointment given the former acting attorney general has no previous experience in foreign affairs.

Joe Bidens choice, Julianne Smith, had worked with him previously as his deputy national security adviser when Mr Biden served as vice-president between 2009 and 2017.

In a statement shared on his Truth Social website, Mr Trump described his selection as a strong warrior and loyal patriot.

He said that Mr Whitaker will ensure the United States interests are advanced and defended and strengthen relationships with our Nato allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to peace and stability.

He will put America First, Mr Trump added.

Mr Whittaker is seen as a close ally of Mr Trump

Mr Whitaker is considered a close ally of the president-elect, having previously defended his new boss against the federal criminal cases he is awaiting sentencing for.

He served as acting attorney general for three months during Mr Trumps first term in the White House, and has since been involved with the America First Policy Institute, a think-tank closely aligned with the president-elect.

While he has rarely spoken on the topic of Nato, Mr Whitakers rhetoric has not been as extreme as Mr Trumps, which could come as a relief for the alliances European members.

In 2019, Mr Whitaker told an episode of Fox News Fox & Friends that he believed the US would always have to spend more than its fair share on defence to protect democracy and freedom around the world.

Make sure freedom is defended

We are the worlds super power, and only super power, obviously were being challenged by countries like China and Russia so I think were always going to have to spend more than our fair share to make sure democracy and freedom is defended worldwide, he said.

But, at the same time that doesnt mean the people weve allied with should get to ride on our coattails.

Mr Whitaker accused countries of taking advantage of the United States by not paying their 2 per cent.

He added that the US had shouldered the burden of defending the European Union, while the bloc supported socialised medicine and other experiments.

Since his first term in office, Mr Trump has been a fierce critic of Nato member states not meeting a commitment to spend at least 2 per cent of their GDP on defence.

On the campaign trail earlier this year, Mr Trump suggested he would encourage Russia to attack allies not hitting the 2 per cent target.

At the time of Mr Whitakers remarks on Nato, Mr Trump had opened up a new war of words with Germanys then leader Angela Merkel over her countrys defence spending at an alliance summit outside of London.

After the summit, to mark the alliances 70th anniversary, Mr Trump, serving in his first term, was convinced he had secured guarantees from Berlin to spend more on defence.

In 2019, just seven countries met Natos 2 per cent of GDP spending goal on defence.

This number has radically increased because of the prospect of a second term in office for Mr Trump, in a process inside the alliance dubbed Trump-proofing.

Jens Stoltenberg, Natos former secretary general, announced earlier this year that 23 of its 32 member states would now meet the commitment.

Mr Whitaker once served on a board for a company that sold toilets designed for well-endowed men.

World Patent Marketing, which encouraged investors to back patent-pending products, once advertised for the sale of a masculine toilet.

The average male genitalia is between 5 and 6. However, this invention is designed for those of us who measure longer than that, a press release for the product read.
A US-made Patriot missile launches during a live fire exercise. Patriots are a vital part of Ukraines air defences - Sam Yeh/AFP

Ukraines American-made Patriots are its best air defences. Ranging as far as 100 miles under radar guidance, a Patriot batterys missiles  weighing up to a ton  can intercept aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.

The Ukrainian air force has deployed its six $1-billion Patriot batteries for complex ambushes targeting Russian warplanes  and also to defend Ukrainian cities from Russias best Iskander and Kinzhal missiles.

But the supply of missiles for the Patriot batteries is in trouble  and Kyiv should plan for the worst. US President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated in January, has said hed let the Russians do whatever the Hell they want in European Nato nations which didnt pay their fair share for their own defence.

Trumps cabinet picks are mostly opposed to further US aid to Ukraine. Ominously, Trump invited billionaire Elon Musk, a top Trump donor and known opponent of US aid to Ukraine, to join him on a post-election phone call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

If, as expected, Trump cuts off US aid to Ukraine, the Ukrainian air force could run out of Patriot missiles  and fast. Given industrial and political constraints, its likely Ukraine maintains a very small stockpile of Patriot rounds, and fires them nearly as fast as it receives them.

Raytheon in the United States builds most of the roughly 500 Patriot missiles that are produced every year. Japanese and European firms are setting up additional facilities for licenced assembly of the missiles that should boost production to 1,000 rounds a year by 2027.

None of the Patriot plants can legally export missiles to Ukraine without permission from the US government. By withholding this licence, the Trump administration can strangle Ukraines best air defences, making the country even more vulnerable than it already is to relentless Russian bombardment.

Kyiv needs a backup air-defence plan in the event Patriot missiles are no longer available after January. And that backup plan shouldnt depend on some other American-made  or even mostly American-made  missile system, such as the HAWK or NASAMS.

Ukraine should look to Europe  and expect a lot of complications. Theres just one European surface-to-air missile system that more or less matches Patriots capabilities and whose builders could, with some effort, circumvent US export restrictions: the $500-million Sol-Air Moyenne Portee/Terrestre, or SAMP/T, a product of the Franco-Italian Eurosam consortium.

Ukraine already has one SAMP/T battery plus another on the way and would need five more to replace its Patriots  plus additional copies if it also has to replace other American-made systems.

But theres a problem. As limited as the supply of Patriot batteries and missiles is, the supply of SAMP/Ts and their Aster missiles is even more constrained.

Italy has three SAMP/T batteries and, in September, ordered an additional 10 batteries built to an upgraded standard; France has eight older SAMP/Ts and ordered eight of the upgraded batteries in September. The French expect to wait as long as two years for the first new battery  a sign of just how much the European air-defence industrial base struggles against stiff American competition.

However slow they are coming off the production line, SAMP/Ts might be Ukraines only hope for a sustained defence against Russian warplanes and missiles. Eurosam would have its work cut out for it, however.

While the consortium has pitched the SAMP/T as the air-defence solution for countries hoping for autonomy over their defence decision-making, its likely that the SAMP/T includes some American-made parts  and those would be subject to American export controls. Advanced Western weapons which arent governed by Americas International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) are rare, and always advertised as ITAR free: this is not the case at present for SAMP/T. To transfer SAMP/Ts to Ukraine without US consent, Eurosam would have to replace any ITAR components with non-American ones.

There are good reasons to expect the consortium would work hard to do so, however. France has previously stated that it de-ITARised a different weapon, the SCALP cruise missile (aka Storm Shadow in British hands) in order to sell it to Egypt in the face of US objections. France has also proposed a frigate for sale to Indonesia, armed with the same Aster missiles as SAMP/T, with a guarantee that the whole ship would be ITAR-free: so it seems clear that France thinks ITAR-free Aster missile systems are feasible.

In the end, air defence in the Trump era could be a European problem as much as it is a Ukrainian one. If and when Trump cuts ties between the United States and its Nato allies, Europe will need to figure out how to defend itself  and how to help Ukraine defend itself, too. It will need to build a lot more air defences, fast and on its own.
Actress Han Ji Hyun, who is part of the cast of the hit K-Drama "Penthouse," is sparking a polarized range of reactions after showing up on ZTAM's "Zzanbro" YouTube show appearing inebriated.

The episode that recently aired starred Han with her co-star Lee Min Ki, discussing their latest project, Face Me.

The segment went from light-hearted to somber when Han started drinking wine. As the episode went on, viewers noticed her excitement progressively grow. At one stage, she was filmed gushing about her looks while talking to the camera,

Later, on her Instagram, Han was full of apologies, saying, "I so overdid it with the drinking. A lot of what happened, I don't remember. Be nice while you are watching."

Reactions from fans have been a little mixed. Some praised her perceived authenticity, while others responded to her not seeming to care.

Reactions about her on social media were a mix of warm memories of her being a hardworking student and more profound comments pouring in, praising her for her on-screen charm.

"This was such a fun episode of 'Zzanbro,' I watched the whole thing. She cracked me up," one viewer commented.

Still, the feedback was not all positive. Cynics described her actions as "cringe" and "unhinged," and argued the least she could have done was "watch her booze intake when she's on a camera."

As for Han, netizens were worried about the production team choosing to air the episode with clips where Han looked too drunk without cutting it out.

One viewer even lamented, "This is gonna be sooo f**kin embarrassing for her to watch back after she sobers up!"

Here are other comments from the online community forum, theqoo.

The debate comes as South Korea has been weighing the influence of drinking shows, with critics calling for a limit to such content.

In 2023, sulbang, or drinking shows, have received renewed scrutiny and requests for responsible portrayals of drinking behaviour.

Watch the full video below:
Fragments from a storm shadow missile attack were found in the village of Marino, Kursk

Ukraine has used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles in Russia for the first time.

The Telegraph understands that residents in the village of Marino, Kursk, found fragments from a Storm Shadow missile on Wednesday

Footage showed locals picking up debris from the long-range missiles along a tree-lined street in the village in the Russian border region.

The use of Storm Shadow missiles comes after Russia launched a counteroffensive in Kursk, which was invaded by Ukrainian troops in August.

Ukraine was given Storm Shadow and other Western long-range missiles last year but were not allowed to fire them into Russia.

Joe Biden gave Ukraine the green light to use US-made long-range missiles inside Russia earlier this week, paving the way for restrictions to be lifted on the UKs Storm Shadows.

Kyiv first used Atacms missiles to strike a military facility in Bryansk 110km from the Ukrainian border.

Vladimir Putin responded by lowering the threshold for firing nuclear weapons at Ukraine and its allies.

The Kremlin said on Wednesday Mr Biden wanted to prolong and escalate the war by providing Ukraine with Atacms and anti-personnel mines.

08:01 PM GMT

Thank you for following todays live coverage of the war in Ukraine.

Well be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict.

07:42 PM GMT

US announces $275 million military aid package for Ukraine

The United States will send a new military package worth $275 million (217 million) to Ukraine, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday.

It will include Himars (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) ammunition, artillery shells, and Javelin surface-to-air missiles, in addition to a wide range of spare parts and equipment.

Outgoing US President Joe Bidens administration has already supported Ukraine with $60 billion (47 billion) in military aid.

Missiles are launched from a United States military Himars system - AFP

07:19 PM GMT

US confirms Ukraine can use US-made anti-personnel landmines

The US will allow Ukraine to use American-supplied anti-personnel landmines to help it push back Russias advances, the countrys defence secretary has confirmed.

Lloyd Austin said the USs focus is to help Ukraine meet their needs.

Theyve asked for these, and so I think its a good idea to provide them, he told reporters.

Mr Lloyd added that Ukraine is currently making their own anti-personnel mines, so providing these will make it far more safer eventually.

The US has spoken with Ukraine about how and where they will use the mines and ensured they are doing things responsibly, he said.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin - REUTERS

07:00 PM GMT

Pictured: fragments of Storm Shadow missile found in Kursk

Residents in the Russian border village of Marino, Kursk found fragments of the British-made Storm Shadow missiles fired into Russian territory by Ukraine on Wednesday.

Footage showed locals picking up debris from the long-range missiles along a tree-lined street in the village in the Russian border region.

It came as the US announced earlier this week that it would allow Ukraine to fire long-range Atacms missiles against Russia - something that it had been hesitant to allow for almost 33 months of war.

Russian channels claiming Ukraine sent around 12 Storm Shadow missiles over Russias Kursk region this morning

06:38 PM GMT

US expects embassy in Ukraine to reopen on Thursday

The United States expects its embassy in Kyiv to return to normal operations on Thursday after a security threat, the State Department has said.

The announcement comes after the US said earlier this morning it was closing its embassy due to information about a significant air attack on Kyiv.

Its decision to close temporarily came just days after the Biden administration announced it would allow US-made weapons to be fired into Russia.

The Italian, Spanish and Greek embassies have also closed.

06:07 PM GMT

Watch: Storm Shadow missiles hit Kursk

New footage has captured Ukraines British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles striking the village of Darino in the Kursk region on Wednesday.

After being launched by a bomber plane, each missile can travel up to 155 miles and weighs more than a small car.

05:35 PM GMT

Russias psychological fake mass airstrike warning

Not long ago, myself and two colleagues from The Telegraph found ourselves in an air raid shelter in central Kyiv just after the sirens began to wail. Joining us were three Ukrainian women who, when I asked, admitted that they wouldnt usually come down to the shelter.



But today was different. The rumours of a major missile attack had prompted them to err on the side of caution. Yet, within 20 minutes, the narrative shifted. They were reading on their phones the government message that it was more likely a Russian psychological operation, with no real danger imminent. Moments later, the sirens ceased, and the all-clear was given.



This brief episode was a stark reminder of how rapidly information - and with it, peoples perception of safety - can change in this city. Such is the ever-shifting rhythm of life here.

05:11 PM GMT

Russian soldiers strip and kill two prisoners of war

Russian soldiers stripped and killed two prisoners of war in a village in Donetsk, the regional prosecutors office has claimed.

The two men were captured when Russian troops stormed a Ukrainian fortification in the village of Novodmytrivka on 10 November, the office wrote on Telegram.

The forces then forced the men to strip naked and marched them into a forest at gunpoint, before they were both executed.

The office posted a blurred image that appeared to show two naked bodies strewn on the ground in the wooded area.

Russian soldiers stripped and killed two prisoners of war in Donetsk village of Novodmytrivka - Donetsk regional prosecutor's office

04:52 PM GMT

How Ukrainians work out if air raid sirens indicate a real threat of missile strikes

Speaking from Irpin in Ukraine, Francis Dearnly explains how locals work out if air raid sirens indicate a real threat of missile strikes, so they can stop sheltering and carry on as normal.

Mr Dearnley is also one of the hosts of The Telegraphs daily podcast Ukraine: The Latest.

Francis Dearnly in Irpin, Ukraine

04:26 PM GMT

Healey wont confirm reports of Ukraine using UK-made missiles in Russia

The UKs defence secretary wont confirm reports that Ukraine has fired a UK-made long-range missile into Russian territory.

Speaking in the Commons, John Healey added that Ukraines action on the battlefield speaks for itself.

He also told MPs he spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart on Tuesday, saying the pair discussed Ukraines robust response to recent escalation by Russia and the UKs plan to support them throughout 2025.

At this point Im not able to get into any further operational details, Mr Heaey said.

Britains Defence Secretary John Healey - Getty Images Europe

03:56 PM GMT

Readers weigh in over fears of major Russian attack

British-made Storm Shadow missiles have been fired into Russian territory by Ukraine for the first time.

Telegraph readers have said the situation is now spiralling out of control at an alarming rate.

03:43 PM GMT

Ukraine wont be drawn on use of UK-made long-range missiles

Ukraines defence minister avoided confirming that his country used UK-made long-range missiles at a press conference on Wednesday.

Rustem Umerov would not confirm the reports that Ukraine fired the Storm Shadow missiles into Russia for the first time, but said it is using all the means to defend our country.

We are not going [into] detail but we are just saying that we are capable and able to respond, he said.

Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov

03:04 PM GMT

Analysis: Use of Storm Shadow puts Britain in Putins sights

When British-made Storm Shadow missiles slammed into Russia just after lunch today, a Rubicon was crossed.

This was the moment the Kremlin had been warning against for months.

The message, from Vladimir Putin, has been simple, consistent, direct. He warned that if British missiles were fired at Russia, Britain would shift from being an ally of Ukraine to becoming a full participant in the war.

And so in the eyes of the Kremlin, Britain is now a belligerent in its war with Ukraine, regardless of how Sir Keir Starmer has tried to play down the threat -- and the implications.

We wait for the Kremlins response and yesterday Putin reduced the threshold of his nuclear response doctrine to include a missile attack from Ukraine.

His lackeys have previously threatened to fire a nuclear missile at Britain but will Putin really take this most destructive step? China, Russias most important ally, has warned Putin not to upturn the global economy by firing a nuclear missile but he is being urged on by Russian ultra Z-hawks who are demanding a tough response.

The Storm Shadow missile strike came 36 hours after Ukraine fired US-made Atacms into Russia. This triggered an avalanche of angry rhetoric from the Kremlin and its propagandists but not much more.

Will missiles hitting Russia made by the Kremlins old adversary  the dastardly and underhand Perfidious Albion  be met with a stronger response?

02:36 PM GMT

How do Storm Shadow missiles work?

Storm Shadow missiles have been used by Ukraine inside its own territory for some time but Kyiv now appears to have been given permission to strike targets inside Russia.

The missiles carry a bunker-busting warhead, and flies low and fast to evade air defences.

02:21 PM GMT

Pictured: Storm Shadow fragments found in Kursk

Residents in the village of Marino, Kursk, found fragments from a Storm Shadow missile on Wednesday.

Reports by Russian military bloggers suggested the missile had been fired on Wednesday afternoon.

It is the first time that Ukraine has been allowed to fire British Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia

Residents in Kursk found fragments of a Storm Shadow missile

02:15 PM GMT

How far can Storm Shadow missiles reach?

British Storm Shadow missiles have a range of 150 miles.

It means Ukraine could now strike targets inside Russia.

01:44 PM GMT

Pope Francis brands war in Ukraine a shameful disaster

Pope Francis has urged people of all faiths to pray and work for dialogue, reconciliation, peace, security and the integral development of all humanity amid the threat of nuclear war.

The pontiff said the world was divided and rent by hatred, hostility, wars and the threat of a nuclear conflict.

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska attended the Popes weekly general audience, at which he described the war in Ukraine as a shameful disaster for the whole of humanity.

Addressing crowds gathered in St, Peters Square, he said the scale of the tragedy should not act as a deterrence for standing alongside the martyred Ukrainian people and working for peace, so that weapons might give way to dialogue.

Pope Francis held a meeting with Ukraines First Lady Olena Zelenska in The Vatican - AFP

01:12 PM GMT

Trump may soften or cancel Russian sanctions

TASS, a Kremlin-linked news agency, has reported that Donald Trump may soften or cancel sanctions on Russia when he becomes US President in order to end the war in Ukraine.

It claimed that a correspondent had spoken to a representative of Trumps transition team.

The alleged Trump representative told TASS that Mr Trump intended to mix carrots and sticks to force Russia and Ukraine to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

Neither Mr Trump nor the White House have commented on the TASS report.

Mr Trump has previously said that he will end the war in Ukraine within a day of becoming US President in January. He has also already reportedly spoken to Vladimir Putin by telephone, although this has been denied by the Kremlin.

12:57 PM GMT

Mood in Kyiv is calm

Kyiv is still busy right now, writes Anna Conkling from the Ukrainian capital.

A lot of cars are driving down the streets, I just passed by a woman pushing a stroller with a baby in it.

People are still at cafes and standing on the street speaking with each other.

The mood is calm here right now.

12:33 PM GMT

Air raid sirens end in Kyiv

Air raid sirens in Kyiv have ended, lasting around 30 minutes.

Serhii Nykyforov, Volodymyr Zelenskys press officer, told The Telegraph residents should find the nearest bomb shelter in the event of an attack, writes Anna Conkling.

He added that there will be an official statement on the threat soon.

Well bring you more updates should the air sirens restart.

12:28 PM GMT

Warnings of massive combined missile strike received in Kyiv

Ukraine received warnings of a massive combined missile strike to be carried out by Russia against Kyiv this afternoon.

An official alert sent to residents warned the attack could occur on Wednesday afternoon.

It comes after the US and other Western nations closed their embassies over fears of a significant attack on Kyiv.

12:21 PM GMT

Nato allies better prepared for war than UK

Britain should do more to make its population resilient in the face of war, a top British naval officer has said, as he admitted that other Nato allies were better prepared than the UK.

Speaking at the Berlin Security Conference on a panel about military preparedness, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said the UK was falling behind Nato allies such as Sweden and the Netherlands in the arena of public resilience.

Public resilience is defined within a Nato context as the populations ability to withstand major shocks, such as the outbreak of war, and to remain calm and self-sufficient - and support the army.

On the resilience, I think I have to acknowledge that were in a different position and a slightly weaker one than my colleagues on the panel, he said.

Its an area that is part of our defence review that were looking at much more closely. But we dont have the culture of total defence, we dont have the legal aspects or planning aspects that other countries within Nato have as part of their tradition.

At the same panel, top Dutch and Swedish officers had outlined some of their steps towards improving resilience, such as public awareness programmes about the need to stay prepared and support the army.

11:59 AM GMT

Air raid alert activated in Kyiv

An air raid alert has been activated in Kyiv over what local authorities described as a missile threat.

It has been active since 1.49pm local time (11.49am in the UK).

WARNING! Kyiv is a missile hazard! Go to the shelters! Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyivs military administration, said.

Sirens also sounded out across Chernihiv, Sumy, and Poltava.

11:48 AM GMT

Watch: Russia detains German citizen over sabotage of energy facilities

Russian authorities have arrested a German citizen in the northwestern Kaliningrad region on charges of sabotaging energy installations.

The man, named as Nikolai Gaiduk and born in 1967, is implicated in the March 2024 explosion at a gas distribution station in Kaliningrad, the Russian region sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania, the FSB said in a statement according to news agencies.

A resident of Hamburg, Gaiduk was detained at a border crossing in Kaliningrad, where he had returned allegedly to organise acts of sabotage on local energy infrastructure, the statement said.

Half a litre of an explosive substance was seized from his car as he tried to cross into Russia, according to the FSB, with local media reporting that it was hidden in a shampoo bottle.

11:23 AM GMT

In pictures: Russian mortar units fire towards Ukrainian positions

The Russian military has released photos showing its mortar units firing towards Ukrainian positions on the right bank of the Dnipro River in the Zaporizhzhia region.

It follows warnings by Kyiv that Russia could mount a major offensive in the region.

Russian Airborne Forces towards Ukrainian positions on the right bank of the Dnieper in the Zaporizhia region - Shutterstock

Combat work of mortar units of the Russian Airborne Forces - Shutterstock

11:01 AM GMT

Putin willing to halt invasion

Vladimir Putin is potentially prepared to freeze the war in Ukraine along the current frontline in return for a guarantee that Kyiv will not join Nato.

Reuters quoted five sources with knowledge of the Kremlin as saying that Putin is open to negotiations with Donald Trump after he is sworn in as US President in January.

They said that Putin may consider withdrawing from small patches of territory in Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions, in north and south Ukraine, but he will not budge from the frontline running through Donbas and then across Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

Putin will also, reportedly, not tolerate any Nato forces in Ukraine patrolling a demilitarised zone.

Two of the sources also said that Joe Bidens decision this week to allow Ukraine to fire Atacms missiles into Russia would make a ceasefire deal more complicated.

Mr Trump reportedly spoke to Putin two weeks ago, the day after his election win, about imposing a peace deal for the war in Ukraine. This has been denied by the Kremlin.

The Kremlin also said on Wednesday that freezing the conflict in Ukraine would not be acceptable to Putin.

10:53 AM GMT

Atacms decision a big mistake, says Erdogan

Washingtons decision to lift restrictions on Ukraines use of US-made long-range missiles inside Russia is a big mistake and could drag the world into a major war, Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said.

This step by Joe Biden will not only escalate the conflict, but will lead to a greater reaction from Russia ... (and) may bring the region and the world to the brink of a major new war, he told journalists on the flight back from the G20 summit in Rio.

10:30 AM GMT

Greece and Spain close embassies in Kyiv

Greece and Spain also closed their embassies in Kyiv over a potential significant air attack on the Ukrainian capital.

10:23 AM GMT

Eric Trump: My dad can end war because Putin respects him

Donald Trumps son said his father could end the war in one day because Putin respects him.

Speaking to PA from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Mr Trump said his father would not send 200 billion dollars over to see young boys blow each others heads off in dirty trenches.

He will end that conflict. You mark my words. He will end that conflict, Mr Trump said.

He also issued a warning about Joe Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to fire long-range missiles inside Russia.

I mean now all of a sudden, long-range missiles are being shot into Russia, the largest nuclear superpower. I dont need to tell you how this could go wrong.

Eric Trump at Trump International Golf Links near Balmedie, Aberdeenshire - PA

10:13 AM GMT

Russia captures frontline village in east Ukraine

Russian forces have claimed the capture of the town of Illinka in eastern Ukraines Donetsk region.

The settlement is located on the northern shore of the embattled Kurakhove reservoir.

It comes after Moscow claimed the capture of Novoselydivka, a village near the strategic town of Kurakhove.

Moscows army is now rapidly advancing in the Donetsk region and closing in on the industrial town of Kurakhove, which had a pre-war population of around 10,000 people.

Russian troops now control territory to the north, east and south of Kurakhove, which lies on the shores of a reservoir.

09:53 AM GMT

Watch: Air raid sirens in Kyiv during Russian attack

An air raid warning was in place across Kyiv for 11 hours overnight, head of the local military administration has said.

Footage showed Ukrainian air defences intercepting Russian targets.

Ruslan Kravchenko said Ukrainian air defences downed all targets, with debris causing damage to a school and three office buildings. There were no reported casualties.

The attack was separate to the one which prompted the US embassy in Kyiv to temporarily close its doors.

09:37 AM GMT

We will lose if US cuts aid, Zelensky warns

Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Ukraine would lose if the US cut its military warned.

We will stay, we will fight. We have our production, but its not enough to prevail and I think its not enough to survive, the Ukrainian president warned.

Mr Zelensky also warned that it would be very dangerous to lose unity in Europe.

09:32 AM GMT

Why Putins repeated nuclear threats could play into Trumps hands

Seldom has the fog of war lain so thick.

The week began with Joe Biden authorising the use of American Atacms missiles inside Russia. Or at least that was what the American papers reported, the White House neither confirmed nor denied the claim.

Initial reports said the permission was restricted to strikes in the Kursk region. But overnight on Tuesday, Ukraine hit a Russian ammunition dump further north in Bryansk.

Then, Vladimir Putin signed into law a revised nuclear doctrine that said America would be considered to have attacked Russia if it assisted Kyiv. But retained exceptionally high thresholds for nuclear use.

So, who is threatening to do what? Should we be frightened or reassured? And should we be ready for a nuclear war?

Read the full story here.

Donald Trump gestures during a bilateral meeting with Russias President Vladimir Putin - REUTERS

09:19 AM GMT

Biden doing everything to prolong war, says Kremlin

Joe Bidens outgoing administration is doing everything to prolong the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

It follows Mr Bidens decision to lift restrictions on Ukraines use of US-made long-range missiles and the provision of anti-personnel mines.

If you look at the trends of the outgoing US administration, they are fully committed to continuing the war in Ukraine and are doing everything they can to do so, Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, told reporters.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy is embraced by US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office in September last year - REUTERS

09:02 AM GMT

Zelensky thanks UK for support

Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the UK for its support after 1,000 days of war.

Replying to a tweet by Sir Keir Starmer, the Ukrainian president said: Thank you, and the entire United Kingdom, for their unwavering support for Ukraine.

The UKs steadfast assistance has been crucial in saving countless lives.

Dear @Keir_Starmer, thank you, and the entire United Kingdom, for their unwavering support for Ukraine. The UK's steadfast assistance has been crucial in saving countless lives.  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 20, 2024

08:51 AM GMT

We are not intimidated by nuclear rhetoric, says France

France is not intimidated by Russias increasing nuclear threats, Paris said on Wednesday.

Jean-Noel Barrot, Frances foreign minister, described them as just rhetoric.

It follows Vladimir Putins decision to lower the threshold for a nuclear strike.

08:19 AM GMT

Russian command post in Belgorod region successfully struck

A Russian command post in the town of Gubkin in Belgorod was successfully struck on Wednesday morning, Ukraines military intelligence has said.

It comes after Ukraine used Atacms missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time on Tuesday.

It is not clear which weapons were used in Wednesday mornings attack.

08:12 AM GMT

In pictures: Demonstration in London to mark 1,000 days of war

Pro-Ukraine supporters carried out a demonstration in London on Tuesday as the country marked 1,000 days of war.

Tuesday marked 1,000 days of the war in Ukraine - Getty Images Europe

08:07 AM GMT

Will the British embassy in Kyiv close?

A Cabinet minister has refused to rule out closing the British embassy in Kyiv following Washingtons decision.

These things will be dealt with by the Ministry of Defence, Peter Kyle, Science and Technology Secretary, told Kay Burley on Sky News.

They are looking very, very carefully at the situation. We will do whatever it takes to keep our people safe. It will be based on the evidence and intelligence we have at any moment.

Pushed further, Mr Kyle did not refuse to rule it out.

As you can imagine, every day we are assessing all of the evidence that intelligence brings to us and our relationship with Kyiv, with the United States, is very, very tight, he added.

07:40 AM GMT

Biden approves anti-personnel mines for Ukraine

Joe Biden has agreed to give anti-personnel land mines to Ukraine, a step that could help slow Russian advances in its east.

It is the latest move by the Biden administration to bolster Ukraines war stocks before Donald Trump takes office on Jan 20.

The US expects Ukraine to use the mines in its own territory, though said it would not use them in densely populated areas.

Ukrainian border guards mine a road in an unknown location in Ukraine - Ukraine Russia Conflict

07:20 AM GMT

US embassy threat comes after Putin nuclear threat

The threat of a potential significant air attack against the US embassy in Kyiv comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Moscow.

Joe Biden has given Ukraine permission to use American-made missiles to fire at targets inside Russia, which Moscow said showed the West wanted to escalate the conflict.

Yesterday, Ukraine used them against a military facility in Russia for the first time.

Vladimir Putins response? Signing a new law lowering the threshold for a nuclear attack.

Moscow can now use nuclear weapons against a non nuclear-armed nation, such as Ukraine, if it is supported by nuclear-armed allies, such as Britain and America.

The US embassy in Kyiv has closed its doors after receiving a threat of a potential significant attack - Future Publishing

07:15 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 news and analysis throughout the day.
Rueben Berg and Ngarra Murray of the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria in April. Berg says there is a huge range of Indigenous expertise to draw on in writing the school curriculum. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

Victorias First Peoples Assembly wants decision-making powers over how the states Indigenous history is taught in schools but says a treaty will not outline specific changes to the curriculum.

The assembly  the states democratically elected Indigenous body  will begin nation-first treaty talks with the Allan government in the coming days. A state-wide treaty  the first of its kind in Australia  will tackle problems affecting First Nations Victorians.

Its co-chair Rueben Berg said he was hopeful the first agreements could be struck by the middle of next year.

Berg, a Gunditjmara man, said curriculum changes could draw on the work of the states Indigenous truth-telling inquiry  the Yoorrook Justice Commission  which will hand down a final report by mid-2025. He said the assembly wanted a treaty to grant it a decision-making role over the curriculum.

Its less so about having written in the treaty exactly what the curriculum will change to and more about saying this is the role that First Peoples will play in that development of that curriculum, he said.

Berg said the assembly could draw on a huge range of expertise from Indigenous Victorians.

The premier, Jacinta Allan, told Yoorrook in April its findings could be embedded in curriculum to ensure all children learn about the states past and about persisting inequalities.

On Thursday, Allan told reporters treaty negotiations would make the state even stronger, even fairer, even more equal for all Victorians.

She said there would be regular updates along the way about the negotiations.

There will be opportunities for the Victorian community, the entire community to follow on with negotiations, she said.

We want everyone to see what is going on.

The assembly has previously flagged expanding its role so it has decision-making powers on issues affecting Indigenous Victorians and can hold the government to account, implementing key recommendations from Yoorrook and an ongoing truth-telling process as other priorities for the treaty.

Related: A perception that Sydney is crass: why The Kyle and Jackie O Show bombed in Melbourne

The 33-member assembly said other proposals included earlier access to seniors cards for First Nations Victorians, community-owned and managed public housing and a public holiday to celebrate Indigenous culture and history.

Berg said the broadened role of the assembly could help ensure that traditional owner groups can determine placenames in their areas. We want to remove some of the barriers that exist in the process of dual-naming, he said.

Berg said he wanted the assemblys enhanced role to include truth-telling, beyond the work of Yoorook. One option could be a focus on place-based truth-telling.

Alongside a state-wide treaty, traditional owner groups will also be able to enter into separate treaties with the state about issues in their areas and priorities for their communities.

Last week Allan said she would not put a timeframe on negotiations. She said their outcomes would need to be passed by the state parliament.

Allan also pointed to the advice of the Productivity Commission and international jurisdictions as evidence that a treaty would lead to better outcomes for First Nations People.

The commission in February published a scathing review of the revamped Closing the Gap agreement which found that state and territory governments had not shared decision-making with Indigenous people.

Victorias opposition withdrew support for the treaty process in January, citing concerns about culture heritage laws, after the defeat of the federal voice to parliament.

It means there is a two-year window for treaty agreements to be secured, under a Labor government supportive of the process, before Victorians head to the polls in November 2026.

This month Queenslands newly elected Liberal-National government ordered the states truth-telling inquiry to cease its work  a policy it took to the election. The inquiry was the first part of the states treaty process.

New South Wales is conducting a treaty consultation process after treaty commissioners were elected this year.

Souths Australias First Nations voice to parliament is expected to lead to a treaty after the process restarted after a pause under the former Liberal government.
Donald Trumps nomination of Pete Hegseth for defence secretary is a challenge to the militarys recent obsession with diversity and inclusion - Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

Decorated combat veteran Pete Hegseths assertion that warfighting should be the only litmus test for Americas armed forces cuts through the noise of political debate to compel a nation to confront the ideological drift within its military institutions.

Hegseths warning  Youve got to get DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] and CRT [critical race theory] out of military academies so youre not training young officers to be baptised in this type of thinking  rings as both a critique and a call to action.

Whether Hegseth is ultimately the right choice for Secretary of Defense is a question for the Senate. Regardless, he raises a question too urgent to dismiss: Is the military being transformed into an institution that prioritises ideological conformity  with a focus on identity politics  over battlefield readiness?

Anyone who suggests that DEI in the ranks is an imaginary problem need only look at real-life examples under the Biden administration.

Shortly after taking office in 2021, Joe Biden signed an executive order opening military service to all transgender individuals. The administration has further entertained scrapping physical fitness tests in the Space Force, potentially lowering standards critical for operational effectiveness.

Even the promotion of senior officers has seemingly been affected by political and ideological considerations. Consider some of those whom Biden has elevated: one who allowed a drag show under his command, another who supported kneeling for the National Anthem, one who called for a dialogue on whiteness, and another who declared that DEI should be in our DNA at the Air Force.

In June 2021, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley told Congress: I want to understand white rage. Meanwhile, Admiral Michael Gilday, Bidens Chief of Naval Operations, added Ibram X Kendis How to Be an Antiracist to the Navys recommended reading list.

Dangers of whiteness

Judicial Watch obtained slides from the West Point curriculum that included lessons on the supposed dangers of whiteness, stating: To understand racial inequality and slavery, it is first necessary to address whiteness.

The offices of Senator Marco Rubio (likely the next Secretary of State) and Representative Chip Roy issued a report in 2022 about the Biden administrations push for DEI policies in the Pentagon. It noted that the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) states diversity and inclusion are operational imperatives.

They found that the SOCOM 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan also says, leaders must integrate diversity and inclusion efforts into unit goals, mission objectives, talent management initiatives, and operational priorities for a successful implementation.

The report from Roy and Rubio further notes: An Air Force Academy slide presentation titled, Diversity & Inclusion: What it is, why we care, & what we can do advises cadets to use gender-neutral language and avoid terms such as mom and dad.

Such policies arent just eye-rolling, but can have practical consequences.

Representative Jim Banks (recently elected to the US Senate), during an October 2023 speech, told the story of a teenage boy who wanted to join the Marines but feared a culture that would denigrate his values. Banks, a Navy Reserve veteran who served in Afghanistan, said, I believe that wokeism is driving people away who would have formerly wanted to serve in our military.

Adult service members are tough enough and smart enough to guard against an onslaught of wokeness. Thats why perhaps the most troubling example comes from the Department of Defense Education Agency, which operates schools for military families at US bases around the world. Training materials for teachers promote the study of privilege, patriarchy, and institutional racism, according to a report published this summer by the fiscal watchdog group Open the Books.

Though there is a clear partisan divide on a woke Pentagon, blame for the problem is bipartisan, as Congress first required the Defense Department to hire a chief diversity officer in 2020.

But the Lefts long march through the institutions began seeping into the military during the Obama administration, with a subtle yet growing emphasis on identity politics. Such policies became far more overt during the Biden presidency.

The militarys embrace of DEI has introduced policies that could distract from its core mission and sow division where unity is paramount. The Senates confirmation of Hegseth would not be the end of this debate; but could very well be a milestone in a larger struggle over military readiness and priorities.

President-elect Donald Trumps nomination of Hegseth reminds Americans what is at stake: a military laser-focused on warfighting, and free from the ideological battles that belong in the political arena, not the battlefield. Anything that undermines the mission of defending the United States should be met with unwavering resistance.

Fred Lucas is manager of the Investigative Reporting Project at The Daily Signal. He is the author of The Myth of Voter Suppression: The Lefts Assault on Clean Elections
Joe Biden is the oldest president while Nancy Pelosi has just filed to run again for Congress - Alex Wong/Getty Images

Gen Z Democrats are moving to oust their ossifying party elders in the hopes that the new generation can help beat Donald Trumps successor in the next presidential race.

Younger Democrats are concerned that the age of some figures, including Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, is discouraging voters.

At 82, Mr Biden is the oldest serving president in US history, and faced intense criticism over his age and mental acuity during his campaign earlier this year.

Democrats are now hoping to line up a younger candidate to lead the party as the chairman of the Democratic National Committee ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

It is a huge problem in the Democratic Party that we have such an ossifying class of leadership that it needs to become a crisis before they leave, one party operative told Politico on Tuesday.

Contenders for the chairmanship include Ben Wikler, a 43-year-old progressive Democrat who allies believe will inject life into the partys headquarters. David Hogg, a Gen Z gun rights activist, is thought to be in contention for deputy chairman.

Ben Wikler could help revive the party if he took over as chairman, some activists believe - Andy Manis/Getty Images for Green New Deal Network

Some party members argue that the age of senior politicians has steadily increased in the last 20 years, shutting potential future leaders out of top jobs.

Michael Barone, an American historian, wrote on Tuesday that the gerontocracy of the Democratic Party was partly to blame for Mr Trumps clean sweep at this months election.

Going back through history, its hard to find a time when a partys leadership was so far along in years, he said in an article for The Lock Haven Express.

Bernie Sanders, 83, has accused the Democrats of abandoning working class voters after their election defeat.

Last week, Ms Pelosi, the 84-year-old former Speaker, provoked controversy after her team filed paperwork that will allow her to seek another congressional term in 2026  39 years after she first won her California district.

Ms Pelosi was involved in the Democratic putsch to remove Mr Biden in July, arguing that his dire poll ratings would make it impossible for him to beat Mr Trump.

The installation of Kamala Harris as the partys nominee in August raised Democrat hopes that she would reverse the decline in support among young voters.

The vice-president, 60, argued during the campaign that she would bring a new generation of leadership to Washington, drawing an implicit comparison with Mr Biden. She also suggested that Mr Trump, who will be 78 at his inauguration, was too old for the job.

However, the results on Nov 5 showed that Gen Z Americans swung to Mr Trump at this election, eroding a key base of Democratic support.
Watch: My friends prostate cancer diagnosis saved my life

A dad-of-three is urging other men to get tested for prostate cancer after revealing how his friend's diagnosis encouraged him to get checked and led to him discovering he had the disease too.

Rupert Crowfoot, 57, from Maidenhead, Berkshire, decided to visit his GP to get tested after speaking to a friend who had recently had his prostate removed. "If I hadn't had that chat with my friend and gone for a check-up my outcome could have been much worse," he explains. "I am very grateful that I had that conversation with my friend and he shared the information with me.

"I have since had the same conversation with a lot of my friends to share my own experience," he continues. "Men need to speak out about their health more - it [prostate cancer] is the biggest cancer killer for men."

Rupert Crowfoot got a test for prostate cancer after learning of his friend's diagnosis. (Rupert Crowfoot/SWNS) (Rupert Crowfoot/SWNS)

In October 2023, Rupert, who is CEO of a physio company, was chatting with his friend, James, who told him he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and had his prostate removed. "My friend, who had been living in Australia for 20 years, had come to visit and mentioned how he was previously diagnosed with prostate cancer and we got talking about it.

Despite having no symptoms, other than feeling slightly "off his normal pace" in terms of energy levels, Rupert made an appointment to see his GP and have a blood test, but the GP also suggested he have a PSA test, a blood test to help check for prostate conditions such as prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate.

Though his blood test was fine his PSA levels highlighted a potential issue, so Rupert was referred for an MRI scan and a biopsy, and, on December 27, 2023, he was given a prostate cancer diagnosis. "In a way I was lucky as I felt like I knew it was coming," he says of the moment. "My consultant had been clear to say that he didn't like the look of the results and the biopsy confirmed that for sure. But it is not something you want to hear. It is always a shock and a body blow, you always think it won't happen to you."

Rupert Crowfoot is urging other men to get tested for prostate cancer following his own diagnosis. (Rupert Crowfoot/SWNS) (Rupert Crowfoot/SWNS)

Rupert underwent a successful operation to remove his prostate in February 2024, but his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels continued to rise, which worried his doctors. Following a PET scan in August this year Rupert was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer in his spine.

"That was the toughest part if I am really honest," he says of his latest diagnosis. "That call I took felt like a punch in the stomach because you think the prostate cancer diagnosis is the worst news you can get. You feel like you have dealt with it and then you find it has spread somewhere else - that was one of my lowest moments."

Rupert is about to start radiotherapy, followed by six weeks of salvage radiotherapy - a cancer treatment for men who have had their prostate removed. "I am trying to remain positive and grateful for everything I can still do," he says of the future. "I am not at the stage where I have lost my health but, I will get to that point and it will be very hard."

His latest diagnosis has led to Rupert having a different perspective on life. "I am trying to make the most of every day," he explains. "It has certainly dialled things up, I am much more appreciative of life and I notice things a lot more."

Rupert is about to start on radiotherapy for stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. (Rupert Crowfoot/SWNS) (Rupert Crowfoot/SWNS)

According to Prostate Cancer UK, one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. On average more than 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year.

"Were so sorry to hear about Ruperts diagnosis of stage 4 prostate cancer, but were inspired by the energy with which he is living life with his diagnosis," says Amy Rylance, assistant director of health improvement at Prostate Cancer UK.

"Ruperts story illustrates just how important it is to talk about this disease, and who is at risk of it. We know that men over 50  or over 45 if you're black or have a family history of prostate cancer  are all at higher risk of getting the disease."

Rupert says he's grateful he had the conversation with his friend. (Rupert Crowfoot/SWNS) (Rupert Crowfoot/SWNS)

What is a PSA test?

You can have a PSA test at your GP surgery. You may be recommended one if youre worried about prostate problems, if youre at increased risk of getting prostate cancer, or if you have symptoms such as problems urinating.

Prostate Cancer UK explains that, if you dont have symptoms, your doctor or practice nurse should talk to you about the advantages and disadvantages of the test before you decide to have one.

If you decide to have one, your GP may suggest also undergoing a physical prostate exam and a urine test to rule out a urine infection. However, you can decide to have a PSA test alone.

The test involves taking a sample of your blood and sending it to a laboratory to be tested. The amount of PSA in your blood will be measured and it can take one to two weeks to get your test results.

PSA is a protein produced by normal cells in the prostate, but also by prostate cancer cells. Its normal to have a small amount of PSA in your blood, and as you get older and your prostate gets bigger, the levels rise slightly.

However, a raised PSA level may suggest you have a problem with your prostate. It may not necessarily be cancer, but your doctor can help investigate it further.

Read more about prostate cancer:
The remains of a baby have been found in a field in Greater Manchester.

Police were called to Ravenscraig Road near Ashtons Field, Salford, at about 1pm on Wednesday after a member of the public discovered the body.

There has been a major police presence at the scene throughout the afternoon, according to reports.

Greater Manchester Police will hold a press conference on Cleggs Lane at about 5.30pm.
Parliaments longest serving MPs, Sir Edward Leigh and Diane Abbott, have made a joint plea for colleagues to reject assisted dying legislation, and allow for more time to consider the immense complexities of the issue.

The Father and Mother of the House are expected to argue there has been insufficient scrutiny of the law in a letter published in The Guardian on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, the letter argues that pressure groups behind the proposed changes could be taking advantage of an inexperienced new Parliament.

Expanding on his argument in the Commons, Sir Edward called for a decision on assisted dying to be made from a state of knowledge.

I would like to know more, and I think the public would like to know more, the Conservative former minister added.

MPs will have the opportunity to debate and likely vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on November 29.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Health Secretary Wes Streeting have revealed they will vote against the Bill.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declined to say which way he will be voting because he does not want to put pressure on other MPs.

In the Commons on Wednesday, Sir Edward warned that older people could feel obligated to choose the option of assisted dying because there are not enough resources to pay for them in the present system.

The MP for Gainsborough said: I do have a dream, and we all have, that in the years to come, when our time comes, we will be given the care that we need. But there is so much doubt and uncertainty about this.

So many people, of course, quite understandably, take a position from a point of principle. They may believe fundamentally from a religious point of view in right to life, or they may have a libertarian point of view, which states that everybody has a right to control their own destiny.

But surely also it is important that if we are to make a decision, which will probably be one of the most important in this Parliament, that we do so from a state of knowledge.

That we have a hospice movement and an NHS which is funded, fully funded, to care for our old people. That we can assure all people that in this country, this civilised nation, we will ensure that the passing of everybody is as painless and as peaceful as possible.

Sir Edward used a ten minute rule motion on the Terminal Illness (Relief of Pain) Bill, to call for the vote on assisted dying to be pushed back by a year or two.

Im moving this (Bill) today deliberately 10 days before the assisted suicide bill is debated, because I want to highlight a real problem: there has simply not been enough time to consider the immense complexities of the issue, he said.

He added: The debate in 10 days time could be seen as a useful airing of the issues. Then in a year or two, we could make a measured and well informed decision.

Father of the House Sir Edward Leigh (Jessica Taylor/PA)

Sir Edward argued the issue should not be brought forward as a Private Members Bill, but as a Government bill, because this would come with an impact assessment.

He added: All hospices currently assist people to die as peacefully and painlessly as possible, they do not do that by administering lethal drugs.

So much of the impetus in favour of assisted suicide comes from an understandable fear of dying in pain. Now, talking to palliative care nurses and doctors, I am told that in nearly every case, experienced practitioners can make our passing bearable.

But I would like to know more, and I think the public would like to know more, and we would like to know more about the passing of people with degenerative diseases.

He continued: We need a national debate on a new social contract for a ballooning, frail and elderly population with multiple health needs.

I have long argued that we can only do so with social insurance, we have to pay more for our care in old age.

But what we do not want is pressure for assisted suicide for old people, because there are not enough resources to pay for them in the present system. Again, we need much more information on this whole area.

Leading barristers including former director of public prosecutions (DPP) Sir Max Hill KC criticised the current system at a meeting organised by the Dignity in Dying campaign group in Parliament later on Tuesday.

Sir Max said there had been 27 cases in the last five years where he was asked to consider charging assisting or encouraging suicide and just one had been charged.

He said the regime as it stands, in which the DPP needs personally to approve the charging of anyone with such an offence, leaves evidential difficulties and a significant cohort of people in a situation of great uncertainty.

Its not as though assisted dying isnt happening. Its definitely happening, and the current regime is not coming anywhere near capturing it. Why? Because for those with money its Dignitas in Switzerland.

For those without, its behind closed doors at home, he said.

Sir Max spoke in favour of the Bill, saying it may be complex but provides greater safeguard and protection than at the moment.

Another barrister, Rebecca Gillanders, spoke of how her mother had wanted to end her life after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer but had suffered despicable turmoil.

James Johnson, a former police officer whose mother chose an assisted death in Switzerland, said keeping the law as it is would mean continuing to financially discriminate against people who cannot afford that option.

It means continuing to sentence people like my mum, who are dying, to intolerable suffering and undignified, sometimes traumatic deaths, he said.
Sir Mo Farah, Keely Hodgkinson, Adam Peaty and Hannah Cockroft are among the Olympic and Paralympic champions who have signed a letter to the Prime Minister demanding he act to put children first.

The document, delivered to Number 10 by four-time Olympic gold medallist Farah on Wednesday morning, urges the Government to bring forward a new national plan to guarantee every child daily opportunities to be physically active.

The Youth Sport Trusts 2024 PE and School Report found that only 47 per cent of children aged 5-18 are meeting the UKs chief medical officers recommended daily activity levels  a number that drops to 19 per cent of children aged one to five.

We have to do something, Farah told the PA news agency. If you dont do something now, kids dont have a choice. But we have a choice and by us not reacting to this its huge.

The father-of-four wants to see more done in schools (Martin Rickett/PA)

(My message) to Government is I want to see changes. Weve got to see changes. If we dont make these changes, we will just continue to have a problem with mental health, obesity, problems with the NHS.

We need to react now and be able to give kids an opportunity to be active and give them the chance to play. That is the key.

The distance runner two years ago revealed he had been trafficked to the UK as a child before eventually becoming a four-time Olympic and six-time world champion.

Now a father of four, Farah added: Sport teaches you to get in with others. It teaches you to be disciplined, it teaches you to things you dont learn every day in class.

I couldnt speak a word of English. I was child trafficked to the UK. I struggled. The only way out was sport and sport has helped me become the man I am.

School PE is at the heart of the athletes proposed reforms, but the Youth Sport Trust found less than a third of teachers (30 per cent) and parents (31 per cent) are currently aware of the recommended minimum one-hour-per-day requirement.

One in five children in England are overweight or obese by the time they are five years old, while ParalympicsGB data revealed just a quarter of the 1.5 million disabled children  15 per cent of the school population  in Great Britain say they regularly take part in sport at school.

Girls also continue to be less active than boys, while those from low-affluence backgrounds remain especially vulnerable to missing out.

Nine-time Paralympic champion wheelchair racer Cockroft told PA: We sit there and we question, Why is the NHS in trouble? Why are obesity numbers higher than ever? Why are all these children depressed? Why do they not have the friendship groups that we used to have?

The answer is sport. Sport is the answer to pretty much every problem this country has right now when it comes to children.

I was one of those children. I was sat on the side in PE lessons. I was the one that just wasnt involved. Obviously there was a reason behind it, because I have a disability, but thats not a reason at all.

Thirty years ago, that was a reason. More so now than ever, there is no reason for that to be happening. We just had a record-breaking Olympic and Paralympic Games and everywhere you could watch it wherever you wanted.

Cockroft is a nine-time Paralympic champion (Andrew Matthews/PA)

We had new heroes come through, we have new idols for these kids to look up to and yet we still have these frightening numbers.

Without those kids getting involved in sport, we have no Olympic or Paralympic champions of the future.

The full list of signatories also includes Dame Sarah Storey, Sir Max Whitlock, Georgia Bell, Nathan Maguire and Bianca Williams.
Tulisa Contostavlos told her Im A CelebrityGet Me Out Of Here! campmates that her life fell apart after she was arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs in 2013.

The charges against the N-Dubz star were later dismissed after prosecution witness fake sheikh journalist Mazher Mahmood was found guilty of tampering with evidence, during her 2014 trial.

2013 was the year I was set up by a British newspaper, for concern in the selling of class A drugs, she told fellow campmate Oti Mabuse.

Former N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos gives a statement outside Southwark Crown Court after her trial over drugs allegations collapsed (Justin Tallis/PA)

The guys name was Mahmood and basically, I was approached by a big movie company and they sent me a tweet or a DM from their official account to audition me for a movie role

Id dabbled in acting, so this opportunity for me was huge.

Contostavlos said the role was offering 3.5 million and she was flown out for meetings with producers in Las Vegas with first class flights, limousines (and) five star hotels.

I found out it was a lie, she told former Strictly Come Dancing star Mabuse.

So I was told, as I wasnt an actress, I was less likely to get the role and the only reason I would get it is if I was the girl in the role, and the girl in the role was this bad girl from London who was constantly up to naughtiness, rolling with gangs, up to all kinds of naughty stuff.

Fake Sheikh Mazher Mahmood, who was jailed for tampering with evidence in the collapsed drugs trial of pop star Tulisa Contostavlos (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Contostavlos said they had me dangling on the end of a string, claiming every time she met with the team theyd tell her we need some drugs.

After months and months, eventually they got a number and it was of someone that wasnt even a drug dealer, it was an aspiring movie producer and I wanted to make a hook up as well for that person, but I didnt know anyone that could do that, she said.

The long story short is they ended up ordering 800 worth of cocaine from the number that I had given them.

Then before I knew it, I was being arrested in the concern of the selling of Class A drugs and I was facing four years in prison.

Contostavlos revealed she lost all my endorsements over the incident.

My life fell apart, she said.

The 36-year-old continued: When it came to the trial, Id had a conversation with one of their drivers, I was being recorded but I didnt know, I was saying how anti-drugs I am, so they were very aware of my feelings towards drugs.

Contostavlos said the driver initially gave a statement confirming she was anti-drugs, however she claimed that as the trial loomed the journalist forced him to change his statement.

In 2016, Mr Mahmood was jailed for 15 months tampering with evidence in the collapsed drugs trial of pop star Contostavlos following a two-week trial at the Old Bailey.

Wednesdays episode also saw podcaster GK Barry and Dean McCullough take on the bushtucker trial, Drown In The Dumps.

The pair failed to unlock any stars and went back to camp empty-handed.

The end of the episode saw Love Island star Maura Higgins and writer-turned-broadcaster Reverend Richard Coles revealed as late entries into camp.

Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! continues on ITV1 and ITVX.
An interview on Russian television with suspects in the Salisbury poisonings was shocking and welcome, a senior police officer has said.

Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov denied being the culprits and said they were tourists who wanted to visit Salisbury Cathedral, during the interview on RT in September 2018.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Polices Counter Terrorism Command, was asked on Wednesday by the lead counsel to the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry if the interview came as something of a surprise.

Mr Murphy replied: Surprise is probably quite an understatement.

It was quite a shocking thing to see actually, and unexpected, but equally for various reasons quite welcome for them to go on TV like that.

He added: To firstly strongly indicate it was them in those photographs is helpful, because clearly it demonstrates that the photos we have of them are the same.

So unexpected and surprising in that respect to see them do that.

Dawn Sturgess died after being exposed to Novichok, which was left in a discarded perfume bottle (Family handout/Home Office/PA)

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, his daughter Yulia and former police officer Nick Bailey were poisoned by Novichok in the Wiltshire city in March 2018.

Dawn Sturgess, 44, died on July 8 2018 after she was exposed to the nerve agent, which was left in a discarded perfume bottle in nearby Amesbury, Wiltshire.

Mr Murphy said the account Petrov and Boshirov gave of their time in the UK was very different from the movements we actually saw and not at all consistent with those of a tourist in Salisbury, with the pair spending most of their time in residential areas.

He added that the men had suggested they could not use public transport because of wintry conditions, which of course they did, for their journey down and their return journey.

Mr Murphy said the Nina Ricci-branded perfume box believed to contain the bottle of Novichok was similar in size to a cigarette box.

Ruslan Boshirov, left, and Alexander Petrov in Salisbury on March 4 2018 (Metropolitan Police/PA)

He said neither the box, nor the bottle or its parts were genuine items, adding that the nozzle was extremely unusual and designed to distance the operator from its contents.

The officer said that from the start of the investigation there had been a publicly delivered narrative by senior members of the political system in Russia seeking to distance themselves from any involvement in what was happening.

He added: At one point even suggesting that in fact this was something that had been conducted by the UK in order to be able to suggest that it was Russia, and blame them for something that we had done ourselves as part of a bizarre intelligence operation.

Mr Murphy said Boshirovs real identity was believed to be Anatoliy Vladimirovich Chepiga.

He added that this was based on visa applications and financial documents, open source information from the website of a Russian military school, and images from a wedding showing a likeness between Boshirov and Chepiga.

The officer said an image of Chepiga bearing a strong resemblance to Boshirov was pictured on a wall of heroes at a military school in the town of Blagoveshchensk, in the far east of Russia.

The home of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal on Christie Miller Road in Salisbury (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Discussing the award, Mr Murphy said: I understand its appointed by the president of Russia and is one of Russias highest awards for its citizens, particularly in the military.

He added that there was evidence to suggest the school may have been local to where Boshirov grew up.

Mr Murphy said Boshirov was also believed to have been identified in photos from the wedding of the daughter of Russian military intelligence (GRU) leader Andrei Averyanov, at Lake Senezh near a military base north of Moscow in July 2017.

He told the inquiry that the seating plan of the wedding included the name Aleksei Chepiga, adding it was likely a shortened name or nickname.

Mr Murphy said: Importantly, whilst the individual that appears to be Boshirov is at the wedding, the Boshirov name does not feature in the table plan.

The officer said Boshirov and Petrov had replicated details, including account numbers and bank balances, on separate visa applications.

The Nina Ricci-branded perfume box believed to contain the bottle of Novichok (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Mr Murphy said the suspects tried to use as much original detail as possible in applications so theyre able to remember it.

The officer said Petrovs real identity was believed to be Alexander Mishkin, who worked as a doctor for the GRU.

The inquiry was shown images of passports in the name of Petrov and Mishkin which both had the same date of birth, July 13 1979, and the same place of birth, Arkhangelsk.

Discussing GRU unit 29155, of which Petrov and Boshirov are believed to be members, Mr Murphy said it was frequently reported to have been involved in operations across the world.

He added: Either destabilising operations and in some cases widely reported other poisonings or attacks, or other covert information activity on behalf of the Russian government.

Mr Murphy said reporting by the investigative group Bellingcat helped us to understand who Chepiga really was.

The inquiry heard that the name of third suspect Sergey Fedotov was an alias for GRU officer Denis Sergeev.

Mr Murphy said mobile phone data showed Fedotov spent significant periods of time in Moscow near premises used by GRU unit 29155.

The inquiry was shown a map of the three suspects travels in 2014 which detailed them frequently flying from Moscow to Milan and then travelling to Geneva before flying back to Russia.

The inquiry was also told that Petrov and Boshirov visited London and stayed in the City Stay Hotel, Bow, in December 2016.

In February 2017, Fedotov travelled on the Eurostar from Paris to London, while on the same day Petrov flew from Moscows Sheremetyevo airport to Heathrow airport.

Discussing the travel, Mr Murphy said: It is my view that this was operational travel conducted as part of their role within 29155 and as members of the GRU, both as individuals and together as a group.

Mr Murphy said investigators had worked with the Czech authorities in relation to an investigation into explosions at ammunition factories in the Czech Republic in 2014.

The officer added that it had been a very challenging investigation to lead and of a scale and complexity that Im not sure we have seen before even considering the Litvinenko investigation.

The inquiry continues.
Storm Shadow missiles supplied to Ukraine by Britain have been used in Russia, according to reports.

Wreckage from one of the long-range weapons has been found in Russias Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, several media outlets have said.

Storm Shadows use in Russia comes a day after Moscow said American long-range weapons had been fired into its territory.

(PA Graphics)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has lowered the threshold for using nuclear weapons, after US President Joe Biden gave Kyiv permission to fire US ATACMS long-range missiles into Russia.

Downing Street would not comment on the reports.

Number 10 has previously refused to comment on any changes in policy about allowing Kyiv to use long-range missiles in Russia.

In the House of Commons, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge raised a point of order, asking whether ministers were expected to make a statement on the reports.

Defence Secretary John Healey had earlier told MPs he had spoken with his counterpart in Kyiv on Tuesday where they discussed the UKs plan to support Ukraine.

Mr Healey told the Commons on Wednesday: Weve seen over recent weeks significant change in the action and in the rhetoric on Ukraine, and Ukraines action on the battlefield speaks for itself.

We as a nation and as a Government are doubling down on our support for Ukraine and determined to do more. I discussed this with (Ukrainian) minister (Rustem) Umerov in a call yesterday where he talked about the robust response that Ukraine is making to recent Russian escalations.

John Healey said ministers are doubling down on our support for Ukraine (PA)

Labour MP Alex Ballinger, who previously served with the Royal Marines, said he hopes the Storm Shadow missiles can take the fight to the Russians.

The MP for Halesowen said it is completely right to say that defence of the UK starts in Ukraine, telling the Commons: It is excellent to hear about the military support that we are providing to Ukraine, including the Storm Shadow missiles that we are hearing about in the media at the moment.

I trained on those weapons and I hope that they can really take the fight to the Russians.

His remarks came as MPs supported the Financial Assistance to Ukraine Bill at second reading.

The Bill allows the UK Government to provide loans and other financial assistance to Ukraine.

The UKs contribution to the G7 group of nations loan package is 2.26 billion.

Earlier on Wednesday, the US closed its embassy in Kyiv because of a potential significant air attack by Mr Putins forces.

Britains mission to Ukraine remains open, but the Foreign Office said the safety of staff and British nationals is of paramount importance and the posture and travel advice will be kept under review.

The embassy in Kyiv has been operating a limited diplomatic function in recent months and not providing in-person consular assistance.
A man who was kidnapping a 1-year-old baby and being pursued by police in southwestern Iowa caused a car crash that killed two teenagers, police say.

The Fremont County Sheriff's Office got a report just after 6 a.m. Sunday about a hospitalized woman who had experienced a domestic assault, the agency said in a news release. The woman told deputies that an acquaintance had kidnapped her and her baby across the state line in Nebraska, and that he was "suicidal and homicidal."

She said the man drove her and the baby to Iowa, where he dropped her off at a hospital in Hamburg before leaving with the baby.

At some point, troopers with the Iowa State Patrol began pursing the man, who was in a 2023 Kia Sorento. Deputies tried intercepting the pursuit when the man began driving in the wrong lanes and speeding, the sheriff's office said. They say the man tried hitting the pursuing deputies with the Kia before he drove the vehicle across another state line into Missouri, the agency said.

Soon after that, the Kia collided with a 2013 Ford Focus on Interstate 29 in Missouri in a crash that triggered another collision between a semi truck and a Chevy Tahoe driven by a Fremont County deputy. The alleged kidnapper driving the Kia was killed, as were two 18-year-olds from Kearney, Missouri, in the Ford Focus, KMBC-TV reported, citing local law enforcement.

Neither the Fremont County Sheriff's Office nor the Missouri State Highway Patrol have responded to USA TODAY to confirm the deaths.

Focus on city road with blurred police car red and blue lights in the distance.

Baby rescued from car on fire

After the car crashes, A Fremont County deputy rescued the baby from inside the burning Kia, and the baby was airlifted to a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, with non-life-threatening injuries, the sheriff's office said.

It's unclear whether the baby has been reunited with their mother.

The Fremont County deputy hit by the Volvo was treated and released from a local hospital.

Kearney Mayor Randy Pogue: 'I offer my deepest sympathies'

Kearney Mayor Randy Pogue shared his condolences with the families of the teenagers who were killed, saying their deaths have "shaken our community."

"May courage and hope be the steadfast companions of both families, friends, and all who mourn. Praying for you all," he said.

The Kearney School District told KMBC News that the teens involved in the crash were class of 2024 graduates and not current students.

"The Kearney High School team is aware of this tragic event and the counselors are prepared to provide additional guidance and support as needed," according to a district statement obtained by the TV station.

Authorities have not identified the deceased kidnapping suspect or the 18-year-olds.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man who kidnapped baby in Nebraska crashes, killing 2 Missouri teens
These tips will transform any sandwich from subpar to superb.

Food & Wine / Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell

Its time to say goodbye to sad sandwiches. No more flavorless ham and cheeses on floppy bread. No more soggy subs. No more clubs that fall apart as soon as you pick them up. Sure, you should be able to throw a sandwich together quickly and with whatever you have in the fridge, but that doesnt mean it should be an afterthought. Becoming a better sandwich-maker is easier than you think; you just need to look to follow the lead of your favorite sandwich shop

For tips on how to improve our sandwich making skills, we reached out to the best in the biz  chefs known for creating some of the most innovative, delicious, and inspiring sandwiches in the country. Read on for ten easy ways to turn your everyday sandwiches extraordinary.



Related: The Best Sandwich in Every State

Season along the way

When were cooking, its common practice to season as we go. Sandwich-making is no exception. You need to season with salt and pepper along the way, starting with the bread, says Trevor Kunk, culinary director of Shy Bird in Boston. If youre toasting the bread, spread it with your fat of choice (mayo, butter, or olive oil) and add a sprinkle of salt before it even hits the griddle. This will easily take your bread from a three to a 3,000 in a matter of moments.

Rest your bread

One of the most popular sandwiches at Turkey and the Wolf in New Orleans is fried bologna made with big toast  thickly cut, toasted white bread. Toasted bread is one of my favorite flavors, says chef and owner Mason Hereford. And when you have a thick-cut piece, you are going to get crispy on the outside, but on the inside, youll have that softer chew. To prevent that bread from becoming a floppy mess the moment it hits the other hot ingredients, Hereford suggests letting the toasted bread rest on a wire rack for 30 seconds. Because the air is able to go around the bread, itll have time to cool down so the center wont steam.

Balance is everything

At Wax Paper in Los Angeles, co-owners Lauren and Peter Lemos strive to make sandwiches that hit all sides of your taste buds. Something sour, sweet, bitter, salty, [and umami-forward], says Peter. I want to make sure that all those points are connected when you eat it. Its might sound like a lot to balance, but those flavors can show up in subtle and unexpected ways, like pickled onions for a sour flavor, balsamic glaze for sweetness, tomatoes for umami, bitter greens, and flakey sea salt  now youve got yourself a great sandwich.



Related: Make the Over-the-Top Sandwiches of Your Dreams

Texture is important

One way to elevate an otherwise average sandwich is to add a crunch factor. Toast your bread, add a crunchy vegetable like alfalfa sprouts or cabbage, or throw in a pile of potato chips  a pro move inspired by Turkey and the Wolfs bologna sandwich. Just keep things interesting from bite to bite, says Lemos.

Consider how youre chopping and slicing your ingredients

How you prepare your sandwich ingredients are almost as important as the ingredients themselves. Matt Cahn, chef and owner of Middle Child in Philadelphia, generally only includes big, chunky ingredients for more simple sandwiches. For example, hed use whole cornichons in a jambon-beurre (ham on a buttered baguette). Theres not much else going on so youll get a lot of the crunch, he says. But for Middle Childs colossal Shopsin Club, Cahn goes with paper-thin slices of sweet pickles that easily meld into the layers of house turkey, cranberry miso mayo, avocado, bacon, and bibb lettuce.

Be generous with your sauce

Its easy to be hasty with mayo or mustard, messily smearing it onto bread before adding the other ingredients. But according to Kunk, one of the keys to an excellent sandwich is spreading your condiments with intention. You always want to make sure you are spreading it to all edges of the bread and allowing a little extra to fall into any nooks and crannies the bread might have, says Kunk. This technique ensures that every single bite tastes the same and avoids any possibility of having a sad, dry crust.

Keep the main ingredient at the base

When building your sandwich from the bottom-up, you always want to keep the main ingredient at the base, says Kunk. This could be a roasted protein, a fried piece of eggplant, fish, or a salad of some type. Not only does this guarantee that the main ingredient will hit your tongue before the other toppings, it also will anchor your sandwich. The more heavier ingredients up top, the more likely your sandwich will topple over like Jenga. But if its a bigger sandwich and there are lots of veggies, then I like to take one that I think would cause structural integrity and move it to the bottom, adds Cahn.

Related: 40 Sandwiches to Sink Your Teeth Into

Use a third piece of bread to soak up the sauce

If youre working with an especially juicy or saucy meat such as brisket or leftover Thanksgiving turkey smothered in gravy, this hack could save you from a soggy sandwich. [At Turkey and the Wolf], use a third slice of bread, like in a club sandwich, and well purposely let that bread soak everything up, says Hereford. He uses this technique  what hes coined as the soaker slice  in Turkey and the Wolfs Collard Green Melt to protect the rest of the sandwich from getting overly soggy and to separate the collards from the crunchy cole slaw.

Dont try too hard

According to Cahn, the biggest mistake you can make when preparing a sandwich is trying too hard. When I was developing our Italian hoagie, I brought it to my buddys house, he recalls. I made pickled red onions and relish and I had this really nice provolone. But when we ate it, I remember being so disappointed because the ingredients were just fighting with each other. To avoid this mistake, Cahn suggests building the sandwich around one ingredient and letting it be the main character. This will save you time and money and, ultimately, will give you a better end result.

Use toothpicks

Worried about your sandwich falling apart before you can even take a bite? Dont underestimate the power of a toothpick. At Middle Child, Cahn uses toothpicks in all of his sandwiches, whether its on toast or a six-foot hoagie roll. For cutting those extra large sandwiches, Cahn uses lots and lots of toothpicks, to hold the sandwich together, and a serrated knife to slice as close to the bottom as possible. Then somebody follows it with a kitchen knife and cuts the last little bit of crusty bread, he says. Its definitely a two-man job if you want to get it done right.
Singer Billie Eilish sent her condolences to the families and friends of two Missouri concertgoers who were killed during a multi-state pursuit of a man who allegedly kidnapped a 1-year-old baby and its mother.

Lucy Yeates and Kole Cunningham, both age 18 from Kearney, Missouri, were killed while on their way to Eilish's concert in Omaha, Nebraska, according to a GoFundMe organized by Mckinley Yeates, who identified herself as Lucy Yeates' cousin.

"My sweet cousins and their friend got into a fatal car accident on their way to Omaha to see Billie Eilish in concert. Sadly Kole, and Lucy didnt make it," Mckinley Yeates wrote on the fundraiser page.

Aubrey Yeates, the 18-year-old sister of Lucy Yeates, was also involved in the accident and is currently hospitalized after undergoing "much care and procedures," according to the GoFundMe, which has raised over $17,110.

Eilish learned of the teenagers' deaths when a fan account on Instagram called @billieeilishtours shared the GoFundMe. The "bad guy" singer commented on the post, saying, "Sending so much love to the families. so heartbreaking.

Eilish performed at CHI Health Center Arena in Omaha on Sunday night.

Singer Billie Eilish sent 'so much love' to the families of two Kearney, Missouri teen concertgoers who were killed during a police chase on Sunday.

Crash: 2 Missouri 18-year-olds killed during pursuit of man who kidnapped baby, mother

What happened to the Kearney, Missouri teenagers?

The Fremont County Sheriff's Office in southwestern Iowa first received a report just after 6 a.m. on Sunday about a hospitalized woman who had experienced a domestic assault, the agency said in a news release. The woman told deputies that an acquaintance had kidnapped her and her 1-year-old baby across the state line in Nebraska and that he was "suicidal and homicidal."

Fremont County deputies, along with troopers with the Iowa State Patrol, began pursuing the man who was driving with the baby in a 2023 Kia Sorento, the sheriff's office said. At some point during the pursuit, the man drove the Kia across the state line into Missouri, according to the release.

Soon after entering Missouri, the Kia collided with a 2013 Ford Focus on Interstate 29 in a crash that triggered another collision between a Volvo semi-truck and a Chevy Tahoe driven by a Fremont County deputy, the sheriff's office said. The alleged kidnapper driving the Kia was killed, as were Lucy Yeates and Kole Cunningham, in the Ford Focus, KMBC-TV reported, citing local law enforcement.

The 1-year-old baby was rescued from the burning Kia and airlifted to a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, with non-life-threatening injuries, the sheriff's office said.

Authorities have not identified the deceased alleged kidnapper.

Kearney Mayor Randy Pogue: 'I offer my deepest sympathies'

In addition to Eilish, Kearney Mayor Randy Pogue also offered condolences to the families of Lucy Yeates and Kole Cunningham, saying their deaths have "shaken our community."

"In times of sorrow, I offer my deepest sympathies to the Cunningham and Yeates families," Pogue wrote in a Facebook post shared on Monday. "May courage and hope be the steadfast companions of both families, friends, and all who mourn. Praying for you all," he said.

The Kearney School District told KMBC News that the Yeates and Cunningham were class of 2024 graduates and not current students.

"The Kearney High School team is aware of this tragic event and the counselors are prepared to provide additional guidance and support as needed," according to a district statement obtained by the Kansas City, Missouri-based TV station.

Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Teens killed in crash on the way to Billie Eilish concert; singer responds
(Getty Images for ITF)

Italy and surprise package Slovakia clash in the final of the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup as two former champion nations collide.

The 2002 winners continued their remarkable week in Malaga as they fought back from 1-0 down to beat Great Britain, with Rebecca Sramkova showing her battling spirit having been a set behind against Katie Boulter.

Italy, meanwhile, are four time winners of this competition and were runners-up last year. They will be confident of going one better this after a semi-final win against Iga Swiatek and Poland.

Jasmine Paolini has enjoyed an excellent 2024 and will hope to cap her breakthrough year with team silverware.

Heres everything you need to know.

When is Italy vs Slovakia?

The Billie Jean King Cup final is due to start at 4pm GMT on Wednesday 20 November at the Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the tie live via the BBC Red Button, or online via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.

If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad youll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

What is the format?

The final will be contested over two singles matches and a doubles decider if required.

Teams

Italy (ranking) Slovakia (ranking) Captain: Tathiana Garbin Captain: Matej Liptak Jasmine Paolini (4) Rebecca Sramkova (43) Elisabetta Cocciaretto (54) Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (110) Lucia Bronzetti (78) Viktoria Hruncakova (241) Sara Errani (105 - singles; 8 - doubles) Renata Jamrichova (375) Martina Trevisan (126 - singles; 338 - doubles) Tereza Mihalikova (42  doubles)

Odds

Italy 1/3

Slovakia 5/2

The Independent vets betting sites for useability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.

We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
College student Jimena Sanchez, right, who studies children's development works as a part-time cashier earning minimum wage at a family store, in Los Angeles on Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Voters in California have rejected a ballot measure that would have raised the state minimum wage to $18 per hour by 2026, the highest in the country.

Opponents, including the California Chamber of Commerce, said it would have increased costs, led to higher taxes and pushed businesses to cut jobs.

With the economy and costs top of mind for many voters this election, that message appears to have resonated, said Jennifer Barrera, the chambers president and CEO.

Proponents estimated that the measure would have benefited 2 million workers, including hotel and grocery employees.

Proposition 32s failure to pass is disappointing for all Californians who believe that everyone who works should earn enough to support their families, said Kathy Finn, president of UFCW 770, a Southern California union representing nearly 30,000 workers in various sectors.

The current minimum wage rates are $16 per hour for most workers and $20 in the fast-food sector. The health care sector will eventually see its minimum wage reach $25 per hour under a law that Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last year and took effect in October.

Hawaii passed a law in 2022 to gradually increase the statewide minimum wage to $18 an hour, but it does not take effect until 2028.

In 2016, California became the first state to pass a $15 hourly minimum wage under a law signed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, also a Democrat. About 40 cities and counties already have minimum wages higher than the statewide rate, and six of them require minimums above $18 per hour as of this year.
The carcass of the juvenile female whale, measuring almost 47 feet, was found Saturday night along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Anchorage.

Note: This article may contain content that is distressing to some.

An endangered fin whale washed up near a coastal trail in Alaska attracting dozens of curious observers as wildlife biologists investigated the reason behind the marine animal's death.

The carcass of the juvenile female whale, measuring almost 47 feet, was found Saturday night along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Anchorage, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) spokesperson Jennifer Angelo told USA TODAY Wednesday. The next day, Sunday, NOAA biologists and stranding network members responded to this endangered fin whale to examine the carcass and collect samples.

The second-largest whale species after blue whales, fin whales are classified as endangered species, according to NOAA. A fully grown whale can reach up to 85 feet long and weigh between 40 and 80 tons. The mammal, that gets its name from the fin on its back, near its tail, is found in oceans across the world. However, their existence is threatened by strikes with vessels, entanglements in fishing gear, underwater noise, and the effects of climate change, NOAA says.

While fin whales are typically found in deep, offshore waters in open seas, away from the coast, primarily in temperate to polar latitudes, as per NOAA, NOAA biologist Barbara Mahoney told USA TODAY recent high tides may have thrust the animal, "a yearling or a juvenile" estimated to be around 1 to 3 years old, further into the Knik Arm, a waterway into the northwestern part of the Gulf of Alaska.

NOAA biologists examine the carcass of the juvenile female whale, measuring almost 47 feet, that was found along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Anchorage, Alaska.

Angelo said NOAA biologists and Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services staff anchored the carcass to the shore Sunday and spent the next three days extracting skin and blubber samples from the whale to determine the cause behind its death. Mahoney told USA TODAY the whale had no external wounds or gashes, so they are "unsure of exactly what happened." Still, NOAA biologists collected urine and blood samples, heart tissues, baleen samples and whatever they could for examination.

"We collected what we could, where we could," Mahoney said. "It (was) very hard to get samples. It's very difficult to tell if you're cutting into the meat or the muscles, or cutting into bone, because it all feels hard (and) is just so big."

A NOAA biologist extracts a sample from an endangered fin whale that washed ashore in Anchorage, Alaska.

Marine animal death: Federal authorities investigating after 'butchered' dolphin found ashore New Jersey beach

People line up to see, touch whale

While biologists work to understand the cause of the animal's death, hundreds of people, including families and students, trekked across the mud flats in cold, windy conditions to see the animal and touch it. However, no one was allowed to take any part of the whale unless they were an Alaska Native doing it for subsistence or use in handicrafts, Angelo said.

Among the dozens of visitors was Daisy Grandlinard, who brought a group of children to see the whale Monday.

"It was really interesting for the kids to be able to feel it, touch the bottom because it kind of had tracks on it, like a sled almost. And just to see the size of it, that was pretty cool," Grandlinard told Anchorage Daily News. "We had already studied whales a couple of weeks ago, so it was fun to see one in person and say, 'Oh, that's what the baleen looks like in real life,' and 'Where is the blow hole?'"

People line up to see the carcass of the juvenile female whale, measuring almost 47 feet, was found along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Anchorage, Alaska.

While biologists untied the carcass Tuesday night after the post-mortem was conducted to let nature take its course, Mahoney said the body is still on the shore and it would be a while before it moves given the weather and tides.

"The freezing temperatures, tides, and limited day length has been challenging, and human safety is always a priority during any stranding response," NOAA said.

To report an injured or stranded whale, contact NOAA Fisheries Alaska Statewide 24-hour Stranding Hotline at (877) 925-7773.

This story was updated to add more information and images.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dead fin whale washes ashore a coastal trail in Anchorage, Alaska
Corrections & clarifications: This story has been updated to reflect the U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly aiming to force a sale of Google Chrome.

The U.S. Department of Justice aims to force the sale of Google Chrome, which could fetch as much as $20 billion if a federal judge agrees to the browser's sale, Bloomberg reported, a potentially huge blow to the world's second-largest technology company.

The fate of the Chrome browser owned by Alphabet Inc., the parent holding company of Google, is in the hands of U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who ruled in August that Google illegally monopolized the search market, according to the memorandum opinion obtained by USA TODAY.

Alphabet Inc. paying a total of $26 billion in 2021 to make Chrome the default option on smartphones and web browsers blocked other competitors from succeeding in the same market, Mehta ruled, per Bloomberg News, which cited people familiar with the plans.

"Googles dominance has gone unchallenged for well over a decade," according to Mehta's memorandum opinion. "Googles distribution agreements foreclose a substantial portion of the general search services market and impair rivals opportunities to compete."

USA TODAY contacted Google's attorneys and the Justice Department on Wednesday but did not immediately receive a response.

Done with X? How to delete your Twitter account in a few easy steps.

States join in on antitrust suit against Google

The Justice Department asked Mehta to set requirements for Google's artificial intelligence and Android smartphone operating system, Bloomberg reported, citing "people familiar with the plans."

Antitrust officials and states that have joined the suit filed by the original plaintiff, Colorado, plan to recommend on Wednesday that Mehta enforce data licensing requirements, Bloomberg reported, again citing the people who asked not to be named.

Some of the states that have joined the suit include Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, Texas, South Carolina, Montana, Florida, Mississippi, Wisconsin, California, Michigan, Arkansas, Washington, Florida, Louisiana and Kentucky, court records show.

The next status conference for the case is on Nov. 26, District of Columbia court records show.

What would the sale of Google Chrome mean?

Google selling Chrome would affect the company's advertising business. Alphabet Inc. currently has a market capitalization of more than $2 trillion, and "much of that value is due to Googles extremely profitable advertising business," according to Mehta's memorandum opinion.

Chrome is the most used browser in the U.S., with 61% of the market, according to web traffic analytics firm StatCounter. Google Search has over 88% of the search engine market in the U.S., the firm said.

Google also used Chrome to direct people to Gemini, the company's flagship AI product, which could go from an answer-bot to an assistant that follows users around the web, Bloomberg reported.

"The integration of generative AI is perhaps the clearest example of competition advancing search quality," Mehta's memorandum opinion reads.

If the sale goes through, Chrome would be worth at least $15-$20 billion, given it has over 3 billion monthly active users, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Mandeep Singh said.

"Its not directly monetizable, Bob ODonnell of TECHnalysis Research told Bloomberg about Chrome. It serves as a gateway to other things. Its not clear how you measure that from a pure revenue-generating perspective.

Google: DOJ pushing a 'radical agenda'

Lee-Anne Mulholland, Googles vice president of regulatory affairs, told USA TODAY in a statement on Wednesday that the Justice Department continues to push a radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case."

"The government putting its thumb on the scale in these ways would harm consumers, developers and American technological leadership at precisely the moment it is most needed," Mulholland said.

During President-elect Donald Trump's first term, he led the Justice Department's antitrust suit against Google in 2020 after it deemed the company used illegal tactics and strategies to monopolize search engines. It is unclear if Trump will continue to support the DOJ's efforts against Google.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Google Chrome sale? DOJ proposing forced sale of browser
The Australian supermodel reflected on her relationship with alcohol in her new book Elle: Life, Lessons & Learning to Trust Yourself

Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Elle Macpherson attends the Harper's Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards 2023 at Cines Callao on November 15, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.

Elle Macpherson is speaking candidly about her past addiction to alcohol.

In her new book Life, Lessons & Learning to Trust Yourself, released Tuesday, Nov. 19, the 60-year-old Australian supermodel detailed how her life looked perfect from the outside, and that very few knew of her inner struggles.

My life looked amazing to everybody. On the outside I was doing a beautiful job but, deep down inside, I was really struggling, she wrote, per Page Six.

In 2003, Macpherson gave birth to her son Cy with then-partner, French financier Arpad Arki Busson. They also share another son, Flynn, whom they welcomed in 1998.

After Cy was born, Macpherson was gifted a bottle of champagne. Her naturopaths advised her against indulging in the bubbly drink soon after birth, as her hormones would be all over the place. Despite the warning, she said, All I could think about was that bottle of champagne in the ice bucket while holding her newborn in her arms.

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Elle Macpherson attends the Christian Dior Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 26, 2023 in Paris, France.

Related: Elle MacPherson Stuns on Her First Runway Walk in 14 Years

Macpherson experienced anxiety due to Flynns frequent hospital visits and Arkis frequent travels.

In the evenings, after I put him to bed, Id find myself relaxing with a vodka, she wrote, detailing a revelation made in an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting.

Macpherson considered going to rehab following the 2000 Olympics in Sydney when she was supposed to take part in the closing ceremony but she drunk enough champagne or vodka to calm my nerves that it had disoriented me.

Arki also discouraged Macpherson from going to rehab, she writes. I think he was afraid. He didnt want me to be away from him and I think he was also afraid of change.

As Macpherson puts it, she was in a horrible downward spiral trying to balance her relationship, motherhood, and work.

James D. Morgan/Getty Elle Macpherson attends the AO Inspirational Series lunch to celebrate women's semifinal day at the Australian Open on January 25, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.

During an AA meeting, Macpherson said she had several blackouts from constantly drinking at home after putting her children to sleep.

I would sit down by myself and have shots of vodka and then Id write to-do lists and letters to my family, she wrote.I would do the housework, listen to music until around 11 p.m., then go to bed and pass out. I would get up in the morning, run six miles and have a coffee for breakfast, she writes of an AA confession, adding. I would stick my fingers down my throat and make sure I vomited three times before I went to sleep. It was always three times.

Macpherson reached her breaking point when she tried opening a bottle of vodka and smashed the glass top off. I hurriedly poured myself a shot that could have been littered with shards of glass. And I drank it, she later recalled in AA. I remember thinking, I love this feeling. Id missed it, sooooo much.



In addition to discussing her relationship with alcohol, Macpherson also detailed her breast cancer diagnosis and her decision to forego chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.

Every day I actively, deliberately feed my wellness and nurture myself, she writes in her book. Cancer is not an option for me anymore. Like drinking is not an answer for me.

Related: Elle Macpherson Defends Decision to Refuse Chemotherapy, Take Holistic Approach to Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Elle: Lessons & Learning to Trust Yourself is available for purchase now.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.


Elon Musk, Donald Trump

His stock in MAGA World is taking off like a Starship.

Billionaire tech titan Elon Musk is now President-elect Donald Trumps closest confidant, sources are telling The Post.

The relationship is so close, one source spilled, that Trump, 78, has been running nearly every cabinet pick by Musk  despite having a whole transition team at his beck and call.

President-elect Donald Trump walks with Elon Musk before the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket. AP

The former president ultimately has the final decision, but thoroughly enjoys Musks company and insight while compiling his second administration.

Elon weighs in with an opinion that hes largely formed from conversations from people hes newly met, but hes comfortable with Trump being the lone decider, the insider said.

The source added that most people in Trump World are taking it as just a reality that Musk is in the good graces of the once and future most powerful man in the world  and doubt any outside force could come between them because the tech mogul is surprisingly agreeable and happy to be along for the ride.

Sure, its competitive, but anyone who has seen the two or been in the room with the two knows theres no competition in how Trump is treating Elon versus everyone else, the source added.

Theres not even a close second among the inner circle, this person went on.

Following the publication of this story, Musk responded on X, saying: I really enjoy spending time with President @realDonaldTrump. My direct experience is that he is a great guy with an excellent sense of humor. Havent seen him do one bad thing even once.

To be clear, while I have offered my opinion on some cabinet candidates, many selections occur without my knowledge and decisions are 100% that of the President, Musk added.

A second source confessed to The Post that Musks ubiquitous presence has created a bit of a rift in the Mar-a-Lago court.

Musk is now President-elect Donald Trumps closest confidant, sources are telling The Post. The Washington Post via Getty Images

Theres always people around Trump that are looking to make money off access, Elon stands in their way, the second source said.

There are also those who see the South African-born Musk as too close to Trump  especially those who are newer to the president-elects orbit, now considered the center of the political universe.

The ones who are more comfortable with Musk, the second source added, have been around Trump longer and have already established firm connections.

Musk has been a close adviser in the transition process, sources told The Post. Reuters

A third source argued that the idea of Musk creating tension is ridiculous.

A lot of people who come to the club are excited to see him and take a pic. Musk is new on the scene. Everyone wants to pick his brain, the source said.

He is a wandering free spirit in the mix.

The large number of loyal, good people at Mar-a-Lago who have worked for him for many years is also very telling, Musk wrote on X. People can sometimes be very good at hiding their own bad moral character, but they cannot hide the moral character of their friends & colleagues.

The X mogul, SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO has trailed Trump since his resounding electoral victory Nov. 5, posing for pictures with the soon-to-be first family and making guest appearances on phone calls with foreign leaders, including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Musk eats McDonalds next to Trump on his plane. Donald Trump Jr. / X

Last week, Trump announced that Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy would co-helm a new Department of Government Efficiency, which would work in tandem with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget.

Then on Tuesday, Trump flew to Texas to watch the test launch of Musks Starship rocket.

The flight was a success despite engineers aborting the most spectacular aspect  an attempt to catch the rocket booster as it returned to Earth.

Trump and Musk spoke at length about the technology behind the rocket, exchanging smiles as Trumps inner circle  including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.)  looked on.

Musk jumps on stage while supporting President-elect Donald Trump during a campaign rally. AFP via Getty Images

Musk has also shown up to dance parties and casual lunches, leading the soon-to-be 47th presidents granddaughter Kai to joke in an Instagram caption that Elon [was] achieving uncle status.

What a job he does, and he happens to be a really good guy, Trump joked to supporters last week in reference to Musk. He likes this place. I cant get him out of here. He just likes this place. And you know what? I like having him here too.

Some have gawked at how close the pair have become in such a short time, both because Trump typically doesnt like having anyone share the spotlight and since the worlds richest man was not in the Republicans orbit just a few months ago.

Trump and Musk hugged Tuesday before watching the SpaceX rocket launch. AP

Musk only came into the Trump fold after endorsing him following the July 13 assassination attempt against the former president, but ramped up his support quickly.

He began donating millions of dollars to the Trump campaign and raffled off $1 million prizes every day to registered voters who signed a petition supporting the First and Second amendments.

The billionaire also appeared on stage at Trumps second rally in Butler, Pa., Oct. 5, held in the same spot where the 45th president had been shot just months prior.

Elon Musk and President Trump are great friends and brilliant leaders working together to Make America Great Again. Elon Musk is a once in a generation businessman and our federal bureaucracy will certainly benefit from his ideas and efficiency, Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt told The Post.

Musk explains the operations ahead of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. AP

Vice President-elect JD Vance has also been down at Mar-a-Lago for a majority of days since he and Trump won.

His presence has been less public-facing, but Vance has also helped the president in choosing cabinet picks and has attended meetings as an honorary chair of the transition team, according to a person familiar with the dynamic.

The Ohio senator noted Tuesday he had been discussing potential nominees for FBI director and other positions in a fiery post on X, in which he chastised Grace Chong of Steve Bannons War Room podcast for questioning why he wasnt there for recent Senate votes.

Vance was back on Capitol Hill Wednesday, arranging meetings between key Republican senators and Trump cabinet nominees  including attorney general designate Matt Gaetz and defense secretary designate Pete Hegseth  in an attempt to guide their nominations through the Senate.

President Trumps incoming administration is moving at an accelerated schedule in order to make good on getting key nominees confirmed in order to start delivering for the American people. Rep. [Doug] Collins (VA), Rep. Gaetz (DOJ), Pete Hegseth (DOD), and Rep. [Elise] Stefanik (UN) will all begin their meetings this week with additional Hill visits to continue after the Thanksgiving recess, Trump-Vance transition spokesman Brian Hughes said in a statement.
Two undersea cables carrying internet data deep in the Baltic Sea were damaged, European telecommunications companies said this week, drawing warnings from European governments of possible Russian "hybrid warfare" targeting global communications infrastructure.

On Wednesday, interest was focused on a Chinese-flagged cargo ship called the Yi Peng 3, which data provided by the maritime tracking service Vessel Finder showed to have been in the area around the time the cables were damaged.

The Yi Peng was anchored Wednesday in Danish waters, and Denmark's military confirmed in a brief statement posted online that it had a presence near the vessel, offering no further information. Vessel Finder tracking data showed a Danish navy patrol ship close to the anchored cargo vessel.

According to data from Vessel Finder, the bulk carrier, owned by Chinese firm Ningbo Yipeng Shipping Co. Ltd, departing from the remote northwest Russian port of Ust-Luga on Nov. 15, with a scheduled Dec. 3 arrival at Egypt's Port Said.

A file photo shows a fiber optic cable being pulled ashore by a cable-laying ship in the Baltic Sea, in Sassnitz, Germany, Nov. 29, 2023. / Credit: Stefan Sauer/picture alliance/Getty

Speaking to reporters Wednesday in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any Russian involvement in the cables being damaged, calling it "quite absurd to continue to blame Russia for everything without any grounds." Peskov suggested Ukraine could have been behind sabotaging the cables.

The Finnish company Cinia confirmed that its submarine cable between Finland and Germany was damaged in the early hours of Monday morning. The cable is about 730 miles long and connects telecommunications networks in central Europe to Finland and other Nordic countries.

"The details of the fault are yet not known and are currently being investigated," the company said in a statement on its website.

The foreign ministers of Finland and Germany said in a joint statement Monday that a cable connecting the two countries had been cut and that the incidents had raised suspicion of possible sabotage.

"A thorough investigation is underway. Our European security is not only under threat from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors," the ministers said, without blaming any particular entity for the possible sabotage.

Swedish company Arelion confirmed to CBS News on Tuesday that one of its cables had also been damaged, on Sunday morning.

"We can confirm that one of our subsea fiber cables  the one between Gotland, Sweden and Sventoji, Lithuania  is damaged. The issue was detected on November 17, and we currently do not know what caused it as we have not been able to examine the cable," Arelion spokesperson Martin Sjogren told CBS News.

"Arelion is in contact with Swedish authorities and the Swedish Armed Forces regarding the incident. The cable will be repaired over the next few weeks depending on weather conditions," he said.

The Swedish Prosecutor's office confirmed to CBS News Wednesday that there was an ongoing investigation into "sabotage in the Baltic sea." In a separate statement, Sweden's national police force confirmed it was, "also interested in a ship seen at the locations in question. It [the ship] is not currently in Swedish waters."

If I had a nickel for every time a Chinese ship was dragging its anchor on the bottom of the Baltic Sea in the vicinity of important cables I would have two nickels, which isn't much, but it's weird that it happened twice.  Gabrielius Landsbergis (@GLandsbergis) November 20, 2024

"If I had a nickel for every time a Chinese ship was dragging its anchor on the bottom of the Baltic Sea in the vicinity of important cables I would have two nickels, which isn't much, but it's weird that it happened twice," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said in a statement posted on social media.

Audrius Stasiulaitis, a spokesperson for the Swedish multinational telecom company Telia, which uses and operates the Arelion cable, said Tuesday that the company believed the cable had been physically damaged.

"We can only speculate on what has happened, but as far as we see, it is not affected by equipment failure and we presume it's physical damage," he told CBS News over the phone.

The damage to the cables comes after reports over the past year that Russia may be targeting key infrastructure connecting Nordic countries.

An April 2023 joint investigation by the public broadcasters of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland found that Moscow was operating a fleet of suspected intelligence vessels in Nordic waters as part of a Kremlin campaign potentially aimed at targeting underwater cables and wind farms.

There have been attacks on European infrastructure since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine 1,000 days ago.

In September 2022, the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, both designed to carry natural gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, were damaged by explosions.

Both Ukraine and Russia denied any involvement in the explosions. In August, German media reported that prosecutors had issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian man over the pipeline attacks.

Sweden and Finland have both joined the NATO military alliance over the past two years, as the war in Ukraine fuels concern about Russia's possible intentions, and just this week, both countries updated their war preparation guidance and published online booklets for citizens to prepare for the eventuality of a war or other crisis.

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FILE PHOTO: The logo of LG Chem is seen at its office building in Seoul

By Ernest Scheyder

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil said on Wednesday it has signed a non-binding lithium supply deal with battery parts maker LG Chem, the oil giant's second agreement to supply the electric vehicle battery metal from its proposed Arkansas project.

Exxon last year announced plans to extract lithium from the Smackover Formation, an underground deposit of salty water known as brine that stretches from Florida through Arkansas and into Texas, using at least one type of direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology.

Exxon and other oil companies such as Occidental Petroleum and Equinor are increasingly investing in lithium projects, partly due to their belief that extracting the metal from brine involves similar processes as petroleum extraction.

The LG Chem agreement, which would require Arkansas officials to set a state lithium royalty rate to be finalized, is for up to 100,000 metric tons of the ultralight metal over several years.

The move allows Exxon - which plans to self-fund its Arkansas project - to incorporate LG Chem's lithium quality specifications into its design plans. South Korea-based LG Chem plans to use the lithium at its Tennessee cathode facility, slated to open next year.

"This is about building a relationship with a company that has the same ambitions as building out the North American (battery) supply chain as us," Patrick Howarth, head of Exxon's lithium business, told Reuters.

Exxon expects lithium demand to rise despite U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's campaign vow to end the "EV mandate," Howarth said.

"We know that the world's going to need a lot more lithium than it's producing today," he said.

Financial terms of the deal - including the price per metric ton of lithium that LG Chem would pay Exxon - would be negotiated as part of any final contract. SK On, a unit of SK Innovation, signed a non-binding lithium supply deal with Exxon in June.

Despite recent lithium market turbulence, Howarth said Exxon has "seen really strong support from our potential customer base."

ROYALTY

Arkansas officials earlier this month rejected a proposed lithium royalty rate of 1.82% from Exxon and others.

Officials have been debating a lithium royalty since at least 2018, with tension centering on how the metal should be valued given the cost for equipment to filter it from brine, which unlike oil typically has no intrinsic market value.

Landowners want a higher rate, noting that most U.S. oil royalties pay between 8% and 12%.

"It's one of the key regulatory issues that we need to resolve to bring these projects to market," Howarth said, adding that Exxon could leave Arkansas - where it has invested more than $100 million - if the rate was too high.

Officials hinted a 2.5% rate could be acceptable, which Howarth said would be "in the range that we would be able to move forward." Exxon would need to formally propose a new rate, which is likely in the near future, he added.

Exxon declined to say how much lithium it expects to produce annually in Arkansas, although the amount would depend on which DLE technology it chooses.

"We're definitely narrowing down the selection," Howarth said. "But we're still keeping multiple providers in play."

(Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Jamie Freed)
By Nick Carey and Tom Kackenhoff

LONDON/COLOGNE (Reuters) - Ford said it would cut around 14% of its European workforce on Wednesday, blaming losses in recent years due to weak electric vehicle demand, poor government support for the EV shift and competition from subsidized Chinese rivals.

Ford said the 4,000 job cuts, which represent around 2.3% of its total workforce of 174,000, would be primarily in Germany and Britain. The U.S. automaker is the latest - after Nissan, Stellantis and GM - to cut costs as the sector faces challenges that include EVs that are too expensive for consumers to buy.

Shares in Ford were down 1.8% following news of the measures, which will be a big blow in particular for Germany, where Europe's biggest carmaker Volkswagen is threatening to close factories, cut wages and axe thousands of jobs to allow it to compete better.

Ford has been battling to bring down costs in its global business, also lagging competitors like GM significantly in the U.S. market where it has struggled to deal with quality and warranty problems, supplier issues and waste in the automaker's 121-year legacy business.

Germany's deepening political crisis, too, has added uncertainty for companies grappling with growing trade tensions with China and implications of Donald Trump's U.S. election victory.

Ford said the layoffs should take place by the end of 2027, pending union discussions. It said 2,900 cuts would be in Germany and 800 in Britain and it would reduce production of its Explorer and Capri EV models at its Cologne plant.

Ford Europe vice president Peter Godsell told reporters that Ford was experiencing "weaker demand for electric vehicles than we had previously forecast and we continue to have challenges around our operating costs".

This meant Ford needed "decisive action to restructure our business", he said, adding that while the company hoped the job cuts would address its problems, he could not rule out further measures if market conditions worsen.

'TOUGH CONFRONTATION'

Through September this year, Ford's sales in Europe fell 17.9%, far outstripping an industry-wide decline of 6.1%.

German unions said they would not accept the plans as there were alternatives, and asked Ford's European management to enter talks over the future of the business.

"If there is no willingness to do so, we are also prepared for a tough confrontation," said Knut Giesler of IG Metall, who runs the German union's branch in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, home to Ford's major Cologne plant.

Ford also called on the German government in particular to provide more incentives and better charging infrastructure to help consumers transition to EVs.

Berlin ended EV subsidies in December last year. EV sales in Germany in the first nine months of this year were down 28.6%.

"What we lack in Europe and Germany is an unmistakable, clear policy agenda to advance e-mobility, such as public investments in charging infrastructure, meaningful incentives ... and greater flexibility in meeting CO2 compliance targets," Ford's chief financial officer John Lawler wrote in a letter to the German government.

Ford has been undergoing a painful restructuring in Europe, announcing 3,800 job cuts in February 2023. It is closing its Saarlouis plant in Germany next year, with further job cuts.

The European Union has slapped tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, saying they benefit from unfair government subsidies.

Marcus Wassenberg, managing director at Ford's German division, said the move reflected ongoing changes, singling out Germany for its high labour and energy costs.

All the German job cuts would be at Ford's main site in Cologne and account for 24% of the factory's workforce.

(Reporting by Nick Carey in London and Tom Kaeckenhoff in Cologne; Additional reporting by Christoph Steitz in Frankfurt and Nora Eckert in Detroit; Editing by Mark Potter, Bernadette Baum and Alexander Smith)
Either can be a great choice, but youll want to keep these factors in mind.

If youre reading this on the day of your feast, stop what youre doing and go buy a fresh turkey! But if youre still making your Thanksgiving game plan, you might be wondering if you should buy a frozen or fresh bird.

While fresh turkeys offer a delicious way to support a local farmer (and provide a sigh of relief for last-minute shoppers), many Americans opt to buy frozen turkeys. Its for good reason: Theyre typically more affordable and can be stored in your freezer for up to a year before your feast.

Related: How to Calculate How Much Turkey You Need Per Guest

Josh Turka, a butcher and owner of 5th Quarter Butchery & Charcuterie in Waitsfield, Vermont, stresses that you can find excellent fresh and frozen turkeys. Whichever you choose, he says, youre going to do yourself the best service by just getting the best quality bird you can afford.

But frozen and fresh turkeys each offer their own pros and cons. Heres everything you need to know to help you make an informed Thanksgiving purchase.

Suzifoo / Getty Images

Fresh turkey: a breakdown

Fresh turkeys are typically slaughtered within a week of making it to your Thanksgiving table, and are never chilled below 26F.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends using a fresh turkey from the supermarket by the best-by or use-by date on the label; and, if there isnt a best-by date, within one to two days of purchase. However, if youre purchasing a freshly butchered turkey from a farm, it will last in your fridge up to 10 days, according to Turka. Place it on a tray or pan to trap juices, preferably on the bottom shelf, to prevent it from leaking on other foods.

While a fresh turkey is not inherently a better choice, buying one makes it a little easier to achieve crispy skin and juicy meat, Turka notes, since youre not dealing with the extra moisture from a frozen bird. He suggests dry-brining fresh turkey and allowing it to sit uncovered in the fridge for at least a day, which will allow air to circulate and yield even crispier skin.

Pros of fresh turkey

It doesnt require thawing, so you can buy it on the day of your feast

Its easier to control the moisture content so you get a crisp-skinned, juicy turkey

Cons of fresh turkey

It can often be more expensive

Most need to be cooked within one to two days of purchasing

NoDerog / Getty Images

Frozen turkey: a breakdown

Frozen turkeys are processed in much the same way as fresh turkeys, but producers start slaughtering them for storage as early as the beginning of the year. Though theyre available online year-round, theyll start showing up at most supermarkets in early November, and can be stored in your freezer for up to a year.

While a frozen turkey allows you to cross off an item on your Thanksgiving shopping list well in advance, youll have to budget time for thawing it in the fridge  at least one day per four pounds of meat, which equates to about four days for a 15-pound turkey. (If youre in a pinch, you can safely thaw it with cold water  more on that below.)

Related: How Long Does It Take to Thaw a Frozen Turkey?

And, while a frozen turkey can end up just as delicious as a fresh turkey, it needs some more TLC to get there.

If you like crispy skin, a frozen turkey can just require a little bit more attention and care in order to get that skin dry enough [so] that itll crisp up. All that defrosting can put a lot of water back into the skin, Turka explains. Defrosting also damages the cells of protein, which can lead to dry meat.







"If you like crispy skin, a frozen turkey can just require a little bit more attention and care in order to get that skin dry enough [so] that it'll crisp up. All that defrosting can put a lot of water back into the skin."

Josh Turka, butcher and owner of 5th Quarter Butchery & Charcuterie







The key is to get your turkey brined well in advance, he says. Some frozen turkeys, such as Butterball, are already injected with a salt solution; be sure to read the label so you dont end up with overly salted turkey. But if your turkey isnt pre-brined, you can brine and thaw it at the same time.

For a frozen bird, I recommend a wet brine just because itll pull in a little bit of moisture, Turka says. If I had a frozen turkey, Id be putting that into brine probably on Sunday or Monday, he says. He pulls it out of the brine on Tuesday, then leaves it uncovered in the fridge. Its going to give that skin the opportunity to dry out, he says.

Related: 3 Tricks to a Perfect Roast Turkey, Every Time

Butcher and chef Steve Sabicer, who writes a weekly newsletter, Enlightened Omnivore, on sustainability and food with a focus on meat, recommends a dry brine for frozen turkey, which takes longer than a wet brine but makes your turkey much easier to store and clean up.

Remove the bird from its packaging while still frozen and sit it on a baking sheet, then allow the bird to thaw slightly so that you can access the cavity. Apply one tablespoon of kosher salt for every five pounds of bird, putting half the salt in the cavity and half all over the outside of the bird. Thaw, covered, in the fridge for a week.

Pros of frozen turkey

It will last in your freezer for up to a year

It tends to be more affordable

Cons of frozen turkey

You have to budget time for thawing it

The water content can result in a turkey with less crispy skin and drier meat (especially important if you are deep-frying your turkey)

How long does it take a frozen turkey to thaw?

If thawing your turkey in the fridge, you should budget for at least one full day per four pounds of meat. If youre short on time, you can thaw your turkey by placing it (still in its original packaging) in cold water inside a large food-safe container. This will take six to 10 hours (one hour for each pound of turkey). Refresh the cold water every 30 minutes. After your turkey has thawed, itll last in your fridge for about two days.


I never thought that that would come back and haunt me for 20 years," one survivor says in the upcoming Peacock film

A new Peacock documentary will dive deep into the lore behind Girls Gone Wild, and PEOPLE has an exclusive look at the trailer.

Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story offers a behind-the-scenes look at the multi-million dollar franchise created by notorious film producer Joe Francis, in which young women were filmed exposing themselves on spring break for adult entertainment tapes that were sold on late-night television.

The upcoming documentary includes interviews with former employees, enemies and survivors  none of whom are named in the trailer  who open up about the shocking nature of the videos and how they have impacted countless lives.

I never thought that that would come back and haunt me for 20 years, one survivor says in the exclusive trailer, while another claims, I was too young to be taped.

Maxine Productions Joe Francis.

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Also featured is an interview with Francis himself, his first on-the-record interview in nearly a decade.

Francis previously defended some of his tactics on Girls Gone Wild, which made $20 million in its first two years alone.

If I took no for an answer, I wouldnt be where I was! Francis said in a clip from a previous interview, which appears in the film.

In Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story, Francis is asked about his feelings once again: Do you feel bad for the girls?

Related: Netflix's Twin Flames Universe Doc Sets Out to Expose 'Exploitation' of Those Looking for Love: See Trailer

Francis is now living in Mexico with loved ones after an arrest warrant was issued for him in the United States for failing to comply with a previous bankruptcy agreement.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.



The new Peacock documentary highlights how the man who now lives in exile got to where he is today while offering a voice to those whose lives he impacted through Girls Gone Wild.

Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story premieres Tuesday, Dec. 3, exclusively on Peacock.
Google pays Apple at least $20 billion a year to be the default search engine on iPhones. That could change. Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images

Google pays Apple at least $20 billion a year to make its search engine the default on iPhones.

Those payments were at the heart of a federal antitrust case Google lost earlier this year.

Now, the government will ask a judge to ban those payments. But it's not a done deal.

Apple makes billions of dollars a year from Google. But a federal judge's ruling could make that money disappear.

That's because a long-running deal between Apple and Google, where Google pays Apple at least $20 billion a year to make Google the default search engine on iPhones, is at the heart of the US government's antitrust case against Google. And Google lost that case earlier this year when Judge Amit P. Mehta ruled that Google has an illegal monopoly in search.

On Wednesday, the US Department of Justice is expected to unveil a list of steps it wants Mehta to take to punish Google. Among the remedies the DOJ is asking for, per The Wall Street Journal: forcing the company "to stop paying partners such as Apple billions of dollars a year to make Google's search engine the default on web browsers."

Which makes sense, since that was a big focus of the government's case. (Though, confusingly, an earlier report from Bloomberg said the DOJ's plan focused on forcing Google to sell off its Chrome browser and never mentioned the Apple payments.)

In any case: If Google really is prevented from paying Apple, that could be meaningful for Apple's efforts to make money from services, which have become increasingly important to the company as iPhone sales flatten.

But even if that happens, it doesn't mean Apple automatically loses all the money Google pays it every year. It's possible that another provider, like Microsoft's Bing, could step in to make its own payments to Apple for the same prime real estate.

And while the DOJ's request and Mehta's eventual ruling are all important, they're not the end of the story. Google has said it will appeal the ruling. I asked Google and Apple for comment.

One more complexifier: How will the incoming Trump administration treat this case?

On the one hand: Donald Trump's first administration filed the original antitrust complaint against Google, and there are lots of people in Trump's orbit who are upset with Big Tech.

On the other hand: Trump has a record of selective enforcement, and Apple CEO Tim Cook built a rapport with him during the first go-round  which helped Cook persuade Trump to exempt Apple products from China tariffs. This one will take quite a bit of time to unspool.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON  A bipartisan House committee did not agree to release a highly anticipated report on allegations against former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who President-elect Donald Trump has chosen as the next attorney general.

The decision has been at the center of a heated debate over Gaetz's candidacy, which faces a steep climb in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson had urged the committee not to release the report, while several Republican senators who will be voting on his confirmation have insisted they should have access to it.

The committee voted on whether to release the report, said Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., the top Democrat on the panel, but it deadlocked along party lines. She said the committee will reconvene on Dec. 5 to reconsider the matter.

The committee chairman Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., argued that the report isn't complete and said he "has some reservations" about releasing it.

The House Ethics Committee had been conducting an investigation into allegations that Gaetz took illicit drugs, engaged in sexual misconduct, misused campaign funds or accepted bribes and gifts.

The Justice Department  which Gaetz would lead if he became attorney general  was investigating similar allegations that Gaetz committed statutory rape by paying for sex with a 17 year old and for her to travel with him across state lines. That probe was dropped without the Justice Department filing charges against Gaetz.

A lawyer for two women said his clients testified to the House Ethics Committee about the allegations. One said she saw Gaetz allegedly under the influence of drugs and sexually abusing a 17 year old, though she said she did not think Gaetz knew the girl's age. Gaetz has denied the allegations.

Gaetz abruptly resigned from his position in the House last Wednesday, just days before the panel planned to release the report on its findings.

Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) (L) the President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Attorney General walks alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance (R) as they arrive for meetings with Senators at the U.S. Capitol on November 20, 2024 in Washington, DC.

The secretive committee does not have purview over former lawmakers and typically does not release information about investigations if the subject is no longer in office, though there have been exceptions.

However, Democrats on the committee have said the report contains information that senators should know as they consider Gaetz's nomination. Republicans on the ethics panel have largely remained silent on where they stand, but Johnson said last week he would "strongly request" they keep it private.

Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., introduced a resolution Wednesday that, if passed, would force the House Ethics Committee to release the report. The House has two legislative days to act on the resolution, so it will vote on it on Thursday or after the Thanksgiving holiday.

"Our hope is that the Ethics Committee does their job and releases the report before then so we don't need to deal with this when we get back," Casten said.

As all Democrats on the panel were aligned in releasing it, and only one Republican member was needed to side with them in order to tip the scales. The panel is evenly-divided between Republicans and Democrats in order to remain neutrality, compared with most committees that have at least one more member of the majority party.

Gaetz has been Trump's most controversial Cabinet nominee so far. He has a tough path to confirmation in the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans 53-47 next year. More than four Republican senators have expressed concerns about his candidacy, and far more have done so privately. If more than four of those GOP lawmakers vote against his nomination, he won't be confirmed as attorney general.

Vice President-elect JD Vance is shepherding Gaetz around the Senate this week to meet with members of the Judiciary Committee, which will be responsible for first vetting his candidacy before a vote among the entire Senate. Gaetz has also been personally calling senators as he seeks confirmation.

Some of Trumps advisers have also suggested his nominees bypass the traditional FBI background check in favor of private investigators, which many Republican senators have opposed.But Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., requested on Wednesday the FBI provide the full file of evidence on Gaetz to the panel as it considers the nominee.In a letter to the FBI, Durbin wrote that the Senate is responsible for providing advice and consent on presidential Cabinet picks and it is crucial that we review all the information necessary to fulfill this duty.The grave public allegations against Mr. Gaetz speak directly to his fitness to serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the federal government, he wrote. The unanswered questions regarding Mr. Gaetzs alleged conduct are particularly significant given that his associate, Joel Greenberg, pleaded guilty to the sex trafficking charge for which Mr. Gaetz was also investigated.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matt Gaetz: Ethics committee doesn't release report on Trump nominee
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Chicago Mayor's Office | Facebook

Johnson wants to halve property tax increase

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says hes in talks with city aldermen about cutting his proposed $300 million property tax increase by half. Last week, city aldermen unanimously voted against the proposal.

During a news conference Tuesday, Johnson said there are productive conversations with other city officials about how to best balance the citys budget set to start next year facing a billion dollar deficit.

Labor group wants to end tipped wages

Labor activists are in Springfield Wednesday to push for an end to tipped wages.

The One Fair Wage group says legislators need to rally against the incoming Trump administration. The event includes a holiday turkey giveaway at a Springfield church.

Republicans say the state needs to make way for the possibility of no taxes on tips, a campaign pledge from President-elect Donald Trump.

AG settles with Metro Staff

Metro Staff Inc. has settled with the state of Illinois to resolve allegations the company entered into no-poach agreements and engaged in wage fixing with two other staffing agencies. Illinois' Attorney General said the $1.8 million will compensate temporary workers impacted by the activity. Similar settlements were made with Colony Display LLC and Elite Staffing Inc. in August.

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WASHINGTON  A Donald Trump supporter who was among the first rioters to breach the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, has been convicted of plotting to kill FBI special agents who investigated him over his crimes at the Capitol.

Edward Kelly, 33, on Jan. 5, 2021.

Edward Kelley, who was convicted this month of assaulting law enforcement officers and other crimes during the Capitol attack, was found guilty on Wednesday on three additional charges: conspiracy to murder employees of the United States; solicitation to commit a crime of violence; and influencing or retaliating against federal officials by threat.

The murder plot trial, which started Monday, took place in Knoxville, Tennessee. NBC News affiliate WBIR in Knoxville reported that the jury convicted Kelley on all three counts after just an hour of deliberation. Kelley will be sentenced in the murder plot case on May 7, one month after he is set to be sentenced on his Capitol case, on April 7.

Kelley's trial in Knoxville featured testimony from co-defendant Austin Carter, who pleaded guilty in November 2023. Carter told authorities that he and Kelley plotted to murder employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation" in December 2022, months after Kelleys arrest on Jan. 6 charges. Kelley provided a list of about 37 members of law enforcement who worked on his Jan. 6 case, prosecutors alleged.

During the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Kelley, an anti-abortion activist, wore a sweatshirt reading TCAPP, which stands for The Church At Planned Parenthood.

Carter, according to WBIR, told jurors that Kelley thought the country was heading toward civil war and wanted to strike first, initially planning to attack the FBI Knoxville field office before deciding to target individual FBI employees who had worked on his Jan. 6 case.

Christopher Roddy, who had worked with Kelley in security and tipped off the FBI, also testified during the trial, as did three FBI special agents who said they saw the list as a threat.

The Justice Department said that evidence presented during the trial showed that Kelley developed a "kill list" of FBI special agents and others who investigated his conduct and that he was recorded talking about developing a "course of action" for their "mission," giving instructions to "start it," "attack" and "take out their office" if he was arrested again.

Every hit has to hurt," Kelley said in the recording, according to DOJ. "Every hit has to hurt.

Edward Kelley was the fourth rioter to breach the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Kelley, an anti-abortion activist, wore a sweatshirt reading TCAPP, standing for The Church At Planned Parenthood, when he became the fourth rioter to breach the U.S. Capitol. During his trial in Washington on the Jan. 6 charges, the government made the case that Kelley had been armed with a weapon when he stormed the Capitol. While prosecutors illustrated that Kelley was wearing a gun holster that could be concealed on the inside of his pants and showed what they believed to be the "printing" of a gun, they didn't conclusively prove that allegation, and it was not central to their case.

During the Jan. 6 attack, prosecutors said, Kelley's wife messaged him to ask how things were going, writing that she didn't believe the "fake news." Kelley encouraged his wife to download Signal, the encrypted communications app, prosecutors said.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said that threats against members of the FBI were "reprehensible and dangerous and would not be tolerated by the bureau.

"While awaiting trial for committing violent acts, Edward Kelley planned and conspired to attack our employees at work and at home for carrying out their duties," Wray said in a statement. "The FBI will never tolerate violent threats against our workforce or any of our colleagues in law enforcement and will continue our work to ensure they are held accountable."

Over 1,500 defendants have been arrested in connection with the Capitol attack, and federal prosecutors have secured the convictions of more than 1,100 Jan. 6 participants. As NBC News has reported, more than 70 rioters on the FBI's Capitol Violence website have been identified to the bureau by online sleuths but not yet arrested.

The Justice Department is expected to focus on arresting the "most egregious" rioters before Trump is sworn in on Jan. 20, 2025, when he's expected to begin pardoning some undetermined portion of Jan. 6 rioters he's called "warriors," "unbelievable patriots," political prisoners and hostages. The Trump-Vance transition team told NBC News last week that pardons would be done on "a case-by-case basis."
Theres no keeping Jay Leno down.

The comedian and former late-night TV host revealed he sustained several injuries after falling down a 60-foot hill over the weekend, Leno shared in recent interviews with "Inside Edition" and TMZ.

"I fell down. Boom, boom, boom," Leno, 74, told TMZ. I "rolled down the hill, hit my head on a rock, knocked me in the eye."

Leno, who said he broke his wrist in the fall, was seen wearing a cast on his arm as well as sporting an eye patch. The left side of his face was visibly bruised, and the affected eye was swollen shut.

The accident took place Saturday night while Leno was staying at a Hampton Inn about 30 miles outside of Pittsburgh, per Inside Edition. Leno, who had a performance that day, decided to take a shortcut while walking to a local restaurant for dinner.

"To get to it (the restaurant), I didn't have a car, so you had to walk about a mile and a half around," Leno explained to TMZ. "I said, 'Well, the hill doesn't look that steep.  Let me see if I can go down the hill."

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Leno for additional details on his condition.

Jay Leno isn't missing a beat, despite sustaining several injuries after falling down a hill in Pennsylvania over the weekend.

Jay Leno performed show shortly after fall

Despite his serious fall, Leno went ahead with his performance in Pennsylvania on Saturday, just three hours after the accident. He told TMZ he went to the hospital for his injuries after returning to Los Angeles.

The indefatigable comic also performed at a stand-up comedy show in Beverly Hills, California, on Monday. "It's not that big a deal," he told TMZ when asked if he was in pain.

"The great thing about this age, you don't learn by your mistakes. You just keep doing the same stupid thing," Leno jokingly concluded.

Leno's injuries come two years after the "Tonight Show" alum sustained serious burns in a November 2022 accident, followed by a motorcycle accident in January 2023.

'Things are good': Jay Leno gives health update 2 years after fire, motorcycle accident

Jay Leno says 'things are good' 2 years after fire, motorcycle accident

Leno opened up about his road to recovery during a September red-carpet interview with E! following his nearly back-to-back injuries in late 2022 and early 2023.

In November 2022, Leno was unexpectedly caught in a fire while working on one of his vintage cars at his Burbank garage. When Leno was pulled from under the car, he had "pretty significant burns" to his face, hands and chest, Leno's surgeon Dr. Peter Grossman said at the time.

Leno subsequently underwent a surgical excision and grafting procedure and needed additional procedures.

Jay and Mavis Leno: Talk-show icon granted conservatorship over wife's estate

Two months later in January 2023, Leno revealed to the Las Vegas Review Journal that he broke several bones  his collarbone, two ribs and two cracked kneecaps  in a motorcycle accident.

"Things are good. I can't complain," Leno told E!, adding a dash of his signature humor. "I just write jokes, tell jokes, get checked. Very simple process."

Contributing: Jay Stahl, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jay Leno: Comedian injured after falling down a 60-foot hill
I was absolutely terrified  How could I not remember? Marisa Christie recalled of welcoming her three baby girls in August

Getty A stock image of a mother holding the feet of newborn triplets

Marisa Christie suffered a rare post-birth complication and was unconscious for a week after welcoming her triplets via a planned cesarean section in August

The 30-year-old from Texas told TODAY.com she was "terrified" after not being able to remember giving birth to her baby girls

Christie experienced an amniotic fluid embolism and was "clinically dead" for 45 minutes, her anesthesiologist Dr. Ricardo Mora told the outlet

A mom from Texas has shared how she forgot that she gave birth to her triplets after she was declared clinically dead for 45 minutes following her cesarean section.

After welcoming her triplets back in August at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center North in Houston, Marisa Christie suffered a rare post-birth complication, according to TODAY.com.

The doctors had pulled all three [babies] out. Actually, they were resting them on my stomach to do a delayed cord clamping, Christie told the outlet. My arms flew up, and that was when my heart stopped.

The 30-year-old had experienced an amniotic fluid embolism, which according to the Mayo Clinic, is a rare condition that happens when the fluid that surrounds the baby during pregnancy, called amniotic fluid, or fetal material such as fetal cells enters a pregnant person's bloodstream.

Christie spent a week unconscious following her planned C-section, and when she woke, she learned about the birth of her little girls.

Getty A stock image of a pregnant woman in a hospital bed

Related: Woman Diagnosed with Brain Tumor Told She's Unable to Have More Kids  Then She Welcomes Triplets (Exclusive)

My husband was like, Hey, so we had the babies. Theyre healthy and great,  Christie, who is also mom to a 4-year-old son, told TODAY.com. I was absolutely terrified  How could I not remember having my babies?

Meeting her little ones  Charlotte, Kendall and Collins  for the first time when they were already over a week old was also very surreal for the mom of four.

I remember thinking, I dont know these babies. This is very strange. They feel like theyre not real. They feel like theyre not mine,  she said. It took a little bit to get that connection with them.

The triplets were delivered by Christies maternal-fetal medicine physician, Dr. Amber Samuel, but it was Christies anesthesiologist, Dr. Ricardo Mora, who noticed that she was seizing because he had seen another mom experience an amniotic fluid embolism while giving birth 15 years earlier.

She [was] essentially gray. I knew something terrible just occurred, Mora told the outlet, adding of the complication, Its pretty catastrophic. When it occurs, its about 80%, 85% fatal.

I asked Dr. Samuel what she had done. She related to me that she had just started pulling the placenta out and thats usually the time when this occurs  the separation of the placenta and uterus, he continued.

She wasnt breathing, Mora added. We started CPR because she had no pulse.

Getty A stock image of a woman in a hospital bed

Related: Triplet Mom Reveals Nearly $2 Million Bill for Birthing Babies and NICU Stay: 'It's Rough Out Here' (Exclusive)

Christie was also placed on ECMO, a machine that works for the heart and lungs to help the body recover, by Dr. Stephen Maniscalco, a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon, per the outlet.

She essentially lost what we consider her whole blood volume, Mora said. We replaced her blood volume. So, for 45 minutes, she was clinically dead.

You can do the best CPR in the world, but if you dont get enough blood to the brain, essentially they are alive but with brain damage, he added. I needed her to live to raise her kids. So, it was a personal thing for me.

Doctors tried to prevent Christie from having a hysterectomy, but after she experienced uncontrolled hemorrhaging they ultimately had to remove her uterus and she was left with an open wound so she wouldn't have to undergo further surgeries, per the outlet.

Nine weeks later her wound finally healed and a week after returning home the first of her babies also joined her, with Kendall and Collins following shortly after.

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.

Though thankful to have come through the ordeal, the experience was a life-changing one for Christie.

I feel very disconnected to whoever [I] was before, Christie told the outlet. Ive gotten stronger, but Ive also changed so much because going through a traumatic experience like that changes the way you view things.

Its rare, but it does happen, she said. There were so many miracles that led up to me living instead of dying and were grateful."

A GoFundMe campaign set up by Christie's brother Bryce Hansen to support her and her husband Dylan has so far raised over $21,000.

Christie's ordeal came months after a new mom in Ohio also experienced an amniotic fluid embolism after welcoming a healthy baby boy in February.

Ashley Zinn began experiencing shortness of breath and chest pains 45 minutes after giving birth and was placed in a medically induced coma, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up for her family.

I remember telling the staff, 'I'm dying,'  Zinn told NBC affiliate WLWT. The last thing I remember after that was being hauled away to CT.

Jenn Weinstein, Rabbi of Congregation Simchat HaLev in Woodbury, New York, also told PEOPLE earlier this year how her wife Andrea Termotto died in May after welcoming identical twin daughters.

The 35-year-old suffered an amniotic fluid embolism and spent 10 hours fighting for her life, but doctors couldn't save her.

"Her story is that she gave her life to give life. And it sucks, but even that is who she is, and who she was," Weinstein told PEOPLE.


JAKARTA (Reuters) - Tech giant Apple has made a $100 million investment proposal to Indonesia to build a plant to manufacture accessories and components, the industry ministry said on Wednesday.

The proposal comes after Indonesia banned sales of Apple's iPhone 16 over the firm's failure to meet local rules on components. Indonesia requires certain smartphones sold domestically to comprise at least 40% locally-made parts.

The trade ministry will meet on Thursday to discuss Apple's proposed West Java plant, its spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arif said in a statement.

"By holding a meeting on Thursday, this means that the industry minister welcomes Apple's investment commitment," he said.

Apple has no manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, but has since 2018 set up application developer academies with a combined cost of 1.6 trillion rupiah ($99 million).

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation.

Indonesia has also banned sales of smartphones made by Alphabet's for a similar reason.

(Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman and Ananda Teresia; Editing by Martin Petty)
By Rich McKay and Brendan O'Brien

(Reuters) - A powerful storm clobbered Washington state on Wednesday, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people while disrupting road travel and causing at least two deaths and two injuries.

Winds should die down across the region by midday, but the storm has moved to California and is set to bring extreme rainfall by the end of the week, according to forecasters.

A woman was killed on Tuesday when a tree fell on a homeless encampment in Lynnwood, north of Seattle, local officials said. A second woman was killed near Seattle when a tree fell on her home, Bellevue officials said. Two people were injured when a tree fell on their trailer in Maple Valley, southeast of Seattle.

The storm with tropical-storm-force winds of 50 miles (80 km) per hour and gusts around 70 mph (110 kph) felled trees and power lines overnight. More than 530,000 homes and businesses in Washington, southwest Oregon and Northern California were without power, according to Poweroutage.us, down from more than 600,000 earlier.

The windstorm and heavy rain also damaged the power system in Canada's Pacific coast province of British Columbia and cut power to some 225,000 customers Tuesday night, according to provincial electricity provider BC Hydro. By Wednesday morning, about 100,000 customers, mostly on Vancouver Island, remained without power.

An NBC affiliate in Seattle broadcast images of cars smashed by fallen trees and damaged homes.

The Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue service in western Washington urged residents to stay home, with many trees and power lines down.

Trees are coming down all over the city & falling onto homes," the fire department of Bellevue posted on social media. "If you can, go to the lowest floor and stay away from windows. Do not go outside if you can avoid it.

Schools across western Washington canceled classes or postponed the start of school on Wednesday.

"The storm is just beginning," said Rich Otto, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland.

"We haven't gotten a ton of rain yet, just two to three inches (5.1-7.6 cm) over southwest Oregon and northern California," Otto said.

'BOMB CYCLONE'

The storm, called a "bomb cyclone" when the storm rapidly intensifies, will stall over Northern California in the next few days, Otto said. On Friday, rainfall could reach up to 20 inches (51 cm) in parts of southwestern Oregon and northern California, Otto said.

A bomb cyclone rapidly intensifies in 24 hours or less when a cold air mass from the polar region collides with warm tropical air in a process that meteorologists call bombogenesis.

The weather service has issued warnings and watches across the U.S. Pacific Northwest for high winds and flooding, including blizzard warnings, from northern Washington to the Sierra Nevada Range.

The Washington state's transportation department warned motorists to be cautious while on roadways as downed trees and weather conditions slowed traffic across the state.

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago, Rich McKay in Atlanta; additional reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle, Franklin Paul, Rod Nickel, Will Dunham and Jonathan Oatis)
Norwegian police said Marius Borg Hoiby was in a relationship with the alleged victim, who was discharged from hospital the next day after being diagnosed with a concussion - LISE ASERUD

The Crown Princess of Norways eldest son and stepson of the future King has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

Marius Borg Hoiby, 27, was detained late on Monday over a charge of having sexual intercourse with someone who is unconscious or for other reasons unable to resist the act, Norwegian police said on Tuesday.

Mr Borg Hoiby was raised by the heir apparent, Crown Prince Haakon, from the age of three but has no royal duties after stepping back from public life when he was 20. Crown Princess Mette-Marit was a single mother when she met and married Prince Haakon in 2001.

It is the third time Mr Borg Hoiby has been arrested in recent months over cases that involve four women and one man.

He was arrested on Aug 4 after a row at a womans apartment in Oslo. He faced preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage, but was released.

Marius Borg Hoiby with his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit - LISE ASERUD

Police said Mr Borg Hoiby was in a relationship with the alleged victim, who was discharged from hospital the next day after being diagnosed with a concussion.

Local media reported that a knife was stuck into one of the walls of the womans bedroom.

According to police, when he was arrested on Monday he was found in a car with his alleged victim from August.

The details are unclear, but local media reported that Mr Borg Hoiby was lending his car to his alleged victim before going abroad to attend a rehabilitation clinic in London.

The Crown Princesss son was arrested again in September for violating a restraining order by allegedly contacting the woman.

On Tuesday, police said the suspicions relating to the August incident now included domestic abuse. They said they had yet to decide whether he would be remanded in custody.

Mr Borg Hoiby was raised by the heir apparent Crown Prince Haakon from the age of three - Nigel Waldron

yvind Bratlien, Mr Borg Hoibys lawyer, said his client denied the charges.

He co-operates well with the police, and wants to explain himself, he said.

Police brought the rape charge, not the alleged victim, according to Hege Salomon, her lawyer.

She is having a hard time, and it is heavy, she added.

In August, Mr Borg Hoiby issued a statement saying he had struggled with substance abuse for a long time. He said he would resume treatment for the problem and take it very seriously.

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.
Donald Trump is poised to recognise a former British protectorate as an official country, according to a former UK defence secretary who lobbied the president-elect.

Sir Gavin Williamson told The Independent he has held talks with Trumps team about the official recognition of Somaliland, which holds a crucial strategic position on the Red Sea.

He said he was confident Mr Trump would take up the issue once he assumes office in January.

The former Tory cabinet minister has been the leading advocate for official recognition of the ex-British protectorate, which has in effect been independent from Somalia since 1991.

It is uncomfortable for Labour that a senior Tory figure is seeking to influence US foreign policy, and potentially bounce the UK government into changing its stance on the issue.

Donald Trump could recognise Somaliland (AP)

They should agree to it, though when he assumes office it will probably all take a little longer than we hope, he said. But had really good meetings with his policy leads so fingers crossed.

He added: One of Trumps last orders as president was to withdraw troops from Somalia but then Biden countermanded that order. There is nothing that Trump hates more than someone overruling him so I used that to push the argument.

It comes after Somaliland recently successfully held free and fair elections which the opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi won on a 53 per cent turnout.

While Somaliland has close links with the UK as a former part of the empire, the only country which recognises it is Ethiopia which signed a deal for access to the sea at the port city of Berbera.

The agreement, signed on 1 January this year, caused an international row with Somalia which still lays claim to the territory after the two countries united in 1960.

Previous attempts to recognise Somaliland were effectively blocked by former US president Barak Obama who supported Somalias claim. President Joe Biden supported this position even though Somalia is a centre for international piracy and terrorism; US intelligence flagged possible discussions with the Houthis  who are attacking shipping in the nearby Gulf of Aden  to provide weapons to the militant al-Shabaab in Somalia.

The first Trump administration came close to recognising the tiny de facto state before Mr Trump lost the election in 2020. If he were to go ahead with recognition, it would put pressure on the UK to follow suit.

News of Somaliland came as Sir Keirs government has attracted pressure over its deal with Mauritius to give them sovereignty over the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean.

The Independent recently revealed that Mr Trump is looking at vetoing foreign minister David Lammys recent deal because of concerns over China getting access and security around the UK/US Diego Garcia airbase.

Sir Gavin began his interest in Somaliland when he was defence secretary between 2017 and 2019 and visited the breakaway country. He has since become a leading advocate in parliament and a regular visitor to Somaliland, even receiving honourary citizenship for his efforts on their part.

Gavin Williamson as been in talks with Trumps team over Somaliland (PA Archive)

There are hopes that official recognition will allow a deal for Western allies to use the Berbera port to help with operations in the Red Sea, which has become a major international flashpoint.

There was disappointment before the election when David Cameron, as foreign secretary, agreed to demands from the Biden administration to continue to support Somalias claim, even though Somaliland is a stable country that runs free and fair elections.

Earlier this year, Liverpool City Council became the first British body to formally recognise Somaliland, in the hope it would raise the issues profile and put pressure on Mr Lammy.

Meanwhile, sources in Washington DC have told The Independent that the State Department has warmed up to the idea of supporting Somalilands claim in the days following Mr Trumps victory.

Peter Pham, a former US special envoy to the Sahel region and a senior official in the last Trump administration, also noted: I am sure this will be up for review after the inauguration. Similarly, a smooth election in Somaliland will, in addition to its other achievements, undoubtedly strengthen its case in an overall policy review.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office source said: It would be wrong to speculate on any policy decisions that the incoming administration of President-elect Trump may make.

The UK, alongside others in the international community, does not recognise Somalilands unilateral declaration of independence. It is for authorities in Mogadishu and Hargeisa to resolve Somalilands status through dialogue and broad consultation.
A disgraced Maryland teacher who had sex with a teenage student nearly two dozen times was slapped with a 30-year prison sentence  but will only serve one year behind bars for her deviant behavior.

A disgraced Maryland teacher who had sex with a teenage student nearly two-dozen times was slapped with a 30-year prison sentence  but will only serve one year behind bars for the crime.

Melissa Marie Curtis, 32, was handed the three-decade sentence with all but 12 months suspended for engaging in sexual acts with the 14-year-old while she was a teacher at Montgomery Village Middle School in 2015, Fox 5 DC reported.

Curtis  who was 22 at the time  had sexual intercourse with the minor more than 20 times between January and May 2015  with illicit trysts occurring within the school, her car and several residences, including her mothers home in Montgomery County, according to court documents obtained by the outlet.

Melissa Marie Curtis, 32, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with all but 12 months suspended. Montgomery County Police Department

The convicted perv also gave the eighth-grader alcohol and marijuana, the Montgomery County Police Department said.

Prosecutors said the pair were often left alone together after the young teen volunteered for an after-school program Curtis headed, according to court docs.

Police launched their investigation in October 2023 when the victim came forward with the abuse allegations.

Curtis, of Upper Marlboro, was a teacher for approximately two years and had also taught at Lakelands Park Middle School, cops said.

The sicko teacher turned herself in to police on Nov. 7, 2023, and was charged with sexual abuse of a minor and multiple counts of third- and fourth-degree sexual offenses.

The sexual activity occurred on school grounds, her car and several residences while she was 22 and the victim was 14. Montgomery County Public Schools

She pleaded guilty June 20 to three counts of third-degree sex offenses in June, Fox 5 DC reported.

The sexual predator is required to register as a sex offender for 25 years and will be barred from having any unsupervised contact with minors other than her own children.

The judge also sentenced Curtis to serve five years of probation.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) - Hamas' acting Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya said in remarks broadcast on Wednesday that there would be no hostages-for-prisoners swap deal with Israel unless the war in the Palestinian enclave ended.

"Without an end to the war, there can be no prisoner swap," Hayya said in a televised interview with the group's Al-Aqsa television channel, reiterating the group's position on how to bring the war to an end.

"If the aggression is not ended, why would the resistance and in particular Hamas, return the prisoners (hostages)?" he said. "How would a sane or an insane person lose a strong card he owns while the war is continuing?"

Efforts to negotiate a truce for Gaza have stalled, and the U.S. on Wednesday vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an unconditional permanent ceasefire. Washington's U.N. ambassador said the U.S. would only support a resolution that explicitly calls for the immediate release of the Israeli hostages as part of a ceasefire.

Hayya, who led the group's negotiating team in talks with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, blamed the lack of progress on Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who in turn holds the Islamist group responsible for the stalled talks.

"There are contacts under way with some countries and mediators to revive this file (negotiation). We are ready to continue with those efforts but it is more important to see a real will on the side of the occupation to end the aggression," said Hayya.

"The reality proves that Netanyahu is the one who undermines it (negotiations)," he added.

Speaking during a visit to Gaza on Tuesday, Netanyahu said that Hamas would not rule the Palestinian enclave after the war had ended and that Israel had destroyed the Islamist group's military capabilities.

HAMAS WELCOMES EGYPT'S GAZA POST-WAR PROPOSAL

Netanyahu also said Israel had not given up trying to locate the 101 remaining hostages believed to be still in the enclave, and he offered a $5 million reward for the return of each one.

Hamas wants a deal that ends the war and sees the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held captive in Gaza as well as Palestinians jailed by Israel, while Netanyahu vowed the war can only end once Hamas is eradicated.

Qatar, a key ceasefire mediator alongside Egypt, said it had informed Hamas and Israel that it would stall its mediation efforts unless the two warring parties showed "willingness and seriousness" to reach a deal.

On Nov. 19, Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said the political office of Hamas in Doha had not been permanently closed.

Earlier this month, Reuters quoted a U.S. official saying Washington had asked Qatar to expel the group and that Doha had passed this message on to Hamas.

Al-Ansari said the Hamas office had been created to facilitate mediation efforts to end the Gaza war.

Hayya said Hamas had welcomed an Egyptian proposal for Hamas to form an administrative committee with the rival Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas to run the Gaza Strip, a move that addresses the outstanding question of how the enclave would be run when the fighting stops.

But an agreement has yet to be finalised, Hayya said. Israel rejects any Hamas role in governing Gaza after the war and neither does it trust Abbas' Palestinian Authority to take over running the enclave.

The 2023 attack on Israel, which shattered Israel's aura of invincibility, marked the country's bloodiest day in its history, with 1,200 people killed and over 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel responded with its most destructive offensive in Gaza, killing nearly 44,000 people and wounding 103,898, according to the Gaza health ministry, and turning the enclave into a wasteland of rubble with millions desperate for food, fuel, water and sanitation.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Additional reporting by Enas Alashray and Yomna Ehab; Editing by Mark Heinrich, William Maclean and Daniel Wallis)
For travel tips, recipes and more insight on Italian culture, sign up for CNNs Unlocking Italy newsletter. This eight-part guide will have you packing your bags in no time.

While many communities around the world have been wondering what to make of Donald Trumps presidential re-election, a village on the Italian island of Sardinia has sniffed a potential opportunity.

Like many other places in rural Italy, Ollolai has long been trying to persuade outsiders to move in to revive its fortunes after decades of depopulation. Its been selling dilapidated houses for as little as one euro  just over a dollar  to sweeten the deal.

Now, following the November 5 vote outcome, its launched a website aimed at would-be American expats, offering up more cheap homes in the hope that those upset by the result will rush to snap up one of its empty properties.

Are you worned (sic) out by global politics? Looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities? the website asks. Its time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia.

Mayor Francesco Columbu tells CNN that the website was specifically created to attract American voters in the wake of the presidential elections. He says he loves the United States and is convinced Americans are the best people to help revive his community.

We just really want, and will focus on, Americans above all, he says. We cant of course ban people from other countries to apply, but Americans will have a fast-track procedure. We are betting on them to help us revive the village, they are our winning card.

Preferential treatment

Properties on offer include dilapidated homes at giveaway prices to ready-to-occupy buildings for up to $105,000. - Roberto Tangianu/Sardegna Live

Columbu says the village is now offering three tiers of accommodation: Free temporary homes to certain digital nomads, one-euro homes in need of renovations, and ready-to-occupy houses for prices up to 100,000 euros ($105,000).

The mayor says hes set up a special team to guide interested buyers through every step of the purchase, from organizing tailored private tours of the available dwellings to finding contractors, builders and navigating required paperwork.

He says photos and plans of available empty properties will be soon be uploaded to the website.

In the past century, Ollolais population has shrunk from 2,250 to 1,300 with only a handful of babies born each year. Many families left the village during tough economic times, in search of work and better lives.

Over the last few years, the poulation has further dropped to barely 1,150 residents.

While the village may be desperate to lure newcomers in an attempt to stop depopulation, the offer of preferential treatment to Americans, as Columbu describes it, may seem a bit controversial.

The website does not mentioned having a US passport as a prerequisite, but the mayor says US citizens will be favored above potential applicants of other nationalities.

Of course, we cant specifically mention the name of one US president who just got elected, but we all know that hes the one from whom many Americans want to get away from now and leave the country, Columbo adds.

We have specifically created this website now to meet US post-elections relocation needs. The first edition of our digital nomad scheme which launched last year was already solely for Americans.

The mayor says the town halls website has been flooded recently with 38,000 requests of information on houses, mostly coming from the United States.

So we were really looking to create a platform that caters to US citizens, and to group together our various projects, says Columbu.

A remote paradise

The town is also trying attract digital nomads. - Roberto Tangianu/Sardegna Live

Ollolai has previously tried to lure new residents with appealing housing schemes.

In 2018, as first reported by CNN, the town hall started selling dilapidated empty homes for one euro. Then it went on to rent empty working spaces for a symbolic one euro.

Lastly, starting last year, it launched a work from Ollolai program for digital nomads. So far four Americans have been hosted in fully equipped dwellings for a symbolic one euro. In return, they had to create something for the community, like an artwork or book.

The town hall pays to rent the homes from local families for the remote workers, paying roughly 350 euros per month for multi-floor, two-bedroom dwellings. Utilities, bills and council taxes are also covered.

But revival plans have not been going as well as local authorities had hoped. Since 2018, only 10 homes have been sold for one euro and renovated, says Columbu.

The village remains half empty, we still have about 100 unoccupied cheap homes potentially on sale, ready to move in. We have mapped and listed them all, and soon photos will be online for buyers to take a look at.

Most buildings are located in the historical center and come in varying sizes.

Theyre picturesque old farmers and shepherds dwellings made from local granite rocks. Some turnkey properties are even furbished and equipped with modern comforts.

There are zero demographic requirements for US applicants; these can be people of all ages, pensioners, remote workers or entrepreneurs who wish to open a small business in the village.

Ollolai is off the beaten track, ideal for those who want to unplug and live a simpler life.

Located in a wild mountain region, it rises on a pristine patch of land where ancient farming traditions live on. It boasts fresh, pollution-free air, few crowds and great views.

In fall during an event known as cortes apertas (open courtyards) sees stables and ancient turf taverns open to the public, offering wine, ham, cheese and other delicacies. The area is famous for its locally produced Casu Fiore Sardo cheese.

Another highlight of Ollolais calendar is a masked carnival with goat-like costumes and archaic rituals held in February each year.

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John Stamos is showing support for Full House co-star Dave Coulier after Coulier revealed he has cancer, but its coming with controversy.

On Nov. 18, Stamos and Coulier each posted a trio of photos on Instagram, featuring Stamos wearing a bald cap. There is also a shot of Stamos shaving Couliers head and another one of Stamos and Couliers wife, Melissa Coulier, kissing the top of his head.

Nothing like throwing on a bald cap and flexing some Photoshop skills to show some love and solidarity with my bro @dcoulier, Stamos captioned the pictures.

Youre handling this with so much strength and positivityits inspiring. I know youre going to get through this, and Im proud to stand with you every step of the way. I love you (p.s.  @melissacoulier is the most wonderfulest  your true life line!).

Several commenters took issue with Stamos not actually shaving his head.

What a shallow gesture! Couldnt even cut your hair off for your friend. And you made sure to post it on Instagram to get those likes too, one person commented.

Uncle Jessie could never cut his hair, another person wrote.

God bless Dave  but is this really appropriate? someone else pointed out. A bald cap is showing solidarity? You can just take your cap off and be normal again. When people take this route they actually shave their head. I cant help but feel that youre using Daves diagnoses as a way to make yourself more likeable.

Coulier responded hours later to the negative comments with a post of his own on his Instagram page.

"I'm sorry to see a bunch of negative comments as I've just begun my cancer journey," he wrote.

"It's our friendship (me and John) and this is how we are handling a very tough time," he continued. "I'm a comedian and humor is what drives me. John knows how to cheer me up and I laughed out loud when he arrived wearing a bald cap - being a true loving friend and brother."

He went on to highlight "so many people" who were inspired by his story to check in with their doctors about health concerns.

"I'm choosing to spread the word about early cancer detection to help people. That's just who I am," he wrote, concluding with: "I wish nothing but love for all of you."

There were also plenty of people who had no problem with Stamos.

Awwww this is so cute  also, to anyone in the comments.. if Dave isnt offended by this, you shouldnt be either  and remember .. John is an actor and may need his hair for his JOB. This should be a space filled with positivity and hope.. take the negativity elsewhere, one person commented.

This is fantastic , wrote Full House star Candace Cameron Bure.

Youre a good friend Charlie Brown. Dave is a trooper. All three of you will get through this! someone else commented.

You guys look great! another person raved.

Dave Coulier appeared on TODAY in November to talk about his cancer diagnosis.

On Nov. 13, Coulier announced exclusively on TODAY that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. The actor remains optimistic about his prognosis, though.

(Stage 3) doesnt sound great, he told TODAY.com in an interview about his diagnosis, noting during his broadcast segment that his curability rate is upwards of 90% since the cancer hadnt spread to his bone marrow.

Its very treatable, he added.

Coulier also said he was planning to get together with Stamos after his second round of chemotherapy.

Were going to have so many laughs. Were going to have so much fun, Coulier said. I said, It could be Weekend at Bernies if Im just out of it. And (Stamos) said, Thats OK. Ill carry you around.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Passengers booked to fly out of Kathmandu on Qatar Airways have spent thousands of pounds on alternative tickets after the airline cancelled their flights from the Nepali capital.

In common with other airlines, Qatar Airways has been hit by the short-notice closure of Kathmandu airport at night for improvement work. As The Independent has reported, carriers were ordered to reduce their operations for several months.

Many airlines that cancel flights will automatically rebook passengers on alternative dates or other carriers. But Qatar Airways instead sent out emails telling travellers: You can choose to receive a refund or ask us about alternative flight change options.

Trekkers who were off-grid in the Himalayas when the cancellation emails were sent discovered they were stranded only when they reached a location with internet access.

Two such British travellers were Laura Murphy, 40, and Ry Webb, 39. The couple had been trekking for a month across the mountains of eastern Nepal on part of the Great Himalayan Trail.

Read more: Air passenger compensation  what are your rights when a flight goes wrong?

When they reached the town of Tumlingtar and got back online on 11 November, they tried to check in for their Kathmandu-Doha-London Heathrow flight the following day.

But they were told: Your flight has been cancelled.

A subsequent live chat with the airline revealed no prospect of a seat on a Qatar Airways plane from Kathmandu for at least a week.

I said Are there no other options? and it came back saying Laura, there are no other flights available.

Ms Murphy spoke to The Independent as the couple were seeking alternative flights out of Nepal.

We need to find more accommodation in Kathmandu while were trying to find flights out, she said.

It seems like getting out of Kathmandu is the difficult part so were struggling. Weve tried looking via India, China, Bangkok

Prices of flights are going up incredibly fast so now its looking like 2,000 to 3,000 each to get back to London.

The couple even considered travelling overland to India in order to find an available flight from a different airport, but found that an Indian e-visa requires a minimum of five days between application and entry.

The couple eventually spent $1,300 (1,026) each on a four-hour flight to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, followed by a 13-hour flight back to Heathrow. They also had to pay for a hotel room and meals while they waited.

Ms Murphy said she was shocked at the lack of support. She said: We decided to pay more for Qatar Airways to be more secure. I believed they were quite a substantial, reputable airline, so if anything like this happened, we would get a good amount of support and communication.

I wouldnt really want to use them again at this point in time.

Late arrival: Professor George Rodway, president of the International Society of Mountain Medicine, arrived home to Oregon five days late and 1,000 worse off (Simon Calder)

Another passenger says he was told he could be waiting for weeks for a Qatar Airways flight out of Kathmandu.

Professor George Rodway, president of the International Society of Mountain Medicine, arrived back in Kathmandu after a trek across the Lumba Sumba pass in eastern Nepal. He was booked to fly from Kathmandu to Doha and onwards to Seattle on 14 November.

But when checking in online he discovered the flight was cancelled. He said: They would not rebook me to home until after 2 December. So Ive had to pay out of pocket for a Turkish Airlines flight on 17 November. And no offer to pay for accommodation.

He rebooked on Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, and finally arrived home in Oregon five days late.

I had to pay $210 for my hotel in Kathmandu and $1,800 for the new flight, minus the $750 refund Ill get from Qatar. In total, Professor Rodway was $1,260  almost 1,000  out of pocket.

There is no suggestion that Qatar Airways has contravened any rules. European air passengers rights legislation does not apply to non-EU and UK airlines on flights beginning outside Europe. There is no automatic right to care or compensation if a flight is cancelled.

A spokesperson for the airline said: Due to operational reasons, Qatar Airways has reduced its number of daily flights to Kathmandu, Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM).

To accommodate affected passengers we started temporary daily one-stop flights from Doha to Kathmandu via Gautam Buddha Airport (BWA) in Nepal.

The return flight from KTM to DOH is nonstop. Impacted customers are being notified directly and can contact our customer care team via call or chat at qatarairways.com/help to make alternative arrangements.

We thank customers for their patience and understanding and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.
By David Shepardson

(Reuters) -A bipartisan group of five U.S. senators including incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune urged President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday to back international efforts to raise the mandatory pilot retirement age.

Last year, Congress rejected a push to raise the mandatory airline pilot retirement age to 67 from 65. International rules prevent airline pilots older than 65 from flying in most countries outside the United States.

The group of senators is led by Marsha Blackburn and includes her fellow Republicans Thune and Lindsey Graham as well as Democrat Mark Kelly and independent Joe Manchin.

They urged U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to advocate at the International Civil Aviation Organization, an agency of the United Nations, for hiking the retirement age. They did not suggest a specific age.

"The American public deserves the most qualified and experienced pilots when traveling," the senators wrote in the letter first reported by Reuters.

The State Department, Federal Aviation Administration and the Air Line Pilots Association did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A group representing major airlines declined to comment.

The senators urged the U.S. mission to ICAO to "not spend this debate sitting on the sidelines. If the United States cedes our leadership role in this space on the international stage, we know that China - who is presently and actively joining our partners to advocate for raising the pilot retirement age - will gladly fill that void."

The FAA in February asked Congress to give it time to conduct additional research before raising the retirement age. The U.S. House of Representatives had voted 351-69 in July 2023 to approve a sweeping aviation bill that would also raise the mandatory pilot retirement age to 67. But the provision was dropped from the final legislation passed by Congress.

The Air Line Pilots Association has opposed raising the retirement age and said such a move could cause airline scheduling and pilot training issues and also require reopening pilot contract talks.

The U.S. mission to ICAO in Montreal has been without an ambassador since Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the commercial airline pilot who safely landed an Airbus A320 on New York's Hudson River in 2009, stepped down in July 2022. Biden nominated former Florida Governor Charlie Christ to the post in 2023, but the Senate has not confirmed the appointment.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Diane Craft and Will Dunham)
Photo Image Press/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

If Back to the Future 4 ever becomes a reality, the plot should feature President-elect Donald Trump on the campaign trail. Like Marty McFly and Emmett Brown, Trump spent an inordinate amount of time inserting himself in the past, crafting speculative fiction along the way.

In traditional speculative fiction, the author asks the "what if" question. In The Man in the High Castle, Philip Dick asked, "What if the Axis Powers not only won World War II but also occupied the United States?" Stephen King's 11/22/63 asked, "What if somebody killed Lee Harvey Oswald before he could kill JFK?" In The Plot Against America, Philip Roth asked, "What if Charles Lindbergh was president instead of FDR?"

For Trump, one question haunts his fevered dreams: What if he won the 2020 election? To answer this question, Trump relies on a grammatical sleight-of-hand known as conditional structure.

What Condition My Condition Is In

For those unfamiliar with conditional grammar, please bear with this quick, impromptu grammar lesson. A conditional sentence demonstrates a possible situation or consequence, typically introduced with a dependent clause starting with if.

Most conditional sentencesoften referred to as zero and first conditionalsstrictly articulate facts and plausible outcomes:

Zero conditional: If heated, ice melts.

First conditional: If Republicans win the House of Representatives, they will effectively control all three branches of the federal government.

But there are conditionals reserved for spurious speculation, too. Second conditionals postulate about unreal or improbable situations, while third conditionals ruminate on a revered past that never happened. The former relies on past simple verbs and infinitives, and the latter on past perfect and past participles. Both use the modal verb would in the independent clause.

To better understand the second and third conditionals, a quick examination of Trump's campaign rhetoric provides ample examples.

"If I Was President"

Historical revisionism fuels Trump's grammatical time machine.

Trump's central campaign hypothesis was as obvious as it was circular: If he had been president when all the bad things happened, the bad things would never have happened in the first place. During a July rally, Trump read off a laundry list of all the bad things he would have stopped before they could happen:

If I was President, the Afghan disaster would have never happened, Ukraine would have never happened, and October 7th attack on Israel would have never happened.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in particular, stuck in Trump's craw:

It would've never happened if I was president. And you know what? It didn't happen. And even radical-left lunatic Democrats say, "I will say, if Trump was president, it wouldn't have happened."

But while in office, Trump never challenged Putinnot once. Whether challenging the annexation of Crimea or his yearslong aggression in the Donbas region, Trump's tough-guy persona never materialized when Putin was in the same room. In fact, before his infamous Helsinki Summit with the Russian leader, Trump expressed his willingness to recognize Putin's encroachment into Ukraine. When asked if the U.S. would accept Russian claims for Crimea, Trump said, "We're going to have to see."

Trump's conditional modals are, at best, ahistorical spitballing. He once hypothesized that his strict immigration policies would have prevented the attacks on the World Trade Center buildings and the Pentagon on September 11th, 2001:

I would have been much different. I am extremely, extremely tough on illegal immigration. I'm extremely tough on people coming into this country. I believe that if I were running things, I doubt  those people would have been in the country.

Yes, Trump banned travel and revoked visas for tens of thousands of immigrants from Muslim-majority countries. However, his travel ban would have missed the mark back in 2001. Trump's "Muslim ban" targeted immigrants from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Meanwhile, the 9/11 hijackers were from Saudia Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Lebanon and trained in Afghanistan.

And speaking of Afghanistan, Trump's revision of the "Afghan disaster" does not sync up with the historical record.

Schrodinger Would Have Had a Better Exit Strategy

Campaigning as a dove, Trump set the stage for the United States' exit from Afghanistan with this conditional campaign promise (a rare breed of highly speculative first conditional):

If I become president, the era of nation-building will be ended.

Once elected, however, Trump and his dovish promises caved to his administration's hawkish influences. "My original instinct was to pull out, and historically I like to follow my instincts," Trump said in his first prime-time address. "I heard that decisions are much different when you sit behind the desk of the Oval Office." Against his better instincts, Trump deployed 4,000 more American soldiers into Afghanistan in 2017.

Trump turned heads in 2019 when he invited Taliban leaders to Camp David to negotiate a peace deal. The deal, known as the Doha Agreement, entailed American forces releasing more than 5,000 imprisoned Taliban soldiers, including senior leadership, in exchange for the Taliban's promise not to harbor terrorists.

However, the negotiated timeline extended past Trump's first term. Shortly after losing his reelection bid in 2020, Trump ordered a drastic reduction of troops, leaving the remaining 2,500 vastly outnumbered.

This deal set the stage for the impending disaster Trump lamented about. Sen. Marco Rubiothen a prominent critic of Trump, now his loyal nominee for Secretary of Stateequated the withdrawal to a "Saigon-type of situation," proclaiming Afghanistan "would fall very quickly and then our ability to conduct operations against terrorist elements in the region could be compromised."

Afghanistan was a game of geopolitical hot potato, and the music stopped when Biden was holding the spud. By the time Biden took office, insurgents already controlled nearly half of Afghanistan's provinces. Trump even admitted that Biden had no control over what happened in Afghanistan. "I started the process," he publicly admitted during a 2021 rally. "They couldn't stop the process." A subsequent National Security Council report reached the same conclusion, claiming Biden was "severely constrained by conditions created by his predecessor."

Yet, despite such a predictably fatalistic outcome, Trump asserted he would havesomehowdone it better than Biden. Again, conditional speculation defines his thesis: "We were going to do it with dignity and strength," he told a crowd in Detroit on August 26, 2024. Consistent with his long-term casual and open relationship with policy specifics, Trump didn't elaborate on the finer details of this purported strong, dignified plan.

Trump's "exit" strategy, however, included one dubiously imperial proposal: keeping a military base in Afghanistan. Trump frequently lamented about the loss of the Bagram Airfield, once the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan. Had he been in charge then, "We would have never given up Bagram," Trump proclaimed. Nothing says ending the "era of nation-building" like keeping military bases in occupied territory.

Before claiming responsibility for a more favorable yet nonexistent outcome in Afghanistan, Trump must first own his actual contribution to how the exit unraveled. But that's unlikely given howin the words of Jim Golby, a senior fellow at the Clements Center for National SecurityTrump "neither embraced nor fully repudiated America's mission."

Trump's revisionismfueled by his grammatical gimmicks and erroneous conditional rhetoricmade Afghanistan the equivalent of Schrodinger's cat: both a heroic victory for him and a politicized tragedy for everybody else.

No More "Ifs" or "Woulds"

Trump has always had a specious relationship with the past. The entire premise of "Make America Great Again" weaponizes nostalgia for a glorious yet nebulous pastall without specifying a precise time, what made the country great, or whom it was great for.

But Trump's fun-filled campaign ride in his grammatical Delorian is over. Come January 20, 2025, the President-elect must forgo ruminating on the past, return to the present, and engage in the unenviable task of governing.

And Trump's second term will test many of his backward-facing, self-fulfilling prophecies. Will Russian President Vladimir Putin fear Trump more than Biden, or will the Russian tyrant stay the course in Ukraine and escalate the war? Will Hamas and Hezbollah pause their planned attacks on Israel, or will these terrorist groups continue launching rockets at their Zionist foes? Will China finally invade Taiwan, or will Trump's tough-on-China bluster keep Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party at bay?

Only timeand possibly Marty McFly and Doc Brownwill tell.

The post Trump's Grammatical Time Machine appeared first on Reason.com.
For Ghulam, it began with a form handed to him by a colleague, offering him a way out. For more than 12 years, he had been part of an elite troop of Afghan special forces set up, trained and paid by the British government. Now, after being forced to flee the Taliban and leave his homeland for Iran, he worked long days in a recycling factory and had to evade police because of his undocumented status.

The fellow Afghan who gave Ghulam the form knew of his military background and thought he might be open to an offer. For some in Ghulams situation, a form comes first; for others, its contact by phone from other Afghan veterans. Some have been approached face to face. However its done, and whatever the terms, the offer to these elite UK-trained commandos is broadly the same: come to fight for Vladimir Putins Russian forces against Ukraine.

Ghulam was part of Afghan Territorial Force (ATF) 444 which, along with sister unit Commando Force (CF) 333, were set up by the British in the 2000s. Known as the Triples, they fought shoulder to shoulder with UK troops against the Taliban. That association has put these troops at risk since the Taliban regained control in 2021 and, although the UK government is now reassessing decisions to deny thousands of them sanctuary in the UK, progress is slow. Many are living in fear, with little or no communication on their future from the Ministry of Defence. An investigation by The Independent, in collaboration with investigative newsroom Lighthouse Reports and Afghan news outlet Etilaat Roz, has found that, while the Triples wait in limbo goes on, Britains adversaries are circling.

Afghan special forces soldiers, known as the Triples, were trained and paid by the British (Charlie Herbert)

Putins war in Ukraine, now approaching its third anniversary, has been long and costly for Moscow, with conscriptions of civilians and even convicts called up to serve, sent into Ukraines eastern front that has become known as the meatgrinder. Casualties on the Russian side are now thought to top 700,000, with more than 100,000 estimated dead. As Russia looks further afield, Cubans, Syrians, Indians and most recently North Koreans have been roped into the war.

Keir Giles, senior consulting fellow on Russia and Eurasia at think tank Chatham House, said Afghans with elite combat experience would obviously be attractive to military recruiters. He said: Russia is trying to exhaust every possible source of live bodies for the armed forces short of full-scale mobilisations.

You have a situation where the loose coalition of countries backing Russia: namely Iran, North Korea and China, will be content to find ways to assist Russia in its war on Ukraine.

Weve already seen this turn into manpower assistance in the case of North Korea. It should not be surprising if this pattern spreads to other countries, particularly if it is a deniable involvement, such as for example Iran providing assistance with recruiting third-country nationals from Iran.

Speaking to 14 former Triples inside Iran, as well as dozens more in Afghanistan, we have established that there was an initial wave of recruitment offers to Afghan ex-military personnel in 2023, followed by a second wave earlier this year.

We have seen a number of apparent recruitment forms, including the one given to Ghulam, that have been circulated among Afghan veterans in Iran. The forms, which are written in Dari, ask for personal details and contact information.

One form also asks: What is your knowledge of military affairs and being a soldier? and, What is your military expertise? The form then asks the applicant what level of education they have and whether they have a driving licence.

Ghulam when he was in the Afghan Territorial Force 444 (The Independent)

Ghulam, who was arrested by Iranian police and deported to Afghanistan before he could decide whether to take up the offer, was told a former Afghan general was leading the recruitment and the next step would be an interview to assess his experience.

Some former special forces soldiers in Iran said they were approached for recruitment initially by contacts within the former Afghan army or security forces over the phone; others said Afghan people smugglers approached them in person. One former army doctor, Musharaf, said he got as far as meeting Russians from the embassy in Tehran face-to-face about the recruitment.

Musharaf claimed he had represented a few hundred former special forces soldiers in negotiations. I would go to the Russian embassy to talk to Russian officials regarding the recruitment process, he explained. We decided to go together with these 200 special forces to Russia. We thought wherever we can be fed, thats where we can live. We were forced to do this because life here in Iran is very difficult.

I was talking directly with Russians and they agreed to pay $3,000 [2,370] per month.

He said everything was ready to go when he spoke with his former boss in the Triples units who advised him it would not be a good decision. At this point, he said, he decided not to go, and those he had recruited followed suit.

Musharaf said friends of his had been recruited this year, given visas through Moscows embassy in Tehran. I know that some people have gone through their programme to Ukraine, he said, although he was unable to provide evidence to prove this.

Hamid, who became a training officer during a 13-year career in ATF444, said that during 18 months in Iran working as a construction worker, he was approached three times by Afghan middlemen offering him a job fighting for Russia.

He said the offer came earlier this year: First I was approached two times in a week, and then a month later I was approached again. The people making the approaches were Afghans who are human traffickers or contractors. They are the kind of people who take you across borders to a different country.

They said there are Afghans who are currently in Russia who have been recruited and my job would be to go there and train them professionally. I dont know anything about what happens in Russia because I told them clearly that I did not want to do it. Im not going to do anything like that again, any battles or missions, especially for another country.

I have high hopes that I will be relocated by the UK and I will stay loyal to the British.

While none of the Triples we spoke to took up the offer, the situation for Afghans in Iran is becoming more and more hostile. The Iranian government plans to deport around two million migrants, the majority of them Afghan, by March and new restrictions cull any of the limited freedoms that Afghans had. Increasingly the choice these Triples face is to take up an offer to fight or be sent back to their homeland where they and their families will have to face the Taliban, who have beaten, tortured and killed dozens of them since August 2021.

While this goes on, the process of reviewing rejected applications to the Ministry of Defences relocation scheme for Afghans who worked closely with British troops has been beset by delays. In February, the MoD announced that it would review around 2,000 rejections from the Afghan relocations and assistance policy (Arap) within 12 weeks, following revelations in a joint investigation by The Independent, Lighthouse Reports and Sky News last year that hundreds of Triples had been refused under the scheme. Government ministers have said that they estimate one in four of the applications reviewed will be overturned.

The Triples units were initially set up to tackle drugs networks in Afghanistan but they soon evolved to track down Taliban and al-Qaeda members (Charlie Herbert)

But nine months on, the review is still ongoing. In October, armed forces minister Luke Pollard admitted that the delay has been a source of deep regret and that it should not have taken this long.

The government has said that more than three-quarters of the applications have now been reassessed, and positive decisions have started to receive sign-off by Pollard.

However, applications deemed ineligible by the review will not be informed. In fact, the UK government has decided to not even tell the Afghans whose applications are under review that their cases are being reconsidered.

Instead, the Triples in Iran and Afghanistan must continue living in fear, unable to have a normal life in their homeland, hoping they will be one of the estimated 500 told they can come to safety in Britain.

In the meantime, Rafi Hottak, a former Afghan interpreter, who is in touch with former Triples in Iran, said he had been told about Afghan former special forces officers being gathered together in meetings about fighting for Russia.

The MoD needs to speed up the review process, he said. They need to look at this not purely on the numbers, but also as a responsibility. These are the people who stood by us, did what was necessary. Today they have no land, no country to go back to.

An MoD spokesperson said: As the minister for the armed forces made clear recently to parliament, we understand the frustration that the review is taking so long.

Key issues within the review have been resolved and we are working hard to ensure that eligible former Triples and their families can move to start a new life in the UK.

The Triples review remains high priority for the government and ministers have directed that it is delivered quickly, and with the care and diligence that it deserves.

A former member of the UK military, who served with the Triples in Afghanistan, warned many were close to breaking point. They said: They [the Triples] know exactly how the UK does business from intelligence gathering to specialist military operations. Theres a lot of knowledge that has been shared over the 20 years we worked shoulder to shoulder.

Despite the promises that have already been broken, the Triples remain loyal to the UK. However, with many barely surviving, in destitution and fear, there will come a point where they can wait no longer.

Names have been changed to protect the identities of former Afghan military personnel, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department said Wednesday it has finalized a $1.5 billion government subsidy for GlobalFoundries to expand semiconductor production in Malta, New York and Vermont.

The binding contract for New York-based GlobalFoundries, he world's third-largest contract chipmaker, finalizes a preliminary award announced in February after the company said it was investing $13 billion over the next 10 plus years in its U.S. manufacturing sites that serve automotive, smart mobile devices, Internet of Things, data centers, and aerospace and defense.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Reuters last week the department is racing to complete as many final agreements with recipients under the $52.7 billion "Chips and Science" program created in 2022 as possible before the Biden administration ends on Jan. 20. "We're working as hard as we can," Raimondo said.

The Commerce award will support expansion of GlobalFoundries Malta, New York fab by adding technologies already in use at GFs Singapore and Germany facilities to provide chips for the U.S. auto industry. New York state has also committed to providing another $550 million in support, GF said.

GF also plans to build a new fab in Malta, New York "in alignment with market conditions and customer demand" to produce chips for automotive, AI, aerospace and defense.

"GF's essential chips are at the core of U.S. economic, supply chain and national security," said GF CEO Thomas Caulfield, calling the state and federal funding key "to ensure our customers have the American-made chips they need to succeed and win."

Commerce last week finalized its first major award -- a $6.6 billion government subsidy for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co's U.S. unit. The first final awards come just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump, who criticized the program, takes office.

Commerce has allocated $36 billion for chips projects including $6.4 billion for Samsung in Texas, $8.5 billion for Intel and $6.1 billion for Micron Technology.

On Nov. 1, Commerce imposed a $500,000 penalty on GlobalFoundries for shipping chips without authorization to an affiliate of blacklisted Chinese chipmaker SMIC. GF said it regretted the inadvertent action.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Vice President-elect JD Vance let slip Tuesday that President-elect Donald Trump is interviewing candidates to take over the FBI before the current directors term is up during a heated X exchange over President Bidens lame-duck judicial nominee confirmations.

The revelation was buried in a response by Vance to a now-deleted post by Steve Bannons War Room CFO Grace Chong, who had blasted the Ohio senator for missing a vote where a controversial Biden judicial appointee, Embry J. Kidd, had been confirmed.

You guys better show up and do your one fricken job!! @JDVance @marcorubio, Chong posted, name-checking Trumps VP-elect and secretary of state-designate.

Vice President-elect JD Vance revealed he and Trump are interviewing candidates to take over the FBI.

Vance shot back by calling Chong a mouth breathing imbecile before going on to reveal that he and Trump were meeting with potential candidates to lead the bureau.

When this 11th Circuit vote happened, I was meeting with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director. I tend to think its more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45, Vance posted.

The Ohio senator later deleted the X post in which he made the revelation.

The bureau is currently headed by Christopher Wray, whose ten-year term doesnt expire until 2027.

Vance posted that he was meeting with Trump and FBI director candidates during the vote to appoint a 11th Circuit Court judge. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Wray, 57, was installed in the position by Trump in August 2017, but has since invoked the president-elects wrath over what Trump sees as political investigations against him, such as the infamous Mar-a-Lago raid in August 2022.

In July, Wray questioned whether Trump had truly been struck by a bullet at the Butler Pa. rally where a would-be assassin shot him in the ear.

Trump claimed the FBI directors remarks prove that he knows nothing about the terrorists and other criminals pouring into our Country at record levels.

The 45th president went on to claim in a July 25 Truth Social post that investigators never even checked his ear.

No wonder the once storied FBI has lost the confidence of America! Trump added.

Trump, 78, has also accused Wray of lying to Congress about his awareness of President Bidens cognitive and physical decline.

Wray said that it is not something I observed during my interactions with him, which were uneventful and unremarkable, essentially stating that he found nothing wrong, mentally or physically, with Joe, Trump wrote on Truth Social. If that is the case, Director Wray should resign immediately from the FBI.

The 45th president argued that anybody can see that Joe Biden is cognitively and physically challenged, and if you cant see that, you sure as hell cant be running the FBI.

Former Pentagon official Kash Patel, who was believed to be in contention for the top CIA post before it was given to former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, has been rumored as a possible option to replace Wray at the FBI.

Patel, 44, has written about the need to dismantle the Justice Department and do an overhaul of the intelligence agencies, including the FBI, by firing their top ranks.

[T]he FBI has become so thoroughly compromised that it will remain a threat to the people unless drastic measures are taken, Patel wrote in his book, Government Gangsters.

Trump appointed Christopher Wray at FBI Director in 2017. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon

During his campaign, Trump described Patels book as a blueprint for his second term in the White House.

Also believed to be a contender for the FBI directorship is former Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers, who spent 14 years in Congress, the last four as chair of the House Intelligence Committee.

Rogers, 61, was narrowly defeated earlier this month by Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin for the Senate seat vacated by retiring Democrat Debbie Stabenow.

The FBI and the Trump-Vance transition team did not respond to The Posts request for comment.
Everything you need to know to keep safe.

Food & Wine / Getty Images

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means you're likely making your grocery shopping list and checking it twice to gear up for a dinner to remember. But before you head off to the store, there are a few things the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would like for you to keep in mind to ensure you don't poison your family and friends this holiday season.

Related: The Food & Wine Guide to Thanksgiving

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, Dr. Emilio Esteban, the Under Secretary for Food Safety, shared in a statement. Following these basic steps can help keep your family and friends safe this holiday season.

Want to stay extra safe? According to the USDA, that begins by how you shop at the grocery store.

How to pick the right turkey  and store it safely

"Bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels if perishables, like turkey, are left in the Danger Zone (temperatures between 40F and 140F) for too long," the UDSA wrote. So, to minimize risk, it suggests you pick up your turkey and other perishable products "at the end of your grocery shopping so they stay cold as long as possible." Also, ensure that turkey packaging isn't torn or leaking before you purchase it. "Juices from raw poultry can cause cross-contamination of harmful bacteria that can get you sick," it noted.



Then, pack those perishables in insulated bags for the drive home (and pack some ice if that drive is longer than an hour), and make sure your turkey or other raw meats are packed separately in plastic bags to avoid cross-contamination.

How to safely thaw a turkey for Thanksgiving

The next step is the all-important thawing stage, which the USDA says should happen either in the fridge or in cold water.



"When thawing in a refrigerator at 40F or below, allow roughly 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds," it noted, adding you may want to put the turkey in a container or dish in case any juices leak. And, if you choose to thaw under cold water, let it sit for "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."

Once that bird is thawed, make sure to keep it away from other foods you're going to serve. "A USDA study found that about 30% of consumers did not successfully clean and sanitize kitchen surfaces around meal preparation," the USDA warned. And maybe think twice about washing your turkey, as 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 afterward and then sanitize using a sanitizing solution."

How to safely cook a turkey

And no matter how you choose to cook your turkey, just make sure it reaches an internal temperature of 165F (using an actual food thermometer, please) across three places, "the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh, and the innermost part of the wing." And if you do stuff your turkey, make sure that the stuffing hits 165F, too.

Why you should use the "2-hour rule"

When it comes time to serve your food, you don't need to rush, but don't let the plates linger for too long. As the USDA noted, a good rule of thumb is the two-hour rule, as "perishable foods that have sat out at room temperature for more than two hours are unsafe, due to bacterial growth, and must be discarded." And if you can, keep your hot foods  like turkey and mashed potatoes  hot on a warming tray or in a slow cooker to ward off bacteria, and your cold foods  like cranberry sauce and salad  chilled for the same reason.

How to safely store Thanksgiving leftovers

Last but certainly not least, it's critical to protect those all-important leftovers.

Leftovers must be put in the fridge within two hours of serving or have been kept hot at or above 140F or cold below 40F. "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," the USDA said. And make sure to carve the rest of your turkey before storing it to keep it as fresh as possible. That way, you can enjoy delicious sandwiches for days to come.
Amersham, England  Family and friends of One Direction star Liam Payne, who died last month after falling from a Buenos Aires hotel room, gathered for his funeral in Britain on Wednesday. Payne's former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson were among mourners at the private service at St Mary's Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, just outside London.

The late singer's girlfriend Kate Cassidy also attended, as did his former partner, the Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy.



Around a dozen fans watched from behind a nearby cordon as guests hugged each other before walking past floral tributes into the 12th century church to pay their final respects to the singer.

Harry Styles is seen after the funeral service for One Direction singer Liam Payne, at St. Mary's Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England, Nov. 20, 2024. / Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA Images/Getty

Payne's coffin arrived in a white horse-drawn hearse topped with floral tributes spelling the words "Son" and "Daddy," followed by his parents.



Payne was found dead on October 16 after falling from the balcony of his third-floor room at the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentinian capital.

His death, at age 31, prompted a global outpouring of grief from family, former bandmates and fans with thousands gathering in cities around the world to offer condolences.

Pallbearers carry the coffin into the funeral service of One Direction singer Liam Payne, at St. Mary's Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England, Nov. 20, 2024. / Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA Images/Getty

Payne shot to stardom as a teenager alongside Styles, Horan, Tomlinson and Malik after the band was formed on the hit U.K. talent show "The X Factor" 14 years ago.

Payne died from "multiple traumas" and "internal and external haemorrhaging" after the fall from the hotel, a postmortem examination found. The balcony attached to his room overlooked a rear patio, about 45 feet high.



Hotel staff had called emergency services twice to report a guest "overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol" who was "destroying" a hotel room. Investigators have said Payne was alone at the time and appeared to have been "going through an episode of substance abuse."

Liam Payne is seen on March 1, 2024, in Paris, France. / Credit: Marc Piasecki GC Images/Getty

In early November, Argentine prosecutors said three people had been charged in connection with Payne's death, including one person whom they said had spent time with Payne every day he was in Buenos Aires. That individual was charged with abandonment of a person followed by death, which carries a sentence of five to 15 years in prison, according to statement released by Argentina's National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office.

In a short statement following his death, Payne's family said: "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul."

One Direction co-stars said they had been "completely devastated" by his death.

After forming in 2010, the band went on to release an album of radio-ready songs each year in time for the holiday shopping season and became one of the highest-grossing live acts in the world.



In 2016, after Malik left, the group said it was on an indefinite hiatus but not splitting up.



Payne's first solo single "Strip That Down" peaked at number three on the UK charts and number 10 on the US Billboard top songs list.



But in recent years he had spoken publicly about struggles with substance abuse and coping with fame from an early age.



His last solo work, a single called "Teardrops," was released in March, with a second album promised at the time.



Payne was born and raised in Wolverhampton, in central England. He is survived by his parents, two sisters, and a son with Cheryl Tweedy.

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Police in Oklahoma are searching for a child who vanished three years ago after her mother allegedly gave her to a man selling her drugs, according to reports.

The Moore Police Department has been investigating the disappearance of London Kerr, who has reportedly been missing since she was 2 years old. The child would be 5 years old right now.

Her mother, identified as Ashley Rowland, was taken into custody for child desertion in connection to this case in October and accused of giving Kerr to a man during a drug exchange, local news reported.

The details came to light when the state Department of Health couldn't locate the baby in April 2023 during a pickup order, resulting in them contacting Rowland, according to KOKH and KOCO-TV citing court records.

Per the reports, Rowland initially said that the baby was with her father in Georgia, but officials found out her story was not true.

Missing people: Search continues for Hannah Kobayashi, missing in Los Angeles for a week: Timeline

Woman of missing child gave her to man for meth, reports state

When speaking to investigators, she allegedly confessed that she gave her to a man identified as Carlos, who she brought methamphetamine from in 2022, the outlets reported. That's the last time she also saw Kerr.

She also told them that Carlos claimed he was going to Mexico at the time.

Search for London Kerr: Police look for information related to the child's whereabouts

Moore Police are investigating the disappearance of London Kerr. She has been missing since 2022.

Moore police said investigators have been searching for clues to track Kerr down.

"Since Rowland's arrest, Moore Police and Detectives have searched multiple properties, storage units, and electronic devices regarding London's birth certificates, social security information, clothing, toys, or anything that could lead to identifying London or her whereabouts," the department said in a press release.

Despite their efforts, they have only been able to obtain photos of her. The department has formally tapped the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to help them with this case.

"The Moore Police Department has done everything in its power to locate London within our jurisdiction and plans to file additional charges related to the disappearance of London Kerr," the department explained.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson told USA TODAY that Kerr has been added to the National Crime Information Center(NCIC).

According to reports, Rowland has bonded out of jail.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Police search for London Kerr, child swapped during drug deal: Reports
Police investigate the site in New York where the suspect in three knife attacks Monday was captured and taken into custody.

The man accused of killing three people in a stabbing spree Monday had been released from New York City jail a month earlier and was free on bail on suspicion of other crimes in New Jersey, records showed.

Ramon Rivera, 51, made his first appearance in front of a Manhattan judge Tuesday and was formally told he faces three counts of first-degree murder.

When police caught Rivera on Monday, he was carrying two knives and "wearing a grey sweatshirt that appeared to have bloodstains on it and dark pants," according to a criminal complaint.

New York Police Detective Yeoman Castro spoke to Rivera, "who admitted in substance" that "he stabbed the three" victims, the complaint said.

Rivera's court-assigned lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.

Hours after Rivera, who is homeless, was taken into custody following the trio of slayings, New York Mayor Eric Adams was questioning why he was walking free.

He was sentenced a few months ago, and theres a real question that we need to look at on why he was out on the streets, and he has some severe mental health issues that should have been examined, Adams told reporters Monday.

Rivera was released from a New York City jail on Oct. 17 for time served on burglary and assault charges, records showed. Records showed that he is alleged to have committed grand larceny by taking property from a Manhattan store on the day he was released.

And earlier this year, Rivera was charged with multiple crimes in neighboring New Jersey, according to the Hudson County Prosecutors Office.

Ramon Rivera, a suspect in multiple stabbings, is escorted by police Monday in New York.

He was accused of breaking into a CBD store, the Green Room, on Jan. 11 and stealing mason jars of CBD buds and other items, according to a grand jury indictment.

Four days later, Rivera grabbed phones and other electronics from Hi Wireless store in Union City, another indictment alleges.

In total, Rivera has been arrested eight times in New York City in the past year, court records showed. He also has been arrested in Ohio and Florida.

"The Criminal Justice Reform Act provides an outline for when a defendant should be detained or released from custody pending prosecution," a spokesperson for the Hudson County Prosecutors Office said in a statement. "Given the nature of these offenses, the defendant was released on pretrial monitoring."

Rivera was arrested after three people were killed in attacks that police called have called "unprovoked."

Angel Lata Landi, 36, a construction worker from Peekskill, was attacked near his worksite at 444 W. 19th St. at 8:22 a.m. ET, police said.

Then, at 10:27 a.m., Chang Wang, 67, was stabbed to death as he was fishing in the East River near 500 E. 30th St., about 2.3 miles and a 52-minute walk from where Landi was attacked, police said.

The third victim, Wilma Augustin, 36, who lived in Manhattan, was fatally stabbed near East 42nd Street and First Avenue at 10:55 a.m., about three-quarters of a mile and a 15-minute walk from the second slaying.

A witness "observed the defendant standing very close to a woman, heard that woman yelling 'Help,' and then saw the defendant run," according to the complaint.

Augustin had an 8-year-old child, according to Adams, who hinted that she might have been a new U.S. resident.

"One person is just fishing on FDR Drive and he's stabbed. Another person is on his way to work and a mother of an 8-year-old child" are both killed, Adams told reporters Tuesday.

"You know that child came here, that family came here, to pursue the American dream. How do you explain to that child what happened?" he said.

Augustin's publicly listed address appeared to be a shelter for newly arrived migrants, though Adams stopped just short of identifying her as a migrant.

"We have to look into that. We're still clearing out exactly what's going on and exactly what happened," he told reporters.

Rivera was arrested a short time later, after the attack on Augustin, police said.
WASHINGTON  There are still more than two months until President-elect Donald Trump takes back the Oval Office, but he's already testing the limits of his power by pushing Senate Republicans on controversial Cabinet nominees.

Republicans are set to retake control of the Senate next year and almost uniformly say they want to sign off on the president-elect's Cabinet picks  and quickly. But behind closed doors, there is widespread concern among GOP senators about some of the nominees.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., a close Trump ally, said on the Senate floor Tuesday that it should be a "no brainer" for Senate Republicans to support all of Trump's Cabinet picks. He displayed a sign noting there were no Democrats who voted against President Joe Biden's Cabinet nominees in 2021.

"However, over the last few days, I've heard some of my Senate Republican colleagues express concerns about who President Trump is picking for his team. I would expect this from my colleagues on the left, not on the right," he said. "My advice to them is get on board or get out of the way."

Trump announced he has picked former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., for attorney general, his most contentious choice so far. Gaetz was investigated by the Department of Justice on allegations that he had sex trafficked underage girls, though the agency did not bring criminal charges against him.

The House Ethics Committee had an ongoing investigation into similar allegations. That panel planned to vote on whether to release a report on its findings just two days after Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress. Lawyers for two women who spoke with the committee have said they testified that they witnessed Gaetz under the influence of drugs and sexually assaulting a minor in 2017. Gaetz has denied the allegations.

FILE PHOTO: Republican U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz speaks at a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Henderson, Nevada U.S. October 31, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

Trump also tapped Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be defense secretary. A woman alleged Hegseth raped her in 2017. He has denied the allegation, and police never pressed charges against him. Hegseth admitted to paying the woman a settlement amount, saying he feared he would lose his job at Fox over the accusation.

In a previous political era, the claims against Gaetz and Hegseth would likely be the death knell for a Cabinet nomination.

For example, former President Bill Clinton's nominee for attorney general, Zoe Baird, dropped out of consideration when it was revealed she had hired an undocumented immigrant as a nanny for her children.

Former President Barack Obama's nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, withdrew because he had $140,000 in unpaid taxes. During Trump's first administration, his nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, now-Rep. Ronny Jackson, withdrew over allegations of unprofessional conduct as White House physician.

Still, only nine Cabinet nominees have been rejected by the Senate, and the vast majority of those were chosen in the 19th century. The most recently rejected Cabinet nominee was in 1989.

In 2024, a game of chicken is playing out between Trump and the GOP-led Senate over some of his picks. Trump said Tuesday he is not reconsidering nominating Gaetz, despite the fact that he is unlikely to get enough GOP support to be approved in the upper chamber.

U.S. President Donald Trump is interviewed by Fox and Friends co-host Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington, U.S. April 6, 2017.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who serves on the Judiciary Committee that will be responsible for vetting Gaetz's nomination, told USA TODAY that the former Florida lawmaker's nomination presents "the first major test for Republicans" about "whether they're willing to stand up to" Trump.

"They are talking privately about voting against him, but the question is whether they'll have the backbone to do it," he added. "History is far from reassuring."

If Republican senators choose not to approve nominees like Gaetz and Hegseth they risk Trump testing a tool to force them to step aside to allow him to approve his nominees without their consent.

Trump has insisted that senators agree to what's known as "recess appointments." Most GOP senators say they would support such a maneuver if Democrats block the nominees, but are less forthright if it is Republicans also standing in the way.

Doing so would be a major capitulation of Congressional power. Senators on both sides of the aisle have often cited the Senate's constitutional power to provide "advice and consent" to the president on appointees.

"We're not trying to block anybody. We're going to give (Gaetz) an opportunity to come here and make his case. They've got to earn every vote," said Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. Asked whether Trump understands that, given his statement on recess appointments, Mullin said: "President Trump understands the system as good as anybody."

Vice President-elect JD Vance will be organizing meetings between key Republican senators and Gaetz and Hegseth this week, and Gaetz has been personally calling some senators as he seeks support.

Meanwhile, there's a fight brewing between the two chambers over the release of the House Ethics Committee report on Gaetz. Mullin and other Republican senators have said it is important that they get a chance to see the report before voting on Gaetz's nomination.

"I'm saying to the people that want any Cabinet person to get through, not just Gaetz, that this is going to be a lot faster if you give us all the information that we want," said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

But House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Friday that he plans to "strongly request" that the committee not release the report, arguing it would set "a terrible precedent." Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said he would leave it up to the House whether it should be released publicly.

When asked what the president-elect would do if one of his nominees failed to pick up enough Republican support, Brian Hughes, a Trump-Vance Transition spokesman, told USA TODAY in an e-mailed statement President Trumps incoming administration is moving at an accelerated schedule in order to make good on getting key nominees confirmed in order to start delivering for the American people."

He added that Gaetz, Hegseth and other Trump nominees will "all begin their meetings this week" with lawmakers and continue after the Thanksgiving holiday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gaetz, Hegseth and other Trump Cabinet picks are roiling Congress
Donald Trump has threatened to use the military to enact mass deportations after making illegal immigration one of his flagship policies during the 2024 election  with the president-elect saying he will boot millions of people from the country.

Trump has boasted of planning the largest deportation operation in American history, saying there is no price tag for the scheme. His chosen border czar Tom Homan is a hardliner, having promised shock and awe when he starts the job and describing current government policy on immigration as national suicide.

But beyond the hyperbole, how many migrants would Trump have to remove for it to be the biggest deportation the U.S. has ever seen?

Here is a look at the track record of the last three presidents  including Trump  on how many people have actually been deported:

How many people are living illegally in the U.S. and how does deportation work?

There are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, according to Pew Research.

Of these, 8.3 million are employed, making up approximately 4.8 percent of the entire U.S. workforce.

The backlog of immigration cases sits at 4.3 million, according to the latest figures from the Citizenship and Immigration Services in September. Federal court systems hear immigration cases where a judge can order someones removal.

Of those, the backlog of cases seeking asylum has reached 1.1 million in 2024, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse. For asylum seekers, the processing time is typically around six months; although some wait far longer for a decision, even 10 years.

Unauthorized immigrants can be repatriated from the United States through two main avenues: removals or returns.

Donald Trump has threatened to boot millions from the country under his mass deportation plans (REUTERS)

A removal is what may first come to mind when thinking of deportation. This requires a removal order enforced by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Patrol, is non-voluntary, and places criminal consequences on reentry to the US. Removal orders are the most severe forms of repatriation.

A large proportion of immigrants are also repatriated as returns, which take several forms but do not place restrictions on reentry. Enforcement returns refer to migrants who cross the border illegally, but depart voluntarily without a formal removal order.

Administrative returns can include cases such as citizens arriving at airports or ports without visas, or where applications are withdrawn.

How many people were deported under Trump and Obama?

During Trumps term in office, approximately 1.2 million people were deported through removal orders. A further 805,770 were self-deported or turned away at the border between fiscal years 2017 and 2020.

Immigration orders during the Trump-era were lower than either of Obamas terms. Approximately 1.57 million and 1.49 million immigrants were removed in the fiscal years of Obamas first and second presidencies respectively.

In fact, Obama oversaw more deportations than any other U.S. president in history.

Between 2009 and 2016, this amounts to over 3 million immigration orders; without including self-deportations and other border returns.

When including all repatriations, 5.24 million immigrants were removed or returned in those years.

The Obama administration placed a particular focus on threats to national security, border security and public safety by targeting convicted criminals. In 2015, for example, 91 percent of people removed by deportation orders had criminal convictions.

Trump explicitly overturned this criminal prioritization measure as soon as he entered office, for the reason that: We cannot faithfully execute the immigration laws of the United States if we exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement.

By comparison, just 41 percent of deportations by removal order in 2019 were directed at convicted criminals.

Has Biden been tough on immigration?

Trump has criticized the Biden administration for being soft on the border and dragging its feet on deportation.

But the reality is much less clear-cut.

The total number of repatriations over the Biden administration so far stands at approximately 4.7 million, much higher than both Trump and Barack Obamas presidencies, though comes with a major caveat.

The Department of Homeland Security publishes figures from each fiscal year, which includes the preceding October-December period, so these figures do not line up exactly with the presidential cycles +/- 3 months.

The majority of this spike is attributed to the Title 42 order during the Covid-19 pandemic, which was enacted from March 2020 (during the Trump presidency) until 2023.

Title 42 enabled expulsions for public health reasons, and was particularly enforced to prevent entry at the U.S.-Mexico border, removing the ability to request asylum. Biden tried to end Title 42 in 2022, but Republicans sued his administration citing border security concerns.

In May 2023 when the COVID-19 national emergency status was lifted, Title 42 restrictions were also lifted and there was a flood of migrants crossing the southern border as the policy neared its end.

Since the policy was stopped, Biden has used the standard Title 8 framework to remove or return nearly 1 million (969,000) unauthorized migrants.

Yet when looking solely at immigration orders, which are non-voluntary deportations and prevent reentry to the country, numbers during the Biden years are significantly down.

There have been approximately 649,000 deportations of people living illegally in the United States via removal orders since fiscal year 2021.

Representative: An aerial view of US Border Patrol agents fathering asylum seekers near Mexico border on 22 September 2024 (Getty Images)

This is just over half the number of the approximately 1.2 million removals between 2017-2020, when Trump was running the country.

The more aggressive enforcement of deportations, which faces the risk of criminal consequences on reentry, decreased under Biden; though the use of Title 42 simultaneously enabled high volumes of people turned away from the border.

Meanwhile, Bidens efforts to introduce a bipartisan security deal were stymied by Republicans in congress.

Prioritization of criminals

Mexico consistently tops the list of removal order deportations, followed by other Central American countries such as Honduras and Guatemala.

In the past five years, the proportion of criminals facing a removal order appears to have fallen.

In fiscal year 2023, just 32 percent of removal deportations were for illegal immigrants with a criminal record; in 2024 so far, just 1 in 5 removals were convicted criminals.

Both Republicans and Democrats have focused on criminality when it comes to tackling immigration.

Some Republicans have used crime among migrants to support their anti-immigration policies. On the other hand, Democrats have urged prioritization of targeting criminals as opposed to blanket deportation policies.

Regardless, the latest figures under Biden show that removals of illegal immigrants have not been reserved for those with criminal convictions.

How much would Trumps plans cost?

While the exact number of people who will be deported is not yet clear, there is little doubt Trumps plans would cost a significant amount for the American taxpayer.

To return illegal migrants back to their home country, a single full flight of migrants can cost $250,000, according to ICE. At the very least, deportations by ICE cost taxpayers $10,854 each, according to 2016 figures from CNN.

A report from the American Immigration Council estimated the one-time cost of deporting all immigrants without legal status at at least $315 billion.

A more long-term plan involving the deportation of one million people a year would cost an average of $88 billion annually, according to the report, to a total of $968 billion overall.
From left to right: Pete Hegseth, Dr. Oz, Linda McMahon and Sean Duffy. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images, Heidi Gutman via Getty Images, Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images, Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

As President-elect Donald Trump goes about assembling the Cabinet for his second administration, a pattern has emerged: nominating television personalities for key posts.

The former reality television star of The Apprentice, Trump has gone out of his way to tout the television experience for some of his nominees when announcing them through social media posts. He won nine Daytime Emmy Awards hosting The Dr. Oz Show, where he taught millions of Americans how to make healthier lifestyle choices, Trump said of Dr. Mehmet Oz, his pick to oversee Medicaid and Medicare. That has led former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who headed up Trumps 2016 transition team, to offer an observation.

Hes casting, Christie said Tuesday during a call set up by the Council on Foreign Relations, the Associated Press reported.

As the makeup of the picks for his new administration attests, Trump prizes nominees who are practiced at making their case to television audiences. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (U.S. ambassador to Israel), former director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tom Homan (Border Czar) and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii (Director of National Intelligence) are regulars on Fox News, the network Trump frequently watches. But they all got their start in government positions.

During his first term, Fox News host Sean Hannity had frequent conversations with Trump, blurring the line between cable news and government.

For decades, Trump had essentially been a cable-news channel in human form: loud, short of attention span, and addicted to conflict, New York Times TV critic James Poniewozik wrote of Trumps relationship with television news, adding that when he won in 2016, he and cable had achieved the singularity, a meshing of man and machine into a symbiotic consciousness, the perturbation of each amplifying the other.

Heres a look at the people Trump has selected for his second administration who both share his ideology and entered the public eye thanks to their television appearances.

Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth as seen during Fox & Friends in August 2019. (John Lamparski/Getty Images) (John Lamparski via Getty Images)

When Trump announced he had selected Fox News host Pete Hegseth to run the Department of Defense, he noted that Hegseth has been a host at FOX News for eight years. In that role, Hegseth has regularly espoused views that align with Trumps. Hegseth has no prior governing experience, though he did serve as a reserve officer in the U.S. National Guard and was twice awarded the Bronze Star.

Mehmet Oz

Dr. Oz at the 44th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Pasadena, Calif., in 2017. (Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic) (Paul Archuleta via Getty Images)

A regular guest on Oprah Winfreys television program before going on to host his own show, Oz gained notoriety by dispensing health and wellness advice to viewers. In 2022, he tried to parlay his fame into a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania. Trump endorsed him, but he ended up losing to Democrat John Fetterman. Trump announced this week he was nominating Oz as the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake.

Linda McMahon

Linda McMahon speaks during the 2024 Republican National Convention. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images)

The former chief executive of the scandal-plagued professional wrestling empire WWE used to be was featured in its fictitious storylines on television. In 2009, she served for a year on the Connecticut Board of Education. She failed to defeat two incumbent Democrats in separate campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut, though she served as administrator of the Small Business Administration during Trumps first term. She has also served as the chair of the pro-Trump think tank America First Policy Institute. Trump has nominated her to lead the Department of Education, a branch of government that Trump has vowed to shutter.

Sean Duffy

Sean Duffy hosts The Bottom Line with Dagen and Duffy on Fox Business in October. (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images) (Steven Ferdman via Getty Images)

Duffy rose to prominence on MTV reality shows Real World: Boston and Road Rules: All Stars. He went on to become a commentator on ESPN and serve as co-host on the Fox Business show Bottom Line. Duffy entered politics in 2002, when he was appointed Ashland County District Attorney in his home state of Wisconsin. In 2010, he was elected to Congress and resigned nine years later to help care for his child, who was born with birth defects. After being nominated by Trump to be Transportation Secretary, Duffy announced he was resigning from Fox Business.
Editors note: Another in a series of occasional stories about York County in the American Revolution, part of the storytelling buildup to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Much of this is adapted from my 2001 book, Nine Months in York Town.

In late November 1777, Continental Congress held two aces in its hand to deploy in Americas war against Britain.

One came with a rare American win on the Revolutionary War battlefield in Saratoga, New York. The other ace would be handed over to France in the form of a constitution, the Articles of Confederation adopted Nov. 15.

Congress couldnt wait to reveal its new hand, certain that France would join the table as an ally now that young and struggling America had showed that it could fight and that its 13 states could agree on something.

This stamp commemorates the adoption of the Articles of Confederation, Americas first constitution, on Nov. 15, 1777, in York. The word drafting is a bit off. Most of the document was done when Congress reached York two months before, and the delegates worked mainly on two articles. Edited, completed, adopted or agreed on might be better words.

To show French leaders and those in Americas 13 states the new constitution, Congress would need a printed document. The Hall & Sellers press, usual job printer for congressional work, was en route from Philadelphia, and Congress was at the mercy of Francis Baileys printshop in Lancaster.

Congress overseer of the printing of this hard-bargained constitution, Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, monitored the printing process east of the Susquehanna. I have done & am doing all I can , Sergeant wrote five days after Congress adopted the document, but the Printer, on this as on all other Occassions, is tedious beyond all possibility of being hurried.

Who were these guys?

Meanwhile, delegates representing the 13 states didnt seem to know at times whether they were coming or going.

Earlier, Connecticuts William Williams had written his wife, Mary, asking for mittens and woolen gloves for his planned late-November trip home because no warm clothes could be bought in York.

Edward Langworthy of Georgia faced another wartime scarcity: housing. For two weeks, he had been staying at an inn but really wanted a house. The solution might be forthcoming because delegates were becoming scarce, too. Their big job was done: agreeing to the 13 articles in the Articles of Confederation.

The Congress at present is very thin of Members, he wrote, however, I hope during the Winter they will make a spirited Exertion for the Salvation of the Continent.

That wish would not be fulfilled. Roll calls in January showed only about 18 delegates present to help wage the war.

All this leads to a question: Who were those guys, 64 in number serving over nine months that Continental Congress met in York County?

All, in fact, were guys, well-to-do lawyers, prominent and obscure public office holders and simple farmers.

Then and now, wealth could be fleeting. Two of the well-heeled delegates serving in York, Robert Morris of Pennsylvania and William Duer of New York, spent time in prison when their financial dealings went awry later in life.

Connecticuts Roger Sherman famously was trained as a cobbler but swapped his shoemaking bench for seats at the First and Second Continental Congresses. He could have established writers cramp as the only statesman to sign all four seminal American documents: Articles of Association, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and U.S. Constitution. Sherman and 25 other signers of the Declaration of Independence served in York.

Langworthy was an orphan and taught at his school, Bethesda Orphan House, but he gained a family through his service in York. He married Mary Moore and spent several years in his wifes hometown of York after the war.

Mary Moore Langworthy was one of 17 Marys wed to delegates. Eight Elizabeths and Anns or Annes were married to congressmen.

The Rev. John Witherspoon, New Jersey delegate in York, later married Anne Dill, widow of one of his Princeton College students. Anne was a member of the founding family of York Countys Dillsburg.

The wives of the delegates tended to stay at home rather than travel to a frontier town where there was no room at the inn. They were needed to run their own households in wartime, and the scarcities of food and lodging in York presented an austere life for any visitor.

In comparison to congressmen today, the delegates in York averaged about 44 years in age. New Yorks Gouverneur Morris was the youngest at 26. Joseph Wood of Georgia, at 65, was the oldest. James Smith of York and Francis Lewis of New York were both 64 at the end of 1777, though Smiths actual birthdate is hard to pin down.

Charles Carroll of Maryland was the last member of the York Congress to die, succumbing at age 92 in 1832. This wealthy planter is remembered in York County for at least one youngster he enslaved. Goodridge family tradition holds that prominent 19th-century businessman William C. Goodridge was enslaved on a Carroll farm and that the C. in his name stood for Carroll.

The delegates, appointed by their respective legislatures, tended to depart for winter quarters at home and arrive back in York when the weather warmed. Three delegates persevered for all 271 days that Congress met in York: Elbridge Gerry and James Lovell of Massachusetts and Henry Laurens of South Carolina.

These men, from different backgrounds and regions of a fledgling nation, found a way to work out a constitution for delivery to France in the first 60 days that they were in York.

The York County community has long remembered the achievements of Continental Congress in York. In the countys 250th anniversary in 1999, the American Revolution was the centerpiece of this anniversary mural, part of the Murals of York series.

Articles back in York

The printed copies made their way to York from Lancaster on Nov. 28, 13 days after adoption. Delegates from each state received 18 copies, and their job was to persuade their legislatures to ratify the new constitution.

Such ratifications would soon land in the congressional post office in York and later in Philadelphia, after Congress left York on June 27, 1778.

France, meanwhile, didnt wait for the last states to bless the constitution, particularly holdout Maryland, which didnt ratify the Articles until 1781. French warships reached American waters in the summer, weeks after Congress ratified treaties with France on May 4 in York.

The signing of the engrossed version of the Articles  in beautiful handwriting  was completed in York in June. But leaders discovered errors, delaying signing until July.

In a circular letter to the states attached to the printed copies of the Articles of Confederation, Congress did not pretend that the newly minted document was perfect.

What had this beleaguered bunch of statesmen hunkered down in York County accomplished in the fall of 1777? According to that circular letter drafted on Nov. 17, the best that could be done under the circumstances and a document that bore any tolerable prospect of ratification.

To form a permanent union, the circular stated, accommodated to the opinion and wishes of the delegates of so many states, differing in habit, produce, commerce and internal police, was found to be a work which nothing but time and reflection, conspiring with a disposition to conciliate, could mature and accomplish.

Indeed, the Articles promised permanency  ongoing until replaced - not perfection. It was the product of flawed, brave people who agreed to agree.

This framework of government held the nation together until the U.S. Constitution went into effect in 1789, with its call to form a more perfect union.

Public events

Jim McClure will be part of York County History Storytellers Stories under the Stack at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at the York County History Center, 121 N. Pershing Ave., York. At 7 p.m. Dec. 5, he will be a host at a reading of Peter Levys historical play, 43 Deepgreen Lane, at the York County Writers Roundtable at the History Center. He will join authors Scott Mingus, Norina Bentzel and others for a book-signing event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 7 at the York County History Center and will sign with Mingus and Bentzel from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 14, at the Belmont Bean, 18 S. Belmont St., York. He and Mingus will sign books at Browns Orchards in Loganville from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 21.

Jim McClure is a retired editor of the York Daily Record and has authored or co-authored 10 books on York County history. Reach him at jimmcclure21@outlook.com.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Americas founders in York PA figured it out to make France an ally
Systems integration and software development company, BroadSource, has integrated a call centre and communication platform for ConnectEast, operator of the EastLink toll road in Melbourne.

The platform combines two Webex solutions, Webex contact centre and Webex calling, as well as additional features like SecureCall by BroadSource, a cloud integration tool that prevents sensitive information, such a credit card details, from being stored or processed in a system.

Eventually, the toll roads operator will include artificial intelligence (AI) integration with Ciscos AI tool to provide generating conversation summaries, analysing interactions, and automating routine tasks.

ConnectEasts contact centre plays a vital role in its daily operations but was hindered by limitations in the legacy on-premises systems, including geographic constraints, licensing challenges and insufficient support for digital channels.

This project dates back to 2018 when ConnectEast collaborated with BroadSource to modernise its communication systems.

With strict Victorian government key performance indicators, such as answering 90 per cent of calls within 20 seconds and maintaining payment card industry data security standard compliance for credit card transactions, the outdated infrastructure posed a risk to compliance, efficiency and customer satisfaction.
by Gwyneth Ho*

One of the 45 people given very harsh sentences yesterday for organising primary elections in Hong Kong was able to smuggle her thoughts out of prison. We dared to confront the regime with the question, she writes. Will democracy ever be possible within such a structure? The answer was a complete crackdown on all fronts of society. Defend and repair your own democracy, she says in an appeal to the world. Give authoritarian dictators one less example of failed democracy to justify their rule, and give freedom fighters around the world one more inspiration to continue the struggle.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews)  The day after 45 pro-democracy activists were handed down very harsh sentences for subversion; i.e. organising primaries ahead of Hong Kongs Legislative Council elections in 2020, Jimmy Lai, the Catholic entrepreneur and founder of the Apple Daily tabloid paper, appeared in court again. Beijing has tried to silence him in the recent years. Today, on the witness stand, cross-examined by his defence team, he denied ever supporting violence, nor Hong Kong independence, a crazy idea, he said. He also rejected the accusation of "collusion with foreign forces", explaining that only one idea was behind the Apple Daily: The more information you have, the more you are in the know, the more you're free.

On the sense of these battles and what is happening in Hong Kong, we publish below a reflection by Gwyneth Ho, a journalist jailed in 2021. She is among those sentenced yesterday, given a seven-year prison term, a particularly harsh verdict due to her refusal to plead guilty, which would have ensured her a lighter treatment.

After a long period of silence, she managed to smuggle her thoughts out of prison, which were posted on her Facebook profile to be shared on the day of the sentence. We publish large excerpts below.

I ran in the last free and fair election in Hong Kong. For that, I was prosecuted in the first Soviet(?)/CCP-style subversion case tried in a common law court. I pleaded not guilty to defend the political expression of 610,000 Hong Kong people, which the regime is trying to distort and reduce into a conspiracy of 47 foreign-brainwashed, faithless pawns, with life imprisonment on the table.

The situation is dire, yet when going into the details, it becomes a bit comical: the unforgivably evil subversive act of the accused was aiming for a parliamentary majority with the power to veto the annual budget. Following such logic, one may as well claim that democracies around the world suffer subversion attempts every 4 to 6 years. In a 1984-esque reality though, democratization  or just calling for it  amounts to subversion of state power. Makes perfect sense.

Behind the rhetoric of secession, collusion with foreign forces, etc., our true crime, for Beijing, is that we were not content with playing along in manipulated elections. We organized ourselves to rise above partisan fragmentation, came together, and attempted to break through. We dared to reach for actual power to hold the government accountable. Even though it was enshrined as a right of the people under the Basic Law, Beijing never planned to see it actualized.

We dared to confront the regime with the question: Will democracy ever be possible within such a structure? The answer was a complete crackdown on all fronts of society.

Prosecuting democratic politicians and activists across the spectrum, the case was seen as the turning point at which Hong Kong became a lost cause. People were scared into silence and forced to give up hope for democracy in Hong Kong.

Sitting in the dock, I went through the historical trials I had read about in my mind. Decades on, defiant and dignified defences seemed like natural building blocks of ultimate victory. But back in the moment, when the regimes rule seemed infallible and change was nowhere in sight, why does one still choose to fight despite certain conviction?

The narrative put forward by the prosecution is not just a distortion of facts or a threat to the larger public. It goes much deeper  they are forcing the accused into self-denial of their lived experiences. That genuine solidarity was just a delusion. That the bonds, the togetherness, the honest conversations among people so different yet so connected, cannot be real after all. That the difficult co-building of a collective united in difference with a shared vision for a better future was just a utopian dream.

But no. They are not just idealistic dreams but realities that I have lived through. I choose to fight to prove that such connections are not only possible but have actually been lived out and continue to live on. The only delusion here is the belief that brutal oppression can ever deny their existence.

It is not a responsibility nor moral obligation. It is the strong urge within me to do justice to what I witnessed and experienced, for they constitute part of me and define who I was. And I am now going to define who I am.

I stand alone confronting these accusations, not as an individual, but as one of all those who have ever stood in the streets and raised their voices to demand autonomy for the city. As well as all those who have ever stood in the same position before unjust courts anywhere in the world.

I travelled far through words, from contemporary Russia, mainland China, Thailand, to 20th-century Chicago, Taiwan, Pretoria. I met Navalny countless times, whose cases filed with the ECtHR[*] are now open for all politically accused around the world to cite in their own legal battles. And, in this particular case, who else has more to offer than the human rights defenders in mainland China?

None of us have won our cases. Many I read about are still serving harsh sentences in unknown places, unheard and forgotten. Most of them would never have the chance to know how much they inspired me  the only way I could honour them was to fight the best fight I could. And so I did.

I was sent to solitary confinement for refuting the false testimony of a prosecution witness from the dock. Just before that I had read about Maria Kolesnikova. Her case was in closed court, but the lawyers risked their qualifications to reveal that on the day of the verdict, Kolesnikova made her final statement, a little less than three hours, about "moral choice, about love for people, about the future of Belarus.

I tried to imagine making a speech only among people who were complicit in depriving you of your freedom, looking at their apathetic (if not mocking) faces. I can't. And yet she did. She poured her heart out in a speech she knew no one would hear a word of.

She was violently muted, but the reverberation! It went all the way across the Eurasian continent, breaking through closed courts and reporting bans, fenced walls, and censorship to reach me at the time I needed it most. I felt close to her, even though I may never meet her. I can feel her dearly.

Today, no democracy is immune to the crisis of legitimacy that results from a deficit of public trust. Calls for the "orderly" and "efficient" rule of authoritarianism are growing inexorably. News of fruitless movements and the continued plight of persecuted freedom fighters in distant, hopeless places is certainly discouraging.

But you can certainly help a lot. Defend and repair your own democracy. Push back against the corruption of power, restore faith in democratic values through action. Give authoritarian dictators one less example of failed democracy to justify their rule, and give freedom fighters around the world one more inspiration to continue the struggle with better alternatives. Fight on the ground most familiar and dear to you. Prove to the world at every possible moment, no matter how small, that democracy is worth fighting for.

For while suffering may evoke concern and compassion, it also blurs and reduces the sufferer to a pitiful but characterless victim, part of a nameless number. What really defines our identity is not the suffering itself, but the way in which we face it. It is in action that one defines oneself, and only people who truly know who they are can open up, make new connections in the most unexpected circumstances, and bring about change. It is for the wonders of human diversity, creativity, and possibility, for a world in which we can connect as our own true selves, that we dare to act, and we dare to suffer.

It is not suffering that defines identity, but how we deal with it. If today's situation is the inevitable fate of Hong Kong, at least in 2019 we chose to face it, not to remain in the village of "virtual freedom" and then leave it to future generations.

Democracy and freedom never mean tranquillity. True democracy is when voices overlap and become very loud (Hong Kong citizens should understand this correctly), and freedom is being able to choose, think, decide, and take responsibility.

If you just get indignant, support others, help them, do what is morally right without thinking about what you really want, it is difficult to perceive freedom. Freedom is the moment when you realize you "can do it". You will encounter many limitations and obstacles, but just by confronting yourself with reality you will discover who you are, and through continuous doubts about yourself, you will be able to refine a real determination.

History is not written by the winners, but by those who have will and freedom. The body of this city will not disappear, its ancient soul is dead, but the birth of a new life is inevitably painful. No one can define "what Hong Kong is", but everyone can broaden the perimeter of "what Hong Kong can be".

The choices and actions I have made are my response to "what Hong Kong can be". The joy of learning and the happiness of being able to synchronize with others beyond any difficulty are my greatest achievements. If I can continue to grow, I hope to do so.

Now, I have nothing, alone with the knowledge I have studied, with the courage I have witnessed and with the passion in which I have immersed myself. I am grateful that curiosity remains and that determination is clear. I sincerely hope that you have the courage to face yourself, to open up, to explore the world, to perceive others and not to settle for the illusion of "freedom of thought". You have to be free in the real world. "What can Hong Kong be?" I expect to see many more responses.

* journalist, sentenced to seven years in jail in Hong Kong

[*] European Court of Human Rights.
Today's news: Pope Francis' letter on Ukraine for the thousand days since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Dozens of parliamentarians from around the world call for the immediate release of Jimmi Lai, whose trial resumes today in Hong Kong. Thailand's stimulus programme for the economy brought 2.8% growth in 2024. Inditex, owner of Zara, increased flights from India to Spain to avoid shipping delays.

ISRAEL - GAZA

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that million will be given as a reward for each prisoner freed from Gaza and that those who help free Israelis held by Hamas will be given a way out of the war-torn Palestinian territory. Meanwhile, Israel is targeting the Kamal Adwan hospital in the north of the Strip, which is experiencing an extreme catastrophe, with Israeli forces firing on the building as malnourished children and elderly people seek treatment.

VATICAN - UKRAINE

Pope Francis has sent a letter to Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, apostolic nuncio to Ukraine, on the sad occasion of the 1,000th day since the beginning of Russian military aggression. An immense tragedy, says Jorge Mario Bergoglio, on which God will have the last word. He includes thanksgiving for having stood by the population during a long period of suffering. The Pontiff prays to God to convert hearts and make them capable of starting paths of dialogue, reconciliation and concord and hopes that the word peace will resound in families, homes and squares.

HONG KONG

Dozens of parliamentarians from around the world yesterday called for the immediate and unconditional release of pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai before he has to testify in the Hong Kong collusion trial. MPs and foreign affairs experts from at least 22 countries and the European Parliament signed an open letter expressing concern over the 76-year-old media tycoon's imprisonment. Jimmy Lai, one of Hong Kong's best known pro-democracy figures, whose trial under the National Security Act resumes today and could see him sentenced to life imprisonment.

THAILAND

Thailand is conducting an economic stimulus programme to boost consumption. The various stimulus measures can push growth above 3 per cent next year, said Julapun Amornvivat, adding that annual growth in 2024 will not exceed 2.8 per cent. The government's billion programme, which will distribute 10,000 baht (9) per head to about 45 million people, was launched in late September. The second and third phases will follow in 2025.

INDIA - SPAIN

The multinational company Inditex, owner of Zara, has significantly increased the use of air transport to bring clothes from factories in India to its logistics centre in Spain to avoid delays in shipments. The change raises questions about how the largest listed fast-fashion retailer is progressing towards its goal of halving its Scope 3, or indirect, emissions, as air transport produces significantly higher carbon emissions than shipping.

MYANMAR

Myanmar recorded the world's highest death toll from landmines for the first time, with 1,003 casualties in 2023, said the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, or ICBL, in its annual report released in Bangkok. Both sides are using landmines in their battles, according to the ICBL, although anti-junta forces are more likely to deploy crudely crafted booby traps, with villagers the most likely victims.

RUSSIA

In the first nine months of 2024, Russia's population dropped by 400,000 people, comparing births with deaths, 25% more than the previous year, despite all the authorities' calls for population growth, as in the Ministry of Labour's plan to increase the birth rate to reach France's levels by 2036.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

In the separatist region of Georgia that has been under Moscow's control for 15 years, thousands of people rose up against the government's agreements with Russian oligarchs. Bzanija announced the step back to preserve stability and constitutional order. These are not unprecedented events for Sukhumi, which is nevertheless destined to remain firmly in the hands of the Kremlin.

Tbilisi (AsiaNews) - In a phase of great popular upheaval in Georgia, divided between the orientation of the majority towards Moscow and that of the opposition towards Europe, the crisis in Abkhazia, a separatist region that together with South Ossetia has been under Russian control for 15 years, has resoundingly come to the fore.

The demonstrations of the past few days have led the demonstrators to break through the gates of the parliament building and also storm the presidential administration, demanding the resignation of the self-proclaimed president of the republic, Aslan Bzanija, who after an initial attempt at conciliation disappeared, only to reappear in his home country and finally announce his resignation, which was accepted by the Sukhumi parliament. In the video released by the now ex-president, he assures that he is in my village of Tamys with my relatives and friends, denying rumours that he has fled to Russia, and stating that he resigned to preserve the stability and constitutional order of the country.

The parliament appointed vice-president Badra Gunba in place of Bzanija, and put Valerij Bganba, former speaker of the lower house of parliament, as prime minister in place of Aleksandr Ankbav, who also resigned from his post. The current speaker of parliament, Lasa Asuba, said that for the umpteenth time we had to get our state back on the track of legality, which is fundamental for the life of our people. The deputies therefore postponed the session in which the investment agreement with Moscow was to be ratified, and a promise to cancel it came from the presidential administration. The president's press office released a text of an agreement signed between the authorities and the oppositions during the uprising, in which the latter pledged to leave the occupied palace and free the Sukhumi centre, in exchange for Bzanija's resignation and the rejection of the contract with the Russians.

These are not unprecedented events in the tumultuous separatist region of Georgia, where there have been several presidents put to flight by the population during street protests. Bzanija himself had come to power in this way in 2019, smashing the windows and doors of the government building and forcing his predecessor to resign. In order to avoid the boomerang effect, he had refurbished the building with armour systems, armoured cars and video surveillance, protected by a large number of bodyguards, but these measures were to no avail in the face of the crowds that invaded the power premises.

The agreement signed with Russian businessmen on 15 November reignited the clashes, revealing that even in the most pro-Russian areas of Georgian territory, Moscow's dominance was not accepted, and that with its oligarchs it would take over all the Abkhaz lands that could bring profits. Bzanija had done everything possible, hiding the documents of the agreements, arresting activists against them, ignoring the opposing voices of public opinion, the councils of elders and others, but rumours had then spread about the corruption of several deputies to whom the Russians had allegedly promised a fee of 12 million roubles (almost 15 thousand euro) for voting in favour, provoking further reactions among the 250 thousand inhabitants of Abkhazia. At the first session on this topic, only 21 out of the 35 deputies that make up the parliamentary chamber showed up, without being able to reach the 18 votes required for approval.

The government then deployed trucks and armoured vehicles with water cannons and tear gas in front of the parliament, gathering all the possible police forces, but nothing could stop the onslaught of the crowd. Now the new performance of Abkhazia's struggle for independence is awaited, knowing full well that whoever comes to power can only be a puppet in the hands of the Kremlin. Despite his resignation, Putin has ignored the protests by inviting Bzanija to Moscow for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the victory against the Nazis on 9 May 2025, while the former president of Georgia, Mikhail Saakasvili, praised the Abkhazian protesters, who succeeded in doing what all Georgians should do, blocking the colonisation of the Russians.
by Santosh Digal

In 2010, Mary Jane Veloso was stopped at Yogyakarta airport because a suitcase she was given to carry contained heroin. Then Philippine President Benigno Aquino III obtained a reprieve 11 hours before the execution was set to take place. Since then, the two countries have been working to bring the 39-year-old woman home.

Manila (AsiaNews)  Intense and sustained diplomatic work between Indonesia and the Philippines has paved the way for the repatriation of Mary Jane Veloso, who was sentenced to death in 2010 on charges of drug trafficking.

In 2015, when her execution was about to be carried out along with that of eight other prisoners, the then Philippine president, Benigno Aquino III, asked his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo, to allow Veloso to testify against members of the drug and human trafficking network.

Widodo turned down several clemency requests and only the recent arrival of Prabowo Subianto to the presidency was it possible to repatriate Veloso.

This is a wonderful development and a fruit of successful diplomacy, Cardinal-designate Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan told AsiaNews.

There is a Talmudic saying: To save one life is to save the whole world. We do not believe in capital punishment, whether done according to the law or extrajudicially, said Bishop David, who also chairs the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

After over a decade of diplomacy and consultations with the Indonesian government, we managed to delay her execution long enough to reach an agreement to finally bring her back to the Philippines, said Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in a statement this morning.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government for their goodwill. This outcome is a reflection of the depth of our nations partnership with Indonesia  united in a shared commitment to justice and compassion, Marcos added.

Prabowo and Marcos met on two occasions: The Indonesian president visited Manila before his inauguration, while Marcos attended Prabowos swearing-in ceremony in Indonesia last month.

Veloso, who is now 39, was accused in 2010 of trying to smuggle 2.6 kg of heroin into Indonesia. The mother of two has always maintained her innocence.

Born into a low-income family in Nueva Ecija, a province located in the central Luzon region, she worked as a domestic worker in Dubai but was travelling to Indonesia to escape an abusive employer.

Her recruiter, Christine (aka Cristina), asked Veloso to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Yogyakarta, giving her 0 and a suitcase to deliver to a man.

Veloso was stopped at Yogyakarta's Adisucipto Airport because heroin was found wrapped in aluminium foil concealed inside the lining of the suitcase.

In 2015, President Benigno Aquino III personally called the then Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Masurdi, the day before Veloso's execution. Only 11 hours was left, but the execution was postponed.

That year, several other foreign nationals were put to death, including two Australians who led a group involved in drug smuggling.

Today, the Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Eduardo de Vega, explained that Indonesia agreed to send Veloso home without asking for anything in return, adding that the details are still being worked out.

The Philippine ambassador to Indonesia hopes that Veloso will be able to return home before the end of the year. For her part, Veloso would like to go home for Christmas.
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The new interior minister, Arpine Sargsian, served as deputy minister until now, while Davit Khudatian, who will take up the other ministerial post, was the government of the Armavir province.

Pashinian has yet to replace the four other officials who headed two law-enforcement agencies, the national tax and customs service and a powerful body overseeing Armenian courts. The de facto sackings were widely construed as being part of his efforts to boost his flagging popularity before general elections due in June 2026. They also stoked speculation that the elections could be held early next year.

The 30-year-old Sargsian, who also worked as deputy minister of justice in 2022-2023, oversaw the Armenian governments declared police reforms in her previous capacities. She has repeatedly described those reforms as a success despite a significant rise in crime observed during Pashinians rule.

Sargsian justified last years police crackdowns on protesters demanding Pashinians resignation and, in particular, use of apparently unauthorized stun grenades that injured nearly a hundred people. She also refused to criticize police officers who beat up an opposition parliamentarian during one of those protests staged in May.

As interior minister, Sargsian will oversee not only the Armenian police but also the national migration and rescue services.
20 November 2024 14:25 (UTC+04:00)

Two years have passed since Aghdam was brought back to life and the Day of Aghdam City was marked in Azerbaijan. The city, once one of the most vibrant places in Garabagh, was liberated from occupation on November 20, 2020.

Starting from September 27, the Azerbaijani Army, which decisively gave a retaliatory response to Armenia's invasion attacks, was able to liberate Aghdam, which had been devastated by Armenians. This was a historic event, as the situation in Aghdam was very different from other liberated territories. The city was liberated without a shot of a single bullet.

It is no coincidence that Aghdam has been called the Hiroshima of the Caucasus region by foreign tourists visiting Garabagh. This name is associated with the fact that it has been subjected to the most vandalism by Armenia. In Aghdam, which is the location of many historical sites, museums and art buildings, not a single building, not even a stone, remained.

Aghdam has many architectural and artistic monuments with ancient history. The territory of the Aghdam district includes the 19th-century tomb, the Khanoglu tomb, the Panah Ali Khan tomb, the Panah Ali Khan palace, two chest-shaped monuments, the Sardaba and Hatem Malik castles dating back to the 15th century, the Juma Mosque and the Shahbulag Mosque.

Unfortunately, because of military aggression that lasted until May 12, 1994, Armenians occupied 846.7 square kilometres of the territory of the Aghdam region, that is, 77.4 per cent of its total territory. Over more than five years, 5897 became martyrs in the bloody battles for the defence of Aghdam. In those battles, 3531 people became disabled, and 1871 children lost their parents. More than 126 thousand Aghdam residents were forced to leave their homes.

Nevertheless, after the liberation of Aghdam from occupation, restoration and reconstruction work began in this city destroyed by Armenians.

In the 4 years since its liberation from occupation, many positive changes have taken place in Aghdam, and restoration and reconstruction work continues at a rapid pace. Certainly, the goal is to make Aghdam one of the most beautiful cities in the region. The general plan for the city of Aghdam has already been prepared and presented, and work is underway to implement this plan.

Having attended ground-breaking ceremonies for several infrastructure projects in the liberated Aghdam region, President Ilham Aliyev laid the foundation stone for the Digital Management Centre and Training-Education Complex owned by Azerishig OJSC.

President Aliyev also broke the ground for the 2nd and 3rd residential quarters to be built in Aghdam. A total of 2,507 apartments, comprising 139 one-room, 860 two-room, 1,069 three-room, and 439 four-room sets.

Besides, the Aghdam Industrial Park, established by the decree of the Azerbaijani President on May 28, 2021, holds significance in unlocking the business potential of formerly occupied territories, fostering non-oil sector growth, boosting employment, and producing competitive goods.

Similar to other industrial parks, Aghdam Industrial Park offers favourable conditions for entrepreneurial development. Positioned at the crossroads with other Garabagh regions, it stands as the second-largest industrial zone, following Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park, in terms of resident numbers.

Further to the infrastructure work carried out by the Azerbaijani State, the commencement of the first phase of internal road construction in Aghdam, covering a 58.7 km section by the state Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads, is of particular importance.

As outlined in the citys General Plan, Aghdams total internal road network will span 189.7 km. Main roads within this network are projected to cover 17.5 km, with widths ranging between 55 and 60 metres and featuring six to eight lanes.

Thus, Aghdam, which has been restored to its true nature and has gained an advantage in competition with other cities in modern times, leaves behind the bitterness of the past. Aghdam can be noted as the most prosperous and economically profitable place in Garabagh. Of course, history is rich in ups and downs and turbulent events. However, the return of Aghdam to life again can be marked as one of the milestones in history.
20 November 2024 12:59 (UTC+04:00)

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Within the framework of COP29, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the development of the Kalbajar Wind Power Plant was signed between the State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources (BOEMDA) under the Ministry of Energy, Clean Energy Invest LLC and Baltech Green LLC, Azernews reports.

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20 November 2024 17:09 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

A meeting was held between the chairman of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency Zaur Mikayilov and the head of the State Water Affairs Directorate of the Republic of Turkiye, Mehmet Akif Balta, in the Turkish pavilion organized in COP29's Blue Zone in Baku, Azernews reports.

The meeting discussed the perspectives of cooperation in the management of water resources, the application of innovative technologies in the field of water management, and international experience.

In addition, measures to reduce the effects of climate change on water resources, management of transboundary water resources, regional cooperation, and the possibility of implementing future projects were discussed.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (PANA) - As the dangers posed by climate change become increasingly evident worldwide, the need for reliable and accurate information on the impact of the environmental crisis is more crucial than ever
20 November 2024 19:00 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

During the COP29 Presidency Press Conference, Rashad Nabiyev, Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development and Transport, addressed efforts to decarbonize the global transport sector, focusing on aviation. On his answer to Azernews' correspondent noted that digitalization will drive aviation efficiency.

On aviation-specific measures, Minister Nabiyev stated:

Well, being specific about aviation, later today we have another roundtable dedicated to the emissions in aviation. And in our country, we have a great sense of how the aviation companies should be dealing with emissions. And Azerbaijan has been very much thinking of how it could do it through bringing the innovation in terms of efficiency. There are a couple of things, I mean basic things we can aim for 2050, but there are basic things which we could do on the ground.

He elaborated on practical solutions, noting:

One important thing is that there is clear evidence that taxiing on the ground can save you up to 15% of the emissions by the airline company. That actually comes from the training of your pilots. That's the first thing on our side. So we have come to this conclusion and we have a target of sharing this with all the member countries who are going to take participation in this roundtable.

Minister Nabiyev also emphasized the importance of efficient fuels and corporate social responsibility in tackling emissions:

Its not a secret that people are talking about efficient fuel and we are very much committed to adopting it in the years to come. The third is that there is definitely corporate social responsibility on the side of the companies who are going to share the revenues that they have through many, many mechanisms. And we do have an idea how it can take place. But that actually can be one-sided on one airline or two airlines, regional airlines. That should be adopted by many, many others.

He stressed the role of digitalization in driving efficiency:

We do believe, strongly believe that digitalization of all our activities can bring a great sense of efficiency to our operations. And that's another thing that we have actually attracted the Boston Consulting Group as an advisor to us on all of these four dimensions. And we do have a clear sense of how it can take place. And we do have a holistic approach to this and we are very much happy to share.

Minister Nabiyev concluded by praising COP29 as a platform for international cooperation:

We do believe that the COP is a great platform to get knowing what every country does in isolation and share the knowledge.

His remarks reflect Azerbaijans proactive approach and commitment to fostering global solutions for decarbonization in transport.
20 November 2024 22:57 (UTC+04:00)

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Arzu Aliyeva, Head of the Baku Media Center, visited an exhibition presented by the DOST Center for Inclusive Development and Creativity at the Art Pavilion in the Green Zone of COP29.

Sahil Babayev, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population provided information on the centers initiatives to develop the creative potential of socially vulnerable groups.

The exhibition features over 50 handicrafts created by beneficiaries and their trainers from the DOST Center for Inclusive Development and Creativity and the DOST House branch under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population. Among the handicrafts were art pieces dedicated to the green world, environmental protection, and the preservation of nature.

Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva also attended a concert program performed by beneficiaries of the center, consisting of individuals with disabilities. The program included works by Azerbaijani and international composers, performed by Muslum Muslumzade, Sabina Asgarova, Khalig Sharifov, Samad Novruzov, Nurlan Ahmadov, and Farid Abdullayev.

The exhibition and concert program were met with great enthusiasm.

Afterward, Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva met with the beneficiaries of DOST Center for Inclusive Development and Creativity, conversed with them, and posed for photographs together.
20 November 2024 15:41 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A panel session themed Culture for Climate: Engaging Youth to Effect Behavioural Change has been held in Baku as part of the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), Azernews reports citing the Culture Ministry.

The session was jointly organized jointly by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Protection) Public Union, ICESCO, and the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry.

Initially, Martin Newman, founder of the "Newman Partnership" organization, provided information about the topic of the panel and introduced the speakers.

A video presentation concerning the "Culture for Climate" (C4C) initiative proposed by Azerbaijan was also shown.

Following this, the Director-General of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), Aruna Francesca, the Director-General of ICESCO, Salim Bin Mohammed Al-Malik, Princess Dana Firas of Jordan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, and President of the Petra National Trust, as well as member of the Azerbaijani Parliament and head of the International Relations Department of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Soltan Mammadov addressed the panel session.

In their speeches, they touched upon the inspiring and transformative potential of cultural projects and initiatives in this area. The role of the Friends Group on Culture-Based Climate Action (GFCBCA) and the "Culture for Climate" initiative in showcasing efforts in this area and enhancing the power of culture as a catalyst for behavioral change worldwide was emphasized.

It was noted that research indicates that approximately 72 percent of greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to individual behaviors and decisions.

This highlights that definitive changes in human behavior should be regarded as one of the essential tools in combating the climate crisis, alongside ambitious targets and commitments for emissions reduction and financial mechanisms for alleviating the impacts of climate change.

Culture, which has played a central role in transmitting the values that guide our behaviors throughout history, remains significant at local, national, regional, and global levels in shaping and modeling fundamental behavioral changes today. It is now impossible to effectively combat the climate crisis without leveraging the influence of culture. Although certain steps have been taken in this area so far, there is a need for more impactful projects, and a favorable opportunity has emerged for fundamental changes.

The active participation of the Friends Group on Culture-Based Climate Action, which has been increasing in membership, including relevant state agencies and NGOs, has been more pronounced during COP29. A significant outcome of the Second High-Level Meeting of Culture Ministers held on November 15 as part of COP29 was the successful acceptance of a technical mandate for the aforementioned group.

During the discussions, it was also mentioned that during its presidency of the COP, the Azerbaijani government has significantly supported the promotion of innovative cultural projects with the potential to change human behaviors regarding the environment, through the advancement of the "Culture for Climate" initiative, which serves as a new platform for research and dialogue in climate discussions.

At the end of the event, participants' questions were answered, and a commemorative photo was taken.
20 November 2024 16:00 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Communique of the Second High-Level Meeting of Culture Ministers on Culture-Based Climate Action has been adopted within the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Azernews reports citing the Culture Ministry.

The document notes the significant progress made in the relationship between culture and climate over the past year since the establishment of the Friends Group on Culture-Based Climate Action. It emphasizes the increasing multifaceted impact of climate change on cultural heritage, as well as the disproportionate effects of climate change on certain regions and vulnerable groups, expressing deep concern.

It is stated that the relevance of the strategy established by the COP29 Culture Trilogy is acknowledged, and efforts will continue towards the approval of the first action plan on Culture-Based Climate Action within the UNFCCC framework.

For this purpose, the indispensable role of culture in climate action concerning the mitigation of and adaptation to the effects of climate change, as well as the importance of supporting the ecological transition of cultural and creative sectors, is highlighted.

The communique emphasizes the commitment of the member states of the COP29 Culture Trilogy to the following provisions, while striving to fulfill the obligations established in international normative documents such as the 2022 MONDIACULT Declaration and the 2024 G20 Salvador da Bahia Declaration:

1. Further integration of culture into policies and strategies for the reduction and adaptation to the impacts of climate change, including national adaptation plans and nationally determined contributions;

2. Promotion of the formation of intersectoral policies at the national level, including strengthening interministerial cooperation;

3. Utilizing the transformative potential of the cultural sector to promote behavior change and sustainable production and consumption patterns;

4. Investing in knowledge building and data collection in the fields of culture and climate change;

5. Promoting structured dialogue and coordinated advocacy related to the maintenance of a permanent operational mechanism for Culture-Based Climate Action and COP;

6. Promoting international cooperation in the field of culture and climate action based on values of solidarity and inclusivity, including South-South and North-South collaboration;

7. Increasing support for the inclusion of culture as an independent objective in future discussions on promoting sustainable development beyond 2030, recognizing the transformative role of culture as a facilitator and driving force for sustainable development.

The document also expresses gratitude to the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry for hosting the Second High-Level Meeting of Culture Ministers under COP29 and welcomes the advancement of the "Culture for Climate" (C4C) initiative that contributes to the ongoing efforts to integrate culture into climate action.

The communique states that an agreement has been reached to reconvene during COP30, which will be held in Brazil in 2025, to evaluate new developments and issues related to the culture-climate nexus.

Recall that several culture ministers from various countries and representatives of participating organizations attended the Second High-Level Meeting of Culture Ministers on Culture-Based Climate Action.

The meeting was held under the leadership of the tripartite presidency of the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, and Brazil, representing COP28, COP29, and COP30, respectively.
20 November 2024 17:26 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

It is deeply regrettable that American congressmen Frank Pellone and Ed Markey made untruthful statements in the United States about their visit to Azerbaijan after their participation in a prestigious event such as the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Azernews reports that Sabina Aliyeva, the human rights commissioner (ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, said this in her reaction to the congressmen's statements.

According to the ombudsman, the allegations made by the congressmen regarding the situation in the Garabakh region of Azerbaijan once again demonstrate their bias against Azerbaijan.

"Instead of the untruthful approach of those congressmen, we would expect them to put forward the issue of guaranteeing the right of return of hundreds of thousands of our compatriots who were expelled due to their ethnicity from the territory of Armenia, and the safe and dignified return of those people to their homeland without any discrimination.

At the same time, we would like to remind the congressmen that as a result of the occupation policy implemented by Armenia with groundless territorial claims against our country, twenty percent of the internationally recognized lands of Azerbaijan have been occupied by this country for nearly thirty years, and more than one million Azerbaijanis have become forced refugees.

However, we are witnessing that Frank Pellone and Ed Markey, in this sensitive period, instead of taking steps to establish sustainable peace in the region, are showing their position in the direction of creating new conflict centers. In his speech, Pellone's decision to name an illegitimate "institution" not even recognized by the United States of America and its "leader" who is under investigation for committing war crimes, meddling in the internal affairs of another country, disregarding the generally recognized norms and principles of international law, "that congressman What political circles does it serve?" answers the question.

I would also like to point out that these congressmen have not yet provided any information to our country about the landmine terrorism carried out by Armenia that ended the lives of the civilian population, including the elderly, women and children, about the fate of nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis who have gone missing since the First Garabakh War. The fact that they are silent about not being presented also proves their bias once again.

"Congressman Pellone's evasion of questions addressed to him by representatives of independent press bodies during COP29 and his inability to respond to valid arguments later justified with absurd claims is a clear example of his intolerance to freedom of speech and press," said Sabina Aliyeva.

She once again condemned the groundless and biased opinions of the US congressmen based on the instructions of the Armenian lobby, and invited them to respect international law and not to try to create a conflict on the national level.
20 November 2024 11:05 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

On 19 November 2024, the Government of Azerbaijan filed its Statement of Claim with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (in the Hague) against Armenia that details Armenias multiple breaches of Azerbaijans sovereign rights over its energy resources under the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) and fundamental principles of international law, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

This Statement of Claim is the latest development in international legal proceedings that began on 27 February 2023, when Azerbaijan served a Notice of Arbitration on Armenia. The arbitral tribunal was constituted on 8 September 2023, and the first procedural meeting between Azerbaijan and Armenia took place on 12 January 2024.

During its nearly thirty-year illegal occupation of Azerbaijans internationally recognized territory, Armenia prevented Azerbaijan from accessing or developing its energy resources in that territory. Instead, it exploited those resources for Armenias own benefit.

Crucial among Armenias breaches of international law is its refusal to allow Azerbaijan to access or benefit from significant renewable energy projects for decades. These include the Tartar Hydropower Plant on the Sarsang Reservoir in the formerly occupied Aghdara district, along with the Khudafarin and Giz Galasi hydropower projects on the border with Iran, in the formerly occupied Jabrayil district of Azerbaijan, as well as previously untapped energy potential, renewables, including hydropower, and other resources.

During its illegal occupation, Armenia also licensed and regulated the entities that operated the Tartar Hydropower Plant, unlawfully plugging this energy source into its domestic electricity network and directing surplus energy to Armenia for domestic energy consumption. Further, Armenia barred Azerbaijan from accessing the Khudafarin and Giz Galasi project sites, delaying the completion of these critical hydropower projects by 30 years and impairing Azerbaijans development of its renewable energy sector.

Azerbaijan will continue to seek redress for Armenias violations of Azerbaijans sovereign rights over its energy resources, including Armenias unlawful exploitation and impairment of renewable resources in the liberated territories.
20 November 2024 16:24 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

On November 20, France's ambassador to Azerbaijan Ann Bouillon was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Azernews reports, citing the press service department of the ministry.

During the meeting, on the eve of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) and during the session, France protested the targeting of Azerbaijan's presidency.

In this regard, calls to boycott this prestigious UN event hosted by Azerbaijan, France's encouragement of many heads of state not to participate in the event, as well as unjustified criticism of our presidency in the European Parliament with the special efforts of France when the COP29 conference began, and climate change, in general, It was emphasized that the adoption of the resolution against our global efforts in the fight against

At the same time, it was pointed out that the actions of France, which widely armed Armenia and promoted militarism and revanchism, were a blow to the peace process.

France has insisted on putting an end to these steps targeting Azerbaijan and endangering the normalization process.
20 November 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

In early 2025, the United Kingdom and Japan will hold the first meeting of foreign ministers and ministers of economy under the "two-plus-two" formula. This agreement was reached during talks between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba, which took place in Rio de Janeiro on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Azernews reports.

Until now, London and Tokyo have held "two-plus-two" dialogues involving the heads of foreign policy and military departments. It has now been decided to expand this framework to include the economic sphere as well.

The United Kingdom and Japan, according to Kyodo, aim to coordinate their policies more closely in response to the intention of US President-elect Donald Trump to tighten trade terms with foreign countries. In particular, this involves a significant increase in tariffs on imports of foreign goods into the United States, a move that has raised concerns among the governments of both the UK and Japan.
20 November 2024 18:40 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Beijing rejected Washington's offer to organize a meeting of defense ministers at the end of November due to the U.S. sale of weapons to Taiwan, Azernews reports.

According to the report, Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin had previously proposed holding talks with his Chinese counterpart, General Li Shangfu, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Plus defense ministers' meeting in Laos. However, Beijing declined the offer, citing the recent U.S. arms sale to Taiwan as the reason. As CNN notes, China often "cancels meetings and closes communication channels" to express its "dissatisfaction with the United States."

In October, the U.S. State Department approved a potential sale of the NASAMS air defense system and radar stations to Taiwan for approximately $2 billion.

On November 17, Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in Peru, stated that if the United States wants to preserve peace in the Taiwan Strait, it should approach the issue with caution and prudence, clearly oppose Taipei's independence, and support the peaceful reunification of China.
20 November 2024 20:28 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The volume of oil supplies from Russia to China in January-October increased by 2.2% compared to the same period last year, reaching 90.4 million tons, Azernews reports.

The total value of these oil supplies amounted to $52.8 billion, marking a 6.4% increase year-on-year. Oil constitutes about half of the value of all Russian exports to China, highlighting the significance of energy trade between the two countries.

In October alone, Russia exported 9.8 million tons of oil to China, a 13.5% increase compared to September. The value of these exports was $5.2 billion.

Russia remains the largest oil supplier to China for the period from January to October. Saudi Arabia ranks second, with 65.3 million tons valued at $40.5 billion, while Malaysia is in third place, supplying 56.8 million tons worth $31.4 billion.

Interestingly, this growth in Russian oil exports to China comes amid shifting global energy dynamics. As Western sanctions and the energy crisis following the Ukraine conflict continue to reshape international trade patterns, Russia has increasingly focused on expanding its energy exports to China and other Asian markets. This pivot is part of broader geopolitical shifts that have led to a reconfiguration of global energy flows, with China playing a central role in this new landscape.
GT Voice: G20s push to eradicate hunger, end poverty requires joint effort

Global Times) 15:52, November 20, 2024

(Illustration: Liu Xidan/GT)

Leaders of the G20 group of largest economies are scheduled to gather in Rio de Janeiro on Monday and Tuesday for the G20 Summit under the Brazilian presidency. A key item on the agenda is the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.

The G20 alliance against hunger not only promotes South-South cooperation, but also strengthens solidarity and partnership among developing countries in overcoming difficulties and achieving sustainable development. This will drive the transformation of the global agrifood system. That underscores the collective effort of the countries of the Global South to make the global development system fairer and more equitable.

The world is still facing severe problems of poverty and hunger. In the Poverty, Prosperity, and Planet Report issued in October, the World Bank pointed out that poverty has risen for the first time in decades, and the global goal of cutting the extreme-poverty rate to 3 percent by 2030 had slipped out of reach. At the current pace, it will not be met for three decades.

On World Food Day, Deputy Director-General of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization Beth Bechdol said in an interview that 733 million people worldwide faced hunger in 2023, which is equal to one in 11 globally and one in five in Africa.

This situation not only deprives individuals of their basic rights but also undermines the overall strength and competitiveness of nations, further exacerbating disparities in global development. Therefore, poverty alleviation is not just an issue faced by a single country or region, but a global shared responsibility that requires the cooperation and joint efforts of countries around the world.

In this context, the launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty represents a courageous and commendable response to this pressing global challenge.

China's achievements in combating hunger and reducing poverty are widely recognized. Over the past few decades, the country has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, establishing itself as a model for global poverty alleviation efforts. This success is closely linked to the comprehensive policies implemented by the Chinese government in areas such as policy-making, funding, and technology. China's experience in poverty reduction is not only relevant domestically but also offers valuable lessons for other developing countries.

Moreover, in recent years, China has made significant strides in global efforts to enhance agricultural cooperation, providing robust support for the fight against food insecurity. Through a combination of policy guidance, financial assistance, and technological collaboration, China actively fosters global agricultural development, making contributions to poverty alleviation.

For instance, cooperation between China and African countries in agriculture has yielded impressive results. China has established 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers across Africa, promoting more than 300 advanced and practical technologies, including corn cultivation, vegetable farming, and cassava propagation. This has led to an increase in local crop yields by 30 to 60 percent.

In particular, as one of the important achievements of China-Africa agricultural cooperation, the application of China's hybrid rice technology has greatly improved the grain self-sufficiency of African countries. Take Madagascar as an example. The planting area of hybrid rice in the country has exceeded 75,000 hectares, with an average yield of 7.5 tons per hectare, more than three times the output of local crop varieties.

Furthermore, the Belt and Road Initiative has presented extensive opportunities for deepening global agricultural cooperation. Through this initiative, China has strengthened policy communication, financial support, and technological cooperation with countries participating in the initiative, collectively advancing the development and modernization of the agricultural sector.

By providing advanced agricultural technology and equipment, China has helped these nations boost their agricultural production capacity and enhance the processing of agricultural products. Additionally, China has actively participated in trade and investment cooperation in agricultural products with these countries, promoting the prosperity of agricultural markets and improving the efficiency of agricultural supply chains.

Of course, addressing the complex challenges of global hunger and poverty is not a task that can be accomplished overnight. It requires the collaborative efforts and sustained investments of nations across the globe. To effectively combat these pressing issues, countries must prioritize strengthening policy communication, enhancing financial support, and fostering technological cooperation, thereby creating a unified front in the fight against hunger and poverty.

Additionally, it is increasingly important for nations to bolster their food security assurance systems, improve food production capacities, and increase reserve levels.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
A Georgia mother has been arrested and sentenced to life in prison after she killed her two young sons by putting them in the oven.

Lamora Williams, who was 24 at the time of the crime, was initially arrested in October 2017 when police officers discovered the dead bodies of her two sons, aged 1 and 2.

Williams allegedly told police that she had left her children in the care of a relative around noon of Oct. 13, 2017, and only found the body of her kids about 11:30 p.m. the same night when she returned home. However, initial investigations led police to determine that the children were not left with a caregiver, according to PEOPLE magazine, citing Atlanta police.

How Did the Children Die?

Williams called 911 after she claimed she found the bodies of her sons. Per the 911 call, Williams told the dispatcher that her children were dead and their caregiver was missing.

"When I came in, the stove was laying on my son, on my youngest son's head, and my other son was laid out on the floor with his brains laid out on the floor," she said, as quoted by Law and Crime.

Read Also: Houston Mom Gets 50 Years for Forcing Kids To Live with Decomposing Body of Their Dead Brother

The then 24-year-old mom further told the dispatcher that she had just gotten home from work in the moments before making the 911 call.

However, subsequent investigations revealed that there was never a caregiver and that Williams intentionally killed her toddlers by tipping over the oven above her young sons and turning it on. Specifically, autopsy reports noted that the boys' heads were stuck in the oven. Officers believed the children were burned between midnight on Oct. 12, 2017, to 11 p.m. the next day.

Furthermore, police discovered that Williams called the father of her sons, Jameel Penn, to show him a live video of his children lying lifeless on the floor. He also called 911 at about the same time as Williams.

What Charges Is She Facing?

Williams faced 14 charges, including felony murder, cruelty to children, and giving false statements to the police. A jury found her guilty of all charges on Nov. 15, 2024. She is set to spend the rest of her life in prison, per Fox 5 Atlanta.
20 November 2024 21:26 (UTC+04:00)

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During his visit to Qatar, Uzbekistan's Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, held a meeting with Khalid Mannai, Deputy Chairman of EXCOM, Aleh Greval, Head of Mannai Corporation, Binu MR, CEO of Mannai Group and Vice President for IT, Azernews reports.

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20 November 2024 22:27 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

One of Milan's central streets, home to boutiques of haute couture housesMontenapoleonehas become the most expensive shopping destination in the world in terms of rent. For the first time, it has surpassed major "competitors" from New York and LondonFifth Avenue and New Bond Streetin this ranking, Azernews reports.

This is according to the annual report from the American real estate company Cushman & Wakefield, which monitors trends in 138 global shopping centers.

According to the report, the maximum rent that landlords can charge luxury retailers on Montenapoleone Street rose by 11% over the year to 20,000 euros per square meter. For the first time in 34 years, a European street has topped the rankings, experts say. Last year, new Chanel and Gucci stores opened on Montenapoleone, responding to increasing competition among luxury brands for the most coveted locations.

Luxury group Kering, which owns brands like Gucci and Alexander McQueen, paid 1.3 billion euros for a building on Milans famed street, making it the largest real estate deal in Europe in two years. According to Cushman & Wakefield spokesperson Thomas Casolo, luxury brands have "invested heavily to secure the best locations in an extremely rare opportunity." He believes the rapid increase in rent on Montenapoleone is due to the street being much shorter than Fifth Avenue or New Bond Street, yet it remains a prime destination for international brands to invest in.

The Champs-Elysees in Paris and Canton Road in Hong Kong also rank among the five most expensive streets, with Vienna's Kohlmarkt shopping street rounding out the top ten.
20 November 2024 23:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The American company SpaceX, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, launched a rocket carrying a prototype of the Starship spacecraft on Tuesday as part of its sixth test orbital flight, Azernews reports.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump attended the launch alongside Musk for the first time. Before the launch, the head of SpaceX briefed the politician on the technical features of the Starship.

The launch took place from the launch pad at the Boca Chica spaceport in Texas. The Starship, consisting of two stagesthe upper stage and the Super Heavy boosterwill test key technical improvements, including the re-ignition of the Raptor engine in space, the heat shield, and modifications for a controlled descent into the Indian Ocean.

After consuming most of its fuel and separating from the Starship spacecraft, the Super Heavy booster changed course and began its return to the launch pad. The booster was expected to land at the Starbase facility, which Musk has nicknamed "Mechazilla."

However, the test flight team determined that conditions were unfavorable, and the booster ultimately landed in the Gulf of Mexico off the Texas coast, about seven minutes after launch.

SpaceX is developing the Starship spacecraft prototype, which is planned for use in manned missions to Mars. According to Elon Musk, Starship could reach Mars without a crew within two years. Musk's ultimate goal is to establish a self-sustaining city on Mars within the next 20 years.
20 November 2024 19:50 (UTC+04:00)

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In October of this year, passenger car exports from Japan to Russia increased by 45.8 percent compared to the same period last year, Azernews reports.

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In October, police officers found a 19-year-old Walmart employee dead in the bakery store's walk-in oven in Halifax, Canada. Now, authorities said there was no evidence of foul play.

Halifax Regional Police responded to a call of a sudden death in the Walmart store located at 6990 Mumford Road on the evening of Oct. 19. Investigators found the body of 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur inside a large walk-in oven in the store's bakery department.

Nearly a month after the incident, detectives for the Halifax Police Department said they have not found any evidence indicating the death was suspicious.

"There is no evidence of foul play," they said in a news release published Monday.

How Police Investigated the Kaur's Death

During the investigation into the 19-year-old's sudden death, Halifax police interviewed "several" people, reviewed video footage, and "worked very closely" with officials at the Nova Scotia Department of Labor and Medical Examiner Service. They later ruled that there was no one else involved in Kaur's death.

Police have already notified Kaur's family about their findings. They have also extended their condolences.

Read Also: Disembodied Head That Washed Ashore in Florida Identified as Teen Who Vanished After Saving Sister From Drowning

"Investigators met with family to share this update and extend condolences. Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time," the news release read. "The family asks the public to respect their privacy and the dignity and memory of their loved one, as they receive this news."

It remains unclear how the 19-year-old ended up locked inside the oven. The police are expected to provide a final update on the case soon.

Who Was Gursimran Kaur?

Kaur is a member of the Maritime Sikh Society in Halifax and is an immigrant from India, according to PEOPLE magazine. She and her mother worked at the Walmart store for two years until the time of the incident.

Her mother said she was worried after she had not seen her daughter for about an hour on the evening of Oct. 19. She grew even more worried when she could not reach her daughter's phone.

Kaur's mother was the person who found her dead inside the locked oven. Audio of emergency officials revealed the oven's power was still on when they found the 19-year-old's body.

Her family has launched a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly USD$140,000 (CAD$194,000). The campaign has stopped accepting new donations.
David Harsanyi, writing at the Washington Examiner writes:

If the 2024 presidential contest proved anything, its that the mass media no longer drive the national conversation. They can no longer stoke fear and outrage in average voters. They can no longer prop up terrible candidates. And, like him or not, President-elect Donald Trumps success with black, Hispanic, and Jewish voters, if exit polls are even close to correct, proves that the entire fascist scare was a flop.

Indeed, the establishment press are less trusted than virtually any major institution in American life. It is a well-earned ignominy. Its also a tragedy for a free nation that we have a barely functioning press. Reporters probably tell themselves theyre disliked because theyre fearless truth-tellers. But, far more likely, its a referendum on their deceit.

There was never a reckoning for the Russia collusion hysteria that enveloped the nation or the concerted effort to censor and gaslight us on the Hunter Biden laptop story. There will be no reckoning for spending years fearmongering about the coming Nazism, either.

Recall, as well, how we got here. Most of the media had spent four years covering up President Joe Bidens mental and physical decay by the time the first presidential debate rolled around. It was perhaps the most stage-managed presidency in history, and not one reporter with access to the White House, outside of Fox News, thought it important enough to let us know that the commander in chief could barely function. This, far more than another pedantic fact-check of Trump hyperbole, is why we need journalists.

When the Wall Street Journal finally ran a well-sourced piece detailing Bidens slippage, the paper was widely assailed by left media, which feigned deep concern about the veracity of the sourcing on the story. These are the same people, incidentally, who treat anonymously sourced Atlantic hit pieces as incontestable truth.

Indeed, those who shared a video of Biden puttering around aimlessly were accused of spreading conspiracy theories themselves. When Bidens fragile mental state could no longer be hidden, the political press immediately, and without any explanation, turned their focus to elbowing out the president and installing Vice President Kamala Harris. Thats not just bias  its corrupt.

Then came Kamalot, the shameless, sycophantic, contrived campaign to persuade voters that a woefully inadequate candidate, one who had never won a primary contest, was actually a generational political talent. She went a month without giving a genuine interview or offering as much as extemporaneous comment. In a properly functioning liberal democracy, the press would never have stood for it.

When Harris finally began unleashing her swirling platitude-ridden sentences, it became clear she was in over her head. Once-respected institutions such as 60 Minutes threw away what was left of their reputation, splicing one of Harriss disjointed ramblings into a coherent answer. CBS News has yet to release the transcript of her interview. The rationalization, no doubt, was saving democracy.

Its true, as journalists like to point out, that many consumers of news confuse opinion journalism and straight reporting. To be fair to consumers, its often impossible to tell the difference. But done right, opinion journalism offers context, sparks debates, and provides intellectual fodder.

Most quarters of the media, though, not only refuse to debate but wont concede that there is a debate. Most days, there isnt a single person on MSNBC or NBC News or ABC News or CBS News or on any of the editorial pages of most of the biggest newspapers in the country who can articulate positions held by half the country, much less agree with any of them. And, no, stacking your panels with Trump-hating former conservatives who champion every left-policy position imaginable doesnt count. The zeal of the liberal convert isnt really serving anyone.

And, as Hugh Hewitt noted before quitting the Washington Post, We are news people, even though we have opinions, and we have to report the whole story if we bring up part of the story. How often does that happen anymore?

On election night, I watched MSNBCs Joy Reid, Chris Hayes, and Rachel Maddow processing the loss to Trump. These were the people anchoring news coverage. Really, a satirist would struggle to replicate some of the astounding crackpottery I heard. Reid, as an example, uses the word fascist with the frequency a normal person might use pronouns. (Though, judging from her rants, its exceptionally unlikely she could coherently define it.)

There is a preternatural lack of self-awareness in much of the established media. I dont mean that they arent smart. I mean that they are incurious about the perspective of others and make zero effort to present their opponents case fairly, if at all. I doubt anyone on MSNBC has heard a pro-life argument in a decade.

Not once, for instance, did anyone on that MSNBC panel ever bring up the possible downside of recklessly accusing everyone who disagrees with them of being a fascist. Rather, they just kept wondering how all these Americans could vote for Hitler.

In many ways, these panics undermine the Lefts ability to offer useful or nonfiction critiques of Trump and his policies. Im not sure how the media can extricate themselves from this hysterism. If you spend eight years treating every event like the Reichstag fire, its going to be difficult to switch gears and talk about the efficacy of a lower corporate tax rate.

Even the day after Harriss defeat, cable news panels were devolving into struggle sessions and group therapy. Many regulars were again blaming dis- and misinformation. And, yes, Russian interference. People like John Heilemann, whos allegedly a dispassionate observer of national politics, could not comprehend why anyone would vote against Harris. Maybe talk to someone outside your hermetically sealed ideological biodome.

Its almost surely going to get worse before it gets better. The presence of Trump, in fact, promises higher ratings at these outlets. All the incentives, ideological and fiscal, are wrong. The entire media structure is larded up with former and future Democratic activists. The most influential journalism professors preach against open discourse. The editorial boards have meltdowns if their paper fails to endorse a candidate. The younger staff members are triggered by the mere shadow of a differing opinion. There are talented writers and reporters out there, but they are rarely valued. Rewards come to those who tell their audiences exactly what they want to hear, turned up to 11.

With every debacle, the institution gets worse. There is more insufferable self-glorification. More priggishness. More smugness. A bigger unearned sense of moral superiority. Its exceedingly doubtful much will change.

On the bright side, though, most people have stopped listening.
Beaufort County Schools are building a new school on the same ground where Eastern Elementary already exists, at a cost of $10,500,000.00 to Beaufort County's Taxpayers. Is this a wise expense of taxpayer dollars at this time?

22.73% Yes, Beaufort County has been awarded a 42 million dollars of grant money from the state of North Carolina (FREE MONEY) to construct school at 3.00 per squ. ft.65.91% No, this is the wrong time, to build the wrong school, on the wrong placement - its lowest point - of Eastern Elementary's existing location, when community schools work best.11.36% Why should I care about the public's education?
1. Medical Residents and fellows at four Rhode Island hospitals affiliated with Brown Universitys Warren Alpert School of Medicine in Providence filed a Nov. 15 petition with the National Labor Relations Board to form a union. The residents and fellows work across Brown University Health, formerly known as Lifespan Health, and Care New England. If recognized by health system leaders, the bargaining units will represent 721 and 229 residents and fellows at Brown and Care New England, respectively.

2. Primary care physicians at Massachusetts General and Brigham Womens hospitals, both a part of Mass General Brigham in Boston, also filed a petition to unionize with the NLRB Nov. 15. Physicians cited burnout and increased corporatization as reasons driving the unionization. If the physicians vote to unionize, the bargaining unit would include 400 members, the largest union of attending physicians in Massachusetts.

3. Physician residents at Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine, represented by the Committee of Interns and Residents, accepted their first union contract on Oct. 2. More than 99% of union members voted in favor of the contracts after over a year of negotiations. The contract is the first of its kind for medical residents in the state, which includes a 25% salary increase among other benefits.
The ASC industry is relatively young, with the first center opening in Phoenix in 1970. Over time, as the healthcare sector has become increasingly consolidated, more ASCs have turned to chain or private equity ownership. According to VMG Health, the number of ASCs partnered with a national operator grew from 1,339 in 2011 to 1,941 in 2023, reflecting a shifting ownership landscape.

Consolidation in the ASC industry accelerated between 2015 and 2018, driven by a series of megamergers.

In 2015, Tenet Healthcare purchased 50.1% of Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International for $425 million. USPI has since grown to the largest ASC chain in the country. In 2020, Tenet further solidified its market position when it acquired more than 90 ASCs from SurgCenter Development for approximately $1.2 billion, paving the way for USPI to market dominance.

Another significant merger occurred in 2017, when Deerfield, Ill.-based SCA Health, then known as Surgical Care Affiliates, was acquired by Optum. The company has grown from 186 ASCs in 2019 to 320 in 2023.

Now, USPI controls 7.1% of the ASC market share, followed by SCA Health, with 5.3%.

Earlier this year, Optum set its sights on acquiring Brentwood, Tenn.-based ASC operator Surgery Partners, sparking apprehension among ASC leaders.

I have seen over and over the effect of oligopoly in the ASC industry, Shakeel Ahmed, MD, CEO of Atlas Surgical Group in St. Louis, told Beckers. A dominant group takes over the local market and edges out smaller businesses. That is not a healthy model, and I remain nervous about that with these future mergers. We need a level playing field. The ASC industry stands as a bulwark of fairness against large healthcare institutions. These mergers go against the dogma that we stand for.

Through SCA Health, Optum also quietly purchased at least two cardiovascular providers in 2023, National Cardiovascular Partners and Pivotal Healthcare.

ASC leaders are eyeing other industries that have seen care shifts with large-scale consolidation. As the physician workforce has consolidated, for example, independent entities have struggled to compete, and communities have been left with fewer care options and often increased costs.

Meanwhile, physicians have seen a decline in autonomy, rising costs for patients and potential effects on care quality. In 2022, just 44% of physicians owned their practices, compared with 76% in the early 1980s, according to a report from the American Medical Association.

Optum operates the largest physician network in the country, with more than 90,000 employed or affiliated and more than 40,000 advanced practice clinicians. The company has inked $31 billion on acquisitions in the last two years and added 20,000 physicians in 2023.

The companys dominance over physician employment has spiked in recent years as the COVID-19 pandemic made it more difficult for independent practices to meet margins. More than 108,700 physicians left private practice for employment opportunities from 2019 to 2021, according to a report from Avalere.

Efforts by Optum to dominate physician markets is a concern generally with consolidation of the insurance market. The two go hand-in-hand and its got to be of some concern to consumers and patients, Chip Kahn, president and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals, told Beckers last year. From our standpoint, we think a lot of the criticism in terms of hospital consolidation is unfounded, but its partly driven by the tremendous consolidation on the part of insurers.

Like physician practices, independent ASCs face mounting challenges, including rising operational costs and declining reimbursements. ASCs have long struggled with lower reimbursement rates for the same services as hospital outpatient departments, and CMS recently finalized a 2.83% physician pay cut in its 2025 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and ASC Payment System.

Its forcing independent ASCs to be bought out by larger entities because they cant sustain themselves, Bill Rhoades, COO of Harrisburg (Pa.) Endoscopy & Surgery, told Beckers. Their return on investment is lower than expected.

As consolidation continues to shape the ASC landscape, many leaders hope that independence can be preserved.

In an independent ASC, theres more of a doctor-patient relationship and more emphasis on the patient experience, Mr. Peluso said. Independent physicians might come in early or stay late to see a patient because they have more at stake. I think youll see better quality care, better access, and lower costs with independent ASCs.
Ascension

St. Louis-based Ascension has sold four Michigan locations to Midland-based MyMichigan Health, including an ASC. The deal, originally announced in March, marks the second recent transaction where Ascension sold Michigan-based facilities to MyMichigan Health, further consolidating its presence in the state.

The transferred facilities include:

Ascension St. Marys Towne Center: Includes an ASC, wound care center, emergency department, and short-stay unit.

Ascension St. Marys of Saginaw: A 268-bed acute care inpatient facility.

Ascension St. Joseph (Tawas): A 47-bed inpatient facility.

St. Marys of Standish: A 25-bed critical access hospital and 29-bed skilled nursing facility.

HCA Healthcare

HCA Healthcare sold West Hills Hospital and Medical Center, a 260-bed facility in Los Angeles, to UCLA Health. The transaction includes a freestanding ASC as part of the hospital campus. This acquisition supports UCLA Healths efforts to alleviate capacity constraints in its emergency department, operating rooms and inpatient services. West Hills Hospital was part of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcares Far West division.

SCA Health

SCA Health, Optums ASC arm, sold equity stakes in Marin Specialty Surgery Center in San Rafael, Calif., to:

MarinHealth Medical Center (Greenbrae, Calif.)

UCSF Health (San Francisco)

Previously co-owned by MarinHealth, 20 local physicians and SCA Health, the ASC is now jointly owned by MarinHealth, UCSF, and 11 physician partners.

In a separate transaction, Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente purchased Antelope Valley Surgery Center in Lancaster, Calif., which was previously operated by SCA Health and was set to close in January before Kaiser purchased it.

Novant Health

Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health has sold its Charlotte, N.C.-based ASC, Matthews Surgery Center, to Charlotte-based OrthoCarolina. OrthoCarolina will operate and manage the ASC outright, officially taking ownership on Oct. 1.

Tenet Healthcare

Tenet, parent company of United Surgical Partners International, completed the sale of four hospitals and two ASCs in Southern California to Orange, Calif.-based UCI Health.

The acquired hospitals include:

Fountain Valley Regional Hospital

Lakewood Regional Medical Center

Los Alamitos Medical Center

Placentia-Linda Hospital

The acquired ASCs include:
A federal jury in Clarksburg, W. Va., found Nitesh Ratnakar, MD, guilty of 41 counts of tax fraud. Dr. Ratnakar was first indicted in February.

Dr. Ratnaker previously operated a gastroenterology practice and a medical equipment manufacturer in Elkins, W. Va.

He faces up to five years in prison for each of the first 38 tax fraud counts and two years for the other three counts, totaling a possible 204 years.
Health officials for the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said they have identified a possible case of bird flu in a child.

Officials said it is unclear where the child got the avian flu. The child had no known contact with an infected animal. However, officials are now investigating whether the child could have been exposed to avian flu through infected wild birds.

No details about the child were released, including their age, name, or gender.

The CDPH noted that the risk to the public remains low, according to a press release.

Testing Positive for Bird Flu

It was not immediately clear when the child was tested for avian flu. It was also unclear when symptoms associated with the flu appeared.

An initial positive test indicated the child had low levels of the virus. At the time, the child was suffering from mild upper respiratory symptoms and received medical treatment. The test result means the child was likely not infectious to others. That said, officials tested other family members who had also been showing mild respiratory symptoms. All were negative for bird flu.

However, a second test conducted four days later revealed the child was negative for bird flu but positive for other respiratory viruses. Officials for the CDPH noted that these respiratory viruses---which were unspecified in the press release---could have caused the cold and flu symptoms.

State officials said they are now coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate why the child tested positive in the initial screening. Test samples have also been sent to the organization for confirmation.

Additionally, they are now contacting caregivers and families who were at a daycare the child attended to conduct health checks and testing.

Other Human Cases of Bird Flu

There have been 52 confirmed human cases of avian flu in the United States so far this year, nearly half of which were in dairy farm workers, per data from the CDC.

There has also recently been a Canadian teenager who was hospitalized in critical condition after being infected with bird flu earlier this month. It was not immediately clear how the teen was exposed to the virus.

Bird flu symptoms can mimic those associated with cold. Symptoms include eye redness, pink eye, cough, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, fever, and difficulty breathing.
1. America is facing a healthcare crisis, and there may be no physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to make America healthy again, Mr. Trump wrote in a Nov. 19 Truth Social post.

2. Dr. Oz was born in Cleveland and grew up near Philadelphia. He holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a dual medical degree and MBA from the University of Pennsylvanias Perelman School of Medicine and Wharton Business School.

3. As a professor emeritus at Columbia University, Dr. Oz has also led the heart institute at New York-Presbyterian Medical Center. His research has spanned healthcare policy, minimally invasive surgery, heart replacement and complementary medicine.

4. Dr. Oz gained national prominence as host of The Dr. Oz Show, earning nine Daytime Emmy Awards. He also served as a health expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show for six seasons.

5. In 2022, Dr. Oz was the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. He lost the general election to Democrat John Fetterman.

6. On Nov. 14, Dr. Oz voiced support for Mr. Trumps nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, which oversees CMS. Americans need better research on healthy lifestyle choices from unbiased scientists, Dr. Oz said in a post on X.

7. Dr. Oz has faced scrutiny for promoting unverified weight-loss products, leading to a 2014 U.S. Senate hearing where he admitted some promotional language was overly flowery. A 2014 BMJ study found fewer than half of recommendations on medical talk shows, including his, were evidence-based. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Oz promoted hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment, citing early feedback from health experts, CNBC reported.

8. In his Nov. 19 post, Mr. Trump outlined Dr. Ozs goals as CMS administrator, including reducing fraud and waste in the nations most expensive government agency and incentivizing disease prevention.

He will ensure Americans get world-class healthcare results for the money we spend, Mr. Trump said.

9. Healthcare decisions during a second Trump administration could include the future of ACA premium tax credits, set to expire in 2025, and the growth of Medicare Advantage. Analysts expect Trump to consider a less costly alternative to the ACA if proposed. Heritage Foundations Project 2025 recommends default enrollment into private Medicare Advantage plans, though Trump has distanced himself from the plan, per KFF Health News.

10. While a 2017 article in the American Medical Associations Journal of Ethics called Dr. Ozs credentials impeccable, it also referred to him as a physician visibly out of step with his profession, citing controversial representations of topics ranging from weight loss interventions to whether genetically modified foods caused cancer.
Many supply chain and logistics executives are trying to arrange any supply needs for the new year now in an effort to avoid higher prices or delays, according to a Nov. 19 report from CNBC.

During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump made several propositions for the economy, including tariffs on foreign-made goods that could make virtually everything made abroad more expensive for Americans.

In an advisory to clients, Honour Lane Shipping predicted that many companies will start frontloading their supply orders in the first half of December.

The earliest that new tariffs could be in effect is in late February or early March, according to the report.

The report also warns of a possible strike by the International Longshoremens Association at ports from New England to Texas that could begin in mid-January. Following a three-day ILA strike in October, supply congestion lasted for weeks.

While shippers are interested in front-loading freight, this might not be feasible if suppliers cant ramp up production.

The global supply chain and U.S. shipper reliance on other countries has expanded over the past 20 years, with the total value of goods imported into the U.S. increasing by 153%.

Some logistics experts believe that Mr. Trumps economic and international policies could bring another round of restructuring to global supply chains.

There has been a rise in Chinese manufacturing moving to Mexico under terms of the Trump-negotiated USMCA trade deal, which created a legal back door for supplies entering the U.S. without paying tariffs.

Mr. Trump is expected to close this loophole in his second term, according to the report. More companies have also set up shop in countries such as South Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia, which could also face tariff actions.

Mr. Trump has suggested raising tariffs by at least 25%, which could rise to 100% on goods made in Mexico, in his next term.
Intermountain Health plans to break ground on a 14-story replacement hospital next spring in Billings, Mont. The project is estimated to cost more than $900 million and marks the largest capital project in the state's history, according to a report from the Billings Gazette.

On Nov. 19, Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health shared design plans for the new, 737,000-square-foot St. Vincent Regional Hospital. All services offered at the current St. Vincent facility will be transferred to the new hospital upon its expected opening in 2029. The health system said it decided to replace the current facility due to aging infrastructure and to design a hospital capable of meeting future growth in the region.



"Building a replacement hospital affords a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take all we know about modern healthcare and design a hospital for high-quality, efficient care for decades to come," Lee Boyles, president of Intermountain St. Vincent Regional Hospital and the system's Wyoming and Montana markets, said in a statement.

The new hospital will have 243 beds with flex space to accommodate 16 additional beds when needed. All patient rooms are being built with a universal design that will enable them to easily convert to ICU-level care.The operating rooms are designed to adapt to multiple types of procedures and support the integration of evolving surgical technology.

Some of the buildings on St. Vincent's current campus may be re-used for non-medical purposes including workforce housing, Mr. Boyles told the Billings-Gazette.

The project's construction is expected to bring significant economic growth to Billings, according to local community development leaders. Intermountain expects more than 1,200 total workers to be involved in constructing the facility.

Last month, Intermountain Health announced another billion-dollar project: A freestanding children's hospital in Las Vegas.
Albany, N.Y.-based St. Peter's Hospital is diverting patients to other hospitals after a ruptured pipe caused flooding in its radiology department, the Times Union reported Nov. 19.

The pipe burst at about 2:15 a.m. on Nov. 18. The extent of the damage is not clear, but the flooding impacted medical imaging equipment, including a CT scanner and an MRI machine, sources told the news outlet.

"Our facilities, environmental services, infection control and restoration teams have plans in place for these kinds of events and are actively working to reroute services and clean the area so that we can return to normal operations as soon as possible," hospital spokesperson Courtney Weisberg told the Union.

The hospital may not accept ambulances until at least Nov. 22, according to the report. Some patients are receiving imaging services through the system's outpatient suite.
Pontiac (Mich.) General Hospital filed a WARN notice Nov. 15 to lay off 248 employees after the hospital unexpectedly learned that it was excluded from receiving Medicare funds.

CMS filed a Nov. 8 notice that the hospital was not in compliance with several Medicare conditions of participation and that Medicare would halt payment for inpatient hospital services on or after Nov. 24.

The layoffs will occur in two phases. In the first phase, 186 employees were laid off Nov. 16, with the remaining 62 set to be laid off Dec. 20.

Among some of the positions being cut were registered nurse supervisor, pharmacy tech, nursing manager, lab assistant, registered pharmacist and senior recruiter.

"Pontiac General  believes that this exclusion from receiving Medicare funds is temporary and will last for less than six months, and thus the layoffs are not expected to be permanent," the WARN notice said. "Pontiac General does not anticipate that the entire facility will be affected and that there will not be a complete shutdown of the facility."
St. Joseph's Childrens Hospital, part of BayCare Health System in Tampa, Fla., has received a $5 million donation to support the construction of a new, dedicated children's hospital facility.

The gift, from Scott and Kathy Fink, a prominent Tampa Bay family, will help build Pagidipati Children's Hospital at St. Joseph's, according to a Nov. 19 news release.

Currently, the childrens hospital shares some facilities with St. Joseph's Hospital and St. Joseph's Womens Hospital. The new standalone facility will allow for expanded specialty care and research dedicated to children's health, addressing growing patient numbers and community needs, the release said.

BayCare plans to open the new hospital in 2030. The facility's Day Hospital will be named after the Fink family in recognition of their donation.
Joe Riley, CEO of Montgomery, Ala.-based Jackson Hospital & Clinic, and COO Michael James will step down Nov. 19 as part of the hospital's financial restructuring.

Ronald Dreskin, who was previously brought in to support the restructuring, has been named interim CEO, according to a Nov. 19 news release shared with Becker's.

Jackson Hospital defaulted on about $60 million in bond payments in September. In response, Allen Wilen, a partner with EisnerAmper Advisory Group, was appointed chief restructuring officer. Mr. Dreskin, partner in charge of EisnerAmper's healthcare services group, joined the leadership team alongside Mr. Wilen at that time.

"A restructuring-focused interim CEO, working alongside the chief restructuring officer, will provide strategic oversight and clarity of vision to quickly execute a turnaround while enabling other senior leaders to focus on the hospital's day-to-day management," retired Brig. Gen. Edward Crowell, chair of the hospital's board, said in the release.

At Eisner, Mr. Dreskin leads a team assisting clients with operational and financial management.

Jackson Hospital & Clinic remains open, Mr. Crowell said in the release. Next steps in the restructuring process include transferring operations of the Hospice of Montgomery service to a hospice care organization and selling the Jackson Wellness Center to a fitness organization.
Douglas Ross, MD, has been appointed president of Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.

Dr. Ross will join the 576-bed hospital from Little Rock, Ark.-based CHI St. Vincent, according to a Nov. 13 news release from San Francisco-based Dignity Health.

At CHI St. Vincent, Dr. Ross serves as market chief medical officer and president of St. Vincent Hot Springs (Ark.) Hospital. Early in his career, Dr. Ross worked as an emergency department physician at St. Vincent, the release said.
Eureka Springs (Ark.) Hospital's former CEO is speaking out following her termination Nov. 1.

The hospital commission voted unanimously Nov. 1 to terminate Angie Shaw. Ms. Shaw joined the hospital 17 years ago as a certified nursing assistant and served in several roles before being appointed as CEO in March 2021. The commission has appointed Jodi Edmondson, Eureka Springs' human resources director, as acting CEO while it searches for a permanent replacement.

In a Nov. 17 interview with the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Ms. Shaw said her firing came after several staff members brought harassment complaints to her surrounding Eureka Springs' chief financial officer, Cynthia Asbury, which she then shared with the commission. As of Nov. 20, Ms. Shaw told Becker's she has not received a reasoning for her termination.

In the days following Ms. Shaw's termination, the commission voted unanimously to terminate the director of nursing, Jessica Petrino. The commission also voted to place the CFO, Ms. Asbury, on a 60-day performance improvement plan.

Other leaders at the hospital have reportedly left their jobs following the CEO and nursing director's termination, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. The hospital's lab director told the news outlet she and the hospital's emergency department manager have since submitted their own resignation notices.

Eureka Springs Hospital has not responded to Becker's request for comment. Kent Turner, chair of the hospital commission, told the Democrat Gazette that the board "does not comment on personnel issues," declining to comment further.

During a Nov. 11 Eureka Springs City Council meeting, several former hospital employees reportedly called for the removal of Ms. Asbury, Mr. Turner, and several other leaders, including Ms. Edmonson.

According to text messages obtained by the Eureka Springs Times-Echo through a Freedom of Information Act request, Mr. Turner and commissioner Barbara Dicks exchanged messages surrounding Ms. Shaw's employment several months before she was terminated. Arkansas state law prohibits commissioners from discussing business matters outside meetings of the full commission.
An old challenge is quickly becoming the hospital C-suite buzzword for 2025.

It's "access to care." Last year we heard all about incorporating artificial intelligence smartly into healthcare. This year, C-suites are focused on access.

Health systems large and small need extra capacity as the demand for healthcare services rises and clinician shortages strain the current workforce. Most organizations are taking a multi-faceted approach to solving capacity issues by:

Adopting technology to enhance the workforce

Investing in care coordination platforms to improve efficiency

Telehealth, hospital at home, remote patient monitoring and virtual care

Embarking on new construction projects

Adding ambulatory sites

Creative community partnerships

Cleveland-based University Hospitals was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best regional hospitals for equitable access earlier this year, which CEO Cliff Megerian, MD, described as the system's "defining achievement" for the year. Last year, the health system invested $707 million in community health initiatives and Dr. Megerian has plans to keep growing in 2025.

Madison, Wis.-based UW Health also has it's eye on growth. The system has multiple projects underway totalling $900 million investments in additional outpatient facilities, a hospital tower and hospital emergency department expansion.

Patrice Weiss, MD, chief medical officer of Prisma Health Medical Group, Midlands, and chief academic officer of Prisma Health in Greenville, S.C., told Becker's she is proud to carry out the system's commitment to increasing access to care.

"Within the last year in Midlands alone, Prisma Health has opened a 24-hour freestanding pharmacy, retail imaging center, multiple new urgent care locations, a new pediatric rehab unit and broke ground on a comprehensive medical park that will include imaging, physician offices, therapies, surgery suites and procedure rooms," she said.

Houston Methodist has worked hard to develop a "hospital of the future," Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, which will open in March of next year. The hospital is being constructed with AI technology and the future of virtual healthcare delivery to expand access looking large.

"Growing our virtual services and ensuring we have all the equipment needed and staff trained to use any new technology has been a priority and will continue to be top-of-mind for us so we can deliver the best care possible for our patients," said Michelle Stansbury, associate chief innovation officer and vice president of IT applications at Houston Methodist. "Weve seen increasing value in some of our patient access initiatives and in some of the AI technology we have piloted, especially when it comes to technology that empowers our clinicians and employees by reducing administrative burdens and accelerating or scaling skill development."

Boston Medical Center is also thinking about how to increase access, but is tackling the challenge by becoming more efficient. The hospital was able to reduce the average length of stay by 0.4 days through a multidisciplinary effort to better coordinate care. Nurse leaders took ownership of daily multidisciplinary discharge rounds which had 90% daily attendance by inpatient physician care teams, which improved care management documentation and sped up discharge.

The team also had a daily huddle where they could review discharge numbers and challenges to resolve pending discharges.

"These efforts enabled sharing of real time data and performance feedback with front line staff and leaders on key performance indicators related to length of stay from our inpatient operations team," said Stephanie Martinez, BSN, RN, executive director and associate nursing officer of care continuum at Boston Medical Center. "To deliver lasting impact on the health and well-being of our patients, BMC providers took patients future care journeys into consideration throughout this multidisciplinary approach, ensuring that patients have equitable access to high-quality, coordinated care after discharge from inpatient units."

Systems will need to build on their momentum this year and get even more creative in 2025. Pradeep Kadambi, MD, president and CEO of University of Florida Jacksonville Physicians told Becker's expanding access to care was among the system's biggest achievements of the year.

"A joint effort between the practice and the clinical departments led us on a discovery path to identify barriers to access in our clinics, and how to eliminate those," he said. "The teams owned and operationalized the plans, and in the past 3 months, we have fared consistently better than national benchmarks. Our goal is to continuously improve."
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Ten primary care physicians at a Brigham and Women's Hospital practice, part of Boston-based Mass General Brigham, are resigning and joining a practice affiliated with Cambridge, Mass.-based Beth Israel Lahey Health, The Boston Globe reported Nov. 20.

The physicians are leaving a Brigham and Women's Hospital practice in Chestnut Hill, Mass., which provides care for 13,000 to 15,000 patients annually, and heading to a new Beth Israel Lahey Health practice in Wellesley, Mass., The Globe reported.

"We look forward to opening a new Beth Israel Lahey Health Primary Care practice in Wellesley in the coming months," a spokesperson from Beth Israel Lahey Health said in a Nov. 20 statement shared with Becker's. "We will work closely with patients looking to receive their care at this location."

While MGB did not confirm the number of physicians exiting, a spokesperson for the health system said in a Nov. 20 statement shared with Becker's that they are working with Beth Israel to ensure accommodation for patients wanting to remain with their primary care physician are accommodated at the new location.

"We will also be offering options to patients who prefer to stay with Mass General Brigham," the spokesperson said. "We are reaching out to all impacted patients over the next few weeks to make sure that their care is not interrupted."

The news comes after primary care physicians at Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women's hospitals, both in Boston and part of MGB, filed a petition Nov. 15 with the National Labor Relations Board to seek an election on whether to join Doctors Council, SEIU Local 10MD.

Last October, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute also exited its longstanding affiliation with MGB to construct a freestanding inpatient cancer hospital in Boston with Boston-based Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, part of Beth Israel Lahey Health.

A Nov. 12 email obtained by The Globe revealed that the primary care physicians resigning from MGB's Brigham and Women's Physician Group will exit in mid-February, leaving only four physicians at the practice.

"While we recognize that professional transitions are ultimately a choice of the individuals making them, we also acknowledge the many challenges facing our profession and the day-to-day work of all [primary care physicians]," John Lewis, MD, interim director of primary care at Brigham, and four other hospital leaders, said in the email.

Former chief executive of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Paul Levy told The Globe that the exit will cost millions of dollars in lost revenue for MGB.

Becker's has reached out to Beth Israel Lahey Health for comment and will update this story should more information become available.
Akram Boutros, MD, former CEO of Cleveland-based MetroHealth, has refiled his lawsuit against the health system and its board of trustees, alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and defamation.

Dr. Boutros refiled the complaint Nov. 19 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, according to court documents shared with Becker's.

Dr. Boutros initially withdrew his lawsuit in December 2023 following a cancer diagnosis that necessitated inpatient care and various treatments over the past year, according to his attorney, Jason Bristol.

The MetroHealth board fired Dr. Boutros in November 2022, alleging the former CEO authorized more than $1.9 million in supplemental bonuses for himself over a five-year period, without notifying the board.

After the firing, Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber's office issued a report finding insufficient evidence to justify a criminal referral of Dr. Boutros.

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."

Dr. Boutros, who planned to retire at the end of 2022, alleged board retaliation and denied wrongdoing. In the lawsuit he refiled, he argues that his termination and the subsequent statement released by MetroHealth harmed his career and reputation.

"Due to the MetroHealth board's persistent failure to understand their own compensation policies and legal delegations of authority, we unfortunately have been forced to refile our lawsuit," Dr. Boutros said in a news release shared with Becker's.

"At the same time, I will continue to remember my 10 years at MetroHealth as the most gratifying of my career. I love the staff and patients and am honored to have served the residents of Cuyahoga County, particularly the most underserved ones."

MetroHealth shared the following statement with Becker's:

"MetroHealth does not comment on litigation, nor will it engage in negotiations through the news media. We will file our response with the court at the appropriate time."
Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Ore., is facing more than $488 million in lawsuits related to a former nurse's alleged drug diversion.

In June, Dani Schofield, a former nurse at Asante, was arrested and charged with 44 counts of second-degree assault. Her arrest followed a seven-month investigation by Medford police into claims of medication theft and concerns of adverse patient care at the hospital. Ms. Schofield is accused of "intentionally or knowingly" causing serious harm to patients by allegedly swapping fentanyl from IV bags with unsterile tap water.

The latest lawsuit related to the alleged drug diversion was filed Nov. 14 on behalf of three plaintiffs  two of whom died after acquiring infections  and seeks more than $22 million in damages, according to a report from Jefferson Public Radio. In total, the hospital is facing civil lawsuits from 23 parties.

The largest complaint, filed Sept. 3 in Jackson County Circuit Court, seeks nearly $338 million in damages. It was filed by 18 former patients, or families of patients who died, and claims Asante Rogue Regional failed to adequately oversee employees to prevent drug diversion and protect patients.

Authorities started an investigation after hospital officials notified police in December about a spike in patients who developed central-line associated infections. After an internal probe, the hospital determined that the infections occurred among intensive care unit patients who were under Ms. Schofield's care between July 2022 and July 2023.

According to police, the 44 charges reflect the number of patients affected by the former nurse's alleged criminal actions. Several victims identified through the investigation died, though medical experts could not confirm the deaths were directly caused by the infections.

A pretrial conference for Ms. Schofield is set for Dec. 30. She faces a minimum sentence of 70 months for each charge, according to Jefferson Public Radio.

The hospital declined to comment on the lawsuits. Asante Rogue Regional is part of Asante Health Network, a three-hospital system based in Medford.
CVS Health, UnitedHealth Group and Cigna have filed a lawsuit against the FTC in response to the agency's case against the nation's largest pharmacy benefit managers over inflated insulin prices, CNBC reported Nov. 19.

The complaint, filed Nov. 19 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, argues that the FTC's process is unconstitutional, claiming that the agency's administrative court violates the due process rights of the PBM's under the Fifth Amendment.

The lawsuit marks the latest development in the ongoing legal battle between PBMs CVS's Caremark, Cigna's Express Scripts and UnitedHealth's Optum Rx with the FTC. In September, the FTC accused the PBMs of using a "perverse" rebate system that inflates insulin prices and harms patients.

The companies also contend that FTC commissioners and administrative judges are unconstitutionally insulated from presidential removal, calling the agency's actions "fundamentally unfair."

The complaint comes after CVS, UnitedHealth and Cigna requested that FTC Chair Lina Khan and two other commissioners recuse themselves from the case, citing alleged bias.
Mid-Valley Hospital and Clinic in Omak, Wash., has agreed to pay a $15,000 penalty for violations of the Controlled Substances Act and to implement changes to its pharmacy and controlled substances policies.

The settlement, announced by the Department of Justice on Nov. 15, stems from a nurse's theft of drugs.

Mid-Valley Hospital admitted that from late 2021 to October 2023, Eileen Lombardi, RN, regularly stole doses of Dilaudid, a brand name for hydromorphone HCl, for personal use, according to the Justice Department.

"Lombardi would take leftover medications after administering a patient's dose for her personal use, rather than wasting the remaining medication as required," the Justice Department said. "Lombardi also entered overrides into automated medication dispensing systems to obtain additional doses of Dilaudid that she took for personal use."

The hospital acknowledged that insufficient controls failed to prevent the theft.

Mid-Valley has engaged an outside consultant to review its pharmacy and controlled substances policies and procedures. Under an agreement with state officials, Ms. Lombardi must enroll in the Washington Healthcare Provider Services program for one to five years and will not have direct access to controlled substances during that time, according to the Justice Department.

Additionally, the Justice Department has entered into a criminal diversion agreement with Ms. Lombardi, which aligns with the terms of the state's agreement. Ms. Lombardi is also prohibited from seeking a re-issue of her Drug Enforcement Administration registration until at least November 2025.

When contacted by Becker's, a spokesperson for Mid-Valley said the hospital had no further details or comments to share.










Baptist Health plans to expand its cancer care services with the opening of a standalone cancer center in Key West, Fla.

The facility will be built on the site of the former Genesis Cancer Center, which closed in 2023 after its parent company, GenesisCare  a global provider of cancer and cardiac care services  filed for bankruptcy, according to a Nov. 7 news release.

Baptist Health expects to open the two-story, 4,300-square-foot facility in summer 2025. It will feature physician offices, an infusion center, a new linear accelerator for radiation therapy, and an on-site computed tomography simulator to plan radiation treatments.

"We are thrilled to be able to provide additional Baptist Health Cancer Care services for patients in the Florida Keys with our new cancer location," Michael Zinner, MD, CEO and executive medical director of Miami Cancer Institute and Baptist Health Cancer Care, said in the release. "This facility will offer convenient care for our patients who live in or near Key West, and we're pleased to be able to meet their needs closer to home."

Baptist Health is a 12-hospital health system based in Coral Gables, Fla.
Forty-two percent of Colorado hospitals are failing to comply with a state law designed to protect patient rights and expand access to care, according to a recent report from the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.

To protect Coloradans from high levels of medical debt, the state legislature passed the Hospital Discounted Care bill in 2021. The law mandates healthcare facilities screen uninsured patients for eligibility for discounted care programs.

After receiving multiple allegations of noncompliance, the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative investigated 89 hospitals in the state from June to October 2024.

The organization reviewed each hospital's website and found all sites mentioned the Hospital Discounted Care law and posted the Spanish HDC Patient's Rights form. However, only 58% of hospitals fully adhered to website requirements, and half did not distinguish HDC from other financial assistance programs.

Researchers also made "secret shopper" calls to each hospital, once in Spanish and once in English. Of 178 phone calls, only 11% resulted in accurate and helpful information about the law. Additionally, 29% of the calls failed to meet compliance with HDC regulations.

"Callers frequently ran into long hold times, were told to leave a voicemail and got disconnected when they were attempting to speak with a hospital representative," the report said. "System-owned hospitals appear to favor long wait times while independent hospitals more often opt for voicemail systems."

The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative concluded that hospitals should immediately remove any administrative barriers to HDC compliance and train all patient-facing staff to enhance adherence to the law.
In an unconventional push to expand coverage for weight loss medications, Eli Lilly representatives recently visited the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association to promote their drug Zepbound with a goal to convince that organization of the long-term cost savings associated with obesity treatment, The Wall Street Journal reported Nov. 19.

Drugmakers are likewise reaching out to other employers with the message that treating obesity will ultimately save them money.

Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, both priced at over $1,000 a month, have faced resistance from employers due to their high up-front costs. However, drugmakers argue that covering these drugs can reduce long-term expenses by preventing obesity-related health issues, workers compensation claims and disability costs. This is particularly appealing to large employers who manage employee health benefits.

Eli Lilly's strategy includes targeting employer coalitions and directly engaging health benefit managers, aiming to highlight the potential savings by offering weight loss medications.

While many employers, especially smaller ones, remain hesitant, support is growing among larger companies, with some covering the drugs or considering them as part of their health benefit packages.
The American Medical Manufacturers Association is calling on Congress to quickly reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act before the end of the 118th Congressional Session in January 2025.

In a Nov. 19 news release from the agency, AMMA Executive Director Eric Axel emphasized that the reauthorization is critical for ensuring U.S. resilience in future crises including pandemics, natural disasters and other emergencies.

AMMA highlighted the importance of maintaining robust funding for the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, which plays a key role in preparing for and responding to emergencies. The group also advocates for targeted tariffs "support domestic industries and reduce our reliance on imports," according to the release.

Reauthorizing PAHPA, according to AMMA, would reinforce life-saving programs, protect public health and build a stronger, more self-reliant supply chain.
Edinburg, Texas-based Driscoll Children's Hospital Rio Grande Valley will use a $1 million fund to create a workforce retention program, including monetary incentives for staff.

Four notes:

1. In addition to monetary incentives, the funds will support employee learning and personal development opportunities, according to a Nov. 19 news release.

2. With a focus on improving patient care, the gift will enable Driscoll to reward and recognize top employees.

3. The 119-bed hospital opened in May in the Rio Grande Valley, a region historically challenged by healthcare recruitment and retention, the release said.

4. The Robert & Laurie Lozano Family "Life Currency" Endowment was established through donations from the Lozano family, Driscoll Children's Hospital Development Foundation and F&P Brands.
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In building out DISCs ASC model, we have not only focused on identifying doctors who are leaders and specialists in their fields but we have also been committed to positioning their individual practices to thrive, said James Becker, CEO of DISC parent company, TriasMD, said in the release. Each of these newly joining physicians is best-in-class, and were excited to work with them to serve an increasing patient population.

Five physicians joined DISC Surgery Centers Los Angeles county location:

Dickran Altounian, DO: Pain management

Raj Desai, MD: Pain management

Deven Khosla, MD: Spine surgeon

Daniel Nagasawa, MD: Spine surgeon

Edward Nomoto, MD: Spine surgeon

Three physicians joined DISC Surgery Centers Orange county location:

Steven Girdler, MD: Spine surgeon

Duke Hasson, MD: Orthopedic surgeon

Brandon Hirsch, MD: Spine surgeon
A first look at BrewDog's new outlet in Grand Central Station

The new store will be the first BrewDog outlet in Northern Ireland

BrewDog has shared a first look at its first location in Northern Ireland which is set to open this Friday at Belfasts Grand Central Station.

The Scottish brewery is the latest brand to move in to the new 340m station which started its phased opening in September.

The popular bar chain is situated on the mezzanine floor of the new transport hub in the city, and will serve an all-day food menu alongside its drinks offering.

It will open at 12pm on Friday and the company said the first 50 through the door will be in with the chance to win free BrewDog beer for a year, along with a heap of other epic prizes.

A first look at BrewDog's new outlet in Grand Central Station

In 2021 the Scottish brewing giant hinted it was eyeing up Belfast among around 40 new pub locations, with one large bar already in Dublin as well as dozens across the UK.

Read more BrewDog set to open first outlet in Northern Ireland this Friday

BrewDog franchised director, Laura Godsman, said: Were so excited to open our first bar in Northern Ireland, at Belfast Grand Central Station!

"We think our full bar and stacked menu makes it a great addition to the citys vibrant hospitality scene, making it the perfect place to refuel before or after peoples journeys to and from the city.

"This marks our 130th global location, showing how passionate BrewDog is about delivering great craft beer across the globe. We eagerly look forward to opening our doors and giving one lucky customer a whole year of free beer! An M&S food outlet, featuring an in-store bakery and locally sourced sandwiches, also opened its doors at the station for the first time today.

It marks the retailers first store in Northern Ireland located in a major travel hub.

And last week US coffee giant, Starbucks, opened its second store at the city centre station.

Their new store located in the main concourse follows a store already located near platform one which has been operating since late October.
Percy Pig and Colin the Caterpillar joined Liam Grant, M&S Grand Central Belfast store manager, at the opening of the store at Grand Central Station on November 20

Marks & Spencer has opened its first Northern Ireland store to be located in a major travel hub.

M&S Food is now trading in the new Belfast Grand Central Station, where it is being operated by SSP Group. It operates food and beverage outlets in travel hubs around the UK, including M&S Food units.

The Grand Central store sells freshly-baked pastries, salads and sandwiches from Newry-based supplier Around Noon. It also sells ready meals, wood-fired pizzas and confectionery, including M&Ss famous Percy Pigs.

Eddie Murphy, M&S country director in Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: "Were thrilled to partner with SSP Group once again and open the first M&S Food store in a major Northern Ireland travel hub.

"Grand Central Station is a key part of Belfasts infrastructure and unlocking the citys future potential, and were proud to bring our quality and freshness to customers on the go.

Whether commuters are grabbing a quick bite or picking up dinner for tonight, the store offers a fantastic range, including sandwiches from our local supplier Around Noon. This not only highlights our commitment to support local producers, but also ensures fresh, great quality options for our customers.

SSP Group manages 54 M&S Food stores across the UK.

Kari Daniels, CEO of SSP UK and Ireland, added: We have a long-standing relationship with M&S Food and are excited to open our first store together in Northern Ireland. Im confident that the powerful combination of M&Ss premium food range and our travel retail expertise will make this store a convenient and welcome stop for passengers at Belfast Grand Central Station.

Chris Conway, Translinks chief executive said: Belfast Grand Central provides a space where people can meet, connect and engage. Retail outlets such as M&S will make this station more than just a place to travel through  it will become a destination in itself, contributing to a sense of community and well-being.
Sundays are pretty busy for me but its all of my own choosing and I wouldnt have it any other way
Schoolchildren get a taste of problems the worlds leaders are facing in Baku

Pupils from 45 schools were involved in a simulation of climate negotiations, the event at Belfast City Hall run by The British Council NI to coincide with the COP29 summit in Baku, Azarbaijan.

Pupils from Friends School Lisburn who attended the climate negotiation simulation at Belfast City Hall, run by the British Council NI: Molly Greenhill, Emma Convill, Emma Brown and Jessica Hayes, with teacher Dr Mark Williamson.

Almost 150 pupils from 45 schools took over City Hall in Belfast yesterday with the worlds climate crisis firmly on their radar.

The students were all taking part in a major event to coincide with Cop 29, currently taking place in Azerbaijan as they honed their negotiating skills by taking on roles representing various countries, lobbyists and the media.

Organised by the British Council NI, through the Department of Educations International Education Programme, the event used simulation software to create a real-world negotiation scenario for the pupils to immerse themselves in.

Pupils from 45 schools were involved in a simulation of climate negotiations, the event at Belfast City Hall run by The British Council NI to coincide with the COP29 summit in Baku, Azarbaijan.

The events are designed to support the next generation with developing essential skills in diplomacy, debate and the ability to think internationally  all needed to tackle the climate crisis  as well as being an innovative new way of bringing climate to the curriculum.

Among those tackling the complex challenges of international climate diplomacy aimed at keeping global warming below 1.5C were Jessica Hayes (17), Emma Brown (17), Emma Convill (17) and Molly Greenhill (17), all from Friends School Lisburn.

Pupils from Friends School Lisburn who attended the climate negotiation simulation at Belfast City Hall, run by the British Council NI: Molly Greenhill, Emma Convill, Emma Brown and Jessica Hayes, with teacher Dr Mark Williamson.

It has been interesting to see how different countries have to work together to solve their issues, said Emma Brown.

Were all part of our Eco committee at school as well, so even learning things like how we can even make a small difference in our own lives has been really positive.

Weve been surprised by how many things have to be considered by so many countries if agreements are ever to be reached, she added. Learning whats possible, whats not possible has opened our eyes to the complexity of the situation the world finds itself in.

Weve learned that everybody has to be in this together if we are all going to make a real difference, added Jessica. Countries needs to look past self interest and see what needs to be done for the good of everyone.

Jack Dalzell from Wellington College speaking at COP 29 Student Climate Negotiation Simulation at Belfast City Hall, Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024. Picture by Peter Morrison

Also involved in the conference were Pawel Czylok (16) and Jude Wilson (16) from Lurgan College, who took on the role of the UN Secretaries General, helping to convene the debate.

Pawel kicked off proceedings with a stark warning and a message close from close to home.

Weve all heard about the major flood recently in Valencia, Spain, but you may not have heard about the recent flood in Poland  where my family is from  where it destroyed homes and livelihoods, he told pupils.

This just shows that not each story gets the same media coverage. In Libya, with Storm Daniel last year, they had 18-months of rain falling in one day  leading to a catastrophic flood killing over 20,000 people.

Pupil William Mulligan speaks at the COP 29 Student Climate Negotiation Simulation at Belfast City Hall, Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024. Picture by Peter Morrison

Jude Wilson added: This devastation shows that those who are least responsible are the most effected by climate change, and is clear injustice. At events like this we can get our voices heard. We are privileged to be here  we all have a responsibility, so lets make a difference. And thats something we need those in power to hear our views, he added. While it is fantastic to have a platform like this to learn from and air our views, we need the people who are making the big decisions to think about what legacy they are leaving for people like us who their decisions will affect more than anyone.

Pupils listen to guest speakers at the COP 29 Student Climate Negotiation Simulation at Belfast City Hall, Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024. Picture by Peter Morrison

Jonathan Stewart, director of British Council Northern Ireland, said the day of debate and decision making was aimed at showing young people the intricacies of international negotiation, and allowing them to be at the heart of the conversation.

As COP29 continues this week in Azerbaijan, these students are gaining crucial insights into the complexities of international debate on the climate, learning diplomacy and negotiation skills that will be vital for their future career pathways, he said.

This is showing pupils what its like to be involved in a process from so many different perspectives.

Its not simply about climate control, its about students learning negotiating skills, presentation skills and giving them a sense of exactly how much collaboration is needed on a global scale if were ever to make the decisions that will benefit the world we live in.

Climate security is always high on the agenda for young people in any discussions we have with them, he continued. You can see from events like this that its a topic they are really invested in and really want to see something done on a world scale to address what they see as an environmental crisis.

Jonathan Stewart, Director British Council NI

Speaking at the event, Dr Amanda Slevin said: Young people have huge energy and drive and are keen to dive deep into the complexities of international climate negotiations and work toward consensus..

This simulation event is great opportunity to gain insights into both the scientific foundations of the climate crisis and the intricate dynamics of COP negotiations. These are the future policy makers and a generation who already know that activism for the planet is crucial.
Public transport operator Translink has confirmed their website journey planner and other parts of the site is currently down this afternoon.

Passengers going on to the Translink website to plan their journey or to purchase tickets for buses, trains or the Enterprise service have been met with a blank screen and an error message, with the page simply timing out.

Translink acknowledged the fault and advised any passengers wishing to use the service to instead use their mobile app.

In a message on their website and social media, Translink said: We are currently working to resolve an issue with our website Journey Planner as soon as possible. You can still plan your journey via the Translink Journey Planner App, available to download on Google Play and the App Store.
Work to begin to remove pro-Palestine graffiti from hospital wall after DUP leader hit out at delay

Gavin Robinson confirmed an official complaint has been escalated to Northern Irelands Public Services Ombudsman

DUP leader Gavin Robinson outside Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital

Christopher Leebody Wed 20 Nov 2024 at 16:20







The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has confirmed graffiti expressing support for Palestine which was sprayed on a wall of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast will be cleaned later this month.
A new national therapy service in schools is a red-line issue for Fianna Fail in any future programme for government.

Party leader Micheal Martin said significant investment and reform is needed in disability services.

Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein both held press conferences on their policy platforms relating to disability on Wednesday.

Sinn Fein said there had been a decades-long failure of successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fail governments to provide for disabled people.

Mr Martin said he wanted to address gaps in childrens disability network teams (CDNT) and roll out a new national therapy service in education, which would see a multidisciplinary response including therapists directly providing therapy in schools.

The Tanaiste said that too many families were waiting too long for assessments of need, which are a HSE process to identify a childs needs and must be completed within six months.

He said Fianna Fail would ramp up the numbers of therapy clinicians and assistants, as well as occupational and speech and language therapists.

He admitted that these measures, along with an increase in regional assessment hubs, would take time  adding that his party would ensure increased procurement of private assessments in the interim.

Mr Martin was speaking alongside Senator Catherine Ardagh, who is the mother of a son with autism.

Ms Ardagh, running in Dublin South Central, said she had first-hand experience of the daily struggles faced by families who require support for a child with autism.

She said her son had so much potential but was held back by the system, adding that she this week received rejection letters from schools: It is frustrating, heartbreaking, and absolutely exhausting  a reality that no family should face.

We need real change. Thats why I am calling for a right nationwide roll out of a one-stop shop for school application.

Fianna Fail has held the Health and Education portfolios for the last four-and-a-half years, along with the Minister of State role for disability.

Asked if she was frustrated by a lack of progress, Ms Ardagh said 1,700 special classes had been introduced since 2020 but added there was a need for further ambition: Weve come from the ground, and we need to reach the treetops.

Mr Martin added that there needed to be obligations around inclusion at every school in the country.

Minister of State for disability Anne Rabbitte, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Senator Catherine Ardagh (Cillian Sherlock/PA)

Pressed on what would be different about a future Fianna Fail term, the Tanaiste said blamed HSE delivery and recruitment of therapists.

The recruitment and retention plans are not working. There seems to be a morale issue, a human resources issue, an overload issue within the CDNT teams.

He said there was a fundamental issue of the system not delivering on services: Its unfinished business as far as I am concerned.

Mr Martin also said there was resistance from Green Party leader and Minister for Children Roderic OGorman to Fianna Fails school-based approach, who instead preferred a programme within the HSE.

Fianna Fails plan includes the development of a disabled persons organisation, the expansion of summer provision, the increase of the disability support grant to 1,000 euro, doubling the housing adaptation grant, adding 20,000 personal assistance hours, and public sector pay parity for section 39 staff.

Daithi Doolan, Pauline Tully, Louise OReilly, and Shane OBrien discuss Sinn Feins disability policies during a press conference at the Teachers Club in Dublin (Cillian Sherlock/PA)

Elsewhere, Sinn Fein said it would fully staff CDNT teams amid reports of 800 vacancies.

Sinn Fein disability spokeswoman Pauline Tully said her party would increase annual current funding for disability supports by 829 million euro and provide 659 million euro of additional capital beyond what has been pre-committed for existing levels of service.

She said Sinn Fein would ensure disabled children have their needs assessed, have school places, and summer provision of support.

Ms Tully said her party in government would make sure young disabled people are supported to pursuit their goals in education and employment.

She added that adults with disabilities will be supported to live independent lives.

Elsewhere, the party has committed to providing 3,000 additional residential places for people with disabilities, expanding day service places by 4,000 and adding 345,000 personal assistance hours annually.

Louise OReilly (Niall Carson/PA)

At the start of the election campaign, Sinn Fein briefly parked a small truck with a billboard over double yellow lines and a footpath for a press conference on Dublins Merrion Street.

Asked if her party had to do more internally to promote inclusion and accessibility, Sinn Fein employment spokeswoman Louise OReilly said: Weve done a huge amount of thinking about disabled people and, indeed, sometimes we are constrained by logistics  that happens.

She added: Sometimes in the teeth of an election campaign, you dont always get to the venue that you want.

Ms OReilly said the party makes every effort on accessibility, adding that Sinn Fein was putting for a holistic approach around employment strategies and universal access to public transport in the country.

She said that, for her own part, her constituency offices are fully accessible.
Jeanell Hippolyte challenged the Home Offices refusal to review its decision to deny her application for ILR in the UK (Leigh Day Solicitors/PA)

A woman who was denied indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK, despite her brothers and father being given the status under the Windrush Scheme, has lost a High Court challenge against the decision.

Jeanell Hippolyte, 41, challenged the Home Offices refusal to review its decision to deny her application for ILR in the UK, after it was given to her brothers and father because of the latters Windrush status.

Her lawyers had said that her case was identical to those of her brothers, but the Home Office said her bid was lawfully refused.

In a ruling on Wednesday, Mr Justice Sheldon dismissed Ms Hippolytes case, saying she had not suffered a historic injustice.

He said: The Secretary of State would have been highly likely to decide that, although the claimant was a child of a member of the Windrush generation, her claim was not really equivalent to a Windrush scheme claim, as she, and her father, Cletus Hippolyte, had not suffered a historic injustice.

The Secretary of State would have been highly likely to decide that there was no reason therefore for the Secretary of State to make an exception to the Windrush scheme in the claimants case.

The court in London heard in a two-day hearing last month that Ms Hippolyte, a Saint Lucian national, originally came to the UK as a 17-year-old student in 2000, but left in 2002 to comply with immigration rules after her student visa expired.

In written submissions, her barrister, Chris Buttler KC, said her fathers ILR status was not officially granted until 2003, and that she left the UK because the Home Office failed to issue identity status documents to her father which confirmed this.

Ms Hippolyte did not make an application because she did not know that her father had ILR status, Mr Buttler said.

Her brothers arrived in the UK in 2007, the court heard, and had ILR applications refused but overstayed, breaching immigration rules, until they successfully applied under the Windrush Scheme in 2019.

Mr Buttler continued: Here the only relevant difference between the claimant and her brothers is that she complied with immigration control and they did not.

But William Hansen, representing the Home Office, said in written submissions that Ms Hippolyte applied to the Windrush Scheme in August 2020, and was refused in February 2021 because she had not been continuously resident in the UK since arriving in the country.

He said a request to review the application was rejected in July 2021, and a fresh application to the scheme was made in October 2022.

The new application was refused on the same grounds, with further reviews rejected in 2023.

He said: The primary submission is that the comparison with the treatment of Ms Hippolytes other siblings is misplaced because they were in a materially different position, not just in terms of continuous residence but in other respects too.

He continued: Continuous residence requirements in various forms are a staple feature of immigration rules.

Mr Justice Sheldon ruled against Ms Hippolyte, saying: The claimant had argued that there was a historic injustice in that Cletus Hippolyte had not been issued with documentation evidencing (his) status and this impacted on her status in the United Kingdom.

There was also a historical injustice in that she was erroneously compelled to leave the UK in 2002.

He continued: If the Secretary of State had taken this argument into account when considering the exercise of her discretion she would have been bound to conclude that Cletus Hippolytes lack of documentation was incidental and not causative of any injustice.

Accordingly, it would have provided no basis for the exercise of discretion in the claimants favour, and that is a conclusion which the Secretary of State was highly likely to have reached.
Thousands of women in the UK are planning to take legal action against Johnson & Johnson over alleged links between its baby powder and cancer (Alamy/PA)

Thousands of women in the UK are planning to take legal action against Johnson & Johnson over alleged links between its baby powder and cancer.

Lawyers claim the company knew for decades that there was allegedly asbestos present in its talc products, although Johnson & Johnson (J&J) maintains that its baby powder was safe and stressed that it takes the issue of talc safety incredibly seriously.

If the action goes ahead it is understood to be the first of its kind against the pharmaceutical giant in the UK.

Linda Jones was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2023 and said she used J&J talc from when she was a baby until she was in her 20s (KP Law/PA)

Claimants, including cancer patients, survivors, and the families of those who have died from the disease, have expressed anger and called for answers.

A J&J spokesperson claimed that the company has won the vast majority of trials in the US, or won them on appeal.

KP Law is leading the UK case, representing about 2,000 people.

It is also understood to have been contacted by 4,000 potential clients in regards to claims.

Linda Jones, 66, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2023 and said she used J&J talc from when she was a baby until she was in her 20s.

We all used talc, without exception, she said. My mother used it on me when I was a baby in the 50s, and I kept using it for years after.

The company director from north Devon has been told by medics she may only have months to live.

J&J has faced tens of thousands of lawsuits in the US over the alleged links between its talc and cancer.

It announced in August 2022 that it would stop making talc-based powder globally and would transition to using corn-starch.

The company discontinued sales of talc-based baby powder in the UK in 2023.

Mrs Jones added: My children will lose their mother, I may never even meet my first grandchild, and my husband and I have been robbed of our retirement together after just six years of marriage.

But I am also bitter and very angry. If there was any suggestion whatsoever that the talcum powder would cause harm to not only women, but small babies, it should have been taken off the market.

KP Law has issued a letter before action on behalf of its clients, giving J&J until the end of the year to respond before filing documents with the High Court.

Tom Longstaff, a partner at KP Law, said: All of the claimants, predominantly women but also some men, who have sustained cancer after using J&Js talcum powder products have experienced a life-changing illness.

In some cases, they have died from their cancer, leaving their families devastated. All of these innocent individuals deserve justice.

Erik Haas, worldwide vice president of litigation at Johnson & Johnson, said the company takes the issue of talc safety incredibly seriously and always has.

Sharon Doherty, 57, was recently told her cancer had returned (KP Law/PA)

He added: As our documents show, we have relied upon the most state-of-the-art testing protocols for decades and have been entirely transparent with government institutions and academic researchers regarding our findings.

Those findings uniformly show the absence of asbestos contamination in Johnsons Baby Powder and the talc sourced for Johnsons Baby Powder.

Independent science makes clear that talc is not associated with the risk of ovarian cancer nor mesothelioma.

Mr Haas claims that J&J have won  or won on appeal  the vast majority of trials in the US.

He also claimed the lawyers of groups of plaintiffs in the US are actively pushing a false narrative about the history of talc and its alleged contamination to media globally which defies logic, rewrites history, and ignores the facts.

Cassandra Wardle, from Alfreton in Derbyshire, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022 at the age of 44.

She said her mum has used talcum powder on her every day from a baby, and she continued the ritual into her 20s.

Its just what people did. Johnson and Johnson talcum powder was in every home and was a trusted brand.

I am grateful to still be here, but I am also incredibly angry.

I want to know why Johnson & Johnson didnt change the ingredients of the talcum powder when they knew that it was dangerous.

Why did they carry on selling it, putting so many thousands of lives at risk? What they have done is nothing short of despicable.

While she completed treatment two years ago, Mrs Wardles immune system has been compromised as a result.

She added: My diagnosis had a huge impact on every single aspect of my life.

In 2020, Sharon Doherty, 57, who lives in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on the left side, and fallopian cancer on the right side.

She said: My mum would use the talcum powder on us all after a bath, and I continued to do so as I got older.

Despite having surgery and six months of chemotherapy, Ms Doherty was recently told her cancer has returned.

She is awaiting further NHS treatment, which she hopes will start in the coming weeks.

Mr Longstaff added: There are thousands of women in the UK who will have been diagnosed with cancers which have been identified as being linked to the use of talcum powder and may well have a case against J&J, along with a smaller proportion of men with regard to mesothelioma and peritoneal cancer.

This once-trusted corporation knew for decades that the asbestos in its talc products was present, that it was dangerous, but did nothing to notify consumers, who have ended up paying the highest price imaginable for the sake of corporate greed.

We are committed to helping as many people as possible achieve justice in the UK for the actions of profit-hungry executives in US boardrooms.

Mr Haas said Kenvue, whose brands include the likes of Listerine and Neutrogena among others, is responsible for any alleged talc liability that arises outside of the US or Canada following its separation from J&J in 2023.
The Financial Times and The Independent lead with Kyiv firing US missiles into Russian territory for the first time as the conflict passes the 1,000-day mark.

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The Daily Mail and Daily Mirror report Russian President Vladimir Putin signed off on changes to the countrys laws on nuclear weapons to make it easier for them to be deployed.

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Fears are growing over Russias campaign of hybrid warfare against the west, according to The Guardian.

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Elsewhere, the Daily Express and Metro lead with farmers protesting over changes to inheritance tax as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch labels the changes cruel.

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The Daily Telegraph reports the Prime Minister has claimed the BBC backs the changes, prompting accusations of bias.

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And the Daily Star says millions of Britons are struggling as the mercury plummets.
Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye has been charged with possession of an illegal firearm after appearing in a military court days after he was reported missing during a book launch in Kenya.

The former president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party was also charged with soliciting military support in Geneva, Greece and Nairobi to prejudice security of defence forces.

Besigye appeared in the Ugandan court on Wednesday, four days after he went missing in Nairobi and hours after his wife claimed he had been kidnapped.

He was charged alongside FDC member Hajj Lutale Kamulegeya. The pair, who deny all charges against them, were remanded in custody until December 2.

Kizza Besigye is accused of possession of an illegal firearm (AP)

Besigye, who at first appeared without lawyers, rejected government legal representation and said he was not a member of the armed forces and should be tried in a civilian court.

His wife Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS, wrote on the social platform X on Wednesday that her husband was kidnapped on Saturday in Kenya and that she was reliably informed that he was being held in a military jail.

We his family and his lawyers demand to see him. He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail? Ms Byanyima wrote.

Kizza Besigye has stood for president four times (AP)

The Ugandan government has not commented.

Korir Singoei, Kenyas foreign affairs permanent secretary, told local media that Kenya was not involved in the alleged incident.

Besigye, a fierce critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has faced arrest and assault on previous occasions. He was once Musevenis personal doctor and has contested and lost four presidential elections.

Mr Museveni, who has ruled the east African country since 1986, has been criticized by human rights groups over alleged violations against opposition figures.
Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike in the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

The United States has vetoed a UN resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the war in Gaza on Wednesday because it is not linked to an immediate release of hostages taken captive by Hamas in Israel in October 2023.

The UN Security Council voted 14-1 in favour of the resolution sponsored by the 10 elected members on the 15-member council, but it was not adopted because of the US veto.

The resolution that was put to a vote demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire to be respected by all parties, and further reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

The resolution had been sponsored by the 10 elected members on the 15-member council. Unlike the five permanent members  the US, Russia, China, the UK and France  the elected members have no veto power.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres (Richard Drew/AP)

The Security Council in June adopted its first resolution on a ceasefire plan aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hamas.

The US-sponsored resolution welcomed a ceasefire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden that the US said Israel had accepted. It called on the militant Palestinian group Hamas to accept the three-phase plan  but the war continues.

Elsewhere, Israeli officials on Wednesday demanded the freedom to strike Lebanons Hezbollah as part of any ceasefire deal there, raising a potential complication as a top US envoy was in the region attempting to clinch an agreement.

The development came as an airstrike hit the historic Syrian town of Palmyra, killing 36 people, according to Syrian state-run media, which blamed the attack on Israel. The Israeli military declined to comment.

Israeli defence minister Israel Katz and foreign minister Gideon Saar each said Israel sought to reserve the right to respond to any violations by Hezbollah under an emerging proposal, which would push the militant groups fighters and Israeli ground forces out of a UN buffer zone in southern Lebanon.

There have been signs of progress on the ceasefire deal, with Hezbollahs allies in the Lebanese government saying the militant group had responded positively to the proposal.

In any agreement we will reach, we will have to maintain our freedom to act if there will be violations, Mr Saar told dozens of foreign ambassadors in Jerusalem.

We will have to be able to act in time, before the problem will grow.

Mr Katz, in a meeting with intelligence corps officers, said the condition for any political settlement in Lebanon was the right for the Israeli military to act and protect the citizens of Israel from Hezbollah.

Amos Hochstein, the Biden administrations lead on Israel and Lebanon, has been working in recent days to push the sides toward agreement. He has been meeting this week with officials in Lebanon and said on Wednesday he would travel to Israel in an attempt to try to bring this to a close if we can.

On Tuesday, Mr Hochstein said an agreement to end the Israel-Hezbollah war is within our grasp.
TV star guitarist on ethos of his new east Belfast music school: Theres something you pick up by osmosis

Strandtown academy offers lessons, runs workshops, and provides a space where musicians can just jam together

Six-string maestro Gary Lutton. Credit Declan Shearer

Aine Toner Wed 20 Nov 2024 at 11:00

A former TV competition winner has launched a new music school on Belfasts Belmont Road.
A west Belfast paedophile currently behind bars for the repeated sexual abuse and blackmail of three teenage boys was just 16 when he was first questioned about sex offences.

At Craigavon Crown Court last week Stephen Lee McIlvenny confessed to a catalogue of sex crimes against his three vulnerable victims but it can be revealed the 21-year-old was questioned by police about the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl five years ago.
Advance Auto Parts is closing 727 locations nationwide and laying off 1,683 employees in California as part of a strategic plan to improve business performance. Stephanie Klein-Davis/Associated Press

Advance Auto Parts, struggling with slumping sales and a $6 million loss in the third quarter, is substantially cutting back its operations in California, including the closure of 14 Bay Area stores and the elimination of 123 local jobs.

As part of a broader restructuring effort, the North Carolina retailer is shuttering 727 locations nationwide and laying off 1,683 employees in California as part of a strategic plan to improve business performance.

At least 135 Advance Auto Parts stores, including retail brands Carquest and Pep Boys, are expected to close across California.

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Affected locations in the Bay Area include San Leandro, San Jose, Vallejo, Union City, Pleasant Hill, Gilroy, Hayward, Pleasanton, San Carlos, Sunnyvale, Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park.

Job cuts range from six to 15 positions per location, with San Leandro experiencing the largest reduction. Other stores, including those in San Jose and Vallejo, will see between six and 12 job losses each. The cuts will be implemented in February and March.

Advance Autos cuts come amid a broader slowdown in California's job market, which saw a net loss of 5,500 jobs in October.

In addition to the store closures, Advance Auto is shutting down several distribution centers across the state, including those in San Bernardino and Bakersfield.

The company, which sells everything from car batteries to motor oil, has been facing a steady drop in sales since early 2024. Despite efforts to reduce costs, its financial struggles have persisted.

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For the third quarter, Advance Auto posted a $6 million loss on $2.15 billion in revenue and lowered its full-year revenue forecast for the second consecutive quarter.

Despite the closures and layoffs, the company said it plans an acceleration in pace of new store openings and is shifting to a standardized operating model that will convert some locations and distribution centers into market hubs.

Earlier this month, Advance Auto completed the $1.5 billion sale of its wholesale distribution business, Worldpac, to the investment firm Carlyle.
BENNINGTON  A Bennington man who passed a box truck at a high rate of speed along Route 7 in Pownal last summer  seriously injuring himself and two others  was arraigned Monday in Bennington on a felony gross negligence of a vehicle with serious injury charge and is facing a possible 15-years behind bars if found guilty.

Chad Coon, 39, of Bennington, pleaded not guilty to the single count Monday at the Bennington Courthouse. According to a police affidavit in the case, first responders arrived just south of Metcalf Drive on Route 7 in Pownal in late August to find a serious vehicle accident with multiple injuries. According to witness statements, Coons Acura allegedly passed a southbound box truck at a high rate of speed around a corner in the rain. The driver of the box truck said, he was cooking, describing to police how fast he thought Coon was traveling.

A Hyundai traveling northbound at approximately 40 mph observed the Acura traveling southbound at a high rate of speed, winding up sideways in the northbound travel lane. The Hyundai driver told police there was no time to react before the collision.

The driver of the Hyundai received several injuries, including multiple broken bones in his right foot, fractured ribs on his right side, and stitches on his left hip. A passenger in the Hyundai received lacerations on his face and a fractured nose. Coon was airlifted to Albany Medical Center with multiple fractures to his left leg, broken ribs, and a broken right wrist. Coon later told police he did not remember anything from the accident.

An investigation later concluded that Coon, after passing the box truck in the passing lane, lost control of the Acura on the curve and entered the northbound lane, striking the Hyundai traveling north.

Coon was issued a citation to appear and pleaded not guilty Monday. He was released on his own recognizance as he awaits resolution. Coon is facing a possible 15-year sentence if found guilty on the single count.

The Banner will update this story as more information becomes available.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 51F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 51F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
Roland Li covers commercial real estate for the business desk, focusing on the Bay Area office and retail sectors.

He was previously a reporter at San Francisco Business Times, where he won one award from the California News Publishers Association and three from the National Association of Real Estate Editors.

He is the author of Good Luck Have Fun: The Rise of eSports," a 2016 book on the history of the competitive video game industry. Before moving to the Bay Area in 2015, he studied and worked in New York. He freelanced for the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and other local publications. His hobbies include swimming and urban photography.
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Editor's Note: Follow here for live updates from the scene.

GREAT BARRINGTON  The wildfire in Great Barrington has expanded to an estimated 1,146 acres, with flames now reaching into neighboring Sheffield.

The Butternut Fire, as it has been named by authorities, is zero percent contained, said Lee Fire Chief Ryan Brown during a Wednesday afternoon press conference.

In New England, we see our fires get to containment pretty quickly. This ones going to be tough, said Dave Celino, chief fire warden of the commonwealth.

The fire wont be considered contained until the crew can establish anchor points around the perimeter, Celino said.

Later on Wednesday afternoon, a large group of firefighters from multiple departments came down from the mountain near Brush Hill Road in Sheffield and said they had made "a big break line," according to Adams Forest Warden Chief Griffin Willette, who was on the scene.

Sheffield firefighter Marc Wysocki said at the scene he was hopeful the fire break would "hold" through the night.

The fire grew overnight Tuesday, expanding at a rate fire officials "were not anticipating," Brown said earlier in the morning.

As of 2:30 p.m., no structures were immediately threatened and there were no plans for evacuation, Brown said.

If that changes, we will communicate that information clearly and well in advance, Brown said.

Fire barriers have been established in neighborhoods closest to the fire. Those include homes all along the ridge, including on Brush Hill Road and near Butternut Ski Area, Brown said.

Residents looking to take measures to protect their homes can move combustibles and firewood away from their residences, and rake leaves, Brown said. Firefighting should be left to the professionals.

At this time, efforts are concentrated on containing the fire. Great Barrington Fire Chief Scott Turner said they have a general sense of where the fire started, but arent dedicating resources to determine the cause for ignition.

Residents near Soda Springs Creek in Sheffield told The Eagle on Wednesday morning they have been watching the wildfire slowly move down the mountain and toward the road. The fire seems to be progressing along the ridge of the mountain and it's too steep for firefighters to ascend at this moment, according to fire officials.

Firefighters stood stationed near Soda Springs Farm on Home Road in Sheffield on Wednesday afternoon, watching the fire from the road and as helicopters continued to drop water.

Reports that the fire encroached on Butternut Ski resort have been proven to be false, Brown said.

Wednesday morning it had been reported that the fire was closing in on Beartown State Forest, but that is incorrect, Brown said. The fire has instead expanded to a portion of the Appalachian trail, which is closed.

Eighty crew members are on the ground fighting the flames, with another 20 working at the incident command center.

According to a Facebook post from the Great Barrington Fire Department, residents will be notified of any evacuation orders through the town's Code RED system, along with "in-person door-to-door notifications of the affected area."

Weather conditions Wednesday made for smoky, hazy conditions in downtown Great Barrington  effects that later reached as far north as Pittsfield.

Inhaling smoke is always a health risk, but residents have no reason for serious cause for concern at this time, Brown said.

At Monument Mountain Regional High School, smoke from the fire hovered around the building and the mountains across the street on Wednesday afternoon. Inside the school, one could still smell the smoke, but not as strongly as outside.

The air handling system in the school had been shifted to decrease the outside air from coming in, according to Doreen Hughes, administrative assistant to the principal.

Principal Christopher Barnes said the air quality seemed "fine" inside the school and that because students are in between sport seasons, outdoor practices are not an issue right now.

Berkshire Hills Regional School District Superintendent Peter Dillon told the three school communities in a letter early Wednesday that the district is monitoring air quality in the buildings to make sure levels are not harmful.

Residents in Great Barrington reported that it was today when the inside of their homes smelled strongly of smoke.

In downtown Great Barrington, Etienne Brou, a postal worker from Pittsfield, said his lungs felt uncomfortable while on his mail delivery route.

Brou had more than an hour left on his shift, Wednesday. He was ready to call it a day.

Im trying to get out of here, Brou said, as quickly as possible.

The Butternut Fire began in the late hours of Monday night. Authorities believe it to be human-caused. Crew members fought to establish a fire line to slow the fires spread Tuesday and a helicopter dropped water from the air, but difficult terrain and drought conditions made that a challenging task.

Those conditions also brought the crew off the ridge Tuesday night, as it was unsafe for them to traverse the terrain after twilight, Brown said.

The Great Barrington Fire Department urged residents not to go into the woods to try and help or to take photographs of the fire.

In its Facebook post to the community, the department requested "packaged food, fruit, water, and Gatorade. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept any homemade or prepared food." These donations can be dropped off at the Claire Teague Senior Center Center at 917 Main St. in Great Barrington.

At the senior center, a steady stream of people arrived to drop off food and water for firefighters and other crews. Director Joan Peters said that another employee is making runs back-and-forth to the fairgrounds command post and to the fire station.

Wherever they need it," Peters said, as resident Andrea DeRis arrived with a bag filled with fruit and granola bars.

Residents who live on Home Road in Sheffield stood outside their homes, or stopped their cars to watch as the fire moved down the ridgeline above a solitary home under it. A helicopter pilot made continuous water drops amid the sound of crews working chainsaws and leaf blowers on the mountain to make fire breaks.

"God bless them," said Home Road resident William Dufault, looking up, and referring to the crews in the air and on ground.

"We commend them," said Emily Timmons, of Sheffield. Timmons said she came over here because her father had built a tree house "years ago" in the area beneath the forest fire. "I just wanted to check on it."

Sheffield firefighter Ricky Boardman stood at fire watch there, he said, "in case the fire gets too close to structures." He said firefighting crews had come from as far as Wyoming and California.

One resident stood in her driveway, holding her baby grandchild, and said she had already moved her two horses out of the area for fear she might have to quickly evacuate. She said she hadn't heard anything from Sheffield officials about the situation. The town posted a notice on Facebook just after 5 p.m. that said "currently there is no danger to our community," nor are there any "evacuation orders." Residents would be alerted via the reverse 911 system, Sheffield's early warning system and the news media.

Soon the crews came down off the mountain to Brush Hill Road. Adams Forest Warden Chief Griffin Willette said he felt hopeful about the fire break they had worked all day on. His First Assistant Chief Johnnie Harris nodded in agreement.

Great Barrington volunteer firefighter Iovan DeRis said at around 4:15 p.m. that this particular crew started at 7 a.m. making the fire break. "We had lots of people on our crew" he said, "so everybody did a little bit of work." He said a lot of firefighters had come from Franklin County.

DeRis also felt that the fire break is solid. That the crew did great work.

And they were "well-fed the whole time," DeRis said. Apart from water and snacks, The Marketplace treated them to "an excellent lunch."

Angela Pevzner and her husband, Matt Pevzner, a firefighter, live just under the mountain off Brush Hill Road. At 6:15 a.m., they saw "a glow" above the steep hill up to the mountain in their backyard, said Angela Pevzner. They walked up to the top to check and saw the fire. "We could hear the crackling of the fire and trees falling."

She said what gave her great comfort was that the police were constantly flying drones to map the fire to check its distance from homes. She praised all the crews. When asked how her firefighter husband is doing, she said, "He's tired  like every other guy."
SHEFFIELD  A town resident is the third in South County this year to win $1 million from the Massachusetts lottery after buying a ticket from Silks Variety.

Michael Koldys plans to buy a new boat, save for retirement, and have some fun! according to a WWLP-22News report on Tuesday.

Koldys won the money after buying a $5,000,000 100X Cashword, which still has remaining prizes of one $5 million and seven $1 million prizes left to distribute.

He chose the $650,000 one-time payment. The ticket cost him $20 at the Main Street store, WWLP-22News reported.

Silks, which has sold lottery tickets since 1972, will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

It is the third time this year that the store has sold $1 million winning tickets to South County residents.

The first was Jason Seward, of Sheffield, in January. The second to win was Richard Swiatek, of Great Barrington, in April.

Jamie Seward, who works at Silks and happens to be related to the January winner, told The Eagle after Swiatek won, "It's been a crazy couple of months at Silk's.
Luke 1:67-79

Another beloved canticle sung in many churches is the Benedictus, based on what Zechariah prophesied after the birth of his son, John. Like the Magnificat, Christians sing the Benedictus today, but the passage does not specify as to whether Zechariah sang the words or only spoke them. Regardless, we can read and sing from this section of Scripture to express our thankfulness to God for coming to save us.

As Zechariah said, Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them (Luke 1:68). This is in reference to Jesus since He is the horn of salvation from the house of David (Luke 1:69). Praising God is the only response to this promise of salvation, and the blessing of receiving the ability to serve God in holiness and righteousness (Luke 1:71-75).

Turning his attention to his son, Zechariah declares that John will be a prophet and prepare the way for the Lord, a fulfillment of Isaiahs prophecy (Luke 1:76; Isaiah 40:3). He would call people to repentance to show them their need for salvation from their sins (Luke 1:77). This is exactly what John the Baptist did in preparing the way for Jesus ministry (Luke 3:3).

At the end of the song, Zechariah returns to the Messiahs coming as the Dayspring or rising sun who will shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace (Luke 1:78-79; see also Isaiah 9:1-2). Truly, our Savior has come and for this, we should give thanks and praise.

Reflecting on all that the Lord has done in the past, and what He is planning to do in the future, we are prompted to lift our voices in worship. He faithfully kept His promise to come and redeem His people. Let us sing and give thanks, just like the saints of the past did.

Related Resource: The Highways of Worship with Jonathan Brown

In this episode of The Walk podcast, Joshua Swanson, Editor-in-Chief of Worship Leader Magazine, sits down with Jonathan Brown, Chief Global Officer of David C. Cook and former President of Integrity Music. Together, they explore the powerful role of worship music in uniting the global Church across cultural and linguistic boundaries. Jonathan shares stories from his formative years with Delirious, reflects on the international worship movement, and discusses the significance of amplifying worship songs from around the world, including global anthems like Waymaker.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Katia Kalinowski
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Jordan Parker is a breaking news reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. He graduated from Sacramento State University in May 2022 with a degree in journalism. During his time there, he spent three years as a reporter and editor for the university's award-winning student newspaper, The State Hornet. He spent his senior year of college serving as The Hornet's first Black editor in chief, leading the organization to two Pacemaker awards and several other national honors from the Associated Collegiate Press. When he's not chasing down a story, he likes watching movies, traveling and trying new restaurants.


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The residents of St. Helena recently rejected a charter adoption measure. Brian L. Frank/Special to the Chronicle

Over the last several decades, an increasing number of California cities have transitioned to charter cities, and many more could follow suit. The main obstacle? Recent elections show many residents dont actually want that designation.

Charter cities in California are incorporated jurisdictions that can impose special taxes at higher rates and with greater flexibility than the state law allows, as long as they receive voter approval. For example, charter cities like Oakland and Los Angeles can implement a business license tax for any purpose or levy a property transfer tax, options unavailable to non-charter cities like Cupertino and Fremont.

To become a charter city, a city has to adopt a charter through a majority vote of the citys electorate.

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Currently, 126 of Californias 482 cities are charter cities, making up just over 26% of all municipalities in the state. Thats up from just 86 charter cities in 1993. With major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego all operating as charter cities, over 58% of Californians currently reside in a charter city.

Charter cities would be growing even faster if city government officials had their way. Officials generally want their municipality to become charter cities for the extra flexibility they provide in generating revenues. But over the past decade, when 13 cities asked voters to decide on whether to adopt a charter, only five voted yes, likely in large part for fear of higher taxes.

In the recent general election on Nov. 5, two Bay Area cities, Benicia and St. Helena, voted on whether to become charter cities. Benicias Measure G and St. Helenas Measure A1, both backed by unanimous support from city council members, appear headed for defeat.

With Benicia and St. Helena facing budget issues, officials from those cities wanted to enact a real property transfer tax, which is a one-time fee on property ownership transfers. However, a property transfer tax can only be enacted if the city attains charter status.

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Benicia Mayor Steve Young said the proposed tax would bring much-needed revenue to help repair the citys century-old infrastructure and maintain city programs. According to the City of Benicia, the proposed transfer tax is expected to generate approximately $850,000 annually  its budget deficit in early 2023 was $6.5 million.

Lawyer and opponent of Benicias charter measure, Christopher Shenfield, believes the recent mismanagement of Benicias finances is the cause of the citys budget problems and the measures failure.

Lets say youre in for about $20,000 in credit card expenses, Shenfield said. The solution is not to go out and get a new credit card. The solution is to figure out why youre in $20,000 of debt and fix your spending habits.

Shenfield warned that passing a charter adoption measure is a slippery slope. Becoming a charter city, he argued, opens the door to the city being able to levy more and more taxes in the future.

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Benicia and St. Helena are not the only cities looking to adopt a charter. In just the Bay Area alone, city councils in Pleasanton, Brentwood and Atherton are looking into the transition of becoming charter cities.

According to Steven Falk, a lecturer at UC Berkeley and former city administrator for five California cities, becoming a charter city grants the municipality the flexibility and autonomy to address its unique challenges.

As an experienced public administrator who has been hired by citizens to help them solve their problems, I want to have every tool in my toolbox, Falk said. I dont think its wise to cripple or limit your city council from solving the very problems that you have elected them to solve.

But he understands why voters are saying no.

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A new national therapy service in schools is a red-line issue for Fianna Fail in any future programme for government.

Party leader Micheal Martin said significant investment and reform is needed in disability services.

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Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein both held press conferences on their policy platforms relating to disability on Wednesday.

Sinn Fein said there had been a decades-long failure of successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fail governments to provide for disabled people.

Mr Martin said he wanted to address gaps in childrens disability network teams (CDNT) and roll out a new national therapy service in education, which would see a multidisciplinary response including therapists directly providing therapy in schools.

The Tanaiste said that too many families were waiting too long for assessments of need, which are a HSE process to identify a childs needs and must be completed within six months.

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He said Fianna Fail would ramp up the numbers of therapy clinicians and assistants, as well as occupational and speech and language therapists.

He admitted that these measures, along with an increase in regional assessment hubs, would take time  adding that his party would ensure increased procurement of private assessments in the interim.

Mr Martin was speaking alongside Senator Catherine Ardagh, who is the mother of a son with autism.

Ms Ardagh, running in Dublin South Central, said she had first-hand experience of the daily struggles faced by families who require support for a child with autism.

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She said her son had so much potential but was held back by the system, adding that she this week received rejection letters from schools: It is frustrating, heartbreaking, and absolutely exhausting  a reality that no family should face.

We need real change. Thats why I am calling for a right nationwide roll out of a one-stop shop for school application.

Fianna Fail has held the health and education portfolios for the last four-and-a-half years, along with the Minister of State role for disability.

Asked if she was frustrated by a lack of progress, Ms Ardagh said 1,700 special classes had been introduced since 2020 but added there was a need for further ambition: Weve come from the ground, and we need to reach the treetops.

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Mr Martin added that there needed to be obligations around inclusion at every school in the country.

Minister of State for disability Anne Rabbitte, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Senator Catherine Ardagh (Cillian Sherlock/PA)

Pressed on what would be different about a future Fianna Fail term, the Tanaiste said blamed HSE delivery and recruitment of therapists.

The recruitment and retention plans are not working. There seems to be a morale issue, a human resources issue, an overload issue within the CDNT teams.

He said there was a fundamental issue of the system not delivering on services: Its unfinished business as far as I am concerned.

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Mr Martin also said there was resistance from Green Party leader and Minister for Children Roderic OGorman to Fianna Fails school-based approach, who instead preferred a programme within the HSE.

Fianna Fails plan includes the development of a disabled persons organisation, the expansion of summer provision, the increase of the disability support grant to 1,000, doubling the housing adaptation grant, adding 20,000 personal assistance hours, and public sector pay parity for section 39 staff.

Daithi Doolan, Pauline Tully, Louise OReilly, and Shane OBrien discuss Sinn Feins disability policies during a press conference at the Teachers Club in Dublin (Cillian Sherlock/PA)

Elsewhere, Sinn Fein said it would fully staff CDNT teams amid reports of 800 vacancies.

Sinn Fein disability spokeswoman Pauline Tully said her party would increase annual current funding for disability supports by 829 million and provide 659 million of additional capital beyond what has been pre-committed for existing levels of service.

She said Sinn Fein would ensure disabled children have their needs assessed, have school places, and summer provision of support.

Ms Tully said her party in government would make sure young disabled people are supported to pursue their goals in education and employment.

She added that adults with disabilities will be supported to live independent lives.

Elsewhere, the party has committed to providing 3,000 additional residential places for people with disabilities, expanding day service places by 4,000 and adding 345,000 personal assistance hours annually.

Louise OReilly (Niall Carson/PA)

At the start of the election campaign, Sinn Fein briefly parked a small truck with a billboard over double yellow lines and a footpath for a press conference on Dublins Merrion Street.

Asked if her party had to do more internally to promote inclusion and accessibility, Sinn Fein employment spokeswoman Louise OReilly said: Weve done a huge amount of thinking about disabled people and, indeed, sometimes we are constrained by logistics  that happens.

Election 2024 Disability ministry and affordable homes among Soc... Read More

She added: Sometimes in the teeth of an election campaign, you dont always get to the venue that you want.

Ms OReilly said the party makes every effort on accessibility, adding that Sinn Fein was putting for a holistic approach around employment strategies and universal access to public transport in the country.

She said that, for her own part, her constituency offices are fully accessible.
Parties vying to lead the next Government are luring voters with ambitious spending plans, banking on a continued boom in foreign multinational corporate tax revenues that could be threatened by the incoming US administration.

With a strong economy, a population set to rise by up to 8 per cent by 2030 and infrastructure provision 25 per cent lower than many other high-income European countries, whichever party wins the November 29th general election will need to spend more just to keep up.

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However, the scale of the commitments and potential risks have become a theme of the campaign. An Irish Times headline on Sunday suggested "someone should take Simon Harris's phone away before he bankrupts the country", noting the Taoiseach's nightly unveiling of "all sorts of goodies" on Instagram.

"The US election has appreciably changed the risk, and we seem to be going ahead as if nothing has changed, but I think something very significant has changed," said Professor John McHale, head of economics at the University of Galway.

The risk centres around the unique exposure of Ireland's low-tax business model to the United States. Ireland's recent big budget surpluses have been driven by a near seven-fold increase in corporate tax receipts over the last decade, mainly paid by US firms.

Precarious position

If enacted, US president-elect Donald Trump's pledge to slash corporate tax rates to Irish levels, incentivise industries to bring production back to the US and impose trade tariffs could jeopardise the continued growth in corporate tax receipts forecast by the Department of Finance.

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Mr Harris' Fine Gael and outgoing coalition partner Fianna Fail - the favourites to lead the next government - have promised to hike spending by 5.5 per cent to 7 per cent a year to 2030, cut taxes and invest the remaining surplus in the country's sovereign wealth fund.

Sinn Fein favours a higher level of spending growth and putting less money aside.

The plans suggest recent "fiscal slippage" will continue after the election, Goodbody Chief Economist Dermot O'Leary said, calling on parties instead to stick with a fiscal rule introduced in 2021 to cap spending increases at 5 per cent a year.

The outgoing government broke its own rule in three of the four budgets since its introduction.

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Not everyone agrees that the international risks should spell more caution, given Ireland's improved financial balance sheet and debt dynamics.

"We have a good hand to deal at the moment and I think that's reflected in some of the optimism you're seeing in the policies," said Kevin Timoney, chief economist at Davy Stockbrokers.

"We have this big infrastructure gap and we have money to try close it and that can help support the medium term picture. We don't want to be laggards in some of these areas that are strategically important for the economy."
A Sinn Fein manifesto pledge to investigate RTEs objectivity is a dog whistle to conspiracy theorists, the Taoiseach has said.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin both heavily criticised the proposal, with Mr Martin branding it a dangerous departure.

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In its General Election manifesto published on Tuesday, Sinn Fein said it would commission an independent human rights and journalist expert review into the objectivity of coverage by RTE of the Israeli genocide in Gaza and other international conflicts.

Arriving separately for a Cabinet meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin on Wednesday, Mr Harris and Mr Martin both raised concerns over the proposed examination of how Irelands national broadcaster has covered the bloodshed in Gaza and its reporting on other war zones.

The Taoiseach said: I just cant imagine this scenario in any functioning democracy that a political party that wants to lead a government would put in its manifesto, in its list of political promises to the Irish people, that it will establish an independent review of RTEs objectivity and news coverage.

Questioning where the Sinn Fein policy would stop, Mr Harris asked if the party would later probe matters beyond the Middle East, and added: RTE today, who tomorrow?

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He called on Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald to withdraw the chilling, despicable proposal.

To actually even suggest that RTE needs to be independently reviewed is a dog whistle to conspiracy theorists, is an effort to undermine media freedom in this country, and I, quite frankly, believe its an effort to intimidate journalists from the work that they do, Mr Harris said.

What was she thinking?

Mr Martin said he was shocked by the proposal.

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Political parties cant be setting up committees to investigate the media, he said.

We may all have complaints and so on like that. But this is a dangerous new departure. Its almost a threat to the media, really, that you know well be coming after you, because we dont believe you are being objective.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin described the Sinn Fein proposal as a dangerous new departure Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

He said the implication was that Sinn Fein does not believe RTE is objective in its reporting of the Middle East. Mr Martin said he found it hard to give credit to such an assertion.

I think its a dangerous departure in terms of, essentially, what Sinn Fein are saying if your views dont accord with ours, then were going to set up a committee to investigate you, he added.

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Sinn Fein president Ms McDonald defended the measure at the manifesto launch in Dublin on Tuesday morning, insisting peer review processes were common in every professional walk of life.

She made clear the independent review would be carried out by media and human rights experts and would not involve political interference.

Ms McDonald said confidence in the national broadcaster was absolutely key.

She said she did not think the line dividing government and the media would become murky if such a review of RTE was commissioned.

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Mary Lou McDonald outlined the proposal as she launched the Sinn Fein manifesto on Tuesday. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

This is a matter of trust and a matter of confidence, it is a matter of peer review, she said.

This happens in virtually every professional walk of life. Peer review is standard. Its a standard, standard process.

She said it could prove a very, very healthy, very worthwhile exercise  not to be done by politicians, but by human rights (experts) and journalists themselves.

Election 2024 Richard Boyd Barrett calls on the Government to co... Read More

A spokeswoman for RTE said: Impartiality and objectivity are among the cornerstone principles of RTE and the organisations own journalism guidelines.

Section 46L (1) of the Online Safety & Regulation Act 2022 imposes a specific obligation to report in an objective and impartial manner and without any expression of the broadcasters own views.

The Oireachtas established CnaM (Coimisiun na Mean) as an independent statutory body with power to hold broadcasters accountable for compliance with the legislation and the broadcasting codes.
A man in his 40s is to be charged in connection with a robbery at a shop in Summerhill North in Cork city on Tuesday.

The incident occurred shortly after noon when a man entered the store and threatened staff with a knife before making off with a sum of cash.

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Gardai from Watercourse Road subsequently arrested a man.

He was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in Cork City and has since been charged.

He is scheduled to appear before Cork District Court on Wednesday. Investigations are ongoing.
Xi stresses dialogue in China-EU trade disputes in meetings with Scholz, Macron

Xinhua) 15:54, November 20, 2024

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday asked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to help resolve the issue of the EU's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The EU's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles are drawing attention around the world, and China always insists on resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, Xi said.

It is hoped that Germany will continue to play an important role in this regard, Xi said, noting China regards Europe as an important pole in a multi-polar world.

The two leaders' meeting took place on the second day of the G20 summit, where Xi had called for building a world economy characterized by cooperation, stability, openness, innovation and eco-friendliness.

It is important to keep in mind that mankind lives in a community with a shared future, Xi said at the summit on Monday, adding that G20 members should see each other's development as opportunities rather than challenges, and view each other as partners rather than rivals.

During a separate meeting with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, Xi said that China and France, as major countries, share common responsibilities to lead the international community to unite in efforts to address global challenges at a time when many new changes are unfolding in the international landscape.

Macron said that France upholds strategic autonomy and is willing to engage in dialogue and cooperation with China in the spirit of mutual respect, properly handle economic and trade disputes, and maintain a sound and steady development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

Despite strong opposition from several member states, the European Commission has finalized its decision to levy tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, a misguided trade protectionist measure hurting many but benefiting no one.

A Bloomberg opinion piece described the decision as "a misstep that one must hope will give way to mutually beneficial negotiation, not launch a trade war that leaves both sides worse off." European automotive giants such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz oppose the tariff plan.

As observers have warned, these tariffs will weaken the competitiveness of the European industry in the long term. Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, dismissed the EU's move as "a step backwards for global free trade and thus for prosperity, job security and growth in Europe."

Meanwhile, Britain has distanced itself from the EU's decision, with British Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds ruling out any plans to impose similar tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports.

Reynolds said that as there had not been any complaints from Britain's automotive industry to the Trade Remedies Authority, he would not seek to follow the EU in pursuing tariffs.

During talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, Xi said that China and Britain enjoy vast space for cooperation.

Brazil is the second stop of Xi's Latin America tour, which has taken him to Peru. In Lima, he kept to a tight schedule, attending the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, paying a state visit to Peru and holding a series of bilateral meetings, including one with his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden.

In Brasilia, Xi is set to discuss bilateral relations with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as China and Brazil mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Strong headwinds from Europe notwithstanding, leading Chinese EV makers have been gathering steam in Latin America. Build Your Dreams (BYD), a Chinese EV giant, doubled its overseas sales in the first nine months of the year, with remarkable performance in Brazil, to a point, offsetting setbacks in Europe.

Alexandre Baldy, vice president of BYD Brazil, told Xinhua that nearly 80,000 BYD cars, affordable, high-tech vehicles for Brazilians, are now on the country's roads.

During her visit to China in June, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte voiced hope for a BYD assembly plant in Peru, as the country plans to build a brand-new public transport fleet of electric vehicles in the next three to four years.

"China and Latin America, in a sense, are complementary economies. We need capital, technology, markets and China has that," said Carlos Aquino, director of the Center for Asian Studies at Peru's National University of San Marcos. "We can learn from China's experience."

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Oakland officials raised the alarm Tuesday about the citys dire financial situation, warning that cuts to police and fire budgets are unavoidable and necessary to avoid a financial emergency. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Oakland officials raised the alarm Tuesday about the citys dire financial situation, warning that cuts to police and fire budgets are unavoidable and necessary to avoid a financial emergency. What the cuts will consist of remains unclear.

I want you to hear clearly at this dais that we must take action over the next month and a half to preserve our solvency, Bradley Johnson, the citys budget administrator, told the City Council.

His stark message came as city staffers presented a report that said Oakland will end the fiscal year in June with a $115 million budget deficit in its general purpose fund, which pays for police, fire and other city services. The police and fire departments account for most of the overspending to date.

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As a result, the report said, the city will face a financial crisis unless officials cut back on spending. Although city staffers did not discuss the specific implications of a financial emergency, generally a city declaration of a financial emergency can force layoffs of city workers, sharp cuts to services, and a credit rating downgrade that jacks up borrowing costs.

Presented with the grim outlook, council members pressed city staffers for detailed information about the financial situation and sought clear options to address the crisis, including short-term and long-term fixes.

I hear a lot of problems being stated but no real solutions, Council Member Carroll Fife said.

The city has already taken steps to cut expenses, including a hiring pause for non-sworn positions and a freeze on two police academies.

Further efforts could include the closure of fire stations or a pause on the operations of fire engine crews. For now, all department heads are being asked to propose ways to close the budget deficit.

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City Administrator Jestin Johnson said he will present the City Council with more options to address the budget shortfall at a Dec. 3 meeting. At the same meeting the council will consider whether to transfer up to $30 million from the citys self-insurance liability fund to its general purpose fund reserve, a move that would eliminate the need for the city to declare a financial emergency. Council Member Rebecca Kaplan put forward the idea.

On Dec. 5, the City Council will meet behind closed doors to discuss labor agreements and consider cuts, Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas said.

We are under no illusions that the choices before us are easy, Bas said.

Council Member Treva Reid echoed the sentiment.

The reality is were feeling the weight of hanging off a fiscal cliff, Reid said.

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Dozens of city employees and community members urged the council to avoid layoffs and cuts that would affect police, fire, parks and recreation, arts, senior centers and other services and initiatives.

As youre doing your cuts, please dont forget about seniors, said Lenore Gunst, chair of the Mayors Commission on Aging.

Cuts to public works services is not going to make these streets clear, safer, so please think about it, said street maintenance leader Gabe Macias.

Any closures to fire stations could result in tragic consequences, said Seth Olyer, vice president of the fire union.

Oakland officials raised the alarm Tuesday about the citys dire financial situation, warning that cuts to police and fire budgets are unavoidable and necessary to avoid a financial emergency. Steve Proehl/Getty Images

Some public speakers criticized the Oakland Police Departments spending on overtime, an issue they described as unchecked.

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The police department is projected to overspend by $52 million, about 16% of its budget, while the fire department is projected to overspend by $34 million, or 21% of its budget. The overspending in both departments is a result of overtime, according to city staff.

The concerns about the citys budget shortfall come days after the citys finance department released the report warning that Oakland would have to declare a fiscal emergency if it didnt make immediate spending cuts to deal with its budget deficit. Mayor Sheng Thao, whom residents overwhelmingly voted to recall on Nov. 5, has not discussed the budget since the report came out. Her office directed inquiries to the city administrator.

All City policy makers, staff, residents and other stakeholders must seriously grapple with the current financial circumstances, the report read. Finance staff implore all decision makers to immediately and urgently begin the task of reducing expenditures in order to avoid insolvency.

An earlier report accidentally published Friday warned the City Council that Chapter 9, which starts the bankruptcy process, could be imminent if the city doesnt address its spending. A city spokesperson said the city republished the report after internal analysis concluded that the Chapter 9 level of decision making was, and remains, premature at this time.

Fecklessness and failure to take dramatic and immediate steps to reduce expenditures will almost certainly result in insolvency, the report stated before being replaced with an updated version that removed any mention of bankruptcy, Chapter 9 and this statement.

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The City Council voted over the summer to balance the budget by relying on one-time funds from the sale of the citys share of the Coliseum to a group of private developers and investors. But a revised purchase agreement has delayed the groups payments and the citys finance department has cautioned officials against relying on one-time money to balance the budget.

The citys unions have raised concerns about potential cuts, saying that drastic measures will be detrimental.
A man who used his friends identity to steal from the State in social welfare fraud after his friend moved to Thailand has been jailed for 18 months.

Noel Ward (59), of Dolmen Way, Ballymun, was homeless at the time when he made a plan with his friend, now deceased, to claim multiple social welfare benefits using the friends PPS number.

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Ward fraudulently claimed a total of 109,235 over a 10-year period, of which he lodged 100 a week into his friends bank account.

At an earlier hearing last week, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Ward transferred about 64,000 into the AIB account of his friend Patrick Rooney, who died last December in Thailand.

Ward pleaded guilty to two charges of using a false instrument, including a driving licence, and six counts of theft from the State, on dates between May 2008 and August 2019.

Among the payments Ward fraudulently claimed were Jobseekers Benefit, Disability Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance, Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Rent Allowance.

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Ward has been making repayments to the State since 2017, the court heard, including a lump sum of 20,000 paid over earlier this month.

The State remains at a loss of about 15,000 but Ward is expected to have this repaid within the next four years.

Judge Orla Crowe said it had been a deliberate fraud perpetrated over the course of ten years. She said it was a sophisticated fraud that involved two different identities and it was only due to the efforts of third parties that the crime was uncovered.

The judge said notwithstanding the mitigating factors, including the fact that Ward is the sole carer for his partner, who is a wheelchair user, a custodial component to the sentence is required.

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She set a headline sentence of five years before she imposed a term of three years.

Judge Crowe suspended the final 18 months of the sentence having take into account other mitigating factors including the fact that Ward has repaid all but 15,000 of the total cash he had stolen from the public purse.

At the end of the sentence hearing, a woman spoke from the body of the court  Sorry Judge, this woman is in a wheelchair who is going to take care of her and take her home.

Garda Louise Keane told David Perry BL, prosecuting, at the previous hearing last week, that gardai believe the late Mr Rooney was complicit in the abuse of his PPS number.

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Gda Keane said that between May 2008 and July 2012, Ward claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling 41,861 in the name of Patrick Rooney.

Then from July 2012 to August 2018, Ward took up employment with two companies, using Mr Rooneys name and PPS number.

During this time, Ward claimed a raft of unemployment benefits, including Rent Allowance and Disability allowance, in his own name.

In total, he fraudulently claimed 56,590 in his own name, the court heard.

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His final claim was illness benefit in Mr Rooneys name from January to March 2017, to the tune of 783.

Ward used a false driving licence in the name of Mr Rooney, but with his own genuine photo attached.

The fraud came to light after Ward applied to the Department of Social Protection for Disability Allowance, submitting Ulster Bank statements showing his weekly wages from his then employer, Musgraves Wholesale Partners.

When a department inspector queried where the money was from, Ward said his cousin Mr Rooney was using his bank account to receive his wages.

The inspector visited Musgraves who said that Ward had been working for them but went by the name of Patrick Rooney.

The court heard that Mr Rooney lived in Thailand from late 2008 until his death last year.

Gardai searched Wards home in July 2018 and found the fake driving licence in Mr Rooneys name.

On his arrest, Ward made full admissions to gardai and admitted he had been claiming social welfare benefits in Mr Rooneys name, and later working under Mr Rooneys identity and claiming benefits in his own name.

Ward told gardai that his friend Mr Rooney, a recovering alcoholic, had offered him a place to stay when he was homeless in 2008.

When Mr Rooney moved to Thailand, Ward agreed to collect social welfare for him.

The court heard that Ward was living at the address at Dolmen Way but claiming rent allowance on a different property.

When asked about the false driving licence, Ward told gardai he thought he got that in a pub about 11 years ago.

I cant remember everything, Ward told gardai.

Ward has one previous conviction for drunken driving in 2008.

He has not come to garda attention since these offences, the court heard.

Ward has set up a direct debit of 80 a week to the Department of Social Protection.

Gda Keane agreed with Mark Lynam SC, defending, that both Ward and Mr Rooney were living a somewhat chaotic life at the time the offences began.

Counsel said that when Mr Rooney left for Thailand, he gave Ward somewhere to live, and as a quid pro quo, Ward transferred his social welfare money to him over a long period.

Mr Lynam gave the court a letter from a GP confirming Wards history of depression and anxiety.

Counsel said Ward got into the deception at a low point, when he was homeless and desperate, but had never intended for it to carry on so long.

A letter from Wards current employer where he has been working since 2021 spoke highly of him as a very good worker.

Mr Lynam said Ward has overcome his alcohol problem and has been sole carer to his partner for the last six years.

Ward is not claiming Carers Allowance though he is entitled to do so, the court heard.

Letters were also submitted from Ward and from his daughter, who said she had never seen her father so broken and remorseful.

Counsel said Ward has taken out a loan of 15,000 while his partner has taken out a loan of 5,000 in order to repay the State.

Hes doing his very best to pay it back, Mr Lynam said of Ward.
A father of two was "like a man possessed" when he attacked his partner's mother in a nursing home, knelt on her and tried to suffocate her with a pillow while shouting "die bitch, die," a court heard.

The incident happened at the Sonas home, Ballymahon Road, Athlone, shortly before 8pm on April 29th, 2024.

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The 84-year-old woman was attacked as she went to greet Peter Keaney with a hug.

Keaney (55), of Hillsidsympe Close, Monksland, Athlone, Roscommon, was drunk and told gardai afterwards that he was going to kill her, Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court heard on Wednesday.

The former carer and theatre worker pleaded guilty to two counts under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act for assault causing harm, and attempting to suffocate the victim by holding a pillow across her face.

Judge Keenan Johnson described it as an extraordinary case and remarked: "As far as I'm concerned, it is unprecedented; I have never come across anything like it."

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He said Keaney was "like a man possessed on the day in question". The court heard he got drunk on wine and was triggered by unsubstantiated abuse allegations.

The judge noted the guilty plea but said the offence, which can result in 10 years' imprisonment, would carry a significant sentence.

He directed the Probation Service to provide a report on Keaney and adjourned sentencing until December 5th.

The accused, who did not address the court, was remanded on continuing bail with strict conditions.

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Detective Garda Kevin Nerney agreed with prosecutor Cathal O Braonain BL, instructed by State solicitor for Westmeath, Matt Shaw, that the accused travelled six-and-a-half kilometres by bus and on foot to the nursing home to carry out the attack.

Nursing home staff "forced" their way into the pensioner's room and found she had suffered multiple injuries, including a deep laceration to her forehead.

The accused remained at the scene and told gardai, "I did it; I tried to kill her." The court heard his long-term partner was the victim's daughter.

The elderly woman had lived there since 2021, and her husband also had a separate room in the home.

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Until that night, they had a great relationship. The court heard that when "Peter Keaney came into her room, and she initially stood up to give him a hug."

However, he "hit her in the face with his fist, causing her to be stunned, and she asked, 'Peter, what is wrong? But he kept hitting her and punched her onto a chair at the side of her bed."

The court heard he told the OAP, "You will live to regret it and put a pillow over her face. She was struggling to get air."

She slipped to the ground, where Keaney repeatedly kicked her in the head.

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Just two days before the incident, the victim had spent time with him and her daughter; they had coffee and "had no issues with him, had a good laugh with him".

"She did not know why he did this," Detective Garda Nerney said.

Care workers outside heard him screaming, "Die bitch, die; die you fucking bitch. Get away from me. I wish you were dead."

Staff forced their way through the blocked door and saw her lying face down on the floor, "Keaney crouched over her, and there was a pillow covered with blood on the floor".

The court heard he then walked over to the bed, sat on it and waited until gardai arrived and arrested him. En route to Athlone Garda station, "He made a number of comments in the patrol car and told gardai he wanted to kill her."

He admitted putting the pillow over her and told officers: "Yes, I wanted to kill her and will do it again; I wanted to kill her and will kill her," and he said he could not control himself and would do it again.

He also signed a Garda notebook, in which his comments were recorded.

The court heard he began drinking wine shortly after 11 am and had consumed four bottles before going to the nursing home, and he admitted that he had an alcohol problem.

He disclosed to gardai that he had suffered sexual abuse as a child and had gone to counselling for eight years.

He also maintained his partner had recently made allegations about a family member, but she and all her family have since told gardai that never happened.

However, he went to the nursing home in a "rage" against the elderly woman to punch her in the face.

He told gardai he would have attacked her husband too, but he was in a room upstairs.

He admitted to gardai that he used his fist to hit her and when he "felt her go limp, I thought she was gone, thought I killed her after she went limp."

His partner of more than 30 years told gardai that Keaney was "bananas drunk" and that she had never disclosed anything negative or abuse allegations about her family, and she did not know why he said that or attacked her mother.

Her only sibling also confirmed to gardai they were never abused.

The court heard the victim needed nine stitches to her head and had bruises and a sore back from being knelt on as she struggled with the pillow on her face, which the pensioner described as "horrible".

She did not come to the hearing or provide a victim impact statement. But the court heard she and her husband had enjoyed a close relationship for years with Keaney.

In 2005, the accused and his partner moved from Galway to Athlone to help care for them after her father was seriously injured in an accident and had to learn how to walk and talk again.

The detective agreed with Delia Flynn SC, defending, that the victim told gardai, "We all loved him", and she still did not know why he did this.

Counsel said the accused had been abused by a priest when he was a child and a discussion about an abusive priest "triggered" his memory.

The court heard he believed people were overly sympathetic to the clergy and did not have insight into what people suffered.

He had been going to counselling for his trauma and had also developed a binge-drinking problem.

The court heard Keaney, who now lives in Dublin, had two previous convictions for driving without a licence or motor insurance.
Two children who it was claimed were prescribed an anti-psychotic drug when they were treated by the mental health services in Co Kerry have settled High Court actions against the HSE.

The settlements which totalled over 40,000 were approved by Mr Justice Paul Coffey in the High Court on Wednesday, who also ordered that the two boys, who have autism, not be identified.

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In the first case, the 11-year-old boy had sued over the care he received at North Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Camhs).

His counsel, Brian Murray BL, told the court that the boy had been referred to the North Kerry services when he was over six years of age. Mr Murray said the boy was wrongly prescribed the anti-psychotic drug Risperidone for 20 weeks in 2020.

Counsel told the court that the Risperidone had been increased over the phone but had been stopped after 20 weeks in October 2020.

Mr Murray said the boy had lost trust in doctors as a result. A psychological report had noted there was a constellation of unwanted side effects for the 20 weeks the boy was on the anti-psychotic drug.

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The boy had made a full recovery in relation to the side effects, Mr Murray said.

Mr Justice Coffey approved a total settlement of 23,500 and said it was fair and reasonable.

The second case against the HSE related to the care received by a boy at the South Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Mr Murray told the court that the now 11-year-old boy had been referred to Camhs when he was around five years of age.

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Mr Murray said the boy was prescribed the anti-psychotic drug Risperidone and was on it for six weeks in 2019. He said it had been their case that there had been no basis for the prescribing of Risperidone in the first place.

The HSE, Mr Murray said, had contended in this case that the boy had suffered little or no side effects, and the boy had made a full recovery. He said the boy is not on any medication now.

Mr Justice Coffey approved a 20,000 settlement in this case and wished both children the very best for the future.

A State compensation scheme was set up two years ago after the controversy over the care provided by South Kerry Camhs was revealed.

A look-back review of the care of 1,300 young people who attended the HSE-run service also took place. It found that the care received by 240 young people did not meet the standards which it should have, and it detailed significant harm to 46 children.
A day after New York prosecutors said they will fight efforts to dismiss Donald Trumps hush money conviction, the president-elects lawyers urged a judge to ignore them and dispose of the case before he takes office in January.

Echoing their arguments since Mr Trumps win, his lawyers said in a letter on Wednesday to Judge Juan M Merchan that continuing with the case will interfere with Mr Trumps preparations for returning to the White House and impede his ability to run the country.

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The lawyers, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, said they will file paperwork formalising their dismissal request and asked Judge Merchan for a deadline of December 20, after Special Counsel Jack Smiths team is expected to disclose the next steps it intends to take in two federal cases against Mr Trump.

Mr Blanche and Mr Bove urged Judge Merchan to heed the will of the voters who returned Mr Trump to office rather than the word of prosecutors, who are often referred to in court proceedings and filings as representing the People of the State of New York.



Special Counsel Jack Smith speaking to the media (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

They warned of protracted appeals overlapping with Mr Trumps second term if what they deemed a politically-motivated and fatally flawed case is not dispatched urgently.

On November 5, 2024 the Nations People issued a mandate that supersedes the motivations of (the district attorneys) People, Mr Blanche and Mr Bove wrote. This case must immediately be dismissed.

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Mr Trump has tapped both Mr Blanche and Mr Bove for high-ranking Justice Department jobs.

Mr Trump was convicted in May of falsifying business records to cover up a scheme to influence the 2016 election by paying hush money to quash a story of extramarital sex. Mr Trump denies the allegations.

In a court filing on Tuesday, the Manhattan district attorneys office said it opposes any effort to dismiss Mr Trumps case, but did express openness to potentially delaying his sentencing until after his second term.

DA Alvin Braggs office said in that Mr Trumps looming presidency is not grounds for dropping a case that was already decided by a jury.

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But, citing the need to balance competing constitutional interests, prosecutors said consideration must be given to pausing the case and delaying Mr Trumps sentencing until after he is out of office.

Prosecutors, in their filing, sought an even more accelerated schedule than the defence for hashing out the dismissal issue. They suggested the defence file its paperwork in the next week or two so they could submit their response by December 9.

Judge Merchan has not set a schedule, nor has he said when he will rule.

In the meantime, the case is effectively on hold. Mr Trumps sentencing, which had been set for November 26, will not go on as scheduled.

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A dismissal would erase Mr Trumps conviction, the first of a former and now future US president. If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Mr Trumps punishments would range from a fine or probation to up to four years in prison.
The mother of late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins will not attend the world premiere of Rust as she claims it is an attempt for Hollywood star Alec Baldwin to unjustly profit from her daughters death.

Rust will debut at the Camerimage Festival in Poland on Wednesday, an event focusing on achievements in cinematography, three years after the prop gun US actor Baldwin was holding went off and fatally injured Ms Hutchins on the set of the western in New Mexico.

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It comes months after a judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin.

Actor Alec Baldwin reacts after a judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case for the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming of the Western movie Rust (Ramsay de Give/Pool Photo via AP)

Ms Hutchins mother Olga Solovey, who filed an ongoing lawsuit against Baldwin, said in a statement issued by her lawyer Gloria Allred given to the PA news agency: It was always my hope to meet my daughter in Poland to watch her work come alive on screen.

Unfortunately, that was ripped away from me when Alec Baldwin discharged his gun and killed my daughter.

Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologise to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death.

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Instead, he seeks to unjustly profit from his killing of my daughter.

That is the reason why I refuse to attend the festival for the promotion of Rust, especially now when there is still no justice for my daughter.

Alec Baldwin on the set of the movie Rust following the incident in which Halyna Hutchins was killed (Santa Fe County Sheriff)

Ms Allred confirmed to PA that Baldwin filed a motion on Tuesday to pause the civil lawsuit against him and others.

We will be opposing their motion to stay our case, she said.

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In a separate statement, Ms Allred said Ms Solovey will not be attending the world premiere of Rust because Baldwin had disrespected her family.

Even though Mr Baldwin discharged the gun that killed Halyna, he has never called them to apologise, she said.

Even worse, he argued, through his attorneys, that Halyna was emotionally distant from her family in Ukraine. That is false, hurtful and insulting.

Further, the decision not to even call the family to say he is sorry is cruel and dishonours Halyna and her memory,

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Now, a decision has been made to promote Rust to buyers in order to make a profit for Alec Baldwin and others that had a role in Halynas death.

Alec Baldwin practising drawing his revolver on the set of the Rust film (Santa Fe County Sheriff)

Rust director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting, was expected to introduce the film at the premiere, along with Bianca Cline, the cinematographer who completed the film.

The films armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is serving an 18-month prison sentence after she was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter following the shooting of 42-year-old Ms Hutchins in October 2021, at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe.

Rust is billed as the story of a 13-year-old boy who, left to fend for himself and his younger brother following their parents deaths in 1880s Wyoming, goes on the run with his long-estranged grandfather after being sentenced to hang for the accidental killing of a local rancher.

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The Polish festivals ticketing website reportedly crashed on Tuesday morning due to high demand for tickets to the world premiere.
Skirmishes have erupted for a second day in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad between police and opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at the citys railway station earlier this month.

Anti-government protesters sought to block a courthouse in Novi Sad, where the roof collapse at the station on November 1 killed 15 people and injured two others. Riot police pushed the protesters away from the building.

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A similar opposition action on Tuesday resulted in an hours-long stand-off, in a sign of mounting tensions over the roof crash.

The collapse in Novi Sad has triggered a wave of protests against the populist authorities and arrests of several activists who took part.



Serbian police officers guarded the courthouse during a protest demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad (AP)

Many in Serbia believe rampant corruption led to sloppy renovation work at the station, culminating in the roof collapse.

Serbias Interior Minister Ivica Dacic warned protesters in a statement that police wont tolerate disruption of public law and order, threats to the security of the country and state institutions, as well as attacks on police.

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Separately, police detained two activists in Belgrade who were protesting against plans to demolish a Second World War-era bridge that carries trams as well as vehicle traffic over the Sava river between the new and old parts of the city.

Authorities plan to build a new bridge in its place, a process that will take at least three years.

Opposition activists say the existing bridge should be preserved and that the process of awarding contracts for the building work lacks transparency.

A group of opposition legislators managed to enter the court building in Novi Sad on Wednesday while police pushed away others who were standing outside.

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Opposition protesters are demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad (AP)

Protesters are also demanding the release from detention of activists jailed during the recent protests over the collapse.

The huge concrete outer roof of the railway station building suddenly crashed on November 1, falling on people sitting on benches or standing below. Initially, 14 people died and three were severely injured, but one of the injured people died on Sunday.

The authorities have promised a thorough investigation and Serbias construction minister, Goran Vesic, resigned. Populist President Aleksandar Vucic has said more resignations will follow.

No-one has been arrested, however, and no charges have been brought, though prosecutors said dozens of people have been questioned as part of the probe.

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The station was originally built in 1964 and was renovated twice in recent years as part of a wider agreement with Chinese state construction companies.
Australias communications minister has said the government will not force social media users to hand over their personal information to tech companies, as children younger than 16 are set to be banned from the platforms.

Michelle Rowland plans to introduce into Parliament world-first legislation that would make X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram responsible for excluding Australian children younger than 16 from the platforms.

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After the bill becomes law, the platforms would have one year to work out how to implement the ban on younger children before they face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (25.7 million) for systemic breaches.

How the platforms will be able to determine the ages of account holders is not yet known.

Ms Rowland told the Australian Parliament on Wednesday the legislation will contain robust provisions to protect social media users privacy.



Australian Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said users privacy would be protected (AAP Image via AP)

This is not about government mandating any form of technology or demanding any personal information be handed over to social media companies, she said.

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The government announced last week that a consortium led by British company Age Check Certification Scheme has been contracted to examine various technologies to estimate and verify ages.

In addition to removing children under 16 from social media, Australia is also looking for ways to prevent children under 18 from accessing online pornography, a government statement said.

Age Check Certification Schemes chief executive Tony Allen said on Monday the technologies being considered included age estimation and age inference.

Inference involves establishing a series of facts about individuals that point to them being at least a certain age.

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None of these methods is 100% accurate, Mr Allen told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Mr Allens company will report back to the Australian government by the end of June next year.

He said: I think if people understand the risk and the check is carried out close to that risk, then I think people generally are OK  We dont want our children to be exposed to extreme violent video games or to pornography or to suicide material or to things that are going to cause them problems with their mental development such as body dysmorphia and weight loss and stuff like that.

What people are less keen on is having to go through ID check and verifications to access the internet generally or to do things online generally.

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Digital Industry Group, an advocate for the digital industry in Australia, described the age limit as a 20th century response to 21st century challenges.
London: The former members of One Direction have reunited for the funeral of bandmate Liam Payne.

Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson joined friends and family at the service overnight (AEDT) for Payne, 31, who died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last month.

A horse-drawn carriage carried the coffin to St. Marys Church in Amersham, 40 kilometres north-west of London. Undertakers carried the dark blue casket with silver handles, topped with white roses, into the 800-year-old church for the private service.

Former One Direction band member Harry Styles leaves Liam Paynes funeral in Amersham. Credit: Getty Images

The funeral location was not made public in advance to prevent a large crowd from gathering, though dozens of local people and fans still gathered nearby.
Its hard not to be suspicious of motivations when yet another program comes along that is an Australian version of an overseas hit. Cynicism is often the default mode when it comes to TV criticism, and its apt to go into overdrive when you see the latest this is that show you love  only in Australia! Sometimes it seems like Australian TV hasnt progressed since the cringeworthy days of Are You Being Served in Australia? At least that had John Inman. The makers of NCIS: Sydney steadfastly refused to fly Mark Harmon Down Under to make it worth watching.

There is a certain logic to NCIS: Sydney: there were already several spin-offs in the NCIS-verse set in various US locales, and the routine of following a bunch of naval cops in a different city was already well established. So why not Sydney, right? Besides the fact that Australia doesnt have an NCIS, and coming up with justifications for the American agency to continue teaming up with the Australian Federal Police requires heroic stretching of plausibility.

The latest NCIS spin-off heads Down Under to solve crimes near televisual landmarks. Credit: Paramount

But then the entire franchise is built on being implausible, so its not a major problem. The problem is that every time a show like this gets made, the question of why raises its bolshie little head. There are always myriad reasons a TV show gets made, many of them involving budgets and projections and local content quotas. But if you asked the creative minds behind NCIS: Sydney why they wanted to make the show, would the networks publicity team allow them to give an honest answer?

Dramas and comedies arent like reality shows. Franchises like Survivor, The Amazing Race, MasterChef et al produce dozens of different versions for different countries, and the logic is obvious: to give the punters in each country a chance to participate. Obviously, the overriding logic is to cash in, but were talking artistic decisions here, and the point is that reality franchises have a solid reason to diversify to different settings that doesnt exist for scripted narrative shows. You cant sign up to be a contestant on NCIS, so whether its set in Los Angeles or Sydney doesnt make a difference to you  youre still just watching fictional cops catching fictional crooks, and why should creating a whole different set of fictional people who live a bit closer to your house add anything to your entertainment world?
Created by Adina Sadeanu and Kirsten Peters, Spy/Master is a 2023 series that was commissioned by HBOs now-withered European creative office. It is a suspenseful covert tale that carries the DNA of the genres historic greats, starting with the analog data-gathering and icy machinations of John le Carre classics such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy , but its distinguished by the cruel intimacy of the satellite setting. The KGB and CIA loom over Romania and Victor, yet his bosses are succumbing to megalomania.

Keep your head low or you get it cut off, Victor tells Ileana, unease crowding his voice. And, like much of what Victor says in this six-part Central European period drama, hes already contradicted it. As Ceausescus closest aide  he counsels Nicolae as they play chess, then gossips about fellow apparatchiks with Ceausescus venomous wife, Elena (Elvira Deatcu)  he has his head way too high. Victor runs a smuggling ring, hes a mole for Russians, and now hes hoping to defect to America. Something, or someone, has to give.

In the second episode of this taut 1970s spy thriller, Romanian intelligence head and courtier Victor Godeanu (Alec Secareanu) takes his teenage daughter, Ileana (Alexandra Bob), from a luxurious classical music concert in honour of the states communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu (Claudiu Bleont), to the slums of Bucharest. This is where I come from, the father tells his daughter, but hes not trying to inspire his loving but naive child. Its a warning. He understands their corrupt world, she doesnt.

The Ceausescus run a cult of personality. Long live comrade Nicolae Ceausescu! all present chant whenever the president appears. Manipulating them is Victors greatest talent and most terrifying risk; eventually they will turn on him, especially with his rivals growing in strength. As a portrait of authoritarian rule, Spy/Master captures the petty cruelty and monstrous absurdity. Ileana, a talented artist, must paint a portrait of Nicolae to graduate. Her first effort is a caricature, but no one laughs. Victor burns it on the spot.

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The bulk of the action takes place over a single week in 1978, as Victor mulls defecting to America while in West Germany negotiating a deal for Romania. Its poor timing: CIA agent Frank Jackson (Parker Sawyers) is keen, but Ceausescu, having broken free of direct Russian oversight, has inserted himself into Middle East peace talks. Jimmy Carters White House is loath to upset the Romanian leader, so Victor is left hanging as his fickle bosses are fed dirt on him and the KGB tries to reel him back in.

There are cliff-hanging physical threats and moments of sudden violence  you know its a Cold War-era series because someone gets bumped off in Vienna  but the majority of the narrative is tangled up in quiet deception and unspoken evaluations. Nearly everyone wants something, but they refuse to articulate what it is, let alone why. Victor schemes on the run, and the show smartly leaves unclear whether its protagonist is smarter than everyone or just coming to the end of a long and lucky streak.

English director Christopher Smith sets up constrictive frames and nowhere-to-hide close-ups for this Romanian/Hungarian co-production. Secareanu, who had an international breakthrough with the 2017 arthouse hit Gods Own Country, is exemplary as an operator who is running out of moves. Victor is a worthy protagonist, but not a heroic one. He was willing to do whatever it took to prosper. Hes willing to do whatever it takes to survive.
Oliviers Butchery is offering an uncooked porchetta stuffed with garlic and herbs for Thanksgiving. You can preorder the pork dish and cook it at home. Provided by Oliviers Butchery

Preparing Thanksgiving dinner is a labor of love. But it can often just feel like labor between preparing multiple dishes, keeping tabs on turkeys in the oven (those long cooking times!) and trying to check in on guests.

If you want to take some time away from the kitchen and spend time with your loved ones on Thanksgiving, Bay Area restaurants can help. Many are offering meal kits, with varying degrees of preparation required at home. Some feature variations on Thanksgiving staples like whole fried turkeys and birds stuffed with sausage, while other restaurants are going outside the box with entrees like Cuban roasted pork, trays of hearty pastas, Mexican-inflected brisket and Chinese smoked duck.

Dont wait to order, as several Bay Area restaurants have already sold out of their Thanksgiving specials. Here are some take-home offerings that are still available.

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Oliviers Butchery

If porchetta sounds more enticing than the usual Thanksgiving turkey, good news: Oliviers Butchery in San Francisco is offering porchetta, a pork stuffed with lemon, rosemary, garlic, chile and herbs. You can place a deposit on Oliviers website for your uncooked porchetta ranging from 5 pounds ($75) up to 20 pounds ($300), available 24 hours after placing an order for pickup at the store. Oliviers will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

1192 Illinois St., San Francisco. oliviersbutchery.com

Tacos El Ultimo Baile

Oaklands Tacos el Ultimo Baile has an alternative for anyone looking to skip turkey this year. Owner Dominic Prado is smoking brisket in 12-pound ($250) and 6-pound ($125) sizes. The taqueria also has Mexican items like flour tortillas, tamales and refried beans available for preorder by payment through Venmo. Orders will be available for pickup on Wednesday all day and Thursday before 11 a.m.

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3340 East 12th St., Suite 11, Oakland. instagram.com/tacoselultimobaile

Lilian Duran of Clandestina Cocina prepares a Cuban sandwich at the West Oakland Farmers Market. She is offering Thanksgiving meal kits with Cuban flair. Colin Peck/Special to The Chronicle

Clandestina Cocina

Celebrate Thanksgiving with Cuban flavors from one of the Bay Areas specialists in this cuisine. San Leandros Clandestina Cocina offers trays of roasted citrus-marinated chicken ($150), roasted lechon ($150) and ropa vieja, braised flank steak in a tomato creole sauce ($160). These include sides like avocado salad and fried plantains, plus a dessert option of guava tres leches cake or coconut-filled pies.

16395 E 14th St., San Leandro. instagram.com/clandestina.cocina/

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KaoKao Grill

If smoked duck seasoned with Sichuan five spice sounds too good to pass up this Thanksgiving, Berkeleys KaoKao Grill has you covered. Orders for the whole ducks ($75), smoked in a blend of almond and cherry woods, are available for pickup on Thanksgiving Day. A meal kit add-on that serves four people ($25) includes 12 baos and julienned green onions with cucumbers.

2883 College Ave., Berkeley. instagram.com/kaokaoberkeley

Mago

Your Thanksgiving dinner could have loads of Latin American flavors this year. Oakland fine dining restaurant Mago is selling a meal kit ($250 per person) that includes a turkey breast with achiote and sour orange, stewed turkey legs and a charred green chile gravy. Sides include a jalapeno-wild mushroom cornbread, cranberry kumquat sauce and roasted vegetables with warm spices. A few pickup times remain for Wednesday.

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3762 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. magorestaurant.com

Chef Geoff Davis in the kitchen at his soul food restaurant Burdell in Oakland. Burdells Thanksgiving meal package includes a smoked whole turkey. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Burdell

Oaklands acclaimed soul food temple Burdell offers a Thanksgiving supper kit ($395) that feeds between six and eight. The package includes a smoked whole turkey and several sides like collard greens with ham hock and berbere, whipped potatoes, and a stuffing made with turkey sausage and cornbread. Add-ons include macaroni and cheese, country ham snack boards and a selection of pies from local favorite Ediths Pie. Pickup up for orders is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesday.

4640 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. burdelloakland.com

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3 Bottled Fish

Oakland Vietnamese restaurant 3 Bottled Fish will have three party trays ($180) to choose from: garlic noodles with grilled shrimp, oxtail ragu, and sticky rice with fish sauce ribs. Chef-owner Paulette Tran is also packaging her hit chicken liver pate, which she spreads on banh mi for extra richness, in 8-ounce ($12) and 16-ounce ($20) containers for your holiday snack boards. Order by calling the restaurant at 510-394-4509 before Sunday. Pickup and delivery is available on Wednesday and Thursday.

1924 35th Ave., Oakland. instagram.com/3bottledfish

Ernest

Preorders for deboned, stuffed turkeys filled with sausage are available from Mission District restaurant Ernest. These come poached and ready to finish at home in the oven in about 30 minutes. If youd like to make it a full meal, there are kits to feed four to six ($275) or eight to 10 ($480), which include green bean casserole, milk bread stuffing and Brussels sprouts with bacon jam. Orders can be picked up on Wednesday; select a time in advance.

1890 Bryant St., Suite 100, San Francisco. ernestsf.com

Napa favorite Contimo Provisions has sold out of its uncooked, deboned, stuffed turkeys, but will stock hams for the holidays. Kimberley Hasselbrink / Provided by Contimo Provisions

Contimo Provisions

Contimo Provisions, a Wine Country must for chicken Parmesan sandwiches and biscuits, also has offerings to help make Thanksgiving cooking easier. The wildly popular boneless turkeys  filled with a sourdough, pork sausage and mirepoix stuffing  sold out quickly. However, stuffed chickens ($75) packed with the same ingredients as the turkeys as well as hams are still in stock. For dessert, try a dozen ready-to-eat chocolate chip cookies ($24). Select a pickup time on Tuesday or Wednesday.

950 Randolph St., Napa. contimonapa.com

Saucy

Whole fried turkeys, kabocha mac and cheese, butter mochi cakes and garlic noodles with Wagyu or shrimp are all available for preorder from Old Oaklands Asian-inspired restaurant Saucy. The full dinner package ($175) includes mac and cheese and feeds around four. Pumpkin Basque cheesecake ($35) with salted miso caramel is available for dessert. Preorder by Saturday, Nov. 23.

468 Eighth St., Oakland. saucyoakland.com

Inside Eataly Silicon Valley in San Jose. The expansive market sells Italian-style meals for Thanksgiving. Constanza Hevia H./Special to The Chronicle

Eataly

Silicon Valleys palace devoted to Italian cooking has traditional plates for your Thanksgiving dinner; all you need to do is reheat. Trays of meat lasagna ($36.99) and a three-cheese penne ($32.99) each feed four. Tuscan-style boneless turkey breast ($49.99) flavored with fennel seed and sea salt, as well as sides like turkey gravy ($8.99), green beans with speck ($11.99) and porchetta stuffing ($16.99) are also available. Orders must be placed by Monday, Nov. 25.
In the wake of a break-up, theres a lot going on. Alongside big emotions  whether sadness, grief, regret or anger  there are often logistics to manage, like finding a place to live, telling friends and family and figuring out finances. In some instances, theres co-parenting to navigate and  heaven forbid  a decision to make around who gets the dog.

At the same time, there are also the demands of your job. Often your work remains separate to your personal struggles, but perhaps it doesnt have to.

Earlier this year, the Philippines parliament considered a bill that would introduce heartbreak leave, to give employees time off after a break-up.

Experts say heartbreak can be just as debilitating as an illness. Credit: Getty Images

If employees and businesses can find common ground in granting this leave, experts say theyll both benefit. So, is heartbreak leave likely in Australia? And how might it work?
The Sydney rail shutdown could be the most extensive stoppage the network has seen in years, with millions of passengers facing disruption should it go ahead on Friday.

But how will commuters be affected? And how did we get here in the first place?

Heres everything you need to know.

When will the trains stop running?

If the shutdown goes ahead, train services will stop from about 4.15am on Friday until 6am on Sunday.
It is the ultimate State of Origin divide but one in which NSW trumps Queensland on almost every measure from murder to robbery and even car theft.

A state-by-state analysis of crime rates, using Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, reveals NSW has the lowest rate of assaults of all states  beaten only by the ACT  while fewer houses are broken into in NSW than any state or territory in the country.

The Northern Territory has significantly higher rates of crime than any jurisdiction, where 4 per cent of residents reported being assaulted each year between 2021-23. That figure is 1.4 per cent in NSW.

The latest victimisation rate gives some indication of the work ahead of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, who has staked his leadership on being able to reduce it, on a per capita basis, within the LNPs first term.

The rate of physical assault in NSW is 70 per cent lower than in Queensland, while twice as many homes are broken into north of the border, a NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) analysis of the ABS data reveals.

The murder rate in Queensland was 29 per cent higher in 2023 compared to NSWs and theft was double that experienced in NSW last year. Robbery rates in Queensland are also double that of NSW.
Of course, given Reeces infamous zombie renderings incident in which AI renders from the Hassell architecture firm depicting Reeces planned new parks were populated by zombies, in a political snafu that went viral, it could be said the lord mayor needs no assistance in coming up with his own jokes. Guardianista departure Another day, another high-profile departure from Guardian Australias rapidly shrinking Canberra bureau. This time, its veteran photographer Mike Bowers, who presents the popular Talking Pictures segment during the ABCs Sunday morning political junkie power hour, Insiders. Bowers, a press gallery stalwart who previously worked for this masthead, had been with The Guardians local operation since its inception in 2013. Nearly as soon as CBD began making inquiries about his departure, Guardian Australia editor Lenore Taylor sprang into action to alert staff to the news. Im very sorry to let you know that Mike Bowers has decided to leave Guardian Australia to pursue his own photographic project, she said in an internal memo.

The latest rumour around the press gallery was that the progressive media outlet, known for its austerity approach to staff entitlement, was cutting back on Sydney-based Bowers trips to Canberra for sitting weeks, leaning on wire pictures from Australian Associated Press instead. But Taylor was quick to dispel this in a statement to CBD. Loading It was Mikes decision to leave Guardian Australia and we are very sorry that he is going. He has done brilliant work for Guardian Australia for more than a decade, she said. Your suggestion regarding use of AAP photographs is false. Had Mike stayed with us he would have continued the current practice of working in Canberra during most parliamentary sitting weeks. Glad thats settled then. Bowers declined to comment.

Meanwhile, theres been churn aplenty at The Guardians press gallery bureau since political editor Katharine Murphy jumped ship to Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses media team in January. Murpharoo was replaced by The Saturday Papers Karen Middleton. Since then, as reported by CBD, political live-blogger and writers festival favourite Amy Remeikis has defected to the Australia Institute. Foreign affairs and defence correspondent Daniel Hurst left soon after. Boy band If Tuesday night is anything to go by, silly season is in full swing. And its not even December. While the nations journalists were partying at the Walkley Awards in Sydney, one of the countrys most powerful lobby groups was flexing its muscles in the Great Hall of Parliament House. The Pharmacy Guild, which plays the Canberra game as well as any, hosted 400 people, including about 70 MPs and senators at its annual dinner. Among them were Health Minister Mark Butler and his shadow counterpart, Anne Ruston; Nationals leader David Littleproud; Labors assistant health ministers Emma McBride and Ged Kearney; former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack; and the man with the big hat, Bob Katter.
We bring you the stories of womens lives lost in Australia in recent years. Some of the cases featured are still before the courts.

For six weeks, Isla Bells face was plastered on electricity poles, street lights and bus shelters in Melbournes north. She became the teen everyone knew as missing  but to her loved ones, she was so much more.

Bell, 19, was someone who felt everything deeply. She had an intense awareness and empathy for the world around her; from plants, to music, art, fashion and her family and friends, who she spoke to with a palpable attention and kindness.

Isla Bell had dreams of being a marine biologist.

With her long red hair and knowing smile, she thrived snorkelling among colourful fish on the Great Barrier Reef, dancing at music festivals of all genres, and sitting by her uncle in the mountains, teaching him about edible plants and weeds, having worked at a nursery.

An amazing artist, permaculturalist, fashion designer and appreciator. She had the deepest empathy for all life forms, her mother, Justine Spokes, told The Age.
Digital giants such as Elon Musks X could be hit with fines of up to $50 million if they failed to follow proposed laws to block under-16s from tech platforms, fuelling the governments crackdown on social media.

As it moves to tamp down concerns about handing over identification to digital companies, the Albanese government will on Thursday put forward a world-first bill to ban younger teens from platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and others potentially including Snapchat.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, who says the proposals are geared towards protecting young people and letting parents know weve got their backs. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The bill has support from the Coalition, which first floated a ban earlier this year, but internet experts, civil liberties groups and libertarian MPs have expressed worry about limiting the rights of teens to experience social connection. Other groups such as mental health bodies have backed the planned changes.

Crucial details about the technology that would enforce the ban remain undecided. But ahead of the legislations introduction, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said fines of up to $50 million could be handed to companies that systematically breached the law.
Rio de Janeiro: A sudden end to the G20 leaders summit has left observers wondering what the meeting achieved after host country Brazil cancelled the key event meant to sum up its results.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva cancelled the final press conference two hours after it was due to begin amid doubts about outcomes on climate change and global hunger.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (front, second from right) at the final G20 photocall. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The summit ended without solutions to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, highlighting the gulf between the major powers in their last meeting before Donald Trump takes office as United States president.

This G20 summit will go down in the history books, one official told the Bloomberg news service. But definitely not as a shining example.
The Port of Hastings delay could also force the first years of wind farm construction to be based in other locations, possibly interstate. Loading Proponents of Victorias most advanced offshore wind proposal, Star of the South, have identified Geelong Port, and the Port of Bell Bay in Tasmania as potential construction sites alongside the Port of Hastings, depending on approvals and timing. NSW Ports has also pitched Port Kembla as a potential alternative. Victoria Energy Policy Centre director Bruce Mountain said there were few workarounds available to the state government.

They need a big port, and I should be surprised if they build [two gigawatts of wind farms] within two years, he said. Offshore wind has become a lot dearer than was expected when the policy was announced, so I think theres some wringing of hands as to quite what will pan out. Its not getting any easier. Mountain said any delays risked prolonging the life of coal-fired power stations. They bank on a lot of onshore wind and solar too, but that too is taking forever because of the opposition by the community to the VNI West transmission line that the energy market operator has been pushing.

Loading With so much of this energy transition stuff, policymakers need to as be fleet of foot as companies are in markets. They need to adjust to new information and not tie themselves down as rigidly. AGL plans to close the Loy Yang A power station in the Latrobe Valley by the end of 2035, up to a decade earlier than previously announced, and its Bayswater power station in NSW by 2033. The energy giant closed its Liddell power station in NSW in April last year. The company has not indicated there will be any changes to its plans or delays to the closure of its coal plants. A spokesperson for Alinta Energy, which operates Loy Yang B, said offshore wind was a new industry and it was not surprising that challenges remained, such as funding, supply chains and project timing.

Alinta is also working to develop its proposed one-gigawatt Spinifex offshore wind farm off Victorias south-west coast. The position were fortunate to occupy is that we have a highly reliable asset in Loy Yang B  the youngest coal-fired generator in the Latrobe Valley, operating at over 98 per cent availability  and one of Australias most advanced offshore wind projects in Spinifex, the spokesperson said. Were well-positioned to support Victorias transitionwhether by maintaining system stability with Loy Yang B or, in time, by using Spinifex to make a substantial contribution to Victorias renewables targets. The Port of Hastings delay has in part been driven by Tanya Pliberseks decision in January to reject environmental approvals for the project because of its impact on areas protected by the Ramsar convention, an agreement signed by more than 170 countries that pledges to promote wetlands conservation.

Loading Speaking to a parliamentary estimates hearing, state Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action secretary John Bradley said the Port of Hastings proposal would be resubmitted to Plibersek with more detail for her to consider. New environmental effects statement documents for the project, published on Tuesday, show differences between the application that was rejected by the Commonwealth and what is now being proposed. The newer proposal says the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal would require 18 hectares of land reclamation, compared with 29 hectares in the original. It also does not mention a 100-metre-long wharf. Maps also show a much smaller and detailed footprint for dredging near the protected wetlands, compared with the original 92 hectares of potential dredging area drawn over a large swath of water. A state government spokesperson said on Wednesday: Weve been laying the groundwork for the development of Australias first offshore wind industry here in Victoria.

We continue to work with the Commonwealth government on the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal and will provide an update on this progress in our next Implementation Statement. Opposition energy spokesman David Davis said the governments offshore wind plans had been affected by the delayed timeline for the Port of Hastings. Labor is now wedged through their own incompetence between the closure of a key coal plant in 2028 and delays in meeting their offshore wind targets for 2032, he said. The timeline to assemble offshore wind turbines at Hastings is now more than tight. It now looks unlikely, unless Labor sends the work, and jobs offshore, that is out of Victoria. The Australian Energy Market Operators latest connections scorecard reveals that in September alone, 3.5 gigawatts of wind, solar and battery projects were registered, surpassing the number registered in all of last year, when 2.4 gigawatts was registered.
Hong Kong: Media tycoon Jimmy Lai has denied using his relationships with senior US government officials to influence American foreign policy towards Hong Kong and China, as he took the stand for the first time in his high-profile national security trial.

It was the first time the 76-year-old, a pro-democracy advocate and renowned critic of Beijing, has been heard in public since his arrest four years ago on charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, and publishing seditious material.

Lai smiled and waved to family members as he entered the West Kowloons Magistrate Court in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Jimmy Lai pictured in 2020. Credit: AP

He has spent most of his time in custody in solitary confinement, and is facing possible life imprisonment under the Beijing-imposed national security law.
Harry Hatch, also known as Hatgikyriazis, a former director of Copper Strike, has been convicted for failing to disclose his full shareholdings and for submitting misleading documents to the ASX, corporate watchdog ASIC reported.
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus speaks at a news conference in September. County supervisors are considering a measure that would give them the power to remove her from office. San Mateo County Sheriffs Office

Regarding A sheriff is mired in scandal, sending shock waves across California. She refuses to step down (Crime, SFChronicle.com, Nov. 16): Sheriff Christina Corpus told the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, I answer to the people of this county who elected me. I say: Do the right thing and resign without creating further turmoil in the sheriffs office.

I voted for Corpus two years ago in the belief that a young Latina who had undoubtedly suffered the hard knocks of coming up through the ranks of local law enforcement would provide enlightened leadership as sheriff. Sadly, based on the conclusions of retired Santa Clara County Judge LaDoris Cordells report on Corpus, this is not the case.

I have known Judge Cordell since she was at Stanford Law School, and her intellect, judgment and ethics are beyond reproach; she was one of the most respected judges in the state.

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When an elected official, especially a woman, is accused of wrongdoing, one assumes that there are two sides to the story. However, reading the conclusions of Judge Cordell, it is clear that the sheriff should do the right thing for the people who elected her and resign.

Ron Romines, Woodside

Dems out of touch

Regarding I listened to hours of Gavin Newsoms podcast with Marshawn Lynch so you dont have to (Joe Garofoli, SFChronicle.com, Nov. 15): Columnist Joe Garofoli's diligent attention to Gov. Gavin Newsoms male-bonding outreach provides a welcome moment of hilarity amid a week of grim news.

Still, if my beloved Democrats were to select Newsom as de-facto national party leader, we would be repeating the same mistake we made with Bay Area native Kamala Harris  anointing a candidate who is not marketable outside of California.

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We are steadfast in our California values, particularly those that make the Bay Area great  reverence for nature, extending a welcome to newcomers, technological innovation, good food and wine.

But the Rust Belt is of another frame of mind, beaten down by the great evil of globalization.

Democrats need a Project 2028 to provide staunch support to candidates who can speak for those in the Heartland who feel economically and socially disenfranchised.

These voters have shown that in their anger and pain, they will choose techno-fascism rather than elect a woman of color president.

Amelia Marshall, Oakland

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Teaching adulthood

Regarding A Silicon Valley teacher used pronouns in a TK class. Parents demanded they go back in the closet  (Politics, SFChronicle.com, Nov. 18): A mother is quoted as saying educators need to remember, the children belong to the parents, not the teacher.

I disagree. While children do, of course, belong to parents, their futures as adults belong to all of us. Thats the justification for free-to-parents public education: Taxpayers fund it to raise educated citizens who can contribute well to our participatory government.

As taxpayers who fund that education, we deserve to have these children as well-educated as possible, despite the biases and bigotries of parents.

Kirsten Schwartz, Richmond

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Down for the cause

Regarding Protest vote failed (Letters to the Editor, Nov. 18): No, those of us who refused to vote for Killer Kamala or support Genocide Joe did not free Palestine, as letter writer Jan Weiss points out. That is a cause that will take decades.

But we did make clear we will not be willingly complicit with what we see as genocide, unlike apparently many of our fellow citizens.

And if Donald Trump brings the chaos many predict, so be it. Let us be consumed in fires of our own making. We deserve nothing less.

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Bernie Corace, San Francisco

Protect the coast

Regarding Think the California Coastal Commission can help build housing? Think again (Letters to the Editor, SFChronicle.com, Nov. 15): The California Coastal Commission was created when people realized that without protection, the states coast  one of its finest and most valuable assets  would be exploited, privatized and ruined forever.

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

Build affordable housing there? Yes, of course, just move it back 1,000 yards and you wont have a problem.

The letter writer recklessly normalizes opening the door to an eventual loss of that once-thought unimpeachable principle of coastal preservation.
ASICs permanent ban

In 2023, ASIC permanently banned Ridgway from participating in the financial services industry. According to ASIC, the decision was based on concerns over his lack of competency, likelihood of contravening laws, and unsuitability for financial services roles.
We keep hearing that international students are to blame for the housing crisis, but this does not reflect reality, said SAC executive director Torie Brown (pictured above). Rents began skyrocketing in 2020, when there were no international students arriving in Australia.
Diddys Ex-Bodyguard Breaks Silence Amid Explosive Rape Allegations, Prepares Defamation Lawsuit (Photo: Reckless Dream Photography/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY 2.0 )

Sean "Diddy" Combs, the prominent hip-hop mogul and founder of Bad Boy Records, finds himself at the center of explosive new allegations. In the recently released Hulu documentary "The Honorable Shyne," Combs' former bodyguard, Gene Deal, claims the music executive engaged in a ritual involving a bird sacrifice on the day of his 1999 nightclub shooting verdict. These allegations add to Combs' mounting legal challenges, as he currently faces charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.

The documentary, which premiered on November 18, revisits the life of Moses "Shyne" Barrow, a former protege of Combs who served a decade in prison for his role in the shooting. While Combs was acquitted of charges that could have led to a 15-year sentence, Barrow was convicted of assault and weapons charges. Deal's recollection of events casts a new and unsettling light on the circumstances surrounding Combs' acquittal.

According to Deal, Combs met a man in Central Park on the morning of the verdict. "When Puff got close to the guy, he just dropped down to his knees," Deal stated in the film. He described seeing smoke encircling Combs, which he believed to be sage. The man reportedly prayed over Combs and directed him to release a white bird from a cage. "Puff took this white bird and threw it up in the air, and the bird just fell to the ground, boom, like it was a brick," Deal claimed. "The bird died, man ... the bird didn't even move." Combs' legal team has not responded to these allegations.

The revelations have reignited discussions about the 1999 shooting case. Combs walked free, but Barrow, who has since become a politician in Belize, has long contended that he was unfairly made to take the fall for his former mentor. "All of Combs' evil ways are now 'coming to light,'" Barrow stated in the documentary. He expressed resentment at being left to "rot in prison" while Combs continued to enjoy success and wealth. In response, Combs issued a statement to Rolling Stone, categorically denying Barrow's accusations, describing them as "unequivocally false."

These fresh claims come at a critical juncture for Combs, who was arrested on September 16 and charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs, who maintains his innocence, is slated for trial in May 2025. His legal team has consistently argued that he is not guilty of any wrongdoing, despite an avalanche of accusations, including over 120 new lawsuits alleging various forms of misconduct.

The 1999 shooting incident remains a divisive episode in Combs' career. The confrontation at a Manhattan nightclub left multiple individuals injured, including a woman who sustained a gunshot wound to the face. The ensuing trial captured national attention, tarnishing Combs' reputation even as he was acquitted. Barrow, meanwhile, was convicted and deported to Belize upon completing his prison term, cutting short his rap career.

Deal's assertions have reignited interest in the case, prompting questions about what transpired behind closed doors. According to Page Six, Combs' representatives have not issued a comment regarding the documentary's claims.
UB awarded $3.5 million to address shortage of school-based mental health professionals in rural areas

From left to right, Alexander Rubin, Katie C. Stalker, Annahita Ball, Michael Lynch. Credit: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki, University at Buffalo.

Compared to children in metropolitan and urban areas, children in rural communities have higher rates of depression, suicidality and other mental health conditions. This program prepares our MSW students for the unique concerns found in these rural schools 

BUFFALO, N.Y.  A team from the University at Buffalo School of Social Work has received a $3.59 million Department of Education grant to develop and implement a fellowship program for graduate students designed to increase the number of highly trained, school-based social workers in rural communities.

The UB School of Social Work, in partnership with Erie 1 BOCES, will create the Buffalo Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) fellowship program. If selected for the fellowship, UB students pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree will receive intensive training and coursework in evidence-based practices meant to specifically address the unique mental health issues facing students and families in rural communities.

Rural schools face significant challenges meeting their students mental health needs because of staffing shortages, competing demands and the limitations of local mental health service systems, according to Katie C. Stalker, PhD, associate professor in the UB School of Social Work and the grants principal investigator.

Compared to children in metropolitan and urban areas, children in rural communities have higher rates of depression, suicidality and other mental health conditions, says Stalker. This program prepares our MSW students for the unique concerns found in these rural schools.

Fellows in the Buffalo MHSP program will have field placements across three Western New York counties in the Alden, Akron, Niagara-Wheatfield and Medina school districts, all of which qualify as high-need local education agencies.

A second component of the program, called UB STARS (Small Towns and Rural Schools), will recruit MSW students to UB from the grants participating rural communities who are interested in social work positions at their local schools, thus helping to grow the workforce pipeline from within each community.

UB STARS fellows will receive full tuition and fees support, a field placement stipend, reimbursement for travel to and from placements, and other covered expenses.

UB STARS addresses what has been identified as the rural knowledge gap, according to Annahita Ball, PhD, associate professor in the UB School of Social Work and the grants co-principal investigator. Alexander Rubin, clinical assistant professor, and Michael Lynch, clinical associate professor, both colleagues in the School of Social Work, will serve as co-investigators.

Since most social workers are trained in urban areas, and are from urban areas, theyre not adequately prepared to provide culturally appropriate services in rural schools, Ball says.

Over the course of the five-year grant period, 46 fellows will participate in the program, of which six will be UB STARS participants.

Adolescent mental health in the U.S., already a concern by 2019, was made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its a crisis of youth mental health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and schools can help reverse the alarming trends.

Research has suggested that family structure, drugs, poverty and stigma are contributing factors to mental health issues of students in rural, low-income communities. And the concerns are even greater for racialized youth or youth who are members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The higher rates of mental health issues were seeing in rural areas, compared with urban areas, is partly due to limited access to services, Ball says. There are fewer services, and those services are often far away.

Western New Yorks rural communities are also racially and ethnically diverse in ways that differ from urban areas and our students need to be able to better navigate these differences.
A group of migrants wait to be processed after crossing the Rio Grande on April 2 in El Paso, Texas. President-elect Donald Trump plans to use the U.S. military to assist in mass deportations. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

While many voters are undertaking prolonged soul-searching about the results of the election, the millions of individuals who are labeled undocumented or belong to mixed-status families in this country are preparing for the worst: mass deportation, detention and the separation of families.

Yes, even in California.

Immigrants have been a primary target of Donald Trumps presidential messaging. From his first announcement that he was running for the countrys highest office, in the Trump Tower lobby in 2015, he has run consistently (and twice successfully) on vilifying immigrants. His campaigns grotesque description of immigrants as pet-eating, disease-ridden and crime-causing individuals has dehumanized more than 51 million people in this country.

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We are already seeing the ramifications of Trumps victory. Last week, Trump announced Tom Homan, former interim U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, as his border czar. Both Homan and Trump have described specific efforts to enact the largest domestic deportation operation in American history, likely including workplace raids throughout the country. Much more than campaign bluster, CNN has reported that Trump has held meetings with private sector companies in recent days to put this action and mass detention of immigrants into swift effect after his inauguration. This week, the president-elect confirmed he intends to declare a national emergency and use the U.S. military to assist in mass deportations of immigrants.

Many may assume Californias sanctuary status will provide safe harbor for the more than 10 million immigrants residing in our state. But thats not a sure bet.

Although Gov. Gavin Newsom convened a special legislative session to Trump-proof Californias policies, the governor and the Legislature have not always been as immigrant-friendly as they might seem.

Newsoms actions in supporting immigrants have been inconsistent. Last year, for example, he vetoed a bill that would have prevented state officials from turning people over to ICE who earned release from prison. Likewise, in September, Newsom vetoed a bill that would have extended state-backed home loan opportunities to qualifying undocumented applicants. Add to these legislative inconsistencies the conservative county sheriffs who may feel emboldened to defy California policies, as noted by Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Given that 38% of Californians voted for Trump, and by extension, his anti-immigrant stances, the ability to rely on a unified community is also thrown out the window. Many of our communities are fractured when it comes to respecting the full humanity of immigrant neighbors, and coupled with the myriad legislative unknowns, means that immigrant families are not assured safety in the coming months.

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Trump is a threat to immigrants because, while America as a whole survived one term of his presidency, families and individuals did not. That first term included high numbers of deportations, deaths in detention, forced sterilizations and wide-reaching trauma. Given that, many people are asking questions like that of Jose Antonio Vargas, author of the acclaimed memoir, Dear America, who said on social media, What are you going to do  what are you willing to riskto protect your undocumented friends, classmates, and neighbors?

From speaking with our community members, we know that many are fearful of whats to come in January. And yet we also know the resiliency of these people, who shape and ensure this nation runs each day. They will fight to stay here, and it will be our job to stand and fight alongside them.

So how do we do this?

Members of the undocumented community will need to work with reputable legal support networks. As allies, all of us can spread information about the wide array of legal rights afforded to the undocumented community. These rights differ by state and also vary by California region. Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and United We Dream offer some useful national guidance around immigrant rights. Likewise, California-based resources like the Immigration and Deportation Defense Law Clinic at the University of San Francisco and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights will provide crucial local support. Helping investigate and share vetted information for our immigrant neighbors should always have been, but now must, be the responsibility of all Californians. If there is one bright spot in this dark moment it is that the danger to come requires us to learn and care for our neighbors right now.

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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

That people are fearful at this moment is understandable. But panicking will not help. As we saw from the election results  fear weakens. That is what allowed this country to elect Trump  by instigating fear about immigrants. Instead, now is the time to strengthen our support systems and make plans for worst-case scenarios.
Boomi, the intelligent integration and automation leader, announced today the winners of its 2024 Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) Partner Awards, recognized at the 2024 APJ Boomi Partner Summit held in Sydney, Australia. The awards this year acknowledge Atturra (ASX:ATA), LTIMindtree (NSE: LTIM, BSE: 540005), and Adaptiv as valued, forward-thinking partners that successfully leverage their Boomi relationships to accelerate business outcomes for customers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241119808304/en/

Boomi Announces 2024 APJ Partner Award Winners (Graphic: Business Wire)

The winners were selected based on how they have used the full capabilities of the Boomi Enterprise Platform to enable creativity and innovation, address complex challenges, and create positive environmental and social impacts for their customers.

"Our partners across the region are elevating Boomi's capabilities to new heights," said Jim Fisher, Vice President of Alliances and Channels, APJ at Boomi. "With their deep expertise, they are delivering integrated and more secure data environments that not only power automation but also enable data-driven decision-making and enhance customer experiences. This level of commitment is essential to the success of every digital transformation project, whether large or small. Our valued partners continue to lead the way, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to creating a more connected world and fostering greater collaboration across the technology industry.

These awards provide an opportunity for Boomi to honor our esteemed partners and celebrate their incredible work in deepening our brand and delivering on the Boomi promise, and we look forward to continuing this momentum of success with them  and all nominees  into an exciting year ahead.

The 2024 APJ winners by category include:

APJ Partner of the Year  Atturra

 Atturra Australia and New Zealand Partner of the Year  Atturra

 Atturra Asia Partner of the Year  LTIMindtree

 LTIMindtree APJ Growth Partner of the Year  Adaptiv

 Adaptiv APJ Services Partner of the Year  Atturra



Boomi offers end-to-end, intelligent integration and automation solutions that enable modern, digital organizations to accelerate business outcomes. The company serves more than 20,000 customers, has a growing user community of more than 250,000 members, and a worldwide network of approximately 800 partners.

To learn more about Boomis partner program, or to find a partner from Boomis global ecosystem, visit Boomi.com/partners.

Follow Boomi on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube

About Boomi

Boomi, the intelligent integration and automation leader, helps organizations around the world automate and streamline critical processes to achieve business outcomes faster. Harnessing advanced AI capabilities, the Boomi Enterprise Platform seamlessly connects systems and manages data flows with API management, integration, data management, and AI orchestration in one comprehensive solution. With a customer base exceeding 20,000 companies globally and a rapidly expanding network of 800+ partners, Boomi is revolutionizing the way enterprises of all sizes achieve business agility and operational excellence. Discover more at boomi.com.

 2024 Boomi, LP. Boomi, the B logo, and Boomiverse are trademarks of Boomi, LP or its subsidiaries or affiliates. All rights reserved. Other names or marks may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241119808304/en/
Internet terms and conditions pop-up boxes have been making headlines in recent months. Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

Have you ever signed a lengthy legally binding contract without consulting an attorney or reading the document in its entirety?

Almost certainly.

Most of us dont read the terms and conditions that pop up on apps and websites. You click a box that says I accept so that it goes away and you can proceed with whatever you were signing up to do or buy.

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Over the past month, there has been an exodus from X, the site formerly known as Twitter, partly in response to its updated terms. The mass migration to other social media sites  many to competitor Bluesky  continues a trend that began when Elon Musk took over Twitter in 2022. Some of the recent user migration was a response to Musks active role in getting Donald Trump elected as president. But many also objected to Xs new terms of service, which went into effect Nov. 15. The new terms say X can use peoples posts to train its artificial intelligence.

The pop-up boxes have made other headlines in recent months. This summer, lawyers for Disney filed a motion that a widower could not sue for wrongful death after his wifes fatal allergic reaction at a Disney restaurant  because he had agreed to an arbitration clause when he signed up for a one-month trial of its Disney+ streaming service. Disney dropped the motion after public pressure.

Lawyers for Uber made a similar argument in a case concerning a New Jersey couple who were seriously injured after a crash. The company said they had agreed to terms and conditions that included arbitration when they signed up to order pizza from Uber Eats in 2022. The couple said it was their 12-year-old daughter who had clicked I accept. A court of appeals sided with Uber.

And just this month, tech news website 404 Media reported on Secret Service emails that detailed an internal debate over whether the agency could track peoples locations without a warrant because those people had agreed to share location data when accepting some apps terms of service.

Arbitration clauses are growing more common

Asking customers to agree to terms of service is not a new thing for businesses. It predates the internet. But clauses like arbitration are becoming more common, said Karl Kronenberger, a partner at Kronenberg Rosenfeld LLP, which has litigated on behalf of both companies and consumers on this issue.

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Companies, especially financial institutions, want to bind people to arbitration because its quicker, its cheaper for them  by effectively making it so difficult to legally challenge them that its not worth it, Kronenberger said.

When you agree to arbitration, youre giving up your right to sue the company and have a jury and judge decide the outcome. Instead, an arbitrator  often a former judge or attorney  is assigned and hears from both sides, then makes a binding decision.

Terms of service can also dictate which states or countrys laws govern the terms. According to Kronenberger, companies typically seek to move litigation out of states with stronger consumer protection laws, like California. (Xs new terms of service state that lawsuits against the company must be filed in Texas.)

The terms can also limit how much money you can get in damages, and prohibit class-action claims  which means if the amount that was lost is small, it doesnt make sense (for an individual) to arbitrate it, Kronenberger said.

Often the terms are so onerous that no ones resolving disputes, he said. They just go unresolved.

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Pushing the boundaries

You cant just put anything you want into your terms. A company cant declare it gets your kidney and your firstborn child if you subscribe to watch Agatha All Along.

But companies are often exploring new frontiers of what customers can legally be bound to, said Jef Pearlman, a clinical professor of law and director of the IP and Technology Law Clinic at the University of Southern California. And when one company finds an advantageous clause that holds up in court, others often move in lockstep and add something similar to their terms, he said.

At the same time, if a clause goes too far, a judge could declare it unenforceable and invalidate the entire agreement.

Companies know no one is reading these. Judges and arbitrators know no one is reading these. Is this really how contract law is supposed to work?

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I am torn on this issue, because I think companies are taking advantage of terms and conditions to get a better position if theres ever a dispute with the customer, Kronenberger said. I think there is some overreaching.

But at the same time, he said, companies take a risk bringing a product or service to market, and binding consumers to terms and conditions controls some of that risk by deterring frivolous lawsuits.

Do consumers have any alternatives?

So what can you, the consumer, do? Its not realistic to expect people to sit down and read the entire terms of service every time they sign up for a website.

In the course of reporting this column, I was asked to agree to one popular news sites terms of sale, terms of service and privacy policy, which added up to 82 pages of text. A survey of the 13 most popular apps in the United Kingdom found it would take 17 hours to read through the terms and conditions for all of them.

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If you say you always read through every line of the terms and conditions, youre probably lying. A survey from ProPrivacy.com found 33% of respondents claimed they had thoroughly read an agreement before signing it. Only 1% actually had.

Even if you read the whole thing, there isnt much you can do about any of it, Pearlman said. These are contracts of adhesion, which means you enter into them without the chance to bargain their terms. Hiring a lawyer to tell Ticketmaster youd like to bargain terms before you buy Taylor Swift tickets will likely only result in you missing the Eras tour.

If youre signing up for a service where youll have money at stake, like an investment app or crypto trading platform, thats a good time to actually sit down and read the terms before signing up.

Even lawyers dont always do the reading. Pearlman said the last time he bought a new TV, he got a pop-up asking him to agree to the terms and conditions. It was page 1 of 129.

He said he clicked I accept and moved on.
Global leading IT firm FPT has announced a partner ecosystem of global pioneer technology organizations, including NVIDIA, SCSK, ASUS, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, VAST Data, and DDN Storage. This cooperative endeavor is to expedite AI factory development and operations in Vietnam and Japan.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241120048980/en/

Dr. Truong Gia Binh and senior leaders of FPT, along with representatives of NVIDIA, SCSK, ASUS, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, VAST Data, and DDN Storage, announced a partner ecosystem to promote the AI Factory in Vietnam and Japan. (Photo: Business Wire)

This partner ecosystem commits to combining expertise, resources, and networks to unlock FPT AI Factorys potential as a powerhouse for ever-growing AI innovation while reinforcing sovereign AI in Vietnam and Japan. To this end, the collaboration focuses on four key objectives: 1) Promoting the development and operations of AI Factories in Vietnam and Japan, following global standards; 2) Diversifying a portfolio of AI products and services; 3) Enriching human technical capabilities; and 4) Guarding data security and autonomy.

FPT also revealed the launch of FPT AI Factory in Vietnam and Japan, enabling businesses of all sizes to expedite AI innovation with priority access to premium solutions and features through an exclusive pre-order.

FPT AI Factory offers an all-inclusive stack for end-to-end AI development that leverages thousands of NVIDIA H200 and H100 Tensor Core GPUs with the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform, which includes NVIDIA NeMo. FPT AI Factory grants organizations, researchers, and innovators scalable GPU supercomputing to cultivate sophisticated AI solutions with faster time-to-market while safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining sovereignty. This suite also authorizes clientele to manage resources and processes expeditiously for large-scale AI and machine learning workloads, achieving up to 45% better total cost of ownership.

This flagship stack consists of four main product groups:

FPT AI Infrastructure offers enterprise accelerated computing cloud services with the latest technology, top performance, flexibility, and scalability to accelerate model development. Enterprises can enjoy first-rate infrastructure performance at a massive scale for most compute-intensive AI tasks. A unified management system with built-in security allows complete control over the AI computing environment and data throughout the development process.

FPT AI Studio is a trusted and inclusive platform that streamlines the AI creation process in a fast and safe manner. It provides a comprehensive set of smart tools to effortlessly explore, develop, evaluate, and deploy custom models enriched and differentiated with corporations large-scale data. That benefits businesses in creating cutting-edge AI applications from scratch without requiring deep expertise, securely simplifying operations, and improving AI efficiency.

FPT AI Inference is a robust platform that augments AI capabilities with a broad collection of high-performing models for immediate use. Businesses can leverage numerous foundational and FPT-developed models to rapidly fine-tune and deploy models tailored to industry requirements. They can also scale these models in terms of size and number of usages for unique applications hosted on NVIDIA-Certified Systems.

FPT AI Agents is a state-of-the-art platform to create and operate multi-lingual AI Agents fueled by the business knowledge base and custom models for specific tasks in customer service, corporate training, internal operations, etc. Developed on the powerful FPT AI Factory infrastructure with advanced generative AI cores, FPT AI Agents will enable businesses to unlock unprecedented productivity, take service quality to new heights, transform the workforce, and achieve borderless innovation.

FPT AI Factory is integrated with 20+ ready-to-use AI products, built upon Generative AI, for rapid AI adoption and instant results in elevating customer experience, achieving operational excellence, transforming the human workforce, and optimizing operating expenses.

FPT is now accepting exclusive advance orders for FPT AI Factory, letting corporate clients utilize the diverse product and service offerings of AI and cloud, earn cloud credit, and gain early access to premium features. Combined with customized consultation from seasoned AI and Cloud experts, enterprises in any industry can reinforce successful AI journeys with practical, high-value solutions.

Since its $200-million investment plan announced in April 2024, FPT has been working closely with NVIDIA to mobilize resources and dedicate to creating groundbreaking products, aiming to ignite profound changes, including customer service and workforce development. With the launch of FPT AI Factory, FPT is completing an end-to-end ecosystem comprising superior infrastructure, intelligent platforms, beneficial applications, and professional services, all designed to meet the dynamic demands of AI evolution.

Dr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman and Founder of FPT Corporation: AI factories are emerging as an essential foundation for the human and AI agent economy, representing a new transformative force in the digital landscape. Through the collaborative efforts to establish the omnipotent FPT AI Factory, we empower organizations, researchers, developers, and adopters to seize the full potential of AI, forming thousands of intelligent agents enriched and differentiated by the data, knowledge, and culture of every business and nation. Step by step, we redefine and perfect production relations between AI and humans, enhancing the competitiveness of every economy while promoting international integration.

Mr. Dennis Ang, Senior Director, Enterprise Business of ASEAN and ANZ Region, NVIDIA:

AI is reshaping nations and industries. Leveraging the full-stack NVIDIA AI platform, FPT is set to more efficiently scale its AI factory to support enterprises throughout the region.

Mr. Masaki Komine, Managing Executive Officer, General Manager, Products & Services Business Group, SCSK Corporation: We believe that we share the goal of fundamentally changing the digital environment with FPT. We value the spirit of co-creation and hope to build a long-term cooperative relationship with a passionate partner like FPT. Furthermore, we would like to utilize our cutting-edge AI infrastructure technology and knowledge gained from many years of system operation to tackle the challenges faced by customers and societies around the world, including Japan and Vietnam.

Mr. Jason Chung, Regional Director of East Asia and Indochina, ASUS: ASUS is one of the main partners of the NVIDIA Cloud Partner Program. With our experience in large-scale AI server deployment and operations, ASUS is excited to partner with FPT and NVIDIA in this pioneering venture. Together, we're empowering businesses in Vietnam and Japan to harness the power of AI. By fostering innovation and collaboration, were building an ecosystem that will ensure that no business is left behind in the AI era.

Mr. Narinder Kapoor, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of APAC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise: The era of AI has brought with it limitless possibility. HPE is committed to staying at the forefront of innovation to help customers embrace this new era. This launch marks a significant milestone in our collaboration with FPT and NVIDIA to enable enterprises in Vietnam, Japan and across Asia Pacific to harness the full potential of AI. We expect this initiative to accelerate AI adoption and bolster data sovereignty and security, which are critical for our customers in this digital age. We are excited to support this transformative journey and look forward to being part of this initiative supporting Vietnam as it transforms into a hub of AI innovation.

Mr. Sunil Chavan, Vice President of Asia-Pacific, VAST Data: Were thrilled to support FPT AI Factorys launch, which will help redefine how enterprises in Vietnam and Japan harness the power of AI. Today's enterprises are looking at how AI can help them extract real business value. To realize these benefits, they need scalable, reliable solutions that deliver clear returns on their capital investments. With VAST Datas robust infrastructure, were helping companies build flexible, compliant AI ecosystems that integrate seamlessly with existing environments and support a wide range of AI initiatives. This partnership allows businesses to make strategic, data-driven decisions with the confidence that they have a solution tailored to their complex needs.

Mr. Robert Triendl, SVP International and General Manager, DDN Storage: We congratulate FPT on the launch of FPT AI Factory, and we are very excited to have been selected as the performance data solution for this innovative GPU cloud service. DDNs AI solutions combine superior performance with minimal data center footprint to support the most scalable AI workloads today. We look forward to collaborating closely with FPT to build powerful new services for next-generation AI workloads, and we wish FPT great success in Vietnam, Japan, and the global market.

About FPT Corporation

FPT Corporation (FPT) is a global leading technology and IT services provider headquartered in Vietnam. FPT operates in three core sectors: Technology, Telecommunications, and Education. As AI is indeed a key focus, FPT has been integrating AI across its products and solutions to drive innovation and enhance user experiences within its Made by FPT ecosystem. FPT is actively working on expanding its capabilities in AI through investments in human resources, R&D, and partnerships with leading organizations like NVIDIA, Mila, AITOMATIC, and Landing AI. These efforts are aligned with FPT's ambitious goal to solidify its status among the world's top billion-dollar IT companies. For more information, please visit https://fpt.com/en.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241120048980/en/
A coalition of international organizations today launched high-level guidelines for public authorities seeking to harness open finance to accelerate digital financial services and innovation and increase usage of a broader range of financial products.

Alongside investment in digital public infrastructure, and ongoing efforts to reach the 1.4 billion people globally who still do not have access to a basic transaction account, open finance can be the next frontier for the growth of the financial services industry. 76% of the worlds population now have access to a financial account and open finance can expand their use and increase the benefits customers derive from financial services.

Her Majesty Queen Maxima, the United Nations Secretary-Generals Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA), said that as open finance becomes more prevalent, there is an opportunity to shape it in a way that benefits everyoneespecially those who have so far been financially excluded or underserved.

While we have made great strides in expanding access to financial accounts, much work remains to ensure that individuals are actively using and benefiting from a broad range of financial services that meet their complex financial needs, including savings and insurance products, said UNSGSA Queen Maxima. With appropriate data and consumer safeguards in place, open finance can play a transformative role in deepening financial inclusion and enhancing consumer financial health.

Open Finance done right could be a game changer, making it possible to bring financial services to people who traditionally have had none, said World Bank Group President, Ajay Banga. It could also be a boon for small businesses. Were working with countries to promote open finance and help us reach our goal of providing capital to 80 million more women entrepreneurs who currently have little access to it.

In an open finance system, the customer can give consent to a financial institution to share their data with other financial institutions without need for bilateral contracts. This reduces information asymmetry among institutions and fosters a more competitive market for new and innovative products, services and business models to emerge. This empowers customers, including women and micro and small enterprises (MSEs), to more easily compare and choose financial services providers and products, selecting those best suited to their individual needs.

Open finance can also bring new or enhanced risks. As more data is exchanged between financial sector providers, data security, protection, and privacy risk are heightened for consumers. The high-level guidelines therefore call on public authorities to adopt an approach balancing consumer protection with promoting innovation.

The entry of new financial players can boost innovation and competition, but it also creates regulatory challenges, said IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva. Competition may be at risk if dominant players from other sectors can access financial data without sharing their own. Public authorities will need to closely monitor the ecosystem to ensure it meets policy objectives.

Bank for International Settlements General Manager Agustin Carstens said, Open finance holds great promise for fostering innovation and competition, empowering customers and improving financial inclusion. But the benefits can only be realized if accompanied by adequate regulation and safeguards. This joint effort to outline the key considerations for open finance will contribute to the design and implementation of sound frameworks.

Known as the "Key Considerations for Open Finance", the development of these guidelines was led by CGAP in collaboration with the BIS, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Office of the United Nations Secretary-Generals Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA), and the World Bank.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241120979985/en/
Then-Rep. Matt Gaetz arrives to speak at the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 17. He has been under investigation for sexual misconduct and illicit drug use among other allegations since 2021. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/TNS House Ethics Committee Chair Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., departs a meeting of the committee on Tuesday, Nov. 20, in Washington, D.C. Committee members met to discuss the release of a report alleging sexual misconduct against former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., President-elect Donald Trumps pick for attorney general. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

WASHINGTON  A potentially explosive report about President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for attorney general wont be released for now  and possibly not ever  even as some Republican senators have pushed for access.

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida resigned from Congress on Nov. 13, the same day Trump announced him as his nominee to lead the Department of Justice. Presidential nominees typically dont resign their current elected office while awaiting Senate confirmation, as there is a risk that they may not be confirmed. Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, Trumps nominee for United Nations ambassador, is still a member of the House.

Gaetz is in a unique situation, however. He has been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee since 2021 for allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct, according to a June 18, statement from the committee.

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Gaetz has denied the allegations.

The committee voted against releasing its report Wednesday afternoon, according to CNN and Punchbowl News, even as some Republican senators called for its release. The committee had planned to vote on the reports release last week but canceled the vote when Gaetz abruptly resigned. A majority of the committee did, however, vote Wednesday to complete the report, Punchbowl News said. The committee will next meet in December.

A House Democrat plans to use a procedural maneuver to push for the full House to vote on releasing the report.

I dont think its necessary that we see that report, but its necessary we get the information  which will come out, and I think its in Mr. Gaetzs best interest for that information to come out early, rather than slowly leaking out, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters Wednesday.

Each reports release should be considered on a case-by-case basis, said Rep. Mark DeSaulnier of Antioch, one of only five Democrats on the 10-member Ethics Committee.

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Rep. Mark Desaulnier, D-Calif., arrives at a House Ethics Committee meeting where members discussed the release of a report alleging sexual misconduct against former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

DeSaulnier told the Chronicle on Wednesday after the committee meeting that the group typically takes a vote to complete the report when an investigation has concluded.

The committee could vote to send the information to the Senate if it chooses not to make it public, DeSaulnier said.

The quasi-judiciary process is confidential but not secret, DeSaulnier said, because the conclusion is made public.

If we stick with the process and have faith, things will be fine, he said.

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Now that Gaetz is not a member of Congress, the Ethics Committee no longer has jurisdiction over him. The committee has traditionally ended investigations when a member resigns, however, it has continued when a member resigns in scandal, including in the cases of former Reps. Don Lukens, Bill Boner, Mark Foley and Eric Massa and former Sen. John Ensign.

What makes this unusual is hes not leaving public office, so you could make an argument that his report should be released, DeSaulnier told the Chronicle on Tuesday, prior to the vote.

DeSaulnier said he supported releasing the investigation, because he believed it could also create more trust in Congress and the committee as institutions.

The Justice Department also investigated Gaetz for allegedly sex trafficking minors but closed the investigation without bringing any charges against him.

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Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 12:42PM

The wildly popular FREE PREVIEW on Hollywood Suite returns this year from December 1 to January 5, giving viewers across Canada unlimited access to all four of Hollywood Suites TV channels and Hollywood Suite On Demand on participating TV service providers.

The first season of the award-winning crime drama Kin will have its Canadian broadcast premiere December 7 at 9pm ET on HS00, with all eight episodes available on demand starting December 1. With a powerhouse cast including Daredevils Charlie Cox, Aidan Gillen, Ciaran Hinds, and Clare Dunne, Kin tells the story of a fictional Dublin family embroiled in gangland war and speaks to the enduring unbreakable bonds of blood. The second season of the series will be released on HS in January 2025.

Hollywood Suite original series A Year in Film also returns with five new episodes airing nightly at 9pm ET from December 9 to 13. The series goes back in time to explore artistic and technical achievements in film during 1968, 1972, 1981, 1996 and 2008.

The celebration continues with the 100th anniversary of legendary film studio Columbia Pictures! Every Sunday in December at 9pm ET, Columbia will take over all four Hollywood Suite channels with a specially curated collection of some of the most iconic films of the last 100 years.

Growing Pains | December 1

The Last Picture Show (1971)

Five Easy Pieces (1970)

The Way We Were (1973)

Stand By Me (1986)

The Karate Kid (1984)

La Bamba (1987)

Boyz n the Hood (1991)

My Girl (1991)

Postcards from the Edge (1990)

Riding in Cars With Boys (2001)

Attack The Block (2011)

Dope (2015)

Heart Pumping | December 8

Taxi Driver (1976)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Experiment in Terror (1962)

The Evil Dead (1981)

Fright Night (1985)

Christine (1983)

Bad Boys (1995)

Bad Boys II (2003)

Air Force One (1997)

The Equalizer (2014)

The Equalizer 2 (2018)

Panic Room (2002)

Big Laughs | December 15

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and the Love the Bomb (1964)

Guess Whos Coming to Dinner (1967)

Cat Ballou (1965)

Ghostbusters (1984)

Blind Date (1987)

Ishtar (1987)

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

So I Married An Axe Murderer (1993)

Blue Streak (1999)

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

White Chicks (2004)

The Whole Nine Yards (2000)

Feel Good Flicks | December 22

Funny Girl (1968)

For Petes Sake (1974)

Gidget (1959)

Annie (1982)

The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)

Look Whos Talking (1989)

Last Action Hero (1993)

Guarding Tess (1994)

Dick (1999)

Easy A (2010)

Charlies Angels (2000)

Ghostbusters (2016)

Award Winners | December 29

From Here to Eternity (1953)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Shampoo (1975)

Glory (1989)

Gandhi (1982)

84 Charing Cross Road (1987)

As Good As It Gets (1997)

Sense and Sensibility (1995)

To Die For (1995)

Somethings Gotta Give (2003)

Adaptation. (2002)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Viewers can see what else will be playing and find out how they can check out Hollywood Suites Free Preview by visiting hollywoodsuite.ca.





ABOUT HOLLYWOOD SUITE

Hollywood Suite owns and operates four exclusive HD channels featuring the iconic movies that defined the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s, plus essential Hollywood classics from the Golden Age, always uncut and commercial-free. With hundreds of movies every month on four HD channels and Hollywood Suite On Demand, Hollywood Suite provides unparalleled value to consumers.

Hollywood Suite is available to over 10 million households across Canada, exclusively through Canadian television service providers and Amazon Prime Video Channels.
Shira Stein is the San Francisco Chronicle's Washington correspondent, covering California's role in national politics and policy from the nation's capital. She writes about issues that matter to California residents  like housing, abortion and LGBTQ rights  and California's influence on Congress and the White House. She was the primary chronicler of the last year of Sen. Dianne Feinstein's life, including her health, familial financial feud, and death.

Shira was born and raised in the Bay Area and now lives in Washington, D.C. She joined the Chronicle in 2022 after spending four years as an award-winning health care reporter for Bloomberg Law, where she was key in its coverage of the Covid-19, the fall of Roe v. Wade and health costs. She is a graduate of American University and interned at the Washington Post, Bloomberg Law and the Colorado-based Durango Herald.
A MENTAL health epidemic within the rural community, stoked by taboos which inhibit farmers from discussing their private anxieties, has prompted a local clergyman to take action.

Rev Lester Scott has organised a mental health awareness night targeting farmers this Thursday, 21 November, in Myshall Community Hall at 8.30pm. The night is non-denominational and all are very welcome.

The awareness night will consist of workshop discussions aimed at addressing the mental health crisis within the agricultural community, alongside the prevailing stigma associated with it. A wide range of professionals with expertise in this area will be in attendance, including a local GP, a spokesperson from the Samaritans along with farmer and founder of advocacy group Awareness Head to Toe Graham George.

Rev Scott was motivated to host the workshop after meeting a number of local farmers with poor mental health who, through a combination of pride and societal stigma, have found it challenging to speak out about their ordeal.

On my rounds, I find that there is an awful lot of anxiety out there in the farming community. Its a very isolated occupation. Farmers are out working very long hours, theyre under a lot of pressure these days and theyre struggling, said Rev Scott.

Its there in the general population, too, of course, but most of my parishioners would be farmers and theres a private angst and turmoil thats going on within farmers especially thats not really being addressed or talked about in society, he added.

The reverend recounts one such incident whereby he received a call from a local farmer who, due to pressures relating to the prospect of a tractor repossession, was on the verge of committing suicide. He had phoned the minister to ask him to explain his reasoning to his family, but thankfully the minister managed to convince him not to take his life and the farmer has since made a good recovery.

We want to get people talking, to raise the subject to a level where it wont be so much a taboo anymore to tell people that youre not feeling well in your emotions, said Rev Scott.

As impossible as a problem might seem to oneself, when you talk to someone, its amazing how your perspective can change. I know it sounds trite, but theres an awful lot of truth to the expression a problem shared is a problem halved.
By David Young, PA

Centre-left parties must co-operate on environmental issues post-election to pressure the next government to adopt ambitious and radical measures on climate change, Ivana Bacik has said.

The Labour Party leader expressed concern that Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein have stepped away from measures to drive down emissions amid their fears that such policies could be damaging electorally, particularly in rural and farming communities.

Ms Bacik said one of Labours first moves after the election would be to approach the Green Party and other like-minded TDs to establish a critical mass within the Dail that is advocating for bolder steps on climate action.

Launching her partys election policies on climate and the environment, Ms Bacik said Ireland was on course to miss its 2030 target to halve carbon emissions, a failure that would see the Government hit with billions in EU fines.

Speaking to reporters beside the Grand Canal in Dublin on Tuesday, the Labour leader said it was important to bring communities on the journey towards net-zero and ensure there was a just transition away from fossil fuels.

We are conscious and concerned that the three biggest parties cannot be trusted to deliver the necessary urgent and ambitious actions, she said.

And certainly in the (RTE) debate last night we were not encouraged by what we heard from other leaders.

We need to see a really sustained programme of investment in measures to tackle climate change and that is why we are proposing a really significant package  16 billion over five years, to include money to fund what we have described as a national retrofit revolution, 2.5 billion from the Apple [tax] windfall to fund an area-based roll-out of retrofitting.

People in communities, households and families want to do more on climate [but] they are not being supported sufficiently, and that is why we are looking for a just transition that supports lower energy bills, but crucially also to reduce emissions and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

Ivana Bacik ahead of the RTE general election debate. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

Ms Bacik insisted climate action was not the preserve of any one party or political movement.

She added: After the election is over and the people have spoken, the first thing I will do is go to the leaders of the Green Party and indeed other centre-left parties that share our vision and other centre-left groupings, because we want to ensure theres a critical mass of TDs in the next [Dail] that will shape the next governments policy, that will ensure we take the sort of ambitious and radical measures that weve set out here in this programme.

So we want to see a green vision, an environmentalist vision, and a social democratic vision inform and impact and shape the next government.

Ms Bacik continued: We are uniquely placed to put forward a really serious and credible programme of change that will bring communities with us towards that just transition, but we absolutely want to work with as many others as possible that share that vision.
By David Young, PA

The Taoiseach has insisted his party has not been forced on to the back foot by controversies that have emerged during the election campaign.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris was asked whether scrutiny of Ryanair boss Michael OLearys comments about teachers at a Fine Gael event and a furore over the candidature of senator John McGahon had stalled the partys momentum.

Mr OLeary faced criticism for saying he would not hire teachers to get things done at a Fine Gael candidate launch event at the start of the campaign.

The remark drew laughs from the gathered Fine Gael faithful  something that has been highlighted by rival parties.

In recent days, other parties have also called on Mr Harris to distance himself from Co Louth election candidate Mr McGahon.

Mr McGahon, a Fine Gael senator, was found not guilty of assaulting a man outside a Dundalk nightclub in a criminal case two years ago but a High Court civil action earlier this year found him liable, with Mr McGahon ordered to pay damages.

He was found 65 per cent liable and ordered to pay 39,000 for his role in the incident in 2018.

A photograph of the complainants injuries was printed in a Sunday newspaper while footage of the altercation has been circulating on social media.

Canvassing in Co Roscommon on Tuesday, Mr Harris was asked whether the issues had pushed him and his party on to the back foot.

I dont think that at all, he replied.

Im really enjoying this campaign to be quite honest, (I am) getting a lot of energy from talking to people across the country and hearing people very responsive.

Simon Harris canvassing on a visit to Carrick-On-Shannon in Co Leitrim (Liam McBurney/PA)

And I say this very respectfully, but as I travel around the country we hear people raising the issues that matter to them in their lives, in their community and their family.

Issues around housing, issues around cost of living, a lot around cost of living small businesses, farmers worried about their viability in terms of the future of the family farm, rural regeneration.

So the real issues, the bread and butter, I suppose, issues of this election campaign, and Im looking forward to continuing those conversations.

Mr Harris said he welcomed being asked about Mr McGahon in the first televised debate of the campaign on RTE on Monday night.

Im very grateful that it was raised last night because it gave me an opportunity to, I suppose, very clearly say to the Irish people that if John McGahon had been convicted of a criminal offence, John McGahon wouldnt be a Fine Gael candidate, but he wasnt, he said.

He put forward a defence of self-defence, that was accepted by a jury of 12 men and women, and he was acquitted of the criminal charge. He paid, quite rightly, a hefty financial penalty in a civil court. I think thats appropriate. He was democratically selected to contest the election in Louth and now it will ultimately be up to the people of Louth to decide who they wish to represent them.

On the campaign in Co Cavan, Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin expressed surprise that Fine Gael continued to stand by the candidacy of Mr McGahon.

Micheal Martin speaking to reporters in Co Cavan (Liam McBurney/PA)

I did see the video, I think it was quite shocking, and the level of violence was unacceptable and there seemed to be consistent blows to the head, which can be very dangerous, as we know, he said.

The victim here did suffer severe facial injuries, as we have seen now from the photographs that are going round.

He added: I am surprised at the continuing support for Senator McGahon, but its a matter now for the people in Louth to decide, theres an election coming forward, hes on the ballot paper.

My view is, and I was asked if a similar thing happened in our situation I dont believe he would be a candidate for Fianna Fail if we had, you know, similar access to the videos and so on like that. Its a very vicious scene to witness.

Speaking at an environmental policy launch event in Dublin, Labour leader Ivana Bacik said: I think the Taoiseach has questions to answer about the ongoing candidacy of somebody who has been found civilly liable of contributing significantly to very serious injuries that we saw only for the first time disclosed on Sunday.

Social Democrats deputy leader Cian OCallaghan said he was disappointed that Mr Harris had sought to defend Mr McGahon during the RTE debate.

It really is sending out the wrong message, I think, to people in this country in relation to violence, he said.

I am calling on the Taoiseach to stop that defence of that candidate and at this stage Fine Gael should be withdrawing that candidate.
High Court reporters

The State has lodged an appeal against a High Court decision holding that the failure to provide for the basic needs of homeless asylum seekers is a breach of their fundamental rights.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) on Tuesday confirmed the States appeal was lodged with the Court of Appeal.

The commission issued its challenge in December of last year after the Government announced for the second time that it could not accommodate all single adult male arrivals amid unprecedented pressure on services.

At that point 259 adult male applicants were awaiting an offer of accommodation. This figure now stands at 2,987, according to Department of Integration figures.

In a statement on Tuesday, IHRECs head of legal, Michael ONeill, said the number of unaccommodated applicants has continued to rise and the situation continues to be a humanitarian emergency.

Once again, so many are facing into an Irish winter without accommodation and we are cognisant of the deteriorating weather conditions in the coming days, he said.

Mr ONeill said it is imperative that every person seeking international protection in Ireland has their basic needs met, including accommodation, food and access to medical care and hygiene facilities.

Lawyers for the State-funded IHREC last month complained to the High Court that the Government had failed to address the points made in the August judgment.

Counsel for the Minister, Ireland and the Attorney General submitted that the situation for newly-arrived male asylum seekers had improved considerably in the preceding months, with the States International Protection Accommodation Services able to offer accommodation to everyone who was actively rough sleeping.

In the courts August decision, Mr Justice Barry ODonnell ruled that the States response to the needs of unaccommodated asylum seekers was inadequate to the point of breaching the mens right to human dignity as set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.

This well-established fundamental right includes receiving an adequate living standard that guarantees their subsistence and protects their health, the judge said.

IHRECs case, brought on behalf of a cohort of homeless asylum seekers, followed on from a High Court decision delivered in April of last year which found the State breached its obligations to accommodate an Afghan asylum seeker.

His rights were breached, the court also held, saying a 28 voucher and the addresses of private charities in lieu of accommodation did not come close to what is required by the European Union (Reception Conditions) Regulations of 2018.

In response, the State raised the weekly expenses payment to those left homeless by 75 and made formal arrangements with charities to provide food and hygiene facilities.

IHRECs subsequent case contended the 113.80 weekly allowance was still insufficient as it did not enable the men to source alternative shelter. The State parties argued the changes brought them into line.
Louie Hammonds of Urban Alchemy talks to a distressed person on Market Street. The nonprofit said it might have to lay off hundreds without additional funding from the city. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

A battle is brewing in San Francisco City Hall after a key city nonprofit warned it could be forced to lay off more than 300 street ambassadors in the Tenderloin and Mid-Market if it doesnt get more funding in the next few weeks.

The Mid-Market Business Association and Foundation  which holds the Urban Alchemy contract  is asking for the Board of Supervisors to authorize $7.7 million in spending to avoid layoffs at Urban Alchemy, which for years has provided ambassadors to clean the sidewalks and calm chaotic streets.

But Board of Supervisors budget chair Connie Chan is holding up the funding, arguing that Urban Alchemy was allocated $16 million in June for the year, and she doesnt want to give more money without seeing performance metrics or hearing an explanation of why it is overspending.

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The funding dispute comes amid looming budget cuts in San Francisco driven by a nearly $1 billion two-year shortfall primarily due to rising costs, sluggish tax revenue from the citys struggling downtown, and the slow recovery of the tourism industry. The city is likely to face painful cuts to essential services in the years ahead.

Daniel Lurie, the incoming mayor, will have to craft a budget that trims spending while still tackling homelessness, public safety, clean streets and other basic functions.

Urban Alchemy CEO Lena Miller urged Chan to schedule a Dec. 4 vote to fund the organization and avoid layoffs.

The reduction of our core services would jeopardize the lives and livelihoods of over 300 community ambassadors who are primarily people of color who were formerly incarcerated and homeless, Miller said. And it will significantly impact public safety, cleanliness and the economic vitality in the neighborhood.

The $7.7 million would come from the general fund. Urban Alchemy needs the money because it has been overspending its budget after Mayor London Breed authorized expanding coverage to Willow Street and increasing service hours until 11 p.m. along Market Street in recent months, according to the mayors office.

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Breed said in a statement that Urban Alchemy workers are the exact kind of people we are trying to help in this city  offering jobs to those seeking a second chance in life.

Theyve done incredible work, and they are on the streets every day changing the conditions of the Tenderloin, Breed said. Killing this funding is a catastrophe for the neighborhood, and its awful for the hard-working Urban Alchemy employees. This must be fixed now.

But in a memo sent to the city controller Tuesday, Chan asked the office to audit Urban Alchemys contract to find out why it overspent its funding, how many people are employed under the contract and whether the city has measured the contractors performance.

Chan said the information will be critical as we consider next years budget and to determine whether we could or should consider alternatives, such as increasing money for police staffing, expanding the retired police ambassador program, or exploring a retired deputy sheriffs program.

When this contract was originally before the Budget Committee in 2022, our office held extensive conversations ... with a goal of winding down this pandemic-era contract, Chan said in the memo. Chan said the agreement was supposed to end in June 2025 with an agreement to fund the first fiscal year of 2023-2024 at $24 million and the second fiscal year of 2024-2025 at $16 million.

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Despite previously agreeing to the original budget, should this amendment pass, we will have increased this contract to $68.8 million, Chan said, referring to the total spent since Urban Alchemy began working with the city in 2018.

Chan said in a statement that its her job as budget chair to safeguard against further wasteful spending of the current administration and ensure the incoming administration has the funding necessary to deliver the results San Franciscans have elected them to do.

The Mid-Market Foundation has spent all its annual budget of $16 million in just the first three months of this fiscal year, and now, because of their lack of spending control and planning, people are at risk of being laid off, she said. I will get to the bottom of this.

In the meantime, Chan said she is working with Supervisor-elect Bilal Mahmood to ensure residents, small businesses and workers are not negatively impacted. But an Urban Alchemy spokesperson told the Chronicle that unless Chan schedules a Budget and Finance Committee meeting to approve the additional funds by Dec. 4, hundreds could be laid off.

A WARN letter  a 60-day notice to the affected employees as well as state and local representatives before a mass layoff  sent to Breed on Tuesday said about 311 employees could be let go as soon as Jan. 17.

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The letter says all affected employees have been provided with at least 60 days notice, and affected employees will continue to receive pay and benefits through their employment termination date.

In her memo to the controller, Chan said Urban Alchemy told her 150 to 322 workers could be laid off.

Although the board did not consider the funding during its Tuesday regular meeting, dozens of Urban Alchemy staff showed up en masse to City Hall in protest of the potential cuts. When the board was suddenly interrupted by a fire alarm, supervisors walked out of City Hall to find the front steps filled with chanting Urban Alchemy staff members.
Louise Walsh

A brave teenager whose curvature of the spine went from seven degrees to a severe 94 degrees within six months says she thinks she is 'incredibly lucky' that a nurse spotted her scoliosis when she went into hospital for tonsillitis.

Danielle Millar received her spinal diagnosis by chance when the astute nurse noticed a slight curve and sent her for an x-ray while she was receiving treatment for her ENT (ear, nose and throat) problems last year.

Incredibly, the 14-year-old had put previous back pain down to carrying a heavy school bag.

Danielle, who is from Ardee, Co Louth, endured a ten and a half hour operation to get spinal fusion rods inserted in her back just two weeks ago and is already back on her feet.

However, the selfless young woman says she feels sorry for all those with scoliosis who are suffering daily while waiting for their number to be called on a lengthy waiting list.

"I've always had problems with my ears and throat and was admitted in August 2023 to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda with tonsillitis," she said.

"While I was there, a brilliant nurse noticed a curve on my spine and sent me for an x-ray which showed a seven degree curve in my spine.

"I had been having some back and rib pain but I thought I just had a naturally large rib cage and I put the back pain down to walking to school with a schoolbag on my back."

Danielle's scoliosis progressed rapidly and within six months, her spine had a curve of 94 degrees, making her a top priority among surgeons.

"I was told that the progression may be due to puberty and the related growth spurt at that age. If I was at a disco or walking around for a long time, the pain would become really bad, but I must have a high pain threshold because doctors were surprised I was not in more agony."

14-year-old Danielle Miller from Louth.

Scoliosis diagnosis

"I still have pain after the operation, mainly internally, but it is getting better, and I'm able to walk around the block, though walking upstairs is pretty tiring.

"I think I'm very lucky though. A lot of people are on a waiting list for years and have to suffer all that pain. I'm grateful to have had the operation within a year of being diagnosed and that's the way it should be for everyone.

"I think everything happens for a reason and I was meant to get tonsillitis and meet that nurse. I went into hospital with tonsillitis and came out with a scoliosis diagnosis."

Her parents, Christopher and Kelly say they are incredibly proud of their daughter and very thankful to the medical team.

"She always suffered from ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) problems. She never had any back problems before this," said Christopher.

"Only for that nurse noticed the curve, Danielle might have been much further on and in more pain before she was diagnosed. She went for a follow-up consultation but then we did not hear from anyone for six months.

"Eventually, after I contacted various politicians, we got another appointment where it was explained that the hold-up was to do with new halo traction chairs which had to be imported from Switzerland."

Halo-gravity traction is used to help treat scoliosis and other spinal conditions. It involves attaching a metal ring, known as a halo, to a child's skull and then pulling the skull and spine upwards to slowly stretch the spine and try to straighten the curve.

"She was in a halo chair for six weeks, and they increased her 'halo' by one kilogramme every 48 hours until the maximum of 18kg , which is the weight of a three-year-old child. Eventually, the traction pulled her spine almost straight and qualified her for the operation.

"And then just two weeks ago on November 6th, she went through a ten and a half hour operation to have spinal fusion rods fitted.

"The staff at Temple Street were wonderful. I can't thank Mr Michael Dodds and his team enough. They don't get enough credit for what they do. I would love to thank the male nurse, whose name I didn't get, who spotted her curve in the first instance.

"Danielle has been through the mill in the last year, and she is still smiling. She is an amazing young woman," Christopher said.
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Iranian domestic cement sales contracted 2.5 per cent YoY to 5.919Mt in October, down from 6.070Mt a year earlier, according to the Iranian cement association.

Contrastingly, producers manufactured 6.607Mt of cement and 7.247Mt of clinker, increases of 3.4 per cent YoY and 4.6 per cent YoY respectively, when compared with October 2023.

A total of 1.215Mt of cement and clinker were exported in October, an increase of 6.6 per cent YoY, bolstered by higher cement exports, which rose 30.4 per cent YoY to 612,860t. Meanwhile, clinker exports fell 10.1 per cent YoY to 602,141t.

January-October 2024

In the first three quarters of 2024, cement consumption in Iran slipped 1.8 per cent to 53.479Mt, down from 54.480Mt in the same period of 2023.

Cement production totalled 57.815Mt, up one 7.6 per cent YoY from 57.270Mt in January-October 2023. Clinker production was 59.472Mt, down 3.5 per cent YoY from 61.650Mt.

Cement and clinker exports totalled 10.789Mt in the January to October period, down 5.3 per cent YoY from 11.398Mt in the same period of 2023. Cement exports increased to 4.922Mt over the period, up 23.1 per cent YoY from 3.997Mt, while clinker exports were down 20.7 per cent YoY to 5.867Mt from 7.401Mt.

Iran is the fourth most important cement exporter globally, after Vietnam, Turkey and Germany. Furthermore, despite the downturn in clinker exports since 2021, Iran is the fourth most important clinker exporter globally, after Vietnam, the UAE and Indonesia.

Despite economic sanctions exports are forecast expand heading forward, with sales directed mainly to Bangladesh, Iraq, Kuwait, India and Russia. The weaker Iranian rial and improving economic prospects in export markets will support demand for Iranian cement and clinker.
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Ultracem management met with the President of the Republic of Guatemala. Members of Ultracem's management team, both from the corporate and the operation in Guatemala, had an audience last Friday with His Excellency the President of the Republic of Guatemala, Bernardo Arevalo, at the National Palace.



During the hearing, Ultracem representatives commented to the president about the important investment of US$40m new cement plant that will allow the company to become an important player in the construction of infrastructure in the country. The occasion was taken to invite President Arevalo to visit the plant, located in the department of Escuintla.



He was also told of the importance of promoting an environment of competition that fosters a greater generation of sources of employment and economic development for the country.




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Al Jouf Cement Co is investing in a 22MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) plant. Engie, located in the south of Turaif Governorate, will supply the equipment and will manage all aspects of the projects design, performance and maintenance.

This partnership reflects Engies dedication to transforming the regions energy landscape and advancing industrial sustainability through innovative renewable solutions, said the company in a statement.

According to Engie, this strategic project is key to advancing Saudi Vision 2030s renewable energy goals, supporting emission reductions, and promoting sustainable energy adoption in the industrial sector.

Spanning over 420,000m2, the solar PV installation will provide efficient, on-site power generation designed to decarbonise Al Jouf Cements operations, lowering its carbon footprint over the projects 25-year lifespan.

Al Jouf Cement CEO Abdulkarim M Al Nuhayer said: By integrating this 22 MWp solar plant into our operations, we are not only enhancing our energy resilience but also reaffirming our commitment to environmental stewardship for a better future for Saudi Arabia," he added.
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Taiwan Cement (TCC) invited over 100 construction companies to announce the establishment of the "Low Carbon Construction Building Alliance" on 18 November 2024.

Over the past year, TCC and its customers have collectively reduced 146,000t of carbon emissions in the construction industry by using low-carbon building materials, the company said. Chair Chang An-ping noted the company has shipped more than 800,000m3 of Portland limestone cement this year and has signed orders for 2.5Mm3, according to Central News Agency.

Portland limestone cement contains 515 per cent limestone, offering performance comparable to traditional concrete while reducing the carbon footprint by 10 per cent. While many companies sell assets to offset their carbon footprints, Chang emphasised that Taiwan Cement cannot take this route since its core product, cement, is essential for the construction industry. Demand remains high despite the push for greener alternatives.

TCC introduced Portland limestone cement in October 2023, achieving a 15.4 per cent carbon reduction with the product. Chang added that the companys next-generation Portland cement could achieve an additional eight per cent reduction, lowering the total carbon footprint by 23.83 per cent.

The company aims to exclusively sell low-carbon cement and concrete by 2026, aligning its strategy with the Global Cement and Concrete Association's (GCCA) latest definition of low-carbon concrete announced at COP29 on Monday.

Chang highlighted that TCCs carbon reduction rate already surpasses the governments recommended standard for low-carbon cement by 53 per cent. He expressed pride in the companys leadership in producing low-carbon cement in Taiwan.
Pedestrians use the crosswalk along 19th Street at Valencia Street in San Francisco in 2023. A new law prohibits drivers from parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk, in an attempt to improve safety by keeping pedestrians visible to traffic, known as daylighting. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle 2023

San Francisco drivers will soon face fines if they park within 20 feet of marked or unmarked crosswalks thanks to a new California law  but city officials say they dont have the money to paint every affected curb red.



The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency said the daylighting law will take away about 5% of the citys parking spaces, which totaled 275,500 on-street spots, based on 2014 data.

City officials confirmed Tuesday that they will only focus on painting red curbs around schools to improve the visibility of kids crossing the street, but that leaves thousands of spots without any marking. That means the citys drivers will have to be vigilant about where they can and cant park or face a $40 ticket starting Jan. 1.



The SFMTA said Tuesday that it had issued more than 375 warnings since Nov. 11. The agency is not tracking where enforcement officers are ticketing drivers. The law only targets the area thats 20 feet from crosswalks on the approaching side of the street.

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We are conducting outreach to ensure communities and businesses know what to expect when Californias Daylighting Law (takes effect). Our public education campaign will remain ongoing to remind residents about AB 413 and citations that start Jan. 1, 2025, SFMTA spokesperson Michael Roccaforte wrote in an email. Citations will carry fines of $40 where curbs are not painted red and keep the same fine of $108 where curbs are painted red.

San Francisco drivers will soon face fines if they park within 20 feet of marked or unmarked crosswalks thanks to a new daylighting law to protect pedestrians. Michael Short, Special to The Chronicle / Special to The Chronicle A pedestrian crosses Geary Street near Japantown Peace Plaza in 2021. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

The SFMTA said it plans to paint curbs red where there are active meters, but officials did not say whether the agency would remove or cover the meters. San Diego has already started pulling out meters.



Supporters of the law argue that daylighting intersections makes it easier for cars to see pedestrians crossing the street and for pedestrians to see cars. They say it will boost street safety in a city that has failed to meet its own Vision Zero goals to prevent traffic deaths, though some supporters say the state should have given cities funding to properly comply with the law.

The law already is enraging some drivers who have taken to social media to voice their complaints.



Madison Kane, a Western Addition resident, wrote on social media site Nextdoor that drivers are being squeezed off SF streets not just by the new daylighting law but also by the citys bike and pedestrian-friendly policies.



The result is that people who need or want to drive and who are CONSUMERS are being forced off city streets and MUNI is not the alternative we are seeking, she posted. We need to protect parking spaces, not eliminate them or it will cost the city in other ways.



Kane  who runs the hoarder cleanup company Results At Last  told the Chronicle in an interview that shes lived in the city since 1977 and never had trouble parking her car near her home until four years ago. She said the SFMTAs push to install bike lanes, create Slow Streets and eliminate car traffic on Market Street have made it tougher for drivers.



Theyre killing me as a driver, she said, referring to the difficulty of finding parking when shes visiting clients. What theyre doing is killing commerce and trade.



Jane Evan wrote on the site that the law would make parking in SF, formerly challenging, close to impossible.

Neil Okamoto posted on Nextdoor that he saw firsthand why the new daylighting law is needed. He said he was crossing at Broderick and Ellis streets when an SUV raced up the hill and turned left through the intersection without stopping.

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The Safeway at 1335 Webster St. was planned to be sold to Align Real Estate, which wants to build a mixed-use development with housing and commercial space. But, now, a San Francisco supervisor is urging the city to use eminent domain to acquire the parcel and build affordable housing. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

A San Francisco supervisor is urging Mayor London Breed to use eminent domain to seize the Safeway property in the citys Western Addition and turn it into affordable housing. The request precedes a community meeting scheduled for Thursday on the proposed closure and redevelopment of the Safeway store into market-rate housing.

On Tuesday, Supervisor Dean Preston, whose district includes the Safeway, submitted a letter requesting that Breed explore all options to acquire the property at 1335 Webster St. for affordable housing  including using eminent domain, which allows the city to take private land for public use. Prestons office said that the request was reviewed by the city attorney, and added that any future development on the site should include a grocery store.

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The request calls for Breed to respond by Dec. 3 on where she stands on the city intervening in the pending deal between Safeway and the private developer vying to buy the site, and whether she is willing to direct city departments to evaluate the viability of acquiring the site before the end of her term in January.

We will work with you to introduce any necessary legislation at the Board, Preston said in the letter.

Breeds office said Wednesday that it had not seen the letter and did not share its views on initiating the eminent domain process or otherwise trying to acquire the 3.6-acre site for affordable housing.

Supervisor Preston has yet to engage our office or the department to raise this issue or provide additional information, a spokesperson for Breed said, referring to the Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development.

Safeway did not respond to the Chronicles inquiries.

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Safeway announced at the start of last year that by March it would shutter the store, which has been in the Fillmore for more than 40 years, and then would sell the land to Align Real Estate for redevelopment into housing. The Board of Supervisors approved a resolution by Preston calling for the store to remain open, and Breed, who grew up in the area, ultimately negotiated to keep the Safeway store operating through early 2025.

Last month, San Francisco passed a law that would require grocery stores to give six months notice before store closures, which Preston introduced in response to Safeways plans. The law would not apply to this Safeway location since its closure is already public, but Prestons office pointed out that Safeway could comply with a provision that now requires it to attend community meetings.

Thursdays community meeting was to be led by residents who are anxious about Safeways departure. Preston, who was scheduled to attend the meeting, said in a statement on Wednesday that neither Safeway nor the developer have provided any public details to the community regarding development plans or the status of the proposed sale.

Public records show that Align Real Estate has yet to close on its bid to purchase 1335 Webster, and there is no application on file for the proposed housing project, though the Chronicle previously reported that around 1,000 homes are planned. The developer declined to comment on the status of its deal with Safeway or plans for the site when contacted Wednesday.

Such a development would be unaffordable to nearly all residents of the neighborhood, and could compound years of gentrification and displacement, Preston wrote in the letter to Breed, calling for any housing on the site to be built as affordable rather than market-rate.

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Building affordable housing would be a valid public use that would justify the city exercising its eminent domain rights on 1335 Webster, according to Rick Friess, a land use attorney who specializes in eminent domain cases. He said eminent domain has been used in recent years by other jurisdictions in California to acquire land for schools.

If San Francisco had an affordable housing project in mind that they were going to develop, or co-develop with a private developer, that would likely pass muster, Friess said.

But, the eminent domain route is procedurally intensive and could be politically fraught  particularly with leadership at City Hall set to change in two months. It would also come at a cost to the city and potentially open it up to lawsuits, according to Friess.

Friess said that condemning the site would require a supermajority vote from the Board of Supervisors. Both Breed and Preston lost their reelection bids earlier this month, and will be succeeded in their roles as mayor and District 5 supervisor by nonprofit CEO and Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie and former Obama administration staffer Bilal Mahmood, respectively. Three other supervisors are termed out and will be replaced by new board members.

So far, Breed has led talks with Safeway. Max Szabo, campaign spokesperson for Lurie, said Lurie could not yet weigh in on the eminent domain issue.

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The mayor-elect will be handling the historic challenges and decisions he needs to make upon assumption of office and is currently focused on building an administration rooted in accountability, service and change, Szabo said.

Mahmood declined to comment.

Friess said that condemnation is very much a political process that requires a strong proponent.

If you dont have an advocate on this stuff, it tends to fade away, he said.

The process would require the city to buy the site from Safeway at fair market value. Records show that the grocery chain bought 1335 Webster from San Franciscos former Redevelopment Agency in the 1980s for upwards of $1.5 million.

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The current value of the site would be the subject of a government appraisal in the eminent domain process, and such appraisals are often contested, Friess said.

If the Safeway property is very valuable to a private developer for high-rise residential, thats super valuable land and that may (increase) the compensation that the city would have to pay, he said.

The process also involves review under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, which would give Safeway an avenue to challenge the citys condemnation of the site.

Decades ago, the citys former Redevelopment Agency invoked eminent domain to take control of land in the historically Black Fillmore and Western Addition neighborhoods in the name of urban renewal, displacing more than 10,000 Black families and others. As a former redevelopment site, the Safeway lot holds great potential for affordable housing development, said Preston, citing state legislation that offers new financing tools for the development of affordable housing on former redevelopment sites.

Appetite for both market-rate and affordable housing development has been curbed by a worsening economy in the wake of the pandemic.

Last year, San Francisco voters passed a $300 million affordable housing bond meant to help build up to 1,500 homes while leveraging other resources.

Meanwhile, few large market-rate housing projects have moved forward in recent years as developers have faced compounding challenges in regard to financing, and several of the citys large development agreement projects that were under way have stalled.

Align last year placed a 65-story market-rate rental tower that it was trying to get approved in the South of Market neighborhood on hold.

Meanwhile, the Fillmore community is facing very real problems: A report issued by the citys Human Rights Committee this year found that as the pending closure of the neighborhoods only full-service grocery store has significant implications for questions of food access and quality of life in the Fillmore and Japantown.

Residents are also concerned about the closure earlier this month of a Wells Fargo Bank branch on the property, and that prolonged vacancy pending its redevelopment will add to the neighborhoods already notable list of vacant and blighted storefronts.

There have also been safety concerns: The store has struggled with rampant theft and other issues  including frequent car break-ins, assaults, loitering and illegal dumping  over the past few years.

This is a major grocery store in the neighborhood, and its hard to just replace, said Erris Edgerly of the Fillmore United Alliance, which is organizing Thursdays community meeting. If Safeway wants to pull out, let us at least find some type of way of keeping the grocery store open until theres a development agreement, and from there, let us have talks about what we want to see built on the site.
An evidentiary hearing took place in Chattanooga on Monday to determine the status of the relationship between Andrew Colbaugh and Tabitha Smith before her accidental drowing death in the back seat of a patrol car driven by Meigs County Deputy Robert J. Leonard.

In February, 2024, with Ms. Smith handcuffed in the back seat, the new-to-town deputy missed a turn and drove into the Tennessee River, where they both died. Nathan Smith, one of four children of Tabitha Smith, is suing Meighs County for $10 million. Colbaugh, husband of Ms. Smith, is suing the county for $100 million for negligence.

The court is trying to sort out which is the rightful heir to a potential large settlement.

The question that Federal Judge Clifton L. Corker must decide is if Colbaugh abandoned the marriage or willfully withdrew from it two years prior to her death. They married and their daughter, London Smith, was born in 2016. According to testimony, by 2018 it became evident that Tabby was failing to watch the toddler and leaving her by herself. When the child was around two years old, an incident report showed that she had wandered out of the house and was found several doors away. By 2018, Colbaugh testified, Tabby had walked away from the family three times and left the child, was using drugs and was not taking care of her baby. At some point, he got custody papers for London.

During the hearing Colbaugh was in the witness stand with his wrists and ankles chained, having been brought to Chattanooga by officers from the Meigs County Jail.

He said he had been in jail since 2021 or 2022 for either DUI or for failing a drug test and failure to go to a halfway house. Colbaugh replied to most questions that he could not remember dates and, during the hearing, relied on Facebook and other social media postings for the times and to remember what happened.

During the next two years, Colbaugh started seeing a woman who he said was an old friend who came to help him with London, and the relationship became that of girlfriend and boyfriend. Then she moved into the Colbaugh house. After a period of time she moved out and a second lifelong friend, Sheena McCoon, in 2019 moved in. But Colbaugh described the relationship as It wasnt nothing consistent. She lived there until he was sent to jail.

During the relationships with Tabitha and the other two women, Colbaugh shared drugs with them, primarily meth and fentanyl, it was stated.

During the time that the women lived with him he said that Tabby would show up unannounced, high and messed up. She spent the night just several times and was there for a day and no more than a week, then she would be gone again, said Colbaugh.

He said he went to see Tabitha several times after she had moved to Birchwood and one time found her living in a trailer with no electricity or water. He said he asked her to come home. On one of the other visits, he said she stole his car.

In October 2020, Colbaugh obtained a temporary order of protection for Tabby and the next April obtained an actual legal order of protection. When she showed up once at 5 a.m. "messed up, he said he did not try and enforce the order of protection. However, in 2021, he said his grandmother called the law on her. In one conversation on Facebook with Amber McKinney, Tabithas sister, he said that Tabby showed up unannounced and high but that she would always be welcome at my house because shes my baby mama.

At the hearing Amber said that she parted ways with her sister when she was about 17 and had not been around Tabby and Cobaugh together except for twice, and one of those times was at her nieces first birthday party. She said the couple had separated within a year of that party. It was after they separated that Ambers husband offered the abandoned trailer to her sister. Amber visited her sister there just once and took the child, London, to visit her mother in jail one time in the summer of 2023. She said she had separated herself from her sister and had no communication with her because Tabby was not good for her mental state so she did not invite her sister into her home. She also said that she believed that Andy was a good dad but added, How could he be because he struggles with drugs?

Colbaugh said he learned of Tabbys death on Facebook.

Attorney Michael Thomas, representing Tabathas son Nathan Smith, said he believes that the relationship between Andy and Tabby ended aroud 2017-2018 after Colbaughs repeated attempts to make it work. And he said that he had willfully abandoned the marriage by having relationships with the two other women.

Judge Corker will consider the testimony to assertain if Colbaugh finally gave up and moved on because for two-and-a half years he lived with other women.

Attorney Alyson Oliver of Michigan, representing Colbaugh, said that if her client had wanted a divorce, he could have gotten one. She said at some point her client had stopped bugging Tabby and had relationships with other women. She said, "You cannot abandon someone who has already abandoned you." She said that Tabby walked off and Andy had kept trying. After years, then he accepted it.

Judge Corker said he will make a decision on the issue if Andy Colbaugh willfully withdrew two years before Tabitha Smiths death.
A man charged with pouring bleach on an Arizona woman, then setting her car on fire with her inside has been arrested in Chattanooga.

Sencere Patrick Hayes, 22, had been wanted by Arizona authorities for abduction and murder.

Authorities said Hayes turned himself in at the jail here.

Mercedes Vega, an exotic dancer, was last seen the night of April 17, 2023.

Her mother said blood was found all over her parking spot at her apartment. It is believed that Hayes forced her from her apartment in Phoenix, tortured her, then set the car on fire.

Her body was found in the back seat of the car that was down in a ditch by Interstate 10.

Bleach was found in her throat. She also had blunt force injury and a gunshot wound, it was stated.

Friends and family for many months had passed out fliers asking if anyone had information about her death.
Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report.

(If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com)

BOYD, JERARL MENARD

3603 ALENE CIR AUGUSTA, 309064301

Age at Arrest: 36 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

CRIMINAL TRESPASSING



BOYZO, REYES FRASCO

316 COUNTY ROAD 1001 VALLEY HEAD, 359892514

Age at Arrest: 22 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE



BROWN, JADA S

2245 E 27TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 37407

Age at Arrest: 22 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



CAIN, WILLIAM FITZGERALD

RR 1 BOX 246D BENTON, 37307

Age at Arrest: 63 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

FAILURE TO APPEAR



CALLAN, GLENDON ALEXANDRIA

108 SHERWOOD AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37404

Age at Arrest: 41 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

ASSAULT AGAINST FIRST RESPONDER



CASLIN, DARIOUS LEBRON

2011 LAURA STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37406

Age at Arrest: 29 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



COMBS, MISTY MICHELLE

3704 WAUCHULA STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37406

Age at Arrest: 50 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



DEVLIN, JOSEPH LEE

1448 VANCE RD A7 CHATTANOOGA, 37421

Age at Arrest: 28 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

IMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERS



FORD, JASMINE DENISE

2702 6TH AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37407

Age at Arrest: 35 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



GALLOWAY, WILLIAM LANCER

2225 HARRY ARNOLD RD HOMELESS MONROE, 30655

Age at Arrest: 55 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

FUGITIVE (WALTON CO GA)



GILCHRIST, JOHN WILLIE

4532 PECKINPAUGH DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37412

Age at Arrest: 60 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF COCAINE FOR



GILLESPIE, RYAN DENZEL

510 CENTRAL DRIVE APT 103 CHATTANOOGA, 37421

Age at Arrest: 33 years old

Arresting Agency: East Ridge

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



GILLIAM, JASON DARRELL

230 LEE MORRISON RD WHITWELL, 373976816

Age at Arrest: 48 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE



GOODWIN, TORY ALEXANDER

3401 CAMPBELL ST APT 409 CHATTANOOGA, 374064234

Age at Arrest: 43 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)



GRAHAM, KENTREL WINDELL

3925 MELINDA DR CHATTANOOGA, 37416

Age at Arrest: 18 years old

Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol

RECKLESS DRIVING

FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY

SPEEDING

TINTED WINDOWS VIOLATION



GRAY, JAMES ROBERT

2620 BOYCE ST CHATTANOOGA, 37406

Age at Arrest: 26 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

(VIOLATION OF PROBATION) RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT



GUEDEZ HERRERA, WILMA JOSE

4912 W IOWA STREET CHICAGO, 60651

Age at Arrest: 29 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

PROSTITUTION



HOWARD, CALEB COLTON

748 MARBLE TOP RD CHICKAMAUGA, 307072602

Age at Arrest: 35 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)



JENKINS, JESSICA N

229 LASSISTER RD SEQUATCHIE, 37374

Age at Arrest: 33 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY



JUAREZ LUCENA, REBECA DE LOS ANGELES

742 E 80TH STREET LOS ANGELES, 90001

Age at Arrest: 26 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

PROSTITUTION



KELLEY, SHEALA GENEL

3410 PEGGY LANE CHATTANOOGA, 37410

Age at Arrest: 23 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

VIOLATION OF PROBATION AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

VIOLATION OF PROBATION CHILD NEGLECT



KIRK, RAYVAN SCOTT

1503 TAYLOR ST CHATTANOOGA, 37406

Age at Arrest: 18 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

DOMESTIC ASSAULT



KNIGHT, LASHUNDA NICOLE

2801 TAYLOR ST CHATTANOOGA, 374062522

Age at Arrest: 46 years old

Arresting Agency: Collegedale

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



LABOO, ZACHARIAH ELIJAN

2516 BAILEY AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37404

Age at Arrest: 43 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

THEFT OF PROPERTY



MARSHALL, ARIEL LYNETTE

5007 CAROLYN LANE CHATTANOOGA, 37411

Age at Arrest: 34 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



MATTHEWS, LAYLA GRACE

1735 SANTA BARBARA CIR SODDY DAISY, 37379

Age at Arrest: 40 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



MCDANIEL, PATRICK ALAN

59 BRIARWOOD DRIVE RINGGOLD, 30736

Age at Arrest: 51 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

AGGRAVATED ROBBERY

AGGRAVATED BURGLARY

THEFT OF PROPERTY UNDER $1,000.00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT



MILLARD, JAMES CALEB

9 BOHR DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37415

Age at Arrest: 40 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DRIVING UNDRE THE INFLUEN



MORRIS, SEAN MATTHEW

72 AMY LN RINGGOLD, 30736

Age at Arrest: 50 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT)



OSMENAJ, CYNTHIA MAE

2202 E 24TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 374071160

Age at Arrest: 46 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

CRIMINAL TRESPASSING



POWELL, KIMBERLY MICHELLE

307 W 4TH STREET JASPER, 37347

Age at Arrest: 36 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE



PRATT, ERIKA JIN SOL

8012 MCDONALD CEMETRY RD OOLTEWAH, 37363

Age at Arrest: 25 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE



REED-STRINO, KANDIS N

48 FORTUNES WAY DUNLAP, 373276926

Age at Arrest: 40 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

IN TRANSIT



RENFRO, JOSHUA ADAM

8212 DAISY DALLAS RD LAKESITE, 37379

Age at Arrest: 46 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED



RODRIGUEZ-CARMONA, ADELVIS JOSE

7013 SHALLOWFORD RD APT 129 CHATTANOOGA, 37421

Age at Arrest: 30 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

PATRONIZING PROSTITUTION

POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA



SALAS, YIDALBRIS

742 E 80TH STREET LOS ANGELES, 90001

Age at Arrest: 29 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

PROSTITUTION

POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA



SANCHEZ, MARIO

HOMELESS BRAINERD, 37421

Age at Arrest: 42 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

INDECENT EXPOSURE

PUBLIC INTOXICATION



SEWELL, JANICE DALE

1403 SECOND ST NE CLEVELAND, 37323

Age at Arrest: 57 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



SILVEY, FARRYN BROOKE

103 W DAYTONA DR RED BANK, 374152105

Age at Arrest: 35 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



SMITH, RODRICK DAMONT

1664 GREENDALE WAY APT 212 HIXSON, 373433905

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

CRIMINAL TRESPASSING



STEELE, KRYSTLE MONIQUE

404 TUNNEL BLVD CHATTANOOGA, 37411

Age at Arrest: 38 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

THEFT OF PROPERTY



TERRY, TERRANCE LEBRON

3208 7TH AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37407

Age at Arrest: 46 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



UNDERWOOD, REYSHONDRIA DTAYSIA

2600 CANNON AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374045621

Age at Arrest: 26 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (THEFT OF PROPERTY ( CONDUC



WHEELER, CAROL RENEE

1205 SUNSET TRAIL CLEVELAND, 373113208

Age at Arrest: 44 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

VIOLATION OF PROBATION ATTEMPT ABUSE OF ELDERLY AD

VIOLATION OF PROBATION DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE



WOMACK, JASON LYLE

7611 BORISS DR CHATTANOOGA, 374163519

Age at Arrest: 46 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (THEFT UNDER $500)



WOOTEN, TERESA MICHELLE

1412 E 48TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 37407

Age at Arrest: 45 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

Here are the mug shots:

BOYD, JERARL MENARD

Age at Arrest: 36

Date of Birth: 02/09/1988

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

CRIMINAL TRESPASSING BOYZO, REYES FRASCO

Age at Arrest: 22

Date of Birth: 02/24/2002

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE BROWN, JADA S

Age at Arrest: 22

Date of Birth: 12/14/2001

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

COMBS, MISTY MICHELLE

Age at Arrest: 50

Date of Birth: 07/30/1974

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

DEVLIN, JOSEPH LEE

Age at Arrest: 28

Date of Birth: 06/19/1996

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

IMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERS FORD, JASMINE DENISE

Age at Arrest: 35

Date of Birth: 10/12/1989

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

GALLOWAY, WILLIAM LANCER

Age at Arrest: 55

Date of Birth: 01/21/1969

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

FUGITIVE (WALTON CO GA) GILLESPIE, RYAN DENZEL

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 12/28/1990

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

GOODWIN, TORY ALEXANDER

Age at Arrest: 43

Date of Birth: 09/29/1981

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) HOWARD, CALEB COLTON

Age at Arrest: 35

Date of Birth: 08/29/1989

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) JENKINS, JESSICA N

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 05/21/1991

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY KELLEY, SHEALA GENEL

Age at Arrest: 23

Date of Birth: 07/14/2001

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

VIOLATION OF PROBATION CHILD NEGLECT KIRK, RAYVAN SCOTT

Age at Arrest: 18

Date of Birth: 06/30/2006

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT MATTHEWS, LAYLA GRACE

Age at Arrest: 40

Date of Birth: 02/09/1984

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

MCDANIEL, PATRICK ALAN

Age at Arrest: 51

Date of Birth: 02/09/1973

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ROBBERY

AGGRAVATED BURGLARY

THEFT OF PROPERTY UNDER $1,000.00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT MORRIS, SEAN MATTHEW

Age at Arrest: 50

Date of Birth: 08/01/1974

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT) REED-STRINO, KANDIS N

Age at Arrest: 40

Date of Birth: 06/25/1984

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

IN TRANSIT RENFRO, JOSHUA ADAM

Age at Arrest: 46

Date of Birth: 08/29/1978

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED SEWELL, JANICE DALE

Age at Arrest: 57

Date of Birth: 06/02/1967

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

SMITH, RODRICK DAMONT

Age at Arrest: 37

Date of Birth: 09/03/1987

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

CRIMINAL TRESPASSING

STEELE, KRYSTLE MONIQUE

Age at Arrest: 38

Date of Birth: 06/14/1986

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY WHEELER, CAROL RENEE

Age at Arrest: 44

Date of Birth: 10/19/1980

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION ATTEMPT ABUSE OF ELDERLY AD

VIOLATION OF PROBATION DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE WOOTEN, TERESA MICHELLE

Age at Arrest: 45

Date of Birth: 11/26/1978

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 11/19/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)










Floyd P. Schultz was born on July 10, 1933 and raised in New Jersey.

After graduating from Rutgers University with his degree in pharmacy, Floyd worked as a licensed pharmacist in New Jersey, Florida, and finally, in Georgia once he retired in the Blue Ridge Mountains.



Floyd Schultz was a devoted husband of 58 years and is survived by his one and only wife, Marcia Schultz. He is also survived by his two adult children, Kimberly and Tracy (and her husband Mike) and three grandchildren, Calabria, Gabriella, and Zachary. My dad put his family first and could always been seen attending his children and grandchildrens school and sporting events.



After getting married, Floyd and Marcia moved to Coral Springs, Fl., in 1970 as one of the founding settlers of the newly established city. Opening the first pharmacy in Coral Springs, Floyd gave the utmost attention to his customers and loved interacting with people. He was involved in local political campaigns and was appointed to the planning and zoning board in Coral Springs.



In 1979, Floyd and Marcia bought 63 acres once belonging to a local farmer and built a small cabin on top of the hill where they filled the fields with cows, horses, and donkeys. After several years of spending summers and holidays in North Georgia, Floyd and Marcia decided to make Blairsville their home year round. Floyd loved the country and preferred the great outdoors. Since his early days in Blairsville, Floyd was a conservationist who worked with the local farm bureau to obtain grants to preserve the farm land.



A prolific reader of history, science, geography, and politics. My father could engage anyone in a serious conversation about any of the above but did so in a disarming fashion leaving the recipient of his knowledge in awe. The weekly trivia participants can attest to Floyds trivia acumen, making him an enviable partner in any game.



Floyd treated all he met with respect and dignity and never had an unkind word for anyone. He raised my sister and I to judge people as individuals and not prejudge them because of their race, religion, or ethnic background.



Floyd considered North Georgia his home and loved it with a passion. He spent his last two years at Manor Lakes Memory Care Facility and was known by the staff, his peers, and the family and friends of his peers who listened to Floyd weave tales of another life during his time suffering from dementia. He spoke so well that one never really knew fact from fiction (in an endearing way).



Floyd served two years in the Army and received an honorable discharge and will be buried alongside other veterans.



At his request, Floyd Schultz will be buried on Friday, Nov. 22, at 1 p.m. at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37404 with Rabbi Shaul Perlstein officiating with military honors provided by American Legion post 112.



Anyone who wants to honor his memory can donate to a soup kitchen or food bank.



We love and miss you.



Arrangements are by Ponders Brainerd Chapel, 4203 Brainerd Rd Chattanooga, Tn., www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org, 423 531-4002.
It was recently reported that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is requesting $3 million for a pilot program to drug-test sewage from Knoxville dorms and high schools. This sort of testing is traditionally used to guide public health efforts, not as a surveillance tool for law enforcement.

My first thought when I read about this was, "Whos getting the contract?"

My second thought: If this pilot program is approved, it will probably be expanded regardless of its effectiveness or popularity. That's exactly what's happening with school vouchers.

Shelby, Davidson, and Hamilton counties were forced by our state government to be the testing ground for vouchers in Tennessee. The original pilot program passed the State House by a single vote - that of a Knoxville legislator who agreed to support the program if Knox County was excluded.

So far, the vouchers have produced poor academic outcomes, and most aren't going to help the disadvantaged families we were told they would. Yet our governor is pushing to take vouchers statewide, despite similar programs in other states that have depleted public school funds and caused massive budget deficits.

The TBIs proposed program has several ingredients that will sound familiar to many Tennesseans who pay close attention to state government:

1. A solution we weren't asking for

2. Government overreach

3. Our tax dollars being steered into private/corporate pockets

As with school vouchers, our kids are the collateral. Our tax dollars are the prize.

As we approach a new legislative session in Nashville, please watch how our tax dollars are being used. Are Tennesseans getting solutions we asked for? With each new "solution," who stands to gain and who stands to lose?

Allison Gorman
James L. Douthat, 85, passed away surrounded by family on November 17, 2024.

He was a retired United Methodist minister from the Holston Conference and served many churches in the area. Jim was also a noted author, publisher, historian, and genealogist.

Jim grew up in Bluefield, Virginia and received five degrees: Pre-Medicine from Bluefield College, Biology degree from Virginia Tech, Bachelors and Masters of Divinity from Emory University - Candler School of Theology, and a Masters in Counseling from Tennessee Tech.

He was very active in the community and was instrumental in the establishment of Bachman Community Center on Signal Mountain. Jim held many leadership positions and received numerous awards from many genealogy societies. During his years, he was a part of Holston Conference Archives and Historical Society, Chattanooga Area Historical Association, Signal Mountain Genealogical Society, Delta Genealogy Society, and East Tennessee Historical Society.

Jim and his wife, Willela Kell Douthat, returned to Signal Mountain over 35 years ago. They have been very active in the Signal Mountain United Methodist Church where they met almost 60 years ago.

Jim is survived by his wife, Willela; his son, Thomas A. Douthat; and his daughter and son-in-law, Marilee and Mike Cleland; his two granddaughters, Sara Elizabeth Cleland and Caroline Grace Cleland; his sister, Margaret Elam Anderson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Roberta Bellamy.

The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. with the service to follow at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at Signal Mountain United Methodist Church, 3419 Taft Highway, Signal Mountain, Tn. 37377.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to the General Fund at www.signalmountainumc.org/ donate or Venmo@SignalMountain-UMC.

Parking is limited at the church, so please carpool as much as possible.
University of Tennessee Health Science Center Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD, visited the College of Medicine-Chattanooga campus on Wednesday, for a town hall meeting with faculty and staff to discuss the operation and future improvements of the universitys regional campus.

Chancellor Buckley and his team travelled to all the campuses statewide, including Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga for the "UT Health Science Center Executive Town Hall Series."

The UT Health Science Center College of Medicine-Chattanooga extended thanks to Chancellor Buckley and his team for taking the time to attend, listen, and address all thoughts and ideas presented during the meeting.

All discussions during the meeting will help guide the regional colleges work toward UT Health Science Centers vision "Healthy Tennesseans. Thriving Communities."
3/15/2025

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report. (If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com ) ALFRED,DJINSLY ... more
A team of researchers at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg has developed a new process for producing transition metal nitrides cheaply and more energy-efficiently. Endowed with additional and application-related functionalities, these innovative materials could in future play, among other things, a key role in electronics and communication technology and, for example, significantly improve data transmission in mobile phone networks.

As part of a research project received funding of 2.8 million euros by the European Fund for Regional Development (ERDF), the physicists aim to use what is known as the sputter epitaxy technique for the first time to produce these chemical compounds efficiently and to suit specific applications as well as to optimize the properties of the transition metal nitrides in such a way that entirely new technological fields of application will be possible as a result.

Professor Martin Feneberg, who, together with his colleague, Professor Armin Dadgar, is leading the research project, explains that transition metal nitrides play a key role in material science. Transition metal nitride compounds from elements such as titanium or vanadium boast extraordinary physical demonstrate, he says. They are especially durable, heat resistant and chemically stable - properties that make them extremely attractive for countless industrial applications.

Professor Dadgar goes on to explain that these material properties open up new technological potential, especially in electronics, where transition metal nitrides can be used as coatings for high-performance transistors or as conductive materials for fast, efficient data transmission. In mobile phone technology and optoelectronics in particular, these materials are highly promising. In order to satisfy the increasing requirements for 5G data transmission speeds, radio cells must become smaller and more powerful. Transition metal nitrides could play a central part in this.

The sputter epitaxy technique makes it possible to produce thin layers of transition metal nitrides at lower temperatures and for considerably less cost. With this process, a gas, usually argon, is placed in a chamber under an electric current and forms plasma, explains Professor Dadgar. The energy-rich particles in the plasma meet a so-called target material and release atoms, which then are deposited in an ordered crystalline structure on a surface. These ordered layers are especially beneficial for electronic applications.

The Magdeburg researchers are concentrating on titanium and yttrium compounds, which are of great interest for use in high-performance transistors and energy-efficient devices. Here at the University of Magdeburg we are setting an innovative tone in materials research with this method, which we now hope to develop further with the support of the EU, explains Professor Feneberg.
Global scholars gather to discuss human rights in ancient Chinese classics

Xinhua) 17:04, November 20, 2024

CHANGSHA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Fine traditional Chinese culture contains many ideas related to human rights, which can provide historical resources and enlightenment for the cause of human rights in today's world. That is why scholars across the globe gathered in central China's Hunan Province for a conference on Wednesday.

Scholars explored the ideas of human rights on the basis of Chinese classics, and promoted exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, at the International Academic Conference on the Ideas of Human Rights in Ancient Chinese Classics, jointly hosted by China Society for Human Rights Studies, the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Hunan Provincial Committee, and Hunan University.

During the main forum and four sub-forums, over 200 scholars from countries including China, the United States, Australia, Canada, India, Italy, Japan, Pakistan and Portugal shared their insights.

Zheng Renzhao, researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Ancient History, said that while the term "human rights" did not come into being in ancient China, there were abundant ideas related to it.

Attaching importance to human life, survival, development and happiness; pursuing equality and justice; and pursuing peace and harmony are the most prominent features of the ancient Chinese concept of "human rights," Zheng said.

"Culture keeps people alive, inspired and having a sense of history. What China has gives a tremendous sense of belonging to an ancient civilization that has so much to offer," said Mary Evelyn Tucker, a senior lecturer and research scholar at Yale University, who has been coming to China for research since 1985.

"It's wonderful to see that this conference tries to examine the classics of Chinese tradition, especially Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism -- the resources for a new sense of what it is to be fully human," she said.

"To be fully human also means to be part of ecology, the nature, even the cosmos, which the Chinese tradition has - Tian Ren He Yi (Harmony of man and nature)," she added.

Fang Qiang, professor of history at the University of Minnesota Duluth, said that Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted and promulgated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, mentioned, "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of person," which is deeply reflected in Chinese classical works such as the Works of Mencius, Tao Te Ching and the Works of Mo-tse.

The UDHR emphasizes the protection of people's property rights, whereas in classical Chinese culture, property rights are also given importance, Fang said. "Chinese traditional culture contains a wealth of human rights concepts, which not only had a far-reaching impact at that time, but are still of great value today."

"I appreciate Confucius very much, because Confucius represents Chinese culture and the foundation of Chinese philosophy. Confucius said we should use culture to achieve peace, and use it for peace, not war," Giuseppina Merchionne, professor of Chinese language and culture of the University of Milan, said in fluent Mandarin.

Both Italy and China are big nations of culture and should make greater contributions to safeguarding world peace and developing human rights, said the Italian sinologist, who is also president of the Italy-China Centre for Collaboration and Cultural Exchanges of the Silk Road.

There are many schools of thought in ancient China, but one of their main concerns is the protection and love of people, said Peter Hediger, a Swiss sinologist, historian and international security policy expert.

He noted that in the hierarchical feudal society of ancient China, Confucianism and Taoism, which had different attitudes toward the government, were both concerned about the well-being and good operation of the whole society.

The first prerequisite for good governance and the implementation of human rights was the emphasis on the self-improvement of each individual, and the second prerequisite was the need for prosperity for all, including the grassroots, he said.

"China's experience in dealing with the delicate balance between state power and individual rights may be earlier, deeper and more sustainable than any other country," he said. "Facts have proved that rather than blindly following the Western-style route, China has found an effective way."

Christophe Peschoux, former section chief of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the ideas of human rights in ancient Chinese classics are the common wealth of all mankind.

The historical wisdom displayed by the fine traditional Chinese culture has ignited the light of civilization and will illuminate the road leading to justice, peace and humanity in the world, he said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
A trooper with the Arkansas State Police intentionally struck Janice Harpers sport utility vehicle in 2020, causing it to flip over. She and her fetus survived. The trooper clocked Harper driving 84 mph  14 mph over the highways speed limit. Arkansas State Police

Two members of Congress are calling on U.S. regulators to accurately count how many people are killed in police chases nationwide, sending a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and other federal officials after a Chronicle investigation revealed a dramatic undercount of the deaths.

We cannot fix or prevent deaths when the data is not an accurate reflection of what is happening, wrote Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, an East Bay Democrat who sits on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The letter, co-signed by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat from the District of Columbia and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, decried the unacceptable number of fatalities caused by police pursuits. The lawmakers also sent the letter to Kevin M. Scott, acting director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and Sophie Shulman, deputy administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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DeSaulnier cited this years Chronicle investigative series, Fast and Fatal, which documented that more than 3,300 people died in police pursuits from 2017 through 2022, far more than previously known.

Reporters who built a first-of-its-kind database of deadly chases  combining information from the federal government, research organizations, local news accounts and court records  found that many of these incidents begin with a low-level crime. And its not only drivers, their passengers and the pursuing officers who are in danger: At least 551 bystanders died in chases over six years, the Chronicle found.

Yet there is no binding national standard governing when and how police should chase suspects. This means that officers operate under often permissive rules that vary by department. And even when they break the rules, police officers are rarely held accountable.

Citing the newspapers discovery that the NHTSA, the agency charged with keeping motorists safe, did not count at least 660 people killed in police pursuits from 2017 through 2021, DeSaulnier called on federal officials to protect our roadways by expanding and improving data collection on police pursuit deaths to inform policy reforms.

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After they were briefed on the Chronicles findings earlier this year, NHTSA officials acknowledged that some fatalities were missing from the agencys count and said they would update their pursuit data.

But the officials said the agencys data on fatal police pursuits was not meant to be comprehensive. Instead, the NHTSA said it provided a nationwide census of unintentional crashes resulting in fatal injuries, which includes some police pursuits and excludes others.

The Chronicle series found that at least 87 people were killed from 2017 through July 2024 when officers purposely collided with fleeing vehicles using a maneuver known as the precision immobilization technique, or PIT. The NHTSA does not include deaths caused by PITs in its fatality data because it does not consider them accidents.

DeSaulniers letter coincides with a continuing national effort, if uneven, to tighten chase policies.

Prompted by the Chronicles investigation, the New York University School of Laws Policing Project, which focuses on law enforcement accountability, last month proposed a national standard for police pursuits that would limit them to people suspected of violent felonies or, in some cases, dangerous driving offenses such as reckless driving or being under the influence.

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Even in these cases, officers would need to believe the suspect poses significant risk of serious injury to another if not immediately apprehended. The standard mirrors recommendations published last year by the Police Executive Research Forum, a leading law enforcement policy organization based in Washington, D.C.

The Policing Project model prohibits PIT maneuvers, except for those authorized by a supervisor when there is an imminent risk of death or serious injury to an officer or another person that cannot be avoided through other means. It also requires pursuit training for officers and establishes transparency and accountability measures, such as compelling all law enforcement agencies to collect detailed data on vehicle pursuits, which must be sent to a state agency to share with the public.

Additionally, the proposed rules would require agencies to adopt policies that include meaningful discipline for officers who violate pursuit policies.

Reforming police chases has become intertwined with larger tensions over policing in the United States, where efforts to hold officers accountable in the wake of high-profile killings have collided with calls for tightened enforcement spurred by fluctuations in pandemic-era crime.

In San Francisco, residents voted in March to loosen the police departments policy to allow pursuits over nonviolent felonies, such as grand theft. Previously, the department authorized chases only over suspected violent felonies unless officers had a reasonable belief that a fleeing suspect posed an immediate threat.

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Jack Graham, senior pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church. | photo credit: Jack Graham Facebook

Jack Graham, senior pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, urged Christians who backed Donald Trump to embrace humility and prayer after his reelection as the 47th president.

In remarks reported by The Christian Post, Graham emphasized the importance of prayer for unity in a deeply divided nation. The posture for Christians should be on our knees, the posture should be prayer, and we should pray for unity in the country, he stated.

Graham, who leads a congregation of approximately 50,000 members and previously served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention noted that this moment presents an opportunity for Christians to govern well and respond with grace. He stated, If you supported the election of President Trump, as I do, it is our opportunity to now, with the president and our government, to govern well and to respond with grace.

However, he criticized what he sees as a cultural shift towards overt celebrations of political victories, suggesting that such actions do little to mend societal divides. Now, everybody dances in the end zone, spikes the ball, jumps up and down, struts, flips the bat, Graham remarked, adding that in my era, we tried to win with a little more grace and humility.

Highlighting the role of Christians as witnesses and ambassadors of their faith, Graham called for a display of humility and integrity while praying for leaders and living out Christian values. He expressed his desire for spiritual revival and awakening, noting, Christians need to show a great deal of humility and integrity, and in praying for our leaders and living the Christian life.

We need to pray for spiritual revival; we need to do what we've always been called to do, which is to proclaim the Gospel, to witness to our neighbors and the nations. We can make a difference by living out our faith and praying for spiritual revival and spiritual awakening in our country. That, in the end, is what I'm most interested in.

Additionally, Graham has been a vocal supporter of Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, R-Ohio. Before the election, Graham participated in prayer over Trump at the National Faith Advisory Board summit in Georgia alongside televangelist Paula White.

Throughout his lengthy church leadership, Graham has observed the Body of Christ engage with contentious issues, such as marriage. He reiterated the biblical view on gender, stating, The Bible is clear on male and female; He created them. So, we're not going to be flying rainbow flags in the church that's reaching families for Christ, because it is an opposition to the Bible.

He also expressed a need for Christians to understand Scripture, emphasizing the importance of encouraging individuals to open their Bibles and learn.

We have to deal with it. We have to give people a reason to believe and a reason to know, but people don't know their Bibles, he said. That's why I keep getting back to the Bible. People just don't know what the Bible says. So we go by our feelings, or we go by culture, we go by what our friends are saying, or even maybe what our parents said. We're just trying to get people to open their Bibles and to help explain what the Bible says about all these issues, he stated.

Graham, who also hosts The Bible in a Year with Jack Graham podcast, reaffirmed that Christians have a biblical obligation to support Israel, citing the profound connection between Christianity and Judaism. For Christians, we do have a biblical obligation to love Israel, he asserted.

He expressed concern over rising antisemitism and genocide, stating, But [we support] the people and their right to exist. What you have now is this movement of genocide and antisemitism that's rising, not only in the Middle East but in Europe and America. And so, we must stand against that hatred at our church.
Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. | photo credit: Wikipedia/ Oklahoma Legislative Services Bureau

More than 500 Bibles have been purchased for use in Advanced Placement (AP) Government classrooms across Oklahoma.

This marks a significant milestone as the first purchase of Bibles intended as an academic and literary resource in U.S. public schools. This initiative is part of a broader plan aimed at providing Bibles to every classroom in the state, according to State Superintendent Ryan Walters.

The recent purchase of Bibles, specifically for AP Government classrooms, is a step toward acquiring a total of 55,000 King James Version Bibles. These Bibles will include the United States Pledge of Allegiance, the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

Walters stated, We are focused on ensuring we get Bibles available in every classroom in our state as quickly as we can. I will take every step possible to ensure Oklahoma students have the resources they need to fully understand American history.

He emphasized that by acting now, Oklahoma is leading the country on a path toward greater focus on academic excellence by providing critical historical, cultural, and literary context for our students. We are not going to change our history, and the Bible is a major part of that.

In a video shared on social media, Walters discussed the significance of these foundational documents in educating students about American history, emphasizing, We have the Bible, the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights  these are foundational documents in our nation's history. Our kids have to understand the role the Bible played in influencing American history.

After Walters' video, there were speculations that the Bible purchased resembled the God Bless the USA Bible promoted by former President Donald Trump in March. In response, Oklahoma officials amended their request for the Bibles to eliminate the requirement that they include historical documents.

Trump had previously called the God Bless the USA Bible his favorite book, highlighting its inclusion of America's founding documents and encouraging all citizens to read it.

However, in July, at least eight school districts indicated they would not comply with Walters' directive to incorporate a Bible curriculum into classrooms.

This Bible initiative is part of a larger educational shift in Oklahoma. Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Department of Education announced the launch of its Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism, which aims to protect the religious practices of students, teachers, and parents.

On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Department of Education announced that the new office aims to ensure that students, faculty, and parents can practice their religion freely in all aspects. The office will also investigate abuses to individual religious freedom or displays of patriotism, with specific guidance coming soon to safeguard the right to pray in schools.
PCUSA Headquarters Building in Louisville, Kentucky. | photo credit: PCUSA

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has undertaken significant restructuring, resulting in the termination of 12 national staff members, due to ongoing challenges with declining membership and donations.

The Rev. Jihyun Oh, the executive director and stated clerk of the PCUSA General Assembly, explained in a statement that this restructuring effort is a lengthy process that seeks to align the mission and ministry of two General Assembly agencies to the needs of today's church, society, and our denomination.

Oh emphasized that we are at most half the size compared to when the current structures were set up. Migration patterns are bringing global neighbors into our communities so that the global is local and the local is global.

She highlighted that the reconfiguration involved collaboration with leaders from predecessor agencies and the Administrative Services Group, as well as guidance from the Unification Commission. The goal is to move toward sustainable ministries that better align with our vision and values, as well as mission and ministry priorities.

The reconfiguration plans include dissolving the Presbyterian Mission Agency's Peacemaking Program, merging the Vital Congregations Program with the PCUSA's church planting initiative, 1001 New Worshiping Communities, ceasing publication of the Presbyterian Historical Society Journal of Presbyterian History, and halting in-person meetings of various committees.

These efforts are aimed at achieving a sustainable, balanced 202526 budget with a targeted $5 million reduction and decreased staff levels.

An online chapel service was held by PCUSA on Wednesday, attended by approximately 90 staff members, to honor the contributions of the 12 unnamed national staff members affected by the cuts. These individuals will retain their benefits, as reported by the Presbyterian News Service.

The PCUSA, like many religious groups in the United States, has faced significant membership decline over the past two decades. According to the PCUSA Office of the General Assembly's annual statistics report released in May last year, the denomination had approximately 1.140 million members in 2022, a sharp decline from around 2.5 million members in 2000. It first dropped below 2 million members in 2011.

In a bid to address its future positioning, the A Corporation board, serving as the corporate entity for the PCUSA General Assembly, considered the option of selling the denomination's headquarters located in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. The Presbyterian Center, as it's known, became home to the PCUSA leadership following a merger in 1983.

Communications Director Rick Jones previously informed The Christian Post that the potential sale is part of a conversation about the long-term future of the Church, noting, however, that no decision has been made about what the future might be for the Center.
Home News 6 charged for deadly human smuggling operation in Texas, face life in prison

Authorities arrested three more suspects in connection with a botched human smuggling operation that resulted in the July death of an illegal immigrant from Guatemala after the man was forced to hide in the brush.

A total of six people are now in custody for human smuggling conspiracy, and if convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Texas announced the charges against the three additional suspects on Monday. The smuggling ring members  Mexican national David Alejandro Gomez Flores, 28; and Laredo, Texas, residents Dagoberto Mizzael Flores, 24; and Angel Misael Elias, 22  appeared in court that day.

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Authorities previously arrested three other smugglers  Edy Ronaldo Lima Flores, 36, a Guatemalan national; and Mexican nationals Cynthia Gabriala Muniz Carreor, 29; and Martha Angelica Limon Parra, 9. All six suspects are charged with conspiracy to smuggle an undocumented alien, placing life in jeopardy, causing serious bodily injury and resulting in death and two substantive counts.

Prosecutors allege that the defendants participated in a smuggling operation on July 2. Authorities received a report about illegal aliens loading into a van near a ranch in Laredo with the occupants of the vehicle fleeing into the brush after law enforcement began pursuit.

In addition to apprehending a female illegal alien from Guatemala, authorities discovered the dead body of another Guatemalan national, according to the report. An investigation revealed the deceased males undocumented status and that he was part of the July 2 bailout.

According to records recovered from a cell phone found on the victim, Lima Flores and Carreon were allegedly in communication with the man before his death. Ledgers and communications also linked Parra to the bailout, with the communications going back to April. In those communications, Parra reportedly referenced other human smuggling events.

The arrests highlight the issue of smugglers funneling migrants across the U.S. southern border, which sometimes results in kidnapping and extortion. Many smuggling operations are carried out by large transnational criminal organizations.

Sens. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., introduced the bipartisan Border Smuggling Crackdown Act earlier this month. The bill would update sentencing guidelines to ensure penalties reflect the number of people smuggled, injured or murdered.

The senators noted that the U.S. Department of Justice reported that the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines for those convicted of human smuggling fails to fully address the issue, which makes it challenging to prosecute smugglers.

Criminals and human traffickers who exploit and smuggle human beings across our Southern Border must pay a heavy price. They threaten our national security and exploit victims of trafficking, Sen. Ossoff said in a statement. Im introducing the Border Smuggling Crackdown Act with Senator Blackburn to empower Federal law enforcement in their fight against human trafficking at our Southern Border.

According to data reported by the U.S. Sentencing Commission, 4,731 individuals were sentenced for smuggling illegal aliens into the country for the fiscal year 2023. In comparison, 4,056 individuals were sentenced for alien smuggling in 2022, and 3,551 were sentenced for the same in 2021.

Blackburn noted that cartels at the southern border are trafficking and exploiting innocent men, women, and children every day.

Our bill would modernize federal sentencing law to better hold these human smugglers to account and ensure that sentencing for these crimes reflects every single person these criminals injure or murder, Blackburn said in a statement.
Home News Laken Riley's mom confronts killer; Jose Ibarra sentenced to life in prison

The mother of Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student murdered by an illegal immigrant earlier this year, wept as she begged the judge to sentence the killer to life in prison, asking that he not receive mercy when he showed none to her daughter or the family he destroyed.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to life in prison without parole for Rileys murder Wednesday.

The verdict by Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard marked the conclusion of a bench trial that began last week.

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Haggard sentenced Ibarra to the maximum possible punishments for multiple charges, including kidnapping, aggravated assault with intent to rape, obstruction of a 911 call, tampering with evidence and a peeping tom charge. The judge ordered that the defendant serve each sentence consecutively, according to CNN, condemning Ibarra to two life sentences and 27 years in prison.

In a victim statement read before the court Wednesday, Allyson Phillips called her daughter a child of God who demonstrated her love for the Lord through missionary work and caring for the elderly.

The mother declared that there has been no end to the pain she and her family have endured since Feb. 22, the day of her daughters murder.

Riley, a student at Augusta University College of Nursing, never returned home after she left that morning to go jogging around the University of Georgia campus. Prosecutors argued that Ibarra, who entered the country illegally in 2022, killed the young woman by bashing her skull and asphyxiating her after attempting to sexually assault her.

On that horrific day, my precious daughter was attacked, Rileys mom stated. Beaten and show no mercy. She fought for her life and dignity and to save herself from being brutally raped.

This sick, twisted, and evil coward showed no regard for Laken or human life, she said, referring to Ibarra. We are asking that the same be done to him.

Phillips urged the judge to sentence Ibarra to life in prison without the possibility of parole, stating that this is the sentence Ibarra inflicted on her and the rest of Rileys family on Feb. 22. The grieving mother wept as she noted that the defendant had robbed the family of its hopes and dreams for Laken, such as watching her graduate nursing school or become a mother.

I'm asking you to please give Jose Ibarra the same thing he gave us when he made the choice to take Lakens life and destroy ours, Phillips cried. He showed no mercy on Laken when she was begging for her life.

I'm asking you to please give this monster life without any chance of parole so that he never gets the chance to hurt anyone else ever again, she added.

Ibarras attorneys argued that the prosecutions evidence  traces of Rileys DNA under the defendants fingernails and his thumbprint on her phone  was circumstantial, CBS News reported. The defense claimed that the defendants brother, Diego Ibarra, who worked at the University of Georgia dining hall, could have committed the crime.

During the bench trial, prosecutors highlighted additional pieces of evidence, including Rileys smartwatch and iPhone. The location on Rileys phone places her at the crime scene while the smartwatch tracked her slowing heart rate. Cell towers also picked up Ibarras phone near the area where Riley was killed.

John Phillips, Riley's stepfather, spoke before Ibarras sentencing on Wednesday, referring to Riley as a shining beacon of light in the life of everyone that knew her. The stepfather read one of Rileys last journal entries, in which the young woman wrote a letter to her future husband.

I pray that you know that it is with my full faith and trust in God that I know this relationship has been handcrafted by Him, Phillips read. "I pray that we continue to glorify the Lord, prioritize Him in every aspect of our lives, and raise our future family to be God-fearing Christians as well.

Rileys stepdad offered the journal entry as an example of the kind of woman she was. He vowed to keep alive the hope she gave to her loved ones. While Phillips promised that Rileys loved ones would carry this hope in [Rileys] name, he asked the judge to prevent another tragedy like this one by sentencing Ibarra to life in prison.
Home News Christian voters swayed 2024 presidential election, data show

Self-identified Christian voters are being credited with making a difference in the outcome of the 2024 presidential election as data show that the faithful overwhelmingly backed President-elect Donald Trump, according to a new report.

George Barna, director of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, published a report last week highlighting the findings of his organizations post-election research conducted in the three days following the Nov. 5 election. Data included in the report is based on extensive interviews with a national sample of 2,000 voting-age adults. The survey had a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

The main finding from the report is that self-identified Christians helped deliver the White House to Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, who defeated Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris: Among self-identified Christians, President Trump won a 56% share of their vote. And because Christians represented 72% of the voters who turned out, their support for the re-elected Republican made the difference in the race.

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Although Harris won a larger share of the non-Christian vote than Trumps share of the Christian votes, Christians outnumbered non-Christian voters by a more than five- to-two margindelivering the decisive Nov. 5 victory to President Trump, the report added.

The data collected from the Cultural Research Center detailed information about turnout among Christian denominations and certain groups of Christian voters, as well as support for the two major candidates among voters within religious subgroups. At 99%, turnout was highest among the group of voters defined as Spiritually Active Governance Engaged Conservative Christians, also known as SAGE Cons.

Characteristics of SAGE Cons include consistent participation and belief in core Christian principles and religious endeavors, plus above-average political attentiveness and participation, possessing conservative political ideology, and a commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. While the turnout rate did not budge among SAGE Cons from 2020 to 2024, most other groups of Christian voters examined saw their turnout rates drop or remain stagnant between the two presidential elections.

The exceptions were Catholics, whose turnout rate increased from 67% to 70%, and Integrated Disciples, defined as those possessing a biblical worldview. Sixty-seven percent of Integrated Disciples turned out in 2024, compared to 64% in 2020.

The turnout rate among those who attend a Pentecostal church was measured at 62% in both 2020 and 2024. Turnout dipped slightly from 66% to 65% among Christians who attend mainline Protestant churches, while a larger decrease from 65% to 59% was recorded among their counterparts who attend Evangelical churches. Fifty-nine percent of Protestants as a whole turned out in 2024, compared to 62% four years ago.

Those theologically defined as born-again Christians, who are confident they will live eternally in Heaven solely because they have confessed their sins to God, repented, and trust Jesus as their Savior, constituted 58% of the electorate in 2024, compared to 64% in 2020. Among self-identified Christians, turnout dropped from 64% to 56%.

In the 2024 election, Trump was the preferred candidate among every subgroup of Christian voters. He secured the overwhelming majority of the vote from SAGE Cons (90%) along with 75% of the vote from Integrated Disciples and 74% of the vote from Pentecostal church attendees. Trump also received support from a substantial majority of Evangelical church attenders (64%), theologically-defined born-again Christians (64%) and Protestants (60%).

Smaller majorities of mainline Protestant church attenders (56%), self-identified Christians (56%) and Catholics (51%) backed Trump over Harris. This conflicts with exit polls finding that 56% of Catholics voted for Trump in the 2024 election.

Barna issued a statement reflecting on why Christians' support for Trump was so high, explaining that the candidate did a better job than Kamala Harris of representing hallowed Christian characteristics such as the importance and support of family, the rule of law, limited government authority, financial responsibility, and the like.

In contrast, Vice President Harris doubling down on abortion on-demand, open borders, transgenderism, and central tenets of socialistic governance clashed with the core values of the nations dominant spiritual perspectives, he noted.

Millions of President Trumps votes came from people who would not vote for him as the nations pastor or as a behavioral model for their children, but who perceived he would protect their traditional, cherished values and lifestyle preferences while Harris was more likely to limit or ban such ways of life.

The research also asked voters what role their churches played in election-related activities ahead of the 2024 election. A majority of all Christian voters said their churches provided teaching about the Bibles stand on specific issues (54%), with higher shares of Pentecostal and Charismatic church attendees (69%), Evangelicals (67%) and mainline Protestants (56%) indicating that their churches took this course of action than non-denominational church attendees (52%) and Catholics (41%).

A majority of all Christians (53%) reported that their churches encouraged congregants to vote, without endorsing a particular candidate. Majorities of Pentecostal and Charismatic church attendees (65%), Evangelical church attendees (61%) and mainline Protestant church attendees (53%) maintained that their churches pushed civic participation as did half of non-denominational church attendees (50%) and slightly less than half of Catholics (48%).

By contrast, less than half of Christians told pollsters that their churches provided written information about the Bibles stand on particular issues (46%), invited or hosted candidates to speak at the church (30%), provided voter guides (28%), registered new voters (26%) and endorsed or recommended particular candidates (23%).

While majorities of Pentecostal and Charismatic church attendees (65%) and Evangelical church attendees (54%) said their churches gave them written information with a biblical perspective on contemporary issues, less than half of Christians who attend all other types of churches reported otherwise. Less than half of Christians across all religious subgroups recalled their churches engaging in the remaining election-related activities.

Barna also urged pastors to take a more active role in the political sphere. Parents, pastors, and other people of influence must intentionally and strategically commit to shaping the worldview and values of the nation  especially among children  to coincide with the beliefs and values they just voted to protect, he said. Successfully refining the worldview and values of the American people is the foundation required to facilitate desired national outcomes such as unity, equality, opportunity, safety, peace, justice and joy.
Home News 98 food aid trucks violently looted upon entering Gaza, UN says

Ninety-eight trucks carrying food aid for Palestinians have been violently looted after crossing into Gaza, according to the United Nations. The convoy, which was delivering provisions provided by the U.N. Relief and Works Agency and the World Food Programme, was attacked shortly after entering the enclave, resulting in injuries to some of the drivers.

The convoy was instructed to leave from the Kerem Shalom border crossing on short notice, taking an unfamiliar route, Louise Wateridge, UNRWA Senior Emergency Officer, told Reuters.

The looting, which occurred on Saturday, affected 98 out of 109 trucks in the convoy, marking one of the most severe losses of food aid during the 13-month war. This ... highlights the severity of access challenges of bringing aid into southern and central Gaza, Wateridge said amid ongoing military escalations that have continued since the Hamas attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

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U.N. officials have raised concerns about the worsening hunger crisis in Gaza, where over 2 million people rely on humanitarian aid for survival.

The urgency of the crisis cannot be overstated; without immediate intervention, severe food shortages are set to worsen, further endangering the lives of over 2 million people who depend on humanitarian aid to survive, said Wateridge.

Hamas-run Al-Aqsa TV reported that during a security operation by Hamas militants, in coordination with tribal committees, more than 20 individuals allegedly involved in the looting were killed. The operation was said to be aimed at reestablishing control and security over the looted supplies.

Hamas Interior Ministry has warned that anyone caught aiding such looting in the future would face harsh punishment.

An Israeli official, who was not identified, blamed the U.N.'s distribution logistics for the challenges in aid delivery. Israel, the official said, has been making efforts to address the humanitarian situation since the conflict began.

The incident follows allegations in May of irregularities within UNRWA regarding the handling of aid. A series of messages posted in an online chatroom by former and current UNRWA employees accused the agencys staff of stealing and hoarding humanitarian aid meant for civilians.

According to the Geneva-based NGO U.N. Watch, one former UNRWA employee, Haitham al-Sayyed, accused staff members of misusing aid resources. In posts, al-Sayyed claimed that staff had been hiding supplies or hoarding them for personal use.

Mohammed Musa al-Sawalhi, another UNRWA employee, said in February, 80 percent of employees in the shelters have no morals or dignity, and alleged that agency workers had stolen supplies meant for civilians.

These claims led to increased scrutiny of UNRWA, with multiple countries, including the United States, suspending their funding.
Home News 'Catholics for Harris' co-founder urges Democrats to address their 'God problem'

A Catholic political operative with ties to Vice President Kamala Harris unsuccessful 2024 presidential election campaign is urging the Democratic Party to address its God Problem, which he views as one of the main reasons behind its loss.

Christopher Hale, co-founder of the group Catholics for Harris, wrote an op-ed for Newsweek titled Kamala Harris Lost Catholic Voters Because She Didnt Try to Win Them. The op-eds publication comes after Harris lost to President-elect Donald Trump.

Exit polling of the election shows that 58% of Catholic voters backed Trump, while 40% supported Harris. This represented a dramatic turnaround from 2020, when 52% of Catholic voters supported Democratic candidate Joe Biden and 47% backed Trump.

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Hale attributed Harris lackluster performance with the religious demographic to actions taken by her campaign and the Democratic Party as a whole. He also lamented her decision to skip the Al Smith Dinner, a charity event put on by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York in the weeks leading up to the election. Normally, both the Republican and Democratic nominees attend the event and lightheartedly poke fun at one another.

While Harris didn't attend the event in person, she delivered a pre-recorded video message. Hale derided the video as ineffective: It felt like it was put together by media operatives who believed their Catholic grade-school education gave them the insight needed to grasp the particular instincts of Catholic voters across the nation.

Hale wrote that Harris decision to skip the Al Smith Dinner underscored the Democratic Partys growing God problem, which he described as symptomatic of a broader issue within the Democratic Party: a discomfort with engaging faith communities across the nation.

Over the years, the party has increasingly aligned itself with secular and progressive values, often sidelining religious voices in the process, Hale wrote.

This shift has alienated many religious voters, who feel their beliefs are not only unrepresented but actively dismissed. For Catholics, this alienation is particularly acute on issues like abortion. While many Catholics support legal abortion in some circumstances, a significant portion believes in stricter limits or oppose it altogether.

Referring to the Democrats intensified support for abortion after the United States Supreme Court determined that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion in the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision, Hale said the Democrats' unwavering commitment to reproductive choice post-Dobbs is to be expected, but its unwillingness to engage with voters who disagree is political malpractice.

This inflexibility makes it difficult for pro-life or moderately pro-choice Catholics to feel at home within the party, despite aligning with its positions on other critical issues like poverty, health care and immigration, he added.

The Democrats inability to engage religious voters comes with a steep political cost. Catholics are a diverse group, including both conservative and progressive voices. They are often key swing voters in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Hale suggested that the party should embrace a more inclusive approach that acknowledges the importance of faith in the lives of millions of Americans.

Future candidates must be willing to engage with religious voters, even on contentious issues, and find common ground where possible, he insisted. Hale cited targeted outreach to faith voters and participation in the Al Smith Dinner as actions that would demonstrate a genuine commitment to dialogue and bridge-building, signaling that the party values the contributions and concerns of religious communities.

Hale contended that Democrats reluctance to engage with Catholic voters left a vacuum that Republicans all too happily filled.

Trumps campaign portrayed the Republican Party as the defender of religious freedom and traditional values, drawing in Catholic voters who felt overlooked by the Democrats, he asserted.

Hale contrasted the approach of Biden in 2020 and Trump in 2024, both of whom ran ads targeting Catholic voters, with what he characterized as the Harris campaigns noticeable aversion to engaging with Catholic voters.

He concluded by rejecting the belief that Democrats shouldn't engage with Catholic Church leadership because of the sex abuse scandal, the Churchs opposition to abortion and gay marriage, and the hierarchys tendency to cozy up with the GOP.

Forty million persuadable voters shouldnt be ignored and punished for the behavior, beliefs, and sins of their leaders, Hale said.

Hales op-ed also touched upon the damaging media narrative that Kamala Harris and the Democrats were anti-Catholic, which he contended that Harris failure to attend the Al Smith Dinner fed into.

Although Biden is a practicing Catholic, his administration has faced allegations of anti-Catholicism, most notably last year after the FBIs Richmond field office circulated a document warning of a threat posed by radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology.

The memo defined radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology as typically characterized by the rejection of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) as a valid church council; disdain for most of the popes elected since Vatican II, particularly Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II; and frequent adherence to anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBT, and white supremacist ideology.

While it attempted to clarify that radical-traditionalist Catholics compose a small minority of overall Roman Catholic adherents and are separate and distinct from traditionalist Catholics who prefer the Traditional Latin Mass and pre-Vatican II teachings and traditions, the apparent targeting of a religious demographic did not sit well with members of Congress and Catholic advocacy groups.
Home News Colorado to pay over $1.5 million to settle lawsuit with Christian website designer

Colorado will pay over $1.5 million as part of a settlement with a Christian business owner who won her case at the United States Supreme Court.

Last year, the court ruled that Lorie Smith of 303 Creative could not be forced by a state anti-discrimination law to make websites that go against her sincere religious beliefs.

The Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal nonprofit that helped to represent Smith, announced Tuesday that state officials had agreed to a settlement that included paying over $1.5 million in fees.

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ADF CEO and President Kristen Waggoner said in the announcement that the government cannot force Americans to say things they dont believe, and Colorado officials have paid and will continue to pay a high price when they violate this foundational freedom.

Billions of people around the world believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman and that men and women are biologically distinct. No government has the right to silence individuals for expressing these ideas or to punish those who decline to express different views, stated Waggoner.

Political and cultural winds shift, but the freedom to speak without fear of censorship is a God-given constitutionally guaranteed right, essential for a flourishing society and self-governing people.

In 2016, Lorie Smith of 303 Creative filed a pre-enforcement challenge to the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, which she believed would force her to violate her belief that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit ruled against Smith in July 2021, with the two-judge majority concluding that "Colorado has a compelling interest in protecting both the dignity interests of members of marginalized groups and their material interests in accessing the commercial marketplace.

When regulating commercial entities, like Appellants, public accommodations laws help ensure a free and open economy," wrote Circuit Judge Mary Beck Briscoe, a Clinton appointee, in the majority opinion.

"Thus, although the commercial nature of Appellants' business does not diminish their speech interest, it does provide Colorado with a state interest absent when regulating noncommercial activity."

Smith appealed to the Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in December 2022. The high court ruled 6-3 in her favor in June 2023, with Justice Neil Gorsuch authoring the opinion of the court.

Gorsuch wrote that "no public accommodations law is immune from the demands of the Constitution" and expressed concern over the state's attempt to control Smith's speech.

"Under Colorados logic, the government may compel anyone who speaks for pay on a given topic to accept all commissions on that same topicno matter the underlying messageif the topic somehow implicates a customers statutorily protected trait," wrote Gorsuch.

"Equally, the government could force a male website designer married to another man to design websites for an organization that advocates against same-sex marriage ... As our precedents recognize, the First Amendment tolerates none of that."

Gorsuch also wrote that "commitment to speech for only some messages and some persons is no commitment at all" and that "the opportunity to think for ourselves and to express those thoughts freely is among our most cherished liberties and part of what keeps our Republic strong."

Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, claiming that the majority "grants a business open to the public a constitutional right to refuse to serve members of a protected class."

"The business argues, and a majority of the Court agrees, that because the business offers services that are customized and expressive, the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment shields the business from a generally applicable law that prohibits discrimination in the sale of publicly available goods and services. That is wrong. Profoundly wrong," Sotomayor wrote.

"[Colorado's law] targets conduct, not speech, for regulation, and the act of discrimination has never constituted protected expression under the First Amendment. Our Constitution contains no right to refuse service to a disfavored group."
Rainfall totals will generally be 1-5 inches on Wednesday across Northern California. Baron/Lynx

UPDATED FORECAST: What to expect as atmospheric river-driven storm slams Bay Area; plus, see latest live updates on storm impacts across California.

Overnight, a low-pressure system off the Pacific Northwest rapidly intensified, bottoming out with a central pressure near 940 millibars and approaching the record for the lowest central pressure ever recorded in the northeast Pacific Ocean.

More weather coverage: As storms arrive, heres what your phone weather app may miss in the forecast

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The intensifying system tapped into a deep atmospheric river moisture plume aimed directly at the California coastline, with the most severe impacts expected on Wednesday.

Heres a detailed breakdown of Wednesdays forecast across the state:

Northern California coast and interior

The most extreme impacts will be felt across Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity and Siskiyou counties, where torrential rain, heavy snow and hurricane-force winds will batter the region from the coast to the interior.

Wind gusts of 65-75 mph are expected along the coast, peaking Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, several rounds of moderate to heavy rain will move through the area throughout the day, dropping 2-5 inches of rain in locations such as Healdsburg, Ukiah, Point Arena and Eureka. Higher rain totals are likely in the elevated terrain surrounding Highway 101 and extending to the Oregon border, with 6-8 inches forecast from Mendocino National Forest through Trinity and Klamath national forests. Rivers and streams in these areas will start to rise to flood stage by the end of Wednesday.

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In the interior Cascade Range near Shasta Lake and Mount Shasta, precipitation will take the form of snow, with totals reaching several feet. Cold air trapped in the Shasta Valley will lead to snowfall accumulations of 1-3 feet on Wednesday alone. Places like Mount Shasta City will see 15-20 inches, with localized snowfall rates up to 3 inches an hour at times on Wednesday. In the Siskiyou Mountains above 3,500 feet, 20-36 inches of snow will fall, which will lead to blizzard conditions at times. Travel along the Interstate 5 stretch from Mount Shasta to the Oregon border will be significantly impacted, with some road closures possible at times.

Heavy snow, upwards of several feet, will fall around Mount Shasta on Wednesday. Baron/Lynx

Central Valley and the Sierra

The deep moisture plume will bring the heaviest precipitation to the Central Valley, foothills and Sierra during the first half of Wednesday before shifting farther north later in the day.

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Flood watches are in effect across the Central Valley, where 2-4 inches of rain are expected Wednesday in areas such as Clearlake, Red Bluff and Redding. Along the Central Valley foothills, 3-5 inches of rain will fall around Chico and Paradise, increasing the risk of debris flow flooding near the massive Park Fire burn scar.

At elevations above 3,500 feet, 5-10 inches of precipitation are likely, mostly Wednesday morning. As warm air moves in, snow levels will rise to 6,000 feet by the end of the day, with 10-20 inches of snow forecast. In the Tahoe area, light snow may fall early Wednesday morning before quickly transitioning to rain.

Winds will gust up to 45 mph in the Central Valley, with stronger gusts of up to 55 mph in the mountains.

Bay Area

It will be a mix of feast or famine rainfall totals around the Bay Area on Wednesday. Rain will begin in the North Bay during the early morning hours, spreading to the rest of the region by late morning. Pockets of moderate to heavy rain will move through the North Bay, eventually reaching San Francisco and the East Bay by late morning or early afternoon.



Rainfall totals on Wednesday will be 2-4 inches in areas such as Petaluma and Santa Rosa, with 4-6 inches in the elevated terrain of Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties. A flood watch is in effect from Wednesday morning through Saturday for urban areas, small creeks and streams in the North Bay.

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Rainfall amounts in San Francisco, Oakland and the interior East Bay will be 0.5-1.5 inches, with slightly higher totals in the East Bay hills. In the South Bay, including San Jose and Santa Cruz, rainfall will generally be 0.25-0.5 inches, except in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where 1-2 inches are expected.

Winds will be gusty across the North Bay, San Francisco, and along the Pacific Coast, with gusts up to 50 mph at times. A wind advisory is in effect through early Thursday for the North Bay, San Francisco Bayshore and Pacific Coast, with gusts up to 50 mph.

Thursday is likely to be mostly dry around the Bay Area as the atmospheric river shifts farther north, targeting Northern California and giving the rest of the region a brief break.

A strong cold front will sweep across the state early Friday morning, delivering a quick 0.5-1 inch of rain. The atmospheric river is expected to reload over the weekend, bringing more rain to the Bay Area and additional snow to the Sierra.
Home News Parents group wants federal probe of whites-only, anti-racist affinity groups in Boston schools

A parental rights advocacy group is calling for a federal investigation into Boston Public Schools after leaked internal documents show the district organized racially-segregated affinity groups for teachers and parents, which included programs intended for whites only.

Parents Defending Education filed a complaint last week through the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions office in Boston, requesting an investigation to determine whether BPS actions violated Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Boston Public Schools did not immediately respond to The Christian Posts request for comment.

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The complaint included lesson plans and other materials related to BPS affinity groups, including one called White Staff and Parents Challenging Racism. A guide for the group instructs participants to Learn More about Each Other as White People, which PDE argued is evidence of the groups white-only status.

According to the guide included in PDEs complaint, the program instructs participants to reflect on past opportunities where they may have gathered with white people to enhance [their] effectiveness as an ally to people of color.

BPS also appears to have an affinity group  and certain training  for staff who are White School Leader[s], the advocacy group stated in the letter. This groups mission includes educat[ing], support[ing], and respectfully challeng[ing] one another as white people..., further confirming that BPS is excluding staff from groups and training based on race.

The curriculum for the group also emphasizes that the group and its training is only for white principals, PDE added.

Another resource in the BPS staff affinity group guide directs participants to an article titled Why People of Color Need Spaces Without White People, which explains why individuals of certain backgrounds should have their own affinity group spaces.

Regarding anti-racist affinity groups for white people, BPS guidelines promoted this as an opportunity for white individuals to confront their indoctrination and participation in White supremacy.

The agenda outlines some of the goals of these affinity groups, stating that the training can help white individuals build authentic relationships with people of color and become effective at disrupting racism.

If BPS staff wants to apply these tools during conversations at staff or community meetings, then the guide recommends having two co-facilitators who represent the two largest demographic groups at the meeting.

Define the desired outcomes in advance, ensuring that the participants are ready to engage in respectful, constructive conversation that may be uncomfortable at times, the guidelines state. If the White participants have had limited exposure to learning about racism, extra care will be needed to ensure that this is a useful experience for participants of Color.

Another recommendation emphasized the need to prioritize the voices of people of color during staff and community meetings, suggesting a timer to ensure none of the participants, especially White participants, dominate the conversation.

Consider breaking into small groups based on identity, especially if there will be more than one meeting, reads another suggestion.

PDE expressed concern last year about BPS promoting affinity groups for staff that separated people by race and other characteristics, such as sexual orientation.

According to a document titled BPS Staff Affinity Groups: Guidelines and Best Practices, affinity groups are intended to help departments and schools become an anti-racist organization and institution.

The document clarifies that affinity groups are for people who share a common identity, not those who want to learn about other identities or how to advocate for other groups. It also noted that membership in affinity groups is based on self-identification.

Ask people what group or groups they would like to join; never assume you know how someone identifies. Some people with mixed heritage may want to join more than one group (ideally, groups should be scheduled at non-overlapping times for this reason), the resource states. Sometimes it is helpful to have a separate affinity group or breakout sessions within an affinity group for people of mixed heritage.
Home News Louisiana can force some schools to display Ten Commandments, appeals court rules

A federal appeals court has limited the scope of a lower court ruling that prohibited Louisiana from enforcing a new law that requires the placement of Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit issued an order last Friday allowing the law requiring the Decalogue displays to take effect in the school districts that do not have parents challenging the measure. The law is slated to take effect on New Year's Day.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill celebrated the order, saying in a statement she looks forward to "immediately working with all of our school boards who are not involved in this lawsuit to implement the law soon!

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In June, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed House Bill 71 into law, which 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.

The measure specifically mandates classrooms have a 11-by-14-inch display along with an accompanying context statement explaining the Ten Commandments historical influence.

"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 HB 71 became law, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Freedom From Religion Foundation and Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed suit against it 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."

U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles, an Obama appointee, issued a lengthy ruling and order last Tuesday, temporarily blocking enforcement of the law while the litigation continued.

"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 also took issue with the defendants' claim that the Ten Commandments is 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 added.

"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."
Home News Pennsylvania to rescind 'woke' teacher development standards, settles lawsuit

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has agreed not to require school districts to implement teacher professional development guidelines critics denounced as "woke" in response to a lawsuit challenging the framework.

The Thomas More Society, a religious liberty-focused legal organization, announced it settled with the Pennsylvania Department of Education last week. The agency agreed to rescind its "Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education Program Framework Guidelines," first implemented in November 2022. The standards in question became the subject of litigation in April 2023.

"We are incredibly pleased with this settlement agreement, which forces the Pennsylvania Department of Education to rescind the state's 'Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education' guidelines  securing an important victory for Pennsylvania parents, students, and teachers," said Thomas More Society Special Counsel Thomas Berth. "Our agreement is a triumph against the Department's blatantly ideological and illegal attempt to inject 'woke' activism into school curricula across Pennsylvania."

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Thomas More Society Executive Vice President and Head of Litigation Peter Breen said educational standards "should help students learn how to think, not what they must believe."

"This victory against Pennsylvania's 'woke' curriculum mandate restores that opportunity for Pennsylvania families and teachers," Breen said. "Pennsylvania's CR-SE curriculum guidelines commanded to students what they must believe and unconstitutionally compelled teachers to pledge loyalty to an ideological program."

The Thomas More Society shared screenshots of what it considers the most concerning aspects of the guidelines, which instructed educators to "Believe and acknowledge that microaggressions are real and take steps to educate themselves about the subtle and obvious ways in which they are used to harm and invalidate the existence of others."

The guidelines encouraged teachers to "disrupt harmful institutional practices, policies, and norms by advocating and engaging in efforts to rewrite policies, change practices, and raise awareness." The guidelines also urged teachers to "engage in critical and difficult conversations with others to deepen their awareness of their own conscious/unconscious biases, stereotypes, and prejudices."

Educators were advised to "[d]esign learning experiences and spaces for learners to identify and question economic, political, and social power structures in the school, community, nation, and world."

The Thomas More Society filed a lawsuit against the now-rescinded guidelines in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania on behalf of three school districts as well as a group of students and parents. The filing alleges that the guidelines violate the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the state's Regulatory Review Act and the Pennsylvania Constitution. The settlement comes 18 months after the litigation first commenced.

Under the settlement terms, the Pennsylvania Department of Education will email all schools and school districts in the state to inform them that the guidelines have been rescinded and stress that they have no legal obligation to comply with them.

The state agency will offer an alternative set of guidelines, known as the Common Ground Framework, that it encourages but does not require schools and school districts to adopt.

The Common Ground Framework contains a series of "Considerations for Professional Development" that educators should keep in mind when encountering students from different backgrounds. It asks teachers to keep in mind that students in poverty may not have the same access to school supplies and activities as others and features recommended best practices and considerations regarding students who hail from farming families, where children rise early to work on the farm and military families.

Additional "Considerations for Professional Development" in the revised guidelines include low socioeconomic status, homelessness, family communication and engagement, trauma, disabilities and lack of digital and broadband accessibility.
Home News Texas school board gives preliminary OK to Bible-based lessons in classrooms GOP, Christian conservative members vote against curriculum

The Texas State Board of Education moved a step closer Tuesday to final approval of a state-authored elementary school curriculum that includes biblical teachings for elementary school students statewide.

The boards 15 members voted 8-7 in favor of preliminary approval to Bluebonnet Learning, a curriculum proposed earlier this year by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for use in K-5 public school classrooms.

Notably, three Republicans, including board member Pam Little (R-Fairview), a self-described Christian conservative, voted with the boards four Democratic members against the curriculum. Little was re-elected to another two-year term on the Republican-led panel earlier this month.

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While the board is set to hold an official vote on the curriculum on Friday, members will have until late Wednesday to submit any revisions in response to concerns raised by both board members and the public. Although the vote is expected to move forward, board members can change their votes until the official decision.

Pending final approval, nearly 2.3 million K-5 students in Texas will be taught using the new curriculum.

The vote followed a contentious public hearing session on Monday, which drew a number of supporters and opponents of the curriculum.

The curriculum provides instructional guidelines for K-5 teachers and includes lessons on the early history of Christianity, with selections from the New Testament books of the Christian Bible providing context on beliefs about Jesus of Nazareth.

In addition to explaining its use of both the terms BC/AD and BCE (before the Common Era) and CE (of the Common Era), the curriculum includes studies such as Christianity and the Roman Empire, which has a stated reading objective for students to explain how Jesus of Nazareths life impacted the Roman Empire.

In a statement to CP, Little said: I dont think the Bluebonnet Learning will teach our students to be good readers, adding, I firmly believe we should teach our students the Biblical values of the Golden Rule, Good Samaritan, etc.

Little pointed to what she views as a flawed phonics portion of the curriculum, which she said starts students out with just sounds of letters and does not introduce the names of letters until later in the year and doesnt follow the format of state educator prep programs.

The amount of content is overwhelming and takes away time from students practicing reading, which helps build fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, she added. The program expects kindergarteners to sit for over 30 minutes at a time listening to content on various subjects.

Little shared two images of links to what she described as inappropriate reading suggestions for students, one of which appeared to be an image of the LGBT-themed book Love Makes A Family by Sophie Little (no relation).

However, a CP search of the Bluebonnet curriculum was unable to locate that title on the official Texas curriculum website.

Supporters have praised the integration of passages from the Bible into the curriculum as notable literary works, while critics say the lessons are heavily skewed toward Christian teachings. They argue that the curriculum could alienate non-Christian students, lead to bullying and undermine the separation of church and state outlined by the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

In September, Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, equated the curriculum with Christian nationalism, which, in the congressmans view, amounts to elevating our religion over others  dominating our neighbors instead of loving them as ourselves.

During a House Public Education Committee meeting in August that began with testimony from Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath, Talarico raised concerns about what he described as the separation between church and state and what he views as a bias toward Christianity in school curriculum materials.

One of those concerns, said Talarico, is what he sees as a distinction between preaching and teaching.

I think kids should learn about the major world religions in school, including Christianity, he told CP. They need it to understand the world, understand literature, understand their own culture and other cultures. But when the state usurps the role of the church  preaching Christianity instead of teaching it  the government violates the constitutional separation of church and state found in our First Amendment.

Upon final approval, the curriculum will be implemented in school districts by August 2025.
Home News Tony Campolo, bestselling author, teacher and evangelist, dies at 89

Tony Campolo, a bestselling author, teacher and evangelist preacher known for championing a movement called Red Letter Christianity, has died. He was 89.

Campolos death was announced on his Facebook page on Tuesday evening. The message to his friends and followers said the notable preacher died at his home in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, where he was surrounded by his family and loved ones.

His life was a testament to faith, love, and the transformative power of relationships, and his influence will be felt for generations to come, the announcement added.

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For more than six decades, as a pastor, distinguished professor, mesmerizing public speaker, and prolific author, Tony touched countless lives around the world with his hopeful message of social justice, love, and reconciliation.

Shane Claiborne, a progressive Christian activist and author, conveyed his condolences on his X account, describing Campolo as a dear friend and brother.

Tony Campolo has been my partner in ministry for the past 20+ years at [Red Letter Christians]. I will miss him something fierce, but I know theres a party on the other side, tweeted Claiborne.

I dont have much more to say right now. But I will soon. Thanks for all the love and condolences being poured out from around the world. Grateful for all the lives he touched over the years.

Born on Feb. 25, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Campolo was known for his charismatic preaching, years of work as a professor, and social activism, especially among the needy.

For nearly 40 years, Campolo led a group known as the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, which he launched to help serve communities in need. He retired from his position in the organization in 2014.

In 2007, Campolo helped to found a group called Red Letter Christians, named such because in some published versions of the Bible, Jesus words are printed in red rather than black ink.

We believe in the black letters, too, and are convinced the whole Bible is Gods word. But Jesus is the lens through which we interpret the Bible, and the lens through which we interpret the world we live in, stated the groups website.

Its clear that some of the loudest voices of Christianity have not been the most beautiful voices. And some of the most beautiful voices havent had the amplification they deserve. The way we change the narrative is by changing the narrators.

The movement was not without its critics, among them Mark Tooley of the theologically conservative Institute on Religion & Democracy, who believed that the movement's reasoning was "destructive and dangerous because it implies the whole of Scripture is less than reliable and that modern individuals in one culture can singularly reinterpret or reject historic Christian ethical teaching without counsel of universal Church."

"So a few words from Jesus supposedly mandate unlimited welfare state, opposition to military, gun abolition, etc.," said Tooley in an interview with The Christian Post in 2016.

"Meanwhile, too often historic Church teachings about abortion or homosexuality are dismissed because Jesus did not specifically address it."

For his part, Campolo defended Red Letters Christians, telling CP in a 2016 interview that there was no question that the morality prescribed by Jesus is superior to anything that was hitherto suggested by the law and the prophets.

"I want to always add that the early Church didn't have a New Testament, but what they were able to do under the influence of the Holy Spirit is to find the message and the story of Jesus written all through the law and the prophets of the Old Testament," said Campolo.

"In short, the Scriptures that were written before the New Testament point to Jesus and they are crucially important for us to understand Jesus."

Campolo garnered controversy for some of the ideological stances he took over the past few years, including his belief that churches should fully accept same-sex romantic relationships.

While coming to reject the label Evangelical, Campolo told CP in an earlier interview that he still held a very traditional view on salvation, rejecting accusations that he was a universalist.

I believe that when Jesus died on the cross that He took upon Himself the sins of people who will repent and trust in Him for their salvation. I believe in the penal substitutionary doctrine of the atonement, Campolo explained.

I am still an Evangelical when it comes to faith practices and faith beliefs. What I am trying to communicate, and I think a lot of people would agree with me, is that the word Evangelical has become politicized in a way that causes some of us to be alarmed.

In addition to his activism and preaching, Campolo was a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania, a professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University and the author of over 30 books.

Campolo is survived by his wife, Peggy, whom he was married to for over 65 years, two children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Trump's Cabinet: 9 Current Nominees, Denzel Washington's Gladiator II Kiss, Year-Round Thanksgiving Lessons For Kids

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:25 07:25

Top headlines for Wednesday, November 20, 2024

In this episode, with the second Trump administration on the horizon, we discuss the nine key figures President-elect Donald Trump has chosen for his cabinet and the potential impact of these selections. We then turn our attention to Hollywood, where beloved actor and outspoken Christian Denzel Washington has opened up about an unexpected experience while filming Gladiator II. Finally, we explore how teaching children to embrace gratitude can enrich their livesnot just in November, but throughout the entire year.

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Home Opinion Beyond the mountain shops: Hidden struggle in Western North Carolina

Shoppers stroll along State Street in Black Mountain, North Carolina, toting bags from local boutiques and upscale stores. The autumn colors glow against the mountain backdrop. Outside restaurants on the town's main street, tourists sit on benches, enjoying ice cream cones. Pausing at a red light, visiting motorists would find it hard to believe that just weeks ago, torrential rain from the deadly Hurricane Helene ravaged the region. Even more surprising is the reality that only six miles west on US-70, there are cars still stuck in trees, people living in tents, and a trail of devastation that leaves first-time onlookers speechless.

Downtown Black Mountain is open for business, bustling as a picturesque mountain town, while its neighboring community faces years of rebuilding.



The contrast is stark: tourists casually shopping just a few miles from American citizens surviving in tents on their neighbors lawns. This divide is symbolic of a broader reality  those untouched by tragedy often move on quickly. Theres no slight here against Black Mountain; its a relief that its main street thrives, as the community relies on tourism. But for someone who has spent weeks going to the area helping storm-ravaged residents slog through the mud to reclaim some sense of normalcy, its jarring to see life seemingly move on while so many continue to struggle.



Our ministry has made seven trips into the devastated areas of Western North Carolina, and in many places, the scenes still look like something out of a disaster film.



In the age of a 24-hour news cycle, a heated presidential election, and government transitions, its easy for the people of Western North Carolina to slip from public awareness. Although many towns are indeed back on their feet and open for business, the reality remains that tens of thousands of lives are still in pieces.



The more fortunate are huddled with their families in tiny, cramped campers, keeping warm with propane heaters. Others  often immigrant families Ive met personally  live in tents on the banks of the Swannanoa River, the same river that nearly took their lives not long ago. As temperatures drop, while people donate stuffed animals to comfort children, the harsh reality is that many of these children are asking for propane to survive another bitterly cold night.



As the world moves on, please dont forget the people of Western North Carolina  many of whom have not slept in a real bed since September.

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Home Opinion Yes, celebrate Trump's win. But don't fall into idolatry

The recent election was a decisive victory for conservative and Christian principles, a landmark moment that kindled hope in the hearts of many Americans. This resounding triumph signifies a renewed embrace of traditional values, signaling a profound desire for positive change in the direction of our nation. Emboldened by this outcome, we optimistically anticipate that America will embark on a transformative journey, repudiating its past missteps and transgressions.

As we move forward, this triumph should be a clarion call to restore justice and human dignity as the cornerstone of our government policies. It means upholding the principles enshrined in our Constitution, ensuring that the rights and freedoms guaranteed to all Americans are safeguarded and protected.

We are at a pivotal moment in American history. The majority of the country wants to turn the corner  a collective decision to embrace our values and work towards a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come. Having won all three branches of power, it is a clear mandate from the American people that they care more about the rising costs of food and the dangerous rise of migrant crime than boys playing in girls sports. However, let us not forget that the victory has left our nation deeply divided, with a sense of both relief and uncertainty hanging in the balance.

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The road ahead will not be easy. The defeated left is already mobilizing resistance, and we must be prepared to respond with patience, truth, and grace. This is not the time for Christians to rely on the government to fight our battles for us; that is what led us to this precarious position in the first place. Instead, we must actively engage in the political process, advocating for policies that align with our values and seeking to build bridges across the divide. I believe there are millions of Americans, including those in the Church, who may not have voted for Trump but with whom we can find common ground. It will require compromise and compassion on both sides.

While many celebrate the defeat of a radical progressive agenda, we must not fall into complacency or political idolatry. As people of faith, we are called to be watchmen on the wall, upholding biblical values and warning of dangers others may not see or that they choose to ignore. We must also use our discernment not to blindly accept changes that can have negative, unintended consequences.

As an example, let us thoughtfully consider the issue of returning prayer and biblical teaching to public schools. Like millions of Christians across the nation, I was excited to hear Trump announce it would be part of his national agenda. It was a breath of fresh air to hear respect and support for the values that form the bedrock of our nation. However, as someone who has directly participated in well-meaning government programs that go terribly wrong, I have a sense of trepidation about how exactly that would be executed.



We must never forget that our founding fathers escaped the state-run churches in Europe to practice religion freely. There is a delicate balance that must be struck between support for religious freedom and violating the constitutional limits placed on choosing one religion over another. Though it may be encouraging for Christians now, imagine a scenario where we have a Catholic President, and the prayer is changed to the rosary. Would Protestant Christians be as accepting of that?

Recently, a federal judge blocked Louisianas controversial House Bill 71, which would have required all public schools in the state to display a specific version of the Ten Commandments. The law, signed by Governor Jeff Landry in June 2024, was immediately challenged by civil rights groups that argued that it violated the separation of church and state.

The blocked bill would have mandated the posting of a version of the Ten Commandments similar to the one found in the King James Bible, which is used by many, but not all, Protestant churches. This version differs from those used by Catholics and Jews.

US District Judge John W. deGravelles issued a preliminary injunction against the law, writing that it raises serious concerns about the establishment clause of the First Amendment. The judge said that if it were to go to trial, the law would likely be found unconstitutional.

Though the current Supreme Court majority is likely to favor allowing some amount of prayer and biblical teaching in schools, it is not quite clear just how much will be permissible. We must use caution in how we advocate and seek to implement these initiatives.

It is also encouraging that the new administration champions a foreign policy that decreases US support for foreign wars. Trumps embrace of the Reagan doctrine  peace through strength  translates into a strong US military while decreasing our financial support of endless overseas conflicts. It should also involve advocating for religious liberty and freedom of expression while prioritizing negotiations that align with our national interests.

Domestically, our approach to issues like immigration reform also requires careful consideration. As Christ followers, we prioritize the inherent dignity of every individual, irrespective of their background or circumstances. Ultimately, we want to support humane policies that still accomplish our national security objectives.

Above all, we must remember that the Gospel spread throughout Asia long before the Church held any political power. Our strength lies not in worldly influence but in our unwavering commitment to the truth and our willingness to love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us move forward with humility, wisdom, and courage, trusting in Gods guidance as we navigate the challenges ahead.

In the words of the Apostle Paul, let us make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification. Only then can we hope to heal the wounds of this divisive election and build a more just and compassionate society for all.
The Christ of the Mercy statue in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. (Photo: Getty/iStock)

Nicaraguan media in exile report that Bishop Carlos Enrique Herrera, president of the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference, has been banished to Guatemala. He is the third bishop to be expelled by Daniel Ortega's regime in the past year.

According to journalist Miguel Mendoza, "The bishop of Jinotega, Monsignor Carlos Enrique Herrera, has been exiled from Nicaragua. First, they shut down the diocese's Facebook page, and then they expelled him from his own countryall because he called the Sandinista mayor Leonidas Centeno sacrilegious for disrespecting the Holy Mass by ordering loud music and dances, which made it impossible to hear the service last Sunday."

The diocese had been using the social network to broadcast live Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Thursdays, and other religious events, primarily those presided over by Monsignor Herrera. The regime has banned religious processions and festivities, severely impacting freedom of worship throughout the country.

During the evening Mass last Sunday (Nov. 10), at the San Juan Bautista Cathedral, the bishop expressed his discontent with the frequent noisy events organized by the municipality, which disrupt liturgical celebrations.

"This is sacrilege, what the mayor and all the municipal authorities are doing... we ask God's forgiveness for them and for ourselves," declared the Bishop of Jinotega, directly holding Ortega's mayor, Leonidas Centeno, and other municipal authorities responsible.

The bishop was detained by police after leaving a meeting in Managua with the remaining members of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua and was subsequently deported to Guatemala. He is now staying at a residence of the Order of Friars Minor, to which he belongs, an ecclesiastical source confirmed to Mosaico CSI.

Herrera becomes the third bishop of the Episcopal Conference to be banished by the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, in what is seen as an intensification of the persecution against the Catholic Church in the country.

The United Nations (UN) has denounced the growing religious persecution in Nicaragua, holding Daniel Ortega's regime responsible for harassing the Catholic and Evangelical Churches as well as the families of activists. In a recent report, the UN detailed the imprisonment of priests and the closure of religious media outlets, describing these actions as part of a "strategy of systematic repression."

Violations of religious freedom in Nicaragua are not limited to attacks on the Catholic Church alone. Last September, the government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo canceled the legal status of the Nicaraguan Evangelical Alliance, citing "non-compliance in financial reports."

 Christian Daily International
Truckers holed up along the side of I-5 to let the storm pass before the highway is reopened in Weed, Calif., on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The area is getting hit by significant weather throughout the week due to a bomb cyclone off the coast. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Truckdriver Kirill Foken shovels a trench alongside his truck's tires to free it up as he awaits for I-5 to reopen in Weed, Calif., on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The area is getting hit by significant weather throughout the week due to a bomb cyclone off the coast. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Caltrans crews kept vigil for motorists without chains on I-5 as the storm forced a closure in both directions in Weed, Calif., on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The area is getting hit by significant weather throughout the week due to a bomb cyclone off the coast. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle A semi tractor trailer is prepped and ready to go on E. Vista Drive with snow chains for I-5 to reopen in Weed, Calif., on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The area is getting hit by significant weather throughout the week due to a bomb cyclone off the coast. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Manjit Singh shovels snow from the front of the Layton's Liquors where he works in Weed, Calif., on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The area is getting hit by significant weather throughout the week due to a bomb cyclone off the coast. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle A pedestrian walks along Weed Blvd. in the snow as storm conditions continue to keep I-5 closed in Weed, Calif., on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The area is getting hit by significant weather throughout the week due to a bomb cyclone off the coast. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Daniel Sandoval tries to dig out his truck that got stuck in snow after dropping off his daughter at work in Weed, Calif., on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The area is getting hit by significant weather throughout the week due to a bomb cyclone off the coast. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Caution tape is seen on a downed tree strewn across a road during an atmospheric river event in Eureka, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Truckdriver Harry Singh of Seattle looks down Shastina Drive where several dozen big rigs were gathered after being stuck overnight in Weed, Calif., on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The area is getting hit by significant weather throughout the week due to a bomb cyclone off the coast. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Truck driver Manny Singh of Bakersfield stepped out of his truck to try to get better phone reception where a section of I-5 was shut down in both directions as the first wave of bad weather from an offshore bomb cyclone hit near Weed, Calif., on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. The area is expected to get hit by significant weather throughout the week. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle An eye-like feature in the center of the storm system signifies rapid intensification is underway, with the peak strength of the storm expected by early on Wednesday. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration A car drives past the historic Eureka Theater ahead of an incoming atmospheric river event in Eureka, Calif., Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle As pictured from space, a powerful bomb cyclone formed on Tuesday and will interact with an atmospheric river to bring rain and snow to California. National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationRegional Climate Centers Snow whips around a gas station in Weed (Siskiyou County) as a storm fueled by an atmospheric river slams into Northern California. Anthony Edwards/The Chronicle

A strong atmospheric river-fueled storm arrived in California, with heavy rain drenching many regions and flooding in some hard-hit areas.

The atmospheric river is being driven by a rapidly intensifying low-pressure system over the Pacific Ocean, which has met the meteorological criteria for a bomb cyclone. Unlike the bomb cyclone that made landfall over San Francisco in March 2023, this weeks storm will spin up hundreds of miles away from California.

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Humboldt and Siskiyou counties were pounded by wind and snow, enough to force the closure of Interstate 5 near Californias border with Oregon. In the Bay Area, the heaviest rain fell in Sonoma and Napa counties.

Rain finally made its way south of San Francisco, albeit in the form of some light showers. Oakland and Milbrae picked up about one-tenth of an inch of rain, but south of there no measurable precipitation was recorded.

It's been a completely different story across the North Bay. Santa Rosa recorded almost 6 inches of rain on Wednesday. The hills around the Petaluma, Sonoma and Napa valleys received anywhere from 3 to 7 inches of rain in just 24 hours.

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Overnight, the rain won't completely go away, but its coverage will become a bit more scattered. Expect bursts of moderate to heavy rain to continue across the North Bay, especially in areas with any kind of elevation. For the rest of the Bay Area, showers will be intermittent overnight and not much additional accumulation is expected.

But we are far from the conclusion of this atmospheric river event. Things get recharged on Thursday as a new low pressure system forms and many of the same locations that were hit hard today with rain and snow will see more heavy accumulations on Thursday.

A stalled front associated with a strong atmospheric river is bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the North Bay, creating low visibility and challenging flight conditions, according to a Wednesday afternoon update from the National Weather Service. At San Francisco International Airport, light rain and gusty southeast winds are expected through Thursday. Monterey Bay will experience mostly clear skies with occasional showers and gusty winds, particularly in the Salinas Valley. On the water, strong winds and rough seas up to 20 feet will move southward, with gale-force winds expected to persist into Friday and Saturday.

Workers with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) remove a portion of a downed tree amidst the ongoing atmospheric river event in Loleta, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have proposed a bipartisan bill to boost atmospheric river forecasting, enhancing flood risk reduction and emergency readiness. The Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act mandates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to form a specialized forecasting program. Atmospheric rivers, responsible for most Western U.S. floods, may increase due to climate change, potentially costing billions in damage by 2090. The bill ensures every West Coast state, including Alaska, has an atmospheric observatory, advancing storm forecasts, improving public safety and facilitating more effective water management. For the past several years, California communities have witnessed firsthand the ongoing threat of destructive flooding caused by intense and frequent atmospheric river storms, said Padilla. Additionally, the legislation supports technological advancements and data integration to enhance forecast accuracy and communication about flood hazards.

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Heavy, wet snow is expected to blanket the Cascades and far Northern California, with snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour and wind gusts reaching 65 mph, creating whiteout and blizzard conditions that will make travel nearly impossible at pass levels, according to a late Wednesday update from the National Weather Service. As Pacific moisture continues to flow into the region, snow levels will rise, shifting the heaviest snowfall to higher elevations and bringing rain to lower elevations. Persons should delay all travel if possible, the weather service said in a winter storm warning. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility.

Downpours caused creek flooding in Sonoma County on Wednesday afternoon. Colgan Creek near Sebastapol briefly reached moderate flood stage after waters rose 8 feet over the course of the day. Santa Rosa Creek at Willowside Road near Santa Rosa reached minor flood stage.

Wednesday brought moderate and strong rains at times to the North Bay. Even if you have a light rain for a long enough time, you would see those kinds of rises, said Rachel Kennedy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

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A few Northern California rivers are expected to reach flood stage later this week. With their smaller surface area, creeks generally respond more quickly than larger, deeper rivers, Kennedy explained. The weather service also received reports of flooded roadways.

Several schools in Sonoma County will be closed Thursday because of severe weather, the county Office of Education said. They are:

Fort Ross Elementary

Kashia Elementary (also closed Friday, Nov. 22)

Monte Rio Union Elementary

Montgomery Elementary

Information and updates about closures can be found online at www.scoe.org/.

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The National Weather Service in San Francisco issued a high surf advisory Wednesday afternoon, in effect until 6 a.m. Friday, for San Francisco, the North Bay, Point Reyes National Seashore, the Peninsula, Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur. Large waves ranging from 14 to 19 feet along southwest-facing beaches and 19 to 22 feet along exposed west-facing shores will create dangerous conditions for swimming and surfing, as well as localized beach erosion. The agency said sudden waves can sweep across beaches without warning, pulling people into the ocean from rocks, jetties or the shore. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions, the advisory said.

A fallen tree is blocking the southbound Highway 1 lane just south of the Bodega Highway near Bodega Bay, according to the CHP. The tree was reported at around 4:22 p.m. and no one was injured. Crews were on the way to clear the area.

A landslide occurred at 2:46 p.m. today, about two miles east-northeast of Larkfield-Wikiup in unincorporated Sonoma County, the National Weather Service reported. The slide blocked the westbound lanes of Mark West Springs Road near Redwood Hill Road. Local law enforcement is on the scene.

Due to this weeks atmospheric river storms and the inspection and clearing required afterward, Fairfax-Bolinas Road in Marin County will be closed from Meadow Club to Highway 1 until Dec. 1, the Marin County Public Works Department said Wednesday. The closure affects all traffic except active emergency vehicles.

The National Weather Service has issued an urgent small craft advisory for Monterey Bay, effective until 3 a.m. Friday. Mariners in the region should expect south winds ranging from 15 to 25 knots, with gusts reaching as high as 40 knots. These conditions pose significant hazards to small craft navigation. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions, the advisory said.

In addition to rain and snow, the atmospheric-river-fueled storm brought windy weather to Northern California on Wednesday. Bay Area gusts topped 70 mph on some mountain peaks in Marin County, said National Weather Service meteorologist Brayden Murdock. Generally, there havent been too many gusts over 50 mph, with gusts at lower elevations mostly around 20 to 35 mph, Murdock added.

The weather service has received reports of downed trees and reports of unsecured objects in roads. A wind advisory remains in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday, with strong winds still possible, especially in the North Bay. Areas that have already been seeing winds are going to continue seeing winds, Murdock said. And then as we go deeper into Thursday and Friday, well start to see the stronger winds push further off towards the south.

 Jack Lee

The atmospheric river had bifurcated into two branches as of Wednesday afternoon, with one stream focused over the North Bay and stretching back into the Sacramento Valley and the other stream focused over Oregon. Just having the atmospheric river pointed in your direction does not necessarily mean it results in heavy rain or snow. Another mechanism is needed to activate the rain potential. Up until now, that mechanism has been the bomb cyclone spinning off the Pacific coast, but as we transition into Wednesday evening and Thursday, we will be keeping an eye on small waves of instability embedded within these atmospheric rivers as they ride along the moisture boundary with an impact on where the atmospheric river settles and how much precipitation gets squeezed out.

At midafternoon Wednesday a bit of a lull occurred in the steady rain across the North Bay. It was expected to last for a few hours before moderate to heavy rain reloads and moves back in sometime after 5 p.m. The downpours could even spread down into San Francisco and areas to the south that have not yet seen much rain so far, and persist through much of the evening.

The North Bay has been drenched, with a widespread 2 to 5 inches of rain extending back into Sonoma and Napa valleys, where a flood advisory has been issued as creeks and streams start to overflow. Santa Rosa has recorded up to 3.3 inches of rain.

The biggest rain totals continue to be in the Marin County hills, where 5 to 7 inches of rain has fallen in some spots. South of the Golden Gate, there has been little rain to speak of. Totals are generally ranging from 0.01 to 0.15 inches of rain in San Francisco and Oakland, with no measurable rain from about San Mateo/San Leandro and stretching to the south through the Santa Clara Valley.

Caltrans reports that chain controls are currently in effect on I-80 in the Sierra Nevada. Chains required on all vehicles except four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires. Eastbound Cisco Grove to Truckee, Westbound Truckee to Eagle Lakes. Minimum restrictions for trucks, the agency said in an advisory.

Workers remove a mangled car after a collision between a downed tree and a vehicle amidst the ongoing atmospheric river event in Loleta, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

The atmospheric-river-fueled storm bringing rain and snow across Northern California on Wednesday is expected to linger for days, bringing continued risk for flash floods.

The latest update from the Weather Prediction Center calls for a high risk for excessive rainfall Thursday in northwestern California, including Eureka. This category, shown in purple in the map below, means widespread flash floods are expected.

Excessive rainfall was predicted across a wide swath of Northern California on Thursday, according to the Weather Prediction Center. Baron/Lynx

This risk decreases Friday, though theres still a slight risk for excessive rainfall in Eureka, Redding and Santa Rosa, shown in yellow below.

Excessive rainfall was predicted across a wide swath of Northern California on Friday, according to the Weather Prediction Center. Baron/Lynx

 Jack Lee

The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for Sonoma County until 8 p.m. Wednesday due to excessive rainfall. The areas affected include northern and central parts of the county, specifically the Sonoma coastal ranges and the 101 corridor, including Santa Rosa. The agency said Santa Rosa Creek and Colgan Creek are experiencing rises due to the heavy downpour. Residents in impacted locations, including Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Windsor, are advised to avoid flooded roads. Turn around, dont drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles, the weather service noted. It added, In hilly terrain, there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route.

On Tuesday night, Golden Gate Ferry canceled all ferry service to and from Tiburon save for three trips that were able to run before 8:40 a.m. Wednesday while the water was calmer. None of the ferry operators other routes  including Sausalito and Larkspur  were affected, a spokesperson told the Chronicle. The operator was monitoring wind forecasts and was hopeful that it would be able to restore Tiburon service starting Thursday morning. As of Wednesday afternoon, Golden Gate Ferry did not anticipate any other service changes for the rest of the week, according to the spokesperson.

 Megan Munce

Here are the latest active weather warnings for counties north of the Bay Area:

Wind advisories have been issued for coastal and interior Mendocino County. Farther inland, wind advisories are in effect for Lake and Napa counties and the Sacramento Valley. While gusts in these areas may not reach the same extreme levels, the sustained winds could still disrupt commutes and cause isolated power outages.

A winter storm warning is in place until Wednesday at 10 p.m. for the following regions: Shasta Lake Area / Northern Shasta County; Burney Basin / Eastern Shasta County; Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County; Western Plumas County/Lassen Park; West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada. Snowfall in these areas could complicate travel over higher passes and mountain roads.

Rain and snow falling in the Klamath Basin, along the California-Oregon border, is so far thought to be a boon for the recent dam-removal project on the Klamath River.

Officials at the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, which was responsible for demolishing four dams and restoring the natural flow of the river, say the increase in basin runoff could wash sediment into the waterway, increasing turbidity, but not enough to be a problem.

Hopefully, the sediment, they say, will wash downstream to parts of the river that have been starved of sand and gravel. Meanwhile, the cold, abundant water filling the channel will help salmon migrate upstream, to areas where the dams had previously blocked fish passage.

Over 7,700 customers are without power near Truckee, including areas around Donner Lake and Tahoe Donner, according to the Truckee Donner Public Utility District.

The agency reported the outages just before noon and warned that repairs could be delayed due to an active public safety outage in Reno. This is a winter storm outage, the utility noted.

As of Wednesday morning, San Francisco International Airport reported 47 cancellations and 203 delays, as severe weather conditions disrupted travel at one of the regions busiest airports. The storm, which brought heavy rain, high winds and limited visibility, disrupted operations across several major airlines, including United, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, Alaska, Frontier and Breeze Airways. With flights either grounded or diverted, passengers faced longer-than-usual travel delays.

Airport officials said that with the storm system expected to linger, travelers should prepare for more disruptions.

Nearly 4,200 Santa Clara County households and businesses were without power Wednesday afternoon, representing the greatest concentration of mostly storm-related blackouts in the Bay Area, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. officials said.

PG&E crews in Humboldt County reduced the number of customers without power to 3,758, down from 5,094 Wednesday morning.

Falling branches and trees, as well as other debris thrown into power lines by stormy winds, were the most common cause of power problems, PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian said.

The utility company had extra crews on hand to respond quickly and get the lights back on.

Other Bay Area counties with significant numbers of power outages Wednesday morning included 569 customers in Sonoma and 516 in Contra Costa.

Search outages by address with the Chronicles PG&E outage map.

 Julie Johnson

The Weather Prediction Center called for a moderate risk of excessive rainfall Wednesday across parts of northwestern California, including in Ukiah.

This area is shown in red in the map and indicates where flash floods are likely. Parts of San Francisco face marginal risk for excessive rainfall, meaning isolated flash floods are possible.

Excessive rainfall was predicted across a wide swath of Northern California, according to the Weather Prediction Center. Baron/Lynx

The heaviest rain remains concentrated over Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties, where 3 to 4 inches have already been recorded across the Marin coastal terrain. Notably, a remarkable 5.44 inches has fallen near Austin Creek State Recreation Area. Across the North Bay, rainfall totals range from 2 to 3 inches in both the valleys and the hills of Sonoma and Napa, slightly exceeding earlier forecasts.

Winds have been howling as well, with gusts ranging from 25 to 45 mph across much of the region. Elevated locations above 1,500 feet in the North Bay have reported gusts exceeding 55 mph, adding to the storms intensity and contributing to difficult travel conditions and localized tree damage.

New model guidance raises concerns about a plume of moderate to heavy rain lingering over Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties through Friday. Higher elevations could see upwards of 10-15 inches of rain, while valleys and cities like Santa Rosa may accumulate between 5-10 inches.

Meanwhile, rainfall across the Peninsula, South Bay, and East Bay remains much lighter, with most areas measuring less than 0.25 inches so far. The Santa Clara Valley and areas south to Santa Cruz have seen little to no rain. However, moderate rain is expected to develop this afternoon as the atmospheric river shifts slightly southward.

Robert Honeyman has experienced his share of snowstorms after 23 years of living in Mount Shasta. But the 57-year-old mountain man was blown away by Wednesdays blizzard conditions.

This is a winner, Honeyman said. This will be talked about for a while. Even locals are going, Oh yeah! 

With his beard covered in an icy glaze, Honeyman helped stranded travels dig out their buried vehicle in Weed, where he stayed for the night while his truck was in the shop.

Weve gotten it pretty bad before, but whats making this one so dangerous is not necessarily the snowfall amounts, its just a long duration storm, Honeyman said.

 Anthony Edwards

Wednesdays storm has led to full closures on Interstate 5 in Northern California. Southbound I-5 near Edgewood in Siskiyou County is completely shut down with no estimated reopening time, according to Caltrans.

Read more here about closures to I-5.

Remarkable imagery from NOAA satellites showed the formation of the bomb cyclone bringing rain and whipping winds to Northern California.

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The California Nevada River Forecast Center expects a few rivers to surpass flood levels as up to 15 inches of rain falls in some parts of Northern California over the next three days.

The Eel River is forecast to reach moderate flood stage at Fernbridge (Humboldt County) and the Russian River is expected to reach minor flood stage at Hopland (Mendocino County).

 Jack Lee

Several California rivers were expected to flood due to an inundation of rain battering much of Northern California. California Nevada River Forecast Center

Heavy precipitation is expected across Northern California over the coming days. Look up your rainfall forecast in this interactive map and find out more about the timeline of impacts in the latest Chronicle forecast.

 Jack Lee

A map from Iowa State University provides preliminary data on which Bay Area roads could be flooded on Wednesday morning. According to the map, flooded roads were reported in Sonoma, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda, San Francisco and San Mateo counties.

The heaviest rain remains focused from San Francisco northward to Point Arena, extending inland across the Sacramento Valley from Redding to Yuba City. The North Bay valleys and the higher terrain in Sonoma and Napa counties are seeing some of the most intense rainfall. Areas around Lake Sonoma have recorded the highest totals so far, with over 1.5 inches falling in just the last three hours. Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, and Rohnert Park have each measured more than an inch of rain in that same period.

South of the Golden Gate Bridge, rainfall has been lighter so far, with the southern edge of this atmospheric river holding steady just north of the city. Over the next few hours, the axis of heavy rain is expected to drift slightly south, bringing steady rain to the Peninsula and South Bay by the afternoon.

A NOAA satellite map shows precipitation over Northern California as an atmospheric-fueled storm hammers the region. NOAA

Ezequiel Herrera pulled into Hensels Materials about 10 a.m., looking for roof shingles.

He was doing a favor for his brother, who awoke at 3 a.m. to go to work, only to find the heavy winds blowing shingles off the roof of his garage.

The storm hadnt damaged Herrera home, he said, but he had lost power for several hours Tuesday night.

Now, he and his brother were going to have to reroof the garage  just a year after installing a new roof.

I dont know about this weather, he said, as drops began to fall.

People dont put roofs on in this weather unless its an emergency, Hensels Materials owner Ken Canepa said, moments after Herrera walked out.

 St. John Barned-Smith

A winter storm warning remains in effect until 10 p.m. Wednesday for several regions in Northern California, including the Shasta Lake area, Burney Basin and the Northern Sierra Nevada.

Heavy snow was expected, with total accumulations ranging from 10 to 20 inches above 4,500 feet and up to 4 feet in higher elevations. Snow may also accumulate as low as 3,000 feet in Shasta County.

Winds gusting up to 55 mph could create hazardous conditions, with snow-covered roads and possible tree damage, according to the National Weather Service. Travel is likely to be difficult or impossible, especially during evening commutes, with chain controls expected on many roads. Snow levels will gradually rise throughout the day, reaching 5,000 to 6,000 feet over the Sierra.

In Humboldt County, officials had been monitoring severe wind that hit Tuesday night.

The impacts were less severe than anticipated, Emergency Services Director Ryan Derby said. Some homes had lost power, with about 6,300 Pacific Gas & Electric Co. still without electricity Wednesday morning.

The power utility seems like its staying on top of things fairly well, Derby said.

Though the winds had not been as severe as anticipated, officials were also concerned about significant rain expected to fall across the county over the next three days  along with another bout of wind later in the week that he worried could topple trees sitting in waterlogged soil.

Multiple rivers were at flood stage, Derby said, and could overflow their banks  including the Mad River in Arcata and the Eel River. Derby said he was also monitoring the Van Dusen, Elk and Mattole Rivers.

Were about as well prepared for this thing as we could be at this point, he said.

 St. John Barned-Smith

Approximately 6,336 customers remained without power on Wednesday morning, according to the Pacific Gas and Electric Companys power outage map.

The cities and areas seeing the most outages were Unincorporated Humboldt with 5,094 customers without power, Eureka 491 customers, Arcata 442, Trinidad 267, Bayside 41 and Blue Lake 1.

According to PG&E, about 10% of customers in Humboldt County were without power. Restoration times were not available on PG&Es website.

More than 500,000 customers were without power in Washington state as a major storm swept across the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.

The areas most affected by the outages were Ferry, King and Snohomish counties, according to the power outage map.

About 1.32 inches of rain fell at Sonoma County Airport since midnight, with a half an inch between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Light rain pushed south into San Francisco, which should continue off and on throughout the day.

The Golden Gate Bridge was expected to be the cutoff between light showers and steady moderate to heavy rain. However, if the atmospheric river shifts 10 miles to the south, San Francisco could see more rainfall. San Jose could remain completely dry Wednesday.

 Anthony Edwards

The atmospheric river-fueled storm has begun impacting the Bay Area, with moderate rain now falling in San Francisco. Check live storm patterns on our real-time map.

Rainfall amounts in San Francisco, Oakland and the interior East Bay are forecast to be between 0.5 and 1.5 inches, with slightly higher totals in the East Bay hills. In the South Bay, including San Jose and Santa Cruz, rainfall will generally range from 0.25 to 0.5 inches, except in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where 1 to 2 inches are expected.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the North Bay, including Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties, effective through 4 a.m. Saturday due to the potential for heavy rainfall. The warning alerts residents to the possibility of flooding along creeks, streams, rivers and urban areas, with hazardous water ponding on roadways and low-lying regions. Authorities caution that conditions could lead to dangerous travel disruptions, including flooded low-water crossings and rising water levels in local water bodies.

Its raining and its going to continue, said National Weather Service meteorologist Cindy Palmer. We have issued an urban and small stream flood advisory for Santa Rosa proper. The ground is saturated and were starting to see runoff. Needless to say at this point of time we are starting to see rises on rivers. As far as wind gusts, we have seen quite a few gusts of 40 to 50 mph in the coastal range of Sonoma County.

National Weather Service officials issued a flood watch for several North Bay counties. National Weather Service

A flood watch has been issued for areas in the North Bay, including Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties, where rainfall could exacerbate existing risks of creek and river overflow.

Wind advisories have been issued for coastal areas of San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma counties, which are expected to face southerly gusts reaching up to 45 mph, potentially causing power outages and downed trees and branches. The advisories are in place until Thursday morning, with the highest winds expected Wednesday.

On Tuesday evening, the storm system brought misting rain and bitter, cold winds to the Avenue of the Giants and communities across Humboldt County.

The states office of emergency services stationed more than a dozen fire trucks and other rescue vehicles across the county, on top of stations' regular deployment, officials said.

In the southern part of the county, severe winds threatened to bring down trees, blocking roads and wrecking power lines, said Shelter Cove Fire Chief Nick Pape.

Were concerned about public safety, keeping the roads open, he said.

In and around Eureka, all volunteer fire stations were fully staffed, said Talia Flores, spokesperson for the Humboldt Bay Fire Department. Also staffed is a water rescue team, in case any residents get caught in high water, as happened during winter rains earlier this year.

Like Pape, she said first responders would be available to respond to downed trees and power lines as well as more typical 911 calls such as vehicle crashes or medical emergencies.

She asked locals to stay inside if possible, aware of high water, and have generators ready, in case of power outages.

County officials and those in local municipalities had provided thousands of sand bags, sand and gravel.

In Eureka, the looming storm made Hensels Materials owner Ken Canepa recall one of the worst deluges the region has ever endured, the Christmas Flood of 1964. That storm brought 15 inches of rain in 24 hours, resulting in 47 deaths across California, Idaho and Oregon and property damages at what today would be valued at nearly $4 billion.

This isnt going to be bad as that, said his business partner, Ken Canepa.

Still, the business had already sold 2,000 to 3,000 sandbags along with other anti-flooding tools.

In Arcata, Melinda Bacon ducked into Kebab Cafe to pick up a gyro. She and head cook Drea Taylor chatted briefly, wondering about how bad the storm would be.

The restaurant was closing early, and Octavia Perez recalled the summer of 2019, after fires left residents stranded without power, searching for gas.

Shed stocked up on blankets, found a lantern and headlamps.

I live in a pretty drafty apartment, she said, with a laugh.

Without power, the restaurant would stay closed on Wednesday and Thursday, they said, and another employee would bring a generator to power the refrigerator. But if we lose power we keep the doors closed, Taylor said.

Bacon, who moved to the area in 2006, had charged the batteries of her trailer, and had two chainsaws and generators ready, in case high winds took out power. She and her cattle dog, Ranger, would be fine, she said.

Im probably better prepped than most, she said, with a laugh.

A safety inspector with the U.S. Coast Guard, she was thinking more about the high winds and the high seas.

Nobodys going out in this, she said.

 St John Barned-Smith

Satellite view of the bomb cyclone over the Pacific Ocean. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The system bottomed out and reached its peak strength on Tuesday evening, dropping to a minimum central pressure of 942 millibars, similar to some weak hurricanes. (Normal air pressure, or the force exerted by the weight of the atmosphere, is about 1,013 millibars.) This would make it a triple bombogenesis, or a system that is at least three times the threshold to qualify as a bomb cyclone, and the strongest storm on record in this part of the Eastern Pacific.

The system bottomed out on Tuesday evening, dropping to a minimum central pressure of 942 millibars. Tomer Burg / Polar Wx

A buoy offshore from Vancouver recorded a 101 mile wind gust on Tuesday night.

Bomb cyclones form when a clash of very cold and moist air masses forces the moist air to rise, generating clouds and precipitation. This rising air then causes a sharp drop in air pressure at the center of the system, the beginning of a powerful, counterclockwise-spinning storm.

Powerful winds and heavy snow resulted in power outages and store closures throughout Weed on Wednesday morning. Travelers took refuge in a Comfort Inn lobby off Interstate 5, where the power was out and blowing snow pushed through the main entry doorway.

Pacific Power reported nearly 1,500 customers without power in Weed at 7 a.m. Wednesday. Interstate 5 was closed in both directions, from 10 miles north of Redding to 21 miles south of Yreka.

Blizzard conditions in Siskiyou County worsened Wednesday morning, closing I-5 and causing several vehicles to get stuck in the snow. Anthony Edwards/The Chronicle, Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

7:06 a.m. | Atmospheric river takes aim at North Bay

The frontal boundary associated with the atmospheric river dropped toward the North Bay overnight, with precipitation extending just south of Petaluma at 6 a.m. Rainfall totals have exceeded an inch in the higher elevations of Sonoma County. Some mountainous locations in Humboldt County have measured more than 2.5 inches of rain in the past 24 hours.

Bay Area impacts are not forecast to be equally distributed Wednesday. The High Resolution Rapid Refresh model predicts an additional 2.5 inches of rain at Sonoma County Airport by midnight, but less than 0.1 inches at San Francisco International Airport, just 65 miles south. If the moisture plume and frontal boundary move just 10 to 20 miles south of current predictions, San Francisco and Oakland could receive considerable precipitation Wednesday.

 Anthony Edwards

The Chronicles PG&E outage map showed snaking clusters of customers without power in Humboldt County, beginning in Eureka and extending north to Arcata, McKinleyville, Trinidad and Orick.

PG&E said Tuesday that the utility company had mobilized crews and resources in key regions to respond to potential storm-related damage and power outages.

While there were pockets of power outages in the Bay Area Wednesday morning, it wasnt immediately clear if they were storm-related.

The Chronicles PG&E outage map showed thousands of customers without power in Humboldt County. The Chronicle

In Washington state, a woman was killed on Tuesday night when a tree fell on a homeless encampment. Two were also injured when a tree fell on a trailer.

Two semi tractor trailers drive down southbound I-5 as northbound vehicles wait for the road to open after it shut down in both directions as the first wave of bad weather from an offshore bomb cyclone hit near Weed, Calif., on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. The area is expected to get hit by significant weather throughout the week. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

On Tuesday, rain and snow fell over Shasta and Siskiyou counties in the systems warm sector, then conditions rapidly deteriorated Tuesday evening along Interstate 5 near Mount Shasta as the cold front hit.

According to CalTrans, Interstate 5 closed to southbound traffic 21 miles south of Yreka in Siskiyou County on Tuesday evening, and chains were required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires along several stretches of the highway.

Snowfall totals could range from 1 to 3 feet from Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon in Weed and the city of Mount Shasta, with extreme winds gusting up to 70 mph. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning and winter storm warning, urging against travel and due to whiteout and life-threatening conditions.

The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes, the weather service wrote in its winter storm warning. Very strong winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines. Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous.

Temperatures were expected to be close to freezing in Mount Shasta, resulting in a heavy, wet snow.

Farther south, the systems warm sector was expected to push the snow line above 9,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada by Wednesday afternoon. A few inches of snow was forecast in the Tahoe Basin on Tuesday night, but a gradual transition to rain was expected Wednesday.

The lower confidence factor in all of this is the snow levels, the Reno weather service office wrote in an online forecast. With the initial wave pushing in on Wednesday, the snow levels will start quite low (near 5,000 feet), but then are projected to rapidly climb (near 9,000 feet) late Wednesday with the arrival of the mild, subtropical moisture associated with the atmospheric river.

Snow levels were predicted to crash again Friday, with 1 to 2 feet of snow likely above 7,000 feet in the Sierra this weekend.

 Anthony Edwards

As pictured from space a powerful bomb cyclone formed on Tuesday and will interact with an atmospheric river to bring rain and snow to California. National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationRegional Climate Centers

Chronicle meteorologist Greg Porter surveyed the satellite imagery of bomb cyclone and then broke down the elements of this storm system that are combining to create a feast of weather unlike anything weve seen so far this season.

Atmospheric rivers are bands of moisture that can flow for thousands of miles from the tropical Pacific, near Hawaii, all the way to the West Coast. Even though you cant see them, these rivers in the sky transport colossal amounts of water around the planet.

When that moisture falls as rain, it can have devastating consequences. Scientists believe that a series of atmospheric rivers caused the Great Flood of 1862, a megaflood that left 6,000 square miles of Californias Central Valley underwater. Atmospheric rivers cause about $1.1 billion in flood damage annually across the western United States.
(Photo: Getty/iStock)

A multi-vehicle accident near the coastal town of Badagry, 70 kilometres from Lagos, Nigeria turned fatal, claiming the life of a Youth With A Mission (YWAM) staff while several others were rushed to nearby hospitals with various injuries.

In a statement posted online, YWAM said a bus with 15 team members returning from a regional gathering in Benin was involved in a multi-vehicle accident near Badagry on November 2, 2024. The mission organization reported that Jean Serge Mienahou, working with YWAM Congo Brazzaville had lost his life in the accident adding that the family and friends had been notified.

Two other YWAM staff with serious injuries had been admitted to hospital. Doctors assessed Tchando Matthieu from Benin and found that he was bleeding in the brain, "which is very serious." He was put into a medically induced coma which doctors had planned to bring him out of it.

"It is a matter of life and death that he wakes up, so please pray urgently," posted YWAM on its website.

Evariste Gbejihounde, also from Benin, was being treated for internal bleeding in the abdominal cavity and for two broken ribs. The team asked for prayers hoping that a scheduled CAT scan would reveal the source of the internal bleeding. At the same time, Togo's Tomsuwa Cosme had what initially appeared like serious injuries, but he was treated and his condition downgraded to stable.

"Some of the remaining passengers required minor treatment and ongoing medical diagnosis, but we are grateful that all others involved are safe and on their way home," reassured YWAM.

In February 2024, a road accident in Tanzania claimed the lives of 8 missionaries attached to YWAM. Several others were hospitalized, treated and discharged. Christian Daily had earlier reported that Sub-Saharan Africa's fatality rate from road crashes stands at 27 per 100,000 inhabitants, three times higher than Europe's average and well above the global average of 18, according to the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Jean Todt, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, highlighted Africa's disproportionate vulnerability to road accidents. He emphasized that road accidents are the leading cause of youth mortality in Africa, underscoring the urgent need for action.

A recent report by the Africa Development Group (AFdB), titled "Mortality in Africa: The Share of Road Traffic Fatalities," revealed that road traffic accidents constitute 25% of all injury-related deaths in Africa. Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco experience particularly high rates of fatalities.

The AFdB report outlined strategies to reduce road fatalities, including improved road infrastructure and enforcement of road safety measures. However, enforcement remains weak across the continent.

 Christian Daily International
Parliament lit up red during a previous Red Wednesday. (Photo: ACN)

Buildings are being floodlit red on Wednesday to remember millions of Christians around the world being persecuted for their faith.

Red Wednesday is an annual initiative of Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and this year's event will remember persecuted Christian children in particular.

In a video message, Cardinal Vincent Nichols appealed to all people to get involved, and said the most important way they could support persecuted Christians was "in your prayers".

"Let's not forget those who in the world today directly suffer with Christ  the persecution that he bore on the Cross and they bear in their lives  especially the children," he said.

"Let them not be forgotten. Let them be in the focus of our hearts and our prayers."

In the run-up to Red Wednesday, ACN invited people to sign an open letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy asking that the government commit more foreign aid in support of Christians and other religious minorities being persecuted for their faith.

"ACN research consistently shows that oppression has intensified, and impunity against perpetrators has grown," the letter says.

"This persecution included extreme violations of Article 18 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion."

A special Red Wednesday Mass will be held at Brompton Oratory in London joined by Archbishop Linus Neli of Imphal, India, and Monsignor Michael Nazir-Ali, who fled to Britain from Pakistan in the Eighties due to persecution.

During the evening, ACN will present its Courage to be Christian Award to a Christian who has suffered for their faith.

In addition to the UK, over 300 events to mark Red Wednesday will take place around the world in Australia, Canada, Chile, Columbia, France, Germany, Italy, the Philippines, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the US.

Supporters of Red Wednesday include Lord Alton who said the persecution of Christians "remains a significant challenge worldwide".

"Today, we especially raise the suffering experienced by the largest group of people persecuted for their faith worldwide," he said.

A day before Red Wednesday, he received a written reply from Lord Collins of Highbury on behalf of the government to a question he submitted asking what action is being taken to encourage respect for religious freedom in China.

The written response said that the UK government has repeatedly raised the issue with China.

"This government stands firm on human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief," said Lord Collins.

"The Foreign Secretary raised human rights in every meeting with his Chinese counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi, including during his recent visit to China on 18 October.

"More broadly, this government will champion freedom of religion or belief for all internationally. We will work to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief through our positions at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora and through bilateral engagement."
(Photo: Royal Mail)

This festive season, the Royal Mail's 2024 Christmas stamp collection features a series of evocative snowy scenes of iconic UK cathedrals.

Illustrated by British artist Judy Joel, each stamp captures the beauty of these sites dusted in winter snow, evoking a sense of peace, tradition, and seasonal spirituality.

Five cathedrals across the UK are featured: Liverpool, Edinburgh, Armagh, Bangor, and Westminster. The new stamps offer a tour through Britain's architectural past and its spiritual heart. Each image highlights the cathedrals' unique histories and cultural significance, giving a glimpse of both well-known and hidden details about each site.

Liverpool Cathedral is celebrated as the largest cathedral in Britain and ranks as the fifth largest in the world. This architectural giant, known for the world's heaviest and highest ringing peal of bells, attracts countless visitors each year, not only for its grand scale but also for its imposing neo-Gothic design, which stands out dramatically against the Liverpool skyline.

Moving north to Scotland, St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh appears in all its Victorian Gothic beauty. Celebrating its 150th anniversary, the cathedral's cornerstone was laid in 1874, and its triple spires mark it as one of only three cathedrals in the UK with this unique feature, a distinction shared only with Lichfield and Truro. St Mary's is also known for its pioneering spirit in music; it was the first UK cathedral with a daily choral service to invite girls to sing alongside boys, a progressive change made in 1978.

Across the Irish Sea, Northern Ireland's St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh brings ancient history to this festive collection. Perched on the hill that gives the city its name, Ard Mhacha, the cathedral's site is said to date back to 445 AD, where Saint Patrick himself founded a church. Its architecture, shaped by centuries of reconstruction and restoration, is an eclectic blend that reflects the varied epochs through which it has endured.

Wales also finds its place in this collection with Bangor Cathedral, a site steeped in Welsh history and legend. Dating back almost 1,500 years, it has withstood the turbulence of history, including episodes of destruction and reconstruction, and serves as the burial ground of notable Welsh princes. The cathedral is dedicated to its 6th-century founder, Saint Deiniol, anchoring it as a deeply significant site for the Welsh people.

Rounding off the collection is Westminster Cathedral, the largest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales. Though construction concluded in 1903, Westminster Cathedral remains unique due to its unfinished interior mosaics, which continue to be crafted and added to this day. The structure itself, with its Byzantine architecture, stands apart from the more Gothic style associated with English cathedrals, making it an architectural marvel in its own right.

This 2024 stamp series offers more than a festive touch; it presents a celebration of the UK's Christian and architectural heritage, connecting modern observers with centuries of seasonal culture, faith, and history.
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A pedestrian with an umbrella crosses the intersection at Fulton Street under heavy rain in San Francisco on Jan. 6. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

A bomb cyclone and strong atmospheric river are expected to fuel downpours across Northern California this week, with flood watches and wind warnings in effect starting Tuesday night.

But whether parts of the North Bay face over 8 inches of rain from Wednesday through Friday or collect just a few inches is still up in the air.

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Forecasts from Chronicle meteorologists provide a range of possibilities for how the storm may play out. Weather apps dont. Instead, they produce forecasts that predict what the exact temperature will be at a particular time or anticipate when specific amounts of rain will fall.

Thats ridiculous, said Andrew Oliphant, a meteorologist and climatologist at San Francisco State Universitys School of the Environment. This misses much of the nuance found in forecasts made by meteorologists, experts say.

The biggest flaw, I think, in all of these weather apps is the way in which they tell you whats going to happen, as though its the truth, with a capital T, Oliphant said.

Global weather models predict the future state of the atmosphere using complex mathematical equations. These models are updated every few hours, using the output from an earlier run and the latest weather measurements from a worldwide observation network.

Its amazingly high quality, said Zan Stine, a climate scientist at San Francisco State Universitys School of the Environment.

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These models are run multiple times, with slight tweaks in initial conditions to reflect uncertainty, resulting in an ensemble of predictions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration runs the American ensemble model four times a day.

If out of 20 model runs, 12% call for rain, that would point to a 12% chance of rain at a certain time, Stine explained.

Meteorologists consider such probabilities when making forecasts. This uncertainty is reflected in National Weather Service area forecast discussions, which are released multiple times throughout the day. Local forecasters, who have detailed knowledge about their areas, explain the reasoning for the latest forecast in these reports; thats not the case with the latest forecast in weather apps.

The apps dont tell you any of the uncertainties or any of the variables or how the models are actually differing from each other, Oliphant said.

Weather apps did a poor job of forecasting conditions in San Francisco during an October heat wave. One reason is these apps may just rely on individual runs for weather models, rather than ensembles, explained UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain in an online presentation.

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Theyre not using the full suite of information, said Swain, who has often recommended directly relying on the National Weather Service website for local weather forecasts.

While weather apps may be precise  providing extremely detailed forecasts for specific times  that doesnt mean theyre accurate, Oliphant added.

Some climate experts are concerned that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could face sweeping changes following the election of Donald Trump.

I really think that if people are concerned about accuracy of forecasts, they need to make sure the government keeps funding NOAA, Oliphant said. It is the government funding of that agency that produces the accuracy that we have.
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A charity has completed its purchase of a former Girlguiding UK activity centre and announced plans to re-open it next year.

Yesterday, Foxies Future said it had completed the purchase of Foxlease, which will re-open in February 2025 as an activity centre, camping and residential site for young people and the local community under the name Foxlease Park.

In August 2023, Girlguiding UK confirmed plans to close and sell its five activity centres  Blackland Farm, Foxlease, Glenbrook, Waddow Hall and Ynysgain.

That month, Foxies Future was established as a charitable incorporated organisation to purchase Foxlease and save it from permanent closure.

Girlguiding UK initially rejected Foxies Futures bid before announcing in September 2024 that it had chosen the charity as its preferred bidder for the sale .

Blackland Farm was previously sold to a new adventure operator in April 2024 .

A spokesperson for Girlguiding UK told Civil Society that it is still in the process of selling its other centres.

As this process is commercially confidential, were not able to provide any further updates at the moment, they said.

For each activity centre sale, weve worked hard and with care to act in the best interests and for the overall welfare of the whole organisation, our members and charity law.

Well share more information following the completion of each sale over the coming months.

Acquisition has been a series of challenges

Since Foxies Future was incorporated, it has raised funds in excess of 4m, including a 1.78m grant from the governments Community Ownership Fund.

Recently filed accounts for the year ending 29 February 2024 show that the charity recorded a total income of nearly 170,000 against total expenditure of just over 17,000.

Commenting on the over 4m raised, Foxies Futures chair Hazel Warwick said: We couldnt have done it without that significant and valuable contribution which has enabled us to acquire the historic site for the benefit of the community.

Our sincere thanks also go to our secondary grant funders, a number of which are locally based or have community roots in the New Forest and were very grateful for their capital support of our project.

Warwick added that the acquisition has been a series of challenges that necessitated support from the charitys supporters including former site users and others in local and international communities.

We need further fundraising support

Trustee Emma Stevens said the second phase of the project will be bringing the next generation of Foxlease to life.

Our aim is to open on a phased basis for camping, residential and community use from mid-February 2025, she said.

Weve thought long and hard about how we brand the site moving forwards and weve decided to look back to its local historical roots and to call it Foxlease Park.

Foxies Future said it is seeking further fundraising support as it moves into the next phase of the project, both to support its costs until were fully operational and to fund the works needed to the site, and its also seeking initial volunteer support now.

New future fund for Girlguidings members

In a statement , Girlguiding UK said the money from the sale of its activity centres will go into a special future fund for the benefit of all our members, which will include grants and improvement to its digital infrastructure.

Were glad that Foxlease is [] entering a new chapter under the ownership and management of Foxies Future, the statement reads.

Foxies Future is a charity committed to preserving Foxleases legacy and has exciting plans to keep the centre thriving as a campsite, activity centre, and community resource for Girlguiding members and the wider public.

This next step ensures that generations to come will continue to benefit from all Foxlease has to offer, and we look forward to working with them in the future.

Girlguiding UK added that its trustees took time to carefully consider every possible opportunity for Foxlease in the future.

The final decision came down to acting in the best interests of Girlguiding, all our members across the UK, and in accordance with charity law, as weve done for each activity centre sale, it said.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
A construction industry captive insurer along with three construction contractors have filed a lawsuit alleging a massive New York fraud scheme involving staged workplace accidents and bogus workers compensation and personal injury lawsuits backed by complicit lawyers and medical providers.

The lawsuit filed by reinsurer Ionian RE in federal district court claims that the scheme involved fake unwitnessed falls on construction sites representing hundreds of millions of dollars in workers compensation payments and liability insurance settlements.

The suit targets personal injury lawyers and law firms including Subin & Associates, LLC; Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP; and William Schwitzer & Associates, P.C., along with their affiliated runners, and 12 of their clients who the suit alleges are connected through personal ties and family relationships.

The lawsuit claims the scheme was designed to take advantage of New Yorks Labor Law 240 (1), known as the Scaffold Law. This law effectively holds construction companies and property owners in New York 100% financially liable if a worker falls from any height and is injured on their jobsite. The complaint also includes claims against the defendants under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

Ionian RE is a Vermont reinsurance captive for the firm Andromeda and its affiliates that provide safety, risk management and other services to the construction industry.

Scheme

Since at least 2017 to the present, the suit claims, the law firms orchestrated the scheme by grooming and recruiting construction workers into staging fake construction accidents; participating in staging and perpetuating fake construction accidents themselves; preparing documentation as well as filing and prosecuting fraudulent workers compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits; providing or alleging to have provided medically unnecessary and excessive healthcare services to the construction workers; and/or using the fraudulent diagnoses and medically unnecessary and excessive healthcare services to inflate settlement value of claims.

The complaint describes 12 construction work accidents cases where workers allegedly accidentally fell from heights or down stairs and suffered injuries that were covered by insurers and contractors Skyline Restoration Inc., Urban D,.C. Inc., and DNA Contracting & Waterproofing.

According to the complaint, the unwitnessed staged accidents were carried out by the 12 individual defendants shortly after they went to work for one of the contractors. Many of the claimants were related by family or personal ties (the complaint includes a diagram indicating the alleged relationships).

For workers compensation claims, the law firms allegedly referred claimants to other lawyers who represented them before the New York State Workers Compensation Board and received payments based on the amount of settlement.

In connection with general liability, the defendant law firms filed are said to have brought suits against various parties involved with the construction projects including the owner, general contractor, construction manager and others.

For most of the claimants, both general liability lawsuits and workers compensation claims were initiated and proceeded in parallel to maximize profit for the schemers, the lawsuit says.

Also according to the complaint, the injury claims were inflated through exaggerated medical procedures and false diagnoses by medical providers who agreed to provide fraudulent medical documentation needed for higher settlement values in exchange for the continuation of patients being funneled to their offices and additional monies obtained via predatory litigation funding.

The complaint claims that one of the defendant law firms, Subin, filed motions to withdraw as counsel in hundreds of additional cases, including six of the 12 defendant cases, upon the conduct being exposed.

Damages

Ionian claims it has incurred expenses paid as reimbursement to primary insurers including Liberty Mutual for the lawsuits filed and prosecuted by the defendant law firms. Ionian maintains it has incurred general liability claim adjustment expenses progressively rising from $3,150,000 in 2018 to $18,400,000 in 2023  a 484% increase over the three years after the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020, which led to a large decline for the construction industry in New York City.

Further, during the period of 2021, 2022 and 2023, Ionian asserts that its net outstanding liability under general liability increased 722% to $58,750,000.

Ionian further notes that the drastically escalating cost of construction-related claims in general liability areas stands in marked contrast to the overall decreasing number of workplace injuries over the same period.

The other plaintiffs  Skyline, Urban and DNA Contracting & Waterproofing each have made deductible payments for the allegedly fraudulent claims and seen their insurance premiums increase due to the number of such fraudulent claims, the suit adds.

This lawsuit follows a prior RICO lawsuit filed by Ionian RE on October 8, 2024, which similarly targeted the law firm of Gorayeb & Associates, P.C. and several medical providers implicated in fraudulent practices. In another action filed in New York County Supreme Court in April, Ionian and its primary insurer Liberty Mutual sued a person who allegedly filed a false workers compensation claim, a suit they insurers won by default in September after the defendant failed to answer.

New Yorks Scaffold Law has long been criticized by construction industry and insurers for adding to the cost of private and public construction projects. The law makes property owners and contractors liable for most gravity-related injuries to workers on construction sites. No other state has such a law.

Critics have in the past called for reform or repeal of the law and accused the plaintiffs bar of exploiting the strict liability interpretation of the law in filing claims against construction firms. Labor advocates say the law helps protect workers and they question the clams of higher costs.
Insurance carriers may want to examine policy language  and what information they request from insureds  after the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a lower courts ruling which could force Argo Group to cover claims that a wood-treating company caused a South Carolina fence builders cancer.

The Supreme Court this week declined to hear an appeal from Argonaut-Midwest Insurance Co., a specialty insurer that had written commercial liability coverage for a treating company later purchased by Koppers Performance Chemicals Inc. The declination to hear the case essentially upholds a U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeal ruling from June that found that Argos policies, while ostensibly for Koppers Hawaii operations, applied nationwide.

The 4th Circuit judges explained that the treating operations were in Hawaii, as Argo had argued, but the policy language does not limit coverage to that state.

The policies define policy territory, in relevant part, as (1) the United States of America, its territories or possessions, or Canada,' the appeals court noted. Nowhere do the policies expressly limit commercial general liability coverage to bodily injury arising out of the Hawaii locations listed in the policies.

The court applied Hawaii contract and insurance law, interpreting the ambiguity in the policies in favor of the insured. But the case began a half a world away, when fence builder Phillip Riley and his wife sued New York-based Koppers and other lumber companies in 2014.

Riley alleged that he had developed cancer from years of exposure to chromated copper arsenate, the green-tinted, arsenic-containing compound that was widely used for decades to make lumber resistant to decay, fungus and termites. The federal government in 2003 struck an agreement with the wood industry to end the use of arsenate, but CCA is still employed for some in-ground lumber applications. Rileys lawsuit, like thousands that were filed across the country, contends that Koppers and others failed to warn of the dangers of CCA before it was discontinued.

When Riley may have been exposed to the toxins proved to be a key point in the case. Argonaut-Midwest noted that the Koppers policy period was from 1979 to 1982, when Riley was just a toddler, well before he began working in his familys fence business. A lower court found that Koppers initial complaint, in its suit against Argo after lawsuit defense and coverage was denied, did not clearly allege that the injury happened during the policy period.

But the 4th Circuit judges pointed out that Argo, after the lawsuit was filed, had requested more information from Koppers about the dates of Rileys alleged exposure. In response, Koppers provided Rileys deposition testimony, in which the fence builder said he had been exposed since birth due to the familys regular use of treated lumber in its long-running fence business. Riley grew up in the business locale and later worked in the fence operations.

The appellate judges found that this information should have prompted a duty to defend the lawsuit against Koppers. The 4th Circuit cited previous court rulings that held that extrinsic information, outside of a lawsuit complaint, can alert an insurer to the possibility of coverage.

Rileys deposition testimony indicated that Riley was alleging exposure since birth. That was enough to trigger a duty to defend, 4th Circuit Judge Marvin Quattlebaum wrote in the June opinion. Accordingly, Argonaut has failed to show that there is no genuine issue of material fact as to whether a possibility existed that Koppers would have incurred liability for a claim covered by the policies in the Riley lawsuit.

The case now goes back to the federal district court in South Carolina to determine the extent of Argos legal defense and coverage liability for Koppers. Because Argonaut alleges that its duties to defend and indemnify hinge on

its counterclaims, we remand this matter for further proceedings, the 4th Circuit judges wrote.

Argo Group, a subsidiary of Brookfield Wealth Solutions, and its attorneys in the case declined to comment on the court decisions.
A federal bankruptcy judge has approved a Chapter 11 plan for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York that includes a $320 million fund to compensate victims of clergy sexual abuse and settles insurance issues.

Judge Martin Glenn of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of Southern New York approved the plan unveiled in September under which the diocese, parishes and other related entities will contribute a total of $234.8 million. Insurance companies will contribute $85.5 million.

The total proposed settlement was reached after court-ordered mediation during which the insurance settlement was a major issue. Survivors agreed to the plan.

Among the settling insurers are Allianz ($59 million), London Market insurers ($25 million), Evanston ($1 million) and Lexington ($525,000). The insurers issued policies covering the time period from 1976 to 1986.

The settlement also resolves what the judge called highly contentious and costly sexual abuse litigation in federal court against insurers and provides immediate funds so the trust may make payments to claimants who have waited far too long for compensation.

The participation of another insurer, Arrowood Indemnity (formerly Royal Indemnity), is unresolved as it is currently involved in liquidation proceedings in Delaware.

The diocese maintained that the agreement with settling insurers was an exercise of its business judgment much like the sale of any property to obtain funds and should be approved. The bankruptcy court agreed, turning away certain objections by the US Trustee of the Department of Justice.

Ecclesia Assurance Co. provided all insurance for the diocese for alleged sexual abuse that occurred after 1986. Ecclesia is a New York licensed captive insurer and reinsurer.

The Rockville diocese filed for protection under bankruptcy in October 2020 as it faced more than 600 lawsuits of alleged clergy abuse after New York State enacted the Child Victims Act in 2019. The law allowed survivors to file retroactive lawsuits and eliminates the statute of limitations for all future lawsuits based on childhood sexual abuse claims.

The Rockville Centre diocese has 132 parishes. Priests working at numerous churches within the diocese have been accused of sexually assaulting minors. The dioceses filing for bankruptcy halted the abuse cases in state court subject to the church coming up with a plan with insurers and survivors and approved by the bankruptcy court to handle the claims.

The bankruptcy court had given the church until October 31 to come up with a plan. The diocese released the terms on September 26. If there has been no plan, the judge could have ended the bankruptcy process and returned the lawsuits to state court. The first trial was scheduled to start in just weeks.

In April 2024, the diocese proposed a $200 million settlement that was rejected by survivors. The bankruptcy court then ordered the parties to restart settlement negotiations.
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Board of Directors pegs losses from Hurricane Beryl at $455 million.

The TWIA board met last week to review information related to the agencys 2025 budget.

The meeting presented new information on TWIA losses from 2024 storms as projected policy growth in the coming year.

Related: Analysis of Hurricanes Helene and Milton Provide Insights on Public and Private Flood Market

The ultimate loss and loss adjustment expense estimate for Hurricane Beryl is $455 million as of September 30, 2024. This amount is roughly equivalent to the current balance in the Catastrophe Reserve Trust Fund.

Severe convective storms from January through June and other non-hurricane losses totaled $172 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, more than double the $81.6 million budgeted through September 30.

Related: NOAA Confirms It Has Been a Busy Weather Year

TWIA anticipates higher reinsurance costs next year to secure additional coverage due to the depletion of the Catastrophe Reserve Trust Fund.

In 2024 TWIA had access up to $6.5 billion of reinsurance for a 100 Year Probable Maximum Loss. TWIAs reinsurance spending is projected to increase next year to allow access up to $7.8 billion.

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TWIA policy counts, exposures, and premiums have increased steadily since February 2021. This growth is expected to continue due to the ongoing contraction in coverage offered by the private market. 2025 written premiums are projected to be $779 million.

The number of policies in force is projected to increase from the forecast of 272,000 policies on December 31, 2024, to 285,000 at year-end 2025, an increase of about 13,000 policies or 4.8%.

TWIAs Board will consider final action regarding the budget at its December 10 meeting in Corpus Christi.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Alaska Airlines is bringing back an unusual schedule change this winter, adding a quick stop in Pittsburgh to its Cleveland-to-Seattle route.

The carrier debuted the schedule adjustment last year, a response to decreasing demand on the route during the off-season.

Were always evaluating our schedule so we can best match demand with limited resources, such as airplanes and employees, said a spokesperson.

Essentially, the airline is combining two routes  Cleveland to Seattle and Pittsburgh to Seattle  into one.

Clevelanders who are headed to Seattle will stop first in Pittsburgh and pick up passengers. On the return trip, passengers headed east from Seattle will travel to Cleveland first, then Pittsburgh.

The adjusted schedule will run for five weeks, from Jan. 6 until Feb. 13, when nonstop service from the two cities resumes.

As was the case last year, Alaska is selling seats on the one way Cleveland-to-Pittsburgh route, although its unclear whether theres much demand for the 45-minute flight.

In addition to the consolidated Pittsburgh flight, Alaska is also reducing daily service on the route for several weeks in the fall and winter.

This month, Alaska dropped Saturday flights from the route, with the exception of the weeks around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

And from Feb. 14 through March 18, flights will not be offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Daily service resumes March 19 and twice-daily flights return May 15.

Alaska debuted service from Cleveland Hopkins in June 2022, flying one once per day to Seattle.

Related: An engineering marvel in Seattle: Touring the Ballard Locks and fish ladder
watch now

Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:

1. Investors await

Stock futures inched higher Wednesday as Wall Street anticipates Nvidia's earnings report after the bell. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose about 0.16%, while S&P 500 futures increased 0.09% and Nasdaq 100 futures ticked up by 0.07%. Follow live market updates.

2. Comcast to split

People visit the Top of the Rock observation deck behind a Comcast corporate logo at the top of 30 Rock in Rockefeller Center seen from the Empire State Building on May 8, 2023, in New York City. Gary Hershorn | Corbis News | Getty Images

Comcast plans to move forward with the spinoff of its cable network channels, people familiar with the matter told CNBC on Tuesday. The networks that are part of the spinoff include CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Syfy, Golf Channel, USA and Oxygen, a person close to the matter said. The separation is expected to take about a year, and will give the cable networks the optionality to merge with other networks or potentially be sold to private equity, one of the people said. A formal announcement from the company could come as early as Wednesday. Disclosure: Comcast owns NBCUniversal, the parent company of CNBC.

3. Missed the bullseye

A Target store in Albany, California, US, on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Target on Wednesday missed Wall Street's third-quarter earnings expectations and posted only a slight uptick in customer traffic. The retailer cut its full-year guidance to adjusted earnings per share between $8.30 and $8.90, down from the $9 to $9.70 per share that it expected in August. Target missed Wall Street's earnings per share estimate by 20%, its biggest in two years, and saw its first revenue miss since Aug. 2023.

4. Nuclear tensions soar

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videoconference in Moscow on November 8, 2024. Vyacheslav Prokofyev | Afp | Getty Images

The U.S. closed its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday warning that it "received specific information of a potential significant air attack" amid rising tensions with Russia. The U.S. Embassy said in a statement that it was closing the building "out of an abundance of caution" and instructed embassy employees to shelter in place. Ukrainian news outlets and the Russian government confirmed Ukraine launched six U.S.-made long-range missiles against the Bryansk border region on Tuesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree the same day that shifted the parameters on when Russia can use nuclear weapons, raising concerns among global markets.

5. A space spectacle

SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster rocket lift off during a test flight Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at Starbase in Boca Chica. Jon Shapley | Houston Chronicle | Hearst Newspapers | Getty Images
A general view shows the skyline over the central business district in Beijing on Feb. 28, 2023.

Asia-Pacific markets were mostly lower in choppy trading Wednesday, following a mixed performance on Wall Street amid mounting geopolitical tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

Investors assessed October trade data out of Japan. Export growth came in at 3.1% year over year, topping estimates by economists polled by Reuters and up from a 1.7% drop in September. Import growth also beat estimates at 0.4% but was down from 2.1% the prior month.

Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.16% to end at 38,352.34, while the Topix lost 0.43% to 2,698.29.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up 0.24% in its last hour of trade. Mainland China's CSI 300 rose 0.22% to close at 3,985.77.

China's central bank left its benchmark lending rates unchanged on Wednesday after cutting them in October.

South Korea's Kospi rose 0.42% to end at 2,482.29, while the small-cap Kosdaq fell 0.47% to 682.91.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.57% to end the day at 8,326.3.
When Tomas Gorny started a tech business in 2001, he wasn't thinking about becoming a billionaire someday. He only needed a simple paycheck. The 49-year-old is currently the CEO and co-founder of Nextiva, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based customer experience management company. Nextiva was most recently valued at $2.7 billion, giving Gorny a net worth of more than $1 billion, a company spokesperson says. But 23 years ago, Gorny was a struggling entrepreneur who'd lost nearly all his money in the dot-com bubble crash. He was a Polish immigrant who'd only been in the U.S. for five years, and he'd spent all of that time in the tech world. He desperately needed a small source of income. "I just wanted to make $5,000 a month to survive, pay my mortgage," says Gorny. DON'T MISS: The ultimate guide to negotiating a higher salary The tech industry was financially in shambles, but people and businesses were still joining the internet for the first time. Gorny started a business called Ipower, which sold software that helped people build their own websites. Six years later, he sold Ipower to web hosting company Endurance International for a reported $100 million.

Building for the long term

When Gorny started Ipower, he didn't have much money, he says  but knew how to build a tech company. In 1996, he helped launch a website-hosting startup called Internet Communications, which sold for $6 million in cash and stock to a company called Interliant two years later, Gorny says. As a minority owner, he got some of that stock, and when Interliant went public in 1999, his shares became worth several million dollars, he adds. The dot-com crash wiped out all but $6,000 of that wealth, says Gorny. So when he launched Ipower, he prioritized consistent profitability over explosive revenue growth  hoping to build a business that could sustain itself over time, rather than aiming for a splashy acquisition. "I never looked at it like, 'I need to make the [millions] back.' It wasn't important to me," Gorny says. Perhaps ironically, Gorny says the more modest goal helped helped him grow his company's bottom line far more effectively. Instead of trying to maximize revenue right off the bat, Gorny spent months developing products he believed his potential customers would value long-term. The few people who signed up during Ipower's early days gave Gorny a livable income, he notes. Once he released his more developed products, Ipower started adding hundreds of new customers per day, he says. Gorny continued to build that business for six years, selling it to Endurance International in 2007 as Google and Microsoft rose up as larger competitors. Merging Ipower into one of its rivals gave both businesses a better shot at long-term success  and Gorny's personal payout was incidental, he says. The combined company went public in 2013 with a market value of roughly $2 billion.

'Don't start a company unless it's an obsession'
"I've been getting a lot of emails from borrowers concerned that President Trump could claw back their forgiveness," said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz.

But what about the millions of people who've already had their debt excused over the past four years?

Under Trump, the U.S. Department of Education is likely to abandon its efforts to deliver wide-scale student loan relief , experts say.

Since President Joe Biden took office, the Education Department has canceled the federal student loans of nearly 5 million people, totaling $175 billion in relief, according to the White House.

It has done so mostly by improving existing student loan relief programs that had long been plagued by problems, including the Public Service Loan Forgiveness initiative and income-driven repayment plans.

Those borrowers should be in the clear, experts say.

"Any regulatory changes must be prospective only," meaning that eliminations to loan forgiveness programs would only impact new borrowers, explained Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, a nonprofit that helps borrowers navigate the repayment of their debt.

"They aren't allowed to change regulations retroactively," she added.

For that reason, even borrowers who have been pursuing forgiveness under an income-driven repayment plan or a program like PSLF, but have not yet received that relief, may be safe.

The terms of a loan, which are spelled out in the master promissory note federal student loan borrowers sign when they take out the debt, can't be change in the middle of repayment, experts said.

In June, U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree in Wichita, Kansas, described student loan forgiveness as having an "irreversible impact," in his decision to block one of the Biden administration's relief measures.

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The retraction of student loan forgiveness is incredibly rare, Kantrowitz writes in a recent article in The College Investor.

For example, in February, some borrowers saw their debts reinstated under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Yet that only occurred because the debt cancellation was granted through an error, and the borrowers were not yet eligible for the relief.

"Don't worry," Kantrowitz said. "The president does not have the legal authority to reinstate forgiven loans."

Still, borrowers should keep a record of the notices they've received about their forgiven debt, and any loan documents showing a $0 balance, Kantrowitz said.

In a new report, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cites, among the errors reported by student loan borrowers, "balance reinstatements," in which a loan servicer tacks a loan balance back on to one's account.
Ed Bastian, chief executive officer of Delta Air Lines Inc., during an interview in New York, US, on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said the Trump administration's approach to regulation could be a "breath of fresh air."

Speaking to reporters ahead of Delta's investor day, Bastian noted that President-elect Donald Trump campaigned saying he would take a "fresh look" at regulation and bureaucracy.

The U.S. Department of Transportation under Secretary Pete Buttigieg has issued a host of rules aimed at protecting consumers, some of which the airline industry has bristled at, including one this year that requires carriers to provide automatic cash refunds to travelers when an airline cancels a flight.

Bastian said the industry has seen a "level of overreach" over the past four years.

The department is also looking into airlines' lucrative loyalty programs, which bring in billions of dollars for carriers, helping to keep them afloat. The current DOT leadership is seeking information about how airlines can unilaterally change the value of frequent flyer points. The DOT has an open investigation into Delta's handling of July's CrowdStrike outage, during which the carrier canceled thousands of flights and struggled to recover compared with competitors.

When asked about Bastian's comments at a pre-Thanksgiving press conference on Thursday, outgoing Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg fired back, saying the agency began the Delta investigation because it was "bombarded" with traveler complaints during the mass cancellations.

"If I was an airline CEO, which a quick examination of my personal finances would validate this not the case, I would spend more energy on taking care of passengers and direct less energy at my regulator," Buttigieg said.

Delta on Wednesday said it expects to grow sales and profits in the months and years ahead, pointing to resilient consumer demand and sharp growth in household wealth since the pandemic.

Trump tapped former U.S. congressman and Fox Business host Sean Duffy as his pick to lead the department. Duffy didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Buttigieg declined to comment on what he thought the incoming administration will do but said air traveler consumer protections are broadly popular.

Other U.S. airline CEOs have expressed enthusiasm for the new Trump administration and urged incoming officials to make sure the industry has enough resources to improve air traffic control, which falls under the Federal Aviation Administration, and other key pieces of infrastructure.

"We have to invest in this industry," American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said at the Skift Aviation Forum in Dallas last week. He said there is more work ahead to approve more visas so people can visit the U.S.

In an interview last week, Sun Country Airlines CEO Jude Bricker said, "We just need stability and resources at the DOT."

Industry members and analysts also expect the incoming administration to be more open to mergers and consolidation.

Alaska Airlines acquired Hawaiian Airlines without pushback from President Joe Biden's administration this year. However, Biden's Justice Department won court challenges to block two airline deals: a proposed acquisition of Spirit Airlines, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday, by JetBlue Airways and a partnership between JetBlue and American Airlines in the Northeast, which had been approved in the last days of the first Trump administration.

"Perhaps this administration would have a different stance," said Sun Country's Bricker. "It certainly can't get more against it."

The current Department of Transportation didn't immediately comment.
Gary Wang, a former executive of bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, who testified against founder Sam Bankman-Fried, attends his sentencing on fraud charges at the United States District Court in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., November 20, 2024.

Gary Wang, co-founder and ex-technology chief of FTX, was sentenced Wednesday to time served and three years of supervised release on each of the four counts he pled guilty to, becoming the fifth and final ex-employee of the collapsed crypto exchange to be punished. Wang was also ordered to forfeit $11 billion, the same as the other co-defendants.

Wang, who took the stand in the trial against his former boss Sam Bankman-Fried, faced a maximum sentence of 50 years for the four criminal counts he pleaded guilty to, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit commodities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud.

After FTX's former engineering chief Nishad Singh successfully avoided prison time when he was sentenced by Judge Lewis Kaplan last month, Wang was seeking the same sentence citing his nearly immediate cooperation with the government.

When given the opportunity to address the court, Wang said he was deeply sorry to all the customers and investors in FTX.

"I took the easy path, the cowardly path, instead of doing the right thing," Wang said in a short address to the court, as he clutched a single printed piece of paper that he never referenced from the podium.

"I will spend the rest of my life trying to make amends," he added.

Wang's parents, as well as his wife, who is expecting their first child, were in court to support him.

Attorneys for Wang say he didn't have full visibility on the crimes, unlike the other cooperating witnesses, and didn't know that FTX's sister hedge fund Alameda Research was taking customer money until after the scheme was underway.

The government was also seeking leniency for Wang.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Roos described Wang as the easiest cooperating witness he had ever worked with, and he credited Wang for essentially deciphering half of the case for the Government by meticulously unpacking the complicated code used by FTX that allowed for the customer money to be taken off the exchange.

In the sentencing submission, prosecutors added that since testifying against the former FTX CEO, Wang has "put his extraordinary computer programing skills to use in detecting potential fraud in the stock and cryptocurrency markets," and has built an interface that the government has started using for detecting potential fraud by publicly traded companies.

In addition, "Wang has also been working on a tool for detection of potential illegal activity in cryptocurrency markets, which in the event Wang is sentenced to a period of time served, the Government understands he will complete as part of his ongoing cooperation."

Roos also noted that Wang was the first FTX employee to walk through the government's door but the last to be sentenced, as the FTX criminal proceedings come to a close.

In March, Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to pay $11 billion  the harshest punishment from Judge Kaplan.

Alameda's ex-CEO Caroline Ellison, who was the star witness in Bankman-Fried's prosecution and his ex-girlfriend, was sentenced to two years in prison for her role in the crime. And Ryan Salame, another former top lieutenant of Bankman-Fried, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison in May  beyond the upper limit recommended by prosecutors.

All FTX former executives have faced sentencing before Judge Kaplan. The no-nonsense 78-year-old judge is a veteran of the Southern District of New York and has presided over some of the biggest cases to roll through the courthouse at 500 Pearl Street in downtown Manhattan.

"I've never seen anything quite like what happened here," Kaplan said of Wang's cooperation. "You're entitled to a lot of credit."
Expectations are high for Nvidia's earnings. Nvidia is expected to report fiscal 2025 third-quarter results Wednesday after the close. Analysts see the darling chipmaker posting a profit of 75 cents per share on revenue of $33.16 billion, per LSEG. Both figures represent more than 80% growth from the year-earlier period. The report will likely have implications for the broader market, given Nvidia's massive size. The semiconductor giant has a market capitalization of more than $3.6 trillion, making it the most valuable U.S.-listed company. But just as key as the results themselves will be is what Nvidia says about the demand behind its latest Blackwell graphics processing unit, or GPU, which is designed to meet the heavy processing needs for artificial intelligence capabilities and often sold to large tech hyperscalers. NVDA YTD mountain Nvidia performance this year. Momentum behind Nvidia's Blackwell ramp Wall Street majors view Nvidia's Blackwell platform  which should be generally available in the January quarter  as a multibillion-dollar revenue opportunity for the chipmaker. Nvidia had said in August that it expected about "several billion" in Blackwell sales during the January quarter. According to Piper Sandler analyst Harsh Kumar, Nvidia could deliver between $5 billion and $8 billion of Blackwell revenue in the January quarter. "We are making NVDA our top large-cap pick given the company's dominant positioning in AI accelerators and the upcoming launch of the Blackwell architecture," Kumar said in a Nov. 11 note, putting a $175 price target on the stock. "We think that demand for H100 and 200 will continue to be spread between cloud/enterprise and sovereign, however the initial allocation of Blackwell in the January and April quarters will likely be met with supply to hyperscalers." Goldman Sachs and Citi are similarly bullish on Nvidia's Blackwell sales, but their analysts believe a successful transition to Blackwell chips will be more visible in the first quarter of next year. Goldman maintained its $150 price target, while Citi hiked its target by $20 to $170. Both shops have a buy rating on the stock. "Although we expect FY1Q (April) to be the true 'break out' quarter in which the ramp of Blackwell coupled with improved supply-side conditions drives meaningful positive EPS revisions, we expect FY3Q (Oct) results, FY4Q (Jan) guidance and management commentary on the earnings call to support our constructive thesis on the stock," Goldman analyst Toshiya Hari said in a Nov. 5 note to clients. "We believe the stock is set up well to sustain its outperformance." Analysts are also largely undeterred by recent concerns about a recent report from The Information that Nvidia's Blackwell NVL-72 server racks are experiencing issues with overheating. Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya wrote Sunday that the company is poised for a "solid" 2025 despite concerns about the thermal issues and anticipating a slowdown in AI scaling. He kept his $190 price target on the shares, one of the Street's most bullish forecasts  suggesting nearly 30% potential upside from Tuesday's close. "We believe both concerns are noteworthy but unlikely to derail NVDA's CY25 momentum as every cloud customer needs to deploy as much as AI capacity (Hopper and/or Blackwell) to address surging demand," he said. "Concerns re slowdown in AI scaling are also premature in our view as the industry is still in its infancy." Citi analyst Atif Malik similarly modeled a bigger quarterly beat and raise beginning in the April quarter, expecting Nvidia's gross margins to improve on the Blackwell transition. HSBC said Blackwell supply chain concerns have "subsided" and expects upside in the company's fiscal 2026 data center momentum, which it thinks the market has not yet fully priced in. What about the quarter overall? Many analysts expect strong results from the chipmaker, thanks in part to solid sales of its Hopper GPU. Goldman's Hari sees revenue up 90% year over year at more than $34 billion, with earnings of 79 cents per share also exceeding expectations. "We expect strong demand for Nvidia's Hopper-based GPUs (i.e. H100 and particularly the H200) and Spectrum-X (i.e. Ethernet-based Networking product) to drive strong double-digit (%) Data Center revenue growth," Hari wrote. Wells Fargo's Aaron Rakers sees earnings coming in at 73 cents per share, slightly below the LSEG estimate. That said, he maintained his overweight rating on the stock earlier this month, citing "expanding AI opportunities" around autonomous driving, health care and robotics. He also pointed to what he believes could be a multibillion-dollar opportunity for Nvidia: its work with Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI . Nvidia announced last month that its Spectrum-X Ethernet networking platform made possible the system behind xAI's Colossus supercomputer that is being used to train xAI's Grok family of large language models. Colossus comprises 100,000 Nvidia Hopper GPUs, and xAI is in the process of doubling that, per Nvidia's Oct. 28 release . Stifel analyst Ruben Roy, who has a buy rating on the stock, said Monday he expects earnings per share of 75 cents for the company, matching the consensus. "A broad set of industry commentary, coupled with our checks, suggests a consistent set-up relative to prior quarters," said Roy in a note. "For fiscal 4Q, we are, again, expecting revenue guidance above the current consensus estimate." Correction: Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya kept his $190 price target on the shares suggesting nearly 30% potential upside from Tuesday's close. An earlier version misstated the percentage. The supercomputer xAI has is called Colossus. An earlier version misstated its name.
Stop us if you've heard this before: Nvidia's earnings report Wednesday night is big deal on Wall Street. Results from the world's most valuable chipmaker will give investors the clearest look into the state of the AI boom since ... the last time the company reported its financials in late August. Enthusiasm about AI has been a major driver of stock market gains over the past two years  ever since the launch of ChatGPT kicked off an investment surge that has lifted far more than just technology companies. The winner's circle has grown to include industrials, such as those making electrical components and energy-generation equipment, and even stodgy utilities that are expected to benefit from increased data center power consumption. Still, no company is more synonymous with AI than Nvidia, which holds a dominant position in the market for cutting-edge processors that underpin applications like ChatGPT. Its sales, profits and market capitalization have soared as a result. It has also created a dynamic where the company's quarterly earnings reports are treated like make-or-break events , with seemingly boundless anticipation pushing the stock up into the release. That is how Nvidia's better-than-expected results and solid outlook in August can still be followed by a nearly 20% decline in a little over a week. Then the buyers, deeming the swoon excessive, stepped back in and a new rally commenced. It is still underway as of Tuesday. Nvidia shares are up almost 40% since their most recent bottom, on Sept. 6. Along the way, Nvidia dethroned Apple as the world's most valuable company , and it has not looked back . Now it's earnings time again. The curse of sky-high expectations threatens to strike once more. "I say own it, don't trade it," Jim Cramer said Tuesday, as he tried to peer through the thicket of hype and stay focused on Nvidia's bright multiyear outlook. He bestowed that "own it" designation on just two stocks, Nvidia and Apple. "There's two things you need to know about Nvidia," Jim continued. "One is that they have incredible demand, far more than they can handle. ... And secondly, there's no competition because no one is even remotely near them, including [fellow Club holding] AMD , which is a company I like very, very much." Here's a closer look at a few key questions surrounding Nvidia's fiscal 2025 third-quarter report and the subsequent conference call at 5 p.m. ET. Overheated or overdone? Investors want to know whether the rollout of Nvidia's next-generation AI chip platform Blackwell has hit any snags  specifically, whether a recent media report about Blackwell overheating in a certain configuration could result in a slower-than-expected ramp in revenue as the company and its customers work out a solution. Nvidia shares were lower Monday on the news. Few are doubting CEO Jensen Huang's description of Blackwell demand as "insane." The uncertainty, at this point, is about the timing. Nvidia has said it expects to ship "several billion dollars" in Blackwell sales in the current quarter, which stretches from November to January. Analysts currently project companywide revenue of $37.04 billion in the January quarter, according to FactSet. Nvidia's guidance is critical in shaping Wall Street's reaction to quarterly results, and it will be no different this time around. "If there was another company that was about to sneak up and was nibbling at them, then [Blackwell pushouts] would be a problem," Jim said. "But there isn't, so I don't see anything to fret about, other than the fact I'm going to be ready for when they say, 'Listen, we're not going to ramp it in January. We're going to ramp it in April.' If there are people who are unhappy with that and want to sell it, then we've got to be ready." In a note to clients Tuesday, analysts at Truist Securities acknowledged there could be technical and supply chain challenges facing Blackwell. Still, analysts said everything they're hearing from Nvidia, its partners and industry contacts feels "overwhelmingly positive." "While we expect to hear Blackwell called out as a revenue generator in both CQ3 and ramping in CQ4, we believe any slippage in Blackwell will likely be replaced with Hopper, offering downside protection on revenue," analysts wrote. Hopper is the name of Nvidia's current-generation AI chips, the H100 and H200. Margin health? Nvidia's triple-digit revenue growth in recent quarters is widely expected to moderate due to the law of large numbers. As a result, gross margins are an increasingly important part of the investment story. Indeed, Nvidia's third-quarter guidance for gross margin  and its implications for the fourth-quarter figure  was considered one of the very few blemishes in the August quarterly report . "Keep an eye on GM [gross margin]," analysts at Bank of America told clients in a note Sunday. Analysts said Nvidia needs to report something in the 73% to 74% range to keep its earnings per share for fiscal 2026 on track to reach the bull case of $5 or more. Here's how to calculate gross margin: Start with a company's revenue then subtract the costs of that revenue. That number is known as gross profit, or gross income. Gross profit divided by sales multiplied by 100 establishes the gross margin percentage. In Nvidia's most-recent quarter, its gross margin was 75.7%. The rollout of Blackwell, even before chatter emerged about potential heat challenges, was understood as one factor pressuring margins in the near term. "Looking ahead to FY26, we see margins declining to the low 70s as Blackwell ramps with initially lower [production] yields," Susquehanna analysts wrote in a Nov. 14 note. "In short, we expect another strong report but note elevated expectations into the print, with the narrative around the Blackwell ramp and GMs important to driving further upside in the stock." Sovereign and software strength? What do Japan , Indonesia , India and Denmark all have in common? For our purposes, at least, they're places that Nvidia's Huang has visited in recent weeks to tout AI and discuss country-specific initiatives that the company is involved in. The trips and announcements are all part of Nvidia's broader strategy on sovereign AI  a concept that refers to a country having control over its computing infrastructure and data in order to develop AI solutions that incorporate their own solutions. Nvidia said in August that it expected sovereign AI to generate low double-digit billions worth of revenue this fiscal year. Any updates to that projection would be welcome and help investors understand the demand coming from this burgeoning group of customers. U.S. tech giants like Microsoft , Meta Platforms and Amazon indicated in their recent earnings reports that they're continuing to spend billions of dollars on AI computing infrastructure  no doubt, that's great news for Nvidia. Sovereign AI represents a different kind of avenue for growth in the years ahead. Similarly, software is another longer-term bet that can help Nvidia offset some of the inherent cyclicality in hardware sales. In a note to clients Monday, analysts at Evercore ISI said that in addition to overall guidance, investors will likely be interested in Nvidia's software growth  and specifically, its offering called AI Enterprise, which provides a range of tools to companies. In August, CFO Colette Kress said Nvidia was on track to finish the year at a roughly $2 billion annual run rate for software and support revenue. AI Enterprise "notably" contributed to the software expansion, according to Kress. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long NVDA and AMD. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang delivers his keystone speech ahead of Computex 2024 in Taipei on June 2, 2024. Sam Yeh | AFP | Getty Images
November 19, 2024: The U.S. Army has developed and deployed four Locust Laser Weapon Systems at undisclosed locations overseas. The 2.1 by 2.1 meter system weighs 1,540 kg and the system can be carried on an 8x8 Stryker wheeled vehicle. The laser has a range of about 800 meters and is used against large drones in places like Syria and now Ukraine.

While weapons like the GMLRS missiles fired by the HIMARS vehicle are high tech, the Russians already have similar systems and could, if they wanted to, develop a GMLRS clone. The Locust Laser technology is a little more exotic and some may have been sent to Ukraine for more intense combat testing despite the risk of capture. The Ukrainians will take extreme measures to avoid that because the longer they have a monopoly on this technology the more damage they will do to Russian drones while avoiding similar damage to their own.

Similar weapons have been developed. The Israeli Iron Beam laser comes in two versions. The larger one has a range of ten kilometers. The smaller, portable one has a range of two kilometers and can be truck mounted. Iron Beam is not expected to be ready for combat use until late 2025. If that schedule is met, Israel will have a low cost laser weapon to complement Iron Dome and its expensive Tamir missiles. The laser system has an inexhaustible ammunition supply and can rapidly fire at incoming targets using a proven fire control system developed for autocannon systems that have been in use for years.

In early 2024 Britain announced that it had developed a laser-based weapon called DragonFire that can destroy or disable a UAV several kilometers away. Each shot costs about $13 for the electricity generated in the vehicle or ship carrying the DragonFire system. Britain is installing DragonFire in a 6x6 twelve-ton Wolfhound armored truck. DragonFire is also going to be installed on warships and replace conventional anti-aircraft or anti-missile systems.

The U.S. Navy has long sought to install more laser weapons on its ships. In 2010 the navy successfully tested a laser weapon, using it to destroy a UAV and then repeat that several times. The laser cannon was mounted on a KINETO Tracking Mount, which is similar, but larger and more accurate than the mount used by the Phalanx CIWS/Close In Weapons System. The navy laser weapon test used the radar and tracking system of the CIWS. In 2009 CIWS was upgraded so that its sensors could detect speedboats, small aircraft, and naval mines. Knocking down UAVs is not something that the navy currently needs help with, and the current laser gun technology has to be improved quite a bit before it's worth mounting on a ship.

This is a similar situation with laser weapons in the other services. In 2010 the U.S. Air Force fired its ALT/Airborne Laser Testbed laser while in flight and hit a ballistic missile that had just been launched and was moving at 1,800 meters a second. The laser beam took several seconds to weaken the missile structure and cause it to come apart. This test came only eight months after an ALT was fired in flight for the first time. The target was some lumber on the ground, which was hit. The ALT weapon was carried in a C-130H four engine transport.

In 2005 manufacturers of combat lasers believed these weapons were only a few years away from battlefield use. To that end, Northrop-Grumman set up a new division to develop and build battle lasers. This optimism was caused by two successful tests in 2004. In one, a solid state laser shot down a mortar round. In another, a much more powerful chemical laser hit a missile type target. Neither of these tests led to any usable weapons, and the combat laser remained a weapon of the future. The basic problems are reliability and sufficient electrical power to generate the laser.

Solid state lasers have been around since the 1950s, and chemical lasers first appeared in the 1970s. The chemical laser has the advantage of using a chemical reaction to create the megawatt level of energy for a laser that can penetrate the body of a ballistic missile that is still rising in the air hundreds of kilometers away. The chemical reaction uses atomized liquid hydrogen peroxide and potassium hydroxide and chlorine gas to form an ionized form of oxygen known as singlet delta oxygen or SDO. This, in turn, is rapidly mixed with molecular iodine gas to form ionized iodine gas. At that point, the ionized iodine gas rapidly returns to its resting state, and while doing so releases photons pulsing at the right frequency to create the laser light. These photons are channeled by mirrors and sent on their way to the target which was being tracked and pinpointed by other lasers. The airborne laser weighed about six tons. It can be carried in a C-130H, producing a laser powerful enough to hit airborne or ground targets fifteen kilometers away. The laser exits via a targeting turret under the nose of the aircraft, and its beam is invisible to the human eye. The chemicals are mixed at high speeds, and the byproducts are harmless heat, potassium salt, water, and oxygen. A similar laser, flying in a larger aircraft like a B-747 freighter, would have enough range to knock down ballistic missiles as they take off. This is what was used in the recent test.

Nearly half a century of engineering work has produced thousands of improvements, and a few breakthroughs, in making lasers more powerful, accurate and lethal. More efficient energy storage has made it possible to use lighter, shorter range ground based lasers effective against smaller targets like mortar shells and short-range rockets. Northrop's move was an indication that the company felt confident enough to gamble its own money, instead of what they get for government research contracts, to produce useful laser weapons. A larger high energy airborne laser would not only be useful against ballistic missiles. Enemy aircraft and space satellites would also be at risk. But companies like Northrop and Boeing are still trying to produce ground and airborne lasers that can successfully operate under combat conditions. The big problem with anti-missile airborne lasers is the power supply. Lots of chemicals are needed to generate sufficient power for a laser that can reach out for hundreds of kilometers and do sufficient damage to a ballistic missile. To be effective, the airborne laser needs sufficient power to get off several shots. So far, no one has been able to produce such a weapon. That's why these lasers remain the weapon of the future until these fundamental problems are solved. DragonFire is a partial solution and now there will be more.

Since the 1990s the U.S. Department of Defense has spent over five billion dollars on laser weapons that could shoot down guided missiles, unguided rockets, artillery and mortar shells. These efforts have been slow to reach the battlefield. Some systems worked reliably but the laser equipment was not rugged enough for sustained combat use, Worse, available power supplies were not sufficient to fire the laser often enough to be useful.

The billions have not been wasted, but they did buy a lot of disappointment. At the same time, the money and development effort has, slowly, moved the technology towards the point where lasers will be robust enough, and sufficiently supplied with energy, to make themselves effective for the troops. Close now, but not there yet. The Department of Defense fears that a sharp reduction of the defense budget will halt the development money. That would stop work, except for what the manufacturers might continue on their own nickel, and battlefield lasers would remain suspended just short of being useful.

It's not the first time this has happened. At the end of World War II, smart bombs were just coming into use. While primitive, they worked. Same with wire-guided missiles, ballistic missiles, nuclear weapons and many other bits of military technology we still consider high tech. Development stopped on most of these systems after the war. Work continued on ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons. Over the next few decades, work resumed on all these, and most are now in service. The end of the development money is never the end of the line.
New Jersey reservoir that supplies drinking water to 1.2M drops below half empty. New York City declared a drought warning on Monday, its first in 22 years, as the Northeast deals with severe dry conditions and brush fires during a historically dry autumn.

New York City declared a drought warning on Monday, its first in 22 years, as the Northeast deals with severe dry conditions and brush fires during a historically dry autumn.

Mayor Eric Adams and the city's Department of Environmental Protection elevated a drought watch issued on Nov. 2, citing the city's longest rainless streak in recorded history.

The last drought warning in New York City was issued in 2002.

"It's hard to believe that we'd be talking about brush fires and droughts in New York City," Adams said in a news conference, attributing the conditions to climate change. "Our reservoirs are nowhere near where they should be, and our city and watershed continues to experience significant precipitation shortages."

Under the watch, the mayor ordered city agencies to implement protocols to conserve water which includes reducing fleet washing of trains and buses, suspending street flushing activities, and identifying leaks and conducting repairs at city facilities. New Yorkers are asked to voluntarily conserve water by taking shorter showers and fixing leaky faucets.

Repairs underway to the Delaware Aqueduct, an 86-mile pipeline that delivers half of New York City's water supply from the Catskill Mountains, will also be paused to resume flow of water from four reservoirs to the city. The $2 billion project was in its final phase.

Adams said pausing the project will stop a 35-million gallon daily leak and repairs will restart "as soon as possible."

A drought warning is the second of three water conservation declarations in NYC.

Under a warning city agencies adopt drought protocols and voluntary water conservation is encouraged for New Yorkers. Under the next level, a drought emergency, there will be enforcement of water shortage rules and water rates can be raised. Further, New Yorkers will have to follow water shortage rules, restaurants cannot serve water unless requested, there's no aesthetic use of water such as for fountains and and no building sidewalk washing.
The U.S. closed its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday, warning that it has "received specific information of a potential significant air attack" amid soaring tensions with Russia.

The U.S. Embassy said in a statement that it was closing the building "out of an abundance of caution" and instructed embassy employees to shelter in place.

"The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced," it added.

Asked to comment on the embassy's closure on Wednesday, the Kremlin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said only that the move was "about the course of the Special Military Operation," as Russia describes its ongoing war against Ukraine.

Air alerts in Kyiv are a common occurrence as the Ukrainian capital suffers frequent drone and missile attacks by Russia. But the latest alert comes amid rising tensions between Moscow and Washington, after reports that the White House on Sunday gave Ukraine permission to use U.S.-made long-range missiles to attack targets on Russian territory.
The 10-year Treasury was up about 4 basis points at 4.418%. The 2-year Treasury yield was last trading at 4.321% after rising by nearly 5basis points.

U.S. Treasury yields rose on Wednesday as investors considered the geopolitical situation and assessed the latest economic data.

Investors considered the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, with tensions between the U.S. and Moscow heating up over the conflict in recent days. The U.S. on Wednesday closed its embassy in Ukraine's capital Kyiv, warning of a "potential significant air attack."

That comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday updated the country's nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for a nuclear strike, after Ukraine for the first time used U.S.-made long-range ballistic missiles to attack Russian territory.

Wall Street also assessed fresh comments from Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman, who indicated on Wednesday that the fight to bring inflation back to the central bank's 2% target has hit some roadblocks.

"We have not yet met our inflation goal and, as I noted earlier, progress in lowering inflation appears to have stalled," Bowman said in remarks in West Palm Beach, Florida. "I see greater risks to the price stability side of our mandate, especially while the labor market remains near full employment, but it is also possible that we could see a deterioration in labor market conditions."

Later in the week, investors will be watching out for October's flash purchasing managers' index reports from S&P Global for the services and manufacturing sector. Several Federal Reserve officials are also set to give remarks as the week continues, which investors will be scanning for hints about the economic and monetary policy outlook.

Investors also mulled over the potential picks for Treasury Secretary ahead of Donald Trump's second term, with concerns pertaining to the candidates' experience levels and track record.
Asian markets will look "very different" in 2025 in light of China's new policy measures, the slowing Indian economy and Southeast Asian countries' investments into new infrastructure, according to HSBC. A raft of stocks can still "benefit from these changes in Asia as they are best positioned to capture growth from these opportunities and that our analysts like from a bottom-up perspective," the investment bank's analysts wrote in a Nov. 19 research note. The stocks are "outside of consensus ideas, which are generally well owned, and our aim is to highlight quality stocks that are relatively underappreciated," they added. Here are three of HSBC's top ideas. Meituan HSBC is bullish on Meituan and has a target price of 220 Hong Kong dollars ($28.30) on the stock, giving it 25.8% upside potential. The investment bank categorizes the Chinese e-commerce giant as a "best-in-class large cap" idea which it says stands out for its "high-quality growth, improving profitability and limited competition." "Despite the macro challenges, Meituan's growth profile remains resilient," said Charlene Liu, HSBC Global Research's head of internet and gaming research for Asia-Pacific. "Its earnings quality is one of the best in the sector," she said, adding that Meituan's top line is expected to grow 20% in 2024 and 17% in 2025. Referencing data from Morningstar, Liu flagged that Meituan is "relatively under-owned compared to other Internet peers," with only around 45% of global emerging market funds owning the stock. By contrast, fellow tech giant Tencent is "owned by two out of every three funds," she added. Meituan's shares are listed on the Hong Kong Exchange and trade as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR) in the U.S. under the ticker MPNGY . Krishna Institute Of Medical Sciences In the small-cap space, the bank is betting on the Krishna Institute Of Medical Sciences , or KIMS, as more Indians invest in quality health care. Calling it a "best-in-class small-cap" idea, HSBC Global Research's India health-care analyst Damayanti Kerai believes it is "well positioned to sustain healthy growth." That follows KIMS' moves into newer markets with strong demand, and areas of specialization such as high-end procedures like transplants and oncology. It is also looking to expand bed capacity by 60% over financial years 2025 to 2027, Kerai said. The moves "should help it sustain healthy margins by improving its revenue mix," the analyst added. Shares in KIMS are listed on India's National and Bombay Stock Exchanges. HSBC has a target price of 670 Indian rupees ($7.90) on the stock, implying about 19% upside potential. Kia Also on HSBC's list is Korean automaker Kia, which it considers the "best value play for 2025." Kia's shares have been on an uptrend, gaining around 8% in the last five days. "The recent share price performance factors in an escalation of trade tensions that will likely impact sector growth. However, it remains unclear what type of policies will be implemented by the newly elected administration in the U.S.," noted Will Cho, HSBC Global Research's Korea electric vehicle battery, autos and technology analyst. He believes the "market has underplayed the competitiveness of Korean companies in the EV and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) space." Looking ahead, Cho says Kia's "strong margin profile can support its electrification initiative to produce more competitive and affordable EV models, especially in the EU where the regulatory environment should be more favorable from 2025e." "This should help offset overall volume pressure, the main reason for Kia's valuation discount, as Kia's success in the U.S. is likely to extend to the EU through market share gains in mass market EVs," he added. Shares in Kia are listed on the Korea Exchange and trade as an ADR in the U.S. under the ticker KIMTF . HSBC has a target price of 160,000 Korean Won ($114.80) on the stock, implying nearly 63.1% upside potential.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
Bridging oceans: Celebrating China-Brazil cultural exchanges

(People's Daily App) 17:05, November 20, 2024

China and Brazil are located in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, respectively. Throughout the years, the vast Pacific Ocean has proven to be no barrier to the friendly dialogue between the two countries. With a shared pursuit of beauty, music, drama and fine arts, new bridges that connect the two peoples keep emerging. President Xi Jinping's state visit to Brazil will no doubt inspire more envoys of friendship to overcome mountains and oceans, continuing to write new chapters in the China-Brazil friendship.

(Produced by Li Bowen, Lin Rui, and interns Liu Xueru, Zheng Boyu, Feng Zihan and Bai Jingxian)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
November 19, 2024: The Ukrainian security service (SSU) recently detected several Russian agents operating in Kherson, which is near the Black Sea northwest of Crimea. Three Russian spies were arrested. Each of them was operating independently, without knowledge of other Russian operatives. This is a common practice in all espionage agencies. The Russian spies were working jobs, like driving a cab, that allowed them to get around without raising suspicions. Interrogators found that the Russians were currently seeking locations and status of Ukrainian air defense systems and other military targets, especially those difficult to identify using aerial reconnaissance. Earlier SSU had disrupted an espionage network seeking location of Ukrainian HIMARS missile launcher vehicles. These are kept hidden because the Russians fear these mobile missile launchers, and the damage they do to Russian artillery units and supply storage sites.

Eastern Ukraine always had a large Russian population because during the 1930s Russians were brought into eastern Ukraine to replace all the Ukrainians who died during the Holodomor (Great Famine). The famine was caused by the Soviet government exporting nearly all grain produced in that part of the country for several years. This was part of a Soviet plan to raise additional foreign currency to pay for importing Western machinery needed to industrialize Russia. This plan worked, and leader Josef Stalin saw the dead Ukrainians as necessary to enable Russia to build factories for producing commercial and military products, including tanks and the new multiple cell rocket launchers they had recently invented.

Now, nearly a century later, there is another war because Russian forces invaded independent Ukraine in 2022. Stalin would have seen this as a civil war, but times have changed. Some things going on today Stalin wound see as familiar. For example the current Russian government has lost its destabilization skills. A century ago, the new communist government in Russia came to power because of the communists ability to subvert their opponents and eliminate opposition without a lot of bloodshed. A more recent destabilization effort involved an effort to destabilize countries in Africa to distract attention mass media paid to the Russian campaign in Ukraine. Russian mercenaries and spies are busy trying to cause as much distracting chaos as possible in the rest of the world. This includes covert operations in Europe, mercenaries operating throughout Africa, and establishing links with Moslem organizations in Central Asia and Europe, and blowing up Western airliners.

Russia believes that conventional warfare waged in Ukraine and the unconventional warfare carried out worldwide complement each other. Russian efforts to destabilize Africa are supposed to divert attention and resources headed to Ukraine. To make this happen, Russian spies, assassins, and propagandists continue their efforts.

Revolution and subversion efforts worldwide have long been used by the Soviet Union and later Russia to exploit whatever opportunities were available to disrupt and diminish support for groups hostile to Russia while encouraging local leaders that support Russian objectives. For example, in 2016, Russian operatives recruited criminal gangs to cause trouble in the tiny Balkan state of Montenegro and disrupt efforts by that country to join NATO. That attempt failed when several foreign agents and pro-coup Montenegrin politicians were detected, arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned.

In February 2022, Russian agents tried to organize widespread protests that would justify Russian military intervention, aided by pro-Russian factions in the Ukrainian government. These factions were supposed to make it possible for pro-Russian groups belonging to the Ukrainian parliament and government to seize power. That effort failed because the Russians overestimated the number of pro-Russian officials in the Ukrainian government and the Russian invasion did not immediately succeed, as the Russians expected. There were too many Ukrainians willing and able to fight and defeat the Russian invaders.

A similar situation took place in neighboring Moldova, a poor, landlocked country that borders Ukraine in the west, near the port of Odessa. During 2022 and 2023, Russian FSB (Federal Security Service) operatives tried to encourage anti-Ukraine protests that would offer an excuse for pro-Russian Moldovan politicians to call for military intervention by Russia. That failed because the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 failed and continues to fail as Russia suffers enormous losses in manpower and military equipment.

The Russian FSB is the post-Soviet version of the KGB but has demonstrated a shortage of skills and ability to match the performance of the KGB in its prime. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was made possible, in part, because the KGB had also lost its ability to get things done.

In the Soviet and Russian competition for the KGB and FSB, the smaller GRU military intelligence organization often outperformed them. That was not the case in Ukraine, where the GRU also failed. This was not as bad as it seemed because the GRU specializes in operations outside Russia. The FSB has a component that does that and it is called the SVR. Foreign operations are often carried out by the GRU and SVR operating together.

When GRU officers are working abroad, they are monitored by counterintelligence personnel in Directorate K of the SVR. Those who serve inside Russia are watched by the Directorate of Military Counterintelligence. This is the Third Directorate of the FSB. Interestingly, in the Soviet period, it was also called the Third Directorate. It is not a coincidence but a continuation of the Soviet tradition. The Third Directorate of the FSB is still assigned to monitor the Defense Ministry, of which the GRU is a part. The head of GRU does not even report directly to the Russian president. GRU reports have to go through the Head of the General Staff and the defense minister before reaching the top man. GRU is very much number two in the Russian foreign intelligence business. As such they tend to try harder and consider themselves more elite than those pampered wimps over at SVR.

On the other hand, there also is one function monopolized by the GRU: battlefield intelligence. NATO countries are, and always have been, considered potential battlefields. Battlefield intelligence is run in peacetime as well. For example, in preparation for future wars, the GRU sets up illegal weapons and ammunition dumps in the territory of many foreign countries. This is a risky operation. It usually involves groups of junior Russian diplomats secretly going into rural areas to bury rifles, machine-guns, and other weapons. They have to do this discreetly and, in a hurry, to avoid detection by the local counterintelligence service. It is considered a hard job.

Western analysts regard the GRU as the most closed Russian intelligence service partly because it does not even manage its own press relations. That's because GRU is one of many components of the Defense Ministry and is not eligible to have its own press relations staff. The FSB and SVR are higher up in the government pecking order and entitled to their own press relations operations. Formally, GRU is nothing but one of the numerous Chief Directorates of the General Staff of the Defense Ministry. It does not even report directly to the Minister of Defense. That is why those foreign journalists who have questions about GRU must address them to the Press Service of the Russian Defense Ministry. The questions are often handled by some press aide who knows little about intelligence work, while FSB and SVR press people are very well informed. Foreign journalists tend to seek out the SVR press department when seeking information on Russian intel operations.

During the Second World War GRU worked in close contact with the NKVD, the predecessor of the KGB. For example, in March 1941, both intelligence services jointly carried out a successful operation aimed at overthrowing the pro-German government of Yugoslavia. During the entire war, GRU and NKVD managed a joint network of foreign agents in Europe. The current system of two separate foreign intelligence services competing with each other only came about in the 1950s, after Stalins death. It was done by the Central Committee of the Communist Party in order to protect itself from a coup inspired by either intelligence service. As a result, the GRU not only competes with the SVR, but it is also supposed to keep an eye on the SVR for signs of disloyalty.

In Soviet times, although the GRU was monitored by the KGB, both organizations reported to the Central Committee of the Communist Party. In case of emergency, the Central Committee could control the KGB using the GRU. The communists believed it best that someone guards the guards. Nowadays, GRU does not monitor the SVR anymore. GRU, the military, and the rest of Russia are all subordinate to the FSB/SVR.

SVR has more money and resources. It's long been like that, and the GRU has developed a tradition of getting by on very little. GRU methods are considered more aggressive and cruder than those of the SVR. GRU operatives tend to think they are at war even during peacetime. The SVR assigns its officers to do some jobs in the form of tasks, not detailed orders. The task is not supposed to be necessarily accomplished, while the order is to be carried out by all means. The GRU prefers ordering and expects results no matter what.

Russia is having problems with its secret agents and spies because of its invasion of Ukraine. NATO nations heeded the advice of Ukrainian intelligence that Russia was expanding its espionage operations in Ukraine and elsewhere. These warnings included some information on the expansion of Russian espionage and assassination efforts in Russia, Ukraine, and the rest of Europe.

For example, in late 2022 Germany arrested a former soldier who held a senior position in the BND (Federal Intelligence Service). The interrogation of the prisoner has confirmed he was spying for Russia, and this led to the arrest of the Russian courier who took classified information to Russia while bringing the BND mole, as in a spy working for a foreign intelligence agency, his cash compensation. The Germans feared there were more such moles. There were a lot of them during the Cold War but most of those were arrested after 1991 or surrendered voluntarily. Not all the cold war era moles were identified, and Russia revived its espionage program in the 1990s, even before former KGB officer Vladimir Putin took power in Russia. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Putin was a KGB officer in communist East Germany. He spoke German and apparently knew about the KGBs mole network in West Germany and its sleeper agents operating in the West.

Even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there were problems with Russian sleeper agents, also known as illegals. During the last decade Russia has activated more of these sleeper agents and used them for a variety of tasks besides espionage. Since the Russians invaded Ukraine, more sleepers have been activated to gather information on NATO efforts to supply the Ukrainian war effort. These sleepers are trained to do this discreetly, but some used commercial quadcopters too frequently and attracted unwanted attention. European counter-intelligence agencies have prepared profiles of likely sleepers and that has made it easier to detect and arrest sleepers even if they have not been activated.

As a result of all this activity NATO governments, often the post-Cold War ones in East Europe, have increasingly gone public with details of Russian espionage operations, especially the use of assassination of those Russia considers traitors or simply enemies of the state. There has been more of that since the Ukraine invasion and more Russians have fled their homeland.

In 2019 French journalists uncovered evidence of a Russian GRU (Russian Military Intelligence) Unit 29155 that operated from a secret logistics base in France near the Swiss border. From there at least fifteen GRU undercover agents engaged in espionage, sabotage, and assassination operations. Also described was a joint British, Swiss, French, and American intelligence operation to track down details of Unit 29155 and what it was doing between 2014 and 2018. The Unit 29155 base was apparently moved around Western Europe frequently to avoid detection and concentrate efforts on specific tasks.

One of these was assassination, including attempts on the life of Sergei Skripal in Britain early in 2018. This incident did make the news, mainly because the GRU agents used a form of nerve gas called novichok. That incident caused an international uproar, particularly as a British civilian was killed. In mid-August 2018 the U.S. imposed its first round of new sanctions on Russia for its March 2018 use of nerve gas in Britain. The details of this use of Russian nerve gas had been confirmed. British investigators identified the Russians who were involved with the use of nerve gas to try and attempt to murder Sergei Skripal, a former Soviet intelligence officer who worked for Britain as a double agent.

In response to the March 2018 incident, Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats suspected of being intelligence agents and Russia responded by expelling 23 British diplomats. More nations said they would expel Russian diplomats and after the June confirmation that it was Russian novichok, the U.S. ordered into effect a series of additional sanctions on Russia. These would have been limited if Russia admitted it used novichok and provided assurances it would never do so again with any banned weapons. Russia said it will do neither and denied any involvement.

This assassination effort was nothing new for Russia. Skripal was still working for British intelligence when he was arrested in Russia at the end of 2004 and prosecuted for espionage. He was sent to prison in 2006 but got out in 2010 when Russia agreed to use him as one of the three imprisoned spies exchanged to get back several Russian illegals who were caught in the United States. Russia was reluctant to part with Skripal, who had apparently done enormous damage to Russian overseas spying efforts. But they wanted their imprisoned agents in the U.S. back. This was not the first time Russia had gone after people like Skripal in Britain. This sort of thing happened elsewhere in Europe before and after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Russia insists that it does not do this and has been saying that since the Soviets started hunting down and killing traitors overseas back in the 1930s.

What was not revealed at that time was the joint investigation of Unit 29155 and how many of the growing number of Russian espionage efforts in Europe could be traced to it and similar GRU or KGB operations in East Europe. The Russians have been quite active in Serbia and Bulgaria where local intel agencies have more experience with Russian methods. Thats because until the 1990s Bulgaria was ruled by a Russia-backed communist government that had close ties to the KGB and GRU. It was these former communist states in East Europe that were the first to detect and warn their NATO allies of the resumption of major Russian espionage efforts. Even journalists in East Europe were able to identify some Russian agents on their own.

Decades of Russian-imposed communist rule in East Europe left bitter memories of how ruthless the Russian espionage services could be, and many victims are still alive to provide personal testimony. Western Europeans, except those in East Germany, did not experience this and were slow to accept the fact that the Russians were back, since the late 1990s, at their Cold War espionage efforts. That attitude is changing as more details of recent Russian efforts are made public.

For example, in late 2012 Germany revealed it was prosecuting a Russian married couple who were arrested in 2011 on suspicion of espionage. Russia insisted that the two Russians were not active Russian agents but retired Cold War era spies. Germany accused the couple of recruiting and using a local spy three times between 2008 and 2011. When the police came to arrest the couple, the woman was found listening to coded messages. There was apparently much more evidence as well that the couple was spying.

The two 51-year-old Russians were sent to Germany via Austria using false Austrian IDs in 1988, to serve as sleepers, agents that spend most of their time doing nothing until activated from time-to-time for some simple, but essential, mission. While Germany let a lot of its own Soviet era spies off easy, there is still a lot of animosity towards Russian spies. That's because Russia is still very much involved with espionage. In Germany that means stealing economic secrets, which hurts the German economy. The Germans are not in a forgiving mood because of this Russian aggression.

Germany believes that this couple are but two of many other Cold War sleeper agents that Russia, or someone, is reactivating. Prosecuting these two included attempts to get them to reveal details of how the sleeper program operates. This would help the Germans track down other sleepers and get an idea of how many of them are out there. These two sleepers were apparently not very cooperative.

Some details of the sleeper operation were gathered from the investigation of so many sleepers. Many, if not all, sleepers were cut loose in the 1990s, as the KGB back home was reorganized and had its budget cut sharply. But after 2000 the FSB, the rebranded and reorganized domestic operations branch of the KGB, and SVR, foreign operations of the KGB, revived a lot of Cold War era operations. In large part that's because KGB men hold many senior jobs in the Russian government. The SVR and GRU got more money to operate in foreign lands.

In the GRU nobody cares how their officers obtain secret information, like parts of missiles and other weapons. They may buy it legally or semi-legally or even steal it. One enterprising GRU agent in the 1970s shipped a stolen Sidewinder air-to-air missile from West Germany to Moscow via United Airlines air freight. SVR officers are not allowed to do so. They are supposed to use foreign collaborators for it. In the GRU you just go get it. Thats why tracking Unit 29155 was such a big deal. These are all reasons why Unit 29155 is still active.
A new research study indicates that Open AIs chatbot Chat GPT-4 is better at diagnosing diseases than human doctors, according to The New York Times.

Fifty doctors, a mix of attending physicians and residents, participated in the study; diagnoses were based on evaluations of medical patient cases. All in all, Chat GPT-4 got a 90% score for the diagnoses it delivered; the doctors on their own got average scores of 74%.

The doctors also reportedly performed worse than the chatbot when they were allowed to use Chat GPT-4 in their work. Physicians who used the tool performed only marginally better  getting scores of 76%  than physicians who did not use a chatbot at all.
It took the UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) less than a month to decide that there is no need to proceed further with a merger investigation after Googles purchase of a $2 billion stake in Anthropic.

In a statement released on Oct. 24, the CMA indicated that it had obtained sufficient information to launch a preliminary investigation into the investment by Google, which was first announced last year and involved an initial sum of $500 million, with the remainder to be invested at a later date.

The regulator was then scheduled to announce on Dec. 19 whether or not a more detailed phase 2 probe would take place, a move that ended up being fast forwarded.
If you tell a joke, and people take it too seriously, it might end with someone getting offended and you having to apologize. Occasionally, someone will write you out of their will.

But theres also a small chance that your listener will say, Capital idea! Lets try that. Your dumb joke will be considered a legit suggestion, and theres no going back now.

5 Massachusetts Voluntary Tax In 2002, a group of concerned citizens submitted a suggestion to the Massachusetts legislature. At the time, the state had an income tax rate of 5.2 percent. But what if some people felt like paying more? Maybe forms could offer a little box, so some filers could pay 5.85 percent instead, which was the rate that had existed a couple years previously. Don't Miss This group wasnt concerned with raising government revenues. The group was the Citizens for Limited Taxation and Government (CLTG), and they were making a sarcastic suggestion to mock Massachusetts tax system. A couple years before, people had voted to lower taxes a chunk and then the government overruled that, instead lowering it only a small amount. CLTG were now jokingly saying, Well, clearly people want higher taxes then! The government took the suggestion well, and they added the optional higher rate on all tax forms. Mass. Department of Revenue This article is sponsored by TurvyTax, wholl do your taxes for you electronically. Around a thousand people a year went on to pick the voluntary higher rate, presumably because they got confused. Even people who support higher taxes realize one person paying more solves nothing and only hurts themselves.

4 Inviting the Queen to a Wedding Advertisement John and Frances Canning werent going to have a big wedding. For their 2012 nuptials, they were just going to have a ceremony at Manchesters Town Hall, and they invited 40 guests. Also, John invited Queen Elizabeth. All the very best on the Jubilee, he wrote in a letter (the wedding was coinciding with her Diamond Jubilee, the 60th anniversary of her ascending the throne), and if you've got any spare minutes, we're only next door. Obviously, the Queen wouldnt actually make it, but the couple were surprised to receive an actual reply from one of the Queens ladies-in-waiting saying as much. Her Majesty couldnt come, said the reply, but all the best to you. That was much more of a response than they could have hoped. Except, then the day of the wedding came, and she showed up after all. Advertisement Manchester Evening News Prince Philip came, too, but no one cared about that. Hey, why not? Like the invitation said, she was in the neighborhood. Sources dont reveal whether Elizabeth exercised her privilege of prima nocta and claimed John for the night, but we assume she did, as she was the sovereign.

3 A Monkey Mayor Youve surely heard stories about small towns that have a dog or some other pet as their mayor. The town will probably be some unincorporated community where 3,000 people live, and the mayor will be ceremonial, with no power. Hartlepool was a little different. Hartlepool had a population of 100,000, and in 2002, they created the office of the mayor for the first time. As this was a real position, the Labor Party fielded one candidate, the Conservatives fielded another and the Liberal Democrats offered up a third. A fourth candidate was a businessman. The fifth and final candidate was HAngus the Monkey, the mascot of the team Hartlepool United F.C. He campaigned by offering free bananas to all students 10 and under. Advertisement Advertisement GunvoltKong/Wiki Commons You have to understand, this is England. For years, they had no bananas. There was a real human being behind HAngus, named Stuart Drummond, but that barely seemed to increase the chance of his winning. Bookies placed the odds against him at 100 to 1. But he did win, beating the second-place candidate by 500 votes. Three years later, he won reelection, and four years after that, he won reelection again. Hed probably still be mayor today, but in 2012, the town council managed to abolish the office of mayor and replace it with a council leader. The council was controlled by the Labour Party, whod been behind that second-place candidate Drummond had beaten, but were sure thats just coincidence. Advertisement

2 The Discount Island In 1978, Richard Branson wasnt yet a billionaire. He was the founder of Virgin Records, not the man behind the Virgin Group conglomerate, and his fortune was estimated at around 5 million. So, when he heard that an actual Virgin Island was for sale, for 6 million, he figured he couldnt quite afford it, no matter how appropriate it would be to own. He put in a bid for 100,000. This wasnt a serious bid, though it did allow him to impress a woman he had his eye on, Joan Templeman, because he could say he was trying to buy it. It didnt impress his wife Kristen, and the two of them would divorce the following year, but it did win him Joan. She and Branson have now been married for 35 years. Advertisement Advertisement Virgin.com The Queen didn  t show up for the wedding, as she only accepts invites from important people. They got married on Necker Island, that island Branson had bid on. Thats because as ridiculous as that 100,000 offer was, no one else was offering anything, so the seller ended up selling it to Branson for not much more than that. Let that be a lesson to you all. We know a lot of our readers were planning on paying full price for private islands, but these can sometimes go for less than youd think.
November 20, 2024: An American firm, Anduril, has developed a novel new anti-drone system called Roadrunner This system is 1.8 meters tall and has twin jet engines, weighs about 85 kg and has a top speed of about 700 kilometers an hour. Most other specifications and capabilities have not yet been released.

Roadrunner is a small VTOL/Vertical Take Off and Landing drone that can be used for reconnaissance and return after each mission and be reused several times. If the explosive warhead and fire control system is used, Roadrunner will operate as an explosive drone that will destroy itself when it demolishes a drone, helicopter or aircraft.

The Department of Defense has purchased 500 Roadrunners for about $400,000 each. Most of them will go to the Special Operations Command/SOCOM, which will use Roadrunner to support its Special Forces or SEAL operators. Roadrunner is transported in a box-like launch container. This container can be moved by UH-60 helicopter via a sling underneath. With a larger transport helicopter, like the CH-47, the container or containers can be carried inside the helicopter on pallets.

Roadrunner has not completed development and the ones purchased so far are being used by SOCOM to see how well the drone functions in an operational environment. Some may be sent to Ukraine for use by Ukrainian forces. Many new weapons or recent upgrades of weapons and equipment are sent and the Ukrainian troops use the new equipment, weapons or munitions in combat. After action reports are sent back to NATO, often with suggestions for improvements and upgrades as well as comments on the performance of these items. Ukrainian forces get a lot of new weapons and equipment from Americans and European suppliers. South Korea may join the list because Russia has hired over 10,000 North Korean soldiers to fight in Ukraine wearing Russian uniforms. South Korea is a major developer and producer of modern weapons. Poland purchased over $15 billion worth of South Korean weapons after the Russians invaded Ukraine in 2022. Poland is also the site of NATO training facilities for Ukrainian soldiers as well as workshops to repair or upgrade weapons sent to Ukraine. Poland is a NATO member but still fears Russia might go after Poland and the adjacent Baltic State if Ukraine falls under Russian control.

Over the last decade several VTOL drones were developed and put into service. Blaze, an Israeli firm, developed Spider, a lightweight battery-powered VTOL drone that can be broken down and carried in a backpack. Spider can be assembled and ready for use within ten minutes. Compared to earlier larger, gasoline-powered VTOL drones, Spider emphasizes that the main advantage of VTOL drones compared to helicopter drones is superior speed, endurance and stability in windy conditions. VTOL drones are also easier to land safely and without damage. VTOL drones have been practical in the last few years because of advances in flight control software and enough flight time to deal with any unforeseen problems. Spider is expected to be popular with non-military customers who need a search and surveillance system that is lightweight, battery powered and easy to use with minimal training.

Earlier VTOL drones worked but were heavier, more expensive and not as user friendly. For example, in 2019 the U.S. Navy began testing the new VBAT VTOL drone. It looks like a small fixed-wing drone with a pusher rear-mounted propeller-driven gasoline/oil engine. The VBAT propeller is housed in a circular open cowling which provides a surface to vertically take off from and land on, combined with computerized flight controls similar to those that made the two-wheel self-balancing Segway scooters possible back in 2001. In other words, VBAT automatically takes off and lands at a location specified by the operator. After takeoff VBAT tips over and flies like any other fixed-wing aircraft. This way the 37.3 kg VBAT can carry a 3.6 kg payload and do it all longer and farther than current small quad-copter drones.

VBAT usually carries a gimballed day/night vidcam that can transmit video up to 72 kilometers or store it when VBAT is flying missions up to 630 kilometers distant. Endurance at 80 kilometers an hour, with a one-hour reserve, is eight hours. VBAT is small, only 2.4 m long with a wingspan of 2.74 M and is broken down into weatherproof shipping containers for transport. A two-man crew can assemble it, load flight parameters for an automated mission and have it ready for takeoff in 20 minutes. Different payload modules can be swapped out for ones that do mapping or terrain analysis. The onboard generator provides up to 500 watts for payload sensors. Max altitude is 4,700 meters and VBAT can handle winds of up to 48 kilometers an hour. It only needs a 3x3 meter clear area for takeoff and landing. With performance like that, the army and navy were interested when VBAT was first shown in 2018.

By 2021 VBAT was upgraded to the VBAT 128, a heavier 56.6 kg model with an 11.3 kg payload and upgrades in range, endurance and payload options. The two-man operator team for VBAT can be trained in two weeks and each VBAT, depending on how many payload modules are provided, will cost a few hundred thousand dollars. The U.S. army and navy have bought some, mainly to further explore the use of this tech on ships or for land-based operations. In wartime systems like this can be put into service quickly and problems noted and fixed along the way. In peacetime the budgets are smaller and the time available for further testing and development longer.

There is competition. In 2019 a Chinese destroyer in the South China Sea was seen using a new VTOL drone off its helicopter deck. The VTOL drone was easily identified as the Chinese made SD40, a drone offered for sale to commercial users for operating over land or sea. The SD40 is small, only 40 kg and apparently intended for naval use on smaller ships like corvettes and patrol boats because Chinese destroyers use larger manned and unmanned helicopters due to their larger payloads, longer flight time and better stability in high winds, as are frequently encountered at sea. But the SD40 is a hybrid quadcopter/fixed-wing propeller-driven drone. The SD40 is a triple fuselage battery-powered quadcopter for takeoff and landing that switches to a gasoline-powered rear propeller in the larger main fuselage and proceeds as a fixed-wing aircraft once aloft. The two smaller outer fuselages each contain two of the quadcopter rotors and batteries for takeoff, landing or hovering. The 3.7 meter fixed wing provides plenty of lift and stability for level flight and a max speed of 180 kilometers an hour. Cruising speed is 100-140 kilometers an hour. Max payload is 6 kg which will handle a wide range of day/night vidcams or even a lightweight SAR or lidar radar. SD40 has an endurance of up to six hours, depending on how much hovering is done. Max altitude is 5,000 meters although normal operating altitudes are 1,000-3,000 meters. There are several VTOL designs similar to the SD40 available. The VBAT takes the concept up a level in performance but the Chinese navy has a larger budget and a greater sense of urgency

These VTOL designs are becoming more popular because they can operate off smaller ships and patrol boats and have better endurance and stability in high winds than heavier helicopter drones. The U.S. Navy gained practical experience in this when they used the 1.4-ton MQ-8B Fire Scout helicopter drone. The MQ-8B lacked the stability in bad weather and other conditions that larger helicopters can handle. The Navy bought 29 MQ-8Bs after 2009 and accumulated over 12,000 flight hours with it within a few years. The basic design was good, but it was too small.

In 2013 the navy experimented transferring the control hardware and software of the MQ-8B to a larger helicopter, a navalized Bell 407 to become the 2.7-ton MQ-8C. This provided greater stability, endurance and tripled the payload of the 8B version. The navy bought 36 MQ-8Cs and wanted to acquire about a hundred for use on smaller ships. That plan is on hold, mainly for budget reasons but also to see how well the VTOL drones perform. VBAT is a lot cheaper than a helicopter-based drone and may eventually replace many naval helicopter drones.

China has more options when it comes to different types of drones because it has the largest number of drone developers/manufacturers in the world and dominates the quadcopter market. The Chinese Navy has been seen testing a large variety of these commercial designs, including some similar to the MQ-8B. China also has a larger number of small warships and patrol boats than the United States and many of these can accommodate a smaller VTOL drone. China now has VTOL drones similar to VBAT and is flying them from their new unmanned carrier. This ship is about 300 meters long compared to a thousand meters for American carriers and one of the new Chinese carriers. The drone carrier is a twin hull catamaran with a portion of the deck marked for operating fixed wing drones as they land and take off. The new carrier only operates drones and a few manned helicopters so technicians can board and make repairs or install upgrades. The ultimate goal is for the drone carrier to operate autonomously. In the meantime there will be a small crew on board to conduct the autonomous operation tests.
The fourth CSO30 ASEAN Awards programme recognises the top 30 cybersecurity leaders driving business value, demonstrating leadership, and influencing rapid change across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

In addition to individual recognition, the programme includes: Business Value and Leadership awards.

The CSO30 ASEAN Awards programme is aligned to Foundrys global awards and celebrates the leading individuals and organisations delivering cybersecurity initiatives that demonstrate outstanding business value and leadership.
Photo: Lorraine Boogich/Getty Images

A new nightmare born out of luxury real estate: adult field trips. The New York Post reports sailing excursions and outings to apple orchards are considered a hot amenity for New Yorkers who may still find it tricky to mix and mingle in real life but also have around $3,000 to spend on a ground-floor studio in Midtown East. The activities dreamed up by developers like Brodsky apparently go fast: The trips offered in the last year to residents in those buildings  like wine tasting with 50 strangers who are also your neighbors  sold out immediately.

One Park Point in Windsor Terrace and Maven in Mott Haven are also organizing outings for their residents, including horseback riding in Prospect Park and food tours of the Bronx. A principal at Focus Property Group, which developed One Park Point, told the Post that they were planning to expand the menu of options to include scavenger hunts, sleigh rides, and running clubs. So if you start seeing groups of adults running around in Prospect Park looking for Easter eggs stuffed with clues written by some management-company employee, at least you know whats happening.

Call me old-fashioned, but in my day, we ignored our neighbors until we all suddenly got mad at building management about the heat going out, at which point we became friendly enough to talk shit in the elevator and water each others plants when were out of town. If building management invited us to go apple-picking, we would think it was a trick! And it turns out it kind of is a trick! One broker told the Post that the outings were a way for developers to try to stay competitive rather than dropping the price of rents. And the outings arent even free  an apple-picking trip to Pennings Orchard cost residents $70.
November 20, 2024: The Oto Melara 76mm cannon is housed in a 7.5-ton turret and remotely controlled by the fire control officer on the ship's bridge. The cannon is water cooled and able to fire up to 120 rounds a minute. The magazine in the turret holds 80 rounds. Range of the shells is 20 kilometers or 40 kilometers for the guided Vulcano shell. Each shell weighs 6.3 kg with a muzzle velocity of 920 meters a second.

The 76mm gun can hit small targets including cruise missiles out to 20 kilometers or 40 kilometers using a smaller guided shell. The gun can also be used against aircraft when the gin is elevated to 85 degrees.

The standard 76mm shell is 12.5 kg, which is capable of accurately hitting and destroying small speedboats. This 76mm gun can fire rapidly and with a new carousel magazine fire at a rate of 125 rounds per minute. hit 60 targets in a few minutes. Firing that many shells at a single target is impressive and creates a large explosive effect normally associated with larger artillery shells.

The 76mm gun is also used to destroy incoming missiles, much like the Phalanx 20mm autocannon does. For that reason Phalanx is not required on ships armed with the 76mm cannon. About six thousand of the 76mm cannon have been produced since 1964.

Using similar technology, Oto Melara produced a 127mm/5 inch naval cannon that fires 30 kg shells out to 30 kilometers, or 120 kilometers using the guided round. Housed in a 33-ton turret, the remotely controlled gun can fire at the rate of 32 RPM from a 56 round magazine.

U.S. Navy Mk 45 127mm/5 inch gun system weighs 22 tons, including turret and ammunition delivery system. The Mk 45 is remotely controlled by the ship fire control officer. The turret is unmanned and uses an automatic loader so that up to 20 shells a minute can be fired. Rarely is this high rate-of-fire mode used anymore because it was originally needed for air defense during World War II against Japanese Kamikaze aircraft. The Mk 45 used shells with proximity fuzes that exploded when near an aircraft.

The U.S. Navy also developed a GPS guided 127mm shell that detonates above swarms of small boats and destroys or disables these fast-moving boats with shell fragments. The Mk 45 has become a popular armament for other navies and is currently exported to ten countries.

In the 1930s the 127mm gun became standard armament for U.S. warships, mainly destroyers, when the Mk 12 was introduced and used until the 1950s when replaced by the Mk 42. In 1971 the current Mk 45 was introduced and has undergone many upgrades to remain in use. There was a major Mk 45 upgrade in 2000 when the 54 caliber long 6.9-meter barrel was replaced by the 60-caliber 7.9-meter Mod 4. All the earlier mods used the shorter barrel, which could fire a shell out to 24 kilometers. The longer barrel can fire out to 37 kilometers. The 60-caliber barrel wears out after firing about 7,000 shells. American destroyers armed with the Mk 45 carry 680 127mm shells of various types. Most of the shells are HE/High Explosive with detonation on contact or proximity fuzes. Illumination shells are common as well. These shells weigh 30 to 32 kg each. The separate propellant charge weighs about 18 kg. Most 127mm shells have an initial velocity of 830 meters a second but some types of shells move at over a thousand meters a second. In effect the Mk 45 is a very large rifle and at one time warship designers called such naval guns rifles.
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MBABANE  The Swaziland Building Society (SBS) has received an overwhelming support from its shareholders, giving thumbs up to the proposed conversion into a fully-fledged commercial bank.

Yesterday, the SBS management reported that the organisations special general meeting (SGM) held last Friday was a success, as voting took place. This special general meeting marks a milestone towards its ambitions of becoming a commercial bank. During this meeting, the members were expected to adopt the special resolution, which is authorisation and approval of the conversion in terms of Section 67bis(3) of the Building Societies Act, 1962.



Requirements



The effect of the special resolution will be subject to the fulfilment of the conversion requirements, which includes obtaining all regulatory consents.The effect of the special resolution will further be that SBS will be converted from a building society governed by the Building Societies Act, 1962 and its Society Rules, into a public company registered and incorporated in terms of the Companies Act, 2009. Sharing the results of the voting that took place on Friday to determine if the societys shareholders or members were up for the idea. SBS Board Chairperson Elijah Simelane reported that 94.67 per cent voted for the conversion.



Simelane reported that a total of 2 835 members attended the SGM. He stated that out of that, 2 684 voted in support of the conversion while, only 82 voted against and 47 obtained for abstaining. He mentioned that only 22 votes were spoilt. The chairperson clarified that inasmuch as the society had around 11 000 members, only 2 835 voted. He stated that the law allowed the process to continue with the members available on the day of the SGM provided that the institution had exhausted all means to inform all their members to attend. He said indeed they spread the word through every possible platform and gave ample time for members to attend the workshops and the SGM. Simelane highlighted that the total value of shares held by the members who voted for the conversion is E691 122 613.75, while the value for those who voted against is E5 861 303.55 and those who abstained, their shares are valued at E6 582 340.32.



Investments



The organisation has reassured its 11 000 members that their investments would remain secure throughout the transition from a building society to a commercial bank.The organisation availed redeemable shares to members who will remain undecided about the Conversion of SBS into a commercial bank after the SGM. Redeemable shares are a temporary investment instrument that will be valid for three months, allowing members to decide on the conversion.The chairperson stated that all these numbers exceeded the threshold placed by the regulators, being the Financial Service Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE).


The war raging in Eastern Europe is now at its most critical stage. In the last few days it has risked turning from a conflict between Russia and Ukraine to a global conflagration.

North Korea has sent 10,000 troops to boost Putin's forces and the US has permitted the use of its long-range missiles on targets on Russian soil.

Can the war any longer be fought out solely between Kyiv and Moscow?

Within hours of US President Joe Biden authorising Ukraine to use the ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems), President Zelensky launched a strike.

At 0325 local time yesterday morning, six ATACMS were fired at a Russian military facility  reportedly used to store North Korean supplied shells  in the Bryansk region, just 80 miles from the Ukrainian border.

Asked about the weapons on Sunday, Zelensky remarked laconically that missiles will speak for themselves. Now they have roared.

One only need listen to the escalation in rhetoric from an enraged President Putin to discern how keenly the blow has been felt in the Kremlin.

Even before the ATACMS missile had been fired, he had issued a revised nuclear doctrine to declare that an attack on Russia by any nation supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack by both countries.

An explosion at an ammunition store in Karachev, in Russia, on Tuesday as Ukraine carried out its first strike on Russian territory with long-range missiles supplied by the US

Joe Biden finally gave Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky permission at the weekend to use US-supplied missiles in attacks within Russia

Cars burned and buildings were wrecked when a residential area was hit by a Russian missile strike in Odesa, Ukraine, on Monday

In other words, if Washington allowed Ukraine to fire US-made missiles into Russia, Moscow would consider the Americans to be directly involved in the war in Ukraine.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused the West of escalation and said the ATACMS were being operated by American military experts. And indeed, these missiles can only be fired by US personnel and with the help of US satellite data.

The response Russia has promised is cataclysmic, with one senior politician close to Putin saying the firing of the missiles would be a big step towards World War 3.

A fortnight ago, Putin warned that Russia would respond to any attack from the West with overwhelming nuclear firepower and, underlining his point, conducted nuclear drills with missiles fired from land, sea and air.

Terrifying stuff  and yet this is hardly the first time that Western leaders have ignored one of Vladimir Putins red lines, and each time they have done so without the Russian president making good on this tyrannical threats and nuclear bluster.

At the start of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin warned that any interference from the West would be met with consequences such as you have never seen in your entire history.

Ever since, he has used blood-curdling threats to try to intimidate the West into inaction  an approach that has proved highly effective, with risk-averse Western leaders who have, fatally, prevaricated over every decision.

From the use of tanks to fighter jets and long-range missiles, the West has hesitated before finally giving the go-ahead.

Indeed, had the ATACMS been used six months ago, Ukraines current energy crisis, caused by the unprecedented destruction of its power plants, might have been averted.

We cannot yet be sure what damage was caused by those six ATACMs, or even how many got through, but the Russians have admitted to a fire at the base. Another line has undeniably been crossed and there can now be no going back.

So how worried should we be? There is no doubt that with each crossed line, the risk increases. Russia is showing signs of increasing belligerence towards the West.

Earlier this month, for instance, Royal Navy ships were summoned to escort the hypersonic-missile-armed Russian frigate Admiral Golovko through the English Channel to its destination in the Atlantic, where it is currently on exercises.

Other Russian ships prowl the seas above vital internet cables and, perhaps even more worryingly, at least one Chinese ship seems to have let its anchor drag over such cables linking Germany and Scandinavia  a prescient warning of the vulnerability of the Wests communications and of where China stands.

The arrival of over 10,000 North Korean soldiers on the border with Ukraine shows how the conflict is spreading. With South Korea supplying munitions to Kyiv, the risk of a new Korean War is looming on the horizon, too.

This should all be a collective wake-up call for the West which may, perhaps, have become complacent about a brutal war now well into its third year, as though it is simply a feature on the landscape not a potentially all-devouring monster.

The dangerous events of recent days should firmly shake us out of such sentiments.

As Putins new nuclear doctrine makes clear, should the Prime Minister follow in President Bidens footsteps and grant permission for Ukraine to use our Storm Shadow cruise missiles, it could make our island a Russian target.

Even without the terrifying prospect of nuclear weapons, the risk of hybrid warfare now looms large  and may indeed already be unfolding.

An ATACMS - Army Tactical Missile Systems - being fired from a M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System

On top of the sabotage of internet cables, Western security officials also suspect Russia was behind a plot earlier this month to put incendiary devices in packages on cargo planes bound for North America.

One of them caught fire at a courier hub in Germany and another, disguised as an electric massage machine, ignited in a warehouse in Birmingham.

Both would be powerful enough to cause a plane to come down. There is also the grim prospect of the use of thermobaric bombs (which scatter fuel before igniting it in a cloud that can vaporise human bodies), deployed by the US military in Afghanistan and dubbed the mother of all bombs.

Not nuclear but as devastating as a tactical nuke, maybe one would act as a warning to NATO by taking out the airbase in eastern Poland at Rzeszow  the hub for transferring weapons from the US to neighbouring Ukraine.

All this is alarming enough, but this unfolding crisis  one that is as threatening to global geopolitical stability as the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962  is taking place against the backdrop of a deeply worrying vacuum of power in Washington.

John F Kennedy was in his mid-40s during the Cuban missile crisis. Sixty-two years later the current incumbent of the Oval Office is 81, and by his own admission no longer fit to hold office.

Unlike the Kremlin, the White House lacks a strong leader. A frail and lame duck president, surrounded by factions, will shortly give way to the unknown quantities of a Trump administration.

More countries are being pulled into the conflict, such as North Korea - whose troops have been training in Russia near the border with Ukraine

Vladimir Putin warned earlier this month that Russia would respond to any attack from the West with 'overwhelming nuclear firepower'

The President-elects son, Donald Trump Jr, has claimed that authorising the use of ATACMS would bring about World War 3, and was a deliberate attempt to thwart his fathers promise to broker a peace deal within 24 hours of entering the White House. We can only pray he is mistaken.

Our own wartime leader Winston Churchill said that you can always rely on the Americans to make the right decision, but only when they have tried all the alternatives.

Whatever happens next, the West has little option but to hold its nerve as the waning Biden administration plays nuclear poker with Putin.

Doing the right thing at the last moment is a strange type of brinkmanship. Leaving the Ukrainians to their fate would have been a worse choice, but the stakes have never been higher.

Mark Almond is Director of the Crisis Research Institute, Oxford
Poor Queen Camilla. She's just lost her Jack Russell, Beth, who had to be put down after she was diagnosed with an incurable tumour. Her Majesty is said to be devastated.

My heart goes out to her. Jack Russells are very special little dogs. I remember when my Jack Russell, Mars, was run over by a car while on holiday in Cornwall back in 2013.

I found him by the roadside, looking from a distance almost as though he were asleep on the sofa at home, but then, up close, a tragic little thing with lifeless eyes and a dark red pool of blood under his head.

Mars, my faithful companion on a thousand walks, scourge of squirrels, snuffler of sausages, no more. Of course, if the rational part of my brain had been working it would have informed me that this was not a child or a fellow human and it was therefore only a minor tragedy.

Besides, he was getting on: one way or another he would have gone to join the great squirrel hunt in the sky sooner rather than later.

But there was nothing rational about it: I was utterly distraught. I wailed like a child, utterly bereft, my own children aghast and baffled at their normally composed mother's loss of self-control. We buried him in the churchyard behind our rented cottage, wrapped in his chewed Ikea blanket, with his ball and some of his favourite chicken treats.

At the risk of appearing racist (see the Welsh Labour government, whose latest initiative involves recommending 'dog-free' spaces in a bid to make the countryside more inclusive), dogs are everything. Especially when you get to my time in life.

No substitute for children, of course; but definitely on a par with most human partners, and in many cases several levels above in terms of love, loyalty and emotional intelligence.

Queen Camilla is said to be devastated after she just lost her Jack Russell, Beth, who had to be put down after she was diagnosed with an incurable tumour

Fair enough, one does have to clean up after them. And there can be rather a lot of bottom sniffing. But they have certain inherent advantages over human companions, chief among them is they don't talk back.

They also never complain about what's for supper and they don't hog the remote. They're always delighted at the prospect of a walk and, with minimal effort, can be trained not to pee on the metaphorical loo seat.

They don't drink or smoke or spend money on stupid cars or pointless gadgets. And they are always there when you need them. It doesn't matter how vile the outside world, a dog is the one living creature who will always love you. Even if you smell. Actually, especially if you smell.

That's why losing a dog is so traumatic. Non-dog people don't always understand this. They say things like 'oh, that's a shame, but you can always get another one'. No. Are you insane? You can't always get another one because no two dogs are the same, just as no two humans are the same.

Mars's successor, Muffin, is now pushing nine, which for a dog is quite old, but for a Lhasa Apso is still relatively young (they regularly live into their mid to late teens). She is very different: less exuberant, more tolerant of cats and other small mammals, not nearly as prone to chasing things.

She has an active imagination too: her days are spent guarding the sofa, where she hides small bits of kibble among the cushions, away from the cat.

As far as I can tell the latter is both utterly unaware of and uninterested in the existence of these treasures (she has her own supply of delicious meat-based treats), but that does not deter Muffin from playing out her daily drama. The small patch of living room between the sofa and the kitchen is as hotly contested as the Suez canal.

When I come home, she dances around me, happier to see me than any human has ever been.

She sleeps at the end of my bed, growling if I move my feet too much at night. She waits outside the bathroom for me. When I'm sad or stressed  which has been quite a lot of late  she watches me intently from her pile of cushions on the sofa, ready to provide snuffly kisses of reassurance. When I'm really upset, she will just lower her head and sit close, quietly absorbing my anguish.

I read somewhere recently that in human terms, dogs have the mental age of a two to three-year-old, which perhaps explains their appeal. After all, there are few things more straightforwardly joyful than a toddler.

That's why whenever I read about those people who go back to save their dogs from burning buildings or floods, or risk life and limb to ship them out of war zones, I'm never surprised. It makes perfect sense to me.

I know not all dogs are like Mars or Muffin. I understand that some breeds can be dangerous, especially if not properly trained or handled. But the vast majority bring so much joy to the human race. We don't deserve them really. So this is by way of acknowledgement, and to express my deepest sympathies with the Queen. There are many out there who understand what she's going through.

Scottish Labour have defied Westminster, promising to reinstate the winter fuel allowance for pensioners. Will they reverse the farm tax too? And if so  who will Rachel Reeves squeeze to pay for it?

Eddie Redmayne may not perhaps be the most obvious of action heroes, but he somehow manages to combine an air of dry elegance and dispassionate aggression that can be most unnerving

I've been gripped by the new TV adaptation of Freddie Forsyth's The Day Of The Jackal, starring Eddie Redmayne.

He's not perhaps the most obvious of action heroes, but he somehow manages to combine an air of dry elegance with a raw, dispassionate aggression that can be most unnerving.

If anyone's looking for the next James Bond

As we stand on the brink of World War III, is it really wise for the British Government to risk the nation's food safety by driving UK farmers out of their minds, and out of business, with a tax that will raise hardly enough cash  up to 520 million a year  to fund the NHS for much more than a day?

Induction hobs! Why?

The older I get, the more I am convinced of the pointlessness of progress. Nothing seems to be run by humans any more, meaning certain inventions appear to have taken hold that do not represent any improvement on the original  indeed, they are a step backward.

A case in point is the induction hob. They are the scourge of the modern kitchen: soulless, bossy inventions that make cooking about as perfunctory as a bowl of boiled cabbage. And yet they seem to be taking over, replacing good old-fashioned gas hobs with their robotic joylessness. For pity's sake, can anyone tell me why?

The success of Nigel Farage's Reform has long served as a canary in the coalmine for Labour's incompetence and tribal pettiness

Nigel Farage and the Reform party are reportedly setting their sights on Wales, polling at 28 per cent  higher than Labour and the Tories.

Reform's success has long served as a canary in the coalmine for Labour's incompetence and tribal pettiness.

Could it be that, with Labour's latest attack on rural communities, the Welsh have finally seen sense?

The 40th anniversary celebrations of Band Aid has prompted a backlash led by Ed Sheeran

Poor Bob Geldof has been learning the true meaning of 'no good deed goes unpunished' after the 40th anniversary celebrations of Band Aid prompted a backlash led by Ed Sheeran.

Apparently, the initiative, which has helped raise millions to fight famine in Africa over the decades, perpetuates 'damaging stereotypes that stifle Africa's economic growth, tourism, and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity, pride and identity'.

Oh dear. In that case, maybe we should take our money back. Wouldn't want to cause offence now, would we?

Why is Keir Starmer cosying up to Xi Jinping? Quite apart from the human rights issue, post-Covid surely we should be relying less, not more, on China.
This was the day the farmers came to town. In their thousands, they emerged from the rural shires and marched on Westminster to protest at what they see as an existential threat to their way of life.

They drove their tractors past Downing Street and massed in Parliament Square to show what they think of Sir Keir Starmer and his hapless Chancellor.

Changes to inheritance tax in Rachel Reevess baleful Budget mean many farms can no longer be passed down the generations without punitive death duties, which countless families will be unable to cover.

In addition, the hikes in employers National Insurance and the minimum wage mean farmers profits, already squeezed by the soaring price of energy, feed and machinery, will be further reduced.

As one Gloucestershire livestock farmer put it yesterday: This Budget has ripped the heart out of us. It all proves how little Labour knows  or cares  about the countryside.

Among the most clueless is the new Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, a south London MP who seems to think posing by a pile of hay in a pair of (donated) 400 wellington boots makes him a son of the soil. It is beyond satire.

Sir Keir told a national farming conference last year he wanted a new relationship with rural communities. They didnt realise it was a threat rather than a promise.

But farmers are not the only ones enraged by Ms Reevess Budget, which unravels further by the day. Pensioners, charities, GP practices, universities and business leaders have all been badly hit.

In an open letter yesterday, Britains biggest retailers warned the Chancellors short-sighted tax assault would bring higher prices and higher unemployment.

One thing it will not bring is the growth the Government claims to be at the centre of its economic mission. The only thing truly growing is the list of broken Labour promises.

Farmers marched on Whitehall in their thousands today to voice their anger over last month's budget

Farmers marched on Whitehall in their thousands today to voice their anger over last month's budget

Farmers marched on Whitehall in their thousands today to voice their anger over last month's budget

Redouble resolve

In his rhetoric, Sir Keirs support for Ukraine is ironclad. When it comes to practicalities, however, he seems to be rather less committed.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is desperate for permission to fire British-made Storm Shadow ballistic missiles at military targets inside Russia.

The US has authorised Kyiv to use its weapons systems for this purpose. So why does the PM appear to be dragging his feet?

Some fear that taking the war into Russia would lead to a dangerous escalation.

Indeed, Vladimir Putin warned yesterday that he had lowered the threshold for launching a nuclear strike. Such threats must be taken seriously, but the tyrant has made them before and they have come to nothing.

Of course, it is naive to think Storm Shadows will bring the carnage to a sudden end.

But these missiles may buy Ukraine time, soften up the Russian leader should President-elect Donald Trump succeed in brokering peace talks and, crucially, show the Wests resolve is not lacking.

The Prime Minister this week also failed to secure unanimous 'ironclad' backing of Ukraine at the G20 summit

The UK is now facing growing calls to follow the US in allowing Ukrainian troops to use its weapons to strike targets inside of Russia

The Prime Minister was seen cosying up to Putin's ally Xi Jinping at the G20 summit this week

A ludicrous cost

The Covid Inquiry has dragged on longer than the pandemic itself  and still shows no signs of coming to a conclusion.

The cost of this sorry saga is projected to reach 208million, which would make it the most expensive statutory probe in UK history.

But what will it tell us that we dont already know? Yes, mistakes were made, but this was an unprecedented global crisis.

Wouldnt the huge sums being squandered on fat fees for lawyers be better spent preparing for the next medical emergency?
Was King Charles too busy to speak to Archbishop Welby when he sought permission to resign last week?

He did call HM but was fobbed off with a flunkey. Apparently, the King was devastated by the Makin Report into John Smyth and was in no mood to converse.

And when is the prelate actually leaving? He appears to be in no hurry to hang up his mitre stating in his resignation announcement: 'Exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed.'

Could his departure end up running into his planned retirement date due to be announced next year?

Was King Charles too busy to speak to Archbishop Welby (pictured) when he sought permission to resign last week? He did call HM but was fobbed off with a flunkey

Apparently, the King (pictured) was devastated by the Makin Report into John Smyth and was in no mood to converse

Justin's downfall has set the cat among the pigeons at the BBC.

A source whispers of heated debate about whether the Archbishop of Canterbury's annual address to the nation, aired on New Year's Day, should go ahead.

Some feel Welby should get the chance to have his say although others counter it would be like giving Prince Andrew a platform.

Both men had blind eyes when it came to the sins of close friends. Others have suggested Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, stand in although he, too, is now battling to save his own mitre.

Those keen to axe the annual sermon might seize their chance.

Justin's downfall has set the cat among the pigeons at the BBC. A source whispers of heated debate about whether the Archbishop of Canterbury's annual address to the nation, aired on New Year's Day, should go ahead

Any chance of the Irish Tourist Board hiring Bad Sisters actress Eve Hewson, daughter of Bono, to promote her native land has surely vanished.

Complaining in Radio Times about the weather, Eve says: 'It's always really cold and rainy, we had four hurricanes.

That's the main challenge about shooting in Ireland  the weather is atrocious.' Well, her dad did caterwaul: 'Take me to the clouds above!'

Any chance of the Irish Tourist Board hiring Bad Sisters actress Eve Hewson (pictured), daughter of Bono, to promote her native land has surely vanished

The King will be unamused with the theft of farm machinery on the Windsor estate.

Last year, animal rights campaigners purloined three of the King's lambs from Sandringham which, a source reports, sent him into a 'meltdown'.

It prompted the King to order another security review of farms and other livestock endeavours from the Royal Stud through to the royal pigeon loft.

Stealing sheep is no longer a capital offence but the latest attack of the footpads could see, at the very least, deputy heads rolling.

Farm machinery was stolen from the Windsor estate on October 13. Pictured: Windsor Castle

For his last inauguration, Donald Trump opted to use two copies of the Bible  the Lincoln Bible, first used in 1861, and a copy given to him by his mother.

This time he might use his own brand. After the success of his $399 Never Surrender golden trainers, Trump published a leather-bound King James Bible.

He might be unable to resist promoting it, surely a bargain at $59.99 (47).

Donald Trump chose to use two copies of the Bible for his last inauguration. He used the Lincoln Bible, first used in 1861, and a copy given to him by his mother

Joining farmers protesting against the Government in London yesterday, Jeremy Clarkson could be bracing himself to go down on one knee to receive an honour from Charles and Camilla.

The reason? The Queen's son Tom Parker Bowles reveals his mother has a soft spot for him. 'Mum's a big fan of Clarkson's Farm,' he says. Arise, Sir Diddly Squat!
They're designed to leave visitors feeling full of festive cheer - but if anything, this year's underwhelming Christmas markets have turned the UK into a nation of Scrooges.

In the past two weeks, hundreds of festive stalls have popped up in cities all over the UK - from Dickensian-inspired shops in Belfast to wintery chalets in Bath.

But rather than bringing people together at Christmas, these markets - with their overpriced food and 'tatty' gifts - have been tearing local communities apart.

Earlier this week, TikTok user Rubie went viral when she shared a video of the huge crowds at Manchester Christmas market, which is expected to attract nine million tourists this year, eager to pay 8 for pints and 10 for cheesy chips and gravy.

Filming herself in the centre of a mass of people, Rubie sarcastically wrote: 'Come to Manchester Christmas Market, they said. It'll be fun, they said.'

'Hell on earth at a weekend,' one viewer commented. 'You couldn't drag me to these nowadays,' another added.

However, Manchester isn't the only city being criticised for its Christmas market - as other social media users have also threatened to 'boycott' their local pop-ups in York and Birmingham.

Here FEMAIL delves into how the tide is turning on the once beloved Christmas tradition.

Pictured: a 10 tub of cheesy chips with gravy on sale at Manchester Christmas market, which were given a '0/10' rating by TikToker Dem

In Belfast, the market also has a 'Viking drinking horn' stand (pictured) - where prices start from 15

'Overpriced' food

When Manchester Christmas market returned earlier this month, TikTok user Dem was among one of the first to visit the attraction.

In her review video, the aspiring chef expressed regret for having parted with a tenner for a tub of cheesy chips and gravy.

Giving it a 0/10 rating, she wrote: 'Don't know why I bought this for 10.'

Meanwhile, Maja Klys revealed in her video that pints cost 8 - although revellers can get a 2 refund if they return their reusable plastic cup.

Other pricey items on offer include 1.50 marshmallows and 9 for a roll with apple sauce.

Last week, TikToker Eating with Tod ventured to the market, which is free to visit, to film one of his viral reviews.

But while the social media star, who has 640,000 followers, was impressed with the food on offer, viewers were stunned that a box of four dumplings was 8.

While he branded the dumplings with curry sauce and chilli sauce 'delicious', viewers said '8 for 4 gyoza is crazy talk.'

The treats you'll get for your money at a Christmas market YORK Chips and sauce: 7 Parmesan cheese pasta: 10.50 Apple crumble: 6 Biscoff Bailey's hot chocolate: 7 Lemon and sugar crepe: 5.75 MANCHESTER Pint of beer: 8 Cheesy chips and gravy: 10 Marshmallow: 1.50 Pork roll with apple sauce: 9 4 gyoza with chilli or curry sauce: 8 BIRMINGHAM Hot dog: 9 Garlic bread with cheese and salami: 5 Bag of almonds: 4.5 German bratwurstL 7.50 Baileys hot chocolate: 12 Advertisement

Maja Klys revealed in her video that pints cost 8 - although revellers can get a 2 refund if they return their reusable plastic cup.

TikToker Eating with Tod ventured to the market, which is free to visit, to film one of his viral reviews. Pictured posing with 8 dumplings

TikToker Angelina (pictured) - who boasts 261,000 followers on the platform - visited Kingston Christmas market, where she tried a viral Yorkshire pudding burrito

Another joked: 'Did you have to remortgage your house before you went??'

Earlier this week, TikToker Angelina - who boasts 261,000 followers on the platform - visited Kingston Christmas market, where she tried a viral Yorkshire pudding burrito.

After being served by 'rude' staff, the social media star admitted she was disappointed that the 10 snack didn't come with more trimmings.

She said: 'It did only have turkey, apple sauce and gravy in it. All for 10, yeah? 5.2 out of 10.'

Meanwhile, Birmingham Christmas market - which has enforced a one-beer rule for visitors - was slammed earlier this month for their 'rip-off' 9 hot dog and 4.50 bag of almonds.

John Beard, 35, from Birmingham, said: 'This will be the first time in ten years I'm not going to bother [going].

'It's a combination of the rip-off prices and that one beer rule is just daft. You can queue for half hour there easily so sometimes you want to double up.

'People are watching the pennies more than ever and don't want to spend nearly a tenner on a sausage. You can blow about 50 in ten minutes.'

Pictured: Birmingham Christmas market, where visitors can pay 9 for a hot dog or 4.50 for a bag of roasted almonds

Kristina from Hereford eating a half-a-meter long Bratwurst sausage at Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market

Last week, York Christmas Market returned to the city centre again - but locals were up in arms about some of the prices.

During a visit, X user Jack spotted a stall serving steak and chips for 14 - while a single portion of chips with a sauce was 7.

He fumed: 'Christmas markets need to be stopped. It's a shameless money grab from families (usually) and there's f**k all traditional about it anyway!"

But Jack isn't the only former Christmas market fan who is now pledging to boycott them entirely over the food prices.

Earlier this week, X user Alice fumed: 'I never want to go to a Christmas market in the UK. Stand around a grotty high street and pay 10 for a cup of lukewarm wine? No thank you.'

'Selling overpriced tat'

However, the food prices aren't the only thing Christmas market visitors have been up in arms about of late.

On top of this, former fans have moaned about the 'tat' on sale in markets across the UK.

Speaking to The Guardian, Beatrice Douzjian - who runs the Ju Ju cafe in Birmingham - explained: 'As soon as it starts, we notice theres a lull in business.

'It pulls trade away from small independents like ourselves but it doesnt offer value for customers, with the same tat being sold across the market for extortionate prices.'

Meanwhile, Hannah, 36, said she would prefer to see variety of products on sale.

The local woman added: 'If every stand was its own independent stall, it would be better, but they just all sell the same stuff. Its overpriced tat, but its fun overpriced tat I suppose.'

In Belfast, visitors have shared some of the products available to purchase on TikTok - including a 14 'Just a Girl' meme mug. A similar version is half the price on Amazon.

In Belfast, visitors have shared some of the products available to purchase on TikTok - including a 14 'Just a Girl' meme mug

What's more, the market also has a 'Viking drinking horn' stand - where prices start from 15.

Blasting UK Christmas markets, X user Rich added: 'Our Christmas market is pathetic.

'10 or 15 stalls selling overpriced tat and it closes 10 days before Christmas.'

Crowding issues

On Sunday, TikToker Rachel shared a video of her walk into York when she found herself in the hoards of people trying to get to the market

That said, the cost of buying anything at a UK Christmas market isn't the only thing that is putting off visitors.

In the past few weeks, people have been sharing videos of the overwhelming crowds that have gathered in city centres for the festivities.

On Sunday, TikToker Rachel shared a video of her walk into York when she found herself in the hoards of people trying to get to the market.

She wrote: 'Every year, I make the mistake of going into York centre on a Saturday in Xmas season.'

'Literally forget how stressful it is every year,' she added in the caption.

One viewer replied: 'I simply do not go into town on weekends once the markets start. Weekdays and evenings only.'

'I live in York,' another added. 'This time of year is a nightmare.'

'Imagine trying to get to work on time and having to walk through that,' a third said.

After visiting Manchester's Christmas market this weekend, TikToker Asiyah joked that she 'went through hell' to leave

Filming herself in the centre of a mass of people, TikToker Rubie sarcastically wrote: 'Come to Manchester Christmas Market, they said. It'll be fun, they said.'

After visiting Manchester's Christmas market this weekend, TikToker Asiyah joked that she 'went through hell' to leave.

Sharing a video of the masses of people there, she said in her video: '[Point of view]: You made the biggest mistake going to Manchester Xmas Markets on a Saturday.'

A fellow visitor commented: 'We was [sic] stuck in traffic for over an hour, never again.'

Another added: 'I was trying to get to Victoria station after uni yesterday evening and it was absolutely hell, I physically couldn't move anywhere at one point.'

A third said: 'TikTok did this loool.'
The professional dog trainer highlights risks of dressing pets in coats for walks

As frosty temperatures set in across the UK, many pet owners are reaching for coats and jumpers for their four-legged friends to wear while out on winter walks.

But does your pooch really need extra layers to keep warm during the colder months and do they actually enjoy wearing them?

Pet parents love dressing up their furry friends, spending an impressive $5.85B (4.5B) on pet clothing annually - and as Black Friday approaches, Google searches for 'winter clothes for dogs' has increased by 47 per cent.

Dog owners are especially enthusiastically buying pet clothes for winter, as they assume their pooch might get chilly while out on winter strolls.

However, according to professional dog trainer and behaviourist at Woofz by nove8, Annie-May Levy, not all dogs need or enjoy winter coats - in fact, your pet can be at risk of overheating.

Read on to discover Levy's tips on how to dress your dog for winter walks - and whether you should.

Which dog breeds should and shouldn't wear coats?

According to Levy, not all breeds of dogs are in need of winter coats or jumpers.

Short-haired breeds, small dogs, and those with low body fat - including Chihuahuas, Whippets, Dachshunds and Greyhounds - are more vulnerable to cold and may benefit from a coat.

According to professional dog trainer and behaviourist at Woofz by nove8, Annie-May Levy, not all dogs need or enjoy winter coats - in fact, your pet can be at risk of overheating

Older and less energetic canines are also more sensitive to cooler temperatures and may benefit from additional warmth.

However, thick-coated breeds, such as Huskies, Chow Chows and German Shepherds, are typically well-prepared to withstand the cold.

How to spot if your dog is too cold

Levy has highlighted a range of common physical symptoms that could signify your pooch is too cold, including: shivering, holding up paws and moving slower than usual.

If your dog is displaying these signs, or if it appears they are signalling to return home, it's perhaps the appropriate time to either warm up or cut the walk short.

Which materials are most comfortable for winter wear?

It's important to look for lightweight, water-resistant and insulated materials that provide warmth without adding bulk, such as lined or padded coats.

Levy added: 'Stretchy fabrics with adjustable straps work best as they allow your dog to move freely while remaining comfortable.'

How to prevent your dog overheating in winter clothes

Levy said: 'Yes, overheating is possible, especially if they're overdressed or the weather warms up unexpectedly.'

Signs that your pooch could be overheating include: increased heart rate, panting, drooling, restlessness, agitation or pacing.

To prevent your dog from overheating, Levy advises to avoid needless layering and stick to a single warm coat.

It's crucial to check under their coat regularly, and if they feel too warm or start panting heavily, remove a layer.

Choosing the right fit for your dog

In order to choose a coat or jumper than fits comfortably, ensure you measure your dog's length from head to tail, chest circumference, and neck circumference.

Choose garments with adjustable straps, particularly if your dog's build doesn't fit regular sizes.

Levy added: 'And I suggest avoiding wearing anything excessively tight or that restricts movement as well.'

In order to choose a coat or jumper than fits comfortably, ensure you measure your dog's length from head to tail, chest circumference, and neck circumference (stock image)

Winter accessories for extra protection against the cold

According to Levy, boots can efficiently protect sensitive paw pads from snow, ice, salt and grit.

Additionally, snoods and dog scarves can help keep ears and necks warm in cold weather.

However, it's important to make sure these additions are comfortable and safe for your dog and don't interfere with their vision or mobility.
The Tower of London hosted the executions of more than 100 people during the Tudor reign.

Henry VIII famously killed two of his wives, including Anne Boleyn, after they failed to produce male heirs.

But one of the lesser known tragic tales of the tower is of another Boleyn girl - Anne's sister-in-law, Jane.

Jane Boleyn - or the Viscountess Rochford - was an English noblewoman who was married to George Boleyn, the younger brother of Henry VIII's second bride.

She has long been thought of as the biggest villain of the Tudor dynasty - for it was her testimony that led to Anne's execution.

Jane, who was just a teenager when she married George, accused her husband of sleeping with his sister - giving Henry VIII grounds to behead them both.

But just six years later, like Anne, and George, Jane was executed on Tower Green by Henry VIII.

But now historians are questioning her role in history, with a new documentary exploring if she really was the villain she's been made to seem.

Channel 5's Inside The Tower of London, which airs tonight, reflects on the 'tragic' death of Jane.

During his ruthless reign, Henry VIII is thought to have executed up to 50,000 people - among them, two of his wives. But one lesser known woman to have met the wrath of the king was a relative of Anne - her sister in law (portrait of Jane Boleyn)

During his ruthless reign, Henry VIII is thought to have executed up to 50,000 people - among them, two of his wives

Historian Tracy Borman say: 'Arguably, the most famous victim to beheaded inside the tower was Henry VIII's scandalous second wife, Anne Boleyn.

'But Anne was not the only Boleyn to be executed at the tower,' she said.

'Her name was Jane Boleyn and for centuries, she's been viewed as one of the greatest villain's of the Tudor court.'

Lady Jane Rochford first arrived at the royal court when she was just 15-years-old.

Just a teenager, she was lady in waiting to Henry's first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

Four years later, when she was 19, Jane married George Boleyn, who was the younger brother of Henry's second wife, Anne.

During the documentary, Tracy is seen wandering the halls of Hampton Court Palace, where she researches Jane's life and unfortunate end.

'It was here that Jane saw the rise and tragic fall of her sister in law,' read the narrator.

'When Henry finally married Anne in 1533, the Boleyn reached the pinnacle of status and influence.

'They were now the most powerful family in the land but everything the Boleyn's possessed stemmed from Anne's relationship with Henry.

In a new Channel 5 documentary, Inside The Tower of London, historian Tracy Borman (pictured) reflects on the 'tragic' death of Jane Boleyn, the lesser-known sister-in-law to Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn (pictured) was famously killed on 15 May 1536, six years before her sister-in-law would meet the same fate

'And that - was not set to last,' Tracy said.

Though he was desperate to produce a male heir, Henry's efforts with Anne proved fruitless, with the pair only managing to give birth to a girl - Princess Elizabeth.

Just three years later, the king began looking for a way out of the marriage.

Tracy explained the dramatic historical unfolding.

She said: 'He turned to his right hand man, the much feared Thomas Cromwell to get him out of this marriage.

'Well, the queen's downfall would be swift and brutal. And Jane, whether she liked it or not, would prove a pivotal role.'

Cromwell set out to prove at any cost that Anne was at fault in the marriage and therefore, must be executed.

He set to work interrogating those closest to the queen, looking to find evidence that she had been unfaithful to Henry. One of those was Jane.

Jane Boleyn portrait. Jane Parker first arrived at the royal court when she was just 15-years-old. Just a teenager, she was lady in waiting to Henry's first wife, Catherine of Aragon

Cromwell then accused Anne of adultery by five counts, including one with her own brother, George.

The person to have accused her of her incest was no other than her own sister-in-law, Jane.

'Ever since then, historians have latched onto this and portrayed Jane as this imbittered, scheming woman, perhaps jealous of her husbands relationship with Anne and therefore, using to bring both of them down,' said Tracy.

'But for me, this argument just doesn't stack up. If she did give evidence against her sister-in-law, she had practically nothing to gain, but everything to lose.'

According to Tracy, there is one piece of evidence to suggest that Jane was not scheming and plotting against her husband.

While George is imprisoned for allegedly committing adultery with Anne, Jane wrote to the constable sir William Kingston with the hopes of being granted permission to see her husband.

Tracy explained: 'That request is denied, but she asks after him, she wants to know how he is.

'She's anxious for his welfare. And then she tells Kingston that she want to lobby the king for his release.

George and Anne Boleyn were both found 'guilty' of adultery and were sentenced to death. Yeoman Warders are pictured at the Tower of London

'Far from condemning her husband, she's actually trying to save him,' she said.

But Jane's attempts couldn't help her George and Anne. The two were both found 'guilty' of adultery and were sentenced to death.

George was brutally executed on Tower Hill and two days later, his sister, Anne Boleyn was beheaded on Tower Green.

'Jane now herself the widow of a convicted traitor. George's money, title, lands, had all been confiscated so she was pretty much destitute and all alone,' the historian explained.

Six years later, Jane was nearing her own fate at the hands of the notoriously ruthless king.

Back in the royal court, Jane had a new position as lady in waiting for Henry's fifth wife, Catherine Howard.

But the marriage wasn't to last as within just months, Henry had accused her of an illicit affair with one of Henry's young courtiers - and it was Jane who took the blame.

Jane was accused of helping the queen to organise meet ups with her lover.

'When he found out, he sent both Catherine and Jane to the block,' said Tracy.

'Queen Catherine as befitted by her royal status, was first to be executed first, when the axe was at it's sharpest. Jane had to wait her turn.

The Boleyn widow would have spent her final hours overlooking Tower Green awaiting her bloody fate.

'It's almost impossible to imagine the terror that Jane must have felt. She was moments from death herself and she had to listen to the beheading of her former royal mistress.

'It would have been enough to send anybody, completely out of their mind,' said Tracy.

'I have huge admiration for Jane as a woman in a man's world. She'd risen from obscurity and served five queens of England yet she would be implicated in the downfall and death of two of them. And discarded as a traitor by Henry VIII,' the historian said.

Thankfully, an account by a merchant, Otwell Johnson, revealed that the final moments for Jane were peaceful.

His account read: 'She made the most godly and Christian end that ever was heard to tell of, uttering her lively faith in the blood of Christ with wonderful patience and constancy.'

As Tracy remarked: 'This tells us that there was no final rebuke, no hysteria, no loss of composure, just a quiet, calm dignity.'

Inside The Tower of London airs on Channel 5 tomorrow night at 8pm.
I bumped into some friends that morning. They teased me, the fact I'd had a one-night stand was obvious, and I brazened it out, laughing with them.

Yes, I was doing the 'walk of shame', a phrase that suggests a mildly embarrassed morning swagger after a fun night of sex. I felt none of that.

I tried to walk strong and proud, with my head up in my Gucci heels and a tight, white, borrowed and now rather grubby, designer dress. But, in fact, I felt a wretched mix of horrible shame, stinging regret and physical discomfort. Plus a burning hatred for the man I had just spent the night with.

Drunk, I had miserably allowed a man to roughly force me to do what he wanted. I'm pretty certain he registered my dull and mechanical lack of enjoyment. Perhaps my discomfort energised him. It was horrible but it remained, I must grudgingly acknowledge, technically consensual.

When I passed out in his bed, it was because I was too miserable and knackered to go home. I woke up hours later to him having sex with me. This time, no consent. Unless the fact that I was in his bed implied to him he could do what he wanted with my body. In law, this looked more like assault.

I removed myself and dressed in silence, nauseatingly hungover, fumbling alone to pull up the zip that went all the way down that beautiful dress. He said nothing. What a whirlwind of utter misery the entire event was. It's not enjoyable to recall this. I don't think I'd ever care to discuss it publicly were it not for two things.

First was hearing the actress Emily Atack describing her own gamut of drunken  and as she now sees it, criminal  sexual encounters, on a podcast called Great Company.

Kate Spicer says: Drunk, I had miserably allowed a man to roughly force me to do what he wanted. I'm pretty certain he registered my dull and mechanical lack of enjoyment

'I went through life thinking if you wake up after a night out and something has happened but you don't really remember it, you just have to suck it up.

'I've woken up so many times and been like, 'I definitely didn't say yes to that.' We're taught that was normal. Now we're all having the conversation more, and people are coming out and going, 'Oh right, well, I was raped then.' '

Now 34, and blissfully happy with scientist boyfriend Alistair Garner and their baby son, Atack's experience is borne out by government rape data that shows 11.3 per cent of girls between 16 and 19 have experienced some form of sexual assault. Reflecting on her youth, the Rivals actress said she 'can only count on one hand [the times] I've actually enjoyed sex'.

'As a teenager there were no barriers, no boundaries. Boys didn't know how to be with girls, girls didn't know how to deal with those situations.'

Which is my second reason to share such an uncomfortable memory of my younger self. I don't want the younger generation  my nieces, god-daughters, my friends' daughters, any young woman  to make the mistakes I did.

The thought that they might, or may already have, breaks my heart. I don't think it's an extreme thing to say that non-violent rape is quite the rite of passage for a woman.

The only person I blamed on that day was myself. It was the mid-2000s and I was in my mid-30s. I'd gone to a party where a man I'd been seeing had rather painfully spurned me by turning up with another woman, and feeling sad and vulnerable, I'd let myself go home with someone else I had no interest in.

'I was known as a confident, sassy, successful writer, and that's the image I projected that night, even as I drank too much. But the truth is, I wasn't seduced  I'd submitted.

Actress Emily Atack has described her own gamut of drunken  and as she now sees it, criminal  sexual encounters

That night in Chelsea was not my only unpleasant, uncomfortable sexual experience. What I can tell you for sure is that the disinhibiting agent of alcohol was regularly present in them all.

Indeed, it's a factor that shows up in 50-75 per cent of all sexual assaults, according to the data.

And what those figures mean, sadly but inevitably, is that we have to tell our daughters that intoxication and men can be a very dangerous combination, in much the same way we warn people not to drink and drive.

This is very much not to make women responsible for what men do, but to be practical and realistic about the situation as it is now.

Atack feels strongly about it too  and wants to change that situation as the face of a campaign to overhaul the consent laws in Britain. 'Consent, or the lack of it, is at the heart of so much sexual harassment and violence that women and girls experience, yet the current law still fails to protect those who don't say the word 'No' outright,' she says.

'Make things simple  only a 'Yes' should mean 'Yes'.'

This is what's known as affirmative consent: sex without this form of consent is rape in Spain, Sweden and Denmark. 'A common rape myth is that survivors who were inebriated at the time of the assault were somehow responsible or 'asking for it',' says Dr Charlotte Proudman, a KC and leading voice in the campaign to change the law.

My Atack's experience is borne out by government rape data that shows 11.3 per cent of girls between 16 and 19 have experienced some form of sexual assault

'We believe what's called 'affirmative consent'  emphasising clear, enthusiastic agreement  can help combat these harmful assumptions by reinforcing that lack of resistance or an impaired state never implies consent and should never be accepted as such in a court of justice,' she says.

Writing this piece, I cast my net wide to ask if anyone else had experienced this. The responses came in thick and fast from women my age who had just shut up and put up with men helping themselves when they were out of it.

'I knew then that it was wrong,' said one. 'I liked the guy. So I wasn't upset exactly  just bothered. And I continued to be bothered. It was only years later I watched I May Destroy You [Michaela Coel's brilliant BBC series about a woman coming to terms with being raped while drunk] that I realised what had happened to me. It was rape.'

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 states that individuals cannot legally consent if they are incapacitated by alcohol or drugs to the point where they cannot make a rational decision, so you'd think it's already written into law. But it's not.

The problem, says Proudman, is: 'The acceptance of the implied consent model, which assumes consent can be 'inferred' from non-verbal cues or a lack of resistance.' What the law doesn't say is that 'yes' has to be clearly said and meant.

The stories kept on coming and from the most unexpected sources. A successful and now senior woman in business told me she woke one night to find herself being anally penetrated by a man she knew, who had come home with her.

She said she wanted to speak up not just for herself but for all the other women it could happen to  but couldn't face a single stage of the process. 'I didn't even confront him.'

My generation might feel regret, perhaps anger, but there is no inclination to report a historical crime. Events like these  rapes like these  were part of normal life.

I remember mentioning what happened to me to a male friend at the time and him saying: 'If a girl's in your bed, she's up for it.' That's another 'rape myth'. But what we really don't want is to see our daughters doing what we did.

Chief Constable Sarah Crew is lead for Adult Sexual Offences at the National Police Chiefs' Council, and oversees Operation Soteria

'Like a lot of teens, my daughter Lara went through a stage of getting really drunk and falling over,' says Beth. 'I was pretty angry. I didn't say this to scare her, but I told her she had to wise up, that getting that p***ed is dangerous, as I knew only too well.

'When I was staying in a backpacking hostel in Greece, I got blackout drunk and woke up in an unknown bed with no bottoms on. When I went to get my passport from my reception, I saw my knickers pinned to the wall behind the counter.'

One mother recalled an experience, aged 19, with her boss. Asked to join his drinking party after work, she felt excited and privileged. By the end of the night, however, she was too drunk to give meaningful consent to the sex he wanted  and later realised she'd essentially been assaulted.

'My daughters know not all men have good intentions. I've been very clear with both them, and my son, that consent is super important and is not ambiguous.'

Every 40 or 50-something woman I spoke to described the experiences they'd shrugged off, albeit miserably, as adding a layer of urgency to their need to protect their daughters. And indeed their sons, who need to know precisely where boundaries lie.

Among my friends is thirty-something Tina who had been a problem drinker in the past, but managed to quit. She started drinking heavily again a few years ago, egged on by an admirer  known to her  who twice got her horribly smashed while drinking nothing himself. Twice, she woke to find herself naked from the waist down, and clear signs he'd had penetrative sex with her.

Formal complaints of rape to the police are rare. However, Tina did report the crime, and underwent all the indignity of the examinations.

They were supportive; she felt believed. 'But they actually said to me, 'Unless you were pulled into an alley at knife point and the rape is on CCTV, it's always your word against his.'

'What that means is even if you go to the hospital or police right away, and get a swab done that shows the presence of semen and abrasions, it's still close to impossible to prove it was rape as the other person can always claim that the sex was consensual.'

Tina gave up drinking and slowly set about putting her life back together, but she did not get any kind of justice.

In the last few years, following something called the Rape Review, the police approach has started to change. Chief Constable Sarah Crew is lead for Adult Sexual Offences at the National Police Chiefs' Council, and oversees Operation Soteria, which has switched the focus to perpetrators' behaviour rather than the victims.

'We have seen encouraging improvements in the last two and a half years under Soteria [where] intoxication is not seen as a barrier to prosecution,' she says. 'Rather the police approach would be to rely on the

intoxication as evidence that consent was not given.'

This radical cultural shift in the way police forces view assault investigations was called a 'game changer' by the independent body that assesses its effectiveness.

But is it, really? Only 10 per cent of sexual assault crimes are ever reported to police or indeed support services. When we do go to the police, the process is so brutal, less than half of rape and sexual assault survivors in England and Wales say they would report their crime again, according to a survey published this month by City St George's University on behalf of Operation Soteria.

According to ONS figures, 194,400 sexual offences were reported to police in the year up to June this year, with 36 per cent of them rapes. Charges have been brought in 2.7 per cent of the rape cases, which means fewer than 2,000.

Some 85 per cent of men in court charged with sexual assault plead not guilty  yet 75 per cent are indeed found guilty. What should we take away from this?

Many of the women I have spoken to remember being told by their parents that if we got drunk, sexual assault was our fault. I was certainly told that. No young woman I have spoken to thinks this now.

But truly, that is not enough. It sounds old-fashioned, it sounds alarmist, but we need to teach our daughters that being incapacitated with a certain type of man leaves them open to exploitation.

They need to know that even inside a relationship, a man being drunk, or you being drunk, doesn't mean anything goes. Boys must be taught this, too.

I bought feminist books when I was in my late teens and early 20s as I tried to nurture a bit more confidence as well as adding to my understanding of the world.

At the time, only The Beauty Myth (Naomi Wolf) and Fat Is A Feminist Issue (Susie Orbach) really struck home. A lot of it felt very academic, and to be honest, not much fun.

One of those books I owned but never properly read was Intercourse by the late Andrea Dworkin, who argued that penetrative sex was, by its nature, violent. Of course she was widely dismissed as a fat, man-hating militant.

Rather than Dworkin's campaigning feminism, I was more keen on the emerging third wave in the 1990s, which would blend women's rights with the sexual revolution. That let us be sexy and flirty, and behave as freely and as badly as we pleased.

The lifestyle, I suppose, that underpinned the advent of so-called 'ladette culture'. There was so much drinking, it was pretty pathetic really.

And the booze laid me open to a number of unhappy sexual events that I would not wish on any woman.

As I grew older, I saw that the sort of feminism-lite I enjoyed was a feminism that too often served men better than it did women. I'm not a man-hating separatist. I love my male friends and family members with the same compassion and respect I do the females. But I do read Andrea Dworkin now and think she had a point.

And to any young women reading, I hope you never have to do the hideously named 'walk of shame' on anything other than your own fully consenting terms.

Some names have been changed to protect identities.

Call Rape Crisis Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line 24 hours a day, every day of the year, free on 0808 500 2222
Controversial influencer Hannah Neeleman finally got her overseas trip - but with her eight children and husband right there with her.

Hannah, who is known for her business and social media presence Ballerina Farm, traveled to Cork, Ireland, and documented her experience on social media.

The 34-year-old is known for her content, which she films on her 328-acre farm in Utah, showing her making food from scratch and tending to livestock with husband Daniel Neeleman, who is the son of JetBlue billionaire, David.

However, viewers were stunned to find that although she is married to the heir of an airline, the trip still took the family over 24 hours.

'This week, we headed to Ireland for a little work trip,' she shared over footage of her catching flights and waiting with her large brood.

'It was a series of a lot of flights. They were very long and we were so exhausted by the time we finally got there,' she explained.

The 'trad wife' influencer said it took a whopping 36 hours to get to Ireland, but assured viewers it was worth it.

'The green pastures and the little farms were absolutely breathtaking,' she gushed.

Hannah Neeleman, who is known for her business and social media presence Ballerina Farm, traveled to Cork, Ireland, documenting her experience on social media

Many users were shocked by her overseas jaunt, particularly as a viral video earlier in the year the mom-of-eight had expressed her desire to go to Greece as a birthday gift - but was given an apron to collect chicken eggs from her husband instead.

Some viewers chimed in with their thoughts.

'Don't you like OWN JetBlue? You're seriously complaining about long flights when you own the entire airline? I love you mama but try flying economy like the rest of us and then you can whine lol,' one woman complained.

'36 hours to get to Ireland?! It took me 18 hours to get to Japan. Fire your travel agent!' political commentator Candace Owens shared in a comment.

She added: 'Ireland looks beautiful. Looks like you guys had a wonderful trip. Can't wait to see what comes of it at the farm.'

The Juilliard-trained ballet dancer defended her traditional lifestyle and marriage earlier in the year, following a scathing article published earlier in the year by the Times of London.

Hannah, who gained online fame for her captivating 'trad wife' content, was the subject of intense scrutiny following an article published by the Times of London in July.

In a clip shared to Instagram in August, Hannah addressed the article admitting she and her husband were 'shocked' when they read the published piece.

She added that the article painted her as 'oppressed, with my husband being the culprit.'

However, viewers were stunned to find that although she is married to the heir of an airline, the trip still took over 24 hours

Hannah who gained online fame for her captivating 'trad wife' content, was the subject of intense scrutiny following an article published by the Times of London in July

The 34-year-old is known for her content, which she films on her 328-acre farm in Utah

The Trad Wife influencer said it took a whopping 36 hours to get to Ireland, but assured viewers it was worth it

Hannah and her husband launched their company Ballerina Farm in 2019

She previously spoke out following the explosive profile centered around her family and lifestyle

Some viewers chimed in with their thoughts on her trip overseas

'This couldn't be further from the truth,' she declared, adding she believes the article's angle was 'predetermined' before it was even written.

'Together we have built a business from scratch,' she continued.

'We've brought eight children into this world, and have prioritized our marriage all along the way,' Hannah said.

'We are co-parents, co-CEOs, co-diaper changers, kitchen cleaners and decision makers, we are one,' she said passionately.

'I love him more today than I did 13 years ago, many dreams still to accomplish,' adding: 'We aren't done having babies.'

Hannah concluded the clip saying at the moment, she's doing what she loves 'the most' - being a mother, wife, business woman and farmer.

Hannah and her husband launched their company Ballerina Farm in 2019 - which now sells an array of products made from their livestock like ground beef and pork, as well as fresh desserts and produce.

She has amassed millions of followers on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube from her 'trad wife' content, a term short for 'traditional wife,' which describes a woman trading modern femininity for domestic duties, involving cooking, cleaning, and having children.
Real Housewives of Orange County star Tamra Judge is defending her friend and podcast co-host Teddi Mellencamp amid rumors that she allegedly had an affair with her horse trainer.

Last week, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed the allegations Mellencamp was having a months-long affair with her German-born horse trainer Simon Schroeder, which was the catalyst behind her divorce from her husband of 13-years, Edwin Arroyave.

Now, however, Mellencamp's Two T's In a Pod co-host, Judge, is hoping that the couple can 'work it out.'

'I cannot really share too much. This is Teddi and Edwin's life and they've been married for a long time and they have four kids and I just wish her and Edwin well,' Judge recently told Us Weekly on Monday during the 11th Annual American Reality Television Awards.

'I hope that they get to work it out  however and whatever that looks like to them,' she continued. 'I know that they're both amazing people.'

The Vena CBD founder added that she 'just wants the best' for both Mellencamp and Arroyave.

However, it's unclear if there is a path forward for the couple, as they are now feuding over spousal support amid their contentious divorce battle.

On Friday, Arroyave, 47, filed his response to Mellencamp's divorce petition and is reportedly pushing back on her custody and spousal support requests.

Real Housewives of Orange County star Tamra Judge is defending her friend and podcast co-host Teddi Mellencamp amid her scandalous affair with her horse trainer

Last week, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Mellencamp was having a months-long affair with her German-born horse trainer Simon Schroeder

Mellencamp's affair was uncovered by DailyMail.com as a source said that Schroeder's wife, Karli Postel (left), learned of the alleged affair while she was giving birth to her second child.

Mellencamp had requested primary custody of their three children  Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove, four  with 'reasonable and frequent visitation' for Arroyave in her divorce filing, which she filed last week and announced a day later on November 2.

According to legal documents, Arroyave is contesting and asking for joint physical and legal custody of their minor children.

Mellencamp's alleged affair was uncovered by DailyMail.com as a source said that Schroeder's wife, Karli Postel, learned of the affair while she was giving birth to her second child.

'Karli thought it was suspicious that her husband was in Florida when she was giving birth,' the source told DailyMail.com.

'When Simon returned, Karli found text messages on Simon's phone that exposed the affair. She confronted Simon and Teddi about it and they confessed. Teddi promised it would not happen again.'

'Karli didn't tell Edwin when she found out. She was willing to give Simon another chance and stayed with him. But last month, Karli found proof that the affair was ongoing and that it had become "emotional."

'Edwin only learned of the affair late last month when Karli told him.'

The source claims that Teddi decided to file for divorce once she got caught in the alleged affair.

Mellencamp had requested primary custody of their three children  Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove, four  with 'reasonable and frequent visitation' for Arroyave in her divorce filing, which she filed last week and announced a day later on November 2

'Edwin only learned of the affair late last month when Karli told him,' the source told DailyMail.com

'She filed for divorce from Edwin so that he did not have the chance to file and get her for adultery. It has been alleged that the marriage ended because Edwin cheated on Teddi, but it is actually the other way around.'

On Monday, the former RHOBH spoke out and admitted that she was 'not okay.'

Sharing a photo of a healthy green juice, Mellencamp let her feelings out in an Instagram post by writing, 'It's okay not to be okay.'

She continued, 'We are humans. We make mistakes. We have highs and lows but it's one foot in front of the other. It's Monday morning.

'Thank you to my @goallinbyteddi team. I am up following my morning routine.'

She followed the post with a short clip of herself on the treadmill, captioning it, 'Needed this run.'
MBABANE - The Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA).

The MoU is aimed at establishing a practical framework for the development of stronger business relations between the two countries and to create opportunities for cooperation for the expansion of investment and trade relations between Eswatini and Zambia.

This will also strengthen institutional relations and capacity building through mutual cooperation. The ZDA is Zambias economic development Agency with a multifaceted mandate of promoting and facilitating trade, investment and business development services in Zambia. Sibani Mngomezulu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EIPA comments on the agreement between the two organisations: We are pleased to have signed an MoU with the Zambia Development Agency.

Such agreements allow us to continue to work towards EIPAs mandate which is to attract, encourage and facilitate both local and foreign trade and investment in Eswatini.



Launching



EIPA guided by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade is currently in the final stages of the launching the new investment policy as well as completing the amendment of the new EIPA Act of 1998. These two documents will also support the establishment a one stop service facility where investors will get to enjoy a suite of services including permit applications, trading licences and others, under one roof. These developments require us to build strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to gain the support and expertise needed to ensure their successful implementation into the local economy. This MoU with the ZDA is one such partnership, said Mngomezulu. The MoU was signed at the ZDA Offices in Lusaka Zambia on November 14, 2024. The document will form the basis of a relationship between EIPA and the ZDA which will see both parties undertake to cooperate in a number of areas.



The first of these is investment and trade promotion and facilitation where the ZDA will assist Eswatini with increasing Zambian investment in Eswatini and vice versa. This includes outward and inward foreign direct investments (FDIs) between both countries, which will be stimulated as a result of the new MoU. The objectives also include undertaking Trade and investment missions into one anothers countries, increasing the volume and value of trade between the countries and encouraging tourism. The ZDA has also shown interest in taking part in the Eswatini International Trade Fair in 2025.



Create



The MoU will also allow for an information exchange between EIPA and the ZDA which will endeavour to create an exchange of information on trade and investments, rules, incentives, policies, regulations and investment opportunities as well as allowing for joint research activities to facilitate trade and investment. The sharing of information and research will also allow for collaboration and exchange programmes including the exchange of technical expertise, knowledge and training on opportunities in trade and investment promotion and facilitation, investor aftercare and policy advocacy.



This includes encouraging linkages for export between both markets as well as encouraging partnerships between Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from both countries.

This MoU will allow us to enjoy a number of benefits in partnership with the ZDA. The aim is to make opportunities available for businesses in Eswatini for export, skills exchanges and partnerships all for Economic Development in Eswatini for the good of all citizens, said Mngomezulu.
An Aussie truck driver is mourning the unexpectedly death of his beloved bride just days after the couple got married.

Danielle Govett and Robert Farthing, both aged in their 40s, tied the knot at a local marriage registry office in Victoria on October 12.

Just 17 days later, Ms Govett, 48, woke up feeling dizzy and she laid back down in bed.

She died 20 minutes later from a blood clot that had spread to her lungs.

Paramedics were unable to revive her.

'She said help me, help me and I couldn't do anything,' Mr Farthing told Daily Mail Australia.

'That was the worst thing'.

The emotional father of-two revealed that his wife had set her sights on working as a nurse at an aged care centre before her life was tragically cut short.

Danielle Govett (pictured right) died from a blood clot that spread to her lung just 17 days after she got married to her husband

Ms Govett (pictured right) died 20 minutes after she woke up feeling dizzy before she laid back down in bed (pictured left Robert Farthing)

Mr Farthing, 49, said his wife showed no signs that she was feeling unwell in the days prior to her death and was fine on their wedding day.

He said he's still struggling to come to terms with her death.

'The hardest thing is being there at night knowing that there's no one there,' Mr Farthing said.

'I still feel like she's just going to walk through the door.'

It's understood a blood clot spread from Ms Govett's leg to her lung.

However, Mr Farthing is yet to receive a report from the coroner to explain what was the exact cause of her death.

'The coroner said there was a blood clot in her leg and that's why she felt dizzy because it broke free,' he said.

Mr Farthing and Ms Govett (pictured) tied the knot at a local marriage registry office in Victoria on October 12

The couple met in March 2018 after they struck up a conversation online and developed an instant connection

Ms Govett, who was born and raised in Melton, in Victoria's south, had completed her diploma two weeks before her wedding.

She was set to join Swan Hill District Health to help elderly patients at the aged care service provider.

The passionate Western Bulldogs AFL supporter, who loved to volunteer for local charities, spent 30 years working as a teacher at the Melton Specialist School helping students who live with a disability.

The couple (pictured) met in March 2018 after they struck up a conversation online and the pair felt an instant connection with each other

The couple had plans to settle down in Pyramid Hill in Victoria's north after they bought a home there.

The newlyweds had also booked a six day cruise to Tasmania for their honeymoon.

Mr Farthing has since set up a GoFundMe page to help him fund the cost of the property, which he said he wanted buy in memory of his wife.

His family have rallied behind the grieving dad to help him get through the devastating tragedy.

Mr Farthing described his wife as a kind person, who always had a smile on her face and loved to help others.

He said his two daughters aged 21 and 16, who live with a disability, have been affected the most after they formed a close bond with Ms Govett.

'They took it pretty hard. They were there when she passed away,' he said.

'Heaven wanted its angel back'.
The Crown Princess of Norway's son has denied raping a woman in her own home on the day he met her after he was arrested on Monday night.

Marius Borg Hiby, 27, who is the son of Crown Princess Mette Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, is suspected of attacking a woman in April this year, according to police.

The troubled mechanic, often dubbed the 'Black Sheep' of the Norwegian royal family, has strongly denied the allegations against him, in a statement through his lawyer.

yvind Bratlien told Norwegian publication VG that his client denied the claims and that he was cooperating with police during their investigation.

A statement released by police on Tuesday said Hiby was suspected of violating the criminal code 'which concerns sexual intercourse with someone who is unconscious or for other reasons unable to resist the act'.

The statement added: 'What police can say about the rape is that it concerns a sexual act without intercourse.

'The victim is said to have been unable to resist the act.'

VG reported that the alleged victim did not know Hiby before the day the attack is alleged to have happened and that she is not someone in his immediate 'environment'.

Marius Borg Hiby, 27, has denied raping a woman 'in her own home on the day he met her' after he was arrested on Monday

As the Norwegian royal family reels from Hiby's arrest, his stepfather Crown Prince Haakon, 51, who is the heir to the throne, is in Jamaica on an engagement.

On Tuesday, he broke his silence following news of his stepson's arrest.

The royal, who raised Hiby from a young age, told NRK that he 'would have liked to be at home with his wife today' - but is currently in Jamaica, in his role as goodwill ambassador for the UN's development programme.

'I miss her,' he told the outlet, adding that Marius is now facing 'serious charges'.

'Today, of course, we are thinking of all those affected,' he continued.

The prince also told NRK the police and legal system should now 'be given room to do their job', which he 'trusts' will be done in a 'good way'.

Hiby's arrest is the latest in a series of scandals to hit the Norwegian royal family, after he was first arrested in August on suspicion of assault after a woman, believed to be his girlfriend at the time, was left in hospital with injuries.

According to police, Hiby was in a car with the alleged victim from the assault in August when he was arrested over the rape allegations on Monday evening.

The 27-year-old (pictured far right) does not hold a royal title nor royal responsibilities. He is Crown Princess Mette Marit's son from a previous relationship. Pictured L-R: Prince Sverre Magnus, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Crown Princess Mette Marit

On Tuesday, police also said the suspicions relating to the August incident now included domestic abuse.

Police said they had yet to decide whether he would be remanded in custody.

Hiby was born in 1997 from a relationship prior to Mette-Marit's 2001 marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir apparent to the Norwegian throne.

He and his step-siblings - Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20 and Prince Sverre Magnus, 18 - were raised together by Mette-Marit and Haakon.

Unlike them, he has no official public role.

The Norwegian royal family was rocked by Hiby's first arrest at the beginning of August, after a woman - Rebecca Helberg Arntsen - was left in hospital with her injuries following the attack.

A week after his arrest, Hiby admitted to the assault on Rebecca, whom he referred to as his 'girlfriend' (her lawyers have refuted this claim).

In a statement issued via his own lawyer, Hiby said he suffers from 'several mental disorders' and has 'struggled with substance abuse for a long time', which he said he is resuming treatment for.

Norway's Crown Prince Haakon has broken his silence after police revealed that his stepson was arrested on suspicion of rape

Borg Hiby was arrested Monday evening. 'What police can say about the rape is that it concerns a sexual act without intercourse. The victim is said to have been unable to resist the act,' police said

The future King, 51, who is married to the 27-year-old's mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and raised him from a young age told NRK that he 'would have liked to be at home with his wife today'. Both pictured last month

The statement read: 'Last weekend something happened that should never have happened. I committed bodily harm and destroyed objects in an apartment in the intoxication of alcohol and cocaine after an argument.

'I have several mental disorders which mean that throughout my upbringing and adult life, I have had, and still have, challenges. I have struggled with substance abuse for a long time, something I have been in treatment for in the past.

'The drug use and my diagnoses do not excuse what happened in the apartment at Frogner on the night of Sunday last weekend. I want to be responsible for what I have done, and will explain myself truthfully to the police.

'For me, the most important thing is to say sorry to my girlfriend. She deserved neither what happened that night, nor the extreme pressure from both the Norwegian and foreign press afterwards.'

Mette-Marit's eldest son also apologised to his family for his actions that have 'greatly affected you'.

Weeks later, the 27-year-old was taken into custody after breaching a restraining order.

The restraining order in question was for the protection of Rebecca Helberg Arntsen, whom Hiby admitted to assaulting, in a booze and drug-fuelled attack on 4 August, which saw him arrested for the first time and held in a police cell overnight.
Queen Letizia of Spain looked elegant on Wednesday as she attended the 85th Madrid Press Association Awards.

The royal, 52, who was once a journalist herself, granted the awards at the Real Casa de Correos (The Royal House of the Post Office) in Puerta del Sol, which serves as the office for the head of regional government.

Letizia looked effortlessly glamorous in the smart three-piece suit - a relatively affordable option from high street brand Mango.

The Queen paired the 79.00 jacket with 49.99 trousers and a 39.99 waistcoat, with the total cost coming to 169 (140).

The stunning three-piece suit in mottled grey wool made for a minimalist yet elegant ensemble, perfect for the increasingly cold weather and complete with a pointed v-neck, shoulder pads and straight-cut tailored trousers.

She added a smart black handbag with a chain from Nina Ricci, and black loafers from Hugo Boss.

Letizia awarded journalist Pedro Piqueras the APM award for Best Journalist of the Year 2023, and was accompanied by President of Madrid's Press Association, Maria Rey.

The mother-of-two will no doubt be in her element at the awards ceremony as a former journalist herself, who met her husband during an interview in the early 2000s.

Queen Letizia of Spain looked elegant on Wednesday as she attended the 85th Madrid Press Association Awards

Letizia looked effortlessly glamorous in the smart three-piece suit - a relatively affordable option from high street brand Mango

Her journalism career saw her report from Washington, in the US, Guadalajara in Mexico and Iraq during the war. She also broadcast live from ground zero after the 9/11 attacks in September 2001.

Letizia, whose father Jesus Jose Ortiz Alvarez and stepmother Ana Togores are both journalists, worked in TV and newspapers before marrying Felipe in 2004.

After a stint at Asturian daily paper, La Nueva Espana, she went on to work for ABC, a popular national newspaper that enjoys the third largest circulation in Spain.

Next came a stint at Spanish news agency EFE before a move to Guadalajara in Mexico saw her take on a role on local paper, Siglo 21.

Back in Spain a year later, she worked for the Spanish version of Bloomberg, a news channel and agency specialising in economics, before moving to CNN+.

By the time she met her husband-to-be, Letizia was working for popular TV channel 24 Horas, where along with anchoring the popular Telediario 2 evening news bulletin, she reported on a wide range of breaking news events.

The ceremony came just a day after Letizia and her husband King Felipe embraced locals who were affected by the flooding in Valencia.

The Spanish monarchs visited the flood damaged town of Chiva, in the region of Valencia, eastern Spain, in the aftermath of catastrophic deadly floods, where more than 200 people died.

The stunning three-piece suit in mottled grey wool made for a minimalist yet elegant ensemble perfect for the increasingly cold weather

Spanish Queen Letizia, Isabel Diaz Ayuso attending 85 edition of Asociacion de la Prensa de Madrid awards

Spain's Queen Letizia (C), accompanied by President of Madrid's Press Association, Maria Rey (R)

The royal, 52, who was once a journalist herself, granted the awards at the Real Casa de Correos

Journalist Pedro Piqueras (C) receives the APM award for Best Journalist of the Year 2023

Letizia looked effortlessly regal as she applauded the winners of the awards

The Queen paired the 79.00 jacket with 49.99 trousers and a 39.99 waistcoat, with the total cost coming to 169 (140)

Spain's Queen Letizia (C), accompanied by President of Madrid's Press Association, Maria Rey (R) attend Madrid's Press Association's journalism award ceremony

The mother-of-two will no doubt be in her element at the awards ceremony as a former journalist herself

The visit is the first time the royal couple returned to the area after they were heckled by angry residents during their first visit to the Valencia region of Paiporta.

Earlier this month the monarchs were pelted with mud and objects like drink cans by angry survivors of the deadly floods over the haphazard management of the crisis.

However during the visit to neighbouring town of Chiva, Queen Letizia and King Felipe were warmly welcomed by locals and they shared an embrace with some members of the public.

Letizia, who opted for casual black trousers and a denim shirt, gave a little girl a warm hug.

Meanwhile Felipe, who donned Khaki trousers and a navy half zip jumper, was snapped wrapping his arms around a local woman.

The royal couple were accompanied by Valencia's Regional President Carlos Mazon and Spain's Minister for Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Angel Victor Torres.
The Dutch royal, 53, looked every inch the style icon today

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands put on a dazzling display today as she stepped out in red checkered suit to attend an event in Assen.

The Dutch royal, 53, stepped out in a stunning cherry red ensemble as she arrived in Assen in the Netherlands, on Wednesday for the the 50th anniversary of the Northern Development Company.

She looked every inch the glamorous queen in a bold red number. The queen beamed from ear to ear as arrived in the northern Dutch city.

The mother-of-three wore a stylish tailored blazer with fitted suit trousers. Maxima looked stunning in the cinched in jacket as she showed off her slender physique.

The red checkered ensemble was perfectly matched to the queen's autumnal red floppy hat.

Maxima previously wore the fashionable hat and suit combination when attending an event in 2018.

She wore a set of chic gold earrings and a blood red broach in the shape of a coneflower.

Maxima wore her typical glam makeup look with a full glowing base and dark lined eyes. She sealed the deal with a smattering of illuminating highlighter and rose pink lipstick.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands (pictured) out on a dazzling display today as she stepped out in red checkered suit to attend an event in Assen

She looked every inch the glamorous queen in a bold red number. The queen beamed from ear to ear as arrived in the northern Dutch city

She wore her sleek blonde tresses in an up do beneath her stylish wide brimmed hat.

Maxima accessorised the outfit with a pair of sophisticated red leather gloves and heeled boots in a matching shade of bold red.

Arriving at the event on Wednesday, Maxima was spotted beaming as she bent down to shake hands with a young girl.

The queen then greeted other officials who were present at the 50th anniversary of the Northern Development Company.

As she headed towards the celebrations at the venue in Assen, Maxima carried a stunning bouquet of flowers in colours that matched her outfit.

It comes after the Dutch royal jetted off south-east Asia to attend Singapore FinTech festival in early November.

The queen 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).

Maxima looked as youthful as ever in the yellow number from Belgian fashion house Natan, one of her favourite places to shop.

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 took place from November and was the reason for 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.

Maxima accessorised the outfit with a pair of sophisticated red leather gloves and heeled boots in a matching shade of bold red

The mother-of-three wore a stylish tailored blazer with fitted suit trousers. Maxima looked stunning in the cinched in jacket as she showed off her slender physique

Arriving at the event on Wednesday, Maxima was spotted beaming as she bent down to shake hands with a young girl

Maxima previously wore the fashionable hat and suit combination when attending an event in 2018

Maxima wore her typical glam makeup look with a full glowing base and dark lined eyes. She sealed the deal with a smattering of illuminating highlighter and rose pink lipstick

She wore a set of chic gold earrings and a blood red broach in the shape of a coneflower

The queen then greeted other officials who were present at the 50th anniversary of the Northern Development Company

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.

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.
Joe Biden's pregnant granddaughter Naomi has revealed the gender of her baby.

Naomi, 30, confirmed that she was pregnant with her first child with husband Peter Neal on Election Night earlier this month - a move that some believed was part of an attempt by the Bidens to overshadow Vice President Kamala Harris.

Now, the expectant mother has announced the gender of her impending arrival - and it turns out, she's having a boy.

Peter shared the news while celebrating his and Naomi's anniversary on Monday evening.

'I love you so much, happy anniversary, I'm the luckiest ever ever ever,' he wrote alongside a shot of Naomi in wedding dress.

He then posted a snap of their baby boy's ultrasound, adding, 'And so is he. I love you more than anything in the world.'

Naomi, who is the oldest grandchild of President Joe and first lady Jill Biden, re-shared his posts to her own Instagram Stories.

DailyMail.com exclusively revealed back in May that Naomi and Peter were expecting.

Joe Biden's pregnant granddaughter Naomi has revealed the gender of her baby. She's seen here with her grandparents and her husband, Peter Neal, at her wedding in 2022

Naomi's husband shared the news that they're expecting a boy alongside a snap of the baby's ultrasound, and she then reposted it to her Instagram Stories

In recent months, Naomi, who was previously known for wearing fitted clothes to her slim figure, donned noticeably loose gowns during multiple occasions when she was seen in public.

The President's granddaughter then confirmed the news earlier this month, when she uploaded a snap to her Instagram Stories that showed her cradling her growing baby bump on Election Night.

She captioned it, '(We) voted,' alongside an American flag and upside down smiley face emoji.

This will be Joe and Jill's first great grandchild.

The timing of her post, along with a questionable outfit worn by Jill when she went to vote, left some people wondering: Were the Bidens attempting to ruin former Vice President Kamala's potentially historic night?

Jill was spotted wearing a bright red pantsuit - the color often associated with the Republican party - at the the voting booth.

It also came hours after news emerged that she and Joe, were not attending Kamala's Election Night watch party.

'As the wife of a Democrat politician there's no way she doesn't know how this looks,' one person wrote on X afterwards. 'Joe and Jill are pissed.'

Naomi, 30, first revealed that she was expecting her first child with her husband, Peter Neal, on Election Night earlier this month

Naomi, a lawyer in Washington, D.C., married Peter in an opulent ceremony on the White House lawn on November 19, 2022. They're seen together in April

'Jill Biden knows exactly what she did. Her outfit was on purpose,' another theorized.

Someone else used the hashtag 'Democrats For Trump' and suggested Jill was 'sending them a sign.'

'I'm not sure the Bidens are fans of Kamala,' a fourth tweet read, while a fifth said, 'It's almost like the Bidens WANT Kamalala to LOSE.'

Naomi is the eldest daughter of Hunter Biden and his ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle.

She and Peter married during an opulent ceremony on the White House lawn on November 19, 2022; she was the first presidential grandchild to be married at the White House.

She works as a lawyer in Washington, D.C., and she and Peter lived in the White House ahead of their wedding. They now live in Georgetown.
Skinnygirl mogul Bethenny Frankel has revealed a list of expensive skincare and makeup products that are 'worth it' - and they're more affordable than you may think.

Frankel, 54, shared her top picks in a new video posted to her TikTok on Tuesday, a platform where she'll often share a sneak peek into the behind-the-scenes of her life.

The first product that the former Real Housewives of New York star shared was the $40 Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm from Elemis.

The luxurious balm is supposed to help take off makeup and remove grime from the face.

'I am partial to the original one, because it makes me feel like I'm in a botanical spa, but I'm a sucker for roses, and this makes me feel rich and romantic,' she said about the product.

The next item on her list was the $49 Beauty Elixir spray by cult-favorite French brand Caudalie, which is meant to set makeup, tone the face and even tighten up your pores.

'This thing, this is an elixir, and it feels like that,' Frankel promised, as she spritzed the product all over her face.

'I sometimes put it on a cotton ball just to cleanse the face, I love it, it makes me feel like I live in Paris as a supermodel,' she admitted.

Skinnygirl mogul Bethenny Frankel has revealed a list of expensive skincare and makeup products that are 'worth it' - and they're more affordable than you may think

The next item on her list was the $49 Beauty Elixir spray by cult-favorite French brand Caudalie, which is meant to set makeup, tone the face and even tighten up your pores

Expensive products Bethenny loves! Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm - $40

Caudalie Beauty Elixir - $49

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel - $92 Grand total: $181.00 Advertisement

Finally, the last skincare product that Frankel recommended was the Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel by Dr. Dennis Gross, for which a 30-pack retails at $92.

'Why do I like them? Because they're effective, and I like the packaging,' the BStrong founder said.

She showed viewers how they were packaged, attached into two separate compartments for each wipe.

The peel is meant to smooth the texture of your skin, and even reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

'I like the one-two punch, I like that they're good for travel, in your purse, it's not liquid that's going to get all over everything,' she gushed.

'You are so very welcome,' the former reality star concluded.

In the comments section of the post, many viewers seemed to agree with her picks, and even shared their own beauty favorites of the moment.

'Yes and Yes!!!! Dr. Dennis peel pads are soooo worth the money!! You will definitely see a difference! My tip is to cut the pad in half to make it last longer!!' one person wrote.

Frankel recommended the $40 Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm from Elemis (left) and Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel by Dr. Dennis Gross, for which a 30-pack retails at $92 (right)

In the comments section of the post, many viewers seemed to agree with her picks, and even shared their own beauty favorites of the moment

Another wrote, 'The Caudalie beauty elixir has the best scent in the world omg.'

'My skin loves Elemis I have a drawer full of that brand,' someone else typed.

A user asked, 'Have you tried Tatcha? Its incredible. I think you would love.'

'Hear me out - Chia Balm from Perricone MD. Like Elemis but better,' another seconded.

This is not the first time that Frankel has shared some of her favorite beauty items with fans.

In September, the star revealed that she loved the Olay Gentle Foaming Cleanser, which retails for just $6.99 at most drugstores.

She also raved about the Eos Shea Better Moisture Body Lotion in the scent Vanilla Cashmere, which comes in at $9.99.

In total, Frankel's affordable beauty haul came out to just $16.98 - a total steal.
Prince William undertook a private visit today to meet women who have experienced homelessness due to domestic abuse and sexual exploitation.

He visited the special support service on trip to Newport, South Wales, as part of drive to highlight the issue of female homelessness in the city.

The royal was accompanied by Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, now one of the country's most senior female fire officers but was forced to sleep rough on the streets of the city as teenager.

She is a key supporter of his Homewards campaign to eradicate homelessness in six areas of the UK within five years.

They also visited The Nelson Trust, which is a member of the Homewards Newport Coalition, and plays a pivotal role in delivering support for women in Newport who have experienced trauma.

Women are often more susceptible to experiencing 'hidden homelessness' compared to men, as they are less likely to rough sleep due to safety fears, resulting in sofa surfing, or sleeping on public transport.

The prince's Homewards team in Newport are looking specifically at the issue of homeless in women who face multiple disadvantages such as trauma, poverty and domestic abuse.

Prince William visits the Newton Trust in Wales to hear about the Homewards Coalition and to meet those involved in the Women in Newport photography project

One woman in a black and white dress seemed to be overwhelmed by the presence of royalty and covered her face with her hand while William looked on reassuringly

The inspiring photography project was created to raise awareness, change perceptions around female homelessness and demonstrate that recovery is possible

They plan to share their findings with the programme's other five flagship locations and beyond.

William said on the visit that he wanted to play the role of 'disruptor' in his fight against homelessness as he encouraged those working in the sector to 'throw the paperwork up in the air'.

He told a group of business leaders and charity representatives that he wanted them to throw off the 'shackles' of their experience and take a different approach.

'I say that not to belittle you,' he said. 'But it's, how do we break it down, give you the freedom to think differently and try new things?

'I can be the slight disruptor here and say to you all to think very differently, outside the box, because this is unique, what you're doing let's be really ambitious and almost throw the paperwork up in the air and see how it lands.'

Among the women he met during the public part of the visit was Rebecca, 32, a care assistant who told the Prince she was living on the streets at 16 before attempting suicide following the deaths of both her partner and her father.

She said she had no support when she was growing up but was proud of who she was today, focused on her two young daughters and 'making happiness without money'.

She told the Prince she now wanted to use her experiences to help other 'lost teenagers'.

William told her she should be 'so proud' of herself, saying: 'You seem like a force of nature Rebecca.

'We need more Rebeccas in the world. You have been through more things than most people go through in their entire lifetime.

'I'm not sure I would have come out the other side like you.'

The 42-year-old royal wore a navy suit and a sky blue jumper in Wales today and was seen laughing with representatives of local homelessness organisations

The future king meets with businesses, charities and other members of the Homewards Newport Coalition

The Prince earlier made a private visit to a women's support service to speak to victims of domestic abuse and sexual exploitation before joining local women who have experienced homelessness.

Afterwards Ms Cohen-Hatton, chief fire officer at West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said they had several 'powerful' conversations.

'I think hearing about people's experiences helps inform how he can direct Homewards to help,' she said.

'One of the questions the Prince was asking throughout was how Homewards is making a difference and how it can help with the pinch points and the gaps.'

The Prince's visit coincided with the release of a report compiled by the Homewards Newport Coalition that identified specific local issues and made specific recommendations to help prevent women's homelessness.

As a direct result of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, the city council and local housing organisations have agreed to work together to introduce properties specifically for women in order to increase supply for those in need.

Later, the 42-year-old royal went on to meet with businesses, charities and other members of the Homewards Newport Coalition such as Newport City Homes, Newport City Council, Newport Live, POBL, Dick Lovett and Public Health Wales.

William said on the visit that he wanted to play the role of 'disruptor' in his fight against homelessness as he encouraged those working in the sector to 'throw the paperwork up in the air'

During their meeting, he heard about commitments they are making to support Homewards Newport's efforts to prevent and end women's homelessness.

William said on the visit that he wanted to play the role of 'disruptor' in his fight against homelessness as he encouraged those working in the sector to 'throw the paperwork up in the air'.

He told the group of business leaders and charity representatives that he wanted them to throw off the 'shackles' of their experience and take a different approach.

'I say that not to belittle you,' he said. 'But it's, how do we break it down, give you the freedom to think differently and try new things?

'I can be the slight disruptor here and say to you all to think very differently, outside the box, because this is unique, what you're doing let's be really ambitious and almost throw the paperwork up in the air and see how it lands.'

The heir-to-the-throne launched Homewards last year - his most ambitious public project to date last year.

He said it was inspired by the legacy of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, who began taking him to homeless shelters as a young child.

By William's side throughout the visit was his homelessness adviser Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton

Sabrina found herself on the streets of Wales when she was just 15 and selling the Big Issue in order to scrape by following the death of her father

Although Sabrina features heavily in the new documentary, she joked with the women: 'To be fair, the Prince is the star'

Last month, the prince also released a new documentary focusing on the first year of his programme Homewards.

Available on ITV, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness involves stories from those who are currently experiencing homelessness or have previously been homeless, and poignant memories from the prince's own life.

Upon his arrival in Newport, a representative for The Nelson Trust praised the prince for his recent ITV documentary, saying she had recently re-watched it.

Another Nelson Trust spokesperson agreed and called the docuseries 'inspiring'.

By William's side throughout the visit was his homelessness adviser Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton.

Sabrina found herself on the streets of Wales when she was just 15 and selling the Big Issue in order to scrape by following the death of her father.

Although Sabrina features heavily in the new documentary, she joked with the women at The Nelson Trust: 'To be fair, the Prince is the star.'

The heir-to-the-throne appeared to blush before insisting: 'No, no - I'm not.

'It's about the women, it very much is.'

The heir-to-the-throne launched Homewards last year - his most ambitious public project to date last year

Last month, William also released a new documentary focusing on the first year of his programme Homewards

Speaking ahead of the two-part documentary, Sabrina praised William's commitment to 'listening to people who have been there so we can try and do things that are really practical'.

Sitting on the This Morning sofa, she said: 'He's amazing and I'm one of several advocates, we've all got our own experience of homelessness or we've been touched by homelessness in some way.

'One of the things he was really keen on was making sure that he's listening to people who have been there so we can try and do things that are really practical.

She added: 'Every time I've met the prince, he has been so focused on the human impact of homelessness.

'I think it's really easy when you're trying to do a programme as big as this and a challenge as big as ending homelessness to just focus on the strategy and forget about the people.

'But he's so focused on the trauma and the complexity and the impact on individuals and that for me has been a real privilege to be able to see that in action.'

Sabrina now has a PHD, and is a honorary fellow at Cardiff University.

Rebecca said afterwards that the Prince's comments had made her feel that 'it was all worthwhile'.

She said: 'I wouldn't change a thing for me to be where I am today.

'He's moved me to the point where I feel like I could do anything now. He's given me that boost of confidence I needed, because I do struggle with confidence and esteem but I can't believe how much today has lifted my morale.'

Rebecca said she believed the Prince's efforts to tackle homelessness in Newport would have a dramatic effect.

'It makes me feel like something's going to change in Newport, like there's a bit of hope,' she added.

'We feel like we're losing Newport, it's deteriorated.

'But him coming here feels like our future as a whole is going to be better.

'With the prince's input, a lot of these outside organisations are going to be able to change and change the outcome for people who are suffering.

'I can't believe I'm a part of it, that I get to help and change other people's points of view of the homeless living in tents in the street.'
HAYLEY, 54

Single, no children.

Dating Past?

I have never married or had children and, while I have had some long-term relationships, Ive never lived with anyone.

I suspect thats because for the past 20 years, I have prioritised caring for family members. Mum passed away five years ago from a heart condition and I had spent the previous five years caring for her.

Before that, I helped my father care for my step-mum, who had leukaemia.

My younger sister (who is married with children) used to tell me I am too fussy. Now, she just thinks Ive lost my confidence with men.

Hayley (pictured) is looking for a caring man with a great sense of humour

Pre-Date Nerves?

Er, a bit. My sister reminded me Im lovely inside and beautiful on the outside, but when you get older, you dont feel that way.

First Impressions?

When Phil walked in I thought What a lovely man! He is handsome and smiley, a real gent who seemed comfortable in his own skin.

He apologised for wearing jeans, but I told him he looked rather dashing. He returned the compliment, admiring my dress and telling me I looked lovely. We clicked straight away.

Easy To Talk To?

Phil has an arts background as I do  I used to work as an assistant at a theatrical agency. We both enjoy West End shows although my preference is for musicals.

I did confess to Phil that my singing is so dreadful, my family only lets me sing three times a year: carols at Christmas, karaoke on New Years Eve and on my birthday. He joked hes no Elton John either.

She was immediately drawn to Phil when they met in the restaurant and thought he looked dashing

Embarrassing Moments?

I thought the manager of the restaurant was my date! He was so warm in his welcome, pulling out my chair for me and I asked him to join me. It was only when he looked at me, puzzled, that I realised he wasnt my match. We both laughed and I apologised.

Did Sparks Fly?

Mum taught me to flirt, but I didnt need to with Phil

Yes definitely. I felt like Id known Phil for a long time, so we didnt need to flirt with one another. Mum did teach me how to flirt  good eye contact, flicking my hair and leaning in closer. But I confess I am terrible at it.

See him again?

After our three-hour meal, we agreed to meet up again. For our second date, Phil has offered to take me to the theatre.

What do you think he thought of you?

Phil told me I looked nice, which was great for my confidence. He is a funny, kind person and the date ended with a hug and a kiss.

Would your family like him?

Theyd love Phil. He is such a sociable soul with the most impeccable manners.

BLIND DATE VITAL STATISTICS

HAYLEY, 54 Single, no children. CURRENT ROLE Fill-time carer, currently unemployed. WOULD LIKE TO MEET A caring man with a great sense of humour. A passing resemblance to George Clooney is always a bonus, PHIL, 61 Divorced, a daughter, 23. CURRENT ROLE Training to be a London tour guide. WOULD LIKE TO MEET A woman who likes the Rolling Stones, has a good understanding of history and is fairly cynical about modern life. Advertisement

PHIL, 61

Divorced, a daughter, 23.

Dating Past?

I was married for 20 years; my ex was Australian and I lived in Brisbane with her and our daughter. Our marriage ended in 2018, and I returned to the UK in 2021.

After separation, I began a four-year relationship with someone I met in London which finished this summer.

Phil (pictured) is looking for a woman who likes the Rolling Stones, has a good understanding of history and is fairly cynical about modern life

Pre-Date Nerves?

No. Im currently studying to be a Blue Badge Tourist Guide and need to have 70-80 presentations in my head about buildings such as St Pauls Cathedral and the British Museum. Thats nerve-racking!

First Impressions?

I was pleasantly surprised to meet Hayley. She was wearing a blue dress which suited her blonde hair and she has a lovely smile.

We didnt do the European kiss on each cheek  instead, we shook hands since we were meeting for the first time.

Easy To Talk To?

Yes, we have a lot in common. Hayley did some acting as a child and, while I was living in Australia, I got offered a part in a play because I had a London accent. Hayley is Jewish and my step-family are, too. This led on to a discussion about spirituality.

Hayley is far more into it than I am and follows astrology (which I think is nonsense). We touched on American politics, too  Im horrified by Trump whereas Hayley isnt. She did articulate her reasons well. Hayley was funny and amusing company.

He was pleasantly surprised when he met Hayley in the restaurant and complimented her blue dress

Embarrassing Moments?

Im afraid not.

Did Sparks Fly?

Im not sure. Hayley is attractive with a sunny disposition. Shes perhaps a bit too nice for the likes of me.

That said, I think love at first sight is nonsense  my ex-wife and I were friends before we embarked on a relationship. Hayley has a lot to offer, so well see.

Shes an attractive woman. But is she too nice for me?

See her again?

Yes, Id like to see Hayley again. Even though we were together for almost three hours, I want to get to know her more. So, I suggested we exchange numbers.

What do you think she thought of you?

Its hard to say. You never tell people your innermost thoughts on a first date, do you? Still, she has sent a friend request on Facebook (I have accepted) so I think she likes me.

Would your friends like her?

My friends are anarchic. There is usually a mixed reaction to girlfriends  theyre either effusive or you get a ribbing. Hayley would probably get both.

HAYLEY'S VERDICT: 100/10

LIKED? We laughed a lot.

REGRETS? No, it was the best date Ive had.

COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.

PHIL'S VERDICT: 8/10

LIKED? Hayley is very smiley.

REGRETS? No.

COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.
With Thanksgiving only a week away, everyone is starting to prep for the big meal, including Meghan Markle - at least, she was 10 years ago.

In an unearthed post from The Tig archives, her now-defunct lifestyle blog, Meghan offered three recipes for the holiday to her loyal readers.

And, according to a 2014 Meghan, the menu will leave you 'the King or Queen of happy bellies & full hearts.'

The recipes, which The Suits star admitted were given to her by 'Clean Team' Dr. Alejandro Junger & Dhru Purohit, included a delicious main, salad and healthy dessert.

The British Royal Family member, who married Prince Harry in May 2018, began the post by explaining that she 'loves' turkey, but sometimes it's not always fitting for entertaining a small group.

'I love a brined, stuffed and roasted turkey as much as anyone, but if youre just cooking for two, maybe a smaller bird is more up your alley  and coupled with a beautiful side and a delicious dessert, you will be The King or Queen of happy bellies & full hearts,' Meghan wrote in the introduction.

She called their recipes 'gobble gobble good cooking,' and even wrote that there's no 'carb coma aftermath' to the dishes, since they're 'clean eats.'

The first recipe that Meghan highlighted was an oven roasted chicken breast complete with mushroom and leek gravy - a bit of a different take on a traditional turkey.

In an unearthed post from The Tig archives, her now-defunct lifestyle blog, Meghan Markle offered three recipes for the holiday to her loyal readers.

According to a 2014 Markle, the menu will leave you 'the King or Queen of happy bellies & full hearts'

She called their recipes 'gobble gobble good cooking,' and even wrote that there's no 'carb coma aftermath' to the dishes, since they're 'clean eats'

She writes that the recipe will serve two people, and it's quite straightforward - all it takes is 10 minutes to prep and 30 minutes in the oven.

To jazz up the chicken, the recipe called mostly for greens and garnishes like leeks, chopped thyme and chopped parsley.

'Mushrooms have been shown to boost vitamin D levels, heighten immunity and make a delicious gravy when combined with sauteed leeks and fragrant herbs,' Meghan wrote about the delicious main course.

'This would make a great meal anytime of the year, but its also a wonderful alternative to a traditional Thanksgiving turkey, in case you didnt get a free-range turkey this year,' she added.

And, interestingly enough, Meghan was roasting a chicken when Prince Harry proposed to her in 2017.

Next up on the menu was a roasted acorn squash wedge salad, which was made with a sunflower sauce.

This salad also served two, and took a whopping 45 minutes total time to prep and cook.

However, Meghan assured readers that it was a 'great way to enjoy some of the last fall greens.'

Interestingly enough, Markle was roasting a chicken when Prince Harry proposed to her in 2017

This salad also served two, and took a whopping 45 minutes total time to prep and cook

The first recipe that Markle highlighted was an oven roasted chicken breast complete with mushroom and leek gravy - a bit of a different take on a traditional turkey

But if you can't get fresh lettuce, you could also use 'healthier mixed greens' or even the squash and sauce by itself.

'Sunflowers are high in vitamin E (the bodys primary fat-soluble antioxidant), magnesium and selenium, and this delicious sauce has many uses, so dont be surprised if it becomes a regular in your kitchen,' she explained.

And of course, you can't skip dessert on Thanksgiving, so the 'Clean Team' gave a recipe for almond butter bites.

'These protein packed little treats are not only delicious and taste like dessert, but theyre easy to whip up,' Meghan wrote.

'They keep for a long time and are great to take with you on all of your adventures. Nourishing and hunger satiating, these truffles make a great breakfast, post-workout snack, mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or dessert,' she continued.

The American Riviera Orchard founder admitted that they were better than eating 'processed candy.'

'You can even dip them in chocolate and give them as a beautiful gift,' she typed at the time.

'And instead of snacking on processed candy this Thanksgiving, use these goodies as a yummy, clean alternative.'

And of course, you can't skip dessert on Thanksgiving, so the 'Clean Team' gave a recipe for almond butter bites

And, although Markle's blog The Tig is now dissolved, the mom-of-two is now planning to get back into the lifestyle space with the launch of her brand American Riviera Orchard

These yummy treats don't even require any time in the oven, either, as you simply combine the ingredients together in a bowl and roll them into one-ounce balls.

Once they're on a plate, you can put them in the fridge or freezer to 'firm them up.'

And, although Meghan's blog is now dissolved, the mom-of-two is planning to get back into the lifestyle space with the launch of her brand American Riviera Orchard.

The company launched in March as she sent famous friends like Mindy Kaling and Kris Jenner jars of strawberry jam, but since then, the brand has seemingly gone silent.

The jam was delivered in an aesthetically pleasing bowl of vibrant Sicilian lemons.

However, Meghan has suffered several setbacks in her bid to trademark its name, and it's unclear when its products will be brought to the public.
Melania Trump has revealed she wants 'peace on the world' for Christmas in a resurfaced clip.

Despite wanting to shy away from the spotlight, the First Lady has been thrust back into the mayhem of D.C. several times since Donald garnered 277 Electoral College votes and regained his seat in the White House.

Following his defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris, the President-Elect's wife - who was nearly invisible for the duration of the race for the White House - has had her every move dissected by voters.

Recently, Melania was met with fierce criticism after she was accused of 'smothering' her and Donald's son Barron, 18, when she revealed she would be splitting her time between Washington D.C. and New York, which is where the teen is attending college.

Just last month, the First Lady offered up yet another plea for privacy in her memoir.

She emphasized the value she places on steering clear of the limelight as she noted that she has 'chosen to maintain a more discreet presence in the public eye.'

Although many critics assumed that her reluctance to a life of politics went into full swing when Donald began his race for his second term, a video from 2017 that has been circulating the web has proven that she has always wanted calmer waters.

In the clip, which was taken during her visit to the Children's National Hospital in D.C., Melania revealed that she asked 'Santa' for world peace and 'kindness' before confessing that she wanted to spend the holidays on a 'deserted island.'

Melania Trump has revealed she wants 'peace on the world' for Christmas in a resurfaced clip

During her third trip to the hospital, the First Lady greeted children and read them her favorite holiday book, The Polar Express.

While there, she also answered questions and revealed what she hoped Santa would bring her for Christmas.

One child asked the First Lady what she put on her Christmas list for Santa.

'Oh, that's a nice one. I asked Santa for Christmas, peace on the world, health, love and kindness. Thank you,' she replied.

Melania then admitted that she often wished she could take a step back from the White House and her duties as she opened up about where she would like to spend the holidays.

'I would spend my holidays on a deserted island, a tropical island, with my family,' she responded after a 10-year-old asked her where she would spend the holidays if she could go 'anywhere in the world.'

The First Lady's comments seemed to foreshadow her actions during the 2024 Election, in which she remained tight-lipped and refused to step out with Donald for Presidential outings.

Although the former model is shying away from her duties as First Lady, she will be occupied being a full-time mom to their son, who is enrolled at New York University's Stern School of Business.

Despite wanting to shy away from the spotlight , the First Lady has been thrust back into the mayhem of D.C. several times since Donald regained his seat in the White House

During her third trip to the hospital, the First Lady greeted children and read them her favorite holiday book, The Polar Express

Melania then admitted that she often wished she could take a step back from the White House and her duties as she opened up about where she would like to spend the holidays

Melania allegedly wants to be the First Lady on 'her terms' and will be splitting her time between New York, D.C., and Florida, a Mar-a-Lago source told the New York Post.

While her 18-year-old may want the run of Manhattan, Melania seems to be keeping her son on a tight leash, a move that has sparked a wave of backlash from people who say she needs to 'cut the umbilical cord.'

The source told the outlet: 'Melania will be a part-time first lady  while being a full-time mother and wife.'

DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Barron would be attending NYU in September.

Although his mother likes to hide herself from the shining D.C. lights, Barron seems to take after his father as he previously appeared at a Trump campaign rally on July 9 in Miami where he confidently mirrored his father's fist pumping pose and lapped up a standing ovation.

He didn't attend the subsequent Republican National Convention, but he got a shout-out from his father at the July 18 event as he told delighted convention-goers, 'We love our Barron.'
MBABANE - The countdown to MTN Bushfire 2025 has begun, with tickets selling faster than ever.

The festival will take place at House on Fire in the picturesque Malkerns Valley from May 30 to June 1, 2025, promising an unforgettable experience for over 20 000 festival-goers from more than 55 countries. The festivals commitment to bolster the creative economy is evident from last years trading revenue, which surged from E7.35 million in 2023 to over E9.5 million in 2024. Organisers recently announced via social media that tickets are vanishing quicker than in past years and festival enthusiasts are urged to secure theirs while they last. For local fire starters, discounted tickets are available exclusively via Momo from the MTN SZ WhatsApp Marketplace.



Interested emaSwati can simply send Hi to 7808 4000 through WhatsApp select MTN Bushfire and follow the prompts to make their purchase. All tickets grant access for the duration of the three-day celebration. Festival-goers are reminded to keep their tickets secure and to avoid sharing their QR code or barcode to prevent fraud. Additionally, tickets for the official MTN Bushfire Campsite managed by All Out Africa can be purchased through the online ticket platform. It is important to note that the MTN Bushfire is only affiliated with select onsite partners namely, All Out Africa Rush Adventures and Harambee Hotel regarding camping arrangements.



Purchases



As a pioneer event MTN Bushfire will again operate as a cashless festival. Festival-goers will use funds loaded onto a festival wristband for all purchases. Attendees can either pre-load their tickets through their Howler accounts or top up their wristbands on-site during the festival. In an exciting development last week the festival opened applications for experienced vendors seeking to trade at the 18th edition of this international arts festival. Trader application forms are available online on the official MTN Bushfire website and can also be accessed via the MTN Bushfire social media pages and the MTN Bushfire channel on Ayoba. Applications sent through other channels will not be accepted. Vendor applications close on January 31, 2025, and selected traders will be notified by February 28, 2025. Short-listed candidates may be invited to present their ideas and products at House on Fire before applications close and successful applicants must attend a trader workshop either virtually or in person at House on Fire. Get ready for an exhilarating weekend at MTN Bushfire 2025! Secure your tickets now and be part of this unmissable celebration of arts and culture.a
Queen Camilla has tonight been awarded a very special educational honour - by her sister-in-law, Princess Anne.

Her Majesty, 77, was given an Honorary Doctorate of Literature by the University of London, whose Chancellor is the Princess Royal.

The two women arrived at the Senate House building in Bloomsbury, central London, together by car having travelled from St Jamess Palace for a rare joint engagement.

In a sweet moment between the sisters-in-law, Queen Camilla instinctively invited Princess Anne to enter into the room, where they were due to greet fellow recipients of honorary doctorates and their families, before her.

Smiling Anne, no doubt with an eye on precedence, demurred and invited the Queen to enter first.

The two women then took one end each of the small line-up before Queen Camilla was invited to sit down and sign a visitors book.

Today is the University of Londons Foundation Day, marking the University of London's establishment by Royal Charter in 1836.

Honorary degrees have been conferred as part of the annual ceremony since 1903, with recipients including King George V and Queen Mary (then The Prince and Princess of Wales), Sir Winston Churchill, T S Eliot and Dame Judi Dench.

Queen Camilla has tonight been awarded a very special educational honour - by her sister-in-law, Princess Anne (pictured)

Her Majesty (pictured), 77, was given an Honorary Doctorate of Literature by the University of London , whose Chancellor is the Princess Royal

Her Majesty was awarded her shred in recognition of almost two decades championing literacy and literature as part of her royal duties.

As well as being patron of a number of charities in the field, Camilla also set up her own online book club, The Queens Reading Room.

Inviting the princess to present the Queen with her doctorate, Sir Mark Lowcock highlighted her ties with the University of London which, he said, date back to her formative years when she attended its institute in Paris, then known as the British Institute in Paris, where she studied French and French literature.

It was there at the institute that Her Majesty experienced first hand the rigour, the intellectual exploration and cultural exchange that have always been at the heart of the University of Londons ethos, he said.

He praised her for the way she has embraced her role and a committed public servant with grace, compassion and tireless energy since her marriage to the King, pointing out that she is patron or president of more than 100 charities.

Her commitment to the promotion of literacy and literature stands out as testament to her personal passion and belief in the transformative power of books, he continued.

It is only fitting that this Honorary Doctorate of Literature recognises Her Majestys exceptional efforts to advance literacy and education not simply as a public duty but as a personal mission inspired by a lifelong love of reading.

Her Majestys work has touched countless lives and will continue to inspire future generations of readers and writers.

The Queen was invited to come up and kneel on a stool as the Princess Royal placed a hood over her shoulders before inviting her to stand and shake hands. The pair chatted animatedly as Anne then handed her a scroll

Her Majesty was awarded her shred in recognition of almost two decades championing literacy and literature as part of her royal duties

As well as being patron of a number of charities in the field, Camilla also set up her own online book club, The Queens Reading Room

Queen Camilla is the seventh member of the Royal Family to receive an Honorary Doctorate since 1903

She was then invited to come up and kneel on a stool as the Princess Royal placed a hood over her shoulders before inviting her to stand and shake hands. The pair chatted animatedly as Anne then handed her a scroll.

Queen Camilla is the seventh member of the Royal Family to receive an Honorary Doctorate since 1903.

She joined four other eminent awardees this evening in receiving a doctorate for their exceptional contributions to society: Dr Nahim Ahmed MBE - Honorary Doctorate of Science (Social Sciences); Professor Sir Michael Arthur - Honorary Doctorate of Science (Medicine); Anthony Neoh - Honorary Doctorate of Laws; and Abdul Fazal Bhanji OBE - Honorary Fellow.

The Queen and Princess were welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, Professor Wendy Thomson CBE, and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Sir Mark Lowcock.

The Princess Royal was then invited to inspect a Guard of Honour consisting of members of the Universitys Officer Training Corps, Air Squadron and Royal Naval Unit.

After greeting Honorary Graduates, Honorary Fellows and University of London Board Members, they privately donned their ceremonial robes before proceeding into the hall for the ceremony.

The Princess Royal was invited to give the Chancellors Welcome before the presentation of diplomas.

She has served as Chancellor of the University of London since 1981 and is the 10th person to hold the post since the foundation of the University.

Princess Anne has served as Chancellor of the University of London since 1981 and is the 10th person to hold the post since the foundation of the University

The Queen and Princess were welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, Professor Wendy Thomson CBE, and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Sir Mark Lowcock

Today is the University of Londons Foundation Day, marking the University of London's establishment by Royal Charter in 1836. Pictured, the Queen during the event

The role was previously held by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother who served as Chancellor from 1955 to 1980.

On Tuesday evening, the King and Queen hosted a glittering diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace, with Camilla stepping out in the late Queen's aquamarine and diamond tiara for the first time.

Prince William joined the monarch and his wife for the grand white-tie affair, but the Prince of Wales was without the Princess of Wales, who is often a regular attendee at such events, at his side.

Kate, who finished her chemotherapy treatment in the summer and is gradually returning to public duties as she recovers from cancer, is focusing on hosting her annual Christmas carol concert in Westminster Abbey in just over two weeks time.

Camilla was dressed in a blue velvet evening dress by Fiona Clare, and opted for Elizabeth II's small aquamarine and diamond tiara as she gathered with some 900 guests at the Diplomatic Corps reception.

The delicate headwear - sometimes known as the aquamarine ribbon tiara - features five large aquamarines set in intricate ribbons of diamonds. It is the first time Camilla has worn the rarely seen jewellery.

The piece has been favoured in the past by the Duchess of Edinburgh who as the then-Countess of Wessex wore it to the gala dinner celebrating the Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg's wedding in 2012, and at the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden in 2013.

Camilla matched the stunning tiara with an aquamarine and diamond necklace and earrings from her own collection.

Princess Anne's role was previously held by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother who served as Chancellor from 1955 to 1980

The Princess Royal was invited to give the Chancellors Welcome before the presentation of diplomas

Inviting the princess to present the Queen (pictured left) with her doctorate, Sir Mark Lowcock highlighted her ties with the University of London which, he said, date back to her formative years when she attended its institute in Paris, then known as the British Institute in Paris, where she studied French and French literature

Queen Camilla was invited to sit down and sign a visitors book (pictured)

The Queen joined four other eminent awardees this evening in receiving a doctorate for their exceptional contributions to society: Dr Nahim Ahmed MBE - Honorary Doctorate of Science (Social Sciences); Professor Sir Michael Arthur - Honorary Doctorate of Science (Medicine); Anthony Neoh - Honorary Doctorate of Laws; and Abdul Fazal Bhanji OBE - Honorary Fellow

The Princess Royal and The Queen pose for photographs following the event this evening

The Queen poses with the Princess Royal, Professor Wendy Thomson CBE, (left to right back row) Abdul Fazal Bhanji OBE, Anthony Neoh, Dr Nahim Ahmed MBE, Sir Mark Lowcock, and Professor Sir Michael Arthur

Her Majesty also sported the Kings new family order, a symbolic portrait of the monarch given to female family members. King Charles is painted on poly in instead of traditional ivory.

It was the first time the Queen had been pictured since Buckingham Palace announced on Monday that her beloved rescue dog Beth had been put down. But she smiled widely as she made her way through the State Rooms.

The reception celebrates the presence in London of one of the largest Diplomatic Corps in the world and is one of the highlights of the royal calendar.

It saw the King and Queen welcome more than 500 members of the Diplomatic Corps in all their finery to the State Rooms at the palace, highlighting the crucial role the monarch plays at the heart of British diplomacy.

The event is normally held on the first Tuesday in December but has been brought forward as it would have clashed with a State Visit of the Amir of Qatar this year.

All ambassadors to the UK are still officially accredited to the Court of St Jamess, the official royal court of the sovereign.

St Jamess was traditionally the most senior royal palace until the reign of Queen Victoria, when she moved her seat of power to Buckingham Palace.

The Marshall of the Diplomatic Corps serves as the liaison between the sovereign and foreign diplomatic missions and is still stationed permanently at St Jamess Palace, however.

The current incumbent, Alistair Harrison, has curated the guest list with invitations sent to all ambassadors and High Commissioners at the foreign missions in London, former Prime Ministers, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and other leading public figures.

Spouses are also invited, meaning more than 1,500 guests are expected attend from around 130 different countries, making it the biggest reception held at the palace all year.
A woman has revealed how she and her boyfriend canceling their Netflix account sparked a bizarre family feud.

The woman, 25, took to Reddit on Monday to ask for advice after she said her partner's aunt became furious with them for ending their subscription to the streaming service.

She explained in a post shared to the subreddit Am I the A**hole? that she and her boyfriend, 26, originally paid for a series of platforms including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Netflix, which he let his family members use for free.

But over the weekend, they decided to cancel Netflix because they realized they weren't using it much.

She said her boyfriend then received a call from his outraged aunt, who started 'lecturing' him on 'finances.'

'This weekend we decided to cancel our Netflix 'cause we weren't using it and we decided if there is ever something we want to watch on there, then we will get it again,' she wrote.

'So his aunt calls and starts lecturing him about his finances, [saying] that he shouldn't spend so much money that he doesn't have enough left to pay for the Netflix and that she is using it and needs him to pay.'

The woman explained that she was listening to the phone call and told her boyfriend to tell his aunt that she can pay for Netflix herself if she wants it so badly.

A woman has revealed how she and her boyfriend canceling their Netflix account sparked a bizarre family feud (stock image)

The woman, 25, took to Reddit on Monday to ask for advice after she said her partner's aunt became furious with them for ending their subscription to the streaming service

But the Reddit poster's response to the situation has not gone down well with his aunt, who has now told the rest of her boyfriend's family.

She added that they had also canceled Disney+ a couple of months prior, which had also angered his mom.

'Now the aunt talked to his mom and they are saying I am an a**hole because I am "forcing" my boyfriend to spend all his money on me so he cant pay for the things they need,' she revealed.

She ended the post by asking other users if she was in the wrong, writing, 'So, am I the a**hole?'

Her post quickly went viral, and many people were quick to take her side.

'Not the a**hole. If you want to be petty, you could tell them that they shouldn't be so financially careless that they can't afford to pay for their own streaming services,' one person replied.

'His family sounds like an absolute nightmare. I hope you don't have to be in contact with them often.'

'How the f**k they gonna talk about your finances and mooching off your streaming services?' asked someone else.

Her post quickly went viral, and many people were quick to take her side

Another user added, 'Do you know a good way to be responsible about your finances? Don't pay for streaming services you aren't using.'

'Streaming services aren't a basic necessity that you owe to anyone, and its completely reasonable to cancel subscriptions that you arent using,' a fourth comment read.

'If his family members are so keen on keeping those shows rolling, they can definitely foot the bill themselves.

'It's quite the leap to accuse you of forcing him to spend his money on you just because you two are making financially responsible choices together.

'Sounds like his family might need a subscription to a reality check.'

'I don't understand why you're being tagged as the a**hole for a collective decision you and your boyfriend made. if anything they are a**holes here for being entitled,' a fifth said.
Aldi Australia has launched its holiday meat collection - and Aldi's popular Christmas ham is leading the range.

The bargain supermarket has seven delectable ham options available in stores now, with several kinds of fresh turkey and chicken being added to the range from 18 December.

The vast collection caters to every taste and budget - with prices starting from as low as 40c a serve for the Australian Half Leg Ham ($7.99/kg).

Shoppers on a budget will also enjoy the Triple Smoked Boneless Ham at $12.99 p/kg, which is 65c a serve.

Aldi has also introduced a new variety to the range - and it is sure to be a front runner.

Australians will be rushing to get their hands on the Free Range Lightly Smoked Boneless Ham Portion ($19.99/kg) because of its traditional and delicate flavour.

Hosts who want to go the extra mile can pair the Crackling Ham ($19.99 p/kg) and Australian Quarter Portion Leg Ham ($11.49 p/kg) with a brown sugar honey pineapple glaze and a pomegranate and maple glaze.

Those looking to spent the festive season picnicking outdoors or at the beach will enjoy the Sliced Ham off the Bone ($10.99), which is best served on a baguette with fresh tomatoes, cranberry sauce, and sliced gouda cheese.

Aldi Australia has launched its holiday meat collection - and Aldi's popular Christmas ham is leading the range

Hosts can pair the Crackling Ham with a brown sugar honey pineapple glaze

The vast collection caters to every taste and budget - with prices starting from as low as 40c a serve for the Australian Half Leg Ham ($7.99/kg)

What's in Aldi's Christmas meats collection?

CHRISTMAS HAMS RANGE

Australian Half Leg Ham, $7.99/kg Free Range Lightly Smoked Boneless Ham, $19.99/kg Crackling Ham, $19.99/kg Sliced Ham Off The Bone 500g, $10.99 Triple Smoked Half Leg Ham, $13.49/kg Triple Smoked Boneless Ham Portion, $12.99/kg Australian Quarter Portion Leg Ham Bone In, $11.49/kg

CHRISTMAS TURKEY and CHICKEN RANGE

Fresh turkey and chicken for Christmas will be available from 18 December.
Raelene Kennedy's world ended on November 17, 2021: it was the day she sat on a footpath cradling the cold, lifeless body of her 23-year-old daughter Caitlin Gotze.

It was also the day Raelene began her tireless fight to prove Caitlin was killed by her second Pfizer Covid vaccine which she had 49 days before.

These days, no one seems give the vaccine-injured a second thought. Britain may have had its coronial inquests into the AstraZeneca deaths - which helped to shed the unfair image of grieving families being 'anti-vaxxers' and 'conspiracy theorists' - but in Australia there has been no accountability, no discussion. Nothing.

The indifference faced by Aussie families who have lost - or believe they have lost - a son, daughter, husband or wife to the Covid vaccines is sometimes too much to bear. To this day, experts say vaccine deaths are 'vanishingly rare' - an assessment many survivors say cannot be true.

The anger is palpable in Raelene's voice as she speaks to me.

'Who is responsible for Caitlin's death? No one seems to be the answer... "just forget about it and move on",' Raelene tells me from her farm an hour's west of the Queensland town of Toowoomba.

'Seeing her lifeless body on the footpath and then seeing her frozen, autopsied body in her casket, knowing she suffered - and it was all preventable.

'I will keep fighting for justice, for my girl, until I succeed or until I see her again.'

Caitlin Gotze, from Queensland, Australia, died suddenly at the age of 23, just 49 days after receiving her second dose of the Pfizer Covid vaccine

For three years, Raelene has gritted her teeth as well-meaning individuals - including an ex-partner - told her that her daughter was an 'unfortunate casualty' of a successful and necessary vaccination campaign to keep the population safe. In other words, she had to die - it was for the greater good.

Raelene knows that's rubbish. Caitlin was healthy and didn't need to be vaccinated against a virus that, for most in her age group, was rarely any worse than the common cold.

'People say, "Forgive and forget and move on with your life." Caitlin was my life,' she tells me.

'Caitlin did not die for the greater good; Caitlin should be here.

'She wasn't sick, she wasn't unhealthy, she wasn't a risk-taker. She was educated, paid taxes and obeyed the law. Caitlin was not someone who should be dead at 23.'

On the day Caitlin died, Raelene received a call from her daughter's boss at the stables where she worked shortly after 4pm.

The boss said 'it wasn't looking good' for Caitlin. An ambulance had been called but she needed to get to the stables as fast as she could.

Raelene rang her sons, Harry and Jonny, who then were 18 and 15 respectively, and told them to meet her there.

'They got there and saw Caitlin lying on the footpath probably 20 minutes before I did. It is still with them,' Raelene recalls.

'She was probably on the footpath two or three hours. They never closed the street. Cars went past and people were walking past.

'My 18-year old was running around screaming.'

When Raelene arrived, Caitlin was covered by a white sheet.

Caitlin worked as a stable foreman in the Queensland city of Toowoomba, looking after race horses. She died at work, after dashing out of the stables to get an inhaler from her car; she had not experienced asthma or shortness of breath before her Covid vaccines

'Caitlin didn't get vaccinated to save herself from dying; she got vaccinated because I recommended that she should,' her mum Raelene Kennedy says. 'I failed as a mother. She just wanted to live her life'

'The police officer said, "Do you really want to see her?" I said I did,' Raelene says.

'He pulled the sheet back. She looked perfect, although she was on the footpath, and her head was in the gutter.

'There was a needle in her chest above her heart and a tube down her throat. I sat on the footpath and held her.

'It was dark by the time I left. The ambulance took her. It was all very quiet.'

Caitlin was last seen alive at 3.30pm that afternoon as she went to her car, which was parked about 10 metres from the stables.

She sat in the passenger seat and grabbed a preventer - a type of asthma inhaler - which she had been using for the severe shortness of breath she had suffered ever since getting her second Covid vaccine.

A stablehand went to find Caitlin at 4pm. She was meant to be feeding the horses but hadn't showed.

She found Caitlin sitting in the driver's seat but her body was slumped and vomit was everywhere. There was 'no warmth' in her body, the stablehand later told Raelene.

For three years, Raelene Kennedy (pictured) has gritted her teeth as well-meaning individuals - including an ex-partner - told her that her daughter was an 'unfortunate casualty' of a successful and necessary vaccination campaign to keep the population safe

More employees of the stables were called over. They pulled Caitlin out of the car and attempted CPR, but it was too late.

Because the preventer was still in her hand, police decided she died from asthma - an early conclusion Raelene believes coloured all subsequent official investigation.

Although Caitlin's youngest brother suffers from severe asthma, Raelene says Caitlin did not - or at least she had never had problems breathing until her Covid vaccines.

'We know what asthma is; Caitlin never had that,' Raelene explains. 'Caitlin had what I have - hay fever, allergies to dogs and cats.'

Raelene says Caitlin did not want to get the Covid jabs. She had heard reports of AstraZeneca causing blood clots and how that vaccine was not recommended for young people. The Pfizer vaccine, on the other hand, was being touted in Australia at the time as a more appropriate product for under-35s.

'She never had anything wrong with her. She was fit and healthy and walked about 20km every day leading racehorses,' her mother tells me.

'She wasn't concerned about coronavirus. We had none in Toowoomba and there was hardly any in Queensland. It was a non-event for us.

'I had to have [the vaccine] for my work as a disability support worker. I would say to the kids, "Have you had your vaccine yet?"'

Caitlin only decided to get vaccinated because life started to seem impossible without it. She wanted to work, and also wanted to attend classes at Charles Sturt University, where she was studying to be a vet.

Caitlin (second from right) was out with friends when she first experienced breathing problems. Before her death, she was convinced she was suffering from vaccine side effects

Within hours of getting her second Pfizer jab on September 28, 2021, administered at a Queensland Health pop-up clinic, Caitlin had a severe reaction.

Caitlin sent her mother, and also others, a text saying 'she felt like she was dying'.

'She couldn't move for four days,' Raelene says.

'She experienced a lot of shortness of breath and exhaustion. She never at any time regained the full health and vitality after the second shot.'

On Saturday, November 13, Caitlin was out with friends when she experienced severe trouble breathing and drove herself to the Toowoomba Base Hospital.

Caitlin was tested for Covid but not heart-related problems or asthma, despite having been diagnosed with a severe asthma attack.

She sent her mother a selfie from the hospital and tweeted the image out - it's the last photo Raelene has of her daughter alive. They had made her wear a mask even though she could barely breathe.

'She told the ER doctor she was sick because of the vaccine. The ER doctor never noted it and said she had a virus,' Raelene says.

Caitlin was prescribed Ventolin and oral steroids and discharged with preventer and reliever inhalers.

Two days later, on the Monday, Caitlin went to see the family GP. She was not getting any better, but the doctor would later tell Raelene after Caitlin's death that she had seemed fine and there were 'no signs of asthma or illness'.

Just like she had with the ER doctor, Caitlin told her GP it was the second Pfizer vaccine that had made her sick.

She was too unwell to work on Monday and stayed in bed. On Tuesday - the day before she died - she had to go work 'because she was in charge'.

Raelene said a jockey from the stables spoke to Caitlin that Tuesday afternoon and told her, 'You know this is because of the vaccine.' She replied, 'I know, I know.'

Raelene believes her daughter suffered myocarditis, a known side-effect of the Pfizer vaccines, and after a cardiac arrest 'drowned in her own fluid'.

On November 24 - a week after Caitlin died - Raelene said she was called by a staff member at the mortuary where the autopsy was performed and was told they had found no asthma in her lungs and 'the left side of her heart was extremely enlarged - double the size of the right side'.

'He said there was evidence of vaccine-induced myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle,' Raelene adds.

'This means the oral steroids and high doses of inhaled steroids were more than enough to trigger cardiac arrest.'

However, this same staff member also told Raelene that a coronial investigation was going to take months and warned the cause of death might never be determined.

'He repeated himself several times when he told me, "the Coroner wants you to know the cause of death will be undetermined",' Raelene tells me.

Caitlin tweeted this photo from hospital as she was being treated for shortness of breath. It is the last photo Raelene has of her daughter alive. They had made her wear a mask even though she could barely breathe

However, a forensic pathologist would later state in Caitlin's autopsy that, 'in his opinion', the cause of death was asthma and there was no evidence of myocarditis or pericarditis.

'Everyone said a gust of wind blew up causing her chronic asthma to flare up,' Raelene says.

'She was inside! The feed room is in an alcove - it was not open to the air. The weather on the day was calm and still. There was no wind, she didn't have asthma.

'A mother shouldn't have to read her child's autopsy to find lies.'

At huge personal expense, Raelene engaged an independent expert, who cannot be named for legal reasons but has 'a list of qualifications is as long as my arm'.

Unlike the autopsy report, which stated the cause of death as asthma and ruled out anything vaccine-related over lack of evidence, the independent expert said they could not rule out that vaccines played a role in Caitlin's decline.

Their report stated: 'I am unable to exclude the reasonable possibility of the deceased's deterioration in her asthma and the cardiac pathology identified being a consequence of the mRNA vaccine administered.'

The Covid vaccines were approved by Australia's medical watchdog, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is also tasked with monitoring any adverse effects.

A screenshot of a text conversation between Raelene and Caitlin in the days following her second Covid vaccine

Raelene formally reported Caitlin's death as an adverse reaction on December 21, 2021. She says she has heard nothing from the TGA except for an email acknowledgment the next day.

She grows frustrated when speaking about politicians and media outlets that repeat the mantra that 'the TGA investigates thoroughly every report that is made'.

This has not been her experience. She believes the TGA does not thoroughly investigate adverse events, noting that she was not followed up for an interview.

'All they do is ask, "Can this be blamed on some other medication?"' she says.

'They get the date of death, medicine, other medications, name and sex and nothing else - no batch numbers, no specifics.

'The information is not enough to do any proper investigation. They don't follow up, they don't contact the next of kin.'

Raelene has been told by friends - and even an ex-partner - that her daughter 'died for the greater good' of vaccinating the Australian population against Covid

Raelene claims that after she made the adverse reaction report, Caitlin's immunisation history 'mysteriously' disappeared from the Australian Immunisation Register.

Two Freedom of Information (FoI) requests Raelene has made to retrieve this information were met with responses that they were 'not in the public interest'.

Queensland's office of Workplace Health and Safety initially concluded the place of employment was not the cause of Caitlin's death, but this was subject to a review by the state's Medical Assessment Tribunal which found Caitlin's death was work-related, leading to the family receiving $70,000 in compensation.

'No amount of compensation would ever compensate for Caitlin,' Raelene says.

'Caitlin was worth more than the world. She was vibrant, smart, funny, strong, fierce and independent. Caitlin was compassionate, caring, protective and beautiful.

'How do you come to terms with losing your child this way?'

Sometimes Raelene feels overwhelmed with guilt.

'Caitlin didn't get vaccinated to save herself from dying; she got vaccinated because I recommended that she should,' she says.

'I failed as a mother. She just wanted to live her life.'

Sharing Caitlin's story at community meetings and online has given Raelene a sense of purpose and she hopes her message may save lives.

'I have been desperately trying to make sense of her loss,' she says.

'If I can save other people by providing them with the information that the government was withholding then I could live with that.

'Caitlin's death could have been prevented if she had been informed, if she had been allowed informed consent and allowed to choose without coercion and negative consequences.'

It was not just her daughter's life that Raelene lost; she also lost her trust in the government she always believed would look out for her.

'You realise that everything you ever knew was wrong and the government isn't there to help us and look after us and they don't make decisions in our best interest,' she says.

'That's a whole other grief again.

'Caitlin's ashes sit in my living room. I talk to her and I tell her that I am so, so sorry.

'This is what the government has done to us. This is what they have done to Caitlin and they don't care.'

The TGA told Daily Mail Australia it did not comment on individual cases for privacy reasons.

'Every death following a COVID-19 vaccination reported to the TGA undergoes a review by TGA staff, and if further information is required to complete the assessment it is requested from the reporter and/or the relevant state or territory health authority and/or coroner,' the agency said.

'The TGA review considers the evidence for a causal link between the vaccine and the diagnosis made by the relevant health professional who examined the patient.

'The TGA does not undertake autopsies, request coronial investigations or make formal determinations of the cause of death.'
A woman who had already fought cancer once has claimed medics dismissed her now terminal illness for a pulled muscle.

Holly Bedford, from Torquay, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma  one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer  in 2019 at the age of just 27.

But after quickly having the cancerous mole removed, the early years practitioner was given the all clear by medics.

In March, however, the now 32-year-old developed a persistent chesty cough.

After failing to shift it with antibiotics, she visited the GP repeatedly, where she claims she was told it was due to a virus and then a pulled muscle.

It was only on her fourth visit to the doctor, and after persisting with a request for a scan, that she was finally offered an X-ray.

Medics discovered her cancer had returned and she was diagnosed with stage four melanoma, meaning it had spread to three other parts of her body  the neck, thorax and abdomen.

Now Ms Bedford, who works at Southern Wood Nursery in Torquay, is urging young people not to ignore red flag signs, amid the explosion in cases of the disease in young people.

Holly Bedford, from Torquay, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma  one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer  in 2019 at the age of just 27

But after quickly having the cancerous mole removed, the early years practitioner was given the all clear by medics. Pictured, with twin sister Nikki at her hen party earlier this month

Along with bowel, breast and lung cancers, melanoma skin cancers are also rising among 25-49 year-olds.

According to Cancer Research UK, incidence of the disease in young adults has increased by more than 60 per cent since the early 90s.

However, the cancer is also rising in older adults, said to be due to increased UV exposure from the sun or tanning beds.

Recalling her heartbreaking diagnosis, Ms Bedford told MailOnline the first sign something was up in 2019 was that a mole on the right side of her forehead 'just got bigger and darker'.

She said: 'I didn't think anything of it but went and got it checked for cosmetic reasons as it had become more noticeable.

'It was really light initially but as it got darker it looked like a piece of chocolate on my head.'

After she was referred to dermatology by her GP, scans showed it was a malignant melanoma and the mole was removed.

'They had to take some more skin off my forehead to see if it had spread. But it hadn't,' she added, and believed her nightmare was over.

'Then I just had regular checks. I saw the cancer nurses every three months. There was no treatment and no scans, it was just body checks.'

A year later she reported some pain in her chest and a scan showed she had an enlarged thymus gland  which sits between the chest and the lungs  but no further action was taken.

In March, however, the now 32-year-old developed a persistent chesty cough. After failing to shift it with antibiotics, she visited the GP repeatedly, where she claims she was told it was due to a virus and then a pulled muscle

It was only after she reminded the GP on her fourth visit in August that a scan in 2020 showed she had an enlarged thymus gland that she was referred for an X-ray. Pictured (second right) at Nikki's hen party

In February this year however, she returned from a year working in Australia.

After developing the cough in March, she was given antibiotics during her first GP visit.

When it failed to clear, she returned to her surgery and was told she had a viral infection.

A third visit saw her diagnosed with a pulled muscle in her chest.

When the pain didn't improve, she visited the doctor for a fourth time, and reminded the GP about the inflammation in her thymus gland that was detected in an earlier scan.

It was only then that she was referred for an X-ray and later a CT scan, which revealed the most advanced phase of melanoma.

Around 15,000 Britons and 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma each year, the most common form of skin cancer.

It is the fifth most common cancer in the UK.

Medics discovered her cancer had returned and she was diagnosed with stage four melanoma, meaning it had spread to three other parts of her body  the neck, thorax and abdomen. Pictured, Holly (left)

Now Ms Bedford (left), who works at Southern Wood Nursery in Torquay, is urging others not to ignore any worrying signs and 'trust your gut' if you know something is wrong

Despite huge strides forward in treatment that has seen survival leap from less than 50 per cent to more than 90 per cent in the past decade, it still kills more than 2,000 people a year.

Melanoma begins in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin and give skin its colour.

However it can grow rapidly and enter the bloodstream, leading to tumours invading other parts of the body  this is know as stage four cancer.

At this stage, treatment becomes tricky: fewer than half of patients with stage four melanoma survive more than five years from diagnosis.

Ms Bedford was immediately prescribed a type of targeted cancer drug called cancer growth inhibitors.

They work by blocking the growth factors that trigger cancer cells to divide and grow.

'This was because my cancer was in three different places and aggressive. I didn't have enough time to get on the chemo or the immunotherapy,' she told MailOnline.

'They're there to stop any spread and hopefully contain and reduce the tumors.

There are three types of skin cancer. Each can present itself in different ways. These include moles that are either asymmetrical or abnormal, scaly or dark patches and waxy bumps on the surface of the skin

'The hope is then to move on to immunotherapy.'

A CT scan this Friday at Torbay Hospital will also provide further detail on how Ms Bedford can continue treatment.

'We're expecting results on December 3. But for now all we can do is just stay really positive,' she added.

Ms Bedford is now urging others to know what symptoms not to ignore, in light of her shock diagnosis.

She told MailOnline: 'Do not put off getting a cough checked out and trust your gut. Dont be fobbed off.

'I wasnt feeling well, I was also iron deficient. My fatigue, pain and loss of appetite should have prompted investigation a lot earlier.

'I shouldnt have had to remind them of my medical history.'

In October, her twin sister Nikki also set up a GoFundMe page in an effort to raise money for additional potentially life-saving treatment privately and help her day-to-day as she is not well enough to work at present.

Your browser does not support iframes.

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To date it has raised over 14,000.

'Holly is a true fighter and inspiration,' Nikki said.

Holly has the biggest heart, she is super generous. Let's beat this cancer we are stronger together.'

It comes as scientists in June revealed that a skin cancer vaccine being trialled by the NHS can halve the risk of dying or the disease returning, new results show.

In the longest study on the treatment yet, melanoma patients given the personalised vaccine alongside the immunotherapy drug Keytruda were half more likely to be alive three years later.

The risk of cancer returning and death dropped by 49 per cent compared to patients who were just taking Keytruda alone, which is the current standard of care.

Developed by pharma giants Moderna and MSD, the vaccine is custom-built for individuals using the specific genetic makeup of their tumour  giving it the best chance of a cure.
Do you worry that your memory isnt what it used to be?

A simple five minute task that tests how well you can draw an analogue clock could show if you have an early sign of the memory-robbing condition.

According to Dr Jesus Ramirez-Bermudez, a Mexican neurologist who researches cognitive decline, the clock-drawing test is an effective method of identifying dementia.

Sharing an image of the test on X, Dr Ramirez-Bermudez described it as 'one of the easiest and cheapest ways' to identify patients with neurological conditions, including dementia  which affects around 944,000 in the UK.

The test involves simply asking someone to draw a clock face on a blank piece of paper.

They must add all the numbers from one to 12 and then set the hands to a specific time, for example 11.10 (ten past 11).

The task relies on the patient remembering what a clock face looks like  a skill known as executive function, which involves how we plan, organise and complete tasks.

Executive function is one of the cognitive skills that first begins to falter when dementia develops.

Clock drawing. It remains one of the easiest and cheapest ways to identify patients with mental/behavioral disorders who require further neurological & neuropsychological workup



Source: https://t.co/DspllJWWYA pic.twitter.com/AXX99eaiqk  Jesus Ramirez-Bermudez (@JRBneuropsiq) May 29, 2023

Used by the NHS for decades, a skewed circle and incorrectly placed numbers on this clock could indicate early signs of the condition.

The test is scored based on points, with one point awarded for each of the following criteria: how well the participant drew the clock circle, drawing the numbers in the right place, drawing two hands on the clock and pointing the hands to the correct time.

If the patient manages to draw a clock correctly it 'virtually excludes' dementia because the task requires a wide range of cognitive skills, the NHS says.

The UK Dementia Directory urges people to encourage relatives and friends to do the quick and simple test if you suspect they may be suffering form memory loss.

If they struggle to draw the clock correctly, they should seek further advice from a GP.

Recent analysis by the Alzheimer's Society estimates the overall annual cost of the dementia to the UK is 42billion a year, with families bearing the brunt.

An ageing population means these costs  which include lost earnings of unpaid carers  are set to soar to 90billion in the next 15 years.

Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia and affects 982,000 people in the UK.

Around 900,000 Brits are currently thought to have the memory-robbing disorder. But University College London scientists estimate this will rise to 1.7million within two decades as people live longer. It marks a 40 per cent uptick on the previous forecast in 2017

Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia. It can cause anxiety, confusion and short-term memory loss

It is thought to be caused by a build-up of amyloid and tau in the brain, which clump together and from plaques and tangles that make it harder for the brain to work properly.

Eventually, the brain struggles to cope with this damage and dementia symptoms develop.

Memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties and language problems are common early symptoms of the condition, which then worsen over time.

Alzheimer's Research UK analysis found 74,261 people died from dementia in 2022 compared with 69,178 a year earlier, making it the country's biggest killer.

Experts have previously spoken of several different tests that can be used to spot early signs of dementia.

One test developed by a University of Cambridge spin-off company, called Cognetivity Neurosciences, shows patients a series of images that feature either an animal or no animal and participants are asked to respond quickly by pressing 'yes' or 'no'.

Another 10-minute test created in 1996, called the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), asks patients to draw shapes, name animals and recall a list of items.
Physician associates could face more training and tougher regulation as part of a review ordered by the Health Secretary today.

Wes Streeting confirmed the roles of controversial physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) will be scrutinised following concerns over patient safety.

The announcement comes amid unrest over their growing use within the NHS, with several recent high-profile cases of people dying after consultations given by PAs.

Professor Gillian Leng, president of the Royal Society of Medicine, will lead the work looking into the roles, how they affect safety and how they support wider health teams, including GPs.

Reporting in the spring, the findings will include recommendations on how new roles should work in the future.

Mr Streeting said: 'Many physician associates are providing great care and freeing up doctors to do the things only doctors can do.

'But there are legitimate concerns over transparency for patients, scope of practice, and the substituting of doctors.

'These concerns have been ignored for too long, leading to a toxic debate where physicians feel ignored and PAs feel demoralised.

'This independent review, led by one of the UK's most experienced healthcare leaders, will establish the facts, take the heat out of the issue, and make sure that we get the right people, in the right place, doing the right thing.'

Health Secretary Wes Streeting today confirmed the roles of controversial physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) will be scrutinised following concerns over patient safety

Physician associates could face more training and tougher regulation as part of a review ordered by the Health Secretary today (stock photo)

There has been recent unrest over the growing use of PAs and AAs within the NHS , with several recent high-profile cases of people dying after consultations given by PAs (stock photo)

PAs have two years' post-graduate training and can examine, diagnose and treat patients under the supervision of doctors.

The NHS employs around 3,500 PAs and 180 AAs in England. But plans to increase this to 10,000 and 2,000 respectively to help plug workforce gaps have caused alarm among critics.

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges wrote to Mr Streeting in September calling for a review of PAs and AAs amid 'mounting concern' from doctors about the roles.

Worries over patient safety have 'dramatically increased' as numbers of PAs and anaesthesia associates (AA) have risen, with increased scrutiny due to high profile mistakes.

Last week, Roy Pollitt told how his wife died after a drain was mistakenly left in her abdomen for 21 hours by a PA and accused the NHS of using 'cheap labour'.

Susan Pollitt's inquest concluded her death at Royal Oldham Hospital in 2023 had been caused by an 'unnecessary medical procedure contributed to by neglect'.

Meanwhile, Emily Chesterton, 30, died in 2022 from a pulmonary embolism after being misdiagnosed by a PA on two occasions when she visited her GP practice in north London.

She had been under the impression that she was seeing a GP but the PA failed on both occasions to spot her leg pain and breathlessness was a blood clot, which ultimately travelled to her lungs.

A coroner later ruled she 'should have been immediately referred to a hospital emergency unit' where she would likely have been treated for pulmonary embolism and would have survived.

The NHS stipulates PAs must work under the supervision of a doctor but are allowed to make diagnoses, take medical histories, perform physical examinations, see patients with long-term conditions, analyse test results and develop management plans.

Most associates work in GP surgeries, acute medicine and emergency medicine.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting and NHS boss Amanda Pritchard have stated they are aware that there are clear and ongoing concerns around the use of PAs and AAs

Physician associates and anaesthesia associates are important members of NHS staff, Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England

Roy Pollitt didn't know his 77-year-old wife, Susan, was being treated by a physician associate, a relatively new role that only requires two years of medical training and originally designed to support doctors. Susan ultimately passed away after being sent for an 'unnecessary procedure' by the PA

The Royal College of GPs previously issued its own guidance saying PAs must not see patients who have not been triaged by a GP, and should only undertake work delegated to them by, and agreed with, their GP supervisor.

The review will examine ways to ensure patients know they are being seen by an associate and the reasons why.

It will also seek evidence from patients, employers within the NHS, professional bodies and academics.

Prof Leng said: 'To promote patient safety and strengthen the NHS workforce, it's crucial that we have a comprehensive review of the role of PAs and AAs.

'This will cover recruitment and training, scope of practice, supervision and professional regulation.

'As I conduct this review, I am looking forward to speaking to a broad range of stakeholders and to gathering evidence from the UK and abroad so that we can reach a shared understanding of these roles and their place in wider healthcare teams.'

Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, said: 'Physician associates and anaesthesia associates are important members of NHS staff - they come to work every day to help care for patients and so they deserve to be treated with the same respect as anyone else coming to work in the NHS.

'While we have always been clear that they are not replacements for doctors, there are clear and ongoing concerns which we are listening to carefully and taking action to address - this independent review marks our pledge, together with the Government, to getting this right.'

Emily Chesterton died in 2022 from a pulmonary embolism after being misdiagnosed by a PA on two occasions when she visited her GP practice in north London

The British Medical Association (BMA), which drew up its own guidelines while pushing for tougher regulation over the role, said it had become a 'post code lottery' where patients do not know if they are being treated by the right professionals.

The union has argued PAs should never be responsible for the first assessment or diagnosis of a patient and be closely supervised when tending to those already seen a doctor.

They should make it clear they are not doctors or medical students and should not be put on doctors' rotas, which the union claim is increasingly happening due to staff shortages.

BMA council chair Prof Phil Banfield said: 'This Government has acknowledged the concerns of doctors and accepted there is a safety issue with the employment of physician associates. Now the NHS must tell us how they are going to keep patients safe while this review is carried out.

'You do not fly a plane under safety review, you ground it. So we need to know what immediate safety measures NHSE will put in place, how quickly they will pause their PA expansion plans, and in the meantime if they will adopt the BMA's own guidelines to start protecting patients now.'
Tulisa last night 'came out' as a demisexual  a sexuality that involves feeling sexual attraction to a person you have an emotional connection with, rather than a physical one.

The N-Dubz star, 36, made her confession during last night's episode of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here during a candid discussion with her camp mates about her dating life.

Now, a psychotherapist has told MailOnline that she believes demisexuality is not a legitimate sexual preference, and using the label 'pathologises' healthy relationships.

Bhavna Raithatha, accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, said she 'doesn't like' the term 'demisexual'.

Developing attraction to someone based on emotional connection been around forever,' she told MailOnline.

'Just because weve labelled it now doesnt make it a new thing.'

Ms Raithatha said the use of the term is a symptom of today's 'transactional hook-up culture'.

'We used to take time to meet people, get to know each other, go out for a meal talk to each other, figure out who they were and whether we connected or not,' she said.

Tulisa, 36, revealed she's been celibate for over three years as she came out as demisexual during Tuesday night's episode of I'm A Celebrity

The wed go on a second date, a third and then it became a relationship. It was a slower, more meaningful and mindful process compared to what were seeing today.

'Now it's about the swipe this way, swipe that way in and out hook-up.'

Tulisa also told camp mates she had been celibate for three years, adding that the thought of being with someone makes her feel 'physically sick'.

'I feel like Im demisexual, I need to have a really close emotional bond with someone,' she added.

'I need actual depth. Im a slow, slow burner, Ive been celibate for over three years'.

Tulisa previously endured a very high-profile court case after her ex-boyfriend Justin Edwards, who she broke up with in 2009, released a sex tape of her in 2012.

She has previously told how she felt 'judged, disgusting and ashamed' due to the ordeal and said it has taken her 'many years' to come to terms with and get over.

Releasing of sex tapes or images taken in a relationship after a break-up  a trend revenge porn  wasn't illegal at time meaning Tulisa only managed to get a court apology from her ex.

It was made a specific offence in 2015 in England and Wales, carrying a sentence of up to two years imprisonment.

Ms Raithatha said she was aware of other cases where revenge porn victims had claimed to be 'demisexual' in the aftermath, which they say is a means of protecting themselves in future relationships.

It shouldnt come as a surprise given her (Tulisa's) personal experience, which was so distressing and such a betrayal by an ex-partner, she said.

In the peak of her fame, Tulisa endured a very high-profile court case after her ex boyfriend Justin Edwards who she had broken up with in 2009 - released a sex tape of her in 2012

Ms Raithatha added that while 'demisexuality' isn't a real or helpful label, the feelings that motivate it are.

It could be considered a rejection of the instant sex-on-demand attitude and dating apps that feed it in modern society, she argued.

She also said a rise in demisexuality could be linked to a rise in use of revenge porn over the past few decades.

There is a rising interest in demisexuality in both Britain and around the world.

Data from Google shows searches for the term have exploded since 2010, a trend mirrored globally.

Forums for demisexuals, also called 'demis', have likewise flourished.

One, on the website Reddit, has grown from 12,000 members in 2019 to almost 100,000 this year.

Tulisa has come out as a demisexual a type of sexuality meaning she only feels sexual attraction to someone she has an emotional connection with

Demisexuality is considered a form of asexuality, itself a type of sexuality defined as generally not having a sexual attraction to others, or at least not in the typical way most people do.

Like many modern takes on sexuality, it's considered to be on a spectrum and fluid, meaning people may go through periods of demisexuality or just be that way their entire life.

How many Brits are demisexual is unknown with the term thought to have only been coined in 2006.

There are some estimates for the prevalence of asexuality with studies putting the figure at between 1 and 2 per cent of Brits, roughly about a million people of which a proportion are thought to be demis.

However, the 2021 census in England and Wales found just 0.06 per cent of the population reported being asexual.

Demisexuality joins a growing number of alternative sexualities that people, mostly of younger generations, are embracing.

One of these is 'abrosexual', which means a person is attracted to different genders at different times.

For example, an abrosexual may be attracted to men for a period of time  sometimes as long as several years  before switching to women, and then back again.

Others include 'ecosexuality the state of finding nature sexually appealing, whether that means feeling at one with natures energy or physically caressing nature.

There are dozens more other obscure sexualities including autochorisexuals who are only aroused by fantasies or erotic thoughts but who have no desire to engage in sex with real people.

Or, in contrast to demis, fraysexuals those who are only, or most, attracted to strangers and less attracted to people they know well or form emotional connections to.
A devastated mother has begged ministers to reclassify the party drug ketamine as class A, following the harrowing death of her 20 year-old daughter who suffered a two-year addiction to the drug.

Sophie Russell, from Lincolnshire, first took ketamine  which killed TV star Matthew Perry  in 2021, when she was offered it during a night out with friends.

But soon she'd developed a rampant addiction and was taking the drug daily, which caused debilitating physical consequences including agonising abdominal pains and incontinence.

The drug can damage the lining of the bladder, causing it to become so scarred that it shrinks.

Ms Russell, who worked as an assistant in a primary school, was admitted to an inpatient addiction treatment service for a week  but it failed to kick the habit long-term.

Her mother, Tracy Marelli, said community addiction specialists let her daughter down after she was discharged from hospital.

'I feel she was let down by the whole system...I begged the drug support worker to admit her to rehab before she died,' she said.

In late September Ms Russell travelled to her father's house to take a bath in a bid to help her pain.

Tracy Marelli, 48, said that everyone loved her daughter, Sophie Russell, who died aged 20 following a ketamine addiction.

Ms Russell is said to have started using the party drug as a way of coping with grief she suffered after the death of her grandmother (pictured left).

She went to bed that night and never woke up.

The family are still awaiting the toxicology results to determine the cause of Sophie's death.

Ms Marelli, 48, said of the moment she learned her daughter had died: 'I screamed and fell to the floor. This drug destroyed her.'

She believes Ms Russell first began using ketamine frequently as a method of numbing grief she felt following the death of her grandmother.

'Around mid-November time in 2021 she started going out with her friends and began taking ketamine while out partying as a lot of young people do,' she said.

'I wasn't aware that she was taking drugs at all.

'The first time I knew something was wrong, I kept ringing her up and she was slurring. She couldn't get some of her words out. This was happening quite often.

'I think I found out about her drug use when I found powder in her room. I asked her why she did it and she said it takes her away from this world and it's a happier, better place.

Ms Russell was admitted to a rehabilitation centre for a week, but the treatment failed to combat the addiction.

The drug took its physical toll on Ms Russell: she developed agonising pain and became incontinent.

Now, Ms Russell's mother is calling for a change in the law that would reclassify ketamine as a class A drug.

'I don't understand because she was so loved and looked after and had so much to look forward to in life. I just didn't get it.

'Once I found out about what was happening, I told her to stop taking it. We had that conversation but she clearly couldn't.

'She said she found herself going out with her friends, having a good time partying, then found herself sat in her room, doing it on her own.

'She went from having a laugh to taking [it every day] on her own.'

Of the physical health implications Ms Russell said: 'Sophie would tell me about pain in her tummy, she would have hot water bottles constantly. I would take her to A&E then all of a sudden it would disappear.

'She was a size 14 when she was 18, and ended up being a size six when she passed away. She had lost so much weight.

'The doctors didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with this. She needed to go to the toilet all the time. She was in pull-ups for well over a year, she was fully incontinent.'

Ms Marelli said ketamine was 'everywhere' in the area where the family lived.

Ms Marelli, 48, said of the moment she learned her daughter had died: 'I screamed and fell to the floor. This drug destroyed her.'

'I remember her saying there were apps to get it. She could order it on her phone and go pick it up from somewhere.

'She told me one night that she knew she was going to die from this but didn't want to.'

A week before she died, Ms Russell attended her local A&E for help with severe back pain. But instead of picking up on signs of her addiction, doctors sent her home with antibiotics to treat a kidney infection.

'She needed hospitalising,' said Ms Marelli. 'I told them she was a ketamine addict but they didn't ask any questions about it or link anything to that.'

Now, Ms Mirelli is calling on the Government to reclassify the drug as a class A substance  it is currently class B.

'I get the young want to experiment  but not with this drug,' she said. 'It should be a class A. I would say to other people just don't do it, it's not worth the risk.'

In October last year the world was shocked when Friends star Perry, 54, was found dead in his hot tub at his home in Los Angeles.

It emerged the Chandler Bing actor died from the acute effects of ketamine, having been using it to treat depression.

In the UK, ketamine - sometimes called ket or 'special K' - is seen by young people as a cheaper alternative to cocaine.
Hundreds of British women are planning to take on one of the world's biggest pharmaceutical firms over claims talcum powder gave them ovarian cancer.

Nearly 2,000 cancer patients, survivors and their families are expected to sign up to a class action against Johnson & Johnson.

It would mark the first legal suit the company has faced on the issue in the UK and the biggest pharmaceutical group action in English and Welsh legal history.

It follows thousands of similar claims in the US which have led Johnson & Johnson to pay out billions of dollars already in compensation.

Lawyers for the UK claimants say talcum powder was contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos, something they allege the company knew and tried to suppress.

But Johnson & Johnson has denied the allegations, instead claiming 'they defy logic, rewrite history and ignore the facts'.

Linda Jones, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last November, is among the women launching the class action.

Now, doctors have told the 66-year-old she may only have a few years left to live.

In 2020, Sharon Doherty, 57, who lives in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, was also diagnosed with ovarian cancer on the left side, and fallopian cancer on the right side

Linda Jones, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last November, is among the women launching the class action

Nearly 2,000 cancer patients, survivors and their families are expected to sign up to a class action against Johnson & Johnson

The company director from North Devon, said: 'My mother used it on me when I was a baby in the 50s, and I kept using it for years after.

'We just trusted what the adverts said and believed it was a good product.

'When I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it never occurred to me that it could have been as a result of asbestos exposure, until I started reading about the legal action in America. Suddenly, it all made a lot of sense.

'My children will lose their mother, I may never even meet my first grandchild, and my husband and I have been robbed of our retirement together after just six years of marriage.

She added: 'If there was any suggestion whatsoever that the talcum powder would cause harm to not only women, but small babies, it should have been taken off the market.

'It makes you wonder how many other women who have already died may have been exposed.'

Talc powder was popular for decades for its ability to keep skin dry and to help avoid rashes, being used on both adults and babies.

But the powder, made from a naturally occurring mineral, can also contain small amounts of asbestos according to some studies  a carcinogen known to cause cancers when repeatedly inhaled.

Cassandra Wardle, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, is among the women launching the class action

The 47-year-old from Alfreton in Derbyshire, said talcum powder was used on her as a baby and she continued to use it 'for 20 years or more'

Once asbestos fibers enter the body, they can lodge in soft tissue permanently, causing severe cellular damage and inflammation  which may lead to cancer.

Earlier this year in July, the World Health Organization also concluded that mineral talc itself was 'probably carcinogenic for humans'.

Cassandra Wardle, from Alfreton in Derbyshire, is another woman taking part in the action.

She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022 at the age of just 44.

Mrs Wardle said talcum powder was used on her as a baby and as an adult she would regularly use talcum powder after a bath or as a deodoriser, including across her genitals.

'It's just what people did. Johnson and Johnson talcum powder was in every home and was a trusted brand,' she added.

'I am grateful to still be here, but I am also incredibly angry.

'I want to know why Johnson & Johnson didn't change the ingredients of the talcum powder when they knew that it was dangerous.

Johnson & Johnson discontinued mineral-based talc in the UK last year after stopping sales in the US in 2020

'Why did they carry on selling it, putting so many thousands of lives at risk? What they have done is nothing short of despicable.'

Meanwhile, Sharon Doherty who lives in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, was also diagnosed with ovarian cancer on the left side in 2020, and fallopian cancer on the right side.

The 57-year-old said: 'My mum would use the talcum powder on us all after a bath, and I continued to do so as I got older.'

Despite having surgery and six months of chemotherapy, Ms Doherty was recently told her cancer has returned.

She is awaiting further NHS treatment, which she hopes will start in the coming weeks.

Johnson & Johnson discontinued mineral-based talc in the UK last year after stopping sales in the US in 2020.

At the time they said this was due to financial pressures and a 'misinformation campaign' around the product.

In the US, the firm has been sued by more than 62,000 people and at least $13bn has been paid out or set aside in response to the action.

Germ cell tumours are a rare form of the disease that develops in the ovaries, the female organs that produce eggs. It is often called a 'silent killer', as symptoms don't present until late stages of the disease.

However, several cases have since been overturned on appeal.

In the past few decades, small studies have pointed to a link between talc and ovarian cancer, but some have been criticised for 'recall bias' because they asked women with ovarian cancer to remember if they had ever used talc.

Tom Longstaff, a partner at KP Law  which is representing the claimants in this fresh action  said: 'This once-trusted corporation knew for decades that the asbestos in its talc products was present, that it was dangerous, but did nothing to notify consumers of the risk.

'We are committed to helping as many people as possible achieve justice in the UK for the actions of profit-hungry executives in US boardrooms.'

But Erik Haas, worldwide vice president of litigation at Johnson & Johnson, said the company 'takes the issue of talc safety incredibly seriously and always has'.

He added: 'As our documents show, we have relied upon the most state-of-the-art testing protocols for decades and have been entirely transparent with government institutions and academic researchers regarding our findings.

'Those findings uniformly show the absence of asbestos contamination in Johnson's Baby Powder and the talc sourced for Johnson's Baby Powder.

'Independent science makes clear that talc is not associated with the risk of ovarian cancer nor mesothelioma.'

Mr Haas also claimed Johnson & Johnson had won  or won on appeal  the 'vast majority' of trials in the US.

The case is expected to take between four and five years, and some women are concerned they might not live to see the conclusion.

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the UK. The disease kills around 11 women every day in Britain, on average, or 4,000 a year.

It also kills three times as many women in the US every year, figures show.

It is often diagnosed late because symptoms are vague and can include indigestion, pelvic or abdominal pain, loss of appetite, constipation, and needing to urinate more often.

Around 93 per cent of women diagnosed live five years or more if it's spotted at the earliest stage, compared with just 13 per cent diagnosed at stage four.

About a fifth of women with ovarian cancer are also diagnosed in A&E, often when it is too late for any treatment.
MBABANE  The lack of drugs quality control testing facility in the Kingdom of Eswatini is posing a safety concern for emaSwati.

Quality control (QC) testing plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. The purpose of QC testing is to verify that a drug product meets specific quality standards and that it is free from contaminants or other impurities that may pose a risk to patients health. However, the Kingdom of Eswatini does not have the QC testing facility and relies on those where the drugs are procured from.



Mkhuzweni Health Centre Senior Pharmacist Desmond Nyoni was requested by Public Accounts Committee (PAC) member and Somntongo Member of Parliament Sandile Nxumalo to share his personal opinion on what it meant for Eswatini not to have the testing facility. The PAC is currently embarking on a nationwide assignment, visiting some government departments whose expenditure was cited in the auditor generals (AG) report. The PAC visited Mkhuzweni Health Centre yesterday, where they were attended to by Nyoni and Senior Nurse Khosi Mkhonta. Can you say that we are gambling with the lives of emaSwati, given that we do not have the drugs quality control testing facility? enquired Nxumalo.

Nyoni, who was first reluctant to give a response to the question, submitted that patients are not safe, because for one to know that drugs are of the expected quality and standard, they would have to be tested. An estimated 1 in 10 medical products circulating in low- and middle-income countries is either substandard or falsified, according to new research from World Health Organisation.



This means that people are taking medicines that fail to treat or prevent disease. Prior to the question on the standard of drugs supplied in the country, PAC Chairman Madala Mhlanga had enquired from Nyoni if there were any drugs that were stolen at the facility. Mhlanga explained where he was coming from with the question, stating that there was once a case of a big cable that was reportedly stolen and whisked out of the facility, yet there are security personnel stationed at the entrance. He said that if a big cable could be whisked out of the facility, how much more would that be with drugs as their containers were portable.

Nyoni explained that after every batch delivered, the Central Medical Stores audit them to ensure that the pharmaceuticals that left the stores are all delivered as per the invoice. He did say that it was a difficult question to answer because a lot could happen during the logistics process. Nyoni submitted that there was an era in the country where a great percentage of pharmacists were from Zimbabwe, but in recent times, most of the pharmacists are from Eswatini. He said that highlighted that the shortage of drugs has only been rampant recently, giving the impression that if the shortage of drugs were pinned on theft by pharmacists, authorities should not be far.



An article was published recently about a pharmacy not far from Mkhuzweni Health Centre, linked to the shortage of drugs at the facility. However, Nyoni denied knowledge of that pharmacy and also advised the PAC members to investigate who the directors were if the pharmacy did exist. It also emerged that delivering of short shelf-life drugs to public health facilities contribute massively to shortage of drugs. Member of Parliament (MP) Tsembeni Magongo wanted to know if there were any drugs that were delivered while they had a short-shelf-life at the facility and Nyoni admitted that they were indeed delivered. He was asked if they were noting who the supplier was as far as short shelf-life drugs were concerned, to which Nyoni responded to the negative. He said that the delivery of short-shelf life drugs contributed to the shortage of drugs and highlighted that recently, they ran out of TB related medication as well as betadine. Betadine is used on the skin to treat or prevent skin infection in minor cuts, scrapes, or burns.



It should be noted that the AG, Timothy Matsebula, did highlight in his financial audit report that the Ministry of Health received various pharmaceuticals and other critical items necessary for patient care amounting to E7 959 972, with a shelf-life of less than 18 months, which was not compliant with set standards. When responding to the query, the controlling officer at the ministry submitted that he will enforce procurement guidelines and robust inventory management system to ensure short shelf-life medical supplies that will not be usable will not be accepted. In the PACs recommendations on the AGs financial audit report on government accounts for the financial years ended on March 31, 2022 and 2023, the controlling officer was urged to stop this practice as it costs government money, since some of these medications expire before they are dispatched to health facilities. He was further urged to start disciplinary measures and issue warning against officers who are implicated in this practice within a month after adoption of the report of the House, failing which, he would be charged with contempt of Parliament.




Alabama and North Carolina have joined the list of states battling outbreaks of a Victorian era-disease that has been rocking the US for months.

There are now 123 cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, in Alabama and 525 cases in North Carolina.

The illness, which is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, leads to violent coughing, fever, sore eyes and blue lips. In severe cases, this can lead to vomiting, exhaustion and problems breathing, and is fatal in about one percent of babies who catch the bug.

In the spring, an outbreak began nationally that tapered over the summer, only to pick back up in August - and doctors fear the illness may increase even more heading into cold and flu season, as more viruses weaken immune systems and people are forced indoors with cold weather.

Thus far, 2024 has seen five times the amount of cases as 2023 - with more than 16,000 Americans infected, according to an October update from the CDC. There have been two confirmed deaths.

The most cases have been detected in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, California, Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts and Arizona.

Public health officials mainly blame this rise on a lag in vaccination rates since the pandemic.

The CDC recommends children get three vaccinations against the virus, called the Tdap shot, before age one. This shot is 98 percent effective at preventing disease in children within the year following vaccination.

Pertussis spreads from person to person via droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing. Once in the body, the bacteria multiples and releases toxins into the respiratory system that cause tissues to swell, leading to the cough characteristic of the condition

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In Alabama, the cases were detected at high schools in Trussville and Springville, as well as at the University of Alabama Huntsville, in central and northern areas of the state.

Whooping cough cases have increased in the state 300 percent over the past year - increasing from 41 people to 123 people, according to a report from the Alabama Department of Public Health.

In North Carolina, many of the cases were found in Bumbcombe county, which is nestled in the Western part of the state and home to an estimated 275,900 citizens.

In the spring, there were nearly 120 cases in in the state, but that number fell flat over the summer, according to ABC13 News.

Henderson County Department of Public Health spokesperson Andrew Mundhenk said this most recent uptick may be 'similar to what we saw in the spring.'

As of November 2nd, ABC 11 reported there have been 525 cases of the illness in the state, alongside new outbreaks in measles and pneumonia.

Whooping cough is most commonly spread amongst children and teens, especially when they're in close daily contact at school or daycare.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the disease because their immune systems are not fully developed - making those under age one at a higher risk of developing severe complications, like breathing problems, from the bacteria.

The highly infectious bacteria gets spread between people when someone sick with the condition coughs or sneezes into the air, and another person inhales or swallows those particles.

Symptoms appear about a week after the initial infection, after the bacteria attaches to tiny hairs in the throat and nose and begin releasing toxins which cause airways to swell, according to the CDC.

Early on, this causes a runny or stuffy nose, low grade fever and a mild cough - but can progress into violent coughing fits that result in vomiting, exhaustion and problems breathing.

'Those who get these coughing fits say it's the worst cough of their lives,' the CDC's website detailed. About one percent of babies who catch this illness die.

The illness used to kill massive swaths of the population - including thousands of children every year, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Those rates began to taper off following the development of the first whooping cough vaccine in 1948, according to Mayo Clinic.

Currently, the CDC recommends Americans get a series of vaccinations against pertussis over the course of their life. The vaccine developed to fight the illness also contains immunity against tetanus and diphtheria.

The above map shows the state by state rates of vaccination exemptions for the 2022-2023 school year, highlighting the top five states with the highest percentages of exemptions for all mandatory school vaccinations

The first three shots are recommended when a baby turns two, four and six months old. Next, they recommend a shot between 15 and 18 months old, a shot between four and six years old and a shot around 11 years old.

After that, maintenance doses are recommended every decade.

In children, the vaccine is 98 percent effective and in teenagers, the vaccine is 73 percent effective in the year following their immunization.

Though the vaccine doesn't always prevent someone from getting sick, those who have been vaccinated tend to get less sick than those who have never gotten a vaccine.

However, overall vaccine rates across the country have been plummeting among kids.

The number of people foregoing Tdap vaccinations has been increasing since the early 2000s. In the US, the CDC currently repots that about 80.4 percent of children have been immunized against pertussis by age one.

In Idaho, 12.1 percent of kindergartners entered school with Tdap vaccine exemptions, as did 7.4 percent of Arizonan kindergarteners and 8.1 percent of Utah kindergartners.

Dr Tina Tan, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Northwestern University told NPR: 'There still is a lot of vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaxxers out there that will not vaccinate their kids.'

If someone catches the disease, a doctor can prescribe a number of different antibiotics.

Sometimes, doctors will prescribe a person these antibiotics just because they've been exposed to someone with whooping cough, in an effort to curb the spread.
A child in California has tested positive for bird flu, local health officials say  the first pediatric case  amid growing fears the disease could spread between humans.

The unidentified child suffered from mild respiratory symptoms and had attended daycare in Alameda county, part of the state's Bay Area.

They have been isolated at home and are receiving treatment, with none of their family members or playmates testing positive for the H5N1 virus. Health officials are still investigating how they caught the virus.

Health officials say the risk to the public remains 'low.'

But the case underscores the possibility bird flu could spread among people, after it caused an outbreak among cows in 2022 that sickened more than 500 herds and then jumped to humans.

It is the first reported case in a child in the US and at least the 53rd human case nationwide. The cases have mostly been linked to exposure to birds or cattle, but in one case an individual did not have contact with either.

And in Canada, a teenager with no contact with cows or birds is in a critical condition in the hospital after being diagnosed with bird flu.

All of the US patients reported mild symptoms  such as red eyes or mild respiratory symptoms  and none have died from the disease.

But CDC researchers said today many cases have likely slipped under the radar and are not being detected or reported.

In a study on blood samples from 115 dairy farm workers in Michigan and Colorado who had either tested negative for bird flu or had not been tested at all, the agency found seven percent  eight people  had antibodies against the virus.

PINK EYE: The H5N1 virus causes eye inflammation, as seen in a dairy farmer in Texas who caught bird flu earlier this year

While experts are concerned over missed cases, they are encouraged it means most people who contract the bird flu are not becoming severely ill.

However, the CDC warned each infection raised the risk of the virus gaining mutations to make it better able to spread between people and cause severe illness.

In California, health officials said the child had low levels of the virus in their positive test, suggesting they were not infectious to others.

A second test carried out four days later was negative, suggesting their body had fought off the infection.

It is not clear how the child became infected, but health officials said they were investigating a possible link to exposure to wild birds.

They tested positive for an H5 flu virus, with the sample being sent for confirmatory testing at the CDC to confirm H5N1, the strain of bird flu causing the outbreak in the US.

State health director Dr Tomas Aragon said: 'It's natural for people to be concerned, and we want to reinforce for parents, caregivers and families that based on the information and data we have, we don't think the child was infectious.'

He added: 'No human-to-human spread of bird flu has been documented in any country for more than 15 years.'

The above map shows the locations of bird flu infections in the US over 2024 and during the current outbreak. There have now been 27 confirmed cases of bird flu in California, with all having previously had mild symptoms

In the CDC study testing for antibodies in farmworkers' blood, four of the participants said they remembered being ill around the same time the cows they worked with tested positive for bird flu.

All of the workers  who were tested between June and August this year  reported milking the cows or cleaning the milking parlor.

None of the workers that tested positive for bird flu antibodies had worn personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with infected cattle.

Overall, the use of PPE among the study participants was 'low,' the researchers said.

The CDC said in the study, published in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports: 'This finding supports the need to identify and implement strategies to prevent transmission among dairy cattle to reduce worker exposures.

'And for education and outreach to dairy workers concerning prevention, symptoms, and where to seek medical care if the workers develop symptoms.'

It also is not clear how the teenager in Canada became infected, with the patient having no known exposure to wild birds or farm animals.

In their case, tests show the virus has adapted to be better able to infect humans  with researchers saying the mutations likely happened during the infection.

CDC researchers warn that many other infections may be slipping under the radar

More than 10,000 wild birds and 100million poultry have tested positive for the bird flu virus since the outbreak began in 2022. A total of 500 dairy herds have also been infected.

Yesterday, researchers revealed that bird flu had spread to Hawaii for the first time  after it was detected at a duck sanctuary.

Researchers are concerned that every case of the virus in humans raises the risk that it could gain mutations making it better able to spread between people.

There are fears this has already happened in Cambodia, where three people have died from the virus after catching a new strain that is a hybrid between a type that infects wild birds and a type that infects domestic poultry.
Instead of heading to the store for some VapoRub, influencers are placing onions on their chest to get rid of stubborn coughs.

In a TikTok earlier this month, Amoreena McNally, a radiologic technologist, said she'd been suffering from a dry, painful cough since the end of the August, and felt there was something in her chest 'that needs to come up.'

The mom said she had tried traditional medicine - and had taken inhalers and a pill prescribed by a doctor to clear her up - but nothing worked.

So she decided to try a home flu remedy recommended by an Amish social media creator, which recommended putting slices of raw onions on her chest and covering them with a Ziploc bag full of hot water.

For the first time in three months, McNally said she 'felt something coming up,' adding: 'I might look silly, but I'm gonna trust the Amish people.'

But just as fast as she found relief, her symptoms returned. Once the vegetables were off her chest, her cough was back.

She isn't alone. McNally's video, which has 1.1million likes, is flooded with comments from users who claim putting an onion wedge in their sock or on their chest can help 'pull toxins out of the body' and get over a cold quicker.

But doctors, like New Jersey-based family medicine physician Dr Jen Caudle, said there is no science behind these claims.

On her TikTok, Dr Caudle said: 'Onion's not gonna do that, okay? Just by putting onion in your socks, sleeping with it et cetera, it's not necessarily gonna draw out toxins or make you less sick or things like that. Remember, we have our organs to get rid of toxins.'

Amoreena McNally said using the onions on her chest allowed her some temporary relief from what had been a three month cough. She said the symptoms returned after using it, however, and is going back to her doctor

Rachel Sheppick an Arizona-based influencer and mom, shared a video placing a slice of red onion in her sock in 2022. She said this can 'help us stay healthy and detox' during cold and flu season. In reply to one commenter, Sheppick said: 'I know it seems odd, but totally works'

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This is just the latest in a string of at-home remedies for common bugs that have become popular online.

In recent years, influencers have recommended putting potatoes in your socks while you sleep, eating raw garlic and drinking ice water with slices of onion in it to get over an illness.

Onion proponents claim the vegetable has natural properties that attract and kill bacteria. Experts say this is untrue.

Dr Thomas Moore, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Kansas, previously told DailyMail.com even if these remedies make people feel better, it could be because the virus was already running it's course.

'All these coughs and colds last about five days, for the typical respiratory virus. It can linger, but generally it clears within five days,' he said.

'So when something improves people ascribe it to whatever remedy they chose and start to swear by it.'

As of now, there are no scientific studies that support this claim.

The National Onion Association issued a statement saying: 'Cold and flu viruses are spread by contact, not by floating in the air where the onion can supposedly attract or destroy them.'

The NOA traced the claim that onions can cure illnesses as far back as the 1500s, when people claimed placing the bulb produce in one's room could prevent people from getting the bubonic plague.

Today, about 34million Americans get the flu each year and millions more get a cold or upper respiratory illness, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

For centuries, people have claimed natural properties of the onions are able to draw germs out of the air and kill them, removing illness from the home and helping someone recuperate, according to Snopes.

On McNally's video, a user named Shauna shared that same sentiment: 'Onions absorb germs. I used to put onion slices on the kids nightstands when they were sick.'

It seems people likewise believe onion-to-skin contact may be able to draw illness or unspecified 'toxins' out of the body.

For many people who get sick with a virus, there aren't targeted treatments or cures. As a result, doctors often send people home with instructions for rest, hydration and over the counter pain killers, expecting for most healthy people, the sickness will run its course.

But this leads many people to turn to their own treatments.

Of the myriad of DIY cold and flu treatments Dr Moore has seen, including onion water and putting pressure on the forehead, he said: 'Does it work? Probably not. But it is supportive care that makes people feel better and as though they are doing something.

'In terms of scientific data, there are no convincing scientific papers that say these work, but if it makes you feel better that is what these remedies are all about.'

Still, Dr Caudale and Dr Moore recommend going to the doctor first before relying on items you might already have in your pantry.

Dr Caudale said on her TikTok: 'See your doctor, cause there's lots of things we can do, natural remedies and medications to help you get over whatever it is you're dealing with.'

For McNally, the onion remedy itself wasn't so cut and dry.

Though she felt relief while using it, she shared in follow up videos that her symptoms returned, and at the urging of her followers, she planned to go to the doctor for an X-ray, fearing pneumonia.

'After I made that video last night and all the comments, I did call [the doctor] back. And now I'm going to go get a chest X-ray, just because now I'm scared.'
The Renault 5 is not only back with a bang but is cheaper than the French car maker originally promised.

Pricing for the new retro EV - called 5 E-Tech - is confirmed to start from 22,995, making it one of the most affordable new electric cars on the market today.

Only the Dacia Spring and Citroen e-C3 are cheaper to buy new than the Renault 5.

The Dacia Spring costs just 14,995, while the e-C3 costs from 21,035. And the R5 even beats the newly launched Hyundai Inster, which will cost from 23,495 when it arrives early in 2025.

The already highly-praised 5 EV goes on sale in January and will offer up to 248 miles of range.

Demonstrators will be in Renault showrooms from March for curious drivers wanting to experience the reimagined French icon.

Five-star value: Renault has confirmed UK pricing for its new electric Renault 5 E-Tech - and it's more affordable than many thought...

The new Renault 5 E-Tech has been relaunched as a nod to the cult classic R5 of the '70s to '90s, but has been reincarnated as an all-electric hatchback  or as Renault says, a super-modern retro-istic pop icon.

Initially debuted in 2021 as a concept, it was officially unveiled at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show to much fanfare.

At the time, it was expected to cost around 25,000  already cheap in todays electric car market  but now Renault will garner even more favour by undercutting that price by just over 3,000.

The new R5 will be available in three trims from launch  evolution, techno and iconic five  and with a choice of two powertrains  120hp urban range and 150hp comfort range.

The urban range, which has a 40kWh battery, will give you 190 miles of range, while the comfort range with its 52kWh battery will offer 248 miles on a single charge. A heat pump comes as standard.

The new R5 will be available in three trims from launch  evolution, techno and iconic five  and with a choice of two powertrains  120hp urban range and 150hp comfort range

Renault 5 sold more than 5.5million across 5 continents from 1972 to 1985 (or 9 million in the 24 years to 1996 when sold on in some markets)

We've reviewed the 110kW 150hp electric motor and 52kWh battery in range-topping Iconic trim

Size-wise it, sits between Renault's Twingo and Clio, though with a much sportier look.

Yet despite its city-friendly proportions and battery drivetrain, the five door Renault 5 E-Tech offers comfortable seating for five as well as a practical 326-litre boot, complete with dedicated storage for charging cables.

Along with state-of-the-art tech, including built-in Google services with EV-optimised navigation, the R5 also handily has bi-directional functionality including vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities.

Smile-inducing exterior features including the Pop Yellow! And Pop Green! colour options are matched with a sport and light-hearted interior with small French nods including even a baguette holder.

Matched with an eco-conscious mindset, Renault has used an array of recycled materials including the denim made from recycled plastic bottles.

Citroen's new EV: It's starting price puts it head-to-head with cheap Chinese rivals

As well as plenty of tech  the 10.1-inch Google infotainment screen has voice command with AI ChatGPT called 'Reno' - you also get 25 safety assists, and a premium level interior - and all for less than 23k.

So much like its best-selling 1972 predecessor, this 5 E-Tech is a small, nippy runaround that won't break the bank - targeting at the cost-conscious buyer, and delivering funky retro looks that bring personality to the typically minimalist EV field.

Will it fit in my garage? Renault 5 E-Tech Electric Model driven: Iconic 110kW 150hp comfort (with more powerful 52kWh battery) Price range: 40kWh battery R5 to start from just under 23,000, 52kWh version from around 29,000. Price of model driven: TBC but estimated around 35,000 Seats: 5 Doors: 5 Arrives UK: Beginning of 2025 DIMENSIONS Length: 3,922mm Width: 1,774mm Height: 1,499mm Wheelbase: 2,541mm Weight: 1,456mm Wheels: 18 inch PERFORMANCE Propulsion: Electric Electric motor: 150hp /110kW Battery: 52kWh Emissions: Zero Acceleration (0-62mph): 8 seconds Top speed: 93mph (limited) Range: 255 miles CHARGING Charging (to 100%) 11kW AC wallbox: 40kW - 3.5 hours, 52kW - 4.5 hours Charging (to 80%) 100kW DC rapid charging: 40kW - 29 minutes 52kW - 31 minutes

The steering-wheel mounted gear-selector or 'e-shifter' comes with a selection of customisable personalised covers which take their inspiration from Chanel lip-stick holders

Matched with an eco-conscious mindset, Renault has used an array of recycled materials including the denim made from recycled plastic bottles

How much are the different Renault 5 E-Tech pricing options?

The 'evolution' E-Tech (with 120hp urban range) is the base price point of 22,995.

Theres then a 2k jump up to the 'techno' E-Tech (120hp urban range) which costs 24,995.

Both the 'techno' E-Tech 150hp comfort range and the 'Iconic' five E-Tech 120hp urban range cost 26,995, while the range-topping Iconic five 150hp comfort range costs 28,995.

The evolution comes with the 10.1-inch Google screen and seven-inch drivers display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, numerous safety assists, 18-inch alloys, and 11kW bi-directional charging, while the techno adds wireless charging, more retro styling features including a 5 bonnet charging indicator and two-tone paint options, and extra safety assists as well as a rear parking camera.

The iconic trim offers plush options including heated front seats and a heated steering wheel to more handy safety assists including blind spot warning and active driver assist. Hands-free parking is another big perk of the highest trim.
Gatemore Capital Management disclosed a position in YouGov on Wednesday as it broke cover to demand the firm be put up for sale.

The activist investor blamed a series of management 'missteps' for a share price decline of more than 70 per cent since the research and data analytics group's all-time high of 1,600p in December 2021.

Investors in YouGov, which was co-founded by former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, have endured a torrid year despite a busy global election schedule.

'Challenges' in YouGov's European, Middle East and African markets led to a profit warning in June, while a full-year dividend hike last month was not enough to revive shares from a more than 60 per cent decline since the start of 2024.

Gatemore told the Sohn London Investment Conference YouGov had 'eroded investor confidence' by failing to provide 'sufficient, timely' financial guidance, while a lack of 'clarity' has led to a 'wide gap between management's plan and market consensus'.

The YouGov intervention follows previous Gatemore demands levied at London-listed firms this year.

YouGov shares are down more than 70% since their 2021 peak

The activist called for Watches of Switzerland to quit the City for the US last month, while Gatemore's long running campaign for the removal of Elementis boss Paul Waterman finally proved successful early this week.

Gatemore also highlighted YouGov's membership of AIM as an 'obstacle' to share price rerating, and lashed out at the group's executive directors who 'collectively own less than 0.05 per cent of the company's shares'.

The activist said YouGov is 'an attractive business with a number of fundamental strengths', but its share price does not reflect this.

Gatemore is not a top YouGov shareholder and its holding in the company is not of sufficient size to be disclosed.

Gatemore managing director Liad Meidar

YouGov's website says its top shareholders are Liontrust Asset Management, Abrdn and Octopus Investments, which own 7.9, 7.4 and 6.1 per cent of the company, respectively.

It called for YouGov to conduct a strategic review 'with a view to unlocking value for shareholders', with a full sale the 'most direct path' to doing so.

Gatemore managing director Liad Meidar said: 'We are deeply confident in YouGov's fundamental strengths and long-term potential.

'However, urgent actions are needed now to help the Company chart a path towards realising its intrinsic value.

'YouGov could thrive under new ownership, leaving behind its current governance issues and the malaise of being listed on AIM.'

YouGov did not respond directly to Gatemore's statement, but boss Steve Hatch said in the firm's recently published annual results that this year had been one of 'transition, challenge and change'.

He added: 'We have made significant strategic progress in the financial year. We completed the acquisitions of CPS and KnowledgeHound which strengthen our product offer and technology as well as increasing our addressable market.

'Consistent with this, post-period end we acquired Yabble, which will transform our Data Products segment using generative AI.

'We anticipate that momentum will build throughout the year, weighted towards the second half, as the benefits of our cost optimisation plan and new commercial leadership are realised.

'We consequently expect YouGov to achieve growth for FY25 in line with current market expectations, and remain confident in the Group's ability to deliver on its long-term ambitions.'
They were the tests that saw Britain establish itself as a nation capable of killing millions of people in the blink of an eye - and a reminder of the devastation caused by nuclear weapons.

But the cost of the UK's post-war nuclear weapons programme led to what has been described as the longest-running scandal in the country's history.

Now, more than six decades on, the veterans who were treated as 'guinea pigs' in a race for military power have spoken out to shed more light on the devastating legacy of the tests in Australia and Christmas Island in the Pacific in the 1950s and 1960s.

A weighty documentary tonight will spell out the traumatic effect of the tests, including how the veterans' children suffered cancer, stillbirths and birth defects after the radioactive experiments.

'You saw all the bones, tendons, everything through your hands,' says 86-year-old former RAF cook Brian Unthank in tonight's BBC documentary, Britain's Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story.

'There was this humungous ball of fire boiling up into the sky. Hurtling towards you was this big line, this blast hits you,' he adds.

From only several miles away, Mr Unthank saw the detonation of two hydrogen bombs with a combined yield of 320 Hiroshima bombs - he went on to lose all of his teeth and suffered gut problems and his wife had 13 late-term miscarriages.

'I felt that my body was boiling,' adds fellow ex-serviceman John Morris, also 86, as he recounted seeing a bomb blast. He and his wife went on to endure the trauma of their baby son dying in the night - a coroner's report suggested his lungs had not formed properly.

They are just two of dozens of surviving veterans involved in the tests who have been left with devastating health problems after not being given protective gear or training.

The UK's first nuclear bomb (above) was successfully tested in the South Pacific on October 3, 1952

'You saw all the bones, tendons, everything through your hands,' says 86-year-old former RAF cook Brian Unthank in tonight's BBC documentary, Britain's Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story

Britain remains the only country that has tested nuclear weapons but not accepted responsibility for the effects on victims.

The UK's first nuclear bomb was successfully tested in the South Pacific on October 3, 1952.

The bomb contained around 15lb plutonium, stored inside the hold of HMS Plym, a 1,450-ton Navy frigate off Trimouille Island, near Australia.

At 9:30am local time on October 3, 1952, the bomb was detonated. A 600mph blast wave rippled through the environment. A mauve cloud climbed 10,000ft above sea level.

Operation Hurricane was a success. Britain joined the United States and the Soviet Union as a nuclear power.

At the scene, servicemen aboard the guard ship HMS Zeebrugge could only cover their eyes and brace as the shockwave travelled through the air.

In the years that followed, around 39,000 British and Commonwealth servicemen and scientists saw the detonation of 45 atomic and hydrogen bombs, along with hundreds of radioactive experiments.

The tests transformed parts of what had been pristine land in the Australian Outback and beautiful coral atolls in the Pacific into some of the world's most contaminated places.

Tonight's programme shows footage of several of Britain's nuclear tests

'I felt that my body was boiling,' adds fellow ex-serviceman John Morris, also 86, as he recounted seeing a bomb blast. He and his wife went on to endure the trauma of their baby son dying in the night - a coroner's report suggested his lungs had not formed properly

Archie Hart, 87, was part of the crew of HMS Diana, the Ministry of Defence's 'guinea pig' ship. In 1956 it was sent through the fallout of two atomic bombs for eight hours at a time. Mr Hart has been left with around 150 lipomas - soft fatty lumps - on his body and in his 60s had to have a large portion of his bowel removed to treat aggressive cancer

John Folkes, 89, was ordered to fly through four mushroom clouds without protective clothing or being given warnings about the risks

Avon Hudson, 86, exposed the extent of contamination at test sites in Australia

Terry Quinlan, 84, experienced night terrors and now has severe heart problems. He was finally awarded a war pension last year, only after his surgeon found a lump of shrapnel in his chest

The new documentary reveals the testimony of five veterans in total. Also among them is John Folkes, 89.

He was ordered to fly through four mushroom clouds without protective clothing or being given warnings about the risks.

Although he was ground crew, Mr Folkes needed to be on the plane to operate a switch that would open flaps to allow scientists to take samples from the clouds.

Mr Folkes was also tasked with entering the smoking crater after an impact to take further samples.

He was left with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and permanent shaking hands.

The veteran says: 'We saw this inferno, crimson, black smoke billowing up towards us The cloud was rising. It was coming up at an alarming rate.

'I didn't think we were gonna make it. I felt so vulnerable. How we got so close and not vaporised I just don't know. This enormous shockwave flipped the aircraft over.

'We were more or less upside down, but climbing, fortunately away from the bomb. The shock wave undoubtedly saved our lives.

'Whether it was the intensity of that noise that shook or the electromagnetic pulse my hands have shaken ever since.'

Archie Hart, 87, was part of the crew of HMS Diana, the Ministry of Defence's 'guinea pig' ship.

In 1956 it was sent through the fallout of two atomic bombs for eight hours at a time.

The MoD wanted to see the effects of an atomic explosion on the ship and its 280 crew.

Members of the press and naval ratings aboard HMS Alert, 35 miles offshore of Malden Island, Kiribati. The passengers and crew were witnessing the second test of Britain's hydrogen bomb, May 31, 1957

The crew of HMS Narvik watch the smoke rise after a British atomic test in 1956

A photography team sets up during the British nuclear test in the Montebello Islands, October 1952

Setting up the equipment of the photography team during Operation Hurricane, Britain's first nuclear weapon test

The explosion sent a 600mph blast rippling as smoke plumed in the sky

A mushroom cloud after the test on Christmas Island on May 15, 1957

'They would have us believe that this nuclear fallout was just a gentle rain from heaven... It wasn't. It was toxic and it was deadly. It was ionising radiation,' he says.

'Everybody on that ship were used. You weren't given a choice in this. And if that's not being used, tell me what is.'

Mr Hart has been left with around 150 lipomas - soft fatty lumps - on his body and in his 60s had to have a large portion of his bowel removed to treat aggressive cancer.

Calls have been made for the Government to release the information collected at the time, but many still say they have been repeatedly denied access to their medical records.

The Ministry of Defence has repeatedly denied that the Atomic Weapons Establishment holds any evidence that blood samples were taken at nuclear tests.

In 2022, the Mirror revealed a cache of 150 documents discussing blood tests that had been withheld.

America, China, France and Russia have accepted responsibility for the damage the tests may have caused veterans attending the experiments.

In 2021, Keir Starmer, then leader of the opposition, said: 'The country owes a huge debt of honour to these veteransLabour will continue to support their campaign every step of the way.'

John Healey, now Defence Secretary, added a year later: 'There is no good reason, no good moral reason, no good military reason, for withholding the recognition and compensation that other countries have had.

'Your campaign is our campaign. We go into the next election with a pledge to right this injustice.'

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence told MailOnline: 'We recognise the huge contribution that Nuclear Test Veterans have made to national security.

'The government is committed to working with veterans and listening to their concerns.

'We have already amended the criteria for the commemorative Nuclear Test Medal to ensure those who took part in US atmospheric testing are also recognised.

'Ministers are looking hard at the issue - including the question of records.

'They will continue to engage with the individuals and families affected and as part of this engagement, the Minister of Veterans and People Alistair Carns has already met with parliamentarians and a Nuclear Test Veteran campaign group to discuss their concerns further.'

Britain's Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story airs tonight at 9pm on BBC Two.
A hundred years before Joe Biden became the first sitting president to visit the Amazon rainforest while dodging reporters questions, Teddy Roosevelt almost died on his own far more daring expedition.

While the 81-year-old Biden took a helicopter tour, the 55-year-old two-term Republican toured an uncharted territory, ended up with malaria and was nearly bitten by a venomous snake that latched itself onto his leather boot.

Roosevelt was fresh off a humiliating defeat in the 1912 election and looking for adventure. His third party Bull Moose run ended in the defeat of his successor and the election of Woodrow Wilson.

Restless and ready for challenge no matter the risk, Roosevelt contacted Brazilian authorities to propose an expedition.

He ended up teaming up with indigenous Brazilian explorer Candido Rondon, and undertaking a 2,500 mile trek. Not everyone in their traveling party made it back alive.

I have already lived and enjoyed as much of life as any nine other men I know. I have had my full share, and if it is necessary for me to leave my bones in South America, I am quite ready to do so, Roosevelt told friends.

Rough rider-ing it: Former President Teddy Roosevelt braved an Amazon exploration following his defeat in the 2012 elections

The months long adventure would bring toil, triumph and treachery, which stood in stark contrast to Bidens four-hour visit to the region Sunday to promote preservation.

(Biden, 81, who is overcoming his own party's defeat in the November elections, took a 57-minute helicopter tour, visited a museum, and gave remarks to a group of reporters. The sound of maracas played by indigenous tour guides drowned out a shouted question as he walked away on a dirt path).

The Roosevelt-Rondon expedition involved 100 men, who travelled the unexplored River of Doubt by canoe, barge, and steamboat during the treacherous journey, sometimes traveling on foot and by horseback, according to a detailed 2023 Smithsonian Magazine look back at the epic expedition.

They spent more than two months traversing a swamp, then switched to leaky canoes for the river descent punctuated by rapids.

Sometimes they ate spider monkeys and turtle for sustenance when supplies ran low. 'The fresh meat was most acceptable to all,' wrote naturalist George Cherrie.

Like Biden, Roosevelt had family along for support.

His son Kermit came in part to look after his 54 year old father at his mother's request.

Biden had granddaughter Natalie and daughter Ashley in tow for one of his last foreign trips as president.

Biden was accompanied on his jaunt by a team of armed Secret Service agents, plus his longtime press secretary Karine-Jean Pierre and Communications Director Ben LaBolt as well as advisors.

TR had a team of indigenous, and mixed African and European backwoodsmen to lead the way. Some of them also bore arms, which played a role in a tragic turn.

They were expert river-men and men of the forest, skilled veterans in wilderness work, according to Roosevelt. They were equally at home with pole and paddle, with ax and machete.

Their aptitude was needed when calamities struck. They had to stop repeatedly to get their bearings on the winding river as it made its way to Manaus, where Biden stopped Sunday.

They faced perilous rapids. Kermit developed boils on his thighs. They had to portage canoes across rough terrain and try to lower them down rapids.

At one point, the former presidents son had to cling, exhausted, to a capsized canoe. One boatman, Antonio Simplicio da Silva, was presumed drowned. His body was never found.

Jungle love: President Joe Biden delivered remarks to the press after visiting the Museu da Amazonia in Brazil

Trekking: Biden walked along the museum paths. Earlier, he toured the area by military helicopter

Roosevelt and Brazilian explorer Candido Rondon undertook the expedition

The expedition used dugout canoes and animal transport. Roosevelt got an infection at the end. One team member shot and killed another one

Rubber room: The Amazon acts as a carbon sink for the planet and hosts a wealth of species

The trip took the former president to the heart of the Amazon

This morning our first serious misfortune faces us! The two old big canoes forming the larger of the two balsas broke away last night and are smashed on the rocks!' wrote Cherrie, who accompanied Roosevelt.

Newly encountered indigenous tribes were a concern. A dog that was guarding their encampment was found killed by poison-tinged arrows. Mosquitoes, ants, and dwindling provisions posed risks.

Roosevelt groused about the threats to his son in the lead canoe and the slow pace of advancement amid Rondons meticulous scientific mapping. Great men dont concern themselves with minor details, he said, using a phrase that Donald Trump sometimes fancies.

A paddler, Julio de Lima, who had been stealing supplies, ended up shooting another member of the party, Manoel Vicente da Paixao, killing him. The group captured his rifle and left him in the jungle.

The men encountered the body where the murderer had turned into the forest after committing his cowardly awful deed, wrote Cherrie in his diary.

Roosevelt had gashed his knee and had other health difficulties. He told Rondon dramatically: The expedition cannot delay. On the other hand, I cant go on. Move on and leave me! He caught a fever and bizarrely started reciting Coleridges poem Kubla Khan. He would have to go an operation on his leg during the journey. Roosevelt, who liked to go on safari and as president liked to around Washington D.C.'s Rock Creek park, got an abscess on on his right buttock and couldnt sit.

Finally on April 26 they reached the confluence of the Castanho and the Aripuana Rivers.

Rondon renamed the River of Doubt after his exploring partner to Roosevelt River, a name that remains today.

Roosevelt completed his excursion in May by doing something Biden didnt hazard in the jungle: holding a press conference. We have put on the map a river nearly one thousand miles long, he told reporters. It is the biggest tributary of the biggest tributary of the most magnificent river in the world.
Australians were shocked to learn that an American patient was required to pay for their healthcare using a credit card machine brought directly to their hospital bed.

Bay was rushed to the emergency department of a hospital in Florida last week after a medical episode.

Bay shared a video on their social media account that showed themselves lying in a hospital bed and attempting to tap their debit card on a portable credit card terminal placed nearby.

'Point of view, you almost died but you live in America,' Bay wrote.

Bay claimed they had just regained consciousness when a nurse instructed them to tap their card to pay their 'copay'.

In the United States, a copay is a fixed fee that patients are required to pay upfront for medical services as specified by their health insurance plan.

Bay said they were horrified by the experience and claimed emergency medical technicians had found their wallet and placed it in their lap before they woke up.

Social media users from across the world shared their shock at America's health system, with many claiming Bay should have refused to pay and instead requested the hospital to send them a bill.

Bay shared a video of them taping their debit card on a portable credit card terminal on the side of their hospital bed

'My Aussie brain is like so grateful we don't go to hospital and have to worry about paying, it's all free,' one said.

'I'm in Australia. I don't have health insurance for hospital visits, but I don't need it because of the public health system here,' a second added,

Australia's Medicare system provides universal healthcare coverage to all Australian citizens and permanent residents, while the United States lacks a universal healthcare system, meaning not everyone is automatically covered.

Most Americans rely on private health insurance provided through employers or purchased individually.

The government operates limited programs such as Medicare for seniors and Medicaid for low-income individuals, but these do not cover everyone.

A patient with a broken leg could pay up to $7,500 for treatment, while the average cost of a three-day stint in hospital can potentially cost around $30,000, according to the US government healthcare website.

In Australia, by comparison, even privately insured patients can claim up to 75 per cent of their treatment and surgery costs through the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
Kemi Badenoch is being urged to steer clear of aping Donald Trump's 'anti-green agenda' by Tory grandees who warn that it could hamper the party's electoral recovery.

A trio of former Cabinet ministers today urged the new party leader to distance it from the president-elect's 'drill, baby, drill', warning that while it may have worked in the US it will 'alienate' a majority of British voters.

Sir Robert Buckland, Sir Simon Clarke and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who between them span the ideological width of the Conservative Party, spoke out ahead of Trump taking office for the second time in January.

He 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.'

While he has promised to provide 'crystal clean' water and 'the cleanest' air as part of his environmental priorities he widely views the US Environmental Protection Agency as a hindrance to economic growth. And he is a strong proponent of fracking.

Sir Simon, who was a rightwing Cabinet minister under both Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, said: 'President Trump has won a historic victory, responding to voters' concerns on issues ranging from illegal immigration to the state of the economy.

'But the President's anti-green agenda would alienate the majority of British voters.

A trio of former Cabinet ministers today urge the new party leader to distance itself from the president-elect's 'drill, baby, drill', warning that while it may have worked in the US it will 'alienate' a majority of British voters.

He 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.'

Sir Robert Buckland, Sir Simon Clarke and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who between them span the ideological width of the Conservative Party, spoke out ahead of Trump taking office for the second time in January.

Ms Badenoch made former health secretary Victoria Atkins her shadow environment minister after winning the Tory leadership earlier this month.

'We should of course make sure we decarbonise in the most cost effective way, and campaign to replace Ed Miliband's hair-shirted statism - which has already sadly set in motion great and unnecessary harm - with market solutions.

'But overt climate scepticism would make us a protest party, would ignore the major national security concerns inherent in leaving the UK dependent on foreign oil and gas and would not help to bring the Conservatives back to power.

'So we must learn the right lessons from the American election, and listen to the British public first and foremost.'

Ms Badenoch made former health secretary Victoria Atkins her shadow environment minister after winning the Tory leadership earlier this month.

She has yet to set out the opposition's environmental position, but suggested during the party conference in September she would review the target set by Mr Johnson of the UK hitting Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In an interview on the main stage she said: 'Setting a target without a plan doesn't make sense, we do it again and again and we have to stop it.'

She added: 'We are Conservatives, of course we want a better environment, we have been the party of the environment for much longer than anyone else, but we also need to make sure that we do so in a way that doesn't bankrupt our country.

'There's no point being the first to get to Net Zero, if we're also the first to get bankrupt, nobody's going to follow us  let's start with a proper plan.'

Among Trump's early moves has been a decision to choose fossil fuel executive Liberty Energy's Chris Wright as energy secretary, subject to congressional approval.

Wright has been one of the industrys loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change, and he could give fossil fuels a boost, including quick action to end a year-long pause on natural gas export approvals by the Biden administration.

He has called climate change activists alarmist and has likened efforts by Democrats to combat global warming to Soviet-style communism.

'There is no climate crisis, and we're not in the midst of an energy transition, either,' Wright said in a video posted to his LinkedIn profile last year.

Wright, who does not have any political experience, has written extensively on the need for more fossil fuel production to lift people out of poverty.

Among Trump's early moves has been a decision to choose fossil fuel executive Liberty Energy's Chris Wright (front, centre) as energy secretary, subject to congressional approval.

He also picked former New York congressman Lee Zeldin to be his next Environmental Protection Agency administrator.

He also picked former New York congressman Lee Zeldin to be his next Environmental Protection Agency administrator.

However Mr Buckland, the former Justice and Wales Secretary who backed Kamala Harris at the election, said: 'Trump's anti-green agenda is the last thing our party needs.

'The majority of people in every constituency in the country want climate action. They may question the best approach, but the goal must remain the same.

If we adopt ''drill, baby, drill'' when it comes to the environment, we will never rebuild trust with the party and only show ourselves as out of touch.

'Not only is fracking incredibly difficult in such a densely populated country, but our North Sea reserves are running low. If we want energy independence, our salvation lies with renewables and nuclear.'

Ms Trevelyan, the former transport secretary, added: 'Under successive Conservative governments, we have led the world in the Net Zero journey. Under a Trump administration, the Conservatives should seek to work hand in hand with Republicans to champion free-market, climate policies that grow the economy today and leave a better world for our children tomorrow.

'We have paved a route Trump and conservatives in America can follow.'
A search has been launched for the families of two women murdered 90 years ago after their skulls and bones were re-discovered in the storeroom of a university.

Dr Buck Ruxton was hanged in 1936 for killing his common law wife and mother of his children Isabella Ruxton.

Their nanny Mary Rogerson was also killed, but charges for her murder were dropped against Ruxton before his trial.

In a case that became known as the Jigsaw Murders, the dismembered bodies of the two women were found wrapped in pieces of newspaper.

At a time when forensic science was in its infancy, an expert from Edinburgh University helped build a case using groundbreaking techniques. Ruxton was hanged in 1936.

Now, the university has found that the skulls and other bones of Isabella and Mary are still in its archive, and want to trace the women's relatives.

It has chosen to issue a public appeal because it is not known if Isabella and Buck Ruxton's three orphaned children - who were put into foster care - were told that their father had been put to death for murdering their mother.

Isabella Ruxton was murdered by her husband Buck Ruxton in 1935. He was hanged for her murder the following year after groundbreaking forensic techniques identified her remains. Experts superimposed a photo of what was thought to be her skull over an earlier photo

Dr Buck Ruxton was hanged in 1936 for killing his common law wife and mother of his children Isabella Ruxton

Tom Gillingwater, Professor of Anatomy at Edinburgh, said: 'Upon learning that Isabella Ruxton and Mary Rogersons remains were still being held within the university, we carefully considered the most moral and ethical course of action.

'While the circumstances under which the womens remains came into our collections are not known, it is clear that there have been huge changes in medical ethics since then, and we want to do what is morally right for the women and their family members.'

Tom Wood, author and former Deputy Chief Constable and Director of Operations of Edinburgh & Lothians Police, said: 'This was a tragic case, where two women were brutally murdered, but it was also transformational for modern-day policing.

The Daily Mail's report after Ruxton's appeal against his death sentence failed

'The Professors who worked with the police at the time were critical in securing a conviction for the killer, and this was the first time forensic evidence was used to do so.

'I am pleased that the University of Edinburgh is working to return the women's remains with their respective families, and I hope their relatives come forward.'

The case became so high profile that it allegedly inspired a song, sung to the tune of popular hit Red Sails at Sunset.

'Red marks on the carpet / blood stains on the knife / Oh, Dr Ruxton, you've murdered your wife / You saw Mary peeping and murdered her, too / Oh Dr Ruxton there's a rope's end for you.'

The killings took place in Lancaster in September 1935.

Body parts were then found in a river in Dumfries and Galloway. The newspaper they were wrapped in was found to only be available in Morecambe and Lancaster.

Dr Ruxton was questioned by police but denied that the bodies were those of Isabella and Mary.

But neighbours reported his behaviour had been unusual and his cleaner told police he had been asked to scrub the bathroom around the time of the disappearances.

She also said that the doctor had given her two blood-stained carpets and a pile of bloodstained clothing to burn.

But police still could not prove that the bodies were those of the missing women.

Mary Rogerson was also murdered, but Ruxton was not found guilty of her killing

An image showing the skull of Isabella Ruxton with a photo of the woman superimposed above it

Isabella was known to have prominent teeth and Mary had a squint in one eye. But the teeth had been extracted from the body believed to be Isabella, and the eyes were missing in the other.

Mary was ultimately identified using a new technique for analysing fingerprints.

But because fingerprint evidence was unavailable for Isabella, police enlisted the help of Edinburgh University expert Professor J.C. Brash.

He devised a new technique to match the skull of the unidentified body with that of Isabella.

The anatomist enlarged pictures of her to life size and photographed the skull at different angles similar to those of the pictures.

He was then able to superimpose the outline of the portraits with those of the skull, producing evidence of the amazing similarities between the two images.

The identification proved crucial for Ruxton's prosecution.

Ruxton was found guilty after a trial at the Assize Court in Manchester. Two months later, he was hanged at Manchester's Strangeways Prison after an appeal failed.

The bodies of Isabella and Mary were not returned to their families but were instead retained in Edinburgh University's anatomical collection.

The three young children of Isabella and Buck Ruxton, pictured in October 1935

Isabella Ruxton was last seen on September 14, 1935

It is assumed that they were kept for anatomical research.

They were re-discovered after a student in the Netherlands asked about the archive.

The experts than decided to try to return the remains to the women's families.

But the issue is complicated by the fact that Isabella and Buck Ruxton's children were fostered and may never have been told how their parents died.

Professor Gillingwater said guidance from experts on ethics said that they should not be, 'approaching people who may not be aware that they were related to these ladies'.

He added: 'If there are any relatives of Isabella or Mary who believe that they would like to have the remains returned to them, we would be delighted to talk to them about what the next steps might be.'

Isabella's sister Jeannie Nelson was living in Edinburgh at the time of the murder. Mary had relatives in the Morecambe area.

A section on the university's website allows relatives to get in touch. Go to https://www.ed.ac.uk/c/isabella-ruxton-and-mary-jane-rogerson.


MAHLABATSINI  In yet another horrific act of violence, a 32-year-old woman lost her life after being stabbed to death by her boyfriend, allegedly over cheating claims.

The incident happened in the wee hours of Monday at Mahlabatsini in Matsapha, under Kwaluseni Inkhundla. The deceased, Simangele Khumalo of Sitsatsaweni, was renting a one-room flat in the area since 2021. According to an informed source, Simangele was working at West Pack Lifestyle at Matsapha Link. Her alleged killer is employed in neighbouring South Africa.



The boyfriends name is known to this publication, but will not be revealed for now because he has not been officially charged and has not appeared in court.

The source said, about five months ago, the boyfriend, *Thulani, started visiting her and about two months ago, they had a fierce fight and the landlord had to call community police in the middle of the night. According to one of the community police members, Vincent Vilakati, who was part of the team that attended the couple at that time, said they found him outside the house having broken his girlfriends cellphone and the door of her rented flat.



interrogated



When they interrogated him, he claimed that he was drunk and was hurt by his girlfriend who talked with a man over the phone while he was asleep. In fact, he said he overheard the man asking his girlfriend for some nude pictures and she promised to send them on the following day, because at that moment she was not in a good space and he failed to control his anger because he had taken Sibebe Beer, the community police member said. He said after hearing the story, they intervened in terms of reconciling them and later on, the man bought a new cellphone for his girlfriend and also replaced the door.



This, he said, they took as an effort to make their relationship work and to apologise both to his girlfriend and landlord. Indeed, he said after that, he visited his girlfriend about two or three times, before the unfortunate episode. He said this time around, the man arrived on Friday and spent the whole weekend with his girlfriends neighbours as he was working during the day. However, he said even though the neighbours were enjoying alcoholic beverages, the man did not, purportedly because he was suffering from a stomach ache.

emergency

Thereafter, he said on Monday morning, just after 2am, they received an emergency call from the landlord, who asked them to rush to his home as the couple was fighting inside the house. He highlighted that the landlord informed them that she and some of her tenants were failing to break the padlock of the burglar door. When we arrived, we managed to break the padlock and door. We found both of them lying in a pool of blood, Vilakati said.He said that Thulani had a stab wound around his chest and was alive, however, the woman was already dead. He said when they searched the house, they found one knife under the bed and another by the wall unit and they were both handed over to the police, together with the padlock.

The community police member revealed that when they spoke to the landlord, she told them that after the woman screamed for help, she approached the house with the aim of stopping the fight.



argument



However, he said when she was by the window, she saw the womans phone on the ground, which meant that it was thrown out through the window during the argument. We do not know who threw it out and why. Maybe there is something that sparked the argument over the cellphone, Vilakati presumed. Again, he said the landlord also told them that while they were trying to break the padlock of the burglar door, they heard the woman saying; Ngicela ume, sale ulala nami ke ngenkhani (Please stop, you can rape me). He said they supposed that when she uttered those words, the man was stabbing her. Again, later on, he said the landlord also told them the man shouted that: Sengimubulele, kepha naye ungigwazile (I have killed her, but she also stabbed me). He said the police were called and they rushed both of them to Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, where the woman was certified dead upon arrival, while Thulani was admitted.



effort



This publication made an effort to talk to Thulani in hospital yesterday, however, he told the medical practitioners that he does not want to speak to the media. On the other hand, the landlord also confirmed the narration by the community police, but said she is still not in a good state to talk about the matter. I am still struggling emotionally and otherwise to deal with what I saw there, she said.Meanwhile, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said on Monday, at around 2:15am, a 32-year-old woman of Sitsatsaweni, was stabbed with a sharp object several times in her upper body, allegedly by her boyfriend, while she was in her rented house at Mahlabatsini, Matsapha.

She said the woman was rushed to hospital, where she was confirmed dead upon arrival. She said the suspect is a 39-year-old man of Hluti and he has been arrested.

*Not real name
Nordic nations are instructing their citizens to prepare for a potential attack by Russia, sending pamphlets and emails to millions of homes with advice on seeking shelter and stockpiling supplies as Moscow threatens nuclear war.

The 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin's forces drove Sweden and Finland to increase spending on defence and abandon decades of neutrality to join NATO.

Troops from across the bloc are currently conducting drills in Lapland, 70 miles from the Finnish-Russian border, with 28 nations taking part in what are the largest artillery exercises in NATO's history.

Now, 1,000 days on from the start of the Ukraine conflict, the alliance's newest members have issued advice on how to survive in wartime, alerting citizens to the potential threats they might face and how to tackle them.

Finland has reminded its citizens of their 'national defence obligation', while Sweden has laid out a detailed guide on how to seek shelter and what to do in case of a nuclear attack.

Their instruction manuals follow similar advice issued by their Baltic neighbours Norway and Denmark, which both put out checklists for food and medicine supplies citizens should have ready.

Vladimir Putin today rewrote Russia's nuclear doctrine to suggest he might trigger Armageddon if Ukraine strikes his territory with NATO supplied weapons.

Moscow appears to be taking the possibility seriously, with reports today that it is launching a mass production of mobile nuclear war shelters.

As Russia and NATO members prepare their citizens for war, both logistically and psychologically, MailOnline looks at the advice issued to the populations of four Nordic countries.

Sweden's Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin presents the new version of the booklet 'If Crisis or War Comes

Russia has began the mass production of KUB-M mobile nuclear shelters

Sweden

More than five million Swedish households are currently being sent bright yellow booklets entitled 'If Crisis or War Comes'.

The pamphlets, sent out by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), contain information about how to prepare for emergencies such as war, natural disasters, cyber attacks and terrorism.

'An insecure world requires preparedness. The military threat to Sweden has increased and we must prepare for the worst - an armed attack,' its new introduction states.

In an excerpt which harks back to advice given by governments during the darkest days of the Cold War, it informs people of the risk of nuclear weapons being used.

'The global security situation increases the risks that nuclear weapons could be used. In the event of an attack with nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, take cover in the same way as in an air attack,' the pamphlet instructs readers.

'Shelter provides the best protection. After a couple of days, the radiation has decreased significantly,' it advises, adding that people will be warned of attacks over the radio and should go to basements or subways if there is no better option.

Another message, which has been brought forward from the middle of the booklet in the updated version, reads: 'If Sweden is attacked by another country, we will never give up. All information to the effect that resistance is to cease is false.'

Sweden's Defense last month described Russia as 'the principal threat to Sweden', adding that it constitutes 'a threat to the whole [NATO] alliance.'

The risk of a Russian attack on the country 'cannot be excluded,' Pal Jonson added in an interview with Politico.

A Cold War bunker in the remote Swedish village of Ljungby

A man poses with the 2024 version of the brochure 'If Crisis or War Comes' in Stockholm

The illustrated guide offers advice on how to get to shelter in various emergency scenarios

The 'If Crisis or War Comes' guide advises Swedes on how best to help their country prepare

Earlier this year, the commander in chief of Sweden's military, General Micael Byden, warned Swedes to 'mentally prepare for war'.

'The state of the world has worsened drastically in recent years. War is being waged in our vicinity,' the Swedish civil contingencies agency said as it released the new guidance this week.

'If we are attacked, everyone must help defend Sweden's independence and our democracy.'

Finland

Meanwhile the Finnish government has published a digital booklet to prepare citizens for 'incidents and crises.'

Helsinki said it decided not to print a copy for every home as others have as such an undertaking 'would cost millions'.

They added that a digital version could be updated more easily, in case of new emerging threats.

In a section addressing military conflict, it assures people that the country 'has always been prepared for the worst possible threat, war' and that they are 'well prepared for self defence.'

Troops from across NATO are currently conducting drills in Lapland, 70 miles from the Finnish-Russian border

But, the country, which requires national service from its citizens, also takes the opportunity to remind them that 'national defence belongs to everyone'.

'All Finnish citizens have a national defence obligation, and everyone plays an important role in defending Finland,' it states.

'Preparedness is a civic skill in the current global situation,' said the head of Rescue Services at Finland's interior ministry. 'Knowing what to do in case of an incident is a good foundation for society's resilience.'

Denmark

Earlier this year, Denmark's emergency management agency announced it was emailing Danish adults details of the water, food and medicine they would need to survive a crisis situation.

It cites the 'deteriorating security situation in Europe' as a serious threat to Denmark and says cyber attacks and sabotage are possibilities people should prepare for.

The booklet advises that people should be ready to 'manage on their own for three days in case of a crisis'.

This, it says, will allow the authorities to 'focus on stabilising the situation and helping where the need is greatest.'

They recommend people keeping plenty of water, food, medicines and first aid kits in their home.

The Danish authorities urge people to keep plentiful food stocks in their homes in case

In the event of a nuclear accident, it says the most important advice is to stay indoors and listen to authorities.

How do iodine tablets protect from radiation? During a nuclear accident radioactive iodine can be dispersed in the air. It can and absorbed by the thyroid gland when a person either inhales this contaminated air or ingests contaminated food and drinks. Iodine tablets block the absorption of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland and lower the risk of a person contracting thyroid cancer. However, they only provide protection against radioactive iodine and not other radioactive substances. People are also advised to stay indoors to avoid radiation. Source: Norwegian Radiation and Safety Authority Advertisement

It recommends that people should keep a supply of iodine tablets with them to be used by people under the age of 40 and pregnant and breastfeeding women in the case of a nuclear accident.

Norway

Like their neighbours in Sweden, Norwegians have recently been sent emergency preparedness pamphlets by their government.

The booklets give them advice on how to manage on their own for a week in the event of extreme weather, power outages and, 'in the worst case', are impact the country.

Some 2.2 million copies of the pamphlet have been sent out, according to Norwegian authorities.

Advice was previously published in 2018, but this year's updated version suggests further preparations authorities consider necessary in the current climate of uncertainty.

The recommended duration to be prepared for self-preparedness has been increased from at least three days to one week.

More detailed advice on topics such as critical media understanding and places to stay in crises.

In addition, some completely new topics have been added - common self-preparedness and mental health in crises.

duration of self-preparedness increases from at least three days to one week

Iodine tablets (applies to children and adults under 40 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding).

British Army soldiers on exercise with Norwegian forces in 2018 during a NATO joint drill

It comes after Norway's King Harald made a stark warning in his New Year's speech last year: 'We cannot take peace and freedom, resources and common goods for granted.

'We must stand guard! Norway's preparedness is, when it comes down to it, the sum of each individual's resilience.'

Center Party politician Kathrine Kleveland warned this month that there are increased global threats facing her country which the government is dealing with.

'The world is changing with various bloc formations and the balance of power between great powers such as the USA and China,' she wrote in Nationen.

'Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has also created a security policy crisis globally and in Europe.'

The government, she said, is responding by increasing defence spending by around a third, stepping up Norway's readiness for war.

'After the Cold War, many activities and measures related to so-called war planning within social security were discontinued and given lower priority,' she said. 'The pendulum is now swinging.'
A vet has blasted 'irritating' seemingly well-off pet owners who arrive at vets in flash cars before claiming they can't afford to treat their designer puppies.

The vet spoke to MailOnline after an inquest into the death of an animal surgeon who took his own life heard he had found it 'destroying' when 'rich' customers wouldn't pay to help their animals, preferring to go down the cheaper route of euthanasia.

Dr John Ellis, 35, took his own life amid a myriad of personal and professional difficulties, including considerable stress at work, sleeping in his car on call, and cheating on his long-term partner.

Other vets have told MailOnline of similarly difficult situations to those witnessed by Dr Ellis - while also dealing with a cascade of difficult decisions coming their way day after day, amid concerns of a mental health crisis in the animal care profession.

One vet who worked in Lancashire, who asked not to be identified, said they had seen their fair share of seemingly well-to-do pet owners bring in animals they were not prepared to pay for.

'You do get people rolling up in Beemers and saying "we're on PDSA",' the vet continued, referring to the animal charity that provides emergency help for pet owners on low incomes, including euthanasia.

'You look out the window (at the car) and it's so irritating. You think, "are you actually on benefits and paying for your car?" - it's very frustrating.'

They added that, in their experience, the most problematic clients were those bringing in expensive designer breeds, compounding the frustration and distress because the owners could clearly afford to pay for treatment.

Vet John Ellis, 35, took his own life amid personal and professional struggles - including his upset at 'rich' customers refusing to pay for treatment

Dr Ellis was upset that people with 'brand new' cars parked outside his surgery weren't willing to pay to help their animals, an inquest heard

A vet has told MailOnline of similar circumstances where pet owners have arrived at the surgery in expensive cars before claiming they can't pay for treatment (stock photo)

'These were pedigrees costing 1,000, 2,000, but they say they can't pay for the first vaccinations,' they added. 'It doesn't make any sense.'

Dr Ellis' inquest had heard he had been particularly upset by the contrast between better-off pet owners and those with less money.

The wealthier owners would ask him to put animals down unnecessarily, while poorer clients typically avoided coming in until the last minute because they could not afford to pay for treatment - and had no option but to put their pets to sleep.

He reportedly told his mother: 'When I've got somebody saying they won't pay to help their animal and they're sitting there with a brand new car outside, and other people who were really struggling [financially] would do anything to save their animals, but there was nothing they could do because it was already too late.'

The Lancashire vet told MailOnline this was common in the industry, and recalled the upsetting dilemma of a pet owner coming in with a dog needing a Caesarean to deliver her puppies - a treatment they could not afford.

Left with a choice of euthanising the mother, killing the newborns with her, the vet ultimately worked with her manager to put the customer on a payment plan they knew would never be paid off.

They added: 'If I were a business owner it wouldn't have been the right decision, but I couldn't put a plunger into a labouring mother and a litter of six puppies. You couldn't live with yourself.'

The vet, who has since moved away from vet surgery work, added that the vast majority of clients were 'not d***heads', but that it was upsetting when they failed to heed advice.

'When you get clients that come for advice on obesity, that's the big one. You tell them to stop feeding them so much.

'It's frustrating to tell them that and then they come back and complain nothing has changed - and it turns out they're feeding them Rich Tea biscuits every day.

'When you've dedicated your life to something... but someone comes in bringing an animal to you and say they're not bothered (what happens), it's rare, few and far between, but it's very unpleasant.'

Dr Ellis was experiencing considerable stress in both his professional and private life at the time of his death in November 2022, a coroner was told

An animal care assistant speaking anonymously to MailOnline said there had been times clients 'did not give a s*** about their pets'

An animal care assistant working in Scotland said there had been times clients 'just didn't give a s*** about their pets'.

They added of Dr Ellis: 'Its so sad that yet another vet has lost their life because of the stresses of this industry.'

Figures suggest vets are leaving the industry in greater numbers than in previous years - with experts suggesting the 'emotional distress' of treating poorly animals could be a factor.

The last major study of the veterinary profession in the UK, conducted in 2021 by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, found more than half of vets either suspending their registration or leaving altogether were aged 30 or under.

Of those quitting altogether, almost half had been in the role for less than five years.

Many vets are still working as they decide whether or not to quit. Of those weighing up their options, 49 per cent cited 'chronic stress' as a reason for doing so, while 17 per cent cited their mental health.

This is backed up by academic research: farm vets told a 2015 University of Edinburgh study they were leaving in increasing numbers because of mental health issues including depression, stress and burnout.

A vet who moved away from frontline animal care told MailOnline she experienced 'compassion fatigue' from looking after animals.

Dr Lauren Davis, a Yorkshire vet, said she knew of others who left after 'five, 10 years' to specialise in other animal work because of the highly emotional toll of the job.

She is still in the industry but no longer in a surgery, stepping back after eight years when she realised the ceaseless early morning phone calls on a stagnant salary of around 40,000 was no longer worth it.

She is now her own boss at VetRelieve, a firm selling orthopaedic mattresses for cats and dogs.

Vet Dr Lauren Davis quit frontline work after eight years because of the stress associated with the job - and now runs her own firm selling specialist pet mattresses for arthritic pets

Figures suggest vets are leaving the industry in greater numbers because of the stress and mental pressure associated with the profession

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Dr Davis said: 'I was the classic example of someone who always wanted to be a vet - photos of me with my arm around some sorry goat at a petting zoo.

'It was an incredibly fulfilling career but there's a lot of compassion fatigue and that plays into your overall mental health.

'When people are coming in every 15 minutes bringing their pride and joy with something they are quite concerned about, you want to bring your best self and your best knowledge to the animal.

'First thing on a Monday morning that is easy, but on Saturday afternoon, on your 14th ear infection of the week, it's not possible.'

She added that she would often find herself being woken up at 3am for 'emergencies' - only to find she had been roused to give advice on flea treatments.

She was also inevitably tasked with telling upset owners that there was nothing that could be done for their companions - with euthanasia the only possibility.

'It was absolutely exhausting,' she admits. 'I was finding the compassion fatigue difficult.

'You were put under a lot of pressure from owners because they what they want is for care to be fast and cheap and quality, when really, you have to pick two of those.

'The real issue is they want it now, and the best care, and they don't want to pay a lot for it.

'I am extroverted, I like to give everything. But in the end I found I wasn't able to do so. I was tired. I was very tired. It wasn't worth the time you put in.'

Dr Claire Plumbly, a clinical psychologist who counts vets amongst her clients and author of Burnout, said it was common for animal surgeons to report difficulties.

She said: 'Vets are dealing with a lot of distress - distressed humans as well as distressed animals who are in pain and can't understand what's happening.

'Plus, in the case of senior veterinary staff - they will also need to be thinking about the emotional distress and needs of their junior staff too.

'They hold a lot but their working day doesn't appear to factor in the emotional intensity of this and they don't get any emotional support built in to their work like psychological therapists do.

'They also tend to work very long hours and carry high caseloads - both risk factors for burnout.'

Dr Davis, of VetRelieve, says she's now much happier after leaving the frontline to set up her own firm. She remains a registered vet - albeit in a different line of work day to day.

'It used to be the case you were a vet, and it was a vocation and you did it (for life). But I know of vets who did it for five, 10 years and then thought about how they can move,' she says.

'I do think it (leaving frontline vet practise) was the right thing to do. My kids are three and six and I do the school pick-up and drop-off every day, and I work really hard to get this company off the ground.

'I love it personally - I wouldn't change anything I did but there was some soul-searching to get where I am now.'

VetLife, a charity that provides emotional, financial and mental health support to veterinarians, said: 'Every death by suicide is a tragedy. Suicide is complex and is not caused by a single factor.

'For anyone in the veterinary community needing support, Vetlife Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on: 0303 040 2551 or via anonymous email.'
The mother of a 14-year-old schoolgirl who killed herself after appealing online for someone 'to do it with me' says internet trolls who 'romanticised death' played a part in her suicide.

Gina, 14, was found dead in her family home in March 2018 after a court heard she made a 'suicide pact' online with British factory worker Christopher Ballard.

Today, Mr Ballard, 43, who still lives with his parents, was found not guilty at Bradford Crown Court of encouraging or assisting the girl's suicide after telling jurors he was only indulging in 'fantasy role play' and not serious.

After speaking to each other for two weeks, the teenager from Amsterdam, who loved ones say 'no one had ever seen her depressed', tragically took her own life.

To the outside world, the 'cheerful and funny' Gina was 'surrounded by love and had a lot of friends'. But the high school student was suffering in silence turning to internet forums where vulnerable people are often preyed upon.

British factory worker Christopher Ballard, 43, was found not guilty of encouraging the death of a 14-year-old girl from the Netherlands who killed herself

Unbeknownst to her mother, Christa, Gina had been communicating with Ballard after she posted on ForumJar - an online chat room which has since been shut down due to 'the growing number of inappropriate messages from members'.

In the month before her death, Gina posted for the first time on the forum under the title 'Suicide pact Netherlands'.

The tragic post read: 'Hi, my name is Gina. I am a 14-year-old female and I am planning to commit suicide. I would rather do it with someone else than alone. I am asking if you are willing to do it with me.'

Less than 48 hours after Gina posted her plea, Mr Ballard responded at 2.49am on February 17, telling her he was 'very much after the same'.

The pair discussed different 'methods' and for Mr Ballard, who said he worked in a hospital and had access to 'strong' sleeping drugs, to come to Amsterdam.

And while to Mr Ballard their online conversations were deemed to be nothing more than 'pretend role play' and 'joking around', 'vulnerable' Gina ended up taking her own life.

On the two-year anniversary of her death, Gina's mother wrote on an online memorial page made to remember her daughter, hitting out at the cruel forums that influenced her daughter.

She said: 'The people who knew her well were all shocked and no one had seen this coming. No one had ever seen her depressed. Everyone saw her as a sweet, introverted but cheerful, funny and tough girl who had a good life in a loving environment.'

The grieving mother added that Gina was just an 'average teenager' 'who preferred to spend all day on the 'unprotected' internet'.

And it was while spending hours scrolling on the various sites, she found 'all kinds of nasty videos that romanticize death, bad vloggers and contacts' her mother explained.

'Gina, through a combination of her vulnerabilities, character traits and influence by her internet role models, acted unplanned but fatal in heightened emotion and impulsiveness,' her mother added.

'I miss her so terribly and it feels like a big void inside me. It is as if time has stood still since she is no longer there.'

In memory of Gina, a cherry blossom tree and memorial bench have been placed on the water outside her secondary school Geert Groote College in the Dutch capital.

The plaque on the bench reads: 'Your sweet smile concealed your inner struggle. We will never forget you.'

Her mother said Gina lived a happy life and 'didn't experience bad things'.

Gina had acknowledged this in the weeks before her death explaining in a text message: 'Nothing happened to make me feel this way  I have no idea where it comes from.'

Christopher Ballard (above), 43, told a jury that he believed the teenage girl's messages to him about taking her own life was her 'pretend role play'

A farewell note left on her mobile phone also read: 'I am not here anymore when you read this. I want everyone to know that it was my own will. I know there is always pain for those left behind. I just do not want to live any more.

'Sorry once again. Thanks for everything. Love Gina.'

Last week at Bradford Crown Court when Ballard, who enjoys dressing up as Star Wars characters for Comic Conventions, was asked how the death of Gina made him feel, he told lawyers: 'It's such a tragic loss. It's sad, isn't it.'

Mr Ballard was first arrested in September 2020 after a joint investigation by police in Amsterdam and the West Yorkshire force.

He was arrested a second time 18 months later when he admitted lying to police officers about details in relation to his online and WhatsApp communications with Gina.

In cross examination, prosecutor James Bourne-Arton asked if it was 'easy to tell the difference between fantasy and real life, which Ballard replied: 'It depends.'

When asked 'did you realise what you did was wrong' the factory worker replied: 'I was just messaging her. I never intended to encourage her or anybody to commit suicide.'

Mr Ballard has now been cleared of all charges.
A Texas tech millionaire stands accused of using funds from his federal government-contracted company to sex traffic women onto his yachts - where he allegedly gave them herpes.

Greg Brady, 64, allegedly cheated on his then-wife Claudia Brady, using an online dating website to procure 'hundreds' of women for trips on his luxury boats.

Some of the women claim they were then raped or sexually assaulted while aboard the vessels, according to legal documents filed by his ex-wife.

Greg Brady, who bartended with billionaire Mark Cuban in college, is not facing criminal charges - and has categorically denied all of the accusations.

The lurid lawsuit emerged amid the fallout from his bitter divorce, which also saw him accuse ex-wife Claudia of stealing trade secrets from his former company, One Network.

The supply chain tech business is a Department of Defense contractor and was recently awarded a $62 million contract from the United States Air Force.

Claudia Brady's new filing claims: 'His pattern was to locate women online, often through a website designed to cover for such activities  millionairematch.com.

'Mr. Bradys pattern is to identify women he wants to have sex with, pay using One Network funds to have them flown to the One Net (Mr. Bradys yacht) in international waters.'

Texas tech millionaire Greg Brady (pictured with his ex-wife) has been accused of sex trafficking women onto his yachts, using funds from his federal government-contracted company while still married to his ex-wife Claudia Brady

Mr Brady's charter yacht, One Net, which is the site of the alleged 'trafficking'

One Net is an 86ft yacht which can accommodate eight guests in three cabins.

The process would be repeated, 'three or four times' over the course of a weekend, according to the document.

Some women, 'stated that they were raped by Mr. Brady while on the One Net. Others managed to fight him off,' the filing, seen by DailyMail.com, states.

The document contains a screenshot of a text purportedly from one of the women who met Brady on another of his yachts, Noble House, in which she claims she was raped at Brady's $6 million penthouse home in Dallas.

Noble House is a 177ft superyacht which boasts a gym, Jacuzzi, bar and baby grand piano among the accommodation for 12 people.

'I feel like he used me,' the message reads. 'He raped me at the Azure. I was super angry about it. But I'm over it, lesson learned!

'I'm pretty sure I was just one of many women he used and didn't give two s***s about. But that's gonna be his karma to deal with.'

The allegations appear in a petition for a Bill of Review filed by Claudia Brady to have her prenuptial agreement overturned.

Ms Brady claims the agreement was based on fraud, since she had no knowledge of her ex-husband's alleged infidelities at the time it was signed.

The couple married in 2011 and share two daughters. They divorced in 2021.

The document claims that five women allegedly had a consensual or non-consensual sexual relationship with Brady aboard his yachts.

Millionaire Brady (pictured) allegedly used an online dating website to procure 'hundreds' of women for trips on his luxury boats, according to a new lawsuit filed by his ex-wife

The lurid claims have emerged amid the fallout from his bitter divorce, which saw him accuse his ex-wife (pictured) of stealing trade secrets from his former company, One Network

One woman claims she met Brady aboard his yacht and was later raped at his $6 million Dallas penthouse

Among them was allegedly a Colombian national who, 'personally contacted Ms. Brady to tell her about the fact that Mr. Brady had transmitted herpes to her', the petition states.

It goes on to claim that Brady admitted he contracted genital herpes while in college.

Another woman, referred to as Jane Doe 1, was an employee of billionaire Mark Cuban, according to the document.

The filing states her travel arrangements to the One Net were, 'made by the secretary of One Network Enterprises using a company credit card'.

But once aboard the vessel, things took a turn for the worse, according to the petition, which states that Brady became paranoid that he was being surveilled by the FBI.

The petition narrates how the woman had given Cuban's email to Brady with her boss' consent, since the two had both attended the University of Indiana.

However, the document claims that Brady became 'erratic' and began screaming 'violently' at her, accusing his then-wife Claudia Brady of conspiring with Cuban and Oracle boss Larry Ellison to spy on him.

The woman was then flown away from the luxury vessel, according to the petition, before another woman referred to as Jane Doe 2 arrived the same day.

The second woman claimed that during her trip, she was 'assaulted' by Brady.

'Had she known that Mr. Brady had engaged and would continue to engage in what is believed to be hundreds of acts of sex trafficking, she never would entered into a premarital agreement with him,' the petition states. 'She was fraudulently induced into signing the agreement.'

His ex-wife Claudia said she found his profile on dating site millionairematch.com and claims she found messages from women (pictured)

In a petition for a Bill of Review, Claudia Brady (pictured) alleges that some of the women who engaged in sexual relationships with her husband caught Herpes from him

The third Jane Doe is the woman who claimed she was raped at the Azure penthouse in Dallas.

The document alleges that she was given multiple checks as 'hush money' in the aftermath.

Meanwhile, a fourth unnamed woman is said to have signed an NDA following her encounter with Brady.

Claudia Brady claims she is still owed $4 million as part of her divorce settlement after Brady sold his company for $850 million.

However, he has claimed that she violated confidentiality clauses in the agreement meaning she is no longer entitled to the money.

Brady also accused her of stealing One Network's trade secrets by planting listening devices, accessing company phones and computers and leaking information to the media - all of which she denies.

His filing accuses his ex-wife Claudia of engaging in, 'a nasty smear campaign' against the company.

Her lawyers argue that the litigation could be tantamount to malicious prosecution and has been brought to 'bully, harass, and intimidateindeed, to silenceMs. Brady'.

Another of Mr Brady's yachts mentioned in the filings is the 177ft superyacht Noble House which boasts a gym, Jacuzzi, bar and baby grand piano among the accommodation for 12 people

Claudia submitted evidence purportedly showing Brady's profile on the dating site

In the filings, alleged victims claim they were brought to Brady's yacht and raped or sexually assaulted (pictured, text messages from one alleged victim)

Ms Brady's petition claims the only inside knowledge she has is that her ex-husband's company, 'fraudulently overbilled on some of its government contracts'.

Her petition states that this allegation forms part of a 'Qui Tam' lawsuit filed in federal court.

Qui Tam lawsuits allow whistleblowers to prosecute cases of fraud against the government on their behalf.

It is not the first time Brady has been dragged through the courts.

In 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed suit in Dallas federal court charging Brady with insider trading and other federal securities law violations.

The SEC said that he and two former senior officers of Dallas-based technology company i2 Technologies, Inc. committed alleged accounting improprieties involving 'materially misstated software license revenues' to the tune of $1 billion.

The company agreed to pay a $10 million civil penalty and nominal $1 disgorgement but did not admit or deny the SEC's findings.

Blue Yonder, which acquired One Network, said Brady stepped back following the sale.

'Greg Brady separated from One Network in connection with the closing of Blue Yonders acquisition of the company on Aug 1, 2024, and he has no role at One Network, nor any employment or consulting relationship with Blue Yonder,' a spokeswoman said.

Brady said in a statement to DailyMail.com: 'We categorically deny all of these claims.'
'Mr. President. President Biden. Please, we haven't heard from you all trip. Mr. President!'

Those were the screams from a reporter at the 81-year-old president, who turns 82 on Wednesday, as he boarded Air Force One to mark the end of last major spin on the world stage.

Instead of responding, the commander-in-chief boarded the presidential aircraft in silence.

It capped off a trip to Peru and Brazil - with a stop in the Amazon - where he answered the majority of questions with a blank stare or a silent smile.

It cemented Biden's 'super lame duck' status on the world stage - as world leaders didn't wait for him to appear at a photo-op and the White House didn't bother scheduling a press conference to help with future agenda-setting.

The president headed back to Washington, D.C. after spending six days in South America attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, Peru and the G20 in Rio de Janeiro.

He became the first sitting U.S. president to tour a section of the Amazon rainforest - which became one of several viral moments from the trip, as he appeared to 'wander off' into the Brazilian jungle.

President Joe Biden 's final spin on the world stage left world leaders waiting and the press wanting - so much that as he boarded Air Force One Tuesday to head home a reporter could be heard screaming at him to take questions

2nd time's a charm: President Biden made it to a second group photo Tuesday at the G20 after missing a different one Monday - as he made world leaders wait for him on at least two occasions during his travels to APEC and the G20

As he walked onto the plane for his flight back, the frustration of the media was encapsulated by one journalist.

'Mr. President, happy early birthday. For your birthday, will you talk to us, sir?' asked the reporter, a member of his traveling press pool. 'As a gift to the press, will you please talk to us?'

'Mr. President. President Biden. Please, we haven't heard from you all trip. Mr. President!' she screamed.

That final plea came after reporters held up paper signs after his tour of the Amazon forest Sunday to encourage him to speak.

Earlier that day, the indigenous tour guides who had taken Biden, his daughter Ashley and his granddaughter Natalie around the Museu da Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil drowned out shouted questions by playing the maracas as Biden wrapped up his speech.

Online users voiced concerns about this clip that appeared to show President Joe Biden 'wandering off' into the Amazon rainforest. In fact, he was walking the same path he took to get to his podium set-up on Sunday afternoon

Perhaps it was Trump's specter that kept Biden so tight-lipped.

He ignored every single Trump-themed question hurled at him on the trip, though gave a one-word answer to one reporter on how he and Chinese President Xi Jinping - who he met on the sidelines of APEC on Saturday - planned to deal with the North Korean threat.

'Peacefully,' he mouthed.

That was the first query Biden had answered since before Election Day.

Senior administration officials told reporters during background briefings that Trump simply wasn't coming up during Biden's meetings with world leaders.

The president-elect wasn't even mentioned when Biden and the leaders of South Korea and Japan were discussing North Korea, a White House official claimed.

Trump famously forged a bizarre friendship of sorts with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

While Biden avoided Trump questions, he also refused to speak on his decision, which was first reported Sunday, to allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory using long-range weapons.

He gave a blank stare Tuesday when, again, he was asked about permitting Ukraine to use the weapons during a meet-and-greet Tuesday with G20 host, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Russia reported Tuesday morning that Ukraine had targeted the Bryansk region overnight.

The heightened tensions stoked World War III fears and angered Trump allies, who feared Biden would bumble the country into greater conflict with just two months of his term to go.

His diminished presence was on full display Monday, when world leaders didn't bother waiting for him to take one of the G2O group photos, where China's Xi and India's Narendra Modi got front row positions.

An American journalist got caught narrating the embarrassing moment.

'Where was he? They're telling them to wait for Biden, guys,' she said. 'Oh my God!' she intoned.

President Joe Biden was late to a 'family photo' of the leaders attending the G20 summit in Rio on Monday. The assembled leaders grinned for the picture and left before Biden arrived

The photo that Biden missed was arranged to call attention to fighting global hunger in a country that features aching poverty. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva organized the initiative

She then spotted Biden.

'Do you see him to the left? To the left of the palm tree,' she exclaimed. 'Oh my god ... He's behind the palm tree right now.'

The 81-year-old sauntered up to the crowd, who was breaking up after the photo-op, alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The White House almost immediately started playing damage control.

'Due to logistical issues, they took the photo early before all the leaders arrived,' a senior official told reporters traveling with Biden after the diss. 'So a number of leaders werent actually there when they took the photo.'

But on Tuesday - as Biden was lining up for yet another group photo - Paolo Pimenta, Brazil's minister of communications, countered that by telling DailyMail.com that the picture wasn't taken prematurely.

'Biden was talking to Trudeau,' Pimenta said in his native Brazilian Portugese. 'Because Brazil is like this. When it's time, it's time.'

'It's British punctuality. But it will be sorted out,' he added. 'The photo yesterday was not a G20 photo...everyone thought it was the official photo but it wasn't.'

President Joe Biden gave a blank stare Tuesday when, again, he was asked about permitting Ukraine to use the weapons during a meet-and-greet Tuesday with G20 host, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

Just days before, in the APEC official 'family photo,' Biden's position was in the second row and over toward the side - which the White House said was due to leaders appearing in alphabetical order.

But then a spokesperson for the National Security Council also had to concede that some of the leaders were out of order due to their own breaches in protocol.

Biden arrived five minutes late for that photo to be snapped.

The image spoke louder than words, with China's Xi standing front-and-center alongside the APEC host, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.

The one-and-only time Trump went to APEC, the photo was centered around the American leader.

Biden also raised eyebrows when he arrived at the G20 summit site and appeared to veer off the red carpet and walk a different way than other world leaders.

A senior administration official had to play damage control there too - explaining that some leaders took the different route if there were enhanced security concerns.

And then there was Biden's walk in the jungle.

A clip of the president went viral that suggested he had gotten lost in the Amazon rainforest.

In fact, he was cutting down the same path he had taken to get to his podium - and teleprompter set-up - to give remarks about preserving the ancient forest for generations to come.

But internet users suggested he was gone for good.

'And he was never seen again ...' one individual on X posted, showing Biden's backside slinking into the greenery.
A well-known TV comedian has had her tour advert banned by the advertising watchdog after it was accused of mocking the Christian faith.

Fern Brady, who has appeared Channel 4 shows Taskmaster and The Great Celebrity Bake Off, was depicted squirting milk from her breast into the mouth of a man dressed in religious clothing.

Although Brady argued the image was based on a 17th century religious painting, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled it was likely to cause serious offence to some Christians.

It added that the advert must not appear again in the form complained of in traditional media, where it is likely to cause serious offence.

The ASA also warned Brady to take care to not cause offence on the grounds of religion in future ads.

The still image was being used online to promote the Scottish comedians tour, called I Gave You Milk to Drink. The title was overlaid on a stained-glass window in the image.

A complainant had contacted the ASA, challenging whether the advert was offensive because it mocked the Christian faith.

Brady, 38, explained to the ASA that the image was a direct recreation of The Lactation of St. Bernard, also known as Saint Bernard and the Virgin, by Spanish painter Alonso Cano.

In the famous painting the Virgin Mary is depicted spraying milk from her breast into the mouth of St. Bernard of Clairvaux.

Fern Brady argued her advertising image was based on a 17th century religious painting, however the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled it was likely to cause serious offence to some Christians

TV comedian Fern Brady has previously appeared on Channel 4 shows Taskmaster and The Great Celebrity Bake Off

Brady has reportedly criticised the fact there has been a complaint lodged against her tour poster, stating that there is 'nothing wrong with it'

Brady said the advert had creatively referenced the original picture by using satire and humour. But she added it had not been intended to mock or belittle the original religious significance.

It was added that efforts had been made to avoid any unintentional offence notably by covering Bradys breast with a beam of light, which differed from the original painting.

Explaining Bradys response to the case, the ruling said: The intention was not to mock or belittle the original religious significance, but to offer a contemporary interpretation that aligned with her public persona as a comedian known for her irreverent style and her religious upbringing.

Her response said while some may have found the image distasteful, it did not mean it was likely to cause serious or widespread offence.

The ASA said the paid-for ad had been spotted on the Sky News website in August.

In the ruling it said: The image contained a woman with Fern Bradys face, holding a baby, and spraying milk directly from her partially obscured breast into the mouth of a kneeling holy figure.

Explaining why it had upheld the complaint, the ASA added: Regardless of consumers familiarity with the painting, or the content of Fern Bradys work, we considered the ad, which appeared on a general news website, was likely to be seen as depicting the Virgin Mary, a highly revered individual in the Christian tradition, breastfeeding an adult holy figure in a church setting, for the purposes of humour.

In that context, we considered that the ad was likely to be seen as mocking the religious figures shown.

We therefore concluded that it was likely to cause serious offence to some within the Christian faith who saw the ad on the site.

Brady had reportedly criticised the fact that a complaint was made about the advert.

According to a report in The Times last month she posted a video on social media in which she said some virgin complained to the ASA about my beautiful tour poster.

She had added: Theres not even anything wrong with it, why are you complaining?
The future of President Joe Biden's sweeping student loan debt forgiveness is uncertain with Donald Trump entering office.

One hallmark of the Biden administration has been an ongoing effort to wipe out billions in student loan debt for millions of borrowers.

The effort comes as Americans have amassed $1.74 trillion in student loan debt with more than 92 percent of it being federal student loan debt.

Some critics - including many Republican officials - have decried the push as unfair to taxpayers who did not take out expensive loans or receive fancy college degrees.

Biden's first and largest proposal to canceled up to $20,000 in debt per borrower was blocked by the Supreme Court last year.

But he has still managed to chip away at the debt canceling more than $175 billion for some five million borrowers while reducing the size of payments for millions more.

The administration shifted to alternative pathways to cancel the debt including going through the more lengthy regulatory process, though those efforts have already faced legal roadblocks.

While the push continues to move forward, several measures are in limbo with Trump heading to Washington next year.

The Biden administration has canceled more than $175 billion in student loan debt during his first term despite legal roadblocks. However, several proposals to further cancel debt are held up in the legal system, and it is unlikely there will be final court decisions before Trump takes office

'I think it is very likely to be even more uncertainty and anxiety for borrowers,' said Aissa Canchola-Banez, policy director of the Student Borrowers Protection Center, of the road ahead.

Administration efforts to fight lawsuits over student loan forgiveness would likely come to a halt under Trump while some borrowers could even see payments spike under the next administration.

But some of the loan forgiveness depends on when and how the courts respond.

Here is where plans currently stand:

SAVE Plan

Biden's Saving on Valuable Education (SAVE) plan was launched earlier this year after the administration went through the rule-making process to establish the program in an effort to avoid similar hurdles to the proposal struck down by the Supreme Court.

But it too was challenged by Republican state attorneys general and has been temporarily blocked by the courts.

The plan would have lowered monthly payments for borrowers relative to other income-driven repayment plans, stopped interest from building up and allowed some borrowers to see their debts erased after ten years rather than the standard 20 to 25 years.

According to on estimate, the plan could cost upwards of roughly $475 billion over ten years.

The eight million borrowers currently enrolled in the plan are in forbearance with interest and payments frozen for now while the plan is on hold.

According to student loan expert Mark Kantrowitz, the incoming Trump administration could simply decide to drop the case, but the courts also still need to weigh in.

If the SAVE plan does not move forward, it would mean many borrowers could face higher costs when payments resume.

Plan B

Another Biden attempt to cancel student loan debt, known as Plan B, is also held up in court after Republican state attorneys general sued.

Two-thirds of all borrowers would qualify for the more targeted approach to canceling debt after the original effort was blocked by the Supreme Court.

But the rules have not even been finished yet. It remains to be seen when there could be a final ruling.

Protesters after the Supreme Court blocked President Biden's first plan to cancel billions in student loan debt on June 30, 2023

The plan unveiled earlier this year would eliminate accrued interest for more than 20 million borrowers who owe more money on their student loans than they originally took out.

It also cut down the length of time borrowers would have to repay their loans before seeing forgiveness with some borrowers seeing their debt wiped out after being in repayment for at least 20 years, and it offered cancellation for those experiencing financial hardship.

The Education Department estimated the plan would cost just under $150 billion.

Economic hardship forgiveness

A third Biden administration proposal would provide relief for borrowers facing economic hardship. That effort is still in the rule-making process as well with the administration releasing the proposed rules just last month.

While it has not yet been challenged in court, Kantrowitz said a lawsuit is likely as soon as it is finalized.

The proposed rules are currently open for public comment which ends on December 2. The administration said it expected to finalize the regulation next year, but if enacted as it currently stands, the rules would authorize debt relief for nearly eight million borrowers.

'It's not 100% clear what would happen,' Kantrowitz said of the three unfinished Biden attempts at forgiveness facing legal holdups.

'If the Trump administration were to stop defending the cases, it seems likely that there will be a permanent injunction blocking the three provisions,' he continued.

'That is the easiest way for the Trump administration to block these forgivenesses.'

Ending current programs

There are other questions about where the Department of Education and future of student loan borrowing is headed under the Trump administration.

While Trump tried to distance himself from the conservative Project 2025 agenda on the campaign trail, it calls for dismantling the Education Department similarly to how the president-elect has called for shuttering it.

The more than 900-page document, which could serve as a roadmap, does not center on higher education, but it does call for the end of income-based repayment plans and ending federal student loan forgiveness for public service workers.

Ending the program would cut off relief to some 3.6 million public service workers and saddle them with some $250 billion in debt over the next decade that is slated to be forgiven, according to the Student Borrower Protection Center.

At the same time, the agenda calls for privatizing student loan borrowing programs.

But dismantling the Education Department or eliminating current student loan programs created by Congress like PSLF would take acts of Congress to accomplish.

President-elect Donald Trump on November 19. He has called for shutting the Department of Education. Such an move would take an act of Congress, but advocates warn he could have a major impact even without eliminating it

That does not mean the Trump administration won't have a significant impact.

'Under the Trump administration and Secretary [Betsy] DeVos, the Department of Education was actively working to push PSLF even further out of reach for public service workers,' said Canchola-Banez.

'Folks could see the next Trump administration try to make it even harder for nurses and educators and first responders to be able to benefit from PSLF,' she said.

It is not clear Republicans will attempt to pursue such expansive actions as eliminating loan programs or will even have the votes to do so despite their trifecta come January.

Trump named his former Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon as his pick for Education Secretary in his second term

Trump named Linda McMahon his pick for Education Secretary on Tuesday.

But Canchola-Banez noted shuttering the Education Department entirely is not her primary concern.

'Donald Trump, whether he wants to or not, cannot shutter the doors of the Department of Education with a flick of his pen, but what we know they can do is they can look at budgetary, consolidate offices and purge the workforce,' she said.

Student debt cancelations so far

The Biden administration has been able to cancel $175 billion in debt during his one term in office already despite roadblocks.

Debts wiped out include $74 billion for more than one million borrowers through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. At the start of the administration only 7,000 had seen debt forgiven through PSLF.

Another 1.4 million borrowers have seen $56.5 billion canceled through Income-Driven Repayment plans including in part due to administrative changes.

Another 1.6 million borrowers have seen $28.7 billion wiped out after being cheated by schools while more than half a million borrowers saw $16.2 billion in debt canceled for permanent disability.

According to Kantrowitz, the incoming Trump administration will not be able to claw back debt that has already been forgiven under such programs.

Meanwhile, Canchola-Banez urged borrowers to look into where their student loan status currently stands, so they can be prepared to address any changes coming down the pipeline.
Lucy Letby 'likely' murdered or assaulted more babies before she killed her first known victim, a senior paediatrician told a public inquiry on Tuesday.

Dr Stephen Brearey said he now believes collapses and deaths of other children before June 2015 were suspicious.

Although he insisted that neither he or his consultant colleagues recognised a member of staff could be deliberately causing harm prior to that date.

'Neither me or my colleagues had concerns at the time, we just thought we were going through a busy patch or a particularly difficult patch,' he said.

Peter Skelton KC, who is representing families of children murdered or harmed, said: 'You made a statement that on reflection you thought it is likely Lucy Letby didn't start becoming a killer in June 2015, Baby A was murdered on June 8.

Is it your view that she had murdered or assaulted children in your hospital prior to that date?'

Dr Brearey, the lead consultant for the neo-natal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital, replied: 'I think that's likely, yes.'

Mr Skelton added: 'On reflection now, do you look back and see a number of unexpected collapses or deaths, which with information now available to you appear suspicious?

Lucy Letby (pictured) 'likely' murdered or assaulted more babies before she killed her first known victim, a senior paediatrician told a public inquiry on Tuesday

Dr Stephen Brearey (pictured) said he now believes collapses and deaths of other children before June 2015 were suspicious

Letby was found guilty of murdering seven newborn babies and attempting to kill six others between 2015 and 2016

'Yes,' the medic added.

Letby, 34, was convicted of murdering seven infants and trying to kill seven more on the unit between June 2015 and June 2016.

However, Cheshire police's investigation is ongoing and detectives are examining 4,000 babies she cared for during the 'footprint' of her career, dating back to 2012, including two placements she undertook as a student at Liverpool Women's Hospital, in 2012 and 2015.

The inquiry has already heard from a registrar, Dr Rachel Lambie, who said around a fortnight before Letby murdered Baby A  a premature twin boy who was her first victim - another 'very, very unusual event' had occurred on the ward.

Although she didn't go into details, Dr Lambie confirmed she's given a statement to Cheshire police about the incident.

Dr Brearey said that, prior to June 2015, staff on the unit didn't realise the 'thermostat had been turned up,' with more babies suffering problems or events they didn't understand, because they initially tried to 'normalise' what was happening by finding medical reasons for infants falling unexpectedly ill.

'We work in the NHS, it's not perfect, and there are lots of rational ways to explain away (which) looking back on it, it doesn't make sense,' he added.

'Blaming the transport service, blaming another Trust for sending babies back when weren't completely stable, rather than taking a step back and thinking what's happening here?'

This is the moment former neo-natal nurse Lucy Letby was arrested at her home in 2018

Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital

He added: 'In retrospect, although I thought our reporting culture on the unit was good and that staff were very aware to report things that they thought went wrong, I think some of the incidents occurring in the indictment period and probably before were babies that deteriorated that could have triggered an incident.

'On reflection I think it's likely that Letby didn't start becoming a killer in June 2015, or didn't start harming babies in June 2015, I think it's likely that her actions prior to then over a period of time changed what we perceived to be abnormal.'

Dr Brearey said after Letby was redeployed into an administrative role, following the deaths of her two final victims, two triplet brothers, a year later in June 2016, there was so much 'secrecy' and 'intimidation' from senior hospital managers directed towards the consultants that it felt like they were working in North Korea or the old East Germany.

At some point in 2017, Dr Brearey also described having an 'uncomfortable' conversation with the parents of a child not involved in Letby's trial, who he feared had been murdered, but who he could not be open with.

He said: 'I remember feeling quite awkward about the concerns they had. I could easily answer in terms of specifics, they could tell something wasn't quite right, their senses were up.

'It didn't sit with me at all well and I felt very uncomfortable doing it, but I didn't feel in a position to let them know I was worried about a nurse murdering their baby, as well as others.'

The inquiry, sitting at Liverpool Town Hall, is expected to sit until early 2025, with findings published by late autumn of that year.
One of Scotland's best-known political journalists has broken down in tears as he describes facing the prospect of his death.

BBC Scotland's Political Editor Glenn Campbell was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in 2023.

At first it was feared he had just months left to live until he learned his type of tumour was easier to treat and he could survive for many more years.

But he has battled seizures and the side effects of chemotherapy, turning his world as he knew it upside down.

Mr Campbell, 48, has made a documentary about his experience with cancer during what has been a difficult year of gruelling treatment and endless uncertainty for himself, wife Claire and their two children.

BBC Scotland political editor Glenn Campbell and his wife, Claire

He said: 'It's a golden rule as a journalist not to become the story, but in this case, I just felt that it was worth sharing my personal experience as a way of putting a bit of a spotlight on this most difficult of cancers.'

His tumour is an oligodendroglioma, a rare, slow-growing tumour which has a higher survival rate than some other types of growths.

However, he lives with the uncertainty of not knowing what the future holds and dealing with the prospect of a shortened lifespan.

Brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of people under 40. Every day 33 people in the UK are diagnosed with the illness.

He announced his diagnosis in August last year after falling off his bike near his home in East Lothian and breaking 10 ribs. A scan revealed he had a brain tumour.

At first, Mr Campbell had to prepare for the worst when he went into surgery.

He said: 'I was organising my affairs on the basis that I was going to die quite soon, doing all the things you have to do to try and make sure that the burden of your death would not be so great on your family, trying to make things as easy as possible for them.'

Visibly upset he added: 'I've got an amazing wife, two fantastic kids and a lot of love.'

Glenn Campbell presenting BBC Scotland's election coverage

The operation was successful and surgeons managed to remove a large part of the tumour. A biopsy of the growth showed it was a less aggressive cancer.

He decided to extend his 'bucket list' of adventures by climbing every munro in Scotland to raise money and awareness for brain tumour research.

But after the surgery he suffered a seizure and ended up in intensive care for 24 hours.

In a clip recorded from his hospital bed he broke down in tears and said: 'I feel very emotional. It's not something I can say when Claire's here because I don't want to lose it in front of her.'

He added: 'It seems to me the only certainty about having brain cancer is continued uncertainty. It's just something to live with and over time the number have reduced.

'I'm not going to worry about dying unless it's staring me in the face.'

Mr Campbell took time off work last year to deal with his illness but has since returned to the small screen.

He joined BBC Scotland in 2001 as a political correspondent and regularly reports and presents programmes.

The broadcaster added: 'You realise what really matters, and maybe what doesn't quite so much. What really matters is family, and friends and good times and making memories, and what maybe doesn't matter is the hubbub of everyday life, work, and chores and I think being told you've got a life limiting condition really puts that into perspective.'

My Brain Tumour and Me is on tonight (Wed) on BBC One Scotland at 7pm.
Matt Gaetz stunned Washington four years ago when the then-bachelor Florida congressman suddenly revealed he was living with a Cuban immigrant teenager named Nestor whom he called his 'son'.

He never formally adopted the boy that he took in as a 12-year-old when he arrived in the U.S. in 2014 after the death of his mother, but said their relationship was defined 'by love, not paperwork.'

'We share no blood but he is my life. He came from Cuba (legally, of course) six years ago and lives with me in Florida. I am so proud of him and raising him has been the best, most rewarding thing I've done in my life,' Gaetz said in a social media post in June 2020, including a photo of him and Nestor, both wearing sunglasses.

But now questions have been raised anew about Nestor Galban, 23, an Air Force 1st Class Airman now based at Ramstein Air Force base in Germany after allegations emerged that Gaetz used his unofficial son's PayPal account to pay women for 'sexual favors.'

Two women interviewed by the House Ethics Committee about Gaetz testified that he paid them directly and repeatedly via Venmo transactions 'for sex,' their attorney said.

At least one of those payments was through the PayPal account of Nestor Galban. Gaetz has repeatedly denied the allegations.

It's unclear if Nestor knows Gaetz allegedly used his account to pay women to attend 'sex parties.'

Matt Gaetz and Nestor Galban when he graduated from Air Force basic training in March of last year

Gaetz allegedly partied, used drugs and paid women for sex repeatedly between 2017 and 2019 while serving in the House of Representatives, attorneys for witnesses have stated.

One of the women testified to the Ethics committee that she witnessed Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party.

The bombshell allegations have been central to a House Ethics Committee investigation into the ex-lawmaker that was abruptly paused last week following Gaetz's resignation after being nominated by Donald Trump to be attorney general.

Nestor was only 12 when he arrived in the U.S. from Cuba in 2014.

At the time, Gaetz, a state legislator, was dating Nestor's sister May Mendez and Nestor's mother had died of breast cancer.

Gaetz said the trio moved into together and formed a small family.

They lived at Fort Walton Beach, a small city in the Florida Panhandle known for fine white-sand beaches. They adopted a dog named Stella.

Gaetz spoke of how he helped Nestor ease into his new life, which including learning English and adjusting to school in a different country.

But much of their story remains a question mark.

Gaetz has never said how long he and May Mendez dated or how they met. Her LinkedIn profile shows she works in the hospitality and event planning business.

Nestor lived with Gaetz for four years after his arrival. At some point in those years Gaetz and May Mendez broke up.

Nestor then lived with his biological father for a year before moving back in with Gaetz after he turned 18.

It's unclear what kind of relationship Nestor has today with his biological family.

Matt Gaetz with Nestor Gablan, May Mendez, and dog Stella

The social media post where Matt Gaetz announced to the world he had an adopted son

Don Trump Jr., Nestor Galban, and Matt Gaetz

The Gaetz family at Thanksgiving in 2022: Matt Gaetz with his mom Victoria and dad Don with Nestor and Ginger standing behind them

Nestor became a U.S. citizen in September 2020, an occasion Gaetz marked on social media.

But the revelation the young Congressman from Florida was a secret family man set off a rash of conspiracy theories on the internet. At the time, his official bio didn't list that he had a son. And he had never mentioned him publicly before then.

The hashtag #FreeNestor started trending.

And internet sleuths found old photos of Nestor that Gaetz had posted on social media where he referred to the boy as a helper, a House page, and a local student - not as his adopted son.

Gaetz explained he was trying to protect Nestor's privacy. He noted that family members, friends, church members and other parents at Nestor's school knew Gaetz was raising the boy as his son.

But, as the questions grew, Gaetz's sister Erin posted pictures of Nestor and her brother throughout the years on her social media account, including pics of Gaetz dressed as Santa for the boy.

And Nestor, in a rare social media post, noted at the time: 'I wanted to have a normal life without any of y'all getting in it. But now I'm 19 and I old enough to handle it.'

In an episode of his podcast released shortly after Nestor made his public debut on Fox News, Gaetz said the boy spends time with his sister, with Gaetz's family and with Gaetz.

'Our family was never defined by paperwork or blood. It was truly defined by the love we have for each other,' Gaetz says.

Nestor studied nursing at Troy University in Alabama.

He joined the Air Force after graduation.

Ginger Gaetz posted photos to Instagram showing Nestor graduating from Air Force basic training in March of last year.

Nestor's Facebook page lists the Air Force as his employer and states he's 'in a relationship.'

He remains a part of Gaetz's MAGA world. There are photos of him and Gaetz with President-elect Donald Trump and Don Trump Jr.

But otherwise, Nestor maintains a low public profile. He barely posts on his X account and his Instagram account is private.

And he appears to remain close to Gaetz and his wife, Ginger Luckey Gaetz.

Matt Gaetz and Ginger Luckey at their August 2021 wedding

Ginger Gaetz, Nestor Galbon, Donald Trump and Matt Gaetz

Matt Gaetz's ex-girlfriend May Mendez, whose brother the congressman 'adopted'

Matt Gaetz and Nestor in 2012

In April 2021, Gaetz eloped to Southern California, marrying his girlfriend Ginger in a small ceremony on Catalina Island.

Nestor was there to represent Gaetz's family, according to Vanity Fair. Otherwise, the small wedding only had about 30 people in attendance.

Matt and Ginger met at Mar-a-Lago in March 2020 while both were attending Kimberly Guilfoyle's 51st birthday party.

At the time, Gaetz was under investigation as part of a probe that led to the arrest and plea deal of his close friend, Joel Greenberg, a former Seminole Count, Florida, tax collector.

Greenberg pleaded guilty in May 2020 to six federal crimes, including sex trafficking of a child, identity theft, stalking, wire fraud and conspiracy to bribe a public official. His plea agreement with prosecutors requires continued cooperation with an ongoing probe into sex trafficking.

Greenberg was sentenced in late 2022 to 11 years in prison.

The Department of Justice investigated the sex trafficking allegations against Gaetz but ended its investigation last year without bringing criminal charges.

Gaetz had denied all charges.
MBABANE  The National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, Vusi Manoma Masango, has announced a major shake-up of his troops.

Masango announced the transfer of 233 officers, who hold various ranks in the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS). The NATCOM said the postings and transfers were announced for implementation before schools open for the 2025 schools calendar. He said: Where administrative and operations convenience allow, movements may commence with immediate effect.

The postings by the NATCOM shall see some of the senior officers being redeployed, while others have been recalled abroad to resume senior duties locally.



Transfers



The transfers and postings shall see the Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Zandile Mnisi, being transferred from being Lubombo Regional Commissioner to being deployed in Botswana as Head of Secretariat Police Component in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). On the other hand, it shall see Superintendent Martin Mbingo being recalled from Foreign Service in New York, to assume the position of Senior Government Security Officer. Also, among those being transferred shall be Senior Superintendent Frank Hurube, assuming the position of SADC liaison officer at the Police Headquarters, while popular Mbabane law enforcer Sergeant Bongani Maziya, shall depart from the Mbabane General Duty to assume the position of Mbabane  Hilltop Post Commander.



he transfers and postings shall see 126 constables, which is the entry level position within REPS, being deployed to various police stations in the four regions. Among the constables, some have been afforded the opportunity to reside at their homesteads. The second highest number of transfers was that of sergeants, as 61 were moved from various police stations, while the third highest number of postings was for assistant superintendents. At least 12 of them were moved across the country, while 10 assistant inspectors were transferred.

There was only one senior assistant commissioner of police who was listed in the postings, while seven senior superintendents were also redeployed in the shake-up by Masango. The NATCOM also posted and transferred seven officers holding the rank of senior superintendent.



Efficiency



The move, according to insiders, is aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and bolstering security efforts across the country. They claimed that the changes are expected to revitalise the police service and optimise resource allocation. They claimed that by deploying experienced officers to strategic positions, REPS aims to improve service delivery and combat crime effectively. While the specific reasons for the reshuffle have not been publicly disclosed, the sources expressed belief that REPS is seeking to address operational challenges, enhance coordination among different units and foster a dynamic and responsive police service.It is worth noting that upon being appointed NATCOM, Masango said: This is not a one-man show; we need a collective effort and united front to successfully fight crime.



Changes



This was immediately after being appointed by His Majesty King Mswati III on July 6, 2024, at the Matsapha Police College and four months in office, Masango has brought about changes. When assuming the position of NATCOM, Masango emphasised the need for a collective effort from the executive of the police service, to the junior officers. He said if they were a united front, they would be successful in the fight against crime. He also, at the time, urged all stakeholders, including the media, to support the police service with positive feedback, stressing that: Do not focus on criticising us, but help us with information that will make our work easier and efficiently.
A longtime Donald Trump adviser quietly collected ten of thousands of dollars in Covid-19 relief funds shortly before earning much more as a strategic advisor on Trumps failed 2020 presidential campaign, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Records show that Boris Epshteyn applied for the $32,600 loan through the Paycheck Protection Program, designed to keep businesses afloat during the pandemic crisis.

But Epshteyn, a political strategist, attorney, and investment banker, was hardly struggling. According to Fortune, the 43-year-old Russian-American had a stake worth between $1 million and $5 million in TGP Securities, a New Jersey firm where he previously worked as a manager director.

Between 2017 and December 2019, he was employed as a senior political commentator for Sinclair Broadcasting Group.

His Sinclair show was taken off the air in December, 2019, but sources say he stayed on as an advisor.

Boris was a one-man band in his consulting business, says one insider. But the PPP money was there, so he did what a lot of people did.

'He took the pay day.

'But he was a man of means and probably knew that before long he would be on the Trump campaigns payroll.

Records show that Boris Epshteyn received $32,600 through a Paycheck Protection Program loan while working on Trump's 2020 presidential campaign

The 43-year-old Russian-American served as the strategic adviser and co-chair of the Jewish Voices for Trump Advisory Board in 2020

When contacted, Epshteyn, who served as the strategic advisor and co-chair of the Jewish Voices for Trump Advisory Board on Trump's 2000 campaign, declined to comment.

Epshteyn was hired by the campaign in early June 2020 and worked until December. Federal Election Commission records show he was paid around $10,000 per month for a total of $66,500.

Just two months before his hiring, in April, he received the $32,600 PPP 'loan', which he requested for his one-man consultancy, Boris Epshteyn Inc., run out of his house near Princeton, New Jersey.

Records identify him as providing administrative management and general management consulting services, with no employees apart from himself.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, through the PPP program, issued nearly a trillion dollars in loans to keep millions of businesses and sole proprietors employed during the pandemic.

Epshteyn applied the same month the federal program was enacted, and has never had to pay it back. This was typical of a program that was seen as vital for many recipients, but also wasteful for others who didnt actually need the free money.

Epshteyn, for his part, was never accused of defrauding the program.

Public documents provide very little detail on his application, how he justified the expense, and why he was approved.

Epshteyn put together the legal team that defended Trump in his hush money case in New York

He applied for the loan for his one-man consultancy, Boris Epshteyn Inc., which he runs out of his house near Princeton, New Jersey

State records in New Jersey show Boris Epshteyn Inc. was created in 2014 as a domestic profit corporation, and lists Georgetown Advisory as an associated name, with Epshteyn as the only reported officer.

In his online biography, he identifies himself as founder and president of Georgetown Advisory consulting group.

And in addition to his political and media pursuits, he lists himself as a partner at a boutique investment bank specializing in private equity and venture capital transactions.

Epshteyn was a key player in the so-called fake electors scheme that sought to overturn the 2020 election, for which he and several other Trump allies are currently under indictment in Arizona.

He was also arrested in Arizona in October 2021, when he was accused of inappropriately touching two young women in a nightclub, according to police records.

A security guard at the Bottled Blonde nightclub in Scottsdale flagged down police. One of the women was seen crying on police body camera footage as she described Epshteyn groping her and her sister.

Epshteyn, curled over on the sidewalk outside, was hauled off with his hands cuffed behind his back.

News of Epshteyn's PPP loan comes amid reports that the Trump adviser had a 'major blowup' with the President-elect's close pal Elon Musk during dinner at Mar-a-Lago last week

Donald and Melania Trump having dinner at Mar-a-Lago with Elon Musk

Elon Musk, with House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Trump on Saturday

He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct charges after prosecutors dropped charges of attempted sexual abuse, assault-touching and harass-repeated acts. He paid a fine and served probation, and his conviction was later set aside.

His close relationship with Trump traces back to his friendship with Eric Trump at Georgetown University, where both were undergrad students. He was a guest at Eric's 2014 wedding.

Epshteyn also served as a senior advisor during the 2016 presidential campaign and made regular television appearances as a Trump surrogate. He also briefly worked in the White House communications office when Trump took office in 2017.

In recent days, hes been advising the president-elect on appointments for his new administration, and clashed last week with a new power broker in Trump world.

Axios reported that the Tesla founder and Epshteyn argued before guests at Mar-a-Lago. The report claimed Musk bristled at Epshteyn's influence on Cabinet picks and accused him of leaking details to the media, charges he vociferously denied.
Nat Barr expressed the frustration many Australians are feeling about high migration and the effect on housing following a fiery interview with two politicians on her Sunrise show.

A clearly exasperated Barr ended the interview with Minister for Housing Claire O'Neil and Shadow Minister Jame Hume by shaking her head during Wednesday's edition of the Channel Seven program.

'Look, that's just really hard to understand,' Barr said of high migration levels.

'I can tell you for most Australians because you can't get a house.'

Earlier, Barr confronted Ms O'Neil, who previously helped oversee immigration as Minister for Home Affairs, about why the number of migrants had swelled to record levels despite the government promising to bring it down.

Barr noted a recent report that showed 49 per cent of Aussies think immigration is too high because of economic and housing issues.

'Claire, when our housing and economy is already under so much pressure, is it time to rethink our immigration strategy entirely?' Barr asked.

Sunrise host Nat Barr (pictured centre) has conducted a combative interview with Albanese government minister Claire 0'Neil (pictured left) and Coalition MP Jame Hme

'You guys promised to cut it, seems to be rising.'

Ms O'Neil replied: 'We're a government with a clear plan to bring migration rates down, and we will do that by hook or by crook, whether or not Peter Dutton comes with us.'

But Barr continued to press the minister.

'OK, I'm just a bit confused because the Australian Bureau of Statistics has got permanent long-term arrivals from January to September this year at 391,850,' Barr replied.

'That's apparently the highest figure for that period to date, so that's the highest we've ever got for that sort of figure, and your goal was 260,000 for the whole year.

'So is it coming down what are you talking about from now on?'

'It it is coming down, Nat,' Ms O'Neil insisted.

'Like now,' Barr interrupted.

'And the numbers are showing us that. We would like those numbers to come down further,' Ms O'Neil continued.

'Which numbers are showing that?' Barr tried to ask.

'We would like those numbers to come back down and that is exactly why we've got this policy in place to cap the number of international students coming into our country,' Ms Hume said.

Barr also challenged Ms O'Neil on whether Australia should copy the incoming Trump administration by having a government waste watchdog, which billionaire Elon Musk is heading and has been backed by mining magnate Gina Rinehart.

'Australians should feel a chill down their spine when billionaires discuss "efficiencies" in public services,' Ms O'Neil replied.

'What that really translates to for your viewers is drastic cuts to essential services like health, education, and other services that we ordinary Australians rely on. This has no relevance to Australia.'

'Why does it though?' Barr pressed.

Billionaires Gina Rinehart (pictured left) and Elon Musk (pictured right) are advocating cutting government waste

'Because Nat the government does some incredibly important things. It looks after our sick children in hospital, it educates our children, it pays for aged care for Australians,' Ms O'Neil replied.

'These are abstract things to billionaires who can pay their own way, but for ordinary people, these are meaningful and important things in their lives.'

However, Barr was still unconvinced.

'OK, a lot of people might be sitting there in their lounge rooms today thinking, well, OK, I mean whether you like Elon Musk or not, but if someone gets to be a billionaire, they may know how to make money, they may know how to cut waste,' Barr said.

'Let's give them a go.'

Ms Hume accused Ms O'Neil of being 'enormously disrespectful' in her answer when talking about Mr Musk and Ms Rinehart, who are worth over $466 billion and $30billion respectively.

'You don't get to be the world's richest man and Australia's richest person by accident, you get there because you've got some ideas about how to be efficient, and how to be effective and how to be profitable.' Ms Hume said.

'I wish that government would spend taxpayers' money more wisely, and so should you.

'In fact, there's a 36,000 additional public servants that have come on board since this government began. 36,000.

'Now that's at a cost of billions of dollars, and I don't know about you, but I don't necessarily feel $36,000. Public servants better served than I did two years ago.'

Barr agreed.

'I just think people at home might be open, I mean we, we know you have to run the government, but maybe people are interested in drilling down on exactly where the money's going, maybe we should be open to that,' Barr said.

'I think that's a very good idea,' Ms Hume replied.
Australians are being told to remain vigilant of scams during the peak November shopping season as fraudsters target online bargain hunters.

Black Friday is a tradition imported from the US, where the Friday after Thanksgiving signals the start of the Christmas shopping period, while Cyber Monday is a more recent addition focusing on electronic goods.

The Black Friday to Cyber Monday retail sales begin in Australia from November 29.

Retail spending across the four days is expected to soar to more than $226million compared to an average November weekend.

Last year, Aussies spent more than $1.46billion during the November sales but also lost more than $330,000 to online shopping scams, according to Scamwatch.

Australian Retailers Association chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown said scammers would try to mimic genuine websites, but small details will usually give them away such as offering products well below other comparable sites.

She urged shoppers to do their own research and check who they are buying from.

'We advise shoppers to stick to well-known retailers on websites you trust, to use secure payment methods, to avoid obvious 'too good to be true' deals, and to refrain from clicking on suspicious links in emails or texts,' she said.

Australians spend up big during November with major sales combining with the start of the Christmas shopping period (pictured, a shopper in Pitt Street Mall in Sydney)

Scamwatch and ANZ Bank have warned online shoppers could be the target of sophisticated scammers who can mimic legitimate sites (pictured, Amazon boxes outside a Sydney home)

More than $3.4million has already been lost to phoney online shopping sites in the first ten months of this year, Scamwatch said.

'Scammers often exploit popular shopping events like Black Friday, hoping to take advantage of individuals focused on securing a bargain,' ANZ scams portfolio lead Ruth Talalla said.

'During seasonal sales, we generally see a rise in fake shopping websites or advertisements pretending to be reputable Australian retailers, hoping to entice shoppers with highly discounted prices or incredible deals.

'We encourage customers to take a moment before making any online purchases, whether during a sale or not, and verify the website to ensure the information is legitimate.'
The shocking moment thieves made off with a truck-full of Christmas presents meant for disadvantaged Aussie kids has been caught on camera.

The heartless incident took place at the Community Cafe Outreach Service in Sadleir, in Sydney's south-west, during the early hours of Saturday, November 16.

In CCTV from the centre, the thieves are seen breaking into a small shed on the property before systematically removing dozens of brand-new toys.

The gifts, as well as clothing and home appliances such as kettles and toasters, were loaded into a white truck and driven away by the gang of thieves.

Community Cafe CEO Kirsty Parkes said she was left heartbroken after discovering all of the donated presents had been stolen.

'We felt sick... just to have everything that we had poured our heart and soul into... ripped out overnight, I can't even describe [it],' she told Sunrise on Wednesday.

'It felt personal.'

Ms Parkes shared a photo of the mess the thieves had made in the shed after volunteers spent the weekend neatly organising the gifts.

In CCTV from the centre, the thieves are seen breaking into a small shed on the property before systematically removing dozens of brand-new toys (pictured)

Community Cafe Outreach Service CEO Kirsty Parkes (pictured) said she was left heartbroken when she realised the Christmas gifts had been stolen

The truck belongs to the Young Adults Disabled Association, which is a charity the organisation works with to deliver goods and services to families in need.

Ms Parkes said the toys were set to be handed out at the organisation's annual Christmas party in less than a month's time on December 15.

'These kids are some of the poorest kids in Australia. If they don't have the toys from us, they don't have Christmas, she said.

'To have somebody come in and take that away is just deplorable.'

Ms Parkes said police are still trying to track down the vehicle after conducting a search of the neighbourhood on Tuesday.

NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia: 'Police are investigating after a Kia panel van was stolen and a premises were broken into at Sadleir.

'Officers attached to Liverpool City Police Area Command have been told between Sunday 17th November and Monday 18th November 2024 unknown person have entered a property on Celebration Road, Sadleir, stealing a white 2003 Kia panel van with orange stickers on the side and various donated electrical items and toys.'

Ms Parkes uploaded an emotional video to Facebook on Monday urging locals and businesses to donate toys and gifts for children in need.

Ms Parkes shared a photo (pictured) of the mess the thieves had made in the shed after volunteers spent the weekend neatly organising the gifts

'People here are really suffering and to do this is an act of absolute desperation. We're here everyday... we give this [toys] out for free. We're not asking for money donations, we're just asking for toys for the kids,' she said.

The break-in is the latest in nine previous incidents at the centre.

Police have asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
Aussie travellers lost $337,000 last year after falling victim to artificial intelligence scams that have become increasingly more common.

Travel giant Booking.com has warned there has a been a dramatic surge in travel scams swindling both travellers and providers.

Chief information security officer Marnie Wilking told the BBC there had been 'anywhere from a 500 to a 900 per cent increase' in the past 18 months.

Ms Wilking said since the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, there has been a marked rise in phishing scams, in which people are duped into providing their financial details.

'Of course, we've had phishing since the dawn of email, but the uptick started shortly after ChatGPT got launched,' she said.

'The attackers are definitely using AI to launch attacks that mimic emails far better than anything that they've done to date.'

Ms Wilking said AI was making the scams more difficult to detect as the technology can create more accurate text in multiple languages and more realistic images.

She is calling for travellers and hotels to implement two-factor authentication, which provides an additional level of security.

Booking.com's Chief Information Security Officer said there had been 'anywhere from a 500 to a 900% increase' in travel scams in the past 18 months (stock image)

This can include keying in a code sent to a mobile phone.

Ms Wilking said this is 'the best way to combat phishing and credential stealing'.

She also implored people to more vigilant before clicking on links.

Ms Wilking said although AI is being used by scammers, the technology is also assisting Booking.com to quickly cull fake hotels that are being created to scam travellers.

'We've set up AI models to detect those and either block them from getting on there to begin or take it down before there's any booking,' she said.

In 2023, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) saw a major jump in reported scams mentioning Booking.com, which is one of the most visited travel booking sites.

This resulted in Aussies being fleeced out of more than $337,000.

Scam artists accessed Booking.com accounts of some accommodation providers, sending messages to guests posing as representatives of properties guests had booked with.

The Booking.com website provides advice on how to stay safe online.

As well as activating two-factor authentication, it recommends other ways to maintain security.

'You can keep your accounts and identity protected by looking out for emails that contain links and/or attachments, emails that ask you to sign in, or emails that ask you to enter personal or financial info,' the website stated.

'Scammers might also try to access your personal or financial info by calling you, which is a technique called social engineering.

'Our Customer Service representatives will only ask you to share your reservation ID and/or reservation PIN. You shouldn't be asked to provide the password for your Booking.com account or other sensitive financial info, such as your credit card number.'
A three-day shutdown on Sydney city's train network is expected to cause 'significant disruptions' for hundreds of thousands of Aussies this weekend.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has planned industrial action from Friday morning for Sydney, as well as inter-city services.

Transport for NSW announced on Wednesday the RTBU had not lifted their industrial action and the railway network would shutdown from Friday through to Sunday.

It came after the union initially said the strike would begin at 10pm on Thursday but later compromised to run normal services.

The update came as a relief for 40,000 Pearl Jam fans, many of whom will travel to Olympic Park on 86 additional services scheduled for Thursday night.

Trains are expected to stop running on Friday morning as the union launches industrial action following a month-long stalemate with the NSW government.

Complicating matters further, track work on the Metro line means services will only running between Tallawong and Chatswood on Saturday and Sunday.

'The union industrial action is still planned for Friday and Saturday and we know that's going to have a massive impact on millions of people who rely on these train services,' NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen told 2GB.

A three-day shutdown on Sydney city's train network is expected to cause 'significant disruptions' for millions of Aussies this weekend (pictured, commuters at Martin Place)

Why are Sydney trains striking?

The industrial action planned for the end of this week follows a month-long dispute between the union and the NSW government.

The RTBU is demanding the Minns government give railway employees a 32 per cent pay rise over four years and a 24-hour train service on Thursday through to Sunday.

The government has offered rail workers a wage increase of 9.5 per cent over three years, which was rejected by the union.

Train services ran around the clock over the previous weekend to ward off stop-work bans. However, NSW Transport officials said continuing 24-hour services from Thursday through to Sunday was not sustainable.

'We saw last weekend the government [ran] 24-hour public transport in Sydney very successfully,' union Branch Secretary Toby Warnes told ABC TV's News Breakfast.

'We see really no reason why it can't do so this weekend. The announcement by the Transport Minister I think shocked us as much as it shocked everyone.'

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen (pictured) said the industrial action would impact millions

Some Metro services will also be closed for maintenance over the weekend

Are there any trains running on the weekend?

The industrial action was initially scheduled to run across four days, from Thursday 10pm through to Sunday.

Transport NSW announced on Wednesday it had agreed with the union to run services on Thursday - including the planned 86 additional services to Olympic Park for a Pearl Jam Concert.

The vast majority of trains are expected to come to a halt on Friday morning and continue well into the weekend.

'At this stage the RTBU has not agreed to lift their industrial action,' a statement from Transport NSW said.

'The notified bans in place by the union will bring the heavy rail network to a shutdown on Friday, Saturday, and through until Sunday morning this weekend.'

The disruptions are set to impact passengers travelling to and from Newcastle, The Central Coast, the Blue Mountains, the Southern Highlands and the Illawarra.

The Sydney Metro from Chatswood in the north to Sydenham in the inner west is also closed for maintenance on the weekend.

Ms Haylen is hopeful the concession will give the union and the government more time to come to an agreement before the weekend.

'It gives us another day to continue our negotiations and hopefully get people where they need to go,' the minister said.

Commuters are being urged to find alternative transport where possible and allow for extra travel time (pictured, commuters at Sydney's Town Hall station)

When will the strike end?

Train services will start again from mid-morning on Sunday, however the shutdowns are expected to continue every week until a resolution is reached.

'Sydney Trains and NSW Trains remain committed to finding a resolution for our workforce this side of Christmas,' NSW Transport said.

After an agreement was not met between NSW Transport and the RTBU, Ms Haylen said the onus was on the union to drop its work bans.

'We want to keep our city moving. No one wants this. Passengers don't want this. I don't want this. The government doesn't want this,' she said.

'But the only way to keep trains running and to get people where they need to go is for the union to lift its industrial action.'

What alternative services are available to commuters?

The strike presents a tricky situation for the government as about 720,000 people use Sydney's train network each day, according to government data.

Commuters are being urged to find alternative transport where possible and allow for extra travel time.

Replacement busses and other services will be rolled out, including ferries and rideshare services, to curb the shutdown's impact.

NSW Transport secretary Josh Murray explained the shutdown would cause an additional strain to replacement services.

'They will already be running on Thursday and Friday at their usual capacities, and so the amount of extra capability on the bus and ferry network will be tested,' Mr Murray told the ABC.

The strike is set to cause an influx of traffic congestion across Greater Sydney, as commuters opt to drive to their destinations or use a replacement bus services

How will the strike affect roads?

The action is set to cause an influx of traffic congestion across Greater Sydney, as commuters opt to drive to their destinations or use a replacement bus.

The strike could also see an increased demand and greater availability of rideshare services, like Uber.

However, rideshare services are more expensive than train services and an increase in demand could see a surge in prices.
A Canadian couple faced a nightmare 72-hour journey home when their travel plans were disrupted after a vacation in Las Vegas.

Andrew Korchacov, 44, and his wife, 42, flew with WestJet on vacation from their home in British Columbia to Las Vegas on November 4.

The couple had carefully planned their return for the following Sunday, with a late-night flight from Vegas to Vancouver and a second the next day to return them back to their home city, Terrace.

Their goal was simple - be back home in time to get to work on Tuesday.

However, their plans fell apart while waiting to depart from Las Vegas airport when their flights were cancelled two hours before takeoff.

Their expected 25-hour journey home had been rebooked by the airline which created a 72-hour itinerary with multiple stops.

The Korchacovs were expected to first fly from Las Vegas to San Francisco before a second flight, two hours later, would take them back to Vancouver.

There, they would then be stuck on the ground at Vancouver for a whopping 52 hours before a 10pm 90-minute flight to Calgary.

The next morning would be the last leg of their journey into Terrace, adding 47 hours to their original plan.

Andrew Korchacov and his wife were forced to spend over $3,000 to get home after their flights were cancelled and rebooked - adding 47 hours to their journey

The couple had gone on vacation to Las Vegas and hoped to make it home in time for work on Tuesday

'I thought this was a mistake,' Korchacov told the National Post. 'I cannot spend a week of my life flying. It doesn't make sense.'

Korchacov tried to find some answers at the airlines help desk and joined a long line of other passengers doing the same - but he was met with rude customer service and no solution.

'First of all, they were rude to me. They said: "Well, you got your ticket rebooked. What do you want?" I said: "What do I want? I want to get home,"' he told the outlet.

In desperation, he offered to spend even more money to try and rectify the situation and get home on time. Korchacov was sure this couldn't be the fastest way home, and there must be another way.

'She said "you get what you get, and if you cause any trouble, we're going to call security on you,"' he said. 'Basically, she told me to "go away."'

In a state of confusion and frustration, he hadn't managed to see the nametags of who he was speaking to, he said: 'My state of mind was so disturbed that I didn't pay attention to the name tags if there were any. In hindsight, I should have.'

In the end, the couple ended up spending $3,050 on an Air Canada ticket 'just to get home Monday', that took them from Las Vegas to Portland, then Vancouver and home to Terrace.

Korchacov tried to find some answers at the airlines help desk and joined a long line of other passengers doing the same - but he was met with rude customer service and no solution

They finally made it home by 4pm on Monday, 18 hours after their ordeal began, with both of them expected at work the following morning.

'I just did what I did to get home. If I had to walk, I would walk. If I had to drive, I would drive,' he told the outlet.

WestJet released a statement to National Post which said: 'We sincerely apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Korchacov for the inconvenience they experienced travelling from Las Vegas to Terrace.

'Mr. and Mrs. Korchacovs flight was initially cancelled due to maintenance which was required for safety.

'Unfortunately, there was limited availability to Terrace both within our network and through alternative carriers, making options for re-accommodation extremely challenging.

'Mr. and Mrs. Korchacov were notified of the flight disruption via email and phone and were advised that they would be eligible to receive hotel and meal vouchers if they accepted alternative travel arrangements with WestJet.'

Korchacov, however, is yet to hear from the company and said he was 'still waiting for a reply'.
The woman who revealed she once dated a Secret Service agent who asked her to have sex at the Obamas' Hawaii home said she thinks her story would make a great movie.

Koryeah Dwanyen came forward the juicy details between herself and an agent, whom she only named as 'Dale,' in her book 'Undercover Heartbreak: a Memoir of Trust and Trauma.'

Now, she's making suggestions about which Hollywood stars could play the main characters in a possible movie.

'I mean, that would be pretty awesome, I'm not gonna' lie' she told TMZ of the studios looking to adapt her story.

Dwanyen's only real goal was to break even after self-publishing her memoirs and is tickled by possibly doing more with it.

She added: 'But a movie would be awesome, I can't lie!'

While there's no studio knocking on her door yet, she does know who should play its central romance.

'Maybe Keke Palmer,' Dwanyen said when thinking about who should act out her life story.

Koryeah Dwanyen, the ex-girlfriend of a Secret Service agent who got her former lover fired for sharing secrets and asking if they could have sex at the Obamas' Hawaii home, thinks the story would make a great movie

Dwanyen revealed the lurid details between herself and an agent who worked with the Obamas, whom she only named as 'Dale,' in her book ' Undercover Heartbreak: a Memoir of Trust and Trauma'

She then said that rapper/actor Common should play her ex-boyfriend. The Secret Service agent has not been identified and is given a pseudonym in the book.

Dwanyen clarified that she's yet to receive any concrete offers.

The book, which released on October 28, reveals that in 2022, 'Dale' showed him pictures of the residence before daring her to come with.

'No one will know. If anything, I'm the one who could get in trouble,' Dwanyen claims the agent said.

That's when he dared her to defile the former First Lady Michelle Obama's bathroom with him.

'We should have sex in Michelle [Obama]'s bathroom, like a mile-high club,' Dwanyen claims he suggested.

The Secret Service has confirmed that due to this and several other breaches, 'Dale' has been fired.

'On Nov. 6, 2022, a Secret Service agent involved in protective functions brought an individual who did not have authorized access into a protectee's residence without permission,' Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi told ABC News.

Dwanyen said she believes a movie should cast Keke Palmer (pictured left) to play her and Common (pictured right) to play her ex

The book, which released on October 28, reveals that in 2022, 'Dale' showed him pictures of the residence before daring her to come with

'As soon as the Secret Service became aware of the incident, the agent involved was immediately suspended and after a full investigation, terminated.'

He added that the Obamas were not present when 'Dale' tried to bring Dwanyen for a tryst.

'Although the protectees were not present at the time of the incident, these actions were an unacceptable violation of our protocols, our protectees' trust and everything we stand for,' he added.

'Dale' was a serial liar, according to Dwanyen's book, saying that he lied about not being married and would continuously gossip about information learned from his job guarding the Obamas.

'There were major red flagsbreaches of trust and of his job,' Dwanyen said. 'One of my friends has joked, "You were a walking national security risk."'

The Obamas were not present when 'Dale' tried to bring Dwanyen for a tryst

He would also gossip about some of the other people he was assigned to guard, like Vice President Mike Pence.

Dwanyen knew code names, some of Michelle Obama's private schedule and other 'things that I should not have been privy to as a civilian.'

Eventually, she blew the whistle and sent an email to 'Dale's' boss after having met him previously and gotten his contact info from the emails he shared with her.

It's the latest embarrassment for the Secret Service, after an independent report on the first assassination attempt against Donald Trump concludes it's likely another incident will happen if there is not a complete overhaul to the agency.

The four-person panel released a scathing 52-page report Thursday claiming there is a 'loss of public confidence' in the group tasked with protecting all current and former presidents as well as major party presidential candidates.

Without massive reform, the report claims, there will be more incidents like the one at the Butler, Pennsylvania rally on July 13.

The group appointed by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is just one of the several groups looking into the USSS failures that allowed shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, to get just a few hundred feet within the former president with an AR-15 rifle.
A Minnesota man is accused of murdering his father 'execution-style' in front of his uncle and another man as they finished eating dinner inside their hunting cabin on Friday.

A 911 caller from the rural town of Hinckley told police that two men came into his home and claimed that Kirk Hazlett III, 31, had just shot his father, Kirk Hazlett II, at the cabin next door, Law and Crime reports.

Deputies from the Pine County Sheriff's Office then had to drive one and a half miles down a dirt road to access the elder's hunting cabin on Barns Spring Road, where they found him lying down on the floor near the couch with a 'large amount of blood pooling on the ground near his head,' according to court documents obtained by the Kansas City Star.

There were several spent casings of ammunition on the ground next to the body, Fox 9 reports.

A postmortem examination revealed that Hazlett II suffered from nine gunshot wounds - one of which entered his head above the left ear and exited at the right forehead.

All of the entrance wounds were from the back, suggesting his son shot him from behind.

Kirk Hazlett III, 31, is accused of murdering his father at his hunting cabin in Minnesota on Friday. He is now being held on a $3million bond

Kirk Hazlett II, was found lying down on the floor near the couch with a 'large amount of blood pooling on the ground near his head,' police said

Police said they then spoke to the two witnesses to the murder, who said they were having dinner when one of them - Hazlett II's brother - received a notification on his cellphone from the trail camera at the entrance to the property that showed someone walking up the driveway with a gun.

'Holy s***, someone just walked through our gate with a pistol in their hand,' the brother reportedly warned.

He then went to retrieve his handgun from one of the rooms in the cabin, but as he was getting the weapon, Hazlett III allegedly 'busted through' the side door of the cabin and the brother heard three gunshots.

The brother said he then saw his nephew standing inside the cabin with a handgun.

The victim was still 'breathing a little bit' at that point, as the suspect made his uncle and the other witness sit on the couch, they claimed.

He then allegedly stood over his father and 'shot him in the head execution-style' to 'make sure' he would not survive.

One of the witnesses later reported that Hazlett III 'entered [the cabin] with a mission... He entered to kill him.'

Family members said the son and the father have not gotten along for years. The elder Hazlett is pictured here with his wife, Deborah

The suspect ultimately let his uncle and the other witness go after they pleaded for their lives and he took their cellphones, police say.

That is when they ran to a neighboring property to call for help.

Meanwhile, Hazlett III called authorities about half an hour later to report an unrelated incident, the Kansas City Star reports.

He was arrested at his home in Cambridge at around 9.18pm, allegedly wearing the same clothes he donned to kill his father.

A motive for the shooting remains unclear, but both witnesses said Hazlett III an d his father 'weren't getting along and hadn't for a long time, adding that he was 'not in good relations with their family.'

Hazlett III's girlfriend also said he and the family 'don't see eye-to-eye.'

In fact, law enforcement was called to the same cabin just about one month prior to the shooting, on October 17, when the elder Hazlett reported that his son had been drinking and was threatening him.

The witnesses to Friday's crime, though, said the suspect appeared 'very coherent' during the shooting and 'didn't appear under the influence of any suspect.'

He is now being held at Pine County Jail on a $3million bond as he faces charges of second-degree murder and felony kidnapping.
An Iranian woman who stripped down to her underwear in protest over hijab laws has been released without any charges, according to Iranian authorities.

The young woman, who has been named by the BBC as Ahoo Daryaei, was seen walking around Tehran's Islamic Azad University in her underwear before security guards detained her on November 2.

Ms Daryaei was then arrested and taken to a mental hospital by morality police, with a university spokesperson claiming she was 'under severe mental pressure and had a mental disorder'.

Human rights group Amnesty International said Ms Daryaei had removed her clothes 'in protest against abusive enforcement of compulsory veiling by security officials' and called for her 'immediate and unconditional release'.

Following the international condemnation, Iran's judiciary said on Tuesday the student had been returned home without any charges issued against her.

'Considering that she was sent to the hospital, and it was found that she was ill, she was handed over to her family... and no judicial case has been filed against her,' judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir said.

Ms Daryaei's protest sparked harsh reactions from officials in Iran, where covering the neck and head and dressing modestly became mandatory for women following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Science Minister Hossein Simaei, who oversees universities, described the student's act as 'immoral and uncustomary', while adding that she had not been expelled from her university.

Iranian student Ahoo Daryaei stripped down to her underwear in protest over hijab laws. She has been released without any charges, according to Iranian authorities

She was seen in footage sitting and pacing back and forth around Tehran's Islamic Azad University in her underwear before security guards detained her on November 2

The student reportedly sustained severe injuries following the assault during her arrest

University spokesperson Amir Mahjoub confirmed Ms Daryaei's arrest on X earlier this month.

He said: 'Following an indecent act by a student at the science and research branch of the university, campus security intervened and handed the individual over to law enforcement authorities.

'The motives and underlying reasons for the student's actions are currently under investigation'.

According to Reuters, Mahjoub also added that 'at the police station,...it was found that she was under severe mental pressure and had a mental disorder'.

But some social media users suggested the woman's action was a deliberate protest.

'For most women, being ...in their underwear in public is one of their worst nightmares, ... This is a reaction to the (authorities') stupid insistence on the mandatory hijab,' a user on X, said in a comment accompanying the video.

The student reportedly sustained severe injuries following the assault during her arrest, Iran International reported, citing a newsletter by the student group Amir Kabir newsletter.

It said the student was 'disrobed after being harassed for not wearing a headscarf and having her clothing torn by security forces'.

'Blood stains from the student were reportedly seen on the car's tyres,' the newsletter said, adding that her head was struck either by a car door or a pillar which caused heavy bleeding.

People in support of the Iranian community take part in the Freedom Rally for Iran demonstration against the Iranian regime on February 22, 2023 in Rome, Italy

Mahsa Amini, 22, died on September 16, three days after falling into a coma following her arrest

Amini died in custody after not observing Iran's ultra-conservative dress code, causing outrage across the country and beyond

Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani denied both the violent nature of her arrest and any connection of the incident to the Islamic dress code.

'The issue was actually something else,' she said, noting that 'this level of nudity is not accepted anywhere.'

Growing numbers of women have defied authorities by discarding their veils after nationwide protests in September 2022 that followed the death of a young Iranian Kurdish woman in custody for allegedly violating hijab rules.

Mahsa Amini, 22, died after being captured by morality police for not wearing her hijab correctly.

Her death spearheaded mass protests known as 'Women. life, freedom' which lasted months in the country.

A year later, in October 2023, an Iranian teenager named Armita Geravand was injured in a suspicious incident on Tehran's metro while not wearing a head covering.

She later died in the hospital after falling into a coma.
Interview: China-Germany R&D partnerships promising, says Heraeus CEO

Xinhua) 18:08, November 20, 2024

HANAU, Germany, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's rapid advancement in technology and innovation is a major draw for German businesses seeking to expand their investment, which will further strengthen bilateral cooperation, Heraeus Group CEO Jan Rinnert has said.

"It's important to note that in the past five years, we've invested more than we did in all the previous years combined," Rinnert, CEO and chairman of the Board of Managing Directors of Heraeus Group, a German family-owned global technology group, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Heraeus began its journey in China 50 years ago with a refinery in Hong Kong and now it has "a dynamic presence in 12 cities across China, spanning multiple industries," he said, adding that one of China's primary appeals to German companies is the sheer size of its market and the immense growth opportunities it offers.

With a growing middle class and rising disposable incomes, Rinnert anticipates a strong demand for high-quality products and services.

Rinnert noted that China's commitment to economic growth is another critical factor driving investment. Despite global economic uncertainties, China has set an ambitious growth target of 5 percent for 2024. The goal, which is significantly higher than those of other major economies, creates a stable environment for businesses, he added.

Behind the company's focus on the Chinese market is also China's "rapid advancement in technology and innovation."

"By collaborating with local customers, universities and institutions, we can innovate new technologies together," the business leader said.

Heraeus has increased its investment in research and development (R&D) and innovation centers in China. Recent initiatives include the establishment of centers for precious metals products and advanced packaging for power electronics in Shanghai, both launched this year. The company's global innovation center for photovoltaics business was relocated from North America to Shanghai years ago, he added.

As Heraeus continues its development in China, Rinnert said he has witnessed significant progress in the country since he began traveling to China in 2003.

"Since then I have visited China two to three times each year. One of the most noticeable changes is the greener landscapes, which is a reflection of the country's heightened focus on environmental issues."

Rinnert expressed his enthusiasm for China's shift toward a more sustainable and innovation-driven economy.

"We're excited to be part of this transformation ... Our expertise in high-quality material science aligns perfectly with the recent focus on establishing 'new quality productive forces,'" he said.

"By fostering strong partnerships between Germany and China, we can combine strengths and resources to drive forward our shared goals," Rinnert said. "We have witnessed remarkable growth in sectors such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, the circular economy, and renewable energy, including the most recent advancements in green hydrogen."

Looking ahead, Rinnert is optimistic about further strengthening Heraeus' presence in China with continued cooperation between Germany and China.

"This collaboration will be a cornerstone of our strategy as we look to the future," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan)
A social media user has complained about constant Acknowledgment of Country ceremonies before meetings on a forum for government workers.

'Anyone else sick of the acknowledgment of country before every single meeting?' they shared on the AusPublic service Reddit.

'I have several meetings a day and every single one of them someone does an acknowledgment of country.

'It feels ridiculous at this point and a waste of time. I have to look away so I don't roll my eyes. How do you feel about hearing this 5-6 times a day?'

Most of those commenting said they'd had enough of the practice.

'We have to open our team meetings with it. It feels perfunctory and fake,' one person wrote.

'Yes. It's pointless and offensive,' was another reply.

'Everyone knows that it's empty words at this point. I'm not sure who it's supposed to be fooling,' another stated.

A common objection was that it had little practical effect.

Acknowledgment of Country rituals pay respect to Tradition Owners (pictured a Welcome to Country ceremony)

'Indigenous Australians need actions not tokenistic words,' was the most endorsed comment on the thread.

'I know a dude who got exemption from the local Elders to not have to say it at official events,' another reply recounted.

'His reasoning was that it was tokenism and didnt believe it helped local communities.

'The elders agreed with him and (have) given him written support.

'The social justice warriors heads nearly exploded when he informed the organisation he wouldnt be doing it anymore but there was nothing they could do given his exemption. Pretty funny stuff.'

However, the practice had some defenders.

'I don't have a problem with it but have sometimes felt it was trivialised,' one Reddit user wrote.

'Then a few years back I did one before running a workshop type thing and during lunch one of the guys in the room, and older Aboriginal gent, came up and said he appreciated it.

A Reddit User has complained that his workplace does an Acknowledgement for every meeting (stock image pictured.

'I've felt good about doing it since then - maybe a bunch of people are bored but for some they might find meaning in it.'

Another Reddit user said a former workplace 'had a culture of doing it well'.

'Everyone who spoke it researched the country they were on, then coupled it with a fact, bit of history, culture theyd learned, or incorporated something Indigenous to the presentation we were doing,' the user commented.

'This filtered down to smaller meetings as well.

'Its very possible to make it a genuine and positive experience for all. And its important for our First Nations people that we keep it up.'

Others condemned the thread.

'Like, get over it,' one person replied.

'Hard pill to swallow: this country is so racist. The cope in this thread is ridiculous. And these are people in the public service!'

Although the original poster insisted it was done before every meeting at his workplace this was not the experience of everyone.

'Honestly it seems to have died off a lot in my agency since the Voice vote failed, a Reddit user wrote.

One person took a more pragmatic approach.

'If they keep paying me to sit through them I'll sit there for as many as they can make,' they wrote.

'Especially when food is provided.'
The founder of an artificial intelligence company used in schools across the US has been accused of spending investors money on herself as her company spiraled into bankruptcy.

Joanna Smith-Griffin, 33, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was arrested in her home state and charged with securities fraud, wire fraud and identity theft on Tuesday, a indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court revealed.

The Forbes 30 Under 30 mention founded ALLHere Education Inc., an artificial intelligence company that supplied school districts across the country with a 'learning acceleration web-based platform' designed to 'boost student success' and 'revolutionize how K-12 education is tailored to meet individual needs.'

Created in 2016, the company also manufactured Ed the chatbot - a product used by the Los Angeles Unified School District for a time before eventually shutting it down - citing the financial collapse of the company.

Smith-Griffin claimed the company's products were used in other major school districts including in New York City and Atlanta.

But the indictment, unsealed in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, accused Smith-Griffin of misrepresenting AllHere's finances to investors enabling her to illegally collect millions of dollars from them since 2020.

Smith-Griffin allegedly told potential investors that AllHere had generated approximately $3.7 million in revenue in 2020, had approximately $2.5 million in cash on hand and had major school district customers like the New York City Department of Education and Atlanta Public Schools, the New York U.S. Attorney's Office revealed.

However, authorities later found that the tech tycoon had only generated a meager $11,000 in revenue in 2020, had just $494,000 in cash and did not have contracts with many of the customers it represented.

Joanna Smith-Griffin, 33, of Raleigh, North Carolina , was arrested in her home state and charged with securities and wire fraud, along with identity theft on Tuesday

The 33-year-old Harvard graduate has also been accused of embezzling corporate funds for her own benefit as she allegedly used some of the fraudulently obtained funds to put a down payment on her house and pay for her wedding

Smith-Griffin's alleged falsifications continued through the company's collapse, as she was was able to obtain nearly $10 million from investors and sought an additional $35 million from a private equity investor who ultimately decided not to invest.

The 33-year-old has also been accused of embezzling corporate funds for her own benefit as she allegedly used some of the fraudulently-obtained funds to put a down payment on her house and pay for her wedding.

The wedding, a three-day extravagant affair set in Florida, would feature a welcome party dinner, a black-tie ceremony held at member's only hotel and a post-wedding barbeque.

Smith-Griffin has also been accused of generating a fake email account in an attempt to cover up her crimes.

When investors and outside accountants accidentally uncovered discrepancies between the company's actual finances and what Smith-Griffin claimed, the mother-of-two used the fake email to pose as AllHere's outside financial consultant, as she shared fraudulent financial documents with her largest investor.

AllHere filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation in June and has since laid off all employees is now under the control of a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said that Smith-Griffin 'orchestrated a deliberate and calculated scheme to deceive investors in AllHere Education, Inc., inflating the companys financials to secure millions of dollars under false pretenses.'

It was not immediately clear who would represent her in an afternoon court appearance in North Carolina.

Created in 2016, the company manufactured Ed the chatbot - a product used by the Los Angeles Unified School District for a time before eventually shutting it down, citing the financial collapse of the company. Pictured: Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho officially launches Ed the chatbot

The mother-of-two's charges of wire and securities fraud each carry maximum sentences of 20 years in prison, while her aggravated identity theft charge, carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison

James E. Dennehy, head of New York's FBI office, said she misrepresented the composition of her startup company and 'masqueraded as a financial consultant to perpetuate the scheme once discrepancies were discovered.'

He also said her 'selfishly prioritizing personal expenses' over the company's needs damaged the potential for improved learning environments across major school districts,' according to the release.

Smith-Griffin's charges of wire and securities fraud each carry maximum sentences of 20 years in prison, while her aggravated identity theft charge, carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison.
Morning Joe saw a ratings nosedive after the hosts revealed their secret Mar-a-Lago meeting with Donald Trump, as the show's social channels turned off comments to avoid the torrent of backlash from fans.

Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski dismissed the criticism on their show Tuesday, saying it just proves there is a 'massive disconnect' between 'social media and the real world.'

However, if ratings are to be believed, the real world and social media may not be as disconnected as they think.

As a morning show that starts every day at 6am, viewership is supposed to climb as the day's episode goes on.

However, Nielsen ratings show 145,000 viewers turned off MSNBC in the 7am hour just after Scarborough and Brzezinski discussed the meeting, as they went from 839,000 viewers at 6am to 694,000 at 7am.

What's more, 38% of their audience in the 25-54 age demographic - seen as pivotal to the major cable news networks - tuned out.

The show briefly rebounded in the 8am hour, with 775,000 viewers but the numbers went down again to 770,000 at 9am.

As recently as October, the MSNBC morning anchor was averaging as high as 1.14 million viewers throughout its four hours.

Morning Joe saw a ratings nosedive after the hosts revealed their secret Mar-a-Lago meeting with Donald Trump , as the show's social channels turn off comments to backlash from fans

Nielsen ratings show 145,000 viewers turned off MSNBC in the 7am hour just after Scarborough and Brzezinski discussed the meeting, as they went from 839,000 viewers at 6am to 694,000 at 7am

MSNBC's viewership has already taken a nosedive in the week after Donald Trump's landslide election victory.

Media reporter Aaron Rupar also noted that the show's social media feeds have turned off all comments.

The stars of Morning Joe have defended their controversial meeting with Trump after being slammed by their media colleagues.

'Yesterday I saw for the first time what a massive disconnect there was between social media and the real world because we were flooded with phone calls from people all day, literally around the world, all very positive, very supportive,' Scarborough said on Tuesday.

'But once in a while I would get a text or call from someone going, "Oh, man, I hope you're doing okay." I would call them back... I'd go: "Are you on Twitter?" And he goes, "I am." I'd go "Well I'm not so we've had a good day."

'All of us will do the best we can do and we're all working towards a better America.'

The View's Ana Navarro was one of the media figures who unleashed a blistering on-air tirade in response to the pair's surprise visit to Mar-a-Lago over the weekend.

The political strategist tore into the married MSNBC anchors over their trip to see Trump, calling it 'opportunistic' during her rant. She asked whether the two had 'change[d] their stripes' because of 'who's in power.'

MSNBC's viewership has already taken a nosedive in the week after Donald Trump's landslide election victory

Media reporter Aaron Rupar also noted that the show's social media feeds have turned off all comments

On the MAGA side, Megyn Kelly also went after Scarborough and Brzezinski, telling them to go 'f**k themselves.'

'Go f**k yourselves, you dishonest jokes of faux journalists,' Kelly said on Monday, reminding her audience that the Morning Joe hosts initially supported Trump's bid for president in 2016.

'It is nauseating, it's so stomach-turning,' Kelly added. 'They're so disgusting.'

Former Republican candidate for president Nikki Haley said: 'Let's be clear, Joe and Mika didn't suddenly see the light, they saw their ratings. They realized they needed Trump for their survival.'

Amid the backlash, Morning Joe staffers have insisted the Florida meeting was 'f***ing worth it.'

Trump, on his part, told Fox News that he took the meeting because in order to 'Make America Great Again, it is very important, if not vital, to have a free, fair and open media or press.'

Trump and the 'Morning Joe' stars have had a contentious relationship since the Republican entered politics - with Scarborough leaving the Republican party as a result.

During the 2024 election, Morning Joe repeatedly denounced Trump as a racist, sexist, fascist, and told viewers he did not deserve to be president. At one point, Scarborough said Trump was acting 'full-on Hitler' and Brzezinski condemned him for echoing the 'dangerous language of infamous fascist leaders.'

Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski have defended themselves from the backlash after they revealed that they met with Donald Trump

Brzezinski said on Monday they decided to reach out to Trump for 'the opportunity to speak with the President-elect, himself' because their viewers and 'regular citizens' have expressed fear following Trump's election and his recent cabinet selections.

Scarborough continued, saying the three 'talked about a lot of issues, including abortion, mass deportation, threats of political retribution against political opponents and media outlets.'

Trump used to be routine contributor to Morning Joe, and Scarborough was an early cheerleader for the billionaire's maverick bid for the GOP nomination in 2016.

But relations soured as Trump pulled off a surprise victory in the Republican primaries and began to look like a serious challenger to the Democrats' Hillary Clinton.

The four-hour morning show became a bastion of the Democratic establishment after Trump's first term, with President Joe Biden routinely tuning in while doing his morning exercises to see his acolytes promote the party's talking points.

With Trump in the White House and Scarborough engaged to co-host Brzezinski he began cementing his show's identity as an outpost of opposition to the new administration.
A missing British 18-year-old who was last seen at a Polish airport is a beauty queen finalist who also vanished after a UK festival weeks ago.

A massive search operation has been launched after Ania Czopinski disappeared in Poland.

She was last seen at around 11pm at the Krakow John Paul II International Airport in Balice, on November 11 and hasn't been sighted since.

CCTV footage from the airport shows her dressed in a pair of grey jeans with ripped knees, a black jacket, and black trainers while pulling a suitcase across the floor.

The teenager is reportedly of Polish origin but she has never been to Poland before and does not speak the language, has no phone or identification documents.

She also went missing in August after failing to return home from a festival in Leeds.

Her parents Stephen Czopinski and Justine Zellas appealed for help to find her on social media at the time and she later turned up.

She had gone missing after she tried to get a lift back to her home in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside.

Ania, aged 18, was reportedly last sighted at around 11pm at the Krakow John Paul II International Airport in Balice, Poland, on November 11

CCTV footage from the airport shows her dressed in a pair of grey jeans with ripped knees, a black jacket, and black trainers while pulling a suitcase across the floor

The teenager, previously named as a Miss Teen GB semi-finalist, attended the music event with a group of friends, but her father understands they made their way home without her.

But now her worried parents have lost contact with her for a second time.

District Police Headquarters in Krakow said in a statement today: 'An 18-year-old British citizen has gone missing.

'Missing Ania was last seen on 11th November this year at around 11pm at the Krakow-Balice Airport.

'People who have any information about the missing person are asked to contact the Police Department in Zabierzow.

'Thank you for your help.'

Mr Czopinski said when she was found after she last vanished: 'I'm glad to report Ania is safe and sound and back home now. We really appreciate your concern and well wishes.'

He had previously said: 'She was still in Leeds when I last spoke to her.

Ania went missing in August while trying to get a lift home from Leeds Festival

Ania was trying to get a lift back to her home in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside in August

'I have been told by a friend, Ania was hanging around asking for a lift at around about 11am.

'Somebody refused her a lift and she headed back to the campsite. Her friends are all back. She is out there by herself and I'm just worried sick.

'I sent her a text message but I'm not sure if she is getting them.

'The last time I saw her I gave her a cuddle. I was going to work and she was still in bed.

'She's a teenager, I work very early and go in and kiss her on the forehead and nine times out of ten she tells me to get off.

'On Thursday, she woke up, gave me a cuddle and said, 'I love you, Dad'.
The total cost of the Covid inquiry is projected to be almost 208 million making it the most expensive statutory inquiry in British history.

Around 150,000 is being spent every day on the probe which was established on 28 June 2022 and is expected to conclude in June 2026, according to analysis of publicly available data by the Tax Payers Alliance.

For the equivalent cost the Government could fund the annual salary of almost 6,000 junior doctors for one year or five state-of-the-art hospitals for four years.

So far the Government has spent more than 124 million on the probe which started two years ago with over 70 million having been spent in the 2023/2024 financial year alone.

Almost 70 million has been dealt so far to legal firms and solicitors which have been tasked with probing key witnesses and evaluating evidence and testimonies, according to the inquirys latest accounts which were published in October 2024.

Some 1.2 million has also been spent on emotional support services to fortify the emotional wellbeing of individuals participating in hearings, listening and commemoration activity.

Meanwhile the probes chairwoman Baroness Hallett has been paid a staggering 524,000 for her efforts with a pro rata rate equivalent to a salary of 256,000.

Critics of the inquiry have argued that the remit of the investigation is too broad leading to the flagrant waste of public money.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was at the centre of a number of Covid-related scandals during the pandemic

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock is one of the names set to be called before the inquiry

The probes chairwoman Baroness Hallett has been paid a staggering 524,000 for her efforts with a pro rata rate equivalent to a salary of 256,000

John OConnell, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: The cost of the Covid inquiry has spiralled even further out of control, with taxpayers left footing an ever-growing bill.

As the inquiry drags on, its clear that the expenses are only climbing, with no signs of fiscal restraint in sight.

The new government should impose a clear deadline and strict controls on expenditure to ensure taxpayers get the swift and decisive answer they deserve.

Some experts have said that the high-profile evidence sessions have been dominated by WhatsApp and Westminster tittle-tattle rather than focusing on key policy areas where things might have been done differently.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and ex-Health Secretary Matt Hancock as well as Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Advisor Sir Patrick Vallance have all already made high-profile appearances before the inquiry committee.

Responding to criticism from the TPA, a spokesperson for the Covid Inquiry said: This is flawed analysis.

These are figures based on hypothetical future expenditure and an imaginary Inquiry end date, and the UK Covid-19 Inquiry does not recognise them.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is unlike any previous public inquiry.

It has a very broad scope because it is investigating multiple aspects of a pandemic that affected everyone in society.

According to Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Advisor Sir Patrick Vallance, there were repeated problems in trying to get Boris Johnson to understand the science around Covid

England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has already given evidence before the Covid inquiry

Sir Patrick Vallance has also spoken before the inquiry, detailing his role and the issues encountered during the Covid pandemic

Currently, the inquiry is nearing the end of its 10-week investigation into section 3 - healthcare systems - out of a possible 10 different modules

The Inquiry Chair, Baroness Hallett, has set out the substantial task faced by the Inquiry to consider and report on the preparations and the response to the pandemic in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

She made clear that to do this properly will take time and have a significant cost.

The Inquiry continues to be thoroughly transparent, publishing financial reports on a quarterly basis for anyone to see.

Currently, the inquiry is nearing the end of its 10-week investigation into section 3 - healthcare systems - out of a possible 10 different modules .

Based on the TPAs findings, the Covid inquiry is expected to dwarf the cost of all other statutory probes in Britain - costing 28 times more than the Phone Hacking [Leveson] inquiry.

Meanwhile its per day rate cost will be over double that of Britains second most expensive inquiry - the Child Sexual Abuse probe - which cost 70,484 each day.

The independent public inquiry was set up after the pandemic to examine the UKs response to and impact of the Covid 19 pandemic as well as to learn lessons for the future.

Since 2005 when the Inquiries Act was introduced, there have been 22 completed statutory inquiries that have released full accounts.
President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday he had selected Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Oz, a well-known television celebrity doctor and surgeon, ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senator as a Republican for the commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2022, losing to now-Senator Jon Fetterman, a Democrat.

If confirmed, Oz, the son of Turkish immigrants - who is estimated to be worth $200 million - will oversee health insurance programs that cover more than 150 million Americans.

Oz has been married to Lisa Lemole since 1985.

He is the latest surprise pick for a senior administration role and the latest TV personality alongside the Fox hosts Trump has chosen to run the Departments of Defense and Transportation.

As a frequent medical gust on the Oprah Winfrey show, Oz soon launched 'The Dr. Oz Show,' a daytime medical talk show that made him a recognized medical expert across the country.

But Oz ran into criticism in the established scientific community for some of his medical views.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Oz was criticized by federal government health officials for endorsing the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the virus.

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Oz famously hosted then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in 2016 to reveal and discuss his recent physical health exam to prove he was fit to serve as President of the United States.

Critics of the segment derided the dubious nature of the program, as Oz read from a summary sheet about his health that Trump provided him.

Oz, however, may find a sympathetic figure in the administration with Trump's choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary for Health and Human Services.

Oz once featured RFK Jr. in a segment warning of the dangers of the preservative Thimerosal in some flu vaccines, which he argued included unsafe levels of mercury.

Mehmet Oz, TV celebrity and heart surgeon, campaigns for Senate in Pennsylvania in 2022

Dr. Mehmet Oz and his wife Lisa

Mehmet Oz, who ran for the US Senate, speaks as former US President Donald Trump stands behind him

The CDC pushed back against concerns about Thimerosal, stating that thimerosal-containing vaccines were 'safe and effective and do not represent a public health risk.'

Oz also endorsed a form of universal health care in 2020, proposing covering uninsured individuals through the Medicare advantage plan, which offers individuals government approved health care plans from a private company.

In 2013, Oz warned women against storing their cell phone in their bras, suggesting that it may cause breast cancer, derided as a 'myth' by the National Breast Cancer Association.

Oz also warned on his show about unsafe levels of arsenic found in apple juice, prompting the FDA to describe the report as 'misleading' and 'irresponsible.'

Oz also promoted the use of green coffee bean weight loss pills, Raspberry ketone, and Garcinia cambogia to help lose weight, which prompted an investigation led by Senate Democrats, who questioned the dubious scientific evidence showing that they were effective.

Oz admitted during his testimony at the 2014 Senate hearing that he acted as a 'cheerleader' for his audience when promoting certain products.

'When they dont think they have hope, when they dont think they can make it happen, I want to look, and I do look everywhere, including in alternative healing traditions, for any evidence that might be supportive to them,' he said.
Rachel Reeves claimed she was an 'economist' on official documents - despite not working as one at the time, it emerged last night.

Documents show she stated her 'business occupation' to be an 'economist' on an appointment form for a charity in 2008.

The now-Chancellor was working at the Halifax Bank of Scotland at the time. She has recently changed her LinkedIn CV to clarify that she was not working as an 'economist' at the time.

Last week it emerged that she had deleted 'economist' from her profile work experience and changed it to 'retail banking' during her time at the bank in 2006-9.

Last night a Tory source said: 'Rachel Reeves has serious questions to answer - questions we have asked her, and questions which the public deserve an answer to.'

But a Treasury source said: 'Rachel Reeves was a trained economist that worked in financial services.'

It comes after Ms Reeves' claim in an interview with Stylist magazine from 2021 that she had spent a decade at the Bank of England, when her LinkedIn account described it as a six-year period between 2000 and 2006, was contested.

Downing Street refused to say whether Ms Reeves broke the ministerial code amid accusations she embellished her CV.

In her Mansion House speech last Thursday evening, Ms Reeves, pictured, told guests: 'Before entering politics, I worked as an economist at the Bank of England. And then in financial services.'

Her LinkedIn CV - which had previously said that she was an economist at the Bank of Scotland has now been updated to say she was in 'Retail Banking', the Guido Fawkes political website noted

It previously reported that she worked in a support department at the Bank of Scotland which managed administration, IT and planning matters. Pictured: Reeves during a visit to Tokamak Energy in Milton, Abingdon

On Monday, No10 sidestepped a question over whether lying on a CV is a breach of the code - but instead praised Ms Reeves for having 'restored fiscal stability'.

A No10 spokeswoman added: 'This is someone who on coming into office looked under the bonnet and exposed a 22 billion black hole in the public finances, and has been straight with the public about what is necessary to balance the books and restore financial stability in the face of that.'

Ms Reeves' LinkedIn profile lists her work history from 2000 onwards.

The latest documents were obtained by the Guido Fawkes website.

It says she worked in three areas of the Bank over the six-year period she was employed there: its international economic analysis division, then at the British Embassy in Washington DC in the second secretary economic division, and finally in the structural economic analysis division.

After this it lists her time working for Halifax Bank of Scotland, then her political career following her election in 2010.
Royal Mail is issuing a set of eight stamps to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Winston Churchill.

The stamps celebrate the life and legacy of Churchill, from his years as a soldier and statesman to his leadership during the Second World War and beyond.

Each stamp in the collection features photographs of Churchill at defining moments in his life, accompanied by some of his most memorable quotes from articles, books, letters and speeches.

Royal Mail is issuing a set of eight stamps to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Winston Churchill

The stamps celebrate the life and legacy of Churchill, from his years as a soldier and statesman to his leadership during the Second World War and beyond

In July 1965, Churchill was the first contemporary individual to be featured on a British stamp, and has been on a number of issues since then

Each stamp in the collection features photographs of Churchill at defining moments in his life

In July 1965, Churchill was the first contemporary individual to be featured on a British stamp, and has been on a number of issues since then.

David Gold, Royal Mail's director of external affairs and policy, said: 'One hundred and fifty years after his birth, this stamp issue celebrates the enduring legacy of a leader who shaped the course of history and left an indelible mark on the hearts of the British people.'

Royal Mail worked with Allen Packwood, director of the Churchill Archives Centre at Churchill College, University of Cambridge, who said: 'I think Winston Churchill would have been rather pleased to be the subject of these stamps, 150 years after his birth. His archive certainly contains no shortage of letters.'
Sir Keir Starmers new borders chief has vowed to cut small boat crossings to zero.

Martin Hewitt, the head of Labours new Border Security Command (BSC), said he recognised there would be scepticism about the Governments plans to combat the Channel crisis.

But he insisted he would hold the system to account to stop small boat migrants from reaching the UK.

He is the first public official to make such a pledge under the new Government, whose ministers have refrained from repeating the Conservatives stop the boats and have instead spoken of smashing the gangs.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail  his first since taking up the job  Mr Hewitt said: Of course my objective would be to reduce it to zero.

Thats what Im setting out to achieve. But I am realistic. This challenge has been around for some considerable time. And there is no simple, one single thing, we can do.

He added: I understand that people are sceptical, but weve got a very clear determination of what BSC is there to deliver.

Mr Hewitt disclosed details of the first meeting of 20-plus different government departments and agencies last week, including the intelligence services, counter-terrorism police and the National Crime Agency.

Martin Hewitt, the head of Labours Border Security Command (BSC), said he would hold the system to account to stop small boat migrants from reaching the UK

Mr Hewitt refused to be drawn on reports he advised the Prime Minister that the UKs plan should include a deterrent like the Rwanda scheme

Migrant crossing numbers continue to soar, with nearly 20,000 occurring since Labour came to power in July

Senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Foreign Office and HMRC also attended, he said.

He said his role involves pulling that system together and holding the whole system to account.

Mr Hewitt, former head of the National Police Chiefs Council, suggested that producing better intelligence about the crime gangs activities will lead to better results.

Organised criminals are making significant amounts of money on the back of other peoples misery; youve got all the implications for all the countries through which it passes. And people are dying, he said.

My ambition, obviously, is to stop this.

Weve got to do everything that we can do to stop this as a trade.

Mr Hewitt refused to be drawn on reports, which emerged in September, that he advised the Prime Minister that a deterrent like the Rwanda scheme had to be part of the UKs overall plan.

That is not something that I ever said in those terms, he said.

But being very clear and going out there and talking about what we are going to be doing is absolutely deterrence to the organised crime groups.

Two weeks ago Sir Keir spoke of negotiating a new security pact with the European Union, to allow British law enforcement to lead anti-smuggling operations on the Continent for the first time since the UKs withdrawal from the EU

Mr Hewitt would not be drawn on reports that he discussed the possible implementation of a Tory-style Rwanda policy with the Prime Minister

Mr Hewitt previously served as the chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council

Two weeks ago Sir Keir spoke of negotiating a new security pact with the European Union, to allow British law enforcement to lead anti-smuggling operations on the Continent for the first time since the UKs withdrawal from the EU.

Mr Hewitt said there must be improvements at the political level, at my level and at the operational law enforcement level, because this is a problem for all of us.

Stressing the absolutely critical importance of working closely with other countries, he said: Its been very clear to me from the absolute outset that if were going to be successful we need to project the border away from the border, from northern France and southern England.

Weve got to be impacting on the criminal groups that are delivering people all the way from source countries, through transit countries, through the area around the Channel, and then equally in the UK as well.

He added: I dont underestimate that theres no quick fix that allows that to happen.

But its about applying all of the things that Ive said, and continually applying them - and me being able to put pressure on all parts of the system.

Im confident that we have made the start that we need to make.

Between Labour came to power and Monday, 19,988 migrants crossed the Channel by small boat, up 23 per cent on the same period last year.
One of the main organisers of yesterdays farmers protest has described it as just the warm-up act.

As thousands of protesters descended on London to voice their objections to the inheritance tax measures announced in the Budget, a government minister said the country was ready in the eventuality of a food strike before Christmas.

It came against the backdrop of warnings of a fresh wave of action if Labour dont come to the table with new proposals agreeable to the agricultural community.

Yesterday farmers and their supporters braved sleet and chilly temperatures at the rally outside the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall to listen to speakers from across the political spectrum.

Among those addressing the crowds assembled from all corners of the UK were Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, celebrity farmer Jeremy Clarkson and Labour peer Baroness Mallalieu.

Placards and banners included attacks on Chancellor Rachel Reeves Rachel Thieves...and Lies on her CVs, a picture of Keir Starmer as a pig labelled Pig Ignorant and You Reap What We Sow.

Children riding toy tractors pedalled along the road outside Parliament as part of the protest against a charge of 20 per cent inheritance tax on farms - which farmers say will lead to farms being sold off to pay the death duties.

Clive Bailye was one of the organisers of the demonstration, which ran alongside a separate rally of 1,800 farmers in Westminster organised by the National Farmers Union.

Farmers protest in central London over the changes to inheritance tax rules in the recent budget which introduce new taxes on farms worth more than 1 million

Protesting farmers fill Whitehall opposite Downing Street in central London

Children ride toy tractors in Parliament Square as demonstrators attend a farmers rally

The Staffordshire farmer said he and the other organisers of the event - Merseyside farmer Olly Harrison, Welsh farmer Gareth Wyn Jones and Andrew Ward of Lincolnshire - were waiting for the dust to settle before they decided their next move.

Mr Bailye told the Daily Mail: We cant rule out anything. Weve been focused on this event today and proved this is affecting more people than they [the government] think.

I hope there were politicians sitting in different parts of Whitehall thinking What if they do organise more tractors on the streets?

We are not anarchists, we are four farmers with day jobs, and we organised that in a week.

I dont know what will happen next but I know that farmers will not give up until we get a better outcome that we are happy with.

We are not going to go quietly. This could just be the warm-up act for what could be organised if they dont come to the table.

They need to know this is just a warm up act.

He said that the Met Police told him the farmers left the streets tidier than when they arrived and he was not aware of any trouble or any arrests. People listened to our message not to disrupt.

Farmers arriving at Westminster in their tractors for today's protest against Labour's inheritance tax grab

Attendees at the mass rally carried a banner reading 'stop killing the people who feed you'

Vast crowds gathering in Whitehall to express their opposition to Labour's policy

Potential protests farmers have suggested that could be carried out in recent days include a food strike.

But yesterday Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said that the government was ready farmers withheld food supplies.

Asked if she could guarantee that there will not be food shortages leading up to Christmas, she told Sky News: Issues around food security are obviously national security issues.

There are plans in place, there are contingencies always in place to deal with that, but Im confident that wont happen.

National Farmers Union president Tom Bradshaw who said farmers had been stabbed in the back said protests will continue, telling Sky News: This will carry on. They cannot have a policy in place which has such disastrous human impacts and think were going to go quiet.

We dont know whats next, but I know the membership have never been so united in trying to overturn something in the time that Ive been farming.

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party told the crowd: The policy is cruel it is unfair and it is going to destroy the family farm as we know it. That is why at the first opportunity we will reverse the family farm tax.

Yesterday Environment Secretary Steve Reed - appearing before MPs at the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee - insisted many farmers were wrong about whether they are going to be affected by the IHT move.

A man holding a sign saying: 'Labour hate labourers #BackBritishFarmers'

Jeremy Clarkson - who runs Diddly Squat farm in Chipping Norton - accused Rachel Reeves of using a 'blunderbuss' to hit the agricultural sector

Vast crowds gather to watch Clarkson and other supporters give speeches

He said: Well, assuming these projections from HMRC, validated by the OBR and the IFS are correct, then many of them probably happily are wrong, because there are things that they can do to plan their tax affairs, as most businesses or asset owners would do to limit their liability. I mean, the numbers Ive heard bandied around are enormous and very, very, very, very frightening if people were to believe them.

His comments came a small number of rural Labour MPs broke ranks to voice concerns about the tax move.

Terry Jermy, who defeated ex-Prime Minister Liz Truss on July 4, demanded reassurance from the Chancellor over her sums.

He said: I want the Government to provide greater clarity on the proposals to reassure farmers, who have already endured so many challenges and uncertainty over many years.

Steve Witherden, who represents Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, called on the Treasury to produce its modelling on the impact on family farms so everyone knows where they stand.
Candace Owens has slammed recent policies introduced by the Albanese government, as she continues her legal battle to be allowed into Australia.

The far-right commentator on Wednesday panned a series of new and proposed laws introduced by the Australian government, in an appearance on the Kyle & Jackie O Show.

One of the laws was the government's plan to ban social media for all children under the age of 16, with no exemptions if they have parental permission.

'That would never fly in America,' Owens said. 'You have to allow people to parent their own children.'

She also disagreed with a new law requiring health warnings to be printed on every individual cigarette sold in Australia.

'It's completely ridiculous.

'That's kind of one of the reasons why Trump won - de-regulating the environment. They think they have the authority to just monitor every aspect of your life and people are tired of it.'

The scathing interview came after Immigration Minister Tony Burke cancelled the outspoken conservative's visa in October, preventing her from doing five speaking events in Australia this month.

Owens panned a series of new and proposed laws introduced by the Australian government

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson asked for Owens' views on Aussie laws

Having found fame during the Trump presidency, Owens has drawn outrage for her controversial comments on Israel, the Holocaust and LGBTQI issues.

In his decision to reject the visa, Burke cited Owens' 'capacity to incite discord in almost every direction'.

Owens has since launched legal action against the Australian government and said on Wednesday she felt confident in her case.

'We're in the appellant process and we feel very good about our chances, because what [Burke] did, he went against protocol, he went against Australian law.'

In the event her appeal was rejected she planned to bring it to the High Court.

A page on crowdfunding site GiveSendGo, set up by a sponsor of the tour with Owens' approval, has so far raised nearly $12,000 AUD towards her legal costs, with a goal of $250,000.

Owens has denied some of the Nazi atrocities occurred during the Holocaust

Owens became a prominent figure on the American right as one of few African-American commentators to challenge the Black Lives Matter movement, and earned herself a lucrative deal with the Daily Wire conservative platform.

But she was dismissed by Daily Wire's co-founder Ben Shapiro earlier this year for her criticism of Israel's actions in the ongoing conflict in Palestine.

Since that dismissal she has been accused of holding views that are widely regarded as anti-Semitic, leading to Jewish groups opposing her visit to Australia.

Her comments have included the false claim that certain Nazi atrocities during the Holocaust were 'bizarre propaganda.'

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim has described Owens' views as 'ignorant and malicious.'

The government had bipartisan backing as Liberal shadow immigration spokesman Dan Tehan also supported a ban on Owens.
The bartender who served drinks to two Australian girls now fighting for life in separate hospitals claims it wasn't him who poisoned the best friends.

Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, had been on a trip of a lifetime in Laos in southeast Asia when they accepted free vodka shots at their hostel before a night out in the popular tourist town Vang Vieng last week.

The girls, both from Melbourne, became increasingly unwell and didn't emerge from their shared room at the Nana Backpackers Hostel for over 24 hours.

Staff became concerned after they failed to check out on November 13 and arranged to take the pair to hospital after they 'calmly' asked for assistance.

Heartbreaking CCTV from inside the hostel shows one the girls being transported to hospital one-on-one on the back of motorbikes.

Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan, who served the girls the Laotian vodka, has claimed it wasn't his Tiger Vodka that made the girls sick.

Toan said he bought the alcohol from a certified distributor and insisted it had not been tainted by himself or his staff.

He said the shots, a gesture of hospitality, were served to around 100 guests and that the hostel had not received any other complaints.

Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan (pictured) who served the girls the Laotian vodka, has claimed the Tiger Vodka was not what made them sick

CCTV footage from inside the villa showed the girls being transported to hospital one-by-one on the back of a motorbike after they failed to come out of their shared room for 24 hours

To prove his point, the bartender drank from one of the vodka bottles that were in use on the night to prove it was safe.

Toan said Holly and Bianca were at the bar playing cards from 8pm to 10.30pm and had three drinks each in that time.

He poured them a Lao Pdr Tiger Vodka containing 40 per cent alcohol and mixed it with ice and Coke Zero.

'Right now the police [are telling] every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng,' he told the Associated Press.

Both girls remain fighting for life in hospitals in Bangkok and Udon Thani after being transported to Thailand with suspected methanol poisoning.

Local media reports two other women aged in their 20s have died and 10 others have fallen ill in the suspected mass poisoning.

Both of their parents have flown in to be with them as they recover.

The Jones family released a statement on Tuesday, saying their daughter had been on a 'dream getaway with her best friend Holly'.

Bianca Jones (left) and Holly Bowles (right) both 19, had been on a trip of a lifetime in Laos in southeast Asia when they accepted free vodka shots at their hostel before a night out in the popular tourist town Vang Vieng last week

The girls, both from Melbourne , became increasingly unwell and didn't emerge from their shared room at the Nana Backpackers Hostel (pictured) for over 24 hours

'They were filled with joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them, travelling through Asia,' the statement said. 'We are here by Bianca's bedside praying for her. Please respect our privacy at this difficult time.'

Jasmine Antonius, a Dutch tourist who has been in Vang Vieng for three days, said that she tried to become more careful with drinks after she heard about the case.

'I think sometimes you're not really watching how your drinks are being made,' she said. 'I feel now it's a wake up call for many people since this happened. So I hope people would take more precaution because it's really sad.'

Local police have launched an investigation into the poisoning, which is ongoing.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that it was providing consular assistance to two Australians and their families in Thailand, but couldn't provide further information for privacy reasons.

'Our thoughts are with them at this deeply distressing time,' the office said.
World leaders last night snubbed Sir Keir Starmer's call to issue a show of support for Ukraine, while Vladimir Putin stepped up his aggressive nuclear rhetoric.

As the conflict entered its 1,000th day, the Prime Minister had urged leaders gathering at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro to 'double down' on their backing for Ukraine.

But after Russia lobbied major nations  including China, India and Brazil  in the end the gathering of the world's largest economies issued a watered-down statement that failed to condemn Moscow at all.

Downing Street yesterday described the outcome as 'disappointing but not unexpected'.

Sir Keir admitted it was always going to be difficult to persuade 'quite a diverse group' of countries to issue a strong condemnation of Russia, which is also a member of the G20.

It came as Moscow issued increasingly alarming threats that the war in Ukraine could develop into a nuclear conflict with the West.

The Kremlin yesterday revealed it had approved changes to its nuclear doctrine, setting out new scenarios in which it would consider justified in using its deadly arsenal.

It now warns that an attack from a non-nuclear state, if backed by a nuclear power such as Britain, France or the United States, will be treated as a joint attack on Russia.

One of the Prime Minister's main aims at this week's G20 summit has been to unify support amongst the globe's major nations behind Ukraine

The G20 summit in Brazil this week was Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's 15th foreign trip since July

Sir Keir shakes hands with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the European Political Community summit at Puskas Arena in November in Budapest, Hungary

Sir Keir described it as 'irresponsible rhetoric', adding: 'That is not going to deter our support for Ukraine.'

Russia also revealed yesterday that, for the first time, Ukraine had fired US long-range missiles at targets inside its territory. The attack on the Bryansk region, later confirmed by US officials, came after President Joe Biden lifted the ban on such attacks earlier this week.

The US made the controversial decision after North Korea sent thousands of troops to fight alongside Putin's force  a move which is seen by Britain and the US as an escalation of the conflict by the Russian president, who is said to be desperate to secure extra territory in Ukraine before Donald Trump returns to the White House in January.

Britain is also considering allowing Ukraine to fire its Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Russia, if the PM can persuade President Biden to lift a veto. Sir Keir yesterday said Ukraine 'must have what it needs for as long as it needs  Putin must not win this war'.

Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, who is attending the G20 summit in place of Putin, yesterday said the missile strikes were 'a signal that they [the US] want escalation'.

Mr Lavrov, described as 'a thug' by one senior British official, told a press conference: 'We will be taking this as a renewed face of the Western war against Russia, and we will react accordingly.'

The outcome of the summit represents a significant diplomatic setback for Sir Keir. He had declared his 'number one agenda item' was to 'shore up' support for Ukraine following the election of Mr Trump, who has fuelled concerns he will force Kyiv to sue for peace by claiming he can end the war 'in a day'.

Sir Keir, who had a one-on-one meeting with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau where they discussed their backing for Ukraine, said the world needed to 'double down' on supporting its fightback against Putin's aggression. He had lobbied the G20 for a statement that would declare the leaders' 'strong and unwavering support for Ukraine' and to identify Russia as the 'sole obstacle' to peace.

Vladimir Putin yesteday signed off on an updated version of the Kremlin's nuclear doctrine that broadens the scope for Moscow to turn to its fearsome atomic arsenal

But both phrases were stripped out of the final communique, which failed to even condemn Russia and instead made a neutral call for a 'just and durable peace'.

A No 10 spokesman said: 'It is not unexpected, given the G20 brings together a range of countries with differing views. Not least it includes representatives of the Russian government.

'It's disappointing but not unexpected, and we would compare it to the G7 statement at the weekend which reiterated our strong and unwavering support for Ukraine.'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not invited to the summit, last night accused the world leaders of sitting on their hands as

Russia threatens nuclear war, saying: 'Did they say something? Nothing.'
A law firm investigating a class action over whether vulnerable passengers were taken advantage of in cruise ship casinos say they have been 'inundated' with stories from potential complainants.

The investigation was launched by Carter Capner Law director Peter Carter, a former national president of the Australian Lawyers Alliance, following the death of a passenger who fell overboard from a P&O ship on May 6.

Daily Mail Australia previously revealed father-of-three Shane Dixon, 45, fell to his death after amassing a $9,000 casino debt onboard the Pacific Adventure while being offered gambling incentives such as free drinks and a free cruise voucher.

This publication subsequently spoke to several others who shared similar harrowing stories, including claims they were told self-exclusion was not an option or were interrogated and held onboard by staff after being unable to settle their bills.

Mr Carter accused P&O of incentivising passengers to gamble by offering credit regardless of their bank balance and capacity to repay.

He said practices have been modified as a result of the publicity surrounding Mr Dixon's death and the law firm's campaign, but more changes were needed.

'Not only were these actions arguably unconscionable, but the practice of preventing passengers and their families from leaving the ship and interrogating them at the Australian port of disembarkation, even for short periods, about how and when the casino debt will be paid is against the law,' he said.

Mr Carter has called on other affected passengers to join the claim, and revealed that since news of the investigation and possible class action, the firm had been contacted by dozens of people from across Australia and New Zealand.

Aussie father-of-three Shane Dixon, 45, (pictured) died after losing thousands of dollars in the casino onboard the P&O's Pacific Adventure on May 6

Pictured is the Pacific Adventure returning to Sydney Harbour after it was delayed due to Mr Dixon going overboard

Mr Carter said one person who spoke to his law firm described a incident that occurred on a P&O cruise only days after the May 6 tragedy.

The passenger said he visited the casino and kept no tally of his losses because he believed the cruise line was only debiting money that was in his bank account and no loan was discussed.

He said P&O allowed him to rack up a debt of almost $6,000 when he only had $2,000 in his bank account.

On arrival back in Sydney, the passenger claimed he was held onboard for three hours while his partner and three young children had to wait outside in the heat.

He was allowed to leave after threatening to jump overboard and swim to shore.

In another similar story, a passenger said he was offered a free cruise with unlimited alcohol, complimentary dinners, and a credit limit of $5,000 per day.

This was despite the cruise line being aware of his previous problems with debt and gambling and that he had unpaid debts from past cruises with the company.

He claimed he built a debt of $13,000 on that cruise which increased to $25,000 when previous debts were added.

Daily Mail Australia previously revealed Mr Dixon (pictured) fell to his death after amassing a $9,000 casino debt onboard the P&O's Pacific Adventure cruise liner

Carter Capner Law director Peter Carter (pictured) announced his firm was about to launch a class action (pictured, Mr Dixon and his mother, who was also on the tragic cruise)

Staff told him he couldn't leave the ship until the debt was paid and asked him to sign an acknowledgment of the debt before he was allowed to disembark.

Mr Carter alleged the behaviour from P&O was 'predatory' and had targeted vulnerable people, including some with gambling addictions.

'These practices blatantly prey on vulnerabilities and actively incentivise people to lose money,' he said.

He said Carter Capner Law was about to launch the class action for unlawful imprisonment and the recovery of financial losses incurred by some former passengers.

In March 2025, P&O Cruises Australia will fold into the Carnival Cruise Line as part of a re-brand under its owner Carnival Corporation.

For confidential support 24/7, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.
A drug addict who bashed a police officer with a brick and left her for dead has been released from prison despite officials admitting he is a high risk of re-offending.

Roderick Holohan was on parole for several violent offences when he bashed then-sergeant Samantha Barlow over the head while she was walking to work in Sydney's Kings Cross in May 2009.

He was sentenced to spend a maximum of more than 19 years in prison after the attack, during which he stole Ms Barlow's purse, phone and bag while believing the officer was dead, and stealing $200 for a hit of heroin.

When he attacked Ms Barlow, Holohan was on parole for two other horrific attacks on women.

Two weeks ago, the NSW State Parole Authority ordered Holohan be released before the end of November, arguing it would be better for him to be monitored in the community than left unsupervised when he finished his full sentence.

Ms Barlow, who survived the attack despite being dragged out of sight by Holohan while unconscious, has revealed she was initially kept in the dark about her attacker's parole hearing.

That revelation led Premier Chris Minns to foreshadow changes to ensure more transparency for victims of crime when parole considerations were made.

The savage bashing shattered part of her skull, leading to 22 months of extensive rehabilitation.

The former officer told the parole authority the heroin addict's offending changed her life, forcing her to quit her police job aged 37 and leaving her with lifelong injuries.

It heard evidence about Holohan's poor behaviour in prison and his high risk of re-offending, although Corrective Services NSW still recommended he be released.

Sergeant Samantha Barlow (pictured) was on her way to work in the nightlife district in 2009 when she was attacked by Roderick Holohan, who fractured her skull, broke her nose and injured her neck

Roderick Holohan pictured during his trial in 2010

'While it is a concern that he has incurred further institutional misconducts, it is noted that his behaviour has significantly improved since his last parole consideration,' an assessment said.

The parole authority took into account the impact of the attack on Ms Barlow, but said the risks of re-offending were outweighed by the fact Holohan's rehabilitation had stalled behind bars.

'There is no evidence to suggest that if the offender remains in custody, any of those factors are likely to undergo any positive change,' the authority said.

It was important to remember Holohan would have no risk-mitigation plan if he were not released until the end of his sentence, as he would be unsupervised, it said.

'He would, in that event, be left entirely to his own devices to manage his reintegration into the community, without any level of support whatsoever, after being incarcerated for almost 20 years,' the authority said.

Holohan's parole conditions include attendance at a violent offenders program, limits on where he can go in NSW and a total drug ban.
The family of Harshita Brella have accused police of not doing enough to protect her after investigators revealed she was strangled to death before being dumped in the boot of a car.

The 24-year-old Indian citizen who was living in Northamptonshire was found in the Silver Vauxhall Corsa in east London last Thursday.

Police named her husband Pankaj Lamba as the main suspect and believe he had fled the country to India.

An international manhunt is currently underway for Ms Brella's 23-year-old husband who is thought to have killed her in Corby on the evening of Sunday November 10.

Police believe Lamba then drove 100 miles to ditch her body in Ilford the next day.

Ms Brella had previously tried to run away from her husband, and she first went to police claiming to have been the victim of domestic violence in August.

Her sister Sonia Dabas said she feels like the police 'did not do enough to help her or protect' her.

She went on to describe her younger sibling as 'very innocent, so kindhearted but just a kid'.

Ms Dabas added: 'Our world has been turned upside down. We're calling on the UK and Indian governments to capture him.'

Harshita Brella, 24, was found inside the boot of a vehicle on Brisbane Road in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of Thursday

Pankaj Lamba, 23, walks down Jaffe Road in Ilford after allegedly dumping his wife's body in the boot of a car

Lamba's Silver Vauxhall Corsa on Brisbane Road. Ms Brella's body was later found in the vehicle

She said it was an arranged marriage and Ms Brella had met him for the first time three days before moving to the UK with him.

Born in Delhi, Ms Brella moved with Lamba to the UK in the April after marrying him in August 2023.

Videos on social media of her wedding in India show her panting for breath, placing a hand on her chest, with the caption: 'That nervousness after becoming bride.'

She had spent 300 on make-up and an elaborate wedding lehenga skirt.

Ms Brella had been 'excited' to move but at the end of August, she phoned her father to say she had run away from the couple's home.

Ms Dabas recalled to the BBC: '[Harshita] said he was hitting her and she escaped. She ran out on the streets, he chased after her.'

The family said the police had taken Ms Brella into protective accommodation but they allege she was given no additional support or counselling.

Her sister said Ms Brella suffered a miscarriage in this time and 'felt like police were treating her like the criminal', according to The Guardian.

Ms Brella with her sister in a video during ornate ceremonies solemnising her marriage to Pankaj Lamba

More CCTV stills showing Lamba in Ilford after he allegedly left his wife's body in the car

Northamptonshire Police have named her husband Pankaj Lamba, 23, as a suspect

Tragic final videos show 'very happy' Ms Brella, 24, on her wedding day just months before her body was found in a car boot in Ilford

A domestic violence protection order was granted but he was not charged with any offence.

Ms Dabas told The Guardian: 'The police processes just made her feel even more scared and alone. It drove her back to Pankaj.'

On the Sunday before her body was discovered, Ms Brella told her family she was cooking for her husband and 'seemed happy'.

But on the following Wednesday, her family became worried because they couldn't get in contact with her and called the police.

Then on Friday morning, police called her father Satbir in Delhli to say they had discovered a body they believed to be his daughter's.

Mr Brella wants to bring the body home to perform the traditional funeral rituals but he says that neither Northamptonshire police nor the Indian embassy have been communicative when he asked about this.

'It is terrible for us that she is alone over there,' he said.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit (EMSOU), said: 'Our inquiries have established that Pankaj Lamba drove a Silver Vauxhall Corsa from Corby to Ilford sometime on the morning of Monday, November 11.

Forensic officers at Ms Brella's home in Corby, Northamptonshire

Officers at murder victim Ms Brella's home in Corby on Sunday morning

Ms Brella's body was found 94 miles from her home in Northamptonshire

'We suspect Harshita's body had been placed in the boot of the vehicle by Lamba before leaving Corby. Lamba then abandoned the vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford and made his getaway.

'We are continuing to appeal for information and I would urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or had any sightings of Pankaj Lamba in Corby, Ilford or elsewhere in the days leading up to the discovery of Harshita's body, to contact police as soon as possible.

'Any information, no matter how small, may be relevant to the investigation and help us get justice for Harshita.

'A spokesperson for Northamptonshire police said: 'This tragic case will in due course become the subject of a domestic homicide review, in which all police actions relating to it will be fully scrutinised, so it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.'
Britain's top prosecutor had 'no idea' what non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) even were and had to look them up recently, it has emerged.

Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions, said there was 'surprise at the level' of NCHIs recorded within police forces as demands to overhaul how they are handled grew.

Mr Parkinson suggested both the definition and recording of NCHIs are confusing and potentially unnecessary.

NCHIs were introduced in response to the 1999 report by Sir William Macpherson into the racist murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence six years earlier.

According to the Home Office, police should only record an incident 'if it is deemed proportionate and necessary to do so in order to mitigate a real risk of harm'.

But more than 13,000 NCHIs were recorded last year against doctors, vicars, social workers and even children, leading to renewed calls to reinforce the guidance.

It comes after Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and senior peers - including former Met Police Commissioner Lord Hogan-Howe - called for forces to focus on preventing crime rather than policing free speech.

Britain's top prosecutor had 'no idea' what non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) even were and had to look them up recently, it has emerged. Stephen Parkinson the director of public prosecutions (pictured) said there was 'surprise at the level' of NCHIs recorded within police forces as demands to overhaul how they are handled grew

NCHIs were introduced in response to the 1999 report by Sir William Macpherson into the racist murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence six years earlier. According to the Home Office, police should only record an incident 'if it is deemed proportionate and necessary to do so in order to mitigate a real risk of harm' (file image)

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she agreed with a watchdog report that found inconsistencies in how forces tackled the incidents

Mr Parkinson told the Times Crime and Justice Commission that he was not certain about investigations of NCHIs started, suggesting they 'could start as ordinary criminal investigations that are ultimately recorded in a different way'.

Separately, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she agreed with a watchdog report that found inconsistencies in how forces tackled the incidents.

She told the National Police Chiefs' Council summit: 'Operational decisions are for police forces to make, but I think it's right that overall, that there should be a common sense and consistent approach to this.'

Today The Shadow Home Secretary is expected to call for a change in the rules.

Mr Philp will tell the summit that officers should concentrate on investigating and preventing crime and should 'not trespass upon free speech.'

'I call on the Government to urgently ensure the guidance is re-written to ensure that, only where there is a real risk of imminent criminality, should police get involved,' he will say.

'We must use officers' time to protect the public and catch criminals. Offensive speech is not the same as illegal speech.'

Former Scotland Yard commissioner Lord Hogan-Howe who headed up the UK's largest police force from 2011 to 2017, told peers: 'It was a well-intended change to record hate crime, but the definition of a crime is objective, and hate crime is subjective.

'The application of the hate crime definition has been inconsistent.

'It's time there was a review of how this has been applied and it may therefore allow time for the police to visit scenes of crime which wouldn't be a bad idea because it's the best chance of detecting it.'

Lord Austin, who claimed he was investigated for branding terror group Hamas as 'Islamists', said: 'NCHIs may have been introduced for perfectly good reasons, but last year police recorded more than 13,000, including some against schoolchildren and others for utterly absurd reasons.

'Just two per cent of rapes and four per cent of burglaries result in a suspect being charged. Shoplifting has been virtually decriminalised, there's an epidemic of mobile phone theft on the streets of London.

'The police and the public think all of this is utterly absurd.'

He demanded the government 'set up an independent review to ensure police are dealing with real crimes with real victims'.

But ministers have continued to defend the use of NCHIs amid rising racial and religious hatred.

Ms Cooper said yesterday: 'One of the other things I think that the inspectorate report shows is around the importance, for example, of monitoring things like antisemitism, which has increased over the last 12 months, and that is immensely important.'

Home Office minister Lord Hanson said: 'Collection of NCHIs is important, because it helps get a picture of potential wider crime in due course - but make no mistake, this government's priority is securing the streets and protecting the public.
Aussies have been left outraged after a customer discovered a single sanitary pad with a $2 price tag on it at an op-shop.

A woman and her friend had been visiting a Salvation Army at Mount Gravatt, in Brisbane's south, when they made the discovery earlier this week.

'We just want to show you a particular item that we think is pushing the envelope,' one of the women said in a video shared to TikTok.

The pair were seen heading to the back of the shop and picking up a Libra sanitary pad with a $2 price tag.

It's open at the back, and they are actually selling this. Thats just disgusting,' one of the women said.

It is disgusting, her friend added.

It is believed the single Libra pad was in a larger pack that was on sale for $2, but it had been left behind when the rest of the pads were stolen from the pack.

A Salvation Army worker named Karen responded to one of the women who posted her message on TikTok.

In the TikTok, two women were enjoying a bit of girl's day op shopping and said 'we just want to show you a particular item that we think is pushing the envelope. One of the women is pictured

'I have spoken to the store manager and the team at Mt Gravatt who assure me that when the items were put on the sales floor it was a sealed pack of 10 pads for $2,' she said.

'I can only assume that the others were taken and the one you picked up was left and the $2 price ticket put on it.

'It is not the intension (sic) of the team to insult women no matter what their financial status and will do their utmost to make sure this sort of thing does not happen again.

Social media users were quick to express their outrage.

'They should be putting these in a basket on the counter labelled "Free" for those women or girls that can't afford sanitary items,' one wrote.

'Salvos has an audacity acting like sanitary items are a luxury buy.'

'Do they not realise that its classed as contaminated and should have been thrown out Ive worked for the Salvation Army before it got burnt down my local one they should not be selling that,' a second added.

'Why leave it there? Did you ask or tell staff?' another asked, directing their question to the women who spotted the pad.

'We left it there. We were just too stunned,' one of the women responded.

'Sanitry (sic) items should be free at stores like this, Drs, hospitals etc,' another social media user added.

'Sure, people would take advantage but there's also people who are desperate.'
Scotland Yard is investigating four people suspected of criminal offences in the Post Office Horizon scandal.

Yesterday the force revealed that more suspects will be identified as the inquiry into one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in UK history progresses.

More than 900 subpostmasters were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faulty Horizon accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their accounts.

Hundreds are still awaiting compensation despite the previous government announcing that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for 600,000 payouts.

Detectives met lead campaigner and former subpostmaster Sir Alan Bates to provide the update on Sunday.

Officers are looking into allegations of fraud, perjury and perverting the course of justice in relation to investigations and prosecutions carried out by the Post Office.

Scotland Yard is investigating four people suspected of criminal offences in the Post Office Horizon scandal (file image)

In January Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley (pictured) said detectives wont be able to consider charges until after the conclusion of the public inquiry into the scandal

But Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has previously warned that it could be years before anyone face charges.

In January Sir Mark said detectives wont be able to consider charges until after the conclusion of the public inquiry into the scandal.

Two people have been interviewed under caution but nobody has been arrested since the investigation was launched in January 2020.

Yesterday a Met spokesman said: On Sunday 17 November, members of the investigating team met with Sir Alan Bates and a number of affected subpostmasters to provide an update on our progress and next steps, following an invitation to do so.

'Our investigation team, comprising of officers from forces across the UK, is now in place and we will be sharing further details in due course.

'The team is preparing to contact other affected subpostmasters soon.

Whilst four suspects have been formally identified at this stage, this number will grow as the investigation progresses.

Sir Mark has previously revealed: There are tens of millions of documents to be worked through in a criminal investigation.

Yesterday a Met spokesman said: On Sunday 17 November, members of the investigating team met with Sir Alan Bates and a number of affected subpostmasters to provide an update on our progress and next steps, following an invitation to do so'

'And of course weve got to do that following on behind the public inquiry, which I think finishes at the end of this year, but wont publish until late next year.

So this is going to be a big detective team, probably many tens of officers doing that.

He added: I think at the core of this youve potentially got fraud, in terms of false documents, if its for financial purposes.

And youve potentially got perverting the course of justice, because if people have deliberately set in train evidence into a legal process, which they know is false, that would be perverting the course of justice.

To prove this to a criminal standard is different to whats in the documentary.

Clearly we have to prove beyond all reasonable doubt, so really its 99.9 per cent, that individuals knowingly corrupted something.

So thats going way beyond incompetence, you have to prove deliberate malice, and that has to be done very thoroughly with an exhaustive investigation.

So it wont be quick. But the police service across the country are live to this and we will do everything we can do to bring people to justice if criminal offences can be proven.
A suspected heroin addict has appeared in court charged with the murder of Melbourne woman Isla Bell, whose body was found in a rubbish tip more than month after she vanished.

Marat Ganiev, 53, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with murdering the 19-year old on October 7 at St Kilda East. She had last been seen by her family on October 4.

On Wednesday, her heartbroken mother Justine Spokes issued a gut-wrenching statement in memory of her daughter as Ganiev faced court.

'I am so, so sorry my darling daughter,' she said. 'I could not protect you from your complex illnesses and this cruel world.'

Dressed in black and appearing gaunt, Ganiev, of St Kilda, looked visibly unwell as the short filing hearing took place.

His lawyer, Adrian Lewin, told the court his client was in desperate need of his methadone medication - a drug used by addicts attempting to get off heroin.

The court heard Ganiev required 70mg of the medication, which he had not received for the past two days.

It remains unknown how or why police allege Ganiev killed the teenager, who was reported missing in October.

Two men have been charged after police found suspected human remains in their search for 19-year-old Isla Bell

Marat Ganiev, 53, of St Kilda appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with murdering Ms Bell

A man believed to be Ganiev's friend is expected to face court sometime on Wednesday. Eyal Yaffe, 57, of Hampton, faces a charge of assisting an offender with murder.

Ms Bell was last seen leaving her Brunswick home, in Melbourne, at about 6pm on October 4, just days before her 20th birthday.

Her remains were found at a tip at Dandenong on Tuesday evening and are yet to be formally identified.

Ms Spokes paid a touching tribute to her 'kind and adventurous' daughter on Wednesday.

'I was so proud of your choices this year, your strength to endure despite your suffering,' she said.

'All you ever wanted was to create, make and nurture life, to love and be loved.

'We were so much looking forward to being reunited as a family again; my heart aches and cannot reconcile that's not going to happen.'

She said Isla was, 'the gentlest soul, the kindest human and free spirited.

'I will connect to you in spirit my care bear and no one can take that connection away from us,' she added.

Victoria Police are investigating whether Ms Bell's remains had been placed into a household rubbish bin before they ended up at the tip.

Ms Bell was last seen leaving her Brunswick home, in Melbourne's inner city, about 6pm on October 4

Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad arrested three men after executing search warrants at two properties in Bentleigh East and Mulgrave.

A 63-year-old Mulgrave man was released pending further enquiries.

The Missing Persons Squad formally took over the investigation in late October.

Ms Bell's family has been notified following the discovery at the tip.

Shortly after her disappearance, Ms Bell's best friend revealed their last conversation took place on October 7 - three days after she was reportedly last seen.

During that conversation, Ms Bell was keen to talk about a recent night out and a new friend.

'She was just about to tell me all about her night. She abruptly stopped replying before giving me any more details,' the anonymous friend said.

'She was very eager and excited to tell me all about it, then radio silence.'

Another friend said Ms Bell had struggled with mental health issues and did sometimes disappear for days at a time, but her recent disappearance was out of the ordinary.

'The messages to her friend the night she disappeared were really sus, real dodgy crowd,' they said.

'The police have been pinging her and such but to not much immediate avail.'

Ms Bell's mother, Justine Spokes, also shared her worries online.

'My girl is missing and dearly missed,' she wrote on Facebook.

'She leaves an impression, she's hard to forget. She has a fighting spirit, sometimes it's loud and sometimes it's soft, always enduring.

'We're here for you bub. I love you my care bear.'

Ms Spokes later revealed the family had been planning to visit the Great Barrier Reef for Ms Bell's 20th birthday and became alarmed when they couldn't reach her.

'Hey bub. We're looking forward to our reef trip for your birthday coming up,' her mum wrote in a public message after she vanished.

'We've been trying to call you to book flights. Let us know your thoughts.

'We love you my darling.'
New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday urged the voters of Maharashtra and Jharkhand to vote in large numbers so that opportunistic politics and forces that endanger the future of farmers and youth are kept away.

Appealing to the voters of Maharashtra, Kharge on his social media handle X said, "Politics of money and muscle power have never happened in Maharashtra. Before voting, you will have to think about falling standards of politics and how it is hurting the self-respect of Maharashtra.

"Keep opportunistic politics, policies to benefit select capitalists, and forces that endanger the future of farmers and youth away from Maharashtra," Kharge said.

Urging the Jharkhand voters, Kharge said, "The people of Jharkhand voted for public welfare, protection, and water, forest, land, and tribal civilisation in the first phase; you have to protect your rights in this phase too. The victory of social justice is certain; the defeat of polarisation is certain."

He also appealed to the young voters to participate in this festival of democracy and said, "Vote and encourage others to vote."

UNI RBE ARN
Kevin Rudd has insisted he's 'ready' to work with US president-elect Trump - despite previously calling him the 'most destructive president in history'.

The Australian ambassador to the US said he's been working hard for the past year to ensure he was 'well-prepared for this moment'.

'And the bottom line is, we're ready,' he said in a video message for the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.

'The team here at the embassy and the government of Australia are ready to work closely with the new Trump administration to continue to realise the benefits of what is a very strong economic and security partnership.'

The ambassador appeared to be selling himself to Trump as he talked up Australia's contribution of nearly $4 billion towards the production of submarines under AUKUS.

The three-way security pact between Australia, the US and the UK might be strained under Trump, who has complained in the past about allies not pulling their weight in defence arrangements.

'This will represent large-scale purchases from American industry. That's a significant defence deal,' Rudd said.

'And on top of that, we're already investing into the US submarine industrial base to expand the capacity of their shipyards. Put these things together and it represents a strong, positive message for America.

In a video message on Wednesday, Rudd said he was ready to work with Trump

'The fundamental value of AUKUS for all three partners is that it makes all three countries stronger than we would have been without it.

'It strengthens all three countries' ability to deter threats, and it grows the Defense Industrial Base and creates jobs in all three countries.'

Rudd, who speaks fluent Mandarin, didn't mention potential tariffs on Chinese goods under Trump.

But he added that 'the Indo-Pacific would not have enjoyed long periods of stability and prosperity without the United States' and its security guarantee to the region.

'America's network of alliances is an unrivalled network with vast reach, and each of these alliances and partnerships is a force multiplier.'

Rudd previously called Trump a 'traitor to the West', and a 'village idiot,' and described him as the 'most destructive president in history' - comments he has since deleted from social media.

In response, Trump said that Rudd was 'nasty' and he would not last long in the role if he returned to the White House.

US President-elect Trump earlier called Rudd 'nasty' over his comments on social media

Since the election, there has been a flood of calls for Rudd to resign, which increased following the appointment of Dan Scavino as Trump's deputy chief of staff.

Scavino posted an ominous GIF of an hourglass in response to Rudd's official statement congratulating Trump on his victory on November 7 0 suggesting that his days in the role might be numbered.

Former Trump staffer Sean Spicer also said Trump would 'not forget' Rudd's comments.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended Rudd this month, and said he was 'doing a good job'.

'That's been recognised across the political spectrum in Australia by people from Tony Abbott to Malcolm Turnbull to Peter Dutton and obviously the Australian Government,' Albanese said.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton, too, expressed his tentative support for Rudd.

'It's important that he does work in our country's name. He's been a very effective contributor to public debate, particularly as a former prime minister, he's well respected.

'I hope that he's able to form a relationship with the new administration as he's done with the current one.'

Rudd is two years into his four-year term as ambassador.
Poor Ed Sheeran. Ten years ago he was no doubt thrilled and flattered to be part of the Band Aid remake, following in the footsteps of superstars such as Boy George and Bono to sing on the charity single Do They Know Its Christmas?

But 2014 was a very different era from today. Now, as the song is remixed and rereleased for the umpteenth time, hes deeply embarrassed to be linked to it.

With black critics denouncing Band Aid as colonial and racist, no wonder Ed is scrambling to disassociate himself from the song. Had I had the choice, he wrote on social media, I would have respectfully declined my use of vocals.

And then, because every pop star however successful  dreads saying the wrong thing, he built a pre-apology into his statement: This is just my personal stance. I hope its a forward-looking one. Love to all x.

Eds bound to be keenly aware of the backlash endured by TV presenter Stacey Dooley after she was accused of posing as a white saviour five years ago when she was photographed cuddling a small boy in Uganda for Comic Relief. Stacey meant well, but it wasnt a good look for some.

I dont have much sympathy for Ed. If he regrets something he did a decade ago, he should have the dignity to accept responsibility, not try to wriggle out of it. (And why didnt he have the choice?)

But I do agree that its time to bury Do They Know Its Christmas?  and not just because its a horrible dirge.

No one can deny that the charity appeal launched by Boomtown Rat Bob Geldof in 1984, in response to a devastating famine in Ethiopia, has done a huge amount of good and it continues to raise significant sums of money from generous people in the UK and around the world.

Ed Sheeran has spoken out against Band Aid's portrayal of Africa

Esther Krakue agrees that whilst Band Aid has done good, it is time to move on from its perception of the African continent

Bob Geldof has defended Band Aid, saying that children are still benefitting from its funds to this day

Defending the initiative, Geldof says that this week alone, around 8,000 children in Ethiopia have benefited from food and supplies bought with Band Aid money. Everyone who has contributed to that, whether its Brits buying the record or performers donating their time and talent, should feel proud of it. And I include Ed Sheeran in that.

Still, its time is over. Just as Britain no longer sends well-meaning missionaries overseas to convert the benighted inhabitants of far-flung countries, it is wrong for the West to treat Africa as a problem to be fixed with Yuletide charity and patronising videos.

Africans have felt like this for a very long time. I first heard the song as a child in Accra, the capital of Ghana, in 2004 when Band Aid celebrated its 20th anniversary.

The video bore no relation to the beautiful city with its well-fed occupants that was my home, and I found it hard to believe that people in Europe imagined our whole continent was in a perpetual state of famine and disease. My family regarded it as a grim joke. Maybe we should be sending our money to help poor children in Britain, grumbled my uncle.

And I would, if they made a pop video about malnourished English kids going up chimneys or down mines, covered in dirt, with sores and bronchitis and no teeth. Because thats the way they like to think of us.

When I came to the UK a few years later to study, I realised he had a point. The British public is unfailingly generous, as we saw last week when Children In Need raised 39.2 million in a single night. But that appeal doesnt depict UK youngsters as dirty and listless, covered in mud and muck, with flies crawling over their faces.

The incessant images of starving, hopeless, abandoned African children, so familiar from the Band Aid videos, are dehumanising. Theres a deeply unpleasant, Victorian ethos underlying the message: These people cant do anything for themselves. Give money now and prove how superior you are.

Of course, most British people dont think like that. But its wrong to depict black toddlers as filthy and diseased, simply to pull on the heartstrings of generous viewers. Thats the same technique used by animal aid charities to raise money for maltreated dogs and donkeys. Its almost as if African people are being equated with animals.

Bob Geldof says that this week alone, around 8,000 children in Ethiopia have benefited from food and supplies bought with Band Aid money

Band Aid has raised over 140 million for charity since its inception

The 2024 remake of Band Aid's Do They Know Its Christmas will feature voices from the original 1984 group

U2 frontman Bono was involved in the origianl Band Aid project

The rapper Fuse ODG, who has Ghanaian ancestry, made the point eloquently on Good Morning Britain this week. Theres a way to raise money without taking away the dignity and pride and identity of people, he said. Weve become so numb to these images of Africa on our TV.

Fuse made another powerful point as he mentioned the long-term economic damage done by charity. Africas tourism industry is badly undermined by the emphasis on everlasting famine, for example.

Its all very well to give a couple of quid to an emergency appeal but that doesnt go very far. We could do infinitely more good if, instead of regarding sub-Saharan Africa as a charity case, we saw it as an emerging holiday destination.

One glaring irony is that when European journalists come to cover disaster stories in Africa they tend to stay in five-star luxury. My family has always seen the intense hypocrisy of this  we joke that camera crews film the deprivation in refugee camps, then pack up their equipment and return to their luxury hotels.

You never see footage of the breakfast buffet or the reporters sipping malt whisky in an elegant lounge.

Thanks primarily to Band Aid, Britons dont think of Ethiopia as an obvious place for a two-week winter break  unlike Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt or Marrakesh in Morocco, for instance. But theres so much to see in Ethiopias capital Addis Ababa, including the continents largest open-air market.

And the advantage of tourism is that your money is much more likely to reach the people who need it most because you will be supporting small businesses and hotels, helping to create jobs.

In the past it has been alleged that Band Aid money was sometimes diverted to rebel troops in the war-torn Tigray region. This is an allegation that Geldof has always furiously denied.

Esther Krakue says that nowadays, people are unlikely to visit Ethiopia as a holiday destination as they still associate it with Band Aid's portrayal of famine

Many Brits still see Ethiopia as it was depicted in the original Band Aid according to Esther Krakue

In the past it has been alleged that Band Aid money was sometimes diverted to rebel troops in the war-torn Tigray region. This is an allegation that Geldof has always furiously denied

The charitys former 1980s field director, John James, told the Daily Mail in 2010: I would be surprised if any less than 10 to 20 per cent of funds were diverted to the rebels. And he hinted that some donations could have gone to buy guns: We would not have tolerated any direct assistance in the purchase of arms or condoned it, but just remember it was a highly complex situation. It is probable that some money was diverted to buy arms.

Africa is a continent with many problems. But so is Europe. Im struck by how apt some of the Band Aid lyrics are today, not to the plight of Ethiopian children but to British pensioners.

Say a prayer, pray for the other ones, at Christmas time its hard, sang George Michael 40 years ago. Theres a world outside your window, chimed in Simon Le Bon and Sting, And its a world of dread and fear.

That could equally apply to OAPs struggling to keep warm without their winter fuel allowance in Keir Starmers Britain.

Im not suggesting we repurpose the song. I just want to consign Do They Know Its Christmas? to history.

Esther Krakue is a writer and broadcaster.
A man accused of murdering his brother-in-law has claimed that he was attacked by the alleged victim nine years earlier, sparking all his problems.

Finlay MacDonald said he was humiliated and left with low self esteem after John MacKinnon assaulted him in 2013 and his father had to intervene to stop him getting battered.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that MacDonald told a psychiatrist: That was the start of all of this. Something happened in my mind that day.

He told Dr Suraj Shenoy: The beginning of all my problems was John MacKinnon attacking me in 2013.

The psychiatrist told the court: He said that since that incident in 2013 he had tried to avoid any contact with his brother-in-law.

John MacKinnon (pictured) was shot dead by a gunman on August 10, 2022. His brother-in-law Finlay MacDonald is accused of murder

Finlay MacDonald said he was humiliated and left with low self esteem after John MacKinnon assaulted him in 2013 and his father had to intervene to stop him getting battered. John MacKinnon (pictured) was a father of six

MacDonald is also accused of the attempted murder of his wife, Rowena MacDonald, 32, who suffered 'serious' stab injuries in an attack at her home

The trial heard the psychiatrist had concluded that MacDonald was affected by autism spectrum disorder and post traumatic stress disorder at the time of the alleged murder on August 10 in 2022.

In the background were depression with anxiety and paranoid and dependent personality disorder.

MacDonald has denied murdering distillery worker Mr MacKinnon at his home at Teangue, on the Isle of Skye, by firing a shotgun at him.

He has lodged a special defence to the murder charge maintaining that at the time his ability to determine and control his conduct was substantially impaired by abnormality of mind.

The 41-year-old has also denied attempting to murder his wife Rowena, 34, at her home in the village of Tarskavaig, on Skye, on the same day by struggling with her and repeatedly stabbing her with a knife.

John and Fay MacKenzie told a trial they were shot at their home in the Highlands during the alleged shooting spree in August 2022

Police at the scene of the incident in Tarskavaig, a crofting village on the West coast of Sleat on the Isle of Skye in Scotland

MacDonald has further denied attempting to murder retired osteopath John MacKenzie and his wife Fay, both 65, at their home in Dornie, in Ross-shire, by discharging a shotgun at them.

The court heard that MacDonald told Dr Sujay: I depended on my ex-wife to make all the decisions at home, but she let me down.

Defence counsel Donald Findlay KC said: The triggering event seems to have been his wifes betrayal as he saw it.

The trial before judge Lady Drummond continues.
The cutting of two underwater cables in the Baltic Sea looks to be an act of sabotage, Germanys defence minister said yesterday.

Boris Pistorius spoke after damage was detected to the C-Lion1 telecommunications cable that runs for almost 750 miles from the Finnish capital Helsinki to the German port city of Rostock.

Another cable running between Lithuania and Swedens Gotland Island was also damaged. Speaking in Brussels, Mr Pistorius said the damage to the cables was a very clear sign that something is afoot.

No one believes these cables were severed by mistake, and I also dont want to believe versions that it was anchors that by chance caused damage to these cables, he said at a regular meeting of European Union defence ministers.

So we have to state  without knowing in concrete terms who it came from  that this is a hybrid action. And we also have to assume  without already knowing it, obviously  that this is sabotage.

The foreign ministries of Finland and Germany had already said on Monday night that the damage raised suspicion of sabotage.

They said in a joint statement that it came at a time when our European security is not only under threat from Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors.

The statement added that the countries were investigating the incident, and that it was crucial that such critical infrastructure be safeguarded.

A man is pictured above as he worked on the C-Lion 1 submarine telecommunications cable as it was being laid to the bottom of the Baltic Sea in 2015

This picture taken on October 12, 2015 shows the C-Lion1 submarine telecommunications cable being laid to the bottom of the Baltic Sea by cable laying ship 'Ile de Brehat' off the shore of Helsinki, Finland

The C-Lion1 telecommunications cable which runs for almost 750 miles from the Finnish capital Helsinki to the German port city of Rostock

Swedish and Lithuanian defence officials said they were deeply concerned, adding that situations like these must be assessed with the growing threat posed by Russia in our neighbourhood as a backdrop.

The sudden outage implied that the cable was completely severed by an outside force, although a physical inspection has not yet been conducted, Cinia's chief executive, Ari-Jussi Knaapila, told a press conference.

The damage to the Finland-Germany cable occurred near the southern tip of Sweden's Oland Island and could require five to 15 days to repair, Knaapila said.

Cinia said that most internet users would not notice the outage and that it was likely a result of human activity, although they added that there was no indication that the damage was the result of sabotage.

'At the moment, there is no way to assess the cause of the cable break, but such breaks without external impact do not happen in these waters,' Knapila said.

He added that a trawler or a ship putting down an anchor due to an emergency could have severed the cable, which is covered in a double-armoured steel casing.

Swedish public service broadcaster SVT reported that Swedish authorities were also investigating damage to a communications cable running between Lithuania and Sweden, close to the one that was severed.

The C-Lion1 submarine telecommunications cable is being laid to the bottom of the Baltic Sea by cable ship Ile de Brehat on the shore of Helsinki, Finland on October 12, 2015

The C-Lion1 submarine telecommunications cable is being laid to the bottom of the Baltic Sea by cable ship Ile de Brehat on the shore of Helsinki, Finland, October 12, 2015

'It is absolutely central that it is clarified why we currently have two cables in the Baltic Sea that are not working,' Carl-Oskar Bohlin, minister of civil defence, told SVT.

The episode recalled other incidents in the same waterway that authorities have probed as potentially malicious.

Last year, a subsea gas pipeline and several telecoms cables running along the bottom of the Baltic Sea were severely damaged in an incident raising alarm bells in the region.

Investigators of the 2023 cases in Finland and Estonia have named a Chinese container ship that they believe dragged its anchor and caused the damage.

But they have not said whether the damage was accidental or intentional.

In 2022 the Nord Stream gas pipelines linking Russia to Germany in the Baltic Sea were destroyed by explosions in a case that remains under investigation by German authorities.

Located in northern Europe, the Baltic Sea is an active commercial shipping route and is ringed by nine countries including Russia.
None of the men who have written to and spoken with sex-obsessed killer mom Susan Smith will testify on her behalf as she faces parole in the murder of her two sons, it has been revealed.

Smith, 53, drowned her sons Michael, three, and Alex, 14-months, in a South Carolina lake in 1994.

She was sentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole after 30 years and will make her case for release to the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services board on Wednesday.

In order to be released, Smith will need at least a two-thirds majority of the panel to approve her application. She also needs to meet pre-release conditions which include employment, residence, programming and detainers, according to Court TV.

But Smith has been unable to find a single character witness to testify as a character witness - even as she flirts with four men from her jail cell.

'They all wanted just one thing out of her,' a relative of Smith's told the New York Post. 'But they didn't want to put their full names on the record to argue that she should get out of jail.'

The Post then contacted four men who regularly called and messaged her. Two did not return the reporters' calls, one hung up and another reportedly groaned when the reporter mentioned Smith's name.

'I am not going to stick my neck out for her and then have her run off with another guy,' the unidentified suitor, in his early 60s, told the outlet. 'I'm no chump.'

Convicted child killer mother Susan Smith (pictured), 53, will make her case for release in front of a South Carolina parole board on Wednesday

She drowned her sons Michael, three, and Alex, 14-months, in a South Carolina lake in 1994

He said he learned that if he were to testify on Smith's behalf, his name and address would become public record.

'I don't need that s*** in my life,' he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services has now received more than 130 letters, with family members telling the Post that the majority of them oppose Smith's release.

Smith's ex-husband, David, and former prosecutor Tommy Pope also plan to testify at the hearing against her release.

He told Court TV that he has forgiven Smith, but does not want her released from prison.

'You have no idea of how much damage you have done to so many people,' he said.

Pope also said Smith's outrageous prison behavior shows she has not learned from her time behind bars.

'The belief was that she would spend her time thinking about Michael and Alex. It's clear she hasn't been thinking about Michael and Alex,' Pope told Greenville News.

'She's having sex with the guards and now got guys that want her on social media when she gets out of prison. She's not focused on remorse for the lives she took. I think she needs to continue to serve her sentence and serve it out forward.'

Smith reported her two sons missing in October 1994 and she and her husband (pictured) begged for their safe return on television

Smith had reported her two sons missing in October 1994 and told deputies the boys had been taken by an unidentified black man during a carjacking.

She wept on national television while her husband begged for their safe return, as police began a manhunt for the alleged kidnapper in predominantly African American neighborhoods.

But soon her story was picked apart, and Smith ultimately confessed to strapping the two boys into their car seat and watching the car roll into John D. Long Lake in Union County.

It was claimed she killed the boys after the man she was having an affair with, Thomas Findlay, broke up with her because he didn't want children.

Smith's story was soon picked apart, and she ultimately confessed to strapping the two boys into their car seat and watching the car roll into John D. Long Lake in Union County

Smith was ultimately sentenced to life in prison, where she allegedly started relationships with guards whom she would later accuse of sexual assault.

She has also had a series of infractions during her incarceration, including drug use, and self-mutilations.

Then, just weeks before she became eligible for parole, Smith was convicted of a prison disciplinary charge for communicating with a filmmaker from behind bars.

She was said to have been discussing her crimes, and providing contact information for friends, family and victims, including her former husband. The filmmaker also deposited money into Smith's account, police said.

If her application for parole is denied, she can apply again in two years. Data shows the board grants approximately 8 percent of parole requests for violent offenders.
It all began with a mysterious typed letter in the mail instructing a multi-award winning investigative journalist to place a coded message in a French newspaper.

Nick McKenzie had no idea his response would lead him on one of the largest ever international bribery investigations into the oil industry.

He would uncover a trail of crime and corruption and expose one of the biggest family-owned companies in the world - Unaoil.

His journey has been archived in the new feature-length documentary 'Revealed: Bribe Inc.' that is now streaming on Stan.

McKenzie told Daily Mail Australia the explosive investigation has all the hallmarks of a Hollywood film.

I think it is something that could be a great film, because it has the qualities to it,' he said.

McKenzie had just helped to smash open bribery allegations at Australian engineering giant Leighton Holdings (now CIMC) when he received the letter.

The missive claimed to be from a former Unaoil employee only known as 'Figaro' and asked him to place an ad, including his email address and the code word 'Monte Christo', in the real estate section of French newspaper Le Figaro.

A gripping new feature-length documentary, Revealed: Bribe, Inc. fronted by multi-award-winning investigative journalist Nick McKenzie (pictured) is now streaming on Stan

Armed with 317,000 leaked files, McKenzie and Figaro delved into the shady business dealings of the secretive Ahsani family  Ata Ahsani and his sons Cyrus and Saman

'If you want to get the biggest corruption story in the world, hide a secret code in a French newspaper,' McKenzie was told.

McKenzie said he followed the instructions and this started his incredible journey.

'You wouldn't believe it, if you read it,' he said. 'It remains the craziest way of ever being contacted'.

From the outside, the Ahsani familys Monaco-based company Unaoil had a highly respected reputation  hosting glittering fundraisers and mixing with royalty, politicians and politicians.

The family had created the illusion of being generous and above reproach and had long denied any involvement in corrupt activity.

Superficially, the Ahsani family looked like wealthy philanthropists who had years of dealing with royals and sheikhs and people to be respected and admired,' McKenzie said.

'It was all a front. I think as the more corrupt they got, the more they painted themselves as not corrupt.

'This charity they set up, and the way that they moved across high society in Europe, and especially in Monaco, it was all a front.

Nick McKenzie (pictured) said 'It was a really interesting journalistic experience, we spent 18 hours a day, basically poring through emails. The whole picture began to be painted.'

'And ultimately they are corporate gangsters.'

He said he was contacted by the whistleblower Figaro because, he'd read that I had written about Leighton Holdings and its involvement in alleged corruption'.

'He thought, "Who's going to pay attention to the hidden part of that story, which is the allegation that the bribe payer working for Leighton Holdings was in fact Unaoil",' McKenzie said.

This unleashed the greatest expose of bribery and corruption in modern history.

Delving into the business dealings of the secretive Ahsani family, and armed with 317,000 leaked files, McKenzie and Figaro discovered Unaoil had paid multi-million dollar bribes to some of the biggest companies across Europe, North America and Australia.

The documentary reveals how McKenzie and Figaro tracked down the money trail and chased down the criminals in an exhaustive manhunt spanning the globe from Iraq to Monaco, Rome, London, Australia, and the U.S.

According to the thousands of leaked emails, Unaoil was running a vast network of mysterious middlemen with a hotline to ministers and oil officials in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Azerbaijan, Algeria, Malaysia, Libya, Kazakhstan and Nigeria.

'Once the data began to flow and once we started document after document, and then a lot more data in the form of a hard drive, then it really, really opened opened up,' McKenzie said.

'It was a really interesting journalistic experience, we spent 18 hours a day, basically poring through emails.'

'The whole picture began to be painted.'

'It was extremely exciting, because, you know, you felt like you were cracking a code, and you felt like you were exposing real and genuine major corruption.'

'It remains the biggest and most complicated investigation, because there was so many files, so many bribes paid in so many countries.

'I think in the end, the FBI said there was, I think, bribes paid in up to 27 countries,' McKenzie said.

The documentary even features a cameo from President-elect Donald Trump.

The investigation eventually involved the US Department of Justice and the FBI, and triggered a $12million police investigation as authorities worked tirelessly to bring the Ahsani family to justice.

'Revealed: Bribe, Inc.' is the eleventh in Stan's Revealed series and the fourth fronted by McKenzie.

The multi-Walkley award winner had previously produced Ben Roberts-Smith: Truth On Trial, Trafficked and Amongst Us: Neo Nazi Australia for Stan.

On Tuesday night, McKenzie won three more Walkley Awards, including the coveted Gold Walkley, Australian journalisms highest honour.

Revealed: Bribe, Inc. is now streaming on Stan.
The Albanese government has rejected the idea of forming a unit to cut government waste in Australia after the idea was floated by two billionaires.

Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk will head the new Department of Government Efficiency for the incoming Trump administration and Aussie mining magnate Gina Rinehart said such an idea 'was much needed in Australia too'.

However, appearing on Wednesday morning's Sunrise program, federal minister for Housing Clare O'Neil said ordinary Aussies should get a 'chill up their spine when we see a couple of billionaires getting to talk about efficiencies in government services'.

'What that really translates too for your viewers is drastic cuts to essential services like health, education, and other services that we ordinary Australians rely on,' Ms O'Neil told Nat Barr on her Sunrise show.

'This has no relevance to Australia.'

'Why does it though?' Barr interrupted.

'Because Nat the government does some incredibly important things. It looks after our sick children in hospital, it educates our children, it pays for aged care for Australians,' Ms O'Neil replied.

'These are abstract things to billionaires who can pay their own way, but for ordinary people, these are meaningful and important things in their lives.'

Housing Minister Claire O'Neil (pictured left) has rejected the idea of cost cutting unit for Australia's government headed by business tycoons

However, Barr was still unconvinced.

'A lot of people might be sitting there in their lounge rooms today thinking, "well, OK, I mean whether you like Elon Musk or not, but if someone gets to be a billionaire, they may know how to make money, they may know how to cut waste",' Barr said.

'Let's give them a go.

'I just think people at home might be open, I mean we, we know you have to run the government, but maybe people are interested in drilling down on exactly where the money's going, maybe we should be open to that.'

Meanwhile, the Shadow Minister for Finance Jane Hume accused Ms O'Neil of being 'enormously disrespectful' in her answer when talking about Mr Musk and Ms Rinehart, who are worth over $466billion and $30bn respectively.

'You don't get to be the world's richest man and Australia's richest person by accident, you get there because you've got some ideas about how to be efficient, and how to be effective and how to be profitable,' Ms Hume said.

'I wish that government would spend taxpayers' money more wisely, and so should you.

'In fact, there's 36,000 additional public servants that have come on board since this government began. 36,000.

Gina Rinehart (pictured left) has backed Elon Musk (pictured right) in his new role of cutting government waste

Many Australians have called on the Albanese government to set up a Department of Government Efficiency

'Now that's at a cost of billions of dollars, and I don't know about you, but I don't necessarily feel $36,000. Public servants better served than I did two years ago.'

Ms Hume appeared to be referring to a report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics that stated 26,000 public servants had been added to the bureaucracy since the Albanese government took power in 2022.

With more than half that increase being new positions in Canberra the wage bill had spiked by 23 per cent in the national capital.

Overall public sector wages were $37bn a year, which was up from $32.5bn in June 2022, with a total workforce of 365,400.

The report said 15,100 commonwealth public service jobs were added in 2023-24 after 11,000 job were created in the first year of the Albanese government.
Eerie footage of nursing student Laken Riley's last moments alive has been played to the court during the trial of her accused killer.

Riley, 22, was seen jogging through the University of Georgia campus on security footage at 9.05am, just minutes before she was attacked on February 22 earlier this year.

The tragic video triggered heartbreaking reactions in court on Tuesday, with Riley was seen running with her phone in her hand near her house approximately 23 minutes before her death.

According to a smartwatch tracking her heartbeat, Riley died at 9.28am after she was allegedly beaten in the head with a rock.

Another video, recorded roughly an hour prior, captured footage of a man believed to be her murderer, Jose Antonia Ibarra. The figure was dressed in dark clothing and seen around the apartment complex near Riley's jogging trail.

Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus. She had been a student there until 2023, when she transferred to Augusta.

Her roommates had reported her missing after becoming concerned that she had been out for longer than usual.

After walking her usual route and using Find My Friends, her friends noticed she had been in the same location for hours and when they got there, they found one of her Airpods on the ground.

Riley, 22, was seen jogging through the University of Georgia campus on security footage at 9.05am, just minutes before she was attacked on February 22 earlier this year

According to a smartwatch which was tracking her heartbeat, Riley died at 9.28am after she was allegedly beaten in the head with a rock

Ibarra had arrived in Texas illegally in 2022 and his case sparked renewed debate about the border crisis and illegal immigration. Ibarra has also been confirmed to have ties with the deadly Tren de Aragua Venezuelan gang

As Riley's accused killer now faces trial over her death, Georgia special prosecutor Sheila Ross has painted a tragic picture of the her gruesome fate.

She told the court: 'When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock, repeatedly.'

Ross also claimed that there was significant forensic evidence tying Ibarra to the crime, she added: 'In her fight, she caused this defendant to leave forensic evidence behind.'

An examination found scratches all over Ibarra, and the court heard that his DNA was a direct match to that found under Riley's fingernails.

'The evidence will show that Laken fought. She fought for her life. She fought for her dignity.'

'She marked her killer for the entire world to see. It is his DNA. Only his DNA, underneath Laken's right fingernails... He left behind his thumbprint on her iPhone, which was found near her body at the scene of the crime.'

Ross said the forensic evidence alone should be enough to warrant a guilty verdict, but it was also revealed that a man identified as Ibarra was seen on CCTV footage dumping a bloody jacket in a dumpster near his home just 15 minutes after Riley's heart stopped.

It was later examined and a mixture of both Riley and Ibarra's DNA were found on that same jacket.

Another video captured a man, alleged to be 26-year-old Ibarra, roughly an hour prior dressed in dark clothing and lurking around an apartment complex near Riley's jogging trail

An examination found scratches all over Ibarra, and the court heard that his DNA was a direct match to that found under Riley's fingernails

As the trial continues, today Ibarra confirmed through a translator that he understood his rights and did not want to testify

Long brunette strands of hair were wrapped around a button on the jacket which were 'consistent with Riley's hair and forcibly removed from her head.'

Ross added that Riley had been found off the running trail and she 'was hidden under a tree' and covered in foliage.

The court also heard that her breasts were exposed, and her underwear was forcibly torn. A sexual assault and rape kit returned a negative result.

Ibarra's attorney, Dustin Kirby, claimed that evidence against Ibarra for Riley's murder was 'circumstantial' and 'evidence that anyone had any intent or certainly committed any sexual assault is speculation'.

Ibarra had arrived in Texas illegally in 2022 and his case sparked renewed debate about the border crisis and illegal immigration.

The Department of Homeland Security also confirmed Ibarra as a member of the brutal gang, Tren de Aragua, who have reached national news committing gruesome crimes across America.

He denies murdering Riley. When police officer Rafael Sayan reported to Ibarra's home to ask about the murder, he found his brothers and Ibarra were laughing and giggling.

Emotional scenes played out in court with Riley's sister overwhelmed during Ibarra's trial

'There was a lot of laughing, giggling - especially when they were talking about how they were woken up, pulled out of the apartment,' Sayan said.

'I would say the vibe or the atmosphere was very relaxed and calm.'

As the trial continues, today Ibarra confirmed through a translator that he understood his rights and did not want to testify, reported CNN.

He is standing trial without a jury, after he waived his right to one. Prosecutors have stated they rest their case against Ibarra, and testimony is scheduled to continue Wednesday morning with further witnesses.
A charming village in Italy is offering Americans 'worn out' by the recent election cycle the chance to own a home for just $1.

The picturesque mountain town of Ollolai, sitting on island of Sardinia, has long been trying to persuade outsiders to move there after decades of depopulation.

But following the most recent US Presidential election, the rural village has honed in on attracting and even prioritizing disaffected Americans, as many Democrats have sought to leave after Trump's win.

'Are you worn out by global politics?' the town's 'bring life back' campaign website asks.

'Looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities? Its time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia.'

Following the November 5 election, Google searches for 'move to Canada' surged 1,270 percent while similar searches about moving to New Zealand climbed nearly 2,000 percent while those for Australia jumped 820 percent, company data revealed.

The 'bring life back' campaign was created to appeal to American expats, according to Ollolai Mayor Fransisco Columbu. As the campaign offers struggled to take off, empty homes to buyers starting were marketed just 1 - $1.05 USD.

'We have specifically created this website now to meet US post-elections relocation needs. The first edition of our digital nomad scheme which launched last year was already solely for Americans,' Columbu told CNN.

The picturesque mountain town of Ollolai sits on island of Sardinia has long been trying to persuade outsiders to move after decades of depopulation

The charming village is offering Americans the chance to own a home for just $1 to rejuvenate its community and attract new life

Ollolai has previously tried to lure new residents with housing schemes as in the past century its population has shrunk from 2,250 to 1,100 with only a handful of babies born each year

The town halls website has been flooded recently with 38,000 requests of information on houses, mostly coming from the US, Columbu said.

Columbu added that he 'loves the United States' and is 'convinced Americans are the best people to help revive his community.'

The campaign offers three tiers of accommodation: Free temporary homes to certain digital nomads, one-euro homes in need of renovations and ready-to-occupy houses for prices up to $105,000.

Columbu says hes set up a special team to guide interested buyers through every step of the purchase, from organizing tours of the available residences, to finding contractors, builders and navigating required paperwork.

He also said photos and plans of available empty properties will soon be uploaded to the website.

Ollolai has previously tried to lure new residents with housing schemes as in the past century its population has shrunk from 2,250 to 1,100 with only a handful of babies born each year.

Many families have also left the village during tough economic times, in search of work and better lives, CNN reported.

The 'bring life back' campaign was created to appeal to American expats, Ollolai's Mayor, Fransisco Columbu said, as the campaign offers dilapidated, empty homes to buyers starting at just one euro - just over one dollar

Revival plans have not been going as well as local authorities had hoped, since 2018, only 10 homes have been sold and renovated, the village's mayor, Fransisco Columbu said

Beginning back in 2018, the town hall started selling empty, broken down homes before it went on to rent empty spaces for just a single euro, yet again.

Starting last year, the town hall launched a 'work from Ollolai' program for digital nomads, but so far, only four Americans have been hosted.

As part of the program, the town hall pays to rent the homes from local families for the remote workers, paying roughly 350 euros per month for multi-floor, two-bedroom residences. Utilities, bills and council taxes are also covered.

But, revival plans have not been going as well as local authorities had hoped, since 2018, only 10 homes have been sold and renovated, Columbu said.

'The village remains half empty, we still have about 100 unoccupied cheap homes potentially on sale, ready to move in. We have mapped and listed them all, and soon photos will be online for buyers to take a look at.'
A malnourished seven-year-old girl died in an Oklahoma hospital just days after she told a good-hearted neighbor that her abusive parents loved her.

Violet Mitchell was taken to St. Anthony's Medical Center on August 2, where doctors said she was 'extremely malnourished' and was 'essentially skin and bones' with 'sunken eyes,' the Kansas City Star reports.

But just two earlier, a kind neighbor tried to help the young girl.

'I took her [in] because she was hungry,' Tera Day told NewsNation. 'I fed her chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes and carrots.'

Day noted that the girl 'didn't tell me anything about her parents, just that they loved her.

'That's all she said and she cried, and I took her back home,' Day recounted.

A recently-released autopsy has since determined Mitchell's death was due to a 'failure to thrive' after finding a plastic baby bottle blocking her small intestine.

She weighed just 29 pounds, and was wrapped in a blanket, 'wearing a diaper that was otherwise sized for a three year old,' the doctors told investigators, according to documents obtained by KOCO.

Violet Mitchell was taken to St. Anthony's Medical Center in Midwest City, Oklahoma on August 2, where she was pronounced dead

Violet's mother, Lisa Mitchell, and her boyfriend, Anthony Yonko, were arrested on child neglect and aggravated abuse charges

Neighbor Tera Day said she offered the young girl food just days before she died

She also had a bacterial infection and injuries to her cheek, shoulder and left leg, as well a 'pale green' discoloration on her stomach.

Violet's mother, Lisa Mitchell, and her boyfriend, Anthony Yonko, were later arrested on child neglect and aggravated abuse charges.

Police said they received a call shortly after doctors pronounced Violet dead from a relative of the family, who said he overhead a group phone call in which numerous people were 'trying to come up with the same story regarding the death of Violet,' according to the Oklahoman.

The caller also said Anthony's brother, David, and Lisa's sister, Tiffany, were heard admitting they knew Violet was dead before she was brought to the hospital.

An arrest report also states that one of Violet's cousins, another 7-year-old girl, told investigators she knew that Violet died in a crib, where her arms and legs were often tied up with strings.

The young girl went on to tell police that her cousin was fed bread and little else, and told cops that her mother 'spilled hot soup on Violet, on her face and arms,' according to an affidavit.

She also said Lisa would beat her daughter often, mostly with a broomstick, glued her mouth shut and kept Violet in a crib for a long time - possibly a month - and would remain tied-up when her mother and Anthony left the house.

If Violet cried, her mother and Anthony 'cursed at her and kept food from her.'

The girl claimed she would sometimes grab Violet and run out of her apartment so that her parents would stop hitting her and would untie her cousin, but then tie her back up before everyone came back, out of fear.

David, Anthony's brother, and Lisa's sister, Tiffany, were also arrested in connection to the case when police determined they knew about the abuse, but failed to report it to police

A police affidavit alleges Violet was left in a crib when her parents would leave the apartment

David, Anthony's brother, and Lisa's sister, Tiffany, were also arrested in connection to the case when police determined they knew about the abuse, but failed to report it to police.

Violet's parents and Tiffany are now being held on a $5million bond, while David is being held on a $1million bond.

The parents have pleaded not guilty, and had initially told police they thought Violet had the flu when they brought her to the hospital.

That morning, Anthony said he awoke to his girlfriend telling him Violet was not moving and was sick, and his brother then drove them to the hospital.

The couple also had other children that are now in the care of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, according to KOCO.

Mitchell is now scheduled to appear in court on November 27.

In the meantime, community members are calling for justice for the young girl.

'They should spent the rest of their life in jail, because that's a baby,' said Bridgette Mccullough, another neighbor.

'That is a baby, they are so helpless.'
Grandfather Peter Smith has been handed a non-custodial sentence for an act of 'sadism' when he grabbed a much-loved chicken known as Betty White at a wildlife park and threw it into an alligator pen.

Smith had watched an alligator kill the chicken for his own viewing pleasure and nothing else, Magistrate Justin Peach said on Wednesday in Raymond Terrace Local Court.

'There is a degree, in my view, of sadism in part of this act,' Mr Peach told Smith, who was visibly shaking as the sentence was being handed down.

He was ordered to serve a nine-month intensive correction order and perform 100 hours of community service.

Smith, 58, had pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated animal cruelty on January 2 at the Oakvale wildlife park at Salt Ash in the NSW Hunter region, but claimed he just wanted to feed the chicken to an alligator because it looked hungry.

The Hunterview man had reached over a concrete rock wall and grabbed the white Chinese silkie bantam chook from its enclosure before putting it inside his shirt.

Smith then walked through the reptile exhibit towards the alligator enclosure before throwing Betty White into the pond where two 2.4m-long alligators were lurking.

One of the alligators snapped the chicken up into its mouth, killing it instantly, as Smith watched on.

Peter Smith has been sentenced to an intensive correction order and 100 hours of community service

Defence lawyer Bryan Wrench told the court on Wednesday Smith was a grandfather, had no criminal record and had grown up on a farm where he used to catch and kill animals to eat.

Mr Wrench said Smith had become desensitised to chickens and just viewed them as a food source.

The defence lawyer said more than a million chickens were killed each year for food consumption, and noted Betty White had died instantly and not been tortured or maimed.

Mr Wrench suggested an argument could be made that the alligator involved was guilty of animal cruelty, not Smith.

Mr Peach warned the defence lawyer not to advance that argument, stating Betty White had been a much-loved domesticated, hand-raised chicken used in the park's breeding program.

An alligator snapped the chicken up into its mouth, killing it instantly

The magistrate said park staff had been distressed over the chicken's fate and he viewed the offence as just above the mid-range of animal cruelty.

A psychological report revealed Smith came from a good family and was a member of a religious community with a strong moral code.

Mr Peach said Smith claimed he put the chicken inside his shirt because he believed others at the park might view what he was doing poorly and be offended because of political correctness.

'You made a grave error,' the magistrate told the shaking Smith.

'Your attitude towards domestic animals needs significant introspection.'

Smith refused to comment outside court.
A first home buyer has opened up about the grim reality of trying to break into the real estate market and admitted she had to wait to receive the 'bittersweet' gift of family inheritance before she could buy a property.

Abby Rose Brandwood, 31, and her partner Zachary, 22, had saved $20,000 towards their first home and were pre-qualified to purchase a property under the first home guarantee scheme where the government effectively underwrites your home loan.

But the Gold Coast couple still needed at least another $60,000 - $70,000 to break into the local housing market with a 5-10 per cent deposit.

Abby, who works as a midwife, admits that for years she 'never had a goal of saving for a home loan as it felt it was so out of reach'.

'Especially as a mature age student working on placements unpaid, living out of home, paying rent, regular expenses, having a life and managing relationships, I found it increasingly hard to even consider saving for a home loan,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'It was saving for the next car service, next rental bond or next emergency that was the short term goal.'

But when Abby's beloved grandparents, Keith and Celia Brandwood, died within a year of each other, her father decided to gift some of his inheritance to her and her brother so they could be 'set up' for life.

Abby Rose Brandwood, 31, and her partner Zachary, 22, had saved $20,000 towards their first home and were pre-qualified to purchase a property under the first home guarantee scheme (the young couple are pictured together)

'When my father told me this was his plan on behalf of my grandparents, it was bittersweet,' Ms Brandwood said.

'We had to lose two of the most generous, kind and beautiful people to receive such a gift.

'What felt like a pipe dream to own property was now within reach and that's because of them.'

Her partner Zachary, who has worked as a chef since the age of 14 and was raised by his mother, has always had a goal of owning his own place.

'He already had a share to bring to the table for the deposit we needed,' Abby said.

'Buying together has been the smart option, lending, repayment and asset-creation wise.'

But Ms Brandwood is under no illusions that she and Zachary would not have be able to place a foot on the property ladder without help from her grandparents' estate.

'They were always generous people who worked very, very hard as young adults while raising my father and aunty,' she added.

Abby, who works as a midwife, admits that for years she 'never had a goal of saving for a home loan as it felt it was so out of reach'

Abby is under no illusions that she and Zachary would not have be able to place a foot on the property ladder without help from her grandparents' estate (pictured: Abby's beloved grandparents, Celia and Keith Brandwood)

'They owned business, invested, managed a property portfolio and did all that after initially relocating on their own with two young babies to Australia from the UK, with no family here for support.'

The couple are currently renting separately in sharehouses in Broadbeach.

Ms Brandwood shells out $450 a week and Zachary $200 in a four-bedroom house.

Previously, only studios or one-bedroom properties outside of their desired neighborhoods had been within reach.

But now with their joint savings and her inheritance, they have a budget of around $700,000.

They hope to buy a two or three bedroom property on the Gold Coast early next year.

Ms Brandwood said that many of her friends and colleagues faced similar situations of being unable to buy property without help from the bank of mum and dad.

'I have generous parents who without a doubt live within their means, work very hard for the life they have and always managed to support myself and my brother when going through uni and living out of home,' she said.

'They showed us the desire and the work ethic to get ahead, but that doesn't seem enough anymore.

'We just need a foot in the door, that first step needs to be more accessible. The cost of living is higher and higher, making saving harder and harder.

'Life isn't for slaving to merely meet a mortgage, life is for living - so how do we do both?'

Ms Brandwood is certainly not alone, with experts in the field increasingly seeing homebuyers waiting for their inheritance before they can buy a property - and there is even a name for it.

More and more homebuyers waiting for their inheritance before they can buy a property (stock image of Aussies)

(pictured: renters queue for an inspection in Sydney's Bondi)

Money.com.au home loans expert Mansour Soltani told Daily Mail Australia 'inheritance dependence' is becoming common among first home buyers.

'Theres definitely a transfer of generational wealth happening and it's only going to get more common as property becomes less attainable for a typical 20-40 year old borrower,' he said.

'Cash gifts of $400,000 or more from parents or inheritances from grandparents are not uncommon.'

Mr Soltani said lenders take an inheritance into account when people are applying for a loan and usually treat it as a cash gift.

'(But they) require a statutory declaration stating that their cash transfer is a gift or inheritance, and not a loan,' he said.

'This means youll need to save a deposit on your own and cant rely solely on inheritance to cover it.'

Mr Soltani added that even though people waiting on the inheritance has become a popular move, he warned it can be 'risky'.

'People might stop saving altogether, assuming a windfall is guaranteed,' he said.

'Additionally, getting an inheritance, even a large one, doesnt guarantee the bank will give you a mortgage.

'You need to show signs you can save money on your own and that youre financially responsible.

'Moral of the story: access to capital isnt enough  banks need to see that you can manage money responsibly and handle long-term debt.'

Founder of Buyers Collective Jack Freestone has also noticed the trend of buyers relying on an inheritance as part of their purchase 'strategy'.

'With housing affordability being a major challenge, its becoming a critical financial resource for many first-time buyers who are otherwise unable to bridge the gap between their savings and the required deposit,' he said.

Mr Freestone said the cost of living and soaring house prices have impacted first home buyers from saving.

'Many are stretched thin even with dual incomes and strict budgeting, making it almost impossible to achieve homeownership without additional support like inheritance or family assistance,' he said.

But he said waiting for an inheritance can come with problems that people need to be aware of, such as 'frustration and uncertainty' for buyers.

'Theres also the emotional complexity of tying such a significant financial goal to a family event like death.'
A body has been recovered during an extensive search and rescue mission for a missing 17-year-old girl on Queensland's Gold Coast.

The teenage girl, who has a medical condition, was last seen on Bayberry Lane in Robina, at about 8.30am on Tuesday.

Her worried family reported her missing to police, who searched an area in Carrara, about 10 minutes from where she was last seen.

'A land search and rescue is underway in the Carrara area with assistance from SES crews and members of the public,' police said on Wednesday morning.

'A command post has been set up at the AFL ground along Nielsens Road, Carrara.

'Any members of the public who want to assist with search efforts are requested to meet there.'

The teenager was earlier described as Caucasian, approximately 178cm tall, with blonde hair and green eyes.

Both her family and police said they were concerned for her welfare due to a medical condition.
A Bitcoin investor has set up a real-life treasure hunt throughout the United States.

Jon Collins-Black told Business Insider he hid five treasure chests worth $2million to $3million in locations throughout the nation and is challenging people to find them.

Collins-Black, a California-based musician-turned-entrepreneur, explained that he made a small fortune from early Bitcoin investments, and decided during the COVID pandemic to secure some treasure and send people off searching for it.

He then spent the past five years buying valuables like a Casascius Bitcoin - the first-ever physical Bitcoin, a green Columbian emerald, a 2002 Shining Charizard Pokemon card, antiques from a shipwreck, and George Washington's jelly glass from auctions and through antique dealers.

Once he secured the items, Collins-Black hid them inside five treasure chests - four smaller ones and one large one - that double as puzzle boxes.

But in order to ensure those who find the chests can get the prize inside, Collins-Black included instructions outlining how to open them.

The investor also hiked over a hundred miles to hide the treasures, and included clues to find them in his new book, There's a Treasure Inside - though he noted it would require some close-reading and a sharp but open mind to decipher their locations.

He also noted that none of the chests are buried or placed on private land, and reaching them does not require any dangerous stunts.

Jon Collins-Black, a Bitcoin investor, has set up a real-life treasure hunt around the US

He included clues to find the treasures in his new book There's Treasure Inside

The musician told Business Insider that when he came up with his plan to hide treasures across the country, he only had a 'loose budget' for the prizes.

'I was actually trying to figure out what the sweet spot would be as far as how bit to make this without making it too big,' Collins-Black said.

'I didn't want people to go crazy.'

Collins-Black went on to say he does not think he will regret giving the money away.

'If Bitcoin goes to $500,000 or $1million, or these treasures are worth $10million in five to seven years and someone finds them, and then I think I'll just celebrate that and be happy for it.

'There were definitely a couple of items where people were like, "Are you sure you want to put that in the treasure?"' the investor admitted.

'But at the end of the day, I think I'll just be excited for whoever finds it.'

Among the hidden items is a green Columbian emerald

He noted that only he knows where the chests are located, so quizzing family members and his publisher won't help.

Still, Collins-Black said, he does not want the mystery of the treasure to outlive him, and may release more clues in eight to 10 years if they are not found.

'I don't have this desire for me to be long-gone and they're to be the "Legend of the Jon Collins-Black treasures,"' he said. 'I don't want to drag it on forever.'

The investor said he does not have a favorite among the items he collected, but admitted he does have a soft spot for the emerald - which he said is a 'beautiful' thing to look at.
Porn star Kay Manuel has been pictured at a Gold Coast cafe just hours after claiming she had been forced to flee Australia following her bombshell confession.

On Wednesday, Manuel confirmed she is not a biological woman and admitted that she lied to Daily Mail Australia when she denied speculation she was transgender.

The 22-year-old made headlines this week when she boasted about sleeping with 75 high school leavers within the first two days at Schoolies on the Gold Coast.

Before Schoolies started, she claimed to have her sights on breaking a new record by bedding more than 1,000 boys in two weeks and filming it for OnlyFans.

She claimed on Wednesday that backlash to her wild claims and the revelation that she used to be a man had has forced her to fly out of Australia to a secret location.

'I've jumped on a plane and I'm currently not in the country,' she told news.com.au on Wednesday morning, claiming her security detail and personal assistant had flown with her.

However, photos captured by Daily Mail Australia show Manuel grabbing a coffee at a Surfers Paradise cafe about 11am on Wednesday.

The photos show her chatting while waiting to to pay for her coffee.

OnlyFans porn star claimed she had fled the country on Wednesday morning but photos captured by Daily Mail Australia show her having coffee in Surfers Paradise later that day

The photos show Manuel chatting while waiting to pay for her coffee

'I've jumped on a plane and I'm currently not in the country,' Manuel claimed on Wednesday morning. However pictures have revealed that she is still on the Gold Coast

Manuel also claimed that her OnlyFans account, which earned her $80,000 a month from those who paid to view her sexploits, has been suspended.

She said OnlyFans told her that the account had been deactivated because it 'violated  terms of service or community guidelines' and all her pending payments had been refunded to subscribers.

She had about 8,000 subscribers who paid $10 a month each to access the exclusive content on her OnlyFans site.

Manuel said her 'legal team' was pursuing a restoration of her account.

Fellow porn star Bonnie Blue flew to Fiji after she was banned from entering Australia due to her plan to offer free sex to 18-year-old school leavers, provided they let her film it and upload the content to her OnlyFans account.

But Blue and Australian porn star Annie Knight were deported from Fiji on Tuesday for breaching their visitor visas - Blue being sent back to the UK and Knight to Australia.

Manuel told news.com.au she was looking into what happened to Blue and Knight to determine if it has any implications for her alleged plans to leave Australia.

'It could be that I'm more than fine to film that stuff there, but I need to look into it before I do it,' she said.

Manuel also claimed that her OnlyFans account, which earned her $80,000 a month from those who paid to view her sexploits, has been suspended

Manuel finally confirmed that she is not a biological woman on Wednesday

Manuel (pictured) was awarded 'Crew Member of the Month' at a McDonald's outlet in 2017

Manuel paid a billboard advertising herself on the Gold Coast and did 'meet and greets' with schoolies where her business cards were handed out.

She had claimed she'd had sex with 75 'barely legal' young men within 48-hours of Schoolies starting, but now admits she made it up and that no sexual encounters had been filmed.

Manuel claimed she told the 250 boys she claims to have slept with last year's Schoolies that she was born male.

She said she was 'pre-op' then and told the school leavers 'there is an issue and that issue is I was formerly a male.

'And at that point, I hadn't had bottom surgery. And that created an issue for some. And most would opt just for a b*** j**.'

She said she subsequently had bottom surgery last May.

Manuel told this publication just days ago that that she was born a woman, adding that if she was transgender she would not conceal it.

She continued this lie even when presented with photos from an old Facebook account belonging to a young man who online sleuths claimed is Manuel.

'We look very, very similar, but no, that's not me and no, I am not trans. I think it is because I have a deep voice,' she told Daily Mail Australia this week.

But now, Manuel has confirmed she is not a biological woman and that her plans for a Gold Coast sex blitz was just a publicity stunt.

'I think that some people have always speculated. I don't refer to myself as transgender. I never have,' she told the Courier-Mail.

'I think that term  you're just calling yourself a man so at that point, you might just as well call yourself just that.

'I can understand where there can be some questions, but like, it's really no one's business.'
An Aussie couple has narrowly escaped footing a $35,000 bill for a terrifying medical episode while holidaying overseas after making a $1,000 lifesaving investment prior to their trip.

Western Australian couple Jeff Gibb, 73, and his wife Jan were at sea on a Princess Cruises voyage travelling from Fremantle to Singapore in September when he started to feel queasy.

'We were on our way to dinner and I just felt really nauseous and I told my wife to go ahead without me as I wasn't feeling too flash,' Mr Gibb told news.com.au.

He returned to his room, where his condition rapidly deteriorated.

Mr Gibb visited the medical centre on the ship, where doctors conducted blood tests and X-rays which revealed he had contracted pneumonia and a liver infection.

The pair were forced to disembark when the cruise ship reached Bali after Mr Gibb's health worsened.

He was rushed to BIMC Hospital in Kuta, where he spent three days in intensive care and several more recovering in the ward.

'I didn't think I was that crook but I obviously was, so much so when I was in ICU and needed to sit up, I couldn't and had to have staff help me and that's when the penny dropped,' Mr Gibb said.

Jeff Gibb, 73, (pictured with wife Jan) was on his 20th cruise when he experienced a bout of illness at sea

On-board doctors on the Princess Cruises ship discovered he had pneumonia and ensuing health and travel changes would have cost him some $35,000

Mr Gibb broke down in tears as he told his wife he didn't think he'd live through the ordeal.

He was put on two different antibiotics and started to feel a little bit better

By the time he was discharged, their cruise ship had left port for Singapore.

The homesick pair scrapped their remaining travel plans and flew home.

Mr Gibb's transport and medical bills amounted to $35,215.

But his $1074 investment in travel insurance before the cruise meant the hefty medical bill was entirely covered by Southern Cross Travel Insurance.

'[They] started to pay our hospital bills before I was discharged, which helped us have a good relationship with the hospital. They booked our airfares home and made sure, along with the doctor, it was safe for me to fly,' he said.

The pair also had the choice to be reimbursed for Jan's emergency accommodation or the unused days of the cruise.

The agency kicked back the full $6,000 cost of the cruise.

However, Mr Gibb revealed his 20th international cruise will be his last.

Mr Gibb will travel domestically in the future and always ensure he buys travel insurance, urging fellow Aussies to do the same.
Children as young as 11 are carrying knives because they feel unsafe, a major review has found - while levels of physical abuse in classrooms are soaring.

Serious youth violence is 'more far-reaching' than many adults realise and it has a 'wide impact' across communities, watchdogs have warned.

Sir Martyn Oliver, chief inspector of Ofsted, described spiralling knife crime as 'blighting' the lives of Britain's children and called it a 'national scandal'.

And youngsters with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) are disproportionately at risk, according to a new joint study by Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission, HMI Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and HMI Probation.

Meanwhile, a separate report shows more than one in four teachers say pupils have become more violent in the past year - while over half say schoolchildren are now more disruptive.

Children as young as 11 are carrying knives because they feel unsafe, a major review has found - while teachers have warned of increasing abuse in classrooms (stock image)

Sir Martyn Oliver (pictured), chief inspector of Ofsted, has described spiralling knife crime as 'blighting' the lives of Britain's children and called it a 'national scandal'

These are some of the weapons taken off of London's streets - pictured by former youth worker Ryan Biddiss who set up a knife amnesty called Protect Our Children

The inspectorates' findings come after looking at how local partnerships and services respond when children and young people are affected by serious youth violence.

Their studies tracked the experiences of hundreds of children between September 2023 and May 2024 in Leeds, Coventry, Somerset, Manchester, Merton and Lancashire.

And today's document says that serious youth violence is now 'widespread', having serious effects on whole communities.

The report said: 'Parents are very concerned for the safety of their children. We frequently heard of children carrying knives in order, as they described it, to protect themselves.

'The fear of knife crime among children is evident. Inspectors were alarmed at how many children and professionals told them that it is common for children to carry a knife. This included children as young as 11.'

Researchers found serious youth violence disproportionately affected young people with Send - particularly those who might be considered neurodivergent.

And they called on the Government and local agencies to prioritise the needs of these youngsters most at risk of harm.

The report warned: 'Delays across England in assessing children's needs in relation to Send are putting these children at greater risk of harm.'

A report today shows more than one in four teachers say pupils have become more violent in the past year (stock image)

It demanded partnerships to reduce the over-representation of black and other ethnic minority children affected by serious youth violence in their surroundings.

And while the inspectorates found examples of partnerships doing effective work to reduce harm, the report noted: 'This is not happening in all areas.'

It added: 'A failure to consistently identify serious youth violence as a safeguarding issue is leaving too many children at serious risk of harm.'

There were warnings that some professionals did not realise the 'harmful consequences' of the way they responded to children, such as blaming them for the harm they experienced.

Inspectors also found black children were more likely to be 'adultified' in this way than their peers.

Separate research from charity Safer London, commissioned by Ofsted, found families affected by serious youth violence often felt a distinct lack of empathy from professionals.

Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn said: 'Knife crime is blighting the lives of too many children in England. It's a national scandal.

'It's very disturbing that children as young as 11 feel they need to carry a knife for their own protection.

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'Where we see local partnerships are working well together, it makes a real difference. So I hope this report helps improve practice, knowledge and understanding for all local areas. Urgent action is needed now, to keep children safe.'

Michelle Skeer, of His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, said: 'The effects of serious youth violence on both children and communities are deeply concerning.

'It is vital that police forces intervene at the earliest opportunity to disrupt the risk to children and young people.'

Lucy Harte, deputy director for multi-agency operations at the CQC, said: 'The impact of serious youth violence is an insidious harm that people working in health services share the opportunity and responsibility to challenge.

'As well as the extent and impact being more serious than many adults realise, the inspection evidence also highlights that particular groups are at increased risk, such as children and young people with Send.

'We have seen how effective training and strong partnerships between local services can make a significant difference to the experience of these vulnerable children - but this is not a consistent experience for everyone.'

Heather Kidd, chair of the Local Government Association's safer and stronger communities board, said: 'Multi-agency working is key in addressing youth violence.

'It is positive that Ofsted has highlighted examples of local partnerships doing effective work to reduce harm to children and young people from serious violence.

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'Local government is best placed to lead local efforts to tackle youth violence, with their ability to convene and coordinate efforts.

'While councils and their partners will always do their best to keep young people safe, they face significant funding challenges and different local prioritisation arrangements for each area.'

Former youth worker Ryan Biddiss spoke out last year about his mission to clean up the capital after brutal murders near his home in Woolwich.

He has been running an amnesty called Protect Our Children to encourage people to hand over their weapons and revealed a terrifying collection of knives handed over.

Meanwhile, a new survey of teachers carried out by the charity Education Support, has today suggested a deteriorating environment in the nation's schools.

Polling of 3,000 education staff found 29 per cent believe children are becoming more physically abusive.

In addition, 57 per cent said pupils had become more disruptive, 51 per cent thought they are now more verbally abusive and 43 per cent said vexatious complaints from parents had increased.

Ryan Biddiss (pictured), 28, is on a mission to clean up the capital after brutal murders near his home in Woolwich

One teacher said: 'Too many students exhibiting these behaviours have no consequences. When schools try, it escalates and accusations are made against school.'

Another said: 'There are no consequences for bad behaviour anymore - it gets worse every year.'

A third responded: 'Students don't know how to appropriately interact with others, [they] think it's okay to behave that way.'

More than three quarters of teachers  77 per cent  said they suffered mental health symptoms linked to their work, including anxiety, depression, stress and burnout.

Parents were seen as part of the problem, with 37 per cent of staff reporting that families were becoming less supportive in improving their children's behaviour.

One teacher told researchers that 'pressure from parents' was making her feel 'exhausted' and 'inadequate', leaving her 'too tired to engage with my family'.

Another said leaders were seeing a 'much higher number of parental complaints' including 'vexatious' ones, which left them 'worrying about the next email or if they will be spoken about on WhatsApp groups'.

Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the ASCL headteachers' union, said: 'The hostility to which education staff are subjected on a routine basis puts them under intense emotional pressure and is extremely damaging to their wellbeing.

Pictured are a collection of weapons handed in as part of former youth worker Ryan Biddiss's amnesty - with some having been found in children's bedrooms and playgrounds

Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the ASCL headteachers' union, told how school staff faced hostility on a 'routine basis'

'Something must be done about the complaints culture which has exploded over the past few years.

'Parental complaints are often made not just to the school but to many other agencies too and are then amplified on social media. It is hugely stressful and time-consuming.'

A Department for Education spokesman said: 'We value the incredible school staff in our classrooms - they are vital to improving life chances for all children.

'This government is committed to resetting the relationship with the education workforce and working alongside them to improve school staff wellbeing.

'The Education Staff Wellbeing Charter, which was developed in partnership with the sector and mental health experts, sets out commitments from government, schools, and colleges to improve staff wellbeing and reduce workload.

'Our Improve Workload and Wellbeing service also provides a range of supportive resources for schools.

'We will continue to work together with our experienced partners across the sector to understand and address the drivers behind wellbeing and workload issues for school staff.'
A Tesla Cybertruck has been spotted in Donald Trump's motorcade as he made his way to the SpaceX Starship launch in Texas.

The president-elect attended Elon Musk's launch on Tuesday where he was given a special tour of the space base.

Trump was seen tuning in intently with a MAGA hat secured on his head as the Tesla billionaire explained how his rockets work before watching the largest in his fleet take off on the horizon.

The Brownsville visit came as Trump continues to fill the top roles in his administration.

He he was joined by Republican Senators Ted Cruz, Bill Haggerty, Kevin Cramer and Rep. Ronny Jackson.

Musk has pumped billions into the Starship rocket system to get it into orbit for the first time, this launch was its sixth of its Starship rocket and the largest ever made.

'I'm heading to the Great State of Texas to watch the launch of the largest object every to be elevated, not only to Space, but simply by lifting off the ground,' Trump posted on social media before heading town to Southern Texas.

'Good luck to Elon Musk and the Great Patriots involved in this incredible project!'

In a video posted to X, Trump's motorcade was seen to be joined by a Tesla Cybertruck as the president-elect made his way to the SpaceX launch in Texas

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump looks on during a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket in Texas

President-elect Donald Trump greets Elon Musk as he arrives to attend a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket on November 19, 2024 in Brownsville, Texas

The president-elect was also given an air tour around the launch site on his plane, Trump Force One, ahead of landing to watch the launch.

Trump and his 'First Buddy' Musk have remained seemingly inseparable over the last two weeks as the pair attended the UFC match together and Musk joined Trump for family meals and photos.

On election night, Musk and his young son, named X, joined the Trump family photo at the urging of Trump, and Trumps granddaughter in the days after said that Musk had achieved 'uncle status', reported Politico.

A Trump-Vance transition spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, told the outlet: 'Elon Musk and President Trump are great friends and brilliant leaders working together to Make America Great Again.

Elon Musk is a once in a generation businessman and our federal bureaucracy will certainly benefit from his ideas and efficiency.'

Trump had repeatedly mentioned Musk and his space-related feats on his campaign trail.

'Did you see the way that sucker landed today?' Trump said in early October. 'It only needs a new paint job. That's a lot cheaper than building a new one, right?'

At another October rally, he added: 'Elon is a great guy, he's one of our geniuses. We have to protect our geniuses, and we have to take care of our geniuses. There aren't too many of them.'

Trump repeatedly mentioned Musk and his space-related feats on the campaign trail. 'Did you see the way that sucker landed today?' Trump said in early October

He often spoke of how impressed he was with the companies engineering of rockets that could be caught after hurdling back to Earth.

Trump recently appointed Musk, along with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead his newly created Department of Government Efficiency.

'It's a bromance,' one Mar-a-Lago resort member who has seen the pair interact told Politico, 'And they are having a blast.'
The number of patients left needing further treatment because of botched NHS operations has soared more than 70 per cent in five years.

Blunders include using dirty tools, cutting the wrong body part and leaving equipment in patients' bodies at the end of a procedure.

Patients needed extra care as a result of 23,997 such incidents last year, up 72.6 per cent from 13,903 in 2018/19, according to NHS England.

The trauma can leave people in pain, delay recovery and place them at additional risk if procedures need to be repeated under general anaesthetic.

Repeated surgery also takes up valuable staff and operating theatre time that could be used to clear waiting lists, which currently stand at 7.6million.

Patients needed further care after surgeons accidentally cut the wrong part of their body on 19,174 occasions last year, making it the most common type of accident.

While 'under the knife' these patients suffered what the NHS describe as an 'unintentional cut, puncture, perforation or haemorrhage'.

The number of occasions where doctors have treated a patient suffering from these mistakes has almost doubled in the last five years and rose 13 per cent in the last year alone.

Blunders include using dirty tools, cutting the wrong body part and leaving equipment in victims' bodies at the end of a procedure (file image)

Patients needed extra care as a result of 23,997 such incidents last year, up 72.6 per cent from 13,903 in 2018/19, according to NHS England (file image)

Figures show the majority of these complications occur during surgery, however some occur while patients are being assessed with a flexible camera, known as an endoscopic examination.

The NHS statistics show patients are increasingly coming round from sedation to find pieces of equipment have been accidentally left inside them or they were operated on with equipment that had not been sterilised properly.

Others were not given the proper medication and suffered complications as a result.

The NHS says much of this rise is due to surgeons attempting increasingly complex operations, where the likelihood of something going wrong is greatly increased.

However, health bosses admit there is no excuse for accidentally leaving equipment in a patient and this is known formally as a 'never event' as it should never happen.

Despite this, there were a record 335 occasions last year when people had to be seen again by medics because an item such as a swab or a needle had not been retrieved from their body at the end of their operation.

There were 47 incidents where patients were left at risk of infection because the equipment used on them had not been sterilised properly.

And there were 132 occasions where patients were cared for in hospital after a complication arose because they were not given the proper dosage of medication.

Mr Winchester (middle-back) pictured with his daughter and two sons

Jeremy Parker (pictured) was struck off by the MPTS in February 2023

Guy Forster, the joint vice president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) said: 'When patients put their health in the hands of the NHS, they should be able to expect not to be let down by basic avoidable failures such as non-sterile equipment or 'never events' such as wrong site surgery.

'These incidents frequently have very serious, long-term consequences for the victims.

'Despite identifying these events, lessons are not being learned and the same failures are repeated again and again.

'The approach to patient safety within the NHS is disjointed, with a patchwork of reporting schemes, frameworks, and recommendations.

'There is an urgent need for a co-ordinated, overarching strategy to tackle the issues which cause repeated needless injuries and deaths in the NHS.'

An NHS England spokesperson said: 'NHS staff work very hard every day to look after patients and, while patient safety incidents like these are thankfully rare, it is vital that NHS organisations take effective steps to learn from them and improve.'

Earlier this year, a builder lost his business, his wife and his home after a botched operation left him disabled and unable to work.

Rodney Winchester, from Thetford, racked up 40,000 of debt and was thrust into poverty after disgraced NHS surgeon Jeremy Parker took out his entire knee joint during an operation.

Pictured: The Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, where deaths which occurred between 2015 and 2020 are being investigated by Sussex Police

The father-of-three had an issue with loose cartilage in his knee and was told he'd need an operation to remove the broken fragments, only to later discover the operation was unnecessary and that steroid injections would have been sufficient.

In Brighton, a surgeon at an under-fire NHS trust used a Swiss Army penknife from his lunch to cut open a patient after being unable to find a sterile scalpel.

The unnamed surgeon was operating on a patient at the Royal Sussex Hospital in September when he allegedly couldn't find a clean instrument.

So he decided to grab his penknife which he normally used to cut up his fruit for lunch instead.

University Hospitals Sussex said the operation took place outside the theatre in an emergency situation, but his actions were 'outside normal procedures and should not have been necessary'.

Fortunately, the patient survived, but those at the hospital felt his behaviour was 'questionable' and were 'very surprised' he couldn't find a clean scalpel.

MailOnline also revealed in September that a 'rogue' children's doctor who treated 721 children at Great Ormond Street Hospital, leaving some with serious injuries, different leg lengths and even requiring amputations is continuing to operate on unsuspecting patients in Dubai.

Dr Yaser Jabbar is a former NHS orthopaedic surgeon who is alleged to have left dozens of children with life-changing injuries due to his surgeries

One of his alleged victims (pictured), who had a misalignment in his legs, had his leg amputated after Dr Jabbar allegedly botched his operation

Former NHS surgeon Yaser Jabbar, 43, stopped treating patients at the hospital in 2022, after concerns were raised about his work, before moving to the Middle East and claiming to be one of the most sought-after doctors in his field.

Now he is living in Dubai where he speaks about his 'expertise' at conferences and continues to operate on children at the Clemenceau Medical Center and at hospitals for orthopaedics specialists Orthocure, their websites show.

Great Ormond Street launched an urgent review of all the youngsters treated by Jabbar in its orthopaedic department after colleagues and the families of his patients complained about his conduct.

Out of just 37 children treated by Jabbar at the hospital who have already been assessed, 22 of them have come to some degree of harm with 13 classed as severe harm.

One child needed to have a leg amputated following a surgery carried out by Jabbar and another is facing the threat of amputation.

Some have been left with different length legs, in some cases by as much as 20cm, while other injuries include muscle damage and nerve injuries.
The amount of deepfake and AI-generated child abuse images online is doubling every six months, a National Crime Agency director has warned.

The next five years will see 'significant increases' in the creation of indecent images using artificial intelligence, Alex Murray said.

The images are generated by software which learns from photos and videos of real child abuse, Mr Murray, who is also the AI lead for the National Police Chiefs' Council, added.

'What we are seeing at the moment is on a six-month basis the amount of deepfake images of child abuse is doubling on the internet,' he said.

'So this means that we as police must move very fast in this space.'

Artificially-generated indecent images are illegal in the same way as those involving real children.

And it is a misconception that software-generated abuse imagery does not affect real victims, Mr Murray said.

'We have got to remember that models are trained on data, so for a model to be able to create child abuse imagery, it needs to be trained on real child abuse,' he said.

The amount of deepfake and AI-generated child abuse images online is doubling every six months, Britain's FBI warns (Stock photo)

Hugh Nelson confessing to detectives after using AI to make indecent images of real children

Nelson used widely available AI technology to turn photographs of real children into scenes of physical and sexual abuse before selling the images online, making around 5,000

'So you will have videos of children being abused, the model will learn from that and produce imagery so there are real victims.

'And then of course there's the sociological question around whether ingesting that child abuse material could lead to contact offending.'

Mr Murray said it was not possible to know exactly how many such images were being created and published online, but it was many 'thousands and thousands and thousands.'

As the technology improves it will become harder to distinguish AI-generated abuse images from the real thing and their creation will become more common, he said.

'People using this sort of software at the moment are still quite niche but in fact it becomes very easy to use, so ease of entry, realism and availability are the three vectors which will probably increase,' Mr Murray said.

Last month, a budding filmmaker who used AI to make indecent images of children was jailed for 18 years as footage emerged of him admitting to having a 'warped' mind.

Hugh Nelson said he was providing a 'valuable service' by taking 'commissions' from relatives and family friends of youngsters - charging them 80 to turn a real image of a child into a 3D 'character' being physically and sexually abused.

Neil Darlington (pictured) was sent fully clothed pictures of the girls and then used AI to manipulate the images to make them sexually explicit before threatening to send them to the children's family and friends

The next five years will see 'significant increases' in the creation of indecent images using artificial intelligence, it has been said (File image)

Police released a Powerpoint presentation with mocked-up images of the AI face transfer technology Hugh Nelson used

The 27-year-old was shown on camera confessing to detectives that his actions had been 'absolutely grotesque' after being confronted with evidence about his 'sick' deepfake factory.

Operating from his family home near Bolton, Nelson used AI technology to manipulate innocent photographs of real children as young as four into scenes of nudity, rape and torture - making around 5,000 but giving out others for free.

In August, Neil Darlington, who used AI to make indecent images of children in order to try and blackmail them had his sentence trebled to three years.

The 52-year-old was sent fully clothed pictures of the girls. He then used AI to manipulate the images to make them sexually explicit before threatening to send them to the children's family and friends.

However, Darlington was unaware that the young girls he was trying to blackmail were in fact undercover police officers.

Darlington was jailed for a year in June after pleading guilty to 10 offences at Stoke Crown Court including making indecent images of children and blackmailing two girls he believed were aged 11 and 14, who he had met in a chat room.

The Solicitor General referred Darlington's sentence to the Court of Appeal, arguing that it was 'unduly lenient', with three judges increasing the jail term to one of three years and placing him on the sex offenders register indefinitely on Wednesday.
by Katalin Balog

If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro narrow chinks of his cavern. William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell

Laments about young peoples declining mental health, their inability to read novels, contemplate art, or simply pay undivided attention to anything at all have reached a panicky intensity lately. Not being particularly young, I can distinctly remember a time when things were less dire in this regard (except for the mental health part, having grown up in Eastern Europe). We loved the films of Antonioni, Bergman, Tarkovsky, and Tarr, whose slow pace, for the most part, would be out of the question in todays film industry. We were able to entertain ourselves without being entertained.

I propose that there is a common thread to these problems, and of course, they dont only afflict the kids. We are all losing our ability to engage in a way of thinking I call contemplation. Young people are in an especially difficult place: whereas older people still remember and possess that ability to some degree, younger people have not had much opportunity to pick it up in the first place. And while it always required a certain amount of leisure and cultivation, a certain amount of groundedness and prosperity, today, contemplation is widely underappreciated and is in decline.

Contemplation is more than simply having experience; not all experiencing counts as contemplation  otherwise, we would all be automatically non-stop contemplators! In contemplation, experience is held in attention and explored without a particular goal in mind. This is different from other forms of attention deployed in thought or perception, which are fast-moving and task-oriented. Contemplation happens in small ways every time we stop to appreciate the world as we experience it, every time we are present for what is happening in a deliberate fashion, rather than breezing through in automatic pilot (or being absorbed in thought to the exclusion of experience). This could be a momentary lingering on someones body language or the way they express themselves. It could be an experience of merging with the natural environment. It could be a state of reflection reading a novel or poem. It could be just sitting and mulling over some experience of the day. Thomas Nagel said that there is something its like to have an experience. Contemplation then is attention to what its like.

Reflection is another word for this; I nevertheless prefer contemplation for its closer association with deliberate attention. This association also makes it possible to distinguish it from rumination, which is an obsessive and automatic rather than a deliberate and voluntary process. Of course, it is hard to sort thinking neatly into categories; one style of thought might bleed into another. But I hope the idea is clear enough to be useful.

Value and experience

Contemplated by different people, [the] same glass can be a thousand things, however, because each man charges what he is looking at with emotion, and nobody sees it as it is but how his desires and state of mind see it. (Luis Bunuel)

All primordial comportment toward the world.is a primordial emotional comportment of value-ception. (Max Scheler)

Before I say more about the significance of contemplation, lets consider the connection between experience and value. We come to appreciate the value of people, activities, or objects, their appeal, depth, significance, etc., in dwelling on our everyday phenomenal experience.

The flower appears pale blue, fragrant, with a sharply defined shape; if I pay proper attention, it also appears delicate, refreshing, and delightful. Such sensuous features give the world its significance at the most fundamental level. Freshness or beauty is as much part of the content of my experience of the flower as is its color and shape. In experience, things can appear beautiful, kitschy, sublime, horrific, appealing, or repulsive. Perhaps all normal experience is evaluative  things dont tend to be experienced as entirely neutral.

Our primary contact with values is through experience. This might seem an overly bold claim. To see if it is right, imagine a person, lets call her, in a twist on Frank Jacksons famous philosophical thought experiment, Insensate Mary (I discussed a variant of this scenario in these pages). Though she perceives things much like normal people  e.g., colors, shapes, textures, etc.  she lacks the sensuous appreciation of value.

The thought experiment relies on the idea that perceptual and evaluative content can come apart. It seems likely that they can vary somewhat independently. We all experienced walking the same streets or looking at the same objects, experiencing them wildly differently depending on our mood or general state of mind. What was drab and uninspiring one day might be exciting another day. To take an example that is more directly relevant, consider the way morphine affects pain: it apparently leaves the sensory content intact but entirely removes the affective component, the awfulness of pain.

Insensate Mary, then, when she sees a roadside accident, has no gut reaction to it: she feels no aversion, no horror, no sadness, or, as the case might be, no morbid curiosity. When she is with her loved ones, she feels no love or joy from their presence. She has never experienced the myriad ways something can be painful or joyful. Insensate Mary does not only lack an understanding of pain and joy but also of the badness of pain and the goodness of joy. She is incapable of forming a conception of and orienting toward value.

But could it turn out that these values are not inherently sensuous, in other words, that, even in the absence of relevant experience, she could still form some other, objective conception of them? And more importantly, that she could still value things? This doesnt seem to be possible. Suppose, for example, that her AI assistant trains her to pick out beautiful things based on objective markers. She might even develop all the right dispositions towards beauty (spend time with it, etc.).

Still, her concept of beauty would not only be different, it would be defective. She wouldnt be attracted by it like normal people are and her actions toward it wouldnt make sense. She would recognize beauty and seek it, but not for the right reasons, that is, not out of desire, attraction, longing, or passion, all reasons with a subjective, experiential component. Mere recognition and a disposition to act are not enough to form value concepts, for the simple reason that valuing itself requires subjective experience  the visceral experiences of attraction and recoil they produce in us. The upshot is that affective insensitivity cannot be compensated by objectivity. Only if we view ourselves as robots can it seem that valuing could take place in the absence of any experience of it.

The importance of contemplation

Grasping values

Since value is grounded in experience, contemplation leads to more, and more accurate knowledge of value. In Sinan Antoons novel on the Iraq war, The Corpse Washer, the protagonist describes his job in this way:

If death is a postman, then I receive his letters every day. I am the one who opens carefully the bloodied and torn envelopes. I am the one who washes them, who removes the stamps of death and dries and perfumes them mumbling what I dont entirely believe in. Then I wrap them carefully in white so they may reach their final reader  the grave.

The corpse washer, as a function of his occupation, attains a more direct, experiential perspective on wars destruction than those who learn about it from the news. He sees and contemplates, over and over, the bodies, maimed, drained of life. His contemplation reveals not just the gunshot wounds, corpses, and destruction but also their particular awfulness. Such perception of dreadfulness forms the basis of further associations  it brings up related memories and images of violence. Attention to all this throws the dreadfulness of war into sharp relief.

Sensibility can be trained in many ways  art, music, mountain climbing, and even corpse-washing are ways to increase sensibility. It proceeds by joining contemplation with conceptual elaboration; the experience of an arpeggio is different for one who has the concept and for one who doesnt; wars ravages are different for someone who has the experience and vocabulary to grasp its gruesome details than for someone who doesnt. The more attention one pays, and the greater conceptual sophistication one has, the more fine-grained ones understanding of the world through experience and the more fine-grained ones discernment of its values.

The corpse washers experiences lead him to grasp the wars significance in ways that separate him from people who hear about it from the news or government briefings. Politicians use sanitized, abstract language, such as civilian casualty or collateral damage, while the corpse washer thinks about the various ways the body can be hurt, lives can be impacted by wounds, friends and family uprooted, etc.; all of which help him better understand what war is.

Appreciating the world

According to the Buddhist and Daoist tradition, contemplation fosters appreciation. The point is not just that contemplation discloses goods to pursue  it also leads to valuing life as such. It can bestow vividness and meaning on ordinary, boring, everyday activities; only it can create the sense that ones life has touched the world. In Zen Buddhism, D.T. Suzuki remarks:

Life, as far as it is lived in concreto, is above concepts as well as images. To understand it we have to dive into and come in touch with it personally; to pick up or cut out a piece of it for inspection murders it; when you think you have got into the essence of it; it is no more, for it has ceased to live but lies immobile and all dried up.

In Blacksmith Shop, Czeslaw Milosz expresses the point vividly:

At the entrance, my bare feet on the dirt floor,

Here, gusts of heat; at my back, white clouds,

I stare and stare. It seems I was called for this:

To glorify things just because they are.

Slow decisions

moral change and moral achievement are slowthe exercise of our freedomis a small piecemeal business which goes on all the time and  not something that is switched off in between the occurrence of explicit moral choices. (Murdoch The Sovereignty of Good)

One might decide between career choices by weighing them in relatively abstract terms, such as the pay involved, the security the job offers, opportunities for learning, etc. Alternatively, one might frame the decision, at least in part, in terms of an assessment of what it might be like to work in those occupations. Such framing allows a more nuanced sense of the values involved as well as an authentic appreciation of them.

Objective deliberation, with its straightforward considerations of value and chance of success, is relatively fast. It doesnt take weeks or months to complete. However, when value judgments are made in abstracto, they often have limited power to change behavior, as the fate of New Years resolutions shows. Contemplative deliberation, on the other hand, takes time. Though values are often perceived in experience, they are not always readily so  their discernment requires patience. In a slow decision process, one allows oneself to live with the question for a while, to dwell in experience long enough for ones feelings about the decision to emerge. How one wants to spend ones life and whom one wants to spend it with are discoveries rather than simply a matter of rationally appraising the known parameters of a situation.

Sometimes, even when all the relevant facts are known, it takes time to make a decision that feels appropriate. Such a decision can happen as a result of a familiar consideration presenting itself over and over again  as, for example, in the case of having to deal with an untrustworthy friend or lover. You might have understood, in an abstract sense, what is happening, and may have been at the point of trying to draw the consequences. But your decision never stuck, it never felt quite right. However, once you have gradually allowed yourself to experience your friends behavior fully  putting aside any effort to find excuses  you will likely come to a point where you can act. As Kierkegaard puts it in Either/Or,

Ask yourself, and continue to ask until you find the answer. For one may have known a thing many times and acknowledged it  and yet it is only by the deep inward movements, only by the indescribable emotions of the heart, that for the first time you are convinced that what you have known belongs to you  for only the truth that edifies is truth for you.

Contemplation and the contemporary world

As he died to make man holy

Let us die to make things cheap

(Leonard Cohen, Steer your way)

In the last few hundred years, since the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment  an interlude of romanticism notwithstanding, which brought back a passionate engagement with the sensuous aspect of our mental life  Western culture has changed in ways that provide less encouragement and space for any kind of sustained engagement with our experience.

Part of the reason is not specific to our age. Contemplation is difficult. It is often difficult to become aware of what we feel when many other things claim our attention. On top of that, it requires a certain amount of self-denial: it requires acceptance of the pain and joy that comes with experience, even if it doesnt cast the self in the most flattering light. This runs against strong forces in human nature. One tries to escape pain whenever possible. Freud has cataloged the powerful built-in mechanisms that help expunge unwanted experiences from consciousness: repression, dissociation, sublimation, etc.

Even a small discomfort can prompt one to turn away from experience. If I pass a homeless person on the street, I might tune out so as not to feel any pangs of guilt for not having helped. As Iris Murdoch has observed, what needs to be learned is how real things can be looked at and loved without being seized and used, without being appropriated into the greedy organism of the self. Contemplation requires the skill to direct attention to whats going on impartially, without distortion, which is perhaps most difficult when it comes to understanding and empathizing with others.

But our age seems particularly ill-suited to contemplation. We are getting lost in that hopeless little screen, as Leonard Cohen said. It is getting more and more difficult to find the silence, empty places, and the experience of being off the grid that we need to renew our connection to the world. Recent developments in AI also steer us away from contemplation. People think AI, even perhaps soon, will be able to do all the human things, only better, and so we are starting to think that we might not be so different from machines. Robots have become a new metaphor for ourselves. The four horsemen of technology, the internet, social media, AI, and virtual reality, push us away from ourselves and away from the world. But, while we might be forgetting how to contemplate and how to read, we are still the same humans. A future generation perhaps will rediscover what we are now losing.
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A tradie dad who died in tragic circumstances on Tuesday had received happy personal news several hours earlier.

Peter Sponza, 52, was 'on top of the world' after winning a long-fought legal battle, but then was allegedly struck by a silver Holden Commodore driven by a machete-wielding man in the eastern Perth suburb of Bayswater.

Mr Sponza was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital, where he died a short time later.

On Wednesday night, a man, 29, from the state's Great Southern region, was charged with murder.

He was also charged with a string of other offences, including aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm, reckless driving, being armed in a way that may cause fear, and criminal damage or destruction of property.

The man will spend a second night in custody before appearing in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Mr Sponza was a tradesman for TNE Civil, which is doing maintenance on the new Bayswater train station.

The company revealed Mr Sponza had got a phone call on Tuesday morning that his kids were coming home to him.

Peter Sponza (pictured) was 'on top of the world' before he was allegedly struck by a silver Holden Commodore driven by a machete-wielding man

On Wednesday night, a 29-year-old man was charged with murder over the incident

'He was on top of the world,' TNE Civil said in a statement.

'Pete was a true gentleman, and we are all utterly devastated by the passing of our TNE brother.'

The company described him as a 'generous, kind and caring man' who died far too soon.

He had worked for TNE Civil for about a year and 'was excellent at what he did and so committed to his work,' the company added.

'He looked after everyone on his crew, and we all knew it would be a good day if we got to work alongside him,' it said.

'Nothing was ever a hassle for him, and he would stop everything he was doing just to help someone else out.'

Mr Sponza's colleagues saw him being allegedly hit by the Commodore and rushed to his aid to try and save his life.

The statement from his employer added that Mr Sponza was as 'a family man whose 'whole world revolved around his kids'.

'We will be organising a memorial to remember our dear friend; details will be made available at a later date. He will be missed beyond words.'

Shattered workmates who witnessed the confronting scenes have been offered counselling and time off work to grieve, the West Australian reported.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by a friend to help Mr Sponza's grieving children because 'he didnt go home.'

More than $12,000 has already been raised within hours.

Peter Sponza had just been told that he had been granted full custody of his kids when his life was tragically cut short

Witnesses reported seeing a man allegedly armed with a knife halting traffic and acting erratically

Peter Sponza died after a Holden Commodore (pictured) ploughed into him in the Perth suburb of Bayswater

The tragedy happened at around 11am on Tuesday after police were called to reports that a driver was 'acting erratically' and 'potentially armed with a knife'.

Police said the driver allegedly crashed into a Ford Ranger on Skew Road before getting out of the car with a knife.

Moments after he got back in the car, he allegedly fatally struck the Mr Sponza on Rose Avenue.

Police arrested the driver near the scene of the fatal crash a short time later after he allegedly crashed into a set of traffic lights.

Two young children were found in the backseat, who were unharmed.

Local man Wayne Small said the Commodore driver waved a machete at the driver of the Ford Ranger before slashing the car's tyres.

'He's banging his machete on the driver's window saying, "I'm gonna kill you",' Mr Small said.

'He went around and stabbed all the four tyres so he couldn't leave. He got back into his car, into his Commodore, and just took off.'
The US embassy in Kyiv warned staff to shelter fearing a 'significant air attack' from Russia after Biden allowed Ukraine to fire long-range missiles deep into Russia.

'The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20,' it said in a message on its website.

'Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place.

The embassy urged US citizens in Kyiv to 'be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.'

The threat comes just days after Washington lifted the ban on Ukraine using long-range missiles supplied by the US to hit targets in Russia as Putin's forces begin to recover ground.

File photo, 2022. The US embassy in Kyiv was closed today amid fear of a looming attack

File. Smoke rises over Kyiv after a Russian attack. The city is again bracing for a strike

File photo purports to show a U.S.-supplied ATACMS missile being fired inside Ukraine

Ukrainian servicemen fire a Howitzer towards Russian troops at the frontline, November 18

A short memo advised US citizens in the capital to monitor local media and identify shelters in case of an attack.

Ukraine is bracing for a potential strike after Biden finally gave permission for Kyiv to use its long-range missiles in Russia on Sunday, approaching 1,000 days of war.

The missiles have a range of 190 miles (300km) and could allow Ukraine to repel Russia long-range weapons hitherto capable of striking Ukraine without retaliation.

In anticipation of Ukraine receiving permission to use ATACMS, Russia's air force is said to have redeployed many of its fighter jets and strategic bomber aircraft away from the airbases in range of the missiles to sites further east.

But there are still more than 200 military facilities that could be battered by the US-manufactured munitions from positions along the 800-mile-long frontline.

The decision to concede usage came after months of gridlock in the United States, and followed news North Korean troops were reinforcing Putin's lines in Russia last month.

US-supplied ATACMS missiles will be used against both Russian and North Korean troops deployed against Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region, officials said.

The US said the move was intended to send a message to Russia's ally in North Korea, deploying ground troops for the first time since the end of the Korean War.

Russia has begun to recover ground in recent weeks, hoping to gain the momentum as Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region of Russia slows.

Ukraine's August movement was helped along by another US concession, allowing use of some Western weapons to hit targets within Russia in the summer.

The provision in turn followed Russia's land grab at Kharkiv, reopening its offensive as the West debated allowing use of long-range missiles in May.

The assault was Russia's biggest gain in 17 months, the Telegraph reported, swallowing up 100 sq-miles.

Russian troops made it six miles before Ukraine stabilised the situation.

Western weapons have given Ukraine a lifeline in holding the Russian tide at bay and, more recently, making advances into Russia.

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A U.S. Army M57A1 Tactical Missile System missile or ATACMS tested in New Mexico, 2012

UK-supplied Challenger 2 tanks have been used to buttress Ukraine's surprise incursion into Russia, sources confirmed within days.

The decision to supply Challenger 2s in January 2023 paved the way for Europe and the US to provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams tanks.

There had been speculation that Britain could allow use of Storm Shadows to hit targets deep inside Russia in order to open the door for ATACMS.

But the relaxing of Washington's stance on use of ATACMS now opens the possibility of Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles from Britain and France being used.

The long-range missiles use American tech which requires prior approval to be used.

French newspaper Le Figaro initially reported on Sunday that Britain and France had given permission, although confirmation has not yet been announced.

Ukraine had received permission to use the missiles within its own borders.

While ATACMS will give Ukraine significantly improved range to launch attacks on Russian military targets and airbases, they are in short supply on their own.
Jeremy Clarkson is adding a 'much needed' extension to his pub just three months after it opened - as he divides his time between the building site and protest rallies.

The ex-Top Gear host, 64, has been hailed as the figurehead of the agricultural industry as they object to inheritance tax measures announced in the Budget, yesterday taking to London's streets to voice their anger.

But back home, the petrolhead, who is also recovering from a life-saving heart operation, is plotting to replace his boozer's 'unsightly' storage area with a plush new extension, covered in Cotswold slate.

It would allow Clarkson to enjoy double the number of toilets and improve cellar facilities at the site, which he bought for 810,000 in June.

While the total expansion is less than 25 square metres - about twice the size of a parking space - it will also add an outside storage area to replace current temporary measures.

In a message from Clarkson's planning agent, they insisted the building works were 'modest' and would be more in keeping with the scenic surroundings than the current building.

The presenter has had a running battle with his local authority, with local fury towards his entrepreneurial schemes fueling repeated rejections of planning applications by West Oxfordshire District Council.

This has previously included having to close a restaurant he and partner Lisa Hogan opened on his Diddly Squat Farm.

Describing the latest submission, Neil Warner of The John Phillips Planning Consultancy explains: 'This application seeks to provide a modest extension to the south of the building, the new internal floor area is less than 25 square metres.

Jeremy Clarkson, who is also recovering from a life-saving heart operation, is plotting to replace his boozer's 'unsightly' storage area with a plush new extension, covered in Cotswold slate. Pictured: Opening the boozer in August

It would allow Clarkson to enjoy double the number of toilets and improve cellar facilities at the site, which he bought for 810,000 in June

In a message from Clarkson's planning agent, they insisted the building works were 'modest' and would be more in keeping with the scenic surroundings than the current building

The ex-Top Gear host, 64, has been hailed as the figurehead of the agricultural industry as they object to inheritance tax measures announced in the Budget, yesterday taking to London 's streets to voice their anger

'It allows internal reconfiguration to improve toilet facilities for all and more efficient cellar facilities.

'The extension ensure suitable rear access to the kitchens is retained and an external store is also shown to replace existing temporary facilities. It is to be constructed with a horizontal external timber cladding and provides a new pitched roof in reconstituted Cotswold slates to replace the existing bitumen flat roof.'

The single storey addition will be created using external timber cladding, matching a pitched rood in reconstituted Cotswold slate.

They say that this will 'greatly improve toilet facilities' at the restaurant and the added storage is 'essential to operate the site effectively'.

The existing toilets are three cubicles and two urinals, which will almost be doubled to six cubicles and three urinals or a slab urinal.

It will also include accessible toilet facilities - which are not currently available at the pub.

A new store and lobby will also improve the staff's facilities. while the improved cellar will allow them to keep 30 kegs - two days stock - alongside an ice machine, chillers and wall racking.

Clarkson opened The Farmers Dog pub, which is close to his Diddly Squat Farm in Chipping Norton, in August this year.

 Slide me  The single storey addition will be created using external timber cladding, matching a pitched rood in reconstituted Cotswold slate

A new store and lobby will also improve the staff's facilities. while the improved cellar will allow them to keep 30 kegs - two days stock - alongside an ice machine, chillers and wall racking. Pictured: The back of the pub currently

The existing toilets constitute of three cubicles and two urinals, which will almost be doubled to six cubicles and three urinals or a slab urinal. Pictured: The rear of the boozer at the moment

Despite admitting he loses '10 per customer', the bar has seen an influx of customers as it continues its vow to only use British produce - emblematic of its landlord's mission to back farming in the UK.

Clarkson's planners add that there are no near neighbours, customers would not normally see the area and it is only visible to passing motorists.

In a lyrical moment, they continue: 'It would only be viewed against the backdrop of the building and thus not visible from within the National Landscape - the natural and scenic beauty of which would thus be preserved.'

An urgent note adds: 'I do not consider there to be any other consideration material to this submissions and we therefore request Officers approve this application without delay to allow the much needed facilities to be provided as soon as possible.'

It comes as Clarkson has become the unlikely hero of a movement of farmers, unleashing a ferocious attack on the BBC and the government yesterday as he was cheered on by a crowd of more than 13,000 at a mass protest in London.

Farmers descended on the capital from as far away as Northumberland to show their anger and dismay at Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget plan to limit the existing 100 per cent inheritance tax relief on farms to only the first 1million.

She says it will only affect the wealthiest 500 estates each year but experts from the NFU say it will be up to 70,000 farms.

Clarkson attended the event alongside his Clarkson's Farm co-stars Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland, theatre legend Andrew Lloyd-Webber and dozens of MPs including Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage.

Mr Clarkson also hit out at his former employers at the BBC during his speech, branding the broadcaster 'the mouthpiece of this infernal Government'.

He said: 'Honestly, I dont know where to start. I know youve heard a lot about it today, and Im not going to dwell on that. I will just say this: Rachel Reeves has told us, what is it, 72 per cent of farms are going to be unaffected by this?

Farmers descended on the capital from as far away as Northumberland to show their anger and dismay at Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget plan

Clarkson has become the unlikely hero of a movement of farmers, unleashing a ferocious attack on the BBC and the government yesterday as he was cheered on by a crowd of more than 13,000

'Ive just been interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire for Newsnight. Lets see if we can educate her here. If shes still around. How many people here, if youd raise your hands, are from a family farm? I want to see.

'I hope you can see that. I hope weve got our cameras from the show up high to see thats a lot of hands now, keep them up, and I want you to lower them if you think, and youve had time to work this out, you think youre going to be unaffected by the changes to APR and BPR, put your hands down if youre going to be unaffected.

'Thank you. My case rests. I want Newsnight to see what she was trotting out. Nobodys affected. Rachel Reeves says so. Since when was the BBC, the mouthpiece of this infernal government?'

He went to say he as to 'get the brakes on' adding he is 'off my t***' on codeine and paracetamol, before describing how he had come to understand that farming was 'unbelievably difficult, dangerous and cold'.

'I beg of the government to be big, to accept that this was rushed through, it wasnt thought out and its a mistake. Thats the big thing to do, admit it and back down,' Mr Clarkson said.

Locals have previously been left enraged by his expansion plans with the council rejecting applications to open a restaurant, build a pickle ball court and even lay out a simple farm track to a converted barn.

And Clarkson himself has been left similarly furious by repeated refusals, as documented throughout his hit show Clarkson's Farm.

Season 2 focused on Clarkson's plans to build a restaurant after the council refused his plans to convert his lambing barn.

Clarkson has drawn in huge crowds to his new pub in Asthall, Oxfordshire, which opened its doors on August 23

Clarkson said becoming a publican was a step into the unknown and joked that his next venture might be to open a cinema

Fans queued for 90 minutes in the pouring rain after it opened, for the chance to experience the star's boozer. Pictured: The queue can be seen from a birds-eye view

When he decided to convert a different barn on the farm the council refused him permission to build a farm track to it.

But in July last year he won a planning appeal to create the 70-space car park which soon became jam-packed with two hour waits on the day it opened in August.

However, he lost his appeal to build a restaurant as it was deemed too 'harmful' to the area.

West Oxfordshire District Council's planning committee will consider the fresh application in due course.

Clarkson has drawn in huge crowds to his new pub in Asthall, Oxfordshire, which opened its doors on August 23.

Fans queued for 90 minutes in the pouring rain after it opened, for the chance to experience the star's boozer.

It features a stylish decor, complete with an eye-catching centrepiece - a tractor hanging from the ceiling.

Clarkson said becoming a publican was a step into the unknown and joked that his next venture might be to open a cinema.

While he said he hoped The Farmer's Dog would be a great success, he added that using exclusively British produce would mean much lower profit margins.

Citing an example, he said it would cost 0.74p to turn pork from his farm shop into a sausage to be sold at the pub, far more than the 0.18p it would cost using imported pig meat.

He bought the freehold to the pub for 810,000 on June 3, and it isn't tied to a brewery, so he can realise his dream of selling his own beer and produce from his farm at the venue.

Beers on offer at Clarksons pub include five varieties and a cider from his co-owned Hawkstone brewery.

The IPA is the most expensive at 6 a pint while Hawkstone Session lager is 5.50 a pint, alongside the Hawkstone Pils, Hawkstone Breeze, and cask ale.

The Farmer's Dog has been contacted for comment.
Attorneys working for That '70s Show star Danny Masterson tracked down jurors who found him guilty of rape in a move that 'troubled' the judge in the case who had issued an order to limit available information about them.

Masterson, 48, is currently appealing his May 2023 conviction, in which he was found to have raped two women in the Church of Scientology in the early 2000s.

He was sentenced in September by a Los Angeles jury to 30 years to life behind bars with the possibility of parole for two counts of rape with force, violence or fear of bodily injury.

But according to the LA Times, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo said she was 'troubled' by the conduct of the attorneys who contacted jurors to interview them as part of his appeal effort, despite a judge's order meant to limit the amount of publicly available information about them.

Olmedo said she received complaints from jurors who 'felt pressured by the defense team', adding that they were 'not advised that they had the absolute right not to discuss the case if they did not want to.'

She wrote that several jurors had been the subject of 'unwanted contact at their homes or work by members of the defense team' and they wanted her to 'inquire how the defense team obtained their identifying information.'

The judge said she was 'troubled that they were approached at their homes.'

The newspaper reported that court filings show jurors emailed Olmedo over concerns that Masterson's lawyers weren't supposed to know where they lived or worked.

Danny Masterson (pictured, right, with ex-wife Bijou Phillips in 2023) is currently appealing his May 2023 conviction, in which he was found to have raped two women in the Church of Scientology

He played Stephen Hyde in That '70s show between 1998 and 2006

Masterson was moved to the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo (pictured)

One of Masterson's lawyers, Shawn Holley, told the LA Times that she spoke with three jurors, including the foreperson, since the trial's conclusion.

'I made it clear to all 3 jurors with whom I spokeand ultimately met that they were under no obligation to speak with me or to meet with me, and they all were more than willing to do so. I met all 3 of them [separately] at times and places which were convenient for them and I was cordial and respectful of their time and boundaries.

'I feel confident that none of the 3 jurors with whom I spoke/met reported our interaction to Judge Olmedo as harassing or improper.'

Eric Multhaup, another of Masterson's attorneys, said one of his investigators located a juror through routine research, and contacted them before Olmedo's order took effect on September 17.

It comes after Masterson was moved from maximum security prison Corcoran State Prison to the less harsh California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, according to reports.

He was previously set to serve his term at Corcoran State Prison, which famously housed Charles Manson.

That prison, which was built in 1988, houses some of California's most dangerous prisoners and has a sizable population of Level 4 inmates in need of extra protection and supervision.

California Men's colony, however, is a medium- to minimum-security prison offer self-help and academic programs for inmates to learn vocational skills.

The courses include substance abuse counseling, mental health treatment and anger management.

That 70's Show star Danny Masterson has been moved from his maximum security prison to a less harsh facility in Obispo, California

Corcoran State Prison houses some of California's most dangerous prisoners

In addition to cult leader Charles Manson (pictured), Corcoran was also the prison where Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated RFK was held

Masterson has been moved to a maximum-security facility that was the longtime holding place of Charles Manson

Records indicate that the once-prominent member of the Church of Scientology will first be eligible for parole in 2042, when the now-42-year-old is 66.

Following Masterson's sentencing, it was reported that he was under round-the-clock surveillance due to potentially showing signs of 'mental distress.'

Deputies would come by his cell every half hour to check on him 'with the goal of keeping tabs on his mental state and making sure he's safe.'

Masterson's legal team is currently attempting to appeal his conviction.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo said in January that Masterson will 'likely remain in custody for decades, and perhaps the rest of his life' if his sentence is upheld on appeal.

The judge, who oversaw his trial and subsequently denied him bail, stating that he is a flight risk in part because his now-ex-wife Bijou Phillips filed for divorce following his guilty verdict last year.

The judge's order read: 'In light of the fact that defendant has no wife to go home to, defendant now has every incentive to flee and little reason to return to state prison to serve out the remainder of his lengthy sentence should his appeal be unsuccessful.'

The denial comes after Masterson's attorneys Clifford Gardner and Eric Multhaup wrote in a motion on January 17 asking for the court to grant the disgraced actor bail.

'Defendant requests that this Court grant bail on appeal, and offers to comply with any relevant terms and conditions imposed by the Court that enable him to be an at-home parent and financial provider for his family, including house arrest and/or participation in an electronic monitoring program administered by the probation department' the motion read.

After Masterson' conviction for the two rapes, he was expelled from the Church of Scientology and declared a 'suppressive person' - or an 'SP' - which the church defines as someone whose behavior seeks to impede the spiritual progress of those around him.
More men are flocking to buy items from the middle of Lidl, a bargain aisle famously offering a quirky array of power tools, canoes and even flamethrowers.

UK boss Ryan McDonnell said the chain's centre rows had a 'big male following' and had become synonymous with being the place to grab a must-have purchase - even if customers enter the store originally for a different purpose.

Lidl has grown in popularity across Britain since it arrived 30 years ago, with the German discount supermarket chain this morning reporting a return to profit.

The company confirmed a pre-tax profit of 43million in 2023/24 compared to a loss of 76m the previous year.

It also saw a 16.9 per cent jump in revenue, with sales of nearly 11bn.

While not wholly attributable to that success, Mr McDonnell does believe the centre aisle has become a talking point and attracted more male shoppers through the doors.

A wealth of Facebook pages, Reddit threads and Youtube videos are even dedicated to documenting the middle-aisle finds.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr McDonnell said: 'We often get partners at odds with each other because men have disappeared up the aisle and are buying things they maybe already have.'

More men are flocking to buy items from the middle of Lidl, a bargain aisle famously offering a quirky array of items, including this Yamaha Seascooter for 400

This ingenious item allows you to leave the party early - with a glass of prosecco in your pocket

An inflatable avocado with a beach ball core is surely a must-have purchase for anyone

He added: 'There are some interesting shopping habits in this aisle. I would say there are a lot of men in trouble when they come in here.'

On a Reddit thread about quirky finds, one user wrote: 'My mum came back with a two-man canoe despite not living near any suitable body of water or being interested in canoeing previously.'

Another said: 'I bought a trumpet for about 80, spent a couple of years learning to play it, then played with several jazz bands round Glasgow. Great buy.'

A third wrote that they had purchased a gazebo, adding: 'I only went in there for some sausages.'

Other novel items that found their way into people's shopping trolleys including a flamethrower for getting rid of weeds, ice spikes that attach to shoes, a cement mixer, electric hoist, snack helmet and an inflatable hot tub.

Customers have also ended up purchasing pocket prosecco glasses, an inflatable avocado with removable beach ball core, a seascooter, a welding helmet, a microwave potato cooker, a vacuum sealer and a UV phone sanitiser.

A fish cushion is among the novelty items that can be found in Lidl's famed middle aisle
Keir Starmer has defended his globetrotting insisting it helps Brits struggling to afford heating.

As he wrapped up his trip to the G20 summit in Rio, the PM argued that there is a 'direct link between the work I do internationally and the impact back at home'.

Sir Keir has faced repeated questions about his extensive travel schedule with the government under pressure on myriad fronts at home.

Ministers admitted last night that the squeeze on winter fuel payments will force 100,000 pensioners into poverty in 2026.

There is also a raging backlash over the huge tax and spend Budget, with businesses warning of job cuts and price rises, and farmers up in arms about an inheritance tax raid.

Sir Keir's four-day jaunt to Brazil - where he is met Xi Jinping and held talks on issues including the Ukraine war - was the 15th time he has been out of the country since winning power in July.

He has been away from the UK for more than three weeks in total.

Keir Starmer has defended his globetrotting insisting it helps Brits struggling to afford heating

Sir Keir tried a shot as he visited the Fluminense Stadium in Rio during the G20 summit

That includes time in Ireland, Italy, Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Washington DC, France, Azerbaijan and a five-day trip to Samoa.

He also flew to New York for the UN General Assembly after the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool in September.

In the same period, MPs have only sat for 34 days in the House of Commons to work on legislation and delivering the government's agenda.

However, Sir Keir told ITV's Good Morning Britain that it is 'very important' to hold discussions that could 'trigger' money into the economy.



Asked about Brits who do not feel able to put their heating on, Sir Keir said: 'There's a direct link between the work I do internationally and the impact back at home.

'You rightly say the central focus of what I am doing here at the G20 is on our economy, on investment into our country.

'It's very important to have those discussions because that's the way we trigger the money coming into our economy, to ensure that we've got better living standards, people feel better off and, crucially important, we've got jobs around the country.'

He also defended money to support Ukraine, as he said that rising energy bills are 'a very important domestic reason for being absolutely clear on Ukraine'.

He added: 'It is impacting people back at home, and I really get that, people have really struggled with their energy bills over the last three years. I am determined that we will do what we can to bring that down.'

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall revealed the Government's assessment of the impact in a letter to MPs, but stressed the figures did not take into account plans to increase the numbers on pension credit.

She told the Work and Pensions Committee: 'The latest modelling shows that compared to the numbers that would have been in poverty without this policy, it is estimated that in each year in question there will be an additional 50,000 pensioners in relative poverty after housing costs in 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2027-28, instead.

'The modelling also shows that an additional 100,000 pensioners are estimated to be in relative poverty after housing costs in 2026-27, 2028-29 and 2029-30.'

On the same day, governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey said retailers were 'right' to warn of potential job cuts following the Budget changes.

Sir Keir meeting Brazil president Lula da Silva at the G20 in Rio last night

More than 70 businesses  including Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's  have told Rachel Reeves in an open letter that the changes announced in last month's Budget mean price hikes are a 'certainty'.

The letter, arranged by the British Retail Consortium, was also signed by household names including Amazon, Aldi, Boots, B&Q, Currys, Greggs, JD Sports, Marks & Spencer, Next and Primark.

It said: 'We appreciate Government's focus on improving the fiscal situation and investing in public services; we also recognise the role businesses have in supporting this.

'But the sheer scale of new costs and the speed with which they occur create a cumulative burden that will make job losses inevitable, and higher prices a certainty.'
A ban on social media for under-16s is 'on the table' if companies do not take stronger action to protect children, the Technology Secretary has told tech giants.

Peter Kyle made the warning while preparing to tell Ofcom to be more assertive with firms, as both he and the regulator ready themselves for new legal powers in the Online Safety Act to commence from the start of 2025.

The Act will see new safety duties placed on social media platforms for the first time, requiring them to protect users, and in particular children, from harmful content.

This will include a crackdown on under-13s having access to age-restricted content.

Speaking to the Telegraph newspaper, Mr Kyle suggested the UK would have to move to 'another level of regulation' if tech companies do not get together to enforce the Act.

The Technology Secretary said he did not want to pursue further law changes until he sees how the Online Safety Act works.

But he signalled he had been speaking to politicians from Australia where social media restrictions for under-16s have been considered.

Asked if the UK could push its age limits up to 16, Mr Kyle told the Telegraph: 'When it comes to keeping young people safe, everything is on the table.'

Peter Kyle made the warning while preparing to tell Ofcom to be more assertive with firms, as both he and the regulator ready themselves for new legal powers in the Online Safety Act to commence from the start of 2025.

The Act will see new safety duties placed on social media platforms for the first time, requiring them to protect users, and in particular children, from harmful content.

As the Government prepares to enforce the Act, Mr Kyle has published for the first time a statement of strategic priorities for watchdog Ofcom.

This says Ofcom should ensure the concept of 'safety by design' is being followed by platforms from the start so more harm is caught before it occurs, and pushes for more transparency from tech firms on what harms are occurring on their platforms.

It also urges them to create digital worlds which are inclusive and resilient to harm, including from disinformation.

Ofcom will also have to ensure it is 'agile' in how it regulates the sector by monitoring and tackling emerging potential harms, such as AI, and embracing online safety technologies to also help improve user safety.

The Government said Ofcom will have to consider each of the stated priorities as it enforces the Act, and report back on what action it has taken to ensure safer online spaces are being delivered.

'Keeping children safe online is a priority for this Government. That is why today I will be the first secretary of state to exercise the power to set out my strategic priorities,' Mr Kyle said.

He also announced ministers will launch a research project aimed at helping it understand the impact of smartphones and social media use on children.

Ian Russell, chairman of the Molly Rose Foundation, said the new priorities offered some 'course correction' for the Online Safety Act and would allow Ofcom to be 'bolder', but warned more reform to the rules was still needed.

The Molly Rose Foundation (MRF) was set up by Mr Russell and his family in memory of his daughter, Molly, who ended her life aged 14 in November 2017 after viewing harmful content on social media.

'This announcement outlines a much-needed course correction, vital for improved online safety, and to prevent the new regulation falling badly short of expectations,' he said.

'However, while this lays down an important marker for Ofcom to be bolder, it is also abundantly clear that we need a new Online Safety Act to strengthen current structural deficiencies and focus minds on the importance of harm reduction.'

Maria Neophytou, director of strategy and knowledge at the NSPCC, said the new priorities have 'the potential to change the online world for children'.

She added: 'Through Childline, we hear daily from young people about the range of harms they are experiencing online, including online bullying, access to content encouraging suicide and eating disorders and child sexual abuse and exploitation.

'Tech companies must be transparent about the harm happening on their platforms. They should be disrupting 'safe havens' for offenders by tackling the hidden abuse taking place through private messaging.

'It is right that the Government is focusing on driving innovation and new technology that can identify and disrupt abuse and prevent harm from happening in the first place.'

An Ofcom spokesperson said: 'Our resolve to create a safer life online for children and adults in the UK has never been stronger.

'We welcome the Government's draft statement of strategic priorities for online safety which, once finalised, will help shape this important work.'
Europe is 'totally unprepared' for Russia's tactics of hybrid warfare, defence officials have warned amid mounting fear that Moscow is already sabotaging critical infrastructure on the continent in anticipation of a wider conflict.

Western leaders have accused Russia of sabotaging vital cables in the Baltic twice within 48 hours, after Biden relaxed rules on Ukraine firing long-range missiles into Russia and amid speculation Europe may follow suit.

But with both sides so far stopping short of engaging in direct conflict, defence sources have warned that the West is improperly prepared to thwart Moscow's efforts to destabilise by meddling in European affairs.

A former senior European official told the Guardian that the EU is 'totally unprepared' to confront Moscow in its campaign of 'hybrid' warfare, lacking the resources to effectively counter sabotage, arson, assassination and attacks on infrastructure.

They said Europe could expect more 'hybrid' attacks to unfold on the continent in the wake of the American decision to permit usage of long-range ATACMS missiles against targets deep inside Russia.

Russia has been accused of trying to destabilise the West and allies since the war in Ukraine began by allegedly 'weaponising mass migration' along its western border; sabotaging Nord Stream pipelines providing Europe with gas; influencing elections in Moldova and Georgia; jamming aircraft GPS; and even sending exploding sex toys to Western Europe.

Putin (pictured in Moscow on Tuesday) is accused of deliberately trying to sabotage Europe

Bubbles break to the surface amid a leak at the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022

Migrants near the Polish border. Poland said hundreds of people were being ushered across from Belarus as a deliberate tactic to strain the frontier

Recent disruption to trade and energy, and foiled attacks on businesses supplying aid to Ukraine, have sparked fears that Europe remains woefully underequipped to combat Russia's unconventional strategies.

Most recently, the cutting of crucial underseas telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea this week generated outrage and stark warnings about Russia's ability to allegedly interfere in European affairs.

A 135-mile internet link between Lithuania and Sweden's Gotland Island went out of service early on Sunday, according to a local supplier, before a 745-mile cable running from Helsinki to Rostock, Germany went offline early Monday morning.

Finland and Germany said in a joint statement that they were investigating 'an incident (that) immediately raises suspicions of intentional damage' before European ministers put together a joint statement blaming Russia on Tuesday.

UK and EU ministers said Russia's hybrid attacks were 'escalating' and 'unprecedented' in scale, posing security risks.

'We know that Russia has the capability and willingness to do sabotage in Europe,' Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said, urging better protections for critical infrastructure.

'This is closer to terrorism, with the aim of intimidating the population and influencing decision-making, and affecting support for Ukraine, a senior European security official told the Guardian.

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US state department, said separately that Russia would be 'held accountable' for any further actions while condemning a wider trend of what he called 'hybrid warfare conducted by Russia both in Europe and around the world'.

Only last week a Russian spy ship had to be escorted out of Irish waters when it sailed close to underwater cables.

The Yantar vessel was found between Dublin and the Isle of Man on Friday, and has reportedly followed sub-sea cable routes over the years.

Britain has shadowed Russian naval vessels and reconnaissance planes around its own coastal waters and airspace for more than a year, believed to be straying nearby to test NATO reaction time, tactics, weapons and patterns by tempting interceptions.

British fighter jets pushed back Russian bombers in international airspace near Scotland in April last year. The planes are filled with communication and reconnaissance equipment to help pick out submarines.

Vlad Sutea, Founder and Lead Analyst at T-Intelligence, told MailOnline 'the Russian[s] are deliberately testing the RAF and NATO's overall QRA reaction (time and tactics) while also monitoring maritime movements.'

Russian ships in the North and Baltic Seas have caused increasing concern for NATO countries in the region, too. Belgium launched an investigation in early 2023 after a Russian spy ship off its North Sea coast was suspected of surveying key energy and communications links.

In July 2024, Finland said a Russian research vessel violated its territorial waters, shortly after it joined the NATO military alliance.

Russian vessels were systematically surveying critical infrastructure, including wind farms, pipelines, and cables in the North and Baltic Seas, according to a report by German broadcasters NDR, WDR and newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

'We consider the danger to be very real,' German intelligence chief Bruno Kahl told media. Moscow was 'accelerating its own preparations to be able to act militarily against the West', Kahl said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in October that Moscow was using 'hybrid means' to target Germany, adding: 'We see many, many examples, time and again.'

She cited drone activity around the new gas terminals, suggesting they were 'not there to observe the beautiful local landscape, but because there is a chemical park there and a... storage facility for nuclear waste nearby,'

According to German media reports, the reconnaissance was carried out by unmanned Russian military aircraft. Officials warned the scouting could be 'for the purposes of sabotage'.

These extraordinary scenes are the most serious yet in a dispute that has seen the West accuse Belarusian autocrat Lukashenko of 'weaponising' immigration and engaging in a 'hybrid war'

Small children clamber onto trees as men and women sit around a camp fire in the forest next to a barbed wire barrier, in Poland, November 8

Zelensky called on Kyiv's allies to 'force' the Kremlin into a 'just peace' and vowed his forces would 'never surrender' to Russia in a speech to Parliament this morning

A house destroyed as a result of Russian shelling in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine on November 19

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin has been accused of trying to undermine European interests over their backing of Kyiv and sharp sanctions on Moscow.

When leaks were reported at the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines connecting Russia with continental Europe in September 2022, fingers quickly pointed east. Western leaders said the leaks were caused by 'deliberate' sabotage to force energy prices up.

Russia blamed the CIA and a Ukrainian military officer told the Wall Street Journal that six soldiers had carried out the attack after 'a night of heavy boozing'.

More recent media reports have linked the incident to Ukraine - an accusation Kyiv has strenuously denied.

Attacks on communication and energy lines are just the top of alleged Russian operations to weaken the West and its allies through subterfuge. Earlier this month Russian spies were accused of trying to derail Moldova's close election with a failed 'bomb threat' plot at British polling stations for expats.

Pro-EU leader Maia Sandu ultimately triumphed in the presidential election to secure a second term with 55 per cent of the vote, but had an uphill battle as the national security advisor warned there had been 'massive interference' in the electoral process with 'high potential to distort the outcome'.

Colonel Phillip Ingram - a former officer in British military intelligence - said it was 'highly likely' Russia was behind the false bomb threats with Moscow aware that 'every vote counts' in the tight presidential election.

Colonel Ingram said that Russia's motive for interfering in other countries' affairs was to inflict 'death by a thousand cuts.'

He said: 'No one incident of meddling is catastrophic but if they keep attacking both directly and through interference they will force countries to spend more and more money to prevent it.'

Georgia was less fortunate, as a pro-Putin billionaire oligarch claimed victory after facing accusations of vote-rigging, intimidation, vote buying and ballot stuffing.

Russia-aligned Georgian Dream's founder Bidzina Ivanishvili cast the election as a watershed moment that would decide if Georgia would move closer to the West or back towards Russia amid the war in Ukraine.

Early official results with 70 per cent of precincts counted, showed the ruling party had won 53 per cent of the vote, the electoral commission said, but the deeply divided pro-Western opposition parties claim that they had collectively clinched a majority.

Demonstrators continue to take to the streets of Tbilisi to contest the 'stolen' election as the EU and US have backed opposition calls for an investigation.

Europe has also accused Russia of 'weaponising' mass migration to force desperate responses and destabilise borders.

Frontex, an agency of the EU tasked with managing borders, said it would deploy troops tot he Finnish border last November amid reports hundreds of asylum seekers were entering the country without a visa through its shared border with Russia.

The Finnish government accused Russia of funnelling migrants to various crossings as payback for its decision to increase defence cooperation with the US, an assertion dismissed by Moscow. Finland also became a NATO member in April 2023.

This June, a Polish border guard was killed with a spear by migrants trying to cross the border. Officials blamed the surge in arrivals through Belarus as a deliberate Russian tactic against the West.

Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said that Russia is 'actively helping' migrants travel to the border. According to Polish officials, about 90% of the migrants at Poland's border have Russian visas.

British Army soldiers and armoured vehicles are taking part in the Arctic drills on Tuesday

A British Challenger 2 tank operating in Ukraine in August 2023

Ukrainian servicemen fire a Howitzer towards Russian troops at the frontline, November 18

Western intelligence has uncovered a series of plots believed to be deliberate Russian efforts to undermine European allies of Ukraine.

Only this month Russian spies were accused of sending a package full of erotic gadgets to DHL depots in Britain and Germany in an alleged 'test-run' for a larger attack on a US-bound flight.

Two incendiary devices had been shipped via a DHL logistics centre on July 22 from Lithuania to Birmingham, England, and Leipzig, Germany, resulting in a fire. It was later revealed the explosives were hidden in a box containing sex toys and massage pillows.

Four people in Poland have been arrested in connection to the July blaze and charged with participating in sabotage or terrorist operations on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency. Two other individuals are also wanted by investigators in the country.

Poland's prosecutor's office said: 'The group's goal was also to test the transfer channel for such parcels, which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada.'

Head of Poland's foreign intelligence agency, Pawel Szota, also blamed Russia, although the prosecutor's office statement did not name a foreign government suspected of directing the operations.

Counter-terrorism police in the UK also launched an investigation into whether Russian spies planted an incendiary device on a plane that later caught fire at a DHL warehouse in Birmingham, the Guardian revealed.

Ken McCallum, head of MI5, said that Russian intelligence appeared to be working on 'a sustained mission to generate mayhem on British and European streets: we've seen arson, sabotage and more'.

Separately, in late October a man admitted to carrying out an arson attack on a Ukrainian-owned business in London on behalf of the Kremlin.

Dylan Earl, 20, pleaded guilty to breaching the National Security Act and aggravated arson over a major fire at a warehouse in Leyton in March.

Earl pleaded not guilty to assisting a foreign intelligence service. The prosecution said it would not pursue the charge. He did admit, under the second charge, to working on behalf of a foreign power - Russia.

British police and officials, as well as their European counterparts in Germany, Poland and Lithuania, also strongly suspect that Russia was behind the attacks as part of an effort to cause 'mayhem' in the west in retaliation for western military support to Ukraine.

In September, security sources warned that Russia was debating whether to send Yakhont missiles to Yemen's Houthi rebels, jeopardising international trade and British warships in the Red Sea.

'Russia could easily suffer losses from indiscriminate Houthi actions in the Red Sea. But it's happy to run that risk for what it sees as bigger gains from stoking conflict,' said Edmund Fitton-Brown, Senior Advisor to the Counter Extremism Project and former Ambassador of the UK to Yemen.

Fabian Hinz, an expert on ballistic missiles with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, suggested the Houthis could direct Russian missiles towards British and US warships that have been protecting commercial vessels in the Red Sea, dividing Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

In August, Russia was accused of flying multiple drones over Germany to collect sensitive information on a nuclear power plant. Germany, notably, decommissioned the last of its nuclear power plants in 2023 after years of fierce debate.

Intelligence officers blamed Russia, telling Bild drones were scouting over Brunsbutte as a potential target for sabotage.

Pictured: A fire ignited at a plant in Berlin containing poisonous sulphuric acid and copper cyanide that is reportedly linked to missiles supplied to Ukraine

In July, US intelligence uncovered a plot they believe shows Russian intent to sponsor a series of assassinations of defence industry executives across Europe, including Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, a staunch supporter of Ukraine.

A top German official confirmed that Berlin was warned about the plot by the US, and western officials said the Papperger plot was the most far along.

Rheinmetall is the top German manufacturer of 155mm artillery shells used by Ukraine to deter the Russian advance. The company was on the brink of opening a new plant within Ukraine tasked with producing armoured vehicles as news of the foiled plot broke.

Annalena Baerbock said Russia was waging a hybrid war of aggression, including cyberattacks and sabotage of infrastructure.

'This underlines once again that we as Europeans must protect ourselves as best we can and not be naive,' she said.

'Russia's intensifying campaign of subversion is something that we are taking extremely seriously and have been intently focused on over the past few months,' National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson told CNN at the time.

'The United States has been discussing this issue with our NATO Allies, and we are actively working together to expose and disrupt these activities,' she said, reiterating support for Ukraine in the face of destabilisation efforts.

In May, intelligence chiefs warned ministers that Britain and other Ukrainian allies were being targeted by Russian saboteurs. They identified links between fires at arms factories supplying Ukraine and attacks on computer systems, trail derailments and the jamming of satellite systems for civil air flights.

A senior British security source said Western intelligence agencies feared 'the b******s' were trying to set Europe alight.

'Lots of fires that we thought were accidents and unconnected have turned out to be connected,' he said, suggesting the Kremlin was hiring gangsters and far-right extremists to do its bidding abroad.

Tory MP Bob Seely, a Russian-speaking specialist on disinformation and member of the foreign affairs committee, said that Britain must wake up to the threat.

'We need to understand that the Russian state believes it is in conflict with the UK and other leading Western nations,' he added.

'We have to defend ourselves. We don't know the true scale of these operations. Some look amateurish  but they will get more sophisticated.'

A Swedish artillery team fires a projectile from a Howitzer during NATO training on Wednesday

Residents clean the debris from the damaged residential house after a Russian shelling in Kostiantynivka, Ukraine on November 19

Rescue workers clear the rubble of a residential building destroyed by a Russian strike in Hlukhiv, Ukraine on November 19

In April, Estonia and other Baltic states warned that widespread GPS jamming allegedly instigated by Russia increased the threat of an aviation accident.

The disturbance to location services was blamed on Russian 'hybrid activity' in the region, Estonia said.

The disruption led Finnish carrier Finnair to suspend flights to the Estonian city of Tartu, near the Russian border.

The airline's pilots had noticed an increase in interference since 2022, including the airspace close to Russia's Kaliningrad region on the Baltic Sea.

Russia is also alleged to have tried to assassinate Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in May. Counterintelligence officers were detained over 'plans of the FSB to eliminate the president of Ukraine' and other top officials.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed on Telegram two colonels were implicated in the plot, allegedly 'leaking' information back to Russia.

SBU investigators allegedly uncovered a drawn out plot to closely follow watched persons before targeting a safehouse with a 'rocket attack'.

'Then they were going to attack the people who remained at the affected area with a drone,' the SBU claimed, without providing evidence.

'After that, the Russians planned to target with another missile, including to destroy traces of the use of the drone.'
An 18-year-old Brit faces 20 years in prison in Dubai after being charged with having sex with a then-17-year-old during a family holiday.

Marcus Fakana, from Tottenham, London, was held in a notorious UAE prison for days after police heard of his holiday romance from her 'strict' mother.

The couple 'had a wonderful time together' on holiday in August, meeting up in secret as she feared she could not tell her mother she was seeing a boy. They hoped to continue their relationship when they were back in London.

But as the girl's furious mother later found out and told police in Dubai about the relationship when they returned to the UK, Marcus now faces two decades inside a gruelling Dubai prison.

'When she left, I couldnt wait to see her again when I got home. Then suddenly, police knocked on our hotel door,' Marcus told British-based aid organisation Detained in Dubai.

'They said they were taking me in for questioning but wouldn't tell me why. I couldnt imagine what for. I was frightened and my parents were terrified.'

Dubai has only recently reformed its laws on sex outside of marriage for tourists, but upholds a strict Islamic legal system, and has no firm ruling on age of consent.

Under local law, a child is defined as a person under 18 years of age. The relationship would be legal in the UK, and the girl has since turned 18.

Marcus Fakana, from Tottenham, London, faces 20 years in prison over the holiday romance

Marcus had joined his parents for a short holiday on August 26 when he struck up a holiday romance with a girl just months from turning 18.

We had a wonderful time together. We really liked each other but she was secretive with her family because they were strict,' he said.

'My parents knew about our relationship but she couldnt tell hers. She had to meet me without telling them it was to see a boy.'

The pair tried to spend as much time as they could together while abroad, and hoped to get to know each other better when back in London.

She left Dubai first and they arranged to meet up.

But Marcus was 'frightened' when police suddenly turned up at the hotel and detained him for three days at the 'notorious' Al Barsha Police Station.

'He was told his girlfriends mother had reported the relationship to authorities in Dubai after she had arrived back in London,' said Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai and human rights advocate.

The organisation offers confidential legal help to people facing civil and criminal legal trouble in the UAE.

Marcus learned that she had looked at her daughter's phone and found their chats and pictures, sharing them with Dubai police from the safety of the UK.

'This is clearly a very strict mother to involve police in a private matter that is completely legal in the country where she lives and where the children have grown up,' Ms Stirling warned.

'Perhaps she wasnt aware that she triggered the possibility of a young man of only 18 spending the next 20 years in prison.'

The family meanwhile are still stuck in Dubai, forking out 2,000 per month in the hope of reclaiming Marcus' future.

'My mother is a cleaner and my dad works in a warehouse. They saved up for this one-off holiday and they have now used all of their savings,' Marcus explained.

'The police demanded 10,000 AED for bail which Ive been told is not normal and the costs are mounting. Im here all alone. I pray this nightmare will be over and Ill be home for Christmas.'

Marcus is seeking help as he is threatened with the possibility of 20 years in prison in Dubai

Marcus and his family are now calling on the British Foreign Secretary to help him.

'Dubai police have the power to drop the case against Marcus and let him come home,' Ms Stirling said.

'This is not something we want to do to young people and we ask Mr Lammy MP to convey this message to his counterparts in the UAE.'

The UAE has only recently implemented changes allowing tourists to have sex outside of marriage - as well as more lax regulations on alcohol and vaping.

A British couple were jailed for kissing in public in 2010, and ultimately deported for violating the country's decency laws.

Despite changes to the law, Ms Stirling warns that parents will soon 'be scared to take their older teenagers on vacation with them where they could end up losing their lives over behaviour that's completely legal in their own countries'.

Dubai Public Prosecution said in a statement shared with MailOnline: 'The case was initiated in response to a complaint filed by the mother of a 17-year-old British girl.

'The girl, a tourist visiting Dubai, is not a resident of the UAE. Under UAE law, the girl is legally classified as a minor, and in accordance with procedures recognised internationally, her mother -being the legal guardian- filed the complaint.

'Dubai's legal system is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring impartial judicial proceedings. The next court hearing has been scheduled for 9 December at the request of the defendant's legal counsel, contrary to what has been reported by some media.

'The media should avoid speculation and allow the judiciary to carry out its responsibilities within its clear legal framework.'
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Former AFL player Ricky Olarenshaw has broken his silence over the alleged sex scandal that left his estranged wife languishing in a Bali jail, alleging that some of the claims are 'false and inaccurate'.

Sarnanitha 'Nitha' Olarenshaw has been accused of running a brothel at her spa business on the Indonesian holiday island.

The former Essendon player and 1993 premiership winner returned to Australia 10 weeks ago, before Nitha was arrested after raids on the Flame Spa massage parlour.

Daily Mail Australia does not suggest that Mr Olarenshaw knew about the allegedly illegal activity at the spa.

He is now reportedly living on the Gold Coast, where Nine News confronted him while he was walking his dog along the beach.

His priorities are his two children, who remain in Bali staying with relatives.

'It's a delicate and complicated situation,' Mr Olarenshaw said.

His ex-wife could be jailed for up to 12 years for being the owner of the Seminyak business Indonesian police allege was offering sex services.

Last week Nitha lost a bid to be freed from jail after her lawyers claimed she was framed as the owner of Flame Spa and was actually owned by four Australian men, including her estranged husband, an allegation that he couldn't comment on.

Former AFL player Ricky Olarenshaw has broken his silence over the alleged sex scandal that left his estranged wife (pictured) languishing in a Bali jail

Ricky Olarenshaw (pictured on the Gold Coast on Wednesday) has broken his silence over the alleged sex scandal that left his estranged wife languishing in a Bali jail

'Her business is under investigation with Indonesian authorities at the moment and being a legal matter I really can't comment further on that,' Mr Olarenshaw said

'A lot that's been reported has been false and inaccurate which has been frustrating and disappointing,' he said.

'The focus now is to just get reunited with my children.'

As well as losing her bid for freedom, Nitha was also ordered to pay costs.

Presiding judge Tenny Erma Suryathi ruled that police arrested her in a legal manner and had gathered enough evidence to accuse her business of offering clients sex at her spa.

Olarenshaw's lawyer Manaon Damianus Sirait told reporters outside court that although they were 'disappointed' by the 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 a lengthy prison sentence if she is 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 said that while Olarenshaw, being Balinese, owned 99 per cent of the business to get around local laws, all profits went to four Australians who had shares in Flame.

Sarnanitha 'Nitha' Olarenshaw has been accused of running a brothel at her spa business on the Indonesian holiday island. She is pictured with her former husband Ricky Olarenshaw

Sarnanitha 'Nitha' Olarenshaw is pictured with her estranged husband Ricky Olarenshaw and their two children

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.

'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 is yours?'
A ninety-two-year-old man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with raping and murdering a woman 57 years ago.

Pensioner Ryland Headley, of Clarence Road, Ipswich, was arrested on Tuesday morning in connection with the killing of Louisa Dunne in 1967.

Ms Dunne, 75, was found dead in her home in Britannia Road, Bristol by a neighbour nearly 60 years ago. A review into the death began last year.

She had been raped and strangled to death in her front room.

Headley, who was accompanied by his solicitor, was not asked to enter pleas to the two charges against him.

He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address, and that he understood the hearing was taking place as if he was physically present in court.

Concluding Ryland Headley's appearance at Bristol Magistrates' Court, District Judge Lynne Matthews told the defendant: 'There are two charges which are alleged against you.

A review into the death of Ms Dunne, 75, (pictured) began in 2023. She was found dead in her home in Britannia Road, Bristol by a neighbour nearly 60 years ago

Pensioner Ryland Headley, of Clarence Road, Ipswich, was arrested on Tuesday morning in connection with the killing of Louisa Dunne in 1967

The man, from the Ipswich area of Suffolk, has been taken into custody following forensic examination of items relating to the case. Pictured: Police outside the Easton home in 1967

'The first is that between the 26th and 29th of June 1967 in Easton, Bristol, you murdered Louisa Dunne.

'The second allegation is that between the same dates in Bristol, you raped Louisa Dunne, a woman.'

The judge added: 'The two matters are going to be sent to the crown court.

'A hearing at Bristol Crown Court will be tomorrow, at or about 10am.

'I have no power to consider the question of your bail, and therefore you will be remanded in custody until tomorrow.'

Ms Dunne was said to have kept to herself and lived alone at her Bristol home.

In her earlier life, she had been among Bristol's social class, as she was married to city alderman Teddy Parker. He was on course to become the city's mayor before his death.

Neighbours said she had gone into a state of decline after the death of her second husband, a night watchman, just years before her murder.

Ms Dunne was said to have kept to herself and lived alone at her Bristol home. Pictured: Britannia Road, Easton

She was only found dead in her front room after a local spotted her window was open.

They found her dressed in a black velvet coat and shawl with strangulation marks around her throat.

Police believed the killer had broken into her home between 11.30pm and 4am, and found a handprint near the open window.

There was no sign of a struggle in her home.

Speaking after Headley was charged, DI Dave Marchant said: 'This development marks a hugely significant moment in this investigation.

'Now criminal proceedings are underway it's important to stress the defendant has the right to a fair trial. Any speculation or misinformation on the circumstances of this case has the potential to prejudice these ongoing proceedings.

'We've updated Louisa's family about this charging decision and a specialist liaison officer will continue to support them in the coming days, weeks and months.'

The night before her horrific death, Ms Dunne had spent the evening with one of her closest friends, 79-year-old Alice Clarke.

'Sometimes she would stay only a few minutes but this time she stayed longer than usual,' Mrs Clarke told the Bristol Evening Post.

Police believed the killer had broken into her home between 11.30pm and 4am, and found a handprint near the open window. Pictured: A police sergeant studies palm prints

'She came at about 5.15pm and left at about 7.30pm.

'We had a bit of custard and stewed gooseberry. When she left she said, as she always did, 'Good night. God bless. I don't know when I'll be seeing thee'.'

Officers also rounded up the city's 'tramps and vagrants' and brought them in for questioning, with some 21 picked up in police patrol cars in one swoop.

'We found them sleeping in countryside, empty houses and parks,' one detective said. 'They got a free meal afterwards.' All were eliminated from the inquiry.

Police hunted for the killer, taking palm prints from thousands of men aged between 16 and 60 in the Easton area.

Detective Chief Inspector Frederick Cross, who was working on the case, said: 'We are getting 100 per cent co-operation from the public for this difficult job.

'People have been coming into the station and volunteering their prints and ringing us up to tell us when they will be home.'

A team of eight were said to be checking and re-checking the prints for up to 15 hours a day - with a pile of 5,000 to be looked at.

After each print was cleared, it was filed away and officers said once the hunt for the killer was over, the prints would be destroyed by being thrown into a sack before being burnt at Bridewell police station.
It's the quintessentially British rural jacket beloved by members of the Royal Family, prime ministers and was even given as a gift to US President Joe Biden.

But now the Barbour coat, with its famed olive-green, wax coated design, is allegedly finding a new group of fans - the far right.

That's according to the woke brigade online who say the traditional rustic fashion garb is 'fast becoming a new overt symbol for the right', after thousands of farmers protested against Keir Starmer's tax grab in London.

Many of those at Tuesday's rally appeared to be sporting a Barbour - which can retail for anything from 300 to almost 1,200 - during the march, attended by the likes of ex-Top Gear host, Jeremy Clarkson, and Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage.

In a viral tweet on X, seen more than two million times, one person wrote: 'The Barbour jacket is fast becoming a new overt symbol for the right', with another adding: 'Barbour Jackets are clearly the new uniform for a new reign of terror.'

According to Vogue, demand for British fashion label has skyrocketed, driven by the 'Jilly Cooper effect', following the success of the Disney show based on her popular book.

But the items have been a beloved fashion accessory of the Royal Family for decades, with the late Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles, Princes William and Harry, and their late mother, Diana the Princess of Wales, all having sported the jackets.

And more recently model and TV personality Alexa Chung unveiled her latest collaboration with the British heritage brand, which she has worked with several times over the past 10 years.

The late Queen Elizabeth II owned the British brand's Beaufort coat for 25 years and famously declined the company's offer for an updated version (pictured in 1990)

And more recently, fashion icon and TV personality Alexa Chung was seen in September celebrating the launch of her own Barbour collection

Scores of farmers, some appearing to be wearing Barbour jackets, took part in the protest in London over Labour's land tax raid

Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader and Clacton MP, was also seen sporting a Barbour coat at the farmers' protest in London

Queen Elizabeth owned the brand's Beaufort coat for 25 years and famously declined the company's offer for an updated version.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Queen Camilla and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have also embraced the classic designs - and Princes William and Harry wore Barbour jackets as children.

Canadian fashion writer Derek Guy said the jackets have always been 'vaguely conservative coded'.

'But this doesn't mean you can't wear it if you don't share those political views. It's all about knowing the different levels of Barbour,' he wrote on X.

'I don't think its political connotations should prevent you from wearing one if you like the look. You don't have to be a royalist to wear a Barbour; you can just like the look and wear it because it makes you happy.'

The fifth-generation family-owned business, based in the north east, is led by Dame Margaret Barbour, 84, who serves as chairman, and her daughter, Helen, who is the vice chairman.

Established in 1894 in South Shields' Market Place, Barbour is famed for its timeless waxed jackets.

In 1964, Dame Margaret married John Barbour, the great-grandson of the brand's founder.

Following John's sudden death from a brain haemorrhage in 1968 at the age of 29, Dame Margaret stepped into the family business, working closely with his mother, Nancy 'Granny' Barbour.

Not long after, Queen Elizabeth came to embody the quintessential Barbour style, defined by practicality.

Queen Elizabeth came to embody the Barbour design, proving a fan of the fashion retailer (she is pictured in 2006 wearing a Barbour jacket)

Queen Camilla has previously sported the British rural wear (she is pictured on an outing in 2006 wearing a Barbour jacket)

King Charles has previously been seen clad in Barbour jackets (pictured in May 2024)

Kate owns no less than five styles, including the signature Ladies Waxed Defence Jacket (left) and the Barbour by Alexa Chung Edith Jacket (right)

Princess Anne's son, Peter Phillips (centre) donned a Barbour jacket to the Royal Windsor Horse Trials in 1987

Other notable royal fans include King Charles and Princess Diana, who favoured the mid-length Burghley coat in 1985

Prince William (left) and Prince Harry (right) were dressed in Barbour jackets as children

Numerous photos from the 1970s show her at Windsor and Balmoral, wearing various jackets paired with kilts, walking shoes and Hermes headscarves.

The late monarch famously declined to part with her beloved Beaufort coat, despite receiving an offer of a new one.

Margaret once revealed that she offered Elizabeth a new coat, worth around 300, in celebration of her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

But, instead, the Queen opted for Barbour's renowned 're-waxing service' to refresh her well-worn favourite.

'It's very desirable to have a very well-worn Barbour jacket,' Dame Margaret said, admitting that the brand had something of a 'snob quality'.

Dame Margaret added: '[She] wanted her long Barbour jacket re-waxing and we said, "We'd love to do this, Ma'am", to her secretary, of course.

Queen Elizabeth is thought to have owned her Beaufort jacket for more than 25 years.

Some online were critical of those wearing Barbour jackets during the farming protest in London on Tuesday

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, wore a khaki Barbour jacket to the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2013

Prince Andrew has also sported the brand's designs (pictured with Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice in 1990)

Princess Anne showcases her country style in a Barbour gilet at the Whatley Manor International Horse Trials in 2015

Designed in 1982, the waterproof waxed cotton coating and bellow pockets were inspired by styles that Dame Margaret had seen during a trip to France.

Dame Margaret, alongside managing director Steve Buck and her daughter, has kept customers satisfied by updating the classic styles without compromising on quality.

The iconic waxed jackets are still made in the North East of England, while other products are produced worldwide.

Other notable royal fans include King Charles and the late Princess Diana, who favoured the mid-length Burghley coat in 1985.

Kate owns no less than five styles, including the signature Ladies Waxed Defence Jacket, which she acquired in 2012, and the Barbour by Alexa Chung Edith Jacket.

Kate owns no less than five styles, including the signature Ladies Waxed Defence Jacket, which she acquired in 2012, and the Barbour by Alexa Chung Edith Jacket

Prince Charles meets Dame Margaret Barbour as he arrives for a visit to Royal Warrant Holder, J Barbour And Sons Ltd, in South Shields, Tyne and Wear in 2021

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also been seen sporting a Barbour (pictured in 2020)

And TV presenter Holly Willoughby is also a fan of the brand, seen wearing a version of the jacket in 2011

She has worn the latter on four occasions since debuting the design in 2020.

Crafted from glossy waxed-cotton, it features the brand's trademark detailing, including a concealed two-way zip fastening, corduroy collar and checked lining.

In 1974, Barbour was granted its first Royal Warrant by Prince Philip. It received its second from Queen Elizabeth in 1982 and its third from the then Prince Charles in 1987.

In June 2023, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak presented a personalised Barbour to President Biden during a visit to the United States.

Among those famously supportive of the brand included US movie icon and motorcycle enthusiast Steve McQueen.

Barbour has become increasingly popular in America in recent years, after appearing in the like of The Crown and episodes of Succession.

Reform Party boss Nigel Farage, who was seen at the farmers' protest in London on Tuesday, also appeared to be sporting a Barbour.
An Australian mummy blogger has hit back at 'unfair' accusations that she drugged her baby and is now consulting with lawyers on what to do next.

The mother-of-four, who cannot be named to protect the infant's identity, was accused of faking her one-year-old daughter's brain tumour by drugging her.

A GoFundMe launched to cover the medical costs raised more than $60,000 in June before it was frozen by authorities in light of the allegations.

The woman strongly denied harming her daughter but said she could not talk any more about the situation while police investigate.

'It is so unfair and it's getting addressed at the moment with the proper counsel,' she said when contacted by a Nine News reporter on the phone.

'I can't speak too much. I will get my lawyer to contact you.

'I can't talk to you, I've said this is a matter that cannot be spoken on.'

Queensland Police are yet to laid any charges or made any arrests so far in their investigation.

Queensland Police are investigating reports of 'child harm' after an Aussie influencer mother-of-four was accused of drugging her child (stock pictured)

Hospital staff are understood to have raised the alarm after the mother's online updates about the child's surgery didn't match her actual treatment.

The baby was placed into foster care on October 21 and is understood to be recovering.

Detectives from Queensland Police's Morningside Child Protection and Investigation Unit are leading the investigation into reports of 'child harm'.

South Brisbane District Chief Superintendent Andrew Pilotto said the investigation would be 'protracted and complicated'.

'It is protracted and complicated, and it will take a bit of time, but I can assure you the child is safe, whilst that investigation is ongoing,' he said.

'I can't go into the methodology of why that will take time, but it will take some time.'

A GoFundMe spokesperson said the website is also investigating the allegations.

'Our Trust and Safety specialists are investigating the accusations made as part of our standard due diligence process,' the spokesperson said.

'This includes cooperating with police investigations.

'We are committed to being the safest place to give and have spent over a decade building the teams, technologies and policies to protect Australian generosity.

'This includes the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee, which guarantees a refund in the rare case something is not right.

'Whilst the investigation is ongoing, no further funds can be raised, or withdrawn.'

It comes as the woman's estranged husband, who is the child's father, has also publicly accused her of drugging the child.

The child's father has publicly accused the mother of drugging their one-year-old (stock image)

Hundreds of kind hearted strangers donated to the cause

People have been suspicious of the mothers intentions for months

He claimed to have no idea of what was allegedly going on and had believed surgeries would help his child's non-cancerous tumours and seizures.

'For what it's worth, I had no idea about what [the mother] was doing to [the child],' the devastated father said in a social media post on Monday.

'I pushed for those surgeries because in my heart I felt it would help.

'I didn't realise [the child] was [allegedly] being drugged the entire time causing her symptoms to be what they were.

'I do my best to love and protect my children. I should've done better for them. I'm sorry I couldn't protect [the child] the way I should have.'

The couple were previously active on multiple social media platforms but their accounts are no longer being updated.

On Tuesday, Queensland Police confirmed their investigation in a statement to Daily Mail Australia but no charges have been laid.

'Police are aware of reports of child harm against a one-year-old girl,' police said.

'The Queensland Police Service has taken action to protect the child and commenced an investigation.

'As this is an active investigation it would be inappropriate to provide further comment.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted both parents for comment.
A Labour-backed zombie knife surrender policy which offered owners and retailers compensation for the terrifying blades had 'huge flaws', documents show.

Individuals and businesses were offered a minimum of 10 per knife when handing in three or more blades during a month-long surrender and compensation scheme ahead of the zombie knives and machetes ban on September 24.

The Home Office had predicted the compensation payouts would cost them 14,000, but police data suggests a greater number of knives were handed in than anticipated, meaning the scheme could end up costing the taxpayer 1.1million.

A BBC investigation also found that some owners may have profited from handing in their weapons, with the money offered being greater than the cost of the knife.

A Home Office spokesperson told MailOnline that the scheme's compensation claims had 'undergone stringent review'.

This discovery comes a month after it was revealed that the now illegal zombie knives remain available to buy online for less than 20.

The ban on zombie knives and machetes was introduced in England and Wales to cut serious violence and crime - making it an imprisonable offence to possess, sell, manufacture or transport them.

The weapons, which boast chilling names including First Blood, Fantasy Hunting Knife and Predator, can be more than 45cm long  and have become the weapon of choice for gang murders and stabbings.

Individuals and businesses were offered a minimum of 10 per knife when handing in three or more blades during a month-long surrender and compensation scheme (pictured: Blades inside a knife bin outside Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex, pictured in January)

A BBC investigation also found that some owners may have profited from handing in their weapons, with the money offered being greater than the cost of the knife(file photograph)

Police data suggests a greater number of knives were handed in than anticipated, meaning the amnesty scheme could end up costing the taxpayer 1.1million (pictured: A knife bin outside Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex)

As part of the ban, the definition of zombie knives was extended to include knives that were 20cm long or had any other specific features.

Ahead of the ban, the Home Office ran an amnesty and compensation scheme and predicted that owners would hand in 472 blades, resulting in compensation of about 14,000.

Officials have yet to release the actual total, but partial data from several police forces in England and Wales shows at least 39,000 knives were surrendered - 86 times greater than forecast and equating to more than 1million in compensation.

The Home Office is yet to provide a comment on these figures.

According to the BBC's findings, one retailer in the West Midlands handed in more than 100 blades, while Avon and Somerset had more than 1,000 knives surrendered, external.

Knife wholesaler Sporting Wholesale Limited, whose products have been used in several killings, surrendered more than 35,000 zombie blades - netting them 350,000 in taxpayers' cash.

Sporting Wholesale is run by Eddy Eliaz, a keen angler who also sells fishing tackle. His younger brother, former Young Apprentice candidate Adam Eliaz, is the director of DNA Leisure, which is based on the same industrial estate and also surrendered 1,542 knives.

The latest research also suggests knives of the type banned could be bought far more cheaply than the 10 offered as part of the scheme.

When asked by the BBC for a costs and a shipping estimate for 30,000 knives, one Guangdong-based supplier offered $5.58 a knife if 1,000 were ordered.

It would therefore land in the UK for about 6.15 - after the addition of shipping costs, import duty of 8% and VAT at 20%.

Knife wholesaler Sporting Wholesale Limited, whose products have been used in several killings, surrendered more than 35,000 zombie blades - netting them 350,000 in taxpayers' cash

Sporting Wholesale is run by Eddy Eliaz, a keen angler who also sells fishing tackle

His younger brother, former Young Apprentice candidate Adam Eliaz, is the director of DNA Leisure, which is based on the same industrial estate and also surrendered 1,542 knives

One of the knives Nibeel bought from DNA Leisure

Sporting Wholesale have not provided any comment on whether they used the same supplier but would face other costs above the price of the blades - such as storage and staffing.

A Chinese supplier also offered to sell a knife model to the BBC which was used to murder a man in Luton in 2023 for 10.85 each, when buying 1,000.

The Home Office told MailOnline that the scheme's compensation claims had 'undergone stringent review' but stressed that the scheme had taken dangerous weapons 'off our streets'.

Labour MP Sarah Owen echoed these comments, but admitted the the Home Office's impact assessment 'clearly had flaws'.

She added: 'I think former ministers who set up this scheme really have questions to answer on how they decided that compensation was going to be allocated and to who.

'But I think we need to look at why it was that it was designed this way, because clearly it wasn't designed for the quantity of knives that were actually handed in.'

The compensation plan was criticised by Richard Fuller, Conservative MP for North Bedfordshire, who suggested the Government should have considered capping compensation payments.

Whilst he agreed with the aim of getting knives of streets, Mr Fuller felt it could have been done without having an 'open-ended cost to the taxpayer' attached to it.

Zombie knives are named after the knives often used by characters in zombie films. Pictured: A zombie knife recovered by police

He said: 'Whether or not this particular store should get its full compensation - I don't think it's clear yet that that should be paid and my advice to the government would be to go back and check its homework and see what its rights are under legislation it's passed.'

The Home Office said its original estimates were based on a previous surrender and compensation scheme in 2019, adding that zombie knife retailers did not provide data on sales or stock in a consultation in spring 2023.

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'All claims for compensation submitted under the 'zombie-style' knives and machetes surrender scheme have undergone stringent review, with any suspected fraudulent claims referred to the police for investigation.

'Dangerous weapons with no other purpose but to harm have been taken off our streets, supporting our mission of halving knife crime and serious violence within a decade.'
A machete attacker has been filmed raining down knife blows on a victim at a London underground station.

Edgware Road tube station in Westminster was closed after police and London Ambulance Service were called to reports of a serious assault just before 5pm on November 19.

Ambulance crews and an incident response officer attended the scene to find a man had been stabbed.

He has since been taking to hospital where his injuries were assessed as non-life threatening.

Two teenaged boys, aged 16 and 17, along with a 20-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. They remain in police custody.

The attacker, dressed in grey sweatpants, a black hoodie and wearing a balaclava, can be seen with the enormous machete at the entrance to the station.

As an eyewitness films the vicious stabbing, the attacker can be seen making several attempts to swipe at someone laying on the ground.

Footage begins by showing an attacker dressed in black and grey holding a machete

The attacker, who is wearing a balaclava to cover their face, can be seen taking several swipes at a man on the ground

The camera eventually reveals the individual who was stabbed several times

A staff member for Transport for London and a person taking the train can be seen in the background

After the attacker finally runs away, the camera moves in closer to reveal a man injured holding his side.

In the background, a staff member for Transport for London can be seen walking towards the injured victim.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve May said: 'Enquiries into this incident are ongoing and passengers will see an increased police presence in the area as a result.

'The station will also remain closed. I urge any witnesses or anyone with information to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 513 of 19 November.

'Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.'
A 'perverse' doctor was caught on camera walking around nude and performing a sexual act in front of workers at his Arkansas practice.

Surveillance video captured at Diffine Family Practice in Blytheville in 2019 allegedly shows Dr. David Diffine walking naked through the clinic and past patient rooms, KAIT-TV reported.

Diffine, whose license was suspended on an emergency basis last month, can also been seen parading his naked body in front of three women in the reception area.

He allegedly performed a sexual act directly on one of the women and ejaculated on her, the footage showed. The victim worked in the clinic as a lab technician and was also one of Diffine's patients.

The videos, which were sent to the Arkansas State Medical Board in July, were filmed during business hours, according to the complaint.

Diffine has also been accused of using his 'position of power, sexual grooming, salary increases to groom employees and patients into repulsive sexual acts', the complaint states.

The medical director of the Arkansas Medical Foundation has branded Diffine's behavior as 'perverse' and recommended a formal professional evaluation.

The doctor, who is Internal Medicine specialist with officers in three Arkansas cities, faces a disciplinary hearing before the state medical board next month.

Surveillance video captured at Diffine Family Practice in Blytheville in 2019 allegedly shows Dr. David Diffine walking naked through the clinic and past patient rooms. The incidents occurred during business hours, according to a complaint

Diffine can also been seen parading his naked body in front of three women in the reception area. He allegedly performed a sexual act directly on one of the women and ejaculated on her. The victim worked in the clinic as a lab technician and was also one of Diffine's patients

The state medical board received a complaint on July 17 this year alleging that Diffine sexually harassed and engaged in sexual content with staff members, who were also patients.

He was interviewed over the phone by a state health department investigator about the allegations in September.

Diffine was told there was footage to support the allegations, but according to the investigative report, replied: 'I don't know anything about that at all.

'I would have to see those things to have any idea what you're talking about.'

The video was reviewed by Dr. Bradley Diner, of the Arkansas Medical Foundation, who wrote in the investigative documents: 'The pervasive behavior leads to concerns about a sexual compulsive disorder or paraphilia which may in fact cross boundaries with his delivery of medical care.

'Simply, the interaction with his office staff suggest an entanglement in his medical practice.'

Diffine's license was suspended on October 13 following the board's investigation. His disciplinary hearing is scheduled for December 6.

The board previously investigated Diffine over concerns about his 'naturist activities' in January after receiving a complaint that he was posting nude photos on Instagram.

The complaint reportedly included screenshots from his now-deleted account @naked.drdave, which Diffine alleged was a 'well-known' account in the 'naturist community'.

Diffine told investigators that he was a naturist, claiming that the practice promotes acceptance and body positivity. In a letter to the medical board he wrote, 'We do not shame, sexualize, fear, or negatively stigmatize the naked body'.

He also claimed there was 'no crossover whatsoever with my professionalism while practicing medicine and my naturist activities.'

The board decided in June not to take any action against Diffine and instead saved the complaint as 'information only' and added it to his file.

Dr. David Diffine, pictured, had his medical license was suspended on an emergency basis last month following an investigation by the Arkansas State Medical Board

Diffine in seen grabbing a slice of pizza while standing in the reception area of his practice completely naked in the presence of three female employees

Diffine was also under investigation in 2017 for allegedly prescribing 'excessive amounts of controlled substances'. His license was temporarily suspended, but the charges were ultimately dropped due to a lack of evidence.

The investigation came just six years after Diffine was criminally charged in Missouri for allegedly illegally distributing pain medications.

He entered in a deferred prosecution agreement in 2011 after an investigation by the state medical board and the charges were dropped, with Diffine agreeing not to practice medicine in Missouri for three years.

The Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts closed the case in 2013 and took no action against him, according to records obtained by KAIT.

DailyMail.com called Diffine Family Practice for comment, but was unable to reach a member of staff. The practice website also appears to have been shut down.
Moscow has revealed that Vladimir Putin is prepared to discuss a Ukraine ceasefire deal with Donald Trump and the terms required to end the bloody conflict.

The Russian leader is reportedly open to conversing with the US President-elect but has ruled out making any major territorial concessions and insists Kyiv abandon ambitions to join NATO, according to five sources cited by Reuters.

In the first detailed reporting of what tyrant Putin would accept in any deal brokered by Trump, the five unnamed current and former Russian officials said the Kremlin could broadly agree to freeze the conflict along the front lines.

Putin said this month that any ceasefire deal should reflect the 'realities' on the ground but that he feared a short-lived truce which would only allow the West to rearm Ukraine.

'If there is no neutrality, it is difficult to imagine the existence of any good-neighbourly relations between Russia and Ukraine,' Putin told the Valdai discussion group on November 7.

'Why? Because this would mean that Ukraine will be constantly used as a tool in the wrong hands and to the detriment of the interests of the Russian Federation.'

Trump's communications director Steven Cheung said of the incoming US president: 'He is the only person who can bring both sides together in order to negotiate peace, and work towards ending the war and stopping the killing.'

But earlier this year, in June, Putin set out his opening terms for an immediate end to the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly open to speaking with US President-elect Donald Trump about a ceasefire deal with Ukraine

Trump's communications director said of the incoming US president: 'He is the only person who can bring both sides together in order to negotiate peace, and work towards ending the war and stopping the killing'

Pictured: Combat work of a Russian Giatsint-b gun of the Russian Airborne Forces towards Ukrainian positions at an undisclosed location in Russia, November 20

One is that Ukraine must drop its NATO ambitions.

While Russia will not tolerate Ukraine joining NATO, or the presence of NATO troops on Ukrainian soil, it is open to discussing security guarantees for Kyiv, according to the five officials.

Other Ukrainian concessions the Kremlin could push for include Kyiv agreeing to limit the size of its armed forces and committing not to restrict the use of the Russian language, the people said.

The second is that Ukraine must withdraw all of its troops from the entirety of the territory of four Ukrainian regions claimed and mostly controlled by Russia.

Russia controls 18 per cent of Ukraine including all of Crimea, a peninsula it annexed from Ukraine in 2014, 80 per cent of the Donbas - the Donetsk and Luhansk regions - and more than 70 per cent of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

It also holds just under three per cent of the Kharkiv region and a sliver of Mykolaiv.

In total, Russia has over 110,000 square km of Ukrainian territory. Ukraine holds about 650 square km of Russia's Kursk region.

There may be room for negotiation over the precise carve-up of the four eastern regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, according to three of the sources, with Moscow currently controlling a large chunk of Ukraine and advancing at the fastest pace since the early days of the 2022 invasion.

Pictured: Combat work of mortar units of the Russian Airborne Forces towards Ukrainian positions on the right bank of the Dnieper in the Zaporizhia region at an undisclosed location, November 20

Rescuers work at the site of a residential building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Hlukhiv, Sumy region, Ukraine, in this handout picture released November 19, 2024

Joe Biden finally gave Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky permission at the weekend to use US-supplied missiles in attacks within Russia

A Swedish artillery team fires a projectile from an Archer self-propelled Howitzer during the NATO 'Exercise Lightning Strike' on November 20, 2024 near Heinu, Finland. The live-fire exercise includes service members from 28 Allied and partner nations, and is taking place between November 4 to November 24, across locations in Finland, Estonia, Germany, Poland, and Romania

Domestically, Putin could sell a ceasefire deal that saw Russia hold onto most of the territory of the eastern regions as a victory that ensured the defence of Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine and safeguarded the landbridge to Crimea, according to one of the sources.

The future of Crimea itself is not up for discussion, all the Russian officials said.

Russia may also be open to withdrawing from the relatively small patches of territory it holds in the Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions, in the north and south of Ukraine, two of the officials said.

When asked what a possible ceasefire might look like, two of the Russian sources referred to a draft agreement that was almost approved in April 2022 after talks in Istanbul, and which Putin has referred to in public as a possible basis for a deal.

Under that draft, Ukraine should agree to permanent neutrality in return for international security guarantees from the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

It comes as the British Army fired its new Archer Mobile Howitzer system for the first time on Monday, only 70 miles from Russias border, in Exercise Lightning Strike.

It makes up part of NATO's wider Dynamic Front 25 series, which will take place across five countries and marks the alliances largest-ever artillery exercise in Europe.

One of the Russian officials said there would be no agreement unless Ukraine received security guarantees, adding: 'The question is how to avoid a deal that locks the West into a possible direct confrontation with Russia one day.'

But two of the sources told Reuters that outgoing US President Joe Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to fire American ATACMS missiles deep into Russia could complicate and delay any settlement - and stiffen Moscow's demands as hardliners push for a bigger chunk of Ukraine.

ATACMS - Army Tactical Missile - being fired from an M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System

Cars burned and buildings were wrecked when a residential area was hit by a Russian missile strike in Odesa, Ukraine, on Monday

On Tuesday, Kyiv used the missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time, according to Moscow which decried the move as a major escalation.

A fiery explosion at an ammunition depot in Karachev around 75 miles from the Ukrainian border in Russia's Bryansk region lit up the night sky yesterday morning on what was the 1,000th day of war in Ukraine.

The reports emerged within minutes of the Kremlin threatening a 'nuclear response' should Ukraine hit targets on Russian soil with Western-supplied long-range munitions.

'The Russian Federation reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of aggression against it with the use of conventional weapons,' Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Russia yesterday.

His statement followed Putin's approval of an updated nuclear doctrine that allows his strategic forces to deploy nuclear weapons if Russian or Belarusian territory is threatened by a non-nuclear nation supported by a nuclear power.

Threats that could make Russia's leadership consider a nuclear strike include an attack with conventional missiles, drones or other aircraft, according to the updated document.

A Ukrainian strike on Russian territory with US-supplied missiles meets these criteria, raising fears that Moscow may now consider a dramatic escalation in the conflict.

If no ceasefire is agreed, two sources told Reuters, then Russia will fight on.

'Putin has already said that freezing the conflict will not work in any way,' Peskov said, just hours before the Russians reported the ATACMS strikes.

'And the missile authorisation is a very dangerous escalation on the part of the United States.'
New Zealand has seen one of the biggest demonstrations in its history after thousands of Maori protesters took to the street in opposition to a proposed bill.

The streets of Wellington, New Zealand's capital, roared with the booming chants of the haka as an estimated 42,000 people demonstrated against a potential new law which could redefine the nation's founding treaty.

Demonstrations in New Zealand have been growing due to a push from the right wing ACT party - a junior coalition party in the country's centre-right government - to radically redefine how the Treaty of Waitangi is interpreted.

The treaty was signed over 100 years ago in 1840 between more than 500 Maori chiefs and the crown and is instrumental in upholding Maori rights.

Supporters of the bill say it does not reflect the Oceanic country's modern multicultural society.

But critics - including some of New Zealand's most respected lawyers - see it as an attempt to strip long-agreed rights from the country's 900,000 Maori population.

The bill does not have the support of ACT's senior coalition partner - the conservative National Party - and is therefore unlikely to pass.

Nevertheless, its mere introduction has triggered one of New Zealand's largest protests in its history.

The streets of Wellington, New Zealand's capital, roared with the booming chants of the haka as an estimated 42,000 people demonstrated against a potential new law which could redefine the nation's founding treaty

In Wellington, bare-chested men draped in traditional feather cloaks were joined by horse riders waving the red, white and black Maori fla

Thousands of protesters took the street in one of the largest demonstrations in New Zealand's history

Many demonstrators arrived in Wellington after a nine-day protest march that began hundreds of kilometres away at New Zealand's northern tip.

In Wellington, bare-chested men draped in traditional feather cloaks were joined by horse riders waving the red, white and black Maori flag.

Children marched alongside their parents bearing distinctive full-face Maori 'moko' tattoos and clutching ceremonial wooden weapons.

After it was presented for debate in parliament last week, 22-year-old Maori Party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke took to her feet in the chamber and ripped the bill in half before she launched into a haka.

She joined the crowds of protesters gathered on the lawns Tuesday outside New Zealand's beehive-shaped parliament building.

Speaking to the crowds she said: 'I may have been suspended for 24 hours and not let into the gates of the debating chambers, but the next day I showed up outside the steps with a hundred thousand of my people, marching with our heads held high and our flags waving with pride.

'We are the king makers, we are the sovereign people of this land and the world is watching us here.'

The Maori Queen - a symbolic leader who is the chief of several tribes - was also in attendance.

Nga Wai Hono i te Po was crowned queen just this September following the death of her father.

Ngira Simmonds, a key advisor to the queen, said: 'It's not the best way to have a conversation. We will not accept unilateral change to a treaty that involves two parties.'

At the centre of the controversy is government minister and outspoken leader of the ACT Party David Seymour.

Seymour has long railed against affirmative action policies designed to help Maori, who remain far more likely to die early, live in poverty, or wind up in prison.

Demonstrators outside New Zealand's beehive-shaped parliament. Many demonstrators arrived in Wellington after a nine-day protest march that began hundreds of kilometres away at New Zealand's northern tip

Members of the Maori community and their supporters march in a protest rally. The Maori Queen - a symbolic leader who is the chief of several tribes - was also in attendance

After it was presented for debate in parliament last week, 22-year-old Maori Party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke (pictured) took to her feet in the chamber, ripped the bill in half, and launched into a haka

At the centre of the controversy is government minister and outspoken leader of the ACT Party David Seymour (pictured). Seymour has long railed against affirmative action policies designed to help Maori

His bill would look to wind back these so-called 'special rights'.

Incumbent Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has voiced his opposition to Seymour's bill, meaning it is all but doomed to fail when it comes to a parliamentary vote.

But former conservative prime minister Jenny Shipley said just putting it forward threatened to 'divide New Zealand in a way that I haven't lived through in my adult life'.

Seen as the country's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 to bring peace between 540 Maori chiefs and colonising British forces.

Its principles today underpin efforts to foster partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous New Zealanders and protect the interests of the Maori community.

The anniversary of the treaty's signing remains a national holiday.
Mica Miller's heartbroken family have revealed the potentially damning evidence they handed to the FBI that could pin her death on her pastor husband.

Mica was just 30 when she shot herself dead in Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, South Carolina, in April. Her husband John-Paul, a well-known pastor in the state, is alleged to have driven her to suicide, but has not been criminally charged in relation to her death.

However, the FBI has been investigating her death, subpoenaing the attorney for Mica's family, Regina Ward, for documents belonging or related to the tragic dead woman.

Ward told ABC15 she gave over journals Mica kept, along with electronic evidence, statements and notes, after the FBI subpoenaed her in June. She authenticated the evidence days after the legal request was made.

'First of all, we were just happy that they showed up period you know because when they did, I could have just cried at that moment', Ward said.

When asked why Mica kept such extensive notes, Ward said: 'She felt it was going to be difficult for people to believe her side of the story because he was a pastor. She collected and preserved a lot of things.'

The FBI raided John Paul's home last month. Multiple trucks were pictured outside Miller's home as the raid began, with agents wearing uniforms that said 'Evidence Response Team.'

They could be seen donning gloves an bringing bags from one of the trucks while preparing to enter the home.

Mica (pictured with a journal) was just 30 when she shot herself dead in Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, South Carolina, in April

Regina Ward authenticated the documents she handed over to the FBI in June

Pastor Jonathan Miller, left, had his Myrtle Beach home raided by the FBI, six months after wife Mica's suicide (Mica pictured right)

Agents told WBTW they are 'conducting court authorized law enforcement activity' at the lavish property, but refused to comment further.

Neighbors said they'd been told agents were there to execute a search warrant, with Miller not believed to be at home when law enforcement arrived.

He was also arrested for assault in an unrelated incident, after someone believed to be a protestor supporting Mica confronted him in a parking lot.

A witness captured footage of the incident, showing a woman chasing John-Paul in a parking lot and harassing him. The woman is believed to be a 'Justice for Mica' protestor, alleging the pastor was involved in his wife Mica Miller's death in April.

John-Paul was initially seen running away from the woman, Sandra Karon, as she screamed at him. He then turns back and confronts her, shouting back: 'What did you say? You walked right up to me.'

Karon told WMBF that Miller squared up to her and tapped her on her hat with his phone, resulting in the assault charges.

Karon said her clash with Miller on Wednesday began when she and other locals went to Miller's church, the Market Common Church, after hearing rumors it was being emptied of its contents.

Believing the emptying of the church to be related to the FBI raid, Karon said she then saw Miller at the church, leading her to chase after him and call him a number of expletives.

She pulled her car up to a gas pump, walked in the store, bought an energy drink and walked out before filling up her tank and driving away

In haunting final images, Mica Miller was seen in surveillance footage at a remote gas station just before she was found dead in a lake in Lumber River State Park on April 27

Solid Rock Ministries in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has a multimillion-dollar portfolio and owns four properties with a total taxable value of $5.59million

Karon admitted that she could 'see why (people) would say it was antagonistic' for her to approach John-Paul in the way that she did, but justified her actions and said he should not have touched her.

Explaining her side of the encounter, Karon said after John-Paul turned around and approached her, 'he stood right up in my face and said 'what are you gonna do?''

'He had his phone up in my face, and tapped my hat twice while he was saying it,' she continued. 'That triggered me to immediately scream 'don't touch me.'

'I could see why they might say it was antagonistic, but to antagonize someone into doing something illegal, am I responsible for him doing that?'

Following his arrest, John-Paul will be hauled before a judge on December 10.

In the weeks following Mica's death, explosive divorce papers unearthed by DailyMail.com revealed John-Paul's first wife accused him of committing sex acts with children under 16 and having an addiction to prostitutes.

John-Paul Miller also started an affair with Mica, who at the time was the couple's babysitter and the wife of his best friend Jeremy Deas, his ex, Alison said in an affidavit from 2017 referring to events two years earlier.

John-Paul's wife Mica Miller committed suicide in April, and her passing drew national attention as scrutiny fell on her husband's behavior in the weeks after her death

John-Paul Miller, 45, a pastor who came under suspicion after his wife's high-profile suicide in the spring has been arrested after an FBI raid on his home

Our marriage and my husbands career were less than stable at the time, because at the time my husbands affair was discovered, he had previously admitted to both me and our congregation, that he had an addiction to prostitution, Alison wrote in the affidavit to support her bid for alimony.

'He had also confessed to me and other staff members of the church that he had sexual encounters with young females from the church, who were under the age of sixteen.

'When the defendant's affair was discovered, the church leaders demanded that the defendant seek counseling for sexual addiction, Alison added.

'When he refused, the majority of our church left the congregation.'
A British tourist has been found dead in a storm drain in Thailand after going missing during a family holiday.

Fraser Wright, 37, left his relatives and went out drinking alone on the popular island of Phuket on Tuesday evening. His relatives said he was last seen at around 10pm.

At around 9am the next morning, shocked locals noticed a body floating in the shallow body of water used to carry rainwater from storms into the sea.

Police and paramedics arrived at the scene but the man was pronounced dead.

Police Captain Phongsathorn Phothong from the Patong district police station said a report was received at 9.30am.

Officers arrived at the scene with rescue workers and paramedics before the area, which is near a motorcycle shop, was cordoned off.

They discovered the body floating in the water inside the drainage ditch, which is surrounded by a metal guard rail.

Officers believe the man had been dead for roughly five or six hours.

Fraser Wright, 37, left his relatives and went out drinking alone on the popular island of Phuket

Police and paramedics arrived at the scene but the man was pronounced dead

Shocked locals noticed the body this morning at around 9am floating face down in the shallow body of water

Police Captain Phongsathorn said: 'We have sent the tourist's body to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a thorough autopsy to determine the cause of death before handing it over to his family for religious ceremonies.

'We have checked the security camera and found no one assaulted him.

'He walked into the drainage ditch by himself at around 4am and did not tell his family.

'I received a report from a resident about the body discovery before informing his family.

'Currently, we have to investigate further to determine the cause, while I don't know when the autopsy will be completed.'

A UK Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.'
An inquest has opened into the death of Harshita Brella, who is believed to have been strangled before being dumped in the boot of a car, as police continue a global manhunt to find her husband.

Senior coroner Anne Pember opened the hearing into the death of the 24-year-old at Northampton Coroner's Court on Wednesday as police released CCTV images of the prime suspect of her killing, her husband Pankaj Lamba, 23.

She has adjourned the inquest to May 21 next year.

Ms Pember said: 'I open an inquest touching on the death of Harshita Brella, a 24-year-old lady found in a vehicle in Ilford.

'The East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit have informed me that Harshita was murdered at her home in Corby by her husband Pankaj Lamba. Her husband is then believed to have fled the country.'

Ms Pember added that the preliminary cause of death has been given as manual strangulation, pending further test results.

She told the hearing that the body has not yet been released.

An international manhunt was launched after Ms Brella's body was found in a silver Vauxhall Corsa parked in Brisbane Road, Ilford, in the early hours of Thursday.

An inquest has opened into the death of Harshita Brella, who is believed to have been strangled before being dumped in the boot of a car

Northamptonshire Police have named her husband Pankaj Lamba, 23, as a suspect

Northamptonshire Police detectives believe she was murdered in Corby on the evening of November 10 before her body was driven to Ilford in the car boot the next day.

Police released new CCTV images of the prime suspect of her killing, her husband Pankaj Lamba, 23, in east London after he is thought to have killed her and abandoned her body in the boot of a car.

A post-mortem examination carried out at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Friday gave the preliminary cause of death as strangulation, police said.

A neighbour has said she heard two blistering rows, involving one where a woman 'sounded scared', days before Ms Brella's body was found.

Kelly Philip, 41, who lived near Ms Brella, claimed she overheard an argument between a man and a woman on Wednesday.

She told the Mirror: 'They were arguing in a different language so I couldn't understand what was being said.

'But it sounded angry and there were raised voices and the woman sounded scared.

'I heard a commotion between a man and a woman and I heard banging around. I didn't call police. I just thought it was a relationship argument.'

Harshita Brella was reported missing on November 13 by authorities after Northamptonshire Police conducted a welfare check at her home in Corby and received no answer

Forensic officers visiting Harshita Brella's Corby home on Sunday morning

A police spokesman confirmed Ms Brella had previously been the victim of domestic violence and was made the subject of a domestic violence protection order (DVPO) at Northampton Magistrates' Court in September.

Ms Brella's parents, speaking from India, told BBC News they 'want justice' after their daughter's death.

Sonia Dabas, Ms Brella's sister, said the family 'thought something was wrong' by November 13 after her phone was off for two days.

The alarm was finally raised last Wednesday when police received a call raising concerns over Ms Brella's welfare.

Officers were sent to her home address, but received no answer at the door.

A missing person investigation was launched and, after enquiries were fast-tracked, her body was found 95.7 miles away from the shared house she lived in.

Yesterday, police confirmed Ms Brella was previously the victim of domestic violence and in early September was made subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO), served by Northamptonshire Police.

The 28-day DVPO banned the perpetrator of the violence from visiting Ms Brella's workplace, while they were also prevented from molesting her, threatening violence, or intimidating, harassing or pestering her, and also told not to encourage or instruct others to contact her in any way.

No formal charges against the same person have since been recorded by the court and they were released following the court hearing but ordered to pay the full costs, according to reports.

Northamptonshire Police has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of previous contact with Ms Brella.

Anyone who may have information is asked to call police on 101 quoting Operation Westcott or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
A Labour mayor's crusade to stop the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge has cost taxpayers more than 75,000, it has been revealed.

Carralyn Parkes took her local council to court after it failed to challenge the Home Office's decision to place the migrant barge in Portland Harbour.

The Labour councillor acted alone and launched a crowd-funded crusade to bring a Judicial Review in the High Court against the former Home Secretary and Dorset Council.

Her case was that the barge should have required planning permission.

Dorset Council said it had no choice but to defend its position at the review hearing.

Although the High Court dismissed her case, figures released under Freedom of Information request show the cash-strapped local authority was left with a bill of 75,853.

The hearing came at a time when Dorset Council had to make redundancies in its libraries and reduce opening hours.

Carralyn Parkes, right, took her local council to court after it failed to challenge the Home Office 's decision to place the migrant barge in Portland Harbour

The 222-bedroom barge arrived in Portland Port in July 2023 to house about 500 men while their asylum claims were processed and reduce the expensive hotel costs

Stand Up To Racism activists staged a protest against Home Office's plan to return refugees to Bibby Stockholm barge

But defiant Mrs Parkes, who raised 37,000 through crowd funding, today said she stood by her decision to mount the legal challenge as she believes it played a significant part in the new government's decision not to renew the barge contract.

However, locals have hit out at Mrs Parkes for wasting much-needed taxpayer's cash saying she should made to pay the costs.

The left-wing councillor said: 'Even though we were not successful, I'm still glad that we did it - it is so important to show those in power that there are people willing to stand up for what is right.

'I stand firm on my decision to take the council to court. I think the fact there was so much publicity around the inhumane way they were being treated played a big part in the new government's decision not to renew.

'It came out in court that the council had the wherewithal to stop the Bibby Stockholm. While the actual barge may not have come under planning, all kinds of preparations had to be made to the pier and compound that required planning permission - bus stop, security gates.

'Dorset Council should have said 'you're not going to do that, you need to apply for permission'. They admitted in court that they were considering enforcement. But because the barge had a finite period it was easier for them to rollover.

'All they needed to do is just say no.'

She said her legal team did a lot of work for free on humanitarian grounds.

However, some local residents have said Mrs Parkes wasted taxpayers' money as it was a uphill struggle.

Mark Foreward said: 'She did not hold anyone to account. She was fighting a lost cause. No matter how you look at it, a lot of taxpayers' money has been wasted for a misplaced challenge.'

Dave Simminds said: 'She should be made to pay the taxpayers' legal costs since she lost the case.'

Dorset Council had considered legal action against the Home office but when specialist advice suggested the case was 'inarguable' and they could not win, they decided it would not be appropriate to use public funds pursuing it.

Mrs Parkes, pictured, said she stood by her decision to take the Home Office to court, costing Dorset Council more than 75,000 in taxpayer money

Locals have hit out at the cancel for wasting taxpayer's money on a 'lost cause'

The 222-bedroom barge arrived in Portland Port in July 2023 to house about 500 men while their asylum claims were processed and reduce the expensive hotel costs.

But it proved very controversial with locals outraged that they had not been consulted, complaints that it would put huge pressures on already stretched services and concerns it would be inhumane for those living on it.

It was plagued by problems, including traces of Legionella bacteria being found in the water system just days after the first migrants arrived on board that saw everyone evacuated and welfare concerns after one migrant is believed to have taken his own life onboard.

When Keir Starmer entered No10, the government said barge's contract would end in January 2025 and it is set to start shutting down at the end of this month.

In the FOI request, Dorset Council said: 'Dorset Council has been opposed to the siting of the Bibby Stockholm at Portland Port from the outset.

'The council actively considered taking its own legal action against the Home Secretary but after King's Counsel advised that the council did not have good prospects of succeeding the council decided it was not appropriate to use public funds to actively pursue legal action against the Home Secretary.

'Dorset Council maintained that Carralyn Parkes' cases, which raised increasingly complex issues of planning and constitutional law, were unarguable but had no option but to defend them, incurring necessary legal costs as a result.'
There are fears a rustler is operating in the Adelaide Hills after two rare cows went missing from separate properties.

Farmer Michael Trennary noticed one of his much loved highland cows named Rahley went missing from a paddock on Upper Pennys Hill Road in Onkaparinga Hills, about 30km north of Adelaide.

Mr Trennary shared a post on a community social media page offering a reward to find his missing cow after he searched his own property and neighbours' yards.

'There was no sign of Rahley anywhere,' he said.

'Even had a drone fly through the scrub land behind us.

'Rahley's mate Dougall is never more than a few metres away from him, so if one left the other would have followed.'

Mr Trennary said it was not easy to hide a 600kg cow under a tree and it would be difficult for an animal of that size to crawl through a small gap in a fence.

Onkaparinga Hills farmer Michael Trennary noticed one of his much loved highland cows named Rahley was stolen on Monday night

Rahley the highland cow has been missing from a Onkaparinga Hills property in the Adelaide Hills since Monday

The farmer made a heartbreaking plea for his beloved highland cow to be returned.

'It has now (been more than 24 hours) since we saw him last,' he said.

'We will give a reward to any information leading to the safe return of Rahley.

'He needs to come home, and we really don't care how that happens or who brings him home - just as long as it does.'

In a separate incident, a speckled bullock named Olaf went missing from Barrister's Block Winery on Onkaparinga Valley Road at Woodside about 40km east of Adelaide between 8.30pm on Friday and 9am on Saturday.

Olaf's owner Julia Brown also published a post on social media hoping to be reunited with her cow that was 'the size of a labrador.'

Speckled bullock Olaf was last seen at Barrister's Block Winery last Friday

Ms Brown told the ABC she searched her property and surrounding areas for hours and there was no sign of him.

She said Olaf was so little he could be picked up and carried and would fit in the back of a car.

'We don't have a monetary price on him, he's priceless to us,' she said.

'He's a very loved little animal.'

A police spokesperson said there was no evidence to suggest the two incidents were linked at this stage, but investigations were ongoing.

'Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the cows is asked to contact Crime Stoppers,' the spokesperson said.
Rail workers will walk off job from Friday to Sunday

Transport authorities are scrambling to cover as many gaps as possible in Sydney's rail network as the city braces for trains to grind to a halt over a pay dispute.

The 36 hour strike from this Friday through to Sunday morning will be one of the NSW's biggest shutdowns of its rail network, causing travel chaos for millions of commuters.

Services have already been impacted due to operational issues and urgent track repairs after smaller industrial action cancelled or delayed more than 100 peak hour trains on Tuesday.

Wednesday's interruptions on intercity trains particularly impacted intercity service from Gosford and Newcastle.

Parts of the Blue Mountains line were also replaced with buses for three hours in the middle of the day.

'Please be assured our teams are doing their very best to keep the system running reliably. It is a very challenging period as more and more of these industrial bans are put in place,' Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland warned.

The disruptions came as Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) state secretary Toby Warnes sat down with NSW transport minister Jo Haylen and Premier Chris Minns on Wednesday in a 11th hour attempt to resolve the dispute.

Mr Warnes said that negotiations remain at a 'stalemate' but conceded that the premier's words had been 'encouraging' ahead of another round of talks on Thursday.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has announced a work ban it's members in NSW which will begin on early Friday and end early Sunday

Transport Minister Jo Haylen and premier Chris Minns (pictured) met with RTBU state secretary Toby Warnes at parliament to discuss the strike on Wednesday

A Transport for NSW notice said the Sydney Trains Intercity Network would continue to be affected 'through the weekend, due to protected industrial action'.

'At this stage the notified bans in place by the union will bring the heavy rail network to a shutdown on Friday, Saturday, and through to the morning of Sunday.

'This will impact passengers including those travelling to and from Newcastle, The Central Coast, the Blue Mountains, the Southern Highlands, and the Illawarra.'

The union has agreed to reduce the length of its strike by a day and push the walk-off to early Friday morning, as negotiations continued on Wednesday.

Originally the planned three-day strike was planned to start at 10pm on Thursday but trains will now stop at 4.15am on Friday in order to not interrupt services to and from Sydney Olympic Park where thousands will attend a Pearl Jam concert.

Premier Minns has invited union leaders back to parliament for another meeting on Thursday.

'We're still at a stalemate, but we did have some good and positive discussions,' Mr Warnes said outside parliament on Wednesday.

'The premier's intervention is obviously welcome, and he invited us personally to come back tomorrow.'

Millions of commuters will be disrupted by the strike which will happen at the same time as a planned maintenance on the city's driverless metro line

Mr Warnes intends to enforce an indefinite ban on any work by RTBU members unless the government runs full-day services on the city's rail networks on Thursdays and weekends and pay rises for union members.

'[The premier] wants the disruptions on the weekend to not occur, and we're hopeful that discussions tomorrow can achieve that,' he said.

The Transport Minister previously called for the RTBU to avoid any strikes that would disrupt the suburban rail network and intercity trains.

Ms Haylen said the government would not rule out taking the dispute to the industrial umpire but would prefer resolving it with the unions directly.

She ruled out cancelling a planned closure of many of the city's driverless metro line. which has also been scheduled for this weekend.

Ms Haylen said cancelling the planned maintenance between Chatswood and Sydenham would be a 'significant cost to taxpayers'.

Jo Haylen had previously refused to rule out taking the matter to the industrial umpire but said she would rather work it out with Mr Warnes

Mr Warnes said demands for a 24-hour train service and a 32 per cent pay rise for union members over four years are necessary.

The government had previously offered rail workers a wage increase of 9.5 per cent over three years but that was rejected by the union.

This rejection was followed by a grim update from the Transport Minister and key departmental staff on Wednesday afternoon.

'Our operators will be scrambling to fill those gaps. We will do everything we can, but we cannot accommodate a million people a day switching to other modes of transport,' Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said.

'We are in the early stages of urgent planning across all modes to give people options for this weekend, but the services will be limited and impacted and we're really asking for patience.'

Ms Haylen said they had been in some 50 bargaining meetings over the last six months and 28 meetings in the 'big bargaining room' with about 90 union delegates.

'I believe there is a package on the table the union can consider,' she said.

'The only way to keep our network running and to make sure people can get where they need to go is for the union to withdraw their industrial actions. ... that remains our ask of the unions,' she said.

Mr Warnes said Wednesday's discussions had been productive but that discussions were still at a 'stalemate'

Services were already interrupted on Wednesday due to operational issues and urgent track repairs and smaller industrial action cancelled or delayed more than 100 trains on Tuesday

The Transport Minister says extensive meetings have failed to find a resolution

Sydney Trains 'hope' it can operate a normal train timetable across its passenger network on the weekend, plus freight trains.

'If these bans remain in place, the RTBU are saying their members will not operate services on Friday, or Saturday and into Sunday morning. That's not just train drivers. That's people who work at stations, that's people that work at the (Rail Operations Centre), that's people that keep the network running,' Mr Longland said.

The NSW government offered a 24-hour line from Strathfield to Hornsby on the weekend - a nod to the union's demand for 24-hour services - but the Strathfield to Hornsby offer is only on the table if the union backs down on the strike, Mr Longland said.

'Our teams are doing their very best and we ask passengers to be respectful of our staff ... Please remember they're just doing their job.'

The Transport for NSW Secretary has apologised to travellers in advance.

Mr Murray was pleased the strike was pushed so that 40,000 Pearl Jam fans could get home Thursday night.

But ticket data showed many of the Pearl Jam concertgoers attending Saturday's concert live on NSW Central Coast and in Newcastle.

Premier Chris Minns will meet union delegates alongside key Ministers and public servants on Wednesday

'We're asking those people, please pay attention to the ongoing news update in terms of where transport will be provided and make alternative arrangements ... we can't yet rely on having a clear path to Sydney Olympic Park or to home again if you are coming from out of Sydney,' he said.

Parking at Sydney Olympic Park is almost sold out with department is looking for more parking space around the stadium.

'Our operators will be scrambling to fill those gaps ... we're really asking for patience.'

The RTBU has pushed back its industrial action until Friday with drivers now staying off the job until mid-morning Sunday.

'This will cause significant disruption to people's lives and to the operation of our city,' Ms Haylen said earlier.

'You can't simply click your fingers and change the way a very big system works.'

A Pearl Jam concert on Saturday, two A League matches and pre-Christmas shopping will be directly affected by the strikes

NSW Transport is looking to fill as many gaps as it can with extra buses and ferries, though the department secretary also says options are limited. About 700,000 people take a train in Sydney every day.

A University of Sydney transport management senior lecturer told the ABC some emergency services workers will likely simply be unable to get to work.

Fewer shoppers will be able to make use of the retail-frenzy 'Black Friday' sales as well.

The union is calling for a pay rise of up to 32 per cent over four years, and reduced weekly working hours. Also, the union says it will call off the strike if the state government runs trains 24 hours a day.

The government says this 24-hour term would undermine necessary trackwork, but the union argues around-the-clock services are better for commuters.

'We want the union to lift this industrial action that they still have planned for Friday and Saturday,' Ms Haylen said.

'We want to keep our city moving. No one wants this. Passengers don't want this. I don't want this. The government doesn't want this. But the only way to keep trains running and to get people where they need to go is for the union to lift its industrial action.'

The state government made all rail travel free amid a strike in September, however there is no word if that allowance will be made this weekend.
A Labour minister has been accused of being 'patronising' by BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire after telling farmers anxious about the so-called 'tractor tax' they should find out how it works.

James Murray clashed with the Newsnight host last night hours after thousands of protesters held demonstrations in central London against the new overhaul of inheritance tax announced in last month's Budget.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to limit the existing 100 per cent inheritance tax relief on farms to only the first 1million.

Mr Murray, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, defended the proposals on BBC2's Newsnight - but was challenged over his approach by host Derbyshire.

She put to him that many people were already aware of the costs they faced - and that many of them were now looking at having to sell off their farms as a result.

Victoria Derbyshire, presenter of BBC2's Newsnight, accused Labour minister James Murray of being 'patronising' after he urged farmers to find out how inheritance tax works

He was speaking on the programme hours after thousands of people attended a protest in central London about the Government's proposed changes to inheritance tax rules

Ealing North MP Mr Murray, a studio guest on the programme, said: 'I can understand there is a real strength of feeling about the decision that we've taken and that people might be anxious if they're trying to work out if these changes might affect them.

'What I would really encourage everyone to do, who's anxious about this, is to find out about how inheritance tax works and seek advice.'

That prompted an incredulous response from Derbyshire, who asked him: 'Don't you think that that's exactly what they have been doing since the Budget? That's rather patronising, isn't it, Mr Murray?'

The minister insisted: 'No, I think that inheritance tax is something that many people who've been accessing agricultural property relief since the last changes in 1992, they may not have looked into the detail of inheritance tax because they haven't had to think about it over the last 30 years.'

He was then told by the host: 'Right, and those that have and know that they will be affected  I mean, if they're affected then that is it. They say they're going to have to sell their farms.'

And when Mr Murray suggested that 'people look at how it works, get the right financial advice', she queried: 'So your advice is, get some tax planning advice to find a way of avoiding it?'

The MP told her: 'Well, these are straightforward rules that exist within the tax system already around gifting, seven years later there is no inheritance tax due  it tapers within that seven-year period. There are spousal transfers, nil rate bands.'

'As the Prime Minister said, if you look at a typical couple who own a farm and want to pass it on to their descendants, they get up to 3million before they pay any inheritance tax.'

James Murray told Newsnight: 'What I would really encourage everyone to do, who's anxious about this, is to find out about how inheritance tax works and seek advice'

Victoria Derbyshire responded by saying: 'Don't you think that that's exactly what they have been doing since the Budget? That's rather patronising, isn't it, Mr Murray?'

Jeremy Clarkson was among those taking part in yesterday's protest and challenged the Government to 'back down' over that he called its 'cocked up' inheritance tax raid.

The 64-year-old, who is recovering from a life-saving heart operation, attended the event alongside his Clarkson's Farm co-stars Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland.

Also taking part were theatre legend Andrew Lloyd-Webber and dozens of MPs including new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK's Nigel Farage.

The Metropolitan Police estimated 13,000 people attended the protest in central London, which called on the Government to scrap those changes announced in the Chancellor's Budget last month.

Ms Reeves says the measures will only affect the wealthiest 500 estates each year but experts from the NFU say it will be up to 70,000 farms.

Under Labour's plans, full inheritance tax relief will be restricted to the first 1million of combined agricultural and business property relief, above which landowners will pay a rate of 20 per cent, compared with 40 per cent on other estates.

The measure comes into effect in April 2026 and can be paid in instalments over 10 years interest free, the Government has said.

It comes on top of other exemptions, so that two people with farmland could pass on up to 3million without anything being paid, depending on their circumstances.

Jeremy Clarkson joined thousands of farmers outside Downing Street protesting against changes to agricultural inheritance tax rules on farms valued above 1million

Clarkson clashed with BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire in an interview on Tuesday afternoon which was then replayed on that evening's edition of Newsnight on BBC2

Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage also joined farmers protesting against the Labour proposals

Earlier in last night's Newsnight a row broke out over Clarkson's appearance at the farmers' 'tractor tax' protest in London after his angry interview with Derbyshire.

Former Labour minister Jim Murphy condemned former Top Gear host Clarkson as 'rude' and 'aggressive' - but ex-Conservative party chairman Sir Jake Berry hit back, defending him.

Clarkson became exasperated with Derbyshire when interviewed in Whitehall on Tuesday afternoon, accusing her of failing to be impartial and saying: 'Classic BBC - you people.'

Footage of their exchange was shown at the start of last night's Newsnight broadcast and Derbyshire began her exchanges with her studio guests by asking Mr Murphy: 'What did you make of Mr Clarkson, what he had to say?'

Mr Murphy, a former leader of the Scottish Labour Party, replied: 'I know I'm in a minority, but I think it's the first time I've ever seen him on television  I don't watch cooking or motor car programmes. I hear a rumour he does at least one of those.

'He does a farming programme, he's a farmer now? Okay. Look, I think the farmers are pretty ill served by him being one of their spokespeople.'

When asked 'Why?', Mr Murphy responded by saying: 'I think he's rude, I think he's aggressive, I think from what I read he invested in a farm for inheritance tax reasons.

'I think it's a disservice to the hardworking hundreds and thousands of farmers in the country.'

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch was also at Tuesday's demo by farmers

Former Top Gear host and Clarkson's Farm star Jeremy Clarkson spoke to the crowd during the farmers' demonstration in Whitehall, central London, on Tuesday

Adults and children riding toy tractors were among the crowds gathering on Tuesday

But fellow Newsnight guest Sir Jake, who was a Conservative MP from 2010 until losing his seat at the general election in July this year, came to Clarkson's defence.

Sir Jake, who also attended Tuesday's protest, told Mr Murphy: 'I was talking to farmers and I think you're wrong actually.

'I think Jeremy Clarkson is warmly regarded by the farming community because, whether you like what he stands for or what he says, he draws public attention to the plight of farmers.

'If you look for example at cereal farmers, they've had a 73 per cent drop in their income because of the adverse weather we've had, so it is a sector under massive pressure.

'When I was there, what people were asking me, what people were really concerned about is that it doesn't feel the Labour party has got a real grip on the number of people who are going to be affected by this  it feels like a bit of a stab in the dark.'

Meanwhile, the Environment Secretary has insisted many farmers protesting over changes to inheritance tax are 'wrong' about the policy.

Steve Reed rejected claims that the Government has underestimated how many will be affected by plans to limit 100 per cent property relief to the first 1million of agricultural assets.

Appearing before MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee on Tuesday, Mr Reed was pressed on the backlash.

Former Labour leader Jim Murphy described farmers as being 'ill served' by Jeremy Clarkson

TV star Jeremy Clarkson was among the farmers taking part in demonstration in central London in Tuesday in protest at the Government's inheritance tax reforms

Chairman Alistair Carmichael said there were 'a lot more than 500 (farmers) here saying they're going to be affected', and asked whether they were wrong.

Mr Reed acknowledged the changes would be 'unsettling' and said he was 'listening' to concerns, but that most farmers would not face a hike.

But figures cited by critics are based on Government data on the value of farms 'and then people have drawn a straight line to an inheritance tax liability, but you can't do that, because ownership is much more complex than one person, one farm,' he said.

Ministers have argued the revenue is needed to help fix public services and plug a 22billion fiscal 'black hole' left behind by their Tory predecessors which they say only became apparent after they entered government.
A seven-year-old boy has been left traumatized after he was 'hung' in a bathroom at his elementary school, according to his parents.

The second-grader at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School in Waldorf, Maryland, was injured and ended up at the hospital after the November 15 incident.

The boy ended up with his jacket stuck on a hook in a bathroom stall, as reported by WCAX.

But the suspected culprit, a fourth-grader, ran for help after the boy started having trouble breathing, and the principal freed the boy and called 911.

The boy's mother said on social media that he was found 'foaming at the mouth and unconscious.'

He was diagnosed with a neck contusion, which is caused by blood trauma to the neck.

The second-grader's family is questioning how the incident unfolded and whether bullying or racism was involved.

'My son did tell me that they little boy told him, 'I'm gonna show you how I did people back in the day,'' the mother said.

The second-grader at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School in Waldorf, Maryland , was injured and ended up at the hospital after the November 15 incident

'If you look at my son he has marks under his eyes. He still has bruises on his neck from being choked,' the boy's parents, who do not want to be identified, told WCAX.

'He's traumatized. It's going to take time. This is not something he's going to just get over overnight.'

The school district, however, has denied bullying was involved in the incident.

'Two of our students were reportedly horseplaying in a school bathroom when one student's jacket got caught on a stall door hook,' the district said in a statement.

'The student was not able to free themselves and the other student involved was also not able to help them.

'This student left the bathroom to seek help from staff and reported the incident to administrators.'

The school district, however, has denied bullying was involved in the incident. The boy's parents have cast doubt on their explanation of 'horseplaying'

But the boy's parents say the district's explanation does not make sense to them.

She added: 'If you're horseplaying, how do you get caught on a hook? We need answers. I want answers, and we won't stop until we get answers.'

The boy will not return to the school, his parents said.

The parents are demanding the school implement polices such as hall monitors to prevent bullying, and that they separate students by age.

'I want to know why is a fourth grader in the same bathroom as a second grader? Most schools have them divided. I feel this is very unacceptable,' she said.

The Charles County Public Schools has opened a probe into the incident.
A Massachusetts State Police detective lieutenant received a slap on the wrist for failing to supervise and discipline a trooper who sent vile text messages about murder suspect Karen Read.

Brian P. Tully learned this week he will lose six days of vacation for his lapses with Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator on Read's case.

Proctor was infamously forced to read text messages he had sent about Read from the witness stand during her trial, including calling her a 'whack job', a 'c**t', and a 'babe.'

In other messages, he joked about rummaging through her phone for nude photos during the investigation.

The sordid messages were used by Read's defense as they claimed she was framed by a vast conspiracy involving the Boston Police Department and Massachusetts State Police.

Prosecutors claimed Read purposefully hit her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John O'Keefe, with her SUV in January 2022. Her case ended in a mistrial in July, and is scheduled to occur again in January 2025.

Last month, Tully was transferred out of his leadership position with the state police, and this week a personnel order seen by the Boston Globe said he 'failed to conform to work standards established for his rank, title, or position.'

'As the result of his actions, Detective Lieutenant Tully, shall: Forfeit Six Days of Accrued Leave,' the order said.

Massachusetts State Police detective lieutenant Brian P. Tully (pictured) learned this week that he will lose six days of vacation for failing to supervise and discipline a trooper who sent vile text messages about murder suspect Karen Read

Read, 44, was branded a 'whack job' and a 'c**t' and referred to her as a 'babe' with 'no a**' by the lead investigator in her murder trial

According to the Globe, it was determined that Tully failed to take 'proper correction action' when Proctor's messages were discovered.

The internal police investigation into Proctor's messages also found that Tully had also failed to report and document negative performances during evaluations.

When he was forced to read the messages he had sent about Read during her trail, Proctor revealed that he quickly believed in Read's guilt early in the investigation, including texting: 'She hit him with her car.'

'We're going to lock this whack job up,' another message said.

Proctor repeatedly apologized for the messages while on the stand, and insisted that 'these juvenile, unprofessional comments had zero impact on the facts, the evidence and the integrity of the investigation.'

State police promptly relieved Proctor of his duties after the humiliation, and he has been suspended without pay as the department continues its internal investigation.

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor (pictured) was forced to read messages he had sent about Read during her murder trial

John O'Keefe, a 16-year Boston cop, was found dead around 6am on January 29, 2022, outside a house where Read dropped him off for a party around 12.45am. Prosecutors say Read hit him, with her SUV, and she claims she was framed

Read's first trial in July ended in a mistrial as the jury was deadlocked, and she faces a second murder trial in January 2025

Read has maintained her innocence in the case and says she intends to fight to clear her name when she faces a second murder trial in January.

Although her jury was deadlocked, the family of John O'Keefe launched a wrongful death lawsuit against her.

Prosecutors allege that Read hit O'Keefe with her car following a drunken argument as she dropped him off at the home for an after party, and claim to have found pieces of her car's tail light around his body.

She had spent the evening drinking with O'Keefe and a group of friends at the Waterfall Bar and Grill in Canton, around 14 miles south of Boston, and the group were invited to the home of his friend Brian Albert, who was a retired Boston police officer.

Read, who prosecutors say drank several alcoholic drinks beforehand, decided to drop O'Keefe at the afterparty before she went to his home - that he shared with his orphaned niece and nephew - to sleep at around 1am.

Court documents revealed that the couple had been bitterly arguing for weeks beforehand, and on the night O'Keefe died, Read left him a voicemail calling him a 'f****** loser', and 'John, I f****** hate you.'

Chilling footage showing Read in a Boston bar on the night she allegedly killed her cop boyfriend was played in court

The couple had been dating for two years at the time of O'Keefe's death. He had been serving on the Boston Police Department for 16 years

The couple had been dating for two years at the time of O'Keefe's death. He had been serving on the Boston Police Department for 16 years.

As the party went on inside Albert's home, Read said she woke up around 4am to find that he was not at home, and told O'Keefe's niece that she was 'distraught.'

Attendees at the party, including some law enforcement, claimed O'Keefe never arrived at the party or entered the home.

Read then searched for O'Keefe with a friend, and prosecutors allege that during the search she told her: 'What if he's dead? What if a plow hit him? I don't remember anything from last night, we drank so much I don't remember anything.'

At 6am, Read found O'Keefe laying in the snow outside Albert's home, and a first responder on the scene reportedly claimed Read repeatedly cried out, 'I hit him, I hit him', reports CBS News.

O'Keefe was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy found that the cause of death was blunt impact injuries and hypothermia.

Read came under scrutiny for a perceived flippant attitude in court, including winking at cameras and snacking during proceedings

When her trial began, Read received a slew of support from true crime fans and locals who camped outside the courthouse with signs reading 'Free Karen Read'

Read's defense countered that she is the victim of an extensive conspiracy to frame her, and claimed the police officer may have actually been attacked by other officers and attendees at the party where he was found dead.

Throughout her trial, Read's claims that she was framed also drew a legion of fans, who wore pink to show their support and were often staked out outside the courthouse.

The judge in her case even filed a ruling at the start of the trial banning supporters from coming within 200 feet of the courthouse.

Read's courthouse behavior also sparked backlash as she was branded 'America's happiest murder defendant', as she appeared to soak up the attention while winking at the cameras and snacking in court.
Vladimir Putin's raging TV propagandists have called for Britain to be obliterated with nuclear weapons, amid claims that Ukraine has used UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles inside Russian territory.

Kremlin mouthpieces are competing with each other to outline the most shocking and devastating war plans imaginable, with numerous commentators describing how far Russia could go in a nuclear attack.

One proposed dropping Russia's Satan-2 missile, widely described as 'the world's deadliest weapon', on Trafalgar Square, while another urged Putin to use the new Poseidon high speed underwater drone and sink the UK under a 'radioactive tidal wave'.

Pro-Putin channels today claimed that Ukraine has launched 12 British-supplied missiles into Russia's Kursk region, with unconfirmed images and footage posted to X showing residents stumbling upon fragments of the missile.

It comes after Ukraine used an American ATACMS missile to strike Putin's territory. Several Western embassies in Kyiv were closed today due to US intelligence indicating that a retaliatory Russian attack could hit the Ukrainian capital.

Kyiv's military intelligence responded by saying that Moscow is conducting a 'psychological attack against Ukraine', warning of fake messages circulating and describing increased missile threats as part of Russia's 'psychological operation.'

Russian state media analyst Vladimir Kornilov today hit out at Britain newspaper headlines saying Storm Shadows 'are ready for use in Russia' following the Ukrainian deployment of American missiles.

'Look, well, I have to say that, well, our Sarmat [Satan-2] missiles are also ready, always ready for use in Trafalgar Square,' threatened Kornilov.

Kremlin mouthpieces are competing with each other to outline the most devastating war plans imaginable

Russian state media analyst Vladimir Kornilov hit out at Britain newspaper headlines saying Storm Shadows 'are ready for use in Russia'

MP and TV presenter Yevgeny Popov warned: 'Special attention to Britain, our traditional enemy, as a significant part of the [Russian] Northern Fleet will work against [the UK]'

Hypersonic Sarmat - known in the West as Satan-2 - is a 208-ton intercontinental silo-launched 15,880mph nuclear weapon

It is far from clear that Poseidon with an 'unlimited range' is properly tested

Vladimir Putin on Tuesday morning signed off on an updated version of the Kremlin's nuclear doctrine that broadens the scope for Moscow to turn to its fearsome atomic arsenal

Hypersonic Sarmat - known in the West as Satan-2 - is a 208-ton intercontinental silo-launched 15,880mph nuclear weapon, the size of a 14-storey tower block, which Putin claims is unstoppable by the West.

The Mach 25 rockets each carry ten nuclear warheads of 750 kilotons and have a 7,500 mile range.

But Putin propagandist-in-chief Vladimir Solovyov said there was a better way to sink Britain, with the new Poseidon drone, a weapon unmatched by Western technology.

'I want to see the Poseidon [high-speed underwater nuclear drone] - it's so beautiful,' he told state TV viewers across Russia's 11 time zones.

'This is the beauty of this [tidal] wave, the glow of the radiation, and then [Britain] is washed away like this. These stables of British imperialism are washed away - amazing.'

Like Satan-2, it is far from clear that Poseidon with an 'unlimited range' is properly tested. Nevertheless, Putin sees it as part of his new nuclear arsenal and classifies it a 'super weapon'.

It is designed to carry strategic nuclear warheads of up to 100 megatons and could unleash catastrophic destruction.

It could also be deployed with lesser firepower as a tactical weapon.

Some reports say its underwater speed is up to 115mph, with a capability to operate at depths below 3,000 ft. It is due to be ready soon but details of tests remain scant.

Meanwhile Putin's propagandists have pushed out footage seen in July which listed seven specific targets in England and Scotland, while also stressing 'all European capitals are at risk'.

Hardline MP and TV presenter Yevgeny Popov warned: 'Special attention to Britain, our traditional enemy, as a significant part of the [Russian] Northern Fleet will work against [the UK].

Kornilov proposed dropping Russia's apocalypse Satan-2 missile on Trafalgar Square

'I want to see the Poseidon [high-speed underwater nuclear drone] - it's so beautiful,' Putin propagandist-in-chief Vladimir Solovyov said

'Under attack Washington has put not only London, but also Manchester, Birmingham, the largest naval base Devonport, the Clyde in Scotland, where the King stores his Trident nuclear missiles, Portsmouth as well as Chatham Dockyard in the county of Kent.

'This is Britain at its most vulnerable.

'Basically, all it would take is three missiles and this civilization would collapse.'

He threatened: 'It is not difficult to guess the geography of the response if White House [plans] become a reality.

'All European capitals are at risk [from] our missiles in Kaliningrad - Berlin, Warsaw, all the Baltic republics, Paris, Bucharest, Prague.

'Of course, also the American bases in Germany.Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Patch Barracks [Stuttgart], Spangdahlem, [and] Ramstein.'

He accused the 'Western bloc' of misreading the impact on Russia of the US move, highlighted at the recent NATO summit in the US.

'No reaction, no reflection and no attempt to analyse the implications,' he said.

'A quick study of the missiles' specifications is enough to realise that the US is throwing Europe into the crucible of a world war with guaranteed mutual destruction.'

Putin yesterday signed off on an updated version of the Kremlin's nuclear doctrine that broadens the scope for Moscow to turn to its fearsome atomic arsenal on the same day that US-made missiles rained down on Russian soil.

The new document, first announced in September, allows Putin's strategic forces to deploy their devastating weapons if Russia or Belarus is threatened by a non-nuclear nation supported by a nuclear power.

Threats that could warrant a nuclear response from Russia's leadership include an attack with conventional missiles, drones or other aircraft, according to the updated document.

Germany's foreign minister yesterday vowed her country 'will not be intimidated' by Putin, just one day after German media revealed the nation will transform into a NATO staging ground if the conflict to the East should escalate.

According to a 1,000-page document entitled 'Operationsplan Deutschland', Germany would reportedly host hundreds of thousands of troops from NATO countries and serve as a logistics hub for sending huge quantities of military equipment, food and medicine toward the front.

The German army is also instructing companies and civilians on how to protect key infrastructure and mobilise for national defence, envisaging a situation in which Russia expands drone flights, spying operations and sabotage attacks across Europe.

Businesses have been advised to create crisis plans detailing employee responsibilities during emergencies and will be instructed to stockpile diesel generators or install wind turbines to ensure energy independence.

Germany's preparation follows examples set by Nordic countries, where pamphlets and emails have already been sent to millions of homes with advice on seeking shelter, stockpiling supplies and rudimentary military training.

Finland reminded its citizens of their 'national defence obligation' and recently launched a new information website, while Sweden laid out a detailed guide on how to seek shelter and what to do in case of a nuclear attack.

Their instruction manuals follow similar advice issued by their Baltic neighbours Norway and Denmark, which both put out checklists for food and medicine supplies citizens should have ready.

It comes news emerged that the US is set to provide Ukraine's army with shipments of landmines to slow the advance of Russian ground troops as Putin's forces wear down Ukrainian defensive lines in Donetsk.

Officials in Washington confirmed late last night that American anti-personnel mines would be sent to Ukraine on the proviso the punishing weapons are only used to repel Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine's strike on an ammunition depot in Russia's Bryansk region yesterday with US-supplied ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) meets these criteria, with Moscow saying that it marks a 'new phase of the Western war'.

ATACMS - Army Tactical Missile - being fired from an M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Syste

'This is, of course, a signal that they want to escalate,' Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said, while foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said attempts by NATO countries to facilitate Ukrainian missile strikes deep inside Russia 'would not go unpunished'.

But Ukraine's foreign ministry issued a defiant statement in spite of the Kremlin's nuclear sabre-rattling, declaring that 'Ukraine will never submit to the occupiers and the Russian military will be punished for violating international law'.

'We need peace through strength, not appeasement,' the ministry added, as Volodymyr Zelensky called on Kyiv's allies to 'force' Moscow into a 'just peace' and vowed his troops would 'never surrender'.

The US provision of ATACMS to Ukraine for strikes in Russia along with shipments of anti-personnel mines suggests the Biden administration is scrambling to leave Ukraine on the best possible footing ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House.

Snowflakes are illuminated during live firing of the British Army's new Archer Mobile Howitzer gun near Rovaniemi in the Arctic Circle

In Eastern Ukraine, Russia's forces are steadily grinding towards the logistics hub of Pokrovsk having taken large swathes of territory in the Donetsk region in recent months.

Putin's army took 185 square miles of Ukrainian territory in October, a record since the first weeks of the conflict in March 2022, according to an analysis of data provided by the real-time conflict tracker from the Institute for the Study of War.

There are mounting concerns that Trump could push for a hasty ceasefire requiring Ukraine to cede significant portions of its territory - a prospect that leaves both sides fighting to capture as much land as possible to strengthen their position ahead of negotiations.

Sir Keir Starmer yesterday offered his biggest hint yet that No 10 would authorise Ukraine to fire UK Storm Shadow missiles into Russia on the same day that US ATACMS struck Russian targets.

Speaking at the G20 summit in Brazil, the British Prime Minister said: 'I've been doubling down in my clear message that we need to ensure Ukraine has what is needed for as long as needed to win this war against Putin.

'I am not going to go into operational details. You would not expect me to. The only winner in that would be Putin and it would undermine Ukraine.'

He added that the rhetoric currently coming from Russia was 'irresponsible' and would not deter the UK's response.

Zelenksy's plea to use UK Storm Shadow missiles on targets in Russia has so far been rebuffed by Downing Street for fears of escalating the conflict.

A senior defence source said the UK prefers to 'confirm by use', for example, when a missile strikes.

But it is expected the restrictions will soon be relaxed after the US permitted Ukraine to strike Russia with ATACMS.

The White House's previous reluctance to authorise strikes on Russian soil with Western weaponry was thought to be the main obstacle preventing the UK from greenlighting the use of Storm Shadow missiles, given that the projectiles contain US-made components and often rely on targeting data provided by Washington.

Following the ATACMS strike in Bryansk early yesterday, Moscow's emergency ministry announced it had begun mass-producing mobile bomb shelters that can protect against shockwaves and radiation from a nuclear blast.

The new 'KUB-M' shelters will offer protection for 54 people for up to two days against natural and man-made hazards, Moscow's emergency ministry has said.

'The mobile shelter is a multifunctional structure that provides protection for people from various threats, including natural disasters and man-made accidents,' its research institute explained, calling it 'an important step towards improving the safety of citizens'.

They can easily be transported on a truck and connected to water supplies, and can also be deployed in Russia's vast northern permafrost, it added.

In anticipation of Ukraine receiving permission to use ATACMS, Russia's air force is said to have redeployed many of its fighter jets and strategic bomber aircraft away from the airbases in range of the missiles to sites further east.

But there are still more than 200 military facilities that could be battered by the US-manufactured munitions from positions along the 800-mile-long frontline.

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Among the first likely targets for Ukrainian strikes could be the Kuzminka Military Base, a critical staging area for Putin's forces between the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and the Ukrainian border which acts as a hub for vehicle storage, troop assembly and operational planning.

Russia's 381st artillery regiment is also located close to the Kuzminka base along with several logistics centres.

Meanwhile, in Kursk, Kyiv's troops could seek to target the headquarters of Russia's 448th Missile Brigade or regional assembly points used to gather troops preparing to push back the Ukrainian incursion in the region.

Targeting these sites could cripple Russian logistics, command, and combat support, significantly reducing Moscow's offensive capabilities in occupied Ukrainian territory and harming efforts to retake territory in Kursk.

However, the overall supply of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine is short, so US officials and analysts have questioned whether allowing Ukraine to use the weapons systems is really worth it given the potential consequences that could ensue.

Jennifer Kavanagh, director of military analysis at the Defense Priorities think tank, was critical of the Biden administration's decision to approve the use of ATACMS on targets in Russia.

A house destroyed as a result of Russian shelling in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine on November 19

A military cadet lights a candle during a commemorative ceremony on the 1000th day of Russia's full scale attack on Ukraine

'Expanding Ukraine's ability to launch offensive strikes with Western weapons inside Russia will not alter the trajectory of the war or help Kyiv gain an advantage against a better equipped and more resilient adversary.

What is the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)? The US-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) uses solid propellant to fire explosive projectiles at ranges of up to 300km/190 miles (roughly the same distance from London to the outer suburbs of Paris). There are four variants of the ATACMS, two of which - the M39 Block I and the M39A1 Block I - contain 950 and 300 M74 bomblets respectively. Each of these bomblets is roughly the size of a baseball, and in the case of the M39, 950 are dispersed over an area of 677 feet in diameter - covering 360,000 square feet - making them highly effective at destroying groups of parked aircraft, ammunition dumps, aid defence systems - as well as gatherings of troops. Advertisement

'Any escalation could reverberate on Ukraine itself. With the Biden administration on its way out and the incoming Trump administration indicating an intention to end the war, Putin has little incentive to act with restraint in his retaliation toward Kyiv.'

But proponents of the policy say that even a few strikes deeper inside Russia would force its military to change deployments and expend more of its resources.

George Barros, leader of the Russia team and GEOINT team at ISW that compiled the list of targets, sought to highlight the way in which ATACMS could impact Putin's troops and campaigned for the Biden administration to allow strikes beyond Kursk as a result.

'Reminder that there are hundreds of valid, legal, legitimate, and operationally consequential military targets in range of Ukrainian ATACMS,' he wrote.

'The Biden Administration's shift to allow ATACMS use in Russia is a good thing.'

Matthew Savill, the director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, said of Ukraine's ATACMS attacks: 'Many of the best targets  helicopters and glide-bomb armed aircraft attacking Ukrainian cities and troops in the north or in Kursk have largely moved to airbases outside the range of ATACMS.

'This still leaves plenty of opportunities to strike military headquarters and ammunition or supply locations supporting Russian and North Korean troops, but this would be a reduced impact from when the Ukrainians first requested these weapons.'
Snapchat will be included in sweeping social media reforms to restrict teenage use, following fears the picture messaging app would escape exemption from the reforms due a loophole.

New legislation set to be announced by the Albanese government on Thursday will ensure the popular platform will be forced follow its age-limit reforms.

It comes after communications minister Michelle Rowland previously expressed concerns that Snapchat may be exempt from the reforms by defining itself as a 'messaging service' more akin to text messaging type platforms, than 'social media' platforms like Instagram.

'Snapchat, under the Online Safety Act, depending on how it's defined, could fall within (a messaging service) definition ... We are very prepared to go through having a process of criteria and seeing how this fits against it,' she told 2GB last week.

The minister will announce the government's new reforms during Thursday's parliamentary sitting.

'The Albanese Government is introducing world-leading legislation to establish 16 as the minimum age for access to social media,' Ms Rowland told news.com.au.

'This legislation places the onus [of safety and mental health of young Australians] on social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protections are in place.

'Ultimately, this is about supporting a safer and healthier online environment for young Australians.'

Social media platform Snapchat will be forced follow the government age-limit reforms

PM Anthony Albanese (pictured with fiancee Jodie Haydon) announced the proposed social media ban in September, aiming to get 'get our kids off their devices and onto the footy fields'

The move will ne welcomed by Queensland Catholic Secondary Principals Association director Dan McMahon was 'gobsmaked' at the thought that Snapchat would find a loophole.

'Of all the social media platforms that I deal with ... Snapchat is one of the most common ones,' he told A Current Affair last week.

'Not everyone on Snapchat is an online bully, but in my experience every online bully uses Snapchat.

'It's just such a great tool to weaponise harm.'

However, many still fear many Aussie teens will find ways to skirt the new regulations.

The world first reforms will legislate costly penalties of up to $50million for social media company breaches of the new laws and violations of industry codes and standards.

It will also force regulated entities to make reasonable efforts to stop those under-16 from creating accounts.

'This reform is about protecting young people and letting parents know we've got their backs,' Ms Rowland said.

'Social media has a social responsibility for the safety and mental health of young Australians.

Communications minister Michelle Rowland said the legislation reforms would make for a 'safer and healthier' online environment for teens

The communications minister will also be able to exclude certain services from the definition, including messaging platforms, online games, and services that are designed to support the health and education of users.

It will also include strict privacy provisions, which include making platforms find and destroy information previously collected.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese first announced the proposed age limit reforms in September.

His aim was to 'get our kids off their devices and on to the footy fields or the netball courts to get them interacting with real people having real experiences'.

'And we know that social media is doing social harm,' Mr Albanese said at the time.

'We want to make sure we get it right, but we want to make sure as well that we act, which is why we have said we will introduce legislation before the end of this year.'

Mr Albanese said 'enough' was 'enough' and that his government would act to prevent the harms caused by social media corporations and platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.

'We know that technology moves fast. No Government is going to be able to protect every child from every threat, but we have to do all that we can.

'Parents are worried sick about this. We know they're working without a map. No generation has faced this challenge before.'
Sky have confirmed that an employee died after 'falling from a great height' at their studio headquarters in west London.

The unknown individual fell from one of the buildings at the sprawling complex on Grant Way in Osterley early on Monday.

Emergency services sent rapid response paramedics to the scene but the person tragically could not be saved.

Following the death, the Sky team issued a Siren alert to all employees asking them to work from home if possible, as the multi-story carpark and the Harlequin Avenue entrance would be shut due to 'an incident being investigated'.

A source told MailOnline that the campus was 'swarming with police' and forensic tents had been erected by the time people began filing into the office.

General view of Grant Way in Osterley where a member of the Sky team died on Monday morning

The Sky team issued a Siren alert and an email following the incident to all employees asking them to work from home if possible

The Siren alert is the same one issued during terror attacks, and will automatically be sent to 'hundreds of employees'

The Siren alert is the same one issued during terror attacks, and will automatically be sent to 'hundreds of employees'.

A Sky spokesperson said this afternoon: 'We are deeply saddened to confirm a Sky employee passed away at our Osterley campus on Monday morning.

'Our thoughts and full support are with their family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.'

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 3.29am on Monday 18 November to reports of a person fallen from height at Grant Way, Isleworth.

'We sent resources to the scene, including a paramedic in a fast response car, an incident response officer and members of our tactical response unit.

'Very sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene.'

A Met Police spokesperson said: 'Police were called at 03:33hrs on Monday, 18 November to reports of a man in his 40s who had fallen from height in Harlequin Avenue, Hounslow.

'Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and sadly found a the body of a man. A scene was put in place while officers carried out a detailed investigation.

'At this time the mans death is not being treated as suspicious. Enquiries continue.'
Angela Rayner faced a backlash for refusing to rule out more hikes to inheritance tax today as she dismissed the outcry from farmers.

Standing in for Keir Starmer at PMQs, Ms Rayner hit out at 'scaremongering' over how many will be hit by the Budget raid.

Despite the huge protest by desperate farmers in Westminster yesterday, the Housing Secretary insisted the 'vast majority' will be able to hand down their estates tax-free.

But Tory frontbencher Alex Burghart - deputising for Kemi Badenoch - said the measures were another example of the government targeting groups. 'If you don't vote Labour they don't care about you,' he said.

During the clashes, Mr Burghart mocked Ms Rayner for thinking farmers had thronged to London yesterday to 'thank the Government'.

Standing in for Keir Starmer at PMQs, Angela Rayner hit out at 'scaremongering' over how many will be hit by the Budget raid

Tory frontbencher Alex Burghart - deputising for Kemi Badenoch - said the measures were another example of the government targeting groups who did not support them

'Let's look at the facts. A typical mid-sized 360-acre family farm in the constituency of Thirsk and Malton, they've spoken to their accountant. Their new liability because of this Government is half a million pounds, that's 12 years worth of profit,' he said.

'When this generation passes away, that farm will become totally unviable and it's one of thousands and thousands of similar farms. It's clear the Government hasn't got its facts right.

'The Central Association for Agricultural Valuers say so, the NFU says so, they are shortly to publish a report showing that 75 per cent of all commercial farms will fall above the threshold.

'If the Government isn't going to reverse this terrible policy, will she at least commit that there will be no further increases to inheritance tax, and no further reductions to agricultural property relief or business property relief in this parliament?'

But the Deputy PM replied: 'He talks about the facts, and I absolutely stand by the figures the Government have set out, and the vast majority of estate owners will be totally unaffected.

Despite the huge protest by desperate farmers in Westminster yesterday, the Housing Secretary insisted the 'vast majority' will be able to hand down their estates tax-free

'He wants to talk about the figures, I will be crystal clear. The vast majority of estate owners will (see) no change and pay no tax on land passed on valued at 1 million. Couples can pass on 3 million, tax-free, and those above the threshold will pay only half the normal rate and could pay it over 10 years, interest-free.'

Thousands of farmers and their supporters had descended on the capital for a mass protest against Rachel Reeves' Budget plan to limit the existing 100 per cent inheritance tax relief on farms to only the first 1million.

Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson was among those taking part in the protest and challenged the Government to 'back down' over what he called its 'cocked up' raid.

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Rayner's refusal to rule out a further cash grab will send shivers down the spine of every taxpayer hoping to pass on a nest egg to their children.

'Inheritance tax raises little money for the Treasury but devastates grieving families and is now set to hit family farmers as well.

'The government should not only scrap the planned changes to agricultural relief, it should commit to scrapping the death duty entirely.'
A missing 18-year-old beauty queen finalist last seen at a Polish airport has been found safe and well after disappearing two weeks ago.

Ania Czopinski disappeared in Poland on November 11 at the Krakow John Paul II International Airport in Balice.

Polish authorities announced today they had found Ms Czopinski 'safe and sound', thanking the public for their help.

'We would like to inform you that the 18-year-old British citizen has been found,' the Krakow police department said in a statement today.

Ania Czopinski disappeared in Poland on November 11 at the Krakow John Paul II airport

Polish authorities announced today they had found Ms Czopinski 'safe and sound'

It was not clear from the initial police report where or how Ms Czopinski was found.

She is believed to have travelled to Dublin before heading to Krakow and vanishing.

Sergeant Aleksandra Bytowska, acting press officer of the District Police Headquarters in Krakow, said she was last seen at the airport.

CCTV footage from the airport showed Ms Czopinski in a pair of grey jeans with ripped knees, a black jacket, and black trainers while pulling a suitcase across the floor.

The teenager, of Polish origin, had reportedly never been to Poland before and does not speak the language, had no phone or identification documents, sparking concern for her welfare.

District Police Headquarters in Krakow said in a statement: 'An 18-year-old British citizen has gone missing.

'Missing Ania was last seen on 11th November this year at around 11pm at the Krakow-Balice Airport.

'People who have any information about the missing person are asked to contact the Police Department in Zabierzow.

'Thank you for your help.'

She previously went missing in August after failing to return home from a festival in the UK.

Her parents Stephen Czopinski and Justine Zellas appealed for help to find her on social media at the time and she later turned up.

Ms Czopinski had gone missing after she tried to get a lift back to her home in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside.

The teenager, previously named as a Miss Teen GB semi-finalist, attended the music event with a group of friends, but her father understands they made their way home without her.

Stephen Czopinski said when she was found after she last vanished in August: 'I'm glad to report Ania is safe and sound and back home now. We really appreciate your concern and well wishes.'

He had said: 'She was still in Leeds when I last spoke to her.

Ania went missing in August while trying to get a lift home from Leeds Festival

Ania was trying to get a lift back to her home in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside in August

'I have been told by a friend, Ania was hanging around asking for a lift at around about 11am.

'Somebody refused her a lift and she headed back to the campsite. Her friends are all back. She is out there by herself and I'm just worried sick.

'I sent her a text message but I'm not sure if she is getting them.

'The last time I saw her I gave her a cuddle. I was going to work and she was still in bed.

'She's a teenager, I work very early and go in and kiss her on the forehead and nine times out of ten she tells me to get off.

'On Thursday, she woke up, gave me a cuddle and said, 'I love you, Dad'.
California residents voted against a proposal to raise the state's minimum wage from $16 to $18 by 2026.

This marked the first time the blue state has rejected a wage increase in nearly three decades, another sign the state has slowly leaned toward becoming more conservative.

But it was a close call, as 49 percent of voters said 'yes' to higher wages while 51 percent shot it down, according to California's election results. The Associated called the vote on Tuesday evening.

Proposition 32 was backed by anti-poverty advocate and businessman Joseph Sanberg - who asserted the fight for better pay is not over just because the bill did not pass.

He told Politico: 'This close result shows that California workers are ready for change and wont back down.

'The fight for higher wages and economic dignity for millions of California workers doesnt end here.'

Some experts have pointed to existing wage increases within specific California labor unions to explain why the Proposition 32 did not succeed.

For example, minimum wage in the fast-food industry is already $20 in California.

The sunset over Downtown Los Angeles (pictured). California voters rejected an initiative to raise the state minimum wage to $18

Jot Condie said the outcome was 'historic' and people were not in favor of Proposition 32 because it would increase costs across California

Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom, signed off on a law that is gradually increasing health care workers' pay. Eventually, they will be making $25 an hour.

Critics of the failed legislation, like president and CEO of the California Restaurant Association Jot Condie, called the voting outcome 'historic.'

Condie said voters rallied against a law that would increase the state's cost of living.

'It is important that policymakers hear the message being sent by the voters - stop using California consumers as guinea pigs for public policy experiments that make life more expensive for everyone,' she said, according to Politico.

California State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business John Kabateck agreed with Condie's sentiment, stating people 'correctly saw Prop 32 as another broadside on the ever-shrinking budgets of working-class families.'

Jennifer Barrera, the president and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce, said if the bill had passed, it would have likely hiked up taxes and force business to get rid of some of their staff.

She told the Associated Press: 'With the economy and costs top of mind for many voters this election, that message appears to have resonated.'

Despite backlash, supporters of the proposition argued it would have helped over 2 million workers, including those who are employed by grocery stores and hotels.

A labor union demonstrating in California for wage rights (pictured). One factor that experts say may have hindered the bill from passing is that specific sectors already have higher minimum wages

Joseph Sanberg sponsored Proposition 32 and asserted that 'the fight for higher wages and economic dignity for millions of California workers doesnt end here'

'Proposition 32s failure to pass is disappointing for all Californians who believe that everyone who works should earn enough to support their families,' Kathy Finn, president of the UFCW 770 labor union, told the Associated Press.

UFCW 770 represents over 30,000 laborers across various sectors.

Politico reported Sanberg spent $10 million to set the initiative into motion back in 2022.

California's minimum wage has doubled since 2010, when it was just $8 per hour.

In 2016, the West Coast state became the first in the country to standardize a $15 hourly rate. The law was approved by the governor at the time, Jerry Brown, who was also a Democrat.

There are 40 California cities and counties that have established minimum wages above the statewide rate.

However, several counties in the famously liberal state have been swinging over to the right, the recent election revealed.

The states bluest county, San Francisco, registered a seven-point swing in favor of Donald Trump compared to the 2020 election - possibly as part of a broader political realignment within the state.

Sanberg is an anti-poverty advocate and spent $10 million in 2022 to qualify Proposition 32, Politico reported

Protestors rallied for better wages (pictured). Proponents of the rejected proposition said it would have raised the wages of over 2 million workers

After a decade of 'soft-on-crime' reforms to the criminal justice system, California voters rejected portions of Proposition 47.

The 2014 law reduced five non-violent, low-level crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.

Voters overwhelmingly rolled back portions of the 2014 law - with all 58 California counties, in a rare occurrence, agreeing.

That stands in stark contrast to a decade ago, when 58 percent of voters across the state elected to pass Proposition 47.

Proposition 36, a law that erased many of the amendments made by its predecessor, passed with 68.9 percent of the vote this month, making thefts of $950 or less a felony again for offenders with two or more past theft convictions.
A schizophrenic man who was high on crystal meth stabbed four people in a subway station in Mexico City on Tuesday, authorities said.

Chilling video shows the suspect, Kevin Martinez, 26, running after one of his targets and plunging a knife into the victim on a subway platform.

He is then seen stabbing the man at least three more times after the victim collapsed on the platform.

The spree started when Martinez walked inside a 7 Line station in the neighborhood of Miguel Hidalgo and began to argue with passengers on the platform.

The victims were identified as Roberto Ruiz, 32; Carlos Limon, 59; Jose Hernandez, 60; and Placido Martin, 63.

They were all rushed to area hospitals.

Ruiz, who was stabbed several times, and Martin, who suffered a wound to his jawbone, remained hospitalized.

Limon and Hernandez were discharged.

One of the victims approached police officers at the station and alerted them to the attack.

Witnesses told authorities that Martinez approached passengers and mentioned that he was going to get on the train tracks.

Kevin Martinez was arrested Tuesday morning in Mexico City after he stabbed four passengers on a subway station platform. All four victims survived

Paramedics treat one of the four men who was stabbed at a 7 Line station in the Mexico City neighborhood of Miguel Hidalgo on Tuesday

The suspect was seen running on the subway station platform before plunging a knife into the back of a man and the stabbing him at least three more times while he was lying on the ground

Martinez then jumped on the tracks as a train approached the station following the attacks.

One subway passenger told Mexican news outlet Milenio that Martinez was standing behind him before a police officer arrested the suspect.

'He was behind me with the knife, I didn't see him. Then I turned around and saw the policeman,' the passenger said.

'What I did was hide, but I never realized that he was behind me.'

Mexico City Police Chief Pablo Vazquez told Milenio that the attack may have been provoked by Martinez's schizophrenia.

'It was an exceptional event. It has to do with the disorder that this person suffers from, the main motivation for the attacks,' Vazquez said.

'He was treated, he had a blow to the head and the first diagnosis made by the pre-hospital care teams was that he was visibly intoxicated, at that time it was difficult to determine by what type of substance.'

A Tele Diario report reveled that Martinez had tested positive for crystal methamphetamine.

He also told authorities he was under the influence of crystal meth, El Grafico reported.

Police said that Martinez suffers from schizophrenia and that he was under the influence of crystal meth

One of the four stabbing victims is tended to by a law enforcement official

Another stabbing victim seen on the floor of the station

The stabbing occurred after a 30-year-old man allegedly linked to a local drug dealing gang was fatally shot at an A Line station in the Mexico City neighborhood of Tepalcates on October 11.

The shooter was sitting on a bench and shot the victim as he stepped out of the train car.

The gunman fired two more shots at the man while he was lying on the ground and took off running.

On May 24, a male passenger was shot inside an 8 Line station in the neighborhood of Cuauhtemoc.

No arrests were made in either shooting.
San Francisco's mayor-elect tapped OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to join his transition team, even as the company continues to lobby the city for tax breaks.

Democratic moderate Daniel Lurie, philanthropist and heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, beat incumbent Mayor London Breed for the city's top role.

When he takes office, Lurie, who has no experience at City Hall, will face the challenge of resolving San Francisco's public safety crisis, a pressing issue that has driven numerous tech leaders to relocate from the Bay Area.

Lurie named Altman as one of seven co-chairs on his transition team on Monday saying they will 'guide our transition and lay the foundation for change in San Francisco.'

'We each share a commitment to accountability, service, and change. These leaders will provide guidance as we move forward, building a government that serves all San Franciscans.'

Altman's main home is in San Francisco's Russian Hill neighborhood and OpenAI recently leased a building downtown.

'I'm excited to help the city I love, and where OpenAI was started, as it begins its next chapter with Mayor-elect Lurie stepping into his new role,' Altman said.

However, there are concerns about Altman having the mayor-elect's ear while his company's lobbyist is seeking tax breaks from the city's government, according the The San Francisco Standard.

San Francisco's mayor-elect tapped OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to join his transition team

Altman's main home is in San Francisco's Russian Hill neighborhood and OpenAI recently leased a new building downtown

The local news outlet said that OpenAI's lobbyist, Alex Tourk, is still on the company payroll.

Tourk has been meeting with city officials since March to discuss tax reforms, lobbyist filings at the ethics commission show. But the outgoing mayor rejected his pleas.

'We have not discussed any tax breaks,' Lurie told The Standard. 'We talked about their investment in arts and culture. Investing in the city. He's all in on our city, just like every co-chair on the transition team.'

Lurie had the transition team members sign a code of ethics that states, 'I will take all steps reasonably necessary to avoid abusing or misusing my position with the Transition Team for personal gain.'

An OpenAI spokesperson said Altman is committed to the pledge and only interested in helping the city.

'Sam has not discussed tax reform with Mayor-elect Lurie and will comply with the ethics pledge required by the transition team,' the spokesperson said.

'San Francisco is where OpenAI got started and we'll continue to advocate for policies that ensure the city remains a hub for innovation.'

Crime-ridden San Francisco has seen the closure of many shops and restaurants since its drastic post-pandemic downfall.

Democratic moderate Daniel Lurie (pictured), philanthropist and heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, beat incumbent Mayor London Breed for the city's top role

When he takes office, Lurie, who has no experience at City Hall, will face the challenge of resolving San Francisco's homelessness and crime crisis

Despite suffering high levels of crime and homelessness, entrepreneurs and investors are returning with the city now at the forefront of the latest revolution in emerging tech: artificial intelligence.

Lurie's election solidified a political turn toward moderate-centrist politics fueled by wealthy donors, many of them tech founders or venture capitalists.

San Francisco's sluggish post-pandemic economic recovery and visible struggles with drugs and homelessness have fueled a shift towards centrist Democratic politics, driven by both disgruntled citizens and affluent tech executive donors.

Companies like OpenAI, which run ChatGPT, are leasing new buildings in the city while other Bay Area tech companies are reinforcing return-to-office mandates, with Robinhood Markets and Chime now implementing stricter policies for staff.
Ousted Squad member Jamaal Bowman has been branded 'racist' by people on X after going on a bizarre rant about Star Wars.

Bowman, who lost the Democratic primary in June, vowed to 'spend the rest of my days denouncing this franchise' if the next lead Jedi is 'not a black man'.

The New York Congressman's comments came in a tweet announcing that the next Star Wars movie trilogy is in the works by X-Men writer-producer Simon Kinberg.

'If the lead Jedi is not a Black man I aint messing with yall. Yall not about to make 12 Star Wars and have all white leads for all 12,' Bowman, 48, wrote on X.

'Yall wilding with that and I hate to say that I would not watch and will spend the rest of my days denouncing this franchise that I have loved forever.

'The new Jedi order better be multicultural with a Black super powerful lead. We aint playing yall!'

Bowman's comments sparked fury online, with X users branding him 'racist' and 'a clown', while pointing out that black actors including Samuel L Jackson and John Boyega had played leading roles in the Star Wars movies.

Ousted Squad member Jamaal Bowman (pictured) has been branded 'racist' by people on Twitter /X after going on a bizarre rant about the Star Wars franchise

Bowman, who lost the Democratic primary in June , vowed to 'spend the rest of my days denouncing this franchise' if the next lead Jedi is 'not a black man'

'Nobody asked for your racist opinion', one person said, while another added: 'Shut the f*** up, you clown... go race-bait and gaslight somewhere else.'

'It's a shame you look at things through a racial lens as much as you do,' one X user wrote. 'It seems racist to a normal person.'

Others also made jokes about Bowman pulling the fire alarm during a House vote that would have avoided a government shutdown on September 30.

Pictured: American actor Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker on the set of Star Wars: Episode IV

'He's pulling the fire alarm on the Star Wars franchise,' one person said, while another asked if Bowman would activate the alarm in a movie theater if the next protagonist is white.

A former public school founder and principal, Bowman served as US representative for a NY congressional district covering part of the northern Bronx since January 2021.

He is known for being a member of the Squad - an informal group of far-left members of the House Democratic Caucus founded by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and others in recent years.

In June, he became the first member of the squad to get ousted from Congress following a crushing defeat in the New York primary.

Support from AOC couldn't save Bowman as his opponent George Latimer, 70, secured a convincing victory.

The contest in New York's 16th Congressional District was the most expensive primary in history - with the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee pouring $15million into a campaign against Bowman.

Bowman's comments sparked fury online, with X users branding him 'racist' and 'a clown', while pointing out that black actors including Samuel L Jackson and John Boyega had played leading roles in the Star Wars movies

Democrat Rep. Jamal Bowman says claims he purposefully pulled a fire alarm to disrupt House Republicans as they debated a stopgap bill to avert a government shutdown are 'BS'

Latimer speaks to his supporters after securing victory in the New York 16th Congressional District primary

Bowman was targeted for his anti-Israel views and his strong support for Palestinians in the wake of the Hamas October 7 terrorist attacks.

He was one of the first to demand a ceasefire and has flirted with conspiracies about Israel, prompting some within his own party to accuse him of anti-Semitism.

Voters also didn't forget him pleading guilty to one misdemeanor over his fire alarm stunt in the Cannon House Office building.

He appeared in DC Superior Court for arraignment one day after being criminally charged for the Capitol Hill incident.

Under an agreement with prosecutors, Bowman was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and write an apology to Capitol Police.

Latimer went on to defeat Republican Miriam Flisser in the general election for US House New York District 16 on November 5, and he will take Bowman's seat when the new Donald Trump administration takes over on January 20.
Donald Trump's incoming border czar issued a stern warning to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu ahead of the president-elect's mass deportation plans.

Tom Homan, 62, said he hopes Wu, 39, doesn't 'cross the line' when it comes to his and Trump's plans to deport millions of migrants once taking office in January.

Wu vowed to continue to protect migrants inside her sanctuary city in 'every possible way,' she told WCVBs On the Record on Sunday.

'She's not very smart, I'll give her that,' Homan, a former police officer, told Newsmax.

'President Trump's going to prioritize public safety threats. What mayor or governor doesn't want public safety threats out of their communities?'

On Tuesday, Wu dismissed Homan's remarks, telling the Boston Herald: 'They can say whatever they want about me, but our public safety record speaks for itself: Boston is the safest major city in America.

'Our homicide rates are among the lowest of any city nationally, and gun violence has been at an all-time historic low over the last two years here in Boston.'

She said the city's lower crime rates are 'no coincidence' and a 'reflection of the trust between our residents and our public safety officials.'

Tom Homan, 62, said he hopes Wu, 39, doesn't 'cross the line' when it comes to his and Trump's plans to deport millions of migrants once taking office in January. 'She's not very smart, Ill give her that,' Homan said

Wu vowed to continue to protect migrants inside her sanctuary city in 'every possible way'

'We will continue to focus on that work and have no intention of rolling out the welcome mat for them,' she said.

However, Homan reminded the liberal mayor that under Title 8 of the United States Code 1324 III that concealing illegal aliens from law enforcement is a federal crime.

'They can not cooperate, but there are certain laws in place that they can't cross and I hope she doesnt cross it,' he told Newsmax.

'That's our number one responsibility: To protect their communities and that's exactly what we're going to do.'

Boston has been a sanctuary city since 2014. Under the Trust Act, it is not required to cooperate with some federal immigration laws.

The Trust Act allows some city departments, like police, to not cooperate with ICE for detainments on civil warrants. However, for criminal matters, the city would be required to help.

'What we can do is make sure that we are doing our part to protect our residents in every possible way,' Wu said on Sunday.

'[Make sure] that we are not cooperating with those efforts that actually threaten the safety of everyone by causing widespread fear and having large-scale economic impacts.'

Boston has been a sanctuary city since 2014. Under the Trust Act, it is not required to cooperate with some federal immigration laws (pictured: Haitian migrants in Boston in May)

The Trust Act allows some city departments, like police, to not cooperate with ICE for detainments on civil warrants (pictured: migrants at Logan Airport in Boston)

Wu said she refuses to allow the migrants in her city to 'retreat into the shadows' when Trump begins his second term.

'Reaching out to city services, whether it's calling 911 when you need it, or taking your child to school - those are all city services that have nothing to do with immigration enforcement,' she said of migrants.

'And we will continue to protect our residents within those spaces.'

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has also pledged that the state police will not be used to help Trump's deportation efforts. The Massachusetts State Police said those efforts would go against their mission, according to the Herald.

Cambridge - home to Harvard University - Concord, Lawrence, and Newton are also sanctuary cities.

Despite the two liberal politicians showing resistance to Trump's deportation plans, Homan directed his attention to the Laken Riley case, which a 22-year-old illegal immigrant has been charged with her murder.

'I want you to listen to that tape of that young lady fighting for her life, fighting for her breath,' Homan said.

'She did not want to die, she fought hard. Listen to it. Don't just say "OK, another one died." I want you to listen to the struggles because that happens across the country almost every day by an illegal alien.'

Trump - who partially built a border wall during his first term - has indicated that he plans to declare a national emergency and use military force to deport illegal migrants from the US once he takes office. An estimated 11million could be affected

Twenty-nine illegal migrants have been arrested for homicide or manslaughter so far in the 2024 fiscal year, which ended on September 30, according to US Customs and Border Patrol.

Trump - who partially built a border wall during his first term - has indicated that he plans to declare a national emergency and use military force to deport illegal migrants from the US once he takes office.

Responding to a post on Truth Social from activist Tom Fitton, who said the 'incoming Trump administration [are] prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program,' Trump wrote: 'TRUE!!!'

Trump has long promised not only to curb illegal immigration, but to deport those who currently live in the US illegally.

He said just days after winning the 2024 election that his fight to deport an estimated 11million people would have no 'price tag.'

'Really, we have no choice,' he told NBC.

'When people have killed and murdered, when drug lords have destroyed countries, and now they're going to go back to those countries because they're not staying here. There is no price tag.'

The American Immigration Council estimated that the cost of a mass deportation on the scale that Trump wants could cost $315billion.

The cost includes the impacts of lost labor.
A barrister accused of forging his mother's signature to con his younger brother out of his inheritance has lost a court fight over her 1.2m fortune.

Robert Grierson - who specialises in tax and will disputes - was accused of faking a document handing him half his mother's house, and then producing an invalid will which left him the rest of her fortune when she died.

His mother, Elise Grierson, had previously treated Robert, 56, and his younger brother Duncan, 55, equally, but dramatically changed her will 16 days after their father's death in 2022 and only weeks before she herself passed away.

Instead of equal shares, eco-investment boss Duncan got only 10,000, while his brother, who had lived with his parents for more than 20 years, was given almost every penny.

On top of that, Robert claimed she had already signed a declaration of trust in 2013, handing him a half share of her 1m home in Sutton Coldfield.

But he was sued by his brother at the High Court last month, with Judge Joanne Wicks KC now ruling that both the gift of half the house and the will were invalid.

There was 'compelling evidence' that Mrs Grierson had not herself signed the trust document, she said, while the will was not properly witnessed and made at a time when Robert could not prove she was of sound mind.

But despite finding the gift of half the house was 'invalid' as somebody else had signed her name on the document, the judge made no findings as to whether Robert was responsible for forgery because he had not been at court to defend himself.

Probate lawyer Robert Grierson outside the High Court after a hearing

Duncan Grierson was left just 10,000 of his mother's fortune in a will she signed just 51 days before she died

During the trial, Judge Wicks heard that Mrs Grierson and her husband, also Robert, had enjoyed a 60-year marriage, with their son Robert living with them from 1999 and later operating his legal practice from their home on an exclusive private estate in Kenilworth Close, Sutton Coldfield.

Duncan's barrister Constance McDonnell KC said the parents treated their sons equally and had 'worked extremely hard' to support them, with both going on to study law at Cambridge University.

However, although Robert went on to practise as a barrister at London's prestigious Lincoln's Inn and later in the Cayman Islands, Duncan instead ended up in the business world and is now involved in eco-investing.

The siblings' father died in horrifying circumstances in January 2022, with Duncan and his family finding him unconscious and in 'squalid' conditions when they visited his home, she continued.

Mrs Grierson was devastated and suffered an 'acute grief reaction,' as well as depression and a decline in her physical health, continued the barrister, and she died in hospital, aged 84, in March.

However, it was only in May 2022 that Duncan learned of the new will, leaving Robert almost all of his mother's estate, with 10,000 to Duncan and smaller gifts to two friends.

And Robert followed that by revealing the existence of the 2013 declaration of trust, which he said he found amongst his father's book collection and which handed him half of the 1m house.

After reacting in 'shock and anger,' Duncan went to court in a challenge to the 2013 document on the basis of forgery and the will on the basis that his mother was mentally unsound, did not understand and properly approve of it, and that it was not witnessed properly.

He said a previous will from 2020, dividing her estate equally, was her last true will and that there was no reason for her to have changed her mind in the two intervening years.

Picture shows the 1m family home in Kenilworth Close, Sutton Coldfield which the brothers are fighting over

Ms McDonnell said an expert had assessed the declaration of trust and said the signature and initials of Mrs Grierson on it were probably 'simulations.'

There was also evidence that an 'indented tracing guideline' had been followed to produce it, making it 'highly probable' it was not signed by Mrs Grierson.

'Duncan's case is that Robert is the only person who could, and would, have placed such simulated signatures on that document, and that he did so in order to acquire by fraud an asset worth about 500,000,' she said.

She said there were also seriously suspicious circumstances surrounding the making of the will only 16 days after her husband's death when Mrs Grierson was declining, depressed and grief-stricken.

'The fact that the person who benefited under the 2022 will was solely responsible for its production would be enough on its own to cause grave suspicion,' she said.

'That is further exacerbated by the fact that Robert is a lawyer and that Mrs Grierson, who lacked a complete education, was not confident about reading legal documents and would have relied upon him.

'Mrs Grierson was extremely vulnerable in January 2022, with deteriorating physical health, and then the trauma of the loss of her husband.

'She was isolated from Duncan and his family, as well as the rest of her social network because her household was shielding.'

Importantly, the will went against Mrs Grierson's 'consistent and lifelong intention' to treat her two sons equally, the barrister continued.

The two witnesses to it - a carpet cleaner and a carer - had given statements, with the carer saying Mrs Grierson's signature was already on the will when she signed.

Robert's defence to the action was struck out following his failure to disclose evidence earlier this year, with the judge then left to decide the case on Duncan's evidence alone.

Giving judgment, Judge Wicks said the expert evidence provided 'compelling evidence that Mrs Grierson did not herself sign' the document handing Robert half of the house.

The case was heard in London's High Court (pictured)

'I have given careful consideration as to whether it is appropriate for me to go further and make any finding as to whether or not it was Robert who signed Mrs Grierson's name and initials on the declaration of trust, as Duncan submits I should,' she continued.

'In my judgment, given the seriousness of the allegation and the fact that I have heard no evidence from Robert, it is right not to go further than the issues in the case require.'

Having declared the declaration of trust 'void' because it was 'not Mrs Grierson's document,' she went on to declare invalid the 2022 will, which she said had not been properly witnessed by two or more people at the same time.

And she also found that Robert had not proven that Mrs Grierson had mental capacity to make the will, nor that she knew and approved of its contents.

'In my judgment the contents of the 2022 will are an important factor in considering capacity,' she said.

'In January 2020, Mrs Grierson had wanted to treat her two sons equally.

'This was despite the fact that Robert had by then lived for many years with his parents. He, no doubt, supported them in many various ways as a consequence of that proximity which Duncan, being more distant and with his own family commitments, did not.

'There is no evidence to explain why she would have wanted to make such a radical change to her will two years later.

'Consequently, in my judgment the doubts about Mrs Grierson's capacity are such that the evidential burden shifts to Robert, as the person propounding the 2022 will, to prove that Mrs Grierson was of sound disposing mind at the time she made it.

'Given the debarring order and in the absence of contemporaneous medical evidence showing that Mrs Grierson had capacity, that is a burden which he is unable to meet.'

The decision means that the 2020 will, splitting her fortune equally between the brothers, stands as her final will and that the whole house is included in the estate.
Labour has announced swingeing cuts to the UK's defence capabilities even as Britain is being dragged closer into direct conflict with Russia.

In a shocking move which sent alarming signals to the Kremlin, 31 frontline helicopters and a pair of Commando assault ships were axed.

While despite the domination of drones on the Ukrainian battlefield, the UK is to lose a staggering 46 Watchkeeper Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

A Royal Navy frigate and a pair of 'fast fleet tankers', which provide fuel for aircraft carriers, are also being chopped as part of the jaw-dropping plans.

The decision by Defence Secretary John Healey was met by shock and fury today.

Sources said the cuts delivered entirely the wrong message to Britain's enemies and allies such as the United States.

The timing was also challenged as it coincides with the US ramping up its support for Ukraine  and as other NATO members are boosting their military capabilities.

One senior naval figure remarked: 'Try telling Donald Trump these helicopters and ships were getting old and were costing more to repair, he'll only hear that Britain is making cuts'.

Among the cuts announced include 14 of the oldest Chinook helicopters, which have been the backbone of military operations for decades (pictured is a Chinook in Afghanistan in 2006)

Landing ship HMS Bulwark, which was meant to be retired in 2034, will now be scrapped at the end of the year

Labour Defence Secretary John Healey announced the staggering cuts in Parliament today

Announcing the cuts in Parliament this afternoon, Mr Healey told MPs: 'I recogonise that these will mean a lot to mean who have sailed and flown in them during their deployment around the world, but their work is done we must look now to the future.

'We're in a new era of rising global tensions, we need a new era for UK defence. To achieve this, the Government is investing 3bn extra next year and setting a clear path to 2.5 per cent, driving far-reaching reform, fixing the foundations for our armed forces to make Britain better defended, strong at home, secure abroad.'

Mr Healey said insisted the savings will fund the development of more advanced equipment  and will not be seized by the Treasury.

He also unveiled plans to address recruitment and retention issues  including incentives for troops to extend their service in areas such as aircraft engineering.

Healey told the House the cuts were required due to 'dire inheritance' of the Labour government following the General Election.

He said: Today, with the full backing of our service chiefs I can confirm that six outdated capabilities will be taken out of service.

These decisions are set to save the Ministry of Defence 150 million in pounds over two years and up to 500 million over five years. Savings that will be retained, in full, in defence.

HMS Northumberlands structural damage made her uneconomical to repair. The 46 Watchkeeper Mk 1s, a 14-year-old Army drone which technology had overtaken.

A total of 14 of the oldest Chinook helicopters, some more than 35 years old, will be axed

The UK is set to axe 46 of Watchkeeper drones - a 14-year-old army drone - amid fears they are now obsolete given rapid developments in drone tech seen in Ukraine

A pair of naval 'fast fleet tankers', which provide fuel for aircraft carriers, are also being chopped as part of the jaw-dropping plans. Pictured is one of those tankers, RFA Wave Knight

Britain's newly-axed helicopters and warships - in figures Chinook Can carry 55 soldiers plus kit Max speed: 183mph Max height: 18,500ft Puma Can carry 16 passengers Max speed: 159mph Max height: 15,750ft HMS Northumberland Speed: 32mph Range: 7,500 nautical miles Weapons: Missiles, anti-sub torpedoes, 4.5in naval gun, two 30mm cannons, Wildcat helicopter Advertisement

HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, landing ships both effectively retired by previous ministers but superficially kept on the books at a cost of 9 million a-year.

Fourteen Chinooks, some over 35-years-old, accelerated out of service, two Wave Class tankers nobody had seen for years and 17 Puma helicopters, some with over 50 years flying, will not be extended.

Sadly, these will not be the last difficult decisions I am required to take.

Britain has informed its allies of the changes which come early on in Labours Strategic Defence Review (SDR) which will form the basis of its overall approach to defence policy.

Mr Healey confirmed no service personnel would be made redundant and insisted the retirement of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark would not affect the future of the Royal Marines.

Despite this reassurance there was little doubt today the withdrawal of these Landing Platform Docks would alter the role of the commandos.

As without these support ships, which could put ashore hundreds of amphibious troops and up to 30 all-terrain vehicles or six tanks, the Marines could not perform a large-scale landing operation.

Bulwark recently completed a 150million refit at Devenport docks  money which, in light of todays announcement, would seem to have been entirely wasted.

The ships also have helicopter landing pads and eight landing craft for commandos to storm a beachhead.

The Defence Secretary also said that 17 Puma helicopters would be retired from the end of March 2025, in a move defence sources fear will leave the UK's aerial lift capabilities reduced

HMS Albion, another landing ship, will also be retired come the end of the year

According to the Royal Navy these ships 'deliver the punch of the Royal Marines to land by sea or by air'  begging the question today/yesterday how this can be achieved without Albion and Buwark.

As a senior Marine source told the Mail: 'The loss of Albion and Bulwark will fundamentally change the role of the Royal Marines, moving away from amphibious landings.

'Instead they will be forced to operate as a small strike force, focusing on counter-terrorism operations and missions at sea. There could be no Falklands or D-Day-style operations without such ships.'

While Julian Lewis MP, said: 'This is a black day for the Royal Marines. The purpose of Albion and Bulwark is to have the capability to make a landing across a foreshore. We have no way of knowing whether the absence of that capability might be an incentive for someone to try something like the Falklands in the future.'

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge mocked Labours record on defence and its refusal to set a pathway to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on the UKs Armed Forces.

He also denied that HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark had been 'superficially' maintained by the previous government for political purposes.

He told the House: 'Those ships could have been regenerated to a condition able to fight and crews found. Permanently scrapping the landing ships means we move that capability entirely.

'MRSS [Multi-Role Support Ships] are intended to fill the gap but these are at least eight to nine years away. And what will be the impact of the decisions on Chinooks and Puma?

The Defence Secretary said HMS Albion and Bulwark had been 'mothballed' (pictured is HMS Albion)

Mr Healey told MPs, however, that both ships had been 'mothballed'. 'There were no plans for either of these ships to go back to sea for nearly 10 years until they were due to be taken out of service,' the Defence Secretary said.

'These were not ready to sail, these were not ready to fight - they are capabilities that can be covered elsewhere and this will save us every year money we can redeploy within defence to upgrading our forces and technologies for the future.'

There was little opposition to the retirement of Watchkeeper Mk1 drones. In Ukraine, new drones are being developed every few months while Watchkeeper was 15-years-old.

The technology aboard the platform was widely considered to be outdated while the UAV was unreliable in bad weather.

Attempts to modernise Watchkeeper Mk1, including 2,000 additional system requirements, had also significantly increased its weight, leading to crashes on military exercises.

Earlier this year, it emerged there were no Watchkeeper Mk1s being used on operations anywhere in the world.

The 14 Chinooks being retired, from a fleet of 51, will be replaced by more capable Extended Range Chinooks in 2027. The retirement will also be staggered to reduce its impact on operations.

Controversially, replacements for these reliable and versatile helicopters will not enter service until at least 2027.

Even though the withdrawal of the oldest Chinooks will be staggered, to minimise impact on operational capabilities, Britain's armed forces will still lose some troop lifting capability for at least two years.

The MoD insisted the 17 Puma helicopters being retired from Cyprus and Brunei can be replaced by commercial helicopters at a considerable saving.

Ageing frigate HMS Northumberland is due to be retired. It had been in refit when engineers found significant and costly structural damage to the vessel

Among the cuts announced include 14 of the oldest Chinook helicopters, which have been the backbone of military operations for decades

Facts on axed assault ships, drones and naval tankers Albion-class assault ships Can carry 405 troops, 30 all-terrain vehicles or six tanks Max speed: 21mph Armament: Phalanx anti-air system, two cannon, machine guns Watchkeeper drone Cruising speed: 90mph Endurance: 14hrs Sensors: Dual-mode radar that can see through all weather conditions Wave class tankers Range 11,000 nautical miles Carries 13,0o0 tonnes of ship fuel, 3,000 of aviation fule Can transfer 500 tonnes per hour Advertisement

Conservative MP Iain Duncan-Smith suggested the retirement of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark was premature, and would encourage the Treasury to demand further savings.

He said: These ships still had life in them and could have been resurrected. Mothballing is what the Americans use all the time.

Could I please suggest to him [the Defence Secretary] he rethinks this process and says to the Treasury back off now.

Predictably, serving top brass backed the moves, led by Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.

He said: Accelerating the disposal of legacy equipment is the logical approach to focus on the transition to new capabilities that better reflect changing technology and tactics.

It also complements our taking some tough decisions to ease some of the current financial pressures.

While the head of the Army, General Sir Roly Walker said: Ive flown many missions in Chinook and Puma helicopters and will miss them. But warhorses must go out to pasture.

We have found faster, better and cheaper ways. Warfare is changing and we need to think and act differently.

HMS Northumberland, a Type-23 frigate will be retired after a planned refit of the warship unearthed extensive structural damage.

The time and investment required to repair the vessel was considered uneconomical in today's straitened financial environment.

As it was not at sea, or available for operations, the decision to retire her does not impact upon the Royal Navy's current capability levels.

The 17 Puma helicopters being axed are currently based in Cyprus and Brunei (file image)

As the Mail has revealed, a paucity of frigates and destroyers have been available to set sail in recent months as so many require repairs  and dry dock space is so limited.

The Mail also exclusively revealed how earlier this year Britain did not have a single 'attack' submarine operational. This despite the increase in Russian subsurface naval operations in the North Sea.

Similarly the Wave-class tankers, RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler, which are used to replenish warships and aircraft carriers at sea, have not set sail for years.

Since then another class of tankers has been introduced, the Tide-class, as these will be used to support next year's major Carrier Strike Group (CSG) operations in the Pacific.

However, the cuts provoked an immediate response from defence experts, who branded the news as the biggest series of defence cut backs since 2010's swingeing Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).

Former Royal Navy Commander and frigate captain Tom Sharpe feared how the cuts would be seen by US President-Elect Donald Trump.

He told MailOnline: 'What's the plan?! Of course, the answer to that is 'we're conducting a review' but then back to the first point  why now? Where are the signs that Labour are serious about shipbuilding and defence?

'To me though the big issue is 'where is the quid pro quo?'. Culling old stuff is fine as long as it's to make way for new stuff.'

Defence Secretary Mr Healey said no redundancies would be made as a result of the 'common sense decisions'.

He said: 'They have provided a valuable capability over the years, but their work is done. We must look now to the future. And all current personnel will be redeployed or re-trained. No one will be made redundant.'

He added: 'Be in no doubt the future for our Royal Marines and their elite force will be reinforced in the SDR (strategic defence review).

'These are common sense decisions which previous governments failed to take, decisions that will secure better value for money for the taxpayer and better outcomes for the military.

News of the cuts come after the 1,000th day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was reached on Tuesday (pictured are members of the 24th Mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Force carrying out a fire mission)

A still image taken from a handout video provided today by the Russian Defence Ministry press-service showing combat work of a Russian Giatsint-b gun of the Russian Airborne Forces towards Ukrainian positions

'Decisions which are all backed by the chiefs and taken in consultation with SDR reviewers. Allies have been informed, and we have constant dialogue with Nato.

'These will not be the last difficult decisions I will have to make to fix the defence inheritance that we were left with, but they will help get a grip of finances now, and they will give greater scope to renew our forces for the future as we look towards the strategic defence review and to 2.5% (of GDP spent on defence).'

But the Conservatives said Labour will have to 'own the consequences' of its cuts to the Royal Navy.

Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge blamed Rachel Reeves for the plans, announced by Defence Secretary John Healey on Wednesday.

He said: 'Whatever the Chancellor's true grasp of economics, she's certainly been able to force her priorities onto the country, getting the MoD to scrap major capabilities before they've undertaken the department's much vaunted strategic defence review.

'They've killed off North Sea oil, undermining our energy security; this week they are killing off the family farm and threatening our food security. Today they're scrapping key defence capabilities and weakening our national security.

'Labour have made their choices; they own the consequences.'

Mr Cartlidge said he had been assured former flagships HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion could have been made battleworthy in the event of a war.

He said: 'I personally sought and received assurances from the Navy's leadership... that in the event of a full-scale war fighting scenario where the priority for the navy was literal capability, those ships could have still been regenerated to a condition able to fight, and the crews found.'

He added: 'Permanently scrapping the landing ships means we remove that capability entirely. So, what impact will this have on the operational effectiveness of the Royal Marines?

'MRSS (multi-role support ship) is intended to fill the gap but will be at least eight to nine years away. Is he still committed to MRSS?'

The defence row came amid claims Ukraine had used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles in Russia for the first time.

Images being shared on social media show what appear to be fragments of a British Storm Shadow missile in Marino, Kursk

One image shows a written indentation on a chunk of metal reading: 'Storm Shadow'

The unnamed official revealed 12 missiles were launched into the Kursk region on Wednesday, Bloomberg reported.

Unconfirmed images and footage posted to X/Twitter have shown residents in the village of Marino, Kursk, stumbling upon fragments of the missile.

One image shows a resident holding a thick chunk of broken metal in their hand, while another reveals a written indentation reading: 'Storm Shadow'.

Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy.

Meanwhile news also emerged today that another Royal Navy warship, HMS Bristol, would be scrapped.

The Type 82 destroyer, which fought during the Falklands, had not been to sea for years and was a harbour training ship at Portsmouth Naval Base.

It was decommissioned in October 2020. It's thought she was sold off to a Turkish shipbreakers yard, reports The News in Portsmouth.

The MoD told the city paper: 'As part of Defences commitment to sustainability and preserving the planet, HMS Bristol will be recycled after she departs Portsmouth next year.'
A forensic psychiatrist testified that Jordan Neely had been hospitalized for psychotic episodes over a dozen times and was heavily abusing drugs before his death on a Manhattan train.

Dr. Alexander Bardey took the stand in the trial of Daniel Penny, 26, a marine veteran who put Neely in a fatal chokehold when the homeless man threatened passengers on a subway in May 2023.

Witnesses said Neely screamed at passengers that someone was 'going to die' on the train, and Penny said he stepped in when Neely approached a woman with a child in a stroller.

According to Bardey, a defense expert who reviewed Neely's medical history, he suffered severe schizophrenia for years, including believing dead rapper Tupac Shakur was ordering him to 'change the world.'

Neely also suffered 'paranoid fears that people want to hurt him,' 'grandiose delusions that people are jealous of him', and reported hearing 'the devil's voice.'

Despite the shocking nature of Neely's history, Manhattan prosecutors had sought to bar Bardey's testimony from the trial, and attempted to have evidence of Neely's mental illness and drug abuse withheld from Penny's jury.

The case has become a divisive issue since BLM leapt on Neely's death last year and claimed it was the racist killing of a homeless black man by an overzealous young, white military veteran.

As the case gained national attention, others said Penny is a hero and a modern-day batman who saved dozens of others from a violent criminal on a packed subway.

Daniel Penny (pictured arriving at court with his mother on Tuesday) is facing manslaughter and negligent homicide charges over the death of homeless man Jordan Neely, who he put in a chokehold when Neely began threatening and attacking subway passengers

A subway passenger filmed the moment Penny put Neely in a fatal chokehold in May 2023

In his testimony, Bardey said he reviewed thousands of pages of Neely's medical records dating back to 2015.

Bardey previously worked for Rikers Island jail, and witnesses said Neely was screaming about his willingness to return to the prison when he threatened subway passengers.

He said he had worked on hundreds of cases involving schizophrenia patients, and said Neel's case was among the worst of his career.

'His symptoms, I would classify as severe,' Bardey testified.

'He describes paranoid fears that people want to hurt him, grandiose delusions that people are jealous of him, said that Tupac instructed him to change the world, and thats what he was doing.'

Bardey brought up several examples of Neely's severe mental illness, including two occasions he told hospital staff that Tupac was ordering him to 'change the world.'

'When asked to elaborate, he rambled about people changing their hair color and giving out free food,' he added.

The May 2023 incident sparked uproar in America - BLM says it was the racist killing of a mentally ill black man by an overzealous white military veteran

Penny (seen arriving at trial on November 18) has also had character witnesses testify to his nature, including his mother and two Marines who served with him overseas

Dr. Alexander Bardey, a forensic psychiatrist and former Rikers Island psychiatrist, testified that Neely had been hospitalized for psychotic episodes over a dozen times and was heavily abusing drugs before his death

Bolstering the defense's claim that Neely was not a victim in the incident that led to his death, Bardel described the homeless man as 'aggressive and bizarre.'

Cases of paranoid schizophrenia are known to be triggered by a variety of factors, and Bardey said a toxicology report found Neely was abusing synthetic marijuana at the time, which he said may have had a severe effect.

The psychiatrist's testimony came after the defense brought character witnesses to testify over Penny's character, including his mother and two Marines who served with him overseas.

One noted that Penny was the recipient of a Humanitarian Service Medal for his efforts after Hurricane Florence in 2018, reports Fox News.

Earlier in the trial, bombshell bodycam footage from the scene where Neely died was played to the court - shockingly revealing police officers detected a pulse on Neely after Penny released him.

In bodycam footage seen at trial, Penny, left, waited for police to arrive. He told calmly them: 'I put him out,' when asked how Neely ended up unconscious

The footage showed NYPD officers arriving on the train at Fulton Station at 2:33pm, and talking to witnesses and Penny on the subway.

'I got a pulse,' one said. A second police officer confirmed that he too felt a pulse.

Neely was unconscious, lying on the subway car floor. When asked how Neely ended up there, Penny calmly replied: 'I put him out.'

The homeless man was not pronounced dead until he arrived at Lenox Health Hospital in Greenwich Village later that afternoon.

Among witnesses on the first day of evidence was an NYPD Sergeant who testified that none of his team performed mouth-to-mouth on Neely because he was a 'drug user'.

'He seemed to be a drug user.. he was an apparent drug user. He was very dirty. I didnt want them to get hepatitis.

'If he did wake up he would have been vomiting. I didnt want my officers to do that. He was filthy. He looked like a homeless individual. You have to protect your officer,

'I wouldnt want my officer to get sick if the person throws up,' he said.

The trial is expected to last up to six weeks, and will call upon medical experts, first responders, and other passengers who were on the train that day.
On the eve of the 2024 election, a shock poll out of Republican-red Iowa set the political world on fire.

The so-called 'gold standard' Des Moines Register survey, conducted by veteran pollster Ann Selzer, showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump 47 percent to 44 percent.

Trump carried the state in 2020 and 2016 by nearly 10-percentage points.

Harris's sudden surge in the state was supposedly driven by support from women and especially female voters aged over 65 years old, who backed the Democrat by a whopping 35 points.

The survey was seized upon by Harris's surrogates and a left-leaning media that suggested it was evidence of a 'hidden Harris' voter that all the other national and swing state polls had somehow missed.

In the end, of course, this 'hidden Harris' voter never materialized  in Iowa or elsewhere.

Trump won the state by 13 percentage points, the largest margin ever recorded there since 1972, and a 16-point differential from Selzer's prediction.

Days after the election, the Des Moines Register announced they had launched a review of Selzer's polling methods to determine what had gone so dramatically wrong.

It wasn't only that the poll was extraordinarily off, but Selzer's erroneous numbers tarnished the reputation of the Register, the polling industry as a whole and may even have impacted the outcome of the election.

The so-called 'gold standard' Des Moines Register survey, conducted by veteran pollster Ann Selzer, showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump 47 percent to 44 percent.

Trump won the state by 13 percentage points, the largest margin ever recorded there since 1972, and a 16-point differential from Selzer's prediction.

Could her results, broadcast around the country in the campaign's waning days, have driven more Harris voters to the polls? Could they have had the opposite effect and motivated Trump supporters to turn out?

Both scenarios are conceivable. We'll never know the full impact.

On Sunday, Selzer announced her pre-planned retirement from the Register to pursue 'other ventures and opportunities.'

Hours later, President-elect Trump made his own declaration.

'A totally Fake poll that caused great distrust and uncertainty at a very critical time. [Selzer] knew exactly what she was doing,' Trump claimed on Truth Social, adding, 'An investigation is fully called for!'

Well, I've conducted my own investigation into Selzer's polling. And my conclusion is this survey may be the shoddiest pieces of work I've ever seen in my five decades in the polling industry.

First, I will say that I don't know Ann Selzer.

Our paths have never crossed. I know only her reputation as a reliable professional, dubbed the 'Queen of Polling' after she correctly predicted that a virtually unknown senator would defeat Hillary Clinton in the Iowa Caucuses in 2008.

But after having examined the methodology of her November poll, I am stunned. Its glaring problem isn't difficult to spot.

In the survey, Selzer asked 808 likely voters in Iowa: 'Who did you vote for in 2020, Biden or Trump?'

Selzer must have expected to receive results that resembled the actual vote in the 2020 general election  Trump won 53.1 percent to Biden's 44.9 percent, an eight-point differential.

Indeed, those were the results that she's gotten in the past.

In a February 2024 Register poll in Iowa, respondents said they voted for Trump over Biden in 2020: 45 percent to 38 percent  a seven-point margin.

In June 2024, the sample went for Trump 49 percent to Biden's 35 percent  a 14-point margin.

And in September, that gap narrowed to four points.

But in the November poll, the numbers flipped. Then, the respondents said they voted for Biden over Trump, 41 percent to 40 percent. That's a 9-point skew from the actual 2020 election outcome in the Democrats's favor.

Now, in some cases, people answering polls have been known to lie about their past voting behavior and claim to have backed the eventual winner. But the magnitude of the variance here is too large to ignore.

Selzer acknowledged this discrepancy last weekend when she released her analysis of the polling blunder. Though she seemed to dismiss the finding, writing, 'maybe there is some merit in this' but ultimately concluded, 'I found nothing to illuminate the [November poll's] miss.'

'A totally Fake poll that caused great distrust and uncertainty at a very critical time. [Selzer] knew exactly what she was doing,' Trump claimed on Truth Social, adding, 'An investigation is fully called for!'

As a polling analyst and a former project director on President Ronald Reagan's White House public opinion team, I know that a discrepancy of that magnitude should have sent a chill down the Register team's proverbial spine.

For it indicates that Selzer may have surveyed a group of Iowans who do not accurately reflect the sentiment of the overall electorate in the state.

At this point, to my mind, Selzer would have had two options: She could either have sent her polling team back into the field to collect a more representative sample or she could have not released the poll.

This is the industry standard when data doesn't smell right. However, Selzer did neither.

Instead, she 'weighted' or artificially increasing the influence of Trump 2020 voters in her poll.

'Weighting' is an accepted practice that enables a pollster to control for under or over-representation by inflating or deflating the relative percentage of a certain groups of voters in a sample.

But, when 'weighting' is applied to a fundamentally flawed sample, the results may only get worse.

In other words, it's like putting lipstick on a pig. It'll dress the animal up a bit, but it's still livestock.

I cannot presume to know exactly what went wrong with Selzer's poll, but the over-representation of Biden 2020 voters raises the possibility that she was over-sampling in predominately liberal regions of the state (like the areas around liberal Grinnell and Coe colleges).

Craig Keshishian was a project director on President Reagan's polling team and later served in Reagan's Presidential Speechwriting and Research Office

If Selzer did survey a disproportionate number of Trump 2020 voters who were living in Democratic-enclaves than it is reasonable to assume that these Iowans may not have been representative of Trump 2020 voters statewide.

This type of sample can never be 'corrected' by weighting.

Beyond the curious potential internals of Selzer's poll methodology, the final results themselves should have been the biggest red-flashing warning sign.

Iowa, save parts of Des Moines and its small college towns, is about as red as Judy Garland's slippers in The Wizard of Oz. In fact, Iowa is so reliably red that most pollsters now don't bother polling the state during a general election.

Additionally, Selzer has polled in the state for 30 years. She should know its voters like the back of her head and, frankly, Iowa is not the most difficult place to conduct a survey. It's mostly rural with only three significant urban centers.

If there was a massive voter surge toward Harris, a native daughter like Selzer would surely have also recognized supporting anecdotal evidence, like 'Harris 2024' signs in front yards in Republican areas, or major GOP influencers pulling their support from Trump.

But none of that evidence was present.

Selzer's poll might have been a shock to America. But it should not have been a shock to Selzer that her last survey was a bust.
The United States has dramatically recognized opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez as Venezuela's legitimate president-elect after a controversial election against President Nicolas Maduro.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the decision on social media, declaring that Gonzalez won the July 28 election.

'The Venezuelan people spoke resoundingly on July 28 and made Edmundo Gonzalez the president-elect. Democracy demands respect for the will of the voters,' he wrote on X.

This comes just months after President Maduro claimed to have won the July election, a controversial outcome that has been heavily disputed.

Venezuela's National Electoral Council had hastily declared Maduro the winner just hours after polls closed

The opposition fought back, collecting tally sheets from a staggering 80 percent of electronic voting machines and publishing them online.

Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado claim these records prove Gonzalez won with nearly double Maduro's votes.

Maduro claims the opposition's receipts are 'fraudulent' while he remains in power in Caracas.

The United States has dramatically recognized opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez (pictured) as Venezuela's legitimate president-elect after a controversial

This comes just months after President Nicolas Maduro (pictured) claimed to have won the July election, a controversial outcome that has since been disputed

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the decision on social media, declaring that Gonzalez won the July 28 election

The announcement comes after Gonzalez, 75, fled to Spain in September, claiming he was coerced into signing a letter recognizing Maduro's election victory.

The Biden team's intervention aimed to put pressure on Maduro, who has refused to acknowledge opposition claims of electoral fraud.

Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil furiously denounced the move as 'ridiculous,' according to Bloomberg.

Gonzalez, currently in exile, plans to return for the January 10 inauguration.

In July, Venezuela was engulfed by violent riots after Gonzalez announced he had proof he won Sunday's disputed election hours after President Nicolas Maduro claimed he'd secured a third term in power.

Thousands of enraged protesters flooded the streets of the capital and several other cities, chanting 'Freedom, freedom!' and 'This government is going to fall!' as they set fire to tires and organized barricades to block police vehicles.

Security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowds but were forced to recoil from Molotov cocktails and rocks hurled by the oncoming demonstrators, many of whom carried Venezuelan flags.

In July, Venezuela was engulfed by violent riots after Gonzalez announced he had proof he won Sunday's disputed election hours after President Nicolas Maduro claimed he'd secured a third term in power (Pictured: A structure of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) set on fire during protests against the results of the presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, July 29)

Demonstrators burn rubber and objects during a protest against the reelection of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for the 3rd term one day after the Venezuelan presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela on July 29, 2024

Some ripped Maduro campaign posters from street posts and burned them.

Around the country at least two statues of Hugo Chavez, the late socialist icon who led the country for more than a decade and handpicked Maduro as his successor, were knocked down by protesters.

At least one person was killed amid the protests and 46 more were arrested, according to rights group Foro Penal, which specializes in political prisoner issues.
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This video is no longer available

Joe Scarborough has revealed one takeaway from his controversial meeting with president-elect Donald Trump.

The MSNBC star, 61, said on Wednesday's episode of 'Morning Joe' that Trump was having issues with his Secretary of Defense choice Pete Hegseth.

Shortly after Trump announced Hegseth for the job, it emerged that the Fox News pundit made a payment to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017.

'I will say on background, in our conversation on background, there are a couple of things that surprised us,' Scarborough said. 'One of them was when his name came up, there was not a flinch, but a noticeable, We got problems here.

Scarborough also claimed that Trump's transition team was concerned about attorney general pick Matt Gaetz, who has also been accused of sex crimes.

He added: 'I will just tell you that was the takeaway, because obviously Gaetz is a problem.

'But I think there must be more there. I think they were just shocked, maybe, blind sided, because there has been no vetting process for these four. There have been vetting processes for [Secretary of State pick Sen. Marco] Rubio.'

Trump's unconventional Cabinet picks have sparked concern as he prepares to reenter the White House for a second term in January, and it is becoming apparent that some - like Gaetz and Hegseth - will face an uphill battle to be confirmed.

Joe Scarborough said on Wednesday' episode of Morning Joe that Trump was having issues with his choice for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth

Shortly after Trump announced Pete Hegseth for the job, it emerged that the Fox News pundit made a payment to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017.Hegseth with Donald Trump in the Oval Office from when Trump was president

It comes as Scarborough and his wife and co-host Mika Brzezinski have been slammed for meeting with Trump to 'restart communications' after calling him a fascist.

The MSNBC hosts dismissed the criticism saying it just proves there is a 'massive disconnect' between 'social media and the real world.'

Jon Stewart mercilessly mocked the married co-hosts on The Daily Show on Monday.

'Joe and Mika Brzezinski Scarborough, who famously warned of the growing threat of Trump's fascism, had an interesting announcement to make,' Stewart began.

'We've learned nothing!' he shouted regarding the couple's meeting with Trump.

'Even those putting up resistance to Trump's agenda don't seem to understand who they're dealing with.'

Stewart continued his attack against Scarborough: 'Oh, I bet you really laid down the gauntlet, Joe.

'I bet you really let [Trump] have it, didn't you, Joey?'

Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski have defended themselves from the backlash after they revealed that they met with Donald Trump

Scarborough shared that they and Trump 'didn't see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues and we told him so'

The View's Ana Navarro was another liberal media figure who unleashed a blistering on-air tirade in response to the pair's surprise visit to Mar-a-Lago over the weekend.

The political strategist tore into the married MSNBC anchors over their trip to see Trump, calling it 'opportunistic' during her rant. She asked whether the two had 'change[d] their stripes' because of 'who's in power.'

On the MAGA side, Megyn Kelly also went after Scarborough and Brzezinski, telling them to go 'f**k themselves.'

'Go f**k yourselves, you dishonest jokes of faux journalists,' Kelly said on Monday, reminding her audience that the Morning Joe hosts initially supported Trump's bid for president in 2016.

'It is nauseating, it's so stomach-turning,' Kelly added. 'They're so disgusting.'

Kelly then claimed that Scarborough stopped supporting Trump after 'Scarborough found out he was not gonna be the vice presidential running mate.'

'He had been rejected for that position and they turned, they turned on Trump because access to power is everything to that small, little man,' the former Fox News and NBC News star said.

Former Republican candidate for president Nikki Haley said: 'Let's be clear, Joe and Mika didn't suddenly see the light, they saw their ratings. They realized they needed Trump for their survival.'

Megyn Kelly ripped Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski to pieces for hypocrisy after their meeting at Mar-a-Lago to make peace with Donald Trump

The View's Ana Navarro unleashed a blistering on-air tirade in response to Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski's surprise visit to Mar-a-Lago

Amid the backlash, Morning Joe staffers have insisted the Florida meeting was 'f***ing worth it.'

Trump, on his part, told Fox News that he took the meeting because in order to 'Make America Great Again, it is very important, if not vital, to have a free, fair and open media or press.'

Trump and the 'Morning Joe' stars have had a contentious relationship since the Republican entered politics - with Scarborough leaving the Republican party as a result.

During the 2024 election, Morning Joe repeatedly denounced Trump as a racist, sexist, fascist, and told viewers he did not deserve to be president. At one point, Scarborough said Trump was acting 'full-on Hitler' and Brzezinski condemned him for echoing the 'dangerous language of infamous fascist leaders.'

Brzezinski said on Monday they decided to reach out to Trump for 'the opportunity to speak with the President-elect, himself' because their viewers and 'regular citizens' have expressed fear following Trump's election and his recent cabinet selections.

Scarborough continued, saying the three 'talked about a lot of issues, including abortion, mass deportation, threats of political retribution against political opponents and media outlets.'

Trump used to be routine contributor to Morning Joe, and Scarborough was an early cheerleader for the billionaire's maverick bid for the GOP nomination in 2016.

But relations soured as Trump pulled off a surprise victory in the Republican primaries and began to look like a serious challenger to the Democrats' Hillary Clinton.

Liberals and conservatives have denounced the pair, with Kelly almost at a loss for words at their having 'done a 180,' before finding a very profane one

Trump appeared on the show dozens of times before the pair fell out spectacularly during the 2016 election cycle

The four-hour morning show became a bastion of the Democratic establishment after Trump's first term, with President Joe Biden routinely tuning in while doing his morning exercises to see his acolytes promote the party's talking points.

With Trump in the White House and Scarborough engaged to co-host Brzezinski he began cementing his show's identity as an outpost of opposition to the new administration.

The couple even recorded a Christmas album called 'A Very Drumpf Christmas' with children's songs portraying the president as Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

It eventually attracted the attention of the president himself, who delivered a series of withering put-downs, labeling Scarborough 'Psycho Joe' and his then-fiancee as 'low IQ Crazy Mika', while mischievously claiming she had been 'bleeding badly from a face-lift' during a visit to his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Brzezinski later confirmed she'd been recovering from cosmetic surgery during the trip.

The Morning Joe hosts and the president-elect met at Mar-a-Lago on Friday

And the feud deepened when the president revived long-debunked claims that Scarborough had been involved in the death of his former congressional staffer who was found dead on his office floor in 2001.

An autopsy found that Lori Bolterstein Klausutis, 28, had hit her head on a desk after collapsing from an undiagnosed heart-valve irregularity but Trump called for a fresh investigation into the case.

The allegations earned Trump his first rebuke from Twitter, which would eventually kick him off the platform altogether in January 2021.
Two Metropolitan Police officers have each pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexually assaulting a woman.

Jerome Beasley, 42, and Luke Robinson, 39, who work in the force's Central West Command Unit, denied the charges in a short hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Rhianne Neil said the alleged offences all relate to the same woman and that the officers are accused of 'grabbing and squeezing her breasts and her bottom'.

Beasley is accused of two counts of sexual assault on April 22, one count between April 21 and 22 and one count on January 1 2020.

Robinson faces three charges of sexual assault on April 22 and one count between April 21 and 22.

Other than entering their pleas, the pair spoke only to confirm their names, ages and dates of birth.

The Metropolitan Police said the officers were off duty at the time of the alleged offences.

Jerome Beasley, 41, and Luke Robinson, 39, who work in the force's Central West Command Unit, both pleaded not guilty (file image)

Beasley, of North Harrow in London, and Robinson, of Northampton, were granted conditional bail ahead of a hearing on December 18 at Southwark Crown Court.

The officers are both suspended from duty.
Ukraine has used the British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles in Russia for the first time, a Western official has reportedly confirmed.

Up to 12 missiles were launched into the Kursk region on Wednesday, according to Russian reports.

Unconfirmed images and footage posted to X/Twitter have shown residents in the village of Marino, Kursk, stumbling upon fragments of the missile.

One image shows a resident holding a thick chunk of broken metal in their hand, while another reveals a written indentation reading: 'Storm Shadow'.

Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy.

The 800,000 rockets use GPS technology to precisely blast targets, and can travel through the air at 600mph.

Storm Shadow missiles have already been used by Ukraine inside its own territory for some time, but Kyiv now appears to have been granted permission to use the weapons to strike within Russia.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his office would not be commenting on reports or operational matters.

Images being shared on social media show what appear to be fragments of a British Storm Shadow missile in Marino, Kursk

One image shows a written indentation on a chunk of metal reading: 'Storm Shadow'

The 800,000 rockets use GPS technology to precisely blast targets, and can travel through the air at 600mph

Britain had previously said Ukraine could use Storm Shadow cruise missiles within Ukrainian territory but the government has been pressing the United States for permission to allow their use to strike targets inside Russia for several months.

Starmer yesterday hinted Ukraine would be able to use Storm Shadows as he rebuffed the Kremlin's scare tactics.

When quizzed on letting Ukraine use the UK-made missiles, the PM said: 'I've been doubling down in my clear message that we need to ensure Ukraine has what is needed for as long as needed to win this war against Putin.

'I am not going to go into operational details. You would not expect me to. The only winner in that would be Putin and it would undermine Ukraine.

'The single simplest way to end this conflict is for Russia to stop the aggression and to stop it today. We are on day 1,000 of that aggression'.

Storm Shadow - called Scalp by the French - is a weapon equipped with a navigation system that once launched, descends to a low altitude to avoid detection before locking onto its target using an infra-red seeker.

On the final approach, the missile climbs to a higher altitude to maximise the chances of hitting the target.

On impact, it penetrates the target before a delayed fuse detonates the main warhead.

British Storm Shadow missiles have a range of up to 180miles, meaning Ukraine could now have the ability to strike targets inside Russia.

The UK first confirmed it would supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles in May last year, for use on Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine.

Then defence secretary Ben Wallace had touted that the weapons would give Ukraine the 'best chance' of defending itself.

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Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy

It comes as Vladimir Putin's TV propagandists called for Britain to be obliterated with nuclear weapons, amid earlier claims that Ukraine had used Storm Shadow missiles inside Russian territory.

One Kremlin mouthpiece proposed dropping Russia's Satan-2 missile, widely described as 'the world's deadliest weapon', on Trafalgar Square, while another urged Putin to use the new Poseidon high speed underwater drone and sink the UK under a 'radioactive tidal wave'.

This came just days after outgoing US President Joe Biden gave war-torn Ukraine permission to use long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia earlier this week.

The decision was a major US policy shift and comes as Biden is about to leave office and President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to limit American support for Ukraine and end the war as soon as possible.

The weapons are thought to be used in response to North Korea's decision to send thousands of troops to Russia in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, according to one of the sources.

Around 10,000 soldiers from the communist regime have joined the fight to reclaim Kursk, which Ukraine seized in a daring counter offensive last August.

Biden hopes that this response will 'send a message' to Kim Jong Un not to send any more, sources said.

It comes just a day after Ukraine carried out its first strike on Russian territory with US-supplied long range missiles.

US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is seen in action

Joe Biden finally gave Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky permission at the weekend to use US-supplied missiles in attacks within Russia

A massive explosion at an ammunition depot in Karachev around 75 miles from the Ukrainian border in Russia's Bryansk region illuminated the night sky yesterday morning on what was the 1,000th day of war in Ukraine.

Eyewitnesses along with Russian and Ukrainian military bloggers first reported the attack, with anonymous Ukrainian military officials later telling the strike was conducted with the US-manufactured ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System).

Following the Ukraine-led attack, and amid growing concerns around a potential WW3, European nations have begun gearing up for an all out war on the continent as Putin officially lowered the threshold for Moscow to consider a nuclear strike.

Germany's foreign minister yesterday vowed her country 'will not be intimidated' by Putin, just one day after German media revealed the nation will transform into a NATO staging ground if the conflict to the East should escalate.

According to a 1,000-page document entitled 'Operationsplan Deutschland', Germany would reportedly host hundreds of thousands of troops from NATO countries and serve as a logistics hub for sending huge quantities of military equipment, food and medicine toward the front.

Finland reminded its citizens of their 'national defence obligation' and recently launched a new information website, while Sweden laid out a detailed guide on how to seek shelter and what to do in case of a nuclear attack.

Snowflakes are illuminated during live firing of the British Army's new Archer Mobile Howitzer gun near Rovaniemi in the Arctic Circle

British Army soldiers and armoured vehicles are taking part in the Arctic drills

A Swedish artillery team fires a projectile from an Archer self-propelled Howitzer during the NATO 'Exercise Lightning Strike' on November 20, 2024 near Heinu, Finland. The live-fire exercise includes service members from 28 Allied and partner nations, and is taking place between November 4 to November 24, across locations in Finland, Estonia, Germany, Poland, and Romania

The US is also set to provide Ukraine's army with shipments of landmines to slow the advance of Russian ground troops as Putin's forces wear down Ukrainian defensive lines in Donetsk.

Officials in Washington confirmed late last night that American anti-personnel mines would be sent to Ukraine on the proviso the punishing weapons are only used to repel Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory.

Meanwhile, NATO is holding its largest-ever artillery exercise just 70 miles from the border where the British Army is testing what military chiefs have described as a 'game-changing' weapon.

Finland, which joined the military alliance last year, is hosting up to 3,600 soldiers from 28 nations for the exercise, known as Dynamic Front.

Live fire drills began on Sunday in the northern Lapland region, and are part of a series of exercises, with further ones planned in Estonia, Germany, Romania and Poland.

The British Army is using the opportunity to put its Archer 155-mm guns to the test, weapons which can release high explosive shells or GPS-guided munitions and hit targets 30 miles away.
A victim in a cable car accident in the French alps has described how they 'flew through the cabin' as the out of control lift hit the station.

Eight people were injured in yesterday morning's accident which occurred at the popular ski resort of Val Thorens.

The cable car was carrying 16 workers to a construction site at a high-altitude restaurant on the Cime Caron mountain when it violently slammed into the arrival station.

The workers were at Val Thorens, which is Europe's highest ski resort, preparing for the start of ski season on November 23.

Although the weather was described as 'challenging' it was not considered bad enough to stop the cable car working.

Speaking to Le Parisien, a French media publication, one victim has described the harrowing accident.

Julien, who was unharmed, said: 'Before arriving, we are used to the cabin braking and decelerating, and that was not the case this morning.

'Suddenly we all flew towards the front of the cabin. People hit the safety bars. The impact was violent.'

Over 120 firefighters and other emergency services rushed to the scene.

File photo, 2018. Two people were 'seriously injured' and four 'slightly injured' in the accident

Emergency services were brought in to evacuate the eight injured workers

Air ambulances were used to evacuate two seriously injured people to hospitals in the cities of Grenoble and Chambery. No one's injuries are believed to be life-threatening.

Because the resort is closed, workers had to travel up the slope on a lift operated manually.

This is the only way to transport goods and equipment up to 3,200m altitude

Normally during ski season, the Cime Caron cable car is operated using computer software to keep skiers safe.

The French authorities have now opened an investigation to uncover what happened.

A source close to the investigation claimed the possibility of human error is being considered more than a mechanical problem.

It is understood the cable car driver did not slow the machine down enough as it approached the station.

Val-Thorens is due to open on Saturday but the Cime Caron cable car will remain closed so investigators can assess the damage.

Severe weather conditions had hampered visibility on the slopes before the accident

The Cime Caron cable car was once the longest in the world at the time of its construction in 1982. Its cars can can accommodate up to 150 people.

Val Thorens is an exceptionally high ski station in the Alps, making it a top destination for skiers wanting guaranteed snow as climate change hits resorts at lower altitudes.

With 150 kilometers (93 miles) of runs at altitudes ranging from 2,300 meters up to 3,200 meters, it attracts skiers from across Europe and is part of the three Vallees grouping of ski resorts that also includes chic Courchevel and Meribel.

The Prefecture of Savoie said the accident occurred around 7:30am this morning.

Confirming the involvement of the Albertville Prosecutor in a criminal enquiry, Mr Ravier said: 'It's too early to know the exact circumstances that led to this accident.'

Asked about possible human error, the Prefect said he would 'refrain from commenting on the matter' so as not to prejudice the enquiry.

'We will wait for the investigation to conclude,' he said.

In June, a father-of-three was killed and 21 people injured when a cable car crashed into another and plummeted into the street below in Colombia.

The cabin was carrying 11 people when it pulled into the station in the northeastern side of Medellin and plowed into the car in front of it.

The car snapped from the cable line, plunging 32 feet to the sidewalk near the platform entrance.

Jhon Londono, a 49-year-old father-of-three, was rushed to a CES Clinic, where doctors attempted to revive him before pronouncing him dead.

The accident left at least 200 people stuck in multiple cabins for almost two hours on the line that operates between the Medellin neighborhoods of Santo Domingo and Acevedo.

Authorities rushed to the scene to help those trapped on the cable car down to safety

Val Thorens is an exceptionally high ski station in the Alps, making it a top destination for skiers (File photo, 2021)

In April, one person was killed and seven injured when a pylon supporting cable cars in Turkey suddenly collapsed.

Memis Gumus, 54, was identified as the man who had died. Six Turkish citizens and one Kyrgyz national were reportedly injured.

The eight people in the cabin fell into a rocky area after a connecting pole fell 'for an undetermined reason', local media reported at the time.

Two children were among the injured in the accident at the Tunektepe cable car just outside the Mediterranean city of Antalya on April 12.

Helicopters equipped with night vision were called in to rescue 184 people left stranded in the cable car system's cabins after the horror unfolded, officials said.
Brits will not be told to prepare for a nuclear confrontation with Russia despite preparations beginning in Scandinavia, Downing Street said today.

Vladimir Putin has engaged in atomic sabre-rattling in recent days after the Biden administration finally cleared Ukraine to use US-supplied missiles inside his country.

The despot has rewritten Russia's nuclear doctrine to suggest he might trigger Armageddon if Ukraine strikes his territory with NATO supplied weapons.

And today his propaganda machine tried to scare the West with a claim they should drop their Satan-2 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) on Trafalgar Square.

Finland has reminded its citizens of their 'national defence obligation', while Sweden has laid out a detailed guide on how to seek shelter and what to do in case of a nuclear attack.

Their instruction manuals follow similar advice issued by their Baltic neighbours Norway and Denmark, which both put out checklists for food and medicine supplies citizens should have ready.

However, when asked today if the UK was planning something similar, a No10 spokeswoman simply answered: 'No.'

Asked if the Government was concerned about claims Russia could step up hybrid warfare against the West, she added: 'When it comes to any statements out of Russia and Putin's regime, our clear message is that we will continue to stand steadfast in support of Ukraine and in its defence of itself against an illegal invasion.'

Vladimir Putin has engaged in atomic sabre-rattling in recent days after the Biden administration finally cleared Ukraine to use US-supplied missiles inside his country.

And today his propaganda machine tried to scare the West with a claim they should drop their Satan-2 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) on Trafalgar Square.

Sweden's Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin presents the new version of the booklet 'If Crisis or War Comes

The illustrated guide offers advice on how to get to shelter in various emergency scenarios

It came as the government confirmed the British embassy in Ukraine remains open despite the US shutting its own mission in Kyiv because of a 'potential significant air attack' by Russian forces.

The closure of the US embassy follows the first use of American-supplied missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia.

The UK Government, which is considering its own position on whether to give Kyiv permission to use British-supplied weapons against targets inside Mr Putin's country, said it was continuing to monitor the situation in Kyiv.

The US state department said it had received 'specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20' and 'out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place'.

Vladimir Putin's raging TV propagandists have called for Britain to be obliterated with nuclear weapons after reports that the UK is set to give Ukraine permission to use its Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia.

Kremlin mouthpieces are competing with each other to outline the most shocking and devastating war plans imaginable, with numerous commentators describing how far Russia could go in a nuclear attack.

One proposed dropping Russia's Satan-2 missile on Trafalgar Square, widely described as 'the world's deadliest weapon', while another urged Putin to use the new Poseidon high speed underwater drone and sink the UK under a radioactive tidal wave.

It comes as US intelligence has led to the closure of several Western embassies in Kyiv amid an expected massive Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital following the use of an American ATACMS missile to strike Putin territory.

Kyiv's military intelligence responded by saying that Moscow is conducting a 'psychological attack against Ukraine', warning of fake messages circulating on social media on alleged increased missile threats that it said were part of a Russian 'psychological operation.'

Russian state media analyst Vladimir Kornilov today hit out at Britain newspaper headlines saying Storm Shadows 'are ready for use in Russia' following the Ukrainian deployment of American missiles.

'Look, well, I have to say that, well, our Sarmat [Satan-2] missiles are also ready, always ready for use in Trafalgar Square,' threatened Kornilov.
A school girl and a pensioner have been left fighting for their lives in hospital after a van ploughed into pedestrians in a town centre.

Emergency services were called to the crash on Castle Street, near Castle Court Shopping Centre, Caerphilly, Wales at around 3pm on Tuesday, November 19.

Gwent Police rushed to the scene alongside the Welsh Ambulance Service and Wales Air Ambulance.

Police confirmed the incident involved a van and two pedestrians and a 71-year-old man and a 14-year-old girl were taken to hospital for treatment.

Both casualties remain in hospital in a critical condition.

Emergency services were called to the crash on Castle Street, near Castle Court Shopping Centre, Caerphilly, Wales at around 3pm on Tuesday, November 19

Gwent Police say the arrested man remains in police custody at this time

Officers have also arrested a 24-year-old man from the Cardiff area on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and driving whilst over the prescribed limit of drugs.

Gwent Police say he remains in police custody at this time.

Sergeant Lewys Davies, the senior investigating officer said: 'We're carrying out a thorough investigation into this collision and ask that members of the community do not speculate about the circumstances on social media as this might hinder our enquiries.

'You will see an increased police activity in this area over the coming days while our investigation continues. Please stop and talk to us if you have any concerns or relevant information.'

Motorists with dashcam footage who were travelling on Castle Street in Caerphilly between 2.45pm and 3pm on Tuesday November, 19, can contact police via their website, calling 101 or sending a direct message on social media, quoting log reference 2400385445.

Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 with information.
Clinton shares when he believes Americans will be ready for a woman president

Former President Bill Clinton suggested 'maybe' the United States is not ready for a woman president after the reelection of Donald Trump but he is still hopeful he'll see it in his lifetime.

The 78-year-old former president was asked in a recent interview about the 2024 presidential election where Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris only eight years after he also won against Clinton's wife former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

'Do you think part of the issue is just that America is just not ready for a female president?' Clinton was asked by CBS News' Tracy Smith.

'Maybe,' he responded. 'I think in some ways we've moved to the right as a reaction to all the turmoil.'

But Clinton said he thinks if Hillary had been nominated in 2008, she 'would have walked in just like Obama did.'

Clinton was asked if he thinks the country has changed since then.

'Well, I think all of these cultural battles we're fighting make it harder for a woman to win,' he acknowledged.

Clinton said he does not think the issue has more to do with party than gender, but he does think a member of the GOP would have an easier time.

'I think it would probably be easier for a conservative Republican woman to win,' he added.

Former President Bill Clinton said he thinks it would be easier for a conservative woman to be elected President of the United States after Vice President Kamala Harris recently lost the election to Donald Trump

Clinton sat down for the interview with CBS News Sunday Morning recently as he promotes his latest book 'Citizen.'

It comes after he hit the campaign trail in the final weeks of the 2024 election to aggressively campaign for Harris in battleground states.

The 42nd president said he still believes there will be a woman president elected 'pretty soon.'

Tracy pressed Clinton on how soon and whether it would be in his lifetime.

'Oh yeah,' Clinton responded with a smile before pointing out she was asking the question of an 'old man.'

To date, only two women have received a major political party nomination for president, Clinton in 2016 and Harris this year after Biden exited the race in July.

Both were Democrats and both lost to Trump. But a growing number of women are running for president.

Former President Bill Clinton campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris in Augusta, Georgia on November 3

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley was the most recent Republican woman to make a bid for the White House. She lost earlier this year to Trump.

GOP businesswoman Carly Fiorina ran in a bruising 2016 primary where Trump first clinched the party nomination.

More recently, a record number of women ran in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary including four sitting U.S. senators before Biden eventually won the nomination.

Clinton told CBS News he hopes he is around for the next presidential election.

'Now it's President Trump's turn in the barrel,' Clinton said. 'It depends on what he does and how it plays.'

Clinton said at some point the president-elect will have to consider whether he still thinks at this point in his life 'unquestionable domination' is the most important thing.

'That's not what a democracy is about,' the former president said.

Asked if he thinks Trump could have a 'change of heart,' Clinton responded that 'he might.'

In the meantime, Clinton believes everyone needs to remain diligent and be willing to stand up for what's right.
Denmark's navy said Wednesday it was shadowing a Chinese cargo vessel in the Baltic Sea, a day after Finland and Sweden opened investigations into suspected sabotage of two severed undersea telecoms cables.

'The Danish Defence can confirm that we are present in the area near the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3,' the military wrote in an email to AFP, adding that it would make no further comment for the time-being.

The cargo ship, built in 2001 and owned by Chinese company Ningbo Yipeng Shipping Co, stopped overnight Tuesday to Wednesday in the Kattegat strait between Denmark and southwestern Sweden, according to the ship tracking site Marinetraffic.

The tracker also showed that the Yi Peng 3 had on Monday been in the area of the 'C-Lion 1' cable linking Finland to Germany when it was damaged, though there is nothing to indicate that it was involved in the incident.

Early Sunday, another telecoms cable, the 'Arelion', running from the Swedish Baltic Sea island of Gotland to Lithuania, was also damaged.

On Tuesday, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the severed cables were likely the result of 'sabotage'.

'Nobody believes that these cables were accidentally severed,' he said on the sidelines of a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels.

The foreign ministries of Finland and Germany had already said on Monday night that the damage raised suspicion of sabotage.

The Chinese ship, the bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 is anchored and being monitored by a Danish naval patrol vessel (unseen) in the sea of Kattegat, near the City og Granaa in Jutland, Denmark, on November 20, 2024

It comes a day after Finland and Sweden opened investigations into suspected sabotage of two severed undersea telecoms cables.

Map shows Chinese cargo ship Yi Peng 3 docked in Denmark

They said in a joint statement that it came at a time when our European security is not only under threat from Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors.

The statement added that the countries were investigating the incident, and that it was crucial that such critical infrastructure be safeguarded.

The episode recalled other incidents in the same waterway that authorities probed as potentially malicious.

In October 2023, an undersea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia had to be closed after it was damaged by the anchor of a Chinese cargo ship.

And in September 2022, a series of underwater blasts ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines that carried Russian gas to Europe, the cause of which has yet to be determined.

In August, the Wall Street Journal reported that Ukraine's top military commander at the time, Valery Zaluzhny, oversaw the plan to blow up the pipelines.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky approved of the plan, the paper said.

Ukraine rejected the claims as 'absolute nonsense'.

According to the specialised site VesselFinder, the Yi Peng 3 left the Russian port of Ust Luga, west of Saint Petersburg, on November 15.
A gang-affiliated Venezuelan migrant who allegedly robbed and masturbated in front of a New York City prosecutor in her apartment building was released again onto the streets of the city.

An assistant district attorney, 38, was entering her apartment near West 44th and Ninth Avenue when Brandon Simosa, 25, followed her inside at about 2 am on Sunday.

According to police, Simosa asked her for money and then snatched her purse. He stole her phone and bank cards before performing the 'lewd act' in front of the horrified woman.

The unnamed victim works for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs, according to the New York Post.

Simosa was arrested on Tuesday after police were able to track the prosecutor's stolen phone to the Row NYC Hotel migrant shelter in Midtown, where the perpetrator was found outside.

He was hit with charges including sexually motivated burglary, sexually motivated robbery, grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

Simosa is connected with the criminal organization Tren de Aragua, according to the Post.

It is unclear when he came to the US or if he was staying at the Row NYC Hotel shelter, but he has already racked up at least six arrests in the last five months.

Brandon Simosa, 25, was arrested on Tuesday for his Sunday atrocities after police tracked the stolen phone to a migrant shelter

Simosa has racked up an extensive criminal record since coming to New York City

Just last week, he was picked up for grand larceny and criminal mischief in Manhattan.

Prior to that, sources told the Post he was arrested in Queens for a string of robberies between June and August.

Simosa appeared in court on Wednesday and pled not guilty to the charges following Sunday's altercation before being released into the general public.

The violent Venezuelan super gang Tren de Aragua has racked up more than 500 arrests this year in NYC alone, as the mob's members commit heinous crimes across the country.

The majority of arrests were on charges of robbery and grand larceny, but the gangsters' rap sheets also include assault and car theft raps, data obtained by the Post revealed.

More than half the bookings occurred in Midtown - where Simosa was arrested - according to the stats, with with 295 busts having taken place near tourist hotspots.

Some New Yorkers have grown outraged by the city's 'soft-on-crime' policies when it comes to migrants.

Earlier this year, Brooklyn residents were shocked by an increase in shoplifting, panhandling, scams and street prostitution since migrants moved into the Floyd Bennett Field shelter.

Nearly 2,000 migrants were moved to the isolated temporary shelter in mid-November, 2023, as the city ran out of housing options.

A NYPD cop told the Post at the time: 'This s*** is out of control.'

More than 200,000 migrants have arrived in the Big Apple since 2022.

Beleaguered New York Mayor Eric Adams has been called out as the bill for housing the city's migrants soars toward $2.3 billion.

Row Hotel has been converted into a migrant shelter. Simosa was arrested in front of the building

The victim is an assistant district attorney for the office of Manhattan's District Attorney Alvin Bragg

City Hall warned that 14,000 hotel rooms will be needed until at least the end of next year when the total cost of providing for the new arrivals will reach a staggering $5.76 billion.

'The taxpayers can't pay for this indefinitely,' Nicole Gelinas of the Manhattan Institute think tank told the Post. 'We should stop using hotels as shelters by the end of the year.'

Some of the city's most iconic hotels have been turned over to migrants since the start of the crisis, 22 of them in Midtown Manhattan, including Row NYC Hotel.

Hotel bosses have warned that they will struggle to return rooms currently housing migrants in a fit state for the millions of tourists who keep the economy afloat.

'They're going to need renovations,' said Vijay Dandapani, the CEO of the NYC Hotel Association, said earlier this year.
A prominent doctor who was shot dead in a leafy Chicago suburb in a domestic-related incident told her friends she had to make a 'quick stop' before she was murdered.

Endocrinologist Olga Duchon, 42, died of a single gunshot to the chest and the father of her child, William R. Zientek, 46, has been charged with murder.

The shooting unfolded on Sunday at a townhouse on the 400 block of W. Russell Street in Barrington, a quiet northwest Chicago suburb.

Duchon had just delivered a speech to the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America in the nearby suburb of Wheeling when she stopped by the home.

Her family said they planned to celebrate her keynote after the event, but she told them she briefly needed to speak to the father of her young daughter first.

'She said, 'ladies, just go ahead. Wait for me. I need to make a quick stop, and I'll come join.' And she never did,' longtime family friend Yuliya Abushevich told ABC7.

Another doctor at the Illinois conference, Dr. Maria Hrycelak, said Duchon had been scheduled to speak for 40 minutes on Sunday, but her oration was so well-received she ended up spending an hour and a half on the lectern.

Hrycelak described her as 'knowledgeable to the max,' adding to ABC7, 'I mean she was so interactive with the audience.'

Endocrinologist Olga Duchon (pictured), 42, died of a single gunshot to the chest on Sunday. (Pictured: Duchon giving a speech to a Ukrainian medical association hours before she died)

William R. Zientek, 46, has been charged over the shooting death of doctor Olga Duchon

The doctor said she parted ways with Duchon, of Vernon Hills, at around 4 pm.

'Then, an hour and a half later, she's tragically killed,' Hrycelak told ABC7.

'Anybody who was there was just stunned because the connection that you got in that hour and a half of her talking was just, I can't explain it.'

Barrington Police Department were called to the scene of the shooting at around 5:40 pm, and found Duchon with a single gunshot wound to the chest.

She died at the Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital soon after.

Duchon's heartbroken relatives said she met Zientek several years ago, and filed an order of protection against him in November 2021 - though this order was terminated.

Abushevich told ABC7 friends and family had been excited to celebrated Duchon's upcoming 43rd birthday.

'I just can't believe, we're preparing for her birthday together, that she won't be here for that.'

'She was an incredible mom, always reading, always taking her to museums, educating her beyond her age,'

The shooting unfolded on Sunday at a townhouse (pictured) on the 400 block of W. Russell Street in Barrington, a quiet northwest Chicago suburb

A fundraiser has been launched for Duchon's four-year-old daughter Isla

'She was an incredible mom, always reading, always taking her to museums, educating her beyond her age,' friends said of Olga Duchon. (Pictured: Duchon with her four-year-old daughter)

Barrington Police Department were called to the scene of the shooting at around 5:40 pm, and found Duchon with a single gunshot wound to the chest

A fundraiser has been launched for Duchon's four-year-old daughter Isla, and has garnered $16,000 toward its $50,000 goal.

'Olga was not just a respected doctor; she was a beacon of hope and healing for people around her,' the page reads.

'Her exceptional skills and heartfelt compassion made her a trusted figure among her patients and a source of pride for her family.

'Tragically, Olga's life was cut short by an act of domestic violence, a harrowing reminder of the dangers many face in silence.

'Her loss is not just a personal tragedy; it highlights the urgent need to confront and address domestic violence in our communities.'

Barrington Police said the shooting was part of a 'domestic-related incident between family members'. The investigation is ongoing.

Zientek is set to appear in court on Wednesday.
The family of a missing Hawaii woman have slammed the police for failing to find her and revealed they have turned to psychics for help.

Hannah Kobayashi, 30, vanished during a layover in Los Angeles while traveling to New York from her home in Maui.

She never boarded her connecting flight at LAX and has now not contacted family in over a week, which they say is wildly out of character.

Her sister Sydni Kobayashi claims the LAPD are, 'not taking this as seriously as we would hope' since her sister is an adult and 'can make her own choices'.

After missing her connecting flight on November 8, Kobayashi left the airport and traveled into downtown Los Angeles.

She was spotted at several locations over the next few days and sent her family some strange text messages before going quiet.

Sydni revealed Kobayashi's loved ones have become so desperate they are trying to reach out to medium Tyler Henry to see if he can assist.

'I'm doing as much as I can with whatever resources I have and a few people have mentioned and advised for me to reach out to psychic mediums,' Sydni said.

The family of missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi, 30, have slammed the police for failing to find her and revealed they have turned to psychics for help

'I would love to be able to find someone reputable and legitimate as the few I have gotten a hold of so far have seemed like they are just trying to gain some sort of recognition or are a little fraudulent.'

She said her family is in a 'fragile and vulnerable state' as she urged the public to be mindful when commenting on the situation on social media.

Kobayashi was seen on airport surveillance footage disembarking her flight before heading into the city.

She was spotted at a bookstore in The Grove on November 9, and then on November 10 was seen in the background of a YouTube video at a Nike event in the same location.

The missing woman shared a photograph to her Instagram from that Nike event.

According to Sydni, Kobayashi sent Venmo payments to two separate people. The family did not recognize either name.

On November 11, Kobayashi's mother Brandi Yee sent her a text message asking if she made it to New York. She responded saying: 'Not yet.'

That same day, she text a friend to say she was scared and had been scammed.

Her sister Sydni Kobayashi (pictured with mom Brandi Yee) said police were unwilling to help as her sister is an adult who can make her own choices

Kobayashi, 30, vanished during a layover in Los Angeles while traveling from her home in Maui to New York and was spotted getting off her flight at LAX

Her concerned family say they have not heard from her in a week, which is highly out of character

'Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f**k since Friday,' one message read.

'I got tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds,' she wrote to the friend, followed by a message saying 'for someone I thought I loved.'

On Sunday, her distressed family revealed there had been another development in the mystery.

Her family said she's since been seen on surveillance video 20 miles away from the airport in downtown LA.

They also flagged unusual patterns of speech in Kobayashi's messages which they said indicate they were not written by her.

'I personally don't think that was my sister,' Hannah's sister Sydni told CNN this morning.

'She doesn't use the word ''hun.'' ''Love'' and ''babe,'' but never ''hun.'' Even her close friends have said the same.'

Based on a series of texts sent from Kobayashi's phone, her family believe she 'had a spiritual awakening and ahead of returning to the airport.'

In a YouTube video, Hannah was seen in the background at an event in The Grove

A friend received strange texts from Kobayashi's phone - indicating that she may be in trouble

A text to her aunt reportedly read: 'I'm charging my phone and heading back to the airport to get to NYC... I might need some help getting there, it's a long story.'

'She was at LAX, and she said that she was scared,' Yee said.

Yee said, 'we share location' to which Sydni added: 'And we know her phone's off because it goes straight to voicemail.

'We've been trying to call and call and call, text. None of the texts are getting delivered. We can't locate her phone.'

The family has filed a missing person's report with the Los Angeles Police Department and requested anyone with information to come forward.

Kobayashi's ex-boyfriend was also traveling on the same flight from Maui to LAX.

But the duo did not sit together or speak on the flight. They purchased the trip before splitting up.
Fans of Elon Musk are begging for him to fire Nancy Pelosi's niece from her cushy job as a climate advisor for the US government, after it was revealed she collects a salary of more than $181,000 a year.

Alexis Pelosi, 58, works as a senor climate advisor at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The agency hired her nearly three years ago, toward the beginning of President Joe Biden's term in office.

She is the wife of the former House Speaker's nephew, Laurence Pelosi, 53, a real estate attorney who operates out of Washington, DC.

On Tuesday, Musk, who is poised to clean house while co-leading President-elect Donald Trump's newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was met with calls to pull the plug on her position, after he re-shared a post showing her purported salary.

'Nancy Pelosi's niece should not be paid $181,648.00 by the US Taxpayer to be the "Climate Advisor" at HUD,' the original post read.

'But maybe her advice is amazing,' Musk wrote on Tuesday, followed by three laughing-face emojis.

The post had been viewed more than 22million times as of Tuesday afternoon, while sparking a storm of scrutiny surrounding Alexis' job.

Alexis Pelosi, 58, currently has a high-profile position in the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Poised to clean house as the boss of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk was met with calls to pull the plug on Alexis

'Get her out!' one user wrote in reply.

'Can't wait for DOGE to clean house,' another added.

'She should be fired from all her jobs,' one user sniped.

'Make sure this one doesn't get severance,' another chimed in.

'Well I hope she saved some of that $181,648.00 because she's about to be UNEMPLOYED!!!' yet another added.

The website OpenPayrolls confirmed that salary amount for 2023, stating that the number includes base pay, bonuses, and other benefits, such as retirement contributions and pensions.

Data from the Office of Personnel Management shows Pelosi's base salary in the area of $143,546.

OpenPayrolls reported that Alexis took in $173,232 in 2022.

Commenters on social media media reacted to the news of Alexi Pelosi's salary. DailyMail.com has reached out to HUD for more information

DailyMail.com reached out to HUD for more information.

Alexis was appointed in January 2022 to serve under HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge, originally as a senior advisor in the office of community planning and development, according to her LinkedIn account.

She helped found Pelosi Ziblatt Law Group with her husband in 2011, in her native San Francisco.

She served as principal attorney for the real-estate firm for 10 years before pursuing a career in government.

She took the HUD role a year after Biden became president.

Prior to landing the job, she repeatedly stumped for the then-candidate on Facebook.

In photo shared to Facebook in 2020, she is seen smiling next to Biden during his campaign.

'I'm on Team Joe,' the former deputy city attorney for the city of Oakland wrote in July of that year.

Musk, seen here with the president-elect at SpaceX's headquarters in south Texas Tuesday, is poised to clean house once he assumes his seat at the top of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) next year

Alexis is seen next to a then-campaigning Joe Biden in 2020

In another post days later, she called on 'all lawyer friends' to sign up as a voter protection volunteer for the Biden campaign.

'By signing up you are volunteering to help to ensure our elections are safe, fair and fully-tabulated,' she wrote at the time.

'There are less than 100 days until voting begins (early voting, mail in ballots) and NOW is the time for all hands on deck.'

According to Alexis' LinkedIn account, her only other government job was back in 1995, when she had a two year-stint as an assistant to former Long Island Rep. Michael Forbes.

More than two years after leaving that job, she embarked a more than 20-year career as an attorney in the Bay Area.

During that time, Nancy Pelosi represented her San Francisco congressional district in Washington.

Alexis' husband, Laurence, is the son of Nancy Pelosi's brother-in-law, Ron Pelosi.

Ron, a 90-year-old businessman who was once married to California Gov. Gavin Newsom's late aunt, is the elder brother of Nancy's husband, Paul Pelosi, 84.

Alexi (center) is senior climate adviser to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge. She joined in 2022 and became the secretary's 'senior' climate advisor'

She is the wife of Pelosi's nephew Laurence Pelosi, 53, a real estate attorney. He is the son of Nancy Pelosi's brother-in-law, Ron Pelosi, who was married to California Gov. Gavin Newsom's late aunt for more than 20 years

Ron, a 90-year-old retired businessman, is seen with his family in this undated photo

According to Alexis's social media, her only other government job was back in 1995, when she had a two year-stint as an assistant to former Long Island Rep. Michael Forbes

Alexis embarked a more than 20-year career as an attorney in the Bay Area. During that time, Nancy Pelosi represented her San Francisco congressional district in Washington

HUD administers federal housing and urban development grants, and is also responsible for overseeing federal housing laws.

The taxpayer-funded agency is responsible for national policy and programs related to US housing needs, often by renovating low-income households and putting them on the market with subsidized rents.

Alexis's law firm specialized in counseling clients and analyzing real estate development opportunities.

The Biden administration's bipartisan infrastructure funding bill passed in 2021 widened HUD's scope to work with multiple agencies, to allocate billions of dollars in funding for both climate and housing programs.

After assuming her new post in 2023, Alexis told Politico's E&E how she is proud to ensure 'HUD be a part of the solution' to climate change.

'I am honored to be in a position to advance this important work,' she said.

Alexis did not immediately return a DailyMail.com request for comment.
Angela Rayner today defended her bid to tighten rules for the Right to Buy policy she once benefited from.

The Deputy PM used the scheme to buy her council home with a 25 per cent discount in 2007, before making a five-figure profit when she later sold it.

But Ms Rayner, who heads the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, is now proposing a series of restrictions on tenants' access to the policy.

She said these were needed to 'build a fairer and more sustainable scheme that delivers value to the taxpayer'.

The Cabinet minister claimed a 'series of wrong-headed Right to Buy reforms going back to 2012' were to blame for making a social home a 'distant dream for many'.

Under her proposed reforms to Right to Buy, Ms Rayner wants to increase the three-year minimum tenancy period before tenants are able to apply under the scheme.

She also plans to ban tenants from buying newly-built social homes for a number of years, so as to encourage local councils to invest in new properties.

Ms Rayner has already moved to reduce the maximum discounts available for tenants buying their council homes.

And she is scrapping an extension of the Right to Buy policy to housing association tenants, as had been announced by the previous Tory government.

Angela Rayner today defended her bid to tighten rules for the Right to Buy policy she once benefited from

The Deputy PM used the scheme to buy her council home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, with a 25 per cent discount in 2007, before making a five-figure profit when she later sold it

Former Tory prime minister Margaret Thatcher first allowed council house tenants to buy their homes at a discounted rate in the 1980s.

But the conditions of the Right to Buy policy have regularly changed since its introduction.

Ms Rayner previously rejected claims of 'hypocrisy' after it emerged she made a 48,500 profit on her ex-council home in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

She dismissed accusations her planned reforms would 'pull up the ladder' to make it harder for other social housing tenants to benefit in the same way she did.

In an article for the i newspaper today, the Deputy PM said she had 'never made a secret' of being one of the two million social tenants who benefited from Right to Buy.

'Ive never made a secret of it, and I want people who have lived in their council home to still have the opportunity to own it, as I did,' she wrote.

'But today, the life-changing first step into social housing on affordable rent is a distant dream for far too many.

'Thanks to a series of wrong-headed Right to Buy reforms going back to 2012, millions of low-income families have been forced into insecure, poor quality and unaffordable accommodation.

'Over 150,000 children are in temporary accommodation. Nearly 1.3 million people on social housing waiting lists.

'Put simply, we are losing more social homes than we can build, at huge cost to families, to taxpayers, and to communities.

'This must change  and as someone who owes so much to the helping hand I got from council housing, I am determined to do it.'

She added: 'We must build a fairer and more sustainable scheme that delivers value to the taxpayer.

'All in the service of delivering the biggest boost to social homes in a generation.

'Council tenants who have made a place, a home, and contributed over many years will still be able to own that home.

'But our reforms will protect social housing stock so more people can take the first step.'

Ms Rayner, who has launched an eight-week consultation on her planned reforms. promised to 'get Right to Buy back on the right track'.

Under the scheme's current rules, there is a maximum discount of 70 per cent of the market value of a council tenant's property, or up to 136,400 in London boroughs and 102,400 across the rest of England.

But, at this month's Budget, Labour announced the return of Right to Buy discounts to their pre-2012 levels as they scrapped Tory changes to the policy.

It means, from tomorrow, the maximum discount in most parts of London is reduced to 16,000, 38,000 in the South East, 34,000 in the East of England, 30,000 in the South West, 26,000 in the West Midlands and North West, 24,000 in the East Midlands and Yorkshire, and 22,000 in the North East.

As part of the Budget measures, the Government also announced that local councils can retain all of the receipts from council home sales, including the share that previously went to the Treasury and totalled around 183 million every year.
Hungry passengers aboard a major airline will soon be able to order Shake Shack on board - but there is a major catch.

Delta Airlines announced their 'sky-high collaboration' with the famed burger joint on Tuesday.

The new menu option comes with a cheeseburger, chips, a Caesar salad, and a dark chocolate brownie that is meant to be 'reminiscent' of the restaurant's frozen custard item called Shack Attack.

The meal will officially be launched on December 1 on Delta flights departing out of Boston, as the company hopes to expand the offer in the future.

The catch is that only first class customers traveling more than 900 miles will be allowed to 'pre-select' a Shake Shack meal, which can be done one week ahead of their flight, according to the airline.

They can also make changes to their orders 24 hours ahead of time through the Fly Delta app or link in their email.

Passengers will also be able to customize their Shack Cheeseburgers - just like at the restaurant - with options to add the company's staple ShackSauce, tomato, and lettuce, all of which are served on the side.

Stephanie Laster, Managing Director of Onboard Service, said the airline's partnership with Shake Shack 'goes beyond the burger.'

Delta Airlines has announced that Shake Shack will be served to first class passengers departing out of Boston, starting December 1. (Pictured: Stock image)

The new menu option comes with a cheeseburger, but also includes chips, a Caesar salad, and a dark chocolate brownie that is supposed to be 'reminiscent' of the restaurant's frozen custard items called Shack Attack

'Shake Shacks people-first culture and commitment to enriching their neighborhoods are spot on with our own brand values of service excellence and helping the communities we serve,' Laster added.

Michael Kark, President of Global Licensing at Shake Shack, said the company is excited to take its 'beloved cheeseburger to new heights.'

'At Shake Shack, were always looking for new and innovative ways to meet our guests where they are, even at 35,000 feet.

'Taking our beloved cheeseburger to new heights, Shake Shack is proud to partner with Delta as we elevate the in-flight dining and hospitality experience for travelers across the country,' Kark said.

The new collaboration adds to Delta's well-established relationship with Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) and Danny Meyer, Founder and Executive Chairman of USHG, and the founder of Shake Shack.

Currently, meals from Union Square Events, USHGs catering company, are available on select Delta flights out of JFK Airport.

Only first class class customers traveling more than 900 miles will be allowed to 'pre-select' a Shake Shack meal a week ahead of their flight, according to the airline. (Pictured: Stock image)

Despite the new savory meal being added on Delta flights, experts have previously warned that dry cabin air, loud engine noises and cabin pressure can all affect the way food tastes.

According to research for Lufthansa by the Fraunhofer Institute, Artemis Aerospace noted in a previous blog post that salt is perceived to be between 20 and 30 percent less intense, and sugar 15 to 20 percent less intense at high altitude.

The company also found that overall, almost 70 percent of passengers' sense of taste is lost onboard.

This is due to a combination of factors, including the decibel level from the engine noise, and the less than 12 percent humidity, which rivals a desert atmosphere.

Artemis added: 'As if this weren't enough, low cabin pressure also decreases blood oxygen levels, which means that your olfactory receptors, which play a critical role in perceiving odors, become less sensitive.'

Underscoring how critical our sense of smell is, Artemis Aerospace explained that around 85 percent of what we think of as 'taste' is actually due to our sense of smell.

'So when people accuse airline food of being bland, this may not be an entirely fair assumption,' Artemis added.

Passengers will also be able to customize their Shack Cheeseburgers - just like at the restaurant - with options to add the company's staple ShackSauce, tomato, and lettuce, all of which are served on the side. (Pictured: File photo of Shake Shack cheeseburger)

Professor Charles Spence from the Crossmodal Research Laboratory at the University of Oxford has worked closely with the airline industry on dishes that do and don't work at high altitude.

He previously told MailOnline Travel that 'umami-forward foods' are ideal  'so tomato, anchovy, mushroom, aged cheese and so on, all rich sources of umami, are likely to work well in the air.'

And as the onboard ovens dry the food out, meals generally need to be accompanied by plenty of sauce, Professor Spence added.

Spence noted that specific drinks also don't work well on flights, as well as certain cheeses.

'Old World wines that are tannic don't necessarily taste so great at altitude,' he said.

And Parmesan cheese is potentially perilous as it has a sweaty sock aroma.

Professor Spence said: 'One might want to avoid Parmesan cheese  though it is a great source of umami - given that one of the key volatile chemicals is shared with sweaty socks.'
The Washington Post was on course to lose at least $77 million before the boycott that came after the outlet's decision to not endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.

Internal sources have revealed the newspaper was already tracking towards massive losses even before 250,000 furious digital readers hit the 'unsubscribe' button amid protests against a last-minute decision to not endorse Harris.

A deputy managing editor exposed the jaw-dropping $77 million projected loss during a recent staff meeting, as reported by New York Magazine's Intelligencer.

Staffers have said that anger and fear is running rampant across the office.

'Mind-blowing,' one staffer told the outlet. 'The level of anger is through the roof, and fear is also through the roof. There's huge concern that Bezos is going to pull the plug.'

Another staffer told the outlet: 'The top stories that do well convert 200 readers to subscribers.'

'You're doing your best work, hoping you convert 200 subscribers. And we lost 250,000 through naivete and poor decision-making.'

Internal sources reveal the newspaper was already tracking towards massive losses even before 250,000 furious digital subscribers hit the 'unsubscribe' button

A deputy managing editor exposed the jaw-dropping $77 million projected loss during a recent staff meeting, as reported by New York Magazine's Intelligencer

The Post also lost $77 million last year, publisher Will Lewis said in May.

In October The Washington Post's boss hit back at claims that it was Jeff Bezos, the paper's billionaire owner, who squashed its endorsement of Harris.

A Harris endorsement had been drafted and was being reviewed by Bezos, according to the paper's page editor David Shipley, but was spiked just 11 days before the election.

At least one editor has resigned, according to CNN, which also reports that thousands of readers have pulled their subscriptions.

Post publisher Will Lewis rejected claims that Bezos was involved in the endorsement decision.

'Reporting around the role of The Washington Post owner and the decision not to publish a presidential endorsement has been inaccurate,' Lewis said.

In October The Washington Post's boss has hit back at claims it was Jeff Bezos who squashed the paper's endorsement of Kamala Harris

'He was not sent, did not read and did not opine on any draft. As publisher, I do not believe in presidential endorsements.

'We are an independent newspaper and should support our readers' ability to make up their own minds.'

He added that the move was not 'tacit endorsement of one candidate, or as a condemnation of another'.

The announcement marked the first time in 36 years that the left-leaning paper had decided to not make a presidential endorsement.
A Thai woman believed to be among the worst serial killers in the kingdom's history was convicted and sentenced to death Wednesday for poisoning a friend with cyanide, in the first of her 14 murder trials.

Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36, an online gambling addict, is accused of swindling thousands of dollars from her victims before killing them with the chemical.

A court in Bangkok convicted her Wednesday for fatally poisoning her friend Siriporn Kanwong.

The two met up near Bangkok in April last year to release fish into the Mae Klong river as part of a Buddhist ritual.

Siriporn collapsed and died shortly afterwards and investigators found traces of cyanide in her body.

Police were then able to link Sararat to previously unsolved cyanide poisonings going back as far as 2015, officers said.

'The court's decision is just,' Siriporn's mother, Tongpin Kiatchanasiri, told reporters following the verdict.

'I want to tell my daughter that I miss her deeply, and justice has been done for her today.'

Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, an online gambling addict from Thailand, was convicted and sentenced to death Wednesday for poisoning a friend with cyanide

Thongpin Kiatchanasiri, mother of Siriporn 'Koy' Khanwong, holds a picture of her daughter, who was poisoned by Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, outside the Criminal Court in Bangkok, Thailand today

Thongpin Kiatchanasiri, mother of Siriporn 'Koy' Khanwong, holds a picture of her daughter while talking to the media outside the Criminal Court in Bangkok

In 2023, the country was rocked by reports of a serial killer who had poisoned 15 people with cyanide.

Sararat, or 'Am Cyanide' as she would later be called, poisoned 15 people who she owed money to and became the country's first female serial killer.

Police said Sararat funded her gambling addiction by borrowing money from her victims - in one case as much as 300,000 baht (nearly $9,000) - before killing them and stealing their jewellery and mobile phones.

She lured her victims - one of whom survived - to take poisoned 'herb capsules', they said.

Sararat faces 13 more separate murder trials, and has been charged with around 80 offences in total.

Her ex-husband - a police lieutenant-colonel - was given 16 months in prison and her former lawyer two years for complicity in Siriporn's killing, the lawyer for the victim's family said.

Thailand has been the scene of several sordid and high-profile criminal cases.

Last year, the son of a Spanish actor was accused of killing and dismembering the body of a renowned Colombian plastic surgeon on the tourist island of Koh Phangan.

Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn is escorted by police officers at a police station in Bangkok, Thailand, April 25, 2023.

More recently, six foreigners were found dead in a luxury Bangkok hotel after a cyanide poisoning believed to be connected to debts worth millions of baht.

US citizen Sherine Chong, 56, is thought to have poisoned herself and five other people with cyanide after she accrued huge debts related to an investment in a hospital in Japan.

She had allegedly convinced a married couple and two other victims among the dead to pour funds into the project, but they had reportedly lost some 10 million baht - roughly $280,000 or 215,000 - as a result.

The deceased - three males and three females of Vietnamese origin aged between 37 and 56 - had last been seen alive when food was delivered to their room at the Grand Hyatt Erawan on Monday afternoon.

The group had arrived at the hotel one day earlier, but on Monday they all moved into Chong's suite - room 502.

Footage obtained by Vietnamese media revealed the moment the five victims made their way to the room that unbeknownst to them would become the scene of their deaths.

Suspected killer Chong, who was described as 'stressed' by hotel staff, was also seen wearing a colourful patterned dress in hotel lift security footage hours before meeting the rest of the group.

Staff delivered food ordered by one member of the group at 2pm on Monday afternoon, along with pots of tea. They offered to brew and serve the drinks but Chong allegedly declined, telling them she would take care of it.

All six people were found dead by hotel staff a day later at 5pm by staff after they failed to check out.

Post-mortem tests confirmed traces of cyanide were found in the cups and in the bodies of the victims, two of whom - including Chong - were American citizens.
Thousands of drivers have been caught using their phone at the wheel and not wearing seat belts during a trial of AI speed cameras that can 'spy inside' cars.

More than 3,200 people were captured on their mobiles while driving or not wearing seat belts over a five-week period in Greater Manchester.

The trial has been by Calvin Buckley, the widower of Hollyoaks star Frankie Jules-Hough who was killed along with their unborn daughter after a driver ploughed into her car while filming a video on his phone at speeds of 123mph.

Ms Jules-Hough's two sons and nephew were also inside the car during impact and suffered injuries.

Adil Iqbal, 22, pleaded guilty to causing the death of the former actress, 38, who suffered fatal injuries when he struck her in his BMW on the M66 in Bury.

Images captured in the trial, that started on September 3, by the 'Heads Up' camera system show drivers holding mobile phones in front of their face, to their ear while behind the wheel.

Mr Buckley previously said: 'Two people lost their lives as a result of someone using their phone while driving, and to put it simply my life was destroyed.

'It's become quite common for people to use their phone to check messages, send photos or change the music while driving.

Calvin Buckley with partner Frankie Jules-Hough who was killed along with their unborn daughter after a driver ploughed into her car while filming a video on his phone

Ms Jules-Hough, 38, died following a crash on the M66, when the speeding car hit her parked Skoda Fabia on the hard shoulder

AI cameras have caught more than 3,200 people, driving while using a phone or not wearing a seatbelt in Greater Manchester

'But all it takes is a split second to become distracted, and when you take your eyes off the road anything could happen.

'You could hit another car, a pedestrian, injure or kill yourself.'

Greater Manchester was among the first in the UK to roll out the new technology, which will allow police to crack down on distracted or speeding motorists with a single camera.

Kate Green, Greater Manchester's deputy mayor, said: 'The images speak for themselves.

'They show drivers who are needlessly putting themselves and others - including young children - at risk.

'Sadly we know that being distracted for just a second, or not wearing a seat belt properly, can have devastating consequences.'

Anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving faces a 200 fixed penalty notice and 6 points on their licence.

Motorists can be fined up to 500 if they do not wear a seat belt when supposed to.

Anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving faces a 200 fixed penalty notice and 6 points on their licence

Motorists can be fined up to 500 if they do not wear a seat belt when supposed to

No one has yet been prosecuted from the trial.

Earlier this year, Mr Buckley also highlighted the consequences of mobile phone distractions behind the wheel by endorsing a campaign called 'Touch. Screen'.

The 'Touch. Screen' campaign, from Safer Roads Greater Manchester, is underpinned by the 'vision zero strategy' which aims to eliminate all deaths and life-changing injuries on Greater Manchester's roads by 2040.

In the videos released as part of the 'Touch. Screen' campaign, three drivers can be seen using their mobile phone behind the wheel and becoming increasingly distracted as they take calls, respond to texts, change songs or check directions.

As they continue to take their eyes off the road and focusing on touching their phone, they are too slow to react to what happens next and the scene abruptly ends with a loud crash.

On the campaign's radio advert, Mr Buckley voice can then be heard warning drivers about consequences of becoming distracted while driving.

Mr Buckley said: 'It's become quite common for people to use their phone to check messages, send photos or change the music while driving. The use of mobile phones in our society has grown, and for some people it's all they've ever known.

'But all it takes is a split second to become distracted, and when you take your eyes off the road anything could happen. You could hit another car, a pedestrian, or injure yourself.

'Please don't touch your phone while driving. You could get fined, get points on your licence or, more seriously, take somebody's life.'
Undocumented migrant Jose Ibarra has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of nursing student Laken Riley.

The Venezuela native, 26, had pleaded not guilty to the 22-year-old's February murder near the University of Georgia campus in Athens. Prosecutors had declined to seek the death penalty in the case.

Ibarra stared coldly as the verdict was read while his victim's family sobbed in court.

He also did not show emotion as Riley's heartbroken mother pleaded with the judge to give the killer the maximum punishment, calling him a 'monster.'

Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard found Ibarra guilty after he waived his right to a jury trial. The trial began on Friday.

Ibarra was convicted of all 10 counts against him: malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, aggravated battery, obstructing an emergency call, evidence tampering and being a peeping Tom.

The case fueled the immigration debate during this year's presidential election, with Republicans using it as an argument against Joe Biden and his immigration policies.

President-elect Donald Trump reacted to the verdict, writing on Truth social: 'JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes.

Laken Riley's killer Jose Ibarra has been found guilty of her murder on Wednesday

Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus

Family members and friends of Laken Riley react as Superior Court as Judge H.A Patrick Haggard announces the verdict on Wednesday

'Although the pain and heartbreak will last forever, hopefully this can help bring some peace and closure to her wonderful family who fought for Justice, and to ensure that other families dont have to go through what they have.

'We love you, Laken, and our hearts will always be with you. It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!'

Following the sentencing, Republican state senator Colton Moore called on attorney general Chris Carr to demand that Ibarro be given the death penalty.

'District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez let her radical political agenda stand in the way of justice,' Moore said on X. 'By refusing to seek the death penalty, she denied Lakens family, friends, and community the full measure of justice they deserve.'

Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus. She had been a student there until 2023, when she transferred to Augusta.

Prosecutors called more than a dozen law enforcement officers for the trial, as well as Rileys roommates and a woman who lived in the same apartment as Ibarra.

They showed selfies that Ibarra had taken on his phone just hours before attacking the student. That's how police were able to prove that the phone that pinged close to where Riley was found was used by the killer.

'He went hunting for females on the University of Georgia campus. When Laken Riley refused to be his victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly,' prosecutor Sheila Ross told the court.

The picture was taken on CCTV cameras near her home on the University of Georgia campus at 9.05am on the day of her death. She was holding her iPhone in her left hand, wearing all black activewear and her noise-canceling AirPods

Riley's parents Allyson and John Phillips (center and right) were filled with emotion as the trial kicked off on Friday

Riley fought for her life for 18 minutes while Ibarra attempted to rape her before having her life snuffed out. DNA and digital evidence found on her body later tied him to the crime,

'She marked her killer for the entire world to see. It is his DNA. Only his DNA, underneath Laken's right fingernails,' Georgia special prosecutor Sheila Ross said.

'He left behind his thumbprint on her iPhone, which was found near her body at the crime scene.'

Defense attorney Dustin Kirby said in his opening that Rileys death was a tragedy and called the evidence in the case graphic and disturbing. But he said there was not sufficient evidence to prove that his client killed Riley.

The defense team called a police officer, a jogger and one of Ibarras neighbors on Tuesday and rested their case Wednesday morning.

On Friday prosecutors said Ibarra's DNA was a direct match to the DNA under Riley's fingernails, and was '10 billion times more probable than a coincidental match.'

They also showed images of suspicious scratches on Ibarra's body at the time of his arrest.

The judge said that as he listened to the closing arguments, he wrote down on a legal pad two things the lawyers had said.

Scratches of varying lengths were identified by officers, pictured and submitted as evidence in the case against him

He noted that prosecutor Sheila Ross called the evidence 'overwhelming and powerful' and that defense attorney Kaitlyn Beck reminded him he was 'required to set aside my emotions' in making his ruling.

Ibarra illegally entered the US through US-Mexico border in 2022 and was allowed to stay in the country while he pursued his immigration case.

He has been identified as a member of the brutal Tren de Aragua gang.

On Monday, the court saw images of Ibarro's brother and roommate, Diego Ibarra, who has a tattoo of a five-point crown of his neck, a symbol of association with the TDA.

TDA became a national story after shocking footage showed apparent members taking over an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado.

The gang started in Venezuela's prison and has spread through the western hemisphere as the oil-rich nation goes through the worst migrant crisis in the world.

Also on Monday, Ibarra's other roommate Rosbeli Elisber Flores-Bello told the court that she moved to Georgia because Diego Ibarra had told the alleged killer there were jobs opportunities in Athens.

Flores-Bello said she met Ibarra in Queens, New York, and within a month decided to move to Georgia with him.

Donald Trump met backstage at his Rome, Georgia rally on Saturday with the family and friends of Laken Riley, including the roommate who reported her missing

Diego Ibarra and a third brother, Argenis Ibarra, pleaded guilty in July to having fake green cards.

When asked how they obtained the plane tickets, Flores-Bello said they were provided by NYC officials.

'In Manhattan, at The Roosevelt Hotel, we asked for a humanitarian flight to Atlanta, on the 9th or 10th of October, 2023,' she testified.

Ibarra was arrested four months later for the student's murder.
Xi says China ready to continue financial cooperation with Argentina

Xinhua) 08:29, November 20, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Argentine President Javier Milei on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to continue its financial cooperation with Argentina and help Argentina maintain economic and financial stability, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Xi pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, the two countries have adhered to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

China's policy toward Argentina has always been oriented towards all the Argentine people, and China-Argentina cooperation also benefits them all, he said.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership, and relations between the two countries stand at an important historical juncture of building on past achievements and forging ahead, Xi said.

China cherishes the traditional friendship between the two peoples, supports the Argentine side in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions through reform, he said.

China stands ready to work with Argentina to promote the long-term and stable development of the China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership and make a greater contribution to their respective development, said Xi.

Noting that the current world situation is undergoing profound changes, Xi said China and Argentina should continue to firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen exchanges at all levels and in all fields, and promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, so as to make China-Argentina friendship more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

The economic and trade structure between the two countries is highly complementary, and the prospects for cooperation are broad, Xi said.

He welcomed the Argentine side to seize the significant opportunities created by China's high-level opening-up and further expand its market share in China.

China is willing to work with Argentina to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said.

China is ready to deepen cooperation with Argentina in energy and mining, infrastructure, agriculture, scientific and technological innovation, digital economy and other fields, he added.

For his part, Milei said he was very pleased to meet President Xi, thanking China for the valuable assistance to Argentina in stabilizing its domestic economic and financial situation.

Argentina and China enjoy profound traditional friendship, Milei said, adding that Argentina hopes to be a reliable and stable partner of China.

Argentina firmly supports China's position on the Taiwan question and stays committed to the one-China principle, he said.

Milei said Argentina hopes to further strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of economy, trade, energy, mining and finance, welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and cooperate in Argentina, and stands ready to provide a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises investing in Argentina and protect their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law.

The Argentine side highly appreciates Xi's insightful proposals on global governance at the G20 Leaders' Summit and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China, Milei said.

Argentina supports the further success of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum and is willing to play a positive role in promoting the development of relations between China and Latin America, he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Argentine President Javier Milei on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Growing interest in Chinese language bodes well for China-Malaysia ties: cultural association

Xinhua) 20:49, November 20, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- A rapidly growing interest in the Chinese language, reflected in the rising number of those interested in learning it, bodes well for Malaysia-China ties as it fosters mutual understanding and respect, a Malaysia-based cultural association said here on Wednesday.

In his remarks at a ceremony to mark the graduation of a Chinese language training program for Malaysian government officials, President of Han Culture Center Malaysia Goh Hin San said that a growing recognition of and interest in the Chinese language reflects the increased interaction between the two countries.

Goh added that strong support from the Chinese side has also greatly helped realize such efforts, as 12 outstanding students in the latest batch of trainees will be sent to China in a few days for further Chinese language study as part of the program.

"This training program for government officials to learn Chinese is very important for promoting Malaysia-China relations, especially the relationship between the Chinese and Malay communities in Malaysia," he said.

Meanwhile, Education Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Zhao Changtao, said learning the Chinese language goes beyond creating a sense of understanding but also promotes continued people-to-people ties, especially as this year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic ties.

"Language is not only a communication tool, but also a bridge connecting the hearts and minds of people from different countries. Over the years, the Chinese language training program for Malaysian government officials has provided a valuable platform for friendly exchanges between the two sides," he said.

"In the process of learning Chinese, students not only felt the unique charm of the Chinese language, but also gained an in-depth understanding of Chinese culture and history. This exchange of language and culture has laid a solid foundation for future cooperation between the two countries," he added.

Among the graduates today is Nurhana Masazing Abdullah, a communications officer based at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex, where she receives various foreign delegations including those from China.

"I want to be able to communicate with visitors, so when the opportunity came to learn Chinese I took it. Not only does it make communication easier but through this I am able to better connect with and understand them and this in turn helps me create a better appreciation of our own traditional handicraft exhibitions even as I gain an appreciation for the Chinese language and culture," she told Xinhua following the graduation ceremony.

Liang Chuyi, one of the Chinese language teachers, said the students are very enthusiastic about Chinese culture during the lessons, and their enthusiasm for the Chinese language is gradually growing.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan)
A young woman who boasted about dancing on moving cars was killed after falling out of a vehicle as it drove down a busy road in Brazil.

Harrowing video shows the tragic moment Amanda Barbosa, 24, slid from the window of an SUV in Joao Pessoa early Monday before being run over by another vehicle.

Two young women who were in the car with Barbosa after they had attended a party that night.

A separate video filmed by a bystander showed people tending to the victim as she laid unconscious on the pavement.

Barbosa was rushed to a local hospital but died before doctors could save her.

Brazilian media outlets obtained a WhatsApp audio message in which she claimed to enjoy the dangerous stunt.

'I dance on the roof of the BM, I throw my ass at the window, on the roof, wherever,' she said in the message.

'Nobody has anything to do with it.

Harrowing video shows the tragic moment Amanda Barbosa, 24, slid from the window of an SUV in Joao Pessoa early Monday before being run over by another vehicle.

A separate video filmed by a bystander showed people tending to the victim as she laid unconscious on the pavement

'And I wasn't going to fall and when I fall, it's okay, no, no, if I fall I'll go to the hospital, I'll come back, everything's fine.'

Barbosa's mother told TV Arapuan that she pleaded with her not go out Sunday night, hours before the deadly accident.

'She didn't listen to me, I kept telling her to stop going out,' her mother said.

Her aunt, Sandra Cabral, told TV Cabo Branco that the family is expecting a detailed investigation of the accident and wanted to know if the driver of the SUV was going over the speed limit.

The owner of the SUV told police investigators that she was not speeding.

'We demand that the police look into the security camera footage to find out exactly what happened, where she really was, what happened,' Cabral said.

'We want to clarify the facts.'

Barbosa owned her own eyelash business and celebrated the opening of a new location in March, according to her social media account.

Brazilian media outlets obtained a WhatsApp audio message in which she claimed to enjoy the dangerous stunt. 'I dance on the roof of the BM, I throw my ass at the window, on the roof, wherever,' she said in the message

Cabral described her as a 'hard-working woman, who like all young people liked to enjoy life on the weekends.'

'Whenever she hugged us, she told us she loved us,' she said.

'She loved life, she loved living.'

Barbosa's organs were donated were donated, her stepfather told TV Tambau.
Donald Trump's attorneys are demanding that Judge Juan Merchan dismiss the Story Daniels hush money case outright.

They write that an 'immediate dismissal' is mandated by the 'federal Constitution, the Presidential Transition Act of 1963, and the interest of justice.'

It is necessary in order to ensure an 'orderly transition of power,' the filing went on.

Trump, 78, is set to be sworn in as the next commander-in-chief in just a few weeks on January 20, 2025.

In May, a New York jury found the now-incoming president guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.

On Tuesday, Trump's sentencing in the case scheduled for November 26 was called off as the court decides how to move forward after his astounding reelection victory.

He was facing up to four years in jail, though experts say the first-time offender would be unlikely to end up behind bars.

Meanwhile, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has argued that the hush money case against President-elect Trump should proceed.

But he also stunningly acknowledged that his prosecutors may need to pause the case as Trump is set to enter the White House.

'We would not oppose [Trump's] request for a stay of further proceedings,' prosecutors wrote in a filing Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Trump's sentencing in the case was called off as the court decides how to move forward after his astounding reelection victory

Bragg writes that prosecutors 'deeply respect the office of the president, are mindful of the demands and obligations of the presidency, and acknowledge that defendant's inauguration will raise unprecedented legal questions.'

The case could be delayed until after Trump exits the White House in four years or be dismissed outright.

The Trump team immediately declared victory after the DA's admission.

'This is a total and definitive victory for President Trump and the American People who elected him in a landslide,' Communications Director Steven Cheung said.

'The Manhattan DA has conceded that this Witch Hunt cannot continue. The lawless case is now stayed, and President Trump's legal team is moving to get it dismissed once and for all.'

Judge Juan Merchan is currently weighing whether the Supreme Court's historic presidential immunity decision and the presidential election outcome applies to the case, and has not yet made a determination on pausing the proceedings.

Donald Trump 's sentencing in his New York hush money case has been called off as the court decides how to move forward

In May, a New York jury found the now-incoming president guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016

Attorneys for the president-elect argue that the the case should be dismissed outright.

In a filing last week, Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove called for a stay and dismissal of the case.

They said that it creates 'impediments' to Trump's ability to govern among other issues.

Trump ally Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has called Merchan's delay on dismissing the case an 'abuse of power.'

'President Trump has filed a motion to dismiss his criminal conviction and the Manhattan prosecutor, instead of agreeing to that, has suggested to the judge, no, no, don't dismiss it,' he said on his podcast Verdict.

'Just put it on hold for four years. Just freeze it, don't sentence him. Just leave the conviction hanging out there. And I gotta say, look, unprecedented doesn't begin to describe it. It is an absolute abuse of power.'

Merchan is expected to make a decision on the Trump team's argument that the former president's conduct is entitled to immunity protections following the ruling.

The 6-3 ruling by the Supreme Court's conservative majority came in July, after the trial.

The ruling stated that the President of the United States has immunity from prosecution for official acts in office.

'The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official. The President is not above the law,' the justices led by Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority.

'But under our system of separated powers, the President may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts. That immunity applies equally to all occupants of the Oval Office.'

Trump celebrated the decision, writing on Truth Social: 'Big win for our constitution and democracy. Proud to be an American!'

Trump's team has already used the ruling, which sets out sweeping areas of 'official' conduct that is protected from prosecution while a president is in office, to argue the case should be tossed out.

Among the evidence shown at trial were White House meetings between Trump and former fixer Michael Cohen, who was a star witness for the prosecution.

Stormy Daniels was at the center of the hush money trial that went down in the spring

Daniels alleged that she and Trump had sex, which he has denied

It comes as Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg had a November 19 deadline to argue how the case against the president-elect should proceed

Trump has picked his personal criminal defense lawyers to lead the Justice Department

Cohen was seeking reimbursement for 'hush' payments paid to porn star Stormy Daniels. Cohen paid the porn star $130,000 weeks before the 2016 election and got reimbursed.

Daniels alleged that she and Trump had sex a decade earlier, which he has denied.

Meanwhile, Trump has picked his personal criminal defense lawyer Todd Blanche as his Deputy Attorney General and added other attorneys who have represented him to senior Department of Justice positions.

Blanche, who defended the 78-year-old in his New York hush-money trial, would be Matt Gaetz's No. 2 at the Department of Justice and head day-to-day operations.

'I am pleased to announce that Todd Blanche will serve as Deputy Attorney General in my Administration,' Trump announced Thursday evening.

'Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long.'

Trump touted the 50-year-old's experience in prosecuting gangs and the fact he stood by his side during the Manhattan case where he was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records.

Trump has picked his personal criminal defense lawyer Todd Blanche (right) as his Deputy Attorney General

Emil Bove (left), another attorney on the hush money trial team, was given the role of principal associate deputy attorney general

Emil Bove, another attorney on the hush money trial team, was given the role of principal associate deputy attorney general.

John Sauer, the lawyer in Trump's Supreme Court immunity case, was chosen as solicitor general.

The president-elect made the moves as Republicans appeared increasingly skeptical that Gaetz's nomination could make it through the Senate.

Attorneys for the president-elect had argued that the the case should be dismissed outright

Gaetz had been the subject of a years-long House Ethics Committee probe that ended Wednesday after his abrupt resignation from Congress, one day after Trump shockingly nominated him to be the top law enforcement official in the nation.

His exit comes as allegations resurfaced Thursday about a woman who reportedly testified to the committee that Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17.

The FBI had investigated similar claims against Gaetz, but the DOJ opted not to indict him over claims he sex trafficked a minor.

Trump's pick of the embattled former congressman to oversee the Justice Department, FBI, DEA, ATF and related agencies has shocked Republicans and Democrats.

And the bombshell claims could derail his hopes of taking the helm as attorney general.
Kamala Harris lost big to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, but if the 2028 election were to be held today, a significant margin of Democrats would vote for her again.

The vice president remains at the top of a list of Democratic potential candidates for 2028, according to a new poll, suggesting she still retains high name recognition and goodwill from the party.

Harris leads the potential field with 41 percent of the vote, according to a Puck News/Echelon Insights survey.

The rest of the pack combined - 13 Democratic politicians who all scored in the single digits - garnered 43 percent, with 16 percent of those surveyed saying they were 'unsure' to the question of who they would vote for if a party primary were held today.

Harris' 'frenemy' from California Gov. Gavin Newsom is at second place with just eight percent.

Since Harris lost the election, Newsom traveled to the White House to meet with President Joe Biden and pointedly vowed that the state of California would resist President-elect Donald Trump's agenda.

But other Democratic governors remain in the early conversation of who could run in 2028.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro earned seven percent in the poll, a once-rumored vice presidential pick who was ultimately turned down by Harris as a running mate in favor of Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota who receives six percent in the poll.

Vice President Kamala Harris leads a list of Democrats who could compete in the 2028 election

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also remains in the list of potential candidates as he sits at six percent.

Other possible candidates include Democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with four percent and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer with three percent.

Candidates in the bottom tier include Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.

Democratic senators in the conversation include Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, and Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom comes in second place in a recent poll of who should be the next Democratic standard bearer

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks at an election night campaign party

On the Republican side of the survey, the Echelon Insights poll found nearly every member chosen for his cabinet or inner circle so far with a slight favorability.

Trump is off to a good start, with a favorability at 49 percent, according to the survey, which is two points higher than those of Harris who has a 47 percent rating and President Joe Biden who sits at 42 percent.

No matter how successful Trump is during his second term he will not be running again due to term limits.

Republicans already view Vice President-elect JD Vance as the standard bearer for 2028, with Vivek Ramasawmy, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the running.

Other possible candidates included Senators Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, and Tim Scott.

Governors also in the conversation included Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.

The poll of 1,010 likely voters included responses from 457 Democrats and 483 Republicans.
Disgraced TV star Rolf Harris died penniless after wiping out his 16million fortune leaving it difficult for his victims to claim compensation.

The vile paedophile died of neck cancer and old age last year after spending his final six years following his release from prison living as a near-recluse with his wife in their 5million riverside mansion in Bray, Berkshire.

Harris was convicted of 12 indecent assaults, after a trial exposed an avalanche of evidence showing his disturbing behaviour towards women and girls.

The entertainer was convicted of abusing a close friend of his daughter, Bindi Nicholls, over the course of 16 years as well as an eight-year-old girl seeking an autograph and two girls in their early teens.

After his death, it was said that he left a 16million fortune that he amassed during his successful career to his wife Alwen Hughes and daughter Bindi, 60.

However, probate documents seen by the Sun show that his assets were said to be worth just 438,802 when he died.

And the net value of his estate was 0 when expenses were taken out.

It is believed that most of his fortune was spent to make it difficult for his victims, who were seeking compensation, to access his wealth following his death.

Official document show that Rolf Harris died penniless. Pictured: Harris with his wife Alwen Hughes and daughter Bindi Nicholls

It is believed that most of his fortune was spent to make it difficult for his victims, who were seeking compensation, to access his wealth

Harris was convicted of 12 indecent assaults, after a trial exposed an avalanche of evidence showing his disturbing behaviour towards women and girls

A large part of the fortune is understood to have been used for 24-hour carers to look after him and his wife, who died in September after suffering from Dementia.

His will was last signed in March 2022, a year before his death, and was witnesses by two of his carers, legal documents show.

Investigator and ex-detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who helped to convict Harris, said: 'This is yet another disgrace. He has obviously planned to get rid of money and assets and there is no way he'd have actually been penniless.

'He had amassed a huge amount of wealth and I would assume he has squirreled it away to avoid victims making claims on it, even after his death. The man had no shame.'

It understood Rolf Harris' health took a turn for the worse after the sudden death of his poodle earlier in 2022.

Harris married Ms Hughes in March 1958 after meeting at art school.

Best known for hits Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport and Jake The Peg, as well as a string of children's TV hits, Harris also painted the 80th birthday portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

He was the face of British Paints for more than three decades before he was dumped by the brand when he was arrested in 2013.

Harris was last pictured in public in April 2022, with Ms Ratcliff pushing him in his wheelchair as he was treated for neck cancer

The Thames side home of Rolf Harris in Bray, Berkshire, England

Harris was said to have lived his life as a virtual recluse with wife Alwen at their Berkshire home (pictured there in 1995)

The following year, Harris was found guilty on 12 counts of indecent assault, and was sentenced to five years and nine months in jail .

The assaults include one on an eight-year-old autograph hunter, two on girls in their early teens, and a catalogue of abuse against his daughter's friend of over 16 years.

He was released on parole in May 2017 after serving three years behind bars.

Of the 12 convictions, one was overturned on appeal in November 2017, and a jury chose not to convict him in two additional cases in the same year.
Ukraine may have used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to strike a secretive Russian presidential facility in the Kursk region today, emerging reports claim.

The missiles could have struck a building with an underground 'control room' where Russian and North Korean military officials are believed to be holed up, according to Ukrainian defence experts.

Debris from the site of the explosion suggests the missiles were British Storm Shadows, rather than equivalent French SCALP missiles.

A Western official reportedly confirmed that Ukraine had used the missiles to strike into Russia for the first time today, after the US paved the way for Kyiv to launch long-range ATACMS missiles deep into Russia on Sunday.

Up to 12 missiles were launched into the Kursk region on Wednesday, according to Russian reports.

Images being shared on social media show what appear to be fragments of a British Storm Shadow missile in Marino, Kursk

One image shows a written indentation on a chunk of metal reading: 'Storm Shadow'

'The only logical explanation for the expenditure of a rather large amount of Storm Shadow / SCALP on such a facility is the presence of the command of the Russian Army group in the Kursk region, together with North Korean generals,' reported defence expert publication, Defence Express.

'The Russian Federation began to complain that Ukraine had started using not only ballistic ATACMS, but also Storm Shadow / SCALP cruise missiles on its territory.

'In particular, there is a video from the Kursk region from the village of Marino. A rather large number of missiles were used for the attack.'

The publication cautioned that the target of the strike remains speculative.

Today's attack is believed to be the first time Ukraine has used British Storm Shadows to strike into Russia, after the US set precedent with permission for use of ATACMS long-range missiles against Russian targets.

Britain conceded permission to use them against attacks within Ukraine earlier this year. The missiles will allow Ukraine to take out military targets and airbases previously unreachable, capable of hitting hard into Ukraine.

Unconfirmed images and footage posted to X/Twitter today have shown residents in the village of Marino, Kursk, stumbling upon fragments of the missile.

One image shows a resident holding a thick chunk of broken metal in their hand, while another reveals a written indentation reading: 'Storm Shadow'.

Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy.

The 800,000 rockets use GPS technology to precisely blast targets, and can travel through the air at 600mph.

Storm Shadow missiles have already been used by Ukraine inside its own territory for some time, but Kyiv now appears to have been granted permission to use the weapons to strike within Russia.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his office would not be commenting on reports or operational matters.

The 800,000 rockets use GPS technology to precisely blast targets, and can travel through the air at 600mph

Britain had previously said Ukraine could use Storm Shadow cruise missiles within Ukrainian territory but the government has been pressing the United States for permission to allow their use to strike targets inside Russia for several months.

Starmer yesterday hinted Ukraine would be able to use Storm Shadows as he rebuffed the Kremlin's scare tactics.

When quizzed on letting Ukraine use the UK-made missiles, the PM said: 'I've been doubling down in my clear message that we need to ensure Ukraine has what is needed for as long as needed to win this war against Putin.

'I am not going to go into operational details. You would not expect me to. The only winner in that would be Putin and it would undermine Ukraine.

'The single simplest way to end this conflict is for Russia to stop the aggression and to stop it today. We are on day 1,000 of that aggression'.

Storm Shadow - called Scalp by the French - is a weapon equipped with a navigation system that once launched, descends to a low altitude to avoid detection before locking onto its target using an infra-red seeker.

On the final approach, the missile climbs to a higher altitude to maximise the chances of hitting the target.

On impact, it penetrates the target before a delayed fuse detonates the main warhead.

British Storm Shadow missiles have a range of up to 180miles, meaning Ukraine could now have the ability to strike targets inside Russia.

The UK first confirmed it would supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles in May last year, for use on Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine.

Then defence secretary Ben Wallace had touted that the weapons would give Ukraine the 'best chance' of defending itself.

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Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy

It comes as Vladimir Putin's TV propagandists called for Britain to be obliterated with nuclear weapons, amid earlier claims that Ukraine had used Storm Shadow missiles inside Russian territoty.

One Kremlin mouthpiece proposed dropping Russia's Satan-2 missile, widely described as 'the world's deadliest weapon', on Trafalgar Square, while another urged Putin to use the new Poseidon high speed underwater drone and sink the UK under a 'radioactive tidal wave'.

This came just days after outgoing US President Joe Biden gave war-torn Ukraine permission to use long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia earlier this week.

The decision was a major US policy shift and comes as Biden is about to leave office and President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to limit American support for Ukraine and end the war as soon as possible.

The weapons are thought to be used in response to North Korea's decision to send thousands of troops to Russia in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, according to one of the sources.

Around 10,000 soldiers from the communist regime have joined the fight to reclaim Kursk, which Ukraine seized in a daring counter offensive last August.

Biden hopes that this response will 'send a message' to Kim Jong Un not to send any more, sources said.

It comes just a day after Ukraine carried out its first strike on Russian territory with US-supplied long range missiles.

US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is seen in action

Joe Biden finally gave Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky permission at the weekend to use US-supplied missiles in attacks within Russia

A massive explosion at an ammunition depot in Karachev around 75 miles from the Ukrainian border in Russia's Bryansk region illuminated the night sky yesterday morning on what was the 1,000th day of war in Ukraine.

Eyewitnesses along with Russian and Ukrainian military bloggers first reported the attack, with anonymous Ukrainian military officials later telling the strike was conducted with the US-manufactured ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System).

Following the Ukraine-led attack, and amid growing concerns around a potential WW3, European nations have begun gearing up for an all out war on the continent as Putin officially lowered the threshold for Moscow to consider a nuclear strike.

Germany's foreign minister yesterday vowed her country 'will not be intimidated' by Putin, just one day after German media revealed the nation will transform into a NATO staging ground if the conflict to the East should escalate.

According to a 1,000-page document entitled 'Operationsplan Deutschland', Germany would reportedly host hundreds of thousands of troops from NATO countries and serve as a logistics hub for sending huge quantities of military equipment, food and medicine toward the front.

Finland reminded its citizens of their 'national defence obligation' and recently launched a new information website, while Sweden laid out a detailed guide on how to seek shelter and what to do in case of a nuclear attack.

Snowflakes are illuminated during live firing of the British Army's new Archer Mobile Howitzer gun near Rovaniemi in the Arctic Circle

British Army soldiers and armoured vehicles are taking part in the Arctic drills

A Swedish artillery team fires a projectile from an Archer self-propelled Howitzer during the NATO 'Exercise Lightning Strike' on November 20, 2024 near Heinu, Finland. The live-fire exercise includes service members from 28 Allied and partner nations, and is taking place between November 4 to November 24, across locations in Finland, Estonia, Germany, Poland, and Romania

The US is also set to provide Ukraine's army with shipments of landmines to slow the advance of Russian ground troops as Putin's forces wear down Ukrainian defensive lines in Donetsk.

Officials in Washington confirmed late last night that American anti-personnel mines would be sent to Ukraine on the proviso the punishing weapons are only used to repel Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory.

Meanwhile, NATO is holding its largest-ever artillery exercise just 70 miles from the border where the British Army is testing what military chiefs have described as a 'game-changing' weapon.

Finland, which joined the military alliance last year, is hosting up to 3,600 soldiers from 28 nations for the exercise, known as Dynamic Front.

Live fire drills began on Sunday in the northern Lapland region, and are part of a series of exercises, with further ones planned in Estonia, Germany, Romania and Poland.

The British Army is using the opportunity to put its Archer 155-mm guns to the test, weapons which can release high explosive shells or GPS-guided munitions and hit targets 30 miles away.
A mother has vowed to fight for justice for her 15-year-old daughter who was electrocuted on railway tracks, as the coroner says police failings may be to blame.

A jury will decide whether the actions of police officers led to the death of Roxy Phillips, who died on the railway tracks in Weymouth, Dorset.

Roxy's mother Kerri Walker today vowed to fight for justice, even if it 'takes 10 years'.

An inquest into the death of Roxy will be heard by a jury after the senior coroner said there was reason to suspect the acts or omissions of police were causative or contributory to her death.

Roxy died in the early hours of March 23, 2023 after she was electrocuted by the 750-volt third rail on the tracks near Weymouth train station.

Emergency services rushed to the scene but Roxy was pronounced dead at 2.25am.

A pre-inquest review into her death was held at Dorset Coroners Court today, but the full inquest will be heard in a year's time on November 17, 2025.

A number of agencies were involved in the inquest including Dorset Police, British Transport Police (BTP), Network Rail, South Western Railway, Dorset Council and Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust.

Roxy Phillips, 15, died on the railway tracks in Weymouth, Dorset, on March 23, 2023

Pictured is the train line going from Weymouth to Dorchester

Roxy's mother Kerri Walker today vowed to fight for justice, even if it 'takes ten years'

Senior Coroner Rachel Griffin said there was reason to suspect the actions of police officers could have caused Roxy's death, which requires a jury inquest to be held.

Mrs Griffin said: 'CCTV captured Roxy at Weymouth train station at around 12.57am and showed her walking onto the tracks.

'A minute later a member of the public called Dorset Police to report a person on the railway line.

'Dorset Police notified Network Rail of a member of the public on the line and requested the electricity to be switched off.

'Officers from Dorset Police were called to investigate the report of trespassers and arrived at the scene at 1.15am.

'At 1.17am officers reported that they could not see anyone on the tracks. They thought there was no point going onto the tracks as there is multiple places that people can leave the tracks.

'Dorset Police stood down and handed the incident over to British Transport Police (BTP).

'In line with Network Rail procedures, the emergency switch off was lifted after no trespassers were found.

Roxy died after the 750 volt third rail was switched back on following an search by police

A young Roxy playing with one of her dogs, she was known for her love of all animals

Roxy was described as a 'loving person' who was 'incredibly loyal' to her friends

Roxy's friends still visit her mum and speak to Roxy's ashes as if she was still there with them

'At 2.06am paramedics were called to Roxy's aid, but she died at the scene.

Roxy's mother said: 'Every day is a struggle. I have lost my 15-year-old daughter and my best friend.

'I don't care if it takes 10 years as long as we get justice then I am happy.

'I am not working and sometimes I don't leave the house because I am so depressed, everyday is a struggle waking up without Roxy.

'Her friends are so supportive, my sister has been very supportive and a lot of people in Weymouth have been very good to me as well.

'Roxy lit up the room, she had so many friends and she was loved, she just had a good night.

'She was incredibly loyal to her friends and she was such a loving person.

'She had such an impact on her friends, they still come to my house and sit and talk to her ashes as if she is still here.

'A lot of them have tattoos of her, they look after me as well.

'She was really loved, there were people queueing out of the door for her funeral.

'I am not living, I am just existing. I live in denial because I don't want to believe that I am never going to see her again.'
House Speaker Mike Johnson has ruled the first transgender member of Congress cannot use the women's restrooms in a decision that will shake the U.S. Capitol.

Newly elected Sarah McBride, who will become the first openly transgender lawmaker when sworn into office in January, will have to use the men's facilities.

It follows a week of outrage from outspoken Republicans Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who have called McBride a 'man', a predator and accused her of being 'mentally ill.'

Republicans were emboldened by Donald Trump's win in the presidential election.

Trump has pledged to stop taxpayer funding for sex change treatments, block transgender people from entering the military, and ban trans athletes from women's sports.

Data shows the number of adults who identify as transgender in the U.S. is between 0.5 percent and 1.6 percent.

Mace had introduced a bill to ban transgender women from using female restrooms on Capitol Hill.

Johnson, the GOP leader, finally weighed in on the controversy in a statement Wednesday saying McBride would have to use the restroom of her biological sex.

'All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings  such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms  are reserved for individuals of that biological sex,' Johnson said in his statement.

'It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol,' he went on. 'Women deserve womens only spaces.'

Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride will be the first transgender member of Congress. On Wednesday, Speaker Johnson announced single-sex facilities at the U.S. Capitol are reserved for that biological sex, banning her from using the women's room on Capitol Hill

McBride responded on Wednesday afternoon in a statement where she said she is not heading to Washington to fight about bathrooms.

'Like all members, I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them,' she wrote.

'This effort to distract from the real issues facing this country hasn't distracted me over the last several days, as I've remained hard at work preparing to represent the greatest state in the union come January,' she went on.

She said serving in Congress will be the 'honor of a lifetime,' and she looks forward to getting to know future colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

Mace said she is 'standing up for women' with her campaign to block McBride from using the women's restrooms.

'I'm a victim of abuse myself. I'm a rape survivor. I have PTSD from the abuse I've suffered at the hands of a man, and I know how vulnerable women and girls are in private spaces,' she fired back at a reporter on Tuesday.

'If being a feminist makes me an extremist I'm totally here for it.

'So I'm absolutely, 100 percent going to stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women's restroom, in our locker rooms, [or] in our changing rooms.'

Mace also revealed that she's received death threats due to her position on McBride.

She said she's not going to 'shut up' no matter if critics 'call me names, make death threats, I don't care. I'm not stopping.'

Meanwhile, Greene doubled down on Mace's resolution, describing McBride as 'mentally ill' this week: 'He's a man. He's a biological male, so he is not allowed to use our women's restrooms, our women's gym, our locker rooms and our spaces that are that are specified for women.

'He's a biological male,' she said again. 'He has plenty of places he can go.'

During a press conference with House Republican leadership on Tuesday morning, a reporter asked Johnson if McBride is a man or a woman.

'I'm not going to get into this,' Johnson responded. 'We welcome all new members with open arms who are duly elected representatives of the people.'

He said he believes it is a 'command that we treat all persons with dignity and respect' and claimed they will.

'I'm not going to engage in silly debates about this. There's a concern about the uses of restroom facilities and locker rooms and all that. This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before,' Johnson went on.

'We're going to do that in a deliberate fashion with member consensus on it, and we will accommodate the needs of every single person,' he added.

He reportedly committed to Mace behind closed doors on Tuesday that he would include the provision in the House rules package including her measure.

His remarks were immediately met with pushback from MAGA loyalists and conservatives online. Just hours later, Johnson tried to clarify.

Speaker Mike Johnson was asked during a news conference on November 19 whether freshman Sarah McBride, who is transgender, is a man or woman. He responded that he is 'not going to get into this' and all new members are welcomed. He said 'concern about the uses of restroom facilities' will be addressed 'in a deliberate fashion with member consensus'

'Let me be unequivocally clear: a man is a man, and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman,' he said.

Mace did not shy away when asked if her measure was specifically introduced to target her incoming colleague McBride. She said McBride should be forced to use the men's room.

'She was born a biological male, she should use the men's restroom, that's how it should work,' Mace told reporters Monday evening.

We're not going to shut up just because someone is trying to hurt our feelings. Call me names, make death threats, I don't care. I'm not stopping. https://t.co/ea07QLDDGe  Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) November 20, 2024

Representative-elect Sarah McBride was elected to represent Delaware in November by double-digits. She will enter Congress as the first transgender member of Congress. She previously was elected to serve in the Delaware Senate

Rep. Nancy Mace speaking to reporters on November 19 after she introduced a resolution to ban trans women from using the women's restroom at the U.S. Capitol

However, it is not clear how the resolution would be enforced. When asked about it, Mace did not have a clear answer.

'Here's the deal, biological men shouldn't be in women's private spaces. Period,' she said.

Mace's resolution comes after Republicans including President-elect Trump put attacks on transgender Americans front and center in their messaging leading up to the 2024 election.

McBride slammed the South Carolina congresswoman's measure Monday night with a post on X.

'Every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness,' she wrote.

She called the resolution a 'blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing.'

'We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars,' she wrote. 'Delawareans sent me here to make the American dream more affordable and accessible and thats what Im focused on.'

McBride, who was first elected as a Delaware state senator, won the blue state by double-digits earlier this year with nearly 58 percent of support.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries slammed the Republican effort on Tuesday. He said the small GOP House majority is beginning to transition to the new Congress 'by bullying a member of Congress.'

'This is what we're doing? This is the lesson that you've drawn from the election in November?' he asked.

'This is your priority that you want to bully a member of Congress as oppose to welcoming her to join this body so that all of us can work together to get things done and deliver real results for the American people?' Jeffries asked.

He suggested Republicans are not really focused on lowering costs and the housing crisis.
A group of British tourists have been rushed to hospital after they were allegedly served drinks that contained methanol while on holiday in Laos.

Six British travellers are understood to be among a group of 14 holidaymakers who fell ill in what authorities fear was a mass poisoning which has reportedly already claimed the lives of two Danish women in their 20s and an 56-year-old US citizen.

Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, was among the group of backpackers taken to hospital when she became ill last week in the backpacker hotspot Vang Vieng, the Times reports.

Ms White is an associate lawyer based in London specialising in intellectual property and technology at American law firm Squire Patton Boggs.

After completing her A-levels at St Olave's Grammar School in Orpington, she studied law at Newcastle University before taking the fast-track course at the BPP law school.

Many of the victims became ill after staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Laos last Tuesday but it is not known where the contaminated drinks were sold.

Ms White's friend, Bethany Clarke, a healthcare worker also from Orpington, took to the Laos Backpacking Facebook group to warn other travellers.

She said: 'Urgent  please avoid all local spirits. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars. Just avoid them as so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.'

Simone White (left) and Bethany Clarke (right) both fell ill on holiday in Southeast Asia

Tourists kayaking in the party town of Vang Vieng in Laos

Ms White is an associate lawyer based in London specialising in intellectual property and technology at American law firm Squire Patton Boggs

Two other victims Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both aged 19 from Melbourne, became unwell while staying at the Nana Backpackers Hostel last week.

The best friends were on a 'dream getaway' gap year trip across south-east Asia when authorities suspect they drank poisoned cocktails which reportedly contained tainted shots of 'vodka' while holidaying in Vang Vieng.

Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were rushed to Udon Thani and Bangkok Hospital respectively after telling hostel staff they needed medical attention.

Ms Jones' parents broke their silence on Wednesday to reveal they hope local police can swiftly find out what happened.

'Our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have come from across Australia,' they told the Herald Sun.

'This is every parent's nightmare and we want to ensure no other family is forced to endure the anguish we are going through.

'We hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible.'

Ms Bowles' father, Shaun Bowles, said his family was spending every minute possible by Holly's side.

Bianca Jones and her best friend are on life support in separate Thailand hospitals after falling ill in Laos last week

Ms Jones' and her best friend Holly Bowles (pictured) are two of 14 tourists who are believed to be victims of a mass methanol poisoning in the party town of Vang Vieng

The pair had booked a four night stay at Nana Backpackers Hostel where they had been drinking the night before they began to feel unwell

'Right now our daughter remains in an intensive care unit, in critical condition, she's on life support,' he told reporters outside Bangkok Hospital on Wednesday.

'We would just like to thank everyone from back home for all their support and love that we are receiving.

'We would also like for people to appreciate right now, we just need privacy so we can spend as much time as we can with Holly.'

The two teens had booked in a four-night stay at Nana Backpackers Hostel, where they had been drinking and playing cards at the bar on the night they were poisoned.

The Jones family released a statement on Tuesday, saying their daughter had been on a 'dream getaway with her best friend Holly'.

'They were filled with joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them, travelling through Asia,' the statement said. 'We are here by Bianca's bedside praying for her. Please respect our privacy at this difficult time.'

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that it was providing consular assistance to two Australians and their families in Thailand, but couldn't provide further information for privacy reasons.

'Our thoughts are with them at this deeply distressing time,' the office said.

The Australian girls' families have said they are still on life support in separate hospitals

Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan, who served the girls the Laotian vodka, has claimed it wasn't his Tiger Vodka that made the girls sick

Toan said the girls had drank three beverages each between 8pm and 10:30pm before leaving for another venue

Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan, who served the girls has claimed it wasn't his Tiger Vodka that made the girls sick.

Toan said he bought the alcohol from a certified distributor and insisted it had not been tainted by himself or his staff.

He said the shots, a gesture of hospitality, were served to around 100 guests and that the hostel had not received any other complaints.

To prove his point, the bartender drank from one of the vodka bottles that were in use on the night to prove it was safe.

Toan said Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were at the bar from 8pm to 10.30pm and had three drinks each in that time.

He poured them a Lao Pdr Tiger Vodka containing 40 per cent alcohol and mixed it with ice and Coke Zero.

'Right now the police [are telling] every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng,' he told the Associated Press.

Australian media also reported that two Danish tourists died after consuming tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng at the same time as the Australian women, but it was not immediately possible to confirm details.

Ms Jones' parents have said they hope local authorities are able to find out what happened to their daughter

Ms Bowels' father said his family were spending every moment they could by her bedside in Thailand

Asked about media reports, Denmark's Foreign Ministry told The Associated Press that 'two Danish citizens have passed away in Laos' but that it could not provide specifics for 'reasons of confidentiality in personal matters.'

The US State Department confirmed the death of a US citizen, aged 56, on Thursday morning in in the popular party town of Vang Vieng.

Vang Vieng is a tourist town particularly popular among backpackers seeking partying and adventure sports.

Businesses appeared to be going on as usual on Tuesday evening in the surrounding neighborhood of the hostel bustling with bars and food stalls.

Jasmine Antonius, a Dutch tourist who has been in Vang Vieng for three days, said that she tried to become more careful with drinks after she heard about the case.

'I think sometimes you're not really watching how your drinks are being made,' she said. 'I feel now it's a wake up call for many people since this happened. So I hope people would take more precaution because it's really sad.'

Local police have launched an investigation into the poisoning, which is ongoing.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'We are providing consular assistance to British nationals and their families and are in contact with the local authorities following an incident in Laos.'
A mom who killed her two children in an infamous 1994 murder has been denied parole after board members saw through her fake tears.

Susan Smith, 53, drowned sons Michael, three, and Alex, 14-months, in a South Carolina lake.

She was sentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole after 30 years.

On Wednesday, she made her case for release to the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services board and even pretended to cry during the hearing.

However her request was denied following a unanimous decision by all seven members of the board.

NewsNation's Brian Entin reported that Smith clutched a tissue and repeatedly dabbed at her eyes, despite no sign of any tears.

'First of all I want to say how very sorry I am,' Smith began, according Entin.

She told the board that she is a Christian and knows God has forgiven her and asked that they 'show the same kind of mercy'.

Susan Smith, who murdered her two children, 'pretended' to cry during her parole hearing before her request for freedom was denied

Smith, 53, drowned sons Michael, three, and Alex, 14-months, in a South Carolina lake in 1994

Smith said that she lost touch with reality when she killed her children and did not fully comprehend her actions.

The board heard from Smith virtually from the Leath Correctional Institute in Greenwood, where she is incarcerated.

The boys' father David Smith told the hearing that his son's murder was, 'not a tragic mistake' as he urged them to keep their killer behind bars.

'That's only 15 years per child,' he said of Smith's sentence. 'Her own children. That is just not enough. I am asking that you deny her parole today and hopefully in the future.'

Smith's lawyer argued that the murders were a 'mental health story' and nothing to do with another man as previously claimed.

Prosecutors alleged that Smith killed the boys after the man she was having an affair with, Thomas Findlay, broke up with her because he didn't want children.

It has been three decades since the mom reported her two sons missing and told deputies the boys had been taken by an unidentified black man during a carjacking.

She wept on national television while her husband begged for their safe return.

The seven-member board heard from Smith virtually from the Leath Correctional Institute in Greenwood, where she is incarcerated

Smith was sentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole after 30 years

In 1994, Smith reported her two sons missing and told deputies the boys had been taken by an unidentified black man during a carjacking

Her story was quickly picked apart and Smith confessed to strapping the two boys into their car seat and watching the car roll into the lake.

The boys father, David Smith, and former prosecutor Tommy Pope plan to testify against her release.

Pope told the board that he had sought the death penalty for Smith and that the jury was not informed that life in prison meant that Smith could apply for parole.

Smith needed at least a two-thirds majority of the panel to her approve her application and needs to meet pre-release conditions which include employment, residence, programming and detainers, according to Court TV.

Data shows the board grants approximately 8 percent of parole requests for violent offenders.

Smith's lawyers told the board that she tutors math in jail and enjoys arts and crafts.

He failed to mention the litany of prison violations against Smith during her time behind bars.

Just weeks before she became eligible for parole, Smith was convicted of a prison disciplinary charge.

However, investigators soon picked holes in her story and uncovered the grisly truth.

Prosecutors claimed that Smith drowned her sons after starting an affair with a man who did not want children. But at her parole hearing, her lawyer framed the crime as the result of a 'mental health story'

The Department of Corrections revealed that the convicted child killer was found communicating with a filmmaker from behind bars in August this year.

But her history of infractions stretches back even further and includes drug use, self-mutilations and incidents in which she was caught having sex with guards.

In February this year, DailyMail.com revealed that the mother had been having phone sex with a man half her age from prison.

The boys' father David Smith told Court TV that he has forgiven his ex-wife, but does not want her released from prison.

'You have no idea of how much damage you have done to so many people,' he said.
An American father was arrested in Japan after he allegedly carved his family's names into a sacred wooden shrine with his fingernails.

Steven Lee Hayes, 65, was taken into custody on November 13 after the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department captured him on camera the day before allegedly defacing the entrance to the Meiji Shrine in Tokyos Shibuya ward, according to authorities.

Hayes, who arrived in the county on November 11 with his family, allegedly 'carved alphabet letters' into a wooden pillar with his fingernails at the traditional Japanese torii gate, NBC News reported.

The alleged incident occurred around 11.15am local time on November 12, as surveillance footage allegedly captured him using his fingernails to mark the pillar.

The Japan Times later reported that Hayes admitted he 'wrote his family members' names' in the wood.

He was soon arrested at a Tokyo hotel the following afternoon, as authorities believe he committed the alleged crime 'as an act of mischief,' according to the outlet.

The Meiji Shrine is dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken.

It first opened in 1920, but was later destroyed during the Tokyo air raids of World War II.

Steven Lee Hayes, 65, was arrested on November 13 after the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department captured him on camera allegedly sketching his family members' named into the Meiji Shrine

The Meiji Shrine (pictured), located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken

The shrine was then rebuilt in 1958 and is known to be visited by many world leaders and politicians, including the former German Foreign Minister Guido Wasterwelle, former U.S. President George W. Bush, and former U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

The entrance to the shrine features large wooden gates, known as torii's, which have curved beams.

If convicted, Hayes faces up to three years in prison or a fine up to 300,000 yen ($1,918 USD) for the alleged vandalism.

It is unclear exactly where in the U.S. Hayes is from and if he is still in custody.

DailyMail.com contacted the U.S. Embassy in Japan and the U.S. Department of State.

Hayes also admitted to the allegations, saying he 'wrote his family members' names' that day. It is unclear exactly where in the U.S. Hayes is from and if he is still in custody

Signs have since been erected near the entrance of the shrine that state: 'Heartless deeds of damaging the Torii gate with scratches have occurred recently.

'It is truly regrettable that we have to enclose the Torii gates by a fence to protect them,' it said, with the statement '[Security cameras in use]' on the bottom.

News of Hayes' arrest comes after a string of similar incidents occurred in Japan.

In September, police told CNN that a 61-year-old Austrian man was arrested for reportedly having sex on the grounds of a shrine in Kesennuma - a town just outside of North Tokyo.

The outlet reported that earlier this year, views were blocked for local residents in a small town located at the base of Mount Fuji after tourists left behind heaps of trash.

The visitors also 'ignored traffic rules,' despite signs and security guards posted in the area.

Last year, a 17-year-old Canadian teenager was questioned over allegedly carving name into a wooden pillar at a UNESCO-listed temple in Nara, police said, according to CNN.

Signs have since been erected near the entrance of the shrine that deter tourists from damaging the sacred shrine

UNESCO is a list distributed by the World Heritage Convention, which includes popular places across the globe, including many U.S. National Parks, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and The Great Wall of China, among others.

In January, another American man was arrested at Japan's Haneda Airport after allegedly biting a flight attendant's arm in a drunken rage.

He was later named by Japanese outlet TBS News as 55-year-old Michael Travis Halyard - a top U.S. sex therapist.

Halyard allegedly forced the flight to return to Tokyo on its route to Seattle, and was promptly arrested after the ANA Airlines jet landed on the runway.

He reportedly told investigators that he took sleeping pills and 'doesn't recall at all' his alleged antics on the flight, which left the hostess mildly injured.

Prosecutors later declined to press charges over the incident.
The heartbroken mother of Laken Riley confronted undocumented migrant Jose Ibarra in court after he was convicted of the 22-year-old nursing student's murder.

Allyson Phillips asked Judge H. Patrick Haggard to bring down the full weight of the law on the killer, 26, who was found guilty of brutally murdering Riley during an attempted rape in February at the University of Georgia campus.

'He ripped away every beautiful memory we will ever be able to make with her again,' an emotional Phillips told the court. 'This horrific individual robbed us all of our hopes and dreams for Laken.'

Phillips continued: 'Your Honor, I'm asking you to please give Jose Ibarra the same thing he gave us when he made the choice to take Laken's life and destroy ours. He showed no mercy on Laken when she was begging for her life. There is no end to the pain and suffering he inflicted.

'I'm asking you to please give this monster life in prison without any chance at parole so that he never gets the chance to hurt anyone else ever again.'

Ibarra, 26, who had pleaded not guilty to the 22-year-old's February murder near the University of Georgia stared coldly as the verdict was read while his victim's family sobbed in court.

He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of all 10 counts against him; prosecutors declined to seek the death penalty in the case.

Ibarra remained stone-faced as Riley's family and friends asked judge Haggard to give Ibarra the maximum penalty.

Laken Riley's killer Jose Ibarra has been found guilty of her murder on Wednesday

Allyson Phillips, seen on the speaking stand, asked Judge H. Patrick Haggard to bring down the full weight of the law on the killer, 26

Riley is seen with her mother and stepfather John Phillips

In a harrowing moment, Riley's stepfather John Phillips read one of the final entry from the student's diary where she spoke to her future husband.

To my future husband, know that I am thinking of you & doing all I can to better myself to be the best wife I can be. With Gods help, I hope to have children together & a relationship filled with love,' Riley's entry read.

Riley sister Lauren Phillips, on her part, called Ibarra an 'inhuman predator that is the epidemy of evil.' She shared that she now goes to the University of Georgia and does not feel safe on campus.

She added: 'Jose Antonio Ibarra has completely and utterly ruined my life and I can only hope and pray that he receives the sentence that ruins his.'

Judge Haggard found Ibarra guilty after he waived his right to a jury trial. The trial began on Friday.

Riley's family sobbed as the decision was read, while Ibarra did not show any reaction.

Ibarra was convicted of all 10 counts against him: malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, aggravated battery, obstructing an emergency call, evidence tampering and being a peeping Tom.

After reading the ruling, the judge said he was ready to proceed with sentencing immediately, but prosecutors asked for a break. The judge said he would proceed after an hour-long break.

The case fueled the immigration debate during this year's presidential election.

Riley's parents Allyson and John Phillips (center and right) were filled with emotion as the trial kicked off on Friday

Family members and friends of Laken Riley react as Superior Court as Judge H.A Patrick Haggard announces the verdict on Wednesday

Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus. She had been a student there until 2023, when she transferred to Augusta.

Her roommates had reported her missing after becoming concerned that she had been out for longer than usual.

Prosecutors called more than a dozen law enforcement officers for the trial, as well as Rileys roommates and a woman who lived in the same apartment as Ibarra.

Riley fought for her life for 18 minutes while Ibarra attempted to rape her before having her life snuffed out. DNA evidence found on her body later tied him to the crime,

'She marked her killer for the entire world to see. It is his DNA. Only his DNA, underneath Laken's right fingernails,' Georgia special prosecutor Sheila Ross said.

'He left behind his thumbprint on her iPhone, which was found near her body at the crime scene.'

Defense attorney Dustin Kirby said in his opening that Rileys death was a tragedy and called the evidence in the case graphic and disturbing. But he said there was not sufficient evidence to prove that his client killed Riley.

Defense attorneys called a police officer, a jogger and one of Ibarras neighbors on Tuesday and rested their case Wednesday morning.

On Friday prosecutors said Ibarra's DNA was a direct match to the DNA under Riley's fingernails, and was '10 billion times more probable than a coincidental match.'

The picture was taken on CCTV cameras near her home on the University of Georgia campus at 9.05am on the day of her death. She was holding her iPhone in her left hand, wearing all black activewear and her noise-canceling AirPods

Scratches of varying lengths were identified by officers, pictured and submitted as evidence in the case against him

During the trial's first day, officials also showed images of suspicious scratches on Ibarra's body at the time of his arrest.

The judge said that as he listened to the closing arguments, he wrote down on a legal pad two things the lawyers had said. He noted that prosecutor Sheila Ross called the evidence 'overwhelming and powerful' and that defense attorney Kaitlyn Beck reminded him he was 'required to set aside my emotions' in making his ruling.

Ibarra illegally entered the US through US-Mexico border in 2022 and was allowed to stay in the country while he pursued his immigration case.

He has been identified as a member of the brutal Tren de Aragua gang.

On Monday, the court saw images of Ibarro's brother and roommate, Diego Ibarra, who has a tattoo of a five-point crown of his neck, a symbol of association with the TDA.

TDA became a national story after shocking footage showed apparent members taking over an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado. The gang started in Venezuela's prison and has spread through the western hemisphere as the oil-rich nation goes through the worst migrant crisis in the world.

Also on Monday, Ibarra's other roommate Rosbeli Elisber Flores-Bello told the court that she moved to Georgia because Diego Ibarra had told the alleged killer there were jobs opportunities in Athens.

Donald Trump met backstage at his Rome, Georgia rally on Saturday with the family and friends of Laken Riley, including the roommate who reported her missing

Flores-Bello said she met Ibarra in Queens, New York, and within a month decided to move to Georgia with him.

Diego Ibarra and a third brother, Argenis Ibarra, pleaded guilty in July to having fake green cards.

When asked how they obtained the plane tickets, Flores-Bello said they were provided by NYC officials.

'In Manhattan, at The Roosevelt Hotel, we asked for a humanitarian flight to Atlanta, on the 9th or 10th of October, 2023,' she testified.

Ibarra was arrested four months later for the student's murder.
The Sarco suicide pod creator has hit back at claims that the first woman to end her life in the capsule had 'strangulation marks', calling the allegations 'absurd'.

The 64-year-old American woman has not been identified but is believed to be a mother-of-two.

She used the pod on September 23, in a forest in northern Switzerland, having reportedly suffered with 'a very serious illness that involves severe pain' and had wished to die for 'at least two years'.

Australian-born Dr Philip Nitschke, the controversial right-to-die campaigner who devised the space-age looking capsule - wasn't present but watched via livestream.

The 'Sarco' has been billed as a novel, peaceful way for people to take their own lives with a push of a button, such as in a bucolic landscape of their choosing.

Dr Florian Willet, the president of Swiss Sarco operator The Last Resort, was among several people arrested at the scene as police investigate the circumstances. He was the only one present when the mother died.

Nitschke broke weeks of silence through an interview with respected Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung, which was published Wednesday.

He said he offered to travel to Switzerland to speak to prosecutors as part of their investigation and share video footage and oxygen-level data in the capsule at the time the woman died.

The Sarco's inventor Philip Nitschke has slammed claims that the first woman to end her life in the capsule had 'strangulation marks', calling the allegation 'absurd'

Nitschke lies down in a 'suicide pod' known as 'The Sarco' in Rotterdam, The Netherlands

The first use of Sarco capsule took place in the middle of the forest

The woman had reportedly been diagnosed with skull base osteomyelitis.

The disease could manifest as an infection of the bone marrow, which could have been responsible for the marks on her neck resembling strangulation marks, according to a person close to The Last Resort who spoke to Swiss outlet NZZ.

The creator of the suicide pod claimed she got into the device and 'almost immediately pressed the button' to take her own life.

The pod was set up in the woodland so the woman could see the trees and sky above her before she died.

The Sarco, which Nitschke said cost $1 million to develop and build, was designed to allow a person sitting in its reclining seat to push a button that injects nitrogen gas into the sealed chamber. The person is then supposed to fall unconscious and die by suffocation in a few minutes.

Swiss law allows assisted suicide so long as the person takes his or her life with no 'external assistance' and those who help the person die do not do so for 'any self-serving motive,' according to a government website.

Switzerland is among the only countries in the world where foreigners can travel to legally end their lives and has a number of organisations that are dedicated to helping people kill themselves.

Several other people  including a journalist for the Volkskrant newspaper in the Netherlands, where Nitschke lives  were initially taken into custody and prosecutors opened an investigation on suspicion of incitement and accessory to suicide. They were later released.

Nitschke said he felt compelled to speak out because Exit International was 'desperate' about the plight of Willet, who could remain behind bars for weeks or months until a possible trial.

The login screen and release button for pure nitrogen in the Sarco suicide machine

A view of O2 detector and the release button for pure nitrogen in the Sarco suicide machine

He said prosecutors have asked for an extension of Willet's detention, 'claiming there was now evidence of homicide.' He denied the accusation.

'We've got to try and do something about the fact that Florian has been stuck in prison now for about 58 days,' Nitschke said.

'We will provide everything we've got,' he said, adding that prosecutors 'have not accepted that suggestion.'

According to de Volksrant, the woman who died in the machine made an oral statement to The Last Resort saying it was her own wish to end her life.

In the four-minute recording, she reportedly said that she had a death wish for 'at least two years,' ever since she was diagnosed with a 'very serious illness'.

The firm said that she was 'immune compromised' and had been in 'severe pain.'

The woman's two sons 'completely agree' that it was her decision to die, according to Volksrant. 'They are behind me 100 percent,' she is reported to have said.

Nitschke has repeatedly said Exit International's Swiss lawyers had advised that use of the capsule would be legal in Switzerland.

Nitschke, a trained medical doctor, said she had 'compromised immune function' that made her 'subject to chronic infection.'

On October 26, Volkskrant reported the Swiss prosecutor had indicated in court that the woman may have been strangled. The Volkskrant article last month said one of its photographers, two lawyers, and Willet were originally detained on suspicion of inciting suicide and providing assistance in doing so.

Fiona Stewart, member of the Last Resort, poses next to the Sarco suicide machine in July

A general view on the officially sealed forest hut associated with the first use of the death capsule Sarco by assisted dying group The Last Resort, in Merishausen, Switzerland

'It is absurd because we've got film that the capsule wasn't opened,' Nitschke said.

'Everything happened exactly as we had predicted. The woman climbed into the Sarco alone, closed the lid without help and pressed the button that released the nitrogen herself. She lost consciousness and died after about six minutes.'

He added that Willet held a mobile phone through which Nitschke watched live video of the woman using the Sarco, and informed the police immediately afterward that she had died.

Nitschke recalled speaking to Willet through the phone at the time, saying: 'I was listening and answering his questions and calming him down because it was a very tense time for him.'

Peter Sticher, the prosecutor for the northern Schaffhausen region who is leading the legal case, declined to comment in an email to the AP on Wednesday, citing an ongoing investigation.

Swiss police have confiscated the only operating Sarco device, but Nitschke said another was being produced. He said he wanted a 'clear decision' from Swiss courts before using the device in Switzerland again.

Exit presented the 'Sarco' to journalists over the summer. Before using it, the group had to overcome technical difficulties including its original designer walking out of the project, Nitschke has said.

Nitschke announced news of the pod's premiere on X in September, saying: 'An idyllic peaceful death in a Swiss forest where The Last Resort used the Sarco device to help a US woman have the death she wanted.'

Nitschke, front, stands next to a 'suicide pod' known as 'The Sarco' in Rotterdam

He added of the arrests in the aftermath: 'What Swiss police didn't mention was that those arrested included the Director of The Last Resort, two lawyers providing legal assistance to TLR, and a Dutch journalist!!'

According to Last Resort, Willet said the woman's death had been 'peaceful, fast and dignified', taking place 'under a canopy of trees, at a private forest retreat in the Canton of Schaffhausen close to the Swiss-German border.'

Nitschke said that the woman's dying process went 'well' and that 'as soon as she lay down in the Sarco, she almost immediately pressed the button.

'She really wanted to die. She didn't say anything any more,' he said.

He added in a statement that his device 'had performed exactly as it had been designed to do,' saying it had provided a 'non-drug, peaceful death at the time of the person's choosing'.

The Last Resort, who had anticipated that there would need to be an investigation after the launch of the device, said it had informed the police that it had been used.

Nitschke and Stewart said that the company was acting at all times on the advice of their lawyers.

UK: For help and support, call the Samaritans for free from a UK phone, completely anonymously, on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.

US: If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
The BBC's 'truth checking' unit was under scrutiny last night after it quietly deleted a statement backing ministers' claims in their tax-grab battle with farmers.

BBC Verify, a service set up to root out 'misinformation', wrote that the government's figures were 'likely' to be right concerning the number of farms affected by the inheritance tax raid.

But on the day under-fire Keir Starmer trumpeted the BBC's finding, triggering a political row about bias, the corporation quietly removed it from its website. According to the BBC, the change was made before Mr Starmer spoke.

The Prime Minister is facing a growing backlash from farmers, celebrities and his own MPs over Labour's decision to impose 20 per cent inheritance tax on farms worth more than 1million.

More than 10,000 farmers and high-profile supporters including Jeremy Clarkson and Lord Lloyd Webber descended on Westminster to protest against the controversial policy on Tuesday.

But there have been dramatically conflicting estimates about how many farms will be dragged into the tax changes announced in the Budget.

Ministers insist the reforms will only affect about 500 estates a year. But the Country Land and Business Association claimed 70,000 farms face being snared by the new regime with 'devastating' consequences for farming families.

The BBC 's 'truth checking' unit is under scrutiny after it quietly deleted a statement that backed ministers in their battle with farmers. Pictured: Farmers protesting outside the Houses of Parliament in central London over the changes to inheritance tax

BBC Verify had concluded the government was 'likely' to be right about the number of farms affected by tax changes. Pictured: Farmers arriving at Westminster in their tractors for yesterday's protest against Labour's inheritance tax grab

Under-fire Keir Starmer trumpeted the BBC's finding, triggering a political row. The corporation then quietly removed the statement from its website. Pictured: Farmers protesting in London

There have been dramatically conflicting estimates about how many farms will be affected by the forthcoming inheritance tax raid announced in the Budget. Here farmers are using megaphones during the protest

Speaking to reporters at the G20 summit in Rio on Tuesday, the Prime Minister insisted 'the vast majority' of farmers would be unaffected, telling reporters: 'All of you can check out what that means in terms of the impact - I think the BBC has already done it.

'It means the vast majority of farms are unaffected by this and I think it's just important we keep making that clear.'

BBC Verify - a service launched last year amid great fanfare 'dedicated to examining the facts and claims behind a story to try to determine whether or not it is true'  has backed ministers' numbers.

It claimed the 70,000 figure was 'almost certainly an overestimate', and said the 'true' share of farms affected 'is likely to be much closer to the Treasury estimates'.

Last night Shadow culture secretary Stuart Andrew said: 'Taxpayers pay for the BBC to interrogate facts, not mindlessly parrot Government lines.

Labour ministers insist the changes will only affect about 500 estates a year, while farmers' groups say 70,000 farms face being dragged into the new regime imposing 20 per cent inheritance tax on farms worth more than 1million. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch (pictured) was among those present at the rally

British television presenter and farm owner Jeremy Clarkson puts his fingers in his ears at the protest

The Clarkson's Farm host waving at fans as he holds a sign reading 'With our farmers'

A protester holds a placard calling UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer a 'Farmer Harmer' as thousands of farmers stage a protest against inheritance tax in Whitehall

Fact checker 'lied on CV'

The BBC's disinformation correspondent has been accused of misleading would-be employers by lying on her CV. Marianna Spring, 28, who joined the BBCs Verify team 18 months ago, allegedly lied about past work experience on a job application in 2018. The New European reported that Ms Spring applied for a role with US media company Coda Story and claimed to have worked with BBC foreign correspondent Sarah Rainsford at that summers Fifa World Cup in Russia. Coda Storys editor-in-chief Natalia Antelava fact-checked the claim and found it was a fabrication. The aspiring journalist had only met Ms Rainsford on a handful of social occasions. The BBC last night declined to comment. Advertisement

'These are highly contested statistics on a policy which may have a profound impact on prices in the shops, Britain's food security and rural life.

'Farmers deserve better than the diet of half-truths they are currently being fed by the BBC. The matter should be immediately investigated and corrected.'

Nick von Westenholz, director of strategy at the National Farmers' Union, said: 'The bottom line is they have no idea how many farms will be affected. HM Treasury hasn't done that assessment  and the BBC certainly hasn't!'

A BBC source insisted they had not 'backed' anyone, but had drawn conclusions from conversations with tax experts including at the Treasury.

The BBC said: 'This is an independent factual analysis, quoting a number of different organisations and individuals who have a range of different viewpoints.

'It's routine for us to update online articles, and we'll continue to update our analysis of this policy as more information and explanation become available.

'If the changes are material or change our conclusions, we add a note informing readers, for transparency.'

It came as Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner refused to rule out further increases to inheritance tax for farmers at yesterday Prime Minister's Questions.

And she claimed it was 'scaremongering' to argue that more than 500 farmers will be affected by the inheritance tax changes.

It also emerged that Labour carried out no impact assessment before launching the tax raid on farmers. Meanwhile, a briefing note with 'lines to take' was circulated to Labour MPs instructing them to argue that rich farmers with valuable land should 'pay their share'.
A Canadian billionaire has been ordered to surrender two of his mansions at the request of four women who allege he sexually abused them as minors.

Robert Miller, 81, is to have his two Montreal homes seized after Justice Serge Gaudet handed down a ruling against him on Friday.

The plaintiffs have argued that the two homes, valued at $2 million Canadian each, were listed under companies in an attempt by Miller to conceal his wealth.

According to Justice Gaudet, the Future Electronics founder, who is also known as 'Canada's Jeffrey Epstein', has no bank account in his own name.

He said in court minutes seen by The Canadian Press that: 'It is troubling to note that Miller, a billionaire, has no bank account in his name.'

Gaudet also noted that there had been 'persistent and significant use' of other names to conceal his assets.

The four women are seeking millions from Miller, alleging that they had been recruited as high school students to have sex with him for money.

Miller, who is in end-stage Parkinson's disease, has denied all the allegations against him.

Robert Miller, 80, is accused of paying at least 47 teen girls as young as 11 for sex and convincing them to recruit their friends and classmates to be new victims

As well as the four women who have filed suits, he is facing multiple legal actions which saw him arrested in May on 21 sex-related counts involving 10 complainants.

Miller also faces a separate proposed class-action lawsuit that alleges he gave money and gifts to minors in exchange for sex between 1996 and 2006.

That class-action suit has not yet been authorized.

One of the four in the case that led to the property seizure has alleged that in 1999, when she was 14, she was recruited to visit a man that she says was Miller.

Alongside a high school friend, the two girls say they went to a hotel room where an employee of Miller's met them before sending them to meet Miller, who used the name Bob.

Court documents seen by The Canadian Press say that he then offered each of them $1,000 for sex. They say he refused to wear a condom due to a latex allergy.

The woman alleges she met Miller over 30 times, being paid each time and that the meetings ended when she reached adulthood.

According to a sworn statement, she became dependent on the money and began to struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.

After Miller was first publicly accused in 2023, he immediately stepped down as the boss of Future Electronics 'to focus on his very serious health issues'.

Gaudet also noted that there had been 'persistent and significant use' of other names to conceal his assets. One of his homes is seen here

The plaintiffs have argued that the two homes, valued at $2 million Canadian each, were listed under companies in an attempt by Miller to conceal his wealth. One of them is seen here

The company said he 'adamantly and vehemently denies the malicious allegations made against him, and confirms they are false and wholly unsubstantiated and that they arose as a result of a bitter divorce'.

'They are now being repeated for financial gain. A police investigation was conducted into these allegations and the authorities determined that they were unfounded,' it said.

One of the women who accused him said she was lured in by a newspaper modelling ad in 1996 when she was 17 and went to a hotel.

She was told she was 'chosen' and was soon speaking on the phone with Miller and they had sex seven to 10 times for the next three years.

'Each time, the applicant would see defendant Robert G Miller for the purposes of engaging in sexual relations, he would give her an envelope with between $1,000-$2,000 in cash; one time it was $3,000,' her lawsuit read.

The arrangement ended when Miller showed her a negative HIV test that had a different name to his 'Bob Adams' persona.

'This led the applicant to become quite concerned and she looked around the hotel room and found a cupboard full of watches,' the lawsuit alleged.

Julie Dagenais (left), the only woman connected to the allegations to reveal her identity, claimed she narrowly avoided becoming another victim when her parents found out

Miller has frequently been referred to as Canada's Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein is seen here in his 2017 mugshot for the New York State Sex Offender Registry

Realizing she was just one of many girls being exploited, she 'felt bad about herself and her self-worth, shameful, guilty, she was depressed'.

Julie Dagenais, the only woman connected to the allegations to reveal her identity, claimed she narrowly avoided becoming another victim when her parents found out.

She said an older co-worker at her minimum wage Sears job told her about being paid thousands for sex with a rich businessman.

'She told me: "I told Bob about you, I showed him pictures of you and he says he is going to try to make room in his schedule to meet with you",' she told Radio-Canada.

Dagenais claimed she met Miller and he gave her four boxes of expensive shoes and implied it was an advance payment for sex.

'He was saying, 'the next time we see each other, we're going to go further'... He saw that I was very nice, and very vulnerable,' she said.

Another judge in Quebec hearing the class action case denied a request to freeze his assets last year.

Gaudet has said that new facts have come to light since then, which led him to believe there is a 'structure that aims to hide the defendants assets'.
Donald Trump paid tribute to 'beloved' Laken Riley after an undocumented migrant was found guilty of her murder as Republicans demanded he get the death penalty.

Jose Ibarra, 26, was convicted on all 10 counts for his brutal slaying of the 22-year-old Augusta University student while she was jogging and got life in prison without parole.

'JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes,' Trump posted on his Truth Social website.

'Although the pain and heartbreak will last forever, hopefully this can help bring some peace and closure to her wonderful family who fought for Justice, and to ensure that other families dont have to go through what they have,' he said.

Trump used emotional language, on a day family and friends gave dramatic testimony to the judge and shed tears in court.

'We love you, Laken, and our hearts will always be with you. It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!' wrote Trump.

Republicans including Marjorie Taylor Greene slammed the decision and called for Ibarra, who entered the country illegally, to be given the death penalty.

Georgia State Senator Colton Moore demanded the Attorney General Chris Carr file an emergency motion to demand the death penalty and slammed the Democrat prosecutor in charge of the case, Deborah Gonzalez.

Former President Donald Trump expressed hope that a judge's death penalty verdict 'can help bring some peace and closure to her wonderful family' of the late Laken Riley

'I am officially calling on Attorney General Chris Carr to file an emergency motion to intervene and demand the death penalty for the murderer of Laken Riley,' Moore wrote on X.

'District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez let her radical political agenda stand in the way of justice.

'By refusing to seek the death penalty, she denied Lakens family, friends, and community the full measure of justice they deserve.

'Join me in calling on AG Chris Carr to demand the death penalty for Jose Ibarra.'

As the judge read the verdict aloud, Riley's family members and friends could be heard sobbing, while Ibarra sat stony-faced.

Haggard heard the evidence and rendered the verdict after Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial.

Trump and other Republicans often cited Riley's murder in claiming falsely that migrants who crossed the southern border illegally were responsible for a wave of violent crime.

Trump spoke about her case at the Republican convention, where he blamed the Biden Administration for letting her killer into the country.

'Yet another American life was stolen by a criminal alien set free by this administration,' he said. 'Tonight, America, this is my vow. I will not let these killers and criminals into our country.'

Trump's House Republican ally Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia called for Riley's killer to get the death penalty even though prosecutors chose not to pursue that option.

'Jose Ibarra deserves the death penalty,' the Republican congresswoman from Georgia wrote on X.

He 'deserves exactly what he gave to Laken,' she added.

But, since Georgia prosecutors didn't seek the death penalty, the judge can choose life without parole or life with parole.

Prosecutors said Ibarra encountered Riley, 22, on a wooded trail while she was out running on Feb. 22 and killed her after she resisted his efforts to rape her.

In her closing statement earlier on Wednesday, prosecutor Sheila Ross called the evidence against Ibarra "overwhelming," including DNA under her fingernails that authorities linked to the defendant, scratches on Ibarra's body and video footage of a man matching Ibarra's description throwing a bloodied jacket into a dumpster soon after the murder.

Defense attorneys argued that the evidence was circumstantial and could not rule out another attacker.

Riley's case made national headlines in March during President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, when firebrand U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene interrupted his speech to demand that he "say her name."

Family members and friends of Laken Riley react as Superior Court as Judge H.A Patrick Haggard announces the verdict on Wednesday

Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus

Biden went off-script to mention Riley, whom he described as an innocent woman killed by an "illegal." Republicans criticized him for appearing to mispronounce Riley's first name, while Biden later apologized for using the word "illegal" to refer to a person.

Biden, then the Democratic nominee for president, dropped out of the race in July and was replaced by Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost earlier this month to Trump.

Trump has vowed to pursue mass deportations of immigrants after he is sworn into office in January. (Reporting by Joseph Ax Editing by Bernadette Baum and Bill Berkrot)
Heartbreaking police bodycam footage captured the moment Laken Riley's devastated family arrived at the scene of her murder and were told she was killed.

In the footage, Riley's parents Allyson and John and sister Lauren were seen breaking down and weeping after the news of Laken's slaying was broken to them.

'Oh my god, oh my god,' her mother could be heard screaming. She then lay on the ground with her head in her hands, while Laken's sister and father bawled on the side of the street.

As the footage ended, which was played at the conclusion of the trial of Laken's killer Jose Ibarra, prosecutors summed it up: 'That it what they endured.'

The footage drew gasps at the trial, where Ibarra, 26, an illegal immigrant, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of the student.

The Venezuela native, a member of the infamous Tren de Aragua who had pleaded not guilty to the 22-year-old's February murder at the University of Georgia, stared coldly as the verdict was read while his victim's family sobbed in court.

Ibarra remained stone-faced as he learned he would spend the rest of his life behind bars. Prosecutors had declined to seek the death penalty in the case.

Heartbreaking police bodycam footage captured the moment Laken Riley's devastated family arrived at the scene of her murder and were told she was killed

'Oh my god, oh my god,' her mother could be heard screaming. She then lay on the ground with her head in her hands, while Laken's sister and father bawled on the side of the street

Laken Riley's killer Jose Ibarra has been found guilty of her murder on Wednesday

Ibarra did not show emotion as Riley's heartbroken mother pleaded with the judge to give the killer the maximum punishment.

Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard found him guilty after he waived his right to a jury trial. The trial began on Friday.

Ibarra was convicted of all 10 counts against him: malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, aggravated battery, obstructing an emergency call, evidence tampering and being a peeping Tom.

The case fueled the immigration debate during this year's presidential election.

President-elect Donald Trump reacted to the verdict, writing on Truth social: 'JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes.

'Although the pain and heartbreak will last forever, hopefully this can help bring some peace and closure to her wonderful family who fought for Justice, and to ensure that other families dont have to go through what they have.

'We love you, Laken, and our hearts will always be with you. It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!'

Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus

Family members and friends of Laken Riley react as Superior Court as Judge H.A Patrick Haggard announces the verdict on Wednesday

Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus. She had been a student there until 2023, when she transferred to Augusta.

Her roommates had reported her missing after becoming concerned that she had been out for longer than usual.

Prosecutors called more than a dozen law enforcement officers for the trial, as well as Rileys roommates and a woman who lived in the same apartment as Ibarra.

Riley fought for her life for 18 minutes while Ibarra attempted to rape her before having her life snuffed out. DNA evidence found on her body later tied him to the crime.

The picture was taken on CCTV cameras near her home on the University of Georgia campus at 9.05am on the day of her death. She was holding her iPhone in her left hand, wearing all black activewear and her noise-canceling AirPods

Riley's parents Allyson and John Phillips (center and right) were filled with emotion as the trial kicked off on Friday

'She marked her killer for the entire world to see. It is his DNA. Only his DNA, underneath Laken's right fingernails,' Georgia special prosecutor Sheila Ross said.

'He left behind his thumbprint on her iPhone, which was found near her body at the crime scene.'

Defense attorney Dustin Kirby said in his opening that Rileys death was a tragedy and called the evidence in the case graphic and disturbing. But he said there was not sufficient evidence to prove that his client killed Riley.

Defense attorneys called a police officer, a jogger and one of Ibarras neighbors on Tuesday and rested their case Wednesday morning.

On Friday prosecutors said Ibarra's DNA was a direct match to the DNA under Riley's fingernails, and was '10 billion times more probable than a coincidental match.'

During the trial's first day, officials also showed images of suspicious scratches on Ibarra's body at the time of his arrest.

The judge said that as he listened to the closing arguments, he wrote down on a legal pad two things the lawyers had said. He noted that prosecutor Sheila Ross called the evidence 'overwhelming and powerful' and that defense attorney Kaitlyn Beck reminded him he was 'required to set aside my emotions' in making his ruling.

Ibarra illegally entered the US through US-Mexico border in 2022 and was allowed to stay in the country while he pursued his immigration case.

He has been identified as a member of the brutal Tren de Aragua gang.

Scratches of varying lengths were identified by officers, pictured and submitted as evidence in the case against him

Donald Trump met backstage at his Rome, Georgia rally on Saturday with the family and friends of Laken Riley, including the roommate who reported her missing

On Monday, the court saw images of Ibarro's brother and roommate, Diego Ibarra, who has a tattoo of a five-point crown of his neck, a symbol of association with the TDA.

TDA became a national story after shocking footage showed apparent members taking over an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado. The gang started in Venezuela's prison and has spread through the western hemisphere as the oil-rich nation goes through the worst migrant crisis in the world.

Also on Monday, Ibarra's other roommate Rosbeli Elisber Flores-Bello told the court that she moved to Georgia because Diego Ibarra had told the alleged killer there were jobs opportunities in Athens.

Flores-Bello said she met Ibarra in Queens, New York, and within a month decided to move to Georgia with him.

Diego Ibarra and a third brother, Argenis Ibarra, pleaded guilty in July to having fake green cards.

When asked how they obtained the plane tickets, Flores-Bello said they were provided by NYC officials.

'In Manhattan, at The Roosevelt Hotel, we asked for a humanitarian flight to Atlanta, on the 9th or 10th of October, 2023,' she testified.

Ibarra was arrested four months later for the student's murder.
The chief executive of Delta Air Lines says the incoming Trump administration will be a 'breath of fresh air' for his industry after what he called government 'overreach' under President Joe Biden.

Airlines have chafed under consumer protection regulations imposed by the Biden administration.

And Delta is facing a federal investigation into its slow recovery from a global technology outage this summer.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian made the comments as he and fellow Delta executives prepared to host Wall Street analysts at an investor day Wednesday in Atlanta.

Bastian noted that President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on a pledge to reform the federal government and reduce its size.

The airline executive said Trump promised 'to take a fresh look at the regulatory environment, the bureaucracy that exists in government, the level of overreach that we have seen over the last four years within our industry.'

He added: 'I think that will be a breath of fresh air.'

Delta Airlines jets at LaGuardia Airport in New York

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said Trump would be a 'breath of fresh air'

Delta is using its investor day to build support for the company, which reported a profit of $2.6 billion in the first nine months of this year after earning an industry-leading $4.6 billion last year.

Consumer advocates are wary of a second Trump administration, fearing that it could try to roll back a rule requiring automatic refunds after canceled flights.

They also fear the rolling back of another that requires airlines to advertise the full price of fares upfront, including mandatory fees and taxes.

On Monday, the airline industry trade group praised Trump's pick for transportation secretary, former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy.

Duffy, a former reality TV star who is co-host of 'The Bottom Line' on Fox Business, lobbied for U.S. airlines and their unions during a dispute with Persian Gulf carriers.

Bastian did not specify which Biden regulations he considered overreach, but Delta and other carriers are suing the Transportation Department to kill a rule requiring greater transparency over fees that the carriers charge their passengers.

The group Airlines for America said the rule would confuse consumers by giving them too much information.

An appeals court panel blocked enforcement of the rule while the airlines' lawsuit goes ahead.

Airlines also oppose an inquiry that the administration recently launched into their frequent-flyer programs.

Delta has received more than $2.4 billion in revenue from its loyalty program so far this year.

Trump is viewed favorably by the airline industry

Joe Biden was accused of overseeing excessive regulation on the airline industry

But the hardest blow against Delta could come from a Transportation Department investigation into the airline's slow recovery from a technology outage in July.

Biden's Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said investigators were focusing on whether Delta's treatment of passengers affected by canceled and delayed flights violated federal consumer-protection rules.

Southwest Airlines reached a $140 million settlement after a Transportation Department investigation into a similar but larger breakdown in service in December 2022.

Delta initially said it was cooperating with the investigation.

In October, Delta sued CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity provider whose faulty upgrade to Microsoft computers triggered the outage.
Pauline Hanson has revealed she retreated from the world after she lost a defamation case brought by Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi but has vowed to fight the decision on behalf of all Australians.

The One Nation leader was dealt a devastating blow when a judge found earlier this month she had racially vilified Ms Faruqi when she told her to 'p*** off back to Pakistan' in a tweet.

The Federal court ruled that the tweet was racist, that Senator Hanson must remove it and that she must pay Senator Faruqi's legal fees after she launched the defamation action on September 9, 2022.

The judge found Ms Hanson's tweet was unlawful under Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act and declined to make orders proposed by Ms Faruqi that the One Nation leader pay $150,000 to a charity or undertake anti-racism training.

However, Ms Hanson will take the case to the Court of Appeal, as she seeks to make her fight a test case for all Australians.

On Wednesday, Ms Hanson said she was 'devastated' after the interview, having previously broken down, claiming Australia is 'not the country that I grew up in'.

'I basically shut myself away for a couple of days,' she told Sky News Australia host Chris Kenny.

'I just had to rebuild my strength and realise 'okay, pick yourself up, dust yourself down, I can't go anywhere, I have to fight this'.

One Nation leader Paul Hanson has revealed she retreated from the world after she lost a defamation case brought by Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi

Senator Faruqi outside court after her win. Senator Hanson was ordered to remove the tweet and pay legal costs. She has so far raised over $650,000 for an appeal

'It's just not about Pauline Hanson anymore. It's about people's freedom of speech in this nation that we have a right to have an opinion and every which way they're trying to shut it down.'

Ms Hanson, who has raised over $650,000 to help fund her appeal, said she was grateful for the 'overwhelming' amount of support she had received since the court's ruling.

'The phones at my office never stop ringing, either at my parliamentary office or whether it was in Queensland head office,' she said.

'The letters and wishes of support and prayers, it's been so welcomed.'

In a scathing judgment, Justice Angus Stewart found Ms Hanson engaged in 'seriously offensive' and intimidating behaviour with the tweet.

The day of Queen Elizabeth's death, Ms Faruqi took to Twitter, now known as X, to offer condolences to those who knew the monarch.

But she added she could not mourn the passing of the leader of a 'racist empire built on stolen lives, land and wealth of colonised peoples'.

In a response, Ms Hanson said she was appalled and disgusted by the comments.

Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi said the tweet provoked a 'torrent of racist abuse' and she launched defamation in the Federal Court

'When you immigrated to Australia you took every advantage of this country,' she wrote.

'It's clear you're not happy, so pack your bags and p*** off back to Pakistan.'

Justice Stewart said this post was othering and exclusionary.

'It is a message that Senator Faruqi is, as an immigrant, a second-class citizen, and that she should be grateful for what she has and keep quiet,' he said in his Federal Court ruling.

The phrase 'go back to where you came from' was a racist, anti-immigrant and nativist trope traceable to the White Australia Policy, the judge noted.

Migrants and other Muslims would have been offended, insulted, humiliated and intimidated by the tweet, he said.

'It is a strong form of racism,' Justice Stewart said.

He found Senator Hanson had a decades-long tendency to make negative, derogatory, discriminating or hateful statements against people of colour, migrants and Muslims.

Justice Stewart rejected the One Nation leader's claim she did not know her Greens rival was a Muslim at the time of the tweet.

Similarly he dismissed arguments the post was a fair comment in a political discussion about alleged hypocrisy from the Greens deputy in criticising the monarchy while benefiting from life in Australia.

But on Wednesday Ms Hanson reiterated her argument that neither Ms Faruqi's skin colour nor her Islamic faith factored into her post.

'Let me just point out also, that under the 18C, religion doesn't come into it so her being a Muslim has got absolutely nothing to do with it,' Ms Hanson said.

'So (the judge) said because she came from Pakistan which is a Muslim country, I was basically having a go at her.

'I don't care about a person's colour of their skin or what religion she was, had nothing to do with it.'

Ms Hanson also claimed there were a lot of messages from other Australians who 'also were insulted by her tweet, not me'.
Marjorie Taylor Greene cunningly used a rant about new transgender lawmaker Sarah McBride to corner Speaker Mike Johnson into banning her from using the women's restroom.

Coming out of the private meeting with GOP leadership on Tuesday, Greene ripped into a reporter asking about her opposition to Representative-elect McBride using the women's restroom in the Capitol.

'If you're going to ask stupid questions, don't advocate for mentally ill men pretending to be women invading our spaces,' she shot back at the female reporter.

Greene doubled down: 'Yes, he's mentally ill. He's a biological male pretending to be a woman.'

The GOP firebrand, who is a CrossFit athlete, also didn't dispel the notion that she might have to physically fight a biological man if she spotted one in the bathroom.

She went on to disclose that Johnson told her behind closed doors that he supported a measure by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., that would ensure members only use bathrooms that correspond to their 'biological sex.'

And it had the desired affect by backing him into a tight corner on the issue.

'[Johnson] said there's not going to be any biological men using our restrooms,' Greene proudly touted.

Just 24 hours later, Johnson officially ruled the first transgender member of Congress cannot use the women's restrooms.

Coming out of the private meeting with GOP leadership on Tuesday, Greene ripped into a reporter asking about her opposition to Representative-elect Sarah McBride using the women's restroom in the Capitol

Newly elected Sarah McBride, who will become the first openly transgender lawmaker when sworn into office in January, will have to use the men's facilities.

She responded by saying she's not heading to Washington to fight about bathrooms.

'Like all members, I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them,' she wrote in a statement obtained by DailyMail.com.

'This effort to distract from the real issues facing this country hasn't distracted me over the last several days, as I've remained hard at work preparing to represent the greatest state in the union come January,' she went on.

She said serving in Congress will be the 'honor of a lifetime,' and looks forward to getting to know future colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

It follows a week of outrage from Greene and Mace, who have called McBride a 'man', a predator and accused her of being 'mentally ill.'

Republicans were emboldened by Donald Trump's win in the presidential election.

Trump has pledged to stop taxpayer funding for sex change treatments, block transgender people from entering the military, and ban trans athletes from women's sports.

Data shows the number of adults who identify as transgender in the U.S. is between 0.5 percent and 1.6 percent.

Mace had introduced a bill to ban transgender women from using female restrooms on Capitol Hill.

Johnson, the GOP leader, finally weighed in on the controversy in a statement Wednesday saying McBride would have to use the restroom of her biological sex.

'All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings  such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms  are reserved for individuals of that biological sex,' Johnson said in his statement.

'It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol,' he went on. 'Women deserve womens only spaces.'

Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride will be the first transgender member of Congress. On Wednesday, Speaker Johnson announced single-sex facilities at the U.S. Capitol are reserved for that biological sex, banning her from using the women's room on Capitol Hill

Mace said she is 'standing up for women' with her campaign to block McBride from using the women's restrooms.

'I'm a victim of abuse myself. I'm a rape survivor. I have PTSD from the abuse I've suffered at the hands of a man, and I know how vulnerable women and girls are in private spaces,' she fired back at a reporter on Tuesday.

'If being a feminist makes me an extremist I'm totally here for it.

'So I'm absolutely, 100 percent going to stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women's restroom, in our locker rooms, [or] in our changing rooms.'

Mace also revealed that she's received death threats due to her position on McBride.

She said she's not going to 'shut up' no matter if critics 'call me names, make death threats, I don't care. I'm not stopping.'

Meanwhile, Greene doubled down on Mace's resolution, describing McBride as 'mentally ill' this week: 'He's a man. He's a biological male, so he is not allowed to use our women's restrooms, our women's gym, our locker rooms and our spaces that are that are specified for women.

'He's a biological male,' she said again. 'He has plenty of places he can go.'

During a press conference with House Republican leadership on Tuesday morning, a reporter asked Johnson if McBride is a man or a woman.

'I'm not going to get into this,' Johnson responded. 'We welcome all new members with open arms who are duly elected representatives of the people.'

He said he believes it is a 'command that we treat all persons with dignity and respect' and claimed they will.

'I'm not going to engage in silly debates about this. There's a concern about the uses of restroom facilities and locker rooms and all that. This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before,' Johnson went on.

'We're going to do that in a deliberate fashion with member consensus on it, and we will accommodate the needs of every single person,' he added.

He reportedly committed to Mace behind closed doors on Tuesday that he would include the provision in the House rules package including her measure.

His remarks were immediately met with pushback from MAGA loyalists and conservatives online. Just hours later, Johnson tried to clarify.

Speaker Mike Johnson was asked during a news conference on November 19 whether freshman Sarah McBride, who is transgender, is a man or woman. He responded that he is 'not going to get into this' and all new members are welcomed. He said 'concern about the uses of restroom facilities' will be addressed 'in a deliberate fashion with member consensus'

'Let me be unequivocally clear: a man is a man, and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman,' he said.

Mace did not shy away when asked if her measure was specifically introduced to target her incoming colleague McBride. She said McBride should be forced to use the men's room.

'She was born a biological male, she should use the men's restroom, that's how it should work,' Mace told reporters Monday evening.

We're not going to shut up just because someone is trying to hurt our feelings. Call me names, make death threats, I don't care. I'm not stopping. https://t.co/ea07QLDDGe  Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) November 20, 2024

Representative-elect Sarah McBride was elected to represent Delaware in November by double-digits. She will enter Congress as the first transgender member of Congress. She previously was elected to serve in the Delaware Senate

Rep. Nancy Mace speaking to reporters on November 19 after she introduced a resolution to ban trans women from using the women's restroom at the U.S. Capitol

However, it is not clear how the resolution would be enforced. When asked about it, Mace did not have a clear answer.

'Here's the deal, biological men shouldn't be in women's private spaces. Period,' she said.

Mace's resolution comes after Republicans including President-elect Trump put attacks on transgender Americans front and center in their messaging leading up to the 2024 election.

McBride slammed the South Carolina congresswoman's measure Monday night with a post on X.

'Every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness,' she wrote.

She called the resolution a 'blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing.'

'We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars,' she wrote. 'Delawareans sent me here to make the American dream more affordable and accessible and thats what Im focused on.'

McBride, who was first elected as a Delaware state senator, won the blue state by double-digits earlier this year with nearly 58 percent of support.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries slammed the Republican effort on Tuesday. He said the small GOP House majority is beginning to transition to the new Congress 'by bullying a member of Congress.'

'This is what we're doing? This is the lesson that you've drawn from the election in November?' he asked.

'This is your priority that you want to bully a member of Congress as oppose to welcoming her to join this body so that all of us can work together to get things done and deliver real results for the American people?' Jeffries asked.

He suggested Republicans are not really focused on lowering costs and the housing crisis.
The heartbroken mother of a two-year-old girl who died in a caravan fire on holiday says she is 'devastated' that nobody will be prosecuted for her child's death.

Natasha Broadley, 37, was staying with her daughter Louisiana Brooke Dolan at Sealands Caravan Park in Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire, in 2021, when the deadly blaze broke out.

She managed to escape the inferno with her other children - Lexus, 14, Timothy, 12, and James-Dean, seven - but was unable to save Louisiana.

Lincolnshire Police announced in August 2022 that it did not intend to bring any criminal charges over the death but Ms Broadley thinks it was caused by a faulty boiler.

An inquest into Louisiana's passing last year then ruled the death was accidental after not being able to definitively identify the cause.

And she's now received a letter from her local MP Robert Jenrick, confirming that criminal charges will not be pursued, which has left her 'heartbroken'.

She said: 'I've been hopeful that someone would still be prosecuted, then I got a letter in the post. I was just devastated - it hit me like a bag of cement on top of me.

'I just couldn't breath. I want the investigation to start from scratch, it's like everyone wants me to stay quiet but I can't leave it because she's not here.'

Louisiana Brooke Dolan (pictured) died of smoke inhalation on the last day of the family getaway after a blaze broke out while her mother was in the shower

The coroner could not rule that the fire in the caravan (pictured after) was sparked by a boiler with a gas safety certificate that was months out of date

The heartbroken mother says she is 'devastated' that nobody will be prosecuted for her death

Ms Broadley had taken her family on holiday to the caravan park, roughly three miles north of Skegness, on August 23, 2021.

She said on the day of the fire, she raised concerns over the boiler with the caravan's owner and someone had been sent to look at it.

But after she got out of the shower later that night, she realised the caravan, which had no smoke alarm, was on fire.

The full-time mum managed to save Lexus, Timothy and James-Dean but was unable to find Louisiana in the thick smoke.

'I jumped in the shower for 10 minutes, I came out of the bathroom door and the fire was overtaking the caravan,' she said.

'But my children have been like a rock from day one, I tell them everything. Little do they know, they are my rock.

'I cry around them as well, because it brings their emotional side out as well, instead of them holding it in.'

Ms Broadley and her family would have been celebrating Louisiana's 6th birthday on Saturday coming.

Ms Broadley (pictured) managed to escape the fire with her other children - Lexus, 14, Timothy, 12, and James-Dean, seven - but was unable to save Louisiana.

Louisiana and her family would have been celebrating her 6th birthday on Saturday coming

The mother received a letter from her local MP Robert Jenrick (pictured), confirming that criminal charges will not be pursued, which has left her 'heartbroken'

Ms Broadley (pictured at Louisiana's funeral in September 2021) was able to escape the static caravan with her three eldest children, but couldn't reach two-year-old Louisiana

Ms Broadley has paid tribute to her daughter, describing her as her 'little best friend' who 'had the most caring nature

She has paid tribute to her daughter, describing her as her 'little best friend' who 'had the most caring nature.'

Ms Broadley said: 'She was so funny, she had the most caring nature and would never cry.

'She was my little baby so I mothered her more and would pamper her. She was my little best friend, she never took her arm from around my neck but I loved that - my children are my everything.'

Mr Jenrick told the BBC: 'I'm deeply disappointed that the investigation has not led to a criminal prosecution.

'I know that this will be painful for Natasha, who deserves justice and the knowledge this couldn't happen again.

'I will be writing to the Attorney General requesting this is reconsidered. My thoughts are with Natasha and her whole family as they continue to deal with the challenges of this truly heartbreaking tragedy.'

The little girl's Peppa Pig-themed coffin being carried into the church

Ms Broadley said: 'She was so funny, she had the most caring nature and would never cry'

Laver Leisure Holiday Parks, who own Sealands Caravan Park, previously said it was supporting calls for for improved caravan safety by Miss Broadley.

In a statement provided to ITV the company said: 'We think it is fundamental that guests hiring from holiday home owners can have the peace of mind that high safety standards are incorporates into the holiday home they are staying in.

'On our parks, all home owners are required to have a gas test every year and an electricity test every three years.'

Lincolnshire Police have been contacted by MailOnline for a comment.
Three men have been arrested after a bomb scare saw Scotlands largest bus station and a university evacuated.

Police descended on Glasgows Buchanan Bus Station on Wednesday after the discovery of a suspicious item.

Amid intense emergency service activity, a high-tech remote controlled robot was seen being driven at the city centre station after a bomb disposal squad was sent to the scene.

Three men were arrested in connection with the incident, and were set to be questioned by detectives.

It is understood it was not being treated as a terror related incident and that the men were arrested in connection with the recovery of offensive weapons.

Police Scotland said officers were called to the bus station at around 1.10pm following a report of a potential suspicious item.

A spokesman, who urged the public to avoid the area because of the police operation, added: EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) has been notified and inquires remain ongoing.

Streets around the busy terminus were cordoned off and passengers told to leave immediately. Bus services in and out were suspended.

A bomb disposal robot was deployed at Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow

Amid the shutdown, students at the nearby Glasgow Caledonian University were ordered out of classes and told to leave as a safety precaution.

Footage shared online showed hundreds of students streaming out of campus buildings, which is around 200 feet away, amid the scare.

In an email they were told: Due to an ongoing incident in Buchanan Street Bus Station, which is contained, weve been requested to evacuate campus immediately as a precaution. Please take your belongings with you.

There is no access to Cowcaddens Road. Staff and students must leave via North Hanover Street, Dobbies Loan, or Milton Street.

We will provide further updates at the earliest opportunity.

Amid the closures in the area Junction 16 on the M8 was shut, and passengers were told to board bus services at other places in the city.

Buchanan Bus Station is the main terminus for Glasgow and is Scotlands largest.

More than 40,000 passengers pass through the station every day, and there are 1,700 journeys which depart daily.

Police cordoned off Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow after a suspicious item was found

Buchanan Bus Station was awash with emergency services following the discovery of a suspicious package

A spokesman for SPT, who operates the station, said it was closed to passengers while police deal with an emergency incident.

He added: There is no access to the station for passengers and no buses are entering or leaving the station.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: Three men have been arrested in connection with the incident at Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow, which was reported around 1.10pm today, Thursday, November 20.

EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) are at the scene and enquiries remain ongoing.

Killermont Street remains closed to traffic and pedestrians with diversions in place. The public is advised to avoid the area.
Pollster Nate Silver questioned President Joe Biden's competency and called on him to resign for the rest of his term, citing his avoidance of reporters and the escalating war in Ukraine.

Silver, 46, a leading pollster who spent much of the fall defending the computer model that repeatedly gave Donald Trump an edge in the election, weighed in on X about the high stakes given the tense state of foreign affairs.

'Is there any particular reason to assume Biden is competent to be president right now? It's a very difficult job,' he wrote.

'It's a dangerous world. Extremely high-stakes decisions in Ukraine. He should resign and let Harris serve out the last 2 months,' Silver added on the day Biden turned 82.

Any such move would give Harris - who suffered a blowout on Election Day even after spending $1 billion in about four months of campaigning - complete control of the office: from pardon power to being commander-in-chief of the U.S. military.

Silver linked his post to a grab from a Washington Post article that cataloged just some of the times Biden avoided the press on his recently concluded trip to Peru and Rio de Janeiro for a pair of global conferences  in a series of snubs that coincided with tense developments overseas.

It noted how locals shook maracas as Biden concluded his remarks at the Museum of the Amazon, which overpowered shouted reporter questions following his remarks on the environment.

That was just one odd moment in the photo-op that drew TV and online commentary for making it appear as if the now-82-year old president had wandered off into the forest.

Pollster Nate Silver said President Biden should resign for the rest of his term

(The event itself, consisting of a gas-guzzling 57-minute helicopter tour of the rainforest, stood in stark contrast to the dangerous trek that nearly killed Teddy Roosevelt more than 100 years ago).

Later, as he boarded a light to Rio, a TV producer took to holding up a written sign asking questions about Ukraine and China's President Xi Jinping  and even that appeal to policy to the former head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee didn't do the trick.

There was desperation in the screams of a reporter who practically begged Biden for comment as he boarded Air Force One for home on Tuesday.

'Mr. President. President Biden. Please, we haven't heard from you all trip. Mr. President!' the reporter screamed.

That came only after trying to butter him up on the eve of his big day, to no effect. 'Mr. President, happy early birthday. For your birthday, will you talk to us, sir?' asked the reporter. 'As a gift to the press, will you please talk to us?'

Earlier, in Lima, Peru over the weekend, he ignored a host of Trump-themed questions. His single-word response was his only utterance to the press, and just his second since Kamala Harris' electoral defeat.

Asked how he and Chinese President Xi Jinping planned to deal with the North Korean threat,' Biden mouthed, 'Peacefully,' in a response that could only be picked up on camera.

'Is there any particular reason to assume Biden is competent to be president right now?' Silver asked

Biden, who just turned 82, stepped back from reelection, only to watch Harris lose to his nemesis Donald Trump

The photo that Biden missed was arranged to call attention to fighting global hunger in a country that features aching poverty. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva organized the initiative

Online users voiced concerns about this clip that appeared to show President Joe Biden 'wandering off' into the Amazon rainforest. In fact, he was walking the same path he took to get to his podium set-up on Sunday afternoon

Appeals to his ego didn't get a better response.

'Why are you hiding from the press, Sir?' one shouted.

There were other perceived indignities on the trip. He was placed in the back corner of the group photo at the APEC conference in Lima.

When it came time for a group photo at the G20 summit in Rio, Biden was stunningly left out of it, along with the PMs of Canada and Italy.

A reporter captured the drama in real time in remarks that were carried live on C-Span.

'Where was he? They're telling them to wait for Biden, guys,' she said. 'Oh my God!' she intoned.

Biden's team say it is his decision whether he wants to talk to the press. And it has become obvious that he does not wan to, despite traditions of a post-election press conference.

The press avoidance coincided with a trip where conflict overseas looked to be on the verge of boiling over. Kremlin allies invoked World War III after reports Biden had authorized the use of long-range missiles deep in its territory.

Biden met one-on-one with Xi Jinping (in a country where Xi was honored with a state dinner).

And his successor Donald Trump has begun making personnel moves after his incoming vice president has spoken about a peace deal that locks in

The New York Times even issued a public statement rebuking Biden's posture toward the press back in April.

'For anyone who understands the role of the free press in a democracy, it should be troubling that President Biden has so actively and effectively avoided questions from independent journalists during his term,' the paper said.

'The president occupies the most important office in our nation, and the press plays a vital role in providing insights into his thinking and worldview, allowing the public to assess his record and hold him to account.'
Police have launched an investigation after an employee mysteriously died at an Arizona meat processing plant.

Eduardo Hernandez, 55, was found 'unresponsive' at the JBS beef plant in Tolleson on Wednesday, police confirmed to DailyMail.com.

Emergency responders received the call at 8.45am and raced to the scene where he was pronounced dead.

Hernandez's cause of death is now the subject of an investigation, but was not work-related according to JBS.

The plant then shut for the first shift of the day, 'out of respect' for the 20-year employee.

'The cause of death can't be released until the autopsy which will be within the next 48 hours,' Tolleson Police Department spokesman Lt. Lee Garrett said.

'What we can say is that the death happened on site and we are still investigating.'

Hernandez's sister Graciela Reyes was among those to post tributes to the deceased.

Eduardo Hernandez, 55, mysteriously died at an Arizona meat processing plant on Wednesday

The death occurred at the JBS beef plant in Tolleson

'Forever in my heart brother. Eduardo Reyes Hernandez, you leave us a great pain.

'I have no words. I love you so much. Only God knows why he sends these tests so hard, I'll miss you forever my little brother.'

Another friend, Juanito Hernandez, wrote online: 'DEP [RIP] Eduardo! Such great guy! He loved that place.'

Hernandez was married and was originally from Mexico, according to his social media profile.

'JBS Tolleson is saddened by the death of a long-time team member that was unrelated to work,' the company said in a statement to ABC15.

Hernandez (right) was a 20 year employee at the plant who originally hailed from Mexico

The plant was closed for the first shift of the day out of respect to Hernandez

'The decision was made to close the facility during the first shift of the day out of respect to the team member.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with the individual's family, co-workers and friends.'
Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff have fled to Hawaii after her election loss and as Europe faces the possibility of war.

The couple is on Kalaoa, which is on the west side of the big island of Hawaii. They are hunkered down in the sun after Donald Trump's landslide victory in the 2024 presidential election.

The couple will be able to enjoy long walks on its scenic beaches as the shadow war looms over Europe.

Russia has signaled it will retaliate with full-scale nuclear war after Ukraine launched US-made missiles over the border on Tuesday. The United States Embassy in Kyiv issued an urgent warning on Wednesday morning that Russia might launch 'a significant air attack,' closing the embassy and telling Americans to shelter in place.

It's unclear how long Harris and Emhoff will be on the island, which is the southernmost point of the United States.

The couple usually spends the Thanksgiving holiday on Hawaii. It's unclear if Emhoff's children or any of the Harris family members will join them.

Harris' office did not respond to DailyMail.com's inquiry. Local papers report she's staying about a week.

Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff arrived on the big island of Hawaii on Tuesday evening

President Joe Biden has not publicly stated his plans for Thanksgiving. In the past, the Biden clan has decamped to Nantucket for the holiday.

The local papers say preparations are being made on the island for the presidential arrival and that the Secret Service has ordered 200-plus turkey dinners from a local restaurant.

Harris, meanwhile, has retreated from the public eye since her devastating loss.

She appeared with Biden on Veteran's Day at Arlington National Cemetery and then had lunch with him at the White House the next day.

But she has been behind closed doors for a week

Harris, however, is prepared to fly back from Hawaii to break any tie votes in the Senate if needed.

She delayed her trip in the event that she would be needed for votes in the Senate to confirm judges, one of her aides told NBC News. She is not expected to be needed as no major battle is expected over judicial nominees until December.

President Biden is working to fill all the empty judicial openings in his final few months in office as he seeks to top the 234 judges Trump secured during his first term.

Harris, as vice president, is the president of the Senate and breaks any 50-50 votes.

Schumer has made it clear he's determined to get the confirmations done before Biden leaves office and that he would use the lame-duck session - the period between the election and when the new president is inaugurated - to confirm more judges.

Republicans did the same in late 2020 as Trump was finishing his first term.

'We are going to use the lame duck to confirm judges. And we're going to do everything we can to get as many judges done as possible, trying to overcome the Republican obstruction,' Schumer told NBC.

Harris and Emhoff are regular vacationers to Hawaii.

She won Hawaii's four electoral votes in the Nov. 5 election and received 60.6% of the overall count in the state versus 37.5% for Trump.

The war between Russia and Ukraine is heating up

Meanwhile, the war between Russia and Ukraine is heating up.

Vladimir Putin's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Moscow would 'react accordingly' after Ukraine launched its latest strike.

In a dramatic escalation on the 1,000th day of the conflict, Kyiv launched six 'ATACM' missiles from an undisclosed location over the border into Russian territory.

Such attacks are expected to increase in frequency after Biden approved the use of ATACMS earlier this week.

The strikes triggered a fiery explosion at a depot in Karachev, believed to be storing ammunition supplied by North Korea, around 75 miles from the Ukrainian border.

At the same time, Vladimir Putin provocatively signed off changes to Russia's laws on nuclear weapons to make it easier for them to be deployed against Ukraine in retaliation.

The amendments allow Russia to launch a nuclear attack in response to a conventional weapons strike  such as one by long-range missiles.

As the situation grows, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered his biggest hint yet that No.10 would authorize Ukraine to fire UK Storm Shadow missiles into Russia.

Both Moscow and Kyiv appear to be stepping up their attacks ahead of President-elect Trump's inauguration in January.

Trump has said he wants to bring a swift end to the war in Ukraine but has not said how leading to uncertainty about what his solution will be and what level of support he will give Ukraine.
This is the moment British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles struck the Kursk region inside Russia today.

The rockets destroyed a building with an underground 'control room' where Russian and North Korean military officials are believed to be holed up, according to Ukrainian defence experts.

Debris from the site of the explosion suggests the missiles were British Storm Shadows, rather than equivalent French SCALP missiles.

A Western official reportedly confirmed that Ukraine had used the missiles to strike into Russia for the first time today, after the US paved the way for Kyiv to launch long-range ATACMS missiles deep into Russia on Sunday.

Up to 12 missiles were launched into the Kursk region, according to Russian reports.

The missiles struck a building with an underground 'control room' where Russian and North Korean military officials are believed to be holed up, according to Ukrainian defence experts

Images being shared on social media show what appear to be fragments of a British Storm Shadow missile in Marino, Kursk

'The only logical explanation for the expenditure of a rather large amount of Storm Shadow / SCALP on such a facility is the presence of the command of the Russian Army group in the Kursk region, together with North Korean generals,' reported defence expert publication, Defence Express.

'The Russian Federation began to complain that Ukraine had started using not only ballistic ATACMS, but also Storm Shadow / SCALP cruise missiles on its territory.

'In particular, there is a video from the Kursk region from the village of Marino. A rather large number of missiles were used for the attack.'

The publication cautioned that the target of the strike remains speculative.

Today's attack is believed to be the first time Ukraine has used British Storm Shadows to strike into Russia, after the US set precedent with permission for use of ATACMS long-range missiles against Russian targets.

Britain conceded permission to use them against attacks within Ukraine earlier this year. The missiles will allow Ukraine to take out military targets and airbases previously unreachable, capable of hitting hard into Ukraine.

Unconfirmed images and footage posted to X/Twitter today have shown residents in the village of Marino, Kursk, stumbling upon fragments of the missile.

One image shows a resident holding a thick chunk of broken metal in their hand, while another reveals a written indentation reading: 'Storm Shadow'.

Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy.

The 800,000 rockets use GPS technology to precisely blast targets, and can travel through the air at 600mph.

Storm Shadow missiles have already been used by Ukraine inside its own territory for some time, but Kyiv now appears to have been granted permission to use the weapons to strike within Russia.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his office would not be commenting on reports or operational matters.

One image shows a written indentation on a chunk of metal reading: 'Storm Shadow'

The 800,000 rockets use GPS technology to precisely blast targets, and can travel through the air at 600mph

Britain had previously said Ukraine could use Storm Shadow cruise missiles within Ukrainian territory but the government has been pressing the United States for permission to allow their use to strike targets inside Russia for several months.

Starmer yesterday hinted Ukraine would be able to use Storm Shadows as he rebuffed the Kremlin's scare tactics.

When quizzed on letting Ukraine use the UK-made missiles, the PM said: 'I've been doubling down in my clear message that we need to ensure Ukraine has what is needed for as long as needed to win this war against Putin.

'I am not going to go into operational details. You would not expect me to. The only winner in that would be Putin and it would undermine Ukraine.

'The single simplest way to end this conflict is for Russia to stop the aggression and to stop it today. We are on day 1,000 of that aggression'.

Storm Shadow - called Scalp by the French - is a weapon equipped with a navigation system that once launched, descends to a low altitude to avoid detection before locking onto its target using an infra-red seeker.

On the final approach, the missile climbs to a higher altitude to maximise the chances of hitting the target.

On impact, it penetrates the target before a delayed fuse detonates the main warhead.

British Storm Shadow missiles have a range of up to 180miles, meaning Ukraine could now have the ability to strike targets inside Russia.

The UK first confirmed it would supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles in May last year, for use on Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine.

Then defence secretary Ben Wallace had touted that the weapons would give Ukraine the 'best chance' of defending itself.

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Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy

It comes as Vladimir Putin's TV propagandists called for Britain to be obliterated with nuclear weapons, amid earlier claims that Ukraine had used Storm Shadow missiles inside Russian territoty.

One Kremlin mouthpiece proposed dropping Russia's Satan-2 missile, widely described as 'the world's deadliest weapon', on Trafalgar Square, while another urged Putin to use the new Poseidon high speed underwater drone and sink the UK under a 'radioactive tidal wave'.

This came just days after outgoing US President Joe Biden gave war-torn Ukraine permission to use long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia earlier this week.

The decision was a major US policy shift and comes as Biden is about to leave office and President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to limit American support for Ukraine and end the war as soon as possible.

The weapons are thought to be used in response to North Korea's decision to send thousands of troops to Russia in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, according to one of the sources.

Around 10,000 soldiers from the communist regime have joined the fight to reclaim Kursk, which Ukraine seized in a daring counter offensive last August.

Biden hopes that this response will 'send a message' to Kim Jong Un not to send any more, sources said.

It comes just a day after Ukraine carried out its first strike on Russian territory with US-supplied long range missiles.

US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is seen in action

Joe Biden finally gave Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky permission at the weekend to use US-supplied missiles in attacks within Russia

A massive explosion at an ammunition depot in Karachev around 75 miles from the Ukrainian border in Russia's Bryansk region illuminated the night sky yesterday morning on what was the 1,000th day of war in Ukraine.

Eyewitnesses along with Russian and Ukrainian military bloggers first reported the attack, with anonymous Ukrainian military officials later telling the strike was conducted with the US-manufactured ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System).

Following the Ukraine-led attack, and amid growing concerns around a potential WW3, European nations have begun gearing up for an all out war on the continent as Putin officially lowered the threshold for Moscow to consider a nuclear strike.

Germany's foreign minister yesterday vowed her country 'will not be intimidated' by Putin, just one day after German media revealed the nation will transform into a NATO staging ground if the conflict to the East should escalate.

According to a 1,000-page document entitled 'Operationsplan Deutschland', Germany would reportedly host hundreds of thousands of troops from NATO countries and serve as a logistics hub for sending huge quantities of military equipment, food and medicine toward the front.

Finland reminded its citizens of their 'national defence obligation' and recently launched a new information website, while Sweden laid out a detailed guide on how to seek shelter and what to do in case of a nuclear attack.

Snowflakes are illuminated during live firing of the British Army's new Archer Mobile Howitzer gun near Rovaniemi in the Arctic Circle

British Army soldiers and armoured vehicles are taking part in the Arctic drills

A Swedish artillery team fires a projectile from an Archer self-propelled Howitzer during the NATO 'Exercise Lightning Strike' on November 20, 2024 near Heinu, Finland. The live-fire exercise includes service members from 28 Allied and partner nations, and is taking place between November 4 to November 24, across locations in Finland, Estonia, Germany, Poland, and Romania

The US is also set to provide Ukraine's army with shipments of landmines to slow the advance of Russian ground troops as Putin's forces wear down Ukrainian defensive lines in Donetsk.

Officials in Washington confirmed late last night that American anti-personnel mines would be sent to Ukraine on the proviso the punishing weapons are only used to repel Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory.

Meanwhile, NATO is holding its largest-ever artillery exercise just 70 miles from the border where the British Army is testing what military chiefs have described as a 'game-changing' weapon.

Finland, which joined the military alliance last year, is hosting up to 3,600 soldiers from 28 nations for the exercise, known as Dynamic Front.

Live fire drills began on Sunday in the northern Lapland region, and are part of a series of exercises, with further ones planned in Estonia, Germany, Romania and Poland.

The British Army is using the opportunity to put its Archer 155-mm guns to the test, weapons which can release high explosive shells or GPS-guided munitions and hit targets 30 miles away.
An Australian right-to-die activist behind a new 'suicide capsule' says he rejects 'absurd' allegations that the US woman who was said to be its first user may have been strangled.

Philip Nitschke of advocacy group Exit International said on Wednesday he wasn't phyically present for the woman's death on September 23 involving the 'Sarco' capsule in a forest in northern Switzerland, but saw it live by video transmission.

The device worked as planned, he said, in the first and only time it has been used.

The head of a Swiss affiliate of Exit International known as The Last Resort, Florian Willet, was present at the woman's death and was immediately taken into police custody, where he remains as police investigate the circumstances around the woman's death.

Several other people, including a journalist for the Volkskrant newspaper in the Netherlands, where Nitschke lives, were initially taken into custody and prosecutors opened an investigation on suspicion of incitement and accessory to suicide.

They were later released.

The Australian-born Nitschke broke weeks of silence through an interview with the respected Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung, which was published Wednesday.

Speaking to The Associated Press by phone, he said he felt compelled to speak out because Exit International was 'desperate' about the plight of Willet, who could remain behind bars for weeks or months until a possible trial.

Philip Nitschke of advocacy group Exit International said he wasn't on hand for the woman's death on Sept. 23 involving the 'Sarco' capsule in a forest in northern Switzerland, but saw it live by video transmission

Nitschke lies down in a 'suicide pod' known as 'The Sarco' in Rotterdam, The Netherlands

He said prosecutors have asked for an extension of Willet's detention, 'claiming there was no evidence of homicide.'

He denied the accusation.

'We've got to try and do something about the fact that Florian has been stuck in prison now for about 58 days,' Nitschke said.

He said he offered to travel to Switzerland to speak to prosecutors as part of their investigation and share video footage and oxygen-level data in the capsule at the time the woman died.

'We will provide everything we've got,' he said, adding that prosecutors 'have not accepted that suggestion.'

Swiss law allows assisted suicide so long as the person takes his or her life with no 'external assistance' and those who help the person die do not do so for 'any self-serving motive,' according to a government website.

Switzerland is among the only countries in the world where foreigners can travel to legally end their lives and has a number of organizations that are dedicated to helping people kill themselves.

The first use of Sarco capsule took place in the middle of the forest

Nitschke has repeatedly said Exit International's Swiss lawyers had advised that use of the capsule would be legal in Switzerland.

The 'Sarco,' which Nitschke has said cost $1 million to develop and build, was designed to allow a person sitting in its reclining seat to push a button that injects nitrogen gas into the sealed chamber.

The person is then supposed to fall unconscious and die of suffocation in a few minutes.

The 64-year-old woman was not identified. Nitschke, a trained medical doctor, said she had 'compromised immune function' that made her 'subject to chronic infection.'

On Oct. 26, Volkskrant reported the Swiss prosecutor had indicated in court that the woman may have been strangled.

The Volkskrant article last month said one of its photographers, two lawyers, and Willet were originally detained on suspicion of inciting suicide and providing assistance in doing so.

'It is absurd because we've got film that the capsule wasn't opened,' Nitschke said. 'Everything happened exactly as we had predicted. The woman climbed into the Sarco alone, closed the lid without help, and pressed the button that released the nitrogen herself. She lost consciousness and died after about six minutes.'

He added that Willet held a mobile phone through which Nitschke watched live video of the woman using the Sarco, and informed the police immediately afterward that she had died.

Nitschke recalled speaking to Willet through the phone at the time, saying: 'I was listening and answering his questions and calming him down because it was a very tense time for him.'

Peter Sticher, the prosecutor for the northern Schaffhausen region who is leading the legal case, declined to comment in an email to the AP on Wednesday, citing an ongoing investigation.

Nitschke, front, stands next to a 'suicide pod' known as 'The Sarco' in Rotterdam

Swiss police have confiscated the only operating Sarco device, but Nitschke said another was being produced. He said he wanted a 'clear decision' from Swiss courts before using the device in Switzerland again.

Exit presented the 'Sarco' to journalists over the summer. Before using it, the group had to overcome technical difficulties including its original designer walking out of the project, Nitschke has said.

The Sarco has been billed as a novel, peaceful way for people to take their own lives with the push of a button, such as in a bucolic landscape of their choosing.

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Adelaide locals have lashed out at a proposal to slash the speed limit in the CBD to 30km/h with the plan labelled 'ridiculous'.

On Tuesday, councillors from Adelaide City Council met to discuss three proposed changes to speed limits in the city streets, which aims to create a 'safer urban environment' and 'help support businesses'.

The first proposed change is a blanket 30km/h for city streets, 40km/h for most other streets and a top speed of 50km/h on the remaining arterial roads.

Currently, there are varying speed limits throughout the city; roads on the council border have a 60km/h limit, whereas most of the roads through the Adelaide Parklands have a speed limit of 50km/h.

There are currently only three roads in Adelaide with a 30km/h speed limit.

Since 2019, there have been 2,400 road crashes in the area, four of which were fatal. Of those incidents, 211 people suffered serious injuries, and 658 reported minor injuries.

'What we don't want to do is make it difficult for people who need to come into the city, but at the same time, we have to balance safety,' Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith told the Adelaide Advertiser.

While the mayor added it was 'just the beginning of the conversation', she noted 'over the decades, generally speed limits have been reduced'.

Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said they don't want it to be difficult for people to come into the city but they must 'balance safety' (pictured stock photo of rush hour in Adelaide)

Despite the push for reduced speed limits, some residents have slammed the proposed changes, labelling it 'madness'.

Ben Kelly, owner of the Havlock Hotel told the Adelaide Advertiser the changes were 'ridiculous', and wouldn't help promote heavier foot traffic in the city.

'We're trying to bring more people into the city,' he said. 'This city is trying to grow. Reducing speed limits (will) create further congestion within the city.'

NewsWire has contacted the council for comment.
Celebrity chef Matt Moran's Chiswick restaurant has been vandalised with anti-Israel slurs overnight along with several cars in the same exclusive Sydney suburb, one of which was set on fire.

Emergency services were called to the car fire on Wellington Street in Woollahra about 12.35am on Thursday.

Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the fire but police then found up to a dozen cars graffitied with anti-Israel messages.

Multiple cars were covered in white spray paint that read 'f**k Israel'.

The cars had been parked along Wellington Steet, Tara Street, Fullerton Street and Ocean Street. The door of a unit complex in Ocean Street was also spray painted with the anti-Israel slogans.

Chiswick is co-owned by Mr Moran and Elliot Solomon, the Jewish CEO of Solotel Group.

The letters 'PKK' were also seen on multiple cars and the windows of Chiswick.

PKK could refer to the Kurdistan Workers' Party which some countries, including Australia, have designated a terrorist organisation.

A car was torched and multiple others graffitied with anti-Israel slogans overnight in Sydney

The car on fire early on Thursday (left) and a police officer at the scene hours later (right)

NSW Police said they are investigating and have asked anyone with information to speak to them

It is understood the Emanuel Synagogue, located just up the road on Ocean St, is reviewing its security in the aftermath of the vandalism.

The Wolper Jewish Hospital is also located nearby as are the consulates of Turkey, Russia, Poland and Serbia.

Mr Moran said it would be business as usual for Chiswick after his team spent Thursday morning on a clean up.

'It's incredibly disappointing to see this amount of vandalism,' Mr Moran told Daily Mail Australia.

'There's no place for it in the community and we're co-operating with the relevant authorities in their investigation.'

NSW Police Detective Acting Superintendent Adam Solah said two figures were seen running from the area following the fire.

'They were wearing dark clothing, a face mask and a hooded top,' he said.

'One of those persons had Nike in white written on their jumper.'

He said the reference to PKK was a 'key line of inquiry' but would not comment on whether police were aware the Kurdistan Workers' Party had a presence in Australia.

Police have allocated 'significant resources' to investigate the 'brazen' act, he said.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze and police said noone was injured

Celebrity chef Matt Moran out the front of Chiswick, which was graffitied with anti-Israel slurs overnight

Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory told Daily Mail Australia the government has not taken its concerns seriously.

'It is absolutely shocking to see political violence like this play out in the streets of Australia,' he said.

'There is no justification for targeting Jews and other Australians over a conflict on the other side of the world.

'Labor has looked on as an increasingly violent anti-Israel movement has taken over Australian streets. The Jewish community has been begging authorities to take this seriously.

'Many feel that Labor refuses to act because it is too focused on winning votes in Western Sydney.

'When Australians are being prevented from taking their children to see the Myer Christmas windows or told to stay at home for their own safety because the Opera House steps were taken over by an anti-Semitic mob, it's clear we have a problem.

'It's time for decent Australians to reclaim our streets from this 'Free Palestine' hate movement,' he said.

A door to a residence on Ocean St, Woollahra was also graffitied with the comment 'F** Israel'

Firefighters put out the blaze which did not spread beyond the one car

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who has just returned from the G20 Summit in Brazil said he was aware of the incident.

'I have seen the images of last night's act of antisemitism in Sydney,' he said.

'These are disturbing scenes and deeply troubling to all Australians. There is no place for antisemitism in Australia. Conflict overseas cannot be made a platform for prejudice at home.

'I have trust in our law enforcement agencies to deal with this.'

Co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry Alex Ryvchin agreed there have been a growing number of anti-Israel incidents in Sydney.

'The anti-Israel movement has been growing progressively more extreme, more violent and indifferent to who it harms,' he said.

'It wasn't stopped at the Opera House steps. It wasn't stopped at pro-Hamas encampments. And it wasn't stopped at the hate preachers.

'Now Australians are waking up to find their property destroyed and their suburbs violated.'

Some cars had a reference to 'PKK' which could be the Kurdistan Workers' Party which is designated a terrorist organisation by some countries

At least half a dozen cars were damaged by the spray paint

Dr Dvir Abramovich from the Anti-Defamation Commission said the 'cowardly' attack was a 'frontal assault on our values and on decency' and would only 'ignite the resolve' of the Jewish community.

'This hate crime is the direct result of the unrelenting incitement against Israel and the explosion of anti-Semitism we are witnessing around the nation.

'Words have real-world consequences, and this is proof of what happens when rhetoric becomes violence.

'To those responsible, hear this: your hatred has no place here. You may think you can silence us with fire and venom, but you've only ignited our resolve.

'The Jewish community has faced darkness before, and each time we have risen stronger,' he said.

NSW Police confirmed they are investigating.

'The graffiti is of a political nature,' a police spokesperson said.

'Officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command have established crime scenes which are being examined by specialist police.'

Anyone who has knowledge of the incidents, or who was in the area last night and may have seen something, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Donald Trumps one-time fixer turned fierce critic Michael Cohen is calling for the hush money case against the president-elect to be thrown out following the November election.

Cohen served as a star witness for the prosecution in the trial against Trump earlier this year in the Manhattan criminal court.

In May, he took the stand to testify in the case before the former president was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records by a New York jury.

But now, Cohen is calling for the entire case to be dismissed, according to an email he sent to Vanity Fair.

The American people have spoken and re-elected Donald Trump, Cohen wrote.

Accordingly, I believe we must all acknowledge and respect the office of the Presidency and dismiss the case forthwith.

Him weighing in on the case comes as Trumps lawyers are calling for Judge Juan Merchan to dismiss it outright as well.

They argued in a filing that an 'immediate dismissal' is mandated by the 'federal Constitution, the Presidential Transition Act of 1963, and the interest of justice.

They also claimed it is necessary to ensure an orderly transition of power.

Donald Trump's former fixer who testified against him in the New York hush money trial called for the case against the president-elect to be dismissed after the 2024 election

The 78-year-old president-elect is set to reenter the White House in January 2025 after winning the election against Vice President Kamala Harris earlier this month.

He is the first convicted felon elected President of the United States.

Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up the payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels to stay quiet about an alleged affair with the ex-president before the 2016 election.

On Tuesday, the sentencing in the case was called off as the court decides how to proceed after his presidential election victory. The sentencing had been scheduled for November 26.

The president-elect was facing up to four years in jail, but legal experts said it was unlikely he would serve time behind bars as a first-time offender convicted of a nonviolent crime.

A court sketch of Michael Cohen testifying against Donald Trump in the Manhattan criminal court on May 20, 2024

Donald Trump 's sentencing in his New York hush money case has been called off as the court decides how to move forward. He was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records in May 2024

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg had a November 19 deadline to argue how the case against the president-elect should proceed

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg argued the case should proceed, but he also acknowledged prosecutors may need to pause it until after Trump leaves the White House which would be in 2029.

'We would not oppose [Trump's] request for a stay of further proceedings,' prosecutors wrote.

Bragg wrote prosecutors 'deeply respect the office of the president, are mindful of the demands and obligations of the presidency, and acknowledge that defendants inauguration will raise unprecedented legal questions.'

Last week, Trump announced he was nominating his defense attorneys from the the New York trial for positions in the Justice Department in his second term.

The president-elect said Todd Blanche was his pick to serve as Deputy Attorney General and Emil Bove to serve as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General.
A Virginia woman has been arrested after allegedly dousing her friend in gasoline and setting her on fire while she relaxed on a couch.

Savannah Adams, 28, is accused of killing Tiffany Dunford, of Wythe County on Sunday, in the horrific incident, according to police.

Dunford, a mother-of-two, was sitting on an outdoor couch at her home in Max Meadows when Adams - a family friend - allegedly drove up, covered the woman in gasoline, set her ablaze and drove off, police said.

When the Wythe County Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene, they discovered Dunford 'suffering from severe burns covering most of her body.'

She was airlifted to a nearby hospital where she died from her injuries the following day.

It is unclear exactly why Adams murdered Dunford in such a heinous manner, but a couple people close to Dunford posted about Adams allegedly hacking one of her family members on Facebook.

The sheriff's office reached out to the public for help finding Adams, along with an image of the silver 2004 Dodge Neon she fled the scene in.

The department also shared an old mugshot of Adams, as she was arrested multiple times in the past, according to court records reviewed by WDBJ.

Savannah Adams, 28, (pictured) was arrested on Monday after she allegedly doused her friend, Tiffany Dunford, in gasoline and lit her on fire while the mother-of-two sat on a couch outside of her home on Sunday

Dunford (pictured) suffered 'severe burns covering most of her body' and was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where she died the next day

She was taken into custody on Monday and has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and felonious assault.

It is unclear exactly why Adams murdered Dunford in such a heinous manner, but a couple people close to Dunford posted about Adams allegedly hacking one of her family members on Facebook.

A charred couch and other burnt items were found at the crime scene.

Dunford's loved ones shared their unimaginable grief following her tragic death.

Nancy Reyna, the victim's cousin, told WFXR Dunford 'could light up a room' and that she 'didn't deserve' to be burned to death.

'Anybody that knew Tiffany, she could light up a room, and whether she was in the right or wrong, I dont care, I still loved her, but she didnt deserve to be burned.

'Tiffany is too nice of a person, and this is devastating to me and my family,' Reyna added.

A charred couch and other burnt items were found at the crime scene. It is unclear exactly why Adams murdered Dunford in such a heinous manner

Reyna noted that her late cousin loved the outdoors and animals, and was someone who would always help others.

'She meant like a sister to me. Everybody always said me and my cousin looked alike, and I know the Lords looking over her now and shes not suffering in pain,' she said.

Another friend took to Facebook and said: 'I miss you so much tiff.. words will never be able to explain how much you meant to so many people. You touched many souls, you made an impact on people that will forever be cherished.'

'Every single time I saw you, you were smiling. You always knew how to make my Caramel Macchiato just perfect! And you were always happy to do it!,' wrote another loved one.

This is not Adams' first run-in with the law as she has been hit with minor traffic charges, trespassing and a recent assault charge, records showed.

The sheriff's office reached out to the public for help finding Adams, along with an image of the silver 2004 Dodge Neon (pictured) she used to flee the scene

Nancy Reyna, the victim's cousin, said Dunford 'could light up a room' and that she 'didn't deserve' to be burned to death

She was released on bond for allegedly assaulting a person with a metal pipe in 2023, Law & Crime reported.

'Savannah was trying to kill me,' the victim reportedly said of Adams, according to court documents, reviewed by the Bristol Herald Courier.

The repeat offender is currently being held without bond at New River Valley Regional Jail, according to the Wythe County Sheriff's Office.

If found guilty of the class two felonies, Adams could be locked up for 20 years to life in prison, and face a $100,000 fine.

She is due in court on January 31.

DailyMail.com contacted the Wythe County Sheriff's Office.
A woman is missing after a house fire erupted in Sydney's north-west overnight.

Firefighters were called to Percy Street, Marayong, at about 10.30pm on Wednesday and extinguished the blaze with the house sustaining minor damage.

A NSW Police spokesman said two occupants were not at home at the time, however a 38-year-old woman remains unaccounted for.

'When a search of the home by firefighters failed to find the woman, officers from Riverstone Police Area Command initiated a search of the surrounding area, assisted by the PolAir, but she has not yet been found,' he said.

Police are now appealing for anyone who may have seen the missing woman to come forward.

She is described as Caucasian, 167cm tall, 85kg, large build, fair complexion, and black hair.

She was last seen at the home two or three days ago and it's unknown what she is wearing.

Police have been told the woman may appear distressed or confused. Firefighters have told police initial inquiries indicate the fire is not suspicious.
Nikki Haley blasted President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

She accused the former Democratic congresswoman turned Trump supporter of spreading Russian propaganda and called her a 'Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer.'

The former South Carolina GOP governor gave her scathing review of the 78-year-old president-elect's nominations for his Cabinet on her SiriusXM radio show 'Nikki Haley Live.'

'Everybody now loves that she is saying she's now a Republican, but I have always said "let's look at what they've said, what their actions are,"' Haley said of Gabbard.

Haley slammed the controversial nominee for going to Syria in 2017 to meet with dictator Bashar al-Assad for what Haley called a 'photo op' while he carried out atrocities against his own people.

Haley called it disgusting that Gabbard would question if it was the Syrian leader who was behind the chemical attacks in his country. She recalled giving a speech at the United Nations during Trump's first term about the attacks on children.

'For her to say that Assad with not behind that, literally everything she said about that were Russian talking points, every bit of that,' Haley said. 'That was Russia propaganda.'

Former ambassador to the UN sounded the alarm on Trump nominating Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, accusing the congresswoman of being a 'Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer'

She also blasted Gabbard for blaming NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine more than two years ago.

'The Russians and the Chinese echoed her talking points and her interviews on Russian and Chinese television,' Haley said.

Haley pointed out Gabbard opposed the end of the Iran Nuclear Deal and sanctions against Iran.

She accused her of wanting to limit Trump's powers to take action against the Middle East country while in Congress and pushing for defense budget cuts.

The Director of National Intelligence is the president's top intelligence adviser and has authority over the U.S. spy budget and say in which U.S. secrets are declassified.

'This is a job for an honest broker without any pronounced policy biases,' Haley declared.

'She's defended Russia. She's defended Syria. She's defended Iran, and she's defended China,' Haley said.

'Now she has not denounced any of these views. None of them. She hasn't taken one of them back,' the former UN ambassador continued in her blistering takedown of Gabbard.

Haley said DNI is not a place for a 'Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer.'

'Are we comfortable with someone like that at the top of our national security agencies?'

Haley's pushback on Gabbard puts her on the same page for once as progressives like Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who also warned nominating the former Hawaii Congresswoman for the role is dangerous.

But Gabbard was not the only Trump nominee Haley had 'major issues' with.

Haley slammed Gabbard (pictured) for her visit to Syria to meet with dictator Bashar al-Assad and accused her of spreading Russian propaganda

Haley also blasted the nomination of Robert Kennedy Jr. (left) to lead HHS

The one-time GOP presidential candidate also took aim at Trump naming Robert Kennedy Jr. his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, but she did not even focus on his controversial anti-vaccine stance.

Haley blasted RJK Jr. as a 'liberal Democrat' and claimed he would oversee 25 percent of the federal budget while noting a common criticism that he has no background in healthcare.

Haley pointed out in the past RFK Jr. endorsed presidential candidates including Al Gore, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

'He said just this past year that he and Trump's positions "could not be further apart,"' Haley said.

She also called him 'strongly pro-choice' and claimed he wants more oversight on pharma.

'I understand he wants to raise awareness on chemicals in foods and vaccinations, but then let him be a health adviser,' she argued.

'Why are we putting someone that is so ideologically opposed to Donald Trump's views and Republicans' views, why do we want to do that?' she asked.

Haley warned 'we don't know when he is given reins to an agency what decisions he's going to make behind the scenes, and the Senate needs to ask the hard questions to him.'

Some of President-elect Donald Trump's nominees for Cabinet positions have faced pushback and outrage from for controversial pasts and limited experience

The former governor also noted there will be a lot of issues with getting Trump's pick for Attorney General Matt Gaetz confirmed.

It comes after the former Florida congressman faced a House Ethics Committee investigation into alleged sexual misconduct with a minor and illicit drug use. A fight is brewing over whether it will release its findings.

'The AG is the chief law enforcement officer,' she said. 'He has the right to defend himself, but it's hard to start a confirmation when you have allegations of illicit drug use and sex parties with minors.'

She said the same goes for Trump's defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth who is accused of sexual assault.

'He's going to have to answer to that,' she said.
British Airways has reversed plans to scrap flights to one of the UK's key Middle East allies following an international outcry.

In a dramatic U-turn, the flag carrier last night said it would continue a direct service between London and Bahrain.

However, flights to the nearby country of Kuwait will still be suspended in late March, as previously planned, although this decision will be kept 'under review'.

The announcement came after the The Mail revealed earlier this month that BA had planned to axe the routes after nearly a century despite both Gulf state's long-standing ties to Britain.

BA had argued that flights to Bahrain and Kuwait were no longer commercially viable, leaving staff who have served on the routes at risk of losing their jobs.

But the plans caused an uproar, with Dr Liam Fox, who served as defence secretary under David Cameron, told the Mail that BA's move would send 'totally the wrong message' about Britain's diplomatic intentions while also harming UK business interests in the region.

Meanwhile, Bahraini officials were angered by the fact that they were not consulted by BA before it decided to scrap the route, while thousands of residents with close ties to Britain drew up a petition demanding that the decision be reversed.

Concerns were raised that Britain's global influence could be reduced while straining relations with allies in the region. Bahrain is home to a Royal Navy base at the Mina Salman Port.

Dr Liam Fox (pictured), who served as defence secretary under David Cameron, told the Mail that BA's move would send 'totally the wrong message' about Britain's diplomatic intentions

British Airways has reversed plans to scrap flights to one of the UK's key Middle East allies following an international outcry (file image)

But last night BA, which is owned by Anglo-Spanish airline conglomerate IAG, confirmed that the planned cancellation of the Bahrain route had been called off.

'Following discussions with our partners and stakeholders, we can confirm we will operate a service between London Heathrow and Bahrain International Airport three times a week from the start of the Summer 2025 season.

This will increase to a daily service from the start of the Winter 2025 season,' the carrier said in a statement. But it added that flights to Kuwait remained under review.

'We are delighted to witness British Airways continue operations at Bahrain International Airport. As the oldest airline operating out of Bahrain for over 92 years, the enduring partnership with British Airways is a testament to our shared commitment to excellence,' said Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, head of the Bahrain Airport Company, which runs the country's only international airport.

Imperial Airways, a predecessor to BA, launched flights to Bahrain in October 1932, marking the company's first service to the Middle East.

Bahrain was a British protectorate for more than 100 years before it gained independence in 1971. Meanwhile, Kuwait became a British protectorate in 1899 and achieved independence in 1961.

The two countries have maintained deep ties with the UK, particularly in business.

London-based Standard Chartered was the first bank to set up shop in Bahrain in 1920 and helped establish it as a key financial centre in the region.

The flag carrier was looking to scrap direct services to Bahrain (pictured: capital Manama)

BA currently operates at least one direct flight from London to both Kuwait (pictured: capital Kuwait City) and the Bahraini capital Manama per day

Bahrain also plays host to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet as well as the Royal Navy base. It is the only Gulf country that is formally part of the US-UK coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea following attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen in response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

In the UK, Bahrains sovereign wealth fund, the Mumtalakat, owns Woking-based racing car maker McLaren. The Mail on Sunday reported earlier this year that the fund was planning to expand its British holdings through a series of investments, including in the north of England.

Britain is currently in the middle of negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, a trade bloc that consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to sign a free trade deal that could be worth 23.5billion a year.

Combined, they make up the UKs fourth largest export market behind the US, the EU and China.

BAs initial decision to scrap the routes comes as it struggles with ongoing issues with the Rolls Royce-manufactured Trent 1000 jet engines that power its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The airline is among several carriers including Virgin Atlantic that have had to cancel flights as disrupted supply chains make it harder to source spare parts for the engines.

Virgins flights to Tel Aviv were set to restart in March 2025 and a new route to Accra in Ghana was due to launch in May 2025.

But both journeys have been pushed back to late October 2025 at the earliest due to the debacle.

Rolls-Royce has blamed the disruption on the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which it previously said has hit the entire aerospace industry.
Millions of Aussies are fuming after Reddit was hit by an outage leaving social media users unable to access the popular online platform.

Online network insights website Downdetector issued an alert on Thursday morning to indicate people have experienced issues accessing the app.

'User reports indicate problems at Reddit,' the alert read.

Almost 1,800 outages were reported around 9.30am and social media users have been met with an error message when they try and log in.

'Our CDN was unable to reach our servers,' the message reads.

The disruption angered Aussies with many taking to social media platform X to vent their frustration.

'Reddit is down and I'm here for the updoots [sic],' one wrote.

'Reddit s**t the bed again,' another wrote.

Millions of Aussies are fuming after Reddit was hit my a mass outage leaving social media users unable to access the popular online platform (pictured stock image)

'Has Reddit crashed?' a third asked.

More than 500million people use Reddit across the world and just over 40 per cent of users are aged between 18 to 29, according to figures by trends website Exploding Topics.

The app was first launched in 2005 and will soon celebrate its 20th anniversary.

The latest outage comes after Aussies were unable to log on to Ticketek on Tuesday to book tickets to live events.

Customers came across a message informing them that officials were conducting maintenance work on the site.

'The Ticketek website is currently undergoing maintenance. We apologise that the update is taking longer than anticipated,' the message indicated.

The outage is understood to have started on Sunday night.

Customers were warned they would experience disruptions in an effort to book their tickets to concerts and other live events.

Dozens of people took to social media to express their anger as they scrambled to book their tickets.

'Yikes is anyone else stressing about Ticketek being down? I can't access my tickets,' one complained on X.

'Ticketek is under maintenance and I can't access my tickets. Am I cooked?' another person wrote.
Ukrainian forces unleashed British made cruise missiles on Russia for the first time on Wednesday.

In a dramatic development, up to 12 Storm Shadow rockets were fired at targets in Kursk  the southern Russian province where Kyiv troops have seized territory.

The Mail understands the attacks, which followed Ukraine firing US-supplied ATACMS missiles on Tuesday, were personally approved by Sir Keir Starmer.

They came a day after Vladimir Putin signed off on changes to the Kremlin's nuclear doctrine.

These conditions authorise a nuclear response to any conventional attack on Russian soil  if the attacking state is supported militarily by a nuclear power.

Under the new terms, such an incident would be considered a 'joint attack' and leave the attacking state and its backers liable to nuclear reprisals from Moscow.

The move also came as Defence Secretary John Healey announced that several major military projects were being cancelled.

Meanwhile, 50,000 Russian and North Korean troops were preparing to launch a counter-offensive to liberate Ukrainian-held areas.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19

This is the moment missiles believed to be British Storm Shadow missiles struck inside Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with New People party's leader Alexey Nechaev in Moscow on November 19

Images being shared on social media show what appear to be fragments of a British Storm Shadow missile in Marino, Kursk

On Wednesday afternoon, Russian military bloggers recovered missile fragments and posted unverified images on social media. The pieces were seemingly stamped with the words Storm Shadow.

Multiple explosions could be heard  preceded by high-pitched whistling apparently from incoming missiles  in videos recorded near the village of Maryino. The footage also showed smoke rising from buildings.

Unconfirmed reports suggested Ukraine had targeted an underground command and control facility 50 miles inside Russia.

The navigational data and satellite intelligence which facilitated the air strikes was understood to have been provided by the US.

The strikes, which have not been confirmed by the British Government, follow the use of UK Storm Shadows to eliminate Russian military infrastructure in Crimea.

The significant difference is that while the UK regards occupied Crimea as Ukrainian sovereign territory, Kursk is recognised by Britain as belonging to Russia.

It is understood that the last time British weapons were used on Russian sovereign territory was during clashes between an Allied force and the Bolsheviks in the Arctic Archangel region in 1918-19. Before that it was during the Crimean War in the 1850s.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Healey declined to confirm the reports or divulge any operational details.

One image shows a written indentation on a chunk of metal reading: 'Storm Shadow'

The 800,000 rockets use GPS technology to precisely blast targets, and can travel through the air at 600mph

He told MPs: 'We have seen over recent weeks a significant change in the [Russian] action and the rhetoric on Ukraine. We as a nation and a Government are doubling down on our support for Ukraine and intend to do more.'

Former British Army commander and chemical weapons expert Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon told the Mail he hoped the move did not come 'too late' considering the state of the conflict.

He said: 'Whoever controls Kursk at Christmas will be on the front foot ahead of ceasefire negotiations which could start when US President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

'It is such a shame this decision was not taken months ago. Let's hope Sir Keir Starmer learns from this.'

In another dramatic move, outgoing US President Joe Biden permitted Ukraine to use US anti-personnel mines in a bid to thwart the advance of Russian troops across its eastern provinces.

With disregard for the lives of its troops, who are forced to charge Ukrainian positions, Russia has seized six times as much territory this year than in 2023.

Speaking on GB News, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said supporting Ukraine was 'the right thing' as it was fighting a war on this country's behalf.

With tensions at an unprecedented high, the US closed its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday morning. The Italian and Greek embassies were also closed.
A man accused of helping to cover up the alleged murder of Melbourne woman Isla Bell has joked with prison staff during his first court appearance.

Eyal Yaffe, 57, of Hampton, faces a charge of assisting an offender with murder.

He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday hours after his mate and alleged killer Marat Ganiev, 53, faced a murder charge at the same court.

Placed behind protective bullet-proof glass in the court's prison dock, Yaffe was seen laughing with a security guard during his brief appearance.

Seated before him at the front of the court appeared to be members of his family, whom he smiled and attempted to communicate with.

A woman was seen crying as the court heard an intended bail application could not be held due to delays in the matter being called on.

Yaffe is being represented by top Melbourne barrister Ian Hill - an elite Kings Counsel who helped clear convicted cop killer Jason Roberts after years behind bars.

Mr Hill will return to court on Friday where he will fight to have Yaffe released from custody.

Eyal Yaffe appeared jovial within the confines of the prison dock on Wednesday. He is accused of helping the man who allegedly murdered Isla Bell conceal his crime

Social media accounts show the pair were friends on Facebook, with Ganiev's profile picture seemingly containing a text alert from Yaffe in a bizarre profile picture.

Yaffe is accused of helping his heroin addict mate conceal the murder of Ms Bell, whose body was found in a rubbish tip more than month after she vanished.

Ganiev is charged with murdering the 19-year old on October 7 at St Kilda East. She had last been seen by her family on October 4.

On Wednesday, her heartbroken mother Justine Spokes issued a gut-wrenching statement in memory of her daughter as Ganiev faced court.

'I am so, so sorry my darling daughter,' she said. 'I could not protect you from your complex illnesses and this cruel world.'

Dressed in black and appearing gaunt, Ganiev, of St Kilda, looked visibly unwell as the short filing hearing took place.

His lawyer, Adrian Lewin, told the court his client was in desperate need of his methadone medication - a drug used by addicts attempting to get off heroin.

The court heard Ganiev required 70mg of the medication, which he had not received for the past two days.

It remains unknown how or why police allege Ganiev killed the teenager, who was reported missing in October.

Two men have been charged after police found suspected human remains in their search for 19-year-old Isla Bell

Marat Ganiev, 53, of St Kilda appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with murdering Ms Bell

Ms Bell was last seen leaving her Brunswick home, in Melbourne, at about 6pm on October 4, just days before her 20th birthday.

Her remains were found at a tip at Dandenong on Tuesday evening and are yet to be formally identified.

Ms Spokes paid a touching tribute to her 'kind and adventurous' daughter on Wednesday.

'I was so proud of your choices this year, your strength to endure despite your suffering,' she said.

'All you ever wanted was to create, make and nurture life, to love and be loved.

'We were so much looking forward to being reunited as a family again; my heart aches and cannot reconcile that's not going to happen.'

She said Isla was, 'the gentlest soul, the kindest human and free spirited.

'I will connect to you in spirit my care bear and no one can take that connection away from us,' she added.

Victoria Police are investigating whether Ms Bell's remains had been placed into a household rubbish bin before they ended up at the tip.

Ms Bell was last seen leaving her Brunswick home, in Melbourne's inner city, about 6pm on October 4

Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad arrested three men after executing search warrants at two properties in Bentleigh East and Mulgrave.

A 63-year-old Mulgrave man was released pending further enquiries.

The Missing Persons Squad formally took over the investigation in late October.

Shortly after her disappearance, Ms Bell's best friend revealed their last conversation took place on October 7 - three days after she was reportedly last seen and the day police allege she was killed.

During that conversation, Ms Bell was keen to talk about a recent night out and a new friend.

'She was just about to tell me all about her night. She abruptly stopped replying before giving me any more details,' the anonymous friend said.

'She was very eager and excited to tell me all about it, then radio silence.'

Another friend said Ms Bell had struggled with mental health issues and did sometimes disappear for days at a time, but her recent disappearance was out of the ordinary.

'The messages to her friend the night she disappeared were really sus, real dodgy crowd,' they said.

'The police have been pinging her and such but to not much immediate avail.'

Ms Bell's mother, Justine Spokes, also shared her worries online.

'My girl is missing and dearly missed,' she wrote on Facebook.

'She leaves an impression, she's hard to forget. She has a fighting spirit, sometimes it's loud and sometimes it's soft, always enduring.

'We're here for you bub. I love you my care bear.'

Ms Spokes later revealed the family had been planning to visit the Great Barrier Reef for Ms Bell's 20th birthday and became alarmed when they couldn't reach her.

'Hey bub. We're looking forward to our reef trip for your birthday coming up,' her mum wrote in a public message after she vanished.

'We've been trying to call you to book flights. Let us know your thoughts.

'We love you my darling.'
The year 1992 was set to be full of reasons to celebrate for Queen Elizabeth as she marked 40 years on the throne.

Instead, a challenging 12 months ended with Windsor Castle in flames on November 20 - a fateful day that also happened to be the Queen and Prince Philip's 45th wedding anniversary.

The beloved royal residence was damaged so badly by the fire and its 40ft flames that it wouldn't be fully restored until five years later, on the couple's 50th anniversary.

It would be a costly restoration that totalled around 36.5million - which, at today's prices, would be more than double that.

Originally it was thought the government would foot the bill with taxpayers' money - but this led to outrage from politicians and the public.

The catastrophic event devastated the Queen and was later discovered to have been started by a halogen lamp in Queen Victoria's private chapel.

Prince Andrew was staying at the castle when the fire broke out and called his shocked mother to break the news.

Windsor Castle on fire as firefighters tackle the blaze on November 20, 1992

Queen Elizabeth assessing the damage with a firefighter

A precious painting rescued from the blaze... a team of restorers were working on Windsor's artworks when one of them noticed a burning smell

When asked how the monarch reacted at the time, Buckingham Palace press officer Dickie Arbiter said: 'Probably the same reaction as yours if you saw your home burning down. Very upset.'

At around 11.15am, a team of picture restorers were working on artworks when one noticed a burning smell.

Adding to the misfortune, the paintings were not usually kept in the chapel and the Daily Mail reported at the time how 'they were being stored there during rewiring work'.

Soon, one of the restorers was 'said to have seen the tops of the curtains on fire'.

In an attempt to save the paintings, 'the alarm was raised quickly, and the restorers began frantically removing works of art'.

By 11.45am the chapel was consumed by the blaze and the Queen was notified of the ongoing devastation by Andrew. It has spread to St George's Hall located next door, Brunswick Tower and surrounding private apartments.

The devastating aftermath of the fire in St George's Hall, Windsor Castle

Fire engines and servicemen gathering at Windsor Castle to battle the blaze

The Queen being escorted by a firefighter around the grounds as others battle the fire

Firefighters worked tirelessly for 15 hours and more than 220 were called to the scene to gain control of the blaze.

The Mail told how 'long after nightfall 40ft flames were erupting like a volcano from the Brunswick Tower'.

Windsor Castle was constructed using large amounts of timber which, when combined with the 140ft curtains in St George's Hall, helped the fire to take hold and spread rapidly.

Reporting at the time described how 'the flames snaked along the decorative wooden ceiling, fanned by the draught in the lofty room, and roared into the Stat Chambers, King John's Tower, Prince of Wales Tower and Chester Tower'.

The Queen arrived by around 3pm, shortly followed by Prince Charles, to assess the damage and oversee items being removed from the castle.

She was so shocked by the scenes she put her hand over her mouth and Prince Andrew told reporters at the time, 'It's horrific, dreadful, terrible.'

He added: 'I was down there in the Mews doing research for the Staff College when I heard the alarm. I went straight up to see what I could do.'

Andrew helped to carry out items, 'I was in a human chain in there just now and I had hold of some really heavy pieces of furniture, passing it along'.

Prince Andrew, who was at the castle when the blaze started and helped with the removal of some of its contents, with a firefighter

People form a chain to help remove books and artwork from the castle as the fire continues

The fire had destroyed 115 rooms in the castle including nine official staterooms

The front page of the Daily Mail on November 21, the day after the fire broke out

The Mail's coverage of the fire, including quotes from Prince Andrew at the scene

The Mail's report days after the fire as the restoration began

'Priceless pieces' including mirrors and paintings salvaged from the fire were stashed safely on a lawn near the Quadrangle.

It was later revealed that 'a powerful halogen lamp ignited inflammable liquid' that was being used to restore pictures.

The flame then ignited nearby tapestries and drapes before taking hold of the wooden walls, the Mail told at the time.

According to the Palace's report on the fire, approximately 370 people helped to carry save items, including 125 castle employees and community members.

Thankfully, only two works of art were lost in the fire - a rosewood sideboard and a very large painting by Sir William Beechey that couldn't be taken down from the wall in time.

Though many of the contents had been saved, the fire had still destroyed 115 rooms in the castle including nine official staterooms. St. George's Hall, a gallery where banquets were held, had collapsed completely, along with the floors of Brunswick Tower.

The Queen inspecting the damage after the fire on November 21

Fire engines, ladders and hosepipes surround the castle as servicemen battle the blaze

Flames can be seen roaring from the windows of the castle

The Heritage Secretary at the time, Peter Brooke, originally proposed 'his department would meet the cost because the castle was state property rather than a personal possession of the Queen', the Mail told.

However, in the end the repair costs were met by charging the public for entry to Windsor Castle and by opening Buckingham Palace for admission.

Elizabeth also contributed 2million of her own money and she agreed to start paying income tax on her Duchy of Lancaster money as well as capital gains tax on her private investments.

Aside from watching one of her favourite residences burn down, 1992 had been a solemn year for the Queen for other reasons.

The Queen had witnessed three of her children - Prince Charles Princess Anne and Prince Andrew - all separate from their partners.

Firefighters working to extinguish flames at Windsor Castle

Prince Edward arriving to inspect the fire damage at Windsor Castle

The Mail's front page after it was revealed that a halogen lamp caused the fire

Four days after the fire, in a speech marking 40 years on the throne, she said: '1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an annus horribilis.'

The Queen continued: 'Indeed, I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty.

'This generosity and whole-hearted kindness of the Corporation of the City to Prince Philip and me would be welcome at any time, but at this particular moment, in the aftermath of Friday's tragic fire at Windsor, it is especially so.

'And, after this last weekend, we appreciate all the more what has been set before us today.'
When it comes to famous royal interviews, two stand out in particular.

The most recent of which was in 2019 when Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis grilled Prince Andrew about his friendship with the paedophile sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein - leading to his effective sacking from the Royal Family.

However, the original blockbuster interview was Princess Diana's sit-down with BBC Panorama's Martin Bashir which aired on this day in November 1995.

It was watched by 20million people and became notorious when Diana spilled the secrets of her and Charles's messy marriage, including the iconic line 'there were three of us in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded'.

But in 2021, an investigation into the interview found Bashir had used 'deceitful behaviour' by falsifying documents to convince Diana to take part in the interview.

The findings prompted Prince William to make an unprecedented statement saying it should never be aired again after it had created a 'false narrative for over a quarter of a century'.

Here, MailOnline looks back at the scandal-ridden royal interview.

Princess Diana's sit-down with BBC Panorama's Martin Bashir was aired on November 20, 1995

A 2021 investigation into the interview found Bashir had used 'deceitful behaviour' by falsifying documents to convince Diana to take part in the programme

It was watched by 20million people and became infamous when Diana spilled the secrets of her and Charles's messy marriage, including the iconic line 'there were three of us in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded'

William (pictured watching the Women's Singles final at Wimbledon with Diana) was left in floods of tears after he watched the interview as a 13-year-old at Eton

Following 2021 report, Prince William demanded a boycott of the 1995 interview and blasted Bashir's 'false claims' which fuelled his mother's 'paranoia and isolation' of her final years

In the early 1990s, the disintegration of Princess Diana and Prince Charles's marriage was splashed across every newspaper in Britain - dubbed 'The War of the Waleses'.

But things escalated in 1994 when Charles gave Jonathan Dimbleby an interview in which he acknowledged his relationship with Camilla.

'Is it true,' William had poignantly asked Diana after the revelatory broadcast, 'that Daddy never loved you?'

That interview has been seen as one justification for Diana's bizarre broadcast the following year when she was determined to get her side of the story out.

However, her decision to do the tell-all interview with Bashir, would only come about through deceit.

At the time it was hailed as the scoop of a generation, however Bashir had spun a web of deceit to trick Diana and her brother, Earl Spencer, with preposterous smears about senior royals to gain her trust.

He used forged bank statements and lied that MI6 had recorded Prince Charles planning the 'end game', and that Prince William's watch had been bugged, all designed to draw the vulnerable princess into his confidence.

The only other royal interview to become as notorious as Diana's 1995 sit-down with Bashir was in 2019, when Emily Maitlis grilled Prince Andrew about his friendship with the paedophile sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein

The Daily Mail's front page the day after Princess Diana's shocking Panorama interview in 1995

Diana's statement that 'there were three of us in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded' was covered extensively by the press (Pictured: Daily Mail coverage, November 21, 1995)

Princess Diana, the then Prince Charles and their children watch veterans as they march past on The Mall as part of the commemorations of VJ Day in August 1995

Bashir used forged bank statements (pictured) and lied that MI6 had recorded Prince Charles planning the 'end game', and that Prince William's watch had been bugged, all designed to draw the vulnerable princess into his confidence

Press coverage at the time discussed the BBC's failed 'investigation' into Bashir

However, despite allegations at the time, Bashir managed to dismiss claims he had lied to get the interview by alleging it was a smear campaign

The allegations that Bashir lied to get the interview were covered up by the BBC for 25 years

The truth of Bashir's dirty tricks only came out following an official investigation led by a retired judge Lord Dyson in 2021

However despite allegations at the time, Bashir managed to dismiss claims he had lied to get the interview by claiming it was a smear campaign to get him.

The allegations were covered up by the BBC for 25 years, with the truth only coming out following an official investigation led by a retired judge Lord Dyson in 2021.

But the interview would leave a lasting scar on the young Prince William.

The 13-year-old boy was ill-prepared for his mother to go on national television and say 'Yes, I adored him. Yes, I was in love with him' about her extramarital boyfriend.

The boyfriend in question was the dashing Captain James Hewitt, William and Harry's riding instructor.

Royal expert Tina Brown was told Diana chose to speak about Hewitt because he was the only one of her ex-lovers who wasn't married.

It was during this interview that the princess said 'there were three of us in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded' - a reference to Charles's affair with his now wife, Queen Camilla.

She spoke of her early expectations of life with Prince Charles and how she had 'desperately wanted it to work' in light of her own parents' divorce.

Diana also opened up about the health issues she'd silently faced, which included bulimia, post-partum depression and self-harm, leading to her being labelled by others as unstable and mentally unbalanced.

'It was a symptom of what was going on in my marriage,' Diana revealed on Panorama. 'I was crying out for help, but giving the wrong signals.'

Royal expert Tina Brown was told Diana chose to speak about Hewitt because he was the only one of her ex-lovers who wasn't married

The boyfriend in question was the dashing Captain James Hewitt (pictured at the Royal Berkshire Polo Club in 1991), William and Harry's riding instructor

Princess Diana, Prince Harry, Prince William and Prince Charles on William's first day at Eton in 1995, two months before the bombshell interview

As well as admitting to her own extramarital affairs, Diana also suggested that Charles might not be cut out for the throne.

'I would think that the top job, as I call it, would bring enormous limitations to him, and I don't know whether he could adapt to that,' she said of her ex-husband.

The 54-minute bombshell interview was the final nail in the Wales' marriage, and less than a month later, divorce papers were filed upon the Queen's advice.

Although the interview also had an extraordinary impact on William, the implication seemingly passed over the head of the younger Harry, who was then just 11 years old.

Diana's cascade of confessions and barbed insults added up to a maliciously crafted attack on both her husband and his family  her children's father and family.

Robert Lacy in his book Battle Of Brothers: William, Harry And The Inside Story Of A Family In Tumult, revealed how young William was impacted by the interview.

He wrote Diana did not initially consider how it would impact the boys, and according to Simone Simmons, the Princess's confidante and faith-healer, it took a phone call from William's Eton housemaster, Dr Andrew Gailey, to prompt Diana.

Gailey had read the advance publicity in the newspapers and phoned to tell her it was 'imperative' that she should come to explain things to William, face to face.

Bashir later claimed in an email there was 'irritation' that 'a second-generation immigrant of non-white working-class roots should have the temerity to enter a royal palace'

Bashir was disgraced after the investigation into the interview and resigned from the BBC in May 2021, citing health reasons

In another phone call from Gailey the next day, Simmons told Ingrid Seward the editor-in-chief of royal magazine Majesty, he effectively ordered Diana down the M4 motorway to talk to her son.

Diana had a brief encounter with William where she told him 'I didn't want it to catch you by surprise'.

Afterwards, she drove on to Ludgrove, Harry's prep school half an hour away, to deliver the same message to him.

William went down to his housemaster's study shortly before 8pm that Monday to sit alone and watch as Panorama's revolving globe and percussive theme music made way for the close-up of his mother's wide eyes as she fired off her broadside of embarrassing accusations.

Before the 58 minutes ended, William was weeping, according to Robert Lacey.

Gailey told Diana that he found her son slumped on the sofa, his eyes red with tears.

The Prince managed to pull himself together to rush back to his room  but when, an hour later, Diana telephoned on the house phone, he refused to take her call.

He felt a mixture of humiliation and fury that she had denigrated his father and had mentioned Hewitt.

The Daily Mail front page on November 3, 2020, covered Diana's brother's claim the BBC carried out a whitewash over the interview

The was eventually revealed that Martin Bashir carried out 32 smears to get the interview with Diana

Martin Bashir's long list of lies were eventually uncovered in the 2021 investigation

The original Daily Mail story that revealed Diana's interview with Bashir was obtained after he faked documents

The Prince and Princess of Wales at Buckingham Palace after their wedding at Westminster Abbey on July 29, 1981

'He hated the idea of everything being on television,' recalled Simmons, 'and he knew his friends would poke fun at him, which they did.

'He felt she made a fool of herself  and of him.'

William was in a fragile place and was still in his first weeks at Eton, which had a notorious bullying culture where prefects could pour a bucket of raw eggs and Worcestershire sauce over the heads of younger boys who made a mistake.

William later told a classmate that as soon as he saw his mother's face appear on screen for the interview, he was overcome with dread.

The scars on William's back from his parents' poisonous crossfire as a schoolboy seemed to have stayed with him.

It wasn't until 2021 when an official investigation led by a retired judge Lord Dyson, found that 'Bashir seriously breached BBC rules by mocking up fake bank statements to gain access to the princess,' via the BBC.

In 2022, Netflix ignored pleas from Prince William not to exploit the interview during the fifth series of The Crown in a two-episode bombshell (pictured)

In his inquiry, Lord Dyson found that Bashir deceived Earl Spencer (pictured) into introducing the journalist to his sister by showing him forged bank statements that falsely suggested individuals were being paid to keep the Princess under surveillance

Understandably aghast, Diana's brother Earl Spencer was said to believe his vulnerable sister had been trapped in a web of lies by Bashir who had established 'coercive control' over her.

In his inquiry, Lord Dyson found that Bashir deceived Earl Spencer into introducing the journalist to his sister by showing him forged bank statements that falsely suggested individuals were being paid to keep the Princess under surveillance.

Prince William's full statement following the Dyson Inquiry into the Bashir interview in 2021 'I'd like to thank Lord Dyson and his team for the report. It is welcomed that the BBC accepts Lord Dyson's findings in full, which are extremely concerning. That BBC employees lied and used fake documents to obtain the interview with my mother, made lurid and false claims about the royal family which played on her fears and fueled paranoia, displayed woeful incompetence when investigating complaints and concerns about the programme, and were evasive in their reporting to the media and covered up what they knew from their internal investigation. 'It is my view that the deceitful way the interview was obtained substantially influenced what my mother said. The interview is a major contribution to making my parents' relationship worse and has since hurt countless others. 'It brings indescribable sadness to know that the BBC's failures contributed significantly to her fear, paranoia and isolation that I remember from those final years with her. But what saddens me most is that if the BBC had properly investigated the complaints and concerns first raised in 1995, my mother would have known that she'd been deceived. 'She was failed not just by a rogue reporter but by leaders of the BBC, who looked the other way rather than asking the tough questions. 'It is my firm view that this Panorama programme holds no legitimacy and should never be aired again. It effectively established a false narrative which for over a quarter of a century has been commercialised by the BBC and others. 'This settled narrative now needs to be addressed by the BBC and anyone else who has written or intends to write about these events. In an era of fake news, public service broadcasting and a free press have never been more important. These failings, identified by investigative journalists not only let my mother down and my family down, they let the public down too.' Advertisement

Royal biographer Andrew Morton also said Bashir told Diana the security forces were planning to kill her. He said Bashir warned her: 'They're going to wipe you.'

It was also alleged that Diana was shown a 'faked abortion receipt', which suggested Charles had been romantically involved with one of the royal nannies.

The report slammed BBC bosses, including former director-general Tony Hall, for covering up information on how Bashir was able to secure the interview.

In his defence, Bashir claimed criticism of the interview was down to racism over his non-white status and 'professional jealousy'.

The inquiry plunged the Corporation into one of the worst crises in its history, with Diana's two sons William and Harry accusing it of ruining their mother's life with its 'deceitful' interview and helping to bring about the tragic chain of events that led to her death two years later.

William issued a grave address on camera where he could not quite hide the fury that still haunted him.

He railed: 'This Panorama programme holds no legitimacy and should never be aired again. It effectively established a false narrative which, for over a quarter of a century, has been commercialised by the BBC and others.'

'Our mother was an incredible woman who dedicated her life to service. She was resilient, brave, and unquestionably honest.

Prince Harry added. 'The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life.'

Since then the BBC has promised to never show the interview again or license it to be used by another broadcaster.

But it continues to cast a long shadow over the princes.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were criticised for using elements of the interview in their explosive Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, which aired in November 2022.

Midway through the first episode of the series, clips are shown of Princess Diana speaking to the journalist.

Sources close to the Prince of Wales at the time said he would have been 'furious' that his brother appeared to ignore his plea that the Panorama interview never be aired again.

Before the clip is shown, Harry, speaking about his mother's struggles with press intrusion, says: 'I think she had a lived experience of how she was struggling living that life. She felt compelled to talk about it.

'Especially in that Panorama interview. I think we all now know that she was deceived into giving the interview. But at the same time she spoke the truth of her experience.'

And in 2022 Netflix ignored pleas from Prince William not to exploit the interview during the fifth series of The Crown in a two-episode bombshell.

Both brothers received 'unconditional apology' letters from the BBC over Bashir's conduct and the 25-year cover-up.

Mr Bashir apologised for the forged documents, stating 'it was a stupid thing to do and was an action I deeply regret', but insisted that 'the bank statements had no bearing whatsoever on the personal choice by Princess Diana to take part in the interview'.

Royal expert Tina Brown wrote in her 2022 book The Palace Papers that Lord Dyson's report unmasking Bashir's trickery gave the two princes some rationale for why their mother did something so destructive to their happiness.

Gulu Lalvani (pictured in 1997), was the wealthy, British, Pakistani businessman Diana briefly dated in the last year of her life. He said that the Princess was pleased about the interview

But she argues she never really regretted doing the interview, although she was never aware of the dishonesty in Bashir's approach.

Gulu Lalvani, the wealthy, British, Pakistani businessman Diana briefly dated in the last year of her life, told Tina Brown that the Princess said in July 1997 she was pleased about the interview.

He said she didn't have a bad word to say about Martin Bashir and realised it served her purpose.

It allowed her to frame herself to the British public as a betrayed woman, before the increasingly inevitable divorce from Charles.

Opinion polls in the wake of the interview showed support for the princess at 92 per cent. 'She had the public in the palm of her hand', writes Brown.

Despite Diana's pragmatic reasons for doing the interview, her sons seem to have been unable to forgive the BBC for its behaviour over the Bashir saga.
Texas is offering up a huge ranch on the Texas border to president-elect Donald Trump for use in deporting millions of migrants, as the Republican is planning to do starting on day one on his presidency.

The 1,402 acre ranch could be used to build a detention center for migrants, process them or to coordinate the 'largest deportation of violent criminals in the nation's history,' Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said.

'I was brainstorming with my team, and we figured, the Trump Administration probably needs some deportation facilities because we've got a lot of these violent criminals that we need to round up and get the heck out of our country,' Dawn Buckingham, head of the Texas General Land Office, told Fox News.

'We're happy to make this offer and hope they take us up on it.'

Acquired by Texas in October from a private land owner, the site sits in Starr County, about 35 miles west of McAllen.

Lone Star State officials are about to start building another section of the state's version of the border wall on the land, which sits directly on the Rio Grande - the river that separates the US and Mexico and acts as the international boundary.

It's unclear whether Trump will take Buckingham up on her offer to turn the farm land to round up 'violent criminals,' when he becomes the nation's 47th president on Jan. 20.

'We're going to prioritize public safety threats and national security threat because they pose they biggest danger the United States,' incoming border czar Tom Homan said earlier this week.

PICTURED ABOVE: The 1,402 ranch offered to Trump by Texas officials to use for his mass deportations of migrants. The land is located west of McAllen

But it won't just be criminal aliens removed.

While criminal immigrants will be the first to be targeted, the Trump administration plans to deport a lot more than just those found guilty of breaking the law.

As DailyMail.com exclusively reported, Trump's team also plans to target legal migrants, including asylum seekers and those who entered the US with humanitarian parole under the Biden Administration.

'The one group that they are targeting immediately are the fake asylum seekers,' prominent San Antonio Republican Kyle Sinclair shared of his conversations with Homan.

'That was, by far, the one (group) he mentioned to me were the fake-asylum seekers.

'They're known. They have their addresses.'

Additionally, the incoming government is seeking ways to change who is considered an American, by ending birthright citizenship guaranteed under the US Constitution.

Several American cities, including Boston and Los Angeles, have publicly come out and declared they will resist efforts by Trump to round up undocumented immigrants who pay taxes, follow the law and have made a life for themselves in the US.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham made the offer on Tuesday

Tom Homan, 62, said he hopes Wu, 39, doesn't 'cross the line' when it comes to his and Trump's plans to deport millions of migrants once taking office in January. 'She's not very smart, Ill give her that,' Homan said

Boston has been a sanctuary city since 2014. Under the Trust Act, it is not required to cooperate with some federal immigration laws (pictured: Haitian migrants in Boston in May)

'We will continue to focus on that work and have no intention of rolling out the welcome mat for them,' Boston mayor Michelle Wu said of her sanctuary city.

'Reaching out to city services, whether it's calling 911 when you need it, or taking your child to school - those are all city services that have nothing to do with immigration enforcement,' she said of migrants.

'And we will continue to protect our residents within those spaces.'

Homan quickly took aim at Wu, warning her not to 'cross the line.'

'She's not very smart, I'll give her that,' Homan, a former police officer, told NewsMax.

'They can not cooperate, but there are certain laws in place that they can't cross and I hope she doesnt cross it,' he told Newsmax.
From the broad Scottish brogue to the unmistakable Geordie twang, the UK is home to a bewilderingly diverse array of different accents.

But while you might pride yourself on your knowledge of local dialects, scientists have found that some British accents are simply more elusive than others.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge tested people from around the UK to see how reliably they could separate an imposter accent from the real deal.

Belfast, Geordie, and Glaswegian accents proved the hardest to forge, with locals able to spot a fraud up to 80 per cent of the time from just two seconds of audio.

Meanwhile, locals from London, Essex, and Bristol were the easiest to dupe, with fake accents passing as real almost half the time.

The researchers say that accent-detecting skills could be a defence mechanism which evolved to help sniff out outsiders.

This could explain why places like Belfast and Dublin which have frequently clashed with neighbours are home to some of the UK's best accent cheat detectors.

So, do you think you could do any better? Take the test for yourself to find out.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have found that Belfast, Geordie, and Glaswegian accents are the hardest to fake. Bristolian, Essex, and London accents on the other hand were the easiest

The researchers recruited 50 participants from the North East of England, Belfast, Dublin, Bristol, Glasgow, Essex and London to prepare audio samples for the trial.

Each participant was asked to read a series of random sentences, both in their natural voice and with their best impression of each of the other accents.

The clips you hear in the video are actual examples from the study, which were sent to 12,000 participants around the UK.

Just as you can now, each participant was asked to listen to a selection of clips and make a judgement as to whether they thought the accent was real or not.

Unsurprisingly, people tended to perform significantly better when they spoke the accent being mimicked and much worse when it wasn't their own natural accent.

However, the researchers were surprised to find that there were big differences in how easily each accent could be faked.

The UK's best accent cheat-detectors can be found in Glasgow where participants spotted fake Scottish accents with an accuracy ranging between 66 to 85 per cent.

In a close second place came the North East of England where Geordies like Ant and Dec detected imposters between 56 and 84 per cent of the time.

Participants were asked to listen to recordings of people speaking in their natural accents or doing impersonations of other UK accents. People were significantly better at guessing which was which when they naturally spoke in the accent being impersonated

Overall the researchers found Irish, Scottish, and the North East of England to have the hardest accents to fake. The researchers argue this is because

Accent test answers - Did you guess it right? Male Voice - FAKE This is actually a Londoner impersonating a Bristolian accent. Female Voice - REAL This is someone speaking in their natural Belfast accent. Advertisement

Meanwhile, Belfast locals like Jamie Dornan were able to spot the difference between a real or a fake Irish accent between 68 and 83 per cent of the time.

Likewise, while Dublin natives such as Barry Keoghan were quite bad at spotting impersonators in general, they managed to achieve an accuracy rate of up to 80 per cent for fake Irish accents.

On the other hand, people from London, Essex and Bristol were significantly worse at detecting imposters.

In all three locations, some people were only right just over 50 per cent of the time - meaning they were hardly more successful than guessing at random.

The worst performers of all were in London where even the best accent detectors could only spot fake 'received pronunciation', or standard British English, 67 per cent of the time.

Interestingly, these areas also showed smaller differences in success rates between clips when the speaker was imitating their own accent or another.

Lead author Dr Jonathan Goodman believes that these differences stem from differences in feelings about cultural identity.

Dr Goodman told MailOnline: 'An accent is a representation of someone's social identity and that's something that is really ingrained in us.

Glaswegian proved to be the hardest accent to fake as locals like Peter Capaldi (pictured) were able to spot an imposter up to 85 per cent of the time

People from Belfast like Jamie Dornan were able to tell when someone was trying to impersonate their accent with an accuracy between 68 and 83 per cent

The hardest UK accents to fake Accent Glaswegian Geordie Belfast Dublin Bristol Essex London Detection rate 66.23%  84.78% 65.65%  84.47% 67.85%  82.63% 62.22%  79.89% 50.12%  74.96% 50.06%  69.81% 50.76%  67.19% Advertisement

'From the first few seconds of interacting with a person, we're making all kinds of judgements about them based entirely on the phonemes [sounds in a language] that they are using.'

Since accents are such an integral part of how we view ourselves and those around us, in places where there is more emphasis on local identity, people start to pay more attention to how other people sound.

For example, studies have shown that people's accents actually become stronger when they want to demarcate themselves for cultural reasons.

Even something as simple as the intrusion of tourists in the summer can trigger the local accent to become thicker as the community makes it clear who is an outsider.

Dr Goodman suggests that places like Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow and the North East have such good accent detectors because they have historically been in conflict with the South of England and London.

For someone growing up in Dublin during times of cultural tension, this means they will not only display their own accent more strongly but also be on the lookout for anyone who might be an imposter.

'The thinking is that when you have greater cultural boundaries between two groups you are likely to get greater differentiation of accents between them, to delineate who has what background,' Dr Goodman says.

'Insofar as there is conflict, our prediction is that people would be more attuned to those kinds of signals of social identity.'

The areas with the best accent cheat detectors often had the biggest difference in success rate between when they spoke the accent being used (blue) and when they didn't (red). The researchers argue this is because of a stronger sense of cultural identity

In the multicultural environment of London, natives of the capital like Naomi Campbell are much worse at detecting accents because there is less emphasis on spotting outsiders

On the flip side, this theory would also explain why people from metropolitan London are so bad at spotting a fake accent.

'You're around people with a greater amount of diversity on a day-to-day basis so there might be less emphasis on detecting outsiders,' Dr Goodman says.

However, Dr Goodman believes that differences in accents are only the tip of a very large cultural iceberg.

In reality, whether or not we are vigilantly listening for fake accents comes down to how ready we are to trust someone.

Dr Goodman concludes: 'How humans learn to trust another person who may be an interloper has been incredibly important over our evolutionary history and it remains critical today.

'This is really about is our social evolution that led us to be very discerning about the signals we're receiving from other people.'
An urgent warning has been issued to AT&T customers after porch pirates were found using cellular data to track and steal package deliveries, particularly iPhones.

Reports have suggested that a rouge employee from within AT&T or FedEx may be collecting tracking numbers and selling them to thieves, similar to how people's information is sold on the dark web.

Other possibilities included remote data theft, but companies would have issued an official announcement about a possible hack.

An AT&T spokesperson told DailyMail.com that it has 'no evidence of any breach of our systems, and this was not a hack.'

Law enforcement agencies are also investigating the uptick in thefts that are occurring within minutes or seconds of delivery across the US.

The thefts have occurred in at least nine states including New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida.

Doorbell footage has captured FedEx delivery drivers dropping off a package containing an AT&T iPhone moments before a person walks up and steals it from the porch.

AT&T customers have been advised to arrange packaging pick-ups or require signatures for all deliveries.

An urgent warning has been issued to AT&T customers after porch pirates are using cellular data to track and steal package deliveries

'From time to time, we must contend with sophisticated criminals trying to steal high-value items, and we understand how frustrating and stressful that can be for our customers,' an AT&T spokesman told the Wall Street Journal.

'When these unfortunate events occur, we work as quickly as possible with the customer to make it right.'

While CNET shared speculations about how porch pirates are tracking down packages, AT&T and law enforcement have not shared exact details.

Detective Lt. Matt Arsenault from the Gardner Police Department in Massachusetts, who is investigating several incidents in the state, told WSJ that 'they know what's getting delivered and the location.

'They meet the delivery driver at the front door and take it.'

The porch pirates are also taking advantage of the fact that AT&T is one of the few phone companies that doesn't require signatures upon delivery, providing thieves with a window to steal the iPhone.

However, an AT&T spokesperson told DailyMail.com that the company does require signatures in areas with a higher number of reported thefts.

'We regularly make changes to our processes, whether it is type of delivery or even type of packaging, to reduce instances of these thefts,' they said.

The spokesperson said the thefts are not unique to AT&T, noting that 'parcel theft is a concern across many businesses.'

Thieves are particular searching out tracking numbers for new iPhones being delivered to people's homes

Reports of porch pirates stealing AT&T iPhone packages have recently skyrocketed as they become increasingly desperate to get hold of the device.

Earlier this month, a woman in Columbus, Ohio captured a video of a thief assaulting a FedEx delivery person on her ring doorbell that showed the driver being attacked as he tried to place the package on the front porch.

In August, a Georgia resident also reported that all five AT&T iPhones she ordered were stolen within minutes of delivery.

Despite the wave of thefts, the AT&T spokesperson said the company takes steps to 'work with law enforcement agencies and parcel carriers to protect our deliveries from these sophisticated criminals.'

FedEx advises its customers to take steps to prevent criminals from stealing your packages such as tracking your package using the map view so you can see where it is on the delivery route.

A FedEx spokesperson told WSJ that it sends regular alerts to its drivers to '[remain] vigilant when delivering a package and immediately reporting any unusual activity.'

The customer can also arrange for in-store pickup to ensure the device isn't stolen, although the AT&T spokesperson noted that the company ships tens of thousands of packages every day without any reported issues.

'Parcel theft is not a problem that is unique to us,' the spokesperson said.

'Like other types of crime, the occurrence of this is often cyclical and based on the steps that shippers, customers and the parcel carriers take to combat it.'
Some modern technologies may seem miraculous, but never has that been quite so literal.

Thanks to technological advances, worshipers at a church in Switzerland can now speak directly to Jesus - or at least an AI version of him.

As part of an art project called 'Deus in Machina' (God in a Machine) St Peter's Church in Lucerne has installed an AI-powered Jesus hologram to take confessions.

Worshipers simply voice their concerns and questions to get a response from the digitally-rendered face of Jesus Christ.

At least two-thirds of people who spoke to AI Jesus came out of the confessional reporting having had a 'spiritual' experience.

One impressed worshiper told news outlet DW: 'I was surprised, it was so easy, and though it's a machine, it gave me so much advice.'

While the installation is only temporary, St Peter's Chapel says that similar chatbots could one day take on some of the responsibilities of church pastors.

However, not everyone is quite so impressed with some visitors calling the avatar's advice 'generic' and branding it as 'a gimmick'.

Visitors to St Peter's Chapel in Lucerne, Switzerland can now talk to an AI Jesus avatar built to take confessions for the church

The AI was built by computer scientists and theologians from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and was trained on the New Testament and religious information found online. Pictured: AI-generated image created for the project by

Visitors to this futuristic shrine sit in a confessional booth from which a screen showing the face of Jesus can be seen through the grate.

As the visitor asks their questions an AI interprets their words and formulates answers, animating the face so it moves in time with computer-generated speech.

AI Jesus is even equipped with the ability to speak 100 different languages to cater to Lucerne's many visiting tourists.

Upon entering, the worshiper is greeted by AI Jesus intoning the message: 'Do not disclose personal information under any circumstances, use this service at your own risk, press the button if you accept.'

From this point on, it is up to the individual to interact with the AI in any way they like by pressing the button and speaking aloud.

Many who came to see the AI avatar reported coming with questions about scripture or seeking spiritual advice.

One visitor says: 'I asked about the spiral of violence, how to break one. The answer: through prayer and not seeking retribution.'

Another added: 'He was able to reaffirm me in my ways of going about things and he was able to help me with questions I had like how I can help other people to understand him better and come closer to him.'

Visitors to AI Jesus simply press a button (pictured) and speak aloud to ask questions to the chatbot. The AI then interpets their question and provides a response

The AI Jesus is actually just a screen on the other side of a confessional booth (left) hooked up to a generative AI model which animates the image of Jesus' face sync with a computer-generated voice which can be seen through the confessional grate (right)

How does the AI Jesus work? The AI Jesus is just a chatbot like those created by the users of services such as Character.ai. The AI has been trained on the New Testament and religious content online. This allows it to generate answers in response to users's questions. It's creators have tested it to ensure it has the same theological position at St Peter's Chapel on key issues. The bot originally used a version of OpenAI's ChatGPT-4o but this was changed for the public version due to 'open data protection issues'. Advertisement

The bot was created by computer scientists and theologians from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and was trained on the New Testament and religious information found online.

This gives it a strong grasp of scripture and enough knowledge of religious debates to answer any questions thrown its way.

There were some concerns that the preponderance of American content in the training data could give AI Jesus a distinctly evangelical stance, but the machine's creators say this has not been the case.

Marco Schmid, a theologist at St Peter's Chapel, said in a statement (translated via Google): 'AI fascinates us. But it also has its limits and raises ethical questions.

'In all previous tests, his answers have matched our theological understanding of St. Peter's Chapel.'

In a blog post from Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, AI Jesus showed that it was more than capable of navigating the thorniest of theological issues.

The interviewer asked: 'How do I support, from a Christian perspective, an elderly, sick person who has decided on assisted suicide?'

To which the AI responded: 'Perhaps you could ask your loved one the following questions: What does your faith mean to you in this difficult time? Is there anything else in life that could bring you peace or joy? How can I support you and give you comfort?

St Peter's Chapel (pictured) says that the experiment is designed to start a conversation about the role of AI in religion

'Your task is not to judge, but to accompany with love.'

While that answer may not be satisfying for everyone, Mr Schmid says the idea behind the project is more about starting a conversation about the role of AI in religion.

Mr Schmid says: 'What we're doing here is an experiment, we wanted to launch the discussion by letting people have a very concrete experience with AI, that way we have a foundation for talking about it and discussing it with one another.'

However, he also adds that similar AI-powered chatbots could play a big role in the church of the future.

AI could be used as a form of on-call pastoral support, similar to the dozens of 'AI therapists' now available online.

Mr Schmid says: 'Accessibility is easy 24 hours a day so it has abilities that pastors don't.'

But not everyone is quite so enthusiastic about the prospect of AI becoming more involved in religious life.

One visitor to AI Jesus said: 'I see it as a gimmick for sure.'

Many visitors said they enjoyed the experience but some were unimpressed, calling the AI's advice 'generic'. Pictured: An AI-generated poster from St Peter's Chapel

The church even reported receiving one review which ominously warned that 'this will not be without consequences'.

Likewise, Professor Peter Kirchschlager, a theologian and ethicist from the University of Lucerne, says: 'We should be careful when it comes to faith, pastoral care, when finding meaning in religion.

'That's an area where we humans are actually vastly superior to machines so we should do these things themselves.'

The Deus in Machina project was accessible to the public between August 23 and October 20 but events will take place until the end of November.
Civilsation could return to the irradiated forests of Chernobyl, after scientists studying mutant black frogs in the exclusion zone made a shocking discovery.

In 1986, a meltdown at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant caused the the largest release of radioactive material into the environment in human history.

Eastern tree frogs living near the site in northern Ukraine were later revealed by a 2022 study to have black instead of green skin.

Now scientists studying the frogs have found that they live just as long as their green counterparts, and they don't age faster.

That could mean the exclusion zone  1,0000 sq miles around ground zero where access is restricted  is again fit for human habitation.

German Orizaola of the University of Oviedo in Spain, co-author of the new study, said: 'There does not seem to be any difference in age between dark and normal-coloured frogs.

'We did not find any difference in age  or ageing rate  between frogs collected across the full gradient of radioactive contamination, including localities outside the exclusion zone.

'The message of our study is that current radiation levels experienced by tree frogs in Chernobyl do not affect their age or ageing processes.

Civilsation could return to the irradiated forests of Chernobyl, after scientists studying mutant black frogs in the exclusion zone made a shocking discovery

In 1986, a meltdown at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant caused the the largest release of radioactive material into the environment in human history

'The age structure and average age that we detected in Chernobyl is similar to that from other populations of the species in eastern Europe or the Middle East.

'It's also similar to populations of a sister species  European tree frogs, or Hyla arborea.'

Melanin, the pigment that makes the frogs' skin darker, protects against radiation.

But Dr Orizaola said this mutation was linked to elevated radiation levels soon after the accident, not to radiation levels now.

The frogs' ability to live normally within the exclusion zone could therefore show that it is safe for human habitation once more.

He said: 'We do not think that radiation is hurting these frogs now.

'One of the main reasons should be the decay in radiation levels during the last 38 years.

'More than 90% of the radioactive material released by the accident has already decayed and disappeared from the zone.

Eastern tree frogs living near the site in northern Ukraine were revealed by a 2022 study to have black instead of green skin

The findings could mean the exclusion zone  1,0000 sq miles around ground zero where access is restricted  is again fit for human habitation

Wildlife thrive in the Exclusion Zone While radiation levels in the exclusion zone are still considered too high for humans to return, wildlife has moved back into the 1,600 square mile zone. Studies of the animals and plants in the area around Chernobyl provide clues as to what the world would be like should humans suddenly disappear. Scientists are monitoring the health of plants and animals in the exclusion area to see how they react to chronic radiation exposure. Cameras have captured an array of wildlife, including wolves, lynx, mouse, boars, deer, horses. Advertisement

'And the most damaging radioisotopes, 131-I for example, disappeared months after the accident.'

He continued: 'Big areas of the exclusion zone now maintain radiation levels that are comparable to background or 'natural' radiation levels in many places in the world, even lower than some areas.

'Thus, reoccupation of most of the zone by humans should be possible at anytime.

'Having wildlife living there unaffected by constant exposure to current levels of radiation in many ways proves that these levels can be considered safe for humans.'

The exclusion zone was implemented soon after the accident by the Soviet authorities who ruled Ukraine at the time.

Most residents were evacuated and today only a few remain  mainly those who refused to leave or who secretly returned.

In the absence of human activity, biodiversity within the zone flourished.

For this reason, however, Dr Orizaola believes the zone should not be resettled  even if it is safe to do so.

In the absence of human activity, biodiversity within Chernobyl's exclusion zone flourished

He said: 'The value of the area as a natural laboratory for understanding the long-term effects of radiation, and as a key area for nature conservation, exceeds that of the area for human settlement.

'The ideal situation, in my view, is to maintain the area protected from human activities  extractive ones in particular  and devote it to maintaining the memory of the accident.

'It should be kept as a unique nature reserve.'

As part of their work, Dr Orizaola and his co-author, Pablo Burraco, captured more than 200 frogs from over a dozen different locations between 2016 and 2018.

They identified their specimens' ages by examining the growth lines on their bones, and assessed their ageing rate by measuring their telomeres.

Telomeres are DNA sequences located at the end of chromosomes, which protect genetic material but shorten with each cell division.

Drs Burraco and Orizaola, and their colleagues from France and America, published their study in the journal Biology Letters.
When it comes to famous affairs, Bill Clinton's tryst with Monica Lewinsky might spring to mind.

The former US president hit the headlines in 1995 after his sexual relationship with the then 22-year-old White House intern, Monica Lewinsky, came to light.

Now, research suggests that Clinton's powerful position as US president may have influenced his affair.

A new study shows that the chances of infidelity are 'significantly higher' among more powerful people.

This not only includes politicians like Bill Clinton, but also CEOs like Bill Gates, and celebrities like Kris Jenner.

People who feel more powerful are less dependent on others, think more highly of themselves, and are more confident that others find them desirable, according to researchers from Reichman University.

'In a romantic relationship, these power dynamics might lead the more powerful partner to think they bring more to the table than their less powerful partner,' said Professor Gurit Birnbaum, lead author of the study.

'The more powerful might see this as a sign that they have more options outside the relationship and are more desirable partners in general.'

Perceptions of power significantly predict a person's interest in other mates. Pictured: Former US President, Bill Clinton, who famously had an affair with Monica Lewinsky

A new study shows that the chances of infidelity are 'significantly higher' among more powerful people. Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates, had an affair with a Russian bridge player

Previous studies have shown that power can make people feel more confident and entitled, and increase the likelihood that they'll act impulsively.

However, until now, there has been little research on how power impacts the chances of infidelity.

In their new study, the researchers carried out four experiments involving participants who were in monogamous, heterosexual relationships of at least four months.

In the first and second experiments, participants were asked to describe either a time they felt powerful in relation to their current partner, or a typical day in their relationship.

Afterward, they either wrote a sexual fantasy about someone other than their partner, or looked at photos of strangers and decided which ones, if any, they would consider having an affair with.

In the third experiment, participants described the power dynamics in their romatic relationship.

They then completed a task with an attractive person (a study insider), before rating their sexual desire towards them.

Finally, in the fourth experiment, each day for three weeks, both partners in a relationship reported on their perceived relationship power, their perceived value as a partner, and any sexual activities  including sexual fantasies, flirting, or having sex  with someone other than their partner.

Kris Jenner is widely considered one of the most powerful people in the showbusiness world. Now, research suggests that this power could explain why Jenner famously cheated on Robert Kardashian Senior in the late 80s

The results revealed that, across all four experiments, perceptions of power significantly predicted a person's interest in other mates.

This included sexual fantasies, desires, and real-life interactions.

'Those with a higher sense of power may feel motivated to disregard their commitment to the relationship and act on desires for short-term flings or potentially other, more novel partners if the opportunity arises,' said Professor Harry Reis, professor of psychology at the University Rochester, and co-author of the stdy.

The study also found that participants who said they felt more powerful in their relationship tended to rate themselves more highly than their partner.

According to the researchers, this could become 'destructive'.

'When people feel powerful and believe they have more relationship options than their current partner, they might be more inclined to pay attention to other potentially promising alternatives,' Professor Reis added.

'The belief in having other options, like other possible partners, can weaken their commitment to their current relationship.'
A bomb cyclone wreaked havoc as it tore through the Washington on Tuesday, hospitalizing one person and leaving hundreds of thousands of residents without power.

The cyclone, which is being called a 'once in a decade' event, is currently located 300 miles off the Washington coast, but reached the state around 7pm PT.

Wind gusts reached over 70 miles per hour overnight, downing trees and power lines across Seattle which blocked multiple main highways and crashed into homes and vehicles.

'Trees are coming down all over the city & falling onto homes,' Bellevue Fire officials warned Washington residents.

'If you can, go to the lowest floor and stay away from windows. Do not go outside if you can avoid it.'

The Seattle Fire Department responded to reports that a tree crashed through a car's windshield late Tuesday night, trapping the driver inside the vehicle.

The first responders were able to extricate the patient who was rushed to a nearby hospital and remains in stable condition.

In the wake of the cyclone, the downed power lines caused more than 700,000 residents to lose power, but roughly 130,000 customers' electricity was restored as of as of Wednesday at 8:40am PT, according to poweroutage.us.

Washington residents experienced major power outages after a bomb cyclone downed trees and power lines (pictured) throughout the western part of the state on Tuesday

AccuWeather meteorologists predicted that the area will still see severe wind gusts and rainfall reaching up to 20 inches through the end of the week

'There are so many trees and power lines down, we would be posting the locations till the lights turn on,' the Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue posted on X.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration (NOAA) reported that the outages affected its radio transmissions at its Seattle office at about 10:30pm PT and the agency said it didn't 'have an estimation as to when they will be back on the air.'

It remains unclear when power will be fully restored to Washington residents.

Western Oregon also felt the impact of the bomb cyclone, with wind gusts reaching 30 to 50 miles per hour, while parts of northern California experienced gusts reaching up to 80 miles per hour.

The bomb cyclone was fueled by a low pressure center caused by an atmospheric river that propelled its development within mere hours.

An atmospheric river is a long stream of moisture in the atmosphere that carries large amounts of water vapor and can produce extreme amounts of snowfall or rain when it moves over land.

AccuWeather meteorologists predicted that the Washington area will still see severe rainfall that can reach up to 20 inches through Friday.

Dangerous wind gusts are expected to continue into Wednesday evening and will bring heavy rainfall to parts of the state and northern California throughout the week.

A buoy off the coast of Vancouver Island recorded wind gusts exceeding 100 miles per hour on Tuesday night, while the Oregon National Weather Service (NWS) also reported that this storm was the most intense ever recorded in that region of the Pacific Ocean.

The storm's central air pressure reached 943 millibars on Tuesday, putting it on par with that of a Category 4 hurricane.

However, it earned the qualification of a bomb cyclone because it strengthened to about 24 millibars in under 24 hours.

The bomb cyclone is expected to continue to bring severe rainfall and heavy wind gusts to Washington, California and Oregon through the end of the week

More than 700,000 people were left without power when the bomb cyclone hit

Trees crashed through homes (pictured) and left one woman dead after it landed on a homeless encampment

The bomb cyclone accelerated to wind speeds topping 100 miles per hour in the Pacific Ocean, propelled by an atmospheric river that helped it form within 24 hours

Meteorologists reported that the storm will result in flooding as it brings one to five inches of rain to western Oregon and Washington within the next four days.

Dangerous rock slides and debris flows are also expected to hit the area through the week, according to the NWS Weather Prediction Center.

A winter storm watch has also been issued for the northern Sierra Nevada which could see up to 15 inches of snow and wind gusts topping 75 miles per hour in mountainous areas.

People took to social media to document the effects of the bomb cyclone, with one X user posting: 'Holy sh** it's bad outside.

'Went out to check on things while the rain stopped. Now the winds shifted and got stronger.'

Another wrote: 'Well... a giant tree just ripped it's roots out and came down in my yard. Very very lucky with where it fell. A different direction or a few feet over and it would have been very very bad.'
A Pentagon office told Congress Tuesday that the department has cracked the case of the famous UFO spotted by a Navy jet over the Atlantic in 2015.

The unknown object was captured in the grainy, black and white 'Go Fast' video taken by a fighter pilot's head-up display, with him saying: 'Ohhh, go it!'

Dr Jon Kosloski, director of the Defense Department's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), testified under oath in a hearing held by the Armed Service Committee, saying the infrared UFO video showed nothing more than 'a trick of the eye.'

He attributed the UFO's apparent high-speed skimming over the ocean to an optical illusion, called 'parallax,' but the office did not identify the object otherwise.

Kosloski only discussed the UFO's apparent speed, citing unspecified information contradicting public meteorological data.

'The Go Fast,' Dr Kosloski testified under oath, 'looks like an object flying very fast over the water, very close to the water.'

However, climate scientists, meteorological data, veteran Navy witnesses and even a computer simulation continue to cast doubt on the validity of the government's 'parallax' theory.

'I don't think everything is being taken into account,' former US Navy lieutenant and F/A-18F fighter pilot Ryan Graves said of AARO's new explanation.

'If the AARO office actually spoke with the pilots that were involved in that incident, they would know the objects were part of a larger formation of objects, and thus very anomalous to be operating 300 miles off the coast and within 50 miles of a US aircraft carrier.'

Public interest in UFOs heightened in 2017 with the leak of three Navy pilot infrared videos that captured 'unidentified anomalous phenomena' (UAP). Above, a still from one of these videos, 'Go Fast,' which the Pentagon tried to explain this week as a prosaic object blowing in the wind

Dr Jon Kosloski (above) - the new director of the Defense Department's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) - told lawmakers that the US Navy's famous 'Go Fast' infrared UFO video shows nothing more than 'a trick of the eye called 'parallax''

The 'Go Fast' footage was made public two years after pilots captured it from the USS Theodore Roosevelt off the east coast of Florida.

Lt Graves told NBC News after the AARO hearing that the 'Go Fast' UFO was just one of multiple swarms of UFOs cited by aircrew with the USS Roosevelt as a flight safety risk, including the equally famous 'Gimbal' UFO video.

But Kosloski assured the court that there was a reasonable explanation for what the pilots saw that day.

The Pentagon official said a geospatial intelligence analysis, using trigonometry, what 'very carefully done.

'We assess with high confidence that the object is not actually close to the water, but is rather closer to 13,000 feet,' he continued.

The speed of the F/A-18 Navy fighter jet that recorded the 'Go Fast' video, Kosloski argued, created the illusion that the object was traveling at an inexplicably high speed.

Dr Kosloski - a former scientist with the National Security Agency (NSA) - is the second person to serve as director of the Pentagon's UFO hunting All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Above, the new AARO boss shows the Senate a slide of 'trigonometry' analysis

Above, the key slide on the 'Go Fast' UFO from AARO's presentation before the US Senate

Data from the ERA5 reanalyzed climate dataset, for both January 21st (left) and January 24th (right), show that only the later date had wind speeds approaching 120 knots near the region or cruising elevation of 25,000 feet reported by the Navy pilots

'As the platform is flying and capturing the object, if it is closer to the platform at a higher altitude,' Dr Kosloski told the Senate, 'a trick of the eye called 'parallax' makes it look like the object is moving much faster.'

'Analysis of contemporaneous weather patterns in the area at the time of the event,' according to one of the AARO director's slides, which were presented under oath, 'indicate winds were approximately 60 knots at 13,000 feet.'

Crucially, however, Navy pilot witnesses heard in the GIMBAL video, filmed in the same area roughly 15 minutes after the 'Go Fast' video, stated that the wind at their altitude of about 25,000 feet was then blowing '120 knots to the west.'

One computer simulation, created by noted UFO skeptic Mick West, found that the 'Go Fast' object would have been going significantly faster than 40 mph when taking this wind speed into account.

The skeptic's most conservative run of the simulation would have the UFO traveling at 100 knots or 115 mph.

Public wind speed data from the time and place of the 'Go Fast' sighting confirms this analysis collated from multiple systems by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.

The data is publicly available through the organization's ERA5 reanalyzed climate dataset, which is used by researchers to obtain reliable, global, hour-by-hour weather information.

The ERA5 maps are marked with a red dot off the lower Eastern seaboard near Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida - in an effort to approximate where the Navy fighter pilots reported witnessing the GIMBAL and GOFAST UAP in January 2015

ERA5 data proximate to the date, region and elevations of the 'Go fast' UFO episode were obtained by the DailyMail.com in September of 2023 by a PhD climate researcher who wished to remain anonymous.

When this ERA5 data pointing toward a 100-knot 'Go Fast' UFO was shown to Josh Semeter of NASA's UAP advisory panel, the Boston University professor told the DailyMail.com via email: 'Yes, a 100-knot object ground speed is within the range of plausible solutions.'

'But based on uncertainties in wind vectors and trajectory model,' Semeter added, 'a speed below 40 knots cannot be ruled out.'

Regardless of the object's speed, Lt Graves noted that the object was not only still a UFO but that its presence with 'a whole fleet' of other UFOs in restricted US airspace remains not only a mystery but a serious flight safety concern.

'I would argue that [...] specifically the 'Go Fast' video itself was never really interesting because it was 'going fast,'' Lt Graves said.

'The pilot certainly didn't say that, nor did they name the video,' the veteran Navy fighter pilot added. 'If anything, the Pentagon simply debunked their own naming for that video.'
A rare fifth-century amulet depicting a Biblical demon slayer may corroborate missing scripture that claimed King Solomon had power over evil.

The 1,600-year-old bronze pendant, found in Turkey, featured imagery of Solomon defeating the devil with the ancient Greek inscription, 'Our Lord defeated the devil.'

Solomon, the son of King David, was the focus of a chapter written between the 1st and 5th centuries AD, but it was not accepted into the canonical Bible due to its emphasis on magic and demonology.

Titled 'Testament of Solomon,' the book begins with the Archangel Michael gifting Solomon a magical ring to summon, interrogate and control demons.

Now, archaeologists working at the ancient city of Hadrianopolis have uncovered the amulet among the ruins of a military structure that suggested a soldier wore it knowing Solomon could cast away the powers of evil.

There were also names of four holy angels, Azrail, Gabriel, Michael and Israfil, on the back of the amulet, which supported the notion the amulet was used as a symbol of protection.

The 1,600-year-old amulet features King Solomon on horseback with a spear in his hands as he defeats the devil

Solomon is featured in three books of the Bible, with 1 Kings 3:12 saying that God gifted him with 'a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.'

The Bible also described how he generated extreme wealth while king., accumulating at least 25 tons of gold annually.

In 2 Chronicles 1:11, the scripture describes: 'But since you have asked for wisdom and knowledge to lead my people, over whom I have made you king, I will give you wisdom and knowledge.

'I will also give you more wealth, riches, and honor than any king who has lived before you or any who will live after you.'

But the Testament of Solomon tells a different side of the wealthy king, one who battled demons - and the amulet suggested that ancient people believed the stories to be true.

Associate Professor Dr. Ersin Celikbas, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Letters, Karabuk University, said: 'No similar examples have been found in this geography before.

'This pendant, used as an amulet, draws attention with the inscriptions on both sides and the depiction on it.

'The amulet depicts Prophet Solomon on a horse, holding a spear, defeating the devil.

Archaeologists working at the ancient city of Hadrianopolis have uncovered the amulet among the ruins of a military structure that suggested a soldier wore it knowing Solomon could cast away the powers of evil

Solomon, the son of King David, was the focus of a chapter written between the 1st and 5th centuries AD, but it was not accepted into the canonical Bible due to its emphasis on magic and demonology

The find was made during excavations of a fortified structure in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis in Paphlagonia, near modern-day Eskipazar, in Karabuk Province

'Prophet Solomon is an important figure in all three holy religions. While he is mentioned as a ruler in the Torah and the Holy Bible, he is also accepted as a prophet in Islam.'

King Solomon is known as Hz. Suleyman in Islam, who was also known as the commander of armies.

'We understand that he was also thought of as a protective figure for the cavalrymen of the Roman and Byzantine periods in Hadrianopolis,' Dr Celikbas said.

The angels mentioned on the back of the pendent are also part of different religions.

Azrail is the angel of death in Islam and is responsible for transporting the souls of the deceased to the afterlife.

And Israfil, also known in the religion, was an archangel who would blow a trumpet to signal the Day of Resurrection.

Gabriel and Michael are known in the Christian faith, with the former being a messenger for God and the latter known as a spiritual warrior in the battle of good versus evil.

The pendant was likely worn by a solider as a symbol of protection

An iron face mask (pictured) that would have been worn by an accomplished member of the Roman cavalry some 1,800 years ago has been unearthed in northern central Turkey. The team found this relic in 2021

However, Dr Celikbas explained that he and his team believed the pendant was a Christian artifact.

The ancient city of Hadrianopolis was first known as Uskudama by the tribal people called Thracians who inhabited the region from the 1st century BC to the 8th century AD.

However, the city was later rebuilt by the Roman emperor Hadrian around 124 AD and today is called Edirne.

Dr Celikbas and his team have been working at the site since 2003, finding ancient Roman relics and structures, including two baths, two churches, a theatre, rock tombs, a monumental niche, a villa and a square, fortified building.

In 2021, they discovered an iron face mask in the building that would have been worn by an accomplished member of the Roman cavalry some 1,800 years ago.

'Rome planned to make its defense at the far end [of its empire] by building bases against all kinds of dangers that may come from the Black Sea Region to its territory,' Dr Celikbas explained.

'We think that Hadrianopolis is one of these defensive military cities.

'The [mask] belongs to the imperial period. It is very likely  when we look at similar examples and [the stratigraphic location of the find]  from the 3rd century AD.'
Christmas markets originated in Germany and Austria, but these days theyre all over the continent

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Move over Munich, Cologne and Salzburg, the best-value Christmas market breaks are to be found in the Baltic states and as you move deeper into Central and Eastern Europe.

Christmas markets may have originated in Germany and Austria in the late middle ages, but these days theyre all over the continent and for cheap festive treats the likes of Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and the Czech Republic lead the way.

Thats the finding of Post Office Travel Moneys Christmas Markets Barometer 2024, with Bratislava, Slovakias capital, topping the bargain break list. A two-night getaway is estimated to cost from 511 for two people with travel, hotels and food  a mere 255.50 per person.

And with the chance to pick up good-value presents, a pre-Christmas escape is even more enticing. So here we focus on Post Office Travel Moneys top Christmas market picks on a budget.

BAUBLES IN BRATISLAVA

Festivities in Slovakias capital centre on the Main Square and Hviezdoslavovo Square, with stalls selling wooden toys, handmade jewellery, candles, baubles and colourful enamelware. Enjoy a glass of medovina (a honey-infused spirit served warm) and tuck into ciganska pecenka, a pork or chicken roll with mustard and onions.

Theres ice-skating, live music, performances of the Nutcracker and even a tram illuminated with fairy lights known as the Christmas Express (rides are free).

WHEN: From November 21.

CHEAP FLIGHT: Stansted returns from 44 (ryanair.com).

BUDGET STAY: Doubles from 105 at the Crowne Plaza, opposite the Presidential Palace (ihg.com).

The best-value Christmas market breaks in Europe have been revealed in an annual report, with Bratislava topping the list

VILNIUS ON ICE

Stalls are spread out across three squares in the centre of Lithuanias capital, with an ice rink and two giant Christmas trees over which great care is taken dressing the branches with lights each year  the results are like works of art.

This Christmas market enjoys a cosy, traditional feel, not at all overrun with crowds.

Expect old-fashioned sweet stalls, mulled wine, arts and crafts stalls and a splendid nativity scene near the cathedral, which featured a live camel last year.

Vilnius, Lithuania, is the second-cheapest destination for a festive getaway. Above, Vilnius's Christmas market in Cathedral Square

WHEN: From November 29.

CHEAP FLIGHT: Stansted returns from 45 (ryanair.com).

BUDGET STAY: Doubles from 92 at the central Artagonist hotel (artagonist.lt).

ROASTED ALMONDS IN RIGA

Above, festive stalls set out in Doma Square in Riga, Latvia's capital

A cosy break for two people to Riga costs around 546, according to new research (file image)

Set in Doma Square, the Christmas market in Latvias capital is a place to feast on gingerbread, roasted almonds, smoked sausages, piragi (torpedo-shaped rolls filled with chopped bacon and onion), and boiled grey peas  which may not sound appetising but are believed to bring good luck for the year ahead. Stalls sell finely carved candlesticks, honey, woollen mittens, teddy bears, amber jewellery and much else. Theres a brilliant Bunny Kingdom full of rabbits for kids.

WHEN: From November 29.

CHEAP FLIGHT: Stansted or Manchester to Riga from 49 return (ryanair.com).

BUDGET STAY: Doubles from 98 B&B at the plush Pullman Riga Old Town (all.accor.com).

TRADITIONAL GDANSK

Up by the Baltic Sea, Gdansk has held a Christmas market since the 17th century  attended by two market mascots, Mr and Mrs Orzechowski, dressed in old-fashioned soldier costumes and who parade among the stalls in the cobbled streets of the old town.

Pick up amber jewellery, traditional toys, knitted jumpers, and wooden handicrafts. Mulled beer is popular, as is currywurst, pierogi (little dumplings), and oscypek, Polish mountain cheese wrapped in bacon and served with cranberries.

WHEN: From November 22.

CHEAP FLIGHT: Luton returns from 53 (wizzair.com); Manchester returns from 66 (ryanair.com).

BUDGET STAY: Doubles from 61 at the modern Radisson RED Gdansk (radissonhotels.com).

CAROLS IN PRAGUE

Get set for Christmas: Prague is one of the festive destinations where your money is said to stretch furthest. Above, stalls fill the city's Old Town Square

Stalls fill the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square selling Christmas tree ornaments, candles, wooden toys, puppets, dolls, hats and leather gloves.

Food is a big treat with klobasa (barbecued sausages), smoked meat dumplings, carp soup, pancakes and garlicky cheese flatbreads. Carol services with traditional dancing (4pm to 7pm) are held as well as classical music concerts.

Christmas decoration painting workshops are held for kids. Theres an open-air ice rink.

WHEN: From November 30.

CHEAP FLIGHT: Luton returns from 68 (wizzair.com); Manchester returns from 58 and Edinburgh returns from 86 (ryanair.com).

BUDGET STAY: Doubles from 87 B&B at the central Gradnior Hotel Prague (hotel-grandior.cz).

HUNGARY FOR GOULASH

Above, the Christmas market in front of St Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, Hungary

Budapest enjoys no fewer than six Christmas markets, the main two being by St Stephen Basilica and in Vorosmarty Square.

Wooden stalls selling arts and crafts are dotted between kiosks serving hearty bowls of goulash stew along with mulled wine and kurtoskalacs (also known as chimney cakes with baked dough twisted into a cylindric shape and sprinkled with sugar and cinammon).

There are ice rinks, Christmas trees and choral performances. Local specialities include sheepskin mittens, hand-embroidered tablecloths and pottery.

WHEN: From November 15.

CHEAP FLIGHT: Luton returns from 47 (wizzair.com); Liverpool returns from 34 (ryanair.com).

BUDGET STAY: Doubles from 82 at the comfortable Novotel Budapest Centrum (all.accor.com).
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The holiday destinations around the world where the British pound will stretch the most and the least have been revealed  and its Argentina that currently offers the best deal for Brits.

It tops a ranking of best-value places in which Ethiopia comes second, Nigeria third, Egypt fourth and Malawi fifth.

Countries where the pound is weaker include Kenya, Sri Lanka and Thailand, according to the study, by NetVoucherCodes.

The Internet marketing service explained that it drew up the tables by pulling in monthly exchange rate data from each major currency around the world and comparing its strength to the pound.

It explained that the pound is up 199 per cent in first-placed Argentina, meaning that for every one pound you can get 1,276 Argentine pesos. NetVoucherCodes added: The country has seen multiple instances of devaluing its currency due to economic issues, so Brits looking for a cheap holiday where they can sample some of the best wine in the world and go on breathtaking hikes need look no further.

In second-placed Ethiopia, the pound is up 130 per cent against the Ethiopian birr. Third-placed Nigeria sees the pound up by 120 per cent against the Nigerian naira.

In fourth-placed Egypt, the pound is up 67.7 per cent against the Egyptian pound, explained NetVoucherCodes. It added: 'Egypt has long been a hotspot for Brits looking to soak in some winter sunshine and boasts some of the best historic landmarks in the world. The data reveals that now might be a good time to visit.'

Fifth-placed Malawi, one of 'Africa's top safari-hotspots', also offers a 'better value holiday' in 2024, with the pound up 60.6 per cent against the Malawian kwacha. NetVoucherCodes added: 'The country has 11 national parks and wildlife reserves, making it one of the best places to see African animals on the planet.' However, it warned: 'Travellers are unlikely to see the benefit of a strong pound when booking a safari from a UK provider, and may be best booking their own itinerary to see true savings.'

The holiday destinations around the world where the British pound will stretch the most and the least have been revealed in a study by NetVoucherCodes. This map is a colour-coded guide to where the pound is strong and weak, with the darkest green colour indicating where the pound has had the strongest rise and yellows and reds where the pound is weakest

The pound is up 199 per cent in first-placed Argentina, meaning that for every one pound you can get 1,276 Argentine pesos

Turkey lands inside the top 10 in eighth place, with the pound up 28.2 per cent against the Turkish lira. NetVoucherCodes explained: 'Turkey has seen the liras strength tank against the pound in the past year. This makes it the perfect time to visit the vibrant city of Istanbul, with its blending of cultures and mouth-watering food.'

Meanwhile, the pound is also up in several other popular holiday destinations such as the USA (up five per cent compared to 2023), Australia (3.36 per cent) Mexico (19 per cent), Brazil (24 per cent), India (six per cent), Hungary (nine per cent) and Czechia (five per cent). The pound has also gained minimal strength against the Euro (two per cent).

Where the pound is weaker

The biggest fall in strength for the pound over the past year has been in Kenya - it's down nine per cent against the Kenyan shilling. NetVoucherCodes explained: 'The Kenyan shilling has been gaining strength against the British pound over the past year. This appreciation means that British tourists will find their pounds won't go as far as before, meaning the cost of travel-related expenses such as accommodation, meals and activities in Kenya will be higher for Brits.'

Sri Lanka 'is also starting to become more expensive for Brits', warned NetVoucherCodes as the pound has fallen by five per cent against the Sri Lankan rupee. It explained: 'Over the past year, the strength of the pound has decreased against the Sri Lankan rupee, seeing an initial increase over the past couple of months, but dipping again sharply at the beginning of November.'

The pound has also fallen by 0.6 per cent against the Thai baht, making popular Thailand a little pricier for Brits in 2024. NetVoucherCodes explained: 'From November 2023 to November 2024, the Thai baht has increased in value against the pound by 0.69 per cent. While this is just a slight increase, does this spell a trend for the tropical paradise becoming more expensive for Brits?'

If you have booked a holiday to a destination where the pound has fallen, Rebecca Bebbington, personal finance expert at NetVoucherCodes, has shared her top tips to keep costs low while travelling.

She said: 'My ultimate tip for travellers is to consider using a credit card that doesnt charge you when abroad such as a Wise card. These cards allow you to hold multiple currencies in a single account, avoiding hefty conversion fees when spending money at restaurants or taking money from an ATM. It uses real exchange rates and comes with a user-friendly app for tracking spending and setting budgets.

'Travellers should also be mindful of sneaky ATM charges when withdrawing cash. Always opt for local currency withdrawals and decline the offered conversion rates, which often include hidden fees. Use Google Maps to find ATMs that are reviewed highly and offer lower fees, and try to withdraw larger sums less frequently to reduce fixed ATM fees.

THE HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS WHERE THE POUND IS STRONGEST AND WEAKEST The biggest rises 1. Argentina (pound is up 199 per cent) 2. Ethiopia (130 per cent) 3. Nigeria (120 per cent) 4. Egypt (67.7 per cent) 5. Malawi (60.6 per cent) 6. Ghana (44.7 per cent) 7. Zambia (28.27 per cent) =8. Turkey (28.22 per cent) =8. North Cyprus (28.22 per cent) 9. Brazil (24 per cent) The biggest falls 1. Kenya (pound is down 9 per cent) 2. Sri Lanka (-5 per cent) 3. Suriname (-4.5 per cent) 4. Albania (-4.2 per cent) 5. Malaysia (-2.9 per cent) 6. eSwatini (-0.75 per cent) 7. Thailand (-0.6 per cent) =8. Zimbabwe (0 per cent) =8. Mongolia (0 per cent) =8. Madagascar (0 per cent) Source: www.netvouchercodes.co.uk Advertisement

Thailand has become slightly more expensive for Brits over the past year, with the pound down by 0.6 per cent against the Thai baht

'One of the best things you can do is avoid exchanging money at airport kiosks, which can give you a terrible exchange rate and charge you astronomical fees. Instead, exchange money at reputable banks or services in the city, or use ATMs in less touristy areas.

'Its a good idea to understand the exchange rate before you travel to avoid overcharges and make informed financial decisions. Currency conversion apps can provide real-time updates.

'Before you buy anything, find out about any potential card fees in advance. Some merchants may impose surcharges for card payments without telling you, so knowing this can help you decide whether to use your card or pay with cash.

'Staying informed about potential fees helps you manage your budget effectively and avoid unnecessary expenses.'
An Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned after learning the value of a dish she rescued from a skip not once, but TWICE after her husband tried to scrap it.

This week, the cherished BBC series made its way to Firstsite in Colchester, with expert Chris Yeo meeting a mother-daughter duo to discuss the history and value of their dish.

Complimenting their outfits, Chris said: 'You've both brought some real colour to the Roadshow today, you've even upstaged a peacock which takes some doing!'

The mother explained that the dish, which originally belonged to her mother-in-law in Cornwall, had been discarded by her husband in the skip.

'My husband, I don't think cared for it very much and I found that he put this dish in the skip', she said.

A surprised Chris asked: 'In a skip?, with the mother confirming: 'In a skip. So I put it to one side and then about half an hour later, I went back to check and the dish had gone back in again.'

An Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned after learning the value of a dish she rescued from a skip not once, but TWICE after her husband tried to scrap it

This week, the cherished BBC series made its way to Firstsite in Colchester, with expert Chris Yeo meeting a mother-daughter duo to discuss the history and value of their dish

Chris responded: 'Well that's no good, is it?', as she agreed: 'No. So I took it out and said, 'No, I don't want it throwing away.''

Asking the daughter what her thoughts were on the item, she replied: 'I absolutely love it. It has sat up on the dresser all of my life and I've just admired it up there and I'm really hoping one day mum's going to let me have it.'

Chris then looked into the history of the unique item: 'Well let's have a quick look at the front first, because we've got this rather splendid, proud peacock and then this wonderful scrollwork around the outside.

'Now we said right at the beginning that it's made of copper but everyone knows copper is supposed to gleam and be orange but this isn't orange. It's more like something else, what's going on, it's really dull.'

The owner then explained how she was worried to clean the item so 'took the easy way out and didn't clean it.'

Chris then confirmed that her decision was correct: 'Well I'm very glad you decided not to, because this is how it's meant to look.

'Because what the original intention was, was that this should emulate bronze so it's absolutely right, it's in its original condition.'

The dish was created by John Pearson and was created in 1891, marking the 'start of the arts and crafts movement'.

The mother explained that the dish, which originally belonged to her mother-in-law in Cornwall, had been discarded by her husband in the skip

Expert Chris Yeo valued the item around 600 to 800

The guest were shocked to find out the value of their item, as the mother gasped: 'Wow. Excellent'

Chris elaborated on Pearson's background: 'He was an interesting character. He started off working in London at the Guild of Handicraft which is one of the early organisations involved in the arts and crafts ethos.

'But he got the sack because he was moonlighting, doing his own thing, and that was strictly against the rules and he was sent away.

'And when he went to Cornwall to the industrial school where he was master metalworker there.'

The expert was then pleased to inform the duo: 'Well I've got to say I'm very pleased that you rescued it from a skip not once but twice, because I think in the right sale, I can see this doing rather well. And I think at auction, I think it's 600 to 800.'

The guest were shocked to find out the value of their item, as the mother gasped: 'Wow. Excellent.'

Expert Chris then joked: 'So you can go home and crow to your husband now and say, 'See? I was right.''

Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
EastEnders fans are convinced that Phil Mitchell with leave Albert Square this Christmas after spotting one worrying sign.

The Walford favourite has built up a loyal fan base over the years, who are now pleading with producers not to get rid of him.

After a series of less than fortunate events, Phil is becoming increasingly lonely and sad, leaving fans worried that he might do something drastic.

Last week, Phil handed over Peggy's nightclub to newbie Nicola Mitchell, played by Laura Doddington, who is the estranged spouse of his cousin Teddy Mitchell.

Teddy was clearly irritated about the deal and confronted Phil over it on Monday's episode.

'Happy, selling Peggy's behind my back?' Teddy asked Phil, who snapped back: 'My business, I do what I want.'

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org.

Eastenders fans are convinced that Phil Mitchell with leave Albert Square this Christmas after spotting one worrying sign

The heated exchange followed Phil's earlier interaction with his ex Sharon Watts in which he found out she had been on a romantic outing with Teddy

Teddy pushed further, asking: 'What happened to family loyalty?' which was met with an icy glare from Phil.

The heated exchange followed Phil's earlier interaction with his ex Sharon Watts, during which he found out that she had been on a romantic outing with Teddy.

Meanwhile, his other former partner Kat Slater found comfort with her old flame Alfie Moon.

Phil's struggling mental health also comes after being estranged from his children.

The character's son Ben is in a prison in the US while his daughter Louise lives in Portugal.

As the festive period goes on, viewers will see Phil deteriorate as he tries to cope with thoughts of ending his own life.

With all of his loved ones out of reach, loneliness has engulfed Phil, which has sparked conspiracies amongst viewers that he may slip into a depression at Christmas and take his own life.

Taking to social media, one fan said: 'What if Phil is the one that dies at Christmas? Due to suicide.'

Another wrote: 'If Phil gets killed off this xmas I will riot outside BBC studios.'

'Phil Mitchell sad and suicidal at Christmas...#Eastenders I will be leathered by the time your Christmas episode starts, and if I bare witness to Phil Mitchell committing suicide so help me God,' posted another.

EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
Viewers of The Listeners have been left feeling 'distracted' and 'unsettled' by the new BBC drama - and even threatened to switch it off.

Adapted from Jordan Tannahill's novel, the story follows English teacher Claire (Rebecca Hall) and her student Kyle (Ollie West), who become aware of a humming sound inaudible to others.

Claire's desperate search for answers about the mysterious humming sound pulls her away from her family and friends and leads her to a group that claims they can also hear the strange sound.

With the first episode airing on BBC One on Tuesday, viewers were quick to give it a chance and tune in, but many viewers were left unsettled by the series' soundtrack.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one fan raged: 'The Listeners background noise is doing my nut in, might be turning this over.';

'She's hearing the annoying ambient sound effects on EastEnders whenever they have an outdoor scene in Albert Square. Once you notice it, you can't unhear it.';

Viewers of The Listeners have been left feeling 'distracted' and 'unsettled' by the new BBC drama and threatened to switch off the show

Adapted from Jordan Tannahill's novel, the story follows English teacher Claire (Rebecca Hall) and her student Kyle (Ollie West) who become aware of a humming sound inaudible to others

'This background music is very unsettling' while another viewer wrote: 'Am I the only one watching The Listeners on BBC One and how seeing how unsettling the soundtrack is?';

'Watching The Listeners in the same week I've started getting up in the night to try and find the high pitched hum is... a bit weird.'

The BBC says The Listeners is a show that 'explores the seduction of the wild and unknowable, the human search for the transcendent, the rise of conspiracy culture in the West, and the desire for community and connection in our increasingly polarised times.'

Rebecca, who previously appeared in Christine, The Town and Vicky Christina Barcelona leads the cast while Ollie, who starred in The Sparrow, stars as school student Kyle.

The wider cast includes Prasanna Puwanarajah (The Crown, Ten Percent, Patrick Melrose), Amr Waked (Ramy), Gayle Rankin (Men, Perry Mason, The Greatest Showman), Mia Tharia (Phoenix Rise) and Franc Ashman (The Bastard Son and the Devil Himself, Inside Man).

Other actors include Samuel Edward Cook (Peaky Blinders, The Gallows Pole), Karen Henthorn (Coronation Street, The Rising), Lucy Sheen (Ping Pong) and Ian Mercer (Doctors, All Creatures Great And Small).

In total, there are four episodes of the drama series and each episode is under 60 minutes long.

The first episode was broadcast this week and the following episodes are set to air at 9pm in the following weeks.

Claire's desperate search for answers about the mysterious humming sound pulls her away from her family and friends and leads her to a group that claims they can hear the strange sound

With the first episode airing on BBC One on Tuesday, viewers switched channels to check out the new drama, but many viewers were left unsettled by the series' soundtrack

It comes after the broadcaster released not one but THREE gripping new dramas for viewers to binge-watch this month including The Listeners.

One of them is Moonflower Murders - a new gripping drama that features The Crown's Lesley Manville and Tim McMullan.

The six-part series kicked off on Saturday, November 16th on BBC One and iPlayer.

Moonflower Murders is a sequel to the acclaimed Magpie Murders and was written by Horowitz and directed by Rebecca Gatward (Bad Sisters).

Returning in the lead roles they originated in Magpie Murders, are Academy Award-nominee Lesley Manville (The Crown, Phantom Thread, Mum) as book editor turned sleuth Susan Ryeland and Timothy McMullan (Patrick Melrose, The Crown) as famous literary detective Atticus Pund.

A synopsis for the drama reads: 'Susan has left publishing and is living in Crete with her long-time boyfriend, Andreas.'

'But her idyll is disturbed by the shadow of a murder committed at a British country hotel eight years ago.'

Moonflower Murders is the second novel in Horowitz's Susan Ryeland series.

Published in 2020, it was dubbed as 'a richly plotted, head-spinning novel' by the New York Times.

Meanwhile, on Friday, November 22nd, the highly anticipated launch of Return to Paradise will air.

It comes after the broadcaster released not one but THREE gripping new dramas for viewers to binge-watch this month - among them Moonflower Murders (pictured)

Moonflower Murders is a sequel to the acclaimed Magpie Murders and was written by Horowitz and directed by Rebecca Gatward (Bad Sisters)

Meanwhile, on Friday, November 22nd, the highly anticipated launch of Return to Paradise will air

The new Australian-based series is a spin-off to the smash hit Death in Paradise and set in the idyllic beachside hamlet of Dolphin Cove

The new Australian-based series is a spin-off to the smash hit Death in Paradise and set in the idyllic beachside hamlet of Dolphin Cove.

According to the synopsis: 'Return to Paradise follows DI Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson), an Australian expat who's made a name for herself in London's Metropolitan Police for cracking uncrackable murder cases. When she is accused of tampering with evidence, Mackenzie returns to Australia, back to the last place she ever wanted to be  her hometown of Dolphin Cove.'

'Having fled the town six years ago, infamously leaving her ex-fiancee Glenn (Tai Hara) at the altar, Mackenzie is not welcome here.'

'But with no other job options, and a unique talent for solving a mystery, no matter how challenging, a reluctant Mack joins the team at Dolphin Cove Police Station.'

It continues: 'Once a case lands on her desk, she can't rest until she's figured it out, and the killer is in handcuffs. It's that tenacity and work ethic that might just, over time, help Mackenzie win over her new colleagues, and the people of Dolphin Cove.'

All three shows will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Netflix fans are still raving over 'one of the greatest shows ever made' seven years after its launch.

Almost a decade ago in 2016, Jon Bernthal, 48, made his debut as Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, in the second season of Daredevil, a vigilante who enacts revenge on villains using extremely violent methods.

While a spin-off with Jon starring as the lead wasn't originally in the pipeline, the actor's performance was so widely acclaimed by viewers and critics that the following year the show became a reality.

So in 2017, The Punisher launched on Netflix, introducing fans to a show that many to this day have lauded as one of their favourites.

As the show's seventh anniversary came around, fans on Reddit and X were amazed that seven years had already passed by and continued to sing the show's praises.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one fan wrote: 'I'd love a new season of this'; 'Still one of my favourite Marvel series.'; 'The Punisher is someone I never expected to like but Im glad I do. Happy 7 years.';

Netflix fans are still raving over 'one of the greatest shows ever made' seven years after its launch

Almost a decade ago in 2016, Jon Bernthal, 48, (left) made his debut as Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, in the second season of Daredevil, a vigilante who enacts revenge on villains using extremely violent methods

While another fan claimed the first season of The Punisher was 'fantastic' describing it as a 'gem in the Marvel Netflix era.'

One fan said: 'One of my favourite shows. Ever' while another said the show had 'changed their life.'

The Punisher was one of a string of Marvel shows that were released on Netflix before it was removed from the platform and made available to stream on Disney+ instead.

While some of the shows based on the beloved comic book characters currently have uncertain futures following the transition including Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist - Daredevil is set to be rebooted next year as Daredevil: Born Again.

The upcoming nine-partner will see Charlie Cox reprise his role as the lead Matt Murdock opposite Vincent D'Onofrio as the villainous Wilson Fix.

Meanwhile Jon will also be making his highly-anticipated return as The Punisher.

Now both shows are back together, fans are hoping that a third season of the action-packed series will be on the cards after its second outing premiered in 2019 two years after the first.

One fan said on X: 'It was fantastic and Im hoping he gets to continue his series like Daredevil with Disney Plus.'

While a spin-off with Jon starring as the lead wasn't originally in the pipeline, the actor's performance was so widely acclaimed by viewers and critics that the following year the show became a reality

As the show's seventh anniversary came around, fans on Reddit and X were amazed that seven years had already passed by and continued to sing the show's praises

While another fan agreed by saying: 'Id love a new season of this.'

The series follows Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) who becomes a vigilante known as The Punisher after exacting revenge on those responsible for his family's deaths.

He uncovers a conspiracy that goes beyond New York's criminal underworld and must discover the truth about injustices that affect more than just him and his family.

Assisting the vigilante in his quest to fight criminals are best friend Billy Russo, who runs the private military corporation Anvil, and former NSA analyst Micro, who shares common enemies with Castle and helps him as part of a so-called marriage of convenience.

Earlier this year, Jon was seen covered in blood in Brooklyn as he got into his character The Punisher for the upcoming series Daredevil: Born Again.

The actor who first appeared as the vigilante for Netflix's Daredevil in 2016, has reprised his role for the Marvel Studios miniseries.

In new photos from the set, Jon could be seen bruised and bloodied while filming scenes with his co-stars.

Five years after Netflix's Daredevil series was cancelled, the beloved Marvel character is getting new life in Disney Plus' Daredevil: Born Again, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Earlier this year, Jon was seen covered in blood in Brooklyn as he got into his character The Punisher for the upcoming series Daredevil: Born Again

The actor who first appeared as the vigilante for Netflix's Daredevil in 2016, has reprised his role for the Marvel Studios miniseries

The actors join returning Netflix Daredevil star Vincent as Wilson Fisk a.k.a. Kingpin.

The series comes more than a year after Charlie's surprise cameo in 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home, with Marvel President Kevin Feige confirming shortly thereafter that Cox would return as Daredevil in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

While most of the recent Marvel Cinematic Universe shows debuting on Disney Plus have typically spanned between six and nine episodes, Daredevil: Born Again will have a super-sized order of 18 episodes.

The show takes its title from an iconic 1986 comic run written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzuchelli, though this show is said to deviate heavily from that story.

The Punisher is available to stream on Disney+ and Netflix.
Antiques Roadshow star Theo Burrell has issued an emotional update on her devastating terminal cancer diagnosis.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the star shared that she is hoping for some good news after suspecting the tumour was starting to grow back.

Posting a photo of the countryside at Dalkeith Country Park, she explained: 'The last couple of weeks have involved a lot of down time and staying at home.

'I've just been really exhausted and needing sleep. I've ventured out at the weekends with the boys (pictured here) but today is my first day out and about on my own in two weeks,' she exclaimed.

'My anxiety about my next scan has been very high but after days and days of worrying about every ache and pain I decided forgetting about cancer entirely (well as much as possible) was the only way forward,' Theo continued.

'This time next month I'll know whether I definitely have regrowth or (what turned out to be) the mysterious enhancement on my September scan is something else (scar tissue? necrotic tissue etc?).'

She concluded: 'I'm hoping that having a plan will be slightly more reassuring than living in limbo - but who knows. Either way - hope, hope, hope x.'

Antiques Roadshow star Theo Burrell has issued an emotional update on her devastating terminal cancer diagnosis on Instagram on Tuesday

Sharing a photo of the countryside at Dalkeith Country Park on Instagram, the star shared that she is hoping for some good news after suspecting the tumour was starting to grow back

Fans rushed to the comments to offer her support, with one fellow survivor insisting: 'Forgetting about cancer between scans is definitely the only way forward.'

They continued: 'I spent the first 2 years after diagnosis ( of gbm) absolutely torturing myself whether it had come back or not. Now I try to forget about it and enjoy my life in the 3 months between scans.

'I've seen a man with gbm before say "I've only been given bad news once, the rest was just feedback" and it's always stuck with me. Hope your scan comes back okay.'

Another fan added: 'With you every step of the way. I had scan result which showed some white so had a further scan last Wednesday in a more powerful MRI at Salford waiting the results to see if it is a scar or not. Its very challenging not to focus on the results but keep trying normal plus as ever thank u for sharing your story it means I dont feel alone going through this.'

'Oh it's so hard isn't it? Thinking of you and sending hugs your way. We are having a normal plus afternoon today watching Rivals. Good luck with your scan when it comes, Theo, and to anyone else waiting for scan results,' a third said.

Another penned: 'Wishing you well Theo. Strangely we were also at Dalkeith yesterday having a walk.'

'Sending so much love to you,' a fifth commented.

A sixth echoed: 'Sending you so much love Theo! the Brain Tumour community is always here for you for you.'

Fans rushed to the comments to offer her support

Theo - who found fame on BBC's Antiques Roadshow - was diagnosed in 2022 and given a two-year life expectancy after medics discovered an aggressive grade four glioblastoma - originally dismissed by her GP as the result of juggling motherhood with a busy work schedule

Her first appearance on BBC show Antiques Roadshow came in 2018 and is a popular figure among fans

Theo was diagnosed in 2022 and given a two-year life expectancy after medics discovered an aggressive grade four glioblastoma - originally dismissed by her GP as the result of juggling motherhood with a busy work schedule.

Despite months of gruelling treatment to shrink the tumour down to just ten percent of its original size, earlier this year Theo heartbreakingly revealed that her glioblastoma had started regrowing.

She wrote: 'Although this was always an inevitably it has been a difficult couple of weeks for me and my family, as we deal with the news and await a treatment plan.

'I am extremely grateful for having had such a good quality of life over the last two years, and I intend to take on the next step of my journey with everything I've got.

'If anything this has just fueled my fire to keep fighting for us all. We, as a community, as patients, as carers, as family and friends of those who have or have had a brain tumour, quite frankly deserve a lot better!'

Despite months of gruelling treatment to shrink the tumour down to just ten percent of its original size, earlier this year Theo heartbreakingly revealed that her glioblastoma had started regrowing (pictured with her partner Alex)

The presenter later added: 'My most recent scan has now been reviewed by a multi disciplinary team who feel that a wait and watch approach is best, based on what they can see in the images, and how I am feeling.

'Therefore, I will be rescanned again in December and we will move forward from there. In the meantime I'm going to take each day as it comes and enjoy what I can.'

Before this, in February, she admitted she was still struggling with many of her early symptoms, promoting fears of a regrowth.

Captioning a photo of Pip, her pet Jack Russell, she wrote: 'So my recent trips away are definitely catching up with me - do not let my photos fool you, the fatigue, the headaches, the nausea, the dizziness are all still there, and when I'm tired these symptoms/side effects really make themselves known.

'I spend many hours worrying about each and every one of these issues because let's face it, when you've got cancer, regrowth is always on your mind.

'So if you know these feelings and live with this fear, just know, you're not alone. And it's not always a sign of something sinister, sometimes you're just absolutely exhausted and carrying a lot on your shoulders.'

Before this, in February, she admitted she was still struggling with many of her early symptoms, promoting fears of a regrowth (pictured with her father)

Speaking in 2023, Burrell admitted she struggled to cope with the abrupt transition that came with her cancer diagnosis.

WHAT IS A GLIOBLASTOMA? Glioblastomas are the most common cancerous brain tumours in adults. They are fast growing and likely to spread. Glioblastomas' cause is unknown but may be related to a sufferer's genes if mutations result in cells growing uncontrollably, forming a tumour. Treatment is usually surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by a combination of radio- and chemotherapy (chemoradiation). It can be difficult to remove all of the growth as glioblastomas have tendrils that extend to other regions of the brain. These are targeted via chemoradiation. Glioblastomas are often resistant to treatment as they are usually made up of different types of cells. Therefore, medication will kill off some cells and not others. The average survival time is between 12 and 18 months. Source: The Brain Tumour Charity Advertisement

'Suddenly I'd gone from being a healthy person in the middle of my life with a new baby to having incurable cancer with maybe one or two years left to live,' she said.

'Although I continue to make the best of each day, my tumour will return and it will kill me. My care has been excellent and new advances in science have helped me so far.

'However, only by funding research into brain cancer can we get closer to a life-saving cure.'

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common, malignant brain tumour diagnosed in adults.

It develops from glial cells, which are found in the brain and spinal cord. There is no known cause.

Treatment usually involves surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible without damaging healthy tissue; followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Glioblastomas always grow back.

In the UK every year, 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour, with just 12 per cent surviving beyond five years, compared with an average of 54 per cent across all cancers.

Burrell graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MA in history and then an MLitt in decorative arts.

The antiques expert has been working at Edinburgh based Lyon & Turnbull since 2011, although her career at the auctioneers began in her teens where she spent summers working as a viewing staff member.

She specialises in European ceramics and glass, fine furniture and works of decorative art from 1860, tribal art and taxidermy.

Her first appearance on Antiques Roadshow came in 2018. She previously described her 'dream find' as a 'beautiful and rare' 16th century maiolica dish by Italian ceramist Francesco Xanto Avelli.

Antiques Roadshow is available to stream exclusively on BBC iPlayer.
Lottie Moss looked incredible in a racy black dress as she attended the boohoo Cyber Party at Kachette in Shoreditch, East London on Tuesday.

The OnlyFans star, 26, turned heads as she went braless under the halterneck maxi number which showed off her sensational figure.

Lottie added inches to her frame in a pair of towering stilettos and accessorised with a long silver cross necklace.

Styling her long blonde tresses in a voluminous do, Kate Moss' half-sister posed up a storm for photos on the red carpet before sipping on a cocktail at a private booth.

Lottie was joined by Made In Chelsea stars Olivia Bentley and Rosie Fortescue as they beamed for photos together.

Lottie Moss looked incredible in a racy black dress as she attended the boohoo Cyber Party at Kachette in Shoreditch, East London on Tuesday

The OnlyFans star, 26, turned heads as she went braless under the halterneck maxi number which showed off her sensational figure

Olivia put on a leggy display in a cut out black minidress and opaque tights while Rosie opted for a minidress, leather jacket and knee high boots.

Elsewhere at the bash, One Direction star Louis Tomlinson's twin sisters Daisy and Phoebe cut trendy figures in maxi skirts and cardigan crop tops.

Daisy flashed her toned midriff in a burgundy co-ord which she teamed with white stilettos and a long coat.

While Phoebe rocked a beige ribbed cardigan under a long brown leather jacket and she toted her belongings in a stylish handbag.

Love Island's Nicole Samuel wowed in a plunging black gown which boasted a daring thigh high split.

She looked happier than ever as she cosied up to boyfriend Ciaran Davies who looked effortlessly cool in a bomber jacket and jeans.

It comes after Lottie revealed plans to give up her OnlyFans career, during which she made 30,000 a month.

The Celebs Go Dating star signed with Storm Management when she was just 14 years old and threw herself into modelling, but decided to quit photoshoots for OnlyFans in 2021.

Lottie added inches to her frame in a pair of towering stilettos and accessorised with a long silver cross necklace

Lottie was joined by Made In Chelsea stars Olivia Bentley and Rosie Fortescue as they beamed for photos together

Styling her long blonde tresses in a voluminous do, Kate Moss' half-sister was seen pouring herself a drink in a private booth

The trio looked incredible as they posed together at the event

Lottie flashed her side boob in the daring dress as she posed with Olivia

Rosie, Lottie and Olivia coordinated in a black outfits as they partied together at the London bash

Olivia put on a leggy display in a cut out black minidress and opaque tights while Rosie opted for a minidress, leather jacket and knee high boots

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline last month, she said she is now 'becoming a woman' and has 'grown out' of posting racy content.

Lottie said: 'I think I will eventually quit OnlyFans, not because of anyone but Im growing out of it. Im becoming a woman, when Im done, Im done.

'I'll probably focus on my podcast and TV.'

Of her relationship status, she added: 'Im single. Ive just come out of a relationship, and just having fun and focusing on me.'

Last year, Lottie confirmed claims that she can rake in up to 30,000 on the X-rated subscription site.

When asked if she can earn that much, she told New! Magazine: 'Yes, yes yes! I'm not going to say how much I earn.

'I think it's a little bit crude to talk about money, but I make a great living and I'm lucky that I really enjoy doing something like this.'

She also revealed her parents Inger Solnordal and Peter Moss have come around to the idea of her being on OnlyFans, saying they want her to be happy.

In recent months, Lottie has reconciled with her supermodel sister Kate following three years of feuding.

Elsewhere at the bash, One Direction star Louis Tomlinson's twin sisters Daisy and Phoebe cut trendy figures in maxi skirts and cardigan crop tops

Daisy flashed her toned midriff in a burgundy co-ord which she teamed with white stilettos and a long coat

While Phoebe rocked a beige ribbed cardigan under a long brown leather jacket and she toted her belongings in a stylish handbag

Love Island's Nicole Samuel wowed in a plunging black gown which boasted a daring thigh high split

She looked happier than ever as she cosied up to boyfriend Ciaran Davies who looked effortlessly cool in a bomber jacket and jeans

Jessy Potts dazzled in a black sequin crop top and mini skirt

It comes after Lottie recently revealed plans to give up her OnlyFans career

In recent months Lottie has reconciled with her supermodel sister Kate - following three years of feuding. They enjoyed lunch together with Kate's daughter Lila (centre)

The reconciliation followed Lottie's reveal that at one point she had become so estranged from her family that even her own mother stopped talking to her.

Lottie also previously claimed her older sibling 'doesn't want a relationship' with her and 'doesn't even reply to my texts'.

However this summer, catwalk star Kate made a point of posing alongside her younger sister in photos taken at The Griffin pub in Sussex.

The family enjoyed a pub lunch with Kate's daughter, Lila, who is also a model, their brother, Nick Moss, 47, and his girlfriend, Tracy Pooley.

The reunion was for their father Peter's 80th birthday.

Their fall-out reportedly began when Lottie started stripping off for OnlyFans.
Respected Australian musician Richard Andrew has died after a short battle with lung cancer, aged 58.

Andrew, who was a fixture in the Melbourne music scene in such seminal Australian indie outfits as The Underground Lovers, Crow, and Black Cab, passed away in October, just days after announcing his illness to fans.

And now, a GoFundMe campaign, organised on behalf of Andrew's widow Nicolette Powell, is calling on fans and the 'Melbourne music community' to come to Powell's aid in her time of need.

'Tragically, Nicolette's hardships didn't end with Richard's passing,' the GoFundMe campaign reads.

'She was already on carer's leave, caring for her mum, who has a terminal brain tumour and has a very limited life expectancy.

'Now, Nicolette is facing the unimaginable task of grieving her husband while caring for her dying mother. Nicolette is dedicated to her work in palliative care, yet as you may imagine, in this line of work, returning to work right now simply isn't an option.'

Respected Australian musician Richard Andrew has died after a short battle with lung cancer, aged 58. Richard was best known as the drummer in 90s Melbourne outfit Underground Lovers

The post went on to explain that aside from facing an uncertain financial future, Nicolette is also currently caring for an elderly dog with arthritis and a heart condition and other animals that were 'a cherished part of life with Richard.'

At the time of publishing, the campaign had reached $11,095 of its $15,000 fundraising goal.

Andrew shared a heartbreaking post to Facebook on October 23, informing fans of his illness.

The post was accompanied by a photo that showed his recent wedding to Nicolette.

'After my last unsuccessful attempt to jump 17 double decker buses - A) this may go someway towards explaining being in a wheelchair and, B) the fact I'm getting married to the beautiful Nicolette Powell, in this photo,' Andrew began the expansive post.

'Alas, although the marriage is definitely true and based on love, the double decker bus is, sadly, not quite the truth. Instead, a few month ago, I was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic lung cancer, which has been a billy cart ride down s**t street, for the last little while.'

Continuing, Andrew admitted that he was resigned to his fate bidding farewell to everyone who had touched his life.

I am completely reconciled to whatever the future is, however, that future is probably quite limited and I'm in the process of preparing to pop this mortal coil and return to the trees, as it were,' he wrote.

'I cannot overstate enough what an honour and a privilege it has been to know you all over the last 58 years, and to have lived the most incredible, incredible life.'

And now, a GoFundMe campaign, organised on behalf of Andrew's widow Nicolette Powell, is calling on fans and the 'Melbourne music community' to come to Powell's aid in her time of need

'Tragically, Nicolette's hardships didn't end with Richard's passing,' the GoFundMe campaign reads. 'She was already on carer's leave, caring for her mum, who has a terminal brain tumour and has a very limited life expectancy. Pictured: Underground Lovers

Tragically, Andrew passed away just over a week later, on October 30, with his Facebook page breaking the news.

'Our beautiful Richard John Andrew died at around 5.25am, this morning,' the post read.

'His death, as he was in life, was epic. He left this world, face to face with his wife, Nicolette, as she sang their song 'Do you Realise' by The Flaming Lips.

'We are all heartbroken though relieve that our sweet prince is finally free.'

The post was met with an outpouring of grief from family, friends and fans, including Andrew's Crow bandmate Peter Fenton who shared a heartfelt tribute.

'Farewell dear friend,' he wrote.

'Fly high between the trees and stars, as you did in life, you magnificent much loved, wickedly funny and adored man.

'Thank you for so many majestic adventures, and the deeply wise lesson you taught us in your graceful and accepting letting go of this world.'

Andrew tragically passed away just over a week after informing fans of his illness via Facebook. Pictured with Andrew is Underground Lovers frontman Vincent Giarrusso

'I'll miss you Rich. I'll miss that wild energy and the genuine love we had for each other We made great music together and we laughed a lot.,' he wrote

The Underground Lovers also paid heartfelt tribute to Andrew on social media.

'Goodbye Rich, you charming beautiful, funny, extraordinary man,' the band's frontman Vincent Giarrusso wrote on Instagram.

'You guided the ship in seas sometimes hazardous and took us places that were mesmerising and out of this world.

'I'll miss you Rich. I'll miss that wild energy and the genuine love we had for each other We made great music together and we laughed a lot.'

'There is so much more I want to say but I'm too hurt.'

Andrew was perhaps best known as the drummer for seminal Melbourne indie rock/electro outfit Underground Lovers, joining the band in 1988, just prior to changing their name from GBVB.

During his tenure with the group, which lasted until his departure in 1993, Andrew enjoyed the band's only ARIA award for best new talent in 1992, as well as playing on three of the band's albums.

Underground Lovers initially disbanded in 2002, but Andrew took part in their reunion in 2009, and performed on the band's subsequent three albums.

Following his initial departure from the band, Andrew joined Sydney rockers Crow as well as Melbourne electronica outfit Black Cab, Registered Nurse and RJ Andrew.

He was also the founder of record label Pharmacy Records.
Pip Edwards stole the spotlight from her son Justice Single as she attended his Year 12 formal on Tuesday.

The P.E Nation co-founder, 44, ensured all eyes were on her as she stepped out in a short polka dot dress to attend her son's milestone event.

The fashion designer shared a series of selfies to Instagram as she posed in a short A-symmetrical gown from Romance Is Born.

She slicked back her blonde tresses and highlighted her features with some makeup.

Pip also posted photos alongside Justice as he wore an all-black suit from Emporio Armani.

She made sure to look her best as she worked all the angles for the camera before heading to the event.

Pip Edwards stole the spotlight from her son Justice Single as she attended his Year 12 formal on Tuesday

'Getting all dressed up for my son's year 12 formal,' the fashion designer said.

'My handsome man looking so gangster in his suit,' she added alongside a photo of her only son.

Pip also shared another photo of herself posing with son Justice and his date for the formal, Daisy Brown, writing: 'Love you two so much.'

The mother-of-one was then seen having drinks with other parents at a pre-formal party in the Eastern Suburbs.

Pip shares and co-parents her son Justice with her ex Dan Single.

It comes just days after Pip took a savage swipe at her ex-boyfriends in a scathing new interview.

The fashion designer spoke to Stellar Magazine last week and insisted she does not understand the public interest in the men she dates.

'I don't know what's so interesting about my boyfriends. I think I'm more interesting,' she said with a laugh.

'Respect to the ex-boyfriends, but there are way more interesting things and more layers to me than that.'

The P.E Nation co-founder, 44, ensured all eyes were on her as she stepped out in a short polka dot dress to attend her son's milestone event

The fashion designer shared a series of selfies to Instagram as she posed in a short A-symmetrical gown from Romance Is Born alongside her son and his date

The mother-of-one was then seen having drinks with other parents at a pre-formal party in the Eastern Suburbs

Pip said that the concentration on her dating life 'doesn't even touch the sides'.

'It's kind of like, why aren't you seeing the woman that's had an incredible career trajectory in an industry, worked for some incredible businesses, made some kind of inroads, raised a child on her own, independently, financially, who's a great friend, who's got energy?' she said.

'I mean, I know I'm talking about myself here but I kind of have tobecause all of that gets wiped by some man that I happen to have some experience with.'

Meanwhile, Pip seemingly confirmed her new romance with disgraced multimillionaire businessman Geoff Bainbridge, 52, during a very cosy outing in New York in September.

The Aussie fashion designer, had been spending time in the US where she started her new role with Aussie label Ksubi after stepping down from her activewear brand P.E Nation.

Wealthy executive and father-of-four Bainbridge joined Edwards on the the trip, and the pair appeared to officially debut their romance when they packed on the PDA in Soho.

Bainbridge made headlines over two years ago when he resigned as the chief executive of alcohol business Lark Distilling.

He is a prominent early investor of popular burger chain Grill'd, but left the business in 2015.

A source confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that Edwards and Bainbridge are 'dating'.

Edwards was involved in a high-profile relationship with cricketer Michael Clarke, but the couple went their separate ways in early 2021.
US actress Kaitlyn Dever has divided fans with her attempt at an Australian accent in the new Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar.

The mini-series tells the story of notorious Australian cancer fraudster Belle Gibson, with Dever taking on the main role.

But her attempt at a convincing Australian accent has sparked controversy, with many taking to social media to debate the merits of Dever's Antipodean cadence.

Writer Bec Shaw got the discussion started over on X, formerly known as Twitter, sharing a trailer for the soon-to-be-released Netflix series.

'Australian accents are hard,' she wrote, indicating she was less than impressed with Dever's attempt.

However, Bec went on to clarify that she was a fan of the actress, who Bec suggested was 'thinking too much' about the accent.

US actress Kaitlyn Dever (pictured) has divided fans with her attempt at an Australian accent in the new Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar

Writer Bec Shaw got the discussion started over on X, formerly known as Twitter, sharing a trailer for the soon-to-be-released Netflix series

'I don't think this accent is bad btw, but it's not quite right and it feels like she's spending some brain power on it, which youd have to because its so f***ing hard, she added.

'She also may be helped by Belle's affectations. Anyway I'll watch obviously.'

Another X user agreed with the assessment, arguing that Dever's delivery was 'wrong'.

'It's not bad, but the way she delivered the lines in that trailer make it sound a bit like she was having to think about it too hard, the cadence isn't natural,' they wrote.

Another chimed in with a similar: 'Nothing dramatised can measure up to the freakiness of the actual interview she did with 60 [Minutes] argh,' referring to Gibson's infamous TV appearance.

'Also I feel like our accents are so class-coded & she has this specific private school accent that she herself is faking as a Launceston born, public high school kid.'

Another jumped in claiming that there have only ever been three actors in the history of television and cinema that have successfully pulled off an Australian accent.

'Dev Patel in Lion, Sean Harris in The Stranger and Tom Burke in Furiosa are the only three times I've seen a non Australian pull off a convincing Oz accent,' they claimed.

Another X user agreed with the assessment, arguing that Dever's cadence was 'wrong'

Another chimed in with a similar: 'Nothing dramatised can measure up to the freakiness of the actual interview she did with 60 [Minutes] argh,' referring to Gibson's infamous TV appearance (pictured)

Others argued that the role should have been given to an Australian actor.

'There are plenty of Australian actors who would have done a much better job,' wrote one.

Yet another jumped in arguing that Dever's accent was passable - but that it was simply from the wrong region.

'This is a fine Australian accent,' they wrote. 'It's just for the wrong age group, region and social class.

'Gibson has a really distinct "desperate striver from just outside Brisbane" accent.'

Apple Cider Vinegar is set during the early days of Instagram and follows two young women who set out to cure their allegedly life-threatening illnesses through health and wellness, influencing their global online communities along the way.

The real Belle Gibson, now 33, once claimed she had terminal brain cancer which was cured by simply eating healthy food - but it was later discovered she never had the disease.

Her shameless lie became a cause celebre in Australia, and the story of 'Healing Belle' will soon be told around the world.

Another jumped in claiming that there have only ever been three actors in the history of television and cinema that have successfully pulled off an Australian accent

Gibson, now 33, once claimed she had terminal brain cancer which was cured by simply eating healthy food - but it was later discovered she never had the disease. Pictured in 2016

In 2013, Belle Gibson launched the @healing_belle Instagram account where she gained a large following through sharing so-called 'healing' food recipes.

She claimed her lifestyle and healthy eating plan had 'cured' her inoperable brain cancer, which she had supposedly been diagnosed with at the age of 20 and given just months to live.

Belle claimed she had undergone conventional cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, before abandoning modern medicine to follow a program of clean-eating instead.

Before long the deals began to roll in, with Gibson launching an app full of recipes as well as a book deal, reportedly worth $420,000.

However, in 2014, the Melbourne-based personality claimed that despite her new wellness-focused lifestyle, her cancer had returned, and this time it had spread.

Following an investigation by Fairfax Media, now Nine Newspapers, it was discovered none of the charities Belle had named had received a cent from her.

The influencer's story quickly began to unravel, and in April 2015 she was forced to admit she had lied.

She also appeared in a trainwreck interview on 60 Minutes, where she was grilled about her many falsehoods by reporter Tara Brown.

Two years after her admission, Belle was fined around $410,000 after being found guilty of misleading and deceptive conduct.
Christine Quinn sent temperatures soaring on Tuesday as she shared a carousel of sizzling bikini photos from her Mexican getaway.

The former Selling Sunset star, 36, went topless while tanning at the VidantaWorld resort, as she thrilled fans who raved about her 'snatched' body.

The real estate agent showed off her enviable figure while lying on a cabana in a light olive bikini. Christine soaked up the sun while reading a book.

Another photo showed her strolling on the beach, her long blonde hair flowing in the wind, and a picturesque view of the ocean behind her.

The mom-of-one  who's going through a messy divorce from estranged husband Christian Richard  also shared a snap of herself on a pool swing.

There was also a photo that showed her in total vacation mode as she sat at an outdoor bar in a green bikini.

Christine Quinn, 36, sent temperatures soaring on Tuesday as she shared a carousel of sizzling bikini photos from her Mexican getaway, including some topless snaps

The former Selling Sunset star enjoyed a sunny vacation at the VidantaWorld resort, as she thrilled fans who raved about her 'snatched' body

In another picture the businesswoman enjoyed a drink at a restaurant, sporting a blue crop top and colorful pants.

Her 4.7M followers were thrilled with the snaps, with one writing: 'how do you fit such a huge heart in that snatched body of yours icon  xoxo.'

'You have the perfect bikini body,' another wrote.

'Not sure what looks better you or the views!!!'

It comes a month after Christine's estranged husband Christian gained a legal win amid their messy divorce battle.

The star  who shares 2-year-old son Christian Georges with her ex  split from the tech entrepreneur after he was arrested at their LA house for assault with a deadly weapon earlier this year in March.

She was soon granted a temporary restraining order and he filed for divorce in early April shortly after the incident.

In the latest update amid their divorce, a Los Angeles court judge has granted Richard  also known as Christian Dumontet  mental health diversion in his criminal case, per Us Weekly.

A source informed the outlet he will have to undergo therapy sessions for one year, as well as do community service labor and pay restitution.

If Christian maintains positive feedback and reports throughout the year, his misdemeanor case could possibly be dropped.

The real estate agent showed off her enviable figure while lying on a cabana in a light olive bikini

She was careful to avoid getting a tan line

Christine soaked up the sun

The mom-of-one also shared a snap of her on a pool swing

She dipped her feet in the water

Another photo showed her strolling on the beach, her long blonde hair flowing in the wind, and a picturesque view of the ocean behind her

In court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Quinn attended a hearing late last month on September 24 and contested the judge's ruling.

The TV personality did so with an 'emotional' victim impact statement where she asked that Richard's request for mental health diversion be denied.

Her attorney also filed documents in the family law case to show a variety of alleged temporary restraining orders that Christian had violated.

After the judge granted Quinn's ex mental health diversion, he is still ordered to stay away from Christine under the TRO - with the next hearing in their case slated for next year on January 28, 2025.

The reality star has also claimed her estranged husband reached out to some of her family members - including her father.

She alleged that Richard asked them to pass along a message to her to say he wanted to have 'a simple, friendly conversation' which could 'make a night and day difference.'

It was also claimed that only five minutes after the September 24 court appearance, Quinn received a message from an unknown 'burner' phone - and the text had told her to 'chill out.'

Christine's attorney, Jacqueline Sparagna, told Us Weekly after the judge ruling, 'We hope Mr. Dumontet takes advantage of this opportunity to get the help he so clearly needs.'

The blonde beauty relaxed in the sun

Another photo showed her sitting at an outside bar

She stretched out her long legs while lounging

The businesswoman enjoyed a drink at a restaurant, sporting a blue crop top and colorful pants

And Richard's lawyer, Alexandra Kazarian, responded to Quinn's claims in a statement to Us Weekly and said, 'The depths of Ms. Quinn's delusion are once again on display.'

'Her wild and unsubstantiated allegations have not stopped and her lack of credibility is best understood when read in conjunction with the unprecedented public statement by LAPD that her claims of hotel room bugging and alleged surveillance by Christian were unfounded.'

Kazarian added, 'The reality is that Ms. Quinn enjoyed complete financial and personal independence during the marriage while spending upwards of $30,000 a month of his money.'

'And is now facing a divorce without a prenup, and having to repay the community assets with the millions she made during the marriage.'

Back in August, Christian had filed a request to drop the temporary restraining order against him.

He asked the court, in documents obtained by Page Six, to drop the order which also allows Christine access alone to their marital Hollywood Hills mansion.

The reason for his request was due to getting, 'a utility bill in excess of $10,000.'

He further claimed that he is also receiving, 'daily criminal fines from the Los Angeles Vector Control since July 18, 2024, for the abandonment and lack of upkeep to the property.'

She enjoyed a dip in an indoor pool

Christine showed off her spectacular view

Quinn's ex also stated in the filing that he has gotten 'thousands of dollars' in fines, but cannot solve the issues due to not being permitted to visit the Los Angeles home.

He claimed his legal team has tried to contact Quinn and her representation, but has yet to hear back.

On top of the $10,000 utility bill, Christian is also requesting that Quinn repay him '$29,000 in rental value per month for the home' as well as the cost of the luxurious Hermes bags he bought during their marriage.

His attorney, Alexandra Kazarian, expressed in an email included in the filing, per Page Six, 'Mr. Dumontet also seeks CP reimbursement for the various Hermes bags that were purchased with his separate property "as investment items" at the behest of your client.'

The real estate agent's own legal team has denied the $10,000 water bill claims.

Quinn's attorney stated, 'There is no water damage or emergency at the house. We believe this is just an unpaid LADWP bill that hasn't been paid for months.'

'There have been ongoing problems with water leaks since September 2023, when a pipe burst flooded the basement.'

In March, Christian was spotted outside of their house in handcuffs as he was arrested for allegedly throwing a 'bag of glass' which hit their son.

However, the retired tech entrepreneur was notably arrested a second time when he returned to the LA home and violated the restraining order.

He has denied hitting their son and claimed an argument began over their dogs urinating on some of his personal belongings, TMZ reported at the time.

Christian claimed that he had picked up a bag of trash and tossed it against a wall, but his wife and son were never hit.

The star split from husband Christian Richard after he was arrested at their LA house for assault with a deadly weapon earlier this year in March; seen in 2021 in L.A.

In April, the Selling Sunset alum was granted a temporary restraining order against Christian, and just days later, he filed for divorce while also requesting for sole custody of their son.

The next month, he was formally charged with misdemeanor child abuse, assault and violating a protective order.

In June, Quinn was seen moving her things out of their marital home, including Louis Vuitton and Hermes bags and boxes.

Despite the messy divorce, the TV personality has been keeping busy and recently attended the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards in Milan last month.
Lindy Klim has left Bali for good after her heartbreaking split from her second husband, British property developer Adam Ellis.

The Balinese princess, 45, took to Instagram on Tuesday to mark the bittersweet occasion with a series of photos with two of her daughters, Frankie and Goldie.

Lindy also posted images of her lavish Balinese accommodation they are staying in before flying out to Melbourne.

In the caption, the former wife of Olympic swimmer Michael Klim wrote about her sadness to be leaving the Indonesian island behind.

'Today marks my last day in Bali with my girls as a family,' she began.

'After 13 beautiful years of being on this island, our time has come, and Australia calls for new beginnings.

Lindy Klim has left Bali for good after her heartbreaking split from her second husband, British property developer Adam Ellis

The Balinese princess, 45, took to Instagram on Tuesday to mark the bittersweet occasion with a series of photos with two of her daughters, Frankie and Goldie

'With a massive hole in my heart, it hasnt been easy making the decision to relocate and the most important thing to me is maintaining a comfortable home/space/place for us to come together to as a family,' she added.

Speculation her second marriage of six years had ended emerged in October.

The mother-of-four posed for a family portrait with her children - with no sign of Ellis.

Speculation her second marriage of six years had ended emerged in October. The mother-of-four posed for a family portrait with her children - with no sign of Ellis

The pair have been married for six years after tying the knot in 2018

After posting the image to Instagram, eagle-eyed followers noticed that Lindy was also no longer wearing her engagement ring.

An insider claimed the pair have been well and truly over for some time.

'They have also not been seen together for a number of months,' an insider told Confidential.

'Plus he isn't in any of her social media photographs.'

Daily Mail Australia was the first to reveal a potential marriage breakdown between Lindy and Adam after the celebrity fashionista posted the tell-tale family photo to her social media.

Followers were quick to note Ellis' absence in the photo, as well as the missing large citrine engagement ring on her left hand wedding finger.

'My family, my world,' the Fig Femme founder captioned the photo, which include all four of her children, and was taken by local photographer Nicole Riley.

Lindy shares three children with her ex-husband, Australian Olympic swimmer Michael Klim - Stella, 18, Rocco, 16, and Frankie, 13 - and one with her second husband, Goldie, seven.
TikTok star Anna Paul was left gobsmacked after taking a trip to an American supermarket this week.

The influencer, 25, took to the social media platform to share her US grocery store experience with fans as well as some of the more 'left-of-centre' products she discovered on her adventure.

First up, Anna was stunned at the size of the supermarket's produce section compared to the adjacent, much larger confectionary aisle.

'We're in an American grocery store and these are some of the craziest foods we can see,' she said in the clip.

'The produce section is teensy...teeny weeny! Look at this.'

The first unusual product that caught Anna's eye was a packet of bacon. Innocuous enough, except for the fact that the meat was infused with the flavours of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.

TikTok star Anna Paul was left gobsmacked after taking a trip to an American supermarket this week

'Cereal-flavoured bacon,' she exclaimed quizzically, while her shopping partner, brother Atis, declared: 'That's a money saver.'

She then spotted another unusual breakfast item that piqued her interest.

'A blueberry pancake hamburger breakfast situation,' she said. 'That's just crazy.'

Anna was also enthralled with the selection of unusual butters that were on offer in US supermarkets.

'This is movie theatre butter for your popcorn,' she said, holding up a butter of oily looking liquid. 'How is that butter?'

There was also butter in an aerosol can that grabbed Anna's attention.

'No way,' she exclaimed. 'Movie theatre butter flavoured spritzer. You can spray paint your popcorn to taste like butter.

Anna was stunned at the size of the supermarket's produce section compared to the adjacent, much larger confectionary aisle

The influencer, 25, took to the social media platform to share her US grocery store experience with fans as well as some of the more 'left-of-centre' products she discovered on her adventure

'I would do it for fun, but that's just crazy,' Anna admitted.

It wasn't all criticism though, with Anna finding some products she definitely got excited about, including cinnamon sugared donut flavoured coffee and cookie butter coffee.

'Americans know what they're doing,' she said when spying the products.

Anna was also quite impressed with the supermarket's exhaustive range of Oreo cookies, not caring that some contained controversial food additive Red 40.

'The Oreo section is so big,' she said excitedly, before picking up a packet of red-hued cookies.

'This is definitely Red 40 but it's fine,' she said. Red Oreos, that's good.'

Red 40 is a synthetic food dye that has been linked to several adverse health effects.

The post was met with a flurry of comments from fans with an American follower admitting they had never seen many of the products in Anna's video.

Anna was also enthralled with the selection of unusual butters that were on offer in US supermarkets

The post was met with a flurry of comments from fans, with an American follower admitting they had never seen many of the products in Anna's video

'As an American idk how tourists always manage to find food Ive never seen in my life or heard of anyone eating,' they wrote.

Another suggested that Anna should visit US supermarket chain Whole Foods to get a better picture of US eating habits, but the influencer was having none of it.

'Its just a Tiktok showing some unique foods that we dont have at home,' she replied.

'Im not gonna film a bunch of apples and tomatoes that cost $150 at wholefoods and make a Tiktok out of it lol.'

Another commenter summed up the sentiment of many, saying they were 'scared' of American food.

'USA food is scary as a Canadian it takes me 2x longer shopping cause Im reading all the ingredients,' they said. 'The meat doesnt even taste like meat. Especially chicken.'

Known by her fans as 'Australia's Kim Kardashian', Anna boasts a whopping seven million combined followers on TikTok and Instagram.

The brunette bombshell found fame on TikTok by sharing lip-sync videos and vlogs documenting her life.

She then moved into a lucrative career posting content on adult subscription-based sites.

While Anna has claimed she grew up poor, the online star now leads a lavish lifestyle envied by many and boasts a reported net work of over $10million.
Katie Holmes was spotted arriving at the Barrymore Theatre in New York City ahead of Tuesday night's performance of Broadway's Our Town.

The actress, 45, stars in the long-awaited revival of Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning play along with The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons and Zoey Deutch.

Carrying a Starbucks to-go cup and a bottle of water, Holmes  who will soon reunite with her daughter at Thanksgiving  looked ready to hit the stage.

She had on a baggy gray denim jacket over a burgundy wool Falconeri sweater and black T-shirt.

The mother-of-one completed her outfit with a burgundy silk maxi skirt and yellow satin ballet flats.

Holmes appeared to be makeup-free as she smiled at passersby before heading into the historic theater.

Katie Holmes was spotted arriving at the Barrymore Theatre in New York City ahead of Tuesday night's performance of Broadway's Our Town

The actress, 45, stars in the long-awaited revival of Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning play along with The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons and Zoey Deutch

Her wavy brunette hair was worn down and she kept her essentials tucked away in a red leather designer handbag.

Our Town officially returned to Broadway in October after weeks of previews that started on September 17.

The revival of the play, which was first performed in 1938, features more diverse casting and includes Jim Parsons, Zoey Deutch, Ephraim Sykes, Julie Halston and Michelle Wilson.

'We have this wonderful, beautiful group of actors and we've all been working hard to bring this to the stage and it's very exciting,' Holmes said in a promotional video shared on social media.

Holmes stars as Mrs. Webb, mother to Deutsch's protagonist Emily. Richard Thomas of The Waltons fame stars as Mr. Webb.

In an interview with Playbill, Holmes spoke about working on the show and the new approach to the universal story.

'He didn't want this to be a play about nostalgia,' the Dawson's Creek alum said referring to director Kenny Leon.

'He wanted this to be a play about village life set against the stars, against humanity.'

She had on a baggy gray denim jacket over a burgundy wool Falconeri sweater and black T-shirt

Carrying a Starbucks to-go cup and a bottle of water, Holmes looked ready to hit the stage

Holmes appeared to be makeup-free as she smiled at passersby before heading into the historic theater

The mother-of-one completed her outfit with a burgundy silk maxi skirt and yellow satin ballet flats

Her wavy brunette hair was worn down and she kept her essentials tucked away in a red leather designer handbag

Our Town officially returned to Broadway in October after weeks of previews that started on September 17; Holmes seen on October 10

Holmes became an empty nester when her daughter Suri, 18, went off to college at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, PA.

She shares the teen with ex-husband Tom Cruise, 62.

While talking to Town & Country in August, Katie discussed her daughter moving away to attend the university.

'I'm proud of my daughter. Of course, I will miss the close proximity, but I'm really proud of her and I'm happy,' the actress gushed to the outlet.

'I remember being this age, this time of beginnings.'

'It's exciting to learn about yourself, and I loved that time, so it makes me happy to think about it like that.'

Holmes' run with Our Town goes through January 19.
While the Princess of Wales looks forward to her Together At Christmas carol service, Queen Camilla's nephew Sir Ben Elliot has signed up an American hip-hop star for his own festive charity event.

I hear Philadelphia-born rapper Eve will be the headline act at the Fayre of St James's Christmas carol concert next week, at St James's Church in Piccadilly.

Eve is known for hits including Let Me Blow Ya Mind and lives in London with her husband, former racing driver and Gumball 3000 founder Maximillion Cooper.

The fundraiser, which will also feature pop stars Emeli Sande and Jack Savoretti, is in aid of the Quintessentially Foundation and its Firefly Project initiative, which supports young people affected by poverty in London.

Sir Ben, whose mother Annabel Elliot is the Queen's sister, set up the Quintessentially Foundation and hopes the event, which last year raised more than 350,000, will attract generous donors.

He says: 'Together, we can help these charities to continue their important work in restoring hope, health and happiness to the young people in London facing the most disadvantages.'

The Princess of Wales will host her annual Christmas carol concert this year, with the service reflecting on 'how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives'.

Kate, who is recovering from cancer after what the Prince of Wales described as a 'brutal' year, is going ahead with her televised festive event at Westminster Abbey on December 6, Kensington Palace announced.

Queen Camilla's nephew Sir Ben Elliot has signed up an American hip-hop star for his own festive charity event

I hear Philadelphia-born rapper Eve will be the headline act at the Fayre of St James's Christmas carol concert next week, at St James's Church in Piccadilly

The Princess of Wales will host her annual Christmas carol concert this year, with the service reflecting on 'how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives'

The princess set her sights on being able to stage the Together At Christmas service in 2024 despite the health challenges she has faced, and it forms part of her gradual return to public duties after finishing chemotherapy treatment in the summer.

The Palace said Kate, who honoured the war dead at Remembrance events at the weekend, particularly wanted the service's theme to celebrate those supporting others in need, with a focus on the importance of love and empathy.

Kensington Palace said: 'This year's service provides a moment to reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives.

'The service will shine a light on individuals from all over the UK who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards others in their communities.'

The Palace added: 'This year, Her Royal Highness wanted to celebrate the many people supporting those in need  individuals who have inspired, counselled, comforted, and above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive.

'This theme takes inspiration from the Christmas story which encourages us to consider the experiences of others and the important human need of giving and receiving empathy.'

It will be the fourth time Kate has staged her Together At Christmas carol service, which is supported by The Royal Foundation.

The event will be filmed and broadcast as part of a special programme on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve.

The princess arriving for the Together At Christmas Carol Service in 2022

Kate's family Pippa Matthews, James and Alizee Middleton, and Carole and Michael Middleton at the event in 2021

Members of the royal family will gather with the princess as some 1,600 people fill the abbey in London to see musical performances by stars including Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter.

Among the invited guests will be those who have supported others, either on a personal level with friends and family, or through their work or volunteering.

Names have been nominated by charities associated with the royal family, and by Lord Lieutenants, the King's representatives in counties across the UK.

The Middleton family, who are said to have been a great source of support to Kate during her illness, usually attend, and last year Kate and William brought along Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Decorations at the abbey will be inspired by nature and the service will combine traditional and modern elements to encompass people of all faiths and none.

In addition, 15 Together At Christmas community carol services will be taking place across the UK including at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and Blackpool Tower Circus.

Hosted by Lord Lieutenants and supported by The Royal Foundation, each community service will recognise those who have gone above and beyond to help others.
Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley put on a brave face on Wednesday as they were spotted exiting KIIS FM's North Sydney studios with their recently axed co-star Mitch Churi.

The radio presenters looked emotional as they embraced Mitch while walking him out of the studio one final time, shortly after the shock news broke he had been given his marching orders.

Laura wore a black tank paired with brown patterned pants.

The 38-year-old accessorised with stylish sunglasses, gold earrings and a silver necklace and added a touch of colour to her outfit with a bright blue animal-themed bag.

Her jet-black hair was tied in a bun and she highlighted her natural beauty by going makeup-free for the outing.

Meanwhile, Brittany, 37, looked effortlessly stylish in beige top paired with ripped denim shorts that showcased her long slender legs.

Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley put on a brave face on Wednesday as they were spotted exiting KIIS FM's North Sydney studios with their recently axed co-star Mitch Churi. All pictured

The radio presenters looked emotional as they embraced Mitch while walking him out of the studio one final time, shortly after the shock news broke he had been given his marching orders

Laura wore a black tank paired with brown patterned pants

The 38-year-old accessorised with stylish sunglasses, gold earrings and a silver necklace and added a touch of colour to her outfit with a bright blue animal-themed bag

The upbeat presenter completed her look with white loafers and accessorised with slick aviator sunglasses.

She had a brown designer bag slung around her arms and allowed her brunette locks to hang freely around her shoulders.

The pair became emotional as they hugged Mitch on the street and bid farewell to their long-time male colleague, who was informed his contract was not being renewed.

At one point, Brittany was seen trying to comfort Mitch as she wrapped her arm around him, while he spoke to her and Laura.

Her jet-black hair was tied in a bun and she highlighted her natural beauty by going makeup-free for the outing

Meanwhile, Brittany, 37, looked effortlessly stylish in beige top paired with ripped denim shorts that showcased her long slender legs

The upbeat presenter completed her look with white loafers and accessorised with slick aviator sunglasses

She had a brown designer bag slung around her arms

The pair became emotional as they hugged Mitch on the street

It looked like an emotional farewell for the bubbly presenter, whose shock axing has also left Laura and Brittany's future at the network in doubt.

It follows reports that KIIS FM is reeling this week as the major star has reportedly been given marching orders.

Churi will finish up at the end of the year, the Daily Telegraph claimed on Tuesday.

He has hosted The Night Show with Mitch Churi since 2019, and co-hosts The Pick Up with Laura and Brittany.

The decision was made for 'financial reasons' the paper claims, and Mitch, who has not been on the air since Thursday, was given the bad news on Tuesday.

'Mitch is shattered and completely blindsided,' the publication quoted a 'colleague' as saying.

The news is said to have 'shocked' KIIS star Kyle Sandilands, and left the future of Hockley and Byrne's show in doubt.

At one point, Brittany was seen trying to comfort Mitch
Kim Kardashian was branded 'weird' after she posed for a bizarre nighttime photo-shoot with Elon Musk's $30,000 Tesla bot.

Going topless under a puffy black jacket, the Kardashians star, 44, sat on the robot's lap as they posed in the driver's seat of her custom Tesla Model S car.

She wore sheer, nude-toned tights with black stockings and a garter belt printed on them  creating the illusion that Kim wasn't wearing any underwear.

She crouched down beside the pricey vehicle in her sexy look while the robot relaxed in the driver's seat with one foot resting on Kim's driveway.

One shot, which she shared to Instagram on Tuesday, captured Kim from the neck down as the robot appeared to touch her thigh.

Another showed Kim and the robot holding hands inside the luxury electric car.

Kim Kardashian is being slammed as 'weird' for posing for a bizarre nighttime photo-shoot with Elon Musk 's $30,000 Tesla bot

Going topless under a puffy black jacket, the Kardashians star, 44, sat on the robot's lap as they posed in the driver's seat of her custom Tesla Model S car

She modeled sheer, nude-toned tights with black stockings and a garter belt printed on them  creating the illusion that Kim wasn't wearing any underwear

Fans of Kardashian were left shocked by the photoshoot, with many calling it 'embarrassing' and 'scary.'

Some voiced that they found the 'sexualization' of the robot to be 'disturbing.'

Meanwhile, others thought the shoot was funny and joked that Kim finally found her 'soulmate.'

Kim had a creepy interaction with her Tesla bot earlier this week, which she shared in a video posted to Instagram on Monday.

She was filmed waving at the robot - who waved back - before asking the bot to make a heart shape with their hands.

Kardashian  who recently went makeup-free on social media  was shocked as the robot was able to complete the gesture.

The robot mimed a running motion, did a hula dance and placed a hand near its head when asked how tall it is.

Kardashian asked the robot to play rock paper scissors - with the machine duly complying.

The star is a noted fan of the Tesla brand and is often snapped in her cybertruck.

One shot, which was shared to Instagram on Tuesday, captured Kim from the neck down as the robot appeared to touch her thigh

She crouched down beside the pricey vehicle in her sexy look while the robot relaxed in the driver's seat with one foot resting on Kim's driveway

Another shot showed Kim and the robot holding hands inside the luxury electric vehicle

Fans of Kardashian were left shocked by the photo-shoot, with many calling it 'embarrassing' and 'scary'

Some voiced that they found the 'sexualization' of the robot to be 'disturbing'

Kim's nighttime photo-shoot with her bot comes days after she debuted it on her Instagram Story

It is not known of the robot was loaned to her or she had been gifted the item.

Just days ago the star was cruising down the PCH in her brand-new futuristic ride on Thursday when a cop pulled her over for her tinted front windshield, sources told TMZ.

Apparently, the tint was too dark for California's vehicle regulations.

Insiders said that Kim 'kept it cool' with the cops, even after being cited.

The fix-it ticket means she can avoid a fine as long as she gets the tint corrected and shows up at the sheriff's station to prove it.

This isn't Kim's first run-in with window tinting issues. Back in 2013, she got a warning for dark windows in a different vehicle while driving through Calabasas, per TMZ.

Kim added her first Cybertruck to her collection in February 2024, followed by a sleek matte black version in May.

The robot, which is intended for industrial and domestic uses, debuted at AI Day on September 30 after first being announced at AI Day in August 2021.

Kim filmed a creepy interaction with her Tesla bot on Monday

She asked the bot to make a heart shape with their hands. Kardashian was shocked as the robot was able to complete the gesture

'Tesla Bots are initially positioned to replace people in repetitive, boring, and dangerous tasks.

But the vision is for them to serve millions of households, such as cooking, mowing lawns, and caring for the elderly,' Musk wrote in an essay published in China Cyberspace magazine.

But many social media users are now drawing comparisons to the 2004 Sci-fi movie I, Robot set in 2035, after seeing the clip of Musk's droids.

Set in Chicago, the action film shows highly intelligent robots filling public service positions throughout the world, operating under three laws to keep humans safe.

Several concerned viewers of Musk's video left comments likening the Optimus droids to the movie.

'Am I the only one who remembers iRobot?' wrote one X, formerly Twitter, user.

'iRobot just became reality,' warned another.

A third added: 'Somebody call Detective Spooner! I'm getting i, Robot chills.'

'No, thank you. I saw 'I, Robot,' said one more.

The robot mimed a running motion, did a hula dance and placed a hand near its head when asked how tall it is

Elon Musk (pictured this month) debuted his robots, which are intended for industrial and domestic uses, at AI Day on September 30 after first being announced at AI Day in 2021

Just days ago the star was cruising down the PCH in her brand-new Tesla Cybertruck on Thursday when a cop pulled her over for her tinted front windshield, sources told TMZ

A fifth chimed in: 'We already saw this movie. Wasn't it 'I, Robot' with Will Smith. Doesn't end well.'

Musk in 2022 explained that the android, named Tesla bot at the time, was deliberately designed that way.

'The Tesla Bot is close to the height and weight of an adult, can carry or pick up heavy objects, walk fast in small steps, and the screen on its face is an interactive interface for communication with people.

'You may wonder why we designed this robot with legs. Because human society is based on the interaction of a bipedal humanoid with two arms and ten fingers.

'So if we want a robot to adapt to its environment and be able to do what humans do, it has to be roughly the same size, shape, and capabilities as a human,' Musk explained.
Kate Winslet sweetly stepped in to help a schoolgirl with a rare eye condition tick off her 'visual bucket list'.

Lily-Rae Merchant-O'Hanlon, 12, was diagnosed with Stargardt disease last December - a genetic eye disease that causes progressive vision loss.

After reading about Lily-Rae's story, the Titanic actress, 49, was touched and arranged for the schoolgirl and her mother, Emma, 45, to join her at the theatre this week.

Kate arranged for the three of them to visit London's Barbican Theatre to watch My Neighbour Totoro and happily posed for sweet pictures together.

Speaking about the trip, Emma said: 'It felt like we'd known each other forever. She was very normal. We are so grateful to her.'

Earlier in the year, Kate also helped by donating 5,000 to Lily-Rae's GoFundMe page, meaning she was able to fulfill her wish of seeing the Northern Lights and also feed a group of tigers at Knowsley Safari Park.

Kate Winslet helped a schoolgirl, 12, with a rare eye condition tick off her 'visual bucket list' as she treated her to a visit to London's Barbican Theatre to watch My Neighbour Totoro

Lily-Rae Merchant-O'Hanlon, 12, was diagnosed with Stargardt disease last December - a genetic eye disease that causes progressive vision loss

After reading about Lily-Rae's story, the Titanic actress, 49, was touched and arranged for the schoolgirl and her mother, Emma, 45, (left) to join her at the theatre this week

After donating the hefty sum, Kate commented: 'Wishing Lily-Rae some magical adventures so she can make many special memories to treasure! With lots of Love, Kate Winslet and family.'

Speaking about the donation, Emma said: 'We're very overwhelmed. The donations we've had have been absolutely appreciated.'

'To have somebody such as Kate Winslet... I cannot explain how much I respect that woman as an actress, let alone now as an individual as a human being, to be so generous.

'She sent a lovely message as well. To have made so personal was just so special.'

Explaining her daughter's condition online, Emma penned: 'Hi, my name is Emma and I have the most amazing 11 year old daughter Lily-Rae who was diagnosed with juvenile macular dystrophy last year with confirmation a few weeks ago that she has a "defective" (hate that term!) abca4gene which is really rare and has caused her to have Stargardts disease.

'She has started using a cane and learning braille as her sight is constantly deteriorating she will hopefully keep some of her peripheral vision but that's not 100%.

'I've been gathering her ideas and the things she wants to see before it sadly gets so bad!

'Top of Lily-Rae's list is experiencing the northern lights in a glass dome. We'd appreciate anything you can spare to make Lily's dreams come true and she can have that vision memory in her mind forever x'.

Before Lily-Rae loses her sight completely her mother set up a Go Fund Me page to help pay for all the things she wants to see before her condition worsens

Earlier in the year, Kate also helped by donating 5,000 which allowed Lily-Rae to see the Northern Lights and feed a group of tigers at Knowsley Safari Park

Lily-Rae's condition does not affect colour, but she does struggle with depth perception.

She can see from three metres or less and said she reads her laptop using a font size of 64.

Currently, Lily-Rae uses a cane and is learning Braille, but she is hopeful that sharing her story will debunk some misconceptions about people with sight impairments.

'I would say this (fundraiser) is important for us because then I can see the world before my vision goes and my mum can also experience with me and I can just have mental memories and also muscle memories of all the different experiences,' Lily-Rae explained.

This is not the first time Oscar-winner Kate has showed her generousity.

In 2022, Kate donated 17,000 to a mother facing a sky-high energy bill to keep her cerebral palsy-hit daughter alive on life support.

Lily-Rae's condition does not affect colour, but she does struggle with depth perception (Pictured with Sky News presenter Anna Botting)

Carolynne Hunter, from Tillicoultry in Scotland, was warned by Clackmannanshire Council that her bill could rise from 6,500 to 17,000 next year.

Her daughter Freya, 12, has severe cerebral palsy and relies on receiving oxygen for chronic breathing problems.

Carolynne said she was overwhelmed when the Titanic actress, 47, intervened upon hearing their struggle reported on BBC Scotland.

Kate donated 17,000 to the family's GoFundMe page and contacted Miss Hunter to wish them well.
Cynthia Erivo has revealed how she was made green to play Elphaba in the long-awaited musical adaptation of Wicked.

Opening up about the intense transformation she had to undergo each day for the role, the actress, 37, explained it could take up to four hours to cover her in paint as she admitted no CGI was used.

Starring in a new NBC programme titled Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked, the one hour special went behind the scenes and followed Cynthia and her co-stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey, as well as Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh as they filmed the highly anticipated musical.

In one segment Cynthia shared behind the scenes shots from her phone of her sitting in the makeup chair as she was hand painted green.

The star explained: 'When you put the costume on, when you put the shoes on and we're supported by all these artists, it just takes it to the next level.'

Bridgerton star Jonathan, who plays Fiyero in the film, joked: 'You were actually green every day.'

Cynthia Erivo has revealed just how she was made green to play Wicked's Elphaba in behind the scene shots from a new NBC special

Opening up about the intense transformation, the actress, 37, explained it could take up to four hours to cover her in paint as she admitted no CGI was used

Cynthia added: 'That's very true I knew that if I looked at myself and didn't see the green I don't think I could have made the connection to her.

'And something happens when all of that green in on. The freckles go on, the hair goes on, the make-up goes on, the eyes go on and it's not me I'm looking at, it's her.

'But also something happens when you walk into a room, especially when you have lots of background artists and they meet you and you're green! The DNA in the space.'

Jonathan added: 'I agree, the energy shifts.'

Meanwhile lead hair and makeup artist for the film Frances Hannon, revealed in an interview with Elle magazine just how important it was for the green to look authentic.

She explained: ' It was very important that the green be real-looking. They did discuss possibly doing the green in post-production in the very early days, but Cynthia was quite adamant that she wanted to go onto the set green every day.'

Revealing just how long it took in an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Monday, Cynthia confesses it would take as long as four hours to greenify her.

She told the host: 'It really depended on how much green we were using. So if it was just hands, head, neck it would be two hours 45 minutes to three hours.

Titled Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked, Cynthia was joined by her co-stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey in the special for a behind the scene look at the film

Cynthia's Elphaba look was completed with freckles and prosthetic ears

The transformation could take up to four hours 45 minutes depending on how much of Cynthia's body needed to be covered

She added: 'If I looked at myself and didn't see the green I don't think I could have made the connection to her'

Cynthia shared behind the scenes shots from her phone of her sitting in the makeup chair as she was hand painted green and fitted with her wig

Even her hands were completely covered in the paint for the role

The film will premiere in theatres worldwide on November 22

'If it was like head arms, chest and legs it could take three and a half hours and if it was full body it was four hours and 45 minutes every morning before I got on set.'

The star also revealed she wore prosthetic ears for the role to avoid having to take her piercings out each day for filming.

'In each of my ears in total I think there are 27 piercings in my ears all together so to save time they would let me put flat studs in my ears and then they would but a prosthetic ear over it.'

Meanwhile Wicked fans were left stunned when leading ladies Ariana Grande and Cynthia made a surprise appearance at a screening held at Odeon in Leicester Square on Tuesday night.

The pair, who play Glinda and Elphaba in the musical adaptation, headed on stage to present the film alongside Jeff Goldblum, who plays the wizard, much to the delight of cinemagoers.

Just a day earlier the cast had hit the red carpet for the UK premiere, which will hit theatres worldwide on November 22.

Addressing the cheering audience, Cynthia, 37, said: 'Thank you for being here tonight we hope you enjoy this movie that we made.

'A lot of love went into this, a lot of tears and laughter and all of that good stuff. We are very proud to presenting this to you today.'
Saoirse Ronan wowed in a strapless tan gown as she joined the stars at the Elle Women In Hollywood event in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

The Irish actress, 30, looked ethereal as she paired the gown with a simple pair of black strappy heels.

Wearing her blonde locks in an effortless up do, the star kept her natural and accessorised the look with a large gold earring.

Joining stars including Demi Moore, Julianne Moore and Selena Gomez at the event, Saoirse recently featured in ELLEs 2024 Women in Hollywood issue as she revealed she is embracing playing flawed characters.

Saoirse admitted she now gives 'less of a f*** about things being palatable' and is enjoying playing characters who aren't always the most likeable and have challenging qualities.

Speaking about playing a flawed character in her latest project The Outrun she explained: 'I havent played anyone like that anyone like that since Briony Tallis [her character from Atonement]. And I was so ready for it.

Saoirse Ronan stunned in a strapless tan gown as she joined the stars at the Elle Women In Hollywood event in Los Angeles on Tuesday night

Wearing her blonde locks in an effortless up do, the star kept her natural and accessorised the look with a large gold earring

'I felt confident enough in my ability, but also confident enough in who I was. I didn't feel like I was being held down by a need to only play likable people.

'Because I got to shape it creatively, I just gave less of a f**k about things being palatable.'

Revealing how she was inspired by Lena Dunham's characters in Girls, she continued: 'We've gotten into this habit of filtering our personalities so much, reducing them to a line on Instagram or Twitter.

'And to be able to have the opportunity to go, "Look, this person can be fully formed and have sh**y qualities and also redeeming ones, and let's honor all of that"I'm at the point in my life where I'm like, "That's what I want to see onscreen".'

The star also opened up about being a private person and her choice not to have social media as she explained: 'I like that people don't know my business.

'I just fundamentally believe that they don't need to. I'm an actor, and the side of me that's out there that I want people to see is in the work.'

'I also think I was very lucky that when I was coming up, it was right before social media really took off.

'I can see, with the slightly younger generation, how they've felt the pressure to have that presence. And to be honest, that is justified, because I've been in audition rooms where I haven't gotten a role because I didn't have enough Twitter followers or whatever.'

The Irish actress, 30, looked ethereal as she paired the gown with a simple pair of black strappy heels

Saoirse recently featured in ELLEs 2024 Women in Hollywood issue as she revealed she is embracing playing flawed characters

Saoirse's latest role in The Outrun sees her play alcoholic Rona

'And in the end, I was like, "Okay, well, I don't want to be in a movie like that, anyway." But when you're coming up and nobody knows who you are, and you're trying to make a name for yourself in the world that we're in now, I can understand how you can give that too much importance.

'I was lucky that I just got past that. It doesn't make sense to me why I would share my personal life with people I don't know.'

Last month the actress set social media alight during her appearance on Graham Norton when she made a remark about gender-based violence while sat alongside an otherwise all-male panel of Paul, Denzel Washington and Eddie Redmayne.

As the men laughed about how they wouldn't think to access their phone to retaliate in the event of an attack, Saoirse stunned the group into silence as she finally found a moment to speak amidst the hilarity and declared: 'That's what girls have to think about all the time.'

The brutally honest comment prompted a moment of silence from the panel before Saoirse asked the crowd: 'Am I right, ladies?' eliciting a huge round of applause from the studio audience.

Breaking her silence on the viral moment, Saoirse spoke to Ryan Tubridy on Virgin Radio UK, as she admitted the reaction 'wasn't something she expected,' before going onto 'urge more women to speak out'.
It's not long until the powerful lyrics of Defying Gravity will be belted out in cinemas across the country as Wicked hits the big screen this Friday.

Starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda, the upcoming two-part feature is adapted from the long-running and much-loved Broadway and West End musical.

And reviews have already poured in from critics as they, for the most part, praise the leading stars' performances.

Yet while some reviews have branded the film a 'fabulous spectacle' others have declared: 'it doesn't come close to defying gravity'.

The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw described it as a 'sugar-rush fantasy with the overpowering star presence of Cynthia Erivo; it basically dunks you face-down in a hyperreal ball pit of M&Ms for two and three-quarter hours.'

Praising Cynthia's performance he added: 'Erivos charismatic Elphaba exerting a planetary pull over a star-studded cast'.

As the musical adaptation prepares to hit screens critics praise Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's sensational performance in the 'fabulous spectacle' yet the duo haven't managed to convince everyone they can 'defy gravity'

Starring Cynthia and Ariana as Elphaba and Glinda, the upcoming two-part feature is adapted from the long-running and much-loved Broadway and West End musical

The Daily Mail's Brian Viner writes: 'Its a fabulous spectacle, which demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible.'

A huge fan of the casting choice he added: 'Erivo and Grande are both pitch-perfect and altogether sensational.

'I confess to finding Wickeds songs a little repetitive but its hard to imagine anyone delivering them better than those two, while Grande has proper comedic flair, which she brings to bear every time Glinda tosses her luxuriant tresses.

'Yeoh, Bailey and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard offer splendid support.'

Peter Debruge of Variety praised: 'Unlike several recent tuners, which tried to hide their musical dimension from audiences, Wicked embraces its identity the way Elphaba does her emerald skin.

'Turns out such confidence makes all the difference in how theyre perceived.'

Dave Fear of Rolling Stone wrote: 'When Erivo nails that moment and rides into Ozs history books on a broomstick, for a split second you feel like theres no place youd rather be than riding alongside her. Not even home.' as he added: 'Erivo is the one truly defying gravity'

Meanwhile The Independent praised Ariana and Cynthia's performance, but felt the pair were let down by the actual cinematography of the film.

It begins at the end, with Glinda (Ariana Grande) announcing to the long-suffering people of Oz the death of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), better known as the fearsome Wicked Witch of the West

The Guardian' s Peter Bradshaw described it as a 'sugar-rush fantasy with the overpowering star presence of Cynthia Erivo'

Likening the way it was shot to a TV advert, Clarisse Loughrey wrote: 'Wicked is shot and lit like were being sold an Airbnb in Mykonos'.

Admitting that Cynthia 'nails those notorious high notes on Defying Gravity' Clarisse also wrote that despite its length and only being part one of the story, the film doesn't feel dragged.

However she concludes: 'Wicked will need to dream bigger and brighter, otherwise it may just fade completely under the spell of a classic.'

The Telegraph gave the movie a scathing review as they claimed that the film's leading actresses 'dont come close to defying gravity in this bloated, beige screen adaptation of the Wizard of Oz prequel'.

Robbie Collin writes that the 'casting of the leads feels off' as he describes Cynthia as playing the role with a 'wet-eyed severity that lends a grim medicinal quality to the films more emotional passages.'

Critic Reviews on Wicked

The Guardian Rating: Peter Bradshaw described it as a 'sugar-rush fantasy with the overpowering star presence of Cynthia Erivo; it basically dunks you face-down in a hyperreal ball pit of M&Ms for two and three-quarter hours.' The Daily Mail Rating: Brian Viner praised: 'It's a fabulous spectacle, which demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible'. The Independent Rating: Clarisse Loughrey praised Ariana and Cynthia's performance, but felt the pair were let down by the actual cinematography of the film, as she likened it to a TV advert. Variety Rating: Peter Debruge praised: 'Unlike several recent tuners, which tried to hide their musical dimension from audiences, Wicked embraces its identity the way Elphaba does her emerald skin.' Rolling Stone David Fear added: 'When Erivo nails that moment and rides into Ozs history books on a broomstick, for a split second you feel like theres no place youd rather be than riding alongside her. Not even home.' The Telegraph Rating: Robbie Collins gave the movie a scathing review as he claimed that the film's leading actresses 'dont come close to defying gravity in this bloated, beige screen adaptation of the Wizard of Oz prequel'. BBC Rating: Nicholas Barber wrote: 'The film ends with a song called Defying Gravity, so it's only fair to say that that's precisely what Wicked doesn't manage to achieve'. Advertisement

The Telegraph gave the movie a scathing review as they claimed that the film's leading actresses 'dont come close to defying gravity in this bloated, beige screen adaptation of the Wizard of Oz prequel'

Likening the way it was shot to a TV advert, The Independent wrote: 'Wicked is shot and lit like were being sold an Airbnb in Mykonos' (Jonathan Bailey, pictured)

The Daily Mail added: 'Yeoh, Bailey and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard offer splendid support' (pictured)

Meanwhile he concludes that while Ariana's voice fits 'she also lacks the manic stage-school brittleness the role demands, and the sense youre primarily watching a pop star having fun while broadening her CV never dissipates.'

Nicholas Barber at the BBC also gave a rather negative review as he penned: 'This 'drawn-out' and 'self-important' film proves the musical didn't need to be split into two parts'.

Despite giving credit to Ariana and Cynthia's performances, he added: 'The film ends with a song called Defying Gravity, so it's only fair to say that that's precisely what Wicked doesn't manage to achieve'.
First it was Matt Hancock and then Nigel Farage which prompted Ant and Dec to call for a break from politicians on I'm A Celebrity after their appearances divided viewers.

And it appears the ITV flagship show has learnt from its mistakes as it reaps the rewards of a 'fun' and non-controversial line-up with praise being heaped on from staff and viewers.

As ratings beat last year and hit more than 8million in three days, fans are sharing online that they can, 'finally watch again now they've learned not to put divisive politicians in the jungle'.

A show insider told the Mail: 'Everyone was just so pleasantly surprised at how fun the cast was to speak to this year before they went in because that isn't always the case.

'It's made such a difference to the show both on camera and in production, behind the scenes.

'Everyone is over the moon with how relatable they all seem and it's the perfect combination of people for the kind of year they were hoping for this time around.'

First it was Matt Hancock and then Nigel Farage which prompted Ant and Dec to call for a break from politicians on I'm A Celebrity after their appearances divided viewers (Nige Farage pictured on the 2023 series)

And it appears the ITV flagship show has learnt from its mistakes as it reaps the rewards of a 'fun' and non-controversial line-up with praise being heaped on from staff and viewers (Matt Hancock pictured on the 2023 series)

In the first three episodes alone, viewers cried after Barry McGuigan opened up about the loss of his daughter, Danika, to breast cancer and laughed at McFly's Danny Jones getting a snake in his trousers.

ITV is said to be very pleased with the show's trajectory as Coleen Rooney, who is reportedly being paid  1.5 million to appear on the show, has appeased fans by addressing the Wagatha Christie trial.

One viewer wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'It's nice to have a series without any politicians. It's much more watchable.'

Another added: 'We can watch again, now you have stopped supporting vile politicians like Farage.'

It comes after a long-standing executive producer on the show, Olly Nash, told the Mail their hopes of 'recreating the show's golden year' of 2018 which didn't have any politicians in its lineup.

After the first episode, the show's host Ant McPartlin said: 'Compared to last year, it's just fun. There is no one cynical this year.'

Last year, the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, 60, appeared on the show and longtime hosts, Ant and Dec, both 49, called for a break from politicians.

The controversial former UKIP leader, who was reportedly paid 1.5million to appear on the show, made it no secret he was there to target a new audience.

A show insider told the Mail: 'Everyone was just so pleasantly surprised at how fun the cast was to speak to this year before they went in because that isn't always the case (Tulisa pictured)

'It's made such a difference to the show both on camera and in production, behind the scenes' (Coleen Rooney pictured)

'Everyone is over the moon with how relatable they all seem and it's the perfect combination of people' (Dean McCullough pictured)

But ITV ran into problems with allies of Mr Farage, while he was in the Jungle, who grew increasingly angry at 'insane diary tricks' against him on the show and said they were consulting lawyers over his treatment.

The Mail on Sunday revealed his aides sent a letter of complaint claiming the network had broken an 'indecency' clause in his contract by showing him naked.

After placing third, Mr Farage accused the ITV boss Kevin Lygo of making his life 'quite unpleasant' while in the Jungle.

Since leaving the show, Mr Farage claims he was deliberately censored and that ITV reduced his airtime and chose to show him naked, which the network has denied.
Barry Keoghan showcased his incredible acting chops once again in the first teaser clip from his upcoming revenge thriller Bring Them Down.

The actor, 32, stars in Christopher Andrews directorial debut opposite Poor Things star Christopher Abbott, which is set to be released in cinemas in February.

The brutal and vengeful film follows Christopher's Michael, the last son of a farming family, lives an isolated existence with his ailing, cantankerous father Ray.

Burdened by a terrible secret from his past, Michael has isolated himself from the world and dedicates himself to his prized flock.

When the ongoing conflict with rival farmer Gary and his wayward and unpredictable son Jack - played by Barry - stirs old tensions and grievances, it triggers a chain of events that take increasingly violent and devastating turns, leaving both families permanently altered.

The chilling first clip shows the tension ratcheting up between Barry and Christopher, and the rest of the cast - Colm Meaney, Nora-Jane Noone, Paul Ready and Susan Lynch.

Barry Keoghan showcased his incredible acting chops once again in the first teaser clip from his upcoming revenge thriller Bring Them Down

The actor, 32, stars in Christopher Andrews directorial debut opposite Poor Things star Christopher Abbott, which is set to be released in cinemas in February

The brutal and vengeful film follows Christopher's Michael (pictured), the last son of a farming family, lives an isolated existence with his ailing, cantankerous father Ray

Set to a very eerie thumping drum beat, the characters are seen looking sombre interspersed with shots of the isolated farm and many sheep.

Showing his prowess for playing quietly dangerous characters, Barry can be seen creepily telling Michael: 'You know what they say, where there's lives stock, there's dead stock.'

Glimpses of the violence to come are shown throughout, with multiple characters seen aiming rifles at each other and yelling, as well as flashes of a fire and a violent car crash.

At one point Barry can be seen punching Christopher's character in the face, while he can be seen smashing Barry's car with a tyre iron.

The Saltburn star is noticeably caked in blood in several scenes, while Christopher's Michael can be seen becoming increasing unhinged, with the trailer ending with him on his back and screaming in fear while bracing himself for a killing blow.

Bring Them Down was filmed in Ireland in February last year, with Barry replacing his fellow Irish actor Paul Mescal for the role of Jack.

It had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and was also selected for BFI London Film Festival 2024.

In the first reviews, the film received praise for examining the perils of toxic masculinity, with bleak and brutal consequences.

Burdened by a terrible secret from his past, Michael has isolated himself from the world and dedicates himself to his prized flock

When the ongoing conflict with rival farmer Gary and his wayward and unpredictable son Jack - played by Barry - stirs old tensions and grievances, it triggers a chain of events that take increasingly violent and devastating turns, leaving both families permanently altered

The chilling first clip shows the tension ratcheting up between Barry and Christopher, and the rest of the cast - Colm Meaney, Nora-Jane Noone, Paul Ready and Susan Lynch

Set to a very eerie thumping drum beat, the characters are seen looking sombre interspersed with shots of the isolated farm and many sheep

Glimpses of the violence to come are shown throughout, with multiple characters seen aiming rifles at each other and yelling, as well as flashes of a fire and a violent car crash

The Saltburn star is noticeably caked in blood in several scenes, while Christopher's Michael can be seen becoming increasing unhinged, with the trailer ending with him on his back and screaming in fear while bracing himself for a killing blow.

Variety praised director Christopher Andrews on a 'brutally violent directorial debut' that 'veers between pitch-black humor and pervading melancholy.'

Barry and Christopher's performances also received praise, with reviewer Siddhant Adlakha adding: 'Both actors are utterly fascinating to watch, and manage to play with vastly different modes within the same narrow framework, depending on whose perspective the film reveals.'

Digital Spy's Mireia Mullor gave the film three stars, saying despite an at time 'insufficent' plot, the 'themes of generational trauma, toxic masculinity and tradition against modernity are delivered with brutal efficiency if not always depth or precision.'

While she also singled out the lead stars for praise, writing: 'Abbot and Keoghan are renowned masters of the quiet-but-dangerous character, so it's no surprise that here they nail every awkward silent stare.'

In another three star review from The Telegraph, the film was described as: 'A midway outrage against a flock of sheep, perpetrated by greedy rustlers, yields some of the most soul-deadening images  and sounds  in recent cinema. Its a dead-of-night massacre in mist, punctuated by bleats of primal agony.'

While The Hollywood Reporter's Jordan Mintzer said it was 'so grim it can be something of a chore to sit through', but added that the 'underlying adrenaline' and performances of 'terrific' actors Barry and Christopher elevated the film.

He added: 'Keoghan, whos always a fascinating performer to watch, turns Jack into a fragile young man whose moral conscience has been worn down by so many years of poverty, isolation and toxic masculinity.'

Bring Them Down will be released in cinemas in the UK and Ireland from 7 February 2025
Girls Aloud stars Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh were among the first mourners to arrive at Liam Payne's funeral, as the One Direction star was finally laid to rest on Wednesday.

Nicola was greeted with a kiss by Simon Jones, the former PR for One Direction who now acts for her bandmate Cheryl, mother of Liam's young son Bear.

Other mourners greeted her as they stood at the entrance to the church waiting for the doors to open.

The road outside the church was closed to traffic with mourners being dropped at a side door before walking past gravestones to the main entrance.

The arrivals were being carefully managed by the private security firm.

Girls Aloud stars Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh were among the first mourners to arrive at Liam Payne 's funeral, as the One Direction star was finally laid to rest on Wednesday

Kimberley (pictured) at Liam's funeral, following his untimely death on October 16

Cheryl was joined by her Girls Aloud bandmates as she prepared to bid an emotional farewell to her ex Liam

Liam, pictured in Dubai last year, died after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires

A small crowd of onlookers had gathered, but most were local residents rather than young One Direction fans.

Harry Styles, 30, Niall Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, were all present in what was believed to be their first public meeting as a group since their last concert in 2015. Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, was also in attendance.

A church source said a choir and musicians performed at the service. One of the floral displays shows bowling pins and a ball - a nod to his love of bowling, which Kate said he did four times a week.

The funeral's location was a closely guarded secret, and local residents only realising it was taking place when 'no parking' signs were erected around the church.

Two traffic enforcement officers patrolled the area handing out tickets to any drivers ignoring the signs.

Liam travelled to Argentina in September where he watched former bandmate Niall Horan perform and also saw his close friend Rogelio 'Roger' Nores. He had extended his stay to renew his visa to live in the US when the tragedy occurred.

The entrance of the church which is hosting the service has been decorated with candle lanterns and white roses that have been arranged in surrounding shrubbery.

One source told The Sun: 'His family have gone to great lengths to put together the perfect service and give him the send off he deserves.

Cheryl was seen arriving for the emotional church service

Nicola was joined by Simon Jones , the former PR for One Direction who now acts for Cheryl

She and Kimberley arrived for the funeral to support Liam's ex Cheryl

Kimberley and many other guests shielded their eyes with sunglasses as they headed into the church

The road outside the church was closed to traffic with mourners being dropped at a side door before walking past gravestones to the main entrance

The funeral's location has been a closely guarded secret, and local residents only realised it was taking place when 'no parking' signs were erected around the church

'Liam may have been a global superstar but to Geoff and Karen he will always be their little boy. It is going to be an incredibly difficult day.'

In a joint statement released following Payne's death, Louis, Zayne, Niall and Harry said they were 'completely devastated.'

'In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,' they said.

'But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.

'The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.

'We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam - Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.'

Louis, Harry and Zayn all later released separate tributes.

Styles wrote on Instagram that he was 'truly devastated' and will 'miss him always'.

'His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
Alec Baldwin skipped the emotional Rust premiere in Poland where the wounded director and friends of late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins gathered in her honor.

The premiere comes three years after the Western film was paused in October 2021 after a prop gun, held by Baldwin, 66, discharged and killed Ukrainian cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, and also injured director, Joel Souza, 51.

The movie ultimately finished filming in May 2023 and premiered at the EnergaCAMERIMAGE Film Festival in Torun, Poland on Wednesday, but Baldwin - whose involuntary manslaughter case was sensational dismissed - was nowhere in sight.

Souza was spotted sitting in the theater with the festival's artistic director Marek Zydowicz, as a few hundred audience members packed into the theater.

'I'm excited that people will get to see Halyna's work, you know, I hope they appreciate her work... It wasn't an easy decision by any means, but it became important to me and important to her husband that people see her final work,' Souza said, adding that he hopes the film's release will allow the world to 'see the world through her eyes.'

'That's one of the nice things about movies. You could sort of see the world the way the people who made it see it.

'The cinematography is stunning and I hope people can appreciate that,' the director added.

Baldwin, who was last seen on Monday pushing around a stroller in New York City, was not in attendance.

Hundreds of people filled the audience on Wednesday for the Rust world premiere at the EnergaCAMERIMAGE Film Festival in Torun, Poland

Alec Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer for Rust, who fatally killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on set three years ago, was not in attendance. (Pictured: The actor pushing around a stroller in NYC on Monday)

Joel Souza, the director of the film, spoke of Hutchins (pictured) at the premiere and said that he hopes the film's release will allow the world to 'see the world through her eyes'

Baldwin is understood to have not been invited to the event due to fears his presence would overshadow the premiere.

Souza revealed that the church scene they were working on when Hutchins was shot has been removed from the film.

'It's just gone. It doesn't exist anymore. We were never going to finish that... I changed the script and so I wiped that out of it,' he explained.

Tickets for the world premiere sparked an online frenzy as the demand crashed the private booking website as the event began to sell out Tuesday morning.

Alongside staging the world premiere, festival organizers held a panel discussion featuring Souza, cinematographer Bianca Cline who took over the project, and Halyna's mentor Stephen Lighthill after the screening.

The trio discussed events surrounding the movie and how production continued with Bianca following Hutchins' death, as well as talk about the role of women in cinematography and safety on film sets.

Ahead of the controversial premiere, Baldwin was slammed by Hutchins' mother, Olga Solovey, who chose not to attend the event.

'It was always my hope to meet my daughter in Poland to watch her work come alive on screen. Unfortunately, that was ripped away from me when Alec Baldwin discharged his gun and killed my daughter.

Viewers got emotional during the premiere as festival organizers dedicated it to Hutchins

Souza was spotted sitting in the theater with the festival's artistic director Marek Zydowicz, as a few hundred audience members filled packed into the theater

More spectators are seen lined up outside the theater on Wednesday for the premiere

'Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologize to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death. Instead, he seeks to unjustly profit from his killing of my daughter.

'That is the reason why I refuse to attend the festival for the promotion of Rust, especially now when there is still no justice for my daughter.'

Organizers had been hit with backlash for choosing to give the film a world premiere in the wake of Hutchins' shock death.

Camerimage director Kazimierz Suwaa told THR ahead of the festival: 'Halyna had a strong connection to this festival. She attended several times.

'And we were contacted by her friends, who told us that before shooting even began on Rust, she told them that the film was very important to her and it was her dream to screen it at Camerimage.

'So the screening is only about that: fulfilling her wish of showing her film at the festival.'

According to Deadline, Ukrainian-born Hutchins is said to have campaigned to the director early in production to screen the film at Camerimage, which honors international cinematographers.

Zydowicz said in a statement: 'During the festival, we honored Halyna's memory with a moment of silence and a panel of cinematographers discussed safety on set.

Ahead of the controversial premiere, Baldwin was slammed by Hutchins' mother, Olga Solovey (pictured), who chose not to attend the event. She said he 'ripped away' her chance of being able to see her late daughter's work

Camerimage director Kazimierz Suwaa told THR ahead of the festival: 'Halyna had a strong connection to this festival. She attended several times'

'Now, once again, together with cinematographers and film enthusiasts, we will have this special opportunity to remember her.'

Baldwin's trial for involuntary manslaughter was thrown out after a judge ruled evidence had been mishandled.

The Boss Baby star has repeatedly insisted that he didn't pull the trigger of the gun or know why it contained live ammunition.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's armorer, was jailed for 18 months in April after being found guilty of charges connected to the incident.

Gutierrez-Reed asked a New Mexico court to dismiss her conviction or convene a new trial, alleging that prosecutors failed to share evidence that could have cleared her over the shooting on the set of Rust.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, however, explained in her written order that Gutierrez-Reed's attorneys did not establish that there was a reasonable possibility that the outcome of the trial would have been different had the evidence been available to her.

The judge also rejected a request from Gutierrez-Reed that she be released from custody, saying it was moot because the request for a new trial was denied.

In July, Marlow Sommer halted and ended Baldwin's trial based on misconduct of police and prosecutors and their withholding evidence from the defense in the 2021 shooting of Hutchins.

Baldwin's trial for involuntary manslaughter was thrown out after a judge ruled evidence had been mishandled

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's armorer, was jailed for 18 months in April after being found guilty of charges connected to the incident. (Pictured: Gutierrez-Reed in court during her sentencing hearing)

Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer for Rust, was pointing a gun at Hutchins during a rehearsal on a movie set outside Santa Fe when the revolver went off, killing Hutchins and wounding Souza.

A jury convicted Gutierrez-Reed of involuntary manslaughter in March in a trial overseen by Sommer, who later sentenced her to the maximum 18-months.

Gutierrez-Reed has an appeal of the conviction pending in a higher court. Jurors acquitted her of allegations she tampered with evidence in the Rust investigation.

Prosecutors blamed Gutierrez-Reed for unwittingly bringing live ammunition onto the set of 'Rust' and for failing to follow basic gun safety protocols.

Evidence that Gutierrez-Reed's attorneys said prosecutors failed to share included a report by a firearms expert about the functionality of the gun that Baldwin used, ammunition that was later turned in to authorities and an interview with Rust ammunition supplier Seth Kenney.

Gutierrez-Reed is currently serving her sentence at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility.

Meanwhile, Baldwin has let off the hook after the judge at the court in Santa Fe, New Mexico, said at the time that there had been errors by the prosecution in the handling of evidence, which she said 'impacted the fundamental fairness of the case.'

The decision came after a day-long hearing without the jury present over bullets that should have been in evidence, which Baldwin's lawyers claimed were 'concealed' from them and 'buried' in another case file.

The issue had upended the trial for Baldwin who pleaded not guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter as he was accused of negligence.

Gloria Allred, who represents Hutchins' parents Solovey, Anatolii Androsovych, and sister Svetlana Zemko, spoke out after involuntary manslaughter charges against the actor were dropped.

Allred said: 'He should just have the human decency to say 'I'm sorry' in a phone call or FaceTime to the parents.

'This was somebody's daughter, somebody's sister. It's not all about Alec Baldwin. There are victims in this case. They are not celebrities, they matter.

'This dismissal of the criminal case against Alec Baldwin is in no way, shape or form an exoneration of him. It does not change the fact that Alec Baldwin killed Halyna Hutchins.'
On Love Island contestants are plied with makeup and encouraged to layer it on by producers.

But its a different story on ITVs other flagship show, Im A Celebrity, where campmates wave goodbye to their makeup bags as they are actively banned from bringing any products in.

Contestants are provided with body lotion, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a toothbrush and tea tree toothpaste.

Deodorant was banned in season one but is now provided along with shampoo and a shaving stick and razor but thats it.

But this year, fans have become convinced that celebrities including Tulisa Contostavlos, Jane Moore and Coleen Rooney are flouting the rules and wearing makeup.

It can now be revealed, that this is not the case, as sources on the show have confirmed that no one has been given a special exemption from the rule and everyone is bare-faced.

The secret makeup hacks of the I'm A Celeb contestants have been REVEALED as fans are left convinced the female contestants are flouting the rules

Sources on the show have confirmed to MailOnline that no one has been given a special exemption from the rule and everyone is bare-faced

So what is it that helps them look so done up?

MailOnline can reveal that the stars have seemingly found a loophole to the no makeup rule in semi-permanent beauty treatments they got before going into the Jungle for their three-week stints.

Elizas Fashion and Beauty director, Krissy Turner, has broken down the treatments she thinks this years celebrities have had.

Coleen Rooney

The super Wag, 38, seems to have undergone LVL treatment, which stands for length volume, life and is a perm for eyelashes.

LVL costs up to 75 and works with your natural lashes to give the appearance of curl and volume. The results are meant to last up to two months, with little prep or downtime needed.

The mother-of-four has previously revealed she gets microblading treatment on her eyebrows - a tattooing technique which uses a small handheld tool made of several tiny needles to add semi-permanent pigment to the skin and can cost up to 450.

The super Wag, 38, seems to have undergone LVL treatment, which stands for length volume, life and is a perm for eyelashes and lasts up to two months

Tulisa Contostavlos

The N-Dubz star has reportedly either had her eyebrows lasered off and then tattooed back on which lasts up to 15 months and can cost up to 500 or has had her existing eyebrows tinted.

The 36-year-old has seemingly had Russian Volume eyelash extensions which cost up to 75 and last between two to three weeks.

Each individual eyelash has a fan like extension applied to the end to give a more full and dramatic look. They cost up to 75 and last between two to three weeks.

Speaking ahead of her Jungle appearance, Tulisa told MailOnline: You're bearing your soul. You're bearing you as exactly who you are. Make-up free, it's just something freeing about it. I feel like it's going to feel like therapy.

Tulisa was spotted just days before flying out to Australia getting her nails which have been gelled and painted brown.

The N-Dubz star has reportedly either had her eyebrows lasered off and then tattooed back on which lasts up to 15 months and can cost up to 500 or has had her existing eyebrows tinted

The 36-year-old has also seemingly had Russian Volume eyelash extensions which cost up to 75 and last between two to three weeks

Jane Moore

Eagle-eyed fans have noticed the Loose Women panellists eye makeup has not rubbed off after three days of sleeping in the Jungle.

One person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: How come Jane is wearing eyeliner? Are the contestants allowed to take cosmetics into the Jungle? And how is she applying it without a mirror?

Krissy has a suggestion to all of these questions and said its permanent or semi-permanent eyeliner which is a tattooed on which gives the appearance of wearing eyeliner which can cost 450.

Eagle-eyed fans have noticed Jane's eye makeup has not rubbed off after three days of sleep suggesting she has had permanent or semi permanent eyeliner applied

GK Barry

The TikTok star, 25, joked in the launch episode about how expensive her hair is as she has extra long extensions put in before her stint on the show which can cost up to 600.

Braids, hats, plaits and ponytails are popular ways to handle the problem but it appears extensions aren't so jungle-friendly and GK Barry may already be regretting entering camp with lengthy hair extensions after they became waterlogged and crawling with critters during her trials.

The social media star has also had a French-tip manicure which can cost up to 40.

The TikTok star, 25, joked in the launch episode about how expensive her hair is as she has extra long extensions put in before her stint on the show which can cost up to 600

Oti was seen admiring the star's extensions as she combed them for her around the fire

Oti Mabuse

The former Strictly Come Dancing professional, 34, appears to have just had her nails done a light pink, with the thickness suggesting a BIAB treatment .

The gel treatment that can cost up to 80 and intended to keep the nails long, strong and healthy.

The former Strictly Come Dancing professional, 34, appears to have just had her nails done a light pink, with the thickness suggesting a BIAB treatment

Maura Higgins

The Love Island star, 33, is a late arrival having partied in Vegas ahead of her appearance and revealed to MailOnline she had done the opposite of preparing as she was heading in with a hangover.

But also, she said: No. Nothing, like, I've not even got my brows done. I've not I've not done anything. I cannot wait to just not have to get up and put makeup on and care about it, because it's not that type of show. Like, you're not really in there to look good.

The only contestant to have an exception made to makeup in the Jungle was the former Queen of the Jungle, Georgia Toffolo.

Maura Higgins is a late arrival having partied in Vegas ahead of her appearance and revealed to MailOnline she had done the opposite of preparing as she was heading in with a hangover

The only contestant to have an exception made to makeup in the Jungle was the former Queen of the Jungle, Georgia Toffolo who was granted special permission due to her severe acne

Makeup is strictly banned in the jungle unless there are special circumstances.

Georgia, who became Queen of The Jungle in 2017, shared that she was granted special permission to enter with makeup, so she could cover up her severe acne.

After the show, the 30-year-old said: When producers told me it was banned I broke down in tears and said, I cant do this..

Ive been on strong tablets for six months trying to get rid of [the spots].

ITV bosses agreed that, because it was a medical problem, the Made in Chelsea star was allowed to put foundation on once a day in the morning.
Denzel Washington revealed that December 2024 will mark a decade since he had any wine.

The movie star, 69, spoke to Esquire magazine amid his promotional tour for his new film Gladiator II - explaining that he started drinking two bottles of expensive wine a day after he and his wife Pauletta built a house in 1999 that had a 10,000 bottle wine cellar.

Denzel said he would stop the habit while preparing to work on a film and also during filming - but immediately resume once his projects wrapped - a pattern he did for 15 years.

The star, who turns 70 years old on December 28, said wine 'did a lot of damage' to his body.

Denzel Washington revealed that December 2024 will mark a decade since he had any wine.

Denzel told the magazine that his wine drinking really began in 1999 - although he did say he drank wine prior to that - when he and his wife built their house 'with a ten-thousand-bottle wine cellar,' explaining that is when he 'learned to drink the best.'

Explaining: 'So I'm gonna drink my '61s and my '82s and whatever we had.'

'Wine was my thing,' Denzel explained, 'and now I was popping $4,000 bottles just because that's what was left.'

The movie star said he would call the LA area-wine shop Gil Turner's Fine Wines & Spirits and tell them: '"Send me two bottles, the best of this or that." An my wife's saying, "Why do you keep ordering just two?" I said, "Because if I order more, I'll drink more."'

Denzel said that he would limit his daily wine intake to two bottles - drinking them both 'over the course of the day.'

He did this daily for 15 years - only stopping during preparations for a new project and during filming.

After months of filming, he would resume his two wine bottles daily habit.

He said that he had this idea to do wine tastings at first because he only drank the best wine.

Denzel stars as Macrinus in the film Gladiator II, which also features Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn; seen in Gladiator II

The movie star, 69, spoke to Esquire magazine amid his promotional tour for his new film Gladiator II - explaining that he started drinking two bottles of expensive wine a day after he and his wife Pauletta built a house in 1999 that had a 10,000 bottle wine cellar; Denzel and Pauletta pictured in September at the Toronto International Film Festival

Denzel said that he never got 'strung out on' heroin or coke although he did say he 'shot dope just like they shot dope' but he 'never got strung out.'

The actor told Esquire December will mark ten years since he's had wine, noting that he's 'done a lot of damage to the body' from the habit.

Denzel stars as Macrinus in the film Gladiator II, which also features Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn.

The film, directed by Ridley Scott, is set to drop in theaters on November 22.
Pregnant Gisele Bundchen showed off her growing bump as she headed to the gym in Miami on Wednesday - ahead of the arrival of her first child with Joaquim Valente.

The supermodel, 44, wore a tight black top that displayed her blossoming stomach as she headed to a class.

She paired this with black leggings, a white shirt and sandals.

The mom of two wore her tresses in soft waves and sported some chic shades.

In addition to her baby on the way with boyfriend Valente, 35, Bundchen shares son Benjamin, 14, and daughter Vivian, 11, with ex-husband Tom Brady, 47.

She currently lives in her $11 million Miami mansion, where's she's planning to have a home birth, with her kids and Joaquim.

Pregnant Gisele Bundchen showed off her growing bump as she headed to the gym in Miami on Wednesday - ahead of the arrival of her first child with Joaquim Valente

Earlier this year in July, renovations on the lavish home in Florida were completed  after she purchased the abode in 2022.

The two-story house  which is in close proximity to her ex Brady  is located on exclusive Indian Creek Island, and has five bedrooms as well as seven bathrooms.

During the time of the renovations, Bundchen notably spent time at her $9.1 million Miami ranch  which she bought in 2023.

In late October, People confirmed that she and her current partner, who she began dating in June 2023, are expecting.

A source told the outlet that she is 'embracing this new chapter.'

A source also told Us Weekly late last month that both Benjamin and Vivian 'really like' Joaquim and added he has been 'living at [Bundchen's] house in Miami for while.'

Gisele and Tom announced their split and finalized their divorce in October 2022 after 13 years of marriage.

Last month a source told DailyMail.com: 'Gisele and Joaquim were not planning to have a child together. This was unexpected. Joaquim has always wanted a family, so she is happy to be able to give this to him.'

The supermodel, 44, wore a tight black top that displayed her blossoming stomach as she headed to a class

The Brazilian beauty and Valente, 35, have been dating since June 2023 - pictured June 2024

The model has two children with ex-husband Brady: Benjamin, 14, and Vivian, 11. He also has a son with ex partner Bridget Moynahan: John, 16

'She knew that he would be a great father when her kids started taking classes with him. He is patient, playful and so understanding,' the insider stated.

Both Benjamin and Vivian are 'absolutely thrilled' over the big news, the source also shared.

Joaquim has been a huge part of both of their lives since 2021 when she started including Jiu-Jitsu as part of their homeschooling.'

'They love him and look to him as a father figure. They are starting a family of their own now and a wedding is going to happen in the future,' the source continued.
Love Is Blind #1 alum Giannina Milady Gibelli and The Bachelorette #14 alum Blake Horstmann announced their engagement on Wednesday - nearly eight months after welcoming their first child, son Heath Orion Horstmann.

The reality TV couple shared a joint Instagram announcement tagging the jewelry company Brilliant Earth with the caption: 'So I can kiss you anytime I want.'

The 35-year-old Colorado DJ popped the question to the Venezuelan 31-year-old with a 4.87-carat oval lab-grown diamond ring featuring an 18-karat yellow gold 'Luxe Versailles' shank, but she said yes before the box was open.

'When she did finally see [the ring], she was breathless and so happy, so that felt really amazing,' Blake gushed to People.

'We are over the moon and we can't wait to be married in front of our loved ones.'

Giannina added that their 'love story has been everything I've always dreamt it would be and more.'

Love Is Blind #1 alum Giannina Milady Gibelli and The Bachelorette #14 alum Blake Horstmann announced their engagement on Wednesday - nearly eight months after welcoming their first child, son Heath Orion Horstmann (pictured November 11)

'As soon as I met Blake, I knew he was my soulmate and I know the universe was always leading me to him,' Gibelli continued.

'Being together forever and creating our family is literally the joy of my life.'

They received congratulatory comments from The Bachelor #19 alum Ashley Iaconetti Haibon, The Bachelorette #17 alum Justin Glaze, The Bachelor #25 alums Serena Pitt and Abigail Heringer, Love Is Blind #1 alum Jessica Batten McGrath, and Bachelor in Paradise bartender Wells Adams.

And while Giannina did not exactly go ring shopping with Blake, she told E! News in July 2022 that she was already 'not uncomfortable talking about being engaged to him or just spending the rest of my life with them.'

The bride and groom-to-be - who moved in together in November 2022 - just returned from a romantic babymoon trip to Paris.

In June, Horstmann told the Almost Famous Podcast that they were taking their time to get betrothed, because they wanted to 'make Heath a priority.'

'It was like, now, she's not my girlfriend or whatever. She's the mother of my child,' the I Had Some Help remixer explained.

'So, I look at her through a different lens now, and that happened pretty quick, too.'

The reality TV couple shared a joint Instagram announcement tagging the jewelry company Brilliant Earth with the caption: 'So I can kiss you anytime I want'

The 35-year-old Colorado DJ popped the question to the Venezuelan 31-year-old with a 4.87-carat oval lab-grown diamond ring, but she said yes before the box was open

Blake gushed to People: 'When she did finally see [the ring], she was breathless and so happy, so that felt really amazing. We are over the moon and we can't wait to be married in front of our loved ones'

They received congratulatory comments from Ashley Iaconetti Haibon, Justin Glaze, Serena Pitt, Abigail Heringer, Jessica Batten McGrath, and Wells Adams

And while Giannina did not exactly go ring shopping with Horstmann, she told E! News in July 2022 that she was already 'not uncomfortable talking about being engaged to him or just spending the rest of my life with them' (pictured October 30)

The bride and groom-to-be - who moved in together in November 2022 - just returned from a romantic babymoon trip to Paris (pictured November 11)

In June, the I Had Some Help remixer told the Almost Famous Podcast that they were taking their time to get betrothed, because they wanted to 'make Heath a priority' (pictured October 10)

Audiences watched as Blake fell in love with Gibelli in November 2021 and asked her to be his girlfriend in Spanish while appearing on Paramount+ Jersey Shore spin-off, All Star Shore

It was less than a year after the Rellery Jewelry collaborator was publicly humiliated by being rejected at the wedding altar by her on/off fiance Damian Powers on the first season of Netflix's dating competition Love Is Blind

And in 2018, Blake sobbed after being publicly rejected by Becca Kurfin (R) as runner-up on the 14th season of ABC's dating competition The Bachelorette

Audiences watched as Blake fell in love with Gibelli in November 2021 and asked her to be his girlfriend in Spanish while appearing on Paramount+ Jersey Shore spin-off, All Star Shore.

It was less than a year after the Rellery Jewelry collaborator was publicly humiliated by being rejected at the wedding altar by her on/off fiance Damian Powers on the first season of Netflix's dating competition Love Is Blind.

And in 2018, Blake sobbed after being publicly rejected by Becca Kurfin as runner-up on the 14th season of ABC's dating competition The Bachelorette.

Horstmann then vied for the heart of Kristina Schulman on the sixth season of ABC's dating competition Bachelor in Paradise, but he quit during week five.

Giannina - who boasts 2.3M social media followers - is every bit the influencer with paid partnerships for brands like Vince Camuto, Dove, Bali Bras, Dr. Brown's, Harbor, Bellini, T-Mobile, Sun Home Saunas, Target, Saint James Iced Tea, and Juicy Couture.
Coronation Street's Beverley Callard has said she's 'devastated' after they had to pull out of a pantomime due to a nasty shoulder injury.

The actress, 67, who is best known for her role as Liz McDonald on the soap, was due to play Cinderella's evil step-mother at the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre in Wales.

But ahead of the show's start date on December 7, Beverley has had to withdraw as her shoulder injury requires surgery.

She will be replaced by her fellow Corrie soap star John Thomson, who recently reprised his role as Jesse Chadwick. The actor, 55, will play the Baron.

The TV alum, who played hapless children's entertainer Jesse Chadwick from 2008 to 2010 returned last month just as his ex Eileen Grimshaw returns from a holiday in Thailand.

Beverley had shared footage from rehearsals over the past few weeks and promised fans it will be a 'great show' even without her in it.

Coronation Street's Beverley Callard has said she's 'devastated' after they had to pull out of a pantomime due to a nasty shoulder injury

The actress, 67, who is best known for her role as Liz McDonald on the soap, was due to play Cinderella's evil step-mother at the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre in Wales (pictured in rehearsals)

Beverley will be replaced by her fellow Corrie soap star John Thomson, who recently reprised his role as Jesse Chadwick. The actor, 55, will play the Baron

'I have an unexpected shoulder injury and have to have surgery which means I'm sadly not going to be able to perform in this year's panto, which I'm devastated about,' she told The Sun.

'It's a great fun cast, and I was so looking forward to working with them all. It will be a great show.'

MailOnline has contacted Beverley's representative for comment.

Over summer, Beverley revealed she is eager to join rival soap opera EastEnders just four years after they quit the cobbled streets for good.

Sharing a stunning snap to Instagram, she revealed her new head shot and asked her followers what they think.

She captioning the post: 'New headshots first time in years! Thank you @yellowbellyfoto for making it so easy.'

One fan quipped that her resemblance to iconic EastEnders character Angie Watts and suggested that she could take on a role connected to her in the soap.

The fan penned: 'These are to submit to the BBC so they can introduce you in EastEnders as Angie Watts long lost sister, right?'

Revealing she would be up for the challenge, Bev replied: 'Yes!! I'd do it.'

Over summer, Beverley revealed she is eager to join rival soap opera EastEnders just four years after they quit the cobbled streets for good (pictured as Liz McDonald)

John, who played hapless children's entertainer Jesse from 2008 to 2010 returned to the cobbles last month (pictured with Gail)

And it would not be the first time that Bev had made an appearance in Walford.

She played her Corrie character Liz McDonald in a special crossover episode for Children in Need in 2010.

Written as a stand-alone episode, Liz was said to be Kat Slater's mother in a shocking twist.

Ten years later, Liz re-appeared in a second charity episode for Comic Relief.

EastEnders held a lockdown pub quiz online and Liz accidentally joined the Zoom link when trying to host her own Rovers online quiz.
Cynthia Erivo got the giggles as she joined her co-star Jonathan Bailey at the Wicked photocall in Greenwich, London.

The actress, 37, couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she linked arms with the Bridgeton star, 36, who plays Fiyero Tigelaar.

Arriving at the Royal Observatory, Cynthia posed for photos with her fellow co-stars Jonathan, Jeff Goldblum and director of the movie Jon M. Chu.

Leading lady Cynthia stars as Elphaba in the anticipated movie alongside Ariana Grande, 31, who plays Glinda.

Cynthia was in high spirits despite missing her right hand woman Ariana at the star-studded affair.

Jeff, who plays The Wizard, smiled for a photo with Cynthia, who stunned in a green and black suit.

Cynthia Erivo, 37, got the giggles as she joined her co-star Jonathan Bailey, 36, at the Wicked photocall in Greenwich, London

The actress couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she linked arms with the Bridgeton star, who plays Fiyero Tigelaar

It's not long until the powerful lyrics of Defying Gravity will be belted out in cinemas across the country as Wicked hits the big screen this Friday.

The upcoming two-part feature is adapted from the long-running Broadway musical and is a sequel to The Wizard of Oz.

The motion picture is slated to arrive in theatres with release dates of November 22, 2024 for Wicked: Part One, and November 26, 2025 for Wicked: Part Two.

And reviews have already poured in from critics as they, for the most part, praise the leading stars' performances.

Yet while some reviews have branded the film a 'fabulous spectacle' others have declared: 'it doesn't come close to defying gravity'.

The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw described it as a 'sugar-rush fantasy with the overpowering star presence of Cynthia Erivo; it basically dunks you face-down in a hyperreal ball pit of M&Ms for two and three-quarter hours.'

Praising Cynthia's performance he added: 'Erivos charismatic Elphaba exerting a planetary pull over a star-studded cast'.

The Daily Mail's Brian Viner writes: 'Its a fabulous spectacle, which demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible.'

Arriving at the Royal Observatory, Cynthia posed for photos with her fellow co-stars Jonathan, Jeff Goldblum (centre left) and director of the movie Jon M. Chu (L)

Cynthia was in high spirits despite missing her right hand woman Ariana at the star-studded affair

Greenwich Observatory lit up in green to promote the movie

Cynthia pressed the switch to light up the Observatory

Jeff, who plays The Wizard, smiled for a photo with Cynthia, who stunned in a green and black suit

It's not long until the powerful lyrics of Defying Gravity will be belted out in cinemas across the country as Wicked hits the big screen this Friday

The co-stars looked happier than ever just days away from the movie release

A huge fan of the casting choice he added: 'Erivo and Grande are both pitch-perfect and altogether sensational.

'I confess to finding Wickeds songs a little repetitive but its hard to imagine anyone delivering them better than those two, while Grande has proper comedic flair, which she brings to bear every time Glinda tosses her luxuriant tresses.

'Yeoh, Bailey and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard offer splendid support.'
Dancing with the Stars' Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella's restraining orders against each other have been dismissed and their divorce is finalized.

According to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, a stipulation and order for dismissal of temporary restraining orders was filed in Napa County court on November 19.

Ahead of their two-day hearing, beginning on December 5, the estranged couple, who share a four-year-old son named Matteo, attended a mediation on November 8, resulting in 'memorializing a global settlement of all issues in this Dissolution of Marriage action.'

Both parties' temporary restraining orders issued on September 30 (for Nikki) and October 3 (for Artem) are 'immediately terminated and shall no longer be of any force and effect,' according to the docs.

In addition, the two-day hearing was taken off the calendar.

The custody orders issued on October 15 remain in full force and effect.

Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella's restraining orders against each other have been dismissed, according to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com

The stipulation and order was signed by Artem on November 14 and signed by Nikki on November 15.

In addition, DailyMail.com obtained court documents of three deputies being subpoenaed to court earlier this month: Deputy Michael Moore, Deputy Gregory Landry and Deputy Ronnie Galindo of Napa County Sheriff's Office.

However, since the December 5th hearing was taken off the calendar, the officers are no longer needed in court.

In Garcia's, 40, restraining order against Chigvintsev, she claimed he got cut from Dancing with the Stars season 33 a week before his arrest, and began working a construction job she says he felt 'was beneath him.'

However in documents filed by Chigvintsev he claimed that was not the case, and that he enjoys construction work.

Chigvintsev was arrested August 29 in Yountville, California in connection with domestic violence, but prosecutors in Napa County ultimately decided against filing criminal charges in the case.

Garcia later filed for divorce and unsuccessfully requested sole custody of their son Matteo, four, with the pair granted temporary restraining orders against each other.

In legal documents obtained by DailyMail.com and filed October 31 in Napa Superior Court, DWTS pro Chigvintsev - who was axed from the show's latest season - says the trauma of the arrest and false allegations led to him losing substantial income.

Ahead of their two-day hearing, beginning on December 6, the estranged couple attended a mediation on November 8, resulting in 'memorializing a global settlement of all issues in this Dissolution of Marriage action' (seen in 2017)

The documents read: 'It is not true that I have not been able to find other work as a dancer. I normally start jobs in November and it goes for 20 weekends. After the mug shot and the arrest based on her false allegations, I was taken off the website faculty list resulting in loss of over $100k in income.'

'I also lost the social media promotion revenue, which she continues to benefit from as she was more worried about her career when she lied to the police, than mine.'

At the time, he was seeking Nikki to pay his out-of-pocket expenses because the TRO was granted without enough supporting facts. He is asking her to pay for his rent because 'I was kicked out of the home.' The dancer also wants Nikki to pay for some or all of his lawyer's fees and costs.

Chigvintsev claims in the documents that Garcia has 'anger issues' and says: 'She is the one with the temper. I try to stay quiet and avoid it. She yells, and on 8/29/24 was yelling, pursuing me, and was the one who attacked me.'

'It is further a lie that I was growing increasingly angry, snapping at her, and yelling.'

'I was not violent with her and did not violently grab or yell at her.'

In Garcia's, 40, restraining order against Chigvintsev, she claimed he got cut from Dancing with the Stars season 33 a week before his arrest, and began working a construction job she says he felt 'was beneath him'

The former couple share a four-year-old son Matteo

He claims the pair had an argument when he was due to to have surgery but she had to go to New York.

He claims: 'We had an argument, but it's not how she describes it. We agreed months before my surgery that she would be there with Matteo. I was supposed to fly to have my surgery on 5/19/24, she forgot about it and booked herself for work in New York.'

'She then told me that her work was more important than my medical procedure, so she ended up leaving. Our son was left with nanny. I canceled my ticket and stayed behind. She then started sending me texts for different flight I could take, so I ended up going because she insisted I go. I have texts to prove this.'

In response to the request for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order he claimed: 'She abused me, not the other way around. She threw shoes at me, followed me and tried to break her way into the bedroom.'

Chigvintsev was arrested August 29 in Yountville, California in connection with domestic violence, but prosecutors in Napa County ultimately decided against filing criminal charges in the case (seen in his mugshot)

Garcia later filed for divorce and unsuccessfully requested sole custody of their son Matteo, four, with the pair granted temporary restraining orders against each other; seen in 2019

'I cannot trust her anymore. Not only did she lie to the police so that her career remains intact, ruining mine, but she used the court proceeding to keep our son away from me for almost a month, not letting me see him until this Court issued its 50/50 orders on 10/15/2024, which I am very grateful for,' he wrote. ''Almost a month without Matteo was miserable for me, and I am sure for him as well, and selfish of Wife.'

In September, Chigvintsev told People that he was 'incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against [him] have been dropped.

'This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed. My focus has always been and will always be, our son Matteo.'

The ballroom dance expert said that he considers fatherhood 'the greatest blessing' and is focused on caring for his son moving forward.

'All along, my main concern has been for him,' Chigvintsev said. I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward.'

He said to the publication that he was 'hopeful that securing an equal custody arrangement will help us move on' in life.

Artem met Nikki on DWTS - they competed together on the show in 2017, and went on to marry in 2022; the pair pictured together in 2017

'I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, friends, and legal team for standing by me during this challenging time,' Chigvintsev said. 'Your support has been invaluable, and I am thankful to everyone who believed in me and saw the truth for what it was.

'I look forward to moving past this chapter and focusing on what truly matters - continue being the best father I can be.'

On October 16 the judge ruled that the pair will share custody of their son Matteo, TMZ reported citing court docs, more than a month after Garcia filed for divorce.

Garcia had petitioned the court for sole custody of their son; asked for the court to appoint a supervisor for Matteo's visits with the Izhevsk, Russia native; and asked that Chigvintsev be ordered to attend anger management courses; all requests were denied by the court, according to the outlet.

Both Chigvintsev and Garcia were ordered by the court to enroll in parenting classes to help them remain cordial as they raise their child following their split.
Hollywood favorite Katie Holmes was caught during an awkward moment while in New York City this week.

The Batman Begins actress was walking down a street in midtown with soaking wet hair.

The 45-year-old actress also modeled an odd outfit that consisted of a blue-and-white striped men's button-down shirt over a pale gray T-shirt.

Rounding out her look was a dark green satin skirt that fell below her knees as she went bare-legged.

Royal blue velvet flat shoes and a beige handbag were her accessories as she also carried a white drawstring bag with a red handle.

This comes after her 18 year wedding anniversary with ex-husband Tom Cruise fell on November 18.

Hollywood favorite Katie Holmes was caught during an awkward moment while in New York City this week. The Batman Begins actress was walking down a street in midtown with soaking wet hair

The 45-year-old actress also modeled an odd outfit that consisted of a blue-and-white striped men's button-down shirt over a pale gray T-shirt. Rounding out her look was a green satin skirt and royal blue velvet flat shoes

Tom and Katie wed in 2006 in Italy with guests like Jennifer Lopez, Brooke Shields and Jim Carrey looking on.

The two already had daughter Suri Cruise, now 18, who was a part of the wedding.

They split suddenly in 2012 and do not seem to have reunited since; neither one talks about the other in interviews.

Top Gun star Tom does not appear to have spent time with Suri in over a decade and their estrangement seems especially bad after the teen decided to drop his last name in favor of Katie's middle name, Noelle.

Cruise is, however, close to the two children he adopted with ex-wife Nicole Kidman; they are Connor and Isabella.

Last month Holmes was supported amid her Broadway comeback by her daughter Suri.

Suri was spotted back in New York after starting her first semester at the private Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the summer.

DailyMail.com reported the teen has been spotted in the city days after the actress started her run in a star-studded revival of Our Town.

The acclaimed 1938 play by Thornton Wilder is being revived on Broadway with a cast also featuring actors Jim Parsons and Zoey Deutch.

An insider recently told the Mail about Suri's early days at college: 'She is a smart girl, and she is turning into a very intelligent mature young woman.

This comes after her 18 year wedding anniversary with ex-husband Tom Cruise fell on November 18

'She has a very close group of loyal friends, and she knows exactly where she comes from.'

Another source said Suri's mother was 'overwhelmed' at the prospect of Suri being away from home.

They added: 'Katie takes great pride in her but is also extremely over-protective.'

Tom Cruise is paying Suri's annual university tuition on $65,000.

A source previously told DailyMail.com: 'Tom is indeed paying for Suri's tuition  he has always paid for her schooling and would never stop as he is a stand-up guy.

'He has never hesitated paying his daughter's child support and expenses. He does not go back on his word. He is fulfilling his obligation.'

The Mail highlighted how Tom and Katie's divorce deal included a clause he should cover all of Suri's schooling, with divorce documents revealing the 62-year-old star pays expenses for the teen including 'medical, dental, insurance, education, college and other extracurricular costs'.

Meanwhile, Holmes - who shot to fame on teen show Dawson's Creek in the 1990s - is hoping to launch a beauty line.

The actress has branched out into fashion recently - launching her own collection with French brand APC - and Katie has now admitted she dreams of becoming the latest celebrity to produce her own cosmetics.

Katie filed for divorce from Tom, and while the Top Gun was believed to have 'not seen' the divorce coming, sources insisted the actress did tell him; seen in 2005

In June 2012, it was reported that Katie decided to file for divorce in New York because it could potentially give her a better chance of gaining sole custody of their daughter Suri; seen in 2018

When asked about her future plans, she told the Sunday Times newspaper: 'Absolutely, I would love to [launch a beauty line].'

Katie also opened up about her love of fashion, revealing she finds inspiration in everyday life.

The Hollywood star told the publication: 'I really look at other people that have an innate sense of style. And I'm like, 'Oh - that with that! OK, that's cool.' I'm always looking for inspiration.

'I like to mix and match classic pieces. I like vintage a lot. Living in New York City I have to have things that are practical and comfortable. The city influences my style.

'Usually I'm in ballet flats, sneakers, baggy jeans and a T-shirt. I like putting it together in a way that doesn't look like you put it together.'

Holmes is seen arriving to her Broadway play Our Town in Times Square, Manhattan on November 19; she has been getting great reviews

Holmes on stage for her performance in Our Town

In October, Holmes proved she still has movie star appeal as she attended the 2024 CFDA Awards at American Museum of Natural History in New York City

Katie's collection for APC has been inspired by her own experiences, too. She explained: 'Our T-shirts are pretty long, because it drives me crazy when you move and a T-shirt rides up.

'I remember the 90s as being about looking really simple and very natural. That's what I wanted this collection to embody - pieces that are cool but not recognizable and can fit into your existing wardrobe seamlessly.'

To bring the collection to life, Katie dived into the brand's archives in Paris to bring some classic 2000s style to a new generation.

Holmes is also planning a new career as an author.

The actress has branched out into writing and directing movies in recent years but she is now hoping to put pen to paper to work on fiction novels.

She told The Sunday Times newspaper: 'I'd like to continue to write and direct my own films. Maybe write a few books - fiction.'
Ellen DeGeneres is making a quick exit from the United States  seemingly for good.

The 66-year-old talk show host, comedian and actress has moved to rural England, according to a new report in The Wrap.

DeGeneres is taking up roots in the UK with her wife Portia de Rossi, 51, and they reportedly have no plans to return to the US.

To underscore the apparent permanence of the move, the couple plan to put their Montecito mansion on the market.

A person close to the former Ellen DeGeneres Show host claimed that she and de Rossi were primarily skipping town in response to the 2024 presidential election, which saw Donald Trump win a second non-consecutive term.

DailyMail.com reached out to a former representative for DeGeneres for comment, but she no longer represents the comedian after the conclusion of her latest stand-up tour.

Ellen DeGeneres, 66, and her wife Portia de Rossi, 51, have fled the US and moved to rural England, The Wrap reported on Wednesday; pictured in 2022 in San Francisco, Calif.

DeGeneres and de Rossi have reportedly listed their Bali-inspired mansion in Montecito, California, amid their move to the UK. They purchased the home in 2019

A person close to DeGeneres said she and de Rossi were fleeing the US in response to the 2024 presidential election, in which former President Donald Trump won a second non-consecutive term; Trump pictured on November 1 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The couple are now reportedly living in the Cotswolds, a rural portion of Southwest England that is about 100 miles from London.

The area is popular with celebrities looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of London, which would make sense for DeGeneres and Rossi, as they had already tried to avoid Los Angeles by moving out to Santa Barbara County's Montecito, about 75 miles from LA.

Ellen and Portia will have plenty of celebrity neighbors. Among the stars with properties in the Cotswolds are David and Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Patrick Stewart, Elizabeth Hurley, Jeremy Clarkson and Damien Hirst, among many others.

The area is even home to royalty, as King Charles owns Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.

Kate Winslet has also had a mansion in the area at one point, though it's unclear if she still lives there, and Hugh Grant has been rumored for years to have a small hideaway in the Cotswolds.

Last week, DeGeneres and de Rossi were spotted visiting Clarkson's pub in the Cotswolds.

In October, The Sun reported that the couple had bought a Cotswolds property, so their purchase predates the 2024 election.

However, after Trump's win the married couple became 'very disillusioned,' and one source claimed the vowed to 'to get the hell out' of the US afterward, according to sources who spoke to TMZ.

Sources told TMZ that DeGeneres and de Rossi had already purchased the Cotswolds home before the 2024 election, but they decided to 'get the hell out' of the US afterward; seen together in 2022 in Inglewood, Calif.

Ellen and Portia will have plenty of celebrity neighbors. Stars with properties in the Cotswolds include David and Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Patrick Stewart, Elizabeth Hurley and Damien Hirst, among many others

Though many celebrities have threatened to leave the US in the face of a Trump win, most haven't followed through.

Stars including Cher, Barbra Streisand, Sharon Stone and Sophie Turner have all said they were considering leaving the US if Trump won, though it's not clear if any of them will actually do so.

America Ferrera is said to be considering a move to the UK, and Eva Longoria has spoken about relocating to Europe, though she clarified that, despite her disapproval of Trump, she had moved for international work.

The publication notes that DeGeneres was among Vice President Kamala Harris' high-profile celebrity donors.

She donated $3,300 to the losing Democratic candidate, which is the maximum amount that can be donated directly to a candidate, though wealthy donors often get around the contribution limits by donating much more to political action committees and super PACs.

Harris was tapped to replace President Biden as the Democratic candidate in July of this year, and DeGeneres shared an endorsement for her on social media in August.

Despite reportedly leaving the US because of the election and Donald Trump's looming second administration, DeGeneres had plenty of reasons for a new start away from home.

Her career was tarnished  likely permanently  by accusations that she fostered a toxic workplace on the set of her eponymous daytime talk show, which aired its last episode on May 26, 2022.

DeGeneres bought her Montecito mansion in 2019 for $27M. It's unclear what the new asking price will be; seen in 2022 in Washington, DC

She delved into her persona non grata status on her stand-up special For Your Approval, which was released on Netflix in late September.

The comedian joked that she had been 'kicked out of show business' in the special, which featured material about how she has been spending her time since the end of her TV show.

According to The Wrap, DeGeneres and de Rossi have either pocket-listed their Bali-inspired Montecito mansion, or it will soon be listed.

According to TMZ, they are still mulling a potential asking price, but once they settle on one the property will go on the market.

DeGeneres and de Rossi purchased the massive home for an eye-popping $27 million in 2019.

The mansion features five bedrooms and 10 bathrooms over 8,188 square feet, and it includes exotic features like bamboo ceilings, flamed black limestone and gorgeous distressed oak floors.
Home sales in five major Florida cities have plummeted amid a snowballing real estate crisis in the southern state.

Natural disasters, rising homeowner's association (HOA) fees, increasing insurance costs and new condo regulations have come together to sap demand from a market that was booming just four years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fort Lauderdale, a city on Florida's east coast, saw pending sales drop 15.2 percent year over year during a four week period ending on November 10, according to a Redfin analysis.

The next worst cities were Miami and West Palm Beach, with yearly declines of about 14 percent each.

And rounding out the bottom five were Jacksonville and Tampa, which experienced drawdowns of 9.5 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively.

Nationwide, pending sales actually rose 4.7 percent over the same time period.

Florida real estate has been in a downward spiral for months, with some condo owners listing their properties for 40 percent cheaper than they're worth just to unload them.

A confluence of factors is causing this phenomenon.

Fort Lauderdale, pictured, had the starkest decline in pending home sales over the last year

Perhaps the most obvious is what turned out to be a record-breaking year of natural disasters.

'The recent hurricanes have been a major disruption in existing or pending sales, even for unaffected homes,' said Phil Crescenzo Jr., Vice President of the Southeast Division at Nation One Mortgage Corporation.

Three major hurricanes - Debby, Helene and Milton - tore through the Sunshine State this year, destroying thousands of homes and businesses.

Florida native and former real estate agent Ro Barber told DailyMail.com that house, mortgage and insurance prices have rocketed up in response.

'We push out the middle class every time after a storm like this,' Barber said. 'It's not because of the storms that people move away - it's the real estate trends that come after... all of the rental prices go sky-high and people just get priced out.'

Many lifelong Floridians are contemplating moving out of state for the first time to avoid this boom-bust cycle the state experiences.

Out-of-staters appear just as hesitant to commit to Florida.

'First-time buyers are especially skittish,' said Lindsay Garcia, a Redfin real estate agent based in Fort Lauderdale. 'Theres still some demand for vacation homes, but in general, the market is very slow. Buyers have been grappling with persistently high housing costs and uncertainty around the election.'

Miami, Florida's second most populous city, saw the second biggest drop in pending home sales. West Palm Beach was close behind

Three major hurricanes - Debby, Helene and Milton - tore through the Sunshine State this year, destroying thousands of homes and businesses (Pictured: Homes in Port St. Lucie that were razed during Hurricane Milton)

Pictured: The aftermath of the collapse of a condo building in Surfside, Florida. The disaster prompted state lawmakers to more stringently regulate condos, which is having a devastating effect on the market

Condos are more vulnerable than any other market, because they're susceptible to natural disasters and new regulatory burdens to keep high-rises safe.

Florida's state government approved a new law cracking down on older condos after the Champlain Tower South in the Miami suburb of Surfside crumbled in 2021.

The disaster killed 98 people and left hundreds more without a home and all their belongings destroyed.

Now, all condo buildings 30 years old or older and three stories or taller are required to undergo an inspection by a qualified architect or engineer.

If 'substantial structural deterioration' is found, the condo owner will be on the hook for the repairs and need to come up with substantial amounts of cash to fix their property within a year.

Thousands of owners who remain are attempting to dodge the rapidly approaching December 31 deadline for these inspections by selling their properties.

Homeowner's associations are also jacking up their fees in order to pay for these new repairs, another reason why some are fleeing.

Garcia said many condos have sat on the market waiting to be snapped up for over a year.

Governor Ron DeSantis is at the forefront of state leaders seeking to ameliorate the condo crisis

Governor Ron DeSantis has pushed for the state legislature to address this glaring issue before the end of the year.

His idea to stop panic selling is to offer a low or no-interest loan program for those saddled with high repair costs.

The state legislature met Tuesday to prepare for the 2025 session, which begins on March 4.

The meeting is said to be mostly focused on procedural matters and then setting the legislative agenda for the next two years.

It's unclear whether lawmakers and DeSantis will hammer out a solution to the real estate meltdown before the end of the year.
Finance guru Dave Ramsey has revealed the eye-opening phone call that led to him deciding no one in his family would ever be in debt again.

Ramsey, with eight national bestselling books, shared a turning point moment came after an American Express representative asked his wife, 'why she would stay with a man that won't pay his bills'.

It was at that point that he decided, 'you know what? This is it. Never again will we borrow money.'

He said that the thing that 'changed his life' was the 'nobility of his future'.

'Never again is American Express going to call my house and ask my wife why she would stay with a man that won't pay his bills. And yes, they did do that. And I was a very mad redneck.

'I am going to be the last Ramsey in this branch of the family tree in debt, because not only am I going to build so much wealth, save and invest, I'm going to teach my kids too.'

One viewer agreed, writing: 'You probably see it every day, but it's true: At some point, you just have to take action.'

Ramsey has built a name for himself hosting an advice show where he receives calls from people across the country who are struggling with debt and financial troubles.

He said that their goal is to help others break free of debt, build wealth and 'create a future that's yours'.

Ramsey, with eight national bestselling books, revealed the phone call that American Express made to his wife where they asked, 'why she would stay with a man that won't pay his bills'

In a recent video, Ramsey said that the thing that 'changed his life' was taking accountability for his future

'We talk to regular folks every day, [they] call in most of the time with financial trouble sometimes with financial victories,' he said in a video where he sat down with president-elect Donald Trump and discussed his plans for lowering taxes.

'Stuff we've taught them to do, the basic Grandma common sense stuff.'

Trump even said that he had watched Ramsey for 'his whole life'. When the pair met, the president-elect added: 'This should be the easiest interview because I've learned from him.'

Ramsey first cropped up in the early 1990s when he started a radio show answering callers' money questions in Nashville, Tennessee.

His frugal advice was inspired by his earlier life when he took on too much debt through buying real estate, a Jaguar, jewelry for his wife and a trip to Hawaii.

He was forced to file for bankruptcy in 1988.

Today, he has a net worth of $200 million, 5.6 million Instagram followers and 2.5 million followers on TikTok.

Advice on his website includes curbing your $4 daily coffee habit which he says can save individuals $22,995 over the course of 30 years.

Ramsey sat down with Donald Trump to discuss his upcoming policies on lowering taxes, Trump told Ramsey that he had watched him for 'his whole life'. When the pair met, Trump added: 'This should be the easiest interview because I've learned from him'

His 35-year-old daughter followed in her father's footsteps by becoming a money and budgeting pro.

And just like her hero, Rachel Cruze gives out the best financial tips to keep your bank account in the best shape possible on social media.

Ramsey's advice is not only confined to financial troubles, but shares wisdom that can help listeners' quality of life.

In one tweet, he wrote: 'If you'll make the sacrifices now that most people aren't willing to make, later on you'll be able to live as those folks will never be able to live.

'You can't get out of debt while keeping the same lifestyle that got you there. Earning more money doesn't automatically make you a better manager of your money.

'You've got to learn to live on a budget, or you'll always feel stressed with your finances,' he said in another.

His 35-year-old daughter, Rachel Cruze followed in his footsteps by becoming a money and budgeting pro. She also gives out the best financial tips to keep your bank account in the best shape possible on social media

While Ramsey has an array of both supporters and critics, many agree real-world financial tips and advice is essential to correcting mistakes and enhancing lives.

'Amen to this! I always say: when you fall down, fall forward. You're one step closer to success. Thanks for inspiring Dave,' wrote one.

'I just ordered your book, I can't wait to read it, study it and make sure both my kids use it like the Bible. Thank you,' another said.

'We don't learn about money in traditional school. I know you are proud you made that decision and thank you for sharing so others can to,' someone else added.
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

Some Americans may have to do without their morning Joe at McDonald's for the next few weeks after a fault with coffee machines - with one even 'exploding' in a video.

That's because the manufacturer who makes the chain's espresso machines, Melitta, warned franchisees via letter that there was a faulty part in them, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The fault could cause steam to forcefully escape from the machine and cause the part to break, according to the letter.

Melitta told restaurant operators not to use the machines for three weeks while it investigates the problem and inspects the espresso makers.

A video posted to Reddit thread dedicated to McDonald's employees appeared to show an espresso machine exploding from the machine so violently that nearby objects were sent flying near an employee's head.

DailyMail.com reached out to McDonald's to confirm the authenticity of this video.

Lattes, mochas, macchiatos, cappuccinos and other espresso-based drinks were unavailable at some McDonald's locations in New York City and Chicago on Wednesday.

McDonald's said this issue affected a limited number of drinks on the menu, with hot and ice brewed coffees still available to order.

It could be three weeks before McDonald's restaurants get back to serving espresso-based drinks while the machine manufacturer Melitta investigates the faulty part

Pictured: The online menu of a McDonald's on Park Avenue in Manhattan showed a large number of specialty coffees unavailable on Wednesday

'We have moved quickly to decommission these machines in McDonald's restaurants and are staying in contact with our supplier to safely resolve the issue,' the company said in a statement.

The fast food giant said it is still assessing the scope of the problem, since it remains unclear how many restaurants have been impacted.

DailyMail.com approached McDonald's for further comment.

This latest incident only adds to the reputation McDonald's has for its constantly broken ice cream machines.

That's due to a requirement that only the machine's manufacturer can fix any issues, which means restaurants with broken machines have to join a long queue before they can be seen to.

But this could soon change after McDonald's recently won a legal battle that grants individual restaurants a copyright exception to be able to repair the machines themselves.

McDonald's is also working overtime to regain customers' good will after there was an E. coli outbreak at their restaurants across 14 states.

The outbreak - which the CDC has linked to the slivered onions on the Quarter Pounders - has left 34 people hospitalized, one man dead and 104 people sick.

McDonald's plans to shell out $100 million to lure back its customers by investing in recovery efforts and supporting 'the most heavily impacted franchisees.'
IndusInd Bank Limited (IBL) and Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited (BFIL) on Monday announced a collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA & FW), Government of India, to launch the Bharat Sanjeevani Krishi Utthan initiative.

This initiative aims to support the government's flagship program, "Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)"providing a robust framework to empower FPOs across the country.

This collaboration has been driven through BFIL and IBL's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and aims to enhance agricultural productivity, promote sustainable farming practices, and improve farmers' income consistently, across 11 states namely Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Commenting on this significant partnership, Mr. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Additional Secretary, MoA & FW, GoI, said, "BFIL and IBL's commitment to leveraging technology in agriculture is commendable. By utilizing IT solutions, providing project management support, and extending their expertise, BFIL& IBLare empowering farmers to make data-driven decisions and enhance their production practices, contributing to the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector."
Tata Nano factorys relocation from West Bengal to Gujarat is a poignant reminder of how political myopia derailed a golden opportunity for Bengals industrial revival

In a moving tribute to late Ratan Tata, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of the many dimensions of the industrial icons personality that endeared him to the people. Pursuit of excellence and empathy were among the most dominant traits in late Ratan Tata leading him to pilot the Tata conglomerate towards greater heights of success and expansion. Under his two decades of stewardship, the Tata group witnessed a phenomenal spread of its global footprints and established itself as a vibrant brand.

Perhaps like many others from West Bengal, Ratan Tatas passing brought to my mind the Singur  Tata Nano factory episode. Those dark days of lost opportunities, signified a major recul, for the hope of an industrial regeneration in the state. A party and government which had, for over three decades patronised, militant trade unionism had suddenly decided to reverse that trend. It was ironic to see it clamber for investment in a feverish pitch after having presided over the de-industrialisation of the state.

The destruction of Bengals once formidable industrial might is a map of the CPI(M) rise in the state. Howrah, once famed as the Sheffield of the east, turned into West Bengals principal industrial graveyard under the communists. As early as the 1920s Dr Ambedkar had seen through and realised the often-duplicitous approach of the communist-led trade-unionism. In the pages of his Bahishkrut Bharat he wrote how communists were trying to capture the labour movement in the country and that the main aim behind the strike was not to improve the economic conditions of workers but to train them for revolution. He could foresee the cancer that was trying to claw into Indias industrial entrails.

Let us recall how then West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu had sanctioned protests against the Metro Rail project. The communist-driven frensied trade-unionism destroyed several iconic public undertakings such as the Haringhata Milk Dairy, set up by Dr BC Roy had created a milk supply chain across the state while generating thousands of jobs.

Much like Mamata Banerjee who has refused to enlist West Bengal in the Centres flagship Aspirational District Project and remains lukewarm to the Ekalavya Vidyalaya scheme, Basu in 1986, had forbade the setting up of Navodaya Schools in the state. In 1974, three years before he came to power as Chief Minister, Basu had organised a relay protest in front of the Hongkong Bank regional office in Kolkata to stall the installation of computers. Yet ironically the same Jyoti Basu in 1994, commissioned Arthur Anderson, a multinational business consultant, to carry out a study of the chances of West Bengals industrial revival based on foreign investment. But progress was halting, it lacked a roadmap.

Thus, when Ratan Tata decided to invest in the state it was a whiff of more than fresh air, it was a long-needed gush of wind for breathing fresh life into a dying industrial ethos.

A hopeful Tata had then said that he had scanned the country and looked at various locations before deciding to locate this rather revolutionary project which will give Indias truly peoples car here in Bengal. It announced a new chapter, a historic opportunity for Bengals industrial rejuvenation. But that did not happen. Political selfishness, and one-upmanship between the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Trinamool Congress, leading a blind political opposition to the proposal led to its grounding. In trying to bolster her flagging political prospects, Mamata Banerjee, desperately and deliberately jettisoned the project. Her political arrogance and self-centeredness led to its sinking. In her last fifteen years at the helm, the state has failed to recover from that mindless assault and pushback. An epic opportunity was lost, with a beleaguered Tata announcing his exit from the state due to political reasons. The people of West Bengal lost out.

Their hopes of a possibilities-filled future receded in a mist of uncertainty. Both the ruling dispensation then and the opposition were responsible for pushing the state into a dark alley. The alley remains dark even to this day. Ratan Tata announced that he was shifting the car plant to Gujarats Sanand. It was a plant that would eventually grow into a mega 1100-acre unit. Narendra Modi was then Chief Minister of Gujarat. As Tata was announcing his exit from West Bengal, Modi texted him Welcome, leading to the proposed Nano factory shifting to Gujarat. Modi told Tata that the project was not only his, but ours.

Later he had observed, in a lighter vein, that his one-rupee SMS had brought about a major boost to Gujarats industrial prospects. Ratan Tata later said that he would forever remain grateful to Modi for placing faith in him and inviting him to Gujarat during those difficult days. The saga of the Singur-Tata Nano factorys shift to Gujarat is a saga of petty political squabbles, acute selfishness, arrogance and lack of true commitment to West Bengals future and progress. That mindset and outlook among the ruling dispensation in the state still dominate. It has to be thrown overboard. Only then will West Bengals industrial rejuvenation appear to be a possibility.

(The writer is chairman Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation and member National Executive Committee, BJP; views are personal)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday praised the Indian diaspora members -- many of them migrated more than 180 years ago -- in Guyana saying he was glad to see the members making a mark across different sectors.

Modi's visit is the first visit by an Indian head of the state in more than 50 years. He arrived here in the wee hours after a late Tuesday departure from Brazil and interacted with the Indian diaspora members at the hotel.

There are around 3,20,000 people of Indian origin in Guyana, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which described it as one of the oldest Indian diasporas, which migrated more than 185 years ago.

Apart from the people of Indian origin, there are about 2,000 Indian nationals, mainly restricted to members of the Indian Mission, Indian Cultural Centre of the Mission, staff of Bank of Baroda and other international agencies, doctors, nurses, students of private medical institutions and workers employed by local companies, hospitals and University of Guyana, according to the High Commission of India.

A heartfelt thank you to the Indian community in Guyana for their warm and spirited welcome. They have shown that distance is never a barrier to staying connected to one's roots. Glad to see the community making a mark here across different sectors, Modi posted on X along with some photos from the interaction.

Prime Minister received a rousing and colorful welcome from the Indian community and the Indo-Guyanese diaspora in the presence of several Cabinet Ministers of Guyana, the MEA said in a statement.

The community members were dressed in their traditional bests and many of them were seen carrying the Indian tri-colour in their hands. Modi was also presented a sketch made by a member amid loud chanting of slogans.

Earlier, in an unprecedented gesture, Modi was received at the airport by Guyana President Irfan Ali, his counterpart Mark Anthony Phillips and over a dozen cabinet ministers while at the hotel, they were joined by the Prime Ministers of Grenada Dickon Mitchell and Barbados Mia Amor Mottley too.

Modi was also handed over the Key to the City of Georgetown' as a testament to the close India-Guyana ties, officials said.

The prime minister is on the last leg of his three-nation visit after attending the G20 Summit in Brazil and visiting Nigeria. Modi, who is visiting Guyana at the invitation of President Ali, will remain in the country till Thursday.
MahaYuti Vs MVA, and urban apathy

Barring stray incidents of violence, clashes among the rival party workers and a few natural deaths, polling in the Assembly elections passed off peacefully in Maharashtra, as 58.22 per cent of the total 9.7 crore voters exercised their franchise till 5 pm across the state.

Like always, the voter turn-out was low in urban areas, particularly in cities like Mumbai, Pune and Thane. At 5 pm, Mumbai city recorded a dismal 49.07 per cent of polling, while 51.76 per cent voters turned out for polling in Mumbai suburbs.

Thane recorded 49.76 per cent polling, while in Pune, 54.09 per cent voters exercised their rights. However, in Nagpur, 56.05 per cent of electors cast their votes. The Election Commission of India (ECI) said that it would update the voter turnout figures at 11.45 pm. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.

In all, 4136 candidates are contesting for the 288 Assembly seats. "Despite a range of measures by the Commission for ease of voting, and motivational campaigns, urban voters in the state continued their dismal record of low participation in cities like Mumbai, Pune and Thane. Simultaneous polling for all 288 Assembly constituencies in Maharashtra in a single phase," an ECI spokesperson said.

The main battle in the polls is between the ruling MahaYuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the polls. There are also candidates from several smaller and Independents - many of whom are rebels from the six major parties which constitute MahaYuti and MVA.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which heads the ruling MahaYuti, is contesting 148 seats. Its allies -Eknath Shinde-Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP - are contesting 80 seats and 53 seats respectively.

On the other hand, the Congress, which heads the MVA, is contesting 103 seats, while its allies Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded candidates in 89 constituencies and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) is contesting 87 seats. The MVA has allotted the remaining six seats to its smaller allies.

The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) fielded the largest number of 237 candidates followed by Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi from which 200 are in the race. The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is contesting 128 seats.

The BJP is involved in direct fights with the Congress in at least 75 constituencies across the state. In Vidarbha alone, the two major parties are slugging out against each in as many as 36 out of the total 62 constituencies in the region. While the Shinde Shiv Sena will slug it out with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena in as many as 39 seats. The feuding NCPs, one led by Ajit Pawar and another headed by Sharad Pawar himself, will take on each other in 36 constituencies.

Meanwhile, but for some stray incidents, the polling passed off peacefully across Maharashtra. In Beed, an independent candidate Balasaheb Shinde, 45, suffered a massive heart attack at a polling station where he had gone to cast his vote. He was declared dead upon admission to a nearby hospital.

A 67-year-old man Shyam Dhaigude died of a cardiac arrest at a polling booth in Morve village in Satara district in western Maharashtra. In the third tragic incident, 39-year-old Suman Yadav, serving as an ASHA worker in the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, was killed in a train accident while she was on way to perform her polling duty.

After heated arguments, the supporters of BJP candidate Suresh Dhus and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) candidate Mahebub Shaikh in Bedarwadi village of Ashti constituency in Beed district.

Tension prevailed for some time in the sensitive Kolhapur North constituency after clashes between workers of the ruling Shiv Sena and the Shiv Sena (UBT). However, the situation came under control after the intervention of senior Congress MLC Satej D. Bunty Patil. Nashik's Nandgaon constituency saw heated arguments and a scuffle between Independent contestant Sameer Bhujbal and the SS (UBT) candidate Suhas Kande

In Yeola constituency of Nashik district, NCP (AP) Minister Chhagan Bhujbal was physically stopped from visiting some areas in Kharwandi by supporters of rival candidates including NCP (SP) nominee Manikrao Shinde.

In Mumbai, some persons allegedly prevented ruling Shiv Sena candidate Sanjay Nirupam from going around in his Dindoshi constituency, which led to angry exchanges with supporters of the SS (UBT) strongman and rival Sunil Prabhu.

Final phase of JMM Vs NDA clash

Polling was peaceful as nearly 68 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in 38 constituencies in Jharkhand where voting for the second and final phase of the Assembly elections ended.

The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led INDIA Bloc is seeking to retain power riding on its welfare schemes, while the Bharatiya Janata Party-headed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trying to wrest it. The first phase of elections was held on November 13, and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.

A total of 1.23 crore voters, including 60.79 lakh women and 147 third-gender electors, were eligible to exercise their franchise on Wednesday, another official said. Altogether 528 candidates are trying their luck in the second phase of the elections. A total of 57 leprosy patients also voted for the first time at Jamtara in the State Assembly elections and expressed hope that the new government will solve the problems faced by them. They exercised their franchise at a dedicated booth, decorated with confetti, set up for them at Snehpur Community Building in Mihijam, during the second and final phase of Jharkhand Assembly polls on Wednesday.

Ramgarh registered a turnout of 71.98 per cent, followed by Dumka 71.74 per cent, Godda 67.24 per cent, Sahebganj 65.63 per cent, Giridih 65.89 per cent, Hazaribagh 64.41 per cent and Dhanbad 63.39 per cent. The lowest turnout was recorded in Bokaro district at 60.97 per cent till 5 PM.

As far as Assembly constituencies are concerned, the Maheshpur seat registered the highest voter turnout at 79.4 per cent, followed by Nala segment at 78.75 per cent and Sarath in Deoghar at 77.94 per cent. Silli in Ranchi from where BJP ally All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) Partys chief Sudesh Mahto is contesting recorded a turnout of 76.7 per cent.

The Barhait seat where Chief Minister Hemant Soren is contesting reported a 66.13 per cent voter turnout. The Gandey Assembly constituency, where the chief ministers wife Kalpana Soren is seeking re-election, registered 72.83 per cent polling.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged electors to participate in the great festival of democracy in Jharkhand, and asserted that your every vote is the strength of the state.

While Chief Minister Hemant Soren also said the second phase of polling would play an important role in the creation of golden Jharkhand, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi also urged voters to participate in polling for a better future.

Of the total 14,218 polling stations, the responsibility of the entire voting process at 239 was in the hands of women and 22 were manned by persons with disabilities (PwDs), Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar said.

Jharkhand BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said he had filed a complaint with the Election Commission against a presiding officer for allegedly favouring a ruling party candidate in Madhupur Assembly constituency during voting. Dubey claimed that following his complaint, the officer was arrested.

However, the Deoghar administration said the officer, identified as Ramanand Kumar Paswan, was replaced after being found too close to the voting compartment, which is against Election Commission rules.

BYPOLLS

Over 50 per cent voter turnout in by-polls

A voter turnout of over 50 per cent was recorded in the bypolls to 15 Assembly seats spread across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Uttarakhand on Wednesday amid stray incidents of violence and complaints of irregularities against police officials and misuse of government machinery.

The Election Commissions update at 5 pm showed the voter turnout at: Ghaziabad (33.30 per cent), Katehari (56.69 per cent), Khair (46.43 per cent), Kundarki (57.32 per cent), Karhal (53.92 per cent), Majhawan (50.41 per cent), Meerapur (57.02 per cent), Phulpur (43.43 per cent), Sisamau (49.03 per cent).

In neighbouring Uttarakhand, a voter turnout of 56.78 per cent was recorded in the Kedarnath Assembly bypoll till 5 pm. The Kedarnath Assembly seat in Rudraprayag district fell vacant after the death of BJP MLA Shaila Rani Rawat in July.

In Punjab, a voter turnout of 59.67 per cent was recorded till 5 pm in the bypolls to four Assembly segments The Gidderbaha seat recorded 78.10 per cent polling, Dera Baba Nanak 59.80 per cent, Barnala 52.70 per cent and Chabbewal 48.01 per cent. A minor clash took place between the AAP and Congress supporters at Dera Pathana village in the Dera Baba Nanak segment. Workers of both parties were also engaged in heated arguments. In Kerala, polling in the Palakkad Assembly by-election saw a turnout of 54.64 per cent.
India and China on Wednesday agreed to work towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calling for drawing lessons from the unfortunate border clashes of 2020 during talks with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun.

The two Defence Ministers met in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, weeks after Indian and Chinese militaries completed disengagement of troops from two last face-off points in eastern Ladakh. The Defence Ministry said both sides agreed to work together towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust.

In the delegation-level talks, Singh highlighted that amicable relations between India and China would have positive implications for global peace and prosperity, it said. Considering that both countries are and will continue to remain neighbours, he mentioned that we need to focus on cooperation rather than conflict, it said.

Singh called for reflecting on the lessons learnt from the unfortunate border clashes of 2020, taking measures to prevent the recurrence of such events and safeguarding peace and tranquillity along the India-China border, the ministry said in a statement.

He emphasised and looked forward to greater trust and confidence building between the two sides through de-escalation. Both sides agreed to work together towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding, it added.

The Singh-Dong meeting took place on the sidelines of a conclave of 10-nation ASEAN grouping and some of its dialogue partners. Indian and Chinese militaries completed the disengagement exercise in Demchok and Depsang in eastern Ladakh late last month after the two sides reached an agreement following a series of negotiations to resolve the festering border row.

The two sides also resumed patrolling activities in the two areas after a gap of almost four-and-a-half years. Singh began his three-day visit to Vientiane on Wednesday, primarily to attend a meeting of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus).

The ADMM-Plus is a platform comprising 10-nation ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and its eight dialogue partners, India, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States. Laos is hosting the meeting in its capacity as the current chair of ADMM-Plus.

On Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi held delegation-level talks in Rio de Janeiro on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, in the first high-level engagement since the militaries of the two sides disengaged from Demchok and Depsang.

The two ministers felt it was imperative that the focus should be on stabilising ties, managing differences and taking the next steps, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) expressed strong displeasure over the administrations failure to maintain the cleanliness of the Ganga in Varanasi. In a scathing rebuke, the tribunal even suggested that a board be put up on the banks of the river, stating that Ganga water in the city is not safe for bathing.

The reprimand came during a hearing regarding the slow progress of the restoration of Asi and Varuna, two important tributaries of the Ganges. The NGT bench, led by Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A Santhil Vel, asked Varanasi District Magistrate (DM) S Rajlingam whether the water of the Ganga in Varanasi was fit for drinking or bathing.

When the DM remained silent, the tribunal remarked sharply, If this is the case, why not place boards along the riverbank stating that the Ganga water in Varanasi is not suitable for bathing or drinking? In response, DM Rajlingam said, Its not within my jurisdiction. The District Magistrate acts in accordance with government directives.

The NGT bench, unimpressed by the DMs reply, reminded him of the considerable power vested in his office, urging him not to appear helpless in the face of the situation. The tribunal then directed the governments advocate to submit an affidavit detailing the current status of the restoration of Asi and Varuna and the condition of the Ganga by the next hearing, which is scheduled for December 13.

This marks the second time in recent months that the NGT has expressed its dissatisfaction with the Varanasi administrations efforts. Three months ago, the tribunal imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the DM for failing to comply with its orders concerning the Gangas restoration.

During the hearing, petitioner Saurabh Tiwari highlighted that despite repeated meetings and official discussions, no tangible progress had been made on the ground in terms of cleaning the Ganga and restoring the tributaries. The NGT was informed that the restoration of the Asi and Varuna rivers was moving at a slow pace, with 40 meetings having taken place, but no visible work was evident.

The bench questioned DM Rajlingam about his efforts since taking office in Varanasi in November 2022 and asked what measures had been implemented during his tenure. The tribunal also noted that the renovation of the tributaries was meant to be completed within a 12-month deadline, set by the NGT in 2021. However, more than 33 months have passed, and the situation remains largely unchanged.

The governments lawyer, Bhanwar Pal Jadoun, presented the states efforts, including the Pollution Control Boards initiatives to clean the Ganga. However, the bench found the explanations unsatisfactory, emphasizing the need for concrete actions.

The petition, filed on August 4, 2024, highlighted the slow progress of the restoration work for Asi and Varuna. The NGT had originally set a five-year deadline for the completion of the restoration in 2021, but after over three years, little on-the-ground action has been seen.

The restoration process officially began after a meeting of the Supervisory and Execution Committees in November 2021, but as per the petitioner, the project remains confined to bureaucratic processes, with no substantial work visible in the river areas.

As the December 13 hearing approaches, all eyes are now on the state government and district administration to provide accountability for the lack of progress and to step up efforts to restore the Ganga and its tributaries, which are crucial for the ecological balance of the region.
Four students riding a bike were struck by a private bus, resulting in the deaths of three and leaving one seriously injured, in Jazampatti, located in the Magorra police station area of Mathura.

The victims were students of Krishna Pyari Shukla College, and all were pursuing BSc in Agriculture.

The students, who hailed from Bharatpur, were en route to their college when the accident occurred. According to police, the incident took place on Tuesday morning when the students were riding a bike near Jazampatti.

The bus, coming from the opposite direction, collided with them, killing 20-year-old Ritesh, along with his colleagues Chetan and Mukul, all residents of Manpuria in Bayana, Bharatpur, on the spot.

The fourth student, Ramkesh, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the district hospital. His condition was deemed critical, and doctors referred him to Agra Medical College for further treatment.

The bus driver fled the scene following the accident, and the police have since registered a case and launched a manhunt to apprehend him and seize the bus.

The family of the deceased students arrived at the hospital and later visited the post-mortem house to identify the bodies.

In another incident, a speeding car lost control and collided with a roadside tree, killing two youths and leaving three others critically injured, in Bareillys Devraniyan police station area on Tuesday.

The five youths, all from Subhashnagar police station area, were on their way to Nanakmatta Gurudwara in Uttarakhand when the accident occurred.

The car, travelling at high speed, crashed into a tree in the Devraniyan area, resulting in a devastating impact.

Sunil Bajaj, a cycle trader, and Gaurav, a resident of Nekpur, died on the spot.

Three othersHarpreet Singh Golu, the media in-charge of Subhashnagar Gurudwara, and his friends Ajji and Prem Sahnisustained injuries.

Harpreet suffered a leg fracture, while the others are receiving treatment at a private medical college.

The Devraniyan police have seized the vehicle and investigations are underway.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Bareilly, a truck travelling from Shahjahanpur to Haryana collided with a stationary truck near the Bilwa Bridge in Bhojipura, resulting in the death of the truck driver and serious injuries to his helper.

The deceased was identified as 28-year-old Ismail, a resident of Umdasar village in Shahjahanpur.

He was driving the truck when it crashed into a parked truck on the highway. Ismail died instantly.

His helper, who was seriously injured, was rushed to a private hospital for treatment. The police arrived at the scene, sent the body for post-mortem, while investigations are ongoing.
Ahead of the Delhi assembly elections slated to be held early next year, the state Chief Electoral Officer P. Krishnamurthy on Wednesday reminded citizens that claims and objections for additions, deletions, or modifications in electoral records can be submitted until November 28 in preparation for the publication of the final electoral roll on January 6 next year.

He added that the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of the Electoral Roll with respect to January 1, 2025, as the qualifying date, commenced on October 29. This process is actively underway across all 70 Assembly Constituencies in the NCT of Delhi. However, the submission of forms for continuous updating will remain open beyond November 28. The citizens of Delhi are actively participating in these campaigns, he said.

Krishnamurthy emphasized that claims and objections can be filed conveniently through multiple channels. Online submissions are accepted via the Election Commission of Indias Voters Portal at https://voters.eci.gov.in or through the Voter Helpline App and Saksham App (for Divyangjans). Alternatively, forms can be submitted offline at designated Voter Centers, a statement said.

As part of the SSR process, special campaigns are being organized at all polling station locations in the NCT of Delhi to facilitate public participation. The first round of campaigns, held on November 9 and 10, witnessed an overwhelming response from citizens submitting their forms for updates, the Delhi CEO said, adding that the next round of special campaigns is scheduled for November 23 and 24.

Krishnamurthy urged the public to participate actively in these campaigns to ensure their electoral details are accurate and updated, further contributing to the strength of the democratic process.

He highlighted the importance of vigilance in electoral processes and said that citizens must ensure that their names are not listed in multiple constituencies or appear more than once in a single constituency, as this is a punishable offence under Sections 17 and 18 of the Representation of People Act, 1950. <

Those with duplicate entries should apply for deletions using Form-7, he said, clarifying that merely possessing a Voter Identity Card does not guarantee the right to vote and voters must verify that their names are included in the electoral roll.
Vinay Ranjan, Director (Personnel/IR), Coal India Limited (CIL), the state-owned coal mining corporate received the Green World Awards 2024 during the much-awaited presentation ceremony at The Orangery, Kensington Palace, London today. The award was given by The Green Organization, which began in 1994 and is an independent, non-political, non-profit environment group, dedicated to recognizing, rewarding and promoting environmental best practices and CSR around the world.

Vinay Ranjay said that "let's this moment inspire us all to take action, protect our environment, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come." He thanked everyone who supported me on this incredible journey.

The Certificate of Achievement was presented to Coal India Coal India Ltd in recognition of winning a Green World Award for their commitment to environment best practice.

CIL, living up to its Corporate Citizen role, is one of the largest spenders in the country under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Coal India as a corporate entity, contributes to the country economically and socially apart from its core role as energy provider.

CIL produces over 80% of Indias overall coal production and contributes to 70% of the total coal-based power generation in the country. The company contributes to 55% of total power generation and meets 40% of the primary commercial energy requirements of the country.

The company adopts multiple measures to improve the environment, expand green cover over its mined-out areas, creates eco-parks and tourism spots, and provides mine water to lakhs of villagers for domestic and agricultural use.
In the first major political contest after the Lok Sabha elections, a direct clash is expected between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party in the by-elections to nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday.

Congress, a major partner in the opposition bloc INDIA, is not contesting the bypolls and is supporting its partner, the Samajwadi Party.

The Bahujan Samaj Party, on the other hand, is contesting all nine seats independently.

While Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led the BJPs charge with his batenge to katenge (divided we fall) slogan, attempting to link Samajwadi Party leaders with organised crime and the mafia, SP president Akhilesh Yadav largely focused on uniting society through his PDA (Pichhde, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) formula, and criticised the alleged conflict between the double-engine Central and state governments.

In a no-holds-barred attack, Akhilesh repeatedly claimed that those within the BJP are working to remove Yogi Adityanath from the post of chief minister.

The Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM has also fielded its candidates in Ghaziabad, Kundarki, and Meerapur constituencies, while the Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) of Chandrashekhar has fielded candidates in all constituencies except Sisamau.

Ninety candidates are contesting the bypolls, with the maximum number of 14 candidates standing in the Ghaziabad assembly constituency, while the minimum number is five candidates each in Khair (SC) and Sisamau constituencies.

Although the results of the by-polls will not have any direct impact on the 403-member UP Legislative Assembly, they will send a message to various political parties.

While the SP aims to increase its tally further in the House, the BJP and its ally RLD will try to consolidate their presence in the assembly.

At present, the BJP holds 251 seats in the assembly, followed by the SP with 105 seats.

BJP allies Apna Dal (Sonelal) have 13 seats, RLD has eight, SBSP has six, and the NISHAD Party has five.

The Congress and Jansatta Dal Loktantrik each have two seats, while the BSP holds one seat.

This will be the first electoral test for the INDIA bloc as well as the NDA in the politically crucial state since the Lok Sabha elections.

Akhilesh on Tuesday urged voters to support his party. In a post on X, he said, I would like to ask all my voters, especially the young farmers, to help. The administration can only create disturbances in the elections. I hope the administration will work to protect the rights to save the Constitution given by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar.

BJP UP spokesperson Manish Shukla on Tuesday took a dig at the Samajwadi Party, saying, The Samajwadi Party is afraid of losing the bypolls. Akhilesh Yadav wants to escape responsibility by blaming the Election Commission for the defeat.

Due to the fear of defeat, the SP is making childish demands from the Election Commission, such as that voter identity cards should not be checked. In the past, women wearing burqas have been caught engaging in fraudulent voting while disguised in burqas, Shukla said.

He was referring to a recent letter written by SP UP unit chief Shyam Lal Pal, in which he had requested the Election Commission to issue instructions that on the day of polling, no police personnel should check the voter ID card of the voter.

Pal, citing the handbook for returning officers, stated that the voter IDs could be checked by the polling officer on polling day.

RLD spokesperson Ankur Saxena said his party was confident of retaining the Meerapur seat, while the NDA was poised to make a clean sweep by winning all the constituencies where bypolls are being held.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today interacted with young women in Ranchi, and enquired about women empowerment. Interacting with women Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that, promoting women, better education of daughters, development of sisters and bringing change in the lives of sisters and daughters is the mission of my life. Shivraj said that, we are running a campaign to make every girl a millionaire through self-help groups, Lakhpati Didi means every sister's income should be more than 10 thousand rupees per month and more than 1 lakh rupees annually. Our resolution is to bring a new light by removing darkness from the lives of sisters.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while interacting with the sisters, said that, since childhood, I had seen in my village and surroundings that, there was discrimination between son and daughter, if a son was born, there was celebration and if a daughter was born, the mother's face would turn pale.

Apart from this, I had also seen the problems in the lives of sisters. Since then, I had this feeling in my mind that I have to do something for my sisters and daughters. I used to preach that, if there is a daughter, there is tomorrow, if you do not save a daughter, then from where will you get a daughter-in-law. When I became an MLA, I started getting poor daughters married and when I became the Chief Minister, I decided that a daughter is not a burden but a blessing and a daughter will be born on the land of Madhya Pradesh as a millionaire. After which, the Ladli Laxmi Yojana was first created in Madhya Pradesh and today there are more than 50 lakh Ladli Laxmis in the state. Then in Madhya Pradesh, 50% reservation was made for women in local elections. Similarly, after seeing the problems of sisters, it came to my mind that every sister should have a bank account and money should come in it every month. After which the Ladli Behna Yojana was made and today money is coming in the accounts of crores of sisters every month. This scheme has brought revolutionary changes in the lives of sisters.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said that, in order to provide better and free education to daughters, we have decided in Madhya Pradesh that education from class 1 to PG will be free. Poor children are not able to pay the fees charged in private colleges, medical colleges, engineering colleges. Many children get selected in MBBS, engineering through different examinations, but due to the huge fees, they are not able to take admission. Therefore, we decided in Madhya Pradesh that we will pay the fees of sons and daughters as well. Today, the government also pays the fees of medical colleges and engineering colleges in Madhya Pradesh, so that daughters can get higher education. Daughters are being given free books, free bicycles to go to other villages for studies. Then a scheme was made, Gaon Ki Beti Yojana, then Pratibha Kiran Yojana if they go to college. Many such schemes have been made. There is a need to make such schemes at many places for the development and welfare of daughters. We will work to improve the future of daughters by running these schemes in Jharkhand too.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said that Jharkhand has immense possibilities for industries. This is a rich land of poor people, there is so much here, different types of minerals are here, there is forest here, there is water here, but the government here did not have the will power, so development could not happen. Investment can be brought in Jharkhand, industries can come here, local sons and daughters can get employment in them. We will work towards bringing investment and industries in Jharkhand, we will also make every effort so that the sons and daughters here can get employment, and they do not have to go to other cities. We will work for a better future for the youth of Jharkhand.
State BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdev hit back at the press conference of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and said that seeing its certain defeat, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is busy making excuses. Pratul said that on November 23, the government led by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha will come to an end. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha does not want the blame to fall on Hemant Soren. That is why it is making excuses every day.

Pratul said that JMM workers are trying to create an atmosphere of terror in Barhet area. But to divert attention from that, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is making baseless allegations against the Leader of Opposition.

Pratul said that the Election Commission, which the JMM is accusing today, had won the election in 2019 in the elections held under the supervision of paramilitary forces and State police. But this time, the same Election Commission is being questioned to make excuses for the defeat. Pratul said that the ECI has also taken cognisance in many cases against the BJP. But the BJP never complained and complied with those orders. But the JMM keeps accusing the Election Commission.

Pratul said that some officers keep working as a toolkit in this government. When the Election Commission removed a District Magistrate from election work, he was made the District Magistrate of the capital. JMM also has objection to this. BJP always says that officers should follow the rules and laws because governments keep coming and going. But the JMM-led government has tried to make the officers its agents.

Pratul said that those who are accusing Babulal Marandi of buying Niranjan Rai should look into their own conscience. Niranjan Rai Ji supported Babulal Ji against this corrupt government on the basis of policies. This made JMM upset. But Jharkhand Mukti Morcha did not clarify how much was the deal for seating the JKLM party candidate in Gandey and Garhwa? Pratul advised that the blood pressure of the JMM candidate of Rajdhanwar should be checked from the health point of view, because he is bent on beating journalists on every small issue.

Pratul said that the government was accused of a scam of Rs 70,000 crores. But surprisingly this money was neither seen in the balance sheet of any member of the Soren family nor in the balance sheet of JMM. So was this money sent to another country through money laundering? This also needs a high level investigation.

Pratul said that JMM is accusing that BJP does Hindu-Muslim. BJP at least takes the name of both Hindus and Muslims. But in the last 5 years, JMM has only taken the names of the Muslim infiltrators. Not only did they take their names but also worked to settle them. They made their Aadhar cards and turned them into a vote bank and that too, when these infiltrators are directly encroaching upon the rights of the tribals.

State media in-charge Shivpujan Pathak was also present in today's press conference.
China's Long March-10 carrier rocket passes fairing separation test

Xinhua) 20:55, November 20, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's Long March-10 carrier rocket series has completed a fairing separation test that fully assessed issues in such areas as design, connection structure and separation strategy.

The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), which developed the carrier rockets, said on Wednesday that the fairing separated smoothly at the planned time and under predetermined conditions, and that all parameters tested met their design requirements. The test verified the rationality of the design, as well as interface coordination.

The results have validated the reliability of the entire system plan and provided valuable data for subsequent tests.

Fairing separation is a key action in the carrier rocket launch process. The success of the test is further solid progress in the sample development of the Long March-10 carrier rocket series.

The fairing is an important part of a launch vehicle and provides effective protection for spacecraft to avoid the adverse effects of high-speed airflow.

During the separation test, the height and diameter of the fairing were both 5 meters -- a newly developed configuration, according to CALT.

The Long March-10 carrier rockets are China's new generation of manned launch vehicles, which will help the country achieve its goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2030.

The Long March-10 series has also passed several large-scale tests, including a sub-stage power system test, CALT said, noting that it will continue to verify the design of each system comprehensively.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan)
Bypolls to Punjabs four key assembly segments  Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC), and Barnala  will take place on Wednesday. With the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seeking redemption after its poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress is aiming to continue its momentum after winning seven seats in parliamentary polls earlier this year. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite its Lok Sabha setback, is determined to make a strong showing in these rural constituencies, gaining from SADs absence.

The bypolls have been triggered by the election of sitting MLAs to the Lok Sabha, and the stakes are high for all parties. Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, and Chabbewal were previously held by Congress, while Barnala was with AAP. A total of 45 candidates, including three women, are contesting, with 6.96 lakh eligible voters across 831 polling stations. Extensive security arrangements have been made, with over 6,400 Punjab Police personnel and 17 companies of Central Armed Police Forces deployed.

These bypolls are being viewed as a crucial test for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who is hoping to regain his party's lost ground. For Congress, the battle is personal, with the wives of two MPs contesting in Gidderbaha and Dera Baba Nanak. The BJP, looking to capitalize on its increased vote share in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, aims for a victory in these rural constituencies, making this election a key battleground for all parties.

Gidderbaha: MPs Wife Facing 5-Time MLA, Former Akali

As the Gidderbaha assembly constituency braces for its crucial by-election on Wednesday, political fervour has reached a crescendo. The seat, often dubbed the hotspot, is witnessing an electrifying triangular contest between Congress, BJP, and AAP.

At the forefront is Congress candidate Amrita Warring, wife of state party president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, who vacated the seat after his elected in the Parliament. Warring, a three-time MLA from the seat, managed to retain it in 2022 AAP wave with a slim margin of 1,349 votes. Amrita is banking on Warring family's deep-rooted local influence and is positioning herself as Gidderbahas daughter through her Saadi Dhi-Saada Maan campaign.

Opposing her is BJP candidate Manpreet Badal, a seasoned political heavyweight. A five-time MLA and two-time Finance Minister, Manpreet represents the legacy of the influential Badal family and his deep connection with the constituency having served as its MLA twice. Returning to this segment after a gap of 12 years, Manpreet is emphasizing his ability to attract development funds and is evoking nostalgia for his tenure when the region saw significant progress.

The third contender is AAPs Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon. A former Akali leader and Sukhbir Badals close aide, Dimpy lost twice here but carried the support of a government in power. He is pitching himself as the local candidate, contrasting himself against the outsiders Amrita and Manpreet.

Historically, Gidderbaha has been a bastion of both Akalis and Congress, with the former dominating nine times and the latter five. However, Akali Dals decision not to field a candidate this time has turned their traditional vote bank into a decisive swing factor. Both Manpreet and Dimpy are vying for this crucial support. Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) has also fielded Sukhraj Singh, son of one of the 2015 Behbal Kalan police firing victims.

Adding another layer of complexity is the Dera Sacha Sauda influence, with approximately 10,000 votes under its sway. The alignment of these votes could tilt the scales significantly.

The electorate of Gidderbaha has voiced concerns over development stagnation. Key issues include the absence of a flyover at a critical railway crossing, waterlogging, poor drainage, unemployment, and the rampant drug menace. While Warrings tenure faced criticism for unmet promises, voters also recall Manpreet Badals contributions to local agriculture and Dimpy Dhillons grassroots initiatives.

Political analysts predicted a close contest between Congress and AAP, with BJP trailing due to limited organizational strength in the constituency. However, Manpreets personal charisma and legacy might surprise many.

With over 1.66 lakhs registered voters, Gidderbaha is poised for a nail-biting finish. The outcome will not only shape the political future of its candidates but also resonate across Punjabs evolving political landscape.

Barnala: A Tightrope

The political battlefield of Barnala, in Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns home district Sangrur, is poised for a gripping triangular contest. This high-stakes election could reshape the political dynamics of the region, which has been a stronghold of the ruling AAP for the past decade. However, internal strife, changing voter priorities, and the resurgence of rivals have set the stage for an unpredictable showdown.

Barnala has been under AAP's control since 2014 with Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer winning two consecutive terms before moving to the Parliament as Sangrur MP. AAPs new candidate, Harinder Singh Dhaliwal, close to Hayer, faced a rebellion from the party's former district president Gurdeep Bath contesting as an independent. This internal division could splinter AAPs voter base, weakening its stronghold in urban and rural pockets alike.

The BJP, traditionally weak in Barnala, has fielded two-time former Congress MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon, relying heavily on urban support. Urban voters, who outnumber their rural counterparts  88,429 to 61,657  are seen as the BJP's core base. Dhillons promise to leverage Central Government projects to address local issues, including parking woes, healthcare, and employment, could sway voters seeking development.

Congress has nominated Kuldeep Singh Kala Dhillon, a fresh face but a familiar figure in local politics. Kalas campaign focused on criticizing the ruling AAP for failing to deliver on its promises while pledging to champion voter concerns like unemployment and rural distress. Congress challenge lies in countering defections and regaining its once-strong grassroots presence.

While AAP and BJP compete for urban votes, the rural electorate faced fragmentation. Akali Dal, not contesting for the first time since 1992, has left its traditional vote bank up for grabs. The influence of SAD (Amritsar) and independent Gurdeep Bath further complicated the rural dynamics. SAD (Amritsar) has fielded Govind Singh Mann  the maternal grandson of former MP and party chief Simranjit Singh Mann.

Barnala voters cite pressing issues such as drug abuse, inadequate healthcare facilities, poor traffic management, and the lack of educational infrastructure. The bypoll outcome hinges on which candidate succeeded in convincing the voters of their ability to address these concerns.

Political analysts suggested a close contest between AAP and Congress, with the BJP striving to make inroads. The deciding factor could be urban voters turnout and the sway of Akali Dals silent voter base.

Dera Baba Nanak: Cong MPs wife vs SAD-backed AAP

The Dera Baba Nanak assembly constituency in Gurdaspur district is brimming with political intrigue. The byelection here is a closely fought triangular contest among Congress, AAP, and BJP, with underlying complexities making it a political hotspot.

Dera Baba Nanak, a Congress stronghold since 1951, has been a stage for fierce electoral battles. Of the 14 elections held here, Congress has won nine times, with the Akali Dal securing five victories. Notably, the seat has been dominated by two influential families  the Randhawas of Congress and the Kahlons, formerly of Akali Dal, now with BJP. This time, Congress is represented by Jatinder Kaur Randhawa, wife of former MLA and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa; while BJP has fielded Ravikaran Singh Kahlon, son of former Akali Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon. AAP, aiming to disrupt this dynastic hold, has chosen Gurdeep Singh Randhawa.

The constituency boasts 1,95,604 registered voters, with 91,593 women and a significant rural majority of 95 percent. It also has Punjabs highest Christian voter base, with over 35,000 individuals whose alignment could decisively sway the outcome. Historically, Congress and Akali Dal have alternated power here, with margins narrowing to as little as 466 votes in 2022. The Akali Dals absence from this election but its tacit support for AAP added further intrigue.

Congress bank heavily on the Randhawa familys legacy. Jatinder Kaurs campaign focused on her husbands work, leveraging decades of influence and developmental initiatives attributed to the family. However, she is facing stiff competition from the ruling AAP, which highlighted its governance achievements, including free electricity, healthcare reforms, and a promise of infrastructure projects like an ITI and bio-gas plant in Dera Baba Nanak.

BJP, represented by Kahlon, struggled against farmer discontent due to perceived delays in crop procurement and policies under the Central Government. Ravikarans promises to champion farmers issues have not fully mitigated this opposition.

Despite opting out of the race, SAD holds sway through its 50,000-strong voter base. Its support for AAP could tilt the balance, yet internal divisions among its leaders leave room for unpredictability.

As the byelection looms, Dera Baba Nanak is precariously poised. While Congress counts on its entrenched roots and AAP leans on its governance model, BJP hopes to capitalize on the Kahlon familys local clout. With Christian voters and rural discontent playing pivotal roles, the outcome remains uncertain, promising a nail-biting finish.

Chabbewal: Fight Between Turncoats

The political landscape of the Chabbewal reserved constituency in Hoshiarpur district is charged with anticipation. The contest, shaped by defection-driven candidacies and local dynamics, is expected to be a tight race between the ruling AAP and the Congress, with the BJP lagging behind.

AAP has fielded 31-year-old Dr Ishank Kumar, son of former MLA and sitting MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, whose strong grassroots connection is a formidable asset. Dr Ishank, although a political novice, benefitted from his fathers two-decade-long rapport with the electorate, backed by development work like roads, water supply, and a pivotal flyover.

Congress candidate Ranjit Kumar, a lawyer and head of Hoshiarpur Bar Association, entered the fray with limited preparation time. His campaign leveraged dissatisfaction with AAPs governance and appeals to the Dalit-Bahujan vote bank. Meanwhile, BJPs Sohan Singh Thandal, a seasoned politician and former Akali minister, struggled to overcome farmer resentment and his partys diminishing rural appeal.

Chabbewal comprises 300 villages with 1,59,432 voters, including 83,704 men, 75,724 women, and four transgender voters. Historically, this constituency has swung between the Congress and the SAD. However, SADs absence in this election tilts the balance toward AAP and Congress. The Akali vote bank, crucial in determining outcomes, is being wooed aggressively by both AAP and BJP.

Among the factors favoring AAP are the legacy advantage with Dr Raj Kumars strong presence ensuring Dr Ishank inherited a well-established support base. Besides, the infrastructure projects completed under Dr Raj Kumars tenure resonated with voters, consolidating trust in his lineage. In addition, the BJPs rural unpopularity has helped AAP in consolidating the non-Congress votes.

Talking about Congress prospects, first-timer Ranjit Kumars professional credibility and strategic focus on dalit and BSP votes positioned him as a strong challenger. However, his late entry and limited engagement time may dilute his impact. Nevertheless, the postponement of polling has provided Congress an opportunity to intensify outreach efforts.

Despite Thandals vast political experience, his shift from SAD to BJP and the ongoing farmer protests against the BJP led Central Government seems to have diminished his chances. His campaign hinged on rekindling SADs base, but the response apparently remained lukewarm.

Political experts suggested a slight edge for AAP, with Congress posing a close fight. While Dr Ishank Kumar leveraged his fathers goodwill, Ranjit Kumars calculated campaigning could narrow the gap. The BJP appeared to be a distant third, primarily banking on loyalist votes.
Delhi's worsening air quality has led to sharp decline in market footfall, significantly impacting businesses', according to several trader associations. Rakesh Yadav, president of the Sadar Bazar Trades Association, said that there is a 15 percent decline in footfall in the Sadar market compared to usual days.

There's a noticeable decrease in the number of people visiting Sadar Bazar, especially customers from other states who typically come for wholesale shopping. Many are now placing orders online instead of travelling here due to the severe air pollution, Yadav said.

Similarly, Sanjeev Mehra, president of the Khan Market Traders Association, said that there has been a sharp drop of 60 percent in footfall since the implementation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Foot traffic in Khan Market has fallen drastically, and it's impacting traders, especially small shop owners. These measures are hitting the pockets of small traders, Mehra added.

Delhi's air quality reached the 'severe plus' category on Sunday, leading to rigorous pollution control measures under GRAP Stage IV on Monday morning.

These measures include restrictions on truck entry, allowing only those carrying essential goods or using clean fuels like LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electricity, with an additional ban on construction and demolition activities along with the closure of schools.

Sanjeev Aneja, vice president of the Kailash Colony Market Association, observed fewer people on the area's weekly off, i.E on Tuesdays.

"Despite it being a weekly off day, there are fewer people around compared to other Tuesdays, he said.

Rajeev Gandhi, convener of the Save Our City' campaign, a collective of Residents' Welfare Associations (RWAs) said that many people have stopped coming to the parks as well.

Once lively Parks are now empty as fewer people come there. Children's laughter and play have been replaced by silence. This shows how deeply pollution has affected people, keeping them indoors, he added.

Praveen Khandelwal, MP Chandni Chowk and secretary general of the Confederation of All India Traders said in a statement that air pollution and related restrictions have severely impacted Delhi's trade sector, causing an estimated 20 percent business loss.

According to Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal, who is also Secretary General, Confederation of All India Traders ( CAIT), the restrictions imposed to control are bound to cause adverse impact creating an estimated loss of business to the tune of almost 20%, which is a substantial trade loss to Delhi trading community. Small and medium enterprises, especially in markets like Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh, and Lajpat Nagar, Connaught Place, South Extension,Sadar Bazar, Kamla Nagar, Pitampura etc experience sharp revenue declines due to reduced customer visits and supply chain issues whereas seasonal businesses, particularly those relying on festivals and weddings face heavy losses as pollution curbs often coincide with peak sales periods.
Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 45.53 per cent till 3 pm on Wednesday in the elections to the 288-member state legislative assembly, election officials said.

In the bypoll to the Nanded Lok Sabha constituency held simultaneously, the voter turnout till 3 pm was 41.58 per cent, they said. Polling began at 7 am in the state, where the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is vying to retain power and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) combine is hoping for a strong comeback. Voting will continue till 6 pm.

There are a total of 1,00,186 polling booths in Maharashtra this time, compared to 96,654 booths in the 2019 assembly elections, the officials said. Gadchiroli tops the list of districts with 62.99 per cent turnout. Aheri assembly seat in the district saw 66.27per cent voting, while Gadchiroli constituency recorded 62.43 per cent voting. Armori saw 60.50 per cent polling. Mumbai city district and Mumbai suburban district recorded 40.89 per cent and 39.34 per cent voting respectively.

The Colaba assembly segment in the megapolis registered 33.44 per cent polling, Mahim 45.56 per cent and Worli 39.11 per cent. Shivadi recorded 41.76 percent and Malabar Hill 42.55 per cent. In Mumbai suburban, Bhandup polled 48.82 per cent votes, Dahisar 41.91 percent and Bandra East 39.49 per cent, they said.

In Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency in Thane, the voter turnout was 44.60 per cent, while the overall percentage of Thane district was 38.94 per cent. The Nagpur South-West constituency, from where Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is in the fray, the voter turnout was 41.76 per cent till 3 pm, the officials said.

Nagpur district recorded 44.45 per cent turnout. In Baramati constituency in Pune district, from where Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar is fighting against his nephew Yugendra Pawar, the poll percentage was 43.57 per cent, they officials said, adding that Pune district recorded 41.70 per cent voter turnout. Nashik district recorded 46.18 per cent turnout till 3 pm.

Over 9.7 crore voters will be choosing from among the 4,136 candidates in the fray, officials said. In the Mahayuti alliance, the BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena is in the fray in 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. In the opposition's MVA combine, the Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) has put up 86 candidates.

Smaller parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), are also contesting, with BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM 17 in the 288-member Lower House. Bypoll to the Nanded Lok Sabha seat was necessitated following the demise of Congress MP Vasantrao Chavan soon after the elections earlier this year.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday approached the Delhi High Court, challenging a trial court's order taking cognisance of a chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate against him in the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam.

The plea is likely to be listed for hearing on Thursday.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener sought the high court's direction to set aside the trial court's order on the ground that the special judge took cognisance of the chargesheet in the absence of any sanction for the prosecution of the former Delhi chief minister who was a public servant when the offence was allegedly committed.

On November 12, the high court sought the response of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Kejriwal's another plea challenging summons issued to him on the agency's complaint in the money laundering case.

The high court had refused to stay the trial court proceedings at this stage in the criminal case.

Kejriwal was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on July 12 in the money laundering case. He was released on bail by the apex court in the CBI case on September 13.

According to the CBI and the ED, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy and undue favours were extended to the licence holders.

The Delhi government implemented the policy on November 17, 2021 and scrapped it by the end of September 2022 amid allegations of corruption.

The money laundering case stems from a CBI FIR that was lodged after Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommended a probe into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the excise policy
In the first six hours of the second and final phase of polling in Jharkhand, nearly 48 per cent of around 1.23 crore voters exercised their franchise on Wednesday in 38 assembly constituencies, officials said.

Polling began at 7 AM in 14,218 booths across 12 districts and will continue till 5 PM.

However, polling in 31 booths will end at 4 PM though people standing in the queue at that time will be able to exercise their franchise, the officials said.

The ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc is seeking to retain power riding on its welfare schemes, while the BJP-headed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trying to wrest it.

"A voter turnout of 47.92 per cent was recorded till 1 PM. Voting has been peaceful," an Election Commission official said.

The highest voting turnout of 53.83 per cent was reported from Pakur, followed by 52.21 per cent from Jamtara, 51.26 per cent from Ramgarh and 50.28 per cent from Dumka district.

In the first six hours of polling, Godda recorded a turnout of 50.27 per cent, Deoghar 49.83 per cent, Hazaribag 48.62 per cent, Giridih 48.01 per cent, Sahebganj 47.51 per cent and Dhanbad 43.16 per cent.

The lowest turnout was recorded in Bokaro at 42.52 per cent till 1 PM.

A total of 1.23 crore voters, including 60.79 lakh women and 147 third-gender electors, are eligible to exercise their franchise on Wednesday, another official said.

Altogether 528 candidates, including Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri of the BJP, are trying their luck in the second phase of the elections.

Taking to X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Today is the second and last phase of the great festival of democracy in Jharkhand. I urge all voters to participate in it enthusiastically and create a new record of voting. On this occasion, I especially congratulate all my young friends who are going to vote for the first time. Your every vote is the strength of the state."

The CM also said the second phase of polling would "play an important role in the creation of golden Jharkhand". "To save Jharkhand from breaking up, we have to unite and vote in large numbers. Today again, voters have to exercise their franchise with the same enthusiasm and zeal," he wrote on X.

"Today the second and final phase of the great festival of democracy is being organised in Jharkhand. Today voting is being held in 38 assembly seats...In the first phase of voting, people of 43 assembly constituencies exercised their franchise with enthusiasm. All sections voted for their rights and a strong Jharkhand. Those who were conspiring against Jharkhand were given a befitting reply," Soren said on the microblogging site.

Urging people to vote, he said, "On this important occasion, an appeal is made to all of you to reach your booth centres in large numbers and exercise your right to vote and inspire everyone else too. Many best wishes and greetings to all the voters, polling officials, and soldiers of the JMM and INDIA alliance who are participating in the voting today."

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi also urged voters to come out for a better future.

Rahul Gandhi posted on X: "I appeal to my voter brothers and sisters of Jharkhand to vote in large numbers today to protect their interests and for a better future. Your every vote for INDIA will protect your water, forest and land and will make your life prosperous with 7 guarantees like Maiyan Samman Yojana."

Priyanka Gandhi also urged electors to make INDIA bloc candidates victorious.

"Dear brothers and sisters of Jharkhand, Vote in maximum numbers for yourself, for the strong future of your children, for protection of 'Jal, Jungle, Jameen', for democracy, constitution and social justice and for the better future of Jharkhand. Use your power given by the Constitution to elect a government that works only for you and takes you forward. Make INDIA victorious with a huge majority," she said on the microblogging site.

Eighteen of the 38 constituencies are in the Santhal Pargana region comprising six districts - Godda, Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara, Sahibganj and Pakur.

The remaining 18 seats are in the North Chotanagpur division and two in South Chotanagpur.

Of the total 14,218 polling stations, the responsibility of the entire voting process at 239 is in the hands of women and 22 are manned by persons with disabilities (PwDs), Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar said.

The ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc is seeking to retain power riding on its welfare schemes, while the BJP-headed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trying to wrest it.

The first phase of elections was held on November 13, and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.
Brazilian police arrested five officers accused over a coup plot that included plans to overthrow the government following the 2022 elections and kill President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, authorities said.

According to the investigation, the coup plotters also planned to kill Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Brazilian media said the five arrested included four military and one police officer.

The police said that five arrest warrants have been carried out, as well as three search and seizure warrants along with other measures, including seizing the suspects passports and preventing them from contacting others.

Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who authorized the arrests, said a police investigation revealed the coup plot involved military personnel trained in the Armys Special Forces and a retired high-ranking official.

The objective was to prevent the inauguration of the legitimately elected government and undermine the free exercise of democracy and the authority of Brazils judiciary, de Moraes said in the order.

These actions, peaking between November and December 2022, were part of a broader plan to carry out a coup detat, he added.
You may wonder why the Marxists in the Labour Party want to exterminate traditional farms from the British Isles? Well, its quite simple, really. Along with sustainable wind farms, the Labour Party wants to produce millions of tonnes of maggot protein, and insect protein for their Net Zero push.

What does Net Zero essentially mean? Its all in the name, zero. You as a carbon life form are a liability, and it would be better if you never existed, simply because you create carbon emissions and waste. The next best thing to killing off the entire UK population is to force them to eat maggots and insects so that Labour can fulfil the Net Zero targets they love so much.

The insect and maggot protein thing also aligns with the EU, which is obviously another Labour project currently underway. The PM, Keir Starmer, is looking for avenues to rejoining the EU as soon as possible, and with little or no opposition in parliament, it seems he will soon have his way.

Traditional farmers in the UK are the bane of Labours existence, and are also part of the class war that Labour is working on. British farmers who farm livestock and crops are to be phased out, their land seized and maggot production farms as well as windfarms will replace them.

Theres also Angela Rayners house building initiative, which will require large swathes of the British countryside and traditional farms erased to fulfil her soviet 10-year plan. Illegal migrants and the subclasses will be given their own homes, albeit after the countryside, farms, brooks, forests, rivers are bulldozed and concreted over. Labours target within the next 510 years is to let in over 25 million unskilled, uneducated migrants and criminals into the UK.

Give it another five or six years, and you wont be able to put together a fucking bacon and egg sarnie, or enjoy a nice fillet mignon. Instead, you will be forced to either eat a bowl of crunchy insects or crushed maggot sludge.
A wave of new defense initiatives is sweeping across Europe, marked by increased collaboration on joint military projects and the expansion of NATOs missile defense capabilities. These developments come during heightened security concerns stemming from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and broader geopolitical instability.

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European Nations Unite on Key Defense Technologies

The European Defence Agency (EDA) recently announced a series of joint projects focused on developing crucial defense technologies. Several European nations have signed letters of intent to collaborate on air and missile defense systems, electronic warfare capabilities, loitering munitions, and a new class of combat vessels. These initiatives aim to streamline defense spending, enhance efficiency, and reduce fragmentation in the European defense market. EU officials have emphasized the need for collaborative development and procurement of weapons systems to maximize resources and ensure interoperability among member states. This push for joint projects reflects a growing recognition of the need for a more unified and robust European defense posture.

NATO Assumes Control of Aegis Ashore Site in Poland

In a significant move for NATOs Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) strategy, the alliance has formally taken control of the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System (AAMDS) in Redzikowo, Poland. This transition, marked by a ceremony attended by Polish President Andrzej Duda and U.S. Navy Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, underscores the strategic importance of the site in bolstering Europes defense against ballistic missile threats. The Redzikowo site joins a similar facility in Romania, forming a crucial part of NATOs expanding missile defense architecture. These systems are designed to detect, track, and intercept potential threats, providing enhanced protection to European populations and territories.

UK Reinforces Commitment to NATO Missile Defense

General James Hecker, Commander of NATO Allied Air Command (AIRCOM), emphasized the strategic value of the Redzikowo facility, stating that it strengthens Polands role in NATOs IAMD strategy. He also highlighted the integration of the Aegis Ashore system into NATOs defensive network as a demonstration of the collective commitment to ensuring the security of all Allies. Admiral Munsch lauded the partnership between the U.S., Poland, and NATO, describing the transfer of control as a testament to NATOs adaptability and commitment to collective defense. The Redzikowo sites transition to NATO control represents the culmination of years of collaboration and underscores the alliances ongoing efforts to enhance its defense capabilities in response to evolving security challenges.

The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening NATOs missile defense capabilities. In a recent parliamentary exchange, Defence Procurement and Industry Minister Maria Eagle outlined the UKs focus on modernizing air and missile defense systems, both nationally and in collaboration with NATO allies.

Responding to questions from MPs, Eagle described missile defense as a cross-Government and international effort and emphasized the importance of integrating NATOs missile defense systems to enhance European security. She confirmed the UKs alignment with its allies in ensuring Ukraine can effectively utilize the missile defense systems provided. This commitment reflects the UKs recognition of the crucial role of missile defense in addressing contemporary security threats.

A Unified Front Against Emerging Threats

The convergence of these developments  increased European defense cooperation, the expansion of NATOs missile shield, and the UKs commitment to collaborative defense  provides a clear picture of a continent prioritizing security in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, coupled with broader global uncertainties, has galvanized European nations to strengthen their defense postures, individually and collectively.

The emphasis on joint projects, interoperability, and the integration of national defense assets into NATOs framework demonstrates a shared commitment to building a more robust and cohesive defense architecture. These initiatives are not only a response to immediate threats but also represent a long-term investment in European security, ensuring the continent is prepared to address the complex challenges of the 21st century.

The focus on cutting-edge technology, such as the Aegis Ashore system, further underscores the commitment to modernizing defense capabilities and maintaining a technological edge in a rapidly changing security environment. As Europe navigates these uncertain times, the emphasis on collaborative defense serves as a testament to the enduring importance of alliances and the shared responsibility for maintaining peace and stability.
Ulster University Business School has launched its award winning Talent Hub, co-designed with industry partner FinTrU and in collaboration with the Derry Chamber of Commerce. The Talent Hub focuses on connecting talented students with Derry~Londonderry employers to help them build their professional networks whilst committing future talent to the North West region.

As part of the Talent Hub, 100 second-year students will complete four workshops delivered by academic experts and FinTrUs team of professionals. Derry Chamber were proud to be involved in the most recent session which saw students and local businesses come together for a networking event held in the Great Hall. Organised to help students develop essential communication skills, the event was a collaboration with industry professionals, focusing on breaking down communication barriers and fostering valuable connections.

Our own Natalie McCloskey offered an introductory welcome on behalf of the Chamber, expressing gratitude to all Chamber members and businesses present for supporting the event.

Anna Doherty, Chief Executive of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, speaking around the launch of the Talent Hub, said: Londonderry Chamber of Commerce have facilitated this fantastic collaboration between two of our corporate partners, Ulster University and FinTrU, to the benefit of everybody involved  the businesses who are providing the skills and expertise, the educators who are shaping the programming, and the students taking part. We are proud to see the university and business working together to provide tangible results and a confident talent pipeline.

An eagerly awaited occasion for continued networking and relationship-building, the Grand Finale for the Talent Hub is scheduled for December 10th. Businesses interested in participating in future Talent Hub events are encouraged to reach out. The Talent Hub is dedicated to fostering connections between students and industry leaders, providing invaluable experiences for students and creating opportunities for businesses to engage with emerging talent.
Darren Dougherty, from Derry, lost his father in November 2023 after a 23-year battle with COPD. The devastating experience of seeing his fathers struggle with the condition motivated him to get checked too. Hes now wanting to raise awareness of COPD, an incurable lung condition which affects over 43,000 people in Northern Ireland.

My father, James, was 76 when he passed away, looking back, he started struggling with everyday tasks even before being diagnosed, which led him to seek help. He was quite old-school and stubborn about seeing the GP or going to the hospital. Later in life particularly in the last five years it became clear how much COPD was affecting him. By then, even walking from the living room to the kitchen in a standard-sized house was too much for him.

For our family, navigating his diagnosis and illness was confusing. I was quite young at the time and didnt fully understand COPD. This was before the age of social media when information wasnt easy to find. As the years passed and his condition worsened, I gained a better understanding of the lung condition and how it progressed through different stages. Two of my sisters, who have asthma, were especially affected by seeing our dad struggling to breathe. Seeing him decline motivated me to get checked for both asthma and COPD myself.

My dad was fortunate to have great care throughout his illness as I know that not everyone has the same support available in their local area. His GP monitored him closely with regular check-ups and even providing home visits when necessary. The support he received made a real difference in his quality of life.

I now want to help raise awareness for other families going through this. Simple things, like understanding the risks of cold weather, could make such a difference. If you find yourself struggling to catch your breath, dont ignore it, get checked by your GP. Early diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference."

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland: Unfortunately, Darren is not alone. Every year, around 2000 people in Northern Ireland die from a lung condition1. Winter is the deadliest time for people with lung conditions, with COPD admissions totalling almost 1,300 last winter alone.2

Its fantastic to hear Darrens father received the support he rightly deserved, but unfortunately this is not consistent. Our most recent survey revealed only 9% of people received basic care3. This is not acceptable.

To stay well during winter, we would strongly encourage people with COPD to get the annual winter vaccines, take their routine medicines as prescribed and make sure that their self-management plans are up to date with their GP and to make an urgent appointment if symptoms get worse. We would also stress the importance of keeping warm and eating well. Ideally, you would want to be heating your home to 18 degrees, keep warm by wearing layers of clothes, have lots of hot drinks and at eat at least one hot meal a day if you can.

Also, you can get a free, personalised guide to protect your lungs here: https://asthmaandlung.org.uk/notjustaseason
A Limavady man who claims his home is infested by mites has hit out at Northern Ireland Housing Executive for failing to take action to address the problem.

Gareth Logue moved into his Gorteen Crescent home back in 2022 however he has described the last two years of his tenancy as a 'nightmare'.

He claims the Housing Executive property is overrun by mites, which he believes are coming down from the attic and into the rooms.

The local dad says he has suffered bites on his legs and face, alongside friends and family members who have also come to visit.

He claims he has been forced to throw away three beds, bedding and clothes due to the issue with the property.

Mr Logue, who is registered blind, says the situation has severely affected his mental health and he has even tried to take his own life because of it.

When I moved into this house the water was running down the walls, the damp was awful, the house never had any heat on and there was ivy growing all over the walls. The pipes weren't even long enough to take to water out to the drain so the water was running along the cavity wall and down onto the floor. The tiles that were down were soaking underneath so I took them off and put down a new floor, Gareth said.

I was told that the house was in that bad of a condition that I shouldn't take it, but I was desperate.

Gareth says the insulation in the attic was also 'soaking' due to missing roof tiles and he was forced to remove it at his own expense however he claims the Housing Executive have now hit him with a bill for 800 to replace it.

I put in new windows, new skirting boards, I changed the guttering and got the whole house plastered, all at my own expense because I want a nice house but I feel I can't have that because of these mites, he said.

Gareth says he has spent hundreds of pounds on insect killer and getting the house fumigated in an effort to get rid of the mites however nothing has worked.

He even contacted the Environmental Health team at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council however he said they told him it was a Housing Executive matter.

The mites are coming into every room, he continued.

My wee girl came to stay with me over the summer and she was getting bit, my friend was getting bit on the back of his neck, my brother painted a room for me and he was bit and my legs are covered in bites from these mites.

ABOVE: A picture of a mark on Mr Logue's leg which he says has been caused by bites.

I went to the doctor about the marks on my legs and he confirmed it was bite marks. My two dogs were constantly scratching and biting themselves and I took them to the vet and they said it was mites.

I bought three sets of beds but I had to throw them out. The benches and the cupboards are covered in mites. I can't even put food in the cupboards and I can't prepare food on the benches.

When you are standing in any room you can feel the mites on your face. I can't keep clothes in the house, I need to put them in black bin bags and store them outside of the house.

I have more sensitivity because of my blindness and I can feel them all over the cupboards and on the benches, I can't set anything down at all because they are all over it.

I have to lie with a damp cloth on top of my eyes at night so they don't go into my eyes.

My own daughter can't even come and stay in the house because of it as her skin comes out in red lumps.

I tried to take my own life because of it all, it's had a major impact on my mental health.

The Limavady man says he has contacted the Housing Executive many times about the issue but they have failed to do anything.

I moved into this house two years ago and the house should have been done up then. I feel they are taking advantage of a person who can't see.

I went down to the Housing Executive, showed them photos of my legs and the mites sitting on the window sills but nothing is done. They tell me 'I'll pass the message on' or 'the person you need to speak to isn't in'. They did send one person up and they put a new back door and front door on for me but I had to fight for that.

I feel they are taking the hand because of my eyesight. I don't want to be running to them constantly complaining. I want a lovely house to live in and I can't have people coming into my house and thinking it is dirty. What's the point in me putting money in to this house if I have to dump everything?

I think the Housing Executive need to buck up their ideas and start helping people, especially people with a disability, he added.

A Housing Executive spokesperson yesterday said: Our contractor has attended this property last week and could find no evidence of infestation.

A separate pest control company will attend the property today (Monday, 18 November 2024) and will carry out a further inspection.

Advice and treatments will be offered, if anything is found.
At tonights National Historic Ships UK (NHS-UK) Awards, Bernard Condon from Coleraine was announced as the Winner of the prestigious Martyn Heighton Award for Excellence in Maritime Conservation.

Bernard won for his restoration of the historic lifeboat Grace Paterson Ritchie, moored in Coleraine Harbour.



NHS-UKs annual awards are a celebration of maritime heritage around the UK.

They encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with historic vessels through photography, volunteering, conservation, online activities, and skills-based training.

The Awards film was premiered on YouTube and revealed the winners of the Photography Competition, Marsh Volunteer Awards, Excellence in Maritime Conservation Award, and Flagships of the Year.

In honour of NHS-UKs late Director, Martyn Heighton, the Excellence in Maritime Conservation Award was launched in 2019 to mark best practice in the conservation of historic vessels. The Award boasts a hand-carved trophy that was commissioned using wood from HMS Victory.

The 2024 recipient of this prestigious Award is Bernard Condon, from Coleraine, for his exemplary conservation of the 1964 lifeboat Grace Paterson Ritchie, returning her to in-service condition with 95% of the hull and fittings intact.

The Judging Panel were particularly pleased to award the trophy to Bernard, as the first private vessel owner  and the first individual - to win the Award, following five museums including the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the Scottish Fisheries Museum.

Gracie, as she is affectionately known, is a RNLI Clyde Class lifeboat designed by John Tyrrell of Arklow and built by Yarrows on the Clyde in 1965. The Clyde Class was unique, the largest class ever built for the RNLI, and the only class ever designed to be permanently manned. Gracie and her crew served with great distinction both at Kirkwall and Clovelly, being launched 197 times and saving 86 lives. When withdrawn from service in 1988, she was sold to the Icelandic Lifesaving Association and became the Reykjavik lifeboat, where she served with further and great distinction until 2002.

ABOVE: Grace Patterson Ritchie. COPYRIGHT: Bernard Condon

In 2018, facing an uncertain future, she found Bernard, who also owns the last Watson Class lifeboat ever built, the Joseph Soar.

The restoration of Grace Paterson Ritchie was a logistically challenging, four-year journey, through Covid and beyond.

Bernard and his colleagues Pippin McGrath and Ishabel MacIntyre stopped counting after well over 26,000 intense, painful, and sometimes brutal, work hours. Now fully restored, Gracies mission is to preserve RNLI heritage and contribute to its future. She is used exclusively in promotion and fundraising for present and future RNLI generations. Following the restoration, Grace Paterson Ritchie was assessed as of such high historical importance and excellent condition that she joined the prestigious National Historic Fleet, alongside such well-known vessels as Cutty Sark and HMS Victory. She is one of only fifteen historic lifeboats on the Fleet out of 157 on the National Register of Historic Vessels, maintained by NHS-UK on behalf of the UK Government.

Bernard says: The honour of receiving the Martyn Heighton Award is somewhat overwhelming. Martyns volumes have been our go-to for years, and we never in our wildest dreams imagined wed be worthy of his name.

More details here








Thousands of women in the UK are planning to take legal action against Johnson & Johnson over alleged links between its baby powder and cancer.

Lawyers claim the company knew for decades that there was allegedly asbestos present in its talc products, although Johnson & Johnson (J&J) maintains that its baby powder was safe and stressed that it takes the issue of talc safety incredibly seriously.

If the action goes ahead it is understood to be the first of its kind against the pharmaceutical giant in the UK.

Claimants, including cancer patients, survivors, and the families of those who have died from the disease, have expressed anger and called for answers.

A J&J spokesperson claimed that the company has won the vast majority of trials in the US, or won them on appeal.

KP Law is leading the UK case, representing about 2,000 people.

It is also understood to have been contacted by 4,000 potential clients in regards to claims.

In 2020, Sharon Doherty, 57, who lives in Derry, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on the left side, and fallopian cancer on the right side.

She said: My mum would use the talcum powder on us all after a bath, and I continued to do so as I got older.

Despite having surgery and six months of chemotherapy, Ms Doherty was recently told her cancer has returned.

She is awaiting further NHS treatment, which she hopes will start in the coming weeks.

Linda Jones, 66, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2023 and said she used J&J talc from when she was a baby until she was in her 20s.

We all used talc, without exception, she said. My mother used it on me when I was a baby in the 50s, and I kept using it for years after.

The company director from north Devon has been told by medics she may only have months to live.

J&J has faced tens of thousands of lawsuits in the US over the alleged links between its talc and cancer.

It announced in August 2022 that it would stop making talc-based powder globally and would transition to using corn-starch.

The company discontinued sales of talc-based baby powder in the UK in 2023.

Mrs Jones added: My children will lose their mother, I may never even meet my first grandchild, and my husband and I have been robbed of our retirement together after just six years of marriage.

But I am also bitter and very angry. If there was any suggestion whatsoever that the talcum powder would cause harm to not only women, but small babies, it should have been taken off the market.

KP Law has issued a letter before action on behalf of its clients, giving J&J until the end of the year to respond before filing documents with the High Court.

Tom Longstaff, a partner at KP Law, said: All of the claimants, predominantly women but also some men, who have sustained cancer after using J&Js talcum powder products have experienced a life-changing illness.

In some cases, they have died from their cancer, leaving their families devastated. All of these innocent individuals deserve justice.

Erik Haas, worldwide vice president of litigation at Johnson & Johnson, said the company takes the issue of talc safety incredibly seriously and always has.

He added: As our documents show, we have relied upon the most state-of-the-art testing protocols for decades and have been entirely transparent with government institutions and academic researchers regarding our findings.

Those findings uniformly show the absence of asbestos contamination in Johnsons Baby Powder and the talc sourced for Johnsons Baby Powder.

Independent science makes clear that talc is not associated with the risk of ovarian cancer nor mesothelioma.

Mr Haas claims that J&J have won  or won on appeal  the vast majority of trials in the US.

He also claimed the lawyers of groups of plaintiffs in the US are actively pushing a false narrative about the history of talc and its alleged contamination to media globally which defies logic, rewrites history, and ignores the facts.

Cassandra Wardle, from Alfreton in Derbyshire, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022 at the age of 44.

She said her mum has used talcum powder on her every day from a baby, and she continued the ritual into her 20s.

Its just what people did. Johnson and Johnson talcum powder was in every home and was a trusted brand.

I am grateful to still be here, but I am also incredibly angry.

I want to know why Johnson & Johnson didnt change the ingredients of the talcum powder when they knew that it was dangerous.

Why did they carry on selling it, putting so many thousands of lives at risk? What they have done is nothing short of despicable.

While she completed treatment two years ago, Mrs Wardles immune system has been compromised as a result.

She added: My diagnosis had a huge impact on every single aspect of my life.

In 2020, Sharon Doherty, 57, who lives in Derry, Northern Ireland, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on the left side, and fallopian cancer on the right side.

She said: My mum would use the talcum powder on us all after a bath, and I continued to do so as I got older.

Despite having surgery and six months of chemotherapy, Ms Doherty was recently told her cancer has returned.

She is awaiting further NHS treatment, which she hopes will start in the coming weeks.

Mr Longstaff added: There are thousands of women in the UK who will have been diagnosed with cancers which have been identified as being linked to the use of talcum powder and may well have a case against J&J, along with a smaller proportion of men with regard to mesothelioma and peritoneal cancer.

This once-trusted corporation knew for decades that the asbestos in its talc products was present, that it was dangerous, but did nothing to notify consumers, who have ended up paying the highest price imaginable for the sake of corporate greed.

We are committed to helping as many people as possible achieve justice in the UK for the actions of profit-hungry executives in US boardrooms.

Mr Haas said Kenvue, whose brands include the likes of Listerine and Neutrogena among others, is responsible for any alleged talc liability that arises outside of the US or Canada following its separation from J&J in 2023.
The public inquiry into the death of solicitor Pat Finucane must be credible, his son John has told a hearing in Washington DC.

Mr Finucane, 39, was shot dead at his family home in north Belfast by the Ulster Defence Association in an attack found by a series of probes to have involved collusion with the state.

In 2012, then-prime minister David Cameron issued a public apology to the Finucane family, saying I am deeply sorry.

The UK government announced earlier this year that a public inquiry will be held into the case.

On Tuesday, members of the Finucane family, including Mr Finucanes widow Geraldine, gave evidence to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, a body of the United States House of Representatives.

North Belfast MP John Finucane said his familys focus is on ensuring the inquiry is credible and capable of gaining trust.

He said they are no further on in terms of details of the inquiry, but said they do not criticise this, adding: We want to see that everyone is committed to doing this correctly, rather than expeditiously.

Our focus, and indeed the focus of those who have supported our call for an inquiry, must now be on ensuring this process is credible, transparent and capable of gaining the trust and endorsement of those who have recognised its need, he said.

My mother and I were asked just last week what we wanted from an inquiry, and indeed this is something which we are all giving deep thought and consideration to, but some points are obvious.

We want an inquiry to be independent from government and free to make its own determinations and recommendations.

We feel this inquiry needs to be led by an independent judicial panel, complimented by the key appointments to an inquiry, such as counsel to the inquiry, solicitor to the inquiry and secretary to the inquiry also being independent and committed to ensuring the terms of reference are implemented, and followed fairly and sensibly.

Terms of reference which I have just mentioned are also critical.

We look forward to engaging with the British government and indeed the inquiry itself on these, for they will be crucial in determining from the outset the inquirys ability to examine all of the circumstances leading up to, and following, my fathers murder.

Mr Finucane also urged US support for his family.

As with all stages of our campaign, this is a battle we know we will not be facing alone. American involvement and guardianship of our peace process has proved both pivotal and necessary at times, and so too does this apply when we look at how we are dealing with our past, and in particular the case of Pat Finucane, he said.

Now more than ever, we need you and your colleagues being that critical friend to the British government, impressing on them not to waste or undermine this opportunity to finally examine what they described in their own words as one of the darkest chapters from their military history.

Representative Chris Smith, co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, paid tribute to the Finucane family as absolutely tenacious in their arduous journey to this inquiry.

For 35 years the Finucane family has steadfastly and honourably pursued an independent public inquiry into the state sponsored collusion in this murder, he said.
A Stormont committee has heard a call for urgent action on apprentices.

Workplus, which connects business with apprentices in Northern Ireland, said while 32% of employers are interested in apprentices, just 8% actually take them on.

Appearing before the Stormont Committee For The Economy on Wednesday morning, Workplus chief executive Richard Kirk said Northern Ireland is facing a skills crisis, and apprenticeships are a key solution to this problem.

The committee heard that there are about 13,000 apprentices in the region, with 6,000 new apprentices starting each year.

Apprenticeships were described as contributing approximately 374 million annually to the local economy, with every 1 invested by the government yielding a 12 return.

But Mr Kirk told MLAs that in order to accelerate adoption with employers, the whole process needs to be easier to navigate, with better communication around the considerable benefits and providing support tailored to their needs.

By streamlining the system and engaging more employers, we can unlock an untapped workforce, future-proof businesses, and strengthen the economy, he said.

Oscar Daly, who is in his final year of a Higher Level software engineering apprenticeship at Instil, also gave evidence to the committee.

Mr Daly, who founded the NI Apprenticeship Society, said his experience as an apprentice has been amazing.

Ive been able to gain four years experience in my dream job, applying my learning from university within a local company working with huge multi-national companies, he said.

A further benefit is that once I finish university Ill have no student debt and be able to apply for more senior jobs.

Workplus made life so much easier in finding a company that was right for me and the application process was simple and easy to manage.

Patrick English, head of careers and sixth form at Wellington College Belfast, said there is a growing appetite for apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships are a vital part of the education landscape, offering a hands-on, practical route into careers that complement traditional academic pathways, he said.

There is a growing appetite for apprenticeships from pupils and a growing understanding of the breadth of pathway options for all academic abilities.

With growing concerns over student debt, apprenticeships offer a wonderful option for young people to progress into higher education without the worry of student debt.

Meanwhile Shauna Herron, managing director of Environmental Techniques and an advocate of the benefits of apprenticeships, added: As an SME (small or medium-sized enterprise), having Workplus support in doing heavy lifting around school engagement, marketing campaigns and apprenticeship recruitment is vital in enabling us to engage in the apprenticeship system.

This collaborative approach is key to helping employers connect more easily with aspiring apprentices.
HIGHLIGHTS Realme GT 7 Pro India launch is scheduled for next week. It will be the first of new generation Android flagship phones and will be equipped with Qualcomms latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The Realme GT 7 Pro will also mark companys return to the flagship segment  a category it has been missing from the last few years.

Realme GT 7 Pro India launch is scheduled for next week. It will be the first of new generation Android flagship phones and will be equipped with Qualcomms latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The Realme GT 7 Pro will also mark companys return to the flagship segment  a category it has been missing from the last few years. The new Realme phone will compete against the likes of iQOO 13, OnePlus 13, and Samsung Galaxy S25, among other phones in India.

While most of the specifications and features of the Realme GT 7 Pro are already out, there seems to be a lot of noise around its India pricing as well. A few social media leaks have suggested that the Realme GT 7 Pro India price can go up to Rs 70,000. If that happens, the Realme GT 7 Pro will be the most expensive phone from the Chinese company in India so far.

Is it possible though? Before we discuss that, lets have a look at what we know about the phone.

Also read: Realme GT 7 Pro India launch confirmed: Expected price, chipset, camera, battery details and more

Realme GT 7 Pro: What we know

The Realme GT 7 Pro is already confirmed to come with Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC. The company has been teasing the chipset and its AnTuTu score on its website, claiming that this will be the first device to cross 3 million mark on the benchmark test. However, the phone could only touch 2.7 million in our tests. This is better than all phones of 2024 but still short of Realmes claims.

Also, unfortunately the phone is launching in India with a smaller battery than the China unit. The Realme GT 7 Pro was launched in China with a 6500mAh battery but will arrive in India with a 5800mAh battery pack. Ideally, this shouldnt be the case.

Apart from this, expect the usual features like a high-resolution, high-refresh rate display and fast charging support, among other things. Most of these features and specifications will also be available on other flagship phones and even on mid-tier devices.

How much should Realme GT 7 Pro cost in India?

The Realme GT 7 Pro was launched in China at CNY 3,699, which is approximately Rs 43,800 when converted in Indian Rupee. Honestly, ifs hard to believe that Realme can price this phone around Rs 70,000 in the country. Even if you account for local taxes and import duties, the phone should cost somewhere between Rs 50,000-55,000.

Even at that price point, it wont be easy for Realme to sell the phone, given there will be tough competition from iQOO 13 and OnePlus 13. Also, the last generation iPhone will be available around the same price in sales.

In any case, the official India price of Realme will be out on the November 26, so stay tuned as we bring a detailed coverage on the phone.
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VitalTracer's path to innovation: Revolutionizing remote patient monitoring

In 2010, Azadeh Dastmalchi's journey toward transforming healthcare began with a personal challenge. Her father's aversion to traditional blood pressure cuffs inspired her to explore alternative solutions. This spark ignited a decade-long pursuit during her master's and PhD studies at the University of Ottawa, where she developed a groundbreaking method for measuring blood pressure using optical sensors and artificial neural networks.

By 2019, Dastmalchi had transformed her academic research into a business venture, founding VitalTracer, a Canadian startup focused on creating advanced medical devices. Initially centered on a smartwatch, the company faced challenges convincing investors of its potential in a market dominated by tech giants like Apple and Fitbit. This skepticism, coupled with concerns about the accuracy of wrist-based measurements, led to a pivotal shift: VitalTracer refocused its efforts on a chest-mounted smart patch. The patch offered greater reliability and garnered trust from medical professionals, investors, and regulatory bodies alike.

Redefining the Pediatric Healthcare Market

While the senior care market seemed a natural starting point, Dastmalchi's team quickly realized it was fraught with logistical barriers, particularly in Canada's public healthcare system. Instead, they pivoted to pediatric care, addressing a critical gap in monitoring technology designed specifically for children.

Unlike competitors who focus on adult or newborn patients, VitalTracer's solution targets children aged 1 to 18. Its smart patch not only delivers highly accurate readings but also offers a cost-effective alternative to disposable devices, reducing costs from $100 per day to just $1. This innovation also aligns with environmental sustainability goals, as its reusable and rechargeable design minimizes waste.

Overcoming Regulatory and Funding Challenges

VitalTracer's journey hasn't been without hurdles. Securing FDA clearancea critical milestone for market entryhas required rigorous clinical trials, which the company is currently conducting in Montreal. Fortunately, VitalTracer has leveraged Quebec's robust ecosystem of government grants to sustain its research and development efforts.

Nicknamed the "queen of grants," Dastmalchi has skillfully navigated non-dilutive funding opportunities to support the company's growth. These grants, often matched with private investments, have provided the financial stability needed to reach this stage. Now, the company is preparing for its first pre-seed funding round to scale its operations and expand its market presence.

Diversity at the Core of Innovation

A key differentiator for VitalTracer lies in its commitment to diversity. Recognizing the limitations of existing medical technologiesoften calibrated on homogenous populationsVitalTracer has prioritized inclusivity in its product development. The company's AI algorithms are designed to deliver accurate results across different skin tones and demographics, addressing racial biases that have historically plagued healthcare devices.

This focus has driven the company to seek partnerships in diverse regions, including the Middle East and Asia, where their technology can be further refined and validated for global applications.

A Vision for Global Healthcare

Looking ahead, VitalTracer is setting its sights beyond North America. While FDA approval remains a priority, the company is targeting the Middle East, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea as its primary markets. These regions offer unique growth opportunities, with underserved populations and an openness to adopting innovative healthcare solutions.

For Dastmalchi, the mission is deeply personal and humanitarian. "I dream of creating a trusted, world-class medical device that saves lives and offers peace of mind to patients and families," she says. Her vision extends beyond commercial success, focusing on improving healthcare equity worldwide, particularly in Africa, which is often overlooked by traditional medical technology companies. She hopes to find like-minded investors and partners and aims to triple the size of the team after the pre-seed round of fundraising. She will focus on the Middle East market for the next 2-3 years.

VitalTracer is planning to participate in the Healthcare+ Expo from December 5-8 at the Nankang Exhibition Center in Taiwan.
Tech sector braces as Trump signals new tariff offensive

Trump's anticipated return to the White House could reignite global trade tensions, leaving US trade partners and businesses uncertain about potential new tariff measures. While the legal framework for implementing additional tariffs remains subject to debate, Trump maintains access to various legislative tools, including trade laws dating back to the 1960s.

Strategic trade policy

During his previous administration, Trump wielded tariffs as a versatile instrumenttargeting critical supply chain dependencies, addressing industrial overcapacity issues in sectors like steel, and leveraging trade concessions. Currently, attention has shifted to the semiconductor industry, a vital import sector, as speculation mounts about possible tariff implementations. With Taiwan supplying 40% of US logic chip imports, any new tariffs could potentially create significant disruptions across technology supply chains.

Industry implications

Market analysts remain divided on the implications. Some experts interpret Trump's statements as negotiation tactics designed to accelerate US investments from companies like TSMC, while others contend that tariffs could undermine national security objectives related to domestic semiconductor production. For semiconductor manufacturers dependent on Taiwanese foundries, the prospect of increased costs and reduced profit margins poses a significant concern that could reshape industry dynamics.

Looking ahead

While Trump's provocative trade rhetoric often serves as a dealmaking strategy rather than a definitive policy, both businesses and policymakers are preparing for the possibility that some proposed measures may materialize. The critical question emerging focuses on Trump's leverage in implementing these policiesand the extent to which he might exercise it.
There were celebrations at National Lottery Headquarters in Dublin last evening when four players from around the country collected prizes worth more than 200,000 combined.

A Dublin woman claimed a prize worth 90,111, which she won in last Saturdays Lotto draw, after matching 5 numbers plus the bonus.

The woman, who had just renewed her Scheduled Play subscription on the National Lottery app, revealed she has been playing the same numbers of personal significance for the past three months.

I was catching up with my friends on Saturday night, and I saw the lottery notification pop up on my watch, but I swiped it away, not thinking much of it. When I got home that night, I didnt sleep very well and had totally forgotten about the winning lottery notification until Sunday morning. I logged on and genuinely got such a shock, I thought I mightve won 500, or 1,000, but certainly not 90,000. I turned to my husband and showed him my phone, he thought I was showing him a screenshot I found online to prank him. she recalled.

When asked how she plans to spend her newfound fortunes, she excitedly replied: I was just looking up flight prices to travel home for Christmas, and they were so expensive. So, for sure, one of the first things Ill be treating my family to is a trip home to Lithuania to visit my parents and spend time with them for the festive season!

READ ALSO: Gardai 'identify' five people following renewed appeal over Dublin riots

Separately, a Kilkenny woman was also all smiles as she collected a cheque for 65,155 after scooping the Snowball Prize on the National Lotterys TellyBingo game.

Speaking at National Lottery HQ, she revealed that a family members unique taste in bread unexpectedly led her to the Centra shop in Piltown, Co Kilkenny where she purchased her winning ticket.

Theres a specific brand of bread that one of my family members will only eat, she explained. I went to one shop to pick it up, but they didnt have it, so I headed to a second shop and thats where I decided to buy my TellyBingo ticket!

The winner says she will spend some of her winnings on a holiday abroad. My last trip abroad was to the UK about ten years ago, she said. Im really excited to book my first big trip away.

A Waterford woman also made the trip to Lotto HQ on Tuesday to claim her prize on an All Cash Extravaganza scratch card, purchased from Spar, Amber Service Station, Lisduggan, Waterford on Saturday, November 16.

I bought the scratch card on a whim, I even threw it in the bottom of my handbag and forgot about it. When I scratched it that evening, I was in total disbelief. Little did I know that I was walking around with a ticket worth 50,000 in my bag!

The player plans on refurbishing her home and making special memories with her family and loved ones.

Also collecting their winnings was a Kerry woman who made a day out of her trip to pick up her prize of 18,510 after matching five numbers in the EuroMillions draw on November 8. She purchased her quick pick ticket from SuperValu in Tralee and hopes to celebrate this Christmas with a trip to London with her friend.
Paul Mescal's comments on meeting King Charles has sparked a conversation around "anti British sentiment".

28 year old Mescal said meeting the King at the Gladiator II world premiere was not on his "list of priorities".

Mescal, who portrays a grown-up Lucius in Sir Ridley Scotts new historical epic, was introduced to Charles at the star-studded event in central London last week.

Gladiator II is set years after the Oscar-winning 2000 film, which starred Russell Crowe as Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius.

Paul Mescal on meeting King Charles: "I'm Irish, so it's not on the list of priorities. But it's an amazing thing for Ridley [Scott] because I know how important that is for him." pic.twitter.com/AR60LJ0V4Z  Variety (@Variety) November 19, 2024

Speaking to US outlet Variety on the red carpet of the films Los Angeles premiere on Monday, Mescal reflected on his experience of meeting the King.

He said: How wild is it? Its definitely not something that I thought was in the bingo cards.

Im Irish, so its not on the list of priorities. But its an amazing thing for Ridley because I know how important that is for him.

So to see his film celebrated in that context was pretty special.

Recalling his encounter with Charles, Mescal admitted he found it hard to hear what was being said amid the excitement of the premiere so he was nodding along and smiling.

READ NEXT: The Pogues say Shane MacGowans spirit lives on in album anniversary gigs

His comments have since sparked conversations with Loyalist activist Moore Holmes saying Mescal's comments "can shine a light on what many consider to be a growing unwelcome, and frankly irrational anti British sentiment that exists within the Republic of Ireland."

Speaking on Newstalk on Wednesday morning, Holmes said,

"I think we need to look at what's relevant today, rather than being oppressed by the United Kingdom, the people in the Republic have been demonstrably advantaged.

"People shouldn't be booing the Brits, in many respects, they should be thanking them, you know, It's British ships that protest the Irish seas.

"I think for some people they still have that old 'Britain is our enemy' mentality. You see people saying 'Oh we were oppressed for 100s of years, and you know we could have a debate about all the ins and outs of that, but I think you have to accept the reality that not a single person alive in the Republic today has been oppressed by the Brits.

"You have had a free state for over 100 years, you've been a republic for over 75 years, if anyone is experiencing oppression south of the border I think they need a to look a bit closer to home."

"True, but people don't forget their history", replied host Ciara Kelly, "And I am speaking to a Loyalist, I think that's a fair comment from me, that people don't forget their history, because nobody alive in the North remembers King Billy, yet you still have Orange Lodges.

"That's in the nature of people, that we have a tribe."
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The Taoiseach has insisted his party has not been forced on to the back foot by controversies that have emerged during the election campaign.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris was asked whether scrutiny of Ryanair boss Michael OLearys comments about teachers at a Fine Gael event and a furore over the candidature of senator John McGahon had stalled the partys momentum.

Mr OLeary faced criticism for saying he would not hire teachers to get things done at a Fine Gael candidate launch event at the start of the campaign.

The remark drew laughs from the gathered Fine Gael faithful  something that has been highlighted by rival parties.

In recent days, other parties have also called on Mr Harris to distance himself from Co Louth election candidate Mr McGahon.

Mr McGahon, a Fine Gael senator, was found not guilty of assaulting a man outside a Dundalk nightclub in a criminal case two years ago but a High Court civil action earlier this year found him liable, with Mr McGahon ordered to pay damages.

He was found 65% liable and ordered to pay 39,000 euro for his role in the incident in 2018.

A photograph of the complainants injuries was printed in a Sunday newspaper while footage of the altercation has been circulating on social media.

Canvassing in Co Roscommon on Tuesday, Mr Harris was asked whether the issues had pushed him and his party on to the back foot.

I dont think that at all, he replied.

Im really enjoying this campaign to be quite honest, (I am) getting a lot of energy from talking to people across the country and hearing people very responsive.

And I say this very respectfully, but as I travel around the country we hear people raising the issues that matter to them in their lives, in their community and their family.

Issues around housing, issues around cost of living, a lot around cost of living small businesses, farmers worried about their viability in terms of the future of the family farm, rural regeneration.

So the real issues, the bread and butter, I suppose, issues of this election campaign, and Im looking forward to continuing those conversations.

Mr Harris said he welcomed being asked about Mr McGahon in the first televised debate of the campaign on RTE on Monday night.

Im very grateful that it was raised last night because it gave me an opportunity to, I suppose, very clearly say to the Irish people that if John McGahon had been convicted of a criminal offence, John McGahon wouldnt be a Fine Gael candidate, but he wasnt, he said.

He put forward a defence of self-defence, that was accepted by a jury of 12 men and women, and he was acquitted of the criminal charge. He paid, quite rightly, a hefty financial penalty in a civil court. I think thats appropriate. He was democratically selected to contest the election in Louth and now it will ultimately be up to the people of Louth to decide who they wish to represent them.

On the campaign in Co Cavan, Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin expressed surprise that Fine Gael continued to stand by the candidacy of Mr McGahon.

I did see the video, I think it was quite shocking, and the level of violence was unacceptable and there seemed to be consistent blows to the head, which can be very dangerous, as we know, he said.

The victim here did suffer severe facial injuries, as we have seen now from the photographs that are going round.

He added: I am surprised at the continuing support for Senator McGahon, but its a matter now for the people in Louth to decide, theres an election coming forward, hes on the ballot paper.

My view is, and I was asked if a similar thing happened in our situation I dont believe he would be a candidate for Fianna Fail if we had, you know, similar access to the videos and so on like that. Its a very vicious scene to witness.

Speaking at an environmental policy launch event in Dublin, Labour leader Ivana Bacik said: I think the Taoiseach has questions to answer about the ongoing candidacy of somebody who has been found civilly liable of contributing significantly to very serious injuries that we saw only for the first time disclosed on Sunday.

Social Democrats deputy leader Cian OCallaghan said he was disappointed that Mr Harris had sought to defend Mr McGahon during the RTE debate.

It really is sending out the wrong message, I think, to people in this country in relation to violence, he said.

I am calling on the Taoiseach to stop that defence of that candidate and at this stage Fine Gael should be withdrawing that candidate.
Northern Ireland airports can take advantage of a cap on passengers at Dublin Airport to bring more direct flights to Northern Ireland, MLAs have been told.

Tourism chiefs also said they would love to see a transatlantic flight from Northern Ireland, but added it had to be established on a commercially viable region.

Representatives from Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland, which jointly market the whole island to international visitors, gave evidence to Stormonts Economy Committee on a new 10-year action plan for the sector.

Tourism NI chief executive John McGrillen told the committee that the sector wanted to see increased air connectivity with European routes

He said: We are very well connected with the UKwhere we are not so strong is in links into some of the core cities in the populous areas of Europe.

That is where we would like to see those routes developed.

Alice Mansergh, the new chief executive of Tourism Ireland, said her organisation wanted to help to build demand for routes that come straight into Northern Ireland, referring to the current cap on passenger numbers in Dublin.

She said: We do place emphasis within Tourism Ireland on helping to build demand for routes that come straight into Northern Ireland or come into the regions of Ireland.

That has never been more important than at the current time, if you think about the Dublin Airport cap we want to do everything we can to stimulate direct access into regions and into Northern Ireland.

She added: Over the past year at the City of Derry Airport weve worked with Loganair, Ryanair to Manchester, easyJet to Edinburgh; Belfast City Airport weve been working with Loganair, British Airways and easyJet on campaigns in and Belfast International easyJet and Ryanair  actively working with those airlines to promote those routes in Northern Ireland and bring visitors in.

I think we can play a very active role which benefits everybody as we have these discussions on greater air access.

Alliance Party MLA David Honeyford asked if the tourism bodies were focusing on European connections.

Mr McGrillen said: I wouldnt say it is solely on European connections.

If there is an opportunity to bring a direct route in from the US, that is something we would welcome but we recognise the challenges of those routes in the past.

Northern Ireland has been without a direct transatlantic route for a number of years.

The power-sharing Executives draft programme for government, published in September, includes a proposal to work with the UK Government to support a pre-clearance facility at Belfast International Airport for direct flights to the US.

Mr Honeyford asked if the Department for the Economys model was to use Dublin airport as the hub for long-haul flights with passengers then travelling on to Northern Ireland.

Michelle Scott, the departments director of economic partnership and delivery division, said there was ongoing work over a transatlantic flight from Northern Ireland.

She said: We need to be realistic about what Northern Ireland can attract and what we can sustain in terms of those flights into America.

We do hope to take advantage of the Dublin Airport cap, getting more direct flights into Northern Ireland.

But it is really what we can sustain in terms of those long-haul flights.

You will know the background of those flights from America, it was fabulous when we had them but we werent able to sustain them.

It is getting us on a sustainable footing for that air access.

Ms Mansergh said nobody was saying strategically there should not be a transatlantic flight from Northern Ireland.

She added: But the heart of this topic is always what is profitable for the airlines, because ultimately they will go where it is profitable for them to go.

Dublin is now the third-biggest European transatlantic hub.

Given the size of this island that is quite remarkable, we are after Heathrow and Frankfurt.

Part of it is you have a lot of transatlantic flights already coming into Dublin which makes it easier for those airlines to move on to wherever they want to move on to using Dublin as a hub.

Secondly, if we were to get links into Belfast International, we need to be able to commercially fill those flights.

She added: It is definitely a topic we should keep open because everybody would love to see.

To make it work theres a number of factors we need to work through with the airlines and with the airports to see what would be the best bet to ensure that something long term, commercially-viable, could come into Northern Ireland.

In the meantime, whilst Dublin is the hub its all about encouraging those visitors to spread out across the island.

Thankfully, Americans dont think two hours in the car is a very long journey.
As Ireland stands at a pivotal moment in its educational journey, the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has introduced a General Election Manifesto that identifies 30 critical areas in need of government investment by 2030.

Our aim is ambitious: to create the worlds best primary and special education system.

This ambition is not mere rhetoric; its a necessity. A world-class education system is the foundation of a thriving society, and the responsibility of any new government is to ensure that every child receives an unparalleled start in life.

The OECD underscores that equitable access to quality education is the backbone of a fair society. To achieve this, the INTO calls for a 5% increase in the share of total government expenditure on the school sector between 2026 and 2030. Primary education forms the bedrock of all societal advancement, and it is clear that the success of an education system is intricately tied to the success of the teaching profession. As noted by the UN High-Level Panel on the teaching profession.

When we begin with transforming education systems, we can transform conditions of work in schools, transform the practice of teaching, transform learning and transform lives.

The challenges facing primary and special education today are substantial, but so too are the opportunities. By taking a comprehensive approach that meets the diverse needs of students, teachers, and schools, Ireland can establish a system that not only meets but surpasses international standards. Our manifesto advocates for smaller class sizes, enhanced teacher training and professional learning opportunities for teachers, improved infrastructure, and greater resources for special educationall designed to elevate our education system to new heights.

We must also address the ongoing housing crisis, which significantly impacts teacher recruitment and retention. A future government must commit to solutions that relieve this burden on our teachers and support their essential work.

The INTO pledges to champion an ambitious agenda that prioritises the needs of our students and teachers alike. Teachers are the heart of our education system, and it is crucial that they are supported, valued, and empowered to inspire the next generation.

We urge the next government to match this ambition with action. The time for incremental changes has passed; now is the moment for a transformative strategy that meets the needs of every child across the nation. By embracing this vision, we can ensure that Ireland not only meets future challenges but leads in educational excellence.

Together, let us make Ireland a beacon of educational success, where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The future of our nation depends on it.

For more information visit HERE.
It is heart-warming to know that people from rich countries see the Philippines as a place where they can learn genuine love and caring for the members of the families and even the community.

Hajime Yokota, founder of ACTION (A Child Trust in Our Nurture) Foundation, an NGO in Zamboanga who helps abused and abandoned children is from Japan and he tells good things about the Philippines being a place of warmth (not just the weather) but the people. People are very friendly and loving and everyone almost know and befriend everyone. Unlike in Japan where most of the people are snobbish that is why their country ends up in 30,000 people suicidal each year because of depression.

Mr. Yokata came in the Philippines when he was 17, almost two decades ago, and he saw the potential of Filipino kids he lived and worked for at a foundation when he arrived. Since then he promised himself when he is able he will help such kids leading him into putting up ACTION.

This year, Hajime decided to expand his foundations reach and the kind of help he can give to children in need. So he collaborated with JURO Salon Exclusif, one of the countrys leading experts in hair styling, in a project they called The Power of Scissors.

The Power of Scissors had its pilot session with class of 16 students aged 12 and above from different local institutes. This project gathers specialist from Japan and the Philippines to educated these children in the art of cut and color.owners of JURO is part of the mentors in this project and are proud to be teaching kids their craft of hair cut and styling. By September these kids wil graduate in this class and hopefully when they get old decides to practice too.

Aside from this project, Mr. Yokata also plans to publish a book entitled Nais Kong Magin (What I want to be) Which is like a professional and job guidance book with about 100 types of job opportunities for the underprivileged and out-of-school youth. This book is not just a guide though as it will contain companies from Japan and in the Philippines who holds scholarships for each profession/ job listed.
When a new year comes, I always say, the best year is yet to come. That is true for me at least, because every year I get opportunities to live the dream. For that, I cant be thankful enough to everyone who made my 2016 such a blast! It was not perfect but I woulnt ask for it to be any different, because I know that is how it should be.

Just this 2016 I had an abundance of travel adventures and see places I didnt even have in my must-see places to visit. A lot of first happened this 2016 !

For starters, I was in Sinulog last January, thanks to ASUS Philippines for taking me there. Personally, I wouldnt visit Cebu on a peak season because of the crowd. But because of this trip I was able to experience Sinuglog first hand and it was not that bad at all.

Madonna set my rebel heart on fire when she finally came here in the Philippines last February for a concert! Yay! One of the best days of my life as I am such a big fan of this living Pop Icon! It was sureal to have seen her perform live and in person.

Even when I was not at my best shape, Nivea took me to a kick-off to summer 2016 trip to Bohol with other fashion bloggers and online influencers! It was my first time in Bohol and it was such a fun experience with all those crazy fun task we had to do! We all went home with a doll that turns crab red when exposed to the sun! So adorable!

Ive been dying to try a helicopter ride, thanks #SmartHeroes for my Mr.Gray date moment and more! You can watch my YouTube video about this and hear me sing Love Me Like You Do! Hahahaha!

I never pass a chance to help for the greater good. If I can give my time, my talent and whatever I can offer I will. Thanks to Freewaters and Primer Group for taking me to Aurora Province. It was my first time in Casiguran Town and it #FeelsGood. While the view is breathtaking, it is another hidden surf haven I wish will not be commercialized. Giving the people of that town the chance to have safe drinking water made this trip more rewarding than any other trip I had in my life!

Its funny that I never get the chance to fully appreciate the art I see along the streets of Bonifacio Global City . Some of the street art murals we saw have existed for more than 5 years and yet it was only this April that I got the chance to appreciate it up close. Thanks Butterfly Twist for the street art tour!

When I think of Asian countries to visit, Laos / Luang Prabang was not in my list. Thanks to Tourism Mekong for including me in the foreign bloggers to join the Mekong River Familiarization Tour, I get to be in Nan in Thailand and Luang Prabang in Laos. It was incredible to be able to cross-country or cross a border on foot and do a real life Temple Run! #ThankYou to AirAsia for being my air travel sponsor from Manila to Kuala Lumpur and back. AirAsia Philippines has no direct flight to Bangkok that time, it was AirAsia Thailand who sponsored the rest of our air travel.

June was a lot of shoot for campaigns, the Missoni Women, Jollibee Be You and Free Love. My most favorite part of this month was when I had a face-to-face with my Superman of my generation, Dean Cain at the Toycon 2016! All Journalism/communications student during my time can relate that that moment I felt I was Lois Lane haha!

Every girl I think wished she was a Ballerina. But every girl from my generation wished to see Ms. Lisa Macuja in person and see a ballet show again after many eons had passed. It was good to see a live classic ballet performance that I turned nostalgic. So, I didnt pass the chace to try ballet once more I loved it but I have no time for it. Sigh. But thanks Ballet Manila for the opportunity.

I always say its always summer in the Philippines. True enough, Azalea and Travel Conceirge took me to Boracay for a Group Getaway last August! This trip made me realize theres so much more to Boracay than the white beach. What we did during our visit made me believe why this island is the best Island in the world.

Because of an opportunity to visit the United States of America, I went to the US Embassy to apply for a visa in September and luckily I got it, it took me a month to be able to get a schedule. You can read the entire US Visa process for Filipinos I went through in this post.

September was also a weird tour at a cemetery, it was a taste of the upcoming Necro Tourism in the Philippines!

Lot of first things indeed happened in October as I get to go on a shopping challenge and revisit Tutuban / Divisoria Manila! It was challenging but surprisingly fun! I even won the Christmas shopping challenge hah!

If youve been to Singapore and enjoyed their hawker food centers then you will love Makansutra. Yes, the hawker experience is here in the Philippines and its at SM Megamall. Taste and experience is authentic price is affordable, food choices are varied and place is instagrammable!

Then November came I went to the USA ergo #EarthintheUSAadventure! Been to LA California, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, The Groove, and all those popular places in California except the beaches! I was also in Oregon , such a lovely place. I am taken I wish to go back. Honestly, US was one of the country that was not in my countries to see . But after this trip, I want to go to different states visit my relatives in New York and Las Vegas and anywhere else . State hopping is fun but expensive though and I still need to learn to drive to survive USA!

December is here and I am taking it slow. NOT! The family goes away on Holidays local or international but I think its local for now, mom and DD has to renew their passports yet.

While I gained a lot of experiences, memories and friends along the way, 2016 was the saddest year to date. I have lost three good friends in the blogging community: Adrian Benipayo, Ian Escarpe and Jennifer Roxas. Good people with good hearts, we miss you badly, I miss you badly. It is painful to even write this but my thoughts are always with you. You will never be forgotten. I love you.

With that said, thats a wrap for Earthlingorgeous this 2016. I want to express my deepest gratitude to all my readers, my supporters, the agency people and brands and even my haters/bashers, most especially to my family, without any of you I wouldnt be able to experience all this wonderful things! All this happened in 2016! Thank you so much!

#ThankYou is such a complete paragraph on its own. Just like what this AirAsia Philippines video shows, be grateful to whoever, wherever, it goes a long way!

Thank you and Cheers and the best year is yet to come! Happy New Year!

Watch my YearEnd video again to get you inspired to live a life of adventure and make use of a journal for easy backtracking !

Stay gorgeous everyone!
One of my latest beauty addiction is facial masks. I just love how I can get a quick beauty boost after using it . You just down know how happy I was when I stepped into a beauty store in Taipei and saw a number of facial masks onntheir shelves. It felt like facial masks heaven for me. I had this urge to get them all just because! Buti nalang I had self control and decided to do my shopping after all my sightseeing and tours. Plus I can be a very very trifty traveller, I rarely shop when I go out-of-the-country but this trip was an exception.

On my third day and last hour of the store opening, I raided Japan Medical (a drugstore like Watson beauty, health and wellness store in Taiwan but from. Japan). They sell Kawaii beauty, Korean beauty, Taiwan beauty , basta a loot of Asian beauty products. I went to Japan Medical because it is just at a corner near my hostel.

I spent hours at the store looking for the best Taiwan made facial masks. I even asked locals about the best selling facial masks in Taiwan and other beauty products and this is what I got!

What I got:

Dr. Morita Firming Essence Facial Masks

Dr. Morita Hyaluronic Acid Essence Facial Masks

Dr. Morita Hyaluronic Acid & Sake Yeast Essence Moisturizing Facial Masks

Dr. Morita Black Pearl Essence Black Eye Patch

Dr. Morita Moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid Essence Facial Masks (Black)

Dr. Morita Blackhead Remover

Lucky for me, Dr. morita products were on a buy-one-get-one free promo! I was told by the locals that Dr. morita is their favorite local brand another one was Kissu. My Beauty Diary is famous but not much to the locals.

I also got non-facial masks products:

Perfect Whip Foaming Cleanser by Shieseido (Senka)

Heroine Make Volume and Curl Mascara Super Waterproof

Opal One Minute Hair Treatment

I also shopped at the Innisfree branch in Taipei and got the following:

Green Tea Seed Serum Signature Set (One of their best selling product and has a promo for their 4th year anniversary In Taipei)

Innisfree Capsule Recipe Pack (Jeju Volcano)

Innisfree My Hair Recipe Strength Shampoo

I will try to post a review some of these Taiwan beauty products soon because I will be giving some of them to my lucky readers via the #EarthlingorgeousMysteryBox giveaway Taipei edition. For the mechanics, click here.

Stay gorgeous everyone!
Cork University Hospitals (CUH) Pathfinder ambulance service has assisted more than 1,000 older people in their own homes in its first year.

Launched last year in collaboration with the HSE National Ambulance Service, CUHs Pathfinder provides a tailored response for low-acuity 999 calls from adults aged 65 and over who have fallen or been injured in their homes.

They are treated at home to reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments

Within its first year, the Pathfinder initiative responded to 1,023 calls, with 40% of these cases relating to falls.

By delivering rapid-responsive care directly to patients homes, were able to help many older adults remain safely in place, avoiding unnecessary hospital visits and easing concerns for those living alone, senior physiotherapist with the CUH Pathfinder service, Brid ODonoghue, said.

Vital

Our team works closely with each individual to ensure they receive follow-up care or community support, where needed, which has proven vital.

Over 75% of our patients who remain at home after the 999 call have been linked in with essential community services, connecting patients with ongoing support.

The Pathfinder teams consist of advanced paramedics, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists, and they attend emergency calls in a rapid-response vehicle.

Their aim is to significantly ease the pressure on ambulance services and avoid unnecessary transfer of patients from their homes to the emergency department.

The service says that of the 1,023 calls made in the last year, 67% of individuals were able to remain safely at home with Pathfinders intervention.

The average age of patients assisted by the Pathfinder team is 79, with the oldest having been 100.

Impact

The Pathfinder teams impact is most evident in key areas throughout Cork, with the highest demand in Blarney and north Cork city, at 18%, followed by south Cork city, at 12% and west central Cork, also at 12%.

The Pathfinder service also provided continuity of care, with 587 follow-up home visits, which typically included short-term rehabilitation, the provision of essential equipment, and further community support co-ordination.

To date, the service has also made 876 referrals to local community organisations, such as the charity ALONE, community nursing, and general practitioners.
All roads lead to Glengarriff this weekend as their annual Christmas fair returns to the West Cork town.

Organised by Scoil Fhiachna Parents Association, the fair brings festive magic to the town and with 50 stallholders promises to make the fair the largest in the region.

Visitors will have the opportunity to discover unique handmade gifts while supporting local artists and craftspeople. From artwork and handmade jewellery to local pottery, woodwork and organic cosmetics, the fair offers visitors the chance to fill Christmas stockings while enjoying the festive atmosphere.

This years fair is our biggest ever and a true celebration of community and creativity, said organiser Deirdre Goyvaerts. Were excited to showcase the incredible talent in West Cork and Beara, while raising vital funds for Scoil Fhiachna.

Held in the picturesque setting of the historic Eccles Hotel, the Christmas fair will open at 12 noon until 4pm on Sunday, with free admission.
Some vacant council flats on Noonans Rd are being used for drug-taking and other antisocial activities, a general election candidate has claimed, while calling for greater security and vigilance from Cork City Council and An Garda Siochana.

Mick Finn, a former lord mayor of Cork who is running in the upcoming general election, said he had been contacted by residents concerned about antisocial behaviour in some vacated social housing flats that have not been properly secured.

Some of the flats on Noonans Rd have been shuttered, but some of them havent, and youve people coming in using them to shoot up and take drugs, Mr Finn said.

Last September, council tenants in the Noonans Road area flats were told by Cork City Council that it favours rehousing tenants, demolishing the dilapidated blocks, and redeveloping the sites.

That rehousing announcement came after a tenants campaign last summer, highlighted by The Echo, protesting against rodent-infested, mould-ridden housing conditions subsequently described by the councils then CEO Ann Doherty as shocking.

Since then, residents have been moving out, and half of the 60 flats on Noonans Rd are shuttered, but residents say as many as 50 are vacant.

Mr Finn said that all of the vacant properties on Noonans Rd needed to be properly secured until everyone has moved out and the buildings can be demolished.

Increased security and vigilance around the flats is needed from the council and the gardai, and we need a clear timeline from the council, too, he said.

One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said approximately 20 flats on Noonans Road were empty, but are not boarded up.

Weve been plagued by people coming up trying to get into them, they said.

There were people hanging around last week, trying doors and trying to get in, in broad daylight, and we ended up having to call the guards on them.

William OBrien, a local community activist who has been instrumental in the campaign to highlight issues in social-housing flats on Noonans Rd, St Finbarrs Rd, Fort St, and Dean St, said: There are elderly residents and people with disabilities who are waiting to be allocated new homes, and in the residents committee we have asked for a speedier allocation for people.

Its an unfortunate fact of life that the addiction problem is coming up from the city centre to peoples doorsteps, so security is vital for the people left living in that neighbourhood.

You have children going to school and seeing the effects of addiction outside their doors; its becoming a black spot and its becoming a major health and safety problem.

Last month, Cork City Council told Social Democrats councillor Padraig Rice that 182,246 has been spent by the local authority on shutters to secure council-owned vacant and derelict properties in the first three quarters of 2024, with Niall O Donnabhain, the councils director of services in housing operations, specifically citing Noonans Rd as one of the areas where expenditure on shuttering had been required.

A Garda spokesperson said the force does not respond to third-party statements. Cork City Council was asked for comment.
A recent explosion in AI will make it very difficult to grade the proposed new Leaving Certificate assessments, said a Cork teacher, accusing the Department of Education of experimenting on children.

More than 1,500 Cork secondary teachers across over 50 schools took part in a nationwide lunchtime protest yesterday over changes to the senior cycle which they believe risk undermining both educational standards and fairness.

The protests were jointly organised by the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) and the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI).

My Canine Companion dog Kora joined the ASTI protest outside Colaiste Eamann Ris, Deerpark, Cork, as teachers demand more fairness for Leaving Certificate students. Unions say that the swift reform of the Leaving Cert examination without proper consultation is of concern to both ASTI and TUI. Picture: Larry Cummins

They are calling for a delay in the implementation of the senior cycle redevelopment programme to address numerous issues. Aaron Wolfe, principal of Colaiste Eamann Ris and member of the ASTIs principals and deputy principals committee, said that 50 teachers at his school took part in the protest, as well as school therapy dog Kora from My Canine Companion.

Mr Wolfe told The Echo: We have an exam that has huge integrity  tampering with it without proper consultation with the teachers on the ground is a dangerous thing to do.

Policymakers and practitioners have to work together.

A lot of parents are not happy with the changes to the Junior Certificate, and now theyre trying to change the Leaving Cert without fully recognising the fallout from the Junior Certificate.

These reforms are not taking into account a recent explosion in AI  its fine to say well have loads of project work, but will it be student work or artificial intelligence work?

The changes will also widen the gaps of inequity between schools, he claimed, explaining: Schools dont have the infrastructure to complete some of these tasks theyre putting on us  we might not have enough IT devices, or they brought in PE as a Leaving Certificate subject but we dont even have a PE hall.

Parents shouldnt have to travel far away to get to the newest and most expensive school, we are supposed to have free education and its supposed to be equal, but the projects mean that those with better facilities will perform better in the exams, which were formerly a great leveller, he said.

Mr Wolfe described the changes as a distraction to the real problems in education, saying:

We have the biggest teacher shortage in history  how are we meant to get people in to teach this new curriculum when we are leaving classes unsupervised at the moment because the subs that we need just arent out there?

We also have a mental health crisis among young people, and we are not being properly supported with therapists.

All these projects caused at Junior Certificate was an awful lot of pressure and stress for students, there were always pinpoints of pressure, but now the exams are all year long, so theres no break from it.

My Canine Companion dog Kora at the lunchtime protest outside Colaiste Eamann Ris. Picture: Larry Cummins

They are tampering for the sake of tampering, but the stakes are too high to be experimenting on young peoples education  these children only get one chance at these exams.

Mick Finn, who is running as an Independent candidate in Cork South Central in the general election, and who worked in school environments for 15 years, urged Education Minister Norma Foley to pause and listen to teachers.
Gardai in Cork have arrested and charged a man in his 40s in connection with a robbery at a retail premises in Summerhill North, Cork City on Tuesday.

The incident occurred shortly after 12 noon when a man entered the store and threatened staff with a knife before making off with a sum of cash.

In response to the incident, Detective Gardai from Watercourse Road arrested a man in his 40s.

He was subsequently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in Cork City and has since been charged.

He is scheduled to appear before Cork District Court this morning.

A garda spokesperson said investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Almost 85,000 people are awaiting treatment in Cork hospitals as of the end of October, with latest figures suggesting recent progress is slowing down.

Of these, 18,888 people are waiting more than a year for an outpatient procedure or an inpatient procedure in one of six Cork hospitals, latest figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund show.

The total figure of 84,724 marks a 3.8% decrease from July of this year, when waiting list figures peaked at 88,095, but it is just a 0.7% decrease from September of this year, suggesting that progress in waiting list reduction is slowing.

There were 26,878 adults and 5,766 children awaiting outpatient treatment in Cork University Hospital (CUH), as well as 28,168 adults and 2,994 children awaiting outpatient treatment in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH).

Additionally, 5,444 adults in Mercy University Hospital (MUH), 3,961 adults and 542 children in Mallow General Hospital, 2,425 adults and 70 children in Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), and 723 adults in Bantry were on waiting lists for outpatient procedures.

Reduction

While SIVUH saw a reduction of 255 in the amount of people waiting 12-18 months, it saw an increase of 259 waiting more than 18 months compared to last month for outpatient treatment.

CUH, CUMH, Mallow, and MUH also saw the amount of people in the 12-18 age band reduce but the amount in the 18-plus band grow in the last month.

A further 7,089 adults and 664 children were awaiting inpatient treatment  3,993 of them in SIVUH and 1,885 in CUH. There were also 608 people on inpatient waiting lists at MUH, 592 in CUMH, 431 in Mallow, and 244 in Bantry.

The majority of those on inpatient waiting lists in Cork were waiting for pain relief or plastic surgery.

Progress

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the latest figures demonstrate the progress achieved through the multi-annual action plan approach to address long wait times for care.

They said that nationally, there has been a 16% reduction in the total number of patients waiting over 12 months since this time last year, and a corresponding reduction of 24% in the number waiting over 18 months.

Many individual hospitals have implemented measures to deliver reductions in both their waiting lists and waiting times in the year to date to the end of September, they said.

The spokesperson added: In Cork University Hospital, the OPD [outpatient department] rheumatology waiting list has been reduced by 45.6% since the beginning of the year with an additional 708 patients being seen.

This was achieved by increasing capacity through additional WTEs [whole time equivalents] and delivery of full packages of care, including initial and follow up consultations, required diagnostics, and clinical/nursing support.
An organiser and distributor of drugs in county Cork, who was caught driving through Whites Cross with 40,000 worth of cannabis in his car and a further 80,000 at a nearby farmhouse, was remanded in custody for sentencing in February.

The defence in the case had asked for him to be remanded on continuing bail for a probation report pending sentence in February.

Judge Helen Boyle said she would agree with the part of the application requesting a probation report but only with the accused remanded in custody.

Paula McCarthy, defence barrister, said the accused retrieved cannabis from a wardrobe in the farmhouse before he was caught with it in his car.

The barrister said he met the matter fairly and that he pleaded guilty the day before the matter was to go to trial by judge and jury. Judge Boyle said his status has changed and also noted that the state was opposed to him being released on bail for a probation report in advance of sentencing in February 2025.

I am going to remand him in custody until February 18, Judge Boyle said.

He was an organiser and distributor of drugs and coming from Lithuania he had no ties to this jurisdiction, Detective Sergeant Ian Cahalane said.

36-year-old Egidijus Kozolovas, with addresses at The Avenue, Ardpatrick, Blackpool, and Mill Park, Mallow Road, Blackpool, was arraigned and pleaded guilty to being in possession of the drugs for sale or supply.

The first charge related to a car at Whites Cross. The second charge concerned a farmhouse at Temple Michael, Whites Cross, both on July 9, 2021.

Allegations previously outlined in court were that that he was observed exiting the farmhouse at Whites Cross with packages and placing them in the car and that these were seized when the car was stopped by gardai.

2kg of cannabis was found in the car with a street value of 40,000 and 4kg of the drug were found in the farmhouse with an approximate value of 80,000.
Cork woman Isabel Bartak-Healy has raised more than 2,500 for emergency medical charity, CRITICAL.

Ms Bartak-Healy, also known as Izzy Showbizzy of Corks 96FM, undertook a 120km trek across the Spanish Camino to raise funds for the charity.

The money raised, totalling at 2,700 through her fundraising page, will go towards the expansion of the charitys teams of volunteer responders.

Even though it was tough at times, Im delighted to have raised the money for CRITICAL and complete the trip, Ms Bartak-Healy said.

I was surrounded by a wonderful group of people and its good to challenge yourself at times, too.

CRITICAL provides a crucial service to local communities and public funds are essential to continue the work and grow the network of volunteer responders around the country.

Im so grateful to everyone who donated on my fundraiser page. Im thrilled with the response. It was an incredible experience - one I will never forget.

Volunteers

CRITICAL volunteers have responded to more than 830 calls to date this year, which include emergencies ranging from cardiac arrests to road traffic collisions.

Volunteers with the service include doctors, medical professionals, and local community members who attend serious incidents and emergencies in their areas.

A heartfelt thank you to Izzy, fellow walkers, and the cyclists for their time and commitment to complete the trip, CEO of CRITICAL, David Tighe, said.

Together with everyone at CRITICAL we appreciate all your efforts and your fundraising.

It costs 1,500 to provide a responder with an emergency backpack containing a defibrillator, a resuscitation kit, and a medical diagnostic kit.

The funds raised will enable us to carry on our vital work and expand our services to more of Ireland.

For more information on the work carried out by CRITICAL or to make a donation visit https://criticalcharity.ie/camino.
A 26-year-old chef at the Emmet Hotel in Clonakilty who sexually assaulted a 15-year-old waitress nine times in the course of a week was jailed today for four years.

Judge Helen Boyle imposed a sentence of five years with the last year suspended in the case against now 29-year-old Bogdan Magyarosi of Clonakilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. A jury found him guilty on nine counts of sexual assault. While he had pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, he now accepts the guilty verdicts of the jury, his senior counsel Alice Fawsitt said.

The injured party, Ruth Bonny of Clonakilty, who is now 18 years old, chose to waive her anonymity. She said that as well as feeling that she will never be able to forget the distress caused by the sexual assaults. She was further distressed by feeling that she had to leave her job while the accused man continued to work there for the past three years, even though she had reported to gardai that he had sexually assaulted her.

Detective Garda Brian Morris said the sexual assaults were carried out over the days from September 28 until October 1 2021 at different locations within the hotel. The sexual assaults consisted of touching her buttocks and breasts outside her clothing, including incidents when he simulated sexual activity by a grinding motion. The last sexual assault was the most serious, consisting of touching her vagina inside her clothing.

Ms Bonny was advised that it might not be in her interests to waive her anonymity but it was clarified in court that she definitely wished to do so.

In her victim impact statement which she read to the court the teenager said she had just turned 15 when she got the job and being a sociable person she believed that waitressing would be perfect for her and she loved working there in what was a good atmosphere with a lot laughter.

She said it never bothered her that he was calling her his girl and giving her high-fives. But she said this went on to pats on the back, arm around the shoulders and then the sexual assaults started from there.

Now I look back on it he was pushing it further and further every day to see what he would get away with, she said.

Upset at the possibility of meeting him in the West Cork town after the sexual assaults she said she stopped going to school during her transition year to avoid going through town. I completely isolated myself and I became depressed, she said.

She said it had a definite impact on her mental health for the last three years and that reporting it was really difficult as was the trial.

Judge Boyle said Mr Magyarosi progressively sexually assaulted the 15-year-old until he eventually placed his hand inside her underwear on her vagina and placed her hand on his penis when clothed.

Unfortunately, as a result of your actions she had to leave her job while you retained your job. She could not even walk her dog without crying when she got close to the town. It has an impact on her education, as she isolated herself and she became depressed. She feels she will never forget or get over it and she suffers anxiety, Judge Boyle said.

To the injured party she said: I want to say to you that you are very brave, you did the right thing by reporting this assault. A very unfortunate feature of this case was that you had to leave your job and he remained in is job for three years after you made credible complaints of being sexually assaulted. It is not relevant to the sentence but I understand. You are a very brave young person with a bright future ahead of you.

There was a very significant age difference and this had a serious impact. There was an element of grooming in that there was an elevation of incidents culminating in the most serious sexual assault.
Criticism from Fine Gael and Fianna Fail on Sinn Fein's spending plans and the latest in the Conor McGregor trial make the front pages of Wednesday's papers.

The Irish Times leads with Sinn Fein denying claims it is planning a 16 billion piggy bank heist as Fine Gael and Fianna Fail rounded on the partys tax and spending plans.

The Irish Examiner leads with gardai looking to speak to 94 people connected to the Dublin riots as the anniversary of the incident approaches.

The Echo reveals drug users are trying to access scant council flats in Cork.

The Irish Independent leads with Fianna Fail candidates turning on the coalition's immigration policy.

The Irish Daily Mail leads with Sinn Fein's plans to commission a review of RTEs objectivity in its coverage of international conflicts described as chilling by Simon Harris.

The Irish Daily Mirror leads with the latest in the Conor McGregor trial, as he is called "a liar and a coward" in court.

The Irish Daily Star leads with photos of people on CCTV on the night of the Dublin riots.

British papers

The war in Ukraine dominates the nations front page stories.

The Financial Times and The Independent lead with Kyiv firing US missiles into Russian territory for the first time as the conflict passes the 1,000-day mark.

The Daily Mail and Daily Mirror report Russian President Vladimir Putin signed off on changes to the countrys laws on nuclear weapons to make it easier for them to be deployed.

Fears are growing over Russias campaign of hybrid warfare against the west, according to The Guardian.

Elsewhere, the Daily Express and Metro lead with farmers protesting over changes to inheritance tax as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch labels the changes cruel.

The Daily Telegraph reports the Prime Minister has claimed the BBC backs the changes, prompting accusations of bias.

And the Daily Star says millions of Britons are struggling as the mercury plummets.
Beaming, happy families all gathered together, mountainous piles of presents beneath the tree, and mouthwatering feasts laid out across beautifully decorated tables

Were all familiar with these typical depictions of seasonal joy. After all, theyre blasted across our TV screens, newspapers, billboards and more each year  and if were lucky, some of us might even get to see such happy scenes unfold in our own homes come Christmas Day.

For many others, however, Christmas can be a terribly bittersweet occasion  plagued by the knowledge that something is missing.

For some of us, Christmas can remind us how deeply were missing someone; whether its an estranged or dearly departed loved one, or perhaps a family member or friend living overseas and marking their first Christmas away from home.

For growing numbers of families across the country, however, whats missing this Christmas is something even more heartbreaking  a home itself.

This year, thousands of people nationwide are at risk of spending Christmas Day with no roof over their heads  far more than can even be imagined.

This September saw 592 men and women across the Southwest alone (Cork and Kerry) depending on emergency accommodation in a single week  up 3% from the same time period last year.

592 men and women across Cork and Kerry were depending on emergency accommodation during the week of 23-29 September 2024.

Bleak as they are, these figures dont even reflect the full scale of the homeless crisis. People rough sleeping, or in squats, refuges, direct provision, or staying with family or friends on an insecure basis, often in over-crowded accommodation, because they have nowhere else to stay are not included in the official count.

For these immeasurable numbers of people, this Christmas will be a very tough one  and one that Stephen, a man who spent several Christmases in their exact situation, can relate to all too well.

For so many years I felt totally left out of Christmas, he reflects. It was just another day. I kept my head down and waited for it to pass. Its tragic when I think back now.

I was at the lowest point in my life when Cork Simon came to my rescue. After spending six Christmases alone in hostels or on the streets, they welcomed me in from the cold.

Ill never forget that first Christmas at Cork Simon. It was magical. The staff really make a top effort. They even got us little gifts and gave us Christmas cards from Cork Simon supporters  and when you have nothing, the tiniest bit of kindness means a lot.

For Stephen, Cork Simon didnt just give him his first happy Christmas in years  they also gave him a second chance at life.

Drinking to block out the trauma of his turbulent childhood, which saw him bounced from one foster home to the next  14 homes before he was even nine years old in fact  Stephen admits he reached rock bottom and had tried to take his own life before he reached out to Cork Simon for help.

Cork Simon provided Stephen with more than just a bed and Christmas dinner. They can provide a room in the emergency hostel, or help getting into rehab, or job training and help to nail down a proper, affordable place to live.

If it wasnt for Cork Simon, I wouldnt be here today. No word of a lie. Addiction had taken my family, relationships, good friends, and any hope of holding down a job. I was thinking of doing something daft again when I flipped a coin. Something came into my head to get in touch with my last foster parents. I rang my foster dad and told him I was sick and was struggling with my mental health. Id been an absolute terror to him and his family, but still he came and collected me. I still cant believe he did it. We chatted for about four hours, and then he dropped me at Cork Simon. It was the best thing he could have done.

My foster dad knew he couldnt give me the help I needed, but he was sure Cork Simon could, and he was right. They welcomed me with open arms.

Thanks to Cork Simon, Ive been sober now for three years. Ive properly reconnected with my foster family, just making amends with them every day for what I put them through. Im at college in the week, studying for a degree in Community Development and Youth Work, and I manage a coffee shop at the weekends. Im doing voluntary work, helping young people avoid the life I had. Ive a girlfriend and her family have welcomed me into their fold. Its just such a lovely feeling, to be accepted. I dont feel left out of anything anymore. I feel loved, and part of life.

That phone call to his foster dad, who first brought him to Cork Simon, is what turned Stephens life around. None of the amazing things in his life hes so grateful for today would have happened if he hadnt decided to ask for help all those years ago  and now, hes determined to keep asking.

Im not asking for myself. Ive turned my life around. Im asking for help on behalf of everyone who is still out there on the streets  and who will be out there in the cold and the rain this Christmas, he explains.

This year, more than ever, Cork Simon needs your help to bring people like Stephen in from the cold.

One Cork Simon service user shares he had "no future, no dream, no lust or zest for life" before the charity helped get him back on his feet.

Any donation, big or small, can help the charity give a proper Christmas to those who need it most.

A donation from you today can help Cork Simon to give someone like me a warm welcome and a pure tasty Christmas meal with all the trimmings, Stephen urges. And by trimmings, Im not talking about gravy and parsnips. I mean a room in the emergency hostel, or help getting into rehab. Then maybe job training and help to nail down a proper, long-term place to live.

Thats why Cork Simon are so important in our community. Theyre here to help young people like me make a new start  and theres no better time to get the chance of a new start than at Christmas.

Support worker Chrissie has been part of the Cork Simon staff for nearly 20 years, working across a range of different services. Shes seen first-hand how life on the streets has worn down the people she helps  but shes also seen how just one day, Christmas Day, can make all the difference.

Inside the shelter we strive to offer a place where people are safe, and they are treated with respect and dignity, she shares. We understand the challenges that people face when they are out on the street; they may be abused, looked down on, and that has a huge impact on their self-worth, so its really important  especially at Christmas time  that theyre able to come to a safe place, to be treated with respect.

The lack of respect is something Cork Simon service user Ann remembers most strongly from her time on the streets.

Ive been looked down on because I was homeless. It makes you feel youre not worthy of life as much as other people would be, she shares.

Not only has that respect been given freely to Ann and many others like her at Cork Simon, but something else just as important has been too  hope.

The abuse and disrespect people face while sleeping rough can have a huge impact on their self-worth.

[Life after reaching out to Cork Simon] is such a change from living out of a rucksack; from walking the streets with no security for the night ahead; from having no future, no dream, no lust or zest for life or anything, says fellow service user Cian. Im looking forward to the future now, for the first time, with great anticipation, expectation and excitement.

While for Alan, the biggest thing hes gained from Cork Simons services is friendship. Theres compassion with people whove been on the streets, because they understand what its like to not have anything and to be alone, abandoned, he explains.

Its just like having an extended family, you know. Everybody looks out for each other, pretty much. The people that work here obviously really do care about people.

Sowhether its the gift of hope, of compassion, or of respect; what will you give to those who need it most this Christmas?

Im truly hoping that people will help Cork Simon to make the magic happen again this year, that they can dig deep to help make sure no one is left out this Christmas, Stephen reiterates.

The support that people give to Cork Simon is genuinely life-saving  Im just so grateful to be proof of that.

To help make a difference for people like Stephen this Christmas, head to www.corksimon.ie/donate.
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 visit the Saudi Arabia pavilion on day eight at the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan on Nov. 19, 2024. Sean Gallup / Getty Images

COP29 talks, including the landmark deal on transitioning away from fossil fuels agreed upon at last years negotiations, had to be prevented from collapse after Saudi Arabia and other developing countries expressed opposition.

Over the weekend, nations failed to come to an agreement and it was decided that talks would be postponed until next year, reported Climate Home News.

That is, until President of COP29 Mukhtar Babayev announced on Monday that a plenary had been making an effort to restore negotiations, bolstered by the potential for a promising outcome at the meeting of the Group of 20 major economies (G20) in Baku.

COP29 cannot and will not be silent on mitigation. We will address the matter [in] every direction, Babayev said, addressing the plenary, as Climate Home News reported.

Governments have been struggling to reaffirm the commitment to make the transition away from fossil fuels in new agreements this year. Notably, the language was absent in a decision on biodiversity made at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, last month. Reports also suggested it was a struggle getting the wording included in the G20 ministerial statement.

Mitigation language, including the essential transitioning away from fossil fuels, is currently mentioned in the new draft text of the collective quantified climate finance goal, according to Argus Media.

During the final week of the COP29 climate talks, Saudi Arabian diplomats have been working to stymie agreements that renew the pledge to transition from oil, gas and coal, according to negotiators, as reported by The New York Times.

Maybe theyve been emboldened by Trumps victory, but they are acting with abandon here, said Alden Meyer, senior associate with London-based climate research organization E3G, who is attending the talks in Azerbaijan. Theyre just being a wrecking ball.

Negotiators said Saudi Arabia has been working all year to frustrate the agreement made by 200 countries in 2023 to move away from climate warming fossil fuels, even though they signed onto it, five diplomats said anonymously.

Joanna Depledge, a University of Cambridge climate negotiations expert, called the Saudi Arabian governments opposition to climate action blatant and brazen.

Whereas the U.S. might disagree strongly on something, they are usually well argued with some legal justification, Depledge said, as The New York Times reported. But with the Saudis its literally a flat no with no attempt to really justify or listen, or it uses procedural arguments that waste time.

Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, climate and energy lead at WWF and former COP president, said energy transition finance will be a major factor in moving mitigation forward, as developing countries push for funding, reported Climate Home News.

After a faltering first week, Parties now have a second chance to work together and build consensus around the climate solutions we need to reduce emissions quickly. It is essential that this COP sends a strong signal that countries need to raise their game on emission reductions, Pulgar-Vidal expressed in a statement.
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.

In a symptom of human development pushing native wildlife further outside their natural habitats, mountain lions living in the greater Los Angeles area have been changing the timing of their activities to avoid interactions with hikers, joggers, cyclists and other recreationists, according to a new study led by researchers at University of California, Davis (UC Davis).

The researchers found that mountain lions who lived in areas with more human recreation had shifted to become increasingly nocturnal compared with more remote-dwelling lions, who were primarily active around dawn and dusk, a press release from UC Davis said.

People are increasingly enjoying recreating in nature, which is fantastic, said lead author of the study Ellie Bolas, a UC Davis Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, in the press release. This flexibility we see in mountain lion activity is what allows us to share these natural areas together. Mountain lions are doing the work so that coexistence can happen.

The authors said the findings offered a hopeful example of the coexistence of wildlife and humans in a large, densely populated area.

Mountain lions prefer to avoid people, but in a metro area of more than 18 million people, natural areas inhabited by mountain lions and other wildlife are also heavily used by recreationists, the press release said.

To find out if and in what ways mountain lions were shifting their activities in response to the recreationists, the research team monitored 22 lions movements in and around the Santa Monica Mountains from 2011 to 2018.

Biologists captured lions living inside the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and fitted them with GPS and accelerometer collars. They then analyzed the data, quantifying the areas human recreational activity using a global database of activities tracked by GPS.

These results are really important in that they show how humans may be affecting wildlife in less obvious ways than killing them with vehicles, said Seth Riley, the parks head of wildlife, in the press release. The study also continues to drive home the amazing fact that a population of a large felid predator persists in one of the largest urban areas in the world. That would not be possible if mountain lions werent able to adjust to human activity in ways like this.

The findings demonstrated that the highest recreational activity levels were in Griffith Park, while Los Padres National Forest and the Santa Susana Mountains had the least amount of activity.

The least nocturnal mountain lion was female P13 in the central and western Santa Monica Mountains. Females, in general, were found to be more active closer to sunrise and during daylight hours as compared to males, the press release said.

Female P13 was the least nocturnal mountain lion studied. National Park Service

The authors said the reason for that could be so female cats can avoid running into males, who pose a danger to them and their kittens.

Two male mountain lions occupying isolated natural areas with an abundance of trails, high recreation levels, surrounding freeways and intense development were the most nocturnal. Both lived in two of the most limited home ranges for adult males ever recorded. The most nocturnal lion in the study  P41  lived in the small Verdugo Mountain Range, which spans several cities.

Male P41, the most nocturnal mountain lion in the study, who lived in the Verdugo Mountains near Los Angeles, an area with high levels of human recreation. National Park Service

The second most nocturnal of the lions was P22, who lived in Griffith Park and became famous for crossing two busy freeways when he was young. He continued to occupy the area until he was killed in 2022 at 12 years old  one of the most senior cats in the study.

P-22 was among the mountain lions of Los Angeles who shifted his activities to be more nocturnal. National Park Service

The studys authors said the lions in the study show how mountain lions actively avoid humans when faced with increased activity, rather than habituating themselves to them.

The authors said that doesnt mean mountain lions should have to do all the work. Humans can help protect them, as well as themselves, by remembering that they are likely to be active at dawn or dusk in populated areas, and be on the lookout for them when driving at night.

In the Los Angeles area, mountain lions face many challenges and dangers, including busy roads where they are often killed, fragmented habitat, exposure to rodenticide and low genetic diversity.

Even something as innocuous as recreation can add to these other stressors were bringing into their lives, potentially by altering the amount of energy they have to expend for hunting and other needs, Bolas said in the press release. But we can feel a sense of optimism that they are flexible in the timing of their activity. Coexistence is happening, and its in large part because of what mountain lions are doing.

The study, Human recreation influences activity of a large carnivore in an urban landscape, was published in the journal Biological Conservation.
(Photo courtesy: Parahyangan Catholic University)The Vocational Program of Parahyangan Catholic University, UNPAR, provides entrepreneurship training for students of SMA Santa Theresia Jakarta. UNPAR lecturers also provide seminars on the importance of entrepreneurship as one of the skills in supporting economic development.

Life can be trying for Christians in some places in Indonesia, such as in West Java, where Regional Police are investigating a bomb threat from a militant Islamic group during a graduation ceremony at Parahyangan Catholic University (UNPAR) in Bandung.

The head of the West Java Police Public Relations, Senior Commissioner Jules Abraham Abast, stated that the threat was spread in a terror letter flyer sent to the campus ahead of the Nov. 15-17 graduation ceremony, the Indonesian news agency Antara reported.

Indonesian police have tightened security around the university following the alleged bomb threat, the UCA Catholic news agency reported.

The increased security came after Parahyangan Catholic University received the threatening letter sent in the name of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah, a banned fanatical group pledging allegiance to the transnational terror group Islamic State.

The letter claimed several bombs were planted in a campus auditorium. It also threatened that bombs would be detonated if the graduation ceremony scheduled on Nov. 15-16 went ahead.

"Immediately cancel the event and all activities related to it in the future and do not dare to conduct searches, scans, or worse, contact the police/other security forces," read the letter, addressed to the campus rector, Tri Basuki Joewono.

- NO BOMB FOUND

Police spokesperson Abast said a police team searched the campus on Nov. 14 but found no bomb.

However, Abast said they had still secured the campus area by deploying 100 personnel during the graduation.

"We continue to monitor the campus; students and families have been given IDs as a sign when they will enter the campus and attend the graduation," he said.

The university said it continues with increased vigilance by coordinating with security forces "to ensure that the campus environment remains safe."

The university said, "We also appeal to campus residents to support each other and remain calm. "

The campus had also experienced a similar bomb threat in 2008, which targeted the university's rector.

Parahyangan Catholic University was founded in 1955 and has nine faculties. Seminarians from the Order of the Holy Cross and the dioceses of Bogor and Bandung study philosophy at the university.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, with 87 percent of its 281 million people following Islam. Christians account for nearly 11 percent of its people, and Protestants account for 7.5 percent. According to the CIA Factbook, Hindus comprise 1.7 percent of the population.

Indonesia has struggled with Islamic militancy since extremists bombed popular tourist destination Bali in 2002, killing 202 people.

Jamaah Ansharut Daulah is notorious for terror activities, including bombings, noted the UCA report.

- 'FORBIDDEN ORGANIZATION'

In July 2018, the South Jakarta District Court declared the group a "forbidden organization" after prosecutors indicted the group for carrying out several terrorist attacks across the country.

The group was founded in 2014 by Aman Abdurrahman, who was sentenced to death on June 22, 2018, for masterminding several terror attacks across Indonesia.

It was accused of carrying out a series of attacks, including one in January 2016 in Jakarta that killed eight people and an attack in November 2017 against the Batak Society Christian Church of Oikumene in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, that left four people dead.

The group was also accused of being behind a riot at a police detention center on the outskirts of Jakarta on May 9, 2018. The violence killed five guards and a detainee.

On May 13 that year, suicide bombers attacked three churches in Surabaya, East Java, leaving 18 dead.
The UK government is expected to launch a parliamentary inquiry into the role of social media in summer riots, particularly around the use of generative AI, The Guardian reported. As part of that, MPs (members of Parliament) wish to cross-examine X owner Elon Musk, along with senior executives from Meta and TikTok, as part of a Commons science and technology select committee social media inquiry.

"[Musk] has very strong views on multiple aspects of this," said Labour chair of the select committee, Chi Onwurah. "I would certainly like the opportunity to cross-examine him to see  how he reconciles his promotion of freedom of expression with his promotion of pure disinformation. [The committee will] get to the bottom of the links between social media algorithms, generative AI, and the spread of harmful or false content."

The government is looking into the use of fake images created by generative AI, often containing Islamophobic content, which were widely shared in social media posts on Facebook and X. Such posts may have inflamed riots last August that took place after three schoolgirls were murdered. MPs are also looking into big tech business models that "encourage the spread of content that can mislead and harm."

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Musk, who may soon have a large role in the US government under incoming president Trump, has criticized the UK government and isn't likely to attend. During the riots in August he said: Civil war is inevitable," and on Monday stated that "Britain is going full Stalin."

In December, UK regulator Ofcom will publish new rules as part of the Online Safety Act. With the new regulations, it's likely that social media platforms will be forced prevent the spread of illegal materials such as CSAM and survey activities that could stir up violence. Companies like X and Facebook will then be required to remove any illegal material.
Jeannie Mai has asked a judge to block a "secret subpoena" issued by her ex-husband Jeezy to obtain access to her bank records, which she claims was done to "harass" her.

According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Mai asked the court to stop the subpoena sent to City National Bank, which Jeezy allegedly requested to release her personal and business bank account statements, deposit slips and evidence of withdrawals from before Nov. 1.

Mai states that Jeezy ordered two subpoenas, both in October, but claims that the rapper and his legal team did not inform her about the first one. She considers the subpoenas to be "oppressive, unreasonable and not calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence and are requested for the purpose of annoyance, embarrassment and oppression."

Her lawyer, Randall Kessler, said in the docs that the subpoena "is grossly overbroad and oppressive and it is clear that the subpoena was issued for the sole purpose of embarrassing and harassing Ms. Mai, as same requests information that in no way relates to the subject matter of the current Contempt action."

Read More: Jeannie Mai Thanks Cassie, Says Her Voice Has Been A 'Shield And Sanctuary' Amid Jeezy Abuse Allegations

The attorney pointed out that Mai "provided numerous alternative avenues" for Jeezy to "obtain the information that he is now requesting from Ms. Mai's personal and business bank accounts from the time period of June 2024 to October of 2024."

Kessler criticized Jeezy, pointing out that the rapper has a history of "failing to pay his financial obligations," including lawsuits from former employees and associates "regarding non-payment of debts." The attorney also claimed that Jeezy's motive with the subpoenas was "for no other purpose than to harass and intimidate Ms. Mai."

In September, Mai filed a suit against her ex, alleging that Jeezy did not follow through with costs they agreed on during their divorce, including paying for their daughter Monaco's daycare and school tuition, as well as her rent.

Jeezy filed a response, saying it was "disheartening" that his ex-wife would "enumerate such blatant misrepresentations in her pleadings in an attempt to mislead and delude this honorable court."

Read More: Jeannie Mai Accuses Jeezy Of Physical And Verbal Abuse In New Court Filing: 'Can't Wait To Divorce You!'
6th China Film Week kicks off in UAE

Xinhua) 21:39, November 20, 2024

ABU DHABI, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The 6th China Film Week in UAE opened here this week at VOX Cinemas, Yas Mall, with an exclusive screening of the Chinese film "Panda Plan."

The event, which runs for seven days, was launched on Monday with over 200 attendees, including government officials, filmmakers, film enthusiasts, and diplomats from various countries.

"Film is an art of light and aesthetics and a key medium for the exchanges of civilizations. The China Film Week has evolved into an important cultural event for fostering mutual understanding between our peoples. We look forward to deepening our cooperation in film, music, and art to strengthen the bonds of cultural exchanges," Chinese Ambassador to the UAE Zhang Yiming said in his opening remarks.

Before the opening ceremony, professionals of the UAE and Chinese film industry held a forum discussing ways to enhance film exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

Organized by the Chinese Embassy in the UAE and China Film Administration, with support from the China Cultural Center in UAE and China Film Archive, the event this year will screen 10 Chinese films, including comedies "Panda Plan," "YOLO," and "Successor."

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan)
The mother of the cinematographer tragically killed in an accidental shooting involving Alec Baldwin has spoken out against the actor, claiming that he is capitalizing on her daughter's death through the release of his movie "Rust."

The upcoming movie is scheduled to make its global debut at a film festival in Poland this Wednesday.

Olga Solovey has publicly criticized Baldwin, accusing him of "unjustly profit from his killing of my daughter." She also decided not to attend the premiere event scheduled in Torun.

In a statement through her attorney, she said, "It was always my hope to meet my daughter in Poland to watch her work come alive on screen."

"Unfortunately, that was ripped away from me when Alec Baldwin discharged his gun and killed my daughter."

In addition, Solovey alleged that the A-list actor has declined to offer an apology and acknowledge accountability for the tragic passing of her daughter.

"Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologize to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death. Instead, he seeks to unjustly profit from his killing of my daughter."

"That is the reason why I refuse to attend the festival for the promotion of 'Rust,' especially now when there is still no justice for my daughter."

Lawyer Gloria Allred, who represents the late cinematographer's parents, said that Baldwin's actions towards the grieving family were deemed "disrespectful."

The high-profile lawyer pointed out that despite Baldwin being the one who fired the fatal shot that took Hutchins life, he had failed to reach out and offer an apology to the family.

"Even worse, he argued, through his attorneys, that Halyna was emotionally distant from her family in Ukraine. That is false, hurtful and insulting. Further, the decision not to even call the family to say he is sorry is cruel and dishonors Halyna and her memory."

Allred accused Baldwin of capitalizing on Halyna's death by choosing to promote the movie.

Baldwin faced accusations of involuntary manslaughter following the tragic incident that resulted in the death of Halyna Hutchins in 2021.

The legal proceedings involving the actor in New Mexico came to a halt in July when the case was thrown out by a judge due to accusations of misconduct on the part of the prosecutors.
Actor Jaleel White has shared new details about a professional disagreement with Will Smith that occurred in the late 1990s.

In his memoir, 'Growing Up Urkel,' the 'Family Matters' star recounted the story of a project he pitched to Smith during that era. The series initially showed promise of being approved, but White explained that decisions made by those in Smith's team at the time led to its rejection. Smith's firing of his head of television further complicated matters, according to White's agents and advisors, who informed him the project would not progress.

As noted by 'Us Weekly,' White wrote:

"I should have called Will directly, and the truth was, I wanted to work with Will, badly."

He went on to elaborate:

"Will was becoming such a big star, so fast, that I didn't have the nerve to call his phone myself months later and ask, 'Hey, man, why'd you fire your head of TV? My agent said there was no deal to be made. They're offering me this show at UPN and I know in my heart this premise is weaker than ours.' "

Instead of confronting Smith directly, White opted for what seemed to be a safer route. He signed on for the sitcom 'Grown Ups,' which aired for a single season in 1999. Reflecting on his decision, White wrote:

"My decision to go with Grown Ups instead of exploring a show with Will Smith  sticking to my guns and being patient with the process basically ended my and Will's relationship. There were no more invites to his house or his movie sets, no more calls to say, 'What's up?'"

Looking back, White shared his thoughts on how the fallout shaped their dynamic, telling 'Us Weekly': "When I got the opportunity to nearly work with him, [I now] go back and look at the number of people that conspired to make sure that we did not speak directly any further. It sucks for me. But as long as I got it out and I got to express it, that's once again in one of those areas where the book just becomes therapeutic."
Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing new allegations after notes seized from his jail cell reportedly revealed attempts to influence his legal case.

According to 'NBC News,' documents retrieved during a search of Diddy's cell at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn allegedly included instructions to a family member to find "dirt" on his accusers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik stated in court, "A witness was paid off and finding dirt on two different victims is not a privilege."

Diddy's lawyers argued the search violated his rights, claiming the notes were protected under attorney-client privilege. Marc Agnifilo, Diddy's lawyer, said, "Every page from the stack is subject to the attorney-client privilege."

The prosecution accused Combs, 55, of attempting to influence witnesses while detained on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Despite the defense's objections, the court retained the seized notes while both sides prepare briefs for further proceedings.

Read more: Diddy Accused of Sexually Assaulting Man Who Claims He Woke Up to the Rapper Assaulting Him and Talking Dirty

Diddy remains in custody, awaiting his next bail hearing on November 22.

Diddy is also now facing two additional lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault, with claims coming from both a woman and a man. Both individuals allege they were drugged  a common thread among accusations against the music mogul.

Tony Buzbee, an attorney from Texas who represents over 120 alleged victims of Diddy, has filed the lawsuits against the founder of Bad Boy Records.

In the first case, a Maryland woman, identified as Jane Doe, claims that in 2001, at the age of 18, she was assaulted by Diddy outside a Halloween party in New York City. According to legal documents obtained by 'TMZ,' Jane Doe alleges that one of Diddy's security guards led her to a black limousine where Diddy and six other men were waiting.

She claims she was handed a drink that caused her to feel disoriented. Jane Doe accuses Diddy of forcing her to perform oral sex on all the men in the vehicle, including himself, while calling her derogatory names and spraying her with champagne. She alleges she was only allowed to leave after complying with his demands.

The second lawsuit, also obtained by 'TMZ,' involves a man from Florida who is suing under the name John Doe. He alleges that he was invited to an after-party at a residence in Miami by one of Diddy's associates.

According to John Doe, he was given a drink laced with drugs, causing him to lose consciousness intermittently. He claims he woke up experiencing severe pain in his rectum and discovered his clothing was missing. Turning around, he allegedly saw Diddy attempting to penetrate him while smiling and making sexually explicit comments. He says he was too incapacitated by the drugs to resist.

John Doe recalls waking up naked the following day, being given his clothes, and escorted out of the house before being dropped off at the nightclub where the evening began.

Both accusers are seeking damages from Diddy.
The funeral of British artist Liam Payne was heartbreaking. The images taken before and after the ceremony, especially those of his parents, Karen and Geoff Payne, and his sisters, were moving and painful.

However, the most poignant were the photos and videos of the floral arrangement symbolizing the love of Bear, the artist's 7-year-old son.

Liam's funeral took place on Wednesday, November 20, at St. Mary's Church in Buckinghamshire, just outside London. A small group of family and friends gathered for a private ceremony to bid farewell to the former One Direction member.

While Geoff maintained the composure he has displayed since arriving in Buenos Aires a month ago to retrieve his youngest son's body, Karen appeared devastated, struggling at times to stay upright. Leaning on her husband, she entered the church dressed in all black, holding the ceremony program. They were accompanied by their daughters, Nicola and Ruth, as well as other relatives.

Liam's funeral came just days after his body was returned to the UK. Geoff had traveled to Buenos Aires to handle the complex and painful repatriation process, which took nearly three weeks.

Bear Attended in Spirit

One of the most emotional moments of the funeral was the arrival of Liam's blue coffin, transported in an elegant white carriage adorned with two meaningful floral wreaths: one reading "Son" and the other "Daddy."

These tributes symbolized his parents' unconditional love and the deep bond he shared with his 7-year-old son, Bear.

The intimate service allowed Liam's loved ones to honor his life and legacy. The ceremony, held in a historic church, was surrounded by candlelight and floral arrangements that reflected the artist's essence.

The Case of Liam Payne

Liam Payne died on October 16 at the age of 31 after falling from the third floor of the CasaSur hotel in Buenos Aires, where he had been staying after attending a concert by his friend and former bandmate Niall Horan and completing immigration paperwork at the U.S. embassy.

What began as a quiet getaway with his fiancee, Kate Cassidy, ended in tragedy, leaving those close to him searching for answers and grappling with profound grief.

Currently, three individuals in Argentina have been charged in connection with his death.

--Originally appeared on 'Latin Times.'
Ashley Grayson, a 35-year-old internet entrepreneur from Dallas, Texas, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for a murder-for-hire scheme.

Grayson targeted three individuals, including a woman from Southaven, Mississippi. The social media influencer believed that the woman had created fake profiles to criticize her business and attack her reputation on social media.

In September 2022, Grayson met with a Memphis couple, offering them $20,000 per victim in a bid to murder three different people. Additionally, Grayson was heard offering the couple in a recorded phone call an additional $5,000 if they could move quickly on the Southaven woman's life. The pair never met in person, and the woman had a business similar to Grayson's.

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Grayson, who claimed to have earned "one million in 60 minutes," and her husband, Joshua, were indicted in July 2023, but while Joshua was acquitted, Ashley was found guilty in March 2024. On October 31, U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Grayson to the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, along with three years of supervised release.

"This was a 21st-century crime where online feuds and senseless rivalries bled into the real world. The defendant tried to hire someone to murder a woman over things that happened exclusively on the internet," said Acting U.S. Attorney Reagan Fondren. "Fortunately, no one was physically hurt in this case, but the victim and her family still felt a severe and emotional impact as the result of the defendant's actions."

The other individuals she tried having killed was her ex-boyfriend and a Texas woman who had made negative social media posts about Grayson.

The former business owner has been chronicling her experiences throughout the situation to her personal Facebook account. She continues to share videos as well as documents related to the case.

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"Exactly 2 weeks until I'm a #fedbae," she wrote in September. "No matter the outcome I know God has my back. Lord watch over my kids and keep them out of harms way. My husband, I can't Thank You enough for standing beside me through it all."

According to legal documents shared by Grayson herself, she is ordered to surrender to federal custody to begin serving her prison sentence on December 19.

"Make sure y'all write me cousinnnnnsss...12/19 by 2pm sharp!" she wrote alongside her order to surrender. There is no parole in the federal system.
Ana de Armas, the acclaimed Cuban-Spanish actress, is once again in the spotlight after being photographed in a romantic setting with Manuel Anido Cuesta, the stepson of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

This potential relationship has sparked controversy not only because of Ana's fame but also due to the political implications of dating someone closely tied to Cuba's regime.

Recently, the 'Blonde' actress was seen in Madrid enjoying a romantic evening with Anido, who also serves as an advisor to the Cuban government.

Photos published by 'Hola!' magazine show the pair sharing affectionate moments and kisses on the streets of the Spanish capital. The images also seem to confirm De Arma's split from Paul Boukadakis, Tinder's Vice President, with whom she had a relationship for over three years.

IMAGENES EXCLUSIVAS: El abrigo envolvente de Ana de Armas para su cita con Manuel Anido (que querras tener en tu armario) (Contenido para registrados y suscriptores) https://t.co/35RdOGSidP  Revista HOLA! (@hola) November 20, 2024

Rumors of a romance between De Armas and Anido began six months ago when Cuban influencer Alexander Otaola claimed on his show that the actress had vacationed in Cuba with him. Since then, their relationship has been a topic of speculation and analysis in the media.

Cuba remains under the authoritarian rule of Diaz-Canel, who has been accused of human rights violations and repression of dissent. His election by Cuba's National Assembly, with 97% of votes in his favor, has been widely criticized as undemocratic.

De Armas has enjoyed a remarkable Hollywood career, earning acclaim for her roles in films like 'Blonde,' where her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe earned her an Oscar nomination. However, her personal life has often drawn as much attention as her career, marked by high-profile relationships with figures such as Ben Affleck and Boukadakis. She was also married to Spanish actor Marc Clotet.

Her involvement with Anido marks a significant shift in her romantic life, which could have public and personal repercussions yet to unfold.

--Originally appeared on 'Latin Times.'
A sushi restaurant in Washington was forced to shut down "indefinitely" after social media users claimed that viral food influencer Keith Lee ate a parasite.

FOB Sushi Bar shut down two locations in Seattle and Bellevue over "recent food safety concerns," according to a Monday Instagram post.

The sushi restaurant had initially denied claims that there were "worms" in their food on Saturday after social media users slowed down Lee's video of him trying the food, which appears to show something wiggling in the sushi. However, the issued the statement regarding their closure after a woman was reportedly hospitalized after eating at the restaurant.

"We went to a place called FOB Sushi in Seattle the other day. Someone slowed the video down and it did appear like something moved. One-thousand percent transparency, I didn't see anything until somebody pointed it out. I can't confirm or deny what it was, but I can confirm that I am OK," Lee said in a TikTok responding to the situation.

"Only reason I'm making this video is because I just saw a video of somebody who went the day after us, and now they [are] hospitalized," Lee continued. "I send my heart and my blessings to that person that is in the hospital. And I've already said this a thousand times  I don't believe in tearing down any business. But at the same time, people's health is on the line."

In the restaurant's initial Saturday statement, they claimed that the mysterious movement in the sushi was due to "natural elasticity of the fish." However, Lee said that he did not agree with that.

"I've had sushi a thousand times and I've held sushi a thousand different ways, and never once have I seen sushi behaving like that," Lee said. "Again, that's not me saying it was a worm or a parasite. I'm just saying that it was nothing on my end."

Lee has become well known on TikTok for doing honest food reviews of locally owned restaurants around the country. In the original TikTok of Lee reviewing Fob Sushi, which has since garnered more than 20 million views, he called the restaurant "heaven."

"At the end of the day, it's sushi, it's raw fish. There is risk and there's stuff that comes with eating raw food and I understand that fully. I just personally wish that they would come out and be more accountable about it," Lee said in the TikTok posted prior to the restaurant's closure notice.

"Your health and safety are our highest priorities. We are conducting a thorough investigation to address the situation and will take all necessary measures to prevent it from happening again." FOB Sushi wrote. "To our community, we are deeply grateful for your years of support and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We remain dedicated to providing you with the highest quality sushi."

Originally published by Latin Times.
Ukraine hits Russia with US ATACMS missiles for first time

Ukraine used US ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory, taking advantage of newly granted permission from the outgoing Biden administration on the war's 1,000th day.
Alicia Keys is an extraordinary example of an early starter, having embarked on her musical journey practically from the moment she could reach the piano keys. Beginning her classical piano training at just 7 years old, Alicia showed a precocious talent and deep love for music that would set the stage for an awe-inspiring career. By age 12, she had entered the prestigious Professional Performing Arts School in New York City, and by 15, she had already signed her first record deal. Alicias journey is a testament to the power of early passion, proactive planning, and dedication to ones crafta true inspiration for anyone aspiring to make their dreams a reality.

Born on January 25, 1981, in New York City, Alicia Augello Cook grew up in a vibrant yet challenging environment. Raised by her mother, a single parent, Alicia often found solace in music. She was exposed to various genres, from classical to jazz, and this eclectic mix sparked her creativity. Her mother noticed her talent early on and encouraged her to pursue music seriously. At age 7, Alicia began formal training in classical piano, demonstrating her commitment to honing her skills and understanding the foundations of music. As she reflected, I always knew that I wanted to do music, I always knew that I was different.

Her entry into the Professional Performing Arts School at age 12 was a pivotal moment in her development as an artist. This school provided her with rigorous training and opportunities to interact with like-minded individuals passionate about the arts. It was there that she fully embraced her identity as a musician, participating in performances, writing her own songs, and absorbing the influences of her peers. This early exposure allowed her to expand her artistic horizons and refine her sound, paving the way for her future success.

By the time she reached 15, Alicia had already navigated the challenging world of the music industry and landed her first record deal with Columbia Records. Although the initial contract didnt yield a released album, it opened doors for her and taught her crucial lessons about the business. Alicias tenacity and ability to seize opportunities demonstrated her early understanding that success requires both talent and strategic planning. She famously said, Your job is to make the world listen, a mantra that reflects her ambition to make a meaningful impact through her music.

In 2001, when she was just 20, Alicia released her debut album, Songs in A Minor, which would change her life forever. The album received critical acclaim and commercial success, earning her five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist. Her blend of R&B, soul, and classical music not only showcased her exceptional talent but also solidified her position in the music industry. She emphasized the importance of authenticity in her music, stating, I dont believe in making music that is not genuine. I want my music to be real.

What sets Alicia apart is her unwavering commitment to her craft and her community. She has consistently used her voice for advocacy, promoting causes such as education, equality, and social justice. In 2003, she co-founded the charity organization Keep a Child Alive, which provides support for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. By intertwining her career goals with a passion for philanthropy, Keys demonstrates that early starters can create a greater impact beyond their immediate success.

Alicias career is also defined by her fearless approach to innovation and evolution. She has ventured beyond her initial success to explore various musical styles, including pop, hip-hop, and even classical collaborations. Her ability to evolve with the changing landscape of the music industry while remaining true to her roots showcases the importance of adaptability in pursuing long-term success.

As you consider your own path, think about how you might embody some of Alicia Keys values: passion, resilience, authenticity, and a desire to uplift others. Are there aspirations you have been hesitant to pursue? What steps can you take today to integrate your passions into your future? Remember, its never too early to start planning for what you want to achieve, just as Alicia did.

Do you know anyone in your life who embodies the spirit of an early starter? Someone whose dedication and creativity inspire you to reach for your own dreams? Share their story! Lets celebrate the individuals who encourage us to strive for greatness and serve as a reminder that with hard work and commitment, anything is possible. Alicia Keys journey exemplifies that blending passion with purpose can create a beautiful symphony of success.
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Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Im excited to share that Woman Made Gallery, the prestigious Chicago art gallery, has chosen Red Berries Cling In Snow, one of my new style, nature-inspired watercolor paintings, to appear in its annual Small Works Members Show.

This yearly holiday art show celebrates Woman Mades members and gives visitors the opportunity to support outstanding artists by shopping for holiday gifts from among an enticing array of beautiful artworks.

Join Me This Saturday, Nov. 23, At The Opening

The show opens this Saturday, November 23, with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and admission is free, always.

I will attend the opening. Join me there! I look forward to seeing you!

The gallery is located in a gorgeous space, right at street level (to showcase great art, viewable through the huge front windows, even when the gallery is closed).

Stop in and see this wonderful gallery for yourself at 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607.

Show Runs November 23  December 21

My Red Berries Cling In Snow piece will join art by 133 other Woman Made member artists. The show runs from Saturday, November 23, through Saturday, December 21.

My Red Berries watercolor painting measures just about 18 inches square, including the beautiful, custom mat and frame, created by a professional framer. So its not only lovely but ready to hang.

This colorful seasonal piece is perfect for holiday giving, thanks to its eye popping red berries, green paper, and snowy branches.

Enjoy Easy Holiday Shopping

Besides paintings, the show presents sculptures, mixed media art, prints, fiber art, and photography.

Everything in this small works show is for sale and measures no larger than 20 inches on any side. All pieces are priced at $400 or less, making these works perfect for holiday buying and giving.

To purchase my painting, contact me now directly. Or call Woman Made Gallery at 312-738-0400 or email the gallery at general@womanmade.org.

Three Receptions: Nov. 23, Dec 7 and 21

Woman Made Gallery will celebrate this show and the current festive season with three receptions, including the opening on Nov. 23:

Saturday, Nov. 23, 4  7 p.m.: opening reception

Saturday, Dec. 7, 2  4 p.m.: member/volunteer appreciation party

Saturday, Dec., 21, 2  4 p.m.: artists walkthrough and closing reception

I will attend the opening as well as the other events. I hope to see you there!

About Red Berries Cling In Snow

Red Berries Cling In Snow is one of the watercolors Ive been creating in a new style, on new types of Asian paper.

Inspired by nature, it gives you the essence of winter in a single glance  yet draws you in and invites you to gaze much longer at natures beauty and wonder.

This painting shows tree branches in winter, dusted with a light coating of white snow, with three bright red berries still clinging to the branches despite the cold.

Imagine yourself in front of such a tree on a very cold day, enjoying the bright color and rugged bark texture. Seeing the snow and taking comfort that nature will provide for birds during winter, thanks to the berries still left on the boughs. (And smiling at the cheerful red color, which will liven up the winter landscape even on the darkest, dreariest day.)

The branches, snow, and berries stand out against an unusual olive colored paper. This special material, called mango paper, is made in Thailand from mulberry trees, with bits of mango leaves included in the pulp mixture.

The mulberry fibers give this paper translucency and lightness, while the mango leaf inclusions appear as beautiful golden bits embedded within the overall olive paper. Besides color, the mango leaf parts provide exquisite texture and visual interest.

After painting this piece, I mounted it in the traditional Asian process. This type of hand mounting requires great skill and sensitivity in order to be successful  its a high stakes process that can fail at any moment without great care and very close timing. (Failing means the painting falls apart, literally returning to pulp in moments if it gets too wet or the mounting doesnt move along quickly enough).

Also, as a watercolor, the painting needed framing to protect it. I worked with a professional framer to select the perfect mat and wooden frame. Red Berries comes with a light gray mat that brings out its bright colors as well as a simple black frame that goes perfectly with the painting as well as every decor.

The framer also created the mat and frame to my exact specifications. The mat was cut slightly larger than the olive part of the painting in order to show a bit of the mounting paper. That way, you can see exactly how the painting was made AND mounted  and youll always feel the connection to the thousands of years of art mounting traditions in Asia.

I wrote a special Artist Statement about this colorful watercolor painting. You can see it now on my page for the Small Works Member Show. Youll also find my artist biography there.

Visit Woman Made Gallery

Come see this painting for yourself.

Join me this Saturday or at one of the other special receptions at Woman Made Gallery.

The gallery is located at 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607.

Regular gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

To contact Woman Made, call 312-738-0400 or email general@womanmade.org.
Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Last week, I visited with Lesley Hawkins, the Head of Retail for Adidas Canada. We did a walk through of the Adidas store at The Well here in Toronto.

The Well is a new shopping/residential district at the corner of a growing area in the city. For reference, its close to Rogers Center where Taylor Swift brought her Eras Tour to town. Further, there is office space located at The Well and companies like Shopify have a presence.

Of course, since people suffer from some type of life-rage, there has been some criticism about The Wells location and open concept. Its not easily accessible by subway, but there is a streetcar stop right beside it. Also, traffic can be a nightmare being so close to one of the exits to the highway.but this has been an issue for some time now.

However, with the right store mix, The Well seems to be.doing well!

Crumble Cookies opened a few days ago and hundreds were lined up to get a taste. Sephora and other stores had Swifties engaged with glitter, silver and bead making. The Christmas spirit was in the air with activations throughout the shopping center.

Adidas sits on the corner entrance of The Well. This is the busiest corner and entrance to The Well. High ceilings could have made visual merchandising a challenge but the concept of the store is to embrace local and thats exactly what theyve done.

Lesley was excited to stress this stores location being connected to the local community. Surrounded by condos and offices, the customer lives and works in the area. The Adidas Originals collection and archive is featured in this store and the product assortment is refreshed weekly. The local customer who may come in 3 to 4 times a month will see something new every time they visit.

As I walked into the store, a few things stood out to me:

Marketing was localized and connected to the Toronto community

Empowered store leaders that communicate with each other on product opportunities

Visual merchandising focused on outfitting with destinations throughout the store

From an assortment strategy perspective, many of the products in the store cant be found in the flagship or online. The store has limited editions and gives a reason for the customer to frequent the location often.

The below photos showcase the city of Toronto and the relevance of the Samba. Local artists, vintage posters and polaroids of customers are highlighted in sections throughout the store.

Mike, the store manager, is local to the city and a sneakerhead. He has a connection to both the customer and the community. He has the authority to make assortment decisions when the customer is looking for something that isnt in the product mix.

Store managers are given autonomy to work with stores in their network to swap out products as needed. This avoids time wasted in sending product back to the DC or asking allocation teams for a different assortment.

Mike is empowered to treat the store as if he owns it. He works with the other managers to collaborate and work through assortment challenges and gaps.

Outfitting and styling options are part of every highlighted collection on display. Its easy for the customer to put together an outfit and layer on products accordingly. There are assortment destinations throughout the store. Meaning, every part of the stores real estate is used to highlight various collections and assortment clusters.

The store associates understand the assignment and are product obsessed. It is very evident that they enjoy selling and connecting to the customer.

Footwear and collaborations are the heart of this Adidas store. The Adidas Originals x KoRN collab is one of the top sellers and stock was refreshed, never looking empty even with a high sell through. Stockouts can be a deterrent for many customers but I didnt see any.

The footwear wall is a feature wall and is visible from the street. It changes twice a week and new footwear is displayed below a digital screen which broadcasts the relevant campaign.

Signage is also utilized in a simple and non-invasive way. Sale products are kept together and merchandised throughout the store. There is no need to have an obtrusive and ugly sale rack. The signage is small and in red so the customer knows if products are on promotion.

Shoe boxes are part of visual displays. Notice the lid on the Stan Smith Freizeit in the display case is slightly lifted. This gives depth to the display and makes the box part of the visual merchandising strategy.

Dynamic visual merchandising, genuine and enthusiastic brand ambassadors and an always evolving product mix will keep the customer coming back. This is evident in this Adidas location.

Thank you Lesley and Mike for showing me around. You are not only product-obsessed but also customer-obsessed.

Ill be back for my limited edition sneakers soon!
Montana Department of Revenue staff told a legislative committee Monday that next years reappraisal cycle could produce a partial repeat of last years jarring tax spike as the states surging real estate market continues to translate into higher residential taxes.

The department expects the market value of the average Montana residential property to be reappraised at 21% higher when it completes next years reappraisal cycle. A staff economist said that if the Legislature doesnt rebalance state tax statutes, the higher values will likely result in the average residential tax bill rising by 11% next fall while taxes stay constant or fall on other types of property.

Values in Gallatin County are expected to rise a moderate 10% compared to other counties, especially in eastern Montana.

Last years reappraisal cycle saw the median residential property value increase by about 40%, producing a 21% increase in the median tax bill, according to a Montana Free Press analysis of revenue department data.

Most property taxes in Montana are calculated proportionally to a propertys share of a town, county or school districts overall tax base, meaning a $600,000 house will, in theory, pay twice as much of the local schools electricity bill than a $300,000 house next door. As such, when residential property values rise relative to other types of property (stores or farm fields, for example) residences end up shouldering a greater share of the tax burden.

Mondays presentation by department staff, an exercise required by state law in advance of each reappraisal cycle, also detailed how lawmakers could tweak conversion rates embedded in the state tax code to rebalance the tax system by shifting less burden onto homes and more onto property classes that have seen slower value growth. Those rates determine how much of a propertys market value is converted to taxable value, the figure that is actually fed into the broader property tax formula.

Currently, for example, residential properties have 1.35% of their market value converted to taxable value. Revenue department staff have calculated that dialing that rate down to 1.11%, would reduce residential taxes and increase taxes on other property types enough to, on average, offset the effect of rising home values for the upcoming reappraisal cycle.

Other findings from the departments Monday committee presentation include the following:

The revenue department expects commercial property values to rise by 8.3% and agricultural property values by 5.4% in next years reappraisal cycle.

While eastern Montana counties were generally spared the dramatic residential appraisal increases seen across western Montana in the last appraisal cycle, the department expects many of them to catch up this time. Residential property values in Scobeys Daniels County, for example, are expected to rise by 31% in the new cycle.

As such, eastern Montana communities would likely see the highest tax bill increases next year if lawmakers leave the tax statute governed by current law. The department projects that residential property taxes in Carter County, for example, could rise by 23%. In Fergus County, around Lewistown, they could rise by 17%.

While Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte and prominent lawmakers from both parties have said addressing rising homeowner property taxes is a top priority when the Legislature convenes early next year, its unclear precisely what form those efforts will take or how much of past or future tax increases they might offset.

Gianforte and some legislative allies have, for example, pitched a homestead exemption proposal that would seek to lower residential property taxes on primary residences, including long-term rentals, by raising taxes on second homes and vacation rentals. Gianforte said last week he believes that approach, which would involve tweaking the market-to-taxable conversion rates, could reduce homeowners property taxes by 15%.

A tax bill that rises by 11% next year on top of last years 21% typical increase would place a 34% cumulative increase on the property owner.
SALEM, Ohio  Enbridge Gas Ohio will pay $350,000 for violating state and federal natural gas pipeline safety regulations in a recent settlement agreement with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

Enbridge Gas Ohio, formerly known as Dominion Energy, has violated pipeline safety regulations several times since 2012, which previously resulted in three explosions.

The most recent set of violations pertains to the companys pipeline operations across Ohio. This includes a failure to maintain proper construction, abide by necessary procedures and ensure proper qualifications for outside contractors.

Violations

PUCO staff conducted a routine inspection at several Enbridge Gas Ohio locations between February and March 2023 and found several issues, including 36 instances of exposed pipelines.

The company was also issued 11 Notice of Probable Noncompliance letters for a failure to monitor, clean and coat newly installed or exposed piping in communities like North Canton, Akron and Youngstown.

Enbridge Gas Ohio also failed to keep adequate records. In its case filing, PUCO states that most Dominion project folders reviewed were disorganized and difficult to review and understand.

PUCO found that the company does not keep records of abandoned pipelines, meaning it cant ensure abandoned pipelines are disconnected from supplies of natural gas.

The agency determined problems in the companys qualification program, as well, in which two individuals did not have proper qualifications to conduct certain tasks and one individual on two separate occasions was said to have performed a task but did not work that day.

PUCO notified Enbridge Gas Ohio of these violations in June 2023 and initially proposed a $500,000 fine.

The state agency issued several orders for the company to come into compliance, which included creating an improved system of record keeping, establishing effective oversight of contractors and implementing a plan to regularly schedule maintenance tasks.

A history of issues

Dominion Energy Ohio was acquired by Enbridge Inc. in March. Before then, the company had a history of violations since 2012, when a gas explosion and fire destroyed 11 homes and damaged another 150 in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, on Jan. 24, 2011.

State Fire Marshall and PUCO investigators determined the explosion was a result of two gas line pressure regulators that failed on a village street. This sent highly pressurized gas from delivery lines into homes.

The incident was the result of improperly designed regulators and the lack of an annual safety inspection, according to PUCO. Dominion Energy estimated a cost of $1.3 million in damages. PUCO later fined the company $500,000.

Dominion Energy was also fined two other times in 2019. The company had to pay $25,000 for a fire in Cleveland on Feb. 3, 2019, that was caused by a natural gas release from a pipeline.

Several months later, a pipeline ruptured in Pepper Pike, Ohio, on Nov. 15, 2019, that generated a gas line explosion. The incident was caused by a faulty weld which PUCO said was a result of poor construction, a failure to follow established procedures and a lack of oversight. The company was fined $1 million.

According to Matt Schilling, director of public affairs at PUCO, the latest violations were part two of unresolved issues carried over from the Pepper Pike explosion.

(Liz Partsch can be reached at epartsch@farmanddairy.com or 330-337-3419.)
Jeremy Clarkson has urged the government to 'back down' over changes to farm inheritance tax made in the recent budget.

Mr Clarkson, who attended Tuesday's (19 November) mass rally in London, warned that farmers were 'in a fog of despair' over the proposals.

Thousands of farmers gathered in Westminster to display their concern with changes to agricultural property relief (APR) made in the autumn budget.

From April 2026, farms worth more than 1 million will incur a 20% inheritance tax charge, sparking fears over the future of Britain's family farms.

Mr Clarkson made a speech at the rally, along with other celebrities and leading industry figures, 'begging' the new Labour government to reconsider.

For the sake of everybody here, and for the farmers stuck at home today paralysed by a fog of despair over whats been forced upon them, I beg of the government to be big, to accept that this was rushed through, it wasnt thought out and its a mistake."

When asked by Sky News what his message was for the government, Mr Clarkson simply said: Please, back down.

If you make a mistake, we all do, and they have, be big enough to say, we made a mistake here, and then back down," he told the broadcaster.

"Im here to support the farmers. Its that simple, because they need all the help they can get really, even from me.
A competition has awarded 3m to support innovative projects focused on improving dairy production in northern England and southern Scotland.

Digital Dairy Chain, led by land-based college SRUC, has announced the winners of the 2024 Collaborative Research and Development Grant Competition.

They have each received grants of between 150-250,000 which will be invested in work taking place across in Cumbria and the South and West of Scotland.

Projects had to show a realistic potential to support business growth, scale-up, and create jobs for the sector within the region.

The five projects being awarded include an app allowing farmers to analyse heat stress and the impacts of cattle, with the aim of improving animal welfare and productivity.

Another project will see researchers integrating sensor technology to enhance manure management.

Benefits of this will include reduced pollution, improved soil health, increased crop yields, and social benefits through empowering farmers with technology.

This is the second round of funding following the winners from the previous round receiving 2 million.

The five 2024 winning projects this year faced competition from across the sector and have been awarded almost 1m between them.

Stuart Martin, programme director of Digital Dairy Chain, said: The calibre of applications we received for this final round of R&D competition funding was once again exceptionally high.

"These are ground-breaking ideas across several innovative subject matters, which will have significant implications for dairy productivity and sustainable production on a national level.

One of the winning projects is from Albasense, a University of the West of Scotland spin-out organisation.

They are developing a fast-response device to monitor carbon dioxide in breath for early diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease, which is currently costing the dairy industry 60-80m annually.

It is thought through early diagnosis it will allow timely intervention, reduce antibiotic use, and improve animal welfare which in turn will boost milk yields by 8%.

Another project seeks to biorefine waste milk from the dairy industry to create a casein-based fibrous growth material for horticulture.

It is hoped that this will serve as an alternative to traditional fertilisers and peat.
The Defra Secretary has said farmers are 'wrong' over the budget's inheritance tax changes, as the government continues to double down on its controversial decision.

Steve Reed's comments came as over 10,000 farmers converged on central London on Tuesday (19 November) to rally against the 20% inheritance tax on farms worth more than 1m.

According to industry figures, over 70,000 farms would be impacted, but the government has said that only 500 out of the UK's circa 210,000 farms would be affected.

Speaking at a cross-party parliamentary committee on Tuesday as thousands of farmers protested in the capital, Mr Reed dismissed the industry's figures.

"Assuming these projections from HMRC, validated by the OBR, on their effects are correct, then many [farmers] are probably, happily, are wrong," he said.

"There are things that they can do to plan their tax affairs as most businesses or asset owners would do to limit their liability."

He added that the "best thing to do is for farmers to take professional tax advice and manage their tax affairs appropriately".

The Defra Secretary also suggested farmers should pass down their farms to their children seven years before they die to avoid inheritance tax entirely.

"We inherited a 22bn black hole from the previous government, and the previous chancellor of the exchequer covered the scale of that problem up," Mr Reed continued.

"So none of us knew how difficult the problem would be when we were coming into government."

He added that it was "only right" to urge the "wealthiest landowners and the biggest farms to pay their fair share".

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also provided comments on the issue yesterday while attending the G20 summit in Brazil.

He said he understood the concerns of farmers and "wants to support" them, but stressed that the "vast majority of farms, would be unaffected".

Sir Keir explained that the autumn budget would help the government invest in other areas which affected farming and rural communities, such as hospitals, schools and housing.

He added that the government pledged 5 billion over two years for "farming and food sustainability".

"That's hugely important for farmers, an additional amount for flooding that impacts them and on disease outbreak," the prime minister said.

Asked if government would change the tax proposals, he said: "It's very important for me to keep making the case that it's only farms and assets over 3m in a typical case of parents wanting to pass on to their children."

Tuesday's mass rally commenced alongside a separate "mass lobby of MPs" event, which was organised by the NFU and attended by 1,800 farmers.

There, farmers asked their MPs to "look them in the eye" and tell them whether they support changes outlined in the recent budget.

At Church House, Tom Bradshaw, the NFU president, warned that there "has never been a budget this bad for farming in my lifetime".

We know what this means for our families, for our children, for our future. We know the horrendous pressure it is putting on older farmers worried sick," he said.

"Its wrong on every level and, just as bad, it wont achieve what ministers want it to anyway."
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has urged the government to 'think again' and scrap its 'cruel' farm inheritance tax proposals.

Speaking during Tuesday's (19 November) mass farmer rally in London, Sir Ed said farmers across the country were 'fed up' with government policies, both past and present.

However, it was Labour's recently announced restrictions on agricultural property relief (APR) which drew most of his criticism.

During the speech to a crowd of farmers, he slammed the government for 'not listening' to farmers' concerns regarding the inheritance tax.

More than 70,000 farms across the country are thought to be at risk of the tax, which will come into effect from April 2026.

Inherited agricultural assets worth over 1 million, which were previously exempt, will have to pay inheritance tax at 20% - half the usual rate.

Sir Ed told the audience: "They just dont seem to understand what farmers are up against, or how important you are to our economy, to our society, and to our rural communities.

"We are going to fight for our rural communities. We're gonna fight for farmers, we're gonna fight to stop this family farm tax.

"I have just one ask of you. I want you to continue to do what you are the best in the world at doing: producing high quality food for our country." pic.twitter.com/7FGGMVJuxp  Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) November 19, 2024

We @LibDems are calling on the govt to axe the family farm tax, which will be a blow for farmers at the heart of our community and economy.

Today, I discussed these concerns with local farmers and joined @EdwardJDavey and @LibDems colleagues at the @NFUtweets rally ?? pic.twitter.com/FOD4l8u7G9  Victoria Collins MP (@TweetingCollins) November 19, 2024

Because if they did understand, theres no way they would be hitting you with this outrageous, unfair new tax on family farms.

On the impact of the 'family farm tax' on farmers across the UK, he warned that it 'isn't just cruel - its stupid too'.

Sir Ed said: "What government needs to understand is that if British farmers cant make the sums add up, if you have to close down and sell up, how on earth are we going to feed ourselves as a country?

Who else will put healthy, nutritious food on our tables? Who else is going to care for our countryside or our environment, if we lose the families who have been doing it so passionately for generations?"
French farmers have rallied in their thousands as concerns over the Mercosur Agreement - a trade deal between the EU and South America - ramp up.

Around eighty protests were held across France on Monday and Tuesday (18-19 November), organised by industry groups FNSEA and Jeunes Agriculteurs (Young Farmers).

The industry worries that the trade agreement would lead to lower-quality agricultural imports from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, which make up the Mercosur bloc.

They fear severe repercussions from the removal or reduction of tariffs on these agricultural products, as well as the inadequacy of health and safety checks.

During the protests, French farmers lit bonfires, blocked roads and covered signs with anti-Mercosur slogans.

Frances Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, has warned farmers that there will be "zero tolerance" for permanent roadblocks.

President Emmanual Macron also issued a statement, aiming to ease farmers of their concerns.

(Photo: FNSEA/Facebook)

"We will not give up our food sovereignty," he said, "France will not support the EU-Mercosur agreement in its current version.

And the Minister for Agriculture, Annie Genevard, added: Regarding Mercosur, I have said it on several occasions  this draft agreement is unacceptable."

A political agreement was reached in June 2019 to open up trade between the EU's 27 member states and the four South American nations which make up the Mercosur bloc.

The deal is seeking to create one of the world's biggest free trade zones, totalling some 750 million people and about one-fifth of the world's economy.

But Arnaud Rousseau, who is president of FNSEA, one of France's major agricultural groups, said: The question is not that of trading  we want fair trade.

"We do not want imported agriculture that does not apply our standard standards.

Quentin Le Guillous, secretary general of Jeunes Agriculteurs, added that the agreement would bring in goods produced under conditions that "we do not want."

We can not hope for generational renewal by promising young people aid because we have authorised imports with Mercosur."

Further anti-Mercosur protests are planned for Wednesday (20 November).
Farmers in the Fens are utilising insights from satellite technologies to help them combat the impact of extreme weather while boosting food security.

The new study is working with East Anglian farmers, as well as farmers in Kenya, to take advantage of data from cutting-edge satellite technology.

The research is proposing new solutions to give farmers better access to the data they need to make themselves more resilient to the impact of climate change.

Extreme weather conditions have significantly hampered food security strategies globally. For farming communities, this has led to reduced agricultural yields.

The UK is the fifth wealthiest country in the world but is experiencing rising levels of food insecurity due to extreme weather that has led to crop failures and reduced agricultural productivity.

There is a growing concern for household food insecurity which affects approximately 8.4 million people - 10 percent of the UK population.

Meanwhile, the Horn of Africa experiences cyclic droughts and the most recent between 2020-2022 was recorded as the worst drought in 70 years according to the UN.

Over 20m people faced food insecurity as the crop yields declined for the third consecutive year, while lack of water and suitable forage led to the deaths of over 9m livestock.

The study aims to explore how Earth observation technologies, such as remote sensing and satellite monitoring for weather predictions and soil moisture assessments, can equip farmers with data to make informed decisions.

But despite advancements in the technology, there are challenges in getting farmers - in both the UK and Kenya - the data that would be useful to them.

One of the project's key components is the development of a mobile app that provides farmers with real-time weather data, empowering them to plan their activities with greater accuracy.

Fiona Imbali, a PhD student at the University of Leicester who is undertaking the study, said Earth observation technologies provided a 'strategic solution' to enhance better farming practices.

However, they required 'better strategies' for communicating with farmers to allay any ethical and environmental fears and improve their adoption.

This study will engage communities from the onset of the research to understand their challenges, priorities, as well as their socio-cultural perspectives," she explained.
St Helens Farm, the UKs largest goats milk producer, has extended its goodness grants funding pot to donate almost 17,000 to charities across the UK.

The farm's initiative encourages not-for-profit organisations and charities to apply for funds of up to 5,000 to support projects doing good in local communities.

The York-based producer initially launched the initiative with a 10,000 total grant pot, but following a review, it has extended this and has now donated 17,000 to five charities.

These include Made-Well near Exeter, which provides experiences for those living with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental illness and loneliness.

It also includes Stepping Stones Project in Castle Douglas, whose mission is to ease food poverty and create food dignity by maintaining a "Larder Open to All".

The grant for the Stepping Stones project will be used to provide Kitchen Starter Packs for those who have been given their own house, but who need support starting out with kitchen basics.

The packs will include appliances such as slow cookers and air fryers, to help with cost-effective cooking, as well as kitchen utensils and supermarket gift cards.

Meanwhile, the funding for Made-Well will be utilised to resurfacing its inclusive children's play area, to offer better access for all.

Bill Randles, managing director at St Helens Farm, said he was 'blown away' by some of the work being done by charities.

When we originally launched our goodness grants initiative, we pledged to giveaway 10,000 to good causes.

"However, while reviewing the applications, we were blown away by some of the work being done across the UK.

"So we made the decision to increase our funding pot, to allow us to fund projects by five different charities."

He added: These projects really will deliver goodness for their local communities, and were pleased to be able to play a role in helping to bring them to life.

Others charities receiving funds through this year's goodness grants are Tremorfa Nursery, Ffrindiau Ysgol Pennant and Hapurhey Neighbourhood Project.

The initiative follows St Helens Farms work last year which saw it raise over 28,000 for charity Hope for Justice, which works to end modern slavery across the UK.
Amanda Kloots has claimed her 'Dancing with the Stars' dance partner Alan Bersten was "very mean" to her.

Amanda Kloots was left 'raging inside' when her 'Dancing with the Stars' dance partner Alan Bersten 'yelled' at her in training

The 'Talk' host, 42, competed in the 2021 series of the US version of the UK's Latin and ballroom contest 'Strictly Come Dancing' with the 30-year-old professional dancer, placing fourth, and she has now claimed Alan "yelled" at her during training and that she kept it "bottled up".

Amanda - who had suffered the devastating loss of her Broadway actor husband Nick Cordero the year before - suggested Alan's Russian upbringing and the harsh nature of his job is likely why he was so strict with her.

Appearing on the 'Boyfriend Material with Harry Jowsey' podcast, she said: "He was very mean to me.

"Growing up Russian, growing up in that dance atmosphere. And he did see a lot of potential in me, and he saw that we could possibly win this thing."

Although she could see Alan saw her potential, whenever he "yelled" at her, she would be left "raging".

She added: "I would just keep it bottled up and we would just be dancing, and I would just be raging inside."

The television personality believes her time with Alan taught him to be a nicer teacher.

She noted: "I think Alan has grown up a lot in the last couple of years.

"I'm saying this, and I know that he'll agree with me: I helped him become a nicer person in teaching."

Amanda previously confessed the show was "exhausting both mentally and physically".

Speaking to Katie Couric at the time, she said: "The hardest part about Dancing with the Stars, I think, for me, was definitely the stress of learning a brand new dance each week and needing it to be show-ready, perfect for performance in six days.

"Every dance is different because the technique is different, the style is different, what makes the dance unique is different.

So, to learn it and then to feel good about it and then feel ready enough to perform it, it was exhausting both mentally and physically."

Amanda opening up about the way Alan treated her on 'DWTS' comes after 'Strictly' was hit by a bullying scandal this year.

The show was rocked by alleged misconduct claims, with professional dancer Graziano Di Prima dropped from the show after allegedly being violent towards Zara McDermott, while Amanda Abbington and others complained about axed star Giovanni Pernice's teaching methods. Broadcast BBC launched an investigation and apologised.
Paul Mescal couldn't understand what King Charles was saying when they met at the 'Gladiator II' premiere.

Paul Mescal has admitted he struggled to understand King Charles

The 28-year-old actor was among the stars who lined up to meet the 76-year-old monarch at the film's royal screening in London on November 13, but Paul has confessed he struggled to hold a conversation with the King so he just smiled and nodded.

He told Variety: "I found it hard to hear exactly what he was saying because your head is in such a kind of frenzy, so youre just kind of nodding along and just smiling."

Paul also admitted he didn't think he would ever be rubbing shoulders with royalty, adding: "Its definitely not something that I thought was in the bingo cards. Im Irish, so its not on the list of priorities."

However, the actor was pleased the film's director Sir Ridley Scott was able to have the King attend the screening. He said: "Its an amazing thing for Ridley because I know how important that is for him. So to see his film celebrated in that context was pretty special."

Denzel Washington was also among the stars who met King Charles at the London screening and he previously admitted he was left baffled by royal protocol because he wasn't sure if he was supposed to shake his hand or not.

In video footage published after the event, Denzel was seen meeting the King and saying: "I didn't know if I was supposed to grab you or not, but it's my pleasure."

He went on to talk to the head of the royal family about his character in the movie, saying: "Im ... just awful ... Im a lovely man youll see. Im a lovely chap and doing my best."

Charles then told him: "You've been in so many films, it's fantastic."

The King also met Pedro Pascal and director Sir Ridley Scott at the premiere, which was held in London's Leicester Square. He arrived at the event in his state Bentley limousine, and posed for photographers on the red carpet, while wearing a black tuxedo with a bowtie.

Queen Camilla missed the screening after she was diagnosed with a "seasonal chest infection".
Following a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in Brazil, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that UK-India trade talks will be relaunched in the new year.

A new trade deal with India will support jobs and prosperity in the UKand represent a step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across our country, Starmer was quoted as saying in an official UK government release.

Following a meeting with PM Narendra Modi at the G20 summit, PM Keir Starmer announced that UK-India trade talks will be relaunched in the new year. The UK will seek a new strategic partnership with India, including a trade agreement, as well as deepening cooperation in several areas. A new trade deal with India will support jobs and prosperity in the UK, Starmer said.

We believe there is a good deal to be done here that works for both nations. Whether its lowering Indian tariffs to help British firms export to this dynamic market or boosting investment which already supports over 600,000 jobs across both countries, striking a deal is important to deliver this Governments core mission of driving economic growth, business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds said.

A deal with India would boost the UKs trading relationship, worth 42 billion in the 12 months to June 2024. UK exports to India are worth 16.6 billion.

The United Kingdom will seek a new strategic partnership with India, including a trade agreement, as well as deepening cooperation in areas like security, education, technology and climate change, the release said.

Reynolds announced in July the UK governments commitment to relaunching talks with free trade agreement partners in July.

Since then, negotiations have been started with the Gulf Cooperation Council, Switzerland and South Korea. The country is also set to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on December 15.

The UK department for business and trade will soon unveil the governments new trade strategy, aligned with the industrial strategy, to help inform future trade talks and achieve long-term sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth through trade.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 19, 2024) - GREAT ATLANTIC RESOURCES CORP. (TSXV: GR) (FSE: PH02) (the "Company" or "Great Atlantic") is pleased to announce its wholly owned subsidiary, Golden Promise Mines Inc., has received gold analyses for the first two holes of the 2024 diamond drilling program at its Golden Promise Gold Property, located in central Newfoundland. The holes were drilled at the gold-bearing Jaclyn Main Zone.

Quartz vein with visible gold in drill hole GP-24-157 (34.87 g/t Au / 0.53 meters)

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Drill hole GP-24-157 intersected 34.87 grams / tonne (g/t) gold over 0.53 meters while GP-24-158 intersected 12.96 g/t gold over 0.64 meters. These intervals are core length. These half core samples were collected from quartz veins containing visible gold.

Northwest - Southeast Cross Section through JMZ (2024 drill holes)

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Drill holes GP-24-157 and GP-24-158 were the first two holes completed during the 2024 fully funded drill program at the gold-bearing Jaclyn Main Zone (JMZ). Eight holes have ben completed to date during 2024 at the JMZ totalling 716.5 total meters. The 2024 drilling was conducted in the west region of the JMZ in the area of a planned bulk sample. The eight 2024 holes were drilled on the same northwest - southeast trend to intersect the steeply dipping, east to slightly northeast trending JMZ. The holes were designed to target the JMZ between surface and approximately 100 meters vertical depth.

Drill holes GP-24-157 and GP-24-158 were collared approximately one meter apart. Drill hole GP-24-157 was drilled slightly northwest (approximately 347 degrees) at a dip of approximately 46 degrees to a length of 68 meters. Drill hole GP-24-158 was drilled slightly northwest (approximately 346 degrees) at a dip of approximately 61 degrees to a length of 80.5 meters. Each hole intersected a quartz vein with visible gold, interpreted by Great Atlantic management to be the main JMZ vein / vein system. Two sawed half core samples from these veins were submitted to Eastern Analytical Ltd. for gold and multi-element analysis. The samples and gold analytical results include the following (core length):

GP-24-157 (sample E534851): 34.47 - 35.00 meters (0.53 meters): 34.879 g/t gold

GP-24-158 (sample E534852): 45.35 - 45.99 meters (0.64 meters): 12.968 g/t gold

Quartz vein with visible gold in drill hole GP-24-158 (12.96 g/t Au / 0.64 meters)



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The drill core samples from GP-24-157 and GP-24-58 were analyzed at Eastern Analytical Ltd. The samples were assayed for gold by the Total Pulp Metallics method. This involves crushing of the entire sample to -10mesh and pulverizing to 95% -150mesh. The total sample is then weighed and screened 150mesh. The +150mesh fraction is analyzed for gold by fire assay - atomic absorption (AA), and a 30-gram subsample of the -150mesh fraction is analyzed for gold by fire assays - AA. A calculated weighted average of total gold in the sample is reported as well (the gold values reported in this news release for the GP-24-157 and GP-24-158 core samples are calculated weighted average). The samples were also analyzed for 34 elements (200-mg subsamples totally dissolved in four acids and analyzed by ICP-OES). Eastern Analytical, a certified laboratory, is independent of Golden Promise Mines Inc. and Great Atlantic. Blank and standard samples were included with the drill core sample submission to Eastern Analytical.

Three additional drill holes are planned during 2024 in this area of the JMZ after a pause to confirm exact collar locations. The drilling program is being conducted with partner Novamera Inc. The three remaining holes of the program will include Novamera's proprietary Guidance Technology, providing increased data and resource knowledge to define the shape, geometry and continuity of the vein. The drill holes are in the area of a planned bulk sample, which is also fully funded.

The 2024 diamond drilling and subsequent planned bulk sample work at the JMZ is being funded in part by co-investment from DIGITAL, Canada's Global Innovation Cluster for digital technologies, as part of a larger project that aims to support data-driven and digital solutions within the mining sector. The Link to the announcement can be found here.

The planned approximately 2700 tonne bulk sample at the JMZ is to be extracted after diamond drilling and bulk sampling approval using a precision mining method, powered by Novamera's proprietary Surgical Mining technologies. The transformative new mining method leverages hardware, software, AI and ML paired with conventional drilling equipment to extract ore at a fraction of the cost of conventional mining methods.

Great Atlantic Resources Corp. / Golden Promise Mines Inc.

Central Newfoundland Gold Properties

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Great Atlantic reported a National Instrument 43-101 compliant inferred resource estimate during late 2018 for the JMZ of 357,500 tonnes at 10.4 g/t gold (119,900 ounces of gold - uncapped) (see Company News Release of December 6, 2018; and Sedar-filed National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Golden Promise Property, Central Newfoundland (revised), dated December 4, 2018 by Mr. Greg Z. Mosher, M.Sc. App., P.Geo., and Mr. Larry Pilgrim, B.Sc., P.Geo.).

Golden Promise Property Map

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The Golden Promise Gold Property is the largest and most advanced of eight central Newfoundland gold properties owned by Golden Promise Mines Inc. and located within the Exploits Subzone of the Newfoundland Dunnage Zone. One of these properties (Golden Trust) is located within one kilometer of the Valentine Gold Mine of Calibre Mining Corp. (TSX: CXB) (OTCQX: CXBMF) which is also located within the Exploits Subzone. Readers are warned that mineralization at the Valentine Gold Mine is not necessarily indicative of mineralization at the Golden Promise Property or any of the other central Newfoundland gold properties of Golden Promise Mines Inc.

David Martin, P.Geo., (New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador), a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and VP Exploration for Great Atlantic, is responsible for the technical information contained in this News Release.

On Behalf of the board of directors

"Christopher R Anderson"





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About Great Atlantic Resources Corp.: Great Atlantic Resources Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on the discovery and development of mineral assets in the resource-rich and sovereign risk-free realm of Atlantic Canada, one of the number one mining regions of the world. Great Atlantic is currently surging forward building the company utilizing a Project Generation model, with a special focus on the most critical elements on the planet that are prominent in Atlantic Canada, Gold, Copper, Zinc, Nickel, Cobalt, Antimony and Tungsten.





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This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future exploration drilling, exploration 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 not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of financing, and general economic, market or business conditions.

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.

Great Atlantic Resource Corp.

888 Dunsmuir Street - Suite 888, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3K4

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230479

SOURCE: Great Atlantic Resources Corp.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monument Mining Limited (TSX-V: MMY and FSE: D7Q1) ("Monument" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results from its Annual General Meeting of shareholders (the "AGM") held on November 19, 2024 in Vancouver, B.C.

The Company has received record high participation for the AGM. Resolutions tabled as proposed in the Information Circular dated on October 7, 2024 were all passed with more than 97% "For" for each, including: fixing the number of board members for the ensuring year at five, being Graham Dickson, Cathy Zhai, Zaidi Harun, Dato' Sia Hok Kiang, and Jean-Edgar de Trentinian, and appointing Grant Thornton LLP as auditors.

Graham Dickson, Chairman of the meeting commented, "2024 was a remarkable year for the Company with strong cash flow from gold production at the flotation plant at the Selinsing gold mine in Malaysia. As we move into fiscal 2025 our team remains dedicated to developing and expanding our mineral assets to enhance the Company's value for all stakeholders. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all shareholders that participated by voting in this year's meeting."

For more information on these matters, please refer to Monument's Information Circular, available on SEDAR) or visit our website at www.monumentmining.com.

About Monument

Monument Mining Limited (TSX-V: MMY, FSE: D7Q1) is an established Canadian gold producer that 100% owns and operates the Selinsing Gold Mine in Malaysia and the Murchison Gold Project in the Murchison area of Western Australia. It has 20% interest in Tuckanarra Gold Project jointly owned with Odyssey Gold Ltd in the same region. The Company employs approximately 250 people in both regions and is committed to the highest standards of environmental management, social responsibility, and health and safety for its employees and neighboring communities.

Cathy Zhai, President and CEO

Monument Mining Limited

Suite 1580 -1100 Melville Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 4A6

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION visit the company web site at www.monumentmining.comor contact:

Richard Cushing, MMY Vancouver, T: +1-604-638-1661 x102, rcushing@monumentmining.com

"Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release includes statements containing forward-looking information about Monument, its business and future plans ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that involve expectations, plans, objectives or future events that are not historical facts and include the Company's plans with respect to its mineral projects, expectations regarding the completion of the ramp-up period to target production level at Selinsing and the timing thereof, expectations regarding the Company's continuing ability to source explosives from suppliers, expectations regarding completion of the proposed storage shed and ammonium nitrate depot and the timing thereof, and the timing and results of the other proposed programs and events referred to in this news release. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The forward-looking statements in this news release are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and certain other factors include, without limitation: risks related to general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; uncertainties regarding the results of current exploration activities; uncertainties in the progress and timing of development activities, including those related to the ramp-up process at Selinsing and the completion of the proposed storage shed and ammonium nitrate depot; uncertainties and risks related to the Company's ability to source explosives from suppliers; foreign operations risks; other risks inherent in the mining industry and other risks described in the management discussion and analysis of the Company and the technical reports on the Company's projects, all of which are available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Material factors and assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements in this news release include: expectations regarding the estimated cash cost per ounce of gold production and the estimated cash flows which may be generated from the operations, general economic factors and other factors that may be beyond the control of Monument; assumptions and expectations regarding the results of exploration on the Company's projects; assumptions regarding the future price of gold of other minerals; the timing and amount of estimated future production; assumptions regarding the timing and results of development activities, including the ramp-up process at Selinsing and the completion of the proposed storage shed and ammonium nitrate depot; expectations that the Company will continue to be able to source explosives from suppliers in a timely manner; costs of future activities; capital and operating expenditures; success of exploration activities; mining or processing issues; exchange rates; and all of the factors and assumptions described in the management discussion and analysis of the Company and the technical reports on the Company's projects, all of which are available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Rheinmetall's stock soared to an all-time high of 610 euros on Tuesday, driven by the company's announcement of ambitious mid-term goals. The German defense giant aims to double its revenue to 20 billion euros by 2027 while achieving an operating margin of 18 percent. This optimistic forecast sparked investor enthusiasm, propelling the stock price up by 4.1 percent. The company's growth strategy is underpinned by its entry into the US market and a joint venture with an Italian defense firm, positioning Rheinmetall to capitalize on increasing global defense spending. With an expected order backlog exceeding 60 billion euros by year-end, the company is solidifying its role as a key player in the defense sector.

Expansion and Geopolitical Tailwinds

Rheinmetall's positive trajectory is further supported by strong quarterly results, with earnings per share reaching 3.11 euros in the third quarter of 2024. The company's growth is bolstered by the current geopolitical climate, which has intensified demand for defense technology. Modernization efforts of the German armed forces and support for Ukraine contribute to Rheinmetall's favorable outlook. Analysts express confidence in the company's targets, reflected in an average price target of 623.88 euros.

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Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - November 19, 2024) - Admora Partners, a premier commercial real estate investment firm, is excited to announce its relocation to the dynamic Tower 22 District in Dallas. This strategic move underscores Admora Partners' commitment to contributing to the growth and development of Dallas' urban core.



Admora Partners Relocates to Tower 22 District in Dallas' Creative Urban Core



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The Tower 22 District is renowned for its vibrant business environment and innovative urban design. By establishing its headquarters in this bustling area, Admora Partners is well-positioned to leverage the district's unique opportunities and continue delivering exceptional commercial real estate solutions.

"Our relocation to the Tower 22 District marks a significant milestone for Admora Partners," said Alex Housewright at Admora Partners. "This move not only enhances our accessibility and connectivity but also aligns with our vision to be at the forefront of redevelopment within the urban core of Dallas. We are excited to be part of the community and look forward to contributing to its continued success."

Admora Partners' new office space in Tower 22 is designed to foster collaboration and innovation, providing a modern and efficient workspace for its team. The move reflects the company's commitment to expanding its district footprint.

As a niche-oriented commercial real estate company, Admora Partners specializes in infill real estate investment and development, brokerage, and urban community transformation initiatives. The firm's portfolio has consistently focused on projects that have significantly impacted the newest urban community in view of the Dallas skyline.

"We believe our new location will enhance our ability to serve our partners in the community more effectively," added Housewright. "The Tower 22 District offers a unique blend of accessibility and opportunity that aligns perfectly with our strategic goals."

Admora Partners is encouraging Dallas' community of brokers, architects, and investors to experience the up-and-coming creative atmosphere within the Tower 22 District. For more information about Admora Partners and their services, please visit www.admorapartners.com

About Admora Partners

Admora Partners is a commercial real estate firm dedicated to the dynamic urban core in Dallas. With a commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement, Admora Partners delivers solutions that drive growth and success for clients and stakeholders.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230682

SOURCE: Plentisoft
TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AmacaThera today announced results from its Phase 1 clinical trial of AMT-143, an innovative, non-opioid anesthetic, formulated with the company's patented AmacaGel platform, demonstrating sustained anesthetic release out to 14 days. AMT-143 is intended to deliver extended, localized pain relief without the need for opioids, significantly reducing the risks associated with opioid addiction and side effects in order to improve patient outcomes post-surgery.

"We are excited by the promise of these results as they show a substantial differentiation above and beyond the currently available products and herald a next generation of post-surgical pain relief alternatives," said Dr. Mike Cooke, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-Founder of AmacaThera, "We look forward to advancing this important product into a Phase 2 study."

The recent clinical data has strengthened support for AmacaThera with lead investor of AmacaThera's recently completed Series A extension Paul Austin saying "The progress shown in the Phase 1 study demonstrates the tremendous potential of AMT-143 to transform post-operative pain management. Based on these strong results, we are increasing our investment to accelerate its continuing development."

The urgent need for non-opioid, long-acting anesthetics stems from the ongoing opioid crisis, where opioid-based pain management serves as a gateway to opioid abuse. While effective for acute pain relief, opioids can result in addiction, overdose, and adverse side effects, creating a pressing need for safer alternatives. Non-opioid long-acting anesthetics offer a viable solution by providing effective pain relief without the risk of dependency or the severe side effects commonly associated with opioids.

Dr. Molly Shoichet, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of AmacaThera: "The Phase 1 clinical data, in combination with our optimized release kinetics, cost effective manufacturing, and ease of application comprise the solution physicians want for their patients."

About AmacaThera

AmacaThera is a venture backed clinical stage biotechnology company supported by institutional investors including; Lumira Ventures, BDC Capital's Women in Technology Venture Fund, Inveready, StandUp Ventures, MaRS IAF, and Changrong Capital.

AmacaThera is specializing in the development of advanced sustained release hydrogel formulations to solve key therapeutic delivery challenges with both off-patent and proprietary payloads. AmacaThera is focused on developing an internal pipeline of pain management and oncology assets; and partnering to solve key delivery challenges with advanced proprietary therapeutic modalities.

AmacaThera's platform technology, AmacaGelTM, is a fast-gelling physical hydrogel blend of two well-established polymers. It has been designed to liquify under shear force and to be delivered by a conventional syringe, thereby rapidly forming a depot as it warms to body temperature. AMT-143, the platform's lead asset, is a slow-release non-opioid, local anesthetic leverages the AmacaGelTM platform to provide long-acting, post-operative pain relief.

With the global market for non-opioid pain management expected to exceed $96 Billion by 2034i. AmacaThera will address a critical gap in post-operative care with AMT-143.

With strong early data, AmacaThera is actively seeking strategic partners to expand the clinical program and accelerate market entry for AMT-143 and related products.

For more information, visit www.amacathera.ca

Media Contact: Abhaya Khulbe, Investor Relations, info@amacathera.ca

i Source: Precedence Research on non-opioid pain treatment market size, share, and trends 2024 to 2034

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BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- From November 8th to 10th, 2024, the On Site Music Project took over the 798 Art Center, delivering Asia's largest modular synthesizer music event to an enthusiastic crowd.





On Site Music Project 1

The On Site Music Project is a newly launched cross-genre music festival by 798751. It spans over 2,000 square meters, featuring eight distinct zones brimming with opportunities to connect, explore, and celebrate electronic music. It also seamlessly blends music and contemporary art, while highlights the raw power of live performance. On Site created a dynamic cultural space where art, music, and the audience converge, each became an integral part of the "on-site" experience.





On Site Music Project 2

As an extension of the International Art Season, the three-day event showcased more than 100 electronic musicians from 13 countries and regions, delivering nearly 100 electrifying performances.

Notable music labels, including DAWless Teahouse, Metasonar, and Pantheon, collaborated to present an exhilarating lineup of live performances, offering an unparalleled "on-site" experience for the audience.

The On Site Music Project also enlisted two visionary artists to elevate the event beyond sound, creating fully immersive installations that redefined the boundaries of space, perception, and emotion.

Artist chenshizen explored the dialogue between humanity and nature through plant-based installations, while Yang Song used metal sculptures to reflect on the interplay of speed, light, time, and space. These installations added a tactile and conceptual dimension to the festival, transforming music into a multi-sensory journey.





Installation View, Yang Song, Net, 2024





Installation View, chenshizen, Leafy Mud Resembling, 2024

Speaking at the event forum, Miranda Yan, Deputy General Manager of Beijing 798 Culture Technology Co., Ltd., emphasized the festival's mission: to showcase Beijing's vibrant creativity. "Whether it's through the cool exhibitions or through music, theater, or dance, they provide rooms for inspiration, encouraging people to cross boundaries and explore new creative frontiers," Yan said.

798751 community is hosting a diverse array of cultural and tech events, offering unique experiences to the public while fostering international cultural exchange. Through these efforts, 798751 continues to contribute to Beijing's growth as a global cultural and exchange hub.



Contact info: info@798-art.com.cn

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f7e76089-926e-435b-a63f-32af323b42b9

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b0ba7d15-277a-4300-80ce-7e4639de90fe

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Sequana Medical announces Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders

on 20 December 2024

Ghent, Belgium - 20 November 2024- Sequana Medical NV (Euronext Brussels: SEQUA) (the "Company" or "SequanaMedical"), a pioneer in the treatment of fluid overload in liver disease, heart failure and cancer, today invites the holders of securities issued by the Company to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on Friday, 20 December 2024.

The items on the agenda of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders relate to the issuance of the "New Kreos Subscription Rights" (in the form of new subscription rights and subject to the cancellation of the outstanding "Kreos Subscription Rights" issued on 10 February 2023).

The Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders will take place at the Company's registered offices in Ghent and will start at 09:00 am CET. The full convening notice with the agenda and proposed resolutions can be accessed on the Sequana Medical website: www.sequanamedical.com/investors/shareholder-information.

The Company recommends the holders of its securities to use e-mail for all communications with the Company regarding the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. The Company's e-mail address for such communications is: IR@sequanamedical.com.

For more information, please contact:

Sequana Medical

Investor relations

E: IR@sequanamedical.com

T: +32 (0)9 496 17 27

About Sequana Medical

Sequana Medical NV is a pioneer in treating fluid overload, a serious and frequent clinical complication in patients with liver disease, heart failure and cancer. This causes major medical issues including increased mortality, repeated hospitalizations, severe pain, difficulty breathing and restricted mobility. Although diuretics are standard of care, they become ineffective, intolerable or exacerbate the problem in many patients. There are limited effective treatment options, resulting in poor clinical outcomes, high costs and a major impact on their quality of life. Sequana Medical is seeking to provide innovative treatment options for this large and growing "diuretic resistant" patient population. alfapump and DSR are Sequana Medical's proprietary platforms that work with the body to treat diuretic-resistant fluid overload, delivering major clinical and quality of life benefits for patients and reducing costs for healthcare systems.

The Company's Premarket Approval (PMA) application for the alfapump was submitted to the US FDA in December 2023 and accepted for substantive review in January 2024, having reported positive primary and secondary endpoint data from the North American pivotal POSEIDON study in recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis. US market approval of the alfapump is anticipated before the end of Q1 2025 with US commercial launch planned for H2 2025.

Results of the Company's RED DESERT and SAHARA proof-of-concept studies in heart failure support DSR's mechanism of action as breaking the vicious cycle of cardiorenal syndrome. All three patients from the non-randomized cohort of MOJAVE, a US randomized controlled multi-center Phase 1/2a clinical study, have been successfully treated with DSR, resulting in a dramatic improvement in diuretic response and virtual elimination of loop diuretic requirements. The independent Data Safety Monitoring Board approved the start of the randomized MOJAVE cohort of up to a further 30 patients, which is planned after alfapump US PMA approval. Sequana Medical is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels (Ticker: SEQUA.BR) and headquartered in Ghent, Belgium. For further information, please visit www.sequanamedical.com.

Important Regulatory Disclaimers

The alfapump system is currently not approved in the United States or Canada. In the United States and Canada, the alfapump system is currently under clinical investigation (POSEIDON Trial) and is being studied in adult patients with refractory or recurrent ascites due to liver cirrhosis. DSR therapy is still in development and it should be noted that any statements regarding safety and efficacy arise from ongoing pre-clinical and clinical investigations which have yet to be completed. There is no link between DSR therapy and ongoing investigations with the alfapump system in Europe, the United States or Canada. Note: alfapump and DSR are registered trademarks.

Forward-looking statements

This press release may contain predictions, estimates or other information that might be considered forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements represent the current judgment of Sequana Medical on what the future holds, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Sequana Medical expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release, except if specifically required to do so by law or regulation. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of Sequana Medical only as of the date of this press release.

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Endo USA, Inc., affiliated to generics and specialty branded pharmaceutical company Endo, Inc., has expanded its recall of Clonazepam Orally Disintegrating Tablets (C-IV), according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recalled drugs were mislabeled with the incorrect strength on the carton.The agency noted that the packaging lists the legacy company Par Pharmaceutical, Inc., which previously marketed clonazepam before the product was acquired by Endo.The recall has been expanded to include additional lots of the tablets, which are indicated alone or as an adjunct in the treatment of the Lennoz-Gastaut syndrome (petit mal variant), akinetic and myoclonic seizures. The durg is also indicated for the treatment of panic disorder.The expanded recall involves Clonazepam Orally Disintegrating Tablets, with strength in USP 0.125 mg, 0.25 mg, 1 mg, and 2mg, packaged in cartons containing 60 tablets packed into 10 blister strips each containing 6 tablets, with various lot codes and National Drug Code or NDC.The potential mislabeling shows the components of a package of Clonazepam Orally Disintegrating tablets, USP 2 mg lot 550176501 with a carton bearing the product description and NDC code of Clonazepam Orally Disintegrating Tablets, USP 1 mg 60-count.The impacted product lots were distributed through wholesale distributors to retail pharmacies nationwide.The company in mid-July had called back Clonazepam Orally Disintegrating Tablets, USP 0.25 mg as well as USP 0.125 mg, both packaged in 60-count carton, with lot 550147301 and expiration date August 2026, due to the same concern.As per Endo's ongoing investigation, there is possibility that the recalled Clonazepam product lots contain a limited number of cartons printed with the incorrect strength and NDC code due to an error by a third-party packager. However, the blister strips and tablets inside the product pack reflect the correct strength for the lot.Children and adults who are inadvertently prescribed a two-fold overdose of clonazepam may experience adverse effects of significant sedation, dizziness, ataxia, and confusion. Some patients may experience significant, possibly life-threatening, respiratory depression especially for those with concomitant pulmonary disease, patients who have prescribed dosing near maximal dosing, and patients also taking other medications that could cause additional respiratory depression.However, Endo has not received any reports of adverse events associated with the drug recall so far.Endo is asking distributors and retailers to immediately stop distributing and dispensing and return to the place of purchase or contact Inmar Inc., while consumers are urged to discontinue use of the product.For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.comCopyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - The People's Bank of China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged on Wednesday as it monitor the impact of recent policy adjustments.The PBoC maintained its one-year loan prime rate at 3.10 percent. Likewise, the five-year LPR, the benchmark for mortgage rates, was retained at 3.60 percent.The bank had cut its both LPRs by 25 basis points each in October.The PBoC fixes the LPR monthly based on the submission of 18 designated banks. However, Beijing has influence over the fixing. The LPR replaced the traditional benchmark lending rate in August 2019.Earlier in a note, economists at Capital Economics said the PBoC rarely does back-to-back rate cuts and is likely to monitor the impact of its recent policy changes before making any further adjustments. Moreover, policymakers will attempt to reduce additional downward pressure on the renminbi.'Although a weak currency doesn't preclude PBOC rate cuts, it does make them less likely, especially now that the economy has regained some momentum, reducing the urgency behind monetary easing,' economists said.Last month, PBoC Governor Pan Gongsheng said the central bank could further lower key rates and reserve requirement ratio before the year-end.Earlier this month, the Ministry of Finance approved a CNY 10 trillion fiscal package to bolster economic growth. The package was intended to refinance debt of local governments.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.
A.M.O. Puglia and Save the Olives Announce the World's First Preservation Zone and Monumental Olive Tree Park

OSTUNI, Italy, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In honour of UNESCO World Olive Tree Day on 26th November A.M.O. Puglia Alberi Monumentali di Ostuni and Save the OlivesONLUS are spotlighting the urgent fight to save Puglia's monumental olive trees, many of which are in danger of extinction due to the devastating Xylella fastidiosa bacteria. Today, the two non-profits proudly announce the opening of the world's first preservation zone and park for these ancient trees in Ostuni. This initial 25-hectare zone, known as A.M.O. Alberi Monumentali di Ostuni, is the first step towards a larger, 100-hectare protected area that will help combat the encroaching threat of Xylella.

Xylella has already destroyed 21 million olive trees across Puglia. This new preservation zone brings together land rented by A.M.O. Puglia and land contributed by privately owned partners, all of whom are committed to expanding the park, reversing the devastation, and protecting these ancient olive trees, which range from 1,000 to 2,500 years old. Supported by local farmers, agronomists, tourism experts, and volunteers, the joint initiative aims to serve as a model for biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, and eco-tourism, with aspirations to join UNESCO's Green Citizens programme in 2025.

"This is a powerful example of community action to protect our landscape and heritage," says Paul Bernie, President of A.M.O. Puglia. "The monumental olive trees in Puglia represent a priceless cultural, economic, and environmental legacy."

A.M.O Puglia and Save the Olives are calling for further support starting with urgent training on grafting protocols needed to save the 350,000 monumental olive trees still at risk.

Donations, lobbying, and social media shares can all help to Save Puglia's Olive Trees:

Donate: Their crowdfunding campaign aims to raise 300,000 to fund urgent grafting and land management

Their crowdfunding campaign aims to raise 300,000 to fund urgent grafting and land management Lobby: Petition EU policymakers to add preventive grafting to official plant protection policies. Contact information is available on A.M.O. Puglia's website

Petition EU policymakers to add preventive grafting to official plant protection policies. Contact information is available on A.M.O. Puglia's website Amplify: Spread awareness with preservetheolivetrees. Follow @amo_ostuniolivetrees and @savetheolives to join the movement.

Patrizio Ziggiotti, General Secretary of Save the Olives ONLUS, adds, "This project demonstrates the effectiveness of early intervention. Grafting is the only available solution to preserve these monumental olive trees, and together, we can turn the tide on this crisis."

Donate at www.amopuglia.com or savetheolives.com

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BioCatch Trust Network initiative now live in Australia, other countries to follow

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BioCatch today announced the launch of the BioCatch Trust Network, the world's first inter-bank, behavior-based, financial crime intelligence-sharing network. The BioCatch Trust Network initiative protects member bank customers against financial crime, scams, and fraud by assessing in real time the trustworthiness of the accounts to which they direct their transfers and payments. If the network deems a receiving account untrustworthy, it shares this intelligence with the sending bank in real time, allowing the sending institution to suspend and investigate the transaction before any money leaves the sender's account.

"Scam payments are nearly always transferred to mule accounts through which scammers launder their profits before withdrawing them," BioCatch CEO Gadi Mazor said. "To combat this rampant criminal activity, it's crucial for sending and receiving banks to collaborate and share intelligence in real time to proactively identify these money mules and halt payments to them. This cooperation can dramatically reduce the number of scam victims and significantly disrupt criminals' ability to launder their illegally acquired money. We know the bad actors behind these attacks swap tactics, strategies, intelligence, and technology with other rival cybercriminals. We're proud to now offer banks an opportunity to join their own intelligence-sharing network to fight back."

The global leader in digital fraud detection and financial crime prevention powered by behavioral biometric intelligence, BioCatch launched the BioCatch Trust Network in Australia earlier today, with five of that nation's largest banks as founding members. The network's foundational behavioral intelligence engine ingests country-specific digital session, payment, account, device, IP and geo-location, and non-monetary event signals to holistically evaluate the trustworthiness of every receiving account before a payment is processed.

This allows financial institutions to proactively protect users from authorized push payment (APP) fraud, and social engineering scams where the fraudster manipulates the victim outside of a digital banking session (many scams originate via an email, text message, or social media post) without introducing unnecessary transactional friction. The BioCatch Trust Network accomplishes this while still carefully maintaining user privacy, utilizing proven pseudonymization technology to protect the identities of retail banking customers at member banks.

As more banks contribute account intelligence to the BioCatch Trust network, the models that evaluate receiving accounts learn, growing smarter and more effective, offering deeper predictive insights and broader coverage, while learning from billions of historical and validated data points. The network's predictive intelligence fosters real-time financial crime insights, offering immediate protection for all members as soon as a potential risk is identified. There's no waiting for fraud feedback.

"Real-time information sharing enables us to recognize patterns that individual entities may miss, providing a fuller view of criminal activity while protecting sensitive information," 5OH Consulting Co-Founder and former U.S. Secret Service Deputy Special Agent in Charge of Cyber Matt O'Neill said. "Today's financial crime is complex and fast-moving. The ability to securely share actionable intelligence without compromising privacy is what allows institutions, with support from real fraud fighters like BioCatch, to act decisively and prevent the exploitation of our financial systems."

BioCatch Trust complements existing networks that share information after a scam has taken place, adding real-time risk assessments for receiving accounts before the sender transfers away any money. BioCatch Trust Australia launched earlier this fall. The company expects networks serving other countries to go live throughout 2025.

"Accurately and effectively detecting and preventing authorized payment fraud scams comes down to the ability of both the sending and receiving financial institutions to piece together meaningful context behind any given payment from both the perspective of the sender and the beneficiary," Datos Insights Strategic Advisor Trace Fooshee said. "Those FIs that are confined to seeing only one side of the signals of a given payment will find themselves with insufficient context to make an effective and accurate means of distinguishing between legitimate and fraudulent payments whether on the sending or receiving side of the transaction."

To view the announcement around the launch of BioCatch Trust Australia - including commentary from the founding member banks - click here.

About BioCatch:

BioCatch stands at the forefront of digital fraud detection, pioneering behavioral biometric intelligence grounded in advanced cognitive science and machine learning. BioCatch analyzes thousands of user interactions to support a digital banking environment where identity, trust, and ease coexist. Today, 34 of the world's largest 100 banks and 237 total financial institutions rely on BioCatch Connect to combat fraud, facilitate digital transformation, and grow customer relationships. BioCatch's Client Innovation Board - an industry-led initiative featuring American Express, Barclays, Citi Ventures, HSBC, and National Australia Bank - collaborates to pioneer creative and innovative ways to leverage customer relationships for fraud prevention. With more than a decade of data analysis, 93 registered patents, and unmatched expertise, BioCatch continues to lead innovation to address future challenges. For more information, please visit www.biocatch.com.

PR contact:

Mac King

BioCatch senior comms manager

Mac.King@BioCatch.com

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Paris, France - November 20, 2024 -Eviden, the Atos Groupbusiness leading in advanced computing, today announces a contract of up to 60 million euros as part of a framework agreement with CSC - IT Center for Science in Finland to provide it with "Roihu", which will be Finland's newest national supercomputer and which will triple the computing capacity of the existing systems, "Mahti" and "Puhti", also will also significant increase AI performance.

Built on Eviden's BullSequana XH3000 hybrid platform, the new Roihu system will provide an increased performance of up to a theoretical peak power of 49 petaflops. Benefitting from a GPU capacity of over 10x compared to the Puhti supercomputer currently in use, the system will cover a wide range of use cases, including the analysis of audio and video recordings, AI applications across diverse fields, and traditional simulations like fluid dynamics and climate modeling.

Additionally, Roihu is poised to revolutionize educational access in higher learning institutions, providing a flexible, scalable resource for a broad range of users. This growing area may not demand massive computing power, but it plays a critical role in training the next generation of researchers and industry experts across all disciplines.

Pekka Lehtovuori, Director, CSC said "Finland has invested in its own national computing environment on a long-term basis. We need to be able to serve all researchers who need data management and computing resources. Computational grand challenges that require very high computing resources will still be solved with the pan-European EuroHPC LUMI supercomputer. Roihu's mission as a national supercomputer is to complement LUMI and to offer competitive resources to the majority of Finnish researchers."

Bruno Lecointe, VP, Global head of HPC, AI and Quantum Computing, Eviden, Atos Group, said "Roihu is a significant investment in Finland's national research infrastructure, set to triple the current supercomputing resources and become a major accelerator for scientific breakthroughs. CSC - IT Center for Science is a world-renowned research center, equipped with some of the most powerful systems globally. It is an honor to support them and Finland on their large-scale simulation journey. With our BullSequana DLC technologies, we will support Finnish research while ensuring reduced environmental impacts. Together, we are advancing sustainable HPC AI computation, ensuring Finland remains at the forefront of innovation to leverage AI workloads."

***

About Eviden1

Evidenis a next-gen technology leader in data-driven, trusted and sustainable digital transformation with a strong portfolio of patented technologies. With worldwide leading positions in advanced computing, security, AI, cloud and digital platforms, it provides deep expertise for all industries in more than 47 countries. Bringing together 41,000 world-class talents, Eviden expands the possibilities of data and technology across the digital continuum, now and for generations to come. Eviden is an Atos Group company with an annual revenue of c.  5 billion.

About Atos

Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 82,000 employees and annual revenue of c.  10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.

The purpose of Atosis to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

About CSC - IT Center for Science

CSC is a Finnish center of expertise in ICT that provides world-class services for research, education, culture, public administration and enterprises, to help them thrive and benefit society at large. www.csc.fi

Contacts

Constance Arnoux - constance.arnoux@eviden.com- +33 (0)6 44 12 16 35

Pekka Lehtovuori, Director, CSC- +358503819723

1 Eviden business is operated through the following brands: AppCentrica, ATHEA, Cloudamize, Cloudreach, Cryptovision, DataSentics, Edifixio, Energy4U, Engage ESM, Evidian, Forensik, IDEAL GRP, In Fidem, Ipsotek, Maven Wave, Profit4SF, SEC Consult, Visual BI, Worldgrid, X-Perion.

Eviden is a registered trademark.  Eviden SAS, 2024.

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WETHERBY, England, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As violence against women continues to escalate, the release of NEVER A VICTIM - The Definitive Guide to Women's Safety presents a timely and essential resource filled with invaluable information. Written by personal safety expert Robert Kaiser, this comprehensive guide emerges from over 30 years of research into physical and sexual violence against women.

Drawing from the lived experiences of countless survivors and insights from studying perpetrators, this trauma-informed, survivor-led guide empowers women to trust their instincts and enhance their safety. Spanning 514 pages and over 111,000 words, the book combines psychological insights with practical advice on both avoiding and responding to threats, making it a critical resource in today's climate.

Available in both hardcover and eBook formats, NEVER A VICTIM provides a clear, actionable path for women who have experienced or want to avoid violence. It confronts damaging myths about women's ability to navigate dangerous situations, highlighting their resilience and innate survival skills. By dispelling misconceptions and promoting intuitive trust, it equips readers with the confidence and knowledge to protect themselves.

Kaiser firmly states, "No woman deserves to experience physical or sexual violence, regardless of her attire, level of intoxication, or demeanour. Violence against women is unequivocally unacceptable, and this book leaves no room for doubt on this matter."

Recent statistics underscore the urgency of this resource. In 2023, police recorded 68,387 rapes in England and Wales. In 2024, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley estimated up to 4 million perpetrators of violence against women and children across the UK. With over 1 million domestic violence incidents and 800,000 women affected by sexual assault annually, NEVER A VICTIM serves as essential reading, providing critical guidance in the face of these ongoing threats.

"NEVER A VICTIM strips away the societal blame often placed on victims, encouraging women to reconnect with their instincts and recognise the physical signs that intuition offers. By fostering an understanding of these signals, the book urges readers to trust this vital aspect of themselves. It also calls for unconditional support and belief in survivors," says Lyndsey Dearlove, Global Director of Operations at The NO MORE Foundation.

Kaiser's extensive research involved analysing crime reports, victim testimonies, and coroner's records, ensuring that the book is firmly rooted in real-world experiences. His collaborations with government agencies, support organisations, and survivors underscore his commitment to preventing violence against women and mark him as a leading voice in this field.

The book is available at www.womens-safety.com.

About the Author:

Robert Kaiser has dedicated over three decades to studying violence against women, supporting survivors, and working with support organisations both domestically and internationally. His expertise and contributions to publications worldwide have established him as a prominent advocate for women's safety.

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LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Global animal genetics company Genus (GNS.L), on Tuesday, issued a trading update for the four months ending 31 October 2024 and said the Board expects Group adjusted profit before tax to be in line with market expectations for the 2025 financial year.The outlook includes an expected currency headwind of 8 million - 9 million in the 2025 financial year, as previously indicated.PIC trading has demonstrated robust performance, with North America, Latin America, and Asia achieving year-on-year growth in volumes, royalty revenue, and constant currency adjusted operating profit. Europe also exhibited solid results, with royalty revenue and constant currency adjusted operating profit remaining stable, reflecting a strong comparative performance in the previous year. PIC China continued to gain new royalty customers during this period, supported by pork prices that sustain industry profitability; however, producers remain cautious in their outlook.Further, the company stated that ABS trading improved in the period, as expected, with good growth in sexed volumes and overall genetic volumes up on the prior year. Constant currency adjusted operating profit increased year on year largely reflecting the Value Acceleration Programme or VAP Phase 1 initiatives implemented in 2024. The execution of VAP Phase 2 is on track and ABS remains focused on delivering significant profit growth for the full year.Genus has made additional regulatory submissions pertaining to the Group's novel PRRS3 Resistant Pig programme, which continues to progress according to plan. In November, a significant milestone was achieved with the submission of the Validation Report and Durability Plan to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Concurrently, the Group has submitted several documents to various international regulatory authorities.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 anniversary marks a year of achievement by Durabook, including introducing two rugged AI PCs, realising ATEX certifications, and deployment of a FirstNet Ready S14I Rugged Laptop, amongst global enterprise deployments.

TAIPEI, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Durabook, along with its parent company Twinhead International Corp., is celebrating 40 years of pioneering innovation in electronic product manufacturing. This significant milestone underscores Durabook's dedication to creating purpose-built rugged computing solutions. Over the past year, Durabook has achieved notable successes, including launching two rugged AI PCs, obtaining ATEX certifications, and introducing a FirstNet Ready rugged laptop, all while expanding its footprint in global enterprise markets.

Durabook has achieved four decades of success in engineering innovation and manufacturing high-performing personal computers and peripherals by embracing its tagline "Prepare for the Unexpected" and continuously building on three core pillars of Adaptability, Innovation, and Sustainability.

Adaptability

Durabook's commitment to continuous research and development ensures the delivery of cutting-edge rugged computing technology that meets the evolving needs of its partners and customers. With completed development and production facilities in Taiwan, Durabook caters to a wide range of industries and offers extensive customisation options.

Leveraging its professional R&D expertise, Durabook combines modular product designs with state-of-the-art technology, serving key industries, such as automotive, defence, government, manufacturing, oil & gas, public safety, transportation & logistics, and utility & field service. Additionally, Durabook supports the retail, aerospace, geomapping, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductor sectors.

Durabook's engineering expertise allows for collaboration with customers to develop purpose-built solutions tailored to unique requirements, customise capabilities to meet in-field performance, and partner with independent software and hardware vendors for sector-specific solutions.

Innovation

Durabook's dedication to R&D and design, commitment to quality, and focus on creating innovative solutions have led to significant achievements. Notable successes include the global deployment of its R8 fanless 8-inch Rugged Tablets for geological measurement applications.

The introduction of two rugged Artificial Intelligence (AI) PCs, the Z14I Fully Rugged Laptop and the S14I Semi-rugged Laptop, showcases Durabook's ability to support powerful, dynamic, and evolving work at the edge. These AI-ready laptops are equipped with Intel Core Ultra CPU platform.

The S14I Semi-rugged AI Laptop, approved by First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), underwent rigorous testing to ensure flawless performance on the FirstNet wireless network, even under extreme conditions. FirstNet's wireless network capabilities and the FirstNet Ready S14I Rugged Laptop meet the unique needs of first responders across the U.S.

Durabook also launched two ATEX-certified tablets, the R8-EX Rugged Tablet and the U11I-EX Rugged Tablet, meeting stringent requirements for industries with significant risk of explosion, such as in oil & gas refineries and in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Positioned to penetrate new industries and expand its reach, Durabook aims to capture a significant share of AI deployments within the growing AI infrastructure, continuing its commitment to Prepare for the Unexpected with highly flexible and innovative rugged mobile products.

Sustainability

Durabook embraces the ESG framework, considering Environmental, Social, and Governance factors to assess its ethical and sustainable behaviour and hold itself accountable. We strive for progress and innovation, as well as constant improvement in our products, quality and service, and pursue excellence, all while embodying the spirit of corporate sustainability.

"At Durabook, ESG issues are business issues, as much as traditional financial or strategic considerations," said Fred Kao, CEO, Twinhead. "We believe that holding ourselves accountable to nature and humanity in our corporate conduct is a vital part of our 40-year success and our readiness to deliver the unexpected."

Follow the DURABOOK brand

The Durabook product family of rugged laptops and tablets can be followed on various social media channels including LinkedIn, Facebook, X and YouTube.

About DURABOOK

Durabook is the core brand of Twinhead International Corporation in Taiwan, a world-renowned manufacturer of rugged mobile solutions for more than 40 years. All Durabook devices are designed, manufactured and tested to the highest standards to ensure maximum quality and reliability. Committed to engineering and service excellence, Durabook products have been widely adopted by government and enterprise customers including oil and gas, utilities, field service, military, and public safety for more than two decades.

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CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The commodity currencies such as Australia, the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars strengthened against their major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday, as the crude oil prices rose amid concerns about escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia over the war in Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin updated the nuclear doctrine.West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for December rose $0.23 or about 0.3 percent at $69.39 a barrel.Putin has signed a decree amending the country's nuclear doctrine after President Joe Biden gave Ukraine permission to attack Russian Bryansk region using U.S.-made long-range missiles. Kremlin has warned that it would consider a nuclear strike if it was subject to a conventional missile assault supported by a nuclear power.Shortly before the Kremlin updated its nuclear weapons doctrine, Ukraine reportedly used U.S.-made long-range missiles to attack a Russian military facility in the Bryansk border region.In economic news, the People's Bank of China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged, as it monitors the impact of recent policy adjustments. The PBoC maintained its one-year loan prime rate at 3.10 percent. Likewise, the five-year LPR, the benchmark for mortgage rates, was retained at 3.60 percent.The bank had cut its both LPRs by 25 basis points each in October.In the Asian trading today, the Australian dollar rose to 1-week highs of 0.6544 against the U.S. dollar and 101.33 against the yen, from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.6531 and 101.00, respectively. If the aussie extends its uptrend, it is likely to find resistance around 0.67 against the greenback and 103.00 against the yen.Against the euro and the NZ dollar, the aussie edged up to 1.6209 and 1.1056 from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.6220 and 1.1045, respectively. The aussie may test resistance around 1.61 against the euro and 1.11 against the kiwi.The NZ dollar rose to a 1-week high of 0.5922 against the U.S. dollar and a 5-day high of 91.68 against the yen, from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.5912 and 91.41, respectively. If the kiwi extends its uptrend, it is likely to find resistance around 0.61 against the greenback and 92.00 against the yen.Against the euro, the kiwi edged up to 1.7912 from a recent low of 1.7940. The kiwi may test resistance around the 1.76 region.The Canadian dollar rose to a 1-week high of 1.3951 low of 1.3967 against the U.S. dollar and a 5-day high of 111.12 against the yen, from recent lows of 1.3967 and 110.81, respectively. If the loonie extends its uptrend, it is likely to find resistance around 1.36 against the greenback and 113.00 against the yen.Against the euro and the Australian dollar, the loonie edged up to 1.4783 and 0.9107 from recent lows of 1.4804 and 0.9130, respectively. The loonie is likely to find resistance around 1.47 against the euro and 0.90 against the aussie.Looking ahead, U.S. mortgage approvals data and U.S. EIA crude oil data are due to be released in the New York session.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
The partnership between Shearwater and atNorth has been recognized in the 'Top Energy Efficient HPC Achievements' category.

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- atNorth , the leading Nordic colocation, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence service provider, today announced recognition from the HPCwire Readers' Choice Awards for its partnership with Shearwater Geoservices.

Shearwater Geoservices migrated their UK HPC infrastructure to atNorth's ICE02 data center in Iceland resulting in a 92% reduction in CO2 emissions and 85% cost savings. These impressive results have led to the businesses being awarded the 'Top Energy Efficient HPC Achievements' award.

The migration was driven by rising energy costs and the impending introduction of mandatory carbon footprint reporting legislation. Despite initial concerns over latency, comprehensive testing and collaboration ensured a highly successful transition.

The HPCwire Readers' Choice Awards aim to recognize the exceptional contributions and groundbreaking innovations within the global HPC community. With sustainability being integral to both atNorth and Shearwater's businesses, this accolade is further opportunity to illustrate an environmentally responsible solution to High Performance Computing (HPC).

"Our work with Shearwater demonstrates the benefits of responsible colocation," says Anders Fryxell, Chief Sales Officer at atNorth. "Our highly energy efficient data centers and optimal Nordic locations essentially allow clients to decarbonize their compute - something that is fundamental for the future sustainability of our planet."

"Our partnership with atNorth has given us a true competitive advantage in several areas - from lower power usage and better hosting capabilities to cost effective and sustainable air cooling that doesn't impact the climate," says Nick Riddalls, Hemispheric Head of Processing, Shearwater Geoservices. "We hope the recognition of our work together inspires other data intensive enterprises to address the carbon footprint of their IT workloads."

atNorth has also won the 'Special Award for Sustainability' at the IDC Future Enterprise Awards, the 'Digital Infrastructure Project of the Year' prize at the Tech Capital Awards, the 'Colocation Provider of the Year' award at the Electrical Review & Data Centre Review Excellence Awards . The business also won the 'Location Award' for Iceland at the Tech Capital Awards last year and has been included in TechRound's Sustainability60 list that celebrates the most exciting sustainability companies across the UK and Europe.

About atNorth

atNorth is a leading Nordic data center services company that offers sustainable, cost-effective, scalable colocation and high-performance computing services trusted by industry-leading organizations. The business acquired leading High-Performance Computing (HPC) provider, Gompute, in 2023 enabling a compelling full stack offering tailored to AI and other critical high performance workloads.

With sustainability at its core, atNorth's data centers run on renewable energy resources and support circular economy principles. All atNorth sites leverage innovative design, power efficiency, and intelligent operations to provide long-term infrastructure and flexible colocation deployments. The tailor-made solutions enable businesses to calculate, simulate, train and visualize data workloads in an efficient, cost-optimized way.

atNorth is headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland and operates seven data centers in strategic locations across the Nordics, with additional sites to open in Helsinki, Finland and Ballerup, Denmark in early 2025, as well as its tenth under development in Kouvola, Finland and its eleventh site in lgod, Denmark.

For more information, visit atNorth.com or follow atNorth on LinkedIn or Facebook.

Press Contact:

Caroline Brunton

Kite Hill PR for atNorth

+44 (0) 7796 274 416

caroline@kitehillpr.com

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STOCKHOLM, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinch (Sinch AB (publ)) (XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Customer Communications Cloud, today announced that during 2024, the company has successfully delivered more than 1 billion Rich Communication Services (RCS) business messages for businesses worldwide. This milestone underscores Sinch's role as a trusted partner when businesses seek out innovative messaging solutions to engage with their customers.

A pioneer in advanced mobile messaging and RCS technology, Sinch launched the first RCS API in 2018 to enable feature-rich, interactive messaging experiences. Today, Sinch partners with Google and mobile operators worldwide, enabling businesses to send RCS messages in every market where RCS Business Messaging is available. This extensive global reach empowers brands to connect with customers through engaging, personalized communications directly within their favorite native messaging apps.

Sinch offers multiple ways for businesses to leverage RCS, including its Conversation API, RCS Upscale solution, and turnkey software applications. RCS Upscale enables businesses to seamlessly transition from SMS to RCS with minimal changes to systems and processes. The Conversation API enhances flexibility, adds features, and supports additional messaging platforms like WhatsApp for a unified and comprehensive customer communication strategy. Businesses can also integrate RCS through Sinch's ecosystem partnerships, simplifying adoption and scalability.

RCS Business Messaging is now being introduced to rising numbers of businesses and consumers as mobile operators across the world enable the service. The technology works on both Apple and Android devices and is made available, by default, through the preinstalled messaging app that consumers already use for SMS.

"This milestone marks the beginning of a new era in business messaging," said Sean O'Neal, Chief Product Officer at Sinch. "RCS builds on the strengths of SMS, but adds a wealth of value-adding capabilities, and we're excited to make these opportunities available to our many business customers throughout the world."

This achievement reinforces Sinch's position as a leader in omnichannel communication and a trusted partner for businesses looking to enhance customer engagement with innovative and advanced messaging solutions.

For more information on how Sinch's RCS solutions can transform your business communications, visit Sinch.com

For further information, please contact:

Janet Lennon, Director of PR and Global Communications

janet.lennon@sinch.com | 206-914-6175

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EQS Newswire / 20/11/2024 / 10:30 CET/CEST

BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 20 November 2024 - Nestled on the Red Sea coast of northwest Saudi Arabia, Neom, a brand-new metropolis, has reached a major milestone in its journey toward sustainable development. It successfully completed the construction of a 1.3 GWh energy storage capacity in June this year. The project is the world's largest energy storage venture, supported by advanced technology from China.



The construction site of the 1.3 GWh energy storage project, Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia. /CFP

This state-of-the-art system integrates renewable energy from wind and solar turbines alongside facilities such as a seawater desalination plant and a waste management center, creating a fully independent energy supply system for the city.



Launched in July 2017, the city's energy storage project is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" initiative. Designed to provide Neom with 100 percent clean energy, the project, upon completion, is expected to generate up to 650,000 MWh of renewable energy annually, achieving zero carbon emissions, equivalent to reducing nearly 500,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.



Saudi Arabia has set an ambitious target to increase renewable energy's share in its national energy mix to 50 percent by 2030.



In recent years, China has carried out a large number of green projects with other countries, bringing its expertise and experience in renewable energy to these countries and promoting the green and sustainable development of the global economic governance system.



When addressing Session II of the 19th G20 Summit on Reform of the Institutions of Global Governance on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the significance of building a fair and equitable global governance system, calling on G20 members to improve global economic governance, global financial governance, global trade governance, and global digital governance so as to build an open, innovative, green and stable world economy.



Improving global economic governance



China has been a staunch promoter of free trade and globalization and has always been standing together with developing countries, empowering them with development capabilities through various initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).



In 2013, China launched the BRI to promote economic growth and connectivity among participating countries. Since its inception, over 150 countries and 30 international organizations, primarily from the developing world, have signed cooperation agreements with China.



By constructing key infrastructure such as railways, highways, ports, power grids, and communication networks, the BRI has significantly improved infrastructure in developing nations, boosting trade efficiency and facilitating industrial upgrades. The initiative has also generated substantial employment opportunities and economic growth while enhancing sustainable development through technology transfer and capacity building, making a lasting contribution to inclusive global economic progress.



In addition, China also initiated the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as an open and inclusive platform for international financial cooperation. Official data shows that since its inception, AIIB has financed over 200 projects in more than 30 countries, with a total investment exceeding $40 billion, focusing on sectors like transportation, energy, water management, and urban development. By providing stable, long-term funding, the AIIB has improved infrastructure, supported green energy transitions, addressed climate change in developing countries, and contributed to a fairer and more equitable global economic system.



Promoting global security governance



"Global security governance is part and parcel of global governance. The G20 should support the UN and its Security Council in playing a greater role and support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises," Xi said at Monday's meeting.



He called on the G20 to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis, push all parties in the Middle East to cease fire and stop fighting, and provide support for easing the humanitarian crisis and post-war reconstruction in the region.



China has been playing a constructive role in global security governance by proposing initiatives, mediating conflicts, and promoting dialogue. For instance, in 2022, China launched the Global Security Initiative, advocating a security framework based on the UN Charter and emphasizing cooperation, sustainability and dialogue to address traditional and emerging security challenges.



In response to the Ukraine crisis, China put forward a 12-point proposal to end the conflict in Ukraine, highlighting respect for sovereignty, a ceasefire, and opposition to nuclear threats. Partnering with Brazil and other Global South countries, China also launched the group of "friends for peace" to facilitate diplomatic solutions and promote dialogue.



In the Middle East, China mediated the 2023 Saudi-Iran reconciliation, helping the two restore diplomatic ties and contributing to regional stability. China's efforts have exemplified that it is dedicated to resolving disputes through dialogue and demonstrated its commitment to long-term global peace and stability.



https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-11-19/How-is-China-shaping-a-fair-equitable-global-governance-system--1yFdgSkhpWo/p.html

Hashtag: CGTN

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Huizhou, China--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - BSLBATT, a leading new energy lithium battery (LiFePO4) brand, has achieved another milestone: its B-LFP-12-100,B-LFP-12-200, B-LFP-12-300, B-LFP-24-150, and B-LFP-24-200 series products have now successfully obtained IEC 62619 international safety certification. This achievement further consolidates BSLBATT's leading position in the global market and ensures the safety and stability of its products in high-demand industrial scenarios such as off-grid travel, trolling motors, RV life, and home energy backup.





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IEC 62619 Certification: The "Moat" of Lithium Battery Safety

Obtaining IEC 62619 certification means that BSLBATT battery products have undergone rigorous testing, including high-intensity scenarios such as short circuits, overcharge, and over-discharge. IEC 62619 is the global safety standard for industrial lithium-ion batteries developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission. Its standards are especially critical for energy applications requiring high safety and durability. This certification provides an authoritative safety benchmark for BSLBATT batteries, showing they have passed the most stringent international tests and meet diverse energy needs.

Diverse Product Series: Perfect for 12V and 24V Lithium Batteries

12V Series

BSLBATT's B-LFP-12-100,B-LFP-12-200 and B-LFP-12-300 batteries are particularly suitable for low-voltage demand scenarios such as home backup power, marine power, trolling motors, and RV camping. IEC 62619-certified 12V batteries provide long-lasting and stable power support across various applications, easily meeting diverse needs.

24V Series

The BSLBATT B-LFP-24-150 and B-LFP-24-200 batteries are highly efficient and durable, ideal for industrial equipment, mobile work platforms, and other applications that require extended battery life. With IEC 62619 certification, these batteries ensure uninterrupted power supply under high-load operations, enhancing user safety and equipment reliability.

Behind IEC 62619 Certification: Safety, Quality, and Brand Commitment

This certification underscores BSLBATT's product quality and highlights the company's dedication to customer safety and a high-quality experience. With IEC 62619 certification, BSLBATT's 12V/24V series of deep-cycle lithium batteries stand out in the global home energy and industrial equipment markets, providing solutions for customer needs in safety, stability, and longevity.

Lin Peng, Chief Technology Officer of BSLBATT, said, "Passing IEC 62619 certification is a double affirmation of our R&D strength and manufacturing standards. BSLBATT has been committed to providing global users with safer and more reliable power solutions through high-quality battery products."





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IEC 62619 Tests Include:

Short Circuit Test

The battery withstands a short circuit and automatically disconnects the circuit without damaging the battery structure or causing thermal runaway.

Overcharge Test

The battery does not leak, smoke, or explode during overcharge.

Overdischarge Test

The battery maintains structural integrity after overdischarge, with no leakage or severe heating.

Mechanical Shock and Extrusion Test

The battery does not leak, smoke, explode, or burn after impact and extrusion.

Thermal Shock and Thermal Stability Test

The battery experiences no thermal runaway, leakage, or combustion after thermal shock.

Flame Spread Test

Upon contact with flames, the battery quickly stops the fire spread and does not cause a secondary fire.

Vibration Test

The battery shows no leakage or internal short circuit after the vibration test.

After all these rigorous tests, the BSLBATT lithium battery remains intact and continues to operate, recharging quickly at an industry-leading 200A continuous rate.





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"We are very excited about BSLBATT's achievement, which proves that their products are safe and meet international regulatory requirements," said Vimal Mahendru, Vice Chairman of IEC. "As a company supporting rapid product innovation and growth in the renewable energy sector, IEC understands the challenges facing battery manufacturers. To help manufacturers achieve product excellence and gain market access, we continue to leverage our more than 100 years of experience and expertise."

Green Energy Future: BSLBATT's Steady Steps

This IEC 62619 certification is a testament to BSLBATT's commitment to safety, reliability, and sustainable development in the new energy field. BSLBATT will continue to innovate and lead industrial lithium battery applications to higher levels of safety.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230698

SOURCE: 500Newswire, LLC
Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Sotavento Medios proudly announces the launch of PH Jobs, a job search platform designed to streamline the process of finding a job online in the Asia Pacific. Now live at www.pinghowe.com, PH Jobs empowers individuals to find jobs online seamlessly and without cost.



Sotavento Medios launches PH Jobs, a gateway to seamless job opportunities across the Asia Pacific.

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Key Features of PH Jobs

Comprehensive Job Finder Tools: Equipped with advanced filtering options, PH Jobs simplifies finding a new job. Whether users are searching for part-time roles, full-time positions, or niche industries, the job finding site tailors results to individual preferences, making it one of the best job search sites for personalized career exploration.

Simplified Registration and Resume Submission: PH Jobs makes it easy for users to create profiles, upload resumes, and apply for opportunities directly through the website to find jobs. This streamlined process enables users to find a job online quickly while providing a secure platform that prioritizes data protection.

Complimentary Access for Job Seekers: PH Jobs is complimentary, breaking down barriers to finding a job for everyone. Job seekers can register, browse listings, and apply to jobs without incurring any costs, making it one of the most accessible job search platforms available.

Diverse Opportunities Across the Asia Pacific: Focusing on roles in the wider Asia Pacific, PH Jobs connects applicants to a wide array of job opportunities, from entry-level to executive positions. It's a comprehensive solution for individuals finding a new job or advancing their careers.

A New Standard in Online Job Search

Sotavento Medios has designed PH Jobs with the modern job seeker in mind, creating a platform where both candidates and employers thrive. The job search site hosts real, relevant postings that cater to Singapore's dynamic employment market. As a trusted job finder website, PH Jobs aligns with Sotavento Medios' mission of enabling meaningful connections and fostering growth within the job market.

How to Get Started

Job seekers can create a complimentary account on www.pinghowe.com in just a few clicks. Just register and candidates can submit their resumes, set up personalized job alerts, and begin exploring open positions immediately. Employers interested in posting job opportunities can reach out to PH Jobs for information on how to partner with the platform.

Whether seeking a first position or planning to find another job, PH Jobs offers a streamlined solution for finding a job online. Employers and job seekers can connect directly through this innovative platform, which is redefining the standard for job search websites.

About Sotavento Medios

Sotavento Medios is a Singapore-based digital marketing company specializing in innovative solutions that drive meaningful engagement and business growth. They are committed to helping brands and businesses connect with audiences in impactful ways.

With PH Jobs, Sotavento Medios has taken a significant step in transforming the job search experience for the Asia Pacific's workforce. As the economy continues to grow and evolve, PH Jobs aims to be a reliable, accessible, and resourceful partner for both job seekers and employers, helping to shape the future of employment in the region.

Visit www.pinghowe.com to explore career opportunities.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230558

SOURCE: 500Newswire, LLC
LONDON, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. George Matharu, President and CEO of Elite Capital & Co. Limited, announced today that Elite Capital & Co. has invented a totally new financing system for the global markets under the code EXIM+F (Export and Import in addition to Finance.)





"The traditional system (EPC+F) used for many financial transactions around the world depends on the financiers pushing the borrowers to use the financier's contractors and the project contents through them to maximize the benefit that accrues to the financiers, while this issue constitutes a burden for the borrowers who may wish to implement the projects independently for their own economic or security reasons specific to the country. This spawned the idea of the new system, which is that we finance the supply of specific parts of the borrower's project, for example, financing a specific production line within the project with the EXIM+F system instead of forcing the borrower to finance the entire project with the EPC+F system. So, in short, the financing concept is summarized according to the EXIM+F model, deploying the relevant criteria and repayment system by financing any import of government project content designated by the country up to 100% of the value. The Government Future Financing 2030 Program then studies the possibility of broader financing," Mr. George Matharu said.

Elite Capital & Co. Limited is a Financial Management company that provides project-related services, including Management, Consultancy, and Funding, particularly for large infrastructure and mega commercial projects.

Elite Capital & Co. Limited offers a wealth of experience in Banking and Financial transactions and has a range of specialized advisory services for private clients, medium and large corporations as well as governments. It is also the exclusive manager of the Government Future Financing 2030 Program.

Dr. Faisal Khazaal, Chairman of Elite Capital & Co. Limited, and the Head of Government Future Financing 2030 Program, added, "A medium or long-term bank guarantee will be financed by the Government Future Financing 2030 Program for importing the government project content, thereby relieving the Ministry of Finance from the burden of issuing sovereign guarantees for the projects, and it also gives the guarantee issuing banks ample scope in assessing the risks of issuing bank guarantees because there is a medium to long term payment obligation on its client in return for issuing those guarantees. This gives the project room and space to start production and collect profits in preparation for repayment, which enables the risk assessment department in the banks to streamline the approval process for issuing guarantees."

Elite Capital & Co. Limited has designed and launched the first one-of-a-kind financial system under the name 'Government Future Financing 2030 Program' on the 15th of January 2020 to provide financial support rather than lending to Governments.

Under this program, Elite Capital & Co. and its governmental portfolios sign agreements with the respective Government to support the country's National Projects, by providing up to 80% of the financing needs of those National Projects without burdening the Ministry of Finance with sovereign loans. In return, the Government announces the projects on a bidding basis by inviting all local companies and international consortia, to bid for up to 20% remaining funding, construction, and project operations, thereby ensuring fairness, equality, and transparency according to the rules, regulations, and laws applicable in the respective country.

Mr. George Matharu concluded his statement by saying: "Elite Capital & Co. is ensuring that the ministries or governmental entities obtain the best offers and financing benefits that cannot normally be obtained otherwise by such methods as diplomatic channels or conventional political means. The government will deal with the Government Future Financing 2030 Program as sole contact party meaning that it will be able to communicate with one entity approved by the entire G20, and will not need to communicate with every country individually, as this is a tremendous saving in administrative effort and negotiation at the diplomatic level."

Elite Capital & Co. - Contact Details -

Elite Capital & Co. Limited

33 St. James Square

London, SW1Y4JS

United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0) 203 709 5060

SWIFT Code: ELCTGB21

LEI Code: 254900NNN237BBHG7S26

Website: ec.uk.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/50208901-6ef1-4417-a3ab-3ea99980e5a3
BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 18 (UTC+4), under the supervision of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the overseas launch ceremony for the 2024 "Charming Beijing" TV series was held in Dubai in the UAE. The ceremony was hosted by the Information Office of Beijing Municipality and organized by CRI Online.

The "Charming Beijing" TV series, as an overseas communication project, serves as a brand project jointly launched by the Information Office of Beijing Municipality and CRI Online to enhance cultural exchanges between China and other countries. Since its inception in 2019, five seasons have been launched, successively inviting production teams from 14 countries including Russia, Italy, Brazil, and Germany to Beijing to co-produce the TV series. So far, the first four seasons have been broadcast on mainstream television stations in more than 10 countries and viewed 300 million times. Relative videos and graphic content have been released across various websites and overseas social media platforms, garnering nearly 200 million views overseas. The series has gained recognition and popularity among overseas audiences.

In September this year, the 2024 season of the TV series specially invited filming teams from Abu Dhabi TV from the UAE and Al Arabiya TV from Saudi Arabia to film in various locations such as Beijing Municipal Administrative Center, the robot Industrial Park, the Temple of Heaven, and the Palace Museum, where they have experienced the dynamic vitality of Beijing's innovative development, and captured the beauty and charms of this ancient capital.

During the sharing session, Mohammed Addulkareem, Host of UAE's Abu Dhabi TV, said that in September of this year, he went to Beijing to participate in the filming of "Charming Beijing" TV series, which was an unforgettable experience. He believed that the TV series would convey the beauty of Chinese culture to the people of the UAE.

The "Charming Beijing" documentary will be showcased on platforms such as UAE's Abu Dhabi TV and Saudi Arabia's Al Arabiya TV, targeting the audiences in the Arab region and it aims to showcase the diverse charms and rich historical heritage of Beijing.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - K2 Gold Corporation (TSXV: KTO) (OTCQB: KTGDF) (FSE: 23K) ("K2" or the "Company") today announced final results from the Fall 2024 rock sampling program completed at the Mojave Project, located in Inyo County, California. Results for 105 samples collected from sampling over a 750m wide x 3km long northwest trend of gold, silver, copper and base metal mineralization within the Cerro Gordo target area are reported herein.

Highlights

High grade gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc returned across the entire mineralized trend. 105 samples collected - no samples returned below detection gold (See Table 1).

This is a unique target area within the Mojave project where K2 holds rights to road-accessible patented claims within the core of the Cerro Gordo trend.

"The more we explore at Mojave, the more it continues to deliver remarkable results. The project is beginning to demonstrate the characteristics of a strongly mineralized polymetallic system of significant scale and multiple target areas.

As we have been focusing our efforts on permitting the Phase II drill program at the eastern (Newmont - Dragonfly) gold zones, we have yet to begin to explore the Cerro Gordo target area.

But, with momentum at our backs as we make significant progress on the permitting front, the decision was made to conduct the first significant work at Cerro Gordo.

Sampling over the 3km trend returned exceptional results with polymetallic mineralization found at all targets.

While high-grade vein and replacement mineralization was the focus of past explorers and miners (and is still a prime target today), we believe the potential for bulk tonnage, lower grade gold mineralization appears to have been overlooked," stated Anthony Margarit, President and CEO of K2 Gold.

Rock Sampling Results

The 2024 rock sampling program in the Cerro Gordo target area consisted of rock chip and grab sampling across the entire Cerro Gordo trend, verifying the location and mineralization associated with all known prospects and historic workings in the area. A total of 105 samples were collected, all samples returned above-detection results for gold.

Target Sample ID Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Pb (%) Zn (%) Sunset Mine G777523 13.3 2260 3.85 0.387 0.0806 G777622 8.13 2380 3.02 0.473 0.233 G777729 4.25 24.1 13.95 0.0034 0.256 G777624 1.1 37.6 0.0527 3.37 0.663 G777626 0.187 145 16.55 0.967 3.51 B Zone G777641 11.05 1420 4.59 6.52 0.271 G777559 4.32 138 0.0673 1.32 0.0595 G777640 0.665 451 1.355 1.155 0.0748 Wheelbarrow Adit G777537 18.1 223 0.0138 0.0088 0.0052 G777638 13.3 48.2 0.0156 0.0163 0.0134 G777639 12.8 35.2 0.0064 0.0091 0.0071 G777538 9.92 118 0.0092 0.0118 0.0092 G777558 7.72 18.4 0.0415 0.015 0.0405 Ignacio Silver Mine G777753 5.77 14.6 4.48 0.0175 0.0082 G777744 1.7 5.4 0.0475 0.0175 0.0062 G777752 1.395 426 1.39 2.14 1.105 Ignacio Stock G777562 1.93 4.1 0.0271 0.0351 0.0195 G777563 1.36 7.2 0.0313 0.0245 0.0231 H Zone G777732 9.09 43.3 0.1115 0.0624 0.052 G777530 6.94 38.6 2.72 0.0056 0.0065 G777738 6.61 42 1.22 0.0014 0.0076 G777627 2.98 453 0.874 0.108 0.0331 G777632 1.43 24.1 3.55 0.0061 0.009 G777532 0.2 249 0.101 15.25 0.257 G777633 0.187 253 0.166 11.25 0.258 Morningstar G777761 5.68 270 0.199 0.613 0.252 G777754 2.13 1405 3.53 0.739 0.731 G777543 1.6 1480 3.06 0.1415 0.0462 G777648 0.184 232 0.699 1.78 7.44

Table 1: Highlight 2024 rock samples from the Cerro Gordo target area.





Figure 1: Highlight 2024 rock samples from the Cerro Gordo target area - gold indicated.

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Cerro Gordo Target Area

The Cerro Gordo target area is within the northwest corner of the Mojave Project and includes multiple mineralized zones along a 750m wide x 3km long northwest-southeast trending corridor of polymetallic Au-Ag-Cu-Pb-Zn mineralization. Mineralization in the target area occurs adjacent to, and within, the Ignacio Stock, a quartz-monzonite intrusion emplaced into reactive limestone and siltstone units. Mineralization consists of predominantly northwest-trending high-grade quartz-sulphide veins, skarn and replacement bodies, and steeply plunging high grade breccia zones controlled by structural intersections. The 2024 sampling has revealed the Ignacio Stock itself to be mineralized, possibly representing a bulk tonnage target.

Sunset Mine

The Sunset mine was active in the late 1800's and is located in the northwest corner of the Cerro Gordo trend immediately above the Cerro Gordo Road. Mineralization consists of high-grade gold, silver, and copper within quartz-sulphide (tetrahedrite) veins and calc-silicate altered limestone. K2 conducted verification sampling of vein material within the mine workings and from mine dumps. Samples values returned from trace to highs of 13.3 g/t Au, 2,380 g/t Ag, 13.95% Cu, 3.37% Pb, and 3.51% Zn (multiple samples, see Table 1). Individual veins trend northeast-southwest within a broader northwest-southeast alignment.

B Zone & Wheelbarrow Adit

The B Zone and Wheelbarrow Adit are found on the western margin of the Ignacio stock, approximately 500m southeast of the Sunset Mine. Mineralization consists of oxidized quartz-sulphide veining within calc-silicate altered limestone, with the Wheelbarrow Adit exposing a notable silicified breccia zone with high-grade with gold mineralization. The Wheelbarrow Adit was the focus of historic work on the property in 2009 with 1,091m of HQ diamond drilling completed in three holes, with a highlight result of 3.7 g/t Au over 38m in hole CG09DH-1 (1). K2's sampling at the Wheelbarrow Adit returned a composite grab sample of 18.1 g/t Au with 223 g/t Ag (G777537), and additional samples returning 13.3 g/t Au with 48.2 g/t Ag (G777638), and 12.8 g/t Au with 35.2 g/t Ag (G777639). A total of 6 samples were collected from the Wheelbarrow Adit area and returned 2.89 - 18.1 g/t Au; averaging 10.79 g/t Au

Approximately 160m southeast of the Wheelbarrow Adit, a grab sample of quartz veined and brecciated calc-silicate altered limestone from a historical prospect pit returned 11.05 g/t Au, 1,420 g/t Ag, 4.59 % Cu, 6.52% Pb, and 0.271% Zn (G777641), indicating metal zonation within the B Zone target.

Ignacio Silver Mine

The Ignacio Silver Mine comprises more than 1,200m of tunnel, a glory hole, and multiple smaller pits and trenches dating to the late 1800's and is located in the centre of the Cerro Gordo target area. Mineralization at Ignacio appears to have been controlled by the intersection of northwest-trending quartz veins and faulting visible at the present surface with northeast trending faulting, resulting in southeast plunging ore bunches. Underground workings are currently inaccessible due to caving, but sampling of quartz vein material from the Ignacio glory hole returned samples grading 5.77 g/t Au, 14.6 g/t Ag, and 4.48% Cu (G777753), and 1.395 g/t Au, 426 g/t Ag, 1.39% Cu, 2.14% Pb, and 1.105% Zn (G777752).

Ignacio Stock

The Ignacio Stock is exposed at surface as an approximately 650 by 240m quartz monzonite plug intruded into the limestone and shale host rocks in the project area. The stock is believed to be at least partially responsible for mineralization in the target area. At surface where exposed, the stock is oxidized and sericite altered, but visually muted relative to the surrounding skarn and vein mineralization. K2's sampling of the stock itself returned gold values of 1.93 g/t Au with >10,000 ppm As (G777562) and 1.36 g/t Au with 3,970 ppm As (G777562), demonstrating that the intrusion itself hosts gold mineralization. To K2's knowledge, no previous sampling or exploration work has targeted the Ignacio stock itself.

H Zone

The H Zone is located in the southeast portion of the target area along the eastern margin of the Ignacio stock. The target was historically evaluated by Asamera and Phelps-Dodge as a northwest-striking, gently southwest dipping, tabular body of gold skarn mineralization defined over 730m of strike length and to 120m depth. Structural controls on possible plunging high-grade mineralization as observed at the Wheelbarrow Adit were not historically examined.

Multiple ore dumps, waste piles, trenches, and workings were sampled by K2 during the 2024 program. Mineralization within the H Zone is polymetallic and varies from gold-silver +/- copper dominant (G777732: 9.09 g/t Au, 43.3 g/t Ag, 0.1115% Cu; G777530: 6.94 g/t Au, 38.6 g/t Ag, 2.72% Cu) to silver-lead dominant (G777532: 0.2 g/t Au, 249 g/t Ag, 0.101% Cu, 15.25% Pb, 0.257% Zn, G777633: 0.187 g/t Au, 253 g/t Ag, 0.166% Cu, 11.25% Pb, 0.258% Zn), though the distribution is weakly constrained at present.

Morningstar Mine

The Morningstar Mine is found at the far southeastern end of the Cerro Gordo trend and was established in 1899 to exploit high-grade gold mineralization in the "Gold Stope" controlled by north-trending faults and fissures within northwest-trending, southwest dipping limestone. Sampling of gossan from the Gold Stope where it was mined to surface 130m northeast and uphill of the mine portal returned 5.68 g/t Au, 270 g/t Ag, 0.199% Cu, 0.613% Pb, and 0.252 Zn (G777761). Extremely high-grade silver mineralization was recovered from the mine, with samples collected by K2 from the ore dump returning up to 1,405 g/t Ag and 3.53% Cu. A grab sample from a historical excavator trench located 150m northwest of the portal returned high grade silver and copper mineralization (G777543: 1.6 g/t Au, 1480 g/t Ag, 3.06% Cu).





Figure 2: Map of the Mojave Property showing gold in rocks. 2024 samples indicated with white circles.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6578/230515_f996d2fb44f4ea95_003full.jpg

About the Cerro Gordo Target Area

The Cerro Gordo target area consists of 59 unpatented lode claims and 5 patented claims situated in the northwest corner of the Mojave Project. A 750m wide, 3km long northwest-southeast trending zone of polymetallic mineralization trends northwest-southeast across the property from the Sunset-Copper Penny mines in the northwest to the Morningstar mine and Soda Ridge target in the southeast.

The target area has seen exploration and mining activity beginning in the mid-late 1800's and forms a portion of the Cerro Gordo mining district which produced an estimated 4.4 million ounces of silver, 37 tons of lead, and 12,000 tons of zinc with lesser amounts of gold and copper (2). Historical prospectors and miners invariably targeted extremely high-grade vein mineralization and massive sulphide replacement bodies at the Sunset-Copper Penny, Ignacio, Morningstar, and the adjacent Cerro Gordo mines.

Modern exploration on the property began in the 1960's and was performed by multiple operators including Asamera Minerals, Coeur Exploration, and Phelps Dodge among others. The work to date has included various geological, geochemical, and geophysical surveys, over 15,000m of drilling, preliminary metallurgical test work, and historical gold resource estimates, all of which examined the potential for tabular, bulk tonnage deposits while ignoring the existing potential for structurally controlled, plunging high-grade mineralization.

Initial evaluation by K2 indicates that the Cerro Gordo target area is highly prospective for previously unrecognized structurally controlled and intrusive-hosted mineralization.

(1) R. Wetzel, 2009

(2) Merriam, 1963, Geology of the Cerro Gordo Mining District, Inyo County, California

Qualified Person ("QP")

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in NI 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Eric Buitenhuis, M.Sc., P.Geo., K2's QP and Vice President of Exploration.

The analytical work for the rock sampling programs was performed by ALS Laboratories ("ALS") in Reno, Nevada and North Vancouver, British Columbia. Samples were submitted to ALS's Reno, Nevada facility where they were prepared using procedure PREP-31 (crush, split, and pulverize 250g to better than 85% passing 75 microns). Pulp samples were then analysed for gold by method Au-AA23, a 30-gram Fire Assay fusion with an atomic absorption finish (AAS). A 0.5g pulp was analysed by aqua-regia acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) for 36 elements using method ME-ICP41. Samples containing >10 g/t Au were analyzed by Au-GRA21, a 30-gram Fire Assay fusion with gravimetric finish. Samples containing overlimit silver, copper, lead, or zinc were analyzed by methods Ag-OG62, Cu-OG62, Pb-OG62, and Zn-OG62, which are aqua regia digests with ore grade ICP finishes.

About K2 Gold

K2 is a proud member of Discovery Group and currently has three projects in Southwest USA and the Yukon.

The Si2 Gold Project is located in Esmeralda County, approximately 60km northwest of Tonopah, Nevada, and 20km northwest of Allegiant Gold's Eastside deposit (1.4Moz Au, 8.8 Moz Ag). The project is road accessible and consists of 118 BLM lode claims covering 986 Ha, 65 of which are under option from Orogen Royalties Inc. (TSXV: OGN). The claims cover an 8 km2 area of steam heated alunite-kaolinite-buddingtonite alteration within a sequence of felsic to intermediate volcanic rocks displaying brecciation and strongly anomalous mercury.

K2's 2023 diamond drill program at the Si2 Project confirmed that the system is gold bearing. The project was initially identified using the same methods, and by the same exploration team that identified AngloGold Ashanti's 4.22 Moz Au Silicon project1 near Beatty, Nevada, and was staked based on its strong geological similarities to Silicon.

https://reports.anglogoldashanti.com/22/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AGA-IR22.pdf

The Wels Project lies approximately 40km east of the community of Beaver Creek and 60km south of Newmont Goldcorp's Coffee deposit discovered by Kaminak Gold Corporation (formerly a Discovery Group company prior to its acquisition by Goldcorp-Newmont). Both the Coffee project and the Wels project lie within the Tintina Gold Belt, share similar characteristics, and are host to structurally controlled gold mineralization within intrusive rocks exhibiting multiple trends of mineralization.

K2's 2023 Reverse Circulation drilling program at the Wels Project intersected gold in every drill hole, including the discovery of a new mineralized corridor at the Saddle South target. The Wels land position consists of 350 contiguous quartz claims covering 7,200 hectares and lies within the traditional territory of White River First Nation.

K2 is committed to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety, diversity, inclusion, and community and indigenous engagement.

K2 Gold Corporation is a member of Discovery Group based in Vancouver, Canada. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are not historical facts. Forward- looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the exploration program at Si2, Wels, and Mojave, including results of drilling, and future exploration plans at Si2, Wels, and Mojave. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its planned activities, and the Company's inability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies. The reader is referred to the Company's public disclosure record which is available on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca). Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except as required by securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. No securities of the Company have been or will, in the foreseeable future, be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (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.

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/230515

SOURCE: K2 Gold Corporation
Vancouver, BC--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Zeus North America Mining Corp. (CSE: ZEUS) (FSE: 092) will be participating in Deutsche Goldmesse Fall 2024, which will take place on November 21st and 22nd at The Westin Grand Frankfurt.

Members of the Zeus North America Mining Corp. management will be taking meetings throughout the day, and also present to an audience of European investors.

An online registration form is available, and Investors can register to attend at:

Investor Registration | Deutsche Goldmesse Fall 2024

Kai Hoffmann, Managing Director of Soar Financial Partners, remarks, "Following two virtual, and six in-person events, Deutsche Goldmesse has established itself as Germany's premier investment conference in the resource space. Being from Germany myself and working solely in the junior mining space for the last 15 years, I understand what German and European investors are looking for. This is why I have focused on bringing together a selective group of impressive and diverse companies, keynote speakers, influencers, HNW investors, asset & fund managers, media partners and more. I am excited to offer this boutique event once again, exclusive to the junior mining sector."

The Deutsche Goldmesse website is updated regularly with attending companies, keynote speakers, schedule, and other important details: www.deutschegoldmesse.com

About Zeus North America Mining Corp.

Exploring in Idaho's newest Copper Belt. The Company is focused on its exploration properties in the state of Idaho, USA known as the: Cuddy Mountain; Selway; and Great Western properties, respectively. The Idaho properties consist of 102 (Cuddy Mountain), 57 (Selway) and 38 (Great Western) lode mining claims respectively and cover a cumulative area of approximately 4,200 acres. The Company's flagship Cuddy Mountain Property is adjacent to Hercules Metal Corp's Leviathan Copper Porphyry discovery. The Company is in the business of mineral exploration.

About Deutsche Goldmesse

Deutsche Goldmesse is Germany's premier mining investment conference, based in Frankfurt- one of Europe's most important financial capitals. The exclusive two-day event brings together leading minds in the industry to foster new business opportunities and facilitate valuable relationships. Each edition will showcase up to 35 mining companies across various commodities and stages alongside internationally renowned keynote speakers, media personalities, and other influential figures in the industry.

Hosted by Soar Financial Partners, Deutsche Goldmesse provides a unique platform where company management can connect with a vast network of European institutional and HNW investors, retail investors, analysts, influencers, newsletter writers, media, and other local partners.

SOURCE: Soar Financial Partners
EL CENTRO, Calif., Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premier Graphene Inc. (OTC PINK: BIEI), formerly Premier Biomedical Inc., announced today the completion of a joint venture between publicly traded Premier Graphene and Isatek SA de CV and two other parties. With over three decades of operational growth, Isatek SA de CV is at the forefront of technology and systems development in Mexico. Isatek SA de CV is also a pioneer in the development of blockchain technology in Mexico. Founded by Mexican businessman Alfonso Jimenez Perez, Isatek offered $16 billion dollars in cryptocurrency in 2022 to buy Banamex. Banamex was purchased by Citigroup in August, 2021 for $12.5 billion USD.

Isatek, the creator of the Amero cryptocurrency, is at the technological forefront of creating environmentally responsible cryptocurrencies. The parties to the joint venture are Premier Graphene, Inc., Isatek S.A. de C.V., it's affiliate Technology Evolution S.A. de C.V. and HGI Industrial Technologies.

As part of the joint venture, HGI Industrial Technologies will issue 10% of its authorized Series A stock to Isatek. Isatek will issue in kind 10% of its authorized Series A stock to HGI.

The purpose and focus of joint venture is four-fold.

1. Isatek will create a cryptocurrency for HGI and possibly Premier to help raise funds for both companies as well as all parties involved.

2. Isatek will partner with HGI and Premier Graphene on all industrial hemp operations and the products derived from the growth of the industrial hemp as well as lease land in key states in Mexico and for Premiers expansion into Latin America

3. Premier Graphene will sell an allotted mining production from Isatek's mining concessions with all mining sales as a result of the joint venture to be recognized by Premier Graphene this includes Gold, copper ore and silver mines

4. Premier Graphene Inc. will lease 5,000 hectares at a reduced price in the state of Sonora where 2 large deposits of graphite are located, Premier will grow industrial hemp for its graphene production and sublease the land with the graphite deposits for development of high grade graphene in which Premier and ISATEK will profit from a percentage of the graphene processed. Premier will run all administrative processes of said graphite mines.

Pedro Mendez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Premier Graphene commented, "We are thrilled to be able to announce the closing of this joint venture. With Isatek as a joint venture partner, we will be able to leverage their relationships in Mexico and south America as we build our company."

Alfonso Jimenez Perez, CEO of Isatek SA de CV, added, "We are excited about this strategic collaboration that combines our strengths with Premier Graphene. At Isatek, we are committed to managing governmental and commercial relations in Mexico, including our alliances with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of the Navy, as well as clients in Mexico and Latin America. Additionally, we will supply Premier Graphene with our percentage of graphene that is extracted from our graphite mines in Sonora for production of their materials, reinforcing our position in the advanced materials industry. This partnership provides Premier with the opportunity to bring our technological products and graphene to the global market, driving growth and innovation on both sides."

About ISATEK S.A. de C.V.

Isatek S.A. de C.V. is a pioneer Mexican company that is focused on blockchain technology. Its crypto currency is AMERO, a coin that is backed by gold, silver, copper ore and graphite mines in Mexico as well as real estate including two private islands in the Sea of Cortez and other countries in Latin America.

Isatek has established its Latin America headquarters in El Salvador where cryptocurrency is a legal form of currency. ISATEK is currently opening a crypto trading market in Brazil, Bolivia, El Salvador and Mexico with plans to expand to Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica and Uruguay.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/puntualjalisco.com/2024/04/19/la-expansion-de-isatek-hacia-el-salvador-un-paso-hacia-la-integracion-financiera-y-tecnologica-en-america-latina/

https://www.elsudcaliforniano.com.mx/local/empresa-que-oferto-por-el-avion-presidencial-tiene-una-isla-en-baja-california-sur-avionpresidencial-ameroavionpresidencial-compradelavionpresidencial-4733918.html

https://mexicodailypost.com/2022/01/14/monterrey-company-offers-16-billion-dollars-in-cryptocurrencies-for-banamex/

To get the latest news on the exciting developments from Premier Biomedical Inc. (OTC PINK: BIEI), now known as Premier Graphene, Inc., subscribe by submitting to:

https://premiergrapheneinc.com/contact/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedro-mendez-a504741ba

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustavocarreno?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

For more information, please contact us at:

info@premiergrapheneinc.com

Website (upgrading in process): https://premiergrapheneinc.com/

X: @PREMIERGRAPHENE

About Premier Graphene, Inc. (OTC PINK: BIEI):

Premier Graphene and its Mexican affiliate HGI Industrial Technologies LLC created a is proprietary, scalable method to create high-quality, low-cost graphene out of industrial hemp. The Company plans on creating proprietary graphene colloids that can address billion-dollar markets such as the cement industry. The Company also enjoys the capacity to create proprietary best-in-class graphene-enhanced lubricants and epoxies. The Company's initial roll out will focus on markets that will require small capital expenditures. For example, and in the case of the cement industry, the Company will sell its graphene suspensions to existing multi-national cement manufacturers.

Premier engaged in a holding company reorganization so that the parent company, renamed from "Premier Biomedical Inc.", has almost no convertible debentures (less than $20,000) outstanding. As a result, the successor issuer public company, Premier Graphene, Inc., has nearly no debt. The predecessor issuer's debt remains in the original company, now a subsidiary of the publicly traded company. The Company is traded on the OTC Market, in full compliance with OTC Market reporting requirements. Premier Graphene, Inc. is in the process of a single corporate action - changing its name with FINRA and thus OTC Markets. Its articles of incorporation prohibit a reverse split. It is involved in the development of sophisticated products utilizing the unique characteristics of graphene, partnering with various related corporations and unrelated corporations.

Safe Harbor Notice

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking statements" (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). The Company cautions its readers that the statements and assumptions made in this news release constitute forward-looking statements and makes no guarantee of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. These statements may address issues that involve significant risks, uncertainties and associated estimates made by management. Actual results could differ materially from current projections or implied results. Premier Graphene, Inc. (OTC-PINK: "BIEI"), whose name is being changed from Premier Biomedical Inc., undertakes no obligation to revise these statements following the date of this news release.

Contact:

Pedro Mendez

p.mendez@premiergrapheneinc.com

info@premiergrapheneinc.com
Arras Minerals Corp. (TSXV:ARK) ("Arras" or "the Company") is pleased to provide an update on the ongoing exploration program across 1,736 sq km of licenses that form the Arras-Teck Resources Limited ("Teck") Strategic Exploration Alliance.

Highlights from the 2024 Exploration Program

Multiple new copper & copper-gold drill targets identified from extensive field program, that included: Collection of 35,122 soil samples taken across Package "A" and Package "B" areas with XRF analysis partially completed and ongoing 11,432.2 meters of KGK drilling in 435 holes testing top of bedrock across Package "A" group of concessions. 3,381-line km Heli-TEM survey completed across entire 1397.25 sq km Package "A" group of licenses 181 sq km Vector Induced Polarization surveys conducted on Package "A" group. 138-line kms of Heli-EM and 47.6 km of Ground IP completed on Package "B" licenses. Extensive field mapping across the licence package.



Tim Barry, CEO commented, " The 2024 work program conducted under the Arras-Teck Strategic Alliance was one of the largest exploration programs in Kazakhstan this year, building substantially on our work in 2023. This year's activities have marked a major step forward in defining high-quality drill targets on these projects. Through a combination of soil sampling, geophysics, and KGK drilling to the top of bedrock, we've amassed an extensive regional data set which has identified a series of new untested anomalies across the Arras-Teck Exploration Alliance area."

Mr. Barry added , "It's exciting to witness the significant progress made by the Arras-Teck Exploration Alliance in understanding this prospective and under-explored belt. We anticipate commencing drill-testing of several high-priority copper targets, currently undrilled and under shallow cover, in the first half of 2025."

Figure 1. Arras's License Package showing Arras-Teck Strategic Alliance Areas as "Package A" and "Package B" as well as the Elemes and Beskauga Projects and the Tay Project which are 100% owned by Arras.

The license packages are situated in the Bozshakol-Chingis magmatic arc, an accretionary arc primarily composed of volcanic rocks, volcaniclastics, older plutons, and a Cambrian-age nickel-rich ophiolite belt. This region has been intruded by mid-Ordovician intrusions, several of which host economically significant Cu-Au porphyry mineralization.

Package A is located 56km to the northwest of the town of Ekibastuz and surrounds KAZ Minerals' Bozshakol Cu-Au mine 1 and covers the trend which has the potential continuation of mineralization.

This area has received limited historic exploration due to unconsolidated cover masking bedrock geology. The property consists of seven exploration licenses and covers 1,397 square kilometers.

The geology consists of the Middle Cambrian Bozshakol Complex and Lower-Middle Cambrian Bozshakol Group volcanics, and along the southeastern margin of the property occurs a large sedimentary basin of Devonian-Carboniferous-aged rocks.

The property covers several interesting exploration targets and mineralization styles, including porphyry copper-gold deposits, Volcanic-Hosted Massive sulphide deposits (VHMS), and orogenic gold deposits.

Principal Targets defined to date include:

Name Target Notes Boz Ext Porphyry Large Cu pXRF soil anomaly along trend from the operating Bozshakol Mine. Boz N Porphyry Historic Cu anomaly coincident with a magnetic low. Taga Porphyry Large chargeability anomaly with associated high pXRF KGK Cu anomalies. Misyak Epithermal Significant Arsenic soil anomaly with visible pyrite-quartz-clay alteration. Tort Kuduk Porphyry Coincident soil pXRF Cu and Mo anomalies. Field review found quartz stockwork veining in silicified feldspar porphyry. Boz S Porphyry Coincident Cu-Mo-As and IP anomaly. Minor magnetic low with minor copper supergene mineralization. Pinta Porphyry-Epithermal Large pXRF soil Cu-Mo-As-Ag-Bi-Sb-Zn-Pb-Co soil anomaly with phyllic and propylitic alteration. Shirderty Porphyry Multiple pXRF Cu anomalies associated with annular magnetic targets. Aktasty Porphyry Large broad magnetic anomaly under a package of relatively non-magnetic sediments. Minor pXRF Cu anomaly from KGK drilling

Figure 2. Package A License and exploration targets

Package B is located approximately 90km to the southeast of the town of Ekibastuz. The Package consists of two claim packages, Akkuduk and Norgubek.

The geology at Akkuduk consists of Devonian and Silurian-aged porphyritic andesites and basalts emplaced into tuffaceous sediments and conglomerates. Into which, several diorites and granodiorite intrusions have been emplaced.

At Norgubek, the geology consists of Ordovician, Carboniferous, and Devonian volcanic, volcaniclastic, and sedimentary rocks into which several dioritic intrusions have been emplaced. The property is cut by three large, northwest-southeast striking regional faults, which have brought together several different litho-tectonic terranes, each host a distinct style of mineralization, including:

Cu-Au porphyry mineralization

Orthomagmatic sulphides Ni-Cu  Co, PGE mineralization

Au-rich VHMS (Cu-Au-Ag-Zn-Pb)

The following Principal Targets have been defined:

Name Target Notes Besshoky Porphyry-Epithermal Broad Cu-Au-Ag-Mo-As-Pb-Zn soil anomaly with coincident IP. Silicified lithocap mapped at surface with tourmaline breccias. Kvartsevy Orogenic Undrilled swarm of 150m long by 3m wide quartz veins with grab samples up to 9.2 g/t Au and 7.8 g/t Ag. Kurortskii Porphyry-Epithermal Coincident Cu-Mo pXRF anomaly with broad magnetic high. Limited Soviet-era drilling reports intercepts up to 10 g/t Au. Gold mineralization occurs as steeply dipping, sheeted quartz veins. P39 Orthomagmatic Coincident magnetic high with Ni-Cr-Co soil anomaly, with up to 0.4% Ni in soils. Norgubek-Akkuduk Porphyry-Epithermal Cu-Au mineralisation hosted within quartz diorites and granodiorites, significant intercepts in limited historical drilling e.g., 30.5 m @ 1.65 g/t Au; 30.2 m @ 1.07 g/t Au; 19.8 m @ 1.2 g/t Au Uzinsor VHMS Coincident Pb, Zn, Mo, pXRF soil anomaly hosted on volcaniclastic rocks that have been crosscut by a series of diorite dykes.

Figure 3. Akkuduk License and exploration targets

Figure 4. Norgubek License and exploration targets

New High Priority Drill Targets being Finalized

The 2024 exploration program by the Arras-Teck Strategic Alliance, combined with Arras's independent work across its own project portfolio, marks the most extensive greenfield exploration effort focused on copper-gold in Kazakhstan this year. Building on the geochemical and geophysical datasets from fieldwork conducted in 2023, this year's exploration programs are significantly advancing our understanding of the terranes in the Bozshakol-Chingiz Magmatic Arc. These datasets are now producing priority targets, which will be finalized and ranked for drill-testing next year. Over the next 2-3 months, analysis of the various data subsets will continue, with plans underway to prioritize and prepare for a robust drilling campaign commencing in the first half of 2025.

References

1 Bozshakol Mine Reserves - Kaz Minerals 2020 annual report - https://www.kazminerals.com/media/22038/kaz-minerals-annual-report-2020.pdf

Qualified Person: The scientific and technical disclosure for this news release has been prepared under supervision of and approved by Matthew Booth, Vice President of Exploration, of Arras Minerals Corp., a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. Mr. Booth has over 19 years of mineral exploration experience and is a Qualified Person member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (CPG 12044).

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Tim Barry"

Tim Barry, MAusIMM CP(Geo)

Chief Executive Officer and Director

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

+1 604 687 5800

info@arrasminerals.com

Further information can be found on:

the Company's website https://www.arrasminerals.com or

follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arrasminerals or

follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/arrasminerals

About Arras Minerals Corp.

Arras is a Canadian exploration and development company advancing a portfolio of copper and gold assets in northeastern Kazakhstan, including the Option Agreement on the Beskauga copper and gold project. The Company has established the third-largest license package in the country prospective for copper and gold (behind Rio Tinto and Fortescue). In December 2023, the Company entered into a strategic alliance with Teck Resources Limited ("Teck") in which Teck may sole fund a US$5 million generative exploration program over a portion of the Arras license package in 2024-2025. The Company's shares are listed on the TSX-V under the trading symbol "ARK" and on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "ARRKF".

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Resources: This press release uses the terms "measured resources", "indicated resources", and "inferred resources" which are defined in, and required to be disclosed by, NI 43-101. The Company advises U.S. investors that these terms are not recognized by the SEC. The estimation of measured, indicated and inferred resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that measured and indicated mineral resources will be converted into reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of resources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that estimates of inferred mineral resources exist, are economically minable, or will be upgraded into measured or indicated mineral resources. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies.

Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations, however the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, the information contained in this press release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies that are not subject NI 43-101.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and Arras' future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding plans and expectations of the exploration program Arras is in the process of undertaking, including the expansion of the Mineral Resource, and other aspects of the Mineral Resource estimates for the Beskauga project. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about Arras' exploration projects, the industry in which Arras operates and the beliefs and assumptions of Arras' management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "continues," "may," variations of such words, and similar expressions and references to futureperiods, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond management's control, including undertaking further exploration activities, the results of such exploration activities and that such results support continued exploration activities, unexpected variations in ore grade, types and metallurgy, volatility and level of commodity prices, the availability of sufficient future financing, and other matters discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Management Discussion and Analysis filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR on February 28, 2024 and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed on February 28, 2024 available on www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this release is based only on information currently available and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.

SOURCE: Arras Minerals Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The European consumer test organization Euro NCAP has for the first time ever assessed the safety of heavy-duty trucks. Volvo's best-selling models, the Volvo FH and the Volvo FM, both received the top rating of five stars. The Volvo FM also had the best overall test result among all tested trucks.

The Volvo FM and the Volvo FH Aero scored the maximum five stars in Euro NCAP's first assessment of truck safety who also gave both Volvo models their City Safe award.

"This outstanding result makes me so proud as it confirms Volvo Trucks' leading position in safety," says Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks. He continues: "Safety is a core value for us and a cornerstone in our heritage. Safety has been guiding us from the very start of our company - and with every new product launch we are making our trucks even safer."

The Volvo FH Aero and Volvo FM both scored five stars in Euro NCAP's first truck safety test

Euro NCAP's five-star rating means that Volvo has shown excellent performance on criteria such as driver support and collision avoidance, delivering traffic safety for the driver and surrounding road users. Additionally, both Volvo models fulfil the so-called City Safe criteria, thanks to good vision and good performance of Volvo's active safety systems, designed to protect vulnerable road users in city traffic situations.

"This is proof of our consistent efforts in safety developments to go beyond what is required by legislation, towards our vision of zero accidents involving our trucks," says Anna Wrige Berling, Traffic and Product Safety Director, Volvo Trucks. She continues:

"Euro NCAP ratings will guide customers in their purchase decisions as well as challenge vehicle manufacturers to continuously work to improve safety."

Facts on Euro NCAP:

The European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP), based in Belgium, was first established in 1996 and quickly became the European industry standard for assessing the safety of passenger cars. It is supported by multiple European governments, including the European Union.

As for the truck test, each safety system was given a score, which was aggregated for each area. These scores were then used to calculate a star rating of one to five stars for the whole vehicle.

The scope of the truck test was as follows:

Safe driving: Occupant monitoring, vision (both direct and indirect) and vehicle assistance (e.g. speed assistance)

Collision avoidance: Frontal collisions (car, pedestrian and cyclist), low speed maneuvering collisions and lane departure collisions

Post-crash: Rescue information.

Euro NCAP's aim is to gradually expand the test scope to also include crash protection at a later stage, as well as testing trucks in different transport segments.

Read the full Euro NCAP test report: link

Read more about Volvo Trucks' view on Euro NCAP here: link

Link to high resolution images

For further information, please contact:

Stefan Elfstrom

Media Relations Director, Volvo Trucks

Email: stefan.elfstrom@volvo.com

Tel: +46 708 25 30 72

Press images and films are available in the Volvo Trucks' Media Hub: https://media.volvogroup.com/dam

Volvo Trucks supplies complete transport solutions for discerning professional customers with its full range of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Customer support is provided via a global network of dealers with 2,200 service points in about 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 12 countries across the globe. In 2023 approximately 145,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks' work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care.

For more information, please contact:

Stefan Elfstrom

Media Relations Director, Volvo Trucks

stefan.elfstrom@volvo.com

+46 708 25 30 72

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/volvo-trucks/r/volvo-trucks-scores-five-stars-in-independent-safety-test,c4067735

The following files are available for download:

https://news.cision.com/volvo-trucks/i/volvo-fh-aero,c3352693 Volvo FH Aero https://news.cision.com/volvo-trucks/i/volvo-fm,c3352694 Volvo FM https://news.cision.com/volvo-trucks/i/volvo-fm-with-cyclist,c3352691 Volvo FM with cyclist https://news.cision.com/volvo-trucks/i/side-collision-avoidance-support-birdview,c3352688 Side Collision Avoidance Support birdview https://news.cision.com/volvo-trucks/i/drivers-view-with-cms,c3352692 Drivers view with CMS https://news.cision.com/volvo-trucks/i/euroncap-truck-test-logo,c3352686 EuroNCAP truck test logo https://news.cision.com/volvo-trucks/i/anna-wrige-berling,c3352690 Anna Wrige Berling

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/volvo-trucks-scores-five-stars-in-independent-safety-test-302311322.html
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The DAX benchmark that tracks the performance of the 40 largest companies listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange rose on Wednesday, amidst an easing in the tensions between Ukraine and Russia.The forty-scrip DAX index is currently trading 0.17 percent higher at 19,116.31, versus the previous close of 19,083.28. The day's trading ranged between a high of 19,191.83 and a low of 19,108.17.In the 40-scrip index, 23 scrips are trading in the overnight green zone.Zalando has surged 2.1 percent followed by Heidelberg Cement that has gained a little less than 2 percent. Airbus Group gained 1.9 percent. Deutsche Bank rallied 1.5 percent whereas SAP recorded an increase of 1.1 percent.Porsche topped losses with a decline of close to 4 percent. Rheinmetall declined 2.5 percent. Porsche Automobil Holding, Sartorius and Brenntag have all declined more than 1 percent.The EUR/USD pair has slipped 0.42 percent and is currently trading at 1.0551 after ranging between 1.0610 and 1.0547. The EUR/GBP pair has dropped 0.27 percent to 0.8333 whereas the EUR/JPY pair has spiked 0.31 percent to 164.36.In tandem with the global hardening in bond yields that followed the easing in geopolitical tensions, German bond yields increased 0.68 percent. The same is at 2.3550 percent versus 2.3390 percent at the previous close. Yields ranged between 2.3700 percent and 2.3345 percent in the day's trading.The surge in Euro Area wage growth to 5.4 percent in the third quarter from 3.5 percent in the second quarter and attributed to a great extent to Germany also contributed to the spike in bond yields.Data released earlier in the day had showed producer prices in Germany declining by 1.1 percent on a year-on-year basis in October, in line with expectations. Prices had fallen 1.4 percent in the previous month.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President-elect Donald Trump has named his transition co-chair and WWE co-founder Linda McMahon as the secretary of the Department of Education in his upcoming administration.'Linda will use her decades of Leadership experience, and deep understanding of both Education and Business, to empower the next Generation of American Students and Workers, and make America Number One in Education in the World. We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort,' Trump said in a statement posted on Truth Social.Trump had hinted at the closure of the Department of Education.A long-time staunch supporter of Trump and benevolent donor to his presidential campaign, McMahon served as the administrator of the Small Business Administration during Trump's first term.She quit te post in 2019 to become the chair of America First Action, a pro-Trump super PAC.A retired professional wrestler, 76-year-old McMahon could be the oldest member of the incoming Trump cabinet.She is the board chair of the pro-Trump think tank, America First Policy Institute.Trump earlier named his other transition co-chair, Howard Lutnick, as his new Commerce Secretary.He also nominated Mehmet Oz, a celebrity cardiac surgeon and former television presenter, to be the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / Rektron Group Inc. ("Rektron" or the "Company") (CSE:REK.U)(FRA:F75) a global commodities trading house, is pleased to announce that Satyam Bhasin has been appointed as a director of the Company, effective immediately, following the recent resignation of Mr. Michael Stier.

Mr. Bhasin is an accomplished finance executive with more than 15 years of extensive experience in the banking and financial services industry. Currently, Mr. Bhasin serves as the Managing Director at Second Street Partners Fund in Dubai and the CEO of Second Street Partners in Mauritius, a quant fund specializing in investments across India and the U.S. Utilizing a strategic blend of cash and derivatives, he focuses on maximizing returns in these key markets. Previously, Mr. Bhasin held pivotal roles at Ekam Advisors, where he was a Director and Partner, managing foreign risk and providing advisory services, and at Citibank India, where he served as a Director. His expertise spans corporate sales, structured finance, and foreign exchange, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region. An alumnus of the prestigious Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics in Mumbai, Mr. Bhasin holds a Chartered Accountant designation. He is an accomplished executive with extensive experience working in hedge funds, quantitative finance, risk management, portfolio management, and equity capital markets. His comprehensive understanding of global financial markets and risk management strategies makes him a valuable leader in the field, known for his adept handling of complex financial operations and investment strategies.

"We are very excited to welcome Mr. Bhasin to our board of directors. Mr. Bhasin is an accomplished executive with a history of performance in finance and banking. We look forward to the extensive experience that we know Mr. Bhasin will bring to the board of directors as we continue to grow as a public company and strive to create long-term value for our stakeholders," stated Ricardo Phielix, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Corporate Update

Moreover, the Company announces the resignation of Mr. Markos Petrocheilos as a director and officer of the Company's subsidiary DL Hudson Limited and as an officer of its other subsidiaries DL Hudson Dunes General Trading L.L.C, DLH Istros Limited and DL Hudson Germany GmbH, effective November 10, 2024. The Company would like to thank him for his valued contributions throughout his tenure and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours. The Company also announces the appointment of Mr. Swapnil Mokashi, principal of the significant shareholder Nile Flow Limited as the managing director and director of DL Hudson Limited.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Rektron Group Inc.

Ricardo Phielix

Chief Executive Officer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Email: ir@rektrongroup.com

Web: https://www.rektrongroup.com/

About the Company

The Company is the holding and parent company of Rektron AQ Limited, which is the holding and parent company of DL Hudson Limited. DL Hudson Limited is the trading arm of a group of companies, of which there are several subsidiaries that support the group's global commodity trading operations. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, while Rektron AQ Limited is headquartered in London, UK.

The Company focuses on maintaining an experienced team of management and traders, extensive geographical and product diversification, trading and logistical expertise, and financial and risk management. The team at the Group is composed of energy and metals traders, City of London and Wall Street bankers. The trading expertise includes principal energy and metals products, particularly ferrous and nonferrous metals, Energy Transition Commodities ("ETC"), recycled metals and crude and Euro VI-compliant refined oil products. The Company transacts across all compliant markets following the international trade regulations and guidelines.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to Rektron's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance 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. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release.

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 Rektron's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the other factors set forth under "Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's final prospectus dated March 4, 2024 and as amended on June 28, 2024 and August 12, 2024. Rektron 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 by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Rektron to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.

Contact Information

Ricardo Phielix

CEO

ir@rektrongroup.com

+1 (289) 482-0744

SOURCE: Rektron Group Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

ROK Resources Inc. ("ROK" or the "Company") (TSXV:ROK)(OTCQB:ROKRF) has filed its interim Financial Results and Management Discussion & Analysis for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

The Company successfully executed its Q3 2024 drilling program, drilling 2 gross (1.5 net) wells in Saskatchewan. At September 30, 2024, one well was on-stream, achieving an IP30of 240 boepd1 (85% liquids). Both wells drilled in the quarter had no prior reserve value associated. The 2024 drilling program continues, on average, to outperform internal type curves, with an average IP90 of 130 boepd1 (85% liquids). The successful results set up the Company with future drilling prospects in core areas of Saskatchewan.

In addition, effective October 1, 2024, the Company sold an existing non-core gross overriding royalty interest held by the Company (the "Non-Core Asset") for $4 million dollars. The proceeds represent 5.5X of 2025 estimated cashflow for the Non-Core Asset, which had a year end 2023 reserve value of $1 million PDP. The proceeds from the accretive transaction were used to further reduce debt, resulting in a revised year end Adjusted Net Debt estimate for 2024 of $12.6 million (24% reduction from previous guidance), or 0.4X of estimated Adjusted Net Debt/debt adjusted cashflow for 2024.

The Company remains well positioned to continue the balance of its 2024 drilling program which includes 3 gross (2.9 net) wells, targeting inventory growth in the Frobisher and testing of its first multi-lateral Midale well in Southeast Saskatchewan. Given the Company's continued drilling success, construction of a multi-well facility remains on schedule for Q4 2024, which will lower operating costs and allow for continued optimization of existing wells.

Q3 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

Production In-line with Forecast: Production averaged 3,773 boepd 2 (71% liquids);

Successful Drill Program: Drilled 2 gross (1.5 net) wells in unbooked areas of Saskatchewan;

Exceeded Debt Reduction Forecast: Achieved adjusted Net Debt of $12.9 million, representing an 8% improvement from the Company's target; and

Revised Year End 2024 Adjusted Net Debt: With the sale of the Non-Core Asset the Company revised its Adjusted Net Debt estimate at 2024 from $16.6 million to $12.6 million (24% reduction from previous guidance)

Notes:

Based on field production data. The Company had shut-in ~300 boepd (80% natural gas) in its Kaybob, Alberta area. The strategic shut-ins have since been reactivated.

Q3 2024 FINANCIALS

Financial Q3 2024 Q3 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023 Net income (loss) 10,039,846 (7,752,269 ) 4,509,095 (7,273,545 ) Basic ($/share) 0.05 (0.04 ) 0.02 (0.03 ) Diluted ($/share) 0.05 (0.04 ) 0.02 (0.03 ) Funds flow 5,450,738 4,987,273 16,793,841 19,626,711 Basic ($/share) 0.02 0.02 0.08 0.09 Diluted ($/share) 0.02 0.02 0.08 0.09 Expenditures on property, plant and equipment 2,958,065 7,580,787 10,052,687 16,585,543 Operating Oil and Natural Gas Sales 21,349,004 22,144,104 64,022,520 64,019,554 Royalties (3,664,327 ) (2,931,103 ) (11,401,545 ) (11,490,495 ) Operating Expenses (11,700,674 ) (13,353,260 ) (33,980,002 ) (32,594,808 ) Operating Income 5,984,003 5,859,741 18,640,973 19,934,251 Realized gain (loss) on commodity contracts 953,121 563,524 1,813,877 5,689,069 Processing and other income 993,943 708,047 2,503,216 1,703,583 Funds from Operations 7,931,067 7,131,312 22,958,066 27,326,903 Average daily production Crude oil (bbl/d) 2,348 1,986 2,210 2,046 NGLs (boe/d) 347 432 405 391 Natural gas (mcf/d) 6,467 8,647 8,281 7,961 Total (boe/d) 3,773 3,858 3,995 3,764 Operating Netback per boe Oil and Natural Gas Sales 61.51 62.38 58.49 62.30 Royalties (10.56 ) (8.26 ) (10.42 ) (11.18 ) Operating Expenses (33.71 ) (37.60 ) (31.04 ) (31.72 ) Operating Netbacks ($/boe) 17.24 16.52 17.03 19.40 Funds from Operations ($/boe) 22.85 20.09 20.97 26.59 Operating Income Profit Margin 28.0 % 26.5 % 29.1 % 31.1 % Funds from Operations Profit Margin 37.1 % 32.2 % 35.9 % 42.7 %

Share information Common shares outstanding, end of period 218,419,315 215,393,217 218,419,315 215,393,217 Weighted average basic shares outstanding 218,419,315 215,321,152 218,418,994 214,247,621 Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 218,876,458 215,321,152 223,828,645 214,247,621

Q3 2024 FINANCIAL SUMMARY

In Q3 2024, the Company realized average daily production volume of 3,773 boepd (71% liquids), resulting in oil and natural gas sales of $21.3 million and realized hedge gain of $1.0 million. The Company realized Funds from Operations of $7.9 million, after royalties, operating expenses, and processing and other income.

Operating costs, which include expenses incurred to operate wells, gather, treat, and transport production volumes, as well as costs to perform well and facility repairs and maintenance, were consistent with Company expectations for the quarter, averaging $33.71 per boe. This represents a 10% reduction when compared to Q3 2023, when corporate operating costs averaged $37.60 per boe. Recall, costs incurred in the Company's third quarter include one-time annual costs such as property taxes, government fees and levies.

Capital expenditures in Q3 2024 totaled $3.0 million, which included $2.2 million towards the Company's drilling programs, $0.2 million towards well reactivations, $0.3 million towards land and seismic acquisitions, and $0.3 million towards facilities and gathering systems. Total capital allocation, year-to-date, is $10 million.

NET DEBT

Net Debt as at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, as outlined below:

September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023 Accounts receivable 11,905,340 13,021,111 Prepaids and deposits 318,624 364,090 Risk management contracts 4,816,700 4,521,075 Accounts payable (13,894,910 ) (17,560,130 ) Adjusted working capital (2) 3,145,754 346,146 Credit Facility (8.4%) (1) 11,783,905 14,501,748 Lease obligations (1) 505,649 545,851 Less: adjusted working capital (2) (3,145,754 ) (346,146 ) Net debt 9,143,800 14,701,453

Represents undiscounted face value of debt balances and lease obligations outstanding as of each respective date presented. Calculation of adjusted working capital excludes current portion of debt as presented on the statement of financial position. The mark-to-market fair value of the current portion of risk management contracts is included within adjusted working capital.

ROK uses "Net Debt" as a measure of the Company's financial position and liquidity, however it is not intended to be viewed as an alternative to other measures calculated in accordance with IFRS.

Complete reports and statements will be made available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company website www.rokresources.ca.

About ROK

ROK is primarily engaged in exploring for petroleum and natural gas development activities in Alberta and Saskatchewan. It has offices located in both Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and Calgary, Alberta, Canada. ROK's common shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "ROK".

For further information, please contact:

Cameron Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Bryden Wright, President and Chief Operating Officer

Jared Lukomski, Senior Vice President, Land & Business Development

Lynn Chapman, Chief Financial Officer

Phone: (306) 522-0011

Email: investor@rokresources.ca

Website: www.rokresources.ca

Non-IFRS Measures

The non-IFRS measures referred to above do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS Accounting Standards ("IFRS") and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Management uses this non-IFRS measurement to provide its shareholders and investors with a measurement of the Company's financial performance and are not intended to represent operating profits nor should they be viewed as an alternative to cash provided by operating activities, net income or other measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with IFRS. The reader is cautioned that these amounts may not be directly comparable to measures for other companies where similar terminology is used.

"Operating Income" is calculated by deducting royalties and operating expense from total sales revenue. Total sales revenue is comprised of oil and gas sales. The Company refers to Operating Income expressed per unit of production as an "Operating Netback". "Operating Income Profit Margin" is calculated by the Company as Operating Income as a percentage of oil and natural gas sales. "Funds from Operations" is calculated by adding other income and realized gains/losses on commodity contracts ("hedging") to Operating Income.

The following table reconciles the aforementioned non-IFRS measures:

Q3 2024 Q3 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023 Oil and natural gas sales 21,349,004 22,144,104 64,022,520 64,019,554 Royalties (3,664,327 ) (2,931,103 ) (11,401,545 ) (11,490,495 ) Operating expenses (11,700,674 ) (13,353,260 ) (33,980,002 ) (32,594,808 ) Operating Income 5,984,003 5,859,741 18,640,973 19,934,251 Processing and other income 993,943 708,047 2,503,216 1,703,583 Realized gain on commodity contracts 953,121 563,524 1,813,877 5,689,069 Funds from Operations 7,931,067 7,131,312 22,958,066 27,326,903 Sales volume (boe) 347,089 354,975 1,094,652 1,027,551 Per boe Oil and natural gas sales 61.51 62.38 58.49 62.30 Royalties (10.56 ) (8.26 ) (10.42 ) (11.18 ) Operating expenses (33.71 ) (37.60 ) (31.04 ) (31.72 ) Operating netback 17.24 16.52 17.03 19.40 Funds from Operations 22.85 20.09 20.97 26.59 Operating Income Profit Margin 28.0 % 26.5 % 29.1 % 31.1 % Funds from Operations Profit Margin 37.1 % 32.2 % 35.9 % 42.7 %

"Net Debt" includes all indebtedness of the Company, such as the Credit Facility and Lease Obligations (each as defined within the Company's interim condensed financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2024), net of Adjusted Working Capital. "Adjusted Working Capital" is calculated as current assets less current liabilities, excluding current portion of debt and lease liability as defined on the Company's statement of financial position within the Company's interim condensed financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. "Adjusted Net Debt" is calculated by removing the "mark-to-market fair value of the current portion of risk management contracts" and "lease obligations" (each as defined within the Company's interim condensed financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2024) and non-cash deferred revenue liability derived from non-core business activities from Net Debt.

The following table reconciles Net Debt to Adjusted Net Debt:

September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023 Net Debt 9,143,800 14,701,453 Remove: Current portion of risk management contracts 4,816,700 4,521,075 Remove: Lease obligations (505,649 ) (545,851 ) Remove: Deferred revenue liability (non-cash) (460,000 ) - Adjusted Net Debt 12,994,851 18,676,677

"Funds Flow" includes all cash from (used in) operating activities and is calculated before the change in non-cash working capital. "Funds Flow Basic ($/share)" and "Funds Flow Diluted ($/share)" are calculated by dividing Funds Flow by the weighted average number of basic shares and weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding, respectively, for the relevant period, as presented within the Company's interim condensed financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. These are considered key measures of operating performance and capital management as they demonstrate the Company's ability to generate the cash necessary to repay debt and fund capital investments. Management believes that by excluding the temporary impact of changes in non-cash operating working capital, each of these provide useful measures of ROK's ability to generate cash that are not subject to short-term movements in non-cash operating working capital.

The following table reconciles cash flow from operating activities to Funds Flow:

Q3 2024 Q3 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023 Cash from operating activities 3,630,721 5,284,772 14,290,652 19,707,448 Change in non-cash working capital 1,820,017 (297,499 ) 2,503,189 (80,737 ) Total 5,450,738 4,987,273 16,793,841 19,626,711

Conversion Measures

Production volumes and reserves are commonly expressed on a barrel of oil equivalent ("boe") basis whereby natural gas volumes are converted at the ratio of 6 thousand cubic feet ("Mcf") to 1 barrel of oil ("bbl"). Although the intention is to sum oil and natural gas measurement units into one basis for improved analysis of results and comparisons with other industry participants, boe's may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf to 1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. In recent years, the value ratio based on the price of crude oil as compared to natural gas has been significantly higher than the energy equivalency of 6:1 and utilizing a conversion of natural gas volumes on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.

Abbreviations

bbls/d bopd barrels per day barrels per day boepd barrels oil equivalent per day IP Initial Production NGLs Natural Gas Liquids Mboe Mg/l Thousands of barrels of oil equivalent Milligrams per Litre MMboe Millions of barrels of oil equivalent PDP Proved Developed Producing TP Total Proved Reserves TPP Total Proved and Probable Reserves WTI CA$ US$ West Texas Intermediate, the reference price paid in U.S. dollars at Cushing, Oklahoma for the crude oil standard grade Canadian dollars U.S. dollars

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's objectives, goals, or future plans and the expected results thereof. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on several estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to general business, economic and social uncertainties; litigation, legislative, environmental, and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; those additional risks set out in ROK's public documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com; and other matters discussed in this news release. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility of the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: ROK Resources Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / Atlantic Power & Infrastructure Corp. (OTC PINK:AWSL) and its wholly owned subsidiary, NGAG Inc., are pleased to announce that its proprietary product, ASCOGEL has been awarded full organic status ECOCERT NPOP (National Program for Organic Production). In addition to providing access to organic markets in the U.S. and India, the ECOCERT NPOP certification emphasizes NGAG's ethical production and processing systems. Beyond contributing to the enhancement of water and soil quality, our regenerative and sustainable products also assist in increasing biodiversity and energy conservation while advancing food security.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, it is estimated that in 2020 there were nearly 800 million people in the world suffering from hunger, and global food insecurity has steadily risen since 2014. To address this issue, the U.S. Government's Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative prioritizes the scaling and adoption of innovative technologies in their 2022-2026 Global Food Security Research Strategy stating, "The successful development, transfer, and adoption of agricultural technology is a proven contributor to inclusive economic growth."

NGAG Inc. President, Martin Driscoll stated, "We are exceptionally proud of this accomplishment, and our global distributors share our enthusiasm. ASCOGEL's added protection of both the highly coveted CE mark ("Conformite Europeenne" or "European Conformity") and ECOCERT NPOP certification labels serve to enhance the confidence of the product." The ECOCERT NPOP certification of ASCOGEL highlights NGAG's sustainable raw material sourcing, eco-friendly production systems, and ethical employment and fair-trade practices. This certification further enables distributors to access all markets and to support local economies. Mr. Driscoll continued, "ASCOGEL's unique formula allows farmers to increase food production using 80 percent less water and 50 to 70 percent less nutrients, which in turn lowers the cost of food production." Mr. Driscoll added, "This ECOCERT NPOP certification will open doors and help us break through the 'red tape' that so often accompanies domestic and international public bodies and private organizations associated with new technologies."

About Atlantic Power & Infrastructure Corp.

Atlantic Power and Infrastructure Corp. provides environmental technologies including converting recycled tire material into proven, sustainable infrastructure products. Its flagship product KBIFlexi-Pave's resounding strength, flexibility and porous nature which protects from land erosion has led to its use in high profile shoreline break walls and other marine and infrastructure projects.

About Next Generation Agriculture (NGAG)

AP&I's Next Generation Agriculture division focuses on innovative agricultural solutions, emphasizing sustainable practices such as ASCOGEL under the "Nature Soak" brand. ASCOGEL's improved formulation contains increased levels of bio stimulation for plant establishment and growth. Through ASCOGEL's solutions for optimal water regime and improved soil structure support, its melioration benefits significantly increase crop yields and reduce crop yield risks associated with droughts and/or excessive precipitation.

About KBI Flexi-Pave

KBI Flexi-Pave, harnessing the natural strength of recycled tire granules through KBI's proprietary technology, creates sustainable infrastructure construction products. Renowned for its permeability, flexibility, crack resistance, trip hazard resistance, and slip resistance, KBIFlexi-Pave has seen successful installations in prestigious locations on a global scale.

About AP&I's Water Purification Next Generation (WPNG)

AP&I subsidiaries address global challenges, such as harmful algae and red tide infestation growing health hazard, with its Algae Vessels (AVs). Operating with a zero-carbon footprint, the AVs utilize wind and solar power to eliminate harmful algae blooms in water bodies worldwide. WPNG water purification technology removes harmful algae blooms from freshwater rivers and lakes, and Red Tide algae blooms from salt water.

Disclaimer: Shareholders and investors are strongly cautioned against placing undue reliance on information set forth within this website and these communications in making any investment decisions concerning our securities. The matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks are detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the OTCMarkets.com including the company's Annual Report, Quarterly Reports, and other periodic filings. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Nothing within this site is meant to be a solicitation to buy.

Contact Information

Stephanie Williams

Government Liaison

swilliams@apaicorp.com

2293054840

SOURCE: Atlanta Power & Infrastructure Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
This news release is not for distribution to U.S. newswire services for dissemination in the United States

Tier One Silver Inc. (TSXV:TSLV)(OTCQB:TSLVF) ("Tier One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it is undertaking a private placement of up to 15,000,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at an offering price of C$0.10 per Unit (the "Unit Price") for gross proceeds of up to C$1,500,000 (the "Offering"). Each offered Unit consists of one common share (a "Share") and one full common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of C$0.20 at any time on or before the date which is 24 months from the closing date of the Offering (the "Closing Date").

The Warrants are subject to an accelerated expiry if, anytime following the date that is four months after the Closing Date, the closing price of the Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"), or such other market as the Shares may trade from time to time, is or exceeds C$0.30 for any ten (10) consecutive trading days, in which event the holders of the Warrant may, at the Company's election, be given notice and the Company will issue a press release announcing that the Warrants will expire 30 days following the date of such press release. The Warrants may be exercised by the holder of the Warrant during the 30-day period between the date of the press release announcing the accelerated expiry date and the expiration of the Warrants.

The proposed use of proceeds from the Offering is to fund further exploration work at its flagship, Curibaya project and general working capital.

In accordance with applicable securities laws, the securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a four-month and one day hold period from the date of issuance in Canada.

Closing of the Offering is anticipated to occur on or about December 12, 2024, subject to the receipt of investor documentation, funds and TSXV approval.

The Company will pay finder's fees in cash and non-transferable broker warrants in compliance with the policies of the TSXV. In addition, the Company has appointed 3L Capital Inc. as Financial Advisor to the Offering.

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Tier One Silver

Tier One Silver is an exploration company focused on creating value for shareholders and stakeholders through the discovery of world-class silver, gold and copper deposits in Peru. The Company is focused on its flagship exploration project, Curibaya. The Company's management and technical teams have a strong track record in raising capital, discovery and monetization of exploration success.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TIER ONE SILVER INC.

Peter Dembicki President, CEO and Director

For further information on Tier One Silver Inc., please contact the Company at (778) 729-0700 or visit the Company's website: www.tieronesilver.com

Capital Markets Contact:

Julia Becker

Julia.becker@tieronesilver.com

Forward Looking Information and General Cautionary Language

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to the Company's current expectations and views of future events in connection with the Offering. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and therefore may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be heavily relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. In particular, and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements in regard to the size, closing, TSXV approval and use of proceeds of the Offering.

Readers should refer to the risks discussed in the Company's Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion & Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subsequent continuous disclosure filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators available at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Tier One Silver, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Seventeen Years of Deep Commitment to Power Transmission and Distribution Projects Across the Continent Commemorates the 35th Anniversary of AID

DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating its 17-year journey in Africa, Shanghai Electric (SEHK:2727, SSE:601727) is proud to have contributed to the industrialization and development of the region's power infrastructure. Since 2007, the company has successfully completed 28 power supply projects across African countries, constructing 1,457.16 kilometers of transmission lines and 51 power plants and substations. These achievements have delivered reliable electricity to millions, driving industrial progress and improving livelihoods in the vivid Africa.

"Industrialization in Africa is spurring unprecedented growth in energy demand. The foundation of power supply is not only critical to development but also to ensuring people's livelihoods. Shanghai Electric is honored to collaborate with African partners to build a modern and thriving continent," said Yang Xinghai, a senior executive at Shanghai Electric.

Powering Africa: A Journey of Growth and Innovation

Over the past 17 years, Shanghai Electric has expanded its footprint from North Africa to East and West Africa, developing and highlighting a diverse range of transmission and distribution projects, among others:

Djibouti ' s Railway Electrification (2014): Shanghai Electric constructed a 230kV substation and 83.85 kilometers of transmission lines to supply power to the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway.

Shanghai Electric constructed a 230kV substation and 83.85 kilometers of transmission lines to supply power to the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway. Ethiopia ' s Transmission Network (2008 ): Shanghai Electric has delivered eight major EPC projects in Ethiopia, including the BBDA 400kV transmission line project, Renaissance Dam transmission systems, and the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway power supply. The cumulative effort includes 1,115 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines and 11 substations.

Shanghai Electric has delivered eight major EPC projects in Ethiopia, including the BBDA 400kV transmission line project, Renaissance Dam transmission systems, and the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway power supply. The cumulative effort includes 1,115 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines and 11 substations. Angola ' s Urban Revitalization (2020): Shanghai Electric modernized the medium- and low-voltage power grids in Huambo and Caala, benefiting one million residents and over hundreds of enterprises with improved and stable electricity access.

Shanghai Electric modernized the medium- and low-voltage power grids in Huambo and Caala, benefiting one million residents and over hundreds of enterprises with improved and stable electricity access. Nigeria's Grid Modernization: In Lagos, Shanghai Electric upgraded ten aging substations, significantly enhancing the reliability of electricity for both residential and commercial users. Additionally, it completed two critical 330/132kV and 132/33kV substations, Egbin Substation and Makogi Substation, in northern Nigeria, benefiting over 500,000 residents.

As Africa continues its journey toward achieving the African Union's Agenda 2063, Shanghai Electric remains committed to providing innovative energy solutions and fostering sustainable development. Shanghai Electric actively employs local talents, generating significant employment opportunities and fostering economic growth. By working closely with local governments and industry partners, Shanghai Electric envisions a brighter, electrified future for Africa.

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NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - Drug major Pfizer Inc. (PFE) announced Wednesday the appointment of Chris Boshoff as Chief Scientific Officer and President, Research & Development effective January 1.Boshoff, who most recently served as Chief Oncology Officer and Executive Vice President, will succeed Mikael Dolsten whose departure from Pfizer was announced earlier this year.In his new role, Boshoff will remain a member of Pfizer's Executive Leadership Team reporting to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Albert Bourla.He will oversee all functions of Research & Development across all therapeutic areas.In Pfizer's Oncology R&D organization, Roger Dansey, serving as Interim Chief Oncology Officer, will report to Boshoff, effective January 1. Dansey will assist Boshoff in selecting a permanent Chief Oncology Officer, after which time he will retire from Pfizer.He will also facilitate a smooth transition of his current responsibilities to his successor, Johanna Bendell, who will be joining Pfizer from Roche in 2025 as Chief Development Officer, Oncology.Boshoff has been with Pfizer for more than 11 years. Prior to becoming Chief Oncology Officer, he served as Chief Development Officer for Oncology and Rare Disease, and also as Head of Development Japan across all therapeutic areas.After joining Pfizer through the Seagen acquisition, Dansey has served as the Chief Development Officer, Oncology.Previously, he led Clinical Oncology Research at Merck, overseeing KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) registration efforts.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.
OSLO, Norway (20 November 2024) - TGS, a leading provider of energy data and intelligence, is pleased to announce award of an OBN contract in Europe. The company's node-on-a-rope crew is scheduled to commence acquisition early April 2025 and the contract has a duration of approximately 35 days.

Kristian Johansen, CEO of TGS, commented, "We are very pleased to secure this contract from a repeat customer. Our node-on-a-rope crew ensures efficient acquisition of high quality data over a well-established producing field. The data is used to optimize resource extraction from the field, and the contract contributes to our ongoing efforts to lead the way in acquiring and delivering high-quality data. "

For more information, visit TGS.comor contact:

Bard Stenberg

IR & Communication

Mobile: +47 992 45 235

investor@tgs.com

About TGS

TGS provides advanced data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. With leading-edge technology and solutions spanning the entire energy value chain, TGS offers a comprehensive range of insights to help clients make better decisions. Our broad range of products and advanced data technologies, coupled with a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, make TGS a trusted partner in supporting the exploration and production of energy resources worldwide. For further information, please visit www.tgs.com).

Forward Looking Statement

All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove accurate. These factors include volatile market conditions, investment opportunities in new and existing markets, demand for licensing of data within the energy industry, operational challenges, and reliance on a cyclical industry and principal customers. Actual results may differ materially from those expected or projected in the forward-looking statements. TGS undertakes no responsibility or obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements for any reason.
Acquisition accelerates InspiredMinds! expansion of robust AI community and influential summits into U.S. markets to advance AI for good and responsible innovation

WASHINGTON and LONDON, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Growth Catalyst Partners, a U.S. based private equity firm focused on investing in information, marketing, and tech-enabled services, today announced the acquisition of U.K.-based InspiredMinds!, a fast-growing, award-winning global technology and science strategy group at the epicenter of the exploding AI and AI healthcare markets. The acquisition is a significant addition to Growth Catalyst Partners' growing portfolio of niche providers of data and AI leadership services at the forefront of preparing public and private-sector organizations for the challenges and opportunities posed by the supersonic pace of AI adoption and innovation.

Founded as a female-owned business in 2017 by pioneering AI advisor and technology entrepreneur Sarah Porter, InspiredMinds! has developed the world's largest and most active AI community across 160+ countries, and is a leading and trusted voice in the industry focused on the ethical development of AI. Its global community comprises over 300,000 professionals across the AI ecosystem, including government, policymakers, big tech, academic and researchers, startups, investors and VCs, corporate enterprises, associations and NGOs. InspiredMinds! connects their community through prestigious and large-scale AI summits, including World Summit AI and Intelligent Health , that attract the world's preeminent leaders driving business and societal transformation through artificial intelligence innovation, application and regulation.

"As the most influential and connected AI community in the world, nothing we do is status quo," stated Sarah Porter, CEO & Founder of InspiredMinds!. "It is a critical point in time for human-AI collaboration, and with the support of Growth Catalyst Partners, we are poised to supercharge the work of our community, by critically focusing on equitable AI and the opportunities that this presents to our future world."

To fuel expansion for InspiredMinds! and advance its purpose of fostering inclusive, equitable and safe adoption of emerging technology, Growth Catalyst Partners will integrate InspiredMinds! into the Data Society Group, a U.S.-based platform that develops future fluent workforces through the power of data and AI. InspiredMinds! will continue to operate as an independent company and plans to launch its festival-style AI summits in the United States in 2025.

"InspiredMinds! is a nexus for the brightest minds, industry leaders, and key government entities driving significant insights and innovations in the field of AI and emerging technologies. We are excited to provide a platform to amplify the important work Sarah and her talented team do to empower the rapidly expanding AI universe," said Connor Dawson, Managing Director of Growth Catalyst Partners. "The highly aligned missions of InspiredMinds! and Data Society Group will be instrumental in guiding the InspiredMinds! launch into the U.S. market working closely with Doug Llewellyn, Data Society Group CEO. We believe the combined business will ultimately become an essential resource for AI and data leaders and their organizations globally."

"With its influential global reach, InspiredMinds! fills an integral role to inform responsible AI innovation. We're inspired by Sarah Porter's leadership in building a high-quality team with a track record of success and strategic impact," said Doug Llewellyn, CEO of Data Society Group. "Working together, I look forward to connecting, growing and inspiring future leaders as they harness the potential of artificial intelligence across societal sectors."

About InspiredMinds!

InspiredMinds! is a dominant worldwide force in artificial intelligence and emerging technology. Our global community of 300,000 expert practitioners and thought leaders across 168 countries includes technologists, clinicians, scientists, leaders, innovators, government officials, healthtech professionals, academics, startups, investors, and NGOs. A strategic advisor to the United Nations and European Union, InspiredMinds! is regarded as a dedicated and influential voice shaping global AI policies and initiatives for the betterment of all humankind. The company's premier AI event brands include World Summit AI (Amsterdam, Netherlands and Doha, Qatar) and Intelligent Health (London, UK and Basel Switzerland), among others. For more information, visit inspired-minds.co.uk/ .

About Data Society Group

Data Society Group enables organizations to harness the full potential of data and AI by working with data leaders to crack cultural challenges and develop future fluent workforces. We unlock innovation and radical collaboration through peer-to-peer exchange, best-in-class data literacy assessment and training, and custom data science and AI applications. Our mission: to enable the enterprise from the inside out, providing comprehensive guidance. We support organizations in enabling new skills, mindsets, and ways of working, ultimately fostering a culture of confidence in applying modern data and AI practices. For more information, visit datasocietygroup.com .

About Growth Catalyst Partners

Growth Catalyst Partners is a middle-market private equity firm investing in information, marketing and tech-enabled services businesses. GCP's strategy involves targeting growth segments of industries and identifying and building market-leading companies with breakout potential. GCP partners with company founders and owners, along with top executives within those industries, and provides capital, proprietary deal origination and operating expertise to the management teams. GCP's team has deep sector expertise and has led hundreds of transactions and successful investments in services businesses for over 20 years. Since the firm's founding in 2015, GCP has completed over 110 acquisitions across its industry-leading platform companies. For more information, visit growthcatalystpartners.com .

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Usha Resources Ltd. ("USHA" or the "Company") (TSXV: USHA) (OTCQB: USHAF) (FSE: JO0), a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company, is pleased to announce that it has finalized its plans for an Induced Polarization (IP) survey at its Southern Arm polymetallic VMS property ("Southern Arm" or the "Property") in the metal-rich northwest Abitibi subprovince of mining-friendly Quebec. The Company has entered into an option agreement to earn 100% of Southern Arm over 2 years from Abitibi Metals Corp. (AMQ.CN, see news release dated July 17, 2024).

Highlights:

Usha has retained Geophysique TMC to deploy the IP survey over the Hollywood trend of metal anomalies within the Southern Arm claim block, which will allow Usha to identify chargeability and resistivity anomalies associated with massive or disseminated sulphides down to a depth of 350+ m.

Field crews will deploy to site mid-November to begin the survey and the results of this 3D survey will be interpreted alongside the results from the biogeochemical survey announced August 1, 2024, and used to establish high priority targets for Usha's planned maiden 3,000 metre drill program.

The Property is situated in a region famous for its endowment in precious and base metals (Fig. 1). Notable nearby projects include: ~16 km from B26 deposit, which hosts an indicated resource of 6.97 Mt at 1.32 % Cu, 1.89% Zn, 0.60 g/t Au & 43 g/t Ag and inferred resource of 4.41 Mt at 2.03% Cu, 0.22% Zn, 1.07 g/t Au & 9 g/t Ag ~15 km from historic Selbaie mine, which produced 53 Mt at 0.96% Cu, 1.9% Zn, 0.58 g/t Au, 40.7 g/t Ag



Figure 1 - Bedrock geology and regional mineral occurrences associated with the synvolcanic Brouillan Complex, Geology after SIGEOM, 2024.

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In the northwest Abitibi subprovince, mineral occurrences are associated with felsic volcanic rocks and regional-scale synvolcanic faults (Fig. 1). The synvolcanic Bapst Fault (Faure, 2011) transects the Southern Arm property, and within this area, the sparse historic drill logs record felsic volcanic stratigraphy, alteration assemblages and widespread metal anomalies that are prospective for polymetallic VMS formation, within a similar geologic setting as the neighbouring historic Selbaie mine (Fig. 1). These results have not been followed up due to the Property's till cover, however the use of TMC's IP will allow Usha to identify chargeability and resistivity contrasts associated with massive or disseminated sulphides down to a depth of 350+ m. The results of this 3D survey will be used to establish high priority targets for Usha's planned 3,000 metre maiden drill program commencing winter 2024 - 2025. The IP survey is being ran in conjunction with a surface biogeochemical sampling survey (see News Release dated November 14, 2024), that will establish a geochemical baseline for future exploration.

Figure 2 - Area map showing local area geology overlain by the location of the IP survey.

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Located in the prolific Abitibi greenstone belt, Southern Arm hosts an approximately 7.3-kilometre conductive copper-gold trend along the regional-scale Bapst fault. The bedrock geology of the Property is dominated by the volcanic rocks of the Brouillan-Fenelon group, which hosts the nearby Selbaie mine (approximately 15 kilometres (km) southwest), which produced 53 million tonnes (Mt) at 0.96 per cent copper (Cu), 1.9 per cent zinc (Zn), 0.58 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au), 40.7 g/t silver (Ag) and Abitibi's B26 deposit (approximately 16 km southwest) which hosts an indicated resource of 6.97 at 2.94 per cent copper equivalent (CuEq; 1.32 per cent Cu, 1.80 per cent Zn, 0.60 g/t Au and 43 g/t Ag).

"We are excited to apply the experience of international geophysical experts at Geophysique TMC to our exploration program at the Southern Arm property" stated CEO Deepak Varshney.

He continued: "The lack of outcrop exposures and complex glacial history in the northwest Abitibi make exploration difficult, but we are confident that Usha is applying the optimal techniques to this ground that give us the best chance of turning historic indications into the Abitibi's next major discovery."

Qualified person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. James Macdonald, P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Historical reports provided by the optionors were reviewed by the qualified person. The information provided has not been verified and is being treated as historic non-compliant intercepts.

About Usha Resources Ltd.

Usha Resources Ltd. is a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality critical metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Based in Vancouver, BC, Usha's portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification and includes Southern Arm, a copper-gold VMS project in Quebec, Jackpot Lake, a lithium brine project in Nevada and White Willow, a lithium pegmatite project in Ontario that is the flagship among its growing portfolio of hard-rock lithium assets. Usha trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol USHA, the OTCQB Exchange under the symbol USHAF and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol JO0.

USHA RESOURCES LTD.

For more information, please call 778-899-1780, email info@usharesources.com or visit www.usharesources.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.

Forward-looking statements:

This news release may include "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and are based on a number of estimates and/or assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry.

The Company is presently an exploration stage company. Exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks, requires substantial expenditures, and may not result in the discovery of mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. Furthermore, the Company currently has no reserves on any of its properties. As a result, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

References

Gaillard, N. (2021) Assessment Report, Grasset Property, Biogeochemistry, Summer 2021; Wallbridge Mining, GM72469, 86pp.

St-Cyr, R. (2021) Black Spruce Bark Campaign Report - Adam Project; Midland Exploration, GM72086, 166 pp.

Probe Gold (2024) Probe Metals And Midland Exploration Commence Drilling To Test New High Priority Targets South Of Fenelon On The Detour Gaudet-Fenelon JV Project; Retrieved from < https://probegold.com/news/probe-metals-and-midland-exploration-commence-drilling-to-test-new-high-priority-targets-south-of-fenelon-on-the-detour-gaudet-fenelon-jv-project/ > on July, 29, 2024

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Lunawood Establishes Production in the U.S. through Joint Venture with Atlanta Hardwood Corporation, Addressing Growing Demand for Sustainable Building Materials

Lahti, Finland, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oy Lunawood Ltd and Atlanta Hardwood Corporation are pleased to announce the formation of a joint venture, Lunawood LLC. This new entity will oversee the procurement, production, and sales of ThermoWood and other thermally modified products across North America.

Effective January 1, 2025, all North American Lunawood sales, including products manufactured at Lunawood's Finnish facilities, will be managed through Lunawood LLC. Under this joint venture, Lunawood LLC will build a production facility at Atlanta Hardwood Corporation's plant in Cleveland, Georgia. The plant will be dedicated to producing thermally modified timber products from locally sourced hardwood for the North American market, with additional global distribution. Lunawood is the first Finnish company in the mechanical wood industry to establish production in the U.S. Production at the North Georgia facility is expected to begin mid-summer 2025.

Lunawood, a pioneer in thermal modification of Finnish pine and spruce since 2001, was instrumental in developing the patented ThermoWood process. The joint venture combines Lunawood's expertise in thermal modification, production, quality control, and commercialization with Atlanta Hardwood's market knowledge, logistics and profiling facilities. Lunawood LLC will stock the full range of Lunawood products for sale within North America at Atlanta Hardwood's facilities in Cleveland, GA, and Clarksville, TN.

"Lunawood is known as a growth-driven company exporting already to over 60 countries. Having found a partner that shares our ambitions and is committed to serving the North American market comprehensively, we recognized a joint venture as the ideal solution to leverage both of our core competencies and enable our growth", says Arto Halonen, CEO of Oy Lunawood Ltd. "We are also happy to be able to serve the Northern American market with shorter delivery times for Lunawood Collection products, thanks to local inventory," he continues.

According to Hal Mitchell, President of Atlanta Hardwood Corporation, and brand manager for AHC Hardwood Group, "We have partnered with the best producer of the most environmentally friendly building product on the planet. This joint venture will allow Lunawood to become the world's leader in thermal modification in both North American and Nordic species. We are excited to offer volume production of these quality-tested, sustainable and durable products to the North American market. Scaling the manufacturing of U.S. lumber has been a dream since our first thermal modification kiln was installed 10 years ago. This joint venture allows us to accomplish that goal."

The growing demand for thermally modified timber in the United States is driven by the increasing demand for sustainable building materials for both indoor and outdoor applications and a strong trend toward green building construction. Demand is especially strong in design applications, including interior architectural accents, exterior cladding, and decking, as architects and builders seek durable, sustainable alternatives to chemically treated wood or exotic hardwoods.

Oy Lunawood Ltd, established in 2000 in Finland, is the pioneer and global leader in sustainable wood innovations that positively impact architecture, well-being and emission reduction worldwide. We re-connect nature with people by bringing the natural benefits of the forest into daily life. We have two production units in Finland and world-wide partner network to serve building professionals.

Atlanta Hardwood Corporation has operated from its base in the metropolitan Atlanta area since the mid-1950s and is doing business as AHC Hardwood Group in Cleveland, Georgia and Clarksville, Tennessee. Atlanta Hardwood Corporation also offers domestic trucking as AHC Logistics, which specializes in the transportation of lumber and building materials.

Attachments
Award-winning cosmetic surgery practice recognized for breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and body contouring excellence

OMAHA, NE / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / Aesthetic Surgical Images, a premier plastic surgery practice in Omaha, NE, is proud to announce its recent accolades in Omaha Magazine's annual Best of Omaha Awards 2025 for breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and body contouring. With a commitment to enhancing patient confidence through state-of-the-art surgical techniques and a personalized approach to care, Aesthetic Surgical Images has become a trusted name for patients throughout Omaha and beyond. Thanks to the votes from satisfied patients, the clinic has achieved first-place honors in these categories, underscoring its reputation for excellence in the field of cosmetic and plastic surgery.

Dr. Bruneteau, Dr. Montag, and Dr. Biggerstaff

Aesthetic Surgical Images in Omaha celebrates multiple Best of Omaha awards, highlighting excellence in cosmetic and plastic surgery.

Announcing Multiple Awards for Aesthetic Surgical Images in Omaha

In a testament to its unwavering dedication to quality, Aesthetic Surgical Images has earned top spots in three key categories within Omaha Magazine's Best of Omaha Awards. These awards reflect the clinic's expertise, commitment to patient care, and passion for delivering transformative results.

Best Breast Augmentation Winner for 13 Consecutive Years

Achieving the Best Breast Augmentation award for the 13th year in a row, Aesthetic Surgical Images has demonstrated consistent expertise in creating natural, balanced enhancements that align with each patient's desired self-image.

The clinic's team of board-certified plastic surgeons uses advanced techniques and the latest technology to deliver safe and effective results that empower patients to feel more confident in their own skin.

Best Tummy Tuck Award for 10 Years Running

For the 10th consecutive year, Aesthetic Surgical Images has been awarded Best Tummy Tuck in Omaha, reflecting its proficiency in contouring and reshaping the lower abdomen.

By addressing excess skin, fat, and muscle laxity, the clinic helps patients achieve a more streamlined figure and renewed confidence. The tummy tuck procedure, a popular choice for all individuals, continues to be a highlight of the clinic's offerings, thanks to its effectiveness and the clinic's patient-centric approach.

Best Body Contouring Recognition for Three Years in a Row

Aesthetic Surgical Images has also garnered recognition for Best Body Contouring, marking the third consecutive year it has won in this category. Body contouring procedures are designed to refine and reshape areas of the body, helping patients achieve a figure that complements their lifestyle and goals.

From liposuction to other body contouring options, Aesthetic Surgical Images offers customized solutions that focus on each patient's unique body shape. In particular, Aesthetic Surgical Images offers male body contouring procedures, including gynecomastia surgery, liposuction, and tummy tucks, to help men achieve a more toned and masculine physique.

About Omaha Magazine: Best of Omaha

The Best of Omaha Awards, organized by Omaha Magazine, celebrates the city's top businesses and services across various categories. Voted on by local readers, these awards provide the community with a trusted guide to the best Omaha has to offer, recognizing establishments that excel in service, expertise, and customer satisfaction.

For Aesthetic Surgical Images, being included among Omaha's best underscores its impact and influence within the local community and the field of plastic surgery.

Patient Trust and Support Drive Success in Omaha's Plastic Surgery Scene

The success of Aesthetic Surgical Images in the Best of Omaha Awards is a direct result of the trust and loyalty of its patients. The clinic's focus on patient-centered care, combined with its commitment to exceptional results, has earned it a dedicated following in Omaha and surrounding areas. Each patient's story is a testament to the clinic's positive impact on their lives, enhancing self-image and confidence through personalized treatments.

About Aesthetic Surgical Images

Located in the heart of Omaha, Aesthetic Surgical Images offers a range of cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures designed to help patients look and feel their best.

With a team of highly skilled, board-certified surgeons, the clinic is committed to delivering safe, effective treatments in a comfortable, state-of-the-art facility.

Comprehensive Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Services

At Aesthetic Surgical Images, patients have access to a comprehensive range of cosmetic and plastic surgery services, each tailored to meet individual aesthetic goals.

The clinic offers body procedures such as tummy tucks, liposuction, and male body contouring to reshape and refine the body's contours. Breast procedures, including augmentation, lifts, and reductions, are enhanced by advanced tools like VECTRA 3-D Imaging, which allows patients to visualize their desired outcomes.

Facial enhancements, such as facelifts, rhinoplasty, and eyelid surgery, are performed to rejuvenate and refine facial features.

Additionally, non-surgical treatments like BOTOX Cosmetic and injectable fillers are available to address wrinkles and volume loss, providing patients with various options to achieve their desired appearance.

Surgical Facility and Techniques

Aesthetic Surgical Images operates a state-licensed, nationally-accredited surgical facility to promote patient safety and comfort. The facility supports a full range of cosmetic surgeries, allowing the practice to maintain high standards of care.

Patients can expect a comfortable environment where their safety is prioritized, and procedures are conducted with precision and care. This commitment to quality and innovation contributes significantly to the practice's success and recognition by Omaha Magazine.

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons with Decades of Experience

The team at Aesthetic Surgical Images comprises board-certified plastic surgeons with decades of experience in the field. Their combined expertise, honed through years of dedicated practice and continuous learning, allows them to provide patients with top-quality care and exceptional results.

Each surgeon brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to the practice, ensuring every patient receives individualized attention and treatment that aligns with their goals.

The surgical team includes Dr. Richard J. Bruneteau, Dr. Marie E. Montag, and Dr. Brian G. Biggerstaff, all of whom have extensive training and experience in various aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Contacting Aesthetic Surgical Images for Award-Winning Plastic Surgery in Omaha

For those interested in learning more about the award-winning services provided by Aesthetic Surgical Images, the clinic is conveniently located at 8900 West Dodge Road, Omaha, NE. Prospective patients are encouraged to schedule a consultation to explore the transformative possibilities available.

The clinic operates Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., providing ample opportunity for appointments that fit various schedules.

To book a consultation or inquire further, please call (402) 390-0100.

Contact Information

Christine Carlson

ccarlson@surgicalimages.com

(402) 390-0100

SOURCE: Aesthetic Surgical Images

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Email management is about to get easier for Apple users.

SACRAMENTO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / Mailbird, the email client trusted by millions of Windows users worldwide, is now available for Mac. After years of user anticipation, Mailbird's Mac app brings the same clutter-free simplicity and clean design language to Apple fans.

Mailbird for Mac

Mailbird for Mac





"The launching of Mailbird for Mac marks a truly significant point in our company vision," said Alexis Dolle, Head of Growth at Mailbird. "Although we originally designed Mailbird for Windows, we always envisioned presenting our customers with a cross-platform app so they can enjoy a unified email experience no matter where they are. Mailbird for Mac is the first step towards achieving that goal."

Focusing on customers' needs is nothing new to Mailbird. With user-favorite features-unified inbox, email tracking, third-party app integrations, advanced search capabilities, folders, and email signatures-Mailbird for Mac possesses the same design and useability DNA that makes the Windows version so popular.

"We listen closely to our customers, and the launch of Mailbird for Mac is a direct response to the demand from our Apple community," said Michael Olsen, co-founder, CEO, and CTO of Mailbird. "Our goal has always been to simplify email management and make our customers' lives easier. Now, Mac users can experience the productivity boost our Windows users have come to love. Our team is elated about this step forward and bringing even more value to our growing community."

In addition to inbox management, Mailbird allows users to create their own productivity workspace within the app by connecting their favorite tools. From Facebook, X, and LinkedIn to Dropbox, Trello, and ChatGPT-Mailbird's integrations empower people with the flexibility to turn their inbox into an efficiency hub.

To learn more about Mailbird, its pricing, and its current promotions, visit: https://www.getmailbird.com.

About Mailbird

Mailbird is one of the most popular email clients worldwide, with more than four million downloads to date and 25+ million emails processed monthly. It lets users manage their business and personal emails in one place, offering customizable themes and features like email signatures, tracking, and folders.

Mailbird also integrates with social media, task management, and collaboration platforms such as Asana, Slack, ChatGPT, and Google Workspace to help reduce app overload and boost efficiency.

Founded in Bali 12 years ago by a fully remote team, Mailbird embraced a global team culture long before it became mainstream. These efforts earned the company multiple Stevie Awards, and its software was named "the best email client for Windows" by PCWorld.

Mailbird's core mission is to create a frustration-free email experience, simplify digital communication, and enhance people's productivity. To learn more about Mailbird and try the app for free, visit https://www.getmailbird.com.

Contact Information

Alexis Dolle

Head of Growth

ad@getmailbird.com

1-650-644-1361

SOURCE: Mailbird Inc

View the original press release on newswire.com.
LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / Tego Cyber Inc. (OTCQB:TGCB)

Dear Shareholders,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to provide an update on the status of Tego Cyber's financial disclosures for the periods ending June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2024. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we have encountered an unforeseen delay in filing our 10-K Annual Report and 10-Q Quarterly Report.

As you may be aware, on May 3, 2024, our previous external auditor became subject to public administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Though we worked through most of the transitional challenges last year, the impact of the proceedings involving our prior auditor can still be felt today.

While this transition has caused a delay, I want to reassure you that we are fully committed to ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of our financial reporting. Our new audit firm is working diligently to complete the necessary reviews, and we are on track to finalize and file the following reports:

10-K Annual Report : Expected filing date of December 6, 2024

10-Q Quarterly Report: Expected filing date of December 27, 2024

Should any further delays arise, we will promptly communicate the updated timeline.

We take these matters seriously and are dedicated to maintaining our shareholders' and other stakeholders' trust and confidence. We are also focused on advancing Tego Cyber's growth strategy during this time. The cybersecurity market-especially in threat intelligence and cybersecurity resilience-is experiencing significant growth, with potential in the billions across key sectors like technology, government, healthcare, and finance.

In addition, we are committed to our home base here in Nevada, where the cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, particularly in the gaming and financial sectors. This presents an exciting opportunity for Tego Cyber to contribute to and benefit from the region's expanding role in cybersecurity.

We are excited about the future and remain hyper-focused on executing our strategy, strengthening our position in the market, and initiating our revenue pipeline. Your continued support is invaluable as we navigate this transition, and we will keep you updated on our progress. We hope you will join us on December 18, 2024, at 4:30 PM EST for a shareholder update. You may register for the call by sending an email to investor@tegocyber.com.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and trust in Tego Cyber.

Sincerely,

Robert Mikkelsen, CEO

About Tego - Empowering security teams with smarter, faster threat intelligence.

Tego Cyber Inc. addresses critical 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 counter threats efficiently. 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 that 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
MADRID, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- UNAVETS Group, the leading veterinary healthcare platform in Iberia, announced today that founder and Group CEO, Junko Sheehan, has been appointed as a Senior Advisor to funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. ("Oaktree").

Since its inception in 2019, and in partnership with Oaktree, Junko Sheehan and her team have grown UNAVETS Group to ~150 practices with ~1,500 employees and ~EUR 95 m of runrate revenue. Delivering a consistent track record of stellar inorganic and double-digit organic growth, UNAVETS Group has expanded from Spain into Portugal, becoming the clear market leader in the country. The company has grown to include crematorium services, kennels, and lab services throughout Iberia, and in addition to its acquisitions has also constructed 200 consultation, diagnostic imaging, hospitalisation and operating theatre rooms, and more than 100k sq. ft. of capacity for its hospitals and clinics.

Junko Sheehan said: "UNAVETS started five years ago with nothing but a business plan and a value proposition for the vet sector. Making that transformation from idea into concrete execution with a terrific team of committed, passionate people is what has made this journey so special. As a Senior Advisor to Oaktree, I will still be deeply involved in the strategic direction of the company alongside my partners, Oaktree, and this will afford me some time to dedicate to other consolidation and high growth opportunities."

Martin Graham, Managing Director at Oaktree, shares: "Junko has been an amazing partner, growing this platform from inception into a leading player in the vet healthcare sector. We look forward to continuing the partnership in her role as a Senior Advisor to Oaktree, and for us to continue working together with the hugely talented management team at UNAVETS on the next stage of its growth."

Sheehan will continue to be involved in the strategic direction and vision for the platform working alongside the executive team and the board. UNAVETS leadership will continue with a strong and experienced executive leadership team.

About UNAVETS Group

The UNAVETS Group ("UNAVETS") is a leading veterinary group with 152 practices in Spain and Portugal. UNAVETS is made up of reference/specialized centers, 24-hour hospitals, primary opinion clinics, veterinary offices, lab services, crematorium services and kennels which guarantee a complete range of services. UNAVETS is distinguished by its strong investment in scientific clinical training, equipment, facilities and business support for clinics as well as its commitment to pushing the boundaries in favor of advanced veterinary care. For more information, visit: https://www.unavets.com/es

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/unavets-founder-appointed-as-senior-advisor-to-oaktree-capital-management-302311475.html
Cinnaminson, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - GKN Hoeganaes, a division of GKN Powder Metallurgy and one of the largest iron powder producers globally, today announces a strategic collaboration with First Phosphate (CSE: PHOS) (OTCQB: FRSPF) (FSE: KD0) ("First Phosphate" or the "Company"). This partnership marks a significant step toward establishing a North American supply chain for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, a critical component for the electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage industries.

The partnership follows GKN Hoeganaes' successful integration of First Phosphate's magnetite into its proprietary Ancorsteel melting process. This innovative process has led to the development of a high-purity iron powder, which serves as a precursor for lithium iron phosphate cathode active material, necessary for the production of LFP batteries.

LFP batteries, known for their cost-effectiveness, safety, and stable raw material availability, are increasingly in demand for EVs and stationary energy storage systems. In support of this demand, the collaboration marks one of the first substantial efforts to establish a North American production line for LFP battery components, helping reduce dependency on international supply chains.

"Partnering with First Phosphate enables us to contribute our advanced iron powder technology to a rapidly growing industry that is focused on clean and efficient energy storage solutions", said Matthias Voss, President at GKN Hoeganaes. "This collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering a local supply chain for LFP batteries, addressing both sustainability and technological innovation."

First Phosphate is set to integrate high purity Ancorsteel into its upcoming iron phosphate precursor (FP pCAM) and lithium iron phosphate cathode active material (LFP CAM) production facility in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, with ambitions to reach 400,000 tonnes per annum by 2032. Supporting this vision, GKN Hoeganaes is prepared to scale its Gallatin, Tennessee operations, already the world's largest steel atomizing plant, and will be providing its research and development facilities in Cinnaminson, New Jersey, for process enhancement and optimization.

"Working with GKN Hoeganaes to bring Ancorsteel to the market is a vital step in advancing our mission to create a sustainable and locally sourced LFP battery supply chain", said John Passalacqua, CEO at First Phosphate. "This partnership combines our high-quality phosphate resources with GKN Hoeganaes' expertise in iron powder production, setting the stage for a robust North American battery ecosystem."

A key differentiator of this newly developed Ancorsteel material is its composition of sustainable North American iron scrap and magnetite, aligning with non-FEOC standards for domestic production. The partnership aims to secure the production of LFP batteries with domestic, circular, and environmentally friendly materials.

About GKN Hoeganaes

GKN Hoeganaes, part of GKN Powder Metallurgy, is a world leader in the production of water atomized iron and alloy powders, all produced from locally-sourced scrap material. The business has large-scale powder production plants in North America (Gallatin, TN) and Europe (Buzau, Romania) to produce these materials, as well as a joint venture in Bazhou, China.

GKN Hoeganaes has produced powder for over 70 years and specializes in high volume, customizable metal powder production, tailored to fit customer requirements.

About GKN Powder Metallurgy

GKN Powder Metallurgy is a world-leading provider of powder metal materials, components, and solutions. In co-development with its customers and business partners, the company uses a unique range of best-in-class powder metallurgy technology to solve complex challenges in the automotive and industrial industries, delivering sustainable and innovative solutions.

GKN Powder Metallurgy is dedicated to achieving sustainable goals by providing leading powder metal expertise, innovative engineering, and extensive process experience to transform ideas into reality.

Part of the Dowlais Group plc, GKN Powder Metallurgy employs over 5,000 forward-thinking experts across 28 manufacturing locations and two innovation centers, ensuring the highest level of engineering excellence around the globe.

About First Phosphate Corp.

First Phosphate (CSE: PHOS) (OTCQB: FRSPF) (FSE: KD0) is a mineral development company fully dedicated to extracting and purifying phosphate for the production of cathode active material for the Lithium Iron Phosphate ("LFP") battery industry. First Phosphate is committed to producing at high purity level, in a responsible manner and with low anticipated carbon footprint.

First Phosphate plans to vertically integrate from mine source directly into the supply chains of major North American LFP battery producers that require battery grade LFP cathode active material emanating from a consistent and secure supply source.

First Phosphate is owner and developer of the Begin-Lamarche property in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, Canada that consists of rare anorthosite igneous phosphate rock that generally yields high purity phosphate material devoid of high concentrations of harmful elements.

Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements

This news release contains certain statements and information that may be considered "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" and other similar expressions. In addition, statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements, including, among other things: the Company's planned exploration and production activities; the properties and composition of any extracted phosphate; the Company's plans for vertical integration into North American supply chains; the future demand for LFP batteries; the Company's completion and operation of industrial facilities, including FP pCAM and LFP CAM production facilities, and the nature of the outputs and the timing of commencement of initial production from such facilities; the future integration of operations between the parties; and scaling of GKN Hoeganaes facilities the provision of R&D facilities.

These statements and other forward-looking information are based on assumptions and estimates that the Company believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation, expectations of the Company's long term business outcomes given its short operating history; expectations regarding revenue, expenses and operations; the Company having sufficient working capital and ability to secure additional funding necessary for the exploration of the Company's property interests; expectations regarding the potential mineralization, geological merit and economic feasibility of the Company's projects; expectations regarding drill programs and the potential impacts successful drill programs could have on the life of the mine and the Company; mineral exploration and exploration program cost estimates; expectations regarding any environmental issues that may affect planned or future exploration programs and the potential impact of complying with existing and proposed environmental laws and regulations; receipt and timing of exploration and exploitation permits and other third-party approvals; government regulation of mineral exploration and development operations; expectations regarding any social or local community issues that may affect planned or future exploration and development programs; expectations surrounding global economic trends and technological advancements; key personnel continuing their employment with the Company; continued increasing demand for LFP batteries; the Company obtaining necessary financing, approvals, equipment and technology, and the completion of all other matters necessary for the construction and operation of the Company's industrial facilities, including FP pCAM and LFP CAM production facilities; and the scaling of GKN Hoeganaes facilities the provision of R&D facilities, within the disclosed timelines and on terms acceptable to the parties.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include: limited operating history; high risk of business failure; no profits or significant revenues; limited resources; negative cash flow from operations and dependence on third-party financing; the uncertainty of additional funding; no dividends; risks related to possible fluctuations in revenues and results; insurance and uninsured risks; litigation; reliance on management and key personnel; conflicts of interest; access to supplies and materials; dangers of mineral exploration and related liability and damages; risks relating to health and safety; government regulation and legal uncertainties; the company's exploration and development properties may not be successful and are highly speculative in nature; dependence on outside parties; title to some of the Company's mineral properties may be challenged or defective; Aboriginal title and land claims; obtaining and renewing licenses and permits; environmental and other regulatory risks may adversely affect the company; risks relating to climate change; risks related to infrastructure; land reclamation requirements may be burdensome; current global financial conditions; fluctuation in commodity prices; dilution; future sales by existing shareholders could cause the Company's share price to fall; fluctuation and volatility in stock exchange prices; and risks related to market demands. There can be no assurance that any opportunity will be successful, commercially viable, completed on time or on budget, or will generate any meaningful revenues, savings or earnings, as the case may be, for the Company. In addition, the Company will incur costs in pursuing any particular opportunity, which may be significant.

These factors and assumptions are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors and assumptions that could affect the Company and, though they should be considered carefully, should be considered in conjunction with the risk factors described in the Company's other documents filed with the Canadian and United States securities authorities, including without limitation the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual report on Form 20-F dated July 8, 2024 and Management Discussion and Analysis dated October 21, 2024 which are available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking information or information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230172

SOURCE: First Phosphate Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Golden Share Resources Corporation (TSXV: GSH) ("Golden Share" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Property Purchase Agreement with Delta Resources Limited ("Delta") (TSXV: DLTA) (OTC Pink: DTARF) (FSE: 6G01) on November 18, 2024, in which Delta earns a 100% interest of Elwood property of the Company ("Property"), which is located west of Thunder Bay, Ontario and covers approximately 16.85 hectares and comprises 1 patented mining claim in Duckworth Townships of Ontario.

At the same time, the company is pleased to further extend the outside date of the Share Exchange Agreement with Lipari Diamond Ltd. to December 31, 2024. The Company and Lipari have largely completed the regulatory documentation portion of the listing, with the required third-party capitalization the remaining gap to close the RTO. Further updates as they become available.

Qualified Persons

The technical content disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Wes Roberts, P. Eng., a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101.

About Golden Share

Golden Share Resources Corporation is a mineral exploration company focusing on the province of Ontario, Canada, a mineral rich and politically stable jurisdiction.

WARNING: Certain statements in this press release may be forward-looking, including those with respect to the timing and content of up-coming work programs, geological interpretations, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. The Company relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements. The reader is warned against undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230679

SOURCE: Golden Share Resources Corporation
San Diego, California--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Direct Communication Solutions, Inc. (OTC Pink: DCSX) (CSE: DCSI) (FSE: 7QU) ("DCS" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a significant purchasing commitment from one of its long-time clients. The purchase order represents a total of $2,235,000 in IoT Smart Hardware products and services to be delivered immediately. This purchasing commitment increases the current DCS backlog of Smart Hardware to $3,400,000 for immediate delivery.

"Since 2006, DCS has developed key industry relationships with IoT Smart Hardware manufacturers, software platforms and wireless connectivity providers to provide value and remove the complexities from deploying IoT Smart Hardware devices across all verticals," said Chris Bursey, CEO of DCS. "Our extensive knowledge and experience in IoT Smart Hardware as a Technical Services Provider (TSP) allowing our clients to focus on growing their business by leveraging our suite of IoT value-add services."

As a pioneer in the IoT ecosystem, DCS offers a broad and diverse portfolio of Smart Hardware devices from multiple manufacturers, providing our clients with access to the latest technologies and devices. The extensive portfolio of Smart Hardware options allows our clients the capability to create custom solutions across the entire IoT ecosystem. Every IoT solution is unique to the use case and DCS has the expertise and relationships with Smart Hardware manufacturers, software platforms and connectivity options that enable our clients to design unique IoT solutions that solve real-world problems using our IoT Smart Hardware to effectively and efficiently manage their business.

About DCS

DCS is a technology solutions integrator focusing on connecting the Internet of Things. We provide real solutions that solve real problems. Our software applications and scalable cloud services collect and assess business-critical data from all types of assets. DCS is headquartered in San Diego, California and is publicly traded on the OTC ("DCSX"), Canadian Securities Exchange ("DCSI") and Frankfurt Stock Exchange ("7QU"). For more information, visit www.dcsbusiness.com. DCS and the DCS logo are among the trademarks of DCS in the United States. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect management's current views of future events and operations. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. We believe that these potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's dependence on third-party manufacturers, suppliers, technologies and infrastructure; risks related to intellectual property; industry risks including competition, online security, government regulation and global economic conditions; and the Company's financial position and need for additional funding, Statements in this release should be evaluated in light of these factors. These risk factors and other important factors that could affect our business and financial results are discussed in our Management's Discussion and Analysis, periodic reports and other public filings which are available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and posted with the OTC Disclosure and News Service. DCS undertakes no duty to update or revise any 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230690

SOURCE: Direct Communication Solutions, Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - RED METAL RESOURCES LTD. (CSE: RMES) (OTC Pink: RMESF) (FSE: I660) ("Red Metal" or the "Company") The Company has engaged Investment-Zirkel-Munchen ("IZM") that offers several services for German language investor awareness including news dissemination, conference calls, real-time investor forums and an active investors network throughout Europe. IZM has a select investor following that participate in both financings and open market buying. The IZM contract is for a two-year term at a cost of CAD$25,000.

IZM has a business address at Lena-Chris-Str 9, Nuebiberg, Germany. The services to be provided will be overseen by Mathias Voigt, President of the company, who can be contacted at mv@i-z-m.info. Mr. Voigt owns 150,000 shares of the Company.

Caitlin Jeffs, President of Red Metal, stated, "IZM offers access to a diverse network throughout Germany, Switzerland and Austria, giving Red Metal a broad spectrum of potential investors."

Red Metal Resources announces that it has engaged the services of Free Market Media Ltd. ("Free Market Media") to help raise online marketing awareness and provide a comprehensive digital media campaign. Free Market Media is based out of Langley, BC, and its principal is Brent Rusin. Mr. Rusin can be reached by email at shakespear_67@msn.com, or by phone at 604-790-7291. The Company has entered into a Media Services Agreement (the "Agreement") with Free Market Media dated November 19, 2024, whereby the services to be provided by Free Market Media will include digital media, advertising, and awareness campaigns for a fee of up to US$50,000.00 for a term of 90 days. The Agreement may be renewed or extended by the Company and Free Market Media at the end of the initial term. Free Market Media and the Company operate at arm's length.

Closing of Purchase

The Company is also pleased to announce that it has closed a portion of its previously announced Definitive Agreement (the "Agreement") with an arm's length vendor to acquire a 100% interest in three separate packages of mineral claims and mineral claim applications directly contiguous to Quebec Innovative Materials Corp.'s ("QIMC") recent Hydrogen sample discovery of over 1,000 ppm, announced on September 4th 2024.

Under the terms of the Agreement to acquire a 100% interest in 19 mineral claims, the Company has paid $5,000 plus GST (Goods and Services Tax) and agreed to issue up to 1.6 million common shares of the Company. To date, 11 of 19 claim applications have been approved by the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests, and the Company issued 1,100,000 shares upon closing of the acquisition of 11 approved claims. The balance of 500,000 shares is reserved to be issued once the remaining eight claim applications are approved. No royalty is to be paid out of any potential future revenue. The common shares issuable in connection with the Agreement will be subject to a four-month hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws.

This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which the Company has no right to explore or mine. Investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties.

About Red Metal Resources Ltd.

Red Metal Resources is a mineral exploration company focused on growth through acquiring, exploring and developing clean energy and strategic minerals projects. The Company's current portfolio include the 100% owned Ville Marie claims in Quebec, Canada as well as Company's Chilean projects which are located in the prolific Candelaria iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) belt of Chile's coastal Cordillera. Red Metal is quoted on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol RMES, on OTC Link alternative trading system on the OTC Pink marketplace under the symbol RMESF and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol I660.

For more information, visit www.redmetalresources.com.

Forward-Looking Statements - All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Red Metal provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is 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. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the ability to raise adequate financing, receipt of required approvals, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Red Metal's public filings under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Red Metal has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Red Metal disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230693

SOURCE: Red Metal Resources Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Military Metals Corp. (CSE: MILI) (OTCQB: MILIF) (FSE: QN90) (the "Company" or "Military") is pleased to provide an overview and description of its Tienesgrund antimony-gold project ("Tienesgrund" or "the Property") located in eastern Slovakia. As announced on November 15, 2024, the Company closed its acquisition of three brownfield properties in Slovakia, one tin and two antimony-gold, one of which is Tienesgrund, the other being the Company's flagship antimony-gold project, Trojarova.

The Tienesgrund property comprises 13.40 square kilometers (1,340 hectares), stretching over 12.5 kilometers in length roughly east-west, tracing the topographic expression of what is likely a fault or shear-controlled antimony-gold system. It is located 20 kilometers from the region's historical mining capital, Roznava, a region with a mining history dating back to the Middle Ages. Gold was almost certainly what first attracted miners to the property area. When underground work first began, likely at least as far back as the early 1800s if not before through to the Soviet era, over two-dozen adits and small underground operations were developed. Most of the adits were mapped and sampled during the Soviet era with four reports comprising hundreds of pages of data produced between 1943 and 1989. Limited antimony production was recorded during both world wars.

Within these reports are a number of antimony-focused historical resource estimates prepared on individual historically documented mineralized zones, but they are not representative of the overall size or potential antimony-gold endowment of the 10-plus kilometer long mineral system. There are no current resources on the Property, and the Company has not yet verified the historial resource estimates and is not relying on them. Interestingly, tungsten appears along with antimony, with historically reported grades from 0.03-0.32% and 1.57-11.00%, respectively in one of the historical Slovak resource estimate studies on the Rosabella adit.

Very limited surface work was undertaken by the Company's previous owners. Their work reported a parallel swarm of structurally-controlled antimony-gold interpreted veins striking parallel to the long axis of the property and seen at both the eastern and western ends of the property as well as points in between. A Lidar survey aided in locating a number of these veins on surface, where limited grab sampling obtained antimony values up to several percent and gold values up to several grams per tonne.

Much work remains to be done at Tienesgrund but its history and features documented to date point to its potential.

Map showing the location of Military's properties in Slovakia

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The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Avrom E. Howard, MSc, PGeo, geological consultant to Military Metals and a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101.

About Military Metals Corp.

The Company is a British Columbia-based mineral exploration company that is primarily engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties with a focus on antimony.

This news release contains "forward-looking information". Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words 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. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements related to the future plans for exploration activities and potential future development activities related to the Tienesgrund project. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this news release. These include, geopolitical developments related to the supply of antimony, the continued use of antimony and availability of alternatives, availability of capital and labour to conduct the exploration activities, the results of any future exploration activities, which cannot be guaranteed, and such other factors as may impact any future activities in respect of the properties held by the Company. Additional risk factors can also be found in the Company's public filings under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. 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 or otherwise. 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward looking statements if circumstances, management's estimates or opinions should change, except as required by securities legislation. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230696

SOURCE: Military Metals Corp.
Istanbul, Turkey--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - AJet, Turkiye's new airline, has been recognized by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), one of the aviation industry's leading organizations, in the prestigious APEX Passenger Choice Awards. Following evaluations from over one million passengers worldwide, AJet received the "Four Star Low-Cost Carrier" award, distinguishing it as the only Turkish brand in its category to achieve this honor.

AJet Wins First International Award from APEX

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AJet's Service Quality Gains International Recognition

As one of the most respected global aviation organizations, APEX awards airlines across various categories based on passenger experiences. Competing against numerous international airlines, AJet stood out for prioritizing passenger satisfaction and offering affordable pricing. In a category evaluated by one million passengers, AJet earned the title of "Four Star Low-Cost Carrier," cementing its commitment to accessible, quality travel.

Having launched its first flight on March 31 under the AJet name, the airline achieved its first international award in just seven months since its founding.

"Our Goal: To Be the First Choice in Accessible Travel," said AJet's SVP of Marketing, Fatih Cigal



The award was presented by APEX/IFSA CEO Dr. Joe Leader to AJet's SVP Marketing', Fatih Cigal, and Cabin Training Director, Turkan Isyapan Gurbuz, at the APEX/IFSA Global Expo in the United States.

Expressing pride in receiving such a prestigious award, Fatih Cigal, AJet's SVP Marketing, commented, "We are honored to be recognized with one of the world's most esteemed awards. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all our team members for their dedication and hard work in achieving this success. Our mission is to become the go-to brand for safe, affordable travel and to remain the top choice for passengers seeking accessible journeys."

For the latest news and more information about AJet, you can visit www.ajet.com or follow our social media accounts on Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230705

SOURCE: B2Press BV
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.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Safe Supply Streaming Co Ltd. (CSE: SPLY) (FSE: QM4) (OTCQB: SSPLF) ("Safe Supply" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Drug Lab 118 Ltd. ("Drug Lab US") the subsidiary of DrugLab118 Ltd. ("Drug Lab Parent") in an all-share transaction. The acquisition demonstrates Safe Supply's growth strategy and commitment, underscoring the Company's ability to execute strategic M&A transactions using its shares as currency.

The addition of Drug Lab US's proprietary harm reduction test strips strengthens Safe Supply's portfolio of innovative technologies to reach fast growing North American markets. This advances Safe Supply's goal to become a leader in the rapidly expanding harm reduction market.

Under the terms of a share purchase agreement dated November 1, 2024, between Safe Supply, Drug Lab US and Drug Lab Parent, Safe Supply issued 10,000,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.05 per share to Drug Lab Parent as consideration. These shares are subject to resale restrictions, with one-third of the shares becoming tradeable at each of the four, eight, and twelve month anniversaries of the closing date. Additionally, Safe Supply issued 1,000,000 common shares at $0.05 per share as a finder's fee to an arm's-length third-party facilitator.

As part of this acquisition Safe Supply is pleased to add Seymour Paul Ferreira, executive director of Drug Lab Parent to its board of directors. Seymour brings a wealth of experience in the health-tech space, making him an invaluable addition to the board.

Bill Panagiotakopoulos, CEO of Safe Supply, commented:

"This acquisition demonstrates our team's ability to execute strategic M&A transactions efficiently, leveraging our shares to close deals that significantly enhance our portfolio."

Colin Lyon, CEO of Drug Lab Parent, added:

"We are pleased to reach the close of the transaction and continue to advance our growth strategy in North America with Safe Supply."

The global market for drug testing and harm reduction solutions continues to grow, with market research forecasting it to reach $11.83 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 5.0%. This acquisition solidifies Safe Supply's position as a key player in this burgeoning industry.

Early Warning Disclosure

In connection with the Acquisition, Drug Lab Parent, a company located in Darlington, United Kingdom, has acquired 10,000,000 Common Shares. Immediately before the closing of the Acquisition, Drug Lab Parent, beneficially owned, or exercised control or direction over, 0 Common Shares, representing approximately 0% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted and partially-diluted basis.

Immediately following the closing of the Acquisition, Drug Lab Parent beneficially owns, or exercises control or direction over, 10,000,000 Common Shares, representing approximately 11.13% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted and partially diluted basis. Drug Lab Parent acquired these securities for investment purposes and may, from time to time, acquire additional securities of the Company or dispose of such securities as Drug Lab Parent may deem appropriate.

For the purpose of National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, a copy of Drug Lab Parent's early warning report may be obtained on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca or by contacting Colin Lyon at colin.lyon@druglab118.com. Drug Lab Parent's address is 43 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, Co Durham, DL3 7EH.

About Drug Lab 118 Ltd.

Drug Lab US is a Delaware-incorporated subsidiary of Drug Lab Parent, a UK-based leader in forensic drug detection technologies. Drug Lab US's proprietary test kits are designed to detect a wide range of substances, including narcotics, and are exclusively distributed in North America.

About Safe Supply Streaming Co Ltd.

Safe Supply, listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, focuses on acquiring, investing in, and developing businesses within the medical, wellness, and technology sectors. The Company is committed to driving shareholder value by leveraging innovative, technology-driven solutions to address critical healthcare and wellness needs.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the stated plans of the Company, including the addition of a new director to the Company's board of directors; the impact of adding Drug Lab US's proprietary harm reduction strip to Safe Supply's portfolio; Safe Supply's plans of becoming a leader in the harm reduction market; resale restrictions on securities; and expected timelines of issued shares becoming freely tradeable. The forward-looking statements, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the Company being able to carry out its business plan as contemplated; the Company's ability to maintain and retain the intellectual property rights to Drug Lab US's harm reduction strips; and the Company's plans to scale and develop its product offerings. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, they can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. Risks and uncertainties exist that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied in the forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: the Company's reliance on key management; risks related to the Company's growth strategy, including that previous and future acquisitions do not meet expectations or potential acquisitions cannot be completed; the business of the Company being subject to broader economic and political factors; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; financial results of the Company's operations; unanticipated costs and expenses; general market and industry conditions; the Company's inability to retain 100% of the rights to develop products for pharmaceutical or medical uses; and the Company's inability to enhance its product development capabilities and/or maintain a portfolio of strategic investments; the forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230707

SOURCE: Safe Supply Streaming Co Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - BeWhere (TSXV: BEW) (OTCQB: BEWFF) ("BeWhere" or the "Company"), a leading Mobile Internet of Things (M-IoT) company, is pleased to announce its financial results for three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Owen Moore, CEO and Co-Founder stated, "The company recorded its highest ever quarterly revenue with year over year growth of 64%." He further noted, "The Company is very excited with the orders since launch of its next generation devices and is expecting continued growth."

Chris Panczuk, COO and Co-Founder stated, "We are pleased that the Company successfully shipped a record number of devices on short notice demonstrating our capability to handle large orders in the future."

Third Quarter 2024 Highlights

Total Revenue increased by 64% year over year - Total Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $5,030,356 compared to $3,075,102 for the same period in 2023: an increase of $1,955,254.

Recurring Revenue increased by 33% year over year - Recurring Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $1,717,274 compared to $1,286,885 for the same period in 2023: an increase of $430,389.

Operating income increased by 57% year over year - The Company recorded net income for the three months ended September 30, 2024, of $532,660 compared to $339,246 for the same period in 2023: an increase of $193,414.

Working capital and Cash in hand - At September 30, 2024, the Company had working capital of $7,252,145. The cash balance on September 30, 2024 was $4,810,367.

Adjusted EBITDA (non-IFRS measure) improved by 35% year over year - Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $665,450 compared to $494,718 for the same period in 2023, an improvement of $170,732.

About BeWhere

BeWhere (TSXV: BEW) (OTCQB: BEWFF) specializes in low-power 5G IoT wide-area tracking technology, creating remote monitoring solutions that address cost, power, and environmental challenges. In just 6 years, the company has experienced rapid growth, collaborating with Fortune 500 companies, top resellers and installers to deploy hundreds of thousands of trackers across numerous sectors, including transportation, construction, logistics, utilities, health, and government.

BeWhere's tracking solutions are designed to be both cost-effective and simple to implement, significantly expanding the scope of assets that can be connected. These connected devices generate data that powers intelligent AI management platforms. By increasing the number of connected devices, BeWhere enhances the capabilities and growth potential of AI solutions.

Follow BeWhere on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations, or beliefs of future performance, are "forward-looking statements".

We caution you that such "forward-looking statements" involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual and future events to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to commercial operations, including technology development, anticipated revenues, projected size of market, and other information that is based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.

BeWhere Holdings Inc. (the "Company") does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, technology development and marketing activities, the Company's historical experience with technology development, uninsured risks. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

The Company's audited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the period ended September 2024 and 2023, together with its corresponding Management's discussion and analysis can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.bewhere.com.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (as that term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230656

SOURCE: BeWhere Holdings Inc.
TAOYUAN, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GUS Technology, a prominent player in Taiwan's lithium-ion battery sector, has signed a Technical Assistance and License Agreement with Japan's Toshiba Corporation. This partnership aims to commercialize next-generation lithium-ion battery cells using Niobium Titanium Oxide (NTO) as the anode, delivering superior performance, enhanced safety, and cost-effective solutions, with a global market launch planned for next year.

The partnership combines GUS Technology's pouch cell manufacturing expertise and Toshiba's advanced material science to develop innovative NTO lithium-ion batteries. Toshiba will provide technical support, positioning GUS Technology as the premier ODM manufacturer. The collaboration is further backed by Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineracao (CBMM) and Sojitz Corporation, with a shared goal of delivering efficient and reliable solutions to market.

Redefining Market Leadership with Next-Generation NTO Lithium-ion Batteries

As the global energy transition accelerates, the demand for high-performance batteries is surging. The partnership between GUS Technology and Toshiba is set to revolutionize the battery industry by combining GUS's expertise in customized pouch cell manufacturing with Toshiba's advanced R&D capabilities. The NTO lithium-ion battery cells produced will feature extended cycle life, wide operating temperature ranges, and high charge-discharge rates, with energy density boosted by up to 1.5 times compared to current technologies. This collaboration positions the companies to achieve significant breakthroughs, delivering higher-performing batteries that will drive advancements in the renewable energy sector and provide a competitive edge in the booming electric vehicle market.

Applications to Drive the Electric Revolution

The NTO lithium-ion battery cells developed by GUS Technology and Toshiba will drive innovation across sectors, from cold chain logistics and data centers to automatic frequency control (AFC) systems and energy recovery solutions. These batteries will enable fully electric solutions for EVs, E-buses, and autonomous vehicles, addressing range anxiety with rapid charging capabilities even in regions with limited infrastructure. Their high energy density combined with fast charging-discharging features will also enhance efficiency in industrial machinery and unmanned vehicles. The batteries' superior safety under extreme conditions will be its paramount feature in all applications.

This pioneering partnership unlocks substantial market opportunities for GUS Technology and Toshiba, propelling the success of next-generation NTO lithium-ion battery cells. It will elevate GUS Technology's innovation and production capabilities while advancing global renewable energy initiatives. Furthermore, this collaboration is designed to enhance market confidence in battery safety and positions both companies at the leading edge of the energy storage and electric vehicle sectors, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

About GUS Technology

GUS Technology, based in Taiwan, is a leader in advanced battery solutions, specializing in high-performance lithium-ion technologies. Initially founded as a materials startup, GUS has evolved to leverage cutting-edge manufacturing and expert engineering, delivering customized battery systems for diverse industries all across the globe.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2552657/GUS_Technology.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gus-technology-and-toshiba-signed-agreement-for-next-generation-niobium-titanium-oxide-nto-lithium-ion-batteries-302300015.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Ximen Mining Corp. (TSXV: XIM) (FSE: 1XM) (OTC: XXMMF) (the "Company" or "Ximen") is pleased to provide a summary of results from its drilling program at the Amelia Gold project in Camp McKinney near Rock Creek in southern BC.

Figure 1. Longitudinal view of Cariboo-Amelia mine showing vein model and drill holes (looking North)

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Drilling was done to test the extension of the historic Cariboo-Amelia gold mine in Camp McKinney in the Greenwood Mining Division, BC. The Amelia Gold mine drilling program was completed late last year, and core sampling and analyses were done this year. Eight NQ-size drill holes were completed for a total of 2,064 meters. The target vein was intersected in five holes (AM23-01, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8) between 30 and 45 meters below the lowest mine level and over a strike length of 150 meters (Figure 1). Highlights of analytical results, recently received, are provided in the table below.

The best result was from hole AM23-03, which intersected 16.3 grams per tonne gold and 79.9 grams per tonne silver, with 1.88% lead and 1.05% zinc, over a length of 0.26 meters. Elevated silver intercepts were obtained in holes 07 and 08, and elevated lead and/or zinc were intercepted in holes 06, 07 and 08. The holes with elevated pathfinder elements Ag, Pb and Zn indicate that the gold mineralized zone was likely intersected. The lower gold values in these holes could be a product of a nugget effect due to coarse grained gold, which is characteristic of this type of orogenic gold-quartz vein deposits.

Hole From

(m) To

(m) Length

(m) Gold

(g/t) Silver

(g/t) Lead

(%) Zinc

(%) Description AM23-01 218.02 218.63 0.61 2.78 3.03 0.06 0.05 Quartz Vein with Py, Sp, Gn, Cp AM23-03 230.8 231.06 0.26 16.30 79.90 1.88 1.05 Quartz Vein with Py, Sp, Gn, Cp AM23-05 214.54 215.25 0.71 <0.01 0.02 0.00 0.01 Quartz Vein (blue quartz) with Py AM23-06 143.91 144.21 0.30 1.64 2.04 0.10 0.17 Quartz Vein with Py, Sp, Gn AM23-07 194.43 194.93 0.50 0.03 4.02 0.20 0.55 Quartz Vein with Py, Sp, Gn AM23-07 194.93 195.73 0.80 0.01 1.52 0.00 0.43 Chert with Quartz Veinlets, Py AM23-07 195.73 196.21 0.48 0.29 52.10 3.40 1.10 Quartz Vein with Py, Po, Sp, Gn AM23-08 198.6 198.95 0.35 0.94 16.15 0.58 0.96 Quartz Veinlets, Py,Sp,Gn,Cp AM23-08 198.95 199.45 0.50 1.09 1.26 0.00 0.00 Quartz Vein with Py AM23-08 199.45 200 0.55 1.20 4.81 0.08 0.41 Quartz Veinlets, Py,Sp,Gn,Cp



















Results for Amelia Gold Property 2023 Drill Holes

Abbreviations: m-meters, g/t = grams per tonne, % = percent, Py = pyrite, Sp = sphalerite, Gn - galena, Po = pyrrhotite. Lengths are core length not true width; true width cannot be determined at this time.

Overall, the results are positive and indicate that the McKinney vein and gold mineralization persists to the east and to depth from the areas mined historically. Additional drilling is being planned to test the eastern and western extents of the vein system and to test for parallel veins.

The Cariboo-Amelia mine was BC's first dividend paying gold mine. Over its 68-year history, the mine produced 81,602 ounces of gold and 32,439 ounces of silver from 112,254 tonnes milled (BC Minfile Records). The mine is situated within a 4-kilometer system of gold-quartz veins and historic workings.

Drill core showing vein intercept in Hole AM23-03 with vein (top) and close-up showing pyrite, galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite mineralization (bottom)

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Overall, the results are positive and indicate that the McKinney vein and gold mineralization persists to the east and to depth from the areas mined historically. Additional drilling is being planned to test the eastern and western extents of the vein system and to test for parallel veins.

The Cariboo-Amelia mine was BC's first dividend paying gold mine. Over its 68-year history, the mine produced 81,602 ounces of gold and 32,439 ounces of silver from 112,254 tonnes milled (BC Minfile Records). The mine is situated within a 4-kilometer system of gold-quartz veins and historic workings.

Map view of Amelia project showing 4 kilometer extent of gold-quartz vein system

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Drill core was logged for geological features on-site and half-core samples were cut and bagged at a core facility located in Greenwood, BC. Sealed bags of sample were then delivered to the laboratory by company representatives. The analyses quoted above were performed by ALS Laboratories in North Vancouver, BC., which is an independent ISO certified and accredited commercial laboratory. Analyses for gold in rocks and drill core were done by fire assay with AA finish (Atomic Absorption Spectrometry) on 30 gram subsamples (ALS code Au-AA25). Analyses for silver, copper, lead and zinc and 44 other elements was completed by four acid digestion with ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry) finish (typically a 0.25 gram sub-sample) following ALS code MEMS-61. Quality control was monitored from the results for certified reference standards and blank material that were inserted into the sample stream at a frequency of every 20 samples each.

Readers are cautioned that historical records referred to in this News Release have been examined but not verified by a Qualified Person. Further work is required to verify that historical records referred to in this News Release are accurate.

Dr. Mathew Ball, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Ximen Mining Corp. and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, approved the technical information contained in this News Release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Christopher R. Anderson"

Christopher R. Anderson,

President, CEO and Director

604 488-3900

About Ximen Mining Corp.







Ximen Mining Corp. owns 100% interest in three of its precious metal projects located in southern BC. Ximen's two Gold projects, The Amelia Gold Mine and The Brett Epithermal Gold Project. Ximen also owns the Treasure Mountain Silver Project adjacent to the past producing Huldra Silver Mine. Currently, the Treasure Mountain Silver Project is under an option agreement. The option partner is making annual staged cash and stocks payments as well as funding the development of the project. The company has also acquired control of the Kenville Gold mine near Nelson British Columbia which comes with surface and underground rights, buildings and equipment.

Ximen is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XIM, in the USA under the symbol XXMMF, and in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Stock Exchanges in Germany under the symbol 1XM and WKN with the number as A2JBKL.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval and the exercise of the Option by Ximen. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the possibility that the TSX Venture Exchange may not accept the proposed transaction in a timely manner, if at all. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

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 any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

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.

Ximen Mining Corp

888 Dunsmuir Street - Suite 888, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3K4 Tel: 604-488-3900

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230639

SOURCE: Ximen Mining Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Radio Fuels Energy Corp. (CSE: CAKE) (OTCQB: CKEFF) (the "Company" or "Radio Fuels") and NV King Goldlands Inc. ("NV King") are pleased to announce the completion of their previously announced plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement"). Pursuant to the Arrangement, Radio Fuels has acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of NV King (the "NV King Shares") at an exchange ratio of approximately 8.73 common shares of Radio Fuels (each, a "Radio Fuels Share") for each NV King Share. Immediately following completion of the Arrangement, former shareholders of NV King held 40% of the issued and outstanding Radio Fuels Shares.

Highlights:

Radio Fuels will continue to provide unparalleled leverage to uranium and rare earth elements through its 100% ownership of the Eco Ridge Project.

Radio Fuels has added significantly to its project portfolio, becoming the largest junior gold explorer in Nevada when measured by mineral tenure. The NV King property portfolio ranks as the third largest in Nevada behind just Nevada Gold Mines (Barrick/Newmont JV) and Kinross Gold Corp.

Radio Fuels has attained exposure to the Atlanta Gold Mine Project, currently being advanced by Nevada King Gold Corp. (TSXV: NKG), through the 3% net smelter royalty held by NV King.

Shareholders of NV King will benefit from exposure to the Eco Ridge Project and reduced future share dilution.

The combined entity has a strong balance sheet with approximately $20-million in cash and marketable securities.

No changes to the Company's board of directors have been made in connection with the Arrangement. Management of the Company will continue to be led by Radio Fuels current senior management team.

In the coming days, Radio Fuels intends to apply for NV King to cease to be a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian securities laws. All registered shareholders of NV King are encouraged to complete, sign and return the letter of transmittal, which has been previously mailed and is available under NV King's SEDAR+ profile on www.sedarplus.ca, with accompanying NV King share certificate(s) and/or DRS advice-statement(s) (if applicable) to Alliance Trust Company as soon as possible, if they have not already done so. Non-registered shareholders of NV King are encouraged to contact their broker or other intermediary for instructions and assistance in receiving the Radio Fuels Shares to which they are entitled.

For more information on the Arrangement, see NV King's management information circular dated October 8, 2024, filed under NV King's SEDAR+ profile on www.sedarplus.ca on October 16, 2024.

About Radio Fuels Energy Corp.

The Company is a junior natural resource company focused on providing exposure to uranium and other commodities through the investment, acquisition, exploration, and development of projects and companies. The company is also the third largest mineral claim holder in the State of Nevada, behind Nevada Gold Mines (Barrick/Newmont) and Kinross Gold Corp. Starting in 2016, NV King has staked large project areas hosting significant historical exploration work along the Battle Mountain trend located close to current or former producing gold mines.

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.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or" should" occur or be achieved. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the proposed benefits of the Arrangement and the Company's future outlook. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Radio Fuels and NV King, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the failure of Radio Fuels to experience the benefits anticipated from the Arrangement.. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Radio Fuels and NV King do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230678

SOURCE: Radio Fuels Energy Corp.
The program demonstrates the Finnish willingness to develop and adopt advanced dual-use space technologies for space-enabled Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities

HELSINKI, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations for Earth Observation, will be the consortium lead in an industrial participation program for the Finnish Ministry of Defense F-35 program. The consortium will develop advanced space and joint intelligence technologies, and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for military users such as the Finnish Defense Forces.

The consortium, comprised of ICEYE, and prominent Finnish industry players Insta, Huld, DA-Group, and the Finnish Meteorological Institute as a supplier, will work together with Lockheed Martin on advancing technological development. This will include the progression of disruptive capabilities such as analytics with Artificial Intelligence (AI), and encompass mobile ISR cell development, advanced analytics, and high-performance SAR imaging for all weather and light conditions, making it especially suitable for the demanding Arctic weather and light conditions of NATO's Northern Flank. Space-based intelligence remains a vital tool to support military operations across the land, sea, and air, and the program demonstrates Finnish willingness to develop and adopt advanced dual-use technologies that enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness on the modern battlefield.

The partnership between leading innovators within the defense and aerospace industry aims to support the Finnish Defense Forces with the goal to enhance the security of supply and strengthen Finland's position as a leader in cutting-edge aerospace technology. The advanced capabilities will also present opportunities for further expansion and collaboration with NATO Allies and other friendly nations, paving the way for export growth for the members of the consortium.

"ICEYE's role in leading the industry consortium marks a significant milestone. This partnership aligns with our ambition to strengthen information capabilities and develop advanced technologies, ensuring that the Finnish Defense Forces and Allies can be equipped with the vital knowledge and capabilities required to maintain the strategic advantage," said Pekka Laurila, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-founder of ICEYE.

Lockheed Martin Space will contribute its next-generation sensor processing framework and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled Global Automated Target Recognition (GATR) system. The cloud-based GATR software automates satellite image analysis by using deep learning algorithms and open-source libraries to quickly identify and classify objects in large areas across the world.

"Lockheed Martin's advanced mission solutions will provide the Finnish Defense Forces with enhanced situational awareness and reliable decision support for multi-domain operations," said Rod Drury, Lockheed Martin Space's vice president for Global Business. "This international technology collaboration demonstrates Lockheed Martin's commitment to advancing the 21st Century Security capabilities of our NATO allies and mission partners."

Through strategic partnership with the Finnish Defense Forces and previous fighter jet acquisitions, technology company Insta has decades of experience in demanding defense solutions. Insta has a strong focus on developing state-of-the-art command and control (C2) systems and modern solutions utilizing data and AI that help execute successful multi-domain operations.

"The most important prerequisite for multi-domain operations is a real-time situational picture. We want to engage in a unique collaboration with top domestic and international experts, thereby ensuring the continuous development of situational awareness security and performance in an increasingly networked world. We bring to the project our deep understanding and world-class expertise in how different sensor data can be processed and integrated into the C2 systems, and possibly further into the corresponding systems of NATO Allies," tells Petri Reiman, Senior Vice President from Insta.

Huld has over 35 years of expertise in the space domain, along with extensive experience in national security and defense. "Huld is proud to see this important initiative start, as we have been planning this inspiring project with partners for a long time. We foresee utilizing our best experience in both digital systems and product design to develop this capability with our partners, and to contribute to Finland's national defense and the safety of our society," said Matti Anttila, Director, Defence & Space, Huld.

"Security innovations are DA-Group's driving force. In this consortium, we will bring our innovations for the common good and be better with our partners. We have proven before that we can do big things. DA-Group is now waiting to start working and gain results within the time frame," said Pekka Airola, Chief Executive Officer of DA-Group.

"The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) is the main national public organization in the field of space-related services and research in Finland. This partnership on advanced satellite information with key Finnish industrial players, and Lockheed Martin further strengthens FMI's role as a satellite data and data products provider," says Jyri Heilimo, Head of FMI Arctic Space Centre.

About ICEYE

ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before.

Owning the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development.

ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, and the US. We have more than 700 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.

Media contact: press@iceye.fi

Visit www.iceye.com and follow ICEYE on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and insights.

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at www.lockheedmartin.com .

About Insta

Insta is a strategic partner of the Finnish Defence Forces and one of Finland's key partners for defense and cyber security. We deliver superior performance to our customers through our command-and-control solutions, secure communication solutions, and life-cycle services in avionics. By combining the state-of-the-art know-how with intelligent technology, we improve our customers' performance in a digitalizing world that is changing at an increasing pace. Our operating culture is founded on people, expertise and responsibility. For more information, please visit: www.insta.fi

About Huld

Huld Oy is a technology design house employing nearly 500 people around Finland and Czech Republic. We offer a unique combination of software and product development expertise on an international scale. We have decades of experience in working with defence and national security projects. Together with our clients we build intelligent solutions that last for tomorrow - and beyond. Huld: www.huld.io . Read more about Huld and defence and national security here . Follow Huld on LinkedIn .

About DA-Group

DA-Group is a provider of advanced electronics and high-technology solutions and products, serving defense, space and industrial customers on a global scale. DA-Group is an expert in RF solutions and products bringing this expertise into the consortium. The company was established in 1995 and employs over 120 professionals. In addition to the headquarters in Forssa, the company also has offices in Helsinki, Tampere, Oulu and Turku regions.

DA-Group has more than a quarter of a century of experience in major space deliveries and has been working with the European Space Agency (ESA) and global satellite manufacturers for several decades. We deliver sustainable solutions to challenging space technology problems based on our vast experience in radars, radiometers and space situational awareness. Our services cover the whole supply chain, from R&D, product development, manufacturing and testing to lifecycle management.

About FMI

Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) is a research and service agency under Ministry of Transport and Communication of Finland. The FMI produces observations and research on the atmosphere, the near space and the seas. It also provides services on weather, sea, air quality, climate and near space for the needs of public safety, business life and citizens.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/iceye-to-lead-industry-consortium-to-deliver-advanced-space-technologies-and-analytics-to-finnish-government-f-35-industrial-participation-program-302311514.html
MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - The US embassy in Ukrainian capital Kyiv has been closed over a potential threat of air attack Wednesday.'The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20. Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place,' the Embassy said in a Security Alert issued on Wednesday.The U.S. diplomatic mission in the Ukrainian capital recommended U.S. citizens to be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.They have also been advised to identify shelter locations in advance of any air alert, and follow the directions of Ukrainian officials and first responders in the event of an emergency.Air raid sirens were sounded multiple times in Kyiv since midnight, reports say.Ukraine's military intelligence agency has said a Russian command post was attacked in the town of Gubkin, in the Belgorod region.Russian forces have stepped up attacks targeting Kyiv since September, forcing residents to seek shelter.US President Joe Biden on Tuesday approved the supply of anti-personnel land mines in Ukraine.However, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concern that his country 'will lose' the war against Russia if Washington stops its military aid, an apparent reference to the incoming Trump administration's expected change in policy on arming Kyiv.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Huang Tianming, a 62-year-old farmer from Zhan'ao village in Keqiao district, Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang province, delivered a speech at a side event themed "Advancing the Implementation of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda", on Nov 18.

Huang, travelling 6,000 km, shared a story between his family and ancient Chinese torreya trees, the oldest of which is 1,570 years old.

"Our story with the trees started from ancestors, who migrated to this place 800 years ago. Now, six generations from the same family are still guarding the trees," said Huang. The farmer spends more than 200 days a year in the Chinese torreya tree forest, weeding, fertilizing, pruning.

For hundreds of years, local farmers follow ancestors' practices to live with the trees harmoniously. In recent years, database was established to record the ancient trees' data including health conditions.

Luigi Latini, owner and CEO at MOPI srl, said that this story from rural China is very worth learning. "Ecological protection and economic development on both hands can inject driving force to sustainable development. I hope many people will learn from it," he said.

Zhan'ao village and adjacent villages are in possession of a Chinese torreya tree forest with over 5,000 trees that are above 500 years old. In 2013, the forest was recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage, the first of its kind in the world.

Today, Chinese torreya nuts industry has become a pillar industry in Zhan'ao village. Annual income related to Chinese torreya reached over 30,000 yuan ($4,143) per person.

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563094/11_20__1.mp4

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zicc-story-between-shaoxing-farmer-and-ancient-tree-shared-at-cop29-302311561.html
ful. Health and Quizzify give patients the tools to ask smarter questions, make better choices, and save money.

DUBUQUE, IA / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / One reason healthcare costs are surging is that each dollar of consumer expense is typically a dollar of provider revenues. And like every other seller in business, healthcare providers and insurers want more of them.

However, healthcare is unlike "every other seller" because the buyers rarely know the value of what they are buying. As a result, many healthcare interventions provide profit, but no value.

Enter ful. Health's partner Quizzify, which helps close that knowledge gap. Quizzify educates employees every month, using an engaging Jeopardy-meets-health education format in quizzes that are authorized to carry the Harvard Medical School logo. Quizzify's mantra: "Wiser consumers make healthier decisions and healthier decisions save money."

For example, every year Americans fill about 120 million cavities, for about $200 apiece. A little-known factoid is that, for about $40, dentists can treat most of those cavities without pain, needles or drilling - simply by brushing a solution called silver diamine fluoride (SDF) onto the decay. Uniquely among dental interventions, SDF has received coveted "Breakthrough Therapy" status from the FDA. That's how effective it is.

And yet SDF is virtually unknown among the lay public. Quizzify knows it well - the CEO has it in his own mouth - and will teach patients about it with a series of questions like this one, as part of ful. CashPay.

Like the rest of ful. CashPay, Quizzify is purpose-designed for uninsured/underinsured employees. SDF is the Poster Child for this purpose. Some employees can't afford dental care. Others are dental-phobic. Still others can't take the time away from work for a drill-and-fill. This affects their children the most - the rate of children's cavities correlates very closely with household income and insurance status. Their cavities get worse (and more expensive) if untreated.

Quizzify's SDF education solves all those problems.

Besides teaching the existence and value of SDF, Quizzify teaches employees they need to ask for it. Almost every dentist has it, but almost no dentists will offer it without being asked, due to the hit to their income, which is also the savings to the patient.

Empowering Patients to Make Informed Healthcare Decisions

"Our healthcare system urgently needs transformation, and empowering patients to become savvy healthcare consumers is a major part of the solution," says Dr. Bernie Saks, CEO of ful. Health. "The rising costs of healthcare mean that every choice counts. By putting actionable information in patients' hands, we enable them to make informed decisions that align with their health needs and financial realities."

Quizzify's CEO and Quizmeister-in-Chief Al Lewis observes that, while shortchanging themselves on self-care and preventive care, Americans are "the most overtested, overdiagnosed, overtreated, overdosed and overcharged society in the history of the world. We teach the opposite, that just because it's healthcare doesn't mean it's good for you."

In addition to monthly and bonus quizzes, Quizzify provides on-demand pre-visit cheat sheets that incorporate this educational information. These are called Doctor Visit PrepKits. For more than 200 common health conditions, these PrepKits equip patients with the knowledge to prepare for their visit, ask informed questions, and better understand their treatment options.

How Education by Quizzify Works Through ful. CashPay

Through the combined power of data, innovation, and technology, ful. CashPay and Quizzify have created an accessible ecosystem that empowers uninsured and underinsured individuals with practical, transparent healthcare information.

An Ecosystem for Sustainable Change in Healthcare.

ful. CashPay's comprehensive ecosystem - which includes virtual care, cash-discounted services, and pharmacy savings - supports users as they make educated healthcare choices that align with their financial and health needs.

By integrating Quizzify's educational tools, ful. CashPay enables uninsured and underinsured patients to access vital information and resources, positioning them to thrive within the healthcare system.

About ful. Health

ful. Health is transforming healthcare access with transparent, affordable solutions designed for uninsured and underinsured workers. Through ful. CashPay, ful. Health offers an all-in-one ecosystem with unlimited, free virtual care, discounted cash pricing for medical services, pharmacy savings, and educational resources that empower informed healthcare decisions. ful. Health's mission is to empower individuals to take control of their healthcare journey while helping employers support their workforce with innovative, impactful benefits.

About Quizzify

Quizzify is an interactive health education platform committed to making patients more informed healthcare consumers. With content reviewed by Harvard Medical School, Quizzify offers quizzes, learning modules, and Doctor Visit PrepKits that equip users with the knowledge to make safe, cost-effective healthcare choices.

Contact Information

Buse Kayar

buse.kayar@issuerdirect.com

SOURCE: ful. Health

View the original press release on newswire.com.
SAN ANTONIO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / Seventh Emergence, a Navajo Nation-owned technology solutions provider and a subsidiary of Dine Development Corporation (DDC), has been awarded the William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) Tier II Technical Support Services contract. Seventh Emergence has partnered with Navancio and CommandTec, federal IT service providers, to deliver technical support for the Center and its subordinate units.

The Seventh Emergence team will provide WBAMC with IT and cybersecurity services to advance medical facility healthcare and administrative operational mission requirements. The team will deliver a range of support, including help desk, system administration and engineering, database administration, SharePoint, web content, virtualization, and cybersecurity.

"We are proud to support the U.S. Army mission by delivering IT solutions critical to healthcare operations and delivery," said Zach Brown, President of Seventh Emergence. "Through our legacy-inspired capabilities, coupled with expertise in the health IT domain, we are poised to deliver seamless technology support to fuel WBAMC's vital mission."

This award also represents a milestone for the DDC family of companies, serving as its first contract in Texas since opening its San Antonio office this month. "This award reflects our strategic commitment to expanding our capabilities and partnerships within Texas' defense community," said Jeff Abney, Vice President of Growth and Strategy, DOD of DDC.

Contact Information

Katie von Allmen

Senior Marketing Manager

katie.vonallmen@ddc-dine.com

SOURCE: Dine Development Corporation (DDC)

View the original press release on newswire.com.
China Energy Engineering Group Co. , Ltd (Energy China) has signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the world's largest contiguous solar and battery power plant in the Philippines. Terra Solar Philippines Inc. (TSPI), a subsidiary of SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC), has awarded Energy China an EPC contract to develop the Terra Solar project in central Luzon. The PHP 185. 28 billion ($3. 25 billion) project, touted as the world's largest contiguous solar and battery power plant under development, will feature 3. 5 GW of solar panels and a 4. 5 GWh battery energy storage ...

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.
NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned against toothpaste manufactured with bacteria-laden contaminated water by Tom's of Maine Inc., a unit of Colgate-Palmolive Co.The warning letter, which summarizes significant violations, has been issued after inspecting Tom's' drug manufacturing facility in Sanford, Maine from May 7 to 22.The inspectors found several violations in the facility, including microbiological results in water samples and finished product. There was bacteria in water to make Tom's products, and also observed a black mold-like substance near the equipment used for OTC drug production in the facility.The contaminated water was used as a component in the company's OTC drug products and as a final rinse after equipment cleaning.Further, the agency noted that Pseudomonas aeruginosa was recovered in multiple water samples, from June 2021 to October 2022. This water was used to manufacture a particular batch of Tom's Simply White Clean Mint Paste.Ralstonia insidiosa was also recovered from water points of use, and gram-negative cocco-bacilli Paracoccus yeei was recovered in OTC finished product, Wicked Cool! Anticavity Toothpaste.The FDA noted, 'Water is a major ingredient in many of your OTC drug products. It is essential that you employ a water system that is robustly designed, and that you effectively control, maintain, and monitor the system to ensure it consistently produces water suitable for pharmaceutical use.'The agency noted that the firm failed to follow appropriate written procedures, designed to prevent objectionable microorganisms in drug products not required to be sterile.In response to the letter, the agency requested a comprehensive assessment of the design and control of the manufacturing operations, with a detailed and thorough review of all microbiological hazards, as well as detailed findings regarding the root causes of the contamination, among others.For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.com https://www.rttnews.com/content/health.aspxCopyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
The collaboration will supercharge products across PR Newswire, CisionOne, Brandwatch, and Streem.

CHICAGO, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cision, a global leader in communications software, today announced a collaboration with Google Cloud to advance the capabilities of its AI-driven communication solutions. Through this endeavor, Cision will harness Google Cloud's generative AI (gen AI) technologies to supercharge its suite of products across PR Newswire, CisionOne, Brandwatch, and Streem, delivering unmatched innovation to its customers.

This news builds on the recently announced launch of PR Newswire's AI Suite of Tools, engineered with Gemini on Vertex AI, which helps businesses create and distribute content more quickly and efficiently, dramatically reducing timelines for customers. The collaboration further accelerates Cision's ability to deliver visionary solutions across all business units.

By combining Cision's unparalleled data and communications expertise with the Vertex AI platform and Gemini models on Google Cloud, Cision is poised to unlock more advanced features and intelligence, empowering leaders to make data-driven decisions, optimize strategies, and accelerate business outcomes.

Key benefits of the collaboration include:

Actionable, data-driven insights: Cision's customers will now have access to even more powerful AI-delivered insights and analytics, enabling them to craft data-backed strategies that deliver significant competitive advantage

Cision's customers will now have access to even more powerful AI-delivered insights and analytics, enabling them to craft data-backed strategies that deliver significant competitive advantage Enhanced productivity: Cision customers will benefit from enhanced AI capabilities, to create streamlined workflows and act on insights with greater speed and accuracy

Cision customers will benefit from enhanced AI capabilities, to create streamlined workflows and act on insights with greater speed and accuracy Future-proofed strategies: Through the collaboration, customers of all Cision solutions will be able to take advantage of AI technology that is at the forefront of the industry, enabling them to shape the future of marketing and communications

"By leveraging the power of Google Cloud's AI, we're not just building more powerful products for our customers, we're also setting a new benchmark for the future of insights and communications, innovating in ways that will redefine the industry," said Prasant Gondipalli, Interim CEO of Cision.

"Our collaboration with Cision marks an important moment in the marketing and communications landscape, further enabling businesses to leverage gen AI to drive innovation and efficiency," said Carrie Tharp, VP Solutions & Industries at Google Cloud. "With these advancements, Cision is not just enhancing its products, but helping to change the way businesses approach insights-driven decision-making."

As Google Cloud's gen AI technology is deployed across Cision's business, Cision is poised to release additional innovations, further solidifying its position as the leader in AI-driven communications. With additional ground-breaking launches in 2025 across its brands, Cision remains committed to pushing the boundaries of insights-led innovation.

About Cision

Cision is the global leader in consumer and media intelligence, engagement, and communications solutions. We equip PR and corporate communications, marketing, and social media professionals with the tools they need to excel in today's data-driven world. Our deep expertise, exclusive data partnerships, and award-winning products, including CisionOne, Brandwatch, and PR Newswire, enable over 75,000 companies and organizations, including 84% of the Fortune 500, to see and be seen, understand and be understood by the audiences that matter most to them.

Contact Information:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Cision Public Relations

CisionPR@cision.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cision-to-transform-ai-powered-communications-in-collaboration-with-google-cloud-302310703.html
Chinese Medical Team celebrates World Children's Day with checkups and games in Windhoek, Namibia

Xinhua) 21:50, November 20, 2024

Members of the Chinese medical team play games with children at the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center in Windhoek, Namibia, Nov. 20, 2024. The 16th Chinese Medical Team in Namibia on Wednesday conducted free medical checkups in the informal settlement of Havana, one of Windhoek's most populated settlements, as they joined the rest of the world in observing World Children's Day.

At the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center, members of the Chinese medical team conducted medical checkups such as spine examinations. The team educated the children on proper hygiene, emphasizing the importance of handwashing to curb the spread of diseases. The team also brought gifts such as stationery and food items for the children at the center and engaged them with fun games.

World Children's Day is celebrated on Nov. 20 annually to promote international togetherness and awareness among children, and improve children's welfare worldwide, according to the United Nations. The theme this year is "Listen to the Future." (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

Members of the Chinese medical team conduct oral examinations for children at the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center in Windhoek, Namibia, Nov. 20, 2024. The 16th Chinese Medical Team in Namibia on Wednesday conducted free medical checkups in the informal settlement of Havana, one of Windhoek's most populated settlements, as they joined the rest of the world in observing World Children's Day.

At the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center, members of the Chinese medical team conducted medical checkups such as spine examinations. The team educated the children on proper hygiene, emphasizing the importance of handwashing to curb the spread of diseases. The team also brought gifts such as stationery and food items for the children at the center and engaged them with fun games.

World Children's Day is celebrated on Nov. 20 annually to promote international togetherness and awareness among children, and improve children's welfare worldwide, according to the United Nations. The theme this year is "Listen to the Future." (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

A member of the Chinese medical team conducts spine examination for a child at the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center in Windhoek, Namibia, Nov. 20, 2024. The 16th Chinese Medical Team in Namibia on Wednesday conducted free medical checkups in the informal settlement of Havana, one of Windhoek's most populated settlements, as they joined the rest of the world in observing World Children's Day.

At the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center, members of the Chinese medical team conducted medical checkups such as spine examinations. The team educated the children on proper hygiene, emphasizing the importance of handwashing to curb the spread of diseases. The team also brought gifts such as stationery and food items for the children at the center and engaged them with fun games.

World Children's Day is celebrated on Nov. 20 annually to promote international togetherness and awareness among children, and improve children's welfare worldwide, according to the United Nations. The theme this year is "Listen to the Future." (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

Members of the Chinese medical team conduct oral examinations for children at the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center in Windhoek, Namibia, Nov. 20, 2024. The 16th Chinese Medical Team in Namibia on Wednesday conducted free medical checkups in the informal settlement of Havana, one of Windhoek's most populated settlements, as they joined the rest of the world in observing World Children's Day.

At the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center, members of the Chinese medical team conducted medical checkups such as spine examinations. The team educated the children on proper hygiene, emphasizing the importance of handwashing to curb the spread of diseases. The team also brought gifts such as stationery and food items for the children at the center and engaged them with fun games.

World Children's Day is celebrated on Nov. 20 annually to promote international togetherness and awareness among children, and improve children's welfare worldwide, according to the United Nations. The theme this year is "Listen to the Future." (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

A member of the Chinese medical team conducts an oral examination for a child at the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center in Windhoek, Namibia, Nov. 20, 2024. The 16th Chinese Medical Team in Namibia on Wednesday conducted free medical checkups in the informal settlement of Havana, one of Windhoek's most populated settlements, as they joined the rest of the world in observing World Children's Day.

At the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center, members of the Chinese medical team conducted medical checkups such as spine examinations. The team educated the children on proper hygiene, emphasizing the importance of handwashing to curb the spread of diseases. The team also brought gifts such as stationery and food items for the children at the center and engaged them with fun games.

World Children's Day is celebrated on Nov. 20 annually to promote international togetherness and awareness among children, and improve children's welfare worldwide, according to the United Nations. The theme this year is "Listen to the Future." (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

Members of the Chinese medical team play games with children at the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center in Windhoek, Namibia, Nov. 20, 2024. The 16th Chinese Medical Team in Namibia on Wednesday conducted free medical checkups in the informal settlement of Havana, one of Windhoek's most populated settlements, as they joined the rest of the world in observing World Children's Day.

At the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center, members of the Chinese medical team conducted medical checkups such as spine examinations. The team educated the children on proper hygiene, emphasizing the importance of handwashing to curb the spread of diseases. The team also brought gifts such as stationery and food items for the children at the center and engaged them with fun games.

World Children's Day is celebrated on Nov. 20 annually to promote international togetherness and awareness among children, and improve children's welfare worldwide, according to the United Nations. The theme this year is "Listen to the Future." (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

A member of the Chinese medical team instruct children to wash their hands properly at the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center in Windhoek, Namibia, Nov. 20, 2024. The 16th Chinese Medical Team in Namibia on Wednesday conducted free medical checkups in the informal settlement of Havana, one of Windhoek's most populated settlements, as they joined the rest of the world in observing World Children's Day.

At the Frans Nambinga Arts and Training Center, members of the Chinese medical team conducted medical checkups such as spine examinations. The team educated the children on proper hygiene, emphasizing the importance of handwashing to curb the spread of diseases. The team also brought gifts such as stationery and food items for the children at the center and engaged them with fun games.

World Children's Day is celebrated on Nov. 20 annually to promote international togetherness and awareness among children, and improve children's welfare worldwide, according to the United Nations. The theme this year is "Listen to the Future." (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan)
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Cascada Silver Corp. (CSE: CSS) ("Cascada") is pleased to announce assay results from the Phase I reverse circulation ("RC") drill program at its Angie Copper Molybdenum Property ("Angie"). Drilling encountered significant intervals of molybdenum ("Mo" or "moly") with drill hole AAS-02 returning 26 metres ("m") grading 713 parts per million ("ppm") Mo including 8 m, at the end of the hole, grading 1,208 ppm Mo. See Table 1 for the assay highlights. The Mo intersections remain open in all directions (see figures 1 and 2). Mo is typically found along the margins and upper levels of major copper moly porphyry systems.

For reference, 0.1% (1,000 ppm) Mo has an equivalent value to 0.74% Cu, excluding mining related factors, based on $29.74 per pound Mo and $4.04 per pound Cu: a ratio of 1 to 7.4.

Table 1 - Angie Project, Phase I Drill Assay Results

Drill Hole # From To Interval Mo MoS2 Notes m m m ppm ppm AAS-01 54 110 56 410 684 including 58 60 12 588 982 AAS-02 54 118 64 476 785 Quartz diorite porphyry including 54 62 8 735 1,227 and 76 82 8 745 1,244 150 176 26 713 1,190 Drill hole ends at 176 m. Visible chalcopyrite and bornite at end of hole. Potassic altered monzodiorite. including 168 176 8 1,208 2,016

Note: weighted average Mo grades are based on a 250 ppm Mo cut-off grade with reported intervals incorporating no greater than 4 m of sub-cut-off internal dilution. MoS2 (molybdenite) values are for reference as many companies quote MoS2 grades. MoS2 are calculated upon a Mo content of 59.9%. Reported Intervals are downhole lengths as insufficient data is available to make an accurate determination of true width. 1,000 ppm is equivalent to 0.1%.

The Mo grades at Angie are significant considering both RC holes were lost before the targeted depths were reached due to excessive water pressure encountered in the holes. The grades returned are similar to those at primary Mo deposits such as Greenland Resources' Malmbjerg deposit (1,000 ppm Mo), New Moly's Kitsault deposit (830 ppm Mo), and Moon River's Endako deposit (400 ppm Mo).

"We appear to be on the margins of a major Chilean porphyry system," said Carl Hansen, Cascada's CEO. "While we are targeting a copper moly porphyry, the high Mo grades are surprising considering the amount of molybdenite that was washed out of the samples due to the excessive water inflow. Moly grades in AAS-02 increased downhole towards a quartz diorite porphyry, considered to be the likely source of the mineralization. The 26 m grading 713 ppm interval at the end of the hole is open to depth and to the southwest along strike. Despite copper mineralization visually increasing in content to depth, no significant copper assays were returned suggesting we are still in the margins of the porphyry system. Plans are being made to mobilize a diamond drill to allow for the collection of more representative samples, negating the water-related molybdenite losses, and to drill deeper to: 1) expand the Mo intervals; and 2) test the copper potential of the porphyry system."

Discussion

Throughout the top 100 m of each drill hole, molybdenite mineralization was observed occurring as fracture fillings and disseminations within molybdenite-bearing quartz veins and veinlets which cut both the altered quartz diorite porphyry intrusions and altered monzodiorite. The quartz diorites are interpreted as the source of the mineralization; however, those intersected are interpreted as secondary intrusions related to larger porphyry intrusions underlying the centers of the 800 m by 1,500 m Mo geochemical anomaly (see figure 3). Figure 3 also shows the preliminary drill hole locations for the Phase II drill program

Alteration intensity increases downhole from propylitic to potassic. In drill hole AAS-02, increasing alteration intensity mirrors an increase in Mo grades and visual copper mineralization. The last 8 m of AAS-02 (1,208 ppm Mo) was associated with strongly potassic-altered monzodiorite with fine to medium-grained disseminated molybdenite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and bornite.

For further details on Angie, please review Cascada's February 15, 2023 and September 10, 2024 press releases.

Molybdenum

Primary moly deposits are uncommon with only 2 producing mines in the Americas. In Chile and Peru, Mo is important byproduct of porphyry-associated copper mines. In 2023, China was the primary producer of Mo with a 45% share of the world production, followed by South America (largely Chile and Peru) at 27%, North America at 18% and other areas at 10% (International Molybdenum Association, March 2024).

Mo is considered a strategic mineral and has been classified as a critical metal in Canada not only due to its use in construction, oil and gas production, aerospace and defense, power generation and medical devices but also in its use in supporting the transition to green energy. Mo production is anticipated remain relatively flat over the next 10 years on declining mine grades and a lack of development investment compared to projected demand growth of 4.7% annually.

QA/QC Disclosure

Drill holes were drilled using the RC technique and collared with a 5 1/2" diameter bit, maintaining a consistent diameter throughout the process. Rock cuttings produced by the drill rigs were transported to the surface using compressed air and extracted from the cyclone (or hydraulic cyclone for wet samples) to the splitter by the drill contractor under the supervision of Cascada geologists. Samples were split twice, generating the lab sample, a twin, and a coarse reject. Each sample was weighed, bagged, and identified with tickets following the sampling list prepared beforehand by Cascada personnel. Chip boxes were generated during sample extraction. Subsequently, the bags and Sentry bags were sealed and stored before being dispatched to lab facilities along with reference materials used to verify the preparation and analysis of the samples. Quick logging of chips was performed in the field. The bags were then transported from the drill site to the ALS laboratory facility in Copiapo for mechanical preparation, where they were weighed, dried, crushed, and pulped according to the PREP-31 protocol. ALS is an accredited laboratory independent of the company. The prepared samples were sent to ALS laboratories in Santiago, Chile for copper (Cu-AA62) and molybdenum (Mo-AA62). No data quality issues were indicated by the QA/QC program. The reverse circulation chip trays were sent to Santiago for detailed logging and secure storage.

NI 43-101 Technical Disclosure

The Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators, for Cascada's exploration activities in Chile is Sergio Diaz, a resident of Santiago, Chile. Mr. Diaz is a Public Registered Person for Reserves and Resources N 51, in Chile and is also registered in the Colegio de Geologos de Chile under N 315.

About Cascada Silver Corp.

Cascada is a mineral exploration company focused on exploration opportunities in Chile. Cascada's team of successful exploration professionals are dedicated to the discovery of mineral deposits that can be progressed into economically viable development projects creating value for all stakeholders.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections and forecasts. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: plans for the evaluation of exploration properties; the success of evaluation plans; the success of exploration activities; mine development prospects; and, potential for future metals production. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or describes a "goal", or variation 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.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: changes in economic parameters and assumptions; all aspects related to the timing of exploration activities and receipt of exploration results; the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project or exploration parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; future metals price; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of economic and technical studies; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration; as well as those factors disclosed in Cascada's publicly filed documents.

Although Cascada has attempted to identify important 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 not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.





Figure 1 - Angie Cu/Mo Project Drill Results - Mo (ppm) - Section 435,000 E, Looking West

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7721/230716_d085e465b46b7809_001full.jpg





Figure 2 - Angie Cu/Mo Project Geological Schematic Section 435,000 E - Looking West

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7721/230716_d085e465b46b7809_002full.jpg





Figure 3 - Angie Cu/Mo Project Drill Hole and Mo (ppm) Rock Geochem Contour Plan

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7721/230716_d085e465b46b7809_003full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230716

SOURCE: Cascada Silver Corp.
New funding from Blackstone Innovations Investments, FINTOP Capital and JAM FINTOP will support Cardo AI's expansion into the U.S. market and accelerate its mission to scale asset-based finance and private credit with modern technology.

MILAN, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardo AI, a next generation asset-based finance and private credit technology platform, has completed its $15mn Series A round. The investment was co-led by Blackstone Innovations Investments, Blackstone's early-stage strategic investment arm, FINTOP Capital and JAM FINTOP. Andy Horwitz and Kevin MacDonald, co-founders of Black Mountain Systems, also participated in the round.

The $40 trillion asset-based finance and private credit market continues to operate with outdated systems, manual processes and fragmented data. As the market expands with increasingly complex investment strategies, Cardo AI is modernizing the sector's operations with advanced portfolio modeling and collateral data management technology. The platform facilitates investment decision-making and portfolio monitoring of multi-strategy credit portfolios for industry stakeholders-from investors to banks and servicers-leveraging advanced software workflows, a powerful data engine and predictive AI algorithms. The platform also supports servicers, trustees and fund administrators in streamlining operations and reducing costs.

Founded in 2018, Cardo AI rapidly expanded its presence throughout Europe, with early support from Fasanara Capital, before entering the U.S. market earlier this year. Over the past few months, Cardo has onboarded several of the most sophisticated private credit and asset-based finance investors in the U.S. In addition to co-leading the Series A round, Blackstone is leveraging Cardo AI's technology in its Credit & Insurance operations to support direct lending and asset-based finance transactions.

Co-leads FINTOP Capital and JAM FINTOP bring deep operating expertise and a strategic network of nearly 100 regional and community banks. Rick Kushel leads the investment for FINTOP and brings over three decades of experience building companies such as iLevel Solutions and DealCloud.

Altin Kadareja, Founder and CEO of Cardo AI: "Our expansion into the US market, supported by such prestigious institutions, highlights Cardo AI's ability to deliver powerful technology for the alternative credit industry. We are excited to collaborate with new investors and are confident that our platform will play a significant role in scaling the market and enhancing operational excellence for our clients."

John Stecher, Chief Technology Officer at Blackstone, said: "At Blackstone we have seen firsthand the rapid growth in alternative credit. To keep pace, the industry needs to move away from manual, spreadsheet-based processes to embrace scalable technology solutions. Our Credit & Insurance team has been impressed by Cardo AI's robust portfolio management capabilities for complex instruments."

Rick Kushel, Managing Partner at FINTOP Capital said: "We see enormous potential for Cardo AI to transform an industry that has been slow in adopting technological innovation. With decades of experience, their team brings the expertise needed to tackle the challenges this market faces. We are excited to support them in setting the standard in asset-based finance and private credit technology."

About Cardo AI

Intelligent technology for the asset-based finance market. Cardo AI is a global fintech company with the mission to make the market more efficient, transparent, and accessible to all players. Using proprietary technology that integrates software, data, and intelligence Cardo AI accompanies banks, credit originators, servicers, asset managers, and asset owners throughout the entire process of asset based finance investments: from managing data, formulating predictive analytics, and optimizing portfolios. To date, more than $40 billion are managed through its technology platforms, drawing on a team of more than 120 talents.

For further information: www.cardoai.com.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563139/Cardo_AI_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cardo-ai-announces-15mn-series-a-funding-co-led-by-blackstone-fintop-capital-and-jam-fintop-302311466.html
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / GreenMoney Journal:

by Keoni Lee, Hawaii Investment Ready (HIR)

Founded in 2013 as the first social enterprise accelerator in Hawaii and the first Native-led accelerator in the U.S., HIR has been at the forefront of place-based and culturally-grounded investment strategies in Hawaii. Since then, HIR has evolved into a field-building impact intermediary with a mission to accelerate Hawai'i's economic transformation. Our holistic suite of strategies includes capacity building, network facilitation, capital deployment and navigation, research, and narrative shifting. These pillars work together to seed deeper relationships, trust and collaboration.

In 2021, we re-envisioned our core program as the Hawaii Food Systems Accelerator to deepen investment in food and move the needle by focusing on one sector. The enterprise cohort prioritizes frontline, rural and Native Hawaiian social entrepreneurs addressing key leverage points identified in a 2020 Transforming Hawaii's Food Systems Together mapping project. The complementary funder cohort comprises 24 active food systems funders and investors across philanthropy, government and private capital. These networks are invaluable for activating and piloting innovative strategies and frameworks. By convening these diverse stakeholders, we increase our collective capacity to catalyze meaningful progress.

Earlier this year, HIR also partnered with Mission Driven Finance to launch Hawaii's first catalytic capital debt fund designed to fill funding gaps and better leverage philanthropic resources. By fostering collaboration and pooling resources, we enable high-leverage solutions that address our food systems' unique challenges. Emerging communities of practice in systems change investing and bioregional financing are gaining traction, with HIR at the forefront of this movement.

Read Keoni's full article here - https://greenmoney.com/investing-in-a-different-kind-of-paradise-catalyzing-hawaiis-sustainable-food-system/

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GreenMoney Journal on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: GreenMoney Journal

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/greenmoney-journal

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: GreenMoney Journal

View the original press release on accesswire.com
ANAHEIM, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / MD&M West, a legacy leader in manufacturing excellence and one of the world's largest and most influential B2B advanced manufacturing trade shows, commemorates a major milestone of significant industry advancement. As North America's most comprehensive manufacturing trade show, MD&M West is set to celebrate 40 years of driving impact and innovation across all facets of manufacturing by uniting its community.

While MD&M West celebrates its own anniversary in 2025, it inspires stories from the global audience of engineers and manufacturing professionals who gather to explore, network, and learn at this premier event each year. By sharing achievements through attendee experiences and company news, MD&M aims to highlight the unique contributions of the industry and raise awareness of its essential role.

"Whether you are celebrating your own milestone, have an inspiring journey from startup to industry leader, or want to share any fond memories or success stories from MD&M West over the years, we want to hear it," says Adrienne Zepeda, Event Director for MD&M.

"We strive to create a platform for rewarding experiences, incredible development and growth as we collectively move manufacturing forward," notes Melissa Magestro, VP of Informa Markets Engineering. "2025 marks the 40th anniversary of MD&M West, and we are committed to celebrating the manufacturing achievements of the past 40 years while continuing to act as a hub of imagination, connection, and learning for the betterment of the world in the next 40 years and beyond." Whether reflecting on the industry's past or looking ahead to its future, MD&M invites visitors to submit stories to be featured across the website, social media, and anniversary promotions as it counts down to the biggest celebration of manufacturing excellence on Feb. 4-6, 2025, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

For 40 years, this renowned advanced manufacturing expo has had a history of growth, innovation, and community. Since its inception in 1985 in the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim as a small B2B event, MD&M has brought local manufacturers specializing in medical device components, manufacturing equipment and innovative materials together to supply purchasing companies with the latest innovations needed to advance their manufacturing initiatives.

A look back at the past forty years, technology like Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Just-in-Time (JIT) systems, robotics and automation, advancements in materials science, revolutionized the way products were designed and manufactured. Now, looking to the next decade and beyond, the manufacturing industry is expected to fully realize the potential of Industry 5.0 in highly adaptive and flexible environments through quantum computing, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), revolutionizing complex simulations and optimization problems.

Sustainability is also a critical theme for the future of these businesses, for more efficient manufacturing practices as the standard, with a strong emphasis on circular economy principles and zero-waste operations. To prepare executives for the evolution of sustainable manufacturing, in part of its 40th anniversary, MD&M proudly co-locates with the launch of the first US-based Sustainability Manufacturing Expo .

Over the past four decades, MD&M West has developed into one of the largest and most influential trade shows in the manufacturing industry, regularly attracting tens of thousands of professionals and featuring thousands of exhibitors from around the world, rated as one of the Top 100 Trade Shows and one of the Fastest-Growing Trade Shows of 2023 by Trade Show Executive.

Others celebrating anniversaries that have already shared stories with MD&M include Plastics Today, Sono-Tek Corporation, HUI Manufacturing and MD&M's official media brand, and Medical Device + Diagnostic Industry (MD+DI).

Join the legacy of innovation across 40 years in the making; registration is now open for MD&M West.

About MD&M

MD&M, organized by Informa Markets Engineering, is the leading group of business events across the U.S. for professionals in medical, critical and advanced manufacturing. United under one brand, MD&M is the premier platform where professionals meet, learn and collaborate to drive innovations in life-saving devices, cutting-edge technologies and advanced manufacturing processes. Founded in 1985, the MD&M portfolio includes MD&M West , MD&M East , MD&M South and MD&M Midwest . Focusing on fostering collaboration across regions and sectors, MD&M is dedicated to empowering professionals through year-round engagement, advanced matchmaking technology and specialized events that reflect the ever-evolving needs of the industry.

About Informa Markets Engineering

Informa Markets Engineering is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), the world's leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com .?

Media Contact

Informa Markets Engineering PR

EngineeringPR@informa.com SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS - ENGINEERING

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Nashville, Tennessee--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Parisian skincare brand Ingrid Millet Paris has officially announced its first U.S. institute through an exclusive partnership with TIBA, a prestigious spa and innovative wellness center located in Nashville, TN. This partnership further enhances TIBA's skincare and wellness services to clients in Nashville and across the U.S. Additionally, Ingrid Millet USA, the primary U.S. distributor of the Paris skincare brand for two decades, is thrilled to renew its contract with Ingrid Millet Paris.

Ingrid Millet Paris and TIBA commemorated this milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Nashville, celebrating their partnership and the opening of TIBA's new location. This partnership will continue to allow Ingrid Millet's luxurious skincare products stateside, with TIBA's owner, Nuhad Khoury, as the brand's exclusive U.S. distributor.

"We are delighted to be working closer with the Ingrid Millet team and continue to showcase its luxury French products to our well-loved clientele with an appreciation for great skincare," said Khoury. "There is a certain synergy between TIBA's mission and Ingrid Millet Paris offerings; we are very excited to share the brand's magic with the U.S. market, especially with our Nashville friends."

TIBA offers guests a diverse menu of regenerative and restorative wellness treatments for the face and body, each thoughtfully researched and selected to improve their well-being. Through this partnership, the Ingrid Millet USA Institute in Nashville will become a central hub for the brand's education and training. TIBA's highly trained aestheticians will receive specialized instruction in Ingrid Millet Paris skincare techniques and product applications, ensuring clients the best possible experience. As the designated U.S. institute, TIBA will also welcome Ingrid Millet Paris employees for hands-on training.

TIBA customers can also enjoy its DESSANGE PARIS Salon de Coiffure and its exclusive shopping experience of the highest-quality, luxury-brand skincare, fragrances, makeup, accessories, and designer jewelry from around the world. Over the years, the spa has gained notoriety for being a celebrity-loved space.

Ingrid Millet, a pioneer in skincare and the first to use caviar as an ingredient with its 1972 launch of l'Extrait Bio-Marin, is currently available in 45 countries. Known for its signature 'Caviar Complex,' a potent blend of nutrients dubbed 'Black Sea Gold,' Ingrid Millet products support cell regeneration and deliver unparalleled revitalizing effects. Each formula is crafted with carefully selected ingredients to target specific skincare concerns and enhance overall skin health.

###

About INGRID MILLET PARIS:

Ingrid Millet has been an expert in prestigious anti-aging skincare since 1959. One of Paris's most sought-after aestheticians, Ingrid Millet, pioneered the use of caviar in skin care, which would become the basis of her successful product line, Perle de Caviar Collection. In addition, Ingrid Millet expanded its product lines over the years to include programs featuring botanicals, biotechnology, and its most recent aesthetic line.

About TIBA:

Nuhad Khoury's new location of TIBA is a luxury boutique spa, innovative wellness center, DESSANGE PARIS Salon de Coiffure, and an exclusive shopping experience that is inspired by 40 years of expertise and three previous highly successful establishments. The updated concept can be found in a memorable and uniquely designed new space, where each carefully selected, intricate detail creates a warm, intimate, and joyous environment for their guests. TIBA's next generation of the spa will instead feature new regenerative and restorative wellness treatments using innovative, one-of-a-kind technology, with devices like the PureWave VEMI Bed and PEMI Mat, and Ballancer Pro, to name a few.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230153

SOURCE: R Public Relations
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Valkea Resources Corp. (TSXV: OZ) (OTCQB: OZBKF) (the "Company" or "Valkea") announced today that it will hold its annual general meeting (the "Meeting") on December 19, 2024 at Suite 600, 1111 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia at 3:00 p.m. (PST). The following matters will be voted on at the Meeting:

receiving of the audited financial statements of the Company for the financial year ended June 30, 2024, and accompanying report of the auditor; setting of the number of directors of the Company for the ensuing year at five persons; electing directors of the Company to serve until the next annual general meeting of the shareholders; and appointing D&H Group LLP as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and authorizing the directors to determine the remuneration to be paid to the auditor.

Due to the lockout of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers on November 15, 2024, the Company may be unable to mail the Notice and Access Notification, Information Circular, Proxy, VIF and NI Card (the "Meeting Materials") to its registered holders, or to deliver them to intermediaries for delivery to the beneficial owners. The Meeting Materials have been posted on SEDAR+ under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.valkea.ca.

Registered shareholders and beneficial owners can obtain a copy of the Meeting Materials from the Company's SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca, by contacting Odyssey Trust Company at 1-888-290-1175 (toll-free within North America) or 1-587-885-0960 (direct from outside North America), or by contacting the Company at info@valkea.ca for delivery by email. Beneficial owners can obtain a copy of the voting instruction form from their intermediary.

About Valkea Resources

Valkea Resources is at the forefront of gold exploration in Finland's highly prospective Central Lapland Greenstone Belt. With an extensive portfolio of high-potential projects, including the flagship Paana project, Valkea Resources is committed to discovering and advancing significant gold deposits in one of the world's emerging gold districts.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts.

Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: details regarding the Meeting. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include but are not limited to: the Company's early stage of development; the fluctuation of the price of metals; the availability of additional funding as and when required; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; the timing and ability to maintain and, where necessary, obtain necessary permits and licenses; the uncertainty in geologic, hydrological, metallurgical and geotechnical studies and opinions; infrastructure risks, including access to water and power; environmental risks and hazards; risks associated with negative operating cash flow; and risks associated with dilution. For a further discussion of risks relevant to the Company, see the Company's other public disclosure documents.

Although management has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There is 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 forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as, and to the extent required by, applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230723

SOURCE: Valkea Resources
A new study by Germany's Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) points to strong potential for solar deployment across the nation's roadways and highways. From pv magazine Germany Germany's BASt has assessed the potential for PV installations along the nation's highways in a study for the Federal Ministry of Transport. It said that Germany's roughly 50,000 km of highways could host 24 GW to 48 GW of solar capacity. Noise barriers could add 3. 2 GW to 4. 2 GW, parking areas 1 GW to 1. 2 GW, vertical barriers 0. 5 GW to 0. 6 GW, and rest-area buildings 0. 13 GW to 0. 15 GW. BASt said that ...

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.
A 9. 75 MW solar plant on a former mining dump in northeastern Serbia is set for completion and grid connection by the first quarter of 2025. It will be the first solar facility operated by state utility Elektroprivreda Srbije. A 9. 75 MW solar facility in Serbia is due to be completed in early 2025. The Petka PV project is being built on 11. 6 hectares at the site of a former mining dump in Kostolac, northeastern Serbia. It is utility company Elektroprivreda Srbije's first solar project. The utility's general director, Dusan Zivkovic, said solar panels are currently being installed and on schedule ...

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.
LISBON, Portugal, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The startup accelerator platform "G Camp," which aims to promote Taiwanese startups on the global stage, took significant steps toward boosting international business opportunities by participating in the prestigious European tech event, Web Summit. G Camp hosted a dedicated Taiwan startup pavilion, featuring eight top-tier Taiwanese startups at the event, which ran from November 11 to 14 in Lisbon, Portugal.

During the event, Taiwanese startups made a strong impression, with two startup teams, including AiSeed and Turing Space, participating in Web Summit's PITCH startup competition. These Taiwan teams stood out against over 1,500 global competitors to rank in the top 105, with one startup-Jmem Tek receiving special recognition on the international Startup Showcases stage. Package+ had its elevator pitch video displayed across screens on various stages and throughout the venue at Web Summit, capturing attention and showcasing their innovation. Taiwan's startups showcased their strength, earning praise from judges and attracting the attention of potential investors, with Megasense successfully securing over 2 million USD in potential funding. Additionally, Frontier.cool caught the eye of key officials and are expected to subsequently secure valuable commercial partnerships with 2 international fashion groups.

Since 2018, G Camp has been organizing the "Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp," recruiting promising startups from across Taiwan. Through comprehensive, hands-on training led by experienced mentors from Silicon Valley, startups receive support in areas like fundraising and negotiation techniques, as well as international market connections. To date, G Camp has helped over 100 startups break into international markets.

Now in its eighth cohort, G Camp selected eight outstanding startups this August to represent Taiwan at Web Summit: AiSeed Tech, Coherence Bio, Frontier.cool Inc., Jmem Tek, Megasense Technology Corp., Package+, Strong & Wise Material Tech Company, and Turing Space. These companies highlighted Taiwan's advanced capabilities in both software and hardware, making a strong pitch for opportunities on the global stage.

For the first time, this year's participation also included Taiwanese startup representatives joining a Masterclass panel moderated by TechCrunch's Asia startups reporter, Kate Park. AI-focused startups AiSeed Tech, Jmem Tek, and Turing Space took to the stage to discuss development trends within Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem and AI's applications across diverse industries, demonstrating Taiwan's leadership in these critical sectors. Through this premier international platform, Taiwan's technology startups showcased their competitiveness, enhanced their global visibility, and paved the way for future international collaborations and opportunities.

Web Summit: Europe's Most Iconic Tech Event

Web Summit is widely regarded as Europe's most influential innovation and technology conference, drawing global attention from the tech, internet, and startup communities. This year's summit featured renowned companies such as IBM and DELL, alongside 3,050 startups from around the world, showcasing cutting-edge technologies. With over 71,528 attendees from 153 countries, including more than 1,000 investors and 2,005 media outlets like CNN and BBC, the event offered immense international business opportunities, positioning Taiwan's startups to tap into multimillion-dollar global markets.

Expanding Global Networks and Unlocking New Business Opportunities

A key focus of this mission to Europe was to help Taiwanese startups connect with European and global resources and networks. G Camp has long been committed to fostering connections within Europe's startup ecosystem. In addition to hosting international startup showcases with Portugal's Startup Lisboa and organizing business networking sessions with the Portuguese Industrial Association (AIP), G Camp also collaborated with the global startup platform Canopy Community to host a Demo Night. Coherence Biotech represented Taiwan, engaging with the audience to gather valuable market insights from various countries. This event attracted more than 500 leading venture capital funds, angel investors, investors, corporate representatives, media partners, and startups from various countries. Subsequently, Strong & Wise Material Tech Company secured over US$10 million in potential business opportunities.

This year's mission also included a visit to Spain, where Taiwanese startups connected with key local players in the innovation space. The delegation visited the La Nave Madrid Incubation Center, PATIO Innovation & Startup Campus, which belongs to the Madrid Regional Government Digital Office. They also met with Wayra Telefonica, the Corporate Venture Capital arm of Telefonica, and the Las Rozas Innova Incubation Center, forming vital business connections with Spanish startups and investors. The Taiwan Pitching Day event, co-hosted with the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Spain, brought together local companies to engage with Taiwanese startups, facilitating networking opportunities for bilateral cooperation and market expansion.

Building a Global Future for Taiwanese Startups

Amid fierce global competition, Taiwan's startups stand out for their vibrant, innovative edge in the technology space. By leading eight promising startups to Web Summit in Portugal, G Camp helped create potential business opportunities worth millions of dollars. Startups play a critical role not only in driving industrial transformation but also are a key indicator of Taiwan's global market influence. G Camp remains dedicated to nurturing Taiwan's startups, continuing to invest resources to build a sustainable brand for Taiwan's startup ecosystem. With a focus on fostering regular international exchange and partnerships, G Camp is systematically driving Taiwan's startups towards global success, ensuring they thrive and blossom in international markets.

Contact for G Camp:

Paloma Ho

palomaho@iii.org.tw

+886-2-6607-2093

Walis Lin

walislin@iii.org.tw

+886-2-6607-2188

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/g-camps-taiwan-startups-shine-at-europes-web-summit-supporting-their-expansion-into-european-and-international-markets-302311848.html
This year's sold-out event featured conversation on how beauty, technology and diversity intersect, brought together top LA-based creators, industry pros and media.

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / Agency Guacamole, a Los Angeles-based communications firm supporting leading beauty and lifestyle brands, hosted its eighth Beauty, Lifestyle and Nurturing Diversity (B.L.N.D.) event on September 19, 2024, in Los Angeles. This year's B.L.N.D. conversation invited industry leaders, innovators and enthusiasts to explore the intersection of beauty, technology and DE&I values.

B.L.N.D. 2024 Speakers

"From AI and AR to even VR, technology continues to skyrocket forward - and the beauty and lifestyle industries have a front-row seat," said Bilal Kaiser, Agency Guacamole's founder and principal. "This year's phenomenal panel challenged all of us to think about the importance of DE&I as we collectively enter a new frontier. I could personally talk about this topic again and again."

B.L.N.D. started in 2018 and has taken place in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and virtually since then. The goal of this annual initiative is to bring together key opinion leaders, industry executives, content creators and editors to talk about different themes around inclusivity.

Moderated by Bilal Kaiser, this year's panel featured an impressive lineup of thought leaders, including:

Pia Velasco, Content Specialist, GenAI, Meta

Rajni Jacques, Global Head of Fashion & Beauty, Snapchat

Sindhya Valloppillil, CEO & Co-Founder, Skin Dossier

"One of the key learnings for me was our insightful discussion on how advancements in AI and emerging technologies are redefining beauty and wellness routines, and how major social and digital platforms are paving the way for more diverse beauty and lifestyle content across the board," added Kaiser.

This year's B.L.N.D. was sponsored by notable brands in the beauty and lifestyle industries and featured activations from brands like Urban Decay, Carol's Daughter, Dermablend Professional and Matrix.

Check out a video recap of B.L.N.D. 2024 at this link.

ABOUT AGENCY GUACAMOLE:

Agency Guacamole is an award-winning influencer marketing, PR and events firm, dedicated to exceptional service and developing innovative, cross-platform experiences for leading beauty and lifestyle brands. From product launch campaigns, content initiatives, influencer partnerships and experiential activations, Team AG thrives on bringing each client's vision to life in ways that are unique yet fun.

Just as a delicious guacamole recipe brings together various ingredients to produce a wonderful final product, so does Agency Guacamole's approach to experiential, social and PR: connecting the dots, sharing meaningful stories and inspiring all involved to deliver impactful, impressive and - of course - delicious results.

Join us as we change the world one chip at a time.

Find out more at www.agencyguacamole.com or follow us @AgencyGuacamole.

Contact Information

Alexa Lewis

PR & Influencer Manager

alexa@agencyguacamole.com

(310) 878-2560, ext. 509

SOURCE: Agency Guacamole

View the original press release on newswire.com.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - My CV Upgrade has launched to revolutionize the job search process with its AI-powered professional chatbots, tackling one of the biggest challenges in today's job market: the complexity and frustration of outdated application processes. Candidates often find it difficult to stand out, leading to frustration and missed opportunities.

Company logo

My CV Upgrade was born to radically transform the professional search experience, aiming to solve one of the main problems in the job market: the complexity and demotivation in the application process.

The idea for My CV Upgrade emerged from founder Fabrizio Parzanese's personal experience in talent acquisition and recruitment. "During my years in the industry, I witnessed countless talented professionals struggle to showcase their true potential through traditional CVs," recalls Parzanese. "I remember meeting a brilliant software engineer who, despite her exceptional skills and innovative projects, was consistently overlooked due to her modest paper resume. That's when it hit me - we were using 20th-century tools to solve 21st-century challenges." This realization, combined with the frustration of seeing qualified candidates spend countless hours on repetitive job applications, led to the creation of My CV Upgrade. "I envisioned a platform where talent could truly shine, where professionals could present themselves comprehensively and authentically, and where AI could bridge the gap between potential and opportunity. We're not just creating another job search tool - we're revolutionizing how professional value is communicated and perceived in the modern job market."

Introducing My CV Upgrade, an innovative AI-powered platform that transforms the traditional approach to job applications. By shifting from static paper CVs to dynamic Personal Professional Chatbots, My CV Upgrade introduces the enriched profile, a tool that promotes a skill-first approach to professional candidacy. This groundbreaking platform offers a suite of unique features designed to enhance the job search experience.

Among its standout features, My CV Upgrade provides a complimentary professional profile, comprehensive language skill tests, and assessments of both hard and soft skills. The platform's personalized professional chatbot engages with recruiters and companies, facilitating interview scheduling and offering a pre-recorded professional interview video to showcase candidates' capabilities.

The process is straightforward: candidates register at https://mycvupgrade.com, compile a detailed profile, complete skills assessment tests, create an interview video, and receive digital skills certification. This information is then used to train and create the personal professional chatbot, ensuring candidates are presented in the best possible light.

For candidates, My CV Upgrade aims to save time in selection processes, enhances professional visibility, certifies skills, and presents an innovative profile that simplifies access to job opportunities. This revolutionary approach empowers candidates to navigate the job market with confidence and efficiency.

My CV Upgrade invites individuals to explore https://mycvupgrade.com/black-friday-en/ to learn more about the special initiatives and opportunities available as part of the platform's launch celebration. Visitors can find detailed information about how the company is marking this milestone and making its services more accessible to users.

"We are redefining how professionals present themselves in the job market," declares Fabrizio Parzanese, founder of My CV Upgrade. "Our mission is to democratize access to high-level professional presentation tools."

My CV Upgrade is poised to make a significant impact on the job market, offering a fresh, innovative solution to the challenges faced by job seekers today. By embracing technology and prioritizing skills, My CV Upgrade is leading the charge in transforming the professional search experience.

My CV Upgrade Personal Professional Chatbot screenshot

About My CV Upgrade

My CV Upgrade is a reverse talent platform that helps professionals showcase their skills and career achievements beyond traditional resumes. The platform creates enriched profiles tailored to each user's aspirations and qualifications. Using AI, My CV Upgrade builds personalized professional chatbots that communicate with recruiters, highlight candidates' accomplishments, and even schedule interviews. This innovative approach simplifies the job search process, making it more efficient and impactful. Founded by Fabrizio Parzanese, a digital expert with over 15 years of experience, My CV Upgrade is transforming how talent is represented and discovered in today's competitive job market.

Press Inquiries

My CV Upgrade

https://mycvupgrade.com

Fabrizio Parzanese

info@mycvupgrade.com

Via Leonilde Jotti 4, Pianezza, Italy

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230718

SOURCE: My CV Upgrade
BARCELONA, SPAIN / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / The Bogota Convention Bureau, a business unit of Invest in Bogota, is set to make its debut at IBTM World, one of the world's premier events in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry.

Representing Bogota on the global stage, the Convention Bureau will join the Colombia Pavilion in collaboration with ProColombia. The goal? To position Bogota as a top-tier destination for international events and expand its reach into key markets across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Related Image

Gran Recinto Ferial de Bogota, Corferias (Bogota's Grand Exhibition Center)

This year's IBTM World will gather approximately 2,500 hosted buyers, presenting a remarkable business opportunity for Colombia's capital city, Bogota.

Over the course of three days, the Bogota Convention Bureau has scheduled over 40 meetings with event organizers and representatives from leading corporate associations. Their objective: to highlight Bogota's unique value proposition and competitive advantages, including its strategic location, state-of-the-art infrastructure, vibrant cultural venues, and specialized MICE services that position it as a standout destination for international events.

Earlier this year, on August 20-21, the Bogota Convention Bureau participated in IBTM Americas as well, where they held 32 meetings and built meaningful connections with event and congress organizers. This proactive engagement resulted in identifying five promising opportunities across corporate, associative, and support sectors.

IBTM World will take place at Fira Barcelona, located at Gran Via, Av. Joan Carles I, 64, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. The Bogota Convention Bureau will be at Colombia's Stand M70.

Related Image

Panoramic View of FIRA Barcelona (Spain)

Follow the Bogota Convention Bureau's journey and stay updated on this event through their social media channels. X: @bogotabureau, Instagram: @bogotabureau, Tiktok: @bogotabureau, Facebook y LinkedIn: Greater Bogota Convention Bureau.

About Invest in Bogota

https://en.investinbogota.org/ is the city's leading agency for investment promotion, international event attraction, and fostering a thriving high-impact entrepreneurship ecosystem. It's a public-private initiative supported by the Bogota Chamber of Commerce and the Capital District.

The agency's mission is to drive socio-economic development, boost competitiveness, and enhance the quality of life in Bogota and its surrounding region by positioning the city as Latin America's premier business destination. For six consecutive years, invest in Bogota has been recognized as one of the best entities in its field globally and one of the top four in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. This distinction comes from the Global Best to Invest Report published annually by Site Selection International.

Contact:

Luisa Vasquez

Senior Officer, Bogota Convention Bureau

+57 3182821821

mailto:info@investinbogota.org

SOURCE: Invest in Bogota



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LONDON, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Speaking at this year's EduTech Asia conference in Singapore, Raquel Thomson, Deputy Head of Primary at Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong, highlighted the transformative potential of metacognition in teaching and learning.

Metacognition, which refers to the awareness of ourselves and our own thinking, is a process which involves reflection, management and application of key life skills, and is at the heart of Nord Anglia's education strategy.

At the event earlier this month, Thomson explained metacognition's impact on learning, including how it boosts students' achievement, improves communication skills, and supports their overall cognitive development to achieve success in their academic and social lives.

"Metacognition is a game-changer for learning," said Thomson. "Through our global research project with Boston College, we're discovering that students who develop metacognitive skills are far better prepared learners and problem solvers. Students who understand how they think best, and why, have an incredible skillset to draw from throughout their personal and professional lives."

Thomson's talk also covered the metacognition teaching and learning practices used at Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong, as well as data showing the progress in students' metacognitive development.

Nord Anglia's education research projects are led by Dr Kate Erricker, Group Head of Education Research, who said: "Raquel is one of the first Nord Anglia teachers to present our pioneering work on metacognition on a global stage. We're extremely proud to be able to share insights directly from a Nord Anglia teacher with like-minded innovative educators across the world."

EduTech Asia is an annual event that brings together educators, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world to exchange ideas and explore innovative approaches to education.

For media enquiries or to arrange an interview with Dr Kate Erricker or Raquel Thomson please contact:

Francesca Milani

Communications Manager

+44 20 7131 0000

francesca.milani@nordanglia.com

About Nord Anglia Education:

As a leading international schools organisation, we're shaping a generation of creative and resilient global citizens who graduate from our schools with everything they need for success, whatever they choose to be or do in life.

Our strong academic foundations combine world-class teaching and curricula with cutting-edge technology and facilities, creating learning experiences like no other. Inside and outside of the classroom, we inspire our students to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

No two children learn the same way, which is why our schools around the world personalise learning to what works best for every student. Inspired by our high-quality teachers, our students achieve outstanding academic results and go on to study at the world's top universities.

To learn more or apply for a place for your child, go to?nordangliaeducation.com.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/edutech-asia-2024-metacognition-is-a-game-changer-for-learning-302311920.html
Atlanta, Georgia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Monge & Associates Injury and Accident Attorneys, a leading personal injury law firm based in Atlanta, is expanding its focus on medical malpractice victims in Johns Creek, Tucker, and Decatur. With a strong history of advocating for victims of negligence, the firm is now providing specialized legal assistance to individuals who have suffered due to medical errors, misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, and other forms of medical negligence.

Medical malpractice victims in Johns Creek, Tucker, and Decatur can now rely on Atlanta attorneys for dedicated legal support and fair compensation.

Medical malpractice can result in catastrophic injuries, including nerve damage, brain injuries, and other severe outcomes, often requiring long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation. Monge & Associates is dedicated to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable and securing financial compensation for medical malpractice victims. The firm's experienced medical malpractice attorneys are well-versed in handling complex legal claims and will work diligently to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Residents of Johns Creek, Tucker, and Decatur who need assistance with medical malpractice cases can learn more by visiting www.becauseyouwanttowin.com or calling (888) 477-0597.

Medical malpractice claims arise when health care providers fail to meet the expected standard of care during treatment. Medical malpractice lawsuits often involve negligent actions such as surgical errors, medication errors, or anesthesia errors, which can result in serious harm to patients. In such cases, the medical provider may be held liable for failing to provide adequate care. Common types of malpractice include errors during medical procedures or delayed treatment that worsens a medical condition. These cases require skilled legal representation to ensure injured patients receive proper compensation for damages.

The experienced medical malpractice lawyers at Monge & Associates are well-versed in handling cases where medical professionals fail to meet their professional duty to ensure patient safety. Whether the case involves surgical instruments left inside a patient or severe brain damage resulting from substandard care, the firm is dedicated to seeking justice for victims. Medical malpractice lawsuits may include both compensatory damages for the immediate losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, as well as punitive damages to penalize egregious conduct by negligent actions in the medical community.





https://maps.app.goo.gl/vXBCrzqs1DGyyJWw9

In medical malpractice cases, it is crucial to prove that the medical care provided fell below acceptable standards, which can be established with the help of expert testimony from within the medical community. Victims may be entitled to monetary damages, including actual damages for the physical, emotional, and financial toll caused by substandard care. Monge & Associates helps victims navigate the legal procedure, ensuring their medical negligence claims are handled with diligence and precision. This includes exploring all legal options to ensure the injured patients receive the proper care and financial recovery they deserve.

For those facing the aftermath of medical negligence, including the tragic loss of a loved one due to wrongful death lawsuits, Monge & Associates provides comprehensive support. The firm's medical malpractice lawyers understand the complexities involved in pursuing these claims and work tirelessly to hold health care providers accountable for breaches of their duty of care. Clients can trust that their cases will be handled with the utmost professionalism, ensuring they achieve justice and financial restitution for the compensation for damages they have suffered.

Medical malpractice litigation often arises from negligent conduct by medical staff, where deviations from professional care standards lead to severe consequences for patients. Cases involving delays in diagnosis or errors during a surgical procedure can result in catastrophic medical outcomes, including cardiac arrest or, in extreme instances, patients being declared brain dead. Monge & Associates is adept at navigating these complex legal scenarios, ensuring victims and their families receive the guidance necessary to seek justice under medical malpractice law.

Securing a medical malpractice settlement involves more than just proving liability; it requires a deep understanding of medical ethics and the nuances of noneconomic damages. Victims may be entitled to compensation for the emotional toll of untimely death, pain and suffering, and the long-term effects of negligence on their quality of life. For cases that proceed to jury trials, the firm's seasoned attorneys prepare meticulously, presenting compelling evidence and expert testimony to achieve favorable trial verdicts. This approach underscores the commitment to holding healthcare providers accountable for their actions.

For families grappling with the aftermath of medical malpractice, prompt legal advice is essential to protect their rights and explore their legal options. Whether the case involves a delay in diagnosis or the failure to provide adequate medical attention, Monge & Associates offers compassionate and comprehensive support throughout the legal process. Their attorneys are dedicated to achieving outcomes that reflect both justice and fair compensation for the immense challenges faced by victims of negligent conduct in healthcare.

Victims of medical malpractice are urged to take legal action promptly due to the statute of limitations that restricts the time available to file a claim. Monge & Associates' attorneys guide clients through every step of the legal process, helping them gather necessary medical records, review the details of their case, and assess the potential value of their legal claim.

With a commitment to achieving maximum compensation, the firm offers personalized attention and representation to those navigating the emotional and financial burden caused by medical negligence.

Listen to the "Inside Monge & Associates: Scott Monge on Legal Leadership and Client Service" Episode on the "The Attorney Post - If you don't know your rights, you don't have any!" Show

Atlanta-based injury attorneys extend services to Johns Creek, Tucker, and Decatur, advocating for medical malpractice victims with expert legal representation.

About Monge & Associates Injury And Accident Attorneys

Monge & Associates focuses exclusively on personal injury law, helping clients maximize compensation after serious injuries. With expertise in cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall incidents, defective products, and more, the firm builds each case as if it will go to trial. Monge & Associates operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning no fees are charged unless the case is won. They also offer a Big Settlement Guarantee and a Client Satisfaction Guarantee, ensuring clients are confident in their legal representation.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230717

SOURCE: Monge & Associates Injury And Accident Attorneys
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Aftermath Silver Ltd. (TSXV: AAG) (OTCQX: AAGFF) (FSE: FLM1) (the "Company") is pleased to report that all matters were approved at the Company's annual general and special shareholders' meeting (the "Meeting") held on November 20, 2024. At the Meeting, the Company's shareholders re-elected all of the Company's current board of directors, Michael Williams, Ralph Rushton, David Terry, Michael Parker and Keenan Hohol, approved the appointment of the Company's auditor, Davidson & Company LLP and re-approved the long-term incentive plan in accordance with the requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Company's shareholders also approved the creation of a new Control Person (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSXV), being 2176423 Ontario Ltd. and Mr. Eric Sprott, as more particularly set out in the management and information circular of the Company dated October 16, 2024.

2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation beneficially owned and controlled by Mr. Sprott, intends to increase its equity position in the Company pursuant to a private placement of 22,222,222 units (the "Units") to be sold at a price of $0.45 per Unit for total gross proceeds of up to $10,000,000 (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one transferable Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable by the holder thereof to acquire one additional Common Share (a "Warrant Share") for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance at a price of $0.70 per Warrant Share. The Private Placement is subject to final approval of the TSXV. For more information on the Private Placement, see the Company's news release dated October 16, 2024.

Berenguela Project: Background

The Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in Berenguela through a binding agreement with SSR Mining.

Berenguela hosts a potentially open- pittable silver-copper-manganese Mineral Resource close to Santa Lucia in Puno province, southern Peru.

Silver, copper and manganese have crucial industrial applications in the clean energy and battery spaces. Copper and manganese have been designated critical metals by the US government and the European Union.

The project is less than 6km from road, rail and power lines and 4 hours from Arequipa by sealed road.

Aftermath published a resource estimate in March 2023 based on over 300 core and RC holes.

Metallurgical test work is underway adding to historic work, with the goal of producing silver and copper metal and a commercial battery-grade or fertilizer-grade manganese product.

Qualified person

Michael Parker, a fellow of the AusIMM and a non-independent director of Aftermath, is a non-independent qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Parker has reviewed the technical content of this news release and consents to the information provided in the form and context in which it appears.

About Aftermath Silver Ltd.

Aftermath Silver Ltd. is a leading Canadian junior exploration company focused on silver, and aims to deliver shareholder value through the discovery, acquisition and development of quality silver projects in stable jurisdictions. Aftermath has developed a pipeline of projects at various stages of advancement. The Company's projects have been selected based on growth and development potential.

Challacollo Silver-Gold project. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Challacollo silver-gold project. A NI 43-101 Mineral Resource was released on December 15, 2020 (available on SEDAR+ and the Company's web page). The Company is currently completing environmental permitting in anticipation of an upcoming drill program.

Cachinal Silver-Gold project. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Cachinal Ag-Au project, located 2.5 hours south of Antofagasta. On September 16, 2020, the Company released a CIM compliant Mineral Resource and accompanying NI 43-101 Technical Report (available on SEDAR+ and on the Company's web page).

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Ralph Rushton"

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including the completion and anticipated results of planned exploration activities, the ability of the Company to complete the Private Placement on the proposed terms or at all. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connation thereof.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the Company will be able to complete the Private Placement on the terms as anticipated by management, that the Company will receive regulatory approval with respect to the Private Placement and that Mr. Sprott will participate in the Private Placement as expected. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include the risk that the Company will not be able to complete the Private Placement on the terms as anticipated by management or at all and delays in obtaining or failures to obtain necessary regulatory and TSXV approvals of the Private Placement.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230762

SOURCE: Aftermath Silver Ltd.
German investigators waive prosecution against Alisher Usmanov, the resumption of this investigation is ruled out

FRANKFURT and MUNICH, Germany, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In response to media inquiries, Alisher Usmanov's legal representatives at Wannemacher & Partner Rechtsanwalte confirm:

By an Order of 8 November 2024, the Frankfurt am Main General Public Prosecutor's Office informed about a final waiver of public prosecution in terms of the investigation against Mr. Alisher Usmanov. The investigation has been terminated with his consent pursuant to Article 153a (1) (2) of the German Code of Criminal Procedure following the receipt of a voluntary payment that had been agreed with the General Public Prosecutor's Office, and which is directed, in part, towards the support of charitable activities.

The termination of the investigation under this legal provision does not constitute admission of guilt. In addition, the payment does not represent a fine or other type of punishment, and the presumption of innocence remains. Pursuant to Article 153a (1) (5) of the German Code of Criminal Procedure, the resumption of investigation against Mr. Usmanov on these suspicions is ruled out.

Attorneys

Uwe Lehmbruck

Markus Gotzens

*Source Wannemacher & Partner Rechtsanwalte

Contact:

muenchen@wannemacher-partner.de
Clayton, Missouri--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Perimeter Solutions, SA (NYSE: PRM), a leading provider of mission-critical firefighting products and services as well as high-quality specialty chemicals, today announced the completion of the redomiciliation process to change the parent company of the corporate group from a Luxembourg company to a Delaware corporation. The redomiciliation was approved overwhelmingly by shareholders of Perimeter Solutions, SA at a Special Meeting held on November 20, 2024 in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Effective as of the close of trading on November 20, 2024, all issued ordinary shares of Perimeter Solutions, SA have been exchanged on a one-for-one basis for newly issued shares of common stock of Perimeter Solutions, Inc. ("Perimeter" or the "Company"). Perimeter Solutions, Inc. common stock will begin trading on November 21, 2024, and the Company's trading symbol on the New York Stock Exchange will remain unchanged as "PRM."

Haitham Khouri, Perimeter's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We're proud that Perimeter will become an American domiciled company. We will continue to proudly serve our customers worldwide while benefiting from having our legal and functional headquarters near our largest base of operations here in the United States."

Kyle Sable, Perimeter's Chief Financial Officer, added, "This redomiciliation benefits our stakeholders by streamlining the regulatory, accounting and tax compliance burden inherent in operating across multiple jurisdictions. We continue to anticipate an ongoing cash benefit to the Company in the form of lower operating expenses, more fully optimized tax strategies, and reduced complexity."

Perimeter's existing headquarters in Clayton, Missouri will remain the Company's sole operational headquarters while becoming the legal seat of the parent Company. Given that Perimeter was already managed in the U.S., the Company does not anticipate any impact to day-to-day business and operations as a result of the redomiciliation.

Details of the process to redomicile can be found in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on the Company's website and at www.sec.gov.

About Perimeter Solutions

Perimeter Solutions is a leading global solutions provider, providing high-quality firefighting products and specialty chemicals. The Company's business is organized and managed in two reporting segments: Fire Safety and Specialty Products.

The Fire Safety business consists of formulating, manufacture and sale of fire retardants and firefighting foams that assist in combating various types of fires, including wildland, structural, flammable liquids and others. Our Fire Safety business also offers specialized equipment and services, typically in conjunction with our fire management products, to support our customers' firefighting operations. Our specialized equipment includes airbase retardant storage, mixing, and delivery equipment; mobile retardant bases; retardant ground application units; mobile foam equipment; and equipment that we custom design and manufacture to meet specific customer needs. Our service network can meet the emergency resupply needs of over 150 air tanker bases in North America, as well as many other customer locations in North America and internationally. The segment is built on the premise of superior technology, exceptional responsiveness to our customers' needs, and a "never-fail" service network. The segment sells products to government agencies and commercial customers around the world.

The Specialty Products business produces and sells high quality Phosphorus Pentasulfide ("P2S5") primarily used in the preparation of lubricant additives, including a family of compounds called Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphates ("ZDDP") that provide critical anti-wear protection to engine components. P2S5 is also used in pesticide and mining chemicals applications.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "continue," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will," and similar references to future periods.

Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance or results, and involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company's control) and assumptions. Although Perimeter believes any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect Perimeter's actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, including the risk factors described from time to time by us in our filings with the SEC, including, but not limited to, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers should consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement made by Perimeter in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Perimeter undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

SOURCE: Perimeter Solutions, Inc.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230721

SOURCE: Perimeter Solutions
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Greenfire Resources Ltd. (NYSE: GFR) (TSX: GFR) ("Greenfire" or the "Company"), a Calgary-based energy company focused on the production and development of thermal energy resources from the Athabasca region of Alberta, Canada, today confirmed it has received a letter (the "WEF Letter") from Waterous Energy Fund III (Canadian) LP, Waterous Energy Fund III (US) LP, Waterous Energy Fund III (International) LP, Waterous Energy Fund III (Canadian FI) LP and Waterous Energy Fund III (International FI) LP (collectively, "WEF"), which recently announced the acquisition of approximately 43.3% of Greenfire's issued and outstanding shares, in which WEF called for the resignation of all current Greenfire directors to be replaced by its handpicked nominees, an effort Greenfire believes is an attempt to secure control of the Company without making an offer to all shareholders.

Additionally, WEF has submitted a requisition for a special meeting of shareholders to replace the existing Greenfire directors if they do not immediately resign.

Greenfire's Board of Directors (the "Board") has always sought to act in the best interests of Company stakeholders and have taken decisive action to protect the interests of minority shareholders. These actions have included the adoption of a new, limited-purpose shareholder rights plan that is designed to ensure, to the extent possible, that all shareholders of the Company are treated fairly and equally in connection with any unsolicited take-over bid or other attempt to acquire control of Greenfire.

Greenfire has also filed an application to the Court of King's Bench of Alberta to address the sale of shares to WEF from each of Allard Services Limited (a corporation controlled by Julian McIntyre, the former Chair and former director of the Company), Annapurna Limited (a corporation controlled by Venkat Siva, a former director of the Company), and Modro Holdings LLC (collectively, the "Selling Shareholders"). This transaction has delivered negative control to WEF at a very low premium, hindering Greenfire's previously initiated strategic review process, which is intended to maximize value for all shareholders.

Greenfire believes the WEF Letter and proxy contest are the latest efforts by WEF to gain control over Greenfire without paying an appropriate premium for control and without offering liquidity to shareholders. While the Company has attempted to engage with WEF in constructive dialogue, WEF has shown no interest in doing so. Greenfire's Board remains committed to engaging with all shareholders, including WEF, to align on paths forward that would be in the best interests of the Company.

WEF has proposed the nominantion of six directors, with four of these nominees being WEF employees and also directors of Strathcona Resources Ltd. ("Strathcona"), a company controlled by WEF. The Board does not believe the proposed WEF nominees meet the requirements of best governance practices for publicly listed companies. Further, the Board notes that WEF has a history of making acquisitions that have been subsequently vended into Strathcona for shares. Greenfire is concerned that common directors between the two companies could expose Greenfire to a similar outcome, including potentially acquiring the Company without offering an appropriate control premium to Greenfire shareholders.

Greenfire currently trades at a discounted valuation relative to existing pure play SAGD peers, despite the Company's view that Greenfire has differentiated Tier-1 SAGD assets, growth plans and positioning to continue to benefit from improved Canadian heavy oil market dynamics.

There is no action for Greenfire shareholders to take at this time.

The Board is carefully evaluating the WEF Letter and requisition in consultation with its financial and legal advisors. This includes assessing the qualifications and independence of the proposed nominees and the potential impact on Greenfire's corporate governance. Foremost, the Board will ensure that the interests of all Greenfire shareholders, including minority shareholders, are considered in its assessment.

As this assessment progresses, the Board will provide a recommendation regarding any necessary actions Greenfire shareholders should take. Greenfire's Board remains focused on maximizing long-term value for the Company and the benefit of all shareholders.

About Greenfire

Greenfire is an intermediate, lower-cost and growth-oriented Athabasca oil sands producer with concentrated Tier-1 assets that use steam assisted gravity drainage extraction methods. The Company is operationally focused with an emphasis on an entrepreneurial environment and a high level of employee ownership. Greenfire Common Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "GFR". For more information, visit greenfireres.com or find Greenfire on LinkedIn and X.

Shareholder Questions

Shareholders who have questions may contact Greenfire's strategic shareholder communications advisor:

Laurel Hill Advisory Group

Toll Free: 1-877-452-7184 (for shareholders in North America)

International: +1-416-304-0211 (for shareholders outside Canada and the US)

By Email: assistance@laurelhill.com

Contact Information

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ADVISORY

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of the United States federal securities laws and applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements relate to future events or Greenfire's future performance. All information other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "targeting", "forecast," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "potential," "may," "should," "will," "can," "could," "would," "will be," "to be," "to include," "to align," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. In addition to other forward-looking statements herein, there are forward-looking statements in this press release relating to, among other things, further communication relating the WEF Letter and requisition; potential for dialogue between the Company and WEF; the intent of the Board to carefully evaluate the WEF Letter and requisition in consultation with its financial and legal advisors; Greenfire's expectations with respect to the strategic review process; the intentions, strategy, growth plans and future actions of the Company; Greenfire's belief that the Company's Tier-1 assets represent a structural cost advantage; Greenfire's expected benefits from the completion of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMX) and improving market dynamics for Canadian heavy oil. There may be a risk that WEF may not be willing to participate in dialogue with the Company and there is no certainty that the strategic review process will result in a transaction or any other transaction.

You should carefully consider all of the risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's annual report on Form 20-F dated March 26, 2024, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml and in other documents filed by Greenfire from time to time on SEDAR+ and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law. For all of these reasons, the Company's securityholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Oil and Gas Terms

This press release uses the term Tier-1 SAGD reservoir to describe the bitumen reservoirs that Greenfire has an interest in. The term Tier-1 SAGD reservoir refers to SAGD reservoirs that have no top gas, bottom water, or lean zones, commonly referred to as "thief zones". Thief zones provide an unwanted outlet for steam and reservoir pressure. Thief zones require costly downhole pumps and recurring pump replacements to achieve targeted production rates, leading to higher capital and operating expenditures. Tier-1 wells flow to surface with natural lift; not requiring downhole pumps or gas lift.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230799

SOURCE: Greenfire Resources Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - This press release is related to the securities of Oculus VisionTech Inc. ("Oculus" or the "Company"). Mr. Anton J. Drescher, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and a director of the Company, announces the filing of an early warning report (the "Early Warning Report") pursuant to the requirements of National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues ("NI 62-103") and National Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids ("NI 62-104") pursuant to the acquisition of an aggregate of 8,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Shares") through a private sale at a price of $0.0717 per Share (the "Acquisition").

Prior to the Acquisition, Mr. Drescher was the beneficial owner of 13,804,504 Shares, representing approximately 15.0997% of the issued and outstanding Shares on an undiluted basis (based on an aggregate of 91,422,569 Share issued and outstanding).

Upon completion of the Acquisition, Mr. Drescher now holds 21,804,504 Shares, representing approximately 23.8502% of the issued and outstanding Shares on an undiluted basis (based on an aggregate of 91,422,569 Shares issued and outstanding).

The Acquisition of the Shares by Mr. Drescher were made in reliance on the "private agreement exemption" from the formal take-over bid provisions of NI 62-104, as outlined in Section 4.2 of Part 4 of NI 62-104. More specifically, (a) the acquisition was made from not more than five (5) persons in the aggregate, including persons located outside the local jurisdiction; (b) the bid was not made generally to security holders of the class of Shares; and (c) the value of the consideration paid for the Shares, including brokerage fees or commissions, was not greater than 115% of the market price of the Shares at the date of the acquisition as determined in accordance with Section 1.11 of NI 62-104.

Mr. Drescher acquired the Shares, for investment purposes. In pursuing such purposes, Mr. Drescher reserves the right to formulate other plans or make other proposals and take such actions deemed necessary with respect to his investment in the Company. Depending on the market conditions and other factors, Mr. Drescher may, from time to time, increase or decrease his beneficial ownership of the securities of the Company as deemed appropriate.

The Company's head office is located at #507 - 837 West Hasting Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3N6, Canada.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230807

SOURCE: Anton J. Drescher
BiocSol team (coypright David Plas)

BiocSol, a Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium-based company providing microbial-based biopesticides, raised 5.2M in Seed funding.

The round was led by Agri Investment Fund and VIVES IUF with participation from Invest.BW and IMBC Spinnova SA.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its team, broaden its R&D pipeline and kickstart the regulatory processes for its pioneering biofungicides.

Led by new CEO Denis Payen and CTO and founder Simon Caulier, BiocSol is a a UCLouvain spin-off that develops microbial-based biopesticides empowering farmers by providing an efficient biocontrol to protect their crop. By harnessing specific microbial substances, the company creates biosolutions targeting key agricultural challenges, such as mildew agents.

FinSMEs

20/11/2024
Distru, an Oakland, CA-based cannabis industrys ERP platform provider, raised $6M in Series A funding.

Backers included Global Founders Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and product development. While already profitably growing, the capital will help drive their expansion into 11 additional states, including New York with their Biotrack integration.

Led by CEO Blaine Hatab, Distru is a provider of a seed-to-sale ERP platform for the cannabis industry, offering comprehensive solutions for managing inventory, orders, and customer relations. Used by hundreds of licensees across the United States, it provides Metrc integration and customer support, empowering cannabis operators manage their businesses.

Previusly, the company raised a funding round led by Felicis with contributions from Elad Gil and Avichal Garg.

FinSMEs

20/11/2024
Keto Software, a Hyvinkaa, Finland-based technology company providing strategic portfolio management (SPM) solutions, raised 8.4M in funding.

The round consisted of 6.4M in equity from Emerald Technology Ventures, Greencode Ventures, Sinituote (Ilkka Brotherus) and Trauma Holding (Kimmo Rauma), and 2M in loans.

The company intends to use the funds to consolidate its position to expand to a broader global market.

Led by CEO Veijo Hytti, Keto Software is a no-code platform that allows clients to operate in industries prioritizing innovation, including renewable energy, industrial manufacturing and packaging. Large industrial companies such as Kone Elevators, Danfoss, Valmet, Metso, Fortum and Alpiq use its platform to connect their objectives and strategies with all the execution investments in R&D&I.

FinSMEs

20/11/2024
Ramat Gan, Israel, November 20th, 2024, Chainwire

UpVsDown.com Prediction Platform Leads the Way as PlayBlock Takes Center Stage in the Blockchain World

Playnance proudly announces the official listing of its groundbreaking blockchain, PlayBlock, on DappRadar, the premier tracking platform for decentralized applications (dApps). Just weeks after its launch, PlayBlock has achieved the remarkable milestone of being ranked #8 globally in daily transactions and daily turnover, solidifying its position as one of the most dynamic blockchains in the world.

From Polygon Powerhouse to Global Contender

PlayBlocks success reflects a seamless transition from operating on the Polygon blockchainwhere it contributed an extraordinary 15% of Polygons daily transactionsto establishing itself as an independent Layer-3 blockchain. Now, PlayBlock is driving unparalleled growth:

Top-Tier Performance : With its listing on DappRadar, PlayBlock is recognized as a global leader, surpassing hundreds of established blockchains in both activity and volume.

: With its listing on DappRadar, PlayBlock is recognized as a global leader, surpassing hundreds of established blockchains in both activity and volume. Empowering Innovation: At the forefront of PlayBlocks ecosystem is its flagship dApp, UpVsDown.com, a cutting-edge prediction market platform revolutionizing user engagement in the Web3 space.

The success of PlayBlock and UpVsDown.com demonstrates the power of user-focused innovation, said Pini, CEO of Playnance. Becoming the #8 blockchain globally is just the beginning as we continue to redefine how people trade, predict, and interact in Web3.

UPvsDOWN.com: Leading PlayBlocks Growth

UpVsDown.com is Playnances premier prediction market platform, allowing users to place real-time predictions on various assets, including cryptocurrencies, commodities, and forex. This engaging and skill-driven dApp is a key driver of PlayBlocks rise, offering:

Zero-Gas Trading : Cost-free transactions make predicting markets accessible to everyone.

: Cost-free transactions make predicting markets accessible to everyone. Instant Rewards : Smart contracts ensure seamless payouts directly to user wallets.

: Smart contracts ensure seamless payouts directly to user wallets. Global Accessibility: With a simple, intuitive interface, UpVsDown.com attracts players worldwide, bridging Web2 and Web3 audiences.

PlayBlock: Shaping the Future of Blockchain

PlayBlock is purpose-built to meet the evolving needs of the Web3 community, featuring:

Gas-Free Transactions : Eliminating barriers to entry for gamers, traders, and developers.

: Eliminating barriers to entry for gamers, traders, and developers. High-Speed Scalability: Supporting 40,000 transactions per second, PlayBlock powers real-time applications at scale.

 Seamless Integration: EVM compatibility ensures developers can easily transition their dApps to PlayBlock, enhancing its growing ecosystem.

Whats Next for Playnance?

PlayBlocks DappRadar listing signals a new era of transparency and growth for the ecosystem. With UpVsDown.com leading the charge, Playnance aims to expand its influence through innovative partnerships, cutting-edge dApps, and a user-centric approach that bridges Web2 and Web3.

About Playnance

Based in Ramat Gan, Israel, with offices in Dubai, UAE Playnance is a comprehensive Web3 ecosystem designed to empower users with blockchain solutions for trading, gaming, and decentralized finance. Powered by its Layer-3 blockchain, PlayBlock, and anchored by its leading dApp, UpVsDown.com, Playnance is driving the mass adoption of Web3 technologies worldwide.

For more information on PlayBlock and the Playnance ecosystem, users can visit playnances official website, explore UpVsDown.com & track playnances progress on DappRadar.

Contact

CEO

Pini Peter

Playnance

[email protected]
Tokamak Energy, a Princeton NJ-based commercial fusion energy company, raised $125M in funding.

The round was led by East X Ventures and Lingotto Investment Management with participation from new investors including Furukawa Electric Company, British Patient Capital, global maritime company BW Group and U.S.-based Sabanci Climate Ventures. It brings the total raised since forming as a spin-out from UK Atomic Energy Authority in 2009 to $335m, comprising $275m from private investors and $60m funded from the UK and U.S. governments.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate plans to grow its high temperature superconducting (HTS) technology solution, TE Magnetics, to advance its fusion pilot plant design program, as well as to develop, test and validate new fusion technologies using its high field spherical tokamak ST40 for experiments near Oxford.

Led by CEO Warrick Matthews, Tokamak Energy is a global commercial fusion energy company that specializes in two technologies: the compact spherical tokamak and High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnets. It recently presented the first details of its fusion energy pilot plant being designed as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program, established for private companies to bring fusion towards technical and commercial viability.

FinSMEs

20/11/2024
Distributed by Rana Daggubatis Spirit Media, the film has so far released theatrically in Kerala and will make its debut in rest of the country on November 22 read more

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta has claimed that Payal Kapadias Cannes winner All We Imagine As Light is facing difficulty in securing a platform for its digital debut.

The film scripted history by becoming the first film from India to win the Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival in May this year.

On Monday night, Mehta shared a review of the film by American news outlet The New Yorker, saying that he has heard that no OTT platform has bought the film as of yet.

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And from what I hear a film that no OTT platform is buying. The harsh reality of making independent films in India. This is no country for the spectacular All We Imagine As Light. HOPE IM PROVED WRONG, the filmmaker said.

Distributed by Rana Daggubatis Spirit Media, the film has so far released theatrically in Kerala and will make its debut in rest of the country on November 22.

All We Imagine as Light, a Malayalam-Hindi feature, is about Prabha, a nurse, who receives an unexpected gift from her long-estranged husband that throws her life into disarray.

Her younger roommate, Anu, tries in vain to find a private spot in the big city to be alone with her boyfriend.

One day the two nurses go on a road trip to a beach town with their friend Parvati where the mystical forest becomes a space for their dreams to manifest, according to the official plotline.

Starring Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha and Chhaya Kadam, All We Imagine As Light is an official Indo-French co-production between Petit Chaos from France and Chalk & Cheese and Another Birth from India.
The Sabarmati Report continues to make an impact across the nation. While the film has been receiving immense love and support from audiences everywhere read more

Ever since its release, The Sabarmati Report has been creating waves across the nation. The film has brought to light one of the most crucial incidents in Indias history, revealing truths that have never been seen or heard before. It is garnering tremendous love from audiences across the country. Moreover, the Prime Minister of India and other renowned ministers have also praised the film. In yet another remarkable feat, the film has been declared tax-free in Madhya Pradesh by CM Mohan Yadav.

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The Sabarmati Report continues to make an impact across the nation. While the film has been receiving immense love and support from audiences everywhere, it has now been declared tax-free in Madhya Pradesh. This speaks volumes about how the film has captured the hearts of the masses and established itself as a significant work that must be seen by all.

Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd presents, A Vikir Films Production, The Sabarmati Report starring Vikrant Massey, Raashii Khanna, and Ridhi Dogra, directed by Dheeraj Sarna and produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Amul V Mohan and Anshul Mohan, a worldwide wide release by Zee Studios. The film is now released in theatres.
Ukraine on Monday for the first time used Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to target Russia after the nod from outgoing US President Joe Biden. The West has supplied Ukraine with many different weapons in its war with Russia. Lets take a closer look at them read more

The long-range ATACMS is capable of striking territories deep inside Russia. Image courtesy: Lockheed Martin via US army

Monday was the 1000th day of the Ukraine-Russia war.

Ukraine for the first time used Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to target Russia.

This after US President Joe Biden, who is set to hand over power to President-elect Donald Trump come January, gave his permission for Kyiv to do so.

Russia said its forces shot down five of six missiles fired at a military facility in the Bryansk region. Debris of one hit the facility, starting a fire that was swiftly put out and caused no casualties or damage, it said.

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Though Ukraine has had these missiles since October 2023, the United States has been reluctant to authorise their use.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the use of ATACMS was a clear signal the West wanted to escalate the conflict.

Ukraine has long deployed drones to hit targets deep inside Russian territory, including airfields and sites associated with energy. But the use of dozens dispatched over a short period of time was unusual.

But which other weapons has the West supplied to Ukraine?

Lets take a closer look:
Outgoing US President Joe Biden has given the green light to ship anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine for its war against Russia. The decision comes two days after Washington approved the use of its long-range missiles against the Vladimir Putin-led country. But will it give Kyiv an upper hand in the conflict? read more

An Ukrainian soldier places an anti-tank landmine along the frontline in the Donetsk region, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Now, US President Joe Biden has approved the supply of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine. File image/AFP

Tuesday (November 19) marked the 1,000th day of the Russia-Ukraine war. As the war drags on, there are no signs of this conflict abating. In fact, the very opposite is happening, as the United States on Sunday gave approval to use long-range missiles in Russian territory.

And on Tuesday (November 18), the Joe Biden administration, according to an official, approved sending anti-personnel mines to Ukraine for the first time, marking a major policy shift.

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A CNN report says that Washington intends Kyiv to use the anti-personnel mines in the eastern part of the country, where Russian troops have made slow and steady progress against Ukrainian defensive lines.

We take a closer look at what exactly are anti-personnel mines and what their deployment in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war means.

What are anti-personnel landmines?

Anti-personnel landmines are designed to detonate when a person comes in close proximity. The International Committee of the Red Cross has said that anti-personnel mines leave a long-lasting legacy of death, injury and suffering.

According to an official in the Biden administration, the type of landmine that Washington will supply Ukraine is the non-persistent type, which means that the mine self-destructs or loses battery charge, rendering them inactive within days or weeks, reducing the danger to civilians. The official also added that the Volodymyr Zelenskyy-led country would not deploy them in Russia nor would they deploy it in densely populated areas.

Anti-personnel landmines are designed to detonate when a person comes in close proximity. Image Courtesy: ICRC

Interestingly, the US has provided Ukraine with Claymores  a different type of anti-personnel mine  amidst the Russia-Ukraine war. Claymores are set above the ground and triggered by an operator.

Why has US given nod for land mines to Ukraine now?

The decision to authorise the supply of anti-personnel landmines is significant. It comes just two days after Biden approved the use of US Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS. It also comes before Biden makes his departure from the White House, giving way to Donald Trump, who has voiced his displeasure about the military aid Washington has been providing to Kyiv until now.

Additionally, Russia is stepping up its attacks on the frontlines. There are also reports coming in that around 10,000 North Korean troops deployed to Kursk by Russias military have already participated in battles there. The US hopes that the anti-personnel landmines will blunt the advance of the Russian ground troops.

One US official told the Washington Post, Russia is attacking Ukrainian lines in the east with waves of troops, regardless of the casualties that theyre suffering. So the Ukrainians are obviously taking losses, and more towns and cities are at risk of falling. These mines were made specifically to combat exactly this.

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When theyre used in concert with the other munitions that we already are providing Ukraine, the intent is that they will contribute to a more effective defence, the official said.

Ukrainian soldiers hope that the anti-personnel landmines will bolster their defences against Russian troops. File image/Reuters

Another official said, Anti-personnel landmines, which can be rapidly deployed, are designed to blunt the advances of ground forces, and, as such, will significantly support Ukraines defence against Russian advances in its sovereign territory, particularly in the east, especially when used in concert with the other munitions that the United States provides Ukraine.

One Ukrainian official, who didnt want to be named, said, Russia uses them anyway. A BBC report has even stated that since the war began, more than 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory is estimated to have become contaminated by mines.

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Why is this decision significant?

Bidens approval of sending anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine to use in the war is significant, as it marks a shift in US policy. In June 2022, US President Joe Biden revived an Obama-era policy that banned the transfer and use of US antipersonnel land mines outside the Korean Peninsula.

President Biden is committed to continuing the United States role as the worlds leader in mitigating the harmful consequences of anti-personnel landmines worldwide, White House National Security Council Adrienne Watson said in a statement at the time.

Watson cited the devastating impact that anti-personnel landmines have had in Russias war against Ukraine  noting that the weapon would only be furnished for use in the Korean Peninsula.

However, he has now reversed his own decision, which has also earned him a rebuke from human rights activists, who argue that anti-personnel landmines indiscriminately kill civilians.

Ukrainian mine experts scan for unexploded ordnance and landmines by the main road to Kherson, Ukraine. Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, Moscow has used landmines, with a BBC report saying more than 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory is estimated to have become contaminated by mines. File image/Reuters

Bidens decision to supply these weapons to Ukraine is also contrary to the 1999 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention  also known as the Ottawa Convention  which prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of these weapons and requires action be taken to address their long-term effects.

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However, as neither Washington nor Moscow are signatories to the convention, they can use and supply them in a war.

But Bidens decision has earned him the anger of few, including Mary Wareham, deputy director of crisis, conflict and arms division at Human Rights Watch. She said that even non-persistent mines hold risks for civilians, require complicated clean-up efforts and are not always reliably deactivated.

Will the use of these weapons change course of the war?

While the US and Kyiv believe that the use of the anti-personnel landmines will bolster the war against Russia, defence experts are not wholly convinced. Michael Bociurkiw, a global affairs analyst at the Atlantic Council, told the BBC that these decisions, including the use of long-range missiles, show a recognition by the Biden administration of what is happening on the frontline, but that it is, I would say, too little too late.

With inputs from agencies
Canada has tightened its security checks at airports for passengers travelling to India. The officials have cited the measure as an abundance of caution. Some screening delays are expected read more

The Canadian government has also started cautioning its people planning to visit India about the Zika virus and terror attacks in a travel alert. Reuters

Canada has tightened its security checks for passengers travelling to India.

The officials have cited the measure as an abundance of caution.

The latest move coincides with the soaring diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

The new policies are already in effect; travellers departing from Toronto have noted obvious changes in the screening process.

Heres all we know about it.

Also read: Planning to work, study or sightsee in Canada? How diplomatic row may affect your trip

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Enhanced security screening

Federal Transport Minister Anita Anand told Canadian Broadcaster, CBC News, Transport Canada has implemented temporary additional security screening measures for travellers to India out of an abundance of caution.

She added passengers may experience some screening delays while these measures are in place.

Additionally, a government official told CBC News that the additional procedures will be implemented by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA).

The group is responsible for screening travellers and their belongings before they reach restricted areas of Canadian airports.

Passengers are physically screened by CATSA, carry-on bags are scanned through X-ray machines, and hand swabs are used to find traces on people as needed.

Due to these changes, Air Canada has recommended passengers travelling to India to be at the airport at least four hours before the departure of their trip and to anticipate long security lines.

A notification sent by Air Canada to fliers said, Due to heightened security mandates by Transport Canada for all passengers travelling to India, security wait times are expected to be longer than anticipated for your upcoming flight.

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To minimise any disruptions to your travel plans, we recommend you arrive four hours prior to your flights departure. We appreciate your patience and understanding, the airline added.

Also read: Why has Canada ended its 10-year tourist visa policy?

Possible reasons

Notably, Anands office statement did not mention any particular incidents behind the move to increase security measures.

The decision, however, comes just a month after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said that it had proof of agents connected to the Indian government engaging in organised crime in Canada, including harassment, extortion, coercion, and intimidation.

On the same day that RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme warned of well over a dozen credible and immediate risks to South Asians, particularly those involved in the pro-Khalistan movement, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats.

New Delhi refuted the claims and, in swift retaliation, asked six Canadian ambassadors to leave the country.

Moreover, the statement also comes after an Air India aircraft, en route from New Delhi to Chicago, was diverted to Canadas Iqaluit following a bomb threat in October. Nevertheless, an investigation revealed no explosive device.

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Also read: India-Canada diplomatic row: Why the Indian diaspora matters to Trudeau and his country

Travel advisory issued

The Canadian government has also started cautioning its people planning to visit India about the Zika virus and terror attacks in a travel alert.

Exercise a high degree of caution in India due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country, the alert read, as per News18.

Exercise a high degree of caution in and around Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Mumbai. Consular services in person are temporarily unavailable in those cities or surrounding areas. If you need consular services, contact the High Commission of Canada in India, located in New Delhi. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa, the alert further read.

The North American country has advised its citizens to avoid visiting Jammu and Kashmir, northeast India and Pakistan borders.

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Also read: Will Indias spat with Canada hit trade, visa services and investments?

India-Canada souring ties

India-Canada relations have been nosediving since Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an Indian-designated Khalistani terrorist, was assassinated last year. Ottawa claimed that India was involved in the assassination.

However, New Delhi has denied the accusations, describing them as preposterous, and accused Canadian PM Justin Trudeau of harbouring Khalistanis who are targeting Hindus in Canada in addition to planning against India.

Eventually, the two nations halted consulate operations and recalled their diplomats.

Recently, a surge in attacks on Hindu pilgrims in Canadian temples prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to denounce the deliberate attack.

India believes Trudeau is playing vote-bank politics by supporting Khalistani group and gain MP Jagmeet Singhs support in the upcoming election. For those uninitiated, the Liberal Partys popularity has fallen sharply and the polls indicate that it would lose badly to the opposition Conservative Party.

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With inputs from agencies
Delhis air quality remained in the severe category for a third straight day on Wednesday. As the city battles toxic pollution, can artificial rain, or cloud seeding, improve the situation? read more

Delhi and its neighbouring cities are gripped by severe pollution. The air quality index (AQI) has touched roughly 500 at certain places, as the citys residents struggle to breathe. On Wednesday (November 20), the index remained in the severe zone for a third consecutive day in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

As Delhi chokes, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is seeking to use artificial rain to bring some relief from the noxious pollution. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday wrote a letter to the Centre asking for its nod to allow artificial rain in the region.

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 Delhi is under GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) Stage IV restrictions, and we are taking every possible step to reduce vehicular and industrial pollution. Restrictions have been imposed on private vehicles and trucks, aiming to curb the number of vehicles entering the city. We are consulting specialists to explore measures to reduce the smog. One of the solutions under consideration is artificial rain, which can help settle pollutants and clear the air, Rai said at a press conference.

He also urged the Central government to convene a meeting with experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur on the issue.

Does artificial rain really alleviate pollution? Lets understand.

What is artificial rain?

Artificial rain, or cloud seeding, is a weather modification method to create rain or snow.

In cloud seeding, clouds are usually injected with salts like silver iodide, potassium iodide, or sodium chloride to induce condensation.

For this, meteorologists need to identify clouds for seeding. These clouds must have sufficient moisture but are unable to produce enough precipitation on their own.

M Rajeevan, former secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, told Indian Express earlier, Cloud seeding can only happen if there is a sufficient number of clouds and a particular depth to these clouds. Inside, there needs to be an adequate number of cloud droplets. Cloud seeding is done to increase the radius of the cloud droplets so that they will grow bigger and because of gravity, they will come down as rainfall. But with a clear sky, you cant do it.

Women walk on a road near India Gate as the sky is enveloped with smog after Delhis air quality worsened due to air pollution, in New Delhi, India, November 19, 2024. Reuters

The salts, or the seeding agents, serve as nuclei around which water droplets can form or ice can crystallise. These particles are dispersed into clouds using special aircraft, rockets, or dispersion devices kept on the ground.

As water droplets grow, they collide with others in the cloud. As they become heavy, the cloud gets saturated and it rains.

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Does artificial rain work against pollution?

The effectiveness of artificial rain is still a matter of debate.

Artificial rain helps clear pollutants and dust from the air. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and PM10 get washed away with prolonged precipitation. However, there is no impact on other pollutants such as ozone and sulphur dioxide.

Sachchida Nand Tripathi, Dean of Kotak School of Sustainability at IIT Kanpur, told NDTV that tackling air pollution with artificial rain will not be easy. When you already are in such a critical situation with such episodic pollution, artificial rain cannot be experimented or tried nowdoing it at this point in time wont help much. It requires a lot of experimentation.

It is going to be very difficult, given all the clearances it requires and the optimal weather conditions, the probability of it working is very low, he added.

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According to IIT Kanpurs Manindra Agrawal, artificial rain could provide relief to NCR residents for a week from deteriorating air quality, reported Business Standard.

In India, cloud seeding was carried out in Maharashtras Solapur over two monsoons in 2018 and 2019. The findings of this experiment were published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society last year, revealing that the city witnessed 18 per cent more rainfall than normal conditions.

Not all clouds are seedable, not all clouds will make rain. There are clouds that will get dissipated on seeding. Overall, however, there was a net increase of 18 per cent [rainfall] in a 100 square km area. Our experiment was very controlled and we selected clouds based on their potential to make rain, Dr Thara Prabhakaran, the lead scientist for the experiment, told The Hindu in 2023.

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She said carrying out cloud seeding in the pre-monsoon or post-monsoon period could have different results.

Aerosol scientist Shahzad Gani wrote for Indian Express last year that artificial rain can only bring temporary respite from pollution.

Its impact on the environment has also raised concerns, including introducing chemicals into the atmosphere. The seeding agents, such as silver iodide, could affect the environment if they accumulate in soil and water in large quantities.

As Gani wrote for Indian Express, there are also ethical concerns about using artificial rain to combat pollution.The water vapour used in the process would have naturally precipitated elsewhere, and it potentially deprives other regions of rainfall. This artificial manipulation of weather patterns could even lead to droughts in areas which would have received this rainfall otherwise, he said in the piece.

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Experts suggest it is better to focus on curbing emissions and strictly implementing pollution control measures than relying on such methods.

With input from agencies
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil and held wide-range discussions including the resumption of direct flights between the two countries. Experts point out that this could greatly benefit Beijing, whose economy has been faltering since the COVID-19 pandemic read more

A China airline flight prepares to take off. Since 2020, direct flights between India and China have been cancelled. File image/Reuters

India-China ties have been on an upward swing ever since both the Asian giants reached a significant agreement for disengagement in the Depsang and Demchok border areas, along the Line of Actual Control, in October.

Taking this forward, Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil on Monday (November 18) during which resumption of direct flights, the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, media exchanges and data-sharing on trans-border rivers were all discussed. This meeting, notably, is the first since the disengagement process began at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in late October.

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Interestingly, this isnt the first time that the resumption of direct flights has been discussed by both sides, with Beijing pushing for better connectivity as early as this June.

We take a closer look at why flights between India and China had been cancelled in the first place and what would be the benefit of resuming them again.

India-China direct flights cancelled

In December 2019, India and China were connected through 539 direct passenger flights. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows that Chinese carriers scheduled 371 of those flights, more than double the 168 by Indias airlines.

However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, barring a few repatriation flights, direct air travel between the two nations was cancelled.

This further escalated in June 2020 when Indian and Chinese troops clashed at Galwan, which resulted in the loss of 20 Indian Army soldiers and an undisclosed number of Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers. As a means to punish China, the Narendra Modi government announced that flights between India and China would be cancelled. It also banned social media apps, including TikTok.

When India resumed regular international flights in March 2022, it did not resume commercial flight services to China.

This cessation of flights has forced travellers to rely on connecting flights through third countries, such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Singapore. This not only adds to the cost of flying but also the duration.

For instance, in 2019, a round-trip economy class ticket between New Delhi and Beijing typically ranged between $350 to $550 and took around six hours. Currently, the shortest flight duration between New Delhi and Beijing is 10.5 hours, with fares around $1,280. The cheapest available flights take roughly 12 hours and cost $650.

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Chinas push to resume direct flights

Since pandemic restrictions were lifted, Beijing has been pushing for New Delhi to resume direct flights between the two countries.

In 2023, Chinas government and airlines broached the topic with Indias civil aviation authorities, reported Reuters. However, at the time, a senior Indian official was quoted as saying, Unless there is peace and tranquillity on the border, the rest of the relationship cannot move forward.

But since then, discussions have gained momentum; on September 12, Indias Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu met with Song Zhiyong, Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China during which positive indications emerged that direct flights would resume soon.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu meets with Chinese delegation led Song Zhiyong. Image Courtesy: Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu/X

Naidu even wrote on social media platform X that the two sides had discussed further strengthening civil aviation cooperation between the two countries, especially promoting the early resumption of scheduled passenger flights.

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On Monday (November 18), the topic of direct flights was once again discussed when S Jaishankar met with Chinas Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

Significance of Chinas push for direct flights

Experts note that restarting flights between the two countries would help both sides. Subhash Goyal, chairman of the aviation and tourism committee at the Indian Chamber of Commerce was quoted as telling South China Morning Post, People are going to China via third countries. They fly via Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Hong Kong. It is better that Indian and Chinese airlines restart flights [as soon as possible] rather than giving business to third countries airlines.

However, experts point out that the resumption of direct flights is likely to benefit Beijing more, given its recovery in air travel post-COVID has been relatively slow. In August, Chinas leading state-owned airlines posted losses in the first half of the year.

Chinese tourists listen to their guide during a group tour visit at the Taj Mahal in Agra. Experts in China note that overseas travel is lagging due to a faltering economy and a turn toward domestic travel. File image/AFP

Experts in China note that overseas travel is lagging behind market expectations due to a faltering economy and a turn toward domestic travel.

Travel operators in China are weeping over their huge losses, with some even saying that the peak seasons have been the worst so far. They hope that with the resumption of direct flights to India, the situation may improve.

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China is also facing the prospects of an escalating trade war with the United States after Donald Trump takes charge as the US president and hence, would be hoping for a reset in Chinas economic ties with India. Keeping that in mind, resuming flights between the two countries would help.

Mark D Martin, CEO of aviation consultancy Martin Consulting, told South China Morning Post, I think it is high time that full-blown flights are resumed and not just to Beijing but also to Chinese provinces. There is so much lost trade between the two countries.

Our economies are intermeshed with each other. We are part of Brics [the bloc consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa] and we are also emerging markets, he said, noting that traders and businessmen as well as holidaymakers were likely to be keen to fly.

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With inputs from agencies
Earths magnetic North Pole is shifting towards Russia at an unprecedented rate, a phenomenon not seen before. If the current pace continues, the pole could move another 660 kilometres (410 miles) toward Siberia in the next decade. What does it mean, and why is this happening? read more

From 1600 to 1990, Earth's magnetic North Pole moved at an estimated six miles per year. Image courtesy: Freepik/Representational

Earths magnetic North Pole is moving at an unprecedented rate.

It is steadily moving towards Russia in a way that has not been seen before.

Since the 1830s, it has travelled roughly 2,250 kilometres (1,400 miles) across the Northern Hemisphere, from Canada to Siberia. However, scientists have now observed a noteworthy acceleration in its movement.

From 1990 to 2005, the poles speed increased from under 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) per year to between 50 and 60 kilometres (31 to 37 miles) annually, according to a 2020 study.

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ALSO READ | What makes the Earth seem flat even though its round?

If this pace continues, the magnetic North Pole could shift another 660 kilometres (410 miles) toward Siberia within the next decade. Scientists are closely monitoring this unexpected activity in the high Arctic to understand its impact.

How has it moved?

From 1600 to 1990, Earths magnetic North Pole moved at an estimated six miles per year. By the 2000s, its pace increased to about 34 miles annually, but over the past five years, it has slowed to approximately 22 miles per year - a deceleration not previously observed, according to The Times.

These measurements are provided by the British Geological Survey (BGS) in collaboration with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which together produce the World Magnetic Model (WMM). Updated every five years, the latest version has just been released.

The magnetic North Pole is crucial for navigation, radiation shielding, and GPS systems that rely on the WMM.

NASA scientists released this new image of the Earth in 2000 to mark Earth Day on April 22. Reuters/File Photo

It is different from the geographic North Pole, which remains fixed and marks the convergence of all longitudinal lines.

Speaking to Daily Mail, Dr Ciaran Beggan of the British Geological Survey said, In the past 20 years, it accelerated north towards Siberia, increasing speed every year until about five years ago, when it suddenly decelerated from 50 to 40 km per year.

In contrast, the south pole is moving very slowly. We dont really know why there are such differences between the two hemispheres. This is behavior weve not observed ever before. It makes forecasting magnetic field change more difficult.

What does the movement of the magnetic North Pole mean?

Shifts in Earths magnetic field might seem unimportant in daily life but they can have widespread impacts. They are crucial for updating navigation systems and ensuring the safety of military and civilian aircraft, ships, and submarines.

Magnetic compasses, necessary for modern navigation, rely on the fields stability, as do smartphones and their navigation applications. Even GPS systems require adjustments to account for the movement of the magnetic poles, according to The Jerusalem Post.

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The shifting of Earths magnetic North Pole is closely monitored by scientists in the UK and the US.

In an interview with The Times, William Brown, a global geomagnetic field modeller at the British Geological Survey, said, Planes, boats, submarines, you name it, its in there.

If the rapid movement continues, the magnetic North Pole is projected to shift 660 kilometres over the next decade. By 2040, this could cause compasses to probably point eastward of true north, according to the British Geological Survey.

ALSO READ | Explained: Earths mini-moon and the Mahabharata connection to it

What about the South Pole?

Earths South Pole is also shifting. It is moving eastward along Antarcticas coast. While these movements might seem extreme, larger shifts are still possible.

Historically, Earths magnetic poles have completely swapped positions roughly every 300,000 years. During such reversals, the North Pole becomes the South Pole and vice versa.

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The last magnetic pole reversal occurred 780,000 years ago, leading some scientists to speculate that Earth may be overdue for another switch, according to IFLScience.

Why are the poles moving?

The movement of Earths magnetic pole is driven by unpredictable changes in the swirling molten iron in the planets outer core. This liquid metal, located about 2,000 miles beneath the surface, generates Earths magnetic field as it churns, moved by heat escaping from the planets core.

Variations in this movement influence both the magnetic field and the poles position.

Its like a giant cup of tea, Brown told The Times. Its a hot liquid with the viscosity of water.

What happens if the magnetic field disappears?

Earths magnetic field, a critical invisible shield, extends from the planets interior into space, forming a protective barrier against solar wind-charged particles emitted by the Sun.

Without this field, the consequences would be severe. Radiation from space would reach Earths surface unchecked, which can increase mutation rates in living cells and cause higher cancer risks in animals.

This loss would also threaten technological systems and disrupt the environment.
Voting for Assembly seats will take place across Maharashtra and some constituencies of Jharkhand today while the Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will embark on a four-day visit to Nepal. Bypolls will be held in Punjab, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh today read more

The counting of votes will take place on Saturday (November 23). File image/PTI

It is set to be a busy Wednesday with several events lined up for the day.

Firstly, voting for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections will take place today while Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will embark on a four-day visit to Nepal.

Bypolls will be held in 14 Assembly constituencies across Kerala, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh while a general strike has been called today across the nation over the high cost of living. Meanwhile, SpaceX will launch Starship for a sixth time today.

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Here is all that is set to take place through the day.

Maharashtra, Jharkhand Assembly elections

The Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections are scheduled for today, with polling set to start at 7 am and conclude at 6 pm, according to PTI. The counting of votes will take place on Saturday (November 23).

Also Read: Maharashtra Assembly elections: Milind Deora vs Aaditya Thackeray and other big fights

Voting will take place in a single phase in Maharashtra that has 288 Assembly seats while this will be the second phase in Jharkhand having 81 seats. In Maharashtra, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena-NCP Mahayuti alliance is looking forward to retaining power whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi bloc of Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP (SP) is seeking a comeback.

In Jharkhand, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led government of the INDIA bloc is seeking a second straight term.

Indian Army Chief to visit Nepal

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will embark on a four-day visit to Nepal starting November 20 to explore ways to expand defence and strategic ties between the two countries and review the evolving regional security situation.

Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi during a press conference in New Delhi. File image/PTI

In Kathmandu, General Dwivedi will be conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepal Army by Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel in continuation of an age-old tradition that first started in 1950, reflecting the strong ties between the two militaries, reported news agency PTI. Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region.

Bypolls in Kerala, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh

By-polls in 14 Assembly constituencies across the three states will take place today. Earlier, it was scheduled to take place on November 13 but the Election Commission (EC) had delayed it after political parties including BJP, Congress, BSP and RLD requested a change in the polling date for certain Assembly constituencies.

The 14 constituencies affected are Palakkad in Kerala, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC), Gidderbaha and Barnala in Punjab and Khair (SC), Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari and Majhawan in Uttar Pradesh, reported India Today.

Strikes called in Greece over the high cost of living

Greeces leading labour unions have announced a general strike today to protest the increasing cost of living, media reports stated. They are also demanding higher wages and improved collective agreements.

Both the public and private labour unions will go on strike over the high cost of living in the country. Strike action organised by GSEE, the General Confederation of Greek Workers and ADEDY, the Federation of Public Sector Employees, will halt public transport, with rallies planned in central Athens and other major cities nationwide.

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Also Read: Why rich Indians are lining up to buy property in Greece

To highlight the critical shortages of doctors at public hospitals, the Federation of Hospital Doctors of Greece (OENGE) will also join in todays strike.

SpaceX to launch Starship for sixth time

SpaceX is gearing up for the sixth test flight of the Starship rocket system. The 30-minute launch will take place at 3:30 am IST from SpaceXs Starbase facility in South Texas.

One of the main objectives of this mission is to replicate the successful mid-air catch of the Super Heavy booster, accomplished during the fifth test flight last month. SpaceX plans to recover the booster using the launch towers chopstick arms about seven minutes after liftoff.

SpaceX gearing up for sixth launch of Starship from South Texas. X image/@SpaceX

Taking to social media platform X, SpaceX shared images of the Starship awaiting launch with the caption, Less than 24 hours to Starships sixth flight test from Starbase.

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On this day

World Childrens Day

Birth anniversary of US President Joe Biden

Birth anniversary of Swedish author, educator and Nobel Prize laureate Selma Lagerl

Transgender Day of Remembrance

About 200 Sunni Muslims revolted at the Kaaba in Mecca and took about 6,000 hostages in 1979

Microsoft Windows 1.0 was released in 1985

With inputs from agencies
On November 11, a body was found in the boot of a car parked on Brisbane Road in East London. The victim was later identified as Harshita Brella, a 24-year-old Indian woman who had moved to the UK in April after her marriage. Police have since launched a manhunt for her husband, who is suspected of fleeing the country after allegedly killing her read more

A murder investigation was launched after the body of Harshita was found in a vehicle in east London on November 14. Image courtesy: X/@PakistaniIndex

On the morning of November 11, a body was discovered in the boot of a silver Vauxhall Corsa parked on Brisbane Road in Ilford, East London.

The victim was later identified as 24-year-old Harshita Brella, an Indian woman from Delhi. She had moved to the UK in April following her marriage to Pankaj Lamba in August last year.

Notably, a missing person inquiry had been initiated in the East Midlands area of England. The police have since launched a manhunt for her husband, who they believe fled the country after allegedly killing his wife.

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According to a post-mortem examination of her body, she had been strangled before she was put into the car boot, BBC reported.

Detectives investigating the murder of Harshita Brella, from Corby, are renewing their appeal for information and releasing new CCTV images of the suspect, as they continue their inquiries into the circumstances that led to her death. Read more here: https://t.co/bMFAY8nKo8 pic.twitter.com/ThkQCu1EtE  Northants Police (@NorthantsPolice) November 19, 2024

ALSO READ | Gursimran Kaur death: What investigations reveal about Indian womans body in Canadas Walmart oven

What happened?

Brella was last heard from on the evening of November 10, when she told her family she was preparing dinner and waiting for her husband, Lamba, to return home.

When her phone remained switched off for two days, her concerned family contacted the Northamptonshire Police on November 13. Officers visited her home on Skegness Walk but found no sign of her, leading to the launch of an investigation.

The next day, November 14, her body was discovered in the boot of a car in Ilford, East London. By then, Lamba had gone missing, which led to an international manhunt.

This image shows the silver Vauxhall Corsa parked on Brisbane Road, Ilford. Image courtesy: Northamptonshire Police

At a press briefing, Northamptonshire Police Chief Inspector Paul Cash stated, We suspect Lamba transported Harshitas body from Northamptonshire to Ilford by car. We believe he has now fled the country.

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Northamptonshire Police has since released CCTV images linked to their probe, including photos of a silver Vauxhall Corsa believed to have been used to transport Harshitas body to Ilford on November 11.

Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell of the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit said, We suspect Harshitas body had been placed in the boot of the vehicle by Lamba before leaving Corby.

Lamba then abandoned the vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford, and made his getaway.

Notably, a police spokesperson told the BBC that Brella had previously experienced domestic violence and was issued a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) by Northampton Magistrates Court in September.

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A neighbour also reported hearing two intense arguments in the days before Harshitas body was found, one of which left the woman sounding scared.

ALSO READ | The shocking murder of Miss Switzerland finalist: Killed by husband, pureed in a blender

Who was Harshita Brella? What has the investigation uncovered until now?

Harshita Brella was an Indian woman who lived in Delhi and moved to the UK in April after her marriage to Pankaj Lamba.

Harshitas father described her as a simple and serious young woman. Image courtesy: X/@NorthantsPolice

Her sister, Sonia Dabas, told the BBC that the family thought something was wrong by November 13 when her phone had been off for two days. Brella worked in a warehouse, while Lamba was studying in London, according to Dabas.

Satbir Brella, Harshitas father, described her as a simple and serious young woman with aspirations of becoming a teacher.

Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell said, She was a young woman in her early 20s with her whole life ahead of her, and it is absolutely tragic that her life has been cut short in this way. Detectives from EMSOU and Northamptonshire Police are working around the clock to establish the circumstances behind her death, including the exact location and timeframe in which it took place.

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In a statement on Sunday, Northamptonshire Police Chief Inspector Paul Cash revealed that over 60 detectives were actively investigating the case. The police also released an image of Pankaj Lamba, appealing for public assistance in finding him.

Investigators believe Brellas killing was a targeted incident and requested anyone with information to come forward. While police stated there is no wider risk to the public, extra patrols are being deployed in Corby to reassure the community.

The Northamptonshire Police has referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as required, due to prior contact between the victim and the police.

Officers are now working to verify the events leading to Brellas disappearance from her Corby home, approximately 145 kilometres north of London, and the discovery of her body in the boot of a car in East London.

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She struggled a lot because

Now, the family of Brella has made a heartfelt appeal, calling for justice and renewing their appeal for information

Speaking to the BBC on Tuesday, her mother Sudesh Kumari, father Satbir Brella, and sister Sonia Dabas expressed their grief and demanded answers.

A murder inquiry into the case is underway. Image courtesy: X/@PakistaniIndex

Satbir Brella said, I want my son-in-law to be brought to justice and I want my daughters body brought home.

Sonia Dabas said, She struggled a lot because of her husband, adding that she had suggested Brella to quit and come to India.

She added, She was a part of me and I was a part of her. I now feel like I cant do anything in life without her.

According to the family, Brellas husband had criticised her for not preparing food on time and for speaking too frequently with her mother. In August, Brella had called her father in India, saying she had run away because of her husbands violent behaviour.

Police have confirmed that Harshita had been under the protection of a domestic abuse order, which restricted her husband from threatening or approaching her.

Her father told the BBC that the family hopes to bring her body back to India. Her soul can get peace, and then maybe we will too, he said.

With inputs from agencies
Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi will embark on a four-day trip to Nepal today (November 20). His visit has raised hopes that the Gorkha communitys recruitment by India could restart after Kathmandu put a stop to it over the Agnipath scheme read more

Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi during a press conference, in New Delhi. File Photo/PTI

Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi is set to begin his four-day visit to Nepal today (November 20). As he embarks to the neighbouring country to boost military ties, the shadow of Indias Agnipath scheme looms large over his trip.

The Himalayan nation has refused to allow its ethnic Gorkha community to join the Indian armed forces under the recruitment scheme. This is a worry for New Delhi amid Chinas growing strategic inroads into landlocked Nepal.

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Lets take a closer look.

Indias Gorkha soldiers

Nepals Gorkhas have been recruited in the Indian Army for decades under a tripartite agreement between Nepal, India and Britain signed in 1947.

This pact allows the Indian and British armies to continue the Gorkha recruitment. While six Gorkha regiments went to independent India, four remained with the British Army.

The main point of the agreement was to offer the same terms and conditions to Gorkhas from Nepal as applicable to the Indian citizens. This has been followed by the Indian government since Independence with full commitment. The Gorkha soldiers have fought as part of the Indian Army making the highest degree of sacrifice in all the wars as well as during counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations in the Valley, Centre For Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) chairman Major General Ashok Kumar (retired) told India Today TV.

Soldiers take part in a mock battle during their training period at 11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, December 17, 2008. File Photo/Reuters

Nepali Gorkhas, known for their grit and bravery, have fought in Indias wars with China and Pakistan. They enjoy strong ties with the Indian military.

Currently, the Indian Army has seven Gorkha regiments, with about 35,000 Nepali citizens serving in these units.

Before the Agnipath scheme was implemented in September 2022, India used to recruit 1,400 Nepali nationals on average into its Army every year, as per BBC.

Around 120,000 Gorkhas in Nepal who served in the Indian Army receive pension and other benefits, which have contributed to the economy of the Himalayan nation.

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Nepals objection to Agnipath scheme

Nepal has halted the recruitment of the Gorkhas to the Indian Army since 2022 when India rolled out the Agnipath scheme.

Under this plan, soldiers are hired to the Indian armed forces for four years of service, without pension or ex-servicemen benefits. Known as Agniveers, only the top performing 25 per cent of these recruits are retained for the central security forces.

The others get a lump sum payment of over Rs 11 lakh at the end of their short-term contract.

These rules will be applicable to the Gorkha soldiers. The short-term enlistment plan has spooked Nepal which believes it could increase its risk from insurgents.

Gorkha Regiment contingent marches past during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade 2024 at the Kartavya Path, in New Delhi, on January 23, 2024. File Photo/PTI

There is a danger that a person with four years of military combat training can be recruited by any insurgent group in the country or even by foreign mercenaries, Prem Singh Basnyat, a Nepalese military historian and a retired army officer, told BBC last year.

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Nepal was gripped by a decade-long rebellion by Maoists until 2006 which killed thousands.

As per India Today, the Indian Army has a shortage of over 12,000 Nepali Gorkhas.

The Gorkha Rifles is trying to fill the shortfall by hiring India-domicile Gorkhas from Darjeeling, Dehradun, Dharamshala and other regions, along with Garhwalis and Kumaonis. However, it is unable to bridge the gap.

Taking the COVID-19 pandemic also into account, Nepal-domicile Gorkhas have not been recruited into the Indian Army, including the seven illustrious regiments of the Gorkha Rifles, for almost five years now. This does not augur well for bilateral relations. The two governments must work out a mutually acceptable solution, a senior officer told TOI.

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Nepals decision not to allow its Grokhas to join the Indian Army has hurt the suppliers of khukuri  a type of knife, especially in Uttarakhand. It is carried by Gorkha soldiers as a service weapon.

A supplier from Garhi Cantonment in Dehradun told TOI that their business has shrunk by 50-60 per cent. Earlier, our annual supply was nearly 5,000, but it has now come down by more than half. As recruitment in the Gorkha Brigade and our supply are interrelated, it was no surprise that our business got impacted, the supplier said.

Indian Army chief in Nepal

The Indian Army chief will be in Nepal from November 20 to 24 to reinforce the deep-rooted military ties between the two countries.

General Dwivedis visit has raised expectations that there may be a breakthrough in the stalled recruitment of Gorkhas into the Indian Army.

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India and Nepal have the best relationship, but the same is being subverted by China. It is therefore essential that a higher degree of statesmanship is displayed to bring back the Gorkha soldiers into the fold of the Indian Army, Major General Kumar (retired) told India Today.

With inputs from agencies
Following Donald Trumps victory in the 2024 presidential election, many disappointed Americans are looking to leave the country, and the Italian village of Ollolai has sniffed a potential opportunity. Located in the picturesque countryside of Sardinia, the ancient town is offering affordable homes  some as cheap as $1  for US citizens who are worned (sic) out by global politics read more

Following Donald Trumps victory in the 2024 presidential election, many disappointed Americans are looking to leave the country, and the Italian village of Ollolai offered an escape with $1. Image for Representation. Pixabay

Trying to escape Trump 2.0, but have nowhere to go? An Italian village is offering Americans a special deal.

Located in the picturesque countryside of Sardinia, the ancient town of Ollolai recently launched a Live in Ollolai initiative promising affordable homes  some as cheap as $1  for US citizens who are worned (sic) out by global politics and looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle, according to the villages website.

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Why is the Italian village offering such incredibly cheap homes? How can one buy the casa? Heres everything you need to know.

Why is Italy selling houses for $1?

As young Italians increasingly migrate to cities in pursuit of cosmopolitan careers, many of Italys picturesque rural villages are facing a decline.

With a lack of younger residents, many elderly Italians have no one to pass their homes down to.

In the past century, Ollolais population has shrunk from 2,250 to barely 1,150 residents with only a handful of babies born each year.

As a result, the older residents instead hand over their properties to local authorities, who are left to decide what to do with them.

Ollolais population has shrunk from 2,250 to barely 1,150 residents with only a handful of babies born each year. As a result, the older residents instead hand over their properties to local authorities, who are left to decide what to do with them. Image for Representation. Pixabay

Meanwhile, the younger generations who do inherit properties in these declining areas often have no intention of relocating, reported The Independent.

Having a second home in Italy comes with taxes, so selling these unused properties cheaply can often be more profitable than maintaining them.

Thats why Ollolai and over 20 other Italian towns are offering a deal thats hard to resist: a house for the symbolic price of $1.

The plan is that by improving and occupying these homes, the villages will see long-term benefits. An influx of new residents will help stimulate the local economy, supporting local agriculture, creating jobs, and boosting tourism by creating boutique hotels or rental homes.

Americans are our winning card

Following Donald Trumps victory in the 2024 presidential election, many disappointed Americans are looking to leave the country, and the Italian village of Ollolai has sniffed a potential opportunity.

Following the November 5 election results, the village launched a website targeting potential American expats, offering a variety of affordable homes in hopes that those dissatisfied with the US election outcome will flock to its vacant properties.

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A woman walks as Vice President Kamala Harris concedes the election to Donald Trump. AP

Are you worned (sic) out by global politics? Looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities? the website asks. Its time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia.

Also read: An Amerexit: Why Americans are googling how to leave country after Trumps win

Mayor Francesco Columbu told CNN that the website was specifically designed to attract Americans, as he believes that they are the best people to help revive his community.

We just really want, and will focus on, Americans above all, he said. We cant of course ban people from other countries to apply, but Americans will have a fast-track procedure. We are betting on them to help us revive the village, they are our winning card.

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Ollolai is offering three tiers of accommodation: free temporary homes for select digital nomads, one-euro dilapidated homes that need renovation, and ready-to-move-in properties priced up to 100,000 euros ($105,000).

The mayor revealed that the initiative has caused a stir, with the website recently receiving 38,000 requests for information on available properties, mostly from the United States.

Columbu said the administration has also set up a dedicated team to guide potential buyers through the process, from arranging private tours of available homes to assisting with finding contractors, and builders, and handling necessary paperwork.

But this isnt the first time Ollolai has used attractive housing deals to draw new residents. In 2018, the village sold rundown properties for just one euro and offered empty workspaces to digital nomads for only a dollar. In return, they had to create something for the community, like an artwork or book.

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But revival plans did not go as well as local authorities had hoped. Since 2018, only 10 homes have been sold for one euro and renovated, Columbu told CNN.

The village remains half empty, we still have about 100 unoccupied cheap homes potentially on sale, ready to move in. We have mapped and listed them all, and soon photos will be online for buyers to take a look at, he said.

Also read: Why Elon Musks estranged transgender daughter wants to leave Trumps US

Preferential treatment

According to CNN, there are zero demographic requirements for US applicants; these can be people of all ages, pensioners, remote workers or entrepreneurs who wish to open a small business in the village.

Columbu said that having a US passport is not a prerequisite but Americans will get preferential treatment above potential applicants of other nationalities.

Of course, we cant specifically mention the name of one US president who just got elected, but we all know that hes the one from whom many Americans want to get away from now and leave the country, Columbo adds.

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With input from agencies
On the eve of the Maharashtra Assembly election, former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil alleged that NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule and state Congress chief Nana Patole had misappropriated bitcoins from a 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case and had used them to influence the polls. The BJP seized this opportunity to attack the Opposition and presented audio recordings as evidence read more

Former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil alleged that Sharad Pawars daughter Sule and state Congress chief Patole had misappropriated bitcoins from a 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case and had used the same to fund the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly elections. PTI

After the cash-for-votes controversy, a massive row has erupted over an alleged Bitcoin scam linked to the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil, who hails from Pune, made serious allegations against NCP-SP leader and Baramati MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole.

The BJP seized this as an opportunity to attack the opposition and presented audio recordings to the media as evidence.

Heres all we know about the new controversy as Maharashtra votes.

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The Bitcoin scam

Ravindranath Patil alleged that Sharad Pawars daughter Sule and state Congress chief Patole had misappropriated bitcoins from a 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case and had used the same to fund the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly elections.

As per ANI, he says he is ready to support the investigation.

The former IPS officer alleged that Amitabh Gupta, then Commission of Police, Pune, and Bhagyashri Nautake, then Deputy Commissioner of Police handling the Cyber Crime Investigations were involved in the misappropriation of bitcoins, which are eventually being used by the two leaders.

The Pune police, in collaboration with cyber expert Pankaj Ghode, employed Patil, who voluntarily retired from the Indian Police Service, to investigate a few cryptocurrency cases filed in 2018, as per NDTV.

According to the police, Patil moved some cryptocurrency into his account during the investigation. Ghode gave the police screenshots of the accounts, which showed there was less money in the cryptocurrency wallets.

However, Patil refuted the claims and told reporters that he was framed, adding that he and his colleagues looked into it.

He asserted that Gaurav Mehta, a key witness in the case and an audit firm employee, had informed him about the 2018 Bitcoin fraud investigation.

Mehta has claimed that a Bitcoin-containing hardware wallet was taken when cryptocurrency dealer Amit Bharadwaj was arrested. However, a different wallet was used in its place, allegedly at the behest of Amitabh Gupta, the Pune Police Commissioner at the time.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Sules cousin and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar acknowledged that one of the voices in the audio recording was Sules and stated that an investigation into the incident ought to be started, as per News18.

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Also read: Whats the cash-for-vote row involving BJPs Vinod Tawde, a day before Maharashtra Assembly polls?

An opportunity for the BJP

Soon after the allegations surfaced, the BJP released audio recordings to the media, claiming they were proof of Patole and Sules involvement in the Bitcoin scam.

Firstpost could not independently verify the authenticity of the audio clips.

Party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi accused Sule and Patole of engaging in a conspiracy involving illegal Bitcoin transactions to influence election results in favour of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

In a press conference held at the BJPs national headquarters in the evening, Trivedi said, An accused dealer contacts a former police officer, who has been jailed previously, and tells him that he (the dealer) wants to conduct bitcoin transactions in cash. The officer declines the request."

However, the dealer tries to convince him, claiming that a few big people are involved, allegedly naming Nana Patole and Supriya Sule. When the officer expresses doubt, the dealer sends him the audio clips.

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The saffron party has asked for immediate action against the MVA leaders on the basis of viral audio and chat.

BJP leader Vinod Tawde took to X and said, Allegations of former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil have made it clear that Supriya Sule, Nana Patole and Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders are using illegal money through Bitcoin in Maharashtra elections.

(1/2)               ,                    



             ,   pic.twitter.com/Dg7vxjTTvM  Vinod Tawde (@TawdeVinod) November 19, 2024

He tried very hard to hide the truth through his lies, but now the people of Maharashtra know his truth well, the answer to which they will get through voting tomorrow. The Election Commission should also take immediate action against the Maha Vikas Aghadi leader on the basis of viral audio and chat.

Conjecture and innuendo

Sule refuted the allegations, claiming that the BJPs audio clip does not have her voice.

Declaring her innocence in the case, she said that a defamation notice had been issued to Trivedi.

Yesterday, all these voice recordings were sent to me by the media. The first thing I did was to call the Commissioner of Pune and tell him that some fake videos were running and I wanted to complain to cybercrime. I immediately complained to cybercrime that all these voice notes and messages were lies and fake, so I sent a notice to cybercrime, Sule said after casting her vote in Baramati.

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After that, there is the spokesperson of BJP who held a press conference After that, I called my lawyers and this morning I sent a criminal defamation notice to Sudhanshu Trivedi. I am ready to come out and answer Sudhanshu Trivedi anytime in whichever city he wants, on whichever channel he wants, at whatever time he wants, wherever he calls me, I will come and I will answer him," she added.

The Baramati MP earlier challenged Trivedi to a debate over the allegations.

I deny all the allegations levelled against me by Sudhanshu Trivedi. All this is conjecture and innuendo, and I am ready for a debate with any representative of the BJP at a time and date of their choice, in a public forum."

She wrote in a post on X, Its appalling that such baseless allegations are made by Sudhanshu Trivedi, yet not surprising as its a clear case of spreading false information, the night before elections. My lawyer will be issuing a criminal and civil defamation notice against Sudhanshu Trivedi for making outrightly false allegations with an intent to deceive the public at large.

Its appalling that such baseless allegations are made by Mr Sudhanshu Trivedi, yet not surprising as its a clear case of spreading false information, the night before elections. My lawyer will be issuing a criminal & civil defamation notice against Sudhanshu Trivedi for making  Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) November 19, 2024

Familiar tactics of spreading false information to manipulate the righteous voters are being resorted to, a night before the polling day. We have filed a criminal complaint to the Honble ECI & the Cyber crime department against the fake allegations made of bitcoin pic.twitter.com/g8Selv1DFk  Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) November 19, 2024

She has filed a criminal complaint against Gaurav Mehta and Ravindranath Patil with the Election Commission and the Cyber Cell in Pune, accusing them of disseminating fake and malicious information.

This amounts to criminal impersonation that too, using digital means, which is a grave offence as it is with an intent to defraud and defame, the complaint said.

Maharashtra assembly polls

The state votes for its 288-member Assembly in a single phase on November 20.

A total of 4,136 candidates are running in the elections overall.

The counting of votes will take place on November 23.

The contest is primarily bipolar as the opposition MVA alliance, which consists of the Congress, the NCP (Sharad Pawar), and the Shiv Sena (UBT), is opposed by the BJP, which is allied with the NCP (led by Ajit Pawar) and the Shiv Sena (headed by Eknath Shinde) under the ruling Mahayuti banner.

With inputs from agencies
Mumbai, infamous for its disinterest for polling, did not turn up to vote in large numbers yet again. While the voter turnout in Mumbai City was at 49.07 per cent, it was 51.92 per cent in Mumbai Suburban. But what explains this hesitancy? read more

Women queue to cast their votes at a polling station during the Maharashtra Assembly elections, in Mumbai, November 20, 2024. Reuters

Polling for Maharashtra Assembly elections is over. Come Saturday (November 23), we will have an idea of which alliance  Mahayuti or Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)  will form the next government in the state.

Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 58.41 per cent according to the Election Commissions Voter Turnout Apps provisional data at 8 pm. Mumbai, which is notorious for its indifference to voting, saw a dismal turnout again.

In the previous two Assembly polls, the voter turnout barely crossed the 50 per cent mark in Maharashtras capital. In the 2019 elections, Mumbai reported a voter turnout of 50.67 per cent, a marginal dip from 51.21 per cent in 2014.

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But why does Maximum City not go out to vote? Lets take a look.

Mumbai voter turnout in 2024

About 1.02 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in Mumbai. Of these 54.67 lakh are males, 47.62 lakh are females and 1,082 transgender voters.

Both districts of Mumbai reported poor turnouts.

While the voter turnout in Mumbai City was at 49.07 per cent, it was 51.92 per cent in Mumbai Suburban, as per the ECI data at 8 pm.

In Mumbai City, Colaba and Mumbadevi Assembly constituencies saw the worst turnout at 41.64 per cent and 46.10 per cent, respectively.

In Mumbai Suburban, Chandivali and Versova reported the lowest voter turnout of 47.05 per cent and 47.45 per cent, respectively. Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar had a turnout of 47.46 per cent, the third poorest in the district.

People wait to cast their votes at a polling station during Maharashtra Assembly elections, in Mumbai, November 20, 2024. Reuters

During the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, urban apathy in Mumbai was a talking point as it reported 52.4 per cent voter turnout, a three per cent decline from 55.4 per cent in the 2019 elections.

Notably, the previous Lok Sabha poll turnout was the citys best, followed by this years.

Efforts to encourage voting in Mumbai

Acknowledging Mumbais poor voter turnout, the EC took several measures to bring electors to polling booths.

The Mumbai district election officer urged establishments, businesses and other employers falling within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) limits to offer paid leaves to their employees on Wednesday (November 20) for exercising their franchise, as per a Mint report.

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Several facilities such as drinking water, seating arrangements for people in queues, waiting rooms, fans, toilets, and wheelchairs were provided at polling stations.

During the Lok Sabha elections earlier in the year, voters had complained of a lack of basic amenities at some booths.

The poll body also organised voter awareness campaigns such as Know Your Polling Station to apprise people of their polling booths.

The EC appointed the municipal commissioner as the District Election Officer for both Mumbai districts for the first time. Previously, this was done by collectors of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban separately.

The BMC officials were in charge of monitoring the voter turnout in these polls, which was done by the district administration in the past elections, Mint reported.

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Over 50 restaurants across Mumbai announced a 20 per cent Democracy Discount for voters, which they can avail on their total dine-in bill at participating restaurants on November 20 and 21, as per Indian Express.

ALSO READ: Maharashtra Assembly elections: Shah Rukh, Salman, Sachin voted. Did you?

Why is Mumbai disinterested in voting?

Mumbais unenthusiasm for voting is not new.

Before 2014, the citys turnout hardly crossed the 50 per cent mark. In the 1999 Assembly polls, Mumbais voter turnout was at 44.9 per cent. This rose to 48.4 per cent in 2004. The turnout dropped to 46.1 per cent in 2009, before jumping to 51.21 per cent in the 2014 polls, as per the Mint report.

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While announcing the poll dates for Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections in October, Chief Electoral Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar had blamed urban apathy for voters disinterest, leading to a low turnout. Flagging the poor turnout in Mumbai and Pune, he said the poll body had set the polling days in the middle of the week, hoping it would ensure higher voter participation.

Kumar said urban and youth apathy was a major worry for the election commission.

People queue to cast their votes, outside a polling station, as police officers stand guard on the day of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, in Mumbai, on November 20, 2024. Reuters

It is not only affluent areas of Mumbai like Colaba and Versova that witness urban apathy. Slum pockets  Mankhurd and Dharavi  also see a disappointment among voters.

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In posh neighbourhoods, the current wedding season and unfavourable candidates have led to some electors staying away from polling booths.

Veena Bakshi, a filmmaker and Versova resident, told Times of India (TOI), The Election Commission knows that this country plans events based on panchangs, and people are bound to have family events. Dates could be set taking certain things into consideration. But apart from that, there is apathy about issues. There is also a lack of good candidates.

For Mankhurd and Dharavi, places with a stark difference in income levels from Colaba and Versova, the issues are different for voters. They cite a lack of good governance for their disillusionment with polling.

Savitra, a homemaker in her 40s in Annabhau Sathe Nagar, told TOI, Basic food items are expensive. Politicians visit during elections, ask for votes, but whats the point? No one comes when there are no votes to exchange.

Some slum residents pointed out that daily-wage earners cannot afford to wait for long in queues to vote. The issue of missing names in voter lists is also a problem, the newspaper reported.

Urban apathy is not limited to Mumbai as was visible in cities like Bengaluru and Lucknow during the Lok Sabha polls.

Urban apathy is not a result of individuals subjectivity, but a manifestation of the depoliticised environment and the belief that nothing will change. As a result, people lack interest in urban issues and problems, such as poverty, crime, environment degradation, and politics, which affects the cities and its residents. This phenomenon is also a reflection of the large scale informalisation of the major sectors that provide employment in the cities, making it a daunting task for individuals to survive and obtain bare minimum, Tikender Singh Panwar, a former deputy mayor of Shimla, wrote in an Opinion piece for Deccan Herald in April last year.

With inputs from agencies
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday approved an updated nuclear doctrine that lowers the threshold for a strike in response to a broader range of convention attacks on Russia when backed by a nuclear-armed ally. The changes come two days after Washington decided to allow Ukraine to use longer-range missiles to target Moscow read more

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Yevgeny Balitsky, Moscow-installed governor of the Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region (not pictured), amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia November 18, 2024. Sputnik/Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday approved an updated nuclear doctrine that spells out the circumstances that allow him to use Moscows atomic arsenal, the worlds largest.

The development comes amid heightened concerns over Western involvement in the Ukraine conflict, with Kremlin officials citing the four-year-old document as a necessary response to recent US military aid for Ukraine.

The new version of the document, titled Basic Principles of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence, lowers the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of convention attacks on Russia when backed by a nuclear-armed ally.

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Moscow claims Ukraine had struck deep inside Russia on Tuesday using US-supplied ATACMS missiles.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stressed such strikes could potentially be a trigger for a nuclear response under the revised document.

Heres all you need to know about the Russian nuclear doctrine.

Russias nuclear doctrine

Putin signed its first iteration in 2020, and he approved the latest version Tuesday, according to the Kremlin.

The document establishes a framework for conditions under which the Kremlin leader could order a strike from the worlds biggest atomic arsenal.

The previous 2020 doctrine said Russia may use nuclear weapons in case of a nuclear attack by an enemy or a conventional attack that threatens the existence of the state.

However, the revamped document said any attack by a non-nuclear power supported by nuclear power would be considered a joint attack, and that any attack by one member of a military bloc would be considered an attack by the entire alliance.

In this photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, Russian troops load an Iskander missile as part of drills to train the military for using tactical nuclear weapons at an undisclosed location in Russia. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service/AP

It describes nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence, noting their use is an extreme and compelled measure.

The document declares that Russia takes all necessary efforts to reduce the nuclear threat and prevent aggravation of interstate relations that could trigger military conflicts, including nuclear ones.

Such nuclear deterrence is aimed at safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, deterring a potential aggressor, or, in case of a military conflict, preventing an escalation of hostilities and stopping them on conditions acceptable for the Russian Federation, the document says.

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Nuclear deterrence is aimed to ensure that any potential adversary realises the inevitability of retribution in case of an aggression against Russia and its allies, it says.

For those uninitiated, the changes in the doctrine, which have been in the works for months, come two days after Washingtons decision to allow Ukraine to use such longer-range missiles to target Russia. For months, US President Joe Biden has been weighing the risks of such an escalation.

The framework

The doctrine says Moscow could use nuclear weapons in response to the use of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction against Russia or its allies, as well as in the event of aggression against Russia and Belarus with conventional weapons that threaten their sovereignty and/or territorial integrity.

It adds that nuclear weapons could be used in these scenarios:

If reliable information is received about the launch of ballistic missiles targeting the territory of Russia or its allies. If nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction strike the territory of Russia or its allies or are used to hit Russian military units or facilities abroad. If an enemys impact on critically important Russian government or military facilities could undermine retaliatory nuclear strike capability. If aggression against Russia or Belarus involving conventional weapons raises a critical threat to their sovereignty and territorial integrity. If reliable information is received about the takeoff or launch of strategic and tactical aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, hypersonic, or other flying vehicles and their crossing the Russian border.

The president can inform military and political leaders of other countries or international organisations about the readiness to use nuclear weapons, or that he has already decided to use them.

In this photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on April 20, 2022, a Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is launched from Plesetsk in northwestern Russia. Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP

Possibility of a nuclear strike

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Putin and other Kremlin voices have been warning the West that if Washington allowed Ukraine to fire US, British, and French missiles deep into Russia, Moscow would consider those NATO members to be directly involved in the war in Ukraine.

However, this hasnt deterred Kyivs allies from giving it billions of dollars of advanced weapons.

Russias defence ministry said Ukraine had struck Russias Bryansk region with six missiles and that air defence systems intercepted five and damaged one.

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Asked Tuesday if such a Ukrainian attack could potentially trigger a nuclear response, Peskov answered affirmatively, underscoring the doctrines provision that opens the door after a conventional strike.

Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia and Eurasia Centre noted that Peskovs comments were the first time the Kremlin explicitly acknowledged the potential use of nuclear weapons as a response to strikes on Russian territory using long-range missiles.

Put simply, Peskov openly admits that the Kremlin is currently considering the possibility of a nuclear strike, she said.

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The US has not seen any change to Russias nuclear posture, according to The Associated Press, which quoted an unidentified US National Security Council official who was not authorised to comment publicly.

As a result, the Biden administration has not seen any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture or doctrine in response to Russias statements today, the official added.

A trio of Tu-95 nuclear-capable strategic bombers of the Russian air force fly over Pushkin Square in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, May 3, 2014 during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade which will take place at Moscows Red Square on May 9 to celebrate 69 years of the victory in WWII. AP

Jack Watling, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute defence and security think tank in the UK, said using Western longer-range missiles certainly will not trigger Moscows nuclear response, as some in the West feared. But he added that Russia can escalate in a range of ways to impose costs on the West, from undersea sabotage to the employment of proxies to harass trade in the Bab el-Mandeb, a strait off the Red Sea where attacks on shipping have been attributed to Yemens Houthi rebels.

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Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Head of Russias Security Council chaired by Putin, was even more blunt. Ukraines use of NATO missiles for strikes on Russian territory could be classified as an attack by bloc countries on Russia, he said.

In such a scenario, Russia reserves the right to retaliate with weapons of mass destruction against Kyiv and key NATO facilities, wherever they may be located, he said. This would amount to World War III.

Stanovaya said, The current situation offers Putin a significant temptation to escalate and marks an extraordinarily dangerous juncture. Putin may seek to present the West with two stark choices: Do you want a nuclear war? You will have it, or Lets end this war on Russias terms, she posted on X.

That would not interfere with any possible peace initiatives but could reinforce US President-elect Donald Trumps argument for direct dialogue with Putin, she said, adding, Simultaneously, it would expose Biden to criticism for being the catalyst of the escalation while potentially discouraging Ukraine from further using long-range missiles.

With inputs from The Associated Press
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India soon  his first trip to the country since the Ukraine war. Theres an ICC arrest warrant against him for war crimes but New Delhi will not act against the Russian leader. Heres why read more

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a welcoming ceremony for participants of the Brics Summit in Kazan, on October 22, 2024. Modi has visited Russia twice this year and Putin is planning a trip to India soon. Reuters

Vladimir Putin is a wanted man in many parts of the world. He is a war criminal. However, he sees India as a natural ally. The Russian president is now set to visit the country but the dates of his trip are yet to be finalised.

We welcomed Prime Minister Modi twice this year and we hope that soon we will figure out the dates of the , Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday (November 19) during a video address at an event in New Delhi organised by Russias state-owned Sputnik news agency.

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Putin last visited India for the India-Russia Annual Summit in 2021. A lot has changed since. On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and the presidents upcoming visit will be the first since the war.

There is an arrest warrant against Putin by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which was issued in March 2023, for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. But does it apply to India? Is New Delhi obliged to act against the Russian leader? The answer is no. We explain why.

Whats the ICC? Why has it issued an arrest warrant against Putin?

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague is a global court with the power to prosecute leaders and other individuals for the gravest crimes of concern to the international community. It investigates and, when necessary, tries those charged with genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression.

The ICC was established in 2002 after years of efforts to set up a system that could hold world leaders responsible for atrocities. There was a growing demand to create such a body after the Yugoslav wars and the Rwandan Genocide, reports the BBC.

The ICCalso known as the World Courtseeks to complement and not replace national courts. It steps in when national authorities cannot or are not willing to prosecute, as in the case of authoritarian leaders such as Putin.

A demonstrator carries a cutout in a prison suit depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a No to Putin! No to war in Ukraine! Freedom for political prisoners! protest in Berlin, Germany, on November 17. Reuters

The court issued an arrest warrant against Putin in March 2023 for alleged war crimes involving accusations that Russia has forcibly taken children from Ukraine.

According to the ICC, Putin and his commissioner for childrens rights are allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and that of unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.

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But despite the arrest warrant, the chances of Putin being held in another country are slim.

Russia and Ukraine are not signatories of the ICC. After the warrant, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said, Russia, like a number of other states, does not recognise the jurisdiction of this court, and therefore any of its decisions are insignificant for the Russian Federation from a legal viewpoint.

A woman holds a sign reading Putin is a murderer as she stands next to the mural of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 17. Reuters

Does India have to abide by the ICC?

The ICC is governed by an international treaty called the Rome Statute, which was ratified by 124 countries. However, India is not part of the ICC and New Delhi has not signed the core agreement. Hence, it is not bound by its principles.

India has in the past hosted leaders that have faced action against the ICC. In 2015, then-Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir visited New Delhi for the India-Africa Summit. He is the first sitting head of state indicted by the ICC for intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population in Darfur. He is charged with crimes against humanity: murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture, and rape; two counts of war crimes.

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The ICC issued arrest warrants against al-Bashir in March 2009 and 2010. Ahead of his India visit, the court had told New Delhi to arrest the African leader but no such step was taken.

Similarly, India will not take action against Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in the ceremony to launch the Chukotka nuclear-powered icebreaker via video link, at the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia on November 6. While Russia is isolated by the West, it has allies like India and China. Reuters

Has the Ukraine war hit India-Russia ties?

India has maintained neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war, even as trade with Russia has continued. There was a brief pause in annual bilateral meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin. India held the Shanghai Cooperation Summit virtually last year and the Russian president did not attend the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi in September 2023.

However, during this time, India continued to import oil and coal from Russia. Amid this, Modi has also publicly criticised Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine.

Russias President Vladimir Putin bids farewell to Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi following their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, on July 9. Reuters

But a lot has changed since the beginning of the war. Indian and Russian leaders have started meeting again. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Moscow in December 2023 and held talks with Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. They discussed the state of multilateralism and the building of a multipolar world order.

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After meeting Jaishankar, Lavrov said that the two countries had made tangible progress in talks on plans to jointly produce military equipment.

This year, Modi visited Russia twice. The PM held summit-level talks with Putin in Moscow in July. He also visited Russias Kazan in October for the Brics Summit.

Modi has also invited Putin to visit India for the 2025 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

Last week, Russias First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov visited India to hold key discussions on bilateral and global issues with the Indian leadership.

According to the Kremlin spokesperson, the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries is really booming. In 2022, he said, trade figures crossed $35.3 billion, recording a sharp rise in 2023 at $56.7 billion. In the first half of 2024, India has touched $30 billion and is expected to cross the $60 billion mark.

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India has a lot at stake with Russia. Yet it has tread carefully. When Putin visits, the world, especially the West, will be watching closely.

With inputs from agencies
India has launched coastal defence exercise Sea Vigil-24 to strengthen maritime security. Here are five things to know about the two-day coastal defence exercise read more

The Indian Navy on Wednesday launched the first phase of the fourth edition of the pan-India coastal defence exercise Sea Vigil-24. The two-day exercise will conclude on Thursday. The exercise is being conducted with the engagement of six ministries and 21 organisations and agencies  an unparalleled move in terms of both geographical reach and participation.

@IN_HQTNP concluded Phase I of #SeaVigil24 by completing the Coastal Defence & Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) at more than 50 locations across #TamilNadu & #Puducherry with an aim to examine the strengths & identify shortcomings of the Coastal Security construct. pic.twitter.com/pl676lqVX3  Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (@IN_HQTNP) November 20, 2024

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Here are five things to know about the coastal defence exercise:

A collaboration for security

The Indian Navy exercise to secure Indias maritime borders involves participation from multiple agencies, including the National Security Council Secretariat officials, state marine police, coast guards, customs and fisheries. Besides this, the Coastal Defence & Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) is a phase of this exercise, conducted by Naval Officer-in-charges of all coastal states and Union Territories. The participation from the Indian Army and Air Force would add to the tempo of this exercise.

Clear focus

This exercise aims at strengthening various coastal assets such as ports, oil rigs, single-point moorings, cable landing points and critical coastal infrastructure including the coastal population.

Evaluating preparedness

Following the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai in 2008, when Pakistani terrorists entered Indias financial capital through sea route and killed more than 160 people before they were eliminated by security forces, the Indian Navy has stepped its vigil on the shores and the high sea.

This exercise by the Indian Navy is part of the security check on Indias maritime borders with the aim of improving measures required to support the coastal defence. This year, the Sea Vigil-24 aims to cover 11,098km of coastline and a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.4 square kilometres, including the complete coastal security infrastructure and all the maritime stakeholders.

Creating awareness

This exercise aims to raise awareness amongst coastal communities about maritime security and includes involvement of fishing communities, coastal populace, NCC students and Bharat Scouts and guides.

Comprehensive coverage

The coastal states and maritime security agencies undertake regular coastal security exercises to evaluate the mechanism and know its strengths and weaknesses. But, the Sea Vigil-24 is a comprehensive exercise to cover Indias maritime and security capabilities.

Besides annual Sea Vigil drills, the Indian Navy conducts the Theatre-Level Readiness Operational Exercise (Tropex) every two years. The Tropex exercise aims to strengthen coastal security, raise awareness among coastal communities, and assess the preparedness of maritime security agencies.
Exit Poll Results 2024 LIVE Updates: With polling in Maharashtra and Jharkhand nearing its end, all eyes are now on the exit polls. Results of the Maharashtra and Jharkhan assembly elections will be announced on November 23 read more

Jharkhand voted in two phases while polls in Maharashtra were held in one phase. The results of these elections will be declared on November 23. PTI

The big fight is among two of the largest alliances in the state  Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi. The journey through which regional politics in Maharashtra has reached its current state where the contest is among two alliances has a precedence worth mentioning.

After the Lok Sabha debacle, the Maharashtra assembly elections will be a litmus test for the Bharatiya Janata Party which is contesting in alliance with the breakaway factions of Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party. Meanwhile, for the Congress and Shiv Sena, the polls will be about getting their ground back in the state.

The two alliances are contesting for the 38 assembly constituencies with 528 candidates in the fray. Prominent candidates include Hemant Sore, his wife Kalpana Soren and his sister-in-law Sita Soren.

In Jharkhand, much like in Maharashtra, the fight is between the BJP-NDA alliance and the INDIA bloc that includes Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress.

The Election Commission allows exit polls to be published only after the conclusion of polling to avoid influencing voters decisions.

The voter surveys provide insight into the electoral mood and suggest who might come to power next. However, exit polls are not always accurate and are only read to understand the wave in the particular state in case of assembly elections.

Exit polls are surveys conducted after voters leave their respective polling booths where they are asked about their voting preferences.

Meanwhile, Congress won 4 seats and the NCP 54, taking their total to 98.

In 2019, polls of polls predicted 213 seats for the BJP-Shiv Sena and 61 seats for the Congress-NCP alliance. The results gave 105 seats to BJP while Shiv Sena won 56 seats, taking the NDAs tally to 161, way above the majority mark of 145.

The results made JMM emerge as the largest party having won 30 out of 81 seats and BJP won 25 seats while Congress got 16.

After the 2019 Jharkhand assembly elections, polls of polls gave 41 seats to the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance while 51 seats were predicted for BJP.

Congress is contesting in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand in alliance with MVA in the former and as part of the INDIA bloc in the latter.

The party, however, has not elaborated on why it has taken such a decision.

Congress has decided not to appear for the live telecast of the exit polls after the completion of the voting process, sources have told several media outlets.

The exit polls will be published after 6:30 pm as voting in most districts in Maharashtra and Jharkhand is near conclusion.

Because of expectations set by exit polls, a huge distortion is created. This is an issue that needs self-introspection, especially for electronic media, he said as he called on the National Broadcasters Association (NBSA) to regulate media outlets.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has urged the media to regulate exit polls given its power to raise expectations.

Meanwhile, the Maha Vikas Aghadi and Congress have been more focused on saving the Constitution and preventing communal tensions in the state.

Eknath Shinde-led governments Ladki Bahin scheme, which offers monthly financial support to women, has also been put to test in this election.

Several key issues shaped the assembly elections in Maharashtra this time. From OBC and Maratha reservations to farmers woes, the battling parties have promised plenty for the state.

Pollster Matrize has predicted 150 to 170 seats for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. Meanwhile, it has given 110-130 seats to Maha Vikas Aghadi.

Pollster Matrize has predicted 42-47 out of 81 seats from the the BJP-NDA alliance in Jharkhand.

Pollster P-Marq has given 126 to146 assembly seats to the MVA alliance in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, according to Matrize, the Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-NCP (SP) will win 110 to 130 seats in the state.

The Congress-RJD-JMM alliance under the INDI bloc is expected to win 25 seats in Jharkhand, according to Matrize.

Meanwhile, Peoples Pulse has given INDIA bloc 16 to 23 seats with Congress securing eight to 14 seats.

Predictions by pollster Peoples Pulse has also shown the BJP-led NDA alliance to be on track to win the Jharkhand Assembly elections. Bharatiya Janata Party is projected to win 42 to 48 seats in the state, going way ahead of the majority mark of 41.

Pollster Chanakya Strategies has also predicted a big win from the BJP-led Mahayuti in Maharashtra. The alliance is projected to win 152 to 160 seats in the state while the Maha Vikas Aghadi is set to get 130 to 138 out of the 288 assembly seats.

Pollster JVC, however, has projected a close fight between the NDA and INDIA bloc. While the NDA is expected to win 40 to 44 seats, the INDI alliance might win 30 to 40 seats.

As opposed to most pollsters, Axis My India has predicted a win for the Congress-JMM-RJD alliance in Jharkhand with the alliance winning 53 out of 81 seats.

Meanwhile, Peoples Pulse has projected Mahayuti to win 175 to 195 seats in Maharashtra.

The pollster has given a lower limit of 85 seats to the Maha Vikas Aghadi while the upper limit is 112 seats.

Peoples Pulse has projected numbers for the Congress-led MVA which that the alliance might struggle to cross even 100 seats.

Peoples Pulse has predicted at least 195 out of 288 seats for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, exceeding the majority mark of 145 seats.

Lokshahi-Marathi Rudra has predicted a narrow win for the BJP-led Mahayuti in Maharashtra. The pollster has projected between 128 and 142 seats for the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde)-NCP (AP) alliance while Maha Vikas Aghadi is expected to win 125-140 seats.

Meanwhile in Jharkhand, while the BJP-led NDA alliance is ahead of the INDIA bloc, the win is predicted to be narrow with the former getting 40 out of 81 assembly seats and the latter winning 37 seats. The majority mark is 41 seats.

In Maharashtra, the BJP-led Mahayuti is projected to win comfortably by bagging 151 out of 288 seats while the Maha Vikas Aghadi is expected to get 129 seats. The majority mark is 145 seats.

Poll of Polls have predicted both the Mahayuti and BJP-NDA alliances to win in Maharashtra and Jharkhand respectively.

INDIA bloc or BJP-NDA alliance? Take a look at what pollsters have projected:

MVA or Mahayuti? Take a look at what pollsters have projected:

Poll of Polls have projected 195 seats for Mahayuti in Maharashtra. In Jharkhand, the NDA alliance is expected to win 40 seats as opposed to 37 seats predicted for the INDIA bloc.

Exit polls have paved the way for BJP-led alliances to win both Jharkhand and Maharashtra. While the Mahayuti alliance is projected to win comfortably in Maharashtra, the fight is going to be tough in Jharkhand, pollsters have shown.

Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 58.43 per cent while Jharkhand saw 67.76 per cent of voters participating in the electoral process.

The Assembly elections in the two states of Maharashtra and Jharkhand have come to an end.

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The high-octane elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand will conclude soon with all eyes on the exit polls.

Jharkhand voted in two phases while polls in Maharashtra were held in one phase. The results of these elections will be declared on November 23.

While Jharkhand recorded a voter turnout of 61.47 per cent in the second phase of polling, Maharashtra registered 45.53 per cent till 3 pm.

The key battle in Maharashtra is between the two biggest alliances in the state  Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi in the 288 assembly seats. The BJP-led Mahayuti is hoping to retain its governance in the state while the Opposition alliance MVA is eyeing to hold its ground back. The elections saw a neck-to-neck fight between several key candidates like Ajit Pawar, Aaditya Thackeray and Eknath Shinde.

Catch all the live updates on Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections

Since 2019, Indias third-largest state saw its government change at least twice with Ajit Pawar defecting to BJP only to join back NCP within a few days. Next came Chief Minister Eknath Shinde who left Shiv Sena in 2022 and formed the Mahayuti alliance with BJP. Pawar once again left NCP in 2023 to join the Mahayuti.

Several issues have come to the fore this election season in Maharashtra with a special focus on Ladki Bahin Yojana launched by the Eknath Shinde-led government inspired by Madhya Pradeshs Ladli Behen scheme.

Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the fight is between the BJP-NDA and INDIA blocs Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. The two alliances are contesting for the 38 assembly constituencies with 528 candidates in the fray. Prominent candidates include Hemant Sore, his wife Kalpana Soren and his sister-in-law Sita Soren.

This is also the first state election since Soren walked out of jail in June. His party JMM suffered a big jolt soon after Champai Soren, the leader Hemant had appointed as the Chief Minister during his absence, joined the BJP.

The key issues that the people of Jharkhand voted for include corruption and infiltration with the latter being capitalized by the Opposition BJP during its campaign.
Veteran politician Sharad Pawar urged Maharashtra voters to come out and vote in huge numbers, saying that the Maharashtra assembly election would decide the states future read more

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said the assembly elections will decide Maharashtras future and appealed to people in the state to exercise their franchise.

Talking to reporters in Baramati town of Pune district after casting his vote, Pawar said all the electors should exercise their right to vote.

This election is extremely important. It will decide the future of Maharashtra. I appeal to all citizens to come out and vote, he said.

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It is not good that the voter per centage in Maharashtra is less than smaller states in the north east, the former Union minister said.

Follow all

Notably, the BJP on Tuesday played purported voice notes of state Congress chief Nana Patole and NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule to allege attempts to encash Bitcoins to influence the state elections, claiming it poses a serious question on the conduct of polls in a free and fair manner.

Sule has refuted the allegations.

Pawar also said BJPs allegations against his daughter Sule and Patole are not worth taking note of.

The person making the allegations was in jail for several months so there is no need to take cognisance of what he said. It shows how low the BJP stoops, the former state chief minister said without taking any name.

To a question on his assessment of the poll outcome, Sharad Pawar said he can see a change in power in the state and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) should get majority.

The MVA comprises the NCP (SP), Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) of Uddhav Thackeray.

During a rally of NCP leader and state Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in Baramati on November 18, his mothers letter was read out which stated he suffered from injustice.

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Asked about it, Sharad Pawar on Wednesday wondered how one can say that as he (Ajit Pawar) is in power and is the deputy CM.

Last year, Ajit Pawar and several other legislators joined the state government, leading to a split in the NCP founded by his uncle Sharad Pawar. State NCP (SP) chief Jayant Patil said the assembly polls were crucial for farmers, youth and women.

Maharashtra shows the path to the entire country. We have to protect this dharma. I appeal to the people to vote in this important and decisive election, he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)

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Maharashtra Exit Poll Result Highlights: Poll of polls gave Mahayuti the edge in Maharashtra with the alliance projected to win 151 out of 288 seats, surpassing the 145 majority mark. Meanwhile, the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi has some hope with projections showing it win 129 seats read more

In the Sena vs Sena battle, the faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is expected to win Maharashtra, exit poll results showed Wednesday.

The high-octane elections in the third-largest state of India concluded on November 20 with the official results slated for Saturday (November 23). Months of painstaking campaigning may bore fruit for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance that includes Shiv Sena (Shinde) and NCP(AP).

What have exit polls revealed?

Poll of polls gave Mahayuti the edge in Maharashtra with the alliance projected to win 151 out of 288 seats, surpassing the 145 majority mark. Meanwhile, the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi has some hope with projections showing it win 129 seats.

Pollster Peoples Pulse has, in fact, predicted an upper limit of 195 seats for the BJP-led alliance. It, on the other hand, has predicted a lower limit of 85 seats for MVA, suggesting that it may or may not be able to cross the 100-mark.

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Matrize has predicted that Mahayuti is set to win between 150 and 170 seats while for MVA it has projected 110-130 seats.

Meanwhile, Dainik Bhaskars predictions suggest a neck-to-neck fight between the two alliances with the pollster forecasting 125-140 seats for Mahayuti and 135-150 seats for MVA.

Fadnavis says Mahayuti will win

Overjoyed by the exit polls predicting a favourable result for BJP, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, BJP will get the numbers and we will win. I feel that whenever the voting percentage increases, BJP is the only one to benefit from it, so I believe that the increased voting percentage will benefit BJP-Mahayuti.

The MVA, however, disagrees.

Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole, who contested from the Sakoli Assembly constituency, is confident that the Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-NCP (SP) will return to power in the state.

MVA will for the govt in Maharashtra. We will form govt in the majority. The (exit poll) numbers on exit polls will be proved wrong, he said adding that the case of Haryana will repeat in Maharashtra where the exit poll numbers projected a landslide victory for BJP as well.
The Grand Old Partys majority is so thin that any four Republican senators would be enough to sink any of Trumps nominees, and there are at least nine senators who cannot see eye to eye read more

It has been barely a fortnight since Donald Trump became president-elect, ten days of the Republican Party flipping the Senate, and less than a week of the Republicans retaining a majority in the House of Commons, giving trifecta control to Trump. Indubitably, it will change the very way Trump governs in the second term.

Unsurprisingly, then, the president-elect is in the fast-track cherry-picking mode, nominating his close confidants, donors, loyalists, friends, and sycophants to the cabinet and senior administrative positions and as diplomats. The nominations give a sneak preview of how Trump proposes to rule in Trump 2.0.

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However, as final results trickle in, Trumps triumph looks much less stellar:

Share of popular votes: Initially Trump was projected to win around 5 million more popular votes than Harris. As of now, his lead has shrunk to 2.62 million (AP Data)Trump 76,532,833 votes (50.0 per cent), Harris 73,908,116 votes (48.3 per cent).

Senate flipped but no super-majority: The Republican Party flipped the Senate 53-47, but it failed to get the supermajority of 60. That means it is not all the way for Trump.

Ultra-thin majority in the house:: On date, in the 435-member House of Representatives, Republicans have barely retained a majority with 218 seats compared to 213 of the Democrats, with 5 races yet to be called. Republicans have retained the majority, but the margin is ultrathin.

Call in question

Thereby comes the call in questionwill the trifecta in Washington give Trump the unfettered power to rule like a king or a dictator as per his whims in utter disregard to the constitutional procedures and conventions, or will the bipartisan conscientious Congressmen exercise the requisite constitutional checks and balances to make Trump less unpredictable and more responsive?

Probably it will be Trump who will call the shots, at least for the next two years.

Disruptive seismic tremors

Donald Trumps entry into the White House is still 62 days away, but his early transition moves are so disruptive that they disconcertingly point towards his unleashing seismic tremors that are threatening to shatter the established institutions in a manner no American president has dared to do in his lifetime. His difficult demands to the Republican Congressmen are tantamount to nothing less than a hostile generational stress test.

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Like never before

Unlike his first term, when Trump was both circumspect, heard the advice of others, and took time to pick up his cabinet, in Trump 2.0 he is on a roller-coaster ride to fast-track cherry-picking his cabinet with an alacrity and speed not seen in decades. His following actions have already generated seismic tremors.

Man in a hurry: Unlike in his first term, the president-elect seems to have proved to be in a teary hurry in picking key members of his cabinet. He has already picked nominees for the core of his cabinet and other key posts. Remaining will be filled in the next few days.

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The litmus test: The sole test to select key members of Trump 2.0 is the loyalty, loyalty, and loyalty. Barring exceptions, the experience, expertise, and competence are not even a tertiary concern for the president-elect.

The recess appointment demand: The US Constitution divides the power to appoint senior positions between the Senate and the president. The latter nominates his cabinet; the former confirms through public hearings before voting on their fitness for office.

This time, though, Republicans have a simple majority in the Senate, and Trump wants the Senate to give up its gatekeeping role and allow him to make recess appointments, so that his cabinet picks start working immediately without Senate scrutiny. If Republicans led the Senate to bow to his demand to recess the Senate so that he can install appointees without confirmation, it will rewrite the balance of power established by the founders of the American Constitution more than two centuries ago.

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But why recess appointments? The answer lies in the pack of cards selected by Trump.

Indecorous-infelicitous at breakneck speed

Trump has been announcing mostly indecorous and infectious picks for his cabinet picks in a manner and at a breakneck speed seldom witnessed in the history of the US. Even advisers of Trump are stunned at how fast he is ticking through his choices, filling the governments most important positions roughly a month sooner than he did in 2016.

Trump began to roll out his nominees and appointees just days after his election victory. Among them are some of his staunchest allies on Capitol Hill and key advisers to his 2024 campaign. Here are the chosen presidents choices:

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Cabinet picks: Marco Rubio (Secretary of State), Michael Waltz (National Security Advisor), Pete Hegseth (Defence Secretary), Robert F Kennedy Jr (HHS Secretary), Doug Burgum (Interior Secretary), Chris Wright (Energy Secretary), Sean Duffy (Transportation Secretary), Kristi Noem (Secretary of Homeland Security), Doug Collins (Secretary of Veteran Affairs), Tom Homan (Border Czar), Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (Department of Government Efficiency).

Other key nominations: Susie Wiles (White House Chief of Staff), Matt Gaetz (Attorney General), Todd Blanche (Deputy Attorney General), Dean John Sauer (Solicitor General), John Ratcliffe (CIA Director), Tulsi Gabbard (Director of National Intelligence), William McGinley (White House Counsel), Karoline Leavitt (White House Press Secretary), Steven Cheung (White House Communications Director), and Sergio Gor (Presidential Personnel Office Head) and at least four Deputy Chiefs of Staff.

In addition, Trump has also nominated Brendan Carr as Federal Communications Commission chairman, Lee Zeldin as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Elise Stefanik as ambassador to the United Nations, and Mike Huckabee as US Ambassador to Israel.

Rush to fill vacant positions: Sean Duffy and Brendan Carr are the latest picks of Donald Trump, who is scurrying fast to nominate other key positions, one such being the post of Treasury Secretary, for which he is likely to soon interview top contenders: Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor; Marc Rowan, a Wall Street billionaire; Howard Lutnick, the chief executive of the Wall Street firm Cantor Fitzgerald; and Scott Bessent, the founder of the investment firm Key Square Capital Management.

But there is a problem. Many Trump picks are so indecorously infelicitous that despite Republicans having a simple majority in the Senate, they risk not being confirmed by it, and that is the precise reason Trump wants to use the recess appointment power of the president to shield his nominees from the roving eyes of the Senate.

Controversially controversial

Few of the Trump nominees are so controversial that even the president-elect believes they will have a hard time getting confirmed by the Senate. With unflinching loyalty to Trump being the sole nomination criteria this time around, confirmation woes of cabinet and other key picks are monumental. For the sake of brevity, here is my pick of four nominees whose Senate confirmation shall be excruciatingly difficult:

Matt Gaetzthe attorney general nomineeif confirmed, Gaetz would lead the Justice Departmenta federal agency of more than 100,000 employeesand oversee its numerous investigative components, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

His litany of woes is numerous. It includes ongoing review by the bipartisan House Ethics Committee, which is looking into allegations he might have engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favours to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct.

In case Matt Gaetz is not confirmed, a likely alternative is Todd Blanche, the current pick of deputy attorney general, the second-highest position in the Justice Department. Blanches claim to fame is that he defended Trump during his hush money trial in New York City. (Trump was found guilty in the case; he denied wrongdoing and vowed to appeal.)

Robert F Kennedy Jrthe Secretary for Health and Human Services Nomineeif confirmed, Kennedy Jr shall have an empire of more than $1.7 trillion budget.

Kennedy is famously known for his anti-science, fringe public health stances and has been a staunch critic of vaccines, including making misleading claims about their safety. He has also taken a vow to wage an unhinged open war on what he calls the epidemic of chronic diseases, for which he blames drug and food companies. Kennedy claims, mostly without basis, that several health issues have worsened due to federal inaction, including autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, sleep disorders, infertility rates, diabetes, and obesity. He has also urged removing fluoride from drinking water.

Despite the near-certain bipartisan opposition to Kennedys nomination in the Senate, Trump has thrown his total weight behind him.

Pete Hegseththe nominee for Secretary of Defence The Secretary of Defense is the second in command of the US armed forces and one of the most essential roles in the presidents cabinet. The defence secretary is the presidents main defense policy architect and oversees classified military initiatives. During times of war or military operations, the defense security works closely with the White House to ensure the militarys operational success.

The nomination of Hegseth, a Fox News host, to be defence secretary has opened a hornets nest. An article in Politico has dubbed him as the least qualified nominee for Secretary of Defense in American history. Earlier, he was flagged as a possible insider threat by a fellow service member due to a tattoo on his bicep thats associated with white supremacist groups. And more recently he is accused of sexual assault on a woman. As per the Washington Post, in a case of sexual assault, Hegseth paid an unnamed person an unknown sum after signing a nondisclosure agreement.

Tulsi Gabbardthe national intelligence chief nominee Trumps choice of Tulsi Gabbard as US intelligence chief has sent shockwaves through the national security establishment, adding to concerns that the sprawling intelligence community will become increasingly politicised and has shocked even ardent Republicans.

Gabbards wide-ranging role would mean she oversees US intelligence agencies like the CIA, FBI, and the National Security Agency (NSA), which focuses on intelligence gathering. And if confirmed, she would manage a budget of $70 billion and will handle 18 intelligence agencies.

The nomination has raised serious questions over Gabbards lack of experience in intelligence as well as accusations that she has in the past amplified Russian propaganda and has cozied up to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

The above are not only the four nominees likely to face intense scrutiny in the Senate confirmation. Most men and women nominated to the cabinet and other senior administration positions belong to the Yes Mr President club, with a few notable exceptions like Marco Rubio, nominated as Secretary of State, and Michael Waltz, the nominee to be National Security Advisor.

It is now over to Senate Republicans" and their new leader, John Thune. The Republican majority is so thin that any four Republican senators would be enough to sink any of Trumps nominees, and there are at least nine senators who cannot see eye to eye.

The author is a multi-disciplinary thought leader with Action Bias and an India based impact consultant. He is a keen watcher of changing national and international scenarios. He works as President Advisory Services of Consulting Company BARSYL. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
PM Modis visits to Nigeria and Guyana, along with his participation at the G20 Summit in Brazil, hold immense significance in the context of Indias decisive leadership in consolidating the Global South and championing a multilateral world order read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modis participation at the G20 Summit held in Brazil on 18-19 November holds immense significance in the current geopolitical context. Firstly, the visit came at a time when the internal politics of the worlds most powerful country, US, is at a radical crossroads. With the unprecedented victory of Donald Trump in the US elections, one can expect some major churnings in the samudra manthan of diplomacy (if one can take a bit of liberty with hyperboles in the world of international relations).

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US President-elect Donald Trumps government is expected to take radical steps to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, or at the very least, bring an end to the USs role in covertly fuelling the crisis. For India, the Trump administration offers the promise of cracking down on the Khalistani terror network in the US and Canada, as well as curbing the rise of anti-Hindu sentiment in the West, evident in the increasing temple attacks and disturbing incidents of hate crimes against Hindus in the US.

Prime Minister Modis participation in the G20 Summit came at a time when the Global South has emerged as a consolidated grouping like never before. The Global South has been steadily growing in strength under Indias core diplomatic conceptualisation of Vishwamitra. India pioneered the Voice of Global South Summit in 2023, with the first and second sessions held in January 2023 and November 2023, respectively. The third edition of the virtual summit was hosted by India in August 2024 under the theme An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future, featuring participation from 173 dignitaries representing 123 countries.

Moreover, the G20 Summit in Brazil marked the first meeting of the grouping following the African Unions inclusion as a Permanent Member of G20. The 55-nation bloc, representing the African continent, became the 21st permanent member of the grouping during Indias hosting of the G20 Summit in 2023. India initially proposed this idea and, through persistent behind-the-scenes diplomacy and collaboration with other Global South nations, successfully pushed for this milestone, enhancing the representation of developing countries in global decision-making.

In keeping with Indias focus on the issues of the Global South, PM Modi highlighted in his G20 Summit address that the grouping should prioritise the challenges and needs of the Global South, which has borne the brunt of the food, fertiliser, and fuel crisis triggered by global conflicts. Prime Minister Modi made these remarks during the first session of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which focused on Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty.

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PM Modis visits to Nigeria and Guyana, along with his participation at the G20 Summit in Brazil, hold immense significance in the context of Indias decisive leadership in consolidating the Global South and championing a multilateral world order. Not only did PM Modi become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Nigeria in 17 years, but he also raised critical global issues such as terrorism, separatism, piracy, and drug trafficking during a bilateral meeting with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As India and Nigeria agreed to deepen collaboration in intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, and maritime security, the broader implications of these developments merit attention.

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While Western media frequently highlights terrorism and radicalisation in Europe, the US, West Asia, and the Middle East, radicalisation in Africa has not received the level of media and civil society focus it deserves. A 2021 piece by the Observer Researcher Foundation (ORF) provides a detailed account of terrorism in Nigeria, including the activities of the radical Islamist terror group Boko Haram. It discusses how Boko Haram members have reportedly received training from other terror outfits such as Al-Qaeda and maintain connections with various national and transnational networks, including the Islamic State (IS) and Al Shabab. It has relied on mass kidnappings of school children for ransom, raids on cache of arms and ammunition, and levying of taxes on farms and agricultural produce to generate funds. The booming international fish market of Nigeria is also being controlled by Boko Haram. Owing to Boko Harams activities, during the past 10 years, over 38,000 people have lost their lives and in the Lake Chad region, comprising Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad, 3.2 million people have been displaced, in which 2.9 million are internally displaced persons (IDPs) from northeast Nigeria, the article notes.

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India itself suffers from the menace of Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism, with traditionally little support from the Global North to counter the threat. Since the US troops withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban regime took over the country in 2021, Indias security has been at an even greater stake. Yet, the Western ecosystem often overlooks Indias concerns regarding cross-border terrorism sponsored by its neighbours like Pakistan, since the issue doesnt affect their own security firsthand. On the contrary, Western countries have, often knowingly or unknowingly, entertained elements that have been blatantly antithetical to the unity and integrity of India.

The UK, for example, has a consistent history of meddling in Indias internal affairs, with the Jammu and Kashmir issue repeatedly raised in the British Parliament. Recently, the renowned Oxford University became a centre of controversy when the Oxford Union hosted a debate titled This House Believes in the Independent State of Kashmir. Hindu advocacy organisations in the UK protested both the subject of the debate and the inclusion of Pakistan-origin activist Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman Zafar Khan as speakers. Indian students at Oxford conveyed their horror in a letter to university authorities, expressing their concerns about the inclusion of these individuals, who were linked to anti-India terrorist organisations.

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Given how the West often uses the issue of terrorism as a geopolitical tool vis-a-vis India under the guise of freedom of expression, India has rightfully made the issue of terrorism a cornerstone of its foreign policy. Most declarations issued after PM Modis bilateral meetings with various world leaders include clauses condemning terrorism or outlining joint counterterrorism operations. During German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs recent visit to India, the two countries signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in Criminal Matters, which, as Prime Minister Modi stated, will further strengthen their resolve to combat separatist elements and terrorism.

In September 2024, the Foreign Ministers of India, Brazil, and South Africa condemned terrorism in all its forms and called for concerted action against Pakistan-based terrorist groups such as LeT and JeM in a joint media statement. The statement was issued during Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars meeting with his Brazilian and South African counterparts on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The G20 Rio Declaration also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. When India hosted the G20 in 2023, the fight against terrorism was a core part of the agenda. The G20 2023 Delhi Declaration featured a dedicated section on Countering Terrorism and Money Laundering, which not only condemned terrorism but also highlighted the urgent need to dismantle terror financing mechanisms. During his visit to Nigeria, the Indian Prime Minister carried forward Indias core foreign policy commitment, using both bilateral and multilateral platforms to raise the issue of terrorisms threat to global peace and security, particularly by aligning the Global South on the condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Continuing Indias advocacy for the Global South, PM Modi also emphasised during the Rio Summit that Brazils presidency of the G20 has provided further momentum for the people-centric decisions and initiatives issued at the New Delhi Summit last year.

The Covid crisis marked a significant shift in global power dynamics, serving as a turning point in Indias role in consolidating the Global South as an independent entity. Indias vaccine diplomacy, through the Vaccine Maitri initiative, helped many developing countries access Covid-19 vaccines at a time when many Western nations were engaged in vaccine hoarding. India also led the effort to establish global manufacturing and supply chains outside the mainstream networks dominated by the Global North, particularly in the pharmaceutical and health sectors.

India built on this momentum with the introduction of the Voice of Global South Summit and its successful lobbying at the 2023 New Delhi G20 Summit, which resulted in the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the grouping.

The global order is at a crucial crossroads, with so-called multilateral institutions like the UN rapidly losing relevance as they have been reduced to talk shops dominated by a privileged few. In this context, India continues to focus on the Global South. PM Modis visits to Nigeria and Guyana, along with his participation at the G20 Summit in Brazil, should be viewed through this lens.

Rati Agnihotri is an independent journalist and writer currently based in Dehradun (Uttarakhand). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The decision to allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with US-made, delivered and guided ATACMs air-to-air missiles may turn out to be the most reckless decision ever taken by an outgoing administration that has no public authority read more

At the G20 meet in Brazil, US president Joe Biden appeared to veer off the red carpet laid out for world leaders during arrival. Sadly, the sight has become all too common. During the G7 Summit in Italy in June, Biden wandered aimlessly away from a gathering before the camera, prompting host Giorgia Meloni to nudge him back. At Mondays G20 family photo in Rio de Janeiro, Biden was nowhere to be seen on the podium, resulting in panic among reporters and photographers.

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It was later clarified that Bidens absence was due to logistical reasons to give at least a veneer of respectability to the actions of a man whose cognitive abilities are leaving him faster than it takes for the setting sun to dive into the horizon.

At the winter of a long public career, Bidens neurological problems and cognitive impairment are hardly a secret. It is what cost him a second shot at presidency, and some argue even Democrats the election. At the debate against Donald Trump, a horribly out of sorts Biden induced panic among the Democrats. The party forced a defiant Biden out of the race and replaced his candidacy with Kamala Harris.

Nancy Pelosi, the powerful former speaker of the House whose role has been paramount in coercing Biden to end his campaign, even suggested to New York Times that the letter the US president wrote to Democratic members of the Congress on July 8 to end all speculation and announce that he was running for a second term may not actually have been written by him.

Coming from Pelosi, who has blamed the election defeat on Bidens decision to drag his feet, this was a startling accusation. Democratic Partys master strategist and the most powerful backroom operator meant to say that Biden, the US president, is not responsible for his actions and might not be taking his own decisions. The suggestion is pregnant with dark insinuations.

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Now imagine that Biden, serving his notice period in the administration before president-elect Trump is sworn in on January 20, an octogenarian who suffers from such a debilitating mental disorder that he can no longer be trusted with the job of POTUS, a man who might not even be taking his own decisions, is miraculously mentally fit enough to majorly escalate hostilities with the worlds largest nuclear power a few days before he relinquishes his lame-duck office.

The decision to allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with US-made, delivered and guided ATACMs air-to-air missiles may turn out to be the most reckless decision ever taken by an outgoing administration that has no public authority. The fateful move has sparked an escalatory spiral that may well lead us into World War 3.

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The move is not only strategic malpractice, designed to tie the hands of an incoming president who has promised a quick end to the wars, it is also immoral. Americas decision even goes against the wishes of the Ukrainian people by foisting on them an escalation that they do not want.

A survey released by Gallup on Tuesday, the wars 1000th day, found that 52 per cent Ukrainians are tired of the war and want a negotiated settlement after two and a half years, even at the cost of some territorial concessions. Around 38 per cent want to keep fighting until the war is won.

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This is a marked departure from an earlier poll months after the Russian invasion in February 2022, when around 73 per cent Ukrainians were ready to battle the Russians. As the war of attrition has wore on, Ukraine has been demolished in body and spirit. The country is a wreck, its economy is in a mess, its territory has been carved up, nearly four million people have been internally displaced, nearly 80,000 of its troops have died and another 400,000 wounded.

Regardless of what the western propaganda machinery peddles, the war is so unpopular that Ukrainian men are going into hiding to avoid conscription squads. In absence of willing volunteers, Ukrainian military officers in charge of recruitment are being accused of kidnapping and forceful detention.

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Associated Press reports that many Ukrainian men are evading the draft by hiding at home or trying to bribe their way out of the battle. The Ukrainian spirit that the liberal hegemonists, globalists and assorted warmongers in the West regularly invoke to justify their intensification of the proxy war against Russia is largely a myth.

Ukrainians are tired, exhausted and the country is struggling to muster enough soldiers to continue the war with mobilization increasingly becoming a challenge. There is a veritable mismatch between the rhetoric of Ukrainian political leadership and its military capabilities on ground.

To close this gap between its lofty aims and hard reality, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been clamouring for a long time for the green signal from the US to send these missiles deep into Russian territory, wasted no time.

Just a day after Biden authorized Ukraine to use the long-range weapons inside Russia, several media reports indicate Ukraine fired its first batch of US-made ATACMs (Army Tactical Missile System) into Russian territory on Tuesday, the 1000th day of the war, with the cluster hitting a military target in the Bryansk region, in all probability a large weapons arsenal more than 115 km from the Ukrainian border. The ATACMs have a range of approximately 190 miles (over 300 km).

The Russian defence ministry in a statement confirmed that ATACMs were used, and that its missile defence system neutralized five of the six missiles while one damaged rocket hitting a military facility and causing fire that was swiftly put out without any casualties.

Moscow, that had warned against such an eventuality, has stepped up its nuclear threat with Russian president Vladimir Putin lowering the nuclear weapons threshold after signing a new decree that states that any aggression against the Russian Federation and (or) its allies by any nonnuclear state with the participation or support of a nuclear state is considered as their joint attack.

Moscow has said that since the US facilitated the strike, which cannot have taken place without Washington delivering the long-range weapons and providing the technological and navigational support to select the targets, the strike is tantamount to the US becoming a direct participant in the war against Russia.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that the fact that ATACMS were used repeatedly in the Bryansk region overnight is, of course, a signal that they want escalation Without the Americans, it is impossible to use these high-tech missiles, as Putin has repeatedly said, reports Reuters.

Since Moscow has chosen to interpret the missile attack as a direct escalation facilitated by the US and has vowed to retaliate, it is now incumbent on Putin to act on his threat or suffer further erosion of Russias nuclear deterrence. Washington thinks that Putin is bluffing. The White House called the lowering of Russias nuclear threshold the same irresponsible rhetoric from Russia, which we have seen for the past two years.

There are several questions that arise at this stage. What were the potential tangible benefits for Ukraine that prompted Biden administration to flip its missile policy? Does it have the moral right to do so when it is acting as a placeholder for the new administration to be sworn in, one that ran and won the elections on the plank of ending wars? Was this a political decision by Biden who wanted to leave a veritable quagmire for Trump as he relinquishes his office so that the incoming president finds it difficult to launch peace talks?

The incumbent US president is facing stinging criticism from the Opposition. Republican lawmaker from Kentucky Thomas Massie posted on X (formerly Twitter) that by authorizing long range missiles to strike inside Russia, Biden is committing an unconstitutional Act of War that endangers the lives of all U.S. citizens. This is an impeachable offense, but the reality is hes an emasculated puppet of a deep state.

As far as the benefits for Ukraine are concerned, Biden administration officials have themselves admitted that they do not expect the shift to fundamentally alter the course of the war. If anything, the provocative escalation may tie Putins hands and entice him to dominate the escalatory spiral by retaliating with lethal force against the US or its European allies.

It is a preposterous strategy to escalate hostilities against the country with the worlds largest nuclear arsenal, one that is run by an autocrat, based on the assumption that he is bluffing while threatening to retaliate.

When there is no tangible belief within the Washington establishment that allowing Ukraine to attack high-value targets within Russia may result in any potential benefits for Ukraine, when it clear that it wont bring any national security paybacks for the US, and serve to only complicate further a war that Ukrainian people are tired of  not to speak of the very real possibility of sparking a catastrophic nuclear war  then the obvious question is what prompted the lame-duck Biden administration to take such an inflammatory step?

The demand for allowing Ukraine a free hand with ATACMs is not new. If Biden had been circumspect earlier when he had the mandate, why did he flip the policy when the outgoing president no longer has the electoral mandate for such a key decision? Is he even the author of his own decision?

These questions assume even greater significance because American military has only a finite number of these long-range missiles and its stockpile is stretched. News agencies on Tuesday quoted the head of US Indo-Pacific Command Adm. Samuel Paparo, as saying that the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are eating away at critical US weapons stockpiles and could hamper the militarys ability to respond to China should a conflict arise in the Indo-Pacific.

In light of these realities, the inevitable conclusion that emerges is that the decision to allow Ukraine a free hand with deadly weaponry against Russia, at this specific time, wasnt done to help the beleaguered Ukrainians win a war of attrition that it has little chance of winning, but to tie the hands of Trump and erect roadblocks in his agenda of achieving negotiated settlement to the war. This is an act of extraordinary deviousness, malice and bitterness.
Cybercriminals use the Microsoft 365 Admin Portal to send emails from legitimate Microsoft addresses, claiming that a potential targets device may be compromised to capture images or videos. Victims are then coerced into paying up to $2,000 in Bitcoin as ransom read more

Victims are falsely informed that their activities have been recorded and are asked to pay a Bitcoin ransom to prevent exposure. Image Credit: Reuters

A worrying new cybercrime trend has emerged, with hackers exploiting Microsofts own email systems to conduct sextortion scams. Reports reveal that cybercriminals are using the Microsoft 365 Admin Portal to send emails from legitimate Microsoft addresses, making the scam appear credible and bypassing spam filters and other security measures.

The sextortion emails claim the recipients smartphone, tablet, or computer has been hacked to capture compromising images or videos. Victims are then coerced into paying up to $2,000 in Bitcoin to prevent the alleged material from being released. This alarming tactic has reignited concerns over sextortion scams, which have evolved significantly since their emergence in 2018.

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Legitimate Microsoft email used for fraud

The hackers are reportedly exploiting a feature in the Microsoft 365 Admin Portals Message Center. Designed to send service updates and advisories, this feature allows users to share notifications with others, adding a personalised message of up to 1,000 characters. Scammers have managed to bypass this character limit, using the legitimate email addresses to send fraudulent messages.

The emails often start with an authentic Microsoft notification before inserting the scammers threatening message. Recipients are falsely informed that their activities have been recorded and are asked to pay a Bitcoin ransom to prevent exposure. The use of a legitimate Microsoft email makes the scam harder to detect and more likely to evade security filters, increasing its potential reach.

Automation increasing threat

To maximise their impact, scammers have automated the process of sharing advisories via the Admin Portal. This automation allows them to send these threatening messages on a large scale without restrictions. The combination of automation, legitimate email addresses, and official-looking notifications has created a perfect storm for cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting users.

Victims are urged to be cautious if they receive emails from Microsoft that mention sextortion threats. Experts recommend avoiding clicking on links, opening attachments, or transferring money to unknown cryptocurrency wallets or bank accounts. Even if the email appears to come from a legitimate source, users should verify the message through official channels.

Microsoft investigates as threat persist

Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and is currently investigating the scam, according to a statement made to Bleeping Computer. However, the tech giant has not yet addressed the loophole that allows scammers to send these messages. The lack of immediate action has raised concerns, with cybersecurity experts calling for urgent measures to close the exploit.

While Microsoft works on a resolution, users are advised to remain vigilant and report suspicious emails to their IT departments or Microsofts support team. The ongoing scam serves as a stark reminder of how cybercriminals continually adapt their tactics, even exploiting trusted platforms to achieve their aims.
Meta hosted a European hackathon, bringing together 200+ developers to explore how Llama AI can improve healthcare. Meta believes its Llama AI model brings a massive opportunity for the UK to revamp its public health infrastructure read more

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently approved Llama's use in government projects in the US, a collaboration that may soon be mirrored in countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and now, the UK. Image Credit: AFP

Meta is making a strategic move to weave its Llama AI model into the UKs public health infrastructure. The tech giant has been lobbying to show the benefits of incorporating its artificial intelligence capabilities into the countrys health services.

As part of this push, Meta recently held a European hackathon, gathering over 200 developers to brainstorm ways Llama AI could enhance healthcare. The company awarded funding to standout ideas, including solutions to cut down on wait times in Britains A&E departments.

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The initiative has caught the attention of government officials, with the UKs AI minister, Feryal Clark, acknowledging the potential benefits. She highlighted the possibility of adopting AI models like Metas to support critical health missions, emphasising the governments openness to such tech integrations.

This comes on the heels of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerbergs recent approval of Llamas use in government projects in the US, a collaboration that may soon be mirrored in countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and now, the UK.

Despite the fact that Britains use of Llama AI would not directly generate profit for Meta, theres a long-term strategy in play. Nick Clegg, Metas president of global affairs and former UK deputy prime minister, explained that its about fostering a thriving ecosystem.

He suggested that if Llama-based innovations become widespread, it would be easier for Meta to integrate these advancements into their own products. The open-source nature of Llama, which has already led to nearly 350 million downloads, continues to drive this wide-scale adoption.

Downplaying fears of AI

Clegg has been vocal in addressing concerns about AIs potential overreach. He downplayed fears of AI taking over society in a mocking tone, suggesting that the technology is currently much more rudimentary than people imagine.

Still, sceptics argue that even if AI seems harmless now, its the long-term consequences that are worrying. The debate continues about whether AI models like Llama could eventually wield too much influence, especially when integrated into critical sectors like healthcare.

UKs AI Ministrys take on this

The UK government appears cautiously optimistic. While the AI minister, Feryal Clark, acknowledged the substantial risks that come with AI, she stressed the importance of balanced regulation.

The focus would be on fostering innovation while ensuring businesses are not overburdened by excessive restrictions. The challenge remains to harness AIs potential to benefit public services like healthcare while keeping an eye on the ethical and practical implications. As Meta and the UK explore this partnership, the world watches to see how AI will reshape healthcare systems  and at what cost.

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In both cases, the leaders frame their proposals as necessary to modernise governance or stabilise their nations. Opponents see them as attempts to dismantle democratic safeguards and prolong their rule read more

Political leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nicaragua are pushing for constitutional changes. In both countries, critics say the changes would extend the Presidents powers could erode democracy and unsettle already fragile nations.

The two similar events, unfolding in the global South, are raising questions about the health of democracy in these regions.

In Congo, a constitution under siege

In Kinshasa, President Felix Tshisekedi recently announced the formation of a national commission to draft a new constitution.

Tshisekedi has criticized the current 2006 constitution as outdated, pointing to issues such as slow post-election transitions and tensions between governors and provincial assemblies.

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Opposition figures, however, are alarmed.

They fear the changes may pave the way for removing the two-term presidential limit, allowing Tshisekedi, who was reelected last December under contested circumstances, to remain in office beyond his current mandate.

This constitution was meant to prevent authoritarian drifts, said Shadary Ramazani, spokesperson for the party of former President Joseph Kabila. The opposition, including Kabila, has called for nationwide protests to resist Tshisekedis plans.

Experts note that while Tshisekedi has the authority to initiate constitutional changes, these would need approval by 60 per cent of parliament or a national referendum.

In Nicaragua, presidential power takes center stage

In Managua, President Daniel Ortega has proposed sweeping constitutional reforms to extend presidential powers and solidify his familys influence.

Among the proposed changes are increasing presidential terms from five to six years and formally redesignating the vice presidency currently held by Ortegas wife, Rosario Murillo as a co-presidency.

The reforms also propose greater state control over media, which Ortegas government claims is necessary to curb foreign interference.

The proposals were sent to the National Assembly on Tuesday (November 19), where Ortegas party holds a majority, ensuring their likely swift approval.

Critics argue that these changes will deepen Nicaraguas authoritarian turn, a trajectory that began with Ortegas crackdown on dissent and jailing of opposition leaders following protests in 2018.

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Different countries, same concern

Despite their geographic and cultural differences, the moves in Congo and Nicaragua show some major similarities.

In both cases, the leaders frame their proposals as necessary to modernise governance or stabilise their nations. Opponents see them as attempts to dismantle democratic safeguards and prolong their rule.

Both nations are approaching critical junctures. In Congo, protests against Tshisekedis plans could become a flashpoint in a nation already grappling with conflict and political uncertainty. In Nicaragua, Ortegas proposed reforms may push the country further toward authoritarianism, leaving little space for opposition or dissent.

The international response has been muted so far. While Nicaragua faces longstanding sanctions from the United States and Europe, Congos constitutional debate is still in its early stages.

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With inputs from agencies
US envoy Amos Hochstein said he will travel to Israel on Wednesday to try to secure a ceasefire ending the war with Lebanons Hezbollah group after declaring additional progress in talks in Beirut read more

US special envoy Amos Hochstein arrives to speak to the media after meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon on Wednesday. Reuters

US envoy Amos Hochstein said he will travel to Israel on Wednesday to try to secure a ceasefire ending the war with Lebanons Hezbollah group after declaring additional progress in talks in Beirut.

Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Tuesday, seeking to clinch a ceasefire agreement after the Lebanese government and Hezbollah agreed to a US ceasefire proposal, although with some comments.

The meeting today built on the meeting yesterday, and made additional progress, Hochstein said after his second meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, endorsed by the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah to negotiate.

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So I will travel from here in a couple hours to Israel to try to bring this to a close if we can, Hochstein said.

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said the group had given its own feedback on the truce draft and that it was shared with Hochstein. He said whether a ceasefire was reached now depended on Israel and whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was serious about one. Hezbollah stood ready to keep on fighting for a long time, he added.

Israels Channel 12 reported late on Wednesday that most of the points of the deal had been agreed upon by both parties.

According to the Israel Hayom news website, Hochstein would meeting Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer on Wednesday evening.

The diplomacy aims to end a conflict that has inflicted massive devastation in Lebanon since Israel went on the offensive against Hezbollah in September, mounting airstrikes across wide parts of the country and sending in troops.

Israel says its aim is to secure the return home of tens of thousands of people evacuated from its north due to rocket attacks by Hezbollah, which opened fire in support of Hamas at the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.

Hezbollah, still reeling from the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah and other commanders, has kept up rocket fire into Israel, attacking Tel Aviv this week, and its fighters are battling Israeli troops on the ground in the south.

Although diplomacy to end the Gaza war has largely stalled, the Biden administration aims to seal a ceasefire in the parallel conflict in Lebanon before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.

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We are going to work with the incoming administration. Were already going to be discussing this with them. They will be fully aware of what were doing, Hochstein said.

Diplomats aim to restore a ceasefire based on a U.N. resolution that ended an earlier conflict in 2006.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, addressing ambassadors in Israel, said in any agreement, we will have to maintain our freedom to act if there will be violations.

First of all, we will have to enforce that they (Hezbollah) will not return to near our border south of the Litani river, this is crucial, he said, referring to a Lebanese river that runs some 30 km (20 miles) north of the frontier.

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Secondly, we will have to enforce that they will not be able to build again their force in Lebanon, they will not be able to bring again ammunitions, missiles to manufacture it or to bring it from Iran through Syria, by sea, and through the airport (in Beirut) in any way, he added.

Lebanon has rejected Israel having the freedom to act on its territory. Berri has said language about Israeli freedom to act was not included in the draft U.S. proposal submitted to him last week.

Hezbollah reviewed proposal

Hezbollahs Qassem, in a televised speech, said Israel must not be allowed to breach Lebanons sovereignty, enter its territory, and kill as it pleases. Hezbollah had decided not to speak about the agreement or its remarks, he added.

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U.N. Security Council resolution 1701 requires the Lebanese state to have a monopoly on arms in the area between border and the Litani River. This means Hezbollah should have no military presence near the frontier.

Israel has long complained the resolution was not implemented and Hezbollah remained armed at the border. Lebanon also accused Israel of regularly violating the resolution.

The casualty toll since Oct., 2023 stands at 3,558 people killed in Lebanon, the Lebanese health ministry says, most of them killed during the Israeli offensive since September. The figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. The ministry said 14 fatalities were reported on Tuesday.

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Hezbollah strikes have killed 43 civilians in northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, while 73 soldiers have been killed in strikes in northern Israel and the Golan Heights and in combat in southern Lebanon, according to Israel.
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said that his party would apologise to the nation if it is proven beyond doubt that it was involved in any wrongdoings during the 1971 Liberation War, according to a report read more

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said that his party would apologise to the nation if it is proven beyond doubt that it was involved in any wrongdoings during the 1971 Liberation War.

According to a Dhaka Tribune report_,_ speaking to Bangla media journalists in East London on Tuesday, Shafiqur called on the government to recognise those killed in the uprising as national heroes, stressing that people from all sectors of society had participated in the movement.

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If we made any mistakes during 1971 and if they are proven beyond doubt, I will apologise to the nation, he was quoted as saying.

Acknowledging the contributions of expatriates during that time, he was quoted as saying, Even those living abroad contributed to our struggle to the best of their abilities.

Highlighting the role of expatriates, he said they are providing significant support to Bangladesh through remittances.

Alongside monetary remittances, I urge them to send intelligence remittances. Intellectual contributions will greatly aid the countrys development, enabling expatriates to play a vital role in building the Bangladesh of our dreams, Dhaka Tribune quoted him as saying.

Criticizing previous governments for rampant corruption, the Jamaat chief said the development Bangladesh could have witnessed has not materialised.

In Bangladesh, the cost of a development project is three times higher than in neighboring countries. Deadlines are extended repeatedly, inflating costs further. This has allowed the country to be looted and drained, he was quoted as saying.

Corruption is a national shame. The UK has earned global respect by largely freeing itself from corruption, but we have failed. A clean society is impossible unless those governing it are clean, he added.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Georgetown marks a critical step in Indias efforts to counter Chinas growing economic and strategic influence in Guyana, a nation emerging as a key player in the Caribbean read more

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Georgetown, Guyana for a historic visit, India faces a key challenge in the Caribbean: China. Chinas growing presence in Guyana has become a major concern for India in the region. Beijing has been strengthening its military, economic, and infrastructure ties with Guyana, a country rich in oil and natural resources.

Once considered a minor player in global politics, Guyana now holds significant importance due to its vast oil reserves and strategic location. However, as China deepens its influence, India finds itself in a tougher race to build partnerships in the region. This competition has far-reaching effects on regional stability and the balance of power.

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Chinas strategic inroads in Guyana

Since 2017, China has greatly expanded its presence in Guyana, reflecting its growing ambitions in the Caribbean and Latin America. Through trade deals, infrastructure projects and military aid, China has become a key player in the region while supporting Guyanas development.

Chinese companies have led major projects like the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion and the East Bank Demerara Highway. Chinas Belt and Road Initiative has been central to this partnership. Guyana has actively participated in efforts to boost infrastructure, energy security and regional connectivity. Investments in renewable energy, hydropower and telecommunications have made China Guyanas largest trading partner in the Caribbean, deepening its influence. China has also strengthened its military ties with Guyana providing equipment like Y-12 patrol aircraft and training programmes for the Guyanese Defence Force.

Economic and strategic importance of Guyana for India

For India, Chinas growing influence in Guyana presents both challenges and opportunities. Guyanas rapid economic rise fuelled by its vast oil reserves makes it a valuable partner for India especially in the energy sector. With Guyana set to become one of the worlds top oil producers by the end of the decade, India is eager to secure its share in this booming industry. Companies like Oil and Natural Gas Corporation are already exploring opportunities in Guyanas oil and gas fields.

Beyond energy, Guyanas strategic location offers India a chance to strengthen its presence in the Caribbeana region traditionally dominated by the US and Western powers. As Guyana invests in large-scale infrastructure projects, India can contribute through its expertise in technology, renewable energy and defence cooperation. In the first half of this month, Brigadier Omar Khan, Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force was on a five-day tour to India to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries. Earlier this year, India delivered two Dornier-228 aircraft to Guyana.

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However, the real issue for India is to counterbalance Chinas growing footprint in the region. Chinas strong presence in critical areas like infrastructure and energy poses a challenge. Chinese firms are already deeply involved in projects ranging from highways to deep-water ports. For India, the task is not only to compete with China economically but also to ensure its partnership with Guyana stands out amid Chinas extensive influence.

The US concerns

Chinas growing influence in Guyana is also a strategic concern for the United States, which considers the Caribbean a key part of its sphere of influence. Washington is increasingly worried about Chinas military presence and the possibility of Beijing establishing a strong foothold in South America. For the US, the Caribbean plays a crucial role in its security and economic interests including efforts to combat drug trafficking and safeguard vital trade routes.

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In response, the US has been working to strengthen its defence and trade relations with Guyana. American officials have pushed for greater military cooperation and offered to enhance Guyanas defence capabilities to counter Chinas influence. However, Guyana has been cautious, aiming to maintain an independent foreign policy and avoid siding too closely with any one power.

Path forward for India

For India, addressing Chinas growing influence in Guyana is challenging and New Delhi is aware of it. Prime Minister Modis visit is one such key move to counter it.
Amid falling marriage rate, a tech company in China is offering cash incentives to encourage all its single employees to date, but there is a condition. Read to know more read more

A Shenzhen-based camera company - Insta360, has launched the dating platform where employees can earn cash rewards for connecting single outsiders with the platform. Source: Freepik | Representational Image

A Chinese tech company is offering cash incentives to encourage its single employees to date. They are doing this with an aim to foster greater happiness and a sense of belonging within the workplace.

According to the South China Morning Post, a Shenzhen-based camera company - Insta360, has launched the dating platform where employees can earn cash rewards for connecting single outsiders with the platform.

The initiative offers 66 yuan (roughly Rs 770) for each valid post that introduces a single non-employee to the platform. If an employee successfully matches with an outsider and maintains a relationship for three months, the employee, their match, and the person who facilitated the connection each receive a reward of 1,000 yuan (approximately Rs 11,650).

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Introduced less than three months ago, the company has seen almost 500 posts shared on the internal forum by November 11, 2024, and has distributed nearly 10,000 yuan (around Rs 1,16,576) in cash incentives so far. One employee humorously remarked, My company is more eager than my mum in reference to the matchmaking efforts, reported NDTV.

The program has sparked mixed reactions among employees and the public. Some users praised the initiative, with one commenter on Douyin (Chinese TikTok) saying, The government should follow suit.

Another jokingly asked, Does the company have any recruitment plans? However, critics voiced their concerns, with one user commenting, Love should not be measured by money.

The company says the program is designed to increase employees sense of community and overall satisfaction at work. However, it has emerged at a time when China is facing a declining marriage and birth rate. Official data for 2024 shows a 16.6 per cent decrease in marriages compared to the previous year, and the countrys birth rate hit a record low in 2023.

In response to the falling marriage rates, certain provinces, including Shanxi, have introduced monetary incentives for couples, such as a 1,500 yuan reward for women under 35 registering their first marriage. However, these policies have also sparked backlash, particularly from women, who have voiced frustrations on social media.
The proposal, backed by 42 ICCAT members, aimed to require sharks to be landed with their fins attached, making shark finning more difficult read more

(File) Shark fins are seen during their drying process at Kalibaru district in Jakarta, Indonesia on July 10, 2018. Reuters

At a recent meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Limassol, Cyprus, a proposal to strengthen the ban on shark finning was blocked by China and Japan, despite widespread support from other countries. The proposal aimed to ensure that sharks are brought to shore with their fins attached, which would help stop the cruel practice of shark finning.

What is shark finning?

Shark finning is the practice of catching sharks, cutting off their fins and then throwing the shark back into the ocean. The fins are often used in shark fin soup, a delicacy in some cultures. The practice is harmful as the shark, left without its fins, usually dies from the trauma or because it cannot swim properly.

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The proposal and its support

The proposal, presented by the US, Belize and Brazil, was backed by 42 out of 52 ICCAT members, including many countries from the European Union and the UK. It called for a rule that would require sharks to be landed with their fins naturally attached, which would make it harder for shark finning to happen.

However, China and Japantwo of the largest markets for shark finsrefused to support the plan. This blocked the proposal, which needed unanimous consent to pass.

A rare move to vote

In a rare move, Belize called for a vote to bypass the requirement for unanimity. Despite this, at the end of the eight-day meeting, the proposal was still shelved.

Sonja Fordham, president of Shark Advocates International, expressed her frustration with the outcome, telling Politico: Im deeply, deeply disappointed, she said, emphasising that the proposal failed despite support from an unprecedented coalition of countries. Fordham also spoke to Undercurrent News, stating: We are exasperated that a strong, enforceable shark finning ban has once again been blocked by essentially two countries, despite overwhelming support and clear scientific advice.

Reactions from conservationists

Conservationists have long campaigned against shark finning due to its devastating effects on shark populations. Fordham highlighted the scientific evidence that supports stronger protections for sharks and criticised the decision to block the proposal.

Global efforts to end shark finning

Shark finning has been a target of global conservation efforts for years. The European Union introduced rules in 1993 to require sharks to be landed with their fins attached. The US followed in 2000 with the Shark Finning Prohibition Act, which was later expanded in 2010. Other countries, including those in the Pacific Islands Forum and the Bahamas, have also enacted similar bans.

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Despite these efforts, the global shark fin trade remains a significant issue, with China and Japan continuing to resist stronger measures. Conservationists are now calling for renewed action to protect sharks and marine ecosystems.
Amid rising Russia-West tension after Ukraine fired US-made ATACMS missiles, China has appealed for calm and restraint as Putin issued fresh nuclear threat in an indication of the worsening of the crisis. read more

(File) Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on 18 October, 2023. Reuters

China on Wednesday urged calm and restraint after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a nuclear threat and Ukraine fired longer-range US missiles at its territory for the first time.

Moscow has reacted furiously to a decision by US President Joe Biden to change policy on Ukraine and allow Kyiv to use US-supplied long-range missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time.

On Tuesday, Putin signed a decree that enables Moscow to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states such as Ukraine if they are supported by nuclear powers.

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Following the decree, a senior official told AFP that a strike on Russias Bryansk region earlier on Tuesday was carried out by ATACMS missiles - a reference to the US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System.

On Wednesday Beijing called for a cooling of tensions.

Under the current circumstances, all parties should remain calm and exercise restraint, working together through dialogue and consultation to ease tensions and reduce strategic risks, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said when asked about the decree and the strikes inside Russia.

Chinas stance of encouraging all parties to de-escalate the situation and commit to a political resolution of the Ukraine crisis remains unchanged, Lin added.

China will continue to play a constructive role in this regard, he said.

The White House, UK and European Union condemned Putins nuclear decree as irresponsible.

Speaking to journalists after the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, French leader Emmanuel Macron said he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the G20 to use all his influence with Putin to try to achieve a de-escalation.

Macron said Russia ally China had the capacity to negotiate with President Putin so that he halts his attacks on Ukraine.

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.

But 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.

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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Undersea cables, stretching approximately 1.2 million kilometers worldwide, handle everything from financial transactions and streaming services to diplomatic and military communications. read more

Undersea cables are vital to global communications and finance, and are thus of great strategic importance. AI-generated image via DALL-E

The Danish military said Wednesday (November 20) it is closely monitoring a Chinese ship anchored in Danish waters, following the severing of two fiber-optic data telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea earlier this week.

The Danish Defence can confirm that we are present in the area near the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3, the military announced on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

The Chinese vessel departed the Russian port of Ust-Luga on November 15 and was reportedly near the locations of the damaged cables, according to traffic data. Other ships were also detected in the vicinity, officials said.

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Two undersea cables were severed in incidents occurring less than 24 hours apart. One cable connecting Sweden and Lithuania was cut on Sunday (November 17), and another linking Finland and Germany was severed on Monday (November 18).

Both breaches occurred within Swedens exclusive economic zone, prompting Swedish prosecutors to launch a preliminary investigation into possible sabotage.

Strategic significance of undersea cables

The incidents have heightened concerns over the security of subsea cables.

Undersea cables are vital for global connectivity, carrying vast amounts of data between continents.

These cables, stretching approximately 1.2 million kilometers worldwide, handle everything from financial transactions and streaming services to diplomatic and military communications.

Their strategic value makes them potential targets for surveillance or disruption.

Damage to cables is not uncommon and, in 80 per cent of cases, is not on purpose, said Eric Lavault, a French navy officer with expertise in sea-floor operations.

However, he noted that deliberate sabotage or espionage attempts are not unprecedented.

Do China, Russia sabotage cables?

Chinese vessels have faced accusations in the past of tampering with subsea cables.

In November last year, Estonia requested Beijings cooperation in investigating the suspected involvement of a Chinese ship in cutting two telecom cables in the Baltic Sea.

The Chinese vessel had reportedly been near both the damaged cables locations before heading to Russias St. Petersburg. Even six months after getting the request, Beijing had not responded to Estonia.

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Russia, too, has drawn scrutiny for its activities around critical subsea infrastructure.

The strategic importance of undersea cables has not been lost on Russia, the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) stated in a recent report.

The Russian oceanographic vessel Yantar, capable of deploying miniature submarines to depths of six kilometers, has been repeatedly spotted near transatlantic cables off the Irish coast.

Western nations undersea operations

Its not just Russia and China with a history of involvement in subsea cable operations. According to Danish media, the United States reportedly intercepted communications from Germany, Sweden, Norway, and France via Denmarks subsea cable network between 2012 and 2014.

The revelations included allegations of spying on then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

With inputs from agencies
Hong Kongs pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai, jailed for over 1,400 days, testified in court in the national security case on Wednesday. Lai, who faces charges of conspiracy and sedition under Chinas sweeping national security law, spoke about his belief in freedoms. read more

Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai on Wednesday testified in court for the first time in his years-long national security legal battle on charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, and publishing seditious materials.

Lai, a British and Hong Kong citizen and a founder of the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, is considered one of the most high profile political arrestees in Hong Kong under a sweeping China-imposed national security law.

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His testimony comes just a day after Hong Kong jailed 45 pro-democracy activists for up to 10 years in a separate national security case.

Lai told the West Kowloon Magistrates Court how his own guiding principles were aligned through his newspaper and with the people of Hong Kong, namely a belief in the rule of law and freedoms including of speech, religion and assembly.

We were always in support of movements for freedom, Lai, wearing a grey blazer and glasses, told the packed courtroom.

Around 100 people queued in the pouring rain huddled beneath umbrellas to secure a place in the , with hundreds of police deployed around the building.

Apple Daily was the voice of many Hong Kongers, said William Wong, 64, a retiree. Its my political expression to let him (Lai) know I support him. Hes done a lot for Hong Kong.

Lai has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material.

Six others had earlier pleaded guilty, including senior staffers of Apple Daily and its parent company Next Digital, to conspiring with Lai to request a foreign country or organisation to impose sanctions or blockade, or engage in other hostile activities against the Hong Kong and Chinese governments.

Beijing imposed the national security law in July 2020 after months of sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in the Asian financial hub the year before.

Lai had been held in pre-trial detention for over 1,400 days, before his trial kicked off last December. He is already serving a five year, nine month jail term for a fraud conviction over a lease dispute for his newspaper.Diplomats from the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Switzerland and Ireland were present at the hearing on Wednesday.

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The US government has condemned, opens new tab Lais prosecution and called for his immediate release.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
The US state department says it is incredibly concerned about Russias campaign of hybrid warfare against the west, amid fears it will escalate after Ukraines first use of US-made ATACMS long-range missiles on targets inside Russia, after Joe Biden-led administration lifted restrictions on their use read more

US soldiers conduct live fire testing at White Sands Missile Range, NM, on Dec. 14, 2021, of early versions of the ATACMS. Source: US Army via AP | FILE.

The United States and Europe have expressed growing concerns over the potential escalation of Russias hybrid warfare tactics, following Ukraines use of US-made ATACMS long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia. The use of these missiles marks a significant shift in the conflict, prompting fears that Russia could intensify its asymmetric warfare strategies globally, with devastating consequences.

The Biden administration recently lifted restrictions on Ukraines use of the ATACMS, enabling the missile strikes on a Russian ammunition warehouse in the Bryansk region. While Russia claimed to have intercepted several missiles, debris from the attack caused a fire at a military facility, indicating the severity of the strike. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the use of long-range capabilities, stating, We now have ATACMS, Ukrainian long-range capabilities, and we will use them.

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According to a report in The Guardian, Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reacting to the new missile strikes, have vowed to give an appropriate response, warning that such actions could lead to direct conflict between Russia and the West. Russia has also escalated its nuclear rhetoric, with President Vladimir Putin signing a revised nuclear doctrine that lowers the threshold for nuclear weapons use.

However, US officials have downplayed the significance of this development, stating that there have been no changes to Russias nuclear posture.

We are incredibly concerned about hybrid warfare conducted by Russia both in Europe and around the world, said US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. He added that the US and its European allies have been in close coordination on the issue, following recent sabotage incidents, including attacks on undersea fibre-optic cables in the Baltic Sea. Russia will be held accountable for further such actions, Miller warned.

Amid growing concerns of retaliation, Western officials fear that Russias response may extend beyond the battlefield in Ukraine. Hybrid warfare tactics, which could involve sabotage, assassinations, and attacks on critical infrastructure, are increasingly seen as likely options. The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the UK condemned Russia in a joint statement, accusing Moscow of systematically attacking European security architecture.

The risk of hybrid attacks has escalated, with the UK and EU ministers describing them as unprecedented in their variety and scale, creating significant security risks. Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen stressed the need for NATO and the EU to bolster protections for critical infrastructure, saying, We know that Russia has the capability and willingness to do sabotage in Europe.

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Russias hybrid warfare is not limited to Europe. Officials have also expressed concerns that Moscow could ramp up support for adversaries in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific regions, further destabilising those areas. We are worried about Russia increasing its support to Iran and its proxy allies in the region, including the Houthis in Yemen or Hezbollah in Lebanon, a senior US official said.

European officials have been discussing the increasing threat posed by Russian hybrid tactics. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte noted that the frontline of the war is no longer confined to Ukraine, as Russias activities have spread to regions including the Baltic, Western Europe, and the high north. Intelligence agencies are currently investigating sabotage attacks on undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, which are believed to have been part of Russias broader campaign of disruption.

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German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius voiced suspicions that the recent damage to the cables was the result of deliberate sabotage, saying, No one believes that the cables were accidentally damaged. I also dont want to believe that the ships anchors caused the damage by accident.

The growing fear is that Russia may increase state-sponsored attacks across Europe, including sabotage, arson, assassinations, and strikes on military, transport, and telecoms infrastructure. One former senior European defense official warned that Europe is totally unprepared to deal with Russias escalating hybrid warfare, lacking the resources to counter these increasingly sophisticated attacks.

This is closer to terrorism, with the aim of intimidating the population and influencing decision-making, and affecting support for Ukraine, a senior European security official noted.

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Earlier this year, US and German intelligence agencies thwarted a Russian plot to assassinate several defense industry executives across Europe, including a plan to kill Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger.

While the US has confirmed its decision to provide Ukraine with more advanced long-range weaponry, including ATACMS, the broader geopolitical ramifications are still unfolding. The US is focused on responding to the threat posed by North Korean forces joining the conflict, particularly after more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers were reportedly deployed to Ukraine.

Neither the US nor Ukraine has confirmed specific details of the missile strikes, but Ukraines general staff confirmed that they targeted the 1046th logistics center outside the city of Karachev. The destruction of ammunition depots will continue for the army of the Russian occupiers in order to stop the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, a statement read.

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While Russia has promised retaliation, some analysts suggest that the Kremlins options on the battlefield are limited, with Moscow unlikely to escalate to nuclear warfare. The most predictable and obvious response will be an increase in strikes on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure in anticipation of the winter cold, said political analyst Anton Barbashin. He added that the use of Western-supplied long-range missiles is unlikely to serve as a definitive red line for Moscow.

Strikes with long-range ATACMS missiles on the territory of Russia  are more likely to fall into the list of red lines that will be crossed and will cease to be red lines, Barbashin told The Guardian, predicting that Russias hybrid tactics will continue to evolve as the war stretches on.

With inputs from agencies.
The US shut its embassy in Kyiv after receiving specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20 amid escalations in the Russia-Ukraine war after Ukraine used US-made ATACMS long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia read more

The United States closed its embassy in Ukraines Kyiv on Wednesday after receiving information of a possible air attack.

In an official statement released for the US citizens in Ukraine on Wednesday, the US embassy in Kyiv said it had received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20. Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place, it said.

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Be prepared to immediately shelter

The US Embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced, the statement further said.

The US citizens in Ukraine have been asked to identify shelter locations in advance of any air alert, monitor local media for updates and follow the directions of Ukrainian officials and first responders in the event of an emergency.

Warning after Ukraine used ATACMS missiles to strike targets in Russia

The warning comes a day after Ukraine used US-made ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia after the outgoing Biden administration lifted restrictions on Ukraines use of the ATACMS on the wars 1,000th day.

On Sunday, US President Joe Biden authorised the use of US-supplied long-range missiles by Ukraine to strike Russian targets, aiming to help Kyiv defend itself while also trying to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

Also Read: Europe, US anxious over Russias hybrid warfare threat after Ukraines ATACMS missile attack

After reports of approval from Biden came in, Zelenskyy said that strikes are not carried out with words and neither are such things announced. Missiles will speak for themselves, he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in response, approved the revisions to Moscows nuclear doctrine. The new policy expands the scope of when Russia can use nuclear weapons.

Putin-approved policy also allows the use of nuclear weapons in retaliation against any significant conventional assault on Russia, including drone attacks.

For months, Moscow has been warning the West that if Washington allows Ukraine to fire US, British and French missiles into Russia, it would consider those NATO members to be directly involved in the war in Ukraine.

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With inputs from agencies.
It is our greatest honor to have you here. You are a champion among leaders, Ali said read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Guyana, becomes the first Indian PM to visit the country in 56 years. X.com/@@presidentaligy

Guyanese President Irfan Ali on Wednesday (November 20) praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his impactful leadership and contributions in the developing world, calling him a champion among leaders.

Speaking during a joint statement with Modi, Ali praised the global impact of the Indian leaders governance style and policies, noting their adoption by several countries, including Guyana.

It is our greatest honor to have you here. You are a champion among leaders, Ali said. You have shown light to the developing world and created development metrics and frameworks that many are adopting in their own country. Much of it is relevant to us here in Guyana.

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PM Modis ongoing visit to Guyana, from November 19 to 21, is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the South American nation in over five decades. It was the last leg of his three nation tour that has seen him already stop by in Brazil and Nigeria.

During his trip, PM Modi engaged in comprehensive talks with Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, focusing on enhancing cooperation in sectors such as hydrocarbons, healthcare, education, and defence.

He also addressed a special session of Guyanas National Assembly, speaking about the shared heritage between the two countries.

PM Modi co-chaired the 2nd India-CARICOM [Caribbean Community] Summit alongside President Ali and Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, discussing collaborative opportunities with Caribbean nations.

With inputs from agencies
Inaugural state visits by newly elected leaders often carry significant diplomatic weight, serving as a platform to set the tone for future cooperation and discuss bilateral issues read more

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to make his inaugural state visit to India in mid-December, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath announced Monday (November 18).

The visit follows the recent formation of Sri Lankas new Cabinet after the National Peoples Power (NPP) partys decisive victory in the snap polls held on November 14.

The Hindu, citing sources, reported that both capitals are working to schedule the visit.

This trip marks President Dissanayakes first official foreign engagement since assuming office in September.

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The decision does not come as a surprise as newly elected Sri Lankan leaders have traditionally chosen India for their inaugural state visits, a sign of leadership accommodating geopolitical dynamics between a small country and its much larger, influential neighbour.

The significance of first visits

State visits by newly elected leaders often carry significant diplomatic weight, serving as a platform to set the tone for future cooperation and discuss bilateral issues.

For Sri Lanka, engaging with India is particularly crucial given their shared history, economic ties, and regional security interests.

It is also interesting to note that typically, a leaders first visit abroad is to one of their home countrys closest international ally.

The upcoming visit may address key areas of mutual interest, including economic cooperation, trade, and regional security.

Jaishankars previous visit to Sri Lanka

In October, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Colombo, becoming the first high-level foreign dignitary to meet with President Dissanayakes administration.

During the visit, Jaishankar extended an invitation to the Sri Lankan President to visit India, underscoring the importance New Delhi places on its relationship with Colombo.

Both nations have already expressed a commitment to strengthening ties and collaborating on issues affecting the South Asian region.

As Sri Lanka navigates its post-election landscape, President Dissanayakes visit to India will be closely watched for indications of how his administration plans to balance relationships with major regional powers and address domestic challenges.

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Hours after US announced that it is closing its embassy in Kyiv over potential significant air attack, Italy, Spain and Greece also closed their embassies in the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday, according to a report read more

A view of the US embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 12 February, 2022. AP File

Hours after US announced that it is closing its embassy in Kyiv over potential significant air attack, Italy, Spain and Greece also closed their embassies in the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday.

According to The Guardian report, citing Ukraines state broadcaster Suspilne, the intelligence indicates a combined drone and missile attack on the capital, and is not thought to be related to Russias change in its nuclear doctrine yesterday.

The UK embassy in Kyiv remained open, while Germanys embassy remained open in a limited capacity.

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Meanwhile, Ukraines main directorate of intelligence accused Russia of spreading misinformation that there would be a large-scale attack today in what it described as a massive information-psychological attack.

A message is being spread via messengers and social networks  about the threat of a particularly massive missile and bomb strike on Ukrainian cities today. This message is a fake, it contains grammatical errors typical of Russian information and psychological operations, Reuters quoted the agency as saying in a statement.

The US Department of States Bureau of Consular Affairs earlier on Wednesday announced that the US embassy in Kyiv has received specific information about a potential significant air attack and therefore would be closed.

In an official statement released for the US citizens in Ukraine, the embassy said it had received specific information about the attack on November 20.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place, the statement added.

The US Embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced, the statement further said.

The US citizens were asked to identify shelter locations in advance of any air alert, monitor local media for updates and follow the directions of Ukrainian officials and first responders in the event of an emergency.

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The warning follows Ukraines use of US-made ATACMS missiles to strike Russian targets, a day after the Biden administration lifted restrictions on their use on the wars 1,000th day.

On Sunday, President Biden authorised the supply of long-range missiles to Ukraine, aiming to bolster Kyivs defense while avoiding further escalation.

In response, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated, Missiles will speak for themselves, signaling that actions, not words, would follow.

In retaliation, Russian President Putin approved changes to Moscows nuclear doctrine, allowing the use of nuclear weapons in response to significant conventional attacks, including drone strikes.

Moscow has warned the West that supplying Ukraine with US, British, or French missiles would be seen as direct NATO involvement in the conflict.

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Meanwhile, reaffirming its stance, Russia on Wednesday said that a freeze on the conflict in Ukraine along the existing frontlines would be unacceptable to the Russian Federation.

When Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was asked during his daily press briefing about the US embassy closing in Kyiv, he declined to comment but said that that Russia believes that the outgoing Joe Biden administration had shown that it is fully committed to continuing the war in Ukraine and is doing everything possible to achieve that.

With inputs from agencies
With China imposing stricter controls on information, some Five Eyes countries have established intelligence bases in Japan to improve regional monitoring capabilities read more

The Five Eyes alliance is relying on Japan for intel as the information flow from China thins out. Image courtesy: News18

The Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance held its first meeting in non-member Japan on Wednesday (November 20), reflecting the countrys increasing role in Indo-Pacific security and intelligence efforts, particularly concerning China.

Senior enlisted service members participated in the meeting to exchange information from field operations and discuss successes and challenges within their ranks.

Japans Self-Defense Forces (SDF) were represented by Kai Osamu, senior enlisted adviser to the chief of staff of the Joint Staff, Nikkei reported.

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Senior advisers from the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Indo-Pacific Command, and US Forces Japan also took part.

Japans increasing role in Five Eyes

This marks the second time Japan has engaged publicly in a Five Eyes-related dialogue. In October, the SDF joined a meeting in Canada for the first time, focusing on operational cooperation at the ground level rather than leadership discussions.

Hosting this weeks meeting in Japan points to the countrys its expanding role as a vital intelligence-gathering location in the Indo-Pacific, Nikkei said in its report.

With China imposing stricter controls on information, some Five Eyes countries have established intelligence bases in Japan to improve regional monitoring capabilities.

Canada has also recently expanded its presence in Japan, establishing a new Indo-Pacific-focused position in its Tokyo embassy and appointing a specialist to oversee matters related to China.

What is the Five Eyes alliance?

The Five Eyes alliance, originally formed by the US and the UK during World War II, later included Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Its purpose was to facilitate cooperation in signals intelligence (SIGINT) among these English-speaking nations.

The alliance presently operates under the principle of full exchange, meaning intelligence is shared by default among members, barring specific exceptions.

In recent years, the Five Eyes alliance has addressed emerging global threats, including cyber espionage, terrorism, and geopolitical challenges.

With inputs from agencies
Starting as a factory worker, Lai eventually founded Next Digital, which published Apple Daily, a newspaper known for its strong pro-democracy stance and criticism of Beijing. He was arrested in 2020 under Hong Kongs national security law, accused of colluding with foreign forces read more

Media mogul Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, arrives the Court of Final Appeal by prison van in Hong Kong, China. File Image/ Reuters

Jimmy Lai, a figure synonymous with Hong Kongs pro-democracy movement, is facing a landmark trial under the controversial national security law imposed by Beijing.

The case has drawn international scrutiny, raising concerns about freedoms and judicial independence in Hong Kong.

Here are five critical aspects to understand about Jimmy Lai and the law that now defines his fate.

1. From refugee to media mogul

Jimmy Lais story is one of resilience and entrepreneurship.

Born in mainland China, he fled to Hong Kong at 12, escaping famine.

Starting as a factory worker, Lai eventually built a clothing empire with Giordano an international retailer of apparel and accessories before turning his attention to media.

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He founded Next Digital, which published Apple Daily, a newspaper known for its strong pro-democracy stance and criticism of Beijing.

2. A Symbol of press freedom

Through Apple Daily, Lai championed free speech and openly criticised the Chinese Communist Party.

His media outlet became a cornerstone of Hong Kongs democratic aspirations, but its operations came under severe pressure after the imposition of the national security law.

In August 2020, Lai was arrested under Hong Kongs national security law, accused of colluding with foreign forces. Since then, he has spent much of his time in prison, facing multiple charges, including sedition related to his newspapers publications.

The newspaper ceased operations in 2021, following a crackdown on its executives and finances.

Despite international calls for his release, Lai remains incarcerated.

3. Ongoing trial

Lais trial, which began in December 2023, is a landmark case under the national security law.

He has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious material.

The prosecution alleges that Lai used his media platform to advocate for foreign sanctions against Hong Kong and China.

Lai testified that he never sought to influence foreign policy but merely called for international support for Hong Kongs democratic aspirations.

4. The National Security Law

Enacted in 2020, Hong Kongs national security law criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces.

Critics argue that the law is overly broad, granting authorities sweeping powers to suppress dissent.

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Its implementation has led to the arrests of activists, journalists, and politicians, raising alarms about its implications for human rights and freedoms.

5. International outcry

Lais prosecution has drawn widespread international condemnation. The United States and the United Kingdom have called for his immediate release, viewing his trial as a test of Hong Kongs judicial independence.

The national security laws implementation has strained Hong Kongs relations with Western nations, raising concerns about the future of the citys freedoms and its role as an international financial hub.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a brief interaction with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19 despite ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries read more

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, from left, US President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi gather for the G20 Summit world leaders' group photo, in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Source: AP.

Despite strained bilateral relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a brief interaction with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau at the G20 Summit in Brazils Rio de Janeiro. The two leaders also were captured standing close during the traditional family photo-op.

PM Modi and Trudeau were also seen conversing and smiling as they interacted with US President Joe Biden.

Modi-Trudeau in a single frame

Leaders of the worlds largest economies gathered for the group photo in a cavernous room at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday (November 19).

In the photos, Biden was seen standing in the center with PM Modi to his left and Trudeau to his right.

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PM Modi grabbed Bidens hand as the US leader stepped onto the stage. Trudeau, who was next to him, chatted with Biden. Chinese President Xi Jinping was also present.

After the photo was clicked all the leaders clapped and held hands.

Two group photos in G20 - one with, another without Biden

The leaders at the G20 Summit 2024 in Brazil had to take a second group photo as the first time op did not have outgoing US President Biden.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gather for a group photo on the second day of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19, 2024. Source: AFP.

Biden, Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni all missed the photo on Monday due to what US officials called logistical issues.

In the photo, 81-year-old Biden, who attended his final G20 Summit ahead of Donald Trumps return to the White House on January 20, was given a spot near the middle of the front row of the assembled world leaders.

World leaders attending the G20 Summit pose for a group photo in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Source: AP.

India-Canada relations

The diplomatic relationship between India and Canada is at an all-time low since Trudeau, last year in September, alleged involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was gunned down in Surrey outside a gurdwara.

India strongly dismissed the accusation and termed the claims as absurd. New Delhi has also slammed Ottawa of making allegations without any evidence.

The relationship took another hit recently when Canada sought to question the Indian envoy and five more diplomats as persons of interest in connection with Nijjars murder. India withdrew the diplomats and expelled six Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.

New Delhi has also accused Canada of doing nothing to stop the activities of Khalistan supporters who seek to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.

With inputs from agencies.
Hezbollahs Naim Qassem stated his group reviewed and provided feedback on a US-drafted ceasefire proposal with Israel, emphasising that further progress depends on Israels response read more

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said in a televised speech aired on Wednesday that his group had reviewed and given feedback on a US-drafted ceasefire proposal to end fighting with Israel, and that a halt to hostilities was now in Israels hands.

Qassem made his comments in a pre-recorded address aired a few hours after US envoy Amos Hochstein said he would head to Israel to try to close a deal on a truce, after two days of meetings with Lebanese officials including two sit-downs with parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally.

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Qassem said his Iran-backed group had seen the draft US deal and provided feedback.

These comments were presented to the US envoy and they were discussed with him in detail, Qassem said. The comments we presented show that we approve this track of indirect negotiations through Speaker Berri.

But he rejected the notion that Israel would be able to keep striking Hezbollah even after a truce is reached, saying that Israel should not be allowed to breach Lebanons sovereignty.

Qassem said a deal now depended on Israels response and the seriousness of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - and that Hezbollah would keep negotiating and fighting at the same time.

Specifically, he said any strikes on central Beirut would be met with Hezbollah fire onto Tel Aviv. Hezbollah launched missiles at Tel Aviv on Monday, after deadly Israeli bombardments hit the heart of Beirut on both Sunday and Monday.

Israels year-long battle with Hezbollah in Lebanon has killed more than 3,500 people, the vast majority of them in the last two months, and left much of the countrys south, east and the southern suburbs of Beirut in ruins.

After a ceasefire takes effect, Hezbollah would help rebuild Lebanon alongside the Lebanese state and remain a player in Lebanons political scene, Qassem said, with an effective role in electing a president. Political divides in Lebanon have kept the post vacant for more than two years.

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(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly said that he is open to discussing a Ukraine ceasefire deal with US President-elect Donald Trump only if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy abandons ambitions of his country joining Nato read more

Vladimir Putin is open to discussing a Ukraine ceasefire deal with Donald Trump but rules out making any major territorial concessions and insists Kyiv abandon ambitions to join Nato, five sources with knowledge of Kremlin thinking told Reuters.

US President-elect Trump, who has vowed to swiftly end the conflict, is returning to the White House at a time of Russian ascendancy. Moscow controls a chunk of Ukraine about the size of the American state of Virginia and is advancing at the fastest pace since the early days of the 2022 invasion.

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In the first detailed reporting of what President Putin would accept in any deal brokered by Trump, the five current and former Russian officials said the Kremlin could broadly agree to freeze the conflict along the front lines.

There may be room for negotiation over the precise carve-up of the four eastern regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, according to three of the people who all requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

While Moscow claims the four regions as wholly part of Russia, defended by the countrys nuclear umbrella, its forces on the ground control 70-80 per cent of the territory with about 26,000 square km still held by Ukrainian troops, open-source data on the front line shows.

Russia may also be open to withdrawing from the relatively small patches of territory it holds in the Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions, in the north and south of Ukraine, two of the officials said.

Putin said this month that any ceasefire deal should reflect the realities on the ground but that he feared a short-lived truce which would only allow the West to rearm Ukraine.

If there is no neutrality, it is difficult to imagine the existence of any good-neighbourly relations between Russia and Ukraine, Putin told the Valdai discussion group on November 7.

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Why? Because this would mean that Ukraine will be constantly used as a tool in the wrong hands and to the detriment of the interests of the Russian Federation.

Two of the sources said outgoing US President Joe Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to fire American ATACMS missiles deep into Russia could complicate and delay any settlement - and stiffen Moscows demands as hardliners push for a bigger chunk of Ukraine. On Tuesday, Kyiv used the missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time, according to Moscow which decried the move as a major escalation.

If no ceasefire is agreed, the two sources said, then Russia will fight on.

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Putin has already said that freezing the conflict will not work in any way, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters hours before the Russians reported the ATACMS strikes. And the missile authorisation is a very dangerous escalation on the part of the United States.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry didnt immediately respond to a request for comment for this article.

Trumps communications director Steven Cheung told Reuters about the incoming US president: He is the only person who can bring both sides together in order to negotiate peace, and work towards ending the war and stopping the killing.

Real estate billionaire Trump, author of the 1987 book Trump: the Art of the Deal, has said he would speak directly to Putin in his efforts to forge a peace deal, though has given no details on how he might reconcile the warring sides, which both show scant sign of backing down.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his country will not rest until every last Russian soldier is ejected from its territory - based on the borders it gained after the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union - though top US generals have said publicly that this is a very ambitious aim.

On June 14, Putin set out his opening terms for an immediate end to the war: Ukraine must drop its Nato ambitions and withdraw all of its troops from the entirety of the territory of four Ukrainian regions claimed and mostly controlled by Russia.

Security guarantees, army limits

While Russia will not tolerate Ukraine joining Nato, or the presence of Nato troops on Ukrainian soil, it is open to discussing security guarantees for Kyiv, according to the five current and former officials.

Other Ukrainian concessions the Kremlin could push for include Kyiv agreeing to limit the size of its armed forces and committing not to restrict the use of the Russian language, the people said.

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Dimitri Simes, who emigrated to the United States from the Soviet Union in 1973 and is one of Russias best-connected experts on America, said a ceasefire agreement could be struck relatively swiftly to end the war, which has killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and displaced millions of civilians.

But a wider, lasting deal that addressed both Ukraine and Russias security concerns would be extremely challenging to forge, he added.

A grand bargain, in my view, would be very difficult to reach as the positions of the two sides are very far apart.

Harsh truth: Russia is winning

Russia controls 18 per cent of Ukraine including all of Crimea, a peninsula it annexed from Ukraine in 2014, 80 per cent of the Donbas - the Donetsk and Luhansk regions - and more than 70 per cent of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. It also holds just under 3 per cent of the Kharkiv region and a sliver of Mykolaiv.

In total, Russia has over 110,000 square km of Ukrainian territory. Ukraine holds about 650 square km of Russias Kursk region.

Domestically, Putin could sell a ceasefire deal that saw Russia hold onto most of the territory of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as a victory that ensured the defence of Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine and safeguarded the landbridge to Crimea, according to one of the sources.

The future of Crimea itself is not up for discussion, all the Russian officials said.

One of the officials, a senior source with knowledge of top-level Kremlin discussions, said the West would have to accept the harsh truth that all the support it had given Ukraine could not prevent Russia from winning the war.

Putin, a former KGB lieutenant colonel who watched the Soviet Union crumble while stationed in Dresden, took the decision to invade Ukraine himself with only limited counsel from a tiny group of trusted advisers, 10 Russian sources with knowledge of Kremlin thinking told Reuters.

He will likewise have the deciding voice on any ceasefire, according to the five current and former officials.

The Kremlin chief presents what he calls the special military operation in Ukraine as a watershed moment when Moscow finally stood up to what he sees as the arrogance of the West which enlarged Nato eastwards towards Russias borders and meddled in the politics of what Moscow considers as its own backyard, including Georgia and, crucially, Ukraine.

Kyiv and the West say the invasion was an attempt to grab sovereign Ukrainian territory.

When asked what a possible ceasefire might look like, two of the Russian sources referred to a draft agreement that was almost approved in April 2022 after talks in Istanbul, and which Putin has referred to in public as a possible basis for a deal.

Under that draft, a copy of which Reuters has seen, Ukraine should agree to permanent neutrality in return for international security guarantees from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

One of the Russian officials said there would be no agreement unless Ukraine received security guarantees, adding: The question is how to avoid a deal that locks the West into a possible direct confrontation with Russia one day.
Qatars foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, clarified that Hamass office in Doha is currently non-functional following the Gulf states decision to suspend mediation efforts for a Gaza ceasefire read more

Qatar has confirmed that senior Hamas figures, including Khalil al-Hayya, are no longer in the country. Agencies

Senior Hamas figures, including Khalil al-Hayya, the most prominent leader in the group outside Gaza, are no longer in Doha, Qatars foreign ministry and a senior Palestinian official confirmed Tuesday (November 19).

The office of Hamas in Doha was created for the sake of the negotiating process. Obviously, when there is no mediation process, the office itself doesnt have any function, Qatars foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari said at a media briefing.

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Where is Khalil al-Hayya?

A Palestinian official told the BBC that Hamas negotiators have adjusted their regional presence, keeping their locations undisclosed to avoid embarrassing host countries.

The official suggested that Hayya, a key figure in Hamass negotiating team, might be in Turkey, where he has reportedly travelled several times in recent months.

Turkey, a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) member, does not consider Hamas a terrorist group. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has defended Hamas as a resistance movement and condemned Israels military actions in Gaza.

Hamas not permanently kicked out of Qatar

The Palestinian official denied reports that Qatar formally expelled Hamas leaders but noted that Doha is positioning itself carefully amidst potential shifts in US administration policies.

Al-Ansari clarified that Hamass office in Doha is currently non-functional following the Gulf states decision to suspend mediation efforts for a Gaza ceasefire, according to BBC.

However, he said that the office has not been permanently closed. He added that any decision to close the office permanently would be formally announced by Qatar.

The developments come as Israel intensifies its military campaign in Gaza following Hamass unprecedented October 7 attack, which killed approximately 1,200 people and led to the abduction of more than 250 hostages. Israel has since vowed to dismantle Hamas and prevent its return to power in Gaza.

With inputs from agencies
This dialogue builds on recent diplomatic efforts, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars meeting with his Chinese counterpart and the renewed commitments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during the Brics summit read more

Amid escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific and a fragile thaw in relations with China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is attending the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Vientiane, Laos, from November 20 to 22, 2024. The summit gathers defence ministers from ASEAN countries and eight key partners including India, China and the United States to address pressing security challenges like maritime safety and disaster management.

A key highlight of Singhs visit is his anticipated meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun on the sidelines of the summit. This marks their first official discussion since recent agreements to ease tensions along the Line of Actual Control. The meeting is expected to reinforce progress on military disengagement and resumption of patrolling following a four-year standoff in Eastern Ladakh. Both nations have agreed to better inform each other about patrol activities to avoid misunderstandings, a vital step in stabilising the border.

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This dialogue follows recent diplomatic overtures including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars meeting with his Chinese counterpart and renewed commitments made during the Brics summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping. Singhs engagement with Dong is poised to further solidify these developments with a clear focus on mutual interest in de-escalation.

Beyond bilateral talks with China, Singh will engage with leaders from Japan, Australia, US and other partners to strengthen regional cooperation. Discussions will focus on ensuring safe sea routes, combating terrorism and addressing security concerns in the Indo-Pacific, especially in the South China Sea.

Indias active participation in ADMM-Plus highlights its growing role in regional security dialogues. A dialogue partner with Asean since 1992, India has leveraged the ADMM-Plus platformestablished in 2010to enhance multilateral cooperation on security.

This years summit, chaired by Laos, comes at a time of heightened global focus on the Indo-Pacific. With outcomes from the ADMM-Plus likely to shape peace and stability in the region, Indias engagement reflects its commitment to fostering collaboration and addressing shared challenges in an increasingly contested geopolitical environment.
As tension spikes between Moscow and the West after Ukraine used America-made ATACMS missiles, the Kremlin has said that the special hotline between Russia and the US is not currently in use to deflate the present crisis. read more

A special hotline in place to deflate crises between the Kremlin and the White House is not currently being used, the Kremlin said on Wednesday, as nuclear risks rise amid the highest tensions between Russia and West in decades.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks, days after reports said Washington had allowed Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike deep into Russia.

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Ukraine used US ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory on Tuesday, taking advantage of the newly granted permission from the outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden on the wars 1,000th day.

A so-called hotline between Moscow and Washington was established in 1963 to reduce the misperceptions that stoked the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 by allowing direct communication between the US and Russian leaders.

We have a special secure line for communication between the two presidents, Russia and the United States. Moreover, even for video communication, Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov told RIA. But when asked whether this channel is currently in use, he said, No.

Moscow said the use of ATACMS, the longest-range missiles Washington has supplied to Ukraine so far, was a clear signal the West wanted to escalate the conflict.

The war, which Russia started with a full-scale invasion in February 2022, has turned hundreds of Ukrainian cities and villages into dust, displaced millions of people, and killed thousands of civilians, the vast majority of them Ukrainians.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had been long pleading to Washington and its NATO allies to allow the use of the long-range weapons, saying they are needed to destroy military and transport infrastructure key to Russias war efforts.

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Moscow has said such weapons cannot be launched without direct US operational support and their use would make Washington a direct combatant in the war, prompting Russian retaliation.

Russian diplomats say the crisis between Moscow and Washington now is comparable to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis when the two Cold War superpowers came closest to intentional nuclear war, and that the West is making a mistake if it thinks Russia will back down over Ukraine.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
South Korean lawmakers cited countrys spy agency National Intelligence Services (NIS) as saying that 10,900 North Korean troops are deployed in Russias Kursk, some of whom are already engaged in Ukraine war read more

South Korean spy agency - National Intelligence Services (NIS) has revealed that around 10,900 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Kursk as part of Russias airborne unit and marines, with some of them already being engaged in battles against Ukraine.

On Wednesday, South Korean parliament intelligence committee member Park Sun-won, citing the countrys spy agency, claimed that the country led by Kim Jong Un has also supplied additional artillery systems - including self-propelled howitzers and multiple rocket launchers, to Russia to support its fight against Ukraine.

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The assessment by South Koreas spy agency came a couple of days after Russia, on Monday, warned that US President Joe Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to use ATACMS and strike targets inside Russia added fuel to the fire in the Ukraine war.

US officials justified Bidens decision, saying that it was triggered almost entirely by North Koreas entry into the Russia-Ukraine war.

Weapons exported by North Korea to Russia

A report by The Associated Press mentioned another South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong Kweun, who attended a closed-door briefing at parliament, as saying the NIS informed that North Korea has already exported 170mm self-propelled guns and 240mm multiple rocket launch systems to Russia.

Talking to media, the lawmaker further said that as per NIS, the weapons sent are not the type the Russian military could operate easily and therefore, North Korea is expected to send personnel to teach soldiers in Russia how to operate and maintain them.

Kim Jong Un to visit Russia?

A report by Reuters, meanwhile, mentioned lawmaker Park Sun-won, who cited NIS, as saying that earlier this month North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Huis meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during her visit to Moscow was unusual in terms of protocol, and likely went beyond exchanging greetings to cover more significant issues including a possible visit of Kim Jong Un to Russia.

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With inputs from agencies.
A suicide bombing in Bannu, a district in Pakistans Khyber Paktunkhwa province, killed at least 11 security personnel and wounded several others. The Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack read more

A file photograph of Pakistani police looking at the site of a terror attack in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. AP

A suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden vehicle at a security post in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 11 security forces and wounding several others, four intelligence and security officials said Wednesday.

The attack, one of the deadliest in recent months, happened Tuesday evening in Bannu, a district in restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, known as the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement. There was no immediate comment by the government, but the security and intelligence officials said security personnel were carrying out an operation targeting those who orchestrated the attack.

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The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters.

Pakistan has witnessed a steady increase in violence since November 2022, when the Pakistani Taliban ended a monthslong cease-fire with the government in Islamabad.

The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, are a separate group but are allies of the Afghanistan Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan in 2021. The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan emboldened the TTP, whose top leaders and fighters are hiding in Afghanistan.

In December 2023, a suicide bomber targeted a police stations main gate in Dera Ismail Khan, a district in northwestern Pakistan, killing 23 troops.

Tuesdays attack happened in Bannu while the countrys political and military leadership was meeting in Islamabad to discuss how to respond to the surge in militant violence.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday approved a comprehensive military operation against separatist groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army, in southwestern Balochistan province. The order came following a Nov. 9 suicide attack by the group at a train station that killed 26 people in Quetta, the capital of the province.

In recent months. violence has also surged in northwest Pakistan, where security forces often target TTP and the Gul Bahadur group.

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Abdullah Khan, a senior defense analyst and managing director of the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, said over 900 security forces have been killed in militant attacks in Pakistan since 2022, when TTP ended the cease-fire with the government.

TTP and other groups have expanded their operations, showing they are getting more recruits, money and weapons, Khan said. He said there is a need for political stability in the country to defeat the insurgents.

Pakistan has experienced a political crisis since 2022, when then-Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament. He was arrested and imprisoned in 2023. Since then, his supporters have been rallying to demand his release.

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(Except the headline, the story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Ukraine has fired long-range British Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory for the first time, according to a report, citing an unnamed Western official. read more

Storm Shadow debris was found in Russia's Kursk region to the north of Ukraine.

Ukraine has fired long-range British Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory for the first time, according to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday, citing an unnamed Western official.

According to the report, unconfirmed images distributed via the Telegram messaging app appeared to show fragments of the missile at a location within Kursk region.

The UK approved the use of Storm Shadow missiles in response to Russia deploying North Korean troops in its war against Ukraine, a move the British government considered to be an escalation, added the report.

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The issue took center stage at the G20 summit in Brazil this week after US President Joe Biden authorised Ukraine to launch long-range ATACMS missiles at Russian targets.

However, UK leader Keir Starmer did not publicly endorse the decision, despite being seen as a supporter, raising questions about whether his government would approve the use of British-made Storm Shadow missiles, reported Bloomberg.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged Western governments to increase military support, including permitting the use of long-range missiles to strike key Russian targets critical to Vladimir Putins war effort.

In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmers spokesperson, however, declined to comment on the media reports or operational matters.

Britain had previously said Ukraine could use Storm Shadow cruise missiles within Ukrainian territory but Volodymyr Zelenskyys government has been pressing the US for permission to allow their use to strike targets inside Russia for several months.

US President Joe Biden changed its policy to allow Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike deep into Russia this week.

Meanwhile, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday confirmed that the Biden administration will allow Ukraine to use American-supplied antipersonnel land mines to help fight off Russian forces.

Speaking to reporters during a trip to Laos, Austin said Russian ground troops are leading the movement on the battlefield, rather than forces more protected in armoured carriers, so Ukraine has a need for things that can help slow down that effort on the part of the Russians.

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The land mines that we would look to provide them would be land mines that are not persistent, you know, we can control when they would self-activate, self-detonate and that makes it, you know, far more, safer eventually than the things that they are creating on their own, Austin was quoted as saying.

With inputs from agencies
At the G20 Summit in Brazils Rio de Janeiro, global leaders met to address climate change, but US President-elect Donald Trump was the unspoken focus of many discussions. While his return to power was indirectly a part of talks, world leaders tried to avoid mentioning him directly read more

US President-elect Donald Trump was the man who could not be named at the summit. Image courtesy: Reuters

At the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, US President-elect Donald Trump was the man who cannot be named.

The leaders avoided directly mentioning Trump, even as his upcoming return to power made the discussions.

Instead, they used code names like next administration, turbulence, and change to avoid provoking the man who will take office on January 20.

The summit saw leaders working to rush a global response to climate change ahead of Trumps return, considering his plans to roll back US climate policies and reportedly withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Reuters reported.

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ALSO READ | G20 in Brazil: Why is it crucial in todays changing geopolitics?

French President Emmanuel Macron, who made considerable efforts to win over Trump during his first term, made veiled comments at the summit about tariffs and climate.

Any fragmentation or fracturing of the international order by tariff policies which are carried out by the strongest simply leads all others not to respect it, Macron said, refraining from naming Trump.

Notably, Trump has planned to impose sweeping tariffs on imports into the United States, including on goods from Europe and as much as 60 per cent on goods from China.

Macron also referred to fragile climate policies, with Trump warning to take the United States back out of the Paris accords that are aimed at reducing global warming.

The Voldemort of the summit

It was the same whenever leaders spoke, as they seemingly treated Trump like the villain Voldemort in the Harry Potter films and books, whose name the heroes cannot mention.

US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Chinas President Xi Jinping, Indonesias President Prabowo Subianto, French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders gather for a group photo during the G20 summit, November 19, 2024. Reuters

UN chief Antonio Guterres swerved any head-on mention of Trump when he talked of the very important US role on climate and how he was deeply confident that America would move in the direction of climate action.

The only places Trumps face could be seen were on placards held by protesters outside the summit venue - and on the social media feed of Argentinas right-wing, Trump-supporting president.

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Javier Milei reposted a meme contrasting a photo of himself meeting the smiling Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort after the election, with another of Milei beside a grim-faced Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Behind the scenes, officials were careful.

One European diplomat said that the continent had worked with him before and would do so again.

ALSO READ | 5 things PM Modi said at G20 summit

My predecessor to successor

US officials insisted time and again that Trumps name did not come up in outgoing President Joe Bidens final meetings with his counterparts, or even that it was a major consideration.

I dont think we are expecting some major reorientation of how other countries look at the world or look at their relationship with us, Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer told reporters.

Donald Trump at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) gala at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, US, on November 14, 2024. Reuters/File Photo

They will make those decisions for themselves based on their interests, in January.

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Perhaps it was partly out of deference to Biden, making his swan song on the international stage.

Biden himself skirted around the issue - in fact, he has long resisted mentioning the name of the man he often calls my predecessor, who is now his successor.

The 81-year-old Biden tried to shore up his legacy while his fellow summiteers looked over his shoulder.

As Biden remarked that it was his final summit, he called for leaders to keep going - and Im sure you will, regardless of my urging or not.

On the final day, Biden seemed to realise that the return of he-who-cannot-be named was nigh.

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US President Joe Biden at the second day of the G20 Summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, November 19, 2024. Reuters

I have much more to say, Biden said, before stopping himself and adding: Im not going to.

G20 leaders joint statement

G20 nations, responsible for 85% of the global economy and over three-quarters of climate-warming emissions, have a crucial role to play in tackling global warming.

At the closing session of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged member countries to advance their climate neutrality targets to 2040 or 2045, instead of the 2050 timeline pledged by Brazil and others.

On Monday, Lula secured approval for the G20 leaders joint statement addressing climate change. However, some European countries were irked since they wanted a stronger language on the Ukraine-Russia war.

The statement called for rapidly and substantially increasing climate finance from billions to trillions from all sources to combat global warming.

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It also urged negotiators at the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan to finalise a financial framework, resolving the controversial issue of how much wealthy nations should contribute to developing countries for climate action.

US President Joe Biden addressed the G20 gathering and said that the developing countries need to have enough firepower and access to capital to fight climate change and safeguard themselves from its impacts. That money needed to flow into their economies and give breathing room to debt-laden countries, he said.

History is watching us, Biden said. I urge us to keep the faith and keep going. This is the single greatest existential threat to humanity.

With inputs from AFP
US President-elect Donald Trump announced appointment of Mehmet Oz, a former surgeon and TV celebrity known as Dr. Oz, to lead the massive public health insurance program of America. read more

US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz, best known as Dr. Oz, to serve as the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that oversees the healthcare of over 150 million Americans.

Dr. Oz, a doctor and a former TV host, will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trumps nominee for health and human services secretary, to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake.

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According to a report by The Guardian, the Kennedy and Oz combination in leading health policy roles will possibly receive significant pushback from health organisations.

It further said that Ozs role does not require Senate confirmation, while Kennedys does.

Trumps expectations from Dr. Oz

In a statement, announcing the nomination of Dr. Oz, Trump said, America is facing a Healthcare Crisis, and there may be no Physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again.

Dr. Oz will be a leader in incentivising Disease Prevention, so we get the best results in the World for every dollar we spend on Healthcare in our Great Country. He will also cut waste and fraud within our Countrys most expensive Government Agency, which is a third of our Nations Healthcare spend, and a quarter of our entire National Budget," Trump said in the statement.

The US President-elect further said that he is confident that Dr. Oz will fight to ensure everyone in America receives the best possible Healthcare, so our country can be Great and Healthy Again!

Trump continues to surprise with his nominations

With the selection of Dr. Oz, Trump continues with the pattern of appointing television personalities to federal agencies. He has picked his Defence and Transportation nominees who are from Fox News and Fox Business.

Agency observers did not expect that Trump would choose Dr. Oz for the role of administrator of the centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, particularly given the potential leadership of RFK Jr in the health department.

Who is Dr. Oz, Trumps pick to run Medicaid?

Oz, 64, is a trained cardiac surgeon with Turkish heritage before finding fame on The Oprah Winfrey Show in the early 2000s after which he started to host his own TV programme - The Dr Oz Show, where he gives health advice to viewers.

He, however, lacks experience in federal administration.

Criticism against Dr. Oz

In 2014, during Senate hearings, Oz was criticised for endorsing unproven pills that he said would literally flush fat from your system and push fat from your belly.

He has also drawn criticism from experts for promoting what they called was bad health advice about weight loss drugs and miracle cures.

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During the initial days of Covid-19 pandemic, Oz suggested anti-malaria drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as a cure, which experts confirmed were ineffective against the virus.

What Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services do?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services oversee Americas largest healthcare programs and provides health coverage to more than 150 million people in the US.

It regulates health insurance and sets policy that guides the prices that doctors, hospitals and drug companies are paid for medical services.

With inputs from agencies.
Reaffirming its stance, Russia on Wednesday said that a freeze on the conflict in Ukraine along the existing frontlines would be unacceptable to the Russian Federation, according to a report read more

Reaffirming its stance, Russia on Wednesday said that a freeze on the conflict in Ukraine along the existing frontlines would be unacceptable to the Russian Federation.

This comes after the US Department of States Bureau of Consular Affairs on Wednesday announced that the US embassy in Kyiv has received specific information about a potential significant air attack and therefore would be closed.

When Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was asked about the US embassy closing in Kyiv during his daily press briefing, he declined to comment but said that that Russia believes that the outgoing Joe Biden administration had shown that it is fully committed to continuing the war in Ukraine and is doing everything possible to achieve that.

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Taking to X, US Department of State Consular Affairs had earlier posted, The US embassy in Kyiv has received specific information of a potential significant air attack on Wednesday and will be closed.

According to The Guardian report, the US embassy received the information of the potential attack on November 20.

It recommended US citizens to be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.

Further to its post on X, the US Department of State Consular Affairs published a notice on the embassy website saying the closure was out of an abundance of caution.

The warning comes a day after Ukraine used US-made ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia after the outgoing Biden administration lifted restrictions on Ukraines use of the ATACMS on the wars 1,000th day.

On Sunday, US President Joe Biden authorised the use of US-supplied long-range missiles by Ukraine to strike Russian targets, aiming to help Kyiv defend itself while also trying to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

After reports of approval from Biden came in, Zelenskyy said that strikes are not carried out with words and neither are such things announced. Missiles will speak for themselves, he said.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, in response, approved the revisions to Moscows nuclear doctrine. The new policy expands the scope of when Russia can use nuclear weapons.

Putin-approved policy also allows the use of nuclear weapons in retaliation against any significant conventional assault on Russia, including drone attacks.

For months, Moscow has been warning the West that if Washington allows Ukraine to fire US, British and French missiles into Russia, it would consider those NATO members to be directly involved in the war in Ukraine.

With inputs from agencies
The United States on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, arguing that such a move would have strengthened Hamas. The veto sparked strong criticism from both Hamas and the Palestinian envoy to the UN read more

Palestinian Deputy Ambassador to the UN Majed Bamya speaks during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the situation in the Middle East on Wednesday at UN headquarters in New York City. AFP

The United States on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, arguing that such a move would have strengthened Hamas.

The veto drew strong criticism from both Hamas, which blamed the US for being directly responsible for Israels genocidal war in Gaza, and from the Palestinian UN envoy, Majed Bamya, who said there was no justification for the US blocking the resolution.

Again, the United States demonstrates that it is a direct partner in the aggression against our people, that it is a criminal, kills children and women and destroys civilian life in Gaza, and that it is directly responsible for the genocidal war and ethnic cleansing, just like the occupation (Israel), AFP quoted Hamas as saying in a statement.

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Bamya said after the vote theres no justification, no justification whatsoever for vetoing a resolution trying to stop atrocities.

The resolution demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war between Israel and the Palestinian group, along with the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

But the wording angered Israel, with a senior US official warning ahead of the vote that the resolution had the potential only to buoy Hamas, which will have no reason to come to the negotiating table.

Israels UN ambassador Danny Danon said the resolution being considered by the Security Council today is nothing short of a betrayal.

For us, it has to be a linkage between a ceasefire and the release of hostages, AFP quoted Robert Wood, the deputy US ambassador to the United Nations, as saying.

It has been our principle position from the beginning and it still remains.

The war was triggered by the Hamas militants attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, a surprise cross-border raid that resulted in 1,206 deaths, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures compiled by AFP.

In Gaza, the health ministry reported that the death toll from the ensuing conflict had reached 43,985, with the majority being civilians. The United Nations considers these figures reliable.

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Of the 251 hostages taken during the October 7 attack, 97 remain in Gaza, including 34 whom the Israeli military reports as dead.

Nearly all of Gazas 2.4 million residents have been displaced by the conflict, which has created a severe humanitarian crisis.

Gaza will haunt

Since the beginning of the conflict, the Security Council has struggled to speak with one voice, as the United States used its veto power several times, although Russia and China have as well.

China kept demanding stronger language, said the US official who also claimed that Russia had been pulling strings with the countries responsible for pushing the latest resolution.

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The few resolutions that the United States did allow to pass by abstaining stopped short of calling for an unconditional and permanent ceasefire.

In March, the council called for a temporary ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, but this appeal was ignored by the warring parties.

And in June, the 15-member body pledged support for a US resolution that laid out a multi-stage ceasefire and hostage release plan that ultimately went nowhere.

We regret that the Council could have incorporated compromise language the UK put forward to bridge the existing gaps With that language, This resolution should have been adopted, Wood, the US envoy, said following the vote.

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Some diplomats have expressed optimism that following Donald Trumps election win on November 5, President Joe Biden might be more flexible in his few remaining weeks in power.

They hoped for a repeat of December 2016 when then-president Barack Obamas second term was finishing and the council passed a resolution calling for a halt to Israeli settlement building in the occupied territories, a first since 1979.

The United States refrained from using its veto then, a break from traditional US support for Israel on the sensitive issue of settlements.

The resolution vetoed on Wednesday calls for safe and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance at scale, including in besieged northern Gaza, and denounces any attempt to starve the Palestinians.

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The Palestinian delegation at the United Nations has suggested the text did not go far enough.

Gazas fate will haunt the world for generations to come, ambassador Riyad Mansour warned.

He said the only course of action for the Security Council is to call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire under Chapter 7 of the UN charter.

That chapter allows the council to take steps to enforce its resolutions, such as sanctions, but the latest text made no reference to this option.

With inputs from agencies
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar received compliments from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as he and PM Modi arrived for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil read more

India-Indonesia bilateral meeting on the sidelines of G20 Summit in Brazil attended by PM Modi, EAM Jaishakar and President Prabowo Subianto. Source: X | @narendramodi

You are very famous, newly-elected Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto told Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazils capital city Rio de Janeiro.

In the video, Subianto is seen greeting PM Modi and shaking hands with him. He then walks towards the entrance of the room to welcome EAM Jaishankar.

The EAM introduced himself to Subianto who is then heard saying: I know you, you are very famous.

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The compliment prompted PM Modi to turn back, before taking his seat, and look towards Jaishankar and Subianto with a big smile.

Both Jaishankar and Subianto then shook hands before proceeding for the bilateral meeting.

 'I Know You, You're Very Famous' - Indonesian President Prabowo Greets EAM Jaishankar During Bilateral Talks At #G20Summit In Brazil pic.twitter.com/jvFjr5qDS6  RT_India (@RT_India_news) November 19, 2024

Jaishankar is recognised for his remarkable sharpness and efficiency. The EAM has played a key role in shaping a bold foreign policy while adeptly managing diverse geopolitical challenges.

It was the first bilateral meeting between PM Modi and the Indonesian President during which the Indian PM congratulated Subianto on his assumption of office.

Both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties in the framework of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

They discussed cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, defence and security, connectivity, tourism, health, and people-to-people ties. Both leaders noted that India and Indonesia are commemorating 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations and called for celebrating the occasion in a befitting manner, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

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The leaders also exchanged views on global and regional issues. Discussing their close collaboration within the G 20, they called for giving primacy to the concerns of the Global South. They also reviewed ongoing cooperation in multilateral and plurilateral arenas, including ASEAN, the statement further said.

Earlier this month, a video of Subianto phone call congratulating Donald Trump on his US Presidential win went viral in which he called Trump sir multiple times.

Also Read: Watch | How many times Indonesias Prabowo calls Trump sir, netizens wonder

Wherever you are, I am willing to fly to congratulate you personally, sir, Subianto told Trump.

Meanwhile, the US-President elect said he was proud of Subianto for doing a great job in Indonesia while praising his English.

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With inputs from agencies.
Xiaomi just launched the Redmi A4 5G, the companys latest budget 5G smartphone in India, as the successor to last years Redmi A3, as it had promised.

It packs a 6.88-inch HD+ screen with 120Hz refresh rate, 5MP selfie camera inside the notch, and is the first smartphone to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 SoC which only supports 5G SA and doesnt have support for 5G NSA network. It has up to 4GB of RAM with additional 4GB RAM expansion. The phone will get 2 years of software updates and 4 years of security updates.

The Redmi A4 5G comes with a premium looking halo glass back design. The phone packs a 50MP main camera along with a secondary camera. There is a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and packs a 5160mAh battery with 18W fast charging with 33W charger in the box.

Redmi A4 5G specifications

6.88-inch (1600 x 720 pixels) HD+ 20:9 aspect ratio display, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 600 nits of peak brightness

Octa Core Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 4nm Mobile Platform (2 GHz x 2 A78-based + 1.8GHz x 6 A55-based Kryo CPUs) with Adreno 611 GPU

4GB LPDDR4X RAM with 64GB / 128GB UFS2.2 internal storage, expandable memory up to 1TB with microSD

Android 14 with Xiaomi HyperOS

Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD)

50MP rear primary camera with f/1.8 aperture, secondary camera

5MP front camera with f/2.2 aperture

Side-mounted fingerprint sensor

3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio

Dimensions: 171.8877.808.22mm; Weight: 212.35g

5G SA (n1/n3/n5/n8/n28/n40/n78), Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.3, GPS + GLONASS, USB Type-C Port

5160mAh (typical) battery with support for 18W charging

Pricing and availability

The Redmi A4 5G comes in Starry Black and Sparkle Purple colours and is priced at Rs. 8499 for the 4GB + 64GB version, and the 4GB + 128GB model costs Rs. 9,499 inclusive of offers.

It will be available from Amazon.in, mi.com and offline stores starting from November 27th.

Commenting on the launch, Anuj Sharma, Chief Marketing Officer, Xiaomi India, said:

With the global debut of the Redmi A4 5G, we reaffirm our commitment to making advanced 5G connectivity a reality for India. Priced at just 8499*, this device is a testament to our belief in Innovation for Everyone, breaking new ground by delivering true 5G at a price point where such options are practically non-existent. The Redmi A4 5G not only offers a best-in-segment large HD+ display, a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and a premium Halo Glass Sandwich design, but also brings the future of connectivity within reach for millions of Indian consumers. Designed keeping in mind the needs of Indian users, this launch underscores our dedication to digital inclusion, empowering entry-level users to experience the true potential of 5G technology and setting a new benchmark for practicality and performance in the segment.
Google today introduced Air View+, an innovative, ecosystem-based solution designed to provide both government authorities and the general public with real-time, hyperlocal air quality data. Powered by Google AI and in collaboration with local climate tech firms, this initiative aims to address the growing challenge of air pollution in India.

Tackling Air Pollution Challenges

As India continues to experience rapid growth, air pollution has become a significant environmental issue. Google highlighted that air pollution not only diminishes the livability of cities but also places a heavy burden on the healthcare system. Health problems caused by poor air quality contribute to physical and financial stress for individuals and communities alike.

Until now, the ability to take targeted action against air pollution has been limited by insufficient and imprecise data at a hyperlocal level. Air View+ aims to fill this gap by providing accurate, real-time air quality insights to both government agencies and citizens.

How Air View+ Works

Air View+ adopts a collaborative approach, bringing together local sustainability startups, climate action groups, corporations, and citizens. Climate tech firms, such as Aurassure and Respirer Living Sciences, have installed air quality sensors in over 150 cities across India. These sensors measure key air quality parameters, including PM2.5, PM10, CO2, NO2, Ozone, and VOCs, as well as temperature and humidity.

The sensors are strategically placed in areas such as administrative buildings, commercial spaces, and utility poles. They collect data every minute, which is validated and calibrated with the support of local researchers from IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, and state pollution boards. This data is then analyzed using Google AI to generate actionable insights.

Key Features of Air View+

Real-Time Air Quality Data: Air View+ offers hyperlocal air quality data, available to government agencies, urban planners, and citizens across India.

AI-Powered Insights: The system uses Google AI to model and analyze data from various sources, including local air quality sensors, weather patterns, satellite imagery, and more.

Valuable for Urban Planning: Local governments can use these insights to improve environmental monitoring and urban planning.

Accessible to Citizens: Users can view real-time air quality information through Google Maps, helping them make informed decisions about outdoor activities.

Empowering Governments and Citizens

Local Governments: Air View+ provides municipal corporations with detailed, hyperlocal air quality data. This data helps cities identify pollution hotspots and take necessary actions to improve air quality. Pilot projects in cities like Navi Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Greater Chennai have already shown encouraging results.

Citizens: The Air Quality Index (AQI) is now available on Google Maps, enabling users to access real-time air quality information at a granular level. The system uses data from sensors, government sources, and other inputs to generate a dynamic AQI tailored to Indias National Air Quality Index (NAQI) standards. This feature is especially beneficial for vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly, allowing families to take preventive health measures like wearing N95 masks or avoiding outdoor exposure.

How to Access AQI on Google Maps

Open Google Maps and select the Air Quality layer from the Layer button on the homescreen. Tap any location on the map to view air quality details. Click the Weather widget on the Explore tab for AQI information about your current location.

Availability

This new feature is now accessible to users across India, providing essential air quality information directly in Google Maps.

Speaking about the launch of Google Air View+, Yael Maguire, VP & GM of Google Maps Platform & Google Earth, said,
Acer has opened its first mega concept store, Acer Plaza, in Ahmedabad. Located in Prahlad Nagar, the flagship store offers customers a chance to experience a wide range of Acer and Acerpure products, including laptops, smart TVs, air purifiers, and more.

The launch of Acer Plaza coincides with Acers 25th anniversary in India and reflects the companys commitment to expanding its retail presence in the country. Ahmedabad was strategically chosen for this first concept store due to its rapidly growing tech market.

Acer Plaza is more than just a store; its an immersive experience. By showcasing its diverse product portfolio in one place, Acer aims to provide customers with a premium and interactive shopping experience.

This launch is just the beginning of Acers retail expansion plans in India. The company aims to open more such stores across the country, bringing high-quality technology closer to Indian consumers.

Commenting on the launch of the new store, Andrew Hou, President, Pan-Asia Pacific, Acer Inc., said:

This year is a special one as we celebrate 25 years of Acer in India. The opening of our first mega store, Acer Plaza, in Ahmedabad is just the beginning of a larger journey of expanding our base and offering a range of products from Acer PCs to Acerpure Home Appliances. We are excited to bring this unique retail experience to other cities across India. Acer Plaza exemplifies our commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology while fostering a closer connection with our customers through immersive, personalized experiences.

Harish Kohli, President & Managing Director, Acer India, added:

We understand that todays consumers seek more than just productsthey seek experiences that bring technology to life. Acer Plaza offers customers a space to interact directly with our latest innovations across Acer and Acerpure products, showcasing how our solutions can seamlessly integrate into and enhance their daily lives. This will be the start of bringing more Acer Plaza stores to our consumers and to our ambitious goal of opening overall 300 stores by the first half of 2025 in both Acer Plaza and Acer Mall format, strengthening our engagement with consumers across India.

Sudhir Goel, Chief Business Officer, Acer India, added:

The launch of Acer Plaza in Ahmedabad marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide customers with an immersive and holistic retail experience. Bringing together cutting-edge technology and an expansive range of offerings across PCs, tablets, consumer electronics, appliances, and personal care, Acer Plaza reflects our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. We are also proud to showcase Make in India products in laptops, tablets, Smart TVs, Desktops PCs, water purifiers, and more, which are locally manufactured products. This store sets a new benchmark in experiential retail, and we are excited to expand our footprint across the country.
Shenzhou-19 astronauts celebrate 25th anniversary of Shenzhou-1 launch with commemorative video

Xinhua) 22:30, November 20, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship recorded a video on Wednesday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the successful launch of Shenzhou-1, the country's first experimental crewed spaceship launched on Nov. 20, 1999.

The Shenzhou-19 crew members, Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, paid tribute to all the pioneers who have contributed to the country's space exploration efforts in the video.

Shenzhou-1 marked the first step taken by China in turning manned spaceflight from blueprint into reality and laid a strong foundation for the age-old dream of the Chinese nation to navigate the space, said commander Cai Xuzhe in the video, a seasoned astronaut who previously journeyed into orbit on the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022.

The main goal of the Shenzhou-1 launch was to examine the performance and reliability of the launch vehicle, a Long March-2F carrier rocket, and evaluate key space exploration technology.

The launch of Shenzhou-5 in October 2003 was another milestone for China's manned space program, as the mission successfully sent astronaut Yang Liwei into space, making China the third country to send a man into space after the Soviet Union and the United States.

Shenzhou-19, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China early on Oct. 30. This mission is the 33rd of China's manned space program since the debut of Shenzhou-1.

Since their arrival, the Shenzhou-19 crew has been actively advancing their mission objectives. They have inspected and maintained their extravehicular spacesuits, ensured the operational status of the regenerative life support systems, and monitored the acoustic environment within the cabin, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The astronauts have completed several scheduled medical examinations, including hearing tests, and conducted in-orbit exercises to mitigate the effects of microgravity on the body.

The trio simulated emergency scenarios in collaboration with ground-based researchers and carried out their first comprehensive pressure emergency drill and in-orbit medical rescue training.

On Saturday, the Shenzhou-19 crew received six tonnes of materials, including 458 kilograms of scientific research supplies, after the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the space station.

The scientific supplies aboard will support 36 experiments in several fields, including the space life sciences, biotechnology, materials science, microgravity fluid physics and combustion, and the testing of new technologies for space application.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan)
Elon Musk gives a tour to US President-elect Donald Trump and lawmakers of the control room before the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket on November 19, 2024 in Brownsville, Texas
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Europeans Probe Baltic Cable Damage As Suspicions Turn Toward Russia

By RFE/RL November 19, 2024

European government and the United States have accused Russia of intensifying "hybrid attacks" following reports that Baltic Sea fiber-optic communications cables were damaged by suspected sabotage, although they have not yet directly tied Moscow to the damage.

Moscow has long denied it is involved in sabotaging Western infrastructure to punish European countries for their assistance to Ukraine's defense, but suspicions grew in Western capitals on November 19 that damage to two key Baltic Sea cables were likely the result of deliberate actions.

Ukraine's allies pointed to past incidents of alleged sabotage by Moscow, especially following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has hit the 1,000-day mark amid devastating losses on both sides.

"Moscow's escalating hybrid activities against NATO and EU countries are also unprecedented in their variety and scale, creating significant security risks," the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Britain said in a statement.

"Our European security is not only under threat from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors. Safeguarding our shared critical infrastructure is vital to our security and the resilience of our societies," the statement said.

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, during his regular daily briefing, said Washington generally is "incredibly" concerned about hybrid warfare conducted by Russian and that it remains in touch with European allies, although he did not directly mention the cable damages.

The comments come as regional states investigated the cutting of the Baltic cables -- one connecting Finland to Germany and one linking Sweden and Lithuania -- following similar suspicious occurrences in the sea in recent years.

"If Russia does not stop committing acts of sabotage in Europe, Warsaw will close the rest of [Russia's] consulates in Poland," Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said.

Boris Pistorius, Germany defense chief, said, "No one believes that these cables were cut accidentally."

"We also have to assume, without knowing it yet, that it is sabotage," Pistorius said.

Swedish prosecutors and Finland's National Bureau of Investigation separately said national authorities had launched investigations into the cut cables.

Moscow has said such allegations are being fabricated by the West to discredit Russia.

CNN in September cited two U.S. officials as stating that Washington believed Moscow was likely to carry out sabotage operations, saying it had been bolstering its secretive marine unit that deploys ships, submarines, and drones to survey the Baltic seabed.

NATO stepped up monitoring critical infrastructure in the Baltic following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the destruction of the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline seven months later.

A year ago, Finland said it couldn't exclude that a "state actor" was responsible for damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable in the Baltic Sea.

With reporting by Reuters, CNN, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-baltic-cables- sabotage/33208364.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Foreign Affairs Council (Defence): Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell ahead of the meeting

European External Action Service (EEAS)

19.11.2024

Brussels, Belgium

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Good morning,

Happy to see you again.

Well, today it is Defence. Yesterday, it was Foreign Affairs [Council]. Today, we are going to discuss about the situation on the military side of these troubled times.

It is my 123rd Council and we are in a moment in which it is 1,000 days since the [Russian] war [of aggression] against Ukraine started.

As I said yesterday, maybe we should take into account the war that started when Russia invaded Crimea. Then, we would be talking about 4,000 days of war.

The full-scale, the full invasion, is 1,000 days [long]. Something that, for sure, Putin could not imagine. He was planning a two weeks' war to be in Kyiv quickly, and change "the regime" in Ukraine. 1,000 days later, Ukrainians still resist, with a lot of success in the battlefield. A lot of efforts, a lot of casualties from both sides, and a lot of support from the European Union.

Today, we are going to discuss with the Defence Ministers about how we continue supporting Ukraine.

We will have with us the new Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), [Mark Rutte]. Together with NATO, the Ministers of Defence will have an overview of the situation in the battlefield and our supplies to Ukraine.

Since it is my last Council, allow me to have a look at what has happened during these last five years. I think that on defence, we did a lot. We will still have to do more but we did quite a [big] number of important things.

We launched the European Peace Facility, and, thanks to this instrument, we were able to provide military support to Ukraine, for the first time.

We launched the Strategic Compass, which is at the end a kind of white book on European Defence, where all Member States agreed on how we can contribute to European Defence and how to increase our military capacities together.

I want to use this opportunity to explain clearly that the Strategic Compass described European Defence not only as producing ammunition. It is very important to have an industrial capacity; without an industrial capacity, you cannot have a defence. But it is not for the Europeans to produce ammunition, and for NATO to organise the defence of Europe. Europeans have to have their own responsibilities.

Europeans have to organise their defence, certainly, inside NATO, but building their own strategic capacities. This is the message of the Strategic Compass, approved by all Member States.

NATO is the framework for the territorial defence of Europe. [There is] no doubt about it, but Europeans have to engage on defence - much more than just being a factory, much more than just producing arms. They have their strategic responsibilities too. As Europeans, we have to build the European pillar inside NATO.

We launched an unprecedented level of support to a country at war, through the European Peace Facility, and through [the support provided by] Member States.

We have increased our defence capacity.

Today, the military expenditure of the European [Union] Member [States] is 30% more than at the beginning of the war. One third more. In the last year, it has been increasing very much, because once you start producing, it is a process that continues increasing.

We have to do it, because the Ukrainians need our support. The figure, [expected for this] year, of military expenditure [will] reach []326 billion.

We will discuss that at the European Defence Agency Board. Today, it is the Foreign Affairs Council in its Defence format. But [it should] also [be said that] the Board of the European Defence Agency is doing an incredible job, analysing where the capacities of the European armies are, how can we make them to work together, how to avoid duplications, [and] how can we fill the gaps. This work has been done silently during the last years, and this represents the best contribution to the analysis of the European Defence capacities.

I said we will have here the Secretary General of NATO in order to work together in our common defence.

We launched the most ambitious training mission ever, [EUMAM Ukraine]. We have trained more than 65.000 Ukrainian soldiers. You know, sending a soldier to the battlefield without the adequate training is to send him to die.

They need training. They need the training that makes a soldier able to use modern warfare. All over Europe the Europeans have been training the Ukrainian soldiers.

We have launched two military missions with a global perspective: in the Red Sea, [with] ASPIDES; in the Mediterranean, [with] IRINI - apart from other missions, which [have] regional impact, like for example in Mozambique.

All in all, I think that Europeans have been building better capacities, stronger capacities, to face the challenges of this world. And they have to continue doing so. They have to continue increasing their capacities because our capacities are not the ones we need in order to face the [Russian] war [of aggression] in Ukraine, and the instability in many of the countries around us. Europeans have to understand that the military expenditure today is something that they need, they have to privilege [it] and they have to invest on it.

How much do we spend on defence? The last figures say that we are, all together, almost at the 2% target. We are at 1.9% [of GDP expenditure]. I mean all together - certainly, there are big differences.

Some Member States are above 4%. Others are still bellow 1.5%. These efforts have to be coordinated. These efforts have to be done together. To spend together is the best way of saving money for the Europeans - and at the same time to increase their capacity of defence.

I have been also in charge of that. Not only diplomacy, also pushing, explaining why the Europeans need to rearm: because we live in a challenging world, and we need to have capacities to defend our interests and our values.

Keep in mind that the European Union is not just an economic union, it is a political union. It has political responsibilities, also in the field of defence, as part of NATO - but with our own capacity, with our own will. Without it, we will not be able to face the challenges of the world.

Q&A.

Q. If the United States cut off support for Ukraine, will this be enough not just to protect Ukraine but also to keep Europe safe?

Europeans cannot be on a reactive mode. They cannot sit and wait [for] what Americans are going to do and then react. Allow me to answer your question: we cannot be waiting for Trump to decide. Our support to Ukraine has to continue. We will see what is happening, we do not know what is going to happen. But for the time being, for today, and tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, people are fighting and dying in the battlefield. They are not speculating. They are risking their lives. So, today, and tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, what we have to do is to continue supporting them. And then we will see what is happening.

Q. How disappointed are you that you did not manage to facilitate a common position of the European Union countries when it comes to the use of long-range weapons in Russia?

Well, the United States took an important decision yesterday, that I certainly applaud. After long discussions, President Biden authorised the use of long-range weapons [up to] 300 kilometres inside the Russian territory. That is very good news for the Ukrainians, they have been asking for that. Now, the United States has granted this permission. In Europe, it is the national competence. Some Member States are already doing that, openly, and others they are doing it without saying it. Others, yesterday, they said nothing - but I am sure they will follow the example of the United States, to allow the Ukrainians to use their arms to fight against Russians inside Russian territory. It is from the Russian territory from where they are being attacked. [This proposal] is fully in accordance with international law. So, I think that, today, we will discuss about it. I hope that all Member States will follow the United States' decision.

Q. How long will it take to follow the United States' decision?

I do not know. Let's see the discussion today.

Q. You mention that today will be the last day for you at the Council meeting, can you tell us your good memories and bad memories?

What will remain in my memory was one day, at 6 o'clock in the morning, when the phone rang and a voice told me: "they are bombing Kyiv". With this short sentence, "they are bombing Kyiv", at 6 o'clock in the morning, a new era of our history opened.

Q. High Representative, [and the] good?

Well, in the matter of defence, you do not have very good memories. Maybe, when I was able to provide to a group of young Afghan women the possibility of being accepted inside the European Union and start a new life, escaping the Taliban's regime and starting a new life inside the European Union - thanks to the efforts of my services, who took them and sent them to a European State. The idea that these young ladies were going to escape and start living in freedom, as you, [that] was a good day.

Q. Could you tell us if you are afraid that after 1,000 days of war in Ukraine the war will spill to other countries, like Poland?

Look, this war affects everybody, not only the Ukrainians, not only the Europeans; it is a war with geopolitical consequences. No one can escape to the consequences of this war, either because there is an energy crisis, a food crisis, or just people being killed - on one side or the other. It has changed the world. It started a new era. So, let's face the current circumstances and make all the Member States unite in support to Ukraine.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-264208



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North Macedonia: New Security and Defence Partnership with the EU to strengthen capabilities and cooperation

European External Action Service (EEAS)

19.11.2024

North Macedonia

EEAS Press Team

On 19 November, the EU and North Macedonia signed a Security and Defence Partnership.

This new political framework for dialogue and cooperation on security and defence issues was signed by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, on behalf of the European Union and by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timco Mucunski, on behalf of North Macedonia. The Partnership establishes a platform for enhanced dialogue and cooperation on security and defence issues, reflecting the determination of both Parties to work together to address shared security challenges in an increasingly complex global environment.

The ongoing, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine highlights the critical importance of unity and close cooperation within the EU and with its closest partners. North Macedonia is a candidate to join the European Union and an important and valuable partner for the EU in the areas of security and defence. As such, it is also an active third state participant in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

The newly adopted Security and Defence Partnership builds on this strong foundation, paving the way for increased collaboration in key areas, including crisis management, support to Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, cyber security, capability building and training, counter-terrorism and external aspects of integrated border management.

The signature of the Security and Defence Partnership will benefit citizens in both EU and North Macedonia by promoting peace, stability and security.

The areas identified for collaboration in the Security and Defence Partnership will be regularly reviewed to track progress and ensure the Partnership remains robust and best addresses evolving challenges.

The September 2024 decision of the EU to provide 13 million support under the European Peace Facility to the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia has been an important milestone in our security and defence cooperation. Together with a March 2023 decision, they reflect the EU's appreciation for North Macedonia's full alignment with the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, which is a very clear expression of North Macedonia's strategic choice for a future within the EU.

The EU and North Macedonia stand united in their determination to deepen their cooperation in addressing pressing issues related to security and defence, and explore new avenues for joint action. This partnership represents a significant step forward in their shared commitment to a safer and more resilient Europe.







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Norway to invite France, Germany, UK and US to discussions on strategic partnership for new frigates for the Royal Norwegian Navy

Government of Norway

News story | Date: 19/11/2024

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence today announced its intention to invite the French, German, British and US governments to begin discussions regarding a potential strategic partnership for deliveries of new frigates to replace the Royal Norwegian Navy's current Fridtjof Nansen-class.

'The new frigates represent the largest acquisition planned for the Norwegian Armed Forces in the coming years. Norway is an important maritime nation in NATO, and through this and other maritime investments we will be strengthening both national and allied security', said Norwegian Minister of Defence, Mr. Bjrn Arild Gram.

In June 2024 the Norwegian Parliament passed the new Long-Term Plan for the Norwegian Armed Forces, which calls for the acquisition of a minimum of five, optionally six new anti-submarine frigates with embarked anti-submarine helicopters.

The plan stresses that the new frigates are not to be procured as stand-alone vessels, but through a long-term and mutually beneficial strategic partnership with a close ally with strategic interests closely aligned with those of Norway. This strategic partnership is to include joint acquisition, operation, maintenance, continuous development and upgrades of the new frigates throughout their service life. To limit the need for upgrades of the Fridtjof Nansen-class, Norway is also looking to accelerate the acquisition by joining an existing production line for such vessels.

'Solid and predictable cooperation on both security and defence policy will be at the heart of the strategic partnership that we envision, which will include everything from force generation to operations and joint development of new capabilities. It is therefore essential that we and our partners have the same long-term interests', said Norwegian Minister of Defence, Mr. Bjrn Arlid Gram.

The Norwegian Government intends to make its final decision on a future strategic partner during 2025. In the coming selection process, the Minister of Defence stresses the importance of identifying potential industrial opportunities.

'The Norwegian Government's goal is that our planned maritime investments should help generate jobs and opportunities throughout the country. A key consideration will therefore be the ability for Norwegian technology and industry to contribute to the development and sustainment of both our own future frigates and those of our chosen strategic partner' said Norwegian Minister of Defence, Mr. Bjrn Arild Gram.

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Published Letter of Intent (LOI) between Sweden and Lithuania

Government Offices of Sweden

19 November 2024

On 19 November 2024, Sweden's Minister for Defence Pal Jonson and Lithuania's Minister of Defence Laurynas Kaciunas signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on strengthened defence cooperation between Sweden and Lithuania.

Download:

Sweden has good and close relations with Lithuania, which has been an important cooperation partner for Sweden within the framework of both NATO and the EU. Both countries safeguard their defence cooperation around the Baltic Sea and emphasise the importance of promoting continued Nordic-Baltic defence cooperation.

Sweden and Lithuania already have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) within the field of defence, which was entered into in 2011. Through the LOI, a step is now being taken to deepen and develop the defence cooperation with Lithuania.

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Sweden and Lithuania sign Letter of Intent

Government Offices of Sweden

19 November 2024

On 19 November, Sweden's Minister for Defence Pal Jonson met with Lithuania's Minister of Defence Laurynas Kaciunas. During the meeting, a Letter of Intent (LOI) on strengthened defence cooperation between Sweden and Lithuania was signed.

Sweden has good and close relations with Lithuania, which has been an important cooperation partner for Sweden within the framework of both NATO and the EU. Both countries safeguard their defence cooperation around the Baltic Sea and emphasise the importance of promoting continued Nordic-Baltic defence cooperation.

Sweden and Lithuania already have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) within the field of defence, which was entered into in 2011. Through the LOI, a step is now being taken to deepen and develop the defence cooperation with Lithuania.

"This is a step for Sweden and Lithuania to further develop our cooperation. With both countries now NATO members, possibilities for cooperation are expanding - not least regarding security in the Baltic Sea region," says Mr Jonson.

Lithuania has shown interest in acquiring CV90 combat vehicles. There is an ongoing dialogue between the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and their Lithuanian counterpart regarding a joint acquisition of CV90 combat vehicles, together with Sweden and potentially, additional partners.

"Lithuania's interest in CV90 combat vehicles is positive and comes with opportunities for co-acquisition with Sweden and potentially, additional partners. A co-procurement like this provides economies of scale for the countries concerned and strengthens the production capacity of industry. This is positive for the security of supply in the field of combat vehicles for all users of the system," says Mr Jonson.

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Vietnam receives first US military aircraft

The delivery of 5 Beechcraft training aircraft points to potential future arms deals.

By RFA Staff 2024.11.19 -- A batch of five Beechcraft T-6C Texan II - the first military aircraft provided by the U.S. to Vietnam - has arrived in Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, witnesses told Radio Free Asia.

One witness, who didn't want to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, said he saw five training aircraft, all painted with Vietnamese air force markings, at the civilian airport in the southern hub but was told they'd be moved to a military airbase soon.

The flight tracking website Flightradar24 said the first of them landed at around midday on Monday after a nearly two-hour flight from Don Mueang airport in Bangkok where it had made a transit.

The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is a single-engine turboprop aircraft built by Textron Aviation used for pilot training, especially those flying U.S fighter jets such as the F-16. Vietnam's acquisition of them indicates possible F-16 purchases in the future, say analysts, in order to modernize its air force that has traditionally been dependent on Soviet-made hardware.

According to the manufacturer, the T-6 Texan II is a next generation military trainer designed for all instruction levels.

Vietnam ordered 12 brand-new T-6C Texan II aircraft, the export variant of the T-6, in 2021 in what was seen by observers as a big step forward since the end of the Vietnam War.

Washington only lifted its ban on the sales of lethal weapons to Vietnam in 2016. At Vietnam's first defense expo in December 2022, then U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper said his country wanted to be part of Hanoi's efforts to globalize, diversify and modernize its armed forces.

Brigadier General Sarah Russ from the U.S. Pacific Air Force, or PACAF, told Vietnamese media in the same month that the training aircraft would be delivered during the 2024-2027 period.

"The arrival of the Beechcraft aircraft represents a small but important step forwards in Vietnam's defense relations with America," said Ian Storey, a senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

"However, it remains to be seen whether Vietnam will purchase any big-ticket items from the U.S. such as second-hand F-16s or whether it will stick with its more trusted partner Russia," he added. "Newer U.S. planes, such as the F-35, are way out of Vietnam's budget."

Air force modernization

The five T-6C Texan II trainers left the U.S. early this month and flew via Europe and the Middle East before reaching Vietnam, according to Flightradar24.

A Vietnamese military source told RFA that they will be based with the 920 regiment at the Phan Thiet military airport in central Binh Thuan province.

Since the end of the Vietnam War, the Vietnamese air force has been operating a number of western aircraft seized from the South Vietnam military but the T-6C Texan II is the first direct purchase from the U.S.

Most of Vietnam's warplanes have been supplied by the Soviet Union, and later Russia, among them 35 Sukhoi Su-30s and more than 30 Su-22s, the older variant.

Vietnam bought 12 Yak-130 jet trainers from Russia in 2019, leading to speculation that it might be ordering more advanced Russian fighters.

"Moscow is keen to sell Hanoi its Su-57 and Su-75 stealth fighters. But Western sanctions against Russia and problems in Russia's defense sector will give Vietnam pause for thought," Storey told RFA.

Another contributing factor is the safety record of Russian equipment.

In January, a Vietnam Air Force Su-22 tactical fighter-bomber lost control and crashed during a routine training flight in Quang Nam province.

This month, a Yak-130 training aircraft exploded mid-air in Binh Dinh province. Its two pilots managed to eject and survived.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Sok Chenda Sophea out as Cambodia's foreign minister

Laos also replaces its foreign minister.

By RFA Khmer 2024.11.19 -- Cambodia's former foreign minister Prak Sokhonn will soon return to the role after the country's lawmakers vote on a cabinet reshuffle, the National Assembly said in a statement Tuesday.

Prak Sokhonn, who previously served in the role between 2016 and 2023, is the current vice president of the Senate. He will retake the foreign ministerial role from Sok Chenda Sophea, who will become deputy prime minister.

Cambodia has about a dozen people serving concurrently with that title.

The statement did not explain the reasoning behind the reshuffle.

Chenda Sophea has seemingly failed to implement Cambodia's political and economic policies on the global stage, Seng Vanly, a geopolitical observer who focuses on Southeast Asia and the Pacific, told Radio Free Asia.

But he also said that the return of Prak Sokhonn would not restore Cambodia's relationship with Western countries because the country is plagued with crime, human rights abuses, corruption and a decline in democracy.

"When Prak Sokhonn controlled the ministry, Cambodia was trying to influence people overseas and caused a split between Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha's supporters," he said. "But under Sok Chenda, overseas Cambodians have become more united."

RFA was not able reach National Assembly spokesman Leng Peng Long.

Meanwhile Laos' National Assembly approved a reshuffle on Thursday, elevating deputy foreign minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane to foreign minister, replacing Saleumxay Kommasith

Thongsavanh Phomvihane is the son of the late Lao president and first secretary general of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Kaysone Phomvihane.

He previously served as head of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee Commission for External Relations, and as part of the Foreign Ministry served as a diplomat in China, Vietnam and several other countries that were once part of the Soviet Union.

Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Eugene Whong.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Georgian Protesters Resume Rally After Police Violently Disperse Crowds

By RFE/RL's Georgian Service November 19, 2024

TBILISI -- Georgian anti-government protesters resumed their rallies at several points in Tbilisi in the evening on November 19 hours following a violent dispersal by security forces of a tent city they had set up in the Caucasus nation's capital.

Protesters arrived at several key intersections in the city and the State University in Tbilisi around 7 p.m., with one of the organizers saying, "We will not take a single step backward."

"We have declared the resistance movement, and this movement will only go forward," said the organizer, Elene Khoshtaria of the pro-West Coalition for Change.

"The police will leave, the [Moscow-friendly Georgian Dream party] will leave, and Russia will also leave this country," she said.

The opposition protesters have been demanding a repeat of parliamentary elections amid claims of widespread fraud and Russian influence during the October 26 polls that were won by the Georgian Dream party, which has been in power since 2012.

Earlier, around 7 a.m., Georgian police began violently dispersing the dayslong protest at the university, detaining at least 16 people and taking down the tents where demonstrators calling for fresh elections had taken shelter from the cold during the night.

The Interior Ministry told RFE/RL that the 16 people detained were held 16 for alleged disobedience to the lawful demands of the police and petty hooliganism. Three of them were released on their own recognizance.

Video footage by RFE/RL correspondents in Tbilisi showed police dragging people to the ground, including women, and beating them before taking them away. Among those detained was Sergi Baramidze, a cameraman for the opposition channel Mtavari, who was beaten and had his camera smashed.

Reports said many people were injured during the police raid.

Tbilisi has been rocked by protests since the elections, including on November 17-18, when demonstrators marched through the center of Tbilisi, blocking one of the main avenues, then set up tents and sleeping bags at central sites.

Some of those detained on November 19 and taken to the Interior Ministry were later released. Among them was Maya Gogidze, from the opposition's political group Lelo.

She described her ordeal to RFE/RL.

"Suddenly I heard a scream as they started dragging and taking away the participants in the rally one by one.... Law enforcement officers acted in groups, grabbing one demonstrator, dragging him away, then moving on to another," Gogidze said.

"I saw that they were dragging a young boy on the asphalt and I ran to help him. They dragged me from there and suddenly I found myself facing a protester whose face was covered in blood. The police...lifted me up in the air and took me to the car."

The office of President Salome Zurabishvili -- who backs the protesters and has refused to recognize the October 26 vote -- said she filed a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court on November 19, "requesting annulment of the election results as unconstitutional."

At a news conference the previous day, Zurabishvili said, "I will file a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court for violation" of election principles," although she acknowledged little hope of success.

"This is not because I believe in the Constitutional Court -- we all know that no institution in this country is independent any longer and we have received evidence of this repeatedly.

"But this should be as a sign that no legal dispute in the country should go uncontested" and that justices should have a chance to openly demonstrate their "conscience," she added.

She reiterated that she did not recognize the elections as legitimate and considered it necessary to hold a new vote, but only with a new election administration chosen with the help of international partners.

The latest protests broke out after Georgia's Central Election Commission (CEC) on November 16 validated the results of last month's disputed elections, despite accusations of widespread fraud and Russian interference.

According to the official results, Georgian Dream won 53.93 percent of the vote against 37.79 percent garnered by an opposition alliance.

The Central Election Commission announced the result during an acrimonious session that was briefly interrupted after opposition representative Davit Kirtadze splashed a black liquid on CEC chief Giorgi Kalandarishvili and called him a "dark spot."

Georgia's pro-European opposition has boycotted the new parliament, renouncing its mandates from the October 26 vote, alleging widespread fraud and Russian interference.

EU and other Western officials have expressed serious doubts about the elections and perceived irregularities.

Georgia has been a candidate for EU membership since last year, but a "foreign influence" law and anti-LGBT measures have stalled that effort.

The United States in July announced that it would pause more than $95 million in assistance to the Georgian government, warning it that it was backsliding on democracy.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/georgian-police- violently-disperse-protesters-fresh-elections/33207623.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Wider Europe Briefing: Georgia's Vanishing EU Dreams

By Rikard Jozwiak November 19, 2024

Briefing #1: The EU's Dwindling Options On Georgia

What You Need To Know: More than three weeks after the Georgian parliamentary elections, which saw the ruling Georgian Dream party winning with 54 percent of the vote but has also led to opposition protests and a boycott of parliament, the European Union remains unsure of how to react.

Generally speaking, this is connected to three things: a paucity of options going forward, divisions within the EU, and a lack of clarity over what actually took place on election day and during the run-up to the parliamentary vote.

The EU was cautious in its first statement after the vote, quoting the OSCE/ODIHR preliminary findings and noting that "irregularities" had occurred. Three days later, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell ramped up the pressure somewhat with another statement asking for a transparent inquiry and noting that international observers "have also not declared the elections to be free and fair."

Then, at a debate on the Georgian elections in the European Parliament on November 13, came the strongest rebuke so far of the ruling authorities in Tbilisi when European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said that "these elections were marked by serious irregularities, with violations reported both during the election campaign and the election day itself. These elections fall short of the standards expected of a country holding EU candidate status."

Deep Background: Yet, the EU already seems to be forgetting about Georgia. You could see it at the summits in Budapest in early November. Attending the European Political Community (EPC) summit in the Hungarian capital, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze took the floor after warm congratulations from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who had raced to Tbilisi directly after the elections to celebrate Georgian Dream's success and thus publicly breaking the EU's unity.

In Budapest, Kobakhidze reportedly criticized "some Europeans" for expressing their disappointment at the election result, called for Georgia to be treated fairly by the EU, and said that the opposition didn't enjoy the support of the Georgian people. The Georgian leader spoke at the end of the meeting, and, with Orban only giving the floor to non-EU country leaders, there were no direct reactions to his speech.

EU leaders were supposed to discuss Georgia in depth on the second day of the EPC summit, but the reelection of Donald Trump as U.S. president and a presentation by former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi on the bloc's competitiveness dominated the proceedings. That day, only the Estonian and Lithuanian leaders mentioned Georgia at all.

Diplomats I spoke to were a little peeved that European Council President Charles Michel had a bilateral meeting with Kobakhidze but didn't mention anything about that meeting or about Georgia at the final press conference. That meeting was described by a senior EU official who wasn't authorized to speak on the record as lasting "less than 10 minutes" and Michel, according to the diplomat, expressed "deep concerns" about alleged electoral violations and called for an investigation.

Drilling Down:

There were other signs the issue is already on the back burner. During the hearing in the European Parliament of the incoming new EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, Georgia was not mentioned at all during the three-hour grilling. The incoming new EU enlargement commissioner, Marta Kos , also didn't mention Georgia in the introductory speech to her hearing, but was asked about the issue by a member of the European Parliament. She did say that the process of Georgia applying to join the EU, which has been put on hold, could resume if the government nixed the recently adopted and controversial "foreign-agent" law and "anti-LGBT law."

of the incoming new EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, Georgia was not mentioned at all during the three-hour grilling. The incoming new EU enlargement commissioner, , also didn't mention Georgia in the introductory speech to her hearing, but was asked about the issue by a member of the European Parliament. She did say that the process of Georgia applying to join the EU, which has been put on hold, could resume if the government nixed the recently adopted and controversial "foreign-agent" law and "anti-LGBT law." Ultimately, the EU will (perhaps reluctantly) have to engage with the Georgian Dream government. According to the EU officials I've spoken to, there is definitely a sense that they are the only ones on the dance floor, so the EU doesn't really have much choice.

Part of the problem for EU officials is that there isn't really a smoking gun when it comes to accusations of widespread fraud. There is skepticism that the ruling party got 54 percent suppport in the elections, but it's hardly an outlandish claim. (Something more realistic would perhaps have been support of somewhere between 40 and 50 percent.)

Given that the OSCE election-monitoring report can take around three months to appear, there isn't much that can be done now except wait.

Meeting on November 18, EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss Georgia. But they are likely to discuss the same options paper on how Brussels could reorient its policy toward Georgia that they discussed in June. And can anything new be decided? Georgia's EU accession has already stalled, and political contacts between the bloc and Tbilisi have been downgraded. Thirty million euros ($31.7 million) in military aid and 120 million euros in direct assistance to the government remain frozen.

on how Brussels could reorient its policy toward Georgia that they discussed in June. And can anything new be decided? Georgia's EU accession has already stalled, and political contacts between the bloc and Tbilisi have been downgraded. Thirty million euros ($31.7 million) in military aid and 120 million euros in direct assistance to the government remain frozen. Sanctions would require a consensus that doesn't exist. It is not only Hungary and Slovakia who would oppose but also Bulgaria and Italy, to name just two. Visa-liberalization suspension has been mooted, but many, including Germany, aren't keen to target the general population.

Potentially, one measure that only requires a qualified majority (55 percent of member states, representing 65 percent of the total EU population) would be to introduce visa requirements for Georgian officials traveling into the bloc.

Some member states, notably in Central and Eastern Europe, will likely push for some sort of international investigation into the possible election violations. But this has its pitfalls as well. Firstly, would the Georgian government accept it? And would an EU-backed investigation come up with something radically different to what the OSCE is already working on? And, as one diplomat told me: Is now really the time to start questioning the findings of OSCE/ODIHR electoral missions in general? There has been an agreement to send a so-called "technical mission" of diplomats from the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic service. They will speak to all stakeholders in the country and report back to Brussels.

At the end of November, the European Parliament is likely to pass a nonbinding resolution on Georgia. That could look similar to the resolution the parliament adopted in February following the December 2023 Serbian parliamentary elections, which were marred by irregularities. That document both called for "an independent international investigation by respected international legal experts and institutions" and urged the European Commission "to launch an initiative to send an expert mission to Serbia to assess the situation as regards the recent elections and postelection developments." It's worth noting that, in the case of Serbia, neither the investigation nor the expert mission has materialized yet. Relations with Belgrade remain frosty but intact. With the ongoing war in Ukraine and a new U.S. administration coming in January, the bloc will most likely be focused elsewhere.

Briefing #2: Will 2025 Be A 'Big Bang' Moment For Travelers To The EU?

What You Need To Know: The weekend before last could have been the big unveiling of the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES). This new system will mean that when a non-EU citizen crosses any border or enters any airport or harbor in 25 EU countries (all the member states apart from Cyprus and Ireland) and four non-EU countries (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein), they would have to register their full name, nationality, and have their fingerprints and photo taken, possibly in a newly installed self-service kiosk.

The EES has been in the works ever since it was approved by the EU in late 2017 and will do away with the manual stamping of non-EU passports, replacing the old system with a large electronic database. According to the European Commission, the EES will help prevent irregular migration, help third-country nationals travel more easily, plus identify attempts at overstaying or identity fraud. Yet the grand unveiling never happened, not on November 10 as planned, nor on the back-up date, November 17.

Deep Background: To be fair, the dates were never actually set in stone. There was also vaguer talk of it happening sometime in the final quarter of this year. And it also wasn't the first time it was delayed. In 2020, it was the coronavirus pandemic that prevented it. Then, in 2022 and 2023, the new system still wasn't ready.

So why the constant delays? A generous answer is that this is a massive IT undertaking and the technology is untested at this scale. When, back in October, interior ministers agreed that a November rollout wasn't possible, it was France, Germany, and the Netherlands -- three member states with multiple entry points -- that were putting on the brakes.

The German Interior Ministry noted then that the central computer system underpinning the EES, which is overseen by the EU agency eu-LISA, lacked "the necessary stability and functionality."

An EU diplomat familiar with the issue was more brutal, telling me that the entire system was "shoddy" and complaining about a lack of testing before the official launch. While eu-LISA has said that all EU member states were technically ready, there were widespread fears that the new system would create chaos at the continent's key hubs, hitting crucial business and tourism with massive border queues.

There is a fear among EU officials that the teething issues with a system of such magnitude run the risk of causing massive reputational damage, potentially jeopardizing years of planning.

Drilling Down:

One of the problems is that the EU wanted to launch it everywhere all at once. A "big bang" of sorts. The thinking now in Brussels, however, is a more phased-in approach, which means that the already agreed upon operating regulations will have to be amended. This can be done if there is political will (which seems to exist) but it is now up to the European Commission to define what exactly this phased-in approach means.

Does it mean that it will be gradually rolled out geographically, for example, in just a few countries or some specific airports? Or does it mean that only some biometric details will be registered but not all -- for example, skipping the taking of fingerprints? The new European Commission, which is likely to be sworn in in December, will have to tackle this as a matter of urgency.

In the meantime, many hubs and border crossings will continue to prepare for an eventual launch in 2025 by adding more automatic barriers, self-service kiosks, tweaking the preregistration app, and training staff and border guards.

There is another thing for non-EU citizens traveling into the visa-free Schengen zone to consider. The plan is that once the EES is operational, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will follow some six months later. ETIAS is something like an EU equivalent to the already functioning U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and the recently established U.K. Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This will cover all visa-exempt travelers to the EU, with an estimated 1.4 billion people needing to apply. This includes, for example, U.S. and British citizens but also Ukrainians, Georgians, and Moldovans, as well as citizens of the non-EU Western Balkan states.

It is worth pointing out that getting ETIAS approval is not a visa, nor does it guarantee entry. The authorization, valid for three years, will cost seven euros and will have to be completed by everyone between the ages of 18 to 70. Some people will be able to get exemptions. Among them are individuals with visas and residence permits, refugees, diplomatic passport holders, and airport transit passengers.

ETIAS was agreed by the EU in 2018 and, like the EES, is part of the push to make the Schengen zone more robust by having greater control of who is entering. With immigration once again top of the political agenda across the bloc, there is likely to be a firm push by several member states, as well as the European Commission, to have both systems up and running in 2025.

Looking Ahead

On November 22, the interior ministers of Hungary, Austria, Bulgaria, and Romania will assemble to try to iron out the final details of the latter two countries' full entry into the Schengen zone. Since the start of this year, both countries are part of Schengen when it comes to air and maritime travel but not land crossings, with Vienna blocking it due to migration concerns. There are indications, though, that a deal can be struck, which would mean EU ministers could finally give an official green light when they meet in Brussels on December 12.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/wider-europe-briefing-georgia- vanishing-eu-ees/33206933.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Separatist Leader Of Georgia's Breakaway Abkhazia Resigns Amid Protests

By RFE/RL's Georgian Service November 19, 2024

The de facto leader of Georgia's Moscow-backed breakaway Abkhazia region has signed his resignation amid ongoing protests by opposition supporters against a property deal with Russia.

"In order to maintain stability and constitutional order in the country, in accordance with Article 65 of the Constitution of the Republic of Abkhazia, I resign," Aslan Bzhania said in a statement on November 19 after hours of negotiations between the breakaway region's authorities and the opposition.

Opposition leaders have demanded not only the permanent abandonment of the proposed agreement with Russia that opponents say would unfairly open the property market to wealthy Russians, but also Bzhania's resignation and those of his vice president and the breakaway leadership's prime minister.

Bzhania agreed to submit his resignation letter in exchange for the protesters' leaving government buildings they had occupied, but his statement added that he would withdraw his resignation if those gathered on the premises failed to leave.

The local parliament is due to discuss Bzhania's resignation on November 19 while his deputy, Badra Gunba will be the acting leader of the separatist region. Valery Bganba, a former speaker of parliament, will be appointed prime minister, according to the agreement.

It said the current government will remain in an acting capacity until a newly elected leader takes office.

Bzhania has already said that he planned to run for office again. The next elections were supposed to be held in the spring of 2025, but under the current situation, there may be an early vote.

On November 15, protesters stormed the parliament building in Sukhumi, the regional capital, to force the legislature to vote on dropping the real-estate deal completely. They later entered the government building and the presidential compound that are all located in the same complex, forcing Bzhania to flee to his native village outside Sukhumi.

On November 12, opposition protesters blocked a highway and three access bridges into Sukhumi, a picturesque coastal city on the shores of the Black Sea, forcing authorities to release several activists who had been arrested for protesting the real-estate deal.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away from Georgia's rule after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.

Moscow recognized the independence of the two regions after Russian forces repelled a Georgian attempt to retake South Ossetia in a five-day war in the summer of 2008 that ended with Georgia's defeat.

Most countries still recognize Abkhazia as part of Georgia.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bzhania-abkhazia-resignation- protests-georgia/33207559.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Treasury Targets Key Hamas Leaders and Financiers

U.S. Department of the Treasury

November 19, 2024

WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating six senior Hamas officials, including the terrorist group's representatives abroad, a senior member of the Hamas military wing, the Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, as well as individuals involved in supporting the terrorist group's fundraising efforts and weapons smuggling into Gaza.

"Hamas continues to rely on key officials who seemingly maintain legitimate, public-facing roles within the group, yet who facilitate their terrorist activities, represent their interests abroad, and coordinate the transfer of money and goods into Gaza," said Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. "Treasury remains committed to disrupting Hamas's efforts to secure additional revenue and holding those who facilitate the group's terrorist activities to account."

This action marks OFAC's ninth sanctions tranche since October 7, 2023, targeting Hamas and its supporters. The most recent action on October 7, 2024 targeted Hamas's use of sham charities and one of its prominent international supporters. OFAC also targeted Hamas cyber actors on April 12, 2024 and some of their financial facilitators and sources of funding on October 18, 2023 and October 27, 2023. The United States government has also worked closely with its key international partners and allies in countering Hamas, including a joint designation with Australia and the United Kingdom on January 22, 2024, as well as three actions with the United Kingdom on March 27, 2024, December 13, 2023, and November 14, 2023, all targeting Hamas leaders and financiers.

Individuals targeted today are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended, which targets terrorist groups and their supporters.

HAMAS LEADERS AND FINANCIERS ACTIVE ABROAD

Abd al-Rahman Ismail abd al-Rahman Ghanimat (Ghanimat) is a longtime member of Hamas's military wing, the Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades. While he is now based in Turkiye, Ghanimat, who also founded a section of Hamas responsible for supporting Hamas interests in the West Bank, has been involved in multiple attempted and successful terrorist attacks, including the 1997 daytime bombing of a cafe in Tel Aviv.

Musa Daud Muhammad Akari (Akari) is a senior Hamas official based in Turkiye who facilitates the flow of funds from Turkiye into Gaza and the West Bank for Hamas. Akari was previously convicted of kidnapping and murdering an Israeli border police officer.

Salama Mari (Mari) is a Hamas official based in Turkiye involved in financial facilitation for the group. Mari was previously imprisoned for his role in a 1993 attack in the West Bank that killed an Israeli soldier.

Mohammad Nazzal (Nazzal) is a Hamas official who has provided support to the terrorist group for over 30 years. As a senior leader serving on Hamas's Council on International Relations, Nazzal represents Hamas's interests to a variety of international audiences.

Basem Naim (Naim) is a senior Hamas member based in Gaza, who has participated in Hamas's engagements with Russia and been a part of Hamas delegations to other countries. Naim also holds a leadership role on Hamas's Council on International Relations.

Ghazi Hamad (Hamad) is a long-time Gaza-based Hamas leader who served as the editor of Hamas propaganda outlets and is authorized to speak publicly on behalf of Hamas. In addition to these public facing and propaganda roles, Hamad previously served as a Hamas senior official overseeing border crossings at Gaza. While these border crossings were one of the primary ways Hamas smuggled weapons into Gaza, these crossings were also used to smuggle the construction equipment and materials Hamas needed to build an extensive tunnel network they intentionally interspersed among Palestinian civilians.

OFAC is designating Ghanimat, Akari, Mari, Nazzal, Naim, and Hamad pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Hamas, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above, and of any entities that are owned directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by them, individually, or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.

U.S. persons must comply with OFAC regulations, including all U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens regardless of where they are located, all persons within the United States, and all U.S.-incorporated entities and their foreign branches. Non-U.S. persons are also subject to certain OFAC prohibitions. For example, non-U.S. persons are prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. Violations of OFAC regulations may result in civil or criminal penalties.

OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations based on strict liability, meaning that a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction may be held civilly liable even if such person did not know or have reason to know that it was engaging in a transaction that was prohibited under sanctions laws and regulations administered by OFAC. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions, including the factors that OFAC generally considers when determining an appropriate response to an apparent violation. For additional information on complying with U.S. sanctions and export control laws, please see the Department of Commerce, Department of the Treasury, and Department of Justice Tri-Seal Compliance Note.

Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions with the individuals designated today entails risk of secondary sanctions pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Pursuant to this authority, OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on opening or maintaining, in the United States, of a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates any significant transaction on behalf of a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

Click here for more information on the individuals designated today.

Additional Treasury resources on countering the financing of terrorism:

###

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UN chief alarmed by mounting violence in Haiti

19 November 2024 - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is alarmed by the escalating violence in Haiti, where armed gangs are reportedly gaining ground in the capital Port-au-Prince, his Spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Mr. Guterres strongly supports efforts by the Haitian National Police, with the backing of the Security Council-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, to address the mounting violence.

Support MSS mission

The UN Security Council authorized the deployment of the international force, which is led by Kenya, in October 2023

"The Secretary-General reiterated his pressing call to ensure that the MSS mission receives the necessary financial and logistical support to successfully implement its mandate," UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

The UN chief also emphasized the importance of urgent progress in the political transition in Haiti.

Assisting displaced people

Despite the rising insecurity, the UN and partners continue to support people in the Port-au-Prince region.

Humanitarians are distributing hot meals, water, hygiene and dignity kits to displaced people. They have also delivered medicines and medical supplies to key health facilities.

This past weekend, the World Food Programme (WFP) and partners provided a record number of hot meals in one single day to people who were recently displaced, serving nearly 38,000 meals across 26 sites in the capital and Arcahaie.

So far this year, WFP has provided more than two million hot meals prepared, as much as possible, with locally grown and locally procured ingredients.

Back in the air

Operations throughout Haiti also continue without interruption, "but obviously not at the level we would like to see," said Mr. Dujarric, speaking during his daily media briefing from New York.

He said that flights operated by the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) are still expected to resume on Wednesday.

Transporting aid workers

The helicopter the UN uses in Haiti is registered in the United States, he explained, and it was granted a humanitarian exemption from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to resume flights within the country.

UNHAS also has a second aircraft, a small plane that is registered in Switzerland.

"They are both used to provide passenger and light-cargo transport within Haiti for the entire humanitarian community including local and international NGOs and UN entities. We do not bring humanitarian supplies into the country using UNHAS assets," he said.

Mr. Dujarric concluded by highlighting the urgent need for additional resources to maintain operations on the scale needed.

A $674 million Humanitarian Response Plan for Haiti this year is 43 per cent funded, with nearly $290 million received to date.

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UNRWA Situation Report #11 on the Syria emergency response to displacement from Lebanon: All information from 11-17 November 2024, valid as of 18 November at 14:00

UNRWA

19 Nov 2024

Key Points

An estimated 528,000 people have been displaced from Lebanon to Syria since 24 September, according to UNHCR

As of 17 November, 1,184 displaced Palestine Refugee families (an estimated 5,920 people) had approached UNRWA in Syria. Another 17 families have now reportedly returned to Lebanon and one family has reportedly moved onwards to Iraq.

938 heads of households (2,764 people) have so far responded to UNRWA's displacement monitoring questionnaire. Out of the interviewees, over 78 per cent are women and children, and one per cent are people with disabilities.

Most of the above interviewees continue to be hosted by extended family and friends in increasingly crowded and deteriorating conditions. Over 91 per cent of them travelled with all their family members. Close to 56 per cent of them had previously lived in Syria and had fled the country during the crisis there. About 78 per cent of this group returned to the area or location where they lived before they fled Syria, and about 95 per cent cited the security situation in Lebanon as the key factor behind their decision to return to Syria.

During by UNRWA to homes that have taken in displaced Palestine Refugees from Lebanon, the reverberating message has been that the ability of families to continue hosting them has severely dwindled.

Overall Situation

On the14 November, an Israeli missile attack launched from Lebanese airspace impacted Al Mouh Bridge near Al Qusair town, close to the Syrian-Lebanese border in south rural Homs, affecting an unofficial crossing point used by people fleeing Lebanon. From 26 September to the present, this marks the 34th attack in Al Qusair.

UNRWA response overview

UNRWA's response to the displacement includes information-sharing and referrals; inclusion in UNRWA's pre-existing core education and health services; and the distribution of emergency relief and multipurpose cash assistance.

Palestine Refugees displaced from Lebanon to Syria are receiving the same UNRWA services (including health and education) as Palestine Refugees already living in Syria. However, the increasing numbers and inadequate funding received by the Agency this year areputting a strain on these services.

UNRWA's Syria office has received a contribution of US$ 200,000 for multi-purpose cash assistance and hospitalization from the Agency's regional flash appeal. However, this is only about 13% of what is required for this response for October-December 2024.

Programmatic & Operational Response

Health

UNRWA continues to provide primary health care services in its clinics, in addition to referral services to contracted hospitals, x-ray centres and laboratories as needed.

With UNRWA's system-wide E-health system, UNRWA doctors in Syria are able to access patient medical records online from their files in Lebanon in order to provide quality care.

As of 17 November, a total of 1,286 Palestine Refugees displaced from Lebanon had received medical services from UNRWA in Syria. 233 of these were new patients who received treatment between 11-14 November.

Services provided include treatment for non-communicable diseases, maternal and childcare, dental care, psychological and psychiatric care, hospitalization, among others.

Protection

Palestine Refugees displaced from Lebanon participated in awareness-raising activities where they received key messages on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) as part of the emergency response.

UNRWA social workers are conducting visits to homes hosting displaced Palestine Refugees.

Psychosocial support activities are being conducted for children from displaced families.

Non-Food Items (NFIs)/ Multipurpose Cash Assistance

Since the beginning of the response, UNRWA has provided 795 families (2,459 people) with NFI kits including blankets, jerrycans, kitchen sets, mats, mattresses, and tarpaulins. Distributions continue, and UNRWA anticipates that an additional 50 families will be reached this week.

To date, 716 families (2,127 individuals) have received the first round of multipurpose cash assistance with a transfer value of US$ 50 per family.

A second round of multi-purpose cash assistance to 1,120 families (3211 individuals) will be distributed this week with a transfer value of US$ 76 for those who received the first round and US$ 126 for those who did not receive it. By end of the second round, each family should have received a total of US$ 126.

Food Assistance

UNRWA expects to receive and distribute 600 food baskets from WFP under an agreement between both agencies.

Education

A total of 325 Palestine Refugee children displaced from Lebanon have been enrolled in UNRWA schools in Syria. One additional student has been enrolled in the UNRWA Technical and Vocational Education Programme.

They are receiving the same services provided to other UNRWA students, such as textbooks, back-to-school kits - which include a backpack or satchel, notebooks, and stationary - and psychosocial support. UNRWA education staff are developing materials to support students in the transition to the Syrian curriculum.

A few reports have been received about the inability of students coming without any identification documents to have the government placement tests administered to determine which grades they are supposed to be placed in.

Quotes from female heads of Palestine Refugee families whose lived in Burj Shemali camp in Lebanon, and who fled to Syria and are being hosted by relatives and friends in Khan Danoun camp in rural Damascus:

Mrs. Ruqia: "We thank UNRWA for the genuine and essential support it has provided. While we are grateful for the assistance received, we hope that efforts will be strengthened to provide further aid that can ease the burden of daily life and help us regain some stability."

Mrs. Lamia: "We are grateful to the family who hosted us, but we are in urgent need of further assistance, particularly in the form of rent support, so that we do not burden our relatives who have opened their doors to us in these difficult times."

ENDS-

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As Security Council Meeting on Middle East Concludes, Regional Delegations Condemn Israel's Aggression, Urge Adoption of Resolution for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9787th Meeting (resumed) (PM)

SC/15906

19 November 2024

As the Security Council meeting of 18 November concluded, regional delegations, condemning the horrific aggression being wrought upon the Palestinian people by Israel, along with that country's attacks against Lebanon, urged the 15nation organ to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza before famine consumes it and the dangerously escalating violence engulfs the entire Middle East. (For background, please see Press Release SC/15902.)

Concluding Tuesday's Council meeting on the crisis in the region, speakers warned that the worsening situation demands immediate action, with the representative of Egypt condemning "the complete destruction of the Gaza Strip". Rejecting Israel's attempts to transform that land into "an uninhabitable area, to force the Gazans outside of their own land  the land of their ancestors", he said it was a "moral and humanitarian duty" to end the conflict. Egypt's efforts with Qatar and the United States to negotiate for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages have not worked due to the Israeli occupation. The catastrophe is "something that smacks of yesteryear  of times that we thought were in the past", he said, underscoring that mediation is the only way to a solution. He called on the Council to adopt a resolution to immediately end the shelling in the Gaza Strip and open all crossing points to ensure unhindered aid.

Echoing that call, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union, speaking in its capacity as an observer, urged for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, with a lasting peace based on the two-State solution. He deplored the unacceptable number of civilian casualties, especially women and children, in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the catastrophic levels of hunger and imminent risk of famine caused by the insufficient entry of aid into Gaza. Highlighting that the bloc, along with Belgium, will organize a second follow-up meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, he further stressed the essential role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and condemned further escalation in the West Bank. The European Union is considering further restrictive measures against extremist settlers, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, he reported, recalling the importance of implementing the decisions of international courts.

Underscoring that the Palestinians still enjoy broad support from all those countries believing in international law, Syria's delegate declared: "All those believing that strength will prevail over rights are wrong." The crimes of the occupying Power would not have been able to continue without the multifaceted support provided by the United States and a number of its partners. Israel is arrogant and has fanned the flames in Gaza, ensuring that the whole region is on the brink of war. Recalling that Israel has struck Syria, including in residential areas, he urged the Council to prevent further escalation by Israel  which would bring chaos.

Saudi Arabia's delegate condemned the "total genocide of the Palestinian people", with more than 150,000 people killed and injured  most of them women and children  as well as the ban on UNRWA activities in the Gaza Strip. Further denouncing all threats against Lebanon's stability and security and the displacement of its people, he stressed that Israel is pursuing its crimes against innocent people, including violating the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Recalling that his Government chaired the ministerial committee mandated by the Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit, he noted the joint efforts have borne fruit  urging a number of countries that foster peace to support the Palestinian State and consider it qualified to become a fully-fledged member of the United Nations.

Similarly, Qatar's representative stressed that there must be a two-State solution creating a Palestinian State on the basis of the 1967 borders, with an end to the Israeli aggression against Lebanon. Further, the unprecedented catastrophic situation in Gaza includes violations of holy sites along with the considerable loss of civilian lives. Urging the international community to stop the bloodshed, she called for the exchange of detainees and prisoners. "The State of Qatar has always opted for transparency and credibility in its mediation efforts," she said. Echoing speakers' support for the mandate of UNRWA, she also emphasized that the Council must impose an immediate and full ceasefire as well as implement its relevant resolutions.

Meanwhile, Turkiye's representative noted that the "man-made catastrophe" of Israel's actions in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon are consequences of prolonged impunity. "This Council cannot stand by as UN personnel are targeted, almost 300 of them killed, and key humanitarian mechanisms are jeopardized," he stated, echoing the call for a ceasefire, ensuring unhindered humanitarian access and protecting civilians. He also called for implementation of resolution ES-10/24, with a view to ending Israel's illegal occupation, and for the recognition of Palestine as a sovereign State, particularly by Security Council members, to support the two-State solution. Safeguarding UNRWA "is our shared responsibility until the two-State solution is realized", he added.

More broadly, the United Arab Emirates' delegate underlined the urgent need to achieve "a clear vision with lasting solutions to bring an end to the war in Gaza  but also to bring an end to the Israeli-Arab conflict in its entirety". Stressing that "we cannot remain in the cycle of building and destroying", he added that recovery will take decades. This is a historic moment to either turn the tragedy into an opportunity for regional peace and prosperity or allow it to further plunge into violence and instability. He further called for a temporary international mission in Gaza and for the revitalization of the Palestinian authority  urging all parties to reject hate speech, any escalation in the West Bank and any increase in the number of settlements there.

Turning to aid, Jordan's delegate noted that his Government, cooperating with international partners, continues to provide humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Jordan has sent 51,000 tons of aid in 117 convoys, containing more than 4,000 containers, and some $133 million in cooperation with the concerned agencies and partners. Further, it has delivered 53 planes to transport assistance, including 13 from the Jordanian Royal Air Force. Some 40 other States are cooperating, along with international organizations, involving 399 operations in the north and south of Gaza, including aid to hospitals, he reported.

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Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on Haiti

United Nations Secretary-General

19 November 2024

Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General

The Secretary-General is alarmed by the escalating violence in Haiti, where armed gangs are reported to be gaining ground in the capital Port-au-Prince.

He strongly supports efforts by the Haitian National Police, with the backing of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to address the mounting violence.

The Secretary-General reiterates his pressing call to ensure that the MSS mission receives the financial and logistical support it needs to successfully implement its mandate. He also emphasizes the importance of urgent progress in the political transition.

***

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US envoy sees 'real opportunity' to end Hezbollah-Israel conflict

By VOA News November 19, 2024

A U.S. diplomat expressed hope Tuesday about a possible cease-fire agreement that would end fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah.

"We have a real opportunity to bring this conflict to an end," said Amos Hochstein, adding that he had held "very constructive talks" with Lebanese officials, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally mediating for the militants.

Hochstein said the differences between the two sides had narrowed and an end to the conflict was "within our grasp."

The Lebanese government and Hezbollah have agreed to a proposal that was submitted last week and made some comments on the content, Ali Hassan Khalil, an aide to Berri, told Reuters on Monday.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue to conduct military operations against Hezbollah even if a cease-fire is reached.

"The most important thing is not [the deal that] will be laid on paper," Netanyahu told Israel's parliament.

"We will be forced to ensure our security in the north [of Israel] and to systematically carry out operations against Hezbollah's attacks ... even after a cease-fire," to keep the group from rebuilding, he said.

Netanyahu also said there was no evidence Hezbollah would respect a cease-fire.

The draft agreement would remove Israeli ground forces from Lebanon and push Hezbollah forces away from the Israeli border. More Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would be sent to the buffer zone in southern Lebanon as part of the deal, the Associated Press reported.

Monday fighting

An Israeli strike Monday in central Beirut killed five people and wounded 31 others, according to the Lebanon's Health Ministry. It was the third Israeli strike in the heart of Beirut in two days.

On Monday, Israel's military said Hezbollah fired around 100 projectiles into northern Israel, with some intercepted by air defenses.

On Tuesday, Hezbollah said it fired rockets at the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona.

Hezbollah began its campaign after its ally Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. About 1,200 Israelis were killed, and 250 were taken hostage. About 100 of the hostages have yet to be released, although a third of them are believed to be dead.

Following the attack, Israel began a campaign to eliminate Hamas in Gaza, leading to the deaths of about 44,000 people, according to the Hamas-led Gaza health ministry.

Since the fighting with Hezbollah began, more than 3,500 people in Lebanon have been killed, according to authorities. Most of the fatalities have occurred since late September.

But Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated as terrorist organizations by the United States.

Houthi attacks

Another Hamas ally, the Houthi group in Yemen, began attacking shipping in the Red Sea corridor a year ago.

On November 19, 2023, the ship Galaxy Leader, a car carrier, was seized in a Houthi helicopter attack.

The ship and its crew of 25 are still being held by the rebels. The Houthis went on to launch attacks against more than 90 commercial vessels in the Red Sea over the past year, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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Qataris say no to popular elections for legislature

By VOA News November 19, 2024

Qataris have voted away the right to elect their own legislators, ending a short-lived experiment with participatory democracy in a region where authoritarian leadership is the norm.

At the same time, voters have enshrined the role of international mediator in the constitution of the Persian Gulf nation, which has hosted peace talks involving parties ranging from the Taliban to Hamas to Israel.

In a referendum held earlier this month, voters approved a package of constitutional amendments that revoked an earlier change providing for two-thirds of the seats in the nation's legislature, the Shura Council, to be filled through popular elections. The Qatar News Agency said more than 90% of voters favored the change.

In the future, all members of the council, which approves state policies and budgets but has no say over defense, economic or investment policy, will be appointed by the state's ruler, or emir.

The emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, celebrated the outcome with a posting on X.

"Qataris today celebrated the fruits of what the first ones planted in terms of unity, solidarity, and love for the homeland, and the values of unity and justice, which we will protect and preserve," he said.

But Zubair Iqbal, a nonresident scholar at the Middle East Institute and a former official at the International Monetary Fund, called the outcome "unfortunate and inherently destructive." He said that by replacing elected representation with appointed roles, Qatar risks aligning more closely with its authoritarian Gulf Cooperation Council neighbors.

Iqbal added that the change could force emerging democratic movements underground and potentially increase repression for Qataris and expatriates.

The right of Qataris to elect representatives to the Shura Council was first approved in a 2003 constitutional amendment, but no actual elections were held until 2021, when they were recognized approvingly by the United States and the European Union.

But the process was divisive due to a provision that restricted voting to individuals whose families had lived in Qatar since at least 1930. The provision disenfranchised members of a large and influential Bedouin tribe called Al Murrah, whose members had migrated to Qatar from Saudi Arabia since then.

There were also objections that the election process caused discord within tribes and even families, disrupting national unity.

"We are all one family in Qatar," Tamim told the Shura Council in mid-October. "The contest between candidates for membership in the Shura Council took place within families and tribes, and there are different views regarding the repercussions of such competition on our norms, traditions, as well as the conventional social institutions and their cohesion.

"The contest assumes an identity-based character that we are not equipped to handle, with potential complications over time that we would rather avoid."

Supporters of the amendment say it has also made it possible for naturalized citizens to be appointed to ministerial roles, describing that as a step toward greater inclusivity in political representation.

Irene Postigo Sanchez, the associate program officer at the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, told VOA that Qatar's decision to end Shura Council elections prioritizes political stability over democratic reform.

"This move aligns with a broader Gulf trend of focusing on order and minimizing divisions, which leaders fear could be worsened by more radical reforms," she said.

"Regionally, Qatar's choice also reflects a desire to avoid the instability seen in Kuwait's legislature, where the emir suspended parliament earlier this year due to recurring internal gridlock."

Sanchez was more positive about a second provision in the constitutional amendment that codified Qatar's role as a neutral arbiter of international disputes.

Qatar has a long-standing role in international diplomacy, having served as a venue for U.S.-Taliban negotiations that led to the withdrawal of Western forces from Afghanistan and more recently for efforts to negotiate a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

The country has also engaged in negotiations and mediation efforts reaching well beyond the Middle East. It has played a pivotal part in securing the release of detained Americans in Iran and Venezuela, and recently helped arrange the return of some Ukrainian children from Russia.

Sanchez said the constitutional change not only reaffirms Qatar's foreign policy but places new emphasis on its commitment to resolving regional and international conflicts through mediation and dialogue.

"By formalizing this approach, Qatar aims to strengthen its diplomatic positioning," she said.

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Humanitarian flights to resume in Haiti as WFP continues to deliver food assistance

World Food Programme

19 November 2024

PORT-AU-PRINCE -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today announced that its humanitarian flights will resume on 20 November after regulatory issues were resolved following a short interruption. The WFP-run United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) provides vital passenger and light-cargo transport within Haiti for the entire humanitarian community including local and international NGOs and UN entities.

As WFP does not import food commodities by air, the temporary interruption of services did not affect food supplies and WFP continued to provide life-saving food assistance to Haitians while also working to address root causes of hunger in the country.

Over the weekend, WFP and partners provided a record number of hot meals in a single day to people recently displaced by violence, serving 37,935 hot meals at 26 sites in Port-au-Prince and Arcahaie. So far this year, WFP has provided more than two million hot meals which are - as much as possible - prepared using locally-grown and procured ingredients.

Meanwhile, WFP and partners are also distributing in-kind food assistance to 50,000 people in Croix-de-Bouquets, as part of a plan to assist more than 146,000 people in various neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince before the end of the month, in addition more than 97,000 people expected to receive cash transfers as part of a social safety net in collaboration with the Fond des Affaires Economiques et Sociales (FAES).

Across the country, WFP - in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education (MENFP) and partners - continues to provide daily school meals to more than 430,000 school children, 70 percent of which are prepared entirely with locally grown ingredients. In partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs (MAST), WFP also continues to provide social protection assistance to 120,000 Haitians each month.

# # #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 19 November 2024 - Day 1000

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of Russian invaders' offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential.

Since the beginning of the day, there have been 130 combat clashes, Russian forces made, 51 aviation strikes (including 78 KABs) and 600 kamikaze drones strikes, almost 3.5,000 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops.

Near Vovchansk in Kharkiv direction Russian terrorists five times stormed the positions of Ukrainian units. Russian forces dropped air bombs in the areas of Neskucnogo, High Yaruga and New Cossack.

Eleven times Russian forces attacked Ukrainian fortifications in the kupans komu direction near kindrashivka, lozovoi, petropavlivka, zagrizovogo, persotravnevogo and kruglyakivki. Petropavlivka and Lozov suffered aviation strikes.

Positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of settlements Grekivka, Novoegorivka, Grigorivka, Torske and Terna during the day in the Lyman direction were attacked by Russian troops 14 times. The enemy dropped the cab in the area of rajgorodka.

In the Siversk direction, Russian forces dropped nine air bombs on Siversk and four more on Zakitne, did not carry out offensive actions.

Near Stupocok, there was one collision in the Kramatorsky direction. The walls and Nikolaivka suffered airstrikes of kabama.

In the Toretsky direction, the Russian occupiers for today eight times stormed in the areas of Toretsk, Friendship and Scherbinivka. The Russian opponent was not successful. There is a fight in Toretsk. Aviation strikes were made by the enemy on Romanivka, Konstantinivka and Dry Baltic.

In the Pokrovsky direction, Russian forces carried out 37 assault and offensive actions during the day. The largest activity of the Russian occupiers is kept in the areas of Promen, Lisivka, Petrivka, Dachensky, Mirolubivka, Novotoretsky, Yuryivka, Pustinki and Pushkinogo. Four confrontations in the direction are still ongoing. Estimated losses of the Russian enemy to the direction were 328 occupants killed and wounded, a tank, three BTRs, eight vehicles units were destroyed, also one tank, a cannon, two vehicles units and one SAU were damaged. Old Nikolaivka and Oleksandropil were attacked by kabamas.

Intensely attacks the Russian enemy Ukrainian units in the Kurakhiv direction. There are 22 attacks at this time of the day. Russian forces have tried to advance in the areas of Novoselidivka, Sonsivka, Berestkivka, Kurakhovy, Dalnyi, Elizabethtivka and Antonivka, currently one battle is being carried out near Sonsivka.

In the Vremivsky direction, the Russian aggressor, supported by aviation, attacked the front edge of Ukrainian defense 15 times near Konstantinopolsky, Trudovoy, Sukih Yaly, Rozdolny and Novodarivka. The four clashes are still ongoing.

The attempt to advance in the direction of Novoandriivka in the Orikhivsky direction ended unsuccessfully for the Russian enemy.

In the Pridniprovsk direction, two enemy attacks were repelled, the Russian opponent was not successful.

The operation of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region is ongoing. For today, Ukrainian defenders have repelled over 20 attempts of occupiers to knock out Ukrainian units from occupied positions.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kharkov direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces defeated units of the 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), 13th Territorial Defence Brigade, and 5th Border Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine near Volchansk, Glubokoye, and Izbitskoye (Kharkov region). Two counter-attacks launched by enemy assault detachments have been repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 135 troops, a tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, four armoured fighting vehicles, a 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and an electronic warfare station.



The Zapad Group of Forces has improved the tactical situation. Moreover, the Group inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 14th, 28th, and 115th mechanised brigades of the AFU near Kupyansk, Zagryzovo, and Kruglyakovka (Kharkov region). In addition, three counter-attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 510 troops, four motor vehicles, a 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, a U.S.-made 105-mm M101 howitzer, and an Anklav-N electronic warfare station.



The Yug Group of Forces improved their position along the front line. Russian troops inflicted fire damage on 24th, 33rd, and 54th mechanised brigades, 79th Air Assault Brigade, 46th Airmobile Brigade, and 10th Mountain Assault Brigade of the AFU near Yantarnoye, Antonovka, Dachnoye, Uspenovka, and Kurakhovo (Donetsk People's Republic). One counter-attack launched by an AFU assault detachment was repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 550 troops, a tank, three U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, an armoured fighting vehicle, eight motor vehicles, a Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and four U.S.-made 105-mm M119 guns. One Nota electronic warfare station was destroyed.



The Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Novoselidovka (Donetsk People's Republic) as a result of intensive offensive actions.

They also inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 53rd, 100th, 117th mechanised brigades, 38th Marine Brigade, 12th and 14th national guard brigades close to Leonidovka, Belitskoye, Dzerzhinsk, Mirolyubovka, Grodovka, and Novoekonomicheskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Six counter-attacks of enemy assault groups were repelled.

The enemy sustained losses of more than 310 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, a 152-mm D-20 gun, a 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and a 100-mm Rapira anti-tank gun.

The Vostok Group's units have taken more favourable lines and positions. They hit units of the 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade of the AFU, 101st, 110th, 120th, 123rd, and 129th territorial defence brigades near Razlif, Novoselka, Makarovka, Ulakly, Velikaya Novoselka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Temirovka (Zaporozhye region). Russian units repelled a counter-attack of an AFU assault detachment.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 140 troops, a German-made Leopard tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, two U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzers, and one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. One field ammunition depot has been destroyed.

The Dnepr Group of Forces engaged personnel and hardware of the 31st and 118th mechanised brigades of the AFU and 3rd Territorial Defence Brigade close to Malaya Tokmachka and Novoandreyevka (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 65 troops, 11 motor vehicles, a 152-mm D-20 gun, and an Anklav-N electronic warfare station. One field ammunition depot has been destroyed.



Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces delivered strikes at infrastructure of military airfields, power objects ensuring operation of the Ukrainian defence industry, as well as engaged manpower clusters and military hardware in 146 areas.



Air defence units shot down five ballistic missiles, four French-made Hammer guided aerial bombs, a U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectile, and 85 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.



In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 648 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 36,259 unmanned aerial vehicles, 586 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,386 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,490 MLRS combat vehicles, 18,181 field artillery guns and mortars, and 28,525 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 units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on formations of 41st, 44th, 47th, 115th mechanised brigades, 82nd and 95th air assault brigades, 36th Marine Brigade, 117th and 129th territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Daryino, Zeleny Shlyakh, Leonidovo, Nizhny Klin, and Novoivanovka.



Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on enemy manpower and hardware close to Bogdanovka, Daryino, Martynovka, Mirny, Nikolayevka, Nikolayevo-Darino, Novaya Sorochina, Plekhovo, Sverdlikovo, Staraya Sorochina, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, as well as Basovka and Zhuravka in Sumy region.



The enemy sustained losses of up to 320 troops, two tanks, to include one German-made Leopard 2 tank, one U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, an armoured personnel carrier, 15 armoured fighting vehicles, 10 motor vehicles, three self-propelled artillery systems, and one electronic warfare station. Six AFU servicemen surrendered.



Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses have amounted to more than 33,990 troops, 215 tanks, 141 infantry fighting vehicles, 116 armoured personnel carriers, 1,190 armoured fighting vehicles, 968 motor vehicles, 294 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers, including HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 13 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 67 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 27 units of engineering and other materiel, including 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, six armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle.



The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.





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Treasury Targets Fentanyl Traffickers and Other Key Contributors to U.S. Opioid Crisis

U.S. Department of the Treasury

November 19, 2024

WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned a network of nine Mexican nationals involved in fentanyl, heroin, and other deadly drug trafficking and money laundering. Individuals designated in this network also engage in human smuggling in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities. Additionally, as members of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), some of the individuals sanctioned today played a prominent role in the early stages of the U.S. opioid crisis, a leading factor driving the United States' modern fentanyl crisis. CJNG is a violent Mexico-based drug trafficking organization responsible for a significant proportion of fentanyl and other deadly drugs trafficked into the United States.

"Today's action underscores our commitment to target the networks of suppliers and facilitators that enable the illicit flow of deadly drugs into the United States, endangering the lives of our citizens," said Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. "The United States, in close coordination with our Mexican government partners, will continue to leverage all available tools to disrupt these criminal schemes and safeguard our communities."

Treasury plays a leading role in countering the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit drugs as part of President Biden's Unity Agenda, leveraging its expertise to fight illicit financing and financial crimes to disrupt the flows of money that criminal organizations rely on to operate. Over the past two years, Treasury has sanctioned more than 300 targets for involvement in drug trafficking activities at all stages of the supply chain, from major cartel leaders to under-the-radar labs, transportation networks, and chemical suppliers. Last year, Secretary Yellen launched the Counter-Fentanyl Strike Force, which brings together Treasury's expertise and resources in fighting financial crime, led by the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) and IRS Criminal Investigation (CI). Secretary Yellen has also engaged with international partners to combat fentanyl trafficking, including during her travel to Mexico last year. In April, Secretary Yellen also announced the launch of an exchange with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to enhance cooperating in combatting money laundering associated with drug trafficking and other crime.

Today's action is taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059, which targets persons involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade. Today's action was coordinated closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado (USAO-CO), the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California (USAO-SDCA), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Government of Mexico, including La Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF), Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE U.S. OPIOID CRISIS

According to the final report of the congressionally established, bipartisan U.S. Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking published by the RAND Corporation in February 2022, the rise in illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioid misuse and related deaths has its origins in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of the prescription opioid painkiller OxyContin in 1995. Starting in the mid-1990s, OxyContin and other prescription opioids were falsely marketed as nonaddictive treatments for pain. As a result, prescription opioid dependence and addiction increased dramatically in the United States. This dependence created a market opportunity for traffickers and other criminals to exploit as people with substance-use disorders, unable to continue obtaining prescription drugs, often turned to heroin.

In particular, heroin traffickers, like the "Bonques Brothers" designated today, from Xalisco, Nayarit, Mexico were among the first to successfully exploit the opioid-addicted market in the United States in the 1990s. Xalisco is a Mexican municipality near the Pacific Coast where poppies grow well.

In less than a decade, illegal U.S. drug markets that were once dominated by diverted prescription opioids and heroin became saturated with illegally manufactured synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. Synthetic opioids are cheaper and easier to produce than heroin and they do not require growing seasons, making them attractive alternatives to criminals who lace them into heroin and other illicit drugs or press them into often-deadly counterfeit pills. Today, Mexican cartels such as CJNG and the Sinaloa Cartel are responsible for a significant proportion of fentanyl and other deadly drugs trafficked into the United States. Mexican cartels manufacture fentanyl in clandestine laboratories with precursor chemicals sourced largely from the PRC.

BUSTING THE BONQUES BROTHERS

The "Bonques Brothers" are an influential group of heroin and cocaine trafficking associates from Xalisco, Nayarit, Mexico, led by Roberto Castellanos Meza (Castellanos Meza) (a.k.a. Beto Bonques) and composed of brothers Ivan Atzayacatl Castaneda Meza, Giovanni Castaneda Meza, and Juan Carlos Castaneda Meza. As members of CJNG, the "Bonques Brothers" are close associates of OFAC designees, Ruben Oseguera Cervantes (a.k.a. "El Mencho") and Audias Flores Silva (a.k.a "El Jardinero"), CJNG leader and CJNG regional commander of Nayarit, respectively. The "Bonques Brothers" were among the prominent heroin trafficking families from Xalisco, Mexico that had made their way into California by the early 1990s and were, therefore, well-positioned to exploit a U.S. market expanded by prescription drugs.

Castellanos Meza owns opium fields in the mountains of Nayarit and produces heroin. As such, the "Bonques Brothers" have greatinfluence over heroin trafficking in the Xalisco areaand are the suppliers for the majority of Xalisco-based, heroin-trafficking families as well as many of the heroin distribution networks operating in cities throughout the United States.

In addition to heroin, the "Bonques Brothers" are involved in cocaine trafficking. Castellanos Meza has been involved in the brokering of cocaine sales and the transport of cocaine from Colombia via small airplanes and boats. On November 18, 2024, the USAO-SDCA unsealed an indictment charging Castellanos Meza with conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

In November 2007, Ivan Atzayacatl Castaneda Meza and Juan Carlos Castaneda Meza were involved in an altercation with Mexican authorities who were responding to a tip regarding an alleged clandestine drug laboratory in Xalisco, Nayarit. The altercation escalated into a shooting standoff which resulted in Ivan Atzayacatl Castaneda Meza's arrest, Juan Carlos Castaneda Meza's hospitalization, and the seizure of heroin.

OFAC designated Roberto Castellanos Meza, Giovanni Castaneda Meza, Ivan Atzayacatl Castaneda Meza, and Juan Carlos Castaneda Meza pursuant to E.O. 14059 for having engaged in, or attempted to engage in, activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production.

THWARTING FENTANYL FACILITATORS

Jose Adrian Castillo Lopez (Castillo Lopez) is among those supplied with heroin by Roberto Castellanos Meza. Based in Pantanal, Nayarit, Mexico, Castillo Lopez works on behalf of CJNG and is the current plaza boss for the Tepic, Xalisco, and Pantanal areas of Nayarit, Mexico. He is known to supply narcotics to drug trafficking networks operating in Colorado, Nevada, and California.

Working directly for Castillo Lopez, Luis Alonso Navarro Quezada (Navarro Quezada) is also based in Pantanal, Nayarit, Mexico, and is involved in fentanyl and other drug trafficking, money laundering, and human smuggling. He maintains drug distribution networks in Colorado, Nevada, and California. On November 15, 2023, a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado returned an indictment against Navarro Quezada, charging him with 108 counts, including multiple charges related to the distribution of over 3,240 grams of fentanyl between April 3, 2023 and November 14, 2023. Navarro Quezada's other charges included distribution of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine as well as laundering proceeds derived from fentanyl and other drugs. According to the indictment, members involved in the conspiracy moved drug proceeds from Colorado to Navarro Quezada in Mexico via wire transfers, using different names and addresses to conceal their identities.

Navarro Quezada has also been involved in human smuggling in furtherance of his drug trafficking and money laundering activities. Specifically, Navarro Quezada is known to pay fees to human smugglers, colloquially referred to as "coyotes," to illegally bring his trusted associates across the U.S. border. His associates then work for him as drug and/or money runners, picking up and delivering narcotics, including fentanyl, and drug proceeds at his direction to pay off the debt incurred for the smuggling fees fronted by Navarro Quezada.

Navarro Quezada's wife, Erandiny Jazmin Arias Ponce (Arias Ponce), is one of Navarro Quezada's conspirators who has assisted with the collection and transfer of drug profits.

Navarro Quezada receives fentanyl from a husband-and-wife duo based in Sinaloa, Mexico. Araceli Castillo Peinado (Castillo Peinado) and her husband, Jose Sinue Castro Alvarez (Castro Alvarez), transfer multi-kilogram quantities of drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States. They direct U.S.-based third parties to pick up large quantities of fentanyl pills at prearranged locations and deliver them to distribution networks such as the one operated by Navarro Quezada.

OFAC designated Castillo Lopez, Navarro Quezada, Arias Ponce, Castillo Peinado, and Castro Alvarez pursuant to E.O. 14059 for having engaged in, or attempted to engage in, activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production.

PREVIOUS ACTIONS AGAINST CJNG

On April 8, 2015, OFAC sanctioned CJNG pursuant to the Kingpin Act for playing a significant role in international narcotics trafficking. On December 15, 2021, OFAC also designated CJNG pursuant to E.O. 14059. In other actions, OFAC has sanctioned numerous CJNG-linked individuals and companies pursuant to both the Kingpin Act and E.O. 14059 that played critical roles in CJNG's revenue-generating enterprises such as drug trafficking, money laundering, timeshare fraud, and fuel theft in an effort to curtail CJNG's ability to traffic fentanyl and other deadly drugs into the United States.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. U.S. persons may face civil or criminal penalties for violations of E.O. 14059 and the Kingpin Act. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. sanctions, including the factors that OFAC generally considers when determining an appropriate response to an apparent violation.

Today's action is part of a whole-of-government effort to counter the global threat posed by the trafficking of illicit drugs into the United States that is causing the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans annually, as well as countless more non-fatal overdoses. This action also complements a recent Financial Crimes Enforcement Network supplemental advisory to U.S. financial institutions on new trends, typologies, and red flag indicators associated with the illicit fentanyl supply chain and the illicit procurement of fentanyl precursor chemicals and manufacturing equipment by Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations. OFAC, in coordination with its U.S. government partners and foreign counterparts, and in support of President Biden's Unity Agenda, will continue to hold accountable those individuals and businesses involved in the manufacturing and sale of illicit drugs.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

To view the chart on the individuals designated today, click here.

For more information on the individuals designated today, click here.

###

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Hong Kong jails 45 democracy activists for up to 10 years

Critics say trial on subversion charges under Beijing-imposed law sounds death knell for city's freedom.

By RFA Staff 2024.11.19 -- A Hong Kong court jailed 45 democracy supporters for up to 10 years on Tuesday at the end of the city's biggest national security trial that has damaged its reputation as an outpost of freedom in Greater China and drawn criticism from the United States and other Western countries.

In all, 47 Hong Kong opposition politicians and pro-democracy activists were charged with "conspiracy to commit subversion" under the city's 2020 National Security Law for taking part in a democratic primary in the summer of 2020. Two were acquitted

China imposed the law on the former British colony a year after it was rocked by anti-government riots.

Beijing said the law was necessary to safeguard the Asian financial hub's economic success but critics denounced it as meaning the end of a "one country, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997, that was meant to safeguard freedoms not enjoyed elsewhere in China for 50 years.

Prominent democracy activist Benny Tai, who was accused of being the organizer of the 2020 primary election, was jailed for 10 years, while Joshua Wong, another leading activist, was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.

Activist Owen Chow was sentenced to seven years and nine months and former journalist-turned-activist Gwyneth Ho, was jailed for seven years.

The charge of "conspiracy to commit subversion" carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Security was tight outside the West Kowloon Magistrates Court where the sentences were handed down, with a heavy police presence on the streets.

The embassies of many countries, including the U.S., Britain, Germany and Australia, sent representatives to the hearing.

Repeated delays to the 118-day trial have meant that the majority of the defendants have been behind bars for more than three-and-a-half years, something that would have been previously unheard of in the Hong Kong judicial system.

Thirty-one of the defendants pleaded guilty and 16 denied the charges.

The 47 former pro-democracy lawmakers and opposition activists helped to organize a primary election in July 2020, in a bid to find the best candidates for a pan-democratic slate in the city's September 2020 Legislative Council elections.

The prosecution argued that their bid to win a majority was "a conspiracy" to undermine the city government and take control of the Legislative Council.

Article 22 of China's National Security Law for Hong Kong bans anyone from "seriously interfering in, disrupting or undermining the performance of duties and functions in accordance with the law by the body of central power of the People's Republic of China or the body of power of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by force or threat of force or other unlawful means."

More than 600,000 voters took part in the primary, which was part of a bid to win enough votes for pro-democracy candidates to veto the government's budget, which would have offered the opposition camp valuable political leverage when negotiating with the government.

'Devastating blow'

As Beijing-backed media claimed the primary was a bid to overthrow the city government, the administration of then-Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced an investigation into it.

Lam also postponed the September 2020 election, citing the COVID-19 pandemic, while the government rewrote the electoral rulebook to prevent pro-democracy candidates from running, eventually holding an election in December 2021 in which only "patriots" approved by a Beijing-backed committee were allowed to stand.

On Jan. 6, 2021, newly formed national security police dispatched more than 1,000 officers to 72 locations across Hong Kong, arresting 55 people on suspicion of subversion under the National Security Law in a crackdown that pro-democracy activists said struck a "devastating blow" to the city's political life.

They brought formal charges against 47 of them, then denied bail to the majority following a grueling arraignment hearing lasting more than four days, including a first-day session of 15 hours, during which defendants were unable to eat, shower or get a change of clothes.

The charges were the first clear indication that the ruling Chinese Communist Party and Hong Kong officials would be using the National Security Law to crack down on peaceful opposition and public dissent, rather than to restore public order in the wake of the 2019 protests, and sparked an international outcry.

The last British colonial governor of Hong Kong, Lord Patten of Barnes, said the trial was part of a political "purge" by the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

Washington condemned the detention and charging of democrats, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for their immediate release.

Then-British foreign secretary Dominic Raab called the charges "deeply disturbing" and said it showed how the security law was being used to eliminate political dissent rather than restoring order following the 2019 protest movement, as the government had claimed.

Then-Australian foreign minister Marise Payne said the 47 defendants "were peacefully exercising their rights," while the German foreign ministry called on the Hong Kong authorities to release the defendants and schedule postponed elections to the Legislative Council "in a fair and democratic manner."

Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.

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Hong Kong: 45 activists sentenced under controversial National Security Law

19 November 2024 - The Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has expressed grave concern over the sentencing of 45 opposition activists in Hong Kong to up to 10 years in prison under China's National Security Law, highlighting the potential erosion of fundamental freedoms in the region.

Spokesperson for the UN human rights office Jeremy Laurence condemned the use of the National Security Law to criminalise activities which are protected under international human rights law, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

Most of the defendants who were sentenced on Tuesday were opposition politicians, academics and lawmakers charged in 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion for taking part in an unofficial primary to select opposition candidates in July 2020.

'Misuse' of the law

Enacted in July 2020, the National Security Law introduced severe penalties for offences described as subversion, secession, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces.

Volker Turk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, has expressed concern over the broad and vague provisions which could be "arbitrarily applied to curb freedom of expression and target dissenting voices."

Since its implementation, over 100 individuals have been arrested, including prominent pro-democracy figures like media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, who faces life imprisonment if convicted under the law.

In January, Special Rapporteur on Torture Alice Edwards expressed concerns about reports of torture being used to extract evidence against defendants.

Mr. Turk has also criticised recent expansion of the National Security Law, including a March 2024 ordinance adding new categories of offences, such as treason and sabotage.

These expansions, Mr. Turk noted, increase the law's potential for "misuse" and further suppression of opposition.

Beyond the large numbers of accused directly impacted by criminal proceedings, these laws have had major chilling effects on others in the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong.

Call for repeal

The High Commissioner has called for an urgent review of the convictions and for Hong Kong authorities to ensure compliance with international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

"Any national security legislation must remain clear in scope and definition, and only permit restrictions to human rights that are strictly necessary for a legitimate purpose, and proportionate", the OHCHR emphasised.

Mr. Turk has urged the immediate suspension of the law's application and its eventual repeal, stressing the importance of safeguarding human rights and democratic freedoms in Hong Kong.

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ICC Prosecutor appeals for global support to bring Libyan war criminals to justice\

By Vibhu Mishra

19 November 2024 - The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday called on the UN Security Council to help execute arrest warrants against suspects allegedly linked to a brutal Libyan militia blamed for committing atrocity crimes in the town of Tarhuna, where mass graves were discovered in 2020.

The six who remain at large were either key members or associated with the Al Kaniyat militia that controlled Tarhuna from at least 2015 to June 2020, when government forces ousted them from the city, which is located about 65 kilometres (about 40 miles) southeast of Tripoli.

The arrest warrants against Abdurahem Khalefa Abdurahem Elshgagi "Al Khani", Makhlouf Makhlouf Arhoumah Doumah "Douma", Nasser Muhammad Muftah Daou "Al Lahsa", Mohamed Mohamed Al Salheen Salmi "Salheen", Abdelbari Ayyad Ramadan Al Shaqaqi "Al Shaqaqi" and Fathi Faraj Mohamed Salim Al Zinkal "Al Zinkal" were unsealed last month.

Since June 2020, hundreds of bodies have been exhumed from mass graves in and around Tarhuna, allegedly victims of crimes amounting to war crimes, including murder, torture, sexual violence and rape.

Dignified, steely determination

Briefing ambassadors on the Security Council from the Libyan capital Tripoli, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan spoke of his meetings and interactions with families of the victims.

"Today, one individual said something very simple and very true, that every household in Tarhuna has a victim. Every person that detailed a loss has suffered an end to their universe, and heartbreak was palpable and sincere," he said.

He also relayed their "steely determination".

"They have a clear conviction - the justice and accountability and fair processes are essential for themselves, their families, their community and for Libya at large," he added, stressing the importance of international support to execute the warrants.

He called for the assistance of the Security Council, State Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC, and other non-State Parties to ensure that the suspects are apprehended and brought to justice, in an independent, free and fair trial.

New paradigm shift

Mr. Khan also highlighted a "new paradigm shift" that progress is possible, discernible and can be identified.

He noted significant progress in investigations related to detention facility crimes and crimes committed between 2014 and 2020, adding that further applications for arrest warrants are expected over the coming months.

Some of the applications may be secret to seize arrest opportunities, he said.

Mr. Khan also highlighted the need for continued partnership with Libyan authorities to achieve these goals, citing positive outcomes of his meetings with Libyan officials, including the Attorney General and the establishment of a new mechanism to coordinate investigations and prosecutions.

The ICC team has also intensified engagement with civil society organizations, noting that his team met with over 70 Libyan civil society groups and human rights defenders and discussed their expectations.

"[They] are not an appendage [but] at the heart of our discussions," Mr. Khan said.

Plans are working

In conclusion, he recalled the roadmap for completing the investigative stage of the judicial process.

"I believe, collectively through these combined activities, these plans are working," he said, stressing that the "hopes, expectations and steely determination of victims need to be at the forefront."

While there are many challenges and the next steps will not be straightforward, he expressed his belief that there is space to develop solutions to problem that has plagued Libya for over 13 years.

Security Council referral

While not a UN organization, the ICC has a cooperation agreement with the United Nations. When a situation is not within the Court's jurisdiction, the Security Council can refer the situation to the ICC granting it jurisdiction.

The situation in Libya was referred to the ICC Prosecutor by the Security Council in resolution 1970, adopted in February 2011. In March, the Prosecutor announced the decision to open an investigation.

In that resolution, the Council also imposed targeted sanctions, including a travel ban on President Muammar Al-Qadhafi and other senior figures in his administration, including some family members.

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Briefing Security Council, Chief Prosecutor Urges Member States' Cooperation in Executing Arrest Warrants against Those Suspected of War Crimes in Libyan Town

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

SC/15905

19 November 2024

International Criminal Court Must Complement, Not Substitute Work of Libyan Judiciary, Delegate Stresses

In his bi-annual briefing today to the Security Council on the situation in Libya, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) urged Member States' cooperation in executing arrest warrants against those suspected of war crimes committed in the town of Tarhuna, spotlighting the recent unsealing of arrest warrants for individuals linked to the Al Kaniyat militia, and Libyan authorities' collaboration to pursue accountability.

Prosecutor Karim Khan, speaking via videoconference from Tripoli while on his second visit to Libya, recalled his meeting this morning with the families of victims from Tarhuna who gave accounts of "calculated cruelty", as well as his visit to "mass grave sites where they were dumped" after being tortured and killed.

"Every household in Tarhuna has a victim," he recalled them saying, adding that information collected by his office indicates that victims had been subjected to crimes amounting to war crimes under the Rome Statute, including murder, outrages upon personal dignity, cruel treatment, torture, sexual violence and rape.

Citing his 4 October report, he said Pre-Trial Chamber I judges unsealed arrest warrants for six individuals, from the Al Kaniyat armed group, responsible for those crimes. "We know where they are," he declared, urging States' assistance to ensure that the judicial orders of the International Criminal Court are executed, and those individuals can be arrested and take part in trials where families can give evidence and speak to the violations they have endured.

Pointing to a "new paradigm shift" in discernible progress, he said his Office is "moving at speed" across key lines of inquiry and it is expected that further applications for arrest warrants will be presented during the next reporting period. His Office is also expanding its collaboration with national authorities to pursue accountability for crimes against migrants in Libya. Further, it remains on track in the implementation of the road map he had set out in his May briefing, and through which it intends to complete investigations by the end of 2025.

Spotlighting the deepening partnership between his Office and Libyan authorities, including his positive engagement with the President and the Prime Minister, he said that a new mechanism, as announced by the Attorney General of Libya with whom he met on 18 November for the first time, will be established to support coordination of action between his Office and the Office of the Attorney General across the fields of investigations, prosecutions and complementarity.

The trials in the Hague are a product of partnership; they should be seen as a common endeavour, he said, which demonstrates Libya's real efforts to work with its people and his Office. Noting intensified collaboration also with Libyan civil society, he said the Libya Unified Team has met with over 70 civil society organizations and human rights defenders to discuss their work and expectations and has put forward a new mechanism to engage with civil society organizations quarterly.

"The hopes, the expectations, the steely determination of victims need to be at the forefront of our minds," he underscored, notwithstanding "the political difficulties, technical challenges, trust issues that bedevil so many layers of Libyan society and the relationship with international organizations, like the ICC".

Pointing to a new phase wherein authorities are "willing to extend a hand", he urged continued solidarity, collaboration and communication, to allow for more space for justice and accountability and, in turn, peace and reconciliation, thus vindicating the Council's 2011 decision to refer the Libya situation to his Office.

In the ensuing debate, Council members welcomed progress in the investigations of crimes linked to military operations conducted between 2014 and 2020, but were divided, however, in expressing support for the Court's work on Libya, with some commending it.

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for November, speaking in his national capacity, said the October unsealing of six arrest warrants is "both a promising indicator of the progress made and a key step in providing justice for the victims of alleged war crimes in Tarhuna". He expressed concern, however, over the ability of the authorities to progress investigations in Libya given broader security concerns and welcomed the plans to open a liaison office. The representative of Japan, Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya, and the Court's co-focal point at the Council, alongside Switzerland, over the past two years, noted that the Court's enhanced presence through that office will improve the Libyan authorities' capacity and deter further serious crimes.

Switzerland's delegate was among several speakers, including Malta, who voiced strong support for the Court and commended the Office of the Prosecutor's enhanced cooperation with Libyan authorities, as well as its deepened engagement with civil society organizations. She also welcomed the establishment of a structured engagement mechanism but expressed concern over the shrinking civic space in Libyan society, not only for civil society organizations but also for millions of women and girls, who play a key role in the fight against impunity.

Joining speakers who cautioned against threats or pressure on the Court and its officials was Slovenia's representative who urged the Council to ensure that the Court is able to carry out its mandate independently, impartially, void of any external pressure as "threats or sanctions against judicial institutions or against its officials are unacceptable". Moreover, as "the number of conflicts around the world has reached unprecedented levels", the Council should use its power to refer more situations to the Court.

The Republic of Korea's delegate, echoing other speakers, said the current focus must be to ensure that the warrants unsealed in October concerning the Tarhuna crimes lead to arrests. He urged the Libyan authorities and other relevant countries to actively cooperate in this regard.

The delegate of the United States commended Tripoli's cooperation in global accountability efforts, including with States investigating crimes in Libya, and called for such cooperation to be strengthened to ensure that those with outstanding warrants, including former senior officials of the [Muammar] Qadhafi regime, face justice.

Guyana's representative was among a few speakers who drew attention to the plight of migrants, and voiced concern over reports of continued crimes against them, including accounts of children in warehouses and detention centres. In that context, she welcomed the Office's advancements in investigating such crimes, commending the extensive engagement with third States and international and regional organizations to this end.

Several delegates, including Ecuador's representative, underscored the need to provide the Office of the Prosecutor with sufficient financial support. Sierra Leone's delegate welcomed the Court's request for additional resources from its Assembly of States Parties [the Court's management oversight and legislative body] to address the unprecedented intensity of its investigative activities. The secondment of national experts has proven to be significantly beneficial, he added, welcoming further contributions of expertise to enhance the Office's efforts in Libya.

Still, other delegations voiced scepticism about the Court's work on Libya, with the Russian Federation's delegate also taking aim at the Prosecutor himself. With Libya not party to the Rome Statute and the Security Council having not referred any new developments in that country to the Court, attempts by "this pseudo-court"  which has not only ignored Council documents and international law  to expand its own jurisdiction are baseless, she said. It is therefore only proper that the files on Libya and Darfur are withdrawn from the Court. His reports are not independent and are "designed to obscure the real state of affairs", she said, adding that the current investigation over his alleged sexual harassment of an employee makes his briefing disrespectful to the Council and the Organization.

Algeria's delegate said the Court must complement and not substitute the work of the Libyan Judiciary, and "its verdicts must emerge from meticulous analysis of evidence, not dictated by political pressures or agenda". Turning to the situation in Gaza, he further called on the Court to urgently issue arrest warrants for war criminals in concerned countries in the Middle East as addressing these violations "will be a defining metric of its credibility".

China's delegate also stressed the need for the Office's impartiality and objectivity, and for its work to remain free of political interference. Moreover, its jurisdiction should not be indefinite, he said, calling for Libya's judicial capacity and authority to be bolstered to enable it to fight impunity and ensure justice on its own. He also called on the international community to support Libyan parties to restart dialogue, thereby bringing the 13-year impasse in the political process to an end. Similarly, Mozambique's delegate urged a political solution to overcome the prolonged stalemate, including an inclusive agreement on electoral laws between Libya's divided governments and the holding of national elections for stability and prosperity in the country.

The representative of Libya welcomed the efforts of Mr. Khan and his Office. He voiced hope that this will accelerate the investigative phase for the completion of all files pertaining to Libya, which must not remain open without end, noting that to date, 28 briefings have been held over the last 13 years. Achieving justice in Libyan territory is a sovereign prerogative, he underscored. The Libyan judiciary is committed to guaranteeing a fair and honest trial to all suspects regardless of how long it takes. The crimes committed are not subject to the statute of limitations according to the Libyan penal code. Libya's cooperation with the International Criminal Court is in line with the complementarity principle, he said, further detailing Libya's judicial capacity to investigate crimes committed within its borders and transnationally.

He welcomed the issuance of arrest warrants against six suspects outside Libya and called on the Prosecutor and his Office to "generalize" those arrest warrants and request the States sheltering the suspects to deliver them. To support transitional justice and national reconciliation, he urged an end to all negative interferences in Libyan affairs and support for a comprehensive political process. This would allow for the building of strong national institutions and the establishment of justice and the rule of law. Aligning with Algeria's statement earlier in the meeting, he reminded the Court of its responsibility towards victims of genocide perpetrated in Gaza.

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Chinese Foreign Ministry says rebel army's leader is not under house arrest

The ministry's spokesperson said Peng Daxun crossed from Myanmar into Yunnan province for medical care.

By RFA Burmese 2024.11.19 -- China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday denied reports that the leader of an ethnic rebel army was being held under house arrest in Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar's Shan state.

Peng Daxun, the leader of the insurgent Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, or MNDAA, traveled to Yunnan last month for medical treatment and was still receiving care, spokesperson Lin Jian said at the ministry's regular news conference.

Lin did not provide details about Peng's condition or his exact whereabouts.

Sources close to the MNDAA told Radio Free Asia on Monday that Peng was being prevented from returning to Myanmar after meeting with Deng Xijun, China's special envoy for Asian Affairs.

A source close to the military junta regime told RFA that Peng was being held at a hotel in Yunnan that's owned by his father.

The MNDAA captured Lashio, northern Shan state's biggest city, on Aug. 3. Since then, Beijing has put pressure on the rebel army to withdraw from the city, an important commercial gateway near the Chinese border.

Over the last year, the rebel army has seized control of more than a half dozen other towns in the area that serve as significant border trading hubs.

Border gate backlog

Also in Shan state, Chinese authorities on Tuesday morning reopened the Hsin Phyu border gate in Muse, allowing more than 300 delivery vehicles stuck in China's Kyegong town for more than a week to enter Myanmar. Muse is about 170 km (108 miles) north of Lashio.

"Trucks loaded with potatoes and a variety of goods have entered this morning unexpectedly and immediately, while the road was repaired near the gate," a border trade merchant told RFA.

Muse's two other border connections with Kyegong remain closed to vehicles, merchants said.

China's restrictions on small-scale, informal trade with northern Myanmar over the last few weeks increased in the wake of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing's early November visit to China, but it wasn't immediately clear if the two were linked. The recent border closures have resulted in price hikes in the region.

The military junta has yet to release any information about the status of the border gates.

The conditions under which Hsin Phyu - also known as the White Elephant gate - was reopened were unknown, another border trader said.

"It is not clear whether only the trapped cars will be allowed into Myanmar, or if the gate will be opened normally," he said. "However, cars from the Myanmar side are not allowed to enter China."

'Kyaukpyu has been surrounded'

On the other side of the country, armed conflict between ethnic Arakan Army insurgents and junta troops has intensified in Rakhine state's Kyaukphyu township, a seaside city where Chinese-funded projects include a deep sea port complex, a special economic zone and energy pipelines that could eventually stretch across Myanmar to the Chinese border.

Additionally, a 620 km (1,000 mile) high-speed railway and road network known as the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor is planned to run from Kunming city in Yunnan province through Myanmar's major economic hubs and on to the port.

The corridor would ultimately give China crucial access to the Indian Ocean at Kyaukphyu.

The military junta has been reinforcing troops and tightening security in some neighborhoods and nearby areas of Kyaukphyu township, residents said on Tuesday. Junta authorities also ordered the closure of all private banks on Nov. 15.

"They have set up the defensive walls with concrete structure," one Kyaukphyu resident told RFA. "These junta forces are not from the bases in Kyaukphyu, but from other battalions."

The AA has blocked all land routes up to 10 kilometers (six miles) away from Kyaukphyu as fighting has taken place in nearby Taungup and Ann townships, residents said. Ann township is home to the junta's Western Region Command headquarters.

An analyst on Rakhine military affairs who asked for anonymity for security reasons told RFA that the AA is expected to eventually advance toward Kyaukphyu town once it takes control of Toungup and Ann townships.

"Kyaukpyu has been surrounded for quite a long time," he said.

The Arakan Army, or AA, has been fighting the junta for control of Rakhine state. The group is part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance of ethnic armies that also includes the MNDAA and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army. The alliance launched an offensive against the junta in October 2023.

Attempts by RFA to contact Hla Thein, the junta's spokesman and attorney general for Rakhine state, were unsuccessful on Tuesday.

Translated by Kalyar Lwin and Aung Naing. Edited by Matt Reed.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Meeting with leader of New People party Alexei Nechayev

Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Head of the New People party faction in the State Duma Alexei Nechayev at the Kremlin.

November 19, 2024

13:45

The Kremlin, Moscow

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Nechayev, what is your party working on in the parliament?

Alexei Nechayev: We are currently working on adopting the budget. Of course, this budget is complex, but it is important that this is a victory budget, both in military and technological terms. This is the main thing. Our party supported the budget in the first reading, but I am concerned that it is a deficit budget.

Vladimir Putin: But the deficit is small.

Alexei Nechayev: That is true. However, we got used to having a budget surplus for many years, and we want to maintain a reserve so that there is always something available.

I told this to our faction and came to discuss potential ideas with you on how to fill the budget.

Vladimir Putin: Go on, please.

In fact, I expect that there will be more revenue, which will reduce the deficit.

Alexei Nechayev: Let us hope so, but we all need to work to make it smaller.

Vladimir Putin: I would like to hear your opinion because you work directly with entrepreneurs and understand this environment.

Please.

Alexei Nechayev: Eighteen months ago, we discussed smart protectionism. I remember that you supported this idea. Thanks to the duties introduced for unfriendly countries - which existed before, but were small, at just six percent - we have raised them to 35 percent for a whole range of goods, specifically for these imported items. Together, we discussed whether prices would go up. We can see now that the answer is no: prices did not go up as a result of this.

This has already generated 27 billion rubles for the budget in several product categories. The Government has set a plan for next year: to collect over 50 billion. I propose further expanding the list of countries, because we are currently targeting only a select few. Alternatively, we could consider introducing these increased duties for all Western countries, the collective West. I wanted to bring this to your attention today as well.

What can be concluded from the budget? We need to collect money not from our people, but from others. This is the most appropriate approach.

Vladimir Putin: But in a way that does not harm our people.

Alexei Nechayev: Yes, that is our common task.

It is clear that there will be 100 billion rubles and more. I think you are right: if we improve our efforts, there will be even more. That's the first point.

The second issue is quite sensitive, but I believe it is possible to ensure that migrants will contribute 85 billion rubles to our budget next year.

It is necessary to regulate this issue very carefully. If I may, I would like to explain why we should not overdo it. What is the current situation today? A migrant earns about 90,000 rubles per month in Moscow, which amounts to approximately 1.5 million rubles annually, while the annual work permit costs 90,000 rubles. Even our self-employed businesspersons pay less, not to mention rank-and-file employees.

We need to implement multiple measures to boost this figure. For example, we could raise work permit costs by 50 percent, introduce paid registration and charge duties for these work permits. Currently, people receive all these services for free; if an employee pays 5,000 rubles, this will increase annual budgetary revenues by 10 billion rubles.

This extra funding will enable us to install biometric equipment at border checkpoints, so we will know for certain who has arrived, and where these people are staying and working across the country. You see, only some migrants have work permits.

I would like to ask you to discuss this issue if you support it. We even suggest issuing migrant IDs to monitor the situation. This is the second point.

Thank you very much for supporting the cryptocurrency mining bill. The document has been discussed, and the Government has supported it. Without your support this would not have happened.

Vladimir Putin: Regions with surplus power are already hard pressed for electricity.

Alexei Nechayev: Yes, we must not mine cryptocurrency there; we should limit this activity to the regions with surplus power. A member of our party co-authored this bill. I have attended several meetings, and we can see how much the sector will net throughout 2025.

We need to establish a leading global sector, rather than one that ranks third or fourth in the world. To achieve this, we need to expand our volumes by about five times. We should closely examine areas where this expansion should occur, as we should not mine cryptocurrency in areas that lack electricity.

But this could provide the budget with up to 200 billion rubles in annual revenues. We will certainly benefit from these revenues today and in the future as well.

Perhaps most importantly, it is not just about money; such development could make it possible to gain superiority in artificial intelligence. Yes, Russia, has had a good head start and we are already among the leaders, thanks to Yandex, VK, Sber, and other our companies.

Vladimir Putin: That is true.

Alexei Nechayev: However, it is one thing to be one of the leaders and another to be ahead of the curve, as we once were in space. Therefore, I think that this task should be set - also carefully, but firmly and steadily.

I want to say that in this difficult time, we - the party, our activists and supporters - are confident that we will emerge victorious, including thanks to you and your work.

Vladimir Putin: Thanks to the people of Russia.

Alexei Nechayev: And thanks to the people of Russia. Thank you very much.

I also want to thank you for organising the BRICS summit here in Russia, in Kazan. I know many young people were watching, and there were a lot of conversations. The fact that we showed them there is a new world, a big world, inspires many people. Because the whole idea that "there is some global world and they do not want us there" ... Everybody can see that they do want.

You did it. Thank you very much.

Vladimir Putin: Our objective is not to prove something to someone, but to move forward, to develop with those who want to do so.

Alexei Nechayev: To be real.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, I agree.

Alexei Nechayev: Itis a pity Fukuyama was not there. Remember, he talked about the end of history. We can see now that there is no end of history. On the contrary, a new history is beginning, and it began in Kazan.

<...>

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Putin Signs New Doctrine Widening Rules On Nuclear Weapons Use

By RFE/RL's Russian Service and Current Time November 19, 2024

President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on November 19 updating and expanding Moscow's nuclear doctrine to allow for the use of atomic weapons in case of an attack on Russia by a nonnuclear actor that is backed by a nuclear power.

The move comes just days after President Joe Biden reportedly gave Ukraine permission to use U.S.-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, to strike deep inside Russia. ATACMS have a range of some 300 kilometers.

The updated doctrine says Russia would consider using nuclear weapons after receiving "reliable information about the launching of a massive attack against it and missiles crossing the Russian border."

Moscow will consider "aggression by a nonnuclear state -- but with the participation or support of a nuclear-armed state -- as a joint attack on the Russian Federation," the document says, without clarifying whether such an aggression would automatically trigger a nuclear response.

Experts highlighted that one key change is that the aggression would not need to pose an existential threat to Russia, with the threshold for a response lowered to aggression that presents a "critical threat to the sovereignty and/or territorial integrity" of the country.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, when asked if a conventional Ukrainian attack using U.S. missiles could potentially trigger a nuclear response, said that it could, pointing out that the revised passage also included threats to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia's ally Belarus.

The document also expands the list of states and military alliances against which nuclear "deterrence" can be carried out, as well as the "list of military threats for the neutralization of which nuclear deterrence measures are carried out."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov downplayed the significance of the changes to the nuclear doctrine, saying in Brazil on November 19 that Moscow is "determined to do everything possible to prevent a nuclear war."

However, the European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, described the changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine as "completely irresponsible."

"It is not the first time that Putin plays the nuclear gamble," he said in Brussels, saying "any call for nuclear warfare is an irresponsibility."

In Washington, a National Security Council spokesperson said that the White House was "not surprised by Russia's announcement" and that the United States did not plan to adjust its own nuclear doctrine in response.

The review of Russia's nuclear doctrine was first mentioned by Putin on September 25, 2024, at a meeting of the Russian Security Council amid discussions around allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia.

Peskov, asked whether the change in doctrine -- which was announced as Russia's war on Ukraine marked its 1,000th day -- was linked to the reported move by Biden, said the update was released "in a timely manner" based on the "current situation."

The reported U.S. decision, which has yet to be officially confirmed by the White House, comes after months of insistence by Kyiv to be allowed to use Western-donated long-range systems to strike military targets deep inside Russia.

Britain and France have also supplied Ukraine with their jointly-made Storm Shadow missiles which have a 250-kilometer range, but have so far refrained from giving Kyiv approval to use them against targets farther into Russia.

Meanwhile, on November 18, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said once again that Germany will not send its Taurus missiles, which have a 500-kilometer range, to Ukraine.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-nuclear- doctrine-update/33207832.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at a meeting with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Rio de Janeiro, November 18, 2024

19 November 2024 02:14

2240-19-11-2024

Mr Minister, my dear friend,

As stated by our leaders, we are at an unprecedented stage in the development of our comprehensive partnership and strategic collaboration. This is confirmed by the regular contacts between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of China Xi Jinping.

After their meeting in Kazan, they specified the targets set for all our ministries, agencies and organisations. All of this certainly meets the interests of our countries and facilitates the growth of national economies and the wellbeing of our citizens. The model of equitable and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two great powers is attractive to other like-minded states, as evidenced by the activities of BRICS. I would like to thank our Chinese friends once again for their assistance during the Russian chairmanship of the Group.

We have no doubt that we will continue to act as successfully and in unison at all other venues, including the SCO, where China is performing the functions of Chairman, as well as the G20, APEC, the UN, and its Security Council. The latter is of special importance in light of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, whose creation was one of the most significant outcomes of World War II.

We attach great importance to the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Victory on both the Western and Eastern fronts in the context of attempts to revise the outcomes of World War II and the emergence of neo-Nazi hotbeds in Europe. This event goes far beyond [ordinary] military memorial undertakings. We will use the anniversary to protect peace on the planet and consolidate healthy forces based on respect for the sovereign equality of states and mutual benefit.

Thank you for the opportunity to have this conversation on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. We hope to discuss our bilateral affairs and multilateral cooperation.





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Joint Declaration by the Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, Poland, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom in Warsaw, 19 November

The Foreign Ministers of the Weimar Triangle from Germany, France and Poland discussed European security with the Foreign Ministers of Italy, Spain and the UK.

19 November 2024

We, the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, have come together today, recognizing that our common security is challenged as never before in our lifetimes.

Russia is systematically attacking European security architecture.

For the last 1,000 days, in its war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia has killed many thousands and repeatedly violated international law.

Russia's reckless revisionism and constant refusal to stop the aggression and engage in meaningful talks challenges peace, freedom and prosperity on the European continent and in the transatlantic area.

Russia is increasingly reliant on partners such as Iran and North Korea in order to sustain its illegal warfare.

Moscow's escalating hybrid activities against NATO and EU countries are also unprecedented in their variety and scale, creating significant security risks.

To live up to this historic challenge, we are determined to stand united with our European and transatlantic partners to think and act big on European security. European countries must play a still greater role in assuring our own security, acting alongside our transatlantic and global partners.

Today, we therefore consider it imperative to:

reaffirm the enduring role of a strong and united NATO as a bedrock of European defence and security, based on a strong transatlantic bond, an ironclad commitment to defend each other, and fair burden-sharing;

strengthen NATO by stepping up our security and defence expenditure, in line with our previous commitments, while reaffirming that, in many cases, expenditure beyond 2% of GDP will be needed to address rising threats to security and meet the requirements to deter and defend across all domains in the Euro-Atlantic area.

strengthen Europe's security and defence, using all levers available to us, including the economic and financing power of the European Union and by reinforcing Europe's industrial base. To this aim, we will build on the work in NATO, the European Union, among groups of Allies and with likeminded countries, discuss innovative financing, and remove obstacles to defence trade and investment;

invest in our critical military capabilities, including air defence, deep precision strikes, drones and integrated logistics, as well as in critical infrastructure and cyber defence, while investing in research and development, and using new technologies;

enhance resilience to cognitive warfare and hybrid threats in Europe, also through the relevant EU mechanisms, and promote the resilience of our societies,

further step up our military, economic and financial support for Ukraine, while welcoming the 50 billion dollar G7 loan to ensure that Ukraine has sufficient resources for the next year;

remain steadfast in our support for a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, based on the UN Charter, reaffirming that peace can only be negotiated with Ukraine, with European, American and G7 partners by its side, and in making sure that the aggressor will bear consequences, also financial ones, of its illegal acts that violate rules set out in the UN Charter,

continue deterring Russia, thwarting Putin's ability to sustain his war of aggression, and constraining the build-up of Russia's military capabilities, including through restrictive measures.

We underline our steadfast commitment to a European security architecture based on the principles of the UN Charter and the OSCE, which have been gravely violated by Russia in recent years.

We are convinced that this is the moment when we must deliver and ensure that our citizens live in peace, freedom and prosperity. To this end, further integration between the EU member states, closer cooperation between the EU and the UK, and enhanced cooperation between NATO and the European Union will be key. We consider this also a unique opportunity to renew the foundations of our transatlantic relations with the United States of America by strengthening NATO and ensuring fair burden sharing within the Alliance.

ENDS

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Taiwan to buy $2.2 bln of US weapons after Trump urged more spending

US President-elect Donald Trump said Taiwan must contribute more financially if it seeks continued US protection.

By Alan Lu for RFA 2024.11.19

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan plans to spend 70.6 billion New Taiwan dollars (US$2.2 billion) on American weapons next year, confirming recent speculation that it would make big new purchases to signal its commitment to President-elect Donald Trump's suggestion that it pay more for U.S. "protection."

Democratically-governed Taiwan, which China claims to have sovereignty over, heavily relies on U.S. support to counter Beijing's growing military pressure, although it lacks formal diplomatic ties with the United States, which adheres to a "one China" policy.

"Taipei has signed contracts with the U.S. for 21 procurement projects, totalling NT$716.6 billion, with final payments scheduled to be made in 2031," the island's defense ministry said on Monday.

"Of this total, approximately NT$373.1 billion has already been paid, while NT$343.5 billion remains unpaid and will be disbursed according to the payment schedule," the ministry added.

Next year's NT$70.6 billion budget will be spent on weapons including portable short-range air defense missiles and radar system upgrades, according to the ministry.

A partnership between Washington and Taipei grew significantly during Trump's first term and further deepened under President Joe Biden amid intensifying U.S.-China rivalry.

Former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen made history with a landmark phone call to Trump following his 2016 election victory, sparking a strong backlash from Beijing.

Trump also bolstered ties by ramping up arms sales and increasing diplomatic engagement, with Taiwan purchasing US$18 billion in U.S. weapons during his first term - US$4 billion more than the two terms of the Obama administration.

'Bluntly transactional diplomacy'

However, during this year's campaign, Trump adopted what media called "bluntly transactional diplomacy" and criticized Taiwan's insufficient military spending and its semiconductor dominance, arguing it was "stupid" for the U.S. to provide free protection.

The president-elect also signaled doubt as to how quickly and effectively the U.S. could help defend the island against a Chinese invasion.

This sparked speculation in Taiwan that it may make significant new arms deals early under the next U.S. administration to demonstrate its commitment to addressing Trump's concerns, with media reporting that Taiwan had approached Trump's team regarding a possible US$15 billion weapons package.

The island's defense minister, Wellington Koo, dismissed the report last week but said: "Communication and proposals for necessary weaponry would continue under the existing military exchange mechanisms with the future Trump administration."

His ministry said on Monday that Taiwan's arms purchases from the U.S. were based on assessments of enemy threats and informed by experience from recent global conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine.

"Budget allocations are determined based on annual defense funding availability, the progress of individual projects, and delivery schedules," the ministry added.

In response to criticism from lawmakers about delayed deliveries of U.S. arms, the ministry said there had been disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but noted manufacturing had gradually resumed post-pandemic, with delivery timelines accelerating.

A report by the Cato Institute, a Washington-based think tank, shows that as of August 2024, the cumulative value of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan that have yet to be delivered had reached $20.53 billion.

Shu Hsiao-Huang, an associate research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said some items requested by U.S. allies might not align with the current needs of the American army, which led to delays in production.

"Some new equipment faced integration issues, which requires system adjustments to meet customer demands," said Shu, adding that certain weapons, such as Stinger missiles, had also become difficult to obtain due to high demand globally.

A recent proposal submitted to Taiwan's legislature for review shows Taiwan's weapon purchases from the U.S. included 108 M1A2T Abrams tanks, 66 F-16V fighter jets, 29 HIMARS rocket systems, and 100 Harpoon land-based missile systems.

Edited by Taejun Kang.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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1,000th day of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine: Committee of Ministers declaration

Council of Europe

Committee of Ministers

Strasbourg

19 November 2024

To mark the 1,000th day of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers has adopted the following declaration:

"For 1,000 days, Russia has been pursuing a war of aggression against Ukraine in flagrant violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter and the Statute of the Council of Europe.

For 1,000 days, the Ukrainian people have endured immense suffering; thousands of Ukrainian children have been illegally deported, thousands of innocent civilians have been killed or injured, and millions more have been forced to flee their homes, being temporarily displaced in Ukraine and seeking shelter across Europe.

For 1,000 days, we have been inspired by the resilience and courage shown by the Ukrainian people in defence of their country and for all those who believe in the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

For 1,000 days, we in the Council of Europe have been providing Ukraine with multifaceted support to help Ukraine cope with the dramatic consequences of Russia's war of aggression.

Today, we remain committed to supporting Ukraine in its struggle for freedom, democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and to continue working with our international partners to ensure the reconstruction and recovery of the country, as well as to hold Russia accountable for its crimes and to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine."

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Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide: 1 000 days of full-scale war in Ukraine

Government of Norway

News story | Date: 19/11/2024

Today marks 1 000 days since Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, launched an illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Eight years prior to that, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula and parts of the Donbas region.

For the first time since the Second World War, we are seeing a war between major powers in Europe.

The courageous people of Ukraine have withstood the attacks of the Russian war machine for 1 000 days. The war has in no way gone as President Putin has hoped. His political objective remains unchanged: to gain control over all of Ukraine and force the Ukrainian people to submit to being governed by Russia and abandon their Ukrainian identity, language and culture. That has not happened, and it is not going to happen.

Our message to the Ukrainian people is that Norway will continue to stand by them, both here and now and in the long term. Norway is providing significant, long-term support to Ukraine in its fight to defend itself: from air defence to protect the civilian population from missile attacks to providing emergency humanitarian aid, safeguarding electricity and heating, reconstructing homes, facilitating the running of hospitals, and helping the Ukrainian government administration to continue to provide essential services. We want the people of Ukraine to know that this support will continue, also once the war is over. This is crucial both for Ukrainian people, who are trying to maintain their daily lives under very difficult circumstances, and for the soldiers in the trenches.

We are now seeing further escalation from Russia, including last weekend's attacks on critical infrastructure such as the electricity supply. Norway condemns these attacks. Energy security is essential for Ukrainian civilians to make it through a cold winter and to keep the economy afloat. Under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, Norway is providing much-needed assistance to secure the electricity supply to people and key industries in Ukraine.

The past 1 000 days of full-scale war against the Ukrainian population should never have happened. President Putin's war of aggression is a serious violation of international law and must not be allowed to succeed. Ukraine and the international community are seeking peace. This must be a just peace, which respects Ukraine's freedom, independence and territorial integrity, not a 'peace' on the aggressor, President Putin's terms.

The war in Ukraine affects Ukraine, but it also affects our safety and security. We will never accept to live in a Europe where authoritarian leaders such as President Putin can unilaterally use force to try to redraw borders and change a system of governance.



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Parliamentary Secretary Dace Melbarde: stronger action must be taken against countries that support Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

19.11.2024

"19 November sees 1000 days since Russia began the war of aggression against Ukraine. The European Union needs to do more, so that Ukraine can win. Ukraine urgently needs more support in the military, humanitarian and energy sector. We also need to take stronger action against countries that support Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine and continue to do away with the circumvention of sanctions imposed by the EU," urged the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dace Melbarde, at the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union (EU) in Brussels, on 18 November.

EU Foreign Ministers were addressed, via videoconference, by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, who brief them about the current situation in the country 1000 days into the war. He highlighted the need to support the Ukrainian energy sector suffering severe damage from Russian attacks; he also called for support for Ukraine's military industry in order to ensure the necessary military resources.



The Parliamentary Secretary condemned in the strongest terms support by third countries for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: "Such actions affect the security of the whole of Europe and call for a strong EU response, including more robust sanctions. Thereby, we also support the restrictive measures against Iran, which today, on 18 November, have been approved by the EU Foreign Affairs Council in view of Iran's military support for Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, and for armed groupings in the Middle East and the Red Sea region."



"Sanctions pressure on Russia must be strengthened and the next round of sanctions must be approved later this year. Latvia is also working on sanctions proposals and, in our opinion, focus should be placed on Russia's energy, financial and trade sectors, as well as its propaganda machine. The EU must also urgently approve the first round of sanctions to tackle Russia's hybrid threat," Dace Melbarde noted.

"Broader restrictive measures against 'shadow fleet' vessels are essential. It is also necessary, both within the EU itself and in cooperation with like-minded partners, to prevent the circumvention of sanctions, including by actively targeting third countries involved in the sanction circumvention. Only a united and consistent EU action can constrain Russia," Parliamentary Secretary Melbarde underlined.

As regards the 'shadow fleet', Dace Melbarde informed the EU Foreign Ministers that at the meeting held from 13 to 15 November, experts from Latvia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom affirmed their shared commitment to work collectively to confront the environmental, maritime safety and security risks posed by the 'shadow fleet', in particular to all coastal states.

Dace Melbarde emphasised that all the assistance we provide to Ukraine is crucial for the security of Europe as a whole. "Special support is needed for the Ukrainian military industry through channelling windfall profits from generated by immobilised assets of the Central Bank of Russia towards this aim. Strong Ukraine is a strong Europe," noted Dace Melbarde.

Referring to Ukraine's European integration, Dace Melbarde noted that "Latvia welcomes progress made by Ukraine towards its integration into the EU and will continue to provide all the necessary support in future."

The EU Foreign Affairs Council also discussed the situation in Georgia following the parliamentary elections held on 26 October. "Regrettably, we see that Georgia course of integration into the EU has actually been thwarted. At the same time, it is important to keep the EU's doors open for Georgia and to provide support to Georgian society and its EU aspirations," said Dace Melbarde.

EU Foreign Ministers also held an informal exchange on future cooperation between the EU and the United States. Dace Melbarde noted that "the EU and the U.S. are long-term strategic partners linked by shared values and interests. Transatlantic security and continued support to Ukraine are essential priorities in the dialogue with the U.S."

EU Foreign Ministers then discussed latest developments and further measures to be taken to defuse the crisis in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa - Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti.

For the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, who has held the office since 2019, this was the last EU Foreign Affairs Council under his chairmanship.

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Lithuania hands in a note of protest to a representative of the Russian Embassy

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated 2024-11-19

On 18 November, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania summoned a representative of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vilnius and handed in a note of protest over military aggression against Ukraine, which the Russian Federation has been carrying out for almost 1000 days and continues to escalate.



The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed a strong protest over yet another massive missile and drone attack on Ukrainian cities and its energy infrastructure on 17 November. Lithuania strongly condemns Russia's ongoing aggression in violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious crimes under international law, which have resulted in the loss of life and injury to civilians and the destruction of Ukraine's civilian facilities and objects of critical importance.



The representative of the Russian Embassy was reminded that Lithuania had already taken steps to create a special international tribunal that would have a mandate to investigate and prosecute the crime of aggression committed by the political and military leadership of the Russian Federation and the countries supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine, to properly record and document all the damage caused by Russia's war of aggression (also using the already operating Council of Europe's Register of Damage for Ukraine), and to fully compensate for it, including by transferring the frozen funds and assets of the Russian Federation.



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The President addressed the people of Ukraine: After 1,000 days of war, Lithuania stands with you

President of the Republic of Lithuania

November 19, 2024

On Tuesday, as Ukraine marks 1,000 days since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression, President Gitanas Nauseda addressed all Ukrainians, urging them to remain strong and courageous.

"One thousand days ago, Russia's brutal war of aggression began. Long days and nights full of terror, destruction and heroic struggle followed. Today, Lithuania pays tribute to every fallen defender of Ukraine. We pay tribute to those of you who keep on fighting for a just peace and a better future for your nation," the President said in his video address.

President Nauseda emphasized that Lithuania will stand with Ukraine, as it has since the first day of the war, until the final victory.

"Stay strong and stay brave. History is on your side. Slava Ukraini!" the President concluded.



The President's Communication Group

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Ukraine: Grim milestone of 1,000 days since Russia launched full-scale armed attack

19 ovember 2024



From Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Jeremy Laurence

Location Geneva

Today marks the grim milestone of 1,000 days since the Russian Federation launched its full-scale armed attack on Ukraine. Our Office has verified that at least 12,162 civilians have been killed since 24 February 2022, among them 659 children. At least another 26,919 civilians have been injured.

Over the past two days, at least 30 civilians have reportedly been killed in a series of deadly strikes in residential areas in Sumy City, Odesa and Hlukhiv. In the very latest attack on Hlukhiv, which occurred late last night, nine civilians, including a child, were reportedly killed, and 11, including two children, injured. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.

On Monday, the Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Danielle Bell, visited several locations in Zaporizhzhia that had recently been struck by Russian glide bombs. These weapons carry large amounts of explosive material which - when deployed in cities and other populated areas - cause extensive civilian casualties and damage to civilian property.

Among the sites visited was an oncology centre hit by a glide bomb on 7 November at 2:30 PM, where cancer patients were undergoing chemotherapy at the time of the attack. The medical centre sustained severe damage and is now undergoing repairs.

Bell also visited the site of an apartment building where half of the structure was destroyed by another glide bomb, also on 7 November. In this incident, 10 people lost their lives.

Colleagues in our Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine later spoke with a man whose home had been destroyed after two vehicles, thrown through the air by the blast wave on the same day, struck his house. Next door, a family suffered a devastating loss: their 20-year-old son was killed in the attack. His mother, who was severely injured, remains hospitalized. The family's two-storey home, the largest in the neighborhood, was almost completely levelled by the glide bomb's direct impact.

As the High Commissioner has said, it has been 1,000 days too many of senseless pain and suffering. Violations of human rights have become the order of the day, both in the conduct of hostilities and in areas under occupation.

We call on all parties to ensure the safety and protection of civilians. Effective measures must also be taken to fully and impartially investigate where there are credible allegations of violations. The violence must stop - for the sake of the people of Ukraine, the people of Russia, and the world.

The High Commissioner repeats his call on the Russian Federation to cease immediately its armed attack and to withdraw all of its military forces from Ukraine. Russia must meet its international obligations under the UN Charter, the order of the International Court of Justice and other applicable law.

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Russia Says Ukraine Used ATACMS Against Military Target In Bryansk

By Merhat Sharipzhan, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and RFE/RL's Russian Service November 19, 2024

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on November 19 that Ukraine used six U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles in its attack on the Bryansk region overnight, claiming Russian forces managed to shoot down five of the missiles and damage one.

According to the ministry, fragments from the damaged ATACMS fell on a military target, causing a fire that was quickly extinguished. The ministry also said there were no casualties.

Hours earlier, the Russian RBK news agency quoted an informed source within Ukraine's military as saying Kyiv had used ATACMS missiles for the first time, targeting an object in the city of Karachev in Russia's southwestern Bryansk region, successfully damaging the facility.

Kyiv did not officially confirm the reports, but President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, when asked about them, said only that "Ukraine has long-range capabilities, including domestically produced long-range drones...and now we have ATACMS as well."

AFP quoted an unnamed senior Ukrainian official as saying that the strike "was carried out by ATACMS missiles."

The timing of this operation, coinciding with the 1,000th day of Russia's invasion, carries symbolic weight. By further demonstrating its capacity to retaliate with precision and range, observers believe Ukraine seeks to shift the strategic calculus of the war, showing Russian territory is not immune from direct attacks.

Ukraine for months has been striking inside Russia with its drones, often with precise attacks. ATACMS, however, are more powerful and faster and therefore tougher to shoot down. The reported U.S. permission on ATACMS expands the type and increases the number of Ukraine's long-range options.

The same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an updated nuclear doctrine. This revision allows for the consideration of nuclear weapons use if Russia faces a conventional missile assault supported by a nuclear power.

The doctrine now includes attacks with conventional missiles, drones, or other aircraft as potential triggers for a nuclear response. Additionally, any aggression against Russia by a state allied with a nuclear power will be viewed as aggression by the entire coalition.

Ukrainians awoke on November 19 to news of yet another deadly Russian drone strike on a residential building.

Ukrainian authorities said that six people were killed, including one child, in the early morning attack that hit a five-story building in the city of Hlukhiv, in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region.

Twelve people were injured, two of them children, and one section of the building collapsed.

Rescue workers were on the scene and officials expressed fears that the casualty count could rise.

Just two days earlier, Russian forces targeted an apartment building in the regional capital, Sumy, killing 11 people, including two children, and injuring more than 50.

The Sumy region, which borders Russia, has been a frequent target of artillery and drone strikes, with attacks intensifying in recent months.

Local authorities in Sumy have ordered the evacuation of 23 towns and villages, affecting around 6,000 people, as the region remains under near-constant threat.

Russia's Defense Ministry continues to claim that it targets only military facilities, yet reports from Ukrainian officials and independent media document widespread civilian casualties and destruction of nonmilitary infrastructure.

Russia's full-scale invasion, which began on February 24, 2022, has evolved into a prolonged conflict with significant losses on both sides.

For Ukraine, the war has meant widespread destruction, over 20,000 civilian deaths according to international estimates, and millions displaced. For Russia, the conflict has brought economic isolation, military losses, and growing internal dissent.

The use of ATACMS by Ukraine would reflect both the maturation of its military strategy and the increasing support from Western allies, who have progressively provided more advanced weaponry to counter Russian aggression.

However, it also raises questions about the potential for further escalation, as attacks on Russian soil may provoke a harsher response from Moscow.

With reporting by RBK, TASS, Interfax, dpa, and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-invasion-1000- days-sumy-attack-putin-nuclear-doctrine/33207839.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (19 November 2024)

19.11.2024

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region.

The units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on formations of 41st, 44th, 47th, 115th mechanised brigades, 82nd and 95th air assault brigades, 36th Marine Brigade, 117th and 129th territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Daryino, Zeleny Shlyakh, Leonidovo, Nizhny Klin, and Novoivanovka.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on enemy manpower and hardware close to Bogdanovka, Daryino, Martynovka, Mirny, Nikolayevka, Nikolayevo-Darino, Novaya Sorochina, Plekhovo, Sverdlikovo, Staraya Sorochina, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, as well as Basovka and Zhuravka in Sumy region.

The enemy sustained losses of up to 320 troops, two tanks, to include one German-made Leopard 2 tank, one U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, an armoured personnel carrier, 15 armoured fighting vehicles, 10 motor vehicles, three self-propelled artillery systems, and one electronic warfare station. Six AFU servicemen surrendered.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses have amounted to more than 33,990 troops, 215 tanks, 141 infantry fighting vehicles, 116 armoured personnel carriers, 1,190 armoured fighting vehicles, 968 motor vehicles, 294 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers, including HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 13 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 67 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 27 units of engineering and other materiel, including 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, six armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Statement on the occasion of 1,000 days of Russian aggression against Ukraine

Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PRESS STATEMENT 072

19 Nov 2024

On the 1,000th day since it began, Spain reiterates its condemnation of Russia's illegal and unjustified aggression against Ukraine, in flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, and expresses its unconditional support for the Ukrainian Government and people in their efforts to confront this aggression.

During these 1,000 days, Russia has also continuously and systematically violated the most basic rules of international humanitarian law, with indiscriminate shelling of the population and critical civilian infrastructure, also endangering the ecological and nuclear security of the European continent. This war is also having global consequences, in particular on world food security, with repeated attacks on ports and ships loaded with grain in the Black Sea. These crimes cannot go unpunished and those responsible must be brought to justice.

Since the beginning of the aggression, Spain has provided support to Ukraine in all areas: diplomatic, military (for the exercise of its right to self-defence), humanitarian and economic, and for reconstruction. It will continue to do so for as long as necessary, jointly and in coordination with the other countries of the European Union and the rest of its partners and allies.

Spain supports efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on international law and the United Nations Charter, including the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, and once again calls on the Russian Federation to cease its aggression and to proceed to the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of its troops from all Ukrainian territory.

NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION

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Joint statement of the OSCE Troika on the 1000th day since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine

Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

VIENNA 19 November 2024

VIENNA, 19 November 2024 -- Today, the OSCE Troika - Malta, North Macedonia and Finland - made the following statement:

"On this 1000th day since the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we, the OSCE Troika members - Malta, North Macedonia and Finland - reaffirm our steadfast support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We applaud the resilience of the Ukrainian people and pledge continued support, including through the CiO's Special Representative - Project Co-ordinator and the extra-budgetary Support Programme for Ukraine.

We strongly condemn Russia's ongoing war of aggression. This war is a grave violation of the UN Charter and a flagrant breach of OSCE principles and commitments under the Helsinki Final Act.

We reaffirm the urgent need to protect civilians and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to those in need. The relentless, indiscriminate attacks on civilians and residential areas, as well as the targeted destruction of civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, hospitals and schools in Ukraine, violate international humanitarian law, compound human suffering, and undermine prospects for peace.

We underline that those responsible for violations of international law, especially regarding crimes committed against children and conflict-related sexual violence, should be held accountable, ensuring justice for victims.

We are deeply concerned by the war's broader consequences on food security, the environment, nuclear security and safety, energy stability and cultural heritage.

We call for the immediate release of all unlawfully detained civilians, including those held for their political views, and the swift return of children illegally deported from Ukraine. We also demand the immediate and unconditional release of OSCE officials Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov, who remain unjustly detained.

This war must end. We call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease all hostilities and withdraw its forces from Ukraine's internationally recognized borders.

On this tragic milestone, we underscore our commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. We urge all participating States and international organizations to intensify support for diplomatic efforts to achieve such a peace."

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UK sanctions perpetrators of Russia's forced deportation and brainwashing of Ukrainian children on 1000th day of full-scale invasion of Ukraine

UK sanctions those involved in Russia's systematic attempt to erase Ukrainian cultural and national identity.

19 November 2024

new sanctions target those supporting Vladimir Putin's attempts to forcibly deport and indoctrinate Ukraine's children and erase their Ukrainian cultural heritage

package of 10 designations includes leading Russian officials and state-linked youth organisations

announcement comes on 1000th day of Ukraine's fight against Putin's illegal full-scale invasion

Ten perpetrators of the Russian state's forcible deportation and attempted indoctrination of Ukrainian children have been sanctioned today [19 November] by the UK.

It comes as Ukraine reaches the grim milestone of 1000 days of bravely resisting Putin's illegal invasion.

Russia's assault is an unprovoked and barbaric attack against a sovereign democratic state. Ukraine has suffered nearly 12,000 civilian deaths, with more than 10 million Ukrainians forced to leave their homes.

More than 19,500 Ukrainian children have been forcibly transferred or deported by the Russian authorities to Russia and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

An estimated 6,000 Ukrainian children have been relocated to a network of re-education camps. Once there, they are subjected to indoctrination efforts which seek to erode their Ukrainian identity and instil pro-Russian sentiments, a strategy dating back to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea more than 10 years ago.

Those responsible have been sanctioned today.

Russian authorities expose Ukrainian children to a curriculum that rewrites Russian and Ukrainian history, glorifies Russian military actions, and promotes allegiance to Russia - and in some cases involves military training.

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said:

No child should ever be used as a pawn in war, yet President Putin's targeting of Ukrainian children shows the depths he will go to in his mission to erase Ukraine and its people from the map. As Ukraine reaches the grim milestone of 1000 days of bravely defending against Putin's illegal invasion, the UK's support is iron-clad. With our international partners, we stand with Ukraine to confront Russian aggression and fight for freedom, liberty and victory.

This latest round of sanctions targets those who prop up this insidious programme, including the All-Russian Young Army Military Patriotic Social Movement (Yunarmia), a Russian paramilitary organisation central to Putin's attempts to forcibly deport and indoctrinate Ukraine's younger generation.

Also sanctioned is Tetiana Zavalska, the Russian-appointed Head of Kherson Children's Home, where 46 children were forcibly taken from the children's home to Russia for adoption.

Vitaliy Aleksandrovich Suk, Director of the Oleshki Boarding School for Children with disabilities in Kherson, has also been sanctioned for using his position to illegally transfer disabled Ukrainian children out of Kherson.

During the last 1000 days, Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has violated Euro-Atlantic security, the UN charter and international law. The UK continues to stand up for Ukraine on the world stage, with the Foreign Secretary chairing a UN Security Council session on Ukraine in New York yesterday and joining Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at a UN stakeout.

The Prime Minister is attending the G20 Leaders' Summit in Brazil, where he will call on G20 countries to go further and faster in their support of Ukraine, highlighting the 'unfathomable consequences' if Putin succeeds.

The Foreign Secretary will join counterparts from France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, and the European Union to discuss Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. This is the first time the UK has been invited to join the Weimar Triangle at Foreign Minister level, reiterating the UK's commitment to work closely with European partners to solve security challenges.

In the face of Putin's barbarism and imperialism, Ukrainians have defended their country with courage and a fierce determination to defend the values they cherish. Now into 1000 days of a war that Putin thought would be over in a few, Ukrainian forces have defied the odds, successfully pushing much of the Russian Black Sea Fleet eastwards, preventing Russia from dominating the air, and ensuring Ukraine can export its goods freely again, including lifesaving food supplies to the global south.

In Russia, the Russian people are paying the price for Putin's imperialism. Russia's army has suffered over 700,000 casualties, with Russia's daily casualties at their highest ever levels, while the cost of the war means Russia is now poorer than every EU economy by GDP per capita.

The UK remains resolutely committed to supporting Ukraine as it fights for freedom. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion the UK has committed 12.8 billion in support for Ukraine and will continue to deliver 3 billion of military aid every year for as long as needed.

Background

You can find more information on the UK's support for Ukraine here.

Sanctioned today under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 are:

All-Russian Young Army Military Patriotic Social Movement (Yunarmia)

Nikita Vladimirovich NAGORNY

Igor KAZAREZOV

Andrey SABINOV

Serafim Vikentevich IVANOV

Avangard

Olena Oleksandrivna SHAPUROVA

Valentina Vasilyevna LAVRIK

Tetiana ZAVALSKA

Vitaliy Aleksandrovich SUK

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UK marks 1,000th day of full-scale invasion of Ukraine as training programme hits 50,000

The UK is expanding military support for Ukraine with funding to provide new drone capabilities, on the the 1,000th day of Putin's illegal full-scale invasion.

19 November 2024

New UK military support of 7.5million for attack and surveillance drones

Comes as allies invest further money in drone coalition, co-led by the UK and Latvia

Number of Ukrainian recruits trained on British soil under Operation Interflex passes 50,000

The UK is expanding its military support for Ukraine with a major funding package to provide new drone capabilities, as the defence against Putin's illegal full-scale invasion enters its 1,000th day.

It follows confirmation from Defence Secretary John Healey MP on Monday that the number of Ukrainian armed forces recruits trained by the UK on British soil has passed 50,000. The Operation Interflex training has been delivered since the summer of 2022 and is now supported by 12 other countries.

The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have been clear that the defence of the UK starts in Ukraine and are committed to stepping up and speeding up deliveries of military support.

It comes as spending by the UK Government on military support for Ukraine is now at its highest ever level since the start of the full-scale invasion - spending 3billion this year and every year for as long as it takes, as well 2.3bn from profits on frozen Russian assets.

Today, the Government is announcing further military support of 7.5 million of funding for new attack and surveillance drones, which will be invested through the drone coalition led by the UK and Latvia and drawn from the 3bn annual funding pool. This is on top of the 120m of funding announced by the Prime Minister last month for Ukraine's Navy and maritime capabilities which will fund uncrewed surface vessels, and maritime ISR drones.

In a show of unity between the UK and its allies, the drone coalition will receive an additional 16m from countries including Germany (10m), Canada (3m), and Luxembourg (3m) who have pledged to purchase drones through the coalition. This brings the total fund to 67m, including a total of 15m from the UK.

This additional support provides another significant boost for the capabilities of Ukraine's Armed Forces in the face of Putin's illegal war of aggression. Over the weekend, more than 120 missiles and 90 drones were launched by Russia at Ukraine's infrastructure, killing civilians in eastern Ukraine.

The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Adrian Bird, will also be delivering a recorded intelligence update on social media, providing a comprehensive overview of the conflict. This includes:

More than 700,000 Russian casualties (dead and wounded). The daily average of Russian casualties in the first 17 days of November 2024 has now risen to 1,531.

Russian equipment destroyed includes 3,558 tanks, 147 helicopters, 132 fixed wing aircraft, 1,750 artillery and more than 8,500 armoured vehicles. A total of 26 Russian vessels have also been destroyed or damaged in the Black Sea

Iranian military aid to Russia has included the supply of hundreds of one-way attack drones, artillery munitions, and extensive support to Russian domestic drone production. Iran has also delivered Fath-360 close range ballistic missiles to Russia.

The Minister for the Armed Forces will visit Operation Interflex training in the East of England today (Tuesday). He will meet some of the 50,000 troops trained by the UK and its allies - Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Lithuania, Australia, Romania, Netherlands, Kosovo and Estonia.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

The UK has stood side by side with our Ukrainian allies since day one of Putin's illegal full scale invasion - leading international support, training 50,000 recruits and supplying weapons, drones and other crucial military kit. 1,000 days after Putin initiated his full-scale invasion, our commitment to Ukraine remains ironclad. President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people will have our fullest support for as long as it takes. As we look towards a winter of continued Russian attacks on military and civilian targets, it is critical that international partners and allies come together to back Ukraine and ensure that Putin does not succeed.

On Wednesday, Parliament will debate the Second Reading of the Financial Assistance to Ukraine Bill, which will confirm the UK's 2.26bn loan to Ukraine for further military equipment as part of the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans to Ukraine scheme.

Ukraine continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of drones on the battlefield, using inexpensive drones to destroy hundreds of comparatively more expensive Russian tanks and vehicles. By using surveillance drones, the Ukrainians have also been highly successful at using their artillery to destroy Russian artillery positions.

The UK has also been running two competitions with industry to design, develop, and procure advanced new drones, including highly agile first-person view (FPV) drones that can manoeuvre past Russian defences.

The first of these competitions is now complete, with contracts set to deliver thousands of FPV drones in the coming months. The second competition is still open for expressions of interest from industry, and in addition to FPV drones will provide a new capability - interceptor drones which can destroy incoming attack drones and ordnance.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, said:

The training of more than 50,000 Ukrainian recruits on UK soil since the start of Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is an achievement which cannot be overstated. Supported by instructors from 12 other nations, Operation Interflex has harnessed the world-leading skills and experience of the British Army to provide Ukraine with a reliable source of trained soldiers. Interflex is the perfect example of how we are working side-by-side with allies to bolster the security of Ukraine, which in turn boosts the security of Europe and the UK.

Additional funding for naval equipment will provide a boost to Ukraine's maritime security and support its activities in the Black Sea, where its forces have had significant success in countering Russia's Black Sea Fleet - allowing it to reopen a commercial grain export corridor vital for Ukraine's economy.

Ukraine has damaged or destroyed more than 25 per cent of Russian Federation Navy vessels operating in the Black Sea, and the additional funding would support them in purchasing hundreds more aerial and sea-based maritime drones, as well as surveillance drones to protect the grain corridor.

The Defence Secretary visited Ukraine on his second day in the role, where he announced a new package of artillery guns, hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition, and nearly 100 Brimstone missiles alongside President Zelensky, and to speed up deliveries promised by the previous government.

Since then, the UK has also signed a major defence industrial agreement with Ukraine, allowing to draw from 3.5bn of export finance to procure more military equipment from UK companies, and announced a package of additional air defence missiles.

Operation Interflex has been funded and extended to run through until at least the end of 2025, having provided an invaluable flow of trained soldiers to bolster the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As one of the largest multinational training efforts of its kind, Operation Interflex came following the initial programme of training provided by the UK, under Operation Orbital, which trained more than 22,000 personnel between Putin's illegal invasion of Crimea in 2014 and the start of his full-scale invasion in 2022.

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Ukraine Deserves to Make the Next Year the Year of Peace - Address by the President to the Participants of the European Parliament's Extraordinary Session Marking 1000 Days of Full-Scale War

President of Ukraine

19 November 2024 - 16:34

Thank you so much. Thank you very much, dear Roberta, Madam President!

Dear ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, our friends, friends of Ukraine!

I thank you for supporting Ukraine.

Thank you, Roberta, for calling this extraordinary session of the European Parliament to mark 1,000 days of full-scale war.

Thank you for ensuring that not a single one of the thousand days of this terrible war became a day of betrayal of our shared European values.

We've proven that these values are not just words - not something abstract. European values and the European way of life - when transformed into action - protect the lives of real people. Thank you so much.

Together - Ukraine, all of Europe, and our partners in America and around the world - we have succeeded not only in preventing Putin from taking Ukraine but also in defending the freedom of all European nations.

Even with North Korea's Kim Jong Un by his side, Putin remains smaller than the united strength of Europe. I urge you not to forget this. Do not forget how much Europe is capable of achieving.

If we could stop Europe's way of life from falling, then we can surely push Russia towards a just peace.

Peace is what we desire most. Two years ago, we proposed the Peace Formula, and I am grateful to all of Europe and every partner who has supported it. And you in the European Parliament were among the first to support the Peace Formula. And the only one who opposes it, is the one who started this war - it's Russia.

And we must push Russia toward just peace.

Every blow and every threat from Russia must be met with firm sanctions.

For a thousand days, it has been crucial to radically reduce Russia's ability to fund its war through oil sales. Oil is the lifeblood of Putin's regime. And the shadow fleet of tankers is what keeps it alive.

As long as these tankers operate, Putin continues to kill. Strong sanctions are essential.

I thank each of you - thank you, Roberta, again - I thank each of you who supports our people - our resilience, our ability to restore safety even after the most devastating mass attacks by Russia. Together, we have accomplished much. But we must not fear doing even more.

Now, Putin has brought 11,000 North Korean troops to Ukraine's border. This contingent may grow to 100,000.

While some European leaders think about winning some elections or something like this at Ukraine's expense, Putin is focused on winning this war. He won't stop on his own. The more time he has, the worse the conditions become.

Every "today" is the best moment to push Russia harder. And it is clear - without certain key factors, Russia will lack real motivation to engage in meaningful negotiations: without fires in its ammunition depots on Russian territory, without disrupted military logistics, without destroyed Russian air bases, without its lost capabilities to produce missiles and drones, and without its assets being confiscated.

You know very well that Putin does not value people or rules; he values only money and power - these are the things we must take away from him to restore peace.

If anyone in Europe thinks they can sell Moscow Ukraine - or any other country, like the Baltic states, the Balkans, Georgia, or Moldova - and gain something in return, let them remember this simple truth - no one can enjoy calm waters amid a storm.

We must do everything to end this war - fairly and justly, as you said, Roberta. And of course, together. Together.

A thousand days of war is a tremendous challenge. Tremendous challenge. Ukraine deserves to make the next year the year of peace.

Thank you!

Thank you again. Thank you so much. Thank you for your resolutions, your decisions, your principles, your visits to Ukraine during the war, during the first year of the war, especially the first year when it was so difficult. And thanks for your faith in Ukraine. Thank you very much.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Denmark Will Provide Ukraine with EUR 130 Million to Develop Its Defense Industry

President of Ukraine

19 November 2024 - 18:44

New financial assistance from Denmark for EUR 130 million will help develop the production of Ukrainian missiles and drones. This was announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy following his meeting with Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, who came to Ukraine on a visit.

The Head of State thanked Denmark, all Danish people and personally Mette Frederiksen and her team for helping Ukraine.

In total, Denmark has already provided more than 20 defense assistance packages and, together with Ukraine, has created a special model enabling the development of Ukraine's industry.

"It allows us to unite other countries to invest in weapons production in Ukraine. These are artillery, our "Bohdanas," as well as missiles and long-range drones. We will continue to develop such cooperation," the President noted.

One of the main topics of the talks was the key aspects of relations: bilateral and partnerships. Special attention was paid to joint efforts at the European institutional level, as Denmark will hold the EU Presidency in the second half of next year.

"Our Ukrainian policy is to integrate into Europe as quickly as possible. And ultimately, everyone in the Euro-Atlantic community has to recognize that we must move quickly. And every day, of course, decisions are needed for Ukraine. The whole Alliance has to decide on an invitation to Ukraine. The sooner this happens, the sooner Russia will realize, come to an understanding and decide that the war against Ukraine does not and will not make sense for them," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Additionally, the President stressed the need for the world to put pressure on Russia's shadow tanker fleet and respond to North Korean troops' involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine.

Mette Frederiksen stated that Ukraine must prevail in this war, which is why Denmark has provided and will continue to provide assistance and support to the defense industry.

"We have already seen what your defense industry is capable of. We understand that these investments have a real impact on the battlefield," the Danish Prime Minister said.

She added that the outcome of this war will determine the future not only of Ukraine but also of Europe.

"You belong to our Euro-Atlantic family, you belong to the NATO and EU area, and we will support you in your next steps during the Danish EU Presidency, where the main priority will be EU enlargement," Mette Frederiksen concluded.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mette Frederiksen Inspected Ukrainian Long-Range Drones Procured with Denmark's Support

President of Ukraine

19 November 2024 - 17:34

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen met with Ukrainian manufacturers of long-range drones and the warriors who use them.

The leaders were briefed on the technical characteristics of these means of destruction, as well as the specifics of their use.

In particular, during the inspection, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mette Frederiksen were shown long-range drones, which are procured according to the Danish model: funds are provided for contracts already concluded between the State Enterprise "Defense Procurement Agency" and manufacturers.

"Denmark is a friend we can truly rely on. Together, we are defending the lives of Ukrainians. Together, we are producing weapons for Ukraine. And together, we are working on recovery from the destruction caused by this war," the Head of State emphasized.

The President noted that all Nordic countries have already joined the model initiated by Ukraine and Denmark.

"More than a billion dollars have been invested by partners into our industries. Drones, missiles, artillery  the scale is impressive," he added.

Mette Frederiksen stated that investment in Ukraine's defense industry is absolutely needed to counter brutal Russian aggression.

"For me, it is important that our own industry can come to Ukraine, learn from your experience. Learn from your ability to expand and develop your production lines. You are speeding up and scaling up - it is important for Ukraine. But today it is important for all of us," the Prime Minister stressed.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also presented state awards to military and civilian personnel who have made significant contributions to the development of Ukraine's defense industry and the creation of high-tech products under martial law.

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The President: Every "Today" is the Best Moment to Push Russia Harder

President of Ukraine

19 November 2024 - 16:44

Ukraine deserves to make next year the year of peace. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his address to the participants of the European Parliament's extraordinary session marking the thousandth day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Head of State thanked for the support of Ukraine, the Peace Formula, the Ukrainian people - their resilience, ability to restore security even after the most devastating mass attacks by Russia.

"Thank you for ensuring that not a single one of the thousand days of this terrible war became a day of betrayal of our shared European values," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President urged to strengthen sanctions against Russia and to do everything necessary to bring the war to a fair and just end.

He also emphasized that there are 11,000 North Korean troops near the Ukrainian border, and this contingent could grow to 100,000.

"While some European leaders think about winning some elections or something like this at Ukraine's expense, Putin is focused on winning this war. He won't stop on his own. The more time he has, the worse the conditions become. Every 'today' is the best moment to push Russia harder," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy Presented Ukraine's Internal Resilience Plan

President of Ukraine

19 November 2024 - 16:07

Ukraine's Internal Resilience Plan consists of ten points: "Unity", "Front", "Armament", "Money", "Energy", "Security", "Communities", "Human Capital", "Cultural Sovereignty" and "Heroes Policy". President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the contents of the plan in his speech at the Verkhovna Rada.

The first point - "Unity". According to the Head of State, without unity, the necessary results of the Victory Plan cannot be achieved.

"The world may sometimes turn a deaf ear to individual voices, but never to an entire nation that knows what it wants, works together, and knows how to achieve its goals," the Head of State noted.

In particular, it is thanks to unity that Ukraine has achieved the highest level of closeness with the EU and NATO for the entire period of its independence. The President urged everyone in the country to act with maximum speed in adopting and implementing the decisions necessary for Ukraine to become the fastest country to join the European Union.

"The right of Ukraine to NATO membership is also of vital importance to all of us. Ukraine will be in the Alliance. It will if we continue to engage with the Alliance in unity - all of Ukraine as one. This is the only way nations are not rejected," Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.

The second point - "Front". It provides for specific measures to stabilize the front, enhance the technological capabilities of Ukraine's Defense Forces, simplify processes and overcome bureaucracy within the army.

"Changing approaches to personnel management in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine, as well as spreading the best management practices applied in some units to all other elements of Ukraine's Defense and Security Forces, is a central task of our country's defense policy," the President noted.

The third point - "Armament". It refers to expanding domestic production of guns and artillery shells, missiles, and drones in cooperation with partners. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian armament is one of the foundations of independence.

"There is no doubt that simply increasing production is not enough for us. We need to surpass Russia in technology. Currently, we are often looking for answers to their technological solutions. Unfortunately, they have them. We need them to look for answers to our technological solutions," the Head of State stressed.

The fourth point - "Money". It is about building a new economic policy based on supporting Ukrainian entrepreneurship, de-shadowing of business and ensuring its security, as well as reducing the pressure from all state institutions.

"This is the kind of economic policy that can lead Ukraine to sustainable economic growth, sufficient coverage of Ukraine's defense needs, and preservation of human capital, through the ability of Ukrainians to realize themselves and their aspirations in Ukraine. This will not happen without a strong economy. And a strong economy is impossible without respect for entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs," Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained.

The fifth point - "Energy". It provides for the protection of energy facilities, measures to improve energy efficiency and rational resource consumption. It also includes efforts to create the conditions for Ukraine to become an energy hub.

"Overall, the energy point of the Resilience Plan will be detailed through various annexes - both classified and public - that together will form a clear energy roadmap for Ukraine for the coming years," the President emphasized.

The sixth point - "Security". It focuses on internal security, which includes the implementation of a new nationwide security system: Safe Region, Safe City, Safe Community. It also includes measures to strengthen the state border, and extensive work on the construction and reconstruction of shelters.

"Strengthening Ukraine's state border, training Ukrainians in civil defense and first aid, and deploying a system of basic military training are long-term necessities. This is not about fear. It is about confidence and peace of mind," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

The seventh point - "Communities". It is based on creating a highly effective system of governance within communities, especially those that have received internally displaced persons and relocated businesses. This point also envisages an increase in the international component of the work - cooperation with countries that have taken patronage over certain Ukrainian regions or cities. In addition, it provides for the establishment of special tax conditions for communities in border regions.

"We must not forget our communities that are currently in temporarily occupied territories. We will not forget them. Ukraine must be prepared at all levels to restore control over its entire territory at the right time and through the right actions. And bring back our people," the President stressed.

The eighth point - "Human Capital". It includes several annexes based on Ukraine's new housing recovery policy and the national standard for accessibility. A separate annex focuses on a new approach to the education of Ukrainian children living abroad. This point of the Plan also provides for the modernization of social policy, including the healthcare system, and the development of cooperation between the state and the Church.

In addition, this point offers concrete solutions for preserving human capital: the creation of an institute of multiple citizenships, the reboot of diplomatic service, and free meals for all schoolchildren. A special central executive body, the Ministry of Ukrainian Unity, will also be created to address the needs of the global Ukrainian community.

"We must create all the conditions necessary for Ukrainians - wherever they may be - to truly identify as Ukrainians, to work in Ukraine, with Ukraine, for Ukraine, to maintain a genuine and strong emotional bond with our state, with the entire Ukrainian nation, with its achievements and goals," the Head of State noted.

The ninth point - "Cultural Sovereignty". It provides for the establishment of a broad cultural coalition and, in particular, the implementation of a "Cultural Ramstein" format, the development of cultural diplomacy to promote Ukrainian narratives through cultural and artistic projects abroad. It also envisages the creation of an event calendar for Ukrainian culture in all regions of the world in order to systematically support Ukrainian content. In addition, it aims to create modern cultural spaces and improve cultural infrastructure.

"And the most obvious. The deliberate and systematic creation of our own Ukrainian content. Content capable of fully replacing Russian content. This involves investments in the creation of Ukrainian cultural products for different social groups and age categories, especially for our children. This is a matter of both resilience and our security now and in the future. We must outplay Russia in this sphere," Volodymyr Zelenskyy pointed out.

The tenth point - "Heroes Policy." According to the President, this point is perhaps the most morally significant one.

Its implementation should regulate the transition from military service to veteran status. It contains five specific annexes. The first, on the health and rehabilitation of veterans, provides special conditions for defenders. The second is related to the completion of preparatory work for launching the Veteran Assistant Program. The third is aimed at creating a network of veterans spaces in each region of Ukraine. The fourth is focused on the introduction of economic and social support programs for veterans, including assistance in the purchase of housing. The fifth focuses on educational initiatives for veterans and their children.

"Everything should provide an institutional guarantee that the state and society are always with the veteran and his or her family. And this must be fully and systematically implemented," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The complete Internal Resilience Plan for Ukraine with all its annexes will be presented this December. According to the President, the document will ultimately become the first Ukrainian doctrine aimed to lead Ukraine from war to peace.

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UN underlines solidarity with Ukraine 1,000 days into Russian invasion

19 November 2024 - The international community must continue to show solidarity with Ukraine, a senior UN aid official said on Tuesday, marking 1,000 days since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country.

The "grim milestone" fell as Ukraine fired long-range American-made missiles into Russia for the first time, according to media reports.

'Not just numbers'

Conflict erupted in Ukraine over a decade ago following Russia's occupation of Crimea in the east and escalated on 24 February 2022 with the full-scale assault on the country.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, detailed the death and destruction that has occurred since then.

More than 39,000 civilians have been killed or injured, and over 3,400 schools and hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, while 10 million people have fled their homes.

"These are not just numbers; each one of them represents countless stories of individual unimaginable pain for the people of Ukraine," he said.

Stand with Ukraine

Although the UN "cannot erase the horrors of the war", Mr. Schmale said it has worked with national and international organizations and the Government to address the acute needs of the most vulnerable, which includes people with limited mobility and older persons.

"As Ukrainians brace for another winter of war, the UN's support and the solidarity of the international community must remain firm," he said.

"I urge the international community to stand with Ukraine and to continue recognizing and supporting the heroic work of the many first responders, including volunteers."

Pain, suffering and rights violations

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, provided further information on the war's toll in a statement marking the "grim milestone".

OHCHR has verified that at least 12,162 civilians, including 659 children, have been killed since 24 February 2022, while at least 26,919 have been injured.

"As the High Commissioner has said, it has been 1,000 days too many of senseless pain and suffering. Violations of human rights have become the order of the day, both in the conduct of hostilities and in areas under occupation," Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence told journalists in Geneva.

Airstrikes continue

He said that over the past two days, at least 30 civilians have reportedly been killed in a series of deadly strikes in residential areas in Sumy City, Odesa and Hlukhiv.

"In the very latest attack on Hlukhiv, which occurred late last night, nine civilians, including a child, were reportedly killed, and 11, including two children, injured," he said, noting that search and rescue operations are ongoing.

He added that the Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Danielle Bell, visited several locations in Zaporizhzhia on Monday that had recently been struck by Russian glide bombs.

The locations included an oncology centre which was hit on 7 November as cancer patients were receiving chemotherapy, and an apartment building where half the structure was destroyed by another glide bomb the same day. Ten people were killed.

Stop the violence

"We call on all parties to ensure the safety and protection of civilians. Effective measures must also be taken to fully and impartially investigate where there are credible allegations of violations," said Mr. Laurence.

"The violence must stop - for the sake of the people of Ukraine, the people of Russia, and the world."

Separately, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine highlighted the immense suffering caused by Russia's violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

Widespread, systematic torture

These include the indiscriminate use of explosive weapons with wide area effects, the targeting of civilian objectives, "massive waves of attacks" on energy infrastructure, and the forced transfer and deportation of children.

The Commission drew attention to its report issued last month which concluded that torture committed by Russian authorities against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war amounts to a crime against humanity.

"Such crimes are among the most serious under international law," members said, adding that torture "has been widespread, systematic, and committed as a coordinated state policy."

Warmth and dignity in winter

Meanwhile, 1,000 days of war have left more than 14.6 million Ukrainians in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, including 3.5 million displaced within the country, said Amy Pope, Director General of UN migration agency, IOM.

"As winter arrives, the persistent attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure - decimating 65 per cent of the country's generation capacity - have left communities struggling without adequate electricity, heating, or water," she said

"This is a matter of survival for millions of people and requires the international community to stand together in solidarity."

Ms. Pope called on governments, private sector leaders, and people worldwide to sustain their support for those in greatest need.

"Together, we can ensure that even in the darkest of winters, there is warmth, dignity, and the promise of a peaceful future," she said.

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Ukraine launches first US-supplied long-range missiles into Russia

By VOA News November 19, 2024

Ukraine said Tuesday it hit ammunition warehouses in the Bryansk region of Russia in a predawn strike, an attack the warring sides said for the first time involved the deployment of long-range U.S.-supplied ballistic missiles.

The two sides disputed the effectiveness of the attack, which came two days after it was reported that President Joe Biden had reversed U.S. policy and approved use of the longer-range missiles as Russia's invasion of Ukraine reached the 1,000-day mark.

Two U.S. officials confirmed to VOA on Tuesday that the policy prohibiting Ukrainians' use of U.S.-provided long-range weapons to hit military targets deep inside Russia "has changed." Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh on Monday declined to confirm the change, while adding that Moscow has no grounds for any complaints.

"What's adding fuel to the fire is the fact that DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] soldiers are now entering a fight," Singh said, in response to a question from VOA.

The Russian defense ministry said in a statement, "Ukraine's armed forces last night struck a facility in the Bryansk region" with six U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System rockets, or ATACMS, but its forces shot down five of them and damaged the sixth. It said falling fragments from the exploding rockets caused a fire at the military facility, but there were no casualties.

Ukraine's military general staff said in a post on Facebook that its forces had "caused fire damage" to "warehouses with ammunition for the army of the Russian occupiers" in Bryansk, about 100 kilometers from Ukraine's border.

The attack caused "12 secondary explosions and detonations in the area of the target," the statement said, while not specifying that ATACMS had been used. But a Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations, confirmed the use of the American weapons system.

The initial target using the long-range missile system was far short of the 300-kilometer range of the missile system. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had long sought U.S. approval of its use to launch attacks on military sites deep inside Russia. Until Sunday, though, Biden had resisted for fear of escalating tensions in the nearly three-year conflict between Moscow and the U.S.-led NATO military alliance, four of whose member countries border Russia.

Biden reportedly reversed his position after North Korea sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to fight alongside Moscow's forces in Russia's Kursk region that Ukraine captured in August and still holds.

Biden leaves office in two months, and it is not clear what stance President-elect Donald Trump might adopt. Trump has been a skeptic of continued U.S. military support for Ukraine, claiming he would end the war before he even takes office; however, Trump has not offered any public plan on how he would do so.

With Ukraine now having the ability to fire the long-range missiles into Russia, President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a revised nuclear doctrine stating that a conventional attack on Russia by any nation supported by a nuclear power is considered a joint attack and could trigger a nuclear response.

When Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked if the revised doctrine was issued in response to the U.S. missile authorization, he said it was put forth "in a timely manner" and that Putin wanted it updated to be "in line with the current situation."

In response, a White House National Security Council spokesperson said the United States was not surprised by Russia's announcement that it is updating its nuclear doctrine since it had been signaling its intent to do so for several weeks. The spokesperson said the U.S. sees no need to change its posture.

"This is more of the same irresponsible rhetoric from Russia, which we have seen for the past two years," the spokesperson said.

The Russian doctrine states nuclear weapons could be used in the case of a massive air attack involving ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft, drones and other flying vehicles.

It says an attack against Russia by a nonnuclear power with the "participation or support of a nuclear power" will be seen as their "joint attack on the Russian Federation," a definition that would fit the Ukraine-U.S. alliance.

It doesn't specify whether such an attack would definitely be met with a nuclear response.

Peskov said the aim of the updated policy was to make potential enemies understand the inevitability of retaliation for an attack on Russia or its allies.

It also states that Russia could use nuclear weapons if another country attacks Belarus, a Moscow ally.

1,000 days of fighting

Russia and Ukraine issued statements about the 1,000th day of the war, with both vowing that they would continue fighting each other.

The Kremlin said Western support for Kyiv would have no impact on the military campaign.

"The military operation against Kyiv continues," Peskov said, adding that Western aid "cannot affect the outcome of our operation. It continues and will be completed."

Ukraine, meanwhile, said it would continue to resist the Russian invasion, which began in February 2022.

"Ukraine will never submit to the occupiers, and the Russian military will be punished for violating international law," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

On the battlefront in Ukraine, an overnight Russian drone attack in the northeastern Sumy region killed eight people, including one child, Ukrainian officials said.

The attack on a residential building in the border town of Hlukhiv also wounded 12 people, including two children, Ukraine's national police force said on Telegram. The strike was part of one of the largest Russian drone and missile attacks in months.

Ukraine's air force said on Tuesday it shot down 51 out of 87 drones launched by Russia overnight.

Ukraine's minister of foreign affairs, Andrii Sybiha, said at a U.N. Security Council meeting that "Russia must be forced to negotiate," calling the attack "Russia's response to visits by certain officials and to specific phone conversations" that have called for peace.

"That response was one of the most massive strikes on our territory. Therefore, the answer must be peace through strength," he added.

Tear gas detected near front line

Also on Tuesday, Ukraine urged action after the international chemical weapons watchdog said banned CS riot control gas, also known as tear gas, had been found in Ukrainian soil samples from the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Russia has not reacted to the report by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which did not assign blame for the chemical.

The Chemical Weapons Convention strictly bans the use of riot control agents including CS outside riot control situations when it is used as "a method of warfare," Agence France-Presse reported.

CS gas causes irritation to the lungs, skin and eyes.

Both sides have accused each other of using chemical weapons in the conflict, and Ukraine's Western allies have claimed Moscow has employed banned weapons.

"Russia's use of banned chemicals on the battlefield once again demonstrates Russia's chronic disregard for international law," a statement from Ukraine's foreign ministry said.

The OPCW stressed, however, that the report did "not seek to identify the source or origin of the toxic chemical."

Carla Babb, Jeff Seldin and Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Addiction Talk," the award-winning recovery podcast from American Addiction Centers, recently welcomed Rod Espudo, a former interventionist from A&E's hit show "Intervention" to the show. In a candid conversation with host Joy Sutton, Rod shared his personal journey of addiction and recovery, offering valuable insights into how families can support their loved ones struggling with addiction.

Mothers and fathers undermine my client more than any drug dealer or bar ever did, he said during the live interview. Urging families not to wait to get help, he also said frankly that while many people fear upsetting their loved one or embarrassing them, I would embarrass anybody. I would disrupt their life rather than sit there and listen to a eulogy.

To watch the full episode visit, https://americanaddictioncenters.org/addiction-talk/rod-espudo

With over 1,500 interventions under his belt, Rod has brought hope to countless individuals and families throughout his career. However, his path to becoming an interventionist was far from easy. During the episode, Rod bravely opened up about his early struggles with alcohol and drug use, which began at the young age of 9 when he stole beers from his parents. By the end of high school, Rod had already faced multiple DUIs and joined the Navy, where his drinking problem persisted, leading to his eventual departure from the military.

Returning to civilian life proved challenging for Rod, and he struggled to adapt, using drugs and alcohol not for fun but simply as a means to cope and fall asleep. Eventually, he reached a breaking point and attempted suicide. Thankfully, Rod's parents intervened and sought professional help. This pivotal moment led to his recovery and inspired him to pursue a career as an interventionist, eventually landing him on A&Es Intervention.

Rod spoke about some of the realities of the show, saying that its all about the editing and revealing that the pivotal moment of each episode, the letter-reading, is only a part of his own interventions a small portion of the time and that he fought the shows producers on including letters in every intervention. He also admitted to editing certain letters to remove any shaming or finger-pointing.

Even as an interventionist, recovery hasnt been a completely smooth road for Rod. He described the humbling experience of relapsing after 15 years and how it transformed him into the man and father he is now, emphasizing that the experience took him to a place where he was teachable. Today, his daughter helps keep him in recovery. I made a promise to my daughter that she would never see her father nodded out drunk or having a beer in his hand. I've kept that promise.

"Addiction Talk" continues to provide a platform for individuals like Rod Espudo to share their stories and offer guidance to those affected by addiction.

About American Addiction Centers

American Addiction Centers is a leading provider of inpatient and outpatient substance use disorder treatment services. We treat clients who are struggling with substance use disorders as well as co-occurring mental/behavioral health issues. We currently operate substance use disorder treatment facilities located throughout the United States. These facilities are focused on delivering effective clinical care and treatment solutions. For more information, visit americanaddictioncenters.org .

Contact:

Amanda Lautieri

Brand & Communications Manager

ALautieri@ContactAAC.com

.
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Nov. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trip planning has taken a quantum leap forward with the recent launch of EasyTrip.AI's version 1.5, a powerhouse revision in providing an even more seamless, personalized, and ecologically friendly travel experience. The focus of this release lies in four key pillars: an enhanced user experience, deeper personalization, eco-friendly travel options, and an intuitive, user-centered interface. It positions EasyTrip.AI as a premier choice for travelers who desire to plan with ease and purpose-and free of charge.

Upgraded Seamless Experience

Enhanced Seamless Experience Starting with version 1.5, EasyTrip.AI introduces new booking capabilities and real-time updates on all things hidden gems, local events, and activities for each location. Now, the tool connects with a greater range of variables in real time: weather forecasts, recalculated rest stops, and-route optimization-users also get real-time information for an interrupted enjoyable trip. This added seamless experience ensures travelers are notified, safe, and fully engaged with their surroundings.





A screenshot of Easytrip.ai homepage, featuring sleek and minimal design.

Deeper Personalization

EasyTrip.AI's new algorithm in version 1.5 does not stop at basic customization; it learns from users' travel history, preferences, and real-time inputs. Whether it is adrenaline-charged action, serenity, or an immersion into the culture that travelers look for, the site has trips to match their budget, activity preference, and pace.





A trip plan page of Easytrip.ai, showing 7 days trip details and optimized routes on the map.

Expanded Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions

Improved Green Travel Options As an interest in sustainable tourism increases, version 1.5 adds eco-sensitive decisions by allowing more green accommodation options, eco-friendly transport, or low-impact activities. EasyTrip.AI now also introduces carbon offset trip recommendations and makes it easier for travel users to choose environmentally-conscious options with utmost convenience. With EasyTrip.AI undertaking that commitment, revenue generated from its operation is shared, at least in part, to environmental and reforestation efforts. Travelers can responsibly enjoy their exploration.

Refined, User-Friendly Interface

EasyTrip.AI's new version continued with the delivery of a really minimalist and intuitive frontend, making trip planning much easier across users of all ages and comfort levels with technology. On that basis, travelers can quickly enter their preferences and get immediate AI-powered recommendations, making planning fast and stress-free. For users who are more meticulous, the features of EasyTrip.AI extend to a more all-encompassing suite where they have complete customization even down to minute details: access, edit, and personalize every part of their trip. Such flexibility would ensure in each case that users can utilize this tool to full advantage by tailoring each trip to suit individual taste and preference.





The optimized mobile view of Easytrip.ai website, showing a restaurant detail page, a trip details page with activities, and the homepage.

About EasyTrip.AI

Headquartered in Asia's AI hub in Ho Chi Minh city and backed & featured by many big names and press, such as Hatch by DigitalOcean, Yahoo, MSN, EasyTrip.AI is redefining travel technology with tools made by travelers for travelers. Version 1.5 underlines the mission-to make the travel planning seamless and sustainable-presenting a new way of discovering the world responsibly. For a faster, greener, and more personalized travel planning experience, create an account at EasyTrip.AI and try out all the features that this latest version has to offer for absolutely free.

Website: https://easytrip.ai/

Contact: Linh Le - contact@easytrip.ai

Company name: PML-TECH COMPANY LIMITED

Company address: 183 Nguyen Van Cong, Ward 3, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5120dd9a-1df0-48a7-80b6-a008f2fc6888

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1a1d49ce-4f3d-4d6f-9bc8-1ab1512ef032

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2319b4ff-83f5-47e9-ab55-ec5478d5f32b
Dublin, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) - Global Strategic Business Report" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global market for Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) was estimated at US$3.2 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$5.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2023 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions.







Despite the remarkable promise AWGs hold, the technology faces notable challenges that need to be addressed to realize its full potential. One of the foremost challenges is the high energy consumption required for the condensation process, especially with compressor-based cooling systems, which can be costly in terms of both electricity and environmental impact. This has led researchers and developers to explore alternative power sources, with solar- and wind-powered AWGs emerging as promising solutions for off-grid areas where conventional power may be unavailable or expensive.



In regions with high humidity, AWGs are most effective, but performance drops significantly in low-humidity areas, a limitation that has pushed the industry towards innovating with desiccant-based extraction methods that can function in arid climates. However, each method presents specific trade-offs between efficiency, water output, and cost, challenging AWG manufacturers to create adaptable and affordable systems. On the other hand, the potential for modular AWGs that can scale water production based on household or community needs presents an opportunity for AWGs to become more versatile in residential and commercial applications, as well as for use in emergency relief.



This adaptability allows AWGs to cater to varying demand levels, from individual use to larger-scale water production for humanitarian missions and disaster recovery, where access to safe drinking water is critical. Growing awareness of the global water crisis and AWGs' unique role in decentralized water production is also attracting public and private interest, facilitating new partnerships and expanding the scope for AWG deployment in underserved regions.



Why Is Atmospheric Water Generation Gaining Momentum Across Various Sectors?



The adoption of AWG technology is increasing across multiple sectors, largely due to its ability to produce water on demand, which addresses the urgent needs of populations affected by climate-driven water shortages. The residential market is experiencing considerable interest in AWGs as urban populations face diminishing groundwater supplies and concerns over water contamination from outdated infrastructure. With the rising costs of municipal water, households are turning to AWGs as an independent, sustainable solution for safe drinking water, particularly in areas where water quality and availability are unreliable.



In the commercial sphere, AWGs are gaining traction among businesses, hotels, and manufacturing facilities that have high water requirements, as these generators offer an environmentally friendly alternative that aligns with corporate sustainability goals. Additionally, the agricultural sector is exploring AWGs to support water needs for irrigation in small-scale applications, though this usage is still nascent and requires further technological refinement to meet large-scale agricultural demands.



Beyond these applications, AWGs play a pivotal role in humanitarian efforts, providing water to displaced communities and disaster-stricken regions where traditional water sources have been compromised. For military and remote field operations, AWGs are increasingly valued for their capacity to supply potable water on-site, eliminating logistical challenges associated with transporting water. This diverse applicability underscores the technology's growing role in addressing water security concerns across residential, commercial, humanitarian, and governmental sectors.



What's Driving the Growth in the Atmospheric Water Generator Market?



The growth in the atmospheric water generator market is driven by several factors, including technological advancements, evolving consumer preferences, and emerging use cases across various sectors. Innovations in AWG technology, such as energy-efficient cooling systems, advanced filtration, and compact, portable designs, have made these devices more efficient, accessible, and appealing to a broader range of consumers. Additionally, there is a rising emphasis on integrating AWGs with renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, which addresses cost concerns and enhances the technology's appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and organizations aiming to reduce their carbon footprint.



Consumer behavior is also shifting toward self-sustaining and off-grid solutions, especially in regions experiencing water scarcity or areas with unreliable water quality. This shift is particularly evident in the residential sector, where households are adopting AWGs not only as a cost-saving measure but as a means of securing a consistent and safe water supply amid rising concerns over municipal water contamination and limited resources. In the commercial and industrial sectors, businesses are increasingly integrating AWGs as part of their corporate sustainability initiatives, seeking reliable and eco-friendly water solutions that reduce dependency on strained local water resources.



The adoption of AWGs in humanitarian and emergency relief efforts further amplifies market growth, as these systems offer a reliable source of potable water in regions affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crises. Consequently, the expanding awareness of water security, combined with technological improvements and shifting market preferences, is propelling the atmospheric water generator market forward, positioning AWGs as a viable and essential solution in the pursuit of global water sustainability.



Scope of the Study



The report analyzes the Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) market, presented in terms of market value (US$ Million). The analysis covers the key segments and geographic regions outlined below.



Segments

Product (Cooling Condensation, Wet Desiccation); Application (Industrial, Commercial, Residential)

Geographic Regions/Countries

World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific; Rest of World.

Key Insights:

Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Cooling Condensation AWG segment, which is expected to reach US$5.4 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of a 7.7%. The Wet Desiccation AWG segment is also set to grow at 1.6% CAGR over the analysis period.

Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, estimated at $888.1 Million in 2023, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 7.3% CAGR to reach $841.5 Million by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific.

Why You Should Buy This Report:

Detailed Market Analysis: Access a thorough analysis of the Global Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) Market, covering all major geographic regions and market segments.

Competitive Insights: Get an overview of the competitive landscape, including the market presence of major players across different geographies.

Future Trends and Drivers: Understand the key trends and drivers shaping the future of the Global Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) Market.

Actionable Insights: Benefit from actionable insights that can help you identify new revenue opportunities and make strategic business decisions.

Key Questions Answered:

How is the Global Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) Market expected to evolve by 2030?

What are the main drivers and restraints affecting the market?

Which market segments will grow the most over the forecast period?

How will market shares for different regions and segments change by 2030?

Who are the leading players in the market, and what are their prospects?

Report Features:

Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2023 to 2030.

In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.

Company Profiles: Coverage of major players in the Global Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) Market such as Air2Water LLC, Akvo Atmospheric Water Systems Pvt. Ltd., Atlantis Solar, Dew Point Manufacturing, Drinkable Air and more.

Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments.

Some of the 37 companies featured in this Global Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) Market report include:

Air2Water LLC

Akvo Atmospheric Water Systems Pvt. Ltd.

Atlantis Solar

Dew Point Manufacturing

Drinkable Air

EcoloBlue, Inc.

Energy and Water Development Corp. (EAWC)

GENAQ Technologies S.L.

Hendrx Water

PlanetsWater

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 93 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $3.2 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $5.4 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.6% Regions Covered Global





Key Topics Covered:

MARKET OVERVIEW

World Market Trajectories

Global Economic Update

Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2024 (E)

Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2024 (E)

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Rising Global Water Scarcity Drives Demand for Atmospheric Water Generators (AWG)

Increasing Focus on Sustainable Water Solutions Fuels Adoption of AWG Technologies

Here`s How Technological Advancements Improve Efficiency and Yield in AWG Systems

Growing Demand for Clean Drinking Water Expands Market for AWG in Residential and Commercial Sectors

Rising Interest in Off-Grid and Remote Water Solutions Boosts AWG Adoption

Advances in Renewable Energy Integration Support Development of Solar-Powered AWGs

Here`s How Government Initiatives and Funding Drive Growth in Water Harvesting Technologies

Increasing Use of AWGs in Disaster Relief and Emergency Situations Expands Market Scope

Focus on Reducing Water Transportation Costs Supports Growth of On-Site AWG Installations

Growing Demand for Water Independence in Industrial Applications Fuels AWG Market Expansion

Here`s How Climate Change and Depleting Groundwater Levels Accelerate Demand for AWG Solutions

Advancements in Filtration and Purification Technology Enhance Water Quality from AWGs

Rising Use of AWGs in Agriculture Supports Sustainable Water Resource Management

Increasing Consumer Awareness of Water Quality Issues Drives Adoption of Home AWG Unit

FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERSs

Air2Water LLC

Akvo Atmospheric Water Systems Pvt. Ltd.

Atlantis Solar

Dew Point Manufacturing

Drinkable Air

EcoloBlue, Inc.

Energy and Water Development Corp. (EAWC)

GENAQ Technologies S.L.

Hendrx Water

PlanetsWater



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4cz6o8

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.

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Dublin, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Tractor Telematics - Global Strategic Business Report" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global market for Tractor Telematics was estimated at US$91.5 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach US$155.9 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2023 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions.







The growth in the tractor telematics market is driven by several key factors, including the adoption of precision agriculture, government support for smart farming technologies, and the increasing need for efficient resource management. Precision agriculture practices, which rely on data-driven insights to maximize crop yield and resource efficiency, are a major driver of telematics adoption. Telematics systems provide the real-time data needed for precision farming, enabling farmers to monitor field conditions, optimize tractor operations, and adjust inputs like water, seeds, and fertilizers. As farmers adopt precision agriculture to increase productivity and reduce costs, the demand for telematics solutions that provide comprehensive visibility into equipment and field operations continues to grow, particularly in regions like North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, where precision farming is becoming standard.



Government support and subsidies for smart farming technologies are further accelerating the adoption of tractor telematics. Many governments offer financial incentives, technical support, and policy initiatives that encourage farmers to integrate digital solutions in agriculture to improve food security, sustainability, and rural development. In the European Union, for example, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) supports digital transformation in farming, including the use of telematics systems for efficient, sustainable farming practices. Similar initiatives in the United States and other countries aim to modernize agricultural operations by making digital farming tools more affordable and accessible. This government backing is vital in helping farmers, particularly in developing regions, overcome financial barriers to adopting telematics and other precision agriculture tools.



The increasing need for efficient resource management due to climate change and environmental concerns is also driving growth in the tractor telematics market. Telematics allows farmers to monitor fuel consumption, water usage, and soil health, providing the data needed to reduce resource wastage and environmental impact. By enabling precision in field operations, telematics helps farmers minimize chemical inputs, conserve water, and reduce carbon emissions from machinery. As agriculture faces mounting pressure to adopt sustainable practices, telematics is emerging as a critical tool for resource optimization and environmental stewardship. This alignment with sustainability goals is particularly appealing to environmentally conscious consumers and aligns with regulatory expectations, driving further adoption of telematics in agriculture.



Together, these drivers - precision agriculture adoption, government support, and demand for resource efficiency - are fueling the growth of the tractor telematics market, positioning telematics as a central component of modern, data-driven farming. As agriculture continues to evolve, tractor telematics will play an increasingly pivotal role in supporting sustainable, productive, and profitable farming practices across global markets.



Scope of the Study



The report analyzes the Tractor Telematics market, presented in terms of market value (US$). The analysis covers the key segments and geographic regions outlined below.



Segments

Distribution Channel (OEM Distribution Channel, Aftermarket Distribution Channel)

Key Insights:

Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the OEM Distribution Channel segment, which is expected to reach US$100.2 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of a 7.6%. The Aftermarket Distribution Channel segment is also set to grow at 8.4% CAGR over the analysis period.

Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, estimated at $24.1 Million in 2023, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 7.6% CAGR to reach $24.8 Million by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific.

Key Questions Answered:

How is the Global Tractor Telematics Market expected to evolve by 2030?

What are the main drivers and restraints affecting the market?

Which market segments will grow the most over the forecast period?

How will market shares for different regions and segments change by 2030?

Who are the leading players in the market, and what are their prospects?

Report Features:

Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2023 to 2030.

In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.

Company Profiles: Coverage of major players in the Global Tractor Telematics Market such as Argo Tractors SpA, Argo Tractors SpA - Landini SpA, Azuga, Carnot Technologies Ltd., Deere & Company and more.

Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments.

Some of the 45 companies featured in this Global Tractor Telematics Market report include:

Argo Tractors

Azuga

Carnot Technologies Ltd.

Deere & Company

Fleet Complete

Geotab, Inc.

Hello Tractor

Kinishi

Kubota Canada



Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 129 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $91.5 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $155.9 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.9% Regions Covered Global





Key Topics Covered:



MARKET OVERVIEW

World Market Trajectories

Tractor Telematics - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2024 (E)

Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2024 (E)

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Growing Demand for Precision Agriculture & Smart Farming Drives Tractor Telematics Market

Rising Focus on Farm Efficiency Expands Addressable Market for Telematics

Increasing Adoption of IoT in Agriculture Spurs Telematics Growth

Expansion in Agricultural Machinery Industry Propels Telematics Market

High Demand for Fleet Management Solutions in Agriculture Strengthens Market

Technological Advancements in GPS and Data Analytics Drive Adoption

Emphasis on Fuel Management Solutions Expands Tractor Telematics Market

Rising Demand for Real-Time Monitoring of Farm Equipment Supports Growth

Adoption of Predictive Maintenance Systems Bodes Well for Market

Shift Toward Automated Farm Machinery Sets Stage for Market Growth

High Demand for Weather-Linked Data to Support Farming Operations

Adoption of Remote Diagnostics Solutions Boosts Telematics Market

Growing Popularity of Subscription-Based Telematics Services Expands Market

Increasing Use of Drones in Agriculture Complements Telematics Demand

FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS

Argo Tractors

Azuga

Carnot Technologies Ltd.

Deere & Company

Fleet Complete

Geotab, Inc.

Hello Tractor

Kinishi

Kubota Canada

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/h3q9ts

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.

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Ohio consumers can now enjoy one of the states first solventless rosin gummies, a pure, full-spectrum edible for a cleaner, elevated experience

ELYRIA, Ohio, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Ohios adult-use cannabis market gains momentum, Dialed In Gummies, a Sun Theory company, introduces its proprietary rosin gummies to cannabis consumers across the state. Known for its solventless, full-spectrum rosin, Dialed In is a connoisseur favorite, bringing one of the cleanest and most flavorful edible experiences to health-conscious customers.

Ohio native Max Vansluys, President of Dialed In Gummies, recognized a unique opportunity in his home state. Ohioans are looking for quality in a market that currently offers limited options, Vansluys said. Our rosin gummies stand out because Dialed Ins solventless extraction process preserves a full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes, providing a distinctive flavor and the entourage effect appreciated by both rosin enthusiasts and new consumers alike.

As the brand enters the major metropolitan hubs, including Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus, Dialed In is committed to providing education on rosin product benefits while continuing to use only the finest ingredients. The gummies are made in small batches and are gluten-free, fat-free, and low in sugar. Highlighting the range of experiences rosin can offer, Dialed In collaborates with Ohio's premier cultivators to deliver exclusive limited-edition batches to customers. Each batch captures the top cultivator flower from across the state, transforming them into delicious gummies that build anticipation and cultivate a loyal following.

Dialed In Gummies are now available in Ohio the following formulations:

Dialed In Sativa: Experience an uplifting, energizing lift with our Dialed In Sativa gummies. Crafted with full-spectrum rosin and precisely dosed at 10 mg per gummy, each pack contains 10 gummies in a rotating selection of 10 mouthwatering flavors. Enjoy award-winning taste and a consistently vibrant effect that is perfect for those seeking a spirited boost.

Dialed In Indica: Dialed In Indica gummies offer a soothing and relaxing experience with each 10 mg dose of full-spectrum rosin. Every pack includes 10 gummies in a rotating mix of flavors, keeping each batch fresh and exciting. With our commitment to a cleaner high and fewer additives, these gummies capture the natural essence of the plant for a pure, calming effect.

Dialed In Hybrid: For a balanced blend, try Dialed In Hybrid gummies. Each 10 mg dose of full-spectrum rosin is crafted in small batches to ensure premium quality and taste. With 10 gummies per pack, Dialed In Hybrid provides a reliable, enjoyable experience that meets our high standards for consistency and flavor.

Dialed In Sleep 1:1:1: Wind down effortlessly with Dialed In Sleep gummies, with 20 gummies per pack, each delivering 5 mg of full-spectrum THC rosin, along with 5 mg of CBD and 5 mg of CBN isolates. Formulated for rapid onset without added sleep aids, these gummies let you feel the effects within 5-15 minutes, making bedtime easier and sweeter.

Our collaborations with Ohios top cultivators make each batch of Dialed In Gummies truly one-of-a-kind, Vansluys said. By partnering with some of the states most respected local growers, were crafting edibles that reflect the distinctive quality of Ohio-grown strains.

This launch comes at a high point for Ohios cannabis industry, with recent data showing cannabis sales reaching nearly $55 million in the states first month of recreational sales. The timing of Dialed Ins Ohio launch is particularly significant as infused edibles are emerging as a preferred choice among consumers seeking healthy discreet smoke-free cannabis experiences.

Ohioans can find Dialed In at a dispensary nearby using this link. Product images are available at this link.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Bree DeVita at bree@themaverickpr.com or 303-513-1244.

Dialed In Gummies

Dialed In Gummies, a Sun Theory company, is redefining the cannabis edibles industry with award-winning, high-quality gummies infused with solventless rosin, crafted from strain-specific collaborations with the finest cultivators. Known for its commitment to excellence, Dialed In utilizes solventless extraction techniques to preserve the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes in each edible, ensuring an authentic and effective experience. With a focus on purity, flavor and consistency, Dialed In Gummies offers discerning consumers an elevated way to enjoy cannabis, setting a new standard in the market for quality and innovation in cannabis edibles. For more information, visit DialedInGummies.com. Continue the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/af44dbbf-05bd-4d57-a056-33bd8b7fec66
Laser Clinics has revealed hair-raising field art with cheeky aerial shots of some of the nations most popular bikini line styles  including the Brazilian (aka the Landing Strip), the Hollywood, and the Bikini

It comes off the back of research from 2,000 Canadian women, which revealed 32% opt for the Hollywood style  leaving no hair at all



LONDON, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a bold and humorous nod to personal grooming trends, Laser Clinics and its Canadian operation, Laser Clinics Canada, have unveiled a striking field art installation beneath one of London, United Kingdoms busiest flight paths. Dubbed Crotch Circles, the artwork features three mown designs representing popular bikini line styles: the Brazilian (aka the Landing Strip), the Hollywood, and the Bikini.

This playful installation coincides with new research revealing evolving grooming preferences among Canadian women. A survey of 2,000 women found:

32% opt for the Hollywood (complete hair removal)

opt for the Hollywood (complete hair removal) 10% opt for the Brazilian  either a triangle or landing strip of hair

opt for the Brazilian  either a triangle or landing strip of hair 9% stick with the classic Bikini line (tidying outside the underwear line)



Liz Williams, COO of International Markets for Laser Clinics, said: Trends in personal grooming have evolved significantly over the years. While the Hollywood remains a top choice, todays women embrace a wide range of styles, reflecting greater body positivity and autonomy. This installation celebrates that diversity while sparking conversations about grooming trends.

Laser Clinics aims to make grooming easier with market leading laser hair removal treatments. Laser Clinics Canada is also celebrating its biggest-ever Black Friday sale, offering 60% off Laser Hair Removal, including popular packages like Hollywood Brazilian & Underarms for just $32.

Williams added: Regular shaving or waxing can be time-consuming and uncomfortable. Permanent hair reduction solutions like laser hair removal provide an easier way to achieve smooth, hair-free skin and let women focus on feeling their best all year round.

Founded in Sydney, Australia, Laser Clinics Group has revolutionized laser hair removal by making it safe, accessible, and affordable. With over 2,500 trained professionals and a reputation for excellence, Laser Clinics has become the go-to destination for permanent hair reduction and advanced skincare treatments.

THE MOST POPULAR HAIR STYLES FOR CANADIAN WOMEN IN 2024:

Hollywood (Complete removal of all hair in the pubic area) Trimmed (Hair is trimmed shorter but not shaped or removed) The Au Naturel (No trimming or shaving, embracing the hair's natural growth) Bikini Line (Only hair outside the edges of bikini bottoms is removed for a clean look) Brazilian (A well-trimmed triangular or rectangular shape, often just above the pubic bone)



For more information or to book a treatment, visit laserclinics.ca

Notes to Editors:

Survey conducted by OnePoll of 2,000 Canadian women.

Internal sales data from Laser Clinics Canada identified Hollywood, Brazilian, and Bikini as the top requested styles.

For media inquiries, please contact WLaserClinics@wcommunications.co.uk



About Laser Clinics

Laser Clinics Group is the leader in advanced beauty treatments and skincare. In Canada since 2022, Laser Clinics Canada is dedicated to helping more people feel confident in their own skin. Through its seven clinics, with more on the way, Canadians can benefit from accessible, market-leading technologies and products, delivered by experienced professionals backed by medical experts, at an affordable price. Determined to help clients feel their version of GOOD, the global companys 2,500+ highly trained staff perform over 4.2 million treatments every year in the areas of laser hair removal, skin treatments, and cosmetic injectables. Learn more at laserclinics.ca or follow #TheScienceofFeelingGood

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5f4739b-47be-4cb5-a77e-e39aa083f032

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e12a880f-8d96-4e67-aaef-c209c0f64a8c

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Dublin, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Signals Intelligence Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global Signals Intelligence (SIGNIT) Market was valued at USD 13.37 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 4.49% through 2029, reaching USD 17.56 billion.

Heightened geopolitical tensions and the ongoing modernization of military capabilities globally are driving the demand for advanced Signals Intelligence technologies. Nations seek to gain a competitive edge by investing in intelligence capabilities that can monitor and analyze signals related to potential adversaries. The dynamic nature of geopolitical conflicts and the need for real-time intelligence contribute to the continuous growth of the Signals Intelligence Market.







Key Market Drivers

Increasing Cyber Threats and Terrorism

Technological Advancements in Communications and Data Analytics

Geopolitical Tensions and Military Modernization

Key Market Challenges

Evolving Encryption Technologies

Legal and Ethical Concerns

Proliferation of Disinformation and Misinformation

Key Market Trends

Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Emphasis on Cyber SIGINT and Network-Centric Operations

Regional Insights



North America emerged as the dominant region in 2023, holding the largest market share. The United States National Security Agency (NSA) and other intelligence agencies within the region are at the forefront of Signals Intelligence capabilities, leveraging advanced technologies to intercept, analyze, and interpret signals from various sources. The emphasis on innovation positions North America as a key driver of advancements in the Signals Intelligence market, influencing global trends and shaping the landscape of intelligence gathering. North America, with the United States as a central player, holds immense geopolitical importance, contributing to the region's significant role in the Signals Intelligence market. The United States, in particular, is actively engaged in intelligence activities to safeguard its national security interests, monitor potential threats, and support its defense and foreign policy objectives. The strategic alliances and intelligence-sharing agreements between North American countries further enhance the collective Signals Intelligence capabilities of the region.



The geopolitical landscape, with evolving threats from state and non-state actors, cyber adversaries, and asymmetric challenges, underscores the critical role of Signals Intelligence in maintaining strategic advantage and situational awareness. North American Signals Intelligence capabilities are vital not only for regional security but also for addressing global security concerns and collaborating with international partners. North America, and particularly the United States, plays a central and dynamic role in the Global Signals Intelligence Market. Technological leadership, strategic geopolitical importance, and regulatory considerations shape the North American perspective, influencing global Signals Intelligence trends and contributing to the ongoing evolution of intelligence capabilities in the region.



Key Players Profiled in the Signals Intelligence Market

Thales Group

Elbit Systems Ltd.

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

RTX Corporation

Rheinmetall AG

Mercury Systems, Inc.

BAE Systems plc

Northrop Grumman Corporation

General Dynamics Corporation

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Report Scope



In this report, the Global Signals Intelligence Market has been segmented into the following categories:



By Type:

Electronic Intelligence (ELINT)

Communications Intelligence (COMINT)

By Application:

Airborne

Ground

Naval

Space

Cyber

By Mobility:

Fixed

Man Portable

By Region:

North America United States Canada Mexico

Europe France United Kingdom Italy Germany Spain Netherlands Belgium

Asia-Pacific China India Japan Australia South Korea Thailand Malaysia

South America Brazil Argentina Colombia Chile

Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Turkey



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 182 Forecast Period 2023-2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $13.37 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $17.56 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.4% Regions Covered Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/cew04f

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.

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Smithtown, New York, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Americas VetDogs is thrilled to announce the passage of The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act (S. 711) by the U.S. Senate. This bipartisan legislation, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in May, will honor the impact of working dogs on society, while supporting veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities through the invaluable work of assistance dogs across America.

Introduced in the Senate in March 2023 by Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), the Act recognizes the invaluable contributions of working dogs across various fields, including military service and assistance roles. Surcharges from the sale of the commemorative coins will benefit Americas VetDogs, contributing to the breeding, raising, training, and placement of more service dogs at no cost to those in need. The bill was originally introduced to the 118th Congress in February 2023 by Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA).

This legislation reflects what we can achieve together for a common cause, said John Miller, President & CEO of Americas VetDogs. Each coin purchased will help empower veterans and first responders to regain their independence, resilience, and quality of life. We are grateful to Senators Budd, Tillis, Kelly, and Duckworth, as well as Leader Schumer and Senator Gillibrand from our home state, for their leadership and bipartisan support.

Working dogs help our nations active-duty service members, veterans, and first responders recover from injury, enhance their independence, and improve their lives. I commend the Senate and House for passing our bipartisan bill. This commemorative coin will honor the service of working dogs and provide funding to raise more service dogs for Americas heroes. Im proud to lead this effort to give back to those who serve our country.  Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC).

Our veterans face unique challenges re-integrating into civilian life after theyve left the military and we owe them solutions and support as they transition their lives. Service dogs provide the companionship and everyday assistance that make a real positive impact towards independence, quality of life, and mental health. As we continue to confront the crisis of rising veteran suicide rates, I'm proud that our bipartisan legislation delivers solutions by expanding access to this critical form of supportand makes it available to Americas heroes at no cost.

 Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ).

Working dogs are vital to the many Americans who rely on them, including our nations veterans. I am proud the Senate passed this legislation to honor our amazing working dogs and support Americas VetDogs.  Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC).

Working dogs provide vital services and companionship to so many peoplefrom servicemembers and Veterans to the disability community and more. Im proud the Senate passed our bipartisan legislation today, which would recognize our furry friends while helping provide support to organizations that train these service dogs so theyre ready to serve.  Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).

The bill now heads to The White House for the Presidents consideration. Once law, the coins are set to be issued by the Department of the Treasury via the U.S. Mint, in 2027. Funds raised via surcharges on sales of the coins will help cover the over $50,000 cost associated with preparing each service dog for our nations heroes. Americas VetDogs has been transforming lives since 2003, providing specially trained service dogs to veterans facing physical and emotional challenges, including PTSD, and helping them to Live Without Boundaries.

To learn more about Americas VetDogs or the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act, visit VetDogs.org/Coin.

About Americas VetDogs

For more than 20 years, Americas VetDogs (www.VetDogs.org) has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to veterans with disabilities from all eras. In 2015, VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire, police, and emergency medical personnel. Americas VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation and serves clients from across the United States. Americas VetDogs relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to help those who have served our country live with dignity and independence. It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but Americas VetDogs provides its services completely free of charge to the individuals it is honored to serve. Americas VetDogs has been accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.

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BALTIMORE, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Royal Farms, the nationally acclaimed convenience store and gas station chain known for its World-Famous chicken, freshly brewed coffee, and top-tier fuel services, is proud to announce the opening of its fourth location in Greenville, North Carolina on December 16, 2024. Located at 3701 MLK Jr. Hwy, Greenville, NC 27834, this state-of-the-art store will offer Greenville residents the perfect blend of convenience, fresh food, and exceptional service, right in their neighborhood. To commemorate this exciting milestone, Royal Farms will host a special, ticketed Get Ready to ROFO soft opening event on December 11 and 12. During the event, customers are invited to tour the new store and enjoy a complimentary meal from the soft opening menu. Free tickets are available through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/royal-farms-greenville-nc-soft-opening-tickets-1089063441069?aff=PressRelease

We are thrilled to bring Royal Farms to even more areas in Greenville! At Royal Farms, our mission is to delight customers by making every visit exceptional, whether youre fueling up or enjoying a quick, delicious meal, said Kim Kneipp, District Leader at Royal Farms. Were grateful to be growing alongside this vibrant community and look forward to welcoming everyone to our newest store.



The new Greenville location will feature:

16 Fuel Pumps with E-Free, Diesel, and 3 DEF options.

with E-Free, Diesel, and 3 DEF options. 24/7 Service : Open year-round to meet all convenience and fuel needs.

: Open year-round to meet all convenience and fuel needs. On-Site Car Wash : A fast, efficient way to keep your vehicle sparkling clean.

: A fast, efficient way to keep your vehicle sparkling clean. Fresh, Made-to-Order Food: From Royal Farms signature fried chicken and sandwiches to a variety of breakfast options, theres something for everyone.

To make the most of every visit, we invite the Greenville community to join the ROFO Rewards loyalty program, where you can save money throughout the year, earn fuel discounts with RoFo Pay, receive rewards for everyday purchases, and redeem other surprise freebie offers!

By registering a RoFo Rewards card or downloading our app you gain access to special member offers and can earn rewards points on purchases. Every time you visit Royal Farms and make a purchase, you will receive 2 points for every dollar you spend with RoFo Rewards, and 1 point for every gallon of gas you purchase when you upgrade to RoFo Pay (excl. New Jersey Stores). You can keep track of points and offers at www.roforewards.com or by downloading the RoFo Rewards app on your phone.

How to Register as a RoFo Rewards Member

Download the Royal Farms app here: https://engagement.punchh.com/b/royalfarms and click "Sign Up" to create a RoFo Rewards account. You can also visit https://www.roforewards.com/register/ to create an account.

For North Carolinians interested in working for Royal Farms, please visit https://www.royalfarms.com/careers/. Royal Farms offers competitive pay, medical and dental insurance, a 401(K)-retirement plan, opportunities for advancement, flexible schedules, vacation time, and our employee store discount.

About Royal Farms

Royal Farms is a renowned operator of fast and friendly neighborhood convenience stores with over 300 locations. Royal Farms opened its first store in Baltimore, MD in 1959. Today, the chain has locations in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Royal Farms has been satisfying customers hunger for Real Fresh food served Real Fast. The Royal Farms Kitchen is well known for its Always Fresh, Never Frozen World-Famous Royal Farms Chicken that is lightly hand-breaded and pressure-cooked in Trans Fat Free cooking oil to golden brown perfection. Royal Farms Western Fries are hand-cut from fresh Idaho potatoes, hand-breaded, and cooked right in store. Most locations are open 24 hours, 365 days a year. For more information about Royal Farms, visit: www.royalfarms.com

Contact:

Aliyah Atayee

aatayee@royalfarms.com
Regina, Saskatchewan, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an exciting new development for Saskatchewans financial landscape, Conexus Credit Union, Cornerstone Credit Union, and Synergy Credit Union are thrilled to announce their intent to explore a potential merger. This partnership aims to create a stronger, more resilient province-wide credit union that evolves with the changing needs of its members and communities.

Together for a Thriving Saskatchewan, is an initiative driven by a shared vision to combine resources and strategic investments. The Joint Partnership Committee, comprising of representatives from each credit union, has been established to explore synergies that will create tangible value and benefits for all three organizations.

Our commitment to Saskatchewan is unwavering," said Conexus Board Chair, Ken Kosolofski. We believe that through this partnership, we can foster economic growth and support the dreams of individuals, farmers, and businesses across the province.

Cornerstone Board Chair, Heidi Schofer, echoed this sentiment, stating, We are incredibly excited to embark on this journey. By uniting our strengths, we envision a credit union that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our members, employees, and the communities we serve.

Synergy Board Chair, Neil Carruthers, added, This potential merger represents a unique opportunity to drive innovation and sustainability. Together, we will be better positioned to tackle competitive and regulatory pressures, ensuring a prosperous future for generations to come.

The exploration phase involves rigorous due diligence to develop a comprehensive business case, validating the expected benefits across all functions of the credit unions. If approved, the merger will be recommended to the members, who will have the final say in shaping the future of their credit union.

Our members are at the core of everything we do, emphasized Glenn Stang, CEO Synergy Credit Union. Their voice will be instrumental in this process, and we are committed to maintaining transparent communication throughout.

As the financial services industry continues to evolve, with growing competitive and regulatory pressures and the need for meaningful organic growth, credit unions are increasingly turning to mergers to achieve the necessary scale.

As like-minded credit unions, we believe our collective deep understanding of local markets across Saskatchewan and strong employee engagement will ensure sustainable and supportive financial operations that benefit everyone involved, continued Doug Jones, CEO, Cornerstone Credit Union.

The new credit union aims to invest in its employees development, preparing them for current and future opportunities. This commitment to fostering a high-performance culture centered on members is foundational to the merger discussions.

Our goal is to offer a differentiated and modern member experience, summarized Celina Philpot, CEO, Conexus Credit Union. Through partnership, we can achieve efficiencies that benefit our members, employees, and the communities we proudly serve.

Members and the public can learn more about this potential merger by visiting any of the branches or the shared credit union website www.thrivingtogethersk.ca.





About Conexus Credit Union

Conexus has more than 80 years of serving members and giving back to our communities. Conexus manages almost $10 billion in assets and has 886 employees serving more than 141,000 members across 30 locations in Saskatchewan.

About Cornerstone Credit Union

Cornerstone is the product of many mergers over the years, with the most recent in 2021 with Cornerstone, Horizon and Plainsview credit unions. Cornerstone has over $2.5 billion in assets with 15 branches within East-Central Saskatchewan. Cornerstone Credit Union serves over 30,000 members and has an employee base of 280.

About Synergy Credit Union

Synergy is a member-owned financial institution serving over 27,000 members with 12 branches across west-central Saskatchewan. As the fifth-largest credit union in Saskatchewan, we have 238 employees and manage over $2.5 billion in assets, standing tall among Canadas leading credit unions.

For more information, please contact:

Janelle Lindsey

Conexus Credit Union

media@conexus.ca

(306) 751-8201

Lori Walsh

Cornerstone Credit Union

lori.walsh@cornerstonecu.com

(306) 621-3471

Marie Steyl

Synergy Credit Union

marie.steyl@synergycu.ca

(306) 500-5159

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TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the results of a new Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of CanadaHelps , the country's largest online platform for donating and fundraising, Canadians who engage in arts and culture activities at least two to three times a month are more likely to personally embrace cultural diversity (78%) compared to Canadians who never engage in arts and culture activities (44%). These activities include visiting museums or art galleries, attending concerts, watching dance performances, attending film festivals, and more.

Only 6% of Canadians prioritize arts and culture charities as important causes to support. Despite the important role these charities play in uniting Canadians around shared experiences, only 1.4% of all donations on CanadaHelps.org are directed to arts and culture charities. However, donations to arts and culture charities have increased on CanadaHelps.org by at least 7% from January 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

The poll also revealed that Canadians who frequently engage with arts and culture organizations experience better mental health compared to Canadians who never engage. Among those polled, 13% of Canadians who never engage with arts and culture activities report feeling lonely or isolated, versus 7% of Canadians who engage with arts and culture activities once a week, or those who participate two to three times a month (8%). 42% of Canadians who participate in arts and culture activities once a week report that their mental health is excellent or very good, while 46% of Canadians who engage in arts and culture activities two to three times a month report having excellent or very good mental health. Of those Canadians who never engage with arts and culture, 35% report their mental health being excellent or very good.

With polarization on the rise in Canada and around the world, we need to find ways to bring Canadians together to bridge our differences, said Duke Chang, President and Chief Executive Officer of CanadaHelps. Arts and culture charities convene Canadians and share each others stories, highlighting how we are more similar than we are different, and breaking down stigma and prejudice against others.

Additional Poll Findings

While 6% of Canadians prioritize support for arts and culture causes, support for mental health and research ranked the highest (39%), followed by animal welfare and animal rights (32%), climate change/environmental protection (31%), poverty in Canada (31%), and medical research/treatment (30%).

When it comes to charitable giving, Saskatchewanians and Manitobans prioritize medical research/treatment (39%) and senior care (41%). Albertans emphasize medical research/treatment (33%) and women's/girls' health (28%), while showing less concern for poverty (25%). Download the full report for additional provincial and territory data findings.

Cultural organizations create spaces for joy, connection, and understanding in our communities as well as help build national unity and identity, said Aubrey Reeves, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business / Arts , a national Canadian charity which celebrates and supports partnerships between arts charities and non-profits with for-profit companies. The arts and culture are also vital to Canadas economic and social well-being, employing hundreds of thousands of individuals and generating billions in economic impact. As these organizations face rising costs and funding instability, donations remain a powerful investment, ensuring the arts and culture continues to enrich and strengthen our communities.

Declining Social Connections and Fewer Donors

Data from The Giving Report 2024 illustrates that a declining sense of community connection is directly related to giving behaviour. The report released earlier this year reveals that only 53% of Canadians with smaller social networks donate, compared to 84% of those with larger social circles. The data also shows that the number of Canadians with six or more close friends plummeted by 40 percent over the past ten years, leading to reduced rates of donation and volunteerism.

According to recent data, Canada is the second most polarized nation when it comes to giving, only behind Great Britain. Citizens in the United States, Mexico, Brazil and other nations surveyed all indicate more willingness to help others regardless of their beliefs or community affiliations.*

About the Ipsos Poll

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between November 1st and 5th, 2024, on behalf of CanadaHelps. For this survey, a sample of 1,000 Canadians aged 18 years and over was interviewed. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadian adults been polled.

About CanadaHelps

CanadaHelps is Canadas largest online donation and fundraising platform, and a charity advancing philanthropy through technology. For Canadians, CanadaHelps.org is a safe and trusted destination for discovering and supporting any charity in Canada. CanadaHelps also develops affordable fundraising technology used by more than 30,000 charities, and provides free training and education so all charities can increase their impact and succeed in the digital age. Since 2000, more than 4.8 million people have donated upwards of $3.2 billion through CanadaHelps. Connect with CanadaHelps on X , Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn .

Note to Media:

A media kit including source survey data is available for download here .

* GivingTuesday Global, The Giving Bridge: A Lookback at 2023 Trends in Global Generosity
HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- D&H Distributing, a leading provider of technology solutions to the North American channel, announces it was named 2024 CDW Large Distributor Partner of the Year. CDWs Partner of the Year Awards were presented on November 14 during the 2024 CDW Partner Summit in Las Vegas, honoring CDW partners that represent the power of modern, customer-first partnerships and provided exemplary products, programs, solutions and services to support CDW and its customers throughout the year.

Were grateful for the collaborative, customer-first mindset exhibited by all of our 2024 Partner of the Year Award winners, said Mark Chong, senior vice president of product and partner management for CDW. Its truly rewarding to celebrate exceptional partners like D&H for their significant contributions over the past year. Working together to deliver outstanding outcomes, we remain ideally positioned to guide our mutual customers through the complexities of todays rapidly evolving IT landscape.

Partner of the Year award winners were identified based on input and recommendations from CDWs Sales, Product and Partner Management, Marketing, and Integrated Technology Solutions teams. Criteria included sales growth, collaboration, profitability, market strategy alignment, and more.

CDW has been a valued partner of D&H for more than 20 years. The distributor supports them with a range of endpoint and enterprise solutions, services, and technologies.

Were honored to receive this award. D&H continues to drive our strategy focusing on service, performance, diversification, and innovation, said Marty Bauerlein, chief commercial and consumer officer at D&H Distributing. The award is evidence of the value weve assigned to our relationship and the success of our go-to-market execution in this transforming industry.

Visit www.dandh.com to see how D&H Distributing can help partners increase business and achieve their goals. Call (800) 877-1200 to speak to a dedicated account representative.

About D&H Distributing

D&H Distributing supports resellers and MSP partners in the corporate, small-to-midsize business, consumer, education, and government markets with endpoints and advanced technologies, as well as differentiated services. D&H is ready to fill new market needs created by consolidation in the marketplace. With more than 106 years of history, its vendors and partners can be confident in its ability to provide a wealth of enablement resources, multi-market expertise, credit options, and consultative services. D&H is agile in response to the needs of its VAR and MSP partners, demonstrating resilience through decades of industry mergers and market disruption, overcoming everything from wars and recessions to pandemics.

The company works to expand the competencies of its partners in areas such as cloud services, ProAV, collaboration, UCC, mobility, esports, digital displays, smart home automation, video surveillance, digital imaging, and server networks across a range of markets. Its value proposition includes highly lauded training opportunities and partner engagement events, dedicated Solutions Specialists, certifications, professional marketing resources, and an expanding digital Cloud Marketplace.

The distributor is headquartered in Harrisburg, PA, in the US and Mississauga, Ontario, in Canada, with additional warehouses in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Fresno, CA; and Vancouver, BC, Canada. Call D&H at (800) 877-1200, visit www.dandh.com, or follow the distributors Facebook and X feeds, https://www.facebook.com/DandHDistributing/ and @dandh .
Dallas, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, the worlds largest Mexican casual dining brand, added two new family-style feasts for up to four people to its Mesquite Fire Fajitas menu. The Ultimate Fajita Feast features a variety of four meats on a shareable sizzling platter, including On The Borders new fire-grilled outside skirt steak and thicker-cut chicken, in addition to fire-grilled shrimp and pork carnitas on top of fresh sauteed vegetables. Meanwhile, the Family Pick Two Feast lets groups pick more of the two fire-grilled meats they want the most for their fajitas.

Just in time for the holiday crunch time, On The Border is offering $10 off any new Family Fajita Feast through Wednesday, November 27. To further celebrate this time of year, guests can enjoy $5 grande house margaritas now made with 100% agave tequila and fresh lime juice all day from Friday, November 22 through Sunday, December 1.

"On The Border has the best fajitas out there featuring new premium outside skirt steak and thicker-cut chicken fire-grilled over real mesquite with bolder Tex-Mex seasonings," says Chef Tony Fialho, director of culinary at On The Border. "Now we are offering our Mesquite Fire Fajitas on a huge, family-style skillet to bring up to four people together for a shareable fajita feast."

Each new family-style fajita feast is served with hearty sides of warm, hand-pressed flour tortillas, fresh pico de gallo, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, grilled jalapeno, and a choice of rice and beans. Both new feasts are crowd-pleasers, perfect for Friendsgivings, festive gatherings, or even just an easy escape from the hectic holiday routine.

"Families and friends are looking for convenience and value, particularly during the holidays," says Krinna Kennett, senior manager of brand marketing at On The Border. "As a busy mom myself, these new fajita feasts deliver an easy, high-quality meal that everyone will enjoy at a terrific price.

For $10 off online purchases of either of the Fajita Feast meals use code FEAST10OFF. The offer is valid at participating locations. Go to www.ontheborder.com to find an On The Border location near you, view the menu, or order online. On The Border restaurants will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

# # #

About On The Border

Founded in 1982, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is the world's largest Mexican casual dining brand. On The Border is known for its sizzling mesquite-grilled fajitas, award-winning margaritas, house-made salsa, and endless chips and salsa. With 121 restaurants in the U.S. and internationally, it's a fan-favorite destination for fresh, authentic Tex-Mex food and vibrant good times. For more information, visit ontheborder.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Dothan, AL, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In memory of Greg Smith, beloved franchise owner of Dickey's Barbecue Pit in Dothan, Alabama, and a dedicated Army veteran, his brother Mike Smith III, alongside business partner Larry Brunson, is stepping up to honor and continue Greg's legacy of serving quality barbecue and supporting their community. Greg, who passed away suddenly, was known for his passion for high-quality barbecue, a commitment to his customers, and his respect for the Dickeys brand, which he believed stood by its franchisees with steadfast support.

To celebrate Gregs life and dedication, Mike Smith III and Larry Brunson are inviting the Dothan community to a special Buy One, Get One Free Pulled Pork Sandwich promotion from November 20th through November 27th. Guests can enjoy this offer in-store or online by using the code DOTHAN at checkout. The Dothan Dickeys is located at 2115 E Main St, Dothan, Alabama 36301.

Continuing my brothers work at Dickeys is an honor and a responsibility I take deeply to heart. Greg built a place where our community could come together over great barbecue, and I am proud to keep that tradition alive, said Mike Smith III, current franchisee of Dickeys in Dothan. This special offer is a way for us to remember Gregs passion for hospitality and to thank the Dothan community for their continued support.

Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., expressed her heartfelt sentiments, stating, Greg was a remarkable member of our Dickeys family and a dedicated veteran whose passion for quality and service was evident in every plate of barbecue he served. We are proud to stand with Mike, Larry, and the Dothan community as they continue Gregs legacy.

Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickeys Capital Group, reflected, Greg Smith exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit we value so highly at Dickeys. His commitment to his business and community left a lasting impact, and we are honored to support Mike and Larry as they carry on the tradition of serving authentic, slow-smoked barbecue in Dothan.

Visit the Dothan location to enjoy this special offer, honor Gregs memory, and continue supporting his mission of bringing family and community together over a great meal.

About Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.

Founded in 1941 by The Dickey Family, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is the worlds largest barbecue concept and continues as a third-generation family-run business. For over 80 years, Dickeys Barbecue Pit has served millions with its signature Legit. Texas. Barbecue.

Slow-smoked over hickory wood-burning pits, Dickeys barbecued meats are paired with a variety of southern sides. Committed to authentic barbecue, Dickeys never takes shortcutsbecause real barbecue cant be rushed.

With over 866 restaurants across eight concepts in the U.S. and several countries, Dickeys Barbecue Franchise and Dickeys Restaurant Brands continues to grow under the leadership of Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickeys Capital Group, and Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickeys Barbecue Pit, Inc.

Dickeys has been recognized on Newsweeks 2022 "Americas Favorite Restaurant Chains" list, Nations Restaurant News 2024 top fast-casual brands for value, and USA Todays 2021 Readers Choice Awards. The brand has also ranked in the Top 20 of Fast Casuals Top 100 Movers and Shakers for four of the past five years. Additional accolades include Entrepreneur's Top 500 Franchise and Hospitality Technologys Industry Heroes list. The brand has been featured by Fox News, Forbes, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine.

For more information, visit www.dickeys.com. For information about becoming a franchise partner, visit www.dickeysfranchise.com

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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Berry Virtual , a leading provider of virtual staffing solutions, is helping businesses accelerate growth by offering tailored support that allows companies to scale efficiently. By partnering with organizations to optimize resources and streamline operations, Berry Virtual enables clients to focus on what matters mostdriving success and achieving their goals.

The Need for Virtual Assistants in Modern Business

Businesses face challenges like high costs, time management issues, and staff burnout. Virtual assistants (VAs) address these by handling essential taskscustomer service, scheduling, social media, and complianceallowing businesses to optimize resources and focus on growth.

How Berry Virtual Stands Out

Berry Virtual ensures high-quality service by thoroughly vetting each VA. Our assistants are selected based on technical expertise and industry-specific training, offering both skill and a client-focused mindset. VAs from Berry Virtual integrate seamlessly with your team to drive success.

As Hamid Kohan, CEO of Berry Virtual explains, We dont just find virtual assistants. We deliver comprehensive business solutions. Our goal is to provide remote staff who not only assist with tasks but actively contribute to business success.

Core Services That Boost Efficiency

Berry Virtual offers services designed to boost efficiency and productivity:

Customer Support : Strengthens client relationships.

: Strengthens client relationships. Scheduling : Organizes appointments and prevents conflicts.

: Organizes appointments and prevents conflicts. Social Media : Enhances brand presence and engagement.

: Enhances brand presence and engagement. Compliance: Ensures adherence to industry standards and reduces risks.

The Business Impact

Clients benefit from increased productivity, reduced operational costs, and better work-life balance. VAs take on time-consuming tasks, freeing in-house staff to focus on strategic activities while preventing burnout.

Preparing for Future Trends

Berry Virtual stays ahead of industry trends by continuously upgrading tools and training, ensuring clients receive the best support to meet evolving needs.

Conclusion

Berry Virtuals virtual assistant services redefine business efficiency. Companies looking to improve productivity and focus on growth will find us a valuable partner. Discover the power of virtual staffing with Berry Virtual.

About Berry Virtual

Berry Virtual offers scalable virtual staffing solutions that reduce operational costs by over 60% while providing top-tier remote talent. With over 1,500 clients, we specialize in staffing that strengthens brands and builds global teams. Schedule a consultation to learn how we can support your business growth.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Berry Virtual

Address: 21371 Ventura Blvd. Suite #100 Los Angeles, California

Phone: (213) 566-9949

Website: https://www.berryvirtual.com/

Email: admin@berryvirtual.com

Visit us on social media:
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alectra Utilities is celebrating a remarkable achievement after receiving recognition in five categories at the 2024 WE3 Digital Energy and Water Awards, highlighting the companys innovation and leadership in Ontarios utility sector.

The WE3 Summit brings together global leaders, innovators, and trailblazers to showcase their commitment to sustainability and engage with the community. The WE3 Awards celebrate those redefining the future of energy and water by advancing technology, sustainability, and customer experience.

Being recognized on a global stage is a testament to the vision and dedication of our team, said Brian Bentz, President and CEO of Alectra Inc. Together, were not just shaping the future of energy in Ontariowere helping to set a benchmark for whats possible in the utility industry.

The awards showcase Alectras efforts to enhance customer experiences, drive sustainability, and embrace cutting-edge technology. Notable honours include:

Leadership in Connected Digital Experiences : Recognizing Alectras AI-driven platforms that empower customers to make informed energy decisions, creating a customer-centric energy ecosystem.

: Recognizing Alectras AI-driven platforms that empower customers to make informed energy decisions, creating a customer-centric energy ecosystem. AI Innovator of the Year : Awarded to James Douglas, EVP of Customer Experience, for his visionary use of digital tools that engage customers in energy conservation and climate action.

: Awarded to James Douglas, EVP of Customer Experience, for his visionary use of digital tools that engage customers in energy conservation and climate action. Industry Visionary of the Year: Presented to Brian Bentz, President and CEO of Alectra, acknowledging Alectras focus on fostering community-based energy initiatives and integrating AI to drive sustainable outcomes.

Presented to Brian Bentz, President and CEO of Alectra, acknowledging Alectras focus on fostering community-based energy initiatives and integrating AI to drive sustainable outcomes. Tech Leader of the Year: Honouring Julia Zhu, EVP and Chief Digital & Innovation Officer, for her leadership in modernizing Alectras digital infrastructure to enable efficient, automated, and sustainable grid operations.

Honouring Julia Zhu, EVP and Chief Digital & Innovation Officer, for her leadership in modernizing Alectras digital infrastructure to enable efficient, automated, and sustainable grid operations. Digital CX Payment Transformation of the Year: Celebrating Alectras AI-powered billing platform, which offers customers real-time information, automated payment plans, and multichannel support for seamless energy management.



Serving more than one million homes and businesses across the Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra continues to drive progress through technology, sustainability, and community-focused initiatives.

About Alectras Family of Companies

Serving more than one million homes and businesses in Ontarios Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is now the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions.

X: https://twitter.com/alectranews

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alectranews/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alectranews/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/16178435/admin/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/alectranews

Media Contact

Ashley Trgachef, Media Spokesperson ashley.trgachef@alectrautilities.com | Telephone: 416.402.5469 | 24/7 Media Line: 1.833.MEDIALN
THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF., Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a world leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for biologics, vaccines, advanced therapies, and oncolytic viruses, today hosted a celebration for the completion of an expansion of its cell therapy manufacturing facility in Thousand Oaks, California. The event also celebrated the recent European Medicines Agency (EMA) site issuance of a Certificate of GMP1 Compliance of a Manufacturer.

This expansion upgrades the development labs and adds two new independent cell therapy production suites, significantly increasing cleanroom capacity for new client programs. The cGMP suites are equipped with innovative solutions such as automated cell separation, selection, and expansion equipment, robust and in-built decontamination for rapid changeovers, and HVAC systems that can support either Grade B or C backgrounds which enhances the flexibility needed to support new modalities and meet evolving regulatory expectations. The new suites can accommodate open or closed processing and are large enough to support multiple patients lots for autologous programs or larger volume batches for allogeneic programs for clinical and commercial clients.

Cell therapy is a transformative approach to treating a wide range of diseases, offering hope to patients through improved quality of life. The global cell therapy market size was estimated at USD 4.8 billion in 2023. As investment in research and clinical trials is intensified and the approval pipeline continues to grow, there is significant traction for cell therapies manufacturing in 2024 and beyond, with predictions suggesting the market will continue to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37% over the 2023 to 2030 forecast period.2

The celebration also noted that the California site recently was granted EMA regulatory approval for the manufacturing of sterile, biological medicinal products, and quality control testing specifically for Atara Biotherapeutics Ebvallo (tabelecleucel or tab-cel), a monotherapy approved in Europe for adults and children with relapsed or refractory EpsteinBarr virus positive posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (r/r EBV+ PTLD).

The completion of the expansion at our California cell therapy facility demonstrates our ability to support the growing needs of our early-to-late-stage allogeneic customers and late-phase autologous customers for commercial cell therapies," said Lars Petersen, president and CEO, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies. As our industry realizes the promise of precision medicine, we are pleased to be at the ready to support production at our California facility, with the specialized skill and expertise of our team on-site.

We're thrilled to have FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies as part of our biotech hub, contributing to our community's growth and prosperity. This expansion will not only advance scientific research but also create new job opportunities for local residents, said Thousand Oaks Mayor Al Adam.

I am very proud of our entire team for reaching these important milestones, which will benefit patients that rely on these important cell therapies, said Dave Bolish, site head of FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, California. The recent EMA GMP certification exemplifies that our high-quality manufacturing processes, systems, talent, and world-class facility meet regulatory requirements, and we have the agencys trust to manufacture and deliver product on behalf of our partner.

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies site in California has the flexibility to produce both clinical and commercial cell therapies, with significant experience in allogeneic T cell and CAR T immunotherapies.

The expansion was announced in December 2023 as part of FUJIFILM Corporations overall $200 million investment package in cell therapy development and manufacturing to grow the Companys network of life sciences offerings. The investment package funded expansion of FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies California site, and FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc.s new headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics' new headquarters with cell therapy manufacturing will be operational in 2026.

About FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, is a world-leading contract development and manufacturing organization partner to development and manufacture of biologics, vaccines, and advanced therapies. The company operates a global network with major locations in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Denmark and it is building a new manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina, USA. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies has over thirty years of experience in the development and manufacturing of recombinant proteins, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, among other large molecules, viral products and medical countermeasures expressed in a wide array of microbial, mammalian, and host/virus systems. The company offers a comprehensive list of services from cell line development using its proprietary pAVEway microbial and ApolloX cell line systems to process development, analytical development, clinical and FDA-approved commercial manufacturing. For more information, go to: www.fujifilmdiosynth.com

About FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation

FUJIFILM Corporation is a subsidiary of FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation. FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, leverages its depth of knowledge and proprietary core technologies to deliver innovative products and services across the globe through the four key business segments of healthcare, electronics, business innovation, and imaging with over 70,000 employees. Guided and united by our Group Purpose of giving our world more smiles, we address social challenges and create a positive impact on society through our products, services, and business operations. Under its medium-term management plan, VISION2030, which ends in FY2030, we aspire to continue our evolution into a company that creates value and smiles for various stakeholders as a collection of global leading businesses and achieve a global revenue of 4 trillion yen (29 billion USD at an exchange rate of 140 JPY/USD). For more information, please visit: www.fujifilmholdings.com.

For further details about our commitment to sustainability and Fujifilms Sustainable Value Plan 2030, click here.

1Good Manufacturing Practice

2 Fujifilm estimates based on Evaluate Pharma November 2023

Attachments
BOSTON, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New America High Income Fund, Inc. (the Fund) (NYSE: HYB) announced today that shareholders of the Fund have approved a proposal to reorganize the Fund into the T. Rowe Price High Yield Fund (the T. Rowe Price Fund), a separate series of the T. Rowe Price High Yield Fund, Inc. (the "Reorganization").

The Reorganization is currently expected to become effective following the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, February 21, 2025 (the "Closing Date"), subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Upon the closing of the Reorganization, shareholders of the Fund will become holders of Investor Class shares of the T. Rowe Price Fund. In order to facilitate the Reorganization, trading in shares of the Fund is expected to be halted prior to the Closing Date.

Shareholders of the Fund also approved the election of Joseph L. Bower, Stuart A. McFarland, Marguerite A. Piret, Luis M. Viceira and Ellen E. Terry.

About the Fund

The New America High Income Fund, Inc. is a diversified, closed-end management investment company with a leveraged capital structure. The Funds investment adviser is T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (T. Rowe Price). As of September 30, 2024, T. Rowe Price and its affiliates managed approximately $1.63 trillion of assets, including approximately $20 billion of high yield: investments. T. Rowe Price has provided investment advisory services to investment companies since 1937.

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not intended to, and does not, constitute an offer to purchase or sell shares of the Fund or the T. Rowe Price Fund. Additional information about the Fund and the T. Rowe Price Fund, including performance and portfolio characteristic information, is available at www.newamerica-hyb.com or www.troweprice.com, respectively.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements, as defined by the U.S. securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors that may be beyond the Funds control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Contact:

Ellen E. Terry, President

Telephone: 617-263-6400

www.newamerica-hyb.co
PASCAGOULA, Miss., Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HIIs (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division welcomed Gen. Eric Smith, the 39th commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, for an official visit to the shipyard on Wednesday. During his visit, Smith met with Ingalls leadership and toured the shipyard, including two amphibious warships currently under construction, Bougainville (LHA 8) and Harrisburg (LPD 30).

We were honored to highlight the critical work our Ingalls shipbuilders do every day in support of the Navy and Marine Corps team, Ingalls Shipbuilding Vice President of Quality and Engineering and incoming President Brian Blanchette said. Every amphibious ship built at Ingalls reflects the dedication, skill, and patriotism of our shipbuilders, as we work together to deliver ships that ensure our nations safety and strengthen our commitment to those who serve.

This was Smiths first visit since the Navy announced the amphibious multi-ship procurement contract in September for the construction of three San Antonio-class (LPD 17) amphibious ships (LPD 33-35) and a contract modification for the next America-class (LHA 6) large-deck amphibious ship Helmand Province (LHA 10).





A photo accompanying this release is available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-hosts-marine-corps-commandant-gen-eric-smith-at-ingalls-shipbuilding/.

The multi-ship contract is a big step in the right direction; it benefits the DOD, American taxpayers, and industry, Smith said. The hardworking Americans here are serving our nation through the construction of these amphibious warships.

To date, Ingalls has delivered 13 San Antonio-class ships and 15 large-deck amphibious ships to the U.S. Navy. Currently, the LHA production line includes the construction of Bougainville (LHA 8) and Fallujah (LHA 9). In addition, Ingalls has two Flight II LPDs under construction including Harrisburg (LPD 30) and Pittsburgh (LPD 31). Pre-construction activities are currently underway for the construction of Philadelphia (LPD 32), the 16th ship in the San Antonio class.

About HII

HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HIIs mission is to deliver the worlds most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.

As the nations largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HIIs workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit:

HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/

HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII

HII on X: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII

HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII

Contact:

Kimberly K. Aguillard

228-355-5663

Kimberly.K.Aguillard@hii-co.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7da333ed-03da-4ebb-bb50-2c113d72fe6e
Vancouver, November 19, 2024 - Intrepid Metals Corp. (TSXV: INTR) (OTCQB: IMTCF) ("Intrepid" or the "Company") announces that due to the Canada postal strike, materials for its upcoming Annual General and Special Meeting (the "Meeting") being held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, are posted under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca, on the Company's website at www.intrepidmetals.com and at https://docs.tsxtrust.com/2340.

Emails providing a proxy with the voting control number and instructions for voting will be sent by the Company's transfer agent, TSX Trust Company, to registered shareholders. Shareholders who do not receive an email from TSX Trust Company with their proxy should contact TSX Trust at 1-866-600-5869 or email tsxtis@tmx.com to request their proxy and voting control number.

Non-Objecting Shareholders ("NOBOs") should contact TSX Trust at 1-866-600-5869 or email tsxtis@tmx.com to request their Voting Instruction Form ("VIF") with voting control number and instructions for voting.

Shareholders may also request their voting control number at:

https://www.tsxtrust.com/t/investor-hub/forms/control-number-for-voting-request.

Copies of the Company's financial statements and related management discussion & analysis are available on www.sedarplus.ca and if paper copies have been requested but not yet delivered, they will be delivered once the Canada postal strike concludes.

About Intrepid Metals Corp.

Intrepid Metals Corp. is a Canadian company focused on exploring for high-grade essential metals such as copper, silver, and zinc mineral projects in proximity to established mining jurisdictions in southeastern Arizona, USA. The Company has acquired or has agreements to acquire several drill ready projects, including the Corral Copper Project (a district scale advanced exploration and development opportunity with significant shallow historical drill results), the Tombstone South Project (within the historical Tombstone mining district with geological similarities to the Taylor Deposit, which was purchased for $1.3B in 20181, though mineralization at the Taylor Deposit is not necessarily indicative of the mineral potential at the Tombstone South Project) both of which are located in Cochise County, Arizona and the Mesa Well Project (located in the Laramide Copper Porphyry Belt in Arizona). Intrepid has assembled an exceptional team with considerable experience with exploration, developing, and permitting new projects within North America. Intrepid is traded on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) under the symbol "INTR" and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol "IMTCF". For more information, visit www.intrepidmetals.com.

INTREPID METALS CORP.

On behalf of the Company

"Mark J. Morabito"

Chairman of the Board

Notes

1 Details regarding the sale of the Taylor Deposit can be found in South32 News Release dated October 8, 2018 (South32 completes acquisition of Arizona Mining).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements relate to: the advancement of the Company's projects in Arizona; continued growth, ongoing success, that it has several drill ready projects; the exploration potential of the Corral Copper Property; the exploration potential of the Company's other mineral projects; and potential future production.

In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved" suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the Company can raise additional financing to continue operations; the results of exploration activities, commodity prices, the timing and amount of future exploration and development expenditures, the availability of labour and materials, receipt of and compliance with necessary regulatory approvals and permits, the estimation of insurance coverage, and assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, and other similar matters. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect.

Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements 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 risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to the ability to access infrastructure, risks relating to the failure to access financing, risks relating to changes in commodity prices, risk related to unanticipated geological or structural formations and characteristics risks related to current global financial conditions, risks related to current global financial conditions and the impact of any resurgence of COVID-19 on the Company's business, reliance on key personnel, operational risks inherent in the conduct of exploration and development activities, including the risk of accidents, labour disputes and cave-ins, regulatory risks including the risk that permits may not be obtained in a timely fashion or at all, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, risks related to disputes concerning property titles and interests, environmental risks and the additional risks identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's reports and filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or 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/230650
Vancouver - Juggernaut Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: JUGR) (OTCQB: JUGRF) (FSE: 4JE) (the "Company" or "Juggernaut") further to its November 12 and November 18, 2024 news releases, Juggernaut is pleased to report that it has filed with the TSX Venture Exchange ("Exchange") for final approval of its oversubscribed non-brokered flow-through private placement financing (the "Financing") for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,374,500 largely from strategic investors. The flow-through funds will be used towards follow-up drilling in 2025 on Juggernaut's 100% controlled Midas and Bingo properties, targeting prolific high-grade Gold, Silver, Copper and Cobalt deposits.

This oversubscribed investment, coupled with the ongoing support and interest from other globally recognized Institutions and senior miners, is a strong endorsement that clearly demonstrates the significant near-term expansion discovery potential of the Company's 100% controlled properties.

Dan Stuart, President and CEO of Juggernaut Exploration, states, "We had successful drill programs totaling 6300 meters on both of our 100% controlled Midas and Bingo properties carried out in 2024 designed to target high-grade gold-silver-copper and cobalt mineralization at Bingo along strike and depth, as well as drill tested what we believe is the most compelling VHMS target identified on the Midas property to date. We look forward to announcing results with great anticipation in the near future.

On receipt of Exchange approval, the Company will issue 16,170,587 flow-through units ("FT Units"), priced at $0.085 each for gross proceeds of $1,374,500. Each FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share plus one flow-through share purchase warrant, each flow-through warrant being exercisable for an additional flow-through common share at $0.12 for a twelve-month period from date of issuance.

The CMETC FT Units will entitle the holder to receive the tax benefits applicable to flow-through shares per the Income Tax Act (Canada) provisions.

The Company will use an amount equal to the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the CMETC FT Units, pursuant to the provisions in the Income Tax Act (Canada), to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as both terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") on or before December 31, 2025, and to renounce all the Qualifying Expenditures in favor of the subscribers of the FT Units effective December 31, 2024.

On receipt of Exchange approval, the Company will pay cash finders' fees totalling $45,693 and issue 537,564 non-transferable broker warrants each exercisable at $0.12 for twelve months.

All securities issued pursuant to this financing will be subject to a four-month plus one-day hold.

About Juggernaut Exploration Ltd.

Juggernaut Exploration Ltd. is an explorer and generator of precious metals projects in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. All of its projects are in world-class geological settings and geopolitical safe jurisdictions amenable to mining in Canada. Juggernaut is a member and active supporter of CASERM, an organization representing a collaborative venture between the Colorado School of Mines and Virginia Tech. Juggernaut's key strategic cornerstone shareholder is Crescat Capital.

Qualified Person Rein Turna P. Geo is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for Juggernaut Exploration's projects. He supervised the preparation of and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release.

View Juggernaut videos by Clicking Here.

For more information, please contact

Juggernaut Exploration Ltd.

Dan Stuart

President, Director, and Chief Executive Officer

604-559-8028

info@juggernautexploration.com

www.juggernautexploration.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT

Certain disclosure in this release may constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties relating to Juggernaut's operations that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements, including its ability to complete the contemplated private placement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES. THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR AN INVITATION TO PURCHASE ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN IT.

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
China ready to deepen int'l cooperation on cross-border data flow: spokesperson

Xinhua) 22:40, November 20, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to conduct and deepen exchanges and cooperation on cross-border data flow with other parties, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

China has put forth the Global Cross-Border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, and officially released the full text of the initiative at the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit.

In response to a related query, Spokesperson Lin Jian said the initiative puts forward constructive approaches to the governance on cross-border data flow, which is of concern to all parties, makes clear China's stance and position in advancing global cross-border data flow cooperation, advocates the principles of openness, inclusiveness, security, cooperation and non-discrimination, advances the building of an open and mutually beneficial landscape of international cross-border data flow cooperation, and promotes efficient, smooth and secure cross-border data flow.

"This is another important initiative on data that China issued after the release of the Global Initiative on Data Security," Lin told a daily press briefing.

The newly released initiative outlines the core message of President Xi Jinping's philosophy of building a community with a shared future in cyberspace and demonstrates China's firm resolve to coordinate development and security, improve digital governance and practice multilateralism, Lin said.

Noting data security is a global issue that needs to be addressed through the joint discussion by the international community, Lin said China stands ready to conduct and deepen exchanges and cooperation on cross-border data flow with other parties on the basis of the initiative, and welcomes support from all parties for this initiative.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan)
Golden Minerals Company ("Golden Minerals," "Golden" or the "Company") (NYSE-A: AUMN and TSX: AUMN) has today released financial results for the quarter ending September 30, 2024. (All figures are in approximate U.S. dollars.)

Third Quarter Financial Summary

The Company recorded no revenue related to gold and silver in dore, but recorded revenue of $0.1 million from the sale of metals at the Velardena Properties during the third quarter 2024. This revenue relates to concentrate shipments that were completed earlier in 2024 but were finalized during the third quarter 2024. In the third quarter 2023, the Company recorded $2.5 million of revenue which was related to the sale of metals at its Rodeo mine.

The Company recorded $1.6 million of net other operating income during the third quarter 2024 which was related primarily to the sale of Silex Argentina and Minera Labri. In the third quarter 2023, the Company recorded $0.1 million of net other operating income.

Cash and cash equivalents balance was $1.8 million as of September 30, 2024, compared to $3.8 million as of December 31, 2023.

Zero debt as of September 30, 2024, unchanged from December 31, 2023.

Net gain was $0.2 million or $0.01 per share in the third quarter 2024, compared to a net loss of $3.2 million or $0.38 per share in the third quarter 2023.

Cash Inflows and Expenditures

Cash expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 totaled $10.1 million and included:

$5.9 million from the net loss on discontinued operations and assets held for sale, which includes $4.6 million of net operating costs, $0.9 million of severance payments made to employees in Mexico who were terminated during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and $0.4 million in care and maintenance costs at the El Quevar project net of zero reimbursements from Barrick;

$3.0 million in general and administrative expenses; and

$1.2 million in exploration expenditures.

The above expenditures were partially offset by cash inflows of $8.1 million from the following:

$4.5 million of proceeds received from the sale of the assets held for sale and discontinued operations as follows; $2.5 million of proceeds from the sale of the Velardena and Chicago mines, sulfide plant, mine equipment and mine concessions $1.0 million of proceeds from the sale of Velardena Plant 2 and water wells $1.0 million of proceeds from the first two payments on the sale of Silex Argentina

$2.6 million from the collection of value added tax ("VAT") receivables from the Mexican Government;

$0.4 million of proceeds received from the sale of Minera Labri; and

$0.6 million of other working capital changes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company does not currently have sufficient resources to meet its expected cash needs during the twelve months ending September 30, 2025. At September 30, 2024, the Company had current assets of approximately $2.5 million, including cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.8 million. On the same date, it had accounts payable and other current liabilities of approximately $4.5 million, which includes $1.0 million in deferred revenue for the sale of the Velardena oxide plant and water wells. As previously disclosed, the Company ceased mining at the Velardena mines in Mexico in the first quarter 2024, and subsequently sold the mines and certain related assets. As of November 15, 2024, the Company is still owed $1.7 million, plus VAT, of the purchase price for the remaining Velardena assets. The Company's only near-term opportunity to generate cash flow to meet its expected cash requirements is from the sale of assets, equity or other external financing. With the receipt of the proceeds from the sale of Silex Argentina, and the cash payments received to date for the Yoquivo Transaction, as of November 15, 2024 the Company has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $3.6 million and accounts payable of approximately $1.2 million. In the absence of additional cash inflows, the Company anticipates that its cash resources will be exhausted in the second quarter of 2025.

Golden Minerals will need to secure additional sources of capital. In order to satisfy the Company's projected general, administrative, exploration and other expenses through September 30, 2025, it will need approximately $1.5 to $3.5 million in capital inflows. These capital inflows may take the form of asset sales, equity or other external financing activities, collection of the outstanding amount due on the Velardena sale, or from other sources.

The Company is taking actions to address its liquidity and financial stability concerns. As a part of these efforts, the Company is pursuing various objectives, including the receipt of the unpaid proceeds from the Velardena sale, completion of the sale of the Yoquivo gold-silver project, or obtaining equity or other external financing. The Company also continues to evaluate other strategic transactions. The proceeds from these transactions would be directed toward addressing the Company's ongoing operating expenses and satisfying its liabilities, while seeking to maximize any remaining value for its shareholders. If the Company is unable to obtain additional resources, it may be forced to cease operations and liquidate.

As previously disclosed, the Company has received notices from the NYSE American LLC (the "NYSE American") that it is not compliant with the NYSE American listing standards. The Company has until December 6, 2024 (the "Compliance Deadline") in order to regain compliance. The Company is continuing its efforts to regain compliance; however, if the Company is unable to regain compliance by the deadline, the Company expects the NYSE American to initiate delisting proceedings.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

The Company's consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis, as well as other important disclosures, may be found in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. This Form 10-Q is available on the Company's website at Golden Minerals Company - SEC Filings. It has also been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar and with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable Canadian securities legislation, such as statements regarding (i) the Company's anticipated near-term capital needs, and potential sources of capital; (ii) the anticipated timing of exhaustion of the Company's cash resources in the absence of additional cash inflows; (iii) the Company being forced to cease operations and liquidate if it is unable to obtain additional cash resources; (iv) the Company's capital inflow needs to satisfy the Company's projected general, administrative, exploration and other expenses through September 30, 2025; (v) the Company's plans for and the timing of the Company's receipt of the outstanding amount owed of the purchase price for remaining Velardena assets; and (vi) the NYSE American staff initiating delisting proceedings against the Company if it is not in compliance with the NYSE American's continued listing standards by the Compliance Deadline. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the failure by the buyer of the remaining Velardena assets to make the required payments due; whether the Company continues to be listed on the NYSE American; the inability of the Company to obtain sufficient capital to meet its obligations; increases in costs and declines in general economic conditions; changes in political conditions, in tax, royalty, environmental and other laws in the United States, Mexico or Argentina and other market conditions; and fluctuations in silver and gold prices. Golden Minerals assumes no obligation to update this information. Additional risks relating to Golden Minerals may be found in the periodic and current reports filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission by Golden Minerals, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Follow us at www.linkedin.com/company/golden-minerals-company/ and https://twitter.com/Golden_Minerals.

For additional information, please visit http://www.goldenminerals.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241119531882/en/

Contact

Golden Minerals Company

(303) 839-5060
Rio Tinto today published the findings of an independent, external Progress Review on its work to deliver sustained workplace cultural change across its global operations.

Two years into a long-term cultural change program, the review found that progress is being made with promising signs of improved culture, innovation, and performance. However, it revealed mixed results, with concerning behaviours persisting in some areas and requiring sustained attention to address effectively.

Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said: "People are still experiencing behaviours and attitudes in our company that are unacceptable and harmful. I am greatly troubled by this and sincerely apologise on behalf of our leadership team to anyone affected. I want to thank everyone across our business who has shown the courage to speak up, as your honesty will guide our ongoing efforts to become an organisation where every day is safe, respectful, and productive for everyone.

"I am proud and greatly encouraged by the genuine effort across Rio Tinto to change and to make Everyday Respect part of our daily conversations, and by the fact that this Progress Review shows the majority of our people believe we are heading in the right direction. The review also shows that while progress is being made, achieving the sustained change we want to see in our culture will require ongoing focus and effort. My message today is that we will stay the course."

The Progress Review was conducted by former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, who undertook the Everyday Respect review of workplace culture that Rio Tinto publicly released in 2022. It found that Rio Tinto's response to the Everyday Respect Report is gaining momentum throughout the company and has established a solid foundation for building a more diverse workforce and inclusive culture.

Elizabeth Broderick said: "I applaud Rio Tinto's continued leadership and commitment to transparency in driving cultural change. This is a significant undertaking in a global company with a growing and dynamic workforce, diverse roles and complex working environments.

"Two years on, the progress is evident and there is an ongoing commitment to this work. I am not surprised to see some areas where results haven't improved, this is a normal part of the cultural change process. With sustained focus from Rio Tinto, we should expect to see the positive change spread over time."

Findings of the Progress Review include:

The 26 recommendations outlined in the 2022 Everyday Respect Report have been largely implemented, with longer-term actions, such as continued investment in facilities, ongoing.

People continue to experience harmful behaviours at Rio Tinto's workplaces (see below for more details)

Around half of survey respondents reported a perceived improvement in relation to bullying (50%), sexual harassment (47%) and racism (46%), compared to 8% who thought bullying had become worse, 2% who thought sexual harassment had become worse and 4% who thought racism was worse. A majority of respondents expressed confidence the company will make a meaningful difference in these areas in coming years.

People are more empowered to speak up and Everyday Respect is now widely considered a normal conversation within the company, which is a critical step for culture change.

The survey data in this Progress Review is a lagging indicator, suggesting that the full benefit of the changes made in this time are yet to be fully experienced by the Rio Tinto workforce.

While recognising this progress and the clear commitment of many of Rio Tinto's people and leaders to create a safer, more inclusive and respectful organisation, the study showed that people continued to experience harmful behaviours in Rio Tinto's workplaces over the past year, including:

Eight people reported experiencing actual or attempted sexual assault or rape, compared to five people in 2021. Thirty-two people reported experiencing pressure or requests for sex or sexual acts, compared to 37 people in 2021. The majority of people in both cases were women.

7% of respondents reported experiencing sexual harassment (the same as in 2021).

39% of respondents reported experiencing bullying (compared to 31% in 2021)

7% of respondents reported experiencing racism (the same number as in 2021, when comparing racism behaviours to those included in the 2021 survey).

Building on the 26 Everyday Respect recommendations, and guided by the insight from the Progress Review, Rio Tinto has shaped the next stage of its plan to further embed existing interventions and accelerate change focused around three priority areas: equipping frontline leaders to drive change, building buy-in for change across all areas of our workforce and securing and retaining diverse talent.

Key actions include:

Integrating ongoing listening to business processes through four Employee Resource Groups (doubling to eight early in 2025) and more than 20 Village Councils; and through our twice-yearly People Survey.

Further embedding our new performance management process by linking career progression and remuneration to how people behave according to our "Values in Action" framework, equally to what they have achieve.

Deepening people leadership capability, with all operational leaders and site leadership teams to undertake Values, Mindsets and Behaviours training by the end of 2026.

Driving sustainable improvements in workforce diversity, with progress on gender balance linked to end of year bonuses to drive sustainable year on year improvement.

Accelerating cultural inclusion activities, including extending our Cultural Connections Program from Australia, where employees have already benefitted by deepening their understanding of Indigenous history and culture, to Canada in 2025.

Further education about harmful behaviours including sexual harassment, bullying and racism, with more than 90% of Rio Tinto employees and contractors to complete redesigned mandatory Code of Conduct training, in line with Everyday Respect, by the end of 2025.

The communication of case studies of harmful behaviour to encourage discussion and learning will be widened, through the roll out of 'Purple Banners' - a communications tool developed in Iron Ore that is modelled on the sharing of safety incidents.

Further improvement to the reporting and resolution process for people experiencing harmful behaviours, including reducing timeframes and increasing transparency.

Inclusion of all contractors for relevant Everyday Respect training and listening programs, where practical.

Further facility upgrades through building on our investment to date to improve facilities at sites, with further significant investment planned, alongside publishing clear principles in facilities design and requirements in line with our Code of Conduct.

Over 11,600 individual contributions of experiences, views and insights were made to the Progress Review process. This extensive feedback was gathered through multiple channels: a comprehensive online survey reaching 10,000 participants, listening sessions - both virtual and in-person - involving more than 1,300 people, and more than 340 detailed written submissions. To gain firsthand perspectives and ensure a truly global assessment, researchers conducted on-site visits to Rio Tinto's operations around the world, including diverse locations in Mongolia, Canada, USA, New Zealand and Australia.

The full Progress Review report can be viewed here.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241119163070/en/

Contact

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Media Relations, United Kingdom

David Outhwaite

M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations, Australia

Matt Chambers

M +61 433 525 739

Michelle Lee

M +61 458 609 322

Rachel Pupazzoni

M +61 438 875 469

Media Relations, Canada

Simon Letendre

M +1 514 796 4973

Malika Cherry

M +1 418 592 7293

Vanessa Damha

M +1 514 715 2152

Media Relations, US

Jesse Riseborough

M +1 202 394 9480

Investor Relations, United Kingdom

David Ovington

M +44 7920 010 978

Laura Brooks

M +44 7826 942 797

Wei Wei Hu

M +44 7825 907 230

Investor Relations, Australia

Tom Gallop

M +61 439 353 948

Amar Jambaa

M +61 472 865 948

Rio Tinto Plc

6 St James's Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Ltd.

Level 43, 120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

riotinto.com

Category: General
VANCOUVER, Nov. 19, 2024 - Monument Mining Ltd. (TSX-V: MMY and FSE: D7Q1) ("Monument" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results from its Annual General Meeting of shareholders (the "AGM") held on November 19, 2024 in Vancouver, B.C.

The Company has received record high participation for the AGM. Resolutions tabled as proposed in the Information Circular dated on October 7, 2024 were all passed with more than 97% "For" for each, including: fixing the number of board members for the ensuring year at five, being Graham Dickson, Cathy Zhai, Zaidi Harun, Dato' Sia Hok Kiang, and Jean-Edgar de Trentinian, and appointing Grant Thornton LLP as auditors.

Graham Dickson, Chairman of the meeting commented, "2024 was a remarkable year for the Company with strong cash flow from gold production at the flotation plant at the Selinsing gold mine in Malaysia. As we move into fiscal 2025 our team remains dedicated to developing and expanding our mineral assets to enhance the Company's value for all stakeholders. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all shareholders that participated by voting in this year's meeting."

For more information on these matters, please refer to Monument's Information Circular, available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or visit our website at www.monumentmining.com.

About Monument

Monument Mining Limited (TSX-V: MMY, FSE: D7Q1) is an established Canadian gold producer that 100% owns and operates the Selinsing Gold Mine in Malaysia and the Murchison Gold Project in the Murchison area of Western Australia. It has 20% interest in Tuckanarra Gold Project jointly owned with Odyssey Gold Ltd. in the same region. The Company employs approximately 250 people in both regions and is committed to the highest standards of environmental management, social responsibility, and health and safety for its employees and neighboring communities.

Cathy Zhai, President and CEO

Monument Mining Limited

Suite 1580 -1100 Melville Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 4A6

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION visit the company web site at www.monumentmining.com or contact:

Richard Cushing, MMY Vancouver, T: +1-604-638-1661 x102, rcushing@monumentmining.com

"Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release includes statements containing forward-looking information about Monument, its business and future plans ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that involve expectations, plans, objectives or future events that are not historical facts and include the Company's plans with respect to its mineral projects, expectations regarding the completion of the ramp-up period to target production level at Selinsing and the timing thereof, expectations regarding the Company's continuing ability to source explosives from suppliers, expectations regarding completion of the proposed storage shed and ammonium nitrate depot and the timing thereof, and the timing and results of the other proposed programs and events referred to in this news release. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The forward-looking statements in this news release are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and certain other factors include, without limitation: risks related to general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; uncertainties regarding the results of current exploration activities; uncertainties in the progress and timing of development activities, including those related to the ramp-up process at Selinsing and the completion of the proposed storage shed and ammonium nitrate depot; uncertainties and risks related to the Company's ability to source explosives from suppliers; foreign operations risks; other risks inherent in the mining industry and other risks described in the management discussion and analysis of the Company and the technical reports on the Company's projects, all of which are available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Material factors and assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements in this news release include: expectations regarding the estimated cash cost per ounce of gold production and the estimated cash flows which may be generated from the operations, general economic factors and other factors that may be beyond the control of Monument; assumptions and expectations regarding the results of exploration on the Company's projects; assumptions regarding the future price of gold of other minerals; the timing and amount of estimated future production; assumptions regarding the timing and results of development activities, including the ramp-up process at Selinsing and the completion of the proposed storage shed and ammonium nitrate depot; expectations that the Company will continue to be able to source explosives from suppliers in a timely manner; costs of future activities; capital and operating expenditures; success of exploration activities; mining or processing issues; exchange rates; and all of the factors and assumptions described in the management discussion and analysis of the Company and the technical reports on the Company's projects, all of which are available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
VANCOUVER, Nov. 20, 2024 - Callinex Mines Inc. (the "Company" or "Callinex") (TSXV: CNX) (OTCQX: CLLXF) is pleased to provide a brief update of its continuing 2024 exploration campaign at the 100% owned Pine Bay Project (the "Project") located within the Flin Flon Mining District of Manitoba (Figure 1: Flin Flon District Overview). The recently consolidated Project area encompasses 11,859 hectares (approximately 120 square km) and benefits from a mineral lease, hydroelectric power, an historic 200m deep shaft and three base metal concentrators within trucking distance, with the closest being idle and 16km away in Flin Flon, MB.

The 2024 drilling campaign began in August by testing the Poseidon target area which was completed with an 802m hole. Drill hole PBM-197 intersected favorable geology and currently awaits assays, geochemical data and borehole pulse electromagnetic ("BPEM") survey results. Subject to analysis of geochemical and BPEM results, associated with hole PBM-197, the Poseidon target area may be prioritized over Odin and Ra target areas, which were to be tested later in the 2024 exploration campaign (See news release dated September 3, 2024).

The Poseidon target area, which is located 1,300 meters along strike to the north of the Rainbow deposit, was also covered by the recent magnetotellurics ("MT") survey over the Descendent discovery. The MT survey data outlined a very large resistivity low anomaly interpreted to be mapping the alteration package between the known Rainbow and Pine Bay horizons (Figure 2: MT Survey Descendent Line Cross Section). The area is known to host favorable geology based on limited historic drilling and interpretation of other available geophysical and geochemical datasets.

Currently, a step-out drill hole, DSC-113, is underway on the Descendent discovery (the "Descendent"). Drill hole DSC-113 is currently at ~1414m and is on target to intersect the Descendent at 1,900m. DSC-113 is expected to intersect the Descendent at a 400m step-out vertically below and to the north of the Descendent discovery, in hole DSC-111.

The base and precious metal grades intersected to date by the Descendent discovery hole are comparable to metal grades intersected at the top of the nearby Rainbow deposit, and the significant massive sulphide widths suggest the system is robust (See news release dated September 12, 2023). The base and precious metal bearing massive sulphide intersections by the Descendent discovery hole are interpreted to be associated with a major alteration zone that's previously been identified at surface and spans 1,100m by 700m. Typically, there is a correlation between the size of an alteration zone and the size of a VMS deposit associated with it. The alteration package around the Descendent is approximately ten times larger than the alteration package enveloping the nearby Rainbow deposit.

The Company will continue to provide updates on its 2024 exploration campaign as it progresses and anticipates initial assay results to be released to the market in early Q1 of 2025.

J.J. O'Donnell, P.Geo, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

About Callinex Mines Inc.

Callinex Mines Inc. (TSXV: CNX) (OTCQX: CLLXF) is advancing its portfolio of base and precious metals rich deposits located in established Canadian mining jurisdictions. The focus of the portfolio is highlighted by the rapidly expanding Rainbow deposit at its rich VMS Pine Bay Project located near existing infrastructure in the Flin Flon Mining District. Callinex prepared an indicated mineral resource on the Rainbow deposit of 3.44 Mt grading 3.59% CuEq for 272.4 Mlb CuEq (238.3 Mlb Cu, 56.9 Mlb Zn, 37.6 koz Au, 692.8 koz Ag, 2.3 Mlb Pb), an inferred mineral resource on the Rainbow deposit of 1.28 Mt grading 2.95% CuEq containing 83.4 Mlb CuEq (72.1 Mlb Cu, 19.5 Mlb Zn, 11.1 koz Au, 222.2 Koz Ag, 0.8 Mlb Pb) and an inferred mineral resource at the Pine Bay deposit of 1.0 Mt grading 2.62% Cu containing 58.1 Mlb Cu (see news release dated July 10, 2023). The second asset in the portfolio is the Nash Creek Project located in the VMS rich Bathurst Mining District of New Brunswick. A 2018 PEA generates a strong economic return with a pre-tax IRR of 34.1% (25.2% post-tax) and NPV8% of $230 million ($128 million post-tax) at $1.25 Zinc (see news release dated May 14, 2018). The third asset, 100% owned Point Leamington Deposit in Newfoundland, is located in one of the richest VMS and Gold Districts in Canada. Callinex prepared a pit constrained Indicated Mineral Resource of 5.0 Mt grading 2.5 g/t AuEq for 402 koz AuEq (145.7 koz gold, 60.0 Mlb copper, 153.5 Mlb zinc, 2.0 Moz silver, 1.5 Mlb lead), a pit constrained Inferred Mineral Resource of 13.7 Mt grading 2.24 g/t AuEq for 986.5 koz AuEq (354.8 koz gold, 110.2 Mlb copper, 527.3 Mlb zinc, 6.2 Moz silver, 7.0 Mlb lead) and an out-of-pit Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.7 Mt grading 3.06 g/t AuEq for 168.5 koz AuEq (65.4 koz gold, 13.3 Mlb copper, 102.9 Mlb zinc, 1.4 Moz Ag, 2.6 Mlb lead) (see news release dated October 25, 2021).

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.

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future expenditures. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, among others, the ability to complete the proposed drill program and the timing and amount of expenditures. Except as required under applicable securities laws, Callinex does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

SOURCE Callinex Mines Inc.
SLAM Exploration Ltd. ("SLAM" or the "Company") (TSXV-SXL) is pleased to announce it has drilled massive sulphides at the bottom of a 62 meter zone of net textured sulphides in hole GW-14. The Company also reports a 30 meter mineral zone in hole GW24-13. Both holes were drilled on the Logan zone These are the latest results from Slam's wholly owned Goodwin Project located 35 kilometers south of the Caribou mine and mill complex in the Bathurst Mining Camp ("BMC") of New Brunswick.

GW24-13 intersected a 30 meter zone of disseminated to net-textured sulphide mineralization. Hole GW24-13 was 35 meter step ahead of hole GW24-09. Hole GW24-14 intersected a 9.30 meter zone of 40% to 85% sulphides at the bottom of a 62.00 meter mineral zone of net textured pyrrhotite. GW24-14 was set up 60 meters behind hole GW24-09 and designed to test the depth extent of the mineral zone previously reported in GW24-09. Assays are pending on 166 samples from holes GW24-13 and GW24014. The summary logs are tabled below:

Hole Number From-To Meters Interval Meters Description Mineralization GW24-13 0.00-9.00 9.00 Casing GW24-13 9.00-75.00 66.00 Gabbro 1-3% Sulphides GW24-13 75.00-92.00 17.00 Mineral Zone-Gabbro 5-10% Sulphides GW24-13 92.00-105.00 13.00 Mineral Zone-Gabbro 20-30% Sulphides GW24-13 105-121.50 16.50 Gabbro 1-3% Sulphides GW24-13 121.50-140.00 18.50 Gabbro 0.5% Sulphides GW24-13 140.00 End Of Hole GW24-14 0.00-2.60 2.60 Casing GW24-14 2.60-144.40 141.80 Mafic Volcanic (MV) 1-3% Sulphides GW24-14 144.40-157.50 13.10 Mineral Zone-Gabbro 12-15% Sulphides GW24-14 157.50-170.39 12.89 Mineral Zone-Gabbro 30-40% Sulphides GW24-14 170.39-198.70 28.31 Mineral Zone-MV 5-10% Sulphides GW24-14 198.70-203.25 4.55 Mineral Zone-MV 40% Sulphides GW24-14 203.25-208.00 4.75 Mineral Zone 75-85% Sulphides GW24-14 208.00-246.00 38.00 Mafic Volcanic 0.5% Sulphides GW24-14 246.00-262.50 16.5 Gabbro 1-3% Sulphides GW24-14 262.50-265.50 3.00 Felsic Dike 0.5% Sulphides GW24-14 265.50-267.80 2.30 Breccia 1% Sulphides GW24-14 267.80-272.00 4.20 Gabbro GW24-14 272.00 End of Hole

Figure 1 shows the mineral zone in diamond drill hole GW24-14 from 197 meters to 207 meters.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 1 GW24-14 Core Interval 197 to 209 Meters

Figure 2 shows the Logan zone drilling plan over a color background of aeromagnetics. Assays are pending on holes GW24-08, GW24-09, GW24-13 and GW24-14. After hole 14, the drill was moved 50 meters southeast to drill GW24-15.

Figure 2 Logan Zone Aeromagnetics, Diamond Drilling Plan



Click Image To View Full Size

Click SLAM_NAI500_YouTube to view SLAM President & CEO Mike Taylor discussing the Goodwin copper nickel project in a recent interview with Gilbert Chan of NAI 500.

QA-QC Procedures: The core was delivered to a secure facility in Bathurst New Brunswick for detailed logging and sampling. The core descriptions and the summary log for holes GW24-13 and GW24-14 are based on visual observations of the core. The results for holes GW24-01 to GW24-03 were previously reported by SLAM in news releases dated between July 30, 2024 and August 12, 2024. The historic results from previous workers are derived from New Brunswick assessment files that predate NI43-101 regulations. They can only be validated by additional drilling.

About SLAM Exploration Ltd: About SLAM Exploration Ltd: SLAM Exploration Ltd. is a public resource company with a substantial portfolio of mineral claim holdings in the mineral-rich province of New Brunswick. The Company recently completed three diamond drill holes on the Goodwin copper-nickel project in the BMC of New Brunswick. Highlights include:

A 60.60-meter core interval grading 1.17% copper equivalent in hole GW24-03

A 64.90-meter core interval grading 2.14% copper equivalent in hole GW24-02

The Company has reported additional holes drilled in a follow-up program currently in progress at Goodwin. Assays are pending.

SLAM has discovered multiple gold veins on its wholly owned Menneval gold project. The Company has reported gold-bearing core intervals, including 162.5 g/t gold over 0.2 meters and 56.90 g/t gold over 0.5 meters (news releases dated December 13, 2021, and November 22, 2022). Additionally, the Company reported quartz float grading up to 39.2 g/t gold on its Jake Lee project, located near the Clarence Stream gold deposit, where Galway Metals Inc. is working on a 2.3-million-ounce gold deposit in southern New Brunswick.

SLAM also owns the Mine Road copper-zinc-silver project, adjacent to the former producing Heath Steele Mines property in the BMC. Previous workers have reported successful diamond drill holes at Mine Road, including IL2014-003, which intersected a 9-meter core interval grading 14.51% zinc, 5.86% lead, 0.67% copper, and 139.9 g/t silver in the volcanogenic massive sulphide Railroad Zone (Doe Run Canadian Exploration ULC; 2015, New Brunswick Assessment Files, Report of Work 477877). The Railroad Zone is located 7,000 meters east of the 20-million-tonne former producing Heath Steele B Zone.

Slam is a project generator and has received significant cash and share payments over the past year. The Company holds NSR royalties and expects additional cash and share payments from the Wedge copper-zinc project and the Ramsay, Reserve Creek, and Opikeigen gold projects.

To view SLAM's corporate presentation, click SXL-Presentation. Additional information is available on SLAM's website and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Follow us on X @SLAMGold. .

Qualifying Statements: Mike Taylor P.Geo, President and CEO of SLAM Exploration Ltd., is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and has approved the contents of this news release.

Certain information in this press release may constitute forward-looking information, including statements regarding mineral resources and the Company's plans with respect to the exploration and development of its properties. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Company. There are a number of risk factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those described herein. Information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Mike Taylor, President & CEO

Contact: 506-623-8960 mike@slamexploration.com

Eugene Beukman, CFO

Contact: 604-687-2038 ebeukman@pendergroup.ca SEDAR+: 00012459


Awarded as Consortium Partner in CAD$20M Recycled Silicon Battery Project Organized by the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy

Major South Korean Battery Value Chain Companies and Universities as Consortium Partners Hansol Chemical as Head Project Organization along with South Korea's Largest Cathode Materials Producer, INNOX eco-M, LiBEST, etc.

Project Focus: Developing High-Performance, Low-Cost Silicon Anode Materials Based on Silicon Waste from Semiconductor and Photovoltaic Wafer Manufacturing

NEO Battery Materials Acting as Downstream Participant to Jointly Develop High-Performance Silicon Anode Materials with Consortium Partners



TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2024 -- NEO Battery Materials Ltd. ("NEO" or the "Company") (TSXV: NBM) (OTC: NBMFF), a low-cost silicon anode materials developer that enables longer-running, rapid-charging lithium-ion batteries, is pleased to announce that the Company has been awarded as a consortium partner along with major battery value chain companies and universities in a CAD$20M recycled silicon battery project organized by the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.

In a project titled "Recycled Silicon-Based High Energy Density Electrode Manufacturing Technology Development," the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE) and the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT) will invest approximately CAD$20M in government contributions for the next 5 years in consortium partners.

With Hansol Chemical, a leading South Korean chemical materials company, as the head project organization, several major battery and chemicals companies are participating as consortium partners, including South Korea's largest cathode materials producer, INNOX eco-M (NEO's recycled silicon collaborator), and LiBEST.

The project will focus on developing high-performance silicon anode materials based on recycled silicon scrap from semiconductor and photovoltaic wafer manufacturing. Consortium partners recognize that solving the limitations of waste materials is critical to achieving price and technological competitiveness for silicon anodes and strengthening sustainability in the lithium-ion battery industry.

NEO Battery Materials will act as a downstream value chain participant. Using recycled silicon inputs optimized with low-cost technologies, NEO will jointly develop silicon anode materials with consortium partners to manufacture high-content silicon anode batteries. This project directly advances the Company's strategic plan to secure low-cost, high-performance silicon feedstock.

Mr. Spencer Huh, Director, President, and CEO of NEO, commented, "NEO Battery Materials is highly pleased to be a consortium partner in this key project organized by the South Korean federal government. Along with major battery industry players, we are confident in developing low-cost silicon anode materials to attain material circularity and supply chain resiliency. With approximately 900 tons of waste silicon produced annually in South Korea, all consortium partners are motivated to develop effective technologies to recycle and reuse all waste generated moving forward."

About NEO Battery Materials Ltd.

NEO Battery Materials is a Canadian battery materials technology company focused on developing silicon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, electronics, and energy storage systems. With a patent-protected, low-cost manufacturing process, NEO Battery enables longer-running and ultra-fast charging batteries compared to existing state-of-the-art technologies. The Company aims to be a globally-leading producer of silicon anode materials for the electric vehicle and energy storage industries. For more information, please visit the Company's website at: https://www.neobatterymaterials.com/.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Spencer Huh

Director, President, and CEO

Tel: +1-437-451-7678

For Investor Relations, PR & More Information:

info@neobatterymaterials.com

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified notably, but not limited to, by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects," or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved", and similar words referring to future events and 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 the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: (i) volatile stock prices; (ii) the general global markets and economic conditions; (iii) the possibility of write-downs and impairments; (iv) the risk associated with the research and development of advanced technologies; (v) the risk associated with the effectiveness and feasibility of technologies that have not yet been tested or proven on commercial scale; (vi) the risks associated with entering into joint ventures, collaboration agreements, joint development agreements, and similar commercial agreements; (vii) fluctuations in input precursor prices; (viii) the risks associated with uninsurable risks arising during the course of research, development and production; (ix) competition faced by the resulting issuer in securing experienced personnel and financing; (x) access to adequate infrastructure to support battery materials research and development activities; (xi) the risks associated with changes in the technology regulatory regime governing the Company; (xii) the risks associated with the various environmental regulations the Company is subject to; (xiii) risks related to regulatory and permitting delays; (xiv) the reliance on key personnel; (xv) liquidity risks; (xvi) the risk of litigation; and (xvii) risk management, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at?www.sedarplus.com. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including but not limited to, continued research and development activities, no material adverse change in precursor prices and development plans to proceed in accordance with plans and such plans to achieve their stated expected outcomes, receipt of required regulatory approvals, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. 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. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations, research and development, and commercialization plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Your vote is important no matter how many votes you hold.

The Board of Directors of IsoEnergy unanimously recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution.

TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2024 - IsoEnergy Ltd. ("IsoEnergy") (TSX: ISO) (OTCQX: ISENF) is pleased to announce that independent proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ("ISS") has recommended IsoEnergy shareholders ("Shareholders") vote "FOR" the ordinary resolution (the "Share Issuance Resolution") to approve the share issuance in connection with the previously announced arrangement (the "Arrangement") involving the Company and Anfield Energy Corp. ("Anfield") at the upcoming Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. (Toronto time).

Philip Williams, Chief Executive Officer and Director of IsoEnergy, commented, "We are pleased that ISS supports the Board's unanimous recommendation that shareholders vote "FOR" the Share Issuance Resolution. We look forward to working towards completion of the Arrangement and encourage all IsoEnergy shareholders to follow the recommendations of ISS and IsoEnergy's Board of Directors to vote "FOR" the Arrangement Resolution."

ISS is widely recognized as the leading independent voting and corporate governance advisory firm. Their analysis and recommendations are relied on by many major institutional investment firms, mutual funds, and fiduciaries throughout North America.

In its report, ISS stated, among other things, that, "The transaction makes strategic sense as the combined company is anticipated to have greater access to capital, increased trading liquidity, unlock potential cost synergies, and provide development optionality to shareholders."

Vote Today

Shareholders are reminded that the deadline to vote is fast approaching. Shareholders must submit their proxies before 2:00 p.m. (Toronto Time) on Friday, November 29, 2024.

The Board of Directors of IsoEnergy recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the Share Issuance Resolution

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT - PLEASE VOTE TODAY

The Arrangement and Meeting Details

On October 1, 2024, IsoEnergy and Anfield entered into a definitive agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") pursuant to which IsoEnergy has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Anfield (the "Anfield Shares") by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement.

At the Meeting, IsoEnergy shareholders will be asked to vote on the Share Issuance Resolution and a special resolution approving a potential consolidation of the IsoEnergy Shares (together with the Share Issuance Resolution, the "Resolutions"), in each case as more particularly described in the management information circular mailed to IsoEnergy shareholders in connection with the meeting (the "Circular").

The Meeting will be held online at meetnow.global/M9YNP66 on December 3, 2024 at 2:00 a.m. (Toronto time). Shareholders of record as of November 29, 2024 are eligible to vote at the Meeting.

Please visit the Special Meeting page on our website for complete details and links to all relevant documents ahead of the Meeting at https://www.isoenergy.ca/investors/special-meeting/. The Circular is also available under IsoEnergy's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

Questions

If you have questions about the Meeting matters or require voting assistance please contact IsoEnergy's proxy solicitation agent, Laurel Hill Advisory Group at:

Laurel Hill Advisory Group

Toll Free: 1-877-452-7184 (for shareholders in North America)

International: +1-416-304-0211 (for shareholders outside Canada and the U.S.)

Email: assistance@laurelhill.com

About IsoEnergy Ltd.

IsoEnergy Ltd. (TSX: ISO) (OTCQX: ISENF) is a leading, globally diversified uranium company with substantial current and historical mineral resources in top uranium mining jurisdictions of Canada, the U.S., and Australia at varying stages of development, providing near, medium, and long-term leverage to rising uranium prices. IsoEnergy is currently advancing its Larocque East Project in Canada's Athabasca Basin, which is home to the Hurricane deposit, boasting the world's highest grade Indicated uranium Mineral Resource.

IsoEnergy also holds a portfolio of permitted, past-producing conventional uranium and vanadium mines in Utah with a toll milling arrangement in place with Energy Fuels Inc. These mines are currently on stand-by, ready for rapid restart as market conditions permit, positioning IsoEnergy as a near-term uranium producer.

None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and any securities issuable in the Arrangement are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the Arrangement, including statements with respect to the consummation of the Arrangement; receipt and timing of approval of the IsoEnergy shareholders with respect to the Arrangement; the date of the Meeting; and any other activities, events or developments that the companies expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at the time, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such assumptions include, but are not limited to, assumptions that IsoEnergy and Anfield will complete the Arrangement in accordance with, and on the timeline contemplated by the terms and conditions of the relevant agreements; that the parties will receive the required shareholder, regulatory, court and stock exchange approvals and will satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the closing of the Arrangement. Although IsoEnergy has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Such statements represent the current views of IsoEnergy with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by IsoEnergy, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: the inability of IsoEnergy and Anfield to complete the Arrangement; a material adverse change in the timing of and the terms and conditions upon which the Arrangemen tis completed; the inability to satisfy or waive all conditions to closing the Arrangement; the failure to obtain shareholder, regulatory, court or stock exchange approvals in connection with the Arrangement; unanticipated changes in market price for IsoEnergy Shares and/or Anfield shares; changes to IsoEnergy's and/or Anfield's current and future business plans and the strategic alternatives available thereto; growth prospects and outlook of Anfield's business; regulatory determinations and delays; stock market conditions generally; demand, supply and pricing for uranium; and general economic and political conditions in Canada, the United States and other jurisdictions where the applicable party conducts business. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in IsoEnergy's most recent annual information form, the Circular and IsoEnergy's other filings with the Canadian securities regulators which are available, respectively, on each company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. IsoEnergy does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/independent-proxy-advisory-firm-iss-recommends-isoenergy-shareholders-vote-for-the-arrangement-resolution-with-anfield-302311809.html

SOURCE IsoEnergy Ltd.
TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2024 - Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: MON) ("Montero" or the "Company") is pleased to report a US$27,000,000 settlement has been reached with the United Republic of Tanzania ("Tanzania") in the dispute arising out of the expropriation of Montero's Wigu Hill rare earth element project ("Wigu Hill").

The settlement sum of US$27,000,000 (approximately CDN $38,000,000) due to Montero is payable in just over 3 months, with payments scheduled as follows:

US$12,000,000- payable by 20 November 2024 -PAYMENT RECEIVED

US$8,000,000- on or before 31 January 2025

US$7,000,000- on or before 28 February 2025



The settlement sum represents ~39% of the US$70,000,000 initially claimed by Montero. This settlement obviates the need for a costly and time-consuming hearing, the risk of an adverse award, enforcement efforts, and finally concludes a near 7-year dispute.

Dr Tony Harwood, President and CEO of Montero commented: "I am pleased Montero was able to reach an amicable settlement with the government of Tanzania to bring a mutually beneficial end to this dispute. This resolution allows both parties to move forward, and we wish Tanzania every success in attracting new mining investment. I would like to thank our shareholders, board, management, and our legal and technical teams, for their valuable contribution to this outcome."

ICSID Arbitration



Montero and Tanzania have sent a joint request to the arbitral tribunal to suspend the ICSID arbitration proceedings, as the first payment has been received by Montero. Subsequent payments are to be made by the specified dates provided. Provided the final payment has been received by Montero, the parties will request the arbitral tribunal discontinue the ICSID arbitration altogether.

Distribution of Funds

Montero and its litigation funding partner, Omni Bridgeway (Canada) will receive a distribution of the first payment. The second instalment will be distributed to Omni Bridgeway (Canada) and to Montero, and will also cover Montero's operational needs and legal expenses, including payments to Boies Schiller Flexner UK LLP and Jeantet AARPI. Montero will entirely retain the final instalment.

Montero is planning a return of capital to shareholders where no amount has yet been determined and is subject to accounting review and board approval. In addition, Montero will retain funds to cover legal, taxation, and administrative expenses, including potential costs for arbitral proceedings, or enforcement actions if the second or third instalments are delayed or unpaid. The net amount of the award after repayment to the funder and legal expenses cannot be estimated with certainty and no assurances can be made. Further announcements will be made in due course.

Acknowledgments

The Board would like to especially thank Dr. Tony Harwood for reaching this settlement. Without his perseverance and significant efforts to not only develop Wigu Hill initially, but to then safeguard and recover Montero's investment speaks to his dedication and commitment to the Company and shareholders. Special thanks also to directors, the balance of management, our loyal shareholders, legal advisers and accounting team for their steadfast support and dedication throughout nearly seven years of efforts to secure compensation for the Company's investment in the Wigu Hill Rare Earth Project. Montero's legal team includes Timothy Foden of Boies Schiller Flexner (UK) LLP and Martin Tavaut of Jeantet AARPI. Quantum and technical expertise provided by Dr. Neal Rigby of SRK Consulting (USA) Inc. with full dispute funding secured from Omni Bridgeway, a leading global dispute funder. This unwavering commitment enabled the Board to achieve a favourable outcome for the benefit of shareholders.

Disclaimer

The conclusion of the ICSID arbitration and payment of the remaining instalments is conditional on Tanzania's compliance with the settlement agreement. The agreement does not provide for any security for the benefit of Montero in case Tanzania would not pay any instalment, in which case Montero can either resume the ICSID arbitration or seek enforcement of the settlement agreement.

About Montero

Montero has agreed to a US$27,000,000 settlement amount to end its dispute with the United Republic of Tanzania for the expropriation of the Wigu Hill rare earth element project. Montero will continue to seek a joint venture partner to advance its Avispa copper-molybdenum project in Chile. Montero's board of directors and management have an impressive track record of successfully discovering and advancing precious metal and copper projects. Montero trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MON and has 50,122,975 shares outstanding.

For more information, contact:

Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd.

Dr. Tony Harwood, President, and Chief Executive Officer

E-mail: ir@monteromining.com

Tel: +1 604 428 7050

www.monteromining.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements, projections and estimates with respect to the receipt of the settlement sum of US$27,000,000 and the timing thereof and with respect to the distribution of the settlement funds. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Such information is based on information currently available to Montero and Montero provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking information by its very nature involves inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Montero to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Actual results relating to, among other things, completion of the required instalments pursuant to the settlement agreement with Tanzania, satisfactory arrangements for the payment of the arbitration funder and legal expenses, the ability of the Company to find suitable exploration projects, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Montero's mineral properties, and financial condition and prospects, all of which could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: an inability to obtain payment of the remaining instalment amounts from Tanzania on the terms as announced or at all; unanticipated expenses associated with the settlement; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Montero's activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Montero's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Montero does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE USA/

KAMLOOPS, Nov. 20, 2024 - Progressive Planet Solutions Inc. (TSXV: PLAN) ("Progressive Planet" or the "Company") announces that its annual general meeting of the shareholders which was originally scheduled to be held on December 19, 2024 will now be held on January 9th, 2025 at 1:30pm in Vancouver, BC.

There will be no change to the November 15, 2024 record date. The meeting is being rescheduled due to the ongoing Canada Post strike, and the Company would like to avoid any delay in the mailing of the meeting materials to its shareholders.

Progressive Planet provides regular information for investors on its website: progressiveplanet.com/investors/. This includes press releases and other information about financial performance, patents filed, and information on corporate governance.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Progressive Planet:

Progressive Planet, a manufacturing company operating out of Kamloops, British Columbia, is reimagining what is possible when we prioritize our planet's health. Our expertise lies in developing products using our owned mineral assets and recycled materials to create Products for a Healthy Planet.

Our C-Quester Centre of Sustainable Solutions is proudly disrupting the cement industry and is home to our cement lab. Our second lab on site is geared towards developing products for the agricultural and animal care industries. Our product lines include patented and patent pending products which are developed with the express intent of promoting a healthy planet using naturally occurring minerals and the urban mining of recycled materials. Our products are found in over 10,000 retail stores across North America.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the matters described herein including statements regarding the NCIB and the repurchases thereunder as well as the effect of those repurchases, statements regarding the future of the Bromley Creek Zeolite Mine and statements regarding the development of future products. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including factors beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release.

Disclaimer:

This news release, required by Canadian laws, does not constitute an offer of securities and is not for distribution or dissemination outside Canada.

SOURCE Progressive Planet Solutions Inc.
Mazepin sure he'll return to F1 paddock

Nikita Mazepin says he's "99 percent sure" he'll be back in Formula 1 someday.

Nikita Mazepin, Qatar GP 2021

 Haas

The Russian, ousted by Haas at the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war and personally sanctioned by Europe and other jurisdictions, admits he no longer watches grands prix.

This is because I have a certain trauma from the premature end of my career in Formula 1, he told the specialist Russian site autosport.com.ru. "The feelings I experience when watching the races is like watching your girlfriend talk with her new man.

I was among the top 20 drivers in the world, I had a 5-year contract with the Haas team, and I planned to spend at least 5 years in Formula 1 and achieve success there.

Mazepin, 25, even hinted recently that he had basically given up on ever returning to F1.

Yes, unfortunately there will be no Formula 1 trophy on my shelf, he now confirms. I dreamed about this, and I lost it, but I found many other things, and it is not for me to judge which of these is more important.

The Russian, though, thinks he could be back in Formula 1 someday in another capacity. I am definitely on the business path, said Mazepin.

"I am 99 percent sure that you will see me again in Formula 1 - but there is a nuance to that. In what role, I will leave this to fate. But business meets all my existential needs at the moment.

"I believe there are two ways in life - either strengthen your strengths, or work on your weaknesses. For now, I choose to strengthen my strengths.

I have entrepreneurial genes by inheritance, plus education, plus a basis in sports, said Mazepin, whose father Dmitry is one of Russia's richest businessmen.

(GMM)
Ralf Schumacher not angry with Perez's father

Ralf Schumacher insists he's "not angry" with Sergio Perez's father Antonio Perez Garibay.

Sergio Perez, Brazilian GP 2024

 Red Bull

Perez senior, a Mexican politician, lashed out at his son's critics on the Spanish-language podcast ESPN Racing, aiming particular fire at former F1 driver Schumacher.

There's one driver, or a journalist, used to be a Formula 1 driver, who first claimed that Checo had been kicked out of Red Bull, and then the next week he came out of the closet, Red Bull driver Perez's father started.

I don't know, maybe he's in love with Checo? You don't know anymore if he's a journalist, a woman or a man. But even his words are questionable, not even because of Checo, but because of what his (ex) wife said about him, the 65-year-old added.

Bild newspaper called the comments completely unacceptable . 49-year-old Schumacher, meanwhile, responded on social media.

I would also stand 100 percent behind my son and try to help, he posted in German on Instagram. "That's what you do as a father.

"As for the style, I would approach it differently, but we know Mr Perez with all his emotions. That's why I'm not angry with him.

However, I believe results on the track would be a better argument.

(GMM)
Albert Nii Ayi Tagoe honoured as CFO of the Year 2024 at Finance Summit

Kweku Zurek Business News Nov - 20 - 2024 , 07:54

The Head of Finance and Investment at the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX), Albert Nii Ayi Tagoe, has been named CFO of the Year 2024 in the Commodity Exchange category at the CFO & Future of Finance Summit.

The event, organised by Evoke Impact, was held on November 5, 2024, at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, under the theme Navigating the Future of Finance: Exploring the Impact of Technology, Innovation, and Disruption on the Finance Function.

The accolade recognised Mr. Tagoes outstanding financial leadership and his pivotal contributions to the growth and sustainability of the Ghana Commodity Exchange.

A celebration of financial pioneers

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The summit brought together top financial executives to discuss the evolving landscape of finance, including the integration of technology, innovation, and sustainability into financial practices. Key presentations and panel discussions explored topics such as Artificial Intelligences impact on finance, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations, and strategies to optimise performance in financial management.

Other notable awardees included:



* Antoinette Kwofie (Telecommunications Sector).

* Albert Larweh Asante (Banking Sector).

* Poela Mkpayah (Non-Financial Bank Institutions).

* Emmanuel Adekahlor (Outstanding Finance Leader of the Year).

Albert Tagoes career and achievements



Albert Nii Ayi Tagoes recognition at the summit adds to his already impressive portfolio of accolades:

* 40 Under 40 Award winner for authorship of the books How to Raise Capital for Your Start-up Business and Money Health.



* Named among the Top 50 Most Influential CFOs in Ghana (2023) and the Top 30 Public Sector Finance Leaders in Ghana (2022).

* Best Student in Ghana for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Strategic Case Studies Exam in September 2018.

At GCX, Mr. Tagoe has played a crucial role in establishing a robust finance and control framework. He leads engagements with financial institutions to provide financing for smallholder farmers under the Warehouse Receipt and Aggregation Financing programme, which uses commodities as collateral.

Vision for Financial Literacy and Empowerment

Mr. Tagoes contributions extend beyond corporate finance to financial literacy. His books, How to Raise Capital for Your Start-up Business and Money Health, provide practical guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals.

How to Raise Capital for Your Start-up Business inspires entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses by demystifying the process of securing funds.

Money Health serves as a financial literacy guide for budgeting, saving, investing, and retirement planning.

Commitment to excellence



Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Tagoe credited his success to dedication, innovation, and a commitment to fostering financial growth. His award underscores the transformative role of finance leaders in driving organisational success and economic development.

The CFO & Future of Finance Summit and Awards highlighted the importance of visionary leadership in navigating challenges and creating opportunities in the ever-evolving financial landscape.
Next article: Excluded by language and distance: Fulbe nomads struggle for NHIS

The former president seeking to lead Ghana once more - A BBC feature

BBC Features Nov - 20 - 2024 , 09:51 6 minutes read

John Dramani Mahama has been Ghana's president once before - and now he is back for another punt at the top job.

The 65-year-old led Ghana from 2012 to 2017 and is one of the West African country's most experienced politicians. He has served at all levels of office, as an MP, deputy minister, minister, vice-president and president.

Long before it became a career, politics played a significant role in Mahama's childhood. When Mahama was just seven, his father, a government minister, was jailed during a military coup and later went into exile.

Personal trials like this appear in Mahama's acclaimed writing - he has been published by a number of international news outlets and his memoir, My First Coup D'etat, won praise from two African literary greats, Ngugi wa Thiong'o and Chinua Achebe.

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When penning his manifesto for this year's elections, Mahama told voters Ghana "is headed in the wrong direction and needs to be rescued".

But critics argue he may not be the right man for the job, given that his administration was hit by economic problems and a string of corruption scandals.

Mahama's journey began in 1958, when he was born in the northern town of Damongo. After a few years he moved to the capital, Accra, to live with his father, Emmanuel Adama Mahama.

In My First Coup d'Etat, Mahama Jr describes himself as "an observant child with an active imagination and an unbounded curiosity".

He was also relatively privileged. The family had another home in the town of Bole, which at the time was not on the national grid. Mahama's parents were able to invest in a diesel generator for their six-bedroom house, meaning theirs was the only house in the town with lights.

Local residents would gather outside the house when night fell, captivated by the curious orange glow.

The future president attended Achimota boarding school, a prestigious institution known for educating heads of state like Ghana's Jerry John Rawlings, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first prime minister after it gained independence from the UK.

It was at Achimota, in 1966, that Mahama heard there had been a coup. Military and police personnel had stormed Ghana's government buildings, seizing power from Nkrumah, who was away on a foreign trip.

As updates trickled in, Mahama became increasingly anxious - he had heard no word from his father. Seven-year-old Mahama feared his father had been killed because of his proximity to Nkrumah.

It turned out his father had been imprisoned - he would remain in jail for approximately a year.

Pope Francis received a copy of Mahama's memoir when the former president visited the Vatican City in 2014

In 1981, after a second military coup, Mahama's father fled the country for Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Mahama spent his twenties and thirties studying - he got a Communication Studies degree from the University of Ghana before studying at Moscow's Institute of Social Sciences.

Mahama noted that his stay in Russia, then part of the Soviet Union, alerted him to "the imperfections of the socialist system".

After returning to Ghana in 1996, Mahama followed his father's footsteps into politics.

He was elected as a Member of Parliament for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party and from there, scaled the political ranks. He zeroed in on the NDC's messaging, taking up roles as the parliamentary spokesperson and minister for communication.

In 13 years, Mahama worked his way up to become vice-president, second-in-command under President John Atta Mills.

But after just three years in office, Mills died unexpectedly at the age of 68.

Just hours after this tragedy, a 58-year-old Mahama was sworn in as president. In his speech, Mahama described the day as the "saddest" in Ghana's history.

General elections were held later that year and voters chose to keep Mahama in office.

So what kind of leader is Mahama? Franklin Cudjoe, a Ghanaian political commentator and head of the Imani Centre for Policy and Education, told the BBC the former president was an "excellent communicator".

While political scientist Dr Clement Sefa-Nyarko described Mahama as a "pragmatist".

Mahama has the it-factor but only in a climate where "politics is driven by reality and intelligent communication", said Dr Sefa-Nyarko, who lectures on African leadership at King's College London.

But in contemporary Ghana, many voters are captivated by overambitious pledges, according to Dr Clement Sefa-Nyarko, which means pragmatic Mahama is "not able to charm the populace much".

When campaigning to stay in power ahead of the 2016 elections, Mahama highlighted various infrastructure projects completed under his administration, such as those in the transportation, health, and education sectors.

But under his watch, Ghanaians also experienced an ailing economy and widespread power cuts. Mahama was nicknamed "Mr Dumsor" in reference to the blackouts - "dum" means off and "sor" means on in the local Twi language.

His term was also blighted by corruption scandals. For instance, a UK court found that aviation giant Airbus had used bribes to secure contracts with Ghana for military planes between 2009 and 2015 - but Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor concluded there was no evidence that Mahama was involved in any corrupt activities himself.

There are "lingering issues" surrounding these graft scandals - ones that the current electorate will "remember", Mr Cudjoe said.

But he also points out that, according to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), corruption became worse under Nana Akufo-Addo, who beat Mahama in the 2016 elections.

Ghana averaged 45.8 under Mahama but dropped to 42 under Akufo-Addo in the CPI ranking where zero equates to "highly corrupt" and 100 is "very clean".

During his presidency, John Mahama and his wife (second from right) visited the White House

Mahama attempted to win his old job back in 2020, but lost out to Akufo-Addo once again.

Despite these defeats, Mahama has remained in the political sphere - he is currently leader of the opposition.

He also enjoys a busy life away from politics - he has seven children and spends time with his wife, Lordina.

Mahama is also a prolific writer. Asides from his memoir, he has written for media outlets like The New York Times, leading African-American magazine Ebony and Ghana's state-owned Daily Graphic.

Mahama has also expressed his passion for music, saying Nigerian Afrobeat icon Fela Kuti helped him form "political consciousness" and that Michael Jackson is "one of the greatest artistes that ever lived".

And in a full-circle moment, the former president was immortalised in Mahama Paper, a song by Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale. Wale said the title was a reference to the Ghanaian banknotes printed during Mahama's administration.

Naturally, Mahama has used the hit in his current campaign, pointing out that under Akufo-Addo, Ghana has plummeted into its worst economic crisis in years.

He has also been reminding Ghanaians of his extensive political experience but the fact remains - he was voted out of power once before as the public felt his performance wasn't good enough.

Mahama is seeking to persuade voters this time will be different - a communications whizz hoping his message is clear enough to win him a second chance in Ghana's highest office.
National Education Week opens with fair

Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Education Nov - 20 - 2024 , 07:53 2 minutes read

Various agencies, departments and institutions under the Ministry of Education have held a fair to showcase and highlight policies, strategies and interventions they had put in place to improve the quality of education over the past eight years.

The initiative formed part of the ministrys National Education Week 2024, which allows stakeholders to come together to discuss the best ways to address challenges facing the sector and develop strategies for a sustainable future.

It also connected students, parents and educators with academic institutions, programmes, and resources, fostering informed decisions about educational opportunities and providing a platform for networking and exploration.

The week-long fair is on the theme: "The education transformation agenda; Evidence from 2017.

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Agencies

Some of the agencies represented were the Ghana Education Service (GES), Free Senior High School (SHS) Secretariat, Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service, Commission for Technical and Vocational Education, The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) and the National Schools Inspectorate Authority.

Others were the National Service Authority, Complementary Education Agency and the Student Loan Trust Fund, National Teaching Council, Innovations for Poverty Action, Ghana Library Authority, Commission for UNESCO, Ghana Education Trust Fund and Ghana Book Development Council, among others.

They presented leaflets and mounted exhibitions that detailed the various policies and interventions they had embarked on.

Running parallel to the exhibitions were a series of panel discussions, presentations and sessions by representatives of the various education sector agencies and departments on their achievements, challenges and the way forward.

Reforms

For instance, the Director-General of NaCCA, Prof. Yayra Dzakadzie, said his outfit had instituted a National Standardised Test aimed at diagnosing the strengths and weaknesses of learners and to assess how much support each learner would need to catch up with what they were supposed to know.

He explained that before the introduction of the reform, formative assessments were left to the teachers - a process which was not very productive so institutionalisation of the test helped track the formative assessment and the learning gains made by the learner over some time.

The standardised test is helping us to compare, for example, a learner in P4 in Ghana, to another learner at P4, say, in the UK, in the United States of America, in Nigeria so that we have the global mapping.

And then we want to match this mapping with other learners in other countries. Apart from meeting our curriculum standards as Ghanaians, we are also using it to report globally, Prof. Dzakadzie explained further.

Collaborations

The panellists stressed the significance of a collaborative approach to solving education sector-related issues, fostering innovation, improving teaching practices, and addressing diverse learning needs.

They noted that when government agencies and development partners worked together, they could share resources, ideas and strategies to enhance the quality of education.
Asantehene to receive 28 more 19th-century looted gold ornaments from South Africa

Kwame Asare Boadu Nov - 20 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is set to receive 28 gold ornaments and regalia from South Africa, marking another restitution of Asante cultural heritage looted during the 19th century.

The artefacts include linguist staff, swords, palace security locks, rings, necklaces, and proverbial gold-weights depicting crocodiles and gold scandals. These items reflect the governance structures and chieftaincy traditions of the Asante Court.

Ceremony



The official presentation will take place this weekend at a mini durbar at the Manhyia Palace. The event coincides with the centenary celebration of the return from exile of the 13th Asantehene, Agyeman Prempeh I, and will also honour the visiting President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan.

Intervention by Asantehene

Historian and Associate Director of the Manhyia Palace Museum, Ivor Agyeman-Duah, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday, November 20, that the items form part of the African Gold collection of AngloGold Ashanti in South Africa.

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Earlier this year, the Asantehene personally intervened with AngloGold Ashanti (formerly Ashanti Goldfields) to facilitate the restitution of these objects. The agreement followed approval of an export permit granted three weeks ago by the Reserve Bank of South Africa.

Authentication and historical significance

The artefacts, produced over a century ago, were originally acquired in 1922 by Swiss art collector Joseph Mueller. They later became part of the Barbier-Mueller Museum in Geneva. In 2000, AngloGold Ashanti purchased the Barbier-Mueller Collection, which showcased exceptional West African goldsmithery, and housed it at the Gold of Africa Museum in Cape Town.

The artefacts were later transferred to the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria. The return of these items to Kumasi represents a cultural milestone, following a wave of deaccessions and restitutions to Africa.

Mr. Agyeman-Duah, supported by Edward Michael Ennin, a member of AngloGold Ashantis Ghana Board and former Member of Parliament for Obuasi, authenticated the acquisition.

New home for the artefacts

The artefacts will be housed in a contemporary art gallery recently added to the Manhyia Palace Museum by the Asantehene, expanding the museums cultural offerings and historical significance.

AngloGold Ashanti delegation



An AngloGold Ashanti delegation, led by Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Stewart Bailey, will be present for the ceremony. The team includes Senior Vice President of Group Sustainability Baso Sangou, Senior Vice President Africa Non-Operated Venture Eric Asubonteng, and Corporate Affairs Legal Resource Aviona Mabaso.



Lekgetho Mokola, a fellow of Yale Universitys Directors Forum and former Director of the Javett Art Centre, hailed the restitution as a groundbreaking achievement.

Africa is now taking the lead in restitution within its own territories to address colonial legacies. This move could accelerate efforts to return cultural objects beyond our borders, Mokola said.

Record restitutions for Manhyia Palace

This return increases the number of restituted or loaned cultural objects received by the Manhyia Palace this year to 67the highest for any African institution in a single year in recent history.

In February, the Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles, returned seven artefacts looted during the 1874 Anglo-Asante War. In March, 32 items were restituted by the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The latest return cements the Manhyia Palaces role as a central repository for Asante cultural heritage and a symbol of Africas growing influence in reclaiming its historical legacy.
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Four Ghanaian soldiers injured in rocket attack in Lebanon

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Nov - 20 - 2024 , 18:59 2 minutes read

Four Ghanaian soldiers on peacekeeping duty in Lebanon sustained injuries as a rocket, "fired most likely by non-State actors within Lebanon"  hit their base UNP 5-42 in the east of the village of Ramyah in Lebanon on Tuesday.

The UN peacekeeping agency in southern Lebanon said the four peacekeepers were injured when the rocket hit their base, one of three separate incidents in which its troops and bases came under fire on Tuesday [Nov 19].

The four Ghanaian soldiers were injured, with three requiring hospital treatment, after the rocket struck the base near the border with Israel, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said. The severity of their injuries is unknown.

It was part of three separate incidents in south Lebanon on Tuesday, that targeted UNIFIL peacekeepers and facilities.

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It was one of the incident that resulted in the injuries to the four peacekeepers who are all from Ghana.

Information gathered from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the Middle East indicates that the Ghanaian soldiers, currently in Lebanon and engaged in a UN peacekeeping mission are responding to treatment.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) which is staging a ground invasion of southern Lebanon against Hezbollah, blamed the Lebanese armed group for both incidences of rocket fire. Hezbollah has not commented.

The report indicates that an Artillery Rocket, which was fired from an unknown location towards an Israeli Defence Force position at the W413 position, dropped shot and fell inside a Ghanbatt position, that is the Ghana Battalion position, at the UNP 5-42.

The Artillery Rocket caused damages to some parts of the washroom and troops accommodation and injured the soldiers.

This is from a situational report seen by Graphic Online.

However, in a statement shared by UNIFIL on X, it was explained that the peacekeepers sustained injuries and three of them have been transferred to a hospital in Tyre for treatment.

In another incident, UNIFIL Sector West Headquarters in Shama was also impacted by five rockets, which struck the maintenance workshop.

Although that one also caused heavy damage to the workshop, no peacekeeper was injured.

It said this was the second time that particular UNIFIL base was impacted by the ongoing clashes in the area in less than a week.

A 155mm live artillery shell hit the base on November 15, 2024

It added that when a UNIFIL patrol was passing through a road northeast of the village of Khirbat Silim, an armed person directly fired at the patrol.

No injury was reported among the peacekeepers in this incident.

UNIFIL has therefore launched investigations into each of the incidents, it added.

It said the "pattern of regular attacks  direct or indirect  against peacekeepers must end immediately."

"Any attack against the peacekeepers is a flagrant violation of international laws and resolution 1701, which forms the basis of UNIFILs current mandate."

It was explained that despite these and other challenges, peacekeepers remain in all positions and will continue to impartially monitor and report on violations of resolution 1701.
Bolgatanga chartered accountants hold 5th AGM

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Nov - 20 - 2024 , 09:57 2 minutes read

The Bolgatanga District Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG) has held its fifth annual general meeting (AGM) with a call on members to support the leadership for the growth of the association.

The Chairman of the Executive Committee, Alhaji Hayatudeen Awudu Ibrahim, who made the call, said the society could build on its modest successes if members rallied behind the executive committee to drive its growth and development.

He said the society continued to grow yearly and that it was incumbent upon the members to play their respective roles towards sustaining the operations of the society, as well as to improve the profession.

As part of the AGM, some officers were re-elected for a second term to steer the affairs of the Society for the next years.

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They were the Chairman, Alhaji Hayatudeen Awudu Ibrahim; the Vice Chairman, Noble Issah Mubarak; the Secretary, Henrietta Bobi, as well as members, Robert Abane Nsobila and James Nsoh Ayinloya.

Membership

Alhaji Ibrahim announced that seven newly qualified chartered accountants joined the society in 2023 and congratulated them on the successes they chalked up during their examinations.

He said the total membership of the society stood at 104 as of the end of December 2023, representing an increase of 18 from the 86 members on the roll in December 2022.

Notwithstanding the appreciable numbers in our membership, we still record very low turnout during monthly meetings, he said, adding: The EC would like to appeal to members to improve their attendance to meetings for the benefit of all.

Alhaji Ibrahim indicated that the gross income of the society increased from GH7,810 at the end of December 2022 to GH27,360 at the end of the period under review, representing an increase of GH19,550.

The chairman said as of the end of December 2023, the society recorded a surplus of GH5,405 as against a deficit of GH5,849 at the end of December 2022, representing an increase of GH9,521.

Writers email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh
International Tribunal dismisses GCNet GH4bn arbitration against Ghana - Awards $2.2m costs for country

Daily Graphic Nov - 20 - 2024 , 12:57 6 minutes read

An international arbitration tribunal seated in London has dismissed the claims of Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet) instituted against the Republic of Ghana, claiming compensation of GH4 billion.

The tribunal in a 202-page award last Monday ordered GCNet to pay Ghana $2.185 million in legal fees.

This comprises $1.74 million in legal representation and $441,932.79 for fees and expenses of Ghanas expert witness together with interest on the aggregate amount of $2.185 million, as simple interest from 30 days following the date of the tribunals Award until payment at the rate of USD SOFR + one per cent.

GCNet instituted the action under Article 18 of the Arbitration Rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law of 1976 (the UNCITRAL Rules).

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Ruling

The tribunal unanimously decided that Ghana had validly terminated the Agreement on April 28, 2020, within the meaning of Article 11.3, and the termination was lawful.

The tribunal upheld Ghanas submission that as stated in the agreement, GCNet should be awarded compensation of $5.4 million for the governments early termination of the agreement.

The tribunal also unanimously decided that GCNet waived its rights to seek damages for the impact of the exemptions and discounts on its fees. The tribunal found by a majority decision that the impact of the exemptions and discounts on GCNet fees did not breach the Service Agreement.

The tribunal also found that GCNet was the unsuccessful party in the arbitration and that Ghana had expended money and time in defending a claim that the Tribunal has held to be ill-founded.

It, therefore, ordered that GCNet shall pay $2.185 million in legal fees.

GCNet was represented by an English law firm, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP and two Ghanaian firms - Beyou and Co. and ENS Africa.

Ghana was represented by the Office of the Attorney-General (A-G), led by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame.

It did not have recourse to foreign counsel, which also saved the nation legal fees.

Background

By a notice of arbitration dated June 30, 2022, GCNet challenged the right of the government of Ghana to terminate a Service Agreement it had with the state by which GCNet was granted the exclusive right to develop, customise, update and operate an electronic system for processing customs payment and trade documents at ports in Ghana.

Under the agreement, GCNet was authorised to charge all users of the services a fee equivalent to 0.40 per cent of the Final Invoice Free On Board (FOB) value of all import transactions and 0.15 per cent of all export transactions which pass through the Customs Management System (CMS) and TradeNet portion of the services.

The agreement was initially entered into in 2000 and became effective in 2002. It was for an initial term of 10 years, up to 2012.

Following its expiry in December 2012, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Hanna S Tetteh, by a letter dated 30 November 2012, extended the agreement for one year.

Facts

Providing facts in defence, Mr Dame said in 2013, by an agreement dated August 26, 2013, the government, represented by the Minister of Trade and Industry, extended the life of the agreement for five years to end in December, 2018.

He said before the lapse of the five years, in October, 2016, another Minister of Trade and Industry extended the duration of the agreement by a further five years, to end in December 2023.

The A-G explained that all the extensions made by the various Ministers of Trade were without the requisite statutory approval of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) or recourse to any of the procedures for public procurement set out in the PPA law.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Administration which took office in 2017, terminated the GCNet agreement on 28 April 2020, after a comprehensive value-for-money assessment.

In the termination notice given to GCNet, the government indicated that it would pay to the company the compensation stated in the agreement for early termination. GCNet rejected this offer, claiming compensation on various heads far above and beyond what is stated in the agreement, Mr Dame averred.

Arbitration

Following a breakdown of attempts by GCNet to reach an amicable resolution with the government, the A-G said GCNet commenced the arbitration proceedings pursuant to Article 13.2 of the agreement with Ghana.

The company asserted that the contract was unlawfully terminated by the government and sought GH3.3 billion in damages from the government.

Mr Dame explained that the amount comprised compensation of GH2.11 billion for what the company alleged was the wrongful termination of the agreement, and over GH1.19 billion for past alleged breaches of the agreement when the government granted exemptions and discounts to importers pursuant to government policy during the life of the agreement.

The company also sought to recover pre-award interest of GH2.02 billion and about $4 million in legal fees from the government if the tribunal ruled in its favour.

Ghanas case

Ghana roundly rejected GCNets claims and invited the tribunal to hold that the country had validly terminated the agreement between the parties.

The A-G asserted that the agreement between the parties included an express and exhaustive regime for assessing GCNets entitlements to damages after termination, and, thus, provided no scope for the application of common law principles on the measure and assessment of unliquidated damages.

The state also averred that by Article 9.4 of the agreement in the event of early termination by the government, it was required to compensate GCNet for any losses in accordance with a reducing scale of compensation, which did not exceed $ 6 million.

The state also argued that the tribunal was supposed to give effect to the agreement between the parties and disregard all the exorbitant claims by GCNet.

In Ghanas view, the interpretation it placed on the relevant provisions of the agreement reflected the intention of the parties and was consistent with commercial common sense as it made the compensation payable by the government in the event of a termination determinable.

Regarding GCNets claim for losses occasioned by the governments policy on exemptions granted to some importers, the state argued that GCNet had no contractual right that was violated.

The mere fact that a government policy had negatively impacted a companys profit does not mean the government has breached a contractual obligation, the state argued.

The A-G averred that Article 4 of the agreement permitted the government to exclude imports from GCNets services.

According to the A-G, even if GCNet had a contractual right to be protected against the effect of the government policy on exemptions, GCNet had by its conduct, irrevocably waived that right and was precluded from basing a claim on it.

Once a right is waived it cannot be revived, especially after the relevant limitation period allowed by Ghana law had expired, he argued.

On GCNets claims for losses resulting from a discount policy operated by Ghana in favour of some imports, Ghana argued that just like the exemptions policy, the discount policy was subject to the laws of Ghana.

The Discount Policy was applicable on all computations presented by importers in order to arrive at a final assessed value, and, therefore, was not discriminatory, the A-G said.

The proceedings

The oral hearing was conducted over a period of one week in London in April 2024, after which the tribunal adjourned for filing of post-hearing briefs, submissions on costs and delivery of an award.
Nigeria busts drugs consignment from Ghana

Daily Graphic Nov - 20 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested masterminds of drug trafficking at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and Abuja hotel, foiling attempt to smuggle opioids into Lagos from Ghana.

The agency stated that the attempts by drug syndicates to export large consignments of cocaine, methamphetamine and opioids through MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja to the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey and Qatar was thwarted by operatives of NDLEA, who in series of intelligence-led operations recovered the illicit drugs and arrested the masterminds.

According to the agencys Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi in a statement made available to Blueprint over the weekend, a total of 13 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.40kg going to the United Kingdom (UK) via Frankfurt on a Lufthansa Airlines flight were intercepted by NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Lagos airport on November 5, 2024 while a businessman linked to the consignment, Ekeocha Anayo Nelson, was tracked and arrested on November 8,2024.

Mediterranean Sea

The suspect claimed to have travelled to Europe through the Mediterranean Sea and earned a living as a street beggar before delving into logistics business, Babafemi stated.

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Also related is the arrest of another businessman, Anoke Kingsley Roomy with 1,100 pills of tramadol 225mg hidden in his luggage while attempting to board his Ethiopian Airlines flight going to Istanbul, Turkey at the terminal 1 of the Lagos airport on November 15.

Another suspect, Akande Moruf Olasunkanmi, was arrested with 1.8kg methamphetamine by operatives of a Special Operations Unit of NDLEA at his 9 Durojaiye street, Lawanson area of Surulere, Lagos home after weeks of intelligence and surveillance.

In another intelligence led operation, officers of NDLEA task force on November 16, foiled the attempt by a trans-border trafficker, Emmanuel Okechukwu Okeke to smuggle 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg from Ghana into Lagos.

The pills were concealed in the body compartments of a Toyota Hummer bus belonging to GUO Transport Company, driven by the suspect. The vehicle was intercepted at Ijanikin area of the Lagos-Badagry expressway while coming from Ghana.

In another development, not less than 997kg cannabis was recovered during raids in parts of Edo state in the past week. Babafemi said that 680kg cannabis and a Sienna bus marked FST-320 AE were seized at a bush path to Oghada forest in Oghada, Orhionmwan LGA of the state.

He said that 180.5kg of same substance was recovered from a suspect, Cecilia Ibe, 31, at Ofosu forest, Ovia South West LGA area of the state . He added that 136.5kg of same substance was evacuated from a building in Otuo community, Owan East LGA in Edo on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a suspect was on Wednesday nabbed with 88.3kg cannabis by NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Babafemi said that personnel of Kano Command of the agency on Friday arrested 30-year-old man at Gadar Tamburawa, Kano- Zaria road, where they recovered 65,730 capsules of tramadol from him.

Also, in Kwara , he said NDLEA operatives arrested a suspect with 120.8kg cannabis and some litres of codeine at Gaa Odota in Ilorin West LGA. Babafemi said a suspected drug peddler was nabbed with 75kg cannabis at Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, Imo State on Thursday, November 14. Blueprint Newspaper
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Pensioner in court for impersonating late brother to sell land

Justice Agbenorsi Nov - 20 - 2024 , 09:57 2 minutes read

A pensioner has been dragged to the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly impersonating his late brother to sell a plot of land.

According to police prosecutor, Chief Inspector Princess Tetteh Boafo, Roland Ababio allegedly posed as his deceased brother to facilitate the sale, with Kwame Gyane Ababio acting as an intermediary.

Ababio, together with his alleged accomplice, Kwame, has been charged with conspiracy to defraud and defrauding by false pretence.

The two reportedly convinced a civil servant, Eric Kotey, to purchase land at Teshie, falsely claiming it belonged to the deceased.

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The buyer, Eric Kotey was allegedly deceived into making a down payment of GH250,000 on the property, with an agreed total price of GH450,000. Ababio pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Bail

The presiding judge, Susana Eduful, granted him bail of GH200,000 requiring two sureties.

As part of the bail conditions, the sureties are to prove ownership of property equal to the bail amount.

The court also ordered that the original title documents be held at the registry until the case is resolved.

Roland Ababio, however, failed to appear, leaving Judge Eduful to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

Chief Inspector Boafo reported that in November 2021, Kwame initially introduced himself to Kotey, claiming his uncle Ephraim Asante, was selling a parcel of land. Kwame later introduced Kotey to Roland who falsely posed as Ephraim Asante.

Ababio allegedly confirmed this identity, authorising Kwame to negotiate the sale on his behalf, saying he would soon depart for the United States.

After agreeing on the price, Kotey transferred the initial payment of GH250,000 to Kwames UBA bank account.

However, when Kotey revisited the property, he found that Kwame had started developing the land for another family member.

When questioned, Kwame allegedly could not provide a reasonable answer, prompting Kotey to report the incident to the police in May 2022.

Investigations revealed that the land originally belonged to Ephraim Asante, who passed away in 2016.

The prosecution alleged that Ababio and Kwame exploited Ephraims death to impersonate him and sell the land, collecting GH250,000 from Kotey. Part of the land has also been registered under another entity, Daraja Properties, since 2020.

During the investigation, Kwame refunded GH130,000 which was returned to Kotey. Both men have now been charged with conspiracy and fraud, with their next court date set for December 18, 2024.
Policy dialogue on womens economic rights held

Rebecca Quaicoe Duho Nov - 20 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read

A policy dialogue to increase knowledge on the gender and spousal provisions in the Land Act, 2020 has been held in Accra.

It was organised by the Women in Law and Development (WiLDAF) with support from OXFAM under its Womens Economic Advancement for Collective Transformation (WEACT) and the Together Against Poverty (TAP) projects, with funding from Global Affairs Canada.

The main aim of the dialogue was to engage key stakeholders such as civil society actors, women farmers and state actors on issues concerning womens land rights, to increase knowledge on the gender and spousal provisions in the Land Act, 2020 and to disseminate and launch two policy briefs.

Policy briefs

The two policy briefs were, Improving Womens Access to Productive Resources in the Shea and Cocoa Value Chain Commodities and Enhancing Womens Property Rights in Shea and Cocoa-production Communities.

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A Programmes Manager, WiLDAFGhana, Loise Aduamoah-Addo in a welcome address said the dialogue was to strengthen knowledge by civil society actors and women farmers on the gender and spousal provisions and accountability provisions in the Land Act 2020.

She said the dialogue was also to increase knowledge on strengthening gender-responsive budgeting at the district level.

Ms Aduamoah-Addo explained that the WEACT was a five-year project funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by Oxfam in Ghana, alongside WiLDAF Ghana and other consortium partners in collaboration with the Oxfam Together Against Poverty (TAP) Project.

The TAP project was also a year project funded by Oxfam and implemented in collaboration with partners including WILDAF and the Ghana Trade and Livelihood Coalition (GTLC) with a focus on addressing inequality among women, men and the youth concerning strengthening womens land rights and gender-responsive budget.

She added that the two projects sought to tackle systematic barriers and inequalities women in the country faced in their efforts to be economically and socially empowered.

The project, she said, focused on women whose economic activities revolved around the food production, cocoa and shea value chain in the Western, Western North, Northern, Savannah Upper East and Upper West regions.

A legal practitioner, Catherine Ama Nartey, who made a presentation on the Gender, Spousal Provisions and Accountability in the Land Act, 2020, called on women to be assertive to be able to take their rightful place in their marriages and society as a whole.

She said women could own land with their names on it or jointly with their husbands and, therefore, should not allow themselves to be cheated of their rights.

A Representative from OXFAM in Ghana, Fati Alhassan in a statement said it was helping to implement the WEACT project, which was aimed at increasing the ability of women and young girls through the shea and cocoa value chain.

The Executive Director, GTLC, Ibrahim Alkabila, who spoke on Advancing economic justice for women, youth and men, called for gender-responsive budgeting at the district assembly level to ensure that different social groups in communities were catered for adequately.

A panel discussion saw panellists calling for more education on womens economic rights, especially with regard to land rights so that they could be economically viable.

Writers email:rebecca.quaicoe-duho@graphic.com.gh
WAEC appeals for release of funds to facilitate WASSCE results

Severious Kale-Dery Nov - 20 - 2024 , 12:02 3 minutes read

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appealed for the urgent payment of GH110.46 million to facilitate the smooth completion of post-examination processes towards the release of the 2024 WASSCE results.

The amount represents the balance of the GH186.44 million that was required to conduct the examination, including marking and release of the results.

So far, the government has paid GH75,976,815.50 out of the total GH186,437,617.50

Indebtedness

Cumulatively, the government owes WAEC GH150.93 million following a previous debt of GH40.46 million, being arrears for the conduct of the 2022 and 2023 versions of the WASSCE.

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In 2022, a GH9.97 million debt remained outstanding, while GH30.49 million arrears reflected in the books in 2023.

Per the WAEC schedule, the marking of WASSCE scripts is expected to be completed by Friday, November 29, 2024.

However, the supervisors and invigilators have not yet been paid, raising suspicion that the examiners might hold on to the scripts until they are paid.

"We want to avoid the situation where examiners would keep our scripts because they're not sure when they will be paid for their services. We also want to ensure that we do not truncate the academic calendar of the universities," the Head of the Public Relations, John Kapi, told the Daily Graphic.

Delayed payment

Touching on the implications on the delay in the release of funds, he said: This situation has resulted in a plethora of challenges such as high cost of conducting examinations due to our inability to procure materials in bulk in advance.

Additionally, it has exposed us to exchange rate volatilities, our inability to pay examiners on time, delay in payment of refreshment allowances to invigilators and supervisors, inability to pay suppliers promptly and replace obsolete machinery, Mr Kapi outlined.

He said the situation had also affected WAECs ability to secure the needed resources to curb the increasing examination malpractice across the country and also introduce innovations to curb new trends in examination malpractice.

He said as a non-profit making establishment, WAECs main source of funding for the conduct of its examinations had been through examination fees paid by examinees.

Mr Kapi explained that the fees paid by candidates were used for the printing of examination questions, payment for the marking of examination scripts, payment for invigilation and supervision during examinations, procuring and maintaining of machinery, as well as the purchase of examination stationery.

For several decades, Ghanaian students who wrote the examinations paid for the examination.

Free SHS

However, with the advent of the Free SHS Policy introduced in 2017, the government has absorbed all examination fees of the candidates, both at the basic and the senior high school level, and, therefore, students are no longer responsible for the payment of their examination fees, Mr Kapi explained.

He added that the challenge with the new system had been the perennial delays in the release of funds for the examining body to carry out its mandate.

Over the last few years, the WAEC has been reeling under financial stress. There is no fixed timetable for the release of funds from the government.

As and when there is money available, it is transferred to us. This has made the conduct of examinations, which hitherto was smooth, very difficult. This lack of remuneration is costing the council its credibility, Mr Kapi added.

He recalled that for over seven decades since its establishment, WAEC had conducted various examinations, both locally and internationally.

Virtually, every Ghanaian who has received formal education in Ghana has written one examination or the other conducted by WAEC, Mr Kapi added.

Writers Email: severious.dery@graphic.com.gh
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Herbert Krapa elevated as Minister of Energy

Gertrude Ankah Nov - 20 - 2024 , 14:08 1 minute read

Herbert Krapa, who was serving as a minister of State at the Energy Ministry, has been elevated to a full minister and a substantive Minister in charge of the Energy Ministry.

His appointment took effect from Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

His elevation was announced in a press statement dated November 20, issued by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin,

It said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in deciding to elevate Mr Krapa considered that he has demonstrated exceptional diligence, professionalism, and a steadfast commitment to his responsibilities.

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According to President Akufo-Addo, these qualities have significantly contributed to the progress and stability of Ghanas energy sector.

Mr Krapa had been serving as a Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy since July 15, 2024 following Mr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the then Energy Minister's selection as a vice presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party for Election 2024.

President Akufo-Addo commended Mr. Krapa for his leadership and hard work, expressing confidence in his ability to excel in his new role.
Lebanese Ambassador Maher Kheir honoured as Outstanding Voice of Impact Ambassador at Humanitarian Awards

GraphicOnline Nov - 20 - 2024 , 09:48 2 minutes read

His Excellency Maher Kheir, the Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, has been recognized with the prestigious title of Outstanding Voice of Impact Ambassador at the fifth edition of the Humanitarian Awards Global, held in Accra.

The accolade celebrates Ambassador Kheirs remarkable contributions to both Ghanaian and Lebanese communities through his economic, cultural, humanitarian, and social initiatives.

Recognizing changemakers

The awards ceremony, themed Celebrating Changemakers, is an annual event that acknowledges individuals, companies, and professionals who have made significant contributions to societal advancement. This years edition brought together changemakers from 23 countries, with Ghana serving as the host nation.

Ambassador Kheir received the award in the presence of members of the diplomatic community, corporate leaders, non-governmental organizations, and celebrated personalities.

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The recognition highlights the Ambassadors commitment to humanitarian causes and his dedication to fostering positive change in society.

Acceptance Speech

In his acceptance speech, Ambassador Kheir expressed deep gratitude for the honor, dedicating the award to those who continue to support Lebanon during its challenging times.

Peace is the pillar of development for any society and must be protected at all costs, he emphasized, calling on individuals and organizations to support humanitarian projects in Ghana to drive socio-economic development.

A night to celebrate humanity

The awards featured several categories, including Health Worker of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, Outstanding SDG Advocates, and Agribusiness Initiative of the Year.

The event underscored the collective efforts of changemakers worldwide, reinforcing the importance of humanitarian actions in shaping better societies.
Previous article: Mahama did not care about children of the poor when he opposed Free SHS - Bawumia

Election 2024: Commit to zero electoral deaths - Rev. Dr Opuni-Frimpong urges stakeholders

Benjamin Xornam Glove Politics Nov - 20 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read

A Senior lecturer at the Department of Religious Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Rev. Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, has called on religious organisations and other groups to commit to zero tolerance for electoral deaths.

Rev. Dr Opuni-Frimpong, who is also a former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), said religious groups such as Christians and Muslims must bring their faith values into public space

Discourse

He made the call while speaking on the topic The Role of the Church in the Promotion of Peaceful General Elections in Ghana at a political party discourse on peaceful elections in the Tema West Constituency.

It was organised by the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Hope Congregation, at the SakumonoEstates last Saturday.

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The forum brought together key stakeholders in the Tema West Constituency, such as the Tema West Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the parliamentary candidates for Tema West, Dennis Amfo-Sefa of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and James Enu of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who outlined their vision for the constituency when elected.

Violence

He reminded Ghanaians of the need to curb the disturbing trend of political violence associated with past elections.

Rev. Dr Opuni-Frimpong, who is also the CEO of the Alliance for Christian Advocacy Africa, said the country should not record any deaths associated with the 2024 elections.

We have reached a point where this nation, our pastors, traditional leaders, media, the political parties, Muslim groups must commit to zero tolerance of electoral deaths, he said.

Touching on the drivers of electoral violence in Ghana, Rev. Dr Opuni-Frimpong mentioned cheating, violence, monetisation, ethnocentrism, manipulation and dictatorship, and said the churches must help to address these drivers.

Monetisation

The Tema West Director of the NCCE, Fidel Nii-Akuffo Bortey, said money in politics must stop; otherwise, the nation would not develop.

He said politics and politicians must focus on issues and policies that would move the nation forward instead of using money to influence the polls.

Humility

The Minister in Charge of the Hope Congregation, Rev. Daniel Amoako Nyarko, urged the two parliamentary aspirants and their followers to promote godly behaviour throughout the electioneering period and after.

The NPP parliamentary candidate for Tema West, Dennis Amfo-Sefah, identified three major issues facing the constituency: youth unemployment, education, and infrastructural deficit. He enumerated a number of policies and programmes he intended to address when elected.

The NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Tema West, James Enu, stressed the need for peace before, during and after the elections and promised a leadership style characterised by consensus building.

Writers email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh
The Mauritius Election  What Afrobarometer signalled

Dr John Osae-Kwapong Politics Nov - 20 - 2024 , 09:57 2 minutes read

On November 10, another incumbent fell in Mauritius after a decade in office.

Mauritius has regularly participated in the Afrobarometer since Round 5 (2012). Their most recent participation is this year.

The data was collected in April, seven clear months before the election, and is publicly available.

The following rounds of the survey occurred during the time of the incumbent who lost the election  Round 7 (2017), Round 8 (2019), Round 9 (2022) and Round 10 (2024).

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Keep in mind that the Mauritius elections happened about two weeks after the people of Botswana voted out an incumbent. As I wrote in my November 6 op-ed, signals from the Afrobarometer survey pointed to trouble for the incumbent.

op-ed first a) compares citizens views expressed between Round 7 (2017) and Round 10 (2024); and b) notes some observations between Round 9 (2022) and Round 10 (2024) on some selected indicators.

The comparisons over the two distinct time horizons, as you will soon see, raise some intriguing puzzles about the case of Mauritius and the signals from the Afrobarometer survey.

The Two Different Signals from the Afrobarometer Survey.

The table above compares citizens sentiments on key economic and governance indices over the term of the incumbent. From the table, citizens were facing some economic pinch points regarding their personal living conditions and the countrys economic conditions.

Although very few reported experiences with cash income deprivation, the percentage of citizens who expressed optimism about future economic conditions remained very low.

The evaluation of government performance in addressing the economic pinch points was low.

No more than four out of 10 citizens rated performance well in managing the economy, creating jobs or improving the living standards of the poor. Interestingly, the governments performance was rated well handling two important social goods  health and education.

Citizens perception of governance and corruption appears to be the real sore spot on corruption, satisfaction with democracy and the fight against corruption. Even though the prime minister had made some gains on the question of trust, it remained very low.

It is easy, based on the picture above, to see why the incumbent lost. We can call this the long-term picture. Having said that, turn your attention to the short-term picture which compares 2022 to 2024.

Comparing Tables 1 and 2, two distinct pictures emerge. Over the long term (2017 to 2024), the sentiments of citizens generally were not positive. Over the short term (2022 to 2024), the sentiments of citizens showed significant improvements.

This raises two puzzles. First, did the incumbent run out of time? Second, on the economic pinch points and governance issues, were the improvements not significant enough?

Whatever the answers, I repeat my advice  always pay close attention to the signals from the Afrobarometer survey.

The writer is the Project Director, Democracy Project
Mahama did not care about children of the poor when he opposed Free SHS - Bawumia

GraphicOnline Politics Nov - 20 - 2024 , 13:26 2 minutes read

Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has accused former President John Dramani Mahama of showing insensitivity towards children from poor families by opposing the implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

Speaking to supporters in the Ahafo Ano South Constituency during the final day of his Ashanti Regional tour, Dr. Bawumia reiterated the transformative impact of the Free SHS initiative, a flagship policy of the NPP.

He criticized Mr. Mahama for his skepticism and vocal opposition to the policy, which he claimed would have deprived millions of Ghanaian children of an education.



Dr. Bawumia recalled the resistance the policy faced before its implementation, attributing much of it to former President Mahama.

We promised the people of Ghana that we would implement Free SHS if we won. But when we said that, the former President said we were lying. He said it was 419. He even stated that if he had GHS 2 billion, he wouldnt spend it on Free SHS. He believed it was not possible, but I insisted it was, the Vice President said.



Highlighting the policys success, Dr. Bawumia stated that over 5.7 million children have benefited from Free SHS since its implementation eight years ago.

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This policy has been very impactful. If we had listened to former President Mahamas opposition and pessimism, there wouldnt have been Free SHS, and all these children would not have benefitted. This is a testament to our commitment to making education accessible to every Ghanaian child, regardless of their familys financial situation, he added.

Drawing comparisons between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on education, Dr. Bawumia accused Mr. Mahamas administration of neglecting critical educational needs.

When Mahama was President, he couldnt even provide chalk to schools. Today, under the NPP, we are providing computers to students and teachers from Kindergarten to SHS. This shows our dedication to equipping Ghanas future leaders with the tools they need to succeed, he emphasized.

Dr. Bawumia urged Ghanaians to continue supporting the NPP to sustain and expand policies like Free SHS, which he said are crucial for bridging the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged in society.

The Vice Presidents remarks come amid intensifying campaigns ahead of the 2024 elections, with education policies remaining a key area of debate between the NPP and the NDC.
Next article: Mahama did not care about children of the poor when he opposed Free SHS - Bawumia

NDC gov't will recover all 'stolen funds' - Mahama

Kester Aburam Korankye Politics Nov - 20 - 2024 , 14:54 2 minutes read

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, says he will go after government officials and individuals who have misappropriated state funds through acts of corruption and mismanagement of Ghanas economic resources if voted back into office.

He said an NDC government led by him will prioritise the recovery of all state funds allegedly stolen by appointees of the governmento and return it back to the tax payer.

Speaking at a rally at Effiduase in the New Juaben North constituency on Wednesday as part of his five-day campaign tour of the Eastern Region, Mr Mahama said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia had plunged Ghana into a difficult economic situation due to their "selfish interests" over the nation's good.

I assure you that when we come to power, and the NDC is coming back, we will go after all those who have stolen money belonging to the government and return it to the people, Mr Mahama said.

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He said the country had for the first time defaulted on its loan obligations to its creditors due to the excessive borrowing by the government, "corruption and the wanton mismanagement of public funds."

That, he said had brought disgrace to the country and also shortchanged investors.

Mr Mahama called on the youth to lead the charge to reverse what he referred to as a national disgrace by voting out the NPP government in the December election to make way for change.

Mr Mahama's #Mahama4Change2024 tour entered its third day in the Eastern Region on Wednesday with an engagement at the Effiduase chief's palace.

This was followed by a mini durbar at Kukurantumi in the Abuakwa North constituency, where Mr Mahama addressed a gathering of party supporters and shared his vision for Ghana's development.

The team also held a mini rally at Begoro and Fanteakwa North.

Mr Mahama then addressed a community durbar at Osino in Fanteakwa South, where he emphasised the importance of voting for change in the upcoming election to help reset the country on a path of progress.

Later in the day, Mr Mahama's campaign team held community engagements at Kwabeng in the Atiwa West and Anyinam in Atiwa East.
Like most Chinese smartphone brands, nubia tends to launch its devices in China, followed by a global release. We already know that the nubia Z70 series will launch on November 21 in China, and the brand now confirmed its global launch will be five days later on November 26 at 7AM EST/1PM CET.

Those who sign up for the Z70 Ultras launch event will receive exclusive freebies, including a $50/50 coupon and the chance to win a free Z70 Ultra, nubia earbuds and a limited-edition phone case.



ZTE nubia Z70 Ultra

Z70 Ultra will launch with Qualcomms Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset alongside an impressive list of specs including a 35mm main cam, a 64MP 5x telephoto and an 13mm equivalent ultrawide lens.



nubia Z70 Ultra key specs

We also know it will feature a 6.85-inch BOE display with 1220p resolution, a 144Hz screen refresh rate, and 2,000 nits peak brightness. The device will get IP69 water and dust resistance and will boot Android 15 with nubias MyOS on top.

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Next year, Samsung will launch the Galaxy Z Flip7, the successor to the Flip6 which arrived this summer. But, according to a new rumor, it won't be the only flip phone Samsung releases in 2025. Instead, it will be joined by the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE.

This will be a cheaper version, which will most likely use the same display as the Flip7, but will have lower-end cameras and a different, less powerful SoC. Whether or not that compromise will sit well with people remains to be seen, but it most likely all hinges on the actual price difference.

Those hoping for a Z Flip 7 FE should be excited. It looks like a Samsung FE clamshell is finally coming in 2025.  Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) November 19, 2024

For only $100-$200 most buyers probably won't care enough, but if it's even cheaper then it might give the entire foldable market a much-needed boost in terms of sales.

This information comes from the usually reliable Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants. The Flip FE has been rumored earlier this month to have the Exynos 2400 SoC at the helm. That's the chip employed in some regions by the Galaxy S24 family.
Sony today launched the second generation model of its flagship Alpha 1 camera. Sticking with the company's famously bad naming conventions, the new camera is called Alpha 1 II.

The original Alpha 1 was the Swiss Army knife of mirrorless cameras and was critically acclaimed for its incredible high speed photo and 8K video capabilities. The Alpha 1 II borrows the same 50.1MP full-frame stacked CMOS sensor but combines it with a new AI processing unit.

This improves the autofocusing capabilities, which can now detect a more diverse range of subjects apart from humans, including animals, birds, insects, and different kinds of vehicles. It can also estimate human poses and track a person even if they move or look away.

The Alpha 1 II also improves the in-body image stabilization, which is now rated for 8.5 stops in the center of the frame (up from 5.5 stops) and 7 stops on the periphery. The new camera also has a pre-capture mode, which lets you capture a moment just before you press the shutter, just in case you were too late.

The Alpha 1 II has a new and much more articulating display. Instead of moving on a single axis like on the previous model, the new display can now fully rotate in every direction along 4 axes. The digital viewfinder also has a new deeper eyecup that comes along with the standard version. The camera body has also been changed with a better grip and more shortcut buttons.

The new camera has much of the same connectivity as before but Sony has upgraded the Ethernet from 1Gbps to 2.5Gbps. Finally, the camera comes with a new BC-ZD1 charger, that can charge two Z batteries at the same time. The rest of the camera is more or less identical to the original model from 2021, which means it's still an incredibly powerful and capable tool without a lot of competition in its segment.

The Sony Alpha 1 II is priced at $6500, and will be available starting December 2024.

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The Sony Xperia 1 VI was announced in mid-May with a promise of three OS updates and four years of security patches (the phone itself came with Android 14, of course). Here comes the first of three OS updates.

The changelog is as terse as it gets: Android 15 OS Upgrade and a bump to the November 1 security patch. The software version is 69.1.A.2.78. You can see the update here on the Sony UK Support page, which also has a guide on how to install the update (its pretty much tap update).



Sony Xperia 1 VI receives Android 15 (69.1.A.2.78)

As the tipster that alerted us to this release notes, it is a 940MB update. Thats fairly small as these things go, there have been updates weighing in at nearly 3GB.

So, as far as we can tell, Sony didnt change anything other than the OS itself, leaving its customizations as they were.

We had a look, but the last update for the Sony Xperia 10 VI is from October and keeps the phone at Android 14. The same is true for the Xperia 1 V and Xperia 5 V. The Xperia 1 IV reached the end of its support cycle with the Android 14 update. Speaking of October updates, the Xperia 1 VI received Wi-Fi 7 support last month.

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Guam-based international law firm Blue Ocean Law has filed with the United Nations charges of human rights violations against the U.S. military, alleging it has failed to obtain consent from the indigenous communities on projects that impact human condition and the environment, among other things.

Blue Ocean Law filed the complaint on behalf of Ebiil Society, a Palauan grassroots environmental organization, along with seven Palauan high school students, aged 14-18, who have dedicated the past year to documenting the impacts of militarization in their homeland.

This comes about a month after Blue Ocean Law filed charges alleging human rights abuses on Guam, also by the U.S. military. That complaint was filed on behalf of community group Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian.

The November 2024 complaint by Palauan youth was submitted to UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Francisco Cali Tzay, and UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, Astrid Puentes Riano.

Under international law and Palaus domestic law, the U.S. military was required to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of impacted indigenous communities prior to beginning these projects.

Yet communities near each site report that they have received virtually no information about how the U.S. intends to use the land or what the impacts will belet alone been given an opportunity to provide or withhold consent, Blue Ocean Law said in a statement.

The submission was joined by the Center for Constitutional Rights and builds on a previous joint submission to a UN treaty body outlining the incompatibility of U.S. colonization and militarization of island territories with human rights.

Blue Ocean Law said the U.S. is militarizing Palau from its northernmost tip to its southernmost edge: on Kayangel Atoll, on the main island of Babeldoab, on Peleliu Island, on Angaur Island, and in the Southwest Islands of Hatohobei.

Over the past year, the students traveled to each site and spoke with local communities about the way the U.S. militarys activities are affecting them.

Their efforts revealed that the military has already undermined human rights by, among other things, clearing huge swathes of pristine forest, destroying resources essential to community subsistence and well-being, and imperiling species of great cultural significance, the law firm said.

In Ngaraard, for example, the military site abuts a critical feeding ground for Mesekiu, the critically endangered Palauan dugong, it said.

We are worried that militarization will impact these ecosystems and harm our Mesekiu, the students said in a statement. The Mesekiu is not only an endangered species of great specialness globally, it also plays an important part in our culture. The first Mesekiu was a woman, and so Mesekiu are members of our family.

Blue Ocean Law also said the U.S. military has further violated Palaus laws by failing to conduct adequate environmental impact assessments and obtain necessary permits prior to breaking ground on their projects.

Many fear that the military presence is making Palau a target of war.

I fear that our small island and our people may be used as a war shield. Definitely can make one feel insignificant and disposable, but that is not us, Ann Singeo, Ebiil Societys founder, said in a statement. Women of Palau historically fought hard for this land and her people, by defending our values. We are the descendants of these strong women.

The students said they are submitting this filing with the UN in order to protect their homeland.

Belau is Our Home. Belau is Our Mother. It saddens us to see our environment being destroyed just for the use of a foreign power. As youth, we are the ones who will feel the consequences of the choices made today. That is why we feel that our voices should be heard in making these decisions, the added.
Filmmakers in Louisiana are breathing a tentative sigh of relief Wednesday, after a Senate committee voted to reverse course and maintain the states tax credit program for film and television productions.

Among those celebrating is rapper and filmmaker 50 Cent, who owns G-Unit Film & TV Studios in Shreveport. The media mogul took to Instagram in the wake of Tuesdays vote, writing, man they had my ass sweating!

Last week, the Louisiana House of Representatives voted to eliminate a $150 million tax incentive for film production, causing an uproar from workers in the industry.

Hundreds of people swarmed the hallways of the Capitol in Baton Rouge on Sunday, arguing that their livelihoods were in danger.

Harming the program now could set us back in the fierce competition for this lucrative, creative industry, said Jason Waggenspack, the president of Film Louisiana, in an open letter.

Filmmakers argued that the program  which offers up to a 40% tax reduction on production expenses  has generated thousands of high-paying jobs since its introduction in 1992.

The people I know in New Orleans are either going to have to leave, or theyre going to have to go back to the service industry, state Rep. Mandie Landry, a Democrat from New Orleans, said to Variety. Landry, who is not related to Gov. Jeff Landry, voted against eliminating the credit.

It appears that these concerns were taken into account, as lawmakers indicated a willingness to reach a compromise.

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee voted to preserve the tax incentive after all, albeit with a reduction from $150 million to $125 million.

The final outcome is still to be determined, however, and is now in the hands of state senators. A final decision should be made by Monday, Nov. 25, when the special legislative session ends.

The cuts were proposed as part of a push by the governor to lower state income taxes, in order to make Louisiana more attractive to businesses.

In order to offset lost revenue from income tax, the governor proposed introducing new sales taxes on certain goods and services, while eliminating some 200 tax exemptions, including the film production credit.




Haiti - FLASH : Attempted takeover of Petion-ville, at least 28 bandits killed





On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, bandits attempted to take control of Petion-ville and the neighborhoods of Canape-Vert, Bourdon and Musseau, an upscale suburb of Port-au-Prince that is home to luxury hotels and some of the countrys wealthiest people.



According to Lionel Lazarre, Deputy Spokesperson for the Haitian National Police (PNH), two vehicles, a truck and a minibus carrying a large number of heavily armed men, who were going up the hill towards Petion-ville, were intercepted by law enforcement around 2 a.m. at Poste-Marchand and on Panamerican Avenue. Several of the bandits were killed on the spot during intense exchanges of fire with law enforcement. Others, forced to flee, were pursued and killed by residents, organized into self-defense groups and police officers, and their bodies burned on the public highway by the population.



The police interventions led to the seizure of several weapons, including at least 3 AK-47 assault rifles, several hundred rounds of ammunition and a drone.



In a provisional report, Lionel Lazarre indicated that at least 28 bandits had been killed during the police interventions and in a hunt initiated by self-defense groups of the population.



Lazarre indicated that the police continued to carry out operations to dislodge the bandits who fled and are hiding in the Bourdon Valley and in Petion-Ville according to their information.



SL/ HaitiLibre


















(CNBC) Qualcomm said on Tuesday that it expects its push into new markets to generate an additional $22 billion per year by 2029. Of that amount, roughly $4 billion will come from PC chips, Qualcomm said at its investor day on Tuesday.

To read this article:
The Irish navy escorted a Russian exploration vessel out of the waters between Ireland and the UK over the weekend after the "Yantar" was active in the vicinity of undersea cables and pipelines. This was reported by The Irish Examiner, which reported concerns in the military about the Russian "audacity". The ship had initially arrived together with the frigate Admiral Golovko, but then moved away from it. The Yantar then moved north alone into the Irish Sea. There it then moved close to the gas pipelines, undersea power cables and transatlantic submarine internet cables. Attempts to make contact were not answered.

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More likely a warning

According to the daily newspaper, the armed forces in the region were prepared for the ship to enter Irish and British waters. The British, Irish and US militaries monitored the ship extensively, and Norway had previously observed its activities. The Yantar then deployed three drones in the Irish Sea, reports the Irish Times. It is not clear exactly what they were used for, but it is assumed that they were used to scout the critical infrastructure. According to this report, another group of three Russian ships was also deployed in the Irish Sea and the English Channel at around the same time.

According to the British industry magazine Navy Lookout, it is considered unlikely that Russia would directly cause damage to critical infrastructure on the seabed in the affected area. The Irish Sea is simply too well monitored for that. Instead, it is more likely to send a signal and collect data. Should Russia actually decide to manipulate submarine cables directly, for example, this would probably happen in more remote locations where it would be easier to deny responsibility. Almost three years ago, an important submarine cable to Spitsbergen failed, with evidence pointing to Russia in this case.

The Yantar is now no stranger to Western military forces; the exploration vessel was already operating along the Irish coast in 2021 and was suspected of spying on the Atlantic cables laid there due to its equipment with deep-sea-capable submersibles. The Irish Examiner now quotes expert Edward Burke from University College Dublin, who describes the latest incident as a new wake-up call. Ireland must strengthen its maritime forces and expand partnerships with Europe. The US think tank CSIS (Center for Stratetig International Studies) warned just a few weeks ago that Yantar clearly intends to exploit infrastructure vulnerabilities in a conflict scenario.

(mho)
Im sure the sequence of events at the [sea] bottom will be clarified quickly, [and well learn] what kind of damage were talking about. Its premature to say whether it was sabotage, he was quoted saying by Helsingin Sanomat.

PRIME MINISTER Petteri Orpo (NCP) on Tuesday urged people not to jump to conclusions about the damage caused to C-Lion 1, a 1,173-kilometre undersea data cable connecting Helsinki, Finland, and Rostock, Germany.

Orpo commented on the issue in the wake of a statement citing Article 4 of Nato by Jukka Kopra (NCP), the chairperson of the Parliaments Defence Committee. The article enables any member state to invoke a process of consultation if it believes the security, political independence or territorial integrity of a member has been threatened.

This isnt the time for that, stated Orpo. I dont think were talking at this point about something where wed need Nato articles.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen (NCP), in turn, reminded that the defence alliance has outlined that also a hybrid attack could trigger the mutual defence clause of the North Atlantic Treaty.

It isnt that only a military attack is taken seriously. We take all of these seriously, she was quoted saying by the newspaper. If a deliberate act is behind this, it constitutes an attack against democratic and free society.

What is clear is that the data cable was damaged by an outside force, according to Ari-Jussi Knaapila, the CEO of Cinia. The Helsinki-based connectivity, cybersecurity and software provider has revealed that it detected a fault in the cable east of the southern tip of Oland in the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone after 4am on Monday.

In these waters, something like this wont happen without an external impact. There isnt the kind of seismic activity or submarine landslides that could cause this, Knaapila remarked at a press conference on Monday.

He also confirmed that the possibility of sabotage has yet been ruled out.

Less than a day earlier, damage had been detected in a submarine cable running across the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Lithuania.

The National Bureau of Investigation (KRP and Swedish law enforcement authorities have set up a joint task force to investigate the incidents, Timo Kilpelainen, a deputy director of KRP, revealed on Tuesday. While KRP refrained from specifying the suspected offence, Swedish authorities have communicated that the incidents are investigated as sabotage.

German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius on Tuesday emphasised that lawmakers should not hesitate to speak about sabotage, striking a markedly different tone than Orpo.

No one thinks that these cables could break off by themselves. I also dont want to believe in versions that suggest the damage was caused accidentally by an anchor, he was quoted saying by Helsingin Sanomat in Brussels on Tuesday. Thats why we have to acknowledge, without knowing the exact cause, that were dealing with hybrid activity. And we have to assume, without knowing it for sure, that were dealing with sabotage.

Helsingin Sanomat on Tuesday wrote that Yi Peng 3, a Chinese bulk carrier vessel, was sailing near the site of both incidents shortly before the cable faults were detected. The vessel is presently in the territorial waters of Denmark, tracked by a number of Danish coast guard and military vessels, according to the Danish news outlet BT.

Cinia on Tuesday communicated that it has begun preparatory work to repair the damaged cable. A vessel, it revealed, is scheduled to set sail from Calais, France, on Thursday, while work on the cable is scheduled to start next Monday or Tuesday.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The Finnish government submitted a bill for the prohibition to parliament last week, proposing that the prohibition enter into effect three years after the passing of the bill in March 2025. The practice is to be prohibited because it introduces gravel and waste into the sea, with microplastics a particular concern.

THE CITY of Helsinki has been left scrambling by a government proposal to prohibit the dumping of snow into the Baltic Sea, reports Helsingin Sanomat.

The timeline is extremely challenging for Helsinki, Kari Pudas, a technical director at the Urban Environment Division, commented to the newspaper on Thursday. He reminded that the also city is trying to put a stop to the dumping of snow into the sea, albeit on an entirely different timeline  by 2033.

Around 2545 per cent of the snow scooped off roads in the city are dumped into the Baltic Sea in Hernesaari. During the course of a typical winter, the site has been used to get rid of more than 15,000 loads  or 230,000 cubic metres  of snow.

Well try to take care of it as quickly as possible, but finding a solution to the volumes [of snow] wont be easy or fast, he stated.

The prohibition poses a challenge primarily due to the lack of alternative disposal sites in areas that are near enough to not cause excessive costs or emissions.

Generally speaking, urban space in the city is very expensive and using it to store snow hasnt been a preferred option. Wed rather not dump large volumes into parks, Pudas said to Helsingin Sanomat, assuring that the city has no intention to violate the law and will solve the issue somehow.

Winters with unusually high snowfall will also create challenges for transport, as the piles of snow lining the roads will be larger or more numerous. Well have to come to terms with worse traffic conditions, admitted Pudas.

The piles of snow, he added, can at worst continue having an impact well into the spring by prolonging the street dust season.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Paavo Korpela , a meteorologist on duty at the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), said to Helsingin Sanomat yesterday evening that the number of households affected by power outages could rise over 100,000 before dawn breaks.

ALMOST 71,000 Finnish households were without power at midnight after a winter storm pummelled areas stretching from the south-western coast to eastern parts of North Ostrobothnia, according to a power outage map from Finnish Energy .

FMI has warned that winds could pick up to 31 metres per second and cause waves as high as seven metres in parts of the Gulf of Bothnia.

Winds of such velocity are on average recorded in sea areas once every 14 years, according to Korpela. He did not rule out the possibility that some localities could record sustained wind speeds of over 33 metres per second  which would mark already the second occurrence of hurricane-force winds in the sea areas of Finland in November.

In a situation like this, I dont think its impossible that we see a repeat [of hurricane-force winds], but if that happens itll probably be a fairly localised phenomenon, he remarked to the newspaper.

Also land areas have recorded strong winds on Wednesday.

In terms of the effects, were dealing with a major disruption, there are lots of power outages. Winds are presently at their strongest, but the situation will probably continue for the next three to four hours, he predicted shortly after 11.30pm on Wednesday.

The storm has also brought heavy sleet and snow to large parts of Finland. Koskela said the rainy front is moving from central regions toward the west and north but added that also southern regions will continue to have rain on Thursday.

In Uusimaa, temperatures are forecast to climb a few degrees above freezing point, a welcome development according to Koskela. The warmer temperatures, he explained, should prevent snow from adding to what is already widespread damage in the most populous region of Finland.

Paivyt Tallqvist, the director of communications at Finnair, stated to Ilta-Sanomat on Wednesday that the conditions are challenging at Helsinki Airport. Only a single runway was in use and several aircraft were delayed yesterday evening due to longer-than-usual waiting times for ground de-icing services.

The airport had cancelled 17 return flights due to the weather, adding to the 11 that had been cancelled in anticipation of the difficult conditions. A couple of flights had also been re-directed to other airports.

Ilta-Sanomat also reported that one person died in a traffic accident in Laukaa, Central Finland. A police press release indicates that the accident took place on national road 4 after 6pm, after a passenger car is believed to have drifted to the opposite lane and crashed head first into a tanker lorry. Police described road conditions at the site of the incident as slippery and the weather as hazardous.

The driver of the lorry did not sustain serious physical injuries.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Ecusta Trail leaders unveil new logo, recount journey, eye finish line

Ken Shelton, a physician, exercise advocate and avid road biker, was an original member of the Friends of Ecusta Trail.

On the cusp of success in a years long effort  a goal-line setback by Hurricane Helene notwithstanding  more than 80 supporters of the Ecusta trail gathered Saturday to look back at the past and celebrate the future.

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They peeked at the new Ecusta Trail logo and website for the first time, heard surprisingly good news about the severity of Helenes damage and listened as Ken Shelton tracked the long road to the finish line for the greenway.

Shelton, a physician, exercise advocate and avid road biker, took the audience at Trailside Brewing Co. through the history of the rail line and, in more detail, the trials, tribulations and triumphs of the trails originators, movers and pushers.

My title, he said, is Build it and they will come  to walk, ride, run, recreate and spend money. In the 1890s, there was a bold vision to provide huge economic and public benefits by building a rail line between Hendersonville and Lake Toxaway that would carry passengers and freight over those many miles to support local industry.

Not long after the shutdown of the Ecusta paper mill idled the rail line in 2002, a core group of bicycle, jogging and outdoors enthusiasts began to dream of a grand repurposing.

Fast forward to 2009 and a steering committee started meeting with the idea of using this unused rail line for a rail trail, and it would be protected by federal rail bank, Shelton said.

In 2010, at the urging of Chuck McGrady, the steering committee incorporated as the Friends of Ecusta Trail, a nonprofit that could raise tax-deductible donations and function in a formal advocacy role.

There were many efforts that went into the success of the Ecusta Trail but none were more critical than Chuck McGrady, Shelton said of the county commissioner turned state representative turned state Transportation Board member who has been a key trail driver.

Public and political will

Some people ask why it took so long.

The Friends have been asked, What did you do for 15 years in your monthly meetings? Ill answer the question with a question, Shelton said. Have you ever tried to talk to Norfolk Southern or get the Transylvania County commissioners to support this? It just doesnt happen.

Norfolk Southern scarcely responded to the Friends overtures to sell and Transylvania commissioners to this day remain stubbornly opposed to declaring support for the greenway.

The real answer is that it takes time to develop the public and political will to do it, he said. The Friends were aware of the potential benefits to the community, to health, tourism, quality of life, along with connectivity to community, recreation and nature. We just had to convince others.

In 2011, the Hendersonville City Council became the first local elected body to formally endorse the trail; the city also funded the economic impact study that led the following year to the Friends first public presentation. Since then, weve had a series of public open meetings in different locations throughout our region, Shelton explained. We conducted many service group presentations, solicited letters of support, set up booths at local festivals and wrote op-ed columns in our papers. Politically, we interviewed every Henderson County commissioner and all candidates. We arranged for speakers before those commissioners. We sponsored many trips for public officials to see other successful rail trails like the Swamp Rabbit and Virginia Creeper. We worked with local governments actively developing bike, pedestrian and greenway plans.

The stalemate over rail corridor acquisition broke in 2014 when Norfolk Southern sold the line to Watco, a Kansas-based short-line operator that was more open to railbanking. Watcos five-year search for industrial cargo customers between Hendersonville and Brevard turned up none.

So in 2017, then as a representative in our in the state and as a budget chair, Chuck McGrady explored state monies to acquire the right of way, Shelton recounted. The North Carolina Department of Transportation indicated that federal transportation monies could be used if they met rail banking requirements.

Knowing the credibility and land acquisition savvy of Conserving Carolina, Rep. McGrady set the wheels in motion to engage the conservancy as the legal buyer of the rail corridor.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Chuck McGrady chaired a multi-governmental group with representatives from Henderson County, Hendersonville, Laurel Park, Brevard and Transylvania County, along with the Friends of Ecusta Trail and Conserving Carolina, and this morphed into a public-private partnership that had a common goal to build the Ecusta Trail and to create a seamless trail-user experience. Something was still missing  a little thing called money.

Although the nonprofits launched a capital campaign that raised $3 million, that amount was a fraction of the $50 million or more needed to construct the trail.

Thanks to the work of McGrady and then-state Sen. Chuck Edwards, currently in Congress, Henderson County and Brevard received more than $60 million in state and federal grants to cover the construction cost.

Friends President Mark Tooley recognized and thanked the organizations board members and saluted the partners that have supported the effort, including McGrady and Edwards, the cities of Laurel Park, Brevard and Hendersonville, the Land of Sky Regional Council, U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, Dogwood Health Trust and the tourism development authorities of both Henderson and Transylvania counties,which contributed more than $4 million.

Ecusta Trail swag

Friends Vice President Lynn Huffman introduced logo designer Matt Wagoner, senior art director for Boone-based Destination by Design, and Blue Ion owner Robert Prioleau, the Charleston, S.C.-based creator of the new website.

We really feel like we hit the jackpot with two of the best creative agencies for outdoor industries in the Southeast, Huffman said. No celebration would be complete without swag, she added, unveiling the new Ecusta Trail hats and T-shirts, made by Mast General stores printer. The merchandise will be available at the Hendersonville Mast General Store and potentially online.

The future is bright

If there were bumps in the road, a wrong turn or two, roadblocks and unexpected setbacks  a thousand-year storm, for one  Shelton said in a benediction that the work has at last been rewarded.

In summary, our success involved many villages, he said. It involved an effective partnership and an overwhelming public and political will to build the Ecusta Trail.

The trail will become a fabric in our community  serving as a new cultural Main Street  and will enhance community connections for people of all ages and abilities. The future is bright.  What is the Friends goal? The Ecusta Trail becomes a generational legacy and within its first decade is inducted into the National Rail Trail Hall of Fame.
Helene damage to trail could have been way, way worse

County Engineer Marcus Jones said the Ecusta Trail emerged from Hurricane Helene relatively unscathed.

Amid a celebration of the Ecusta Trail's long road to fruition and an unveiling of its new logo and website, trailer supporters braced for bad news when Henderson County Engineer Marcus Jones rose to deliver his assessment of the damage from Hurricane Helene.

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Let me assure you, 30 years being an engineer and working in the public sector, the news Im about to give you is actually very positive news when you look at it in perspective, he said.

Granted, the news would have been better in mid-September.

We were on track to complete construction by December of this year. Then Sept. 28 of this year came around and gave us a little bit of setback, which was probably the only thing that was going to stop us from getting the trail done, he said.

(The engineer noted one measure of Helenes damage. Debris removal alone is projected to cost $4 billion  five times the previous all-time high for a hurricane in North Carolina.)

About three weeks after the county's all hands on deck emergency response, Jones was able to survey the trail damage.

I was very much pleasantly surprised by the condition of the trail, he said. No sections completely wiped out, all the bridges were intact. There were certainly scour and erosion from the storm, especially in the Shaws Creek area. But overall, it was amazing how little damage there was to the trail.

After meetings with the NCDOT engineers and the rail-trail contractor, the county agreed on a supplemental contract for $406,000 to repair the storm damage. Opening of the trail is expected to be delayed until next summer.

It could have been way, way worse, he said. We are capturing the contractors work associated with the storm and isolating it into one change order, so Henderson County is going to try to have that money reimbursed by FEMA. (County Manager John Mitchell previously told commissioners that FEMA covers damage to public facilities like parks and greenways.)

When he issued a similar update at a meeting last week of the county Rail Trail Advisory Committee last week, Jones noted that someone had questioned heavy-duty bridges and stormwater improvements.

Why are yall overbuilding the trail? We're glad we did," he said.

Assistant County Manager Chris Todd said NCDOT and the federal transportation department, which are the primary funders of the project, have strict construction rules.

It held up because it was built to a higher standard," he said. "Its a terrible way to test it but I think its evidence that that bears fruit.
Senior US and Israeli officials will meet in early December to address American concerns over harm to civilians caused by military operations in Gaza, the State Department said Tuesday.

The United States has regularly voiced concerns to key ally Israel over American-supplied weapons being used in strikes that have killed civilians in the Gaza Strip.

However, it has only once exercised the ultimate US leverage -- holding some of the billions of dollars in military aid to Israel.

The State Department has also opened several investigations into Israeli strikes using US-supplied weapons that killed Gaza civilians. But no conclusions have been made public, and US military aid has continued to flow.

The December meeting will be the first of a new channel designed to "inform the ongoing work that the State Department has to do to make assessments about the use of US-provided weapons," spokesman Matthew Miller said.

Israel's use of the weapons would breach US law if it were determined the country had deliberately targeted and killed civilians, and US authorities are looking at specific instances to see whether that is the case.

"There are a number of incidents that we have had questions about and we've had concerns about," Miller said.

He added that "we set up this new channel because we wanted to formalize a mechanism for getting answers to some of these questions."

Miller declined to specify where the meeting would take place.

The Biden administration has long called for such a channel, which was included in a letter Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sent to Israel in mid-October.

The letter additionally gave Israel a month to allow more assistance into Gaza or face cutoffs of some US weapons.

However the United States ultimately decided not to take action, despite Israel not meeting metrics on the number of aid trucks and a new UN-backed assessment warning of imminent famine in Gaza.

Earlier Tuesday, a handful of left-leaning senators called on the Biden administration to halt arms sales to Israel, accusing the United States of playing a key role in the "atrocities" of the war in Gaza.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says the death toll from the ongoing war has reached 43,972 people, the majority civilians. The United Nations considers the figures reliable.

The war first began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
The United States on Wednesday temporarily shut down its embassy in Kyiv after receiving a threat of a "potential significant air attack." Authorities issued an advisory for American citizens to prepare themselves to relocate to a shelter facility in the event of an air raid warning.

However, there is a very rare chance of such warnings being put in place. But, authorities are working to investigate any such threat as tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue. This further escalated after the U.S. approved the use of anti-personnel mines, which are of grave concern as these reportedly remain active even years after they are launched a few years ago.

In the alert, the embassy said the alert applied to all of Ukraine and advised people to monitor the media for updates. It added: "The US embassy in Kyiv has received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place. The US embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced."

The mines are designated for use in Ukraine's eastern regions, where Russian forces have been gradually advancing against Ukrainian defensive lines.

Since the beginning of the war, the U.S. has supplied Ukraine with anti-tank mines to counter Russia's advantage in armored vehicles. However, until now, the Biden administration refrained from giving anti-personnel mines due to concerns over their long-term risks.

In June 2022, four months into the war in Ukraine, the Biden administration committed to restricting the use of anti-personnel mines. This marked a policy reversal from the Trump administration.

The development comes after reports surfaced that over 10,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Kursk by Russia's military. However, the exact number still remains unknown.

North Korea has also reportedly supplied more arms for the conflict in Ukraine, including self-propelled howitzers and multiple rocket launchers, Park said, citing information from the National Intelligence Service.

The Biden administration's recent actions have been condemned by Russian authorities, who have claimed that the United States are edging the world closer to "world war three."

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a revised nuclear doctrine, effectively lowering the threshold for deploying nuclear weapons. However, the Pentagon stated that they had seen no sign of Moscow planning to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine.

"We're going to continue to monitor, but we don't have any indications that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon within Ukraine," Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said.
Kessler, a dynamic family-led hospitality brand transforming vibrant destinations with boutique hotels, restaurants and experiences across the Southeast has appointed seasoned hotelier, John Luckett as president of hospitality operations. Formerly Kessler's chief operating officer, John will be returning to the brand expanding on his previous 15-year tenure and overseeing the company's hospitality, sales and marketing, information technology, human resources, and operations sectors. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, his responsibilities will contribute to the continued growth of operational strategies and corporate, commercial and human capital across the entire portfolio.

John's three decades of expertise reflect his continued success in the hospitality industry, contributing to the growth of luxury boutique hotels and repositioning full-service resorts, while accomplishing guest satisfaction, associate engagement and operational excellence. Prior to his current role, John served as the chief operating officer at MasterCorp, Inc where he implemented effective strategies for hotel and laundry services alongside managing operations focused on excelling performance, strategic execution and resource management. During his role as general manager, the Grand Bohemian Asheville was recognized as Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel of the Year in 2012. John also received the Marriott Autograph Manager of the Year award and was honored three times as Kessler's General Manager of the Year.

John holds a master's degree in hospitality entrepreneurship from Florida State University and a bachelor's degree in hotel & restaurant management from Western Kentucky University. Before joining Kessler, John worked at Vail Resorts, in general manager positions at La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa and Keystone Lodge & Spa, where he spearheaded multimillion-dollar renovations and elevated the guest experience. During John's tenure leading the resort, La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa was recognized as one of the Top 500 Hotels in the World by Travel + Leisure.

View John Luckett's LinkedIn Profile

John Luckett is a graduate of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida - United States
The 2024 Oktoberfest brought in massive crowds and substantial business for local hotels. Global Review Index (GRI) data provides critical insights into how Munich hotels handled the increased demand. By examining the trends and performance metrics, hoteliers can identify areas of improvement and strategic actions that add value for guests. Heres a breakdown of key findings with actionable insights for hoteliers.

Actionable takeaways

Increase resources during high-demand events: Plan additional staff and temporary hires to maintain cleanliness standards. Invest in room comfort: Prioritise A/C installation where lacking and address noise issues through earplugs or soundproofing improvements. Enhance perceived value: Add complimentary perks like robes, slippers, or enhanced breakfast options to justify higher rates. Adjust review response strategies: Focus on platforms like Booking.com, Google, and Agoda for review management to address guest concerns effectively. Improve F&B offerings: Invest in training, menu enhancement, and consistent quality to improve food and beverage scores.

Brews, bites, and brilliance

This year, an astounding 6.7 million visitors filled Munichs streets and downed 7 million litres of beerabout a litre per person! Food sales were up 9% from last year, with Hendl, the classic roast chicken, reigning supreme as the preferred beer companion. Additionally, the event was powered entirely by renewable energy, adding an eco-friendly touch to the celebrations.

Impact of rates and value perception on guest experience

Hotels saw a significant rise in occupancy and nightly rates, with prices up by 138% and occupancy peaking at 90% during busy weekends. This increase naturally heightened guest expectations, a factor that often leads to more critical reviews. Despite the surge, guest satisfaction only dipped slightly from 82.1% to 81.7%, showcasing hotels ability to maintain a positive overall experience even under high demand.

However, the perception of value for money scored lower at 77.4%, with guests raising concerns about high room prices, costly breakfast options, and unexpected fees. To align pricing with value perception, hotels might consider adding complimentary perks, such as robes, slippers, or upgraded breakfast selections, to reinforce the value guests receive for their money. Clear communication about additional costs also helps minimise dissatisfaction, creating a more favourable guest experience during peak times.

Hygiene standards: A recurring theme

A notable 85% of reviews highlighted concerns over hygiene standards, focusing on mould, stains, unpleasant odours, and inconsistent room upkeep. This indicates that many hotels were not fully prepared to handle the increased guest load.

The surge in occupancy likely stretched housekeeping teams thin, resulting in lower standards. Hotels can focus on a few key strategies to support these high-occupancy events. Increasing staff levels, scheduling deep-cleaning sessions on low-demand days, and exploring temporary hires can help maintain cleanliness standards and ensure positive customer feedback. Maintaining cleanliness is crucial, as negative feedback heavily impacts overall GRI scores.

Three of the main indexes, cleanliness, room and value, dropped during Oktoberfest. Source: Shiji

Room quality and comfort

Room quality received an 80% rating during Oktoberfest, with many guests mentioning the lack of air conditioning as a significant issue. Oktoberfest coincides with warm weather in Bavaria; many guests found rooms uncomfortable. For hotels lacking air conditioning, investing in A/C should be considered in future CapEx budgets, especially given the climate trends and increasing guest expectations for comfort.

Noise complaints also contributed to dissatisfaction. High noise levels are expected during major events, but hotels could mitigate this by offering earplugs or considering soundproofing improvements. All of which could make a notable difference in review scores during peak times.

Trends in review sources

During Oktoberfest, reviews for hotels spiked, with 5.4% of the citys annual review total captured in just two weeks. Booking.com remained the dominant review source, followed by Google and Expedia. A notable shift saw Agoda enter the top five sources for 2024, displacing TripAdvisor.

This trend indicates that guests are increasingly favouring certain platforms over others for feedback. Hoteliers should prioritise responses on these key platforms to ensure effective guest engagement and reputation management, especially on sites like Agoda, where reviews may be rising.

Departmental ratings

When we compare Munich to the EU average, there are opportunities for improvement, particularly in value, cleanliness, and food and beverage experiences, with current scores at 80.1% versus the EU average of 83.2%. While cleanliness has been identified as an area needing attention, enhancing the quality of food and beverages also presents a chance for improvement that could elevate the citys overall appeal.

Enhanced training for F&B staff, improved menu options, and consistent quality can help boost these scores. Additionally, focusing on providing good value for moneyeven at higher price pointsis essential to improving the perceived quality of the overall guest satisfaction.

Opportunities for improvement across all departmental indexes for Munich hotels. Source: Shiji

Conclusion

Munichs hotel performance during Oktoberfest 2024 demonstrates impressive resilience in guest experience amidst high demand. To build on this success, hotels should focus on enhancing hygiene standards, room quality, value perception, and strategic response management. By proactively addressing these areas, hotels can meet and exceed guest expectations during future high-demand events, strengthening their reputation and competitive standing in the market.

Watch the video:

About Shiji Group

Shiji is a global technology company dedicated to providing innovative solutions for the hospitality industry, ensuring seamless operations for hoteliers day and night. Built on the Shiji Platformthe only truly global hotel technology platformShiji's cloud-based solutions include property management system, point-of-sale, guest engagement, distribution, payments, and data intelligence for over 91,000 hotels worldwide, including the largest hotel chains. With more than 5,000 employees across the world, Shiji is a trusted partner for the world's leading hoteliers, delivering technology that works as continuously as the industry itself. That's why the best hotels run on Shijiday and night. While its primary focus is on hospitality, Shiji also serves select customers in food service, retail, and entertainment in certain regions. For more information, visit shijigroup.com.

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Lausanne, Switzerland  Wednesday, November 20th  Sommet Education is excited to announce a long-term strategic collaboration with Mandarin Oriental, the award-winning owner and operator of some of the worlds most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. The alliance is aimed at enhancing the hospitality industry's talent pool through targeted educational and training initiatives as well as diversity-focused programs.

The collaboration is structured around three core objectives: enriching the student learning experience with real business exposure, enabling employee development via bespoke training initiatives, and offering hospitality career and learning opportunities to high potential individuals from underserved communities. This partnership will leverage Sommet Educations worldwide network of campuses and institutions, including Les Roches, Glion, Ecole Ducasse, Invictus Education in South Africa, Indian School of Hospitality as well as Sommet Education Foundation.

This partnership underscores both organizations' commitment to developing future leaders in hospitality.

We are proud to be partnering with Sommet Education which has produced many of our top talent across their various educational institutions already today and is developing the talent of tomorrow. Together we will add value to talent, help progress their abilities and promote career opportunities in our industry. Laurent Kleitman, CEO Mandarin Oriental

We are thrilled to partner with Mandarin Oriental, sharing the value of hospitality excellence and aligning on a people-centric vision. This collaboration extends beyond traditional boundaries, offering invaluable career and learning pathways in hospitality for young students, employees and underserved talented individuals. Together, we aim to foster a new generation of leaders who will shape the future of hospitality experiences. Benoit-Etienne Domenget, CEO Sommet Education

Elevating the student learning journey

In a dynamic and ever-evolving hospitality industry, cultivating job readiness among students throughout their academic journey is paramount. This goal will be advanced through a series of targeted initiatives that weave industry immersion and Mandarin Orientals practical expertise into Sommet Educations institutions academic programs. Students will benefit from Mandarin Oriental workshops, masterclasses, leadership and executive talks, and on-site field visits, creating a bridge between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.

Today, Mandarin Oriental operates a prestigious portfolio of 41 hotels, 12 residences, and 24 exclusive homes across 26 countries and territories, establishing itself as a leader in luxury hospitality. Through this strategic partnership, students from Sommet Education institutions will gain unparalleled access to this world-class network, providing a unique environment to immerse themselves in industry-leading practices. This exposure is designed to set them apart in the job market, equipping them with a unique expertise and professional readiness.

Empowering employees to succeed

Customer experience and satisfaction lie at the core of hospitality, deeply interconnected with the well-being and satisfaction of employees. In todays competitive landscape for hospitality talent, training plays a critical role in cultivating and retaining skilled professionals. Mandarin Oriental and Sommet Education are joining forces to create a unique model relying on customized programs that align with Mandarin Orientals global talent development strategy and employee eagerness for empowerment, development and curiosity to grow and learn. This collaboration will introduce a variety of employee training optionsspanning online, blended, and in-person formatsthat focus on advancing both vocational and managerial skills.

The partnership is exploring multiple learning pathways, including the co-creation of specialized postgraduate and masters programs, accelerated tracks for developing future Hotel general managers, and dedicated initiatives in areas such as culinary and pastry craftsmanship and womens leadership. Each program is designed to provide targeted skill enhancement, fostering a new generation of hospitality leaders and artisans within Mandarin Oriental equipped with the expertise and vision to excel in the industrys highest properties.

Our colleagues are at the heart of everything we do at Mandarin Oriental, thus, truly defining the essence of our brand. In light of our exceptional growth trajectory, we are privileged to partner with Sommet Education in nurturing future leaders and shaping their careers in the luxury hospitality profession. Together, we look forward to growing a safe, respectful and inclusive community of aspiring talent who will elevate the art of luxury hospitality and become Fans of the Exceptional, Every Day, Everywhere. Amanda Hyndman, Chief People & Culture at Mandarin Oriental

Creating opportunities for all

Both organizations are resolutely dedicated to creating an inclusive environment within the hospitality industry. Through the collaboration with Sommet Education Foundation, their joint efforts will also focus on equal opportunities for aspiring professionals from all backgrounds through the establishment of scholarships and job opportunities to support talents facing life challenges but with strong academic potential and motivation, ensuring educational opportunities and hospitality careers are accessible to all.

About Sommet Education

Sommet Education is the global leader in hospitality, luxury and culinary arts education and training, uniting five prestigious institutions  Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches Global Hospitality, Ecole Ducasse, Invictus Education and Indian School of Hospitality - that shape the future of the industry and nurture the next generation of talent.

With over 400 programs spanning technical training, undergraduate, graduate degrees, executive and business solutions, we support 20,000 students and learners from over 100 nationalities across 10 countries and 20 campuses as well as through cutting-edge online learning platforms.

Backed by a worldwide network of 60,000 alumni and an industry-driven curriculum, Sommet Education prepares the future leaders who will set new standards of excellence in hospitality and beyond.

For more information, visit https://www.sommet-education.com/

Anouck Weiss

Chief Communication Officer Sommet Education

Sommet Education

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Global hotel technology specialist SHR has joined forces with Saudico Electronic Systems, one of Saudi Arabias top Oracle Hospitality providers, to transform customer loyalty programs across the kingdom's rapidly growing hotel sector.

In Saudi Arabia, hotel loyalty programs are not widely adopted, leading to a reliance on Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and a scarcity of direct bookings despite high levels of repeat business. Recognizing this gap, Saudi hotels are eager to develop robust loyalty programs to harness and reward guest loyalty, reduce dependency on OTAs, and increase direct bookings.

Recognizing this critical need, Saudico has brought in SHR to provide a suite of advanced software solutions, with a particular focus on enhancing loyalty program capabilities.

By integrating SHRs market-leading technologies  including its Central Reservations System (CRS) for streamlined booking, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools for personalized guest communications, Revenue Management System (RMS) for optimized pricing strategies, and innovative digital marketing solutions  with Saudico's deep local expertise and Property Management System (PMS) capabilities, the partnership offers a comprehensive approach to managing and enriching the entire guest journey, from initial booking to post-stay engagement.

This alliance is set to empower Saudi hotels to reduce dependency on OTAs by increasing direct bookings through personalized experiences and sophisticated loyalty programs. Hotels will benefit from enhanced operational efficiency and deeper data insights, enabling them to engage repeat guests more effectively.

With Saudi Arabia projected to add 320,000 new hotel rooms across the country by 20301, the partnership presents a fantastic opportunity for hoteliers to leverage the potential revenue opportunities that the countrys annual target of 150 million domestic and international tourists could bring.

This partnership marks an exciting chapter for SHR as we expand our footprint into the Middle East. By partnering with Saudico, were not just providing Saudi hoteliers with the most comprehensive and integrated technology solutions available today, were also bringing innovative loyalty solutions to the Saudi market. Our goal is not just to implement technology, but to help Saudi hotels build lasting relationships with their customers, ultimately enhancing the guest experience and driving sustainable growth. Alexander Barder, Senior Director of Business Development at SHR

We are thrilled to partner with SHR, whose innovative hotel technology solutions perfectly complement our PMS expertise. This collaboration will significantly elevate the technology capabilities of the Saudi hotel industry, putting the power back into the hands of hoteliers to deliver exceptional guest experiences while maximizing the revenue potential of customer loyalty. Soufyan Al Kabbani, CEO at Saudico Electronic Systems

Houston based SHR has built a strong reputation globally, offering innovative solutions such as Central Reservations Systems (CRS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Revenue Management Systems (RMS), as well as website and digital marketing services.

Saudico Electronic Systems, known for its expertise in Oracle installations and a trusted partner within the hospitality industry across Saudi Arabia for the last 40 years, has been instrumental in modernizing hotel management systems across the region.

About SHR

Founded in 2004, and headquartered in Houston, Texas, with offices in Europe and Asia-Pacific, SHR Group is the premier global specialist technology and service provider for the hotel sector, dedicated to ensuring its clients remain always ahead in a fast-paced and competitive market. SHR empowers hotels and resorts to increase revenue and customer lifetime value at every step of the guest journey by combining the immense potential of AI with a dynamic product suite comprising integrated and automated products and services. Alongside SHR's suite of products, the company also has SHR Hotel Services, which focuses on equipping the immense hospitality industry with a unique competitive edge delivered through exceptional digital services and consultancy. To learn more about SHR, visit www.shrgroup.com.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today launched the second edition of its groundbreaking Net Zero Roadmap for Travel & Tourism, revealing the number of global Travel & Tourism businesses setting climate targets has surged by 27% in the past three years, with more than half now actively committed to emissions reduction.

Launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan today, the report reveals, 53% of the 250 leading Travel & Tourism businesses analysed have now set climate targets, a significant increase from 42% in 2021, when the first Net Zero Roadmap was created.

Among these businesses, one third have committed to Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) goals, underscoring their dedication to meeting rigorous emissions reduction benchmarks.

Notably, the number of companies adopting SBTi targets has more than doubled since 2021, signalling an accelerated effort by the sector to align with global climate standards.

Developed in collaboration with Accenture, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and supported by the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, this second edition of the roadmap underscores the urgency of climate action as the sector works towards net zero by 2050.

Building on the foundation of the original roadmap launched in 2021 at COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland, the latest edition addresses the escalating environmental impacts on tourism.

It introduces an enhanced decarbonisation framework, including new target corridors to guide Travel & Tourism businesses in setting ambitious, actionable climate targets.

The roadmap highlights that there is no one size that fits all solution, as each industry faces its own challenges, with some able to meet their net zero targets earlier than others.

A major focus of the updated roadmap is improving sector alignment and transparency, particularly as demand for sustainable travel options grows, with 75% of global travellers now expressing a desire to travel more sustainably.

The roadmap also draws on WTTCs Environmental & Social Research (ESR), which reveals a significant decrease in Travel & Tourisms carbon emissions footprint.

According to the latest ESR data, Travel & Tourism accounted for 6.5% of global emissions in 2023, down from a peak of 7.8% in 2019, representing an 10.2% reduction in the sectors greenhouse gas intensity, showcasing the sectors significant strides toward decoupling growth from emissions.

Across a number of industries, the roadmap notes significant improvements in carbon intensity.

In 2023, the aviation industry achieved a 6% reduction in carbon intensity from 2019, when Travel & Tourism was at its peak, while the cruise and accommodation industries both decreased their carbon intensity by 11%.

These reductions are critical as the sector works to balance growth with a meaningful transition to lower emissions.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said, The urgency of climate action in our sector has never been clearer. Climate change is not a future threat  its here, and we are all facing the consequences.

This updated roadmap is a call to action for every business in Travel & Tourism. The sector is moving forward; but we mustnt rest on the laurels. We must work together with greater ambition and urgency to create a sustainable future for Travel & Tourism. Every step counts towards preserving our planet and the livelihoods of millions.

Jesko-Philipp Neuenburg, Accentures Global Travel and Aviation Sustainability Lead, said, Global Travel companies have made good progress on emissions targets and measurement. The second edition of the roadmap underscores the importance of moving from commitments to actions and provides pragmatic advice on how to work towards decarbonisation of the Travel & Tourism sector.

Niclas Svenningsen, UNFCCC Manager, Programmes Coordination said: Since the first edition of this report was published three years ago, the world has experienced a continued out-of-control climate change with new heat records set across the entire planet.

The impact has been devastating, not least in the tourism industry where many destinations have not only been negatively impacted, but in some cases the impact has been enormous. In a world where business-as-usual for Travel & Tourism is no longer an option, acting on the pathways and target corridors presented in this report, is the only way it can maintain its License to Operate.

Kanan Gasimov, Head of Cabinet, the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan said: This roadmap serves as both an actionable guide and a vision-setting tool for the industry, helping us set ambitious goals while providing clear steps to reduce emissions across all tourism subsectors, from accommodation to aviation.

Azerbaijan is proud to be part of this project. Through our COP29 Presidency, we have successfully advocated for tourisms inclusion in international climate discussions and committed to embedding sustainable practices in our national policies. Together, we can build a tourism sector that aligns with global climate goals, preserves our natural heritage, and supports the livelihoods of our communities.

The updated roadmap also highlights the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in reducing aviations carbon footprint.

Reducing emissions by up to 80% over the fuels lifecycle, SAF has emerged as a cornerstone for aviation's decarbonisation pathway, and the roadmap calls for the expansion of SAF adoption across airlines, supported by investment and regulatory alignment, to accelerate emissions reductions.

It also provides more detailed guidance for small businesses which represent the backbone of Travel & Tourism yet face unique challenges such as defining and following a more strategic decarbonisation approach.

It emphasises the importance of accessible green financing for small to medium enterprises (SMEs), that can often lack the resources to implement sustainability measures.

Despite these advancements, the report identifies ongoing challenges, both internal and external, that require attention. Measuring Scope 3 emissions remains a complex task for many companies, as does achieving regulatory alignment across regions.

A Call to Action for the Sector

WTTC and its Members urge businesses to adopt the roadmaps target corridors, which suggest specific emissions reduction strategies across various timeframes. These tailored strategies aim to mitigate emissions within the next decade and reinforce long-term climate resilience.

WTTC encourages Travel & Tourism companies, stakeholders, and governments to support and implement the measures outlined in this roadmap.

Whilst the global Travel & Tourism sector is making progress, the global tourism body is urging governments to provide further incentives and subsidies to businesses in order to ensure targets are met.

By uniting in pursuit of net zero, the sector can achieve meaningful climate action, protect vulnerable destinations, and meet the expectations of environmentally conscious travellers worldwide.

To read the report in full, please visit WTTC Research Hub.

About WTTC

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector.
The Transforming Room - Image Credit Accor

The Transforming Room - Image Credit Accor

The Transforming Room - Image Credit Accor

The Transforming Room - Image Credit Accor

Pullman Hotels & Resorts has introduced a unique concept room named 'The Transforming Room'. The room, designed in Pullman Singapore Orchard, is a high-tech, multifunctional space tailored to meet the evolving needs of modern travelers. The Transforming Room is a pioneering model for the future design of Pullman hotels, aiming to create flexible environments that cater to guests' dynamic needs.

The Transforming Room is equipped with advanced technology and digital enhancements, allowing guests to modify their surroundings with the touch of a button. The room transitions seamlessly to accommodate guests as they shift between work, wellness, socializing or relaxation. This concept room represents Pullman's approach to embracing the fluidity of contemporary lifestyles and creating adaptive and enriching guest experiences.

Upon arrival, guests scan a QR code to access the room's multi-sensory design controls. Features of The Transforming Room include a multipurpose workspace, LG innovative display technology, space-saving toilet technology, a Murphy bed that transitions the room to various multifunctional spaces, a COMPOZ perfume module to create a preferred scent playlist, and multiple workout modes and virtual training programs.

The Transforming Room also provides a restorative sleep experience through blackout curtains, a custom-designed Murphy bed, and a series of scents to induce sleep. Mornings offer a personalised wake-up experience, with curtains that slide open to fill the room with natural daylight and scents that can be adjusted to suit various moods or activities throughout the day.

A prototype app for The Transforming Room provides a variety of fitness and mindfulness sessions by PELOTON and Digital Art by ARTPOINT. The modular interiors shift to create extra space for wellness routines and workouts. The app also allows for a unique in-room dining experience, transforming the room into an intimate private dining space.

The introduction of The Transforming Room reaffirms Pullman's legacy as an innovative player in the hospitality industry. Pullman continues to merge business and lifestyle needs as one of the oldest hospitality brands, creating spaces catering to different purposes and perspectives.
Hotel Miguel Angel in Madrid

The Canary Islands-based Lopesan Hotel Group and investment firm Stoneweg Hospitality have jointly acquired the historic Hotel Miguel Angel in Madrid. The former owner of the hotel was General Mediterranean Holding S.A SPF. This purchase is a significant milestone for Lopesan, marking their first venture into Madrid's hotel sector.

The acquisition is part of Lopesan's strategic expansion into urban tourism, following their earlier acquisition of the AC Hotel Iberia in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. With this move, the Hotel Miguel Angel, a prominent feature on Madrid's Paseo de la Castellana, will be incorporated into Lopesan's portfolio, which currently includes 22 owned and managed hotels in five countries.

Lopesan plans to introduce its personalized services to the Hotel Miguel Angel while launching a comprehensive overhaul of its architectural and decorative concept. The renovation, which is expected to take a year, will aim to offer guests a modern and luxurious experience.

The upgraded Hotel Miguel Angel will have 241 rooms and exclusive gastronomic offerings and services. The aim is to transform it into a new attraction in Madrid that combines leisure and work segments, focusing on personalized experiences, technology, and sustainability.

Stoneweg Hospitality, which has a significant presence in the European hotel sector, is a key operational partner in this acquisition. The purchase of Hotel Miguel Angel aligns with Stoneweg's strategy of acquiring valuable properties in prime locations of major tourist destinations.

The law firms Squire Patton Boggs and A&O Shearman advised the Seller and the Purchaser, respectively, on this transaction. This acquisition is touted as the largest deal in the Spanish hotel sector for 2024.
Significant Surge in Travel & Tourism Businesses Commitment to Net Zero, Reveals WTTC Roadmap - Image Credit WTTC

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today launched the second edition of its groundbreaking Net Zero Roadmap for Travel & Tourism, revealing the number of global Travel & Tourism businesses setting climate targets has surged by 27% in the past three years, with more than half now actively committed to emissions reduction.



Launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan today, the report reveals, 53% of the 250 leading Travel & Tourism businesses analysed have now set climate targets, a significant increase from 42% in 2021, when the first Net Zero Roadmap was created.



Among these businesses, one third have committed to Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) goals, underscoring their dedication to meeting rigorous emissions reduction benchmarks.



Notably, the number of companies adopting SBTi targets has more than doubled since 2021, signalling an accelerated effort by the sector to align with global climate standards.



Developed in collaboration with Accenture, endorsed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and supported by the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, this second edition of the roadmap underscores the urgency of climate action as the sector works towards net zero by 2050.



Building on the foundation of the original roadmap launched in 2021 at COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland, the latest edition addresses the escalating environmental impacts on tourism.



It introduces an enhanced decarbonisation framework, including new target corridors to guide Travel & Tourism businesses in setting ambitious, actionable climate targets.



The roadmap highlights that there is no one size that fits all solution, as each industry faces its own challenges, with some able to meet their net zero targets earlier than others.



A major focus of the updated roadmap is improving sector alignment and transparency, particularly as demand for sustainable travel options grows, with 75% of global travellers now expressing a desire to travel more sustainably.



The roadmap also draws on WTTCs Environmental & Social Research (ESR), which reveals a significant decrease in Travel & Tourisms carbon emissions footprint.



According to the latest ESR data, Travel & Tourism accounted for 6.5% of global emissions in 2023, down from a peak of 7.8% in 2019, representing an 10.2% reduction in the sectors greenhouse gas intensity, showcasing the sectors significant strides toward decoupling growth from emissions.

Across a number of industries, the roadmap notes significant improvements in carbon intensity.



In 2023, the aviation industry achieved a 6% reduction in carbon intensity from 2019, when Travel & Tourism was at its peak, while the cruise and accommodation industries both decreased their carbon intensity by 11%.



These reductions are critical as the sector works to balance growth with a meaningful transition to lower emissions.



Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said, The urgency of climate action in our sector has never been clearer. Climate change is not a future threat  its here, and we are all facing the consequences.



This updated roadmap is a call to action for every business in Travel & Tourism. The sector is moving forward; but we mustnt rest on the laurels. We must work together with greater ambition and urgency to create a sustainable future for Travel & Tourism. Every step counts towards preserving our planet and the livelihoods of millions.



Jesko-Philipp Neuenburg, Accentures Global Travel and Aviation Sustainability Lead, said, Global Travel companies have made good progress on emissions targets and measurement. The second edition of the roadmap underscores the importance of moving from commitments to actions and provides pragmatic advice on how to work towards decarbonisation of the Travel & Tourism sector.



Niclas Svenningsen, UNFCCC Manager, Programmes Coordination said: Since the first edition of this report was published three years ago, the world has experienced a continued out-of-control climate change with new heat records set across the entire planet.



The impact has been devastating, not least in the tourism industry where many destinations have not only been negatively impacted, but in some cases the impact has been enormous. In a world where business-as-usual for Travel & Tourism is no longer an option, acting on the pathways and target corridors presented in this report, is the only way it can maintain its License to Operate.



Kanan Gasimov, Head of Cabinet, the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan said: This roadmap serves as both an actionable guide and a vision-setting tool for the industry, helping us set ambitious goals while providing clear steps to reduce emissions across all tourism subsectors, from accommodation to aviation.



Azerbaijan is proud to be part of this project. Through our COP29 Presidency, we have successfully advocated for tourisms inclusion in international climate discussions and committed to embedding sustainable practices in our national policies. Together, we can build a tourism sector that aligns with global climate goals, preserves our natural heritage, and supports the livelihoods of our communities.



The updated roadmap also highlights the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in reducing aviations carbon footprint.



Reducing emissions by up to 80% over the fuels lifecycle, SAF has emerged as a cornerstone for aviation's decarbonisation pathway, and the roadmap calls for the expansion of SAF adoption across airlines, supported by investment and regulatory alignment, to accelerate emissions reductions.



It also provides more detailed guidance for small businesses which represent the backbone of Travel & Tourism yet face unique challenges such as defining and following a more strategic decarbonisation approach.



It emphasises the importance of accessible green financing for small to medium enterprises (SMEs), that can often lack the resources to implement sustainability measures.



Despite these advancements, the report identifies ongoing challenges, both internal and external, that require attention. Measuring Scope 3 emissions remains a complex task for many companies, as does achieving regulatory alignment across regions.



A Call to Action for the Sector



WTTC and its Members urge businesses to adopt the roadmaps target corridors, which suggest specific emissions reduction strategies across various timeframes. These tailored strategies aim to mitigate emissions within the next decade and reinforce long-term climate resilience.



WTTC encourages Travel & Tourism companies, stakeholders, and governments to support and implement the measures outlined in this roadmap.

Whilst the global Travel & Tourism sector is making progress, the global tourism body is urging governments to provide further incentives and subsidies to businesses in order to ensure targets are met.



By uniting in pursuit of net zero, the sector can achieve meaningful climate action, protect vulnerable destinations, and meet the expectations of environmentally conscious travellers worldwide.



To read the report in full, please visit WTTC Research Hub.
The Best Schema Markup for Hotels and Travel Sites - Image Credit TravelBoom Marketing

Looking for examples of schema markup for hotels, an important element of SEO for hotels? Youve come to the right place. In this article, well demystify schema markup for hotels and travel sites, plus offer examples and clear answers for travel-industry pros seeking guidance.

Schema: An effective way to get your hotel noticed online

For todays leisure and business travelers alike, nearly three in every four hotel searches start in a predictable place: an online search engine. And for hotel properties looking to stand out in the search, schema markup  also known as structured data  provides a powerful way to enhance online visibility, take more control of how property listings appear in search results and, as a result, boost online bookings.

What is schema markup?

An important SEO strategy for hotels, schema markup involves adding code to your hotel or travel website to provide added information to search engines, including Google, Bing and Yahoo. While this code is invisible to your sites visitors, it provides helpful information to the search engine bots that crawl your web pages and index the information they find there.

Schema markup doesnt directly influence your rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), so it wont help your property climb to the top of the list when travelers are searching for hotels that meet their needs. But by helping the search engines add compelling elements to your search listings, schema markup can help your property better capture users attention on the SERPs, thereby boosting your click-through rates and, hopefully, increasing site visits and direct bookings.

Other top benefits a solid schema strategy can deliver for your property include the addition of rich snippets to your search listings, enhancing your search visibility, and resulting in a better user experience by helping prospective travelers more quickly find the details theyre seeking about your property when they perform an online search.

Key schema types and examples for hotels and travel sites

Schema markup for hotels and travel sites is different from typical schema markup because it focuses on highlighting the kind of information thats typically most important to travelers and that is especially integral to the hotel experience. The following are some of the most important elements hoteliers should address in their schema-markup efforts:

Hotel schema elements

Property location and contact information  To improve your local SEO efforts and increase the likelihood your property appears in area-specific and hotel near me searches, make sure that your propertys physical address, phone number and geographic coordinates are included in your schema markup.

To improve your local SEO efforts and increase the likelihood your property appears in area-specific and hotel near me searches, make sure that your propertys physical address, phone number and geographic coordinates are included in your schema markup. Reviews and star ratings  By highlighting positive guest reviews and displaying your propertys star ratings, you can build trust among prospective travelers and heighten consumer perception of your hotels quality.

By highlighting positive guest reviews and displaying your propertys star ratings, you can build trust among prospective travelers and heighten consumer perception of your hotels quality. On-site amenities  To attract more travelers interest, spotlight the most appealing amenities your property offers, such as pools, on-property dining, free parking, free Wi-Fi and pet-friendly features.

To attract more travelers interest, spotlight the most appealing amenities your property offers, such as pools, on-property dining, free parking, free Wi-Fi and pet-friendly features. Pricing and availability  For travelers who are actively looking to book, its important to share your room rates and availability for the specific time window theyre planning a visit.

Heres an example of hotel schema code youd want to include in your websites page files:

{

"@context": "http://schema.org",

"@type": "Hotel",

"name": "The Grand Hotel",

"address": {

"@type": "PostalAddress",

"streetAddress": "123 Main Street",

"addressLocality": "Cityville",

"postalCode": "12345",

"addressCountry": "US"

},

"telephone": "+1-234-567-8900",

"aggregateRating": {

"@type": "AggregateRating",

"ratingValue": "4.5",

"reviewCount": "123"

},

"priceRange": "$$$",

"amenityFeature": [

{"@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification", "name": "Free WiFi"}

]

}

Hotel room schema elements

Room types  Offer a quick glimpse into the room choices available at your property, such as Studio Queen, 2-King Family Room and Luxury Suite.

Offer a quick glimpse into the room choices available at your property, such as Studio Queen, 2-King Family Room and Luxury Suite. In-room amenities  Highlighting stay-enhancing amenities like kitchenettes, balconies, scenic views, sitting areas and oversized beds can add to the appeal of a stay at your property.

Highlighting stay-enhancing amenities like kitchenettes, balconies, scenic views, sitting areas and oversized beds can add to the appeal of a stay at your property. Vacancies available within a specific category  Especially if a certain room type is soon to be all filled up, highlighting the number available can add a sense of urgency and drive prospective guests to lock in their room choice with a booking.

Especially if a certain room type is soon to be all filled up, highlighting the number available can add a sense of urgency and drive prospective guests to lock in their room choice with a booking. Check-in and check-out times  Information on when a room will be available and how long guests can stay on their check-out day can influence travelers to choose your property, especially if your check-in and check-out times are more generous than industry standards.

Heres an example of hotel room schema code to include in your websites page files:

{

"@context": "http://schema.org",

"@type": "HotelRoom",

"name": "Luxury Suite",

"description": "A luxurious suite with a king-sized bed, ocean view, and private balcony.",

"amenityFeature": [

{"@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification", "name": "Private Balcony"},

{"@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification", "name": "Ocean View"}

],

"offers": {

"@type": "Offer",

"price": "299.00",

"priceCurrency": "USD"

}

}

FAQs schema elements

By including the answers to common questions travelers might have about your property in your schema markup, you can increase the likelihood of prospective guests experiencing a zero-click search, in which they find the answer theyre seeking right on the SERP. This can support a positive user experience and leave a good impression of your hotel.

Heres a FAQs schema code example to include in your websites page files:

{

"@context": "http://schema.org",

"@type": "FAQPage",

"mainEntity": [

{

"@type": "Question",

"name": "Does the hotel offer free parking?",

"acceptedAnswer": {

"@type": "Answer",

"text": "Yes, our hotel offers free on-site parking for all guests."

}

},

{

"@type": "Question",

"name": "Is breakfast included in the room rate?",

"acceptedAnswer": {

"@type": "Answer",

"text": "Yes, a complimentary breakfast is included with every stay."

}

}

]

}

Additional schema elements

Here are some other important schema types to consider incorporating into the page files for your hotel or travel site:

Rating and review schema to boost consumer perceptions of your property

to boost consumer perceptions of your property Nearby destination and attraction schema to spotlight noteworthy tourist experiences within close proximity of your property

to spotlight noteworthy tourist experiences within close proximity of your property Local business schema to highlight area businesses and conveniences within easy reach of your hotels geographic location

Implementing schema markup on your website

Schema markup is typically incorporated into a websites page files by adding JSON-LD code (the type of code seen in the examples provided above) to a pages <head> or body copy  but this approach requires a relatively high level of technical skill and knowledge.

Using plugins and tools to add schema markup to your sites web pages can simplify the process, making the tactic more accessible to hoteliers with less technical expertise. These helpful resources often allow users to add schema markup to their pages via guided interfaces that require little to no coding knowledge.

Popular Tools to Create Schema Markup

These are a few of the most popular plugins and tools for easier schema markup:

Yoast SEO (for WordPress)

seoClarity

technicalseo.com

Automated solutions like WordLift and Schema Optimizer that can analyze a websites content and suggest potential schema markup additions

For any hotelier looking to enhance their propertys presence in search engine results, schema markup can be a powerful, needle-moving tactic. When implemented and executed properly, this SEO-supporting webpage element can lead to more interested consumers, more website visits  and more direct bookings.

Step Up Your Schema and Other SEO Elements With TravelBoom

Ready to take your propertys online presence and your hotel SEO to the next level? With years of experience optimizing travel-focused websites for higher rankings in search engine results, our SEO and SEM pros have the skills and experience needed to give your property more prominence on the SERP  and draw more attention to your listings to put more travelers in your hotel rooms. To learn how we can help you optimize your schema and elevate your search visibility, contact TravelBoom today.

About TravelBoom Hotel Marketing

TravelBoom specializes in developing and executing customized data-driven marketing solutions that drive direct bookings and growth for its clients. With over 25 years of experience in digital marketing for travel and hotels, TravelBoom leverages advanced data science and analytics to uncover insights and develop strategies that greatly enhance results for our clients and reduce reliance on third-party channels. TravelBoom is also host of the world's #1 ranked Hotel Marketing Podcast and its quarterly Traveler Sentiment Study both of which can be found at www.travelboommarketing.com.
LivAway Suites Opens Third Location in Smyrna, Tennessee - Image Credit Livaway Suites

LivAway Suites has opened its third location, a 126-suite hotel in Smyrna, Tennessee. This marks the company's first venture east of the Mississippi River. The hotel, featuring fully equipped kitchens and advanced guest-facing technology, was developed by West77 Partners and financed by Keystone National Group.

CEO Mike Nielson stated that this new location redefines what guests expect from an extended-stay experience, focusing on thoughtful design and operational efficiency. The Nashville expansion is part of LivAway Suites' growth plan to have 50 locations open or under construction by 2026.

The hotel targets a diverse clientele, including construction professionals, travel nurses, digital nomads, and relocating families. LivAway Suites aims to enhance the guest experience with modern finishes, accessible amenities, and self-serve facilities like check-in kiosks, laundry, and automated parcel lockers.

West77 Partners completed the project under budget, marking their third successful under-budget project with LivAway Suites. The growing economy in the Nashville area is expected to provide numerous opportunities for the hotel brand, which focuses on providing essential comforts at sensible rates.
Valentine's Animal Adoptions...

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Lenox Library to Host Book Signing with Award-Winning Illustrator

LENOX, Mass.  Lenox Library, 18 Main Street, Lenox, will host an event with award-winning illustrator Ruth Sanderson on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.

This program is free and open to the public.

According to a press release:

In their newest book, "Good Morning, Farm Animals: An Active Play Storybook," mother/daughter team Ruth and Whitney Sanderson encourage children to move, moo, and stretch along with the characters in the book as they mimic the movements of farm animal friends in the morning. Can they frolic like a lamb? Balance like a goat? At this program, artist Ruth Sanderson will read the book as she projects the illustrations on a screen. The audience is encouraged to imitate the sounds and movements of the animals they see for a fun-filled active story-time, followed by a craft. Books will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of The Bookstore in Lenox.

Over her long and award-winning career, Ruth Sanderson has illustrated over 90 books for children of all ages. Her collection of titles include her numerous fairytale retellings, "Mother Goose and Friends," and "A Storm of Horses: The Story of Artist Rosa Bonheur." She collaborated with her daughter Whitney Sanderson on five titles in the Horse Diaries chapter book series from Random House, as well as on "Good Morning, Farm Animals" and "Good Night, Farm Animals."

Ruth lives in Western Massachusetts with her family and two cats.
The two-story belvedere on the library dates to 1865. Trustees have been concerned about its condition for some time.

North Adams Library Trustees Leery of Tapping Cariddi Money for Repairs

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The library trustees are leery of drawing down the Cariddi bequest to cover repairs to the belvedere on the historic Blackinton Mansion.

They also want to better informed on the city's decisions regarding grants and restoration work.

Chair Tara Jacobs said at Thursday's meeting she had spoken that day with Mayor Jennifer Macksey and administration officials regarding a $75,000 grant from Massachusetts Historical Commission and the timeline on the work for the library's tower.

"I requested that the trustees become far more involved in this process and updated more regularly," she said. "I asked the mayor first, at that meeting, to set a regular series of involved meetings to stay connected on what's happening."

Jacobs said the mayor was apologetic for not looping them in earlier. She also asked for a revision on the letter amended to the grant as it is signed by a person who has not been chair, or on the board of trustees, for some years.

The engineer with the project is now tentatively scheduled to attend the trustees' January meeting to provide a review of the design work, the plans and the next steps in the process.

Jacobs said she thought the timeline for repairs was optimistic.

"In their best case timeline, they'll be able to put this project out to bid for construction in January, February," she said. "In that event, then the earliest possible construction time would be to start in spring. Again, I highly doubt that really is the timeline, but we will see."

The scope of the work is only on the exterior  roofing, trim repairs and woodwork. It includes includes demolishing the existing roof membrane, flashing insulation and protection boards on the existing flat roof, repairing and repainting the window frames and sashes, and painting and sealing all surfaces.

"This grant is for $75,000. We also still have an earmark coming through from Rep. [John] Barrett," she said. "So the combination of the two means that there's less of a burden on supplementing with the Cariddi money."

The late state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi had left the public library more than $260,000, including a $7,500 donation toward the establishment of an astronomy club.

However, Trustee Richard Taskin noted the estimate for the work is $373,000, which even with the $150,000 between the grant and earmark, would drain the bequest and could cost more.

There is currently $286,000 in the Cariddi bequest.

"This is my personal feelings on it, but it is a project that, at the end of the day, takes care of the needs of that building, makes sure that whatever water damage we're incurring and degrading that's happening is repaired in total," Jacob said. "I still don't love using all of the money for maintenance."

Taskin said if the trustees are an advisory board, then it's the mayor's decision about what to do this money. "That's not really worth making us think about it to an extent that we're going to say no," he said.

Trustee Sarah Farnsworth asked if there were other needs they had to be concerned with, "what kind of lurch does that leave us in?"

"It's not so much that it leaves us in a lurch, because the operations of the library don't require trustee funds. Trustee funds are for additive and emergent moments," said Jacobs, adding she would prefer to see a larger match from the city so the funds could be used "as far and extensively as possible."

The trustees voted to provisionally support the project but with questions about its financial impact.

In other business, Library Director Veronica Clark said the library had had another busy month with two well-attended book events, adult and children's programming and an information session by the Astronomy Club, and a very successful participation in the city's Halloween event.

The door count was 4,543 compared to 1,500 last year, and circulation was 5,064, up from 4,958. The trustees noted the differential but were pleased that programming was bringing people into the library, which in turn they expected will raise circulation.
Lenovo, global leader in consumer technology, is gearing up to make the holiday season even more exciting with its Holiday Shopping Spree Promo. Starting from November 1 until December 31, 2024, customers across the Philippines can take advantage of exclusive deals and freebies when purchasing select Lenovo devices from authorized resellers.

Get Php 4,000 worth of CASIO vouchers and more when you buy Lenovo devices!

This year, Lenovo is bringing smarter technology for all, offering irresistible gifts with every purchase of the latest Legion, Yoga, LOQ, IdeaPad, and IdeaCentre devices, ensuring theres a perfect Lenovo product for every tech lover. Whether youre buying a gaming laptop for the holiday season or upgrading your home office setup, Lenovos wide range of devices ensures a smarter, more productive experience for all users in preparation for the coming new year.

Unwrap Exciting Freebies This Holiday Season

Filipino techies can look forward to premium freebies that come with the purchase of Lenovos best-in-class devices. Customers will receive exciting gifts such as the 8GB ADATA RAM, Canon Pixma MG2570S Printer, a Php 4,000 CASIO voucher, or a Lenovo L15 Monitor, depending on the product they buy. With freebies worth up to PHP 10,495, this promo delivers the best added value for every purchase this holiday season.

Here are some of the exciting offers available during the Holiday Shopping Spree Promo:

Shoppers can find the full list of participating Lenovo products, freebies, and redeeming instructions at promotions.lenovo.com.

How to Redeem Your Freebie

To redeem the freebie, Lenovo customers just need to follow these simple steps:

Purchase a qualifying Lenovo product from November 1 to December 31, 2024, at any authorized reseller. Visit promotions.lenovo.com and fill out the redemption form with the required details such as proof of purchase, serial number, and personal information. Customers will be notified via email within 57 business days on the status of their redemption, and successful applicants will receive their freebies within 514 business days.

The promo is not open to corporate purchases, wholesale orders, or employees of Lenovo Philippines and its partners. For full promo mechanics, visit the official website.

Make the Season Smarter with Lenovos AI-Powered Devices

Lenovo's latest line of cutting-edge technology, including its AI-enabled devices, makes this the perfect time to upgrade your tech setup. Whether youre a gamer, a student, or a professional, Lenovos product lineup ensures optimized performance and a more intuitive user experience for all. With the holiday season just around the corner, theres no better time to treat yourself or a loved one to a new Lenovo device and enjoy exclusive freebies!
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Cormac McCarthy began a relationship with a 16-year-old girl when he was 42, according to an account given by the woman who says she became his secret muse.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Road and No Country for Old Men died last year at the age of 89. Augusta Britt, now 64, told Vanity Fair that she first met the acclaimed writer in 1976 at a motel pool in Tucson, Arizona.

I was in and out of foster care at the time, and I used to go to the pool at this motel off the freeway in the south side of Tucson called the Desert Inn, explained Britt.

Britt said she recognized McCarthy from the author photo on his 1965 debut novel, The Orchard Keeper. The following day, she returned to the pool with the paperback book.

I was wearing jeans and a work shirt and I had a holster with a Colt revolver in it, which I had taken to wearing, Britt recalled. I had stolen it from the man who ran the foster home that I was in. And Cormac looked at me and he said, Little lady, are you going to shoot me? And I said, No, I was wondering if you would sign my book.

Cormac McCarthy, pictured in 2011, died last year aged 89 ( Kobal/Shutterstock )

The pair became close, and when Britt suffered a beating that left her in hospital, McCarthy invited her to come with him on a road trip to Mexico. They traveled along the path of a story McCarthy was researching, which would become his 1985 novel Blood Meridian. The book tells the story of a fictional teenager from Tennessee who runs away from home.

Britt said their relationship became sexual a year after they met, when she was 17 and the author was 43.

I cant imagine, after the childhood I had, making love for the first time with anyone but a man, anyone but Cormac. It all felt right. It felt good, Britt told Vanity Fair.

I loved him. He was my safety. I really feel that if I had not met him, I would have died young. What I had trouble with came later. When he started writing about me.

In addition to her influence on Blood Meridian, Britt is thought to have inspired characters in many more of McCarthys novels. In No Country for Old Men, the character of Llewelyn Moss becomes separated from his wife, who had been 16 when she married him.

Britt said she lived with McCarthy in El Paso, Texas, but eventually learned he was already married. She later returned to her family, but said she and McCarthy continued to see each other and correspond for the rest of his life.

She explained that her decision to reveal her identity was motivated by the fact that McCarthys archives, including their letters to each other, will become public at Texas State University next year.

Ive been so afraid to tell my story, Britt said. It feels like Im being disloyal to Cormac. Ive always wondered, too, who would believe me. I guess Im just more private than him. But he would always warn me that at some point his archives would open up and people would find out about me.
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Ben Stiller poked fun at Donald Trumps pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F Kennedy Jr, while speaking at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

Stiller, who was hosting the Anti-Defamation Leagues Concert Against Hate, joked per Page Six: Tonight were going to raise the roof on the Kennedy Center before its renamed the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Center for Animal Disposal!

The jibe references a string of animal-related controversies that RFK Jr found himself embroiled in, after admitting to beheading a dead whale and dumping a dead bear cub in Central Park.

Elsewhere in the show, Stiller referenced rising anti-semitism around the world and joked: In fact, I was worried about hosting this show  because people might realize Im Jewish.

He continued: For 30 years Ive been pretty discreet about my heritage, disappearing into a diverse array of characters like Chaz Tennenbaum, Ted Stroehmann, Josh Kovaks, Josh Srebnick, Matthew Myerwictz, Roger Greenberg, Ruben Feffer, Gaylord Focker, and Rabbi Jacob Schram.

As the crowd applauded, Stiller added: Derek Zoolander apparently changed his name.

Ben Stiller and Robert F Kennedy Jr ( Getty )

In August, Kennedy bizarrely confessed to dumping a dead bear cub in New York Citys Central Park a decade ago.

In a three-minute clip he posted to X, Kennedy told actor Roseanne Barr he had set out from New York City in October 2014 to spend a weekend falconing with friends in upstate New York. On his way, Kennedy saw a motorist ahead of him hit the bear with her car. The cub was killed instantly, he said.

Kennedy said he then pulled over and retrieved the dead animal before loading it into his own vehicle. He explained he was going to skin the bear and put the meat in his fridge. Under state law, Kennedy was legally able to pick up the creature, although he would have needed to notify the states Department of Environmental Conservation to obtain the necessary tag.

Kennedy then said he went to dinner with friends before realizing he didnt have a plan for the bear carcass. He said it was at this moment that he landed on the idea of leaving the bear cubs body in Central Park next to an old bicycle he had in his vehicle as part of a ploy to make the cubs death look like an accident involving a cyclist.

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RFK Jrs animal scandals represent just a fraction of the many controversies hes been involved in.

The 70-year-old has also spread misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and allegedly engaged in an online relationship with a political reporter despite being married, among other incidents.

Now, hes Trumps pick to lead the nation in a mission to make America healthy again.
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Denzel Washington has claimed there were rumors floating around about Kevin Spacey long before he was formally accused of sexual assault by numerous men.

The Gladiator II star, 69, made the statement in a recent five-part interview with Esquire, in which he reflected on his decades-long career.

Recalling the year he was up for Best Actor at the 2000 Oscars for his performance in The Hurricane, Washington remembered the devastation he felt when he lost the category to Spacey.

I have a memory of turning around and looking at him, and nobody was standing but the people around him, the American Gangster actor said. And everyone else was looking at me.

Im sure I went home and drank that night. I had to, he admitted. I dont want to sound like, Oh, he won my Oscar, or anything like that. It wasnt like that.

And you know, there was talk in the town about what was going on over there on that side of the street, Washington added, and thats between him and God. I aint got nothing to do with that. I pray for him. Thats between him and his maker.

Spacey won his second Oscar that night for his lead role in that years Best Picture winner, American Beauty.

Denzel Washington said he went home and drank after losing the 2000 Best Actor Oscar to Kevin Spacey ( Getty Images )

The House of Cards star landed his first Academy Award in 1996 for his supporting role in The Usual Suspects.

Once one of the most recognizable faces and names in Hollywood, Spacey has since been exiled from Hollywood after he was first accused of misconduct in 2017 by actor Anthony Rapp, who claimed Spacey had tried to seduce him when he was just 14. Rapps allegations were later dismissed by a Manhattan court in 2022.

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The following year, Spacey went on trial in the U.K. after four men alleged that he had sexually assaulted them in separate incidents over the period between 2001 and 2013. He was again cleared of all nine offenses.

Fellow Hollywood heavyweights, including Sharon Stone, Liam Neeson and Stephen Fry, have spoken out in support of Spacey, calling for his acting career to resume after seven years of exile.

I cant wait to see Kevin back at work, Stone told The Telegraph in May. He is a genius. He is so elegant and fun, generous to a fault and knows more about our craft than most of us ever will.
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Olga Solovey, mother of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins who died in an accident on set three years ago, has declined to attend the Rust premiere in Poland, saying Alec Baldwins refusal to apologise continues to increase my pain.

Rust will make its debut at the Camerimage International Film Festival, which specialises in achievements in cinematography, on 20 November.

The ticketing website for the festival crashed on Tuesday morning shortly after tickets to the movie became available.

Solovey said she will not attend the festival since she believes there is still no justice for my daughter.

It was always my hope to meet my daughter in Poland to watch her work come alive on screen. Unfortunately, that was ripped away from me when Alec Baldwin discharged his gun and killed my daughter, she said in a statement.

Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologise to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death. Instead, he seeks to unjustly profit from his killing of my daughter.

That is the reason why I refuse to attend the festival for the promotion of Rust, especially now when there is still no justice for my daughter.

open image in gallery A still from a video clip played in court shows actor Alec Baldwin during Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's involuntary manslaughter trial in New Mexico on 29 February 2024 ( AFP via Getty )

The involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin was dismissed in July after the state was found to have withheld evidence that could have shown how live rounds got onto the set of Rust where the young cinematographer was fatally shot.

The actor, 66, was facing up to 18 months in prison before the case was thrown out.

A prop gun that Baldwin was holding went off during a rehearsal of a shooting scene in October 2021, striking and killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.

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Baldwin has maintained his innocence, claiming that he pulled back the hammer  but not the trigger  and the gun fired.

Gutierrez-Reed, the films armourer, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison. She was blamed by prosecutors for unwittingly bringing live ammunition onto the set and for failing to follow basic gun safety protocols.

Gloria Allred, attorney for Hutchinss family said in a statement that Baldwin had not apologised to the family, which dishonours Halyna and her memory.

Even though Mr Baldwin discharged the gun that killed Halyna, he has never called them to apologise. Even worse, he argued, through his attorneys, that Halyna was emotionally distant from her family in Ukraine. That is false, hurtful and insulting, her statement said.

Further, the decision not to even call the family to say he is sorry is cruel and dishonours Halyna and her memory. Now, a decision has been made to promote Rust to buyers in order to make a profit for Alec Baldwin and others that had a role in Halynas death. Olga, Anatolii, and Svetlana will not agree with this plan to exploit Halynas death.

open image in gallery Gloria Allred, attorney for Halyna Hutchins' family, holds up pictures of her with her family in July 2024 ( Getty )

When it was announced in October that Rust would premiere at Camerimage, several industry professionals criticised the move as distasteful.

Im all for memorialising Halyna and her beautiful work but not by screening and thereby promoting the film that killed her, Black Panthers Oscar-nominated director of photography Rachel Morrison wrote under a post announcing the screening at the festival.

Deadline reported comments from a private WhatsApp group of working cinematographers who are regular Camerimage Festival delegates calling the decision distasteful and tone deaf.
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Rust has paid tribute to late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in its closing credits following her on-set death three years ago.

The Alec Baldwin-starring Western movie made its premiere at the Camerimage International Film Festival in Poland on Wednesday (November 20). In honor of Hutchins, who was fatally shot by a prop gun wielded by Baldwin, the end credits of Rust began with the words For Halyna, followed by a quote attributed to Hutchins: What can we do to make this better?

According to Variety, director Joel Souza  who was struck by the same bullet that killed Hutchins  included the quote in the credits because it was something she said all the time.

It took on such a deeper meaning afterward, he told the outlet. And its like, I can just apply that to life, you know? And if people did apply that to life, the world might be a much better place, frankly.

He continued: And its not something that she said because of that  she was talking about the frame  but she did live her life like that. She was kind to people and treated people well, and wanted to be helpful to people, and I think its a fitting legacy for her, that quote.

open image in gallery Halyna Hutchins in 2019 ( Getty Images for SAGindie )

Her director of photography credit also read Halyna Hutchins, ASC  an accreditation used by members of the American Society of Cinematographers, which was given to Hutchins posthumously.

The screening of Rust began with a short introduction by Souza and cinematographer Bianca Cline, who completed the movie with a cinematography by credit in the film. Hutchinss husband, Matthew Hutchins, was also credited as executive producer, a title he received as part of a settlement agreement.

Ahead of the Rust premiere, the ticketing website for the Camerimage International Film Festival reportedly crashed due to high demand for the movies screening.

The decision to host the films premiere at the cinematography-focused event has proved to be controversial, as Hutchinss mother Olga Solovey declined to attend the event because there was still no justice for my daughter.

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open image in gallery Alec Baldwins charges of involuntary manslaughter were dismissed by a New Mexico judge in July ( PA Media )

It was always my hope to meet my daughter in Poland to watch her work come alive on screen. Unfortunately, that was ripped away from me when Alec Baldwin discharged his gun and killed my daughter, she said in a statement.

Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologize to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death. Instead, he seeks to unjustly profit from his killing of my daughter.

That is the reason why I refuse to attend the festival for the promotion of Rust, especially now when there is still no justice for my daughter.

Baldwins involuntary manslaughter case was dismissed in July after it was found that prosecutors had withheld evidence from the defense that couldve shown how live rounds got onto the set of the Rust movie. The actor, 66, was facing up to 18 months in prison before the case was thrown out.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the films armorer, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison. She was blamed by prosecutors for unwittingly bringing live ammunition onto the set and for failing to follow basic gun safety protocols.
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On any given day before 2pm, you will find The Dare in bed. Nothing interesting tends to happen before two in the afternoon, he says emphatically. Its exactly the sort of cool, blase thing youd expect to hear from the man and musician leading New Yorks club scene down a rabbit hole of debauched decadence.

Its gone 10am when we speak and The Dare, albeit awake, is indeed in bed. Not at home, mind you, but in a hotel room in Paris where the 28-year-old continues his sold-out tour on the heels of his debut album Whats Wrong with New York? The record itself arrived on the back of a big-time collaboration with Charli XCX and Billie Eilish, as well as his own viral hit Girls  a tongue-in-cheekly misogynistic electro-clash paean to all the women hed like to sleep with. A diverse category, it turns out, ranging from the obvious (girls who like to f***) to the silly (girls who got so much hair on they ass, it clogs the drain).

Such a quick succession of events, combined with the added allure of his beguilingly formal uniform, a suit and skinny tie a la Paul Weller circa 1977, has given rise to one question: who is The Dare?

Harrison Patrick Smith devised the moniker when he was still working as a substitute school teacher in New York two years ago. In person, he has little of the braggadocio of his alter ego. Smiths is a quiet confidence, evident in the way he reclines in bed mid-interview and how casually he deploys a bookish knowledge of music history. He does, though, share The Dares look: a Sixties mod mop and endearingly gap-toothed smile. (Not since Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones has an American looked so British.)

Theres a lot of musicians who just live their songs and are their songs, sort of life-to-paper kind of songwriting, he says. I think mine is a wackier path to the page  or the mp3 or whatever. That said, Smith loves to party as much as his songs suggest. I dont do much except make music and go out, he says. A professional party animal if you will.

Smith isnt the only one. Certainly, theres something in the air (the smell of tequila, cigarettes, and vomit perhaps) that marks the ongoing resurgence of indie sleaze, that hedonistic subculture of the late aughts and mid-2010s spurred on by pills and powders. Think Uffie, Justice, Daft Punk, LCD Soundsystem. Its scuzzy basslines and sex in bathrooms. Whats Wrong with New York? wears its influences on its tailored, tattered sleeve; Smiths North Star is the sound of The Rapture, godparents of electro-clash. How much you enjoy The Dare will depend on how much you enjoyed indie sleaze the first time around. Cool kid or pretentious poseur, you decide. Smith doesnt care either way.

People feel really, really excited by it, or they feel really, really angry about it, says Smith. Angry in what way? Theres plenty of different reasons why, but I think the character, my personality and the kind of music that I make is so masculine and over the top in your face  that people are either excited by it or feel like its f***ing annoying and uncool.

While Smith is hardly a household name, mention The Dare in certain circles and the response is feverish  and polarising. Smith has earned a reputation as a provocateur  though he, himself, cant see whats so provoking about lyrics about seducing your mum or being so horny that hed f*** a hole in the wall. Its insane to me, but Ill take it, he smiles. It sounds cool. In fact, his most provocative act to date was purely accidental. In May 2023, Smith released The Sex EP, the cover of which  depicting simulated, clothed sex with young-looking people  got him accused of promoting paedophilia in the Daily Mail.

open image in gallery I dont do much except make music and go out ( Getty for NYFW: The Shows )

If anything, the reaction came as a huge shock. Nobody in my world found it provocative, he says. It was just a surprise that people even cared. Was he affected by the torrent of hate, the death threats that followed? I always think of that old Tyler, the Creator tweet. The tweet in question goes something like: How is cyber-bullying real? Just walk away from the screen. Smith recites this with a shrug. I can literally log off.

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To hear Smith tell it, this indie sleaze resurgence is down to three main things: Covid, social media, and boredom. People want to let loose and have fun with really aggressive, loud bass, he says. Then theres the panopticon of social media; people want to return to an era that was dirtier and less fashionable when we didnt care so much about being sweaty. Lastly, he adds, The dominating style of indie music has been this smooth, introverted bedroom pop  some of it very, very good  but I think people miss the extroverted nature of other styles of music. He exhales, Thats my theory on it.

Smith knows a thing or two about whats happening in the scene. Some say he is the scene. Poster boy for the indie sleaze revival is a common epithet. I guess its better than working at a gas station, he says, curiously indifferent to the role hes been assigned. I dont think anybody likes getting labelled anything except creative genius or visionary artist of our lives. He laughs, but on a serious note, the label can be limiting.

Its like if you were to call The Beatles a British pop band, that would be wildly misleading as to what The Beatles are in the world, Smith says. Theres truth in the whole indie sleaze thing, but I just hate those words a lot. It may be the way of the industry, but that doesnt mean he has to like it.

Born to a psychotherapist and a medical equipment salesman, Smith had a suburban upbringing in the suburbs of Seattle. It was never really a socially, culturally on fire place to be, he says. When he was four, his parents bought him a violin, which he traded in for a guitar at 12. At school, he was on the fringes of most social circles, though he was still invited to parties either directly or through a friend. I was definitely a Perks of Being a Wallflower-style individual, he says.

Attending college outside Portland, he studied English literature because music didnt feel like a viable option. I was obsessed with it, but I never ever put any stock into it as a job, he says. Still, he found outlets for that side of himself, releasing a steady stream of music as Turtlenecked.

Back then, I was trying to seem really smart. Now Im trying to seem really stupid

Turtlenecked  mostly innocuous indie rock  feels worlds away from The Dare. On one track, the Mitski-esque titled Meeting You in the Hospital, he sings of patriarchal white male bullshit. Smith cringes when I bring it up. That was 2015, different time, different dude, he says. At that point, I didnt even like music like that but there was something culturally where it felt like I should sing about this or do that, and it wasnt really authentic to me.

Smith is, he clarifies, politically passionate but the more I thought about what music I wanted to make and the better I got at it, the less interested I became in saying overtly political things in my songs. Regarding Spinal Taps fine line between clever and stupid, Smith is happy to fall within the latter. Thats the difference between the old music I made and what I make now, he says. Back then, I was trying to seem really smart. Now Im trying to seem really stupid, or at least, trying to be simple because I find that much more exciting and endearing. I feel like my music isnt stupid enough, honestly.

Many of his best songs were concocted off-the-cuff in a carefree, pre-party state of mind. It makes me treat the music-making process a little less seriously and I have fun ideas that way, Smith says. Take, for example, Guess, his supercharged, bass-blown mega-club hit with Charli XCX and Billie Eilish, co-produced with Dylan Brady of hyper-pop duo 100 gecs.

I had an early version of that song neither of us were excited by, he recalls. Then Charli came to town for the Met Gala, and I was throwing one of my parties that weekend, so I made a jacked-up club version for the event and sent it to her, and she was like  Smith feigns his best Essex deadpan  Thats the song. Thats it. Similarly, Smith first wrote Girls as a joke to send to his friends. He finished a first demo within a few hours in the bedroom of his East Williamsburg flat. My ex-girlfriend was like, Do not release this. Eventually, of course, he did. I hold that over her a lot, he laughs.

As his star rises, his venues become larger, and his suits fancier (these days, he rotates between three Gucci ensembles), the line between Smith and The Dare is blurring. People are coming up to him more in the street stunned to find he is not the foul-mouthed playboy of his lyrics. Theyll literally tell me that Im not who they thought Id be, he says. The other day, he came home to find a horde of NYU students on his fire escape. That was weird, he winces. But the blurring stuff, I dont mind either way. I like wearing a suit all the time. It looks good.

Whats Wrong with New York is out now. The Dare will perform four nights in London on 20, 22, 26, and 27 November; more information here
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Dennis Bryon, former Bee Gees drummer who played with the band between 1974 to 1980, has died. He was 76.

Bryon died on 14 November, according to Blue Weaver, who played with the drummer in the band Amen Corner.

I am lost for words at the moment, he posted on Facebook. Dennis has passed away. Kayte, Denniss wife, has just called me and asked if I would let all friends and fans know. This was such a shock.

Dennis has been my friend since we were in our first band together at age 15. His great drumming will always Stay Alive.

Bryon died just days after another former Bee Gees drummer, Colin Petersen. Representatives for Petersen confirmed he died in his sleep early on 18 November, having just played a show last weekend.

Bryon joined the Bee Gees after Peterson left in 1969 and was briefly replaced by Geoff Bridgford.

Born on 14 April 1949 in Cardiff, Wales, Bryon started playing the drums when he was 14.

He joined Blue Weaver and Andy Fairweather Low to play in Amen Corner before working with the Bee Gees. He played with the Bee Gees for nine of the bands top records and was on a number of their biggest hits such as Stayin Alive, Nights on Broadway, How Deep is Your Love, You Should Be Dancing, and More Than a Woman.

Rock group Amen Corner performing at the Daily Express Record Star Show in 1968 ( Getty )

Describing how he started playing with the Bee Gees, Bryon said he was introduced by guitar player Alan Kendal. In 1972 after Amen Corner broke up, I was living in an apartment in London. In an apartment in the same building lived a guitar player named Alan Kendal. Alan played with the Bee Gees and one day came up to my apartment and told me the boys were looking for a drummer, and was I interested. I was, and Alan took me to Barry Gibbs house for my audition. Thats when I met Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, he told German magazine Das Veranstaltungs-und Freizeitmagazin.

Even though he wasnt listed as an official member of the band, Bryon played on the recordings of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, which won the band four Grammy awards.

In January 2016, Bryon went on to play with a Bee Gees tribute band called the Italian Bee Gees.

The Bee Gees, formed by brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, have sold more than 220 million records worldwide.

Maurice died in 2003, aged 53, due to complications from a twisted intestine. His twin brother, Robin, died in 2012, aged 62, from liver and kidney failure after battling colorectal cancer.
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Jeremy Clarkson has hit back at Victoria Derbyshire after she questioned if he bought his Diddly Squat farm to avoid inheritance tax.

The Clarksons Farm star was spotted at the farmers protests in London on Tuesday (19 November), as he arrived with his production crew and series co-stars Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland.

Its estimated that between 10,000 and 40,000 people are protesting against the Labour governments proposed inheritance tax hikes, which Clarkson has said could be the end for farmers.

Farmers across the country are urging the government to change course over its plans, which impose inheritance tax on farms worth more than 1 million.

The former Grand Tour and Top Gear host told the BBC presenter that he was at Whitehall to support farmers.

So its not about your farm and the fact that you bought a farm to avoid inheritance tax? the Newsnight host asked.

Clarkson hit back, Classic BBC but Derbyshire referred to a Sunday Times interview in which the TV personality said that avoiding inheritance tax was critical to his decision to buy the farm.

You told the Sunday Times in 2021 that was why you bought it, she said.

open image in gallery Jeremy Clarkson hit out at the Classic BBC after he was questioned over inheritance tax ( PA )

The farmer was left unimpressed as he hit out: You people ... BBC. OK, lets start from the beginning. I wanted to shoot, OK? Thats even worse, to the BBC, I wanted to shoot. Which comes with the benefit of not having to pay inheritance tax. Now I do.

But people like me will simply put it in a trust, and so long as I live for seven years, thats fine. And as my daughter said, you will live for seven years. You might be in a deep freeze at the end of it, but you will live for seven years.

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But its incredibly time consuming to have to do that, and why should all these people have to do that?

Derbyshire suggested that the government was considering changing the rules to raise money for public services to which Clarkson pointed at the crowd and asked them, Are you listening to this?

Have you tried to get a GP appointment recently? Derbyshire asked.

open image in gallery TV presenter joined protests at Whitehall over inheritance tax ( PA )

Clarkson said he had because of recently experiencing a heart attack. She reiterated that 4 per cent of the population paid inheritance task.

Ninety-six per cent of the population of the UK does not pay inheritance tax. After this becomes law, 96 per cent of farmers will.

However, the government have insisted that 73 per cent of farmers will remain unaffected.

Derbyshire asked him: Where have you got that figure from?

Clarkson said: The same place where Rachel Reeves does. From the middle of her head. From the Sixth Form debating society that she was no doubt a member of. Which formed her opinions and yours.

Derbyshire told him: I am not expressing opinions, I am literally asking you questions. You know that, Mr Clarkson.

Asked where the money should come from, he said: Walk into any of the offices round here. If you dont understand what somebodys job is, fire them.
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A first trailer for Jacob Rees-Moggs new reality show has been released.

Meet the Rees-Moggs marks the infamously posh Etonians move from politics to reality television following the loss of his North East Somerset seat to Labours Dan Norris in the last general election.

In the trailer, Rees-Mogg admits hes well aware of the reputational risks of allowing cameras into his home but adds the programme will be a different kettle of fish from The Kardashians.

Meet the Rees-Moggs is filmed at the former MPs 17th century Somerset mansion, Gournay Court, where he lives alongside his wife, Helene de Chair and their six children  who have all been named after medieval saints, including Alfred Wulfric Leyson Pius and Sixtus Dominic Boniface Christopher.

The first look footage from the five-part docu-series sees Rees-Moggs housekeepers scrubbing away anti- Conservative graffiti from the grounds, ironing the former MPs boxers and polishing his silver.

Im just lazy. Thats all, the former politician, who famously has never changed a single nappy despite having half a dozen children, explains of the numerous staff he employs.

Elsewhere, Rees-Mogg, who caused controversy by reclining on the front bench of the House of Commons during a key Brexit debate in 2019 admits to the camera he quite enjoy[s] winding people up, which the committed Catholic reflects is probably a sin.

open image in gallery A first trailer for Jacob Rees-Moggs new reality show Meet the Rees-Moggs has arrived ( Discovery )

In the footage, which was filmed in the run up to the 2024 general election, its clear the former MPs North East Somerset constituents are suitably riled. I hope you lose your job, one person yells, while another proclaims: I will be over the moon if Rees-Mogg is gone.

The Independents own South West reporter, Alex Ross, saw the documentary being filmed, when Rees-Mogg turned up on the campaign trail with a full camera crew.

According to Ross, the team followed him door-knocking around a housing estate on the edge of Bristol and even caused controversy by filming him with his family at church, apparently interrupting a group of children who were receiving their First Holy Communion.

open image in gallery Rees-Mogg and his wife Helene de Chair on Meet the Rees Moggs ( Discovery )

Upon losing his North East Somerset seat to Labour in the worst result at a general election since John Majors defeat in 1997, Rees-Mogg tells the cameras: Im not a dog. I dont lick my wounds. Life goes on. Whats next should always be the question.

Meet the Rees-Moggs also provides insight into the former MPs private life as well as the political. When his wife is asked whether it was love at first sight she quickly replies no.

Obviously, I didnt tell him that.

Meet the Rees-Moggs will stream on Discovery+ in the UK and Ireland later this year.
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Chinese authorities issued a warning after a viral video showed a farmer narrowly escaping a Siberian tiger attack on Monday in the countrys northernmost Heilongjiang province.

Two men were reportedly attacked, including a 65-year-old farmer who needed surgery on his hand, local reports said.

Reports suggested that there are currently two Siberian tigers on the loose in the Jixing Korean-Chinese village of Bori prefecture, Chitaihe in Heilongjiang Province, though officials have not confirmed their capture.

This marks the first sighting of a Siberian tiger in Boli county in China.

A viral video shared on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform on Tuesday, captures the moment the man steps into the street, spots the tiger, and quickly retreats to shut a large iron gate just as the massive cat lunges at it.

Reuters reported that his son informed a local radio station that two tigers were on the loose, though officials have neither confirmed the number nor reported any captures.

Authorities warned locals to report tigers if they spot any and also urged them to protect their livestock.

Siberian tigers are generally more active in the early morning and dusk hours, Reuters quoted a notice from the authorities as saying.

Compared to other big cats, they can coexist with humans and are not very aggressive, it said.

In October 2021, China established the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park spanning 14,100sqkm across the Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in the country. The park was created to protect and restore the habitats of the Siberian tiger and Amur leopard.

The Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park spans across the southeastern region of Heilongjiang and the eastern region of Jilin province in China.

This is not the first instance of a tiger from Baekdusan mountain  on the border between North Korea and China  entering a residential area and attacking a person. In December last year, a man walking his dog in a village in eastern Khabarovsk, Russia, was fatally attacked by a tiger near Mount Baekdu.

The Siberian tiger, the largest tiger species in the world, is classified as endangered and listed on the International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN) Red List.

China has about 70 wild Siberian tigers.
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Prominent pro-democracy advocate and media tycoon Jimmy Lai testified for the first time in a national security trial that could see him jailed for life  as part of a China-led crackdown on dissent.

A defiant Mr Lai, a British citizen and the founder of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, denied the charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials.

The 76-year-old is among the most high-profile figures targeted under the Beijing-imposed national security law, which came into force in 2020. Apple Daily was forced to close in 2021.

Mr Lais testimony came just a day after Hong Kong jailed 45 pro-democracy activists for up to 10 years in a separate national security case. Both cases have been roundly condemned by Western nations as being politically motivated.

Speaking at the West Kowloon Magistrates Court, Mr Lai described how his principles, centred on the rule of law and freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly, shaped the newspapers mission.

We were always in support of movements for freedom, Mr Lai said, addressing a packed courtroom while dressed in a grey blazer.

Mr Lais son, Sebastien Lai, speaking toThe Independent, praised his fathers resilience. Mentally, he seemed to be doing well. He's still very sharp; he gave a very strong testimony. And in the end, I think you could see his commitment to journalism and to the importance of journalism in Hong Kong.

Wednesdays hearing drew diplomats from the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Switzerland, and Ireland, underscoring the cases international significance. The US government has condemned Mr Lais prosecution, calling for his immediate release. Around 100 people queued in the pouring rain huddled beneath umbrellas to secure a place in the courtroom, with hundreds of police deployed around the building.

open image in gallery People wait to enter the West Kowloon Magistrates Courts in Hong Kong ahead of Hong Kong activist publisher Lais national security trial ( AP )

Mr Lai faces two counts of conspiracy to collude under Hong Kongs controversial national security law, alongside a separate charge of conspiracy to produce seditious publications.

The trial, which began last December, has already seen six co-defendants, including senior staff from Apple Daily and its parent company Next Digital, plead guilty. They admitted to working with Mr Lai to request foreign nations or organisations to impose sanctions or take hostile actions against Hong Kong and Beijing.

During his trial, it was alleged that Mr Lai and others had requested a foreign country or organisation  especially the US  to impose sanctions or blockade, or engage in other hostile activities against the Hong Kong and Chinese governments.

Asked if he used his overseas contacts, including former Taiwan president and top US officials, to influence Hong Kong policy, Mr Lai replied, Never, reported the BBC.

One example of Mr Lais alleged collusion were meetings in July 2019 with then US vice-president Mike Pence and secretary of state Mike Pompeo to discuss the political crisis in Hong Kong as mass pro-democracy and anti-China protests intensified.

Under oath in court on Wednesday, Mr Lai denied asking anything specific of Mr Pence.

open image in gallery Media tycoon Lai poses during an interview with AFP at the Next Digital offices in Hong Kong in June 2020 ( AFP via Getty )

I would not dare to ask the vice-president to do anything. I would just relay to him what happened in Hong Kong when he asked me, Mr Lai told the court.

Mr Lai said he had asked Mr Pompeo and the US not to do something but to say something. To voice out its support for Hong Kong.

On Taiwan, Mr Lai said he had sought to connect former US deputy defence secretary Paul Wolfowitz and retired US general Jack Keane to an interlocutor for former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen.

Tsai and myself are friends, so we always talk about US policy, he told the court, explaining he had sought to connect both sides to create an unofficial channel between then US president Donald Trump and the Tsai administration to bolster mutual understanding.

Supporters have rallied around Mr Lai, viewing him as a symbol of Hong Kongs pro-democracy movement. Apple Daily was the voice of many Hong Kongers, said William Wong, 64, a retiree who attended the trial. Its my political expression to let him know I support him. Hes done a lot for Hong Kong.

Mr Lais son dismissed the proceedings as a show trial, arguing his father should not have been arrested. He added: I mean, it shouldnt even be happening in the first place, so it in on itself is already a very negative outcome.

He cited a recent statement by the UNs Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which called for the trial to be halted and for Mr Lais immediate release. The trial shouldn't be happening, he shouldnt have been arrested in the first place. And it should be stopped and he should be released immediately, he said.

Mr Lai has been in pre-trial detention for over 1,400 days and is already serving a five-year, nine-month sentence for a separate fraud case related to a lease dispute involving Apple Daily.

The charges stem from Beijings imposition of the national security law following months of pro-democracy protests that rocked the city in 2019. Critics argue the law has been used to stifle dissent and target press freedom in the former British colony.

Simon Cheng, a former UK Hong Kong consulate employee detained in China in 2019 before later being granted asylum in the UK, told The Independent: It is a show trial... It is meant as a warning to other Hong Kongers: if you speak out against us, you will be caught and put in prison.

[The authorities] will show Jimmy Lai's conviction to the world and pretend it is the rule of law. But it is not.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Seoul Metro has apologised after an employee caused controversy recently by posting a derogatory online response to a public complaint about Chinese-language announcements in subway stations.

In response to a complaint, posted on 26 October about excessive Chinese announcements in subways and palaces, Seoul Metro wrote on the Seoul Metropolitan Governments website that groups of Chinese people can become noisy and disruptive, calling them villains.

When two or more Chinese gather together, they can get noisy and make a ruckus, turning into villains, it said.

It even suggested adding announcements promoting order among them: It is necessary we broadcast Chinese announcements encouraging order and good conduct on trains, putting out an enlightening reminder against disorder.

We will review the possibility of broadcasting announcements only in Korean and English in the future, it added.

However, Seoul Metro later denied reviewing any plan to limit announcements to Korean and English.

The post drew backlash for being inappropriate, for exhibiting racial and cultural bias, and for its exclusionary tone.

Seoul Metro issued a statement after the controversy grew and publicly apologised for the inappropriate language and content regarding Chinese tourists in the response to the complaint.

The operator promised to provide special training for all employees, including those handling complaint responses, to prevent similar incidents in the future. The company also committed to enhancing its services and implementing stricter content review processes before public release.

We will also ensure that the head of the department replies to such complaints, or at least check the content of the responses, the company said.

We will make every effort to create a subway environment that foreign tourists can use more conveniently and foster a culture that recognises diversity in our organisation.

Since president Yoon Suk-yeol took office, South Korea has strengthened ties with the US and Japan while distancing itself from China.

This shift, coupled with negative media coverage, has fueled anti-China sentiment among young South Koreans, Chung Jae-hung, an expert from the Sejong Institute, was quoted as saying by the Chinese state-run paper The Global Times.

A study conducted in March 2022 by the Sinophone Borderlands research team at Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic, said that 80 per cent of South Koreans held a negative perception of China.
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With fewer than 60 people living in the Japanese village ofIchinono, and a majority past retirement age, residents have installed handcrafted stuffed mannequins to recreate the once bustling community.

According to data from the internal affairs ministry, only one baby was born in Ichinono in the last two decades.

The youngest member of the village is two-year-old Kuranosuke, who came to the village in 2021 with his parents, Rie Kato, 33, and Toshiki Kato, 31. The couple chose to move to the rural area from Osaka because of the sense of community, which they found lacking in the city.

The Katos stand in stark reflection to the youth of Ichinono, who were encouraged by parents to move to the city to pursue better opportunities for education, jobs, and then marriage. The youth moved to the cities, but never returned.

We were afraid they would become unmarriageable if they remained stuck in a remote place like this. Out they went, and they never came back, getting jobs elsewhere. Were now paying the price, 88-year-old widow Hisayo Yamazaki told AFP.

Were probably outnumbered by puppets, she added.

open image in gallery Were probably outnumbered by puppets, said 88-year-old widow Hisayo Yamazaki ( AFP via Getty Images )

open image in gallery This photo taken on 20 October 2024 shows puppets in the village of Ichinono ( AFP via Getty Images )

The puppets, all handcrafted by residents, are placed on swings or bikes, positioned as if they are pushing a cart of firewood, or prepare to work in the fields, an eerie replica of what families must have once done.

If the village is left as it is now, the only thing that awaits us is extinction, said 74-year-old Ichiro Sawayama, head of Ichinonos governing body.

Ichinono is one of more than 20,000 communities in Japan where a majority of the residents are aged 65 and above, underscoring the formidable task ahead of the country as it sees a rapidly declining birth rate.

open image in gallery This photo taken on 21 October 2024 shows puppets in the village of Ichinono, one of the puppet villages in Japan ( AFP via Getty Images )

open image in gallery This photo taken on 21 October 2024 shows puppets in the village of Ichinono, one of the puppet villages in Japan ( AFP via Getty Images )

Preliminary government data released earlier this year showed that the number of babies born in Japan fell for an eighth straight year to a fresh record low in 2023. The number of births fell 5.1 per cent from a year earlier to 758,631, while the number of marriages slid 5.9 per cent to 489,281.

In 2023, Japan recorded more than twice as many deaths as new babies.

This is the first time in 90 years the number fell below 500,000, foreboding a further decline in the population as out-of-wedlock births are rare in Japan.

The declining birthrate is in a critical situation, chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters in February. The next six years or so until 2030, when the number of young people will rapidly decline, will be the last chance to reverse the trend.

The declining birth rate has left the island nation grappling with a diminishing workforce, which may have significant implications for funding pensions and healthcare services, especially as demands from an ageing population continue to rise.

Approximately 36.23 million individuals in Japan were aged 65 or older as of 15 September 2023, according to government data. This represents a record-breaking 29.1 per cent of the total population  marking a 0.1-point increase from the previous year.

The statistics were released by Japans internal affairs ministry on the eve of Respect-for-the-Aged Day, a public holiday celebrated across Japan on 18 September.

open image in gallery The declining birth rate has left Japan grappling with a diminishing workforce, which may have significant implications for funding pensions and healthcare services ( AFP via Getty Images )

Japans population will likely decline by about 30 per cent to 87 million by 2070, with four out of every 10 people aged 65 or older, according to estimates by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research.

The government has launched various initiatives to combat the declining birth rate, including financial incentives for couples to have children, expanded childcare facilities, and even a state-backed dating app in Tokyo that uses AI to match singles.

The decline in birth rates is a growing issue in East Asia, with neighbouring South Korea and China facing similar challenges, as they are faced with the daunting task of motivating young individuals to have more children, even as they grapple with the rising cost of living and mounting social discontent.

Last year, South Korea set a new record for the lowest fertility rate in the world, while Chinas population shrank for the first time since the 1960s early this year.

As Japans government tries to figure out a way out of the crisis, the Katos in Ichinono dont seem too worried about their sons lack of playmates.

open image in gallery Rie Kato (left) and Toshiki Kato with their son Kuranosuke cooking dinner in their house ( AFP via Getty Images )

The village head calls the toddler our pride, while Yamazaki said he is practically my great-grandchild  such a sweet thing.

Just by being born here, our son benefits from the love, support and hope of so many people  even though he has achieved absolutely nothing in life yet, said his father Toshiki.
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A survivor of the atomic bomb attack on the Japanese city of Nagasaki during the Second World War has warned Vladimir Putin that he has no idea of the destruction and pain such weapons cause as the Russian president threatens the West with the prospect of nuclear war.

Terumi Tanaka, one of a diminishing number of survivors of the US attacks on Japan in August 1945, said the use of nuclear weapons would spell the end of the human race and that leaders like Mr Putin dont realise the extent of the damage that can be done.

Mr Tanakas warning, made during a sit-down interview with The Independent in campaign group Nihon Hidankyos small but bustling Tokyo office, came at a time of escalating nuclear sabre-rattling from the Russian leadership.

This week, Mr Putin issued a decree loosening Russias nuclear arms protocols, saying the country could use them even if attacked with conventional weapons if the aggressor were to be backed by a nuclear-armed nation.

The decree serves as a clear warning, after US president Joe Biden gave Ukraine the green light to use American long-range missiles against targets inside Russia, that Moscow reserves the right to respond to such a strike with nukes. Both US and UK long-range missiles have subsequently been used by Ukrainian forces.

Russian president Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting on nuclear policy at the Kremlin ( Sputnik )

Mr Tanaka, 92, said civilisation as we know it faces an imminent danger and a nuclear war appears to be not far away.

Im very scared about it, he added.

Asked what message he would want to give to the Russian leader, he said: I would first ask him to tell me what he knows about what kind of impact a nuclear weapon has on a human being. Id ask him to tell me.

Id ask him the question  so, with just one bomb you can kill hundreds of thousands of people. And are you saying its OK to do that?

Terumi Tanaka, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, speaks to The Independent in the groups office in Tokyo ( Adam Withnall/The Independent )

Mr Tanaka is the co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo  The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisations  whose decades of advocacy work against nuclear weapons has finally been recognised by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. He will travel to Oslo next month to address the committee and receive the peace prize.

He was just 13 when the 10,000lb atomic bomb Fat Man was dropped on Nagasaki on 9 August 1945, landing around 3.2km from his family home. Part of Nihon Hidankyos work is to record witness testimony from survivors of the two nuclear strikes on Japan, and he says his memory of what happened that day will forever be imprinted on my brain.

The radioactive plume from the bomb dropped on Nagasaki City, as seen from 9.6km away in Koyagi-jima ( Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum/Getty )

I was lying down reading a book and then suddenly there was just light everywhere. Everything was completely white around me, and I heard this huge sound. It was like nothing I had ever experienced in my life but of course, I could sense that something very dangerous was happening.

I ran downstairs and crouched down and covered my ears like we were trained to do. At that moment, the force from the explosion came. I dont remember hearing it because apparently, I passed out. I dont remember anything after that.

Mr Tanaka survived, he said, because two sliding glass doors fell on top of him and yet remained intact. Its really strange, the glass was not broken. In other houses, there was no glass left. Afterwards, we realised it was a complete miracle that this glass door did not shatter and that it fell on me and protected me. Thats the only reason Im still here today.

Like most of the survivors represented by Nihon Hidankyo, known as hibakusha, Mr Tanaka lost many loved ones on the day of the bombing. He says he went to ground zero and walked around the city for days looking for five of his relatives.

Three days later, you could still see hundreds of bodies everywhere, and the injured were just crouching in the shadows not receiving any care or attention at all. This is not a situation the human race should be living in. This is not what humans should be doing to each other.

A Ukrainian serviceman fires a 2S5 152mm self-propelled howitzer towards Russia ( 24th Mechanised Brigade of Ukraine )

In its statement announcing the decision to award Nihon Hidankyo the peace prize, the Nobel Committee recognised the groups efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again.

Mr Tanaka said the group had believed it might win the award in previous years, particularly on major anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, but that it was completely taken by surprise this year.

The only reason I can think of for why they decided to give the prize to [us] this year is the international situation regarding nuclear weapons, he says, citing not just the threats from Russia but also North Korea, Iran and the conflict in the Middle East.

He said winning was bittersweet considering what it says about the dangerous situation the world is in. I was truly moved when I read what the Nobel Committee [said], that they really know what we have been doing  how weve been contributing to establishing a taboo against using nuclear weapons, and that they are expecting us to continue.

This article was first published on 20 November 2024
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Cambridge Dictionary has named its word of the year for 2024, with a little help from celebrities such as pop star Dua Lipa and gymnast Simone Biles.

Manifest has been won the prize. The term, which has gained traction on TikTok and other social media, was looked up almost 130,000 times on the Cambridge Dictionary website this year.

Editors said this made it one of the most-viewed words of 2024.

Wendalyn Nichols, Publishing Manager of the Cambridge Dictionary, said the word manifest had increased notably in lookups this year.

Its use widened greatly across all types of media due to events in 2024, and it shows how the meanings of a word can change over time, she said.

Dua Lipa told this year of manifesting her headline slot at Glastonbury Festival.

Lexicographers said the term to manifest has evolved to be used in the sense of to imagine achieving something you want, in the belief that doing so will make it more likely to happen.

Dr Sander van der Linden, author of The Psychology of Misinformation and Professor of Social Psychology at Cambridge University, cautioned that the idea of manifesting success has no scientific validity.

open image in gallery Simone Biles attends Netflixs Simone Biles Rising premiere event ( Getty Images for Netflix )

Manifesting is what psychologists call magical thinking or the general illusion that specific mental rituals can change the world around us, he said.

Manifesting gained tremendous popularity during the pandemic on TikTok with billions of views, including the popular 3-6-9 method which calls for writing down your wishes three times in the morning, six times in the afternoon and nine times before bed.

This procedure promotes obsessive and compulsive behaviour with no discernible benefits.

But can we really blame people for trying it, when prominent celebrities have been openly manifesting their success?

Manifesting wealth, love, and power can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment.

Think of the dangerous idea that you can cure serious diseases simply by wishing them away.

There is good research on the value of positive thinking, self-affirmation, and goal-setting.

Believing in yourself, bringing a positive attitude, setting realistic goals, and putting in the effort pays off because people are enacting change in the real world.

However, it is crucial to understand the difference between the power of positive thinking and moving reality with your mind  the former is healthy, whereas the latter is pseudoscience.

The oldest sense of the word manifest  which English poet Geoffrey Chaucer spelled as manyfest in the 14th century  is the adjective meaning easily noticed or obvious.

In the mid-1800s, this adjective sense was used in American politics in the context of manifest destiny, the belief that American settlers were clearly destined to expand across North America.

Chaucer also used the oldest sense of the verb manifest, to show something clearly, through signs or actions.

Shakespeare used manifest as an adjective in The Merchant of Venice: For it appears, by manifest proceeding, thatthou hast contrived against the very life of the defendant.

The verb is still used frequently in this way: for example, people can manifest their dissatisfaction, or symptoms of an illness can manifest themselves.

Lack of confidence in a company can manifest itself through a fall in share price.

The meaning of making something clear is reflected in the related noun manifesto: a written statement of the beliefs, aims, and policies of an organization, especially a political party.
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Cynthia Erivo pulled back the curtain on the challenges of filming Jon M. Chus highly anticipated adaptation of Wicked.

During a November 15 appearance on the Sentimental Men podcast, the 37-year-old Oscar nominee revealed she often went up to 12 to 14 hours without using the bathroom during long production days.

Erivo, who stars as the films titular Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, recalled the physically demanding process of getting into costume and harnesses for the films intricate stunt sequences. There were two or three different harnesses for different stunts, she explained, noting that they were worn over her corset and costume.

Those days were really interesting because once youre in the harness, you dont want to come out of the harness because it takes forever to get everything prepped again  the wires and whatnot, Erivo shared. Those days can be really big. They can be really exhausting because your body is being put through the strangest things.

To avoid the lengthy process of getting in and out of costume, Erivo opted to skip restroom breaks altogether, even on shooting days that began at 7 or 8 am and stretched well into the evening.

I dont go to the bathroom, she admitted. Once Im in my costume - and this is probably a terrible idea - and the harness is on, Im not doing it. Im not dealing with it. Theres too many layers. She added with a shrug, It is what it is.

Even when crew members offered her the chance to step away, Erivo declined. No, I dont need the bathroom, she recalled telling them. Lets go. Lets go. Were in it.

open image in gallery Erivo noted that once she had her costume on, she found it was easier to skip bathroom breaks altogether (  Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. )

The highly anticipated Wicked movie musical, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, brings Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzmans iconic stage production to the big screen. The musical, in turn, is based on Gregory Maguires 1995 novel, which reimagines the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West from L. Frank Baums The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its legendary 1939 film adaptation.

Split into two parts, the film delves into Elphabas life as a gifted young woman at Shiz University, where she meets Glinda, her eventual roommate and unlikely friend. The two navigate their bond until a brewing evil forces them apart, setting the stage for the story audiences have cherished for generations.

With its first installment set to hit theaters on November 22, Wicked promises to deliver a deeper dive into the origins of Ozs most iconic characters.
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The Good Food Guide has spoken, and Sunday lunch lovers, this ones for you. The revered dining bible has dropped its list of the 50 Best Sunday Roasts for 2024, celebrating the nations enduring obsession with lashings of gravy, roast potatoes that crunch like a gravel drive and Yorkshire puddings that could double as boat sails.

This isnt just a hat-tip to a few fancy spots. The list is a democratic affair, cooked up through public nominations and taste tests from the Guides anonymous inspectors, who know their way around a plate of beef and spuds. What theyve delivered is a mix of big-hitters, local favourites and off-the-beaten-path gems, all nailing the roast in their own way.

In London, the spotlight lands on the likes of The Devonshire in Soho, which brings a bit of theatre to proceedings, carving its beef tableside and pairing it with a red wine gravy thats practically a meal on its own. If youre the sort who prefers your roasts with all the trimmings and a side of showmanship, this ones hard to beat.

For something a bit more down-to-earth but no less spectacular, Hackneys Lagom at Hackney Church Brew Co serves up what might be the citys best-value Sunday lunch. Their hangover bowl, a glorious heap of roasted meats, potatoes, veg, and Yorkshire pudding, is a steal at 12. Pair it with a craft beer from the brewery and call it a weekend well spent.

But the list isnt all about London. Outside the capital, The Abbey Inn in North Yorkshire scoops the title of overall winner, and its easy to see why. With rare-breed meats from the owners family farm and clever touches like ox cheek toad-in-the-hole, its a roast that turns heads and fills bellies.

In the South West, The Cornish Arms in Tavistock earns praise for its roast sirloin of beef with maple-smoked pork belly and a slathering of red wine jus. Over in Cumbria, The Black Bull makes its mark with Hereford beef and Herdwick lamb, sourced locally and treated with the kind of care that makes this pub a true field-to-fork destination.

From pubs with classic boozers to bottle-shop bistros and everything in between, the list shows the roast isnt going anywhere. And thank God for that.

For the full list of winners and more details, visit The Good Food Guides Best Sunday Roasts 2024.

The Good Food Guides 50 Best Sunday Roasts 2024

Heres the full list of the 50 best Sunday roasts across the UK.

London

open image in gallery Blacklocks famous all-in roast feast  three cuts of dry-aged meat, duck-fat potatoes, and bottomless gravy ( Blacklock )

Blacklock Canary Wharf

Famous for its all-in sharing feast with three cuts of dry-aged meat, duck-fat potatoes, and endless gravy.

blacklock.com

The Canton Arms, Stockwell

Renowned for its slow-cooked salt marsh lamb shoulder and Dexter beef with rich accompaniments.

cantonarms.com

The Devonshire, Soho

Offers tableside carving, impeccable beef and a red wine gravy to die for.

devonshiresoho.co.uk

The Holland, Kensington

A neighbourhood gem serving beef rump, confit chicken and a veggie roast with excellent trimmings.

thehollandkensington.co.uk

Lagom at Hackney Church Brew Co

Affordable and indulgent with its 12 hangover bowl of meat, potatoes and brisket gravy.

hackneychurchbrew.co

The Red Lion & Sun, Highgate

Specialises in dry-aged Aberdeen Angus beef, Devon white chicken and a standout veggie roast.

theredlionandsun.com

South West England

open image in gallery Bank in Bristol serves up smoked short rib and Middle White pork belly with inventive sides like charred cauliflower ( Bank )

Bank, Bristol

Smoked short rib and Middle White pork belly served with inventive sides like charred cauliflower.

bankbristol.com

The Cornish Arms, Tavistock

Hearty portions of sirloin or Saddleback pork with maple-smoked belly and red wine jus.

thecornisharmstavistock.co.uk

The Dartmoor Inn, Lydford

Offers dry-aged beef sirloin, excellent cauliflower cheese and a top-notch nut roast.

dartmoorinn.com

The Great Bustard, Salisbury

Features lamb and beef cooked overnight, paired with spiced kale and red wine sauce.

thegreatbustard.uk

St Kew Inn, Bodmin

Cornish-sourced roasts like apple-smoked beef and rare-breed pork belly with garlic potatoes.

stkewinn.co.uk

The Millbrook Inn, South Pool

Organic farm meats like slow-cooked hogget and pork crackling, with to-die-for cauliflower cheese.

millbrookinnsouthpool.co.uk

The Somerford Arms, Wiltshire

A family-run pub serving exceptional Aberdeen/Hereford beef and big bowls of vegetables.

somerfordarms.com

South East England

open image in gallery The Cat Inns traditional roast with aged sirloin, pork belly or chicken, complete with crackling and Yorkshire pudding ( The Cat Inn )

The Cat Inn, West Hoathly

Traditional roasts of sirloin, pork belly or chicken, with flawless crackling and Yorkshire pudding.

catinn.co.uk

The Merry Harriers, Hambledon

Farm-to-fork cooking with Oxford Sandy pork collar and wagyu beef sirloin.

merryharriers.com

The Plough, Rye

Leans local with Winchelsea lamb, aged Castle Farm beef and Sussex cheese cauliflower.

theploughrye.co.uk

The Running Horses, Mickleham

A centuries-old pub serving herb-crusted pork belly, corn-fed chicken and epic Yorkshire puddings.

therunninghorses.co.uk

The White Hart, Fyfield

Slow-cooked Kelmscott pork belly and dry-aged beef in a stunning 15th-century setting.

whitehart-fyfield.com

Central England

The Howard Arms, Ilmington

A Cotswold charmer offering dry-aged sirloin and Paddock Farm pork loin.

howardarms.com

The New Inn, Hereford

Serves perfectly aged beef or lamb with Yorkshire puddings and divine red-wine gravy.

thenewinnherefordshire.co.uk

The Old Wharf Inn, Stourbridge

A family-friendly spot serving topside beef and Cotswold chicken with excellent wine pairings.

oldwharfinn.co.uk

The Olive Branch, Clipsham

Known for its 28-day beef sirloin and roast pork loin, served with seasonal vegetables.

theolivebranchpub.com

The Pack Horse, Hayfield

Offers beef sirloin, braised lamb shoulder and venison loin with thoughtful seasonal sides.

thepackhorsehayfield.uk

Seats at Robinsons, Wolverhampton

A butcher-turned-bistro serving roast topside and lamb shoulder with generous portions.

eatatseats.com

White Horse, Lincoln

Locally sourced beef and pork with creamy cauliflower cheese and red wine gravy.

whitehorselincoln.co.uk

East of England

open image in gallery The Brewers in Suffolk elevates the classic roast with top-drawer ingredients and perfectly executed accompaniments ( The Brewers )

The Brewers, Rattlesden

Contemporary roasts like lamb shoulder with cauliflower cheese and perfectly cooked beef sirloin.

thebrewersrattlesden.co.uk

The Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market

Dramatic Elk Room cooking, with beef and pork served alongside goose-fat potatoes.

theguntonarms.co.uk

Socius, Burnham Market

A family-style feast with aged beef, roast chicken and sides with a creative twist.

sociusnorfolk.co.uk

The Sun Inn, Felmersham

Local Middle White pork and beef fillet, served with homemade stuffing and vegetables.

thesunfelmersham.com

The Unruly Pig, Bromeswell

Elegant roasts like pork loin with crackling or 50-day aged rib of beef with bone-marrow gravy.

theunrulypig.co.uk

North West England

open image in gallery Locally sourced Hereford beef and Herdwick lamb shine at The Black Bull, served with treacle carrots and kale ( The Black Bull )

The Black Bull, Sedbergh

Locally sourced Hereford beef and Herdwick lamb, with treacle carrots and kale.

theblackbullsedbergh.co.uk

Fold, Marple Bridge

Fire-roasted beef bavettes and porchetta with creative sides like wagyu-fat potato slices.

foldbistro.co.uk

Heft, Grange-over-Sands

Herdwick hogget or 24oz dry-aged beef rib served with clever, esoteric sides.

hefthighnewton.co.uk

Shrub, Chester

A vegan roast featuring oyster mushroom Wellington, vegan Yorkshire pudding and rich gravy.

shrubchester.co.uk

Solo, Aughton

A refined tasting menu roast with Himalayan salt-aged beef and brisket-stuffed Yorkshire pudding.

restaurantsolo.co.uk

North East England

open image in gallery The Abbey Inns unbeatable roast, deservedly crowned Best Sunday Roast of 2024 ( The Abbey Inn )

The Abbey Inn, Byland

Overall winner, featuring Berkshire pork and ox cheek toad-in-the-hole with salt-aged beef.

abbeyinnbyland.co.uk

The Brick Yard, Brighouse

Family-style feasts of striploin beef or pork belly with creative posh sides.

thebrickyardbrighouse.co.uk

The Owl, Hawnby

Traditional roasts with duck-fat potatoes and beer-laced gravy, served in a moorland setting.

theowlhawnby.co.uk

Ox Club, Leeds

Fire-grilled roasts like fennel and apple porchetta with bone-marrow gravy.

oxclub.co.uk

The Social Distortion, Hull

A twist on tradition with Bangkok-inspired roasts featuring soy-glazed pork or tamarind-glazed celeriac.

thesocialdistortion.com

Scotland

Coorie Inn, Muthill

Perthshire pork, Scottish beef rump and whole roast chicken served with seasonal greens.

coorie-inn.com

Hawksmoor Edinburgh

Dry-aged native beef, crispy roasties and bottomless bone-marrow gravy.

thehawksmoor.com/locations/edinburgh

The Loveable Rogue, Glasgow

Speyside beef with garlicky potatoes, honeyed roots and brisket macncheese.

theloveablerogue.co.uk

Porter & Rye, Glasgow

Dry-aged beef with braised ox cheek, beef-dripping Yorkies and rich bone-marrow gravy.

porterandrye.com

Wales

open image in gallery Asador 44s Spanish twist on the Sunday roast, with slow-cooked Welsh lamb and flame-grilled sides ( Asador 44 )

Asador 44, Cardiff

Spanish-style Sunday lunch with slow-cooked Welsh lamb or flame-grilled family paella.

grupo44.co.uk/asador44

The Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon

Roast beef or pork belly with bara brith and Welsh cheeses to finish.

eatdrinksleep.ltd.uk

Forage Farm Shop & Kitchen, Cowbridge

Showcasing home-reared beef and pork with homegrown vegetables.

foragefarmshop.co.uk

Heaneys, Cardiff

Refined roasts of dry-aged beef or BBQ lamb with duck-fat potatoes and top-tier sides.

heaneyscardiff.co.uk

Three Horseshoes Inn, Groesffordd

Tops of Welsh beef or lamb with all the classic trimmings served in bowls.

threehorseshoesgroesffordd.com
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The McRib, a McDonalds fan favorite, is making its much-anticipated return.

Beginning December 3, the American fast food chain is pulling out all the stops for the McRibs festive return to participating locations throughout the U.S. Not only will the McRib  described by McDonalds as seasoned boneless pork dipped in a tangy BBQ sauce, topped with slivered onions and tangy pickles, all served on a toasted homestyle bun  be available to order at restaurant locations nationwide, but so will its beloved tangy sauce.

For the first time ever, fans can purchase a half-gallon jug of the chains signature McRib sauce, aptly named A Whole Lotta McRib Sauce. According to McDonalds, the jug is perfect for holiday parties, festive recipes, or the ultimate stocking stuffer for McRib lovers.

The sauce will drop ahead of the sandwich on November 25 at 10 a.m. ET and will be available to purchase online for $19.99.

In addition to the sandwich and the McRib sauce, the December roll-out will also feature an official holiday jingle, titled: It Could Only Mean One Thing (McRib is Here).

open image in gallery McDonalds fans can purchase the McRib beginning December 3, and the Whole Lotta McRib Sauce starting November 25 ( Courtesy of McDonalds )

The McRib is more than a sandwich  its a part of culture, its a legend, its an event, Tariq Hassan, McDonalds chief marketing and customer experience officer, said in a statement. McRib [season] is a holiday unto itself, so we wanted to embrace that spirit and give fans an even bigger way to celebrate this year with A Whole Lotta McRib Sauce.

The announcement of the McRibs return to participating U.S. locations comes after the sandwich made another return to McDonalds restaurants across the United Kingdom. Originally introduced in the early 1980s, the fan-favorite sandwich was removed from permanent circulation nearly a decade ago.

It is more than just a sandwich; its a phenomenon. We have heard our fans loud and clear  the fan petitions and pleas on social  and after almost a decade of anticipation, we are thrilled to bring back this iconic menu item, Thomas ONeill, the head of menu at McDonalds U.K., told The Independent last October.

Knowing how well-loved the McRib is, we had very little choice  we had to make it happen. It was time to step up and satisfy the cravings of McRib enthusiasts across the country.

The McRib was last available in the U.K. between 2014 and 2016 for short periods, but the excitement surrounding its return this year proves its status as a beloved menu item.
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Few things are as synonymous with Christmas as turkey, year in year out. Yet many of us still havent quite mastered the art of a perfectly roasted bird.

Disappointing, slightly dry turkey is a feature on festive tables across the country. We might throw some cranberry sauce on there and call it delicious (because it would be rude to the cook not to) but what tricks are you missing to really make the meat juicy and delicious?

If your Christmas turkey usually ends up dry, look no further than this recipe by a celebrity chef who currently holds eight Michelin stars across his restaurants: Gordon Ramsay.

Perfect roast turkey

Serves: 8-10

Ingredients:

1 free-range turkey (ideally Norfolk Black or Bronze), about 5-5.5kg

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 onions, peeled and halved

1 lemon, halved

1 head of garlic, halved horizontally

6 bay leaves

Olive oil, to drizzle

8 rashers of smoked streaky bacon

For the lemon, parsley and garlic butter:

375g butter, at room temperature

1 tbsp olive oil

Finely grated zest and juice of 2 small lemons

3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

Small bunch of flat leaf parsley, leaves only, chopped

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 220C/gas 7. Meanwhile, prepare the herb butter. Put the butter into a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the olive oil and mix well. Add the lemon zest and juice, crushed garlic and chopped parsley. Mix well to combine.

2. Remove the giblets from the turkey cavity. Season the cavity well with salt and pepper, then stuff with the onions, lemon, garlic halves and two bay leaves.

3. With your hands, loosen the skin on the breast from both ends of the bird so that you will be able to stuff the flavoured butter underneath it, making sure you keep the skin intact. Repeat with the skin on the legs  from the lower side of the breast feel your way under the skin and out towards the leg, loosening the gap.

4. Stuff half the butter mix into the opened spaces under the skin. From the outside of the skin, gently massage the butter around the breasts so that the meat is evenly covered. Finally, insert the rest of the bay leaves under the skin of the breasts.

5. Place the bird in a large roasting tray, breast side up. Spread the rest of the butter all over the skin. Season well with salt and pepper, then drizzle with a little olive oil. (If preparing a day ahead, cover the turkey with foil and refrigerate at this stage.)

6. Roast the turkey in the hot oven for 10-15 minutes. Take the tray out of the oven, baste the bird with the pan juices and lay the bacon rashers over the breast to keep it moist. Baste again. Lower the setting to 180C/Gas 4 and cook for about two and a half hours (calculating at 30 minutes per kilogram), basting occasionally.

7. To test whether your turkey is cooked, insert a skewer into the thickest part of the leg and check that the juices are running clear, rather than pink. As oven temperatures and turkey shapes and sizes vary, it is crucial to check your turkey about 30 minutes before the calculated roasting time. If the juices are pink, roast for another 15 minutes and check again. Repeat as necessary until the turkey is cooked.

8. Transfer the turkey to a warmed platter and remove the parsons nose, wings and tips of the drumsticks; reserve these for the gravy. Leave the turkey to rest in a warm place for at least 45 minutes; make the gravy in the meantime. Remove the bay leaves from under the skin before carving. Serve the turkey with the piping hot gravy, stuffing and accompaniments.

Gordon Ramsays perfect turkey pairs perfectly with his new Pinot Grigio, available in Tesco, RRP: 8.50 per bottle.
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Jay Leno took a fall that left him wearing an eye patch.

The former talk show host revealed in an interview with TMZ Monday (November 18) that he fell down a hill while walking from his hotel to a restaurant.

To get to it, I didnt have a car, so you had to walk about a mile and a half around. I said, Well, the hill doesnt look that steep. Its about 60-70 feet. Let me see if I can go down the hill, he told the outlet.

I fell down. Boom, boom, boom. I rolled down the hill, hit my head on a rock, knocked me in the eye, he added as he lifted his eye patch to show that his eye was swollen shut.

Leno still had a show to perform at the Yaamava Casino in Southern California shortly after the fall happened, so he decided to hold off on receiving medical attention until after the show.

When I came back to LA, I went to the hospital, he said. It was only a couple of hours after the show, so. Its not that big of a deal, its fine!

Leno has previously been involved in both a motorcycle accident and a gasoline fire ( Getty Images )

The great thing about this age [is] you dont learn by your mistakes, you just keep doing the same stupid thing, the former Tonight Show host said, seemingly referring to his multiple accidents throughout the last few years.

Back in 2022, Leno had to cancel a scheduled appearance at a Las Vegas financial conference after receiving serious burns in a gasoline fire.

I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire. I am ok. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet, he told Variety at the time.

It was later revealed that Leno was working in his garage when one of his cars spontaneously burst into flames and left him with second and third-degree burns. The former talk show host was taken to Grossman Burn Center and received skin graft surgeries on his chest, hands, and face.

Leno was involved in another accident in January 2023 after he fell off of a motorcycle and suffered several broken bones.

Ive got a broken collarbone. Ive got two broken ribs. Ive got two cracked kneecaps, he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal at the time.

But Im OK! Leno attempted to reassure fans who were concerned Im OK, Im working. Im working this weekend.

Leno had been test-driving a 1940 Indian motorcycle when he began smelling a gasoline leak. So I turned down a side street and cut through a parking lot, and unbeknownst to me, some guy had a wire strung across the parking lot but with no flag hanging from it, Leno said.

So, you know, I didnt see it until it was too late. It just clotheslines me and, boom, knocked me off the bike.
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Susan Smith, the South Carolina mother who killed her two sons by rolling her car into a lake in 1994 and then falsely blamed a Black man, will ask a parole board for her freedom on Wednesday.

For the last 30 years, Smith, 53, has served a life sentence behind bars after a jury convicted her of murder for strapping her two young sons into the backseat of the car before putting it into a lake. Now that shes hit the three-decade mark, she is eligible for a parole hearing every two years.

Her ex-husband, David Smith, is now pleading to leave her in prison.

30 years is just not enough, David told Today. This wasnt an accident. She deliberately killed Michael and Alex.

open image in gallery David Smith, the ex-husband of Susan Smith, doesnt believe she is sorry for killing their two young children in 1994 ( Today )

Smith killed three-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alex in October 1994 because a man she was having an affair with suggested the boys were the reason they didnt have a future together, prosecutors said during the trial.

But she made international headlines by claiming she was carjacked late at night near the city of Union, South Carolina, and that a man drove away with her sons inside. Smith, who is white, said the carjacker was Black. For nine days, Smith and David made pleas asking for their sons to be returned safely  the entire time, the boys were strapped in a car at the bottom of the John D. Long Lake.

David said he doesnt believe Smith is sorry nor will she ever be rehabilitated.

God gives us free will and that was her choice that night, nobody elses choice. Nobody made it for her. She made the choice to murder Michael and Alex, David told Today.

He and prosecutors plan to oppose Smiths request for parole to the seven-member parole board.

A decision to grant parole requires a two-thirds vote of board members present at the hearing, according to the state Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. Parole in South Carolina is granted only about 8 percent of the time and is less likely with an inmates first appearance before the board, in notorious cases or when prosecutors and the families of victims are opposed.

open image in gallery In a July 9, 1995 file photo, visitors walk down the ramp where Alex and Michael Smith were drowned ( AP1995 )

At the time of the case, investigators said Smiths story didnt add up.

Carjackers usually just want a vehicle, so investigators questioned why they would let Smith out but not her children. The traffic light where Smith said she had stopped when her car was taken would only be red if another car was waiting to cross, yet Smith said no other cars were around. Other bits and pieces of the story did not make sense.

Smith ultimately confessed to letting her car roll down a boat ramp and into the lake. A re-creation by investigators showed it took six minutes for the Mazda to dip below the surface, while cameras inside the vehicle showed water pouring in through the vents and steadily rising.

The boys bodies were found dangling upside-down in their car seats, one tiny hand pressed against a window,

open image in gallery Susan and David Smith address reporters in 1994 ( AP1994 )

Prosecutors said Smith was having an affair with the wealthy son of the owner of the business she worked at. He broke it off because she had the two young sons.

Smiths lawyers said she was remorseful, was suffering a mental breakdown and intended to die alongside her children but left the car at the last moment.

The 1995 trial of the young mother became a national sensation and a true crime touchstone even though it wasnt televised by a judge who worried about what cameras were doing to the O.J. Simpson murder trial going on at the same time. Her lawyers worked to save her life, noting that Smith's father had killed himself and that her stepfather was having sex with her along with the owner of the business where she worked.

open image in gallery This May 24, 2021 mage provided by the South Carolina Department of Corrections shows Susan Smith ( South Carolina Department of Corrections )

From prison, Smith can make phone calls and answer text messages, many coming from journalists and interested men. Those messages and phone calls were released under South Carolinas open records act, something Smith didnt initially realize could happen. She said the invasion of her privacy upset her along with the public revelation that she was juggling conversations about the future with several men.

Smith says in some of the messages she still grieves for her children.

Smith also had sex with guards. And she violated prison policies by giving out contact information for friends, family members and her ex-husband to a documentary producer who discussed paying her for her help, according to former prosecutor Tommy Pope.
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The Czech Defense Ministry said on Wednesday it plans to buy 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks from Germany in a $167 million deal that's part of a major modernization of the country's military amid Russias war against Ukraine.

The ministry said it hopes the deal, worth almost 4 billion Czech crowns or koruna, would be signed with Germanys Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH by the end of the year, with the tanks to be delivered by the end of 2026.

Germany has already donated 28 Leopard 2A4 tanks to the Czechs in exchange for the weapons they gave to Ukraine. The Leopards will replace the obsolete Soviet-era T-72 tanks.

We continue in the modernization of the tank forces, but also of the entire army, Defense Minister Jana Cernochova said. Its another step to get rid of the old Russian weapons and improve our capabilities.

Earlier this year, the Czech government agreed to get up to 77 Leopard 2A8 tanks in a cooperation deal with several other countries led by Germany. Leopard 2A8 is the latest, most modern version of the tank while 2A4 is an older model.

Last year, the Czech government approved a plan to acquire 24 U.S. F-35 fighter jets and 246 CV90 armored combat vehicles from Sweden, among other deals.
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The landmark national security trial of prominent Hong Kong activist publisher Jimmy Lai resumes Wednesday, with the founder of the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily expected to testify in his defense soon.

Lai was arrested in 2020 during a crackdown on mass pro-democracy protests that rocked Hong Kong starting in 2019. He is fighting charges of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to issue seditious publications. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

His case, tied to the Apple Daily newspaper that Lai founded, is widely seen as a measure of press freedom and judicial independence in the Asian financial hub.

Beijing promised to retain the former British colony's civil liberties for 50 years when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997. But critics say that promise has become threadbare under the rubric of maintaining national security.

Authorities have used a Beijing-imposed national security law to prosecute many of the city's leading activists, including Lai and 45 other democracy advocates who were sentenced on Tuesday. Other pro-democracy figures were forced into self-exile or silenced. Dozens of civil society groups have disbanded under the threat of the law.

Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist that the law restored stability to the city following the 2019 protests.

Prosecutors have alleged that Lai requested foreign countries, especially the United States, to take actions against Beijing under the guise of fighting for freedom and democracy.

They pointed to Lais meetings with former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and senior U.S. senators in July 2019 to discuss a now-withdrawn extradition bill that sparked the massive anti-government protests. They allege that Lai sought support from the U.S. in sanctioning mainland Chinese and Hong Kong leaders who cracked down on the movement.

Dozens of people were in line Wednesday morning in the rain to secure a seat in the courtroom, including former Apple Daily reader William Wong who arrived around 6 a.m. Wong, 64, said he wanted to remind Lai that Hong Kongers have not forgotten him.

I haven't seen him for a few months. I know he will testify himself, so I want to encourage him, he said.

The American and British governments and a group of independent United Nations human rights experts have called for Lai's release.

Before the U.S. election, President-elect Donald Trump, when asked on a podcast whether he would talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping to seek Lai's release, said 100%, I will get him out.

Hong Kong leader John Lee said mutual respect is important for the development of trade relations and there should be no interference in local affairs. Beijing also criticized some U.S. lawmakers for supporting Lai.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also raised concerns over Lai's detention to Xi in a meeting during the G20 summit in Brazil.

Hong Kong's security minister Chris Tang on Tuesday maintained the prosecution was based on facts.

Lai's son, Sebastien Lai, said on Friday that his father's treatment in prison is inhumane. My father is now 77 and has spent nearly four years in a maximum-security prison in solitary confinement, he said in the statement released by Britain-based law firm Doughty Street Chambers.

On Sunday, the Hong Kong government condemned some members of the law firm for what it called spreading misinformation. It said the separation of Lai from other inmates has been made at his own request and was approved by prison authorities.

The trial has also drawn criticism from media and right groups.

The Committee to Protect Journalists' CEO Jodie Ginsber said this show trial must end before it is too late."
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The wife of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye said Wednesday he was kidnapped in neighboring Kenya and is being held in a Ugandan military jail.

Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS, wrote on the social platform X that her husband was last seen Saturday in Kenya, where he was attending a politicians book launch. She said she was reliably informed that he was being held in a military jail.

We his family and his lawyers demand to see him. He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail? Byanyima wrote.

Besigye, a fierce critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has on previous occasions been arrested and assaulted.

The Ugandan government has not commented on the latest incident involving Besigye.

Korir Singoei, Kenya's foreign affairs permanent secretary, told local media that Kenya was not involved in the alleged incident.

Besigye, who was once Musevenis personal doctor, has contested and lost four presidential elections.

Museveni has ruled the east African country since 1986 and human rights groups previously criticized him for rights violations against opposition figures.
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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday that a deal has been reached for Indonesia to send back a Filipino death-row drug convict, who was nearly executed by firing squad but got a reprieve due to years of pleadings from Manila.

Marcos thanked Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his government for granting a longstanding Philippine request for Mary Jane Veloso to be brought back home to serve her sentence in her country.

Mary Jane Veloso is coming home, Marcos said in a statement. Arrested in 2010 on drug trafficking charges and sentenced to death, Mary Janes case has been a long and difficult journey.

It was not immediately clear when Veloso would be transported to the Philippines, but Marcos said he looked forward to welcoming her home.

In Jakarta, Indonesia, Evi Loliancy, the chief of Yogyakarta's female prison, told The Associated Press that there was still no request or order for Veloso's release.

She will still be under our supervision at the Yogyakarta Correctional Institution until there is a specific order regarding her transfer from the High Prosecutors Office," she said.

The decision, Marcos said, is a reflection of the depth our nations partnership with Indonesia  united in a shared commitment to justice and compassion."

Details of the agreement were not immediately disclosed but if Veloso's transfer proceeds, it would remove the possibility of her facing an execution because the Philippines, Asias largest Roman Catholic nation, has long abolished the death penalty.

In 2015, Indonesian authorities moved Veloso to an island prison where she and eight other drug convicts were scheduled to be executed by firing squad despite objections from the convicts' home countries, including Australia, Brazil, France, Ghana and Nigeria.

Indonesia executed the eight other drug convicts.

Velosos case has caused a public outcry in the Philippines, where her family and supporters contend she is innocent and was unaware that somebody had concealed the pack of heroin in her suitcase that was found when she entered Indonesia.

A poor housewife, she traveled to Indonesia in 2010 where her godsister reportedly told her a job as a domestic worker awaited her. Her godsister also allegedly provided the suitcase where the prohibited drugs were found.

Marcos said Velosos story resonated with many in the Philippines, as a mother trapped by the grip of poverty, who made one desperate choice that altered the course of her life."

While she was held accountable under Indonesian law, she remains a victim of her circumstances," Marcos said.

The Philippines has been a global source of manual labor, including many impoverished women who abandon their families for higher-paying jobs and better opportunities abroad. Alarming abuse, especially of Filipina house helpers, has prompted Philippine authorities to impose restrictions and safeguards but the exploitations have continued.

At least 59 Filipinos around the world face the death penalty mostly for drug and murder convictions, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said.

___

Associated Press journalist Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia contributed to this report.
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Australia's communications minister said Wednesday the government won't force social media users to hand over their personal information to tech companies, as children younger than 16 are set to be banned from the platforms.

Michelle Rowland plans to introduce into Parliament on Thursday world-first legislation that would make X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram responsible for excluding Australian children younger than 16 from the platforms.

After the bill becomes law, the platforms would have one year to work out how to implement the ban on younger children before they face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic breaches.

How the platforms will be able to determine the ages of account holders is not yet known.

Rowland told Parliament on Wednesday the legislation will contain robust provisions to protect social media users privacy.

This is not about government mandating any form of technology or demanding any personal information be handed over to social media companies, Rowland said.

The government announced last week that a consortium led by British company Age Check Certification Scheme has been contracted to examine various technologies to estimate and verify ages.

In addition to removing children under 16 from social media, Australia is also looking for ways to prevent children under 18 from accessing online pornography, a government statement said.

Age Check Certification Scheme's chief executive Tony Allen said Monday the technologies being considered included age estimation and age inference. Inference involves establishing a series of facts about individuals that point to them being at least a certain age.

None of these methods is 100% accurate, Allen told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Allens company will report back to the Australian government by the end of June next year.

I think if people understand the risk and the check is carried out close to that risk, then I think people generally are OK ... We dont want our children to be exposed to extreme violent video games or to pornography or to suicide material or to things that are going to cause them problems with their mental development such as body dysmorphia and weight loss and stuff like that, Allen said.

What people are less keen on is having to go through ID check and verifications to access the internet generally or to do things online generally, Allen added.

Digital Industry Group Inc., an advocate for the digital industry in Australia, described the age limit as a 20th century response to 21st century challenges.
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Southeast Asian defense chiefs and representatives are meeting in the Laotian capital on Wednesday for security talks at a time of increasing maritime disputes with China in the Asia-Pacific and as the transition to a new U.S. president looms.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was set to join the meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations defense ministers in Vientiane, where many will be looking for assurances ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's return to power in January.

Austin just wrapped up meetings in Australia with officials there and Japan's defense minister, where they pledged their ongoing support for ASEAN and their serious concern about destabilizing actions in the East and South China Seas, including dangerous conduct by the People's Republic of China against Philippines and other coastal state vessels.

In addition to the United States, other nations attending the two-day ASEAN meetings include Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and China.

Along with the Philippines, ASEAN member states Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei all have competing claims with China in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in entirety as its own territory.

Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos make up the rest of the member states.

As China has been more assertively pushing its claims in recent years, ASEAN members and Beijing have been negotiating a code of conduct to govern behavior in the sea for years, but progress has been slow.

Officials have agreed to try and complete the code by 2026, but talks have been hampered by sticky issues, including disagreements over whether the pact should be binding.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has called for more urgency in the code of conduct negotiations, complained at the meeting of ASEAN leaders last month that his country continues to be subject to harassment and intimidation by Chinas actions, which he said violated international law.

Chinese and Philippine vessels have clashed repeatedly this year, and Vietnam in October charged that Chinese forces assaulted its fishermen in disputed areas in the South China Sea. China has also sent patrol vessels to areas that Indonesia and Malaysia claim as exclusive economic zones.

At the meeting of ASEAN leaders last month, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was "very concerned about Chinas increasingly dangerous and unlawful activities in the South China Sea which have injured people, harm vessels from ASEAN nations and contradict commitments to peaceful resolutions of disputes.

He pledged that the U.S. would "continue to support freedom of navigation, and freedom of overflight in the Indo Pacific.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said U.S. and other military presences from outside the region were the main source of instability in the sea.

The increasing military deployment and activities in the South China Sea by the U.S. and a few other non-regional countries, stoking confrontation and creating tensions, are the greatest source of instability for peace and stability in the South China Sea, Mao said.

It is not yet clear how the incoming Trump administration will address the South China Sea situation.

After Austin's meetings in Australia, the Defense Department said the U.S., Australia and Japan had agreed to expand joint drills in the region, and announced a defense consultation body among the three countries forces to strengthen their cooperation.

When asked Tuesday while in the Philippines about whether the strong U.S. defense support would continue for the country under Trump, Austin said he would not speculate.

It remained unclear whether Austin plans to meet China's Defense Minister Dong Jun on the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings, but Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani is expected to meet with Dong to express his concerns over Beijing's military activities, Japan's NHK reported.

Japan has protested that a Chinese military aircraft violated its airspace briefly in August, and in September Japan expressed serious concerns after a Chinese aircraft carrier and two destroyers sailed between two Japanese islands.

The meetings are also likely to touch on the ongoing tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the escalating conflict in the Middle East. They also expect to hold talks on a range of issues, including natural disasters, cybersecurity and terrorism.

Another thorny security issue in the region also includes the civil war and growing humanitarian crisis in ASEAN member Myanmar. The group's credibility has been severely tested by the war in Myanmar, where the army ousted an elected government in 2021, and fighting has continued with pro-democracy guerillas and ethnic rebels.

More than a year into an offensive initiated by three militias and joined by other resistance groups, observers estimate that less than half the countrys territory remains under the armys control.

Myanmar military rulers have been barred from ASEAN meetings since late 2021, but this year, the country has been represented by high-level bureaucrats, including at the summit in October.

___

Associated Press writer David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this report.
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As the number of human bird flu cases have continued to rise across the US, H5N1 infections have sparked near fears about the nations response and the possible threat of another pandemic.

The virus is spread to humans via several pathways. On a farm, for example, workers can inhale infected particles, pick up germs from sick animals and other surfaces and then touch their faces and eyes, and drink raw milk from cows.

Those who have had no contact with infected poultry or other sources of contamination are thought to be at very low risk of infection. No infections have been reported from eating properly cooked poultry or poultry products or proper handling of poultry meat.

The number of confirmed cases climbed to at least 53 this week, after new H5N1 infections were reported in California and Oregon. The majority of those cases were in people who worked with or around infected animals.

The continual spread of the virus, which has stricken 30 percent of the Golden States dairy herds, is sparking fears about the nations response and raising the possible threat of another pandemic.

In 2009, H1N1 caused the first global flu pandemic in 40 years, with the first infections detected in California. More than 12,000 people died around the US, and nearly 61,000 people were infected. The pig flu was constantly in headlines as communities tried to track the number of sick and dead from the contagious virus.

Now, more than 15 years later, social media users have called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide vaccines and other protection for anyone who could be at risk of exposure to bird flu H5N1.

And, of the cases reported in the Western Pacific Region from January 2003 through this past September, the World Health Organization says there was a case fatality rate of 54 percent.

open image in gallery Two chickens are seen pecking at the dirt. Bird flu was confirmed in birds in Hawaii over the last week. The virus has infected more than 50 people across seven states ( Getty Images/iStock )

The US response to the virus came under fire on Tuesday in an op-ed published in The New York Times. South Africas director of the Center for Epidemic Response and Innovation said he was watching its spread with dread, calling it a serious pandemic threat.

And yet, the US response appears inadequate and slow, with too few genomic sequences of H5N1 cases in farm animals made publicly available for scientific review, Dr. Tulio de Oliveira wrote. Failure to control H5N1 among American livestock could have global consequences, and this demands urgent attention. The United States has done little to reassure the world that it has the outbreak contained.

However, as states have reported additional infections in farmworkers and Canada health authorities said a teenager was left in critical condition after infection, officials have maintained that risk to the public remains low. The CDC assured it is monitoring the situation carefully.

The virus that infected the Canadian teen underwent mutational changes that would make it easier for that version of H5N1 to infect people, scientists told STAT News. But, theres not evidence they infected anyone else.

While US cases in humans and animals have increased, with Hawaii reporting its first outbreak in poultry on a backyard farm, the agency also noted that genetic sequencing from cases at poultry farms in Washington had identified a change that could reduce influenza viruses susceptibility to neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral drugs, such as the treatment Tamiflu.

open image in gallery A colorized electron microscope image shows H5N1 virus particles. The increase in cases has some people remembering th 2009 H1N1 outbreak ( (CDC/NIAID via AP) )

Slightly reduced susceptibility is NOT the same as resistance. This change is unlikely to have meaningful impact on the clinical benefit of oseltamivir, which is recommended antiviral treatment of H5 bird flu, the CDC noted.

Drug resistance, also known as antimicrobial resistance, occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines that are designed to defeat them. As a result, infections become difficult or impossible to treat. Drug resistance is a natural process that occurs over time through genetic changes in pathogens.

In the US, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur each year, and a 2019 CDC report found that more than 35,000 people die as a result.

Earlier this year, the CDC said it was tracking dual mutant strains of H1N1 influenza in US patients. The strains had genetic changes that could cut the effectiveness of the main flu antiviral drug.
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Artificial intelligence models are getting better at detecting brain tumors in images from MRIs.

More than 150 types of brain tumors have been identified to date; and while not all of them are brain cancer, they can still be dangerous because of their locations. Benign brain tumors located in vital areas of the brain can be life-threatening. On rare occasions, a benign tumor can become malignant, according to John Hopkins Medicine.

Nearly 19,000 people were projected to die from brain and other nervous system cancers this year. About the same amount were estimated to die from brain and spinal cord tumors last year, according to the American Cancer Society.

Now, scientists have trained convolutional neural networks  also known as machine learning algorithms, a type of AI  to identify which MRI images showed healthy brains and which had been affected by cancer. In addition, the models could determine the area affected by cancer and what type of cancer it looked like.

open image in gallery While brain tumors arent all cancerous, they can still be dangerous to those who have them. New research is using AI to better detect tumors in MRI images ( Getty Images/iStock )

They found that the AI networks scored highly at detecting normal brain images and distinguishing the difference between cancerous and healthy brains. The first could detect brain cancer with an average accuracy rate of nearly 86 percent. The second had a rate of more than 83 percent.

Researchers used public domain MRI imaging data to train the models. Their findings were published Tuesday in a new paper in the journal Biology Methods and Protocols.

To improve the networks abilities to detect tumors, the authors trained them in camouflage detection. They believed that there was a parallel between an animal that hides through natural camouflage  such as chameleons and walking stick insects  and a group of cancerous cells that blend in with healthy brain tissue.

They authors found that the network could generate images showing specific areas in its classification. This capability, they said, would allow doctors to cross-validate their own decisions with those from the AI.

In all cases, the networks still struggle to distinguish between types of brain cancer.

The best-performing proposed model was about 6 percent less accurate than standard human detection.

open image in gallery Now, scientists have trained convolutional neural networks  also known as machine learning algorithms, a type of AI  to identify which MRI images showed healthy brains and which had been affected by cancer ( Getty Images )

Still, the researchers said their accuracy and clarity improved as they were trained in camouflage detection and their capacity to reuse a model trained on one task for a new but related project also led to an increase in accuracy.

The news comes after a study from the University of Michigan Health that found AI could predict the genetics of cancerous brain tumors in under 90 seconds.

Advances in AI permit more accurate detection and recognition of patterns, the papers lead author, Arash Yazdanbakhsh, said in a statement. This consequently allows for better imaging-based diagnosis aid and screening, but also necessitate more explanation for how AI accomplishes the task.

Aiming for AI explainability enhances communication between humans and AI in general. This is particularly important between medical professionals and AI designed for medical purposes. Clear and explainable models are better positioned to assist diagnosis, track disease progression, and monitor treatment, he said.
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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday welcomed Chinas President Xi Jinping for a state visit at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, the latest sign of deepening ties between the two countries that analysts say may accelerate as Donald Trump returns to the White House in 2025.

China overtook the U.S. as Brazils biggest export market in 2009. Since then, the links between the two nations have strengthened in trade and investment  and on Wednesday the two leaders signed 37 agreements in areas ranging from trade and tourism to agriculture, industry, science and technology, health, energy, culture and education.

That reflects a broader trend, experts said. Last week, Xi inaugurated a $1.3 billion megaport in Peru, perhaps the clearest sign of Latin Americas reorientation.

Latin America has always been forgotten by the United States and the European Union. Who fills that void? China, said Flavia Loss, an international relations professor at Foundation School of Sociology and Politics in Sao Paulo.

Donald Trumps election is already accelerating this proximity. Were clearly seeing it happening now, live, she added.

The state visit by the Chinese leader comes more than a year after Lula visited China seeking to strengthen ties and mend relations with its biggest trade partner after a rocky period under his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaros lawmaker son Eduardo blamed the COVID-19 pandemic on the Chinese Communist Party and referred to the giant Chinese technology company Huawei as Chinese espionage, prompting sharp rebukes. During eight months in 2022, China did not have an ambassador in Brazil.

Lula has taken an opposite stance. Repairing relations with China is also part of his strategy to replace Brazil on the international scene after a period of isolation under Bolsonaro who showed little interest in global affairs.

In remarks to journalists on Wednesday, Lula said that what China and Brazil do together reverberates around the world highlighting the collaboration of both countries within the United Nations and BRICS group of developing nations.

Xi referred to China and Brazil as reliable friends with a shared destiny and positive forces to promote peace."

From January to October 2024, trade between the countries amounted to $136.3 billion, according to a Nov. 13 statement from Brazils presidential palace.

Since 2004, when President Lula visited China for the first time, bilateral trade has grown more than 17 times. Exports to China were greater than the sum of our sales to the United States and the European Union, Eduardo Saboia, secretary for Asia and the Pacific at the ministry of foreign affairs, said in the statement.

China has been pressuring Brazil to join its Belt and Road Initiative, BRI, which started as a program for Chinese companies to build transportation, energy and other infrastructure around the world.

While initially cautious, Brazil has considered the idea and is seeking partners in areas such as funds to limit human-caused climate change and finance adaptation measures, said Pedro Brites, an expert on China at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a university and think tank in Sao Paulo.

But Brazil, as this state visit shows, has managed to seal good agreements with China without having joined, so I dont know if the gain is still worth it in Brazils calculation, he added.

While Trumps return to the White House may accelerate the proximity between China and Brazil, adhering too much to Chinese leadership could come with a cost for the South American nation, causing rifts with Washington and European nations, said Brites.

Brazil will maintain its rapprochement and bargain to a certain extent, but I think there will be a limit, he added.

____

Associated Press writer Didi Tang, in Washington, D.C., contributed.
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Finnish authorities said Wednesday they have opened an investigation into the rupture of a data cable under the Baltic Sea, adding to a Swedish probe into the possible sabotage of that link and another cable.

The C-Lion1 cable, which runs between Finland and Germany was damaged on Monday, the day after similar damage to a cable that crosses the Baltic between Lithuania and Sweden, with the incidents occurring off the Swedish islands of Oland and Gotland respectively. Germany's defense minister said Tuesday that the damage appeared to have been caused by sabotage, though there is no proof at present.

Finlands National Bureau of Investigation said it opened a criminal investigation into the rupture of the C-Lion1 cable on suspicion of aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications.

Swedish police already opened a preliminary investigation Tuesday into suspected sabotage regarding the two cable breaches, and said Wednesday that Swedish police and prosecutors are also interested in a ship that has been seen at the locations in question.

They didn't give any details or identify the vessel, but said that it is not currently in Swedish waters.

The official investigations came as news reports said a Chinese-flagged vessel, the Yi Peng 3, had been in the area at the time of the ruptures.

Vessel tracking information from the Marine Traffic website showed the 225-meter (738-foot) long bulk carrier not moving Wednesday afternoon off the coast of Denmark in the Baltic.

The Royal Danish Navy did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from The Associated Press.
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Three men have been arrested after bomb squads were called to reports of a potential suspicious item at a Glasgow bus station.

Students and staff at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) were reportedly told to evacuate the campus after the discovery of the object at the nearby Buchanan Bus Station.

The bus station remains closed as a bomb disposal team continued their enquiries at the scene on Wednesday evening.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: Three men have been arrested in connection with the incident at Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow, which was reported around 1.10pm today, Thursday, 20 November, 2024.

EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) are at the scene and enquiries remain ongoing.

open image in gallery ( Andrew Milligan/PA Wire )

The public were advised to avoid the area as Killermont Street in the city centre was closed to traffic and pedestrians, with diversions in place.

Public transport company SPT, which operates the station, apologised to passengers as it announced the closure of the station as police dealt with the incident.

In a later statement shared on social media, a spokesperson said: Buchanan Bus Station and surrounding area remains closed due to the ongoing police incident. Please do not come to the bus station.

open image in gallery ( Andrew Milligan/PA Wire )

For info on the impact on specific bus services please check with the relevant bus operator. Expect disruptions. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Following the bus stations closure, students received a notification seen by local media urging them to evacuate the GCU campus immediately as a precaution.

open image in gallery ( Andrew Milligan/PA Wire )

A spokesperson for GCU later said: Following direction from Police Scotland relating to the incident at Buchannan Bus Station, we evacuated our campus as a precaution this afternoon.

We will be providing further updates to our staff and students in due course.

A number of businesses in the area have also been affected. The Royal Concert Halls planned An Audience With Celtic Legends event was cancelled.

On X, a spokesperson for the venue said: An Audience With Celtic Legends  Wednesday 20 November. Due to circumstances beyond our control, this evenings event has been cancelled.

open image in gallery ( Andrew Milligan/PA Wire )

All ticket holders will be contacted in due course. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

A number of transport services experienced disruption as a result of the incident, with bus operator Stagecoachs Ayr-Glasgow X77 service, which terminates at Buchanan Bus Station, now terminating in Hope Street in Glasgow.

Railway operator ScotRail has experienced similar issues, having shut down Glasgow Queen Streets high level station until it is deemed safe to reopen at 9:30pm.
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A coroner has named the husband of a young woman who was strangled to death as the prime suspect for her murder.

Harshita Brella, 24, is believed to have been murdered in Corby in Northamptonshire on the evening of 10 November before her body was driven in the boot of a car to Ilford the following day.

An international manhunt has been launched for her husband Pankaj Lamba, the prime suspect in her killing, with police releasing CCTV images to assist the investigation.

Opening her inquest, senior coroner Anne Pember said: I open an inquest touching on the death of Harshita Brella, a 24-year-old lady found in a vehicle in Ilford.

The East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit have informed me that Harshita was murdered at her home in Corby by her husband Pankaj Lamba. Her husband is then believed to have fled the country.

open image in gallery Pankaj Lamba is the prime suspect and is the subject of an international manhunt (Northamptonshire Police) ( PA Media )

A post-mortem examination carried out at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Friday gave the preliminary cause of death as strangulation.

Ms Brellas parents, speaking from India, told BBC News they want justice after their daughters death.

Sonia Dabas, Ms Brellas sister, said the family thought something was wrong by November 13 after her phone was off for two days, and asked people to file a complaint.

A neighbour has said she heard two blistering rows, involving one where a woman sounded scared, days before Ms Brellas body was found.

A police spokesman confirmed Ms Brella had previously been the victim of domestic violence and was made subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) at Northampton Magistrates Court in September.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell, from the East Midlands Special Operations major crime unit, said: We are working closely with policing colleagues and our partners in the CPS, and in order to secure justice for Harshita, there are certain aspects of this investigation we are unable to comment on.

open image in gallery CCTV appears to show the suspect entering Jaffe Road, just off Brisbane Road ( Northamptonshire Police )

Our inquiries have established that Pankaj Lamba drove a Silver Vauxhall Corsa from Corby to Ilford sometime on the morning of Monday 11 November.

We suspect Harshitas body had been placed in the boot of the vehicle by Lamba before leaving Corby.

Lamba then abandoned the vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford and made his getaway.

Any information, no matter how small, may be relevant to the investigation and help us get justice for Harshita.

Northamptonshire Police have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of previous contact with Ms Brella.

Anyone who may have information is asked to call police on 101 quoting Operation Westcott or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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Policing this summers riots cost forces 31.7million and foreign bots turbo-charged the spread of misinformation which fuelled the unrest, the UKs counter-terrorism police chief has revealed.

False information about the identity of the alleged Southport attacker received 27 million impressions on X, formerly Twitter, in the first day after the mass stabbing of children at a Taylor-Swift themed dance class.

Matt Jukes, the head of UK Counter Terrorism policing, said this misinformation was amplified by foreign bots from states, including Russia.

Speaking to journalists at a policing summit in Westminster on Wednesday, Mr Jukes said: The vast majority of that messaging, which was problematic online, was domestic, driven by people who lived in our communities, who were stoking fear in those communities.

But we have seen that turbo-charged by bots online. And so as we were tracking the amount of traffic, hateful traffic, during the 24-hour period across the days, we would see tremendous spikes as around midnight, bots kicked in.

And we would just see that the amplification, automation of that reach of those messages which were at times hateful, at times misinformation.

open image in gallery The head of UK Counter Terrorism policing Matt Jukes said online misinformation was turbocharged by bots ( PA Wire )

He also hit out at unhelpful domestic commentators who know that police cannot release certain information during ongoing court proceedings but hint at cover up and conspiracy.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is among those who have claimed there has been a cover-up over the Southport murders.

We do need responsible commentators, Mr Jukes said. It is unhelpful when people who I suspect fully well know what the constraints are on reporting during ongoing legal proceedings, point to limited disclosures or limits on what can be said as evidence of cover up and conspiracy.

Nine in ten rioters were male and almost half were aged 18 to 35 years old, according to new figures on the unrest from the National Police Chiefs Council. Some 17 per cent of those who took part were under 18.

A total of 1590 people have been arrested so far over the disorder, but these numbers will continue to grow as many active inquiries continue to identify all those responsible.

The total cost has already reached 31.7 million, but this is expected to rise. Over the 12 day period of rioting public order officers worked over 40,000 hours worth of shifts.

A small percentage of the arrests linked to the disorder were for online offences, while the rest were for disorder or violence in real life.

Mr Jukes went on: Theres a legend which has emerged that the thought police were out arresting hundreds and hundreds of people for having opinions.

open image in gallery Disorder in Southport on 30 July which erupted following the attack at a childrens dance class ( PA Wire )

And the reality is the hundreds and hundreds of people who were arrested were arrested because of their suspected involvement in violence, criminal damage, direct harms in communities.

He also called on social media platforms to take responsibility for misinformation.

One of the driving groups in relation to disorder during the summer was 10,000 plus people on Telegram, a company which has got, I believe, 900 million users, and have only recently got in the region of 100 staff, Mr Jukes said.

So there is a need for responsible investment by governments in law enforcement, by governments in regulators, and by people who make billions out of the information environment.

Matt Storey, PCC for Cleveland, which saw significant disorder in Hartlepool and Middlesborough, said the violence was predominantly motivated by hate and racism.

He plans to visit rioters in prison to carry out a program of restorative justice, but said a number of offenders had really good jobs, really settled lifestyles, middle class and have lost everything because they basically got drawn into it.
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The family of a woman found dead in her flat after she failed to turn up to work are said to be stunned and completely devastated, as a suspect appears in court.

Phoenix Spencer-Horn, 21, was discovered suffering fatal injuries after missing her Monday shift at the Strathaven Hotel in South Lanarkshire.

Ewan Methven, 26, appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Wednesday charged with the killing.

One friend paid tribute to Phoenix on Facebook, posting: I cant imagine what you went through.

May you rest in eternal peace gorgeous girl. I will remember and cherish our memories.

Ms Spencer-Horn was reportedly seen at work on Friday, but a source told the Daily Record the alarm was raised after she failed to turn up for a shift on Monday.

A neighbour told of their shock as police swarmed the St Leonards area of Glen Lee.

They told the Scottish Sun: It was like something out of a movie, the blue lights were everywhere and it was obvious something very serious was going on.

This is normally a very quiet area so nobody can quite believe what has happened.

Police Scotland said a 26-year-old man had been arrested and charged in connection with the death.

A spokesman said: Around 12.10pm on Monday, 18 November, 2024, the body of Phoenix Spencer-Horn, 21, was found within a flat on Glen Lee. Her family is aware.

Detective Chief Inspector Susie Cairns, Lanarkshire CID, said: Phoenixs family are obviously stunned and completely devastated by what has happened and we will continue to support them and those affected during this very distressing time.

Officers remain at the scene however there is no wider risk to the public.
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A new study has revealed areas where people can spot someone faking their accent the best.

People from Glasgow, Belfast, and the north-east of England are better at telling when someone is faking their accent than people from London and Essex, research suggests.

In a study by Cambridge University, people from Belfast proved most able to detect someone imitating their accent, while people from London, Essex and Bristol were least accurate.

Corresponding author Dr Jonathan R Goodman, of Cambridges Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies, said: We think that the ability to detect fake accents is linked to an areas cultural homogeneity, the degree to which its people hold similar cultural values.

Researchers recruited around 50 speakers of seven accents of English and got them to read sentences in their own accents, and to read them while mimicking other accents.

The accents were: north-east England, Belfast, Dublin, Bristol, Glasgow, Essex, and Received Pronunciation (RP), commonly understood as standard British English.

They then got participants to listen to short recordings and determine whether the accents were genuine or fake.

In a further phase of the study, researchers recruited more than 900 people from the UK and Ireland to listen to recordings and determine if the accents were mimicked or not.

The ability of study participants from Scotland, the north-east of England, Ireland and Northern Ireland to tell whether short recordings of their native accent were real or fake ranged from approximately 65% to 85%.

Those from Essex, London and Bristol had a success rate from just over 50%, barely better than chance, to 65% to 75%.

The researchers found that participants across all groups were better than chance at detecting fake accents, succeeding just over 60% of the time.

Participants who spoke naturally in the test accent tended to detect more accurately than non-native listener groups  some of which performed worse than chance  but success varied between regions.

The researchers argue that the accents of speakers from Belfast, Glasgow, Dublin and north-east England have culturally evolved over the past several centuries.

open image in gallery People from Glasgow, Belfast, and the north-east of England are better at telling when someone is faking their accent

The authors wrote that during this time there have been multiple cases of between-group cultural tension, especially with the cultural group making up south-east England, particularly London.

They say that pressures probably caused individuals from areas in Ireland and the northern regions of the UK to place emphasis on their accents as signals of social identity.

The studys authors argue that greater social cohesion among accent speakers may have increased the risks posed by free riders from other groups, necessitating improved accent recognition and mimicry detection  characteristics probably not needed by individuals without strong cultural group boundaries, such as those living in London.

The study points out that many speakers of the Essex accent moved to the area only over the past 25 years from London.

Previous research has indicated that when people want to demarcate themselves for cultural reasons, their accents become stronger.

Dr Goodman said: Cultural, political or even violent conflict are likely to encourage people to strengthen their accents as they try to maintain social cohesion through cultural homogeneity.

Even relatively mild tension, for example the intrusion of tourists in the summer, could have this effect.

Im interested in the role played by trust in society and how trust forms.

One of the first judgments a person will make about another person, and when deciding whether to trust them, is how they speak.

How humans learn to trust another person who may be an interloper has been incredibly important over our evolutionary history and it remains critical today.

The research is published today in the journal Evolutionary Human Sciences.
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The first cold weather payments of 2025 have been triggered as snow falls on neighbourhoods across the UK and temperatures continue to plunge.

To help support people during cold snaps like these, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) runs the cold weather payment scheme for qualifying households. This is a one-off payment of 25 that is triggered for every seven-day period where the temperature in your area is at or below zero degrees.

However, all the affected postcode areas are eligible for double this and can expect a payment of 50. This is because the cold snap has been so long-lasting that the criteria was triggered twice.

Drivers brave the snow in the Peak District ( AFP/Getty )

An estimated 6,000 people across 23 postcode areas can now expect a payment. These areas are split across the country, with 16 in northern regions and seven near the southwest coast.

Heres everything you need to know about the scheme:

Am I eligible for a cold weather payment?

You are eligible for the payment if you receive any of the following:

Pension Credit

Income Support

Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Universal Credit

Support for Mortgage Interest

You must also live in an area that has experienced seven days of zero or sub-zero temperatures. Here is a map of all the latest areas to qualify:

The DWP uses its own equipment to measure temperatures across all UK postcodes. If you disagree with the judgement, it is possible to appeal directly to the department.

You do not qualify for this scheme if you live in Scotland, as the Scottish government has recently replaced the scheme with Winter Heating Payments.

When will I get the payment?

If youre eligible, you will get these payments automatically. They should arrive in the same bank account you receive benefit payments, within 14 working days of the cold period.

If you believe you are eligible but have not received the payments, you should contact the DWP.

Full list of postcodes eligible for cold weather payment

Here are all the postcode areas where cold weather payments have been triggered since November:
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Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who is quitting over his handling of the case of a notorious child abuser, has scaled down his public work and will complete his official duties by 6 January, Lambeth Palace says.

John Smyth physically, sexually and psychologically abused as many as 130 boys and young men at Christian summer camps in England and Africa over five decades.

Outrage over how Smyth was able to get away with his crimes came to a head when an independent review concluded that Smyth  the most prolific serial abuser associated with the Church  might have been brought to justice had Welby reported him to police in 2013.

open image in gallery John Smyth might have been caught had the Archbishop reported him a decade ago, the report said ( Channel 4 )

Welby resigned following days of pressure to do so, as campaigners branded the scandal just the tip of the iceberg, saying more senior Church leaders should also quit.

He had initially refused to stand down when the report was published, saying he had no idea or suspicion of this abuse before 2013 but acknowledging the review had found that after its wider exposure that year he had personally failed to ensure it was energetically investigated.

As he announced his resignation last week, he said he was quitting in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse and that the previous few days had renewed his long-felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England.

One bishop, Jayne Ozanne, a prominent LGBT+ campaigner who sat on the Archbishops Council, warned the Church of England was not a safe institution.

She said Welbys resignation had to be a watershed moment for the Church, telling 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.

Smyth died aged 77 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was never brought to justice for the abuse, the independent Makin Review said.

Lambeth Palace said on Wednesday: Following the announcement last week of his resignation as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Justin intends to complete his official duties by the upcoming Feast of Epiphany (January 6).

open image in gallery Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell with Justin Welby ( PA )

Archbishop Justin intends very little public-facing activity between now and Epiphany, but plans to honour a small number of remaining commitments.

At Epiphany, the Archbishop of Canterburys official functions will be delegated to the Archbishop of York  more details will be provided on this in due course.

The date on which Archbishop Justin formally ceases to hold office will be set in agreement with the Privy Council.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, the second-most senior bishop in the Church of England, has appeared to rule himself out of the running to replace Welby.

At the age of 66, he is nearing the Church of England retirement age of 70.
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A British teenager is facing a 20-year jail sentence in Dubai after developing a holiday romance with another tourist.

Marcus Fakana, 18, was on holiday with his parents when he met a girl, 17, staying at the same hotel.

After having sex, the teenagers made plans to continue their blossoming teenage romance when they returned to London, according to Detained in Dubai.

But the campaign group says he is now stuck in Dubai facing decades in prison after the girls parents looked through her phone and reported him to the police when they got home.

Mr Fakana, from Tottenham, north London, claims he did not know the girl was months younger than him when they met. Their relationship would be legal in the UK.

open image in gallery The 18-year-old met the girl on holiday in Dubai ( PA Archive )

Dubai has only recently legalised out-of-wedlock sex for tourists but still has a strict Islamic legal system.

We had a wonderful time together. We really liked each other but she was secretive with her family because they were strict. My parents knew about our relationship but she couldnt tell hers. She had to meet me without telling them it was to see a boy, Mr Fakana told Detained in Dubai.

When she left, I couldnt wait to see her again when I got home. Then suddenly, police knocked on our hotel door. They said they were taking me in for questioning but wouldnt tell me why. I couldnt imagine what for. I was frightened and my parents were terrified.

Mr Fakana says he was held at a police station for three days and was unable to make a phone call or speak with his parents.

They were worried sick, said Radha Stirling, Detained in Dubais chief executive who is assisting Mr Fakana. He was told his girlfriends mother had reported the relationship to authorities in Dubai after she had arrived back in London.

Marcus later found out the mother had looked on her daughters phone and found their chats and pictures. She was furious and reported him to Dubais police.

This is clearly a very strict mother to involve police in a private matter that is completely legal in the country where she lives and where the children have grown up. Perhaps she wasnt aware that she triggered the possibility of a young man of only 18 spending the next 20 years in prison.

The girl was just a few months younger than Marcus and he didnt know that at the time. This is not something Dubai should be prosecuting.

Parents will be scared to take their older teenagers on vacation with them where they could end up losing their lives over behaviour thats completely legal in their own countries, added Ms Stirling.

Marcus and his family are calling on Tottenham MP David Lammy for help after he was appointed as foreign secretary in July.

Ms Stirling, a veteran expert witness in extradition cases involving the United Arab Emirates, said: Mr Lammy is in a perfect position to help young Marcus.

Dubai police have the power to drop the case against Marcus and let him come home. This is not something we want to do to young people and we ask Mr Lammy MP to convey this message to his counterparts in the UAE.

The saga comes after a Northern Irish man was detained in Dubai over a negative review he left on a dog grooming companys website.

open image in gallery Craig Ballentine has been detained in Dubai over an online review he left ( Detained in Dubai/PA )

Craig Ballentine, 33, from Cookstown, County Tyrone, was arrested a month ago when he landed in Abu Dhabi for a short vacation to visit friends and has been transported to Dubai.

Detained in Dubai said Mr Ballentine is facing prison because of the UAEs cybercrime laws, which prohibit online criticism.

An FCDO spokesperson said: We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family

The Independent has contacted Dubais Ministry of Justice for comment.
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A majority of Muslims feel Islamophobia and hate against them has become more widespread since the summer riots, but around half also feel able to be more open about their identity, according to a survey.

Tell Mama, a charity monitoring such incidents, said its latest survey indicated that one in two of those asked said they had become more open, mainly through conversations with friends and colleagues, about their Muslim identity after the violence which erupted following the Southport attack.

The organisation analysed, as part of the annual No2H8 campaign, the opinions of 750 Muslims across the UK eight weeks after disorder broke out in parts of England and Northern Ireland following the fatal stabbings of three young girls in Southport.

Tell Mama said just under three-quarters (71%) felt anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia had become more widespread since the unrest.

Almost two-thirds (62%) said the potential risk of harm to Muslim communities had since increased significantly or somewhat.

open image in gallery People hold pro-refugee, anti-racist placards as they attend a counter demonstration against an anti-immigration protest called by far-right activists, outside the United Immigration Services offices at The Beacon in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north-east England on August 7, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

While one in three Muslims surveyed said they had considered leaving the UK as a result of the violence  which saw mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers targeted  55% said they felt safe or very safe in the UK.

Iman Atta, Tell Mama director, said: Many British Muslims are very scared at the moment. They need our Government to show it hears their fears, and is working to keep them safe.

This poll is proof of the terrifying impact anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia is having.

More work must be done to reassure these people. And we need greater focus on supporting social cohesion in the worst affected areas. These findings should be a wake-up call for the Government.

A Government spokesperson said: These results are extremely concerning. Attacks and hatred against Muslim communities are unacceptable and we have been clear that we will seek to stamp out Islamophobia and racism wherever it occurs.

All communities must feel safe, especially in places of worship, which is why we introduced the Protective Security for Mosques scheme and will continue to work with communities and across government to deliver a new approach to tackling racial and religious hatred.
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Ukraine is believed to have used British-made Storm Shdaow long-range missiles inside Russia for the first time.

It comes days after Joe Biden gave the green light for Ukraine to use US-made long-range missiles to target Vlasimir Putins forces deep inside Russia, the first such missiles were used on Tuesday. That opened the door for Britain to do the same, with the UK missiles relying on US targeting programmes.

In a major policy shift just weeks before his tenure in office ends, the US president signed off on Ukraines use of ATACMS missiles outside its own borders. This comes after months of refusing Kyivs requests, which it said was crucial for its defences against Russias invasion. Photographs circulating on Ukrainian and Russian social media suggest the UK missiles were inside the Kursk region near Russias border, where Russian troops have been massing to try and reclaim territory Kyivs forces took in a daring assault in the summer.

Storm Shadow is an Anglo-French cruise missile with a maximum range of around 155 miles (250km). The French call it Scalp. After launch, the weapon, equipped with its navigation system, descends to a low altitude to avoid detection before locking on to its target using an infra-red seeker. On the final approach, the missile climbs to a higher altitude to maximise the chances of hitting the target.

On impact, it penetrates the target before a delayed fuse detonates the main warhead. Powered by a turbo-jet engine, the 1,300kg Storm Shadow travels at speeds of more than 600mph, is just over five metres long and has a wingspan of three metres.

The UK first confirmed it would supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles in May last year, for use on Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine. Then defence secretary Ben Wallace had touted that the weapons would give Ukraine the best chance of defending itself. Ukraine has deployed Storm Shadow missiles on several occasions during the war. In June last year, the then-defence secretary Ben Wallace told parliament that the missiles were already having a significant impact on the battlefield.

open image in gallery A graphic showing Storm Shadow missile information ( PA Graphics )

Storm Shadow missiles have also been used by British and French air forces in the Gulf, Iraq and Libya.

Condemning president Mr Bidens decision, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated earlier warnings from Russian president Vladimir Putin saying that any strikes on Russian soil using US weapons would be interpreted as direct Nato involvement.

According to Russias Tass news agency, he said: If such a decision has indeed been formulated and communicated to the Kyiv regime, then, of course, this is a qualitatively new round of escalation of tensions and a qualitatively new situation in terms of the involvement of the United States in this conflict.

Until now, long-range missiles have been limited to Russian targets operating inside Ukraine, as well as in occupied Crimea. The missiles were likely used in the largest Ukrainian attack on the headquarters of Russia s Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol in Crimea last year.

The US, which has provided Ukraine with the longest-range version of the ATACMS, a ballistic missile capable of travelling 190 miles, has been cautious to fire long-range missiles into Russia for fear of a reaction from Moscow that would intensify the conflict. They are believed to be especially apprehensive that Russia may respond by deploying nuclear weapons.

Mr Biden changed his mind, US officials told The New York Times, after North Korea sent troops to support Mr Putins invasion of Ukraine. Speaking on Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un did not reference Mr Bidens decisions but denounced Western involvement in Ukraine and warned of the potential for World War III.

Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy head of the Russian upper houses international affairs committee, also said Washingtons decision could lead to world war.

Washingtons ATACMS decision is framed as being restricted to defending Ukrainian forces inside the Kursk region of Russia. In a surprise invasion in August, Ukraine took control of several communities in the Kursk border region, which it is currently defending against Russian counterattacks.

open image in gallery Storm Shadow cruise missile is on display during the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, north of Paris, France ( AP )

The shift in the final months of the Biden administration comes as Kyiv and Western allies prepare for a possible shift in US position under Donald Trump, who has said that he could terminate the war in a day.

The US has been the largest supplier of armaments to Ukraine. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research agency, it delivered or committed to deploy $55.5 billion (41.5 billion) in weaponry and equipment between the start of the war and the end of June 2024. Germany is Ukraine's second-largest military aid contributor behind the United States.

The decision will also put pressure on Germany to relent from its resistance to providing Ukraine with its long-range Taurus missiles, which Mr Zelensky has requested on numerous occasions. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has opposed such a move amid fears it could provoke a response from Russia.

A spokesman for the German government said on Monday that Germany is continuing to hold to its decision to not send long-range missiles to Ukraine. The spokeswoman said, "The chancellor's decision is unchanged," during a routine news conference in Berlin.

France, which has given Ukraine its version of the Storm Shadow, indicated on Monday that it was open to letting Kyiv hit military targets within Russia.

"We openly said this was an option that we would consider if it was to allow to strike a target from where Russia is currently aggressing Ukrainian territory. So nothing new on the other side," foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot told journalists ahead of an EU ministers' meeting in Brussels.

Kyiv has long lobbied for permission to hit deep inside Russian soil via western long-range missiles, given their ability to travel 150 miles and beyond. By contrast, the US-supplied Himars missiles currently used by Ukraine only have a range of around 50 miles.
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Watch as King Charles III welcomes the Emir of Qatar to Buckingham Palace as Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani begins a two-day state visit to the UK on Tuesday, 3 December.

Charles welcomed the leader and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, during an extravagant ceremony staged in Whitehall.

Queen Camilla was absent; On Monday, she pulled out of the official open-air greeting on Horse Guards Parade and a carriage ride back to the palace due to lingering effects of a recent viral chest infection.

The Prince and Princess of Wales took part in the ceremony on Horse Guards Parade, one of the few official appearances by Kate during a year in which she has been successfully treated for cancer.

Camilla will later join the royal party for a private lunch with the Emir and his wife.

She will also take part in all but one of the elements of the evening state banquet at Buckingham Palace, staged in honour of the Emir.
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Tanni Grey-Thompson has warned that if parliament passes a law allowing assisted dying it will enable unscrupulous families to go doctor shopping to end the lives of elderly, disabled or sick relatives.

The 11-time Paralympic gold medallist, now a disability rights campaigner and member of the House of Lords, spoke exclusively to The Independent about her fears of the consequences if MPs and peers pass the controversial legislation.

The private members bill brought forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater is due to have its second reading in the Commons on 29 November.

But already both ministers who will be responsible for overseeing its implementation if it is passed  health secretary Wes Streeting and justice secretary Shabana Mahmood  have indicated that they will oppose the legislation.

open image in gallery Paralympic champion Tanni Grey-Thompson opposes assisted dying ( PA )

Baroness Grey-Thompson dismisses claims by Ms Leadbeater and her supporters that the Bill contains the strictest safeguards in the world, warning that the reality ... is very different.

The cross-bench peers intervention comes after a warning from Sir James Munby, former president of the family division of the High Court, who also raised serious concerns about the Bills safeguards.

In a forthright interview, she questions the myths behind assisted dying and highlights the loopholes in the Bill, which she believes will open the floodgates to abuse.

She argues that section 4 (5) of the bill means that if one doctor refuses to sign a request, another can then be found who will  as two doctors and a judge are needed to provide permission for the procedure.

It is fair to say that it kind of allows doctor shopping, she said. The first doctor can refer you to the second one, but then, if they dont approve one, they can carry on until they find one that is willing.

The cross-bench peer said that where assisted dying has been legalised in Canada there is a shortlist of doctors willing to sign the paperwork and at least one is responsible for around 400 deaths, referring to Dr Ellen Wiebe who is a prominent practitioner in the field.

open image in gallery The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, will be debated at the end of the month ( PA )

And despite her enormous success in the sporting world and subsequent life in politics, Baroness Grey-Thompson tells The Independent: I have been told in the building [Parliament], if my life was like yours I would kill myself. Im like wow! Ive had a really good life.

These exchanges lie at the heart of her concerns about the Bill. She believes people will come under pressure to end their lives prematurely because of disability, age or other reasons.

While the bill specifically states that terminal illness is not a disability, within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010, Baroness Grey-Thompson believes that this is no guarantee it will not be stretched over time to include people with disabilities under other reasons.

She sees a culture where people with a disability already face a series of prejudices.

Theres education, healthcare, work, transport, there's discrimination [against people with disabilities]. So you could just see where some people will think, well, you know, I'm better off dead. Or the other side... disabled people are told, You'd be better off dead.

One of her concerns is that section 15 of Bill would allow for someone else other than the patient to sign the relevant document as a proxy requesting termination of their life. This, she believes, opens the door for abusive bad families.

The Bill says you can have a proxy signature, but also the Bill says that its a bit vague on you having to take [the pills] yourself. But if you cant sign the form, how do you take the medication yourself? That's kind of euthanasia.

open image in gallery Health Secretary Wes Streeting has been accused of crossing a line on giving his views on assisted dying ( PA )

She added: Id be really worried about someone signing the form on my behalf [because of] the work Ive done around coercive control in a domestic setting, I was arguing with ministers because the government was saying that carers arent part of a domestic setting. But actually, we know theres carer abuse. We know theres elder abuse.

Elder abuse is believed to affect one in six elderly people in the UK. Baroness Grey-Thompson argues this proves how vulnerable they are to bad families.

The coercive control bit doesnt mean anything in the bill that weve got because when someones gone, theyre gone, and the bad families arent going to say, Oh, I tell you what do you want to investigate this for coercive control?

She also has concerns over what is meant by terminally ill, noting that while many people believe it is something like late stages of incurable cancer, the Bill is much more open than that.

If I got a pressure sore and it didnt heal, I could very easily fit into the six-month diagnosis.

She also warns that it could be extended to conditions like severe depression or eating disorders such as anorexia.

And once the principle of allowing assisted dying is established she believes that it could be extended on equality grounds in the courts including the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Baroness Grey-Thompson says at least 50 MPs did not believe the current bill goes far enough.

The peer also questioned the fantasy that assisted dying allows a last glass of champagne in a family picnic and is a quick end.

People think its this Hollywood death. Well, thats what you hope, isnt it? Yeah, you know that you sort of throw a pill and you just slip away, and all your loved ones are around you crying. But actually, its like 100 pills.

Youre either swallowing that number of pills, which is really difficult, or youve got to break them open and put them into a mixture, which apparently tastes absolutely disgusting, then youve got to have anti-sickness [medication] to stop you throwing it back up. Then what happens if it doesnt work straightaway.

Theres just one case where it took a minute but in Oregon half the cases took at least 53 minutes. The longest one took 137 hours (more than five days).

She noted that the alternative to the pills was intravenously which again really blurs the line between assisted dying and euthanasia.

Baroness Grey-Thompson has been asked to allow the Bill to go to committee stage to be amended if it makes it to the Lords, but she warns it is unamendable.

She emphasises that as an atheist she is not coming from this issue on religious grounds, but adds: I just think once you change that relationship with society, you can't pull it back.

The second reading of the assisted dying Bill is set to take place in the Commons on Friday 29 November, with MPs voting after a five-hour debate.
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Britains tech secretary has escalated the governments feud with Elon Musk, saying he has stopped scrolling X since it was bought by the billionaire.

Peter Kyle said he no longer uses the social media app he used to really enjoy, and is even considering leaving the site.

In September, The Independent revealed that Mr Kyle, the cabinet minister responsible for social media and information technology, had not even spoken to the X owner Mr Musk, although the two had in effect communicated through intermediaries.

open image in gallery Peter Kyles comments will do little to rebuild bridges with Elon Musk, a key ally of Donald Trump ( Getty Images )

Mr Musk was then not invited to Sir Keir Starmers inaugural investment summit in the City of London, after spending the summer criticising his government on social media.

Asked whether X, formally Twitter, had got better since Mr Musk took it over in 2022, Mr Kyle told LBC: No, it hasnt. In fact, I dont scroll through X anymore. I use it because I know that it is an audience that I really want to communicate with

In the past, I really enjoyed interacting on X. That enjoyment isnt there anymore.

And, asked whether he would stop using Mr Musks platform, Mr Kyle added: I can see the circumstances where I would, but I again, Nick, Im open minded about this kind of stuff going forward It would be a very big step for me to turn away from an audience.

His comments will do little to rebuild bridges with Mr Musk, who has been one of Sir Keirs most prominent critics since Labour came to power in July.

open image in gallery Peter Kyle said he could quit X as he has not enjoyed it since Elon Musks takeover ( PA Wire )

In recent days, the Trump ally has accused Labour of turning Britain into a police state and going full Stalin with its controversial changes to inheritance tax for farmers.

On Tuesday Peter Mandelson, who is the favourite to be named as Britains next ambassador to the US, urged Sir Keir to use Nigel Farage as a bridge between Donald Trumps incoming administration and the UK.

The Labour peer also warned that his party needs to end its feud with Mr Musk.

Speaking to the How to Win an Election podcast, Lord Mandelson, who is also in the race to become chancellor of Oxford University, insisted that the government needed to bring an end to the feud.

He said: [Musk] is a sort of technological, industrial, commercial phenomenon. And it would be unwise, in my view, for Britain to ignore him. You cannot pursue these feuds. You cant afford to do it. We should try and kick it into touch as soon as possible.

open image in gallery Nigel Farage has volunteered himself to be an envoy to the US but so far ministers have resisted the idea ( PA Wire )

If I were the government here, Id be asking the embassy in Washington DC to find out who his other British friends are. Who are they all? And theyve got to be used, I think, as a bridge to Musk. And so thats what I would do.

You know, swallow your pride, find out who his friends are and try and get into those networks. You cannot just continue this feud indefinitely. Youve got to get over it. Youve got to, hes got to be reintroduced to the British government.

And one good way of doing that might be through some of his British friends, even if they are not, as I say, you know, bright red supporters of the Labour government.

Asked about whether Mr Farage should be used as a middle man, Lord Mandelson agreed.

He said: Yes, I would include Nigel Farage. I mean, you cant ignore him. Hes an elected member of parliament. Hes a public figure. Hes a bridgehead, both to President Trump and to Elon Musk and others.

Youve got to be pragmatic, practical about this. Youve got to work the national interest in and that national interest is served in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways.
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Elon Musk will be summoned by MPs to testify about the role of his social media platform X in spreading disinformation during the riots which rocked England and Northern Ireland over the summer.

The questioning will come as part of a Commons science and technology select committee, where senior executives from Meta  the parent company of Facebook and Instagram  as well as from TikTok are also expected to be called for questioning.

The first evidence sessions are expected to take place in the new year.

According to the Guardian, MPs will probe the consequences of generative AI, which was used to create images shared to social media inciting people to join join Islamophobic protests in the wake of the killing of three schoolgirls in Southport in August.

Chi Onwurah, the Labour MP who chairs the select committee, said Mr Musk has very strong views on multiple aspects of this.

open image in gallery ( AP )

I would certainly like the opportunity to cross-examine him to see  how he reconciles his promotion of freedom of expression with his promotion of pure disinformation, she said.

Noting the tech billionaires lack of invitation to an international summit organised by the UK government in September, Ms Onwurah added: Id like to make up for that by inviting him to attend.

Mr Musk - who has recently been appointed by president-elect Donald Trump to lead the US Department of Government Efficiency - found himself in a row with ministers over the summer after being highly critical of the government.

He repeatedly argued that two-tier policing existed in the UK and attacked the government for what he claimed was a crackdown on freedom of speech during the violent disorder which led to more than 1,000 arrests.

Mr Musk was dubbed deeply irresponsible by ministers for his remarks, while Downing Street said there was no justification for his claim that civil war is inevitable in Britain.

It comes amid growing concern that technology is outpacing regulation and safety measures on social media platforms.

Technology secretary Peter Kyle has ordered new research into social media to weigh up whether to introduce a ban for under-16s, following legislation introduced by the Australian government.

The Safer Phones Bill, which will be debated in March, was proposed by Labour MP Josh MacAlister and includes a mechanism for banning social media for under 16s.

open image in gallery Peter Kyle said algorithms are there to protect people, not to exploit vulnerabilities ( Getty Images )

Mr Kyle is also expected to call on Ofcom to report back to him on its progress with the Online Safety Act  new legislation being finalised by the regulator that will come into force in the spring and will put more responsibility on tech companies to protect children online and remove illegal content.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Wednesday, he said he plans to do what it takes to keep people, particularly children and people with vulnerabilities, safe online.

The overall philosophy Im trying to move towards is one where safety is baked in from the outset. So in other words, algorithms are there to protect people, not to exploit vulnerabilities, the technology secretary said.

Mr Musk has faced criticism for his management of X, partly as a result of a decrease in content moderation on the site, causing many users to leave the platform for competitor BlueSky.

The number of users on the fledgling site has surged in recent weeks, with the official Bluesky account announcing earlier this week that the platform had passed 19 million users.

Several MPs have joined the platform, with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Treasury minister Darren Jones and local government minister Jim McMahon among those setting up accounts.

However, the prime minister said he has no plans to join the platform.

Elon Musk has been contacted for comment.
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The first Labour MPs have expressed doubts over the governments decision to extend inheritance tax to cover agricultural properties, after an estimated 13,000 people marched on Westminster on Tuesday to protest the levy.

It comes amid growing concern from rural MPs that they will face a wipeout at the next election as a result of the policy, after the partys landslide election victory saw Labour MPs elected across 114 countryside constituencies.

Steve Witherden, MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, called on the Treasury to release its modelling on the impact of the policy.

He also suggested changes to the plans may be necessary to protect family farms, telling the Telegraph: Its not remotely uncommon for any legislation to go through various phases. Therell be the opportunity for backbench MPs like myself to feed into that debate.

Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, admitted it is unclear whether or not family farms would be protected with the extension of the tax, saying he would take the real concerns of farmers to the Treasury.

open image in gallery Farmers protest in central London (Andrew Matthews/PA) ( PA Wire )

Meanwhile, Terry Jermy, Labour MP for South Norfolk demanded reassurance from the government on the scale of the impact and confirmation that the figures are accurate.

Treasury data shows that around three-quarters of farmers will pay nothing in inheritance tax as a result of the controversial changes.

But farmers have challenged the figures, pointing instead to data from Defra which suggests 66 per cent of farm businesses are worth more than the 1m threshold at which a 20% inheritance tax will now need to be paid.

Earlier this week, Labour peer Baroness Ann Mallalieu told The Independent that chancellor Rachel Reevess measure to abolish inheritance tax exemptions for some farms will risk wipeout for Labour in rural areas.

The Labour peer, who is also president of the Countryside Alliance, warned: Under Tony Blair there were 100 rural Labour MPs. Tony Blair mounted, and very much regrets it now as he says, what was seen as an attack on the countryside and it dropped to 17.

It took 14 years of Conservative governance before it was restored to 100  now [it is] such a pity to throw that away, which it seems to me they are bent on doing.

Tuesdays protest saw TV personality Jeremy Clarkson urge the government to back down over the policy, saying it is a hammer blow to the back of the head for the agricultural industry.

He begged the government to accept this was rushed through, wasnt thought out, and was a mistake.

Meanwhile, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch promised to reverse the policy if her party wins the next election, describing it as cruel and wrong.

open image in gallery Jeremy Clarkson told the government to back down ( REUTERS )

But ministers have since doubled down, with environment secretary Steve Reed on Tuesday afternoon saying many farmers protesting on the streets are wrong about its implications and rejecting claims that many in the sector will be affected by the plans.

In a joint statement with Mr Reed on Monday, Ms Reeves defended the policy, insisting the government had taken difficult decisions to fix gaps in the public finances.

We recognise the strength of feeling expressed by farming and rural communities in recent weeks, the statement said. We are steadfast in our commitment to Britains farming industry because food security is national security.

Its why we are investing 5bn into farming over the next two years  the largest amount ever directed towards sustainable food production, rural economic growth and natures recovery in our countrys history.
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Angela Rayner has failed to rule out any further inheritance tax raids on farmers, despite thousands of people marching on Westminster on Tuesday to protest the levy.

Asked to rule out any further increases to the tax while she was standing in for Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Ministers Questions, Ms Rayner declined to do so  instead claiming the vast majority of estate owners will be totally unaffected by the new levy.

In response, Tory MP Alex Burghart - who was standing in for Kemi Badenoch - joked: Perhaps the right honourable lady thinks that everyone came to London yesterday to thank the government.

The shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said: Lets look at the facts. A typical mid-size 360 acre family farm in the constituency of Thirsk and Molten, they have spoken to their accountant, their new liability because of this government is half a million pounds.

That is 12 years worth of profit. When this generation passes away, that farm will become totally unviable and it is just one of thousands and thousands of similar farms. It is clear that government hasnt got its facts right.

open image in gallery The deputy prime minister stood in for Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday ( House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire )

He added: If the government isnt going to reverse this terrible policy, will the right honourable lady at least commit that there will be no further increases to inheritance tax and no further reductions to agricultural property relief or business property relief in this parliament?

Responding, Ms Rayner told the Commons: He talks about the facts and I absolutely stand by the figures the government has set out and the vast majority of estate owners will be totally unaffected.

Treasury data shows that around three-quarters of farmers will pay nothing in inheritance tax as a result of the controversial changes.

But farmers have challenged the figures, pointing instead to data from Defra which suggests 66 per cent of farm businesses are worth more than the 1m threshold at which a 20 per cent inheritance tax will now need to be paid.

The deputy prime minister stood in for Sir Keir as he travelled back from Brazil, where he spent two days at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Mr Burghart said he spoke to elderly men in tears, children worried about their parents, all of them worried that their way of life is about to be destroyed at Tuesdays protest.

What would the right honourable lady like to say to them?, he asked Ms Rayner.

The deputy prime minister was booed by MPs in the Commons as she responded: We are absolutely committed to our British farmers and that is why we have committed 5bn to the farming budget over the next two years.

open image in gallery Farmers protest the extension of inheritance tax to cover agricultural properties ( PA )

Tuesdays protest saw TV personality Jeremy Clarkson urge the government to back down over the policy, saying it is a hammer blow to the back of the head for the agricultural industry.

He begged the government to accept this was rushed through, wasnt thought out, and was a mistake.

Meanwhile, Ms Badenoch promised to reverse the policy if her party wins the next election, describing it as cruel and wrong.

But in a joint statement with environment secretary Steve Reed on Monday, chancellor Rachel Reeves defended the policy, insisting the government had taken difficult decisions to fix gaps in the public finances.

We recognise the strength of feeling expressed by farming and rural communities in recent weeks, the statement said. We are steadfast in our commitment to Britains farming industry because food security is national security.

Its why we are investing 5bn into farming over the next two years  the largest amount ever directed towards sustainable food production, rural economic growth and natures recovery in our countrys history.
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Sir Keir Starmer has said he has no plans to join the Bluesky social media platform.

The Prime Minister told reporters that at the moment there are no plans to establish official Government accounts or a personal one in his name.

He said it is important for a government to be able to communicate with as many people as possible.

Whats important for a government is that were able to reach as many people and communicate with as many people as possible and thats the sole test for any of this as far as Im concerned Sir Keir Starmer

The number of users on the site has surged in recent weeks, with the official Bluesky account announcing earlier this week that the platform had passed 19 million users.

Asked whether he had any plans to join Bluesky personally, or for Government departments to open official accounts, Sir Keir told reporters: No plans at the moment, were obviously still using Twitter.

He added: Whats important for a government is that were able to reach as many people and communicate with as many people as possible and thats the sole test for any of this as far as Im concerned.

He made the comments to journalists who attended the G20 summit in Brazil.

Bluesky was developed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey in 2019 but user numbers have surged in recent months, with around one million accounts signing up in the week following Donald Trumps re-election as US president. Mr Dorsey stepped down from the board in May 2024.

Twitter was bought by the worlds richest man, Elon Musk, in 2022 and renamed X, but both the platform and the billionaire businessman have faced increased scrutiny since the takeover, prompting several high-profile account-holders to leave.

Mr Musk championed the Trump presidential bid and has been named co-head of the new administrations department of government efficiency.

Several MPs have joined Bluesky, with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Treasury minister Darren Jones and local government minister Jim McMahon among those setting up accounts.
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The defence secretary has announced emergency cuts to the UK military, including the Royal Navys two amphibious assault ships, a frigate and 31 helicopters.

John Healey has blamed the disputed 22bn black hole left in the finances by the Tories. However, the Conservatives have warned that the cuts have come because Labour refuses to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence.

Mr Healey told MPs that Labour had a dire inheritance from the Tories in defence so needed to scrap six outdated defence projects which will save 500m over the next five years.

We have begun to fix the foundations going forward, he added. For too long our soldiers, sailors and air staff have been stuck with using outdated equipment.

The emergency statement caught MPs by surprise on Wednesday and has left doubts over whether the UK could take back the Falklands if they were invaded again.

The scrapping of HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion leaves the UK without any amphibious assault ships. In addition, the frigate HMS Northumberland is beyond economic repair and will be decommissioned along with two Wave-class tankers.

Mr Healey said that HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion had been superficially retired by Tory ministers but kept on the books at a cost of 9m a year.

open image in gallery Healey says difficult decisions have to be made ( PA )

The defence secretary said that the service chiefs had agreed to his common sense decisions which previous governments had failed to take. He added: These will not be the last difficult decisions I will have to take.

Thirty-one helicopters 14 Chinooks and 17 Pumas  are also to be permanently grounded. The UKs replacement helicopter programme is still some years away. There were 294 helicopters in the armed forces last year.

Also going are the Watchkeeper MK1 drones, which cost around 5m each, but have been beset by issues and will be grounded.

However, Mr Healey did announce new retention payments for armed forces personnel who sign up for additional years of service.

He said: I can announce today that I am introducing, from April, a new 30,000 retention payment for a cohort of tri-service aircraft engineers who sign up for [an] additional three years of service. This will affect and be open to around 5,000 personnel in total.

And from January, a new 8,000 retention payment for army personnel who served four years, supporting 4,000 personnel each year for three years. So 12,000 troops in total.

open image in gallery Amphibious ship HMS Bulwark ( PA Media )

The government is currently conducting a strategic defence review and were unable to rule out further cuts. There have already been concerns that the size of the army will be reduced to 63,000.

Responding to a point of order from Tory shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge, Mr Healey refused to confirm if Storm Shadow missiles supplied to Ukraine by Britain have been used in Russia.

He told MPs: At this point I am not able to go into any further operational details. He added: We as a nation and government are doubling down on our support for Ukraine.

Responding to the major defence cuts, Mr Cartlidge said: We have heard it all! Labour calling itself the party of defence.

He added: They have refused to set a pathway to 2.5 per cent [of GDP on defence spending] and instead of a pathway we have cuts.

He questioned why the decisions were being made before the strategic defence review has reported. He said: Labour have made their choices and they own the consequences.

Lib Dem defence spokesperson Richard Foord pointed out that the new Chinooks are not due to come in until 2027 and the medium helicopters to replace the Pumas unlikely to be ready until the start of the next decade.

He said: I am not surprised the service chiefs agreed this. It is their job to salute and turn right.

Former intelligence and security committee chair Sir Julian Lewis described the scrapping of the amphibious ships as a black day for the Royal Marines.

Former defence secretary Sir Gavin Williamson was one of a number of MPs to press for the old equipment to be offered to Ukraine to help in the war against Russia.

Meanwhile, leading defence think tank the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) said that the cuts underlined how tight the defence budget is.

Rusis military sciences director Matthew Savill said: These are mostly capabilities that are approaching retirement anyway, have been at low levels of readiness or arent worth further refits or investment.

But the fact that defence either cant crew them, or is prepared to cut them to make very modest savings over five years in the current international environment is an indication of just how tight resources must be in the MoD right now.

In particular, the defence review will be under pressure to set out the future role of the Royal Marines, how the navy will bring into service and sustain more escorts, which are the workhorses of the fleet; and the impact upon helicopter capacity and procurement.
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A North Carolina inmate said to be the states highest-ranking Blood gang member has been accused of impregnating two former jail employees.

Darrius Tyson is accused of murdering a man who disappeared in 2022. Hes currently being held in Central Prison in Raleigh. During a hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors claimed Tyson used his position to get drugs and sex inside a Durham facility. One of his nicknames is listed as King Blood on the countys website.

Durham County Assistant District Attorney Mary Jude Darrow also accused him of impregnating Lerin Burnette, a contracted nurse, and a detention sergeant named Jade Robertson. The two women were charged with having sexual relations with an inmate, a felony crime.

The revelation came during the hearing as Tyson was seeking to have his $1.25m bond reduced. A judge declined the request, according to WRAL.

Daniel Meier, Tysons attorney, argued that his client was a victim in the matter during the hearing.

He was sexually assaulted by two employees who have been charged with felonies, he told a judge on Tuesday. Its a Class E felony for someone to have sexual relations with a detainee. A detainee by law cannot consent. He is a victim in those cases.

Following the sex allegations, Tyson was transferred from the Durham County Detention Center to the Raleigh prison. Hes been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping and burglary. He previously served time for murder in 2010 but the conviction was overturned in 2020 due to prosecutorial misconduct.

The prosecutors did not turn over exculpatory evidence, the outlet reported.

The mans mother, Murryette Tyson, told WRAL county officials are out for [her son]. She declined to comment on her sons ties to the gang or the allegations he had sex with the workers.

Hes innocent, she told WRAL. Of all the charges. She claims her son was assaulted by detention officers in August and that the incident caused him to suffer injuries to his jaw.

When the outlet inquired about the allegation, a spokesperson for the jail said no assault had been reported at the time and they would not be able to investigate a claim based on the details given.
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A Los Angeles judge said she was "troubled" that disgraced actor Danny Mastersons attorneys were tracking down the jurors from his rape trial in 2023.

Attorneys working for Masterson reportedly contacted jurors even though Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo issued an order intended to protect their identities from the public.

According to Olmedo, the attorneys have been visiting the jurors at their homes and at work in an attempt to schedule interviews, as part of Mastersons effort to appeal his conviction.

Masterson was found guilty in 2023 of sexually assaulting three other members of the Church of Scientology in the early 2000's and sentenced to 30 years to life in state prison.

Shawn Holley, one of Masterson's attorneys, said that three jurors agreed to speak with her voluntarily, and insisted to the LA Times that nothing "harassing or improper" had occurred during their discussions.

open image in gallery Danny Masterson, right, and his then-wife Bijou Phillips arrive for closing arguments in his second rape trial. ( Invision )

However, Olmedo she said she received complaints from other jurors who "felt pressured by the defense team" and who were "not first advised that they had the absolute right to not discuss the case if they did not want to do so."

Court documents reviewed by the LA Times found that some jurors were "concerned" by the interview requests and were under the assumption that Masterson's attorneys were not supposed to know their home or work addresses.

In one email from September 15, a juror said they looked out their window and saw "a member of Mr Masterson's habeas team" standing on their front lawn.

Olmedo wrote that she was "troubled that [the jurors] were approached at their homes" and noted that they had asked her to "inquire how the defense team obtained their identifying information."

She passed an order on September 17 barring attorneys from directly contacting the jurors.

Eric Multhaup, one of Masterson's attorneys, confirmed to the LA Times that one of his investigators approached a juror at their home on September 15, but said the agent "comported herself in complete compliance with the [California] Code of Civil Procedure."

open image in gallery Actor Danny Masterson pictured during his trial. ( Getty Images )

He insisted that Olmedo's ruling simply prevented attorneys and others from accessing the court documents relating to the juror's service, which would include details like their names and addresses. He said that his investigator did not use those intake forms, but instead tracked the attorneys via a general person search like a journalist or private investigator might use.

In short, up until September 17, it was fine for defense representatives to contact jurors directly, subject to...requirements of reasonable time and place, he said. Broad daylight is eminently reasonable.

Holley, who did not visit the jurors but spoke to them over the phone, insisted in an email to the LA Times that she feels confident that none of the three jurors with whom I spoke/met reported our interaction to Judge Olmedo as harassing or improper.

I made it clear to all 3 jurors with whom I spokeand ultimately met that they were under no obligation to speak with me or to meet with me, and they all were more than willing to do so. I met all three of them [separately] at times and places which were convenient for them and I was cordial and respectful of their time and boundaries, she added.

Prosecutors are pushing to have Olmedo sanction Masterson's attorneys, which would be the second disciplinary action against the team in two years.
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A 55-year-old cold case may have finally been solved after police took a 77-year-old man into custody for a 1969 murder.

Joseph Ambroz, 77, was arrested in Ponca City, Oklahoma in connection with the 1969 murder of 17-year-old Mary Kay Heese.

Heese was reported missing by her family after she disappeared in 1969. Investigators at the time said she exited a car and attempted to run, but footprints at the scene suggested someone had caught her, according to First Alert 6.

The girl's body was found on March 25 of that year on a country road near Wahoo  approximately 55 miles west of Omaha  with more than a dozen stab wounds.

Heese was a high school senior at the time of her death. Evidence suggested that she fought back against her attacker.

Police never found a suspect and Hesse's family said she never would have gotten into a car with a stranger.

Earlier this year, the girl's body was exhumed from her grave at a local cemetery. It's unclear what evidence was uncovered from analysis of the body  police have declined to reveal that information  but a Saunders County grand jury reportedly saw enough to indict Ambroz.

US Marshals arrested Ambroz on November 18 and he was charged with one count of first-degree murder, according to the county sheriff.

Hesse's cousin, Kathy Tull, told First Alert 6 that she was relieved that someone was finally identified as a suspect.

We kept calling state patrol. We kept calling and calling and calling, and where the case was with new evidence, Tull said. And when we put up our own tip line. Thats when things really took off.

Amrbroz is currently being held in a jail in Oklahoma. He has waived his extradition, meaning he will likely be taken back to Nebraska this week to face murder charges.

His first court appearance is expected sometime this week.
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On a February morning earlier this year, nursing student Laken Riley, 22, set off on her regular morning jog around the University of Georgia campus. She never returned.

Her disappearance set off a desperate search to find her and bring her home safe  a search that came to a tragic end later that day when her beaten body was found along her running route. Riley died of blunt force trauma in the attack.

Now, Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, has been convicted on three counts of felony murder and counts of malice murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape and peeping Tom.

His trial was set to begin on November 13 with jury selection but, at a pre-trial hearing, he waived his right to a jury trial and requested a bench trial instead.

On Friday November 15, his trial finally got underway with prosecutors telling the court how the nursing student fought for her life, fought for her dignity against a man who had gone hunting for women that day.

Prosecutor Sheila Ross said that when Ibarra he came across Riley she fought back. When she refused to be a rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly.

Defense attorney Dustin Kirby said in his opening that Rileys death was a tragedy and called the evidence in the case graphic and disturbing. But he said there is not sufficient evidence to prove that it was Ibarra and questioned how his fingerprints could be on the phone if he was supposedly wearing gloves.

The evidence in this case is very good that Laken Riley was murdered, Kirby said. The evidence that Jose Ibarra killed Laken Riley is circumstantial.

Ibarra, who comes from Venezuela and is not a US citizen, has no known connection to the student and no known violent criminal history. Instead, investigators described Rileys violent death as a crime of opportunity.

Ibarras status as a non-US citizen sparked conflicting reports from law enforcement agencies about his criminal past on American soil  and during an election year spurred Republican lawmakers to seize on the anti-immigrant rhetoric of the hour to push offensive theories about migrants online. President Joe Biden also sparked a backlash among some Democrats after referring to him as an illegal during his fiery State of the Union speech this year.

Ibarra was sentenced to life without parole for his crimes on November 20.

open image in gallery Jose Ibarra, center, accused of killing Laken Riley, appears in court for a motion hearing in October ( AP )

Heres what we know so far about the murder suspect:

Who is Jose Antonio Ibarra?

Ibarra is a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant, according to ICE records, and appears to have first entered the US within the past two years.

On September 8, 2022, Customs and Border Protection officials encountered Ibarra after he crossed the USs southern border with Mexico near El Paso, Texas, ICE officials told ABC7 in a statement. He was paroled and released for further processing, officials said.

The agency also said that Ibarra had been arrested by the New York Police Department on September 14, 2023 and was charged with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation.

New York officials then released him before a detainer could be issued, ICE said. However, the NYPD toldThe Independent that the department has no record of Ibarras arrest on file  and so could not confirm whether this account was correct.

There was no known connection between Ibarra and Riley, University of Georgia Police Chief Jeff Clark said at a news conference following the murder. This was a crime of opportunity where he saw an individual, and bad things happened, Chief Clark said.

According to prosecutors, Ibarra attacked Riley while she was out for a run.

Affidavits accused Ibarra of disfiguring her skull in support of the aggravated battery charge. The filing also claimed that Ibarra used an object to harm her and dragged her body to a secluded area.

open image in gallery Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, has been charged with malice murder and felony murder in connection with the death of Laken Riley ( Clarke County Sheriffs Office )

Hours after Riley was killed, Athens homicide detectives pulled a photo from a surveillance camera of a potential suspect who wore a distinctive Adidas hat, according to a federal affidavit obtained by The Associated Press.

It eventually led them to an off-campus apartment complex where they searched the grounds, and began to piece together details about Ibarra.

Ibarra was charged 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.

According to the indictment, on the day of Rileys killing, Ibarra also peered into the window of an apartment in a university housing building, which is the basis for the peeping Tom charge.

His bench trial began on Friday November 15, after he waived his right to a jury trial.

Prosecutors have chosen not to seek the death penalty but intend to seek a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Immigration status becomes a right-wing rallying cry

Rileys murder  and the immigration status of the man charged with it  quickly became a rallying cry for some prominent Republicans to blame migrants for crime in America and blast the Biden administration for its handling of the situation at the southern border.

open image in gallery Laken Riley was killed while out for a jog on February 22 ( Supplied )

Laken Rileys tragic death struck the hearts of Georgians everywhere and has sparked national outrage, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said in a post on X at the time. Joe Bidens failed policies have turned every state into a border state, and Im demanding information from him so we can protect our people when the federal government wont!

The brutal murderer who took the life of Laken was one of the millions of illegal aliens that the Biden Administration simply released and unleashed upon our country, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on X. The brutal murderer who took the life of Laken was one of the millions of illegal aliens that the Biden Administration simply released and unleashed upon our country.

It is a widespread myth that those who migrate to the US are more likely to commit crimes  a recent study from the Pew Research Center revealed 57 percent of Americans believe the large number of migrants seeking to enter the country leads to more crime.

But there is no evidence to suggest people who migrate to the US, including those who are undocumented, commit more crimes than those born in America. In fact, between 2012 and 2018, undocumented migrants in Texas were less than half as likely to commit violent crimes than those born in the US, according to a widely cited, peer-reviewed study from 2020.
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A man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley has been found guilty of murder in a case that fueled the national debate over immigration during this years presidential race.

Jose Ibarra, 26, a Venezuelan native who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, was charged with murder and other crimes in the February 22 death of Riley, who was found dead on the running trails on the campus in Athens while out for a morning jog.

Following his conviction, Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The decision was made on Wednesday by Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard after Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial.

Ibarras trial came to a close on Wednesday morning after three days of testimony. Prosecutors called 29 witnesses, including law enforcement officers, Rileys roommates, and a woman who lived in the same apartment as Ibarra.

open image in gallery Jose Ibarra, 26, was found guilty of murder in the death of Laken Riley ( 2024 Atlanta Journal Constitution )

Prosecutor Sheila Ross said in her opening that Ibarra had been hunting for women on the day of the murder but when he came across Riley she fought back. When she refused to be a rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly.

Defense attorney Dustin Kirby said that Rileys death was a tragedy and called the evidence in the case graphic and disturbing. But he argued there is not sufficient evidence to prove that it was Ibarra and questioned how his fingerprints could be on the phone if he was supposedly wearing gloves.

The evidence in this case is very good that Laken Riley was murdered, Kirby said. The evidence that Jose Ibarra killed Laken Riley is circumstantial.

The defense called a police officer, a jogger and one of Ibarras neighbors on Tuesday and rested their case Wednesday morning.

Rileys parents, family and friends packed the courtroom each day, many of them getting emotional as they listened to witness testimony.

open image in gallery Connolly Huth and Sofia Magana, left and right, roommates of Laken Riley, and Lauren Phillips, sister of Laken Riley, centre, react as the verdict is announced. ( AP )

Ibarra, dressed each day in a collared shirt and dark slacks with his feet chained, appeared attentive throughout the trial.

Rileys family and loved ones provided testimony during the trial, outlining in tragic detail how her loss has affected their lives.

I no longer run every day, Rileys roommate, Connolly Huth said. I cannot imagine running, when I constantly am looking over my shoulder in public, wondering if I am next. I live with excruciating guilt every day, that I was not accompanying Laken on this run, and that it was her, and not me, and I hope and pray that it will never happen again to anyone.

open image in gallery Laken Riley was murdered while out for a run on the University of Georgias campus in Athens. ( Supplied )

Rileys mother, Allyson Phillips, gave heartbreaking testimony, saying Ibarra ripped away every beautiful memory we will ever be able to make with [Riley] again.

Lakens life was not the only life taken on that day that Jose Ibarra attacked her. The life of her family and friends was taken, too. None of us will ever be the same, she said. This monster took away our chances to see Laken graduate from nursing school. He took away our ability to meet our future son-in-law. He destroyed our chances of meeting our grandchildren. And he took my best friend.

open image in gallery Lauren Phillips, the younger sister of Laken Riley, becomes emotional during the trial. ( AP )

President-elect Donald Trump, who often used Rileys death to push anti-immigrant rhetoric on the campaign trail, also commented on the judgement.

JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Although the pain and heartbreak will last forever, hopefully this can help bring some peace and closure to her wonderful family who fought for Justice, and to ensure that other families dont have to go through what they have.
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Notes taken from Sean Diddy Combs New York jail cell contained reminders of family members birthdays and inspirational quotes, and are therefore not bound by attorney-client privilege, prosecutors have said.

During an emergency hearing at a federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday, lawyers argued whether the labeling of notebooks, photographed by workers from the Bureau of Prisons in the music moguls cell, were relevant.

It comes after defense attorneys said on Monday that prosecutors had acknowledged they possess "possibly privileged materials, such as the notes recovered from the defendants cell, following a recent search.

The defense called the search of Combs cell and seizure of personal items and paperwork an "outrageous government conduct amounting to a substantive due process violation." They also asked for the issue to be "addressed immediately."

open image in gallery Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest in September ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

During the Tuesday hearing, Combs lawyer Marc Agnifilo claimed that the BOPs sweep of his prison cell had been a pretext for prosecutors to obtain the legal notes, and that 19 pages were recovered and turned over to prosecutors, according to reporters present in the courtroom.

Assistant US Attorney Christine Slavik said that a notebook from which excerpts were taken had been labeled Things To Do and not Attorney Client  referring to the legal privilege between Combs and his lawyers.

We are not required to notify the defense of our ongoing investigation of criminal conduct, she said according to reporters. We received these materials in an appropriate channel. Whenever we get new information, if theres reason to believe theres privilege, it goes to the filter team.

The books also contained action items for non lawyers Slavik added. Thats not privileged. Theres information about family members birthdays  also not privileged, she said, per those present.

open image in gallery Combs, who founded Bad Boy Records, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years with the aid of a network of associates and employees ( 2018 Invision )

Agnifilo reportedly shot back: When we visit [Combs] in jail, we have lists. Everything in these pads are things we discuss; trial strategy, who we should speak to to undermine a witness credibility. We discuss everything with Mr Combs.

He continued: We are studying this mans life for our bail application We spend time on every nook and cranny of his mans life. Mr Combs comes out and reads us his to-do list. That is privileged.

The 19 pages include things we have said to him. The name of a potential witness, a retired doctor. Now they have that. This is in the heartland of attorney-client [privilege].

Tuesdays hearing comes after prosecutors accused Combs of blackmailing victims and witnesses from inside his jail cell by communicating with family members using fellow inmates phones.

The music mogul allegedly called up family members, urging them to reach out to potential victims and create narratives and made "relentless efforts" to "corruptly influence witness testimony, court documents claimed.

Prosecutors made the allegations as part of a motion filed on Friday in which they urged a Manhattan judge to reject Combs latest $50 million bail proposal.

That hearing  the third brought Combs legal team  is set for Friday.

Combs, who founded Bad Boy Records, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years with the aid of a network of associates and employees, while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings.
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A South Carolina mother who killed her two young sons in 1994 by strapping them in car seats and rolling her vehicle into a lake has been denied parole after 30 years behind bars.

Susan Smith, 53, appeared via video feed from prison on Wednesday and pleaded with a seven-member parole board for her freedom three decades after the deaths of Michael, 3, and Alex, 14 months.

First, I want to say how very sorry I am, Smith said as she broke down crying. I know what I did was horrible and Id do anything to go back and change it.

Smith went on to say that she has made a lot of dumb choices in prison but has learned from her mistakes.

I am a Christian and God is a big part of my life and I know he has forgiven me, she said. I just ask that you show the same kind of mercy and yeah I guess thats it.

But it was not enough to sway the board and they denied her request for parole.

open image in gallery Susan Smith sobs on camera from prison as she requests parole ( Law&crime )

A jury convicted Smith of murder in 1995 but decided not to sentence her to death. Under state law at the time, she is eligible for a parole hearing every two years now that she has spent 30 years behind bars.

Smiths ex-husband and father of the children, David Smith, vowed to be at the parole hearings for his slain sons every two years going forward to ensure that their death doesnt go in vain.

Im here to advocate on Michael and Alexs behalf as their father, he told the parole board. God gives us free choice. She made this choice. This wasnt a tragic mistake. She purposely meant to end their lives.

As for the 30 years she has spent in prison, he said: Ultimately to me thats only 15 years per child. Her own children. Its just not enough.

Smith made international headlines in October 1994 when she said she was carjacked late by a Black man who then drove away with her sons inside.

The claims by Smith, who is white, played into a centuries-old racist trope of Black men being a danger to white women and stoked concerns about crime that were prevalent in 1990s America and remain so today, the Associated Press reported.

open image in gallery Susan and David Smith address reporters Nov. 2, 1994 during a news conference in Union, SC ( AP1994 )

For nine days, Smith and her husband pleaded with the public for the safe return of their children. But the entire time, the boys were in Smiths car at the bottom of nearby John D. Long Lake.

Smith ultimately confessed to letting her car roll down a boat ramp and into the lake.

A re-creation by investigators showed it took six minutes for the Mazda to dip below the surface, while cameras inside the vehicle showed water pouring in through the vents and steadily rising.

The boys bodies were found dangling upside-down in their car seats, one tiny hand pressed against a window,

Prosecutors have said Smith killed her sons because a man she was having an affair with at the time said that he did not want children.

Smith and her husband were legally separated at the time of the murders, but David joined forces with Smith to find their sons. Everything changed when she confessed to killing their children.

open image in gallery The boys bodies were found dangling upside-down in their car seats, one tiny hand pressed against a window ( AP1995 )

A judge granted their divorce in May 1995, a couple of months before her trial began.

I am not the monster society thinks I am, she later wrote in a letter to The State newspaper in 2015. I am far from it.

Something went very wrong that night, she added. I was not myself. I was a good mother and I loved my boys. There was no motive as it was not even a planned event. I was not in my right mind.

Smiths attorneys claimed she was suffering a mental breakdown and intended to die alongside her children, but saved herself at the last moment, according to The New York Times.

The trial lasted less than a week, and, after less than two-and-a-half hours of deliberation, the jury found Smith guilty on two counts of first-degree murder.

Smiths time behind bars over the past 30 years has been mired in controversy  from having sex with prison guards to violating policies and chatting up a number of obsessed suitors on the outside.

She was hit with two infractions for having sex with prison guards in 2000 and then was disciplined at least five times between 2010 and 2017 for issues including self-mutilation and drug use, People reported.
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Two teenagers on their way to a Billie Eilish concert were killed in a horror car crash, after a suspect kidnapped a one-year-old baby and led police on a high-speed chase.

Lucy Yeates, 18, and Kole Cunningham, 18, died on Sunday when the car they were traveling in collided with the vehicle driven by the suspected kidnapper along Interstate 29 in Missouri. The unnamed 29-year-old suspect also died at the scene, reported NewsPressNow.

The multi-car collision unfolded after a woman called 911 just after 6 a.m. reporting that she and her one-year-old son had been kidnapped by a suicidal and homicidal man, Fremont County Sheriffs Office said.

The woman told police the man had then dropped her off at a hospital in Hamburg, Iowa, before speeding off in a 2023 Kia Sorento with her child.

When officers tracked down the vehicle, the suspect allegedly led Fremont County deputies and Iowa State Patrol troopers on a high-speed chase in the wrong direction along Interstate 29 from Iowa to Missouri.

As the car reached the 123-mile marker of the I-29 in Missouri, police said it crashed into a 2013 Ford Focus which was traveling in the right direction and had been passing a Volvo semi-truck at the time.

open image in gallery Lucy Yeates (right) and Kole Cunningham (middle) died in the crash. Yeatess twin sister Aubrey (left) was hospitalized with serious injuries ( GoFundMe )

Inside the Ford Focus was Lucy, Kole, and Lucys twin sister Aubrey who were on their way to Omaha to watch Billie Eilish in concert, a family member said on a GoFundMe page. Lucy and Kole were killed while Aubrey was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

The suspects car came to a stop at Nishnabotna River Bridge and burst into flames, police said.

A Fremont County deputy pulled the one-year-old from the burning car to safety. The infant was airlifted to a hospital in Omaha with non-life-threatening injuries, polic said.

The Volvo semi-truck also swerved to avoid the crash and hit a Fremont County deputys patrol vehicle.

open image in gallery The horror crash unfolded along Interstate 29 in Missouri ( Google Maps )

The truck driver, a 30-year-old from Ontario, Canada, was unharmed, reported the Kansas City Star, while the deputy was treated for minor injuries.

The Missouri State Patrol is investigating the collision.

Lucy and Aubreys family said in a statement to KMBC: On November 17, 2024, our lives changed instantly when a wrong-way driver hit the car our twin daughters, Lucy and Aubrey Yeates, and their friend Kole Cunningham were in. This incredibly senseless and tragic event has left our families with a hole that will never be filled.

The GoFundMe launched to help Aubreys recovery had topped $15,000 by Wednesday morning. A separate fundraiser for Koles family has been organized on Meal Train.
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A Virginia woman has been accused of pushing her husband to stab and disembowel a pizza shop worker because of a botched order.

Catherine Natasha Harper, 45, allegedly told her husband, Corey Trelain Harper, 47, both from Chesapeake, Virginia, to handle the situation after she got into a heated argument with a 24-year-old employee at a Mod Pizza in Norfolk on Sunday, according to court documents seen by WAVY.

Authorities said the incident unfolded when Catherine Harper accused the employee of botching her order.

The 45-year-old then summoned her husband to the restaurant where he stabbed the unnamed victim several times, slicing his torso and exposing his intestines, the court records allege.

The couple then allegedly fled the scene.

Norfolk Police responded to the pizza joint to find the employee suffering from multiple stab wounds.

He was rushed to hospital for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

The couple was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit a malicious assault. Corey Harper faces additional charges of assault and brandishing a firearm.

open image in gallery Catherine Harper, 45, (left) allegedly told her husband, Corey Trelain Harper, 47 (right) to handle the situation with the pizza shop employee ( WAVY TV 10 )

The Harpers appeared in court on Monday and are now being held without bond in Norfolk City Jail.

They are next scheduled to appear in court on January 14 2025.

Mod Pizza said in a statement to WAVY that it was dismayed to hear what had happened in its restaurant.

Please understand this is an active investigation and we are cooperating with the local police. While our team member recuperates in the hospital, we are conducting our due diligence and will make a well-thought-out decision about this situation, the statement said.

Moments like these force organizations to re-examine employee training and look for ways to reinforce values and expectations.

The Independent contacted The Norfolk Sheriffs Office for further information.
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The family of a Maui woman who vanished on a trip to New York is growing increasingly concerned after new CCTV footage showed her with another person.

Hannah Kobayashi disappeared earlier this month after she missed her connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York City, where she was planning to visit her aunt. Kobayashi, who is from Maui, decided to go to a Lebron James event at The Grove while waiting for the next flight. Her family hasnt heard from her since November 10.

Now, her relatives are searching for the 31-year-old Hawaii native in LA and say theyve come across a disturbing clue into the womans disappearance.

A day after Kobayashi went missing, she was spotted in downtown Los Angeles near a Metro station. She was with someone and did not look well, Larie Pidgeon, the womans aunt told KTLA 5. She is not safe, and she is not alone, she said.

Kobayashi had previously sent cryptic texts to a friend saying she had been tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds to  someone I thought I loved. The womans sister, Sydni Kobayashi, said the texts were really weird.

open image in gallery Kobayashi, 30, vanished last week while traveling from Hawaii to New York City ( Sydni Kobayashi/Facebook )

She texted her that she was scared and that she couldnt come back home or something, the sister told HawaiiNewsNow. It was just really weird texts.

Its weird to me because it doesnt sound like her like theres just something off about it, she continued. So I wasnt too sure. I dont know if its her or if someone else was texting. Then, the texts stopped.

The Los Angeles Police Department has opened a missing persons case into the incident but told KTLA it would not be releasing details into the matter. Kobayashi is 5ft 10ins and weighs about 140 pounds. She has brown hair and eyes, and fair skin with freckles.

Her father is pleading with his daughter to contact him if she needs anything.

I miss her, Ryan Kobayashi told the outlet. Just want her to know that, and just want her to reach out  anything.
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Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaiian woman who disappeared after missed a connecting flight in Los Angeles, has been found safe and sound, her family has revealed.

The 30-year-old from Maui first went missing on November 8 while traveling from the Pacific island state to New York City via LA for what she described as a bucket list trip.

Her family launched a desperate search to find her, flocking to LA, handing out flyers and keeping her story in the public eye. Police later declared her a voluntary missing person, saying that she had been captured on surveillance footage walking across the USs southern border into Mexico.

But the mystery has now reached a positive conclusion.

We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe, the family said in a statement to KABC on December 11.

This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through.

We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us.

Heres everything we know about the case.

Where was she going?

Kobayashi, a photographer and aspiring DJ, departed her hometown of Maui, Hawaii, on November 8 to visit her aunt in New York City. She described the trip in her hand-written itinerary as bucket list dreams become reality.

She had initially planned the trip with her ex-boyfriend but they had since broken up. As the trip was already planned, the pair planned to travel on the same flight and go their separate ways once they landed at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York.

open image in gallery Hannah Kobayashi went missing on November 8 when she failed to board a connecting flight at LAX ( midorieve/Instagram )

Kobayashis aunt, Geordan Montalvo, planned to go to a show with her niece in New York on the evening of November 12.

But the pair touched down at LAX for a 42-minute layover and, while her ex-boyfriend made it to the final destination, Kobayashi missed the connection.

Her ex-boyfriend helped police with their inquiries to try to find Kobayashi.

Where was she last seen before disappearing?

A photo of Kobayashi appeared to show her getting off the flight at the Los Angeles airport on November 8.

The next day she was spotted at a Taschen bookstore at The Grove shopping center in the Fairfax area of LA. Her family said they do not know why.

A video posted on YouTube On Sunday November 10 showed Kobayashi at the LeBron XXII Trial Experience, an event held at the Nike store, also at The Grove. A photo of the event also appeared to have been posted on her Instagram account.

A day later on November 11, surveillance video around a downtown Los Angeles Metro train station near the Crypto.com arena showed her with an unknown person. Her family said she did not appear to be in good condition in the footage.

On December 2, police said in a statement that Kobayashi was seen collecting her luggage from a carousel at LAX on November 11.

The next day, she purchased a bus ticket from Union Station to San Ysidro, California  close to the Mexican border. She then crossed over the border into Mexico by foot soon after, the LAPD said. She was alone and was carrying her belongings.

open image in gallery Surveillance footage shows Hannah Kobayashi arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on November 8 ( Sydni Kobayashi/Facebook )

The LAPDs missing persons unit then traveled to the US-Mexico border to review the footage with the US Customs and Border Protection.

Based on the footage, law enforcement believe Kobayashi went missing of her own accord and so the LAPD said it would not be continuing its investigation in Mexico.

To date, the investigation has not uncovered any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play, the LAPD said in the statement.

She is also not a suspect in any criminal activity.

Suspicious payments

Prior to the sighting at the border, police had been investigating a pair of payments she made over Venmo to a man and woman on November 9.

One of the payments was sent at 6.25pm to a woman named Veronica Almendarez and was labeled with a bow-and-arrow emoji, according to The US Sun.

open image in gallery The 30-year-old missed her connecting flight to New York on November 8 ( Sydni Kobayashi/Facebook )

Less than an hour later, at 7.19pm, Kobayashi made a second payment to a man named Jonathan Taylor with the subject line reading.

That payment was reportedly for a tarot card reading, sources familiar with the investigation told the outlet.

Weird texts

During the search for the missing 30-year-old, the Kobayashi family spoke out about unusual messages they had been sent from her phone.

The family said they received a strange and cryptic text from her phone suggesting she was being intercepted while she was boarding a Metro train, and expressing fear that someone was trying to steal her identity.

Once the family started pressing, she went dark, Pidgeon previously told the Associated Press. She said the phone just went dead after November 11.

That day, her mother texted her asking whether she made it to New York, to which the daughter responded she hadnt.

open image in gallery A flyer with information on Hannah Kobayashi displayed in Los Angeles last month ( AP )

Kobayashi later texted a friend, writing: Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f*** since Friday.

Another message said: I got tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds, followed by one saying, For someone I thought I love.

A third message a friend received from Kobayashis number said she had been tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds to someone I thought I loved.

Her sister Sydni Kobayashi spoke of her familys fears that someone is controlling her, saying that strange text messages were absolutely not like her.

The text messages used words like hun, love and babe, words that Kobayashi would not use, her sister old HawaiiNewsNow.

Tragic death of her father

In fresh heartache for the family, Kobayashis dad Ryan Kobayashi was found dead near LAX in the early hours of November 24, police said.

The 58-year-olds death was ruled a suicide.

Ryan Kobayashi had traveled to LA to join the search for his daughter.

Just a few days before he died, he was handing out missing persons flyers in the city and said he would do everything in his power to find her.

Were just trying to get us as much information as we can, he previously told HawaiiNewsNow. Want to get the word out... has anyone seen my daughter?

open image in gallery Hannahs dad Ryan Kobayashi was found dead in Los Angeles ( Fox News )

He added: Shes a wonderful person who brings joy to so many people.

Sydni Kobayashi told NewsNation that her father fought until his last breath to find Hannah.

While Kobayashis aunt told People that the family believes the father was overwhelmed during the search and suffered a mental health emergency.

He died of a broken heart, Pigeon said. I think it just became so overwhelming for [Ryan] driving the streets, going to Skid Row and seeing where his daughter could possibly have ended up.

A secret marriage scam?

Los Angeles Magazine reported in early December that Kobayashi may have been involved in a green card marriage scam before she disappeared, which was reportedly unearthed by her mother when she discovered immigration documents at her daughters home.

The magazine said that Kobayashi may have been scammed out of money that involved her marrying an Argentinian man, citing sources.

The family didnt go public with their findings because they did not have the facts or the necessary documents to verify the information, they said in a statement.

The family has not confirmed the authenticity of the images or the accuracy of the information provided about a possible secret marriage, the statement shared by their lawyer Sara Azari said.

This is one of many leads we are actively investigating with the help of our attorney and investigative team.

Found safe and sound

On December 11, Kobayashi was finally located and her family was informed of the good news by the LAPD.

We have not seen her and at this point we have no reason to compel her to see us, Lieutenant Doug Oldfield of the departments missing persons unit told People.

Its a big news story so she may decide to come with a lawyer, but she is not obligated to speak to us.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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President-elect Donald Trump attends Elon Musks SpaceX Starship rocket launch on Tuesday, in the latest indication of the billionaires influence in the Republicans orbit.

Trumps visit comes as billionaire Musk has been a near-constant presence at Trumps side as he builds out his administration, attending meetings at Trumps Mar-a-Lago club, accompanying him to meetings with Capitol Hill Republicans in Washington last week and to a UFC fight in New York on Saturday.

The sixth Starship flight test will see SpaceX once again attempt to catch the rockets Super Heavy booster using chopstick arms at the launch tower at the companys Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.

Measuring 120-metres-tall, Starship is the biggest rocket ever built, capable of carrying up to 100 people. SpaceX hopes to use it to ferry crew and cargo across the solar system, aiming to establish a permanent human colony on Mars by 2050.

Tuesdays 30-minute launch window opens at 4 p.m. central time, according to the company, with the company again looking to test the landing capture system of the booster in Texas, while the upper stage continues to a splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
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President Joe Biden has approved the supply of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine to use in its fight against Russia, according to reports  marking his latest policy shift as he scrambles to help Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before Donald Trump returns to the White House in January.

Two US officials told The Washington Post that Kyiv has committed to deploying the explosive devices exclusively on its own territory and not in areas populated by civilians

Ukraine hopes the development will enable it to slow the advance of Russian ground troops in the east, especially when used alongside other munitions gifted by its western allies, an official told Reuters.

The US has provided Ukraine with anti-tank mines throughout the war with Russia, which began in late February 2022, but the addition of anti-personnel mines provides a different defensive threat, although the battery-powered mines are non-persistent, meaning they become inert after a preset period.

The development comes days after Biden also shifted his stance by permitting Americas war-torn European ally to use its long-range ATACMS missiles to strike deeper into Russian territory.

open image in gallery President Joe Biden and other G20 leaders meet during the G20 Summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. Biden is scrambling to help Ukraine in his final days in office ( AP )

The decision  which coincided with the conflicts 1,000th day  inspired an outcry from members of Trumps inner circle, including his son Donald Trump Jr and Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who accused Biden of attempting to start a Third World War before the president-elect takes office.

On Wednesday morning, the US shuttered its embassy in Kyiv saying it had received intelligence about a potential significant air attack on November 20.

Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place, the US Department of State Consular Affairs said in a statement.

The US embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.

Moscow claimed on Tuesday that attacks on Russian targets had already begun and said the move was a clear signal that the NATO-led west was seeking to escalate the conflict, just as experts had warned.

open image in gallery Ukraining forces firing a 2S5 self-propelled 152mm howitzer towards Russian positions near Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region, Ukraine, November 18 ( EPA )

In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks.

Under Putins revised nuclear doctrine, a conventional attack on Russia by any nation supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country.

The doctrine, which lays the conditions under which Russias leadership might consider a nuclear strike, also states that an attack using conventional missiles, drones or other kinds of aircraft could justify the response.

Additional reporting by agencies.
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President-elect Donald Trump continues to push his friends and closest allies as nominees for key roles in government. The picks have sent shockwaves through the hall of Congress.

Trump has vowed to get them into their positions  and it's been floated that he could do something that hasnt been done in the nearly 250-year history of America to make it happen. How would he achieve this, when usually he would have to go through an official confirmation process? Through recess appointments.

Some of Trumps most controversial choices so far include Robert F Kennedy Jr, the environmental activist-turned-vaccine-conspiracy theorist, for secretary of Health and Human Services; former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence; and former congressman Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general.

Republican Senators seemed downright uncomfortable talking about the picks when asked. Democrats dont seem too enthused about helping Trump if any Republicans defect.

I've got a lot of questions, and thats why we have advise-and-consent, Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, told The Independent. And the first step is to go through appropriate background checks. Then theres a public hearing and then I'll reach a conclusion.

open image in gallery Donald Trumps controversial picks for positions - such as Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence - that need Senate approval have sent shockwaves through Congress. The President-elect has already threatened recess appointments. Could he take it a step further? ( REUTERS )

Warner was being polite compared to Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who sits on the Armed Services Committee, which would be in charge of confirmation hearings for Fox News pundit Pete Hegseth, Trumps nominee to lead the Pentagon.

Being on Fox News is not enough to substitute for the kind of experience that years in different parts of the military and grappling with different issues in defense give to a possible nomination, she told The Independent.

Trump will come to Washington with a sizeable Republican majority in the Senate after Republicans flipped seats in Montana, West Virginia and Ohio. Pennsylvanias Senate race is currently in a recount, but if incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey loses, that will give Republicans one more vote to confirm Trumps team in the form of Dave McCormick.

At the same time, it might not be enough. Even in an era where Republicans are far more subservient to Trump than his first go-around in office, some Republicans will not want to bend the knee and vote for unqualified nominees.

Enter recess appointments. Earlier this week, as Republicans geared up to nominate their new majority leader, Trump tweeted: Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!)

Article II of the US Constitution states that: 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.

Essentially, recess apppointments are when the president appoints a nominee to a Senate-confirmed position when the Senate is out of session, bypassing the need for colleagues say-so. Historically, Democrats and Republicans have used recess appointments for controversial nominations. Bill Clinton made 139 recess appointments, including one for James Hormel as US ambassador to Luxembourg, after Republicans opposed Hormels nomination because he was openly gay.

Recess appointments expire at the end of the Senates next session, according to the Congressional Research Service.

But since 2006, when Democrats took control of the House and Senate during George W Bushs administration, the Senate has essentially stopped having recess appointments. Rather, it holds what are called pro forma sessions, wherein the House and Senate briefly conduct business as a way to prevent presidents from making recess appointments.

In 2012, as Senate Republicans continued to block Barack Obamas nominees to the National Labor Relations Board, he made three recess appointments. However, in 2014, the Supreme Court ruled against Obama doing so, saying the Senate hadnt been on a long enough recess to justify making appointments during that period.

open image in gallery Gabbard and Matt Gaetz, who Trump named as nominee for Attorney General, are among the controversial names. They could move into their positions through recess appointments ( Getty Images )

That leads us to the next part, which would be unprecedented. Section 3 of Article 3 in the Constitution says that the president may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper.

That rule would allow Trump to adjourn Congress as long as he likes  allowing him the leeway to make a legally justifiable recess appointment.

This is not the first time that the president-elect has hinted at the need to do this. In 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Trump signaled that he would be interested in doing so. But even some Senate Republicans might chafe at the idea of the president using this power.

Its in the Constitution, but again, our job is to provide advice and consent, Senator John Cornyn of Texas told The Independent on Thursday. I think thats sort of a failsafe in the event Democrats continue to block any of President Trumps nominees. He has a right to get his team in place without unnecessary delays.

Ironically, during that last time Trump threatened to adjourn Congress, he did so when Republicans  led by then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell  controlled the Senate. The divide between Trump and McConnell showed just how protective the Senate is about its advise-and-consent power that is enumerated in the Constitution.

The next Senate majority will not be led by McConnell, who announced at the beginning of this year that he would step aside as Republican leader. Rather, Senator John Thune, who currently serves as minority whip, will be the majority leader in January.

Thune beat Cornyn, a decidedly more conservative Republican, during the race to become majority leader earlier this week. But if Trump continues to push and prod Republicans on this, it could likely lead to Trump at least trying to adjourn Congress as a flex of his power. A flex that hasnt been seen in three centuries.
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President-elect Donald Trump has urged Republican senators to grind the business of the upper chamber to a halt to stop Democrats from confirming any more judges before the end of President Joe Bidens term.

Senate Democrats held votes late into the night on Monday to confirm Bidens picks to the federal bench.

The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door. Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line  No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day! Trump said Tuesday in a post on Truth Social.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged colleagues on the floor of the Senate Monday to confirm as many nominees as possible before the new year. This could prompt Democratic leadership to hold weekend and Christmas recess votes.

Republicans tried to slow down proceedings by pushing Democrats to conduct votes on procedural motions.

The White House slammed Senate Republicans and its incoming leader, Senator John Thune of South Dakota, noting that one of Thunes priorities before the end of Trumps first term was to confirm judicial nominees.

Regardless of party, the American people expect their leaders to fight for the rule of law and to ensure the criminal justice system can function effectively in every state, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said, according to The Hill. Delaying the confirmation of highly qualified, experienced judges takes a real-life toll on constituents and leads to backlogs of criminal cases  meaning Senator Thune was correct in 2020 when he said senators have every urgent reason to continue working together in good faith to staff the federal bench.

He added: There is no excuse for choosing partisanship over enforcing the rule of law.

Donald Trump attends a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket on November 19, 2024, in Brownsville, Texas. The president-elect urges Senate Republicans to attempt to stop the Democrats from confirming President Joe Bidens judicial nominees ( Getty Images )

In an op-ed in Time magazine just after the election, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote that Schumer must use every minute of the end-of-year legislative session to confirm federal judges and key regulatorsnone of whom can be removed by the next President.

The Senate confirmed 234 of Trumps nominees to Article III courts during his first term. The Article III courts include the Supreme Court, federal appeals courts, district courts, and the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Biden is catching up to Trump, with the Senate confirming 217 of his nominees so far. There are currently 45 vacancies and 15 nominees awaiting action, according to the Judicial Conference.

If Sen. Schumer thought Senate Republicans would just roll over and allow him to quickly confirm multiple Biden-appointed judges to lifetime jobs in the final weeks of the Democrat majority, he thought wrong, Thune told Fox News Digital.
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Vice President-Elect JD Vance and Matt Gaetz are heading to Capitol Hill with a delegation of new Donald Trump administration nominees on Wednesday, in a bid to court skeptical Republicans and urge them to give the scandal-plagued attorney general pick a shot at the job.

The duo will be joined on their mission by Pete Hegseth, Elise Stefanik and Doug Collins, according to CNN, a trio representing the president-elects choices for Americas next defense secretary, UN ambassador and veterans affairs secretary respectively.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy is one GOP stalwart they are expected to visit, while Gaetz has also been making phone calls as he seeks to bolster support for his bid to become the USs top law enforcement official.

Missouri Senator Josh Hawley told CNN that the ex-Florida congressman had called him, imploring him to give him a shot at the role.

President-Elect Trump has also been personally calling senators, lobbying them to back Gaetz when Senate confirmation hearings get underway in January.

A number of Trumps nominees have already proven controversial, either because they appear to be unqualified for the roles they have been chosen for or because of past scandals in their personal lives.

Matt Gaetz and JD Vance (campaigning together in Ohio in April 2022) will head to Capitol Hill today to try to garner support for Gaetzs nomination ( Drew Angerer/Getty )

Gaetzs selection appears to be the most under threat as he was previously investigated by both the Justice Department he could now lead and the House Ethics Committee over allegations that he paid for sex with an underage girl in 2017. Gaetz has repeatedly denied the accusations and has not been charged with a crime.

The Ethics Committee had been due to publish its report into Gaetz, compiled as part of the probe it curtailed in February 2023, last week  but he resigned from Congress after receiving the attorney general nod, effectively ending the probe as he is no longer within its jurisdiction.

However  just as Vance and Gaetz try to shore up support on Capitol Hill  the committee will meet on Wednesday to consider what next steps, if any, to take with the report.

More than 100 House Democrats have called on the panel to release the report  which was also accessed illegally by a hacker on Monday  along with several Republicans including veteran GOP Senator Chuck Grassley, the likely future chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

I think that if they want a speedy consideration of this nomination weve got to have as much transparency as we can have, Grassley said.

Youve heard my colleagues, especially on the Republican side, say that they have some questions and I think it would help faster consideration, the extent to which they would make as much available as they can.
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Since announcing their post-election meeting with Donald Trump, Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski have received a fierce backlash from the GOP and fellow members of the media, who described the stunt as dishonest.

The pair have defended their decision to visit the President-elect for the first time in seven years as an opportunity to restart communications after being fierce critics of Trump in the run-up to the 2024 election. In their coverage, Scarborough and Brzezinski described Trump as erratic, slamming his election fraud efforts and warning of how dark of a place the US would be if Trump won. In September, Scarborough said that it was not a reach to compare the President-elect to Hitler.

However, aside from the acrimony of the 2024 election cycle, a meeting between Scarborough and Trump is even more astonishing given their previous interactions, centered around the death of a young congressional staffer Lori Klausutis more than 20 years ago.

open image in gallery Joe Scarborough explains why hes not concerned about social media backlash to his meeting with President-elect Donald Trump alongside co-host Mika Brzezinski ( Morning Joe )

Before his career as a TV host and political commentator, Scarborough was a congressman, serving as the GOP representative for Floridas 1st Congressional district from 1994 to 2001.

In July 2001, shortly after Scarborough announced his intention to resign, his 28-year-old aide Klausutis was found dead on the floor of his congressional office in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The death prompted wild speculation and baseless conspiracy theories about Scarboroughs involvement.

Claims of his involvement were promoted by publisher Markos Moulitsas and by filmmaker Michael Moore, who publicly mused about registering the domain name JoeScarboroughKilledHisIntern.com.

open image in gallery Before his career as a TV host and political commentator, Scarborough was a popular congressman, serving as the GOP representative for Floridas 1st Congressional district. In 2001, shortly after he announced he was resigning the post, his aide Lori Klausutis was found dead in his office ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

However, an autopsy later revealed that Klausutis had an undiagnosed heart condition and a coroner concluded she passed out and hit her head as she fell. The coroner said the head injury caused the death, but she wasnt struck by another person.

This did not stop Trump from reviving false conspiracies suggesting Scarborough was somehow involved in the young womans death over a decade later.

In November 2017, some 10 months into his first term, the President-elect took to X, then Twitter, to comment on the firing of NBC host Matt Lauer. Will the Fake News practitioners at NBC terminate low ratings Joe Scarborough based on the unsolved mystery that took place in Florida years ago? Investigate!

The tweet prompted much pushback from media outlets, including a fact-check from the Associated Press, which noted Klausutis conclusive autopsy report.

In 2020, Trump went on a 10-day rant about the case once again, describing Scarborough as a Nut Job and incorrectly describing the incident as a cold case. When will they open a Cold Case on the Psycho Joe Scarborough matter in Florida. Did he get away with murder? he wrote on Twitter.

Some people think so. Why did he leave Congress so quietly and quickly? Isnt it obvious? Whats happening now? A total nut job!

In a separate post, he continued: A blow to her head? Body found under his desk? Left Congress suddenly? Big topic of discussion in Florida...and, hes a Nut Job (with bad ratings). Keep digging, use forensic geniuses!

Once again the posts prompted outrage online and from the media. Scarborough himself called Trumps persistence in promoting the debunked conspiracy unspeakably cruel on the Klausutis family. These are not public figures nor have they ever been public figures, he said.

open image in gallery Despite Klausutis death being ruled non-intentional by a coroner, Donald Trump revived debunked conspiracy theories about it several times more than a decade later while in office ( REUTERS )

The May 2020 barrage even resulted in a letter being sent by Klausutis widower Timothy Klausutis to the then-CEO of Twitter Jack Dorsey begging for him to intervene.

The president of the United States has taken something that does not belong to him  the memory of my dead wife  and perverted it for perceived political gain, wrote Klausutis, who asked Dorsey for a modest remedy: An ordinary user like me would be banished from the platform for such a tweet but I am only asking that these tweets be removed.

The platform did not remove the posts, but apologized to Klausutis and said it was taking steps to address similar issues in future.

Following their meeting with the once-again President-elect, Scarborough said that he, Brzezinski and Trump talked about a lot of issues including abortion, mass deportations, threats of political retribution against political opponents and media outlets.

Its gonna come as no surprise to anybody who watches this showthat we didnt see eye to eye on a lot of issues and we told him so, he said. The death of Klausutis is undoubtedly one of the things that they disagree on. Whether it was mentioned in their recent visit to Mar-a-Lago, is another matter.
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The top Democrat on the House Ethics Committee has accused the panels Republican chairman Rep Michael Guest of having betrayed the process after a meeting resulted in no decision on whether to release the report into former Florida Congressman and Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz.

Rep Susan Wild, a Pennsylvania Democrat, said on Wednesday afternoon: We had agreed that we were not going to discuss what had transpired at the meeting  The chairman has since betrayed the process by disclosing our deliberations within moments after walking out of the committee.

The House Ethics Committee was unable to reach an agreement on releasing its report into Gaetzs alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use during its Wednesday meeting.

Both Democratic and Republican Senators have asked to see the report as part of their vetting of Gaetz to be the nations top law enforcement officer.

But House Republicans havent been eager to share the conclusions of the report into the yearslong investigation.

After the meeting on Wednesday, which lasted hours, Guest, a Mississippi Republican, said, There was no agreement by the committee to release the report.

Wild said Guest implied that there was an agreement of the committee not to disclose the report ... To the extent that that suggests that the committee was in agreement, or that we had a consensus on that  that is inaccurate.

Gaetz spent Wednesday on Capitol Hill meeting with Senate Republicans whose support he needs to be confirmed as attorney general ( Getty Images )

I will say that a vote was taken, she added. As many of you know, this committee is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, five Dems, five Republicans, which means that in order to affirmatively move something forward, somebody has to cross party lines and vote with the other side, which happens a lot, by the way, and we often vote unanimously.

That did not happen in today's vote, and I do not want the American public, or anyone else to think that Mr. Guests characterization of what transpired today would be some sort of indication that the committee had unanimity or consensus on this issue not to release the report, Wild said.

There was no consensus on this issue. We did agree that we would reconvene as a committee on December 5 to further consider this matter, she added.

Last week, Speaker Mike Johnson pushed for the committee not to release the report, claiming that it would be a breach of protocol to release a report on a member who has left the chamber.

Gaetz quickly resigned from Congress after he was nominated to be attorney general by President-elect Donald Trump. The 42-year-olds resignation came just days before a planned meeting of the Ethics panel, where they were set to vote on the report.

Some Republicans in the Senate, including Texas Senator John Cornyn, have indicated that the Judiciary Committee in the upper chamber could subpoena the House panel if theyre unwilling to hand over the report.

Gaetz spent Wednesday on Capitol Hill with Vice President-elect and Ohio Senator JD Vance meeting with other Republicans in the Senate whose support he needs to be confirmed to lead the Department of Justice.
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The House Ethics Committee got hold of records showing that former Florida Congressman and Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz paid more than $10,000 to two women who later testified to the panel and the Justice Department, according to ABC News.

The records include a check and Venmo payments sent between July 2017 and late January 2019. During that period, hes alleged to have made 27 Venmo payments for a total of $10,224.02 to the witnesses. They were both over the age of 18 at the time. Gaetz won his first election to the House in 2016.

The payments were for between $100 and $700 and were displayed during testimony behind closed doors, according to ABC.

It has been previously reported that investigators with the House panel subpoenaed Venmo to get Gatezs records and showed them to witnesses to ask if the payments were for drugs or sex. The witnesses testified that some of the payments were from Gaetz and were for sex, according to ABC News.

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Gaetz would be his choice for attorney general. Gaetz resigned from the House shortly after the announcement, days before the committee was set to deliberate on whether to make its report on its investigation into Gaetz public.

The Department of Justice investigated sexual misconduct allegations against Gaetz for years, but it told the former House representative last year that it would not be bringing any charges.

Gaetz has consistently and strongly rejected all allegations of wrongdoing.

Matt Gaetz arrives during an America First Policy Institute gala at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach. Gaetz allegedly made more than $10,000 in Venmo payments to two women ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Trump transition spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer told ABC News that The Justice Department received access to roughly every financial transaction Matt Gaetz ever undertook and came to the conclusion that he committed no crime.

These leaks are meant to undermine the mandate from the people to reform the Justice Department, he added.

These are baseless allegations intended to derail the second Trump administration, Pfeiffer said this week.

The alleged Venmo payments included descriptions such as gift, cartrages, car deductible, and refreshments, while further entries stated travel and another cited a flight but also included the words extra 4 u.

The alleged flight payment could be linked to a trip in September 2018 to the Bahamas, which was part of the Justice Departments investigation into the former Congressman, according to ABC News.

Records reveal that in other payments, the wrapped gift emoji or the hug emoji was used. In early 2019, both of the witnesses got payments for travel which was around the time that Gaetz is alleged to have arranged for two women to fly to New York for sex and to come with him when he was set to appear on Outnumbered on Fox News.

The Ethics panel also got ahold of a signed check dated October 2018, allegedly from Gaetz. The memo stated tuition reimbursement and a witness told the panel that it was Gaetz who gave her the check, a source told ABC News.

Gaetz has rejected claims that he paid for sex, arguing that someone is trying to recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward.

On Wednesday, the Ethics Committee is set to meet to discuss the report and possibly vote on if they should release it to the public. The investigation ended when Gaetz left his House seat.
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Transgender people will be barred from using bathrooms and other single-sex facilities at the U.S. Capitol and associated offices that correspond with their gender identity, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Wednesday.

He said in a statement such facilities will instead be reserved for individuals of that biological sex.

It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms available throughout the Capitol, Johnson wrote. Women deserve womens only spaces.

The announcement comes after Republican House members pushed for the policy change, following the election of Sarah McBride of Delaware, the first transgender person sent to Congress.

On Monday, South Carolina representative Nancy Mace introduced a resolution to similar effect then unveiled a broader proposal on Tuesday that would prevent trans people from using facilities matching their gender identity across federal property.

The provosals have divided the House on party lines.

open image in gallery Speaker Johnsons announcement on rules comes after pressure from House members to bar trans people from Capitol bathrooms ( AP )

Democrats aframed the efforts as a distraction meant to stir up culture-war anger and single out McBride rather than solve any meaningful issue.

This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing, McBride posted on X. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars.

This is not just bigotry, this is just plain bullying, New York Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said, according to Axios.

Advocates argued the rules fight is a harbinger of the larger attacks on civil rights protections and healthcare for trans and LGBTQ+ people more broadly expected under the new Trump administration.

The banning of trans people from womens bathrooms in the Capitol represents the beginning of extreme anti-trans talking points brought to life at the federal level, trans activist and TransLash Media founder Imara Jones told The Independent in a statement. This process will gain steam in January and beyond, as Republicans make good on their campaign promise to target trans people and erase them from public life.

open image in gallery Sarah McBride will become the first transgender member of the US House of Representatives when she is sworn in ( Getty Images )

Zooey Zephyr, the first trans person elected to the Montana legislature, who herself was at the center of a high-profile statehouse dispute centering on trans issues, said the new rules in Congress were obsessive and unhinged.

I literally just got out of meetings with members of Congress & used the bathroom on my way out. Trans women are womenfull stop, she wrote on X. Were every bit as biologically female as cis women & @SpeakerJohnsons statement doesnt change the fact that womens spaces include trans women.

Republican supporters, meanwhile, have framed their efforts as a defense of women and have spoken demeaningly of trans people in general.

Biological men do not belong in private womens spaces, Mace said in a recent post on X of her proposals. Period. Full stop. End of story.

The South Carolina lawmaker said shes gotten death threats over her efforts, but that she wont be intimidated.

Theyre threatening to kill me over this. Men who want to use womens restrooms are threatening to kill me over this issue, Mace told News Nations On Balance on Tuesday.

Good luck, she said, adding that she was the first woman to graduate from The Citadel Military College of South Carolina. If we havent met yet, I want all the bullies online to know you will not bully me into submission.

Hes a man, a biological male, Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene toldThe Independent, referring to and misgendering McBride. So he is not allowed to use our womens restrooms, our womens gym, our locker rooms and our spaces that are that are specified for women.

Some, like Texas congresswoman Jasmie Crockett, argued a more important gender-related matter was the release of a House ethics report on Attorney General candidate Matt Gaetz, in which two women reportedly testified that Gaetz paid them for sex, which he has strongly denied.

If @HouseGOP really wanted to protect women, theyd release the Ethics Committee report on Matt Gaetz alleged sex trafficking - not try to ban their colleagues from using the bathroom, she wrote on X on Tuesday. Stop the bigotry and release the report.

Under House rules, Speaker Johnson has general control of facilities in the chamber, including bathrooms.

The bathroom policy was unveiled the same day as Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual day marking the lives of transgender people lost to violence. Trans people, especially women of color, face disproportionate levels of violence compared with the general population.

A group of House Democrats introduced a resolution on Wednesday commemorating the day.

Too many transgender people have been killed just for living as their true, authentic selves, Pramila Jayapal of Washington wrote in a statement accompanying the resolution. These instances, coupled with countless other acts of discrimination, are terrifying  but we wont waver.

Alex Woodward contributed reporting to this story
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Morning Joe ratings have taken a nose-dive as hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski face backlash for meeting with Donald Trump.

During Mondays show, the hosts revealed that they had traveled to Mar-a-Lago on Friday to restart communications with the president-elect before he takes office, marking their first face-to-face meeting in seven years.

Scarborough and Brzezinski have been highly critical of Trump, and so their shock announcement was met with criticism from fellow MSNBC colleagues, media pundits and political figures.

Data from Nielsen suggested that it may have also hurt the shows ratings.

Morning Joe airs for four hours each morning between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. The cable news show is typically said to garner viewers hour over hour, according to Mediate.

Nielsen data shows that 56 minutes after the hosts began explaining their trip to the Trump residence, viewing figures began to tumble.

Between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., they had fallen 17 percent from 839,000 to 694,000. Among the 25- to 54-year-old age group, viewing figures plummeted by 38 percent.

During the 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. hour, the show briefly bounced back with 775,000 viewers but, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., the numbers dropped slightly again to 770,000.

However, that hour-to-hour dropoff, according to additional information from Nielsen, was based on the live plus same day ratings  which track both live viewership and those who watch the program later via DVR. The Nov. 18 telecast had an unusually high number of time-shifted viewers who watched via recording the hour that the Morning Joe hosts announced the Mar-a-Lago visit. While 426,000 viewers tuned in live to watch the 6 a.m. hour, another 413,000 checked it out later in the day on DVR. The DVR audience for the first hour was 77 percent higher than the week before. Subsequent hours for that broadcast saw much smaller time-shifted viewership numbers.

open image in gallery Morning Joe co-hosts Joe Scarborough and wife Mika Brzezinski met with Donald Trump last week ( MSNBC/YouTube )

The programs X channel turned off all its comments, although it is not clear whether this is related to the announcement of the meeting.

The hosts have been facing backlash with Jon Stewart of The Daily Show calling them out for meeting Trump after recently comparing him to Adolf Hitler.

Trumps former presidential rival Nikki Haley also described it as a stunt to bolster MSNBCs ratings, adding that they realized they needed Trump for their survival.

MSNBC host Katie Phang made a more indirect jibe at Scarborough and Brzezinski. Normalizing Trump is a bad idea, she wrote on X. Period.

During Monday mornings show, Brzezinski explained her rationale behind the meeting.

open image in gallery Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago estate on October 29. He said the meeting with the hosts was extremely cordial ( AP )

For those asking why we would go speak to the president-elect during such fraught times, especially between us, I guess I would ask back, why wouldnt we? she said.

The husband and wife duo said they spoke to Trump about abortion, mass deportation, threats of retribution against political opponents and media outlets.

Scarborough chimed in that we didnt see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues, and we told him so.

Trump, however, told Fox News that the exchange was extremely cordial.

In many ways, its too bad that it wasnt done long ago, Trump said, adding that it is very important, if not vital, to have a free, fair and open media or press.

Editors Note: This story was updated on Dec. 3 to include additional ratings information from Nielsen.
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South Carolina Rep Nancy Mace claims she is getting death threats over introducing a bill that would ban transgender women from using womens restrooms on Capitol Hill

On Monday, Mace introduced a resolution that prohibits House Representatives and their staff from using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex. The move comes just two weeks after Sarah McBride became the first transgender member of Congress after winning a House seat in Delaware.

Now, the South Carolina Republican says she is the target of death threats.

Theyre threatening to kill me over this. Men who want to use womens restrooms are threatening to kill me over this issue, Mace told News Nations On Balance on Tuesday.

Good luck, she said, adding that she was the first woman to graduate from The Citadel Military College of South Carolina. If we havent met yet, I want all the bullies online to know you will not bully me into submission.

I cant be threatened. You cant threaten my life enough. That means Im just gonna double and triple, quadruple down on this issue, she continued.

This is not okayAt some point we have to draw a line with this insanity and this is a big fat red line for me.

This person wants to come in and use womens spaces. If Im in, as a woman, Im changing clothes in the locker room because I use the gym when Im up here in DC, the womens gym, and a man shows up, and his genitalia, his penis is in the room, no! Like Im not its not okay.

This is the first of many similar measures she plans to introduce, Mace said. She introduced another, broader version of the bill on Tuesday that aimed to prohibit individuals from accessing or using single-sex facilities on federal property other than those corresponding to their biological sex, and for other purposes.

In a video posted on X on Tuesday, Mace slapped a piece of paper with the word biological on top of a womens restroom sign. I never thought we would need a sign for this, but womens restrooms are for BIOLOGICAL women. Not men, she captioned it.

open image in gallery Nancy Mace slaps paper with biological written on it above womens restroom sign after first transgender member of Congress gets elected ( Rep Nancy Mace / X / Screenshot )

Georgia firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene backed Mace on the issue.

Hes a man, a biological male, Greene said in a now-viral video, misgendering McBride. So he is not allowed to use our womens restrooms, our womens gym, our locker rooms and our spaces that are specified for women.

McBride weighed in on the resolution and the attacks stoked by her soon-to-be colleagues.

This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing, McBride, a Democrat, posted on X on Monday. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars.

open image in gallery Rep.-elect Sarah McBride introduced the bill just weeks after the first transgender member of Congress won her seat in the House. ( Getty Images )

Other members of Congress have flocked to her defense.

This is not just bigotry, this is just plain bullying, New York Rep Alexandria Ocasio Cortez said, according to Axios.

I think we have a lot of problems in America, I dont think spending time worrying about the restrooms is an order of priority here. I think Nancy Mace should focus on other things, fellow New York Democrat Joe Morelle told the outlet. Shes a woman. She should use the ladies room.
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Political pollster and writer Nate Silver suggested President Joe Biden is unfit to remain in office for the next two months and should allow Vice President Kamala Harris to take over for the rest of the term.

In response to a Washington Post article that claims Biden, 82, has avoided public appearances and reporters questions since the election, Silver wondered if he is competent.

Is there any particular reason to assume Biden is competent to be president right now? Silver asked on X. Its a very difficult job. Its a dangerous world. Extremely high-stakes decisions in Ukraine. He should resign and let Harris serve out the last 2 months.

President Joe Biden, pictured departing from Air Force One, is the oldest person to hold office in United States history  a point that became contentious during his campaign ( AFP via Getty Images )

Questions about Bidens mental and physical acuity are nothing new, they plagued the president during his 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns.

Ultimately, concerns about Bidens cognition led Democrats to pressure Biden to drop out of the race. The presidents poor debate performance sent fears throughout the public that he was unfit to hold office for a second term. Harris replaced Biden as the Democratic nominee  something Democrats hoped would rejuvenate voters and earn widespread support.

Since dropping out of the race in July, Biden has remained relatively quiet, working behind closed doors and spending the weekend at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

But his lack of speeches and interviews means the public must rely on his few public appearances to gauge how the presidents mental health is fairing.

Most recently, on a six-day trip to Peru and Brazil, Biden gave rare short public speeches and declined to take many questions from reporters, the Washington Post reported. A video of the president walking away from a lectern in the Amazon Rainforest went viral, as it appeared Biden was unsure where to go and just walked into the jungle.
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Women veterans, service members and advocacy groups are outraged by recent remarks from Donald Trumps pick to lead the nations military branches, a veteran and former Fox News host who does not want women serving in combat.

Pete Hegseth, who Trump has nominated to be the next secretary of defense, has been widely derided for a lack of qualifications to lead the countrys largest federal agency and its 3 million service members and civilian staff members.

In a recent podcast appearance, Hegseth said the nations military should not have women in combat roles and that men are more capable in those positions. He told right-wing media personality Ben Shapiro earlier this year that women are life-givers, not life-takers, who could be medics or helicopter pilots or whatever.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has nominated Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense ( AP )

But they create all sorts of variables and complications that have nothing to do with being anti-women and everything to do with having the most effective military, he said.

Where do you think I lost my legs? In a bar fight? said Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, a former Army National Guard member who was among the first women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Duckworth, who lost her legs in 2004 after a rocket-propelled grenade struck her helicopter, told CNN that Hegseths comments show how out of touch he is with the nature of modern warfare, if he thinks that we can keep women behind some sort of imaginary line, which is not the way warfare is today.

Joanna JoJo Sweatt, a Marine Corps veteran and the national organizing director for progressive veterans advocacy group Common Defense, told The Hill that Hegseths dismissal of womens service records signals a dangerous regression to a culture that undervalues and undermines our voices, service, and sacrifices.

Hegseths stance disregards the progress made toward a more inclusive military that reflects the diversity of the country it defends, she said.

The Defense Department opened all combat roles to women in 2016. Women now make up roughly 17 percent of the nations active-duty forces and more than 21 percent of the selected reserve, according to the Pentagon. In 2022, as the overall number of service members dropped by 2.7 percent from the previous year, the percentage of women service members had increased.

Revoking womens rights in the military would be like taking back our ability to vote, one current Army colonel told NBC News, speaking anonymously out of fear of retaliation.

I dont even know how to express the disgust, she said about Hegseths remarks. Im trained the same way. I take the same oath. I execute the same orders that are given to me as my male counterparts.

open image in gallery Hegseth has been widely derided for his comments about women serving in combat roles ( AP )

In his books, Hegseth has claimed that Americas white sons and daughters are leaving the military because of so-called woke ideology that is too effeminate and promotes diversity initiatives to the detriment of the nations military readiness.

Everybody knows between bone density and lung capacity and muscle strength, men and women are just different, Hegseth said on the Shawn Ryan Show podcast.

Allison Jaslow, chief executive of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, told The 19th that women could run circles around some of the men.

During my time in the military, Ive had some male colleagues really freaking disappoint me, she said. I reject the notion [that men are categorically better] altogether, and I think some people with strongly held beliefs will look at one example and label all the rest of us.  Its just one of those things where Im like, Tell me to my face.

Veterans advocates and civil rights groups have been sounding the alarm after Hegseths nomination, pointing to regressive comments about women and LGBT+ people serving the military, as well as a track record of anti-Islam rhetoric and statements suggesting his support for deploying troops against other Americans.

Days after his nomination, it was revealed that Hegseth was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017, and that he reached a settlement to prevent her from filing a lawsuit against him.

Pete Hegseth is wholly unqualified to head the Department of Defense and hold the lives of troops in his hands, said Retired Army major general Paul Eaton, chair of VoteVets. Nothing more needs to be said.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jrs Childrens Health Defense organization is publishing a book written by Pete Evans, a conspiracy theorist who once posted a Nazi symbol on his social media.

Evans, 51, announced to his Telegram followers that Kennedy, Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, helped secure the book deal. Evanss Healthy Food for Healthy Kids will feature over 100 recipes and will be published in late January, The Daily Mail reports.

So please and thankful that Robert Kennedy Jr set this up for me, with his Childrens Health Defense team, Evans said in a statement. Stay tuned for more.

Kennedy chairs Childrens Health Defense, an organization that has advocated against vaccinations and spread the baseless claim that vaccines cause autism. Kennedy has been on leave as chairman since April 2023, when he launched his presidential campaign.

Meanwhile, Evans was a judge on the hit Australian cooking show My Kitchen Rules between 2010 and 2020. He has also written several books related to nutrition and cooking.

Pete Evans pictured at an anti-vaccine rally in Sydney, Australia in 2021. Evans has secured a book deal with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s organization, Childrens Health Defense ( Getty Images )

Four years ago, Evans posted an image with the black sun Nazi symbol on his social media, leading Woolworths, Kmart and Target to pull his cooking books off the shelves, the BBC reports.

Brenton Tarrant wore a black sun on his chest when he killed 51 people and injured dozens after opening fire in two Christchurch, New Zealand mosques in 2019.

Evans later offered his sincere apologies to those criticizing the post.

"I look forward to studying all of the symbols that have ever existed and research them thoroughly before posting, Evans wrote on social media in 2020. Hopefully this symbol [heart emoji] resonates deeply into the hearts of ALL! [heart emoji]."

Evans also peddled baseless claims about COVID-19 on his Facebook page with 1.5 million followers, calling the virus a hoax. As a result, Meta permanently removed his page in December 2020.

Kennedy has also spread baseless conspiracy theories about COVID-19. Spreading this misinformation resulted in Meta deactivating his Instagram account in 2021.

In his book, The Real Anthony Fauci, Kennedy falsely claimed that Anthony Fauci colluded with Microsoft founder Bill Gates to exaggerate the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Then, at a rally against COVID-19 mandates in January 2022, Kennedy compared US vaccine policies to the actions of an authoritarian state, suggesting that Anne Frank was in a better situation while hiding from the Nazis.

Even in Hitler Germany, you could, you could cross the Alps into Switzerland. You could hide in an attic like Anne Frank did, Kennedy said.

Then, just last year Kennedy spread a baseless conspiracy theory claiming COVID-19 targets Caucasians and Black people while Ashkenazi Jews and [Chinese people] are the most immune.

The claim that COVID-19 was a bioweapon created by the Chinese or Jews to attack Caucasians and Black people is deeply offensive and feeds into sinophobic and antisemitic conspiracy theories, according to a statement from the Anti-Defamation League at the time.

The Independent has contacted Kennedy, Childrens Health Defense and Evans for comment.
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Rudy Giuliani could be held in contempt of court for repeating false claims about two former election workers who won nearly $150 million for his defamatory statements about them.

Attorneys for Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss  who are also pressing a federal judge in New York to force the cash-strapped former New York City mayor to turn over his property  are asking the judge who presided over their initial defamation trial to sanction Giuliani for his ongoing baseless claims.

On recent livestreams, Donald Trumps former attorney accused the women of quadruple counting the ballots and passing hard drives that we maintain were used to fix the machine during the 2020 presidential election  claims that landed him in a trial court for defamation last year.

open image in gallery Outside a federal courthouse in New York on November 7, Giuliani denied defaming two women a jury awarded nearly $150 million over his false claims ( Getty Images )

Well, you look at it, looks like a hard drive to me, and they told me it was a hard drive, and theres no proof that it was candy, Giuliani said on a recent broadcast, according to a transcript in court documents. The women have testified that they were passing a ginger mint.

Im sorry theyre going to sue me again for saying it but what am I going to do but tell the truth, he said.

Giulianis latest statements repeat the exact same lies for which [he] has already been held liable, and which he agreed to be bound by court order to stop repeating, attorney Michael Gottlieb wrote in court filings in Washington DC on Tuesday.

He is now brazenly violating those terms, according to Gottlieb.

Given all that has transpired since then, one might have thought that Mr. Giuliani would have stopped, and moved on to other pursuits during his ample time online, he added.

open image in gallery Attorney for Shaye Moss, left, and Ruby Freeman, right, have accused Giuliani of repeating the same false claims that a trial jury found were defamatory last year ( AP )

On Wednesday, Judge Beryl Howell said Giuliani must respond to the complaint by December 2, or risk being held in contempt. His failure to respond will be treated as conceding that motion, the judge said.

There will be an in-person hearing on December 12.

Last December, a jury found Giuliani owes the women nearly $150 million for his false claims that the women had manipulated the outcome of the 2020 election  claims that fueled a wave of abuse and death threats against them. Giuliani then filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which has since been dismissed.

The mother-daughter duo are now sparring with his legal team over a court order that allows them to begin seizing a long list of his property and valuables. He has already turned over his 1980 Mercedes Benz convertible, a watch collection, cash and a diamond ring, according to court documents.

Asked outside a federal courthouse in downtown Manhattan this month whether he regretted defaming the women, he told reporters no before quickly backtracking.

First of all, I didnt defame them, he said. I did not defame them.

Giuliani is scheduled to go to trial in January surrounding enforcement of the $150 million judgment, but he has asked the court to delay the proceedings so he can attend Trumps inauguration.

His spokesperson has called the latest court filing a dishonest and duplicitous attack meant to deprive [Giuliani] of his First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

The ongoing lawfare against Mayor Giuliani must end, spokesperson Ted Goodman said in a statement shared with The Independent. Its a complete abomination, and totally outrageous, to watch these people try and destroy this good and honest man who has dedicated his life to serving others.
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The Texas Land Commissioner has offered President-elect Donald Trump 1,402 acres along the U.S.Mexico border near Rio Grande City to build deportation facilities as part of his mass deportation plan.

In a letter, sent to Trump on Tuesday, commissioner Dawn Buckingham offered up a recently acquired plot of land located in Starr County to build facilities that will help law enforcement coordinate, process and detain undocumented immigrants. The exact plot offered has nto been revealed.

I am committed to using every available means at my disposal to gain complete operational security of our border, Buckingham wrote in the letter.

She told Fox News she fully supports Trumps efforts to deport every undocumented immigrant  a promise he made the cornerstone of his presidential campaign.

In her letter, Buckingham said the person who previously owned the land refused to allow the government to build the border wall on her property and blocked law enforcement from accessing the land. However, Texas later bought the land for an undisclosed amount and plan to build more border wall on it.

Right now, its essentially farmland, so its flat, its easy to build on, Buckingham told Fox News. We could very easily put a detention center on there, a holding place as we get these criminals out of our country.

open image in gallery The Texas Land Commissioner is offering Donald Trump 1,400 acres of land near the USMexico border to help him conduct mass deportations ( AFP via Getty Images )

Buckingham claimed by refusing to cooperate with Texass border policies, the previous owner, enabled cartel members and violent criminals to sexually abuse migrant women and children.

The allegation largely mimics rhetoric that Trump and his allies used on the campaign trail to promote Trumps anti-immigration policies. They falsely claimed the U.S. was being invaded by violent criminals, gang and cartel members, and people from jails and mental institutions.

He often exaggerated the number of immigrants coming across the U.S. Southern border and used extremely rare instances of crime committed by an undocumented immigrant to fearmonger.

The Trump team provided a statement to The Independent after being asked about the land offer.

Local and state officials on the frontlines of the Harris-Biden border invasion have been suffering for four years and are eager for President Trump to return to the Oval Office. On day one, President Trump will marshal every lever of power to secure the border, protect their communities, and launch the largest mass deportation operation of illegal immigrant criminals in history, said Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance Transition spokeswoman.

open image in gallery On the campaign trail, Trump often promised to carry out mass deportation of illegal immigrants in the US ( AP )

The plot of land is located approximately 35 miles west of McAllen, Texas.

Trump has not unveiled an official plan to conduct his mass deportation but said he would declare a national emergency upon taking office to then use the military. The declaration would also allow Trump to direct funding to whatever project he sees fit even if Congress appropriated funding elsewhere.

The president-elect has promised to invoke several federal statutes to force law enforcement agencies to comply with his demands and bypass Congress. That includes the Insurrection Act of 1807 which would allow the military to apprehend immigrants and the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 which would remove immigrants without due process.

Stephen Miller, a Trump adviser credited with architecting the Muslim ban during Trumps first term, told the New York Times last year that part of the new deportation plans included creating vast holding facilities that would function as staging centers for immigrants.
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Donald Trumps transition team is said to be upset with Pete Hegseth because he hasnt been honest about the sexual misconduct allegation from his past  prompting insiders to consider other options to lead the Pentagon.

Hegseth was tapped last week to become Trumps defense secretary but now those in the president-elects inner circle are quietly preparing a list of alternative candidates, Vanity Fair reported.

Its becoming a real possibility, a source told the outlets special correspondent Gabriel Sherman.

The source said that the Trump team was taken by surprise after a serious sexual assault allegation against Hegseth came to light, which led Trumps incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles to question the former Fox News host on a call last week. Hegseth was never charged with a crime and denies the allegations.

People are upset about the distraction. The general feeling is Pete hasnt been honest, a second source told Vanity Fair.

A prominent Republican close to the Trump transition team told the outlet that some are also unhappy with the president-elects choice due to Hegseths lack of qualifications to lead the nations defense.

There are Republicans with a background in the Defense Department who are privately saying, Im not working for this guy, the source said.

open image in gallery Pete Hegseth, Trumps choice for defense secretary, is battling a serious sexual allegation from his past ( AP )

Despite the uncertainty within the transition team, the president-elect is said to be standing by Hegseth for now.

Police investigated Hegseth for alleged sexual misconduct in Monterey, California in 2017. The Washington Post reported at the weekend that Hegseth paid the woman who accused him of sexual assault as part of a non-disclosure agreement. Despite the payment, he has maintained the encounter was consensual.

The Post, citing a statement from Hegseths attorney Timothy Parlatore, reported that Hegseth was visibly intoxicated when he encountered a woman in Monterey seven years ago. Parlatore said in this statement that the woman contacted the police, and they concluded, the Complainant had been the aggressor in the encounter. However, Monterey police did not confirm this to the Post.

Hegseth later agreed to pay the woman as part of an NDA because he was concerned hed be fired by Fox News, the Post reported. The NDA and payment came after she threatened to litigate further in 2020, the Post reported, citing Hegseths attorney.

The Post also obtained a memo which was written by an unnamed individual  who claims to be a friend of the accuser  and sent to Trumps presidential transition team. That memo claimed Hegseth raped a 30-year-old conservative group staffer in a hotel room in Monterey in 2017, the Post reported. Police investigated the incident but Hegseth never faced charges, the memo said.

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told the Post that Hegseth vigorously denies all wrongdoing.

open image in gallery Trump is standing by his choice for now but sources say its possible Hegseth could be replaced ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

President Trump is nominating high-caliber and extremely qualified candidates to serve in his Administration, Cheung said. Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed. We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again.

Meanwhile, the former Fox News hosts lawyer told the Post that Hegseth strongly felt that he was the victim of blackmail and innocent collateral damage in a lie that the Complainant was holding onto to keep her marriage intact.

The controversy surrounding Hegseth comes as Trump also faces an uphill climb to confirm Matt Gaetz as his attorney general as he is also fighting serious sexual allegations, which he denies.

Donald Trump Jr, who is helping with transition efforts, has suggested that his father has backup plans if his cabinet picks arent confirmed by the Senate.

Listen, theres always ideas, Don Jr told Foxs Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday. We have lists of people. Were not just randomly picking a name out of a hat. Were showing him lists of 10 to 12 people for every position. So we do have backup plans.

We are obviously going with the strongest candidates first, he continued. Some of them are going to be controversial. They are controversial because theyll actually get things done.
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The board of trustees of an elite preschool in Washington, D.C., told parents they were shocked and deeply unsettled by the allegations against the institutions leader, James Stewart Carroll, who was arrested this week on a child enticement charge.

In a letter sent to National Child Research Center families and shared Tuesday evening with The Independent, board chair Megan Ortiz described the news, which was first revealed by The Independent , as devastating.

Earlier today, NCRCs Head of School James Carroll was arrested and charged with Attempted Enticement and Coercion of a Minor, the missive began. While we do not have reason to believe Mr. Carrolls conduct involves NCRC students or families, we do understand the arrest and charging follows an FBI investigation into Mr. Carrolls online activity on social media channels and message boards.

The British-born Carroll is accused of having encouraged an undercover FBI agent posing online as the father of a 9-year-old boy to molest his son in various ways, according to the complaint. It says Carroll told the agent he preferred to see boys between the ages of 8 and 12 being abused with no mercy, and that he got more turned on when the victims are crying. Carroll, who previously served as head of outplacement at the Beauvoir School, a primary school affiliated with the Washington National Cathedral , also discussed his interest in circumcision of teenage boys, [and] urinating on teenage boys and adults, the complaint states.

open image in gallery Tuition at the NCRC runs $42,000 a year ( Google Maps )

He was caught thanks to an employee at instant-messaging app Discord, who flagged child sex abuse material uploaded to an account the FBI traced back to Carrolls home and workplace, after which it ensnared him in an undercover sting, according to the complaint.

NCRCs letter said that the school immediately placed Carroll on administrative leave upon learning of his arrest, and that Associate Head of School Francesca Gallozzi would be stepping into Carrolls role on an interim basis, effective immediately.

Mr. Carroll has been instructed that he is not permitted to return to campus for any reason and is not to contact any member of the NCRC community, the letter continued. His access to his email, the schools networks, and all school owned technology has been cut off. We are fully cooperating with the authorities and will continue to do so.

In the letter, Ortiz said she and her board colleagues were shocked and deeply unsettled by [the] news, and that Mr. Carrolls reported conduct  if true  represents a grave betrayal of your trust and ours.

open image in gallery The FBI tracked James Stewart Carroll both online and in real life, according to court filings ( US District Court for the District of Columbia )

According to the complaint against Carroll, the undercover FBI agent told him that he would record his sons sexual abuse and would share footage that had to stay strictly between me and you.

Of course!!! Carroll allegedly replied.

NCRC is committed to fostering a safe learning community for each of our students, and we expect each employee to embody these values in and out of the workplace, the letter said, promising that classes would continue as normal, so as to avoid disruption to the learning of the students that we serve.

We ask that you take care when discussing this matter with others as adult conversations may not be appropriate for children to hear, it said.

Ortizs letter said school officials still have much to learn in the hours and days ahead, but that the administration would share more information as soon as it obtained further particulars.

open image in gallery James Stewart Carroll came under investigation by the FBI after a Discord employee spotted child sex abuse material in an account allegedly tied to the 55-year-old educator ( AFP via Getty Images )

In difficult moments such as these, we draw on the strength of our community and our shared drive toward fulfilling our mission, the letter concluded. We remain, as always, deeply grateful for your trust and partnership.

Tuition at NCRC runs almost $42,000 a year, and is the oldest continuously operating preschool in the District of Columbia, according to Carrolls page on the NCRC website, which was removed a few hours after his arrest on one federal count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

The investigation, which remains ongoing, is being led by the FBIs Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Carroll, who made his first court appearance on Tuesday and remains detained, does not have a lawyer listed in court records and was unable to be reached for comment.

If convicted, Carroll faces up to 10 years in prison.
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The son of Norways crown princess appeared in court on Wednesday to challenge a police request to place him in preventive detention while they investigate an accusation of rape made against him.

Police on Monday detained Marius Borg Hoiby, 27, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon, on suspicion of having had a sexual encounter with someone who is unconscious or for other reasons unable to resist the act.

The accusation of rape concerned a sexual encounter without intercourse, police said in a statement, without elaborating.

Hoibys lawyer, Oeyvind Bratlien, told Reuters that his client was innocent and was opposed to being held in preventive detention.

The hearing is taking place behind closed doors, the court decided.

Hoiby does not have a royal title and is outside the line of royal succession.

open image in gallery Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Marius Borg Hoiby, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend the celebrations of Princess Ingrid Alexandra's Official Day at Deichman Museum on June 16, 2022 in Oslo, Norway ( Getty Images )

Police have said Hoiby also faces accusations of having used violence against other women and drug use.

On Aug. 4 police named Hoiby as a suspect of physical assault against a woman with whom he had been in a relationship.

Hoiby in a later statement to the media admitted to causing her bodily harm while he was under the influence of cocaine and alcohol and of damaging her apartment. Hoiby said he regretted his acts.

Crown Prince Haakon said on Tuesday the case had had an impact on everyone in the family.

These are serious allegations Marius now faces, and we are of course thinking of all those affected, Haakon told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK while he was on an official visit to Jamaica.

The police investigation is still ongoing, and no trial date has been set.

The case has cast a spotlight on domestic violence in a country that prides itself on a high degree of gender equality but where one in ten women in an academic study last year said they had been subject to severe harm at the hands of a partner.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in August the problems that had come to light in the royal family were similar to what many others in Norway had to contend with, and that support for the monarchy in his view remained firm.

Hoiby is the older half-brother of Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who is second in line to the throne after her father, and of Prince Sverre Magnus, who is third in line.
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North Korea sent more artillery systems to Russia in a recent shipment of conventional arms, South Koreas spy agency told lawmakers on Wednesday.

Pyongyang exported 170mm self-propelled guns and 240mm multiple rocket launch systems to aid the Russian war effort in Ukraine, the National Intelligence Service said in a briefing, according to lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun who was in attendance.

According to a Ukrainian intelligence assessment from Saturday, Russia received around 50 self-propelled howitzers and 20 multiple launch rocket systems from North Korea.

The Russian military did not operate these types of artillery systems, Mr Lee said, so North Korea likely also sent trainers along.

Seouls latest claims about Pyongyangs involvement in the Ukraine war came only a week after Russian social media circulated pictures purportedly showing North Korean Koksan 170mm self-propelled guns arriving in the country by rail.

Mr Lee also said that there were around 10,900 North Korean soldiers in Kursk, fighting alongside Russian airborne troops and marines to repel a Ukrainian invasion of the border region launched in August.

Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defence treaty during president Vladimir Putins visit to Pyongyang earlier this year that obligates each to rush to the others aid in the event of an attack.

Intelligence assessments from Washington, Seoul and Kyiv in the last few weeks said North Korea was deeply involved in the war, which just passed 1,000 days, with its soldiers reported to be fighting Ukrainian troops.

North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Huis meeting with Mr Putin in Moscow earlier this month possibly laid the groundwork for a visit by Kim Jong-un, another lawmaker, Park Sun-won, quoted the spy agency as reporting.

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un during a signing ceremony of their new partnership in Pyongyang, North Korea, on 19 June 2024 ( Sputnik )

The lawmaker further said the spy agency was ascertaining North Korean troop losses and surrenders in Ukraine amid conflicting information.

North Koreas alleged involvement in the Russian war effort has sparked furious responses from Kyivs allies in Europe and the US. Using North Korean soldiers showed that Mr Putin was not closer to winning the war but ready to escalate it, said Austrian foreign minister Alexander Schallenberg.

The authorisation by US president Joe Biden for Ukraine to use American missiles like ATACMS to hit deeper inside Russia is also claimed to be a response to North Koreas decision to send soldiers.

Analysts, however, said the move would have limited impact on the war. To really impose costs on Russia, Ukraine would need large stockpiles of ATACMS, which it doesnt have and wont receive because the United States own supplies are limited, said Jennifer Kavanagh, director of military analysis at Defence Priorities.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the rockets would speak for themselves. Today, many in the media are talking about the fact that we have received permission to take appropriate actions, he said. But blows are not inflicted with words. Such things are not announced, he said of the announcement.
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Vladimir Putin has gifted dozens of animals  including a lion and two bears  to a zoo in North Korea, the latest in a series of exchanges as Russia relies on Pyongyangs artillery and troops to bolster its invasion of Ukraine.

More than 70 animals, including an African lion and two brown bears, were sent by plane with veterinarians from Moscows zoo to be transferred to a zoo in Pyongyang.

The animals were a gift from Vladimir Putin to the Korean people, the Russian government said.

Local officials treated Russian natural resources minister Alexander Kozlov, who oversaw the exchange, to a tour of the Korean zoo.

It is not the first time Russia has given animals to North Korea, as the two most heavily sanctioned and isolated governments have forged closer ties in recent months.

In April, the eastern European country donated birds, including eagles, cranes and parrots, to the Pyongyang Central Zoo.

open image in gallery Visitors flock to see the new lion at Pyongyang Zoo ( Moscow Zoo/AP )

For his part, Putin received a pair of local Pungsan dogs from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a trip to the Asian country in June, when the two leaders signed a landmark defence treaty. The pair took turns driving each other around in a Russian-made Aurus limousine.

Earlier this month, North Korea followed Russia in ratifying the treaty, which experts see as a step towards formalising their military cooperation.

The deal calls to immediately provide military and other assistance using all available means if either side is in a state of war.

Thousands of North Korean troops are already training in Russia to help fight the war in Ukraine, which is also being supported by Korean arms  prompting concern from Western capitals.

Reports suggest that many of the troops have already started actively fighting, a historic first for North Korea which has never before sent soldiers into international battlefields.

North Korea has one of the worlds largest militaries, with 1.2 million soldiers. Its deployment of troops in Russia could increase from 11,000 to as many as 100,000, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky claimed this week.
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The man behind a suicide capsule says he rejects allegations that the U.S. woman who was said to be its first user may have actually been strangled.

Philip Nitschke of advocacy group Exit International said he wasnt on hand for the womans death on September 23 involving the Sarco capsule in a forest in northern Switzerland, but saw it live by video transmission.

The device worked as planned, he said, in the first and only time it has been used.

The head of a Swiss affiliate of Exit International known as The Last Resort, Florian Willet, was present at the womans death and was immediately taken into police custody, where he remains.

Several other people who were initially taken into custody  including a journalist for Volkskrant newspaper in the Netherlands, where Nitschke lives  were later released.

The Australian-born Nitschke broke weeks of silence through an interview with Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung, which was published Wednesday.

open image in gallery Australian euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke ( REUTERS )

Speaking to The Associated Press by phone, he said he felt compelled to speak out because Exit International was desperate about the plight of Willet, who could remain behind bars for weeks or months until a possible trial.

The Sarco, which Nitschke has said cost $1 million to develop and build, was designed to allow a person sitting in its reclining seat to push a button that injects gas into the chamber.

The 64-year-old woman was not identified.

Nitschke, a trained medical doctor, said she had compromised immune function that made her subject to chronic infection.

On Oct. 26, Volkskrant reported the Swiss prosecutor had indicated in court that the woman may have been strangled.

It is absurd because weve got film that the capsule wasnt opened. She got in herself, pressed the button herself  and Florian rang the police after she died, Nitschke said.

Peter Sticher, the prosecutor for the northern Schaffhausen region who is leading the legal case, declined to comment in an email to the AP on Wednesday, citing an ongoing investigation.

Nitschke has repeatedly said Exit Internationals Swiss lawyers had advised that use of the capsule would be legal in Switzerland.

Swiss law allows assisted suicide so long as the person takes his or her life with no external assistance and those who help the person die do not do so for any self-serving motive, according to a government website.

Switzerland is among the only countries in the world where foreigners can travel to legally end their lives and has a number of organizations that are dedicated to helping people kill themselves.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
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Russian politicians have endorsed a bill banning adoption of Russian children by people of countries where gender transitioning is legal.

It comes as the Federation Council also approved bills that outlaw the spread of material that encourages people not to have children.

The bills, which have previously been approved by the lower house, will now go to President Vladimir Putin for signing.

They follow a series of laws that have suppressed sexual minorities and bolstered longstanding conventional values.

The lower house speaker, Vyacheslav Volodin, who was among the new bills authors, has noted that it is extremely important to eliminate possible dangers in the form of gender reassignment that adopted children may face in these countries.

The adoption ban would apply to at least 15 countries, most of them in Europe but including Australia, Argentina and Canada. Adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens was banned in 2012.

open image in gallery A gay rights activist stands with a rainbow flag during a protest in Palace Square in St. Petersburg, Russia ( Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Other bills approved by lawmakers on Wednesday outlaw what is described as propaganda for remaining child-free and impose fines of up to 5 million rubles (about $50,000). Its proponents contended that public arguments against having children are part of purported Western efforts to weaken Russia by encouraging population decline.

Putin and other top officials in recent years have increasingly called for observing so-called traditional values as a counter to Western liberalism. As Russias population declines, Putin has made statements advocating large families and last year urged women to have as many as eight children.

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.

Since he sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin leader has repeatedly characterized the West as satanic and accused it of trying to undermine Russia by exporting liberal ideologies.

Independent journalists, critics, activists and opposition figures in Russia have come under increasing pressure from the government in recent years, intensifying significantly amid the conflict in Ukraine. Hundreds of nongovernmental groups and individuals have been designated as a foreign agent  a label that implies additional government scrutiny and carries strong pejorative connotations.

On Wednesday, the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, gave preliminary approval to a bill that would ban those who have been designated foreign agents from accessing their incomes. The measure would freeze all their Russia-generated income on special accounts and would only allow them access to the funds if their foreign agent status is revoked.V

olodin, the lower house speaker, has said that the proposed legislation was aimed at preventing the enrichment of traitors to the motherland at citizens expense.
Hopefully we will be able to upset Russias plans by inflicting a lot of damage on troop concentrations and arms depots.

That is the reaction of a Ukrainian colonel  with close links to the armys top brass  to news that Joe Biden had lifted the restriction on US-supplied long-range missiles being used to target Vladimir Putins forces deep inside Russia after months of pleas from Kyiv. A few hours later, on the 1,000th day of the invasion, Moscow claimed the first use of the US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) ballistic missiles on the Bryansk region of Russia, about 80 miles from the Ukraine border. The missiles have a full range of around 190 miles.

Ukraines general staff of the armed forces said before the statement from Russias foreign ministry that the Ukrainian army carried out a strike on the arsenal of the 1046th Logistics Support Centre in the area of Karachev in Bryansk. The general staff said in a statement that multiple explosions and detonations were heard in the targeted area, without saying what weapons had been used.

The destruction of ammunition depots for the Russian occupying forces, aimed at ending Russias armed aggression against Ukraine, will continue, the statement said. Ukrainian media, including RBC-Ukraine, cited a source saying: Indeed, for the first time, we used ATACMS to strike Russian territory. The strike was carried out against a facility in the Bryansk region, and it was successfully hit. Moscow claimed that the missiles were shot out of the sky, or damaged, with falling debris causing a fire.

Its better late than never and a positive development, the Ukrainian colonel told The Independent.

But a key issue is how many ATACMS will the US provide? The US can [also] programme the range the missiles can fly  so another important step is what distance they will allow the missiles to strike.

open image in gallery A Russian soldier fires artillery in Kursk ( AP )

There were reports on Sunday that initial permission for their use is believed to be limited to the Russian region of Kursk, next to Bryansk, where Ukrainian forces established a foothold after a surprise assault in August.

According to intelligence reports by Kyiv and its Western allies, Russia is preparing to launch a large offensive in an attempt to eject the Ukrainian army from the region.

Kyiv wants to use long-range missiles to counter an anticipated attack by tens of thousands of Russian forces in Kursk, bolstered by an estimated 10,000 North Korean troops  a number which Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said could reach 100,000  to retake the territory captured by Ukraine.

We will be able to disrupt Russias expected push in Kursk where we have seen their forces gathering 50,0000-plus troops, the colonel said, referring to the use of ATACMS missiles inside Russia.

The Ukrainians also hope that Bidens move will open the way to lifting all restrictions on how Kyiv can use Western-provided weapons, including the Anglo-French Storm Shadows that have also been subject to restrictions. British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron are both keen to allow Ukraine to use the Storm Shadow (called Scalp by France) inside Russia but, given the missiles use US guidance systems, Washington will also need to agree to that.

We are waiting to see what Britain and France do with permission for us to use Storm Shadow inside Russia, said The Independent's source. We know they want us to be able to use their missiles for long-range strikes into Russia and hope that America will give us the necessary permission.

open image in gallery President Zelensky speaking in Kyiv ( Press Service Of The President Of Ukraine via AP )

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the US is adding fuel to the fire and reiterated Russian president Putins claims from September that Ukrainian strikes against Russia using Western-provided weapons would represent an escalation and directly involve Western countries in the war. On Tuesday, Putin lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks. In a clear reference to Ukraine and the United States, the doctrine said any attack by a non-nuclear power supported by a nuclear power would be considered a joint attack. Any attack by one member of a military bloc would be considered an attack by the entire alliance, it said.

Russia has for months been pressing Ukrainian troops hard all along the 600-mile front lines in Ukraine and in the Russian territory Kyiv occupies in Kursk. Moscow, despite losing, by Ukrainian estimates, a daily average of some 1,200 dead and wounded, has been making incremental advances.

The colonel and other sources told The Independent that despite the staggering casualties, Putin will likely continue, and perhaps even intensify, the attacks up to the inauguration of Donald Trump in January, because Moscow perceives that would give it more leverage in any peace negotiations initiated by the incoming US president.

Over the weekend, Russia launched some of its largest air raids since its invasion began in February 2022, using drones, missiles and glide bombs against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, leaving many civilians dead.

Trump said many times during his election campaign that, as president, he would end the conflict within a day. But he has not explained how he will achieve that.

America is Ukraines most important supplier of weapons and ammunition and many in Kyiv and its allies fear Trump will try to force Ukraine into a disadvantageous ceasefire  where it would have to cede territory occupied by Russia  by threatening to cut off supplies.

Moves to lift restrictions on Ukraine have been criticised by some in Trumps camp, who say it will make efforts to end the war more difficult and put the world on the path to global war.

The man Trump wants as his national security adviser, Republican congressman Mike Walz called it another step up the escalation ladder.

It is unknown how many ATACMS Ukraine possesses. They are launched using platforms like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). But it is unlikely that Kyivs stock of the expensive missiles is plentiful.

The colonel said that Kyiv knows that it cannot rely indefinitely on others for its supplies, especially when there is uncertainty over Trumps intentions, and that Ukraine is working rapidly to develop its own long-range missiles that will put Moscow within range.
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Ukraine has fired British long-range Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory for the first time, The Independent understands, the latest sign of a change in stance from Western countries on involvement in the conflict.

Images circulating online appear to show fragments of Storm Shadow missiles in Russias Kursk region  the border area into which Ukrainian forces staged a surprise assault in August, taking a swathe of territory they still hold.

Approval for the use of the weapons is believed to have been given in response to the deployment of more than 10,000 North Korean troops in Kursk alongside Russian troops, in what UK and US officials have warned is a major escalation of the war.

On the Telegram messaging app, pro-war Russian accounts posted video they claimed to include the sound of missiles striking in the Kursk region. At least 14 huge explosions can be heard, most preceded by the sharp whistle of what sounds like an incoming missile. The footage, shot in a residential area, showed black smoke rising in the distance.

The pro-Russian Two Majors Telegram channel said Ukraine had fired up to 12 Storm Shadows into the Kursk region, and carried pictures of missile fragments said to have come from Storm Shadows.

Kyiv has long lobbied for permission to use Storm Shadow missiles in Russia, as it seeks an increase in Western military support to counteract Vladimir Putins forces advancing on multiple fronts across Ukraine. And pressure has mounted with the US presidential election victory of Donald Trump, with fears he may cut off military and financial aid to Ukraine when he takes office in January.

open image in gallery Photos posted by Russian milibloggers showed what they have said are fragments of Storm Shadow missiles ( Telegram )

Western countries resisted these lobbying efforts until the past few days, when US president Joe Biden gave Kyiv the green light to use American-made ATACMS missiles beyond the Russian border. However, in September, Sir Keir Starmer made a surprise trip to the White House where the potential use of the Storm Shadow missiles was discussed.

Addressing the Commons after a point of order, defence secretary John Healey did not deny that the missiles had been used, saying he could not go into any further operational details.

But he noted: We as a nation and government are doubling down on our support for Ukraine and that Ukraines action on the battlefield speaks for itself.

It came just moments after Mr Healey had explained to MPs why he was scrapping military equipment in a series of cuts to save 500m from the defence budget, leaving questions about how prepared the UK military is for war.

open image in gallery How the Storm Shadow missile works ( PA Graphics )

Among the items being cut are Britains last two amphibious assault craft, HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion; 14 Chinook helicopters; 17 Puma helicopters; the Watchkeeper MK1 drones; and the frigate HMS Northumberland.

With the ongoing strategic defence review he warned that this will not be the last time I will need to make difficult decisions.

The Tories claimed that the cuts were because Labour had refused to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP and demanded that discarded equipment should be offered to Ukraine.

Mr Healey also told MPs he had spoken in the last 24 hours to his Ukrainian counterpart.

Defence minister Rustem Umerov would not confirm reports that his country had used UK-made long-range missiles at a press conference but said Ukraine is using all the means to defend our country.

We are not going [into] detail but we are just saying that we are capable and able to respond, he added.

On Tuesday, the first US-supplied missile was fired, reportedly hitting an arms depot in the Bryansk region around 80 miles (130km) deep inside Russia. Moscow responded furiously, accusing the West of escalating the war.

In an apparent response, President Putin signed a long-planned revision to the countrys nuclear doctrine.

Sergei Lavrov, Russian foreign minister, said that long-range missiles to be fired into Russian territory operated by American military experts would be taken as a new phase of the Western war against Russia and will react accordingly, he said.

open image in gallery The West is bolstering its support as Russian forces continue advancing on key front lines ( EPA )

In an interview published on Wednesday, Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said that Moscow would retaliate against Nato countries that facilitate long-range Ukrainian missile strikes.

The Biden administration will also allow Ukraine to use American-supplied antipersonnel land mines to help it slow Russias battlefield progress in the war, the US defence secretary said on Wednesday, marking Washingtons second major policy shift in days. Lloyd Austin said the change follows shifting tactics by the Russian military. Russian ground troops are leading the movement on the battlefield, rather than forces in armoured carriers, so Ukraine has a need for things that can help slow down that effort, Mr Austin said during a trip to Laos.

Meanwhile, the US embassy in Kyiv closed temporarily on Wednesday, citing fears of a significant air attack  with Russia having stepped up its aerial assault on Ukrainian cities in recent days. The US Department of State Consular Affairs said: The US embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.

The Italian and Greek embassies followed suit but the British, French, and German embassies remained open. UK science secretary Peter Kyle said Britain was monitoring the situation and will do everything we can to keep British citizens safe.

open image in gallery The US embassy in Kyiv was closed on Wednesday ( AFP/Getty )

Later, Ukraines top spy agency claimed Russia was behind a fake warning about an imminent major Russian airstrike, spread online as part of what it described as psychological warfare.

This message is a fake, it contains grammatical errors typical of Russian information and psychological operations, said Kyivs Main Directorate of Intelligence.
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The US embassy in Kyiv was shut down on Wednesday morning after receiving information of a potential significant air attack, US officials said.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place," the US Department of State Consular Affairs said in a statement published on the website of the US embassy in Kyiv.

"The US embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced," the statement said.

The warning comes a day after Ukraine used long-range missiles to strike Russian territory, taking advantage of newly granted permission from the outgoing administration of president Joe Biden on the wars 1,000th day.

American citizens in Ukraine have been asked to monitor local media for updates, identify shelter locations in advance for tracking air alerts, immediately go to a nearby shelter if an air alert is announced, and follow directions given by Ukrainian officials and first responders in the event of an emergency.

open image in gallery A picture shows a view of the US embassy in Kyiv on 18 May 2022 ( AFP via Getty Images )

The assistance contact number has also been shared by the embassy in its statement.

The UK government, which is considering its own position on whether to give Kyiv permission to use British-supplied weapons against targets inside Russian president Vladimir Putins country, said it was looking closely at the security situation for its own embassy.

The UKs science secretary Peter Kyle said the government was looking closely at the situation and we will do everything we can to keep British citizens safe.

Russia has warned the West for months that it will consider Nato members to be directly involved in the war in Ukraine if Washington allowed Ukraine to fire US, British and French missiles deep into Russia.

open image in gallery In this photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Tuesday, 19 Nov 2024, a Russian Uragan self-propelled multiple rocket launcher fires towards Ukrainian positions from an undisclosed location in Ukraine ( AP )

The specific information of a potential significant air attack on Wednesday comes within a month of Mr Putin saying that Moscow will respond to Ukraines strikes with US-made weapons deep into Russia.

He lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike as a response to a broader range of conventional attacks, raising the tensions surrounding nuclear risk threats. Mr Putin has not explained the involvement of North Korea in the continuing full-scale war, including military help of more than 10,000 troops and conventional weapons Pyongyang has provided to Moscow.

Ukraines allies in the West condemned the move by Mr Putin, terming it a rhetoric. We are not intimidated, said French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Wednesday, dismissing the lowered threshold as just rhetoric.

open image in gallery Demonstrators take part in a rally to mark 1,000 days since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 19 November 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) ( Getty Images )

Downing Street condemned the change as the latest example of irresponsibility from the depraved Russian government.

Under Russias revised nuclear doctrine now, a conventional attack on Russia by any nation supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country. The doctrine, which lays the conditions under which Russias leadership might consider a nuclear strike, also states that an attack using conventional missiles, drones or other kinds of aircraft could justify the response.

Russia has been planning to update its nuclear doctrine for months, but the timing of Mr Putins signature on the changes signals a significant escalation in the war, coming in the wake of Mr Bidens decision to allow Kyiv to conduct strikes inside Russia with the 190-mile range ATACMS.
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One of the best meteor showers of the year kicked off on Tuesday night.

The annual Geminid meteor shower starts in mid-November and runs through Christmas Eve.

The stunning celestial display typically peaks in mid-December. This year, skywatchers can expect the showers peak around December 13, according to EarthSky.

Under ideal viewing conditions  without the interference of the moon and light pollution or cloud cover  people may see as many as 120 meteors per hour. This year, a bright moon will likely interfere with Earths view. Although, a large number of bright meteors should still be visible during the peak.

Around the globe, the shower is best viewed during the evening and pre-dawn hours. NASA says people should lie on their backs and look up at the sky in an area away from city or street lights. After about 30 minutes in the dark, human eyes adapt.

The shower is best visible from the Northern Hemisphere. In the US, Americans should head out later in the evening to early in the morning. The shower peaks at around 2 a.m., according to the The Old Farmers Almanac.

The Geminds are expected to be most visible along the East Coast.

open image in gallery A meteor burns up in the sky over the al-Abrak desert, north of Kuwait City last December. This year, the showers peak will occur at around the same time ( (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images) )

The meteors are fast and bright, with a yellow or greenish hue due to their chemical composition.

Theyre pretty meteors! Bill Cooke, lead for the Meteoroid Environment Office at NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center, said last year.

They can generally be seen all over the sky and are debris from an asteroid known as 3200 Phaeton. Meteors come from comets and asteroids that leave trails of debris. When the Earth passes through these debris trails, the debris collides with our atmosphere, creating streaks in the sky as they disintegrate.

open image in gallery When the Earth passes through these debris trails, the debris collides with our atmosphere, creating streaks in the sky as they disintegrate ( NASA )

3200 Phaethon was discovered in 1983, and is named after the Greek mythology character who drove the sun-god Helios chariot. The asteroid is small, with a diameter of just over three miles.

On Earth, the Geminids appear to come from the constellation Gemini, which was the inspiration for the name of the shower.

The constellation is not the source of the meteors. Also, you should not look only to the constellation of Gemini to view the Geminids  they are visible throughout the night sky, NASA instructs.
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Apple has released a new software update with important security fixes for iPhones, iPads and Macs recommended for all users to protect devices from cyberattacks.

The tech giant noted in an advisory on its website that the security bugs, considered zero day vulnerabilities, may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems.

These software bugs were unknown to Apple at the time they were exploited, the company said.

The fixes are available across a variety of Apples platforms with new updates including iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1.

It is not yet clear who was behind the attacks targeting Mac users, but a report by Googles Threat Analysis Group suggests a government-backed entity may be involved.

Apple's 2024 Surprise!

The software bugs were found to be related to web engines WebKit and JavaScriptCore powering Apples Safari browser for running web content.

Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems, the company said.

This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.

Such bugs may create an opportunity for hackers to take control of devices when they encounter malicious content on the web.

Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution, the tech giant warned.

These kinds of vulnerabilities have been known to be used for breaking into core computer software to enable access to private user data.

This method has been used previously by government-backed hackers to plant commercial spyware on target devices and steal or upload information.

Earlier this year, the tech giant cautioned iPhone users in nearly 100 countries, including India, about a potential new mercenary spyware attack similar to Pegasus.

Apple released the new update fixing the software vulnerabilities for macOS, iPhones, and iPads, as well as for users running older iOS17.

The issue was addressed with improved checks, the company said.

The latest software update could also be the last one before iOS 18.2 arrives in December, which may bring in a second wave of Apple Intelligence features.

Apple did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment on Wednesday.
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At Qualcomms annual conference this autumn, the chip giant took an untypical approach. Two years ago, its keynote was in an imposing theatre, unveiling all the new processors that will power some of the worlds most popular smartphones. This years event was in a smaller hall, with the companys CEO Cristiano Amon almost within touching distance of the crowd.

This more intimate presentation chimed with the development of generative AI, which continues to dominate, and which now, were told, will have a more personal and personalised effect on our lives.

After revealing the companys latest innovations and strategies during the keynote, Amon spoke exclusively with The Independent. The CEO is a gifted communicator: relaxed but laser-focused, as comfortable with the birds-eye view as the intricate detail. Generative AI continues to be crucial for the company, and seems to permeate Qualcomms innovations like its Snapdragon processors.

Amon describes how devices, like a smartphone with a Snapdragon chip, are changing: It speaks our language, understands our intent. And I think that's how we're going to see the evolution of computing. One of the things I want to talk about is how once you have the computing engine that enables artificial intelligence to run, you redefine operating systems and apps into a very personalised experience.

Which means we may need to think of apps differently. Instead of opening a shopping app, then opening a banking app to check your balance, for instance, if an app has AI built-in, simply speaking or typing to the phone will open the right app and handle everything automatically. I think every app as defined today is going to get an AI front end. It's going to be a completely different experience, Amon says.

You may be on Amazon, buying something, and then you just say, I want to pay with my debit card but do I have enough money in my account? The phone can access your balance and can even pay the bill for you. Or maybe you receive a bill in the post. You can take a photo, and the phone will pay the bill. That's a different way of interacting with a computing device that's going to redefine what we expect from our phones.

open image in gallery A closeup of a silicon wafer on display at Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institution on 16 September, 2022 in Hsinchu, Taiwan ( Getty Images )

In the future, Amon says, youll say to your phone that you need to be somewhere and the phone will sort it. Maybe it goes to the Uber app on your phone, maybe it goes straight to Uber in the cloud. Once you interact with the AI model, what that particular app can do is endless. It's not no longer defined by the functionality that somebody programs into the app. That's how we're thinking about processors. How do you create a processor that makes that a reality? Our job is making the impossible inevitable. We have to create those processing engines that will run all of those things and make them a reality.

This is interesting not just because its futuristic but how it seems designed to make phones more intuitive to use, which may help those who arent tech-savvy and dont always know what their phones are capable of. The beauty of what the phones will be able to do, or the PC, is it will democratise AI, Amon says.

And another theme has run through Qualcomms messaging, with video messages from the likes of Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg, Microsofts Satya Nadella and Sam Altman from Open AI: where generative AI has routinely required a connection to the internet, Qualcomm is working on chips that will deliver AI on the edge, that is, on-device, so the AI will work even if you have no connection to the cloud. For that you need the right chip and Qualcomm thinks it has it.

In five years, were all going to have an AI smartphone, maybe sooner, Amon says. We need to make sure that we can create processors that allow all that complex parallel computing to run all the time, analysing every word that you say, everything you type. We need to make that thing run on semiconductors, and do it in a way that as you're doing this incredible amount of computing, your phone's still small, still fits in your pocket, doesnt get hot and lasts a whole day. Thats our job number one. That's what were doing right now, creating the engine that makes this future possible.

open image in gallery HPs new Snapdragon Elite X powered laptop is used during a demonstration at the 2024 Collision tech conference ( AFP via Getty Images )

Qualcomm now also puts its processors in computers and even in cars, but the smartphone is still central to the brand, for now at least. Amon explains, The smartphone is mankinds inseparable device right now. It is a big part of how weve been running our digital life. Thats going to change but thats what we have right now. Consumers in general are interested about the technology that they carry with them all the time. Theres a lot more interest in the technology, and the level of awareness of Snapdragon is very high. That was the one of the reasons we decided that we needed to be really focused on the brand because consumers really care about what was behind the glass. And I think our partners see an incredible value in being part of that story. Snapdragons association with Dell, Lenovo, HP and Microsoft establishes Qualcomm in the PC space. I think theres been an evolution of the relationship associated with what Snapdragon really means from an innovation standpoint.

There was another partner at the Snapdragon event: Samsungs CEO TM Roh flew into the keynote in person  Amon says its the first time hes appeared at an event that wasnt one of Samsungs own. This seems to endorse the importance of Qualcomm to Samsung, confirmed in the last couple of years when Samsung switched from its own processors to bespoke versions of Snapdragon chips for its top-flight Galaxy smartphones.

But is there a danger that now Snapdragon is so front-and-centre that if a product from Samsung or Dell or whoever goes wrong in some way that Qualcomm is also in the firing line?

Were a technology company: we feel we're in the gladiator business. If you build a new technology, and it is successful, well, winning today doesn't give you any guarantee that you're going to win tomorrow. If you win, youve only got the right to go to the Coliseum one more time. As for things going wrong, I havent thought about it like that. But were creating the engine so the driver can win races or lose races and thats what happens when we think about the products we build. Our customers will have different design choices. The real benefit is for the customer to understand the power of the technology.

Snapdragon in cars is becoming more mainstream with its Digital Cockpit, as Qualcomm calls it, growing in popularity with car manufacturers. Its a way for the manufacturers to interact with customers much more intimately. Besides incredible computing power, making those incredible in-car displays change the experience for the user, generative AI and this whole concept of the computer understanding the English language and running on a device at the edge is perfect for when you are behind the wheel.

Manufacturers have a chance to forget about that thick, densely-printed manual in the glove compartment and instead will train an AI model on the entire database of the car. If something goes wrong or you want to know how to do something, you just ask the car. And, more importantly, when something happens with the car and it has a fault, the car will tell you the problem, saying this is what happened and this is the part that needs to be changed. It can offer to set up an appointment to get the repairs done.

Customers dont swap their cars as often as they do their phones, and Amon says its latest chips will offer future-proofing or, as he puts it, the software-designed vehicle is going to get better the longer you own it. Its going to get more personalised to you, its going to have new capabilities and features.

With lots of companies getting into generative AI, how does Qualcomm stay out in front? We started talking about generative AI running on a device instead of the cloud before it was popular. The unique thing about what were doing is we have the ability to pack a lot of computing power into a small form factor without compromising battery life.

Amon says a case in point is the Copilot Plus PCs launched by Microsoft with devices running on Qualcomm. Only on Qualcomm, which was the new entrant to the market, because the existing platforms simply wouldnt run. You have to run AI 24-7, analysing every pixel on screen and analysing everything you type. What differentiates us is the ability to push the innovation roadmap so that things you only thought possible if they happened at the data centre will now happen on the device.
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Passengers booked to fly out of Kathmandu on Qatar Airways have spent thousands of pounds on alternative tickets after the airline cancelled their flights from the Nepali capital.

In common with other airlines, Qatar Airways has been hit by the short-notice closure of Kathmandu airport at night for improvement work. As The Independent has reported, carriers were ordered to reduce their operations for several months.

Many airlines that cancel flights will automatically rebook passengers on alternative dates or other carriers. But Qatar Airways instead sent out emails telling travellers: You can choose to receive a refund or ask us about alternative flight change options.

Trekkers who were off-grid in the Himalayas when the cancellation emails were sent discovered they were stranded only when they reached a location with internet access.

Two such British travellers were Laura Murphy, 40, and Ry Webb, 39. The couple had been trekking for a month across the mountains of eastern Nepal on part of the Great Himalayan Trail.

Read more: Air passenger compensation  what are your rights when a flight goes wrong?

When they reached the town of Tumlingtar and got back online on 11 November, they tried to check in for their Kathmandu-Doha-London Heathrow flight the following day.

But they were told: Your flight has been cancelled.

A subsequent live chat with the airline revealed no prospect of a seat on a Qatar Airways plane from Kathmandu for at least a week.

I said Are there no other options? and it came back saying Laura, there are no other flights available.

Ms Murphy spoke to The Independent as the couple were seeking alternative flights out of Nepal.

We need to find more accommodation in Kathmandu while were trying to find flights out, she said.

It seems like getting out of Kathmandu is the difficult part so were struggling. Weve tried looking via India, China, Bangkok

Prices of flights are going up incredibly fast so now its looking like 2,000 to 3,000 each to get back to London.

The couple even considered travelling overland to India in order to find an available flight from a different airport, but found that an Indian e-visa requires a minimum of five days between application and entry.

The couple eventually spent $1,300 (1,026) each on a four-hour flight to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, followed by a 13-hour flight back to Heathrow. They also had to pay for a hotel room and meals while they waited.

Ms Murphy said she was shocked at the lack of support. She said: We decided to pay more for Qatar Airways to be more secure. I believed they were quite a substantial, reputable airline, so if anything like this happened, we would get a good amount of support and communication.

I wouldnt really want to use them again at this point in time.

Late arrival: Professor George Rodway, president of the International Society of Mountain Medicine, arrived home to Oregon five days late and 1,000 worse off ( Simon Calder )

Another passenger says he was told he could be waiting for weeks for a Qatar Airways flight out of Kathmandu.

Professor George Rodway, president of the International Society of Mountain Medicine, arrived back in Kathmandu after a trek across the Lumba Sumba pass in eastern Nepal. He was booked to fly from Kathmandu to Doha and onwards to Seattle on 14 November.

But when checking in online he discovered the flight was cancelled. He said: They would not rebook me to home until after 2 December. So Ive had to pay out of pocket for a Turkish Airlines flight on 17 November. And no offer to pay for accommodation.

He rebooked on Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, and finally arrived home in Oregon five days late.

I had to pay $210 for my hotel in Kathmandu and $1,800 for the new flight, minus the $750 refund Ill get from Qatar. In total, Professor Rodway was $1,260  almost 1,000  out of pocket.

There is no suggestion that Qatar Airways has contravened any rules. European air passengers rights legislation does not apply to non-EU and UK airlines on flights beginning outside Europe. There is no automatic right to care or compensation if a flight is cancelled.

A spokesperson for the airline said: Due to operational reasons, Qatar Airways has reduced its number of daily flights to Kathmandu, Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM).

To accommodate affected passengers we started temporary daily one-stop flights from Doha to Kathmandu via Gautam Buddha Airport (BWA) in Nepal.

The return flight from KTM to DOH is nonstop. Impacted customers are being notified directly and can contact our customer care team via call or chat at qatarairways.com/help to make alternative arrangements.

We thank customers for their patience and understanding and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.
Angela Rayner faced boos in the House of Commons as she defended Labours proposed changes to agricultural inheritance tax during Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, 20 November.

It came after hordes of farmers descended upon London to protest against the tax plans.

From April 2026, landowners who inherit agricultural assets worth more than 1m will have to pay 20 per cent inheritance tax on them.

The prime minister has insisted he is absolutely confident the vast majority of farms and farmers will not be affected by this but farmers insist that a much larger number will be impacted.
Vladimir Putin's foreign minister issued a chilling warning after Ukraine launched US-made missiles over the border on Tuesday, 19 November.

Volodymyr Zelensky's troops used American-made long-range ATACMS ballistic missiles inside Russian territory for the first time, in what Moscow described as an escalation of the conflict.

On the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Brazil, Sergei Lavrov warned that Moscow would "react accordingly."

If long-range missiles are going to be applied from Ukraine into Russian territory, it will also mean that they are operated by American military experts and we will be taking this as a qualitatively new phase of the Western war against Russia and will react accordingly, he said.
Volodymyr Zelensky visited wounded Ukrainian soldiers to award them with state honours after they were injured on the front line during combat with Russian troops.

The Ukrainian president posted footage online of him meeting troops in hospital to give them the Order for Courage.

He also awarded military medics with the Order of Princess Olga and medals for military service to Ukraine.

In a statement, Mr Zelensky wrote: I am grateful for your service, for defending Ukraine, and for saving the lives of our warriors.

The footage came as Ukraine on Tuesday used American-made long-range ATACMS ballistic missiles inside Russian territory for the first time, in what Moscow described as an escalation of the conflict.
British soldiers have fired a new artillery gun for the first time on a tactical exercise close to Russias border in Finland.

It comes as Russia responds furiously to US president Joe Bidens decision to approve the use of American long-range ATACMS missiles in Russian territory for the first time.

The Swedish-made Archer 155mm self-propelled guns have been acquired as an interim replacement for the 32 AS90s which the UK has donated to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

The Archer, which is designed and built by BAE Systems Bofors, has double the maximum range of the AS90, greater operational mobility, greater availability and reduced time into action, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The High Court has agreed to an early hearing of a challenge to a process in which power companies are allowed to bid to sell energy to the national grid.

Kilshane Energy Ltd wants to build two plants in north Dublin to connect with the grid.

But it has been told by the grid manager, EirGrid, it did not qualify to join an auction process, due to start tomorrow, that will determine who can sell electricity to the grid. The energy regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), has backed the EirGrid decision.

Last week, Kilshane got leave from the court to bring a judicial review challenge over the decision.

Today, two related energy firms, Coolpowra Flex Gen Ltd and Coolpowra Bess Ltd, were also granted leave to bring similar proceedings against EirGrid and the CRU.

This was just before Kilshane Energy returned to the court seeking an early hearing of its challenge.

Kilshanes counsel, Tony McBride SC, instructed by Dermot McNamara Solicitors, said this was because the Northern Ireland grid manager, the Systems Operator of NI (SONI), had agreed to postpone the November 21 date for the start of the auction process to November 28.

This had followed a decision by the Belfast High Court on Friday to grant leave to a Kilshane sister company to challenge the auction process by SONI on similar grounds, counsel said.

The wholesale electricity market operates as a single market across the island of Ireland and is jointly regulated.

The Belfast court had also agreed to give the case an expedited hearing tomorrow, Mr McBride said.

This had shown that it was possible to delay the November 21 start date for the auction even though the CRU had said no delay could be contemplated because of security of electricity supply concerns for the State, he said.

It was a dramatic development from Kilshane's point of view, he said.

The auction was the "only game in town" and from Kilshane's point of view the refusal to allow it to participate would have cascade effects on projects that cost tens and hundreds of millions of euro, he said.

Kilshane was seeking, among other things, an order allowing for a correction in trade that will mean the company could be accommodated whether or not the auction had finished before the court gave its decision, he said.

The respondents had suggested the earliest date for a hearing should be December 10, but this might as well be next year as the auction will be over by then, he said.

Kilshane sought a December 3 date and the Belfast case will by then have heard what is also a central point in the Dublin proceedings relating to the claim by EirGrid that Kilshane's proposal was not feasible, he said.

Mr McBride said Kilshane would seek liberty to bring injunction proceedings halting the auction process, depending on what happens if the judicial review challenge is heard on December 3.

Counsel on behalf of the defendants said while they were keen to facilitate an early hearing date, they believe it had to operate within realistic time frames.

Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty said that over lunch she had located a judge who was willing to give an early combined hearing of the Kilshane and Coolpowra cases.

She gave directions for exchange of papers between the parties and set the hearing date for December 3. She also agreed to a request from the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government to be joined in both cases as a notice party.
The Dylan Hotel and a residents group, the Pembroke Road Association, are opposing new plans for a 100-bedroom Raglan Townhouse hotel for Baggot Street Upper in Dublin.

In the planning application, Raglan Townhouse Hotel Ltd is seeking planning permission for the hotel at 46, 48 and 52-54 Baggot Street Upper and at 46, 48, 50 and 52-54 Eastmoreland Lane, Dublin 4.

Along with the 100-bedroom hotel, the scheme will include a cafe and bar at ground-floor level.

However, the Dylan Hotel and the Pembroke Road Association have outlined concerns over the scheme in submissions with Dublin City Council

In a submission drawn up on behalf of the owner of The Dylan Hotel, Lyndonmont Ltd, planning consultant Thomas Freeman BL told the council his clients have concerns over the design of the planned hotel in terms of its height and scale and the impact it would have on the Dylan Hotel on Eastmoreland Lane.

Mr Freeman contends that the applicant has not demonstrated that the proposed hotel building would not result in over-shadowing and loss of sunlight to the Dylan Hotel.

The Dylan Hotel, Dublin

Today's News in 90 Seconds - November 20th

He states the Dylan Hotel operators are seriously concerned about the deterioration in the quality and amenity of its hotel rooms on Eastmoreland Lane and said his clients reserve the right to vindicate their property rights in an appropriate form concerning the planned Raglan Townhouse hotel.

On the concerns the operators of the Dylan Hotel have on the construction phase of the Raglan Townhouse hotel, Mr Freeman contends that the proposed development represents a significant construction project costing millions of euro  and it may have profound effects on the local environment for decades to come.

On behalf of the Pembroke Road Association, Susan McCarrick has told the council: We do not have a need for a 100-bed hotel on Upper Baggot Street.

Ms McCarrick contends that the scheme would seriously injure the visual and residential amenities of the area, and would set an undesirable precedent.

Pembroke Road resident Marc Rutner told the council that introducing another hotel into this already saturated market not only detracts from the potential for much-needed residential development, but also overwhelms the local infrastructure, jeopardising the areas residential character.

A decision is due on the application next month.
The Ditch news website was given 450,000 by Web Summit last year, according to accounts just filed by Manders Terrace Ltd, the company behind the tech events.

The news organisation, which is owned by two journalists, has been championed and promoted by the Web Summit chief executive Paddy Cosgrave.

News stories it has published led to the resignations of Damien English and Robert Troy as junior government ministers, and of Paul Hyde as deputy chair of An Bord Pleanala.

After Mr Cosgrave resigned as CEO of the Web Summit last year and was temporarily replaced by Katherine Maher, its board announced in November that, effective immediately, it would no longer provide financial support to The Ditch.

While Mr Cosgrave returned as chief executive in April, funding to The Ditch has not resumed.

Asked today if any money has been given by Web Summit to the news site in 2024, a spokeswoman referred back to last Novembers statement which said the funding relationship had concluded.

The payment of 450,000 for the year to November is ahead of what might have been expected, since Eoghan McNeill, editor of the Ditch, told RTE in April 2023 that Web Summit was providing funding of about 1m over the next five years.

He also said The Ditch gets reader subscriptions and voluntary donations.

Ditch Media Ltd was incorporated in 2021 with Mr McNeill and Roman Shortall as directors, along with Chay Bowes, whose one-third shareholding was subsequently transferred to a company called Clonard Consulere Gentium. This was in turn controlled by Adam Connon, general counsel to the Web Summit.

The accounts for Manders Terrace say that last year Mr Connon acquired and disposed of a share in The Ditch website. It is not known to whom this share has been transferred.

Paddy Cosgrave is a big fan of the news service

Today's News in 90 Seconds - November 20th

The accounts also show that Web Summits four directors shared remuneration of 4.05m last year, up from 3.65m in 2022. Ms Maher and Damian Kimmelman were appointed as directors on October 28, 2023, after Mr Cosgrave stood down as CEO.

Mr Cosgrave himself stood down as a director in October 2023, but returned to the board in April, company filings show.

At the end of the financial year, the company had assets of 51.6m, up from 34.9m in 2022, and liabilities of 46.6m, up from 23.2m in 2022. The net assets of the company had decreased by 6.6m.

Staffing costs increased by 4.5m, and Web Summit says this significant increase of investment in its staff  a key pillar of future growth  saw the company record Ebitda of 0.3m and a pre-tax loss of 5.6m for 2023.

In a statement on its website, Mr Cosgrave said it had taken tremendous belief in the business to increase staffing levels  they now stand at 330  but the performance this year for which we are forecasting a profit of 4-5m, makes that decision to aim high worth it.

Web Summits runs events each year in Lisbon, Doha, Rio de Janeiro and Vancouver. It says overall revenue for 2023 increased by 14pc year-on-year to a record 60m. Total attendee numbers increased by 21pc to more than 128,000.

The accounts show that, at year end, Web Summit had 31.2m in cash reserves, up from 19m in 2022. In creditors, the amount falling due within one year stands at 34.6m, up from 22m of the previous year.

Total assets less current liabilities stands at 16.9m, up from 11.9m in 2022.
Ireland is well down the international rankings on 5G download speeds, with users here getting 155.8 megabits per second (Mbps), according to figures compiled by Opensignal, a research firm, which surveyed the period July to September.

This placed Ireland in 38th place for average download speed in a league table of 56 developed and developing countries.

It is ahead of Britain, where users saw 115.8 Mbps in this category. Britain ranked 46th for download speeds, a finding that was described by The Economist magazine as the worst mobile service in the rich world.

Download speeds are hugely affected by demand, with data usage on mobile devices growing exponentially due to gaming and film downloads. However, the main factor is supply. The fifth generation of networks, 5G offers speeds many times faster than 4G, but users are on it less of the time.

The research also covered 5G availability, which is defined as the proportion of time that users with a 5G-capable device and a 5G subscription had an active 5G connection.

Ireland placed 49th in this category, with Irish 5G users spending just 9.2pc of their time connected to 5G. This put Ireland behind the UK in this category, as British 5G users spent 10.8pc of their time connected.

In terms of download speeds, Ireland was slightly behind the US, which was in 34th place with 5G users seeing average speeds of 178.2Mbps. The US was much better in terms of availability, with 5G users spending over 30pc of their time with a connection.

Surprisingly, Japan was near the bottom in both categories. It was 42nd for average 5G download speed at 150.6Mbps, and 48th, just one place above Ireland, for availability, with 9.5pc.

The last Comreg quarterly report, issued in September, reported that the number of 5G subscribers had increased by 33pc year-on-year, bringing the total to 1.7 million voice, mobile and machine-to-machine subscribers. This is the technology that allows devices and sensors to communicate with other internet-enabled systems, although much of it uses the small-bandwidth 2G, which is likely to remain operational indefinitely.

Vodafone, the countrys largest mobile operator, has switched off its entire 3G mobile network across the country and completed a nationwide roll-out of a comprehensive 4G & 5G network upgrade programme.
Ford is ready to cut 4,000 European jobs as it struggles to compete with Chinese EVs

Most cuts will be in Germany and UK, as electric vehicle sales in Europe fall 5.8pc

The Ford factory in Cologne, Germany. Photo: Getty

David McHugh Wed 20 Nov 2024 at 19:38







The Ford Motor Co says it will reduce its workforce by 4,000 in Europe and the UK by the end of 2027, citing headwinds from the economy, pressure from increased competition, and weaker than expected sales of electric cars.
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on as leaders prepare for a group picture at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

Poland is looking to join forces with France and Italy to block a trade deal between the European Union and Latin America's Mercosur bloc that's been a quarter of a century in the making.

French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard will meet her Polish counterpart in Warsaw in the coming days to "compare their lists of objections" to the deal, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Tuesday. The trade pact was an important element of recent bilateral talks with Paris, he added.
Farmers protest in central London over the changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules in the recent budget which introduce new taxes on farms worth more than 1 million. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Eleanor, 6, and Jeffrey, 10, sit in toy tractors, as farmers protest against the Labour government's new agricultural policy, which includes a budget measure expected to increase inheritance tax liabilities for some farmers, in London, Britain, November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Mina Kim

They piled into central London in their thousands, mostly on foot but some in tractors, with placards reading "No Farmers, No Food, No Future" and "The Final Straw" to protest the new Labour government's decision to impose inheritance tax on farms for the first time in over three decades.

Speaking to the crowd on Tuesday was Clare Wise, a fifth-generation farmer with sheep, cows and crops in northern England who said the new levy would "cripple" the business for her children if it was ever called in. "Farmers are asset rich, but we are cash poor," she said, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer's administration of seeking to "destroy my and your farms forever."

The backlash is a major political headache for Starmer and one of the main drawbacks from Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves' debut budget, which raised taxes by 40 billion for higher public spending and to cover a shortfall inherited from the previous Conservative administration.

Both Starmer and Reeves have dug in on the inheritance tax change, which puts a 20% levy on farming land worth over 1 million payable over 10 years when it is passed down.

"With current farm income so low no bank would lend me the money to get my children out of this hole," said Wise, who estimated the value of her farm at about 4 million. "Even if they did, it would cripple our business and it wouldn't allow reinvestment or progress for over a decade."

Wise and the other farmers, many of whom targeted Starmer and Reeves personally with "Keir Starver" and "Rachel Thieves" signs, have an array of celebrity support. TV presenter and farm owner Jeremy Clarkson spoke on stage, while billionaire entrepreneur James Dyson, who owns swathes of land that would be affected by the tax changes, has called Reeves' budget "spiteful" and ignorant." Elon Musk, who has used his X platform to slam Starmer's left-leaning government in recent weeks, said "Britain is going full Stalin."

Farmers protest in central London over the changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules in the recent budget which introduce new taxes on farms worth more than 1 million. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

The government argues that the majority of farms won't be affected, estimating that only about 500 farms would be hit with an inheritance tax charge each year. Ministers have pointed out that a couple wanting to pass on their farm to their children would only have to pay inheritance tax if the estate is worth more than A3 million, due to each person in the couple having the 1 million agricultural relief plus the standard 500,000 tax-free inheritance allowance.

They also point to a 5 billion package to support sustainable food production in the UK, and argue the tax change would close a loophole where wealthy people buy up agricultural land to avoid having to pay inheritance tax.

Soaring land values are long-running complaint, locking would-be farmers out of land ownership as wealthier buyers seek to shield money from the taxman.

According to real estate agent Knight Frank, agricultural land values rose 7% in 2023 to over 9,000 an acre for the first time, compared with a 4% rise in the FTSE 100. In the decade to December 2023, agricultural land was a better-performing asset class than prime residential London and the FTSE 100, and only just behind UK house prices, the analysis showed.

"The yield on farmland is low so why would someone own it rather than, say, FTSE shares?" said Arun Advani, a director at the Centre for the Analysis of Taxation and associate economics professor at the University of Warwick. "The value is in passing the land on tax free. But that is driving up land prices."

But the government has struggled to get that part of its argument across, instead focusing mostly on the need to raise revenue. Ministers have repeatedly said rural communities will benefit from improvements to the National Health Service and other public spending, and that farmers should pay their share.

A major problem for Starmer's government is that the tax change is hitting a community which has long felt let down by politicians. Leaving the European Union, for example, was promised as a chance to shed excessive bureaucracy and leading Brexiteer Boris Johnson said farmers would get the same subsidies after leaving the bloc. Instead, farmers complain support payments have fallen.

Farmers have also been hit by higher costs to export to the bloc, increased fertilizer and energy prices in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and setbacks due to animal disease and climate change. Government data show income was lower for all farm types except specialist pig and poultry farms, in the year 2023/24 a less than ideal backdrop for changing tax rules.

"It's the final thing, it's been the straw that broke the camel's back," Rachel Hallos, vice president of the National Farmers' Union, told Bloomberg Radio. "We're tired of having to deal with whatever's thrust in front of us."

There's an obvious risk to angering the farmers for Starmer, whose Labour Party won a landslide victory in the general election in part by picking up swathes of rural seats that previously voted Tory. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, as well as Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, both denounced the government's tax plan. Even Labour peer Ann Mallalieu has warned that people already regret backing Starmer's party due to the inheritance tax policy.

The protest also points to a deeper challenge facing mainstream politicians. The opposition from prominent voices such as Dyson and Musk shows how Starmer is having to contend with powerful vested interests as he tries to deliver Britain's first left-wing governing agenda since 2010, at a time when populist, right-wing political forces are in the ascendancy elsewhere.

Starmer's popularity has already cratered since his election victory in July, with early mishaps over the role of Labour donors and winter fuel payments for pensioners being followed by the controversial budget. Yet his problems have been compounded by being unable to counter powerful critics.

On Tuesday they included Clarkson, whose Amazon Prime series Clarkson's Farm has given him a prominent platform to talk about the industry. Despite once telling the Times newspaper he bought his Diddly Squat farm to avoid inheritance tax he told the BBC at the protest the real reason was so he could go shooting a many of the protesters expressed their gratitude.

The Metropolitan Police said more than 10,000 people joined the protest.

"I'm here to support the farmers, it's that simple, because they need all the help they can get really, even from me," Clarkson said. Referring to Reeves, he told Channel 4 News: "If she wanted to get me and Dyson and all the investment bankers, she could have used a sniper's rifle. What she actually used was a blunderbuss and she's hit everybody here."

Farmer anger is not unique to the UK. Producers across the world have taken to the streets to protest policies from reduced fuel subsidies, a lack of support amid increased climate risk and changes to trade policy.

Yet there's a pattern in some European countries that Starmer will be eager to avoid, where populist politicians have capitalized on the plight of rural communities, in particular the burden placed on farms in the fight against climate change. At the rally in London, there were frequent calls for Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, like Johnson a prominent Brexit campaigner, to speak.

"I can feel myself that today is not just about inheritance tax," Farage told some at the protest, according to PA. "It really is farmers versus Starmer."

Bloomberg.
James wife Grace and children Christopher, Lilly and James with the James OConnor Perpetual Cups which were named after him. Photo: Darragh Kane

James O'Connor died on his 40th birthday after suffering a fatal heart attack near the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro

An Irish chef who died while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa to mark his 40th birthday will be honoured by having a school named after him.

James O'Connor (40) suffered a fatal bout of altitude sickness when he was just 100 metres from the summit of the Tanzanian mountain last Christmas.

Tragically, despite desperate efforts to help him, he was pronounced dead.

Now, his widow Grace has revealed that, to mark the first anniversary of his death, a primary school will be named in his honour in Africa.

James - a talented Cork-based chef - died near the summit of Africa's highest mountain on December 5, 2023.

It was his 40th and [son] Christophers 16th birthday," Grace told 96FM. "I had taken that day off of work as James was away and I wanted to bring the kids out for dinner. So we had a lovely day out. It was just a normal day.

"I was in Next shopping and I got a phone call from Jamess friend Alan who had done the trek with him. I heard his voice and I thought they had done it as they were meant to be at the summit.

James wanted to be at the summit for his 40th. This was a goal he had and I was happy to support him in it."

"Alan said: Grace, I dont know how to tell you this. Jimmy is dead.' He told me first he had a heart attack."

"I couldnt believe it. I fell to my knees. My little girl was with me. It was so surreal. It still is some days.

What shocked the family was that James was active, fit and healthy.

You have to get all of these checks done before you go. He was super-fit. He was always out running. He used to get up at 5am. I am from Limerick. We live in Limerick. He would hit the road for Cork (where he worked at Tonys Bistro), Grace said.

"He would hit the gym before work. And then go in and do a full days work and drive home and on his day off he would get up, have his run done and wake me up with a cup of coffee before Id get out of bed.

"He even got me out running a few times. He felt great. He was at his healthiest and his happiest. Basically (he died) of altitude sickness. It affected his lungs and he was unlucky. That is it.

"The majority of people are fine. You couldnt have predicted it. It (climbing Kilimanjaro) is not a dangerous thing to do. There is no way he would have even attempted to do it if he thought he was in any danger.

Grace said that she has kept herself busy in the months since James died.

A family friend is involved in the Schools Health Foundation in Sierra Leone. She said a decision was made to build a school in Sierra Leone in memory of James.

I was so blown away by this. The thought of our little son going over there for the opening of that. It is so surreal, beautiful and such an honour. It is going to be schooling 300 children. A whole system will be set up. It is not just building a school. It will be maintained, Grace said.

"I think through the experience of the loss of James I got to see life so differently. There are amazing people out there who do amazing things. This charity is one of them. I am honoured that his legacy will be way over in Sierra Leone.

Grace continues to live in Dooradoyle in Limerick with the couples children Chris, Lilly and James.

Close to 39,000 was raised via a GoFundMe page set up to pay for the repatriation of his body to Ireland.

James is survived by his wife and children, his siblings Jonathan, Lorraine, Caitriona, Michelle and Jordan.

His family say that James died peacefully, while watching the sunrise on his birthday on Mount Kilimanjaro.

The James OConnor primary school in Sierra Leone is set to open next April, an event to be attended by his eldest son Chris.

Donations can be made at https://www.schoolsandhealthfoundation.com/donate or at https://www.chrisjamesfundaschool.ie/donate
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
A senior detective who took his own life in a Garda station over six years ago felt under stress from ridiculous and endless demands from the defence in a high-profile murder trial he was centrally involved in at the time of his death, an inquest has heard.
Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne said the fundamental value and dignity of human life in Ireland is being undermined at both the start and end of life.

He made the remarks in a general election message where he thanked political representatives in Kerry for their sacrifices in representing constituents.

However, the Bishops hard-hitting comments were reserved for the rights of the unborn and assisted dying. He said while science clearly shows that human life begins at conception, humans, in the earliest stages of development, are entitled to the protections the rest of us enjoy.

Each unborn child is precious, irreplaceable and unmistakably one of us, he said.

Sadly, in Ireland today, it is estimated that possibly one in every eight pregnancies are ended by abortion, and there is a campaign to extend the situations in which an abortion is legally permitted.

Bishop Browne cited the Dails recent decision to vote in favour of a Final Report that would permit assisted death and euthanasia under specific circumstances. He said the report goes against the recommendations of many medical bodies who care for the dying.

Legalising and thus normalising these deaths (allowing assisted suicide) will within a short time play on the minds of people in the final months/years of their lives, and of many others with major health issues (physical, mental, psychological), he said.

Assisted suicide is often presented as something that would be rare and exceptional. Once assisted suicide is accepted in principle, it becomes very difficult to draw a line. Many countries, which began by legalising assisted suicide on a limited basis, have moved on to widen significantly the scope of that legislation. I encourage all people to make a personal decision to always speak out against legalising assisted death/assisted suicide and euthanasia, he added.

The Bishop also encouraged voters to please share your views with those seeking election, while welcoming the fact several candidates are giving priority to what he called, prolife issues.

In todays world where medical advances and major progress have been made in caring for all at the beginning and at the end of life, surely, we can respect the right to life of every human being from conception in the womb to the moment of natural death, he said.

"I ask all to pray that the General Election will be conducted in a good spirit, and that that all entitled to vote will be motivated to do so, Bishop Browne added.

Separately, the Bishop spoke of this Dail term as having coped with the Covid pandemic, wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, and inward migration.

We have been blessed in terms of the growth and strength of our economy. At the same time, we face many very serious ongoing challenges, for example: housing all our people, major gaps in our health services, affordable and available childcare, the numbers of adults and children trapped in poverty, he said.

Lastly, Bishop Browne said it was time to appreciate fine community spirit in towns, villages and rural areas.

I have in mind the contribution of so many volunteers through local groups and charities and as individual neighbours and relations: in the areas of social and health care, music, culture, the arts and sport, to name but a few, he said.
The self-styled citizen journalist hails from Tallaght Cross in Dublin and has been a regular participant and speaker at anti-immigration protests across Ireland, including demonstrations in Newtownmountkennedy over plans to accommodate international protection applicants.

Speaking about the inspiration behind his decision to run, Mr Dwyer said he received great encouragement to contest the general election from residents of Newtown.

I want to stand against what is going on with this government for creating the destruction of our society and way of life. I feel that corruption is endemic not only in the government, but also in Dail Eireann, which is having a detrimental affect on the Irish nation and its people.

"I looked at Wicklow, which is the home of the Taoiseach and Minister for Health, and felt the county was crying out for a true and solid nationalist candidate.

It also provides me with an opportunity to question the other Wicklow candidates who have been responsible for so many of the issues we are currently facing.

He was previously an Ireland First candidate for the Dublin constituency at the 2024 European elections and was also a candidate in the Tallaght Central LEA in the recent local elections, failing to be elected on both occasions.

Another late entrant into the election race is Dominic Plant of Manor Kilbride, Blessington, who will also be running as an independent. He also contested the 2014 and 2024 local elections but wasnt successful. Mr Plant feels Dail Eireann is in need of a new way of thinking and needs to move away from outdated policies.

Cllr Gerry ONeill will also run as an independent, having been first elected to Wicklow County Council in 2014, and successfully securing his seat at subsequent local elections, topping the poll this year for Baltinglass Municipal District.

A total of 18 candidates will be hoping the votes go their way on Friday, November 29.
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






We want your opinions on voting, Irish politics and election issues

Broadcasters will only have to take "additional care".

As part of our Irish Independent Election 2024 coverage, we are asking our readers their opinions on voting, Irish politics and election issues in the run-up to polling day.

Today, were asking the question; Election 2024: Do you agree with primary schools closing for polling day to facilitate voting? 

Let us know your opinion.

Visit our Election 2024 hub for live updates, analysis, constituency profiles and interactive map
Fianna Fail is facing a backlash from some of its own candidates over the Governments approach to immigration.

In comments that are likely to move the issue to centre stage in the election, the representatives have pushed back against the development of migrant accommodation in their constituencies.

Longford-Westmeath candidate Dympna Cunniffe has weighed in behind people campaigning against a centre earmarked for 1,000 asylum-seekers in Athlone.

Would you want your children walking to school adjacent to the coming and goings of 1,000 asylum-seekers awaiting background checks from countries dubbed high risk as per government documents? Ms Cunniffe posted on social media. After being contacted by the Irish Independent, she denied personally writing the post.

Separately, Sligo-Leitrim candidate Edel McSharry described the Governments management of the migration crisis as reckless and irresponsible.

Fianna Fails efforts in the Galway West constituency, where Grainne Seoige is a candidate, are already being hampered by its former councillor Noel Thomass decision to run for Independent Ireland. He quit the party earlier this year after a row over comments he made relating to immigration.

I dont support violence, but if people dont listen things will only escalate

Ms Cunniffe sought last night to retract some comments made on TikTok in which her account responded to suggestions that the site earmarked for accommodation should be bulldozed.

Her account replied: I dont support violence, but if people dont listen things will only escalate.

Dympna Cunniffe

She was also asked what 1,000 asylum-seekers would do on a daily basis in Athlone.

Wandering about with their cracked screen Huaweis looking for free wifi, a response said.

Ms Cunniffe said she joined Fianna Fail to redirect the ship.

I believe in the old Fianna Fail of decentralisation and parish-pump politics. Local communities should have the final say, she said.

Last night, a Fianna Fail spokesperson said it is discussing the comments with the candidate.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Ms Cunniffe said the TikTok account was looked after by a social media manager and with the tiny character limit and lack of context, they should not be taken as statements.

The spokesperson added that Ms Cunniffe fully supports the Fianna Fail leadership and she looks forward to lobbying for mandatory community consultations on the issue.

Meanwhile, Sligo county councillor Ms McSharry, who is also running in the general election, described the Governments management of the migration crisis as reckless and irresponsible.

We must immediately abandon the current approach in favour of strategic sustainable solutions that do not pitch communities against one another and brings balance and fairness to hard-pressed families, workers and students who have been pushed out of the accommodation market due to some of the policies that have been pursued over the course of the last three years, she said.

Councillor Edel McSharry

Ms McSharry added that she emigrated during the last recession and recognises the need to help people in line with our capacity, especially to those displaced through war and persecution.

That said, it is reprehensible the way in which we have implemented policies which have very directly incentivised large- and small-scale landlords to prioritise refugees over indigenous families, workers and students in need of accommodation, she said.

To do this, amid the biggest housing crisis in our history, has been reckless in the extreme and seriously undermines community solidarity.

The Indo Daily: Election Extra: Bertie Ahern talks about the power of Sinn Fein, a left alternative and the Monks bid for election

She called on the Government to immediately repurpose all tourism and student accommodation to their intended use. Ms McSharry said the State must stop the discriminatory practice of providing financial incentive to landlords to prioritise accommodation of refugees over hard-pressed families, workers and students seeking a home.

There has been a blind ambivalence to peoples concerns from central government

It must also process applications for international protection more efficiently and immediately exclude and deport fraudulent applicants and anyone convicted of serious crime, she added.

Despite attempts by some to highlight and address this matter, there has been a blind ambivalence to peoples concerns from central government.

Dympna Cunniffe (left) and Edel McSharry (right)

General Election 2024: The state of the parties

A Fianna Fail spokesperson said the party recognises there are issues, but we have plans to radically and rapidly improve the management of asylum cases and improve community engagement.

They added: We need a fast, fair and firm asylum process which respects both the integrity of our borders and the dignity of people seeking protection. People who do not qualify will be returned to their country of origin.

Fianna Fail is also proposing to bring immigration back under Justice and we are going to provide for a new Department of Domestic Affairs.

This will manage asylum management, integration support and border security under Justice with the funding and expertise to deliver a faster, more effective approach to managing asylum applications, including faster, firmer, fairer decisions and guaranteed funding for engagement with communities and the provision of services.
Mick Wallace at the recent protest at Shannon Airport, where he says some gardai were heavy-handed.

Mick Wallace at the recent protest at Shannon Airport, where he says some gardai were heavy-handed.

Wexford general election hopeful Mick Wallace has criticised the heavy-handedness of some gardai in dealing with a protest against the US military use of Shannon airport.

The former MEP and TD attended the protest on Sunday, planned by Palestine solidarity campaigners from Clare, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Dublin and Kerry.

Eight protestors, four men and four women aged between 21 and 56, were arrested and charged. Later in the day, a small group of protestors made their way to Shannon Garda Station and attempted to enter the front door before being removed from the building.

Public Order Unit officers lined up at the main doors while protestors called for the release of the eight and Wallace has accused some gardai of using violent force in removing protestors from the airport.

"The normal uniformed gardai were absolutely fine, he said, but he claimed that some members of the Public Order Unit were extremely aggressive and he saw no reason for it. It was really disappointing to see, he said.

Mick Wallace at the recent protest at Shannon Airport, where he says some gardai were heavy-handed.

Wallace has experience of being arrested at Shannon airport himself. Back in 2014, he and then fellow TD Clare Daly were arrested after attempting to search two planes they believed were transporting weapons for the US military.

He says that protestors on Sunday were well-behaved, although gardai did move to deny them access to the airport terminal building.

"There were over a thousand people there and none of them, as far as I could see, were looking for trouble, he said. Theres a protest at Shannon every second week and theres never trouble.

"These were decent people from all over the country who are just shocked by the genocide thats being carried out in front of our eyes. Simon Harris and Micheal Martin wont call it that, but thats exactly what it is.

When contacted for comment, An Garda Siochana said that they do not comment on remarks made by third parties.

On the Shannon protest, they said: An Garda Siochana put in place appropriate and proportionate policing plan to monitor a public gathering in the vicinity of Shannon Airport on Sunday, November 17, 2024.

Any Garda response in relation to evolving events is in-keeping with a community policing model and graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety.

Over the course of the Garda operation 8 persons were arrested for offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. All 8 persons have been charged to appear before the District Court at a later date.

Mick Wallace at the recent protest at Shannon Airport, where he says some gardai were heavy-handed.

Election 2024 campaign daily update: Wednesday 20th of November 2024

Concluding, the garda statement said that Ireland is a constitutional democracy and there is a constitutional right for citizens to express freely their convictions and opinions and to assemble peaceably, subject to statutory provisions.

"An Garda Siochana respects the right of citizens to exercise their constitutional rights; exercising such rights does not extend to committing breaches of statutory law, they said.

The topic of Gaza and the actions of the Israeli state there has arisen at several points during this election campaign. At the first leaders debate, despite having not done so to date, the government parties vowed to enact the Occupied Territories Bill should they be returned.

While assuring that he was not tuned in (I wouldnt watch a debate like that if you paid me!), Mr Wallace believes that the Irish government has done nothing on Palestine and they will do nothing should they be returned.

"Its all just election talk," he claimed. They blocked the Occupied Territories Bill for years. They will never, ever, bring that in. Our government has said nice things about Palestinian people. Thats it.

"Were still complicit in selling weapons to Israel to kill Palestinians. Why are we still trading with Israel if were so worried about it? Not one EU state has stopped trading with them.

"The Irish government is good at talking on Palestine, but doing nothing. That much was stated by the UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine Francesca Albanese, who basically said in relation to Ireland that all the talk means nothing until you actually do something.

Regardless, Wallace feels that a commitment not to trade with occupied territories would be of miniscule comfort given continued US military use of Shannon airport.

"Israel couldnt carry out this genocide without the help of the US, he says. Its effectively an arm of the US in the Middle East. In Ireland, we are allowing the US to use Shannon to go over and kill Muslims and destroy the lives of millions of people. Our government has allowed that to happen.

"If we do get a different government in this country after this election, they will have a huge responsibility to stop allowing Shannon to be used as a US military base.
Wicklow TDs John Brady, Stephen Donnelly, Steven Matthews and Jennifer Whitmore are facing what will be one of the most highly anticipated grillings as they prepare to debate with Loreto Bray students under the heading: The Irish State cares for young people in preparing for their future'.

The debate will take place in Loreto Secondary School, Bray, on Friday, November 22, at 7.30pm and tickets are available from eventbrite for 11.70.

The debate brings together a unique mix of students and politicians in a spirited discussion and will serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue on the issues affecting young people, while also raising funds to support Loreto's sister school in South Sudan.

The fundraising drive follows the visit in September of Sr Orla Treacy, a Loreto nun from Bray, who has spent the last 18 years in South Sudan. She returned to her Bray home to visit St Patricks Loreto together with colleagues from Loreto Rumbek to highlight her work and to help raise awareness for the campaign she is driving to build a new school in the country.

Sr Orla Treacy arrived in Rumbek in 2006 with just two other Loreto nuns from Ireland, where they were greeted by what she described as ground zero, after the country had suffered two decades of civil war.

Sr Orla (51) now serves as the director of the Loreto Rumbek Mission, overseeing a secondary school for 385 girls, a primary school for over 1,200 boys and a primary healthcare facility. She has been seeking help to further develop the mission in the country, with a fairly daunting goal of 10m.
Ireland has risen 14 places in an international ranking of performance on climate change.

The country is now in 29th place in the influential Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), compared with 43rd last year.

However, the report warns that future implementation of climate action policies in Ireland remains a doubt.

It notes that divisions between coalition parties  the Greens, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail  as the General Election approaches, raise questions about their commitment to keep going on the path that has brought this years improvement.

The CCPI is compiled by the environmental and human rights NGO Germanwatch, together with the NewClimate Institute and the Climate Action Network.

It focuses on 63 countries that together account for more than 90pc of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Ireland received medium scores on policies, energy use and renewable energy, but a low score on emissions.

Despite a 6.8pc reduction in emissions last year, the report says the lack of substantial progress makes it unlikely that Ireland will meet its legally binding 2030 target of cutting emissions by 51pc.

Points in Irelands favour include the rapid rise in solar power from solar parks and rooftop panels and the fast-expanding home retrofit programme.

Negative points include the slow roll-out of offshore wind projects.

Coupled with low levels of battery storage and ongoing gas connections, the State is set to remain greatly dependent on fossil-fuel generation, it says.

A lack of skilled workforce also is hampering progress in many areas related to climate action.

Concern is also raised over the strain data centres are placing on electricity supply and the failure to institute a permanent, legally robust ban on any type of LNG (liquefied natural gas) facility.

The index, which is in its 20th year, is published today to coincide with the Cop29 climate summit taking place in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku.

Just three days remain before the talks are due to conclude, and progress has been slow, although Azerbaijani officials said yesterday they were confident of being able to produce a draft text on the most contentious issue  climate finance  by the end of today.

Earlier, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) had issued an SOS after warning that 2024 was set to be the hottest year on record.

Hotter even than 2023, which smashed all previous records, WMO secretary general Celeste Saulo said.

Once again we are sending out a red alert, one of many I have issued in less than one year as secretary general, Ms Saulo told Cop29. This is another SOS to the planet. I reiterate our urgent appeals that we have to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan, who is representing Ireland at the talks, told the summit that failure to reach agreement in Baku would be unforgiveable.

The stakes have never been so high, but I believe we can meet the challenge of climate change by working together  finding global solutions for a global problem, he said.
The decision by the gardai to publish images of 99 persons of interest involved in the Dublin riots is an outsourcing of police work and may lead to people being doxxed, a spokesperson for the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has said.

Huge public interest in the images drove a high amount of traffic to the website and it crashed on Tuesday afternoon. Images of more than a dozen people have already been removed from the public gallery after they were identified by gardai due to information from the public.

The ICCL questioned the decision to publish the images and expressed concerns over the impact they might have on the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial.

Speaking to RTE Radio Ones Morning Ireland, ICCL senior policy officer Olga Cronin said gardai had previously published images of people they were unable to identify but Tuesdays action was an unprecedented move due to the number of images being published at once.

"It comes with significant risk. The difference between previous efforts by the gardai compared to whats occurring now, or yesterday, is the scale, Ms Cronin said.

What I mean by this is the number of images that have been put out in one moment in time are 99 people of interest whom they are inviting the public to identify through this unique online portal and people can do so anonymously.

"Then theres the factor of reach and interest. They held a press conference, they invited national media. This relates to a night of huge public disorder, criminal damage, violence that naturally attracted huge national and international attention, and understandably upset and angered many, many people, not least the people directly impacted.

Gardai facing protesters during the Dublin riots in November 2023

Today's News in 90 Seconds - November 20th

Ms Cronin expressed concerns over the portal being online, meaning the images can be easily saved and shared. She agreed gardai had needed to seek the publics help during investigations but said this gallery of images was different.

"The issue for us is that this is a significant outsourcing of police work to a certain extent. Our concerns are that there could be unintended consequences to this. People have a right to a presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial, she said.

She said people being invited into this identification process may lead to some deciding to take things further.

"What if people decide to take the law into their own hands? What if the gardai accidentally put some of these peoples safety at risk?

Asked if it mattered how someone identified through the publication of these images ended up before the courts as long as they got a fair hearing, Ms Cronin said there is a risk attached to the images being shared around online. She said this included doxxing  where individuals have personal information such as address, date of birth, work details, medical history and other sensitive materials shared online without their permission, in an effort to embarrass or intimidate them.

"These are the risks that we identified this morning, we asked ourselves how would the gardai protect against these risks and the answer to these questions is that we dont know, Ms Cronin said.

"It would appear that the main safeguards the gardai are relying on are saying that these are people of interest and saying they will take down the images of people they identify.

But, by putting them out there like this en masse online and inviting people to nominate who they believe the people are does bring risk. It does almost invite people to doxx people.

"Our point is that does bring risk and appropriate safeguards have to be put in place to ensure that these risks are mitigated against.

Ms Cronin said gardai should have carried out a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) and the ICCL would welcome the publication of the DPIA.

An Garda Siochana declined to comment on Ms Cronins remarks and said a DPIA was carried out in advance of the images being published.

A spokesperson said appeals for public assistance were a routine practice and it should not be presumed identification means criminal involvement in these events.
Staff at the Irish embassy in Ukraine have been told to work from home as tensions continue to escalate in the region.

It follows on from the US shutting its own embassy in Kyiv because of a potential significant air attack by Russian President Vladimir Putins forces.

The closure of the US embassy comes after the first use of American-supplied missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said that for the purpose of precaution, Irelands embassy staff are working from home and not in the embassy building in Kyiv.

That follows consultations between different embassies across Ukraine at the moment, but theres no plans of withdrawing staff from the embassy, Mr Martin said.

This is an abundance of caution here, but obviously the situation is escalated, and we believe Russia should stop this war.

The amount of carnage in this war hasnt got the proper headlines, but its absolutely unacceptable.

I spoke to somebody who came back working with an NGO (non-government organisation) yesterday.

He said to me that the level of fatalities of young soldiers on both sides is enormous, and its just an appalling lack of any moral compass that leaders can preside and President (Vladimir) Putin can preside over such carnage and it should stop.

He further stated that President Putin is using migration as a war weapon.

Mr Martin said that the number of people seeking asylum, including from Ukraine, in Ireland is unprecedented.

I think in fairness, back in 2020 no one anticipated what has now transpired, he added.

I think the Government has behaved responsibly, this Government has done anything we possibly can, and the Government is moving towards a state accommodation approach.
Mary Lou McDonald outlined the proposal as she launched the Sinn Fein manifesto on Tuesday (Niall Carson/PA)

The Ukrainian embassy to Ireland is disturbed by Sinn Feins manifesto plea to stop the current unlimited supply of weapons into Ukraine.

In Sinn Feins general election manifesto published on Tuesday, the party has condemned Russias war in Ukraine by calling for a coordinated and concerted effort" to bring peace.

Sinn Fein said: The Irish people have supported the Ukrainian people in the wake of the Russian invasion.

Sinn Fein condemns Russias war in Ukraine and calls for a coordinated and concerted effort by the international community to secure an end to the hostilities and build peace.

The party added that Russia and Ukraine, along with the United States and European Union, should play a role in bringing this conflict to an end by putting the interest of the people of the region above other geopolitical interests.

All sides must cease the current unlimited supply of weapons into Ukraine which has cost hundreds of thousands of lives, it added.

Mary Lou McDonald outlined the proposal as she launched the Sinn Fein manifesto on Tuesday (Niall Carson/PA)

Mary Lou MacDonald launches Sinn Feins general election manifesto

But the Ukrainian Embassy to Ireland reacted to the partys manifesto, warning it was disturbed by what it described as the irresponsible call to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the embassy said: "These weapons allow us to defend Ukrainian people & the global international rules-based security system.

"Lack of military aid will increase mass killings of Ukrainians and will have catastrophic consequences for the world, they added.

In a response to the Irish Independent query this evening, Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthy said an escalation of this conflict is in nobodys interest.

"Sinn Fein unequivocally stands against the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine and has repeatedly demanded that Russia ends its war against the Ukrainian people, he said.

"In government, Sinn Fein will advocate for a full Russian withdrawal from Ukraine, and we will fully support efforts to deliver humanitarian and practical assistance to the Ukrainian people, as well as supporting sanctions against Russia.

"However, an escalation of this conflict is in nobody's interest and we are facing a very dangerous situation.

"As a neutral state and as a people who have first-hand experience of conflict and peace-making we believe that Ireland is best placed to act as a voice for dialogue and an end to conflicts, whether they be in Ukraine, Palestine or elsewhere," he added.

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In the same section of their manifesto, Sinn Fein also said that Ireland has the potential to be a strong respected voice for peace and conflict resolution across the globe and led the way when the Dail became the first parliament to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

It added the country has been consistent in condemning breaches of international law.

The Ukrainian embassy told the Irish Independent that no one in the world pays a higher price for Russian aggression than the people of Ukraine.

They deemed calls to stop the supply of arms and ammunition to Ukraine as extremely irresponsible.

When, on February 24, 2022, Russia decided to broaden its aggression against Ukraine with an all-out invasion, the foreign supply of weaponry and ammunition to Ukraine assumed paramount importance, an embassy spokesperson said.

So far, Russia has not shown any intentions to stop its war against Ukraine. Just last weekend, Russia launched over two hundred drones and missiles at peaceful Ukrainian cities.

"The fastest way to end this war is to increase the support for Ukraines right to defend itself and to compel Russias withdrawal.

If the military aid to Ukraine stops, the Russian aggression will not. Russia will continue its invasion aimed at destroying Ukraine.

"Without defence, millions of Ukrainians will get caught up in the hands of the aggressor and will be subjected to genocide, torture and abuse.

"Millions more will flee, thus putting additional pressure on European countries. Moreover, it would set a precedent in the globalised world, demonstrating that an aggressor can achieve its goals by force.

Supporting Ukraine is the only realistic path to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine and the world, they added.

It comes as another Sinn Fein manifesto pledge to investigate RTEs objectivity has received strong criticism from both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.

Sinn Fein said it would commission an independent human rights and journalist expert review into the objectivity of coverage by RTE of the Israeli genocide in Gaza and other international conflicts.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris described the pledge as a dog whistle to conspiracy theorists while Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin branded it a dangerous departure.

In the face of criticism, the Sinn Fein leader added the proposal was a "good idea" as she made clear she did not envisage politicians having any role in the exercise.

"The objective here is not for political interference, but actually to grow and develop confidence and trust. So what we are proposing is a peer review," she told reporters on a canvass in west Dublin.
The Arts Council is highlighting the benefits of creative schools to increase student well-being for this years World Childrens Day.

World Childrens Day is a UNICEF initiative which was started to prompt a day of action for children by children on their own terms.

The day is modelled on the basis of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international agreement on standards of childhood written in 1989 and is held on November 20.

The Arts Council's Creative Schools Programme encourages creativity and connection, offering young people safe spaces to explore through artistic expression.

We know that access to arts and culture really helps children and young people. It helps them in many ways said Mags Walsh, Programme Director of Creative Schools at The Arts Council.

It helps in terms of their well-being, their mental health, self-expression, it helps them succeed at school. Children have a right to access and participate in arts and culture.

The reason they have that right is because it is not a fully rounded childhood without access to the arts and being able to participate in those types of activities.

Mrs Walsh added that while many curricula around the world seem to believe creative outlets should remain optional, the Arts council considers them to be essential.

I think were really lucky in Ireland as people have made the case that you cannot have a fully rounded education without exploring arts and creativity. From the moment you start in early childhood in Ireland right to the end of your education, we have arts and culture and theyre not extracurricular, they're curriculum.

She emphasised that the importance of arts as a vehicle for childrens well-being transcends a single day.

We intervene in schools and look after our creative schools projects to explore what the role of arts is in the school community. So, what does creativity mean to us in a small school in County Cork or a large urban post-primary?, she said.

When creative schools start with us they never quite know where theyre going to end up. They still need the children to figure out what activities they want to do, what art form they have yet to try and where they want to go.

From outdoor circuses to cookery classes, the possibilities for alternative learning are endless.

Our ethos really is about listening to children and young peoples voices and hearing directly from them what matters to them, Mrs Walsh said.

Id contend that childrens lives and their mental health are a bit neglected. We sometimes forget that they are such a large proportion of the population and yet in public discourse they feature a very tiny amount.

Currently 180 schools across the country are taking part in the creative school programme funded by the Arts Council such as Mungret Community College which joined the program in 2021.

Its principal Liam OMahoney told the Irish Independent that while these schools strive for academic excellence they also like to see students develop as people.

We have a piano in the general purpose area of the school and weve got students playing the piano at eight oclock in the morning and at four oclock in the evening and during lunchtimes, he said.

It just gives that freedom to express yourself and be yourself. Its lovely seeing children teaching each other how to play it.

What creative schools are about is having the best resources possible to support the learning of students in a modern environment. Its creative because it allows students to question things, to reason it through, to discuss things, to work in groups, to work together, to work with each other, learn from each other.
Former president of Ireland Mary Robinson has criticised the Vatican, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan for their behaviour at the Cop29 climate summit.

Mrs Robinson said the former three were blocking efforts to give women a greater say in responding to the climate crisis and in the use of climate finance.

She said Azerbaijan, which was still heavily wedded to oil and gas production, was not an ideal country to host the talks.

Mrs Robinson was attending the summit in Azerbaijan in her role as chair of The Elders, a network of former leaders who campaign on human rights and environmental issues..

Outside the negotiation rooms where the slow pace of progress has caused concern, the theme of Wednesdays events was Gender Day with events highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate on women and girls in developing countries.

Mary Robinson. Photo: Getty

Money matters at the Cop29 climate talks

Mrs Robinson said several parties were trying to block initiatives under the Gender Action Plan.

Theres a lot of dismay. Things are almost going backwards, she said.

The Vatican traditionally blocks quite a lot on gender. Its known for that.

Russia has been blocking a lot of things, I think for geopolitical reasons, but Saudi Arabia is the real blocker.

Mrs Robinson said there was also concern about the wider negotiations which are aimed at ending fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing funding for poor countries to implement climate action plans.

This is the middle of the Cop and I'm afraid people are a bit down because things arent moving very fast, she said.

Mrs Robinson said the host country was not pushing the talks along like it should.

Azerbaijan is not necessarily a very good venue. There are an extraordinary number of fossil fuel lobbyists here, she said. It influences the discussions.

Mrs Robinson was among the number of high-profile climate champions who penned an open letter to the United Nations urging it to reform the Cop process.

We do need reform of the Cop and the letter was intended to make the point that if you dont have good leadership in a country thats hosting a Cop, its not going to make much progress, and were seeing that here, she said.

This is not a great choice and the presidency is not stepping up.

Developing countries need $1 trillion in annual climate finance from rich nations  a tenfold increase on the funds currently committed.

Mrs Robinson said an absolute minimum of $300 billion would have to be offered.

She said $2.4 trillion was spent on weapons last year and at least $1 trillion on fossil fuel subsidies.

The money is there. Were spending it in the wrong way, she said.

Draft texts on the main issues under negotiation were due to be published by Thursday morning and UN chief Antonio Guterres is due to arrive to try to finalise a deal as the formal talks deadline looms at 6pm on Friday.

Im of the view that we will get a decision, Mrs Robinson said. The question is will the decision be enough?
People change their minds about politics, ideas and values. And it has been revealing to observe a gradual change of mind occur in British politics over the question of assisted dying.

Six months ago, Id have predicted that Westminster would easily pass an assisted dying law. In fact, I wrote in this newspaper last May that the veteran TV celebrity Esther Rantzen was such a powerful campaigner for voluntary euthanasia that politicians would defer to her will. And after Keir Starmer became prime minister in July, he indeed promised Rantzen that there would be a parliamentary vote under his watch.
Donegal is noted for its natural beauty, as Mount Errigal shows, but the county is neglected when it comes to infrastructure. Photo: Getty

I must admit my guilt. I once published an article in a US magazine entitled Donegal: The Forgotten County. In my defence, it was written entirely out of sympathy and admiration for that great county.

Kathy Donaghy is absolutely correct in her assessment of how Donegal has been treated (I hate the Forgotten County moniker, but Donegal is a prime example of Governments rural Ireland neglect, Irish Independent, November 19).

Donegals beauty and community spirit mask deep issues of neglect, from poor transport links and shuttered services to housing challenges and economic stagnation.

While locals hope for change in the election, the county remains an emblem of rural Irelands slow pace of progress and marginalisation by a Dublin-centric government.

If Ireland continues to centralise power and neglect rural infrastructure, it risks fostering a deep divide between thriving urban hubs and struggling rural regions.

True progress for Donegal will require visionary leadership that values regional balance.

Enda Cullen, Armagh

Sinn Fein needs to mug up on Irish political history before throwing shapes

Sinn Feins constant pitch to the Irish electorate is that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have been in power for 100 years.

This is not correct. Fianna Fail came to power in 1932, and since then has served the country in various shapes and forms  as an overall majority party, a minority party, a leader of coalition governments and as an opposition party. Fine Gael, by contrast, was formed in 1933 by the merger of Cumann Na nGaedheal, the Irish Centre Party and the Army Comrades Association.

The main difference is that Fianna Fail spent more time in goverment than Fine Gael.

Sinn Fein only decided to abandon its policy of abstention from Dail Eireann in 1986; before then, it often referred to the Dail as a sham assembly. Sinn Fein finally managed to elect its first TD to the Dail in 1997, at a time when it looked like peace was the only way forward for progress.

Kieran ORegan, Dublin 9

The truth is our politicians would go into government with anyone to gain power

As I hear various politicians talking about who they would or would not go into government with, I am reminded of the man about to swim across a river.

As he entered the water, he whispered to himself: Ill be fine, the Lord is good. But halfway across and beginning to tire he calls out: And the divil is not too bad either.

Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9

Weve a large number of political representatives, but are we getting value?

In Dail Eireann we have 174 TDs for a population of 5.2 million. In the Netherlands, its parliament has 150 members representing a population of 17.8 million people.

Are we getting value for money?

John M Nolan, Dublin 3

Its time to take comedians seriously and politicians as the absolute jokers

I found it rather hilarious to read a report that the Labour Partys finance spokesperson, Ged Nash, described the election promises of Fianna Fail as being akin to a Charlie McCreevy and Brian Cowen tribute act.

The above observation by Mr Nash reminded me of an utterance once made by the late Will Rogers, the humorous American social commentator: Everything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke.

John OBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

This posturing by Harris, Martin and OGorman on Palestine is disappointing

It was sickening to listen to Simon Harris and Micheal Martin, supported by Green Party leader Roderic OGorman, on RTEs Upfront trying to defend the indefensible.

They are saying all the right things about the crisis in Palestine, yet they are refusing to do anything apart from symbolic posturing.

If they were genuinely concerned about the slaughter we are watching nightly on television, they would introduce sanctions unilaterally.

They would not wait for approval from the EU or the UN, but would instead show some leadership and challenge Israels genocide.

They are a disappointment to the people of Ireland and to the beleaguered people of Palestine.

Art O Laoghaire, Bray, Co Wicklow

Ukraine cannot be faulted for doing everything in its power to defend itself

Can we just say that Ukraine cannot be faulted in bringing all its resources to bear in defending itself against an unprovoked assault by Russia?

Every day, Putin directs the levelling of Ukraines vital infrastructure and the slaughter of its people and warns of dire consequences should President Zelensky reach further into his arsenal to blunt this onslaught.

History is lost on Putin where Russias complicity in triggering World War II by facilitating Hitlers onslaught on Poland in 1939 is concerned.

Russia lost over 27 million people between 1935 and 1945, mostly at the hands of Stalin. Putin will wither from this earth, like the aforementioned tyrant, leaving Russia with the option of joining humanity in making this world a place for all.

Timothy VJ Sutton MRGC, Moneygall, Co Offaly

Bidens decision to allow Kyiv to use long-range missiles is concerning

Joe Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range US missiles against Russia is deeply worrying.

Vladimir Putin could easily overreact and nuclear weapons could be used.

Donald Trump said he could end the conflict within 24 hours, so the final decision should be left to him in January.

Dominic Shelmerdine, London

Trumps picks for high office paint a grim picture of the future for humanity

It is tempting to scoff at Donald Trumps picks for high office in the US as a collection of goons, but the sobering truth is that this dangerous far-right cabinet will be running the most powerful country in the world.

The medium-term future for humanity and the planet suddenly looks decidedly bleak.

Fintan Lane, Lucan, Co Dublin
Ruthless. Psychopath. Dangerous. These are just some of the words used to describe Robbie Lawlor, a formerly leading figure in the notorious Drogheda feud. Four years after his violent death in a Belfast housing estate, Lawlors is best known for his grim leading role in one of the most gruesome crimes in Irish historythe murder of 17-year-old Keane Mulready-Woods in January 2020.

Parts of his body were found in a bag in the Moatview area of Coolock in Dublin. Two days later, his head, hands and feet were found in a burning car in the Drumcondra area of Dublin. When gardai searched the house at Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth they found blood splatter and bungled attempts had been made to remove evidence.

The month before Mulready-Woods was killed Lawlor had been confronted by a gang outside a gym in Dublin. He lost a pair of flip-flops he had been wearing which were then used to taunt him via social media messages. The repercussions of this seemingly juvenile incident would be deadly.

Today on The Indo Daily, Tessa Fleming delves into the inner workings of the Drogheda feud, a brutal conflict between rival gangs that escalated to arson, kidnappings, and murder. Joining Tessa is renowned journalist and podcaster Nicola Tallant, whose new book Web of Betrayal and brand new podcast series Double Cross  The Murder of Robbie Lawlor sheds new light on the chaos and violence that consumed Drogheda.
A Dublin woman is appealing for help to get her daughter and granddaughter home from Abu Dhabi where they have been trapped by a travel ban since 2022.

Trish McCabe said her daughter Alma is going through a traumatic time, as her ex-husband got a court to put a travel ban on their four-year-old daughter, Isabella.

They have been stuck in Abu Dhabi since March 2022, even though the United Arab Emirates (UAE) family courts have since awarded Alma (36) full custody and parental responsibility.

Ms McCabe is begging the Irish Government for help to get her daughter and granddaughter home for Christmas, as the travel ban placed on Isabella during the custody dispute remains in place.

My daughter has been through an unbelievable traumatic time. Its been hell, but shes won all parental rights and thought shed be able to return home, she said.

Shes won everything. All she wants is to come home to her family and the only thing standing in her way is a local travel ban.

Trish McCabe with her granddaughter Isabella in Ireland

Alma and Trish have reached out to politicians including Taoiseach Simon Harris, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and Tanaiste Michael Martin.

The Embassy has said they cant really do anything, but its a really simple request, Ms McCabe said.

She [Alma] has custody. Isabella is an Irish citizen, was born in Ireland and they just need to come home. After everything theyve been through, we just want to be reunited.

Detained in Dubai, an organisation that campaigns on behalf of expats and tourists in the region, has called on the Irish government to liaise with the UAEs foreign office and ambassador to help get Alma and Isabella home.

Founder Radha Stirling, who earlier this year worked with the Irish government to get Roscommon woman Tori Towey home from Dubai, said: Ive come to know Alma and her mum Trish recently.

They were hoping the custody win would remove the travel ban on Isabella and it should have. Unfortunately, things move very slowly in the UAE and there is little concern for the effect this is having on Alma and Isabella.

If they are to be free to leave the UAE, its going to require some diplomatic conversations between the Irish and UAE governments, and we hope they will get involved and bring these citizens home.

When marriages end in Dubai, the legal process is a nightmare for foreigners. Its something to consider for families and couples considering relocating.

If anything goes wrong, they are faced with an often unfair and painful judiciary.

Despite the odds being stacked against her, Alma has won her cases and wants nothing more than to be home for Christmas and able to heal from a truly difficult and frightening experience, she added.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of this case and has provided extensive consular assistance.

As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases, they added.
Residents in north Dublin are to begin regular demonstrations along access routes to the airport next month, to protest over the impact of air and noise pollution.

Families living near Dublin Airport claim their childrens sleep quality, educational potential and overall well-being is being impacted.

Airport operator daa is currently embroiled in a planning dispute over an application to lift Dublin Airports annual passenger cap from 32 to 40 million.

St Margarets The Ward Residents association requested an urgent meeting by the end of this week with the daa board of directors regarding flight paths for the North Runway, which began operating in August 2022.

They requested this on behalf of the communities in Fingal and East Meath to discuss the current aircraft noise and operational flight paths associated with the runway.

The detrimental noise and air pollution we are exposed to on a daily basis has raised serious concerns regarding the health and safety of our communities, the residents said.

We believe a meeting is urgently needed, as the flight paths introduced in August 2022 and February 2023 have had an overwhelmingly negative daily impact on residents across Fingal and East Meath.

We are being exposed to unacceptable levels of noise day and night. This is not based on subjectivity, but on measured noise against international standards.

Daa has applied to lift the annual passenger cap from 32 to 40 million. Pic: Collins

The result is a negative impact on our childrens sleep quality, educational potential and overall well-being.

Sleep and enjoyment of our homes and outdoor space is a fundamental human right which has been taken from us.

In particular, since the opening of the north runway, the noise situation has worsened exponentially, with the concerns of the people ignored and disregarded, they added.

The group explained how some residents have relocated due to the pollution issues in the area.

There are some who have been driven from their homes due to the severity of the noise issue, they said.

We respectfully request confirmation that the Board of Directors would meet with our representatives to engage in a constructive mediation process.

Our intention is not to disrupt Dublin Airport operations or the experience of travellers, but at this point we feel we have no choice but to begin regular demonstrations along the main airport access routes beginning on December 1.

We are willing to pause this action if there is a commitment to solving this problem in a timely manner from the daa Board of Directors. We believe dialogue is the preferred path to a swift, amicable resolution.

Therefore, we respectfully request a meeting to be scheduled by November 22.

We do not take this course of action lightly, and we trust that the Board will appreciate the gravity of our concerns and prioritise this opportunity for dialogue.

We hope you recognise the value in addressing this matter with urgency and goodwill.

A daa spokesman said it acknowledges the concerns raised by the SMTW FORUM regarding the North Runway flight paths.

We regularly engage with community and public representatives, including a meeting with daa CEO and Board Director Kenny Jacobs on February 27 this year, regarding these issues, they said.

daa remains committed to ongoing monitoring and mitigation efforts to balance operational needs with community well-being.

Our dedicated Community Engagement team meets with residents and community groups on a weekly basis, and we are open to arranging further meetings as needed.

In relation to the planned protests by residents due to start in December, the spokesman said it would be completely unacceptable if passengers were impacted in the run up to Christmas.

Dublin Airport is private property, and no permission has been granted for any protest to take place on our campus, they added.

daa has a statutory duty to ensure the safe and proper running of the airport, and any unlawful protests on daa property could pose safety and security issues.
Galway family's spectacular 73,000-LED Christmas light show returns to raise funds for local dog charity MADRA, transforming their hobby into a festive community event drawing hundreds of spectators nightly

If you passed by the Carrick Familys home in Galway City on any day of December you would probably just think that they are just mad about Christmas.

However, James Carrick revealed his are more than just decorations, they are an all-year-around hobby, and his now popular light show not only delights children and adults, but also raises much needed funds for charity.

Starting on December 7, every evening from Wednesday to Sunday, for one hour the Carrick Family at 167 Lurgan Park, Renmore, will light up their home with over 70,000 LED lights, jumping to the rhythm of music, in a Christmas show to celebrate the festive season and to raise much needed funds for Galway-based charity MADRA.

James explained to the Irish Independent that he started setting up the lights in early November, as he needs the full month to complete the setting up process.

However, he revealed that behind the scenes the show requires way longer preparation and that it is actually a full-year-long hobby.

Year-round hobby requires 800 hours of preparation

Throughout the year, when he is not working or spending time with his family, James works on the show. And not only he has to work at the physical and electrical parts of it, making sure that all the 73,000 lights works and fixing what doesnt, but he also has to think about the music.

The Galway city native explained that every year he buys or creates sequences: You sit down and you'd have the music, you buy the music, you download the track, and then you say [to the programme] what you want it to do. So at this specific time I might want the whole house to light in purple or I might want it to go dark, or whatever.

And you can go down to the individual light on each prop. There are 73,000 individual lights, each individual light can be controlled to do a specific thing.

He added how people usually do not realise how big of a hobby this is and he often has other residents across the county reaching out to him asking if they can do it too in a few days of work.

It took a year to get all the stuff in, having them built, getting them tested, getting them up on the house.

It's not something you're just going to wake up on Monday morning and say "we'll do one of those for December", it's not gonna happen.

This is the fifth year James has set up the light show, as he explained everything started in 2018 when, out of frustration for the traditional, half broken, Christmas lights set up at the front of their home, he decided to not decorate the house anymore.

I came in and I said babes, thats it, no more Christmas lights, were done. At that time we didnt have the baby and all the kids have grown up, and [we said] its okay, we dont have to do it anymore.

It was the weirdest thing. The following week I found these on YouTube. I was just sitting on the laptop and came across these LED lights and I just thought oh theyre fantastic.

It was a lovely American guy, juts a lovely way about him, of explaining things. I looked at all his tutorials, he would make the props, buy the electronics and do all that.

So I was hooked, by the end of that year I know I put in about 800 hours in the shed just building all the controllers and the lights and all that. I could visualize it from day one.

Santa visits the Carrick family's home for the Sunday's show

After one year of hard work, he presented his first Light Show in December 2019 and the rest is history. The show was such a success James kept relaunching it every year since, taking only one break in 2023.

Despite the intense work, James shared the love for the show and the satisfaction it gives him.

It's only when you're standing there and suddenly it's dark, it's quiet, and people are standing around and suddenly it just goes 'BOOM'. You just don't expect it. You don't expect it, all the lights, in sequence, with the music, the whole experience is immersive.

I love doing it, I love getting them all up, and I love working and testing and seeing the happy faces out there, if you saw the kids' little faces out there, I love all of that. But I love taking them down and packing them away as well. And then leave some bits in the shed 'oh I must work on that now, fix that up', projects.

It's a hobby and if you're not committed to your hobby then there's no point in doing it.

Over the years the show has grown in popularity to the point of becoming a beloved event by the whole community.

James Carrick outside his home

And as he presses the start button on his phone every evening, James likes to stay outside with the crowd, he explained: If there's a good crowd out there I like to be out there. It's nice. People come over to you, chat with you, and ask about it.

Traffic concerns as hundreds flock to nightly shows

James reckons up to 250 people attend a show every night, especially on Sundays when Santa visits the Carrick house.

The first couple of years we had mini heart-attacks with the traffic. Because people didn't realise they were just driving down and this is a cul-de-sac, lots of cars, lots of kids. So we put on so many notices on Facebook 'please don't drive down here'

But I only had one argument. 99pc of the time there are beautiful people outside, and I am very happy to be there.

20,000 raised for local charities since 2019

The show not only brings the Christmas magic to the estate, but also raises funds for charity. Over the years, James Light Show raised about 20,000 for different local charities.

I work for a company called Cisco. They do this really good thing called Time to Give, so they basically say that all their employees can go and give charities for ten days every year. And they pay something towards the charity at the same time.

MADRA dog rescue 'desperate' for support

As December nears, James announced that Galway dog rescue group MADRA is, for the second time since 2018, the Light Shows 2024 chosen charity.

We have done a few charities. This year were revisiting a very well needed charity called MADRA. Theyre desperate, theyre overrun at the moment with puppies, theyre staffed by volunteers, and they need every bit of help.

When I rang the lady that I know in MADRA and said 'I hope you don't mind but we we're going to support MADRA', she was in the middle of Quay Street and she started crying. She said you have no idea how much it means to us.
Westport Estate and Iona University, New York, have announced a new scholarship programme offering full-tuition support for local students from Rice College and Sacred Heart School in Westport.

This collaboration is set to open doors to transformative educational opportunities for young people in Westport, fostering a connection between the West of Ireland and the United States.

The scholarships cover tuition fees and on-campus accommodation at Iona University, a top-ranked Catholic institution located near New York City. Students from Westport will have the opportunity to study abroad, gaining exposure to a new learning environment while maintaining strong links to their roots and community.

"Inspiring learning is a core part of our ambitions for Westport Estate," said Barry OConnor, CEO of Westport Estate, "We hope this initiative will encourage local students to explore new opportunities and bring back the valuable experiences and insights they gain."

Cathal J Hughes, Director of Westport Estate, added, Our partnership with Iona University embodies our ongoing commitment to investing in the future of Westports young people, offering experiences that broaden their perspectives while staying deeply connected to our communitys heritage.

The programme underscores Westport Estates mission to empower young people and create meaningful opportunities for education. By working with Iona University, the Estate aims to support the aspirations of local students and provide them with an environment in which they can grow academically and personally.

For Iona University, the partnership offers a chance to extend its commitment to personalised and relationship-based education.

"Were delighted to partner with Westport Estate to offer students from the West of Ireland the opportunity to study at Iona," said Kevin OSullivan, Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs at Iona University. "Our aim is to provide a welcoming environment where they can thrive academically and personally, while engaging with a diverse community in New York."

Michael Rabbett, Principal of Rice College, said: "This scholarship programme offers our students a unique opportunity to expand their horizons while maintaining a strong connection to their Westport roots. With the generous support of Westport Estate, we look forward to seeing our students excel in a new academic environment and benefit from a world-class learning experience."

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Kevin Malone, Acting Principal of Sacred Heart School, said: "A full-tuition scholarship provides an incredible opportunity for our student, and we are grateful to Westport Estate and Iona University for making it a reality. This programme fosters a sense of community and personal growth, encouraging students to explore and learn in ways that will prepare them for the next stage of their lives."

Ionas roots, meanwhile, are steeped in the rich Irish legacy of St. Columba, Blessed Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers, who founded Iona in New York in 1940. Building upon this heritage, Iona launched a new global campus at Westport Estate in May 2024 and will return May 2025.

Ionas new home abroad helps students foster a deeper connection  both spiritually and historically  to the legacy of our founders and our institution, said Iona President Seamus Carey, Ph.D. We are thrilled to build upon this new chapter and look forward to welcoming deserving scholarship recipients to study with us in New York.
CAIRO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese premium automotive brand Exeed, a subsidiary of automaker Chery, has introduced two SUV models, the Exeed RX and Exeed VX, to the Egyptian market.

A launching ceremony held by Exeed on Monday in the Muhammad Ali Palace in northern Great Cairo attracted more than 1,000 guests from the two countries, including government representatives, auto dealers and experts, potential customers and media representatives.

The two gasoline-powered SUV models boast luxurious features and advanced smart technology. The launch of the new models also marked Exeed's debut in the Egyptian market.

National Automotive Company (NATCO), an established Egyptian automotive dealer since 1988, is partnering with Exeed to distribute its vehicles in the region. Speaking at the event, NATCO Chairman Karim Sami Saad highlighted China's growing prominence in the global automotive industry and expressed optimism about the partnership.

Qin Chao, CEO of Exeed International, told Xinhua that his company is striving to be a high-end mobility solution provider. "In Egypt, together with NATCO, we will provide high-quality models to meet customer needs and contribute to the development of the Egyptian automotive industry," he said.

On Sunday, Egypt launched the production line of the Exeed cars at the Egyptian-German Automotive (EGA) factory in the 6th of October City. Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel el-Wazir said the initiative aligns with Egypt's strategy to become a key industrial hub, particularly in the automotive industry.
Over the last two years, the AIB Community 1 Million Fund has supported over 150 charities across Ireland. Earlier this year, AIB asked its customers, the wider public, and staff to again nominate registered charities, that connect with causes that matter most to them and their communities, in the AIB Community 1 Million Fund. To those charities chosen by the customers and wider public, AIB is allocating 700,000 across the four provinces and a separate category for charities in the greater Dublin area, while 300,000 will be donated to charities chosen by employees. AIB is committed to connecting our customers with their local community groups.

AIB has introduced, through its partnership with Payzone a new donation feature on our AIB Mobile app, enabling our customers to donate to their nominated charities such as the North West Hospice directly on the app. The charities will be listed on the app for the year following nomination, before the following years nominated charities are listed instead.

Mary Horkan, Fundraising and Communications Manager of North West Hospice, said: We are absolutely delighted to have been selected for this funding from the AIB Community 1 Million Fund. This grant is essential for the continuation and enhancement of the vital services we provide to the local community. AIBs unwavering support for community organisations is truly invaluable, and weve seen firsthand the positive difference it makes to groups like ours. We are particularly grateful to the public for nominating us, as it highlights the recognition of our work. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributes to North West Hospice, and a special thanks to AIB for establishing such an important fund to support local charities. We are thrilled to announce that the generous 6,500 will be used to fund the installation of new card donation points at key locations and mobile units for large events. We are hopeful that these will be in place by the first quarter of 2025, providing an easy and accessible way for people to support our cause.

AIB Managing Director Retail Banking, Geraldine Casey said: We are delighted once again this year to support over 70 charities through the AIB Community 1 Million Fund. AIB is deeply rooted in towns across the country, and we are privileged to be able to provide much needed funding to those who are making such a powerful contribution to improving the lives of those who live in these communities. I would like to thank our customers and the public for taking the time to nominate these very worthy charities.
Sligo native David Rattigan has been awarded a six month internship in the Asset Management and Investment Funds Department at Matheson, one of Irelands leading law firms and the Legal Writing Award for his written work on the Funds Law course.

David, a former student of Summerhill College Sligo, received the internship award on the basis of his results on the Funds Law module of the Maynooth University LLM in International Business Law and a competitive interview process. Davids classmate, Jobitha Prince from Meath, was also awarded a six month internship at Matheson.

The specialised Funds Law course is coordinated and delivered by Mullingar native, Bronagh Maher, who is a visiting lecturer in law at Maynooth University and Head of Mathesons Asset Management Knowledge Team.

Speaking at an event at Matheson's offices at Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin, to honour David and Jobitha, David said: "Completing the funds law module gave me a solid foundation in a key and specialised, but not widely studied, practice area in the Irish legal market. This experience was further enhanced by the module being led by industry leading experts in Mathesons Asset Management and Investment Funds team, giving a deeper insight and understanding into funds law."

Congratulating David and Jobitha on their achievements to date, Bronagh said: It has been a real pleasure to lecture Jobitha and David and to work alongside them during their internships. Mathesons partnership with Maynooth University is an important initiative that gives students the practical knowledge and skills to work in a thriving sector of the Irish economy, and the internship facilitates their first steps in an exciting career in the Irish funds industry."

Matheson partners with Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology in delivering the first specialised funds law course to be taught at an Irish university. Each week, Maynooth University LLM students leave the University campus to attend lectures in Mathesons offices, giving them unique exposure to a top international law firm.

Irelands funds and asset management industry contributes nearly 1 billion in direct taxes and employs almost 20,000 people nationally, according to a recent Indecon survey. The Department of Finance recently published its Funds Sector 2030 report, pointing to Irelands deep and growing talent pool as a key characteristic that sets Ireland apart from other jurisdictions and identifying access to talent as crucial to enable further growth of the sector.

Head of Matheson's Asset Management and Investment Funds Department, Tara Doyle, said, "We are delighted to offer these students a gateway into the funds sector, an area in which Ireland has established itself as a global player. Our collaboration with Maynooth University aims to ensure that graduates have the necessary knowledge, skills and mentoring to pursue successful careers in the funds industry and is one way in which Matheson makes a meaningful contribution to enhancing and promoting Ireland's reputation as an international leader in financial services and as a leading international fund domicile."

Matheson partner, Liz Grace, who originally wrote and designed the course, said, Irelands ability to offer a skilled talent pool continues to be a key factor for international mobile investment choosing to locate here. Partnerships such as this between industry and academia are vital in order to pass complex legal and regulatory knowledge to our graduates - and to develop the skills base necessary to ensure Ireland's continued success as a hub for international financial services. Well done to our hard-working recipients of this years prizes, David and Jobitha, and to all of the students who graduated from the course.

Head of the School of Law and Criminology at Maynooth University, Dr Fergus Ryan, said: This initiative with Matheson in delivering the Funds Law module has always been one of the most important for the School. The module is a model for what can be achieved when industry and academia collaborate, with benefits for those directly involved, but also for the wider economy, and the entire third level education system. It is also a clear example of what Law and Criminology at Maynooth is all about - innovation, dynamic industry partnerships, and opportunities for our students.
Philip Pierce lays a wreath at one of the memorials to those who died on the SS St. Patrick.

A delegation from Rosslare, including the family members of one of the survivors of the SS St. Patrick, travelled to Wales last week to commemorate those who lost their lives when the ship was sunk by the German navy during WWII. Led by Cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) Councillor Jim Codd, the delegation travelled on the MV Stena Nordica to meet Mayor of Fishguard & Goodwick Town Council, Cllr Billy Shaw for a number of ceremonies to honour those who died on November 9, 1941.

On that date, the Rosslare to Fishguard passenger ferry, the St Patrick, was bombed by the Luftwaffe as it approached Wales. 30 people died and these included 17-year-old John Joe Brennan from Wexford town. Tragically Brennans father, Mosie, was killed the previous year when the St Patrick was strafed by a German plane, an attack which occurred ten miles south east of Tuskar Rock.

Read more Stage set for Santa to turn on Wexford lights as he takes up residence in new location for the festive period

Among those who travelled to Wales were the family of Tommy Pierce who was on board the SS St. Patrick when it was bombed. Tommy, who was originally from Goodwick but moved to Rosslare Harbour after marrying Myra Pierce, survived the attack and was later interviewed about his recollections of a day which has never been forgotten by those affected.

In tribute to those who passed, Kayla Reck (11), who is Tommys great-granddaughter, created a memorial card with her classmates in Kennedy Park National School. She presented the card to Mayor Shaw and so thrilled was he with the gesture that he gave it pride of place in the Fishguard & Goodwick Town Hall. He even emailed Kaylas teacher, Katie Banville, to thank all the fifth class pupils for their kind-hearted and thoughtful actions.

While in Wales, Philip Pierce, Tommys son, laid wreaths at the memorials in both Goodwick and Fishguard.
Caoimhe Byrne, Siobhan McMunn, Teresa Byrne and Peter Byrne from Byrne's Londis Aughrim with Terry O'Brien Londis RDM at the Londis Retailing Retailing Excellence Awards 2024 in the Lyrath Estate Hotel, Co. Kilkenny.

Two Wicklow Londis stores were honoured with prestigious awards at the recent Londis Retailing Excellence Awards ceremony held at the Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny.

Hosted by BWG Foods, owners and operators of the Londis brand in Ireland, in association with independent body Solution Management Associates (SMA). the awards saw Londis retailers from every corner of the country come together to recognise those that have excelled during the year across all areas of their store.

Among those honoured on the night were Peter and Teresa Byrne from Byrnes Londis Aughrim, along with Dave Whelan of Whelans Londis in Lugduff, Tinahely.

In winning these awards, the Wicklow stores were independently examined across a range of criteria, including the quality of their fresh food offering, product range, as well as the stores commitment to upholding the highest retailing standards, thereby providing an excellent customer experience to their local communities.

Congratulating the winners, Londis sales director Conor Hayes said: The Londis Retailing Excellence Awards have been running since 2015 and recognise those Londis retailers who, through their ongoing commitment to outstanding retail standards and customer service, continue to set the benchmark for the Londis brand in their communities and, indeed, in the wider industry.

I offer my congratulations to these outstanding Londis retailers from Wicklow and their staff. Their efforts have been truly outstanding, and this recognition is very well-deserved.
Pictured at the launch of the new premises of East Coast Credit Union in Bray were staff members Angela Kinsella, Katie Doyle and Anna Ryan with founding member Jim Kelly. Photo: Leigh Anderson

Christ Church COI

Services of Worship for this Sunday, the Sunday before Advent The Kingship of Christ: 8.30am Holy Communion; 11am All Age Service.

Parish Life Centre [PLC] Bookings: The Parish Life Centre is available for day and evening bookings. Please contact Tracey in the Parish Office at 01-286 2968.

Parish Office: The Parish Office is open Monday to Thursday from 9.30 am to 1.30pm. Email: info@christchurchbray.ie; Tel. 01 286 2968; Parish website: christchurchbray.ie; facebook.com/christchurchbray.

Classics by Candlelight: This returns for its fifteenth year at 7pm on Sunday December.1st. An hour of wonderful music for string quartet will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies. (Alcohol-free hot punch means that drivers need not miss out!) The musicians all play with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra. Tickets 15 will be available soon from the Parish Office and are currently available online at: christ-church-bray.sumupstore.com/, Fluertique, Florence Road, The Travel Boutique, or after church on Sundays.

Bray Methodist Church

Worship for this Sunday: 10amSunday Worship with Creche and Sunday School.

Bray Presbyterian Church

Worship for this Sunday: 11.30am Sunday Worship.

Christian Assembly Church

Worship for this Sunday: 10.45am Morning Worship; 6.30pm Evening Service of Bible teaching, singing and fellowship.

Wednesdays: 8pm Prayer Meeting & Bible study.

Monthly Ladies Meeting: For details see: www.christianassemblybray.com.

Cornerstone Church at The Well

Worship this Sunday: 11am.

Bray Christian Outreach

Free hot meals, Clothes, sleeping bags, toiletries etc, are available in Bray Methodist Church on Sundays from 3pm to 4pm.

St Annes Parish Christmas Fair

The St. Annes Parish Christmas Fair will take place this Sunday from 10am to 3pm in St. Annes Resource beside St. Annes Church, Dublin Road, Shankill. There will be great variety of stalls including the Wheel of Fortune, Bottle Stalls, Cakes and Home Baking, Bric-a Brac, d Arts and Crafts not forgetting the raffle which has a 1st prize of 1000 cash. Tickets cost 10 or 6 for 50 and will be on sale up to draw time. All are welcome.

Holy Redeemer Parish

Mass Times: 10amMonday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday No Mass on Tuesday. Sunday Masses: 6pm Vigil Mass on Saturday and on Sunday at 10.30am and 12Noon. To book a Mass, please call into the Sacristy before or after our Masses.

Music at Mass on Sundays: 10.30am Folk Group; 12pm Gaudium Choir (Mainly Latin Church Music) on the 1st Sunday of the Month; 12pm on other Sundays of the Month: Parish Choir (Mainly English Church Music).

Mass Cards: Mass Cards may be purchased from the Parish Office during its opening hours.

Baptism: Registration for Baptism can be made online via the parish website www.holyredeemerbray.ie.

St Peters Parish

St. Peters Church Mass Times: Sunday: 9am. (Irish Mass), 11.30am. Holy Days: 11am. 1st Friday: 11am.

Red Wednesday: Today (Wednesday) is Red Wednesday when Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) asks us to pray for Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. We pray for them, in solidarity for the grace to persevere in spite of hardships, discrimination and even torture and martyrdom.

Car Park Hours: These are from 9am to 12.30pm, Monday to Friday, for parish business and at the weekends during church ceremonies. The Cemetery is accessible via the laneway for pedestrians.

St Peters Cemetery: There is a strict policy of No Dumping Allowed in any area of the cemetery. Visitors to the cemetery are requested to take home all forms of rubbish with them in order to keep the cemetery tidy. Your co-operation is appreciated.

St Annes Church, Shankill: A Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5pm on Saturdays. All are welcome. From next Monday there will be no celebration of the 10am Mass on Mondays and Saturdays.

St Fergals Parish

Mass Times: Mass times are 9.30am Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. No morning Mass on Thursdays and Saturdays. Saturday: 7pm Vigil Mass; Sundays: 8am and 10.30am.

Confessions: Are heard on Saturdays after the 7pm Vigil Mass.

St. Fergals Church Baptism Team: Our Baptism Team is in need of some extra volunteers to assist on a rota basis, with the twice monthly Baptisms which take place here in the Church. Training will be given, and Garda Vetting is a necessity. If you would be interested in joining this dedicated team please leave your name with Jenny in the parish office, or contact Monica Cornejo at: 086-0608384 or moncor44@hotmail.com.

St. Claires Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul: Messages for the St. Vincent de Paul should be sent to St. Clairs Centre, Ballymorris, Killarney Road, Bray call 01-2745325 and leave your message. Mobile No: 087 1738 235.

An Evening of Melodies from Michael: An evening of instrumentals and songs including movie and television themes along with your favourite songs and hits takes place with Michael Byrne and Friends at 8pm this Friday in St. Anthonys Room, adjacent to St. Fergals Church, Boghall Road. There will be something for everyone and all performed in an intimate setting, with lighting and visual backdrops. Admission is 10 with proceeds going to St. Fergals Parish. As this is a limited seating event, admission is by ticket only. Tickets are available from the Parish Office/Sacristy or call 086-364 7315.

Syro Malabar Catholic Church

Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 12 noon in St. Fergals Church, Ballywaltrim.

Our Lady Queen of Peace

Church Opening Hours: The Church closes at 4.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic Adoration takes place from 11am to 10pm on Mondays only in this Church.

Mass: Weekday Masses are celebrated at 10.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Weekend Masses are at 6.30pm on Saturdays and 10.30am and 12 Noon on Sundays.

Three Tenors Live: Will be in concert in this church on Saturday November 30th at 8pm. Tickets, 30, can be obtained from the Parish Office, call 2760045; email villapacisbray@gmail.com or via Eventbrite.

QOP youth club

Queen of Peace Adventure Youth Club had twenty-eight members walking along the Dargle Valley from Bray to Enniskerry and back on Friday night. Next club event is a team quiz.

A warm welcome is extended to three new members, and Paul advises that anyone wishing to join can call him on 086 3516630. There is a real need for more female leaders so if any lady out there who has a few spare hours it would be very much appreciated if they could be dedicated to the club.

Diving club

On Sunday Bray Divers Sub-aqua Club members experienced up to four metres of underwater visibility in Dalkey Sound. This was unusual for the time of the year. Presently the dredging in Dublin Bay has paused, and this has enhanced the underwater visibility.

There are vacancies for new members, and a training course is due to start before Christmas. Call 087 6756439 for information.

Bray Library

Opening hours are 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday with late opening on Tuesday and Thursday until 8.30pm. The library can be contacted at 01-2862600 or email: braylib@wicklowcoco.ie.

Bray Library Literary Book Club meets on the last Thursday of the month at 7pm the next meeting will take place on Thursday November 28thenquire at the desk for details on the book for this meeting. Bray Library Romance Book Club meets at 7pm on the First Tuesday of the month the next meeting will take place on Tuesday December 3rdenquire at the desk for details on the book for this meeting. Bray Library Crime Book Club meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm the next meeting will take place on Tuesday December 10thenquire at the desk for details on the book for this meeting. All are welcome.

Ballywaltrim Library

Opening hours are 10am to 5 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and 10am to 8pm on Wednesday. The library is closed on the Saturdays and Mondays on Bank Holiday weekends. The library can be contacted at 01-2723205 or by email at: ballywatrimlibrary@wicklowcoco.ie.

Page Turners Interested in joining a Wednesday Night Book Club? Please enquire by email or telephone ballywaltrimlibrary@wicklowcoco.ie or call 01-2723205. Storytime for All takes place on Saturday mornings at 11,30am and at 11.30am on the Tuesdays of this month no booking is required. Tummy Time for Babies takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 12pm when babies can play beneath the Magic Tables Projections. All are welcome no booking is required. Adult Scrabble takes place every Monday from 3pm to 4.30pm no booking is required.

Bray Cualann Historical Society

Tomorrow night (Thursday) John Brazil will be the guest speaker for the November meeting of the Bray Historical Society, the local history society for Bray and North Wicklow, at 7pm in the Royal Hotel, Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow, at which he will present DNA of people in Ireland from ancient times to today All are welcome admission is 8 for non-members. Those wishing to join the Society can do so at the meeting.

Events taking place in the week ahead which may be of interest to members and supporters of the Society are: today (Wednesday) Cormac Moore will present The Life of Frank OConnor Pembroke Librarys First Librarian at 7.30pm to the Greystones Archaeological & Historical Society in Kilian Family Centre beside Holy Rosary Church, Greystones. All are welcome; Jack Traynor will present Eoin ODuffy: Fascism in the Free State at 8pm to the Dun Laoghaire Borough Historical Society in the Royal Marine Hotel, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. All are welcomeadmission is 5. John Brazil will present DNA of people in Ireland from ancient times to today at 8pm to the Bray Cualann Historical Society in the Royal Hotel, Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow. All are welcome admission is 8 for non-members. Next Tuesday night Dublin City Council Historian in Residence Cormac Moore will present The 1924 Dissolution of Dublin Corporation at 6.30pm in Rathmines Library, Rathmines, Dublin 6.All are welcome admission is free and no booking is required. Next Wednesday Henry Fairbrother will present The Irish Yeast Company at 6pm to the Old Dublin Society in the Conference Room, Dublin City Library & Archive, 139-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. All are welcome admission is free and no booking is required. The AGM of the Society will follow this lecture.

Shankill Classical Music Club

The December meeting takes place on Wednesday December 10th as this seasons meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month from 7.45pm to 10pm, including a tea break, in the Shankill Day Centre, Lower Road, Shankill (100 yards from the main street, car parking available). You dont need to be an expert! Visitors and new members are always welcome. Theres no charge on the night. For further information phone or text John at 087-2109175.

St. Cronans School

St. Cronans School, Vevay Crescent, Vevay Road, Bray, is now enrolling Junior Infants Girls and Boys for next September i.e. September 2025. For further information/details, call 01-2860440, email: office@stcronans.net or log onto www.stcronans.ie

W.H. Five Loaves Bingo

W.H. Five Loaves Bingo takes place every Sunday night at 8pm in the Little Flower Hall beside the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer.

St. Patricks National School

Enrolments are now open for more information please visit www.stpatsbray.ie/admissions or contact 01-2860504.

Gaelscoil Ui Cheadaigh

Gaelscoil Ui Cheadaigh is now enrolling for every class. Call 01-2865044; email oifig@gaelscoiluicheadaigh, or see www.gaeilscoiluicheadaigh.ie
Parish of Powerscourt with Kilbride

Services at Powerscourt with Kilbride: All Services are available on the Parish YouTube Channel.

Service of Worship in St. Patricks Church, Powerscourt, for this Sunday, the Sunday before Advent The Kingship of Christ: 11.30am Holy Communion 2.

Service of Worship in St. Brigids Church, Kilbride, for this Sunday, the Sunday before Advent The Kingship of Christ: 9.45am Morning Prayer 1.

Irish Trefoil GuildGuiding for Life: Calling all former leaders of the Irish Girl Guides in Bray and the surrounding area. There is now a Trefoil Guild in Bray. Contact Anne at braytrefoilguild@gmail.com.

St Marys Church

Parish Website: www.enniskerryparish.ie is the Parish website of the Immaculate Heart of Marycheck it out for the latest information about our parish.

Facebook Page: There is a facebook page for the parish of Enniskerry, incorporating all four churches which facebook users will find under Enniskerry parish with a cover photo of trees and profile picture of a quote from Pope Francis. Please give it a like and feel free to post news from your community.

Enniskerry (also Curtlestown & Glencree) Parish Office opening times: Monday to Friday: 10am to 1pm; email: stmarys@enniskerryparish.ie; or call 01-2760030.

St. Mochonogs Parish Office opening times: Monday: 9am to 2pm, Tuesday: (by phone) 10am to 1pm, Wednesday: 10am to 2pm, Thursday (by phone) 10am to 1pm. Closed Friday.

Parish Churches Schedule of Masses: Enniskerry St. Marys: Saturday evening 6pm and also via parish webcam; Sunday 11am and also via parish webcam. Weekday Mass at Enniskerry is at 10.15am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and also via parish webcam lay-led prayer service on Wednesday; and Saturday at 10.15am, and also available via the parish webcam. Masses in Curtlestown and Kilmacanogue are on Sunday at 10am. Mass in Glencree is at 9am on the first Sunday each month.

Baptism Requests: Requests for Baptism now take place online at www.enniskerryparish.ie.

Downtime Thursday/Adoration: Downtime Thursday has now reverted to the last Thursday of the Month so the next one will take place on Thursday November 28th from 7pm to 8pm so why not pop into the church for some quiet time.. You can sit in silence with candlelight and gentle music. Take a few minutes for yourself and just be. Light a candle, say a prayer. Just sit if thats what you need. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place.

Registration for the Sacraments: We are at the start of another year of preparation for the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. There is still time to register on-line, if you havent done so already via https://enniskerryparish.ie/.

Red Wednesday: Today (Wednesday) is Red Wednesday when Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) asks us to pray for Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. We pray for them, in solidarity for the grace to persevere in spite of hardships, discrimination and even torture and martyrdom.

Leaders in Church Ministry: We currently have a small team of three Funeral leaders. They have been serving the parish wonderfully for a year and have been greatly appreciated by the bereaved families. We would very much like to increase our team of leaders in the parish this year to include all ministries. Please consider being part of our growing leadership team in Enniskerry parish.

Cards and more!: All sorts of greeting cards and other bits and pieces will be available over the coming months at the back of the Church (St. Marys) after 11am mass. All that is asked is a donation for whatever you take. Worth a look!

New Readers Needed: We need new readers. Please give your name to Phil Kenna or to the parish office if interested.

New Here?: You are very welcome. You can keep up to date with us through the parish webpage at www.enniskerryparish.ie. You can register as a parishioner by mailing us at stmarys@enniskerryparish.ie or stmochonogs@enniskerryparish.ie. If you wish to receive items, or if you would like to receive the Parish Link by email weekly please phone the Parish Office in Enniskerry on 01-2760030 (10am to 1pm Monday to Friday or email: stmarys@enniskerry.ie; and Kilmacanogue on 01-2021882 (10am to 1pm Monday to Thursday) or email:stmochonogs@enniskerryparish.ie.

Broadcast List: A broadcast list for the parish is now up and running. This is to keep everyone up to date with what is happening in the parish and for easy communication in relation to building our communities. If you would like to have your name added to the list please contact Aideen at 086 8182 241.

History Society

Members and supporters of the Enniskerry History Society are asked to note that the following events will take place in the week ahead.

Today (Wednesday) Cormac Moore will present The Life of Frank OConnor Pembroke Librarys First Librarian at 7.30pm to the Greystones Archaeological & Historical Society in Kilian Family Centre beside Holy Rosary Church, Greystones. All are welcome; Jack Traynor will present Eoin ODuffy: Fascism in the Free State at 8pm to the Dun Laoghaire Borough Historical Society in the Royal Marine Hotel, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. All are welcomeadmission is 5. Tomorrow (Thursday) Arklow author and local historian Jim Rees will present A Farewell to Famine at 7pm in Wicklow Town Library. Admission is free but booking is required as the venue has a limited capacity email: wicklowlocalstudies@wicklowcoco.ie or call 0404-67025; John Brazil will present DNA of people in Ireland from ancient times to today at 8pm to the Bray Cualann Historical Society in the Royal Hotel, Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow.All are welcome admission is 8 for non-members. Next Tuesday night Dublin City Council Historian in Residence Cormac Moore will present The 1924 Dissolution of Dublin Corporation at 6.30pm in Rathmines Library, Rathmines, Dublin 6.All are welcome admission is free and no booking is required. Next Wednesday Henry Fairbrother will present The Irish Yeast Company at 6pm to the Old Dublin Society in the Conference Room, Dublin City Library & Archive, 139-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. All are welcome admission is free and no booking is required. The AGM of the Society will follow this lecture.

The attention of members and supporters of the Society is drawn to Moral Formations: Discipline and Religion in the Irish Army, 192232 by Daniel Ayiotis which is a comprehensive exploration of the transformation of the Irish Army from the Civil War to the Eucharistic Congress. This vital work by Daniel Ayiotis explores the intricate relationship between discipline, religion and the Army, shedding light on the challenges faced and the values that were required of soldiers, from manliness and clean living to a chivalrous spirit and a degree of religious fervour. This examination raises important questions about the role of religion in shaping the behaviour and actions of the Army and the influence of religious instruction on young soldiers. It also acknowledges the role of the Irish Army as a government institution and the values that were instilled during its early years of formation.

Enniskerry Library

Opening hours are Tuesday 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 4.30pm; Wednesday: 2pm to 4.30pm & 6pm to 8pm; Friday: 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 4.30pm; Saturday: 10am to 2.30pm. The Library is closed on Mondays and Thursdays and on the Saturdays of Bank Holiday weekends. The Library can be contacted at 01-2864339 or email: enniskerrylib@wicklowcoco.ie. On-line services including e-books, audio-books, digital magazines and newspapers and e-learning are available from the library website.

Bridge Club

Enniskerry Bridge Club meets every Tuesday night in the Parochial Hall (beside Poppies) at 7.30pm. New members are very welcome. For more information please contact the Secretary on 085 7112179.
Ive been on a date with many people

Maura Higgins declared that she is very much single despite recent speculation that she had been enjoying a new romance with reality star Pete Wicks

Rumours that the Love Island star and Towie legend were an item began circulating when they were spotted having a "passionate" kiss last August.

But Maura, who has just arrived in Australia where is set to join Im a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, shut down the suggestion.

When The Sun asked about her dating Pete, Maura replied: Im not, Im not. Where have you heard that?

I mean, I date, but Im very much single.

And honestly, I just think the interest in my dating life is so boring.

Everyone goes on dates, but then youre like... Mauras in a relationship with this person, this person.

When pressed on whether she had been on a date with Pete, she retorted: I mean, Ive been on a date with many people.

Maura and Pete had been keeping a low profile in recent weeks since they were spotted kissing outside the Broadwick Hotel in Soho in August while enjoying an alfresco lunch.

The pair, who have always maintained that they are "just friends", were then seen getting very close at the Pride Of Britain Awards afterparty last month where MailOnline claims Maura was seen by onlookers planting a kiss on Pete's nose before they both kissed.

This latest development came weeks after they were seen "all over each other" when Maura joined Pete and his Strictly co-stars in the pub.

An onlooker told The Sun: "They were chatting to Pete's co-star Wynne Evans and it was very clear they were more than just friends.

"Things have clearly turned romantic as they were all over each other.

"At one point she ran her hands through his hair under his hat, and they were cuddling loads too.

"They looked really cosy and comfortable with each other."

Maura also engaged in Petes Staying Relevant podcast and wore a personalised T-shirt showing a picture of the pair kissing outside the hotel with the words, 'We can't be friends' written in capital letters across the front of her chest.

She posed with an arm around Pete's best friend Sam Thompson in the snap, which she captioned ''Hilarious night.... you smashed it @samthompson @stayingrelevantpodcast.'

Pete has previously dated former Towie co-stars Megan McKenna, Chloe Sims, and Ella Rae Wise and had even fuelled romance rumours with Strictly Come Dancing partner Jowita Przysta.

Longfords Maura had also kept fans guessing by getting cosy with dancer Kai Widdrington who appeared to twirl Maura around at the afterparty while placing his hand on her arm and planting a kiss on the back of her head.

Maura split from American stuntman boyfriend Bobby Holland Hanton earlier this year.

Bobby, a successful stuntman who has performed in several movies and regularly plays Chris Hemsworth's stunt double, and Maura were first romantically linked after they were spotted on a date in London in May 2023.

The couple were then seen enjoying several passionate kisses while on holiday together in Ibiza in June before Maura finally confirmed her relationship during a December appearance on the Late Late Show.

In 2021, Maura had a relationship with former Strictly pro Giovanni but their romance reportedly went sour days after moving in together.

She has also had romances with her Love Island co-stars Christopher Taylor and Curtis Pritchard who she split with just eight month after meeting on Love Island in early 2020.

Meanwhile, an exhausted Maura has arrived in Australia, having spent a fun time in Las Vegas that left her feeling like your man from The Hangover, like, the shakes and everything.

It was amazing, just very exhausting. It was like, proper, full on (but) when we landed, just the jet lag, no sleep.

I have no clue what day it is. I dont know where I am, Im so confused.

She added: I dont really drink champagne, Im more red wine. So that gives you a bad hangover, you know.
Halyna Hutchins mother refuses to attend the world premiere of Rust in Poland (Santa Fe County Sheriff)

The mother of late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins will not attend the world premiere of Rust as she claims it is an attempt for Hollywood star Alec Baldwin to unjustly profit from her daughters death.

Rust will debut at the Camerimage Festival in Poland on Wednesday, an event focusing on achievements in cinematography, three years after the prop gun US actor Baldwin was holding went off and fatally injured Ms Hutchins on the set of the western in New Mexico.

It comes months after a judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin.

Actor Alec Baldwin reacts after a judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case for the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming of the Western movie Rust (Ramsay de Give/Pool Photo via AP)

Ms Hutchins mother Olga Solovey, who filed an ongoing lawsuit against Baldwin, said in a statement issued by her lawyer Gloria Allred: It was always my hope to meet my daughter in Poland to watch her work come alive on screen.

Unfortunately, that was ripped away from me when Alec Baldwin discharged his gun and killed my daughter.

Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologise to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death.

Instead, he seeks to unjustly profit from his killing of my daughter.

That is the reason why I refuse to attend the festival for the promotion of Rust, especially now when there is still no justice for my daughter.

Alec Baldwin on the set of the movie Rust following the incident in which Halyna Hutchins was killed (Santa Fe County Sheriff)

Ms Allred confirmed to PA that Baldwin filed a motion on Tuesday to pause the civil lawsuit against him and others.

We will be opposing their motion to stay our case, she said.

In a separate statement, Ms Allred said Ms Solovey will not be attending the world premiere of Rust because Baldwin had disrespected her family.

Even though Mr Baldwin discharged the gun that killed Halyna, he has never called them to apologise, she said.

Even worse, he argued, through his attorneys, that Halyna was emotionally distant from her family in Ukraine. That is false, hurtful and insulting.

Further, the decision not to even call the family to say he is sorry is cruel and dishonours Halyna and her memory,

Now, a decision has been made to promote Rust to buyers in order to make a profit for Alec Baldwin and others that had a role in Halynas death.

Alec Baldwin practising drawing his revolver on the set of the Rust film (Santa Fe County Sheriff)

Rust director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting, was expected to introduce the film at the premiere, along with Bianca Cline, the cinematographer who completed the film.

The films armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is serving an 18-month prison sentence after she was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter following the shooting of 42-year-old Ms Hutchins in October 2021, at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe.

Rust is billed as the story of a 13-year-old boy who, left to fend for himself and his younger brother following their parents deaths in 1880s Wyoming, goes on the run with his long-estranged grandfather after being sentenced to hang for the accidental killing of a local rancher.

The Polish festivals ticketing website reportedly crashed on Tuesday morning due to high demand for tickets to the world premiere.
Cork Co Council confirmed that snow ploughs had to be deployed in some areas today as driving conditions were dangerous because of snowfalls, ice and reduced visibility from sleet and snow flurries.





The council convened its severe weather assessment team to coordinate its response to the Arctic weather.





"The worst affected areas include Newmarket, Rockchapel, Charleville, Mitchelstown, Macroom, Millstreet and Coachford," a spokesperson said.





Council crews carried out pre-emptive gritting overnight and have been repeating salting and gritting since early this morning.

Snow ploughs have also been deployed where required and crews are progressing on a priority basis.





Motorists are being urged to drive with extreme care even on roads that have been gritted.





"Hazardous driving conditions may persist throughout the day. If a journey must be undertaken, please slow down, allow extra time and be aware of other road users, especially vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists," the spokesperson added.



- Ralph Riegel
Smoke billows over Khiam near the border with Israel in southern Lebanon. Photo: Reuters

A senior US mediator said yesterday there was a real opportunity to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and that gaps were narrowing, signalling progress in Washingtons efforts to clinch a ceasefire.
India's Renewable Energy capacity as of Sept 2024 is 201 GW. (Photo courtesy: Unsplash)

New Delhi: India's renewable energy capacity is projected to reach 250 GW by March 2026, supported by a robust project pipeline exceeding 80 GW, according to a report by ICRA on Tuesday.

This growth is attributed to a notable increase in tendering activity in FY2024, the rating agency stated, PTI reported, citing the ICRA report.

ICRA estimates that Indias installed renewable energy capacity, including large hydro projects, will rise from 201 GW in September 2024 to approximately 250 GW by March 2026.

Girishkumar Kadam, Senior Vice President & Co-Group Head - Corporate Ratings at ICRA, highlighted the significant contribution of rooftop solar and commercial and industrial (C&I) segments to this growth.

However, he noted that challenges such as delays in land acquisition and transmission connectivity could hinder progress if unresolved.

ICRA also projected an energy storage capacity requirement of 50 GW by 2030, which will be fulfilled through battery energy storage systems (BESS) and pumped storage hydro projects (PSP).

India aims to achieve an ambitious 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Bhutan aims to take its overall power generation capacity to 25,000 MW by 2040. (Photo courtesy: PR Team)

Thimphu: Tata Power Company Ltd has entered into a strategic partnership with Druk Green Power Corporation Ltd (DGPC) to collaborate and develop at least 5,000 MW of clean energy generation capacity in Bhutan.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today at Thimphu in Bhutan between MD  DGPC Dasho Chhewang Rinzin and Tata Powers CEO & MD Dr Praveer Sinha.

Prime Minister of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Bhutans Energy & Natural Resources Minister Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Chairman - Tata Sons N. Chandrasekaran, Ambassador of India to Bhutan Sudhakar Dalela and other senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan, Embassy of India, DGPC and Tata Power were also present at the signing event.

Druk Holding and Investments Limited is the sole generation utility of Bhutan.

Bhutan aims to take its overall power generation capacity to 25,000 MW by 2040 for its energy security and regional energy integration through diversification in its energy portfolio beyond traditional hydropower, which would include solar and geothermal energy.

This will extend to diversifying project structuring and financing through such strategic partnerships.

The partnership will help unleash Bhutans great potential for hydropower and its important role in ensuring energy security in the region.

Through the collaboration, at least 5,000 MW of renewable energy project, including 4,500 MW of hydropower comprising the 1,125 MW Dorjilung HEP; 740 MW Gongri Reservoir; 1,800 MW Jeri Pumped Storage; and 364 MW Chamkharchhu IV will be developed in phases together.

Another 500 MW of solar projects will be developed by Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a subsidiary of Tata Power.

As a precursor to this collaboration, Tata Power recently acquired a 40% stake for Nu/INR 8.30 billion in the 600 MW Khorlochhu Hydroelectric Project where an investment of over Nu/Rs 69 billion will be made to develop the project.

Tata Power has had a long-standing relationship with DGPC since 2008 when the two companies joined forces to successfully develop the 126 MW Dagachhu Hydropower Plant as the first Public Private Partnership in Bhutans hydropower sector.

Tata Power also has a transmission project of a 1,200 km long Tala transmission line that evacuates clean power from Bhutan to India.

Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power, said, Tata Power's partnership with Druk Green Power Corporation reinforces our credentials as the most preferred clean energy partner in the region. Together, we are building 5000 MW of clean energy capacity that will help harness Bhutan's hydropower potential and support both countries' growing energy demands with reliable and round-the-clock clean energy supply. Together we are shaping a new energy era."

Tata Power has a clean and green portfolio of over 12.9 GW (6.4 GW operational, 6.5 GW under construction) which constitutes 42% of its total capacity, and is well-positioned to expand this to 70% by 2030.

Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, MD, DGPC said, This strategic partnership with Tata Power is in keeping with Bhutans aspirations to maximize benefits to the people of Bhutan through fast-tracking the harnessing of its huge renewable energy resources for its economic development and long-term energy security. Bhutan places a lot of confidence in Tata Power and the partnership to deliver on these expectations.

With Bhutan's economy projected to grow by 7.2% in FY25, the country's energy requirements are bound to increase.

Largely driven by hydropowera vital part of Bhutan's economy, capitalizing on this national asset will ensure that its growing power demands are met while also ensuring economic benefits including green job creation and infrastructure development.

Bhutans hydropower, peaking during monsoons, aligns with Indias summer demand and supports round-the-clock power alongside Indias expanding renewable energy investments.

Regional energy integration, like Bangladesh importing power from Nepal via India, further boosts prospects for Bhutans hydropower investments.
As part of the deal, Nokia will supply Bharti Airtel with equipment from its comprehensive 5G portfolio. Representational image by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

Mumbai/IBNS: Nokia has signed a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar extension agreement with Bharti Airtel to deploy 4G and 5G equipment across key Indian cities, the telecom giant announced on Wednesday (Nov. 20).

Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and MD of Bharti Airtel, emphasised the strategic importance of this partnership in enhancing Airtel's connectivity solutions.

This collaboration with Nokia will future-proof our network infrastructure, ensuring an unparalleled user experience while minimizing environmental impact through eco-friendly initiatives, Vittal stated.

The deal aims to bolster Airtels 5G capabilities and support its network's long-term evolution.

Nokia's President and CEO, Pekka Lundmark, highlighted the agreement as a reinforcement of their long-standing collaboration.

This deal will not only enhance Airtels 5G connectivity and service quality but also improve the energy efficiency of its network, Lundmark noted.

Nokia and Bharti Airtel have partnered for over two decades, recently launching the 'Green 5G Initiative' to boost Airtels energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

This deal aligns with Airtels focus on sustainable, high-quality network solutions.

Under the agreement, Airtel will also utilise Nokias MantaRay Network Management platform, which incorporates AI-based tools for advanced network monitoring and management.

This extension follows Vodafone Idea's recent $3.6 billion equipment deals to enhance its 4G network and initiate 5G rollout.

Earlier reports suggested that Airtels equipment suppliersNokia, Ericsson, and Samsungare expected to supply approximately 50 percent, 45 percent, and 5 percent, respectively, of the new 4G and 5G infrastructure.

Airtel has shown strong performance this year, with its stock up over 50 percent.

For the September quarter, the company posted a 167 percent surge in net profit, reaching Rs 3,593 crore, supported by robust growth in its India and Africa operations.

Revenue from operations climbed 12 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 41,473 crore.

Globally, Nokia has been restructuring amid slowing sales and reduced market share in China, partly affected by US-China trade tensions.

The company plans to cut approximately 2,000 jobs in Greater China and 350 in Europe as part of cost-saving measures.

Despite these challenges, Nokia continues to diversify its customer base and strengthen its presence in markets like India.
Finished steel imports during April-October reached 5.7 million metric tons. (Image courtesy: Pixabay)

Bengaluru: The Indian government is reviewing a proposal to impose a temporary tax on Chinese steel imports, JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal said, according to a Reuters report.

Jindal also expressed optimism that the initial public offering (IPO) of the groups cement business could receive regulatory approval by the end of January 2025, said the Reuters.

We have been very patient with the steel ministry, Jindal was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Referring to the industry's ongoing calls for government intervention to address the dumping of Chinese steel in India.

Speaking at an industry event in Bengaluru, he added, We are trying to convince the government to stop the circumvention of Chinese steel coming via the Free Trade Agreement countries into India.

Jindal noted that the process of evaluating the request for a temporary tax is underway, with consultations involving the user industry. However, he added, We havent heard back [from the ministries] yet.

Indian steel producers have been struggling with an influx of Chinese steel, which has pressured domestic prices and affected earnings.

Provisional government data indicates that finished steel imports during April-October reached 5.7 million metric tons, marking a seven-year high.

Jindal cautioned that the continued influx of Chinese steel could keep profit margins thin for Indian mills, leaving limited resources for investments and capacity expansion.

Earlier this month, Tata Steel CEO TV Narendran also warned that sustained steel imports could jeopardize the industrys investment plans.

On the IPO front, Jindal said he expects the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to approve JSW Cement's $477 million IPO by January 2025.

This marks the groups first statement on the offering since SEBI put it on hold in September.
Ford said German govt must provide more incentives for EV adoption.

Berlin: Ford announced plans to cut around 14% of its European workforce, equating to 4,000 jobs, citing weak electric vehicle (EV) demand, limited government support, and competition from subsidized Chinese automakers, media reports said.

The layoffs, set to conclude by the end of 2027, will primarily affect Germany (2,900 jobs) and Britain (800 jobs), according to a Reuters report.

According to the report, the automaker attributed the move to higher-than-expected operating costs and disappointing EV sales.

In this connection, Ford Europe vice president Peter Godsell noting, Weaker demand for electric vehicles than we had previously forecast necessitated decisive action to restructure our business.

Fords European sales fell 17.9% through September, significantly outpacing the industry-wide decline of 6.1%.

The job cuts include reduced production of Explorer and Capri EV models at Fords Cologne plant, where 24% of the workforce will be affected.

German unions have opposed the plans, demanding alternative solutions and warning of potential confrontations. IG Metalls Knut Giesler criticized the lack of discussions on the companys future.

Ford also called on the German government to introduce more EV incentives and expand charging infrastructure, emphasizing the need for clear policies to support the transition to e-mobility.

EV sales in Germany dropped 28.6% in the first nine months of 2024 following the removal of subsidies.

This announcement is part of Fords ongoing European restructuring, which included 3,800 job cuts earlier this year and plans to shutter its Saarlouis plant in 2025.

It comes amid broader challenges in the EV sector, including high production costs and weak consumer demand.
Kolkata's St. Xavier's College wins Jefferson Debates. Photo Courtesy: US Consulate Kolkata PR Team

Kolkata's St Xavier's College emerged victorious in the Jefferson Debates 2024 hosted by the US Consulate in partnership with iLEAD recently.

36 students from 12 leading colleges across Kolkata such as St. Xavier's College, Presidency College, Jadavpur University, Scottish Church College, Loreto College, Lady Brabourne College, Shri Shikshayatan College, Sanskrit College and University, iLEAD, Calcutta University, Sister Nibedita University and Adamas University participated in the event.

While iLEAD emerged as the first runner-up, the second runner-up title was won by Jadavpur University.

Speaking at the event, U.S. Consul General Kathy Giles-Diaz said: "Debates like this are so much more than just an intellectual exercisethey are fundamental to the very fabric of democracy. In any thriving democracy, the free exchange of ideas is crucial."

She said: "Debates teach us how to think critically, listen to opposing views, and articulate our beliefs with respect and conviction. Your participation today exemplifies the power of thoughtful discourse in shaping the world around us."

The official said: "You represent the next generation of leaders who will continue to shape the ties between our two nations. The strength of the U.S.-India partnershipwhether in education, trade, technology, security, business, or any other fieldis built upon the ideas and actions of people like you."

She said: "As you engage in debates like todays, you are not just participating in a contest of ideas, you are contributing to the ongoing dialogue that will shape the future of the two nations.
Assembly Polls

A family poses after voting in the Maharashtra assembly elections | Photo courtesy: ECI X handle

LIVE Blog: Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections 2024 India Blooms News Service | @indiablooms #Maharashtra #Jharkhand #MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024 #JharkhandAssemblyElections2024

All 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra along with 38 seats in the second phase of Jharkhand polls went for voting on Wednesday. More than 9.7 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise to elect 288 members of the highly contested Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday. In Maharashtra, the incumbent Mahayuti comprising BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and NCP (Ajit Pawar) are facing a tough challenge from the opposition camp formed by the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), NCP (Sharad Pawar) and Congress. Jharkhand, where the BJP is aiming to unseat the JMM-Congress, went to polls in the first phase on November 13. The total number of seats in Jharkhand are 82 (81 elected and one nominated).

Voter turnout 18.14% in Maharashtra, 31.4% in Jharkhand till 11 am

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis casts his vote Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Nagpur South-West assembly seat cast his vote along with his wife Amruta Fadnavis. #WATCH | Maharashtra Deputy CM & BJP candidate from Nagpur South-West Assembly seat, Devendra Fadnavis, his wife Amruta Fadnavis and mother Sarita Fadnavis show their inked finger after voting for #MaharashtraElections2024, at a polling booth in Nagpur. pic.twitter.com/GLD6BKIqpT  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Mahayuti will all six seats in North Mumbai: Piyush Goyal Piyush Goyal said, "I am happy that people in large numbers are coming out and voting. The Election Commission has made such good arrangements that no voter is facing problem standing in the queue. "I hope more than 60 percent of the total voters will cast their mandate this time. An unprecedented strong voting turnout is noticed in North Mumbai. I am hopeful that Mahayuti will win all six seats in North Mumbai." #WATCH | Mumbai: After casting his vote, Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "...I am happy that people are voting in large numbers and exercising their franchise. The Election Commission has made good arrangements and I am confident that there will be more than 60% voting and pic.twitter.com/R7YlZperaF  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024



Union Minister Piyush Goyal casts his vote Union Minister and BJP leader Piyush Goyal cast his vote along with his wife and their son. #WATCH | Mumbai: Union Minister Piyush Goyal, his wife and their son show their inked fingers after casting vote for #MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024 pic.twitter.com/txzMOKgKwQ  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Sachin Tendulkar casts vote in Mumbai, urges people to exercise their rights Cricket legend and ECI national icon Sachin Tendulkar cast his vote in Mumbai and said, "I am requesting all to come and vote. It's our responsibility." Cricket legend at the polls!



Applauding the arrangements at polling booths, ECI's National Icon @sachin_rt appeals to every voter to step out and #GoVote.#MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024 #AssemblyElections2024 #ECI #Elections2024 pic.twitter.com/Xjjb38EWmy  Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) November 20, 2024

Akshay Kumar casts in early morning in Mumbai Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar was among the early voters in the Maharashtra assembly elections on Wednesday. From Red Carpets to Polling Booths!



Bollywood actor, @akshaykumar leads by example as he casts his vote for a better tomorrow! #MaharashtraElections2024 #AssemblyElections2024 #Election2024 #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/aC3Y2rxAPK  Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) November 20, 2024
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus latest foray into digital communication has stirred a storm of reactions, following the release of a video explaining his governments new immigration policy.

The announcement marks a significant pivot, as Canada plans to cap immigration for the next three years, reducing allowed entries by 20%.

This shift comes in the wake of Canadas population surpassing 41 million, a surge Trudeau described as occurring at a baby boom pace, straining the nations infrastructure.

The video, titled Why Canadas Changing Its Immigration System, quickly gained traction after being posted on YouTube, amassing over 288,000 views  a remarkable spike compared to Trudeaus usual engagement metrics.

A short clip shared on X (formerly Twitter) added fuel to the discussion, though the modest 7,500 likes hinted at mixed public sentiment.

The decision has reignited a longstanding debate about the balance between population growth and resource allocation.

Some praised the governments attempt to recalibrate.

Francesco Sorbara, a Liberal MP, supported the move, highlighting Canadas history as a land of opportunity for immigrants. We need to ensure that the immigration system is manageable and that newcomers continue to succeed, Sorbara wrote, citing his own immigrant roots.

However, critics were swift and vocal. Shon Amayev, press secretary to British Columbia MLA John Rustad, lambasted Trudeaus timing.

Young individuals will most likely never be able to afford a home in this country because of your failed immigration policy, Amayev tweeted. Now that you are on the verge of losing power, you renege. 10 years too late.

Maxime Bernier, leader of the Peoples Party of Canada, echoed the criticism. He smeared those of us who raised the alarm as racists until just a few months ago, Bernier posted. And now we should believe him when he says he can fix what he broke?? What a joke. Bernier, who hopes to challenge Trudeau in the October 2025 election, faces an uphill battle as his party currently holds no seats in Parliament.

Another political heavyweight, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, seized the moment to attack Trudeaus leadership. Classic Trudeau: he creates a problem. Then he says he should have solved it sooner, Poilievre remarked. He blames bad actors for immigration problems. No. He is the bad actor. Poilievre, a formidable contender for the prime ministership, has seen a surge in support, with his party holding 119 seats in the House of Commons.

The debate over immigration caps has highlighted deeper concerns about Canadas economic and social trajectory.

While Trudeaus policy shift seeks to address immediate pressures, the political fallout underscores a broader struggle for leadership and trust. As Canada moves toward the 2025 election, immigration is poised to remain a central and contentious issue.

(Image and Text courtesy: Khalsavox.com)
Supriya Sule accused of being involved in Bitcoin scam. Photo courtesy: Supriya Shule Facebook

Mumbai/IBNS: Ahead of the crucial Maharashtra polls, a retired police officer, Ravindranath Patil, has accused Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule and state Congress chief Nana Patole of being involved in a 2018 fraud case related to cryptocurrency. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was quick to pick up the issue and said the opposition has been "exposed".

This is a major allegation against the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) and the Congress especially ahead of the polls.

The ex-cop alleged that the funds had been used for campaigning in the assembly election.

In response, Supriya Sule refuted all claims and called it the "familiar tactics of spreading false information to manipulate the righteous voters" just before the election.

Familiar tactics of spreading false information to manipulate the righteous voters are being resorted to, a night before the polling day. We have filed a criminal complaint to the Honble ECI & the Cyber crime department against the fake allegations made of bitcoin pic.twitter.com/g8Selv1DFk  Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) November 19, 2024

The BJP, in turn, presented the media with audio clips that it claimed were evidence of the involvement of Nana Patole and Supriya Sule in what it dubbed the "bitcoin scam".

BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed the development has "unmasked" the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi while demanding responses from the Congress and Sule, who is a member of the Lok Sabha from Baramati.

Supriya Sule said she has launched a cybercrime complaint over such "baseless allegations" and called it appalling.

"Sudhanshu Trivedi made five allegations and asked me five questions and they (the allegations) are all false. I am happy to sit with him in any public forum -- place time and forum of his choice. it is all false and I have lodged a cybercrime complaint. i have nothing to do with any transfer of bitcoin... this shows the BJP's desperation."

Its appalling that such baseless allegations are made by Mr Sudhanshu Trivedi, yet not surprising as its a clear case of spreading false information, the night before elections. My lawyer will be issuing a criminal & civil defamation notice against Sudhanshu Trivedi for making  Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) November 19, 2024

Ravindranath Patil, who had taken voluntary retirement from the Indian Police Service, was employed by the Pune police along with cyber expert Pankaj Ghode to probe a couple of cryptocurrency cases registered in 2018.

The police had alleged that during investigation Patil transferred some cryptocurrencies into his account.

Ghode had provided screenshots of the accounts to police showing a lesser amount in crypto wallets.

Maharashtra goes to polls on Wednesday and the counting of votes will be held on Nov 23.
Air India flight from Paris diverted to Jaipur, fliers sent to Delhi via bus. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

New Delhi/IBNS: A Paris-New Delhi Air India flight's diversion to Jaipur and the pilots' refusal to fly further after completing their duty hours sparked chaos on Monday with several passengers left stranded for many hours.

The passengers had to ultimately travel to the national capital by road.

NDTV quoting sources reported that Air India did not arrange an alternative flight as doing so would have taken longer and rather sent the passengers to Delhi on a bus.

Air India flight AI-2022 took off from Paris at 10 pm on Sunday and was scheduled to reach Delhi at 10.35 am on Monday. The flight was diverted to Jaipur on Monday morning owing to heavy smog in the national capital.

At the Jaipur airport, the pilots refused to fly anymore as the aircraft was waiting for clearance to resume its journey to Delhi. They cited completion of duty hours.

As per the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules framed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the crew members are supposed to get enough rest to prevent fatigue-related safety issues.

The stranded passengers, whose journey to Delhi was already delayed by several hours, demanded an alternate flight.

Slamming Air India's management, an X user Visha P wrote: "Shameful and pathetic management from @airindia today as flight #AI2022 from CDG-DEL diverted to JAI. Pax stranded at JAI asked to spend 5 hrs inside the aircraft and then to take a bus from JAI to DEL. My wife and two months old is suffering and I am helpless."

Shameful and pathetic management from @airindia today as flight #AI2022 from CDG-DEL diverted to JAI. Pax stranded at JAI asked to spend 5 hrs inside the aircraft and then to take a bus from JAI to DEL. My wife and two months old is suffering and I am helpless. @TataCompanies  Vishal P (@vsp246) November 18, 2024

Another user, Giridhara Upadhayaya, wrote on X: "@airindia is not helping passengers from Paris to Bengaluru stranded in Jaipur since 12 noon.there is a mother with 2 months baby and they are not in the mood to assist. Very inhuman staff...(sic)"

According to reports, the passengers were ultimately sent to Delhi via bus after strong protests.


Canada implements extra security screening for fliers travelling to India. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Ottawa/IBNS: Amid the deteriorating relationship with New Delhi, Canada has implemented new flying rules that will require passengers travelling to India to go through extra security screening now.

Canada's Transport Minister Anita Anand announced the decision late on Monday evening terming it as a part of new temporary protocols that is being implemented "out of an abundance of caution."

"Transport Canada has implemented temporary additional security screening measures," for travellers to India, Anand was quoted as saying by Canadian broadcaster CBC.

Passengers "may experience some screening delays while these measures are in place," she said.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), which is responsible for screening passengers and their baggage before entering the restricted areas of Canadian airports, will implement the new rules.

Given the new protocols, Air Canada has warned fliers bound for Indian destinations of longer security wait times and asked them to reach airports at least four hours prior to their flight times.

"Due to heightened security mandates by Transport Canada for all passengers travelling to India, security wait times are expected to be longer than anticipated for your upcoming flight," Hindustan Times reported citing a notification sent by Air Canada to fliers.

"To minimise any disruption to your travel plans, we recommend you arrive 4 hours prior to your flight's departure. We appreciate your patience and understanding," the notification added.

India-Canada standoff over Khalistani row

The ongoing standoff between New Delhi and Ottawa was triggered after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian officials of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCPM) also claimed to have evidence of involvement of "agents", acting on behalf of the Indian government, involved in 'organised' crimes in Canada including extortion, intimidation, coercion and harassment.

India had expelled six Canadian diplomats and asked them to leave the country last month after Ottawa said it was investigating the Indian ambassador and other diplomats as "persons of interest" in connection with the killing of a Sikh separatist leader last year.

In a tit-for-tat move, Canada too asked six Indian diplomats to leave the country alleging that its police reportedly got hold of evidence that they claimed to be a part of an Indian government "campaign of violence".

The Indian government had also decided to withdraw its High Commissioner in Canada after Ottawa's accusations which the Modi government called an act of "vote bank politics".
Sachin Tendulkar with wife Anjali and daughter Sara after casting their votes | Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

Mumbai/IBNS: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar are among the early voters in the Maharashtra assembly elections 2024.

Flashing his inked finger, Akshay said, "The arrangements have been good, especially for seniors. Cleanliness has been maintained. I want everyone to cast their votes."

#WATCH | Mumbai: Actor Akshay Kumar shows his inked finger after casting his vote for #MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024



He says "The arrangements here are very good as I can see that arrangements for senior citizens are very good and cleanliness has been maintained. I want pic.twitter.com/QXpmDuBKJ7  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Tendulkar, who is also the Election Commission of India (ECI) national icon, cast his vote with his wife Anjali Tendulkar and daughter Sara Tendulkar.

Casting his vote, Tendulkar said, "I am requesting all to come and vote. It's our responsibility."

#WATCH | | Former Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, his wife and their daughter cast their votes at a polling station in Mumbai#MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024 pic.twitter.com/JX8WASuy4Y  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Among others who cast their votes early were Suniel Shetty, Rajkummar Rao, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar in Maharashtra, which is known for low voter turnouts.

More than 9.7 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise to elect 288 members of the highly contested Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday.

Voters will decide the fates of 4136 candidates in 1,00,427polling stations in the politically crucial state.

The incumbent Mahayuti comprising BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and NCP (Ajit Pawar) are facing a tough challenge from the opposition camp formed by the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), NCP (Sharad Pawar) and Congress.
Photo Caption: Narendra Modi arrives in Guyana. Photo Courtesy: PIB

Narendra Modi arrived in Guayana on Wednesday, making him the first Indian PM to visit the nation in the last 56 years.

He will be on a state visit to Guyana from November 20-21.

Landed in Guyana a short while ago. Gratitude to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, PM Mark Anthony Phillips, senior ministers and other dignitaries for coming to receive me at the airport. I am confident this visit will deepen the friendship between our nations. @presidentaligy pic.twitter.com/B5hN0R96ld  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2024

As a special gesture, on arrival at the airport, he was received by the President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, along with the Prime Minister of Guyana Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Anthony Phillips and was accorded a ceremonial welcome.

More than a dozen Cabinet Ministers of the Government of Guyana were also present at the ceremony.

On his arrival at the hotel, Prime Minister was welcomed by President Ali along with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley and the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell.

In addition, the Prime Minister received a rousing and colourful welcome from the Indian community and the Indo-Guyanese diaspora in the presence of several Cabinet Ministers of Guyana.

Between the welcome at the airport and the hotel, the entire Guyanese government Cabinet was present.

"As a testament to the close India-Guyana friendship, the Mayor of Georgetown handed over the "Key to the City of Georgetown to the Prime Minister," the Indian government said in a statement.

Guyana is the third nation Modi is visiting as a part of the three-nation tour.

Before arriving in Guyana, he travelled to Nigeria and Brazil.

He attended the G20 Summit in Brazil.
CBI initiates probe into Maharashtra 'Bitcoin scam' linked to Supriya Sule. Photo courtesy: Supriya Sule Facebook

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a probe and summoned an employee of an auditing firm in connection with the multi-crore bitcoin scam in which senior Maharashtra politicians Supriya Sule and Nana Patole have been accused of involvement by a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, media reports said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the property of Gaurav Mehta, an employee of the audit firm Sarathi Associates, in Chhattisgarh's Raipur.

The CBI has registered a case against the two main accused, the late Amit Bhardwaj and his brother Ajay Bhardwaj, for running an alleged Ponzi scheme using bitcoins worth up to Rs. 6,600 crore in 2017.

The matter came to light after a retired police officer, Ravindranath Patil, accused Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule, and state Congress chief Nana Patole of being involved in a 2018 fraud case related to cryptocurrency.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was quick to pick up the issue and said the opposition had been "exposed" a day ahead of the Maharashtra polls.

This is a major allegation against the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) and the Congress especially during the assembly elections.

The ex-cop alleged that the funds had been used for campaigning in the assembly election.

In response, Supriya Sule refuted all claims and called it the "familiar tactics of spreading false information to manipulate the righteous voters" just before the election.

Familiar tactics of spreading false information to manipulate the righteous voters are being resorted to, a night before the polling day. We have filed a criminal complaint to the Honble ECI & the Cyber crime department against the fake allegations made of bitcoin pic.twitter.com/g8Selv1DFk  Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) November 19, 2024

The BJP, in turn, presented the media with audio clips that it claimed were evidence of the involvement of Nana Patole and Supriya Sule in what it dubbed the "bitcoin scam".

BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed the development has "unmasked" the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi while demanding responses from the Congress and Sule, who is a member of the Lok Sabha from Baramati.

Supriya Sule said she has launched a cybercrime complaint over such "baseless allegations" and called it appalling.

"Sudhanshu Trivedi made five allegations and asked me five questions and they (the allegations) are all false. I am happy to sit with him in any public forum -- place time and forum of his choice. it is all false and I have lodged a cybercrime complaint. i have nothing to do with any transfer of bitcoin... this shows the BJP's desperation."

Its appalling that such baseless allegations are made by Mr Sudhanshu Trivedi, yet not surprising as its a clear case of spreading false information, the night before elections. My lawyer will be issuing a criminal & civil defamation notice against Sudhanshu Trivedi for making  Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) November 19, 2024

Ravindranath Patil, who had taken voluntary retirement from the Indian Police Service, was employed by the Pune police along with cyber expert Pankaj Ghode to probe a couple of cryptocurrency cases registered in 2018.

The police had alleged that during investigation Patil transferred some cryptocurrencies into his account.

Ghode had provided screenshots of the accounts to police showing a lesser amount in crypto wallets.

Maharashtra voted to elect the 288-member assembly on Wednesday and the counting of votes will be held on Nov 23.
The Khalistan movement, long mired in controversy and violence, has once again become a topic of heated debate.

Commentator Rohan Kumar Pall recently raised serious concerns about the intent and operation of this movement.

In his analysis, Pall described it as driven by revenge and violence, asserting that it bears no connection to the genuine concerns of the Sikh community.

While the Khalistan movement ostensibly seeks the creation of a separate Sikh state, it has strayed far from being merely a struggle for religious identity.

Pall characterized it as a political agenda pushed by a few extremist leaders. Specifically targeting figures such as Jagmeet Singh and Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, he accused them of exploiting the Sikh communitys name to bolster their political clout and secure foreign funding.

He also alleged that Pakistan provides financial and strategic backing to the movement, further revealing its dangerous motives.

The Khalistan movement has frequently been linked to violence.

The 1985 Air India bombing, which claimed 329 innocent lives, remains its most infamous act. Numerous other violent incidents involving Khalistani organizations have been reported both in India and abroad.

Pall argued that this movement not only threatens Indias unity but also aims to sow global instability.

Pall emphasized that the Sikh community is globally recognized for its values of peace, hard work, and religious devotion.

However, extremist leaders have severely tarnished this image.

He stressed the need for addressing the communitys legitimate grievances through peaceful and democratic means.

Instead of resolving Sikh issues, Pall argued, the Khalistan movement has only deepened their complexities.

The movement has also caused international tensions. In countries like Canada, the UK, and the US, Khalistani supporters have leveraged democratic platforms to promote extremist activities, subjecting these nations to criticism and scrutiny.

Palls message is clear: it is vital to distinguish between the Khalistan movement and the genuine aspirations of the Sikh community.

Rejecting violence and foreign interference, he called for dialogue and mutual respect as the pathway to resolving underlying issues.

Now is the time to draw a clear line between the legitimate demands of the Sikh community and the violent Khalistan agenda.

The essence of Sikhism lies in peace and hard work, and it must not be held hostage to any political scheme.

(Image and text courtesy: Khalsavox.com)
AR Rahman and his wife Saira are separating after 29 years of marriage. Photo Courtesy: AR Rahman Instagram page

Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman and his wife Saira have decided to separate after nearly 30 years of marriage.

"After many years of marriage, Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. A R. Rahman have made the difficult decision to separate from each other," read a statement from Vandana Shah and Associates, their lawyer as quoted by Indian news channel NDTV.

"Despite their deep love for each other, the couple has found that the tensions and difficulties have created an insurmountable gap between them, one that neither party feels able to bridge at this time," the statement said.

AR Rahman reacts on X

AR Rahman expressed sadness that they could not reach the 'grand thirty'.

In an X post, the Indian music composer wrote, "We had hoped to reach the grand thirty, but all things, it seems, carry an unseen end. Even the throne of God might tremble at the weight of broken hearts."

We had hoped to reach the grand thirty, but all things, it seems, carry an unseen end. Even the throne of God might tremble at the weight of broken hearts. Yet, in this shattering, we seek meaning, though the pieces may not find their place again. To our friends, thank you for  A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) November 19, 2024

"Yet, in this shattering, we seek meaning, though the pieces may not find their place again. To our friends, thank you for your kindness and for respecting our privacy as we walk through this fragile chapter, he said.

AR Rahman and Saira got married in 1995.

They have three children.

Rahman is a recipient of six National Film Awards, two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, fifteen Filmfare Awards, and eighteen Filmfare Awards South.

In 2010, the Government of India conferred him with the Padma Bhushan, the nation's third-highest civilian award.
Shah Rukh Khan with his daughter Suhana Khan and wife Gauri Khan after casting votes in Mumbai | Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

Mumbai/IBNS: Bollywood A-listers Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor to new age heartthrobs like Kartik Aaryan, Ananya Panday were the tinseltown celebrities to cast their votes in Mumbai for the Maharashtra assembly elections amid the perpetual low voter turnout in the city on Wednesday.

Dressed in a pair of cargo jeans and a white shirt, Shah Rukh arrived at the polling station along with his family- wife Gauri Khan, elder son Aryan Khan and daughter Suhana Khan.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan arrived at the polling station with heavy security in the backdrop of threats from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's group, which killed Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique last month.

VIDEO | Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024: Actor Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) casts his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.#MaharashtraElections2024 #MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024



(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/lUNTNBZHTM  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 20, 2024

Dressed in a pair of trousers and a white t-shirt, Ranbir Kapoor went to the polling booth to cast his vote.

Flashing his inked finger, the actor said, "It's our birth right. It's our responsibility to come and vote."

#WATCH | Mumbai: Actor Ranbir Kapoor says, "It is your responsibility to vote. Please come and vote..." https://t.co/P7JmVgZI8m pic.twitter.com/4dPXqqqUCt  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Senior actress Madhuri Dixit Nene, who was last seen in massively hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, also reached the polling booth to cast her vote.

#WATCH | Actor Madhuri Dixit cast her vote for #MaharashtraElections2024, at a polling booth in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/IW3LnBKAkj  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Suniel Shetty, Akshay Kumar were among the early voters on this day.

Flashing his inked finger, Akshay said, "The arrangements have been good, especially for seniors. Cleanliness has been maintained. I want everyone to cast their votes."

#WATCH | Mumbai: Actor Akshay Kumar shows his inked finger after casting his vote for #MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024



He says "The arrangements here are very good as I can see that arrangements for senior citizens are very good and cleanliness has been maintained. I want pic.twitter.com/QXpmDuBKJ7  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Bollywood power couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan were among the celebrities who went to vote post noon.

Among the new-age heartthrobs who were spotted at the polling stations were Kartik Aaryan, Ananya Panday.

"Voting is very important," said Kartik, who has just delivered a massive hit with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, in his brief remark.

#WATCH | Mumbai: After casting his vote, Kartik Aaryan says, "Please cast your vote, this is very important." https://t.co/o4OU16YWO3 pic.twitter.com/QzTZa5eE1H  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Maharashtra, which is one of the largest Indian states, has recorded 58.22% till 5 pm.

Mumbai, the financial capital of the country, continued with its trend of low voter turnout as only 49% voted despite relentless encouragement from the authorities and influential people to cast their mandates.

Among the celebrities who didn't turn up for voting was acting legend Amitabh Bachchan, who usually never misses the voting day with his family.

#WATCH | Actor Ananya Panday, her mother Bhavna Panday and father, actor Chunky Panday cast their vote for #MaharashtraElections2024, at a polling booth in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/yq2jqrWksK  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

More than 9.7 crore voters were expected to exercise their franchise to elect 288 members of the highly contested Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday.

The incumbent Mahayuti comprising BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and NCP (Ajit Pawar) are facing a tough challenge from the opposition camp formed by the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), NCP (Sharad Pawar) and Congress.
Secretary of Homeland Security nominee Kristi Noem has a long, complicated history with tribes in South Dakota. Tribal leaders are more positive about South Dakota Sen. John Thune being elected Senate majority leader

By Amelia Schafer. ICT.

RAPID CITY, S.D.  Early Tuesday morning, news broke that South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, a decision thats raised red flags for Native people in South Dakota, but also may provide an avenue for change.

We need to come together now, more than ever, Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out said during a public intertribal meeting Nov. 13. Im hoping we have a better governor in South Dakota that will work with us because we have issues that we need to bring to the table with the state.

Noem made South Dakota history earlier in May when she was banished from every reservation in the state following disparaging remarks made regarding alleged cartel activity on reservations and about Indian education. At one point Noem alleged tribal governments benefit from cartel presence and are failing their youth.

During a May press conference, Noem responded to the banishments by asking why tribes dont ban the cartels. Shes banned from all nine reservations in the state: the Pine Ridge, Cheyenne River, Standing Rock, Lower Brule, Rosebud, Lake Traverse, Crow Creek, Flandreau and Yankton reservations. Standing Rock and Lake Traverse both span into North Dakota.

There is no definitive proof cartel members are operating on any of the nine reservations in South Dakota. One of the cases Noem cited on the Pine Ridge Reservation as being evidence of the cartel has no evidence of cartel association, according to Ace Crawford, public affairs officer for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The Republican-controlled Senate must still confirm Noems appointment.

As Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Noem would be responsible for the third largest department in the U.S. government, overseeing the Transportation Security Authority, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Coast Guard, Secret Service, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers and the Science and Technology Directorate.

Emergency management is another area where Noem and the Oceti Sakowin (Lakota, Nakota, Dakota) nations have struggled.

In December 2022, the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations were crippled by an extreme winter storm. Unable to get wood or propane, some households resorted to burning clothes and furniture to stay warm. A 12-year-old Sicangu Lakota boy, Honor Beauvais, died during the storm on the Rosebud Reservation, along with three other tribal citizens.

When banning the governor, the Rosebud Sioux tribe cited a delayed emergency declaration from Noem. Noem did not activate the South Dakota National Guard until Dec. 22, nearly 10 days after the storm began.

The council also cited concerns with Noems support of the Keystone XL Pipeline in 2019 and an increase in penalties for pipeline protestors, referenced Noems opposition of COVID-19 checkpoints on the Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River Reservations, removal of teaching standards regarding Native American history, legal threats to the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe regarding its medical cannabis operations and return of unused Emergency Rental Assistance funds in 2022 without consulting tribes.

Noems 2024 verbal attacks on tribal education have not been forgotten either, said organizers with the South Dakota Education Equity Coalition.

Our concern is the active weaponization of Noems initiatives against Indian Country in general but specifically education, said Executive Director Sarah White, Oglala Lakota.

Executive Order 2019-1 separated the Department of Indian Education from the states Department of Education and placed it under tribal relations in what the South Dakota Education Equity Coalition calls a move to evade tribal governments. The coalition also referenced Noems limiting of the Oceti Sakowin standards, the states Native American education standards.

When our state leader gets (selected for) a federal position our students notice that, and these students have witnessed the harmful impacts of her leadership here, White said. I think that further harms Indigenous students and sets a standard that non-Indigenous people can treat Indigenous communities this way.

Since Jan. 31, Noem has focused heavily on the Southern Border, her crusade against alleged cartels in Indian Country being part of a move to push an agenda tribal leaders said earlier this year.

As were watching people be selected for this cabinet, its really clear that the president-elect does not care about qualifications or effectiveness, he only cares about loyalty, said Nick Tilsen, NDN Collective CEO and founder. Kristi Noem was a yes man.

Noems past statements about the border are an indicator of whats to come, the Oglala Lakota nonprofit leader said.

Families are going to be ripped apart, internment camps are going to be created, mass deportations are going to happen, and Kristi Noem is going to have blood on her hands, Tilsen said. This is going to be a terrible chapter in American history.

Others like White are hopeful the next governor will be more open to working with Indigenous people. If Noem is confirmed, Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden would serve the remainder of her term, which is set to expire in 2026.

Rhoden has a limited history with tribes in South Dakota.

In 2009 as a state senator, Rhoden co-sponsored a bill to honor Lower Brule Sioux Tribe citizen and former Chairman Michael Jandreau for his lifelong service to the tribe, state and nation  one of two Indian Affairs-related pieces of legislation that Rhoden co-sponsored as senator.

Thunes appointment well-received

The announcement that longtime South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune will serve as the Senate majority leader didnt come as a shock to many Indigenous leaders. Thunes record with Indigenous people in South Dakota is much more positive than Noems.

I think its a natural fit given the makeup of the Senate, Tilsen said. My biggest hope is that he doesnt forget about South Dakota.

Thune has sponsored and co-sponsored several positive Indigenous legislation measures as senator, including a bill to return the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre back to tribes alongside fellow South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds. The bill directs the Department of the Interior to complete all actions necessary to place approximately 40 acres of land in Oglala Lakota County into restricted fee status for the Oglala and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes.

He has a legal obligation to remember the Indian people of South Dakota, Tilsen said. We are his constituents, whether we voted for him or not, he still has a responsibility to remember Native people. I hope he remembers that. I hope he remembers his roots, as he steps into this leadership role.

According to his campaign website, Thune has worked to improve tribal infrastructure, tribal housing and tribal education and strengthen law enforcement.

We are excited for Senator Thune to serve as the Senate Majority Leader, said Ryman LeBeau, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe chairman, in a statement to ICT and the Rapid City Journal. Weve been working with Thune for years and hes always been supportive of our issues and we appreciate his advocacy. We look forward to continuing our work with him and his staff.
One of the most anticipated Telugu releases, Repati Velugu, is soon to be available online. The Telugu film will be available on the OTT platform ETV starting November 21. Here is everything that you need to know about its storyline, cast, crew, and more.

ETV announced the release of this Telugu film in a X (formerly Twitter) post while sharing a poster of it on November 18. The film, which was earlier said to be having a theatrical release, will now only have an OTT debut.

Plot

Nothing so far has been announced about the storyline of this Telugu film. But if we have to take a wild guess, the film may be inspired by the Repati Velugu novel that has been written by Dwivedula Visalakshi in 1965. The novel's story is about Sarada, who has two brothers and two sisters.

Cast and crew

Repati Velugu is said to be having actors like Shatru, Prasanth Karthi, Vismaya Sri, and Aadvik Bandaru, among others, as the main leads. As per media reports, emerging talent in the Telugu film industry, Raksha Veeran is the director of this movie. One of the many works the director has worked on is Pothugadda, which is also available on ETV Win. This movie was a direct-to-digital release just like Repati Velugu.

Also Read: Pothugadda OTT release date ETV Win: When to watch Raksha Veeran's direct-to-digital unique 'tale of love'

Many Telugu filmmakers have been releasing their movies through the OTT platform ETV Win. The platform is too busy acquiring rights to back-to-back new films in the market.

Are you excited about the upcoming Telugu OTT release? Stay tuned for more updates on this.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Gladiator II OTT Release: Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascals recently released actioner has instantly become the audiences favourite worldwide. While the world is enjoying its big screen premiere extensively, many also wonder where theyll be able to watch this historical epic on OTT. We've got you covered! Gladiator II will be streaming on Paramount+ (plus) after its theatrical run wraps up.

Gladiator II cast and crew

Directed and co-produced by Ridley Scott, Gladiator II has been written by David Scarpa from a story he penned with Peter Craig. Its a sequel to Gladiator (2000) bankrolled by Scott Free Productions and distributed by Paramount Pictures. Other than Paul and Pedro, it also stars Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington. While many of them have reprised their characters from the first part, Mescal has replaced Spencer Treat Clark.

Gladiator II plot summary

Gladiator II carries on the larger-than-life story of power, betrayal, and revenge in the backdrop of Ancient Rome. Years later, Lucius (played by Paul Mescal) is compelled to participate in the Colosseum games after the oppressive Emperors take over his residence following the demise of his beloved hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle.

Filled with anger and the destiny of the Empire on the line, Lucius must dive into his history to rediscover courage and integrity to restore the prestige of Rome to its citizens. While we cannot say more than this about the plot as Gladiator II awaits its release in the US on November 22 and we would like the suspense to continue building up. If you are not in the US, this mega-actioner is surely in theatres near you. Step out, watch it and review @indiatimes.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
The Sabarmati Report starring Vikrant Massey has been made tax-free in India's Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Since the 50-crore budget film is based on the country's most controversial incident, the 2002 Godhra train burning, which triggered communal riots in the state of Gujarat, authorities want more and more people to watch it. The state of Gujarat, where the actual incident happened, is still to get the tax-free status. This is not the first time that a film has been made tax-free; here's a list of films that were made tax-free in different states:

1. Article 370

Article 370 is a political action movie that is based on real life. The film shows how an intelligence agent was selected for a secret mission by the Prime Minister's joint secretary to contain terrorism by rendering Article 370 ineffective.

The film was made tax-free in many states, including Chhattisgarh, as the government wanted more and more people to watch it and know their history.

2. The Kerala Story

The Kerala Story, which was also made tax-free in many states of India like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. This was also a real-life-based movie that revolved around a woman who gets converted to Islam and shares her journey of aspiring to become a nurse, only to be coerced by extremist Muslims in her college who pose as friends. The lady eventually gets manipulated into joining the Islamic State and ends up imprisoned in Afghanistan.

3. The Kashmir Files

This film was also made tax-free in many states, including Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The movie is about how Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir were forced to leave their homes and resettle in other parts of India.

4. Pad Man

This movie was made tax-free in the state of Rajasthan to spread awareness. The film is inspired by a real-life story where a man takes charge to spread awareness about the usage of sanitary napkins and save women from the diseases its alternatives can give them.

5. Toilet: Ek Prem Katha

This movie was also made tax-free in Uttar Pradesh. The film revolves around a woman who leaves her husband on the first day of their marriage after she gets to know that he does not have a toilet in his house. The husband then gets on a mission to win his wife back by changing the age-old traditions and values of India and constructing a toilet nearby.

Why do selective films get tax-free?

By making a film tax-free, governments basically encourage the public to view the movies with significant social, historical, or political messages that everyone should be aware of.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
US President Joe Biden turned 82 years old on Wednesday. Biden, who has less than two months left in office, has had a tumultuous term as president, taking charge of a country still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and amid an insurrection.

Throughout his term in office, Biden was known to be soft-spoken, but this doesn't mean that he couldn't assert himself when it was needed.

Biden's inaugural speech

The most notable such instance was on the day of his inauguration itself. Biden assumed office on 6 January 2020, amid an insurrection by Trump supporters who refused to accept the election result. In his inaugural speech, Biden focused on the struggles that Americans were facing and promised to fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.

Speech on US withdrawal from Afghanistan

Less than a year into office, Biden had to oversee the US troop pullout from Afghanistan, a decision that his predecessor Trump had made. The day after the US troops left Afghanistan, ending the 20-year-long war, Biden addressed the nation, where he defended the decision to end the longest war in American history. He also termed the evacuation from Afghanistan an "extraordinary success."

First anniversary of January 6 insurrection

Biden delivered a strong speech on the first anniversary of the January 6 insurrection, calling out his predecessor's web of lies and highlighting the need for unity. You cannot love your country only when you win, he said, without naming Trump.

Biden's infamous speeches

However, not all of Biden's speeches are known for how well the US president was able to articulate himself. In fact, towards the end of his term, Biden's speeches started becoming infamous for being incoherent.

In July, just before he dropped out of the presidential race, Biden had fumbled so much, calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky President Putin and Vice President Kamala Harris Vice President Trump.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Incumbent US President Joe Biden is celebrating his 82nd birthday on Wednesday, 20 November, just weeks before leaving the White House. Biden, who served as the 46th president of the United States, was born on 20 November 1942 in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

CREDIT: AP

A career politician, Biden will leave office as the oldest US President, a record he will not hold for long as his successor, Donald Trump, will soon claim the distinction.

Biden, who started his career as a senator from Delaware in 1972, is known to be reclusive while holding his inner circle close to him.

Biden's best friend - Obama

Arguably one of the best and most important friends Biden had in his political and personal life is Barack Obama, under whom he served as the Vice President of the US.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Barack and Michelle Obama's backing also helped Biden to secure the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 and subsequently win the presidential elections. The Obamas were also instrumental in convincing Biden to withdraw from the presidential race earlier this year due to concerns over his advanced age.

Biden's friendship with Kamala Harris

Biden's other close friend is his Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he also nominated as his replacement as the Democratic Presidential candidate when he backed out of the race. According to Harris, her friendship with Biden started with his son Beau Biden, who passed away in 2015. Beau was the former Attorney General of Delaware, while Kamala Harris was the Attorney General of California, and the two had worked together.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Biden's inner circle

Biden's inner circle also consists of Ron Klain, his Chief of Staff; Jen Psaki, his former Press Secretary; Secretary of State Antony Blinken; and Janet Yellen, the Secretary of the Treasury, who many believe have shaped some key policies of his administration.

CREDIT: AP

On the international stage, Biden did not have many close friends, though he had good ties with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. The two got along well and had similar views on a wide range of topics.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
The legal woes of Sean 'Diddy' Combs are far from over. The rapper has been hit with two additional lawsuits alleging sexual assault, filed by Texas attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents over 120 alleged victims of the hip-hop mogul. The new pair of accusers, a woman who was just 18 at the time of the incident and a man from Florida, have claimed that they were drugged before Diddy sexually assaulted them.

The new series of allegations demonstrate a pattern that has also been observed in previous lawsuits filed against the now-disgraced rapper, who is currently awaiting trial on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.

Two new allegations filed against Diddy

Court documents obtained by TMZ reveal that the first lawsuit against the Finna Get Loose hitmaker was filed by a Maryland woman under the name Jane Doe, who claimed the rapper assaulted her outside a 2001 Halloween party in New York City. She was just 18 at the time of the purported incident, it added. According to Doe, a security guard working for Combs escorted her to a black limousine, where he was waiting with a group of six other security personnel.

Detailing the alleged sexual assault, Doe said that she was given a drink that made her dizzy before being forced to perform oral sex on Diddy and security personnel accompanying him. The rapper just didn't stop there, per Doe, who added the rapper verbally abused her and sprayed champagne on her before performing an intimate pose that was common in his white parties.

What does the second lawsuit claim?

A Florida man, identified as John Doe, filed the second lawsuit alleging a disturbing encounter with Combs. John claimed he was invited to an exclusive after-party at the rapper's Miami residence, frequented by high-profile individuals. The timeline of the alleged incident was not made clear.

The accuser alleged that one of Diddy's associates spiked his drink, causing him to fall into an unconscious state of mind. Upon regaining consciousness, he felt pain in his intimate parts and realised his clothes had also gone missing. As he didn't have the strength to pull himself up to fight back against the gruesome crime, he ended up spending the night in the same room where he was allegedly sexually assaulted. It wasn't until the next day that he was escorted back to the nightclub where he attended the party the night before.

What is Diddy's legal team saying?

Diddy's team has dismissed the fresh allegations like the previous ones. They have a pattern here as well. In addition, the rapper's attorneys also accused Buzbee of milking on the ongoing controversy against their client.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Jaguar, the British luxury automaker, debuted its new logo in a pop art-inspired branding film on Tuesday. The company founded 102 years ago, is entering a "new era" with its planned all-electric car lineup. Jaguar launched a beautiful but rather confused rebranding, featuring a bunch of multicultural models in colorful techno-inspired attire. Despite its reputation for luxury vehicles, the company's makeover did not include any cars.

Jaguar's strange rebranding video leaves people confused

Jaguar has dropped its prior all-caps logo and is now styled as JaGUar. The new logo is made up of gold custom-font letters that spell Jaguar in lowercase, except for the G and U.

"It is a powerful celebration of modernism  geometric form, symmetry and simplicity  demonstrating the unexpected by seamlessly blending upper and lowercase characters in visual harmony, the automaker, now an EV manufacturer, stated of its new logo.

In addition to its moniker, the company has updated its pouncing cat insignia, known as the leaper, which is Jaguar's "precious mark of provenance." " Always leaping forward, it is a representation of excellence and hallmark of the brand," the company said of its revamped cat logo in a statement.

Elon Musk calls out the confusion

Yes.

We'd love to show you. Join us for a cuppa in Miami on 2nd December?

Warmest regards,

Jaguar  Jaguar (@Jaguar) November 19, 2024

Do you sell cars? tech billionaire Elon Musk wrote on X, to which, the company responded, Yes. We'd love to show you. Join us for a cuppa in Miami on 2nd December? Warmest regards, Jaguar.

While the Jaguar redesign was certainly eye-catching, the lack of vehicles baffled netizens. Most of the comments reflected similar thoughts, with readers asking the obvious question: where are your cars? Here's what people wrote.

Umm where are the cars in this ad? Is this for fashion?  Pixel Preet (@pixel_preet) November 19, 2024

I thought you guys made cars??  marine (@120kMarine) November 19, 2024

Im not sure you all heard, but we arent doing that liberal artsy bullshit anymore.



Read the room.  Clandestine (@WarClandestine) November 19, 2024

Also read: ISRO, Elon Musk's SpaceX join hands to launch communication satellite GSAT-N2

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis in an interview on Wednesday on SKAI 100.3 radio station referred to the decision to close the Greek embassy in Kiev, stressing that it is a move for precautionary reasons.

"Other countries have done it with their embassies. There are staff, as we speak,

in the embassy for security reasons. There is also a shelter in the building so that it can be used by the staff if necessary," he added.

Asked about Antonis Samaras' statement that his removal was a premeditated decision, Marinakis replied that the complete opposite is true. He added that it was taken after reading Samaras' interview with the newspaper "Vima". He recalled the government's reactions to other speeches and reports by Samaras on which no comment was made by the government. Marinakis stressed that Samaras had the special privilege of expressing his views and objections.

   iefimerida.gr
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended an event on Wednesday organized by the Ministry of Justice focusing on reforms in the Greek judicial system.

Mitsotakis emphasized that the governments central objective over the past five years has been to strengthen the rule of law and reform the justice

system . He explained that this is necessary not due to a lack of competent judges but because the field has been plagued by longstanding systemic issues.

Mitsotakis outlined three key challenges facing the justice system: significant delays in issuing final court rulings, limited digitalization and use of technology and the need for staff retraining and infrastructure improvements.

He noted that since 2019, the government has implemented 30 significant institutional reforms, including the revision of the Penal Code. "We are correcting past mistakes by addressing offenders more strictly and protecting victims of domestic violence more effectively, with trials now prioritized," he said. He highlighted progress in combating domestic violence through inter-ministerial collaboration, assuring that women would find protection and support. Mitsotakis also mentioned advancements in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

He announced plans to build new courthouses in eight cities and to fully renovate ten more, with the most notable project being the new courthouse in Piraeus, set to be completed in the first half of 2026.

Mitsotakis also discussed the adoption of modern technology, including videoconferencing, digital document delivery and the integration of artificial intelligence.

Regarding the rule of law, he highlighted that Greeces progress is recognized in the European Commission's annual report, which reduced its recommendations for the country to just fourfewer than those for 18 other member states.

Additionally, Mitsotakis referred to the establishment of the judicial police in 2024, stating that it demonstrates Greece's swift progress in the critical area of justice.

   iefimerida.gr
is signaling a possible upgrade of Greeces four systemic banks, following the faster-than-expected amortization of deferred taxes (DTC).Deferred taxes are included in Greek banks capital , but are considered

DBRS: Green light for Greek banks upgrade-Faster than expected DTC amortization is credit positive -  
A damning audit report by the Auditor-General for the Federation has exposed financial irregularities totaling N4.64 billion within the Federal Ministry of Works housing sector.

The findings, spanning 2020 to 2021, highlight severe breaches of financial regulations and procurement laws under the leadership of former Minister Babatunde Fashola.

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The report, presented to the National Assembly, revealed that payments were made without proper documentation, contracts were awarded without due process, and extra-budgetary expenditures were rampant. It described weak internal controls that could facilitate fund misappropriation and financial losses.

The audit documented violations of Paragraph 601 of the 2009 Financial Regulations, including N1.08 billion paid through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) account without necessary payment vouchers. An additional N546 million was transferred to project accounts without proper documentation or budgetary approval.

Extra-budgetary spending reached N2.89 billion, with N1.88 billion spent without legislative appropriation. Over N1 billion was also paid to contractors for road projects in Katsina State, which were only included in the 2017 Appropriation Act. These expenditures contravened Section 80(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates legislative approval for all public fund withdrawals.

The sum of N1,883,795,670.51 was expended by the Ministry without evidence of appropriation, the report stated. It further noted that the extra-budgetary expenditures, totaling N2,886,835,379.30, were not presented to the National Assembly for approval.

READ ALSO: Well Not Propose New Projects For 2025  Works Minister, Umahi

The report highlighted contract awards to unregistered companies in violation of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020. Contracts worth N493.97 million were given to companies not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). In one case, a company awarded a contract in 2016 was only registered in 2019.

The sum of N5,825,989.28 was paid to a contractor out of a total contract sum of N493,967,484.24 without the company being incorporated, the report revealed. It warned that such lapses increase the risk of contract non-execution and fund diversion.

The Ministry was also flagged for exceeding mobilization fee limits. In Oyo State, N110.81 million, or 22.61% of a total contract sum, was paid as mobilization fees, exceeding the 15% limit prescribed by Paragraph 2933 of the Financial Regulations. In Edo State, N40.83 million, representing 88.18% of the contract sum, was paid for a classroom construction project.

Furthermore, five contracts worth N27.84 million were awarded without obtaining bids from at least three unrelated contractors, contravening Section 24(1) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007. Essential documents, including advertisements, tender evaluations, and meeting minutes, were also missing.

The Auditor-General recommended that the Ministry recover unauthorized payments and remit them to the Treasury. It also urged sanctions for officials involved in these violations under Paragraph 3106 of the Financial Regulations.

The Senate has vowed to enforce strict parliamentary sanctions against heads of federal agencies found culpable in the report. Senator Garba Madoki, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, warned of consequences for agencies that disregard legislative resolutions or fail to provide accountability.

These irregularities highlight the systemic non-compliance with financial regulations in the Ministry, the Auditor-General noted.

The report underscores an urgent need for reform to safeguard public funds and strengthen internal controls.
A disturbing incident has come to light in Asaba, Delta State, where 17-year-old Samuel Onyeme was allegedly beaten and locked inside a dog cage for visiting his female classmate, Anastasia Celestine.

According to Samuels mother, Mrs. Onyeme, the incident occurred on Sunday when Samuel visited Anastasia at her residence around 6 pm.

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My son said they were having a discussion outside the house of Mr. Celestine when he was brutally assaulted by her father and his two sons, Mrs. Onyeme recounted.

The attackers allegedly used wooden planks to inflict severe physical injuries on Samuel before locking him inside the dog cage.

She stated, They confiscated his mobile phone and called me, deceiving me into coming to the scene. Upon my arrival, I was deprived of seeing him for two hours.

Human rights activist Victor Ojei described the act as barbaric and inhumane.

Ojei reported the incident to the Delta State Police Command and demanded immediate investigation and prosecution of Mr. Celestine and his sons for kidnapping, unlawful detention, assault, and attempted murder.

READ ALSO: Oyo Police Arraign 10 Traders For Allegedly Tampering With Electricity Meters

In his petition, Ojei highlighted the violations of Nigerian Criminal Law and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Laws.

One Onyeme Ben contacted a family friend, who then reached out to our organisation. Following our report to the Delta State Police, officers were mobilised, and Master Onyeme Samuel was rescued from the dog cage around 10:00 pm that night.

Based on the above facts, Mr Celestine and his sons have committed criminal offences which include unlawful detention of Mrs. Onyeme Onome for two hours against her will, and the forcible confinement of Master Onyeme Samuel in a dog cage from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.which contravenes Section 364 of the Criminal Code Act.

The brutal assault on Master Onyeme Samuel using wooden planks, resulting in multiple injuries and psychological trauma, is a violation of Section 355 of the Criminal Code Act.

Attempted murder; threats to pour fuel and set Master Onyeme Samuel ablaze amount to attempted murder under Section 320 of the Criminal Code Act, he noted.

Samuel is currently receiving treatment at the Asaba Specialist Hospital for physical injuries and psychological trauma.

The incident has sparked outrage, with many calling for justice and condemning the cruel treatment of the teenager.

The State Police Command has been urged to take swift action against the perpetrators.
The inspector-general of police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed a suit against Andy Uba, a former senator representing Anambra south, over allegations of fraud.

Uba is facing a two-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024 alongside two others, Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu.

The charge, dated October 8, was filed before Inyang Ekwo, judge of a federal high court in Abuja.

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In count one, Uba, Crystal, Etu and one Hajiya Fatima (now at large), were alleged to have conspired amongst themselves to commit the offence in 2022.

They were charged with deceiving George Uboh by allegedly claiming they could secure the appointment of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for anyone willing to pay N400 million.

READ MORE: Panic As Gunmen Storm Anglican Church, Kidnap Priest In Anambra

Uboh had written a petition dated April 5, 2023, to the IGP stating that he had documentary and voice recording evidence.

The prosecution has listed six witnesses to testify against the former lawmaker and other defendants in the suit.

On November 13, M.L. Anthony, prosecution counsel, told the court that the defendants had been evading the service of the court documents despite being given administrative bail.

He said that the defendants obtained a fundamental rights enforcement order which had prevented the police from bringing them to court.

The lawyer said it was not until after the order was lifted that the defendants were finally charged before the court.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to February 18, 2025, for arraignment of the defendants.
Nigerian social media critic Vincent Martins Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has had his first meeting with Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, the head of Mavin Records.

The encounter comes after Don Jazzy made headlines by donating an incredible N100 million to VDMs NGO, a gesture that surprised many, given VDMs earlier criticism of the music producer for donating to popular crossdresser Bobrisky during his incarceration for naira abuse.

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VDM shared a video of their meeting on his Instagram account on Tuesday, where he expressed heartfelt gratitude for the generous donation.

He recounted the impact of the unexpected support and offered prayers for Don Jazzy while showing his appreciation by bowing.

READ MORE: AFCON 2025 Qualifier: VeryDarkMan Slams Overhyped Super Eagles Players For Loss To Rwanda

In a warm and respectful gesture, Don Jazzy bowed back as they shook hands.

Its prayer we need to pray for am, say God should give am long life, more money, prosperity and good life so that he go enjoy him money, hes a very good man, he partly said.

VDM also addressed comments from those who had mocked him for his previous remarks about the music mogul, using the moment to highlight Don Jazzys remarkable generosity.

SEE POST:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCkXr-dsqww/?igsh=MXN1dXYzeWswMjVqMg==
Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, who emerged as the first runner-up in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant, has disclosed her decision to exit the world of beauty pageantry.

In an interview with BBC Pidgin on Tuesday after returning to Nigeria, the 23-year-old, who made history as the first runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City, revealed this.

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I am putting pageant to bed right now, but I want to focus more on my education and obviously establishing who Chidimma is, more into runways, more into acting, so many things I would like to touch on and really see where my potentials can go to, she said, reflecting on her future aspirations.

In another video circulating online, she stated that her decision is irreversible.

She said, It is permanent. I have decided that Im no longer going to do pageants anymore. I feel like I did my best. I made myself proud. I made Nigeria proud, and I really outdid myself. I dont think theres anything more that I could do. Also, it was really a traumatic experience for me, and I dont think that I would like to revisit this again as well. So, I think its just something Im going to have to put behind me, but its also going to be something I hold in my heart.

READ MORE: Denmark Secures Miss Universe 2024 Crown As Nigerias Chidinma Adetshina Achieves Runner-Up Position

Adetshina took to social media on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, to express her emotions.

She wrote, I came, I saw, and I shook the universe. Returning home as Miss Universe First Runner-Up and Miss Universe Africa & Oceania. Im filled with immense gratitude for Nigeria and Africa for believing in me and helping me reclaim my dreams. This is what it truly means for dreams to come true.

A heartfelt thank you to Silverbird Group, Chichi Nation, and everyone who has supported me on this incredible journey. Your recognition means the world. God bless you all.

Adetshinas path to the Miss Universe pageant was not without obstacles.

She competed in the Miss South Africa 2024 contest earlier this year but withdrew due to controversy regarding her ties to the country.

Denmarks Victoria Kjaer Theilvig was crowned Miss Universe 2024, succeeding Nicaraguas Sheynnis Palacios, who held the title in 2023.

Adetshinas achievement has rekindled pride throughout Africa and Nigeria, enhancing her reputation as an inspiration and a ray of hope.

SEE POST:
Apex northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum, has lamented over economic hardship facing the nation.

The group expressed concern over the deplorable economic situation in North under President Bola Ahmed Tinubus administration.

Arewa blamed Federal Government over what its described as poor socio-economic policies, adding that it has left the region in a deteriorating condition.

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This was contained in a communique by ACFs National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, on Wednesday.

Muhammad-Baba, faulted the leadership selection process by the Tinubu-led government, which it notes appears flawed and allows so many people without experience to rise to positions of power and authority.

READ MORE: Northern Group Berates Lawmaker For Backing Tinubu Over Controversial Tax Reform Bill

The statement reads: Security is an irreducible minimum of human existence. In this regard, insecurity in its various manifestations remains the most worrisome challenge of Arewa people, that has even started to corrosively undermine the authority of government; such that people have started to ask what the purpose of government is.

That those whose responsibility that it is to provide security will be saying they are doing their best is unacceptable. The minimum duty of government is to safeguard life and property, and doing anything less is a failure.

Members expressed displeasure at the current and continuing improvisation of the proverbial common men and women in the country due to the economic policies of the current administration.

The Meeting noted in particular that Arewa people remain at great disadvantage, being already relatively worse off economically, compared to other parts of Nigeria.

Livelihoods are currently dependent on micro activities. The region faces acute and chronic food insecurity; its youths lack education and skills training. Daunting as these may be, they can be reversed. The time to think big is now.

Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewas glaring challenging economic conditions, the policies of current Federal Government has continued to make matters much worse, with little indications of needed sensitivity to the precarious existential conditions of Arewa people.

Succinctly stated, economic reforms while indeed desirable, should not impoverish the same people that they are meant to serve; the people may not be alive to reap the putative benefits.
At least seven officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been declared missing, following an ambushed by Boko Haram terrorists in the Farin-Kasa, Chukun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

It was gathered that the terrorists attacked the security agents on Monday, while inspecting the National Grid installation in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the team, consisting nine officers and 71 other ranks from various NSCDC commands, had completed surveillance activities in Shiroro and was en route to their base when they were attacked.

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This was contained in a statement by NSCDCs Spokesman, on Tuesday, Babawale Afolabi.

Afolabi disclosed that the ambush came as the team escorted stranded expatriates found in the bush around Dagwachi Village, who were returning from a mining site.

He added that over 200 heavily armed insurgents attacked the convoy from the top of a hill, opening fire with sophisticated weapons.

READ MORE: NSCDC Nabs Three Suspected Cable Vandals In Kogi

The statement partly reads: The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps monitoring team for the National Grid Installation located in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State have come under a heavy attack by the deadly Boko Haram terrorist group.

Unknown to them, over 200 dreaded armed boko haram elements had laid ambushed on a vengeful mission against security operatives who they claimed had been giving them problems.

The Combined NSCDC operatives in the ambush however, not overwhelmed by terrorist, repelled the attack and successfully neutralized over 50 of the terrorist in the crossfire.

As at the time of filling this report, about seven operatives of the NSCDC are currently missing in action and efforts are currently underway to locate them in the bush, while a few others who sustained various degrees of Injuries are currently undergoing medical treatment in a Medical facility.


President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly to approve an external borrowing of $2.209 billion (N1.767 trillion) as outlined in the 2024 Appropriation Act.

This borrowing plan aims to address a portion of Nigerias N9.17 trillion fiscal deficit in the 2024 budget.

The President also submitted the 2025-2027 Mid-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) to the Senate for expedited passage.

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Senator Sani Musas Senate Committees on Finance and National and Economic Planning will review the request.

In his letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, Tinubu emphasized that the request aligns with the Debt Management Office (DMO) Establishment Act, 2003.

READ ALSO: World Bank Approves $1.57bn Loan For Nigeria

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has already approved the borrowing plan.

President Tinubu authorized the Minister of Finance and the DMO to execute the plan after National Assembly approval.

He explained that the $2.209 billion will be raised through Eurobonds or external borrowing instruments to finance the 2024 budget deficit.

Akpabio referred the matter to Senator Aliyu Wamakos Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, with instructions to report back within 24 hours.

Information Nigeria reports that Nigerias public debt has been rising, with the countrys total debt stock increasing by N24.33 trillion in the first quarter of 2023 to N121.67 trillion.


Former Anambra State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Oseloka H. Obaze has fired back at Doyin Okupe, erstwhile Director-General of the Labour Party presidential campaign.

Mr Obaze, via X on Wednesday, reacted to Mr Okupes claim that Peter Obis consumption to production mantra lacked a policy document.



Obaze described his assertion as balderdash, insisting that Okupe, as Obis DG, chaired the finalization of the very policy document he now denies exists.

He expressed disappointment, saying, What a shame, how low people can stoop!

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READ ALSO: Tinubus Policy Document Superior To Atikus; Obi Had None  Doyin Okupe

Obaze also took a jab at Okupes profession, quipping, Perhaps, he has a touch of amnesia. Well, he should know. He is the Medical Doctor!

This development comes after Okupe alleged that Obis campaign lacked a policy document, whereas President Bola Tinubu has a superior policy document guiding his administration.

Okupe made these comments while assessing Tinubus performance.
The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested a 58-year-old Algerian national for alleged involvement in transborder arms trafficking.

The Algerian national was apprehended at the Illela border point, as confirmed by Mohammed Dalijan, the Zamfara Commissioner of Police, during a press briefing in Gusau on Tuesday.

The suspected Algerian confessed to the police that he had been engaging in this criminal activity for the past eight years.

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The suspect supplies arms and ammunition to bandits in all parts of north west states.

 At the point of the arrest, four AK47 were recovered from him, he said.

Dalijan further stated that the police recovered 16 AK47 rifles during various operations over the last three weeks.

According to him, the command also retrieved a locally manufactured pistol and a double barrel from a suspected arms manufacturer in Jos, Plateau.

READ MORE: NSCDC Arrests 14 Herders Allegedly Violating Adamawas Cattle Movement Ban

The command, acting on intelligence traced and arrested an arms manufacturer in Jos, tracked and arrested a regional arms trafficker from Algeria at the Illela border point.

According to Dalijan, the police detained various suspects, including bandit motorcycle suppliers.

The police recovered live ammunition and N2.5 million cash, among others from the suspects, he said.

He also mentioned that the police apprehended several illegal gold miners and seized multiple mining excavators.

The commissioner cautioned that the prohibition on illicit mining imposed by the federal and state governments remained in effect.

(NAN)
The way we use artificial intelligence is changing. Chatbots arent going away. Well continue to use them to deliver basic, natural language, self-service applications. But the future belongs to multimodal applications, built on large language models (LLMs) and other AI models, that act as self-organizing software agents. These more complex AI applications will require more thought, more code, more testing, and more safeguards.

An AI evolution requires a similar evolution in our development tools. Although weve seen Power Platforms Copilot Studio begin to deliver tools for building task-focused agents, more complex AI applications will require a lot more work, even with support from frameworks like Semantic Kernel.

Much of Azures current AI tools, beyond its Cognitive Services APIs, are focused on building grounded chatbots, using Microsofts Prompt Flow framework to add external vector indexes to LLMs for retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), along with wrapping calls and outputs in its own AI safety tools. Its a proven approach to building and running Microsofts own Copilot services, but if enterprises are to get the next generation of AI services, they need new tools that can help deliver custom agents.
A Cathay Pacific Boeing 777 passenger jet. Boeing is in the midst of cutting thousands of jobs across the company, including over 100 in Pennsylvania. Read more

Companywide layoffs at Boeing will include workers at a Ridley Park facility, as well as two locations in Fayette County in Western Pennsylvania as the company seeks to recover from financial difficulties.

The 101 workers laid off in Pennsylvania are spread among the three facilities, and their job termination will be effective Jan. 17, according to a notice filed this week with the Pennsylvania Dept. of Labor and Industry.

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Boeing declined to provide information on how many jobs at each facility would be eliminated. As previously announced, we are adjusting our workforce levels to align with our financial reality and a more focused set of priorities. We are committed to ensuring our employees have support during this challenging time, the company said through a spokesperson on Tuesday.

Its the second time this year the Ridley Park facility has seen a workforce reduction, after 69 workers there were laid off in August, according to a WARN notice.

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires employers to file notice with state authorities when they lay off a large enough proportion of their workforce. The Pennsylvania layoffs are among thousands throughout the business.

In Washington state, where Boeing had 66,000 workers as of last week, the company informed the state on Monday that it had laid off 2,199 workers.

The aerospace giant announced in October that it planned to cut about 10% of its workforce, amounting to about 17,000 jobs, in the coming months as it struggles to recover from financial and regulatory troubles as well as a strike by its machinists that lasted nearly two months.

Among the layoffs so far are notices that went out last week to more than 400 members of Boeings professional aerospace labor union, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, or SPEEA. The workers will remain on the payroll through mid-January.

Boeings unionized machinists began returning to work earlier this month following the strike.

The strike strained Boeings finances. But CEO Kelly Ortberg said on an October call with analysts that it did not cause the layoffs, which he described as a result of overstaffing.

Boeing, based in Arlington, Va., has been in financial trouble since two crashes of its 737 Max jetliner killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019. The companys fortunes and reputation took a further hit when a panel blew off the fuselage of an Alaska Airlines plane in January.

Production rates slowed to a crawl, and the Federal Aviation Administration capped production of the 737 MAX at 38 planes per month, a threshold Boeing had yet to reach when the machinists strike halted assembly lines.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.
The Philadelphia School District is planning possible school closings, consolidations, new construction and more. Officials are looking for volunteers  parents, teachers, community members for an advisory group to help shape its facilities master plan. Shown is Frankford High, one of the district's 300-plus buildings. Read more

Help wanted: The Philadelphia School District is asking parents, staff, and community members to raise their hands to shape its facilities master plan.

The long-anticipated plan  which will likely lead to school closings and consolidations, new buildings, and more  is currently the subject of a series of public listening sessions at locations around the city. Those meetings will help inform the plan, but Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. wants to form advisory groups to provide feedback, opinions and experiences to further shape it.

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The advisory groups, made up of 20 to 30 people each, will meet virtually several times between January and May; members will be charged with providing actionable, concrete feedback on draft recommendations and plan components in keeping with [their] experiences.

The average age of Philadelphias roughly 300 buildings is 74 years old; many city schools are under-enrolled, though some are bursting at the seams. Officials estimate the district has about $8 billion in unmet facilities needs.

Monique Braxton, a district spokesperson, said groups will be formed including parents, community leaders, school leaders, teachers and support staff. Its not been determined how many times groups will meet.

Some advisory groups will be formed by invitation, Braxton said  including union leaders, elected officials, and members of the business community. Advisory group members will be announced before the end of the year.

Applications are due Dec. 1 and can be completed here for staff, here for parents or guardians, and here for community members - .
Lauren Biederman, who owns the Italian Market-area appetizing shop bearing her name as well as a new caviar kiosk in Center City, has more than caviar on her plate (or the back of her hand, as it were).

Biederman told The Inquirer that she is opening a raw bar called Tesiny in a restored garage at 719 Dickinson St., seven blocks from her South Philadelphia shop. Tesiny will house two bars: a large U that will accommodate an open kitchen, and a drinking bar across the way.

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Biederman is designing it and said she is aiming for a sexy, cozy oyster bar feel.

Besides raw-bar dishes, the menu will include charcoal-grilled items. At the bar, she plans cocktails, sparkling wines, sherries, and vermouth among the selections.

I want to eat shrimp cocktail in South Philly, Biederman told me. Theres not that many places to do that right now.

There will be no real crossover with Biedermans, her shop on Christian Street, which sells smoked fish and brunch items. Well probably have some smoked-fish croquette or something to tie it in a little bit, but its really going to be a very separate entity, Biederman said.

The goal is to open around April. Biederman says she will be happy to meet her goal of opening her first restaurant by her 30th birthday, which is in July.

Tesiny is the name of the street in Bridgeport, Conn., where Biedermans grandmother lived and her father grew up. Tesiny also is a settlement in west-central Poland that she assumes inspired the streets name. She likes Tesiny not only for the sentiment but also for its SEO value.

Biederman, a former server and bartender at Zahav, Oloroso, and Osteria, opened her shop in late 2020, replacing a shuttered clothing store. Her line includes more than a dozen varieties of smoked fish hand-sliced by the quarter-pound, plus caviar and other fancy Jewish food fixings.

Biederman said she had been looking for the space for two years with broker Stefanie Gabel of MSC.

From when it was a garage to now, the space just had character, Gabel said. The architects design left that old character but updated it. Its an awesome storefront with great windows. And she agreed. Love at first sight.
Tonya McClary, director of Philadelphia's Citizens Police Oversight Commission, writes that the police contract has been a barrier to the commission achieving its goals. Read more

In 2020, over half a million Philadelphians voted to create the Citizens Police Oversight Commission. The central power of this new agency would be to conduct independent officer misconduct investigations. City Council then passed legislation to carry out the voters will. The vision was clear: to empower CPOC to act as an independent body that can hold officers accountable for misconduct, and improve transparency in policing.

Currently, there are four sitting commissioners and a total of nine seats on the commission. The selection panel is actively conducting interviews to fill these vacancies. Similar commission structures exist in other cities like Washington, D.C., and at the national level.

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While CPOC has made progress toward its vision, the police contract has been a barrier. Under the current police contract, the Fraternal Order of Police must approve, in writing, any disciplinary changes required to fulfill CPOCs legislative mandate. Nationwide, police unions have opposed oversight reforms. No group volunteers for stricter supervision of its members. Now the city is about to negotiate its first new police contract with the FOP since CPOCs creation. We can use this moment to make our mandate a reality.

The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter and Philadelphia Code grant CPOC the right to conduct independent investigations, but we dont have the practical authority and the resources to fully realize our mission.

Currently, CPOC monitors police disciplinary processes through collaboration with the Philadelphia Police Departments Internal Affairs Division. Our investigations division responds to the scene of every police shooting. The division also oversees certain investigations, attending interviews of both complainants and officers at IAD.

CPOC reviews discipline charges with the departments Police Board of Inquiry charging captain when there are sustained misconduct findings in complaints against police. CPOC staff sit as voting members at every single officer discipline hearing. We collect and analyze data, make policy recommendations, and attend hundreds of community events a year.

We are proud of our work to perform these critical functions, but we know  and we have heard from the community  that they fall short of the independent oversight Philadelphias residents expect. Our role is not to monitor from the sidelines, but to serve as an active and independent body capable of investigating allegations of misconduct. This, we believe, is the path toward building public trust.

 READ MORE: The high cost of police misconduct | Editorial

The Philadelphia Code clearly states that CPOC shall investigate certain complaints against the police, but the current structure does not allow our investigators to operate independently from IAD. We cannot conduct thorough and impartial investigations. To fulfill our mandate, CPOC must be able to independently investigate, interviewing both complainants and officers independently, collecting evidence from both police and public sources, and reaching findings that will lead to officer discipline when there is misconduct.

The solution lies in the citys negotiations with the police union. We need the city to push for changes in the collective bargaining agreement that will require officers to cooperate fully with CPOCs independent investigations. We need the next contract to articulate CPOCs investigative role in the police contract. Without these changes, accountability will remain within existing department structures, which Philadelphians overwhelmingly voted to reform.

In addition, CPOC needs adequate funding to carry out its expanded role. The investigations division consists of a small but talented team. Our work with IAD is limited by budget constraints, which impede our ability to act on behalf of the community. We believe that expanding CPOCs ability to investigate independently will reduce costs elsewhere in city government by leading to more efficient handling of complaints and discipline.

 READ MORE: Police accountability is key to making Philly safer | Editorial

The work of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission is too important to leave unfinished. With changes to the contract, CPOC can fulfill its mandate and provide the transparency and accountability the people of Philadelphia deserve. Lets finish what we started.

Please stand by my side at the FOP contract hearing on Thursday at 2 p.m. at City Hall. If youre not able to attend, please contact your City Council member and share your support of CPOC and police oversight.

Tonya McClary is executive director of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission. McClary is an attorney and a pastor whose distinguished career includes extensive experience in criminal justice and civil rights.
A rendering of the building under construction at 1700 North Front Street. Read more

A 204-unit apartment building under construction at 1700 North Front Street will bring two new restaurants to the Fishtown area, including a new concept from the owners of Forin Cafe and the Philadelphia debut of small New England-based chain Mecha Noodle Bar.

The project is a collaboration between New Jersey-based developer Urby and the Fishtown Collective, which is associated with Roland Kassis, a developer with large holdings in Fishtown and an instrumental player in the neighborhoods recent building boom.

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For me, its not cuisine specific, its really more about them [the owners of Forin] understanding the neighborhood and bringing a community, said David Barry, founder and CEO of Urby.

The owners of Forin Cafe will be operating a new concept known as Percy out of a 4,300-square-foot space on the ground floor of the apartment building, with entrances from the street and the lobby. The restaurant will be open seven days a week and will include brunch featuring upscale American breakfast on weekends and Thursday-to-Saturday will have dinner and bar service at night.

Theres going to be a fireplace in the lounge area, said Seth Kligerman, one of the owners of Forin. Well have lovely couches and a bunch of old-school speakers. So it will be kind of like a sound room, if you will, a very unique space.

The interior design is being orchestrated by Shawn Hausman Design, the firm behind the looks of Parc and Dandelion. Percy will be the groups fourth business, which also include two Forin locations in Kensington and Win Cafe in Queen Village.

Mecha Noodle Bar, a small New England chain based out of Bridgeport, Connecticut, will occupy a 3,500-square-foot space. The restaurants website describes their specialty as Asias most comforting dishes, with a variety of fusion offerings including pho, ramen, and bao.

The five-story building is nearing completion and leasing tours began this week. The units will be a mix of 28 studios, 141 one-bedroom apartments, and 35 two-bedroom apartments.

The building will be adorned with a mural from Dutch artist Henk Schiffmacher  who the developer notes tattooed Kurt Cobain  and will include a speakeasy of sorts for residents.

The hideaway, as we call it, is like a great party room where you and your 20 closest friends would want to have cocktails, said Barry. Its a space outside your apartment thats like somebodys amazing living room where you give a great party.

Both the developer and Percy will organize events held at the speakeasy, but it will also be available for tenants to rent for their own purposes. The building will also include a roof deck, a front courtyard, and a back courtyard with grills and a dog park.

There is no parking on-site, but Urby has a relationship with a nearby parking lot where residents can have access to about 30 spaces.

Its really nice that Urby, being an outside developer, picked and gave an opportunity to very hyperlocal Philly people, said Kligerman, who lives in Fishtown.
In March, Gov. Josh Shapiro joined local leaders and Philadelphia homeowner Dominique Young outside Young's home in Southwest Philadelphia to push for state funding for the Whole-Home Repairs Program, which Young benefitted from. Read more

In 2022, Pennsylvania created a program to help residents repair and weatherize their homes to make properties safer, accessible to people with disabilities, and energy efficient.

The driving force behind the creation of the Whole-Home Repairs Program was a coalition of advocates, community groups, and everyday people struggling to keep a roof over their heads, pay utility bills, and repair their homes.

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A critical part of this story is that the Whole-Home Repairs Program was community driven from start to finish, said Carrie Santoro, executive director of the progressive advocacy group Pennsylvania Stands Up, which is a member of the PA Climate Equity Table coalition. And I think that its a story of hope and vision when a lot of people are really aching for hope and vision.

Pennsylvania has a lot of old housing stock and widespread need for home repairs. In a report published last year, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia found that necessary repairs on homes in just the Philadelphia metropolitan area would cost billions of dollars.

Preserving homes through repairs is a critical part of the holistic and multipronged approach needed to make sure people are not only housed but can live in homes that are safe and accessible, said Daniella Zessoules, a senior policy analyst at the New York-based public policy nonprofit Demos.

Demos teamed up with Pennsylvania Stands Up to publish a report Tuesday with lessons learned from the campaign for the Whole-Home Repairs Program. The organizations see a road map for how organizers can successfully campaign for government support for a variety of public needs. Their main message is that organizing works.

The hope with some of these takeaways is whether its around home repairs or another housing policy that folks want to enact in their local jurisdiction, in their state, that these are some key takeaways that are also applicable to other community values, Zessoules said. This is a model for how to organize effectively, wherever you are.

According to data the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development provided for the report, a total of 1,151 homes had been repaired for almost 5,700 residents as of June 30. But the program has been plagued by a lack of funding, long wait lists, and administrative issues.

Below are some of the advocacy coalitions takeaways from its campaign to create the Whole-Home Repairs Program.

Funding is crucial

Theres no denying it: Pennsylvania lawmakers passed legislation creating the program as quickly as they did  less than a year after campaigning for the program started  because the state had millions of dollars from the federal government to spend.

The state budget that passed in the summer of 2022 included $125 million in federal pandemic aid for the program. Although the program is popular among residents and was created with bipartisan support, lawmakers have not funded it in subsequent state budgets.

As lawmakers plan next years budget, theres a huge amount of interest in figuring out a funding solution, said State Sen. Nikil Saval (D., Philadelphia), the legislator behind the program.

 READ MORE: More funding for a home repair program was left out of the Pa. state budget despite high demand

Our intuition that this would be popular and widely needed has proven to be true, Saval said. In counties across Pennsylvania, demand for the program way exceeds the available funding.

As of June 30, county administrators had received more than 25,700 applications for funding, but less than 10% of applicants were set to receive grants, according to the report.

Santoro at Pennsylvania Stands Up said the coalition that got the program created will continue to advocate for this to be a permanent program and permanently funded.

In September, Gov. Josh Shapiro, who supports the program, announced that his administration would create Pennsylvanias first-ever housing action plan and said repairing aging homes will be one of its pillars.

Communities should help design policies that affect them

People in need of safe, affordable, and accessible housing were directly involved in creating the Whole-Home Repairs Program.

Sen. Savals office actually created a structure where communities could be at the table and be a part of cocreating solutions, Zessoules, of Demos, said. So they made co-governing infrastructure that helped inform this bill.

Feedback from community members led to the addition of assistance for renters and more streamlined processes to make the program more accessible, for example.

Santoro said she had never seen a legislator engage with community members in this way to draft legislation.

And the exciting thing for us continues to be that this is a model, she said. Because we have that model, its also a standard to which we can hold other legislators.

She said the program is an example of what happens when government understands the community need and then involves community in designing the solution to meet that need.

Be strategic in messaging and outreach

The concept of the Whole-Home Repairs Program started off as a Green New Deal for Housing in Pennsylvania. Rebranding the program and connecting home repairs and weatherization to the conservative legislators priority issues of addressing blight were key to getting the program created, according to the report.

The campaign for the program centered on the stories of directly impacted community members to make the bill relatable and underscore the urgency of acting on the housing crisis, the report said.

The campaign also crisscrossed the state to build support, instead of focusing only on more progressive areas. This helped bridge political divides that could have stalled legislation, according to the report.

The truth is, whether you live in a rural township or a small town or a big city, in Pennsylvania, theres a good chance that your home is old and that it needs repairs, Santoro said. And theres a good chance that you cant afford your utility bills. And theres a good chance you can benefit from Whole-Home Repairs. And we really saw that as we were organizing for this program.

Focus not just on winning but implementing

Organizers didnt have a comprehensive strategy for implementing the Whole-Home Repairs Program, because they thought getting it created was a long shot, according to the report. Organizers should make a plan ahead of time for successful implementation, it said.

Counties administer the program and have taken different approaches. In some cases, funds have gone to existing home repair programs that are not as comprehensive as backers of the program envisioned.

And many counties have excluded small landlords from the program, citing red tape and the desire to direct limited funding to homeowners. This excludes renters from benefiting from home repairs.

Saval said that most of our work since the winning of the program is figuring out how the program is functioning in different counties and how to improve it.
Other discussions focused on Bermudas expanding life reinsurance sector and developments in the legacy and deals market. A presentation by the Bermuda Monetary Authority highlighted the significant contribution of Bermudas insurance sector, noting that the market has paid nearly $1 trillion in claims since 2016, narrowing global protection gaps.
It is my belief that we are at the beginning of a global parametric insurance revolution, Meier said. Parametric is the lead violin in a symphony of risk transfer. The ability to work with large, respected MGAs like Rokstone, to provide worldwide access to parametric solutions that utilize both public and proprietary data backed by Lloyds capacity, is an important step in the widespread mainstream adoption of parametric products.
The company has also announced Lucas Kuchta (pictured right) as a broker in its office in Woodland Hills. Kuchta has seven years of experience in the industry, most recently serving as a wholesale insurance brokerage and managing general agency.
Waypoint and One80 share a common focus of bringing innovative products and services to the marketplace. Joining the One80 team will not only provide an enhanced platform to support our business, but also expand our ability to provide solutions to our reinsurance intermediaries and cedents, said Waypoint managing partner Joseph Horan.
Data from AM Best revealed that the five largest writers of workers compensation insurance in Texas during 2023 based on direct premiums written were Texas Mutual Insurance Co, which held a 40.57% market share; Zurich Insurance US PC Group, with 5.63%; Travelers Group, with 5.07%; Hartford Insurance Group, at 4.98%; and Liberty Mutual Insurance Cos, at 3.98%.
This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync.

Data is at the core of the insurance industry. From the smallest independent agencies to the largest legacy carriers, insurance organizations of all sizes house data. This includes distribution channel data like the information collected and stored to license and appoint insurance producers and adjusters, as well as any consumer data these businesses collected in the process of selling policies.

Yep, the insurance industry pretty much runs on data. However, this reliance on sensitive personal and financial information also makes insurance organizations a prime target for cybersecurity attacks.

Cyber attack rates are up in the insurance industry

Over the last decade, the insurance industry has gone through a pretty extreme digital transformation. Agencies, carriers, MGAs, and every other industry player in between have migrated away from manual workflows and legacy systems in favor of more robust digital solutions for their daily operations.

Insurance organizations that prioritize tech modernization offer their employees, customers, and distribution partners a more seamless experience, but theres a price to progress. As the insurance sector migrates toward more digital channels, the risk of cyber attacks increases exponentially.

As we round out Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we figured nows the time to provide an overview of some of the top cybersecurity risks insurance organizations currently face along with a few best practices for protecting your data and your bottom line from an attack.

Key cybersecurity risks in the insurance sector

Data breaches

When it comes to cyber attacks, data breaches are a top concern and one of the most significant threats facing not only insurance organizations, but just about every business across every industry. Even big-name players like Apple and Verizon have fallen prey to data breaches in the past. This is because hackers can access and expose an organizations data through a number of different methods, including:

Malware

Insider threats

Phishing

Ransomware

Application vulnerabilities

Password guessing

And many, many more

In March of 2024, Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Co. experienced a data breach that compromised the personal data of more than 28,000 of their customers. Cyber criminals obtained sensitive information including names, Social Security numbers, bank accounts, and birthdates of Fidelity policyholders through a hack at one of their third-party providers.

Beyond financial losses, insurance organizations may also face legal liabilities, damage to their reputation, and loss of customer and partner trust as a result of a breach.

Social Engineering

Youd never give away sensitive information to someone you dont know (we hope!) but what if you thought the ask came from someone you knew and trusted? Social engineering occurs when a cyber criminal manipulates an individual into giving up confidential information, often by posing as someone the individual trusts. What can look like a harmless email from a coworker asking you to click a link or download a document, might actually be a clever way for hackers to infiltrate your systems and compromise your data.

Once hackers gain access to a system through social engineering, they can quickly deploy other attacks like distributing malware or data breaches, causing even more financial and reputational damage.

Theft and Fraud

The shift to more digital channels and touchpoints means a significant number of financial transactions in the insurance industry occur online. While this makes things easier and more convenient for everyone involved in insurance distribution, it also opens businesses up to a higher risk of fraud.

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting insurance companies to commit fraud. From identity thefts to more complex schemes like claims manipulation, each year insurance fraud costs the industry an estimated $308 billion.

Protect your data and your bottom line by following these cybersecurity tips

While no company is 100 percent immune to a cyber attack, there are ways to lessen your risk. Insurance organizations can follow these tips to ensure their data is locked down, compliant, and safe from external threats:

Tip No. 1: Require multi-factor authentication across all systems

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) has quickly become a standard of data protection in many industries, and insurance is no exception. MFA ensures that before a user logs into a system they have gone through at least two different points of authentication.

Typically, MFA involves a user entering their standard login credentials along with a one-time passcode sent to them via text or email. Having multiple identity verification checks makes it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to sneak in by stopping attackers at a second authentication stage even if a password is compromised.

Tip No. 2: Prioritize ongoing security awareness training

As frontline defenders, employees play a vital role in identifying and mitigating risks like phishing attacks, fraud, and data breaches. Offering (or better yet, requiring) regular training sessions can equip your team with the knowledge and skills they need to recognize potential threats.

By demonstrating a commitment to ongoing cyber-security training, you foster a culture of vigilance at your organization. And because we in the industry know how quickly things can change and new innovations can arise, continuous training is a must. Ongoing education ensures your employees stay up to date on the latest threats and best practices, reinforcing their understanding of compliance requirements and security protocols.

Tip No. 3: Create an incident response plan

In the unfortunate event that your data is compromised, its always a good idea to have a response plan in place. Rather than panicking post cyber attack, creating a plan for recovery is a proactive approach that can help minimize damage, reduce downtime, and preserve your overall reputation.

A well-defined plan improves preparedness by identifying potential vulnerabilities and outlining strategies for recovery. When crafting your plan, make sure to define clear procedures and responsibilities for responding to different incidents. And dont forget to update and test your plan regularly to ensure employees are familiar with their roles.

Tip No. 4: Assess your third-party vendor data hygiene

Using third-party vendors is on the rise in the insurance sector. With more insurers and agencies partnering with third-party providers for at least one component of their digital transformation, an organizations data security success depends on the security and preparedness of any software is partners with.

To ensure your systems, as well as any vendors you may partner with, are secure, compliant, and capable of safeguarding sensitive information, your organization needs a solid security framework. SOC 2 is a powerful framework designed to help businesses navigate the complex landscape of data protection and regulatory compliance.

More specifically, a SOC 2 Type II audit assesses any controls and processes a business has related to data security, availability, confidentiality, and privacy. Choosing vendors whove performed a SOC 2 Type II audit helps insurance industry businesses:

Protect consumer data

Maintain compliance

Build customer and partner trust

Improve operational efficiency

Mitigate risk

Gain a competitive advantage

And thats just to name a few of the benefits!

Data security should never be an afterthought

With more data and more breaches, the ability to be resilient to cyber attacks is quickly becoming a core requirement for insurance organizations. As cyber threats continue to evolve, prioritizing data security from the outset ensures that robust defenses are integrated across all operational processes.

The best way to avoid a cyber attack is to stay diligent in assessing and updating you organizations security standards and cyber-hygiene practices, along with that of any software vendors you work with.

If youre considering partnering with AgentSync for more modern and seamless producer licensing and compliance management at your carrier, agency, or MGA/MGU, then you can breathe a sigh of relief. Our products are built on a zero-trust architecture and we are more than happy to walk you through all the ways in which we prioritize your data security. To learn more, check out a demo, or talk to an AgentSync expert today.

Topics Cyber Data Driven
A man was arrested on suspicion of intentionally setting brush fires in Massachusetts during a time of dry conditions that have led to blazes throughout the Northeast, police said Monday.

Police said they arrested the 72-year-old Attleboro man during a traffic stop Saturday after an extensive search that included the use of video surveillance. The fires happened in his home city.

The man did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday. It wasnt clear whether he had an attorney to speak on his behalf.

The suspicious brush fires occurred last week throughout Attleboro, about 40 miles south of Boston. They occurred at an Elks Lodge, a reservoir, a wastewater facility and an animal shelter, police said.

The Attleboro man was also under investigation for other fires in the city at the time of his arrest, police said. He was scheduled for a court appearance later Monday.

Much of the Northeast, including Massachusetts, has seen a dangerous uptick in brush fires during a dry autumn.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Law Enforcement Massachusetts
The lawyer for a former cast member of the Real Housewives of New York told a federal judge Thursday that the First Amendment cannot shield the shows creators from a lawsuit alleging that the shows participants were subjected to a rotted workplace culture.

Attorney Sarah Matz said the lawsuit brought by Leah McSweeney earlier this year should advance to the stage where evidence can be gathered for trial.

Adam Levin, a lawyer for defendants including entertainer Andy Cohen, one of the shows producers, and the Bravo channel, told the judge that the lawsuits allegations were protected by the First Amendment and that it should be dismissed at a stage in which the judge is required to assume the allegations are true.

The judge did not immediately rule on the future of the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages for mental, emotional, physical pain along with impairment of lifes joys and lost future earnings.

The lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court alleges that McSweeney, who suffers from alcoholism, was pressured to drink booze on the show and was retaliated against when she wanted to stay sober or was denied reasonable accommodations to aid her efforts at sobriety.

It also alleges that the defendants employed psychological warfare intentionally weaponized to break Ms. McSweeneys psyche, particularly when she was intimidated and prevented from visiting her dying grandmother through threats to cut her pay or fire her if she left the filming location.

They knew she was trying to be sober, Matz told the judge. The show is not called the Drunk Housewives of New York City.'

The judge, who said he had never seen the show, asked each side numerous questions and seemed inclined to, at a minimum, strike some allegations from the lawsuit that pertained to events on camera.

Levin told him the lawsuit should be tossed in its entirety. He said ruling in favor of the claims made in McSweeneys lawsuit would kill some television and Broadway stage shows if the First Amendment did not protect the producers of shows.

Particularly when it comes to a reality television show, the cast member becomes the message of the show and you cant separate the person from the speech, Levin said.

What are the limits a director can do to induce the behavior the director wants? the judge asked as he questioned whether a director could demand that show participants not sleep for two days before filming or subject themselves to a physical assault just before they go on camera.

Levin said there were limits to First Amendment protection for the creators of a communicative show, but he said they were narrow in scope. McSweeneys lawsuit, he said, did not fall within the narrow exceptions, such as when a producer might commit a criminal felony offense during the production of a show.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation New York
Prosecutors report that a New York insurance broker has admitted his role in a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme involving nursing homes he owned across the country,

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced that Joseph Schwartz, of Suffern, New York, pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to charges of willfully failing to pay over employment taxes withheld from employees of his company, and willfully failing to file an annual financial report with the Department of Labor for the employee 401K benefit plan.

Schwartz ran a vast, multistate nursing home empire, but cheated taxpayers out of more than $38 million so he could line his own pockets. Having admitted his crime, he will now be held accountable, said Sellinger.

Schwartz, an insurance broker and operator of Skyline Management Group LLC, with headquarters in New Jersey, failed to pay employment taxes relating to numerous health care and rehabilitation facilities that Skyline operated in 11 states.

According to court documents, in order to finance the expansion of Skyline, Schwartz sold his insurance business for approximately $22 million. As part of that transaction, Schwartz entered into an employment contract with the buyer of his insurance business wherein he received an annual salary of $300,000 and the right to collect commissions from the buyer for selling insurance policies to Skyline-owned facilities and their employees. As Skyline acquired more health care and rehabilitation facilities, he sold more insurance policies for the buyer of his business, and received larger commissions.

Schwartz, based on promises of a significant return for his investment, persuaded a Skyline associate to invest at least $6 million in Skyline to assist him in the purchasing and operation of the health care facilities. He created a staffing and management services entity for approximately 15,000 employees of the various Skyline-owned health care and rehabilitation facilities. In 2018, Schwartz transferred the employees of approximately 89 health care facilities to seven such staffing companies, one for each state where the facilities operated. Schwartz controlled the finances of the staffing companies, even though each one was nominally owned by other individuals.

According to the indictment, Schwartz was required to collect and pay over to the IRS all taxes withheld from the pay of employees of Skyline and related companies. From October 2017 through May 2018, Schwartz caused taxes to be withheld from employees pay but failed to then pay over more than $38 million in employment taxes to the IRS. Instead of using the funds withheld from the staffing companies employees to pay payroll taxes as he was required to do, Schwartz used the funds for his own personal gain and for other unrelated expenses of the staffing companies, according to the indictment.

Also, the indictment asserts that as an administrator of the Skyline 401K plan, Schwartz further had an obligation to file an annual Form 5500 financial report with the Secretary of Labor for calendar year 2018, but knowingly and willfully failed to file the report.

The employment tax fraud count is punishable by a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. The failure to file a Form 5500 related to the retirement plan count carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for April 10, 2025.

Topics Agencies Fraud New York
Citing the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene in southwest Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin submitted a request to President Joseph Biden, President-elect Donald Trump and Congressional appropriators for $4.4 billion in federal support.

Youngkin said the aid is needed to support recovery efforts given the damage to farms, homes, local businesses, critical infrastructure and tourism assets. The requested funding would support the rebuilding and recovery efforts across 36 localities in southwest Virginia.

While our Office of Hurricane Helene Recovery and Rebuilding continues to work collaboratively with our federal, state, and local partners, the severity of the impacts in Southwest Virginia require accelerated federal support. Given the urgent need for action, I respectfully requested assistance from our federal partners to support Virginias recovery needs as they work through the federal disaster supplemental funding, said Youngkin.

A Virginia Economic Development Partnership analysis found direct and indirect economic impacts of more than $2 billion across the southwest region of the state from Hurricane Helene. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, 310,000 residents were without power and electric distribution infrastructure was severely damaged. In terms of transportation impact, 484 primary and secondary roads, as well as 118 bridges were closed.

As of November 12, FEMA has had nearly 10,000 applications for individual assistance and almost 3,000 requests for inspection of damaged or destroyed homes in the area. As of late October, nearly 3,700 farms had been impacted by the storm resulting in more than $630 million in direct, and future financial impact to Virginia farmers and their communities, according to the analysis.

Additionally, the governor requested assistance with rebuilding trails and park infrastructure and revitalizing local tourism after the Virginia Tourism Commission reported it expects to see a substantial decline in visitor spending this year due to damage to recreation ad tourist facilities.

President Joseph Biden this week asked Congress for $98.6 billion in additional emergency disaster relief for the billions of dollars in damage caused by the back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton. The administration warned that current federal relief funds are running low.

The administrations request includes $40 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief fund to address disaster costs through fiscal year 2025. It also includes $24 billion for the Department of Agriculture to provide help to farmers recover from crop or livestock losses, aid with debris removal, repair rural infrastructure, and grants for food and nutrition programs.

Bidens request also includes monies to fix housing, transportation, and water systems and to maintain health care services in hurricane-hit areas.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Hurricane Virginia
T-Mobile US Inc. was able to contain a recent network breach before it reached customers phones, according to people familiar with the matter.

Hackers accessed edge-routing infrastructure and gained unauthorized access to a limited number of devices, including a T-Mobile-owned-and-operated router, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing nonpublic information. When T-Mobile detected the suspicious activity, it booted the hackers from its systems.

The company detected reconnaissance activity aimed at reaching deeper layers of the network, but customer data wasnt accessed because T-Mobile caught the intrusion at such an early stage, the people said.

T-Mobile knows where the intruders entered its network and is highly confident the method used for access is gone, the people said.

The attack shared some characteristics with intrusions by Salt Typhoon, a Chinese hacking group that has targeted US telecommunications networks in recent weeks. T-Mobile hasnt identified the responsible party. The people couldnt identify the hackers and didnt say when the intrusion took place.

US officials said last week that Chinese state-sponsored hackers perpetrated a broad and significant cyber-espionage campaign in which they breached multiple telecommunications companies to steal customer call records and compromise communications belonging to a limited number of people in government and politics.

The hackers targeted Vice President Kamala Harris staff, President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance, as well as staffers for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, according to Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley.

To the extent we know, they were successful perhaps in garnering at least some of the communications of these individuals and their staff, Hawley said at a hearing Tuesday.

China has denied the allegations, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian saying last week that his nation had no interest in interfering in other countries internal affairs through cyberspace.

We also oppose spreading China-related disinformation due to political agenda, he said at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Nov. 15 that Bellevue, Washington-based T-Mobiles systems were among those hacked. The newspaper previously reported that AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and Lumen Technologies Inc. were among those targeted in the Salt Typhoon campaign.

A day later, a T-Mobile spokesperson confirmed that the company was among those breached by Chinese hackers.

We have not seen significant impacts to T-Mobile systems or data, and have no evidence of impacts to or exfiltration of any customer information, the company said in an email.

Cisco Systems Inc. routers were involved in the breaches at AT&T, according to a person familiar with the matter. The attackers manipulated settings to siphon off the information they wanted, the person said. Most of the activity the carrier has found is on the routers, but they are such big networks its not clear if all the activity has been detected.

A Cisco spokesperson didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

In its statement released last week, US officials said it was possible more victims would emerge. They didnt identify the affected telecommunications companies.

Photo: A T-Mobile store in New York. Photographer: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber
The Library of Congress has notified lawmakers of a cyber breach of its IT system by an adversary, a hack of emails between some congressional offices and library staff, according to an email obtained by The Associated Press.

The library said that an adversary accessed email communications during the period from January to September.

The matter has been referred to law enforcement, the library said. Authorities gave no immediate information on the attacker, including whether their identity was known.

The Library has mitigated the vulnerability that the adversary used to access the environment and has taken measures to prevent such incidents in the future, the library said in the notification.

NBC News first reported the breach.

The Library of Congress operates across from the U.S. Capitol within the complex grounds. It is the largest library in the world, according to its website, and it holds millions of books, films and video, audio recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections.

The Library is also the main research arm of Congress, and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.

In the notification about the breach, the library noted that the House and Senates information technology networks, including individual House and Senate email accounts, were not compromised in any way.

It said an adversary accessed email communications between congressional offices and some Library staff, including the Congressional Research Service, compromising the information obtained in those emails.

The notifications said the U.S. Copyright Office systems were not impacted by the breach.

The library said it is in the process of analyzing which email communications were accessed and would contact specific congressional offices and staff members with more information.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cyber
A federal judge in Delaware on Monday dismissed a lawsuit filed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee against social media giant Meta over advertisements using his name and image to sell CBD products.

Huckabee, a Baptist minister and President-elect Donald Trumps nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Israel, claimed Meta allowed and profited from the advertisements that falsely claimed he used and endorsed CBD gummies. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one the main active ingredients in marijuana but does not, by itself, provide the high caused by psychoactive THC.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, argued that it was immune from liability under Section 230 of the Federal Communication Decency Act.

U.S. District Judge Gregory Williams rejected that claim. He concluded, however, that Huckabee, a political commentator and two-time presidential candidate, had failed to allege valid claims for invasion of privacy, unjust enrichment and violation of Arkansas Publicity Protection Act.

Williams agreed with Huckabee that, in collecting user data and using algorithms to determine which posts and advertisements appeared at the top of users newsfeeds, Meta was an information content provider that was not immune from liability for the illegitimate ads.

The judge nevertheless determined that Huckabee failed to demonstrate that Meta knew the ads were fake, or that it was at least aware of facts and circumstances that would give rise to such knowledge. Huckabees assertion that Meta approved and maintained the ads with actual malice or reckless disregard for their truthfulness was merely a mere conclusory statement, Williams wrote.

It is not reasonable to infer that Meta entertained serious doubts about the asserted advertisements since Governor Huckabee has publicly denounced marijuana, the judge wrote. There is no allegation that Meta was required to conduct due diligence on the truth of the asserted advertisements. Even if there was, such requirement would be insufficient to infer malice.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Legislation Cannabis
Insurance carriers may want to examine policy language  and what information they request from insureds  after the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a lower courts ruling which could force Argo Group to cover claims that a wood-treating company caused a South Carolina fence builders cancer.

The Supreme Court this week declined to hear an appeal from Argonaut-Midwest Insurance Co., a specialty insurer that had written commercial liability coverage for a treating company later purchased by Koppers Performance Chemicals Inc. The declination to hear the case essentially upholds a U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeal ruling from June that found that Argos policies, while ostensibly for Koppers Hawaii operations, applied nationwide.

The 4th Circuit judges explained that the treating operations were in Hawaii, as Argo had argued, but the policy language does not limit coverage to that state.

The policies define policy territory, in relevant part, as (1) the United States of America, its territories or possessions, or Canada,' the appeals court noted. Nowhere do the policies expressly limit commercial general liability coverage to bodily injury arising out of the Hawaii locations listed in the policies.

The court applied Hawaii contract and insurance law, interpreting the ambiguity in the policies in favor of the insured. But the case began a half a world away, when fence builder Phillip Riley and his wife sued New York-based Koppers and other lumber companies in 2014.

Riley alleged that he had developed cancer from years of exposure to chromated copper arsenate, the green-tinted, arsenic-containing compound that was widely used for decades to make lumber resistant to decay, fungus and termites. The federal government in 2003 struck an agreement with the wood industry to end the use of arsenate, but CCA is still employed for some in-ground lumber applications. Rileys lawsuit, like thousands that were filed across the country, contends that Koppers and others failed to warn of the dangers of CCA before it was discontinued.

When Riley may have been exposed to the toxins proved to be a key point in the case. Argonaut-Midwest noted that the Koppers policy period was from 1979 to 1982, when Riley was just a toddler, well before he began working in his familys fence business. A lower court found that Koppers initial complaint, in its suit against Argo after lawsuit defense and coverage was denied, did not clearly allege that the injury happened during the policy period.

But the 4th Circuit judges pointed out that Argo, after the lawsuit was filed, had requested more information from Koppers about the dates of Rileys alleged exposure. In response, Koppers provided Rileys deposition testimony, in which the fence builder said he had been exposed since birth due to the familys regular use of treated lumber in its long-running fence business. Riley grew up in the business locale and later worked in the fence operations.

The appellate judges found that this information should have prompted a duty to defend the lawsuit against Koppers. The 4th Circuit cited previous court rulings that held that extrinsic information, outside of a lawsuit complaint, can alert an insurer to the possibility of coverage.

Rileys deposition testimony indicated that Riley was alleging exposure since birth. That was enough to trigger a duty to defend, 4th Circuit Judge Marvin Quattlebaum wrote in the June opinion. Accordingly, Argonaut has failed to show that there is no genuine issue of material fact as to whether a possibility existed that Koppers would have incurred liability for a claim covered by the policies in the Riley lawsuit.

The case now goes back to the federal district court in South Carolina to determine the extent of Argos legal defense and coverage liability for Koppers. Because Argonaut alleges that its duties to defend and indemnify hinge on its counterclaims, we remand this matter for further proceedings, the 4th Circuit judges wrote.

Argo Group, a subsidiary of Brookfield Wealth Solutions, and its attorneys in the case declined to comment on the court decisions.

Topics USA
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  Almost two months after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on western North Carolina, Republican lawmakers grilled officials Monday over how they handled two other hurricanes that hit the state several years ago.

As part of a massive $3.9 billion Helene recovery package presented to legislators last month, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper included a request for more money to finish housing projects in eastern North Carolina still pending from Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018. The overall request included $175 million more for the state Homeowner Recovery Program to complete work related to those previous storms. On Monday, officials from the governors administration raised that amount by 26% to $221 million.

Last month the Republican-dominated Legislature offered just $30 million toward wrapping up recovery efforts from the previous storms.

On Monday, GOP lawmakers sounded loathe to provide much more money to programs they believe have been run inefficiently.

Weve given you every opportunity, weve given you every tool you asked for, Republican Rep. Brenden Jones said during Mondays subcommittee hearing in Raleigh. I mean, if you were a business coming to my bank asking for money, I certainly wouldnt loan you anything.

The recovery office said recently that while over 2,800 families affected by Florence and Matthew have returned to housing through the Homeowner Recovery Program, about 1,500 others that qualified are still waiting for assistance to be completed.

Rebuilding homes after a disaster is complicated, its expensive, it takes more time than just building a subdivision, said Pryor Gibson, a legislative lobbyist of Coopers administration who testified Monday.

Without the necessary funding, Laura Hogshead, chief operating officer for Recovery and Resiliency, said pausing the projects is an option on the table.

Lawmakers have previously criticized the recovery office and Coopers administration for what they considered slow action, though the organizations leaders have blamed the COVID-19 pandemic, rising construction costs and labor shortages.

Frustrations hit a flashpoint in the middle of Mondays hearing when Jones asked Hogshead if she would resign given the offices performance. Hogshead refused.

Photo: Homes in a debris field after Hurricane Helene in Pensacola, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Hurricane North Carolina
GULFPORT, Miss. (AP)  A Mississippi Gulf Coast restaurant and its co-owner it were sentenced Monday on federal charges of mislabeling inexpensive imported seafood as local premium fish.

Mary Mahoneys Old French House, founded in Biloxi in 1962 in a building that dates to 1737, was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay nearly $1.5 million. That included a $149,000 criminal fine and $1.35 million in forfeiture for some of the money it received from fraudulent sales of seafood, the Justice Department said.

Mahoneys co-owner/manager, Anthony Charles Cvitanovich, 55, was sentenced to three years of probation and four months of home detention. He was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. On May 30, Cvitanovich pleaded guilty to a felony Information charging him with misbranding of seafood during 2018 and 2019.

Misbranding foreign seafood as premium, locally caught fish hurts the Gulf Coast seafood industry and defrauds customers that paid to taste the real thing, U.S. Attorney Todd Gee said in a news release Monday.

The restaurant pleaded guilty May 30 to conspiracy to misbrand seafood and wire fraud. Prosecutors said the misbranding scheme began as early as 2002 and continued through November 2019.

The restaurant admitted that between December 2013 and November 2019, the company and its co-conspirators at a Biloxi seafood wholesaler fraudulently sold as local premium species about 58,750 pounds (26,649 kilograms) of seafood that was frozen and imported from Africa, India and South America.

The court ordered the restaurant to maintain at least five years of records describing the species, sources and cost of seafood it acquires to sell to customers, and that it make the records available to any relevant federal, state or local government agency.

In a related case, a Mississippi Gulf Coast seafood distributor and two managers pleaded guilty Aug. 27 to conspiring to mislabel seafood and commit wire fraud by marketing frozen imported fish as more expensive local species.

Quality Poultry and Seafood Inc. agreed to forfeit $1 million and pay a $150,000 fine, the Justice Department said. The companys sales manager Todd A. Rosetti and business manager James W. Gunkel, both of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, also pleaded guilty to misbranding seafood.

Sentencing for QPS, Rosetti and Gunkel is set for Dec. 11.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
U.S. officials would allow increased logging on federal lands across the Pacific Northwest in the name of fighting wildfires and boosting rural economies under proposed changes to a sweeping forest management plan thats been in place for three decades.

The U.S. Forest Service proposal, released last week, would overhaul the Northwest Forest Plan that governs about 38,000 square miles in Oregon, Washington and California.

The plan was adopted in 1994 under President Bill Clinton amid pressure to curb destructive logging practices that resulted in widespread clearcuts and destroyed habitat used by spotted owls. Timber harvests dropped dramatically in subsequent years, spurring political backlash.

But federal officials now say worsening wildfires due to climate change mean forests must be more actively managed to increase their resiliency. Increased logging also would provide a more predictable supply of trees for timber companies, officials said, helping rural economies that have suffered after lumber mills shut down and forestry jobs disappeared.

The proposal could increase annual timber harvests by at least 33% and potentially more than 200%, according to a draft environmental study. The number of timber-related jobs would increase accordingly.

Harvest volumes from the 17 national forests covered by the Northwest Forest Plan averaged about 445 million board feet annually over the past decade, according to government figures.

Cutting more trees would help reduce wildfire risk and make communities safer, the study concluded. That would be accomplished in part by allowing cuts in some areas with stands of trees up to 120 years old  up from the current age threshold of 80 years.

The change could help foster conditions conducive to growing larger, old growth trees that are more resistant to fire, by removing younger trees, officials said.

A separate pending proposal from President Joe Bidens administration aims to increase protections nationwide for old growth trees, which play a significant role in storing climate change-inducing carbon dioxide.

Much has changed in society and science since the Northwest Forest Plan was created, Jacque Buchanan, regional forester for the Forest Services Pacific Northwest Region, said in a statement. He said the proposal would help the agency adapt to shifting conditions, as global warming increases the frequency of droughts and other extreme weather events.

The proposed plan also calls for closer cooperation between the Forest Service and Native American tribes to tap into tribal knowledge about forest management. Tribes were excluded when the 1994 plan was crafted.

Environmentalists greeted the proposal with skepticism. The group Oregon Wild said it was deeply troubling that the Forest Service would release the proposal just ahead of a change in presidential administrations.

It appears that the Forest Service wants to abandon the fundamental purpose of the Northwest Forest Planprotecting fish and wildlife and the mature and old-growth forests they need to survive, John Persell, an attorney for the group, said in a statement.

During former President Donald Trumps first term, administration officials sought to open millions of acres of West Coast forest to new logging by stripping habitat protections for the imperiled spotted owl. The move was opposed by government biologists and reversed under Biden.

A draft environmental study examined several potential alternatives, including leaving the existing plans components in place or changing them to either reduce or increase logging.

A timber industry representative who co-chaired an advisory committee on the Northwest Forest Plan said the proposed plan resulted from discussions involving committee members, the Forest Service and others.

We want to see a modern approach to federal forest stewardship that protects us from catastrophic wildfires, reduces toxic smoke, meaningfully engages tribes, and delivers for our rural communities and workers, said Travis Joseph, president of the American Forest Resource Council.

The publishing of the proposal begins a 120-day public comment period. The Forest Services environmental review is expected to be completed by next fall and a final decision is due in early 2026.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire
A Northern California city has agreed to pay nearly $1 million to settle a lawsuit alleging police used excessive force after a K-9 dog bit into a womans scalp during her arrest, requiring her to get more than 200 stitches and other treatment.

Talmika Bates will receive $967,000 from the city of Brentwood, located about 60 miles east of San Francisco in Contra Costa County, her attorneys announced.

Bates, who was wanted on suspicion of shoplifting items from a makeup store, was hiding in bushes when the German Shepherd bit her head during the arrest in February 2020.

The woman required more than 200 stitches in her head, tissue rearrangement and laceration repair. Shes been diagnosed with mild diffuse traumatic brain injury, mild post-traumatic brain syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to her attorneys.

We need to recognize that K-9s are dangerous, sometimes lethal, weapons that can cause life-altering damage or kill someone even when an officer is trying to get them to release and relent, said civil rights attorney Adante Pointer. Here we saw a trained K-9 handler stand by while his dog mauled an unarmed young lady who was surrendering.

The settlement comes six months after a federal judge stripped the officer handling the police K-9 of some of his qualified immunity protection, because the extended amount of time he allowed his dog to bite Bates could be considered by a jury as excessive force, her attorneys said.

Brentwood Police Chief Timothy Herbert said the city and its insurance providers agreed to settle the case to avoid further litigation and appeal costs.

The lone claim by Ms. Bates in this litigation was excessive force per the Fourth Amendment. In the litigation, the District Court ruled that Officer Rezentes lawfully deployed his canine in this search  and that he had a lawful right to use his canine to apprehend Ms. Bates under the Fourth Amendment, Herbert said in a statement.

Herbert said the police department currently has no working K-9 officers.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Law Enforcement
David Rubenstein is best known for co-founding Washington, D.C.based private equity giant the Carlyle Group. After a stint in law and politics, Rubenstein turned to leveraged buyouts and made a fortune. Today, the Carlyle Group manages billions of assets for a wide range of U.S. and international institutional investors, earning Rubenstein a reputation as a master fundraiser."

Here's an overview of how David Rubenstein made his billions and built one of the worlds largest private equity firms.

Key Takeaways David Rubenstein grew up with little income and needed scholarships to attend college.

He started out in law, then realized he wasnt very good at it and got bored.

He then worked in politics, serving President Jimmy Carter.

Rubensteins move into finance was inspired by former U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary William Simons story of striking it rich from a leveraged buyout.

This led to Rubenstein and his two partners creating the private equity firm the Carlyle Group.

Early Life and Schooling

Born in 1949, Rubenstein was an only child and lived in a small, low-income community in Baltimore, Maryland. His mother was a homemaker, while his father, who never made more than $7,000 a year, worked as a postman.

Rubenstein's mother wanted him to become a dentist, but he wanted to serve in public office after watching the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy when he was 12 years old. He said that Kennedy's famous statement during the historic eventAsk not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your countryinstantly struck a chord with him.

As a result of his family's small income, Rubenstein had to depend on scholarships to go to college. He studied political science at Duke, getting by on scholarship, loans, and working part-time, then secured a full scholarship to study law at the University of Chicago Law School.

Career Before Carlyle

With a law degree under his belt, Rubenstein immediately joined the prominent New Yorkbased law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Not long after, he began to think about a new career path.

Rubenstein claimed whenever he thought about leaving and communicated this to the firms he was working for, none of his partners or clients pleaded with him not to leave. He took this as a sign that he wasn't that great a lawyer. "I wasn't going to be a Richard Posner; I wasn't any kind of legal genius," he says.

Between 1975 and 1976 Rubenstein changed paths, serving as chief counsel to Senator Birch Bayh on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments. He subsequently got a position in the Jimmy Carter presidential campaign. After Carter took office in 1977, Rubenstein was appointed deputy assistant to the President for domestic policy. His term abruptly ended four years later when President Carter lost reelection.

A New Leveraged Buyout Firm Was Born

Following Carter's election defeat, Rubenstein initially had trouble finding a job. He was unemployed for six months but eventually returned to practicing law. However, he quickly became dissatisfied with his job.

One day, Rubenstein came across a newspaper article about former U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary William Simon. After Simon's tenure with the government, he and his partner, Ray Chambers, purchased Gibson Greeting Cards with $1 million of their own money and $79 million worth of debt in what is known as a leveraged buyout. They then made the company's operations more efficient and took it public for $290 million.

A light bulb went off in Rubensteins head when he read the story. It was the first time he had heard about leveraged buyouts. Originally, he planned to recruit a team of finance professionals interested in starting a private equity firm that could employ him as a legal consultant, but he couldn't find anyone interested in forming a new firm.

So, in 1987, Rubenstein and two other partners went about launching a private equity firm of their own. The company was called the Carlyle Group, named after the Carlyle Hotel in New York City, where some of the initial company meetings were held.

Rubenstein is also a best-selling author and generous philanthropist.

At that time, private equity firms were predominantly headquartered in New York City, but Carlyle was formed in Washington, D.C. Rubenstein thought that he could raise a lot more capital by telling investors that they were focusing on acquiring businesses heavily affected by the governmenthence, their location.

Rubenstein and his team were able to raise $5 million to get Carlyle off the ground. Of that figure, $3 million was allocated to actual investments, while the remainder was used for operating expenses. One investor that backed Carlyle was the well-established investment house, T. Rowe Price (TROW).

Until 1990, Carlyle raised money on a deal-by-deal basis. Their first buyout fundraised $100 million from investors. The funds were used to acquire a number of businesses. Since then Carlyle has raised billions of dollars from investors in the United States and abroad for more than 100 different funds.

In 2012 Carlyle went public, raising $671 million in an initial public offering (IPO).

Today, Rubenstein works at the company as co-chairman. He shares that responsibility with his co-founder William E. Conway, Jr. Daniel A. D'Aniello, the other co-founder, stepped down as chairman in 2018 and now serves as chairman emeritus.

How Much Is David Rubenstein Worth? David Rubensteins net worth, as of Nov. 13, 2024, is $4.0 billion, according to Forbes. His net worth has fluctuated over the past few years. He was said to be worth $3.7 billion in 2021 and $2.7 billion in 2019.

How Much Did David Rubenstein Pay for the Magna Carta? Rubenstein paid $21.3 million for a rare 727-year-old copy of the Magna Carta at a Sotheby's auction in New York City in 2007. His actual bid was $19 million, but fees and commissions raised the final figure to $21.3 million. Rubenstein said he bid because he was determined to see the Magna Carta remain in the U.S. and the National Archives, where it has been on display since 1988.

How Did Rubinstein Get Rich? Rubenstein became rich turning the Carlyle Group, a leveraged buyout shop he co-founded, into one of the largest private equity firms in the world. As of Sept. 30, 2024, the Carlyle Group has $447 billion in assets under management.

The Bottom Line

David Rubenstein made his fortune by collecting management fees from investors who gave him money to invest on their behalf. With a background in law and politics, Rubenstein co-founded the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm that invested in companies heavily affected by the government.

Today, Carlyle is one of the largest and most diverse private equity firms in the world. The company is responsible for allocating capital in a number of sectors for institutional investors around the world.
ANKENY, IOWA - November 20, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The Iowa Biodiesel Board is celebrating a milestone in the adoption of biodiesel blends, with sales in 2023 reaching 486.5 million gallons, nearly tripling from the 160.8 million gallons recorded in 2007. The news comes from the state's new Biofuel Tax Credits Program Evaluation Study, published by the Iowa Department of Revenue.

"This remarkable growth reflects Iowa's forward-thinking legislation and sustained commitment to renewable energy, solidifying the state as a national leader in biodiesel production and consumption," said Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board and senior director of market development for the Iowa Soybean Association.

State incentives, including a producer's credit, a fuel tax differential, and a retailer's credit, including a credit for sales of 30% biodiesel and above (the nation's first), played a critical role in this success. These incentives offer financial support to retailers who sell biodiesel blends, effectively making biodiesel more accessible across Iowa and helping drive a significant increase in biodiesel's share of Iowa's diesel market. In 2007, biodiesel blends accounted for 22.6% of total diesel sales in Iowa; today it represents 58.7%.

"Thanks to Iowa's proactive biofuel policies, we're seeing impressive growth in biodiesel usage, which provides cleaner fuel options and drives economic benefits for Iowa's communities and the agricultural sector," Kimberley said. "This legislative support allows us to build on our renewable energy infrastructure, creating local jobs and strengthening our state's commitment to sustainability."

Kimberley noted that by increasing soybean oil value, biodiesel supports an estimated 13% of the price per bushel of soybeans.

In recent years, Iowa's Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Program (RFIP) has made significant contributions to expanding biofuel infrastructure, funding over 1,300 biofuel projects across the state. This investment underscores Iowa's dedication to maintaining its leadership in the biofuel sector and driving growth in the agriculture industry, benefiting both consumers and local farmers.

IBB Chair Nathan Nolte, who serves as sales manager of renewable fuels for biodiesel producer AGP, added: "As Iowa continues to invest in biofuels and strengthen its legislative framework, the state stands as a testament to how renewable energy initiatives can successfully integrate into and bolster local economies. With sustained support, Iowa is well-positioned to drive biodiesel adoption even further and continue serving as a model for states across the nation."

Biodiesel is made from agricultural byproducts and co-products, such as soybean oil.

About the Iowa Biodiesel Board

The Iowa Biodiesel Board represents the biodiesel industry in Iowa, from the farmers who grow the feedstock, to production, through distribution to end users. Founded by the Iowa Soybean Association, IBB operates an independent organization and board. For more, visit IowaBiodiesel.org.

More Info:

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The youth employment rate has hit its highest level in nearly 16 years, with half of people aged between 15 and 24 now working, new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows.

Between July and September, the youth employment rate was 50.9%, the highest it has been since the end of 2008.

Across all demographics, the estimated number of people in employment, aged 15 to 89, during the third quarter, stood at 2,794,800, which was up 3.7% compared with a year ago.

The estimated total labour force stood at 2,924,400, which is an increase of 98,200 compared to last year.

The estimated participation rate was 66.6%.

Chief economist at Goodbody, Dermot OLeary, said that there are two major sources of labour for the ongoing, extraordinary rise in employment levels in Ireland.

Over the last year, employment of Irish nationals grew by 2.3%, while employment of other nationalities grew by 9.6%

This took the share of non-Irish employment to a new high of 20.2%, Mr OLeary said.

While arrivals from Ukraine have played a role in this over recent years, it is the case that most migrants are coming to Ireland to fill relatively high-skilled jobs in numerous sectors, he said.

Female participation at all-time high

Female participation in the workforce is at an all-time high of 61.6%, he said, and this is also contributing to overall employment growth.

The potential additional labour force for the quarter was 129,400.

The data show that the employment rate for people aged 15 to 64 was 75.3%, a slight increase of 1.1% compared to the same period last year.

Approximately 21% of people, or 585,700, work part-time, with 127,500 being classified as under-employed.

The number of self-employed people dropped by 500, year on year, to 344,800.

The largest increase in employment by economic sector was seen in professional, scientific, and technical activities, which increased by 21,400 people. The largest decrease in employment was in administrative and support service activities, which were down 8,300 year on year.

The estimated total number of hours worked per week increased by 2.4m, or 2.9%, to 85.9m.

The largest increase was seen in the accommodation and food services sector, with 700,000 more hours logged compared to last year.

The unemployment rate stood at 4.5% for the quarter.

There were 27,100 people in long-term unemployment, a decrease of 4,200.
There was no change to Irish pig price on Friday, with producers reporting quotes ranging from 2.08-2.12 available from processors in ROI.

The SPP (Standard Pig Price  no premium) in the UK reported by AHDB currently is 2.03/kg (2.44/kg), while the APP All Pig Price, the average price for all pigs, is 2.058/kg (2.47/kg).
Cork poet Louis de Paor says its time Ireland had a grown-up conversation about our native language. On visits to primary schools around his adopted Galway, he is struck by the wealth of languages among children, as well as their openness to learn more.

Those kids, who might be speaking Urdu or Polish at home, never have a problem learning Irish. Often, they are the most attuned to linguistic differences and bilingualism. The Anglophone world is rare in thinking monolingualism is normal. The idea that one language fits all the world is, and can be, makes no sense, says De Paor, back in his hometown to read at OBheals Winter Warmer poetry festival.

The 63-year-old father-of-five simply cant imagine Irish not being an essential element of our formation as children, young adults, and adults. Far from being draconian on the topic, he notes that students leave school a lot later now, so there may be some room for choice in their final years.

In that case, the basic principle of rewarding difficulty should be extended to those who undertake a more challenging course, including native speakers of Irish and others whose language skills are comparable. Why should mathematical ability be rewarded and not advanced skills in other subjects such as Irish?, says De Paor, director of the Centre for Irish Studies at UCG.

The value of literature also might not be immediately clear, he suggests, recalling his parents generation who learned off reams of poetry.

It was only in later life that they made sense of them because the words explained life to them in a way that they hadnt foreseen. These things may not resonate for ten or twenty years.

While De Paor has been promoting Irish for many years in academic, literary and other circles, some of the most powerful advocacy for the language has come in the past year with the rise of Kneecap. The Corkman is excited about the Belfast rappers, even if he does have some reservations about them.

I have a real issue with the celebration of drug culture, but in every other aspect I think Kneecap, the hip hop trio from West Belfast, are exhilarating; they capture the excitement of being young. The message is fantastic  words and language are powerful, a substitute for violence rather than a prelude to it. Thats what the cultural nationalism of the 19th and early 20th century was all about.

Hes similarly impressed by the creative cooperative Aerach Aiteach Gaelach  who bring together queer identity and the Irish language. They have a very public presence, and they are normalising queerness and the language in a fascinating way, he says.

Theres a growing momentum in the celebration of the language in general, he believes.

You know there is something going on when political parties who did nothing for the Irish language put Irish on their posters. They dont mean to declare their hypocrisy there. They feel there is something to exploit.

RECENT COLLECTION

Although De Paors wife, Shirley Bourke, jokingly tells him he knows nothing about women (having grown up in a house of boys and men), Irish women feature heavily in his new collection: Ce a Mharaigh Emma Mhic Mhathuna?

The title of the book is in honour of Emma Mhic Mhathuna, the Kerry-based woman who died from cervical cancer in 2018, having had two tests that came back negative. The poet contrasts how Mhic Mhathuna sounded speaking in English on Morning Ireland, with how she sounded speaking in Irish on Radio na Gaeltachta a few days before.

In English, she sounded broken. She sounded funny, warm, bold in Irish. I wrote the poem not long after she died, he says.

The collection also has a poem about the other late cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan. I was raging when I wrote it. There is a poem also for Sinead O Connor  for her capacity for forgiveness and reconciliation, says De Paor.

Ce a Mharaigh Emma Mhic Mhathuna? , by Louis de Paor

The poet has long been deeply political and, as the election campaign ramps up, he expresses great dissatisfaction with the current status quo.

In the end were all culpable because our rage only lasts a day before the next outrage. Were very slow to act on our collective sense of anger when something happens. A homeless man dies outside Dail Eireann and you think the world is going to stop and it doesnt We have no sense of collective agency, and our political system seems to thrive on that. It is a stasis he resents.

Simon Harris was the Minister for Health when Emma Mhic Mhathuna died, and now he is the Taoiseach. Not only is there no shame, no accountability, and no responsibility, it seems people can flourish and progress to the next level.

Another poem in the collection, written after the last general election, explores how the two parties who he describes as having been sharply rebuked by the electorate, came together to exclude the most popular vote.

If the established parties refuse to talk to another party, then there is no chance of change. They should negotiate with all parties in good faith. The gap between them is not so great.

BACK TO HIS ROOTS

Born in Cork in 1961, Louis de Paor is always happy to come home.

Im up and down to Cork all the time. I have six brothers living in Cork. I am completely at my ease there. My children, when they were young, would give out about me faking the Cork accent, but Id tell them its the rest of the time Im faking it.

Paul Casey organises the O Bheal poetry events in Cork. Picture: David Keane

Cork is a poetry hub, according to this prodigal son. There is plenty going on elsewhere, but I dont think its parochialism to say what Cork offers to poets is special. There is a level of public engagement there that is fascinating. The work being done by Patrick Cotter and the Munster Literature Centre is extraordinary. And Paul Casey in O Bheal too, organising festivals where you are being offered a guaranteed audience. He describes Cork as a hospitable place for difference and diversity.

There is a form of creative listening in Cork that is discerning, and I think its a trigger for further writing, and people feel that when they are on stage. This isnt only about English and Irish; we have a genuinely exciting landscape now of multiple languages.

LINK IN THE CHAIN

Louis de Paors collection, which he will no doubt share at the Cork event, has great lightness and hope in it too. He highlights one poem for which there is a translation, entitled 'Sli na Firinne' or Here after. The poem traces a line between his own parents and his grandchildren.

"The child stands between us,

a lantern telling us theres no need

to be afraid anymore:"

He was thrilled when this poem was chosen to be displayed in the Poetry in the Park series by Patricia Looney of Cork City Library.

My daughter and granddaughter took a picture of it in Fitzgeralds Park. My daughter was born a stones throw away in the Erinville, and I was born up the other way in the Bons. My parents were still around when my granddaughter was born. I see myself as a link in that chain. My grandparents were born in Cork at the start of the last century and my grandchildren, hopefully, will live to the end of this one. I wont be around, but I am part of that. That idea is also central to this collection, alongside the rage in it. The Irish language arguably serves the same purpose for De Paor  acting as a vital link between what is past and what is, excitingly, yet to come.

O Bheals Winter Warmer festival of poetry takes place at Nano Nagle Place in Cork, November 22-24. Louis de Paor will read on Saturday at 9.30pm. See www.obheal.ie/blog/

Other highlights of the Winter Warmer festival

Theo Dorgan is a poet with ten collections published, the most recent being Once Was A Boy, the One City One Book choice for Cork City Libraries 2024. Friday, 7pm.

Emma McKervey is an award winning poet from County Down. Her first collection The Rag Tree Speaks was published by Doire Press, and Highland Boundary Fault was published by Turas Press in May 2024. Friday, 9pm

Paula Meehan and Theo Dorgan both read at the Winter Warmer Festival. Picture: Denis Minihane

Lorenzo Mari has published seven poetry collections so far; the most recent ones are: Ornitorinco in cinque passi (2016), Querencia (2019) and Soggetti a cancellazione (2022). Friday, 9.30pm

Paula Meehans award-winning poetry has garnered widespread popular and critical acclaim. She has been translated into many languages; recently Japanese & Dutch with collections forthcoming in Spanish, Polish, Greek. Saturday, 7pm

Strive Theatre and new Cork band MacBochra will present a work in progress performance of their bilingual theatrical collaboration Goll  an experimental theatre work fusing music, poetry, film, dance and storytelling. Sunday, 3.30pm
This time is unlike any I have experienced in Crawford Art Gallery before. Each day coming to work means another artwork has been moved, crated, or even exited the building entirely.

In place of the thrum of visitors and excited school groups, the sound of power tools and a new energy pervades the air. Yes, it is strange to see the collection being packed up, but more so it feels exciting, even invigorating.

Although I have worked here since 2018, my connection is a much longer one, stretching back through years of tour guiding to my very first visit in the autumn of 2001.

The focus of my role as Curator of Collections & Special Projects over the past few years has been on exhibition-making, so to see exhibitions being de-installed and gallery spaces emptied is the opposite of the norm.

Our final suite of exhibitions  From Source to Sea and Now You See It  are currently coming down off the walls, with our registrar, conservator, and team of technicians carefully assessing these paintings and sculptures for packing and transport.

One by one, visitor favourites like John Laverys The Red Rose, Mary Swanzys Samoan Scene, and John Butts View of Cork from Audley Place have been de-installed, leaving more and more gaps in our storied gallery spaces. Soon, even Sean Keatings iconic Men of the South will follow suit, and the building will truly feel poised for change.

That being said, nostalgia hasnt quite set in yet, although I am already anticipating the poignant moments of seeing my own favourite artworks being packed up and not being able to see them again for a few years. Thats pretty emotional actually, and I know that our last visitors before Septembers closure felt it keenly too.

Samuel Forde, Fall of the Rebel Angels (detail), 1828. Picture courtesy of Crawford Art Gallery

The tragic tale of Fall of the Rebel Angels

Chief among these artworks will be one of the largest in the collection. Fall of the Rebel Angels (1828) by Samuel Forde is monumental both in its physical scale and artistic vision. At almost three metres in height, this painting looms large in my own career as it was the centrepiece of the first exhibition I worked on as a curator in 2014.

It currently hangs in the Sculpture Galleries amongst the very plaster casts that the artist himself studied two centuries ago when the Cork School of Art was founded in 1819. Alongside his classmates, Daniel Maclise and John Hogan, Forde was something of a child prodigy and quickly established his reputation as one to watch. His life, however, was to have a tragic outcome.

Having completed a religious triptych for Skibbereen Cathedral in November 1827 (now in St Barrahanes Church, Castlehaven), the young artist contracted tuberculosis, and his health rapidly declined. He commenced work on Fall of the Rebel Angels in February 1828, but it would remain unfinished upon his death the following July at the tender age of just 23. Purchased by the Penrose family, the painting was nonetheless hailed as a masterpiece in its own time and has been in Crawford Art Gallerys care since 1911.

What will we be doing while the gallery is closed?

We are already working with colleagues across the museum sector  and across the island  to share parts of the collection during our closure period.

Some of these partnerships are yet to be announced, but we already have loans out to Aras an Uachtarain and Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin, Hillsborough Castle in Co Down, and Doneraile Court and Michael Collins House in Co Cork.

It's quite an exciting aspect of the job, working closely with colleagues in other institutions to facilitate as active a loans programme as we can reasonably manage.

In all, we will be sharing approximately 6% of the collection across the closure period. Were passionate about ensuring our part of the national collection is as mobile as is practical and that the public can have new encounters with these national treasures in sometimes unexpected contexts.

Many of the artworks from the Crawford have already been moved offsite.

I quite like the idea that these artworks will get to add to their stories and have experiences away from their home in the heart of Cork City before they come back to a renewed Crawford Art Gallery in 2027.

The other 94% of the artworks will be undergoing essential care of the collection while in storage, according to a meticulous plan drawn up by our registrar, Jean ODonovan, and conservator Chiara Chille.

To be part of Crawford Art Gallerys growth at this once-in-a-lifetime point of change is truly a privilege. I have known this collection all my adult life and feel reassured that it is being cared for so expertly.

I am daily reminded of how brilliant the gallerys team is and the magic tricks they continually play are simply remarkable. Theres a lot of hard work yet to do but we are looking towards an exciting future already in the planning.

All going to plan, Samuel Fordes Fall of the Rebel Angels will be back in the building in plenty of time for its 200th birthday!
Its not the most pleasant of things to plan for but making financial provisions for your funeral can be a very practical step.

A recent survey found that more than eight in 10 Irish people said they have not set aside funds or made arrangements for their funerals.

In addition to this 26% of these said they have no plans to ever do so.

The survey from Gallagher found that people believe the cost of a funeral would come in at under 5,000, while the remainder believe it could be above this figure, with some even estimating costs of more than 10,000.

Jonathan Roche-Kelly, Director of Financial Services for Gallagher in Ireland says that understandably, people dont relish the prospect of thinking about their own funeral, which could be why so few people have put plans in place.

However, its not surprising that the older respondents were much more likely to have done this with one-third of individuals aged 55 or over having already made such plans.

"Funerals in Ireland can indeed be costly affairs, and peoples perceptions of the costs vary widely, much like the actual expenses involved.

"Based on market research, funeral prices can 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.

There are many factors that will impact the cost of a funeral such as the type of service, coffin selection and the location of the service.

Gallagher did research among some funeral directors and they found that one Dublin-based funeral director quotes between 3,500 to 8,500 for a funeral while another quotes 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.

People can underestimate or simply not consider the planning and costs around funerals. In a time of high emotional strain on the loved ones of the bereaved, this can simply be an added source of anxiety, says Mr Roche-Kelly.

Not everyone has the financial capacity to make provisions for when they pass away. But if you are in a position to plan ahead, then understanding the potential costs and taking a proactive approach can help in the long run.

It can be worth sitting down and looking at ways of saving for a funeral or allocating funds for the expense.

If there is a dispute about who should pay for a funeral if there has been no financial provision made then Citizens Information says that the personal representatives of the deceased are entitled to make the decisions in this scenario.

The personal representatives are the executors of the will or the people who are administering the estate if there is no will.

They also say that if you need financial support, you may be eligible for an Additional Needs Payment, which is a single payment to help with essential, once-off, exceptional costs and the payment is means tested.

You will have to provide details around income, savings and insurance policies that the deceased family member may have had to cover funeral costs.

They also say that ideally, you should apply for funeral assistance before the funeral takes place. If not, you should apply as soon as possible afterwards.

Another option would be the local Credit Union  and around half of credit unions in Ireland offer Death Benefit Insurance (DBI).

DBI is designed to pay a benefit to help pay for end of life expenses, such as funeral expenses.

Some credit unions offer this free to members, while other credit unions offer it as a whole of life member pay insurance cover, called Death Benefit Plus, which members can buy themselves online.

According to the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU), death benefit insurance pays a fixed lump sum in the event of death and they added that there are some terms and conditions to meet for inclusion.

They say that members should check with their local credit union for details of any death benefit insurance offered.

There are also 250 credit unions that provide Loan Protection and Life Savings insurance covers to their members currently.

The loan protection life cover is designed to clear a loan in the event of death while Life Savings benefit can pay a benefit to the person nominated by the deceased member.

Many Credit Unions also have a nomination facility where you can nominate someone to receive the property of your credit union accounts upon your death.

This is of particular benefit if the member dies without leaving a will as the property left in the credit union will not have to pass through the sometimes time consuming intestacy process, an ILCU spokesperson said.

A member can nominate a person of choice to receive their property presently up to a maximum value of 27,000 in Ireland. Any amount in excess of 27,000 will form part of the deceased persons estate.
Manifest has been named Cambridge Dictionarys word of the year for 2024, after celebrities such as pop star Dua Lipa and gymnast Simone Biles spoke of manifesting their success.

The term, which has gained traction on TikTok and other social media, was looked up almost 130,000 times on the Cambridge Dictionary website this year.

Editors said this made it one of the most-viewed words of 2024.

Wendalyn Nichols, Publishing Manager of the Cambridge Dictionary, said the word manifest had increased notably in look-ups this year.

Its use widened greatly across all types of media due to events in 2024, and it shows how the meanings of a word can change over time, she said.

Dua Lipa told this year of manifesting her headline slot at Glastonbury Festival.

Dua Lipa said she manifested her headline slot at Glastonbury (Yui Mok/ PA)

Lexicographers said the term to manifest has evolved to be used in the sense of to imagine achieving something you want, in the belief that doing so will make it more likely to happen.

Dr Sander van der Linden, author of The Psychology of Misinformation and Professor of Social Psychology at Cambridge University, cautioned that the idea of manifesting success has no scientific validity.

Manifesting is what psychologists call magical thinking or the general illusion that specific mental rituals can change the world around us, he said.

Manifesting gained tremendous popularity during the pandemic on TikTok with billions of views, including the popular 3-6-9 method which calls for writing down your wishes three times in the morning, six times in the afternoon and nine times before bed.

This procedure promotes obsessive and compulsive behaviour with no discernible benefits. But can we really blame people for trying it, when prominent celebrities have been openly manifesting their success? Manifesting wealth, love, and power can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment. Think of the dangerous idea that you can cure serious diseases simply by wishing them away."

There is good research on the value of positive thinking, self-affirmation, and goal-setting."

Simone Biles also mentioned manifesting her success at the Paris Games (Mike Egerton/PA)

Believing in yourself, bringing a positive attitude, setting realistic goals, and putting in the effort pays off because people are enacting change in the real world. However, it is crucial to understand the difference between the power of positive thinking and moving reality with your mind  the former is healthy, whereas the latter is pseudoscience.

The oldest sense of the word manifest  which English poet Geoffrey Chaucer spelled as manyfest in the 14th century  is the adjective meaning easily noticed or obvious.

In the mid-1800s, this adjective sense was used in American politics in the context of manifest destiny, the belief that American settlers were clearly destined to expand across North America.

Chaucer also used the oldest sense of the verb manifest, to show something clearly, through signs or actions.

Shakespeare used manifest as an adjective in The Merchant of Venice: For it appears, by manifest proceeding, thatthou hast contrived against the very life of the defendant.

The verb is still used frequently in this way: for example, people can manifest their dissatisfaction, or symptoms of an illness can manifest themselves.

Lack of confidence in a company can manifest itself through a fall in share price.

The meaning of making something clear is reflected in the related noun manifesto: a written statement of the beliefs, aims, and policies of an organization, especially a political party.
Migrants have become a convenient scapegoat for years of under-investment in services, Fiona Hurley of Nasc migrant and refugee rights group said.

Issues like access to healthcare, school places and affordable housing have been weaponised against migrant groups when these are actually systemic issues that pre-date an increase in refugees coming to Ireland, she said.

It is now important a false narrative that the Irish public is hostile to migrants is not created, Ms Hurley said.

Opinion polling consistently shows that Irish people still remain largely positive towards migrants to Ireland. An August 2024 survey found that 64% of people agree that Ireland should welcome people who move here to make a better life, Ms Hurley said.

We need to be cautious that some very loud anti-migration voices aren't allowed to dominate the public discourse.

Unfortunately issues like access to healthcare, school places, affordable housing have all become weaponised against migrant groups.

The reality is that all of these are systemic issues that pre-date the war in Ukraine or the increase in number of asylum seekers coming to Ireland.

Migrants have become a convenient scapegoat for years of under-investment in services and some Irish people have been pulled away from viewing migrants as people.

This has been amplified by irresponsible social media platforms that actively push hateful or dehumanising content onto our feeds.

Local communities need to be listened to when they're worried about availability of GP care or school places or transport links but the realities must be separated from the fearmongering, she said.

There's a lot of anger about years of under-investment from successive governments but migrants are not to blame for this.

We need to do a better job at distinguishing between good faith concerns where there's an openness to finding solutions and the type of fearmongering that is leading to violence and intimidation.

Some far-right activism has led to tents being set on fire, asylum seekers being assaulted and volunteers being harassed and intimidated, but the vast majority of Irish people are horrified by this, Ms Hurley said.

'Many of us scrolling through our social media feeds may not recognise that what we are watching, reading and hearing is often part of an engineered campaign of misinformation and dehumanisation.'

There is a second more insidious element to this on social media that people are less aware of.

Many of us scrolling through our social media feeds may not recognise that what we are watching, reading and hearing is often part of an engineered campaign of misinformation and dehumanisation.

Social media companies have confirmed how their algorithms are contributing to this in a negative way.

Metas own internal research reported that 64% of all extremist group joins are due to our recommendation tools Our recommendation systems grow the problem.

Research by Sam Doak, a journalist with Sky News, earlier this year found that a small number of American accounts are trying to create division by driving anti-immigration sentiment on Irish social media.

We would like to see strong enforcement around the Digital Services Act requiring social media platforms to be far more transparent around their content moderation policies and to act on illegal content and disinformation.

Local and migrant communities across Ireland also need significant support in recognising and responding constructively to division in their community, both online and in-person, Ms Hurley said.

We need to see public representatives and authorities take a very clear stance on this, in public policies and media engagement but also in the more private, direct engagement with members of their communities.

But immigration may not be as big an issue in the general election as some would say, she believes.

The majority of voters are mostly concerned with the everyday issues in their lives such as the cost of living, healthcare and housing.

Rather than scapegoating immigration, the reality is that our economy and our healthcare service have benefitted enormously from immigration. One in five workers in Ireland are not Irish citizens.

In 2023, nearly four in every 10 of Irish doctors registered with the Irish Medical Council were trained outside of Ireland and 23% of all nurses and midwives employed by the HSE were from outside of Ireland.

We strongly believe that everybody deserves a roof over their head, access to healthcare, and a safe community to live in.

Nasc and our partners in the STAD [Standing Together Against Direct Provision] Coalition will be promoting the importance of higher targets and delivery of social and affordable housing, social inclusion and long-term solutions for migrant integration  solutions which will benefit everyone in our society."
Gardai are using, for the first time, an online reporting tool on their social media sites to allow members of the public identify or name people wanted in relation to a criminal investigation.

As part of a year-long probe into last Novembers Dublin riots, gardai have uploaded images of 99 people captured on CCTV.

The high-quality stills have been mainly taken from inside stores subject to looting, with other photographs from outside shops or from streets during the disorder.

After the photo gallery was uploaded on to the Garda website on Tuesday morning, it was overwhelmed with people accessing the images and the system crashed for a while.

The 99 individuals are separate, and in addition to, the 57 people already arrested in relation to the looting and rioting, which saw three Dublin buses and one Luas destroyed by fire, 15 garda vehicles and two fire brigade tenders damaged and 66 businesses attacked.

Garda management made the decision to set up an online reporting tool as efforts to identify the 99 people internally did not produce any leads.

This may suggest that some, or many, of the people have not been arrested before and may have no, or limited, criminal history and seized on an opportunity to steal goods.

The people photographed are categorised by gardai as persons of interest, with gardai stressing some of the people may be able to rule themselves out of investigation.

Within hours, five people were identified and their images removed from the gallery.

Gardai are hopeful the photo gallery will spark a response, particularly as most of those in the images are not masked and the quality of the picture in the bulk of them is good.

Most of the people in the photographs are male and there are people from various ethnicities, including white Irish, and a small number appear to be juveniles.

Many of those in the photographs are either carrying runners or shoe boxes, in some cases a number of them.

Gardai have the full footage before and after the stills that have been uploaded, giving them a better picture of their involvement.

While gardai have published photographs of people wanted in relation to investigations before, including on RTE's Crimecall, they confirmed this is the first time they have created an online tool on their social media sites for people able and willing to provide identifying information about suspects.

They also said the appeal was on a "larger scale" than ever before.

The Garda boss leading the investigation, Chief Superintendent Patrick McMenamin, assured people that anyone providing information would be treated in the strictest confidence.

Garda press officer Liam Geraghty said people could provide their emails and names if they wanted to, but gardai are happy to receive information anonymously, as they do on Garda confidential phone lines.

Chief McMenamin praised the stellar work of his investigation team, which, as part of its inquiries, gathered 17,000 hours of CCTV footage, the viewing of which was a slow and laborious process.

The investigation has so far resulted in:

57 arrests and 53 charges;

14 people have been convicted in the District Court for public order offences;

11 other people are currently before the District Court;

One conviction in the higher Circuit Criminal Court, in which a man pleaded guilty in relation to arson (setting a garda car on fire) and violent disorder;

Four people are before the Circuit Court.

Chief Supt McMenamin said the rioting on November 23 went on for a number of hours and caused significant reputational damage for Dublin City.

He said he did not think it affected the reputation of gardai.

He said the actions of rioters on the night had left many traumatised and said 13 gardai were injured.
A 32-year-old man who stole over 13,000 by diverting a Greek companys payment to a supplier to his personal bank account in North Cork through an invoice redirection scam was jailed for 18 months.

Judge Helen Boyle imposed the sentence of two years with the last six months suspended on Rupi Munteanu of The Meadows, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.

He pleaded guilty to a money-laundering charge arising out of the investigation at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Detective Garda Paul OShea said the international investigation, Boxplot, uncovered the invoice re-direction of over 13,000 from Greece to Mr Munteanus account and soon after the cash landed it was taken out by electronic transfer and ATM withdrawals.

The 32-year-old had 53 previous convictions, including 10 for theft.

Emmet Boyle, defence barrister, said the accused man was always going to be caught as he used his own name and address to open his bank account, and as soon as he was questioned he admitted responsibility.

Mr Boyle said the defendant received a payment from others for allowing his account to be used for this offence. He said Mr Munteanu brought 500 to court, which the barrister acknowledged was a derisory offer in the context of the actual loss for the Greek company.

Judge Dermot Sheehan said the offence was at the lower end for such crimes.
China Railway launches rail transport trial for electric vehicle batteries

Xinhua) 09:13, November 20, 2024

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departs from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China. A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Zhang Ziyu)

CHONGQING, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- China Railway has conducted its first large-scale trial transportation of lithium batteries for electric vehicles.

On Tuesday, three trains loaded with lithium batteries departed from Chongqing Municipality, Sichuan Province and Guizhou Province, all of which are located in southwest China.

For China, the world's largest producer of lithium batteries, this is a major step forward in the transportation of these vehicle batteries, which are listed as dangerous goods and were previously transported only by sea or road.

The transport of lithium batteries is risky as they may burn or explode if jolted.

"For the trial run, we are using a new type of container designed solely for the transport of lithium batteries. The containers are made of non-combustible materials and equipped with smoke and temperature detectors and venting devices," said Jia Ping, deputy general manager of China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd.

Rail transport will facilitate the export of Chinese lithium batteries as it has a larger capacity than road transport and is faster than sea transport, Jia said.

The trial has been welcomed by Chinese battery giant CATL. "This trial rail transportation is further recognition of the safety performance of domestic lithium batteries," said Liu Jie, who is in charge of CATL's supply chains and logistics.

"Rail transport opens up a new channel for the efficient transportation of lithium batteries. It will boost our exports by reducing logistics costs and improving logistics efficiency," said Liu.

An aerial drone photo shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departing from Yibin Port in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Zhuang Geer/Xinhua)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is about to depart from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes at Dulaying international land-sea logistics port in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is about to depart from Yibin Port in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Zhuang Geer/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departing from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is about to depart from Yibin Port in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Zhuang Geer/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes about to depart from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is pictured at Dulaying international land-sea logistics port in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes about to depart from Yibin Port in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Zhuang Geer/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes at Dulaying international land-sea logistics port in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departing from Dulaying international land-sea logistics port in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Long Jianrui/Xinhua)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is pictured at Dulaying international land-sea logistics port in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Long Jianrui/Xinhua)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is about to depart from Yibin Port in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Zhuang Geer/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes about to depart from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is about to depart from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is pictured at Dulaying international land-sea logistics port in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes about to depart from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
BUDAPEST, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Hungarian National Museum in Budapest inaugurated on Tuesday the exhibition "Chinese Xieyi - Art from the National Art Museum of China," as part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Hungary and China. The art exhibition showcases the historical origins of a kind of poetic aesthetics of Chinese culture, known as Xieyi or freehand brushwork. It is an expression of the harmonious unity of man and nature, representing the essence of Chinese art. The exhibition features 58 pieces of works borrowed from the National Art Museum of China, which combine the form and spirit of traditional Chinese painting and some Western artistic concepts, according to the organizer. Balazs Hanko, Hungarian minister for culture and innovation, gave an opening speech at the inauguration, highlighting the broader context of cultural and academic cooperation between the two nations. "Hungary plays a dual role in Central Europe, being part of the West while actively engaging with the East," he said, linking the exhibition to the country's Eastern Opening policy. Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao said the exhibition is not only a wonderful presentation of cultural and artistic exchanges between China and Hungary, but also a testimony of the friendship between the two peoples. "Over the past 75 years, the friendship between the two countries has become increasingly solid, the peoples have become closer to each other, and the public opinion basis for cooperation between the two sides has become more profound," he noted. He is confident that this exhibition will enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and deepen cultural and artistic exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. Gabor Zsigmond, general director of the Hungarian National Museum, emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening bilateral ties, noting that a concurrent Hungarian exhibition is being held in Beijing. The exhibition has already toured internationally and will run until Jan. 5, 2025, in Hungary.
A 63-year-old man accused of causing serious harm to his wife by pouring boiling water on her as she slept and striking her with a claw hammer confessed to the crime today.

Noel Twomey was arraigned at Cork Circuit Criminal Court and he pleaded guilty to each of the three charges against him.

His senior counsel Seamus Roche asked the judge to extend free legal aid for the preparation of a psychiatric report and a GPs report on the accused in advance of sentencing.

Judge Helen Boyle acceded to that application and adjourned sentencing until February 12, 2025. The accused was remanded in continuing custody until then.

As this aspect of the case was being finalised today Mr Twomey spoke up from the dock: Your honour, can I say something there for a while?

Judge Boyle said: You can talk to your legal advisers and they will talk to you.

He pleaded guilty to production of a claw hammer and two counts of assault causing serious harm to his wife, once by pouring boiling water on her and a second time by striking her with the hammer.

When the case against Noel Twomey, of 18 Carbery Grove, Knocknaheeny, Cork, first came before Cork District Court, Detective Garda Brian Murphy testified that the accused man flagged down a garda patrol car while soaked in his wifes blood and carrying a bloodstained hammer in a plastic bag at 5am on January 15 at Bakers Road, Gurranabraher, Cork.

Objecting to bail, Det Garda Murphy said: This is very serious. She went to sleep in the safety of her own bed. Noel Twomey made the very conscious decision to boil a pot of water and retrieve a claw hammer from the tool box .. He then entered his bedroom where his wife slept and attacked her in a cowardly fashion as she lay asleep.
A 28-year-old man had sexually explicit text communications with a 15-year-old boy in Cork amounting to over 2,500 messages over a nine-day period until the boys father went to his local garda station with his son to report it.

The investigation that followed included a search of the mans home and the seizure of phones and computers where over 9,000 files of child pornography were uncovered.

At Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed a sentence of four years suspended on the accused man, James Varian, of Lios Na Greine, South Douglas Road, Cork.

When the accused man became aware that gardai were investigating, he contacted the 15-year-old boy and told him to purge texts, delete everything, wipe images on his phone that had been communicated between them.

Mr Varian, who is now 31, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography at the house where he lived at Ringmahon Road, Cork, on January 6, 2022, and a charge of using information and communication technology to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child.

Detective Sergeant Brendan Corry gave evidence in the case, stating that gardai were contacted in January 2022 by the teenagers father who had become aware of the sexually explicit text communications that had taken place over a nine-day period around the Christmas holiday period of 2021/2022.

The communications were all via the Telegram app. When the man came to the garda station to alert them to the sexually explicit communications his son accomapnied him. The 28-year-old man was identified to gardai.

Soon afterwards James Varian contacted gardai and said he understood that they might be looking for him. The Protective Services Unit of An Garda Siochana were notified and an investigation began.

Images and videos

As well as the communications with the child, the large quantity of child pornography discovered included 7,781 images and 1,970 videos. While more that 1,000 images and over 300 videos were in the most serious category depicting children witnessing or engaged in sexual acts, the majority of the images were computer generated images of child pornography.

Jane Hyland, defence senior counsel, said of the accused: He has high levels of anxiety and autistic traits. He is not minimising or rationalising what he did and he did express empathy for people harmed in the making of child pornography and said how deeply sorry he is for his actions.

Judge Dermot Sheehan said that as soon as the defendant got wind of the complaint he contacted gardai to hand himself in.

The contact between Mr Varian and this child was highly inappropriate where sexual matters were communicated between the then 28-year-old and the child.

He was 28 at time, 31 now. He is at a very young age. He is working. He has a strong employment history. He went to forensic psychologist and attended counselling. What occurred was wrong. He has traits of autistic spectrum disorder. He has a history of isolation and bullying at school and relied on online communication as an outlet.

This has brought distress and anxiety on him. His family have been significantly distressed and the family of the child have been significantly upset. He has expressed remorse and some empathy. In a letter to the court, he says he is very sorry, he regrets his actions at this stage, and he is looking for a second chance. He has taken steps to deal with his offending behaviour.

He comes before the court without any previous convictions  In all the circumstances I will suspend the entirety of the four-year sentence and he is to come under the probation and welfare service.
An ASTI lunchtime protest outside Colaiste Eamann Ris in Cork as teachers demand fairness for leaving certificate students.

The swift pace of reform of the leaving certificate examination without adequate consultation is of concern to both ASTI and TUI teacher unions.
They travelled to fishing villages and ports all over Ireland, England, and Wales in a desperate bid to find him.

And, after 17 years, his family finally found the answer close to home.

An inquest into the death of Barry Coughlan, who went missing from Crosshaven, Co Cork, in April 2004, heard on Tuesday how, in 2021, his remains were finally recovered from inside his upturned car, which was found on a riverbed just metres from where he had been last seen.

Barry, aged 23 and a fisherman by trade, was last seen alive leaving the former Moonduster pub in the harbour village on the night of April 30, 2004.

At Tuesday's inquest, Barry Coughlan's family paid tribute to An Garda Siochana and the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery team for locating his remains.

His concerned family contacted local gardai the next day and his father, Jim, checked local car parks and travelled to Kinsale which was hosting the Rugby 7s to search car parks and roads in case his son had been involved in an accident.

Barrys sister Donna said he had been in good form that week, and that everything seemed normal with him. She said:

I wouldve known if something was wrong.

When asked by the coroner if there was ever a reason why he would drive a car intentionally into the water, she said: Never in a million years. He was talking about buying a house and was making plans for his future.

Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery team at Hugh Coveney Pier, Crosshaven, Co Cork, in May 2021. Their new sonar scanner helped them discover Barry's car in the water. Picture: Larry Cummins

Retired Garda Sergeant Ger OCallaghan said the garda missing persons investigation included a large-scale land and water search from May 1 to 7, 2004, involving the Coast Guard, Royal National Lifeboat Association, and naval service divers, who searched the water off Hugh Coveney Pier.

Descriptions of Barry and his 98C Toyota car were distributed nationwide, with a focus on fishing ports. Interpol was alerted and appeals were made in fishing trade magazines.

Mr OCallaghan said that while it was clear that Barry was not a candidate to go missing or to do harm to himself, the possibility of him driving off the local pier was considered but the lack of CCTV in the area left gardai with effectively no leads, nothing to go on.

A member of Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery taking part in a training session.

In July 2004, gardai made a public appeal on RTE television to coincide with the Cork Week sailing event and in 2006, now retired Garda Conor Fitzpatrick took part in a BBC production on missing people which featured a full reconstruction of Barrys final movements.

The case was re-examined in 2009 and new witness statements were taken.

The inquest heard how Barrys family travelled to fishing ports on the east and west coast of Ireland, and to ports in England and Wales in a desperate bid to find him.

The breakthrough finally came in 2021, when members of the Cork City missing persons search and recovery team decided to test a new high-tech side-scanning sonar device on the River Owenabue on the day a trawler protest was being mounted in Cork Harbour, when the river would be quiet.

Earlier this year, Marie Barry, accompanied by Cynthia Nodwell and Pauline Carey, presented a cheque from Mayfield Ladies Club to Christy O'Donovan for Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery 'who do tremendous voluntary work all year round'.

They discovered Barrys car on the seabed just off Hugh Coveney Pier and gardai were alerted, and the car was recovered.

Garda Edward Meaney spent two days searching the mud and silt inside, and recovered human skeletal remains, which DNA tests confirmed were those of Barry Coughlan.

PSV inspector Padraig Coughlan, who examined the car, found that its ignition key was in the on position, its engine was running when it entered the water, the windows were up and the driver seatbelt was unbuckled.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death by drowning after hearing Barry most likely drove off the pier into the water.
Imasha Costa, an Irish Examiner journalist and migrant to Ireland, sets out what she feels needs to be done by the next government, whoever they may be, to support the lives of migrants living and working in Ireland.

In this episode, we also took to the streets and got the opinions of some recent migrants on how life in Ireland is going.
Just the other day, I was getting a coffee and ran into a friend, and we got talking about the upcoming general election.

They knew I was working as a journalist, but what they did not know was that I could not vote in this years general election.

Thats so weird, they said. I remarked the same, but there was also a sense of relief within myself.

I mean, it is ironic that I am constantly flooded with headlines and stories of what parties are proposing, what their policies will look like, the launch of manifestos, and of course, the people who are looking at what their next Dail and next Taoiseach could bring in for them.

It has been at least two weeks since the Dail was dissolved, and the canvassing since has been what I would call extraordinaire.

Politicians out on the streets, with other candidates for the constituencies they are in, cameras rolling, phones out, recorders capturing that perfect soundbite, as you see them scrambling for that one vote that could potentially make a difference.

From trying to hook a duck at a fun fair to pouring poor pints of Guinness, is this all that these candidates can give us?

It reminds me of an image circulated across the media ahead of the US Elections of Donald Trump serving fries at a McDonalds. I thought I had seen it all then, but then again, this rigmarole happening in this country right now makes me question that.

I have been living in Ireland for over five years, and have been working as a journalist for nearly three, but I did not expect to see all three major elections for this country in one year.

I am here at my desk scouring through the internet to see which party is actually listening to the peoples voices, and they try to of course, But I feel there is a lack of the migrant voice, my voice  those who do not get a say in the general election.

I have seen some intense campaigning across the year, from all parties. Policies have been put in place  some good, some not that good.

Reducing the mandatory 12 months of needing to work for an employer under a work permit to nine months has allowed migrant workers the liberty to leave their jobs if they need to and find sponsorship elsewhere. This is good.

Increasing the remuneration requirement for a work permit from 30,000 to 34,000 means migrants can make a suitable enough living. This is good.

Introducing an online system to renew immigration appointments means that migrants and international students no longer need to wait over five months to get an appointment from their local garda station. This is great.

However, policies and plans to revoke citizenship by naturalisation, charge asylum seekers for their bed and breakfast as soon as they start a job, introduce a registration system for non-Irish nationals, introduce a new immigration management agency, and not introduce hate speech laws may not be beneficial in the long term.

Instead, I would like to suggest to the new government, whoever they may be, to take into consideration my suggestions here.

Drop the cost of renewing a residence permit card from 300 to 55  in line with what a passport or drivers licence would cost, which is 75 and 55 respectively. According to the Migrants Rights Centre Ireland, this fee of 300 was introduced in 2012 as an austerity measure and has not been reviewed since. In Greece, it costs 16 for a residence permit card, while it costs 20 in Austria and 80 in Luxembourg, according to the group.

Increase the number of hours international students can work under the Stamp 2 visa from 20 to 30 hours. These students work in this countrys hospitality, service and healthcare sectors, they contribute so much to Irish society, yet the significant pressure of the cost-of-living crisis has made it difficult for them to sustain themselves and maintain their studies.

Fast-track family reunification applications for migrants who have been working in Ireland under a work permit. We have migrant nurses working in Irish hospitals who have not seen their children, or their partners, in years and are still waiting for a reply to their applications.

As of this week, the Dublin visa office is only processing applications for this category from July 2023.

Ireland have said they are welcoming to migrants, and that they want them here. They have said that they contribute so much to the economy, and the work sector  especially those who work in the health and hospitality sector.

Those policies I outlined from current campaigns by politicians make me feel that as a migrant, who loves living and contributing to this country, my movements will be controlled for the rest of my time living here.

Does this mean after this election I will forever have to walk around with my papers in my bag and produce them at will if the registration system is introduced? How would the person asking for these documents differentiate between an Irish national who is a person of colour, and a migrant of colour?

I am seeing more anti-immigrant sentiment language being used during this campaigning, control borders, firm with immigration, and we need rules. But, the voice of the migrant has once again been forgotten, has been neglected.

The voice of the migrant currently living in fear after the Dublin riots, the attacks against hotels, and racist attacks in Cork City and across the country.

Imasha Costa: 'I am seeing more anti-immigrant sentiment language being used during this campaigning.' Picture: Larry Cummins

To the politicians on the campaign trail, trying to secure votes, listen to the migrants who are living here on a work permit, saving for themselves and sending money home. Listen to the migrants who have not seen their family in years because they are waiting patiently until they can apply for a family reunification visa or waiting for a reply to their application.

Listen to the migrants who say they are afraid to walk the streets, listen to the migrants who cannot vote in this general election but want to see some change, some support for them.

Do not just nod your head, listen, and take notes. Tackle disinformation, tackle misinformation, debunk false narratives.

As a journalist, I watch the narratives that are being presented by all sides of politics, some make me afraid, and some make me wish I had a voice  that I had a say.

Its ironic isnt it, not being able to have a say in something where everyone keeps talking about you?
With the manifestos all launched by this stage, we now know what the political parties are saying about their health priorities if elected. So what are the big promises being made?

Access to GPs

This has become a real problem in many areas from the northside of Cork City to rural Clare and Tipperary.

Labour would expand GP training places by 20 annually. Fianna Fail would continue the expansion of GP training places adding 1,500 over a five-year term.

Fine Gael would target supports at new doctors especially in rural areas and increase training places by 80%.

There is talk  including from Sinn Fein, Labour, and Fine Gael  of salaried GPs working directly for the HSE in parallel with the self-employed GP system we have already. It is not clear yet how many GPs would line up for that.

Trolleys and overcrowding

University Hospital Limerick has become the face of overcrowding for this Government, but patients at other sites including Cork University Hospital, Mayo University Hospital, and Galway University Hospital also face struggles.

In the Mid-West, the Social Democrats, Labour, Fianna Fail, and Fine Gael pledged to support recommendations from the Hiqa review of health services. Sinn Fein said they would task Hiqa to recommend a location for a second emergency department.

Cork and Galway will see new elective hospitals under plans already underway, with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail committing further to these. No sign in any manifesto of similar funding for the Mid-West however.

Disability

Staffing is a huge issue here and the policies reflect a growing awareness that affected families have votes.

The Social Democrats would bring in a cross-departmental workforce planning strategy including for childrens disability network teams and personal assistant services.

The Green Party would set up disability information and support centres. They would be a one-stop-shop for people with disabilities to link in with public services.

Fine Gael would recruit more therapists. They promised to put the autism innovation strategy on a statutory footing. However, parents already struggling with assessment of needs  which was also legislated for  will likely wait to see how that pans out.

Labour would fund a waiting list initiative to provide assessment of needs for children waiting longest and Sinn Fein committed to funding intellectual disability teams for childrens mental health services.

Fianna Fail would increase investment in adult day services and allow people with disabilities to work more hours without risking social protection payments.

Your health costs

Promises on free GP care started appearing over 10 years ago but so far only children under eight and some adults including over-70s have seen that.

Labour would allocate 70m to extend this to all children under 18.

Fianna Fail would take this to 12, Fine Gael to 18. Also, the Social Democrats would continue the phased roll-out and the Green Party would expand this to 10-year-olds.

Fine Gael will reduce the monthly cost of prescription drugs to 50 and abolish prescription charges, as would Labour.

Changes in medical card thresholds are also promised by various parties including Sinn Fein  this might garner more interest than the changing income thresholds for GP visit cards has done.

Under Fine Gael, free contraception  currently available to women up to 35 years old  would extend to all over 35s. The Social Democrats would also extend this age bracket.

Recruitment

Some of the largest unions including the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation are balloting for industrial action  gearing up for battle with the HSE and whoever sits in the health department on staffing.

All parties pledged to increase the numbers of staff ranging from therapists to hospital consultants.

It is not clear from any of the manifestos yet how this squares with the constant financial pressure being put on the HSE to stop recruiting.

Other eye-catching promises

All parties pledged greater support for cancer care.

Sinn Fein promised an all-Ireland national health system that learns from the best and worst in both jurisdictions and across Europe.

Fianna Fail committed to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children.

The Green Party would bring in a non-means-tested basic income for all carers in the first two years of term.

The Social Democrats will only join a coalition which pledges to appoint a full cabinet disability minister.

Labour would convert vacant HSE properties into staff accommodation.

Fine Gael would develop a national dementia registry to map services in a move towards equity nationally.
US president-elect Donald Trump has indicated that he will again withdraw his country from the Paris agreement and perhaps the UN climate process altogether. The uncertainty this has created was palpable in the negotiation rooms and hallways of the Cop29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, where I wrote this.

I have studied the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its global assessments of scientific knowledge for over 15 years and have followed how its most recent reports are being used in official climate negotiations. As I document in my book, the US and its domestic politics has influenced the organisation of global climate science, and the climate agreements that depend on it, since the IPCC was established in 1988.

From the outset, proposals from the US were influential in the design of a specifically intergovernmental body to provide the world with climate science, rather than one lead by scientists themselves. This gave governments a central role in the organisation and its assessment process. Most notably, governments had line-by-line approval of the most read component of the thousand page IPCC reports: the much shorter Summary for Policymakers.

In the second round of the IPCCs assessment reports in the 1990s, climate scepticism in the US would shape how one of the most important sentences was received  sowing uncertainty that facilitated president George W Bushs rejection of the Kyoto protocol, a precursor to the Paris agreement.

In 1996, the IPCC concluded that the balance of evidence suggests that there is a discernible human influence on global climate. Controversy around the scientific veracity of this finding was initiated by an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, in which an American physicist accused the lead authors of corrupting the IPCC peer-review process.

This uncertainty was mobilised in a 1998 anti-Kyoto protocol petition, which indicated that there was no convincing evidence that human release of greenhouse gases will cause catastrophic heating of the Earths atmosphere and disruption of the Earths climate.

In 2000, soon after taking office, president Bush rejected the Kyoto protocol because, he said, it exempted 80% of the world. In a letter justifying the move, he also cited incomplete knowledge of climate science.

The Bush administrations hostility to climate science would shape IPCC reports throughout the 2000s. Scientists adopted new methods for evaluating scientific uncertainty and ensured a clear line of sight between the main reports and their summaries. For some this made for conservative reports, for others it laid incontestable ground for international climate policymaking.

Put to the test by Trump

The drafting and implementation of the 2015 Paris agreement took place within this context and with US politics firmly in view. An agreement was crafted that would not need senate approval and which depended on national pledges and collective reviews. The strength of this architecture was immediately put to the test during the first Trump presidency.

The IPCCs sixth assessment cycle, which began in 2015, was set to be its most ambitious and costly round of reports. It would play a pivotal role in implementing the Paris agreement by providing the best available science for the global stocktake, where countries assess collective progress towards meeting the long term temperature goal.

However, on taking office, Trump withdrew funding from the organisation, creating a large budget shortfall. When a hugely influential special report on the impacts of warming at 1.5C was published in 2018, the US government along with Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Kuwait, initiated a political struggle when they refused to formally welcome the report at that years climate summit in Poland.

We cannot depend on the US

The Paris agreement attempted to bring science from the IPCC and political negotiation at UN climate talks closer together so that parties could be responsive to the latest knowledge and increase collective ambition over time.

This change in US administration is likely to strengthen efforts by some countries to undo this closer alignment between climate science and politics. The wrangling over the IPCC was on view in the first week of Cop29, as countries wrestled over language to identify the IPCCs role in the second global stocktake.

However, climate action has always been about more than one state. Once Kyoto failed, the architects of the Paris agreement understood that the collective response can never be dependent on the US. Some researchers have observed that, if anything, Trumps first attempt to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement strengthened it.

Even if this time around Trump withdraws from the entire UN climate convention, the US is likely to maintain influence over the process, as it does other global environmental treaties such as the convention on biological diversity.

Trumps election still matters, of course. It slows and delays the transition from fossil fuels and increases the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. A more muted US presence was already detectable in the Cop29 negotiating rooms that I observed.

Trump matters to climate politics, yes. But so does everyone else on the planet, and it is that which is most important to keep in view.

Hannah Hughes is senior lecturer of international politics and climate change at Aberystwyth University. The Conversation
The Pentagon will send Ukraine at least $275m in new weapons, according to US officials.

The move comes as the Biden administration rushes to do as much as it can to help Kyiv fight back against Russia in the remaining two months before president-elect Donald Trump takes office.

The latest tranche of weapons comes as worries grow about an escalation in the conflict, with both sides pushing to gain any advantage that they can exploit if Mr Trump demands a quick end to the war  as he has vowed to do.

President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House (Evan Vucci/AP)

In rapid succession this week, President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the authority to fire longer-range missiles deeper into Russia and then Russian President Vladimir Putin formally lowered the threshold for using nuclear weapons.

US officials contend that Russias change in nuclear doctrine was expected, but Moscow is warning that Ukraines new use of the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, inside Russia on Tuesday could trigger a strong response.

One American official said the US is seeing no indications that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine.

The US officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid package has not yet been made public.

Asked on Tuesday if a Ukrainian attack with longer-range US missiles could potentially trigger use of nuclear weapons, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov answered affirmatively.

He pointed to the doctrines provision that holds the door open for it after a conventional strike that raises critical threats for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia and its ally Belarus.

A US official said Ukraine fired about eight ATACM missiles into Russia on Tuesday, and just two were intercepted.

The official said the US is still assessing the damage but that the missiles struck an ammunition supply location in Karachev, in the Bryansk region.

Rescue workers clear the rubble of a residential building destroyed by a Russian strike in Hlukhiv, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)

The weapons in the new package of aid for Ukraine include an infusion of air defence, including High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as well as 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, Javelin anti-armor munitions and other equipment and spare parts, US officials say.

The weapons will be provided through presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon quickly to pull supplies from its shelves to speed them to Ukraines front line.

Mr Trumps upcoming move to the White House has triggered a scramble by the Biden administration to ensure all the congressionally approved funding for Ukraine gets delivered and that Kyiv is in a strong position going into the winter.

The Biden administration would have to rush $7.1bn in weapons from the Pentagons stockpiles to spend all of those funds before Mr Trump is sworn in.

That includes $4.3bn from a foreign aid bill passed by Congress earlier this year and $2.8bn still on the books in savings due to the Pentagon recalculating the value of systems sent.

As part of the wider effort, the administration also is on track to disperse its portion of a $50bn loan to Ukraine, backed by frozen Russian assets, before Mr Biden leaves the White House, according to two senior administration officials.

The officials, who were not authorised to comment publicly, said the US and Ukraine are now in advanced stages in discussing terms of the loan and are looking to complete the process for the $20bn portion of the mammoth loan that the US is backing.

The goal is to get it done before the end of the year, one official said.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference during the European Political Community (EPC) Summit (Denes Erdos/AP)

Trump has criticised US support for Ukraine and derided Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a salesman while also having praised Putin and touting his good relationship with him.

The president-elect has claimed  without explaining how  that he will end the war in in Ukraine before his inauguration on January 20, saying he will get it resolved very quickly.

Last week, when he addressed supporters from a golden ballroom at a his Mar-a-Lago resort, Mr Trump returned to that pledge but again offered little information before changing the subject.

Were going to work very hard on Russia and Ukraine. Its got to stop. Russia and Ukraines gotta stop, he said.

He has suggested that Ukraine give up at least some of its Russian-occupied territory to settle the war, saying at a rally in late September that if they made a bad deal, it wouldve been much better. They wouldve given up a little bit and everybody would be living and every building would be built and every tower would be aging for another 2,000 years.

Earlier this year, the leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies agreed to engineer the mammoth loan to help Ukraine.

Interest earned on profits from Russias frozen central bank assets would be used as collateral.

Once terms are finalised, the US will send the $20bn to the World Bank, which will in turn disperse the money to Ukraine.

The remaining $30bn will come from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan, among others.
Greek public and private sector workers have walked out in a 24-hour general strike that is disrupting services across the country.

Public transport in the capital has been suspended for several hours and ferries that connect the islands to the mainland are tied up in port during the industrial action.

Medical staff at state-run hospitals and teachers are also participating in the strike, called by unions in protest over the high cost of living.

They have demanded collective wage agreements that were scaled back during Greeces nearly decade-long financial crisis that began in 2010.

Thousands of public and private sector workers have taken part in the strike (AP)

Journalists at Greek media outlets held their own 24-hour strike in support on Tuesday, pulling all news broadcasts off the air for the day, so they could cover Wednesdays general strike.

Protest marches were planned for central Athens later on Wednesday.

Unions have criticised the centre-right government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for failing to tackle inflation and housing policies, which have eroded workers living standards.

Greeces financial crisis saw a quarter of the countrys economy wiped out after decades of profligate spending left it locked out of international bond markets.

Successive international bailouts came on condition the country implement deeply unpopular reforms that included pension and wage cuts that saw poverty and unemployment rates spiral.

Greece has since returned to healthy growth and recently achieved investment-grade status again, but it still retains the highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the European Union.
Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai denied asking then-US vice president Mike Pence and then-secretary of state Mike Pompeo to take action against the city and China at meetings with them during the territorys anti-government protests of 2019.

Lai, founder of the now-closed Apple Daily pro-democracy newspaper, was arrested in 2020 in the crackdown that followed the protests.

He is accused of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to issue seditious publications. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Lai testified about his meetings with former US officials and gave details about his alleged overseas political connections with people in America, Britain and Taiwan, including Taiwan ex-President Tsai Ing-wen and Hong Kongs last British governor, Chris Patten.

But the media tycoon, who also describes himself as a businessman and social activist, said he never tried to influence foreign policy on Hong Kong or China through the people he met overseas or ask them to take action against them.

Jimmy Lais wife Teresa Lai and retired Chinese cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun were at West Kowloon Magistrates Courts (AP)

Lais case is widely seen as a measure of media freedom and judicial independence in the Asian financial hub.

Lai testified in English that he asked Mr Pence to voice his support for Hong Kong, but not for the US government to take any action, saying: Its beyond me.

During the same trip to the US, Lai also met with Mr Pompeo and discussed the situation in Hong Kong with him, noting it was a similar conversation to the one he had with Mr Pence, he said.

When Lais lawyer, Steven Kwan, asked him whether he had requested the US to do something at that meeting, Lai said not to do something but to say something. To voice out its support for Hong Kong.

Beijing promised to retain the former British colonys civil liberties for 50 years when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997. But critics say that promise has become threadbare under the rubric of maintaining national security.

Authorities have used a Beijing-imposed national security law to prosecute many of Hong Kongs leading activists, including Lai and 45 democracy advocates who were sentenced to several years in prison on Tuesday.

Other pro-democracy figures were forced into self-exile or silenced. Dozens of civil society groups have disbanded under the threat of the law.

Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist that the law restored stability to the city following the 2019 protests.

Prosecutors have alleged that Lai asked foreign countries, especially the United States, to take actions against Beijing under the guise of fighting for freedom and democracy.

They pointed to Lais meetings with Mr Pence, Mr Pompeo and US senators in July 2019 to discuss a now-withdrawn extradition bill that sparked the anti-government protests.

The trial is taking place under tight security (AP)

They allege that Lai sought support from the US in sanctioning mainland Chinese and Hong Kong leaders who cracked down on the movement.

Upon entering the court, Lai waved and smiled at his family members, who sat next to the citys Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen.

During the hearing, Lai said that he had introduced former US officials Paul Wolfowitz and Jack Keane to Ms Tsai  whom he called a friend. It was because Ms Tsai wanted to know more about the thinking of then President Donald Trumps administration back then, he said.

Lai said that she knew he was supportive of Trump and she thought he knew a lot about the US because of his links with US think tanks. But he never communicated with Mr Trump, he said.

He said he wanted to help Taiwan to know how to better deal with the US, because the island was the only democracy of Chinese people.

But Lai rejected the idea of Hong Kong independence, saying it was a crazy idea and he never allowed his staff or the newspaper to mention it.

He said he broke into the media world because to participate in delivering freedom was a very good idea for him.

The more you know, the more you are free, he said.

He said the core values of Apple Daily were the core values of the people of Hong Kong, including the rule of law, freedom and the pursuit of democracy.

Lai is the former editor of the now-closed Apple Daily (AP)

In May 2020, a month before the security law took effect, Lai took up the role of executive chairman of Next Digital, the parent company of Apple Daily.

I think its right for me to take up the responsibility of the company if anything happens to it as an owner, he said.

The US and UK governments and a group of independent UN human rights experts have called for Lais release.

Mr Trump was asked on a podcast before his re-election this month whether he would talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping to seek Lais release, and he replied: 100%, I will get him out.

Hong Kong leader John Lee said that mutual respect is important for the development of trade relations and there should be no interference in local affairs.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also raised concerns over Lais detention to Mr Xi in a meeting during the G20 summit in Brazil.

Hong Kongs security minister Chris Tang maintained the prosecution was based on facts.

Lais son, Sebastien Lai, said on Friday that his fathers treatment in prison is inhumane.

He said: My father is now 77 and has spent nearly four years in a maximum-security prison in solitary confinement.
Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye has been charged with possession of an illegal firearm after appearing in a military court days after he was reported missing during a book launch in Kenya.

The former president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party was also charged with soliciting military support in Geneva, Greece and Nairobi to prejudice security of defence forces.

Besigye appeared in the Ugandan court on Wednesday, four days after he went missing in Nairobi and hours after his wife claimed he had been kidnapped.

He was charged alongside FDC member Hajj Lutale Kamulegeya. The pair, who deny all charges against them, were remanded in custody until December 2.

Kizza Besigye is accused of possession of an illegal firearm (AP)

Besigye, who at first appeared without lawyers, rejected government legal representation and said he was not a member of the armed forces and should be tried in a civilian court.

His wife Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS, wrote on the social platform X on Wednesday that her husband was kidnapped on Saturday in Kenya and that she was reliably informed that he was being held in a military jail.

We his family and his lawyers demand to see him. He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail? Ms Byanyima wrote.

Kizza Besigye has stood for president four times (AP)

The Ugandan government has not commented.

Korir Singoei, Kenyas foreign affairs permanent secretary, told local media that Kenya was not involved in the alleged incident.

Besigye, a fierce critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has faced arrest and assault on previous occasions. He was once Musevenis personal doctor and has contested and lost four presidential elections.

Mr Museveni, who has ruled the east African country since 1986, has been criticised by human rights groups over alleged violations against opposition figures.

Besigyes lawyer, the Kampala mayor and FDC member Erias Lukwago, expressed concern that his client was arrested abroad.

For his liberty to be curtailed in a sovereign state like Kenya, and no actions being taken by the Kenyan government against the sister country violating the territorial integrity of Kenya, that is a very serious matter and we are not going to let it lie down, he said.
X Corp., the company formerly known as Twitter, has escalated its legal battle against what it calls an "illegal boycott" of its platform by adding live-streaming platform Twitch as a defendant. The move is part of X's broader antitrust lawsuit targeting organizations and companies that allegedly withdrew advertising from the platform, resulting in significant revenue losses. Previously, X owner Elon Musk accused these advertisers of engaging in a conspiracy to undermine the social media company through a coordinated boycott.

According to a recent report by Reuters, X amended its lawsuit in a Wichita, Texas federal court to include Twitch, a subsidiary of Amazon. The addition stems from Amazon's decision to stop its advertising on X in late 2022shortly after Musk's takeover of the platform. This period was marked by major shifts and controversies, leading several companies to reconsider their presence on X. In the lawsuit, X contends that this widespread advertiser pullout constitutes an unlawful effort to damage its business.

Twitch Joins a Growing List of Defendants

With Twitch now in its sights, X has expanded its list of defendants that already includes key industry organizations like the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) and the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM). These groups have been singled out by X for allegedly orchestrating an organized effort to convince brands to suspend or withdraw their advertising campaigns. Musk has described this legal action as a fight against what he believes is a targeted campaign to deprive X of "billions of dollars" in advertising revenue.

The lawsuit reflects Musk's stated intent to hold companies accountable for what he perceives as a calculated effort to boycott and financially harm his social media platform. X's legal filing demands a jury trial and signals that the company is prepared to pursue the matter without accepting settlements from defendants.

Controversies and Fallout

Elon Musk's outspoken online persona has played a central role in the advertising challenges faced by X. Under his ownership, the platform has seen a surge in controversial content, including what critics describe as unchecked anti-Semitic rhetoric. This led many major advertisers to distance themselves from the platform, citing brand safety concerns. While some companies paused their advertising campaigns, others permanently ended their partnerships with X, compounding the financial toll on the company.

The impact of these advertising decisions has been profound. X's ad revenue has reportedly suffered significant losses, prompting Musk to adopt a combative stance against those he deems responsible. In August, X filed its initial lawsuit against the WFA and GARM, accusing them of conspiring to disrupt its revenue stream. The inclusion of Twitch underscores the expansive nature of X's legal strategy as it seeks to address what it views as a multi-pronged assault on its business.

What Lies Ahead

The ongoing lawsuit could set a critical precedent in the intersection of social media platforms and advertising partnerships. As X pushes forward with its claims, both sides are preparing for potential court proceedings that may offer a clearer picture of the motivations and tactics at play. For now, X's legal battle illustrates a broader struggle over control, influence, and accountability in the digital advertising landscape.
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Brazilian authorities have taken into custody five military personnel in connection with an alleged coup attempt that involved the assassination of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his vice-president just weeks ahead of their swearing-in.

This development represents the first instance in the ongoing investigation where federal police have revealed that those involved in the coup conspired to kill the two individuals, who had recently emerged victorious in a contentious presidential election.

According to the police statement, the majority of those under investigation are military personnel trained in Special Forces, indicating a high level of technical-military knowledge reflected in their plans.

A comprehensive operational plan dubbed Green and Yellow Dagger was uncovered, intended for execution on December 15, 2022, targeting the assassination of the duly elected president and vice-president, the statement outlined.

Among the measures taken are prohibitions preventing the suspects from leaving the country or from communicating with each other.

Jair Bolsonaro demonstrated against Brazils prohibition of X/Twitter in September. Reports suggest the former president may be implicated in the assassination scheme.

Investigations suggest that the criminal organization utilized a significant level of technical-military expertise to strategize, coordinate, and implement illicit activities during November and December 2022, the statement added.

Mr. Lula triumphed in the presidential election held in October 2022, defeating the right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, and officially took office in January 2023.

The ongoing federal police inquiry is anticipated to conclude that Mr. Bolsonaro conspired to orchestrate the attempted coup following his electoral loss, as informed by a source with direct knowledge of the investigations to Reuters last month. The inquiry is projected to wrap up this month.

The Brazilian army oversaw the federal operation against the coup conspirators, which took place in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Goias, Amazonas, and the Federal District.

Police further disclosed that the suspects had intended to establish an Institutional Crisis Management Office to handle complications arising from the coup.

Additionally, they had plans to abduct and assassinate a Supreme Court justice if their efforts succeeded, according to police information, though the judges identity was not disclosed.
Embassies in Kyiv Close Amid Warnings of US Air Strikes

The United States has closed its embassy in Kyiv, citing the threat of a significant airstrike. This decision follows Ukraines use of American missiles to target a site inside Russia, a move that Moscow has labeled as an escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Later in the day, as an air raid siren caused anxiety across the capital, Ukraines military intelligence agency reported that Russia was trying to incite fear by disseminating false online messages about a large-scale missile and drone attack.

The enemy, unable to conquer Ukrainians through force, resorts to intimidation tactics and psychological pressure on society. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and resilient, the agency stated.

A source from the US government indicated that the embassys closure was related to ongoing threats of air attacks.

Irelands Department of Foreign Affairs announced that staff at the Irish Embassy in Kyiv are working from home today as a precautionary measure.

Yesterday, Ukraine employed US ATACMS missiles to strike an arms depot within Russia, leveraging newly granted permission from the outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden on the milestone of the 1,000th day of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to target sites within Russia using US-supplied missiles (file image)

Russia has been signaling to the US and its allies for weeks that if they authorize Ukraine to strike deeply into its territory with Western-supplied missiles, it would be considered a major escalation.

As a precaution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy staff are being directed to shelter in place, the US Department of States Consular Affairs stated on the embassys website.

The US Embassy advises US citizens to be prepared to take immediate shelter if an air alert is declared.

Russia has declined to comment.

Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin mentioned in an interview published today that Russia would retaliate against NATO countries aiding long-range Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory.

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Psychological operation

Previously, the Ukrainian air force advised residents to seek shelter due to a missile threat. Senior officials emphasized the importance of taking the alert seriously.

This warning came just before Ukraines top military intelligence agency, GUR, issued a notice regarding a Russian psychological operation involving misleading messages purportedly from the agency.

A message is circulating via messaging apps and social media  warning of a particularly massive missile and bomb strike on Ukrainian cities today, GUR stated in their announcement.

Two Ukrainian military personnel informed Reuters that they received alerts regarding Russias intentions to launch over 300 drones and utilize warships, aircraft, and ground-based systems for a large-scale missile assault.

Reuters could not immediately verify the distribution method of these messages. One soldier mentioned receiving a message from a friend.

The situation remains precarious, with nearly a fifth of Ukraine under Russian control, North Korean forces deployed in Russias Kursk region, and uncertainties surrounding future aid from Western allies as US president-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office.

On Sunday, Russia executed a significant missile and drone attack on Ukraines national power grid, resulting in seven fatalities and raising concerns about the resilience of the already strained energy infrastructure.

The GUR spy agency reported earlier that a Russian military command post was successfully struck in the town of Gubkin within Russias Belgorod region, approximately 168km from the Ukrainian border.

The statement did not reveal the attacks perpetrator, timing, or weapon type used.

ATACMS weapons are seen fired during US drills with South Korea (file image)

Ukraine has also conducted drone strikes against distant targets in Russia.

Bloomberg later cited a Western official claiming that Ukraine had launched British Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory.

A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that his office would refrain from commenting on operational matters. No immediate response was provided by Ukraine.

Persistent Russian attacks

The embassy in Kyiv advised US citizens in Ukraine to stockpile water, food, and necessary medications in case of a possible temporary loss of power and water due to Russian attacks.

Ongoing Russian assaults targeting civilian facilities across Ukraine may lead to power outages, loss of heating, and disruption of municipal services, the embassy warned.

Read more: What weapons have Western countries supplied to Ukraine? Ukraine marks 1,000 days since Russias invasion. Ukraine strikes Russia with US-supplied long-range missiles  Russian minister. Latest Ukraine news stories.

Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the nuclear strike threshold in response to a broader range of conventional attacks.

The US subsequently remarked that it had not discerned any reason to alter its nuclear stance.

Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine would be at a disadvantage if the US halted funding.

In response to the US embassys alert regarding a potential attack, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Security Councils Centre for Countering Disinformation, asserted that Russia was prepared to execute more conventional missile assaults.

I want to remind everyone that the Russians have been amassing missiles for a series of attacks on Ukraine for several months. This includes Kh-101 missiles, which they continue to manufacture, alongside Kalibr and ballistic missiles, he stated.
Residents and sources close to Hamas report that fighters from Hamas and other factions in Gaza have formed a new armed force aimed at preventing gangs from looting aid convoys, following a significant rise in the theft of limited supplies.

Since its establishment this month in response to growing public frustration over aid seizures and price gouging, the newly created force has conducted multiple operations, ambushing looters and killing several during armed confrontations, according to the sources.

The efforts by Hamas to take charge of securing aid supplies highlight the challenges Israel will encounter in a post-war Gaza, as there are few viable alternatives to a group it has attempted to dismantle for over a year, claiming it should have no governing role.

Israel has accused Hamas of hijacking aid, while Hamas denies these claims and accuses Israel of trying to incite chaos in Gaza by targeting the police who protect aid convoys.

In the midst of the turmoil caused by Israels military actions, armed gangs have increasingly targeted supply convoys, hijacking trucks and selling the stolen goods at exorbitant prices in Gaza markets.

The shortages have not only fueled anger towards the Israeli military but have also raised questions about Hamas ability to control the situation, as it appears incapable of curbing the looters.

We are united against the thieves and looters so we can live and eat now you are forced to buy from a thief, stated Diyaa al-Nasara near a funeral for a Hamas fighter who died in clashes with looters.

The newly established anti-looting force, comprised of well-equipped fighters from Hamas and affiliated groups, has been dubbed The Popular and Revolutionary Committees and is prepared to open fire on hijackers who refuse to surrender, according to a Hamas official who requested anonymity.

This official noted that the group operates in central and southern Gaza and has executed at least 15 missions to date, including eliminating several armed gang members.

Widespread hunger

As Israels extensive war in Gaza continues, launched in response to Hamass deadly attacks on 7 October 2023, severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential goods have led to widespread hunger and suffering among the civilian population.

Last month, Israel halted the importation of commercial goods, allowing only aid trucks to enter Gaza, which have carried a fraction of what relief organizations state is necessary for a region where most inhabitants have lost their homes and possess little financial means.

Its becoming increasingly difficult to deliver aid, remarked WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris after a series of looting reports over the weekend.

Prior to the conflict, a sack of flour cost $10 (9.50) or $15 (14), and a kilogram of milk powder was priced at 30 shekels (8). Currently, traders report that flour sells for $100 (95) and milk powder for 300 shekels (76).

Some residents in Gaza have expressed a desire for Hamas to take action against the looters.

There is an ongoing campaign against thieves, which we are witnessing. If this campaign persists and aid flows in, prices will decrease, as the stolen aid is currently being sold at inflated prices in the markets, stated Shaban, an engineer displaced from Gaza City and now residing in Deir Al-Balah.

After nearly 100 trucks were looted the previous week, Hamas launched an attack on an armed group gathering near a crossing where aid trucks typically enter, firing heavily and reportedly killing at least 20 of them, according to local residents and Hamass Aqsa television.

Witnesses recounted an additional confrontation on Saturday when Hamas fighters in two vehicles pursued suspects of looting in another vehicle, resulting in the suspects deaths.

The Hamas official asserted that this force demonstrates the groups ongoing governance in Gaza.

Hamas as a movement remains, regardless of public opinion. Hamas as a governing body still exists, albeit less powerful than before, but it continues to function, striving to serve the populace in all areas of displacement, he commented.

US imposes sanctions on senior Hamas officials

The US Treasury Department has enacted sanctions against six senior Hamas officials, in further measures against the group as Washington pursues a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza.

In a statement, the Treasury noted that the sanctions targeted representatives of the group operating internationally, a senior member of Hamass military wing, and individuals involved in fundraising and weapons smuggling to Gaza.

Hamas continues to rely on key officials who appear to hold legitimate, public-facing roles within the group, yet who enable their terrorist activities, represent their interests abroad, and coordinate the flow of funds and supplies into Gaza, stated Bradley Smith, Treasurys Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.

Among those sanctioned was Abd al-Rahman Ismail abd al-Rahman Ghanimat, a long-standing member of Hamass military branch now operating from Turkey, accused by the US Treasury of involvement in multiple terrorist attacks.

In addition, two other officials based in Turkey, another in Gaza, and a spokesperson for the group were included in the sanctions, according to the Treasury Department.

The US recently cautioned Turkey against providing a haven for Hamas leaders, asserting that the US believes individuals associated with what it categorizes as a terrorist organization should not be able to reside comfortably.

When asked about reports that some Hamas leaders had relocated to Turkey from Qatar, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller refrained from confirming or denying the reports but indicated he could not dispute them.

He added that the US intends to convey to Turkey that relations with Hamas can no longer continue as usual.

Hamas-led gunmen launched an attack on Israel in October 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the capture of over 250 hostages, according to Israeli statistics.

Palestinian health officials have reported that more than 43,500 people in Gaza have been killed by Israeli actions over the past year.
Hamas: No Hostage-Prisoner Swap with Israel Without End to War

Khalil al-Hayya, the acting chief of Hamas in Gaza, has stated that there will not be a hostages-for-prisoners swap with Israel unless the conflict in the Palestinian territory comes to an end.

Without an end to the war, there can be no prisoner swap, Mr. Hayya mentioned in a televised conversation with Al-Aqsa, the groups television channel, reinforcing the organizations stance on resolving the conflict.

If the aggression is not halted, why would the resistance, particularly Hamas, return the hostages? he questioned. Why would any reasonable or unreasonable person relinquish a strong card while the war is still ongoing?

Attempts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza have faltered, with the US having vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that advocated for an unconditional, permanent truce. The US ambassador to the UN indicated that Washington would only support a resolution that specifically demands the immediate release of Israeli hostages in connection with a ceasefire.

Israeli military actions in Gaza have concentrated on the northern part of the territory for several weeks.

There are ongoing discussions with several countries and mediators to revive this negotiation process. We are open to pursuing these efforts, but it is crucial to see a genuine willingness from the occupying side to end the aggression, he asserted.

The current situation shows that Netanyahu is the one undermining these negotiations, he added.

During his visit to Gaza yesterday, Mr. Netanyahu asserted that Hamas would not govern the Palestinian territory after the war concludes, claiming that Israel had dismantled the groups military capacity.

Hamas has expressed support for Egypts proposal regarding post-war governance in Gaza.

Mr. Netanyahu also stated that Israel has not abandoned the search for the 101 hostages who are believed to still be within the enclave, offering a $5 million reward for each ones return.

Hamas seeks a deal that would conclude the war while facilitating the release of both Israeli and foreign hostages held in Gaza, as well as Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. In contrast, Mr. Netanyahu has vowed that the conflict can only conclude once Hamas has been eliminated.

Qatar, a principal mediator of the ceasefire negotiations alongside Egypt, indicated that it would pause its mediation efforts unless both Hamas and Israel demonstrated willingness and seriousness in reaching an agreement.

On November 19, a spokesperson for Qatars foreign ministry, Majed Al-Ansari, confirmed that Hamass political office in Doha had not been permanently closed.

Palestinian and UN officials assert that no area within the enclave is safe.

A few weeks ago, Reuters reported that a US official stated Washington requested Qatar to expel Hamas, and that the message was communicated to the group.

Mr. Al-Ansari explained that Hamass office was established to facilitate mediation aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict.

Mr. Hayya revealed that Hamas welcomed an Egyptian initiative advocating for the formation of an administrative committee to govern Gaza in collaboration with the rival Fatah movement led by President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing critical questions about the regions governance post-conflict.

However, an agreement remains unfinalized, Mr. Hayya noted. Israel opposes any role for Hamas in administering Gaza after the war and does not trust Mr. Abbass Palestinian Authority to take over the governance.

Israeli airstrikes have led to the deaths of dozens in Gaza, prompting hospitals to issue distress calls.

Health officials reported that Israeli forces killed at least 33 Palestinians, including a rescue worker, as military operations intensified in the northern part of the territory, targeting hospitals and demolishing homes.

Medics noted that at least 12 individuals died from an Israeli strike on a residential building in the Jabalia area, with at least ten people still unaccounted for as rescue operations proceeded. Another casualty was reported due to tank shelling nearby.

In Al-Mawasi, a humanitarian-designated area in western Khan Younis, an Israeli airstrike killed seven Palestinians, including a girl, according to Gaza medics.

Patients are receiving medical treatment on the floor of a hospital in Gaza.

Palestinian and UN officials maintain that there is no safe location within the enclave.

Another airstrike on a house in the Remal neighborhood of Gaza City claimed four lives, while an additional strike on a school sheltering displaced families in the central Gaza Strip resulted in three deaths and injured at least 20 others, according to medics.

Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, one of the three medical facilities barely operational in the besieged northern region, stated that the hospital was bombed in all its departments without warning while they were attempting to save an injured patient in intensive care.

Following the arrest of 45 medical and surgical staff members and the denial of entry to a replacement team, we are now losing wounded patients daily who could have survived had resources been available, he communicated to Reuters in a text message.

Read more: US vetoes UN resolution over ceasefire in Gaza. US envoy to travel to Israel to try to finalize truce talks.

Unfortunately, food and water are not permitted access, and even a single ambulance is not allowed entry to the north, he added.

There were 85 injured patients, including children and women, at the hospital, with six in intensive care.

A total of 17 children arrived displaying signs of malnutrition due to food shortages, and one man died from dehydration recently, Abu Safiya reported.

Israeli military operations have concentrated on the northern edge of Gaza for weeks, besieging three major towns and instructing residents to evacuate.

Residents of these three townsJabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanounreported that military forces had demolished dozens of homes.

Palestinians allege that Israel is determined to permanently depopulate the area to establish a buffer zone along the northern border of Gaza, a claim that Israel denies.
Chicago (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  Reelecting the Insurrectionist who provoked the January 6 attack is a monumental dereliction of civic duty by the American people. Trump was provided a plurality mandate  enough of a match for him to burn America down.

The electorate affirmed that the worst human being to hold the presidency deserves a second turn in the job. Despite Trump being eight years older and obviously losing his mind, despite the fact that he ran a corrosive campaign on naked malevolence, and despite his having promised to mass arrest, cage and deport immigrants, Americans rewarded him with ultimate power.

Toward the end of the 2024 election, the candidates made their closing arguments. Trump painted the United States as a dark, terrifying and infested place, festering with pet-eating immigrants, violent criminals, and deviant trans people. America was a savage hellscape where good, normal Americans were forgotten as their white, heterosexual world was reshaped by Democrats into something alien and repulsive.

Trump stoked conspiracy theories and promised vengeance. He mused about reporters being shot, mimed oral sex with a microphone, spewed racist lies, and threatened to order the military against the enemy from within. He emphasized every rotten thing about himself. None of this prevented his popularity from expanding in multiple electorates across the country; it may have even facilitated his success.

Kamala Harris articulated a hopeful future. Positioning herself as a moderate, Harris expressed a willingness to work with her political opponents. She embraced diversity and promised to better the lives of all Americans. The electorate was offered a choice between a mainstream Democrat and a candidate running the most openly fascist campaign ever undertaken by a major-party nominee for president. They chose the latter.

Voters who cast their ballots for Trump engaged in contemptible behavior, turning amoral, unserious about governing, and proving themselves undeserving of our constitutional legacy. More than a Trump problem, theres a voter problem. If you elect a monster once, youve made a mistake. If you elect it twice, youre the monster.

Unlike Trumps first election, this one cannot be minimized as the result of an overconfident Democratic campaign and the successful con of a hundred thousand voters in a handful of swing states. This time, voters decisively chose Trump. The autocrat, who has grown more belligerent and maniacal over the years, is now is a maniac with a mandate.

Time and again, we hear the wild lies Trumps voters believe, such as babies being aborted after birth. We act as if they are sharing the same reality as ours, as if they are making informed decisions about legitimate issues. The media often portrays this gullible crowd as woefully misunderstood: if only Democrats addressed their economic anxiety, they might vote differently. Thats a myth no one should believe. They are not congenitally ignorant. They chose to close their eyes to reality.

Autocracies thrive on befuddled, ill-informed populations. In The Origins of Totalitarianism, Hannah Arendt noted, In an ever-changing, incomprehensible world the masses reached the point where they would, at the same time, believe everything and nothing, think that everything was possible and that nothing was true. Mass propaganda discovered that its audience was ready at all times to believe the worst, no matter how absurd, and did not particularly object to being deceived because it held every statement to be a lie anyhow.

Harris decried Trump as a fascist, a petty tyrant, a liar. If all America needed was an articulate case for why Trump was terrible, then Harris was the right candidate. With a long career as a prosecutor, shes taken on perpetrators of all kinds: Predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain, she said. I know Donald Trumps type. She was the prosecutor who would defeat the felon. The voters heard her case, and they found for the defendant. America knew his type, too, and liked it.

Many thought women would rise up in defense of bodily autonomy. And they did, but not enough. Abortion was less of a key issue than expected. Harris did win the support of 54 percent of women, lower than Bidens 57 percent in 2020. No group of voters was more loyal to Trump than white men. He managed to drive up what were already sky-high margins with his white, blue-collar base. Male voters  terrified or resentful of women  bought into Trumps regressive idea of masculinity in which power over women is a birthright.

Despite enthusiastic crowds and the endorsement of high profile celebrities, antagonism or apathy undermined Harris: over 7 million Biden voters did not vote for her. Trump likely won as a result. Currently, Harris has received 74 million votes, while Biden obtained over 81 million votes. Some may have even voted for Trump, who increased his 2020 vote total by over 2 million, up to 76 million. The anti-Trump coalition failed to sustain their 2020 outrage. Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Julia Roberts lost to Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock, and Joe Rogan.

Voting in 2020 was portrayed as an act of heroism, because of the raging pandemic. Though Joe Biden provoked little passion, his campaign felt like the culmination of a liberation movement. The sense of outrage, which carried Biden to victory, was blunted for Harris. In a 2016 essay Autocracy: Rules for Survival, Masha Gessen wrote, It is essential to maintain ones capacity for shock and outrage, otherwise apathy would set in. And once that happened, autocracy would seem as natural as the weather.

Defusing Trump outrage and hanging over the election was the festering political wound that was Democratic support for Israels genocide in Gaza. The slaughter and starvation of Palestinians  funded by U.S. taxpayers and live-streamed on social media  has triggered one of the greatest surges in progressive activism in a generation. Roused to action by their governments complicity in Gazas destruction, some voted for Jill Stein, many stayed home.

Harris loyally lined up behind the despicable and unpopular blank-check policy of Biden, which demoralized the partys base and threatened its chances in Michigan. As the carnage continued and expanded, furious Arab American and Muslim voters determined to punish the party by making it lose. It appears to have worked: Trump captured Michigan partly thanks to a shocking, winning margin in Dearborn, the largest majority Arab-American city.

Trump will not improve the lives of Palestinians, nor those of most Americans. Its no secret that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu supported Trump over Kamala Harris. He held off on any cease-fire deal that might help Harris. Trump supported Israels brutal bombing campaigns in both Lebanon and Gaza and told his buddy Netanyahu do what you have to do. As a gift to the incoming Trump administration, Netanyahu is preparing a cease-fire plan regarding its bombing of Lebanon.

Along with recriminations about Harriss failure to at least express more remorse about the suffering in Gaza, a profusion of Democratic self-flagellation began immediately after the brutal loss. The party was too woke. Harris  the candidate who had been a magnet for joyful enthusiasm  was disparaged. She was too centrist, too un-primaried, too female and laughed too often. She leaned too much on reproductive freedom, or gave fatally little attention to concerns about immigration.

Democrats whined further: if only Biden hadnt waited so long to withdraw, or if only he hadnt mumbled something about garbage. Pundits opined furiously and confusingly: the campaign missed what spoke to men, perhaps particularly Black men, or Latino men  or was it women? Also, Harris failed to talk enough about the kitchen-table economy and failed to address the many grievances of the working class, who are not getting their share and fear urban crime.

Maybe theres a little truth in some of that, but none of it explains the magnitude of whats happened. Despite being the best-fed, richest, and most lethally defended humans in the history of planet Earth, Americans are afraid. Despite being coddled with too much of everything: more cars, more good roads, more personal gadgets, more guns, and more freedom than any country in the world, its not enough. Americans are annoyed. The price of eggs went up. Gas doesnt cost what it cost in 1989. Did America elect a dictator because Cheerios  available in about 20 flavors  hit $5.29 at the grocery store?

Americans reelected a Bigot who promotes hatred and division and who lies  blatantly, shamelessly  every time he appears in public. They chose a man described by his own former advisers as a fascist. Voters witnessed his abuse of presidential power toward fascist ends and understood that returning him to office will immunize him legally for those abuses. Their votes affirm that conspiring to disenfranchise Americans by overturning a national election does not make someone unfit for national office  even if that someone is already plotting to do it again. Theres no way to rationalize an outright Trump victory except as a despicable reflection of the American character.

As president, Trump will likely issue shock and awe executive orders that will activate some form of Trumps MAGA-pleasing deportation threat. The logistics of a nationwide mass kidnapping of millions of illegals, who are poisoning the blood of America are unclear. Trump confirmed last Monday that his plan for mass deportations will involve a national emergency declaration and the military. If street protests are mobilized, the regime  with a bloated strongman twitching for a reason to invoke the Insurrection Act  will deploy troops. The worst-case scenarios, including razor-wired concentration camps in the desert, are beyond horrifying.

Our country has been deliberately set on fire by fellow Americans. Aside from mass deportations and contempt for climate change, human rights, and gun control, Trump will appoint a more reactionary federal judiciary and assault the press. On day one, Trump will pardon the J6ers creating a paramilitary force answerable to him. These are not the imaginings of a paranoiac. These are campaign promises announced from the podium and include a federal government stocked with fools and jesters whose highest qualification is fealty to the Great Leader.

Trump has already initiated a Cabinet reminiscent of the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, the German Expressionist film about an evil hypnotist who brainwashes automatons to commit murders for him. Trumps lackeys and loyalists include a propagandist for Russia  Tulsi Gabbard  as Director of National Intelligence, a Fox News host and subject of sexual assault charges  Pete Hegseth  as Secretary of Defense, an End Times Christian Zionist  Mike Huckabee  as ambassador to Israel, and an accused statutory rapist  Matt Gaetz  as Attorney General.

Somehow topping all these MAGA freaks is the anti-vaxxer  Robert F. Kennedy  nominated to lead Health and Human Services. Kennedy recently commented that on its first day in power, the Trump regime will ban fluoride in water. Fluoridated water has been a favorite target of paranoid anti-Communist conspiracists dating to the 1950s. In Stanley Kubricks vicious satire Dr. Strangelove, General Jack D. Ripper explains that he avoids fluoridated water because its a Communist plot that will sap his precious bodily fluids.

Trumps nominations are meant to bolster his effort to lay waste to the institutions that he has come to despise or regard as threats to his power or purse strings. Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty, wrote Arendt. Trumps cabinet offers a deliberate negation or mockery of the government functions theyre supposed to administer. They are his shock troops.

Trump wants to force Senate Republicans to humiliate themselves by confirming these unqualified toadies. Republicans will not try to stop this Trump travesty or any other. On the contrary, theyll say  and are already saying it  that they owe it to Americans to give them every stupid, destructive thing they voted for.

Having lived through the circus of Trump 1.0, the voters also affirm that theyd prefer to plunge the country back into that embarrassing prior horror: blatant corruption, blathering of state secrets, the turbo-obnoxious Trump family, freak-show personnel choices, blue-state retribution, government-by-impulse, and policy-by-tweet. Trump 2.0 will likely involve more overt and impeachable crises, like flouting court orders or the constitution. Trumps voters are plainly willing to run the risk. Knowing now what a Trump show-presidency looks like, theyve voted for a sequel.

The public has chosen malevolent leadership. The only consolation for the enemies within is clarity  the moral clarity of the voters decision is crystalline: Trump will regard his slim plurality vote margin as a mandate to do his worst. We hope that many of the ideas on Trumps demented wish list will not actually come to fruition and that our democracy can once more withstand this sociopath and the lunatics who surround him. But that is just desperate, wishful thinking. As of yet, there is nothing that will break the iron grip Trump has over his cult, now joined by a plurality of Americans.

Over the past decade, opinion polls have shown Americans faith in their institutions waning. But no opinion poll could make this shift in values any clearer than this vote. The United States will become a different kind of country. The lesson of this election is that the American people arent worthy of their Constitution. They elected a president who has never read it and who, by his behavior, holds the most fundamental values and traditions of our democracy, our Constitution, in contempt. Like the counter-culture hippies and anti-Vietnam radicals of the 1960s, the enemies within are rebels  strangers in a strange land, exiled inside a country many of us no longer feel fully part of.

In the midst of the Vietnam War and Watergate, Richard Nixon won a huge and depressing landslide reelection in 1972. In a stunning shift, this dark history was overturned with Nixons resignation in 1974. Change is always possible, but we should not underestimate how arduous it will be to achieve, or how long it will take. In 2020, we believed that we had broken with history, with the Trump era; in 2024, it is apparent that history has broken some part of us. Acknowledging this is not surrender but a realization that the fights ahead will be formidable, but that anything is possible.
VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 20, 2024 /CNW/ - Callinex Mines Inc. (the "Company" or "Callinex") (TSXV: CNX) (OTCQX: CLLXF) is pleased to provide a brief update of its continuing 2024 exploration campaign at the 100% owned Pine Bay Project (the "Project") located within the Flin Flon Mining District of Manitoba (Figure 1: Flin Flon District Overview). The recently consolidated Project area encompasses 11,859 hectares (approximately 120 square km) and benefits from a mineral lease, hydroelectric power, an historic 200m deep shaft and three base metal concentrators within trucking distance, with the closest being idle and 16km away in Flin Flon, MB.

The 2024 drilling campaign began in August by testing the Poseidon target area which was completed with an 802m hole. Drill hole PBM-197 intersected favorable geology and currently awaits assays, geochemical data and borehole pulse electromagnetic ("BPEM") survey results. Subject to analysis of geochemical and BPEM results, associated with hole PBM-197, the Poseidon target area may be prioritized over Odin and Ra target areas, which were to be tested later in the 2024 exploration campaign (See news release dated September 3, 2024).

The Poseidon target area, which is located 1,300 meters along strike to the north of the Rainbow deposit, was also covered by the recent magnetotellurics ("MT") survey over the Descendent discovery. The MT survey data outlined a very large resistivity low anomaly interpreted to be mapping the alteration package between the known Rainbow and Pine Bay horizons (Figure 2: MT Survey Descendent Line Cross Section). The area is known to host favorable geology based on limited historic drilling and interpretation of other available geophysical and geochemical datasets.

Currently, a step-out drill hole, DSC-113, is underway on the Descendent discovery (the "Descendent"). Drill hole DSC-113 is currently at ~1414m and is on target to intersect the Descendent at 1,900m. DSC-113 is expected to intersect the Descendent at a 400m step-out vertically below and to the north of the Descendent discovery, in hole DSC-111.

The base and precious metal grades intersected to date by the Descendent discovery hole are comparable to metal grades intersected at the top of the nearby Rainbow deposit, and the significant massive sulphide widths suggest the system is robust (See news release dated September 12, 2023). The base and precious metal bearing massive sulphide intersections by the Descendent discovery hole are interpreted to be associated with a major alteration zone that's previously been identified at surface and spans 1,100m by 700m. Typically, there is a correlation between the size of an alteration zone and the size of a VMS deposit associated with it. The alteration package around the Descendent is approximately ten times larger than the alteration package enveloping the nearby Rainbow deposit.

The Company will continue to provide updates on its 2024 exploration campaign as it progresses and anticipates initial assay results to be released to the market in early Q1 of 2025.

J.J. O'Donnell, P.Geo, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

About Callinex Mines Inc.

Callinex Mines Inc. (TSXV: CNX) (OTCQX: CLLXF) is advancing its portfolio of base and precious metals rich deposits located in established Canadian mining jurisdictions. The focus of the portfolio is highlighted by the rapidly expanding Rainbow deposit at its rich VMS Pine Bay Project located near existing infrastructure in the Flin Flon Mining District. Callinex prepared an indicated mineral resource on the Rainbow deposit of 3.44 Mt grading 3.59% CuEq for 272.4 Mlb CuEq (238.3 Mlb Cu, 56.9 Mlb Zn, 37.6 koz Au, 692.8 koz Ag, 2.3 Mlb Pb), an inferred mineral resource on the Rainbow deposit of 1.28 Mt grading 2.95% CuEq containing 83.4 Mlb CuEq (72.1 Mlb Cu, 19.5 Mlb Zn, 11.1 koz Au, 222.2 Koz Ag, 0.8 Mlb Pb) and an inferred mineral resource at the Pine Bay deposit of 1.0 Mt grading 2.62% Cu containing 58.1 Mlb Cu (see news release dated July 10, 2023). The second asset in the portfolio is the Nash Creek Project located in the VMS rich Bathurst Mining District of New Brunswick. A 2018 PEA generates a strong economic return with a pre-tax IRR of 34.1% (25.2% post-tax) and NPV8% of $230 million ($128 million post-tax) at $1.25 Zinc (see news release dated May 14, 2018). The third asset, 100% owned Point Leamington Deposit in Newfoundland, is located in one of the richest VMS and Gold Districts in Canada. Callinex prepared a pit constrained Indicated Mineral Resource of 5.0 Mt grading 2.5 g/t AuEq for 402 koz AuEq (145.7 koz gold, 60.0 Mlb copper, 153.5 Mlb zinc, 2.0 Moz silver, 1.5 Mlb lead), a pit constrained Inferred Mineral Resource of 13.7 Mt grading 2.24 g/t AuEq for 986.5 koz AuEq (354.8 koz gold, 110.2 Mlb copper, 527.3 Mlb zinc, 6.2 Moz silver, 7.0 Mlb lead) and an out-of-pit Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.7 Mt grading 3.06 g/t AuEq for 168.5 koz AuEq (65.4 koz gold, 13.3 Mlb copper, 102.9 Mlb zinc, 1.4 Moz Ag, 2.6 Mlb lead) (see news release dated October 25, 2021).

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.

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future expenditures. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, among others, the ability to complete the proposed drill program and the timing and amount of expenditures. Except as required under applicable securities laws, Callinex does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Minera Alamos Inc. (TSXV: MAI; OTCQX: MAIFF) (Minera Alamos or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with National Bank Financial Inc. (NBF) as lead underwriter and bookrunner, and on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (collectively, the Underwriters), pursuant to which the Underwriters will purchase 28,333,000 common shares (the Shares) of the Company at a price of C$0.30 (the Offering Price) per Common Share, on a bought deal private placement basis, with a right to arrange for substituted purchasers, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (LIFE), for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately C$8.5 million (the Offering). The Company has also granted NBF an option exercisable at any time up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering, to purchase for placement up to an additional 5,000,000 Shares at the Offering Price, for additional gross proceeds of up to C$1.5 million.

The Offering will be made pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption available under National Instrument 45-106  Prospectus Exemptions, in each of the provinces of Canada, other than Quebec. The Shares may also be offered for sale in the United States pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933. The Shares issued under the listed issuer financing exemption will not be subject to a statutory hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to fund the expansion and development of its Santana open-pit, heap-leach mine in Sonora, to fund the exploration and development activities at its Cerro de Oro Project in northern Zacatecas and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Offering is scheduled to close on or about December 5, 2024 and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

There is an offering document relating to the Offering that can be accessed under the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.ca and at www.mineraalamos.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities laws, and 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 requirements is available.

For Further Information Please Contact:

About Minera Alamos Inc.

Minera Alamos is a gold production and development Company. The Company has a portfolio of high-quality Mexican assets, including the 100%-owned Santana open-pit, heap-leach mine in Sonora that is currently going through the start-up of operations at the new Nicho Main deposit. The 100%-owned Cerro de Oro oxide gold project in northern Zacatecas has considerable past drilling and metallurgical work completed and the proposed mining project is currently being guided through the permitting process by the Companys permitting consultants. The La Fortuna open pit gold project in Durango (100%-owned) has a positive, robust preliminary economic assessment (PEA) completed, and the main Federal permits are in place. Minera Alamos is built around its operating team that together brought three open pit heap leach gold mines into successful production in Mexico over the last 14 years.

The Companys strategy is to develop very low capex assets while expanding the projects resources and continuing to pursue complementary strategic acquisitions.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking information and Minera Alamos cautions readers that forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations of Minera Alamos included in this news release. This news release includes certain forward-looking statements, which often, but not always, can be identified by the use of words such as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, or plan. These statements are based on information currently available to Minera Alamos and Minera Alamos provides no assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding anticipated completion of the Offering, and the proposed use of proceeds of the Offering. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions that, by their very nature involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, the economics of processing methods, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Minera Alamos mineral properties, the ability to complete a preliminary economic assessment which supports the technical and economic viability of mineral production could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons. Minera Alamos financial condition and prospects could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: an inability to finance and/or complete an updated resource and reserve estimate and a preliminary economic assessment which supports the technical and economic viability of mineral production; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Minera Alamos activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Minera Alamos forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on Minera Alamos forward-looking statements. Minera Alamos does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by Minera Alamos or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Company does not have a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability for the Santana project, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure.

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.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSXV:AHR) (OTCQB:AXREF) is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed 2024 drill and survey programs at its JOY, DUKE and IKE Copper-Gold ("Cu-Au") Districts, located in British Columbia ("BC"). Amarc is the operator of all programs.

"It has been an incredible year for Amarc as we worked to advance our JOY, DUKE and IKE Districts," said Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO. "We have completed over 29,000 metres of drilling with up to five rigs operating and also extensive geophysical, geochemical and geological surveys. I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Amarc team, and the support of Freeport and Boliden. Drill results are now flooding in and being assessed, in preparation for release over the coming months. We remain extremely enthusiastic about the prospects for these Districts, particularly during a period of positive market sentiment for commodities like gold and copper, which we believe makes Amarc an even more attractive investment opportunity."

At Amarc's JOY Cu-Au District ("JOY") drilling and District-wide geological, geophysical and geochemical programs over the past two years culminated in this year's discovery focused drilling program. Work completed included:

16,883 m of core drilling in 40 drill holes at seven targets, including the PINE Deposit, the Canyon discovery and the Twins, and Northwest Gossan ("NWG") deposit targets; and

19 line-km of Induced Polarization ("IP") ground geophysical survey.

The programs at JOY were funded by Freeport McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport") through an earn-in agreement established in 2021 (see Amarc's May 12, 2021 release). The 2024 investment in the JOY District is expected to be approximately $12 million by year end.

A two-phase program was completed at the DUKE Cu-Au District ("DUKE") during 2024 that included extensive drilling and surface surveys designed to prepare deposit targets for drill testing in 2025.

In the winter of 2024, a delineation drilling program was completed at the DUKE Deposit. 4,828 m were drilled in nine holes , further defining Cu-Mo mineralization in the central portion of the Deposit as well as identifying potentially important volumes of additional mineralization to the south and north of the main Deposit (see Amarc's June 25, 2024 release).

The 2024 summer program focused on: 5,815 m of core drilling in 19 holes , testing of three Cu-Au deposit targets across the prospective Cu-Au District; and 121 line-km of ground IP and airborne geophysical surveys to delineate targets for future drill testing.



The programs at DUKE were funded by Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden") through a 2022 earn-in agreement (see Amarc's November 22, 2022 release). The 2024 investment in the DUKE District is expected to be approximately $10 million by year end.

The 2024 program at the IKE Cu-Au District ("IKE") focused on the potential of the higher grade historical Empress Cu-Au Deposit, where drilling by previous companies of the replacement style mineralization encountered very encouraging Cu and Au grades, for example, hole 76-3 intersected 76.1 m grading 1.74% CuEQ1 (0.92% Cu, 1.42 g/t Au and 4.7 g/t Au) including 10.8 m grading 2.86% CuEQ (0.49% Cu, 4.24 g/t Au and 2.3 g/t Ag) and hole 90-21 intersected 52.4 metres grading 1.81% CuEQ (1.10% Cu, 1.21 g/t Au, 2.5 g/t Ag and 0.004% Mo), including 8.5 m grading 3.52 % CuEQ (1.92% Cu, 2.74 g/t Au, 7.8 g/t Ag and 0.006% Mo)2. The recent drilling focused on confirming these grades and testing extensions of the deposit laterally and to depth. Self-funded by Amarc, the 2024 program included:

25 line-km of IP, 7 km 2 of drone aeromagnetics and 31 km 2 of LIDAR 3 geophysical surveys;

re-logging and re-assaying (1,744 samples) of 23 historical core holes ; and

1,873 m of core drilling in 9 holes, to test for extensions to the Empress Cu-Au Deposit.

Amarc invested approximately $2.9 million in the IKE District this year.

Notes

1Copper equivalent (CuEQ) calculations use metal prices of: Cu US$4.00/lb, Au US$1,800.00/oz, Ag US$24.00/oz and Mo US$15.00/lb and conceptual recoveries of: Cu 85%, Au 72% ,67% Ag and Mo 82%.

2 Further details in Amarc's 2020 IKE Technical Report https://amarcresources.com/projects/ike-project/technical-report/

3 Remote sensing technology that provides precision measurement of distances.

About Amarc Resources Ltd.

Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry Cu-Au mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets.

Amarc is advancing its 100%-owned IKE, DUKE and JOY porphyry CuAu Districts located in different prolific porphyry regions of southern, central and northern BC, respectively. Each District represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry CuAu deposits. Importantly, each of the three districts are located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail.

Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. at JOY and Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), an entity within the Boliden Group of companies at DUKE, can earn up to a 70% interest in each District through staged investments of $110 million and $90 million, respectively. Together this provides Amarc with potentially up to $200 million in non-share dilutive staged funding for these Districts. In addition, Amarc solo funded the 2024 work program at IKE. Amarc is the operator of all programs.

Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 35-year history of porphyry Cu deposit discovery and development success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, IKE, PINE and DUKE. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects.

Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance.

Mark Rebagliati, P.Eng, a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved all technical and scientific information contained in this news release. Mr. Rebagliati is not independent of the Company.

For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114, or Kin Communications, at (604) 684-6730, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD.

Dr. Diane Nicolson

President and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor any other regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking and other Cautionary Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration plans and plans for enhanced relationships are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. 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. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.
Discovery of gold-rich VMS system creates potential game changing upside for Santa Helena

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / Meridian Mining UK. S ( TSX:MNO ) (Frankfurt/Tradegate:2MM ) (OTCQX: MRRDF ) ("Meridian" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the most significant high-grade gold-rich VMS drill intersection to date from the Santa Helena Au-Cu-Ag & Zn VMS deposit ("Santa Helena"). CD-605 returned a lateral extension of75.6m @ 4.6g/t AuEq / 3.1% CuEq(3.0g/t Au, 1.0% Cu, 30.2g/t Ag & 2.5% Zn) from 32.4m, ("Figure 1") where the deposit has moved towards hosting a high-grade gold rich VMS domain. CD-605 is open with potentially significant upside for further along strike and down dip extensions. Drilling is ongoing and further assays are pending.

Highlights Reported Today

Meridian's CD-605 drills 75.6m @ 4.6g/t AuEq / 3.1% CuEq at Santa Helena;

Santa Helena assays significant gold dominant VMS mineralization with CD-605's75.6m @ 3.0g/t Au, 1.0% Cu, 30.2 g/t Ag & 2.5% Zn from 32.4m, linking the historical resource areas;

Santa Helena's high-grade gold VMS mineralization remains open along strike and down dip; Drilling continues to test for further extensions of this high-grade gold mineralization; Highest grade of silver, assaying 507g/t Ag, encountered to date in the Cabacal VMS Belt;

CD-605 Au-Cu-Ag & Zn intercept now links Santa Helena as a continuous ~1.4km high-grade system ;

Santa Helena resource program returns more shallow high-grade Au-Cu-Ag & Zn mineralization; CD-601: 13.1m @ 6.6g/t AuEq / 4.4% CuEq from 94.5m; CD-591: 5.0m @ 8.9g/t AuEq / 5.9% CuEq from 23.4m; CD-583: 8.8m @ 2.6g/t AuEq / 1.7% CuEq from 15.5m; and CD-573: 9.7m @ 3.2g/t AuEq / 2.1% CuEq from 55.0m.



*See technical note for true thickness estimate and separate AuEq and CuEq equations.

Mr. Gilbert Clark, CEO, comments: "CD-605 is a potential game changer for Santa Helena's prospectivity and for the wider VMS belt. We have now identified that the western resource extensions to Santa Helena host a high-grade gold rich VMS domain, that the high-grade gold mineralization is consistent over the entire interval, and that it remains open. CD-605 and our other neighbouring results show that we are intercepting high-grade gold and other base metals in an area with sparse historical drilling that was only partially sampled. Santa Helena now hosts a continuous layer of high-grade Cu-Au-Ag & Zn mineralization, extending over 1.4km, with a VMS horizon of up to ~28m in true thickness at open pitable depths, that remains open. For the greater Cabacal VMS belt we now know that the exploration potential for both high-grade gold and base metal VMS deposits is further enhanced."

Santa Helena Drill Results

The Santa Helena drilling program has continued to deliver a strong flow of gold-copper-silver and zinc results. Important results in particular have been returned from drilling in the open western sector of the deposit, where the host mine horizon has a poor surface expression due to colluvial cover. Historical modelling ("Figure 2") had previously inserted a break in the interpretation of the VMS mineral envelope in this location. However, the Company observed that its recent geophysical surveys delineated a strong anomaly extending uninterrupted to the west from Santa Helena.

Figure 1: Santa Helena drill results reported today and previous highlights.

CD-605 has intersected the core of a high-grade gold VMS system and returned a down-hole intersection of 75.6m @ 4.6g/t AuEq / 3.1% CuEq from 32.4m and contains particularly strong levels of gold mineralization. The Santa Helena drill-hole database, prior to this intersection, contained only sixteen samples above a 10 g/t gold limit. CD-605 has returned seven individual VMS samples above 10g/t gold to a peak of 14.2g/t Au (the third highest value in the Santa Helena database). CD-605 has also assayed strong to high-grade silver mineralization including the highest recorded assay to date of 507g/t Ag.

Sub-sections of the CD-605 75.6m interval include:

7.2m @ 7.2g/t Au, 1.0% Cu, 20.9g/t Ag & 1.0% Zn from 34.4m;

8.3m @ 6.1g/t Au, 1.3% Cu, 4.2g/t Ag & 0.8% Zn from 46.1m;

2.7m @ 8.9g/t Au, 1.2% Cu, 18.0g/t Ag & 1.1% Zn from 61.8m;

9.4m @ 4.1g/t Au, 3.2% Cu, 107.3g/t Ag & 2.1% Zn from 78.2m; and

8.3m @ 1.4g/t Au, 0.7% Cu, 63.2g/t Ag & 9.9% Zn from 97.1m.

Lead assays are not included in the gold equivalent formula until a metallurgical program is completed.

CD-605 builds on the recently announced results drilled into this area. CD-539 first returned 40.4m @ 1.8g/t AuEq / 1.2% CuEq from 16.9m in this western position [1]. This result extended the limits of mineralization up to 55m west-northwest of Meridian's CD-411, which returned 22.5m @ 1.9g/t AuEq from 11.0m [2]. CD-600 has returned 45.8m @ 1.6g/t AuEq / 1.1% CuEq from 15.0m, drilling laterally to the CD-539 position. The CD-605 result now extends the mineralization a distance of 106m to the west of CD-411, but with a change to a gold rich sector of the VMS system, and halfway across the gap in the previous VMS envelope model ("Figure 2"). CD-605 terminated at 168.7m, close to some footwall mineralization (4.5m @ 1.1% Zn, 0.1g/t Au & 2.2g/t Ag from 162.0m). CD-605 indicates a strengthening of the gold mineralization in the main VMS layer to the west of CD-539 and CD-600. Results from one additional hole are pending and further holes are being planned.

CD-605's gold mineralization's true width is still under interpretation with further fan drilling ongoing. With the three current fan holes, the intercept is confirmed as an extension of the known Santa Helena Au-Cu-Ag & Zn mine horizon and is considered to be up to 15-17m thick. The Santa Helena VMS package to the east can vary in width up to a maximum of 28m.

Figure 2: Longitudinal view looking north (top) and plan view (bottom), showing the extent of the newly intersected mineralization in relation to the 2008 end-of mine interpreted extents of the VMS layer.

In conjunction with elevated gold and silver values, the three fan holes show elevated bismuth values to a peak of 326ppm. At the Cabacal deposit, the Cu-Au-Ag VMS system has experienced a later stage gold overprint event with elevated bismuth. This geochemistry is seen in camps such as La Ronde - Penna, which like Cabacal, has a subvolcanic tonalite intrusive body contributing to the metal associations. The azimuth of CD-605, whilst at a lower angle to the VMS trend, is at a higher angle to a NE-trending gradient in the chargeability response. The significance of this gradient remains to be determined, but potentially marks a converging structural trend. Some further oblique drilling will be conducted in this region, and more broadly through the deposit, to determine if there is any directional bias to the gold population associated with cross-structures.

An interesting aspect of the La Ronde - Penna camp is that the VMS lenses are stacked at different stratigraphic intervals. With the Cabacal Belt being characterised by gentle dips, there is a significant footprint of unexplored stratigraphy between the sub-volcanic intrusive system and the known VMS mineralization of the Santa Helena and Cabacal deposits. With potential for gold mineralization associated with the syn-volcanic event and subsequent introduction/remobilization in the subsequent deformational history, a range of conceivable targets exist. These may have different geophysical signatures compared to the base metal endowed VMS deposits of the Cabacal mine and Santa Helena.

Santa Helena Infill Drill Program

As part of the ongoing resource program at Santa Helena, additional results of interest over the central part of the historical mine area are reported ("Table 1"). These include:

CD-573: returned 9.7m @ 3.2g/t AuEq / 2.1% CuEq from 55.0m and 3.8m @ 4.0g/t AuEq / 2.7% CuEq from 68.0m. This aligns with the main VMS mine horizon. A deeper horizon of 2.6m @ 4.2g/t AuEq / 2.8% CuEq from 82.6m may represent a stacked lens of a second horizon, or potentially part of a footwall feeder zone.

CD-601: drilled in the mine area to test the void model, this hole confirmed continuous high-grade mineralization of 13.1m @ 6.6g/t AuEq / 4.4% CuEq from 94.5m.

Infill drilling in the up-plunge eastern sector of the deposit, 80 to 175m east of the limit of the historical resource, returned several shallow results:

CD-577: 10.5m @ 2.0g/t AuEq / 1.3% CuEq from 22.1m;

CD-582: 5.7m @ 2.0g/t AuEq / 1.3%CuEq from 28.1m;

CD-583: 8.8m @ 2.6g/t AuEq / 1.7% CuEq from 15.5m; and

CD-591: 5.0m @ 8.9g/t AuEq / 5.9% CuEq from 23.4m.

The infill program continues, and further results are pending.

Exploration Upside

Results identified to the west of Santa Helena and at the Cabacal mine are important in showing that an absence of analytical data in historical drilling does not reflect an absence of mineralization. Options to extend the footprint of Santa Helena's drilling are under evaluation. The western most lines of historical drilling records have limited sampling or no sampling. The geophysical response wanes to the west - it remains to be determined if this reflects a plunging and deepening system, with gradient array IP techniques being shallow seeking methods, or whether the deposit shallows and unsampled weathered mineralization is present.

An important observation is that colluvial material shed from adjacent escarpments masked the surface geochemical response of CD-605's rich zone of mineralization. A number of historical holes had been drilled into this chargeability zone, but have only partial assay data, creating a gap in the interpretation of the VMS horizon that spanned a distance of over ~108m ("Figure 2"), and tapered prior to these recent results. Today's results particularly emphasise that systematic sampling data is required, and that areas with subtle or no surface geochemical responses along the escarpment corridor may still hold significant near surface mineralization due to the masking effects of the overburden.

About Meridian

Meridian Mining is focused on:

The development and exploration of the advanced stage Cabacal VMS goldcopper project;

The initial resource definition at the second higher-grade VMS asset at Santa Helena as the first stage of the Cabacal Hub development strategy;

Regional scale exploration of the Cabacal VMS belt to expand the Cabacal Hub strategy; and

Exploration in the Jauru & Araputanga Greenstone belts (the above all located in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil).

The Preliminary Economic Assessment technical report (the "PEA Technical Report") dated March 30, 2023, entitled: "Cabacal Gold-Copper Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment, Mato Grosso, Brazil" outlines a base case after-tax NPV5 of USD 573 million and 58.4% IRR from a pre-production capital cost of USD 180 million, leading to capital repayment in 10.6 months (assuming metals price scenario of USD 1,650 per ounces of gold, USD 3.59 per pound of copper, and USD 21.35 per ounce of silver). Cabacal has a low All-in-Sustaining-Cost of USD 671 per ounce gold equivalent for the first five years, driven by high metallurgical recovery, a low life-of-mine strip ratio of 2.1:1, and the low operating cost environment of Brazil.

The Cabacal Mineral Resource estimate consists of Indicated resources of 52.9 million tonnes at 0.6g/t gold, 0.3% copper and 1.4g/t silver and Inferred resources of 10.3 million tonnes at 0.7g/t gold, 0.2% copper & 1.1g/t silver (at a 0.3 g/t gold equivalent cut-off grade). Santa Helena mine area generated an initial Exploration Target with a tonnage range of 3.2 -7.2 Mt grading between 3.0 - 3.2g/t AuEq*, which gives a potential high-grade metal inventory range of between 306,000 to 763,000 AuEq ounces, located within 10km of the proposed Cabacal mill site.

Readers are encouraged to read the PEA Technical Report in its entirety. The PEA Technical Report may be found on the Company's website at www.meridianmining.co and under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca .

The qualified persons for the PEA Technical Report are: Robert Raponi (P. Eng), Principal Metallurgist with Ausenco Engineering), Scott Elfen (P. E.), Global Lead Geotechnical and Civil Services with Ausenco Engineering), Simon Tear (PGeo, EurGeol), Principal Geological Consultant of H&SC, Marcelo Batelochi, (MAusIMM, CP Geo), Geological Consultant of MB Geologia Ltda, Joseph Keane (Mineral Processing Engineer; P.E), of SGS, and Guilherme Gomides Ferreira (Mine Engineer MAIG) of GE21 Consultoria Mineral.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Meridian Mining UK S

Mr. Gilbert Clark - CEO and Director

Meridian Mining UK S

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ph: +1 778 715-6410 (BST)

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Further information can be found at: www.meridianmining.co

Technical Notes



Samples have been analysed at ALS laboratory in Lima, Peru. Samples are dried, crushed with 70% passing 85% passing 200m. Routine gold analyses have been conducted by AuAA24 (fire assay of a 50g charge with AAS finish). Highgrade samples (>10g/t Au) are repeated with a gravimetric finish (AuGRA22), and base metal analysis by methods ME-ICP61 and OG62 (four acid digest with ICP-AES finish). Visible gold intervals are sampled by metallic screen fire assay method AuSCR21. Samples are held in the Company's secure facilities until dispatched and delivered by staff and commercial couriers to the laboratory. Pulps and coarse rejects are retained and returned to the Company for storage. The Company submits a range of quality control samples, including blanks and gold and polymetallic standards supplied by Rocklabs, ITAK and OREAS, supplementing laboratory quality control procedures. Approximately 5% of archived samples are sent for umpire laboratory analysis, including any lots exhibiting QAQC outliers after discussion with the laboratory. In BP Minerals sampling, gold was analysed historically by fire assay and base metals by three acid digest and ICP finish at the Nomos laboratory in Rio de Janeiro. Silver was analysed by aqua regia digest with an atomic absorption finish. True width is considered to be 70-90% of intersection width, except for low-angle holes CD-600, CD-605 which are considered-d to be ~20% of true width. Assay figures and intervals are rounded to 1 decimal place.

Gold equivalents for Santa Helena are based on metallurgical recoveries from the historical resource calculation, updated with pricing forecasts aligned with the Cabacal PEA. AuEq (g/t) = (Au(g/t) * 65%Recovery) + (1.492*Cu(%) * 89%Recovery) + (0.474*Zn% * 89%Recovery)) + (0.013*Ag(g/t) * 61%Recovery)). CuEq (%) = (Cu(%) * 89%Recovery) + (0.318*Zn% * 89%Recovery)) + (0.67*Au(g/t) * 65%Recovery) + (0.0087*Ag(g/t) * 61%Recovery)). Metallurgical testwork is currently in progress to evaluate recoveries in primary lithologies and saprolite, with formulas to be updated based on revised recoveries pricing.

Qualified Person

Mr. Erich Marques, B.Sc., FAIG, Chief Geologist of Meridian Mining and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and verified the technical information in this news release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements for the purposes of applicable securities laws. These statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Meridian's most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedarplus.ca . While these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by Meridian, in light of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, Meridian can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. 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, Meridian disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise.

Table 1: Assay results reported in this release.

Hole-id Dip Azi EOH (m) Zone Int (m) AuEq (g/t) CuEq (%) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) Zn (%) Pb (%) From (m) CD-605 -22 306 168.7 SHM Subparallel Hole 75.6 4.6 3.1 3.0 1.0 30.2 2.5 1.6 32.4 Including 7.2 6.6 4.4 7.2 1.0 20.9 1.0 3.4 34.4 Including 8.3 6.0 4.0 6.1 1.3 4.2 0.8 3.6 46.1 Including 2.7 8.0 5.3 8.9 1.2 18.0 1.1 0.4 61.8 Including 9.4 8.7 5.8 4.1 3.2 107.3 2.1 1.1 78.2 Including 8.3 6.5 4.3 1.4 0.7 63.2 9.9 1.3 97.1 4.5 0.5 0.4 0.1 0.0 2.2 1.1 0.1 162.0 CD-601 -55 257 118.9 SHM 13.1 6.6 4.4 1.7 1.7 48.5 6.8 0.7 94.5 Including 7.0 11.8 7.9 3.1 3.1 85.7 11.7 1.1 94.5 3.7 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.6 0.2 109.8 CD-600 -36 310 100.5 SHM Subparallel Hole 45.8 1.6 1.1 0.6 0.6 11.0 0.8 0.3 15.0 Including 6.3 3.7 2.5 3.8 0.6 21.0 0.5 1.4 16.0 Including 2.6 6.4 4.3 7.3 0.9 16.7 0.8 1.6 18.6 CD-597 -45 033 51.3 SHM 1.2 0.7 0.5 0.0 0.0 86.2 0.1 0.0 7.6 1.4 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.0 21.5 0.4 0.2 45.6 CD-594 -46 301 51.1 SHM 6.6 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.2 5.4 0.9 0.7 2.4 2.6 0.5 0.4 0.0 0.0 10.0 1.0 0.5 12.0 2.7 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.0 9.3 0.3 0.1 31.3 CD-591 -46 240 64.7 SHM 2.0 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 1.1 0.6 0.0 9.0 3.6 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.1 2.0 0.7 0.0 17.4 5.0 8.9 5.9 2.6 2.4 116.6 7.3 1.2 23.4 1.0 0.6 0.4 0.1 0.0 20.6 0.9 0.4 47.2 CD-588 -60 187 55.7 SHM 3.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 2.5 0.5 0.0 19.8 1.8 4.8 3.2 1.4 1.7 46.0 3.0 0.3 25.4 Including 1.4 5.7 3.8 1.7 2.1 57.3 3.3 0.4 25.8 4.4 2.2 1.5 0.2 0.7 19.8 2.2 0.2 32.7 Including 1.7 5.1 3.4 0.5 1.8 44.4 4.7 0.2 32.7 5.4 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.0 7.6 0.7 0.3 40.4 CD-584 -45 031 46.4 SHM 5.3 0.6 0.4 0.0 0.1 11.5 0.9 0.1 6.7 6.8 0.7 0.5 0.2 0.0 9.1 1.0 0.3 16.3 4.6 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0 15.4 0.8 0.2 38.0 CD-583 -37 134 65.5 SHM 8.8 2.6 1.7 1.0 1.0 17.3 1.1 1.0 15.5 Including 5.8 3.2 2.2 1.4 1.2 23.5 1.2 1.3 17.4 2.1 0.8 0.5 0.1 0.2 4.4 1.1 0.0 26.9 3.8 1.2 0.8 1.2 0.0 14.2 0.6 0.3 34.1 1.6 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.0 10.6 0.3 0.2 41.0 4.4 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.0 3.2 0.5 0.2 50.2

Hole-id Dip Azi EOH (m) Zone Int (m) AuEq (g/t) CuEq (%) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) Zn (%) Pb (%) From (m) CD-582 -34 077 61.4 SHM 7.1 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.1 2.6 0.5 0.0 7.3 4.1 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.1 3.6 0.5 0.0 19.8 5.7 2.0 1.3 0.2 0.3 22.8 3.1 0.5 28.1 10.1 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.0 6.2 0.8 0.2 37.1 0.9 0.9 0.6 0.1 0.1 40.9 0.9 0.6 49.3 CD-577 -42 033 51.1 SHM 10.5 2.0 1.3 0.3 0.1 15.6 3.5 0.5 22.1 Including 4.3 3.5 2.3 0.4 0.3 31.8 6.1 1.0 22.1 10.7 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.0 5.6 0.4 0.2 36.3 CD-573 -76 187 94.9 SHM 9.7 3.2 2.1 0.4 0.9 34.8 3.5 0.6 55.0 Including 1.7 5.2 3.5 0.3 1.9 56.3 4.9 0.6 55.0 Including 3.2 4.5 3.0 0.7 1.3 56.2 4.4 0.9 58.9 3.8 4.0 2.7 0.4 0.5 51.3 6.5 1.3 68.0 Including 2.5 5.8 3.9 0.6 0.6 71.5 9.7 2.0 68.0 2.6 4.2 2.8 0.7 0.4 41.7 7.0 1.2 82.6 CD-570 -80 035 45.4 SHM 4.4 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 2.5 0.3 0.0 3.1 2.3 2.9 1.9 0.3 0.5 24.3 4.4 0.4 12.8 3.2 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.0 8.5 0.5 0.2 21.7 3.6 0.8 0.5 0.1 0.1 7.9 1.5 0.5 32.6

[1] Meridian Mining News Release of September 23, 2024.

[2] Meridian Mining News Release of January 10, 2024.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 /Arras Minerals Corp. (TSXV:ARK) ("Arras" or "the Company") is pleased to provide an update on the ongoing exploration program across 1,736 sq km of licenses that form the Arras-Teck Resources Limited ("Teck") Strategic Exploration Alliance.

Highlights from the 2024 Exploration Program

Multiple new copper & copper-gold drill targets identified from extensive field program, that included: Collection of 35,122 soil samples taken across Package "A" and Package "B" areas with XRF analysis partially completed and ongoing 11,432.2 meters of KGK drilling in 435 holes testing top of bedrock across Package "A" group of concessions. 3,381-line km Heli-TEM survey completed across entire 1397.25 sq km Package "A" group of licenses 181 sq km Vector Induced Polarization surveys conducted on Package "A" group. 138-line kms of Heli-EM and 47.6 km of Ground IP completed on Package "B" licenses. Extensive field mapping across the licence package.



Tim Barry, CEO commented, " The 2024 work program conducted under the Arras-Teck Strategic Alliance was one of the largest exploration programs in Kazakhstan this year, building substantially on our work in 2023. This year's activities have marked a major step forward in defining high-quality drill targets on these projects. Through a combination of soil sampling, geophysics, and KGK drilling to the top of bedrock, we've amassed an extensive regional data set which has identified a series of new untested anomalies across the Arras-Teck Exploration Alliance area."

Mr. Barry added , "It's exciting to witness the significant progress made by the Arras-Teck Exploration Alliance in understanding this prospective and under-explored belt. We anticipate commencing drill-testing of several high-priority copper targets, currently undrilled and under shallow cover, in the first half of 2025."

Figure 1. Arras's License Package showing Arras-Teck Strategic Alliance Areas as "Package A" and "Package B" as well as the Elemes and Beskauga Projects and the Tay Project which are 100% owned by Arras.

The license packages are situated in the Bozshakol-Chingis magmatic arc, an accretionary arc primarily composed of volcanic rocks, volcaniclastics, older plutons, and a Cambrian-age nickel-rich ophiolite belt. This region has been intruded by mid-Ordovician intrusions, several of which host economically significant Cu-Au porphyry mineralization.

Package A is located 56km to the northwest of the town of Ekibastuz and surrounds KAZ Minerals' Bozshakol Cu-Au mine 1 and covers the trend which has the potential continuation of mineralization.

This area has received limited historic exploration due to unconsolidated cover masking bedrock geology. The property consists of seven exploration licenses and covers 1,397 square kilometers.

The geology consists of the Middle Cambrian Bozshakol Complex and Lower-Middle Cambrian Bozshakol Group volcanics, and along the southeastern margin of the property occurs a large sedimentary basin of Devonian-Carboniferous-aged rocks.

The property covers several interesting exploration targets and mineralization styles, including porphyry copper-gold deposits, Volcanic-Hosted Massive sulphide deposits (VHMS), and orogenic gold deposits.

Principal Targets defined to date include:

Name Target Notes Boz Ext Porphyry Large Cu pXRF soil anomaly along trend from the operating Bozshakol Mine. Boz N Porphyry Historic Cu anomaly coincident with a magnetic low. Taga Porphyry Large chargeability anomaly with associated high pXRF KGK Cu anomalies. Misyak Epithermal Significant Arsenic soil anomaly with visible pyrite-quartz-clay alteration. Tort Kuduk Porphyry Coincident soil pXRF Cu and Mo anomalies. Field review found quartz stockwork veining in silicified feldspar porphyry. Boz S Porphyry Coincident Cu-Mo-As and IP anomaly. Minor magnetic low with minor copper supergene mineralization. Pinta Porphyry-Epithermal Large pXRF soil Cu-Mo-As-Ag-Bi-Sb-Zn-Pb-Co soil anomaly with phyllic and propylitic alteration. Shirderty Porphyry Multiple pXRF Cu anomalies associated with annular magnetic targets. Aktasty Porphyry Large broad magnetic anomaly under a package of relatively non-magnetic sediments. Minor pXRF Cu anomaly from KGK drilling

Figure 2. Package A License and exploration targets

Package B is located approximately 90km to the southeast of the town of Ekibastuz. The Package consists of two claim packages, Akkuduk and Norgubek.

The geology at Akkuduk consists of Devonian and Silurian-aged porphyritic andesites and basalts emplaced into tuffaceous sediments and conglomerates. Into which, several diorites and granodiorite intrusions have been emplaced.

At Norgubek, the geology consists of Ordovician, Carboniferous, and Devonian volcanic, volcaniclastic, and sedimentary rocks into which several dioritic intrusions have been emplaced. The property is cut by three large, northwest-southeast striking regional faults, which have brought together several different litho-tectonic terranes, each host a distinct style of mineralization, including:

Cu-Au porphyry mineralization

Orthomagmatic sulphides Ni-Cu  Co, PGE mineralization

Au-rich VHMS (Cu-Au-Ag-Zn-Pb)

The following Principal Targets have been defined:

Name Target Notes Besshoky Porphyry-Epithermal Broad Cu-Au-Ag-Mo-As-Pb-Zn soil anomaly with coincident IP. Silicified lithocap mapped at surface with tourmaline breccias. Kvartsevy Orogenic Undrilled swarm of 150m long by 3m wide quartz veins with grab samples up to 9.2 g/t Au and 7.8 g/t Ag. Kurortskii Porphyry-Epithermal Coincident Cu-Mo pXRF anomaly with broad magnetic high. Limited Soviet-era drilling reports intercepts up to 10 g/t Au. Gold mineralization occurs as steeply dipping, sheeted quartz veins. P39 Orthomagmatic Coincident magnetic high with Ni-Cr-Co soil anomaly, with up to 0.4% Ni in soils. Norgubek-Akkuduk Porphyry-Epithermal Cu-Au mineralisation hosted within quartz diorites and granodiorites, significant intercepts in limited historical drilling e.g., 30.5 m @ 1.65 g/t Au; 30.2 m @ 1.07 g/t Au; 19.8 m @ 1.2 g/t Au Uzinsor VHMS Coincident Pb, Zn, Mo, pXRF soil anomaly hosted on volcaniclastic rocks that have been crosscut by a series of diorite dykes.

Figure 3. Akkuduk License and exploration targets

Figure 4. Norgubek License and exploration targets

New High Priority Drill Targets being Finalized

The 2024 exploration program by the Arras-Teck Strategic Alliance, combined with Arras's independent work across its own project portfolio, marks the most extensive greenfield exploration effort focused on copper-gold in Kazakhstan this year. Building on the geochemical and geophysical datasets from fieldwork conducted in 2023, this year's exploration programs are significantly advancing our understanding of the terranes in the Bozshakol-Chingiz Magmatic Arc. These datasets are now producing priority targets, which will be finalized and ranked for drill-testing next year. Over the next 2-3 months, analysis of the various data subsets will continue, with plans underway to prioritize and prepare for a robust drilling campaign commencing in the first half of 2025.

References

1 Bozshakol Mine Reserves - Kaz Minerals 2020 annual report - https://www.kazminerals.com/media/22038/kaz-minerals-annual-report-2020.pdf

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical disclosure for this news release has been prepared under supervision of and approved by Matthew Booth, Vice President of Exploration, of Arras Minerals Corp., a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. Mr. Booth has over 19 years of mineral exploration experience and is a Qualified Person member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (CPG 12044).

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Tim Barry"

Tim Barry, MAusIMM CP(Geo)

Chief Executive Officer and Director

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

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Further information can be found on:

the Company's website https://www.arrasminerals.com or

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About Arras Minerals Corp.

Arras is a Canadian exploration and development company advancing a portfolio of copper and gold assets in northeastern Kazakhstan, including the Option Agreement on the Beskauga copper and gold project. The Company has established the third-largest license package in the country prospective for copper and gold (behind Rio Tinto and Fortescue). In December 2023, the Company entered into a strategic alliance with Teck Resources Limited ("Teck") in which Teck may sole fund a US$5 million generative exploration program over a portion of the Arras license package in 2024-2025. The Company's shares are listed on the TSX-V under the trading symbol "ARK" and on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "ARRKF".

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Resources

This press release uses the terms "measured resources", "indicated resources", and "inferred resources" which are defined in, and required to be disclosed by, NI 43-101. The Company advises U.S. investors that these terms are not recognized by the SEC. The estimation of measured, indicated and inferred resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that measured and indicated mineral resources will be converted into reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of resources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that estimates of inferred mineral resources exist, are economically minable, or will be upgraded into measured or indicated mineral resources. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies.

Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations, however the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, the information contained in this press release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies that are not subject NI 43-101.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and Arras' future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding plans and expectations of the exploration program Arras is in the process of undertaking, including the expansion of the Mineral Resource, and other aspects of the Mineral Resource estimates for the Beskauga project. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about Arras' exploration projects, the industry in which Arras operates and the beliefs and assumptions of Arras' management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "continues," "may," variations of such words, and similar expressions and references to futureperiods, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond management's control, including undertaking further exploration activities, the results of such exploration activities and that such results support continued exploration activities, unexpected variations in ore grade, types and metallurgy, volatility and level of commodity prices, the availability of sufficient future financing, and other matters discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Management Discussion and Analysis filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR on February 28, 2024 and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed on February 28, 2024 available on www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this release is based only on information currently available and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.
CALGARY, Canada  TheNewswire - Nov. 20, 2024  Pambili Natural Resources Corporation ("Pambili" or the "Company") (TSX-V: PNN) is pleased to announce that it has signed a 12-month option agreement (the Option) with Long Strike Investments (Private) Limited (Long Strike) to acquire the London Wall group of gold mines and claims located in the Gwanda district of Matabeleland, Zimbabwe.

Under the terms of the Option, Pambili has the right to acquire 21 gold claims (the Claims), which cover 173 hectares (ha) and include the previously producing London Wall and New Jessie mines (the Mines). In addition, Long Strike has applied for contiguous extensions to the Claims, totalling an additional 547.8 ha. Once granted, these extensions are included in the Option.



Highlights

A 12-month option to acquire the Mines, with the ability to extend the Option for a further 12 months as required (the Term)

The Mines include two historic producing mines: London Wall and New Jessie The Claims are located on three interpreted major regional gold-bearing geological structures A regional dolerite sill has acted as a natural barrier, potentially protecting significant, previously unrecognized gold mineralization underneath that sill

Pambili will conduct extensive due diligence and exploration of the Claims during the Term

Should Pambili exercise the Option, the total acquisition cost of the Mines and Claims will be US$1 million, to be satisfied through a combination of cash and Pambili shares. The subsequent Share Purchase Agreement will be subject to the approval of the Toronto Venture Exchange, and any Pambili shares issued to complete the potential acquisition will be subject to a statutory four-month-and-one-day hold.

A Right to Mine Agreement, signed as part of the Option, allows Pambili to commence gold production at London Wall, initially by processing tailings and sands, and then moving into underground mining The London Wall and New Jessie mines were both mined as recently as two years ago Pambili expects to bring at least one of these mines back into production within the Term Grab samples of recently mined ore from the London Wall West Shaft, taken by Long Strike, returned values of 4.4 grams per tonne (g/t), 15.7 g/t and 24.4 g/t (samples analyzed at a local non-accredited laboratory) Pambili will retain 95% of any gross income generated from the Claims and Mines during the Term.



Jon Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Pambili Natural Resources, commented: This opportunity is a major step forward for Pambili. We are excited to establish a second mining hub with the potential to deliver on Pambilis target of becoming a significant gold producer in Zimbabwe. The Option to acquire the London Wall group of mines provides Pambili with a potentially significant source of near-term cash flow, and also provides time to further evaluate the Claims and Mines ahead of a possible exercise of the Option.

Although the historical data has yet to be independently verified, the reported figures corroborate previous production records, and we are excited to have this opportunity to confirm the potential of the the project.

The immediate goal will be to rehabilitate the static leach tanks at London Wall and commence re-processing the gold tailings to generate revenue. A simultaneous evaluation of the underground operations should define the scope and related cost of bringing the East Shaft back into production. Given that the shaft was last operated less than two years ago, we believe it should still be in good condition.

A site near the East Shaft will be prepared for the installation of a 20-tonne-per-day crushing and milling plant that has already been purchased by Long Strike.

The London Wall group of mines

The Claims are located in the Gwanda District of the Matabeleland South Province of Zimbabwe, approximately 160 km to the southeast of Bulawayo on the main A6 road to South Africa. These Claims include the previously producing London Wall and New Jessie mines, which the Company believes to have significant potential to be explored, evaluated and reopened by using more modern methods and technologies.

Figure 1: Regional map highlighting the location of the Claims and the London Wall group of claims and surrounding mines.

The London Wall and New Jessie mines have recorded combined historical production of more than 4,500 ounces of gold at an average recovered grade of 11.9 g/t, as shown in Table 1. Recent miners have also reported significant silver production alongside gold.



Mine Ounces Recovered

Grade (g/t) Recorded Date London Wall 3,675 5.70 1990* New Jessie 840 39.19 1940** Total Ounces 4,515 11.93

Table 1: Recorded production to date from the London Wall group of mines

*Mineral Resources Series No23 Gold Deposits of Zimbabwe, Bartholomew D.S. 1990

**Geological Survey Bulletin No 36. The Geology of the Country around Gwanda. Tyndale R & Biscoe M 1940

The historic London Wall mine consists of three shafts, of which the West and East Shafts have headgears in place. In addition, the East Shaft has a hoist room that Pambili understands could rapidly be brought back into service. Rehabilitation of certain infrastructure is required, but ore could be trammed to an ore bin for loading directly onto a trailer for transport to a new onsite processing facility. The East Shaft was reportedly being used to access the underground ore for milling at the nearby Jessie Mine (a major regional mine) outside the Claims area to the southeast.

The West shaft extends to 7-level (210 m) and is believed to be flooded to 3-level. The high water table has provided a protective barrier to the previous workings, making them inaccessible to artisanal miners, and the shaft pillars are therefore thought to be intact.

Figure 2: The London Wall East Shaft headgear and hoist room.

Figure 3: The London Wall Ventilation West Shaft and Travelling Way.

Structural setting of the claims

Long Strikes technical team estimates that there are three main regional geological structures (south structure, Jessie structure and north structure) which control gold mineralization within the Claims. These structures converge on the 1.3 km-deep Jessie Mine, located just outside the southeast extent of the Claims area.

The Jessie Mine has been operated continuously by the same family for almost 100 years and has recorded production in excess of 440,000 ounces (oz) at recovered grades of 10.5 g/t. That mine is currently operating at 38-level (1,140 m below surface). Apparently, the owners of the Jessie Mine were mining the London Wall and New Jessie mines under a tribute agreement with the previous owners of the Assets and were reported to be extracting circa 18 tonnes of material per day at commercial grades (detailed figures are not available).

The Claims cover approximately 1.4 km of the southern structure, which hosts the historic London Wall mine. The Claims also cover some 400 m of the central New Jessie structure, which hosts the New Jessie Mine and the main Jessie Mine along strike off the claims.

The northern structure runs along the contact of a Banded Iron Formation (BIF) and felsic intrusive formation. This structure hosts a number of artisanal gold workings, which have never been systematically explored using modern mining methodologies.

The three geological structures are shown in Figure 4, together with their interpreted relationships to the London Wall group of mines and artisanal workings within the Claims.

Figure 4: The London Wall group of mines highlighted within the Long Strike option claim area, outlined in blue. The three London Wall shafts are shown to the west and the New Jessie Mine to the east. The producing Jessie Mine on strike from the London Wall group of mines is shown to the southeast, outside the claim area.

The near-term opportunity at the London Wall group of mines

Pambilis strategy is to become a significant gold producer in Zimbabwe through the aggregation and consolidation of brownfield and producing projects.

The Option provides Pambili with the opportunity to establish a second mining hub around which to increase both its Zimbabwe footprint and its gold production in the near term.

Long Strike has conducted some basic evaluation and a review of historical data on the Claims, which contain a tailings dump estimated to contain some 100,000 tonnes of material.

This dump consists of tailings from previously mined material, which at the time were deemed too low-grade to process economically. Recent advances in processing technology indicate that the tailings should be able to provide a readily availabile source of low-cost, near-term revenue. Pambili is planning to start work on assessing the potential of this material as soon as possible, beginning with initial surveying and sampling of the dump.

The tailings dump also partly covers a second dump of sulphide concentrates, the extent of which is unknown.

A grab sample of these concentrates was analyzed by a non-accredited local laboratory and yielded a fire assay result of 8.81 g/t of gold along with a 24-hour bottle roll recovery of 2.77 g/t of gold. Further sampling is required, but these preliminary results indicate the potential of the sulphide concentrates as a second source of near-term revenue.

Grab samples of ore taken from an artisanal miners production by Long Strike geologists have been highly encouraging, returning grades of up to 24 g/t gold (samples analyzed at a local non-accredited laboratory) as seen in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Grab samples taken from an artisanal miners production at the West Shaft.

Figure 6: Static leach tanks located on the central tailings dump, which Pambili believes can be quickly renovated and brought back into production.

Upside potential

In addition to the near-term, cash-generative potential of the property, Long Strikes geologists are ecouraged by the geological setting of the Claims covering the London Wall group of mines. The historical mining operations on the property have only been developed to a maximum depth of 200 m from surface, with their down-dip, on-strike, and parallel potential remaining untested.

The Claims are located close to a granite greenstone contact, cover a series of prospective potential host rocks including the BIF mentioned previously, and appear to cover 3 km of potentially auriferous structures along strike from a series of historical and artisanal gold mines and workings.

The London Wall shafts are also underlain by a regional dolerite sill, which can be seen in Figure 7. Historically, capital constraints prevented miners in the Gwanda region from drilling or sinking shafts through this sill to test the potential for gold mineralization beneath it. Those regional mines that have successfully mined through the sill have run to significant depths (to >1,000 m in at least three cases). The belief is that the regional sill has acted as a protective barrier to potentially substantial, untapped gold mineralization underneath. This presents a significant opportunity for the creation of value from both the Claims and the Mines.

Figure 7: Longitudinal section of the London Wall East Shaft, depicting underlying dolerite sill.

As shown in Figure 7, Long Strikes geologists have already identified underground mining targets for the next three months. These targets will be fully evaluated by Pambili but, based on historic grades, the proposed plan seems reasonable and will be part of Pambilis due diligence.

London Walls West Shaft does extend through the dolerite sill, with unverified samples returning encouraging historic grades. By completing more extensive exploration, drilling, and development beneath the sill in the previously mined areas, Pambili will establish the potential for underground mining on a much larger scale within the Claims and Mines.

Figure 8: Longitudinal section showing that historic mining at the London Wall West Shaft penetrated through the sill. The area beneath the sill (depth to be confirmed) has unmined potential.

The option

The Option grants Pambili a 12-month period (the Term) to evaluate and purchase the Assets for US$1,000,000 (the Consideration). The Company will need to issue notice to Long Strike three months before the end of the Term that it wishes to exercise the Option to purchase, or that it wishes to extend the option for a further 12 months. The acquisition of the Assets will be completed through the purchase of 100% of the issued and authorized share capital in Long Strike by the Company. The Consideration will be paid to the Long Strike shareholders either in cash, Pambili shares or a combination thereof.

During the Term, the Company will have the unencumbered right to mine and develop the Assets (the Right to Mine), with Long Strike being paid a royalty of 5% of the gross proceeds from the sale of any minerals recovered from the Assets (the Royalty). Should Pambili exercise the Option, the Royalty will be reduced to 2%.

Qualified person

This news release has been reviewed by Gayle Hanssen BSc. (Hons.) Geology, an independent geologist who is a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101. Ms. Hanssen confirms that Pambili needs to verify and confirm the reported historical data before exercising the Option, but otherwise approves the technical information contained in this news release based on her knowledge of other gold projects located in the Gwanda greenstone belt.

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 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 Corporations gold exploration and development projects 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.

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Each of these categories carries distinct legal consequences, and a skilled lawyer understands the nuances in how theyre prosecuted in Phoenix courts.

The Role of a Specialized Phoenix Crimes Lawyer

A specialized Phoenix crimes lawyer doesnt just serve as a defense representative; they become a crucial advocate for your rights and your future. When you hire an experienced lawyer, you are enlisting their knowledge, skills, and resources to develop a strategy that meets the specifics of your case.

How a Lawyer Builds Your Defense

From the outset, a specialized Phoenix crimes lawyer begins building your defense by analyzing the facts of the case, examining evidence, and investigating the circumstances surrounding your charges. This process often includes:

Interviewing Witnesses: Collecting testimonies that may support your defense.

Gathering Physical Evidence: Reviewing any physical evidence, including surveillance footage or police records.

Consulting Experts: In certain cases, a lawyer may bring in experts in fields like forensics or psychology to provide professional testimony.

Challenging the Prosecutions Case: Looking for inconsistencies or weaknesses in the prosecutions evidence and arguments.

A strong defense requires not only knowledge of the law but also the ability to negotiate, challenge, and, if necessary, go to trial to achieve a favorable outcome.

Legal Strategies for Defending Against Criminal Charges

A specialized lawyer uses various defense strategies based on the case details and the nature of the charges. Some potential defense approaches include:

Establishing an Alibi: If the defendant was elsewhere when the alleged crime occurred, presenting evidence of this can be an effective defense.

Questioning Evidence Validity: If evidence was obtained unlawfully or appears to be tampered with, the lawyer can move to suppress it in court.

Mental Health or Incapacity Defense: In cases where the defendants mental state is a factor, presenting medical records or expert testimonies might help.

Self-Defense: Often used in cases of assault or battery, claiming self-defense can be viable if the lawyer can show the defendant felt threatened.

Each case is unique, and a skilled Phoenix crimes lawyer will tailor their approach to maximize the clients chance of a positive resolution.

The Benefits of Hiring a Phoenix Crimes Lawyer

Facing criminal charges without a lawyers assistance is not only daunting but may also lead to an unfavorable outcome. Here are some advantages of hiring a specialized Phoenix crimes lawyer:

Legal Guidance Through Every Step

Navigating a criminal case can be complex, with numerous legal steps that require attention. From the initial hearing to negotiations and possibly a trial, a specialized lawyer provides crucial guidance throughout the process. They help you understand your rights, explain legal procedures, and offer advice at every step.

Negotiating Plea Deals

Not every case goes to trial. In some situations, a skilled lawyer can negotiate a plea deal with the prosecution, potentially reducing the charges or penalties. A successful plea deal can significantly alter the outcome of a case, turning a potential conviction into a lesser charge or avoiding jail time.

Experience in the Phoenix Legal System

Local experience matters. A Phoenix-based lawyer will have established relationships with judges, prosecutors, and court staff. This familiarity can make a real difference in how the case is handled. Knowing the preferences and inclinations of local court officials allows a lawyer to make strategic decisions tailored to Phoenixs legal environment.

Reclaiming Your Future: How a Phoenix Crimes Lawyer Reshapes Your Life

Being charged with a crime can feel like an insurmountable setback, but with a dedicated lawyer by your side, there is hope. A skilled lawyer can work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome, which can make a substantial difference in your life.

Mitigating Long-Term Consequences

Beyond immediate penalties like jail time or fines, a criminal record can have lasting effects on your life. From employment opportunities to housing options, having a criminal conviction on your record can limit your future in many ways. A specialized Phoenix crimes lawyer can work to reduce charges, get cases dismissed, or achieve alternatives that minimize the impact on your record.

Providing Emotional Support and Confidence

The process of facing criminal charges is often stressful and emotionally draining. Having a lawyer you trust provides reassurance and confidence that someone is on your side, fighting for you. Knowing that you have a qualified advocate offers peace of mind during an otherwise challenging time.

Choosing the Right Lawyer: What to Look For

Selecting the right lawyer is a critical decision, as not all attorneys bring the same level of skill and experience to a case. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a Phoenix crimes lawyer:

Experience and Track Record

Look for a lawyer who has handled cases similar to yours with a proven track record of success. Ask about their experience with specific types of criminal charges and any notable outcomes theyve achieved for past clients.

Specialization in Phoenix Criminal Law

A lawyer specializing in Phoenix criminal law will have a deep understanding of local statutes and precedents. This expertise can be invaluable, especially in complex cases like those involving drug crimes, assault, or as a Phoenix sex crimes lawyer.

Client Reviews and Testimonials

Past clients can offer insight into a lawyers professionalism, communication style, and effectiveness. Look for reviews and testimonials that speak to their reliability and dedication.

Conclusion

When faced with criminal charges in Phoenix, having an experienced lawyer on your side is essential to navigate the legal complexities and secure the best possible outcome. A specialized Phoenix crimes lawyer can shape your defense strategy, protect your rights, and ultimately help reshape your future. By investing in the right legal support, you take an important step towards resolving your case and reclaiming control over your life.
Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries, leaving victims with physical, emotional, and financial burdens. If youve been involved in a bicycle accident in Richmond, Virginia, seeking the assistance of an experienced bicycle accident lawyer can be crucial to maximizing your compensation. A skilled attorney will help you navigate the complexities of the legal process, ensuring that you are properly compensated for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

In this article, well explore how a Richmond bicycle accident lawyer can assist in maximizing your compensation, the factors influencing compensation, and the steps involved in the legal process.

Understanding Bicycle Accident Compensation

When youre injured in a bicycle accident, the compensation you may be entitled to can vary widely depending on the specifics of your case. Compensation can cover economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, as well as non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are tangible costs that can be calculated and proven through documentation. These typically include:

Medical Expenses: The cost of medical treatments, including hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, rehabilitation, and any ongoing care required.

Lost Wages: If you are unable to work due to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for the income youve lost during your recovery.

Property Damage: Compensation for the damage to your bicycle, helmet, and any other personal property that was damaged in the accident.

Future Medical Costs: If your injuries require long-term care or rehabilitation, your attorney can work to estimate and include future medical costs in your claim.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are harder to quantify but are equally important in ensuring that you are fairly compensated for your pain and suffering. These damages might include:

Pain and Suffering: Physical pain caused by the injuries and emotional distress such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD.

Loss of Quality of Life: If your injuries prevent you from engaging in activities you once enjoyed, this could be factored into your compensation.

Disfigurement: If your injuries result in permanent scarring or disfigurement, you may be entitled to compensation for the emotional and physical toll.

Punitive Damages

In some cases, where the defendants actions are particularly reckless or intentional, punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are designed to punish the defendant and deter similar actions in the future.

Why Hire a Richmond Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

While its possible to handle a bicycle accident claim on your own, having an experienced lawyer on your side can significantly improve your chances of securing maximum compensation. Heres why:

Expertise in Bicycle Accident Laws

A Richmond bicycle accident lawyer is familiar with the local laws and regulations regarding accidents involving bicycles. They understand how to navigate the complexities of the legal system, ensuring that your case is presented effectively. Additionally, Virginia follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning if you are found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation can still be reduced based on your percentage of fault. A lawyer can help minimize your fault and maximize your claim.

Investigating the Accident

One of the most important steps in any personal injury case is gathering evidence. A bicycle accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident, collecting evidence such as:

Police reports

Eyewitness testimony

Photographs of the accident scene

Medical records

Traffic camera footage (if available)

This evidence helps establish liability, identify the responsible parties, and support your claim for compensation.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often attempt to settle claims quickly and for as little money as possible. A Richmond bicycle accident lawyer is skilled in negotiating with insurance companies to ensure that you receive a fair settlement. Without legal representation, you may be offered a settlement that does not fully cover your costs.

Your lawyer will know how to value your claim properly and may negotiate for a larger settlement or proceed to trial if necessary.

Advocating for Your Best Interests

If the insurance company refuses to provide a fair settlement or if liability is disputed, your lawyer will be prepared to take your case to court. A trial attorney can effectively advocate on your behalf, presenting your case to a judge and jury to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Key Factors That Influence Bicycle Accident Compensation

Several factors will influence the amount of compensation you may be entitled to following a bicycle accident:

Severity of Injuries

The more severe your injuries, the higher the compensation you may be entitled to. Serious injuries that require long-term care or result in permanent disability or disfigurement typically lead to higher compensation amounts.

Liability

Who is at fault for the accident plays a key role in determining your compensation. If the driver of a motor vehicle was negligent, you may be entitled to full compensation for your damages. If you were partially at fault for the accident (such as failing to stop at a red light), your compensation might be reduced, depending on the degree of fault assigned to you.

Insurance Coverage

The amount of insurance coverage available can impact your compensation. If the at-fault driver has insufficient insurance, your own insurance policy (such as uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage) may provide additional compensation.

Witness Testimony

Eyewitnesses can provide valuable support for your claim. Their testimony can help establish the facts of the accident, strengthen your case, and clarify how the accident occurred.

Steps in the Bicycle Accident Legal Process

Navigating the legal process after a bicycle accident can be complex, but a Richmond lawyer will guide you through each step.

1. Initial Consultation

Most bicycle accident lawyers offer a free initial consultation, where they will assess your case and determine if they can represent you. They will discuss the details of your accident, answer your questions, and explain the potential outcomes of your case.

2. Filing the Claim

If you decide to proceed, your lawyer will file the necessary paperwork with the court or the insurance company. This includes providing all relevant medical records, accident reports, and any other documentation needed to support your claim.

3. Discovery Process

During the discovery phase, both parties will exchange evidence and information relevant to the case. Your lawyer will gather any additional evidence needed to support your claim.

4. Negotiations

Your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company or the at-fault partys legal team to reach a fair settlement. This often involves multiple rounds of negotiations.

5. Trial (If Necessary)

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your case may go to trial. Your lawyer will present your case in court, argue on your behalf, and work to secure the maximum compensation possible.

Conclusion

If youve been injured in a bicycle accident in Richmond, having an experienced bicycle accident lawyer on your side can make all the difference. From investigating the accident and gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and advocating for your rights in court, a lawyer can help ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Dont let the complexities of the legal process hold you back  contact a Richmond bicycle accident lawyer today to discuss your case and begin the path to recovery.
South Korean actor Song Joong Ki and wife, British actress Katy Louise Saunders, welcomed their second childa baby girl, the couple revealed on November 20.

Actor Song Joong Ki himself announced this good news to fans by posting a letter on his fan cafe.

He thanked God and said his wife and new baby girl were both doing well and resting comfortably.

"I'm so thankful to share that we were blessed with one more baby angel," the 38-year-old actor wrote. "Our beautiful princess arrived safely, and my wife and baby are all well and resting."

This is wonderful news! I am so happy! Congratulations to #SongJoongKi, you and your wife on the birth of your beautiful daughter! Be happy 



ctto: @hii_songjoongki_ IG pic.twitter.com/ZYGERhuX3T  KiAile Tusia (@KiAileTusia) November 20, 2024

The pair revealed they were having a second child in July  only a year after giving birth to their first child, a son. Here, the family has reached another milestone four months later with the announcement of their daughter.

Song Joong Ki also posted a picture of his newborn baby's hand in the same post as the earlier post of his newborn son.

Following the announcement, the actor's fans have taken to social media to congratulate him and wish him well.

Song Joong Ki and Saunders met through mutual friends in 2023. The duo shifted from friends to lovers and went Instagram official in December 2022. On January 30, 2023, they married in a private ceremony.

Best known for his turn in the hit melodrama Descendants of the Sun, the actor recently made his big-screen return with My Name is Loh Kiwan and Bogota: The City of Lost. Currently, he is ready to return to television through the healing romance drama "MY YOUTH," which will be airing in 2023.

However, the couple has been mostly seen out and about as a family on outings, although Song Joong Ki requested that the paparazzi give them some privacy.




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - One of President William Rutos close allies has apologized after joining other government officials in criticizing Catholic Church bishops who spoke out against his administration last week.

In a Wednesday morning post on X, Baringo Woman Representative Florence Jematiah apologized, admitting she criticized the church without realizing that millions of Kenyans supported the bishops' sentiments.

Hello Kenyans, I have gone through all the comments on my previous post about Churches.

"I hereby withdraw my statement and apologies. I had to agree with you all that churches should be left to do their work and can include oversight because believers are citizens. Good morning! Jemaah said.

In a press briefing on Thursday last week, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) accused the government of engaging in a "culture of lies" and "unkept promises" while at the same time overtaxing Kenyans who are grappling with the high cost of living.

The bishops also called out the State for abducting its citizens and subsequently violating the Human Rights and freedom of speech enshrined in the Constitution.

They also touched on struggling policies across several sectors such as Health, education, and security.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - President William Ruto's Senior Economic Advisor, Moses Kuria, has taken a different stance by siding with the Catholic Church after it rejected Ruto's donations.

In a statement, Kuria noted that as a Roman Catholic, he believes that the church is always right.

"My two rules as a Roman Catholic who has gone through the Catechism process from Baptism, Holy Eucharist, Altar Boy to confirmation (As Francis) by the late Michael Cardinal Otunga of Kibabii.

"Rule Number 1 - The Catholic Church is always right.

"Rule Number 2- In case the Catholic Church is wrong refer to Rule Number 1," he said.

This comes at a time when a section of politicians allied to Ruto have called out the church for rejecting the donations made by the president.

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi defended Ruto, stating that church leaders often approach politicians for help in fundraising for various projects and insisted that politicians would continue supporting the church.

Sudi urged church leaders to forgive them for any past wrongdoings.

On Monday, Metropolitan Archbishop Most Rev. Philip Anyolo said Soweto Catholic Church will refund donations made by Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.

In a statement, he said the donations were made in violation of the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Fresh details have emerged into how Kirinyaga University student Sospeter Onyango Osungo popularly known as "Billionaire Akoko" met his tragic death on Sunday night.

The 23-year-old from Gem, Siaya County was reportedly stabbed seven times in the stomach and back by a mob following a confrontation outside a bar in Kibera, Nairobi.



The student who was known for his flashy lifestyle and unexplained source of wealth had reportedly angered locals after offering drinks to revellers and making condescending comments which some did not take lightly.



Two of his friends, a man and a lady, were also seriously injured in the attack and are currently hospitalized.



Police have since launched investigations into the incident and a hunt is underway for the attackers.



Some witnesses alleged that police officers on patrol were present during the mob attack but did nothing to intervene.

It is alleged that Akoko was a fraudster masquerading as a forex trader.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachaguas allies have called on Kenyans to vote out the Kenya Kwanza government in 2027, accusing it of failing to deliver on promises made to the Kenyan people.

Speaking at a church service in Kajiado North constituency, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Kenya Kwanza government and the growing rift within the ruling coalition.

She explained the pain that has been brought about by the health programme under the new Social Health Authority (SHA), namely the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

We are tired of false promises, we are tired of lies. I am a mother and I feel the pain of our people.

When I go to the hospital, the new SHA and SHIF programmes are confusing and burdensome.

Patients are now required to pay Sh3,500 to Sh3,900 before being treated. This is unacceptable. declared Wamuchomba

Wamuchomba illustrated her frustration when she highlighted her encounter with the story of a 90-year-old woman who was denied medical services because she could not afford the new fees.

The MP also criticised the dismantling of the Linda Mama programme, which previously offered free maternity services, accusing the government of causing unnecessary suffering for expectant mothers.

At the same time, Wamuchomba defended Catholic Bishops for exposing Rutos lies.

According to her, the churchs involvement in highlighting public grievances was justified.

The church is the voice of God and the voice of Kenyans. When the church speaks about the cries of the people, it is not playing politics but addressing real issues, she insisted.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - One of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachaguas allies has resigned from a high-profile position in President William Rutos government.

On Tuesday, Laikipia Senator John Kinyua, among the senators who voted against Gachagua's impeachment, resigned as a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).

President William Ruto's UDA party picked Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga to replace Kinyua.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot moved a motion on the approval of Wamatinga for the appointment to the Parliamentary Service Commission, and the motion was approved by acclamation.

That, pursuant to the provisions of Article 127(2)(c)(i) of the Constitution, the Senate approves the nomination of Senator Wahome Wamatinga, MP, for appointment to the Parliamentary Service Commission to fill the vacancy occasion by the resignation of Senator John Nderitu Kinyua, the Supplementary Order Paper read.

In his letter, Kinyua said he cannot betray the Laikipia electorate to please someone who didnt put him in office.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Celebrated Lawyer Nelson Havi has lauded the Catholic and Anglican Churches for standing firm and speaking truth to power.

In a statement shared on X, the former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president praised the Catholic Church for rejecting funds donated in Soweto by President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Jonson Sakaja over the weekend.

Havi argued that the church is not and should never be the place for elected or appointed leaders to purchase the silence of the clergy or congregants.

He went ahead to acknowledge that the Catholic and Anglican Churches have set the bar high for maintaining their stance.

The church is not and should never be the bully pulpit for elected or appointed leaders to purchase the silence of the clergy or congregants. The Catholic and Anglican Churches have set the bar high. Let those bribes be given to Dini Ya Msambwa and Yehova Wanyonyi, Havi stated.

Havis statement comes after the Archdiocese of Nairobi declined Rutos Ksh5 million donation to Soweto Catholic Church.

In a statement yesterday, Archbishop Most Rev Philip A. Anyolo stated that the donation made to Soweto Catholic was unconstitutional and the church would not accept the funds.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Narc Kenya Leader Martha Karua has dismissed claims that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga won the 2007 elections and his victory stolen by the late former President Mwai Kibaki.

Speaking during an interview, Karua insisted that Kibaki did not steal Railas votes in the highly contested election.

According to Karua, even though the Kriegler report in 2008 said it was not clear who won the election, the electoral commission's results showed Kibaki emerged victorious.

She noted that, based on the findings of the Kriegler report, the late president defeated Raila but by a small margin.

"What Kriegler said is that both sides were guilty of inflating the votes, so it wouldn't make sense to even try to find out who won, meaning that the electoral rules had been violated in such a big way that really you may not be able to get to the bottom of the matter.

But if you're asking from the votes Kivuitu announced, I'll tell you straight, Kibake won. And I'll tell you also that there was a group, and Kriegler is public, anybody can read, he had a very small margin," Karua said.

Karua also cited another analysis by a top US professor pointing to the fact that Kibaki won the 2027 presidential election.

She added that it is unfair for people to continue claiming Raila's votes were stolen in 2007.

"There's another group from the US, a top professor. They also tried to remove what they saw as excessive votes from either side, like if any polling station had above 80%.

Using that method to audit the election, they still found Kibake had won by a small margin. So who is fooling who when we keep on hearing the narrative of stolen election?" she posed.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has thrown his weight behind the Catholic Bishops, who last week delivered a scathing criticism of President William Ruto's administration.

In a press briefing, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) accused the government of engaging in a "culture of lies" and "unkept promises" while at the same time overtaxing Kenyans who are grappling with the high cost of living.

The bishops also called out the State for abducting its citizens and subsequently violating the Human Rights and freedom of speech enshrined in the Constitution.

They also touched on ineffective policies across several sectors such as Health, education, and security.

Following their statements, Ruto and his allies issued 15 press briefings condemning the clergy.

However, former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, now serving as Ruto's economic advisor, broke ranks, affirming that the bishops' statements were "the truth and nothing but the truth."

Here is a screenshot of what Moses Kuria wrote on his X

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - The standoff between President William Ruto and the Catholic Church has taken another twist.

This is after it emerged that the Soweto Catholic Church has not returned Rutos millions after Archbishop Phillip Anyolo rejected it for being illegal.

This was confirmed by the State House which revealed that it had not received back the rejected money.

In a statement, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed revealed that although the Catholic Church, through Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi, declined Rutos donation, the church had not refunded it.

''By the end of the day (Tuesday, November 19) we have not received any money back,'' Mohammed stated.

This development comes even as it emerged that the Soweto Catholic had personally requested the controversial donations.

The parish priest reportedly made the request to President Ruto during a church service, revealing that the matter had been discussed with the senior hierarchy of the church beforehand.

The request was confirmed by Ruto when he rose to address the jubilant congregation, following subsequent appeals by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and a host of other local leaders.

During a church service on Sunday, November 17, Ruto donated Ksh600,000 to Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi for choir members and Ksh2 million that would be used to construct the fathers house.

The Head of State further promised to donate an additional Ksh3 million that would be channeled to the churchs account to purchase a church bus. During the event, Governor Sakaja donated Ksh200,000 to the same church.

However, the Bishop has since rejected the donation due to pressure from the public.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale urges Catholic Bishops to meet President William Ruto after they accused him of lies, corruption, and breaking campaign promises.

The Bishops reprimanded Rutos administration over what they claimed was perpetuating the culture of lies and failing to address the issue of abductions.

The men of the cloth went all out to castigate the Kenya Kwanza administration, claiming that it has failed to uphold integrity and has resolved to spew lies on major issues affecting the nation.

And to make matters worse, the Bishop rejected Rutos donation to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Soweto, saying it was illegal money.

In a statement on X, Khalwale asked the men of cloth to advise and pray for the head of state.

At the same time, Khalwale asked the clergy to ignore the sentiments of Rutos loyalists like Oscar Sudi on the issues they raised about the Kenya Kwanza administration, stating that their statements were not on behalf of Rutos regime.

For the Catholic bishops, I dont think the rebuttal by Hon Sudi to your well-thought-out critique of the government was and can have been on behalf of the government.

"Please agree to meet H.E. Williams Ruto to advise him and pray for him, Khalwale said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - President William Ruto has received another huge embarrassment after the man he appointed to a plum position in his government rejected it.

Husseine Tene Debasso declined an appointment as a board member of the National Youth Service on Tuesday.

Prior to his recent appointment, Debasso served as chairperson of the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) board until he was dismissed by the president.

In a statement, Debasso expressed gratitude to the president for the NYS board appointment but cited personal reasons for declining the offer.

"I Hussein Tene Debasso, immediate chairman, Kenya National Trading Corporation, wish to thankfully acknowledge my appointment as member of the Board, National Youth Service via Gazette Notice of 15th October 2024," the statement read in part.

He also confirmed that he had written to the president, stating he would not be able to accept the job offer

"Owing to personal reasons, I have written to the President of the Republic of Kenya declining the appointment," the statement further read.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024  President William Ruto is really delivering on his promise to have more Kenyans get well-paying jobs abroad.

According to Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, many Kenyans have already secured jobs abroad through government programs.

He noted that over 100,000 Kenyans have benefited from job opportunities in Canada and Australia among other countries.

"A total of 105,367 Kenyans have benefitted from job opportunities abroad in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain among others," he stated.

Mwaura also disclosed that the government is in talks with other countries to open more job opportunities for Kenyans interested in working abroad.

"The government is also finalizing bilateral negotiations with other countries to expand our labor export market beyond our traditional destinations. Active negotiations are in the sunset stages with Russia, Poland, and Jordan to open more doors of opportunities to Kenyans abroad.

"A new recruitment for these foreign opportunities will kick off from 18th November to 6th December 2024 across the counties. We encourage Kenyans to seize these opportunities which not only provides jobs but also skills and technology transfer to Kenya," he added.

This comes two days after Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua announced the commencement of a nationwide recruitment exercise for Kenyans seeking jobs abroad.

In a statement, the CS said the program will kick off on Wednesday, November 20, and will cover all 47 counties.

Mutua mentioned that interested job seekers can participate in the program by bringing their ID cards and relevant qualification documents.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - President William Rutos United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has ousted Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro from his influential position as chairperson of the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Nyoro was removed for refusing to support the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Nyoro, serving his second term as Kiharu MP, will be replaced by Molo MP Kimani Kuria, who chairs the Finance and Planning Committee.

State house sources said that the president wants to reward his loyalists who supported former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua's impeachment motion.

Kuria Kimani, the legislator behind the controversial Finance Bill 2024, faced public backlash after the proposal sparked nationwide demonstrations by young Kenyans, ultimately forcing President William Ruto to withdraw it in June.

During the protests against the Finance Bill 2024, over 61 young people tragically lost their lives at the hands of police, thousands sustained injuries, and hundreds were reportedly abducted, with many still unaccounted for.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024  Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has won big after the Appellate Court reinstated his wing at the helm of the Jubilee Party.

The Appellate Court rejected a request for interim stay orders sought by rebel Jubilee party members led by Cherangany Member of Parliament Joshua Kutuny and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega, who are allies of President William Ruto.

The two politicians went to court seeking an order to temporarily stop the implementation of a High Court ruling that directed the reinstatement of Uhuru and his allies, Jeremiah Kioni and David Murathe, as Jubilee Party leaders.

Judge Janet Mulwa dismissed a petition filed before the court that sought the removal of Kioni and Murathe as the party Secretary General and Vice Chairperson respectively.

Mulwa ruled that the meeting held by the rebel party members on February 20, 2023, was improperly convened and thus violated the Jubilee party's constitution.

The court held that the resolutions passed during the said meeting were thus unconstitutional.

Despite granting Kioni and Murathe the leeway to lead the Jubilee party, Justice Mulwa declined to hold Sabina Chege and Kanini Kega for acting in contempt of the party principals.

Following the ruling, Kega and Kutuny moved to court and filed an appeal that sought to overturn the High Court decision.

However, despite filing the petition as urgent, the Appellate Court declined to grant the stay orders and instead set the date for the hearing and determination of the matter for March 7, 2025.

The stalemate began in 2023 when a section of the Jubilee Party rebel MPs led by Sabina Chege and Kanini Kega staged a revolt as they sought to act as leaders on behalf of former President Uhuru Kenyatta's party.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Kapsaret Member of Parliament, Oscar Sudi has apologised to the clergy following the rejection of President William Ruto's KSh 5.6 million donation to the Soweto Catholic Church, Nairobi.

On Tuesday, Sudi expressed regret if the donations had offended church leaders, emphasizing that no one is perfect, including clergy, congregants, and politicians.

"I would like to apologise to Catholic bishops and other clergy whom we may have offended as we worked with Christians to build the church of God.

"There's no perfect human being, whether you are a preacher, priest, congregant, or politician.

"The Bible says we all fall short of the glory of God and we must tolerate each other," Sudi said.

The lawmaker emphasized the importance of tithing and supporting places of worship, stating that the church relies on contributions from everyone as it has no designated supporters.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Kapsaret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi has defended President William Ruto and politicians for donating to churches.

This is after the Catholic Church rejected Rutos donation to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Soweto and promised to return it to him.

According to Sudi, it was not the politicians' fault for participating in harambees.

He explained that local church leaders are the ones who approach them to assist in raising funds for various projects.

"Those local pastors and believers are the ones who make contributions until some of them run away because they have to contribute every Sunday. I wonder why someone would oppose help being offered in the local churches," the MP remarked.

As a result, he maintained that politicians would continue giving to the church whether Catholic Bishops like it or not as they are also part of the body of Christ.

Archdiocese Bishop Philip Anyolo announced that the church would reject Rutos donations following an uproar from Kenyans.

Kenyans had who wondered why the Head of State was contravening his directive on harambees which barred government officials from making donations in church.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - It is the end of the road for a Mombasa-based woman involved in trafficking narcotics after the Director of Public Prosecutions detailed to court overwhelming evidence of her dealing in prohibited drugs worth Ksh. 275 million.

As a result, Fatuma Ahmed Ali has been slapped with a 40-year prison sentence and a fine of Ksh. 825, 642,000 in a judgment made by Principal Magistrate Martin Rabera and delivered by Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo.



The accused, who was jointly charged with her late husband, notorious drug baron Swaleh Yusuf Ahmed, alias Kandereni, was convicted for trafficking heroin worth Ksh. 275,214,000.



The Prosecution led by Senior Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo, told court that on 20th September 2018, at Kikambala Housing Estate in Kilifi County, the two accused, with others not before the court, trafficked narcotic, drugs namely heroin weighing 91,738 grams and valued at over Ksh. 275 million.



They concealed the drugs in two brown suitcases and a gunny bag stored within a residential house.

This act was in direct contravention of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act.

Swaleh Yusuf Ahmed faced a second charge of trafficking in psychotropic substances.



However, the court dropped charges against him after he died under mysterious circumstances. Swaleh's body was discovered at Kiruwitu near Vipingo in Kilifi, nine days after he was reported missing.



Prior to his death, the court had placed him on his defence after the prosecution established a prima facie case against him.



While making a submission on sentencing, the prosecution counsel, Ms. Barbara Sombo, opposed the accused receiving a non-custodial sentence, which the accused had requested through her advocate, Mr Wangila.



Ms. Sombo further submitted that the court should consider the weight of narcotics seized in the accused house, to wit 91,735 grams, which if the drugs would have reached the market, would have ruined 91,000 lives if the same was to be sold in 1 gram.



In delivering the judgment, Hon. Rabera noted that the prosecution had provided compelling evidence, including testimonies from officers who had conducted the raid at the accused's residence.



Principal Magistrate Martin Rabera noted that the prosecution had provided compelling evidence, including testimonies from officers who had conducted the raid at the accused's residence.



The officers gave a detailed account of how the exhibits were recovered in the presence of the public, with no indication that the items were planted.



There is no evidential gap to suggest that the exhibits were tampered with or planted; having reviewed and analyzed all the evidence, I find the charges against the accused proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The accused is hereby convicted as charged, Magistrate Rabera ruled.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
BEIJING, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to work with all parties to build a just world of common development, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday. Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to a related query about the ongoing 19th G20 Summit, with the theme of "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet." Noting that President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative, charting the course for the international development cause and cooperation, Lin said that China stays committed to calling on the international community to pay attention to development. China stands for placing development at the center of G20 cooperation, prioritizing the attainment of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, building a global partnership for sustainable development, and making global development more inclusive, beneficial to all and more resilient, Lin said. Lin noted that at the Rio de Janeiro Summit, President Xi delivered important remarks on "Fight Against Hunger and Poverty" at Session I, sharing with the world China's experience of poverty reduction and calling for building a just world of common development. "President Xi said China's development is an important part of the common development of the world," Lin said, adding that China has lifted 800 million people out of absolute poverty, and met the poverty reduction target of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ahead of schedule. China's story is proof that developing countries can eliminate poverty, when there is the endurance, perseverance and striving spirit. If China can make it, other developing countries can make it too. This is what China's battle against poverty says to the world. At the summit, President Xi outlined China's eight actions for global development, namely pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, implementing the Global Development Initiative, supporting development in Africa, supporting international cooperation on poverty reduction and food security, proposing an Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science, supporting the G20 in carrying out practical cooperation for the benefit of the Global South, implementing the G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan, and unilaterally opening our doors wider to the least developed countries, according to Lin. "China is ready to take steps together with all parties to build a just world of common development, leave poverty in the past, and turn our vision into reality," the spokesperson said.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Airports in Belfast and Derry can take advantage of a cap on passengers at Dublin Airport to bring more direct flights, MLAs have been told.

Tourism chiefs also said they would love to see a transatlantic flight from the North, but added it had to be established to a commercially viable region.

Representatives from Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland, which jointly market the whole island to international visitors, gave evidence to Stormonts Economy Committee on a new 10-year action plan for the sector.

John McGrillen, chief executive of Tourism NI, gave evidence to MLAs (Tourism NI/PA)

Tourism NI chief executive John McGrillen told the committee that the sector wanted to see increased air connectivity with European routes.

He said: We are very well-connected with the UK where we are not so strong is in links into some of the core cities in the populous areas of Europe.

That is where we would like to see those routes developed.

Alice Mansergh is the new chief executive of Tourism Ireland (Liam McBurney/PA)

Alice Mansergh, the new chief executive of Tourism Ireland, said her organisation wanted to help to build demand for routes that come straight into Northern Ireland, referring to the current cap on passenger numbers in Dublin.

She said: We do place emphasis within Tourism Ireland on helping to build demand for routes that come straight into Northern Ireland or come into the regions of Ireland.

That has never been more important than at the current time, if you think about the Dublin Airport cap we want to do everything we can to stimulate direct access into regions and into Northern Ireland.

She added: Over the past year at the City of Derry Airport weve worked with Loganair, Ryanair to Manchester, easyJet to Edinburgh; Belfast City Airport weve been working with Loganair, British Airways and easyJet on campaigns; and in Belfast International easyJet and Ryanair  actively working with those airlines to promote those routes in Northern Ireland and bring visitors in.

I think we can play a very active role which benefits everybody as we have these discussions on greater air access.

Alliance Party MLA David Honeyford asked if the tourism bodies were focusing on European connections.

Mr McGrillen said: I wouldnt say it is solely on European connections.

If there is an opportunity to bring a direct route in from the US, that is something we would welcome but we recognise the challenges of those routes in the past.

The North has been without a direct transatlantic route for a number of years.

The power-sharing Executives draft programme for government, published in September, includes a proposal to work with the British government to support a pre-clearance facility at Belfast International Airport for direct flights to the US.

Mr Honeyford asked if the Department for the Economys model was to use Dublin airport as the hub for long-haul flights with passengers then travelling on to Northern Ireland.

Michelle Scott, the departments director of economic partnership and delivery division, said there was ongoing work over a transatlantic flight from Northern Ireland.

She said: We need to be realistic about what Northern Ireland can attract and what we can sustain in terms of those flights into America.

We do hope to take advantage of the Dublin Airport cap, getting more direct flights into Northern Ireland.

But it is really what we can sustain in terms of those long-haul flights.

You will know the background of those flights from America, it was fabulous when we had them but we werent able to sustain them.

It is getting us on a sustainable footing for that air access.

Dublin Airport is now the third-biggest European transatlantic hub (Niall Carson/PA)

Ms Mansergh said nobody was saying strategically there should not be a transatlantic flight from Northern Ireland.

She added: But the heart of this topic is always what is profitable for the airlines, because ultimately they will go where it is profitable for them to go.

Dublin is now the third-biggest European transatlantic hub. Given the size of this island, that is quite remarkable, we are after Heathrow and Frankfurt.

Part of it is you have a lot of transatlantic flights already coming into Dublin which makes it easier for those airlines to move on to wherever they want to move on to using Dublin as a hub.

Secondly, if we were to get links into Belfast International, we need to be able to commercially fill those flights.

She added: It is definitely a topic we should keep open because everybody would love to see.

To make it work theres a number of factors we need to work through with the airlines and with the airports to see what would be the best bet to ensure that something long term, commercially-viable, could come into Northern Ireland.

In the meantime, whilst Dublin is the hub its all about encouraging those visitors to spread out across the island.

Thankfully, Americans dont think two hours in the car is a very long journey.
A political hustings event held by the South East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force along with Mna Le Cheile gave local families and members of the public an opportunity to ask General Election candidates a range of questions relevant to their lives, in the River Court Hotel in Kilkenny City recently.

In a discussion moderated by local broadcaster Sue Nunn, candidates Adrienne Wallace (People Before Profit), David FitzGerald (Fine Gael), Patricia Stephenson (Social Democrats), Malcom Noonan (Green Party), Sean O hArgain (Labour), John McGuinness (Fianna Fail) and Waterfords David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) made their positions known on a number of issues ahead of polling day on Friday, November 29.

Among the questions posed to the political hopefuls were: how well do they understand the lived experiences of voters, how would candidates address the lack of family-friendly treatment beds for people recovering from drug addiction and what support measures would they, and their parties, implement to aid women suffering from domestic abuse, if elected?

Labour candidate, Sean O hArgain, affirmed his stance that the State should accept responsibility for those requiring drug rehabilitation rather than pawning people off to charity services for the supports they need.

Speaking on the same subject, People Before Profits Adrienne Wallace, claimed: When it comes to funding (for supports), you need to come to people outside the political establishment.

FOR MORE GENERAL ELECTION NEWS, CLICK HERE

Meanwhile, both male and female candidates present were in unanimous agreement on the need for additional laws to protect women experiencing domestic abuse.

Patricia Stephenson of the Social Democrats commented that laws need to empower gardai in such situations with the survivor approach required rather that protecting the perpetrator.

Fine Gaels David FitzGerald stated it should be the victims choice whether they stay in the family home or not, while Sinn Feins David Cullinane, who unlike the other candidates will compete for a Dail seat in the Waterford constituency rather than Carlow/Kilkenny, commented, culture is massively important, adding, men should have to leave (in those circumstances).

Also at the meeting, each candidate was given an opportunity to outline how they can relate to the public. Further supports for people with disabilities, a reform of Citizens Assemblies and the need for a mental health budget.
Streaming platform hosts first international showcase; exploration of universal themes cited as key to success of Korean shows

By KTimes

Netflix held its first-ever International Showcase at the Tudum Theater in Los Angeles, California, Monday (local time). As guests entered the Netflix-exclusive theater, they were greeted by a timeline of significant foreign-language content displayed near the entrance.

Among the highlights were Korean works such as "Okja" (2017), "Squid Game" (2021) and "Physical: 100" (2023). For 2024, posters for "Culinary Class Wars" and "Squid Game" Season 2 were featured prominently, showcasing the global prominence of Korean content in Netflix's portfolio.

With 280 million paying subscribers worldwide, Netflix has cemented its place as the largest streaming platform. The International Showcase, which introduced upcoming content from Asia, Europe and Latin America, marks the first time Netflix has held such an event for non-English content.

This milestone reflects the fact that content from non-English-speaking countries is no longer peripheral but integral to the platforms global appeal.

Korean content stood out at the event. Bela Bajaria, Netflixs chief content officer, cited "Culinary Class Wars" as one of this years standout successes, saying, "It first gained popularity in Korea, then became a massive topic online, drawing viewers from Southeast Asia, the U.S. and France."

Kim Min-young, vice president of content for Asia-Pacific, emphasized the growth of Korean content: "When I first joined Netflix in 2016, there were hardly any Korean series or films. But today, more than 80 percent of Netflix subscribers globally have watched K-content."

She pointed to the exploration of universal themes  such as "status, inequality and beliefs"  and the wealth of talented creators across various genres as reasons for the global success of Korean content.

'Squid Game' at center of global attention

Among the more than 30 new titles unveiled at the showcase, "Squid Game" Season 2 took center stage. As the sequel to the groundbreaking Korean series that captivated global audiences, the stakes are high. Netflix has announced a simultaneous worldwide release on Dec. 26, positioning the series as its key end-of-year title.

Bajaria emphasized the immense anticipation, saying that the first season started as a Korean project but transformed into a global phenomenon. "Becoming the worlds most popular show again is an immense challenge," she said, "but Im confident Season 2 will live up to expectations."

Kang Dong-han, Netflix's Korean content chief, stressed the importance of the sequel, "I have no doubt 'Squid Game 2' will succeed  and it must. This is not just because it's a Netflix production but because the success of a major investment like this will ensure sustained growth and funding for Koreas creative ecosystem."

Netflix also revealed plans to release "Squid Game 3" as early as the first half of 2025, demonstrating its long-term commitment to the franchise.

A robust pipeline of K-content

Netflixs commitment to Korean storytelling extends beyond "Squid Game." Upcoming releases include "All the Love You Wish For" (written by Kim Eun-sook and starring Kim Woo-bin and Suzy), "When Life Gives You Tangerines" (starring IU and Park Bo-gum) and "Revelations" (directed by Yeon Sang-ho and starring Ryu Jun-yeol), all slated for 2025.

Additionally, the third season of "Physical: 100" will recruit participants from across Asia for the first time, further expanding the global footprint of Korean reality content.

Netflix's showcase reinforced the central role of Korean content in its global strategy, highlighting its potential to bridge cultures while ensuring sustained investment in Korean creators and storytelling.

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.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor on Wednesday dismissed claims of workplace harassment against a member of K-pop girl group NewJeans, saying she cannot be regarded as a worker under the labor law.

NewJeans fans filed a petition with the labor ministry in mid-September, alleging that Hanni Pham, a Vietnamese Australian member of the group, has suffered workplace bullying within Hybe, the parent company of ADOR, NewJeans' label.

In one incident, the petitioners said that when Hanni greeted the members of the girl group ILLIT from Hybe's sub-label Belift Lab, their manager told them to "ignore her." Hanni also expressed confusion and frustration over the incident in a National Assembly meeting on Oct. 15, saying, "I was certain that the company hated us."

But the labor ministry said the Seoul western labor office decided to reject the petition regarding NewJeans member Hanni because she cannot be viewed as a worker under the Labor Standards Act.

The labor office said that given the content and nature of the management contract signed by Hanni, it is difficult to view her as a worker under the Labor Standards Act who provides labor for wages in an employer-employee relationship.

Article 76, Paragraph 2 of the law stipulates that no employer or employee shall cause physical or mental suffering to other employees or deteriorate the work environment beyond the appropriate scope of work by taking advantage of superiority in rank, relationship, etc. in the workplace, referring to such an act as workplace harassment.

The Korean government and courts have long classified entertainers not as workers but as "exceptional entities" who operate under exclusive contracts with their management agencies. (Yonhap)
By Lee Gyu-lee

Soobin, a member of K-pop boy group TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), will be going on hiatus due to health reasons.

The group's agency, BigHit Music, announced that the artist will temporarily withdraw from group activities after doctors advised him to rest.

"Soobin recently visited the hospital due to declining health conditions and was given medical advice that he would need sufficient time to rest and recover," the agency said in a statement.

"In response, our company held discussions with all members, including Soobin, about future activities, prioritizing the artist's health above all."

BigHit explained that despite Soobin's will to continue group activities, the company came to the decision to focus on improving his health.

"While the artist himself has a very strong desire to continue activities, after discussion, we decided to take a break for the time being as recovering his health is most important," it said.

Soobin will not be participating in forthcoming schedules, including year-end award events.

"We inform you that Soobin will not be able to participate in upcoming events such as MAMA Awards, Japan offline fan events, 'ACT : PROMISE Encore in JAPAN,' the fan signing in Shanghai and other year-end award ceremonies," it said.

"We ask for your understanding regarding any concerns caused by this sudden news. Soobin will continue his daily life while taking sufficient rest to show his best self to fans again. Our company will also do our utmost to support Soobin so that he can meet fans again in good health."

The five-piece group  consisting of Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Huening Kai  recently dropped its seventh mini-album, "The Star Chapter: Sanctuary," on Nov. 4 and has been holding promotions for its title song, "Over The Moon."

The album became the group's fifth million seller in the first week of release, scoring over 1.21 million album sales on the day it dropped. It also landed on global music charts, ranking second on the Billboard 200 and 14th on the U.K. Official Charts' Album Downloads.

The group held an encore concert for its third world tour, "ACT : PROMISE ENCORE IN SEOUL," at KSPO Dome in Songpa District, Seoul, from Nov. 1 to Nov. 3. TXT is also scheduled to hold another encore concert in Osaka on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Later this week, TXT is scheduled to put on a collaboration performance with labelmate ENHYPEN and boy group Zerobaseone at the upcoming 2024 MAMA Awards on Friday, to be held at Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan. The group is also among the artists set to perform at this year's NHK "Kohaku Uta Gassen," Japan's largest year-end music event.
By Jun Ji-hye

NH NongHyup Bank, which has maintained the largest branch network nationwide in consideration of its unique role in supporting agricultural and rural communities, is now following other banks in closing branches.

This decision is driven by a sense of urgency to avoid falling behind other banks in future core business areas such as corporate finance, wealth management and platform services.

NongHyup explained that the planned closures are focused on the Seoul metropolitan area, aiming to improve operational efficiency of branches. However, concerns are rising that the move may reduce consumer accessibility, particularly in areas experiencing population decline.

According to industry officials, Wednesday, the bank plans to close 38 branches and merge them with nearby ones on Dec. 13 and 31. This exceeds the 36 branches closed by Woori Bank this year, which had the highest number of closures among domestic banks so far.

The majority of the closures will occur in the Seoul metropolitan area, as eight branches will be shut down in Seoul and six in Gyeonggi Province. Additionally, three branches in Busan will cease operations.

We aim to provide higher-quality financial services to customers by scaling up and improving the efficiency of nearby branches, a NongHyup Bank official said.

However, the plan also includes eight branches located in areas designated as population-decline zones or areas of concern.

Population-decline zones refer to districts, cities or counties at high risk of local extinction, as designated by presidential decree. Among these, one NongHyup branch each in Jecheon of North Chungcheong Province, Boryeong of South Chungcheong Province and Yeongju of North Gyeongsang Province will be closed.

Additionally, five branches in areas of population concern such as Tongyeong of South Gyeongsang Province and Gangneung of Gangwon Province will also be closed.

The plan aligns with other banks moves to reduce the number of physical branches amid the expansion of digital finance. This trend is particularly evident in regional areas, where the costs of labor and rent often exceed the profits generated by branch operations.

However, the high proportion of financially vulnerable individuals in these areas, such as older adults, raises concerns about diminished access to financial services.

Mindful of the concerns, financial authorities are stepping up efforts to address the issue.

During a press conference on Oct. 30, Kim Byoung-hwan, chief of the Financial Services Commission, the countrys top financial regulator, vowed to actively review a measure utilizing local post offices as bank agency branches.

The Financial Supervisory Service, the financial watchdog, also discussed the issue during a closed-door meeting with bank CEOs on Nov. 14 and decided to operate a task force under the leadership of the Korea Federation of Banks.

Various solutions are expected to be discussed, including jointly operated branches among multiple banks as well as artificial intelligence-driven branches.
By Lee Yeon-woo

Hanwha Life has agreed to acquire a 75 percent stake in Velocity Clearing, the life insurance company announced on Wednesday. This marks the first time a domestic life insurance company has acquired a U.S. securities firm.

"Establishing opportunities for diversified growth that transcend borders and industries in the U.S. market is of immense significance to us," Hanwha Life CEO Yeo Seung-joo said. "With Velocity Clearings robust platform and expertise, this acquisition will serve as a springboard for enhancing the global capabilities of Korea's leading insurance company."

Hanwha Life aims to enhance long-term profitability by creating diverse U.S. investment opportunities, while maximizing synergies with its global financial operations. It also plans to leverage its expertise in alternative investments as an institutional investor to provide individual clients with a broader range of investment opportunities.

Through this deal, Hanwha Life will gain direct access to Velocity's infrastructure and network.

Established in 2003, Velocity Clearing is a technology-focused brokerage firm headquartered in New York, offering execution, clearing, and custody services to retail traders and institutional clients. Hanwha Life plans to retain and collaborate closely with Velocitys existing staff to ensure a smooth integration process.

The acquisition will also allow the New York-based brokerage company to continue expanding into the Asian market, Hanwha said.

"Velocity Clearing is seeing record growth across multiple success metrics and clients are embracing our offering of a full suite of trading solutions and services that empowers them to reach their goals and objectives," CEO of Velocity Clearing Michael Logan said. "We look forward to Hanwha Lifes support in accelerating our growth even further, particularly across Asia."

The acquisition process is expected to be finalized upon receiving regulatory approval from the supervisory authorities of both countries.
By Lee Yeon-woo

Korea's Corporate Value-up Program has lost momentum despite its ambitious launch. The government is making every effort to revive the scheme, injecting 500 billion won ($359.7 million) into the market and introducing special additions to the Corporate Value-up Index.

However, market watchers remain pessimistic.

The Korea Exchange (KRX) announced on Wednesday that it will begin value-up related investments from Thursday, utilizing 200 billion won in funds created by five securities-related institutions.

The primary investment targets include exchange-traded products (ETPs) tracking the Value-up Index, individual stocks listed in the index and stocks not included in the index but with disclosed value-up plans. By the end of this year, the investment will grow further, with five institutions planning to raise an additional 300 billion won.

These announcements were followed by the KRX's separate plans to revise the index constituents on Dec. 20.

Launched in September, the index faced criticism for selection criteria. In response, the KRX announced plans to incorporate market feedback. Two months later, the KRX revealed it would revise the index to include companies that have made concrete value-up disclosures or are planning to do so.

Brokerage firms anticipate the inclusion of companies like KB Financial Group, Hana Financial Group, and SK Telecom, based on their shareholder return plans, market capitalization, and profitability.

The KRX stated that no exclusions will be made at this time to prevent disruptions in operating linked ETPs. Exclusions are instead scheduled for the regular revision in June 2025. Until then, the index will temporarily include more than 100 companies, deviating from its original principles.

Still, whether the scheme can shift market sentiment remains uncertain.

"The impact on stock prices is likely to remain limited even with special additions," Hanwha Investment & Securities analyst Kwon Byeong-jae said. "When stocks are added to the index without any being removed, the total number of constituents increases, which generally reduces the weight assigned to each stock."

Critics have also pointed out the decision not to exclude companies that contradict the Value-up Program's purpose, such as Doosan Bobcat and Korea Zinc.

Doosan Group is showing intention to restructure its construction equipment firm Doosan Bobcat under the loss-making Doosan Robotics, despite strong opposition from retail investors. Meanwhile, Korea Zinc's ongoing management feud between YoungPoong and MBK Partners has yet to be solved, raising concerns about a potential stock price plunge after the dispute is settled.

"It seems the momentum has somewhat slowed, as companies initially participated voluntarily in the Value-up policies. It might be better to apply more pressure, raise awareness among foreign investors, and demonstrate tangible changes," Credit Agricole emerging market analyst Kim Yeon-jin said in a previous interview with The Korea Times.

According to the Korea Exchange, the Korea Value-up Index has dropped 2.64 percent since its launch on Sept. 30 through Wednesday. The benchmark KOSPI dropped 4.28 percent during the same period.
By Park Han-sol

Koreas first global book fair dedicated to childrens literature is set to make a grand debut in Busan next week.

The inaugural Busan International Childrens Book Fair (BICBF) will run from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 at BEXCO, bringing together 193 publishing houses and 118 writers and critics from around the world.

Headlining the event are some of the biggest names in childrens literature  Lee Suzy, the first Korean illustrator to win the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award; Baek Hee-na, laureate of the 2020 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award; Hwang Sun-mi, author of the beloved bestseller The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly; and Hanna Cha, whose illustrations for The Truth About Dragons earned her a Caldecott Honor this year.

The Korean Publishers Association (KPA), the events organizer which also operates the annual Seoul International Book Fair, sees the new fair as a golden opportunity to raise the global profile of Korean childrens literature and address long-unmet industry demands.

The competitiveness of Korean childrens books is at a world-class level. However, with the decline in the local school-age population and the rise of new media, domestic publishers are eager to expand their reach overseas, said KPA President Yoon Chul-ho in a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. The childrens book publishing industry here has been calling for a homegrown international book fair, and the BICBF is our response to that demand.

The BICBF aspires to become Asias answer to the prominent Bologna Childrens Book Fair in Italy. But according to its director, Joo I-roo, the event is carving its own identity. Unlike Bologna, which focuses primarily on trade and copyright deals and therefore excludes young visitors on-site, the Busan fair will blend business opportunities with the magic of a children-centered literary festival.

This years theme, Laputa, inspired by the fantastical flying island in Jonathan Swifts Gullivers Travels, sets the tone for a dynamic experience. The event boasts over 150 programs, including book exhibitions, lectures, seminars and interactive workshops, with an aim to appeal to audiences of all ages with storytelling and artistic brilliance.

At the heart of the fair is the main exhibition, Laputa  Children in Verbs, featuring more than 400 titles for young readers to freely browse and flip through. The display highlights the importance of tactile engagement with books, explained Kim Ji-eun, a childrens book critic who curated the presentation.

The literary excitement will extend beyond the fairgrounds, with venues like the Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, the Hyundai Museum of Kids Books & Art and the Busan Library hosting complementary book-themed shows and programs.

Visitors can enjoy free admission by preregistering on the BICBF official website by Nov. 27. On-site tickets cost 5,000 won ($3.6).
By Baek Byung-yeul

Deb JJ Lee, a Korean American illustrator and author, has struck a chord with readers in the United States and even in Korea as the author's book In Limbo was recognized as Cartoon of the Month in September by the Korea Cartoonist Association (KCA).

The graphic memoirs raw, autobiographical portrayal of a young Korean American grappling with identity and belonging has been lauded for its emotional depth and universality since its publication in March 2023. It was translated into Korean in August, extending its reach to audiences in the author's homeland.

Lee, who is nonbinary and uses they/them, said they are pleased that the book is well-received as a good representation of the Korean diaspora struggling with their identity.

Im so thankful! Lee told The Korea Times during a recent email interview. While working on the book, I always hoped for a Korean translation, but I wasnt sure how it would resonate with readers in Korea. Most of my family isnt fluent in English, so this became a way for them to learn about my experiences after leaving Korea. That opportunity alone made me overjoyed.

Although Lee lives in New York and works in the U.S., they maintain a strong connection to their Korean identity. This is evident not only in Lees illustrations and graphic novels, but also on their website, debleeart.com, as they uses two "jieut" (a consonant of the Korean alphabet) in the logo instead of their English middle name "JJ on the bio page. This subtle detail highlights the unique way Lee expresses their Korean American identity.

'In Limbo' and 'Oekkeopul'

In Limbo follows Deborah, whose Korean name is Jung-jin, a teenage girl navigating the turbulence of puberty while feeling out of place in her Korean American identity.

Set against a backdrop of cultural dissonance, familial tensions and teenage insecurities, the book delves into the universal struggles of growing up while highlighting the unique challenges of being part of the Korean diaspora.

It received the Young Adult Honor at the 2024 Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature, an esteemed award, with the KCA praising the graphic memoir for its vivid portrayal of alienation and loneliness, especially during puberty.

However, Lee emphasized that the book isnt just for those who share their cultural background.

I wanted the book to be known for its feelings of loneliness, anxiety and relationships, Lee said. There are so many books out there that effectively convey the feeling of Korean American diaspora, but the book is also meant for non-Koreans as well. I joke with people that the story is perfect for people who are either: Asian, depressed or both.

The Korean edition of the memoir is titled Oekkeopul, meaning single eyelid in English. It is chosen by its Korea publisher Changbi Publishers to reflect Deborahs feelings of alienation in a society where double eyelids are seen as the norm.

Lee supports the decision, hoping that the Korean title will resonate more with Korean readers.

At first I was told that a direct translation of 'In Limbo' doesnt exist in Korean, since its more of an English expression that would not translate well directly. I trusted their judgement on it, since they know the audience better than I do!

From short comics to full-length memoir

The idea for In Limbo began with a short and deeply personal comic about the language barriers within their immigrant family. After posting it online, the piece went viral and the overwhelming response encouraged them to expand the concept into a full-length memoir.

"At first, when I moved to the Bay Area I felt out of place again. Now I was surrounded by a bunch of East Asian families, including Korean ones. Watching Korean families gathering in large spaces, I realized that I didnt have an 'in' this time because my parents werent here to help me feel part of the community. I felt pretty self-conscious about it, so I vented this confusion into a short, two to four page comic that I posted online about language barriers between generations in my family, Lee said.

"Michelle Zauner of 'Crying in H Mart' reposted it and it went viral! Thats when my literary agent and I started working on a pitch of a bigger version of the original comic. This book would be my first full-length comic."

The process of crafting In Limbo was both cathartic and challenging, the author added.

I tried to make it as real to the experience as possible. The story is very similar to how it was in real life, but to make it as readable to an audience as possible, I had to change the order of certain events, combine a bunch of characters and scenes into one, and remove a good amount of details as well, Lee said. When I first drafted the book, it was originally over 500 pages! I had to cut down on so much so it would be readable.

Embracing teens, immigrants

As someone who experienced severe growing pains during adolescence, the author offers heartfelt advice to teenagers feeling isolated.

The world is so much bigger and more important than what is going on in middle or high school. Even in college I realized that my mental health soared when I found places to be that wasnt my immediate environment. I had places to be, people to meet. Its not so much running away from your problems as it is expanding your worldview, Lee said.

The author added this perspective is also key for those struggling with their immigrant identity.

This could be the same about being born into immigrant families; sometimes in an environment where you cant find people like yourself, you have to go out further to make your own community, they said.

Art as lifelong passion

Lee, who introduces themselves as an illustrator, divides their time between commercial illustration and storytelling through comics and graphic novels.

I think illustration encompasses all the arts Im involved in, even cartooning! Half of my work life is spent on standalone pieces for book covers and other commercial work. For instance, I got to do illustrations for BMW, Johnnie Walker and McDonalds. They are definitely higher-paying jobs too, Lee said.

The other half is used for graphic novels, comics and now picture books. They pay much less but I think they have a longer life span and are in a better position to touch peoples hearts.

When asked about their connection to Korean comics, also called manhwa, Lee expressed admiration, naming some Korean cartoonists.

Im only a little familiar with Manhwa! The drawings that I see in manhwa in general (and in Korea, when Im visiting) feel much more comedic and expressive than ones I see in Western drawings. There is so much originality and distinction between each character design that makes them hard to forget!, Lee said.

My favorite manhwas that I keep thinking about are Ummas Table by Hong Yeon-sik and Grass by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim. Theyre extremely good at portraying the heaviness of loss and injustice with little words. Especially with Grass, I have a hard time getting through 10 pages without needing to take a break.
The commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said Tuesday that the United States has "not yet" seen North Korea's atmospheric reentry capability, a key technology required for the recalcitrant regime to advance its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program.

Adm. Samuel Paparo made the remarks during a forum in Washington as Pyongyang has been doubling down on its quest to secure reliable long-range warhead delivery vehicles as seen in the test-launch last month of a new Hwasong-19 ICBM.

"Not yet. We've not yet seen that capability, but we just see continued testing towards that," the admiral said at the forum hosted by the Brookings Institution.

The reentry technology is required to ensure a missile's warhead can withstand extremely high temperatures during reentry to Earth's atmosphere. Despite repeated ICBM tests, it remains unknown whether Pyongyang has actually perfected the technology.

As military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow has been deepening, speculation has risen that the North could ask for military technology assistance, including ICBM-related support, in return for its troop deployment to support Russia's war in Ukraine.

Describing the Russia-North Korea partnership as "transactional" and "symbiotic," the admiral expected that Pyongyang could get submarine and propulsion technologies in return for its supplies of weapons and troops to Russia. He did not elaborate further.

"They are dangerous and transactional, and North Korea has contributed missiles in the form of KN-24 that have been directly used against Ukraine. They have contributed artillery shells that have been directly used against Ukraine. Now they have directly contributed soldiers in five digits," he said.

"I would expect coming back will be submarine technology and propulsion technology."

Paparo pointed out that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is "reforming" his country "in a new image."

"We've seen him eschew unification. We've seen him declare South Korea as impure, other ... not Korean," he said. "We should not ignore this sea change."

This North Korean move cannot be a good development for China, he noted.

"Because as North Korea proliferates, the PRC has declared that they seek the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and we respect that declaration from the People's Republic of China," he said, referring to China by its official name.

"We appreciate that. So it is a dangerous situation. It adds complexity to an already dangerous situation." (Yonhap)
North Korea has held the 11th meeting of the intergovernmental committee on economic cooperation with Russia and discussed a range of issues on mutual cooperation, the North's state media reported Wednesday.

Yun Jong-ho, the external economic relations minister of North Korea, and Russia's Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov attended the meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology in Pyongyang the previous day, the Korean Central News Agency said.

The two sides assessed the implementation of their previous meeting's agreements and discussed in detail areas of mutual cooperation, including energy, agriculture, science, technology, health and tourism, the report said.

A Russian delegation, led by Kozlov, is visiting Pyongyang for the committee meeting, the seventh session held in the North Korean capital since the bilateral committee's inauguration in 1996.

On Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met with Kozlov and was seen receiving and seeing him off outside the building where their meeting took place, as a gesture of cordiality. This was the first time a North Korean leader has met with a Russian head of the committee.

An official at South Korea's unification ministry has described Kim's personal meeting with Kozlov as demonstrating his "expectations for bilateral economic exchanges" and "showing off the North's closeness" with Russia. (Yonhap)
North Korean troops deployed to Russia were assessed to have been assigned to Moscow's airborne brigade and marine corps on the ground, with some of the North's soldiers having already entered combat, South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers Wednesday.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) presented the assessment during a closed-door meeting of the parliamentary Intelligence Committee, according to People Power Party Rep. Lee Seong-kweun and Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Park Sun-won, who attended the session.

"North Korean troops were assessed to have been relocated to Kursk in late October after completing local adjustment training in northeastern Russia," the NIS told the lawmakers.

"Having been assigned to Russia's airborne brigade or marine corps, (some) are undergoing training in tactics and drone response, while others are assessed to have participated in combat," the spy agency said.

The NIS also told the lawmakers that North Korean troops, having entered combat, may have suffered casualties or wounds, adding that efforts are under way to determine the details of the combat circumstances and the extent of the damage.

Seoul and Washington have previously said that North Korean troops, dispatched to Russia's western front-line Kursk region, have begun engaging in combat operations against Ukrainian forces despite criticism that their introduction onto the battlefield could broaden the war and affect security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Citing varying numbers of North Korean equipment operation forces, the agency estimated the size of the troop dispatch to be between 12,000 and 15,000, adding additional troop deployment could be possible at Russia's request.

"If the war prolongs, it would lead to increased troop casualties, making it possible for Putin to request additional deployments from North Korea," the NIS said.

Prolongation of the war is also feared to increase Russia' dependency on North Korea, raising the chances of Moscow transferring more sophisticated weapon technology to the North, it said, adding that "an early conclusion of the war would be desirable."

The NIS also confirmed North Korea's exports of long-range artillery to Russia, including 170 mm self-propelled howitzers and 240 mm multiple rocket launchers. North Korea has previously been reported to have shipped artillery shells and short-range ballistic missiles to Russia.

The spy agency additionally noted that North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui may have had a "very important and sensitive" discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin during her visit to the country in early November, adding that it may not have been a mere courtesy meeting.

Choe had a surprise meeting with Putin on Nov. 4 during her visit to Russia, demonstrating the elevated closeness between their countries amid North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia to fight in its war against Ukraine.

The NIS also suggested the possibility that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may visit Russia. (Yonhap)
A United Nations working group has concluded that China's repatriation of North Korean defectors last year constitutes an "arbitrary deprivation of liberty" and urged China and North Korea to take steps to address the issue, a document showed Wednesday.

The U.N. Human Rights Council's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) adopted the opinions during an August session, in response to a petition filed on behalf of Kim Cheol-ok, a North Korean national, the document showed.

Kim was among hundreds of North Korean escapees deported by China to their home country following the conclusion of the Asian Games in Hangzhou in October last year, as part of its internationally criticized mass repatriation of North Korean refugees.

Kim's family living outside North Korea, with the help of a human rights group, submitted the petition requesting that the working group determine whether Kim's repatriation constitutes arbitrary detention.

The working group cited China's failure to inform Kim of the reasons and charges for her arrest, determining that her arrest and repatriation were "arbitrary" actions that violated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

It also determined that the arrest and detention of the escapees, including Kim, by North Korean authorities "are arbitrary as they resulted from the individuals' exercise of their rights" under the declaration and covenant.

"The appropriate remedy would be to release Ms. Kim immediately and accord her with an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, in accordance with international law," the WGAD said, urging "steps necessary to remedy the situation without delay."

The group also urged China and North Korea to ensure "a full and independent investigation of the circumstances" and to "take appropriate measures against those responsible for the violation of Kim's rights."

The working group referred Kim's case to the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances for "appropriate action."

The WGAD is currently reviewing the cases of three South Korean Christian missionaries  Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie and Choi Chun-gil  who are currently detained after being taken into custody in North Korea between 2013 and 2015 on spy charges to determine if their detentions constitute arbitrary detention. (Yonhap)
NIS says some North Korean troops began engaging in combat

By Kwak Yeon-soo

South Koreas spy agency said, Wednesday, that it is closely monitoring the possibility of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visiting Russia.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the assessment after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui at the Kremlin on Nov. 4, contrary to earlier reports that suggested no plans for such a meeting.

The agency shared the information with lawmakers during a closed-door meeting of the parliamentary intelligence committee, according to Rep. Lee Seong-kweun of the ruling People Power Party and Rep. Park Sun-won of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, who are leaders of the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee.

Choes visit to Russia, where she met with her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, and Putin, followed confirmation from South Korea and the U.S. that around 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia. Thousands of these troops have already been deployed to the front-line Kursk region.

Putin greeted Choe on a national holiday. We believe the meeting touched upon important agendas, including sensitive ones like a potential visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. It appears likely that both sides discussed more than exchanging cordial words, the NIS was quoted as saying by the lawmakers.

On Oct. 25, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Kim visiting Moscow next year is a possibility, noting that high-level exchanges are always taking place with Pyongyang as its close neighbor.

The NIS said some of the North Korean troops deployed to Russia in the Ukrainian war have been assigned to combat roles alongside Russias Airborne Brigade and Marines.

At least 11,000 North Korean soldiers completed acclimation training in Russias northeastern regions and were relocated to Kursk in late October. With North Korean troops now being deployed to the front lines of the war in Ukraine, casualties are likely to emerge. We will closely monitor the extent of losses suffered by North Korean forces, it said.

The spy agency also confirmed additional exports of North Korean howitzers and multiple rocket launchers to Russia.

We found out that North Korea has provided Russia with 170mm self-propelled howitzers and 240mm multiple rocket launchers in addition to artillery weapons. It is highly likely that North Korea also dispatched additional personnel to maintain and repair new weapons as they are not part of Russias conventional arsenal.

North Korea and Russia have been strengthening military and other cooperation, with Kim and Putin holding summit talks in June in Pyongyang. They signed a new partnership treaty that includes a mutual defense clause.
South Korea, the United States and Japan officially launched a secretariat for trilateral cooperation Wednesday, following the announcement on its establishment at their leaders' summit last week, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

The launch of the Trilateral Secretariat came days after the leaders of the three countries announced the plan during the summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Peru on Friday (local time).

Establishing the secretariat was part of an agreement reached between President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and then Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Camp David summit in August last year.

The envisioned launch of the secretariat has been seen as a concrete step toward implementing the commitments shared among the three nations, including enhancing three-way coordination and cooperation against common challenges, including North Korea's military threats.

The inaugural meeting for the secretariat's launch took place in Seoul, led by Lee Won-woo, deputy director general for North American affairs at the South Korean foreign ministry; Robert Koepcke, U.S. deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs; and Akihiro Okochi, deputy director general for Asian and Oceanian affairs of Japan's foreign ministry.

Each country will rotate the role of secretary general and the operation of the secretariat every two years, starting with South Korea, followed by the U.S. and Japan, the foreign ministry said.

At Wednesday's meeting, the three countries "assessed the progress in the trilateral cooperation since the Camp David summit and discussed the structure and operational plans for the secretariat," the ministry said.

South Korea will work with the U.S. and Japan to coordinate various ongoing projects in areas such as security, the economy, advanced technology and people-to-people exchanges, with the aim of institutionalizing and fostering the continuous development of trilateral cooperation, the ministry added. (Yonhap)
By Kim Hyun-bin

Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko marked the 1000th day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reflecting on the difficult journey his country has endured while expressing profound gratitude for international support during an event held at the War Memorial of Korea on Tuesday.

"I stand before you to reflect on what has been an incredibly difficult and painful journey for my country," Ponomarenko began. "However, I also stand with a sense of profound gratitude and determination. The international community's unwavering support has been and continues to be crucial to Ukraine's resilience in the defense of our freedom and democracy."

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022. This marked a significant escalation in the conflict, which had been ongoing since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and began supporting separatist movements in eastern Ukraine.

The 2022 invasion has led to widespread international condemnation and significant geopolitical ramifications. For nearly three years, Ukraine has been engaged in an intensive battle for its independence and the very values that bind the global community together.

"What began as a direct assault by the Russian Federation has now become a broader international conflict, expanding beyond Europe's borders," Ponomarenko said.

"As we face not only Russian aggression but also its new partner in this war, North Korea, it directly affects the geopolitical landscape of Northeast Asia, challenging global security and threatening the peace of the Korean Peninsula itself."

Ponomarenko emphasized the broader implications of the conflict, emphasizing that Ukraine is now fighting not just for its own survival but "for the stability of the international order and the future of democratic values."

The alliance between two authoritarian regimes, Russia and North Korea, must be seen for what it is, "a direct challenge to the principles of sovereignty, self-determination and the rule of law," he said.

The ambassador expressed deep appreciation for the international support Ukraine has received, stating that Ukraine would not have made it through these one thousand days without the steadfast support of our international partners providing vital military, humanitarian and financial assistance.

However, Ponomarenko underscored that the war is far from over and called for continued and increased support.

"It is more critical than ever that the international community remains resolute. I must urge our partners to continue and increase your support for Ukraine. The war is not only about defending our borders; it is about ensuring that authoritarian regimes fail in their efforts to undermine democracy and peace. The aggressor state must be held accountable through sanctions and diplomatic pressure," he said.

"The one-thousandth day of this war is a milestone, but it's also a reminder that the journey ahead will be long and challenging. Let us continue to stand together in the fight against aggression and work to build a future where Ukraine is free, secure, and prosperous, where we can live in peace with our neighbors, and where our children will grow up in a world defined not by war and destruction but by hope and freedom."

As he concluded his speech, Ponomarenko called for a moment to reflect on the lives lost, the families torn apart and the heroes who courageously defend their homeland, as well as the civilians who have suffered, the soldiers who have given their lives and the families who have borne the unimaginable weight of this war.




resident Yoon Suk Yeol and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed Tuesday to accelerate negotiations to upgrade a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with an aim to boost cooperation in services, supply chains, digital trade, biotechnology and other sectors, Yoon's office said.

Yoon and Starmer met in Brazil on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. It marked their second in-person meeting since their talks in Washington in July.

The first round of negotiations for the FTA revision began in January as they seek to deepen trade ties. The current FTA came into took effect in January 2021 after Britain's departure from the European Union.

During the summit, Yoon and Starmer also discussed security concerns on the Korean Peninsula and increasing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

"They recognized their joint efforts to deliver a unified and strong condemnation on the security issues and pledged continued close cooperation for coordinated responses," Yoon's office said in a release.

The two leaders acknowledged the interconnected security challenges in Northeast Asia and Europe and agreed to collaborate on peace and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, it noted. (Yonhap)
President Yoon Suk Yeol and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a summit in Brazil on Tuesday to discuss cooperation on supply chains for critical minerals and security issues, Yoon's office said.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro to focus on strengthening trade and investment, and the energy sector ties between the two nations.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen collaboration in the critical minerals sectors to address instability in the global supply chain.

Yoon introduced a plan to launch the Korea-Africa critical minerals dialogue at Mining Indaba, an African mining conference set to take place in South Africa in February, and asked for Ramaphosa's support for the initiative, the office said.

They also agreed to work together to send a "stern message" against North Korea's provocations and its troop dispatch to support Russia's war in Ukraine, characterizing their military cooperation as violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions, it noted. (Yonhap)
Ukrainian delegation expected to visit Seoul soon with weapons request

By Lee Hyo-jin

South Korea is facing an increasingly complex dilemma over whether to provide military aid to Ukraine, caught between the diverging stances of U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump, according to analysts, Wednesday.

The incoming Trump administration has pledged to scale back U.S. military support for Ukraine and push to end the war. In contrast, Biden remains committed to aiding Kyiv during his final two months in office.

On Tuesday, which marked the 1,000th day of the war, Ukraine launched six U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike Russian territory. This marked the first time Kyiv had used American missiles against Russian soil, coming just two days after the U.S. leader approved their deployment.

But Biden's decision to authorize the use of U.S.-supplied missiles has drawn sharp criticism from Trumps team.

Mike Waltz, Trumps pick for national security adviser, called it another step in the escalation ladder and warned it could lead to more North Korean troops being deployed to support Russia, during an interview with Fox News. He also mentioned that "South Korea is now saying it may get engaged."

The reluctance of Trump's team to expand the Russo-Ukraine war has complicated Seoul's decision on supplying arms to Kyiv. Just weeks ago, the South Korean government announced that it may consider providing weapons to the war-torn nation  a significant policy shift  in response to the deployment of North Korean troops on Russia's side in the conflict.

Doo Jin-ho, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said South Korea is becoming more cautious about providing arms to Ukraine, especially after Trumps reelection.

While its important to align with the Biden administration, if South Korea provides military support to Ukraine while Trump is signaling a reduction in aid, it will inevitably affect the South Korea-U.S. alliance in the coming months, Doo said, noting that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin may have already begun behind-the-scenes negotiations for a peace agreement.

Cho Han-bum, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said Bidens authorization of Ukraine's use of ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory seems to be a response to North Korean military involvement.

U.S. officials have repeatedly stated that if North Korean troops join the fight, they will become legitimate targets. The primary targets of the ATACMS missiles are likely to be North Korean infantry in Russia's Kursk region, who are poorly armed," Cho said.

According to South Korea's National Intelligence Service, Wednesday, about 10,900 North Korean troops have been deployed to Kursk as part of Russia's airborne units and marines, with some already participating in combat.

However, Cho argued that these developments are unlikely to change the overall course of the war.

Even without the Trump factor, the war in Ukraine seems to have shifted to a phase of regional skirmishes focused on limited territorial gains, with a major expansion of the conflict looking unlikely. As the situation seems to be moving into a so-called 'control mode' with Trump's return, South Koreas rationale in providing military aid to Ukraine in response to North Korean troops could lack clarity, he said.

Amid these developments, a Ukrainian government delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umierov, is expected to visit South Korea as early as this week, with a formal request for defensive weapons. The outcome of this visit is seen as crucial in determining Seoul's future stance on providing military assistance.

Doo said the visit may not yield favorable results for Ukraine, noting, Providing weapons is not solely a bilateral decision between Seoul and Kyiv. It also involves the U.S. and NATO."

According to South Koreas presidential office, Washington gave prior notice to Seoul about its approval of the ATACMS, but the discussions did not include South Korea's potential arms support for Ukraine.

As allies, South Korea and the U.S. can exchange necessary weapons if needed, an official at the presidential office said, Tuesday. However, no decisions have been made, nor have detailed discussions begun, specifically regarding Ukraine.

The official added that South Korea will further clarify its stance on arms aid after discussions with the Ukrainian delegation.
S. Korea to expand 'green' ODA to countries vulnerable to global warming

By Anna J. Park

President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to bolster support for addressing the climate crisis and transitioning to clean energy during the G20 Summit held in Brazil on Tuesday (local time), the presidential office said Wednesday.

The South Korean president also emphasized the nation's commitment to bolstering support for countries vulnerable to the challenges of the climate crisis, as part of broader efforts to tackle the crisis.

During the third G20 session on Tuesday (local time), themed "Sustainable Development and Energy Transition," Yoon outlined South Korea's contributions to resolving the challenges.

"Korea has been implementing an additional $300 million contribution to the Green Climate Fund, as pledged at last years G20 Summit in New Delhi," he said.

Yoon stressed that achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 requires a global transition to clean energy, but pointed out that the burden of this shift is disproportionately heavy for emerging economies and developing countries.

"At last years UN General Assembly, I proposed the Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) Initiative, and in October this year, the South Korean government, together with partner nations, launched the CFE Global Working Group during the Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting," Yoon said, vowing to continue to develop a carbon-free energy certification system.

South Korea also announced plans to contribute $7 million to a fund aimed at supporting countries impacted by climate change at the Korea-Africa Summit in June this year.

Additionally, the South Korean president highlighted Seoul's leadership in mobilizing private sector resources and expertise to advance sustainable development.

"South Korea will work to reduce risks associated with renewable energy investments to encourage private green investments. Furthermore, we aim to accelerate the development of clean energy by introducing market mechanisms such as competitive bidding for clean hydrogen power generation," Yoon said.

The president also underscored South Korea's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality in the digital sector by improving the efficiency of the digital industry and reducing the energy consumption of digital infrastructure. He emphasized the crucial role of innovative technologies in minimizing carbon footprints while fostering sustainable digital transformation.

On the sidelines of the G20 sessions, Yoon held a bilateral summit with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Tuesday (local time), agreeing to unite in their response to North Korea-Russia military cooperation.

During the summit, Yoon and Starmer shared the view that the security of Northeast Asia and Europe is more interconnected than ever, while pledging to strengthen international solidarity for peace and reconstruction in Ukraine.

In particular, the two countries agreed to accelerate progress in the areas of the foreign and defense 2+2 meetings, defense industry cooperation, and ongoing negotiations to enhance the South Korea-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). They also committed to closer communication to deepen cooperation in the field of carbon-free energy (CFE).

That day, Yoon also held a summit with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, agreeing to collaborate in the critical minerals sector to address global supply chain instability. The South Korean president also sought South Africa's support, announcing that Seoul would launch a Korea-Africa critical minerals dialogue during the upcoming "Mining Indaba"  Africas largest annual mining forum, which will be held in South Africa in February next year.

After completing his multilateral diplomatic schedule at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and G20 summits, Yoon boarded Air Force One in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday (local time) to return to South Korea.
Japan will hold a memorial ceremony next week to honor workers, including many Koreans, who were forced into hard labor at an old mine complex during World War II, a Japan-based committee organizing the event said Wednesday.

The ceremony will take place at the Aikawa Development Center on western Sado Island, off Japan's west coast, Sunday, the executive committee for the Sado mines memorial ceremony said.

Korea's foreign ministry said the ceremony, scheduled for 1 p.m., will be attended by officials from the executive committee, civic groups, and the Sado city and central governments.

Eleven family members of the Korean victims will also be present at the ceremony, a Seoul official said.

The announcement came after Japan's delay in fixing the timing of the memorial service sparked concerns in Korea about Japan's sincerity in fulfilling its pledge to present the full history of the site, including its links to the forced mobilization of Koreans.

Japan earlier promised to hold the memorial ceremony to remember the forced labor victims as a precondition for the inscription of the Sado gold and silver mines as a UNESCO World Heritage site in July.

Tokyo had initially indicated it was considering holding the ceremony as early as August and on a regular basis going forward.

Korea has requested a high-level Japanese government official, possibly at a vice minister level, attend the ceremony to show its sincerity. Tokyo did not announce who will be attending the event from the central government.

The event will include a moment of silence to honor the victims, followed by remarks from both the Korean and Japanese sides, and a wreath-laying ceremony, the ministry official said.

The Sado mine complex, once the largest producer of gold in the 17th century, won UNESCO World Heritage status in late July, upon the consensus of the 21 UNESCO committee members that include Korea and Japan.

Seoul gave consent to the inscription after Tokyo agreed to set up the exhibits on its history and hold a regular memorial service to honor the forced labor victims.

Critics have said the exhibits, installed at a local history museum near the mine complex, lack descriptions of the coercive nature of the mobilization.

Thousands of Koreans were taken to toil at Japanese mines and factories during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea. (Yonhap)
The United States has authorized a potential sale to South Korea of equipment and services needed to upgrade its F-15K fighter fleet, a government agency said Tuesday, saying that the sale would help enhance the Asian ally's air defense capabilities.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) under the Department of Defense announced that the State Department has made the decision on the potential government-to-government Foreign Military Sale (FMS) estimated to cost US$6.2 billion.

South Korea has made a request to buy equipment and services for the upgrade, including 70 AN/APG-82(V)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array radars, 70 AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System electronic warfare suites and 70 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region," DSCA said in a release.

"This proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea's capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its critical air defense capability to deter aggression in the region and to ensure interoperability with U.S. forces," it added.

DSCA delivered the certification, notifying Congress of the proposed sale earlier in the day as the sale requires congressional endorsement. (Yonhap)
Chat program operator more responsive to content removal requests after CEOs arrest: official

By Jung Min-ho

Telegram has vowed to delete sexually explicit deepfake content targeting Korean people as the Dubai-based messaging company moves to bolster cooperation with the Korean government.

Speaking to The Korea Times recently, Telegram spokesperson Remi Vaughn vowed a zero-tolerance policy against any illegal content and said it would join the Korean government's efforts to protect the victims.

Telegram has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal pornography and moderators remove it whenever it is discovered, Vaughn said in a Telegram message. If you have discovered any such content in your reporting, I would greatly appreciate it if you shared links with me so moderators can investigate.

The spokesperson also said Telegram is cooperating with the government by setting up a hotline and providing officials with the contact details of its designated managers.

This comes as the Korea Communications Commission, the countrys media regulation agency, is urging the company to strengthen its monitoring of such content. In a statement released at a press briefing, Tuesday, Kim Tae-gyu, the acting chairperson of the organization, said Telegram should "be more responsible" in managing what is shared on its platform, especially amid increasing concerns over sexually explicit deepfake content targeting women, including minors.

The commission also said Telegram pledged to designate a content management official for child safety.

For years, Telegram has been a preferred platform for criminals and others engaged in illicit activities or spreading harmful content, all under the protection of the companys end-to-end encryption and privacy-first policy. The platform largely ignored cooperation requests from governments or their agencies until very recently.

According to officials assisting victims of non-consensual distribution of intimate images, Telegram has become noticeably more responsive to requests for removing such content since early October.

Telegram had not responded to any of our inquiries regarding illegal content on the platform since I started working here in April 2018. But these days, the company has apparently become more responsive, said one of the team directors at the Womens Human Rights Institute of Korea, a state-run institution tasked with promoting equal rights for women.

Telegram still ignores our specific questions, offering no responses. But it appears to have taken action to our reports about criminal activities happening in certain chat rooms  For example, one or two days after our report, the problematic chat room suddenly disappears. I first sensed the change of attitude about one and a half months ago.

The director believes the recent arrest of Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, might have prompted the company to shift its stance on handling illicit content. Durov was arrested in France on Aug. 24 in connection with allegations that his platform was being used for unlawful activities, including drug trafficking and the distribution of child pornography.

While the same level of penalty for platform operators may not be possible under Korean law, the government said earlier this month that it can impose fines on them for failing to prevent illegal content  and intends to do so more aggressively under the current rules.

Despite rampant deepfake and other illegal content, the government has not held platform operators such as Telegram accountable for their alleged roles. I think it would be symbolic, maybe even necessary, to take action to send them a clear message, the director said.
Korea's antitrust regulator said Wednesday it has issued corrective orders on 47 unfair terms and conditions found in the operations of two major Chinese e-commerce platforms, AliExpress and Temu.

Despite rapid growth  estimated at around 10 million users in Korea  due to extremely low prices and a broad range of products, the Chinese online retailers have recently come under scrutiny for their business practices, advertising and handling of customer complaints and requests.

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) identified 47 clauses in the platforms' terms and conditions that were deemed to unfairly limit consumer rights and excessively exclude the platforms from liability, in violation of local e-commerce laws and other relevant regulations.

First, the FTC ordered adjustments to several existing clauses that limit the platforms' liability to consumers rights and broadly restrict compensation for damages.

With the corrections, the two platforms would bear responsibility within the limits of their negligence and be required to comply with the Korean civil law for consumer compensation.

Additionally, some of AliExpress and Temu's existing terms permit extensive collection of users' personal data without specifying usage duration and even allow the sharing of data with third parties without user consent.

Korea's Personal Information Protection Act mandates that e-commerce platforms obtain users' consent before transferring their personal information, and to include consumer complaint procedures in their terms and conditions.

The FTC ordered AliExpress and Temu to specify which data could be collected and to delete any clauses that unfairly limit consumers' data protection rights.

Furthermore, the companies' existing terms require consumer disputes to be resolved exclusively in overseas courts, with AliExpress specifying Hong Kong and Temu specifying Singapore as their choice of destination.

The FTC ordered such terms to be revised to state that Korean laws apply to disputes with Korean consumers.

The FTC anticipates that standardizing AliExpress and Temu's terms before Black Friday, slated for next week, will help effectively protect the rights of Korea's estimated 13 million overseas shoppers.

Direct overseas purchases by Korean consumers reached 6.8 trillion won ($4.9 billion) in 2023, up from 5.3 trillion won in 2022, largely driven by increased online purchases from China through platforms like AliExpress and Temu.

While the United States had historically held the largest share of Korean overseas purchases, goods from China accounted for 48.7 percent of the total in 2023. (Yonhap)
By Jung Da-hyun

Commuters faced significant delays on Wednesday as so-called "work-to-rule" protests by railway and subway workers disrupted subway services. These recurring strikes, which take place annually, continue to cause widespread inconvenience to the public.

A work-to-rule protest is a form of industrial action where employees strictly adhere to their job descriptions and work rules, doing only the bare minimum required of them. This can significantly slow down productivity and efficiency.

"I went to the subway station at my usual time this morning, but the train was delayed by 20 stations," said an office worker surnamed Ku, who commutes from Gajwa Station to Hongik University Station on the Gyeongui-Central Line.

Ku took a bus instead, saying, "I would have been more than 30 minutes late if I had waited for the train."

Her colleague, Han Sol, who commutes from Incheon, also faced disruptions during her commute home the previous day.

"I was waiting for a train bound for Yongsan Station, and the display board initially indicated it would arrive in 10 minutes. However, I ended up waiting another 10 minutes due to the delay," she said.

The Korean Railway Workers' Union continued its work-to-rule protest for a third consecutive day, causing delays of over 20 minutes on eight trains operating on subway lines 1, 3, and 4, as well as the Suin-Bundang and Gyeongui-Central lines, according to the Korea Railroad Corp.

Adding to the frustrations of commuters, Seoul Metros largest labor union, which operates subway lines 1 through 8, also began a work-to-rule protest, Wednesday, sparking concerns of further disruptions to the citys subway services.

Read More Commuters face delays as unionized Seoul Metro workers slow down operations

According to data submitted by KORAIL to Rep. Suh Bum-soo of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), the railway union has engaged in work-to-rule protests 11 times over the past five years, spanning a total of 178 days from 2019 to 2023. These actions delayed 1,122 trains, with an average delay time of 38 minutes.

The biggest labor union of Seoul Metro has also staged repeated strikes for the past three years.

Both unions are demanding higher pay and an expanded workforce, warning of full-scale strikes if their demands are not met. These requests, which have remained consistent year after year, call for better wages and improved working conditions.

The Seoul Metro labor union has already announced plans for an indefinite strike beginning Dec. 6.

Kim Jin-yoo, a professor at the Department of Urban Planning and Transportation Engineering at Kyonggi University, pointed out the ongoing issue of excessive labor intensity among subway workers, calling it a chronic problem that remains unaddressed.

"While the company often cites deficits as a key issue, public transportation systems worldwide tend to operate at a loss," he said.

"Government-level measures, involving the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, are needed to support deficit-prone areas and reconsider fare exemptions for senior citizens."
By Lee Nan-hee

Almost everyone has wounds from their fathers. Perhaps I read this passage from a certain book when I was a college student. I was not an exception, for my father was strict and rigid. It seems that many fathers were like that. Why? One reason must be that our society has had a stern father-centered, male-centered and senior-centered culture influenced by Confucianism. Additionally, the military culture of command and obedience, derived from Japanese colonial rule, decades of military dictatorship, and a social governing system geared toward rapid industrialization, likely contributed to this culture.

As I grew older, I realized that this was true not only in Korea but also in the West. There are two grand streams of thought and culture in the West: Hebraism, based on the Old Testament, and Hellenism, derived from ancient Greek philosophies.

We can read about many gods in several literary works in Greece from eight century B.C. to the ninth century, as well as from the fourth century B.C. Such gods are astonishingly like human beings. They are jealous, envious, moody, fickle and sometimes they fight with, or even kill, other gods.

Stories of Greek myths can be understood and summarized as patricide. This symbolically means that each young generation makes its own time by negating and killing the father's generation. This implies that criticism, overcoming and sublation of the older generation are deeply rooted and entrenched in Western culture and thoughts. In a similar vein, as is well-known, Sigmund Freud explained the origin of religion as a device to solve the guilt stemming from such patricide in his book "Totem and Taboo."

This thought and culture of Western society is very patriarchal, and that is, father-centered. The outstanding French thinker Jacques Lacan, who tried to succeed Freud in the 20th century, explicated "Father's law." Explaining the mental development process of the human being, he argued that when an infant grows, learns language and enters society and culture, the infant enters a system centered on Father's law. This indicates that Western society is very much father-centered.

I have been feeling uncomfortable with my father for a long time. However, as my father gets older and weaker, I have to care for him and spend time with him more and more. He usually talks a lot about his past life. He repeats the same stories again and again. I am not sure whether it is because of dementia or short-term memory impairment. Even I can memorize and tell his stories. Nonetheless, I listen to him patiently without showing any signs of boredom. Then, he likes it and feels satisfied.

One old woman once told me that she kept fighting with her father due to different views on current politics until the day he passed away. I chose the way of peace and reconciliation. I do know well that I have received many good things from my father.

In my father's time, when he grew up, there was not just social class but a hierarchy between slaves and the royal family descending from the Joseon Dynasty. My father was loved and cared for very much as a grandson and male by his grandparents and kin. At that time, women and daughters were almost confined to the kitchen and relegated to filial tasks. I spent many years grumbling that my father was obstinate, self-centered and patriarchal, as he failed to understand me. Though, as I get closer and closer to him, I can be at ease, peaceful with him, and finally, reconcile with him. Though it took quite a long time, it must be the most worthwhile, valuable reconciliation.

Lee Nan-hee studied English in college and theology at Hanshin University.
Steps needed to address rapidly escalating tensions in Ukraine

The war between Russia and Ukraine has reached a critical turning point, marked by alarming developments that threaten to escalate the conflict further. Ukraine's recent use of U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, in an attack on Russias Bryansk region has significantly heightened tensions. In response, Russia has taken steps to lower its threshold for the use of nuclear weapons, raising the stakes to an unprecedented level. The repercussions of this conflict extend far beyond the immediate region, posing a serious challenge to global stability. As the situation grows increasingly volatile, it is essential for world leaders to reassess their security strategies and address the rising risk of a broader, potentially catastrophic confrontation.

Ukraines use of long-range missiles has opened a new phase in the war. These ATACMS missiles, capable of reaching deep into Russian territory, represent a significant upgrade in Ukraine's military capabilities. In response, Russia has not only condemned the strike but also escalated its rhetoric by adopting a more aggressive nuclear posture. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an updated nuclear doctrine, one that expands Moscows rationale for using nuclear weapons, particularly in response to perceived threats or attacks on Russian territory. This shift in nuclear strategy further heightens global anxieties, as the possibility of a nuclear confrontation becomes increasingly real. With Russias direct threat of nuclear escalation, the international community must confront the potential for a new world war.

Under President Joe Bidens administration, the U.S. has emerged as a steadfast ally of Ukraine, supplying critical military aid, including the advanced missiles recently deployed. This unwavering support, however, has provoked sharp warnings from Russia, which has cautioned that continued Western backing could lead to dire consequences. Russia's mounting concerns over Ukraines military support from NATO and other Western allies has prompted the Kremlin to adopt an increasingly aggressive stance. Despite these escalating threats, Biden has firmly reiterated his commitment to Ukraine, making it clear that the U.S. will not waver in its support.

The geopolitical landscape has become even more complex with the involvement of other global players. One of the most concerning developments has been the reported military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. The U.S. has moved to counter this alliance, particularly after reports that North Korea sent troops to the Russian frontlines. During a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Biden called on China to exercise its influence over North Korea to halt its military support for Russia. This development suggests a broader regional implication for the war, particularly for South Korea, which finds itself at a critical security crossroads.

The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia introduces a troubling dynamic, as it provides them with the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in modern warfare. This involvement could significantly enhance North Koreas military capabilities and may even open the door to acquiring advanced missile and nuclear technologies from Russia in exchange for support. Such developments would pose a severe threat to South Korea, further straining the already volatile relations between the two Koreas. As North Korea continues to accelerate its weapons development at an alarming pace, its participation in the conflict risks undermining regional stability and amplifying global security concerns.

The potential for the war in Ukraine to escalate further is becoming increasingly evident. The prospect of additional Western countries, such as the United Kingdom and France, supplying advanced missile systems like Storm Shadow and Scalp missiles heightens the uncertainty. With Ukraine gaining the capability to strike deeper into Russian territory, the risk of severe retaliatory measures from Moscow grows. Such actions could draw more nations into the conflict, further destabilizing the region and amplifying the threat to international stability.

In this tense environment, South Korea must take immediate steps to safeguard its security. The involvement of North Korea in the war underscores the need for South Korea to strengthen its alliance with the United States while broadening its network of diplomatic and security partnerships. Additionally, South Korea must prepare for the possibility that a ceasefire in Ukraine  such as the one advocated by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump  could result in Russia retaining control over substantial parts of Ukrainian territory. Such an outcome could embolden Moscows geopolitical ambitions, posing new challenges to global stability and increasing risks for South Korea and its allies.

The war in Ukraine is at a critical juncture, and the world stands at the edge of a precipice. With nuclear threats on the table, escalating international involvement, and a growing risk of regional instability, it is clear that this conflict is no longer just a battle between two nations. It is a global crisis that requires urgent attention, diplomatic engagement and a recalibration of security strategies. The time has come for the worlds leaders to act decisively, before it is too late.








China-led oversupply, Trumps return, labor disputes weigh on Koreas key industry

By Park Jae-hyuk

Multiple risk factors are troubling the Korean steelmaking industry, which has been contributing to the nations construction sector and the manufacturing of cars, ships, machinery and consumer electronics over the past half-century.

Amid the oversupply of low-priced steel products from China and the likelihood of U.S. protectionist policies under the second presidency of Donald Trump, steelmakers' restructuring efforts to improve profitability have triggered severe backlash from their workers.

POSCO and Hyundai Steel suffered 39.8 percent and 77.4 percent year-on-year declines respectively in their third-quarter operating profits. Their deteriorating earnings have been attributed to excessive steel product imports from China amid the weakening domestic demand caused by the slowdown in the housing construction market.

Due to Trumps warning of hefty tariffs on imports from China, concerns have grown further over the possibility of Chinese steelmakers exporting larger volumes of products to Korea and non-U.S. countries.

There is a possibility of the incoming U.S. government hiking tariffs on imports from Korea or lowering quotas for steel product imports from Korea, the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade said in a recent report.

In response, POSCO recently decided to unload its steel mill in China, while Hyundai Steel filed antidumping complaints in July against the import of low-priced thick steel plates from China.

Both companies have also reduced their outputs, prompting the city government of Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province to organize a task force to cope with the crisis in the steelmaking industry.

POSCO shut down one of its wire rod mills at its Pohang plant, Tuesday, ending 45 years of operation. This came after the steelmaker halted the operation of one of its steel mills at the plant in July.

The lingering global supply glut, influx of low-priced steel products and the facilitys age led us to shut down the wire rod mill, POSCO said in a press release.

Hyundai Steel is also considering shutting down one of its two factories in the city, following its apparent attempts to reduce output this year through monthslong repair of its other factories in Incheon and Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province.

However, Hyundai Steels workers from Pohang began to stage a sit-in in front of the companys headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday, to protest the proposed shutdown.

The steelmakers union also locked horns with management over wage negotiations.

POSCO is on the verge of facing its first-ever strike since its foundation in 1968, as its worsening profitability made it difficult to accept the unions request for an 8.3 percent hike in base wage and provision of bonuses equivalent to 300 percent of each employees monthly base wage.

Additionally, the steelmakers subcontracted workers held a press conference in front of POSCO Center in Seoul, Wednesday, urging the company to give them permanent positions in compliance with Supreme Court rulings in favor of the workers.
FKCCI chairman utilized composite materials

By Ko Dong-hwan

Hankuk Carbon's new research and development (R&D) center in Seoul showcases the evolution of local architectural techniques, as the building incorporates the developer's composite materials to innovatively portray the firm's brand identity, according to DPJ&Partners Architecture in Seoul, Wednesday.

The new R&D center in Magok, western Seoul, completed last month to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Hankuk Carbon's establishment, won honors from Red Dot 2024 in Germany and IDEA 2024 in the United States in June. David Pierre Jalicon, CEO of DPJ&Partners Architecture, received acclaim for his utilization of composite materials to achieve aesthetic beauty; and for improving building techniques for the center.

Jalicon, also chairman of the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), said that at the heart of designing the center was combining possibilities of composite materials while expressing the genuine identity of Hankuk Carbon. He used precast glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) panels for the center's progressive weaving facade. For the center's canopies, he chose honeycomb aluminum panels that were developed and produced by the company specifically for the purpose.

Because of Hankuk Carbon's role in building the center and its partnership with DPJ, Hankuk Carbon's creative director, Victoria Cho, was co-awarded with Jalicon.

"I have noticed that compared to the aerospace and automotive industries, the construction industry is not using enough composite materials," Jalicon said. "This project should serve as a sample and showcase of what new composite materials can offer to the construction and architecture fields."

Jalicon used GFRP because it is lightweight and has good insulation, lower carbon footprint and infinite possibilities in terms of shape. He also liked it because it is "minimalist in terms of installation."

"I've been involved in many luxury brand flagship stores, which reflect each brand's knowhow through very sophisticated design, so there was something similar in this project as composite materials are sophisticated by definition," Jalicon said.

"The center's canopy, for example, will not only express the composite material of this building. It will also be seen as an iconic anchor and an elegant element in the Seoul skyline."

Because composite materials' biggest strength is its light weight, Hankuk Carbon's architectural exterior materials effectively integrated functionality, aesthetics and sustainability into the center, according to Cho. She is content with how the competitive materials have become part of the company's new brand identity.

"Branding is not limited to logos or slogans," Cho said. "Office buildings are the ultimate expression of the brand identity, visually capturing a company's essence, vision and values in the architectural design.

Hankuk Carbon's composite materials are currently in use in leisure, ports, liquefied natural gas and aerospace industries worldwide.
Ukraine used U.S. ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory on Tuesday, taking advantage of newly granted permission from the outgoing administration of U.S. President Joe Biden on the war's 1,000th day.

Russia said its forces shot down five of six missiles fired at a military facility in the Bryansk region. Debris of one hit the facility, starting a fire that was swiftly put out and caused no casualties or damage, it said.

Ukraine said it struck a Russian arms depot about 110 km (70 miles) inside Russia, an attack that caused secondary explosions. Ukraine's military did not publicly specify the weapons used, but a Ukrainian government source and a U.S. official confirmed it had used ATACMS.

A U.S. official said Russia intercepted two of eight missiles and that the strike was at an ammunition supply point.

Biden gave approval this week for Ukraine to use ATACMS, the longest-range missiles Washington has supplied, for such attacks inside Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the use of ATACMS was a clear signal the West wanted to escalate the conflict.

Moscow has said such weapons cannot be launched without direct U.S. operational support and their use would make Washington a direct combatant in the war, prompting Russian retaliation.

The attacks came as Ukraine marked 1,000 days of war, with a fifth of its territory in Russian hands and doubts about the future of Western support as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump heads back to the White House.

Russia's Defence Ministry also said air defence units destroyed 42 Ukrainian drones in at least eight southern and central regions between 9 p.m. and 11.55 p.m. (1800 to 2055 GMT) on Tuesday, including 32 in Bryansk region.

Ukraine has long deployed drones to hit targets deep inside Russian territory, including airfields and sites associated with energy. But the use of dozens dispatched over a short period of time was unusual.

At the United Nations in New York, Ukraine's U.N. ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, read a statement from his country and 42 others and the European Union, rejecting Russia's "attempted illegal annexation" of Ukrainian territory and demanding immediate withdrawal.

"One thousand days is a tragic reminder of the need to remain resolute in ensuring ... that international law prevails, not just in Ukraine, but wherever it is challenged," he said.

Military experts say using the U.S. missiles can help Ukraine defend a pocket of captured Russian territory in the Kursk region as a bargaining chip, but was not likely to have a decisive impact on the 33-month-old war, in part as the move comes far too late.

The missile's range of up to 300 km is much shorter than some that Moscow has used to strike Ukraine, including its hypersonic Kinzhal weapon with a reported range of up to 2,000 km.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new nuclear doctrine that appeared intended as a warning to Washington. It lowers the threshold under which Russia might use atomic weapons to include responding to attacks that threaten its territorial integrity.

Washington said the update to the nuclear doctrine was no surprise and rejected "more of the same irresponsible rhetoric from Russia".

Zelenskiyy said the step showed Putin had no interest in peace: "Especially on this day ... they presented (a) nuclear weapons strategy. Why? They didn't present (a) peace strategy. Did you hear it? ... Putin wants war."

The Pentagon said the U.S. State Department has approved another potential $100 million sale of military equipment and services to Ukraine, while Denmark said it was making a new donation of about $138 million for development of Ukraine's arms industry.

Trump criticism of aid

Trump has criticised the scale of U.S. aid to Kyiv and said he will end the war quickly, without saying how. Both sides appear to anticipate his return in two months will be accompanied by a push for peace talks, which are not known to have taken place since the war's early months.

The warring sides have been escalating to try to secure a stronger position at any negotiations. Zelenskiyy says Kyiv must do everything for the war to end diplomatically next year.

"At this stage of the war, it is being decided who will prevail. Whether us over the enemy, or the enemy over us Ukrainians ... and Europeans. And everyone in the world who wants to live freely and not be subject to a dictator," he told parliament.

Dozens of civilians and soldiers gathered for a moment's silence at a candle-lit commemoration in the evening in Kyiv. Some sobbed.

"My life has been turned upside down. There is no life for me. I only want victory and to return home. I am grateful to all the men defending our country," said Yuliia, from the city of Mariupol which was captured by Russia in 2022.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric cited data from the U.N. Human Rights Office that more than 12,000 civilians had been killed and nearly 27,000 injured in Ukraine over the past 1,000 days, with more than 2,400 child casualties.

Over six million Ukrainians live as refugees abroad and the population has fallen by a quarter since Putin ordered the invasion that began Europe's biggest conflict since World War Two.

Military losses are huge, although casualty figures remain secret. Public Western estimates based on intelligence reports say hundreds of thousands have been wounded or killed on each side.

In the first year after the invasion, Ukrainian troops pushed Russian forces back from the outskirts of Kyiv and recaptured territory. Since then, relentless trench warfare has ground eastern Ukrainian cities to dust.

In a move described in the West as an escalation, Russia has deployed 11,000 North Korean troops, some of whom Kyiv says have clashed with Ukrainian forces in Kursk. Zelenskiyy said Pyongyang could send 100,000 soldiers.

Russia for its part continues to advance slowly in eastern Ukraine, and said it captured another settlement on Tuesday.

With winter setting in, Moscow on Sunday renewed its aerial assault on Ukraine's power system, launching the biggest barrage since August.

There has been no public narrowing of negotiating positions. Kyiv demands a full Russian withdrawal from all occupied territory and Western security guarantees comparable to membership in NATO's mutual defense treaty to prevent future Russian attacks.

Moscow says Ukraine must drop all ambitions to join NATO and withdraw all troops from provinces Russia says it has annexed since its invasion. (Reuters)
The United States shut its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday due to "specific information of a potential significant air attack" and told its citizens in Ukraine to be ready to swiftly seek shelter.

The Italian and Greek embassies said they had also closed their doors after the unusual U.S. warning, while the French embassy remained open but urged its citizens to be cautious.

On Tuesday, Ukraine used U.S. ATACMS missiles to attack an arms depot inside Russia, making use of newly granted permission from the outgoing administration of U.S. President Joe Biden on the 1,000th day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russia has been signalling to the United States and its allies for weeks that if they give permission to Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with Western-supplied missiles, then Moscow will consider it a major escalation.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place," the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs said in a statement on the embassy's website.

"The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced."

The Kremlin said it had no comment. Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said in an interview published on Wednesday that Moscow would retaliate against NATO countries that facilitate long-range Ukrainian missile strikes against Russian territory.

Ukraine's military intelligence agency said on Wednesday that a Russian military command post had been "successfully struck" in the town of Gubkin in Russia's Belgorod region, around 168 km (105 miles) from the border with Ukraine.

The Ukrainian statement raised the possibility of a second ATACMS strike, but did not specify who carried out the attack, when it took place or the type of weapon used. Ukraine has also used drones for deep strikes against targets in Russia.

The war is at a volatile juncture, with a fifth of Ukrainian territory in Russian hands, North Korean troops deployed in Russia's Kursk region and doubts over the future of Western aid as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House.

On Sunday, Russia launched a massive missile and drone strike on Ukraine's national power grid, killing seven people and reigniting concerns about the resilience of the already weakened energy network.

'PERSISTENT RUSSIAN ATTACKS'

The embassy in Kyiv urged U.S. citizens in Ukraine to stock up on water, food, and other essentials, such as required medications, in preparation for a "possible temporary loss of electricity and water" due to Russian strikes.

"Persistent Russian attacks targeting civilian infrastructure throughout Ukraine may result in power outages, loss of heating, and disruptions of municipal services," it said.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks. In response, Washington said it had not seen any reason to adjust its nuclear posture.

Commenting on Wednesday's U.S. embassy warning, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Security Council's Centre for Countering Disinformation, said Russia was ready to conduct more missile strikes.

"Let me remind you that the Russians have been stockpiling missiles for a series of attacks on Ukraine for months. This includes Kh-101 missiles, which they continue to produce, as well as Kalibr missiles and ballistic missiles," he said.

Kyiv was targeted in an overnight drone attack, which caused minor damage.

The military said it shot down 56 drones and lost track of 58 more as a result of what it described as "active counteraction." Six drones also flew out of Ukraine's air space and two out of six missiles were shot down, it added. (Reuters)
Moscow on Wednesday rejected speculation about a potential freezing of the war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin "has already said that freezing this conflict is not an option," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in a press briefing.

Peskov said that while Putin has repeatedly conveyed his willingness to engage in talks, Moscow still wants to achieve its war aims.

The comments came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday suggested in a speech to parliament that temporary Russian control over Ukrainian territory may be inevitable while Putin remains in power.

Speculation has circulated in international media that the war in Ukraine could be frozen along the front lines without Kiev legally ceding territory to Russia.

Moscow currently controls around one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean peninsula. (DPA)
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In recent years, cities within the Hefei Metropolitan Area have closely collaborated and advanced together in areas such as policy mechanisms, industrial layout, transportation facilities, and public services. On November 19, reports learned from the Anhui Provincial Development and Reform Commission that in the first half of this year, the Hefei Metropolitan Area achieved a regional GDP of 765.203 billion yuan, making it an important engine driving high-quality economic development across the province. In terms of industrial capacity enhancement, the Hefei Metropolitan Area has continuously improved the level of industrial integration. The construction of the Xinqiao Science and Technology Innovation Demonstration Zone (Hefei-Huainan Cooperation Zone) has accelerated significantly, and the Hefei-Lu'an Economic Corridor and Hefei-Huainan Industrial Corridor are being advanced rapidly. The Huoqiu Modern Industrial Park in Hefei High-tech Zone has been approved as one of the first inter-provincial industrial cooperation demonstration parks in the Yangtze River Delta in Anhui. Currently, the Hefei Metropolitan Area has formed a complete new energy vehicle industry chain, gathering eight vehicle manufacturers, including JAC, Chery, NIO, Volkswagen Anhui, and Hefei BYD, along with over 1,200 parts suppliers. In 2023, Hefei's production of new energy vehicles reached 746,000 units, ranking among the top five cities in the country, and is expected to rise to the top three this year. This year, cities within the Hefei Metropolitan Area have become more interconnected. In terms of building a "one-hour commuting circle," the Hefei section of the Mingguang-Chaohu Expressway and the S329 Hefei-Lu'an South Passage have been fully opened, while the Chuzhou-Hefei-Zhoukou Highway Hefei section and S92 Chuzhou-Hefei branch line are under large-scale construction. The total length of expressways in Hefei has reached 574 kilometers, accelerating the formation of a highway network consisting of "two rings and seventeen spokes." Highways departing from Hefei now cover all cities and counties within the metropolitan area. The main waterway of the Yangtze-to-Huaihe water diversion project has been fully opened, with nearly 600 kilometers of navigable inland waterways, and Hefei Port has an annual comprehensive throughput capacity of 600,000 TEU, having been approved as a national logistics hub for production services. With prosperity "inside the area," there are more benefits for residents. The Hefei Metropolitan Area is striving to build a "high-quality living circle." In healthcare, expert teams from Hefei Maternal and Child Health Hospital are sent to cities within the metropolitan area to provide assistance, with over 100 outpatient days and more than 3,000 patients treated each year. In cultural tourism, "multi-stop" tourism routes featuring red culture and modern urban life are being planned, with the Hefei-Shucheng Wanfo Lake Scenic Area and Hefei-Shouxian Ancient City tourist bus line officially launched and in operation.

Source: Hefei Daily
A man who was before a sitting of Kilkenny District Court on 22 October was fined 300 and ordered to pay 400 in costs to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).

The illegal incident was in contravention of the Prohibition on the Use of Live Fish as Bait in Fresh Water Bye-law.

The court heard that the defendant Oleksandr Gavryuchenkov of Ewings Bar Apartments, Carlow used live roach to catch pike along the River Barrow near Ballytiglea Lock, Borris, Carlow on 25 March this year.

Mr Gavryuchenkov was also accused of illegally having more than 750g of pike flesh. Anglers are not allowed to possess more than 0.75kgs of pike flesh or parts under statutory conservation measures.

Following the outcome of the case the South-Eastern Regional Director at IFI Lynda Connor said: The use of live bait is banned by law to prevent the transfer of non-native species between freshwater systems.

The vast majority of anglers in Ireland fish responsibly and sustainably, and abide by relevant state regulations. It is paramount that anglers continue to abide by stringent biosecurity protocols.

IFI is urging people to report illegal fishing activity, habitat destruction, water pollution, fish kills, or issues of concern in their local rivers/lakes to its confidential 24/7 phone number 0818 34 74 24.
MOUNTMELLICK will welcome the festive season with the lighting of a magnificent 12-metre Christmas tree at 7pm on Friday 29 November.

The Mountmellick Christmas Tree Committee (MCTC) is inviting everyone to attend the celebration, which will feature the Parish Choirs.

The towering tree, generously donated by Coillte and harvested at Skeskin in Kinnitty Forest, was delivered to OConnell Square early on Monday 18 November by Roundwood Timber Ltd.

Committee chair Paddy Buggy coordinated the lift of the tree, which measures just over 12 metres and weighs one ton.

Mountmellick has a long tradition, with a Christmas tree standing in OConnell Square since 1956.

Paddy said: The first iteration of the tree was cut locally, brought into town on a cart, placed in a barrel and adorned with 30 lights. Over the years, led by visionaries such as Ger and Brian Lynch and many others, with an innovative light display that has excited and charmed young and old for decades, the Christmas Tree in Mountmellick has instilled huge pride and fostered a sense of place in the community.

It has served as a talisman to the urban character of Mountmellicks identity, not only to the towns residents but to Laois as a whole and our diaspora across the world. We also are particularly thankful to our local Credit Union for their ongoing benevolence over the years, ensuring a Christmas Tree is part of the towns seasonal festivities. Throughout 2024, MCTC led a programme of creative public engagement in collaboration with Yarnbombing Mountmellick, local people and Mountmellick Community School, with lead artist Martina Coyle and science communicator Catherine McGuinness.

The culmination of The Valley Star Project, which reimagines Mountmellicks future Christmas tree through the lens of climate action, will be showcased in OConnell Square, with an installation of prototypes and an exhibit at Noras Cake Shop.

The research, engagement and creation of Christmas tree prototypes was underpinned by community collaboration, with the motifs of Mountmellick embroidery, the towns textiles heritage and the immense care of the biodiversity of its hinterland.

The Valley Star Project brought together participants that include MCTC members, local people, Midland Steel, students from Mountmellick CS and deputy principal Fran Kerry-La Rosa on a creative journey of exploration and design.

Lead artist Martina Coyle explained: Embedded in the project is the participants advocacy of ecologically sensitive strategies that consider environmental aspects at every phase of the creative process. This is a grass-roots project of a very caring community. Seeking to honour past iterations of the beloved Mountmellick Christmas tree, and the creativity and ambition that generated it, has been the guiding principle of our co-creation. Inclusivity, sustainability, shared learning and creation, combined with proactive enhancement of biodiversity and community wellbeing are the fabric we worked with. The climate-friendly lighting technologies in The Valley Star Project are informed by solar capture and the capacity for renewable energies to be harnessed locally in Mountmellick and integrated into domestic, business, education, social and cultural infrastructures.

Electrical engineer Nacer Kherroubi from Portarlingtons MakePort Makerspace has voluntarily given his time and expertise to the project, placing solar panels on the crib, converting solar energy and storing it in batteries to power the project prototypes.

Paddy Buggy observed that The Valley Star Project and the year-long creative public engagement has generated a platform for change and gives consideration to what Mountmellicks future Christmas tree can be.

He said: We are exploring through this season how the Christmas lights on the Butterfly Tree prototype in OConnell Square can be powered by solar energy, building in capability at a community level for future seasons, as well as promoting locally sourced and produced renewable energy. On behalf of MCTC and The Valley Star Project, Paddy gave special thanks to Nina Horan, a previous long-serving member of MCTC and Yarnbombing Mountmellick, for her vision, enthusiasm and advocacy for the project and life-long passion for Mountmellicks community, unique heritage and exciting possibilities for the future.

On a sad note, Paddy said: We would like to express our condolences to the family of Anne Blanche, who recently passed away. Anne was a stalwart of Yarnbombing Mountmellick and was working on decorations for the Butterfly Tree prototype up until September. She is sadly missed. Laois-based artists Evgeny Chubatyy and Orla McDonagh and Westmeath-based artist Bertille de Lestrade facilitated community and school workshops and participated in the making of project prototypes.

Amanda Hyland and her staff at Mountmellick Library kindly provided space for community engagement workshops and meetings, while strong support also came from HR manager Sean O Donoghue and BIM/technical manager Hugo Correia of Midland Steel.

The Valley Star Project is supported by the Creative Ireland Programmes Creative Climate Action Spark fund.
Vivienne Clarke

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett is calling on the government to do something to control profiteering in housing as people are suffering because of unaffordable rents and house prices.

Mr Boyd Barrett told RTE radios Morning Ireland that consumer price legislation could be implemented to stop price control.

The big supermarket chains have seen their profits absolutely escalate.

"We're seeing similar with the energy companies all making up their record profits. We're seeing the same with the banks. We're seeing the same with the health insurance companies.

"So the cost of living misery that ordinary working people are suffering, that is leading to food and energy poverty and to huge anger among working people who go out, they work hard. But at the end of the day, they are struggling to pay the bills.

And there's another group of people who are benefiting. And this government has facilitated that. And time and time again, we have urged the government to do something to control the profiteering we see in housing while other people are suffering because of unaffordable rents and house prices.

A cap on kilowatt hourly prices would stop profiteering by energy companies, he said. The cost of basic goods should also be capped which would stop profiteering by major supermarkets.

Price controls were introduced very regularly, have been introduced in times of war historically, and this, to my mind, is a similar emergency where we're seeing huge numbers of people struggling.

"There was a survey showed a while ago that 40 percent of parents are missing meals in order to feed their children. Now, I consider that pretty serious.

In this country at the moment, we're subsidising the rich.

"We've massive tax breaks and tax credits and so on are being given to the rich. So working people are subsidising the profits of the shareholders of big businesses in this country. We would like to reverse the subsidies so ordinary working people get some support from the state.

Mr Boyd Barrett also defended his proposal to abolish property tax. The family home has been paid for already by working people. The idea that that is wealth when what we're actually seeing is 58 percent of the wealth in this country is held by 10 percent of the population.

There are tens of thousands of people in my constituency living in former council houses, for example, who are working, people who are struggling and you want to tax them on their family home? No.

"What I want to do is tax real wealth, people who have multiple properties or who have masses of personal wealth.

"That money would then be available to fund our public services, to do things like get rid of the universal social charge, a savage austerity tax that we were told was temporary that was imposed on working people to pay for the crimes of bankers and speculators who wrecked the economy in this country.

Mr Boyd ~Barrett also said it was a mistake for Sinn Fein not to accept a voting pact with all the parties on the left which would have created a left alliance and give a clear commitment that they would not prop up yet another Fianna Fail and Fine Gael government.
VMPL

New Delhi [India], November 20: CAPSI and APDI are proud to announce the 19th Security Leadership Summit 2024, a premier event uniting top leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss the future of security and its intersection with advanced technologies. Scheduled for November 21-22, 2024, at PHD House, New Delhi, the summit is themed "Surakshit Bharat - Viksit Bharat 2047" and will focus on transformative topics such as AI in security services, women's safety, international private sector investigations, and integrating private security with police strategies. Key sessions will explore drone technology, cybersecurity, and leadership in the security industry, with special attention on the evolving role of drone warriors as the new frontline in security operations.

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The summit will feature distinguished Chief Guests, including Jual Oram, Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and Gen (Dr) V K Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM (Retd), Former Union Minister, with Lt. Gen M U Nair, PVSM, AVSM, SM, National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC), Government of India, presiding over the event.

Gen (Dr) V K Singh will release CAPSI's 'Surakshit Bharat - Viksit Bharat Vision 2047' document, outlining a strategic roadmap for achieving a secure and more developed Bharat by 2047, with a focus on a unified approach towards security challenges facing our country. He will also discuss the role of technology in national security and strategies to enhance India's internal safety framework. Jual Oram will highlight public-private partnerships for creating adaptive security models, while Lt. Gen M U Nair will offer strategic insights into aligning advanced technologies like AI and drones with national security objectives. Devesh Chandra Srivastava, Special CP - Crime (IAS), Delhi Police will Chair the panel discussion on Women Security.

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The summit will host an impressive line-up of speakers, including Dr Satya Pal Singh, Former Union Minister; Dr Shamsher Singh, IPS, DG of Police (Law & Order), Gujarat; Lt. Gen A B Shivane (Retd); Rajneesh Gupta, IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police / IFSO, Special Cell, S S Srivastava, IPS Addl Director General of Police cum Controlling Authority, Punjab, Dr Onkar Sharma, Advisor - Ministry of Labour Sh Somesh Goyal (R) Former DGP Himachal Pradesh, V K Bhawra IPS (R), Former DG Police, Punjab, Anil Pratham IPS (R), Former DGP, Police Reforms, Gujarat and representatives from the Indian Army, Delhi Police and global security organizations. Renowned international speakers such as Mike LaCorte, President of the Association of British Investigators, and Ambassador (Dr) Sylvester Okere, Founder and CEO of Strategic Groups USA LLC, will bring a global perspective to the discussions.

Speaking about the event, Kunwar Vikram Singh, Chairman of CAPSI & APDI, said, "This summit reflects our unwavering commitment to preparing India's security landscape for the challenges of tomorrow. Our vision, 'Surakshit Bharat - Viksit Bharat 2047,' emphasizes integrating cutting-edge technology and adaptive leadership to ensure safety and progress for all." He also announced CAPSI's initiative to train one lakh drone warriors, aligning with DGCA guidelines, to revolutionize the country's security framework.

The Roadmap for Setting up CITY SECURITY COUNCILS in all important cities in collaboration with State Police and other stakeholders holders was also discussed during the Panel Discussion Chaired by Bhagwan Shankar, IAS (R), Former Additional Chief Secretary, Govt of Sikkim, Former Joint Secretary MHA.

The 19th Security Leadership Summit 2024 promises to deliver insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and actionable outcomes, shaping the future of the security industry while contributing to a safer and progressive India.

About CAPSI: The Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI) is a premier organization representing the interests of private security industry professionals in India. CAPSI is committed to promoting best practices, professional standards, and advocacy for the industry.

(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)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Veteran actor Prem Chopra cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai on Wednesday, praising the arrangements made by the authorities for the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly elections. Despite having the option to vote from home, Chopra chose to vote in person. After casting his vote, he said, "The arrangements at the polling booth are very nice... Even though I had the option of voting from home, I still came here to cast my vote like everyone else." Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia DSouza Cast Their Vote in Latur; Support Amit Deshmukhs Campaign (Watch Videos).

Meanwhile, Salim Khan and Salma Khan, the parents of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, were also seen casting their votes in the city amidst tight security. Salman's brother, Sohail Khan, also participated in the electoral process.

Veteran Actor Prem Chopra Casts Vote

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

After voting, Sohail shared his thoughts with the media. The youngest of the Khan brother trio said, "I am a Bandra boy... whoever gets selected, I wish he loves Bandra as we all Bandrahites love Bandra... We hope a good politician comes. It's a responsibility to vote, and I request everyone to come and vote."

The Bollywood fraternity's participation didn't stop there, with renowned filmmakers and actors such as Subhash Ghai, Rakesh Roshan, Raveena Tandon, and Akshay Kumar also casting their votes. Other celebrities, including Sonu Sood, Rajkummar Rao, Ritesh Deshmukh, Genelia, and Ali Fazal, voted early and urged citizens to actively participate in the election.

The Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 saw a significant turnout from Bollywood stars, with prominent figures like Prem Chopra, Anupam Kher, Sohail Khan, and Salman Khan's parents exercising their democratic rights.

The single-phase elections began at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm across 288 constituencies. A total of 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, are contesting for seats in the state's legislative assembly.

The key players in the race are the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), contesting 149 seats along with its allies Shiv Sena and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which includes Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).

To ensure a smooth and peaceful voting process, more than 25,000 police personnel have been deployed across Mumbai and other parts of the state, including riot-control teams and home guards. High-traffic areas like Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and Dharavi are seeing heightened vehicle checks as authorities remain vigilant to prevent any untoward incidents. Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Akshay Kumar, Rajkummar Rao, Farhan Akhtar and Ali Fazal Step Out Early To Cast Their Vote (View Pics).

The Maharashtra elections are proving to be a fiercely contested affair, with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance facing off against the MVA.
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [india], November 20 (ANI): BJP-Jharkhand President Babulal Marandi on Wednesday lashed out at the Hemant Soren-led JMM government, accusing it of corruption and failing the people over the past five years.

Speaking on the ongoing assembly elections, Marandi said, "The mood of the people in Jharkhand is to change the Hemant Soren-led JMM government as they have gone through enough pain in these five years, be it old or the youth, everybody has faced a crisis. Hence, today the opportunity has arrived when the people will vote for transformation in favour of the NDA ."

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He referred to recent Income Tax department raids on locations linked to the Chief Minister's assistant, alleging misuse of black money. "It's not possible without black money. If someone is this deep in corruption, what option does he have instead of making allegations against some of our leaders? BJP-NDA will get more than 51 seats, and we are going to form the government," Marandi told ANI.

Earlier, Marandi urged voters via social media to participate in the final phase of voting. He said, "It is a humble request to all the voters to cast their vote for the bright future of Jharkhand. Your every vote is important for providing jobs to the youth, making mothers and sisters self-reliant, controlling crime, and eradicating infiltration and corruption. The first vote, then refreshment!"

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BJP candidate from Dhanbad, Raj Sinha also expressed optimism. "As per the current trend and seeing the huge number of voters, it is clear that BJP is going to form its government in this election. We raised the issue of Bangladesh (infiltrators) because it is the truth, and people need to know about it and its consequences," he said.

Meanwhile, JMM MP Nalin Soren cast his vote early in Dumka. "Whoever is elected as the MLA, I would like to tell them to carry on with the tradition. People would vote on the issue of development. My government would remain in power," he stated.

Polling commenced at 7 am across several districts, with voters forming long queues outside booths. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also urged voters to participate enthusiastically. "Today is the second and last phase of the great festival of democracy in Jharkhand. I urge all voters to participate enthusiastically and set a new record for voter turnout," Modi posted on X.

The first phase of voting, held on November 13, covered 43 of the state's 81 seats. (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 20 (PTI) The BJP on Wednesday questioned the source of funding for the "extravagant" items at the official bungalow earlier occupied by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi chief minister and slammed his "silence" on the issue.

The documents of the Public Works Department show it did not provide the costly items worth crores of rupees at the 6, Flagstaff Road residence, BJP's Delhi unit president Virendra Sachdeva claimed in a press conference.

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"How did you get all these extravagant items in 'sheeshmahal'? Was it from the Punjab government, was it from the liquor scam or the Delhi Jal Board...," he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party hit back, saying the BJP may continue to adopt such tactics to "malign staunchly honest" Arvind Kejriwal but the people of Delhi have seen through their "false accusations which is why the 'Kejriwal model' continues to expand at record speed".

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"Unlike the leaders who cling to their bungalows and privileges for years, Kejriwal set an example by vacating the official residence after resigning as Delhi chief minister following all the requisite constitutional norms," AAP said in a statement.

The BJP said its leaders and workers will stage a protest at Kejriwal's present residence on Ferozshah Road on the issue.

"After renovation of the 6, Flagstaff Road bungalow in 2022, the PWD provided only a few basic items for daily use. However, when Kejriwal eventually vacated the residence after submitting his resignation, the PWD officials were stunned to see the extravagantly expensive furnishings there," Sachdeva claimed.

In 2022, the Public Works Department prepared a one-page item allocation list for the bungalow. However, the newly prepared inventory of items, after Kejriwal vacated the bungalow, spans eight pages, he claimed.

Citing a purported letter by a PWD official, Sachdeva said no additional items were provided at the bungalow after April 2022 by the department.

"When we ask Arvind Kejriwal questions about the 'sheeshmahal', neither does he speak nor does his chief minister Atishi... we have these documents and I hope they will respond," Sachdeva said.

Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta in a letter to the Lt Governor has demanded a high-level investigation into the "luxurious items" installed in the bungalow.

An inventory prepared by the PWD after Kejriwal vacated the bungalow in 2024 revealed that the items present at the residence far exceeded those originally provided by the PWD in 2022, he claimed.

"Additional items included luxurious and expensive toilet seats, premium wash basins, reclining sofas, costly curtains, exquisite carpets, high-value television sets, and refrigerators. These were not supplied by the PWD," he said.

Gupta questioned the source of the alleged "extravagant additions".

The Aam Aadmi Party said the BJP has unleashed countless investigations against the AAP government targeting party leaders, ministers, and MLAs, even imprisoning many of them under "false charges", but "not a single rupee of wrongdoing has been found.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bokaro (Jharkhand) [India], November 20 (ANI): Jharkhand Leader of Opposition and BJP candidate from Chandankyari seat, Amar Kumar Bauri expressed confidence that BJP would form the government in the state. Bauri is seeking re-election from Chandankiyari.

Bauri offered prayers at his residence as voting is in progress for Jharkhand election 2024.

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He said, "I do this every day. I begin my day by offering prayers. With the rising sun today, a new morning for Jharkhand has also begun. It has been 25 years since the formation of Jharkhand. Voters and people of Jharkhand are going to elect their Govt. The second phase of elections is underway. May God bless us in protecting the honour of the natives and tribals, and people vote for their future. With the blessings of people, BJP is going to form the Government."

He further stated that the opposition has accepted defeat even before elections were over.

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"The atmosphere that has formed here is amazing. I think rivals are dejected and have accepted their defeat even before elections," he further said.

He is contesting against JMM's Umakant Rajak, a former AJSU Party minister who recently shifted his allegiance to JMM.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey also exuded confidence in the NDA alliance forming the government in the state, "We are going to form our government here with full majority. Our issues like infiltration, unemployment and corruption have reached the public...Adivasis have taken the resolve to change the Govt here. We are coming to power with a 2/3rd majority. BJP is going to form its government in Jharkhand on its own for the first time."

Jharkhand, which is undergoing the second phase of assembly polls recorded a turnout of 12.71 per cent till 9 am, with Pakur district with highest turnout of 16.12 per cent while Bokaro with lowest turnout of 12.48 per cent.

As per the ECI, Deoghar recorded a turnout of 14.24 per cent, Dhanbad 12.76 per cent, Dumka 14.48 per cent, Giridih 12.69 per cent, Hazaribagh 14.02 per cent, Jamtara 14.90 per cent, Ramgarh 15.87 per cent, Ranchi 16.00 per cent and Sahebganj 14.17 per cent.

Jharkhand BJP Chief Babulal Marandi exuded confidence saying that the BJP-NDA alliance will secure more than 51 seats in the polls and form the government as the people were discontented with the ruling Hemant Soren led-JMM party in the state.

Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase on 288 seats of Maharashtra assembly elections and second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, covering the remaining 38 seats. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Agartala (Tripura) [India], November 20 (ANI): The Border Security Force (BSF) Tripura Frontier has announced an array of activities to celebrate BSF Raising Day on December 1, commemorating the establishment of the force in 1965.

The celebrations will include a blood donation camp, border tours for children, motivational speeches, and lectures at educational institutions, aimed at fostering awareness and community engagement.

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A key highlight of the celebrations is a motor rally scheduled for November 22 starting at 8:30 AM. The rally will see participation from various forces, including BSF, CRPF, TSR, Assam Rifles, Tripura Police, and other central and state security personnel. Semi-military personnel and the general public of Agartala will also join the rally, which will commence at the BSF camp in Lichu Bagan and conclude at the BSF camp in Gokulnagar.

The primary objective of the motor rally is to unite the public and raise awareness about the role and contributions of the BSF in safeguarding the nation. This initiative underscores the BSF's commitment to fostering a strong bond with the community while promoting a sense of pride and responsibility among citizens.

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Rajesh Kumar Langeh, Second in Command, said, as per the order of the Border Security Force (BSF) Headquarters, Tripura Frontier, we will be celebrating the 1st of December as BSF Raising Day, which marks the day in 1965 when the BSF was raised. On this occasion, several activities will be organized, including a blood donation camp, a border tour for children, motivational speeches and lectures at schools and colleges, and a motor rally, he said.

He said that the motor rally will take place on 22nd November 2024 at 8:30 AM, with participation from BSF, CRPF, TSR, Assam Rifles, Tripura Police, and other central and state forces, as well as semi-military personnel. The general public of Agartala will also take part in the rally, Kumar Langeh added.

Kumar Langeh further said that the rally will start from the BSF camp at Lichu Bagan and proceed to the BSF camp at Gokulnagar. The main objective of this motorbike rally is to unite and raise awareness among the general public, he added. (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 20 (PTI) The CBI on Wednesday summoned Gaurav Mehta, an audit company employee, in connection with the over Rs 6,000-crore Gain Bitcoin ponzi scam case registered by the agency on the directions of the Supreme Court, officials said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has directed Mehta to appear before the investigating officer of the case as soon as possible, they said. The top court handed over the case to the CBI in December last year.

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The agency has taken over the investigation into cases related to the Gain Bitcoin Ponzi scheme registered by various state police all over the country.

Maharashtra and Delhi police had registered multiple cases against Variable Tech Pte Ltd, Late Amit Bhardwaj and Ajay Bhardwaj and others for allegedly running multi-level-marketing (MLM) schemes through which they allegedly collected around Rs 6,600 crore in the form of Bitcoins in 2017 from gullible people while offering 10 per cent monthly return in the cryptocurrency.

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Bitcoins, a cryptocurrency, are not controlled by any central bank of any country.

The CBI notice to Mehta came close on the heels of searches conducted by the Enforcement Directorate at his premises.

The ED said it has widened its probe into the Gain Bitcoin ponzi scam case and was investigating the "links" of Mehta and some others with politicians, bureaucrats and politically exposed people.

Mehta's name was also mentioned by former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil, who was arrested in a 2018 cryptocurrency "fraud" case being probed by the Pune Police.

In his complaint sent to the Election Commission via email, Patil said according to the chats, he claims to possess, it appears that hundreds of Bitcoins worth billions of rupees may have been pumped in the assembly polls and the previous Lok Sabha elections.

It also appears that Mehta currently has misappropriated Bitcoins, amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees, Patil has said in the complaint.

(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 20 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will be meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday at the North Block in the national capital.

Both leaders will be meeting to discuss several issues, mainly focusing on the development progress in Chhattisgarh's Naxal-affected areas and efforts to promote peace and stability in these regions.

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During the meeting, Chief Minister Sai will be briefing the Union Home Minister on key development projects in the affected regions, including progress on key initiatives related to roads, education, healthcare, and employment. The Chief Minister will also be discussing the coordination of security forces and requesting continued support from the central government for ongoing efforts in these areas.

The meeting aims to accelerate development in Naxal-affected regions and ensure long-term peace and stability in Chhattisgarh.

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Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai is in Delhi to take part in the Chhattisgarh Divas at the Bharat Mandapam today.

"Chhattisgarh Divas is being observed at Bharat Mandapam today. So, I have come here from Chhattisgarh. At the Trade Fair, one specific day of each state is being observed every day. So, it is Chhattisgarh's day today," Sai said while speaking to ANI.

Earlier today, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met with Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in New Delhi.

During the meeting, both leaders discussed strengthening the air connectivity of the state of Chhattisgarh and also the development of other regional airports.

Earlier on November 14, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced the launch of the state's new Industrial Policy for 2024-2030, aimed at driving economic growth, generating employment, and fostering sustainable industrial development.

The new policy, focuses on key areas such as employment generation, skill development, export promotion, investment attraction, and environmental protection. There are also specific exemptions for women entrepreneurs, members of the third gender, Agniveer soldiers, retired ex-servicemen, entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and surrendered Naxalites, offering them pathways into public and private sector employment.

These measures are designed to enhance the dignity and quality of life for individuals from vulnerable backgrounds, ensuring their meaningful integration into the workforce. These groups will receive 10% additional benefits and an extended one-year exemption from the grants provided to enterprises in the general sector. (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 20 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Hari Om Rai, the MD of Lava International mobile company, in a money laundering case involving smartphone-maker Vivo.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri granted relief to the Lava official, who was in custody since his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in October last year.

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The court considered the period of custody as well as the fact that all the other accused persons had been granted bail and the trial was at a "nascent stage", and directed that Rai be released on regular bail on a personal bond of Rs one lakh with one surety of the like amount.

The court also said it was prima facie satisfied that the "twin conditions" for grant of bail, as enumerated in Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), were met in the present case.

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Rai was arrested on money laundering charges in the case against Vivo-India and others.

He was represented by senior advocate Vikas Pahwa and lawyer Abhay Raj Varma.

In the 25-page judgement, the court reiterated that Section 45 of the PMLA could not be used as a tool for incarceration and an accused in a money laundering case could not be equated with those facing offences like murder, cases of rape, dacoity, etc., which are punishable with death or life sentence.

"Section 45 of the PMLA while imposing additional conditions to be met for granting bail does not create an absolute prohibition on the grant of bail. When there is no possibility of trial being concluded in a reasonable time and the accused is incarcerated for a long time, depending on the nature of allegations, the conditions under Section 45 of the PMLA would have to give way to the constitutional mandate of Article 21," it said.

In the present case, the court said that there were multiple accused persons, thousands of pages of evidence and several witnesses and, therefore, the trial was not expected to end anytime in the near future.

"It is directed that the applicant be released on regular bail subject to him furnishing personal bond in the sum of Rs 1,00,000/- with one surety of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the concerned Jail Superintendent/Trial Court/Duty J.M./link J.M. and subject to.. conditions," ordered the court.

The ED had earlier filed a chargesheet against Chinese smartphone maker Vivo-India and others under criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

A trial court had in September refused to grant bail to Rai, saying no grounds for relief were made out.

The ED has claimed the alleged activities of the accused enabled Vivo-India to make wrongful gains that were detrimental to the economic sovereignty of the country.

It has alleged that a whopping Rs 62,476 crore was "illegally" transferred by Vivo-India to China to avoid payment of taxes in India.

The company has rejected the allegations, saying it "firmly adheres to its ethical principles and remains dedicated to legal compliance".

The anti-money laundering agency had raided Vivo-India and persons linked to it earlier in July 2022 and claimed to have busted a major money laundering racket involving Chinese nationals and multiple Indian companies.

(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 20 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has put a stay on the evidence proceedings in an attempt to murder case that is currently pending in the Rohini District Court. The stay was granted following a plea challenging the trial court's order to proceed with the evidence phase of the trial.

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, in an order passed last week, noted that there is a distinction between merely referencing material or evidence on record and actually examining it. He observed that the trial court's order dated October 26, 2023, lacked any meaningful discussion or application of mind before framing charges against the petitioners.

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As a result, Justice Bhambhani stayed the further proceedings in the case, FIR registered under sections 307/34 of the IPC in Kanjhawala, Rohini, Delhi, in the Sessions Court, with respect to the petitioners--Ran Singh, son of the late Ved Prakash, and Vishal, son of Subash--until the next hearing before the High Court. The case has been re-notified for hearing on February 18, 2025.

Advocates Ravi Drall and Aditi Drall, representing the two accused, argued that the charges were framed in a mechanical manner without proper consideration of key facts. They pointed out that the name of one of the revisionists, Ran Singh, was not mentioned in the FIR, and the other revisionist, Vishal, was not present at the scene of the incident according to the Call Detail Records (CDR). Additionally, both accused were not visible in the CCTV footage.

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The revision was admitted after the court allowed the condonation of a one-year delay in filing the revision. It was noted that both the complainant and the revisionists were known to each other.

Adv Ravi Drall, representing the revisionists, submitted that a plain reading of the order dated October 26, 2023, revealed that there was no reference to any material that had come on record during the charge sheet or any reasoning provided by the Sessions Court to justify the framing of charges under sections 323, 325, and 307 of the IPC, read with sections 34 and 37 of the IPC, against all accused.

Considering the contradictions in witness statements and delays in recording witness testimonies, the revision was partly allowed. (ANI)

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Mumbai, Nov 20 (PTI) Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam on Wednesday appealed to voters across the state to exercise their franchise and not consider the day as a holiday.

"Do not think that one vote will not make a difference. It can make a difference," Chockalingam told reporters here after casting his vote.

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Polling was underway since 7 am on Wednesday in 288 assembly seats of the state, where the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is vying to retain power and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) combine is hoping for a strong comeback.

"All voters ought to exercise their franchise as each and every vote is equally important for the country and the state," Chockalingam said.

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"I appeal to all the voters to come out and vote. Do not consider today as a holiday; make your vote count," he said.

Several senior bureaucrats exercised their franchise early on Wednesday, including state Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagarani, Mumbai City Collector Sanjay Yadav and Mumbai Suburban District Collector Rajendra Kshirsagar.

Chockalingam also highlighted the extensive preparations made for the elections, noting that nearly five lakh state government employees and two lakh security personnel were working for more than a month to ensure smooth polling.

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Mumbai, Nov 20 (PTI) Maharashtra AICC in-charge Ramesh Chennithala rejected on Wednesday the exit polls on the possible outcome of the state assembly elections, asserting that Maha Vikas Aghadi is poised to clinch a comfortable majority.

"Exit polls do not reflect the sentiments of people," Chennithala said after several pollsters gave a clear edge to the BJP-led alliances in Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly polls, while some put the MVA coalition ahead in the western state.

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Most of the exit polls that predicted a landslide victory for the NDA after Lok Sabha elections and those predicted Congress' win in Haryana didn't turn out to be true, he said.

"We will win Maharashtra polls with a comfortable majority. We don't believe in exit polls. Look at the Parliamentary elections and Haryana elections. The exit polls do not reflect people's sentiments," Chennithala told PTI.

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The ground reality is MVA scoring the majority and forming a government in Maharashtra, he said.

MVA comprises Shiv Sena, headed by Uddhav Thackeray, Congress, and NCP (SP).

Anish Gawande, spokesperson of Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), said exit polls should be treated with a pinch of salt.

"This election was fought at the booth level. The alliance that will be the most successful at bringing loyal voters to booths will win. Maha Vikas Aghadi will emerge as the winning alliance," he said.

Voting for all 288 assembly seats was held in Maharashtra in a single phase on Wednesday. The results will be declared on Saturday.

With an estimated 60 per cent voter turnout recorded in elections, Gawande claimed the polling percentage is not higher than in Lok Sabha or in the last assembly elections, which shows that the much-touted impact of the last-minute welfare schemes was overestimated.

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Chandigarh, Nov 20 (PTI) Former minister Anil Joshi on Wednesday tendered his resignation from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), saying it appears that the party is "entangled only in religion and 'panthic' agenda", and is saying nothing about the real issues of Punjab.

Joshi had unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Amritsar seat on SAD ticket. He was the Amritsar North MLA in 2007 and 2012 on BJP tickets.

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He was expelled from the BJP after he criticised the party for "mishandling" the farm agitation in 2021. Thereafter, he joined the SAD.

In the latest development, he sent his resignation to SAD's working president Balwinder Singh Bhundar.

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In a letter to Bhundar, Joshi said he had joined the SAD in 2021 when the BJP expelled him from the party for six years for raising voice in favour of Punjab and farmers against the three now-repealed farm laws.

"I joined the SAD because I always felt that Parkash Singh Badal is the flag bearer of Punjab's unity, integrity and mutual brotherhood and as Chief Minister for five times, he always respected every religion. I saw this thinking in Sukhbir Singh Badal," he wrote.

But from the sequence of events taking place in the party, he said he felt that nothing is being said about the real issues of Punjab nor there is anything being said about the brotherhood thinking for which he had joined the party.

"But it seems that the SAD is entangled only in religion and Panthic agenda. I do not see any place for me in this 'Panthic' politics, because I have always been a supporter of secularism and all-round development," he wrote.

Sukhbir Singh Badal had to resign from the post of SAD president because of the situation that arose in the party and the issues that dominate it after the death of Parkash Singh Badal, Joshi wrote.

He said it is not possible for him to serve the people of Punjab by being in the SAD.

"Therefore, I am sending my resignation from the primary membership and all positions to the party," he wrote.

A few days ago, Sukhbir Badal, who had been declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht, had tendered his resignation as the SAD president, which he had been holding since 2008.

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Latehar (Jharkhand), Nov 20 (PTI) Hours before the commencement of the second and final phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections on Wednesday, five trucks were torched allegedly by Maoists in Latehar district, police said.

The incident occurred in Laat forest under the jurisdiction of Herhanj Police Station around 1.30 am, a senior officer said.

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The trucks were deployed in coal transportation at the Tubed coal project in Latehar.

The trucks were returning after dumping coal when they were set on fire by members of the banned Jharkhand Prastuti Committee (JPC), a splinter group of Maoists. An investigation has been initiated and raids are being conducted to arrest the perpetrators of the crime, Latehar Superintendent of Police Kumar Gaurav said.

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The Maoists left a pamphlet at the spot in which they threatened to stop the work of loading and transporting at the Tubed coal project until talks are held with the banned outfit, he said.

According to truck drivers, around 12 Maoists arrived in the forest and started firing indiscriminately.

"Truck drivers were asked to get down from their vehicles. Several rounds of bullets were fired before the trucks were torched," another officer said.

Polling for 38 assembly seats in the second and final phase of the Jharkhand elections is underway on Wednesday, amid tight security arrangements.

Voting began at 7 AM in 14,218 booths across 12 districts and will continue till 5 PM.

Latehar went to poll in the first phase of elections, which were held on November 13.

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Bengaluru, Nov 20 (PTI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday assured families living Below the Poverty Line that the government will reissue BPL cards to eligible households if their cards were mistakenly cancelled.

The assurance follows controversy over reports that over 22.6 lakh BPL cardholders were deemed ineligible, prompting criticism from the opposition BJP. The party accused the ruling Congress of mishandling the issue.

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Addressing reporters, Shivakumar said the government's actions adhered to parameters set by the Centre for BPL eligibility. He added that any errors leading to the cancellation of cards for eligible families would be rectified.

"There have been discrepancies in some areas and we will address them. A review is underway to eliminate ineligible beneficiaries," Shivakumar said.

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When questioned about the lack of physical verification before cancelling cards, he noted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had issued instructions to the relevant minister.

Shivakumar said a list of cancelled cards would be sent to MLAs for verification.

The Deputy CM also announced that the Guarantee Implementation Committee would oversee home visits to resolve errors in the cancellation process.

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New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge appealed to voters to cast their ballots in large numbers in Maharashtra and Jharkhand where polling for assembly elections is underway.

Keep those who do opportunistic politics and endanger the future of farmers and youth away from power, Kharge said to voters in Maharashtra. He urged voters in Jharkhand to vote to protect their rights.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, too, urged voters in the two states to exercise their franchise to "save the Constitution" and avail the benefits of guarantees offered by the INDIA bloc.

In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge said, "All the voters of Maharashtra who follow the ideology of Shivaji-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar are requested to vote in maximum numbers."

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"Preserve the pride of Maharashtra, the prosperity of the state and the development that has been taking place for decades.

"The forces that have been doing opportunistic politics, policies that benefit select capitalists and endanger the future of farmers and youth -- keep them away from Maharashtra," the Congress chief said.

Kharge said the politics of money and muscle power has never happened in Maharashtra, and said the voters "will have to think how much such falling political standards have hurt the self-respect of Maharashtra".

Appealing to the people of Jharkhand, he said they had voted for public welfare, protection of water, forest, land and tribal civilisation in the first phase.

"You have to protect your rights in this phase too. The victory of social justice is certain, the defeat of polarisation is certain," Kharge said.

The Congress leader also made a fervent appeal to young voters to come out and vote. "We appeal to our young friends to definitely vote, we welcome them on this festival of democracy. Vote, and encourage others to vote as well," Kharge said.

Former party chief Rahul Gandhi also put out separate appeals for the people of Maharashtra and Jharkhand. "Brothers and sisters of Maharashtra, I appeal to all of you to vote today to protect the self-respect and constitution of the state.

"Your every vote for Mahavikas Aghadi will stop the theft of your jobs and projects, will ensure fair prices for crops to farmers and will bring prosperity to your lives with 5 guarantees," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.

In another post, he appealed to the people of Jharkhand to vote in large numbers to protect their interests and for a better future.

"Your every vote for INDIA will protect your water, forest and land and will make your life prosperous with 7 guarantees like the Maiya Samman Yojana," Gandhi said.

Polling for the single phase election in Maharashtra and the second phase of elections in Jharkhand began in the morning. The results of the polls will be declared on Saturday.

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Imphal, Nov 20 (PTI) Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed grief over the killing of six people by suspected Kuki militants last week and asserted that his government would not rest until the culprits are brought to justice.

He said search operations were underway for the killers of three women and three children whose bodies were recovered from a river in Jiribam district last week.

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The chief minister also said the killing of women and children is a crime against humanity.

Singh, in a video message shared on X on Wednesday night, said, "Today, I stand here with profound sadness and anger to condemn the horrific killings of three innocent children and three innocent women by Kuki terrorists after being taken hostage at Jiribam."

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The CM also said, "Such barbaric acts have no place in any civilized society. Let me assure you that the hunt for these terrorists is currently underway and they will be brought to justice very soon. We will not rest until they are held accountable for their inhuman actions."

The six people had been missing since November 11 from a camp for the displaced in Jiribam, following a gunfight between militants and security forces that led to the deaths of 10 insurgents.

Singh thanked the CRPF for their swift action in Jiribam and asserted that their commitment to duty saved the lives of hundreds of those living in relief camps at Borobekra in Jiribam.

"Around 40 to 50 armed terrorists launched an assault on internally displaced persons residing in a relief camp at Borobekra and targeted a police station in Jiribam. Their aim was to spread fear and destruction.

"However thanks to timely and decisive response from CRPF personnel stationed there, the attack was repelled and their swift action neutralised 10 of those terrorists on the spot thereby saving hundreds of innocent lives living in relief camps. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to CRPF and state forces for their remarkable careers and commitment to duty," Singh said on the microblogging site.

CRPF personnel's action demonstrated their "unwavering determination to protect the lives of innocent people and uphold peace in the region", the CM said.

"Their bravery is a reminder that we will stand firm against terror and violence and we will always prioritise the safety and security of the people" Singh said.

The chief minister also thanked central leaders for their relentless commitment to bring peace to the state.

Apart from the existing forces deployed in the state, the central government has recently sent 20 companies of CAPF and an additional 50 companies are being sent to strengthen security and restore peace, Singh continued.

"We will continue to take up necessary steps to ensure the safety of our people irrespective of which community they belong to. Let us all condemn such barbaric violence in the strongest terms. The killing of women and children is a crime against humanity and such acts can never be justified. Together we will overcome these dark times and work towards a more peaceful future," Singh added.

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Dhule (Maharashtra) [India], November 20 (ANI): The Dhule police officials who were tasked with keeping a strict vigil in view of assembly elections in the state seized around 10,000 kg of silver ingots (bricks) worth over Rs 94 crore while checking vehicles at Thalner village of Shirpur taluka in the district.

Special Inspector General of Police Nashik, Dattatrya Karale shared details and said, "In a major police action, 10 thousand kg of silver ingots worth Rs 94.68 crores was found in a container in Shirpur taluka."

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"The state is currently polling for the assembly elections. During the election period, vehicles are being thoroughly checked by the police administration. In this backdrop, the police searched a container in Thalner village of Shirpur taluka at 5 am today and discovered 10,000 kg of silver ingots worth Rs 94.68 crore," said the official.

The official said that the valuables found in the container are believed to be related to the bank.

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"An investigation into this matter is currently underway. Further details are awaited. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], November 20 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged people in Maharashtra to vote in large numbers and form a government that focuses on the prosperity of the State, safety of women and the progress of farmers.

In a post on X, he said, "I urge my brothers and sisters who are going to vote in the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha elections to vote in large numbers to form such a government in the state which focuses on the culture of Maharashtra, prosperity of the state, safety of women and progress of farmers."

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He appealed to voters to cast their votes for the futur of the youth of the State.

"Answer today with the power of your vote to those who compromise on principles for power and those who make appeasement their agenda in greed for vote bank. Vote in large numbers for the golden future of the youth of Maharashtra," he added.

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Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP candidate from Baramati Assembly constituency, Ajit Pawar cast his vote. Speaking to reporters Pawar said," The Mahayuti is going to form the Government here and I hope the people of Baramati have faith in me."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to vote via his official account on social media platform X.

"Today, votes will be cast for all the seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. I urge the voters of the state to participate with full enthusiasm and add to the splendour of this festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to come out in large numbers to vote," PM Modi posted on X.

Security has been heightened in Mumbai ahead of voting day. Police have been conducting checks on vehicle movements, particularly in areas such as Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and Dharavi.

A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters.

The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).

In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)

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New Delhi, November 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged voters in Maharashtra to participate in the polls with full enthusiasm and enhance the splendour of the festival of democracy. In a post on X, he appealed to the women and young voters to poll in large numbers.

He made a similar appeal to the voters in Jharkhand, urging them to create a polling record with their high participation. Reaching out to the first-time voters, the prime minister described each of their vote as a strength of the state. Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Voting for Single-Phase State Polls Begins; PM Narendra Modi Urges Citizens To Vote.

While all 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra are going to the polls on Wednesday, voting is being held on 38 of Jharkhand's 81 constituencies in the second and final phase of the elections.

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Thane (Maharashtra) [India], November 20 (ANI): Prakash Sambhaji Shinde, brother of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Wednesday urged voters to step out and support his brother as the state votes for its assembly elections.

Speaking to ANI, Prakash Shinde said, "The CM is contesting from Kopri-Pachpakhadi. I urge everyone to step out and vote. CM Shinde has done a lot of work in Maharashtra. So, the people of the state want him back as the CM." He further added, "Shiv Sena had a good strike rate in the Lok Sabha elections. This time too, Shiv Sena will have the highest strike rate. I am hopeful... I hope that he will have a lead of at least 1.5 lakh votes because he has worked. He has been an MLA for 20 years... Mahayuti will win again."

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Earlier, Maharashtra CM's brother offered prayers at a temple..

Meanwhile, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, contesting from the Baramati Assembly constituency, also cast his vote. After voting, he said, "Even during Lok Sabha elections, members of our family were contesting against each other, and everyone has seen that. I tried to meet everyone in Baramati. I am hopeful that this time the people of Baramati will make me victorious." Addressing allegations of money distribution by BJP's Vinod Tawde, he added, "The people of Baramati will think about it."

Also Read | Assembly Elections 2024: Jharkhand Records 12.71% Voter Turnout Till 9 AM in Second Phase of Polls; Maharashtra Records Low 6.61% Turnout.

Voting began at 7 am for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies.

Ahead of the elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to vote via his official account on social media platform X. "Today, votes will be cast for all the seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. I urge the voters of the state to participate with full enthusiasm and add to the splendour of this festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to come out in large numbers to vote," PM Modi posted on X.

The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).

In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)

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Chennai, Nov 20 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday requested External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene and secure the release of 14 Indian fishermen arrested by the Pakistan navy earlier this year.

Drawing the Central Minister's attention to the plight of the Indian fishermen arrested on January 3, the chief minister said the fishermen had ventured for fishing from Porbandar, Gujarat, and were apprehended by the Pakistan navy along with their mechanised fishing boats.

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Among the 14 who were apprehended, 7 fishermen belonged to Tamil Nadu.

"It has been nearly 10 months since their incarceration, and there has been no communication regarding their status or the efforts being made towards their release," the chief minister said in a letter addressed to Jaishankar.

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The fisher's families were facing severe emotional and financial distress and were struggling to cope with the prolonged uncertainty of the arrested persons' release.

Further, the absence of the primary breadwinners of their families made the lives of dependent families miserable, Stalin said.

"Given the prolonged detention and the humanitarian concerns involved, I request you to take up this matter in a tangible and meaningful manner through diplomatic channels to secure the immediate release of all fishermen," the chief minister appealed in the letter.

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New Delhi [India], November 20 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday cancelled the bail granted by the Rajasthan High Court to three accused in a former Sarpanch death case in Neemrana in Rajasthan.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar set aside the Rajasthan High Court order granting bail to the three accused.

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The top court directed the three accused--Satyaprakash, Abhimanyu, and Jaiveer--to surrender immediately before the jail authorities.

The brother of the deceased has challenged the High Court decision granting bail to the three accused.

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Dinesh Kumar, a former Sarpanch of Silapur village in Neemrana, Rajasthan, was shot dead while ploughing his field on May 31, 2023. According to the prosecution, the shooters, Yashpal and Sachin, were hired by the accused--Satyaprakash alias Satya, Abhimanyu alias Mintu, and Jaiveer-- to kill the former sarpanch.

The prosecution alleged that the accused met on multiple occasions to conspire and finance the murder, arranged a stolen motorcycle for the shooters through another accomplice and coordinated the attack using WhatsApp, with Jaiveer providing live updates about the deceased's location.

The murder was premeditated and stemmed from longstanding enmity and rivalry over village politics, the prosecution alleged.

However, the accused claimed innocence.

The Additional Advocate General of Rajasthan, Shiv Mangal Sharma, appearing for the State, strongly opposed these arguments. The argument of the complainant was advanced by advocate Rupesh Kumar. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) In a relief to mobile service providers, the Supreme Court on Wednesday held that the telecom companies can take the benefit of CENVAT credit for payment of service tax on the output services rendered by them.

The CENVAT Credit Rules of 2004 refers to the set-off available to manufacturers if they utilise some specific inputs procured by them after paying excise duties for manufacturing their products.

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The top court's significant verdict held that mobile service providers are also covered under the CENVAT credit rules as they pay excise duties on various items for setting up their business more particularly for erection of mobile towers and peripherals like pre-fabricated buildings (PFBs).

A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh settled a decade-old dispute which arose after the Bombay High Court order of 2014 which held that the mobile service providers (MSPs) were not entitled to claim CENVAT credit on mobile towers and prefabricated buildings.

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The Delhi High Court in 2018, however, held that towers and other associated structures like PFBs are covered by the definition of "capital goods" and are "inputs" as defined under CENVAT Rules and hence, MSPs are entitled to input credit on excise duty paid towards installation of mobile towers and PFBs.

The dispute between the two high court rulings landed in the Supreme Court, which upheld the 2018 verdict of the Delhi High Court and ruled, "the tower and PFBs are 'goods' and not immovable property and since these goods are used for providing mobile telecommunication services, the inescapable conclusion is that they would also qualify as 'inputs' under Rule 2(k) for the purpose of credit benefits under the CENVAT Rules".

Justice Singh, who pronounced his first verdict since his elevation in the Supreme Court on July 18, was congratulated by Justice Nagarathna for delivering the verdict on the issue.

Justice Singh, in his 76-page verdict penned on behalf of the bench, said even though tower and the PFBs are not electrical items/equipment in the sense that these do not transmit signals, yet these are indispensable for the effective functioning of antenna by which the radio signals are received and transmitted and accordingly, used for providing the mobile telephonic services to the subscribers.

"Thus, towers and PFBs, though are not electrical equipment for transmission of signals, yet these are used for transmission of signal by the antennas. Therefore, there can be no denying of the fact that there is a close proximity and nexus between their functioning and the ultimate transmission of radio signals which is the output service rendered by the MSPs.

"Hence, the view of the CESTAT which has not been disturbed by the Bombay High Court does not commend our acceptance," the bench said.

It said the link between antenna and tower is almost inseparable for the effective functioning of antenna for providing mobile telecommunication service and it cannot be said that the nexus between antenna and tower is remote.

The bench added that their relationship is quite proximate and inseparable for proper functioning of the antenna. Agreeing with the conclusion arrived at by the Delhi High Court that towers and shelters (PFBs) support the antenna for effective transmission of mobile signals and thus enhance their efficiency, the bench said these articles are components or accessories of antenna are admittedly "capital goods" falling under the Rule 2(a)(A) of CENVAT Rules.

"Further, since these are used for providing output service, i.e., mobile telecommunication service, and since these are 'capital goods' received in the premises of the provider of output service as contemplated under Rule 3(1)(i), the Assessees would be entitled to CENVAT credit on the excise duties paid on these goods," the bench held.

The top court said without the tower, it is not possible to hoist the antenna at the requisite height and without it being securely fastened to the tower, the antenna cannot be kept firm and steady for proper receipt and transmission of radio signals.

"Thus, there cannot be any doubt that a mobile tower can be treated to be an accessory of antenna and BTS. Accordingly, since in terms of subclause (iii) of Rule 2(a)(A), all components, spares and accessories of such capital goods falling under sub-clause (i) would also be treated as capital goods, a mobile tower can also be treated as 'capital good'," it held.

It said the restricted meaning of accessory given by the CESTAT and not differed from by the Bombay High Court is not wholly correct in as much as the meaning of accessory can have different ascribed meanings.

Several mobile companies and network service providers have approached the top court seeking authoritative pronouncement in view of diverging views of the Delhi and Bombay high courts.

(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 20 (PTI) Drug major Cipla is recalling over 1,800 boxes of a generic medication in the US due to complaints of broken tablets, according to the US health regulator.

As per the latest Enforcement Report by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), US-based arm of Cipla is recalling 1,875 boxes of Lanthanum Carbonate chewable tablets (1000 mg, 10-count bottle) in the American market.

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The medication is indicated for the treatment of high phosphate levels in the blood.

As per the USFDA, New Jersey-based Cipla USA, Inc is recalling the affected lot due to "complaints received of crushed and broken tablets".

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The drug maker initiated the Class II nationwide (US) recall on October 23 this year.

As per the USFDA, a Class II recall is initiated in a situation in which the 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.

India is the largest supplier of generic medicines with around 20 per cent share in the global supply by manufacturing 60,000 different generic brands across 60 therapeutic categories.

The products manufactured in the country are shipped to over 200 countries around the globe, with Japan, Australia, West Europe, and the US as main destinations.

(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 20 (PTI) Entrepreneur Mayank Bidawatka's Billion Hearts Software Technologies has announced it has secured seed funding of USD 4 million from Blume Ventures, General Catalyst and Athera Venture Partners.

Billion Hearts was founded by Bidawatka on August 29, 2024.

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"The seed round has been led by Blume Ventures with participation from General Catalyst and Athera Venture Partners. The seed investment is being led by Karthik Reddy (Partner at Blume Ventures), Neeraj Arora (Managing Director at General Catalyst and ex-CBO of WhatsApp) and Rutvik Doshi (Partner at Athera Venture Partners)," according to a release.

This seed round comes on the heels of angel funding of USD 250,000, that the startup recently secured from some of the most prolific angels behind startups like redBus, Ola, InMobi, Flipkart and Myntra among others. The angel round had participation from founders, Venture capitalists, and big tech executives.

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According to the release, Billion Hearts is currently working on a digital consumer product that's relevant for a global market and audience.

"The first product is slated to have its beta launch in a few months.

"It will be launched within a close circle before opening it up to those that sign up for the beta on the Billion Hearts website," the release said, adding that thousands of users have subscribed for the product's beta.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
La Paz, Nov 20 (AP) Last year, then-presidential candidate Javier Milei declared Argentina would not "make deals with communists" in China or Brazil, calling their leaders "murderers" and "thieves" in a bid to channel the populist energies of Donald Trump and other global far-right icons into a winning political message.

But on Tuesday, President Milei found himself at the Group of 20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping and vowing to boost trade with the Asian powerhouse, a day after his economy minister signed a preliminary agreement to export Argentine natural gas to Brazil.

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Milei even acquiesced to a joint declaration endorsed by world leaders late on Monday despite his earlier attempts to play spoiler to the G20 host, Brazil's left-wing President Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva who was once called by Milei a "corrupt communist".

The final moments of the high-profile summit on Tuesday revealed Milei's more pragmatic streak, coming as a surprise after the irascible president sought to undercut various international initiatives -- withdrawing Argentine negotiators from the UN climate summit, casting the only "no" votes on two UN resolutions, one supporting Indigenous rights and another advocating for an end to violence against women, and roiling negotiations at the G20 Summit.

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Argentine resistance to the joint G20 communique in the past few days focused on clauses related to the taxation of the super-rich and regulation of online speech, diplomats said. Argentine delegates also sought to block language about gender equality and references to the UN 2030 agenda on sustainable development, which Milei has decried as socialist.

Critics saw the Argentine president as a saboteur. Supporters cheered Milei as a leader of the "new world disorder". Fresh off a trip to Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida where he ranted against socialism and rubbed shoulders with the president-elect and tech billionaire Elon Musk, Milei initially seemed immune to such concerns in Rio.

Milei's office issued a harsh statement citing his objections to the G20 declaration. But the president ultimately signed onto it under enormous international pressure.

"Argentina is not a great power and it is in a very difficult situation economically," said Roberto Goulart Menezes, a professor of international relations at the University of Brasilia. That pressure, he added, was "enough for Argentina to finally reduce its opposition".

During Milei's first-ever meeting with President Xi on Tuesday, the leaders discussed their "current trade and financial ties" and "desire to continue exploring new opportunities to expand and improve", the Argentine presidency said in a statement, along with a photo of the presidents sharing a warm handshake. It said the leaders had invited each other to visit.

With Argentina highly reliant on China as a market for its soybeans and other crops, the cordial tone made clear that the crisis-stricken South American nation has no desire for relations with its second-largest trading partner and crucial financial lifeline to further deteriorate.

A statement from China's foreign ministry said President Xi expressed his appreciation for Milei's "willingness to continue deepening bilateral cooperation", and praised the "friendly relations" between the nations.

China has maintained strategic assets in Argentina, including stakes in lithium mines and a space station in Patagonia. Earlier this year, former Foreign Minister Diana Mondino, whom Milei recently fired, led a successful visit to China to patch up relations strained by Milei's colourful insults.

After her trip, Beijing in June resumed a currency swap deal worth billions of dollars that boosted Argentina's depleted reserves.

On Monday, as negotiations over the G20 draft grew increasingly tense, Argentine Economy Minister Luis Caputo and Brazilian Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira signed a memorandum of understanding that offered a new and important source of income to cash-strapped Argentina.

But it did nothing to dispel the chill between the leaders of South America's largest economies, who have opposite views on climate change, social issues and the role of governments.

A set of official photographs that splashed across the front page of a local newspaper on Tuesday showed Lula and other government leaders clasping hands amicably in sharp contrast to the Brazilian leader's photo-op with Milei -- both men standing stiffly, a foot apart despite protocol demanding they shake hands, looking like they'd rather be anywhere else in the world.

As with Lula, Milei alienated major trading partners like Spain and Colombia by attacking their leftist leaders this year. Some experts fear that Trump's election has further emboldened Milei and other far-right political figures to abandon UN commitments and ambitious multilateral agreements on issues like climate change.

"Milei has already taken a pro-Trump stance, thinking ... that the G20 could be emptied by President Trump," said Goulart Menezes, the international relations expert.

Yet, he cautioned that "making Argentina's foreign policy conditional on the future president of the US" carries risks.

Indeed, at the traditional G20 family photo -- taken for a second time Tuesday because US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau failed to show up to the first due to a scheduling mishap -- Milei was the only leader missing.

There would be no third attempt. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Rio de Janeiro [Brazil], November 20 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on his journey to Guyana from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marking the final leg of his significant three-nation tour.

PM Modi will become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Guyana in 56 years.

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During his visit, PM Modi will co-chair the second India-CARICOM Summit alongside the Prime Minister of Grenada, the current Chairman of CARICOM, in the presence of leaders from all CARICOM countries.

PM Modi is also scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with President Irfaan Ali and address the National Assembly of Guyana.

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The formal structure of India-Guyana relations includes a bilateral joint commission at the ministerial level, the fourth session of which was held in Georgetown in May 2008, and periodic consultations between the two nations' foreign offices, the third round of which took place in Georgetown in July 2011. Cultural exchange programmes and a joint business council between the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) further strengthen ties.

Developmental cooperation between the two countries is facilitated primarily through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, which offers 50 scholarships annually across various fields. Additionally, experts are periodically deputed to Guyana upon request to assist in specific areas.

Further scholarships under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) enable Guyanese students to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, medical, and other courses. To date, more than 600 Indian scholars have completed training under ITEC.

India has also extended credit facilities to Guyana for mutually agreed fields such as agriculture and information technology. Indian companies have shown interest in sectors such as biofuels, energy, minerals, and pharmaceuticals. While bilateral trade turnover remains modest, the trend is positive and promising.

The Prime Minister's visit is expected to open new avenues for collaboration, strengthen India-Guyana ties, and encourage broader regional partnerships.

PM Modi's departure from Brazil follows his participation in the G20 summit, where he emphasised India's role in combating hunger and poverty. He also held the second India-Australia bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Vientiane [Laos], November 20 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday engaged in bilateral meetings with his counterparts from China, Laos, and Malaysia to strengthen defence cooperation and address regional security concerns, on the sidelines of 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Vientiane.

During his visit, Singh met with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun, Lao Defence Minister General Chansamone Chanyalath, and Malaysian Defence Minister Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin to discuss issues of shared interest and explore ways to bolster bilateral defence ties.

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Notably, Rajnath Singh met the Chinese Defence Minister for the first time following the recent disengagement agreements, and the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.

Singh highlighted the fact that amicable relations between India and China, the two largest nations in the world, would have positive implications for global peace and prosperity. Considering that both countries are and will continue to remain neighbours, he mentioned that "we need to focus on cooperation rather than conflict." He also called for reflecting on the lessons learnt from the unfortunate border clashes of 2020, taking measures to prevent the recurrence of such events and safeguarding peace and tranquillity along the India-China border. He emphasised and looked forward to greater trust and confidence building between the two sides through de-escalation. Both sides agreed to work together towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding.

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The Defence Ministry shared a post on X and wrote, "Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh today held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Mr Dong Jun in Vientiane, Lao PDR and discussed issues of shared interest."

https://x.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/1859203544173416829

In another post, it said, "Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh today held a bilateral meeting with Defence Minister of Lao PDR General Chansamone Chanyalath in Vientiane. They discussed ways to further bolster bilateral defence cooperation, along with issues pertaining to regional security."

"After arriving in Lao PDR, Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh met his Malaysian counterpart Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin in Vientiane. They briefly discussed defence cooperation & #regionalsecurity, to foster a stronger bilateral partnership," the Defence Ministry said in another post.

Singh described the meeting with his Chinese counterpart as "extremely productive" and said that they agreed to collaborate on a roadmap aimed at rebuilding mutual trust and understanding.

On X, Singh wrote, "Had an extremely productive meeting with the Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun in Vientiane. We agreed to work together towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding."

https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859215653628236164

Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation with Malaysia. In a post on X, Singh wrote, "It was a pleasure to interact with Malaysia's Defence Minister Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin in Vientiane, Lao PDR. India is strongly committed to strengthen and expand our bilateral defence cooperation."

https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859205656034570738

On his meeting with his Lo PDR counterpart, Singh said, "Delighted to meet the Defence Minister of Lao PDR General Chansamone Chanyalath in Vientiane. India and Lao PDR have huge potential for Defence Industry Cooperation. I invited him to Aero India 2025 to be held in Bengaluru from 10-12 Feb 2025."

https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859210461079834932

Prior to his departure from Delhi, the Defence Minister said, "I'm leaving for Vientiane to attend the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) in Lao PDR. Various regional and international security Issues will be discussed during the meeting. There would also be separate bilateral meetings with my counterparts from other participating nations. Looking forward to it."

Singh will be in Vientiane to attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) from November 20 to 22, 2024. The summit gathers Defence ministers from ASEAN countries and eight key partners including India, China and the United States to address pressing security challenges like maritime safety and disaster management.

ADMM is the highest Defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN. ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and its eight Dialogue Partners (India, US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand) to strengthen security and defence cooperation.

India became the dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992 and the inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam on October 12, 2010. Since 2017, ADMM-Plus Ministers have been meeting annually to bolster the cooperation between ASEAN and the Plus countries. Lao PDR is the chair and host of the 11th ADMM-Plus. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Moscow, Nov 20 (AP) Russia's top domestic security agency Wednesday reported arresting a German national it accused of planning to sabotage energy facilities on orders from a Ukrainian national.

The Federal Security Service, known as the FSB, said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies that it detained German national Nikolai Gayduk as he entered Russia's westernmost exclave of Kaliningrad from Poland and seized half a liter (one pint) of liquid explosives from his car.

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It didn't say whether Gayduk also had Russian citizenship or a visa to enter the country.

The FSB accused Gayduk, a resident of Hamburg born in 1967, of planning acts of sabotage on orders from a Ukrainian, Alexander Zhorov, who also lives in Hamburg.

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The agency said Gayduk was involved in an explosion at a gas distribution station in Kaliningrad in March, and that a criminal case was brought against him on charges of a terrorist attack and smuggling of explosives.

A court ordered Gayduk to be placed in pretrial detention pending an investigation, Russian news agency Interfax reported. No other details were provided.

The German Foreign Ministry said it was aware of the case. Spokesperson Kathrin Deschauer said the arrest took place in October, and that the German Consulate in St. Petersburg was informed. She wouldn't give further details, citing privacy rules.

Deschauer said the consulate has offered consular support to the detainee and is in contact with Russian authorities regarding that.

German officials had no comment on the Russian claims that the detainee had been given orders by a Ukrainian living in Hamburg.

Deschauer noted that, in general terms, there is an atmosphere of intimidation and fear in Russia that  as Germany's travel advice notes  can lead to arbitrary arrests of foreigners.

She said the Foreign Ministry knows of a low double-digit number of German citizens currently detained in Russia.

Germany earlier this year played a central role in a major East-West prisoner swap in which Russia released US and German nationals it held in custody and a number of jailed Russian dissidents, while the US, Germany and some other European countries freed jailed Russians. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Beirut, Nov 20 (AP) A US envoy said an agreement to end the Israel-Hezbollah war is "within our grasp" after talks in Lebanon on Tuesday.

However, there was no such optimism in the Gaza Strip, where the looting of nearly 100 aid trucks by armed men worsened an already severe food crisis.

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Amos Hochstein, the Biden administration's pointsman on Israel and Lebanon, arrived as Hezbollah's allies in the Lebanese government said the militant group had responded positively to the proposal, which would entail both its fighters and Israeli ground forces withdrawing from a UN buffer zone in southern Lebanon.

The buffer zone would be policed by thousands of additional UN peacekeepers and Lebanese troops. Israel has called for a stronger enforcement mechanism, potentially including the ability to conduct military operations against any Hezbollah threats, something Lebanon is likely to oppose.

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An Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit a Lebanese army base in the southern town of Sarafand, killing three soldiers, the army said. The Israeli military did not immediately comment. At least 41 soldiers have been killed by Israeli bombardment the past month, according to the Lebanese army.

Hochstein said he held "very constructive talks" with Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah who is mediating on the group's behalf.

"Specifically today, we have continued to significantly narrow the gaps," the envoy told reporters after the two-hour meeting. "It's ultimately the decisions of the parties to reach a conclusion to this conflict. ... It is now within our grasp."

Berri said the "situation is good in principle", although some technical details remain unresolved. The Lebanese side was waiting to hear the results of Hochstein's talks with Israeli officials, he told the Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.

The United Nations humanitarian office says virtually no food or humanitarian aid has been delivered to northernmost Gaza for more than 40 days because of the Israeli military's siege.

Experts say famine may already have set in in the north, where Israel has been waging a weekslong offensive that has killed hundreds of people and driven tens of thousands from their homes.

So far in November, OCHA reports that 27 out of 31 planned humanitarian missions were rejected by Israel and the other four were severely impeded, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.

Asked whether the UN believes Israel is trying to force the estimated 75,000 Palestinians in northern Gaza to move south by denying the aid deliveries, Dujarric replied, "I can't speak to the intentions of the Israeli government and the Israeli policy. We're just seeing the result of it and trying to deal with it."

Israel says it puts no restrictions on the quantity of aid entering Gaza and that it is working to increase the amount.

The flow of aid is at nearly the lowest level of the entire 13-month war. So far this month, Israel says it let into Gaza an average of 88 trucks a day -- less than half the highest rate of the war, in April, which aid groups say was still too low.

From the aid that does enter, only about half actually reaches Palestinians because Israeli military restrictions and fears of theft often prevent the agency from collecting truck cargos at the border, according to UNRWA, the UN agency with the biggest role in the humanitarian operation.

The theft in Gaza over the weekend of nearly 100 trucks loaded with food and other humanitarian aid sent prices soaring and caused shortages in central Gaza, where most of the population of 2.3 million people have fled and where hundreds of thousands are crammed into squalid tent camps.

The UN said armed men stole food and other aid from 98 trucks over the weekend, the largest single incident of its kind since the war began. It did not say who was behind the theft.

Dujarric, the UN spokesman, said the convoy of 109 trucks was instructed by the Israeli military to take an "alternative, unfamiliar route" after the aid was brought through the Kerem Shalom crossing, and that the trucks were robbed near the crossing itself.

Al-Aqsa TV, operated by the militants, said Hamas-run security forces in Gaza had launched an operation against looters, killing 20 of them.

Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official based abroad, said the looters were young Bedouins who operate east of Rafah near Israeli military positions.

The Hamas-run government had a police force that maintained public security before the war, but they have vanished in many areas after being targeted by Israeli strikes. Hamas says it has taken measures to prevent looting and price-gouging in markets.

But the biggest problem is not theft -- it's the low amount of aid Israel allows into Gaza, said Tamara Alrifai, communications director for UNRWA.

Hamas ignited the war in Gaza when its fighters stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of them believed to be dead.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed almost 44,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to local health authorities. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Rio de Janeiro, November 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Jonas Masetti, who is based in Brazil and popularises Vedanta and Gita among the people, and also witnessed glimpses of the Ramayan in Sanskrit here. Modi met Masetti, also known as Vishwanath, before his departure from Brazil after he attended the G20 Summit.

Met Jonas Masetti and his team. I had mentioned him during one of the #MannKiBaat programmes for his passion towards Vedanta and the Gita. His team presented glimpses of the Ramayan in Sanskrit, Modi posted on X along with the photos. Guyana, Barbados To Honour PM Narendra Modi With Highest National Awards The Order of Excellence and Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados Respectively.

PM Modi Lauds Engineer-Turned-Vedanta Teacher Jonas Masetti

Met Jonas Masetti and his team. I had mentioned him during one of the #MannKiBaat programmes for his passion towards Vedanta and the Gita. His team presented glimpses of the Ramayan in Sanskrit. It is commendable how Indian culture is making an impact all over the world. pic.twitter.com/4Voy0OKt9X  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2024

It is commendable how Indian culture is making an impact all over the world, Modi added. Masetti, dressed in a white dhoti and a tilak on his forehead, was present along with his troop. The group showcased a small glimpse of the Ramayan in Sanskrit.

As mentioned by Modi in his post on X, he had lauded Masetti in his Mann Ki Baat on November 29, 2020 and highlighted how his was an effort to popularise the culture of India. @JonasMasetti, who is based in Brazil and popularises Vedanta as well as Gita among people there. He uses technology effectively to popularise our culture and ethos. #MannKiBaat, Modi had posted on X then. G20 Summit 2024: PM Narendra Modi and Canadian Counterpart Justin Trudeau Share Stage for Photo Session in Brazil Amid India-Canada Tensions (Watch Video).

According to the post, Masetti is a mechanical engineer, who worked in a company dealing with stock market, but later found a calling in Indian culture, especially Vedanta, a journey described by Modi during the Mann Ki Baat as a long journey from stocks to spirituality.

He runs an institute called 'Vishwavidya' in Brazil at Petropolis in the hills about an hour's drive from the capital here. He has studied Vedanta in India and uses technology to propagate his message and conducts regular online programmes.

He has taught his 'Free Open Course' to more than 1.5 lakh students during the last seven years, Modi said in that talk. Modi will depart from here to visit Guyana till November 21. His visit at the invitation of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali will be the first visit of an Indian prime minister to Guyana in more than 50 years.
Chennai, November 20: A 39-year-old advocate was hacked to death in broad daylight near the Hosur court premises in Tamil Nadu, in the second gruesome killing in the state on Wednesday. Advocate Kannan, was attacked with a sickle by a man identified as Anand. According to the police, Anand was harbouring anger and resentment after discovering an alleged affair between his wife and Kannan.

The brutal murder in a high-security area like the Hosur court premises, located near a local police station, has created widespread alarm. Lawyers at the Hosur court expressed concern over the incident. Talking to IANS on condition of anonymity, one lawyer said, This has created panic among lawyers and others who visit the court premises. This gruesome killing comes on the same day as another violent murder in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu: Advocate Hacked With Sickle in Broad Daylight at Hosur Court Complex in Krishnagiri, Chilling Video Surfaces (Viewer Discretion Advised).

M. Ramani, a 26-year-old government schoolteacher, was hacked to death by her jilted lover inside a classroom in Thanjavur after she rejected his marriage proposal. The two horrific murders on a single day have sparked outrage among Opposition parties, and they hit out at the DMK government led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over the states deteriorating law and order situation.

Leader of Opposition, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, strongly condemned the DMK government and the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio. In a post on X, he stated: The news is shocking that a lawyer, Kannan, has been brutally hacked to death with a scythe in broad daylight at the court premises in Hosur, Krishnagiri district. Under this DMK regime, department-wise killings are taking place in government premises such as medical, school education, and judicial departments. This clearly shows the true state of law and order under Mr. @mkstalins direct control. I strongly condemn the DMK Chief Minister, who has failed in his duties, and urge him to focus on addressing the real issues rather than relying on empty advertisements. Thanjavur Shocker: Amid Spate of Killings, Female Teacher Brutally Stabbed Inside Classroom of Mallipattinam Govt School in Tamil Nadu by Jilted Suitor, State Minister Anbil Mahesh Expresses Grief.

Tamil Nadu BJP President, K. Annamalai, also criticised the government over the alleged law and order failure. In a post on X, Annamalai wrote: A teacher was murdered in the classroom today in Tanjore, and here an advocate is being brutally attacked in broad daylight in Hosur. These incidents reflect the disastrous law and order situation in Tamil Nadu under the DMK government. Thiru @mkstalin should be ashamed of turning Tamil Nadu into a lawless jungle. If this government puts even a little effort into fixing issues rather than diverting them, we would not see such lawlessness.

Advocate Hacked to Death in Tamil Nadu (Trigger Warning)

Disturbing Visuals Advocate hacked in broad daylight in Hosur court complex, Krishnagiri #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/NRWNn6rAO2  Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) November 20, 2024

This is not the first time a violent crime has occurred in Tamil Nadu in recent months. A few days ago, oncologist, Dr Balaji Jagannathan, was stabbed seven times in the outpatient department of the Kalaignar Centenary Hospital by a youth who was not satisfied with his mothers cancer treatment. The doctor has since recovered, and the assailant, Vignesh, has been arrested.

In another case, on July 5, BSP state President K. Armstrong was brutally killed by an eight-member gang near his residence in Perambalur in broad daylight. Police arrested 27 individuals in connection with the crime, which was orchestrated by three gangs led by an underworld don currently serving a 26-year jail sentence. The recurring violent incidents have put the spotlight on Tamil Nadus law and order situation, raising serious questions about public safety under the current regime.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 20, 2024 07:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Chennai, November 20: In a shocking incident, a 26-year-old teacher was brutally stabbed to death in a classroom in the Mallipattinam Government School in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur district by a man whose marriage proposal she had rejected. The teacher identified as Ramani had been teaching at the school for the past four months. She was attacked in her classroom by Madhankumar (30), a former lover.

According to police, Madhankumar entered the classroom while Ramani was teaching and stabbed her in the neck with a knife. Despite immediate efforts by school staff and students to rush her to a nearby hospital, Ramani was declared dead on arrival. Both Ramani and Madhankumar belonged to the same village and community, located near the school. Thanjavur Shocker: Teacher Fatally Stabbed in School Premises in Tamil Nadu, Assailant Detained.

Investigations revealed that Madhankumar had proposed marriage to Ramani, but she had declined, a decision strongly supported by her parents. A few days before the incident, village elders had warned Madhankumar to leave Ramani alone after she expressed her disinterest in the relationship. Police believe this rejection drove Madhankumar to commit the crime.

The incident has sparked outrage, with Tamil Nadus School Education Minister, Anbil Mahesh, expressing shock and grief. In his condolence message to Ramanis family, he pledged strict legal action against the perpetrator. Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed shock over the incident and said murders have become common under the incompetent DMK regime, which has failed to maintain law and order in the state. Tamil Nadu: 26-year-old Teacher Hacked to Death over Personal Rift on School Premises in Thanjavur.

He charged that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin focused on publicity stunts instead of attending to his primary responsibility of maintaining the states law and order. He urged the CM to ensure that no such incident happens in the future. It may be noted that there have been several cases of murder in Tamil Nadu in the past few months and opposition has come out strongly against the DMK government and the failure of the police in preventing crimes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 20, 2024 03:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Thanksgiving is an important celebration in many countries across the globe. It is mainly celebrated in the US, Liberia, Granada, Saint Lucia, and Canada. Philippines and Brazil also celebrate it as an unofficial holiday. The celebration focuses on expressing gratitude for the blessings from the previous year. Thanksgiving, also called Thanksgiving Day, started as a humble expression of gratitude. Today, it is a major celebration, with food and family gatherings being the main elements of the occasion. Turkey-based dishes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pies, and bread stuffing fill tables across these countries. In addition, people get together to participate in the grand parades. But the celebrations are incomplete without the iconic parades. One of the most iconic parades that takes place every year is that of Macys. If you cannot make it in person, you can catch the live streaming of the event online. Scroll below for details. Thanksgiving: From Macy's Parade to Black Friday Shopping; Popular Thanksgiving Traditions That You Should Know.

Thanksgiving Day 2024 Date

Thanksgiving Day 2024 falls on Thursday, November 28.

Macys Thanksgiving Parade Date

Macys parade will take place on November 28, 2024.

Macys Thanksgiving Parade Timings

The Macys parade will commence at 08:30 AM EST and culminate at 12:00 PM EST. The floats will journey to Manhattan from the Macys parade studio in Moonachie, NJ.

Macys Parade Live Streaming Details

Wont be in the big apple to witness Macys Thanksgiving Day 2024 parade? Fret not. NBC is scheduled to air the event from 08:30 AM EST. It will also air on Peacock. You can also catch the parade on DirecTV Stream. In addition, you can also access the parade with a Hulu + Live TV subscription.

Macys Parade Balloons and Floats Sneak Peek

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Macy's (@macys)

This years parade, the 98th edition of the iconic event, will have a stellar lineup, including 22 massive balloons, 28 clown crews, 34 stunning floats, 11 marching bands, 28 performers, and a star-studded lineup of musical performers. Of course, Santa Claus will make an appearance too. Every year, new sets of floats and balloons are designed and created by an incredibly talented group of artisans in the parade studio. The floats and balloons are made with the aim of displaying creative and innovative designs.

This year, six new balloons and seven new floats will appear at the Thanksgiving parade. Some of the new faces will include the characters Wednesday and Pugsley from the Addams Family, the Bronx Zoo, a Go Bowling figure, Nickelodeons Dora and the Fantastical Rainforest, Raos Pasta Knight, a Candy Cosmos display, and a Magic Meets the Seas float from the Disney cruise line. Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade Date, Time and Route: All You Need To Know About the Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Thanksgiving is celebrated with a lot of joy, enthusiasm, and fervour. It is the perfect time for people to reflect on their lives and express gratitude for their blessings. It is also a time to spread joy, kindness, love, and happiness. While celebrations can take place at home, the parades are a unique way of celebrating the occasion. This year, even as we gear up to celebrate Thanksgiving, lets take a moment and give thanks for everything we have been blessed with. On that note, heres wishing everyone a happy and blessed Thanksgiving Day 2024!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 20, 2024 03:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
A worker was killed and three others injured in a chemical reactor blast at a pharma company in Hyderabad on Wednesday. The incident occurred at Aurore Pharmaceuticals Private Ltd at Jeedimetla industrial area in Medchal Malkajgiri district on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
Times Staff Writer

IS there a bird thats better than brined?

For the last decade or so, many of us have adopted as part of our Thanksgiving ritual soaking our turkeys in salt water for several days before roasting them. This isnt weird; it really works. Birds that have been brined stay much moister than turkeys that have not.

Still, theres no arguing with the fact that there are drawbacks to the technique. Youve got to find a bucket big enough to hold a turkey, to start with -- and a clean one. And then youve got to find room in your refrigerator to store it for the better part of a week.

Is there a better way?

Last Thanksgiving, we at the Food Section introduced readers to a steam-roasting technique. Turkey baked in a covered roaster pan -- you know, the kind your grandma used -- stays moist in a different way. During normal uncovered roasting, any juices that leak out of the bird are converted to steam by the hot pan and evaporate. Covering the pan reduces the amount of steam that gets away. A moist turkey with no advance preparation -- we really liked that idea.

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And then there are those who swear by high-heat roasting for turkeys -- they claim quick cooking keeps the meat moist and improves the flavor because of the improved browning.

For the last year, Ive been on a dry-salting craze. Almost every piece of protein that comes into my kitchen sits under a light sprinkling of salt for anywhere from an hour to several days before I cook it (as you can imagine, my wife and daughter have been hiding in other parts of the house). Meat that has been left to sit under salt has a deeper, more concentrated flavor and the texture is moist, but firm and more meaty.

This technique is something I learned from Judy Rodgers, chef at San Franciscos landmark Zuni Cafe. Ive used it with fish fillets (which take only an hour or so of curing), chicken, both parts and whole (anywhere from eight hours to a couple of days), and even a beef tenderloin (several days).

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I call it Judy-ing, and it has worked wonders with everything Ive tried it on. But how would it work with turkey, which is so much larger than any of the meats I cook during the rest of the year? Would the salt penetrate all the way to the center of the breast and thighs? I was a little skeptical (and so was Judy when I asked her), but it was worth a try.

Thus was born the Great Turkey Smackdown of 2006: Four turkeys, four ovens, four techniques tested side by side: one brined, one steam-roasted, one high-heat-roasted and one Judy-ed. Once and for all, wed find the best way to roast a turkey.

Fire up the ovens

ITS no wonder so many Thanksgiving turkeys wind up so disappointing. Turkeys are notoriously difficult to get exactly right, even for experienced cooks. In the first place, theyre composed of two contradictory meats -- white breast meat that dries out in a flash and dark leg meat that seems to take forever to get done. On top of that, they are huge, which magnifies any mistake in timing.

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Most cooks know about brining, which not only adds moisture to the bird and seasons it throughout but also helps the muscles hold on to that moisture during cooking by altering the electrical charges of the protein strands.

Salting works similarly to brining, except it doesnt use any water. Its remarkably simple. You just sprinkle the turkey with salt, then set it aside for four days for a 12- to 16-pound bird. At first, the salt pulls moisture from the meat, but as time passes, almost all of those juices are reabsorbed, bringing the salt along with them.

But maybe I was over-thinking the whole thing; perhaps high-temperature roasting wasnt such a bad idea. If a 400-degree oven makes a chicken with crisp brown skin and moist flesh, why wouldnt it do the same thing for a turkey? Wouldnt it be great if the solution to all of our turkey woes could be so easy?

The Smackdown, we hoped, would answer these questions. We bought four fresh free-range turkeys as close to the same size as we could find -- about 15 pounds. We started the two that needed advance preparation, salting one, brining the other and storing them in 2 1/2 -gallon sealable plastic bags. The Times Test Kitchens ovens had recently been calibrated, assuring accurate temperatures. We assembled four similar heavy-gauge, anodized aluminum roasting pans.

For the brining, we used a standard ratio of two-thirds cup salt to 1 gallon water. For the salting, we allowed 1 tablespoon of salt for every 4 pounds of turkey -- just short of one-fourth cup -- and concentrated the distribution on the thickest parts of the meat, the breast and the thigh.

After three days, we removed both from their bags and let all four turkeys air-dry in the refrigerator overnight -- the fan that circulates cold air also works very well at drying poultry skin.

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On the big day, we salted the two that had not been seasoned. Then we put them all in the oven, without stuffing. We started the brined and salted birds at 375 degrees, breast-side down, and then after 30 minutes we flipped them and reduced the temperature to 325 degrees.

Following the recipe, we started the covered-pan turkey at 425 degrees then immediately turned it down to 325 degrees before removing the lid and browning the turkey at 350 degrees for the last half-hour.

We simply roasted the high-heat turkey at 400 degrees, breast-side up, from beginning to end.

None of the birds were basted. For all, we were aiming for a final temperature of 165 degrees measured in the deepest part of the thigh.

The first surprise was an unpleasant one. When we took the temperatures after only a little more than two hours of cooking, the covered-pan turkey had already soared past 180 degrees -- well past well-done. We would have to try that one again. The other three finished cooking within a very short time of each other -- roughly three hours. The one roasted at high temperature ended up being done only about 15 minutes faster than the birds roasted at the conventional temperature.

We let the birds set for 30 minutes to finish cooking and enable the juices to re-distribute evenly through the meat.

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The Times Tasting Panel waited eagerly as I carved the birds, both white meat and dark. Joining me on the panel were staff writers Charles Perry, Corie Brown and Amy Scattergood, test kitchen director Donna Deane, restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila, assistant food editor Betty Hallock, food editor Leslie Brenner and deputy features editor Michalene Busico.

The best-browned bird was the one we had brined. It was very moist -- both in the breast meat and in the thigh. And the flavor was good, not salty at all but well-seasoned throughout. So we hadnt been crazy for all those years. However, as wed learn after tasting all the birds, it didnt have the best texture -- it was slightly spongy.

The high-temperature experiment was not nearly as successful as the brined. Far from solving the problem of the difference in doneness between dark and white meat, this magnified it. The flavor was fine, and the skin was brown and crisp. But though the breast meat had already started to dry out, the dark meat was still a little underdone -- it had that slightly rubbery rare-poultry texture and there was a little pink juice in the hip joint.

But the bird that got people most excited was the one we had Judy-ed. Unlike the brined turkey, which had a slightly spongy texture, the one that had only been salted was firm, meaty and smoothly dense. And though it was a bit too salty as prepared this first go-round, the underlying flavor of the turkey was amazing -- deep and full.

Suddenly, my Thanksgiving menu plans took a turn. This was one serious bird. People sampled it, went thoughtfully quiet a minute and then grabbed for more. The opinion of the panel was unanimous -- the Judy-ed bird, though it needed a bit of refinement to tone down the salt and crisp and brown the skin, was the clear winner.

To be fair to the steam-roasted turkey, we retested that one, but that didnt change the results of the Smackdown. Though it was certainly moist, the flavor was pallid in comparison with the other birds; it tasted more steamed than roasted.

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To further refine the pre-salted turkey, we tried it again, this time reducing the salt, allowing only a tablespoon for every 5 pounds of bird. To improve the browning, we started roasting the bird at 425 degrees for 30 minutes instead of 375 degrees.

And we threw in one further wrinkle -- we brushed half of the bird with melted butter before it went into the oven to see what effect that had on browning and on flavor.

This time we hit it right on the money.

The turkey was a glorious brown all over -- the side brushed with butter might have had a slightly more golden color but only ever so slightly (and there was no difference in flavor at all). The skin was nicely crisp. The dark meat was firm and meaty and still incredibly moist -- enough that even after a half-hours sitting there was a flood of juice when I carved it. The white meat was only slightly less so.

The problem with saltiness was solved. If anything, the breast meat could have used just a little more passed at the table for those of us with a salty palate. So next time, I might try upping the salt just a bit -- this is a recipe that will evolve over time.

And, maybe best of all, you no longer have to wrestle that big bucket of brine-soaked bird out of the refrigerator.

russ.parsons@latimes.com

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*

Roast salted turkey

Total time: 2 hours, 50 minutes

Servings: 11 to 15

Note: This is more a technique than a recipe. It makes a bird that has concentrated turkey flavor and fine, firm flesh and that is delicious as it is. But you can add other flavors as you wish. Minced rosemary would be a nice finishing addition. Or brush the bird lightly with butter before roasting.

1 (12- to 16-pound) turkey

Kosher salt

1. Wash the turkey inside and out, pat it dry and weigh it. Measure 1 tablespoon of salt into a bowl for every 5 pounds the turkey weighs (for a 15-pound turkey, youd have 3 tablespoons).

2. Sprinkle the inside of the turkey lightly with salt. Place the turkey on its back and salt the breasts, concentrating the salt in the center, where the meat is thickest. Youll probably use a little more than a tablespoon. It should look liberally seasoned, but not over-salted.

3. Turn the turkey on one side and sprinkle the entire side with salt, concentrating on the thigh. You should use a little less than a tablespoon. Flip the turkey over and do the same with the opposite side.

4. Place the turkey in a 2 1/2 -gallon sealable plastic bag, press out the air and seal tightly. Place the turkey breast-side up in the refrigerator. Chill for 3 days, turning it onto its breast for the last day.

5. Remove the turkey from the bag. There should be no salt visible on the surface and the skin should be moist but not wet. Place the turkey breast-side up on a plate and refrigerate uncovered for at least 8 hours.

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6. On the day it is to be cooked, remove the turkey from the refrigerator and leave it at room temperature at least 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

7. Place the turkey breast-side down on a roasting rack in a roasting pan; put it in the oven. After 30 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and carefully turn the turkey over so the breast is facing up (its easiest to do this by hand, using kitchen towels or oven mitts).

8. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees, return the turkey to the oven and roast until a thermometer inserted in the deepest part of the thigh, but not touching the bone, reads 165 degrees, about 2 3/4 hours total roasting.

9. Remove the turkey from the oven, transfer it to a warm platter or carving board; tent loosely with foil. Let stand at least 30 minutes to let the juices redistribute through the meat. Carve and serve.

Each of 15 servings: 564 calories; 77 grams protein; 0 carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 26 grams fat; 8 grams saturated fat; 261 mg. cholesterol; 856 mg. sodium.
A family is homeless after flames ignited in the basement of their Palmer Township home early Tuesday, a fire official said.

Township Fire Commissioner Stephen Gallagher told lehighvalleylive.com crews were called just before 3 a.m. to the two-story home in the first block of Rosemont Court. Firefighters found smoke filling the basement and all smoke detectors sounding, he said.

The family and a cat escaped safely on their own. Firefighters were able to rescue two additional cats, Gallagher said.
A film made in Laois has been snapped up by a Hollywood distributer and is now streaming worldwide.

Abbeyleix filmmaker Jeremy Curls new film The Highest Brasil is now available to stream on Apple TV and Prime Video and will introduce a global audience to landmark places from around the county.

The movie features scenes filmed around Laois including Morrisseys pub in Abbeyleix with many locals being cast as extras and speaking roles.

The Highest Brasil, which was nominated for a Jury Award at the Austin Film Festival, saw audiences queue around the block in Texas to catch a screening of the Irish film at the event.

READ NEXT: Ukrainian family thanks Irish government for 'protecting' loved ones as they mourn a loss in Laois

Dubbed an absurdist dark comedy, The Highest Brasil was filmed at locations in Abbeyleix and Rathdowney and features extras from the locality.

Director and Abbeyleix resident Jeremy Curl said the film is probably the first Irish feature film to show real unsimulated sex.

I run a small production company in Laois and as this is our first feature film, we are thrilled that it has been acquired by a major US distributor and is slated for release later this summer. We filmed most of the movie in Laois and with almost no budget, so with a worldwide streaming release we are excited that the film will be seen by audiences around the world, he said.

So whats it about? According to the synopsis, sea monsters, self help and sexual utopia. With his marriage crumbling, Seamus, a struggling fisherman, is unexpectedly offered the delicious pleasures of an unusual new life. But to turn his desperation into hope, he will need to put his trust in a group of misfits whose project becomes more and more deranged. This absurdist dark comedy asks if there really is more out there for each of us or is this it?

Jeremy believes Laois is an ideal place to film and he is delighted the county will feature on the silver screen worldwide.

We filmed in Laois last year around Rathdowney and Abbeyleix, including in Morrisseys pub. Some local residents in Abbeyleix were extras. The film stars well known Irish comedian Ger Staunton. I wrote and directed the film as since I live in Abbeyleix I know what a great place Laois is for film - the landscape and unspoilt towns. I think it is often overlooked as a place to film and it is great that audiences will see more of our wonderful county once the movie streams to a worldwide audience, he said.

Pictured above: A still from the film. Credit Brendan Films

Before film, Jeremy undertook expeditions without motorised transport to document extremely remote, little-known tribal areas of Africa. He has walked across the Sahara twice, and exhibited his expedition photographs widely, including alongside Nelson Mandela. In 2013 he was presented with an award for achievement in desert exploration by the crown prince of Dubai.

The Highest Brasil is his first feature film.

Watch a trailer for the film HERE.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin has distanced himself from criticism of Government immigration policy from his own Fianna Fail candidates.

It comes after Fianna Fail candidate for Longford-Westmeath Dympna Cunniffe questioned in a social media post whether voters would want their children to pass a centre for asylum seekers while on their walk to school.

The post was referring to a centre earmarked for asylum seekers in Athlone, where a group of councillors are seeking legal advice to challenge the move.

Ms Cunniffe said community consultation should be mandatory, adding that the people of Athlone had done their part on accommodating refugees. The post has since been deleted.

Mr Martin said developments in Athlone were a manifestation of broader pressures on communities around migration.

Asked about Ms Cunniffes comments on the matter, he said: I dont agree with those comments at all.

Pressed on whether he condemned her statements, he added: I dont approve of those comments.

Elsewhere, it was reported that Fianna Fail candidate for Sligo-Leitrim Edel McSharry described the coalitions management of immigration as reckless and irresponsible.

Mr Martin said the Government had behaved responsibly in its response to increased immigration.

He said there had been unprecedented increase in the number of people seeking asylum in Ireland, coupled with the States response to accommodate 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing the war.

Mr Martin said there had been a weaponisation of migration by Russian President Vladimir Putin and also in the Middle East and Sudan.

He added: We need a faster and fairer system and so were proposing a new government Department of Domestic Affairs that would have a border management agency within it and that would deal with migration in its entirety.

Back in 2020, no one anticipated what has now transpired. We believe the decision to separate out responsibilities around migration between the Departments of Justice and Children has not worked, and we believe that this new approach will be more effective in time.

Mr Martin said the Government has done everything it possibly can, adding that it is now moving towards an approach based on State-provided accommodation.

However, he cautioned that this also brought difficulties: Communities are equally concerned, particularly in terms of numbers and so forth.

So this will remain a challenging issue for any new government, and it will remain a challenging issue for all political parties into the future.
Reposing on Friday, November 22 in Guilfoyle's Funeral Home, Castletown, Co Laois (R32 TN84). An Eastern Orthodox Service will take place at 10am with removal immediately afterwards to Newlands Cross Crematorium.

The Dubrovin family would like to acknowledge their appreciation for the outstanding care and support received by Oleksandr from all the medical staff during his admissions to the different hospitals here in Ireland while his was battling his illness.

They are extremely grateful for the respect and dignity shown not only to Oleksandr but also to them in this very difficult time in their lives.

They would also like to sincerely thank the Irish people and the Irish Government for allowing them to come here to Ireland.

They are so grateful for protecting them and supporting them with accommodation, medical services and food but also for the kindness they have been shown by everyone since they arrived here Ireland.
Met Eireann is warning that 'snowfall accumulations' can be expected in parts of the country later this week as the first cold snap of the winter looks set to continue until nearer the weekend.

A status yellow Low Temperature/Ice warning remains in place for the entire country until 10am this Wednesday while a another warning is due to come into effect at 8pm.

"Very cold with widespread frost and icy stretches," states the warning which adds that possible impacts include "hazardous conditions on roads and paths and some travel disruption".

In an update, this Wednesday morning, Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather said temperatures dropped to -4 degrees in places overnight and that the cold snap is set to continue.

"A cold day ahead with a significant risk of rain and sleet turning to snow in Southern areas later," he stated.

READ ALSO: Gardai 'identify' five people following renewed appeal over Dublin riots

In addition to the national status yellow Low Temperature/Ice warning which is due to come into effect this Tuesday night, Met Eireann has issued a status yellow Snow-Ice warning for all of Munster.

That warning is due to come into effect at 4am on Thursday and will remain valid until midday on Thursday.

Snowfall accumulations are expected during that time and motorists are being advised of poor visibility and dangerous travelling conditions.

"Rain will spread across the southern half of the country tonight, turning to sleet and snow at times away from coasts with some accumulations possible. Further north it will be mostly dry with scattered wintry showers continuing in Ulster and north Connacht. Very cold with lowest temperatures of -4 to 0 degrees in light to moderate easterly or variable winds. Widespread frost and ice will develop," states the latest forecast from Met Eireann.
Maynooth University congratulates Grace Drumgoole, a First Year Bachelor of Education student at the University, who was one of seven recipients of a bursary from the Camogie Association.

Launched to mark the 120th anniversary of the Camogie Association, the bursaries are designed to support students to remain engaged with camogie during the course of their studies to be primary teachers.

The Camogie 120 Teacher Education Bursaries are supported by philanthropist Carmel Naughton and are valued at 5,000 per year, for each year of the four-year BEd Programme.

Grace, who plays for Glenealy in Co. Wicklow and is studying in MUs Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, says that camogie has been a part of her life from her first year in primary school.

It took a lot of dedication and hard work to continue playing both club and county while trying to get into the Froebel BEd programme. I also dont think I could have done it without sport as it was the escape I needed from the stress and the books. I am beyond grateful for this bursary as it will give me the freedom to continue my studies alongside my sport for my time in college.

MUs GAA Development Manager, Jenny Duffy said, "The Camogie 120 Teacher Education Bursary Award is a fantastic acknowledgement of the next generation of female leaders in Camogie. At Maynooth University, our primary teaching students have consistently been outstanding ambassadors for the GAA community.

"Heartfelt congratulations to Grace on this well-deserved achievement. A sincere thank you to Carmel Naughton for her generous support of this bursary programme, which highlights the vital role teachers play in fostering and promoting our national sport across the country."

The bursaries were launched at an event in Croke Park on Saturday, November 16.

Speaking at the presentation, Carmel Naughton said: Friends often say Carmel, why camogie? I am surprised that they dont understand that down through the centuries, the sliotar and hurl have been such an important part of our national heritage. Yes, I do appreciate this new world of cultural diversity and how important that is for Ireland, but we must also treasure and hold fast to the traditions that make us unique in Europe and the world.

Brian Molloy, Uachtaran of the Camogie Association added, The Camogie Association is absolutely delighted to partner with Carmel Naughton in this extremely generous initiative marking our 120th anniversary this year. The Camogie 120 Teacher Education Bursaries provide student teachers with vital financial support when they are balancing their commitments to their studies with their continued involvement in the camogie community. I wish the recipients the very best with their studies and continued success on and off the camogie pitch over the coming years.

Other recipients of the bursaries are students in St Marys University College, Belfast, Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education and the Institute of Education in Dublin City University.
Social media users have been left divided after pictures of Danny Healy-Rae branded colouring pencils given to kids in Kerry emerged.

A parent in Kerry posted the picture of the box of colouring pencils emblazoned with a photograph of the Kerry TD and the words, "Vote No.1. I'm on your side." The TD's phone number is also included on the box. The General Election campaign is in full swing with voters going to the polls on November 29.

The parent wrote on X: "Just when you think youve seen it all my six year old came home with these today."

A number of people took issue with schoolchildren being given branded election material in this way. One wrote: "Perhaps Im odd but, it doesnt sit right with me that any politician would promote themselves by targeting young children with their hand-outs. Its like theyre circumventing. Canvass those of voting age, only."

Danny Healy-Rae has posted pictures on his own social media account of him visiting a number of schools during the campaign, twice to congratulate different schools on GAA trophy successes.

READ NEXT: Jon Kenny remembered as 'larger than life' character at funeral mass

Another reply to the picture of the colouring pencils read: "Were these given out at school? Id be more worried that a school is allowing candidates (strangers) into a school and promoting politics (surely they should be unbiased)."

Others could hardly believe the election colouring pencils were real. One commented, "can't be genuine", while a second said, "no way that's real."

Just when you think youve seen it all my six year old came home with these today #GE24 #Election24 #GeneralElection2024 pic.twitter.com/oZzk5wFLTe  Paul Moroney (@Paul_Moroney1) November 19, 2024

The original poster said, "oh, it is very much real," and a second parent added, "mine got these too last week and a pen! They were only delighted."

Some other people saw the funny side of it with one saying, "thats the most Irish thing Ive ever seen," while another labelled it "brilliant."

Danny Healy-Rae has been contacted for comment on this story.
Frontgrade Gaisler Unveils GR716B, a New Standard in Space-Grade Microcontrollers





Frontgrade Gaisler has launched its latest radiation-hardened microcontroller, the GR716B. Building on the success of the GR716A, this latest innovation is a step forward in the development of energy-efficient and adaptable microcontrollers for space applications. As missions grow in complexity and ambition, the industry sees a growing need for technologies that not only deliver dependable performance over long durations, but also have the capabilities to manage a multitude of tasks.

The GR716B is an all-in-one solution for supervision, monitoring, and control in satellite applications. Designed with versatility in mind, the new microcontroller adapts effortlessly to a wide range of space systems due to its comprehensive set of standard interfaces, architectural features, and integrated analogue functions.

Sandi Habinc, General Manager at Frontgrade Gaisler, remarked, "With the GR716B, we are excited to offer a solution that reflects the growing ambitions of the space industry. The GR716B engineering models are now being made available to alpha customers for integration into new missions."

The GR716B combines proven technology with innovations that address the space industry's most pressing challenges such as the need for low power consumption and efficient use of onboard resources. Frontgrade Gaisler also plans to bring the GR716B System-in-Package (SiP) solution to market, which combines the new microcontroller with non-volatile memory, thereby simplifying system design.

The development of the GR716B was made possible through support from the European Space Agency's (ESA) Core Competitiveness programme, part of the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems programme and within ESA's Connectivity and Secure Communications directorate, and Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA), representing a continued commitment to advancing space-grade technologies.

Domenico Mignolo, ESA Acting Head of Technology and Products Division, said, "We are glad to support Frontgrade Gaisler through our Core Competitiveness programme. By supporting the development of versatile space-grade microcontrollers, ESA aims to bring innovation in satellite communications in order to strengthen industrial competitiveness."

For more information, visit www.gaisler.com/gr716b.

About Frontgrade Gaisler

Frontgrade Gaisler is a leading provider of radiation-hardened microprocessors and IP cores for critical applications, particularly in the space industry. The company's processors are known for their reliability, fault tolerance, and radiation tolerance, making them ideal for any space mission or other high-reliability application.

About ESA's ARTES Core Competitiveness programme

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe's gateway to space, coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its Member States to conduct space programmes and activities. The Core Competitiveness programme line of ESA's Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) provides funding and multi-disciplinary expertise to enhance competitiveness in satellite communications. It supports specific activities carried out by SMEs, large industrial consortia and research organisations aimed at developing innovative products and services that strengthen Europe and Canada's position as global leaders in the satcom market. Through its two components, ARTES Advanced Technology and ARTES Competitiveness and Growth, this programme enables organisations to transform promising concepts into market-ready solutions, covering the entire development cycle.

Learn more at https://connectivity.esa.int/core-competitiveness.

20 november 2024 at 02:00

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AMPYR Energy USA Announces Power Purchase Agreements for Two Utility Scale Solar Projects in South Carolina





Today, AMPYR Energy USA ("AEUSA") announced the signing of long-term power purchase agreements for two projects totaling 195 peak megawatts (MWp) of utility scale solar energy generation in South Carolina. The PPAs were executed with Duke Energy and include four hours of energy storage for one of the projects. The execution of these contracts further demonstrates AMPYR Energy USA's commitment to the US market and the Southeast region. These projects advance the company's goal to strengthen and grow its US renewable energy project pipeline. Both projects will have a positive impact on the local economy by creating a significant number of construction jobs and also contributing to the local tax base for more than thirty years over their operating life.

"AMPYR Energy USA is proud to be a part of the clean energy transition in the US and contribute towards the economic growth of the local communities in which we operate, while providing clean and reliable energy," said Sumeet Bidani, Chief Development Officer of AEUSA. "We continue to build upon and consolidate our position as a committed developer of renewable energy projects across various regions in the US. These projects represent two of the more advanced stage projects in our portfolio, and once operational, will supply electricity to power about 30,000 homes in South Carolina."

ABOUT AMPYR Energy USA

AMPYR Energy USA is an independent solar power developer, headquartered in Long Beach, CA. The joint venture between AGP Sustainable Real Assets and Hartree Partners, is part of the AMPYR Group, which is a global renewables power platform with presence in seven countries across North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. AMPYR Group has a global portfolio of 365+ projects adding to over 12 GW of utility scale solar PV, wind, and battery storage capacity under development. The AMPYR Group has 12 offices across seven countries / four continents, and a team of over 100 professionals.

For more information, visit: https://www.ampyrenergyusa.com

20 november 2024 at 08:05

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Uniphore and Konecta Join Forces to Advance AI in Customer Experience and Digital Transformation





Uniphore, a global AI leader with the only end-to-end Enterprise AI architecture that delivers unmatched customer focused solutions, together with Konecta, a global leader in customer experience (CX) and digital services, today announced a strategic alliance that will create and accelerate true AI-powered value worldwide. This is a significant first in the evolution of Enterprise AI with two industry leaders coming together to deliver real ROI through scalable solutions across hundreds of large global customers.

Global enterprises will benefit from the combined strengths of Uniphore's enterprise-grade AI solutions and Konecta's expertise in business transformation. By merging advanced AI with operational excellence, this collaboration is set to reshape customer service delivery, generating actionable insights that drive real value. Clients can expect improved ROI through enhanced Net Promoter Scores (NPS), faster resolution times, and reduced operational costs, enabling them to achieve greater efficiency and impactful customer engagement.

"The partnership between Uniphore and Konecta is significant because this is the first time the end-to-end Enterprise AI stack from Uniphore is coming together with Konecta's industry-leading domain and consulting expertise. Together, they will power the digital transformation using Gen AI that most enterprises around the world need," said Umesh Sachdev, CEO and Co-founder of Uniphore. "I couldn't be more excited to work alongside such a forward-thinking and results-focused organization."

This partnership marks a pivotal step in Konecta's journey to becoming a top-tier Gen AI services provider, combining its hybrid model of human and virtual agents to deliver innovative customer solutions. By integrating Uniphore's cutting-edge AI technology, Konecta will enhance its service offerings with hyper-personalized interactions powered by real-time emotion detection and sentiment analysis tools that dynamically adapt to customer needs. This powerful alliance positions Konecta at the forefront of CX automation, empowering the company to set new standards in delivering seamless, AI-driven customer experiences.

"Our partnership with Uniphore represents a significant step forward in our commitment to deliver AI-led transformation for our clients," said Nourdine Bihmane, CEO of Konecta. "By combining Uniphore's cutting-edge AI technology with Konecta's operational expertise, we will provide unmatched service, operational efficiency, and innovation. We are excited to see how this alliance will help our clients achieve new levels of business success through AI-powered customer engagement."

As part of this alliance, Konecta and Uniphore will pursue a joint go-to-market strategy with an ambition to generate $500 million in revenue over the next five years, with a key focus on disrupting the U.S. and UK market. To support this goal, Konecta will serve as Uniphore's preferred professional services partner globally, implementing and integrating Uniphore's U-Platform, which includes U-Assist, U-Analyze and U-Self Serve solutions on behalf of Uniphore.

Through this alliance, Konecta and Uniphore will co-develop specialized Gen AI solutions. Leveraging Uniphore's newly launched knowledge-as-a-service solution, X-Stream, Konecta will create proprietary, industry-specific small language models (SLMs) to address unique industry challenges with unmatched precision and adaptability. As part of this effort, Konecta's Gen AI-based co-pilot, supporting 12 languages, will be deployed across its contact centers, empowering agents with real-time, context-aware support. This capability, already live with several of Konecta's key clients, will expand to serve the majority of clients within the next 12 months, positioning Konecta as a leader in delivering industry-specific AI solutions with speed and precision.

Konecta expects to see an immediate impact from this alliance, particularly in customer satisfaction and agent productivity while offering new Digital Agents besides Human agents on the same platform in a hybrid model. Working together, Konecta and Uniphore will develop AI capabilities focused on proactive service, enabling businesses to anticipate and resolve customer needs before issues arise. Furthermore, the partnership will streamline support tools for agents, improving service quality and driving operational gains from day one.

About Konecta

Konecta is a leading innovative global service provider in customer management business process outsourcing, with 130,000 passionate employees working in 30 languages across 4 continents and 26 countries. Focusing on the unique needs and opportunities of each industry, Konecta offers a full range of end-to-end customer management solutions ? including acquisition, retention, customer service, technical support, and collection ? all based on a sustainable business model. These services are built on a portfolio of world-class expertise covering customer experience and process management, digital solutions and cutting-edge technologies. Headquartered in Madrid, Konecta delivers global revenues of approximately ?2 billion with more than 500 clients, covering some of the biggest names in telecoms, energy, banking, mobility, retail, and e-commerce.

About Uniphore

Uniphore is a leading B2B AI-native company with decades of proven success. Engineered for scalability and tailored for enterprise needs, Uniphore drives AI transformation that delivers real business impact across multiple industries and the largest global deployments. Uniphore's multimodal AI and data platform is at the heart of this transformation, enabling businesses to swiftly deploy AI agents. With Uniphore's AI Engine Room, organizations can harness their data and create scalable, domain-specific AI models to democratize enterprise knowledge?all while ensuring security, sovereignty, and rapid value delivery. Today, Uniphore's technology empowers over 750,000 end-users across 1,600 enterprises in 20 countries. Discover the unmatched capabilities of Uniphore?because there's no AI like ittm.

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

For additional information on Uniphore's products, please visit www.uniphore.com To stay up to date with the latest commentary, follow Uniphore's blog, or connect on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.

20 november 2024 at 08:10

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Genesco to Report Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results and Hold Conference Call on December 6, 2024





Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today announced that the Company will report results for the third quarter fiscal 2025 on December 6, 2024, before the market opens, and hold its quarterly earnings conference call at 7:30 a.m. (Central time) the same day.

A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available at https://www.genesco.com/investor-relations/news-events/events

An audio archive of the call will be available for up to one year at https://www.genesco.com/investor-relations/news-events/events

In addition, a summary of the third quarter results will be available on the Genesco website on December 6, 2024 at https://www.genesco.com/investor-relations/news-events/events

About Genesco Inc.

Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) is a footwear focused company with distinctively positioned retail and lifestyle brands and proven omnichannel capabilities offering customers the footwear they desire in engaging shopping environments, including approximately 1,314 retail stores and branded e-commerce websites. Its Journeys, Little Burgundy and Schuh brands serve teens, kids and young adults with on-trend fashion footwear inspired by youth culture in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Johnston & Murphy serves the successful, affluent man and woman with premium footwear, apparel and accessories in the U.S. and Canada, and Genesco Brands Group sells branded lifestyle footwear to leading retailers under licensed brands including Levi's, Dockers and G.H. Bass. Founded in 1924, Genesco is based in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information on Genesco and its operating divisions, please visit www.genesco.com.

20 november 2024 at 16:20

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TWO local entrepreneurs will represent Limerick in the 2024 EY Entrepreneur of the Year contest.

Liam McMahon and Kasper Weber Anderson of Beyond Creative, which is registered in Ennis, but has an office in Castletroy, will fly the Treaty flag at the final which takes place next week in Wicklow.

Beyond Creative creates tailor-made computer games for companies and individuals using the Fortnight software.

READ MORE: Limerick traders make plea over 'detrimental' closure of street

This years Entrepreneur Of The Year programme launched in January 2024 and received more than 200 nominations  the highest ever in the its history.

Awards will be presented across three categories - Emerging, Established, and International - with one overall winner selected as the 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year.

On top of this, a sustainability award will be presented to the finalist making the most significant contribution towards environmental sustainability through their business.

The overall winner of The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 will travel to Monaco in June 2025 to represent Ireland at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 awards.

Mr McMahon and Mr Anderson said: Were honoured to be named finalists in the Entrepreneur Of The Year programme - its truly been an incredible experience.
LIMERICK Central Rotary Club will be operating its inaugural Remembrance Tree in the Crescent Shopping Centre this December.

The Remembrance Tree will be located in the Garryowen Mall entrance lobby in the shopping centre from Sunday, December 1 to Sunday, December 22, next to a new mural by local Limerick artist Patrick Harnett.

It will be operated by Limerick Central Rotary Club in partnership with the Crescent Shopping Centre and four charity partners  Down Syndrome Limerick, Limerick Mental Health Association, Doras and St Munchins Community Centre.

Proceeds raised at the Remembrance Tree will go to support these local charities.

The tree will be launched on December 1 by Mayor John Moran, to coincide with the arrival of Santa Claus at the Crescent Shopping Centre.

READ MORE: Cops and donuts in welcome return to Limerick

The Unity Gospel Choir Limerick will be performing at the tree on Sunday, December 1 and Sunday, December 15.

Ger Lynch, president of Limerick Central Rotary Club, commented: The Remembrance Tree will provide a public focal point for people to remember a loved one who has passed on, is unable to be home for Christmas or someone they would just like to remember, while also raising funds for four important local causes.

Eimear Dwan, marketing manager with the Crescent Shopping Centre, said: The Remembrance Tree is an important part of the Christmas period, and we are very excited to have a tree here at the Crescent this December. We are looking forward to working with Limerick Central Rotary Club on this project and hope all our shoppers will put a ribbon on the Remembrance Tree.

People wishing to support this fundraising project can also make an online donation via the Limerick Central Rotary Club website.
THERE was an impassioned call to all political representatives to prioritise the need to save Irelands forestry industry at the AGM of Limerick and Tipperary Woodland Owners on Saturday.

They say action is needed now if Ireland is serious in its intention to reach our climate change mitigation commitments, as otherwise tax-payers faces 6 billion in likely fines.

Chairman Simon White said that the annual planting targets will continue to be missed because of the short-sighted approach of the Department of Agriculture in penalising forest owners who have done nothing wrong.

The department cannot stand by and watch woodland owners be wiped out financially by a disease it allowed into the country or by making it impossible to harvest their timber, and at the same time advocate that more people should sign up to forestry, said Mr White.

At the meeting in Ballykisteen Hotel it was agreed that the inadequate Ash dieback plan must be amended, with urgency, as it fails to implement the recommendations of the ash dieback review report.

Ash plantation owners must be fairly compensated for the losses if there is to be any chance of reinstating landowner confidence in growing trees. The compulsion to replant when a forest is destroyed by disease must be removed from the legislation, this policy is counterproductive and possibly unconstitutional, they say.

Members of the producer group formed in 2011 also say the Forest Service must take urgent action to protect the country from diseases that threaten to attack our existing forests.

Several species of bark beetle are at risk of being imported into Ireland and threaten to wipe out our forests which will cost billions. There is enough commercial forestry to meet Irelands demand but bureaucracy prevents it from being harvested so we have to import timber from infected areas.

Growing native broadleaf trees for environmental benefit needs to have a permanent financial return for landowners. The tree grower needs to be paid for the carbon sequestered and needs to be supported in the costly management of such forests if we wish to encourage sustainable woodland creation.

READ MORE: Dutch cheese in our schools is a bit Irish, say ICMSA

Limerick and Tipperary Woodland Owners backs the call for an independent expert forestry group to direct future forestry policy and that they need a dedicated minister specifically to resolve this on-going forestry crisis.

They urged all involved in forestry to raise these issues if canvassed during the election.

The Department of Agriculture has been contacted by Limerick Live for comment.
JON KENNY will be remembered for developing the powerhouse comedy duo D'Unbelievables in the late 1980s and '90s, creating characters which could be seen on every street corner in Ireland, but he also had a career playing music.

Speaking with Brendan O'Connor on RTE Radio 1, Pat Shortt said he was quite numb following Jon's death. You'd always hear Jon wasn't well and then you'd hear 'gosh, he's flying it.

Despite Jon's comedic flair, Pat explained that he had a whole life before they ever worked together referring to his time spent in the band Gimik. Jon played with the band from the age of 15 and toured all over the world.

Pat continued: He had played support to Mud and at one stage I think Suzi Quatro wanted him to join the band.

I remember doing a gig in the Tricycle Theatre and one or two of the guys from Mud came to see us and it was amazing because he was telling me all these stories and you're kind of like 'ah go away out of that' and then they turned up at the gig.

READ MORE: Remembrance tree in Limerick shopping centre will commemorate lost loved ones this Christmas

Pat recalled working on the film The Banshees of Inisherin when Jon confided in him some of the things he'd gone through.

Pat also remembered the early days of rehearsing with Jon saying: I think I always go back to the rehearsal room with Jon you know and two of us creating the characters of D'Unbelievables... We used to always kind of say we never wrote anything, we just made it up.

The Killinaskully actor described Jon as a manic character who was full of energy and said their workshop process was so much fun. D'Unbelievables made their debut on the Late Late Show in the 1990s in the comedy sketch Crimebusters as Garda Tom Walsh and Garda PJ Moloney. Jon and Pat went on to release shows on video and DVD.

They released One Hell of a Video, D'Unbelievables, D'Video, a live random sketch show, D'Telly featuring them playing various characters, primarily two brothers who run a shop together and D'Mother in which Kenny's character oversaw the running of a public house alongside his 'mother'  who was later revealed to be his father.

Those two characters, D'Unbelievables, they became larger than life and everyone used to call us D'Unbelievables. It wasn't Jon Kenny and Pat Shortt... so we decided to hold onto the name and just use it for ourselves from there on.

I can't imagine anyone has lived life as good as Jon Kenny.
A Sinn Fein manifesto pledge to investigate RTEs objectivity is a dog whistle to conspiracy theorists, the Taoiseach has said.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin both heavily criticised the proposal, with Mr Martin branding it a dangerous departure.

In its General Election manifesto published on Tuesday, Sinn Fein said it would commission an independent human rights and journalist expert review into the objectivity of coverage by RTE of the Israeli genocide in Gaza and other international conflicts.

Arriving separately for a Cabinet meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin on Wednesday, Mr Harris and Mr Martin both raised concerns over the proposed examination of how Irelands national broadcaster has covered the bloodshed in Gaza and its reporting on other war zones.

The Taoiseach said: I just cant imagine this scenario in any functioning democracy that a political party that wants to lead a government would put in its manifesto, in its list of political promises to the Irish people, that it will establish an independent review of RTEs objectivity and news coverage.

Questioning where the Sinn Fein policy would stop, Mr Harris asked if the party would later probe matters beyond the Middle East, and added: RTE today, who tomorrow?

He called on Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald to withdraw the chilling, despicable proposal.

To actually even suggest that RTE needs to be independently reviewed is a dog whistle to conspiracy theorists, is an effort to undermine media freedom in this country, and I, quite frankly, believe its an effort to intimidate journalists from the work that they do, Mr Harris said.

What was she thinking?

Mr Martin said he was shocked by the proposal.

Political parties cant be setting up committees to investigate the media, he said.

We may all have complaints and so on like that. But this is a dangerous new departure. Its almost a threat to the media, really, that you know well be coming after you, because we dont believe you are being objective.

He said the implication was that Sinn Fein does not believe RTE is objective in its reporting of the Middle East. Mr Martin said he found it hard to give credit to such an assertion.

I think its a dangerous departure in terms of, essentially, what Sinn Fein are saying if your views dont accord with ours, then were going to set up a committee to investigate you, he added.

Ms McDonald defended the measure on Wednesday, insisting the proposed review would not be directly triggered by government.

She said RTEs Editorial Standards Board or Irelands media regulator Coimisiun na Mean could instigate what she described as a peer review.

In the face of the criticism from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, the Sinn Fein leader said the proposal was a good idea as she made clear she did not envisage politicians having any role in the exercise.

I absolutely accept and respect the necessity for editorial independence. Thats not a question mark. Thats a pillar of an open democratic society, she told reporters on a canvass in west Dublin.

The objective here is not for political interference, but actually to grow and develop confidence and trust. So what we are proposing is a peer review.

Nothing to do with politicians, a peer review informed by human rights expertise, but also journalistic expertise. The commissioning of the review would have to be independent of government. RTE itself has an editorial standards board, they might commission it, or Coimisiun na Mean might commission it.

Ms McDonald, who cited the recent BBC Board commissioned review of the UK broadcasters coverage of migration issues, was pressed on why the party had put the proposal in its manifesto if it did not envisage the review as something the Government would have a role in instigating.

I think you will find across lots of parties manifestos (have) ideas, concepts and ideas and initiatives that arent necessarily directly triggered by a government, by government decision at cabinet, she said.

We think this is a good approach. We think its a good idea.

Ms McDonald added: People, I think, would take confidence actually from a confirmation that the national broadcaster is peer reviewed in this way. I mean, if I were in RTE, if I were a journalist, I would welcome something like that. I think it can actually be really helpful.

The National Union of Journalists has expressed grave concern at the proposal, adding that it had written to Ms McDonald urging her to reconsider.

A spokeswoman for RTE said: Impartiality and objectivity are among the cornerstone principles of RTE and the organisations own journalism guidelines.

Section 46L (1) of the Online Safety & Regulation Act 2022 imposes a specific obligation to report in an objective and impartial manner and without any expression of the broadcasters own views.

The Oireachtas established CnaM (Coimisiun na Mean) as an independent statutory body with power to hold broadcasters accountable for compliance with the legislation and the broadcasting codes.
Met Eireann is warning that 'significant snowfall accumulations' can be expected in parts of Limerick this Wednesday night as the first cold snap of the winter continues.

The forecaster has upgraded an earlier status yellow snow/ice warning for Munster and says heavy snowfall is now likely overnight in five counties, including Limerick.

The status orange warning for Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, Cork and Waterford is due to come into effect from midnight tonight and will remain valid until midday on Thursday.

Local authority crews and emergency personnel have been placed on standby and Met Eireann says potential impacts include "very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption, disruption and delays to public transport, difficult conditions underfoot and animal welfare issues".

Limerick motorists are being advised not to make any unnecessary journeys while the warning is in place and early-morning commuters are being urged to exercise caution.

It's unclear, at this stage, if schools will be impacted by the status orange warning.

READ ALSO: PICTURES: Limerick actor and comedian Jon Kenny laid to rest

A separate status yellow Snow-Ice warning for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow, Munster, Galway is due to come into effect at 9pm this Wednesday.

That warning will remain valid until midday on Thursday.
Booking Holdings, the parent company of Booking.com and Agoda.com, said its alternative accommodation business reported significant growth as travellers increasingly opted to stay in places other than traditional hotels.

The companys third-quarter results show that it is expanding faster than Airbnb, the biggest player in the alternative accommodation business, with strong performances in both regional and global markets like Asia and Europe for more than three years.

Booking.com's strategy of offering both hotel rooms and alternative accommodation on one platform is proving popular with travellers and has made it more successful than its largest competitor in the past 13 of 14 quarters, Ewout Steenbergen, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Booking Holdings, said exclusively to Mint.

"Most other players are offering either/or, and we are offering it together. This is really something travellers like," he said. "Booking.com has consistently grown faster in room nights than the largest competitor in alternative accommodations business and is already about two-thirds the size globally of the number one player in this segment in terms of room nights sold."

When larger families or groups of friends book or when travellers look for connected hotel rooms, they also see an alternative to hotels and end up seeing that as an option to book, said Steenbergen, who is in India this week.

Around the world, Booking.com offered about 3.9 million properties on its website as of September 30, consisting of over 3.4 million alternative accommodation properties (including homes, apartments and other unique places to stay) and 475,000 hotels, motels, and resorts, an increase from 3.3 million total properties a year earlier.

Booking Holdings said in its Q3 report that more alternative accommodation properties continued to connect to its platform, with listings at the end of September reaching 7.9 million, up about 10% from last year. This, it said, possibly contributed to strong alternative accommodation room night growth of 14% in Q3.

Properties represent a set of rooms, while listings refer to the rooms within a property.

Integration scope

The companys presence in Asia and Europe was the strongest in Q3, with Booking Holdings reporting significant double-digit growth in Asian regions. While the US market business still remains slightly behind, Steenbergen said growth there is still positive, outpacing the broader market trend.

"In the US, business travel has grown a lot, but consumer travel is growing at a less significant pace," he said.

In the third quarter, there was substantial growth in the companys other travel sectors. The flight booking business increased 39%, with 13 million tickets sold, while rental cars grew by 16%. Steenbergen said there is an opportunity for the company to develop a connected travel platform that integrates flights, accommodation and rental cars.

Across different parts of the world, he said airline prices have declined in double digits over the past two to three quarters, and rental car prices have also decreased in various regions. Hotel prices rose more modestly this year in regions like Asia, with the exception of the US, where hotel prices were little changed.

He said Asia is expected to maintain strong growth over the next few decades. India is of strategic importance, with the market's potential heralded by factors such as increased air traffic and rising disposable incomes.

"India is a very large strategic opportunity for us at Agoda and Booking," Steenbergen said.

Tech and talent

In Europe, growth picked up in August following a slowdown in July that was attributed to global events. While the overall European market remains stable, growth resumed in the latter part of the quarter.

The company is also investing in talent and technology. Steenbergen said Booking Holdings has established a "centre of excellence" in Bengaluru with a $250 million investment plan over five years. This initiative is aimed at supporting global operations and tapping local talent.

Steenbergen said the potential of generative AI to enhance the customer experience is still in its nascent stages but when it comes through, will help travellers a lot. The company is testing various tools, and he anticipates that generative AI will play a significant role in personalising travel experiences in the next one to three years, helping travellers to plan entire trips tailored to their preferences.

Booking Holdings reported third-quarter net income of $2.5 billion, little changed from a year earlier, while revenue increased 9% to $8 billion.
Ford Motor Co. has decided to lay off 14 per cent of its Europe workforce on Wednesday, November 20, amid weak electric vehicle (EV) demand, poor government support for the EV shift and tough competition from subsidized Chinese rivals, reported the news agency Reuters.

The auto company said that it will cut 4,000 jobs, nearly 2.3 per cent of its total workforce of 174,000, primarily in Germany and Britain. Ford is the latest amongst other companies like Nissan, Stellantis, and GM to reduce costs as the industry faces challenges like EVs being too expensive for consumers to buy.

Also Read | Ford in talks with Tamil Nadu govt. for potential EV manufacturing in India

Ford shares fell 1.8 per cent after the agency's report, which will be a big blow in Germany, where Europe's biggest carmaker, Volkswagen, is threatening to close factories, cut wages and axe thousands of jobs to allow it to compete better, as per the report.

Ford is fighting to reduce its global business costs while also lagging in the US markets to GM. Ford has struggled to deal with its quality, warranty, and supplier issues.

The company said the layoffs would happen by the end of 2027, pending union discussions. Ford said 2,900 cuts would be in Germany and 800 in Britain, and production of its Explorer and Capri EV models at its Cologne plant would also be reduced, as per the report.

Also Read | Ford in talks with JSW for India re-entry

The company has been experiencing weaker demand for electric vehicles than we had previously forecast and we continue to have challenges around our operating costs, said Peter Godsell, vice president of Ford Motor Europe.

Ford needs decisive action to restructure our business, he said, adding that while the company hoped the job cuts would address its problems, he could not rule out further measures if market conditions worsen, reported the agency.

About Ford's Performance Ford's sales in Europe dropped 17.9 per cent, significantly more than an industry-wide fall of 6.1 per cent.

The German unions said they would not accept the plans as there were alternatives and asked Ford's Europe management to enter talks over the future of the business.

If there is no willingness to do so, we are also prepared for a tough confrontation, Knut Giesler of IG Metall, who runs the German union's branch in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, home to Ford's major Cologne plant told the agency.

Also Read | What scared Fords CEO in China

The company has asked the German government to provide more incentives and better-charging infrastructure to help consumers transition to EVs.

Berlin ended EV subsidies in December 2023. EV sales in Germany in the first nine months of this year were down 28.6 per cent.

What we lack in Europe and Germany is an unmistakable, clear policy agenda to advance e-mobility, such as public investments in charging infrastructure, meaningful incentives ... and greater flexibility in meeting CO2 compliance targets, according to Ford's chief financial officer John Lawler letter to the German government cited by the news agency.

The European Union has slapped tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, saying they benefit from unfair government subsidies.
New Delhi: State-run NTPC, which is set to start construction of its green hydrogen hub in Andhra Pradesh by the end of the month, is in talks with possible buyers of the green molecule.

NTPC is in talks with Japan's EPC major Toyo Engineering Corp. and Norwegian power supply systems company Getek AS for offtake of the green hydrogen to be produced at the hub, said two people in the know of the developments. Further, Australian mining major Fortescue is in talks with NTPC to produce green hydrogen at its 1.85-trillion hub in Pudimadaka, Andhra Pradesh.

NTPC will offer companies the facility of producing green hydrogen at the hub, akin to the plug-and-play mode available at special economic zones.

"Initial talks have taken place with Toyo Engineering and Getek. The quantum and the rates are yet to be finalized. Fortescue has also shown interest in developing green hydrogen at the upcoming hub," said one of the two people mentioned above.

Assured offtake

The development gains significance as assured offtake is key for green hydrogen producers as it is a highly capital-intensive commodity. Green hydrogen is produced with the help of renewable energy, so refineries and manufacturing of steel and metals like aluminium are key areas where it can be used.

Replying to a mailed query from Mint, a spokesperson with Fortescue said: "Fortescue is steadfast in its commitment to green hydrogen. We are focusing initially on four green hydrogen projects across Australia, the US, Norway and Brazil. We also have projects in Oman, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan which will follow our initial projects. Fortescue is also continuing to maintain a portfolio of other potential projects for the future, which will only progress if they can achieve economic viability, including low power costs and increased global demand for green hydrogen."

Queries mailed to NTPC and Getek remained unanswered till press time. Toyo Engineering could not be reached immediately.

The foundation stone for the green hydrogen hub in Pudimadaka is expected to be laid on 29 November and operations are likely to start within the next three years, said a third person, who added that the green hydrogen hub will also include renewable energy generation capacity.

The investments in the green hydrogen space would be made through the IPO-bound subsidiary NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL). The much-anticipated 10,000 crore public offer of NGEL opened on Tuesday and so far 33% of the shares on offer have been subscribed.

Green hydrogen focus

NTPC, Indias biggest power generation utility, has a major focus on the green hydrogen space as it looks to diversify into the new energy ecosystem. On 19 November, Mint reported that the company is eyeing a jump in investments in the green energy space to 5 trillion by 2030. The earlier plan was to invest about 1 trillion by FY27. This investment would go towards a range of green energy sectors including solar, wind power generation, green hydrogen, green ammonia, green methanol, ethanol, green urea and sustainable aviation fuel.

NGEL, the green energy arm is also taking the joint venture route to develop and supply green hydrogen. In June 2023, NGEL had incorporated a 50:50 JV with Indian Oil Corp. Ltd to supply the latter's refineries with renewable energy for captive consumption. Later, in October, IOCL's board approved an investment of up to 1,660.15 crore in the JV.

In June this year, Mint reported that NGEL is in talks with oil refiner and marketer Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd (HPCL) and copper and aluminium maker Hindalco Industries to supply these companies with green hydrogen.

Both public sector and private sector companies in the energy space are looking at tapping the green hydrogen space given the ambitious net zero targets of the the companies. Further, with the focus on India's net-zero target by 2070 and specific targets of the companies themselves, there is a major focus on adoption of green hydrogen in industries in place of grey hydrogen, which uses polluting inputs such as natural gas or methane.

India produces and consumes about 6 million tonnes of hydrogen, currently, most of which is grey hydrogen.
VMPL

New Delhi [India], November 20: Kolkata, India's cultural capital, has a strong relationship with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), a trusted name in the insurance industry. LIC, India's largest insurance provider, has been a crucial financial security provider for families in Kolkata and West Bengal since its inception. Offering a range of products, including life insurance policies and investment plans, LIC has proven itself as a reliable partner in financial planning, protecting loved ones and growing wealth.

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Swiggy, a direct competitor to Zomato and one of India's leading food delivery aggregators made its highly anticipated stock market debut on November 13. The IPO not only marked a significant milestone for the company but also elevated nearly 500 of its employees to crorepati status, thanks to their holdings now worth crores of rupees.

Interestingly, just weeks before Swiggy's IPO, Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal had some advice for Swiggy's employees, reflecting on his company's own experience of going public in 2021, the Times of India reported.

Speaking at the ET Startup Awards in October, Goyal shared lessons from Zomato's listing journey and highlighted some of the unintended consequences that emerged when many employees suddenly became crorepatis.

Also Read | Bitcoin breaches $94,000 for the first time

Experienced Complacency, Innovation Slowed Sharing the experience, Goyal said that IPO and business was good post-listing, but a lot of people made a lot of money for the first time in their lives.

These are competent people. Competent people can't recognise that they are actually being complacent. They dont seek progress anymore, he added.

Goyal added, They are tuned in that way, but they are not letting any progress happen. Thats what we had come down to. There was no work happening inside the organisation for a while. I had to literally clear out pretty much everybody who had lost that drive and then reboot the organisation.

While positive about wealthy employees, Goyal stressed the need to remain ambitious and seek continuous growth despite financial success.

Also Read | From staff to millionaires: Swiggy IPO to make 500 employees crorepatis

'Expect food delivery business to grow 30% annually' Further, in an interview with Reuters, Zomato's food delivery CEO, Rakesh Ranjan, said the company expects the business to grow at 30 per cent annually over the next five years. He also lauded Swiggy's IPO for boosting the space.

"The food delivery sector is still in its nascent stages in the country and more competition will only foster innovation and growth, which will benefit the sector overall," Ranjan said on November 18.

Zomato holds 58 per cent of the food delivery market, while Swiggy holds 34 per cent share.

As of March 2024, Zomato's app had an average monthly active restaurant partner count of around 2,47,000, 18 per cent higher than a year earlier.
Zomato Ltd's founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Deepinder Goyal, on Wednesday, November 20, said that he is looking for a Chief of Staff at Zomato in a social media post on LinkedIn. The chief of staff candidate will have to pay an opportunity fee of 20 lakh to the food delivery giant and will receive no pay for the first year of employment.

I am looking for a chief of staff for myself, said Goyal in his LinkedIn post.

In the post on the job platform, Goyal is on the hunt for a candidate and is offering an opportunity to someone who is willing to spend 20 lakh as an opportunity fee, which will be donated directly to the charity Feeding India.

There is no salary for this role for the first year. You will have to, in fact, pay 20 lacs for this opportunity. 100% of this fee will be paid in the form of a donation directly to Feeding India (if you are offered the role, and you accept it), according to the job offer.

The post highlighted that the salary of a Chief of Staff is 50 lakh, and the company will contribute the same amount to a charity of the selected candidate's choice.

At our end, we want to demonstrate that we are not trying to save money here - we will contribute 50 lacs (equivalent to a Chief of Staff salary) to a charity of your choice, as per the offer.

Also Read | Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal shares advice on complacency with Swiggy

From the second year, the company will start to pay the selected candidate the usual salary, i.e., more than 50 lakh, which will be subject to discussion at the start of the second year.

Second year onwards, we will start paying you the usual salary (definitely more than 50 lacs, but something we will only talk about at the start of Year 2), said the job posting.

Why is Zomato charging an opportunity fee? Goyal shared that the company believes that the people who apply for this role should do it for the learning opportunity it presents as compared to the idea of a fancy well, well-paying job which will make them look cool in front of the people.

Put differently, think of this as a fast track learning program, for you both personally and professionally - whether or not you succeed at this role. And we want learners for this role, not resume builders, said Zomato in the job posting.

Job role and what to expect? In the new Chief of Staff job role, the candidate will be expected to do anything and everything to build the future of Zomato and its other ventures.

Anything and everything to build the future of Zomato (including Blinkit, District, Hyperpure, and Feeding India), said the company.

On the expectations front, the CEO said the candidate will receive 10x more learnings than a 2-year degree from a top management school, working with me and some of the smartest folks in consumer tech.
A few months back, Prosus, one of the worlds largest technology investors, faced a debilitating condition in India. It wrote off its entire $500 million investment in Byjus, six years after it first backed the edtech company once valued at $22 billion. Last year, the Prosus representative on the board of Think & Learn, the parent company of Byjus, had resigned citing poor governance standards.

Ups and downs are commonplace among startups. Its true for their backers, too. Where edtech failed, foodtech thrived. On 13 November, the Netherlands-headquartered investor took home more than $500 million when it sold a fifth of its 31% stake in Swiggy, during the food delivery and quick commerce companys initial public offering (IPO). Prosus balance stake is now down to 25%, which still means it is sitting on over $2.5 billion of gains, considering Swiggys current market capitalization of about $11 billion.

From the lows induced by Byjus a while ago, the management team of Prosus in India now feels an adrenaline rush.

We invested around $1.3 billion in Swiggy across rounds," Ashutosh Sharma, head of growth investments, India and Asia, Prosus, said, calling it the investors largest cheque in the country till date. Swiggy will return more than all of our capital that is deployed," he added, visibly pumped up.

Prosus has invested $8.2 billion in India till-date across 24 big and small deals and is now getting ready to deploy more. We have currently offered two term sheets of more than $100 million each to a marketplace company and a fintech firm. We are waiting to close the deal," Sharma said.

Which sectors will Prosus now prioritize? It primarily invests in technology-led companies that are looking to disrupt a sector. Nonetheless, its venture thesis has certainly evolved and it has chosen to rally behind themes that could see exponential growth, going forward. More on this later.

Food to fashion

Prosus is the international investing arm of South Africas Naspers Group. Prosus is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam and is the largest consumer internet company in Europe by asset value. Post 2019, all of Naspers international investments have been housed underProsus.

One of Naspers earliest bets was backing a former Google executive with a $5 million cheque back in 2006 to set up Ibibo in Gurugram. This would spawn the online travel and hospitality Ibibo Group (which went on to acquire travel aggregator Redbus) as well as seed the origins of its payments business PayU in 2011, which has now emerged as Prosus mainstay in fintech. Despite some hiccups over the last few years, PayU is large enough to consider a public listing over the next two years.

Back in 2011-2012, however, Prosus was conspicuously absent from the crowded foodtech startups ecosystem in Indiamost of whom were destined to fail because they never got their unit economics right.

In 2017, Sharmawho had joined Naspers a year earlier as the head of its venture arm in Indialanded on Swiggy as the firms foodtech choice. The venture firm also started exploring investments in market places that serve global customers.

Our beginning thesis around India, specifically, was to invest behind the growth of the country. And what better way to invest than in the consumption story?" Sharma asked. Overtime, we figured that India does not create only for India; India also creates for the world," he added.

This led the firm to back companies such as Captain Fresh, a seafood global marketplace, Fashinza, an apparel global marketplace as well as several software companies exporting to the world. Many of these investments came after the pandemic.

Patient capital

So, what makes Prosus different from other venture funds?

Prosus has an edge as it invests out of its own balance sheet and does not raise external capital. Other private equity investors have funds with a defined life, said Neeraj Shrimali, managing director and co-head of digital and technology investment banking at Avendus Capital, an investment bank.

View Full Image Global learnings have helped Prosus shape its Swiggy story. (HT)

A balance sheet investor has proprietary capital. Since capital is not raised from third-party investors (called limited partners or LPs), there is less pressure to generate exits. Such investors can take a multi-decadal view on a sector or a company. This approach helps both the founders as well as the investment professionalsthey dont have to worry about short-term liquidity.

They have the patience to stand with you in good times and back you in bad times. Its a rarity," said Siddarth Shah, cofounder and CEO, API Holdings, the parent company of omnichannel pharmacy Pharmeasy.

The company was the first among unicorns to bite the bullet and take a hit on its valuations when it ran into rough weather in 2022, at the onset of the startup worlds funding winter. Pharmeasy was once valued at nearly $5 billion. It had to launch a rights issue at a reset value of $500 million. Today, the business has turned around with the company having drastically cut down on its burn.

The other advantage Prosus has is its global footprintits portfolio consists of more than 80 investments across more than 100 markets. We try to see what we can bring to the table beyond capital," Sharma said. In the food delivery space, for instance, it has global experience of having backed companies such as DoorDash, Mituan and Delivery Hero among others. These learnings would have helped Prosus shape its Swiggy story.

Successes and duds

When Prosus wasnt around, its parent Naspers made some cool investments with successes in India including Flipkart and MakeMyTrip. Naspers invested $615 million in the ecommerce marketplace, pocketing a cool $2.1 billion cheque when retail giant Walmart bought Flipkart for $16 billion in 2018. For its investment of $711 million in MakeMyTrip, it got $1.6 billion, clocking around 10% internal rate of return (IRR).

Apart from Swiggy, Prosus has backed notable unicorns such as Meesho, Urban Company, Eruditus, BlueStone, Pharmeasy and Captain Fresh among others, collectively valued at more than $15 billion. Some of these companies are readying to go publicso, more exits are on the way.

On the other hand, like we mentioned earlier, Byjus was the biggest dud. Another bet which went belly up was in buy now pay later firm Zest Money, in which Prosus pumped in $38 million. Its investments in omnichannel beauty and personal care companies, Good Glamm and Fashinza, are also struggling.

Though some market watchers argue that it is the lack of operating experience of the Prosus team in India that led to poor judgment in some cases, others say that cross-stage funds also struggle to find its sweet spot, leading to a mixed bag of results. Cross-stage funds invest across many investing stages. Prosus, for instance, has invested $8.2 billion in India till-date across 24 deals. Of this, $1.1 billion has been invested in early-stage companies.

Calling such failure a feature of venture investing and not a bug, Sharma said there were lessons for every investor from such episodes. The big lesson that we all learnt is how risky debt could be for loss generating companies," he said.

Prosus has invested $8.2 billion in India till-date across 24 deals. Of this, $1.1 billion has been invested in early-stage companies.

Byjus was coasting along just fine. Then, it decided to acquire many businesses. Rather than using its own equity, the company ended up raising a lot of debtand thus began its downfall.

It all looks very rosy when the economy and the markets are up," the India head further said. Debt becomes a major problem when the economy tanks, like during the pandemic, and companies start to flounder.

Bareilly ke bazaar

Sharma goes back to his hometown, Bareilly, in Indias largest state Uttar Pradesh, at least twice a year. He has a twofold agenda during his visitssee his family and connect with a different set of Indian consumersyes, Bareillys bazaars can teach a lot about investing.

The tier-II city, known for its zari zardozi embroidery work, represents aspirational India. Indias next set of unicorns could well emerge by serving consumers in these cities, sometimes referred to as middle India by venture firms.

I always think that coming from a tier-II city, I have a better pulse on India compared to an investor who is from a metro," Sharma, who is 44, said.

With the proliferation of smartphones and rising aspirations, e-commerce has become more accessible to tier II-III consumers. Storied tech investors, such as Accel, Lightspeed, Peak XV Partners (earlier Sequoia Capital India) and Elevation Capital, have been testing the tier-II consumption story. Prosus could also be expanding its consumer investment thesis.

View Full Image With the proliferation of smart phones, ecommerce has become more accessible to tier II-III consumers.

For the next decade of growth in India, it has chosen to rally behind themes that could see exponential growthserving the next 300 million mobile users in India, generative artificial intelligence (AI), and enterprise SaaS.

Slowly and steadily, as the GDP per capita of the country grows, the next 200-300 million mobile users will have discretionary income. They may want to buy differently compared to customers in tier-I. So, new business models, new products for Bharat is again something thats very exciting," Sharma said, hinting at whats next for the investment company.

This year alone, Prosus has already pumped more than $240 million into the Indian market, in line with the thawing funding winter globally. The amount is significant considering that overall venture capital funding in India totalled just $1.1 billion last year, data from Venture Intelligence, a data platform that aggregates private equity and venture capital deals, showed.

The $240 million includes fresh investments as well as secondaries and follow-ons in its portfolio companies, said Sharma. A recent investment, worth $100 million, is in Vastu Housing Finance, a new-age home finance company that promises fast and flexible lending".

This year alone, Prosus has already pumped more than $240 million in the Indian market, in line with the thawing funding winter globally. The amount is significant considering that overall venture capital funding in India totalled just $1.1 billion last year.

The fact that Prosus has expanded its mandate from being predominantly an internet and mobile-focused investor to sectors such as SaaS and deeptech (example being its investment in Detect Technologies) and even non-tech (exemplified by Vastu Housing Finance) shows that the firm is taking advantage of a clear gap in the PE-VC funding ecosystem," said Arun Natarajan, founder, Venture Intelligence.

Detect Technologies is an AI/machine learning driven SaaS company that helps industrial businesses automate their risk identification and reporting functions.

While Sharma is still savouring the Swiggy high, the global leadership appears to be excited at whats ahead.

Our early focus and investment in India is paying off," Fabricio Bloisi, the CEO of Prosus and Naspers, wrote in a note to investors on 21 October. I expect we will see more of our investments in India (going for) IPO in the coming 12-18 months."
New Delhi: The governments capital expenditure (capex) for FY2025 is projected to align closely with last years spending, at around 95% of the allocated target, though the target itself may be undershot, Ajay Seth, secretary of the department of economic affairs (DEA) said on Wednesday.

On capex, there might be some undershooting, but spending will be more than last year. Last year, we spent 95% of the allotted capex, and this year it is likely to be the same95% of the target, Seth said at a curtain raiser event for industry body FICCI's 97th AGM and Annual Convention.

Also read | DEA Secretary Ajay Seth says FED rate cut expected to improve India's economy In FY2024, the government spent 95% of the 10 trillion capex allocation, revised to about 9.50 trillion later. The spending came to 9.49 trillion.

For FY25, the Centre boosted its capital expenditure by raising the allocation on developing infrastructure projects to 11.11 trillion, building on increases in recent years to spur economic growth.

According to Seth, the Centre is expected to utilize about 10.55 trillion of the capex in FY25.

Capex spending slows The Centre's capex spending slowed down during Q1, FY25, primarily due to the general elections.

According to India Ratings, the Centres capex contracted 35% year-on-year in Q1, FY25 to 1.8 trillion, while states capex declined by 21% to 0.8 trillion.

Also read | Draft bill for setting up NFIR almost complete, says DEA secy Ajay Seth During Q1, FY25, private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) and gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), at constant prices, grew 7.4% and 7.5% respectively.

PFCE is the expenditure incurred by resident households and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISH) on the final consumption of goods and services, whether made within or outside the economic territory.

GFCF indicates how much of the new value added in an economy is invested rather than consumed.

No downside risks Seth expressed confidence in the Economic Survey 2024-25's projected growth rate of 6.5-7%, saying he sees no downside risks to achieving it.

Apart from the Central government, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) projects India's GDP growth to be 7.2% for FY25.

Seth added the government is working on mobilizing a 1 trillion fund for incentivizing research and development in the private sector, announced in the budget earlier this year, which is likely to be operationalized in the coming month or two before the upcoming budget in February.

Also read | Govt agrees with RBIs raised growth estimates: DEA secretary Ajay Seth The fundcalled the Anusandhan National Research Fundaims to support basic research and prototype development to bridge the gap between research and industry, and stimulate private sector-led innovation on a commercial scale.

Meanwhile, defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, speaking at the same event said he expected more private investments into research and development and a heightened focus on Indian intellectual property rights.
The US could impose nearly 40 per cent tariffs on imports from China early next year, potentially slicing growth in the world's second-biggest economy by up to one percentage point. According to a poll by the news agency Reuters, the US President-elect will resist starting with blanket 60 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods. Donald Trump, after his sweeping election victory on November 5, is due to take office in January.

Trump pledged during campaigning to slap hefty tariffs on Chinese imports as part of a package of "America First" trade measures, causing unease in Beijing and heightening growth risks for China. Not only are the threatened tariff rates much higher than the 7.5 per cent-25 per cent levied on China during his first term, the economy is also in a much more vulnerable position given the prolonged property downturn, debt risks and weak domestic demand.

The poll showed a strong majority, both in and outside mainland China, expects Trump to impose the tariffs by early next year, with a median estimate of 38 per cent and projections ranging from 15 per cent to 60 per cent. However, most economists also said they do not expect blanket 60 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods in early 2025 as this could accelerate inflation within the US.

"We expect the new US administration to bring back the original plan of Trump 1.0," ANZ's chief economist Raymond Yeung said, estimating that the average tariff on Chinese goods could be raised by 3237 per cent.

Chinese policymakers, who have ramped up stimulus to spur growth since late September, face increased pressure next year to spur domestic demand to offset an expected drop in exports - a key growth driver this year, analysts say. On the potential impact on China, the poll predicted that new US tariffs would reduce China's 2025 economic growth by around 0.5-1.0 percentage point.

For now, however, most economists polled have maintained their median growth forecasts for this year and 2025 at 4.8 per cent and 4.5 per cent, respectively, consistent with projections made before the US elections. Growth is expected to slow further to 4.2 per cent in 2026. They are awaiting the Trump administration's China trade policies, which could lead to potential downgrades in their outlooks.

Exports will be a key pillar of growth as global demand holds up, though new US tariffs could shave up to 1 percentage point off GDP growth, Mo Ji, chief China economist at DBS, told Reuters. Consumption will remain lacklustre due to wealth effects from falling property prices and rising unemployment. Though private investment lags, infrastructure investment will drive a moderate fixed asset investment recovery.

More Chinese stimulus expected A strong majority of economists, or 19 of 23 who responded in the poll, said the recent fiscal and monetary stimulus measures announced by the Chinese government have had little impact on the economy and more stimulus is needed. Only four said that these measures would boost economic growth.

Chinese authorities hope the burst of stimulus unveiled in late September will help the economy reach a government growth target of around five per cent this year. According to analysts, China is likely to unveil fresh stimulus measures in the coming weeks to help cushion the economy from any trade tensions with the US, who expect the economy's slowing trajectory will continue despite policy support.

Also Read: Trump chooses billionaire and key transition advisor Howard Lutnick for commerce secretary
SINCE THE Industrial Revolution, rich countries have mostly grown faster than poor ones. The two decades after around 1995 were an astonishing exception. During this period gaps in GDP narrowed, extreme poverty plummeted and global public health and education improved vastly, with a big fall in malaria deaths and infant mortality and a rise in school enrolment. Globalisations critics will tell you that capitalisms excesses and the global financial crisis should define this era. They are wrong. It was defined by its miracles.

Today, however, those miracles are a faint memory. As we report this week, extreme poverty has barely fallen since 2015. Measures of global public health improved only slowly in the late 2010s, and then went into decline after the pandemic. Malaria has killed more than 600,000 people a year in the 2020s, reverting to the level of 2012. And since the mid-2010s there has been no more catch-up economic growth. Depending on where you draw the line between rich and poor countries, the worst-off have stopped growing faster than richer ones, or are even falling further behind. For the more than 700m people who are still in extreme povertyand the 3bn who are merely poorthis is grim news.

To judge what has gone wrong, first ask what previously went right. In the poorest countries education and (especially) health have depended on donors writing big cheques. But even if aid has curbed disease, it has not unleashed sustainable growth. Likewise with pro-market technocrats in the IMF and the World Bank. Western institutions were most involved in Africa and Latin America, where growth has been patchy and has varied with commodities prices.

Critics of the neoliberal era" conclude that globalisation therefore failed. However, the most successful liberalisations came from within countries, rather than in response to donors advice. In the 1990s global convergence was powered by a few big successes: Chinas rapid growth after it opened up under Deng Xiaoping, a similaralbeit less spectacularprocess in India after reforms dismantling the licence Raj", and the integration of countries in eastern Europe into the global market economy after the fall of communism. All that amounts to a powerful endorsement of capitalism.

Just as the rich world did not make convergence happen, it is not to blame for the stalling of development today. It is true that the Wests efforts are as flawed as ever. The IMF and World Bank are juggling promoting reform and development with fighting climate change, and are caught in the middle of the power struggle between America and China, which is making it fiendishly hard to restructure poor countries debts. Aid budgets have been squeezed, hurting global public-health campaigns, as Bill Gates argues in our online By Invitation column. Cash has been diverted from helping the poorest to other causes, such as greening power grids and helping refugees. Of what aid money remains, much is wasted rather than being spent after careful study of what works. The Sustainable Development Goals", by which the UN judges human progress, are hopelessly sprawling and vague.

The biggest problem, though, is that home-grown reform has ground to a halt. With some notable exceptions, such as President Javier Mileis efforts in Argentina, the worlds leaders are more interested in state control, industrial policy and protectionism than the examples of the 1990sand it is no accident that such policies boost their own power. Indices of economic freedom have been broadly flat in sub-Saharan Africa since the mid-2010s and in South America since the turn of the century. Nigeria, where nearly a third of the population is extremely poor, still wastes a fortune on petrol subsidies; textile bosses in Bangladesh get special treatment at the expense of manufacturers who might otherwise create better jobs; and Pakistans inefficient state-backed mining, oil and gas conglomerates are allowed to stagger on.

Despite its past growth, a quarter of Chinas population still lives on less than $2,500 per year; its present economic slowdown, made worse by Xi Jinpings centralisation and the censorship of economic data, is reducing their chances of a better life. Even India and Indonesia, which have successfully liberalised in the past but still contain many poor people, are now interfering with market forces to try to bring supply chains home. According to Global Trade Alert, a think-tank, the 2020s have seen five times as many harmful trade measures as liberalising ones.

Many of the Wests interventions in the Global South failed, but in the era of catch-up, it did at least preach the virtues of free markets and free trade. These ideas spread because communism was proved to be backward in comparison with Americas prosperity and power. Today, though, America is increasingly taken with interventionism, disdaining the old order and trying to replace it. Many countries instead look to the Chinese model of industrial policy and state-owned enterprises, drawing entirely the wrong lessons from the countrys growth.

As the world has turned towards intervention, so the chosen instrument for poor countries has become trade restrictions, as imf research shows. This contains an uncomfortable echo of the failed development plans of the 1950s, built around freezing out imports rather than embracing global competition. Fans of industrial policy will point to East Asias tiger economies" such as South Korea and Taiwan. Yet both embraced harsh global competition. And several African countries that tried to copy their industrial policies in the 1970s failed miserably.

You dont know what youve got till its gone

The world will pay for its failure to learn from history. Rich countries will cope, as they usually do. For the poorest people, however, growth can be the difference between a good life and penury. It should not be a surprise that development has stalled as governments have increasingly rejected the principles that powered a golden era. Nobody will suffer more as a result than the worlds poor.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
New Delhi: Indias services exports will outpace merchandise exports by 2030, marking a major shift in the countrys trade dynamics, economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said in a report on Wednesday.

The report, titled 'Indias Services Export Revolution: Set to Outpace Merchandise by 2030' said services exports are projected to be $618.21 billion, slightly higher than merchandise exports at $613.04 billion by FY30.

Between FY2019 and FY2024, services exports rose at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5%, nearly double the 5.8% CAGR of merchandise exports, it added.

India's forte The services sectors growth is fuelled by two dominant segments  software and IT services, and other business services (OBS). They accounted for 86.4% of total services exports in FY24.

Software and IT services, categorised under telecommunications, computer, and information services, contributed $190.7 billion or 56.2% of Indias total services exports in FY24, the report said.

Innovations in artificial intelligence, the internet of things and digital transformation continue to drive demand for Indias IT expertise globally, with about 80% of these services delivered digitally.

OBS, which includes legal, tax, consulting and market research services, generated $102.8 billion in FY24, or 33.2% of total services exports.

"With a global market more than twice the size of IT, OBS is poised to outpace IT services in growth, driven by rising demand for specialised expertise and integration with manufacturing processes," the report said.

Room for improvement Despite its dominance in IT and OBS, India remains underrepresented in other global service sectors such as transport, travel, financial services and insurance, which collectively account for 64% of global services trade, it added.

During FY24, India's merchandise exports stood at $437.06 billion, down from $451.07 billion during the previous fiscal. Goods imports fell to $677.24 billion from $715.97 billion over the same period.

Meanwhile, India's service exports stood at $339.62 billion in FY24, up from $325.33 billion in the previous fiscal, while imports fell to $177.56 billion from $182.05 billion in FY23.

The overall trade deficit, including merchandise and services, shrank to $78.12 billion in FY24 from $121.62 billion in FY23.

Also read | Data dive: How freebies are hurting already stressed state finances

During FY24, the main drivers of merchandise export growth included electronic goods, drugs and pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, iron ore, cotton yarn/fabric, handloom products, and ceramic products & glassware, according to the commerce ministry.

To maintain momentum in services exports, GTRI recommended diversifying IT exports beyond the US, promoting OBS in non-Gulf markets, and expanding into underrepresented sectors such as transport and financial services. Improving data transparency and leveraging manufacturing growth to boost service integration are also critical, it said.
RIO DE JANEIROWhen Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula" da Silva called for more multilateralism" at the opening of the Group of 20 nations summit on Monday, the remark appeared aimed at someone who wasnt in the room: Donald Trump.

Many leaders from Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa at the G-20 summit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Peru last week made clear their alarm at prospects for a sharp U.S. turn inward on trade, health and environmental policy with Trumps looming return to the presidency.

Isolation, protectionism and trade wars only lead to recession, conflict and poverty," said Gen. Luong Cuong, Vietnams new president. Now more than ever, we need to eliminate the mindset of one side wins, the other loses and not allow nationalism to distort policy."

President Biden didnt mention Trump in remarks at a G-20 session on climate change on Tuesday, but he urged leaders who shared his belief in multilateral solutions to global problems not to back downeven though he will soon be gone from the world stage.

History is watching us," Biden said. I urge us to keep the faith and keep going."

It was a tough sell, even to those who agreed with him.

Some leaders seemed more intent on signaling to Trump that they were open to cutting deals that spare their economies and established defense arrangements from too much disruption. Others sought to remind the president-elect that their countries gave more to the U.S. in the form of investments than they cost Washington in overseas alliance commitments and other favorite Trump targets.

The challenges the global community faces today can only be addressed through multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow and the strengthening of global governance for both present and future generations," read the collective statement by G-20 leaders.

Senior Biden administration officials hinted at their concern that agreements they have reached on the use of artificial intelligence or on fighting climate change might collapse after Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20. Biden called for global cooperation on helping Ukraine repel Russias invasion, brokering a cease-fire in Gaza and ending the war in Sudan.

The incoming administration isnt in the business of providing us assurances about anything, and theyll make their own decisions as they go forward," Bidens national-security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters.

When Biden met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday, Xi directed some of his opening remarks not at the president but directly at Trump.

Make the wise choice," Xi said about the future of U.S.-China relations. China is ready to work with the new U.S. administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation, and manage differences." Biden followed by championing the need for continued leader-level engagement with Beijing: These conversations prevent miscalculations, and they ensure the competition between our two countries wont veer into conflict."

Facing Trumps threat of tariffs on exports to the U.S. of 60% or more, Beijing is lobbying hard that targeting trade would be a mistake. Unlike during Trumps previous presidency, when Chinas economy looked healthier and Beijing was able to negotiate a trade deal with the U.S. from a position of strength, the country lacks a clear pathway to growth and is now more export-dependent.

Still, few world leaders appeared optimistic at persuading Trump to change course from afar.

I think we are moving to a new protectionist world, led by the U.S.," said Andres Velasco, a former Chilean finance minister, in Peru. Questions about Trumps commitment to the U.S. security umbrella in Europe and in Asia could further reorder economies, Velasco added. Things that seemed very unlikely are happening."

A senior Japanese official, when asked about Trumps return, listed ways Tokyo has bolstered the American economy, citing direct investment in the automotive sector and research-and-development funding. The official also noted that Japan, home to some 55,000 U.S. troops, will soon spend 2% of its gross domestic product on defense.

We can work out all these issues with a new administration, and we have to," the official continued.

Officials from Europe and Asia warned Trump against forcing Ukraine to make a peace deal that allows Russia to capture territory it seized. French President Emmanuel Macron warned about a stark reversal in climate-change and free-trade policies.

It is all fragile and can be questioned at any moment by [countries] that dont respect the terms or make an exit," he said of the Paris climate agreement that Trump has threatened to leave once in office. On trade, Macron added, Any breaking up of the international order by tariffs policies pursued by the strongest will encourage the others to do the same."

U.S. officials spent days facing questions about whether their policiesespecially around clean-energy investmentswould survive the Trump era.

We have found an alignment of interests with a large number of countries in the world, including in particular our closest partners and allies. I dont think those interests change even if there is a transition from one U.S. administration to the next," said Jon Finer, Bidens deputy national-security adviser.

Annie Linskey contributed to this article.
Jharkhand Exit Poll Results 2024: After the conclusion of voting in the Jharkhand Assembly elections 2024 on Wednesday, Pradeep Gupta's Axis My India predicted a victory for the JMM-led INDIA bloc in the state with a share of 53 seats. The BJP-led NDA is seen to win 25 seats, according to the exit poll. In Jharkhand, the fight is between the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led INDIA bloc and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Gupta's Axis My India has predicted an INDIA bloc victory in five key regions of the state - Palamu, Kolhan, South Chotanagpur, North Chotanagpur, and Santhal Pargana. The pollster is among the few to predict a sweep by the INDIA bloc compared to others expecting an NDA win in Jharkhand.

On the other hand, the Times Now-JVC exit poll predicted 40-44 seats for the BJP and its allies and 30-40 seats for the INDIA bloc partners. Meanwhile, Matrize and People Pulse exit polls also gave an edge to the BJP-led NDA.

Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024 There are a total of 81 seats in the Jharkhand Assembly. A political party needs to win 41 seats to form government in the state. Jharkhand is currently ruled by the INDIA bloc  the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

In the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly Election, the Hemant Soren-led JMM contested 43 seats, the Congress fielded candidates for 30 seats, and the RJD fought for six seats, while the Left parties contested three seats. They all are part of the INDIA bloc. Meanwhile, the NDA comprises the BJP, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).

Exit Polls are predictions based on voter feedback collected by survey agencies after the polling. The basic idea behind exit polls is to reflect public sentiment well before the actual results. However, their accuracy has often faced scrutiny.
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Polling for the Maharashtra Assembly elections began on Wednesday morning, with over 9.7 crore voters set to choose from 4,136 candidates across 288 constituencies. Voting started at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with results to be counted on November 23. Bollywood celebrities including Akshay Kumar, Kabir Khan, Rajkumar Rao, and Gautami Kapoor were among the early voters.

In the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, the BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena is vying for 81, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP is fielding candidates in 59 constituencies. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) combine includes Congress with 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) with 95, and NCP (SP) with 86. Smaller parties, such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and AIMIM, are also in the race, with BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM 17.

Bollywood celebrities voting for Maharashtra elections

Shah Rukh Khan has arrived with his family - wife Gauri, son Aryan and daughter Suhana - to vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.

Salman Khan arrives at a polling booth in Mumbai with an extensive detail.

Actors Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan have come to cast their votes. Watch video here

Salim Khan has come with his first wife Sushila Charak to cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.

Actor Madhuri Dixit cast her vote in Maharashtra Elections 2024. Lyricist Javed Akhtar, too, has cast her vote in the 2024 polls.

Designer Manish Malhotra casts his vote at a polling booth in Pali Hill. Actor Junaid Khan, too, has cast his vote.

My mother prompted me to come for voting, said Atul Agnihotri after voting. She said, I always come with her. We come from a lovely neighbourhood, we really don't have any issues, and we all tend to end up voting for who we see genuinely working for the community. Everybody should come out to vote, it's a democracy.

Singer Rahul Vaidya and his wife, actor Disha Parmar cast their votes: Watch video

Bollywood Actor Akshay Kumar was one of the early birds to vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. After voting Akshay Kumar showed his inked finger to reporters. Akshay Kumar said The arrangements here are very good as I can see that arrangements for senior citizens are very good and cleanliness has been maintained. I want everyone to come out and cast their votes.

Also Read | Maharashtra: THESE Mumbai restaurants are offering discounts to voters today

Actor Ranbir Kapoor cast his vote for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections2024 at a polling booth in Mumbai. He said, It is your responsibility to vote. Please come and vote...

Bollywood couple Genelia D Souza and Ritesh Deshmukh cast their votes on Wednesday. Expressing confidence in MVA, Ritesh Deshmukh Said, "Maha Vikas Aghadi is going to form its government in Maharashtra...Both my brothers are going to win"

After casting her vote Genelia D'Souza said Everyone has the right to cast their votes. People should come out and practice their their. It is an important day today, you can make a big difference...

Bhool Bhulaiyaa hitmaker Kartik Aaryan also cast his vote in Mumbai on Wednesday. The actor was seen sporting a black hat, a causal white shirt and denims.

After casting his vote in Mumbai for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, actor Suniel Shetty highlighted the importance of civic responsibility and community involvement. Shetty called for improved civic sense and discipline among citizens, noting that while people often demand better infrastructure and governance, they must contribute actively as well. He emphasised that Mumbai, historically known as an epicentre of business and entertainment, should regain its glory with timely infrastructure development and an increase in green spaces like parks. This is not only the government's job, but we also have to be responsible, Shetty said, urging voters to participate and support positive change. There will be a huge difference if we vote today. Let's help the government by doing good work, he added.

Music producer and singer Vishal Dadlani also cast his vote in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Mumbai: Singer and music composer Vishal Dadlani shows his finger marked with indelible ink at a polling station after casting vote during the Maharashtra Assembly elections, in Mumbai, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024.

Actors Farahan Akhtar, John Abraham, producer and director Zoya Akhtar, actress Urmila Matondkar, Ali Fazal also cast their votes.

After casting her vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, Bollywood actor Gautami Kapoor said, I feel great. I think casting a vote is amazing. You feel liberated and I think it is very important for every citizen to vote because every vote makes a huge difference. So, please vote...It's very important, we can change the country.

Actor Rajkummar Rao left from a polling booth in Mumbai after casting his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. Rajkummar Rao said, It is very important (to vote). Everyone, please step out and vote. This is the voting day, it is very important.

Film director Kabir Khan also voted for the Maharashtra Assembly elections being held in Mumbai today.

Bollywood actor Sonu Sood also casted his vote in Mumbai on Wedsnesday. He said, I would like to appeal to people to vote. It is very important. It is the responsibility of everyone to vote, don't take it as a holiday.

Actor Arjun Kapoor cast his vote for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 at a polling booth in Mumbai.

Actor Sohail Khan cast his vote for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 at a polling booth in Mumbai. He said, ... I wish whoever gets elected loves Bandra the way all residents of Bandra love it... Voting is a responsibility. I appeal to everyone to increase the voting percentage because we are the ones who chose our politicians. It will be our fault if we dont vote.

Actor Isha Koppikar cast his vote for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 at a polling booth in Mumbai. She said, I have exercised my right, because if I dont, someone will take away the right to choose my government from me... I urge everyone to vote and choose the right government for the progress of your state and country.

Actor and BJP MP Hema Malini and her daughter, actor Esha Deol, cast their vote for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 at a polling booth in Mumbai. She said, ... I request everyone in the area to come and vote. It is your duty for the future of the country... The facilities at the booth are very good...

Director Rakesh Roshan cast his vote for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 at a polling booth in Mumbai.

Actors Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani cast their vote for Maharashtra Elections 2024, at a polling booth in Mumbai.

Singer Kailash Kher cast his vote for Maharashtra Elections 2024, at a polling booth in Mumbai.

Actor Prem Chopra cast his vote for Maharashtra Elections 2024, at a polling booth in Mumbai.

Lyricist Gulzar and his daughter, Director Meghna Gulzar cast their vote for Maharashtra Elections 2024, at a polling booth in Mumbai. He said, ... People eagerly wait to turn 18 so that they can exercise their right to vote. Chosing a government is their right. And it is the responsibility of the media to ensure that youngsters come out to vote... The glamorous gifts which are being promised to the common man in return for votes, should not be done. The common man will not be lured and they know their real issues.

Singer Rahul Vaidya and his wife, actor Disha Parmar leave a polling booth in Mumbai after casting their vote for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.
Mumbai is among the regions hit by "urban apathy"  it has a tradition of recording low voter turnout. In the 2024 Maharashtra elections, Mumbai city recorded the lowest turnout at 49 per cent, while the Mumbai suburban region recorded a turnout of around 51.9 per cent, as per the Election Commission's data at 8 pm on Wednesday, November 20.

There are 36 Assembly seats in Mumbai city and suburban region. The key contest is between the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, the Shiv Sena, and the NCP, and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Congress, the Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (SP).

Here's what exit polls predicted for Mumbai: 1. Axis My India exit poll: Mahayuti is expected to win 22 of the toal 36 seats in the Mumbai region and 14 seats for the Opposition MVA. Meanwhile, it predicted 45 percent vote-share for Mahayuti in Mumbai and 43 percent voter share for the MVA.

2. Republic TV's Matrize exit poll showed the Mahayuti alliance is likely to win 20-26 seats out of the 36 seats in Mumbai. The alliance may win 47 per cent vote share. The MVA may get 9-15 seats with a 40 per cent vote share, according to the exit poll.

Seat predictions for Mumbai under MATRIZE:

> BJP: 13-15 seats (24% vote share)

> Shiv Sena (UBT): 5-7 seats (23% vote share)

> Shiv Sena: 7-9 seats (21% vote share)

> Congress: 4-6 seats (13% vote share)

> NCP (SP): 0-1 seat (4% vote share)

> NCP: 0-2 seats (2% vote share)

> MNS: 0-1 seat (vote share not specified)

3. The JVC exit poll for Maharashtra projected a close contest between the Mahayuti and INDIA blocs in Mumbai. As per the survey, the BJP is projected to win 17-19 seats, with the Congress securing 16-18 seats In the Mumbai region, which has 36 seats.

4. SAS Group exit poll gave an edge to the INDIA bloc, showing that the MVA may get 18-19 seats, while the ruling Mahayuti alliance may win 17-18 seats in Mumbai, Free Press Journal reported. Others will get 1-2 seats.

5. P-MARQ: Mahayuti is predicted to win between 16 and 24 seats. The MVA is expected to lag behind, with a projected 12 to 20 seats.
Pollster Pradeep Gupta will release his firm Axis My India's exit poll results for Jharkhand and Maharashtra assembly elections independently.

The exit poll results for the two states will start at 6.30 pm today  after voting in second phase of Jharkhand, and single phase in Maharashtra is over.

Gupta's firm had ended his long association with India Today during Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir elections results last month.

Axis My India exit poll results were, instead, streamed on the firm's YouTube channel and on Red Mike, the YouTube news channel headed by former NDTV journalist, Sanket Upadhyay.

Botched Indian Elections Gupta's firm has botched many Indian elections forecasts in the recent past. The Axis My India exit polls, like most others, failed to predict correct results for Haryana, where BJP returned to power for the third time as against the predictions giving a victory for the Congress party.

Gupta and his team at Axis My America, however, claimed earlier this month that they have accurately predicted Donald Trumps victory.

Also Read | Maharashtra Election 2024 LIVE: Voting begins for 288 seats

Axis My Americas forecast aligned closely with Donald Trumps results in both the popular vote and the electoral college, Gupta said, adding Axis My America, a subsidiary of Axis My India, stood out for precisely capturing voter sentiment across key states.

Netizens Blast Gupta Given the incorrect predictions in the past, netizens asked Gupta to shut shop and start something else, instead. Kripya aap aapna Exit Poll waala dukan bandh kare aur doosra kuch karobar khole.(Please shut your exit poll business and start something else), a user suggested on X.

Another user asked, You didnt get even a YouTube guy this time?"

Previous debacles In 2024 Lok Sabha Elections,Pradeep Gupta's Axis My India predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) might secure over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha. This aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modis slogan 'Abki Baar 400 Paar'.

Axis My India in the exit poll had projected that the BJP would capture between 322 and 340 seats, an increase from their 303 seats in 2019.

But the results appeared differently where the BJP fell short of a simple majority, and the National Democratic Alliance finished at 293 seats only.

What are Exit Polls? Exit Polls are predictions are based on voter feedback collected by survey agencies after the polling. While the idea behind the exit polls is to reflect public sentiment well before the actual results are announced, their accuracy has faced scrutiny in the past.

The Election Commission of India prohibits conducting exit polls during the voting process, but they are allowed to be published 30 minutes after the last vote is cast. As per the rules, exit poll data cannot be released before 6:30 pm today, the polling date in Maharashtra and Jharkhand (Phase 2).
Jharkhand Assembly Election: Voting is underway on 38 seats in the second and final phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections today, November 20. The first phase of voting for 43 seats was held on November 13.

The results will be announced on November 23.

Over 1.23 crore voters, including 61 lakh women, are eligible to cast their votes in todays phase in the 81-member house. Prominent candidates whose fate will be sealed today include Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren, and his sister-in-law Sita Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

Also Read | Jharkhand Election 2024 Live Updates: Polling for Phase 2 on for 12 districts

The contest in Jharkhand is between the ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

JMM bagged 13, BJP 12 in phase 2 in 2019 Of the 38 seats voting today in the second phase, the JMM had won 13 seats in 2019 assembly elections. The BJP won 12 while eight seats went to the Congress party. The All Jharkhand Students Union won two seats while the remaining were bagged by others.

In terms of vote share, the BJP had 33.4 per cent vote share from the seats polling in today's phase. The JMM had 18.5 per cent vote share while the Congress had about 14 per cent vote share.

JMM formed government in 2019 The JMM emerged as the largest party with 30 seats in the 2019 Assembly Elections. The BJP won 25 seats. The Congress won 16 seats, the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) got three seats, while the All Jharkhand Students Union won two seats in 2019 polls.

The contest in Jharkhand is between the ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Over 1.23 crore voters, including 61 lakh women, are eligible to cast their votes.

The JMM formed a government with the support of the Congress and the RJD. The alliance is contesting the 2024 assembly election again, with Hemant Soren-led JMM contesting 43 of the 81 seats in the assembly. The Congress has fielded candidates in 30 seats. The Rashtriya Janata Dal(RJD) is contesting six seats and the Left parties are contesting three seats.
Jharkhand Exit Poll Results: Several exit poll results on Wednesday predicted a tight contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition INDIA bloc in the Jharkhand assembly elections. However, three exit poll results gave an edge to the NDA over the ruling INDIA bloc.

There are a total of 81 seats in the Jharkhand Assembly. A political party needs to win 41 seats to form government in the state. Jharkhand is currently ruled by the INDIA bloc  the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

In the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly Election, the Hemant Soren-led JMM contested 43 seats, the Congress fielded candidates for 30 seats, and the RJD fought for six seats, while the Left parties contested three seats. They all are part of the INDIA bloc.

Meanwhile, the NDA comprises the BJP, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).

Jharkhand Exit Poll Results: That they say? The Times Now-JVC exit poll predicted 40-44 seats for the BJP and its allies, and 30-40 seats for the INDIA bloc partners. Meanwhile, Matrize and People Pulse exit polls also gave an edge to the BJP-led NDA. Dainik Bhaskar predicted a hung assembly. Check out numbers below:

Jharkhand Exit poll BJP+ INDIA bloc Others Times Now JVC 40-44 30-40 1-1 Republic TV's Matrize 42-47 25-30 1-4 Peoples Pulse BJP: 42-48 seats; AJSU: 2-5 seats JMM: 16-23; Congress: 8-14 - Axis My India 17-27 49-59 0-2 Republic TV-PMARQ 31-40 37-47 1-6 Dainik Bhaskar 37-40 36-39 0-2

Meanwhile, Axis My India exit poll said the JMM and its INDIA allies might retain power in Jharkhand.

Axis My India has predicted a lead for the Congress-led INDIA bloc in the state with a share of 53 seats. BJP-led NDA alliance is seen to win 25 seats so far, according to the exit poll.

Axis My India's Pradeep Gupta told News18, There is a clear pro-incumbency in favour of Hemant Soren, pro-government in Jharkhand.
A Mumbai billionaire has criticised the city's elites, accusing them of being reluctant to step out and vote as Maharashtra goes to the polls today. Voting for the single-phase Maharashtra Assembly elections began at 7 am on Wednesday and will conclude at 6 pm, with polling taking place across 288 assembly constituencies.

In a post on X, RPG Group chairman Harsh Goenka said, The men and women of Malabar Hill may not vote today because theyre busy debating whether their chauffeur will take the Mercedes or the BMW to the polling booth. Its the fear of dirtying their designer loafers on uneven roads, the struggle of matching their Gucci sunglasses with their Manish Malhotra outfits, and the endless WhatsApp debates about the right candidate over quinoa salads.

He added, Its the horror of encountering common folk in the queue, the dread of stepping out into the November heat, and the realisation that theres no valet parking at the polling station. Why vote when the real concern is whether Ozempic is safe or Mounjaro is better? After all, democracy can wait, but the waist cannot!

PM urges electors to vote in large numbers Ahead of the polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged citizens to participate in the voting process through a message posted on his official X account.

"Today, votes will be cast for all the seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. I urge the voters of the state to participate with full enthusiasm and add to the splendour of this festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to come out in large numbers to vote," Modi posted on X.

Why does voting matter in a democracy? Voting is a cornerstone of any democracy, and India, as the world's largest democracy, exemplifies this principle. Voting is a right and a responsibility that every citizen must actively embrace.

In India, elections play a vital role in ensuring inclusive representation, giving various communities a platform to express their views and influence the legislative process. The regularity of elections also prevents the concentration of political power, distributing authority across the electorate.

Strengthening Democracy: Voter participation strengthens democracy by ensuring broad representation. A high voter turnout promotes political stability and reinforces the functioning of democracy, making it more robust and effective.

Social Change: Voting serves as a powerful tool for social change. It allows marginalised and underrepresented communities to voice their concerns and advocate for policies that meet their unique needs, contributing to greater societal equity.

Influence on Policies: Elections shape policies that impact key areas such as healthcare, education, security, and the economy. Through voting, citizens can influence the direction of their society by electing leaders who reflect their values and priorities.

Security beefed up in Mumbai Meanwhile, security has been tightened in Mumbai, with police conducting checks on vehicle movements, especially in areas like Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and Dharavi. These measures are in place to ensure a smooth and peaceful voting process.

The political landscape for the election features several major parties. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting 149 seats, the Shiv Sena (BJP faction) is fielding 81 candidates, and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has put forward 59 candidates.

The Indian National Congress (INC) has fielded 101 candidates, while Shiv Sena (UBT) is contesting 95, and the NCP (led by Sharad Pawar faction) has 86 candidates. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is contesting 237 seats, with smaller regional parties also participating. The state has about 9.7 crore registered voters.

The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).

In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42.
Poll of Polls: Almost all the exit polls have predicted a clean sweep for ruling Mahayuti in Maharashtra. The exit polls, however predicted neck-and-neck fight between the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Jharkhand and JMM-led INDIA bloc on Jharkhand.

The 288 seats of Maharashtra voted in single phase on Wednesday, November 20. The 81 seats of Jharkhand voted in two phases  November 13 and November 20.

Exit polls have often been proven wrong. The actual results of both the state elections will, however, be known on November 23 when the counting of votes will take place.

Mahayuti Sweep in Maharashtra: Poll of Polls Four out of seven exit polls have predicted a return of Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024.

The contest in Maharashtra in the 2024 assembly elections was largely bipolar. The BJP, in alliance with Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena under the ruling Mahayuti banner, contested against the opposition MVA alliance, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP (Sharad Pawar) and the Congress party.

The majority mark in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly is 145.

The ABP News-Matrize has predicted that the ruling Mahayuti alliance will win 150-170 seats, while the MVA gets 110-130 seats in Maharashtra.

TheP-Marq, another exit poll, predicts Mahayuti getting majority with 137-158 seats. The MVA may bag 126-146 seats according to this pollster. People's Pulse has predicted 182 seats for Mahayuti and 97 for the MVA .

The Times Now-JVC exit poll gave 150-167 seats to Mahayuti and 107-125 seats to MVA.

Lokshahi - Rudra exit poll has predicted a close contest between the two alliances in Maharashtra. The exit poll has predicted 128-142 seats for the Mahayuti and 119-140 seats for MVA. Electoral Edge has given edge to the MVA.

So based on these exit polls, the Mahayuti is predicted to win anywhere between 128 - 182 seats while the MVA is likely to win 97-146 seats in Mahaashtra.

Exit Polls Exit Polls are predictions based on voter feedback gathered by survey agencies after the polling. The larger idea behind the exit polls is to reflect public sentiment well before the results are announced.

Exit poll accuracy has been scrutinized in the past. Almost all the exit polls got the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 results wrong.

Also, in recent Haryana Assembly Elections, the exit polls had predicted a victory for the Congress party in total contrast with actual results with actual results which saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coming back to power in the state.

In 2019 assembly elections, the exit poll predictions for both Maharashtra and Jharkhand were accurate. The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won Maharashtra and the JMM-Congres-RJD alliance won Jharkhand in 2019.

Mixed Exit Poll Predictions for Jharkhand Three exit poll results gave an edge to the NDA over the ruling INDIA bloc in Jharkhand. One exit poll gave a sweep for INDIA bloc while others predicted a tight contest between the BJP -led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition INDIA bloc in the state.

In the 81-member Jharkhand assembly, a political party or an alliance needs to win at least 41 seats to form government. Jharkhand is currently ruled by the INDIA bloc  the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

The ruling alliance contested the elections againts the NDA comprising the BJP, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas)

The Times Now-JVC exit pollpredicted 40-44 seats for the BJP and its allies, and 30-40 seats for the INDIA bloc partners. TheABP- Matrizepredicted 42-47 seats for the NDA and 25-30 seats for the INDIA bloc. Poeple's Pulse has given 42-48 seats to the NDA and 16-23 seats to INDIA bloc.

The P Marq exit poll has predicted 31-40 seats for the NDA and 37 -47 seats for the INDIA bloc. Dainik Bhaskar has given 37-40 seats to the NDA and 36-39 to INDIA bloc.

Pradeep Gupta's Axis My India has predicted a lead for the JMM-led INDIA bloc in the state winning 53 seats. The BJP-led NDA alliance is predicted to win 25 seats, according to the exit poll.
NEW DELHI : A tiny bottle of coconut oil--Would you use it to cook up a meal, or to nourish your hair?

The seemingly trivial question is close to being answered, after winding through a tax tribunal, a government department, and India's top court for over 15 years. At stake: Heavy taxes and higher prices if the product is labelled a kitchen ingredient, and potential impact on other dual-use products.

On 17 October, the Supreme Court reserved its order on whether coconut oil sold in packs up to 200ml should be taxed as edible oil or a hair care product. While edible oil attracts a goods and services tax (GST) of 5%, it is 18% for hair care products.

A decision favouring such packs as hair care products could prompt manufacturers to raise prices, said Prateek Bansal, a partner at White & Brief Advocates & Solicitors. He said this might impact affordability of smaller packs, and prompt manufacturers to adjust marketing strategies.

Moreover, the ruling could set a precedent for the classification of other multi-use products," he noted. Such products include olive oil, sesame seed oil, and peanut oil, which are used for both culinary and cosmetic purposes. The judgement could also impact profits for consumer goods manufacturers offering such products.

Read this | Flour mixes with additives attract 18% GST, clarifies Gujarat appellate authority

The debate dates back to 2009, when the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (Cestat) ruled that small-pack coconut oil should be classified as edible oil under Heading 1513 of the Central Excise Tariff Act. The Revenue Department challenged this, arguing they should be taxed as hair oil under Heading 3305, attracting a higher rate. In 2018, a Supreme Court bench issued a split verdict on the matter, taking the case to a three-judge panel.

The judgement by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and R. Mahadevan will determine whether packaging and marketing as an edible product influence tax classification.

S.R. Patnaik, partner and head of taxation at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, said, This judgment could have ramifications for the oil industry, particularly for products with dual uses as edible oils and cosmetic items. Companies with pending disputes may face additional tax liabilities if coconut oil in small containers is classified as hair oil."

On 17 October, the Supreme Court reserved its order on whether coconut oil sold in packs up to 200ml should be taxed as edible oil or a hair care product.

Industry analysts see a possible upside if the court rules in favour of edible oil classification.

Adhiraj Chand, a former McKinsey analyst, said, Lower GST (goods and services tax) could make products more affordable, driving demand-led growth and higher purchase volumes. A favourable ruling might unlock growth opportunities for the FMCG sector by setting clearer tax guidelines."

A spokesperson of Marico Ltd, maker of Parachute coconut oil, declined to comment, stating the matter is sub-judice. Bajaj Consumer Care, another coconut oil seller, did not respond to a query.

Products like coconut oil, which have culinary and cosmetic uses, often face similar classification dilemmas. A ruling clarifying the edible oil classification could reduce disputes for other dual-use products like herbal oils or specialty powders, streamlining compliance for the FMCG sector," concurs Alok Singh, Founder of Diga Organics, a wholesale coconut oil company.

Read this | Rural demand is finally taking off. FMCG firms capitalize with strategic moves

Jasmine Damkewala, a senior partner at Circle of Counsels and Advocate-on-Record at the Supreme Court, said that packaging plays a crucial role in determining classification. Oils in containers under 50ml are generally considered hair care products, especially if labelled for beauty or skincare, Damkewala said. Cosmetic oils also tend to contain additives, such as fragrances, distinguishing them from food-grade oils. Certification for hair care compliance under the Cosmetic Rules, 2020, further differentiates them from edible products.

Madhan Agro markets its edible coconut oil in large containers under the Shanthi brand, and Marico, known for its Parachute brand, are closely watching the outcome.

The government stands to gain significant revenue from a ruling if small-pack coconut oil is re-classified as hair oil.

Supreme Court lawyer Tushar Kumar said, A ruling classifying small-container coconut oil as hair oil could generate substantial additional revenue. This case goes beyond the coconut oil industry, potentially impacting how other dual-use products are taxed under GST, shaping future tax policy and legal interpretations." According to Patnaik, if such packs are labelled as edible oil, the government risks forgoing substantial revenue.

India has seen similar tax classification disputes over products such as biscuits, talcum powder, and medicated toothpaste.

Also read | Why GST Council cannot ignore the health insurance row

In January this year, the Delhi High Court ruled that Amways coconut oil, marketed as a hair product, does not qualify as edible oil under the Delhi Value Added Tax Act, 2004 (DVAT Act). Similarly, last month, the Rajasthan Bench of the GST Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR) declined to classify softy ice cream as a milk product, noting that sugar, not milk, is the primary ingredient, thus attracting an 18% GST instead of the 5% rate for milk products.

"Prima facie, the issue concerns the taxation of two distinct uses of the same commodity under separate tax slabs. However, it also involves taxation, consumer interests, and public health. For internal consumption of coconut oil, stricter FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) regulations, licences, and packaging requirements would apply, unlike external use, where only manufacturing licence details are necessary," observes advocate Rouble Chhabra, FMCG expert, at Rastogi Chambers.
New Delhi: In a significant victory for telecom companies, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled in favour of Bharti Airtel and other operators, allowing them to claim central value-added tax or Cenvat credits on duties paid for key infrastructure items like tower components, shelters, and other related materials.

This decision overturned a 2014 ruling by the Bombay high court, which had classified these items as non-capital goods, and thereby denied telecom companies the ability to claim the credit.

The ruling by the bench of justices B.V. Nagarathna and N. Kotiswar Singh on Wednesday aligns with the previous views taken by various high courts, including a 2018 judgment by the Delhi high court that favoured the telcos' claim over the credits, differing from the stance of the Bombay High Court.

This ruling is seen as a major win for telecom giants like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Tata Teleservices, Reliance Communications, and Indus Towers, granting them the right to claim tax credits previously considered ineligible.

At the core of the dispute was whether telecom operators could claim Cenvat credits for duties paid on items such as tower parts, shelters, prefabricated buildings, office chairs, and printers, which are integral to telecom services. The tax authorities had challenged the eligibility of these items for the credit, arguing they were not directly used in telecom service provision.

The issue dates back to 2006, when the tax authorities issued a show-cause notice to Bharti Airtel, claiming that the company had wrongly applied Cenvat credits on goods like towers and office equipment. The authorities contended that these items were not essential for providing telecom services and that Airtel had not submitted adequate documentation proving their use in operations.

In 2014, the Bombay high court ruled in favour of tax authorities, saying that the items in question were not capital goods and could not qualify for Cenvat credit. The court said these items performed independent functions and could not be considered part of a unified capital asset, eligible for tax credits. It also ruled that towers, once affixed to the ground, were considered immovable property and therefore ineligible for Cenvat credits.

However, in 2018, the Delhi high court ruled that telecom towers and shelters were not permanently affixed to the earth and could be dismantled and reassembled elsewhere, making them eligible for the credit. The court concluded that these items were critical for providing telecom services, particularly supporting base transmission systems, and should qualify as capital goods.

Hailing today's judgement, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), said the apex court's order will not only help the industry in meeting compliances, but also reduce the financial burden on the sector.

The Supreme Courts judgement affirms the telecom industrys entitlement to claim the credit for taxes and duties paid on towers and its parts, including green shelters, said S.P. Kochhar, director general of COAI, which represents private sector telecom services providers in the country.

Digital Infrastructure Providers Association, which represents telecom and internet infrastructure providers in the country, said in a statement that the judgement marks a watershed moment for India's digital infrastructure sector as the ruling provides crucial financial relief to infrastructure providers.

The judgment will release substantial working capital that can be strategically reinvested in infrastructure development, while simultaneously reducing the overall cost of service delivery across the sector. This financial flexibility will enable faster deployment of digital infrastructure in underserved areas, addressing critical connectivity gaps in rural and remote regions, said Manoj Kumar Singh, director general of DIPA.

He said the ruling aligns with the government's Digital India initiatives and 5G rollout plans, providing the necessary financial framework to accelerate India's digital transformation journey.

The association had made several representations asking the government to treat more than 810,000 telecom towers as essential plants and machinery, such that their critical role in enabling digital connectivity is recognized.
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese solar-energy materials supplier Qinghai Lihao Semiconductor Material Co. is considering a Hong Kong initial public offering as early as the second half of 2025, according to people familiar with the matter.

The IPO of the company, which is backed by venture capital firm IDG Capital and manufactures silicon material used for solar cells, could raise around 1 billion yuan ($138 million), the people said, asking not to be identified discussing a private matter. Deliberations are ongoing and details of the offering may change, they said.

The company didnt respond to an email requesting comment, while calls made to a telephone number listed on its website went unanswered.

Qinghai Lihaos potential offering comes as share sales have staged a rebound in Hong Kong in recent months. The citys IPOs have raised more than $9 billion in 2024, surpassing last years total but far below the bumper levels in previous years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Investor mood about Chinese equities had turned brighter after Beijing rolled out a stimulus blitz in late September but has started souring again in recent weeks amid disappointment with a lack of stronger fiscal measures. Donald Trumps recent election win, which rekindled concerns about trade tensions, also weighed on the countrys stocks.

Qinghai Lihao, set up in 2021, raised 2.2 billion yuan in series B financing in 2022, with investors including the China-Belgium Direct Equity Investment Fund, Oceanpine Capital and IDG Capital.

--With assistance from Jing Jin.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Shares of Elcid Investments, which recently grabbed headlines for a massive one-day spike, have once again caught the attention of investors following the release of the companys financial results for the September quarter.

The company reported a 143.5% year-on-year (YoY) jump in its consolidated revenue to 56 crore. However, on a sequential basis, revenue declined by 68.53%. Net profit also saw a significant 168.75% YoY increase, reaching 43 crore. However, compared to the preceding June quarter, net profit dropped by 68.38% from 136 crore.

Investors seem to be disappointed with the company's Q2 performance, as the stock has fallen 14.52% in the five sessions following the results announcement on November 12. This correction has also caused the stock to decline by 28% from its recent peak of 3,32,399 per share.

The company generates the majority of its revenue through investing activities rather than engaging in daily business operations. This business model exposes the company to the risk of fluctuations in asset prices, as its income is largely dependent on the performance of its investments.

Following the company's performance for the September quarter, analysts have remained cautious about the stock due to its low liquidity in the market. This lack of liquidity is one of the factors behind the recent massive spike in its stock value. The company's average trading volume on both the BSE and NSE is around 1,000 shares.

Also Read | PG Electroplast hits 52-week high on EV manufacturing deal with Spiro Mobility

Recent developments On October 29, the stock saw an unprecedented surge of 66,92,535% after it was relisted on the exchanges. The relisting was part of a BSE initiative designed to facilitate price discovery for select investment holding companies using a special call auction mechanism.

Elcid Investments operates as a non-banking financial company (NBFC) registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in the category of investment company. According to its recent FY24 annual report, Elcid's investments, including both debt and equity, are worth over 12,450 crore.

Holding companies generally hold a range of investments, including shares in other listed firms, but they dont engage in daily business operations.

As a result, these companies often trade at a significant discount to their book value due to low trading volumes and limited liquidity. Before the special call auction, Elcid Investments had a book value of around 4 lakh. Even after the recent price discovery, its stock remains below this book value.

Investor interest in holding companies surged after SEBI proposed in July to use special call auctions without price bands, aiming to narrow the gap between the current market price and the book value of these companies.
Journalist and writer Oliver Burkeman is a few minutes late for our video calland it seems entirely fitting. If theres one thing that his books and articles give us, it is the permission to make blunders, big or small, because no life can ever be lived free of errors and lapses.

As he argues in his new book, Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitation and Make Time for What Counts, finite humans" (that is all mortals) are hardwired to make mistakes, which means never achieving the sort of control of security on which many of us feel our sanity depends."

When he finally appears on my screen, Burkeman is apologetic for the mix-up over time zones (he lives in the UK but has dual citizenship in the US). He is soft-spoken, mulls over his sentences, and is quick with self-deprecating quips. In a nutshell, the 40-something Burkeman is the antithesis of your assembly line motivational guru or productivity maven.

He is nothing like those YouTubers preaching their secret mantra to fitting a two-hour morning routinecomprising meditation, yoga, workout, skin care, journaling and coffee runinto a gruelling workday, while ensuring eight hours of sleep and conquering meal prep, one week at a time.

In contrast, Burkeman is an advocate of imperfectionism. His blog, The Imperfectionist, which is sent out as a bi-monthly newsletter to thousands of subscribers, is devoted to celebrating a good life" that is free of the obsessive doctrine of control" that humans are primed for. The effect of this philosophy, if you will, is twofold.

View Full Image 'Meditations for Mortals', By Oliver Burkeman, Penguin Random House, 208 pages,  799

On the one hand, Burkeman has his band of loyal admirers, readers of all ages, who find comfort in the friendly voice he addresses them with. Reading his newsletters often feels like having a deep chat with a genial, but knowledgeable, older cousin over a pint at the pub at the end of a rough day.

Ive never been the sort of person who says Ive figured out how to live my life and you can all learn from my example," Burkeman says. But, yes, Im also aware that you can go too far in that direction, especially as a British person inclined to self-deprecation. So Id say, all I am trying to do is stay just one step ahead of my readers." It doesnt protect him from detractors, though.

There are enough people who misread Burkemans books as pessimistic. They accuse him of advising readers to give up. Someone on the internet said Four Thousand Weeks (his best-selling book, which was published in 2022) became popular because it was comforting for unambitious people to feel okay about being unambitious," he says. His intention, Burkeman explains, was far from it. Im an ambitious person myself," he says. Ive always wanted to write books and be successful. Such statements really surprise me."

Meditations for Mortals is quite clear that the pursuit of the good life is indeed a perfectly worthy goal. If anything, Burkeman isnt at all asking his readers to give up all hopes of influencing reality." Rather, he wants them to reframe their idea of what living a purposeful life means. It should indeed be about taking bold action, creating things, and making an impactjust without the background agenda of achieving full control," as he puts it.

Burkemans own journey to reach this clarity hasnt just been the result of an intellectual quest. Rather, it has come from living through some of the universal problems that 21st-century humans suffer from. Few things feel more basic to my experience of adulthood than the vague sense that Im falling behind," as he writes in Meditations, and need to claw my way back up to a minimum standard of output."

It was helpful that he began his career as a journalist. Burkemans job at The Guardian involved reading up vast amounts of literature on topics related to current affairs and synthesising his research, bolstered by reporting, into long-form pieces every day. His work as an author draws on his early training in mining information for stories and telling them in a style that is relatable to the masses.

Id always wanted to work through ideas at a greater length. I was interested in topics that had a timeless appeal," Burkeman says. But a lot of what I was writing as a journalist wouldnt be relevant in a few days." As he finally moved on to book-writing, he decided to work at the intersection of multiple disciplinesthe three most significant areas of his interest remain stoicism, Zen, and psychology.

Like a true-blue reporter, Burkeman takes a magpie approach to gathering and assimilating knowledge from a vast range of sources, be it Hindu philosophy or a podcast on time management. He marinates these ideas, layers them with his personal experience, and presents an antidote to toxic mindsets that plague humanity in the 21st century.

Even when you are not obsessing over your material output and achievement, you are not immune to a competitive streak that lies in you. Even if we congratulate ourselves on, say, prioritising friendships over money, we may still approach it in the spirit of optimisation," Burkeman reminds us, pushing ourselves to make more friends, or to do better at keeping in touch with themthat is try to exert more control over our social lives."

Its a vicious cycle thats hard to break out of fully, and Burkeman isnt one to hector you to follow 10 steps to achieving nirvana. On the contrary, his style is too non-prescriptive to be labelled as self-help. And yet, it is too freewheeling to be classed with the work of Alain de Botton, the mainstay of whose ideas remains Western psychology.

Burkemans rigour comes not only from research and reading, but also from grappling with real, personal, existential problems. If you are a so-called left-brained person like me, who is historically trying to figure things out, in good and bad ways, Zen can be an appealing philosophy," he says. It takes a certain view of the world and pushes it as far as it will go until it collapses."

If this approach sounds self-defeating, it is also counterintuitively fortifying. If you are talking about being overwhelmed by life, people in psychology or self-help may say, Oh, dont worry, love yourself more, live more in the present, and so on," Burkeman adds. Zen, on the other hand, says lets pursue this thought all the way it can go. This feeling that you have to get on top of things loses all sense in a world of infinite inputs."

In Four Thousand Weeks, for instance, this point is driven home in Burkemans trademark style of charm spiked with a heady dose of realism. The title is a reference to the number of weeks a human being would live assuming they reach the age of 80. Its a sobering reminder of the measure of a lifehow scarily little it feels when you count it in terms of weeks, days and hours.

And what do we do with this finite span of time?

We blame ourselves. For buying more books than we'll ever be able to read (Treat your to-read pile like a river, not a bucket," is Burkemans sage advice).

We agonise. Over long-term goals and projects. (Once again, The trick to finishing things when the prospect seems overwhelming is to simply redefine what counts as finished.")

We strive against sanity" instead of operating from sanity." (Instead, we need to embody a certain kind of orientation towards life" Burkeman says, one that treats the present moment as a place where peace of mind might, in theory, be attainable, rather than treating the activities of your life as things youre doing in order to one day reach it.")

We can blame the industrial revolution or invention of clocks for this human tendency to overwhelm and exhaust themselves. Or even lambast social media and digital technology. But maybe, the big thing in all of this is the fear of death," Burkeman says, as we wrap up our conversation. Maybe capitalism is, at the end of the day, a response to the fear of death."

Somak Ghoshal is a writer based in Delhi.

Also read: Discover Kochis hidden culinary gems: The art of oonu
Three years after India unveiled the account aggregator, or AA, framework to facilitate consented sharing of consumers financial information, multiple gaps still plague the system that was rolled out as an overarching network connecting various regulators and market players.

The account aggregator framework is meant to give individuals greater visibility and control over all their financial data in one place. It is also meant to make wealth management and availing credit easier, by allowing individuals to share relevant financial data with other platforms securely.

Fintech startup Fold Money is a digital platform connected to the account aggregator framework. Among other services, Fold allows its users to connect their bank accounts on its platform so they can track their savings and expenses and share their bank statements securely. However, this only applies to banks on the Fold Money network.

Mint spoke with Akash Nimare, co-founder and chief executive of Fold Money, on the advantages of the account aggregator system and the challenges that it needs to overcome to reach its full potential.

The account aggregator network was established by the Reserve Bank of India in cooperation with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), the Insurance Regulator and Development Authority of India (Irdai), and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

Edited excerpts from the interview:

Tell us about Fold Money. It is a personal finance management platform that uses AA to help you see your finances in one place, prioritising privacy and a clean user interface.

Are you regulated? Yes, as a Sebi RIA (Sebi-registered investment adviser).

How many users do you have? Currently, more than 50,000 We will do a launch for the general public in December, and double down on reaching more users.

(Mint Graphics)

Which categories do you use AA for? We use AA for a savings account. But there are downtimes, delays and some issues with data quality. For example, (AA) gives only 6 months of data or missing timestamps or (faces) downtimes during weekends or only works from midnight to 7 am.

What is also very important, and we hope we see soon, is support for joint accounts.

For FD (fixed deposits)... most banks have not started sharing this data.

For mutual funds, MFCentral (another fintech startup) is better. But AA has made significant improvements and we will soon be integrating this into Fold.

Loans and credit cards are not on AA. We take user consent to read emails. But we do this on a users phone only, for privacy safeguards.

For EPF (employee provident fund), we use APIs (application programming interface, or software connectors) from fintech firms.

For PPF (public provident fund), no APIs are available. Like (with) credit cards, we will build our own proprietary solution.

For NPS (national pension system), yes, we are enabled on AA and will soon live on Fold.

Real estate is not enabled on AA as it is not covered under the definition of financial information under the regulations.

Stocks, yes, (we are enabled) via AA. But NSDL/CDSL (National Securities Depository Ltd and Central Depository Services Ltd) dont have purchase prices, and as it depends on settlement, there is a lag of 1-2 days from the transaction date.

IT (income tax) returns are not live on AA, but work is happening to bring it within AA. How critical is it that AA works across categories? Very critical. Because it enables a consent-based recurring data fetch for our use case without relying on SMS scraping or PDF processing. We are a startup with limited time, so we have to think about building our own solution if data is not available on AA.

Account aggregator is a system set up by the RBI to facilitate consent-based sharing of financial information. It involves three playersfinancial information providers, or FIPs, financial information users, or FIUs, and account aggregators, or AAs, which are the gatekeepers of the system.

AAs are supposed to be data-blindthey merely administer the transmission of data from FIP to FIU.

So far, the largest use case of AA has been lending. Banks and NBFCs (non-banking financial companies) get information on a customers accounts in other banks in order to approve a loan.

However, from a wealth management or personal finance management standpoint, hardly any progress has been made. This is largely because banks have been reluctant to share information. FD data is only now being shared.

Critical gaps still remain. Theres no sharing of loans or credit card data. The sharing of security data (stocks and bonds) doesnt include purchase prices. For MFs (mutual funds), an alternative system, MFCentral, competes with AA. Important savings like EPF and PPF are not yet part of the AA system.

As a result, fintechs like Fold Money are forced to use other methods like reading emails and SMS to get data on some aspects or source APIs from firms outside the AA system.
Delhi University has warned its students against a fake winter break notice circulating on social media media. The fake winter break notice mentions deteriorating air quality and pollution as the reasons for the early announcement of a break from classes.

The fake notice read: In order to tide over the prevailing environmental pollution caused by Severe Air Quality and implementation of GRAP-IV measures in Delhi, it has been decided to declare 19.11.2024 to 27.11.2024 as winter break for the University and its Colleges. However, all the prescheduled examinations and interviews will be held without any change in schedule. This is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority.

The Delhi University shared the fake notice on its X handle, captioning it: FAKE NEWS.

Meanwhile, the premier institute has decided to shift to online classes till November 23. The decision comes as the air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) reached alarmingly high levels, prompting concerns about health and safety.

Delhi University in a notification said regular classes in physical mode will resume on November 25. The schedule of exams and interviews, however, remains unchanged.

In a notification, the Delhi University said, The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi & NCR has deteriorated to an alarmingly high index. In the larger interest of students of the Colleges and the Departments of the University of Delhi, it has been decided that the classes shall be conducted in Online Mode till Saturday the 23rd November, 2024.

The decision to move all classes to online mode after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 4 in Delhi NCR from Monday, November 18, which saw the Air Quality Index AQI dipping into the severe plus category.
New Delhi [India], November 20 (ANI): India's investment ecosystem is undergoing a seismic shift, with index investing gaining unprecedented traction among investors, says a report by Motilal Oswal.

The younger generation, including Gen Z and Millennials, shows a stronger inclination towards index funds as compared to older investors. They also prefer Index funds over ETFs for better returns and easy liquidity.

While 46 per cent of younger investors favour index funds, only 35 per cent of Gen X and Boomers do so. Millennials and Gen X investors also exhibit a notable interest in Factor or Smart Beta Funds, reflecting their appetite for innovative investment strategies.

Passive funds have become a core component of investor portfolios, with 80 per cent of investors increasing their allocation to these funds in 2024, compared to 53 per cent last year.

The survey also noted a growing popularity of ETFs, with 57 per cent of respondents investing in them, up from 41 per cent in 2023. Of these, 26 per cent invest solely in ETFs, while 31 per cent have diversified between ETFs and index funds.

This rising preference is matched by a commitment to long-term investment. A significant 81 per cent of investors plan to hold their passive investments for over three years, highlighting sustained confidence in the growth potential of these funds.

Sectoral indices like Nifty IT and Nifty Bank dominate as the top choice for passive fund investors, selected by 67 per cent of respondents. Benchmark indices such as the Nifty 50 and Nifty 500 follow closely, preferred by 61 per cent of investors.

Meanwhile, commodities and Smart Beta Funds are gaining traction, particularly in financial hubs like Mumbai and Ahmedabad.Passive funds, including index funds and ETFs, offer significant advantages. By closely mirroring the composition and weightings of benchmarks, such as the Nifty 50, these funds deliver cost-effective, straightforward, and consistent returns.

Investors are increasingly drawn to these attributes, with 63 per cent citing better risk-adjusted returns as the primary reason for choosing passive funds.

The combined Assets Under Management (AUM) of passive funds have surged from Rs7 lakh crore in September 2023 to over Rs11 lakh crore by September 2024--a 1.5x growth in just one year.
Delhi High Court on Wednesday, November 20, put a stay order on the proceedings against Senior Congress Leader P Chidambaram's alleged involvement in the Aircel Maxis money laundering case, reported the news agency PTI.

The high court has also asked for a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over a plea filed by Chidambaram challenging the trial court's decision to take cognizance of the chargesheet filed by the ED against him in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case, as per the report.

The Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri bench issued the stay order to the trial court proceedings and listed the matter to be taken up in January 2025 for a detailed hearing. The court also issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate.

Chidambaram, through his advocates, stated that the trial court judge erred in taking cognizance of the of the offence (under Section 3 of the PMLA), punishable (under Section 4 of the PMLA), without any prior Sanction (under Section 197(1), CrPC) having been obtained by the Respondent/ED for prosecution of the Petitioner herein, despite the fact that the Petitioner was a public servant (being the Finance Minister) at the time the alleged commission of the alleged offence, reported the agency.

As per the ED's plea, P Chidambaram, the Minister of Finance at that time, allegedly illegally granted FIPB approval for $800 million (nearly 3,565.91 crores) but was only competent to approve up to 600 crore foreign direct investment (FDI), according to the agency report.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) was the competent authority to grant approvals for FDI exceeding 600 crore, according to the case filed by the Enforcement Directorate, reported the agency.

The ED also alleged that the prosecution complaints dated June 6, 2018 and October 25, 2024 against Chidambaram that he was a public servant, and the alleged offence is claimed to have been committed while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his duties as the then Finance Minister.

Section 65 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) makes all provisions of the CrPC applicable to proceedings under the PMLA, including Section 197 CrPC, as per the agency report citing the plea.
The Akshaya Patra Foundation plans to take its acclaimed midday meal scheme to Indonesia and Kenya, said two people aware of the development, as India seeks to use its soft power to deepen ties and trade.

Indonesia, Southeast Asias largest economy, is launching a free meal programme for schoolchildren. The plan is inspired by Indias flagship social welfare scheme aimed at reducing school dropout rates by providing nutritious food.

Also read | Akshaya Patra forms committee of newly appointed trustees to probe charges

That comes as the Indian government, according to a top government official, is considering inviting Indonesias President Prabowo Subianto as the chief guest for the Republic Day.

The non-profit organization is also planning to start the marquee scheme in Kenya, which has been grappling with food security concerns," said the first of the two people quoted above. The formalization process for the initiative is currently in its final stages, paving the way for implementation," the first person said.

Queries emailed to the spokesperson of the Prime Ministers Office and Akshaya Patra Foundation remained unanswered till press time.

Serving two million children

Akshaya Patra, one of the worlds largest non-profit school meal providers, serves over two million children daily in 23,110 government schools and Anganwadi centres across 75 locations in 16 states and two union territories of India.

With a robust infrastructure, it operates 72 kitchens in 16 states, ensuring efficient, large-scale food preparation and distribution to promote nutrition and education among underprivileged children.

Also read | Why Akshaya Patra decided to change its auditor

The Akshaya Patra model is known for its efficient and trusted food distribution system. The government plans to support both nations in meeting sustainable development goals and ensuring that every child in Indonesia and Kenya gets nutritious food," the second person said.

Launched on 15 August 1995, the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education was later mandated by the Supreme Court in 2001 to provide cooked meals in government schools. The scheme was rebranded as PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) Initiative in 2021.

Poshan scheme

The Union Budget 2024 allocated 12,467 crore for the Poshan Abhiyaan (midday meal scheme) compared with 11,600 crore in the previous year. However, this allocation still falls short of the 12,681 crore spent in 2022-23.

The Mid-Day Meal Scheme and other humanitarian initiatives may form part of Indias broader diplomatic and economic strategy under the China Plus policy. This approach may be aimed at strengthening ties with countries in South Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia to position India as a responsible partner and counter Chinas growing influence," said Arun Kumar, a retired professor of economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University. However, it is difficult to predict the exact outcome of such initiatives on foreign policy."

Also read | Improve nutrition delivery and don't bristle at low rank

The Midday Meal Scheme was designed to provide nutritious meals to children, especially in government and government-aided schools, focusing on supporting those from underprivileged backgrounds.

The meals usually include staple foods such as rice or wheat bread, served with dal (lentils) for protein and a variety of vegetables for added vitamins and minerals. Some states provide fruits, eggs, or milk.
As tenson escalates between New Delhi and Canada, travelers flying from India are now facing enhanced security checks. Canadas Transport Minister Anita Anand announced the new temporary protocol on Monday evening, noting that the new measures were implemented "out of an abundance of caution."

Anand told Canadian broadcaster CBC, "Transport Canada has implemented temporary additional security screening measures," for travellers to India. Owing to which passengers "may experience some screening delays while these measures are in place."

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), responsible for screening passengers and their baggage before entering the restricted areas of Canadian airports, will be rolling out stricter security measures.

In light of these changes, Air Canada has advised travelers heading to India to expect extended security queues and to arrive at the airport a minimum of four hours ahead of their flight departure.

A notification sent by Air Canada to fliers said, "Due to heightened security mandates by Transport Canada for all passengers travelling to India, security wait times are expected to be longer than anticipated for your upcoming flight."

"To minimise any disruption to your travel plans, we recommend you arrive 4 hours prior to your flight's departure. We appreciate your patience and understanding," the notification added.

Also Read | Canada raises off-campus work limit for international students

The decision to tighten security protocols for travelers to India follows claims by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) a month earlier that it had evidence of "agents" linked to the Indian government being involved in organized crimes in Canada, such as extortion, intimidation, coercion, and harassment.

India-Canada ties remain deeply troubled over the North American countrys alleged support to Khalistani separatists and its accusation of Indias involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who has been designated a terrorist by India.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A congressional panel has recommended that the U.S. toughen its trade relationship with Beijing, pushing to roll back a nearly 25-year-old decision that helped bring about China's rapid economic growth but that many in Washington now see as hurting U.S. interests.

In its annual report to Congress released Tuesday, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission called for the first time for ending permanent normal trade relations with Beijing. It echoes moves by prominent Republican lawmakers  including Sen. Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of state  as the trade war with China is expected to intensify under the incoming administration.

The change would mean the U.S. reintroducing annual reviews of China's trade practices and gaining more leverage to address unfair trade behaviors, the commission said in the report.

This move would signal a shift toward a more assertive trade policy aimed at protecting U.S. industries and workers from economic coercion, the report said.

It is among nine pages of recommendations put forward by the commission, created in 2000 to monitor the national security implications of the new trade relationship between Washington and Beijing.

The congressional decision in the last year of the Clinton administration facilitated China's entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001, with the hope that integration into the U.S.-led global economy and economic prosperity could lead to political liberalization in China.

That has not happened, and the trade relationship took a turn in 2018, when Trump launched a trade war with China to tackle trade imbalances.

This year, on the campaign trail, Trump vowed to levy 60% tariffs on Chinese products to further narrow the trade deficit, a threat that experts say could set back Chinas economy and drive up consumer costs in the United States. The trade imbalance stood at $279 billion for 2023, down from $418 billion in 2018.

In September, a group of Republican senators, including Rubio, introduced a bill to end permanent normal trade relations with China. The designation significantly lowers trade barriers.

Giving Communist China the same trade benefits that we give to our greatest allies was one of the most catastrophic decisions that our country has ever made," Rubio said when introducing the bill.

Trump picked Rubio  known for his ideological opposition to communism and his hard-line stance on China  to lead the State Department. The choice needs to be confirmed by the Senate.

"Our countrys trade deficit with China more than quadrupled, and we exported millions of American jobs. Ending normal trade relations with China is a no-brainer, Rubio said.
New Delhi: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has directed the cosmetics industry to follow regulatory protocols, and warned against making unusual claims to younger-looking skin that overlap the pharmaceutical sector.

Cosmetics fall under the purview of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, which has stringent norms.

In a meeting held with the cosmetics industry, stakeholders appealed for easing strict regulatory protocols for imported products. They said most imported cosmetics are being rejected at ports for not complying with the standards laid down by the drug regulator, causing huge financial losses to importers.

Also read | DCGI frames rules for imported cosmetics The meeting was organized to discuss the issues that cosmetic industry is facing. Generally, cosmetics have always been under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act. Importers are having issues related to products approval. The regulatory protocol is much easier in other countries. The importers are demanding regulatory procedures to be eased to prevent their financial losses, said an official aware of the matter, adding that quality and safety of cosmetics products must be ensured.

Cosmetics, as per the law, are defined as any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, applied on human body for the purpose of cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering the appearance", and includes any article "intended for use as a component of cosmetic.

A growing market According to industry data, cosmetic market in India was valued at $8.1 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $18.4 billion by 2032.

According to the government specified rules, if the manufacture, sale or distribution of a cosmetic is prohibited in the country of origin, it cannot be imported for sale in IndiA.

The other issue with cosmetics is overlapping some claims. For example, serum and biologicals or stem cell therapy are being used for younger-looking skin or rejuvenation which is overlapping with drugs, the official said.

Also read | Indias beauty brands battle hard in a crowded market Queries sent to the health ministry spokesperson remained unanswered.

The industry faces challenges due to the complexity of the regulatory environment. The coexistence of multiple laws and authorities can lead to confusion and delays in compliance. Additionally, the absence of clear and consistent regulatory standards creates uncertainty among industry players, complicating adherence to compliance requirements, said Dr Chytra V. Anand, Cosmetic Dermatologist & Founder of Kosmoderma Clinics and SkinQ.

Simplification of regulatory processes, clear guidelines and standards, support for innovation and enhanced collaboration is required, he added.
With winter around the corner, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu held a review meeting on Wednesday and asked airlines to proactively inform passengers about flight delays. He also directed airlines to ensure check-in counters are fully staffed to help minimise travel disruptions.

Rammohan Naidu held a meeting with various stakeholders on fog preparedness on Wednesday. The directions were given to airlines as several flights may face disruption and delays due to dense fog and smog during winter.

Also Read | Air India passengers take bus from Jaipur after diversion of Delhi-Paris flight

On Monday, at least 15 flight were diverted more than 100 flights were delayed due to bad weather conditions in Delhi. Generally, the fog season starts in early December.

The meeting held on Wednesday was attended by Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam, senior officials from the ministry, DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security), Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi airport operator DIAL and airline representatives.

"The preparations for managing visibility-related challenges this winter are moving in the right direction with good progress made in resolving the bottlenecks," the civil aviation ministry said in a release.

Also Read | Flight scare: Why hoax calls are untraceable

Govt's guideline to airlines: 6 points 1. According to the release, airlines confirmed that they will adhere to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) guidelines with respect to deploying CAT II/III compliant aircraft and pilots for Delhi and other airports that could be impacted by fog.

Out of the four runways at the Delhi airport, which is also the country's busiest airport, three have CAT III ILS (Instrument Landing System) that will permit flight operations at low visibility levels.

CAT II/III compliance will allow pilots to operate aircraft at low visibility conditions.

2. Airlines were also instructed to "proactively communicate with passengers about potential delays/ cancellations due to visibility issues and to ensure that correct passenger contact information is recorded during ticket booking. The flight has to be cancelled if the delay is exceeding three hours," the release said.

3. Proper facilitation of passengers must be the priority during flight delays and cancellations. Airlines should ensure that all check-in counters at airports are fully staffed to minimise passenger inconvenience, the minister said at the meeting.

4. Delhi airport operator DIAL (Delhi International Airport Ltd) was advised to install LED screens at prominent locations to provide real-time updates on visibility conditions to passengers.

5. Besides, it has been asked to ensure increased availability of 'Follow Me' vehicles to guide aircraft during low visibility conditions.

6. While emphasising on having a passenger-centric approach, Naidu mentioned the importance of real-time coordination between Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs), airlines, ground handlers and airport operators to ensure seamless operations.
Guyana and Barbados to confer their top awards to PM Narendra Modi. Guyana will confer its highest national award, The Order of Excellence on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Barbados will confer the prestigious Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados.

Dominica had also announced its top award for PM Modi a few days back. The number of international honours for PM Modi reached 19.

In a press briefing ahead of the PM's visit to Guyana, the Ministry of External Affairs noted that the Prime Minister's visit comes at the invitation of Guyanese President Mohammad Irfaan Ali.

Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar said, "Recently, there has been an uptick in high-level contacts between India and Guyana. President Irfaan Ali himself was a chief guest at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January 2023".

Elaborating on the Guyana visit, Mazumdar said that the PM will engage in delegation-level talks with President Irfaan Ali.

The MEA official further said that Guyana is the fastest-growing economy in the world and asserted that India in future will get the opportunity to partner with them in various fields. "It is the fastest-growing economy in the world, and we will have opportunities for partnering with them in diverse fields," Mazumdar said.

"My visit to Guyana, at the invitation of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, will be the first-ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister in over 50 years. We will exchange views on giving strategic direction to our unique relationship, which is based on shared heritage, culture and values. I will also pay my respects to one of the oldest Indian diaspora, who migrated more than 185 years ago, and engage a fellow democracy, as I address their Parliament," the Prime Minister had earlier noted.
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has sought to limit the discretion of officials authorized to liquidate insolvent companies and has said they must consult creditors compulsorily when rejecting the highest bids.

In a proposal released for public feedback on Tuesday, the IBBI also said liquidators must verify the highest bidder for the assets of the company getting dissolved within three days of declaring the auction results in an effort to speed up the liquidation process.

The bankruptcy rule maker also proposed that voluntary liquidation initiated by the shareholders may be allowed even if there is still some uncalled capitalthe unpaid part of the share capital.

Also Read: Stockbrokers breathe easy as bankruptcy cloud lifts, but creditors have other remedies The IBBI stated that existing norms protect the rights of secured creditors, and any uncalled capital realized by the liquidator is subject to the rights of those who have a lien on the assets. That is, even if there is uncalled capital, creditors with legal claims on the companys assets are prioritized and their interests are protected before any distribution to shareholders. Also, for shareholders to initiate voluntary liquidation of the company, two-thirds of the creditors have to give their consent. This, the IBBI said, provides a safeguard to creditors interests.

By permitting the liquidation process to be completed even with some uncalled capital, the amendment would prevent unnecessary delays in the liquidation process, the IBBI said in the discussion paper.

The IBBI will accept feedback on the proposals to amend its liquidation regulations till 9 December.

The regulator suggested that the current norms warrant changes to make the liquidation of businesses efficient. As a result of existing norms, liquidators spend a significant amount of time verifying the eligibility of all bidders. The law disallows wilful defaulters and undischarged insolvents from putting in a bid. Also, there is a possibility of collusion between liquidators and bidders, the regulator noted in the discussion paper.

Also Read: Bankruptcy resolution professionals face creditor fury as cases reach courts Current norms also lead to the liquidator exercising discretion in rejecting the highest bidder even when the bid is above the reserve price, rather than the collective wisdom of stakeholders who are the real beneficiaries of liquidation proceeds getting to decide on the matter, the IBBI said.

The regulator proposed that bidders have to give undertaking that they are not barred by the disqualification of a defaulting shareholder and that they will lose their earnest money deposit if found to be ineligible.

Also, the liquidator has to verify the bidder's eligibility within three days of announcing auction results and inform the stakeholders. In case the highest bid above the reserve price is not acceptable for any reason to the liquidator, consultation with stakeholder consultation committee shall be mandatory, the IBBI said.

Also Read: Personal guarantors face bankruptcy action to recover  11,990 crore in June quarter The proposed amendments will have far-reaching impact on the way liquidation, including voluntary liquidation, is handled, said Jyoti Prakash Gadia, managing director at Resurgent India Ltd, a financial institution offering investment and merchant banking services.

The chief criticism of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code mechanism primarily underscores the undue delays and the excessive haircuts involved in the resolution process. These are partly proposed to be addressed through these amendments, said Gadia.
New Delhi [India], November 20 (ANI): The annual capacity of India's steel industry will increase by 20 million tons between the financial year (FY) 2025-27, says Acuite Ratings & Research in its recent report. The report gives a positive outlook for the Indian steel industry in the medium to long term.Driven by strong growth in the automotive, real estate, and infrastructure sectors, India's steel demand is projected to grow by 8 per cent in the medium term. The report observes that despite the prevailing margin pressures, the steel industry will witness sustained capacity expansion over the medium to long term. The challenges before the domestic industry include a noticeable increase in imports from Asian nations like Vietnam and China. The risks from imports have gone up due to China's excess capacity and sluggish demand. However, the new tariffs placed on specific steel imports will help to reduce these risks."Chinese exports of iron and steel products have seen a 22 per cent YoY growth in the Apr-Sep'24 period. Given the slower domestic demand and large excess capacities in the sector, there is an increased risk of a surge of low-cost Chinese steel imports in the markets of Europe and Asia," said Suman Chowdhury, Chief Economist and Executive Director, Acuite Ratings & Research. He added, "Imports from nations like Vietnam are also reportedly on the rise. However, this has started to lead to trade protection measures in India; higher tariffs on imports from China and Vietnam have been imposed in certain grades to support domestic industry and help safeguard local manufacturing."Chowdhury said that the steel industry will continue to be vulnerable to volatility in key raw material prices such as coking coal and iron ore; going ahead, higher environmental and regulatory costs will also be a challenge to maintain cost efficiency.In FY2023-24, consumption increased by a sharp 3.6 per cent (YoY). The Ministry of Steel data shows that India's per capita steel consumption has doubled, from 59 kg in 2013-14 to 119 kg in 2022-23. Crude steel production in India increased from 109.1 million tonnes (MT) in 2019-20 to 144.3 MT in 2023-24, reflecting a CAGR of 7.2 per cent. During this period, the domestic steel industry's production capacity also expanded from 142.3 MTPA in 2019-20 to 179.5 MT in 2023-24, supporting the rise in production. (ANI)
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) India and the UK would seek to bridge the differences for expeditious conclusion of the proposed free trade agreement as Britain has announced resuming the negotiations early next year, an official statement said on Wednesday.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that trade talks with India will relaunch in the new year, following his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in Brazil.

Starmer and Modi met on the sidelines of the summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, after which Downing Street said the UK will seek a new strategic partnership with India, including a trade agreement.

The India-UK talks for the proposed FTA began in January 2022. The 14th round of talks stalled as the two nations stepped into their general election cycles.

"We welcome the announcement by the UK to relaunch the India-UK free trade talks in the new year," the commerce ministry said.

Noting the importance for securing a balanced, mutually beneficial and forward looking FTA, it said, India looks forward to closely working with the UK's negotiating team to address remaining issues to mutual satisfaction.

The dates would be finalised through diplomatic channels soon.

"The FTA talks would resume the discussions from the progress achieved previously and seek to bridge the gaps for expeditiously closing the trade deal," it added.

There are pending issues in both the goods and services sectors.

The Indian industry is demanding greater access for its skilled professionals from sectors like IT and healthcare in the UK market, besides market access for several goods at nil customs duty.

On the other hand, the UK is seeking a significant cut in import duties on goods such as scotch whiskey, electric vehicles, lamb meat, chocolates and certain confectionary items.

Britain is also looking for more opportunities for UK services in Indian markets in segments like telecommunications, legal and financial services (banking and insurance).

The two countries are also negotiating a bilateral investment treaty (BIT).

There are 26 chapters in the agreement, which includes goods, services, investments and intellectual property rights.

The bilateral trade between India and the UK increased to USD 21.34 billion in 2023-24 from 20.36 billion in 2022-23.

A virtual meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Jonathan Reynolds, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, was held on July 11 to discuss next steps on the pact.

During April-September this year, India's exports to the UK witnessed a growth of 12.38 per cent, reaching USD 7.32 billion, compared to USD 6.51 billion during the same period in 2023.

Mineral fuels, machinery, and precious stones, pharmaceuticals, apparels, iron and steel and chemicals lead India's export basket to the UK, contributing a 68.72 per cent share of total exports.
The India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) talks that are set to resume in early 2025 will focus on a range of critical areas including market access, regulatory frameworks, and tariff barriers.

The Indian industry is advocating for greater access for skilled professionals, particularly from sectors like IT and healthcare, in the UK market, alongside market access for various goods with zero customs duty.

Meanwhile, the UK is pushing for substantial reductions in import duties on goods like scotch whiskey, electric vehicles, lamb meat, chocolates, and certain confectionery items.

Additionally, Britain seeks expanded opportunities for UK services in India, particularly in telecommunications, legal, and financial services such as banking and insurance.

The negotiations, which were paused in May 2024, are now set to resume following a formal announcement by the UK prime minister. The resumption of FTA talks comes at a crucial time, as both nations look to deepen their economic ties in line with Indias ambitious export targets.

The UK remains a priority market for Indias efforts to reach $1 trillion in exports by FY30. Exports to the UK are expected to reach $30 billion by 2029-30, the Indian government said in a statement on Wednesday, highlighting the long-term potential for increased collaboration.

A successful FTA would facilitate increased trade across sectors like technology, agriculture, and manufacturing, while also deepening diplomatic ties, said Abhash Kumar, assistant professor of economics at Delhi University.

"With complementary strengths, India and the UK are well-positioned to craft a mutually beneficial agreement. India and the UK should prioritise deep tariff concessions to encourage trade expansion across sectors, said Ajay Srivastava, former Indian Trade Services officer and founder of Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).

One pressing concern is the UKs carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). India must seek clarity on whether this tax would apply to Indian exports post-FTA. If the UK retains CBAM for Indian goods, it could create an asymmetry in trade flows. While UK goods may enter India tariff-free under the agreement, Indian exporters could face additional costs, effectively negating the benefits of the FTA. This disparity must be addressed upfront to ensure a level playing field, Srivastava told Mint.

Trade ties reset India and the UK agreed to resume FTA negotiations early next year, following a pivotal meeting between prime ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer at the G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Indias commerce ministry welcomed the move, acknowledging the importance of finalising a balanced and mutually beneficial FTA with the UK.

The government is optimistic that the talks will address any remaining issues and bring both sides closer to a comprehensive agreement.

India looks forward to closely working with the UK's negotiating team to address remaining issues to mutual satisfaction, the Indian government said in a statement.

Dates for the resumed negotiations will be confirmed soon through diplomatic channels, with the aim of finalising the talks in early 2025.

Indias commerce ministry indicated that the discussions will build on the progress made before the pause, aiming to bridge gaps and expedite the deal.

India-UK economic ties Indias trade relationship with the United Kingdom continues to strengthen, reflecting the growing economic ties between the two nations.

The commerce ministrys trade data from April to September 2024, reveals a 12.38% growth in Indias exports to the UK, amounting to $7.32 billion compared to $6.51 billion during the same period in 2023.

Mineral fuels, machinery, precious stones, pharmaceuticals, apparel, iron and steel, and chemicals form the bulk of India's exports to the UK, contributing 68.72% of the total export value, it showed.

With bilateral trade growing from $17.5 billion in fiscal year 2022 (FY22) to $20.36 billion in FY23, India and the UK are committed to developing a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade relationship, a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said.
Maharashtra elections: The Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) started an investigation into the Bitcoin-based Ponzi scam as the agency looks into the accused persons for allegedly collecting 80,000 bitcoins and diverting the funds worth 6,606 crore through nine overseas firms to purchase properties abroad, reported the news agency ANI on Wednesday, November 20.

CBI has registered the case against Amit Bharadwaj and Aman Bharadwaj and named four others accused in it. The agency also summoned auditing company employee Gaurav Mehta in connection with the case, reported the news agency PTI.

On Wednesday, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at the Chhattisgarh premises of an audit company employee (Gaurav Mehta). The employee is allegedly linked to a Bitcoin transaction political case in Maharashtra over a money laundering investigation, said official sources aware of the development, reported the news agency.

Gaurav Mehta's house is in Raipur, Chhattisgarh is being covered under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they told the agency.

Former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil also took Mehta's name; Patil was arrested in a 2018 cryptocurrency "fraud" case currently being investigated by Pune Police, as per the report.

Patil claimed that Mehta shared 10 voice notes with him on the Signal app, which had alleged audio clips of Sule, Patole, and IPS officers Amitabh Gupta (ex-Pune Police commissioner) and Bhagyashree Navtake, who was the DCP (cyber) in Pune when he was arrested.

ED has widened its ongoing money laundering probe into an alleged Bitcoin ponzi scam and is investigating the links of Mehta and others with politicians, politically exposed persons and bureaucrats, reported the agency quoting officials aware of the development.

Some audio clips and chats between Sule and Patole alleged that Bitcoins were used to fund the poll campaign, shared BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi and said that it was clear that the MVA had seen the writing on the wall that it would be defeated in the polls.

Sule has denied the charges and said she has filed a complaint with the Election Commission and the cybercrime department of the state against the false allegations. She told reporters on Wednesday that she did not know Gaurav Mehta, according to the report.

Patole also dismissed the BJP's allegations and said, The voice in the clip being circulated is not mine. Even (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi recognises my voice.

The ED's money laundering investigation into the crypto-ponzi case stems from FIRs of Maharashtra Police and Delhi Police against a company named Variable Tech Pvt Ltd; individuals named (late) Amit Bhardwaj, Ajay Bhardwaj, Vivek Bhardwaj, Simpy Bhardwaj and Mahender Bhardwaj; and a number of multi-level marketing agents who are alleged to have collected huge amounts of funds in the form of Bitcoins (worth 6,600 crore in 2017) from the public with the false promise of 10 per cent per month return in the form of Bitcoins.
New Delhi [India], November 20 (ANI): REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of REC Limited under the Ministry of Power, has successfully handed over the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the Khavda V-A HVDC Transmission Project to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL).

According to REC, the official transfer ceremony took place in Gurugram, marking a significant milestone in India's power transmission landscape.

PGCIL emerged as the Transmission Service Provider (TSP) for this project through a competitive bidding process conducted by RECPDCL under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) framework. The project will be developed on a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) basis.

This pioneering initiative marks a significant milestone as the first-ever HVDC transmission project in India awarded through the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) route.

Key features of the scheme include the establishment of two state-of-the-art HVDC terminal stations, each with a capacity of 6000 MW, located at KPS2 and Nagpur.

The project also involves the development of a 800 kV HVDC Bipole line, stretching an impressive 1200 km from KPS2 to Nagpur. This long-distance transmission line will ensure seamless and reliable power transfer across the network.

Additionally, the installation of six 1500 MVA, 765/400 kV Interconnecting Transformers (ICTs) at the Nagpur substation will further strengthen the grid's capacity to handle the substantial power load.

The SPV transfer was officiated by TSC Bosh, CEO of RECPDCL, and Pankaj Pandey, Executive Director of PGCIL, in the presence of senior officials from RECPDCL, PGCIL, and the Central Transmission Utility of India Limited. The project is set to be implemented over 54 months.

REC Limited, a Maharatna CPSU under the Ministry of Power, is a prominent non-banking financial company focusing on infrastructure financing.

With a diversified portfolio, REC supports projects in power generation, transmission, renewable energy, and emerging technologies such as green hydrogen and electric vehicles. It also finances critical non-power infrastructure sectors like roads, metro rail, and airports.
The department of consumer affairs is finalising new rules to regulate radar equipment used for measuring vehicle speeds, a move that aims to improve road safety.

These rules, to be implemented under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, will ensure radar equipment used in traffic speed measurements is accurate, reliable, and compliant with international standards, ultimately contributing to safer roads, said a statement on Wednesday.

Radar equipment is an important tool in traffic enforcement. It helps authorities monitor speed limits, reduce accidents, and minimize road wear and tear.

Also Read: Indian roads have become more fatal, shows latest accidents data The new rules will mandate that radar equipment used for measuring traffic speed be verified and stamped, ensuring it meets the required industry specifications and standards, it said.

This verification process will significantly reduce the risk of malfunctions or errors that could compromise the accuracy of speed measurements, directly impacting public safety.

The legal metrology division has been working closely with stakeholders, including experts from the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Regional Reference Laboratories (RRSLs), and representatives from manufacturers and other concerned parties," the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution said in the statement.

Also Read: Mint Primer: What makes Indian roads the deadliest? The draft rules were published for public consultation, and after a careful review of stakeholder inputs, the final version will soon be notified.

The rules are being developed in line with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) standards to ensure global compliance and better protection for all parties involved.

Reliable speed measurements will not only help in identifying speeding violations but also in deterring unsafe driving behaviours, thereby reducing accidents and wear on road infrastructure," the ministry said.

Inaccurate speed measurements can undermine road safety by failing to detect speeding violations, leading to increased risks for road users," it said.

A total of 461,312 road accidents were reported by states and Union territories (UTs) during the calendar year 2022, which claimed 168,491 lives and caused injuries to 443,366 persons, showed the ministry of road transport and highways' 2022 report on road accidents in India.

Also Read: More than half the highways sanctioned in FY25 are in NDA allies-ruled AP and Bihar, plus poll-bound Maharashtra This marks an increase of 11.9% in accidents, 9.4% in fatalities, and 15.3% in injuries compared to the previous year, the data showed.

With the number of road accidents on the rise, the governments move to regulate radar equipment for measuring vehicle speeds is a timely and well-thought-out step. It will definitely help in reducing road accidents, said Manish K. Shubhay, a partner at The Precept-Law Offices.
Tamil Nadu Rains: With the northeast monsoon gaining strength, Tamil Nadu has been experiencing intense rainfall, leading to the closure of schools in several districts. The continuous downpour overnight prompted district administrations to declare school holidays in five regions on Wednesday.

Tamil Nadu Rains: Schools Closed in Affected Districts The Tamil Nadu administration has announced that the schools will remain closed in Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Tiruvarur districts due to the ongoing heavy rainfall. In Kanyakumari, both Kanniyakumari and Pechiparai areas have also been affected, and schools in these regions will remain closed. This move follows continuous rain that has caused significant disruption.

Tamil Nadu Rains: Earlier School Closures Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, November 19, Nagapattinam, Thoothukudi, and Karaikal districts also saw school closures due to the rains. In Karaikal, schools and colleges were closed, while in Thoothukudi, only schools were closed, with colleges remaining operational.

Also Read | Chennai rains today: IMD warns of heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu districts

Tamil Nadu Rains: IMD Rain Forecast and Alerts The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for moderate rainfall across Tamil Nadu over the next five days, with thunderstorms and lightning expected in several regions. The department has also forecasted the continuation of heavy rain, particularly in the delta regions, and urged residents to stay prepared.

Tamil Nadu Rains: Delta and Southern Districts on High Alert The northeast monsoon has intensified, especially in the southern and delta districts of Tamil Nadu. These areas are on high alert, with authorities urging residents to exercise caution as heavy rain continues to impact daily life. Delta districts, such as Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Mayiladuthurai, have experienced significant rainfall, causing waterlogging on roads and disrupting normal activities.

Tamil Nadu Rains: Disaster Management Measures in Place District collectors have activated disaster management protocols in response to the ongoing rains. These measures include monitoring flood-prone areas and deploying relief teams to ensure the safety of residents.
(Bloomberg) -- Indianas attorney general is asking Tyson Foods Inc. about its labor recruiting as part of a broader investigation into illegal immigration, signaling a tougher environment for an industry that relies heavily on foreign labor.

Todd Rokita sent a civil investigative demand to Tyson Foods in Logansport seeking information related to human labor trafficking, his office said in a statement. While Tyson itself isnt under formal investigation, the attorney general said the broader probe is focused on the coordinated efforts by nonprofits and businesses to bring large numbers of migrants to Indiana.

The move by Rokita, a supporter of Donald Trump, offers a glimpse of how meat processors can come under more intense scrutiny if the president-elect moves forward with a major crackdown on immigrant labor. Trump has confirmed he plans to use the military to carry out what hes vowed will be the largest mass deportation in US history.

Companies such as Tyson and JBS SA rely on foreign workers for hard-to-fill jobs at its beef, chicken and pork factories across the country and have benefited from the surge in immigration during Joe Bidens presidency.

When you have an open border and an influx of people coming over illegally by the millions, we cant have companies incentivizing this criminal behavior by offering jobs for cheap labor, Rokita said in the statement. The vast number of additional people coming into our communities is alarming, and thats just from the standpoint of seeing the staggering number of resources being put towards this fight.

While Tyson is based in Arkansas, it has a pork plant in Logansport, Indiana. The attorney general has sent similar requests for information to nonprofits including Tent Partnership for Refugees, which connects refugees to jobs and has previously worked with Tyson, and packaging company Berry Global Group.

Tyson Foods must respond in writing to the questions by Dec. 4, according to the statement. The company didnt respond to a request from Bloomberg for a comment. Tent Partnership and Berry Global also didnt immediately respond to requests for a comment.

Trump has selected South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security and Tom Homan, the former acting head of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, to serve as his border czar. Homan was the public face of Trumps zero tolerance immigration policies during the president-elects first term.

The US Department of Agriculture has said nearly half of hired crop farmworkers lack legal immigration status.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have intensified their demand to rename Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar. All posters and invitations for RSS' biennial seminar Lokmanthan addresses the city as Bhagyanagar, hoping this would act as a catalyst in their attempt to have Hyderabad renamed. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Kishan Reddy have already advocated for the name Bhagyanagar.

Pragya Pravah's national convenor J Nandakumar said, For us, this city has always been and will remain Bhagyanagar Metropolitan. The name originates from the famous Bhagyalakshmi Temple in the city. It is a symbol of India's cultural and historical identity.

The event, to be organised by Prajna Pravah, an outfit of 'nation-first' intellectuals, researchers and academicians, would have debates on different topics, besides cultural programmes.

The event will be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu, with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also in attendance.

President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate 'Lokmanthan-2024', a colloquium of nationalist thinkers, to be held in Hyderabad from November 21-24, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Friday.

The President will inaugurate the event on November 22, while former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will launch an exhibition and cultural events a day before, Kishan Reddy told mediapersons.

The event, aimed at showcasing the culture and unity of the country, will be attended by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and other dignitaries, the organisers said.

The event, organized by Prajna Pravaha group of nation-first intellectuals, researchers, and academicianswill feature debates on various topics along with cultural programmes. Groups from foreign countries, including those who follow pre-Abrahamic traditions, would also attend the event and perform dance and other cultural expositions. Yazidis, who faced attacks by ISIS, are also likely to attend the conference.

Lokmanthan, a biennial event, was earlier held in Bhopal, Ranchi and Guwahati, beginning 2016.
Our Oceans, the stunning documentary series on Netflix now, narrated by former US President Barack Obama, promises to take viewers on an awe-inspiring journey beneath the surface of Earths five majestic oceans.

The five-episode series, which explores the life and ecosystems of the Pacific, Indian, Atlantic, Arctic, and Southern Oceans, is a visual masterpiece designed to bring oceanic wonders to life while emphasizing their critical role in sustaining life on Earth.

A global adventure of discovery The new OTT release, Our Oceans, is a collaborative effort led by Emmy-winning wildlife filmmaker James Honeyborne. The series dives deep into each oceans unique ecosystems, showcasing the diversity of life and the fascinating challenges these creatures face. From playful dolphins to resilient sea turtles, viewers will experience the remarkable personalities of ocean life through cutting-edge underwater filmmaking techniques.

Obama brings his compelling voice to the series, further enriching the narrative of how interconnected humans are with the oceans ecosystems. The docuseries, a new OTT release on Netflix, is a call to action, illustrating the need to understand and protect these vast underwater realms as they are increasingly affected by climate change and human activity.

Episode Breakdown 1. Pacific Ocean The worlds largest ocean, the Pacific, comes alive with its mighty currents, which nourish rainforests and sustain vibrant coral reefs. The first episode highlights the immense power of the Pacific and its vital role in global climate and biodiversity.

2. Indian Ocean From the agile mantis shrimp to the massive sperm whale, the Indian Oceans diverse inhabitants demonstrate remarkable ingenuity in their struggle for survival. This episode explores the tropical wonders of the Indian Ocean, where innovation and adaptation are key to survival.

3. Atlantic Ocean In the turbulent Atlantic, creatures must navigate unpredictable climates and face down predators. This episode reveals how the Atlantic's shifting temperatures create both challenges and opportunities for its marine life, highlighting the resilience of its inhabitants.

4. Arctic Ocean The Arctic Oceans creatures face an existential threat as warming temperatures cause sea ice to melt. As they adapt to a rapidly changing environment, this episode explores how Arctic life is shifting and what the future holds for its unique species.

5. Southern Ocean The Southern Ocean, the most remote of all, plays a central role in the Global Ocean Current. This episode takes a closer look at the powerful forces at work in the cold waters of the Southern Ocean and the extraordinary species that call it home.

Impact on Viewers and the Environment Our Oceans isnt just an exploration of marine life  its a powerful reminder of the profound impact our choices on land have on the worlds oceans. Each episode makes the case for protecting these vital ecosystems, showcasing how climate change, pollution, and overfishing affect not only ocean life but also the health of the planet as a whole.

James Honeyborne, the executive producer, explains the relatability of the animals challenges, saying, When you look, so many of these animals challenges are relatable. Suddenly, this alien world becomes closer and warmer to us.

Watch and Learn: Episode Details The docuseries is now available for streaming on Netflix and offers the option to download episodes for offline viewing. Its categorized under family-friendly genres, including nature & ecology documentaries and science TV, making it an educational experience for viewers of all ages.

Available to download Enjoy Our Oceans offline with the Netflix download feature, ensuring viewers can immerse themselves in the underwater world anytime, anywhere.
In a move to attract Americans looking for an escape following Donald Trumps election victory, the ancient Italian village of Ollolai, located in the serene countryside of Sardinia, has launched a unique initiative offering homes for as little as 1 Euro.

"Live in Ollolai" initiative Ollolais "Live in Ollolai" initiative is designed to appeal to Americans who feel disillusioned by the political climate in the United States. The rural village, known for its stunning scenery and ancient traditions, is hoping to draw individuals looking for a change of pace and a new lifestyle.

The towns website states: Are you worn out by global politics? Looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities? Its time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia.

The initiative promotes Ollolai as the perfect place to reconnect with nature and enjoy a simpler way of life, surrounded by delicious cuisine and a welcoming community.

Homes for 1 Euro or up to 100,000 Euros Americans interested in relocating to Ollolai have the opportunity to choose between homes in need of renovation, priced at just 1 Euro, or more modern, move-in-ready properties priced at up to 100,000 euros. The village is offering a variety of options to fit different preferences and budgets, making it an attractive proposition for those seeking a fresh start.

Focus on Americans Mayor Francesco Columbu, who spoke with CNN about the initiative, explained that the village is specifically targeting American citizens due to their potential to help revitalize the community.
The Cambridge Dictionary has named manifest as its Word of the Year for 2024, citing a remarkable surge in lookups and its widespread use across various contexts. In a statement, Cambridge Dictionary highlighted how the term has evolved from its traditional meanings.

Publishing Manager Wendalyn Nichols explained the decision, stating, When we choose a Cambridge Dictionary Word of the Year, we have three considerations: user data, zeitgeist, and language. What word was looked up the most, or spiked? Which one really captures what was happening in that year? And what is interesting about this word from a language point of view? Manifest won this year because it increased notably in lookups, its use widened greatly across all types of media, and it shows how the meanings of a word can change over time.

A surge in popularity Cambridge Dictionary said the word manifest was looked up nearly 130,000 times on the website in 2024, making it one of the platform's most searched terms. The report noted that this surge coincided with its adoption by performers, athletes, and entrepreneurs who credited their success to the practice of manifesting.

Also Read | Vape is the 2014 Oxford Dictionaries word of the year

Manifesting, in this context, refers to using specific mental practices to focus on desires and work toward making them a reality. Nichols emphasized how this newer sense of the word reflects contemporary cultural trends.

The word gained traction particularly during the pandemic, Cambridge Dictionary said, as people turned to social media for guidance on manifesting goals ranging from career milestones to personal relationships.

Also Read | Merriam-Webster dictionary reveals the most searched words of 2023

Influential moments in 2024 From late July to early September, Cambridge Dictionary noted, the Olympics and Paralympics amplified the words visibility. Athletes such as Simone Biles, Ezra Frech, and Mallory Weggemann publicly credited their victories to the power of manifesting. Earlier in the year, it said pop star Sabrina Carpenter was dubbed a manifesting queen by fans after appearing alongside Taylor Swift during the Eras Tour, while Dua Lipa attributed her record-breaking Glastonbury Festival performance to the practice.
RIO DE JANEIRO  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday welcomed Chinas President Xi Jinping for a state visit at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, the latest sign of deepening ties between the two countries that analysts say may accelerate as Donald Trump returns to the White House in 2025.

China overtook the U.S. as Brazils biggest export market in 2009. Since then, the links between the two nations have strengthened in trade and investment  and on Wednesday the two leaders signed 37 agreements in areas ranging from trade and tourism to agriculture, industry, science and technology, health, energy, culture and education.

That reflects a broader trend, experts said. Last week, Xi inaugurated a $1.3 billion megaport in Peru, perhaps the clearest sign of Latin Americas reorientation.

Latin America has always been forgotten by the United States and the European Union. Who fills that void? China, said Flavia Loss, an international relations professor at Foundation School of Sociology and Politics in Sao Paulo.

Donald Trumps election is already accelerating this proximity. Were clearly seeing it happening now, live, she added.

The state visit by the Chinese leader comes more than a year after Lula visited China seeking to strengthen ties and mend relations with its biggest trade partner after a rocky period under his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaros lawmaker son Eduardo blamed the COVID-19 pandemic on the Chinese Communist Party and referred to the giant Chinese technology company Huawei as Chinese espionage, prompting sharp rebukes. During eight months in 2022, China did not have an ambassador in Brazil.

Lula has taken an opposite stance. Repairing relations with China is also part of his strategy to replace Brazil on the international scene after a period of isolation under Bolsonaro who showed little interest in global affairs.

In remarks to journalists on Wednesday, Lula said that what China and Brazil do together reverberates around the world highlighting the collaboration of both countries within the United Nations and BRICS group of developing nations.

Xi referred to China and Brazil as reliable friends with a shared destiny and positive forces to promote peace."

From January to October 2024, trade between the countries amounted to $136.3 billion, according to a Nov. 13 statement from Brazils presidential palace.

Since 2004, when President Lula visited China for the first time, bilateral trade has grown more than 17 times. Exports to China were greater than the sum of our sales to the United States and the European Union, Eduardo Saboia, secretary for Asia and the Pacific at the ministry of foreign affairs, said in the statement.

China has been pressuring Brazil to join its Belt and Road Initiative, BRI, which started as a program for Chinese companies to build transportation, energy and other infrastructure around the world.

While initially cautious, Brazil has considered the idea and is seeking partners in areas such as funds to limit human-caused climate change and finance adaptation measures, said Pedro Brites, an expert on China at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a university and think tank in Sao Paulo.

But Brazil, as this state visit shows, has managed to seal good agreements with China without having joined, so I dont know if the gain is still worth it in Brazils calculation, he added.

While Trumps return to the White House may accelerate the proximity between China and Brazil, adhering too much to Chinese leadership could come with a cost for the South American nation, causing rifts with Washington and European nations, said Brites.

Brazil will maintain its rapprochement and bargain to a certain extent, but I think there will be a limit, he added.

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Associated Press writer Didi Tang, in Washington, D.C., contributed.
Sons of the Frenchman Dominique Pelicot, who organised the mass rape of their mother, have urged a court on Monday to give severe punishment to their father. They also said that they would never forgive him.

Dominique has already admitted in court to inviting dozens of strangers over a period of 10 years to their house to rape his wife, now 71 after he drugged her.

In the heinous case that has rocked France, fifty other men are also accused of raping her.

Our family has been destroyed, one of the sons, 50-year-old David Pelicot, told the court in Avignon. I expect from this trial that ... these men, and that man in the dock (his father), will be punished for the horrors they inflicted on my mother.

During the trial, Dominique said he wanted to apologise for what he had done, to which David replied: Never!

David also said that he and other family members had destroyed photos to make sure they kept no trace of his father.

Speaking at times through tears, David said that he hoped the trial would encourage other women to speak up about rape, echoing previous statements by his mother, who asked for the trial to be held in public to shed light on the abuse.

David's 38-year-old brother Florian told the court of the chaos that followed the news four years ago of the ordeal that their mother had suffered at the hands of their father.

He said his father was dead to him. It's been four years since I lost my father, he told the court, crying at times. Our family has been torn apart.

Florian also asked the court to impose tough sentences so that victims no longer need to be afraid of speaking up.

Under French law, she could have kept her anonymity and had the trial held behind closed doors. The case has triggered protests across France in support of Gisele Pelicot.

Gisele's daughter, Caroline Darian, who had testified earlier in the trial, told the court again on Monday that she believed she had also been abused by her father.

The only difference between me and my mother is that there is evidence (for the abuse her mother suffered), she said.
A post-mortem examination has confirmed that Harshita Brella, a 24-year-old woman from Corby, Northamptonshire, died from strangulation, a BBC report stated.

Police suspect her husband, 23-year-old Pankaj Lamba, of murdering her on the evening of November 10. Authorities believe he transported her body to Ilford, east London, and abandoned it in the boot of a car, where it was discovered four days later.

Lamba, the prime suspect, is believed to have fled the country, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.

"Our inquiries lead us to suspect that Harshita was murdered in Northamptonshire earlier this month by her husband Pankaj Lamba," said Northampton Police.

"We suspect Lamba transported Harshita's body from Northamptonshire to Ilford (east London) by car. We believe he has now fled the country... More than 60 detectives are working on the case and are continuing to follow numerous lines of inquiry, including house-to-house, property searches, CCTV and ANPR (automatic number plate recognition)," the statement added.

Brella was born in Delhi and moved to the United Kingdom in April this year after marrying Pankaj Lamba in August last year. A few days earlier, she had disappeared from her home.

Sonia Dabas, Brella's sister, said the family "thought something was wrong" by 13 November after her phone was off for two days.

Meanwhile, their father said, "I want my son-in-law to be brought to justice and I want my daughter's body brought home."

A neighbour said she heard two blistering rows, involving one in which a woman "sounded scared", days before Ms Brella's body was found.
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Voluntary guidelines to help lift valuations may not be enough, governance experts say

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Democratic Party, with parliamentary majority, pushing for legislative changes

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Korea Zinc has withdrawn controversial share issue plan but still under investigation

By Hyunjoo Jin, Cynthia Kim and Kane Wu

SEOUL, - A takeover battle over Korea Zinc is adding pressure on Seoul to pass legislative reforms to ensure better protections for all investors in a country with a stock market dominated by family-run conglomerates.

Korea Zinc Chairman Yun B. Choi, a grandson of a co-founder, last week agreed to scrap a controversial plan to issue new shares in the world's largest zinc refiner to help fend off a takeover attempt from the co-founding family's Youngpoong Corp and its partner, private equity group MBK Partners.

The share issue plan had infuriated many investors, as two days before it was announced, Korea Zinc finalised a buyback at a 25% higher price.

Choi backed down after a regulatory probe and intense shareholder pressure that brought international attention to corporate governance shortcomings in Asia's fourth-largest economy.

But Korea Zinc's actions under his leadership have fuelled scepticism over whether the government's call for voluntary efforts by companies to boost depressed stock valuations is sufficient, according to interviews with more than a dozen investors, governance experts, regulators and lawmakers.

After Choi became chairman in 2022, Korea Zinc signed deals with LG Chem and Hanwha Corp to invest in each other, in an arrangement known as a cross-shareholding, though it sold shares in the latter this month to help repay debt. Under Choi, it also sold stock to strategic partners including Hyundai Motor Group and Trafigura.

"Why do you use company funds, not your own money to increase your control?" asked Park Yoo-kyung, a managing director at Netherlands-based G Asset Management, who noted Korea Zinc could have formed joint ventures or used other types of contracts.

Many companies in Japan are unwinding cross-shareholding deals, which have been criticised as negative for corporate governance because they can insulate management from having to meet the interests of shareholders.

Korea Zinc said the cross-shareholdings were needed to ensure stable partnerships as it expanded into battery materials, hydrogen and other businesses.

Hahm Yong-il, senior deputy governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, said Korea Zinc's moves had fuelled investor doubts about board independence.

The regulator's commitment to reforming and improving capital markets is being tested, said Hahm, whose agency is investigating allegedly unfair practices in Korea Zinc's proposed share issue plan even after it was cancelled.

LEGISLATION PUSH

Korea Zinc's actions show legislation is needed to protect the interests of minority shareholders and address the lack of board independence, particularly at family-run conglomerates known as chaebols, said the people interviewed by Reuters.

In South Korea, board members have a fiduciary duty to perform their duties in the company's interests, but not to safeguard shareholders' interests.

The Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, on Tuesday proposed a commercial law revision to extend the duty to shareholders, saying the Korea Zinc saga added urgency to long-delayed legislation.

But President Yoon Suk Yeol's People Power Party and business groups have raised concerns that companies could be subject to attacks from overseas hedge funds if the law was amended.

Yoon can veto bills, and his office this month took a step back from its earlier positive stance on the commercial law changes.

In January, Yoon had pledged to address the so-called "Korea discount" to shore up support from the country's more than 10 million retail investors, taking a leaf from Japan's corporate governance reforms over the last few years that have drawn interest from global investors and sent Tokyo stocks to record highs this year.

The Korea discount refers to a tendency for South Korean companies to have lower valuations compared to their overseas peers due to low dividend payouts and the dominance of chaebols that often have weak governance practices.

Benchmark KOSPI index shares traded at a price-to-book multiple of 0.87 as of Wednesday, below an average of 1.2 for companies on Japanese exchanges and 4.8 for the S&P 500 in the U.S., according to data from the exchanges.

FIRST HOSTILE TAKEOVER

Korea Zinc's Choi pledged to give up his role as chairman and come up with measures to protect minority shareholders as he braces for a showdown with Youngpoong and MBK at a shareholder meeting early next year.

Their bid for control, if successful, would be the first hostile takeover of a South Korean company by a private equity fund, and should serve as a wake-up call for chaebols, according to LSEG data.

"What MBK is doing on Korea Zinc could potentially spur dozens of similar disputes at some 200 locally listed Korean companies," said Mike Cho, a business school professor at Seoul's Korea University.

The country has traditionally been a tough ground for activist investors such as Elliott, which over the last decade made unsuccessful attempts to block deals at Samsung affiliates and Hyundai Motor Group companies.

The number of activist campaigns annually in South Korea grew more than nine-fold between 2019 and 2023, according to Diligent Market Intelligence, though the outcomes have been mixed.

"There is a buzz among local capital market players that MBK's deal with Korea Zinc could be a game changer," said Sanghyun Park, an analyst at Clepsydra Capital. "It's seen as a key step to tackle the Korea discount by shaking up ownership structures."
Norwegian police announced on Tuesday that Marius Borg Hoiby, the 27-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was arrested on suspicion of rape. The arrest took place on Monday evening, with police stating the case involved "a sexual act without intercourse" where the victim was reportedly unable to resist.

"What police can say about the rape is that it concerns a sexual act without intercourse. The victim is said to have been unable to resist the act," AFP quoted police as saying.

Search and seizures Authorities revealed that Hoibys home had been searched, resulting in unspecified "seizures" as part of the investigation.

Also Read | How Harshita Brella was killed by husband in London

Who is Marius Borg Hoiby Hoiby, born in 1997 from a relationship before Mette-Marits marriage to Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, has no official royal duties. He was raised by the royal couple alongside his step-siblings, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 18.

Previous legal troubles The arrest follows several recent legal issues. In August, Hoiby was accused of bodily harm during a dispute at the Oslo apartment of a woman he was reportedly dating. Norwegian media reported that police found a knife embedded in a bedroom wall at the scene.

In September, Hoiby was arrested for breaching a restraining order linked to the same woman. Police disclosed that he was in a car with this woman when arrested on Monday.

Expanded domestic abuse suspicion Police added that the August case now includes suspicions of domestic abuse. Authorities are still deliberating whether Hoiby will be remanded in custody.
World leaders at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, took a second group photo on November 19  this time with outgoing United States President Joe Biden, who missed the first photo op, AFP reported.

The reshoot also featured other world leaders who missed the first cohort photo of this G20 Summit, including Canada and Italy's Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau and Giorgia Meloni.

All missed the photo on (November 18) Monday due to what US officials called logistical issues, the report added.

Also Read | Jharkhand Election 2024 Live Updates: Polling for Phase 2 on for 12 districts

Front And Centre The second time around, Biden, was placed front and centre in the photo, the report noted. He is on his last G20 Summit as President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House on January 20.

This time, PM Narendra Modi took Biden's hand as he stepped onto the stage and Trudeau on his right chatted with the 81-year-old US leader. Chinese President Xi Jinping was also present.

Leaders gathered at a Rio art museum to take the photo and when it was all over they clapped and held hands, the report added.

Also Read | Bitcoin breaches $94,000 for the first time

Contrast From Earlier Situation The show of unity was a stark contrast to the missed photo situation on Monday, when Biden was seen walking through some palm trees towards the photo-op but the other leaders took the photo and dispersed before he was in the frame. The no-show was speculated as symbolic of Biden's waning influence amid Trump's return, it added.

Throughout a six-day swing through South America, Biden has been making a last pitch for global support on issues from Ukraine and the Middle East to climate change. But his counterparts are watching for the longer term.

Biden has also kept a low media profile and has not taken questions from the media during his trip, despite major developments such as his granting of approval for Ukraine to use long-range US-made missiles to hit Russia.
United States President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday attended the launch of SpaceX's Starship alongside company founder Elon Musk. The event took place at SpaceX's rocket development site in Boca Chica, Texas, marking the sixth test flight of the Starship rocket.

The primary goals of this test flight included ensuring the return of the booster to the launch site for recovery, reigniting a Raptor engine while in space, and testing various heatshield experiments and manoeuvring adjustments for the spacecraft's reentry and descent over the Indian Ocean, as reported by AFP.

The test flight was a success, with the rocket splashing down at its designated target in the Indian Ocean, marking a significant milestone in the development of SpaceX's ambitious Starship programme.

In a post on X, Elon Musk wrote, To the moon and beyond!.

The flight comes at a time when Elon Musk is riding high after Donald Trump's victory in the November 5 White House race. Musk had been a vocal supporter of Trump, campaigning extensively for the returning Republican leader and making significant personal donations to the cause.

His loyalty has now been rewarded, as Musk has been appointed to co-lead a new Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE, a playful reference to the popular meme-based cryptocurrency that Musk is known to champion.

As reported by AFP, Tuesday's launch of SpaceX's Starship marked the fastest turnaround between test flights for the world's most powerful rocket, a towering 121-meter (400-foot) stainless steel giant that is key to Elon Musk's goal of making humanity a multiplanetary species.

The Starship is central to Musk's ambition of colonising Mars, with plans to send the first uncrewed missions to the Red Planet as early as 2026, aligning with the next Mars transfer window  a time when Earth and Mars are closest, making the journey more efficient.

In addition to Musk's Mars aspirations, NASA is also counting on a specialised version of the Starship to transport astronauts to the lunar surface as part of its Artemis programme later this decade. The collaboration highlights the rocket's growing role in humanity's exploration of space, AFP further reported.
Washington, US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday tapped the CEO of a top financial services company as his commerce secretary and US trade representative.

This is one of the rare times that both the positions have gone to one person.

"I am thrilled to announce that Howard Lutnick, chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, will join my administration as the US Secretary of Commerce," Trump said. "He will lead our tariff and trade agenda, with additional direct responsibility for the Office of the US Trade Representative."

"In his role as co-chair of the Trump-Vance transition team, Howard has created the most sophisticated process and system to assist us in creating the greatest administration America has ever seen," the president-elect added.

A dynamic force on Wall Street for more than 30 years, Lutnick joined Cantor Fitzgerald in 1983 and rapidly rose through the ranks to become its president and CEO at the age of 29.

Cantor Fitzgerald lost 658 of its 960 New York-based employees, including Lutnick's brother, during the attacks of September 11, 2001.

"He emerged from these events with an indomitable sense of purpose to rebuild the firm to honour those lost, support their families, and become a beacon of hope for those who remained. He was an inspiration to the world the embodiment of resilience in the face of unspeakable tragedy," the Trump transition team said.

Lutnick and the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund donated USD 180 million to the families of 9/11 victims.

He has also donated more than USD 100 million to victims of terrorism, natural disasters, and other emergencies around the world.

Lutnick serves on the board of directors of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and the Weill Cornell Medicine. He was named the Financial Times' Person of the Year in 2001 and Ernst & Young's United States Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010.

He received the Department of the Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honour granted to non-military personnel by it.
UK MPs are set to summon Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), to testify about the platforms role in spreading disinformation, as part of an ongoing parliamentary inquiry into the UK riots and the rise of harmful AI-generated content.

Senior executives from Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, and TikTok are also expected to face questioning during the investigation, which will be conducted by the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee, The Guardian reported.

The inquiry comes at a time when concerns are growing that the UKs online safety laws may not be keeping up with the rapid evolution of technology and the increasing politicization of social media platforms like X. The hearings are scheduled to begin in the new year, with MPs focusing on the consequences of generative AI and its role in the spread of false information.

AI and social medias role in inciting violence One of the key areas of focus for the MPs will be the use of generative AI in creating and sharing misleading content. This includes AI-generated images that were widely shared on platforms like Facebook and X, which falsely incited people to join Islamophobic protests following the tragic killing of three schoolgirls in Southport in August. The use of AI in amplifying harmful narratives has raised alarms about the unchecked influence of social media in fueling division and violence.

Also Read | The meteoric rise of Elon Musk  from South Africa to the US White House

Musk's role under scrutiny Chi Onwurah, the Labour chair of the select committee, emphasized the importance of cross-examining Musk over his platforms content policies. Musk has very strong views on multiple aspects of this, Onwurah remarked. I would certainly like the opportunity to cross-examine him to see how he reconciles his promotion of freedom of expression with his promotion of pure disinformation.

Musk, who is known for his outspoken support of free speech, has come under increasing scrutiny for the platforms management of disinformation. Critics argue that his policies have contributed to a rise in harmful content, including hate speech and misinformation, which have exacerbated social and political tensions.
The US State Department has voiced "incredibly" strong concerns about Russia's ongoing campaign of hybrid warfare against the West, a news report said. This comes amid fears that the situation could escalate after Ukraine reportedly launched US-made long-range ATACMS missiles at targets within Russia, following the Biden administration's decision to lift restrictions on their use.

Russia promises "appropriate" response to US policy shift Russia has promised an "appropriate" response to the new policy. Western officials believe that the thrust of the Russian response may come not on the battlefield in Ukraine but elsewhere in the world, The Guardian reported.

Potential Russian hybrid attacks could target Europe and US adversaries The report indicated citing sources familiar with the discussions on Russia's possible response that potential hybrid attacks could involve a range of strategies, including intensifying sabotage and assassination efforts in Europe or further arming US adversaries in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific regions.

European ministers discussed Russias asymmetric warfare during a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, where the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom accused Russia in a joint statement of systematically attacking European security architecture.

US State Department pledges accountability for Russian actions Speaking in Washington, the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said: Generally, we are incredibly concerned about hybrid warfare conducted by Russia both in Europe and around the world, and it's something we have been in close coordination with our European allies and other allies and partners around the world. Referring to the recent sabotage to two under-sea fibre-optic communication cables in the Baltic Sea, Miller added that Russia would be held accountable for further such actions.

Ukraine strikes with ATACMS missiles in Bryansk region The first Ukrainian attack with ATACMS struck an ammunition warehouse in Bryansk region. The region lies north-west of the Kursk region where a Ukrainian incursion has been under way since early August.

Russian Foreign Minister warns of consequences for ATACMS use The Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, has promised to give an appropriate response to the first use of the US-made missiles, which Vladimir Putin has previously said would be tantamount to Washington and its NATO allies entering direct conflict with Russia.

UK PM reaffirms support for Ukraine despite Russian threats Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, said he would not be deterred by the new doctrine from supporting Ukraine. Theres irresponsible rhetoric coming from Russia, and that is not going to deter our support for Ukraine, he told reporters at the G20 summit in Brazil.

Also Read | North Korea sent a mystery man to lead its troops fighting Ukraine

Growing concerns over Russian attacks on US and European infrastructure US and European officials have also discussed the potential for Russia to step up a growing campaign of attacks on US and European infrastructure that has escalated significantly since Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In the joint statement, the UK and EU ministers said Russias hybrid attacks were escalating and unprecedented in their variety and scale, creating significant security risks.
I know you, you are very famous, is how Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar in Brazil on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. A video of their meeting shared online shows the Indonesian President greeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi before approaching EAM Jaishankar.

After shaking hands, Jaishankar introduces himself. It was then that Prabowo Subianto tells Jaishankar, I know you, you are very famous", prompting a chuckle from PM Modi, Jaishankar and others.

Watch the video here

PM Modi met Indonesian President Subianto and discussed ways to improve ties in security, health care.

After their meeting on the sidelines of G20, PM Modi said, Delighted to meet President Prabowo Subianto during the G20 Summit in Brazil. This year is special as we are marking 75 years of India-Indonesia diplomatic relations. Our talks focussed on improving ties in commerce, security, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and more. The prime minister also posted a few pictures of the two leaders on his X handle.

Commemorating 75 years of warm and friendly ties!  The prime minister congratulated President Prabowo and assured him of India's full support. Both leaders discussed ways to work together for further strengthening the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, in existing domains as well as expand it to newer areas," the MEA said on X.
Among the less well-known winners in Sri Lankas parliamentary election last week was Krishnan Kalaichelvi, the daughter of a Malaiyaga Tamil tea-estate worker. In the annals of South Asias mistreatment of minorities, the Malaiyaga occupy a tragic place.

They were brought to the island as indentured labourers in the 19th century by the British, with hundreds of thousands then forcibly repatriated to Tamil Nadu after an inhumane agreement between India and Sri Lanka in the mid-1960s. This is a community that would seem unlikely supporters of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National Peoples Power party (NPP).

Yet, by focusing on economic hardships and convincing voters across the country that the party has a changed approach to minorities, the NPP won a two-thirds majority in parliament, a feat no other party has achieved.

With the huge mandate for saba wensak, or genuine change in Sinhala, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake must push through reforms such as the devolution of power to the north and eastand an even more tricky revamp of the economy, so that Sri Lanka can begin to pay off its huge international debts from 2028 onwards.

The breadth of support he has received in the north and east, where he had performed poorly in the presidential election in September, is an advantage. Contrary to the cliche, less than two months is actually a short time in politics, especially for a seismic shift in voter loyalties to the NPP from parties that once had solid minority support.

Yet, that is what has happened. In this annus horribilis of elections worldwide that have been influenced by social media strategies that plumbed new levels of viciousness, Sri Lankas metamorphosis from a moth flying towards a flame into a butterfly is the most heartening.

Dissanayake has not struck a false political note since he became president in September. Within days, he was in a Hindu temple declaring he would work for all Sri Lankans.

His Diwali greetings called on the country to turn its back on divisiveness and embrace an attitudinal transformation" that embodied compassion and critical thinking. Circa 2024, such good sense from leaders counts as revolutionary.

Sri Lankas economic to-do list is a tall order. It must ramp up its GDP growth rate by diversifying its export base, join free trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), forge a trade pact with India, and ease the burden on the quarter of its population now classified as poor since the country declared bankruptcy in 2022.

But it is not clear if the remarkable team leading Sri Lanka, including Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, a PhD in anthropology who did an undergraduate degree at Delhis Hindu College, has sized up the economic mountains to be climbed as adeptly as it has grasped the countrys political challenges, which include high-profile prosecutions for corruption as well as full investigations of Sri Lankas horrific Easter terrorist attack in 2019 and targeted killings 15 years ago.

Calls by NPP leaders to renegotiate the countrys deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sound good along a campaign trail but are impractical. Veering off course would undo the stability of its economy and currency seen over the past year.

There are a host of clever Sri Lankan economists: One of them could have been a technocratic finance minister just as Manmohan Singh was in crafting Indias 1991 turnaround after it went to the IMF. Dissanayake has so far kept the finance portfolio with himself.

This puzzling decision comes after tired homilies to Karl Marx at the partys victory celebration last week. Never mind that comrades from the Chinese Communist Partys state-owned enterprises were enthusiastic handmaidens of the Rajapaksa family in building white elephantsincluding a huge port and a ghost airport in southern Sri Lankaand saddling Sri Lanka with huge debts in the bargain.

Among these is a multi-purpose giant auditorium so badly made by the Chinese that a leading orchestra from Shanghai initially refused to perform there. In 2022, Bloomberg Businessweek quoted a government official as saying that pilfered assets could amount to $18 billion."

The countrys economy requires building on past successes in tourism, tea and garments while diversifying to new export industries. Prasenjit Basu, former chief economist for Credit Suisse for Southeast Asia and India, points to the Philippines as a possible model where a former military base has become a centre for foreign business process outsourcing centres (including Indian ones).

The IMFs demand for more transparent public procurement (supported by the new government) is essential: A contract for processing visas given to a consortium including VFS Global was overturned by the local Supreme Court in August. Dissanayake moved quickly to return to the efficient old system.

Also read: How this Pune couple planned a budget trip to the second most expensive country in the world

The governments reversal of plans to privatize Sri Lankan Airlines, however, reflects muddled thinking. The airline is a shadow of what it was when it was privately run. In no Asian capital is the gap between grim economic reality and huge economic potential so wide.

Yet, urgently recasting the Sri Lankan economy as repayments of billions of dollars in debt come due from 2028 onwards is akin to practising balletic spins on the edge of a cliff. Singing loudly from a tired socialist song-sheet will make this harder still.
When Unilever agreed to buy Ben & Jerrys in 2000, the consumer giant was looking to acquire not just the small Vermont companys ice-cream operation, but also its quirky, do-gooder ethos, which Unilever hoped to inject into its larger corporate culture.

For two decades, it was a happy union. Ben & Jerrys grew into a 1 billion brand and got to preserve its social mission and independence, while Unilever capitalized on its position as the poster child for the corporate doing-well-by-doing-good movement.

Those days are over.

Ben & Jerrys independent board sued Unilever last week, alleging that its parent company broke an agreement by silencing its attempts to speak out in support of Palestinian rights.

Its just the latest development in the falling out between the two brands, which began [before the Gaza War], in 2021, when Ben & Jerrys said it would stop doing business in the Israeli-occupied West Bank because it was inconsistent with our values."

The clash is about more than the war in Gaza. Across corporate America, the calculus for companies has shifted wildly when it comes to speaking out and taking a stand. No topic today is apolitical, no issue uncontroversial.

Supporting climate goals or inclusivity can lead to boycotts and backlashes (see the cases of Walt Disney Company, Bud Light, Target Corp, Harley-Davidson, Tractor Supply Company, etc). While companies were once desperate for their brands to stand for something meaningful, executives now often view it as safer for them to stand for nothing.

Nowhere has that change been more dramatic than at Unilever. For years, the company was a global leader in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) movement, instilling every brand with a purposefrom Vaseline assisting in skin care for Syrian refugees to Hellmanns mayo taking on food waste.

Also read: The ice cream business is becoming less seasonal and more lucrative

Ben & Jerrys was the gold standard, speaking out in support of gay marriage and fighting climate change, backing the Occupy Wall Street movement and calling out police brutality and opposing Caucasian supremacy.

But as Unilevers results flagged and an activist investor circled, the company softened or slashed its mission-based pledges such as reducing the use of plastic packaging and paying direct suppliers a living wage.

Ben & Jerrys, meanwhile, has refused to play along. To convince the founders to sell 25 years ago, Ben & Jerrys independent board was given oversight of the companys social mission, while Unilever was in charge of the brands finances and operations.

That division of labour may have worked during simpler times, but Unilever has now discovered the hard way that those two things are not so easily disentangled. To Unilever, Gaza is a business issue, with implications for financial performance; Ben & Jerrys views it as a moral one. Arguably, they are both right.

The Ben & Jerrys acquisition at the turn of the century kicked off a flood of big consumer giants gobbling up small brands that fashioned themselves as socially conscious, sustainable or healthy enterprises.

Coca-Cola Company acquired Odwalla in 2001 and a stake in Honest Tea in 2008. PepsiCo bought Naked Juice in 2007, the same year Clorox added Burts Bees to its portfolio. A year earlier, Toms of Maine sold to Colgate-Palmolive.

These so-called halo brands went for a premium, buoyed by the promise that they would showcase their new parent companys commitment to the environment and good corporate citizenship.

Like Unilever, other big multinationals promised not to mess with their brand magic and instead learn from their benevolent ways.

Now that grand experiment is over. Coca-Cola sold off Odwalla in 2020 and discontinued Honest Tea in 2022. A private equity firm acquired Naked Juice from PepsiCo in 2021.

Tastes have changed. The pandemic forced companies to simplify their supply chains and cut back on their offerings. Some companies discovered that you cannot simply buy a purpose or a mission, which is out of fashion these days anyway. Others found that the halo wasnt as valuable as they initially thoughtand in some cases, even a nuisance.

Ben & Jerrys will soon be added to that list. Unilever has said it will sell or spin off the brand and the rest of its ice cream business as well.

When it does, its unclear exactly what will happen to Ben & Jerrys independent board and the social causes it has long supported. This time, not every potential buyer will view its social consciousness as an asset. Bloomberg
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday modified his countrys nuclear doctrine to broaden the circumstances in which the Kremlin could use nuclear weapons.

As reported, the changes sanction their use when its under a coordinated attack, which includes a non-nuclear state attacking it with the backing of a nuclear state.

Even a conventional attack by a non-nuclear state, if significant, would permit Moscow to retaliate with these weapons of mass destruction.

Also read: The terrifying perils of appeasing a warlike Russia

Scarily, this shift comes amid reports of Ukraine having fired US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems into Russian territory shortly after the US allowed such use.

For long, the US had not let Kyiv do this for fear of an escalation in the conflict. But with the scales possibly tilting in favour of Moscow as it deploys North Korean soldiers to the war-front, US President Joe Biden might have been forced to relent.

Some see this as too little too late. But the response it has drawn from Russia hints of how badly American calculations can go wrong.

Also read: Vladimir Putin is in a painful economic bind

New uncertainty now prevails over what Moscow might interpret as external aggression worthy of a nuclear response. And as the Ukraine War rages on, the world is less safe as a result.
Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024: Voting for the single-phase Maharashtra Assembly elections started at 7 am on Wednesday and will continue until 6 pm.

The election is being held across 288 assembly constituencies.

Ahead of the polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged citizens to participate in the voting process through a message posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

"Today, votes will be cast for all the seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. I urge the voters of the state to participate with full enthusiasm and add to the splendour of this festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to come out in large numbers to vote," PM Modi posted on X.

Meanwhile, security measures in Mumbai have been ramped up. Police have been conducting thorough checks on vehicle movements, particularly in sensitive areas like Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and Dharavi, to ensure smooth polling operations.

To maintain law and order during the elections, Mumbai Police has deployed an extensive security force. Over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards, have been stationed across the city. According to the Brihanmumbai Police Commissionerate, more than 2,000 officers are also on duty to oversee the election process and prevent any untoward incidents. These measures are aimed at ensuring a peaceful and orderly election day for voters across Mumbai.

A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters.

Maharashtra witnessed a high-decibel campaign ahead of the elections for its 288 assembly seats. The intense campaigning ended on Monday, November 18, 2024, paving the way for today's voting.

The battle for power in the Maharashtra Assembly has been characterised by shifting alliances, ideological conflicts, complex caste dynamics, and emotional appeals. The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).

In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42.
NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule expressed her readiness to respond to the five questions raised by BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi regarding her alleged involvement in a cryptocurrency fraud case on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis commented on the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged cash for vote allegations involving BJP's Vinod Tawde and the audio clips implicating Supriya Sule of the NCP-SCP and Congress' Nana Patole.

Speaking to ANI, Sule said, I am ready to answer his (Sudhanshu Trivedi) 5 questions wherever he wants. Time of his choice, place of his choice and platform of his choice. I am ready to answer him because all the allegations are completely false.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Trivedi said, we want to ask 5 questions to the Congress Party, one, are you involved in the bitcoin transaction? Second, are you in contact with this person named Gaurav Gupta or Mehta? Third, the chats are yours (of your leaders) or not? Fourth, the audio in the audio clips is yours or not? Fifth, who are the 'big people'?

Fadnavis, said, As far as Vinod Tawde is concerned, I made it clear yesterday too that neither did he distribute any money nor was any money found with him. A deliberate attempt was made to stoke controversy, an ecosystem was used. As far as the allegations on Supriya Sule and Nana Patole are concerned, the manner in which a former IPS officer has levelled allegations and released a few clips, I feel that it is a very serious matter. I would only like to say that this matter should be seriously investigated. It is essential for truth to come out. 

He further expressed concerns and noted, Allegations are very serious, this should be fully investigated and a fair report should be brought before people, this is what I think...The voice seems to be similar to Supriya Sule but with all fairness, let everything be clear. If anyone doctors voice, it can be deciphered through AI...We hope that it is deciphered at that earliest because I do not consider this an election-related matter, it is a matter related to national security.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar claimed that he recognized his sister's voice in the audio clips mentioned by former IPS officer Patil as evidence of Sule's involvement in the scam and promised an investigation into it, ANI reported.

"Whatever audio clip is being shown, I just know that I have worked with both of them. One of them is my sister and the other is someone with whom I have worked a lot. The audio clip has their voices, I can figure out from their tone. An inquiry will be done and everything will be clear," Pawar said.

On Tuesday, Ravindranath Patil, a former IPS officer from Pune, made a serious allegation against NCP-SP leader and Baramati MP Supriya Sule, along with Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole. Patil accused the two leaders of misappropriating bitcoins from a 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case, claiming they used the funds to finance the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly elections. Patil has stated that he is prepared to support any investigation into the matter.

This matter should be seriously investigated. It is essential for truth to come out.

This allegation comes amid the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly elections, which are being held in a single phase on November 20.
SEOULIn a country that fetes its military elites like celebrities, Col. Gen. Kim Yong Bok was rarely seenor even mentionedin public. His role leading North Koreas special forces required him to keep a low profile to conceal his identity. But now he is a very public figure.

He is the top North Korean military official in Russia, where more than 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to aid Moscows efforts to dislodge Ukrainian troops who have seized a chunk of Russian territory.

Kyiv and Seoul officials have confirmed his presence in Russia. In recent days, President Biden gave the green light for Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied, long-range weapons to strike inside Russiawith the new North Korean presence a motivating factor. Ukraine fired those missiles for the first time on Tuesday, hitting an ammunition storage facility in Russias Bryansk region.

Formally the armys deputy chief of general staff, Col. Gen. Kim is believed to be tasked with integrating North Korean troops with the Russians, absorbing battlefield insights to bring back home and establishing the pipeline for future deployments.

The number of dispatched North Korean soldiers to Russia could ultimately reach as high as 100,000, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday. He didnt cite specific evidence for the claim.

Col. Gen. Kim isnt expected to see any combat himself. But the dispatch of one of North Koreas most important military officials signals North Koreas interest in assisting Russia deep into next year.

Until recently, his identity was relatively cloaked because the special-forces unit he commandedbelieved to be the worlds largest, at roughly 200,000 strongwould undertake secret missions in the event of a war on the Korean Peninsula, said Jeon Kyung-joo, a research fellow at the South Korean government-funded Korea Institute for Defense Analyses. North Korea began spotlighting Col. Gen. Kim to show Russia that a trusted hand would be sent to lead the troop deployment, which includes special forces, she added.

There was more reason to keep him hiddenuntil now," Jeon said. Behind the curtain, he has clearly proven himself to be reliable."

Pyongyang started pulling Col. Gen. Kim out of the shadows after Russian President Vladimir Putins June visit to Pyongyang when the two countries agreed to a mutual defense pact. Col. Gen. Kim transitioned into a frequent sidekick of North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns.

They visited flood-hit areas, observed special-forces training and watched artillery drills. Col. Gen. Kim often clutched a pen and notepad while standing alongside the 40-year-old dictator. The last reference in North Korean state media of Col. Gen. Kim was Oct. 6.

Within days, he was believed to have traveled to Russia with the first batch of North Korean troops.

Right next to me

Col. Gen. Kim had largely existed in obscurity for much of his career. South Koreas government database of elite North Koreansspanning more than 680 officials based on intelligence from its spy agency and publicly available informationonly lists his name and job title. Still unknown are his age, his hometown or any other biographical detail.

This cuts against the prominence that North Koreas military elites often receive in its state-run media. Kim Jong Uns public appearances that dominate state-run TV, radio and newspapers typically feature top military brass.

Col. Gen. Kim was mentioned in state media in 2015 when he was promoted to lead North Koreas special forces. A year later, he was elected to the countrys chief policymaking body, the Workers Party Central Committee.

His ascendancy became clearer at a July 2020 meeting where Kim Jong Un gifted North Koreas top generals with commemorative pistols. The weapons were named Paektu," a reference to a sacred mountain that according to North Korean lore served as the base for guerrilla fighters battling the Japanese. It was also the purported birthplace of Kims father, Kim Jong Il, though independent historians contest this. Col. Gen. Kim, with the gifted gun in hand, crouched for a photo just one person away from the North Korean leader.

He slipped into obscurity again until March when his current role as the Korean Peoples Army No. 3 figure was made public. A three-star general, he is one of North Koreas 10 most important military figures, and a successful stint in Russia could catapult him further up the ranks, according to Pyongyang watchers.

But Col. Gen. Kims recent appearances in North Korea were beyond the types of events his predecessors would have attended, said Michael Madden, an expert on North Koreas leadership at the Stimson Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

Kim Jong Un is saying to the Russians: Im sending one of my top guys. He sits right next to me," Madden said.

Entering the fight

Battlefield experience for North Korean soldiers will help North Korea update its military tactics by observing how a modern war is fought. Russian forces have trained the North Koreans in critical front-line skills such as artillery, trench clearing and drone operations, the State Department said last week.

Col. Gen. Kim was among the roughly 500 North Korean officers sent to Russia, according to Ukrainian and South Korean officials. North Korean soldiers have been issued fake IDs to disguise them as Russian soldiers, Seouls spy agency said. They have moved to the front lines carrying Russian equipment and wearing Russian uniforms, according to U.S. officials.

In addition to troops, munitions and missiles, North Koreas offerings to Russia appear to be expanding with Col. Gen. Kim on the ground. Pyongyang has started supplying M-1991 multiple-launch rocket systems and M-1989 Koksan howitzers, which were seen in a photo traveling atop a train moving through Krasnoyarsk, a city in central Russia, said Lt. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraines National Security and Defense Council.

The weapons are destined for Russias Kursk region, Lt. Kovalenko added. That is where the North Korean soldiers are stationed and the site of a Russian counteroffensive to repel Ukrainian forces who seized part of the region in August.

A top concern for Washington, Seoul and others is the possibility that Pyongyang, through its troop dispatch, is able to gain sensitive nuclear or missile technology in return from Moscow. Potential Russian assistance in North Koreas recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile couldnt be ruled out, South Koreas defense minister said.

The deployment of a large number of troops and senior generals like Col. Gen. Kim shows North Korea is serious about its commitment to Russia, said Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank.

That also means the North Koreans can turn to the Russians and say, Wheres our end of the deal? and bargain for more high-end tech from Russia," he said.

Jane Lytvynenko contributed to this article.

Write to Dasl Yoon at dasl.yoon@wsj.com
Donald Trumps transition team is ramping up plans to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray before the end of his 10-year-term, the start of what the president-elect hopes will be a major shake-up of the agency that has been his perennial punching bag.

Vice President-elect JD Vance on Tuesday tucked an announcement of the search at the end of a social-media post that began with him referring to someone as a mouth breathing imbecile."

Vance said he had recently met with Trump to interview people to be the bureaus director, in the search for a candidate who would dismantle the deep state." He later deleted the post.

Trumps advisers have discussed several candidates, people familiar with the talks said. They include former Rep. Mike Rogers, who was defeated this month in the race for Michigans open Senate seat, and Kash Patel, one of Trumps closest advisers and supporters who served in various roles during his first administration.

A spokeswoman for Trumps transition team didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

The search likely spells the end for Wray, whom Trump appointed during his first term in 2017 after firing Wrays predecessor, James Comey. The director search also signals other major changes lie ahead for the bureau as the president-elect had threatened to seek retribution against political rivals.

Republicans for years have accused the FBI of overzealously targeting conservatives, a charge Wray, a Republican who served as a top Justice Department official in the George W. Bush administration, called somewhat insane to me considering my own personal background."

Chief among those GOP critics is Trumps pick for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, who as a Florida congressman tried to block funding for a new FBI headquarters, saying its officials deserved to sit in their rat-infested" building until they changed their approach.

A person close to Wray said he has been planning with his team to lead the agency at least through next year. But some FBI and Justice Department officials privately acknowledge that his days on the job are likely numbered, as Trump quickly soured on Wray amid years of federal investigations into the former presidents conduct.

Throughout the first Trump administration, Justice Department officials said they were unsure from one week to the next whether Wray, who tried to keep a low profile, would be fired.

That relationship didnt improve much after Trump left the White House, with the former president claiming repeatedly that the bureau was targeting him unfairly. His rage flared during the FBIs unprecedented August 2022 search of Trumps Mar-a-Lago home for classified documents he had declined to relinquish.

Since winning re-election, Trump has moved to stock his cabinet and White House staff with loyalists who back his agenda.

Trump considered Rogers, a former FBI special agent and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, to run the bureau after he fired Comey.

Patel, is a former White House and Pentagon aide whom Trump late in his first term considered naming to top positions at the Central Intelligence Agency and the FBI. He has echoed Trumps comments that the FBI is corrupt and has openly called for firing and potentially prosecuting FBI and Justice Department officials.

Trumps allies have proposed FBI changes that include potentially giving political appointees at the Justice Department greater oversight of the bureau and its traditionally independent director, shrinking the size and power of its Washington headquarters and affording more resources instead to agents in the field. Some people in Trumps orbit have suggested reviewing all of the FBIs investigations and terminating those they find objectionable, the Journal has reported.

Trump has sought to overhaul the FBI ever since its probe into whether his campaign worked with Russia to meddle in the 2016 presidential election, an investigation that spurred the appointment of a special counsel. Robert Muellers probe dogged Trumps presidency, but Mueller didnt find a criminal conspiracy.

The Justice Department, under the direction of special counsel Jack Smith, prosecuted Trump on charges he plotted to overturn the 2020 election and mishandled classified documents after he left office. Now that Trump has been elected again, both cases are certain to end.

Write to Sadie Gurman at sadie.gurman@wsj.com and Andrew Restuccia at andrew.restuccia@wsj.com
Over the past year, Google has faced intense criticism for its internal communications practices during three major antitrust trials. Plaintiffs, including the Department of Justice (DoJ) and Epic Games, presented extensive evidence claiming that the tech giant systematically suppressed evidence, deleted messages, and leveraged attorney-client privilege to shield itself from scrutiny, reported The New York Times.

As per the report, the scrutiny has revealed a longstanding culture at Google of restricting internal communication to avoid legal liability. This culture reportedly began with a confidential 2008 memo advising employees to think twice before discussing sensitive topics and to avoid speculation or sarcasm in their messages. Signed by Googles top lawyer, Kent Walker, and engineering executive Bill Coughran, the memo also announced changes to the companys instant messaging settings, ensuring chats were automatically deleted unless users manually saved them, adds the report.

The company reportedly framed these measures as necessary to manage an overwhelming volume of data. Kent Walker testified that Google produced 13 times more emails per employee than average corporations in its early years, leading to concerns about excessive document retention. However, critics argue the policies were designed to evade accountability.

During the trials, plaintiffs alleged that Google deliberately destroyed evidence by exempting instant messages from automatic legal holds. Employees were left to decide whether to save relevant messages, a task deemed impractical given the volume of communication. Judge James Donato of the US District Court for the Northern District of California described this approach as a systemic culture of suppression of relevant evidence, calling it a frontal assault on the fair administration of justice.

According to the report, Google has also been accused of abusing attorney-client privilege to withhold documents. In one instance, Chief Executive Sundar Pichai labelled an email about a non-legal matter as Attorney Client Privileged in an apparent attempt to keep it out of court. While Google later released the email following legal challenges, such practices have raised questions about the companys integrity.

Further allegations surfaced regarding Googles internal guidance to employees, which reportedly discouraged the use of words like market or dominance in communications to avoid triggering antitrust scrutiny. In one training document, even benign phrases like putting products in the hands of customers were flagged as potentially problematic.

The report adds that the judges across the cases have condemned Googles actions. Judge Leonie Brinkema, presiding over the DoJs case in Virginia, stated that the company's document retention practices were not the way a responsible corporate entity should function and suggested that an awful lot of evidence has likely been destroyed.

The Justice Department has requested sanctions against Google, including a presumption that missing evidence would have been unfavourable to the company.

Reportedly, Google has defended its practices, stating that it takes its legal obligations seriously and educates employees about legal privilege. A spokesperson claimed the company has cooperated with litigation for years, but critics argue its approach was excessively cautious to the point of undermining transparency.

Also Read | Marital Rape to Google Antitrust: High profile cases under 51st CJI Khanna

As per the publication, this issue is not unique to Google. In other cases, companies like Amazon and supermarket chain Albertsons have faced similar accusations of deleting communications in defiance of legal preservation requirements. However, Google has faced the harshest criticism due to its scale and influence.

Legal experts warn that Googles practices could backfire, creating an impression of guilt. Agnieszka McPeak, a law professor at Gonzaga University, remarked that Googles top-down policy of not saving anything that could make it look bad ironically casts the company in a negative light.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has taken several decisive steps to tackle the ongoing issue of spam calls and SMS, reporting significant progress in reducing complaints and enhancing message traceability.

In a move to clamp down on unauthorised promotional calls, TRAI issued directives on 13th August 2024 mandating stringent actions against violators. Penalties include disconnection of telecom resources, blacklisting for up to two years, and bans on new resource allocations during this period.

As per the regulatory body, these measures have shown promising results, with complaints about spam calls reducing steadily. Access Providers reported 1.89 lakh complaints in August 2024, which dropped to 1.63 lakh in September (a 13 per cent reduction) and further to 1.51 lakh in October (a 20 per cent reduction from August).

Also Read | Telecom firms ask govt to do away with fees on AGR

To improve the traceability of promotional messages, TRAI implemented a new directive on 20th August 2024, requiring that all message trails from senders to recipients be trackable by 1st November 2024. While technical solutions have been introduced by Access Providers, an extension until 30th November 2024 has been granted to allow for upgrades and chain declarations by Principal Entities (PEs) and Registered Telemarketers (RTMs).

Moreover, the TRAI stated in a release that awareness initiatives have been launched to educate stakeholders on these measures. Webinars have been organised in partnership with major telecom operators, such as Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea, involving over 1,800 participants from government bodies, financial regulators, and other sectors. Another webinar, scheduled for 25th November 2024 in collaboration with Tata Teleservices, will involve representatives from organisations including Nasscom and the Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment.
D'Myunn's mother, his four siblings and his father, Antoine Amour, celebrate his life each year on November 21st.

For them it's a time to come together and remember what made their son special.
Former US President Donald Trump leaves the courtroom at the end of the day's proceedings in his criminal trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 14 in New York City.
Taoiseach Simon Harris visited county Longford on Tuesday and vowed to prioritise the regeneration of Longford town, education and additional Gardai.



The Fine Gael leader, who was on the campaign trail in the Midlands and west alongside Senator Micheal Carrigy, was given a warm welcome by staff and pupils at Templemichael College.



Mr Harris told the students during an assembly that they could do anything they put their minds to in their future careers.



Longford's multi-million euro regeneration blueprint is progressing with plans being developed for the former military barracks and moving the library there is one possible option.

PICTURES | Large crowd attends Longford rally showing solidarity with people of Gaza and Palestine



Longford town is also set to benefit from funding of over 199,000 from THRIVE, for development of the former Connolly Barracks, which closed in 2009 and Mr Harris insisted regeneration of Longford town is a key objective.



"It will be a big priority and I've been working very closely with Senator Micheal Carrigy on this," Mr Harris said.



Last June, Longford 2040: A Town Centre First Strategy, an ambitious plan that sets out a pathway for the revival and revitalisation of Longford Town, was launched and Mr Harris referred to that.

Also read: Twenty candidates in Longford-Westmeath set to battle it out for five Dail seats



"I'm delighted we now have a Longford 2040 plan and I know that there are a number of really important aspects in terms of how we can regenerate the town," he said.



The Taoiseach also stated the Department of Rural and Community Development will be vitally important.

"What I would say to people in Longford is a couple of things, it's really important that we keep the Department of Rural and Community Development and are fully committed to that in Fine Gael because that is the department that I think will help provide a lot of the significant funding that will be needed," he said.

Also read: Longford-Westmeath constituency profile: What you need to know #longfordwestmeathelection2024

"I know that Micheal Carrigy has been working very strongly on the issue of the Family Resource Centre, I am fully committed to that. If my party is back in Government we will deliver that Family Resource Centre."



The Taoiseach met students in their art class, other youngsters learning Spanish and he engaged with young people during woodwork class.



He stated he also wanted to look at the opportunity of getting a third level presence in county Longford and he has started conversations with the Technological University of the Shannon "about how they can provide more educational opportunities in Longford".



Mr Harris also stated he is told regularly by people in Longford about the importance of Garda numbers and they will open a new Garda college and further increase the Garda training allowance.

Also read: Santa Claus to light up Longford town for Christmas



"There has to be (more guards) and I know it's a very big issue and we obviously have the Community Safety Partnership now."



Mr Harris said he is 'cautiously optimistic' about Senator Micheal Carrigy chances of taking a seat in the General Election on November 29 and he appealed to the people of Longford to vote for him.

Also read: Longford woman appointed as Business Advisory Director with RBK



"I really want him on my team, he shares my values, we both have a similar background in terms of our passion around autism and we are both influenced by our family experience," he said.
The start of a multi-million euro upgrade at St Josephs Care Centre campus on the Dublin Road in Longford town has been welcomed by General Election candidates, Deputy Joe Flaherty and Senator Micheal Carrigy.



The project by GEM Construction will provide a new state of the art 43 bed unit care facility over a 30 month build period and 'crucially', Deputy Flaherty commented, "the works will also include a 2nd palliative care bed for the county."

The Fianna Fail TD welcomed the start of the work and also confirmed that plans for the refurbishment of the county clinic are also progressing.



He explained: This will provide for the expansion of existing services including dental, orthodontic, MRHM and paediatric, gynae and surgical clinics. This aspect of the project is currently at appraisal stage but will be a significant step forward for local health care and all the time we continue working towards a minor injury unit for the county also on the St Josephs campus.

Also Read: Longford man fails in appeal against no insurance and driving disqualification conviction

Deputy Flaherty also provided an update on the planned primary care centre for Edgeworthstown and said that the HSE are finalising for the delivery of a primary care centre through a private developer.



In relation to the further healthcare projects in Co Longford, he said plans are also advancing for the replacement of the existing Ashford House support hostel for the community based care for mental health patients. Plans are in place for a new nine bed state of the art support hostel on a new site in Longford town.



Describing it as a significant investment in Longfords healthcare infrastructure, Senator Carrigy remarked, It is fantastic to see this critical work beginning and even more encouraging that local company, Gem Construction, has secured the contract. This not only marks a major step forward for healthcare in Longford but is also a great boost for our local economy and community."



Fine Gael Senator Carrigy also highlighted the unwavering efforts of Cllr Peggy Nolan, who has long championed the expansion of facilities at the centre.



Cllr Nolan's advocacy has led to an increase in palliative care beds for Longford, ensuring that our communitys needs are better met, he said.

Also Read: ALERT: Recall issued on popular children's product amid choking fears

The development includes a major 43-bed expansion, building on the multi-million euro refurbishment announced by then-Minister for Health Simon Harris TD in 2017.



Senator Carrigy emphasised that this investment strengthens the potential for further healthcare services to be established at the Dublin Road site, enhancing care and support for the entire community.



This is a milestone for Longfords healthcare services and a testament to what can be achieved through dedication and investment, concluded Senator Carrigy.
A snow map shows when and where snow accumulations could occur in Ireland this week as Ireland is gripped by a -4 degree cold snap from the Arctic.

Met Eireann have already issued a series of weather warnings for different parts of the country for Wednesday and Thursday.

Met Eireann is warning that 'significant snowfall accumulations' can be expected across five counties in Munster this Wednesday night as the first cold snap of the winter continues.

The forecaster has upgraded an earlier status yellow snow/ice warning for Munster and says heavy snowfall is now likely overnight and early on Thursday morning.

The status orange warning for Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, Clare and Waterford is due to come into effect from midnight tonight and will remain valid until midday on Thursday.

You can select snow settings on the top right of the map below to see where might get snow:

Local authority crews and emergency personnel have been placed on standby and Met Eireann says potential impacts include "very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption, disruption and delays to public transport, difficult conditions underfoot and animal welfare issues".

READ NEXT: Met Eireann warns of 'significant snowfall accumulations' in FIVE counties

Motorists in the five counties are being advised not to make any unnecessary journeys while the warning is in place and early-morning commuters are being urged to exercise caution.

It's unclear, at this stage, if schools will be impacted by the status orange warning.

A separate status yellow Snow-Ice warning for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow, Munster, Galway is due to come into effect at 9pm this Wednesday.

That warning will remain valid until midday on Thursday.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: November 20 2024

Thanks to HFLI, these 46 Veterans took a free, early-morning Southwest flight from MacArthur Airport to Washington, D.C.

American Airpower Museum is proud to host the Honor Flight Long Island Reunion on December 14th, reuniting 46 Veterans who took a free Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. on October 5, 2024. These Long Island heroes visited their military memorials, commiserated with fellow Veterans and exchanged stories. Honor Flights mission is to honor fellow Long Islanders who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, by providing all-expense paid one-day trips to D.C. for our Veterans.

Thanks to HFLI, these 46 Veterans took a free, early-morning Southwest flight from MacArthur Airport to Washington, D.C. Veterans, their Guardians and Honor Flight officials visited World War II, Korean War and Vietnam Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery for a Changing of the Guard, the Air Force Memorial and Iwo Jima Memorial. They returned to MacArthur later that evening for a rousing welcome home by the Saffron United Pipe Band, plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family, friends and supporters!

According to Bill Jones, HFLI President, West Point 1972 Graduate and U.S. Army Veteran, This special flight included 43 Vietnam War Veterans who received long overdue recognition and thanks for their service, Jones said. They were accompanied by elder comrades, three Korean War Veterans. What this flight really represented was a Big Hug to all our Veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters, who make such flights possible, Jones added. Editors: See Excel file  Oct 5 Vets for Rob  for background on the Veterans and/or contact Bill Jones for additional comments at (631) 276-8825 or ddbeach5@gmail.com.

On December 14th the reunion runs from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at AAMs Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY. Admission for the Veterans, their Guardians and families, is free. The public can attend FREE OF CHARGE if they arrive between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m . For more details call (631) 293-6398, Wednesday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or go to www.americanairpowermuseum.org.

Come and cheer these Veterans during the Ceremony of Honors, as they receive personalized Tribute Journals full of photos taken during their D.C. trip. This great patriotic event includes speeches by HFLI President Bill Jones and AAM President and Founder Jeff Clyman. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will play a popular patriotic medley known as the Armed Forces Salute, featuring the six official musical themes of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard. Free refreshments for all provided by HFLI.

HFLI is accepting applications from Veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Long Island Veterans are encouraged to sign up by going to the HFLI website, www.honorflightlongisland.org. Its important to submit an application, as that will guarantee placement on the list. Veterans fly for free, thanks to donations from across Long Island. They are accompanied by Guardians, able-bodied volunteers who donate $400 (tax deductible) to offset their travel costs. If there is no family member or friend to act as Guardian, HFLI has volunteers ready to step up for the privilege of escorting our heroes to their memorials. Questions? Call Jamie Bowden at (631) 702-2423 or JBowden@southamptontownny.gov .

About Honor Flight Network

The Honor Flight Network was formed in 2005 with a mission of honoring our nations WWII Veterans by flying them to visit the Washington, D.C. WWII Memorial dedicated in 2004. The Honor Flight Network is currently comprised of over 130 hubs throughout the country dedicated to carrying out the Honor Flight mission. In addition to WWII Veterans, the organization now transports those who served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, later conflicts and in special cases of terminal illness or injury, Veterans from more recent service eras. Since 2005, the Honor Flight Network has taken more than 250,000 Veterans to Washington, D.C. Since 2007, Honor Flight Long Island has flown over 1,900 Veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit their military memorials. For more information, visit honorflight.org.

The American Airpower Museum is an aviation museum located on the landmarked former site of Republic Aviation at Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY. The Museum maintains a collection of aviation artifacts and an array of operational aircraft spanning the many years of the aircraft factory's history. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Educational Foundation Chartered by the New York State Board of Regents.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: November 20 2024

Juan Chuquimarca Guzman Allegedly Uploaded Over 4,000 Videos and Images of Child Sexual Abuse to a Cloud Service.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Juan Chuquimarca Guzman, 20, of Shelter Island, was indicted for Promoting and Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, for allegedly uploading videos and images of child sexual abuse to a cloud service.

The exploitation of children is among the most serious crimes we prosecute. Uploading these materials encourages further violent sexual assaults of children, said District Attorney Tierney. Anyone engaging in these activities will face serious consequences. We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to bring offenders to justice.

According to the investigation, in August 2024, the New York State Police received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding an individual that was allegedly uploading child sexual abuse material to a cloud service. Investigators from the New York State Police responded to the defendants home and spoke with Guzman, who consented to a download of his phone.

Upon digital forensic analysis, child sexual abuse material was allegedly discovered on Guzmans phone, and it was revealed that Guzman had allegedly uploaded over 4,000 videos and images of child sexual abuse to a cloud service. Further analysis revealed that Guzman had allegedly exchanged some of the videos and images with other users of a messaging application.

On November 18, 2024, Guzman was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis, for 21 counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, Class D felonies, and 20 counts of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, Class E felonies.

Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child is a bail-eligible offense, meaning that prosecutors are permitted to request that a defendant be held on bail. Here, in response to the District Attorneys request, Justice Wilutis ordered Guzman held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond or $10,000,000 partially secured bond. Guzman is being represented by Kevin Gilvary, Esq. His next court date is December 12, 2024.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Zachary Kelly of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Investigator Ryan Delaney of the New York State Police.

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Gazas Netzarim Corridor on November 19. (Maayan Toaf/Israel Government Press Office)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Israel Katz visited the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza on November 19. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) took control of the corridor in November 2023, when its ground offensive cut off Gaza City from central Gaza. The trip by Netanyahu and Israels new defense minister spotlights how secure this area has become after a year in which the IDF has worked to solidify its control.

Accompanying Netanyahu and Katz were IDF Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi and Ronen Bar, director of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). Israeli media reported that Bar recently traveled to Turkey in the wake of reports Hamas leaders had moved there after leaving Qatar. According to The Times of Israel, he was in Turkey to discuss restarting hostage-deal talks.

During his visit to the Netzarim Corridor, Netanyahu was briefed by the head of IDF Southern Command, Major General Yaron Finkelman, and the commander of the IDFs 99th Division, Yoav Broner. The 99th Division is one of several divisions that have rotated in and out of the corridor every several months. The IDF controls Netzarim with a division that usually includes one reserve armored brigade and one reserve infantry brigade. Netanyahu and Katz both spoke with the reserve brigade commanders in the corridor. Hamas will not rule in Gaza, Netanyahu said. We are eliminating its military capabilities in very impressive fashion. We are moving on to its governing abilities, and we are not yet done. Hamas will not be in Gaza.

The Israeli leader also vowed to locate and bring back the 101 hostages still held in Gaza. Some of these individuals have been killed since October 7, 2023, but Israel describes both the living and dead as hostages. I want to say to those who are holding our hostages: Whoever dares to harm our hostageswill pay the price. We will pursue you and we will find you, Netanyahu said. He offered a $5 million reward for each hostage turned over by Gazans.

The relative security of the corridor that enabled the prime ministers visit reflects the current pace of Israels operations, which have transitioned to a low-intensity conflict recently in most of Gaza. The IDF is only carrying out major operations in northern Gaza. In Jabaliya, the IDFs 162nd Division has eliminated more than 1,000 terrorists and detained around 1,000 suspected terrorists since early October. However, Hamas and other terrorist groups continue to kill Israeli soldiers. Two soldiers from the Kfir Brigade were killed in northern Gaza, according to IDF statements on November 16 and November 20. Another soldier from the Givati Brigade was severely injured, the IDF said on November 20.

The IDF said that the Kfir Brigades combat team has been operating around Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza. I drove near this area earlier this month with Israeli forces during a trip to Jabaliya, and it appeared relatively quiet. Nevertheless, combat there is still ongoing. The troops eliminated dozens of terrorists in close-quarters encounters and through targeted strikes. Additionally, the troops uncovered underground tunnel shafts and located large stockpiles of weapons, the IDF said. The IDF noted that seven soldiers have fallen in combat in the area in the last two weeks.

During a visit to Jabaliya, the head of the Israeli Air Force, Major General Tomer Bar, emphasized the close cooperation between air and ground forces. Bar met with Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, head of the 162nd Division, and Colonel Liron Batito, commander of the Givati Brigade.

For over a year, we have been fighting across the entirety of Gaza, constantly supported by the personnel of the Israeli Air Force from above. Together, weve learned how to complete operational tasks effectively, powerfully strike the enemy, and dominate every area we reach, Cohen said. He noted the close air support Israeli tanks and infantry have had in Jabaliya. Jabaliya is a complex urban environment with a built-up area around a refugee camp and multi-story buildings that spill out over hills northeast of Gaza City. It has taken the IDF a month and a half to clear Jabaliya of Hamas.

The IDF is conducting additional operations in Gaza and announced on November 16 that it had carried strikes on terror targets without specifying how many. In one strike announced on November 15, the Israeli Air Force eliminated Alkaman Abd as-Salam Khalil Anbar, who it said was responsible for fire support in the Islamic Jihads Gaza City Brigade. He was eliminated alongside other Islamic Jihad terrorists who fired rockets toward the State of Israel and IDF troops.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
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A new cocktail bar and lounge has opened in a former police precinct in Boston.

D16 Lounge & Bar, which officially opened Wednesday, Nov. 20, is located in the basement of Dillions at 955 Boylston St. in Back Bay.

The lounge is named after Division 16 of the Boston Police Department, which operated out of the address from 1887 to 1976, according to a press release.

The space was later acquired by the Institute of Contemporary Art and then by Boston Architectural College.

People can access D16 by walking down a staircase in Dillions or through the alleyway between the restaurant and neighboring fire station.

The space leans into its police roots with custom artwork featuring mugshots of criminals and paintings of officers with dogs.

However, the focal point of the lounge is the 27-foot bar with a built-in clock, brass details and high-top seating.

Guests can also grab a table or lounge on couches in the center of the room. D16 will also be available for private events.

The bars cocktails play into the historic roots of the space with names such as Code 99, Kids Got Moxie and Tidal Bay (Back Bays original name). Several cocktails are smoked inside a box for added taste and effect.

Food service is available throughout the space. D16s menu features American-inspired small bites, including scallops and bacon, nori tacos, croquettes and frozen apple crisp.

D16 is open from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Food service ends at 11 p.m.
Republicans at Boston College have been experiencing hate speech and intimidation on social media and on campus following former Donald Trumps presidential win, according to an op-ed published by the Boston College Republicans Executive Board.

We will no longer sit idly by while unhinged people openly defame the character of students who voted for President Trump. This intimidation and hate speech should not be tolerated and we call upon all students, faculty, and staff to reflect on their harmful words, the Boston College Republicans board wrote.

The board is calling for unity in the Boston College community through respectful political discussion instead of shutting out each other and dehumanizing those who disagree.

A lack of discussion across the aisle leads directly to this sort of animosity, and we believe it is the responsibility of political groups on campus to work alongside the faculty and staff to foster respectful interactions, the board wrote.

The students have been told that they condone rape, sexism, racism, and every other ism in the English dictionary, according to the article.

In a subsequent letter to the editor, author Robin Lee pushed back on the group, claiming they have also allowed hatred on campus.

BC Republicans statement merely reflects the groups unpopularity on campus, that they have lost in the free marketplace of ideas. It does not prove that conservative students have been bullied and harassed for their beliefs on a widespread scale, Lee wrote.

Boston College had no complaints from the Boston College Republicans or any other student group about students feeling targeted following the election, according to Jack Dunn, the colleges spokesperson. The dean of students reached out to the group and expect to meet before the end of the semester, Dunn said.

Boston College Republicans and Robin Lee didnt immediately respond to comment.

The Boston College Republicans have demonstrated incivility toward marginalized groups and ignorance of their position on campus, according to Lee.

Lee pointed to the group bringing hateful guest speakers to campus such as conservative political commentator Andrew Klavan and American political scientist Hadley Arkes.

Of course, merely harboring hateful voices doesnt necessarily implicate BC Republicans in that hatred. But it does call into question the legitimacy of a statement like we call upon all students, faculty, and staff to reflect on their harmful words, Lee wrote.
Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this week, noting financial struggles partially driven by lower operating revenue and higher operating expenses.

The company entered into a restructuring agreement on Nov. 18 after the air carrier failed to renegotiate its debt, The New York Times reported.

As part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy agreement, the companys bondholders committed $350 million in equity investment and $300 million in debtor-in-possession financing to keep the airline afloat during the restructuring.

Read more: FAA bans flights to Haiti after gunfire hits Spirit Airlines plane

Spirit said in a statement, it expects to continue its flights and continue booking throughout the Chapter 11 process.

Customers can still book, fly, and accrue frequent flyer miles as usual.

The companys struggles, which have only increased in recent years, started several years ago shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spirit has not reported an annual profit since 2019, and it has lost more than $2 billion since 2020, according to the Times.

Spirit estimated a $61 million decrease in operating revenue in Q3, 2024 compared with Q3, 2023, according to an earnings release.

The company said these cost increases are primarily due to lower average yields, including the negative impact from the Company no longer charging for change and cancellation fees.

Operating expenses are estimated to have increased by approximately $46 million from the same time last year, while adjusted operating expenses are estimated to have increased by $52 million from last year.

The company took another hit after a federal judge barred a planned merger with JetBlue Airways earlier this year.

The judge banned the merger back in January, arguing it would reduce competition in the airline business and that smaller, inexpensive airlines like Spirit would hurt consumers seeking reduced fares, the Times reported.

JetBlue and Spirit believed the merger would have been worth pursuing as it would have unleashed a national low-fare, high-value competitor, JetBlue CEO, Joanna Geraghty said in a March release.

Instead, it ended with JetBlue paying the company $69 million and cutting all ties to the transaction.
One person is dead, and another is displaced after a fire swept through a condominium in Leominster in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Fire crews got their first call of the blaze at 78 Meadow Pond Drive at 1:59 a.m., Jake Wark, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, told MassLive.

When they got there, they found a fire in the living room of one unit, and a badly injured man in his late 60s, whom officials said had limited mobility.

The older adult, whose identity has not been released, was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

Firefighters from the Leominster Fire Department quickly brought the fire under control, officials said in their statement.

An unidentified person living in the same unit was displaced because of the fire, Wark told MassLive.

The fire is being investigated by first responders and officials, the department said.

There was evidence of smoking materials and home oxygen equipment in the condo, the department said.

This is the second fatal fire in less than a week where investigators found home oxygen equipment, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said in a statement. Theres no truly safe way to smoke, but smoking around medical oxygen is especially dangerous. Oxygen will allow any fire to spread faster and burn hotter. If you or a loved one use home oxygen, please dont smoke.

MassLive Politics Editor John L. Micek contributed to this story.
The bail amount for a Haitian man charged with raping a teenage girl at a Comfort Inn in Rockland will not be decreased, a Supreme Judicial Court justice ruled.

On Friday, Associate Justice Serge Georges Jr. denied the petition set by the lawyers of Cory Alvarez, 26, to have his $150,000 bail decreased down to $500, according to Plymouth Country District Attorney Tim Cruzs office in a statement.

Alvarez, of Haiti, was charged with one count each of aggravated rape of a child with a 10-year age difference, and rape of a child by force, Cruzs office said in a previous statement. Alvarez was indicted on those charges earlier in May, moving his case to superior court.

After hearing, I find that the judge did not abuse her discretion in determining that this high amount is necessary to assure the defendants appearance at trial, Georges said in a statement. ...The defendant is subject to an imminent deportation order, which he[has] not challenged in any way, and it appears that if he is released on bail, he will be promptly removed from this country by federal authorities. In these circumstances, the judge properly found it necessary to detain him until trial by setting bail in a higher than affordable amount.

Prosecutors requested an increase of Alvarezs initial bail to $500 after learning of the intent of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities to deport Alvarez to Haiti before the resolution of his pending criminal case, Cruzs office said.

On Aug. 13, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Boston Field Office took Alvarez into custody and hes been held in an ICE unit within the Plymouth County House of Corrections since.

We will continue on with the prosecution of this case, most importantly to seek justice on behalf of the child victim, but also to ensure that both the victim and Alvarez have their day in court, Cruz said in his statement.
Authorities have identified the suspected gunman who police said is involved in a drive-by shooting in Hartford, Connecticut that killed a Massachusetts mother and her 4-month-old baby Tuesday afternoon.

Lance Macho Morales, 23, who lived in Waterbury, is suspected of opening fire at a vehicle near 380 New Britain Ave. a little before 2:47 p.m., according to Hartford police.

Hartford police said that someone dropped the victims off at Hartford Hospital.

Three people were hurt, police said. Jessiah Mercado, 20, and her 4-month-old son, Messiah Diaz, both of Springfield, were pronounced dead at the hospital.

A man in his 20s  who was unidentified  was hurt from a non-deadly gunshot wound, police said. The driver of the vehicle was unharmed.

After the shooting, Morales left in a white Infiniti Q-70 with a Massachusetts license plate 3NEB35. He may also have other vehicles.

Police said during a press conference on Wednesday that Morales was involved in a dispute over a vehicle, which led to the killings.
A man who was convicted of first-degree murder for acting as the driver in a fatal shooting in Mattapan in 2018 had his conviction thrown out by the Supreme Judicial Court on Wednesday.

The man, Dewane Tse, of Providence, Rhode Island, was sentenced to life in prison in 2022 for his role in the fatal shooting of Yashua Amado in Bostons Mattapan neighborhood in August 2018. On Aug. 14, 2018, around 10 a.m. a car driven by Tse parked on a side street in Mattapan.

The shooter, who has yet to be identified, exited the car and approached Amado, 29, and two friends, who were sitting in a parked car on the side street. The gunman opened fire through the drivers side window and windshield, killing Amado and wounding his friends.

But the Supreme Judicial Court, in a unanimous opinion authored by Associate Justice Scott L. Kafker, found there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knew of or shared his alleged coventurers intent.

Surveillance video from the area showed Tse was not the killer  he weighed more than 300 pounds at the time of his arrest. A Boston Police detective testified the shooter was not obese.

On the morning of the shooting, a rented GMC Acadia being driven by Tse was seen following a red Lexus driven by Amado around Mattapan for roughly 13 minutes leading up to shots being fired.

In making its decision, the court assumed Tse was, as prosecutors say, the driver of the GMC. But it disagreed with the prosecutions theory that the way the Acadia was maneuvered ... before and after the shooting is sufficient evidence that the defendant knew of and shared the unidentified shooters lethal intent.

That theory relies on a chain of speculative assertions, the decision reads.

In overturning Tses conviction, justices relied on a decision made earlier this year in a similar case involving a man accused of acting as a getaway driver for a fatal shooting. In that case, prosecutors similarly relied on the drivers maneuvering of the car before and after the shooting.

But justices determined in that case  and in Tses  that such maneuvering, without more, was [not] sufficient to establish beyond a reasonable doubt the knowledge and shared lethal intent required to convict the defendant of murder in the first degree.

In Tses case, justices found the prosecutions leap from his inferred intent to cause harm and his inferred intent to cause lethal harm was not supported by the evidence.

Tse was also convicted of two counts of armed assault to murder for the wounding of the two other men inside the car with Amado. But for the same reasons the court found his murder conviction could not stand, they determined those convictions must also be thrown out.

The case was sent back to Suffolk Superior Court with an order that Tse must be found not guilty. Tse is still an inmate at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center.

In a brief statement, a spokesperson for Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden, whose office prosecuted Tse, said our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
A Massachusetts State Police trooper who served as the commander of the detective unit that investigated Karen Read was stripped of six vacation days for failing to properly supervise members of the unit.

Detective Lieutenant Brian Tully failed to take proper corrective action when unprofessional text messages sent by a member of the unit, Trooper Michael Proctor, came to light. Proctor, the lead investigator in the Read case, called Read a whack job and said he hoped she killed herself.

In October, Tully was transferred out of his position overseeing the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Norfolk County District Attorneys office.

Tully was also disciplined for not recommending remedial action or discipline for inefficient, incompetent, or unsuitable employees. Instead, State Police say he gave praise to several troopers in the Employee Evaluation System despite evidence to the contrary. Tully also failed to document negative performance" of troopers in the unit.

The order stripping Tully of six vacation days comes at the close of an internal affairs investigation into his conduct. Another trooper in the unit, Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik, lost five days of accrued leave after an internal affairs investigation into his conduct.

Bukhenik was similarly disciplined for failing to properly supervise Proctor.

Read, 44, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death in the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe. Prosecutors say she drunkenly hit OKeefe with her SUV and left him to die in a snowbank after dropping him off outside a Canton home.

Reads defense has argued she is the victim of a law enforcement conspiracy and that OKeefe was fatally beaten inside the home before his body was dumped outside.
U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch got straight to the point this week about the potential home turf impact of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. helming the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.

Having Robert Kennedy there gives me great concern, given some of his positions and earlier statements, Lynch, D-8th District, told a gathering of business leaders in Boston on Monday.

Kennedy, who mounted an independent White House bid before dropping out in August and throwing his support to President-elect Donald Trump, is well-known as a vaccine skeptic.

And he holds other views that have alarmed health care experts.

Trump tapped Kennedy last week to lead the federal agency, which has oversight of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the Food & Drug Administration, among other influential offices.

Lynch, who addressed the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, said he fears that federal funding for the Bay State could dry up, dealing a body blow to the health care and research facilities that power the regions economy.

If there is a retrenchment of the rule of law, or [the] abandonment of peer review or hard science in the area of health care. It would be extremely harmful to our area, the Greater Boston area, Lynch told the crowd at the Intercontinental Hotel on the edge of the citys Seaport district.

Lynch isnt the only one.

I have concerns about it, obviously, based on the positions hes taken, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said last week after an appearance at the John F. Kennedy Library, NBC-10 in Boston reported.

Sign up right here for MassLives new politics newsletter, Bay State Briefing  Your weekly round-up of Massachusetts political news and the people and policies driving those stories for MassLives new politics newsletter, Your weekly round-up of Massachusetts political news and the people and policies driving those stories

U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-3rd District, who won reelection to her House leadership post on Tuesday, said she had great concerns for someone who has shown complete disregard for public health.

Taking to X, U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District, shared a graphic showing the near-total efficacy rates of various vaccines, then dryly reposted Kennedys observation that Theres no vaccine that is safe & effective.

Kennedys nomination isnt a done deal. Hell still have to win confirmation in the U.S. Senate, where Republicans are set to take control early next year.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who sits on the Senate Finance Committees healthcare subcommittee, said shell have a lot of questions for Kennedy.

RFK Jr. poses a danger to public health, scientific research, medicine, and health care coverage for millions, Warren posted to X last week. He wants to stop parents from protecting their babies from measles and his ideas would welcome the return of polio.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, whod also be called on the cast a confirmation ballot, similarly isnt a fan.

Dangerous. Unqualified. Unserious, Markey posted to X.

Speaking to Fox News last week, incoming U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Kennedy and other Trump administration cabinet appointees deserve a process.

They are nominees that the president has made, put forward, and you know, the Senate has the the role of advice and consent under the Constitution, so they deserve a hearing and well proceed accordingly, Thune told Fox host Brett Baier.

Thune left open the prospect of allowing so-called recess appointments, which would bypass Senate confirmation.

While he hoped to do this the regular way, Thune told Baier that Republicans are " not taking any options off the table."

In his appearance before business leaders on Monday, Lynch reflected on another Kennedys support for health care research, the late U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass.

Ironically, I remember Ted Kennedys last active session, we were able to pass an NIH funding bill, the largest funding bill for research at the National Institutes of Health, Lynch said, according to State House News Service.

Lynch said the Boston area received between 30% and 40% of that bills $9 billion allocation, because of the quantity of research institutes in the area, the wire service reported.

Of course, if we thought the appointees of the administration were hostile to the rule of law and hard science, and preserving those institutions, that would require relentless resistance to that agenda, to preserve the integrity of those institutions whenever possible, Lynch said.
SPRINGFIELD  Ambulance provider American Medical Response said its employees are planning to strike on Sunday, but not over wages: Theyre seeking to avoid crossing any union-related picket lines while on rescue calls.

At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Patrick Leonardo, the regional director of AMR in Springfield, said the companys proposed contract goes beyond meeting expectations, and includes a 35% overall pay increase, higher entry-level pay, ratification bonuses, health benefits, enhanced retirement benefits and increased holiday pay. AMR has contracts in Springfield and Greenfield.
Bard College at Simons Rock in Great Barrington will close due to declining enrollment and a competitive free public early college market, according to a Tuesday announcement.

Bard Academy, a two-year ninth and 10th grade high school, is also closing.

Departing from our beloved Great Barrington campus is heartbreaking, said John B. Weinstein, the college and academys provost and vice president.

It is full of memories for so many people. But this move is the only course of action for the school to preserve the viability of a residential early college experience in an unpredictable time for institutions of higher education nationwide, Weinstein later added.

The institutions will relocate to Bard Colleges Massena Campus near Bard Colleges main campus in New York and will be open to students in the fall of 2025, according to the colleges statement.

The college is unique, as it is designed for younger students who typically skip the last year or two of high school and dont have to have a high school diploma, according to the colleges website.

The announcement comes after Eastern Nazarene College, a private liberal arts college in Quincy, announced in June it will close due to financial issues.

Financial and other institutional challenges have plagued higher education of late. From 2014 to 2022, 24 colleges and universities in the Commonwealth closed, merged or wound down operations, according to the state Department of Higher Education.

Nationwide, 605 private postsecondary institutions closed or merged from 2014 to 2020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

There are 281 students and 238 employees at Bard College of Simons Rock and Bard Academy, a college spokesperson said.

Students will be able to continue their degree with existing financial aid packages at the new campus or transfer to other institutions, according to the colleges website.

The institution will help students who dont want to or cant move to New York, Weinstein said.

Most employees with Simons Rock will end on June 30, 2025, with some positions extending beyond the date to close the campus and support summer programming, according to the institution. Employees will be notified early in the new year.

Positions wont be transferred to Bard but Simons Rock employees will receive first notification about available new positions for faculty and staff at the new campus, which they will have to apply for, according to the institution. Most positions will be posted by Jan. 31, 2025, the institution said.

Those positions could begin as soon as July 1, 2025 but they will also be posted publicly.

With the future unknown for many staff and faculty, more than 200 people have signed a petition to reinstate faculty contracts at the relocated campus.

The Bard campus in Great Barrington has been there for 60 years and has graduated more than 6,000 students, according to Weinstein.

During that time, the school has come under public attention.

In 1992, there was a mass school shooting where a student shot and killed a professor and student and several others were wounded. After his gun jammed, Wayne Lo, an 18-year-old sophomore, surrendered to police, according to The Republican.

The college also has come under scrutiny after students held a sit-in last year to protest what they said was a culture of sexual violence. Also, a trial is moving forward about a student who died by suicide at the school in 2016, according to The Berkshire Eagle.
A Springfield mother and her infant son died after they were shot in a car during a drive-by shooting Tuesday in Hartford, Connecticut, police said.

Hartford police said they went to Hartford Hospital around 2:47 p.m. after they got a call about a vehicle dropping off several people who had been shot.

Three people were hurt, police said. Jessiah Mercado, 20, and her 4-month-old son, Messiah Diaz, both of Springfield, were pronounced dead at the hospital.

A man in his 20s  who was unidentified  was hurt from a non-deadly gunshot wound, police said. The driver of the vehicle was unharmed.

The shooting happened a few moments earlier near 380 New Britain Ave. after the suspect pulled up in a vehicle and opened fire.

Horrible, absolutely horrible, Hartford Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert told NBC Boston. Its all I can say about that.

Hartford Police said they are investigating this incident.
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Senator Lisa Chambers, Fianna Fail General Election candidate in Mayo, has welcomed her partys commitment to revitalising smaller towns and rural communities as outlined in the Fianna Fail election manifesto. Having long advocated for targeted investment in towns like Swinford, Ballyhaunis, Kiltimagh, and Charlestown, Senator Chambers is pleased to see these proposals as part of a broader strategy to address dereliction, economic stagnation, and infrastructure deficits in rural areas.

I have consistently called for a renewed focus on smaller towns in Mayo, which are at the heart of our local communities. These towns have faced significant challenges, from vacant buildings and dereliction to a lack of targeted investment, said Senator Chambers. Fianna Fails commitment to re-establishing the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is a vital step forward in driving coordinated support for these communities.

The Fianna Fail manifesto outlines a comprehensive plan for rural regeneration and development, including:

- Establishing a Rural Communities Initiative to coordinate community development and town-centre rejuvenation through a dedicated Development Office funded by an expanded Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

- Rolling out and funding Town Centre First plans for all towns.

- Introducing a new Towns Investment Fund of 2 billion to support infrastructure upgrades, public parks, pitches, and redevelopment of town centres.

- Supporting remote workers through the Connected Hub Voucher Scheme.

- Continuing to support the Post Office network and prioritising the relocation of State agencies to rural towns.

- Increasing funding for Local Improvement Schemes (LIS), CLAR, and the Town and Village Renewal schemes.

- Working at EU level to secure additional LEADER funding under the next CAP.

- Introducing an Islands Infrastructure Fund to support island communities on a multi-annual basis.

- Ensuring all towns, including smaller ones, have equitable access to national infrastructure funding.

Senator Chambers believes that the inclusion of these measures will address the specific challenges faced by smaller towns in Mayo and create opportunities for growth and development.

For towns like Swinford, Ballyhaunis, Kiltimagh, and Charlestown, these measures represent a chance to tackle long-standing issues such as dereliction and economic stagnation. The proposed 2 billion Towns Investment Fund will play a critical role in unlocking the potential of these areas by upgrading infrastructure and providing funding for redevelopment, she explained.

Empty and derelict buildings are more than just an eyesore; they hinder economic growth and discourage businesses and tourism. Fianna Fails plan prioritises tackling dereliction while fostering vibrant town centres that support local businesses and communities, added Senator Chambers.

Senator Chambers remains committed to advocating for the needs of Mayos smaller towns and ensuring that they receive the attention and resources required to thrive.

Revitalising our towns is not just about funding but about creating a brighter future for communities across Mayo, she concluded.
A COMMUNITY group that is advocating for a greenway to Louisburgh and Roonagh has called on the local representatives not to jeopardise the completion of the Clew Bay Greenway loop.

A number of signs have recently been erected in the Louisburgh area calling on communities  including Lecanvey, Louisburgh and the islands  to support a Clew Bay Greenway.

The future plan for the Great Western Greenway is to extend it from Westport to Roonagh and onto Inishturk and Clare Island to create a loop around the whole of Clew Bay.

The latest stage of the greenways development involves the extension from Westport to Murrisk, the preferred route has proven contentious.

A group involving concerned citizens from around Louisburgh was formed in August to highlight local issues, with the extension of the greenway to Louisburgh described as the hottest issue for local people.

As a result of consultations with local communities, including the communities of Inishturk and Clare Island, the group, which comprised of over a dozen people, has started a campaign to ensure the greenway to Louisburgh is not lost.

Our mission was to raise awareness of this very important project that was deemed essential not just to Louisburgh but to the islands in Clew Bay and the entire circuit, group member Brendan Sammon told The Mayo News.

Mr Sammon, Eamon OMalley, John Joe Gibbons and David Gray all spoke to The Mayo News about the importance of completing the greenway all the way to Ronagh and linking up with the islands.

They highlighted that the Louisburgh Community Futures plan, which was drawn up in 2016, identified the importance of extending the greenway and they say that community support for the project remains strong in 2024.

The [Community Futures] plan is where we are taking reference from for taking action. The plan is a bottom-up community plan. It is not our plan, it belongs to the community, and they identified the importance of a greenway, said Mr Sammon.

If you look across the water at Mulranny, Achill and Newport, the traffic down there is an awful lot more than in Louisburgh. Louisburgh has so much to offer, and there is huge potential for development.

Sometimes we associate usage of the greenway solely with tourism, but it is not the case. It is for everybody, cyclists and walkers, parents and children who can walk [there] safely and that is as equally important in the development of a greenway as anything else.

The demand for the greenway is there. It is a community demand and not an individual demand. It is important the islands are a part of this because we are thinking of the wider picture of the Clew Bay loop, which is essential for their development as well, he added.

Call to action

As well as erecting signs and posters around the area, the group is also asking members of the local communities to contact their local representatives to highlight the greenways importance.

The main call to action is for people to make contact with their local councillors or TDs to look for them to support a greenway. Take up the phone and send an email to lobby these guys, Mr Sammon said.

The communities along the route have been reached out to and they are all for it. We are asking the seven councillors in the west mayo municipal district to back this greenway and that we wont lose out on it, added Eamon OMalley.

The group members say they have met with Mayo County Council engineers regarding the greenway but as of yet they do not have a route in mind for bringing it to Louisburgh.

The group hopes to have a meeting with the seven local councillors in January to urge them to support the project.

David Gray added that there is a fear in the community that if they do not run with it the project may be lost.

It is put up or shut up time, and if we dont run with it now and get the funding through then it might be pulled. The TII [Transport Infrastructure Ireland] will not mess about and will move on somewhere just as quickly if the Louisburgh greenway is held up. The consequence of not having one is enormous, he said.
At the launch of this years annual St Vincent De Paul annual appeal, National President Rose McGowan said: The calls of help to our offices continue to increase. Help with food and energy continues to be the main reason for these requests.'

Our theme for this year, 'The Wonder of Christmas', reflects the questions our volunteers face most regularly in the run up to Christmas: I wonder will I have enough for food and toys? I wonder do the kids know we are struggling. I wonder how it is affecting them. I wonder how we got into this situation. I wonder if we will ever get out of it. I wonder if you can help.

She went on to say: Despite the one off payments made by the Government coming this month and next there are many people who will continue to struggle to meet basic family expenses, particularly on special occasions such as Christmas. Those hardest hit will include one parent-families, low income worker, households on fixed social welfare incomes; low-income households in rural areas; people with disabilities and their careers. That is why we are seeking donations to help families pay for food, heat their homes and ensure their children get a decent Christmas.

Mr Pat Foley, a member of the Conference of SVP Westport, spoke at Masses in Westport at the weekend on behalf of the St Vincent de Paul Society. He stated: Last year we spent close to 120,000 on family assistance, fuel, food vouchers and education, helping people in need in our community. We have also distributed in excess of 700 food hampers and 200 school kits Unfortunately, today in Westport, for too many people, it can still take just one small problem to tip someone into crisis and poverty, such as an unexpected illness or bill coupled with the current enormous cost of living increases.

But we know that a little help at the right time can stop a domino effect leading to a family experiencing prolonged hardship. Coming up to Christmas and into the New Year we expect there to be an increasing demand on our services particularly this year when, as everyone knows the cost of all our basic items such as food and fuel has increased greatly. By supporting our annual appeal, you can help a family through the winter. You can get them back on their feet and give them a brighter future and save them from falling into a life of poverty.

Your support to our collection in the past has been tremendous and is very much appreciated because without your support we cannot provide any assistance.

Churchgate collection

This year we are holding our annual church gate collection on Saturday and Sunday, next weekend November 23 and 24. We are making envelopes available with the newsletter and can returned at the collection or to Ozanam House, James Street or dropped into the presbytery. On the window of Ozanam House you will find a QR Code which will allow you to donate online if you wish to do so. All monies collected in Westport will be spent supporting families in Westport.

Thank you again for your continued support. We would urge anyone in genuine need to please, please contact us. Please be assured your contact with us will be treated with the strictest confidence. Mobile contact number is 087 9334960.

Stephen Breheny, Treasurer of the St Vincent de Paul said donors who are PAYE or self-assessed tax payers can greatly increase their donation by signing up to CHY agreement (examples: 250 equals 263; 500 equals 726.00 and 1,000 equals 1,452.00).

How to donate

By phone: On 0818 176 176 and nominate St Patricks Westport; By post: St Vincent de Paul, Ozanam House, James St. Westport, Co. Mayo F28V389; By cheque: Society of St Vincent De Paul Westport; Bank Transfer: Society of St Vincent de Paul, Westport, IBAN IE 78 AIBK 93716933764093 BIC AIBK IE2D; On line: SVP.IE/STPATRICKSWESTPORTAPPEAL24; SCAN OUR QR CODE and donate.

Contact details for Westport Saint Vincent de Paul are available in the Church newsletter, Presbytery, The Mayo News and on the window of Ozanam House.
Galways Local Enterprise Office (LEO) has set its sights on the formation of a powerful regional food and drinks producers network, and is inviting Mayo companies to get involved. 'Gather and Grow' is a brand new initiative that aims to unite start-up and established businesses to enable the sharing of ideas, resources and connections. Food and drinks producers from across Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Clare and Limerick, are being targeted for Gather and Grow, with the first networking event taking place at BIA Innovator Campus in Athenry, Galway, on Tuesday morning next, November 26.

Micheal Dyer, Co-founder of Clean Cut Meals, will be the special guest at the inaugural Gather and Grow event, running from 10.30am until 12 noon at BIA. It will be followed by a buffet lunch and networking session. Producers from across the region including those from Mayo are invited to attend.

Speaking ahead of the event, Caroline McDonagh, Acting Head of Enterprise at LEO Galway, explained the motivation behind Gather and Grow. In 2012, a similar network was established to connect and support food and drinks producers. At the time, the focus was just on County Galway and in five short years, we grew the network to 17 times its original size  from 21 participants in 2012 to 357 in 2017, she noted.

A decade on, we want to replicate that success, and do so while stretching the net further and building a really powerful and influential network for the region. Of course, BIA has a national remit but has come on board to partner with Galway LEO for Gather and Grow to help to start building a really great network. This will enable food and drinks producers to collaborate, share experiences and really learn from each other on their road to success. It will help producers to build strong business connections, while fostering innovation in the industry, all across the region, Caroline continued.

One of the crucial outcomes from the previous networking series was the establishment of an even greater range of support programmes for food and drinks businesses through Galway LEO. Clean Cut Meals was just one of the hundreds of companies to benefit.

Galway LEO has been a wonderful support to our business. We availed of grants for expansion and website development, as well as benefiting from the Lean Programme and mentorship in business and finance. LEO really helped us on our scaling journey, simplifying our expansion to a national offering and giving us the confidence to go and grab the opportunities with both hands, Micheal Dyer recalled.

Ronan Byrne, better known as 'The Friendly Farmer', was part of the original network and also reaped the rewards. We established the business in 2007 and by 2012, it was time for a little more structure. Through the networking sessions and meeting other startups, it was clear we all had the same issues and opportunities. It was brilliant to meet and work with people on the same journey and LEO gave us the confidence to keep going, he said.

As a result of his involvement with the network, Ronan realised the level of support available and availed of a range of mentoring services, including in financial management, marketing, distribution and general business management.

Padraig Fahy from Beechlawn Organic Farm had a similar experience: All networks and collaborations bring positive outcomes and it was great to work with other producers and to share information on routes to market, relationships with retailers, and other lessons learned. Sometimes too, it was just about spending time with others who knew what you were going through or who had already travelled along the same journey, he added.

As well as building important links with other producers, Padraig benefitted from mentorship in marketing and finance, as well as from the Food Academy and the Lean Programme.

Undoubtedly, those who benefitted from the original networking sessions, and indeed from LEOs business and entrepreneurial supports, would encourage others to get involved. According to Galway LEOs Caroline McDonagh, the feedback has always been incredibly strong: Gather and Grow is all about establishing and building essential connections. LEO can then provide the business startup services, entrepreneurial supports, business signposting, and local economic development opportunities, she outlined.

Galway LEO has joined forces with BIA to help develop a regional network: Building a community for the Food and Drinks Industry is at the heart of the BIA Innovator Campus vision. We encourage meaningful connections, the exchange of ideas, and an environment where business startups and evolving enterprises can learn and grow from each other's challenges and opportunities. We are delighted to partner with Galway LEO to deliver Gather & Grow  a networking and learning forum dedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation within the food and drinks industry in the west, commented Derek Dunwoody, General Manager at BIA Innovator Campus.

Speaking ahead of next weeks first Gather and Grow event, Liam Hanrahan, Director of Services  Economic Development and Planning at Galway County Council, welcomed the programme: Gather and Grow will help foster entrepreneurship and support startups and small businesses in the food and drinks sector. The continued growth of BIA, with its diverse supports and modern production facilities, will continue to strengthen this sector.



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To register for the inaugural Gather and Grow event on Tuesday next, November 26, visit https://www.localenterprise.ie/Galway/Training-Events/


Jameson Black Barrel believes its whiskey will kick up holiday festivities  and why it's now part of the global "Must Be a Jameson" campaign, which debuted last year.

Ogilvy UK, Ogilvy NY and Ogilvy Chicago are the agencies behind the new spot  "The Greatest Story Almost Told"  as part of the Irish whiskey's ongoing creative work. It features actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, star of "Kick-Ass" and "Bullet Train."

In the spot, English actor Taylor-Johnson is at the Jameson bar and other locales exploring the whiskeys journey and secrets since its inception in 1780.

Jameson Black Barrel is made with aged double-distilled spirits and matured in deep charred oak barrels. It has notes of caramel, vanilla spice and toasted wood. The packaging was updated in July.

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The spot, in 15-, 30- and 40-second iterations, is directed by Oscar-nominated Yorgos Lanthimos, who directed "Poor Things."

"This global campaign showcases the artistry that defines our brand and, along with our refreshed outer bottle, reinforces our commitment to elevate Jameson Black Barrel and solidify its position as a leader in the super-premium+ whiskey category. It is testament to the universal love for Jameson and a toast to the bonds that it fosters across cultures and continents," said Nodjame Fouad, chairman-CEO of Irish Distillers, the company that produces Jameson.

The campaign airs across television, audio, social, OOH and streaming channels in the U.S. and worldwide.

Jameson, a Pernod Ricard-owned brand, is the world's top-selling Irish whiskey, selling 10.2 million nine-litre cases in 2023.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, November 19, 2024

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella opened the company's Ignite conference on Tuesday in Chicago with comments on where the company is taking artificial intelligence (AI) for all types of businesses, including advertising.

AI has been used in advertising to select headlines, copy, music, images, and optimize for a specific audience. Internal Microsoft data along with third-party research estimates more than 85% of the Fortune 500 companies use Microsoft AI, and nearly 70% of those companies use Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Generative AI (GAI) use rose from 55% in 2023 to75% in 2024, according to a global IDC survey of enterprise organizations. For every $1 a company invests in GAI, the return on investment (ROI) is $3.7x. IDC also forecasts worldwide spending on AI will reach $632 billion by 2028.

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Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff in a blog post has criticized Microsoft's pivot in renaming its AI task managers as Agents. Salesforce's Agentforce service uses AI in sales, marketing and other tasks.

Microsoft rebranding Copilot as agents? Benioff wrote last month in a social media post. This week he compared Microsoft Copilot with Salesforce Agentforces Large Action Models (LAMs) leverage both structured and unstructured data.

Benioff posted on X this week, citing Windows Central: "Organizations are reportedly reluctant to integrate Copilot into their workflow because of the tool's capabilities to bypass critical security measures and access private credentials that would ordinarily require high-level clearance.

Microsoft on Tuesday elaborated in its own blog post on the number of large companies that are integrating agents in their businesses, and how those autonomous agents "can operate around the clock to review and approve customer returns or go over shipping invoices to help businesses avoid costly supply-chain errors.

Those companies include ad holding company Dentsu and automotive giant Toyota Motor.

Faced with the growing complexities of media metrics, Dentsu adopted the use of Microsoft Azure AI to support clients. The global marketing and advertising agency used Azure AI Studio, Azure Machine Learning, and Azure OpenAI Service to develop a copilot to help employees interpret results via conversational chat, which reduced analysis time by 80%.

"We can complete media plans faster and with more confidence to help clients optimize their media spend and exceed their goals for customer response," Becca Kline, senior director of analytics, Dentsu, told Microsoft. "Before, our client-facing media planners might have to wait weeks. Once we roll this out, it will take minutes."

Toyota, a nearly 100-year-old car manufacturer, uses GAI to accelerate innovation and retain expert knowledge when senior engineers retire, a major issue encountered in the space industry, especially those who worked on NASA's Space Shuttle that operated between 1981 and 2011.

Toyota used Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Functions and Cosmos DB to build a system of GAI agents to store and share internal expertise with the goal of developing new vehicle models faster. For example, an engineer might ask the system how to make a car run faster. An engine agent might give an answer related to engine output while a regulatory agent provides an answer on limits to emissions, which the system then consolidates into a single reply.

Kenji Onishi, automotive engineer, Toyota, told Microsoft that when engineers retire, "their knowledge will be gone. The mission here is to prevent it from happening. So we'd like to transfer this knowledge to the next generation."
by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, November 19, 2024

Walmart released impressive third-quarter results, posting strong revenue gains throughout the organization. Grocery sales continued to grow, as did spending from upper-income consumers. However, lower-income shoppers also demonstrated remarkable resilience, and the company is finally seeing positive growth in general merchandise areas, including home and hardlines.

Global ad sales gained 28%, including 26% for Walmart Connect in the U.S., driven by marketplace sellers.

And global ecommerce revenue gained 27%.

The rosy results led the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company to increase the forecast for fiscal 2025, and it now expects net sales to climb between 4.8% and 5.1%.

For the third quarter, consolidated revenue climbed 5.5% to $169.6 billion from $160.8 billion in the prior year's comparable period. Operating income rose 8.2% to $6.7 billion, up from $6.2 billion. Both top and bottom-line results beat expectations.

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The company says sales and market share gains came from both more and larger transactions, with people of all income levels responding to both value and conveniences.

And while the company has excelled in recent quarters due to dominance in grocery sales, Walmart says general merchandise is moving into growth mode, rising in the low single digits. General merchandise categories that did best include home, tech toys, seasonal decor, and back-to-college and Halloween merchandise.

In a conference call webcast for investors, Walmart chief executive officer Doug McMillon said that households earning more than $100,000 made up 75% of share gains in the U.S., with brisk growth in curbside pickup and delivery. And despite the port strike and multiple storms, the changes we've been working on for years are continuing to bear fruit, and we are well positioned to serve people how they want to be served.

Company execs also said that in its retail media platform, ongoing tests show customers are receptive to ads, especially where ads help customers discover relevant items that are trending, helping them navigate and compare choices.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 19, 2024

X Corp. this week sued Amazon's Twitch for allegedly participating in a boycott aimed at depriving X, formerly Twitter, of ad revenue after its acquisition by Elon Musk.

Twitch purchased no advertising from Twitter (or X) in the United States, and only a de minimis amount outside the United States, after November 2022, X alleges in an amended antitrust complaint filed Monday with a federal court in Wichita Falls, Texas.

The new complaint comes more than two months after X sued the World Federation of Advertisers and its now defunct Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) for allegedly triggering a massive advertiser boycott that cost the company billions in ad revenue.

The original suit also alleged that Danish energy company rsted, food companies Unilever and Mars, and healthcare company CVS Health violated antitrust law by conspiring to deprive X of ad revenue.

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The main difference between the original and amended complaints is that the newer version also names Twitch as a defendant.

Last month, X withdrew its claim against Unilever. X said at the time that it had reached an agreement with the food company.

The World Federation of Advertisers shut down GARM after X filed suit.

X's suit came soon after the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee issued a report accusing GARM of coordinating action by corporations, ad agencies and other industry groups in order to demonetize platforms, podcasts, news outlets, and other content deemed disfavored by GARM and its members.

The House staff report alleged that GARM colluded with others to cut ad revenue to X after Musk purchased it in October 2022.

A spokesperson for the now-shuttered GARM said at the time that the organization "enhances transparency in previously opaque practices relative to ad placements in digital social media."

GARM creates voluntary industry standards on brand safety and suitability which media sellers and ad tech companies can voluntarily adopt, adapt or reject," the spokesperson said in July.
by Danielle Oster , November 19, 2024

The UK division of global human rights organization Amnesty International is calling on the public to Press Send For Solidarity with political prisoners abroad.

Amnesty International UK partnered with social impact communications agency Shape History on the campaign, which promotes Amnesty Internationals Write For Rights initiative  an annual drive during November and December calling on people to write messages supporting people around the world suffering injustice.

"At Amnesty International UK, we believe in the power of collective action, especially when human rights are under threat across the globe," Amnesty International UK CEO said in a statement. By sending a message of support, were not just standing up for individuals facing injustice  were sending a reminder that every voice counts and every action has the potential to create change."

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One ad, for example, pairs the message Neth Nahanda is behind bars because of a livestream with short explanatory text that she was incarcerated after criticizing the Angolan government on TikTok, and a call to action telling viewers, Your voice could help set her free. Some other ads rely on the simple message, A few words go a long way.

The campaign is running across various media environments, including digital and out-of-home, and PR channels. This includes OOH ads in locations across London and Liverpool which see high amounts of pedestrian traffic, and an integrated social media approach.

Press Send For Solidarity was crafted to target two primary audience segments in particular, according to an announcement: socially conscious adults aged 18-40, and affluent 25- to 60-year-olds who feel motivated by a sense of responsibility to make a difference.

Weve created a concept that cuts through by leading with empathy over outrage, Shape History associate creative director Zoe Dawson said in a statement. At a time when many feel overwhelmed by injustice and abuse happening globally, were reminding our audience that small actions can have a big impact, in their own lives, and ultimately, for those whose human rights are being denied.
by Tanya Gazdik , November 19, 2024

Nissan's Allyson Witherspoon

Allyson Witherspoon is adding U.S. chief marketing officer for the Nissan brand in North America back to her responsibilities.

She replaces Marisstella Marinkovic, who recently left the company.

Witherspoon will continue to serve as corporate vice president, global marketing, brand and merchandising, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in Yokohama, Japan. She will retain her global responsibilities in addition to the U.S. role., which she previously held from April 2019 to March 2023.

For her U.S. responsibilities, Witherspoon will report to Vinay Shahani, senior vice president, Nissan U.S. marketing and sales.

Were fortunate to have Allyson rejoining the U.S. leadership team, which puts us in a strong position to make rapid progress in our efforts to transform Nissans image in this critical market for the company, Shahani says in a release. We thank Marisstella for her contributions during her time with the company, and we wish her the best in her next chapter.

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Marinkovic joined Nissan in March 2023 after leaving Kia Motor America, where she was director, marketing operations and strategy, for 3 1/2 years.

She confirmed she left the company Nov. 15, but declined to comment on her future plans. She spoke positively of her time at Nissan, including boosting sales with millennials and launching a data-driven retail program with successful conquest rates.
by Les Luchter , November 20, 2024







Dave Denton, Pfizer CFO (left), and Andrew Baum, chief strategy officer, react to Dr. Oz question at the Jefferies London Healthcare Conference



Dr. Mehmet Oz as a key health care nominee in the new Trump administration? Dave Denton, Pfizers chief financial officer, seemed to chuckle at the name, mentioned during the first question asked Wednesday morning at the Jefferies London Healthcare Conference.

Then, Denton got serious.

Noting that Pfizer had a very good relationship with the first Trump administration and also has one with Trumps current transition team, Denton said he sees both positive and negative changes coming.

He applauded the possibility of loosened roadblocks leading to getting drugs to market more quickly, but on the other side admitted that not everybody is a complete believer in vaccines. He did add, If you look at the actual comments from the incoming administration, theyve not been as destructive as they might have been months ago. The rhetorics a bit more tampered.

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With Pfizers COVID-19 products settling into a $10 billion annual business from a pandemic high of $50 billion, Denton pointed out that the COVID vaccine is largely being taken by people over 65 and at high risk. And I think the appetite for continuing vaccinesin that realm of patient population is still very high and supported from a government perspective.

Others werent as kind in their reactions to Dr. Oz being named to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under RFK Jrs Health and Human Services agency,

Its as if Donald Trump is poised to turn over control of our vital health and medical agencies to a clown car full of unqualified quacks, Dr. Peter G. Lurie, president of the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest, said in a statement.

In particular, Dr. Oz is famous for promoting medicines and supplements that do not do what Oz says they do, decried Dr. Lurie, accusing Dr. Oz of joining RFK Jr. in touting the debunked hydroxychloroquine treatment for COVID-19. He has devoted a large portion of his career to promoting silly therapies involving herbs and extracts with no discernable health effects, various other purported weight-loss remedies, and has even promoted homeopathy

On the other hand, Scott Whitaker, president and chief executive officer of the med tech trade group AdvaMed, applauded Dr. Ozs firsthand experience with medical technology and his resulting understanding of the incredible impact these technologies can have in the lives of patients in need. As a practitioner, he has also seen firsthand the negative impact a lack of access to these technologies can have on these same patients.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, November 20, 2024

One reason that Havas will go public on the Amsterdam stock exchange next monthassuming shareholder approval of the plan on Dec. 9is to protect the company from a potential hostile takeover.

Thats according to CEO Yannick Bollore who was quizzed by analysts earlier this week at an investor day event to promote the companys bid to once again become a public company. Its part of a broader plan by current Havas parent Vivendi to split into four separate public companies in December.

advertisement advertisement Bollore noted that both employees and clients had expressed some anxiety after the plan to split was announced late last year that Havas could be the subject of a hostile takeover.

The rules of the Euronext Amsterdam exchange do not allow hostile takeovers. M&A deals have to be both friendly and approved by the board of the acquired firm, Bollore told analysts.

Bollore has committed to remain CEO of the company for the next 10 years, which prompted one analyst to ask what happens if the company performs poorly at some point during that time. Bollore responded that as a shareholder of the company he would support the best qualified candidate to helm the company at any time during that period and suggested he would step aside if the board determined it was in the best interests of the company.

In its prospectus detailing the companys outlook as a public company, Havas reported that it expects no growth this year, providing a range of between -1% and flat.

The outlook for 2025 is improved with expected organic growth of in excess of 2%.

The firm also expects to generate growth of between 40-to-50 million euro annually from acquisitions over the next several years.

While the company isnt breaking out segment growth, analysts were told that media is expected to overperform in the near term while the health division is expected to cycle through headwinds next year after a client loss this year.

Asked why the firms profit margins have been lower than peers, Havas CFO Francois Laroze responded that part of the reason is its limited presence in North America36% versus more than 50% for many of its competitors. That said the firm is projecting that it can achieve margins in the 14% to !5% range within a couple of years. Its profit margin last year was 12.1%, up from 10.1% in 2018.

One analyst noted that big tech firms like Google and Adobe are automating many functions in the media marketing space, working with clients directly and wondered what Havas value added is going forward.

Havas Media Network CEO Peter Mears acknowledged that in-housing has been an industry trend. Weve embraced it, he said noting that Havas has partnered with many of those same tech firms to bring more efficiencies to its own capabilities enabling the firm to focus on more consultative and higher-level thinking and work.

Our role is to build media experiences around consumers connected journey, Mears told analysts. Its a strategy that focuses on data, commerce and content as well as traditional media planning and buying services.

Mears referenced the companys Converged strategic plan unveiled this spring that includes a company-wide operating system to provide hyper-personalize solutions and a $400 million-plus commitment to enhance data, technology and AI capabilities over the next four years.

Havas Media, Mears noted, is configuring the technology supporting Converged.

As it transitions into a public company once more, Havas Media will have a staff of 8,500 in 140 countries worldwide serving 3,000 clients.
US healthcare policies could significantly influence global health security and multilateral initiatives.

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What Would a Trump Administration 2.0 Mean for Health Care Policy?



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Global health funding from the US exceeds that of any other nation, ensuring vital support to international health initiatives. #globalhealth #medindia

Global health funding from the US exceeds that of any other nation, ensuring vital support to international health initiatives. #globalhealth #medindia

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Implications of United States Health Policy for the Whole World

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Policy Conflicts with the Nations

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India Pharma Industry is in Advantage

Calls for Public Health Leadership

What Would a Trump Administration 2.0 Mean for Health Care Policy? - (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2825024)

Just two weeks after the US presidential election, the transition to the second Donald Trump administration is in progress. With appointments of major cabinet members such as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) are on progress, many health policy researchers globally are paying attention to possible changes around the world ().While the world prepares for what could be new changes under the Trump administration, questions on U.S. healthcare strategies remain a concern. Much will depend on Trumps plans in the sphere of health care and an appointment of leadership for the huge HHS with a budget of $2 trillion.A few controversies include the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr to head the HHS. Kennedys strong stance against vaccines and water fluoridation are the two practices that are staples in public health today. Although Trump agreed with Kennedys points of view, such a match might lead to intrapersonal conflict.Employment-generating sectors like the pharmaceuticals and agri business on which Trump heavily depends may turn against Kennedy because they will not align their actions with his policies.Scott Greer PhD is a professor of health management and global public health at the University of Michigan says, while the president continues to patronize policy change initiatives, actual change involves wading through bureaucratic silos, as well as battling different political players with integrating different policies into the system.Also, Trumps assertive style of power with references to the media can worsen inter-organizational relationships, especially with Kennedy.It is seen that Trump has no graceful experience in multilateral cooperation unless he gets the solo opportunity to manipulate every policy direction. In his first term, he pulled the United States out of major global partnerships such as the World Health Organization (WHO) & Paris Climate Agreement. If Trump continues with such an approach, then the world may experience tremendous blows in the health arena.Speaking for the German Foundation for World Population with offices in Brussels, Lisa Goerlitz has the following comments. For many years the United States has been both the single largest donor and supporter of global health interventions, both for infectious diseases and in the areas of maternal and family planning.A possible cut in the US funding or a complete pullout from the WHO may result in a huge vacuum that other European donors may be financially incapable of filling.The U.S. also has a regulatory responsibility in defining international health policies and in managing responses to health emergencies the world over. If the United States reduces its involvement in international health interventions, global reactions to crises such as pandemics become slow and more difficult, straining international relations.The Trump 2.0 administrations emphasis on the China plus 1 strategy and supply chain diversification is an advantage to the Indian generic drug makers. Given that the US alone contributes to 30% of Indian pharma sales and 40% of volumes, seismic changes in the trade relationships may benefit Indian producers.Measures such as the US Bio Secure Act and the latest hiking tariffs on China products may expand contract manufacturing & strategic partnerships with US big pharma players. However, some challenges may be present, namely, potential pricing pressures and localization rules. Still, a great deal of ambiguity remains about the future of this process and its prospects for the near- to medium-term, but Indias very strong and growing base of generics manufacturers appears to be capable of navigating this ongoing change.Public health experts are urging Trumps administration to address health urgencies including, pandemic readiness, opioids , soaring mortality among moms, and vaccines. These concerns are considered as best solved by proper leadership and well-assembled research-backed policies. Healthcare reform presents the administration with several challenges, and, according to experts, the current strategies and leaders in key health posts will not suffice to meet them effectively.Critics are skeptical about potential vaccination leaders such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is not only a prominent anti-vaxxer but also has a thin line towards promoting vaccine hesitancy. Also, there is a need for sufficient resources for public health centers, including the CDC, for the reconstruction and development of a modern public health system. Health scholars advocate for improved health leadership in the United States by leadership that is scientifically aligned and health literate with regard to equity.Source-Medindia
Imagine a weekend where the air is filled with the pulse of guitars, the beat of drums, and the soul of Indias most captivating indie music. The Royal Enfield Presents GIFLIF Indiestaan Music Festival returns to Gurugram this winter, offering an immersive celebration of sound, creativity, and culture that will ignite your senses. From folk-rock rhythms to electric indie rock anthems, its more than just a festivalits an unmissable experience for every music lover. After a successful run in previous years, this much-awaited festival is making its return to Gurugram, and it's ready to light up the city once again. From 30th November to 1st December 2024, music lovers from across the region will converge at the Gymkhana Ground in Sector 29, for a weekend full of eclectic performances, soulful sounds, and the undeniable indie spirit. Artists at The GIFLIF Indiestaan Music Festival

 Instagram/Parikrama India The festival, which has earned its place as one of the top celebrations of Indias indie music scene, will bring together a stunning mix of genresfrom folk and acoustic to alternative rock and fusion. With a lineup featuring iconic Indian bands like Parikrama, Agnee, Neeraj Aryas Kabir Cafe, and Anand Bhaskar Collective, the event promises to be a musical journey unlike any other. And its not just about the big names; the festival also offers a unique platform for fresh, emerging talent through the Indiestaan Band Hunt, celebrating the new voices of the indie music movement. Karan Kukreja, Founder of GIFLIF Indiestaan, shared that building on its legacy of curating unique cultural experiences, "We are happy to be back to the city of our origin. This year, weve curated an eclectic mix of performances that are sure to resonate with music lovers across all age groups, from the soulful rhythms of folk-rock fusion to the high-energy beats of indie rock and world music, the festival offers a diverse musical journey that caters to all tastes." Ambica Kapoor, Co-Founder Delhipedia said Delhipedia celebrates the essence of The National Capital territory of Delhi, that represents our rich cultural musical diversity. We aim to create a platform that highlights both established and emerging artists. The essence of Royal Enfield Presents GIFLIF Indiestaan is Music and amazing experiences to NCR therefore we are thrilled about this collaboration.
The year was 2017. An ex-colleague of mine caught up for dinner before relocating to Mumbai from Delhi. During a casual conversation she remarked, You should watch this K-drama, and my first question was What is a K-drama? She stared at me wide-eyed for five seconds before explaining that it referred to Korean drama series which were gaining popularity in India about that time. I was sceptical, to say the least, and brushed it aside. Truth was, I really had no intention to watch one. Fast forward to 2019 and my favourite niece, or little one as I call her, suggested some K-dramas to watch. My answer was non-committal and while many of my friends indulged in it, I stayed away.

 Netflix Fast forward to 2024. I had changed companies and in my new team, two of my colleagues were constantly discussing K-dramas. One sat next to me and the other diagonally opposite to me. I became an unintentional buffer when it came to discussing Korean dramas. After months of hearing about it, I wondered, "what's the big deal exactly?" Well, the best way to find out was to watch one myself. Thus I took the fateful step towards what seemingly has become an integral part of my life. Netflix was the place to watch these dramas and I began my mission. My first one was the latest release Love Next Door. By the time the first episode was over, I was really hooked onto it. As the series progressed, not only was I liking the plot, I was actually being able to identify with the characters. Be it the moms who had been friends for years or the ambience of the locality, memories of Kolkata, my hometown, began to pop up. It was like I was back in my old neighbourhood  only the characters were Korean.

 Netflix Love Next Door proved to be the tonic that I needed. Now I had a thirst to watch more. Next stop was Queen of Tears, a show I had been hearing non-stop about in the office and among friends. But before that, my niece, the little one, who was impressed by the fact that I had finally begun K-dramas, recommended Reply 1988 to me. I saw that first, and again identified with the locality and certain aspects of my life in my teens. Queen of Tears followed and the protagonist was the guy we all aspire to be. Not a conventional romantic tale, but certainly the type to enjoy. Three dramas in and my lust for Korean dramas knew no bounds. Crash Landing on You was the next stop and the love story of a South Korean billionaire with a North Korean soldier certainly appealed to me. It was their version of an Indo-Pak love story. Later, I learned that the lead couple had tied the knot in real life after falling in love while working on the show. Being a romantic at heart, it did give me good vibes. My only question to myself was  why did I hold myself back for seven years? I should have started in 2017 itself! Oh well, better late than never.

 Netflix Because This Is My First Life and My Liberation Notes were once again recommendations that came from the favourite niece. She is just 10 years younger as my cousin sister is 20 years elder to me and we end up discussing multiple topics. K-dramas are a new addition to our conversations. Because This Is My First Life was a breath of fresh air, but it was the story of My Liberation Notes that really hit me. I ended up living the show through one of the characters because I saw myself in him day by day. Having said that, of all the dramas I have seen in the last month, Reply 1988 ranks as the best. So the journey that began on October 15 ended on November 16 with six dramas. If anyone thought I was done, they could not have been more wrong. I have already completed over half of The Glory which is as dark as it is interesting. There's also Vincenzo on my list  one that will keep on getting larger no doubt.
Ford said the cuts would take place over the next three years, with most of them taking place in Germany

Car manufacturer Ford has confirmed plans to slash 4,000 jobs across Europe - including 800 in the United Kingdom.

Ford said the cuts would take place over the next three years, with most of them taking place in Germany.

It said that its UK power unit plants located in Dagenham and Halewood would not be impacted.

The manufacturer blamed the lacklustre roll out of all-electric vehicles (EV) in Europe.

Most of the job losses will be administrative and support functions and product development, but some will include manufacturing roles.

Dave Johnston, Ford's European vice president for transformation and partnerships, said: "We are proud of our new product portfolio for Europe and committed to building a thriving business in Europe for generations to come.

"It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford's future competitiveness in Europe," he said.

Ford said the move aimed to create a "more cost-competitive structure and ensure the long-term sustainability" of the business amid "lower-than-expected demand" for its EVs.
Marines with Skin Condition Affecting Mostly Black Men Could Now Be Booted Under New Policy

A new Marine Corps policy says troops with a genetic skin condition that can cause pain and scarring from shaving and mainly...
WASHINGTON  The Pentagon will send Ukraine at least $275 million in new weapons, U.S. officials said Tuesday, as the Biden administration rushes to do as much as it can to help Kyiv fight back against Russia in the remaining two months before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

The latest tranche of weapons comes as worries grow about an escalation in the conflict, with both sides pushing to gain any advantage that they can exploit if Trump demands a quick end to the war  as he has vowed to do.

In rapid succession this week, President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the authority to fire longer-range missiles deeper into Russia and then Russian President Vladimir Putin formally lowered the threshold for using nuclear weapons.

U.S. officials contend that Russias change in nuclear doctrine was expected, but Moscow is warning that Ukraine's new use of the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, inside Russia on Tuesday could trigger a strong response.

One American official said the U.S. is seeing no indications that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine. The U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid package has not yet been made public.

Asked Tuesday if a Ukrainian attack with longer-range U.S. missiles could potentially trigger use of nuclear weapons, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov answered affirmatively. He pointed to the doctrines provision that holds the door open for it after a conventional strike that raises critical threats for the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Russia and its ally Belarus.

A U.S. official said Ukraine fired about eight ATACM missiles into Russia on Tuesday, and just two were intercepted. The official said the U.S. is still assessing the damage but that the missiles struck an ammunition supply location in Karachev, in the Bryansk region.

The weapons in the new package of aid for Ukraine include an infusion of air defense, including High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as well as 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, Javelin anti-armor munitions and other equipment and spare parts, U.S. officials say.

The weapons will be provided through presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon quickly to pull supplies from its shelves to speed them to Ukraines front line.

Trumps upcoming move to the White House has triggered a scramble by the Biden administration to ensure all the congressionally approved funding for Ukraine gets delivered and that Kyiv is in a strong position going into the winter.

The Biden administration would have to rush $7.1 billion in weapons from the Pentagons stockpiles to spend all of those funds before Trump is sworn in. That includes $4.3 billion from a foreign aid bill passed by Congress earlier this year and $2.8 billion still on the books in savings due to the Pentagon recalculating the value of systems sent.

As part of the wider effort, the administration also is on track to disperse its portion of a $50 billion loan to Ukraine, backed by frozen Russian assets, before Biden leaves the White House, according to two senior administration officials.

The officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly, said the U.S. and Ukraine are now in advanced stages in discussing terms of the loan and are looking to complete the process for the $20 billion portion of the mammoth loan that the U.S. is backing.

The goal is to get it done before the end of the year, one official said.

Trump has criticized U.S. support for Ukraine and derided Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a salesman while also having praised Putin and touting his good relationship with him. The president-elect has claimed  without explaining how  that he will end the war in in Ukraine before his inauguration on Jan. 20, saying he will get it resolved very quickly.

Last week, when he addressed supporters from a golden ballroom at a his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump returned to that pledge but again offered little information before changing the subject.

Were going to work very hard on Russia and Ukraine. Its got to stop. Russia and Ukraines gotta stop, he said.

He has suggested that Ukraine give up at least some of its Russian-occupied territory to settle the war, saying at a rally in late September that if they made a bad deal, it wouldve been much better. They wouldve given up a little bit and everybody would be living and every building would be built and every tower would be aging for another 2,000 years.

Earlier this year, the leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies agreed to engineer the mammoth loan to help Ukraine. Interest earned on profits from Russias frozen central bank assets would be used as collateral.

Once terms are finalized, the U.S. will send the $20 billion to the World Bank, which will in turn disperse the money to Ukraine. The remaining $30 billion will come from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan, among others.

____

Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Michelle Price in New York City and Tara Copp in Washington contributed to this report.
A commercial icebreaker will join the Coast Guard's fleet by the end of the year, officials told lawmakers during a House subcommittee hearing Thursday on U.S. efforts to expand presence in the Arctic.

The Aiviq, an oil exploration support vessel that has worked in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, is currently in Pascagoula, Mississippi, where it is being adapted for Coast Guard use. According to Vice Adm. Thomas Allan, the Coast Guard's deputy commandant for mission support, its hull is now "a quarter Coast Guard icebreaker red" and the service has plans to take it out to determine what "capabilities it has."

"We're making tremendous strides in that with the owner," Allan said in the hearing, referring to Offshore Service Vessels. "We will be on board soon to finalize negotiations, looking at how we, in the short term, crew that with commercial operators."

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The Aiviq, which will be homeported in Juneau, Alaska, is expected to be in the Arctic region in early to mid-2026, he added.

The Coast Guard has two ocean-going icebreakers, the Healy, which operates in the Arctic, and the Polar Star, a 48-year-old ship that is the only one capable of breaking heavy ice in Antarctica. Efforts are underway to build three new vessels -- the Polar Security class -- with an aim to start construction of the first, the Polar Sentinel, by the end of the year, Allan told the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Coast Guard and maritime panel.

A memorandum of understanding signed Nov. 13 between the U.S., Canada and Finland should help accelerate construction of the Polar Security cutters, according to the administration. The agreement aims to increase cooperation to improve their construction by leveraging the strength of the American shipbuilding industry with the polar expertise of the Canadian and Finnish work forces.

This fall, China and Russia held their first-ever joint patrol of the Arctic region, coming as close as 12 nautical miles to the Alaska coast in October, traversing through the Bering Strait just outside U.S. territorial waters off the Seward Peninsula.

And several times this year, Chinese and Russian bombers have flown in international airspace just off Alaska in what is known as the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, prompting the North American Aerospace Defense Command to scramble U.S. and Canadian fighter jets.

The Department of Defense's 2024 Arctic Strategy calls for increased presence in the region as the climate shifts, warming up the seas, leading to a reduction in ice and increased traffic in the area, including activity by potential adversaries.

According to the strategy, the plan is for the U.S. to take a "monitor and respond" approach, having robust intelligence collection in the region, cooperation with regional allies and deterrence through presence.

The Coast Guard commercial icebreaker program is part of that plan, with the Aiviq providing patrol operations starting in 18 months.

"I don't think we are looking to make tremendous investment on the vessel going forward," Allan said. "We need it for presence and to be able to operate."

The Aiviq will be homeported in Juneau at a former National Oceaneographic and Atmospheric Administration pier that "needs a lot of maintenance, a lot of work," but getting the ship to the region is a priority, Allan told the panel.

"We are at least going to make sure we have a presence with that vessel," Allan said.

The Polar Security cutters are slated to be homeported in Seattle, where the Polar Star and Coast Guard cutter Healy, the service's only medium polar icebreaker, are currently assigned.

The Coast Guard cutter Healy suffered a fire in August but was repaired and quickly returned to the region in October to conduct an expected 10-week patrol.

Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., told Allan and Vice Adm. Peter Gautier, deputy commandant for operations, that they should not shy away from requesting the funding the service needs to improve the force.

"You've got to be very clear with us, your unfunded priority requirements and why they are critical. Don't be timid ... we want you to be bold," Garamendi said.

Related: Nordic Allies Help Navy Improve Ship Ops in Icy Waterways as Arctic Competition Heats Up
VIENTIANE, Laos  U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed regret Wednesday that his Chinese counterpart chose not to hold talks with him during meetings of Southeast Asian defense chiefs in Laos, calling it a setback for the entire region.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is holding security talks in Vientiane at a time of increasing maritime disputes with China and as the transition to a new U.S. president approaches.

The decision by Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun is a setback for the whole region, Austin said after the first day of meetings.

It's unfortunate. It affects the region because the region really wants to see us, two significant players in the region, two significant powers, talk to each other, and that reassures the entire region, he said.

There was no immediate comment from China on its decision not to meet with Austin.

Austin just wrapped up meetings in Australia with officials there and with Japan's defense minister. They pledged to support ASEAN and expressed their serious concern about destabilizing actions in the East and South China Seas, including dangerous conduct by the People's Republic of China against Philippines and other coastal state vessels.

In addition to the United States and China, other nations attending the two-day ASEAN meetings from outside Southeast Asia include Japan, South Korea, India and Australia.

Along with the Philippines, ASEAN members Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have competing claims with China in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely as its own territory.

Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos are the other ASEAN members.

Opening the talks, Laotian Defense Minister Chansamone Chanyalath said he hoped for productive meetings that would "become a standard for us to continue ASEANs cooperation in defense, including how to handle, thwart, and manage security challenges in the present and in the future.

As China has grown more assertive in pushing its territorial claims in recent years, ASEAN members and Beijing have been negotiating a code of conduct to govern behavior in the sea, but progress has been slow.

Officials have agreed to try to complete the code by 2026, but talks have been hampered by thorny issues, including disagreements over whether the pact should be binding.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has called for more urgency in the code of conduct negotiations, complained at a meeting of ASEAN leaders last month that his country continues to be subject to harassment and intimidation by Chinas actions, which he said violated international law.

Chinese and Philippine vessels have clashed repeatedly this year, and Vietnam in October charged that Chinese forces assaulted its fishermen in disputed areas in the South China Sea. China has also sent patrol vessels to areas that Indonesia and Malaysia claim as their exclusive economic zones.

At the meeting of ASEAN leaders last month, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was "very concerned about Chinas increasingly dangerous and unlawful activities in the South China Sea which have injured people, harm vessels from ASEAN nations and contradict commitments to peaceful resolutions of disputes.

He pledged that the U.S. would "continue to support freedom of navigation, and freedom of overflight in the Indo Pacific.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said U.S. and other non-regional militaries present in the sea were the main source of instability.

The increasing military deployment and activities in the South China Sea by the U.S. and a few other non-regional countries, stoking confrontation and creating tensions, are the greatest source of instability for peace and stability in the South China Sea, Mao said.

It is not clear how the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will address the South China Sea situation.

After Austin's meetings in Australia, the Defense Department said the U.S., Australia and Japan had agreed to expand joint drills and announced a defense consultation body among the three countries forces to strengthen their cooperation.

When asked Tuesday while in the Philippines about whether the strong U.S. defense support would continue for the country under Trump, Austin said he would not speculate.

Although Austin failed to hold talks with Chinese Defense Minister Dong, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani was expected to meet with Dong and express concerns about Beijing's military activities, Japan's NHK public television reported.

Japan has protested that a Chinese military aircraft violated its airspace briefly in August, and in September expressed serious concerns after a Chinese aircraft carrier and two destroyers sailed between two Japanese islands.

The meetings are also likely to touch on tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the Russia-Ukraine war, and wars in the Middle East. They are also expected to discuss other issues, including natural disasters, cybersecurity and terrorism.

Another thorny regional issue is the civil war and humanitarian crisis in ASEAN member Myanmar. The group's credibility has been severely tested by the war in Myanmar, where the army ousted an elected government in 2021, and fighting has continued with pro-democracy guerillas and ethnic rebels.

More than a year into an offensive initiated by three militias and joined by other resistance groups, observers estimate the military controls less than half the country.

Myanmar military rulers have been barred from ASEAN meetings since late 2021, but this year the country has been represented by high-level bureaucrats, including at the summit in October.

___

Associated Press writer David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are eating away at critical U.S. weapons stockpiles and could hamper the military's ability to respond to China should a conflict arise in the Indo-Pacific, the top U.S. commander for that region said Tuesday.

Head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Adm. Samuel Paparo cautioned Tuesday that the U.S. providing or selling billions of dollars worth of air defenses to both Ukraine and Israel is now impeding his ability to respond in the Indo-Pacific, such as if China invades Taiwan.

Up to this year, where most of the employment of weapons were really artillery pieces and short-range weapons, I had said, not at all,'" when asked if the conflicts were hampering U.S. ability to respond to threats in the Indo-Pacific, Paparo said.

"Its now eating into stocks, and to say otherwise would be dishonest, he told an audience at the Brookings Institution in Washington.

China has ramped up its military pressure against Taiwan, including a massive military exercise that involved 125 warplanes in October, and has said annexing Taiwan is a historical inevitability.

Chinas military has increased its encircling of Taiwans skies and waters in the past few years, holding joint drills with its warships and fighter jets on a near-daily basis near the democratically run island. The U.S., like most countries, does not recognize Taiwan as a country but is the islands main partner and is bound by U.S. laws to provide it with the means to defend itself.

Ukraine just passed its 1,000th day since Russia invaded, and in that timeframe the U.S. has provided more than $60.4 billion in military assistance, including three Patriot air defense systems and missiles, more than 40 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and ammunition, and the coveted longer-range Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMs, which Ukraine deployed in Russia for the first time on Tuesday.

In October, after Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles into Israel, the U.S. deployed one of its few Terminal High Altitude Area Defense batteries to Israel and about 100 troops to help operate it.

The U.S. also has regularly shipped air defense munitions as Israel presses its offensives against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The conflicts have killed tens of thousands of civilians.

The outgoing Biden administration has committed to spending the remaining $7.1 billion in presidential drawdown authority  meaning weapons pulled from U.S. stockpiles  to send weapons to Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. It will announce another package this week, according to U.S. officials.

However, the ability to send the weapons will be limited by what is on the shelves, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Tuesday.

Paparo told the think tank audience that the push to get weapons to Ukraine and Israel has left the U.S. with too few munitions in reserves.

We should replenish those stocks and then some," Paparo said. I was already dissatisfied with the magazine depth. Im a little more dissatisfied with the magazine depth, he said, referring to the numbers of munitions in reserve.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday defended women serving in the military and, specifically in combat roles, amid growing scrutiny of comments by his would-be successor, Pete Hegseth.

"I see that because of my experience, and that experience is extensive ... I think our women add significant value to the United States military, and we should never change that," Austin told reporters Wednesday while traveling in Laos.

The remarks come after President-elect Donald Trump nominated now-former Fox News host Hegseth for the top Pentagon position. In his writing and media appearances, Hegseth has made clear that he opposes female troops serving in combat positions.

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In an appearance on "The Shawn Ryan Show" earlier this month, Hegseth said that allowing women to serve in combat "hasn't made us more effective, hasn't made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated" and that he was "straight-up saying we should not have women in combat roles."

Hegseth, who also had a fairly typical military career that spanned 13 years as a part-timer in the National Guard and culminated in the midlevel rank of major, dedicated a significant portion of his latest book to criticizing the inclusion of women in combat roles.

In the book, Hegseth strongly insinuated, without much evidence, that women benefit from preferential treatment and rise through the ranks at the expense of more qualified men.

Hegseth claimed that Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the top Navy officer and the first woman to hold the post, was unqualified for the job and was chosen for the role, because "politics is all about optics instead of results."

Over her decades-long career, Franchetti served on a handful of ships, including commanding the destroyer USS Ross before being selected to lead a destroyer squadron. As an admiral, she commanded the U.S. forces in South Korea, two carrier strike groups and U.S. Naval Forces Europe before being selected as the Navy's No. 2 officer -- vice chief of naval operations.

"Naval operations being weakened won't matter to anyone," Hegseth added.

Meanwhile, Austin said that in his "three long tours to Iraq and then one to Afghanistan, every place I went, there were women doing incredible things, and they were adding value to the overall effort, whether they were pilots, whether they were operational experts, whether they were intel experts."

However, the defense secretary stressed that he doesn't know Hegseth personally "so I can't comment on and won't comment on anything that he said."

Austin's decades-long military career, which began in 1975, saw him rise through the ranks and command troops at a variety of levels in the Middle East throughout the Global War on Terrorism.

He would not only go on to be the first African American to command an infantry division in combat but also served as the Army's second-highest officer. In 2013, he was tapped to head the U.S. Central Command, where he would command all U.S. military operations in the Middle East during the rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Austin leaned on that experience in defending the role women play in military combat operations.

"When I was a one-star, I was a deputy commander of the Third Infantry Division," Austin told reporters, speaking about the Gulf War. The unit "was the major element that conducted the attack ... from Kuwait all the way up to Baghdad."

"My goal was to be in a position where I could see and feel the fight and so that meant that I had to be right there ... right behind the lead elements," he said. "In my command post were several very courageous and very proficient women who did amazing things to support our effort and support their colleagues."

While the amount of women serving in combat roles is small compared to their male counterparts, they nevertheless make up a significant -- and growing -- part of the military force.

Military.com has found that the Army has around 3,800 women currently serving in frontline combat roles across the infantry, cavalry, armor and field artillery, while the Marine Corps has nearly 700 women serving in similar roles, including 112 female infantry riflemen and 15 Marine officers.

Data provided by the Marine Corps also showed that since 2018, the number of Marine women in combat roles has increased sixfold for officers and more than tripled for enlisted.

Meanwhile, the Navy, which is different from the two land warfare branches in its structure and operations, considers its submarine service -- which is all volunteer and, until 2010, all male -- to be a combat role.

The sea service recently said 730 women are currently serving in the submarine force, and it plans to expand the number of subs with women aboard from the current 54 boats up to 61 by 2033.

New submarines, like the recently commissioned USS New Jersey, are also being built with integration in mind.

When Austin was asked whether he had a message to the women currently serving in the military, his answer was direct.

"We need you, we have faith in you, we are appreciative of your service, and you add value to the finest and most lethal fighting force on Earth," he said.

Related: Thousands of Women Serve in Combat Roles. Pentagon Nominee Hegseth Says They Shouldn't.
The Giants announced that they have selected right-handers Carson Seymour and Carson Ragsdale to their 40-man roster, protecting them from being available in the Rule 5 draft. They had one roster vacancy but opened another by designating righty Kai-Wei Teng for assignment.

Teng, 25, signed with the Twins as an international amateur out of Taiwan prior to the 2018 season. He was traded for the Giants the following year in the deal that shipped right-hander Sam Dyson to Minnesota at that years trade deadline. Teng slowly climbed the minor league ladder with the Giants, though he did so with generally middling results at each level along the way. Back in March, the righty made his big league debut just after Opening Day. He ultimately made just four multi-inning relief appearances in the majors, however, and struggled badly with a 9.82 ERA in 11 innings of work. Command was the right-handers primary issue, as he actually recorded more walks (eight) than strikeouts (seven) during his brief stay on the big league roster.

Teng was optioned back to the minors in mid-April, but unfortunately did not see his numbers improve when he headed to Triple-A. He split his time at the level between the clubs rotation and bullpen, with 13 starts and ten relief appearances. Things did not go well for Teng, however, as he was torched to the tune of a 8.60 ERA across 75 1/3 innings of work. He struck out just 17% of opponents at the level this year while walking 12.3%, leaving him with a strikeout-to-walk ratio that would be untenable for any pitcher. Given Tengs deep struggles, its not necessarily a surprise that the Giants decided to part ways with the righty. San Francisco will now have one week to attempt to trade the righty or place him on waivers, where he would be available for any of the leagues 29 other clubs to claim.

Tengs departure makes room on the 40-man roster for the additions of Seymour and Ragsdale. Ragsdale, 26, is a starting pitcher who missed the majority of the 2022 and 23 seasons due to injury but returned strong in 2024. The right-hander began the season with his first taste of upper-minors action at the Double-A level and excelled, pitching to a 3.49 ERA in 67 innings of work across 14 starts. He struck out an excellent 33.1% of opponents faced, though he was held back somewhat by an elevated 11.5% walk rate. Even so, that was more than enough to earn Ragsdale a mid-season call-up to Triple-A. Unfortunately, Triple-A was not quite as forgiving for the right-hander as Double-A. He struggled in 13 appearances (12 starts) at the level with a 5.03 ERA in 53 2/3 innings of work. His walk rate largely held steady at 11%, but his strikeout rate dipped to just 24.1% at the highest level of the minors.

Seymour, meanwhile, wont turn 26 until next month. The right-hander was acquired by the Giants in the deal that sent Darin Ruf to the Mets and actually struggled through something of a down season at Triple-A this year, as he surrendered a 4.82 ERA in 134 1/3 innings of work. He struck out 22.1% of opponents while walking 10.1%. Prior to his struggles this year, however, Seymour had pitched to strong results in back-to-back seasons. In a 2022 season split between the Mets and Giants organizations, Seymour posted a 3.08 ERA in 111 innings between the Single-A and High-A levels while striking out 29.3% of opponents. The righty posted slightly diminished but still solid numbers in his first full season with the Giants last year at Double-A, as he pitched to a 3.99 ERA in 112 2/3 innings of work with a 24.4% strikeout rate.
The Guardians added four players to their 40-man roster before tonights Rule 5 deadline: pitchers Franco Aleman, Nic Enright, and Doug Nikhazy and outfielder Petey Halpin. To open 40-man spots, Cleveland designated former top outfield prospect George Valera and relievers Peter Strzelecki and Connor Gillispie for assignment.

The most notable piece of news here is the club opting to part ways with Valera. The 24-year-old is just a couple of years removed from being a consensus top-50 prospect in the sport but has been plagued by injuries over the past two years. Valera underwent offseason hand surgery prior to the 2023 season and ultimately did not make his season debut until May of that year, ultimately playing just 11 games prior to June 17 of that year due to additional injury woes. Overall, he hit just .211/.343/.375 despite an excellent 16% walk rate last year.

Things improved in his age-23 season with the Guardians this year on offense, as he hit .248/.337/.452 with 17 home runs, a major step in right direction after slugging just ten the year prior. Unfortunately, Valera was once again limited by injury and played just 90 games in 2024 before going under the knife again back in September. That surgery came with a six-to-nine month recovery timetable, which left him poised to start 2025 on the injured list and likely not be available as a potential big league contributor until the second half of next year at the earliest.

Given the former top prospects injury woes and relatively modest production at Triple-A, the Guardians evidently decided to cut him from the 40-man roster. Now, Valera will be available for any interested club to claim off waivers. If he manages to clear waivers, the Guardians will have the opportunity to outright him to the minor leagues and retain him in the organization for 2025. Importantly, Valera does not have minor league options remaining so any acquiring club would either need to carry him on their active roster or sneak him through waivers themselves later in the offseason.

As for Strzelecki, the 30-year-old right-hander has appeared in the majors in each of the past three seasons but only arrived in Cleveland back in March. Prior to this year, Strzelecki made his big league debut for the Brewers back in 2022 and pitched quite well with a 2.83 ERA and 2.94 FIP in 35 innings of work. The right-hander suffered a down year in 2023, however, as he pitched to a 4.54 ERA in 35 2/3 frames for Milwaukee before being swapped to the Diamondbacks at the 2023 trade deadline in exchange for southpaw Andrew Chafin. Strzelecki made just one appearance in a Dbacks uniform last year where he threw 1 1/3 scoreless frames.

The righty was squeezed off of Arizonas 40-man roster in the run-up to Opening Day this year in order to make room for the addition of Tucker Barnhart, and the Guardians pounced on the opportunity to bring him into the fold. He served as an up-and-down reliever for Cleveland this year and pitched quite well in a limited sample with a 2.31 ERA and 3.77 FIP in 11 2/3 innings of work, though that wasnt enough to earn a more permanent spot in a loaded Guardians bullpen. With Strzelecki set to enter 2025 without any option years remaining, the Guardians opted to part ways with the right-hander, who could garner interest from rival clubs on the waiver wire now that hes available.

Gillispie, meanwhile, made his big league debut with the Guardians just this year. He pitched to a 2.25 ERA in eight innings of work in the majors to go along with a rather pedestrian 4.05 ERA in 27 appearances (15 starts) at Triple-A. The 27-year-old will enter the 2025 campaign with options remaining, which could make him particularly attractive to a pitching-needy club as an optionable young arm with the ability to pitch both in the rotation and out of the bullpen.

As for the quartet of prospects, each will be protected from the Rule 5 Draft next month now that theyre on the 40-man roster. Aleman, 24, turned in a dominant season in relief at the Triple-A level with a 1.99 ERA and a 36.6% strikeout rate in 24 appearances. The 27-year-old Enright was picked in the Rule 5 draft one before by the Marlins but was eventually returned to the Guardians. A two-way player for much of his career, the right-hander turned to pitching full-time in 2024 and looked quite good in a small sample as he posted a 1.06 ERA in 17 innings of work with an incredible 49.2% strikeout rate. Nikhazy, a 25-year-old lefty, split 2024 between the Double- and Triple-A rotations and posted solid numbers with a 2.98 ERA and 25.4% strikeout rate in 123 2/3 innings of work, potentially putting him on the radar for big league starts in 2025. Halpin is the lone position player the Guardians protected, and the clubs third-round pick in the 2020 draft and slashed .233/.314/.399 in 90 games at Triple-A this year.
HOLLAND, MI -- Turn off the Hallmark Channel and feel the full magic of an old-timey Christmas movie at the Lakeshores Felt Estate.

As part of their holiday lineup, the Felt Estate is inviting families for a free Winterfest 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.

Families can pile in a horse-drawn wagon and be pulled around the property on a 15-minue loop before being dropped off at the 17,000-square-foot mansion.

Vintage decor and Christmas trees will fill the 25-room mansion adding a retro flavor to the festivities.

Families can meet and take photos with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus inside. There will also be face painting and other festive activities.

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The library decorated for Christmas at the Felt Mansion in Holland on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. The estate boasts more than 5,000 lights and 25 Christmas trees throughout the grounds. (Emily Rose Bennett | The Grand Rapids Press) Emily Rose BennettEmily Rose Bennett

Completed in 1928, the mansion has a rich history as a summer home for inventor Dorr Felt, a Chicago businessman. Sitting on 15 acres the Felt Estate sits among the Saugatuck dunes on the border of two Lakeshore towns.

Family-friendly self-guided tours of the mansion with complimentary refreshments start every Sunday in December.

Coffee and Cocoa Self-Guided Tours run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $8 each at feltmansion.org.
PETOSKEY, MI - Sitting like an elegant grande dame in the middle of Petoskeys famous Bay View neighborhood, The Terrace Inn exudes the same charm that it has for more than a century. Step into the lobby with its warm, dark wood and vintage furniture and youll feel like the calendar has turned back a few decades at least.

But look a bit closer and youll see the modern touches being incorporated: On a recent weekday, work crews were replacing the outdoor carpet on the front porch while painters were brightening the hotels exterior with coats of Benjamin Moores Simply White. Staff was prepping for an outdoor wedding and readying rooms for incoming guests.

Its exactly this mix of classic and fresh that will keep The Terrace Inn and its popular 1911 Restaurant moving forward as a Northern Michigan landmark. Finding the right balance between its treasured history and creating a comfortable place for guests is the key, said new owner Mary Beth Bennett, who has been lauded by the areas tourism community for her approach to the well-known property.

For a ton of people, this is a really special place for them, Bennett said. It was important that we come in with care, and that we come in slowly. That we enhance - but not take away whats special.

The Terrace Inn in Petoskey was built in 1911. Aside from a brief stint as a hospital during WWI, it's been a hotel for more than a century.Terrace Inn

Opened in 1911 as a resort hotel, its tucked into the middle of Petoskeys Bay View area. This closely-spaced neighborhood of Victorian cottages is recognized as a National Historic Landmark for its unique history. Bay View was founded by Michigan Methodists in 1875 as a cultural and educational summer camp area. Its still known for its summer programming, drawing visitors in for lectures, music and other offerings. And its winding streets, nature trails and Victorian homes are a magnet for those who love to walk and enjoy the area. Its elevation offers beautiful views of Little Traverse Bay.

The Terrace Inn is situated as part of this enclave, its beautiful back lawn area edging up against the neighbors' homes. Its cute sidewalk paths curve into the neighborhood. Because this is part of its charm, Bennett said she quickly understood that being a good neighbor is a big part of the hotels success.

I have been blown away by the kindness and support, she said of her embrace by the Bay View crowd.

The hotels year-round nature means its busy as part of Petoskeys tourism scene, especially in the summer. But its also become a destination wedding spot where couples - and their guests - can stay and celebrate. Fall weddings are especially lovely on the Inns lawn, flanked by its outdoor terrace.

The Terrace Inn and its 1911 Restaurant are known for its casual fine dining for its guests as well as the public.The Terrace Inn

The onsite dining at the hotels 1911 Restaurant is also a big draw - and leads to many returning guests, Bennett said. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Andy Carlson, the restaurant is open to the public and is a prime spot for everything from special date nights to weekly dinners with friends and family. In the off-season, the locals stream in to fill the tables.

This kind of property with a nostalgic charm is just what Bennett was hoping for when she dreamed about owning her first hotel. A Harbor Springs native, she left the area to attend Boston University, then set out to build her career in hospitality, working at properties in Chicago, Arizona and Miami Beach.

My end goal was always to have my own hotel, she said. And getting back to Northern Michigan? I really yearned for home, said Bennett, who is married and has a young daughter.

She knew her dream property had to be big enough to make it a good business decision, but yet a manageable size. When she learned the 38-room Terrace Inn and its restaurant were for sale in the summer of 2023, it seemed like a great fit.

She loved the propertys history and identity. She understood the weight of its century of success, but yet knew she could still put her mark on it as she built her own legacy in hospitality. With The Terrace Inn, she was taking on a vintage piece that still functioned well and would allow her to make updates at her own speed.

Bennett can tell you a lot on that topic - she knows that older hotels have their oddities. She loves the design and architecture that surround her - from the beadboard on the guest room walls to the wrought-iron bed frames and polished wood floors.



The Terrace Inn and the 1911 Restaurant have been welcoming visitors to Petoskey's Bay View area for more than a century.Terrace Inn

I am used to quirky and old buildings, she said with a laugh.

Even so, her maintenance skills have expanded since buying the hotel. Bennett has become a bit of a Jill of all Trades because thats what is necessary when you own a mid-size property in a vacation town. Shes become the voice of The Terrace Inns newsletters and handles its Expedia account. She can also snake a clogged toilet pretty effectively.

And, like any owner, Bennett has a list of future improvements running through her head pretty much at all times. She wants to update the lobby, maybe add a separate bar area. She wants to show off the hotels ceremony and reception possibilities as she builds on its reputation as a unique Up North wedding destination.

And through all this, she wants to keep the charm thats made The Terrace Inn a vacation name for more than 100 years. Because its part of her legacy now, too.

For information on accommodations and pricing, check The Terrace Inns website here.

For details on the 1911 Restaurant, check here.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI -- A former Oakland County Sheriffs Office deputy has been deemed competent to stand trial for filming a family member in a sexual way.

Livingston County 53rd District Court Judge Shauna Murphy ruled Tuesday, Nov. 19, that Joseph Pierre Fortier, 47, is competent to stand trial for allegedly filming unclothed family members, according to court records.

Fortier had been referred to the testing in June.

Under Michigan law, defendants are presumed competent to stand trial unless an examination shows otherwise. His case will now move forward.

Read more: Former sheriffs deputy accused of secretly filming unclothed family member

A family member filed a complaint with Michigan State Police in November 2023 after the person learned the cameras were filming without their knowledge, according to Rene Gonzalez, Michigan State Police spokesperson. The incident occurred in Livingston Countys Oceola Township, police said.

The recordings were of a sexual nature, Gonzalez write in an email.

Fortier was employed by the Oakland County Sheriffs Office from August 2014 to March 2024, according to information obtained by MLive/The Ann Arbor News through a Freedom of Information Act Request.

Charges were authorized on March 5, according to court records. Fortiers employment ended on March 6. At the time, he was a sergeant, according to documents from the sheriffs office.

Fortier was arraigned in April and was given a personal recognizance bond. He is next set to appear in court Nov. 22.
FLINT, MI  The Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation will donate and serve 600 Thanksgiving meals this holiday season.

In partnership with the Mott Community College Culinary Arts Institute and the Michigan Transportation Authority, free carry-out, to-go meals will be available from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at 550 Saginaw St. in downtown Flint.

The meals will be prepared by Mott Community College faculty chefs and culinary arts students.

MTA will provide free transportation from various locations throughout the city for those who otherwise wouldnt be able to make it.

Buses will pick up individuals from the Franklin Avenue Mission, 2210 N. Franklin Ave., and Our Savior Lutheran, 6901 Saginaw St., on the citys north side.

There will be a special announcement at 3 p.m. during the event. No pre-registration is necessary to receive a free Thanksgiving meal.

This is the fourth year that the Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation has participated in a Thanksgiving food giveaway, foundation president Karri Kuzma said.

its important to me, but its more important to Kyle  just because its where he grew up and he just wants to give back to the community where he was raised, Karri said.

The Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation will also host the 3rd annual Single Mothers Shopping Spree in December. The foundation will host shopping sprees in Utah, Washington D.C. and Flint.

Ten single mothers will each be given $1,000 to Christmas shop for their families.

Sign-ups are now open, and winners will be notified on Dec. 3.

The Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation can be reached at info@kylekuzmafamilyfoundation.org with questions.

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FLINT, MI  Mott Community College trustees clashed over an attempt to offer interim president Shaunda Richardson-Snell the permanent position at their most recent meeting.

The motion, if passed, would have contradicted an Oct. 8 board motion to use a nationally recognized search firm to find its new permanent president.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A driver who lost control of his car on M-6 before fatally striking a tow truck driver has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor.

Payton Bradley Ferris, 19, entered the plea Wednesday, Nov. 20 in 63rd District Court to a charge of moving violation causing death. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 16.

Keagan Spencer, a 25-year-old father of two young children, died in the Nov. 4, 2023 crash.

Friends and family of Spencer were in court Wednesday for the plea and, since Spencers death, have championed an effort to educate drivers about slowing down and moving over for emergency and roadside workers.

Ferris was driving east on M-6 near Kraft Avenue about 11 a.m. Nov. 4 when the car in front of him slowed. He swerved to the left, lost control and drove off the road into the median, state police said in court documents.

Ferris then struck Spencer, who was out of his tow truck on foot near a crossover, killing him. Spencer was towing vehicles and stopped to help a dog in the median, police previously said.

Spencers mother, Miko Garrison, said she was disappointed that Ferris pleaded no contest, instead of guilty.

It does hurt me, she said. I feel lack theres a lack of any type of accountability by pleading no contest.

Garrison talked about her sons legacy and the impact he made on other people.

He just had such a great outlook on life and on helping people. His mission, he told one of his best friends, was I just want to honor my grandpa and make a difference. she said.

He has, he has in the small time that he was here, Garrison said.

Matt Spencer, father of Keagan Spencer, said hes made it a priority since his sons death to educate the public about what he believes was distracted driving.

Hes been working with a group called Move Over Michigan.

We have gone from coast to coast, telling Keagans story. I am going all over the country, spreading Keagans story, to get the word out that this just isnt a Michigan problem, he said.

Roadside workers are getting struck and killed all over our nation, he said.

Matt Spencer said he expects numerous tow truck drivers and trucks to converge at the courthouse Dec. 16 for Ferris' sentencing.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Kent County Sheriffs Department is responding to an increased number of school safety threats by creating a centralized information sharing system for tips.

Kent County Undersheriff Bryan Muir said the department has received the green light from area law enforcement agencies to begin the process of centralizing and sharing information through the real time crime center.

It will soon be located within the Kent County Sheriffs office.

RELATED: From bad dreams to missed meals: How increased school threats are upending student lives

Less than three months into the 2024-25 school year, more than two dozen threats of violence in schools have been reported across the state. Many of those have been non-credible, and over half have resulted in schools closing or locking down for one or more days.

The Kent County Sheriffs Department reported a little over 70 threats investigated from Jan. 1, 2024, to the present, including a bomb threat reported via the statewide Michigan State Police student tip line, OK2Say, which resulted in Forest Hills Northern High School closing Oct. 2 and a 14-year-old student arrested.

Several other traditional school districts and charter schools in the county have had to address threats this school year including Grandville, Kentwood, Byron Center, the West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science and Vista Charter Academy.

Muir said many of the threats the department has seen so far this year have been cyclical, with information previously shared with law enforcement resurfacing via social media.

It typically starts to show back up once we get one credible tip, he said, resulting in repeated re-investigations by police departments across the county that take hours away from the agencies.

I dont know if we have a perfect system to stop that from happening, and thats what were trying to work through with centralizing some information sharing with law enforcement here in west Michigan, Muir said.

RELATED: How to talk to your kids about school safety threats

He said that with a centralized system, detectives from areas like Grand Rapids, Kentwood and Wyoming would all receive the same information simultaneously when a tip comes into the information system.

Muir said the hope is this will improve the speed of solving crimes and reduce wasted time.

While area law enforcement has tried to partner and work together, he said, the independent jurisdictions can complicate and slow investigations.

Were taking this to a next level because were starting to see (with) these school threats and other threats here in west Michigan those crime patterns dont follow jurisdictional lines," he said, and we know we need to work together better.

Muir described the proposed information sharing initiative as similar to the countys school radio project, a radio channel implemented this year directly connecting Kent County schools with police and first responders.

RELATED: In crisis, Kent County schools can reach police with first-of-its-kind radio system

Mo Canady, executive director of National Association of School Resource Officers, which provides school-based law enforcement training, said threats have been ramping up nationwide for a year and a half, surging after the Sept. 4 Georgia mass shooting.

A 14-year-old is accused of killing two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School near Winder, Ga. Nine others were injured. Michigan saw most of its threats during September.

RELATED: Parents of Michigans Oxford High School shooting victims demand AG investigation

The sharing of tips and information across jurisdictions isnt a new idea, Muir said, but its being done in a new way with the centralized system, which is in the early stages.

He said signed contractual agreements are in place with area police chiefs, and the Sheriffs Department is now working through the process of purchasing software, acquiring additional hardware and training staff and partner agencies.

It will take some time to make sure its done right, he said, but thats our 12 month timeline of trying to get it up and running here in west Michigan.
JACKSON, MI - Jackson police officers and firefighters are once again joining forces to collect toys for kids in need this holiday season.

Toys for Tots drop-off sites have been set up at the Jackson Police Department, 216 E. Washington Ave., and the Jackson Fire Department Central Fire Station, 518 N. Jackson St.

Only new, unwrapped toys for children age 0 to 15 years old will be accepted for donation. Once collected by the Toys for Tots organization, the donated toys will be distributed among various nonprofit organizations in Jackson County to be given to kids throughout the area, officials said.

Residents are welcome to use donation boxes in the police and fire department front lobbies to submit their donations. Both lobbies are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and donations will be accepted until Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Toys for Tots is an annual program from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve that collects toys for underserved children during the holiday season.

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BROOKLYN, MI  See reindeer shooting hoops, Santa Claus and other holiday light displays at Nite Lites near Brooklyn.

Motorists can once again travel through nearly six miles of holiday light displays at Michigan International Speedway, 12626 U.S. 12 near Brooklyn. Nite Lites opens its 2024 season Friday, Nov. 22, and will remain open until Sunday, Jan. 5, owner John Spink said.

Were always excited to start the show and see the kids as they go through in the cars and motorhomes Spink said. Its a win-win for us, too, because we really enjoy doing it.

The drive-thru event is one of Michigans largest light displays. Attendees can expect to find holiday-themed scenes, including the 12 Days of Christmas, Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen, snowflakes, a nativity scene and lighted tunnels.

Nite Lites has added some new displays this year, including a Story Time section with the Big Bad Wolf, the Three Little Pigs and Jack and Jill. Also, more dinosaur and tree displays have been added.

We want to make it more exciting so its something new and different every year, Spink said.

People can also take a train through the lights. Tickets cost around $17 and can be purchased on Nite Lites website. Guests are encouraged to arrive 20 minutes before the train departs and to dress for the weather.

Related: Take a train ride through Nite Lites holiday light display

Tickets to drive through are $35 per car; $50 for limousines, motorhomes and minibuses; and $100 for a tour bus. Tickets can be purchased onsite or at Nite Lites website.

Veterans can enter for free on Monday, Dec. 2, Spink said.

Motorists will enter the display from U.S. 12. Westbound traffic will use the Lot 8 Entrance to the speedway, while eastbound vehicles will use the Graves Farm Entrance.

Nite Lites is open 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

More information can be found on Nite Lites Facebook page.

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MUSKEGON, MI  Greater Muskegon Economic Development (GMED) announced Wednesday, Nov. 20, that Marla Schneider is stepping down as president and CEO.

Schneider is moving into her next role as president and CEO of Cornerstone Alliance, an economic development nonprofit in Benton Harbor. Her last day with GMED will be Jan. 3.

It has been an honor to lead GMED and collaborate with our dedicated staff and partnering organizations committed to greater Muskegons progress, Schneider said in a statement. I am confident that GMED will continue to thrive and contribute to the communitys economic well-being.

Schneider joined GMED in June 2022 after serving numerous executive roles for various businesses in and around Fort Wayne, Indiana.

During her leadership of GMED, the organization helped create over 560 new jobs and facilitate $915.8 million in new investments in Muskegon County.

RELATED: 3 West Michigan economic partners seek projects for $75M state grant program

GMED Board Chair Rich Houtteman told MLive/the Muskegon Chronicle the board will assemble an executive committee next week to begin the search for a new president and CEO. The scope of the search process has not yet been determined.

Were just really excited for Marla. Were really happy with the momentum we have going, and were confident we can continue that with a new leader heading into next year, he said.

GMED has spearheaded community and economic development projects such as the downtown redevelopment efforts in Muskegon Heights, the attraction and investment of new companies like Cytiva, and supporting numerous local business expansions.

The organization on Tuesday announced it helped attract global automation manufacturer Rollon Corporation to Norton Shores. The company is currently building a $16 million manufacturing facility in the industrial part at 1070 N. Gateway Blvd., a move that promises to create up to 43 new jobs.

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SAGINAW TWP, MI  Perhaps seeking refuge from armed hunters, a Jane Doe crashed through the window of a Saginaw County furniture store.

About 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19  the fourth day of Michigans firearm season for deer hunting  a female deer leaped through a large front window at Gardner White Furniture & Mattress Store, 2660 Tittabawassee Road in Kochville Township.

The bleeding deer ran to a corner of the store near a pair of bedroom displays, as shown in footage recorded by responding Saginaw County Sheriffs deputies body-worn cameras. The seemingly confused deer was trapped inside the business for about 15 minutes, at times hunkering down on the floor.

Deputies Cameron Helwer and Evan Johnson responded to address the curious situation. As shown in their cameras footage, the addled deer frequently darted from them and jumped onto furniture, slipping and sliding on its spindly legs.

When the animal eventually rested, the deputies picked it up by its legs and carried and dragged it through the business. They brought the deer to a loading bay door. After taking a few moments to get to its wobbly feet, the deer scampered outside and took off.

We get some strange stuff, dont we? said Sheriff William L. Federspiel with a chuckle. A day in the life of a deputy.

The deers intrusion caused no injuries to store staff or customers.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reports that as of 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, hunters had harvested 80,381 deer since firearm season began. Of those, 57,993 were antlered and the remaining 22,388 were antlerless.

MLive was unable to reach a spokesman for the DNR for comment on what could have prompted a deer to make so dramatic an entrance. MLive was also unable to reach a spokesman for Gardner White to comment on the cost of the damage.
SAGINAW, MI  The careless disposal of sawdust by a flooring contractor led to a weekend fire that damaged the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy building, forcing its closure, Saginaw Public Schools officials stated.

In a message shared Wednesday, Nov. 20, on platforms including the districts social media pages, Saginaw Public Schools officials stated the floors at the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy building  formerly Arthur Hill High School  were being sanded by a flooring contractor Saturday, Nov. 16.

Although the fire did not enter the interior of the building, several areas were impacted by smoke and soot exposure has forced the school to close its building for the week, the message stated.

Crews cleaning and restoring the facility will prepare the school for reopening on Monday, Dec. 2, district officials announced.

While a reopening date was not previously stated, schools officials before the latest update indicated students would attend classes remotely for the rest of this week. Now, that timeline for online learning has been extended an additional two days, to Tuesday, Nov. 26.

The school district will dismiss classes  including online  from Wednesday to Friday, Nov. 27-29. The Thanksgiving holiday break was on the district calendar before the fire.

At 7:52 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, firefighters responded to a report of smoke and flames emanating from the back of the building at 3115 Mackinaw, Saginaw Fire Chief Brandon Hausbeck said. The first unit arrived at 7:56 a.m., finding a working fire on the north side of the building.

Crews quickly extinguished the fire at the entry doors and overhang. With the fire out, extensive ventilation needed to be done to clear smoke from the building, Hausbeck said.

Fire damage was limited to the exterior, he added.

Crews cleared the scene at 9:43 a.m. No injuries were suffered.

The Michigan State police, ATF, and Saginaw fire marshal investigated the fires origins, Hausbeck said.

Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy officials hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony less than a week before the fire, celebrating the completion of renovations needed to convert it from its generations spent serving as Arthur Hill High.

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Fans of Michigan treasure hunters Rick and Marty Lagina can now watch another show inspired by the brothers treasure hunt. Tales From Oak Island premieres Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 10 p.m. ET on History Channel.

Stream the new episode for free with trials on Philo. It will also be available for free with a Hulu trial the next day or on Disney+ with Hulu.

About the show:

Tales From Oak Island explores the most captivating theories, legendary figures and momentous events surrounding the worlds longest-running treasure hunt  one well documented in the series The Curse of Oak Island. The series dives deeper than ever before into the stories of the many searchers who have devoted their lives to finding the Nova Scotian islands secret treasure.

Currently, Rick and Marty Lagina are back with their team, trying solving the 229-year-old treasure mystery of Oak Island. Using cutting edge technology, the team pinpoints evidence of a large source of precious metals deep within the Money Pit area and executes a core-drilling operation to zero in on the legendary valuables already discovered during large-scale excavations. Additionally, new discoveries will shed light on the treasure mystery and new secrets will be revealed, corroborating the teams suspicion that Oak Island has been visited numerous times by medieval European cultures and may contain multiple treasures. You can watch the latest in their search each week on The Curse of Oak Island.

Tonights series premiere is titled The Article. In 1965, an article in Readers Digest entitled Oak Islands Mysterious Money Pit inspired some of the greatest chapters in the worlds longest-running treasure hunt.

Tune in to learn more about this mystery. The series premieres tonight, Nov. 19, at 10 p.m. ET on History Channel.

Watch a sneak peek from the show:

Where to watch:

$28/month , ditch cable and unlock 70+ channels of reality TV, movies, and more, live and on-demand. Philo (start free trial) - For, ditch cable and unlockof reality TV, movies, and more, live and on-demand. Click here to watch.

$10.99/month , or a Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+ trio for $16.99/month . You can also unlock a Hulu, Max and Disney+ Bundle for $16.99/month . Disney Bundle with Hulu - Choose the Disney Bundle to unlock either a Hulu and Disney+ duo for, or a Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+ trio for. You can also unlock a Hulu, Max and Disney+ Bundle for

$7.99/month or $79.99/year. Ad free Hulu costs $17.99/month. Eligible students can also get Hulu with ads for only $1.99/month. Watch thousands of shows from the Disney, ABC and Fox library, including next-day episodes of current seasons. Hulu (7-day free trial) - After the free trial, get Hulu with ads for justor $79.99/year. Ad free Hulu costs. Eligible students can also get Hulu with ads for only. Watch thousands of shows from the Disney, ABC and Fox library, including next-day episodes of current seasons.

Cast:

Rick Lagina

Marty Lagina

Craig Tester

Dan Blankenship
By Mata Press Service

As the Trudeau government begins to limit the issuance of study permits, Canada is witnessing an unprecedented surge in asylum claims from international studentsmany of which are suspected to be fraudulent.

In the first nine months of this year alone, nearly 14,000 international students submitted asylum applications, shattering previous records despite a significant reduction in the number of permits issued.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller has expressed concerns about the legitimacy of these claims, particularly given the dramatic spike among first-year students. Miller said that many students are being improperly advised to exploit the asylum system.

"It is quite obvious someone thats here, thats been here a year or even more, claiming asylum where no conditions have changed in their home country  it doesnt smell good, it doesnt look good," Miller told The Globe and Mail. "There is advice being given for people here that would otherwise have to go home to claim asylum, and that is not the intention of the asylum system as we have it in Canada."

Critics argue that the rise in student asylum claims may be linked to the governments tightened pathways to permanent residency, pushing some students to use asylum claims as a backdoor to remain in the country.

Federal data supports this surge: Between January 1 and September 30 of this year, 13,660 asylum claims were submitted by international studentsan increase from nearly 12,000 in 2023 and a dramatic jump from just 1,810 in 2018.

The surge in asylum claims primarily involves students from countries like India, Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data.

Minister Miller has called on the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, to investigate whether licensed immigration consultants are advising international students to make fraudulent asylum claims.

The spike in asylum claims comes as the Canadian government implements significant changes to its immigration policies, aiming to address challenges related to housing shortages, strained public services, and shifting public sentiment

This past October, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a substantial reduction in Canada's immigration targets.

The initial plan to admit 500,000 new permanent residents annually has been revised to 395,000 for the upcoming year, with further reductions to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027. This 21% decrease aims to balance labour market needs with the country's capacity to provide adequate infrastructure and services.

In a recently uploaded YouTube video, Trudeau acknowledged that the federal government could have acted more swiftly to tighten immigration programs, attributing the issue to "bad actors" exploiting the system.

Trudeau highlighted the necessity of increasing immigration following pandemic lockdowns to support the labor market, emphasizing that this approach helped Canada avoid a severe recession. However, he admitted that some "bad actors" misused these programs.

"Some saw that as a profit, to game the system. We saw way too many large corporations do this," Trudeau stated.

He also criticized "too many" colleges and universities for leveraging international student programs to "raise their bottom line," pointing out that international students pay much higher tuition.

Additionally, he noted that scammers preyed on "vulnerable immigrants" with fraudulent citizenship pathways.

Reflecting on the situation, Trudeau said, "Looking back, when the post-pandemic boom cooled and businesses no longer needed the additional labour help, as a federal team we could have acted quicker and turned off the taps faster."

Trudeau then discussed the new immigration strategy, which aims to reduce the number of permanent and temporary immigrants coming to Canada. This includes a phased decrease in new permanent residents over the next two years and stricter requirements for employers seeking temporary worker permits.

According to Trudeau, the objective of these reductions is to stabilize population growth while housing stocks catch up.

Once this balance is achieved, the government may consider gradually increasing immigration rates again.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre linked much of his criticism of the immigration system to Trudeaus recent admissions.

"Now, he's basically denouncing his entire immigration policy and expecting us to believe that he can fix the problems that he caused," Poilievre said.

He added, "The bottom line is we have to fix our immigration, get back to the best system in the world, the one that brought my wife here as a refugee legally and lawfully, the one that brought so many people here to pursue the Canadian promise, and that's what I'm going to do as prime minister."

Poilievre has previously proposed tying immigration rates to housing availability while considering factors like healthcare and employment.

Yvonne Su the director of the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University said instead of going after desperate international students, the federal government should be investigating the educational institutions responsible for creating this environment and should be introducing stricter oversight.

Lets be clear: Many students applying for asylum arent doing so because its a backdoor into Canada. Many are being pushed into that position by institutions that have promised them a future and then left them to fend for themselves, she wrote in Policy Options, the digital magazine of the Institute for Research on Public Policy.

We need to start looking at this issue through a more nuanced lens  one that acknowledges the bad actors and doesnt vilify the 98 percent of international students who did not apply for asylum, she said.
Preet Gill,

Special to The Post

2024 marked a year of significant change to Canadas international student program. Throughout the year, the Canadian government implemented a series of regulatory measures to control the influx of international students coming into the country. Both prospective students and educational institutions are now facing a shifting landscape. The objectives of these changes have been consistent: to stabilize population growth, reduce student vulnerability and preserve the integrity of Canadas international student program.

On January 22, 2024, Canadas Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), the Honourable Marc Miller, set prescribed limits on the number of international students coming to Canada, with a target to reduce international student arrivals by 35% in 2024. The Minister introduced a cap of 360,000 student applicants for the year, a significant decrease from the approximately 486,000 international students admitted in 2023. Minister Miller also announced the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan in October 2024, which formalized these reduced targets for temporary residents, specifically international students. While these changes appear to be harsh on prospective international students, the Canadian government aims to balance the economic and academic benefits international students bring with the need to protect social infrastructure and housing markets.

International students are vital to Canada and enrich our communities. As such, we must ensure that they have access to the resources they need for an enriching academic experience. In Canada, today, this isnt always the case. Today, we are announcing additional measures to protect a system that has become so lucrative that it has opened a path for its abuse. Enough is enough. Through the decisive measures announced today, we are striking the right balance for Canada and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system while setting students up for the success they hope for.

 The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (January 22, 2024)

For a detailed discussion of the changes to Canadas international student program and how these changes impact both prospective students and current students in Canada, please refer to our recent blog, "What a difference a year makes: Navigating the changes to Canadas International Student Program https://canadian-visa-lawyer.com/what-a-difference-a-year-makes-navigating-the-changes-to-canada's-international-student-program/.

Closure of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and the Nigeria Student Express (NSE)

As 2024 draws to an end, rapid changes to Canada's immigration programs continue to unfold. On November 8, 2024, the Minister suddenly closed two popular expedited processing streams for study permit applicants: the SDS and the NSE initiative. The SDS was introduced in 2018 and was designed to provide faster processing times for eligible post-secondary students from specifically identified countries which over time grew to a total of 14 countries. Under this program, eligible study permit applicants could expect a speedy processing time of just 20 days. Similarly, the NSE was a fast-track processing stream for students from Nigeria.

What does this mean for International Students?

IRCC accepted applications for processing under the SDS and NSE until 2:00 p.m. ET on November 8, 2024. The closure of both of these programs marks a significant shift in how study permits will be processed. All prospective study permit applicants must apply through the regular processing stream. IRCC states that while this change may lead to longer processing times, it is intended to ensure fairness and equality in the application process for all international students, regardless of their country of origin.

It is crucial to understand the changes to Canadas international student program before applying for a study permit. The closure of the SDS and NSE means that accelerated processing times are no longer available to students from previously eligible countries. As a result, applicants should anticipate and plan for longer wait times as their study permits are processed under the regular-stream.

Current Processing Times for Previously Eligible Countries under the Accelerated Student Streams:

Note: These processing times are provided on IRCCs website and updated every week.

Country IRCCs Current Estimated Processing Times Antigua and Barbuda No processing time available Brazil 11 weeks China 14 weeks Columbia 16 weeks Costa Rica No processing time available India 8 weeks Morocco 9 weeks Nigeria 10 weeks Pakistan 13 weeks Peru 7 weeks Philippines 6 weeks St. Vincent the Grenadines No processing time available Trinidad and Tobago 10 weeks Vietnam 11 weeks

*For all other countries, please refer to the IRCC website for country-specific processing times.

It is important to note that these estimated times do not account for such things as an application to be transferred between a Visa Application Centre (VAC) and an IRCC office, or the time needed to provide biometrics or an Immigration Medical Examination (IME). The processing of an application only begins once IRCC has received a complete application and ends when a decision is made. As noted on IRCCs website, complex applications may take longer to process. Plan ahead! We recommend making your study permit application a minimum of six months before the start date of your program of study in Canada.

Generally, in order to be eligible to study in Canada, prospective students must meet the eligibility criteria and submit a complete application. You must demonstrate that you are enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), and have sufficient funds to cover the costs of studying, living in and returning to your home country at the end of your authorized temporary stay in Canada. Depending on your country of origin, and personal circumstances, you may also be required to submit a police certificate and/or a medical examination. Students are also required to submit a letter of acceptance from the DLI theyll be attending and a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL). Additionally, all applicants are also required to submit a personal study plan outlining their reasons for wanting to study in Canada and confirming their understanding of the responsibilities that come with being an international student in the country.

Tips for Study Permit Applicants:

> Apply early! With the closure of the SDS and NSE initiatives, processing times will be longer, so submit your study permit application well in advance of your program start date.

> Submit a complete application! Ensure your application is complete and accurate to avoid delays. With IRCC seeking to reduce the overall number of study permits issued in 2024 and 2025 by 35%, it is more important than ever for students to ensure that their applications are complete and accurate to maximize their chances of receiving a favourable decision.

> Be aware of study permit caps! With the overall reduction of study permits to be issued, expect increased competition. The caps on study permit applications mean that fewer students will be able to secure permits for the foreseeable future.

> Stay Informed! As we have seen throughout 2024, immigration policies continue to change. Regularly check IRCCs website for updates to ensure that you are able to meet the latest requirements.

Finally, prospective international students should carefully consider their post-graduation opportunities before coming to Canada. If you plan to gain Canadian work experience after completing your studies, be sure to check that the program offered by your chosen DLI is eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Also, if permanent residence is part of your plans, consider delaying applying for your PGWP until after you obtain 2-3 years of work experience and/or complete Canadian graduate studies. Given the ongoing changes to Canadas international student program and immigration policies, understanding options like the PGWP and Express Entry can help students make informed decisions about their education programs and future career goals. It is essential to stay informed and plan ahead to maximize the value of your educational experience in Canada.

To understand the importance of developing a strategic immigration plan to obtain permanent residence, please refer to our blog, "Thinking Outside the Box: Developing a Canadian ImmigrationStrategy" https://canadian-visa-lawyer.com/thinking-outside-the-box-developing-a-canadian-immigration-strategy/.

For a complete list of our most recent blogs regarding international students please see https://canadian-visa-lawyer.com/category/studying-in-canada/)

Preet Gill is an Associate Lawyer at Sas & Ing Immigration Law Centre in Vancouver, BC. She is committed to assisting clients with their immigration and residency goals in Canada. You can reach Preet by email at email Preet Gill or call her at 1-604-689-5444.
By Michelle Gamage

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A teenager from the Fraser Health region is in critical condition due to a bird flu infection, likely caused by the H5N1 virus.

This is the first confirmed case of this type of bird flu where a person caught the virus in Canada, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control.

The only other case of H5N1 in Canada was in Alberta in 2014, where a woman got sick while flying home from Beijing and died in hospital seven days later.

The B.C. teenager is in critical condition and is receiving care at BC Childrens Hospital. They started feeling sick on Nov. 2 and were admitted to hospital Friday, where a test confirmed it was an H5 virus, said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

Henry said that due to the global spread of H5N1 and PCR testing done in B.C., she thinks the teen has contracted H5N1, but it needs to be confirmed by the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg. This will likely happen in the next few days, she added. Work is also being done to sequence the entire genome of the virus in B.C., she added.

A patient can be infectious two days before they start feeling sick, and 10 days after that, Henry said. During this period the infected teenager did not go to school, she said.

The youth have no underlying health conditions and, prior to infection, was a healthy teenager, Henry said. She added she would not provide further details in order to protect the identity of the patient and their family.

There have been no further cases at this time, she said, adding public health teams have identified between 35 and 40 people who may have been exposed to the teen while they were infectious. Those exposed, including health-care workers, have been assessed, tested and offered antivirals. So far, they are healthy, she said.

The big question right now is where the teenager caught the virus. Henry said this is being investigated but added its possible well never know.

So far, she said, they know the teen and their family do not live near or work on poultry farms. There are no pet birds in the family and, although one dog the teen came in contact with was sick, it has so far tested negative for bird flu.

Avian influenza viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds like geese and ducks but do not make them very sick, Henry said. Those same viruses can pass to poultry, like chickens and turkeys, during annual migrations where millions of wild birds pass through the Lower Mainland. Bird flu can be extremely lethal to chickens, she added.

This is the sixth year of bird flu outbreaks in waterfowl, which has had devastating impacts on Canadas poultry industry.

Since December 2021 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has spent around $94 million responding to more than 400 bird flu outbreaks across the country, which had led to more than 11 million birds being destroyed, according to reporting by the Investigative Journalism Foundation and CTV National News.

Most of those outbreaks have been in B.C., Henry said.

Bird flu is known to infect many different kinds of animals and could become more serious if the virus develops the ability to spread from human to human, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control.

In March an outbreak of H5N1 in dairy cows in the United States led to at least 46 cases of human infections, Henry said. The milk from an infected cow can be infectious, she said, adding some cats caught the virus after drinking unpasteurized milk.

As of November, there were 15 states with dairy cow outbreaks and 473 herds affected, according to the BCCDC website.

Many of these cases were in Washington, Oregon and California, Henry said, adding that most human cases were in adult dairy workers and were mild.

Henry said the infected teenager did not cross the U.S. border and did not come in contact with any U.S. animals or people.

The BCCDC says there have been no cases reported in dairy cattle and no evidence of bird flu in milk in Canada.

In B.C., H5N1 infections have also been detected in wild skunks and foxes.

There have been around 900 confirmed cases of H5N1 in humans since it first appeared in Hong Kong in 1997, Henry said. Most of these cases are in Southeast and South Asia and the rate of severe illness and death is quite high, Henry said.

Most of the cases are in children and are traced back to exposure to an infected animal, she added.

Theres been very few that might have been transmitted person to person. In some ways, this is reassuring that the virus doesnt seem to spread easily between people if they get infected, but it also causes very severe illness, particularly in young people, she said.

Henry said its not known why kids get hit hardest but that one hypothesis is that adults who have been vaccinated or infected with H1 flu strains, for example during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, have some immunity against the virus.

The H5N1 virus is aerosolized and can infect humans when the virus enters their nose, throat, eyes or lungs. Exposure deep in the lungs can lead to more severe illness, Henry said.

Henry said at this time B.C. is not looking at acquiring vaccines for H5N1 and that existing protocols seem to be keeping poultry farmers safe. This includes providing workers with personal protective equipment and antivirals when birds get sick, which has been quite effective, Henry said.

To protect yourself against infection, the BCCDC recommends getting the annual flu shot, staying up to date on all vaccinations and steering clear of sick or dying animals and their feces. That includes keeping pets away from them, too.

Even though the annual flu shot does not protect someone against bird flu, its important to reduce the chances of a person being infected with two types of influenza at the same time, which could increase the chances of a new type of influenza being created, Henry said.  The Tyee
Drivers in one major Aussie city could be forced to slow right down on roads.

Every street in one major Aussie city could soon have a 30km/h speed limit if a council proposal is passed and it's fair to say the backlash has been swift and intense, with one councillor calling it "absolute madness".

An investigation into the current speed limits on Adelaide's city roads and their subsequent safety implications have been in review for over two years now, and on Tuesday, three changes were presented to councillors  road users could be subjected to a blanket 30 km/h limit for the entire city, 40 km/h for the majority of roads, or a combination of the two with major arterial roads remaining at 50km/h.

Adelaide City councillor Henry Davis said the mere suggestion of lowering all road speed limits to 30km/h is a waste of time and condemned the proposal.

"To my mind this is absolute madness, you would shut down the city if that was the case," he told FIVEAA radio on Wednesday morning. "Its madness  I dont even know why we were sitting in a council meeting for about an hour and a half considering this as a viable option."

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Davis explained the idea of the proposed citywide 30 km/h speed limit is to deter motorists from going into the city and instead "riding in" to reduce emissions, however, he argued the slower pace of traffic could result in the opposite.

"We want to encourage people to ride bikes but they want to do that by making it near impossible to park and come into the city," he said. "A good number of councillors are actually entertaining this idea... it should be rejected immediately," he said.

Lord Mayor warns drivers 'not to get their knickers in a twist'

After the backlash, Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith urged drivers and those in the city "not to get their knickers in a twist" as the citywide 30km/h speed limit is only at the proposal stage.

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"There is a nuance about speed limits," she said. "On one side... you go to the road accident research people they will tell you if you're hit as a pedestrian at 50km/h, you've got a 90 per cent chance of dying, whereas if you're hit a 30km/h you've got a 10 per cent chance of dying... the other side of the argument is peoples convenience and how easy it is to get around... this is a longstanding discussion."

Representatives from the council have weighed in on the 30 km/h proposal. Source: Instagram/Facebook

She explained there is a "long way to go" before the council makes a decision. At the moment Adelaide has a range of speed limits.

Australia's massive problem with road deaths

Australia is in the middle of a crisis with soaring rates of preventable deaths on our roads  with governments aiming to halve road deaths by 2030 after signing the National Road Safety Standards Agreement in 2021.

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Three years later, there has been an increase in the national road toll of 17.4 per cent  despite recent statistics showing that deaths have fallen in South Australia.

In the year to September 2024, 1288 people died on Australian roads, and no state or territory is on track to meet targets. The timing of the report was critical, NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said. "The road toll is clearly a tragedy. It's higher than last year and last year was a terrible year," he said.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Best friends Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, remain on life support in critical condition after suffering suspected methanol poisoning on holiday.

Holly Bowles' devastated father has spoken out, after concerning footage from the nightclub where the two teens were allegedly poisoned emerged. Source: 7News

The heartbroken father of an Australian teenager who remains on life support after suffering suspected methanol poisoning in Laos has addressed the media, thanking the public for their outpouring of support while asking for privacy during the challenge ahead.

Shaun Bowles, father of Holly, who remains gravely ill and clinging to life in Bangkok, Thailand, said his daughter's condition is critical, with her current outlook unsure.

Holly and best friend Bianca Jones  who is also on life support at a hospital in Udon Thani, some eight hours drive away  are both suspected to have ingested the deadly substance methanol last week while on a night out in Laos during a Southeast Asian "dream getaway". Both girls are just 19-years-old.

Holly's father Shaun said his family, including the teen's mother, are rallying by her beside.

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"Right now our daughter remains in the intensive care unit, in a critical condition, she is on life support," the devastated dad told media from Bangkok. "We'd also like for people to appreciate right now we just need privacy, so we can spend as much time as we can with Holly."

Holly's father Shaun is at her bedside in Thailand. Source: 7News

Family praying authorities get to the bottom of suspected poisoning

A statement to media from Bianca's family said they are praying "authorities can get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible."

"Our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have come from across Australia," the statement said. "This is every parent's nightmare and we want to ensure no other family is forced to endure the anguish we are going through."

Bianca Jones (left) and Holly Bowles (right). Source: Herald Sun

The two Melbourne teens were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, a tourist town in the country's centre, before they went on to drink at Jaidee bar on November 11. It's believed it was at this venue the girls unwittingly consumed the methanol.

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According to 7News, locals understand the spot to have ties with the mafia, telling a reporter for the network it's notorious for methanol poisonings.

The pair had been staying at a hostel near Laos' capital Vientiane. Source: AAP

Alarming detail on menu from popular tourist bar emerges

Methanol is usually found in a range of products such as paint, fuel, and cosmetics, however it is also sometimes illegally added to alcohol as a cheap substitute to ethanol. Drinking even a small amount can be fatal.

Footage obtained by 7News of Jaidee bar reveals it offers drugs on a menu to patrons, including marijuana, magic mushrooms, opium and hash brownies.

While cannabis is an illegal substance in Laos, it is readily available. Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022 for medical purposes.

Nana Backpacker Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan told the Associated Press staff were alerted by other guests that the two teens fell sick when they failed to check out. They were transported to hospital on motorcycles when it was discovered they likely ingested the toxic substance.

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Smartraveller has since changed advice for tourists travelling to Laos. It states: " several foreign nationals, including Australians, have been victims in November 2024 of suspected cases of methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks".

"Be alert to the potential risks, particularly with spirit-based drinks including cocktails."

The two girls are among a whole group of people believed to have been poisoned at the venue. Two other travellers died and at least a dozen people were reportedly hospitalised after also drinking the substance. Vigils have taken place in Melbourne's Bayside area as the community come to terms with the unimaginable tragedy.

On Thursday morning, the ABC reported the death of a third person linked to the poisoning event after the US State Department said a US citizen had died in Vang Vieng.

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Plus the deaths of two Danish women have been confirmed in a suspected methanol poisoning incident that has hospitalised two Australian women.

Can you work out which supermarket is undercover here?

Yahoo's live news blog for Wednesday, November 20 has concluded. Aldi has revealed surprising data from a survey of Australians about wine after going undercover to let the public taste test its own selection.

Two Danish nationals have died in a suspected methanol poisoning incident that has left two Australian teenagers on life support. The Australian women were travelling as part of a group in Southeast Asia when they fell ill in Laos.

Chinese state media have given their assessment of Anthony Albanese's meeting with Xi Jinping, while Beijing mouthpiece the Global Times has branded the Australian government "mad".

See all of the day's updates below.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER 15 updates Featured Kevin Rudd's defiant Donald Trump message Kevin Rudd says Australia is ready to deal with Donald Trump amid questions over the former Labor prime ministers future as Australias ambassador in Washington. In a prerecorded address to a forum in Sydney on Wednesday, the envoy said Mr Trumps historic second White House win was important for Australia and that the embassy in Washington had been working hard to prepare for it. The election of the president of the United States is an important moment for the world, Mr Rudd told the Sydney International Strategy Forum. Its important for our region. Its important for Australia. Here at the embassy, weve been working hard through the course of the last year to ensure that we were well prepared for this moment. And the bottom line is, were ready. There has been plenty of discussion surrounding Rudd's future in his role following several past criticisms of Trump, including calling him a "village idiot Man dies after falling off e-skateboard A man has died after falling of an electric skateboard in NSW. The 45-year-old man fell off the skateboard in Umina Beach on Sunday evening and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but could not be saved. The man's death comes as the NSW government discusses tighter legislation around e-scooters and similar electric vehicles on the state's roads.

Woolworths and Coles combine for Australia's Word of the Year The two big supermarkets have been in the headlines all year in 2024 and for the Australian National Dictionary Centre, that's enough to combine them for their word of the year. 'Colesworth', a word used to describe the duopoly of Coles and Woolworths, was chosen due to their role in the cost of living narrative this year. "What we're looking for is something that kind of sums up the year, a word that's been used or relating to the concerns of Australians," Mark Gwynn, a senior researcher at the Australian National Dictionary Centre, said.

Famous David Bowie pub ruined A regional Aussie pub famous for being one of the locations in David Bowie's Let's Dance music video has been badly damaged in a wild storm on Tuesday. The Carinda Hotel was one of many buildings in the tiny town to suffer significant damage, with roofs blown off several properties. Local Chris Isaac told the ABC it "looks like a bomb has gone off". The Carinda Hotel has been destroyed as winds reached up to 150km/h in the town. Source: Chris Isaac

Charity putting on school breakfasts to feed hungry kids More and more schools are providing breakfast for students as the cost of living continues to punish struggling families. "We've had an absolute influx of schools, ranging from all different socio-demographics, reach out," Foodbank community engagement coordinator Taylan Redden told the ABC. "The demand in the last two or three months has been crazy." Foodbank has been putting on breakfast clubs at hundreds of schools and expects to be providing breakfast to 1,000 schools by next year. Children are offered Aussie favourites including fairy bread, vegemite toast, banana smoothies, fresh fruit, and bowls of cereal.

No, this is not a Covid test This looks familiar. The picture may be bringing back unpleasant pandemic memories but this Covid-like test is set to be a game changer for women testing for STIs. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved Australia's first rapid self-test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea and will be available to Aussies in just weeks. Matt Salihi, CEO of Touch Biotechnology who have developed the tests, says the approval of the tests is a "significant" step for sexual health. Its incredibly important for women, and men, to consider the risks of unprotected sex because despite the perceived stigma, STIs impact so many Australians amounting to much more than uncomfortable symptoms," he said.

Telstra brings back popular Santa offer Telstra is bringing back its popular free calls to Santa this Christmas ensuring "no one misses out on the magic of Christmas". Children can dial # 46 46 46 (Ho ho ho) on any of the network's payphones across the country to get through to Santa. Last year, more than 500,000 calls were made to the North Pole. And with smaller children struggling to reach some payphones by themselves, Telstra is rolling out kid-sized payphones across select stores in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane until Christmas Eve. Check out the miniature version in the Instagram video below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Telstra (@telstra)

Ingredient upsets viewers in MKR finale The use of canned tomatoes in last night's My Kitchen Rules finale has ruffled a few feathers with debate erupting online over whether such tins should be allowed to be used. Caz and Fergus, who missed out on this season's title, were spotted using the tomatoes, but eventual winners Simone and Viviana have told Yahoo Lifestyle they don't see what the issue is. So what do you think? Are you a purist and want everything made from scratch? Have your say below.

Monkeys on the run after escaping medical research facility We take you overseas now. Four monkeys remain on the run after 43 of them escaped a US facility that breeds them for medical research. Authorities in South Carolina have been scrambling the past two weeks to capture the monkeys, with two more caught on Monday. Police believe an employee accidentally left their enclosure unlocked. The monkeys are rhesus macaques like the ones pictured here in this file image. Source: AP

Controversial OnlyFans model booted from Fiji Controversial adult content creator Bonnie Blue has been kicked out of Fiji, two weeks after her Australian visa was cancelled. Blue, alongside Australian Annie Knight, have proven divisive after they offered to bed "barely-legal" Schoolies teens and film it with their consent. While unable to fly into Australia, Blue headed to nearby Schoolies location Fiji but the country's Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Pio Tikoduadua said her visa will now be cancelled. I have exercised my authority under the Immigration Act to declare Tia Billinger, the United Kingdom national known by her screen name, Bonnie Blue, a prohibited immigrant, Mr Tikoduadua said, according to The Daily Telegraph. Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka told the Fiji Times having Blue in their country is harmful to the image of Fiji as a tourist destination". Bonnie Blue is running out of countries to visit. Source: TikTok/Instagram

Family prepare for 'difficult' Liam Payne funeral Liam Payne will be laid to rest in a private ceremony this week, exactly five weeks on from his death. The former One Direction star died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16 aged 31 and it has been revealed his parents have put together a "perfect service" for him which will take place on Wednesday, Liam Payne pictured with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy in 2023. Source: Getty "His family have gone to great lengths to put together the perfect service and give him the send-off he deserves," a source told The Sun. "Liam may have been a global superstar but to Geoff and Karen he will always be their little boy. "It is going to be an incredibly difficult day." Simon Cowell is expected to be at the funeral. - With AAP

Grisly find leads to murder charges weeks after teen vanishes Two men have been charged after human remains were found in search for a missing teenager. Isla Bell, 19, was last seen leaving her home in Brunswick, in Melbournes inner north about 6pm on October 4. Missing Persons Squad formally took over the investigation into the womans suspicious disappearance in late October. Human remains, which are yet to be formally identified, were discovered in Dandenong on Tuesday morning, more than one month after the teenager was first reported missing. Two men have been charged man remains were found in search for missing teenager, over a month after she was first reported missing. Three men were arrested on Tuesday morning after detectives executed search warrants on two Bentleigh East and Mulgrave properties. A 53-year-old St Kilda man has since been charged with murder and a 57-year-old man has been charged with assist offender (murder). A 63-year-old Mulgrave man was released pending further inquiries. Islas family have been notified and police will ensure a number of support services are in place, a statement from police read. Read more here.

Bejing mouthpiece's scathing attack as Albo remains under the spotlight It was widely perceived that China's Xi Jinping was warning Anthony Albanese when he said Canberra should maintain its relationship with Beijing "with great care" on the sidelines of the G20 summit. And while Xi had flagged that the relationship has had its ups and downs, Chinese state media painted a different picture, praising the relationship as all eyes remain on Albanese to see how he navigates a difficult position between the US and China. Chinese news agency Xinhua focused on prospering economic ties between the two countries while stressing Xi's position that "there is no fundamental conflict of interest between China and Australia". But it was a different story from China's nationalistic tabloid the Global Times, with an opinion piece branding the Albanese government "mad' for its military trajectory alongside the US and Japan after recent joint drills. "These drills are designed to counter an imaginary China threat. The US and paid mouthpieces such as ASPI have manufactured a threat that doesn't exist only to put Australia into a very dangerous position because, if there is conflict in Asia, it won't be the US getting hit, it will be bases in Australia, some of which are very close to civilian populations," a mystery British Australian freelance writer wrote. China has long been a critic of the AUKUS military pact that Albanese has invested $368 billion in alongside the US and UK. #GTCartoon: Obedient pawns of the US' Indo-Pacific Strategy. #Australia #Japan @_ValiantPanda_ pic.twitter.com/iJpdySDxHP  Global Times (@globaltimesnews) November 18, 2024

Aldi's surprising wine find Almost half of Australians in a recent Aldi survey believe you can make rose wine by simply mixing red and white. Yep, that's right. Forty-nine per cent of a survey of 1,000 wine drinkers had it very, very wrong. The surprising statistic comes as the supermarket went undercover at a polo event to test its wines on punters. And while their data said 52 per cent of those surveyed could tell the difference between a $10 and $60 bottle of wine, those asked at the polo event said they'd shell out north of $50 on bottles priced under $20 at the supermarket. To fool revellers, Aldi posed as wine merchant Fin D'Itinaldi. Get it? Find it in Aldi for those who are still waking up this morning. We see what you did there Aldi.

Two dead in suspected methanol poisoning Two Danish women in their twenties have been confirmed dead in a suspected methanol poisoning that left two Australian teens hospitalised in Southeast Asia. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can confirm that two Danish citizens have passed away in Laos. For reasons of confidentiality in personal matters the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has no further comments," a statement share to the ABC read. Australians Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, are on life support in Thailand after the incident that hospitalised several others. Local police are investigating the matter with the local hostel owner where the women were staying insisting to the ABC their alcohol is safe.

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The man was exploring a dry floodplain in the Top End when he said something suddenly caught his eye.

A large crocodile can be seen partially submerged in mud during the Top End's dry season. Source: Supplied

A man has shared the moment he made a startling discovery while "walking on a fairly dry floodplain" recently. Cain Kalsbeek, who lives in Arnhem Land in the northeast corner of the Northern Territory, was exploring the area's vast wilderness when something caught his eye.

"I only noticed as we were driving away in the buggy," the local man told Yahoo News Australia this week, sharing images he'd captured of his find. Only when zooming in can you see "scutes [vertical scales along the tail] protruding from a bit of water" exposing a camouflaged three-metre crocodile hiding in the mud.

While abundant in the area, the predators are normally found in and around large water sources. But at this time of year, things are a little different, Kalsbeek explained.

"Once the billabong dries up they are stuck there until the monsoon comes," he said, describing the area's dry season which is due to end this month. Some crocodiles are known to trek between water sources at night when its cooler, often travelling long distances. Some, however, choose to stay and wait it out.

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Images shared with Yahoo show a muddy, grassland area where a small murky puddle remains. An isolated croc appears to have made the water source home, at least until the wet season arrives  but Kalsbeek said they're easy to miss if roaming the area on foot.

Cain Kalsbeek was roaming Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory when he spotted the hidden crocodile. Source: Supplied

How crocodiles use mud for survival

Queensland tour guide David White, from Solar Whisper Daintree River and Wildlife Cruises, previously told Yahoo News, "crocs can go for a long time without food or water" after one was spotted "doing it tough" in a small puddle of water in an otherwise dry creek.

While some Aussies raised concerns about its welfare, White confirmed its normal behaviour. "They just can't get too hot," he said.

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To help stay cool, the animals submerge themselves in mud a common sight across the northern parts during the dry season when the waterways dry up. While most people living in the area are aware of the tactic and know to keep an eye out, Kalsbeek said not everyone's been so lucky.

"There has been one or two people in the NT in the past year or so that have accidentally stepped on them," he revealed. He believes they required treatment in the hospital.

Cain Kalsbeek said he often encounters large crocs so has become accustomed to them. Source: Supplied

But often the crocs lose interest in attacking as conditions become oppressive, local fisherman Rodney Fischer previously explained to Yahoo.

"I think in situations like this the croc is more worried about surviving and conserving energy," he said of a time he came within close proximity to a croc hidden in mud along the Ord River in Western Australia. "The croc didn't show any aggression".

Local man's 'close calls' with crocodiles

Revealing a few "close calls" of his own, the first occurred on a "pitch black night," he said. "A five-metre croc was 1-1.5m away from me when I was throwing a net and couldve easily had me".

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The second was slightly more alarming. He'd "slipped down a bank and nearly landed on a submerged croc," he explained. And on another occasion, a "big croc popped up beside me" while hanging off his boat.

"They dont scare me as such but I have amazing respect for them," he said. "I am around them a lot so I am accustomed to them."

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More disgruntled cruise ship passengers have come forward to join a class action suit that Carter Capner Law says it will soon file.

Carter Capner Law launched an investigation into P&O Cruises in May after Sydney dad Shane Dixon fell overboard while sailing on the popular lines Pacific Adventure ship. Source: NCA NewsWire/Facebook/Daily Mail Australia

More passengers are speaking out against Carnival Cruises as an Aussie law firm progresses a possible class action suit against it and another cruise company for alleged unethical practices in the ships casinos.

Carter Capner Law director Peter Carter launched an investigation into Carnival's subsidiary P&O Cruises Australia in May, just days after Sydney dad Shane Dixon fell overboard while sailing on the popular lines Pacific Adventure. The 45-year-old is believed to have jumped overboard after reportedly racking up a $4,000 gambling debt over two nights.

At the time, Mr Carter accused P&O of incentivising guests to gamble by offering credit regardless of their bank balance, plying them with free alcohol and offering incentives like free cruises  which are generally banned in Australian casinos.

Since then, the lawyer said on Wednesday he has been inundated with stories from allegedly affected passengers from across the country and New Zealand. A P&O Cruises Australia spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia it has Responsible Conduct of Gaming Policies in place on all P&O ships and take those policies seriously.

More cruise passengers allegedly rack up thousands in debt

Speaking to ABC Radio Sydney, Mr Carter said some people who contacted him had easily built up a debt of thousands of dollars without keeping track of it because the casino on the ship doesnt do it for them.

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One person using the pseudonym Paul sailed with P&O just days after Mr Dixons death in May, and despite only having $2,000 in his bank account, he spent $6,000 in the ships casino, the law firm stated in a press release.

The man had no idea this was a loan and didnt keep a tally of his losses, believing the cruise line was debiting his bank account. When he arrived back in Sydney, Paul was allegedly held on board for three hours due to his debt.

The P&O cruise ship Pacific Jewel slowly steams past the Sydney Opera House on a bright Autumn afternoon. Source: Getty

Another man named Trevor claims he was offered a free cruise, unlimited alcohol, complimentary dinners and a credit limit of $5,000 per day despite Carnival Cruises being aware of his previous problems with debt and gambling, and having unpaid debts from past cruises with the company, the firm stated.

He reportedly built a debt of $13,000, which increased to $25,000 when previous bills were added, and was told by staff he couldnt leave the ship until it was paid. Trevor was allowed to disembark after allegedly signing an acknowledgment of the money he owed.

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Class action suit going after Carnival and Royal Caribbean

Mr Carter, whose firm is about to launch the class action suit, described the behaviour as predatory.

The cruise lines think that once theyre in international waters everything goes, we have a different opinion and we think that there are still some regulations that need to be followed, he told ABC Radio Sydney.

Its all very poor conduct, it wouldnt be tolerated in Australia and our objective is to get compensation for those passengers whove been financially harmed as a result. And remember, its not just the passenger, its their family as well so its serious conduct and they should be brought to account.

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The main protagonist, according to the numbers whove already expressed their interest to us is Carnival and their brands P&O and other Carnival cruises. Royal Caribbean featured to some extent  theyre the only two that are featuring at the moment and theyre the ones that [have] operated out of Australia over the last six years.

In June, Carnival Cruises announced it will dissolve the P&O Cruise line in a fresh wave of cost-cutting measures. Yahoo News Australia has contacted P&O Cruises for comment.

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The Colquhoun Forest was photographed in April, 2021 after a prescribed burn, and then again in October 2024, to highlight how quickly undergrowth returned. In the second image some of the tree has been salvaged for firewood. Source: Lisa Roberts

Bushfires are a very real fear for Aussies. But plans to reduce their risk by torching over 10,000 hectares of bushland around the homeland of a rare bird has caused an uproar.

At the centre of the controversy are prescribed burns scheduled for Victorias picturesque Gippsland Lakes region, a feeding and nesting ground for the glossy black cockatoo, which was added to the federal list of threatened species in 2022.

Nationally, the birds have declined because their main food source has been destroyed. The "glossies", as they're affectionately known, dine almost exclusively on she-oaks (Casuarina and Allocasuarina), trees the governments own research found are severely impacted by intense heat.

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) which sits within the Department of Environment (DEECA) is the agency behind the controversial burning schedule in Gippsland. It claims to have designed a program that will minimise any direct, unintended impacts on threatened species, including glossies. And it argues reducing fuel loads lessens the threat of more severe bushfires completely destroying critical trees.

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But Lisa Roberts from advocacy group Friends of Bats and Habitat Gippsland is warning that with only 35 to 40 glossies left between the Snowy River and Lakes Entrance, each remaining feed tree is important. She's worried the scale of the planned burns is so large, trees will be destroyed before FFMV and its contractors have mapped them  a slow process that must be completed on foot because the trees can't be detected using satellite imagery.

Another concern is once habitat is identified, authorities can simply bulldoze around it and burn the surrounding forest. "When they put a bulldozer in it just lets people into those sites, and feral animals also follow those tracks," she said.

And then there's the impact on hollow-bearing nesting trees by the intense fires  they take 200 years to form before they're suitable for use, and can be destroyed in minutes by a fire.

Glossy black cockatoos are fussy about which trees they feed from. Source: Lisa Roberts

Fire management in Victoria under scrutiny

Roberts is one of a growing number of wildlife advocates opposed to what's been described as "industrial" scale burns. Earlier this year, she blasted FFMV for scheduling 1000 across the state over the next three years.

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The agency has come under intense scrutiny. In May, it felled a hollowed tree to make way for a fire break, appearing to ignore repeated warnings that an endangered greater glider was living inside.

In October, it was revealed FFMV had planned to burn forest close to where the last 10 wild bald-tip beard orchids grow, near the Central Victorian town of Whroo.

FFMV removed the region from its burn schedule, but it maintains the orchid could have been protected from the flames. "If the burn had gone ahead, we were prepared to put in place protective measures that included a large exclusion zone to ensure the orchid was not impacted by activities at the site," FFMV told Yahoo.

When it comes to the glossies, FFMV has searched 1,100 hectares of land across Gippsland for feed trees, and it plans to survey a further 5,000 hectares. It will protect the trees with signs of chew marks from the last 12 months.

The greatest threat to glossy black cockatoo critical feeding habitat is uncontrollable fire. Ensuring the protection of native wildlife and habitat is a key priority when implementing our planned burning program, it told Yahoo.

Research suggests burns have 'catastrophic' impact on wildlife

While burns have an immediate impact on fuel loads, they're only a short-term solution. Highlighting the problem are two photos taken at Colquhoun Forest. One taken in 2021 shows the undergrowth completely denuded by fire, but a subsequent image taken four years later shows it has returned thicker than before.

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The images also highlight the common practice of felling trees to create a safe work environment before burns begin.

This large tree was felled before burns began to ensure there was a safe working environment for staff. Source: Lisa Roberts

The 2019/2020 Black Summer Bushfires had a catastrophic impact on wildlife, harming around 3 billion animals. The devastation prompted state governments around the country to scale up prescribed burns in the name of protecting people and biodiversity.

But new research published in the journal Nature last week calls into question the assumption that prescribed burns help protect wildlife. It concluded repeated burns can intensify the impact on ecosystems when large bushfires occur.

Previous research had indicated burns conducted three to five years before bushfires lessened the impact on wildlife. But the new study, which involved 100 scientists examining 1,300 animal and plant species, concluded the practice is potentially catastrophic.

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Its lead author Professor Don Driscoll argued the study should lead to a complete rethink of fire management practices by state authorities.

Glossy black cockatoos almost exclusively feed on she-oaks. Source: Peter Murrell

Fire expert reveals simple solution to 'brutal' fire regime

Dr David Bowman, a professor of fire science at the University of Tasmania, has studied the practices of Indigenous land managers in Arnhem Land for 25 years.

These methods have been used for generations, and provide wildlife with pathways to escape the flames. Whereas the industrial scale burns which are designed to process landscapes as efficiently as possible are known to frequently kill  in 2022, Victorian authorities accidentally incinerated several koalas when they set a forest alight, and evidence suggests fires set in Tasmania have killed endangered devils.

Weighing up the two styles, Bowman said its like comparing fast food with slow food cooking. Fast food is all about doing it quickly  you want it out the door  boom, boom, boom. But slow cooking is just as much about the process as the result. Its about coupling people to country and enjoying time with others while doing the burning.

Although he believes state-managed fire management is often a brutal system, Bowman doesnt think prescribed burns should be abandoned. Because cultural burning may no longer be viable across vast areas of the country that have been absent of regular human activity since European settlement.

He thinks burning in a mosaic pattern, similar to those used by Indigenous fire experts, is the best way to manage the land. This process maintains pathways within the forest and ensures large swathes of habitat arent simply destroyed.

Most nature reserves are lacking long-unburned native vegetation. Animals like to have mosaics, with different vegetation structures for roosting, shelter from predators, logs, and plants with food resources like nectar and fruit.

But if you are just homogenising the landscape with this burning and burning and burning, of course you're going to have negative effects on biodiversity.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment?  Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
Melburnians Phil and Angela Serrurier were promised an $80,000 luxury motorhome. All they got were 'shattered' dreams and an empty bank account.

Melburnians Phil and Angela Serrurier were promised an $80,000 luxury motorhome. All they got was a drained bank account. Source: Supplied/Tango Caravans

A retired Australian couple who poured their life savings into what they thought would be the motorhome of their dreams, now face the "shattering" prospect of returning to work after losing it all in the bombshell financial collapse of Tango Caravans.

Melburnians Phil and Angela Serrurier were promised a luxury motorhome from the troubled dealership when they put their deposit down at the start of 2024. The pair decided to make the move after Phil was diagnosed with a debilitating illness a few years prior, which meant he was unable to work.

They decided to take "a slow peaceful drive" to Townsville to see family as part of his healing, spending time in caravan parks on the way. It was on this journey that they fell in love with the idea of owning a caravan, telling Yahoo News how they ultimately had the idea to buy one on returning to Melbourne.

"We decided that we should use all of our savings and buy our first caravan," Angela told Yahoo News Australia.

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The pair, from Kilmore in the city's north, eventually paid $80,000 to Tango, expecting the process to take a maximum of six months.

RELATED: Caravan dream turns into $94,000 nightmare for Aussie family as company collapses

The couple purchased Tango's 2024 21'6 Escape two-bunk semi, but never received it. Source: Tango Caravans

Aussie couple told dream caravan merely 'weeks away'

The grandparents explained how they were "so excited" to embark on the trip of a lifetime across the country, only to find out through the media their dreams had been crushed. Tragically, the Serruriers' story is not unique, with the pair just one in a long list of families who lost tens of thousands to Tango  each unlikely to ever have the funds recovered.

"We paid the initial deposit of $8,000 in late January and we were told it would take six months to build," Angela told Yahoo, expecting the vehicle to be delivered in June or July.

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"By the end of May, we were asking questions. Then came June and they asked us to choose the colours and whatnot, and they said, 'your caravan's gonna be ready in two weeks', can you pay the remaining $72,000?"

It was the last the couple  who self-funded their retirement  would ever hear from Tango directly.

Watchdog steps in, shock find unveiled in report

The couple ultimately discovered through the news the dealership had been plunged into liquidation in August, owing 70 unsecured creditors, mainly customers, a total of $3,283,688  as well as nearly $50,000 in wages, annual leave and superannuation.

Tango Caravans Pty Ltd and director Sarah Horter are now being investigated by Victorias consumer watchdog, and the statutory report delivered by liquidators Pitcher Partners  seen by Yahoo  alleges the company was insolvent by March 31, 2023 despite continuing to trade well after that date.

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"We are actually shattered," Angela said. "To keep hearing it all over again, it sort of like digs into you repeatedly."

The retirees now face returning to work in order to make ends meet. Source: Supplied

Customers unlikely to get any funds back from Tango

Phil said the pair sought legal advice from their solicitor, who confirmed little can be done to retrieve the funds. "They're saying, if she's got no assets, nothing, there's not much we can go after," he said.

"We were planning a number of different trips over the next few years," he recalled. "A couple of years ago, I got very, very sick, and I had to give up work. We saved a bit of money, because I had had my own business, so we were living off our funds.

"We thought we'd get a caravan to help alleviate some stress, and take a trip around Australia with our granddaughter.

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"That's all come to a screaming halt now  and I'm going to have to go back to work. We'll have to probably buy a secondhand caravan in the future, which isn't quite what we wanted, and that'll take some time to save up for again."

Phil said he's determined to eventually fulfil the couple's plans. But Angela said the ordeal has left a bad taste in her mouth. "We want to do it again, we want to still travel. But we can't afford to, so now we've got to save up again," he said. "I had a heart attack last week. I'm not actually allowed to work legally for another month, so it's putting that back further.

"So yes, it's very much a dream at the moment, not a reality."

"It took us about eight, nine years to save the money. I just feel like I don't trust anybody anymore," Angela lamented.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 14, GAC Group officially celebrated the grand opening of its new showroom in Muscat, the capital of Oman, marking a significant milestone in its expansion within the Middle East. Alongside the event, GAC released six key models, reinforcing its commitment to the market.

Opening event of GAC's new showroom in Oman; photo credit: GAC Group

Situated at the western intersection of the Belt and Road Initiative, Oman is a crucial partner in advancing China's global connectivity efforts. For GAC Group, the country serves as a strategic market in the Middle East. With the formal launch of its GAC MOTOR and AION brands, the company highlighted its ambitious plans and long-term dedication to Oman.

The inauguration ceremony featured representatives from GAC International and the Gargash Group, who jointly unveiled the new showroom. Covering approximately 1,500 square meters, the showroom is located in Muscat's Azaiba district, a prime location near a bustling main road and surrounded by renowned automotive brands.

Zhang Yongming, General Manager of GAC International Middle East, remarked, "Since our partnership with Gargash Group began in 2013, our collaboration and relentless efforts have significantly boosted GAC's brand awareness and market share in the UAE. This has earned the trust and recognition of local consumers. The opening of this new showroom in Oman signifies a fresh chapter in our journey here. Moving forward, GAC will continue working closely with the Gargash Group to accelerate the introduction of new models, offering Omani consumers superior products and services, and driving sustained growth in this market.

Guests experiencing GAC's models; photo credit: GAC Group

The six models unveiled at the event include the HYPTEC GT, EMPOW, EMKOO, GS3 EMZOOM, the All-New GS8, and the M8. Spanning all-electric and oil-fueled options, the expanded lineup reflects GAC's commitment to providing a diverse range of choices for Omani consumers, further enhancing its competitive edge in the region.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

XPENG aims to achieve breakeven by late 2025

XPENGs Co-President Gu Hongdi announced that the company is actively exploring solutions to address EU tariffs from feasibility, cost, and strategic perspectives. He also projected that XPENG will achieve breakeven by late 2025.

Photo credit: XPENG

Changan Automobile-backed fund invests in Talent New Energy

According to information from the corporate database Tianyancha, battery supplier Chongqing Talent New Energy recently added Changan Automobiles private equity fund and other investors, including subsidiaries of Norinco Group. The companys registered capital increased from approximately 5.93 million yuan to 6.23 million yuan after the changes.

Faraday Future ships first FX prototypes to U.S. headquarters

Faraday Future announced on November 20 that the first batch of the FX prototypes has arrived at FF Chinas headquarters in Beijing. The vehicles will soon be shipped to the companys U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles.

Magna bags first order for DHD Duo hybrid drive system from leading Chinese automaker

On November 19, Magna announced it has received the first order for the DHD Duo dedicated hybrid drive system from a major Chinese automaker. This milestone highlights Magna's commitment to innovation and sustainability, offering versatile and efficient powertrain solutions to support global electrification strategies.

ThunderSoft, HERE Technologies team up to advance intelligent navigation solutions

On November 14, 2024, ThunderSoft, a global provider of OS and intelligent device solutions, announced a strategic partnership with HERE Technologies, a leading location data and technology platform, aiming to jointly accelerate advancements in intelligent navigation and high-definition (HD) maps, fostering a more connected and intelligent mobility ecosystem.

Qianxun SI to supply FindAUTO solution to unnamed global automaker

On November 20, Qianxun SI, a spatiotemporal intelligent infrastructure company, announced it has received a designated supply order from a leading global automaker for over 1 million vehicles.

Dongfeng Forthing unveils range-extended version of Xinghai S7 sedan

Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor celebrated its 70th anniversary in Liuzhou, Guangxi, with the debut of the range-extended electric version (REEV) of the Dongfeng Forthing Xinghai S7 sedan.

UTOPILOT's smart electric trucks put into commercial operations in Peru's Chancay Port

On November 14, local time, Chancay Port in Peru officially commenced operations, marking the start of commercial deployment for 40 fully electric intelligent trucks developed by Chinese autonomous trucking solution developer UTOPILOT. This is China's first large-scale rollout of smart port transport vehicles overseas.

China transports electric vehicle power batteries by railway for first time

At 11:15 a.m. on November 19, a freight train loaded with containers of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, produced by Sichuan Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited ("Sichuan CATL"), departed from Yibin Port in Sichuan, bound for Shanghai, according to a post on "Yibin Release", an official WeChat account of Yibin city's government. This marks the first-ever use of railway transport for electric vehicle power batteries in China, with simultaneous departures from Sichuan, Chongqing, and Guizhou.

BYD signs agreements for building Phase IV facility of industrial park in Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone

On November 19, BYD signed an agreement with the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone during the Shenzhen Intelligent Connected Vehicles and Advanced Materials Industry Investment Promotion Conference, aiming to build the Phase IV facility of the Shenshan BYD Auto Industrial Park, according to a post on an official WeChat account of Shenzhen's government. This development signifies a further boost to BYD's investment in the city.

CAIP starts construction of first overseas factory in Hungary

On November 18, Chinese automotive supplier Jiangsu Changshu Automotive Trim Group Co., Ltd. ("CAIP") broke ground on its first overseas factory in Hungary, marking a significant milestone in the company's global expansion.

GAC Group inaugurates new showroom, launches 6 key car models in Oman

On November 14, GAC Group officially celebrated the grand opening of its new showroom in Muscat, the capital of Oman, marking a significant milestone in its expansion within the Middle East. Alongside the event, GAC released six key models, reinforcing its commitment to the market.

XPENG reports YoY, QoQ growth in Q3 2024 revenue, gross margin

XPeng Inc. ("XPENG"), a leading Chinese smart electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer listed on the NYSE and HKEX, has released its unaudited financial results for the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, showcasing robust growth across key performance metrics, including revenue and gross margin.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 18, Chinese automotive supplier Jiangsu Changshu Automotive Trim Group Co., Ltd. ("CAIP") broke ground on its first overseas factory in Hungary, marking a significant milestone in the company's global expansion.

Photo credit: CAIP

The new facility, located in the Southern Industrial Park of Nyiregyhaza, spans an area of 60,000 square meters with a total investment of 60 million. Once operational, it is expected to produce 450,000 sets of automotive interior and exterior trim products annually.

Photo credit: CAIP

CAIP said it aims to establish the plant as a benchmark for "digital green manufacturing," focusing on the production of intelligent cockpit modules.

Nyiregyhaza's industrial park, which covers 950 hectares, has been attracting significant Chinese investment. Just a month earlier, Chinese battery supplier Sunwoda broke ground on its new electric vehicle battery factory in the same park. CAIP is now the second Chinese company to establish operations there, underscoring Hungary's appeal as a hub for Chinese enterprises expanding into Europe.

Tao Jianbing, General Manager of CAIP's Hungary facility, emphasized the strategic importance of the project. Building a plant in Hungary aligns with our group's global development strategy. It enables us to provide better localized services to European clients while fostering trade and economic cooperation between China and Europe. We hope to contribute Chinese expertise and innovation strength to the sustainable growth of the global automotive industry.

Hungary's central location in Europe, coupled with its reputation as a major logistics hub, makes it an ideal base for CAIP's European expansion. The country boasts a well-established automotive ecosystem, hosting production facilities for 14 of the world's top 20 automakers. The company said these strategic advantages solidified CAIP's choice of Hungary as a gateway to the European market, extending its reach to Africa and West Asia as well.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 19, BYD signed an agreement with the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone during the Shenzhen Intelligent Connected Vehicles and Advanced Materials Industry Investment Promotion Conference, aiming to build the Phase IV facility of the Shenshan BYD Auto Industrial Park, according to a post on an official WeChat account of Shenzhen's government. This development signifies a further boost to BYD's investment in the city.

Photo credit: Shenzhen TV

The Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone has established a robust industrial framework centered on new energy vehicles (NEVs), supported by sectors like new-type energy storage, advanced materials, and intelligent manufacturing equipment. The zone has already attracted nearly 30 leading enterprises in these industries, strengthening its position as a key player in the region's economic growth.

BYD's Shenshan Auto Industrial Park has achieved remarkable milestones across its previous phases. The Phase I project, focusing on NEV components, began construction in August 2021 with an investment of 5 billion yuan. It commenced operation in October 2022, and by December 2023, all 16 factories were fully operational.

The Phase II project, an NEV manufacturing base, was signed in January 2022 with a total investment of 20 billion yuan. It went into volume production in June this year, with a daily output of 750 vehicles, becoming a cornerstone for BYD's capacity expansion in South China.

Notably, the construction-to-operation timelines for Phase I and Phase II were an impressive 349 days and 379 days, respectively.

The Phase III, currently under construction, focuses on battery pack lines and core NEV components, involving an investment of 6.5 billion yuan and projected annual output exceeding 10 billion yuan.

Earlier this year, in March, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology approved the relocation and expansion of BYD's Shenzhen NEV passenger car plant to the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone, further consolidating the company's presence in the area.

Looking ahead, the completion and full-scale production of Phases III and IV are expected to drive the annual output value of the industrial park beyond 200 billion yuan.

In a symbolic milestone just one day prior to the signing, BYD rolled out its 10 millionth NEV, becoming the first automaker worldwide to achieve this landmark.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- At 11:15 a.m. on November 19, a freight train loaded with containers of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, produced by Sichuan Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited ("Sichuan CATL"), departed from Yibin Port in Sichuan, bound for Shanghai, according to a post on "Yibin Release", an official WeChat account of Yibin city's government. This marks the first-ever use of railway transport for electric vehicle power batteries in China, with simultaneous departures from Sichuan, Chongqing, and Guizhou.

Photo credit: Yibin Release

The trial shipment from Yibin involved a single standard container weighing approximately 24 tonnes. According to Luo Liping, Deputy Director of the Chengdu Railway Logistics Center, railway transport offers significant advantages over traditional road-based methods, including greater scalability, enhanced safety, convenience, and environmental sustainability.

Currently, nearly 90% of lithium battery shipments within China rely on road transport, while exports are predominantly carried out via waterways, according to the 2023 Power Battery Transport Industry Development Report. This pioneering use of rail for power battery transport represents a breakthrough, signaling the realization of multimodal logistics solutions for the industry.

Liu Jie, who is in charge of CATL's supply chains and logistics, highlighted the benefits of this development. "Railway transport enables a continuous supply of power batteries to more cities across China and internationally. By stabilizing our supply chain, we can develop more efficient transportation strategies, supported by the expanding railway network, to better serve our customers."

Yibin city, one of the departure locations, is a pivotal gateway for Sichuan's southern trade initiatives. Power batteries are a key export product for the city, with over 13,000 battery containers shipped annually. In 2023, Yibin achieved a total power battery sales volume of 96 GWh, accounting for 15% of the country's total volume. The sector's import and export value reached 8.548 billion yuan in Yibin, contributing 23.5% to the city's total foreign trade.

Yibin's Deputy Party Secretary and Mayor, Liao Wenbin, noted that the trial railway operation lays the foundation for integrating domestic power battery transport with China-Europe freight trains. This connectivity will enable Yibin-manufactured batteries to reach Central Asia and Europe more quickly and cost-effectively, further boosting the global presence of "Made in Yibin" products.
As I previously indicated, the Tenth Circuit granting en banc review was extremely unlikely," adult industry attorney Corey Silverstein told AVN. "The court grants less than 2 percent of en banc reviews, and in the instant casethe dismissal was based on more of a procedural issue than any type of ruling on the merits of the case.

The coalition's counsel argues that the Tenth Circuit's ruling conflicts with U.S. Supreme Court precedent. The high court is considering a Texas age verification law.

The en banc petition also singles out Utah's public safety chief's apparent links to enforcing the age verification law throughout the state. It asked the entire Tenth Circuit to reconsider a portion of the panel's initial opinion, which includes a partial dissent concerning enforcement of the age verification law via the state's public safety agency.
Dropshipping is a low-risk and cost-effective business model that has gained massive popularity among entrepreneurs worldwide. AliExpress, one of the largest online marketplaces, plays a pivotal role in the success of many dropshipping ventures. Its extensive product catalog, competitive pricing, and global reach make it a go-to platform for aspiring and established dropshippers alike. However, to thrive in this highly competitive market, its crucial to adopt a strategic approach to marketing. This article will delve into over 3000 words detailing the best practices for building a successful marketing strategy for your AliExpress dropshipping business.

Understanding AliExpress Dropshipping

What is AliExpress Dropshipping?

AliExpress dropshipping is a business model where entrepreneurs sell products listed on AliExpress without holding inventory. Instead, when a customer places an order on your online store, you purchase the item from an AliExpress supplier, who ships it directly to the customer. This eliminates the need for warehousing, making it an attractive option for small businesses.

Why Choose AliExpress for Dropshipping?

Wide Product Range: AliExpress offers millions of products in various categories, from electronics to fashion. Low Costs: Competitive pricing allows for better profit margins. No Minimum Order Requirements: You can purchase one item at a time, making it perfect for dropshipping. Global Shipping: Suppliers often offer worldwide shipping, enabling you to reach customers globally.

Building a Marketing Strategy for AliExpress Dropshipping

A robust marketing strategy is essential for distinguishing your store from countless competitors. Below are best practices that address various aspects of marketing for an AliExpress dropshipping business.

1. Define Your Niche

Why Niches Matter

Focusing on a niche helps you target a specific audience and reduces competition. A well-defined niche also allows you to position yourself as an expert in a particular market segment.

How to Choose a Niche

Research Trends : Use tools like Google Trends and social media to identify whats trending.

: Use tools like Google Trends and social media to identify whats trending. Analyze Competition : Check other dropshipping stores to understand gaps in the market.

: Check other dropshipping stores to understand gaps in the market. Evaluate Profitability: Ensure that the niche has enough demand and profit potential.

Examples of Profitable Niches

Pet supplies

Fitness equipment

Home decor

Eco-friendly products

2. Optimize Your Online Store

Choose the Right Platform

Popular eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce integrate seamlessly with AliExpress and dropshipping tools like Oberlo or DSers. Ensure your platform supports easy product importing and order automation.

User-Friendly Design

A professional, easy-to-navigate website builds trust and improves user experience. Focus on:

Mobile Responsiveness : Ensure the site is optimized for mobile devices.

: Ensure the site is optimized for mobile devices. Fast Loading Times : Slow websites deter customers.

: Slow websites deter customers. Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs): Use compelling CTAs to guide users through the purchasing journey.

SEO Optimization

Optimize your website with relevant keywords to improve visibility on search engines. Focus on:

Product descriptions

Meta tags

Blog content related to your niche

3. Craft Engaging Product Descriptions

Avoid Generic Descriptions

Directly copying descriptions from AliExpress suppliers is a common mistake. Create unique, persuasive descriptions that highlight:

Benefits of the product

High-quality images

Customer reviews for social proof

Use Power Words

Incorporate emotive language that resonates with your target audience. Words like exclusive, luxurious, or innovative can make your product stand out.

4. Leverage Social Media Marketing

Social media platforms are powerful tools for driving traffic and building brand awareness.

Choosing the Right Platforms

Instagram : Ideal for visual products like fashion, home decor, and accessories.

: Ideal for visual products like fashion, home decor, and accessories. Facebook : Effective for targeting specific demographics with ads.

: Effective for targeting specific demographics with ads. TikTok : Great for creating viral content, especially for younger audiences.

: Great for creating viral content, especially for younger audiences. Pinterest: Perfect for niches like home decor, DIY, and crafts.

Content Strategy

Educational Posts : Share tips and tricks related to your niche.

: Share tips and tricks related to your niche. User-Generated Content (UGC) : Encourage customers to share photos and reviews of your products.

: Encourage customers to share photos and reviews of your products. Promotional Campaigns: Run contests, giveaways, and limited-time offers.

5. Invest in Paid Advertising

Google Ads

Use Google Shopping Ads to display your products directly in search results. Ensure that your product titles and descriptions are optimized with relevant keywords.

Facebook and Instagram Ads

Leverage Facebooks advanced targeting tools to create highly specific ad campaigns based on:

Age

Location

Interests

Purchase behavior

Retargeting Ads

Retarget users who visited your website but didnt make a purchase. Tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel can help you track and re-engage these users.

6. Build an Email Marketing Funnel

Why Email Marketing?

Email marketing is a cost-effective way to nurture leads and encourage repeat purchases.

How to Build an Effective Funnel

Capture Leads: Use pop-ups offering discounts or free shipping in exchange for email addresses. Send Welcome Emails: Introduce your brand and highlight best-selling products. Automate Follow-Ups: Use email automation tools to send cart abandonment reminders or product recommendations. Promote Sales: Notify subscribers about new arrivals, discounts, and exclusive deals.

7. Focus on Customer Service

Respond Promptly

Timely responses to customer inquiries build trust and improve satisfaction.

Clear Shipping Policies

Provide accurate information about shipping times and costs. Be transparent about potential delays, as many AliExpress suppliers are located in China.

Easy Returns and Refunds

Have a clear return policy to handle dissatisfied customers efficiently. Offering refunds or replacements can improve your reputation.

8. Leverage Influencer Marketing

Collaborating with influencers can amplify your brands reach.

Micro-Influencers

Work with influencers who have smaller but highly engaged audiences within your niche. They are often more affordable and deliver better ROI.

Sponsored Posts

Partner with influencers for sponsored posts showcasing your products. Ensure they align with your brand values and aesthetics.

9. Monitor and Analyze Performance

Track Metrics

Use tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, and Shopify Reports to monitor:

Website traffic

Conversion rates

Ad performance

Optimize Campaigns

Regularly analyze data to identify whats working and adjust your strategy accordingly.

10. Scale Your Business

Diversify Products

Expand your catalog by adding complementary products within your niche.

Automate Processes

Use tools like Oberlo, DSers, or AutoDS to streamline order processing and inventory management.

Expand Marketing Efforts

Explore new channels like YouTube or affiliate marketing to reach a broader audience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Relying Solely on AliExpress Descriptions: Always customize content for your store. Ignoring Customer Reviews: Positive reviews build trust and drive sales. Overlooking Shipping Times: Set realistic expectations to avoid complaints. Neglecting Branding: Establish a strong brand identity to stand out.

Conclusion

AliExpress dropshipping is a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs, but success requires more than just listing products and waiting for sales. A strategic approach to marketing can significantly boost your chances of success. By defining your niche, optimizing your store, leveraging social media, and focusing on customer service, you can create a sustainable business that thrives in a competitive marketplace.

Implementing these best practices and continuously refining your marketing strategy will help you stay ahead in the dropshipping game and build a loyal customer base.
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.
PARISExsens, an intimate wellness and body care product company, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Originally a small cosmetics manufacturer in the South of France, the manufacturer has evolved into a global brand known for its flavored products.

At Exsens, we believe that intimacy and wellness are deeply intertwined, said Rebecca Pinette-Dorin, chief brand officer at Exsens. Our mission has always been to create products that empower women everywhere to embrace and enjoy their bodies, while nurturing the connection between pleasure and wellness. We hope our product line makes self-care sexy, delicious, and most of allfun.

In 2019, Exsens introduced its line of FDA-approved personal lubricants and remains committed to vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free formulas. The brand's packaging is also eco-conscious, featuring BPA-free and post-consumer recycled plastics.

For more information about Exsens, visit www.exsens-usa.com.
CHINO, Calif.Joining Honey Play Boxs Kegel branded lines (which include Melody and Elektra), Trill is a small, discreet, whisper-quiet toy, for a date night or an evening at home.

Trill features Honey Play Boxs signature innovations, including built-in pressure sensors that respond to the users body and compatibility with the Honey Play Box app for a fully personalized experience.

The app allows users or their partners to take full control remotely. Despite its small size, the Trill comes with nine vibration modes and also is waterproof.

Trill was designed to blend pleasure and wellness and can be used to help strengthen pelvic muscles, enhance intimate sensations, and encourage sexual wellness.

Trill is all about bringing fun and empowerment to peoples lives, no matter where they are, says Vivian Chao, marketing head at Honey Play Box. Were so excited to offer a toy thats both playful and practical.

To find out more about Trill, visit Honeyplaybox.com.
Mother Lode Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil at the El Dorado County Fair View Photo

Sonora, CA  Mother Lode State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson) is being praised for working to reduce the conflict between ranchers and wolves.

Amid a rise in wolf populations, as earlier reported here, Republican Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil has pushed to protect Californias ranchers, with earlier this year securing $600,000 in the state budget to fund the California Department of Fish and Wildlifes (CDFW) Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program, where ranchers are compensated when wolves prey on their livestock.

The return of wolves to California marks an important milestone for wildlife restoration. But it brings challenges for our hardworking ranchers, who are essential in feeding our communities and supporting the states agriculture industry, said Senator Alvarado-Gil. This program gives them the help they need to protect their livestock and their livelihoods as we navigate these changes. Im proud to advocate on their behalf, and Im committed to ensuring they have resources they need to thrive.

The California State Legislature allocated $3 million to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in 2021 to create the Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program. The goal was to reduce the effects of wolves on livestock producers. The program focuses on three key support areas: addressing direct livestock losses, implementing nonlethal deterrents, and providing incentives through a Pay for Presence approach.

As Californias wolf population has increased, so too have the losses of calves and other livestock from wolf predation, demonstrating the need for a robust compensation program in the state. The California Cattlemens Association thanks Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil for her work this year to secure renewed funding for CDFWs Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program, ensuring that the cattle ranchers most impacted by gray wolves can remain viable to continue their stewardship of the land, said Kirk Wilbur on behalf of the California Cattlemens Association.

As of June 30, 2024, Californias wolf population has grown to 63, including 30 new pups and an eighth pack called the Diamond Pack. In 2023, that number was 44 wolves. That population increase has led to a 62% increase in livestock kills from wolf attacks.

Senator Alvarado-Gil and her team are to be commended for their work to secure renewed funding for the Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program, which provides important benefits for the recovery of wolves in California, said Pamela Flick, California Program Director for Defenders of Wildlife. The return of gray wolves to California is a remarkable success story, and its critical that we continue to fund this crucial program to compensate livestock producers for economic losses determined to be caused by wolves.

For more information on the program, click here.
Sacramento, CA  Allegations are flying from both sides between Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil and her former Chief of Staff Chad Condit.

We reported earlier that Condit filed a civil lawsuit in September against Alvarado-Gil for alleged sexual harassment. Condit, who is married, claimed that he was pressured by the Senator to perform unwanted sexual acts on multiple occasions and even suffered a back injury at one point as a result. He is the son of former Valley Congressman, Gary Condit.

Alvarado-Gil has now filed a counter lawsuit, a cross-complaint, alleging that Condit had stolen $50,000 from her campaign and had abused alcohol and drugs while he was employed. She also argues that he used his position, and conspired with his son, a Stanislaus County Supervisor, to secure a $5,000,000 budget allocation that Alvarado-Gil didnt know about. In addition, the lawsuit states that Condit threatened her, by saying that he knows how to make people disappear, and if she were a man, he would kick (her) ass. Alvarado-Gil felt the making people disappear statement was in relation to Chandra Levy, an acquaintance of his father Gary Condit, who disappeared and was later found dead, decades ago.

The lawsuit also argues that Chad Condit had actually injured his back during a Disneyland vacation (as opposed to during sexual acts) and had become increasingly disruptive over time.

While Condit was supposed to be on medical leave, Alvarado-Gil argues in the lawsuit that he attended a district office holiday party in December of 2023 and was found intoxicated in the bathroom, with his pants around his ankles, yelling for help.

It is the latest saga in the back-and-forth between the Senator and her former Chief of Staff. The lawsuits, with the publicly released allegations, were filed after Alvarado-Gil left the Democratic Party to become a Republican. Her Senate District covers the Mother Lode region, including all of Calaveras and Tuolumne counties.
Zimbabwes energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, bringing hope to millions who have endured hours of power outages. The recent decision to adjust tariffs to better reflect actual costs has sparked a surge of investments in the energy sector, paving the way for a brighter future.

Sydney Gata, the Chairman of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) board, has revealed that approximately 3,000 megawatts of energy projects are currently in development, which could drastically alleviate the ongoing power crisis.

Speaking at an energy summit in Victoria Falls, Gata expressed optimism about the influx of investments. Immediately after the tariffs were corrected, we called in industry, mining in particular, and told them that now they can also invest in electricity infrastructure, he stated.

He emphasised that miners must no longer expect the government to shoulder the energy risk for their operations. To our surprise, there was a lot of positive response, he added, highlighting the collaborative spirit amongst stakeholders.

Among the promising projects set to commence next year are the refurbishment of coal-fired plants by Jindal Steel and Power, alongside solar power facilities spearheaded by Tsingshan Holding Groups Afrochine Smelting and PPC. These initiatives are expected to significantly reduce the severe power outages exacerbated by a prolonged drought, which has hampered hydro-electricity generation at the Kariba Dam, the countrys primary energy source.

The situation at Kariba is dire, with the power station currently generating only a tenth of its installed capacity of 1,050 megawatts. As of mid-November, total electricity generation across Zimbabwe stood at just 1,189 megawatts, almost half of the national demand. Gata noted that high demand from the mining sector, which is experiencing an annual growth rate of 9% driven by lithium, coal, iron, and steel, has further compounded the shortfall. Isaac Kwesu, Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines, revealed that the sector currently requires around 700 megawatts and anticipates a need for approximately 2,000 megawatts within the next three to five yearsfar exceeding current generation capacity.

ZESAs roadmap indicates that power cuts could cease by late next year, with plans to end electricity imports by 2026. Zimbabwe currently imports electricity primarily from Mozambique and South Africas Eskom Holdings, a reliance that Gata aims to diminish as domestic production ramps up.

However, not all prospects are positive. The Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Project, touted as a long-term solution to the energy crisis affecting both Zimbabwe and Zambia, faces substantial challenges that could jeopardise its future. Despite being envisioned since 1972, the multi-billion-dollar power plant on the Zambezi River has yet to break ground. Gata described the project as being fraught with risks, stating, The project has not seen the light of day since 42 years ago. One of the reasons is that there has not been an exhaustive review of markets and also hydrology.

He highlighted the need for thorough feasibility studies, which have been lacking in the projects history. Decisions were being made at a political level without regard to the position of technocrats, Gata said, stressing the importance of aligning political actions with technical insights. He expressed concern over the lack of comprehensive market studies and the need for updated hydrological models that could address the challenges faced by the Batoka project.

As Zimbabweans and Zambians grapple with power outages lasting over 15 hours a day, the urgency for effective solutions is palpable. The depressed generation capacity, particularly at the Kariba power station, has left citizens and businesses in the lurch. Gata pointed out that as of this week, Kariba was generating a mere 124 megawatts, highlighting the critical need for both immediate and long-term strategies to address energy deficits.

The Batoka project has been revitalised as a priority for both Zimbabwe and Zambia since 2014, following previous setbacks due to political instability and funding issues. However, Gata remains cautious about the projects feasibility, citing load factor risk and load profile risk as critical challenges that need to be addressed through rigorous studies. There are certain hydrological models and models of investment that can overcome this ugly picture, he remarked, indicating that the potential for success exists if adequately explored.

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), which oversees the rivers management, has a pivotal role in the project, but Gatas comments suggest that comprehensive planning and collaboration are essential for its eventual realisation. Batoka, as it stands now, is a victim of load factor risk, he stated, calling for a more honest and relevant market study to ensure the project meets current and future demands.

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Here is an exemplary scientific paper:

People often think they cant do research because they dont have a giant magnet or a laser or a closet full of reagents. But they have something the professional scientists dont have: freedom. The pros cant do anything thats too weird, takes too long, or would raise the suspicion of an Institutional Review Board. That kind of stuff has to happen in a basement or a backyard, which is why the paper above is, in fact, a letter to the editor written by a medical doctor on a lark.

For 50 years, the author cracked the knuckles of his left hand at least twice a day, leaving those on the right as a control. Thus, the knuckles on the left were cracked at least 36,500 times, while those on the right cracked rarely and spontaneously. At the end of the 50 years, the hands were compared for the presence of arthritis.

During the authors childhood, various renowned authorities (his mother, several aunts, and, later, his mother-in-law [personal communication]) informed him that cracking his knuckles would lead to arthritis of the fingers. To test the accuracy of this hypothesis, the following study was undertaken.

My email address is down by the plant; please send examples of there (Helpers in the subject line). In our increasingly desperate and fragile neoliberal society, everyday normal incidents and stories of the communism of everyday life are what I am looking for (and not, say, the Red Cross in Hawaii, or even the UNWRA in Gaza)

Politics

So many of the social reactions that strike us as psychological are in fact a rational management of symbolic capital. Pierre Bourdieu, Classification Struggles

Trump Transition

Trumps cabinet picks are agents of his contempt, rage and vengeance [Sidney Blumenthal, Guardian]. Trumps cabinet appointments are agents of his contempt, rage and vengeance. The motive for naming his quack nominees is located in his resentments from his sordid first term for which he pledged retribution. He will achieve vindication by tearing down anything he feels was used to restrain his destructive impulses or tried to hold him accountable for his past crimes, whether it is the military, the justice system or science itself.  This is what passes for analysis in the Clintonian wing. I am so, so tired of Democrats psychologizing and infantilizing every human motive (except for their own, of course, which are irreduciably nuanced, complex, and above all Moral). But suppose theyre right. Suppose the dominant political figure of the last three Presidential cycles is in, in his innermost being, a tantrum-driven, sociopathic, barely-toilet-trained two-year-old. What does it say about the Democrats that they had eight years to figure out how to stop him  preventing fascism MR SUBLIMINAL Until its time to kiss and make up and saving our democracy MR SUBLIMINAL BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!  and yet failed to do so?

Trumps casting call as he builds out his administration: TV experience preferred [Associated Press].  Theres a common trait that President-elect Donald Trump is clearly prizing as he selects those to serve in his new administration: experience on television. Trump loves that central casting look, as he likes to call it. [Hes] working to set up a more forceful administration in this term, and in his eyes, many of those people happen to intersect with celebrity. The White House-to-cable news pundit pipeline tends to cut across administrations of both parties, to some extent. President Joe Biden had three MSNBC contributors on his transition team and his former press secretary went to the network after she left the White House. Biden, though, looked to career diplomats, longtime government workers and military leaders for key posts like the Defense Department.  You could argue, I suppose, that the social capital intrinsic to celebrity gives these appointments a certain autonomy; they can always go back on cable or secure an Orange Man Bad-type book deal. Of course, this cuts against the loyalist narrative. Readers, what do you think?

* * *

The knives are out over Treasury [Politico]. SCOTT BESSENT. KEVIN WARSH. HOWARD LUTNICK. MARC ROWAN. All the supposed frontrunners for Treasury secretary have something in common  theyre Wall Street finance guys. Thats got the populist right freaking out. Protectionists in and out of President-elect DONALD TRUMPs inner circle are terrified that none of the Treasury frontrunners will deliver on Trumps most consistent  and potentially disruptive  economic campaign promise: across-the-board tariffs not seen in nearly a century, according to a person with direct knowledge of internal conversations, as well as dozens of public statements from populists in the past week. Theyre pushing their own candidate: Trumps former trade chief ROBERT LIGHTHIZER. And though hes widely viewed as a long shot  if not out of contention for Treasury entirely  protectionists are going public with their campaign to get him named to the most powerful economic role in the Cabinet The campaign  and continuing uncertainty about such an essential Cabinet job  points to simmering discontent in Trumps world about the ultimate direction of economic policy: whether to deliver on high, universal tariffs, or shy away for fear that the duties will spook the stock market.  This is from the 18th, and so may have been overtaken by events by the time you read this.

Trump reconsiders Treasury Secretary nomination, may no longer choose pro-crypto [Binance].  Imagine breathing a sigh of relief that were getting some private equity weasel, and not some crypto bro.

Elon Musks endorsement of a Treasury secretary candidate has reportedly rubbed Trumps people the wrong way [Fortune]. Despite the apparent unease of some Trump staffers with Musks actions, there is no evidence that any rift has formed between Musk and Trump. Musk is still spending much of his time at Mar-a-Lago, and traveled with Trump to New York Saturday to attend a UFC fight. Whoever becomes Treasury secretary, Musk is likely to work somewhat closely with them as part of his duties with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOGE will work with the White House Office of Management and Budget to implement the recommendations of Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Musk has said previously he believes it is possible to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget, though many have been skeptical of this figure.

* * *

Sweating RFK Jr. Performs Self-Surgery To Extract Big Mac From Stomach [The Onion].  The Dems ginned up a little moral panic about this the other day, but happily I can dispose of it with a link to The Onion: As with so much else.

* * *

The Case for Matt Gaetz [Compact Magazine]. There are two ways to look at the corruption that is rife in 21st-century American life. One view is that reform demands a saint to reproach the wicked. The second view is that if we must await an immaculate reformer, reform will never come. So we ought to support even obviously flawed individuals when they take on the necessary work of confronting systemic evils. This speaks well of him: This year, Gaetz took James Poulos and a film crew from The Blaze on a tour of congressional offices whose occupantsincluding Republicanswere violators of Congresss seldom-enforced rules against insider trading. And: Gaetz has been complimentary toward Lina Khan, chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission, and the Biden Justice Departments chief antitrust official, Jonathan Kanter. The New York Post notes that Google, in particular, is likely to be a focus of antitrust attention in a Gaetz Department of Justice, which might move to break up the tech megalith. The same story quotes Gaetz referring to Big Tech companies in 2021 as the internets hall monitors with a bias against conservatives. Gaetz has described himself as a libertarian populist, and that characterization is reflected by his stances on civil liberties and social issues. 

How the Gaetz Ethics report could still come out if the panel blocks it [Politico]. Heres a breakdown of what could happen if [Ethics Committee] members vote not to release the [Gaetz] report, and other ways the investigative findings could see the light of day. Someone leaks it to the press: Ethics Committee members and staff dont take the prospect of a leak lightly, if the panel votes to keep the report under wraps. Part of that is wanting to protect the credibility of the panel, but members also take an oath, pledging: I will not disclose, to any person or entity outside the Committee on Ethics, any information received in the course of my service with the Committee, except as authorized by the Committee or in accordance with its rules. Using the House floor: Some lawmakers are privately theorizing that, should the committee block the release of the report, a lawmaker could go to the House or Senate floor and read it into the congressional record rather than leak it to the media. Sharing it with senators: Even if the Ethics panel doesnt want to make the report public, they can vote to share it with the Senate Judiciary Committee ahead of potential confirmation hearings. Sober warning: Staff-driven leaks have happened before, but typically not in a situation with so much at stake. In addition to losing a job, there are also real concerns of political violence if a staff leakers name became public.  Hmmm.

* * *

What to know about Dr. Mehmet Oz, Trumps pick to lead Medicare and Medicaid [Associated Press]. Oz had a net worth between $100 million and $315 million, according to a federal financial disclosure he filed in 2022, which gives dollar values in ranges but does not provide specific figures.  Oh.

* * *

Prosecutors request stay in Trump NY case until 2029 as defense plans motion for dismissal once and for all' [FOX]. New York prosecutors are requesting a stay until at least 2029 in New York v. Trump, as the presidents defense attorneys prepare to move to dismiss the case entirely. Prosecutors wrote a letter to Judge Juan Merchan on Tuesday, who agreed last week to grant a stay on all deadlines associated with the conviction proceedings against Trump in the final months before he takes office. aMerchan granted the request, which issues a stay on all deadlines, including the Nov. 26 sentencing date, to consider the effect of his election as president. Prosecutors had asked for the pause in proceedings, which they said would allow them to better evaluate the impact of Trumps new status as president-elect. As a result of the election held on November 5, 2024, Defendants inauguration as President will occur on January 20, 2025, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg wrote to Merchan on Tuesday. And: Trumps attorneys have requested that Merchan overturn the guilty verdict, citing the United States Supreme Courts decision that former presidents have substantial immunity from prosecution for official acts in office. Trumps legal team argued that certain evidence presented by Bragg and New York prosecutors during the trial should not have been admitted, as they were official acts.'
Yves here. KLG discusses how sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschilds latest book on the deep shame of working class people who have lost productive and decent-paying jobs explains why many voters turned to Trump, as opposed to Democrats determined to shame them even more.

KLGs overview:

The discombobulation, not to mention continuing collective nervous breakdown, caused by the second coming of Donald Trump is the result of fundamental misunderstanding of the very reason for Trumps recapitulation of the Presidential career of Grover Cleveland. The arguments seem interminable but our differences are explainable. Arlie Russell Hochschild continues her explanation in Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right, which extends the analysis in her previous Strangers in their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right. To use a distinction not often appreciated, the demonization of Donald Trump by an ersatz American Left mistakes the agent of the disordered state of American politics for the cause of that disorder. Arlie Russell Hochschild first visited St. Charles, Louisiana in an effort to understand our predicament. Now she has visited Pikeville, Kentucky and produced a narrative that explains much, to those who will listen and take heed of the message. Sometimes I do wish we did not live in such interesting times but that is not a choice.

By KLG, who has held research and academic positions in three US medical schools since 1995 and is currently Professor of Biochemistry and Associate Dean. He has performed and directed research on protein structure, function, and evolution; cell adhesion and motility; the mechanism of viral fusion proteins; and assembly of the vertebrate heart. He has served on national review panels of both public and private funding agencies, and his research and that of his students has been funded by the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and National Institutes of Health.

The recent election is cause for thought, across the board. I come from a lineage of the working class that includes many men and women Hillary Clinton would place firmly in her basket of deplorables. As a reminder, from Timemagazine, dated 10 September 2016:

You know, to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trumps supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. Right? Clinton said. The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic (sic)you name it. And unfortunately, there are people like that. And he has lifted them up. She said the other half of Trumps supporters feel that the government has let them down and are desperate for change. Those are people we have to understand and empathize with as well, she said.

I have never had too much trouble understanding the political economy of why my people are in this basket and why they have come to their sometimes-shared beliefs and attitudes about our politics and our economy. This has been a work in progress since long before I had ever heard of Bill and Hillary Clinton. However, my success has been nil at explaining to other members-in-good-standing of the Professional Managerial Class (PMC) why these faulty Americans just will not get with the program.

The sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild (ARH) has written two books that explicitly address this conundrum. The first is Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right (2016). To tell this story very well, ARH lived within the community surrounding Lake Charles, Louisiana, not too far to the west of the Cajun Heartland of my fathers family where I have many cousins working in many trades. A one-sentence summary might be: These people of Southern Louisiana have worked long and hard, but they are still losing ground by the day. They are unhappy about this. But strangely they seem to be unconcerned that the petrochemical industry has turned what was in living memory a wildlife paradise on land, in the air, and in the water into a sacrifice zone. I recommended this book at the beginning of President Trumps first term in hopes that some glimmer of understanding might dawn on my friends. I dont think it worked then, and I doubt it will work now with the second book. But another attempt is worth the effort.

Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right (2024) has just been published. I intentionally finished reading it on Election Night rather than paying close attention to the results until Wednesday morning. In yet another outstanding work on the human fundamentals of our political economy, ARH made herself part of the community of Pikeville, Kentucky. There she covers all the deplorables, those who are viewed through the Clinton lens as racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, and Islamophobic plus those who feel that the government has let them down and are desperate for change. As post-election commentary has shown over the past two weeks, Senator/Secretary Clintons understanding and empathy from the PMC and their political leaders has been slow in coming. Mostly because it is unlikely to ever come. I digress but this material is easy to find.

Pikeville is the county seat of Pike County in the far eastern corner of the Fifth Congressional District of Kentucky. KY-5 (interactive map including all of eastern Kentucky that along with adjacent areas of West Virginia is Appalachian coal country) has been represented in Congress by Hal Rogers since 1981. At age 86, Representative Rogers is the dean of the House of Representatives, and the Daniel Boone Parkway is now named for him. KY-5 ranks 435th of 435 districts, dead last, in the nation in Well-Being Index. It is also a beautiful and thoroughly misunderstood part of the United States.

KY-5 and Pikeville have suffered the perfect storm of globalization over the past forty years of neoliberalization. Because of offshoring, automation of coal mining in deep mines plus the mortal sin that is mountaintop removal, and the decline in union coal jobs, the people of KY-5 are poorer and sicker than in any other Congressional District in the United States. Over the past 20+ years the opioid epidemic has taken a further grim toll on KY-5. Thus, the people of KY-5 do generally believe the government has let them down and are desperate for change. As well they should be, and they are not alone. In a poll taken 1964, 77% of the American people trusted the federal government to do the right thing. In 2023 that number had declined to 16% which is no surprise to anyone except, apparently, national Democrats.

The key to Stolen Pride is stated early and explicitly:

Just as Americans live in a material economy, we also live in an equally important pride economy. For while pride and shame feel personal, the roots of these feelings lie in larger social circumstancesI discovered many bases of pride  regional pride, work ethic pride, bad boy pride, recovery pride. But what happens when a communitys primary source of pride  well-paid jobs  leaves, or when old skills and folkways become useless and devalued. What happens  in the absence of real solutions to real solutions  feelings of loss and shame become the ore for which politicians prospect? (italics in original)

The opening of Stolen Pride describes the plan of a group of white supremacists to march through Pikeville and the reaction of the community to this. The rationale of the white supremacists went something like this: These people are our people, and they will receive us with open arms as their brothers (sisters were apparently rare in this particular group). It didnt turn out that way; more on that later.

But what about pride? Pride is the first of the Seven Deadly Sins and those carrying rocks on their backs in Dantes Purgatory (The Singleton translation is back in print in a fine edition!) understand their predicament. But the root of proud from the Late Latin (OED, XII, p. 705) means to be useful, to be of value. With the loss of well-paying coal mining jobs in the KY-5 economy, structural shame, which is beyond the control of the individual, has led directly to personal shame. [1] As ARH notes, the invisible hand of Adam Smith has been the hardest on the populations who believe in that hand, i.e., the working people of KY-5 and the rest of the nation who view their success or failure in personal terms, and easier (for now) on populations (the PMC) that call (insincerely) for activist welfare policies as part of the mix of an effective politics.

Structural shame leads to personal shame. The loss of a good job (which one never gets over in the words of one Pikeville resident) leads almost always downhill, as the next job cannot support the workers family, who then leaves for work elsewhere as a last resort. The worker most often returns as a failure and may begin using drugs. This exacerbates the sense of personal shame. S/he is then called a deadbeat because is not supporting his or her family. [2] And so it goes. But not always.

This sequence is described in Chapter 6, Bootstrap Pride. After hitting bottom Alex Hughes saw an ad from a company called InterApt in Louisville, Kentucky. He was picked for the program and learned to code (This can be a solution!) in a public-private partnership, one of the few that actually worked, with the Appalachian Regional Commission. The ARC was established in 1965 before the Johnson Administration and the United States became hopelessly mired in Vietnam. The ARC has continued to do good work, even as the people of Appalachia wished this were not necessary. As Alex puts it:

The company pay would be enough to cover all of my bills, and Id learn a needed skill, and I left for LouisvilleIt was a whole new experience being paid to learn. My fellow students became close friends. We helped each other and got very good; a lot of my fear and pessimism dropped away. Honestly, it transformed me.

As it should have. As summarized by ARH, Now well paid, happily remarried, a baby newly arrived, new offers coming his way, Alex didnt have to move shame in or out; he felt proud. As he should have. He had pride in who he was, someone useful to himself, his family, and his community. Yes, when we as a community, large or small, take care of one another, life works. Still, the American Dream (James Truslow Adams, 1931) works only when nothing goes wrong for a member of the working class.

This part of Alexs account is particularly important: It was a whole new experience being paid to learn. Alex was astonished by the entire turn of events, during which he was essentially a well-paid apprentice. But how many members of the PMC went to college with family money followed by professional school funded by the same or graduate school on scholarship or with a graduate fellowship? Or had that critical unpaid internship because their family could afford it? My scientific wild-ass guess based on a long career in academic science is 95%, minimum.

By getting the help he needed Alex Hughes transformed his life and that of his family. But there is another part of the story, also not understood by the typical denizen of the PMC. According to ARH:

800 applicants applied to this program 50 were accepted (6.2 %) 35 graduated (4.4%).

What happened to the 94% of applicants who were not accepted to the program? Most of them were undoubtedly qualified, but one company cannot be expected to carry the load of retraining for good jobs that are not enough to make a dent in the neoliberal deindustrialization visited upon working people. At the same attrition rate, which with many of those dropouts were undoubtedly due to circumstances beyond the control of the apprentice, this program could have provided the livelihood for several hundred applicants if the market could bear them. In comparison, the acceptance rate at Harvard in 2024 for the Class of 2028 was 3.6%. InterApt did better than that, and the good they did was transformative. But we as a polity can and must do much better. Learn to code worked for a few, but we cannot retrain our way out of the Slough of Neoliberalism.

Stolen Pride began with the white supremacists application for a permit to march on Pikeville. As David Maynard, who grew up in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, put it as he was driving down the road where he lived as a child in an extended family, where life expectancy dropstwenty or thirty years as you proceed up the hollow:

You know that white nationalist guyhes coming to Eastern Kentucky because he thinks we are poor, dumb white hillbillies who dont know any better than to follow himI am poor and I am dumb and I am whiteSo, hes coming for who he thinks I am(but)I have my own opinions. (italics in original).

And these include strong, articulate views of the similarities of the lives of poor Blacks and poor whites (hood and holler as he put it; this was also the theme of Charles Bookers unsuccessful campaign against US Senator Rand Paul in 2022)  a similarity thatwas being ignored by both parties. Comparison of the KY-5, the whitest Congressional District in the country (94%) with NY-15 in the Bronx, 2% white and mostly Black and Hispanic is instructive:

The two districts differ in average age (KY-5 is older), number of people working or looking for work (fewer in KY-5), and number on disability (higher in KY-5). But life chances in both can be iffy, and through no fault of the people who live there. No one chooses when and where s/he is born. The American Dream is valid only if nothing goes wrong for the working class. And when living on such a thin margin, something is likely to go wrong, in both Eastern Kentucky and the South Bronx. As an aside, one of the more affecting treatments of the similarities of both regions is Dignity: Seeking Respect in Back Row America (2019) by Chris Arnade. I am ambivalent about Arnade, but this book, in its text and photographs, presents the back row of America in naked detail. Can a member of the PMC even imagine living on less than $40,000 a year for his or her family, around one hundred dollars a day in disposable income, before taxes?

The recurring message throughout Stolen Pride, for those willing to understand, is that people are just people and most of the time they will do the right thing. The book began with a white supremacist thinking he would find fertile ground in KY-5. He was wrong. Yes, racists and bigots of every stripe are widely distributed. But the white supremacist Matthew Heimbach found no purchase in Pikeville, Kentucky. The people of Pikeville, many of them Hillary Clintons deplorables, proactively protected their Muslim community from anything Heimbach and his minions had in mind. These interlopers thought they would be welcomed. They were mistaken. They came and they went and then disappeared from Pikeville without a trace. The people of Pikeville endure. Heimbach ended up in straitened circumstances he brought upon himself.

And this brings us to the message I take from Stolen Pride: Loss Shame, and the Rise of the Right  There is No Politics but Class Politics, as shown so very clearly in this collection of essays by Walter Benn Michaels and Adolph Reed, Jr. Matthew Heimlich counted on what he thought was the operative identity politics of Eastern Kentucky. He had reason to think this would work. Our politicians of the Uniparty use identity politics to divide us. As David Maynard said to ARH, On the news you hear a lot of talk about race, but not a thing about poverty when what residents of both hood and holler have most in common is the pain of poverty. This is where I believe the subtitle of Stolen may miss the mark slightly. The politics of the current Right is a large part of the book, as it should be. But the working class has not so much moved right as it has moved away from the feckless politics embodied by the current iteration of a Democratic Party that resembles nothing a pre-Nixon Democrat would recognize as their political party.

Identity politics is nothing but the politics of distraction and misdirection that solves nothing while making practitioners attached to both wings of the Uniparty feel good about themselves and sanguine about their political futures. Whether they are in power or out, the difference in status between Majority Leader and Minority Leader lies primarily in the size of their respective offices and the number of staff they command. On the other hand, identity politics is a dead end for the working class that will narrow to a point where it becomes impossible to turn around and perhaps too difficult to back out if we are not careful.

Yes, racism and sexism and xenophobia exist. But they are the symptom rather than the cause of our very real predicament. The percentage of white people who live in poverty is less than that of Black and brown people, while the absolute number of the former is larger. An endless and largely fruitless argument about this is exactly what our politicians desire, now and long into the past, especially in the United States.

Stolen Pride is an exemplar of the qualitative research coupled with superb narrative that we need desperately if we are to escape the bonds of neoliberalism. When the stress caused by displacement and unemployment is relieved, our artificial differences become less significant. When we finally have a functional social democracy in which everyone will be cared for, even the deadbeats among us, these differences will pale rapidly in comparison to our similarities. Think, for example, Alex Hughes and his coding, multiplied by millions.

And the thing is, when that happens the PMC will still maintain pride of place in its own hive mind and the rich will still be rich, while everyone, including the rich, will be much better off, as shown by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett here and here.

Win, win, win. This really is not all that difficult or complicated, even if it impossible now. We have work to do.

Notes

[1] Coal eventually provided high-paying jobs in Appalachian coal country, and for a long while, thanks to John Lewis and the United Mine Workers of America. This history is long and sad. If you can find it, Harlan County USA (1976) directed by Barbara Kopple, is one of the best documentary films ever made. See also Matewan, the feature film directed by John Sayles. Coal was essential to industrial development. The ultimate consequences of what Andreas Malm has called Fossil Capital have been known for a very long time. But what coal has mostly done on the ground in Appalachia is siphon wealth out of the mountains. This was described in heartbreaking detail by the late Harry Caudill in Night Comes to the Cumberlands. There were other roads not taken. As Wendell Berry noted in an early essay, people in the mountains had the tools and knowledge to sustainably produce furniture using the practically inexhaustible hardwoods of Appalachia. Alas, to my knowledge only one native furniture manufacturer hangs on, stubbornly: Vaughn-Bassett of Galax, Virginia; their story is told here.

But deep mining of coal is not necessarily the local environmental catastrophe that is mountaintop removal, a particularly evil version of open-pit mining. As ARH notes, most of her interlocutors are ashamed that hundreds of their mountains have been flattened so that coal can be scooped up after the so-called overburden (trees and soil of one of the most productive and diverse terrestrial ecosystems in the world) pushed into the valley (hollow, pronounced holler) thereby fouling the land and the water in place and downstream. Coal operators feel differently to this day and are likely to remain unrepentant until the coal is gone (though most of it already comes from Montana) or a runaway climate makes that irrelevant. The coal-black Friends of Coal license plate is very popular in Kentucky. However, the working people of Appalachia often rightfully feel like the productive and diverse overburden that is pushed off the mountains to get at the coal underneath.

[2] Both men and women are protagonists throughout Stolen Pride. The successes often naturally involve the mutual support and understanding of partners and their families. Other outcomes, not so much.
Lessons From Lucy Sapiens

Aztec Death Whistle Was Designed to Haunt the Mind, Brain Scans Confirm ZME Science

Private equity: vampire capital Michael Roberts Blog

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 arrives with a full digital twin of Earth Ars Technica

Climate/Environment

NYC issues first drought warning in over 20 years after record rainless streak NBC News

Water

When Romes fountains run dry The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists

NYU scientists create crystals to extract water from air without using energy Interesting Engineering

Pandemics

China?

U.S. report suggests NATO Plus arms status for Taiwan TVBS Taiwan

Old Blighty

British PM Starmer is taking a short break from supporting a genocide in Palestine, escalating a proxy war in Ukraine and arresting British people for mean tweets, to lecture China on human rights pic.twitter.com/yJnqEzHfPX

DWP admits winter fuel payment cuts will plunge tens of thousands of pensioners into poverty Big Issue

The Lucky Country

McBride Speaks From Prison at Australias Top Press Award Event Consortium News

European Disunion

Von der Leyen eyes major reshuffle to boost control over EU budget Politico

New Taurus missile proposal for Ukraine will be set for Bundestag vote Euromaidan Press

The German army takes steps toward economic militarization Harici

Syraqistan

Sequoia bets on Israel because of the war Globes

WATCH: Israel is using facial recognition technology to organize how it conducts mass arrests and forcible displacement in Gaza. Some Palestinians say the technology is also being used to carry out field executions. pic.twitter.com/HDeQgElJez

Turkish strikes in Syria cut water to one million people BBC

New Not-So-Cold War

Ukraine fires 8 ATACMS missiles at warehouse in Bryansk Oblast, Russia shoots down only 2 Ukrainska Pravda

Kiev fires ATACMS missiles at Russias Bryansk Region  MOD RT. MOD says five of six shot down.

US embassy in Kyiv shutters after significant air attack threat Euronews

***

Our Sixty Days of Nuclear Chicken Have Begun Matt Taibbi, Racket News

Note On US Launch of Long-Range Missiles into Russia The Journal of Belligerent Pontification

What happens now, after the Ukraines ATACMS strike on an arms storage site in Bryansk oblast, Russian Federation? Gilbert Doctorow

Putin Signs Russias New Nuclear Doctrine As the US Crosses the Red Line Larry Johnson, Sonar21

***

Ukraine Needs More Missiles to Take Full Advantage of New Biden Policy Foundation for Defense of Democracies

A Trump peace deal needs European boots on the ground to secure Ukraine, Estonia says Politico

Biden approves anti-personnel mines for Ukraine, US official says Channel News Asia

***

Russia arrests German citizen on sabotage charges  reports Deutsche Welle

Germany says sabotage presumed in damaged Baltic Sea telecom cables Al Jazeera

***

Poll: over 50% of Ukrainians support an end to the war ASAP Responsible Statecraft
PATTAYA, ThailandMike Stabile of the Free Speech Coalition is this weeks guest on "Adult Site Broker Talk" in part two of a two-part conversation.

For over a decade, Stabile has worked as a journalist and documentary filmmaker, advocating for sex workers and sexual freedom.

His writing has been featured in publications like The Daily Beast, Salon, Buzzfeed, Playboy, and The New York Times. His documentary Seed Money, which profiles Chuck Holmes, was recognized as one of The Advocates Best Documentaries of 2015.

Stabile founded Polari Media to help marginalized communities and unconventional businesses communicate with mainstream audiences.

He has led communications for the Free Speech Coalition since 2013. With more than 30 years of leadership, FSC has been at the forefront of protecting the rights of adult industry workers and businesses, challenging stigma, misinformation, and discriminatory policies in both the courtroom and public sphere.

Its efforts have demonstrated that unity in the industry leads to powerful outcomes. Follow the organization on X @FSCArmy.

Bruce, the adult site broker, host of the show, and CEO said, Another great interview with Mike. In part two of our conversation, we talked at length about getting more people involved in what the FSC does.

Listen to Mike Stabile of the Free Speech Coalition on "Adult Site Broker."

For more information, visit adultsitebrokertalk.com.
Yves here. Despite Tulsi Gabbard having loudly and consistently opposed US regime change wars and taking political risk to do so (like meeting with Assad), Tom Neuburger reminds us that shes a hawk on other issues, like supporting Israel. He still comes out for her, albeit not with much enthusiasm.

One other factor in favor of Gabbard is that she intends to leash and collar the CIA. Even though the CIA, along with other intelligence agencies, on paper reports to the Director of National Intelligence, in practice the CIA calls its own shots and has privileged access to the President via its daily briefings. The mere weight of numbers makes the CIA a force to be reckoned with. The DNI has 1,750 employees, while the CIA has over 21,500, and thats before you add in a very large population of assets.

Making the CIA more accountable, even if only to the President and other minders, is a very tall order. If Gabbard were nominated and made any progress, that would be a major accomplishment in and of itself. The CIA will argue it needs to operate in secret or its operations will be impaired (mind you, if it really is mainly in the regime change business, Gabbard would see that as an entirely good thing). One way to check the agency might be to release historical records largely unredacted. It would be hard to argue that anything before 1990 has any current value.save exposing how dirty the spook business really is.

CNN points out that Presidential nominees are almost without exception waved through:

For all the drama generated every four years by Cabinet appointments, defeat of a nominee by a vote in the Senate is extremely rare. The only time a nominee by a new president was rejected by a Senate vote occurred in 1989, when George H.W. Bush nominated John Tower, a former senator from Texas, to be his secretary of defense. Tower was undone by stories of his excessive drinking and what press reports at the time referred to as womanizing, and which Pentagon files back then documented as placing special attention on the secretaries as an arms negotiator in Geneva.

On the other hand, most of Trumps nominees are, erm, way out of band. Dr. Oz at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid services amounts to trolling. There may be enough TDS + a desire among those not afflicted to remind Trump of guardrails that the Senate might block a nominee to make a point. But I doubt there is enough coordination for that to be a plan, as opposed to desire. Will that sentiment coalesce around one candidate, or be too diffuse to create a real obstacle?

In the meantime, I would very much like it it Gabbard were to use her opening statement to make a modern version of the Have you no sense of decency, sir? speech that brings down or at least dents Russiagate in the way Joseph Welch finished off Joe McCarthy.

By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published at Gods Spies

When it comes to the war against terrorists, Im a hawk. When it comes to counterproductive wars of regime change, Im a dove.

Tulsi Gabbard, 2016

The list of Donald Trumps picks for cabinet posts is filling up fast. Some are relentlessly awful, like Chris Wright, a fossil fuel CEO, for Department of Energy; Mike Huckabee, pretend Christian for Ambassador to Israel; Lee Zeldin, Trump loyalist for EPA; and the racist Stephen Miller for, well, anything.

But other nominations are more mixed. Many decry Matt Gaetz for ethical issues, though others, notably progressives, praise his antitrust advocacy, his opposition to corporate power  especially Big Tech  his support for Lina Khan, his opposition to congressional insider trading, his dislike of corporate stock buybacks and his stance against government surveillance.

Which brings me to Tulsi Gabbard, another mixed nomination.

Tulsi Gabbard

Much has been written about Trumps pick of Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. This is perhaps the most powerful job in the National Security State  the CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and NSA all report to the DNI. The President is certainly more powerful, and the CIA chief may be as well, given that so much of what the Agency does is hidden, known only perhaps to itself. But the DNI is clearly one of the major hubs around which security happens.

For this discussion, lets focus primarily on Jeremy Scahills evaluation of Gabbards nomination. Hes gathered as many of her pluses and minuses as anyone, and Gabbard, to my eyes, is certainly a mixed nomination.

Virtue and Vice

Scahill on what he (and I) consider her virtues (all emphasis mine):

If confirmed as the next Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard would represent one of the most unorthodox political figures to hold such a senior national security post in U.S. history. A veteran of the war in Iraq, Gabbard was elected to Congress in 2012 and emerged as a sharp critic of the U.S. forever wars launched in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. She denounced U.S. regime change wars, including the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, and consistently opposed U.S. support for Saudi Arabias scorched earth war against Yemen, which extended from Barack Obama to Donald Trump. On multiple occasions, she accused Trump of being Saudi Arabias bitch, taking orders from his Saudi masters, and of supporting Al Qaeda. She has called for pardoning whistleblowers Julian Assange and Edward Snowden and fought to change U.S. laws permitting domestic surveillance of Americans.

These are all points in the anti-imperialist ledger. Yet she also brings this to the role:

Gabbard is not an antigen infiltrating the U.S. intelligence system. Over the past four years she has fully embraced Trumps America First posture in explaining her dissent from the elite foreign policy consensus. Gabbard also has a history of support for a slew of standard, bipartisan U.S. national security and defense policies. She has offered die-hard backing for Israels war against Gaza, opposed a ceasefire, and accused Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the chief facilitators of Israels genocidal war, of being soft on terrorism and anti-semitism. She has also argued that the U.S. and other Western nations should wage both a military and ideological war against what she calls radical Islamist ideology. She has described herself as a hawk when it comes to using military action against terrorists and has advocated using surgical drone strikes against terror groups, a system refined and expanded under the Obama and Trump administrations. She has praised Egyptian dictator Abdel Fatah al-Sisi for his great courage and leadership and, following a 2015 meeting with Sisi in Cairo, called on Obama to take action to recognize President el-Sisi and his leadership. In Congress, Gabbard voted to keep in place U.S. surveillance laws aimed at foreign nationals and nations and supported economic sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

Theres also this: Gabbard also has close ties to far right Hindu nationalists with an explicitly violent anti-Muslim agenda and an alliance with Israel and extremist Zionists.

As I say, a very mixed bag.

Opposition to Gabbard

Opposition to this nomination comes in two flavors, covert and overt.

The overt flavor is some form of Hillary Clintons charge that Gabbard is a Russian asset. The context was the 2020 Democratic primary in which Gabbard appeared to be making some early gains. Clinton also said, I think theyve got their eye on somebody who is currently in the Democratic primary and are grooming her to be the third-party candidate. A Clinton spokesperson later made clear the remarks were directed at Gabbard.

In the same interview Clinton called Jill Stein a Russian asset. I mean, totally. No evidence was ever offered for either charge, the one against Stein or Gabbard.

These accusations are improbable in the extreme. Gabbard is an Iraq War veteran, a former member of Congress and a serving Lt. Col. in the Army Reserve. Despite being labeled a traitor, shed be up on charges for sure if even a scrap of evidence existed to back this up. But Russia is a good trigger word for much of America, though its losing effectiveness fast  witness cultivated Russian asset Donald Trumps comfortable reelection.

But I think thats the cover story, the bright red flag. The actual opposition comes from the bipartisan military state, the one that wants all its wars, all the money that goes with it, and no talking back.

By this analysis, Gabbards pro-militarist virtues

Support for the Gaza genocide

Support for the Forever War against radical Islam

Support for drone attacks against terror cells

are not outweighed by her multiple heresies:

Sees Putins invasion of Ukraine as security-based

Thinks that NATO expansion is a destabilizing force (she shares this view with George Kennan  that George Kennan  and Thomas Friedman)

Understands that domestic surveillance is a political threat, thanks to her own experience of being placed on the TSAs Quiet Skies program. Gabbard: Given this environment, its impossible to feel free. No American deserves this. No American deserves to live in fear of our own government.

In my view, the State wants a robot in office, and shes not it.

Her Confirmation

Will she be confirmed? Krystal Ball has said in one of her Thursday segments that, this time around, Trump has everything gamed out. Thats possible; in my view his goal is now governing in the Im going to shake things up sense. He wants his own retribution and intends to rule, unlike before when his goal was to just bathe in glory.

So he may be fully committed to her confirmation, despite the U.S. foreign policy establishment, which has committed itself for decades to a long war against Russia. Well have to see on that.

Preferring The Lesser Evil

Democrats and their supporters are well aware of the lesser evil principle. Vote for not that has been their rallying cry for quite a few years. Unless you buy into (in my view) the clear propaganda that Gabbards an actual spy  or unless you want real war with Russia  Gabbards the lesser evil compared to a blood-and-guts Blob representative, Blinken or Sullivan, say, or Trumps NSA pick Mike Waltz, against whom shell contend.

I therefore recommend supporting her confirmation. If it fails, consider that a win for the warlike State  and prepare accordingly.

At some point our global violence will be sent back home. Were too soft a target and too many non-Americans have had enough. If they finally decide to get their own retribution, to show us what casual slaughter feels like up close, you wont want to be around when that occurs.
The Franklin Theatre stage will see a special trio join together for the first time for a Songwriter Series performance on Thursday. Erin Enderlin, Denitia and Maia Sharp spoke about what they anticipate for the show as well as some of their current and upcoming projects.

Denitia and Sharp have both played shows with others in the Franklin Theatre before but say they are excited to be back to have some more time on the stage.

It always feels like people are really there to listen, Sharp says. It feels like a genuine appreciation for the reason that they came, which is music itself. So, I jumped at the chance to play there.

Denitia has played a show with Enderlin before and Enderlin has played a show with Sharp before but this will be the first time the three songwriters share a stage.

There'll never be another show like that, Denitia says. You never know what's gonna happen with how our songs flow together.  It's just like a really one of a kind, unique kind of a night. Then, of course, I'm just really excited to be in the company of such incredible songwriters. I just think we're gonna get some great stories and great displays of the craft.

Sharp says the writer in the round format for shows is one of her favorites because of how the group gets to trade songs and stories.

Hopefully we can sing a little harmony on each other's songs, Sharp says. It just has an intimate feeling to it, kind of no matter the size of the theater.

The show at the Franklin Theatre will be one of Enderlins last for the year and she says its one of her favorite venues to play.

It just has such a cool energy in it, Enderlin says. I'm a frequent guest there too, because a lot of my favorite artists play there. So, that's one of the things that keeps me coming back to the Franklin Theatre specifically, and Julie Jackson is just so awesome to work with there on events.

For those who havent experienced a show with the writers in the round format before, Enderlin says it's unique in the nature of the banter between the artists.

At shows like this, you'll start a story or a song, and it kind of leads to things between people, or brings up a story that you hadn't thought of in a while, Enderlin says. I know that I'll be playing some of my own stuff that I put out as an artist and I'll also be playing some songs I've had recorded by other artists like Willie Nelson and Trisha Yearwood and some different folks.

Enderlin wrote the fourth song ("I Wrote This Song For You") on Nelsons latest album The Border which came out in May. And, hes singing another one of her songs in the closing track on limited series The Gray House produced by Morgan Freeman and Kevin Costner which features tracks from other major country artists such as Shania Twain, Lainey Wilson and duo War and Treaty.

While some artists take the end of the year as a time to slow down, Enderlin is ramping up to cut a new record produced by Sunny Sweeney. Itll be her first in at least two years since her Barroom Mirrors EP dropped in 2022 which is on pace with previous albums Faulkner County (2019) and Whiskeytown Crier (2017).

The songwriters celebrated each others successes during the interview and Denitia, one of CMTs Next Women of Country Class of 2024, released her new album Sunset Drive in September. The record tells her story of returning to Nashville, where she went to college, and her journey in life from her hometown in Texas to her decade spent in New York City.

The last part of this year has been like a big focus on the record and touring around, Denitia says. But, this is kind of like the last stop for 2024 and then also I'll be announcing a bunch of tour dates next year.

There are a couple dates she has already announced in a tour supporting Ron Pope next year, including a show on March 15 at The Basement East in Nashville.

Sharp is ending her year on a high note. While this will be her last local show, shes got one more planned in Washington D.C. but will be available for anyone interested to tune into.

Bonnie Raitt is getting honored at the Kennedy Center, and I didn't realize this, but honorees get to curate a stage of their favorite artists earlier in the week, Sharp says. So, she's being honored on December 8 and on December 6 she's invited me to play her stage at the Millennium Stage, which will be live streamed on the sixth, and it's Amethyst Kiah and me, so I'm really looking forward to that.

In addition to Raitt, Sharps songs have been recorded by artists such as The Chicks, Trisha Yearwood, Keb Mo and Cher all while shes recorded nine solo albums. Shes also done some work collaborating with a veteran to write a song based on his story through the organization Songwriting With: Soldiers. Sharp says its likely to come up as a conversation with the group during the performance on Thursday because Denitia and Enderlin also work with the organization.

One of my veteran co-writers will be in the crowd, so I'm definitely going to sing the song that him and I wrote together at one of the songwriting the soldiers retreats, Sharp says.

While an audience member will never know exactly what to expect from a show like this, the songwriters' genuine support for one another is a guarantee that something special is bound to happen. Denitia calls both Enderlin and Sharps voices uniquely classic yet still distinct to them. Enderlin says Denitias lines make her wonder and bring great introspection and describes Sharps melodies as the kind of music that make her want to go lay in a hammock somewhere and do nothing but listen to music.

Sharp says: There will be moments  100 percent chance  where I forget that I have a job to do, because I'm just listening to these women that I love, and I'm like, Oh, damn, I got to think of a song now.

This article was first published by our sister publication, Williamson Scene.
I read the excerpts from Megan Barrys book that ran in the Nashville Banner, and I have been sent the more salacious bits, and I have been yelled at once again for not being nice to her. (I guess probably linked to my comment over at Bluesky that were lucky the transit referendum passed, because we will need more buses for everyone since the former mayor is throwing people under them.) And Ive been feeling bad about voting for her, because I got on Beyonces internet and told everyone she was the better option, and then she went and released this book.

So, Im just going to say it. Megan Barry should have left most of this shit in the past. Its weird to read a political memoir in which she talks about her undergarments and whos doing what to them. It seems cruel to put such private details of her liaisons in front of the public after her lover has already paid such a steep price for getting involved with her. And I still end up in the same place I was back when I wasnt going to vote for her. I feel like Im watching Megan Barry once again self-harm in public.

Did I laugh when I read what she claims she said to Sheriff Daron Hall? (When I first came into office, he wanted blue police lights added to his car. I informed him that blue lights were reserved for actual law enforcement and pointed out that he just ran a corrections center.)

Yes. Thats funny as hell.

But it's also not true. The sheriff is an actual law enforcement position, and the sheriffs department is a law enforcement agency. I even double-checked this with the sheriffs office. I also asked if they have blue lights. They dont, but no one recalls the mayor and the sheriff ever discussing it. (The fact that I had to ask about the blue lights is more than embarrassing for me, because I drove by the jail to look at a sheriffs car, and there was a sheriffs department car and a regular Metro police car and a Metro Parks police car, and their lights all looked the same to me. I was out there trying to do actual reporting for you, but I was thwarted by my own poor eyesight.)

Theres another bit that stands out as being untrue:

OK, So I Voted for Megan Barry After All Its really hard, most of the time, to make clean moral decisions about who to vote for

"Jerry, whats with the range for the theftbetween $10,000 and $60,000? Have they even completed an audit?" I ask. He clears his throat. Ive noticed he does this before saying something he knows is going to upset me. "Because for it to be a felony, the amount has to be more than $10,000. The DA is saying you stole $11,000. He wants you to be a felon." "What a total fucking asswipe," I say.

Jerry is Megan Barrys attorney, meaning hes an attorney (obviously), meaning he knows that felony theft is over $1,000 according to Tennessee law. I cant speak to whether or not the district attorney was trying to jack Barry up by picking an amount that would make her theft a class-C felony rather than a class-D felony. (Sentencing for class-C felonies is harsher than sentencing for class-D felonies.) But he wasnt bumping her over the line from misdemeanor to felony. Barrys attorney would know that. Any attorney who read the manuscript would know that.

Which brings me to my main point: Megan Barry pleaded guilty to a felony. In fact, that class-C felony.

Lets go back to the Tennessean story about it:

Barry and Forrest attended 10 city-funded trips by themselves without other mayors office staff present, including to conferences overseas in Paris and Greece and the two to Washington cited in the affidavit. Barry and Forrest are both married. Forrest also earned $173,843.13 in overtime from July 2015 through Jan. 15 of this year, according to city data, more than the amount earned by the four other police officers in Barrys detail combined.

Barry says in her book: Rob didnt bill for more hours than he worked. At least not that I know of, but its not like I was helping him fill out his timesheet in the postcoital glow. I have never even seen a timesheet. She is framing this to be all about her paramour potentially overbilling the city and shifting the blame for her misfortune onto him. But no one was saying that Forrest was cooking the books. They were saying that the mayor misused city funds to pay for her lover to join her on trips. And thats what she pleaded guilty to and repaid the city for.

I get why shes pissed at District Attorney Glenn Funk, and Im certainly not going to begrudge her that anger. But its also bizarre that she doesnt appear to realize the favor he did for her in keeping her out of prison.

Not only that, but for as many potshots as she takes at Forrest, she seems unaware of just how much liability she opened the city up to by taking up with him. Imagine if, instead of pleading guilty to the charges against him, Forrest had told the D.A. that he didnt feel he could say no to Barry and keep his job. What if hed decided to sue the city?

Shes fortunate she didnt receive a harsher sentence. Shes fortunate she didnt cost taxpayers a ton of money.

Green Defeats Barry in Tennessees 7th Congressional District The win means a fourth term for Green in a seat he didnt initially want again

Why would you publish this? And what if she had beaten Mark Green in the 7th Congressional District race? What if she were headed to Congress as this book came out?

Its such a stupid move from a person who is very smart that, like I said, it feels intentional. It feels like shes asking us to witness her put herself in harms way yet again, I guess so we can cheer for her yet again. But man, even though I cant look away, I wish I hadnt looked in the first place.
24-hour bombings in Gaza kill at least 47 civilians and injure nearly 200 others

The Israeli military has been accused of committing a series of massacres against Palestinian families in Gaza, with reports emerging that at least 47 civilians have been killed and nearly 200 others injured in a 24-hour period

This is according to a report by the WAFA News Agency on Nov. 13, which cited medical sources in Gaza. The scale of the devastation has been alarming, with numerous families caught in Israeli airstrikes across the region.

On Nov. 12, one of the deadliest attacks occurred in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, where at least 10 Palestinians, including children, were killed when Israeli forces bombed a house. The airstrike was described as a massacre by local media, with no immediate indication that the house was being used for any military purpose.

Al Jazeera reported that several other people were injured in the attack, and many survivors were left trapped under the rubble. The Jabalia camp has been heavily targeted during the ongoing conflict, with civilians bearing the brunt of the airstrikes in what is one of the most densely populated areas in Gaza.

Further south in Gaza City's Shujaiya neighborhood, Israeli forces carried out additional strikes that resulted in the deaths of at least two more Palestinians. In Al-Mawasi, on Gaza's southern coast, a family home was bombed, killing eight people.

Al-Mawasi has been a focus of several attacks, with civil defense teams reporting that dozens of people were inside the house at the time of the bombing. As of the report, many remain trapped under the debris, and efforts to rescue them are ongoing. (Related: Gaza Health Ministry issues "final distress call" for Kamal Adwan Hospital as Israel turns facility into kill zone.)

International aid organizations accusing Israel of deliberately withholding aid to Gaza

The recent violence in Gaza comes amid increasingly alarming reports from humanitarian workers and medical personnel. British surgeon Nizam Mamode, who recently returned from working in a Gaza hospital, testified to the British House of Commons about the devastating and deliberate targeting of civilians, including children, by Israeli drones.

Mamode described how, after bombings, drones would hover over the injured and pick off victims, often children, who were lying wounded on the ground. He stated that such attacks were a daily occurrence, with multiple mass casualty incidents happening every day, killing as many as 20 civilians at a time. The testimony has sparked outrage and further criticism of Israel's conduct during the ongoing conflict.

On the international front, eight humanitarian organizations issued a joint statement accusing Israel of failing to meet demands for greater humanitarian access to Gaza.

Despite international pressure, the United States has refrained from restricting arms transfers to Israel. President Joe Biden's administration had previously given Israel a 30-day deadline to improve humanitarian access to Gaza or face potential legal consequences, including a reduction in U.S. military support.

However, there is little sign of significant improvement on the ground, with experts warning that Gaza may already be facing a famine-like situation in the northern part of the territory.

Watch this clip from Antiwar.com discussing Israel killing 76 Palestinians in Gaza in a single day.

This video is from the alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Israeli "quadcopters" are SHOOTING injured children at Gaza airstrike scenes, confirms acclaimed British surgeon.

Israeli missile destroys residential building in Northern Gaza, killing at least 93 Palestinians  20 of them were children.

Beit Lahia in northern Gaza declared a DISASTER ZONE as Israel continues to devastate the area with bombs.

"Instead of aid, we received tanks:" Israel attacks north Gaza's last operational hospital.

Gaza Health Ministry appeals for global intervention to save remaining hospitals from Israels violence.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

ABCNews.go.com

Brighteon.com
Liberals vow to prioritize abortion rights in Canadas upcoming federal election

Canadian Minister of Tourism Soraya Martinez Ferrada has confirmed that the Liberal government will push for abortion "rights" until the next federal election even though such "rights" do not exist in Canadian law.

According to the Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) director of communications Pete Baklinski, the absence of a legal structure around abortion has its roots in the 1969 Criminal Code amendment under then-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, which initially decriminalized abortion under specific circumstances. This law was invalidated in 1988, with the Supreme Court urging Parliament to craft a replacement. However, subsequent legislative efforts, such as the failed Bill C-43 in 1990, left the country without any laws on abortion.

But then again, Baklinski argued that the decision was not an endorsement of unrestricted abortion. Instead, it is a call for a balanced approach that respects both women's rights and the interest of the state in protecting fetal life. (Related: Dems, pro-abortion organizations turn to ballot initiatives to enshrine abortion rights into state constitutions.)

"In fact, the court was unanimous in finding that the state has an interest in protecting the lives of humans in the womb. Chief Justice Dickson, with Justice Lamer concurring, wrote: 'Like Beetz and Wilson JJ., I agree that protection of fetal interests by Parliament is also a valid governmental objective," Baklinski stated.

But despite the statement of Baklinski, the Liberal government chose to propose abortion "rights," instead of passing a law to protect children in their mothers' wombs. Martinez Ferrada, who also serves as the co-chair of the Liberal Party's re-election committee, stressed their stance amid claims of rising "populism" attributed to Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre.

"We're going to make sure we are ready for the next campaign," she said. "It's not just a sense that we have the right to abortion but that we have access to abortion. It's important to break this taboo around abortion. Women here have real concerns, she claimed.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also supports abortion

Martinez Ferrada has also claimed that Conservatives seek to introduce laws restricting abortion. However, current Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre strongly supports abortion.

In fact, the CLC has given Poilievre and his stance on life and family issues a "red light" rating.

Back in December, his wife Anaida Poilievre made headlines for advocating their pro-choice stance on abortion. In turn, the CLC stressed Poilievre's unequivocal declaration during the 2022 Conservative leadership debates, where he stated, in both English and French, that he is "pro-choice." Additionally, Poilievre has previously voiced support for same-sex marriage.

In February, Poilievre initially refrained from supporting Alberta's ban on medical transitioning for minors, instructing his MPs to stay silent. Days later, after public opinion favored the policy, Poilievre also voiced his support.

Similarly, Poilievre was notably absent from the Million Person March against LGBT indoctrination in schools last September. His office reportedly instructed Conservative caucus members to avoid commenting on the protest. It was only after public outcry and evidence of grassroots support that Poilievre criticized Trudeau for "demonizing concerned parents" and voiced support for parental rights.

Visit Abortions.news for more stories related to the killing of the unborn.

Watch this Fox News report of the Supreme Court issuing a ruling that allows hospitals to perform emergency abortions.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Florida ballot measures to legalize recreational weed and expand "abortion rights" FAIL.

MY BODY MY CHOICE? Insane Leftists and celebrities scream for abortion rights while insisting we all be FORCE VACCINATED for COVID-19.

Celebrity candidate Dr. Oz attacked pro-life laws, supported abortion rights in 2019.

Radical pro-abortion amendments pass in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Montana, Missouri, New York and Nevada.

New York passes pro-abortion ballot initiative that mandates other leftist agendas.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com 1

LifeSiteNews.com 2

Brighteon.com
Congress forcing CCDH hate group that authored disinformation dozen stunt to comply with inquiry, subpoena by November 21

The infamous Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) has until November 21 to submit to a congressional inquiry and subpoena about the hate group's alleged collusion with the administration of Joe Biden throughout the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic."

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) subpoenaed CCDH on November 7 as part of an ongoing investigation, launched in August 2023, into the non-profit group's censorship agenda.

The subpoena demands all communications and documents exchanged "between or among CCDH, the Executive Branch, or third parties, including social media companies, relating to the identification of groups, accounts, channels, or posts for moderation, deletion, suppression, restriction, or reduced circulation."

In addition, the subpoena asks for all records, notes, and other "documents of interactions between or among CCDH and the Executive Branch referring or relating to 'killing' or taking adverse action against Elon Musk's X social media platform (formerly Twitter)."

CCDH should be prosecuted for interference in US elections by a foreign entity, among their many crimes https://t.co/sI1nCZ9XST  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 7, 2024

(Related: Did you know that CCDH was spawned from the Biden White House's efforts to stop the deadly truth about COVID "vaccines" from spreading on social media?)

CCDH conducted "largest coordinated foreign influence operation targeting American speech since 1776"

Back in March 2021, CCDH released its infamous "Disinformation Dozen" list of the world's "leading online anti-vaxxers." On that list was none other than Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's choice for secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

CCDH considers Kennedy, Dr. Joseph Mercola, Ty and Charlene Bollinger, and the other names on the Disinformation Dozen list to be a threat to the establishment due to their "anti-vax" positions, which contributed to lesser uptake of the "vaccines" during the "pandemic."

Leaked CCDH documents show that the group also went after independent journalists Paul D. Thacker and Matt Taibbi for exposing the group as a Trojan horse to keep Democrats and leftists in power. CCDH also sought to "kill" Twitter (now X) and launch a "black ops" against Kennedy.

A black op, by the way, is defined as a "secret mission or campaign carried out by a military, governmental or other organization, typically one in which the organization conceals or denies its involvement."

Rep. Jordan's subpoena was "definitely spurred," according to Thacker, by the leaked documents and what they reveal about what has really been taking place behind the scenes on the censorship front.

"The leaked documents confirm what we experienced firsthand: CCDH wasn't just targeting 12 individuals  we were test cases for deploying military-grade psychological operations against civilians at scale," explained GreenMedInfo's Sayer Ji, another name on the Disinformation Dozen list, according to The Defender.

"Just as the British Crown once used seditious libel laws to silence colonial dissent, CCDHs operation expanded to silence hundreds of millions globally, from doctors sharing clinical observations to parents discussing vaccine injuries," Ji added, calling CCDH's efforts both "chilling" and a clear indicator what CCDH was doing constitutes "the largest coordinated foreign influence operation targeting American speech since 1776."

Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, yet another name on the Disinformation Dozen list, commented that these revelations only confirm what many suspected all along about what the left was doing all these years in a desperate attempt to hold onto power at all costs.

"We have the sad last laugh against their attacks," Dr. Tenpenny said. "They are the ones with blood on their hands."

Censorship has become big business for the deep state, which appears to be losing its grip on the power levers of the world due to the free flow of information online. Learn more at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

X.com

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

NaturalNews.com

CounterHate.com
Did Trump cave to pro-Israel neocons?

Trump is urging Israel to finish the job on defeating Hamas. His position on Israel stands firm, and he previously acknowledged Jerusalem as Israels capital during his first term to the dismay of many. Ron Paul recently accused Trump of filling his cabinet with pro-war neocons who support Israel.

(Article republished from ArmstrongEconomics.com)

Yesterday was a bad day for those who endorse America First in our foreign policy, Paul posted on X. Elise Stefanik was appointed as the UN Ambassador, Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, and Mike Waltz as the National Security Advisor. All three strongly support Israels war on Palestine. Can Israels was on Palestine be limited to Hamas when the group uses its citizens as human shields? Paul said many who hoped that Trump 2.0 would be different than Trump 1.0 are feeling dejected and betrayed.

I have explained that Israel is a vassal state. If there were not an Israel, wed have to invent one, Biden has said numerous times since the 1980s. Israel is a strategic military base for the West. It permitted America to keep an eye on not just oil but opium as well. America did not need to create an Israel since Britain basically did back in 1948. Israel is not a charity and the West does not fund it because of religion.

Israel is the Wests stronghold in the Middle East. I encourage those interested to read the article about the Ben Gurion Canal Project. There are countless reasons for the US to support Israel from defense to trade.

Yet, the Israel-Palestine war is now the battleground for yet another proxy war. Palestine does not have a military. The terrorist group Hamas contains between 30,000 and 40,000 fighters, but only a few hundred are believed to have received proper training. Hamas does not have an air force or any naval power. In contrast, Israel has one of the most advanced defense forces in the world, yet they are surrounded by enemies from every angle.

The appointees that Ron Paul accused of being neocons have abandoned their ideas for Ukraine. Stefanik said she no longer believes Ukraine deserves NATO membership. Rubio initially supported Ukraine and labelled Putin a killer back in 2022. Now, Rubio believes the war needs to be brought to a conclusion and that continuing the proxy war in Europe could set Ukraine back 100 years. Mike Waltz also had a complete shift in his policy on Ukraine and accused Zelensky of asking for blank checks, but Waltz initially supported the war.

In contrast, the three strongly support Israels war. All support fighting in this proxy war and have ideas for attacking Lebanon and Iran. They will likely push for the US to send Israel munitions and aid. I believe it would be a great misstep for Trump to send US troops into the Middle East again and do not believe he would make such a blunder.

Is Trump filling his cabinet with neocons? Well, Ron Paul is not completely wrong. These people will influence US policy and Trump would be wise to avoid escalating Americas role in the never-ending feuds in the Middle East.

Read more at: ArmstrongEconomics.com
Donald Trump names John Ratcliffe as CIA director

President-elect Donald Trump has announced that former Director of National Intelligence (DNI) John Ratcliffe will head the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during his second administration.

"I am pleased to announce that former John Ratcliffe will serve as director of the CIA. From exposing fake Russian collusion to be a Clinton campaign operation, to catching the [Federal Bureau of Investigation's] abuse of civil liberties at the FISA [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act] Court, [he] has always been a warrior for truth and honesty with the American public," he wrote.

"When 51 intelligence officials were lying about Hunter Biden's laptop, there was one  John Ratcliffe  telling the truth to the American people. 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." (Related: See the full list of 51 deep state "intelligence" officials who lied about Hunter Bidens laptop to try to defeat Trump in 2020.)

According to the Daily Mail, "Trump used language suggesting it was a done deal." The position of CIA director requires the confirmation of the U.S. Senate, though the Republican Party taking control of the chamber following this month's elections could expedite it.

In October 2020, then-DNI Ratcliffe told Fox News that there was "no intelligence to support" claims that Russian disinformation was behind the emails from the presidential son's "laptop from hell." That same year, Trump awarded Ratcliffe  a former congressman representing the Fourth District of Texas in the U.S. Congress  the National Security Medal.

True enough, the owner of a computer repair shop in Delaware came forward and revealed that the younger Biden himself dropped off the laptop for repair. The business owner, John Paul Mac Isaac, added that he uncovered the information while working on it. Isaac's disclosure essentially debunked claims that Moscow was involved in the release of the emails.

Trump completing lineup for his second cabinet

"Trump has railed ever since he entered the White House about the Russia probe, which began during [his] 2016 campaign as a probe of contacts between Trump advisors who had Russia ties," the Mail continued. "He has long said the probe hobbled his administration from the outset."

Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller found that while Moscow did interfere in the presidential campaign, he saw no evidence 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." A later investigation by Special Counsel John Durham found that the FBI committed serious misconduct in the course of its investigation of Trump.

The Mail noted that the president-elect "has been settling on officials with electoral experience and known reputations in Washington." Ratcliffe's announcement as CIA director came on the same day as former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee being named as U.S. ambassador to Israel. Huckabee's daughter Sarah Huckabee Sanders served as White House press secretary during the real estate mogul's first term.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) was named as secretary of state under the second Trump administration, while his colleague U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was named as the U.S. attorney general  the head of the Department of Justice. In contrast, Trump publicly announced that former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley won't be getting any position in the new administration.

Other names floated for top security posts in the second Trump administration include former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Ric Grinell, former National Security Advisor Gen. Michael Flynn and Kash Patel, a senior official in the first Trump administration.

Head over to Trump.news for more stories about the president-elect's picks for his cabinet.

Watch this Fox News report about former DNI John Ratcliffe being named as the new CIA director under Trump's second term.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Joe Biden may not be installed in the White House, suggests DNI John Ratcliffe.

Former Director of National Intelligence finally admits that Fauci LIED about gain of function research.

Former DNI John Ratcliffe confirms that China, not Russia, had a very large role interfering with our 2020 election.

BREAKING: DNI Ratcliffe confirms foreign interference in elections; deep state desperate to DELAY the report, Dec. 18th deadline will be missed

BOMBSHELL: Former DNI Ratcliffe says special counsel Durham is aware Obama, Biden KNEW about Clinton campaign plot to entrap Trump in fake Russia scandal.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Brighteon.com
Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of war crimes in Gaza, citing deliberate forced displacement of Palestinians

A new report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) accuses Israeli authorities of deliberately and systematically causing the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza , calling these actions war crimes and crimes against humanity

The report, based on satellite imagery, Israeli military evacuation orders, and statements from Israeli officials, shows that Israel has made it effectively impossible for many Palestinians to return to many parts of Gaza. HRW argues that the scale of the destruction  targeting critical infrastructure and residential areas  has left much of Gaza uninhabitable. (Related: Yoav Gallant: Israel's Gaza presence driven by political motives, not security concerns.)

HRW's lead researcher, Nadia Hardman, described the destruction as "massive and deliberate."

Israeli forces have destroyed vital civilian infrastructure, including water, sanitation, energy, and communication networks, as well as schools and hospitals.

"So much civilian infrastructure has been destroyed that much of Gaza has been rendered uninhabitable," Hardman stated.

The report further highlights the Israeli militarys destruction of homes, orchards, fields, and greenhouses, contributing to the widespread displacement of Palestinian civilians.

In addition to the widespread destruction, HRW drew attention to the expansion of Israeli military buffer zones in Gaza. These zones are created by razing entire neighborhoods and constructing new military roads and infrastructure. One prominent example is the creation of the "Netzarim Corridor," a new road over 2.4 miles wide that cuts across Gaza from north to south. This military infrastructure is continuing to expand, further encroaching on Palestinian territory and displacing more residents.

Israeli officials argue that such measures are necessary for security, citing the threat from militant groups in Gaza. For example, Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Avi Dicther described creating a "fire zone" around Gaza to prevent anyone from approaching the Israeli border. However, HRW contends that these justifications do not align with the scale of destruction, which the report argues constitutes one of the clearest examples of forcible transfer. Under international law, forcible transfer is considered a war crime if done intentionally.

Israel's ultimate goal is to displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip

HRW's investigation uncovered evidence that Israel's actions in Gaza are part of a broader, deliberate plan to displace Palestinians. The report cites statements from senior Israeli officials, including extremist and Jewish supremacist politicians who has openly supported or endorsed the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

For example, Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich called for the "total annihilation" of Gaza's cities in April. Similarly, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously made statements indicating support for the permanent displacement of Palestinians, although he has since tried to downplay these remarks.

HRW's report also criticizes how Israel has issued evacuation orders. HRW found that many of these orders were unclear, contradictory or issued too late to give civilians enough time to evacuate safely. In some cases, evacuation orders were issued after military attacks had already begun, leaving residents in dangerous and uncertain situations.

Gabi Ivens, an HRW researcher, noted that the lack of clear and timely guidance contributed to confusion, making it difficult for civilians to understand where and when to move.

This HRW report builds on warnings from Palestinian human rights organizations, which have claimed that Israel is systematically "emptying northern Gaza" of its residents. These groups have raised concerns that Palestinians who flee will never be able to return to their homes, fearing Israels plan to resettle these areas with Israeli civilians.

These fears are compounded by the recent attendance of several Israeli politicians at a conference in late October promoting the idea of reestablishing Israeli settlements in Gaza.

Limor Son Har Melech, a member of the Jewish supremacist Otzma Yehudit party, which is part of Netanyahus coalition, stated at the conference that Gaza is the property of our ancestors and vowed to settle it again. Such rhetoric underscores the ideological drive among some Israeli politicians to reassert control over Gaza, even though the settlements were evacuated nearly two decades ago.

HRW's report adds to mounting evidence that Israels actions in Gaza represent a coordinated strategy of forcibly displacing Palestinians, undermining their ability to return home. The ongoing destruction of homes and infrastructure, along with the expansion of military zones, constitutes a grave violation of international law, specifically concerning forced population transfers. As the situation in Gaza escalates, the international community faces increasing pressure to address these violations and hold accountable those responsible for the ongoing crisis.

Watch this short clip showing Israeli soldiers deliberately burning down a school-turned-refugee camp in northern Gaza.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Israeli "quadcopters" are SHOOTING injured children at Gaza airstrike scenes, confirms acclaimed British surgeon.

UN warns that "everyone in north (Gaza) at imminent risk of dying" as Israel's ethnic cleansing operation forges on.

Israeli missile destroys residential building in northern Gaza, killing at least 93 Palestinians  20 of them were children.

Sources include:

AlJazeera.com

HRW.org

Brighteon.com
Virginia jury awards Iraqi detainees $42M for torture endured at Abu Ghraib prison 20 years ago

A jury in Alexandria, Virginia has ordered a military contractor to pay $42 million to three former Abu Ghraib prison detainees who were abused when serving their jail time in Iraq some two decades ago.

Consolidated Analysis Centers, Inc. (CACI), a Virginia-based defense contractor was held accountable for the mistreatment and torture the plaintiffs endured. According to National Pulse, the verdict came after a previous jury failed to reach a consensus earlier in the year.

Suhail Al Shimari, Salah Al-Ejaili and Asa'ad Al-Zubae testified to have endured beatings, sexual humiliation, forced nudity and other forms of abuse while detained. They contended that CACI's civilian interrogators conspired with military personnel to improperly "soften up" detainees.

They will receive $3 million each in compensatory damages and $11 million each in punitive damages.

CACI had a subcontracting agreement with the U.S. government back in 2003. They were reportedly paid more than $19 million just for their "interrogation services" at Abu Ghraib, a maximum security prison in Abu Ghraib, Iraq.

The prison facility was established in the 1950s and was used by former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to hold political prisoners during his presidency from 1979 to 2003. But after the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, the U.S. military took over the Abu Ghraib.

In 2003, photos of imprisoned Iraqis suffering sexual abuse and physical and psychological torture at the hands of U.S. prison guards started to surface, including one of a hooded prisoner connected to electrical wires and forced to stand on a small box. He had been told he would be electrocuted if he fell off the box.

The maltreatment even resulted in the death of at least one inmate named Manadel al-Jamadi.

In September 2006, it was handed over to the Iraqis again and in April 2014, it eventually stopped operating. Now-retired U.S. Major General Antonio Taguba and now-retired U.S. Major General George Fay launched an inquiry the following year. Another investigation was launched in 2008 by the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services.

As a result, 11 U.S. soldiers were charged with dereliction of duty, maltreatment, aggravated assault and battery. Nine were sentenced to time in prison while others were convicted in military courts.

Meanwhile, a civil lawsuit against CACI by four Iraqi prisoners was filed in 2008 by the New York-based nonprofit Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) on behalf of the plaintiffs, which included Al Shimari, Al-Ejaili and Al-Zubae.

The fourth plaintiff, Taha Yaseen Arraq Rashid, was removed from the case in 2019 because he was abused even before CACI was present at Abu Ghraib.

CACI's representative, John O'Connor, did not disclose whether there would be an appeal but the company maintained its stance that its employees bore no responsibility and attributed any potential misconduct to the United States Army.

CACI tried more than 20 times to have the case dismissed: A timeline

According to Al Jazeera, the defense contractor tried to have the case dismissed more than 20 times.

The news outlet collated information on what transpired from when reports of abuse and torture of detainees came out until CACI was ordered to pay three victims punitive and compensatory damages.

On June 30, 2008, CCR filed the lawsuit in a U.S. federal court for Ohio on behalf of the four plaintiffs, Then, in August of the same year, the case was transferred to Virginia.

On February 27, 2019, Rashid was dropped from the case because he was abused before CACI personnel arrived at Abu Ghraib.

Five years later, on April 15, the trial started and the victims of abuse testified in front of a U.S. jury. On May 2, the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict and the judge declared a mistrial. The judge then granted the plaintiffs' motion for a new trial on June 14. On October 30, the retrial began in federal court in Virginia.

Finally, on November 12, the Virginia jury found CACI liable for its role in torturing the plaintiffs at the Iraqi prison.

Meanwhile, the news outlet also confirmed that this was not the only case of torture in Abu Ghraib.

In fact, initial complaints for a class-action suit on behalf of 256 Iraqi civilians who were allegedly tortured were filed by CCR and other counsel back in June 2004.

A Swedish national named Haidar Saleh was detained at Abu Ghraib twice, once by the Iraqi government before the U.S. invasion of Iraq and once by U.S. forces. In June 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court declined, without comment, to take up the case.

Meanwhile, in June 2008, Wissam Al-Quraishi and 71 others who said they had been tortured at Abu Ghraib and other prisons filed a case against another contractor, L-3 Services and Nakhla. In October 2012, a settlement was reached in that case, details of which have not been disclosed. (Related: War on Gaza: Israel has created its own Abu Ghraib  and the world is silent.)

Head over to Violence.news for more stories similar to this.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

AlJazeera.com
Major advertisers in the censorship cartel set to return to Elon Musks X as they seek to curry favor with Trump

Major advertisers who left X, formerly Twitter, following tech billionaire Elon Musk's acquisition of the social media platform are slated to return as they now seek to curry favor with Musk and President-elect Donald Trump's administration.

For the past few months, Musk has made his support for Trump clear under the belief that the policies of a second Trump administration regarding the economy and Big Tech could boost the flagging revenues of X. It seems the tech billionaire's bets have paid off, and some major marketers are poised to return to the platform. (Related: Trump appoints Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to head new DOGE "Manhattan Project" to optimize "government efficiency.")

The initial advertiser boycott of the platform had a tremendous effect. Since Musk's $44 billion acquisition of X, investor estimates suggest the platform's current valuation is less than $10 billion.

Major companies like Apple, Disney and IBM claimed their reason for boycotting advertising spending on the platform related to Musk stripping back moderation on X. Now, despite not much changing with X's policies, some of these same companies are returning.

A report from AdWeek notes that Comcast, Disney, IBM, Lionsgate and Warner Bros. Discovery are slowly raising ad spending on X this year and, by next year, are expected to massively increase spending following Trump's inauguration.

Data from MediaRadar showed that Comcast and Warner Bros. Discovery both spent around $1.1 to slightly under $1.5 million in ad spending this year. Disney spent around $500,000, Lionsgate spent less than $230,000 and IBM only allocated around $2,000 in ad spending on X.

Advertisers coming back to X to gain "political leverage"

Lou Paskalis, chief executive of the marketing consultancy firm AJL Advisory and a former media executive for Bank of America, believes many of the companies who have announced their intention to come back to X will ramp up spending to serve as "political leverage" for possible future government partnerships and contracts. He added that these corporations are likely seeking to get in the "good graces of Elon" now that Trump has given him a wide remit as the co-head of the new Department of Government Efficiency.

"It could be seen as an official channel for White House communications," said one advertising agency chief who spoke with the Financial Times, adding that Trump's victory has given Musk more "legitimacy" in the eyes of brands now that he may have power over sectors that could face new regulatory curbs under a Trump White House.

"X's owner now has the ear of the president-elect, a man who has a long history of helping his friends and punishing his enemies," said Max Willens, a senior analyst with market research firm Emarketer. "Sending at least a trickle of ad spending toward X may be seen as good for business, albeit in an indirect way."

Learn more about Musk, X and his other business ventures at ElonMuskWatch.com.

Watch this clip from Fox News discussing the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency with Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy as its co-heads.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Center for Countering Digital Hate facing collapse after its "black operations" against Americans are exposed.

Liberals panicked that controversial government censorship agency could be on the chopping block if Trump wins the election.

British anti-online speech organization linked to Kamala's campaign plotted to "kill" Musk's X platform.

Germany's Der Spiegel calls Elon Musk "Public Enemy Number 2" who needs to be ELIMINATED.

Trump tells supporters he plans to prosecute Google for rigging election information in favor of Kamala.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

FT.com

AdWeek.com

Brighteon.com
Mike Huckabee, Trumps pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel, believes theres no such thing as a Palestinian

President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet is quickly becoming a who's-who list of the nation's most outspoken Zionists, including former Arkansas governor and American Baptist minister Mike Huckabee, who believes that "there's no such thing as a Palestinian."

Huckabee, Trump's pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel, is about as pro-Israel as it gets. CNN ran a profile on Huckabee showing all sorts of bizarre things he has said over the years with regard to Israel.

The idea of a "two-state solution," meaning part of the land goes to Israel and the other part goes to the people in Gaza and the West Bank who have nowhere else to go, is an "irrational and unworkable" idea. Israel, Huckabee believes, should get everything.

"There's plenty of land in the world for Palestine," is Huckabee's solution for where to displace the millions of Semitic, non-Jewish people who live in areas that Israel wants for itself in order to achieve Greater Israel.

Huckabee also believes that there is "no such thing as a West Bank," instead choosing to believe that this locale where about three million Palestinians live is simply Israel under another name.

Other concepts that Huckabee disagrees with are the idea that Israel is creating "settlements," or that Israel is engaged in an "occupation." According to Huckabee, Israel has every right to do whatever it wishes because to not allow this constitutes "antisemitism."

Here's your new US ambassador to Israel : 1.) "No such thing as a Palestinian" 2.) "Two-State Solution is irrational and unworkable" 3.) "There's plenty of land in the world for Palestine" 4.) "No Such Thing as a West Bank " 5.) "There's no such thing as a settlement" 6.) pic.twitter.com/WPyFlQjhbc  Judge Napolitano (@Judgenap) November 13, 2024

(Related: Did you know that the Zionist-controlled Western media is twisting words like pretzels to cover for Israel's killing spree in the Gaza Strip?)

Conservatives starting to worry about Trump's Zionist tendencies

Many people who thought they supported Trump and his so-called "America First" agenda are starting to ask themselves questions about who Trump really supports in all this.

"I'm still waiting for that brilliant 5D chess move from Trump where he shuts down AIPAC and puts America first," tweeted David Smuts (@DavidSmuts). "Still waiting ... (NOT)."

Another expressed concern about the sheer number of in-your-face Zionists that Trump has already appointed just in the few days since Election Day with months still remaining before his inauguration.

"The fact that so many pro-Israel messianic zealots are being appointed by Trump points towards bad things to come," tweeted Jennifer O. Lee (@Jennifer_O_Lee1).

"Every single one of them will be genocide enablers and pro war. Trump's cabinet will become America's worst nightmare  and I say that as an ultra conservative Republican."

"Trump couldn't have picked a more servile figure to represent U.S. interests in Israel  or maybe that's the whole point," wrote another about milquetoast Huckabee and his effeminate tendencies.

"Trump is signaling that the U.S. will back Israel unconditionally, no matter the cost."

The Health Ranger (@HealthRanger) chimed in as well to call the whole situation "absolutely sickening," adding that "the lack of humanity in these Trump admin picks" is upsetting.

"Trump may not be the 'new Hitler,' but his administration officials are most definitely supporting a new holocaust."

Concerning Huckabee's belief that Palestinians do not even exist, another wrote that the term "Palestinian" is simply "an appellation that was given to people who live in a geographic region."

"You, yourself, are a New Jerseyan," this person added to Huckabee. "It is not an ethnicity; they are Arabs, like most of the Middle Easterners, with the exception of Iranians, who are Persians. Hope that helps."

The Middle East is a bloodbath, and some people like Huckabee think God is pleased with their pro-war positions. Learn more at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

X.com

NaturalNews.com
Scientific American editor resigns following her social media posts criticizing Trump supporters as fascists and bigoted

Laura Helmuth, the foul-mouthed editor-in-chief (EIC) of Scientific American has stepped down following massive backlash after she posted a series of posts filled with expletive content on social media, as she criticized President-elect Donald Trump's supporters on the night of the election.

The former lead editor of the U.S.'s oldest continuously published magazine called some of Trump's voters "fascists" and "bigoted" in a now-deleted post on the liberal-leaning social media platform Bluesky.

"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," she wrote. "Solidarity to everybody whose meanest, dumbest, most bigoted high-school classmates are celebrating early results because f*** them to the moon and back," she said. Another post said, "I apologize to younger voters that my Gen X is so full of f**ing fascists."

Helmuth, who was appointed as the magazine's EIC in 2020, announced her resignation on social media on Nov. 14.

?BREAKING! Disgraced @SciAm Editor in Chief @laurahelmuth Has Resigned! Among many pieces of disinformation Laura Helmuth falsely claimed the lab leak hypothesis is a conspiracy theory. And published a disinformation ridden pandemic origin article by Peter Jacobs & Stuart Neil. pic.twitter.com/cxDFYjxolE  Florin (@Florin_Uncovers) November 14, 2024

"I've decided to leave Scientific American after an exciting 4.5 years as editor-in-chief. I'm going to take some time to think about what comes next (and go birdwatching)," she said.

Her rants during election night were massively lambasted by conservative voters online. Realizing the implications of her posts, Helmuth issued a public apology on the platform.

"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," she said, attributing her comments to "shock and confusion about the election results." (Related: Scientific American's Laura Helmuth continues campaign to embarrass and humiliate herself.)

She said that she had deleted the posts and that they did not reflect the position of Scientific American or her colleagues.

"I am committed to civil communication and editorial objectivity," she added.

Despite removing her expletive-ridden posts and a public apology, Big Tech mogul Elon Musk, a vocal staunch supporter of Trump accused Helmuth of being a political activist who has taken over a scientific institution.

Meanwhile, the magazine's president, Kimberly Lau, lauded the EIC's tenure as she issued a statement regarding Helmuth's resignation.

"We thank Laura for her four years leading Scientific American during which time the magazine won major science communications awards and saw the establishment of a reimagined digital newsroom," Lau said.

In 2020, under Helmuth's leadership in the publication, the magazine endorsed then-Democratic presidential bet Joe Biden. That was the first time in 175 years that Scientific American endorsed a presidential candidate. It also endorsed outgoing Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris this year.

The editorial board claimed that Trump "endangers public health and safety and rejects evidence, preferring instead nonsensical conspiracy fantasies."

Podcaster Joe Rogan urges Trump to unite America and ignore his political foes

"The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast host, Joe Rogan, called on Trump to just ignore his critics and refrain from attacking his political foes. He suggested that the 47th POTUS just focused on unity during his second term in the White House.

"He's got to unite people. He's got to not attack the left, not attack everybody. Let them all talk their st, but unite," Rogan said of Trump, 78, on the latest episode of his wildly popular podcast with comedian and Libertarian Dave Smith.

He added that Trump had the "right message" during his first White House term, but called him "the wrong messenger."

"It's Donald Trump as the messenger was so polarizing that people lost what's really going on just based on who this guy is," he said. "Just like Tony Hinchcliffe is an insult comic, Donald Trump's entire career is 'You're fired! You're a loser. Rosie O'Donnell's a loser.' Like that's his whole shtick."

The host nonchalantly endorsed Trump for re-election in a post on X, formerly Twiter, promoting his episode with tech billionaire and fellow Trump supporter Musk.

"If it wasn't for him, we'd be fked," Rogan wrote of Musk. "He makes what I think is the most compelling case for Trump you'll hear, and I agree with him every step of the way. For the record, yes, that's an endorsement of Trump."

Rogan previously endorsed liberal Democrat Bernie Sanders in 2020, and in 2022, he said he was "not a Trump supporter in any way, shape or form." But this year, he gave the Republican presidential candidate his backing less than 24 hours before Election Day.

In his interview with Musk, Rogan said, "[The Democrats] have done such a job of painting Trump as a monster, you know, they've taken the worst things that he's ever said and [amplified them] and he's not a perfect person. But guess what? No one's perfect. They don't exist."

Check out Trump.news for similar stories.

Sources for this article include:

FoxNews.com

NYPost.com
Vaccine stocks plummet after RFK Jr. nominated as HHS secretary

Pharmaceutical stocks are in free fall following President Donald Trumps nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Shares of Moderna (-30.6%), Novavax (-42.7%), and BioNTech (-11.9%) dropped sharply in premarket trading after the announcement, reflecting concerns over a potential shift in U.S. health policy under Kennedys leadership.

The downward spiral continued into European markets, where shares of vaccine producers like Sanofi and GSK also saw losses. The dramatic plunge in stock prices is the latest indicator of the uncertainty sweeping through the biotechnology sector following RFK Jr.'s nomination.

Stock market will falter if revolutionary changes are made to American medicine and food supply

If RFK Jr. is approved by Congress for the new role, he will oversee the hopelessly corrupt Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a slew of other agencies.

Kennedy, a long-time advocate for children's health and environmental issues, has been one of the most vocal critics of vaccine policies in the U.S. He has publicly questioned the safety of vaccines and criticized the influence of pharmaceutical companies on public health, particularly the approval processes overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the propaganda underpinning the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC) childhood vaccine schedule. He is perhaps best known for founding the nonprofit Childrens Health Defense, which analyzes medical and scientific literature and publishes compelling articles on the real health issues facing American families.

For years, Kennedy has represented individuals harmed by vaccines and has met directly with families in the autism community, who watched their kid decline following routine vaccinations. He has expressed concerns about the safety of vaccines, particularly the number of vaccinations given to young children, and has called for greater oversight of the vaccine approval process.

Trumps embrace of Kennedy is more than an apology for unleashing Operation Warp Speed on Americans in 2020; it should be considered an act of contrition. Trump has embraced Kennedys stance, calling him a "health reformer" who will help reshape the nation's health policies. During his victory speech on November 5, Trump stated, "Hes going to help make America healthy again. For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies."

However, Wall Street analysts are sounding alarms over the potential fallout from Kennedys nomination. If RFK Jr. does anything significant reforming vaccine policies in the US, the stock market could crash in significant ways.

Goldman Sachs analyst Martin Ehigiator described Kennedys nomination as a -3 standard deviation event, meaning it has triggered an outsized market reaction. According to Ehigiator, the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors are now in the spotlight due to Kennedys nomination. His skepticism toward vaccines, particularly mRNA technology, has been well-documented, with Kennedy warning that "something is wrong with that whole system."

Deutsche Banks Emmanuel Papadakis also weighed in on the Kennedy nomination, downgrading shares of GSK to a Hold due to Kennedy's known opposition to vaccine programs. We consider vaccines to be amongst the greatest scientific achievements to impact public health, Papadakis said. Unfortunately, this view is not shared by the nominee.

JPMorgan analyst Chris Schott expressed his concerns about RFK Jr., stating that "its difficult to evaluate the exact impact Kennedy would have on the biopharma industry at this point," but added that his history of challenging the vaccine industry was likely contributing to the current market pressure.

CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta opposes Kennedy's mission. "I can't think of any single individual who would be more damaging to public health than RFK." Gupta warned, claiming that Kennedys stance on vaccines will erode public confidence in science and medicine - as if Big Pharma hasn't already done that.

As the experts cry about losing control over the population on the issue of vaccination, the public is beginning to learn that the vaccine industry is not holding public health together at all. The vaccine industry is merely propping up the stock market and lining the pockets of billionaires, as they exploit children for their own gain.

Reforming CDC, FDA will require exorcism

If confirmed as HHS Secretary, Kennedy will be in charge of some 80,000 federal employees, most of whom are entrenched in agency capture, and beholden to their own propaganda and pride. Making major changes throughout HHS will require a major confrontation of evil. Data alone, which Kennedy already has on his side, will not break the strongholds. Kennedy will need to surround himself with God-fearing people who have faced corruption by leaning on the power of Almighty God through difficult times. Kennedy will need people who can discern and pray in the Spirit - people who have dealt with demonic possession and broken curses.

These federal agencies not only conceal pertinent information regarding health, but they also manipulate data and craft deceptive narratives that harm the public. Worse, these agencies refuse to acknowledge the damage they have done, implementing and affirming controversial medical experiments that have have maimed children for life and resulted in a modern day vaccine holocaust among the population.

If the stock market must fall as these curses are broken, then so be it.

Sources include:

Zerohedge.com

X.com

HHS.gov

NaturalNews.com
Elon Musks X dips its fingers into InfoWars bankruptcy case

Elon Musk's X platform, formerly known as Twitter, has thrown its hat in the ring as an interested party in the bankruptcy case of Alex Jones' InfoWars.

YourNews reported that attorneys for the platform filed a notice of appearance in the federal bankruptcy court hearing Jones' case on Thursday, Nov. 14. The Thursday filing asserted X as an "interested party." The outlet continued that "while the filing does not explain [X's] precise motives, it reserves the right to request all relevant documents related to the case."

"The filing comes amid controversy surrounding the sale of InfoWars, which was purchased by satirical outlet The Onion at auction," reported YourNews. "The auction of InfoWars, conducted under court supervision, included its website, Texas studio, social media accounts, trademarks, and video archives."

Jones himself confirmed the sale on Thursday, the same day X made its filing. He founded InfoWars in 1999 under the parent company Free Speech Systems. Filings from June showed that the company itself held about $6 million in cash and $1.2 million in inventory.

"I just got word  that my lawyers and folks met with the U.S. trustee over our bankruptcy," he remarked. "They said they are shutting us down even without a court order. I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm going to be here until they come and turn the lights off."

The InfoWars founder later hinted at Musk's potential involvement during a live broadcast on X, claiming: "I was told Elon is going to be very involved in this." But neither Musk himself nor X Corp., the company that operates the X platform, has publicly commented on the development.

Jones further implied in the live broadcast that President-elect Donald Trump was closely watching the case. While the incoming president has not commented on the case, the InfoWars founder suggested that Trump was unhappy with the developments surrounding the site.

Jones: The Onion acquired InfoWars in a rigged auction

According to NPR, the auction rules allowed Christopher Murray  the court-appointed trustee overseeing the sale  to award InfoWars to "the highest or otherwise best bid." This essentially left the outcome open to interpretation, it added. Moreover, the winning bid amount has not been disclosed and all participants were required to sign nondisclosure agreements.

But Jones raised concerns about the fairness of the auction process, accusing The Onion and other parties of collusion. The InfoWars founder claimed in a video posted to X that the bidding rules were secretly altered shortly before the deal was finalized.

"They said, 'It was competitive.' [But] they changed all the bidding rules and made it secret," he said.

Jones found an ally in First United American Companies (FUAC), an entity named as a backup bidder in the auction. Attorneys for FUAC filed a request Thursday seeking an immediate court-ordered meeting about The Onion's win, alleging inconsistent procedures like "lack of transparency and inaccurate disclosures to interested bidders."

The FUAC lawyers reiterated the urgency of their filing as "the value of the assets is in the process of being destroyed at this very minute." Fortunately, a bankruptcy judge sided with the lawyers and ordered an evidentiary hearing to investigate potential irregularities.

The sale of InfoWars to Global Tetrahedron LLC, The Onion's parent company, was facilitated by families of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. They sued Jones in federal court for defamation, alleging that he falsely claimed the incident was a "hoax." A judge sided with the Sandy Hook victims, ordering the InfoWars founder to pay the plaintiffs a whopping $1 billion in damages. (Related: LIQUIDATED: Corporate state lawfare may have finally sunk the InfoWars ship.)

As per NBC News, The Onion plans to close down InfoWars as a news platform and turn it into a satirical site. To this end, Global Tetrahedron seeks to recruit humor writers and content creators. But the involvement of Elon Musk's X seemingly threw a wrench in its plans.

A report by leftist outlet Mother Jones said lawyers for X were present at a related hearing. It added that the InfoWars founder allegedly delivered a cryptic remark: "The cavalry is here. Trump is pissed."

Watch InfoWars founder Alex Jones breaking down the "phony" auction of his platform in this video.

This video is from the TNTVNEWS channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Exclusive Alex Jones interview, plus: InfoWars survives emergency court hearing where government attorneys demanded court "cease operations at Free Speech Systems."

Alex Jones warns about "total election meddling" after court filing seeks to take his personal X account.

Alex Jones creditors target future assets  which could include his name.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

NBCNews.com

Brighteon.com
Over 300 pages of evidence from the CDC show that vaccines cause autism

Executive summary

Article republished from KirschSubstack.com)

I recently received a treasure trove of electronic documents from deep inside the CDC. These documents have never been made publicly available.

The documents include voice-recordings, emails, hand-written notes, diagrams, and data.

The often repeated claim that vaccines dont cause autism is quite simply inconsistent with this evidence which can be authenticated.

I am working with Trevor Fitzgibbon to pitch this to all the mainstream media so that Im not talking to an echo chamber with this data. It is much better if we can get the blue-pilled media to red-pill their peers; its unlikely to happen any other way.

This is a huge scandal and our kids having been paying the price for decades all because the CDC doesnt want to publicly admit they were wrong

I spoke with a top journalist at Inside Edition who thought that its one of the biggest stories of the decade. He said he would try to interest his friends at 60 Minutes and other outlets in viewing the data (the story is too big for IE).

I will keep you apprised.

The documents can be authenticated by people inside and outside the CDC.

Ive sent the documents to others on our side (just in case something happens to me).

Brian Hooker analyzed the CDC autism study data from the DeStefano paper; the evidence I received confirms what he found

The Hooker paper is published in the scientific peer-reviewed literature and is simply an analysis of the data that the CDC officials told CDC scientist William Thompson to destroy.

Look at the last row. The OR and p-value. We are done. Nobody has pointed out a calculation mistake in this paper. It passed two rounds of peer-review at TWO different medical journals!!

See the 3.86 odds ratio in the last row? See the .005 p-value? Those are damning. There is no way to explain such large effect sizes.

This is why Coleen Boyle ordered Thompson to destroy the subgroup data showing the high OR value: because they couldnt make the signal go away so they made the data go away.

Also, the evidence I obtained shows that Coleen Boyle would have flatly refused to testify in Congress about the matter had US Congressman Bill Posey been able to follow through on his desire to have a hearing. Why would she do that if they werent hiding anything? Unfortunately, Posey was ordered by his peers in Congress to nix the investigation to protect the drug companies. Thats why it never happened.

OR= 3.86 with a p-value of .005 is an absolute train wreck.

It means that most of the autism in that subgroup is caused by vaccines.

There is no other viable explanation of the data.

If the MMR shots are safe with respect to autism, all the OR values in the table above should all be very close to 1 (and the p-values should be >0.10) because these are measure of the timing of the MMR shot (not the timing of the autism diagnosis) which has to be IRRELEVANT if the shots are safe.

How did the CDC respond to Thompsons allegations that his boss Coleen Boyle illegally ordered him to destroy the subgroup analysis documents linking the MMR vaccine and autism?

The CDC did an internal investigation and talked to the people in the room where the incident happened. Four of them said it didnt happen and that Thompson fabricated the whole story. The CDC internal investigation determined they were right because it was 4 against 1. Thats it.

But my evidence chest shows that all the evidence is consistent with his narrative about being ordered to trash the data they didnt like.

And the DeStefano paper itself is evidence because the 3.86 odds ratio in the data should have been disclosed in the paper.

In science, you are not allowed to do a subgroup analysis, find a signal, and then not mention it in the paper. If you think the signal is false, you then need to provide the data showing it is false. You cant unwind the video tape, destroy the evidence, and pretend it didnt happen that is unethical. You have to keep going down the rabbit hole. Thats how science works. It is illegal to destroy government data. And you never destroy any study data prior to publication of your study. That is unprecedented. Why would they do that? They did it to hide the signal because they couldnt hide it through statistical manipulation.

Nobody can explain the pediatrician temporal data: the CDC switched topics when asked by a pediatrician to explain the data she observed

Pediatrician L (she didnt want her named used until after she goes through her EMR records manually to confirm her estimates) estimates around 180 kids in her practice had rapid onset autism. Of those, she believes the majority happened within 2 week after a vaccination visit. She never thought about looking at the actual data so it could be close to 100% of the cases. EMR systems dont track this, so you have to manually look at each case individually. She told me she would do that.

There is no way to explain these numbers if vaccines dont trigger autism.

When she confronted the CDC and asked them So how do you explain why autism cases are so likely to happen just after vaccination if vaccines dont cause autism? they just switch topics and point to what the peer-reviewed studies showed and avoid answering the question. Real scientists never switch topics when asked to explain data. Science is about the search for truth, not dismissing data you dont like.

But Dr. L is hardly alone.

Pediatrician Doug Hulstedt did track the case history of all his incoming patients with autism. He has seen over 180 autistic kids in his 35 year career as a pediatrician. He is highly rated by his patients for his medical care.

Of the 44 kids with rapid onset autism, 100% of these cases happened within 14 days after a vaccination of one or more vaccines.

100%.

All Doug did was a medical history by asking for the vaccination records of the kids and the date that the autism was first noticed by the parents.

There is not a single study in the medical literature that looked at kids with rapid onset autism and plotted the date of the vaccine that was most proximate to the event, whether it was before or after. Why is that? Because it would find a huge signal. Thats why the studies never do it.

If vaccines dont cause autism, there will be an equal number of cases where the closest vaccine to the onset data was before vs. after.

This is why these autism studies never find a signal. They always use a methodology which is not sensitive to timing. They never use the more sensitive measure I just describe. And most pediatricians if you ask them their numbers dont know because they dont track it. And pretty much all of them refuse to look at what their numbers are.

Read more at: KirschSubstack.com
German military readying for NEW WAR with Russia, classified document reveals

A secret document called "Operation Plan Germany" has gone public , showing that the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces, is preparing for a new war with Russia.

The Bundeswehr launched a nationwide initiative to train German businesses in how to prepare for the coming crisis, which sounds as though it will become a full-scale military escalation between Germany and Russia.

The 1,000-page document outlines strategic steps that Germany can take to defend its critical infrastructure and maintain its national security amid rising tensions with Moscow over the situation in Ukraine.

Germany is going to try to bolster its economic resilience as part of the plan, which is a tall order considering the economic powerhouse of Europe no longer has access to cheap and abundant energy from Russia.

(Related: Did you know that Germany is no longer sending any military aid to Ukraine because of Zelensky's sabotage of the Nord Stream fuel pipeline?)

German businesses prepping for war

The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a seminar for local businesses to teach them how to take proactive measures to protect themselves once the fighting really gets going.

Lt. Col. Jorn Plischke, who led the session, encouraged German business attendees to train at least five additional truck drivers for every 100 employees. This is due to the fact that about 70 percent of the trucks on Germany's roads are driven by Central and Eastern Europeans who may no longer be available to drive once the war begins.

Plischke also encouraged seminar attendees to develop contingency and employee wartime plans to increase their chances of staying in business once the storm arrives.

Keeping backup power sources like diesel generators and wind turbines is one way that German business can keep the lights on and the books balanced once the bombs start dropping, Plischke suggested about what is soon to come.

The situation is urgent now that President Joe Biden announced that Ukraine now has permission to use U.S.-made, long-range missiles deep within Russian territory. This crosses a red line that President Vladimir Putin says gives Russia the green light to use nuclear weapons against its enemies.

Putin had previously warned the West that nukes might be dropped after NATO joined the war effort. After all, many of the missile systems that Ukraine is using to attack Russia can only be operated by NATO employees, which just about officially makes this a conflict between NATO and Russia that will culminate with WWIII.

Meanwhile, two undersea cables in the Baltic Sea were cut this week, one of which is 730-miles long, connecting Germany to Finland.

Because the cable cuts are believed to be sabotage, U.S. allies are now warning that "hybrid warfare" could break out in the coming days from this incident as well.

"We have to state, without knowing specifically who it came from, that it is a 'hybrid' action," commented German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, adding that "no one believes that these cables were cut accidentally."

"And we also have to assume, without knowing it yet, that it is sabotage."

The other cut cable connected Lithuania to Sweden's Gotland Island. Lithuania's navy announced this week that it will continue to monitor the affected waters to prevent any further sabotage.

Arelion, the Swedish company that operates this cable, announced that it is "in contact with Swedish authorities and the Swedish Armed Forces regarding the incident."

The Swedish Prosecutor's Office also released a statement indicating that it has launched a preliminary investigation into "suspected sabotage," which seems to be the agreed-upon cause of this latest escalation between Russia and the West.

Will Trump's second term be more successful than his first? Find out more at Trump.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NaturalNews.com

NBCNews.com
Haitian illegals departing Springfield, Ohio over fears of Trumps MASS DEPORTATION policies

Illegal immigrants from Haiti are now fleeing the city of Springfield, Ohio after President-elect Donald Trump's victory over fears that they could be subjected to mass deportations.

According to YourNews, the migrants are purportedly leaving the city in large numbers. Trump has promised to bolster enforcement of immigration law when he assumes the presidency in January.

Home to about 60,000, the city located in central Ohio made the news following claims of Haitian migrants butchering a pet for food. The claims that went viral, coupled with the ensuing outrage, brought national attention to Springfield's challenges in managing the influx of Haitians under outgoing President Joe Biden's open borders policy. (Related: Haitian migrants demanding to "rent" local chickens: They  dipped under the fence chasing my little duckies here.")

Several longtime Springfield residents attested to this exodus of Haitians, Barron Seelig among them.

"The traffic situation seems to be better now," he told the Daily Caller. Seelig's remarks referenced earlier accounts of Haitian migrants causing chaos on the streets of Springfield.

According to him, fears of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and crackdowns by highway patrol officers appear to be driving the departures.

Another local who chose not to be named described difficulties renting moving trucks. They said many Haitians were renting U-Haul vans, presumably to leave the area. But even activists assisting the migrants are confirming the exodus.

"People are leaving," said activist Margery Koveleski of the Haitian Community Alliance (HCA). She added that Trump's election victory has fueled fears among the Haitian migrants in the city.

Koveleski, who helps migrants navigate government processes, continued that migrants still in Springfield now approach her for a different reason.

"Some folks dont have credit cards or access to the internet, and they want to buy a bus ticket or a plane ticket, so we help them book a flight," she explained.

Migrants fear MASS DEPORTATION under Trump

HCA co-founder Jason Payen also seconded Koveleski's remarks. According to him, the exodus is directly tied to Trump's win in the recently concluded presidential election.

"People are fully aware of the election result, and that is why they are leaving," Payen explained. "They are afraid of a mass deportation."

The HCA co-founder recounted that several families have relocated to states like New Jersey and Massachusetts. At least three families he knew headed north to Canada.

During his presidential campaign, Trump pledged to enforce a stricter immigration agenda. He promised to end birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants, revive the Remain in Mexico program, hire more Border Patrol agents and continue construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall. The president-elect also pledged to conduct the "largest deportation program in American history," something the Haitian migrants in Springfield now fear.

Last month, Trump said he would revoke the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haitian nationals. The revocation lined up with his plan to "bring them back" to their country of origin. The Biden administration has provided TPS to hundreds of thousands of Haitian nationals currently living in the United States, shielding them from deportation.

The departures have sparked mixed reactions in Springfield, YourNews pointed out, with some residents seeing the exodus as easing local challenges. Ultimately, the departures are a sign that the second Trump administration is dead-set on reversing the impact of the outgoing Democratic administration's open borders policy.

Head over to Trump.news for more stories about mass deportations of illegals under the second Trump administration.

Listen to a Springfield resident named Mark telling the Health Ranger Mike Adams that weaponized migration is economic warfare against American citizens in this clip.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Americans being kicked out of their homes and REPLACED with Haitian migrants, Springfield local reveals.

Trump vows to revoke legal status and DEPORT Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio if reelected in November.

Video footage suggests Haitian migrants really are eating local cats (and possibly other animals) in Springfield, Ohio.

20,000-plus migrant INVASION sweeps Springfield, Ohio  migrants CAN BARELY DRIVE but are somehow getting driver's licenses quickly.

More horrifying details emerge about the 20,000 Haitian migrants INVADING Springfield, Ohio: Residents are fleeing due to overwhelming VIOLENCE.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

DailyCaller.com

Brighteon.com
Has Biden just destroyed the world?

Among the many slips between cup and lip of which I have warned await Trump and his administration is the long gap between the election of the President and his inauguration in office. As I pointed out, this long timetwo and one-half monthsgives the current administration the ability to commit the policies of the new president in directions to which he is opposed.

(Article republished from PaulCraigRoberts.org)

In former times when American politics were still civilized and respectful, the party in office was careful not to commit the President-elect to courses of action that the people had rejected.

This political courtesy ceased when the Democrat Party became an ideological party determined to replace a merit-based society, redefined as racist, with a DEI privileged-based society based on race and gender in which the important values are Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, all words defined to destroy the power and community of white ethnic heterosexual Americans. Thus the open borders and announcements from American corporations and the Secretary of Defense that there are too many white employees and military officers and the hiring and promotion of white gentile heterosexual males are on hold. Yes, all of this happened whether or not you read about in the New York Times or heard about it on CNN and NPR, which, of course, you did not.

During Trumps first term, the Democrats and the Ruling Deep State Elite were able to use the whore American media to block President Trumps intention to normalize relations with Russia. The Russiagate hoax was created by the CIA, Department of Justice (sic), FBI, Hillary Clinton and the Democrat Party, and fully supported by the whore American media. The false claim was that Trump and Putin conspired to steal the election from Hillary. All of the charges led to investigations that plagued Trumps first term in office and prevented him for normalizing relations as any such diplomacy would have been used by the Democrats, Deep State, and whore American media to portray Trump as a Russian agent.

To make it impossible for Trump to enter office with good relations with Russia, in addition to Russiagate, as Gilbert Doctorow reminds us, the corrupt Obama regime unlawfully seized Russian consular properties in San Francisco, and I think elsewhere, in order to bring Trump into office with poisoned relations with Moscow.

This time in November, 2024, the totally corrupt Biden Regime, has blocked any peaceful settlement negotiated by Trump of the Russian/Ukrainian conflict by reversing Bidens decision and giving go ahead for the US/NATO to launch missiles from Ukrainian territory into Russia. The senile idiot, manipulated by his warmonger advisors, has possibly started WWIII.

Recently in an interview with Russian television I expressed my opinion that such a trap was desired by the neoconservatives for Trump, but that I thought the Pentagon would block the approval. There are so many reports that the Biden regime has given a green light to NATO launching missiles from Ukraine into Russia that the information must be correct. We hear it from Russian state television news of the week. We hear it from The Washington Post. We hear it from AP News. And so on.

Here we have a classic example of how an outgoing administration can commit an incoming one and thereby forestall its electoral agenda. It is now happening before our eyes, although the whore American media will do everything possible to hide the truth.

The question is: What will Putin do now if the red line that Putin says is the fatal one is actually crossed and Western missiles begin hitting targets inside Russia? Will it prove to be, like all other red lines Putin has declared, not to be real?

In light of Putins non-confrontational behavior, if the missile attacks begin prior to Trumps inauguration, possibly Putin will wait and see what Trump does to reverse the decision before Putin releases death and destruction on the Western World.

The crazed neoconservatives and Deep State have pressured Biden into a decision that places the entire world in a situation where destruction of all life possibly awaits.

Why did a single American vote for such a cruel, inhuman, morally vacant, anti-American political Democrat party that is willing to risk life on earth for Washingtons hegemony and the profits of the military/security complex?

Why did the European Union regret Trumps election?

Why does the Western media support actions that result in the end of the world?

The final question and the most important one is: What can President-elect Trump do about it?

He can, prior to his inauguration, call Putin and tell him to hold off, that once inaugurated as President, he will reverse the policy and permit no missile attacks on Russia.

Will Putin believe that Trump can deliver? Considering the war cabinet Trump has appointed, can Trump make a decision independently of his government?

The situation is complicated by the fact that Trumps appointees are aligned against Iran and for Israel. Neither Russia nor China can stand aside from an US/Israeli attack on Iran.

Putin probably wonders if Making America Great Again also implies military dominance. Trumps supporters are tired of losing wars. They want to win one. Trump cannot lose the war in Ukraine unless he can present peace as an accomplishment.

Gilbert Doctorow tells us this morning that the situation is not yet as serious as it can become. Based on reports he has seen, the use of the missiles against Russia are limited to a 186 mile range within the Kursk region. Washingtons excuse for green-lighting the missiles is the reported but inaccurate narrative that 12,000 North Korean soldiers have joined the Russian forces confronting Ukraine.

Perhaps Washington is betting that the limits placed for now on the use of the missiles will not trip Putins red line, but Putin has to know that the ante will be upped as Washington finds the next excuse. Moreover, the Kursk nuclear power plant is within the permitted range of the missiles. Would Putin stand aside from a radioactive cloud released over Russian territory?

As for the North Korean troops, Doctorow offers the insight that their presence in Russia is not related to the conflict in Ukraine. Rather, the North Korean soldiers presence demonstrates that Russias sphere of influence has expanded and that Russias border with North Korea makes it easy for Russia to enable North Korea to overrun South Korea at any time. In other words, at some point Putin might join Washington in escalating the conflict into wider war.

Clearly, my warning was correct that Putins go-slow war with Ukraine would widen into a dangerous situation, which it has now done with Washingtons approval of using missiles to strike inside Russian territory. I wonder if Putin now regrets his limited military operation and his decision not to quickly knock Ukraine out of action before the West could get involved in the war.

Read more at: PaulCraigRoberts.org
POLL: Majority of Americans support the mass deportation of illegal immigrants

A new Rasmussen Reports poll has revealed that the majority of Americans support mass deportation of illegal immigrants

The survey, conducted on Nov. 7, 10 and 11 among 1,276 likely voters, underscores broad bipartisan and demographic support for stronger measures to address illegal immigration. (Related: Trump to carry out largest mass deportation of illegals in American history despite logistical implications: "It's not a question of a price tag.")

When asked about the importance of stopping illegal immigration, 76 percent of respondents said "very" (50 percent) or "somewhat" (26 percent) important. Meanwhile, only 22 percent believe the issue is not important. This sentiment spans racial and political lines, with 78 percent of white voters, 74 percent of black voters and 70 percent of Hispanic voters approving it is important to curb illegal immigration. Notably, 61 percent of Democrats, 90 percent of Republicans and 80 percent of Independents expressed similar views.

In turn, the poll reveals that overall, 64 percent of Americans approve of President-elect Donald Trump's plan to begin mass deportations immediately, while 33 percent disapprove. Approval is consistent across racial demographics, with 62 percent of white voters, 62 percent of black voters and 70 percent of Hispanics in favor.

Even among Democrats, a group generally less supportive of Trump's policies, 39 percent voiced approval, compared to 89 percent of Republicans and 65 percent of Independents. Disapproval rates are lower, with 36 percent of white voters, 32 percent of black voters and 28 percent of Hispanics opposing the plan.

The poll also gauged public confidence in Trump's ability to deliver on his campaign for mass deportations. A striking 72 percent of respondents believe Trump will likely follow through, while only 23 percent doubt his commitment.

32% of Americans believe illegal immigration should be Trump's primary focus when he assumes office

A separate Rasmussen Reports poll conducted a few days before election revealed that 32 percent of respondents believe addressing illegal immigration should be the primary focus of the next president.

The survey, conducted from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, asked 1,800 likely voters to rank four pressing issues for the next administration: illegal immigration, rising prices, abortion rights and protecting democracy. Illegal immigration emerged as the leading concern at 32 percent, followed by rising prices at 27 percent, protecting democracy at 24 percent and abortion rights at 14 percent.

These results highlighted significant differences across political affiliations. Among Republican voters, nearly half (49 percent) viewed illegal immigration as the top priority, with rising prices trailing at 30 percent. Democrats, however, placed greater importance on protecting democracy (33 percent) and abortion rights (25 percent). Independent voters were split, with 31 percent prioritizing both illegal immigration and rising prices.

Age demographics further underscored differences in priorities. Voters under 40 were more likely to view rising prices as the most pressing issue, while older voters, particularly those aged 65 and above, leaned heavily toward addressing illegal immigration.

In turn, John Nolte wrote in his article for Breitbart News that these results have made it clear that "mass deportations are not a divisive issue. Americans, by a wide margin, are united behind the idea that it is time to deport those who broke into our country illegally."

Follow InvasionUSA.news for more stories about the ongoing illegal immigration happening in America.

Watch new border czar Tom Homan telling Veronika Kyrylenko of the New American magazine that the U.S. border is broken by design.

This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

On Day One of second term, Trump is planning MASS DEPORTATIONS.

Former ICE Director Tom Homan: Trump's mass deportation plan won't separate families, since WHOLE FAMILIES of illegals will be deported together.

Biden campaign adviser scoffs at poll that shows majority of Americans support MASS DEPORTATION of illegals.

Poll: Majority of Hispanics favor MASS DEPORTATIONS of illegals.

Latest polls show majority of Americans now approve of MASS DEPORTATIONS for illegal immigrants.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

YourNews.com

Brighteon.com
RFK Jr. declares plan to free federal health agencies from Big Pharma

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has laid out his plans to free federal health agencies from the "smothering cloud of corporate capture" and restore them to their foundational commitment to evidence-based science and public welfare.

On Nov. 15, President-elect Donald Trump officially nominated Kennedy, the founder of Children's Health Defense, a non-profit organization that seeks to end childhood health epidemics by eliminating toxic exposure, as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

"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 posted on X. "The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country."

"Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!" Trump concluded.

In response, Kennedy posted on X his vision to "Make America Healthy Again."

"We have a generational opportunity to bring together the greatest minds in science, medicine, industry, and government to put an end to the chronic disease epidemic," Kennedy wrote. "I look forward to working with the more than 80,000 employees at HHS to free the agencies from the smothering cloud of corporate capture so they can pursue their mission to make Americans once again the healthiest people on Earth." (Related: President-elect Donald Trump to consider banning certain vaccines if they are proven risky.)

"Together we will clean up corruption, stop the revolving door between industry and government and return our health agencies to their rich tradition of gold-standard, evidence-based science," continued Kennedy. "I will provide Americans with transparency and access to all the data so they can make informed choices for themselves and their families."

Kennedy has specifically accused the pharmaceutical industry of suppressing affordable and effective treatments such as ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine and nutraceuticals in favor of more profitable options.

"FDA's war on public health is about to end. This includes its aggressive suppression of psychedelics, peptides, stem cells, raw milk, hyperbaric therapies, chelating compounds, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, vitamins, clean foods, sunshine, exercise, nutraceuticals and anything else that advances human health and can't be patented by Pharma. If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you: 1. Preserve your records and 2. Pack your bags," Kennedy wrote in another post on X.

Trump would give Kennedy power over health-related initiatives

Aside from nominating Kennedy as HHS secretary, Trump also announced a few days before his victory that he is open to allowing Kennedy to more thoroughly scrutinize the safety of vaccines.

Kennedy, who has long advocated against certain vaccines, claimed that 60 percent of Americans today have chronic health issues, compared to just six percent when his uncle, John F. Kennedy, was president. He also claimed that nearly 77 percent of American boys are now ineligible for military service due to a surge in chronic health conditions and a significant rise in childhood diabetes, with one in three children classified as diabetic or pre-diabetic.

Autism rates have also dramatically increased, climbing from one in 10,000 during Kennedy's generation to one in 34 children today. Kennedy connected all these alarming health trends to the vaccines commonly administered to children.

Trump considered all this stance and when asked in an interview with NBC News on Nov. 3 about Kennedy and his perspective on vaccines, he said: "Well, I'm going to talk to [Kennedy] and talk to other people and I'll make a decision, but he's a very talented guy and has strong views."

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:

RFK Jr. warns: Tony Fauci and Bill Gates will be ARRESTED under second Trump administration.

RFK Jr. says Trump wants American troops out of northern Syria.

RFK Jr. to be involved in oversight of health and agriculture departments under second Trump admin.

RFK Jr. vows to remove entire departments from corrupt FDA: WATCH.

Pharmaceutical CEOs panicking over Trump victory as RFK Jr. prepares to overhaul corrupt FDA.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

NBCNews.com

Brighteon.com
Susie Wiles, Trumps pick for chief of staff, ran P.R. campaigns for GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, Gilead, Pfizer, and long list of globalist companies

The first-ever woman appointed for the position, Susie Wiles is slated to become President-elect Donald Trump's chief of staff come January  though there are some things you should know about this career globalist.

Wiles is currently a co-chair at Mercury Public Affairs, a lobbying firm that represents high-level clients from the tobacco, junk food, insurance and coal industries. She also ran public relations campaigns for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, a project supported by billionaire eugenicist Bill Gates, as well as Gilead Sciences, Pfizer and a host of other multinational corporations, many of them drug-related.

"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 after choosing Wiles as his chief of staff.

"Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again."

(Related: In order for Trump's mass deportations plan to work come January, the president-elect says he will have to immediately declare a national emergency in order to deploy the U.S. military to round up and deport millions of illegal aliens.)

Trump refilling the swamp once again

Before joining Team Trump, Wiles was busy lobbying Congress on behalf of Swisher International, a tobacco company. Wiles' job involves pushing Congress on "FDA regulations" that will benefit Swisher financially.

According to Sludge, Wiles has not filed a termination report for her work with Swisher, though she has not reported actually lobbying for the company since the first quarter of 2024 when Mercury paid her $30,000 in fees.

Wiles first joined Mercury in February 2022 around the time that Russia invaded Ukraine. Prior to working for Mercury, Wiles lobbied for Ballard Partners, a firm founded by Trump ally and campaign bundler Brian Ballard.

"There she worked as a lobbyist for coal company Alliance Resource Partners, insurance company Bankers Financial Corporation, General Motors, marketing company Zeta Global, transportation company Origin Logistics, and more companies," Sludge reports.

For all his talk about "drain the swamp," Trump sure is doing a great job of packing his second-term cabinet with even more of it. Despite running on a populist image and platform, Trump seems to be setting up more of an old boss, meet the new boss type of situation.

In 2021 right before leaving office, Trump reversed his own executive order that would have barred his appointees from any lobbying-related activities at their respective agencies for five years. He was apparently greasing the skids for the likes of Wiles, who can continue lobbying for private industry while also receiving paychecks from U.S. taxpayers for her work as Trump's chief of staff.

The revolving door between the public and private sector that Trump promised to abolish appears stronger than ever with this appointment of Wiles. Trump's "Make America Healthy Again" campaign seems to be nothing more than a cover since Mercy, where Wiles still works, maintains lobbying contracts with several high-profile junk-food companies including Kellogg's, Kraft-Heinz, Nestle SA, and more.

"Wiles maintained her position with Mercury Public Affairs throughout the course of the Trump campaign, and still held the position as of yesterday," reported Sludge on Nov. 7, 2024.

"Some of Mercury's other clients ... include Gilead Sciences, Pfizer, Tesla, Uber, Kaiser Permanent, AT&T, NBC Universal, Gavi: The Vaccine Alliance, and the entire nation of Qatar. It's registered federal lobbying clients include ConAgra, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Archer Daniels Midland, Exxon Mobil, Alibab, Emergent BioSolutions, and dozens more."

The latest news about Trump's second term as president and who he has appointed to his cabinet can be found at Trump.news.

Sources for this article include:

RealSludge.com

NaturalNews.com
Tesla recalls over 2,400 Cybertrucks due to faulty parts that could increase risk of crashing

Tesla has announced that it is recalling more than 2,400 of its Cybertruck electric pickup trucks in the United States due to faulty parts that could lead to a loss of power and an increased risk of a crash.

A fault in the driver inverter in Cybertrucks manufactured through July 30 could cause the vehicle to stop producing torque when the driver uses the accelerator pedal, resulting in a loss of propulsion and increasing the risk of a crash, Tesla said in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (Related: Tesla recalls over 27,000 Cybertrucks due to safety issue involving rearview cameras.)

Theres no warning displayed before the Cybertruck loses driving power, Tesla told the federal regulators. However, a warning will prompt the driver to pull over if the accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive.

Beginning Dec. 9, Tesla said owners may opt to take their Cybertrucks to Tesla outlets for free repairs to replace the drive inverters with new, functioning components. Other Cybertruck owners affected by the issue will be notified starting Jan. 4, 2025.

The automaker added that it was aware of only five warranty claims tied to the issue, but knew of no crashes or injuries resulting from it.

This is the sixth callback of Cybertrucks this year. Last month, Tesla announced a recall of more than 27,000 Cybertrucks after the company found an issue with the rearview camera when, if the driver puts the car into reverse and moves before the system can display the camera, the display screens appear "blank for up to six to eight seconds" as the system shuts down connection to the screen.

In June, Tesla saw its third and fourth callbacks affecting 11,688 Cybertrucks with malfunctioning windshield wipers and 11,383 Cybertrucks with improperly attached trunk bed trims that could cause road hazards.

In April, a recall affected nearly 4,000 units due to gas pedal covers that could detach and jam, causing unintended acceleration.

The first recall was issued in February, with more than two million Teslas, Cybertrucks among them, were recalled due to letters on warning lights displayed on brake, park and antilock brake system warning panels that were too small to be easily read.

Tesla Cybertruck still third best-selling EV in the U.S. despite its issues

Despite its issues, Tesla Cybertruck remains the third best-selling EV in the U.S., trailing behind Tesla's Model Y and Model 3, respectively.

During an Oct. 23 earnings call, CEO Elon Musk told investors that he expects Tesla EV sales to grow by another 20 to 30 percent in 2025, highlighting how the company remains very profitable despite the challenges facing the EV market.

"To the best of my knowledge, no EV company is even profitable," he said during the call. "To the best of my knowledge, there was no EV division of any company, of any existing auto company, that is profitable. So it is notable that Tesla is profitable despite a very challenging automotive environment."

Learn more about Cybertrucks, other Tesla vehicles and the company's CEO Elon Musk at ElonMuskWatch.com.

Watch this video from "Solar Surge" comparing the Tesla Cybertruck with a Ford F-150 Lightning EV.

This video is from the Solar Surge channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

New $120K Tesla Cybertruck BREAKS DOWN after running just 35 miles.

Tesla halts Cybertruck deliveries following customer concerns about potentially fatal flaw in accelerator pedal.

New Tesla Cybertruck owners in California report steering wheel malfunctions immediately after purchase.

Tesla Cybertruck gets stuck in California beach after driver ignores "No Vehicles on Beach or Dunes" sign.

Bulletproof but not corrosion-proof: Tesla Cybertrucks start to RUST after "two days in the rain."

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Nearly three years into the conflict, Ukraine grapples with dwindling resources as Russia steadily gains ground

When Russian tanks crossed into Ukraine in February 2022, conventional wisdom predicted Kyiv's swift fall and Ukraine's inability to withstand the far larger Russian military. But the Ukrainian army, with substantial Western aid, not only resisted Russia's advances but also managed to push back.

However, nearly three years into the conflict, the situation has shifted greatly in Russia's favor.

While it is admirable that Ukraine has survived for over 1,000 days in its conflict, the country's citizens have little to celebrate. Russia continues to expend vast resources to make slow but steady territorial gains, consolidating control over nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine, meanwhile, is grappling with dwindling resources, declining morale and the need to secure more military support to reverse its fortunes. As the war grinds on, both sides seem unwilling to negotiate a ceasefire. President-elect Donald Trump has suggested that he could quickly end the war, though it remains unclear how, or at what cost, such a resolution might come. (Related: Ukraine hopes to win over Trump with its "victory plan" proposal.)

Phillips O'Brien, a professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, believes Russia's strategy in eastern Ukraine aims to secure as much territory as possible before the shift in leadership in the U.S. on Jan. 20, 2025.

O'Brien speculates that if Trump were to halt military aid to Ukraine, a ceasefire could freeze the conflict, allowing Russia to solidify its territorial gains. For Ukraine, the minimum guarantee it would need to agree to a ceasefire would be assurances that Russia would not attempt any future military conquests.

Ukraine unable to keep up with Russia in long, grueling conflict

In the war's first year, Ukraine lost substantial territory but also achieved key victories. Despite facing a much larger and better-equipped adversary, Ukraine resisted Russia's superior air power and launched successful counteroffensives, regaining some land. These early successes boosted Ukrainian morale and strengthened Western resolve to continue supporting the country.

The second year of the war, marked by the fall of Bakhmut and a failed Ukrainian counteroffensive, saw the conflict shift into a long, grueling stalemate. The frontlines were largely static, and Ukraine struggled to maintain its momentum. Toward the end of 2023, delays in approving a $61 billion U.S. aid package for weapons, humanitarian assistance and economic aid compounded Ukraine's challenges.

By early 2024, Russia had captured Avdiivka after months of intense airstrikes, breaching Ukraines defenses and forcing Ukrainian troops to stretch even further. When Russia launched an assault on Kharkiv in the northeast, Ukraine found itself under even greater pressure.

Despite these setbacks, Ukraine scored a notable success in August 2024 when it launched a surprise incursion into internationally recognized Russian territory. Ukrainian forces captured significant areas in Russia's Kursk Oblast, which Kyiv is hoping to hold on to and to use as leverage in future peace talks. However, this victory has not stopped Russias territorial gains in Ukraine's east.

"The Russians have paid a very high price to keep advancing," said Justin Crump, head of the British advisory firm Sibylline. "But they're willing to pay that price in lives to gain a few more meters of territory each day."

The human cost of the war is staggering. Estimates suggest tens of thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands, of soldiers on both sides have been killed. Russia has gained around 2,455 square kilometers (948 square miles) of territory  around one percent of Ukraine's total pre-2022 territory  this year alone. These incremental gains have had a significant impact on Ukrainian morale due to the regular retreats and the high casualty rates on the frontlines.

With both sides facing mounting losses, the war's outcome remains unclear. As the conflict continues into its third year, the stakes are higher than ever, and the possibility of a negotiated end seems increasingly distant.

Watch this video discussing how the war in Ukraine will end on Russia's terms.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Ukraine has suffered over 30,000 casualties in Kursk incursion, Putin claims.

Putin signals readiness for peace talks with Trump but stresses unchanged demands for ending Ukraine conflict.

Foreign Policy magazine: NATO is aware that Ukraine is LOSING the war.

Sources include:

APNews.com

AtlanticCouncil.org

Brighteon.com
Ukraine strikes Russian military installation in Bryansk just one day after Biden authorizes use of U.S.-made, long-range ATACMs missiles

The Volodymyr Zelensky regime is wasting no time bombing Russia with U.S.-made, long-range missiles, which were just approved for use in the Russia-Ukraine war by President Joe Biden.

Roughly one day after Biden authorized Ukraine to use the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System deep within Russian territory, blatantly crossing President Vladimir Putin's famous "red lines," Kiev was already sending missiles to blow up a military installation in Russia's western Bryansk region.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Biden's authorization of long-range missile use by Ukraine by warning that Moscow is now free to respond with nuclear weapons if it decides this is the best route to take to protect its interests.

"The use of Western, non-nuclear rockets by the Armed Forces of Ukraine against Russia can prompt a nuclear response," Peskov said.

(Related: Did you know that Chinese submarines are now able to track and potentially sink U.S. Navy aircraft carriers?)

Ukraine strikes Russia with ATACMS ballistic missiles for first time

The RBC Ukraine news agency published a report to coincide with Biden's authorization that highlights the historic nature of the outgoing president's decision.

"For the first time, Ukraine's Defense Forces struck Russian territory with ATACMS ballistic missiles," RBC reported.

According to RBC, the Bryansk military installation, located about 115 kilometers (about 71 miles) from Russia's border with Ukraine, was successfully hit in the attack.

"Indeed, for the first time, we used ATACMS to strike Russian territory," an unnamed source added to the local media outlet. "The strike was carried out against a facility in the Bryansk region, and it was successfully hit."

ATACMS flew more than 140 km and hit a target in the Bryansk region, russia. This means that the strike permit applies not only to Kurshchyna, as the Western media wrote about it. This attack also showed that the air defense of the russian Federation will have big problems with pic.twitter.com/0Y1PU8g1Nt  Jurgen Nauditt ???? (@jurgen_nauditt) November 19, 2024

The Kyiv Post also reported that the 67th arsenal of the Main Directorate of the Missile and Artillery Directorate of Russia was also hit in a long-range missile attack. That facility was loaded up with stockpiles of anti-aircraft missiles, munitions for use in multiple different rocket systems, artillery ammunition, guided bombs and other weapons mostly supplied to Russia by North Korea.

Bloomberg confirmed that a total of five missiles were shot down, one of them damaged and with no casualties reported. There was, however, a fire that started at the Bryansk military installation due to missile debris  check out the below video for another angle of the attack:

ATACMS flew more than 140 km and hit a target in the Bryansk region, russia. This means that the strike permit applies not only to Kurshchyna, as the Western media wrote about it. This attack also showed that the air defense of the russian Federation will have big problems with pic.twitter.com/0Y1PU8g1Nt  Jurgen Nauditt ???? (@jurgen_nauditt) November 19, 2024

Putin is responding to the move with his own changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine. According to Peskov, the modifications made by Putin signal that Russia can now attack the West with nuclear weapons, which would almost certainly ignite World War III.

The Western markets reacted by plunging. Both U.S. equity futures and European equities dropped substantially following the news while global bonds climbed, this further suggesting that WWIII is at the door.

"The market reaction is logical," claims Andrea Tueni, head of sales at the trading outlet Saxo Banque France. "One could feel already yesterday that the tension was rising. For the moment, the market reaction is contained. Some are still in a wait-and-see mode."

The latest news coverage about the situation between Ukraine and Russia can be found at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
Earth, our seemingly ordinary planet, might have been a lot more dazzling 466 million years ago during the Ordovician Period.

New research suggests that Earth could have sported a temporary ring system-similar to the iconic rings of Saturn-that may explain both a mysterious spike in meteorite impacts and a dramatic global cooling event.

Asteroid Breakup May Have Created Earth's Forgotten Ring of Debris

Scientists have long wondered about the unusually high number of meteorite impacts during the Ordovician Period, with craters clustered near Earth's equator. This pattern puzzled researchers, as impacts are usually scattered more randomly.

A team led by geologist Andrew Tomkins from Monash University in Australia has proposed a bold hypothesis: the impacts came from a ring of debris orbiting Earth.

When celestial objects venture too close to a planet, they cross what scientists call the Roche limit-the point where a planet's gravity tears them apart, CNN said.

According to Tomkins, a large asteroid about 7.5 miles wide may have strayed into Earth's Roche limit, breaking into rubble that formed a ring. This ring of debris, orbiting along Earth's equator, would explain why so many craters from that era are located in that region.

The researchers identified 21 craters from the Ordovician Period, all within 30 degrees of the equator. Given that only 30% of the Earth's surface at the time could preserve craters, this concentration is statistically unlikely to be random.

Additionally, geological deposits from that era contain high levels of L-type chondrite, a material commonly found in asteroids. These deposits suggest the asteroid that formed the ring had been orbiting in space long enough to be weathered by cosmic radiation before breaking apart near Earth.

Earth's Possible Ring to Evolution of Life During Ice Age

The potential ring system may also explain one of Earth's coldest periods, the Hirnantian Age, about 445 million years ago. Scientists believe the ring could have cast a shadow over the planet, blocking sunlight and cooling Earth's climate.

Alternatively, dust and debris from frequent meteorite impacts may have created a similar effect, reducing global temperatures.

This cooling event likely shaped the evolution of life, as organisms adapted to the harsh climate.

While Saturn's rings have lasted billions of years, Earth's would have been fleeting, dissipating after 20 to 40 million years. The constant collisions between particles in the ring would have sent debris hurtling back to Earth or out into space.

According to Extreme Tech, the study opens the door to further investigation into Earth's ancient history. Tomkins and his team hope to uncover more evidence of the supposed ring system, including its structure and how long it persisted.

By understanding how these events shaped Earth's climate and evolution, scientists might gain new insights into the forces that drive life on our planet.

For now, the idea of Earth once having its own spectacular ring system adds a fascinating chapter to the story of our ever-changing planet.
A new, more dangerous strain of monkeypox has made its way to the United States for the first time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that a patient in California tested positive for the Clade I version of the virus, which is known to have a higher fatality rate compared to the version that has been circulating in the US since 2022. The Clade I strain is more severe and can kill up to one in ten people it infects, making its arrival in the US a significant concern.

Deadly Clade I Monkeypox Detected in California

The patient, who recently traveled to East Africa, was diagnosed after returning to California.

Health officials believe the individual contracted the virus in one of the countries currently experiencing a large outbreak, particularly in regions like the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries in central and eastern Africa.

Though the patient was hospitalized initially, they have since been discharged and are recovering at home under isolation to prevent further spread.

According to DailyMail, the CDC reassured the public that the risk of the virus spreading in the US remains low, as monkeypox primarily spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact or by sharing contaminated items, such as towels or bedding.

This discovery is important because it marks the first time Clade I has been detected in the United States. The strain has been mostly confined to Africa, where it has caused significant outbreaks in recent months.

While Clade II, the milder strain, was responsible for the 2022 outbreak in the US and has a much lower fatality rate of less than 3%, the Clade I strain has been a cause for greater concern.

Health experts are particularly worried because of its higher death rate, though they noted that, with proper medical care, those infected with Clade I may still recover fully.

Deadlier Monkeypox Strain Emerges as Clade II Cases Persist in US

While the current outbreak in the US has largely involved Clade II, this new case has sparked additional interest in understanding how Clade I could impact the population.

As of 2024, there have been around 3,000 cases of Clade II reported in the US this year, with over 63 deaths linked to the virus since its 2022 spread, USA Today said.

Health officials have been working to control the virus by promoting vaccination efforts, especially among high-risk populations, such as gay and bisexual men who were most affected during the 2022 outbreak.

Globally, the spread of monkeypox is being closely monitored, particularly in Africa, where the outbreak has reached alarming levels, with over 50,000 cases and 1,100 deaths. Vaccination campaigns are underway, with millions of doses being distributed in an attempt to curb the spread of the disease.

In the US, health officials continue to report sporadic cases of Clade II, but the introduction of Clade I adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing effort to control the virus.

As the situation evolves, experts emphasize the importance of avoiding close contact with infected individuals and following preventive measures like receiving the recommended vaccinations.

Though the Clade I strain poses a greater risk, the public health response, including vaccines and treatments, remains crucial in managing the spread of this deadly disease.
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IBM is expanding its AI accelerator options for enterprise users of its cloud service. AMD Instinct MI300X accelerators are now available as a service on IBM Cloud, the vendors announced.

With 192GB of high-bandwidth memory, the MI300X accelerators are equipped for large AI model inferencing and fine tuning. Their large memory capacity can help customers run larger models with fewer GPUs, potentially lowering costs for inferencing, according to AMD.

To help optimize performance for enterprise customers running AI applications, the partnership calls for AMD Instinct MI300X accelerators to be available as a service on IBM Cloud Virtual Servers for VPC, as well as through container support with IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service and IBM Red Hat OpenShift on IBM Cloud.
If someone was trying to send a message, there can be little doubt that it has been received: undersea cables are incredibly vulnerable, and can be cut at any time.

While the cables are expected to be repaired within a matter of days, and alternative connections exist in the Baltic Sea, attention has already turned to who was behind the apparent attack. On that score, the foreign ministers of Germany and Finland, Annalena Baerbock and Elina Valtonen, issued a joint statement that seemed to hint at Russia as being responsible.

The fact that such an incident immediately raises suspicions of intentional damage speaks volumes about the volatility of our times, it began. Our European security is not only under threat from Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors. Safeguarding our shared critical infrastructure is vital to our security and the resilience of our societies.

Implausible deniability

In fact, the cause of the damage remains under investigation, but coincidence cant be ruled out, something a perpetrator would of course have built into its calculations.

Fishing vessels accidentally damage cables with anchors, a spokesperson for the company at the Swedish end of the connection with Lithuania, Arelion, told the BBC. The timing is odd of course, but we havent been able to examine it so we dont know what caused it, he said.

For pessimists, it will look like another example of hybrid warfare  conducting aggressive acts while hiding behind plausible deniability and the vacuum often created around disputed events. Russia, not coincidentally, has practiced this doctrine stretching back to the Cold War. The intention is not to argue against the truth so much as confuse where certainty might lie.
New Delhi, Nov 19 : The shares of IndiGos parent company Interglobe Aviation and troubled low-cost carrier SpiceJet shot up by 3 per cent in Tuesdays intraday trade after Indias domestic air traffic crossed the historic 5 lakh mark in a single day for the first time ever.

The surge in traffic is being driven by the strong demand for air travel in the country amid the festive and wedding seasons with airlines carrying over 5.0 5 lakh passengers on November 17 while flight departures stood at 3,173.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation lauded the historic high in a post on X, stating: On November 17, 2024, Indian aviation marked a historic milestone as 5,05,412 domestic passengers flew in a single day, surpassing the remarkable 5-lakh passenger threshold. This reflects the sectors rapid growth and the increasing trust of Indians in air travels accessibility and reliability."

The occupancy of flights operated by the main scheduled carriers on Sunday was above 90 per cent. However, On Time Performance (OTP) of the airlines has been impacted in recent days due to various factors including the dense smog at airports in the north, especially New Delhi. Flights have had to be delayed as visibility has been low in the morning hours.

On Sunday, the OTP of IndiGo was at 74.2 per cent, followed by Alliance Air at 71 per cent and Akasa Air at 67.6 per cent. SpiceJet and Air India recorded a poorer performance with the OTP at 66.1 per cent and 57.1 per cent, respectively.

In October, aviation watchdog DGCA said Indian airlines will operate 25,007 flights every week to and from 124 airports in the winter schedule that started from October 27. The number of flights has gone up by 5.37 per cent compared to the winter schedule of 2023.

DGCA figures show that IndiGos market share further increased to 63 per cent in September, while Air India climbed to 15 per cent, Akasa Air was at 4.4 per cent, and SpiceJet dropped to 2 per cent. Domestic air passenger traffic rose 6 per cent to 13 million in September. On the other hand, domestic carriers flew 1.30 crore passengers as compared to 1.22 crore passengers, up 6.38 per cent year-on-year.
Chennai, Nov 19 : To address the rising human-elephant conflicts during the migratory season, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has installed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-triggered early warning system to alert the public about elephant movement.

This innovative system, operational in the Hosur Forest Division, monitors wild elephants in real-time and displays alert messages on giant screens along the Chennai-Bengaluru highway.

The initiative is the first of its kind in India and aims to mitigate conflicts during the elephant migration season, which lasts from October to January.

Approximately 200-250 elephants migrate from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu during this period. The system has been installed in the Javalagiri and Denkanikottai ranges, regions prone to frequent human-elephant conflicts.

These incidents often result in fatalities, as elephants stray into human habitats, raid crops, and cause significant damage to property.

To enhance monitoring, particularly at night, the Forest Department has also deployed drones equipped with thermal cameras.

Officials plan to expand this AI-based monitoring system to the Dharmapuri forest ranges within the Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary.

This sanctuary, covering the Palacode, Pennagaram, and Hogenakkal regions, is a hotspot for human-wildlife conflicts.

Previously, the Forest Department relied on an Anti-Depredation Squad to manage such conflicts, but tracking wildlife movements at night proved challenging.

The integration of AI technology and thermal cameras is expected to provide early warnings and significantly reduce the risks to both humans and wildlife.

The department has also installed AI and machine learning-enabled surveillance systems along railway tracks to prevent elephant deaths.

These systems, set up near the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border in Coimbatore district, have already detected more than 150 incidents of wild elephants crossing railway tracks.

By generating prompt alerts, the system enables forest staff to rush to the site and drive elephants away, while also helping train drivers reduce speed to avoid collisions.

This initiative has successfully prevented multiple potential accidents on the forested railway stretch between Walayar and Ettimadai.

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department's efforts to integrate AI technology into wildlife monitoring demonstrate a significant step forward in safeguarding both humans and elephants.
Mumbai, Nov 19 : Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen, who was last seen in the third season of the streaming thriller show Aarya, is celebrating her birthday on Tuesday.

B-town stars took to their social media to send their best wishes to the actress. Actor Jackie Shroff, who can be seen in the recently released Singham Again, took to the Stories section of her Instagram on Tuesday, and shared a video containing a collage of Sushmitas pictures.

Actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra took to her social media and shared a throwback picture featuring her and Sushmita. The picture appears to the from 2000s.

She also penned a sweet note in the caption for the Main Hoon Na star, as she wrote, Happy Birthday, Sush! May this year bring you endless love, boundless joy, radiant health, and endless blessings. Keep shining like the star you are!@sushmitasen47.

Actress Kajol took to the Stories section of her Instagram, and dropped a throwback picture of Sushmita. She wrote on the picture, Another year of slaying. Happy Birthday @sushmitasen47!.

Actress Rakul Preet Singh also shared her best wishes for the actress as she shared a picture of Sushmita on her Instagram Story, and wrote, Happy Birthday @sushmitasen47! May your day be surrounded by love, filled with laughter, and marked by unforgettable moments. Here's to a year of health, happiness and success.

Sushmita was the first Indian to win the Miss Universe title on May 21, 1994. The title was later won by Lara Dutta in 2000, and Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu in 2021.

The actress had earlier suffered a heart attack during the filming of the third season of her hit streaming show Aarya.
Quito, Nov 19 : Ecuador has declared a 60-day national emergency to tackle wildfires, water shortages and drought afflicting the South American country, said Energy Minister Ines Manzano.

Seventeen active fires and five controlled ones were reported in different parts of the country, with the southern provinces of Azuay and Loja being the hardest-hit provinces, said the minister in a press release, Xinhua news agency reported.

The National Risk Management Secretariat "is leading the coordination of resources to support the work of firefighters in both provinces," it said.

Extreme drought has plunged Ecuador into an unprecedented energy crisis, forcing the government to announce large-scale power cuts since September that can last up to eight hours.

Under normal conditions, the main hydroelectric plants supply 90 per cent of the nation's power, but their reservoirs remain depleted due to lack of rain.
Mumbai, Nov 19 : Actor Babil Khan is celebrating the first anniversary of his period streaming series 'The Railway Men'. The actor essayed the role of Imad Riaz, a young loco pilot, whose contribution to the rescue operations in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy is unparalleled.

Reflecting on the journey, Babil shared, "Working on 'The Railway Men' was an emotional journey for me. It wasn't just acting, but a heartfelt homage to the real heroes who stood tall in the face of tragedy. Even one year later, I still carry the lessons it taught me. Collaborating with legends like Madhavan Sir and K.K. Menon Sir was a privilege--they taught me so much during the shoot".

His character in the series goes from being a Union Carbide worker to loco pilot at Bhopal Junction. The character's transformation from innocence to bravery amidst the aftermath of the gas tragedy struck a chord with audiences, cementing Babil's reputation as one of the industry's brightest young talents. His raw depiction of grief and resilience brought depth to a story that continues to resonate with viewers.

To prepare for the role, Babil dedicated himself to fully understanding his character's world.

Sharing the details of his preparations, the actor said, "My main preparation involved mastering the Bhopali dialect and learning about life in 1984, particularly how workers and their families lived in the factory quarters".

He added, "I visited the actual site before the shoot to witness the tragedy's impact firsthand. Walking through the factory in daylight gave me chills. It was a humbling experience that deepened my respect for their resilience".

Meanwhile, on the work front, the actor has joined forces with ace filmmaker Shoojit Sircar for 'The Umesh Chronicles'.
Mumbai, Nov 19 : Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, who will be soon seen in the upcoming movie I Want To Talk, has a hidden talent.

The actor recently appeared on the latest episode of the quiz based reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by his father, veteran Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, and surprised him as he said that he doesnt eat Bhujiya but drinks it.

As a flabbergasted Big B looked at his son, Abhishek said that since he stayed in a boarding school, any snack had to be carefully preserved from his hostelmates. And thats when he came up with the trick of putting Bhujiya in a glass, and act out as if he is drinking water when he was actually relishing on Bhujiya.

He told Big B on the show, Let me tell you, I don't eat Bhujiya, I drink Bhujiya. This is because when I was in boarding school, we didn't have any bowls or spoons.

He further mentioned, We used to get a glass which we used to drink water in. We used to keep our toothbrushes in that. So, when I used to get Bhujiya from home, I used to fill it in, and drink it like this.

Meanwhile, on the personal front, Abhishek has been witnessing some turbulent times in his marriage. Rumours are rife about Abhisheks entanglement with actress Nimrat Kaur during the shooting of their movie Dasvi. As per media reports Aishwarya has been living separately from her husband and his family.

However, the two are very cordial to each other whenever they meet publicly.

On the work front, the actor is gearing up for his upcoming movie I Want To Talk. The film is directed by the National Award-winning director Shoojit Sircar.
Pune, Nov 19 : The National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN), under the Ministry of Ayush, on Tuesday launched a pan-India campaign focusing on the theme 'Healthy Ageing and Longevity.'

The campaign, which marks the 7th Naturopathy Day, is centred around Gandhian principles of natural cures and sustainable living as preventive measures against diseases.

The campaign also aims to boost the well-being of India's elderly population -- projected to rise to 347 million by 2050.

It stresses the need to foster compassion, promote good nutrition, adopt healthy lifestyles, and address emotional and mental health challenges.

As part of the campaign, NIN organised health camps at 35 old age homes in and around Pune, reaching approximately 1,500 elderly individuals.

These camps included yoga sessions, health discussions, and naturopathy treatments designed to support the holistic well-being of senior citizens.

"In today's era of nuclear families, the elderly often face social and emotional challenges. Our campaign not only provides physical health interventions but also encourages community-building and compassion," said Prof. (Dr.) Satya Lakshmi, Director, NIN, Pune.

The campaign will also engage "schoolchildren to sensitise them about the importance of caring for senior citizens", Lakshmi said.

It will run with the motto, 'Turn to Nature for Physical Health' and 'Return to Community for Emotional and Mental Health,' reflecting the necessity of connecting with nature. It also urges the need to foster community bonds for holistic health.

Further, NIN has announced an Inter-Collegiate Intellectual Meet, scheduled for January 10-11, 2025, in Pune.

The event aims to provide a platform for 500 students from yoga and naturopathy colleges across the country to engage in healthy competition and knowledge exchange.

Naturopathy Day, observed every year on November 18, was first declared by the Ministry of Ayush in 2018.

The day also holds a historical significance as on this date Mahatma Gandhi became the lifetime Chairman of the All India Nature Cure Foundation Trust in 1945.
New Delhi/Kohima, Nov 19 : Japan to be the country partner of the 10-day long 25th edition of Hornbill Festival beginning in Nagaland from December 1, officials said on Tuesday.

An official said that Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet colleagues along with senior officials held a meeting with Takashi Ariyoshi, Deputy Chief of Mission and Mayumi Tsubakimoto, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan, New Delhi on Tuesday and discussed the upcoming Hornbill Festival.

The official said that both the Nagaland government and the Japanese Embassy in India have announced that Japan would be the Partner Country for the forthcoming Hornbill Festival.

According to the official, Japan will be participating in various sectors including cultural performances, capacity building and workshops in handicrafts and bamboo products through Japanese resource persons, master craft persons and world-famous musicians.

Both sides hoped that the rich legacy and long-term relationship would further strengthen and contribute towards closer cooperation between the two countries, he said.

The Chief Minister appreciated that Toyota, an international Japanese corporate would also be participating in the festival with collaborative strategies with the state government, specifically the Task Force for Music & Arts (TAFMA).

The state government earlier announced that the United Kingdom, through Wales, will be the other Partner Country for the Hornbill Festival.

Since December 2000, the Hornbill Festival has been held at the picturesque Naga heritage village Kisama, 12 km from Kohima.

Known as the "Festival of Festivals," this grand event not only showcases the rich traditions and heritage of Nagaland but also brings together the diverse tribes of the state in a symphony of colours, sounds, and dances.

Named after the majestic hornbill bird, which holds a significant place in the folklore of the Naga tribes, the festival has grown in stature over the years to become one of India's premier cultural events.

Each of Nagaland's recognised tribes participates, showcasing their unique customs, attire, and practices.

With a population of two million (tribals constitute 86.5 per cent), Nagaland has 17 tribes and all the tribes have their own festivals.

Visitors can witness traditional dances, music performances, indigenous games, and crafts exhibitions that provide a window into the life and culture of the Naga people.
Mumbai, Nov 19 : Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon, who was recently seen in a dual role in the streaming movie Do Patti, is celebrating her rumoured boyfriend Kabir Bahia.

On Tuesday, the actress took to the Stories section of her Instagram, and shared a picture with Kabir as she wished him on his birthday.

She wrote on the picture, Happiest Birthday K! May your innocent smile always stay alive! @k.a.b.b.s.

Kabir is the son of Kuljinder Bahia, the owner of a UK-based leading travel agency, and is the Managing Director at Worldwide Aviation and Tourism. He studied at the Regent's University London where he specialised in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services.

Kabir is reportedly very close to MS Dhoni and his wife Sakshi, and is often seen partying with them, He has often been spotted with the likes of Hardik Pandya and few other sporting and Bollywood celebrities. He also attended Hardik Pandya's wedding with Natasa Stankovic, but the latter two have now officially divorced.

Earlier, Kriti and Kabir were spotted at the Mumbai airport. However, the two refrained from posing together for the shutterbugs. Pictures shared by the paparazzi show Kabir at the airport followed by Kriti. Kriti went for a solo photo-op for the shutterbugs instead. Interestingly, the two twinned in black outfits as they jetted off to an undisclosed location.

Earlier, this year, Kriti bought a 2000 sq ft plot of land in the celebrity capital of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Alibaug. The land is situated in a prime location, and is less than 20 minutes away from Mandwa jetty. Kriti, who has been increasing her real estate portfolio, purchased the plot at Sol De Alibaug, which is Indias first signature land development and embodies exquisite design, lush green surroundings, and top-notch amenities.
Rio de Janeiro, Nov 19 : Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday acknowledged in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the country had "learned a lot" from the Indian experience to organise the two-day G20 Rio Summit.

Lula received Prime Minister Modi in a bilateral meeting at the Museum of Modern Art, where the G20 Leaders' Summit is taking place, right at the start of his second and final day's engagements.

"The president thanked Prime Minister Modi for joining the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and congratulated him on organising the G20 last year. Lula said Brazil had learned a lot from the Indian experience to organise the Rio Summit," the Brazilian President's office said in a statement after the meeting.

During the meeting, President Lula also spoke of his desire to visit India in 2025, with a delegation from the government, the scientific community and businesspeople, to expand relations between the two countries in sectors such as energy and pharmaceuticals, as well as university exchanges and technology transfer.

Prime Minister Modi said India would be delighted to welcome President Lula and his entourage next year, and would work towards a state visit to Brazil in 2025.

"Held talks with President Lula during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Complimented him on various efforts of Brazil during their G20 Presidency. We took stock of the full range of bilateral ties between our nations and reaffirmed our commitment to improving cooperation in sectors like energy, biofuels, defence, agriculture and more," PM Modi posted on X.

The PM praised the Brazilian presidency for continuing the work of the G20 and for progress on issues on the group's agenda.

The two leaders also discussed cooperation in the biofuels, defence and aerospace sectors.

The Rio Summit carries forward the priorities from last year's G20 New Delhi Summit, where a number of issues of interest, especially to emerging markets and developing economies were discussed.

Brazilian ministers Mauro Vieira (Foreign Affairs), Fernando Haddad (Finance), Alexandre Silveira (Mines and Energy), Luciana Santos (Science and Technology), as well as the executive secretary of the Ministry of Development, Industry and Commerce, Marcio Elias Rosa also participated in the meeting.
Rio de Janeiro, Nov 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday that India cherishes a close friendship with Argentina.

Had an outstanding meeting with President Javier Milei of Argentina. India cherishes the close friendship with Argentina. Our Strategic Partnership marks 5 years, adding immense vibrancy to bilateral relations. We talked about enhancing ties in energy, defence production, trade and culture, PM Modi wrote on X.

Earlier, PM Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni acknowledged the significant potential of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership at the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

During their bilateral meeting on Monday, both leaders agreed to strengthen their collaboration and outlined a series of targeted, time-sensitive initiatives, along with a joint strategic action plan to advance this partnership, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

Prime Minister Modi's talks with Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni focused on enhancing the partnership between New Delhi and Rome in several important sectors.

On Tuesday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also described his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "productive" as he announced plans to relaunch bilateral trade negotiations.

"A very productive meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yesterday, we announced plans to relaunch UK-India trade talks. A new trade deal will support jobs and prosperity in the UK and represent a step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across the country," Starmer said in a post on X.

In the meeting that took place on the sidelines on the first day of the Rio G20 Summit, both leaders agreed to advance the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The collaboration aims to elevate relations in trade and investment, security and defence, technology, climate action, health, and education, according to a statement released by 10 Downing Street.
Rio de Janeiro, Nov 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday that India stands committed to the Sustainable Development Agenda (SDA).

At the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro today, I spoke on a topic which is very important for the future of the planetSustainable Development and Energy Transition. I reiterated Indias steadfast commitment to the Sustainable Development Agenda. Over the past decade, India has undertaken numerous initiatives in sectors like housing, water resources, energy, and sanitation, which have contributed to a more sustainable future, PM Modi wrote on X.

Earlier, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva acknowledged in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the country had "learned a lot" from the Indian experience to organise the two-day G20 Rio Summit. Lula received Prime Minister Modi in a bilateral meeting at the Museum of Modern Art, where the G20 Leaders' Summit is taking place, right at the start of his second and final day's engagements.

"The president thanked Prime Minister Modi for joining the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and congratulated him on organising the G20 last year. Lula said Brazil had learned a lot from the Indian experience to organise the Rio Summit," the Brazilian President's office said in a statement after the meeting.

During the meeting, President Lula also spoke of his desire to visit India in 2025, with a delegation from the government, the scientific community, and businesspeople, to expand relations between the two countries in sectors such as energy and pharmaceuticals, as well as university exchanges and technology transfer. Prime Minister Modi said India would be delighted to welcome President Lula and his entourage next year and would work towards a state visit to Brazil in 2025.

"Held talks with President Lula during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Complimented him on various efforts of Brazil during their G20 Presidency. We took stock of the full range of bilateral ties between our nations and reaffirmed our commitment to improving cooperation in sectors like energy, biofuels, defence, agriculture, and more," PM Modi posted on X.

The PM praised the Brazilian presidency for continuing the work of the G20 and for progress on issues on the group's agenda. The two leaders also discussed cooperation in the biofuels, defence, and aerospace sectors. The Rio Summit carries forward the priorities from last year's G20 New Delhi Summit, where a number of issues of interest, especially to emerging markets and developing economies were discussed.
Rio de Janeiro, Nov 20 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the Brazilian city for Guyana, saying the leaders at the G20 Summit "deepened global collaboration" for a better future.

"We had engaging conversations and deepened global collaboration in areas like sustainable development, growth, fighting poverty, and harnessing technology for a better future," he said before his departure on Tuesday.

At the summit, he presented India's progress in overcoming poverty and fighting climate change and offered to share his expertise.

With India emerging as the voice of the Global South, he reiterated strongly the calls for reforming global institutions and finding a fair and just way to share the burdens of fighting climate change.

During his two-day visit to Guyana, he will co-chair the India-CARICOM summit that will bring together the leaders of 14 Caribbean countries and work on strengthening ties with the nation with a large diaspora that is emerging as a major global energy source.

Summing up the Prime Minister's participation in the G20 Summit, India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said that the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration adopted under PM Modi's leadership at the summit last year found a place in the Rio Declaration.

Briefing the media, Kant said, "The Prime Minister spoke in two sessions, one on hunger and poverty and the other on sustainable development and energy transition. In both of them, he highlighted the huge impact which India had made."

In addition, PM Modi also held several formal bilateral meetings with leaders from around the world and spoke with many informally.

India also organised a side event on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Artificial Intelligence(AI), and Data for Governance (DfG).

Among PM Modi's many bilateral meetings, two stand out -- One with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where the two leaders agreed to restart the negotiations for a free trade agreement and second, the Second India-Australia Annual Summit, where PM Modi and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership and also agreed to increase strategic cooperation as members of the Quad, the Indo-Pacific group that includes Japan and the US.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan, who is also a jet-setter as she loves exploring places. However, she said that nothing beats exploring India in terms of heritage, culture and landscapes.

Asked what she likes more  travelling in the country or abroad, Sara told IANS: Both! Theres no way I can pick. While I love travelling abroad, In India nothing beats exploring my country in terms of heritage, culture and landscapes and Id love to explore all of it.

Sara is definitely a mountain person and her social media is proof, where she often drops pictures and videos of herself travelling to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand.

If she had to make a forever home, where would that be mountains or the seaside?

While I love the sea, I think everyone that knows me, knows that I love the mountains. Theres just something about being in a terrain like that which never gets old. But I guess, never say never! said the actress, who is the daughter of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh.

The 29-year-old actress makes no bones about professing her love for Uttarakhand and said that she could spend all her time in Kedarnath if she could.

(Kedarnath) Its a very special place for me, if I could, I would spend all my time there, she said.

Asked if she is into budget stays or luxury hotels when travelling, she said: An Airbnb all the way! Its the best way to experience a destination through the lens of a local, and an absolute value for money, especially when you are travelling with a group of friends or family.

The Simmba star has often stated to choose being basic over luxury, which makes her one of the most relatable stars in Hindi cinema. Asked where she imbibes that from?

Staying grounded has always been something that I have been taught. My mums that way and its something that has guided me through the way in which I live my life. At the end of the day, being on a film set, working out and spending time with my family and friends, always brings me the simplest of joys.

Despite all the travel and work, taking out time for mindfulness may not be easy but is important for Sara.

Its not the easiest, there are days where all I want to do is pass out on my bed after an intense shooting schedule or hectic travel day. But what works for me is carving out time, no matter the duration, she said.

The actress added: Even if I have a 10 minute window, I try to get a workout in or start my day with breathwork and deep meditation - it always helps set the tone for a positive start.

Sara has now joined hands with Airbnb for a property in Goa, a place where she says she enjoys being her true self, relaxing, hanging out amidst the sea and nature, being in the most relaxed state ever.

When this partnership came about, it seemed perfectly aligned with my love for wellness, travel and Goa, coming together seamlessly all thanks to Airbnb! This wellness and yoga retreat in Goa offers a truly unique experience that Im thrilled to share with the guests.

Throughout their stay, they will have exclusive access to a beautifully minimalist space adorned with calming earthy tones, a stunning pool, and a gazebo nestled in natures splendour. They will also savour some of my favourite nutritious dishes, such as sprouts salad, grilled fish or chicken, hummus with sauteed vegetables, palak paneer with roti, and tandoori tikkas.
New Delhi, Nov 21 : The recent by-elections in Kerala have garnered significant attention, with pivotal contests in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency and the Palakkad and Chelakkara Assembly seats.

These elections are not only a test of the candidates' appeal but also a reflection of the evolving political dynamics in the state.





Wayanad Lok Sabha By-Election

Palakkad Assembly By-Election

Chelakkara Assembly By-Election

Anticipated Outcomes

Wayanad Lok Sabha Seat:

Palakkad Assembly Seat:

Chelakkara Assembly Seat:

The Wayanad constituency witnessed a high-profile contest:Making her electoral debut, Priyanka aimed to retain the seat previously held by her brother, Rahul Gandhi.A seasoned politician, Mokeri had previously contested the Wayanad seat in 2014, significantly reducing the Congress candidate's victory margin.A software engineer and two-time Kozhikode Corporation Councillor, Haridas brought her local governance experience to the contest.Given the Congress's historical stronghold in Wayanad and Priyanka Gandhi's prominence, the party is poised to retain this seat.The Palakkad Assembly seat featured a competitive race:The state president of the Youth Congress, Rahul was chosen to succeed Shafi Parambil, who vacated the seat after his election to the Lok Sabha from Vadakara.Formerly the digital media convener for the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, Dr. Sarin joined the LDF after expressing dissatisfaction with the Congress's candidate selection process.A former state general secretary of the BJP and a four-time councillor in the Palakkad Municipal Corporation, Krishnakumar was the party's candidate for the Palakkad Lok Sabha seat both 2019 and 2024.The BJP has been making inroads in Palakkad, and Krishnakumar's local influence could tilt the balance in their favor.In Chelakkara, the contest included:A former Member of Parliament who previously contested against K. Radhakrishnan in the Alathur Lok Sabha constituency.A former MLA and local leader with deep ties to the constituency.The vice-president of Thiruvilwamala panchayat, bringing local governance experience to the contest.The CPI(M) has a strong presence in Chelakkara, and U.R. Pradeep's candidacy aligns with the party's efforts to retain this seat.Based on recent political trends and the candidates' profiles, the anticipated outcomes are:Congress is expected to retain the seat with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's candidacy.The BJP stands a strong chance of securing this seat, leveraging Krishnakumar's local influence.The CPI(M) is likely to retain this seat with U.R. Pradeep's deep-rooted connections in the constituency.These by-elections serve as a microcosm of Kerala's dynamic political landscape, highlighting the shifting allegiances and the strategic maneuvers of major political parties.As the state eagerly awaits the official results, the Election Commission has scheduled the vote counting for November 23, 2024. The outcomes will not only determine the immediate political representation but also set the tone for future electoral strategies in Kerala.
Jerusalem, Nov 20 : Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz toured the Gaza coastline, vowing that Hamas would no longer govern the Palestinian enclave after the war.

Accompanied by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet security agency Chief Ronen Bar on Tuesday, the two politicians visited an area dubbed by Israel as the Netzarim Corridor.

The Israeli military now controls this route, which divides the northern and southern parts of the Gaza Strip, reports Xinhua news agency.

Netanyahu's office said in a statement that the two received a briefing from military commanders on operational activities at an observation point in the corridor and "held a discussion with the commanders on the Gaza coastline."

"Hamas will not rule Gaza," Netanyahu said in a video statement filmed against the backdrop of Gaza's coastline. "We are dismantling its military capabilities in a very impressive manner. We are now targeting its governing capabilities, and this is just the beginning. Hamas will not remain in Gaza."

Netanyahu also announced a financial incentive for Gaza residents who provide information about hostages, stating: "Anyone who brings us a hostage will secure a safe way out for themselves and their family. We will also reward 5 million dollars for each hostage."

On November 9, Qatar, a mediator on a hostage-for-ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, announced it was suspending its efforts due to the lack of good faith from both sides.

The Israeli military attack, launched after a Hamas-led attack last October that killed about 1,200 people and resulted in the kidnapping of about 250 others, has caused widespread devastation in Gaza. According to Gaza's health authorities, more than 43,900 Palestinians have been killed in the over-year-long conflict.
Mumbai, Nov 20 : Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon once spoke about why she has no intentions of entering politics.

Known for her bold and outspoken nature, the actress admitted that her honesty and inability to tolerate wrongdoing would make survival in politics challenging. An old video of Raveena telling how her unwavering honesty and inclination to fight for what she believes in could make politics a dangerous space for her.

In the clip that is doing the rounds on social media, the 'Patna Shukla' actress could be heard saying, "The day I enter politics, someone will shoot me. Because I can't turn truth into lies. It becomes difficult for me as whatever I dislike reflects on my face, and then I start fighting for it. In today's world, honesty is perhaps not the best policy. That's why whenever someone asks me to join politics, I say I'll be assassinated very soon. It will be difficult."

In 2022, Tandon, during an interactive session on X, was asked if she had any plans to join politics.

The actress replied, "Never say never." Raveena went on to mention that there was a time when she seriously considered entering politics. The 'Mohra' actress revealed that she had received offers for political seats across various regions, including West Bengal, Punjab, and Mumbai. However, she ultimately declined these opportunities, admitting that she wasn't fully prepared to take on the responsibilities at that point in her life.

On the professional front, Raveena Tandon made her debut with the hit film "Patthar Ke Phool" in 1991. She is known for her performances in films like "Mohra", "Dilwale", "Aatish", and "Laadla", all of which were among the highest-grossing films of the year.

She was last seen in the role of a lawyer in "Patna Shuklla". She also featured in the movie "Ghudchadi" alongside Sanjay Dutt.

Raveena's daughter Rasha Thadani is all set to make her Bollywood debut alongside actor Ajay Devgn's nephew Aaman with the film "Azaad" directed by Abhishek Kapoor.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Periods of rain. Snow may mix in. Low 33F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Snow may mix in. Low 33F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Snow may mix in. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Snow may mix in. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Indiana residents and federal officials are urging state health regulators to stop two rival hospitals in Terre Haute from merging. The deal, if approved, would leave residents with a hospital monopoly.

Union Health, a nonprofit whose main hospital is licensed as a 341-bed facility, would buy the county's only other acute care hospital, the 278-bed Terre Haute Regional Hospital, owned by for-profit chain HCA Healthcare and located 5 miles south across the city's downtown area. Union says the merger to create one larger nonprofit health system would improve the area's poor public health rankings.

The Indiana Department of Health received hundreds of comments on the proposed merger, according to documents KFF Health News obtained through a state public records request. Most people expressed opposition to the deal, citing concerns about longer travel times to get emergency care, higher prices, and fewer choices for Terre Haute's 58,000 residents and those in Vigo County's nearby rural communities.

"Monopoly should be just a board game. Not a healthcare system," a commenter listed as H. Osborne wrote to the state health agency.

Doctors, health economists, and the Federal Trade Commission called on the Indiana Department of Health to deny Union Hospital's merger application. Such mergers became possible after Indiana enacted a Certificate of Public Advantage law, or COPA, in 2021, shielding the deals from federal anti-monopoly laws.

Two dozen states have had COPA laws on their books at some point, despite FTC warnings that such mergers can become difficult to control and may decrease the overall quality of care. The trend has come amid a broader wave of hospital consolidation, which research shows fuels price hikes and health care spending, driving up costs for families, employers, and taxpayers who foot the bill for Medicare and Medicaid.

Union Health said its proposed deal would improve care and increase access to services while "maintaining cost efficiency" for patients.

"This is not merely a business transaction; it is a strategic effort to improve healthcare delivery in our community," Union said in a statement.

John Collett, an executive with Garmong Construction who also serves on the board of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, wrote that the deal would help the region achieve its goal of boosting population and income levels. (Garmong Construction served as construction manager for Union on multiple projects, including one worth hundreds of millions of dollars, according to an online brochure of its past projects.)

"I firmly believe this to be a step in the right direction," Collett wrote.

But the FTC  using italics for emphasis  said the deal is "unlikely to result in improved quality and access" and "would not lead to a healthier workforce or a stronger local economy," according to comments the agency submitted to Indiana regulators.

Zack Cooper, a health economist and associate professor at Yale University, said the merger would probably damage the local economy and squeeze residents' wallets. Cooper's analysis estimates the price of care would rise by at least 10% for area residents and lead to 500 lost jobs, while nurses' pay would drop by at least 7%. His research predicts the deal also would lead to unnecessary deaths from suicide or overdose, stemming from those job losses.

"I firmly believe this merger would harm members of the public in Terre Haute and Vigo County," Cooper wrote.

As a condition of these types of mergers, state agencies typically agree to monitor hospital quality and prices to make up for the loss of competition. Union said monitoring would hold it accountable, according to its response to the FTC's public comments opposing the deal.

The FTC pushed back, saying the oversight mechanism "would be insufficient to contain costs" and is a "poor substitute" for competition. Even though Union would face limits on raising prices in Vigo County, the FTC said, the system might be able to hike them elsewhere, including at its hospital in neighboring Vermillion County to the north.

Indiana has some of the highest hospital prices in the nation, according to studies by Rand Corp., a research organization.

In Terre Haute, some doctors worry the deal would exacerbate existing problems. Kathleen Stienstra, a physician in private practice, voiced her concerns about Union's management style, saying it has led to an exodus of doctors.

"A monopoly will lead to further deterioration in services," she wrote.

Separately, the FTC referenced KFF Health News' reporting on Tennessee's Ballad Health, a 20-hospital monopoly in Appalachia, as a cautionary tale against such mergers.

COPAs, such as the one that Ballad operates under, "have proven unwieldy," are "difficult to manage," and "have failed to protect local communities from the harmful effects of anticompetitive hospital mergers," the FTC said in its comments on the Union-Regional merger.

Since Ballad launched in 2018 and became the nation's largest state-approved hospital monopoly, it has not lived up to some of its promises, KFF Health News reported. It has fallen short on meeting quality and charity care goals, according to annual reports from Ballad and the Tennessee Department of Health. After years of problems and complaints from patients, the state is now trying to hold Ballad more accountable for its quality of care.

Ballad declined to respond to KFF Health News inquiries regarding the FTC's comments.

Now the Indiana Department of Health must consider the comments and decide by early December whether the proposed merger would improve health outcomes, access to services, and quality of care. Under the department's standards, those benefits must "outweigh any potential disadvantages."

KFF Health News correspondent Brett Kelman contributed to this report.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has granted Emergency Use Listing (EUL) for the LC16m8 mpox vaccine, making it the second mpox vaccine to be supported by WHO following the Director-General's declaration of an mpox public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on 14 August 2024.

This decision is expected to facilitate increased and timely access to vaccines in communities where mpox outbreaks are surging. In 2024, cases have been reported across 80 countries, including 19 countries in Africa, based on data as of 31 October 2024. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the hardest-hit country, recorded a large majority of suspected cases  over 39 000  as well as more than 1000 deaths.

Today's move is particularly relevant as the Government of Japan has announced that it will donate 3.05 million doses of the LC16m8 vaccine, along with specialized inoculation needles, to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is the largest donation package announced to date in response to the current mpox emergency.

LC16m8 is a vaccine developed and manufactured by KM Biologics in Japan. The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for EUL of vaccines convened to discuss the outcome of the LC16m8 vaccine review, including the product and programmatic suitability assessments. The TAG recommended the vaccine for use in individuals over one year of age as a single dose vaccine, via a multiple puncture technique using a bifurcated needle.

WHO emergency use listing of the LC16m8 vaccine against mpox marks a significant step in our response to the current emergency, providing a new option to protect all populations, including children. Vaccines are one of the important tools to help contain the outbreak as part of a comprehensive response strategy that also includes improved testing and diagnosis, treatment and care, infection prevention control, and engagement and education within affected communities." Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products

WHO's assessment for EUL is based on information submitted by the manufacturer and review by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), the Japanese regulatory agency of record for this vaccine. The LC16m8 vaccine has been used in Japan during previous mpox outbreaks and was shown to be safe and effective, including in people with well-controlled HIV.

The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization reviewed available evidence and recommended the use of LC16m8 vaccine in outbreak settings in children and others with a documented high-risk of exposure to mpox.

However, minimally replicating vaccines, such as LC16m8, should not be used during pregnancy and in people who are immunocompromised. Immunocompromised persons include those with active cancer, transplant recipients, immunodeficiency, and active treatment with immunosuppressive agents. They also include people living with HIV with a current CD4 cell count of <200 cells l.

The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety reviewed the updated safety data on LC16m8 on 20 September 2024 and recommended that healthcare workers are provided with training on the use of bifurcated needles to prevent injuries and adverse effects. In light of the changing epidemiology and emergence of new virus strains, it remains important to collect as much data as possible on vaccine safety and effectiveness in different contexts.

WHO continues to work closely with manufacturers, global partners and countries to ensure the availability and administration of safe and effective life-saving products.

On 13 September 2024, WHO prequalified the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) vaccine and expanded its indication to include use in individuals aged 12 years and older on 8 October 2024.
William Lopez remembers clearly the day in June 2017 when he says he was asked to call the spouse of a college friend who had just died and ask for her eyes.

The spouse hadn't responded to calls from other employees at the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank, he said. As Lopez recalled, his supervisor thought a friend's personal number would have more success.

Lopez refused. "I went for a walk," he said.

Even without Lopez's help, the eye bank that procures corneas from deceased donors in Wyoming and Colorado eventually collected his friend's corneas, Lopez said. Lopez, who had entered the field to help people, became increasingly disillusioned during his three years working with the eye bank, despite rising from a technician to the distribution manager, and ultimately quit.

Checking the "donor" box on a driver's license application, people may picture their heart, kidneys, or other organs saving another person's life should the worst happen.

They are less likely to consider that tissues  corneas, tendons, bone marrow, skin, bone  are also covered by that checked box. In fact, donated tissues are collected much more frequently than organs, and corneas are the most commonly transplanted body part in the U.S., with nearly 51,000 transplants last year, according to the Eye Bank Association of America.

Organ and tissue donations are guided by different rules, with less transparency and what critics identify as more self-policing in the tissue donation industry. In Wyoming and Colorado, where the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank estimates it collects eye tissue from about 2,500 deceased donors a year, that has contributed to a tense work environment resulting in damaged or wasted tissues due to accidents, four former eye bank employees say.

"I think there's an urgent need for stricter oversight of the donation process in general, particularly for eye and tissue banks," said Janell Lewis, who worked at the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank for 12 years, managing public relations and overseeing fundraising before she quit in February 2023.

John Lohmeier, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank, declined to be interviewed for this article. In a prepared statement, he said he couldn't comment on personnel matters or specific incidents raised by the former employees.

But generally, he wrote, "there are internal procedures that have been in place and continue to be followed to investigate and/or report any incident that would impact health and safety concerns."

Lewis, Lopez, and two other former eye bank employees recalled one or more of the following problems during their time at Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank:

Removal of eye tissue from the wrong body

Damage or destruction of corneas due to improper removal

Removal of corneas from a donor with a high-risk family history that could endanger a transplant recipient

Lack of transparency about whether errors were being reported to federal agencies

Pressuring and bullying of technicians

High turnover and brief training of low-paid and inexperienced technicians

The windshield of the eye

The cornea is considered the windshield of the eye. It is a clear dome that protects the eye from contaminants, maintains fluid balance, and filters light. Recipients of cornea donations typically need transplants because of trauma, infection, or other conditions that cause blindness or blurred or cloudy vision.

The Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank is one of about 60 eye banks operating in the U.S., which leads the world in corneal transplants. New technicians often arrive at the eye bank untrained, sometimes with only a high school diploma, to perform the grim job of removing corneas from recently deceased corpses for about the same wages many fast-food workers earn.

But what eye bank technicians may lack in education and training, they generally make up for with a strong belief in the mission, according to the former employees. They said they joined the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank because they wanted to help restore people's sight.

The nonprofit employs about 70 people across Colorado and Wyoming, according to a tax filing submitted in 2023. Those records also show a net income of less than $1 million and more than $16 million in assets. Lohmeier was paid about $142,000.

Organs vs. tissue

Organ donations fall under the purview of the Health Resources and Services Administration, and public data details performance and financial transaction records of organ procurement groups. Tissue donation is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, as well as national industry groups, and tissue bank transactions, performance, and outcomes are not available to the public.

There's no reason tissues and organs should be treated differently, said Robert Dickson, medical director for the Washtenaw County Tuberculosis Clinic in Michigan. A patient in his county died from a bone graft contaminated with tuberculosis just a couple of years after a contaminated bone graft killed eight other patients.

He compared the tissue regulatory environment to the Wild West and called it a major public health concern.

"It's fundamentally no different from an organ transplant. You're taking tissue from one deceased patient and putting it into a living recipient. But it is not regulated and not tested as rigorously," he said.

Marc Pearce, president and CEO of the American Association of Tissue Banks, said such cases are very rare.

"We don't believe that we've proven ourselves to be not capable of regulating ourselves," he said.

FDA officials disagree that the tissue industry is largely self-regulated, pointing to federal rules that require certain organizations to register with the agency and provide a list of human cells or tissues they recover, store, or distribute.

The rules set donor eligibility requirements, and the agency inspects tissue establishments, including eye banks, said spokesperson Carly Pflaum.

"The FDA has implemented a tiered risk-based approach for the regulation of human cell, tissue and cellular and tissue-based products," Pflaum wrote.

KFF Health News and WyoFile months ago requested reports of adverse events associated with the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank, but the FDA has yet to provide them. FDA dashboards show the eye bank has not issued a recall since 2017, and inspections since at least 2009 have not resulted in any official action.

The tissue industry is largely self-monitored and the performance of eye banks is tracked internally, whereas the federal government publishes annual performance reports for organ procurement groups. Health care providers are not required to report to the FDA adverse events resulting from tissue transplants.

Organ transplant providers are required to report safety events in recipients within 72 hours to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, which operates under contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That includes an organ going unused because it was delivered to the wrong location. They have 24 hours if, for example, the recipient gets an infection or disease that may have been from the new organ.

Other countries have public registries detailing the outcomes of corneal transplants, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. A similar registry in the U.S. could help monitor outcomes for patients and identify adverse events from transplant procedures, eye doctors and researchers wrote in the journal Ophthalmology Science.

Tissue bank industry groups are responsible for much of the oversight of their dues-paying members. Transplanting surgeons may report adverse reactions to the tissue bank, which generally then conducts a review and submits a report to the FDA and the Eye Bank Association of America or the American Association of Tissue Banks.

Nearly all eye banks in the U.S. are members of the Eye Bank Association of America, which inspects member banks at least every three years as part of its accreditation process, but such inspection reports aren't publicly available. Safety is paramount, association president Kevin Corcoran said, and the association's medical standards require eye banks to request patient outcome information from transplanting surgeons a few months after surgery.

"We want to make sure we don't have an eye bank that is slipping in their performance or failing to recover tissue," he said. He declined to comment on any individual eye bank's performance or release quality or transplantation data, complaints filed, or investigations undertaken.

No investigations have resulted in corrective action, he said, in the 13 years he has been at the association. The Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank is an accredited member of the association.

Balancing mission and stress

Several of the former employees were hesitant to speak about the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank because they didn't want to sully the reputation of an industry they believe is essential for improving people's lives and honoring the wishes of the dead.

But they described a high-pressure environment that they said led to many of their colleagues leaving and errors that reduced the number of successful retrievals.

Mackenzie Urban started recovering corneas as a technician for the eye bank in 2019 after finishing her bachelors degree. She saw it as a temporary job as she applied for medical school. But within a year of recovering her first cornea, she said, enough employees had left that she became the senior recovery technician and was training others.

She used limes for the training, guiding her students on how to use a scalpel to remove the peel without nicking the fruit beneath. Success meant lifting the peel off the lime without any juice spilling out.

"If you're stressed, you're going to shake," Urban said.

Outside factors can compound the challenges of performing the delicate procedure. Maybe the coroner had drawn fluid from beneath the cornea, making collection much trickier, she said. After a person has been dead for about 24 hours, the eyes tend to deflate to the point of uselessness, adding time pressure to collecting donations, Urban said.

Sometimes, Urban said, another technician would be working on a body simultaneously, so that the entire body was moving around while she was trying to do the delicate procedure.

Interactions with grieving families could be intense, too. Sometimes, families would hug her, thankful that something good would come of their loss. Other times, they were hostile, such as the time one relative of a potential donor told her to "Cut your own f****** eyes out, you b****," she recalled.

Urban appreciates the work the eye bank performs and doesn't regret her time there. She said she respected that "they had a real commitment to serving the community and keeping prices low." (Its illegal to sell human body parts for transplant, but companies get reimbursed varying amounts for the expenses of harvesting, preparing, and shipping tissues.)

But the workplace culture made it untenable for her, she said. For example, Urban said, she was reprimanded and told that she needed to "buck up or get out" because she declined to harvest corneas from a person who died from an unknown cause. The body was purple from the neck down, covered in oozing blisters and with opaque flecks in the eyes, Urban said.

When Irish eyes are smiling

The Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank has international contracts and ships corneas to Japan and the U.K., among other destinations. It became the exclusive eye tissue provider for Ireland when that country stopped collecting corneas over fears of transmitting mad cow disease. That means anyone who has received a cornea transplant in Ireland in the past two decades likely now sees thanks to a person who died in Colorado or Wyoming, according to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

Lohmeier, the eye bank CEO, said local needs are prioritized for donations, while international shipments help fulfill the eye bank's mission and "ensure that all viable corneas are transplanted, giving the gift of restored sight."

The U.S. is one of the few nations with a cornea surplus. FDA inspection reports confirmed that the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank procures more tissue than its geographic area can use.

The demand for international orders contributed to the high-pressure environment, Lopez said.

Employee turnover and the stress of the job resulted in the collection of corneas of poor quality, Lewis said. Local hospitals inquired about why so many corneas weren't being transplanted, she added.

The leading reason was recovery errors that damaged the tissue, Lewis said.

Lohmeier disagreed that there was a significant decline in corneas being placed. "We do not believe this description accurately reflects the state of corneal recovery and transplants," he said.

Internal records showed that about half of recovered corneas in November 2022 had moderate to heavy stress. The Eye Bank Association of America does not have comparable national data. The closest figure it tracks is the proportion, among tissues that were prepared but not transplanted, that were unable to be transplanted because of damage during processing; in 2022, it was a quarter.

Ashi Moore, who used to lead the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank's quality assurance department, said she once filed a report to the FDA after a donor's eye tissues were removed despite a family history indicating a high risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The disease, which should have been disqualifying for donation purposes, is a fatal brain disorder that can be transmitted through infected tissue.

The issue was caught before the corneas could be placed in someone else's eyes, but it should never have gotten to the point that the corneas were removed from the body, Moore said.

At least once, a technician retrieved corneas from the wrong body, according to Moore and other former employees (The FDA was unable to provide records to confirm that report by publication). Moore said she should have been told about the case of mistaken identity immediately but said she wasn't made aware of it until after the eye bank's leaders handled the situation themselves.

She said she couldn't find evidence that the eye bank had reported the error to the FDA. It was one of the major reasons she decided to leave the organization, though she had derived a strong sense of purpose from working at the eye bank, she said.

When Lewis resigned, officials at the nonprofit eye bank offered her $5,000 to sign a severance agreement with a nondisparagement provision. She declined.

Lewis said she would like to see states hold tissue recovery agencies to the same standards as other organizations that handle corpses, such as hospitals, coroners, and funeral homes. And if they fail to meet those standards, they need to be held accountable to build public trust, she said.

Lewis' and Lopez's negative experiences with the eye bank had another consequence. Each decided they no longer wanted to be an organ or tissue donor.

"After witnessing and experiencing so many issues, I no longer feel comfortable with the potential of my family having to go through that when the time comes," Lewis said.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places, and policy.
FM Asks Banks To Curb Mis-Selling of Insurance: What Is Mis-Selling, How It Impacts Customers?

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 11:01 IST

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says mis-selling of financial products, especially insurance, not only leads to financial distress for individuals but also increases borrowing costs.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says mis-selling not only leads to financial distress for individuals but also increases borrowing costs.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has expressed concern over the rampant mis-selling of financial products, especially insurance, through banks, and highlighted its adverse impact on consumers. She said mis-selling not only leads to financial distress for individuals but also increases borrowing costs.

Insurance industry regulator Irdais Chairman Debasis Panda also urged bankers to focus on their core job and not pedal insurance alone. He, however, added that the bancassurance channel is very useful in deepening the reach of insurance in the country.

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According to the latest data, HDFC Life distributes 65 per cent of its insurance policies through banking channels, followed by SBI Life (60 per cent), Max Life (52 per cent), ICICI Prudential (29 per cent), and LIC (4 per cent).

What is Mis-Selling?

Mis-selling occurs when financial products, such as insurance policies, mutual funds, or loans, are sold to customers without proper disclosure of terms or suitability. This could include:

 Selling products that do not align with a customers financial goals or risk appetite.

 Misrepresenting returns, benefits, or risks associated with the product.

 Pressuring customers into purchasing products they dont need.

Such practices exploit the lack of financial literacy among customers and undermine trust in the financial system.

Why is the Government Concerned? Its Impact On Customers

1. Financial Stress on Consumers

Mis-sold products often lead to financial strain. For instance, customers who are misled into buying unsuitable insurance policies may struggle to pay premiums, forcing them into debt or policy lapses.

2. Rising Borrowing Costs

When consumers buy inappropriate financial products, they often resort to additional borrowing to cover their expenses or losses. This adds to their financial burden and inflates borrowing costs across the economy.

3. Erosion of Trust in Financial Markets

Mis-selling damages consumer confidence in the financial sector, deterring them from investing or securing insurance, both of which are essential for economic growth and personal financial security.

4. Consumer Protection as a Policy Priority

With Indias growing middle class and increased financial inclusion, the government wants to ensure that financial products genuinely benefit consumers rather than becoming a liability.

The governments push to address mis-selling reflects its commitment to safeguarding consumer interests and enhancing financial system integrity," said a financial sector analyst.

On Monday, speaking at the State Bank of India Economist Conclave, Sitharaman had asked bankers to focus on their core jobs and avoid mis-selling of insurance policies, pointing that many a time, this also indirectly leads to increasing the cost of borrowing for a bank customer.

A day after, on Tuesday, Irdai Chairman Debasis Panda also made similar remark. He said bankers should focus on their core job and not pedal insurance alone.

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There is merit in the system but we have to do it with care and caution so that you dont forget your activity and only start selling insurance. It should be incidental," Panda said, speaking at the annual banking and economy conclave organised by SBI here.

Insurance companies definitely need low-cost distribution solutions like the ones offered by the banks, which have a massive spread across the country and cover nearly all the inhabited places, he said.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 10:45 IST
'Democracy Can Wait, Waist Cannot': Harsh Goenka Takes A Dig At Mumbai's High-Society Voters

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 12:12 IST

Harsh Goenka in a scathing tweet criticised the high-society citizens for prioritising luxury and comfort over their civilian duty

Goenka attacks the 'men and women' of Malabar Hill

Billionaire businessman Harsh Goenka has taken a dig at the citys elite voters. Amid concerns about a low turnout at the polling booths, especially at the urban centres including Mumbai, Goenka sparked a fresh debate around the men and women of Malabar Hill." He argued that Mumbais elite class people might not bother to vote but choose comfort over duty.

The voting for 288 Assembly seats is currently underway in Maharashtra on Wednesday, November 20. The process began as early as 7 AM and citizens are expected to come out to cast their votes.

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In a fierce late-night tweet, the RPG Group chairman wrote, The men and women of Malabar Hill may not vote today because Theyre busy debating whether their chauffeur will take the Mercedes or the BMW to the polling booth." He highlighted that they are likely to be worried about dirtying their designer loafers on uneven roads, the struggle of matching their Gucci sunglasses with their Manish Malhotra outfits, and the endless WhatsApp debates about the right candidate over quinoa salads.

Its the horror of encountering common folk in the queue, the dread of stepping out into the November heat, and the realization that theres no valet parking at the polling station," he added.

The men and women of Malabar Hill may not vote today because theyre busy debating whether their chauffeur will take the Mercedes or the BMW to the polling booth. Its the fear of dirtying their designer loafers on uneven roads, the struggle of matching their Gucci sunglasses Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) November 19, 2024

Taking a dig at weight loss concerns among celebrities, he quipped, Democracy can wait, but the waist cannot!"

Earlier in October, Chief Electoral Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar also opened up about the low turnout during elections. Blaming urban apathy" for a lack of enthusiasm among voters, he highlighted it as a major concern for the poll panel. Mumbai, like the rest of Maharashtra, goes into polls on November 20.

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It is worth mentioning that the city has often struggled with lower turnout. Earlier in the 2019 assembly elections, Mumbai recorded a voter turnout of 50.67 per cent, slightly lower than in 2014. Before that, it struggled to even touch 50 per cent.

Amid Goenka and the poll panels similar concerns, prominent figures like Kartik Aaryan, Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh, Paresh Rawal, Sharvari Wagh, Suniel Shetty, Urmila Matondkar, Zoya Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar, and others stepped out to cast their votes across the city.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 12:12 IST
Prayagraj Division To Host Pension Court For Retired Railway Employees On Dec 16

Curated By :

Local News Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 12:13 IST

Many retirees face delays in pension payments, often requiring repeated office visits. Indian Railways is establishing pension courts to resolve these issues efficiently.

An initiative is scheduled in the Prayagraj Division of North Central Railway.

After retirement, many elderly individuals often face challenges in accessing their pensions. Their pension payments may get delayed or stuck due to unknown reasons, forcing them to visit multiple offices in search of a solution. To address this issue, Indian Railways has established dedicated pension courts to assist retired railway employees in resolving such grievances efficiently.

These pension courts will be set up across various railway divisions, providing a centralized platform for addressing pension-related concerns. One initiative is scheduled in the Prayagraj Division of North Central Railway on December 16 from 11 AM to 5 PM. Retired employees and the dependents of deceased employees associated with the North Central Railway Headquarters in Prayagraj can use this opportunity to resolve issues related to pending pensions or retirement dues.

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Purpose:

The initiative aims to simplify the process for retired employees, ensuring that they no longer need to navigate the complexities of pension-related bureaucracy. Similar pension courts will also be introduced in other divisions, and retirees can stay informed through their respective divisions about upcoming sessions. It is important to note only grievances from retired employees belonging to the division holding the pension court will be addressed during that session.

How to Apply

To participate, applicants need to provide the following details in their submission:

Applicants name

Name of the former employee

Designation and last workplace

Relationship of the applicant with the former employee

Current address

Date of retirement or death of the employee

Type of retirement (e.g., normal, voluntary, compulsory, or due to death)

Pension Payment Order (PPO) number (attach a photocopy)

Last salary and pay scale

A detailed description of the complaint

Mobile number and email ID

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Applicants must submit two copies of their application to the Assistant Personnel Officer/Headquarters, North Central Railway, G Block, Mandakini Complex, Subedarganj, Prayagraj, before the court session begins.

This initiative is expected to bring relief to retired railway employees by providing them with a streamlined and accessible process to resolve pension-related concerns.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 12:13 IST
RBI Flags Gold Loan Irregularities, Pushes For Better Repayment Systems

Curated By :

Local News Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 12:46 IST

In a circular dated September 30, RBI pointed out the irregularities that took place regarding the disbursement of loans against gold ornaments and jewellery.

Gold loans worth Rs 1.4 lakh crore were disbursed by banks.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a stern warning to banks and gold loan companies, expressing its dissatisfaction with shortcomings in gold loan distribution. Following this, the gold loan industry is not planning to introduce a monthly repayment scheme. Under this plan, banks and gold loan companies may ask the borrowers to repay the loan in monthly instalments, including interest and principal, after loan initiation. It was reported that banks offering gold loans are also exploring such ways to provide customers with gold loans.

According to a report by The Economic Times, a senior bank official mentioned that the RBIs directive clearly stated that the organisation wants the gold loan companies to examine the repayment capacity of borrowers and not solely rely on pledged jewellery. Thus, the banks are now planning to start monthly repayment options for gold loans to make the loan payments easier.

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In a circular dated September 30, RBI pointed out the irregularities that took place regarding the disbursement of loans against gold ornaments and jewellery. The top bank identified the issues related to gold loan sourcing, valuation, auction transparency, monitoring of loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, and risk-weighting. It also mentioned that extending the term of repayment by accepting partial payments is also an unhealthy practice.

Usually, gold loan companies offer a bullet repayment option, allowing the borrowers to repay the entire loan amount at the end of the tenure without paying any amount monthly. Another common practice has been allowing borrowers to make partial payments whenever they have the funds available and extend the tenure of repayment.

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In light of RBIs concerns and warnings, banks and non-banking financial companies are now considering introducing a monthly repayment system or Easy Monthly Installment system to improve the repayment structure for gold loans.

According to the report, gold loans worth Rs 1.4 lakh crore were disbursed by banks and other institutions as of September 30. This was reportedly a 51 per cent rise from the last years numbers.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 12:46 IST
Assembly Elections: Don't Have Voter ID? Here Are 12 Documents Valid At Polling Booth

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 08:44 IST

Voting is underway in Jharkhkand and Maharashtra. Here are 12 documents you can carry to vote in case you can't find your voter ID.

Representative Image (ANI Image)

Maharashtra and Jharkhand are casting votes today. Voters are all set to exercise their right to vote and elect their new government. The fates of the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP government and JMM will be locked in EVMs in both states respectively as voters line up from 7 am at the polling booth.

It is a myth that you cannot vote if you do not have a physical voter ID card. There are several IDs sanctioned by the government using which one can cast vote.

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Since the polling time will close at 6 pm, people will cast their vote throughout the day and it is necessary to know what documents you can carry to your allotted booth, that are valid to cast votes, in case you do not have a voter ID card.

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Heres a complete list of documents you can carry to enable yourself to vote:

Aadhaar card PAN card Indian Passport Driving Licence Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office Health insurance smart card issued under the scheme of the Ministry of Labour MNREGA job card Smart card issued by RGI under NPR Pension document having your photograph Service identity cards with photograph issued by the Central or state government, public sector undertakings, or public limited companies to employees Official identity cards issued to MPs, MLAs, and MLCs Unique Disability ID (UDID) issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 08:44 IST
Elections 2024: Who Can Check Voter ID? Can Police Ask To Remove Burqa?

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 12:04 IST

To prevent fraud, only election or presiding officers can verify voter identity by checking ID cards, as mandated by Election Commission rules during voting

The Samajwadi Party has formally petitioned the Election Commission regarding the treatment of Muslim women during elections. (Representative/PTI File)

Voting is being held on nine assembly seats in the Uttar Pradesh by-election on November 20. However, a controversy has erupted over burqas, hijabs, niqabs, and ghunghats ahead of voting. Akhilesh Yadavs Samajwadi Party and the BJP have clashed over the issue.

The Samajwadi Party has demanded that Muslim women should not be required to remove their burqas for checks, while BJPs Giriraj Singh stated that every voter must be identified. The matter has now reached the Election Commission.

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Voting has been underway in nine assembly constituencies across the state since 7 am.

The Samajwadi Party has formally petitioned the Election Commission regarding the treatment of Muslim women during elections. The partys letter insisted that requiring Muslim women to remove their burqas for identity verification is unacceptable. They argued that if a woman chooses to vote while wearing a burqa, police personnel should not have the authority to remove it for inspection. Furthermore, the Samajwadi Party contended that police should not be authorised to examine voter identity cards during the voting process.

This situation has raised several important questions like who holds the authority to verify voter identity cards, whether the police can legally remove a womans burqa for this purpose and what are the Election Commissions specific regulations concerning this matter.

What does the Election Commission rule say?

According to the Election Commission rule, verification of every voter is necessary before voting. To avoid fraudulent voting, each voter is permitted to cast their vote only after their identity is confirmed. The election officer appointed by the Election Commission ensures the identity by examining the voters ID card. The Election Commission rule states that only the election officer or the presiding officer can check a voters ID card. However, in suspicious circumstances, the police or security personnel may also check the voters ID card.

Can polling agents check voter ID?

Polling agents representing different political parties stationed at the polling booth are not authorised to check the ID cards of voters. However, if any doubt arises, they can raise a question or request the election officer to verify the voter ID card. The primary role of polling agents is to deter fraudulent voting practices and raise any concerns.

Similarly, police or security personnel are also prohibited from checking voter ID cards. Their authority is limited to conducting security checks only if suspicions arise.

Clarification from the Election Commission

The Election Commission has issued clear guidelines to address any ambiguity regarding the matter. Officials from the UP Election Commission have explicitly stated that the responsibility of police and security personnel is solely limited to maintaining security and peace. They are not permitted to check the ID cards of any voter.

Restrictions on Police Verification

Police officers are strictly prohibited from checking voter cards. Furthermore, they are not authorised to request a woman to remove her burqa for the purpose of matching her face with the voter ID card. The Election Commission guidelines clearly stipulate that only the polling officer holds the authority to check the identity card of any voter. This authority extends solely to the polling staff and the presiding officer.

Can a female voter be checked by removing the burqa?

The question of whether a Muslim woman can be checked by removing her burqa during voter verification is a sensitive one. In order to prevent fraud or in case of doubt, a polling officer can request a woman to reveal her face for identification.

However, this must be done by a female polling officer, and with utmost respect for religious sensitivity and confidentiality. It is crucial to emphasise that under no circumstances should police or security personnel attempt to check a womans face by removing her burqa.

Earlier controversies surrounding the burqa

During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a similar situation came up when Hyderabad BJP candidate Madhavi Lata sparked outrage by asking women voters to remove their burqas for ID verification at a polling booth. The incident led to the filing of an FIR and widespread condemnation.

The Haryana elections also witnessed controversy regarding the burqa. Now, Uttar Pradesh faces a similar situation.

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In response to a letter from Akhilesh Yadav, the Election Commission has assured the public that no police officer is authorised to ask a woman to remove her burqa for facial verification.

By-elections for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh commenced on Wednesday morning, with voters forming long queues at polling booths. The constituencies holding by-elections are Katehari (Ambedkar Nagar), Karhal (Mainpuri), Mirapur (Muzaffarnagar), Ghaziabad, Majhawan (Mirzapur), Sheeshmau (Kanpur city), Khair (Aligarh), Phulpur (Prayagraj), and Kundarki (Moradabad). The by-election results will be declared on November 23.

Location : Uttar Pradesh, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 12:04 IST
Most Exit Polls Predict Twin Wins For BJP & Allies In Maharashtra, Jharkhand In Last Elections Of 2024

Published By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 30, 2024, 04:41 IST

Bypolls to 15 assembly seats spread across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Uttarakhand were also conducted on Wednesday. The results for all the elections will be out on November 23

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit the BJP headquarters on Saturday evening. (PTI)

The last vote was cast around 6 pm on Wednesday in the packed election year of 2024 as the 288 assembly seats of Maharashtra voted in a single phase, while Jharkhand saw polling for 38 seats with the first round of voting for the 81-member assembly held on November 13. Bypolls to 15 assembly seats spread across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Uttarakhand were also conducted on Wednesday. The results for all the elections will be out on November 23.

Exit polls indicate that the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies may have the edge in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand following victories in the April-June Lok Sabha elections and last months Haryana polls.

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Maharashtra

ABP-Matrize has predicted 150-170 seats for Mahayuti and 110-130 for the Maha Vikas Aghadi. P-MarQ has given 137-157 seats to the Mahayuti and 126-146 to the MVA. Chanakya has predicted 152-160 seats for Mahayuti and 130-138 for the MVA. Poll Diary has indicated that Mahayuti may net 137-157 seats and MVA 126-146. Peoples Pulse has predicted 182 seats for the Mahayuti and 97 for the MVA. Lokshahi Marathi-Rudra foresees a neck-and-neck fight with 128-142 seats for the Mahayuti and 125-140 for the MVA.

Bhaskar Reporters Poll is the outlier, predicting 135-150 seats for the MVA and 125-140 for the Mahayuti.

In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the (then undivided) Shiv Sena dominated, winning 161 of 288 seats. However, the alliance fell apart over the sharing of power, and the Sena joined hands with the (then undivided) Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress to form the government.

But, in 2023, rebellions by Senas Eknath Shinde, who is now Maharashtra chief minister, and NCPs Ajit Pawar, now his deputy, forced then CM Uddhav Thackeray to step down and his coalition Maha Vikas Aghadi government to collapse.

While the April-June general elections this year saw Narendra Modi become a three-time Prime Minister, the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra won just 17 of the 48 parliamentary seats, falling behind the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP).

Jharkhand

According to the Matrize exit poll, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is likely to get between 42 and 47 seats, while the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal ruling coalition (part of the INDIA bloc) is expected to win around 25 to 30, with others clinching between one and four seats. As per the Times Now exit poll, the NDA is expected to win 40 to 44 seats in the state, while the JMM-led coalition is likely to win 30 to 40. The Peoples Pulse exit poll too gives the edge to the NDA, predicting 44-53 seats for the alliance with the JMM-led coalition behind at 25-37. Other candidates are expected to clinch five to nine seats. However, AXIS-My India is the outlier, predicting that the JMM-led alliance is likely to sweep the state with 53 out of the total 81 seats.

In the 2019 assembly elections, chief minister Hemant Sorens Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, part of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, won 47 of the states 82 seats.

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Earlier this year, Hemant Soren resigned as CM ahead of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on corruption charges. He was briefly replaced by Champai Soren, a veteran politician and close aide of party patriarch Shibu Soren. But after Hemant returned to the CMs chair following his release on bail, Champai rebelled and later quit to join the BJP.

In the April-June Lok Sabha polls, the BJP won eight seats in the state with a 44.6% vote share, and its ally AJSU won one seat with a 2.62% vote share. The INDIA bloc combined won just five seatsthree by the JMM and two by the Congress, with vote shares of 14.6% and 19.19%, respectively.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 22:17 IST
'Not My Voice': After Casting Vote, Supriya Sule Rejects BJP Charge Over Bitcoin Audio Clips

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Ashesh Mallick



Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 09:34 IST

Supriya Sule has dismissed BJP's "bitcoin scam" allegation stating that she is ready to answer all questions.

NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule (ANI Image)

NCP-SP MP and Sharad Pawars daughter Supriya Sule on Wednesday dismissed BJPs allegations of her involvement in the alleged cryptocurrency scam" stating that the audio clip presented by the saffron party does not have her voice.

She said that she is ready to answer all questions raised by the BJP and claimed her innocence in the matter informing that she has sent a defamation notice to BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi who made the allegations at a press conference.

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Supriya Sule Denies Corruption Allegations

Yesterday, all these voice recordings were sent to me by the media. The first thing I did was to call the Commissioner of Pune and tell him that some fake videos were running and I wanted to complain to cybercrime. I immediately complained to cybercrime that all these voice notes and messages were lies and fake, so I sent a notice to cybercrime," Sule said after casting her vote in Baramati.

#WATCH | Baramati: On allegations against her and Nana Patole, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule says Yesterday, all these voice recordings were sent to me by the media. The first thing I did was to call the Commissioner of Pune and tell him that some fake videos were running and I wanted pic.twitter.com/vhoNS3vxLr ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

After that, there is the spokesperson of BJP who held a press conferenceAfter that, I called my lawyers and this morning I sent a criminal defamation notice to Sudhanshu Trivedi. I am ready to come out and answer Sudhanshu Trivedi anytime in whichever city he wants, on whichever channel he wants, at whatever time he wants, wherever he calls me, I will come and I will answer him," she added.

How Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar Reacted?

Sharad Pawar, NCP founder and veteran politician, reacted to the allegations against her daughter and said, The person who made the allegations was in jail for several months and taking that person along and making false allegations, only BJP can do this."

However, Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Sules cousin, on Wednesday, confirmed that one of the voices in the audio clip was of Sule and said that an investigation into the matter should be initiated.

What Is Bitcoin Scam?

Maharashtra Congress was hit by a corruption allegation on the eve of the polling day after the BJP took note of the allegations by a retired police officer Ravindranath Patil who alleged that Sule and state Congress chief Nana Patole were involved in a fraud case involving cryptocurrency, dating back to 2018, and have used the fund in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections.

The BJP, at a press conference on the voting day eve, played a purported audio clip of Sules conversation with an alleged witness in the case. The party also shared some chats involving the former police officer.

The subject of the chats involves a former police officer, who had previously spent some time in jail for an allegation, being contacted by an accused dealer. The dealer requests a transaction involving bitcoins to be converted into cash," Trivedi alleged.

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Earlier, former IPS officer Ravindra Nath Patil claimed he was hired as a cryptocurrency expert to investigate the case in 2018, but was arrested on fraud charges in 2022 and spent 14 months in prison. During that time, I kept wondering what had happened, what the case was about, and why I had been trapped," he said.

Patil said a key witness in the case  Gaurav Mehta, an employee of an audit firm  had contacted him a few times in the past few days and shared details about the 2018 cryptocurrency fraud investigation. Patil alleged that Mehta named Sule, Patole, and Amitabh Gupta in the case.

Location : Baramati, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 08:40 IST
Jharkhand Exit Poll Result Highlights: NDA Expected To Sweep State In Blow To Hemant Sorens JMM

Published By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 22:50 IST

Jharkhand Exit Poll 2024: While most of the exit polls predicted an edge for the NDA in the state, the AXIS-My India poll said it was likely that the JMM-Congress alliance would sweep Jharkhand

: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA is expected to sweep Jharkhand. (PTI)

Jharkhand Exit Poll Results 2024: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA is expected to sweep Jharkhand in a blow for Hemant Sorens JMM if exit polls are to be believed. The results for the Jharkhand election will be announced on November 23.

According to the Matrize exit poll, the NDA is likely to get between 42-47 seats while the JMM-Congress-RJD coalition is expected to win around 25-30 with others clinching between one to four seats. As per the Times Now exit poll, BJP is expected to win 40-44 seats in the state, while the JMM coalition is likely to win 30-40 seats. The Peoples Pulse exit poll too gave the edge to the NDA, predicting 44-53 seats for the NDA with the JMM coalition behind at 25- 37. The others are expected to clinch five to nine seats. However, AXIS-My India seems to be the outlier as it predicted that JMM-Congress is likely to sweep the state with 53 out of 81 seats, including 15 out of the 18 seats in Santhal Pargana.

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Wednesday saw the second and final round of the electoral battle which will see the JMM-Congress-RJD coalition try and retain the Soren turf as the BJP-led NDA tries to wrest it.

The state saw a high-decibel campaign during which the NDA trained guns on the JMM-led coalition over alleged infiltration from Bangladesh and corruption of leaders, including the chief minister who is currently out on bail. The BJP-led alliance also raised the issue of Hindutva. Meanwhile, the JMM-led ruling dispensation sought to woo voters by promising welfare schemes and accusing BJP of spending Rs 500 crore in malicious campaigns" against a tribal leader".

ALSO READ | Cut, Copy, Campaign: BJPs Jharkhand Manifesto Mirrors Chhattisgarh Playbook With 3 Key Promises

Top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP present JP Nadda and chief ministers of several states have hit out at Soren who spent five months in jail in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.

They also made the removal of temporary" chief minister Champai Soren a major poll plank, claiming that the JMM had insulted a tribal. Champai Soren later joined the BJP and is contesting the assembly election.

There are 28 reserved seats for ST candidates and nine for SC contestants. Of the SC seats, JMM won 2, BJP 6 and RJD 1 in the 2019 polls. In ST reserved seats, JMM was victorious in 19, Congress in 6, BJP 2 and JVM(P) 1.

This time, as far as NDA is concerned, BJP has fielded candidates in 68 seats while allies AJSU Party in 10, JD(U) in two and Lok Janshakti (Ram Vilas) in one. Of the INDIA bloc, JMM has fielded candidates in 43 seats, Congress 30, RJD 6 and CPI(ML) 4 with friendly fights on some seats.

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.

WHAT DID 2019 EXIT POLLS SAY?

In 2019, the India Today-Axis My India threw its weight behind the JMM-Congress-led UPA, saying UPA would win 43 seats, whereas the BJP would win 27.

ALSO READ | Opinion | Tribal Factor: Can BJP Crack The Election Code In Jharkhand?

ABP-Voter predicted a hung assembly, adding that UPA would win 35 seats whereas BJP would win 32 seats. Times Now, meanwhile, predicted 44 seats for the UPA and 28 for the BJP.

VOLATILE POLITICAL HISTORY

Jharkhand, which was carved out in 2000, has seen 13 chief ministers in a span of 24 years, revealing the tumultuous political journey of the state. The state has seen seven chief ministers of which only Raghubar Das completed a full five-year term without interruption. Jharkhand has also been witness to three different instances of Presidents Rule.

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The state saw skirmishes this year too when chief minister Hemant Soren was forced to resign after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to alleged land fraud.

The JMM picked Champai Soren as the chief minister in Hemant Sorens absence. However, forced to vacate the CMs chair after Hemant Soren was released on bail, an irate Champai jumped ship to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as Hemant Soren was sworn in as the 13th chief minister.

Location : Ranchi, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 18:55 IST
Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 23:20 IST

Maharashtra election: Women wait in a queue to cast votes at a polling station during the Maharashtra Assembly elections, in Thane (PTI)

Maharashtra Election 2024 Voting Updates: The voting for the 288 constituencies of Maharashtra concluded on Wednesday in a high-stakes clash between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The election in Maharashtra coincided with the second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly Election on Wednesday.

The election campaign for the Maharashtra election ended on Monday (November 18). The Mahayuti alliance  comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are looking to retain power. The MVA alliance  comprising of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar-led NCP  would be looking to make a strong political comeback.

Prominent faces in the campaign were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra along with numerous Union Ministers. The Mahayuti alliance is banking on schemes like Ladki Bahin to maintain its foothold on power.

On the other hand, the opposition has reacted strongly to BJPs slogans like Batenge To Katenge and Ek Hai to Safe Hai, which also became a point of content with Ajit Pawars NCP. The electoral heat also extended to religious lines  with the BJP accusing the Congress of promoting a vote jihad in Maharashtra and calling for a dharam-yuddh of votes.

Know Who Are the Key Candidates In Maharashtra Election
Maharashtra Election: What Are Exit Polls, How Accurate Were The Predictions In 2019?

Curated By :

News18.com

Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 17:51 IST

The exit polls this year have been marred by inaccuracies in predicting results, especially in the Lok Sabha and Haryana elections, leading to public apologies from the polling companies

The Haryana Assembly election results this year sparked a row over the system of counting of votes. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said media needs to introspect about the expectations that arise due to the exit polls. (PTI Photo)

Maharashtra and Jharkhand voted on Wednesday to choose the members of the respective Legislative Assembly. The results for both the state assemblies will be announced on November 23. But the exit poll results are expected to be released in some time after the voting ends in both the states.

The exit polls this year have been marred by inaccuracies in predicting results, especially in the Lok Sabha and Haryana elections, leading to public apologies from the polling companies.

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Let us first understand what are exit polls, what went wrong for them this year and what were their predictions in 2019 assembly elections.

What Are Exit Polls?

Exit polls is a survey based on interviews taken of voters when they leave (or exit) the polling booths after casting their votes. While exit polls are not always accurate, they provide an idea about the voters choice swing and the results one can expect.

What Is The Methodology?

Exit polls depend on a few factors: the type of sampling methods, margins of error and voter honesty and behaviour.

Sampling: Polling organisations select a diverse set of polling stations across different regions for representativeness. The selection aims to mirror the demographic and political composition of the broader electorate.

Questionnaire: Voters are asked a series of questions, focusing on their voting choices. Additional questions might include demographic information such as age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status, as well as factors that influenced their vote.

Data Collection: Trained pollsters stand outside selected polling stations and randomly approach voters to participate in the survey. To maintain anonymity and encourage honesty, voters often fill out the survey privately.

Data Analysis: The collected data is then analysed to project the overall voting trends. Statistical adjustments account for various factors, such as turnout discrepancies and demographic imbalances.

Predictions: Based on the analysed data, projections are made regarding which candidates or parties are likely to win in different constituencies.

Margin of Error: The results are presented with an estimated margin of error, indicating the degree of confidence in the predictions.

Media Reporting: The results of exit polls are usually released by media organisations, either immediately after voting ends or at designated times as per election regulations.

Disclaimers: Reports often include disclaimers about the limitations of exit polls, emphasising that they are estimates rather than definitive results.

What Exit Polls Predicted In 2019 Maharashtra & Jharkhand Polls

In the Maharashtra assembly election 2019, the BJP won 105 seats, the undivided Shiv Sena won 56 seats, the undivided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) secured 54 seats and the Congress bagged 44 seats. India Today-Axis had predicted 166-194 seats for the NDA (Shiv Sena and BJP) and 72-90 seats for the UPA (Congress-NCP).

News18-IPSOS predicted 243 seats for the NDA and 41 for the UPA. Republic-Jan Ki Baat predicted 216-230 seats for the NDA and 52-59 seats for the NDA. Times Now predicted 230 seats for the NDA and 48 for the UPA.

ABP News-C Voter predicted 204 seats for the NDA and 69 for the UPA.

In the 2019 Jharkhand election, the UPA, comprising Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, won 46 seats while the BJP won 25.

The India Today-Axis My India gave an edge to the JMM-Congress-led UPA. It said the UPA would win 43 seats, whereas the BJP would win 27.

ABP-Voter predicted a hung assembly. It said the UPA would win 35 seats whereas the BJP would win 32 seats. Times Now predicted 44 seats for the UPA and 28 for the BJP.

How Exit Polls Got It All Wrong In 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

Almost all of the exit polls released on June 1 forecast the BJP and its allies would win more than 350 seats in the Lok Sabha. The final results put the NDA tally at just 293 seats. The Congress-led INDIA bloc sprung a surprise with 234 seats.

Exit poll predictions also have a bearing on the stock market. A favourable prediction for the ruling NDA had pushed the benchmark equity index to a record on June 3. However, on the result day, the market battered, clocking its worst crash in four years.

Pradeep Gupta of Axis My India broke down on national television on June 4 election results day after he was repeatedly questioned about his inaccurate forecasts showing the BJP-led coalition would win 361-401 seats.

CVoter founder Yashwant Deshmukh said the company was accurate in predicting the share of votes won by the parties at the state level, but that projections on seat numbers were wrong, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, where the BJP lost substantial support, as mentioned in a report by The Frontline.

CVoter had predicted the BJP-led alliance would win 353-383 seats nationally. The sample size of its survey was 4,31,182.

What Went Wrong In Haryana Exit Polls This Year?

Almost all exit polls had predicted a clear majority for the Congress in Haryana, giving the party somewhere between 50 and 62 seats in the 90-seat Assembly.

The Congress headquarters were decked up, with party leaders and workers already started distributing jalebis and laddoos as early trends showed them winning. However, after a few hours, tables turned and the BJP stormed back to power with 48 seats.

Axis My India had predicted a sweep for the Congress by pegging its tally at 53-65 seats. The BJP were expected to win 18-28 while others, that include Jannayak Janata Party, Indian National Lok Dal and Aam Aadmi Party, were predicted to win bag three to eight seats.

The India Today-C Voter survey gave Congress 50-58 seats, and the BJP 20-28 seats and others 10-16, while Dainik Bhaskar predicted the Congress getting 44-54 seats, the BJP 15-29 seats and others winning 5-15 seats in the Haryana Assembly.

What The Election Commission Has Said About Exit Polls

The results of the Haryana Assembly election this year sparked controversies over the system of counting of votes. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said the media needs to introspect about the expectations that arise due to the exit polls.

Because of expectations set by exit polls, a huge distortion is created. This is an issue that needs self-introspection, especially for electronic media," he said as he called on self-regulatory bodies such as the National Broadcasters Association (NBSA) to regulate the media entities.

He clarified that the Election Commission does not regulate the exit polls, and pointed out that a trend has emerged in the recent years where news channels start displaying results from 8 am.

If we look at the whole picture, two-three things are happening concurrently. At first, exit poll results are shown without declaring the sample size, the places where the survey was conducted, and how the results were arrived at. If the figures do not match with the actual results, what is the pollsters responsibility There is an urgent need to look at these aspects stringently," he had said while announcing Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly election schedules.

The CEC said the mismatch between the exit poll figures and actual results could sometimes lead to serious issues. The gap between expectation and achievement is nothing but frustration. On this issue, our hands are tied. However, a brainstorming by the stakeholders is urgently required and I am sure self-correction will be done," he said.

History Of Exit Polls

The Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Studies (CSDS) was the pioneer in developing indigenous exit polls in the 1960s. However, it wasnt until the 1980s that media polls surveys became prominent.

The Indian Institute of Public Opinion conducted the first election poll in India, during the second general election conducted in 1957. The survey was headed by Eric de Costa; however, one might say that this was not a full-fledged exit poll, as per The Frontline report.

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In 1980, Prannoy Roy and Ashok Lahiri conducted the first exit poll for the India Today magazine, which they repeated during the 1984 election. In 1996, an exit poll was conducted by Doordarshan, by journalist Nalini Singh, with the fieldwork and data gathering carried out by CSDS.

In the US, the first exit poll took place in 1936. It was conducted by George Gallup and Claude Robinson in New York City, where they asked voters exiting the polling booths which presidential candidate they had voted for. Through this data, they estimated that Franklin D. Roosevelt would win the election, which he did. After this, exit polls became popular in other countries too. Britain had its first exit poll in 1937 and France in 1938.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 17:31 IST
Maharashtra Elections: Independent Candidate From Beed Dies Of Heart Attack At Polling Booth

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 19:16 IST

Maharashtra Assembly Election: Balasaheb Shinde, who was contesting as an independent candidate suffered a heart attack while he was waiting for his turn to vote at a polling booth.

Balasaheb Shinde Dies of Heart Attack. (Image: X)

In a tragic incident, an independent candidate contesting from Maharashtras Beed assembly constituency died of a heart attack at polling booth during polling on Wednesday.

Balasaheb Shinde, who was contesting as an independent candidate suffered a heart attack while he was waiting for his turn to vote at a polling booth. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him brought dead, news agency IANS reported.

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As per the report, Shinde fall on the ground at Chhatrapati Shahu Vidyalaya voting centre in the assembly constituency.

He was first taken to Kaku Nana hospital and then taken to Chhatrapati Shambhaji Nagar hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The police said the body has been sent for postmortem.

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If an election candidate dies during an ongoing election, then the voting on the concerned seat can be postponed under Section 52, according to the Representation of the People Act 1951.

The voting for the 288 constituencies of Maharashtra concluded on Wednesday in a high-stakes clash between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The election in Maharashtra coincided with the second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly Election on Wednesday.

Location : Maharashtra, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 19:16 IST
Maharashtra Exit Poll Result Highlights: Mahayuti May Have Edge Over MVA In Close Contest

Published By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 23:07 IST

Maharashtra Exit Poll Results 2024: The Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shinde Sena, NCP (Ajit Pawar), or the Maha Vikas Aghadi of Sena UBT, Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar)  which alliance has Maharashtra picked?

The Mahayuti and MVA fought the Maharashtra assembly poll battle intensely. (File)

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti may have the edge over the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the Maharashtra assembly elections, according to the exit poll predictions on Wednesday. The alliances need to cross the 145-mark to form the government. The results for the 288 seats will be announced on November 23.

ABP-Matrize has predicted 150-170 seats for Mahayuti and 110-130 for MVA. P-MarQ has predicted 137-157 seats for the Mahayuti and 126-146 for the MVA. Chanakya has predicted 152-160 seats for Mahayuti and 130-138 for the MVA. While Poll Diary has predicted 137-157 seats for Mahayuti, the projection for MVA is 126-146. Peoples Pulse has predicted 182 seats for the Mahayuti and 97 for the MVA. Lokshahi Marathi-Rudra has predicted a neck-and-neck fight with 128-142 seats for the Mahayuti and 125-140 for the MVA.

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Bhaskar Reporters Poll is the only one to predict 135-150 seats for the MVA and 125-140 seats for the Mahayuti.

Maharashtras intense assembly election battle, which came on the back of multiple governments, split in parties and a lot of political drama, ended with voting on November 20.

The Mahayuti, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shinde Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar), fought against the Maha Vikas Aghadi of Sena UBT, Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar).

The BJP contested 149 seats, Shinde Sena 81, and NCP (Ajit Pawar) 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) 86. Smaller parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), are also contesting, with BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM 17 in the 288-member lower house.

SCHEMES, SLOGANS & MORE

The election campaign saw prominent leaders like Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and many union ministers crisscrossing the state to garner votes for their candidates.

The Mahayuti is banking on its popular schemes like Majhi Ladki Bahin for women helping it retain power. The BJPs use of slogans like Batenge toh katenge and Ek hai toh safe hai prompted the opposition parties to accuse the Mahayuti of polarising voters along religious lines. Not all BJP allies supported these slogans. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who is part of Mahayuti, distanced himself from them. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis attempted to clarify the meaning of the slogans, leading to confusion within the ruling alliance.

The MVA alliance countered the ruling combines rhetoric by focusing on issues like caste-based census, social justice, and protecting the Constitution. The opposition aimed to appeal to voters who felt neglected by the government.

CANDIDATES, VOTERS, BOOTHS

The number of candidates has increased by 28 per cent this time compared to the 2019 state assembly elections. This year, 4,136 candidates are contesting, up from 3,239 in 2019.

Among these candidates, 2,086 are independents. Rebels are in the fray in over 150 constituencies, with candidates from the Mahayuti and MVA contesting against their partys official nominees.

As on October 30, the updated number of registered voters stands at 9,70,25,119, officials said.

Among these, there are 5,00,22,739 male voters, 4,69,96,279 female voters, and 6,101 transgender voters. Additionally, the total number of PwD (Persons with Disabilities) voters is 6,41,425, while the number of service voters from the armed forces is 1,16,170.

There will be 1,00,186 polling booths in Maharashtra this time, compared to 96,654 booths in the 2019 assembly elections. This increase is due to the rise in the number of voters.

Around six lakh state government employees will be involved in election duties.

Since the code of conduct came into force on October 15, cash and items worth Rs 252.42 crore were seized in enforcement actions conducted under various schemes of the central and state governments. The seized items included Rs 63.47 crore cash, along with 34,89,088 litres of liquor valued at Rs 33.73 crore. Additionally, Rs 32.67 crore drugs were confiscated, along with precious metals valued at Rs 83.12 crore. Officials also seized 34,634 pieces of jewellery worth Rs 2.79 crore and 8,79,913 miscellaneous items valued at Rs 36.62 crore.

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During the same period, 2,469 complaints related to violations of the Model Code of Conduct were received across the state via the C-Vigil app. Of these, 2,452 complaints, amounting to 99.31 per cent, were promptly resolved.

With PTI Inputs

First Published: November 20, 2024, 18:51 IST
Assembly Election 2024: From Voting In Person To EVM Use, All Your Polling Day FAQs Answered

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 11:14 IST

Assembly Election 2024 Voting Today: Voting is underway in all 288 assembly constituencies in Maharashtra, remaining 38 seats in Jharkhand and bypolls in Punjab, UP, Kerala and Uttarakhand

The counting of votes for the assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand as well as the bypolls will be held on November 23.(Image for representation: PTI/File)

Assembly Election 2024: Voting is underway for all 288 assembly constituencies in Maharashtra, second phase polling for 38 seats in Jharkhand as well bypolls in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Uttarakhand.

More than 9.7 crore voters will be choosing from among the 4,136 candidates in Maharashtra. As on October 30, the updated number of registered voters stands at 9,70,25,119, election officials said. There are 1,00,186 polling booths in the state this time.

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In Jharkhand, voting began at 7 am in 14,218 booths across 12 districts and will continue till 5 pm. But, in 31 booths, polling will end at 4 pm though people standing in the queue at that time will be able to exercise their franchise. A total of 1.23 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise.

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) related to voting. This has been sourced from the guidelines laid down by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

HOW TO VOTE

You can vote only if your name appears in the voter list (also known as electoral roll). Voters can also find information on polling booths (where to vote), contesting candidates (know your candidate), election dates and timings, identity cards and electronic voting machines (EVM).

WHERE TO CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION STATUS?

Verify your name on the list by either:

Logging on to electoralsearch.eci.gov.in

Calling the voter helpline 1950 (please add your STD code before dialling)

(please add your STD code before dialling) SMS space to 1950 (EPIC stands for electors photo identity card also commonly known as voter ID card). Example: If your EPIC is 12345678 then text ECI 12345678 to 1950

Download Voter Helpline App (Android) and Voter Helpline App (iOS).

WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?

Voters can visit the candidate affidavit portal or download the voter helpline apps on Android and iOS to see the list of candidates. Please note this data is updated as affidavits are filed by candidates.

WHERE DO I VOTE?

Voters can go to electoralsearch.eci.gov.in or use the voter helpline apps on Android and iOS to find their polling booth

or use the voter helpline apps on Android and iOS to find their Voters can call the voter helpline, the number is 1950 (please add your STD code before dialling)

For polling station location SMS space to 1950. Mobile phones, cameras or any other gadget is not allowed inside a polling booth.

HOW DO I VOTE IN PERSON?

First polling official will check your name on the voter list and check your identity proof

Second polling official will ink your finger, give you a slip and take your signature on a register (Form 17A)

You will have to deposit the slip at the third polling official and show your inked finger and then proceed to the polling booth

Record your vote by pressing the ballot button opposite the symbol of the candidate of your choice on the EVM. You will hear a beep sound

Check the slip that appears in the transparent window of the VVPAT machine. The slip with the candidate serial number, name and symbol shall be visible for seven seconds before it drops in the sealed VVPAT box

You can press NOTA (none of the above), if you do not like any candidate. It is the last button on the EVM

For more information, please see the voter guide on ecisveep.nic.in

Mobile phones, cameras or any other gadget is not allowed inside a polling booth.

HOW DO I USE EVM?

EVM stands for electronic voting machine and VVPAT stands for voter verifiable paper audit trail.

See this video for more details.

WHAT IDENTIFICATION SHOULD I BRING TO VOTE?

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Voters can carry any of the below mentioned recognised ID cards for polling, photo voter slip shall not be accepted as a standalone identification document for voting.

EPIC (voter ID card)

Passport

Driving Licence

Service identity cards with photograph issued to employees by central/state government/PSUs/public limited companies

Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office

PAN card

Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR

MNREGA job card (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee)

Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of ministry of labour

Pension document with photograph

Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs

Aadhaar Card

First Published: November 20, 2024, 11:12 IST
Exit Poll Results 2024 Live: When And Where To Watch Exit Poll For Maharashtra, Jharkhand?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 14:22 IST

Exit Poll Results 2024 Maharashtra and Jharkhand Live Details: The voting in both states will conclude at 6 pm.

Exit Poll Results 2024 Maharashtra and Jharkhand (PTI Image)

Exit Poll Results 2024 Maharashtra and Jharkhand: As voting concludes in Maharashtra and Jharkhand for the Assembly Elections on Wednesday evening, the focus will shift to the prediction of results in Exit Polls.

The second and final phase of voting is underway in Jharkhand while Maharashtra is voting in a single phase today. The voting began at 7 am and will go on till 6 pm.

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When And Where To Watch Exit Polls Results LIVE For Jharkhand And Maharashtra?

As per the stringent directions of the Election Commission of India, the broadcasters and digital media outlets cannot publish the Exit Poll data before the conclusion of voting and can only put the figures on air after 6.30 pm. The ECI ensures its implementation to ensure a fair and unbiased voting process.

The Exit Polls will be streamed live on the website, YouTube channel and social media handles of Network18 Group. The predictions of both Jharkhand and Maharashtra will also be aired on all channels of Network18.

For all the Live updates on elections and political analysis by experts, watch CNN-News18 and its channels across Network18. You may also find all the latest election-related stories and Exit Poll numbers at www.news18.com or view them on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

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Assembly Elections 2024

The Jharkhand and Maharashtra Assembly Elections conclude with the final voting today. Jharkhand went to polls in the first phase on November 13 while all sets in Maharashtra went to polls today. The results of both the states will be out on November 23.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 12:38 IST
Maharashtra Polls: Gadchiroli Tops Voter Turnout At 69.63%; Mumbai City Lowest At 49%

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 22:27 IST

Mumbai City district recorded 49.07 per cent voting, the lowest in the state, while Mumbai Suburban was slightly better at 52.67 per cent, according to the officials.

People wait in a queue to cast votes at a polling station during the Maharashtra Assembly elections (PTI)

Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 58.75 per cent in elections to 288 assembly seats on Wednesday with Naxal-hit Gadchiroli district coming on top with 69.63 per cent polling, while Mumbai City finished at bottom with 49 per cent, poll officials said.

Voting was held amid sporadic violence as political heavyweights, Bollywood celebrities and business leaders lined up with common citizens to exercise their franchise.

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The turnout figures are provisional, they said, adding 61.74 per cent polling was recorded in the 2019 assembly elections.

Electoral fate of 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, were locked in EVMs across 288 seats in the state, where the ruling Mahayuti alliance is vying to retain power, while the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is hoping for a comeback after losing office in June 2022.

Votes will be counted on November 23.

A voter turnout of 53.78 per cent was registered in the bypoll to the Nanded Lok Sabha seat in central Maharashtra. The bypoll was necessitated due to death of Congress sitting MP Vasant Chavan.

Among the ruling Mahayuti constituents, the BJP contested 149 seats, NCP 59 and Shiv Sena 81. In the MVA camp, the Congress fought 101 seats, NCP (SP) 86 and Shiv Sena (UBT) 95.

The Naxal-hit Gadchiroli district in eastern Maharashtra recorded 69.63 per cent turnout, the highest among districts in the state. Within the district, the Aheri assembly seat posted 68.43 per cent voting, Armori 71.26 per cent and the Gadchiroli constituency 69.22 per cent.

Mumbai City district recorded 49.07 per cent voting, the lowest in the state, while Mumbai Suburban was slightly better at 52.67 per cent, according to the officials.

The Colaba assembly segment in the island city registered 41.64 per cent polling, Mahim 55.23 per cent, Worli 47.50 per cent, Shivadi 51.70 per cent and Malabar Hill 50.08 per cent.

In Mumbai Suburban district, Bhandup polled 60.18 per cent votes, Dahisar 50.98 per cent, Vandre (East) 49.51 per cent.

In Chief Minister Eknath Shindes Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency in Thane district, the voter turnout was 55.77 per cent. The overall percentage of Thane district was 50.50 per cent.

In the Nagpur South-West constituency, from where Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was in the fray, the voter turnout was 51.54 per cent, the officials said.

In Nagpur district, the average voter turnout was 56.19 per cent.

In Baramati in Pune district, from where Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar contested against his nephew Yugendra Pawar, the polling percentage was 62.31 per cent, they added.

In Pune district, the voter turn out was 54.21 per cent.

Polling was marred by incidents of vandalism at Parli and a few places in Beed district, and also saw rival party supporters clashing in some places.

District-wise voter turnout was: Ahmednagar (63.22 pc), Akola (56.16 pc), Amravati (58.70 pc), Aurangabad (60.83 pc), Beed (60.62 pc), Bhandara (65.88 pc), Buldhana (62.84 pc), Chandrapur (64.48 pc), Dhule (59.75 pc), Gadchiroli (69.63 pc), Gondia (65.09 pc), Hingoli (61.18 pc), Jalgaon (56.02 pc), Jalna (64.17 pc), Kolhapur (68.57 pc), Latur (61.43 pc), Mumbai City (49.07 pc), Mumbai Suburban (52.23 pc), Nagpur (56.19 pc), Nanded (56.69 pc), Nandurbar (63.72 pc), Nashik (59.85 pc), Osmanabad (61.86 pc), Palghar (61.23 pc), Parbhani (62.73 pc), Pune (54. 21 pc), Raigad (61.35 pc), Ratnagiri (61.62 pc), Sangli (64.16 pc), Satara (64.16 pc), Sindhdurg (63.98 pc), Solapur (57.09 pc), Thane (50.50 pc), Wardha (63.50 pc), Washim (57.42 pc), Yavatmal (61.32 pc).

A clash broke out between Shiv Sena candidate Suhas Kande and independent candidate Sameer Bhujbal in Nandgaon assembly constituency of Nashik district.

A polling booth was vandalised and a worker of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) was assaulted in Parli assembly constituency, where minister Dhananjay Munde of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP was in the fray.

Madhav Jadhav, a local leader of the Sharad Pawar-led party, was assaulted in Bank Colony area of Parli town and the video of the assault went viral on social media, after which a polling booth at Ghatnandur in the constituency was vandalised, an official said.

Some people entered the polling booth at Ghatnandur, threw the EVM on the ground and damaged the furniture in the booth, the official said.

The number of candidates this time (4,136) increased by 28 per cent compared to the 2019 assembly elections (3,239 nominees).

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Among these candidates, 2,086 were independents. Rebels were in the fray in over 150 constituencies, with candidates from the Mahayuti and MVA contesting against their partys official nominees.

There were 1,00,186 polling booths in Maharashtra this time, compared to 96,654 in the 2019. As many as 1,181 polling centres were set up in high-rises and housing societies to boost voting.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 22:27 IST
With Over 65% Voter Turnout, Maharashtra Surpasses 2019 Assembly Election Figures

Published By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 23:59 IST

Maharashtra assembly elections 2024: The states voter turnout in 2019 was 61.74 per cent, while Mumbais figure stood at 50.67 per cent

The two Pawars, Shinde and Thackeray are engaged in an intense and riveting battle to seek popular legitimacy for their parties. (Photo: PTI file)

Maharashtra recorded 65.11% turnout in elections to 288 assembly seats on Wednesday with Kolhapur district coming on top with 76.25 per cent polling, while Mumbai City finished at bottom with 52.07 per cent voting, according to the latest ECI data. The states voter turnout in 2019 was 61.74 per cent, while Mumbais figure stood at 50.67 per cent.

While political campaigning stopped 48 hours prior to voting, it couldnt silence political storms involving Nationalist Congress Party (SP)s Supriya Sule, Congresss Nana Patole and Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Vinod Tawde from brewing.

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On Wednesday, the voter turnout at Ahmednagar was 71.73 per cent, Akola 64.98 per cent, Amravati 65.57 per cent, Aurangabad 68.89 per cent, Beed 66.41 per cent, Bhandara 69.42 per cent, Buldhana 70.32 per cent, Chandrapur 71.27 per cent, Dhule 64.70 per cent, Gadchiroli 73.68 per cent, Gondia 69.53 per cent, Hingoli 71.10 per cent, Jalgaon 64.42 per cent, Jalna 72.30 per cent, Kolhapur 76.25 per cent, Latur 66.92 per cent.

In Nagpur, the voter turnout stood at 60.49 per cent, Nanded 64.92 per cent, Nandurbar 69.15 per cent, Nashik 67.57 per cent, Osmanabad 64.27 per cent, Palghar 65.95 per cent, Parbhani 70.38 per cent, Pune 61.05 per cent, Raigad 67.23 percent, Ratnagiri 64.65 per cent, Sangli 71.89 per cent, Satara 71.71 per cent, Sindhudurg 68.40 per cent, Solapur 67.36 per cent, Thane 56.05 per cent, Wardha 68.03 per cent, Washim 66.01 per cent and Yavatmal 69.02 per cent.

Electoral fate of 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, were locked in EVMs across 288 seats in the state, where the ruling Mahayuti alliance is vying to retain power, while the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is hoping for a comeback after losing office in June 2022.

Meanwhile, a voter turnout of 53.78% was registered in the bypoll to the Nanded Lok Sabha seat in central Maharashtra. The bypoll was necessitated due to death of Congress sitting MP Vasant Chavan.

Reliance Industries Limited Chairman and MD Mukesh Ambani turned up for voting with his sons Anant Ambani and Akash Ambani, and daughter-in-law Shloka. Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das cast his vote at booth near his official residence in south Mumbai, while former HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh urged people to vote as he got his finger inked.

In the Mahayuti alliance, the BJP contested 149 seats, Shiv Sena is in the fray in 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. In the oppositions MVA combine, the Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) has put up 86 candidates. Smaller parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), also contesting, with BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM 17 in the 288-member assembly.

#WATCH | Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, his sons Anant Ambani, and Akash Ambani, and daughter-in-law Shloka Mehta arrive to cast their vote for the #MaharashtraElections2024 at a polling booth in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/S4kN8mIsxK ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

The film industry, too, marked its presence with Kartik Aryan, Ranbir Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Akshay Kumar, Madhuri Dixit, Ali Fazal, Ahana Kumra and Kabir Khan, among others, getting their fingers inked.

WHAT EXIT POLLS SAY?

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti may have the edge over the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the Maharashtra assembly elections, according to the exit poll predictions on Wednesday. The alliances need to cross the 145-mark to form the government. The results for the 288 seats will be announced on November 23.

ABP-Matrize has predicted 150-170 seats for Mahayuti and 110-130 for MVA. P-MarQ has predicted 137-157 seats for the Mahayuti and 126-146 for the MVA. Chanakya has predicted 152-160 seats for Mahayuti and 130-138 for the MVA. While Poll Diary has predicted 137-157 seats for Mahayuti, the projection for MVA is 126-146. Peoples Pulse has predicted 182 seats for the Mahayuti and 97 for the MVA. Lokshahi Marathi-Rudra has predicted a neck-and-neck fight with 128-142 seats for the Mahayuti and 125-140 for the MVA.

SULE, PATOLE DENY CRYPTOCURRENCY ALLEGATIONS; SISTERS VOICE, SAYS AJIT

The BJP on Tuesday alleged that Supriya Sule and Nana Patole are involved in a cryptocurrency scam. Sule has refuted the allegations and filed a criminal complaint to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Cyber Crime Department. Patole, too, said he didnt even understand bitcoin.

The BJPs allegations came after former IPS officer Ravindra Nath Patil claimed that Sule and Patole misappropriated bitcoins from a 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case to fund the ongoing Maharashtra assembly elections.

#WATCH | On allegations against Supriya Sule and Nana Patole, Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP candidate from Baramati Assembly constituency, Ajit Pawar says Whatever audio clip is being shown, I just know that I have worked with both of them. One of them is my sister and the other pic.twitter.com/wgoEJrAFya ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

The BJP played some purported audio clips of Sules conversation with an alleged witness in the case during a press conference. BJPs Sudhanshu Trivedi said the allegations pose a serious concern in the electoral process and demanded the MVA alliance to come clean on their involvement in the fraud case.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Ajit Pawar said, In the audio clip, one voice is of my sister and another of someone I have known for a long time, its their voice only. Everything will be clear in inquiry, let it happen."

I deny all the allegations levelled against me by Sudhanshu Trivedi. All this is conjecture and innuendo, and I am ready for a debate with any representative of the bjp at a time and date of their choice, in a public forum. Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) November 19, 2024

Not my voice. All these voice notes and messages are fake," Sule told the media after casting her vote. My voice is not there in the audio, I am a farming man, I dont even understand bitcoins," said Patole.

#WATCH | Baramati: On Ajit Pawars statement regarding allegations against her and Nana Patole, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule says He is Ajit Pawar, he can say anything. Ram Krishna Hari" https://t.co/45nndipyEy pic.twitter.com/Zyc4GOPfRc ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

CASH DISTRIBUTION ROW

In another major controversy on Tuesday, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde was accused of distributing cash by Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) chief Hitendra Thakur. Tawde denied the claims and called for an impartial investigation.

#WATCH | BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde says, a meeting of MLAs of Nalasopara was underway. The Model Code of Conduct for the day of voting, how will voting machines be sealed and how to go about if an objection has to be madeI went there to tell them about it. https://t.co/kOupjvw0wE pic.twitter.com/3JFRdecQp1 ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2024

Speaking to reporters, Thakur claimed, Some BJP leaders informed me that BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde is coming to Virar to disburse Rs 5 crore to influence voters. I thought a national leader like him would not stoop to such a trivial task. But I saw him here. I urge the Election Commission to take action against him and the BJP."

The BVA legislator further alleged the hotel Tawde was staying had shut CCTV recording. The hotel administration seems to be in cahoots with Tawde and the BJP. They only activated their CCTV after we requested it," he said, news agency PTI reported.

The Election Commission officials have also seized a total of Rs 9,53,900 in cash from the hotel where Tawde was staying. Additionally, an FIR was also registered against Tawde by the poll body for violating the model code of conduct..

#WATCH | On money distribution allegations against Vinod Tawde, Maharashtra Deputy CM & BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis says, Vinod Tawde went there only to meet party workers. He had no money, and neither money has been found nor distributed. As per a plan, our candidate Rajan pic.twitter.com/Ico2LxCemX ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2024

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya said that the FIR is not related to the allegations of cash distribution.

A meeting of workers was being held in the Nalasopara Assembly constituency, where we were explaining the election day code of conduct, such as how to seal the voting machines, how the final seal should be applied, and the necessary steps in case of objections. I had gone there to explain these points. However, the workers of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi believed we were distributing money. The Election Commission should conduct an inquiry, the police should investigate, and the CCTV footage should be examined. The Election Commission must carry out an impartial investigation," Tawde explained.

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I have been in politics for the last 40 years and I have never been involved in a case relating to money. Why are Supriya Sule and Rahul Gandhi saying all this? After all this, Hitendra Thakur and Kshitij Thakur dropped me in their car," Tawde said later while addressing the media.

With PTI Inputs

First Published: November 20, 2024, 13:03 IST
People Voted Against Corruption, Says Buoyant BJP As Exit Poll Results Give Party Edge In Jharkhand

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 21:02 IST

Jharkhand Election Exit Polls Result: The results for the two-phase Jharkhand election will be announced on November 23 but all exit polls --- except AXIS-My India --- on Wednesday brought cheer for the BJP

The exit polls predicted a clean sweep for the NDA in the state in a blow for the Hemant Soren-led coalition. (PTI)

The ruling JMM as well as the opposition BJP exuded confidence about forming the next government in Jharkhand, even as the exit polls predicted a clean sweep for the NDA in the state in a blow for the Hemant Soren-led coalition.

The results for the two-phase Jharkhand election will be announced on November 23 but all exit polls  except AXIS-My India  on Wednesday brought cheer for the BJP. According to the Matrize exit poll, the NDA is likely to get between 42-47 seats while the JMM-Congress-RJD coalition is expected to win around 25-30 with others clinching between one to four seats. As per the Times Now exit poll, BJP is expected to win 40-44 seats in the state, while the JMM coalition is likely to win 30-40 seats. The Peoples Pulse exit poll too gave the edge to the NDA, predicting 44-53 seats for the NDA with the JMM coalition behind at 25- 37. The others are expected to clinch five to nine seats. However, AXIS-My India seems to be the outlier, as it predicted that JMM-Congress is likely to sweep the state with 53 out of 81 seats, including 15 out of the 18 seats in Santhal Pargana.

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As polling drew to a close on Wednesday evening, chief minister Hemant Soren claimed the people of the state have showered blessings on the ruling JMM-led alliance.

The elderly, youth, workers, women, farmers  all gave their unprecedented blessings with enthusiasm and zeal in this great festival of democracy. All, especially the half population of the state  our Maiyas (women)  enthusiastically gave their infinite blessings to the JMM and INDIA alliance in a historic manner for their rights, dignity and respect," he posted on X.

Senior Congress leader Rajesh Thakur said: The way women have participated in polling and the discussion that was going on among people about the governments work at the polling booths, I can say that our alliance is going perform better than last time and we will provide a strong government to the state."

As the exit poll results trickled in, a buoyant NDA claimed it was always sure of a victory.

Ex-Jharkhand chief minister Arjun Munda said: This time, BJP will form the government with absolute majority. The people of Jharkhand are with BJP and have shown faith in us."

Attacking the Soren government, Munda said: In the last five years, Jharkhand has gone backwards and people are not happy with the JMM-Congress government. Apart from the infiltration issue, people were not happy with the governments policies." He added that the BJP had taken a significant lead in the first phase of voting and the results on November 23 would prove the exit polls right.

Jharkhands BJP president Babulal Marandi also told CNN-News that according to the partys survey, BJP and NDA would form the government by winning 51 seats. Corruption is rampant in the state and everyone is against the JMM-Congress government. One factor for this is the demography issue. Corruption is also at its peak and there is no law and order."

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The sentiment was echoed by Union minister and BJPs Jharkhand election in-charge Shivraj Singh Chouhan who expressed confidence of victory with a huge mandate. Who can be a bigger surveyor in Jharkhand than us? We have been in Jharkhand for the last three months. We have seen how people wished for change. I am sure that the people have voted for BJP-NDA. We are going to form the government with a huge mandate."

The leaders in the fray were also jubilant due to the exit poll results. Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand assembly and BJP candidate from Chandankiyari seat, Amar Kumar Bauri, said: People were in a mood for change for the last two years. The BJP-NDA government will be formed here. The departure of this corrupt government is certain. We have said earlier also that if a BJP government is formed, then whoever gets the opportunity under the guidance of the BJP legislative party and the central leadership will take Jharkhand forward. We have many experienced leaders who have played the responsibility of chief minister."

Location : Ranchi, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 21:02 IST
What Is Collegium System Of Appointing Supreme Court, High Court Judges? How Has It Evolved?

Curated By :

News18.com

Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 13:06 IST

The collegium enforces the primacy of highest judiciary over the executive in the appointment of judges. The NDA government had introduced the NJAC Act in 2014 to provide the executive a significant role in the process but the Supreme Court overturned it in 2015

The collegium consists of five senior-most Supreme Court judges, including the Chief Justice of India. They decide the appointment, elevation and transfer of judges. (File pic/PTI)

Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has talked about delays in the appointment of judges in a recent interview with CNN-News18, and also quipped it is not just the government that has a veto, the judiciary too has it.

In the interview, he clarified that the process of appointing judges is complex and involves both the judiciary and the government. The views of the judiciary are important because it is the judges who are in the courts."

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Chandrachud, who headed the Supreme Court collegium, rejected the notion that judges appoint judges", and said there has never been a rift in the collegium since he became the Chief Justice.

Let us understand the Supreme Court collegium and its evolution, the recommendations it has made in the recent past and what is the criticism against it.

What Is The Supreme Court Collegium?

The collegium system, headed by a chief justice, decides the appointment and transfer of judges. The forum consists of four senior-most Supreme Court judges as well.

The collegium decides the elevation of Chief Justices/Judges of High Court to the Supreme Court, judges of High Courts as Chief Justices and other judges. In case of a difference of opinion, the majority view will prevail.

A High Court collegium consists of the two judges with the next two highest ranks. This collegium suggests candidates for the High Court positions. A collegium of the Chief Justice and Supreme Courts two senior-most judges takes the final call.

What Does The Constitution Say About The Collegium?

Article 124 mentions that the appointment of Supreme Court judges should be made by the President after consultation with such judges of the High Courts and the Supreme Court as the President may deem necessary. The CJI is to be consulted in all appointments, except his or her own.

Article 217 deals with the appointment of High Court judges. It says a judge should be appointed by the President after consultation with the CJI and the Governor of the state. The Chief Justice of the High Court concerned too should be consulted.

The Evolution Of The Collegium System

The collegium system has its genesis in a series of three judgments, which has been clubbed as the Three Judges Cases. Following the SP Gupta case on December 30, 1981, popularly known as the First Judges Case, it was recommended that the executive branch should have the most influence over judicial nominations.

Twelve years later, in 1993, in the Second Judges case, a nine-judge court ruled that the CJI must be given preference in such appointments.

In 1998, President KR Narayanan issued a presidential reference to the Supreme Court as to what the term consultation" really means in Articles 124, 217 and 222 (transfer of HC judges) of the Constitution. The question was if the term consultation" requires consulting a number of judges in forming the CJIs opinion, or whether the sole opinion of the CJI constituted the meaning of the articles. In reply, the Supreme Court laid down nine guidelines for the functioning of the coram for appointments/transfers; this came to be the present form of the collegium.

Besides, the Third Judges Case judgment dated October 28, 1998, written by Justice SP Bharucha as the head of the nine-judge bench, strongly reinforced the concept of a primacy of the highest judiciary over the executive.

What Are The Arguments Against The Collegium?

The Central government has not embraced the collegium system. It has criticised the opaque nature of the current system behind a large number of judicial vacancies.

The NDA government in 2003 introduced the Constitution (98th Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha for the formation of the National Judicial Commission (NJC). The NJC would be chaired by the CJI, with two of the senior-most judges of the Supreme Court as its members. The Union law minister would be a member along with an eminent citizen to be nominated by the President in consultation with the Prime Minister. The NJC would decide the appointment and transfer of judges and probe cases of misconduct by judges, including those from the highest judiciary.

Thus, in 2014, the NDA government introduced the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act to provide the executive branch a significant role in selecting judges for the higher courts. But in 2015, the Supreme Court overturned it.

Recently, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition against the collegium. The petition sought a new mechanism for the appointment. The matter was mentioned by Advocate Mathews J Nedumpara before a Bench comprising former CJI Chandrachud, Justice Hima Kohli and Justice JB Pardiwala.

In the plea, Nedumpara and others asked the court to declare that the collegium synonym for nepotism and favoritism, as it has resulted in the denial of fair opportunity in the selection and appointment of judges".

What Are The Recent Collegium Recommendations?

The Supreme Court collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice D Krishnakumar, a judge of the Madras High Court, as the next Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court. Justice Krishnakumar is slated to assume the position following the retirement of the incumbent chief justice, Siddharth Mridul, on November 21, 2024.

The collegium recommended advocate Saurabh Kirpal, who is openly gay, for elevation as a judge of the Delhi High Court, which is stuck with the government.

The collegium recommendations of advocates R John Sathyan as judge of the Madras High Court and Amitesh Banerjee and Sakya Sen as judges of the Calcutta High Court have not moved forward.

The collegium recommended the names of Advocates Rajesh Sudhakar Datar, Sachin Shivajirao Deshmukh, Gautam Ashwin Ankhad, and Mahendra Madhavrao Nerlikar for appointment as Judges of the Bombay High Court.

The collegium recommended Maheswara Rao Kuncheam, Thoota Chandra Dhana Sekar, and Challa Gunaranjan as judges of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

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The collegium also recommended that judicial officers KV Jayakumar, Muralee Krishna S, Jobin Sebastian, and PV Balakrishnan be appointed as judges of the Kerala High Court.

A Supreme Court Bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul (now retired), who was the senior-most judge in the court and a member of the Chandrachud Collegium at the time, had criticised the government on the judicial side about delayed and selective" appointments and transfers of High Court judges.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 12:59 IST
Will Delhi See Artificial Rain? Can It Really Fix Air Pollution? Explained

Curated By :

News18.com

Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 11:34 IST

Artificial rain could offer better air quality for a temporary period, but its not a long-term solution, say experts. Karnataka and Maharashtra have used cloud seeding to produce rain in drought-prone regions. Delhis environment minister Gopal Rai has urged the Centre to intervene

Cloud seeding can lead to acidification of the oceans, ozone layer depletion and an increase in the levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. (Image: PTI)

Delhis environment minister Gopal Rai has proposed cloud seeding to produce artificial rain to overcome the citys air pollution.

As the Air Quality Index (AQI) continues to stay in the severe category, Rai urged the Central government to intervene, requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modis assistance in facilitating artificial rain in the capital.

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The AQI reached 422 Wednesday morning, with visibility at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport dropping leading to delay of 119 flights and cancellation of 6 flights. Schools have moved to online classes while construction activities have been halted in the city under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) IV restrictions.

So, can artificial rain fix Delhis air pollution? What will be its impact on environment? Let us understand.

How Does Artificial Rain Work?

Cloud seeding is a process of weather modification to produce artificial rain where chemicals like silver iodide, potassium iodide and dry ice are sent to the atmosphere through aircraft and helicopters.

These particles attract the water vapour in the air, leading to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds and finally rain. It generally takes half-an-hour to produce rainfall by this method.

There are two ways to implement cloud seeding: firstly, is to seed supercooled clouds with silver iodide or dry ice, causing ice crystals to grow and consume moisture from the cloud to start rainfall and the second process involves warm clouds and hygroscopic materials like salt particles, which take on water vapor, becoming larger to fall faster.

What Are The Conditions Needed?

Cloud seeding can only happen if there is a sufficient number of clouds and a particular depth to these clouds. Inside, there needs to be an adequate number of cloud droplets. Cloud seeding is done to increase the radius of the cloud droplets so that they will grow bigger and because of gravity, they will come down as rainfall. But with a clear sky, you cant do it," M Rajeevan, former secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, had said, quoted by The Indian Express.

Sachchida Nand Tripathi, Dean of Kotak School of Sustainability at IIT Kanpur, one of Indias most eminent climate change and air quality scientists, who is actively involved in cloud seeding projects at IIT Kanpur, told News18, 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."

The atmosphere is usually stable in the winter season. So, the clouds are expected to form when a western disturbance disturbs this stability of the atmosphere.

Although the possibility of cloud formation can be gauged in advance through radars, other conditions will have to be studied on the day of seeding.

Is Artificial Rain Really Viable?

An IIT Kanpur professor said while artificial rain could offer better air quality for a temporary period, its not a long-term solution, according to a report in The Economic Times.

Moreover, cloud seeding is not only dependent on meteorological conditions or the DGCA, but also requires permissions from various authorities including the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Special Protection Group (SPG).

Even though artificial rain might cut down pollution to some extent, R Subramanian, Sector Head, Air Quality at Center for Study of Science, Technology & Policy (CSTEP), had told News18 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.

Cloud seeding could be detrimental to the environment. The method can lead to acidification of the oceans, ozone layer depletion and an increase in the levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Silver is a heavy, toxic metal and it harms the health of plants, humans and animals.

The American Meteorological Society has acknowledged that though there is no evidence of downwind impacts of cloud seeding but the activities conducted for the benefit of some may have an undesirable impact on others."

Silver iodide, the chemical commonly used to seed clouds, is known to be toxic and considered a hazardous substance.

How Much Is The Cost?

Gopal Rai had written a letter former chief secretary Naresh Kumar last year, asking him to cooperate with IIT Kanpur over the proposal to create artificial rain in Delhi.

In his letter, Rai said IIT Kanpurs presentation will cover an area of around 300 sqkm in the first experiment that they plan in Delhi around November 20 or 21, 2023 when meteorological conditions are likely to be ideal. This could then be scaled up to an area of 1,000 sqkm in the second experiment, with the institute presenting a cost of Rs 1 lakh per sqkm, translating to a cost of Rs 3 crore in the first phase and Rs 10 crore in the second. Delhi has an area of 1,483 sqkm.

The letter also mentioned that IIT Kanpur has carried out cloud seeding seven times in the past, and was successful in bringing rain in six attempts.

Countries That Have Adopted Cloud Seeding

Cloud seeding has been experimented in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The last cloud seeding project in Karnataka took place in 2019 by the Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.

During the consecutive drought years of 2014 and 2015, the Maharashtra state government hired a private agency to generate artificial rain over Marathwada, infamous for remaining parched mostly throughout the year.

China has the biggest cloud seeding programme in the world. Ahead of the Beijing Olympics in 2008, it used rocket launchers outside the city to seed the clouds and cause them to release rain before it reached the capital in order to ensure dry weather for the event.

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The US uses cloud seeding to increase precipitation in areas experiencing drought and to reduce the amount of fog in and around airports. The method has also been used in the UAE to overcome the problem of water shortages.

In France too, cloud seeding is done in coordination with over 20 different departments, largely to prevent hail from falling on agricultural fields in the spring and summer months.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 10:07 IST
11 Indians Running Digital Arrest Scams For Chinese Handlers Arrested After Rs 70 Crore Fraud

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 16:44 IST

Acting on instructions from China, the accused posed as CBI or GST officers, threatening victims over the phone with imprisonment to commit financial fraud

These individuals allegedly received instructions from China to perpetrate financial fraud. (News18 Haryana)

The police have arrested 11 members of a Chinese gang who earned crores by cheating Indians, including its handler. The Palwal police in Haryana recovered four luxury cars, 400 mobile SIMs, 31 mobiles, five ATM cards, eight cheque books, and Rs 9 lakh cash from the accuseds possession. The accused have amassed a sum of Rs 70 crore across the country so far.

According to Palwal Police DSP Vishal Kumar, on October 23, Anil, a resident of New Colony Palwal, complained that he was threatened with money laundering by someone posing as a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer.

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The police said he was kept under digital arrest for 72 hours during this time and that he was made to transfer Rs 88 lakh from his account on the pretext of investigation.

Following the complaint, Palwal police initiated an investigation and apprehended 11 suspects from various locations across India. The investigation revealed that all the accused individuals are operatives of a Chinese organised crime syndicate.

The masterminds behind this syndicate orchestrated the illicit operation through their intermediaries based in China. Police said that their findings indicate Chinese nationals engaged in deceptive practices, promised employment opportunities to Indian citizens and lured them to Cambodia where they were subjected to training in fraudulent activities.

Investigations have revealed 100 similar complaints and cases registered on the NCR portal across various Indian states. Of the 11 individuals arrested, four have been imprisoned, while seven remain in police custody. Police confirm that the investigation is ongoing, with the possibility of further individuals being implicated in the scam.

These individuals allegedly received instructions from China to perpetrate financial fraud. Posing as CBI or Goods and Services Tax (GST) officers, they would contact victims by phone and threaten them with imprisonment.

These threats, intended to instil fear, coerced victims into transferring money from their accounts. The money transferred, in reality, was kept in fraudulent accounts, specifically created for this deception. This elaborate operation was overseen by handlers based in India.

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The illicit funds were subsequently withdrawn in various countries, including Cambodia and Vietnam. The police is currently investigating all phones, SIM cards, and accounts associated with this case.

Those arrested by the Palwal police have been identified as: Ashwani alias Lucy, son of Jawahar Lal, resident of Kishorpura, Agra (Uttar Pradesh); Sonu Kumar Paswan, son of Sarjivan Lal Paswan, resident of Sanauli Road, Mohripur police station, Cheelwatal, Gorakhpur; Manoj Lohar, son of Ramlal Lohar, resident of Krishnabagh Colony, Indore; Rajat Verma, son of Babu Lal, resident of Kishorpura, Agra; Utkarsh, son of Rajeshwar, resident of Nangla Ajit Naya Abadi, police station Jagdishpura, Agra; Avish, son of Anil Prakash Singh, resident of Bardiha, police station Chandwak, district Jaunpur, Gorakhpur; Neeraj Kumar, son of Bhagwan, resident of Nunihai Sabzi Mandi, Tajganj, Agra; Sachin Upadhyay, son of Vinod Upadhyay, resident of E-23 A, Laxmipuram Transport Nagar Post, Motijheel, Gwalior; Yash Dubey, son of Vinod Dubey, resident of 539/4, Krishnabagh Colony, Indore; Sanjeev Kumar, son of Krishna Kumar, resident of Motiram Adda, police station Jagahan, district Gorakhpur; and Shivaji Morya, son of Gulab Maurya, resident of Junin Kamarha Post Baisar, police station Brijmanganj, district Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh.

Location : Palwal, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 16:44 IST
Air India Passengers Sent To Delhi On Bus After Flight From Paris Lands In Jaipur Due To Low Visibility

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 07:54 IST

The pilots refused to operate from Jaipur to Delhi citing completion of their work hours.

Air India flight (Photo: PTI)

Passengers travelling from Paris-New Delhi Air India flight were left stranded at Jaipur airport after the aircraft was diverted to the city due to low visibility in the national capital on Monday.

As the flight awaited clearance to take off to Delhi, the pilots refused to continue flying citing their completion of duty hours, as a result of which the passengers were forced to take a bus to Delhi.

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation-framed Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules mandate the flight crew to take sufficient rest to prevent fatigue-related safety concerns.

Passengers Complain Of Mismanagement

The situation created chaos at the Jaipur airport as passengers complained of pathetic management" by the airline.

Air India has not made any official statement in this regard, however, reports indicated that the airline did not make any alternate arrangement for the passengers as it would have taken longer than sending the passengers to the national capital on the bus.

AI-2022 flight took off from Paris on Sunday at 10 pm and was scheduled to reach the national capital at 10.35 am on Monday. However, the flight was diverted to Jaipur on Monday due to heavy smog surrounding Delhi and the pilots were not trained to make low-visibility landings.

What Did The Passengers Say?

The stranded passengers had demanded an alternate flight to Delhi.

Shameful and pathetic management from Air India today as flight AI2022 from CDG-DEL diverted to JAI. Pax stranded at JAI asked to spend 5 hours inside the aircraft and then to take a bus from JAI to DEL. My wife and two months old is suffering and I am helpless," an X user wrote.

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Shameful and pathetic management from @airindia today as flight #AI2022 from CDG-DEL diverted to JAI. Pax stranded at JAI asked to spend 5 hrs inside the aircraft and then to take a bus from JAI to DEL. My wife and two months old is suffering and I am helpless. @TataCompanies Vishal P (@vsp246) November 18, 2024

Neither FDTL nor Delhis bad weather were new to the airline. The choice of alternate airport/s is a pre-requisite. It isnt a brainer for the airline. If you join the dots it highlights lack of pro-activeness and decision making capabilities of the management," he added.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 07:54 IST
CBI Starts Probe In Maharashtra Bitcoin 'Scam' Case, 6 Named In FIR

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 20:27 IST

After orders from the Supreme Court, CBI initiated the investigation in the alleged scam.

CBI Starts Probe In Maharashtra Bitcoin 'Scam' Case, 6 Named In FIR (PTI)

The Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday lodged a case against two individuals in an alleged Maharashtra Bitcoin scam.

According to the preliminary information, the probe agency has registered the case against Amit Bharadwaj and Aman Bharadwaj. The CBI also named four other accused in the case.

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Further, the CBI summoned auditing company employee Gaurav Mehta in connection with the case.

After orders from the Supreme Court, CBI initiated the investigation in the alleged scam.

Allegations Against Supirya Sule, Nana Patole

The matter came into limelight after a retired police officer Ravindranath Patil accused NCP (SCPs) Supriya Sule and state Congress chief Nana Patole of being involved in a fraud case involving cryptocurrency, dating back to 2018, and have used the fund in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections.

The former IPS officer had claimed that he was hired as a cryptocurrency expert to probe the matter in 2018, but was arrested on fraud charges in 2022. During that time, I kept wondering what had happened, what the case was about, and why I had been trapped," he had said.

Patil had said a key witness in the case  Gaurav Mehta, an employee of an audit firm  had contacted him a few times in the past few days and shared details about the 2018 cryptocurrency fraud investigation. According to Patil, Mehta had shared 10 voice notes on the Signal app which had purported audio clips of Sule, Patole, and IPS officers Amitabh Gupta (ex-Pune Police commissioner) and Bhagyashree Navtake, who was the DCP (cyber) in Pune when he was arrested.

Earlier today, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at the Chhattisgarh premises of Mehta s part of a money laundering investigation.

BJPs Allegations

After the ex-IPS officers allegations, the BJP soon traded all guns at the opposition alliance and alleged that both the leaders misappropriated bitcoins from a 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case to fund the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

At a press conference on Tuesday, played some purported audio clips of Sules conversation with an alleged witness in the case. The party also shared some chats involving the former police officer.

The subject of the chats involves a former police officer, who had previously spent some time in jail for an allegation, being contacted by an accused dealer. The dealer requests a transaction involving bitcoins to be converted into cash," BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi had alleged.

Sule and Patoles defence

However, Sule rebutted the allegations as conjecture and innuendo" and said that the audio clip presented by the saffron party does not have her voice.

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She further challenged the BJP for a debate in a public forum. The NCP-SP leader also said she would file a criminal and civil defamation notice against Sudhanshu Trivedi, who addressed a late-night press conference to address the allegations in the cryptocurrency fraud case.

Patole also slammed the BJP for dragging him in its allegations to influence the state polls and said he would take the legal route to fight the fake" charges against him. Talking to reporters after casting his vote in Bhandara district, Patole said he is a farmer and has nothing to do with Bitcoins.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 19:43 IST
'Ensure Fair Bypolls': Poll Body Takes Action Against UP Policemen Amid Burqa Voter Row

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 15:28 IST

Acting on complaints regarding checking of voters' identity, the Election Commission ordered the suspension of police personnel for violating guidelines.

EC asked authorities in Uttar Pradesh to ensure fair bypolls. (Image: X/Akhilesh Yadav)

Amid the ongoing voting for the bypolls in the nine Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday took action against the state police personnel after a controversy erupted over the checking of voters identity cards. Acting on the allegations of violating the set guidelines, the poll body asked the authorities to ensure fair polls.

In view of the complaints regarding checking of voters identity, the poll body also ordered the suspension of police personnel for violating its guidelines.

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The matter was highlighted after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav urged the Commission to suspend all police officers who are checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs. Tweeting about the same, the SP president also shared a video to affirm his claims.

     -      ,            :                           pic.twitter.com/4Qddtlgc19  Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) November 20, 2024

What Did The EC Say?

Taking cognisance of the complaints by the Samajwadi Party that some communities were prevented from voting during the bypolls, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar gave strict instructions to the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Uttar Pradesh, district election officers (DEOs) and superintendents of police (SPs) to ensure fair and smooth polling process.

The EC instructed the officials in-charge to take immediate cognisance of all complaints and take prompt action.

No eligible voter should be prevented from voting. Any kind of biased attitude during voting will not be tolerated. On receiving a complaint, there will be an immediate investigation. If anyone is found guilty, strict action will be taken," the ECI said in a statement.

Taking to X, CEO UP said, The Election Commission has taken seriously the complaint of checking the voters identity card. In this regard, on receiving such complaint in Meerapur Assembly and Sisamau, two police personnel each were suspended and all have been directed that the voter will be identified by the polling personnel only."

                               02-02                        CEO UP #IVote4Sure (@ceoup) November 20, 2024

BJP Questions Burqa-clad Women

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While the Samajwadi Party accused Uttar Pradesh police personnel of stopping several people belonging to a particular community from casting votes in bypolls, BJP, on the other hand, alleged that the faces of some burqa-clad women voters did not match their IDs.

Earlier in the day, BJPs Akhilesh Kumar Awasthi in a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh asked to ensure proper checking of burqa-clad women and claimed that the women have been allowed to vote without their identity being checked.

Location : Uttar Pradesh, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 14:26 IST
From 'Kulant Peeth' to 'Kullu': How The Himachal Holiday Town Got Its Name

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 16:44 IST

In ancient times, the valley now known as Kullu was referred to as 'Kulant Peeth' or 'Kulanth Peeth'.

Snow covered Himalayan ranges as seen from Kullu. (PTI Photo)

Kullu, a picturesque district in Himachal Pradesh, is renowned for its stunning landscapes and vibrant tourism. But how did this region come to be known as Kullu, and what is the story behind its name? The history of Kullu is steeped in fascinating details that trace its cultural and geographical significance over the years.

In ancient times, the valley now known as Kullu was referred to as Kulant Peeth or Kulanth Peeth. According to historian Surat Thakur, the name is derived from the Sanskrit words Kulant meaning end and Peeth meaning place. The term Kulant Peeth translates to the end of the habitable world", signifying this area as the last inhabited region in the mountainous expanse of the Himalayas. At the time, Kullu was seen as the furthest village where human settlements existed, beyond which the terrain became inhospitable, and people did not venture further into areas such as Lahaul.

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Transition from Kulant Peeth to Kullu

As years passed, the name Kulant Peeth evolved. Dr Thakur explained that by the first and second centuries, the name had transformed into Kulut, which was the term commonly used for the region. However, as time wore on, the final T sound of Kulut gradually faded from the name, resulting in the simpler, more recognisable form: Kullu. This name change is believed to have occurred over a period of time, reflecting the natural linguistic shifts and simplifications in the regions local dialect.

Interestingly, the name Kullu has roots dating back around 2,000 years. Historical evidence points to the word Kuluta, which appears on a coin from the first century AD, further cementing the historical connection to the ancient name of the region. The coin also bears the name of the first recorded king of the area, Viryasa, who is referred to as Viryasa, the king of Kuluta.

Dr Thakur also highlighted that the kings of Kullu were part of a grander historical narrative, particularly in relation to the ancient India. In the famed political strategist Chanakyas vision of a unified India, known as Akhand Bharat, Kullu played a supporting role. Kulluteshwar, the king of Kullu, is said to have allied with Chanakyas mission to bring together the various princely states of India under one rule. This historical association underscores the importance of Kullu in the broader context of political history.

Kullu  One of the Oldest Princely States

Kullu holds the distinction of being one of the oldest princely states, with records tracing its history back to the Vedic period. Dr Thakur noted that Kullu, alongside the state of Trigarta, was one of the two princely states mentioned in ancient texts. In the epic Mahabharata, the region of Kullu is mentioned in connection with the Pandavas exile. It is in this very valley that the mighty Bhima is said to have encountered the demoness Hidimba, a crucial event in the epic.

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Moreover, during the Mahabharatas great war, the king of Kullu is believed to have sided with the Kauravas, much like the king of Trigarta. This alliance further underscores the regions historical and political relevance in ancient times.

The transformation of Kullu from its ancient identity as Kulant Peeth to its current name represents more than just a linguistic shift; it is a testament to the regions rich and diverse history.

Location : Kullu, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 16:44 IST
Graduate UP Bride Refuses To Marry 10th Fail Groom After Jaimala Ceremony

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 14:41 IST

A 28-year-old bride refused to marry a 30-year-old groom after the jaimala, alleging he was mentally unfit and less educated than her, causing a stir

This brides sudden decision led to a stir in the wedding pavilion. (News18 Uttar Pradesh)

A bride refused to marry the groom after the jaimala ceremony accusing him of mentally retarded and less educated than her. The rejection came in the middle of the wedding on November 17 at Mustfabad Kala village of Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh. The wedding procession from the grooms side had already come at the venue.

It has been reported that while the woman is a graduate, the man had failed in his 10th grade. The wedding procession from the grooms side arrived at the womans house late in the evening. The womans relatives and fellow villagers welcomed the guests. After refreshments, some rituals were conducted. All the invited guests had started feasting.

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This brides sudden decision led to a stir in the wedding pavilion. Before the incident, a meeting of both parties was held at the police station.

The 28-year-old bride, the eldest daughter in her family was about to get married to a 30-year-old man from a village in the Akhandnagar police station area. The brides father had three daughters and a son. He works as a labourer in Delhi.

The jaimala ritual was completed on a stage. However, immediately afterwards, the bride suddenly stood refused to marry the groom, alleging he was mentally unfit.

Elders from both families attempted to persuade her. Despite their efforts continuing into the morning, the bride refused to marry. The police reached the spot and tried to reconcile the two sides, but the matter remained inconclusive.

On Tuesday, the girls father and the boys father reached Dostpur police station. Following hours of discussion, both parties reconciled.

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Dostpur police station in-charge Pandit Tripathi said that when the family of the groom returns the expenses of the Tilak ceremony to the brides side, the jewellery given to the bride by the grooms side will also be returned. Both the parties have agreed to this settlement, the police said.

The brides family has refused to speak to the media. The grooms father said that everything was going on as usual until the Jaimala ceremony. Following this, the girl went inside and created a ruckus for a pair of slippers and bangles, saying, I will not marry. I forgot to take them." The girls family has said, Give us our Tilak expenses and take back your jewellery."

Location : Sultanpur, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 14:41 IST
India, Guyana Sign 10 Pacts; Vow To Expand Ties In Diverse Areas

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 23:16 IST

The two sides inked five agreements that will provide for cooperation in a range of sectors such as hydrocarbons, healthcare, culture and agriculture.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President of Guyana Mohamed Irfaan Ali during a delegation level meeting, in Guyana (PTI)

India and Guyana on Wednesday firmed up 10 agreements to shore up cooperation in a range of key sectors such as hydrocarbons, digital payment systems, pharmaceutical and defence following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

In his media statement, Modi said Guyana will play an important role in Indias energy security and a blueprint for long-term partnership in the sector will be prepared.

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The visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana after 56 years is an important milestone in our relations. I have had a deep personal bond with Guyana," he said while recalling his visit as a common citizen to the South American country about 24 years back.

The prime minister arrived here last night from the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, where he attended the G20 summit.

One of the MoUs will provide for the possibility for deployment of Indias UPI (Unified Payments Interface) digital payments system in Guyana.

In todays meeting, we have identified many new initiatives to strengthen our cooperation. We will continue to make efforts to increase our mutual trade and economic cooperation," Modi said.

The prime minister said India will continue to contribute to the capacity building of Guyanas military through scholarships and training.

Close cooperation in the field of defence is a symbol of our deep mutual trust. I am happy that this year India has supplied two Dornier aircraft to Guyana," he said.

The agreements signed between the two sides will provide for cooperation in a vast range of areas, including hydrocarbons, agriculture, medicines, digital payment systems, culture and digital transformation.

In his remarks, Modi said India has made a significant contribution to the skill development and capacity building of the people of Guyana as per their needs.

The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in the agriculture sector.

With the millet seeds provided by India last year, we were able to contribute to increasing the food security of Guyana as well as the entire region," Modi said.

Similarly, we will also cooperate in increasing the cultivation of rice milling, sugarcane, corn, soya and other crops," he said.

In the talks, the Indian side also agreed to set up a Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Guyana.

Along with increasing pharma exports, we will also work on building Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Guyana. India has been contributing as a reliable partner in the infrastructure development of Guyana," Modi said.

The two leaders also deliberated on regional and global issues.

We also discussed many global and regional issues. India and Guyana agree that all problems should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy," the prime minister said.

We are unanimous that reform in global institutions is the need of the hour. Climate Justice is a priority issue for both of us. We will continue to work together on all issues," he said.

On his part, President Ali said Modis visit to Guyana represents a significant milestone in enhancing cooperation between the two nations.

He praised Prime Minister Modi, calling him a champion among leaders for his impactful leadership and contribution to the developing world.

Thank you very much, Prime Minister Modi. It is our greatest honour to have you here. You are a champion among leaders. You have led incredibly," Ali said during a joint press statement with Modi.

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He lauded Modis governance style, noting its relevance and adoption in Guyana and other nations.

You have shown the light to the developing world, and you have created development metrics and a framework that many are adopting in their own country. And much of it is relevant to us here in Guyana," he said.

Location : Georgetown, Guyana

First Published: November 20, 2024, 22:35 IST
Ludicrous: India Reacts To New Canadian Media Report On Nijjar Killing Amid Diplomatic Row

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 08:16 IST

The report came as diplomatic tensions between India and Canada remain strained over Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing.

Tensions between India and Canada rose after Trudeau's public accusations over Nijjar's killing. (Reuters)

India on Wednesday rejected a new Canadian media report on Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjars death, terming it a smear campaign" amid a diplomatic row between the two countries.

We do not normally comment on media reports. However, such ludicrous statements made to a newspaper purportedly by a Canadian government source should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. Smear campaigns like this only further damage our already strained ties," foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries.

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While the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) did not name the media outlet that carried the report, Canadas The Globe and Mail recently claimed in an article that Canadian security agencies believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India knew about Nijjars killing".

The June 2023 death of Nijjar is at the centre of the diplomatic spat between India and Canada. While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government has accused India of killing Nijjar, it has failed to give any solid proof. India has pointed that out time and again while rejecting the allegations.

This is the first time that Canadian media dragged PM Modi into the contract, marking a significant development in the already-strained ties.

The report, which quoted a source it identified as a senior national-security official who worked on the intelligence assessment", said Canadian and American intelligence tied the assassination operations to Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah".

Also in the loop, the official said, was Mr. Modis trusted national-security adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar," the article said.

While the report did not identify the official, it added that the source admitted that Canada does not have direct evidence that Mr. Modi knew"

This comes days after India, on November 2, expressed its disapproval towards remarks made in a Canadian parliamentary committee on October 29 regarding Amit Shah.

Canadian deputy foreign affairs minister David Morrison, while talking to the Canadian Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, had said that Khalistani extremists were targeted on orders of Shah. However, Morrison did not explain how Canada had verified this information.

Later, the MEA summoned a representative from the Canadian High Commission and presented a diplomatic note condemning the comments as absurd and baseless".

India-Canada Tensions

The report came amid deteriorating relations between India and Canada over last years assassination of India-designated Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, for which Ottawa alleged Indian involvement. India has rejected the allegations, calling them preposterous", and accused Trudeau of harbouring Khalistanis who are not only plotting against India but also attacking Hindus on Canadian soil.

Despite multiple Indian requests for evidence, Canada has failed to provide any proof of Indias involvement in Nijjars death but has continued to make allegations against New Delhi. Indias extradition requests to Canada to return individuals wanted for terrorism, murder and human trafficking have also fallen to deaf ears.

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Of late, there has been an increase in incidents involving attacks on Hindu devotees in Canadas temples, and a recent attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton prompted a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has condemned the deliberate attack".

Indian intelligence and government agencies, meanwhile, are of the view that Trudeau is backing Khalistani groups to ensure MP Jagmeet Singhs support in next years election, giving the Liberal Partys rapid decline in popularity as polls show it would lose badly to the opposition Conservative Party.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 23:38 IST
No Evidence, Trudeau Government Just Defaming India: Sources | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 15:30 IST

Naming top leadership without evidence is nothing but an attempt to spoil the complete diplomatic relationship, say intelligence sources

Canada has already made it clear that they have no evidence about the alleged assassination attempt on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. (File)

The Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government is playing into the hands of Khalistani groups, according to Indias top intelligence sources. They are defaming the Narendra Modi-led Indian government based on biased and unsubstantiated evidence, the sources added.

Media leaks are deliberate as Trudeau is trying to gain back support from Jagmeet Singhs party. Naming top leadership without evidence is nothing but an attempt to spoil the complete diplomatic relationship," sources said.

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In earlier statements, Canada has already made it clear that they have no evidence about the alleged assassination attempt on Khalistani terrorist and Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, but are still leaking information on it, said sources. This shows their intent. The Trudeau government is in support of Khalistani terrorists. It never cooperated with India on any investigation pending in their country. Trudeau is indulging Pakistans ISI and Khalistani elements," sources said.

Pannun, a US citizen who is misusing his access in the UK and Canada, is responsible for acts of terrorism in multiple countries and is booked in multiple cases by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and state police departments in India.

#BreakingNews: Canadian govt. is defaming Modi Govt with biased and unsubstantiated evidence only on the basis of intel, said Sources to CNN-News18. @AnchorAnandN shares moreSr Fellow, ORF @sushantsareen joins the chat Exclusive Input: @manojkumargupta (@GrihaAtul) pic.twitter.com/OD3wzuTAdU  News18 (@CNNnews18) November 20, 2024

Trudeau in his statement before the Commission in Parliament said: We have only intelligence and no hard evidence. We want to work with India, but on the investigation front, they refused to oblige us and are not even ready to sit."

He is clearly saying that some MPs have told him about Indian involvement. He should name them so that India can also reply back with their credentials," said sources, adding, How can a Prime Minister act on the basis of only intelligence given by some individuals to name and blame a country for killing? Trudeaus behaviour is not like a responsible Prime Minister and has spoiled relations between the two countries. He has gone public and even to international forums before talking to India. Its our job to seek evidence before moving an investigation, but in the past year, no evidence was given despite asking for it," they said.

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Indian NSA has asked his counterpart for evidence multiple times, but got no response, said sources.

CNN-News18 has already reported how the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has not spoken a word on Indian agents and how they have four people in custody for almost one year. News18 has also reported on the drug and immigration cartel working in Canada in tandem with Pakistans ISI.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 15:30 IST
UP: Cyber Gang Kingpin Trained By Chinese Experts In Cambodia, Had Pakistani 'Handler'

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 17:01 IST

The alleged gang was operating from a hotel in Haryanas Gurugram and allegedly extorted over Rs 100 crore from more than 100 victims while posing as CBI and narcotics officials

Uttar Pradesh has recorded more than 13,000 such cases in the financial year 2022 and 2023, as per records with the cyber crime cell. (Image for representation: Shutterstock)

The alleged kingpin of an international cybercrime gang, who was recently arrested by the Uttar Pradesh special task force, has told police how he was trained by Chinese experts in online fraud when he went to Cambodia to be a part of this network.

He not only revealed his links to a Chinese gang but also with a Pakistani associate. I went to Cambodia where I joined the international cybercrime network. Before going, I got in touch with a Pakistani friend, who got me connected to a Chinese gang of cyber frauds in Cambodia where I was given specialised training to carry out cyber frauds in India," Pankaj Surela told police.

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Surela and five others of an alleged gang, who were operating from a hotel in Haryanas Gurugram, were arrested during a special operation. They have been accused of extorting over Rs 100 crore from more than 100 victims while posing as officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), narcotics and crime branch.

HOW HE WAS ARRESTED

The Uttar Pradesh special task force (STF) claimed to have busted a cybercrime gang on November 15 after extensive surveillance. According to police, they have exposed a racket in which more than Rs 100 crore was extorted via digital arrest" targeting at least 100 victims.

Police said the alleged gang members posed as officers from the CBI, narcotics department and crime branch to execute fraudulent schemes. Surela (28), who belongs to Rajasthans Alwar district, reportedly received advanced training from Chinese handlers during a trip to Cambodia in March, officials said.

This training equipped the gang with the tools to carry out large-scale cyber frauds targeting Indian citizens. The money obtained through this fraud was sent abroad via cryptocurrency. We have shared the details of the scam with the IB (Intelligence Bureau), ED (Enforcement Directorate) and other agencies," an official said.

Other than him, the gang included Sagar Singh (24), a BTech dropout; Sunny Verma (24), a BBA graduate; Anshul Mahaur (21), a BCom graduate; and Abhay Singh (21), also a BBA graduate. All four hail from different districts in UP.

They and Surela played key roles in orchestrating the frauds, leveraging their educational backgrounds and technical skills to carry out sophisticated cybercrimes.

HOW THE CYBER GANG WAS BUSTED

The racket unravelled after a Lucknow-based doctor, Ashok Solanki, filed a complaint with the cybercrime police station. The fraudsters had impersonated CBI and narcotics officers, threatening to implicate him in a fake case and digitally arrest him.

Fearing consequences, the doctor transferred Rs 48 lakh to different accounts. Acting swiftly, the STFs cyber team identified 178 fake bank accounts used to launder the money through multiple layers.

After tracing the accounts, the investigators uncovered the gangs location and modus operandi. Call records and WhatsApp chats were scrutinised, while the use of fake IDs, SIM cards, and virtual private networks (VPN) was tracked. The VPN data ultimately revealed the gangs whereabouts, leading to their arrest from a hotel in Gurugram.

During interrogation, Surela spoke about his journey into large-scale fraud during his interrogation. Initially, he told police about committing small cybercrimes in India but sought global connections to expand.

He said he befriended a Pakistani, who linked him to a Chinese gang in Cambodia, on social media. In March, Surela travelled to Cambodia for specialised training in cyber technology, where he learned to cheat Indians by posing as fake government officials.

The training stressed on using fake IDs, scaring victims with terms like digital arrest", and employing cyber security techniques. The gang created a complex network, opening 30 to 40 fake bank accounts for each fraud and employing account layering to make transactions untraceable. They used digital wallets, gaming sites and fake companies to carry out their scams. Monitored by Pakistani and Chinese handlers, the gang targeted Indians, transferring money through fake accounts and fraudulent documents, amassing Rs 100 crore before being busted," he told the police.

The STF recovered six mobile phones, two ATM cards, one Aadhaar card, two PAN cards, one voter ID card, a railway medical card, and 133 WhatsApp screenshots containing details of bank accounts used in the fraud.

OVER 13,000 CASES OF ONLINE FRAUD IN UP

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Of late, UP has witnessed a spurt in cyber fraud cases. The state has recorded more than 13,000 such cases in the financial year 2022 and 2023, as per records with the cyber crime cell.

Officials further said the current years data is under compilation. The state capital alone has witnessed around 20 cases of online fraud in the recent past. In others, the case of Dr Ruchika Tandon, an associate professor in the neurology department at Lucknows SGPGI, who was allegedly duped of Rs 2.81 crore by cybercriminals through digital arrest, was one of the most high-profile cases to be reported.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 17:01 IST
Andhra Law Student Gangraped, Boyfriend Among 4 Accused Arrested

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 14:29 IST

A woman in Visakhapatnam was gangraped by her boyfriend and three others, who filmed the act and blackmailed her with the video. The survivor attempted suicide but was saved by her father.

Visakhapatnam woman gangraped by boyfriend, three others (Representational photo: PTI)

A law student was allegedly gangraped by her boyfriend and three others in Andhra Pradeshs Visakhapatnam on August 13, this year.

The act was filmed by the accused, who threatened the survivor with dire consequences if she complained about the matter.

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Being harassed for days, the survivor reportedly attempted suicide. However, she was saved by her father.

The details of the case were on Wednesday posted by YSR Congress Party on social media platform X, tagging Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Anitha Vangalapudi and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.

A law student was gang-raped by four youths in Visakhapatnam. The atrocity was filmed on a cell phone and the victim was threatened many times. The victim tried to commit suicide because she could not stop the harassment of the accused.. The father saved her," a rough translation of the partys post in regional language suggested.

How many more girls should be victimized by the incompetence of the coalition government," the party asked, tagging Vangalapudi and Kalyan.

Hours later, the Visakhapatnam City Police tagged multiple media reports on X, confirming the arrest of the four accused in the case.

The four were identified as Batha Vamsi (27), Boddu Jagdish (27), Polipalli Anand (28), and Davulapalli Rajesh (23), a report with The New Indian Express stated.

Three of the accused were identified as final year LLB students and part-time workers, while the fourth one was full-time employed, it stated.

The survivor is also a final-year LLB student and had been in a relationship with her boyfriend for a year.

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The incident happened after the womans boyfriend took her to a friends room where they both were filmed by the other three accused. The three others then shared the video with Vamsi (the womans boyfriend), after which the four sexually harassed the woman multiple times, threatening her with leaking the videos, the report stated.

As the police complaint was filed, the accused were arrested under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), it said.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 13:40 IST
AR Rahman Reveals How His Mother Helped Him Overcome Suicidal Thoughts, Here's How You Can Help

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 17:14 IST

Speaking at an earlier event, AR Rahman revealed how his mother helped him overcome suicidal thoughts when he was young. Here's how you can help your loved one too.

AR Rahman revealed that he struggled with suicidal thoughts when he was younger.

AR Rahman is one of the most celebrated musicians in recent times. The musician started his career by composing jingles for documentaries and advertisements. Speaking at an earlier gathering, the musician revealed that he had struggled with suicidal thoughts and how it was his late mother who had helped him through that phase.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ARR (@arrahman)

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Speaking at an event organized by the Oxford Union Debating Society students, AR Rahman said, When you live for others, you wont get these thoughts. Thats one of the most beautiful advice I got from my mother. When you live for others, and youre not selfish, theres a meaning to your life. I took it very seriously, whether youre composing for somebody, writing for something, buying food for a person who cant afford it, or you just smile at someone, these are the things that keep us going."

In case you know someone who is going through a tough time, here are five simple ways in which you can help them.

Recognize the signs and the patterns

If you notice that your loved one is withdrawing from social activities, exhibiting a drop in energy, or expressing hopelessness and despair, express your concern and listen to them with an open mind.

Encourage them to seek professional help

Sometimes some things are beyond our control and only professionals can guide them in the right way. A mental health professional can assist them in such difficult times and offer necessary guidance and ways to deal with suicidal thoughts.

Regularly keep a check on them

Keep checking up on them regularly and let them know that you are there for them. Simply listen to them and not offer quick fixes or resolutions.

Grow a support system for them

Build a network with their friends and family members who can help them come out of the rut. This will also help them not slip into isolation.

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Have patience

The road to recovery takes time and all you need to do is support your loved one and be patient with their growth.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 16:36 IST
Off Beat Places In Uttarakhand And Himachal Pradesh You Should Visit; Everything You Need To Know

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 11:28 IST

Take a break from the winter travel frenzy by visiting these ten locations that provide peace, stunning scenery, and life-changing events.

For a peaceful escape, explore the hidden gems of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

As winter approaches, the allure of planning a getaway becomes irresistible. While iconic destinations like Shimla, Manali, Mussoorie, and Dehradun are often the first to come to mind, their popularity means theyre frequently packed with tourists. If youre seeking a quieter, more tranquil experience, its time to venture off the beaten path and discover the lesser-known wonders of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. These unspoiled locations remain free from the chaos of commercialisation, offering a peaceful refuge far from the crowds. Envision yourself surrounded by enchanting waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, dense forests, rolling hills, and diverse wildlifethis is the kind of peaceful retreat waiting for you.

5 offbeat places in Uttarakhand you must visit:

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Naukuchiatal:Nestled in the Nainital district, Naukuchiatal is a picturesque, lesser-known lake town. Known for its nine-cornered lake, it offers a peaceful retreat amidst scenic views and a range of outdoor activities like boating, paragliding, and birdwatching. The surrounding hills are perfect for nature walks, making it an ideal destination for those seeking tranquillity and natural beauty. Kanatal:Kanatal, located near the popular hill station of Mussoorie, is an offbeat destination famous for its lush green forests and panoramic views of the Himalayas. A serene hill station, it is perfect for those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy nature walks, bonfire nights, and camping. The stunning views and quiet environment make it a peaceful retreat. Munsiyari:Munsiyari, located in the Pithoragarh district, is often referred to as the Little Kashmir" of Uttarakhand. It is a scenic town surrounded by the towering peaks of the Kumaon Himalayas. The area is ideal for trekking, with routes like the Milam Glacier trek drawing adventurers, while the breathtaking views of snow-clad mountains attract nature lovers. Khirsu:Situated at a height of 1,700 metres, Khirsu is a hidden gem near Pauri in Uttarakhand. With its peaceful atmosphere, lush oak forests, and panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks, it is an ideal destination for those seeking solitude. Khirsu is also famous for its fruit orchards, and visitors can experience rural life while enjoying the serene landscape. Patal Bhuvaneshwar:Patal Bhuvaneshwar, a sacred cave complex in the Pithoragarh district, is an extraordinary spiritual and geological site. The caves are home to numerous rock formations, many of which are believed to be naturally formed representations of Hindu deities. The peaceful and mystical ambiance of the caves, combined with the surrounding forests, makes it a unique destination for pilgrims and nature lovers alike.

5 offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh you must visit:

Kalpa:Located in the serene Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, Kalpa offers spectacular views of the snowcapped Kinner Kailash mountain range. This quiet village is famous for its apple orchards, ancient temples, and Tibetan culture. Its a perfect destination for those seeking peace and a connection with nature, while also offering opportunities for trekking and exploring nearby villages. Kaza:Kaza, situated in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, is a remote, high-altitude town surrounded by stark, dramatic landscapes. Known for its Buddhist monasteries and unique cultural heritage, it offers a spiritual retreat away from the busy tourist spots. Visitors can explore nearby attractions like Key Monastery, Chicham Bridge and experience the peaceful atmosphere of this less-explored region. Kangra:Kangra, located in the foothills of the Dhauladhar range, is a hidden gem in Himachal Pradesh with lush landscapes, ancient temples, and Tibetan culture. Known for its beautiful Kangra Fort, the region also offers trekking trails, paragliding opportunities, and the serene Dharamshala. The picturesque surroundings and mild climate make it a peaceful escape for nature lovers and history buffs. Shoja:Shoja, a quaint village nestled in the Tirthan Valley of Himachal Pradesh, is a perfect offbeat destination for those seeking solitude and natural beauty. The village is surrounded by dense forests, with opportunities for wildlife spotting, birdwatching, and trekking. Known for its scenic beauty, Shoja offers a serene retreat, ideal for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike. Sangla Valley:Sangla Valley, located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, is a picturesque valley famous for its apple orchards, traditional wooden houses, and stunning views of snow-covered peaks. The Baspa River meanders through the valley, offering opportunities for river rafting and fishing. With its breathtaking natural beauty, Sangla Valley remains an untouched haven for travellers looking for tranquillity and adventure.

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First Published: November 20, 2024, 11:28 IST
World Childrens Day 2024: 30+ Heartwarming Wishes, Quotes, And WhatsApp Status To Celebrate Your Kids!

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 10:13 IST

Universal Childrens Day 2024: It is celebrated on November 20 to promote global unity and awareness. Share wishes, quotes, and love with children everywhere!

World Childrens Day 2024 aims to raise awareness about the challenges children face worldwide. (Image: Shutterstock)

World Childrens Day 2024: World Childrens Day is celebrated annually on November 20 to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and the improvement of childrens welfare. Established by the United Nations in 1954, this day also commemorates the adoption of two landmark documents: the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). The day serves as a global call to ensure children enjoy their rights to education, healthcare, and a happy, secure childhood.

ALSO READ: World Childrens Day 2024: Date, History, Significance And Theme

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Lets come together to celebrate and nurture the bright futures of our children! Here are some beautiful wishes, images, greeting and quotes to share with your loved ones.

HAPPY WORLD CHILDRENS DAY WISHES

May every child grow up in a world full of love, laughter, and opportunities. Happy World Childrens Day!

Children are the worlds most valuable resource. Lets nurture them with care and kindness.

A happy and healthy child makes for a happy and healthy world. Wishing all children a beautiful day!

Every child deserves a childhood filled with dreams and joy.

To all the little stars that light up our lives, Happy World Childrens Day!

Lets ensure every child gets the wings to fly and chase their dreams.

May the innocence and joy of children remain untouched by the harshness of life. Celebrate them today and always!

The world becomes brighter when children are happy and thriving. Wishing all children a day of joy!

May we build a future where every child feels safe, loved, and valued. Happy Childrens Day!

To all the curious minds and kind heartsstay bold, stay beautiful, and stay you.

WORLD CHILDRENS DAY 2024 MESSAGES

Children carry the promise of a brighter tomorrow. Lets make today special for them!

A childs laughter is the most beautiful sound in the world. Wishing joy to every child today!

Heres to cherishing the magic and wonder that only children bring to our lives. Happy Childrens Day!

May every child find hope, happiness, and their voice heard. Celebrating you all today!

Every child is a gift to the world. Lets cherish and protect them always.

Celebrate childhood, the most beautiful phase of life. Happy World Childrens Day!

Childrens dreams should never be overshadowed by hardship. Lets stand together for their future.

Lets give children a reason to smile today and every day. Happy World Childrens Day.

Each child deserves a childhood filled with endless possibilities. Celebrate them today!

Children are the builders of a better tomorrow. Lets nurture them with love and care.

WORLD CHILDRENS DAY 2024 QUOTES

Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.  Haim Ginott

The soul is healed by being with children.  Fyodor Dostoevsky

Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.  Rabindranath Tagore

Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.  Margaret Mead

In every child, we should see the worlds promise.  Desmond Tutu

WHATSAPP STATUS FOR WORLD CHILDRENS DAY 2024

Lets celebrate the joy, innocence, and dreams of every child. Happy World Childrens Day!

Children are the future. Lets create a world where every child can thrive.

A childs smile can light up the darkest day. Cherish them today and always!

Invest in children, invest in the future.

Protect, nurture, and empower every child. They deserve nothing less.

WORLD CHILDRENS DAY 2024: FAQS

What is the purpose of World Childrens Day?

The day aims to promote awareness about childrens rights and encourage actions to improve their lives globally.

When is World Childrens Day celebrated?

It is observed every year on November 20.

Who initiated World Childrens Day?

The United Nations introduced World Childrens Day in 1954.

How can people participate in World Childrens Day?

You can participate by raising awareness about childrens rights, volunteering for child-related causes, and sharing inspirational messages and activities.

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Is World Childrens Day the same as Childrens Day in every country?

No, different countries celebrate Childrens Day on different dates. However, World Childrens Day focuses on a global perspective.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 06:00 IST
Gladiator 2 Director Ridley Scott's Latest Comment On Film's Plot Deserves Your Attention

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 19:03 IST

Gladiator 2 director Ridley Scott recently explained that the same-sex kiss scene involved was never meant to be included in the final version.

In Gladiator 2, Paul Mescal plays Lucius, the son of Maximus and Lucilla. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

Gladiator 2 director Ridley Scott has strongly denied reports claiming that a same-sex kiss was cut from the historical epic. The rumours started after actor Denzel Washington, who plays a wealthy arms dealer named Macrinus in the sequel, mentioned that he had filmed a scene where he kissed a man, but claimed that the scene was removed from the final cut. However, at the Los Angeles premiere of the film, Scott dismissed these reports, calling them bulls***". He clarified that the actors acted the moment." Scott further explained that the scene involved Denzels character interacting with a senator, but it was never meant to be included in the final version.

When a Variety reporter told Scott that Denzel had mentioned kissing a man on the lips in a scene that was cut from the movie. The veteran filmmaker was quick to respond and said, No, thats bulls***. It was a senator. They never did. They acted the moment and it didnt happen."

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Later when Denzel Washington appeared on the red carpet, the portal asked for his clarification. The actor said, It really is much ado about nothing. Theyre making more of it than it was. I kissed him on his hands, I gave him a peck and I killed him."

In a previous interview, Denzel Washington sparked the conversation among the masses when he told Gayety that he filmed a scene in Gladiator 2 where he kissed another man on the lips, but the kiss was eventually cut from the final version of the movie. He joked that the filmmakers were not ready for such a moment and decided to remove it. Interestingly, he also shared that shortly after the kiss, his character kills the person, calling it the kiss of death."

Other than Denzel, the Ridley Scott directorial also stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi and Connie Nielsen. Jacobi and Nielsen reprise their roles from the first film. In the movie, Mescal plays Lucius, the son of Maximus and Lucilla. After his home is attacked by the Roman army under the leadership of General Marcus Acacius, Lucius is forced to become a gladiator.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 19:03 IST
Lee Min Ho's New Space Drama When The Stars Gossip To Release On This Date

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 13:42 IST

After a long break from TV, Lee Min Ho is ready to entertain his fans with a unique space drama series alongside Gong Hyo Jin.

Lee Min Ho and Gong Hyo Jin will be seen inside a space station. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

Popular Korean actor Lee Min Ho, who has been away from the screens for a long time, is ready to return with a new drama, a space romance. Netflix has unveiled the first stills of the show titled When The Stars Gossip, unveiling the star-studded cast including Lee Min Ho, Gong Hyo Jin, Oh Jung Se, Han Ji Eun and more. OB-GYN-turned-space-tourist Lee Min-ho meets space mission commander Gong Hyo-jin in sci-fi rom-com #WhentheStarsGossip," the caption read further confirming the shows release date for January 2025.

Lee Min Ho stars as Gong Ryong, an OB-GYN who finds love in Commander Eve Kim (Gong Hyo Jin) after entering the secret mission as an uninvited guest. As a space tourist, he will stay at the space station for a few days, only to raise doubts about his secret goal. Gong Ryong is also the future son-in-law of the MZ Group, the richest conglomerate in Korea. Heading to space with a secret mission that he cannot tell anyone, Gong Ryong raises questions about his secret goal," the shows synopsis reads as quoted by Soompi.

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On the other hand, Commander Eve, who is ready to head her first mission, is a perfectionist who cannot make a single mistake at work. The first-look pictures have left fans curious about their equation and the unique space story.

Among other actors, Oh Jung Se will be seen as Kang Kang So, a fruit fly research scientist who works alongside Eve at the station. He is the second son of the owner of a global financial company and has lived a carefree life before venturing into space. Han Ji Eun will be seen as Gong Ryongs (Lee Min Ho) girlfriend, the only heir of MZ Groups chairman. She plays the role of a beautiful and intelligent lady.

While Kim Joo Hun will be seen as veteran astronaut Park Dong Ah, Lee El will play Chief Kang, Lee Cho Hee in dual roles of twin sisters, and Heo Nam Jun as space scientist Lee Seung Joon.

With much anticipation, the makers are yet to drop the trainer of When the Stars Gossip. Directed by Park Shin Woo with a script from Seo Sook Hyang, the drama will premiere on January 4, 2025. The show marks Lee Min Hos comeback after nearly four years of his last work. He was last seen in The King: Eternal Monarch before taking a hiatus from work. Some of his credits include The Legend of the Blue Sea, The Heirs and Boys Over Flowers.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 13:38 IST
Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Akshay Kumar Casts His Vote, Greets Paps With 'Good Morning' | Watch

Curated By :

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Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 09:58 IST

Akshay Kumar was among the first celebrities to step out and cast his vote during the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Akshay Kumar at the polling booth in Mumbai.

Maharashtra voters are heading to the polls for the Assembly elections, which will shape the future of the states ruling and opposition parties. As voting began at 7 am, Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Deepika Padukone, among others, are expected to fulfill their civic duty by casting their votes.

Akshay Kumar was among the first celebrities to step out and cast his vote during the Maharashtra elections. The actor exuded effortless style in a crisp black shirt paired with beige trousers, making a striking impression as he arrived at the polling booth. Arriving early in the morning, he was seen stepping out of his luxury car, flanked by security, and walking confidently towards the booth. Ever the gentleman, Akshay greeted the waiting paparazzi with a cheerful Good morning," setting the tone for the day. Check out the video here:

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Akshay Kumar, one of Bollywoods leading stars, is now officially an Indian citizen. During the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2024 this week, he opened up about renouncing his Canadian citizenship last year and reclaiming his Indian passport. Known for his patriotic image, Akshay clarified that his decision was long in the making and not influenced by current geopolitical issues, stating that it was a personal and planned move.

When asked about the coincidence of his decision aligning with Indias strained relations with Canada, Akshay laughed and gave credit elsewhere. Not any baba, it was the blessings of my parents. Main chup chaap nikal gaya (I left without making a noise)," he said.

Despite holding Canadian citizenship, Akshay always felt deeply connected to India. I am an Indian from my mind, from my heart and from my soul. That will always be. So I never cared about that," he said, adding that he had announced years ago that he would give it up. The process, however, took time. About 3-4 years back, I had said on this stage that I will give it up. It took some time, and last year, exactly on 14th or 15th August, I got my passport."

First Published: November 20, 2024, 07:52 IST
Mumbai Voting: Farhan Akhtar, John Abraham, Sonu Sood And Others Cast Their Votes In Maharashtra Election 2024 | Watch

Curated By :

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Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 14:48 IST

Bollywood celebrities are leading by example, stepping out early to cast their votes in the Maharashtra Assembly elections and fulfilling their civic duty.

Bollywood celebs are stepping out to vote in Maharashtra elections.

Bollywood celebrities are leading by example, stepping out early to cast their votes in the Maharashtra Assembly elections and fulfilling their civic duty. Stars like Farhan Akhtar, Rajkummar Rao, Ali Fazal, Ahana Kumra and Kabir Khan were seen at polling booths across Mumbai, with some taking a moment to interact with the paparazzi and share messages encouraging others to vote. By arriving early, they not only avoided the crowds but also highlighted the importance of participating in the democratic process, inspiring citizens to exercise their right to vote. Many also took to social media to share selfies after getting inked. Check out the videos:

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Ali Fazal shows off his inked finger after exercising his democratic right.

#WATCH | Filmmaker and actor Farhan Akhtar shows his inked finger after casting his vote for #MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024, at a polling booth in Bandra, Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/R9wyvbphFx ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Farhan Akhtar cast his vote at a polling booth in Bandra.

#WATCH | Actor Sonu Sood leaves from a polling booth in Mumbai after casting his vote for #MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024 He says, "It is everybody's responsibility to go out and vote. It's very important for the country" pic.twitter.com/MqCRB6XuRk  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Sonu Sood spoke to the media after casting his vote. He urged every citizen to go out and vote.

#WATCH | Actor John Abraham leaves from a polling booth in Mumbai after casting his vote for #MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024. pic.twitter.com/SEMBMBQlNE ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

John Abraham posed for a selfie with a fan after casting his vote.

Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar posted a selfie after casting her vote. Rock The Vote Please #saddahaq #mumbaicalling #getinked #votingday," read her caption.

Actress Urmila Matondkar posed for photos with police officials after casting her vote.

#WATCH | Actor couple Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza cast their votes at a polling station in Latur for #MaharashtraAssemblyElections pic.twitter.com/Zi4XzwKt2O ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Riteish Deshmukh and wife Genelia DSouza cast their votes at a polling station in Latur.

Sharvari stepped out to cast her vote with her mother.

Suniel Shetty posed for the paps after casting his vote.

Shreya Ghoshal went to cast her vote with her parents and later enjoyed delicious ice cream.

Hema Malini stepped out to vote with daughter Esha Deol.

Shraddha Kapoor stepped out to cast her vote with her family.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 09:25 IST
Priyanka Chopra Refers To Iconic Khichdi Scene To Depict Her Tiring Work Schedule

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 15:28 IST

The video shared by Priyanka Chopra showcases Hansa delivering her legendary dialogue: Mai to thak gayi. Mai to phir se thak gayi.

Priyanka Chopra is busy filming for Citadel. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

Priyanka Chopras intriguing posts on Instagram are indeed delightful and humorous. Her latest addition to the photo-sharing application is proof. Juggling shooting and post-production of various projects at present, the actress referred to an iconic scene from the film Khichdi to describe her busy life. In one of her stories, she included a meme featuring Hansa Parekh (played by Supriya Pathak), the character from the popular sitcom and film Khichdi.

The video showcases Hansa delivering her legendary dialogue: Mai to thak gayi. Mai to phir se thak gayi. Mai to teesri baar thak gayi (I am tired. I am tired again. I am tired for the third time)." The text attached to the video by Priyanka Chopra is sure to leave you in splits. It read, Im at that stage in my life where I know why Hansa was always tired." Well, we get you, Priyanka.

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Speaking of the film Khichdi, it was released in 2010. Written and directed by Aatish Kapadia, the Hats Off Productions also starred Anang Desai, Rajeev Mehta, Nimisha Vakharia and Jamnadas Majethia apart from Supriya Pathak in lead roles.

Priyanka Chopra is now in London, shooting for her upcoming project Citadel 2. On Saturday, she posted a video of herself wherein she was seen heading to the set of the show and mentioned that it was a working day for her. The post depicted her jam-packed schedule. Dressed in a black puffer jacket, the actress was visibly seated inside a car, when giving a peek into the vanity vans parked outside. In the video, the actress could also be heard saying, When it is a working Saturday. You know  finishing up, strong!" In a text atop the video, she wrote, Citadel."

Not long ago, Priyanka Chopras mother Madhu Chopra spoke about the challenges faced by the global star during her initial days in Bollywood. She said, We came from another industry and the film industry was new to us and we had stars in our eyes. I didnt think it was a hellhole or such negative things didnt come to our head. But when we came in, then we saw the dirt in it and the bad part."

Besides Citadel Season 2, Priyanka Chopra also has Heads of State and The Bluff in her lineup.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 15:24 IST
Salman Khan Takes Photos With Fans Outside Polling Booth, Arrives To Cast His Vote Amid Death Threats

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 19:09 IST

Salman Khan was spotted as he arrived to cast his vote in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, amid tight security.

Salman Khan arrives to cast his vote in Mumbai.

Salman Khan has arrived to cast his vote in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. The actor was seen arriving at his designated polling booth in Mumbai, amid tight security, to fulfill his civic duty. He was seen stepping out of his car, before making his way to the polling station.

Videos that have surfaced on social media show the actor posing for photographs with fans outside polling booth. The superstar was seen rocking a grey t-shirt with jeans, and a black cap.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pallav Paliwal (@pallav_paliwal)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

#WATCH | Actor Salman Khan arrives at a polling booth in Mumbai to cast his vote for #MaharashtraElections2024 pic.twitter.com/espfLFcVXk ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

In another video, a photographer is heard requesting Salman, Bhaijaan, show your finger." Salman Khan obliges, hilariously showing his ten fingers before making an exit. Check it out below!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by F I L M Y G Y A N (@filmygyan)

Salman Khan has been receiving ongoing threats related to his 1998 blackbuck poaching case. The superstar has been keeping a low profile due to the recent threats, and is surrounded by heavy security every time he steps out. An alleged member of Lawrence Bishnois gang claimed responsibility for politician Baba Siddiques death in October, issuing a threat to Salman Khan in the same statement. Since then, the Mumbai Police heightened Salman Khans security.

Meanwhile, there has been a huge voter turnout from B-Town. Throughout the day, celebrities such as Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Kartik Aaryan, Kiara Advani, and many others were spotted at the polling stations earlier today, to cast their votes.

On the professional front, Salman Khan will next be seen in the film Sikandar, co-starring Rashmika Mandanna. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Sikandar is set to release on Eid 2025. The film has already garnered a major buzz, thanks to the powerhouse combination of Nadiadwalas production skills and Murugadosss unique directorial vision.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 16:44 IST
Salman Khan's Dad Salim Khan Steps Out To Cast His Vote In Mumbai Elections Amid Tight Security, Watch

Curated By :

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Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 12:19 IST

Salman Khan's parents, Salim Khan and Salma Khan cast their vote in Mumbai as part of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

Salman Khan's father Salim Khan at a polling booth.

Salman Khans father Salim Khan stepped out to cast his vote as part of the Maharashtra Election s 2024. The veteran writer headed to his designated polling booth with his wife, Salma Khan on Wednesday afternoon. They were surrounded by several bodyguards.

In videos shared on X and Instagram, Salim was seen walking into the polling booth with the help of his aides. Salma followed his lead. After the casting their votes, the couple flaunted their inked fingers. Check out the videos below:

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Salim and Salma stepped out amid security threats to Salman Khan. For the unversed, Salman has been tackling death threats from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Bishnoi has been targetting Salman for a while now. The gangster is seemingly upset with the Bollywood star over the alleged blackbuck poaching case. The actor was accused of poaching blackbucks in a village in Rajasthan, in 1998. The accusations led to Salman getting entangled in a massive legal row. The case went on for 26 years and Salman was arrested. He was then released on bail, acquitted, convicted and released on bail again.

Lawrence and alleged members of his gang have been sending his threat messages for a while now. Salim Khan had once received a letter threatening Salman. A couple also threatened Salim by taking Bishnois name earlier this year during his walk. Ever since, the father-son duo, Salim and Salmans security has been tightened.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 12:18 IST
Shah Rukh Khan Casts His Vote, Spotted With Gauri Khan And Children Aryan, Suhana

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Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 17:47 IST

Shah Rukh Khan will soon be seen in King. The film will also star his daughter, Suhana Khan.

Shah Rukh Khan arrives with his family to cast vote in Maharashtra assembly elections. (Photos: ANI)

Shah Rukh Khan also cast his vote on Wednesday in the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly Elections. The Bollywood superstar was snapped by the paparazzi as he arrived at a polling booth in Mumbai. He was also accompanied by his wife Gauri Khan and Children, Aryan and Suhana.

The Bollywood superstar looked dapper in a white shirt with blue denim jeans. On the other hand, his ladylove, Gauri Khan exuded boss lady vibes as always in a white tank top which she layered with a beige coat. Aryan Khan also looked stylish as always in an all-black attire, while Suhana sported a green outfit.

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#WATCH | Mumbai | Actor Shah Rukh Khan along with his wife Gauri Khan, daughter & actor Suhana Khan and son Aryan Khan arrive to cast their vote for Maharashtra Assembly elections pic.twitter.com/czwVYHs4gB ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Besides Shah Rukh Khan, several other celebrities were also spotted outside the polling booths after casting their votes. While Hema Malini stepped out with her daughter Esha Deol, Govinda was also seen making his first public appearance after the accidental shooting incident. Among others, Ranbir Kapoor, Kartik Aaryan, Kiara Advani, Akshay Kumar, Urmila Matondkar and Sonu Sood also cast their votes. Farhan Akhtar was also snapped by the paparazzi arriving at a polling booth with his sister Zoya Akhtar.

Raveena Tandons daughter Rasha Thadani also voted for the first time on Wednesday. She was snapped by the paparazzi as she was exiting a polling booth in Mumbai.

I think it is very important. You should actually know what is happening in your country and you should know who you want to vote for. You should study all the candidates and see who is best for your country. I am proud that I am a citizen and I have voted," Rasha said.

Meanwhile, talking about Shah Rukh Khan, he recently attended the Global Freight Summit in Dubai when he talked about failures and shared a motivating message for everyone. When you fail, you should not believe that your product or service or job went wrong. Maybe you just misunderstood the ecosystem you were working in. You have to understand how people are reacting. If I cannot elicit an emotion from the people I cater to, then my product is not going to work how wonderful it may be," SRK said.

On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan will soon be seen in King. The film will also star his daughter, Suhana Khan.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 17:33 IST
Viola Davis To Receive The Cecil B. DeMille Award At The 2025 Golden Globes

Published By :

Associated Press

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 21:33 IST

Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne called Viola Davis a 'luminary', and expressed admiration for the actor's dedication to her craft.

Viola Davis won a best supporting actress Golden Globe in 2017.

Viola Davis became one of Hollywoods most revered actors through an array of powerful roles, from  Fences " to  The Woman King," and now her decorated career has earned her one of the Golden Globes highest honours.

Davis will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 82nd annual awards ceremony on Jan 5, the Golden Globes announced Wednesday morning. The actor has won praise for a string of compelling characters in films such as The Help,"  Ma Raineys Black Bottom " and Doubt," while captivating TV audiences through the legal thriller drama How to Get Away with Murder."

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Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne called Davis a luminary," and expressed admiration for the actors dedication to her craft and impact on the industry.

Violas courage in portraying complex, powerful characters has broken barriers and paved new paths, making her an emblem of excellence and an ideal recipient of this prestigious award," Hoehne said.

The DeMille Award has been bestowed to 69 of Hollywoods greatest talents. Past recipients include Tom Hanks, Jeff Bridges, Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman, Meryl Streep, Barbra Streisand and Sidney Poitier.

Nominations for the upcoming Globes show are scheduled to be announced Dec. 9.

Davis, 59, has two Tonys, most recently for Fences" in 2010, she won an Emmy in 2015 for How to Get Away with Murder," and an Oscar and Golden Globe in 2016 for the film version of Fences." She achieved EGOT status after winning a Grammy last year for best audio book, narration, and storytelling recording for her memoir Finding Me."

In 2022, Davis was honored with the Public Counsels William O Douglas Award for her commitment to social justice causes. She has partnered with multiple programs to eradicate childhood hunger in the United States.

Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, founded a production company, JuVee Productions, which develops and produces independent films, theater, television and digital content. Earlier this year, the company filmed an action thriller for Amazon Studios in Cape Town and reportedly plans to return to South Africa to film the true story of a young African refugees journey to the U.S.

Davis and the 2025 Carol Burnett Award winner, honoring television achievements, will be praised at a gala dinner Jan. 3 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. For the first time, the Globes will host a separate event dedicated to both awards.

Davis will be recognized during the awards ceremony broadcast.

Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 20, 2024, 21:33 IST
When AR Rahmans Wife Saira Banu Said She Had No Idea Where He Was During Their Honeymoon: 'I Dont Know'

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Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 11:50 IST

Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu have announced their separation after 29 years of marriage.

AR Rahman and his wife, Saira Banu, have announced their separation on social media through a statement issued by their lawyer.

AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu have announced their separation after 29 years of marriage. The Oscar-winning composer and Banu confirmed the news with a joint statement released by their lawyer, Vandana Shah, on Tuesday night.

AR Rahman and his wife, Saira Banu, got married in 1995 through an arranged marriage. His mother, who was looking for a bride, first considered Sairas younger sister, Meher, but once she met Saira, she knew she was the right choice. Saira had admired Rahmans music before they met, and their bond grew from there. The couple shared a deep understanding and mutual respect. Rahman had earlier mentioned how they set clear expectations for their marriage beforehand to ensure they were on the same page. Their divorce came as a shocker to all his fans.

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Not long back, actor Rahman, who is related to AR Rahman through marriage, shared a lighthearted story about how different he and the music composer are. He joked that while hes the more outgoing one, A.R. Rahman is deeply dedicated and spiritual. He shared a funny anecdote from Rahmans honeymoon: instead of spending time with his wife, Rahman was in another room practicing his veena late at night.

In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, the actor had said, I remember, when he got married, he took my sister-in-law for the honeymoon to a hill station. I called them that night, it was just 12 or 1 She answered, she was sleeping already. I asked, Where is Rahman. She said, I dont know. He was in another room, practicing his veena He was composing something; hes that kind of person."

AR Rahman and Saira Banu have three kids together  two daughters, Khatija and Rahima, and a son named Ameen Rahman. While the family navigates this difficult time as the couple is headed for a divorce, Rahman remains dedicated to his music, working on projects like Chhaava, Thug Life, Lahore 1947 and Genie.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 08:18 IST
Who Is Saira Banu? All About AR Rahman's Wife, Her Family, Their Love Story That Ended In Separation

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Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 10:31 IST

AR Rahman and Saira Banu were married for 29 years. They announced their separation on Tuesday night.

AR Rahman with his estranged wife Saira Banu.

Music maestro AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu are separating. The couple issued a joint statement late Tuesday night, revealing sharing the heartbreaking news of their separation. The couple had been married for 29 years. But who is Saira Banu and how did Rahmans love story begin? Heres all you need to know:

Who Is Saira Banu:

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As per reports, Saira was born in Kutch, Gujarat, in December 1973. She is almost seven years younger than AR Rahman. She is said to come from a culturally rich upper-middle-class family. She is known for her social and charitable activities. She often contributes to charities that work towards education, healthcare, and community development.

How Did AR Rahman and Saira Banus Love Story Begin?

Rahman and Saira met in an arranged marriage setup. Rahman once revealed that his mother noticed Saira at a shrine in Chennai and approached her family for her hand. My mother didnt know Saira or her family, but since they lived just five houses away from the shrine, they walked over and spoke to her. Everything happened very naturally," Rahman said in an interview.

AR Rahman and Saira Banus First Meeting:

In an old interview, Rahman revealed he met her on his 28th birthday and found her beautiful. She was beautiful and gentle. We met for the first time on 6 January 1995, on my 28th birthday. It was a brief meeting. After that, we mostly chatted on the phone. Saira speaks Kutchi and English and I asked her in English if she wanted to marry me. Saira was very quiet in those days. Now shes anything but quiet," he said.

Problems In AR Rahman and Sairas Marriage?

Rahman once admitted that his marriage was off to a rocky start. In Nasreen Munni Kabirs book, A.R. Rahman: The Spirit of Music, Rahman said, We are South Indians and Saira comes from a Gujarati background and was brought up in the traditions and culture of North India. You know its always difficult for any family to adjust to anyone new coming into the fold. Like all mothers, my mother was possessive about me and as we all lived together as a joint family, a period of adjustment was necessary. In 1995, my eldest daughter Khatija was born and everything was fine after that."

AR Rahman and Saira Banus Children:

The couple has three children  daughters Khatija and Raheema, and son Ameen.

Why Are AR Rahman and Saira Banu Separating?

In a joint statement via their lawyers, Rahman and Saira said they have been unable to bridge the gap created in their relationship due to tension and difficulties.

This decision comes after significant emotional strain in their relationship. Despite their deep love for each other, the couple has found that the tensions and difficulties have created an insurmountable gap between them, one that neither party feels able to bridge at this time. Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. AR Rahman emphasise that they have taken this decision out of pain and agony. Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. AR Rahman request privacy and understanding from the public during this challenging time, as they navigate this difficult chapter in their life," the statement read.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 10:31 IST
Opinion | Delhi Choking On Toxic Air: How Will This Vicious Pollution Cycle End?

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 17:15 IST

Without decisive, coordinated efforts, India risks perpetuating this deadly cycle, jeopardising public health and ecological balance. The time to act is now

Delhi Air Pollution: People put face mask as national capital records season's worst AQI | Image/File (PTI)

On November 18, 2024, northern India, particularly Delhi, experienced an acute air pollution crisis, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 1,081categorising the air as hazardous" and breaching the thresholds for public health emergencies. The concentration of PM2.5 particles reached levels 130.9 times above the World Health Organizations recommended limit, posing severe cardiovascular and respiratory risks. This atmospheric crisis compelled administrative interventions, including school closures and a ban on non-essential construction, but underscored the systemic failure to mitigate pollution sources.

One must ask about the source of this pollution. A study done by IIT Kanpur and published in Nature Communication has some important observations. The study reveals alarming levels of PM2.5 pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), with concentrations averaging 98 g m3 in the cold season and 40 g m3 in the warm seasonsubstantially higher than those in Chinese and European urban centres. PM2.5 composition exhibits significant spatial variability, driven by local sources of incomplete combustion, including biofuels and fossil fuels. Organic aerosols (OAs) constitute over half of the PM2.5 mass, with distinct sources such as vehicular emissions, biomass burning, and secondary oxidation products.

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Cold-season emissions, especially from biofuel use for heating and cooking, dominate the pollution landscape, while secondary inorganic aerosols contribute regionally. The study points at the high oxidative potential (OP) of Indian PM2.5, exceeding that of Chinese and European cities by a factor of up to 5, largely due to uncontrolled combustion emissions.

In recent days, satellite-derived Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) measurements corroborated the persistence of severe particulate loading in the atmosphere, suggesting entrenched sources of emissions despite reductions in reported stubble-burning incidents.

While stubble burning counts from Punjab and Haryana showed an 8090 per cent reduction compared to 2020, experts have raised critical questions about the reliability of these figures. Satellite analysis from Koreas geostationary GEO-KOMPSAT-2A indicates a shift in burning patterns, with localized smoke plumes concentrated in the late afternoonbeyond the overpass times of the NASA Aqua and Suomi-NPP satellites (1:302:00 PM IST). This deliberate evasion potentially explains why the number of detected fire events has decreased while atmospheric aerosol levels remain stable. Furthermore, AOD over Punjab and Haryana has not declined significantly over the past six to seven years, even as reported fires have reduced.

There are several reasons which have led to the stubble burning. First, it persists as a widespread practice primarily because it is the most convenient and cost-effective method for clearing fields for farmers. The manual removal or mechanical disposal of stubble is both labour-intensive and expensive, requiring significant investment in time, equipment, and infrastructure that most farmers, particularly small and marginal ones, simply cannot afford. In contrast, burning the residue is quick, requires no additional machinery, and allows fields to be prepared for the next crop cycle with minimal effort. This economic rationale, compounded by systemic inefficiencies and the lack of viable, affordable alternatives, perpetuates a practice that has devastating environmental and public health consequences.

Second, the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009, enacted to address the alarming depletion of groundwater, exemplifies the unintended consequences of well-meaning interventions. The law effectively reduced groundwater usage by mandating a delay in the sowing of Kharif crops, bringing down the annual water table decline from 91 cm in 2000 to 55 cm by 2009-13. However, this policy also shifted the crop cycle, causing the Kharif harvest to overlap with Rabi sowing, leaving farmers with little time to clear their fields. The result: widespread stubble burning to prepare for the next crop, a practice that blankets Delhi-NCR in toxic smog every November. What was once a measure to conserve water has morphed into a public health and environmental crisis, underscoring the complexity of balancing ecological and policy priorities.

Third, the overemphasis on rice and wheat in Indias agricultural policies, driven by the assured procurement of rice at Minimum Support Prices (MSP), has entrenched farmers in a monoculture mindset. This fixation on rice cultivation, particularly in Green Revolution states like Punjab and Haryana, has not only exacerbated the issue of stubble burning but also led to long-term ecological damage. The excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers has degraded soil health, while the heavy water demands of rice cultivation have critically depleted groundwater resources.

Farmers, incentivised to grow rice due to MSP and procurement policies, have little motivation to diversify their crops. Addressing this requires a fundamental shift in Indias agricultural prioritiesmoving beyond the rice-wheat monoculture. Policymakers must design coordinated strategies to incentivize farmers toward sustainable crop diversification, combining better price signals with investment in infrastructure and market access for alternative crops. Without such systemic changes, the twin crises of air pollution and ecological degradation will only deepen.

One should read a recent report by CEEW titled How can Punjab Increase the Adoption of Crop Residue Management Methods?". It has some good suggestions and I would like to discuss some of them. First, there is a need to transition to short-duration, low-residue paddy varieties, such as PR 126, which is critical for reducing stubble generation. The state must enforce compliance with the ban on high-residue varieties like PUSA 44 through stringent inspections and penalties for private seed dealers violating restrictions. However, addressing the cost implications requires subsidizing certified seeds and scaling breeding programs through ICAR and state seed agencies to meet farmer demand. The initial costs of diversification could be offset by extending MSP-linked incentives for crops like summer moong, which reduce stubble and water consumption, providing long-term economic and environmental gains.

Second is the scaling of in-situ CRM (Crop Residue Management) technologies. Deployment of CRM machines such as Super Seeders and Happy Seeders requires addressing capital and operational cost barriers. Currently, the high purchase cost (1.52 lakh per machine) and inflated rental charges deter adoption. Expanding the rental model through cooperative societies and subsidizing machine ownership for marginal farmers can alleviate financial burdens. Additionally, the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) should upgrade the i-Khet app to improve machine accessibility and ensure real-time updates. Misconceptions about yield losses and pest attacks, which discourage use, can be mitigated through sustained capacity-building efforts and demonstrating long-term cost savings from reduced fertilizer and pesticide inputs.

Third, there is a need to strengthen Ex-Situ CRM Markets. Creating robust market linkages for stubble biomass is essential to incentivize ex-situ methods. Establishing a price floor for biomass, as recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, can ensure a minimum viable price for farmers, offsetting the current situation where many give away or pay to dispose of stubble. The upfront costs of biomass collection and transportation, approximately Rs 1,0001,500 per acre, must be addressed through subsidies or logistical partnerships with industries. Furthermore, public-private partnerships (PPPs) in bioenergy plants can provide consistent demand for biomass, reducing financial uncertainty for farmers and making ex-situ CRM economically viable.

Fourth, encouraging industries to utilise stubble in the production of paper, cardboard, and biodegradable packaging materials can create a market for agricultural waste. This approach not only provides farmers with economic incentives but also reduces environmental pollution. Innovations in this area have led to the creation of eco-friendly products, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional materials.

Fifth, the cost of stubble burning, estimated at $120 million annually in Punjab, includes healthcare expenses and productivity losses from air pollution-induced respiratory diseases. Linking these externalities to the cost-benefit analysis of CRM adoption is critical. Policies should focus on monetizing health benefits, such as disability-adjusted life year (DALY) savings, to justify investments in CRM subsidies and infrastructure. Additionally, integrating stubble burning mitigation with climate policies, such as carbon credit markets, could attract international funding to offset the fiscal burden on the state.

Sixth, while penalties for stubble burning exist, their enforcement has been inconsistent. Enhancing monitoring systems through satellite imagery and ground patrols can improve compliance. Simultaneously, providing financial incentives, such as subsidies for machinery and compensation for adopting eco-friendly practices, can encourage farmers to transition away from burning.

Promoting local farmer cooperatives to manage CRM equipment and biomass aggregation can optimize costs through economies of scale. For instance, a cooperative model could centralize machine rentals, reducing per-farmer costs from Rs 1,200 per acre to under Rs 500. Furthermore, villages adopting zero-burn practices could be rewarded with infrastructure development grants, creating a cost-effective mechanism to incentivise compliance. Public-private partnerships for decentralised bioenergy plants can also reduce transportation costs and encourage localized biomass utilisation, further lowering financial barriers for farmers.

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Without decisive, coordinated efforts, India risks perpetuating this deadly cycle, jeopardising public health and ecological balance. The time to act is now.

Aditya Sinha is OSD, Research, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 17:15 IST
Opinion | Modi, Fadnavis, RSS, And A Yogi Slogan: How BJP Got Back In The Maharashtra Game

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 10:59 IST

The BJP is unlikely to crash-land, as it seemed on June 4. It may well be the single largest party in the Maharashtra assembly, whether it sits in the government or the Opposition benches

PM Modi and Amit Shahs endorsement of Devendra Fadnavis as the BJPs leader sent a strong message that the party is contesting under his leadership. (PTI Image)

When the Lok Sabha election results were announced on June 4, the BJP-led Mahayuti in Maharashtra looked like an over-confident skydiver who suddenly realises mid-fall that the parachute is not opening.

After having swept the previous two general elections from the state with 41 and 43 seats respectively in 2014 and 2019, the NDA was reduced to just 17 seats in 2024.

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The future looked like the fast-approaching, darkening ground for the skydiver. Even two months before the elections, political analysts were projecting doom for the BJP and its allies.

It does not look so despondent now. Whether it would be a soft landing or hard will be known on November 23 when the votes are counted, but the parachute has surely opened.

Maharashtra is politically the most important state after UP. It sends 48 MPs to Parliament and 288 MLAs to the Assembly, the second highest in India. More pertinently, it is the richest state, with a projected Gross State Domestic Product of 42.67 lakh crore in 2024-25. It fills up the winning partys coffers more than six or seven states combined.

Which is why the BJP immediately went to work to regain control, setting aside hubris, disunity, and demotivation.

The win against all odds in Haryana in October helped. It has electrified the cadre.

But the BJP had not left Maharashtra at the mercy of happy happenstance. It started working on a strategy.

First, it sent a clear signal to the cadre about leadership. PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shahs endorsement of Devendra Fadnavis as the BJPs leader sent a strong message that the party is contesting under his leadership. The PM credited Fadnavis for the Mumbai metro project, Vanjara Viraat Museum or the Nagara Museum, and for rolling out Indias largest deepwater port project, Vadhavan.

This has re-energised the BJP cadre, who never accepted Fadnavis demotion or Eknath Shinde of the breakaway Shiv Sena as the CM. They were dismayed that the BJP had repeatedly ceded the CM post to allies like Uddhav Thackeray (now estranged) or Shinde.

Second, the party has started working closely with the RSS again, realising its Lok Sabha blunder. Shiv Prakash, the BJP general secretary who was sent from the RSS, is in charge of Maharashtra and has been stationed here for several months.

Under his leadership, the BJP shone in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and later in Andhra Pradesh.

He has toured entire Maharashtra, working right down to the mandal level and firefighting to douse the rebel crisis. Atul Limaye, one of RSSs youngest sah sarkaryavah, has also focused on the grassroots.

Third, the BJP has anticipated and resolved most of the problems around rebel candidates, who were angry over internal conflicts and the attitude of certain ministers and MLAs. Senior BJP leader Gopal Shetty withdrew his nomination at the last minute. Prakash Mehta, a former minister, MLA, and senior BJP leader, who had decided to contest as a rebel, also changed his plan at the last minute.

While Devendra Fadnavis relentlessly exposed Manoj Jarange-Patil, the Maratha leader believed to have been propped up by Sharad Pawar, back-channel persuasion was on. Jarange-Patil, too, dropped out of the race.

While CM Eknath Shinde has fashioned himself as Balasaheb Thackerays true successor and may have ambitions to continue in the post, the BJP apparently has leverage over him: a damaging dossier to begin with. Besides, more than a dozen of BJPs own are contesting on Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawars party tickets, who could break away if any of the two parties try to flirt with the enemy after the results.

Then there are more than a dozen BJP rebels, denied tickets as the constituencies went to alliance partners, who are likely to retain their seats and will almost certainly align with the BJP afterwards.

So, while the BJP is contesting about 150 seats, in effect it is virtually contesting more than 180 of the 288 seats.

Fourth, it latched on to the vote jihad calls coming from the Muslim community backed by the MVA of Congress, Uddhav Sena, and NCP, made the videos viral, and has created counter-polarisation. How far it will work is to be seen.

What has helped in this counter-polarisation and in subsuming caste divisions under a Hindutva super-umbrella is UP CM Yogi Adityanaths massively popular slogan: Batenge toh katenge, ek rahenge toh nek rahenge (if you get divided, youll be butchered, if you stay together, you will be safe)."

PM Modi has adopted it with a tweak: Ek hai toh safe hai."

Fifth, the BJP and Shinde have laboriously underlined how Uddhav Thackeray has come far away from his own father Balasaheb Thackerays Hindutva legacy to get Muslim votes and because of pressure from the NCP and the Congress. Uddhav has failed to come up with a robust counter.

Finally, the BJP has hounded the MVA for its 25-month misrule by highlighting the Palghar sadhu killings, the Antilia case, the corruption of tex-state home minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh and cases of violence and corruption. But the MVA has failed to showcase its achievements when it was in power.

Maharashtra is currently the most politically complicated state with too many powerful breakaway factions and rebels. It is unwise to guess the outcome. An entire round of realignment may break out after November 23. Horses may be brought out of the stables for trade.

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But the BJP is unlikely to crash-land, as it seemed on June 4. It may well be the single largest party in the Maharashtra assembly, whether it sits in the government or the Opposition benches.

Abhijit Majumder is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 10:59 IST
Opinion | Now, Canada Targets PM Modi! Trudeaus Diplomacy Towards India Is A Strange Game

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 19:02 IST

America under Donald Trump is unlikely to support Trudeaus hitjob vis-a-vis India. New Delhi can afford to ignore Trudeau and wait out this juvenile brand of diplomacy

PM Modi, Trudeau and Biden sharing the stage at the G20 Summit in Rio. (Reuters)

Diplomacy can be a strange game. On the one hand, Justin Trudeau lines up next to Joe Biden and Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in Brazil for a group photo, smiling gamely into the camera. On the other hand, the Canadian security agencies accuse, first, the Indian ambassador and his consular staff in Ottawa, then the Indian Home Minister, and now the Indian Prime Minister, of complicity and prior knowledge of the murder of Khalistani terrorists on Canadian soil.

For some months now, indeed from before the G20 Summit in New Delhi a year ago, this has been the refrain from Trudeaus Canada. Trudeau made public pronouncements accusing India in the Canadian parliament, based on his intelligence reports, rather than proof or evidence. Both he and his foreign minister urged the Indians to cooperate with Canadian agencies in investigations. They threatened to use the pressure of their allies in the G7 and elsewhere.

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Since then, despite multiple Indian requests, nothing by way of substance, let alone proof, has been offered. But the accusations have continued, and become ever more strident. Both sides reduced their diplomatic presence in each others countries, including at the senior-most levels.

Canada has been nominally backed in its hostile agenda by the Five Eyes intelligence group that has the US, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, in addition to Canada, as its members.

India has made a series of extradition requests to Canada to return various newly-minted Canadian nationals (mostly of Sikh origin) or other Indians from Punjab and elsewhere who have run away to Canada, wanted in India as terrorists, murderers, drug smugglers, gun runners, extortionists, people traffickers, money launderers and worse. All of this has fallen on deaf ears. The Canadian government is content to allow Khalistanis in all their criminal and extremist hues to run free, employing some of them in their own bureaucracies and police forces.

A Canadian political party with over 20 seats in parliament and populated by ethnic erstwhile Sikhs that back the Khalistani movement is allowed to retain considerable influence in mainstream politics, both as a supporter (now from outside the government) of the ruling Liberal Party, and also the opposition Conservative Party. So much so that a recent rally of Khalistanis demanded that Whites and Jews should return to Europe leaving Canada to its native Khalistani population.

In India meanwhile, a large number of Sikhs are saying the Khalistanis are not Sikhs at all and have no business to masquerade as such. The Khalistani alignment with Pakistans ISI and Chinese intelligence agencies has nothing to do with Indian Sikhs, and indeed the overwhelming bulk of Canadian Sikhs. They should not be allowed to use Sikh symbols without any permission of the Sikh Panth in Amritsar, and many of the Khalistani publicity-seeking antics and pronouncements are deeply offensive to the majority of Indian Sikhs.

Their frequent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada, Australia, Britain and elsewhere are condemned by the Indian Sikhs who regard Hindus as their brothers in the faith, with many Punjabi families contributing one or the other child into the Sikh faith.

So if the Canadian backing of the Khalistanis residing on their soil is an attempt to balkanise India alongside Pakistans ISI, the Chinese intelligence agencies, elements of the deep state in the US, the CIA and others in the Five Eyes, they are bound to fail.

One of the main reasons, apart from the shallow support that the Khalistanis enjoy in Canada and elsewhere, is the huge popularity of the Modi government, largely identified with Hindus. The BJP/NDA is not only the dominant political party in government in India, but the prime ministers personal popularity is palpable both within the country and around the world.

It is not only the Indian diaspora that celebrates the Modi phenomenon wherever he goes, but leaders around the world tooin the G7, the G20, BRICS and elsewhere.

Trudeau, meanwhile, is steadily losing popularity in Canada because of his ineffective handling of the economy, high prices, rising unemployment, a redundant immigration policy, his political mistakes vis-a-vis both China and India, and his obdurate backing of a Khalistani movement that has no chance of success.

A constant upping of the ante by accusing the Indian home minister and the prime minister is probably a sign of his desperation. India is unperturbed and refuses to over-react to these Canadian provocations. It is able to see good relations with Canada from a longer-term perspective beyond the rule of the Trudeau government. The bilateral trade between the two countries continues largely undisturbed and the investments of the Canadian pension funds in the Indian stock market are more or less intact. There has been some selling in line with FPI selling in general but nothing more marked.

The Trudeau government has more immediate issues. It will have to pass its budget through parliament in February 2025, and face a general election in or before October 2025.

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The election of Donald Trump in the United States is probably worrisome for him as the former is not known to be a Trudeau fan. America under Trump will likely not support Trudeaus hitjob vis-a-vis India. New Delhi can afford to ignore Trudeau and wait out this juvenile brand of diplomacy.

The writer is a Delhi-based political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 19:02 IST
Opinion | Secular Congress Alignment With Islamist Forces: A Grave Threat To India's Constitution

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 19, 2024, 18:31 IST

If left unchecked, this strategy could lead to a fracturing of Indias social fabric, putting the very foundations of its democracy and Constitution at risk

The Congress collaboration with Islamist forces has become a prominent feature of its electoral strategy in recent years. (PTI File)

Right through the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections campaign, the Congress increasing alignment with radical elements within the Muslim community is raising serious concerns about the future of Indias democratic and secular framework. The partys strategic alliances with various Islamist outfits and hardline groups may not only undermine Indias constitutional values but also destabilise the inclusive, pluralistic ethos that the country has long prided itself on.

Congress and Its Dubious Alliances

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The Congress collaboration with Islamist forces has become a prominent feature of its electoral strategy in recent years. Seeking to consolidate Muslim votes, the party has been reaching out to conservative groups, some of which are known for their extreme divisive ideologies. These alliances are raising alarm bells over the partys commitment to secularism and the Constitution.

In Kerala, for example, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has controversially defended the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) as a completely secular party", despite the IUMLs deep ties with conservative Islamic forces. This attempt to placate and engage with religious outfits raises concerns about Congress role in promoting divisive politics that risks alienating Indias diverse communities.

Radical Groups Support to Congress in Key States

Maharashtra: In Maharashtra, the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance has garnered support from a range of Muslim outfits, many of which espouse conservative views. The All India Ulema Board, a body that plays a pivotal role in shaping the views of the Muslim community, has openly endorsed the MVA. Additionally, groups like the Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh, which is working in collaboration with over 180 NGOs, have expressed backing for the alliance. These NGOs have focused only on enrolling Muslim voters in the voting list, thereby preparing for what some call vote jihad".

More concerning, however, is the active involvement of the banned PFIs (Popular Front of India) political wing, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). In Maharashtra, SDPI has not only supported Congress candidates but also entered into an unofficial alliance with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) to ensure that the Muslim vote does not get fragmented.

Jharkhand, Kerala, Telangana, and Karnataka: The pattern of support from Islamist outfits extends beyond Maharashtra, with Muslim groups backing Congress in several states, further highlighting the partys growing reliance on religious vote-banks.

In Jharkhand, the Jamiat Ulamas Lohardaga branch has called for Muslim support for the Congress-led INDIA alliance.

Kerala sees the Congress trying to secure the Muslim vote by allying with Jamaat-e-Islami, an organisation with a controversial stance on democracy, which advocates for the establishment of Islamic rule rather than the preservation of Indias democratic structure. In the same state, Priyanka Vadra is contesting the Wayanad seat with the backing of Jamaat-e-Islami.

In Telangana, powerful Muslim organisations such as Jamiat Ulema Hind, the United Muslim Forum, and Tahreek Muslim Shabban have pledged support to the Congress and the AIMIM, further deepening the grand old partys ties to groups with sectarian interests.

In Karnataka, a covert alliance between the Congress and SDPI was revealed during the 2018 assembly elections. SDPI, the political arm of the banned PFI, had pulled back its candidates from over 25 constituencies, enabling the Congress to contest in Muslim-majority areas.

The Dangerous Precedent of Religious Alignment

The Congress increasing reliance on Islamic organisations with questionable credentials poses a significant threat to Indias secular values and democratic framework. By aligning with groups such as SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami, which openly challenge the democratic system in favour of Islamic rule, the Congress is setting a dangerous precedent. These groups do not prioritise the Constitution or the rule of law, but seek to impose a particular religious ideology that is antithetical to Indias pluralistic society.

Moreover, the Congress willingness to accommodate these forces for electoral gain undermines the very principles of equality and inclusivity that Indias Constitution enshrines. Indias strength lies in its ability to accommodate diverse communities, irrespective of their religious beliefs. However, the Congress partys pursuit of a vote-bank" strategy  based on religious identity rather than national unity  risks fragmenting the electorate along communal lines, threatening the social fabric that holds the nation together.

Maulana Sajjad Nomanis Hate Speech

Maulana Khalilur Rahman Sajjad Nomanis recent hate speech, in which he called for a social boycott of BJP supporters, poses a grave threat to Indias unity and social harmony. As a prominent Islamic scholar, his words carry significant weight, and when such influential figures incite hate and division, the implications for the nation can be deeply damaging. Nomanis call for a social boycott targets all those who support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)  and urges Muslims to ostracise them in their communities. This rhetoric not only fuels communal hatred but also violates the very essence of Indias secular and democratic values.

In a nation as diverse as India, where multiple religions, cultures, and communities coexist, divisive speeches such as these are abhorrent. They encourage segregation and intolerance, sowing distrust between communities. By promoting the idea that Muslims should socially isolate those who hold differing political views, Nomani is undermining the concept of a pluralistic society where citizens are expected to coexist peacefully, regardless of their political affiliations or religious beliefs.

What is more shocking than the hate mongering outbursts of Nomani, is the collaborative silence on it by all members of the INDI alliance, clearly indicating that they support such hate speech against Hindus. The INDI alliance, particularly the Congress, seems to be under the control of retrograde hate spewing Maulanas.

A Constitutional Crisis in the Making

The Congress deepening ties with conservative and religiously motivated groups in the Muslim community signals a shift away from its traditional commitment to secularism. By actively courting the support of organisations such as SDPI, Jamaat-e-Islami, and others, the Congress is not only jeopardising the pluralistic ethos of India but also aligning itself with forces that are fundamentally at odds with the constitutional values of equality, democracy, and secularism.

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Indias Constitution envisions a society where no religion dominates over another and where the rights of individuals are protected regardless of their faith. The Congress alliances with Islamist groups that promote divisive, theocratic ideologies threaten to erode these ideals. If left unchecked, this strategy could lead to a fracturing of Indias social fabric, putting the very foundations of its democracy and Constitution at risk.

The author is a national spokesperson, BJP. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 19, 2024, 18:31 IST
Opinion | Sustainability And Spirituality: Why Bharats Traditions Matter Now More Than Ever

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 15:25 IST

In embracing our traditions, not out of nostalgia but with an understanding of their relevance, we pave the way for a sustainable, culturally rich India, contributing to not just our well-being but to that of the planet

The calming and healing influence of animals, especially cows, which Bharat has understood for centuries, is now recognised and embraced by wellness experts worldwide. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

In the heart of our ancient land, there lies a philosophy of living harmoniously with nature, a principle that has guided generations through time. Bharat, as we affectionately call our nation, has always embraced nature not merely as a resource but as a living entity, a nurturing mother. For millennia, Bharat has cherished a profound and reverential relationship with nature, viewing it as an inseparable part of life and spirituality. This deep-seated reverence for the environment was not born out of necessity but from an intrinsic understanding of lifes interconnectedness, a wisdom that predates modern environmental awareness by millennia.

The Western world, in its relentless pursuit of growth, eventually stumbled upon the harsh truths of ecological limits and the pressing need for sustainable development. Ironically, this realisation came through extensive debates and international agreements, a stark contrast to Bharats natural inclination towards sustainability, embedded in our spiritual practices, festivals, and daily life.

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Unlike in the West, where nature was often seen as something to be subdued, conquered, and exploited, Bharats traditions have treated nature as a nurturing mother, with its own identity, dignity, and purpose beyond human utility. This cultural attituderooted in timeless rituals, scriptures, and folk traditionsfostered a symbiotic balance that allowed Bharat to sustain one of the worlds densest populations while preserving its natural ecosystems.

Bharat, the cradle of the worlds oldest continuous civilisation and home to millennia of uninterrupted human habitation, stood as a bastion of biodiversity where no species met extinctionuntil the brutal incursions by Islamic invaders and the exploitative rule of European colonialists shattered this ecological harmony. But today, we are at a critical juncture where this reverence risks being lost under the pervasive influence of a colonial mindset that still dictates much of our education, governance, and societal values.

Bharats Heritage of Sustainability

From ancient scriptures to folklore, Bharatiya thought has consistently emphasised harmony with nature. Our texts, such as the Vedas and Upanishads, enjoin respect for trees, rivers, animals, and even mountains. This wisdom is not mere romanticism; it represents a sophisticated, sustainable approach to life that we see echoed today in global discourses on environmental conservation and sustainability. Our ancestors, through observation and experience, understood the intricate interconnectedness of life, recognising that any harm to nature would eventually harm humanity.

Unlike the modern idea of sustainable development, which gained traction only after environmental crises began to threaten human survival, the Indian approach was preventive rather than corrective. By treating nature as an extension of human life, our society instinctively managed to coexist with its surroundings without the need for regulatory frameworks or international agreements. For instance, traditional farming practices in Bharat promoted crop diversity and soil regeneration, while local rituals safeguarded water sources and sacred groves. These practices werent categorised under terms like sustainable agriculture" or biodiversity conservation," but they embodied these principles organically.

Indias traditional respect for nature, however, faces a peculiar challenge today, not from external forces but from within. With the dawn of Macaulays education system, which was designed to create a class of Indians who were Indians in blood and colour but English in taste, opinions, morals, and intellect, there has been a gradual shift. This educational legacy, still very much alive, has inadvertently sown seeds of doubt about the value of our own cultural practices.

The educated elite, often seen as the torchbearers of progress, sometimes join hands with those who mock our traditions. Terms like cow-worshippers or river-worshippers are thrown around in jest or disdain, distancing ourselves from our heritage. Yet, theres an amusing twist in this narrative; when these same practices gain international acclaim, they are embraced with fervour.

The Paradox of Western Validation

Take Yoga, for instance. In Bharat, it transcends mere physical exercise, embodying a comprehensive journey towards physical, mental, and spiritual harmony. However, its true recognition among many of our own often comes only after it receives applause abroad, repackaged and celebrated as Yoga." This ancient discipline, once dismissed as outdated or quaint, now stands as a global symbol of wellness.

Similarly, our humble haldi doodh, which is a concoction familiar to every Indian home for its healing properties, was often overlooked by urban dwellers until it re-emerged on the international stage as the exotic Golden Latte or Turmeric Latte in Western cafes, suddenly becoming a health trend. This transformation from a simple home remedy to a global health trend underscores a poignant irony in how we perceive and value our own traditions.

When misguided Western intellectuals, alongside critics within Bharat, mocked Hindus as cow-worshippers," even some educated Hindus joined in shaming their own culture. They scorned the practice of respecting, worshipping, and even cuddling with cows, dismissing it as a backward ritual. Ironically, however, the practice of cow-embracingreferred to as koe knuffelen" in Dutchhas gained traction globally as a wellness trend with profound mental health benefits.

According to a BBC report, cow-hugging began over a decade ago in rural Dutch provinces and has since expanded to places like Rotterdam, Switzerland, and the United States, where farms now offer cow-hugging sessions to promote joy and alleviate stress. Remarkably, this isnt just beneficial for people; research published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science in 2007 found that cows also enjoy these interactions, showing signs of relaxation and comfort when massaged in certain areas. The calming and healing influence of animals, especially cows, which Bharat has understood for centuries, is now recognised and embraced by wellness experts worldwide.

Yet, it took Western acceptance for many of us to acknowledge and celebrate our own cultural practices. The cow worship" that once invited ridicule now stands validated by science and embraced globally, highlighting once more the need for Bharat to reclaim pride in its own wisdom.

This trend of embracing our traditions only after Western endorsement reflects a deeply ingrained colonial mindset. We are constantly looking for validation from the West, whether in our cultural practices, intellectual contributions, or societal values. As a result, indigenous wisdom is stripped of its original significance and rebranded to fit Western frameworks, robbing it of the very context and depth that made it invaluable in the first place.

The Disruption of Macaulays Education System

With the advent of Macaulays education system, designed to create Indians who were Indian in blood and colour but English in taste, opinions, morals, and intellect," a profound shift began. This colonial project fundamentally disrupted our cultural harmony, replacing indigenous knowledge systems with Western rationality.

In 1835, Lord Macaulay aimed to form a class who may be interpreters between us and the millions whom we govern," thus cultivating a generation detached from its own cultural roots. Indigenous rituals, languages, and practices were systematically devalued, and education became an instrument of alienation from our heritage.

Even today, this colonial shadow lingers. Many educated Indians view traditional knowledge with scepticism or, at worst, outright disdain. They label practices like river or cow worship as backwards," failing to grasp the ecological wisdom woven into these traditions. Ironically, when practices such as yoga or Ayurveda gain validation in the West, they are quickly celebrated, rebranded, and embraced by those who once dismissed them. This disconnect underscores the need for a revival of cultural pride, so that we no longer require external validation to honour our heritage and its inherent wisdom.

Even in empirical disciplines like Geography, which closely examine the environment and human ecology, Bharats knowledge remains glaringly absent in mainstream textbooks. When discussing ancient classical geography, Western and Eastern civilisations like Roman, Greek, and Chinese are given prominenceeven based on epics like the Odyssey. In contrast, Hindu epics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana, which offer remarkably detailed geographical knowledge of Bharat and beyond, are seldom acknowledged.

Despite a growing interest in indigenous knowledge systems and nature-based solutions, Bharats rich Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is often overlooked, even by researchers and scholars from Bharat. This informed neglect, rooted in an ingrained colonial mindset, has fostered a deep-seated inferiority complex that blinds us to the wisdom within our own heritage.

Reclaiming Bharats Cultural Identity

To move forward, Bharat must reclaim its cultural identity and resist the remnants of colonial conditioning. This is not about blind traditionalism or regressive nationalism; it is about recognising the value of our indigenous knowledge systems and integrating them with modern advancements. For a truly sustainable future, Bharat must develop a decolonised perspective on development, one that blends ancient wisdom with contemporary science, rather than blindly adopting Western models of progress.

Decolonising our minds begins in our classrooms, where textbooks and curricula continue to privilege Western histories, theories, and ideologies over local knowledge systems and philosophies. We need an education that introduces students to indigenous environmental ethics, encourages respect for traditional agricultural practices, and honours our linguistic and cultural diversity. Decolonisation also requires a shift in our societal attitudes. It calls for pride in our identity, a willingness to question imported biases, and an appreciation for the values and insights that have sustained Bharat for thousands of years.

A Call for Decolonisation of the Mind: Towards a Jagrat Bharat

The need of the hour is a jagrat Bharatan awakened India that confidently embraces its heritage while engaging with the world on its own terms. This reawakening must come from within, through a collective effort to reconnect with our roots, understand the wisdom in our practices, and acknowledge the contribution of our ancestors to a sustainable way of life.

I envision an India where our children learn about both quantum physics and the Vedas, understanding that both talk about the interconnectedness of all existence, and the nature of reality  without having any prejudice. Yoga is practised not because its a global trend but because its a path to holistic health ingrained in our culture. Traditional ecological practices are not only preserved but are also seen as forward-thinking models for sustainable living worldwide. This vision of a jagrat Bharat (awakened India) isnt a retreat into the past but a forward march with confidence in our cultural identity, where we innovate with our roots as our foundation.

As we stride into the future, let us not forget that the wisdom of our ancestors provides not just historical pride but practical solutions to contemporary issues. The journey towards decolonising our minds might be long, given the deep imprints left by centuries of foreign rule and subsequent cultural shifts. Yet, the path is clear, and the destinationa nation proud of its heritage and its contributions to global cultureis within sight. In embracing our traditions, not out of nostalgia but with an understanding of their relevance, we pave the way for a sustainable, culturally rich India, contributing to not just our well-being but to that of the planet. Let us strive for this awakening, for in our culture lies the key to a future where progress and tradition dance in harmony.

Let us be a nation that honours its rivers, protects its forests, and cherishes its traditional wisdom not as an exotic relic but as a valuable part of a modern, progressive Bharat. This is the Bharat that can stand as a beacon for the world, demonstrating that the path to true sustainability lies not in conquering nature, but in living harmoniously within it.

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As we envision an awakened Bharat, let us recognise that honouring our own wisdom and cultural heritage is not about looking back, but about moving forward sustainably. In a world grappling with climate crises and ecological degradation, Bharat has a unique opportunity to lead by example. This transformation, however, begins with decolonising our mindsshedding ingrained biases and reclaiming pride in our indigenous knowledge. Only then can Bharat emerge as a truly resilient and self-assured nation, rooted in its values yet equipped to address global challenges.

Dr Amit Kumar Srivastava is Assistant Professor, Delhi University. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 15:25 IST
Right Word | De Facto Military Rule In Pakistan: Silent Coup Throttles Whatever Remained Of Democracy

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 19, 2024, 16:03 IST

This is a de facto military coup to enable the incumbent Pakistan Army Chief, General Asim Munir, to solidify his grip over power and entrench the militarys hybrid system of governance

This is a de facto military coup to enable the incumbent Pakistan Army Chief, General Asim Munir, to solidify his grip over power and entrench the militarys hybrid system of governance. (Facebook)

On November 4, Pakistans federal government expedited the passage of six pivotal legislative amendments through the National Assembly, primarily concerning the judiciary and armed forces. This legislative manoeuvre underscores the ongoing trajectory of power consolidation by the establishment.

Among these, three amendment bills specifically address the extension of service tenures for the service chiefs of the three wings of the Pakistani armed forces, increasing their terms from the existing three years to five years and an equal extension period besides removing the age cap of 64 years on such appointments. This legislative shift signifies one of the most overt institutional moves by any military leadership to entrench their overarching authority and secure continuity in key positions, effectively enabling tenure extensions to nearly a decade.

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This is a de facto military coup to enable the incumbent Pakistan Army Chief, General Asim Munir, to solidify his grip over power and entrench the militarys hybrid system of governance.

Amid pronounced opposition critiques, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif introduced the Pakistan (Army, Air Force, Navy) Amendment Bills of 2024 in Pakistani National Assembly, where the ruling coalition pushed these without any deliberative scrutiny or parliamentary debate.

A particularly contentious amendment introduced a new Section 8C to the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) of 1953, instituting differential treatment for the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who shall continue to serve as a General relative to other senior generals. The amendment stipulates that the retirement age and service limits prescribed for a General, under the Rules and Regulations made under this Act, shall not be applicable to the Chief of the Army Staff, during his tenure of appointment, reappointment and/or extension."

This statutory modification not only exempts Pakistan Armys Chief from the mandatory 64-year retirement age but also, through an additional amendment to Section 8B, extends the tenure of service and any extension thereof from the current three to five years. This legislative action represents a substantial recalibration of the traditional tenure constraints, effectively insulating the COAS role from standardized service limitations and reinforcing executive-military symbiosis. The countrys principal opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, whose founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan remains incarcerated, rightly described these amendments as the final nail in the coffin of purported democracy turning it into a full-scale military-run monarchy.

The immediate ramifications of these amendments are that these are applicable to the incumbent service chiefs, which effectively extends the tenure of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir from the anticipated 2025 to 2027. With the Amendment Acts removal of the 64-year age ceiling for the COAS, a potential five-year extension could further prolong his tenure until 2032. For many, if General Munir stays for another ten years, which it appears he will, it will probably take Pakistan back to dictator General Zia-ul-Haqs days.

In the context of Pakistans volatile political environment, historical antecedents, and the extent of authority consolidated by the military establishment, exemplified by recent constitutional interventions impacting the judiciary, this extended tenure appears to be a tangible outcome. Pakistans political history recurrently underscores that civilian administrations empowering military consolidation have struggled to withstand the resulting institutional dynamics.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the current ruling party, has previously endured the destabilising effects of such ventures multiple times over the past three decades. For instance, when Nawaz Sharif appointed General Pervez Musharraf as Army Chief, superseding senior generals, he not only faced an ouster in 1999 but also witnessed the imposition of nearly a decade of military rule. This precedent accentuates the inherent risk faced by civilian governments that facilitate military entrenchment, often resulting in their own political erosion and loss of authority.

In an article on the issue, Pakistani Academic Ayesha Siddiqqa argues, A confident army chief is like a king, now free to take risks he couldnt before while watching his back and counting down the months left in service." Pakistans political parties, both ruling and opposition, lack any institutional strength to reclaim the country from the clutches of the army now.

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In light of these developments, it wouldnt be an overstatement to posit that Pakistans ruling coalition, composed of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led by the Bhutto-Zardari family, has effectively ceded national governance to the military establishment under the guise of democratic stewardship. Their facilitation of recent amendments consolidating the militarys hold over the civilian institutions and taming of judiciary reveals their performative commitment to democratic principles while substantively empowering the military establishment with unprecedented power.

The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: November 19, 2024, 16:03 IST
Straight Talk | Bangladesh And Pakistan Are Cosying Up As Dhaka Defies Indias Red Lines

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 11:38 IST

Ever since Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power and a new regime led by Muhammad Yunus put in place, Dhaka has gone the extra mile to establish what were previously defunct relations with Pakistan

Pakistan has been having a blast ever since Muhammad Yunus regime took over Bangladesh. (Photo: X @PTVNewsOfficial)

Previously, containers from Pakistan had to pass through a third country before reaching Bangladesh. Also, all Pakistani goods arriving in Bangladesh even from third countries required a mandatory physical inspection on arrival, which resulted in long delays.

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It is not surprising, therefore, to see Pakistans high commissioner in Dhaka, jubilant over a ship from his country docking at the Chittagong port. Syed Ahmed Maroof said that the direct shipping route was a major step" in boosting trade across the region, adding that the initiative will accelerate existing trade flows and promote new opportunities for businesses on both sides, from small traders to large exporters."

On the surface, this may appear as two countries engaging in normal bilateral trade. Why then is Indias security establishment worried since the Pakistani ship docked at a port in Bangladesh? You see, India has the right to be suspicious of the growing cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Lets take our clocks back to 2004.

Insurgency in Northeast India was anything but under control. Pakistan and Bangladesh were rather openly collaborating against India. Back then, the Indian subcontinent witnessed its largest arms haul. More than 1,500 boxes of Chinese ammunition, worth an estimated $4.5-7 million, were found at the port of Chittagong. While the ammunition was of Chinese origin, the entire operation was allegedly masterminded by Pakistans intelligence agency  the ISI. The consignment was meant to be delivered to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

With the reactivation of dormant shipping lanes between Karachi and Chittagong, India fears Pakistan will find it much easier to smuggle arms and narcotics into the Northeast, especially complicating the situation if such contraband finds its way to sensitive areas like Manipur or the wider border with Myanmar. With the situation in Myanmar already highly volatile, where China-backed forces are making considerable gains, India has much reason to be worried.

What is more worrisome is the fact that public sentiment in Bangladesh has been turning anti-India for years now. One could argue that Sheikh Hasinas ouster was in many ways linked to her being seen as an Indian proxy governing Bangladesh  a Muslim-majority nation. With her gone, there are indications that the new regime led by Muhammad Yunus is more interested in exploring partnerships with Pakistan. This may very well be a result of the Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist organisations significant influence over the new power apparatus in Dhaka.

So, while India is worried about Pakistan trying to smuggle weapons and ammunition into the Northeast, there are also concerns that radical anti-India groups within Bangladesh may be on the verge of getting armed with sophisticated weaponry.

Good Times for Pakistan in Bangladesh Under Yunus Watch

Pakistan has been having a blast ever since Muhammad Yunus regime took over Bangladesh. For starters, a disturbing debate is raging through the power corridors of Dhaka. Bangladeshs Attorney General, Mohammad Asaduzzaman, recently called for removing the word secular from the countrys Constitution. Bangladesh, which has been gripped with brazen anti-Hindu violence since Sheikh Hasinas ouster, is increasingly mirroring Pakistan, where too, religious minorities find surviving on a daily basis an insurmountable challenge.

In addition to the direct shipping route being flanked open, other indications of growing ties between the two nations have emerged. For instance, on September 11, the 76th death anniversary of Pakistans founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah was commemorated at the National Press Club in Dhaka. At the event, attendees lauded Jinnah, with one participant even remarking, Jinnah is the father of our nation," and asserting that without Pakistan, Bangladesh would not exist" today.

Meanwhile, a video of Dr Shahiduzzaman, an international relations professor at Dhaka University, has gone viral, where he suggests a nuclear treaty with Pakistan as a counterbalance to India.

Moreover, the visa process between the two nations has become more straightforward over the past few months. In September, Islamabad declared that Bangladeshi citizens could visit Pakistan without paying a visa fee. Bangladesh has also placed a new order for artillery ammunition from Pakistan. The order includes 40,000 rounds of ammunition, 40 tonnes of RDX in wax form for explosives, and 2,900 high-intensity projectiles. While such orders are not unprecedented, officials in New Delhi have noted that the quantities are significantly larger than usual.

Pakistan and Bangladesh are also planning a Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting to discuss enhancing trade and defence cooperation. Reports indicate that the Joint Economic Commission may be tasked with getting a bilateral investment treaty up and running.

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Bangladesh, under Muhammad Yunus leadership, is playing fast and loose with Indias genuine strategic concerns. India has the right to be suspicious of Bangladeshs growing bonhomie with Pakistan. After all, it is Dhaka which seems to be forgetting all the atrocities that Islamabad perpetuated on East Pakistan" before its liberation. As the lesson goes, those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 11:38 IST
March 12, 2025, 08:31 AM IST | Episode 26

The road to lasting peace in Manipur will be long and fraught with challenges. The scars of the 2023 violence run deep, and the wounds between the Meitei and Kuki communities will not heal overnight. However, what is clear is that the government is not going to let the state remain trapped in an endless cycle of violence and instability
Apple Issues Major iOS 18.1.1 Security Update For iPhone Users: Install It Right Away

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 10:52 IST

The urgent security update from Apple this week takes care of multiple vulnerabilities that have been discovered.

Apple's urgent iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 update needs your attention

iPhone users have got a major security update from Apple this week which needs to be installed on their devices right away. The new iOS 18.1.1 update is one of the urgent patches that Apple has issued to fix some major vulnerabilities that may or may not have been exposed in the wild. The iOS 18.1 update came out a few weeks back, offering Apple Intelligence features to the compatible iPhone models for the first time. But these urgent updates are offered in case the company discovers major concerns about the security of its platforms.

iOS 18.1.1 Update For iPhones: What We Know

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The new iOS 18.1.1 version for iPhone users is called Rapid Security Responses update that Apple has released on November 19, 2024. The detailed Apple security support page mentions the issues with JavaScriptCore and WebKit that may be exploited by bad actors into manipulating a website to infiltrate their devices and push malicious content to attack the vulnerable and affected devices.

iOS 18.1.1 Update: Which iPhones Should Install This Version

Apple says that anybody with an iPhone Xs Max or higher iPhone model should install the urgent iOS 18.1.1 version right away. Similarly, you have the iPadOS 18.1.1 update also taking care of the concerns of the iPad users. Here are all the models that need to be updated to the new version:

iPhone XS and later

iPad Pro 13-inch

iPad Pro 12.9-inch

3rd generation and later

iPad Pro 11-inch

1st generation and later

iPad Air 3rd generation and later

iPad 7th generation and later

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iPad mini 5th generation and later

You can install the new iOS or iPadOS version by going to Settings  General  Software update and download the new version to protect your devices.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 09:20 IST
Looking To Quit X? Here's How You Can Deactivate Or Delete Your Account

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 19, 2024, 11:28 IST

Elon Musk joining the US government advisory team has sparked concerns about his platform X and how it will run from now.

Here's a detailed guide on how to delete your X account

There is a major exodus happening on Elon Musk-owned X, formerly known as Twitter these days. The platform is facing a backlash over Musks involvement with the Donald Trump US government which has brought concerns about the content and how X will be run from now. So, if you are one of these people looking to head out before the ship sinks, it is the right time to delete your X account.

While the platform does not offer a direct option to permanently delete your account. you can temporarily deactivate your account. Deactivating your X account is the first step to deleting your account permanently. This step initiates a 30-day window that gives you space to decide if youd like to reactivate your account. Deactivating your X account means your username (or handle") and public profile will not be viewable on X.com, X for iOS, or the X app on Android.

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How To Deactivate or Delete Your X Account

 Sign in to your X account

 Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the X app

 Tap on Settings and privacy" from the dropdown menu.

 Go to your account settings

 Scroll down and click on Deactivate your account"

 X will ask you to confirm the deactivation by clicking the button

 Enter your account password to authenticate the process

 Your X account has now been deactivated

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Other people will not be able to see your X account, your posts and followers on the platform. Having said that, X is gives you the chance to reactivate your account during this time, by signing in to your account to start using it again.

But after the 30-day deactivation window, your X account is permanently deleted. When you dont log into your account during the 30-day window, it lets us know you want to permanently delete your X account.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 19, 2024, 11:28 IST
Samsung Is Giving Free Display Replacement For These Galaxy Phones: We Tell You Why

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 08:59 IST

Samsung is worried about the issues faced by its users and this free display change will definitely help them.

The free display change is available for these Samsung phones

Samsung is acting on the concerns of its users and offering them a one-time free display replacement if they are facing the green line issue. The display issue has become rampant this year with brands like OnePlus and Vivo in the news for complaints about their devices. Samsung is also acting on the concerns of the consumers, and adding a few more Galaxy phones to the replacement program which will surely be of comfort to millions who own its phones.

Samsung Free Display Change For More Phones: What We Know

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The company has added the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S21 series and the Galaxy S21 FE model to its free display replacement offer that will be available till December 31, 2024. So, if you have any of these Samsung models and are facing the green line issue on the display, you should head over to the nearest authorised Samsung support centre and avail the offer.

The company is most likely going to ask for the bill to authenticate the correct purchase date of the device, which allows the brand to initiate the replacement process. Having said that, Samsung requires the phone to be within the three-year period and also have the first owner to be eligible for the new display. The replacement will be done free of cost but expect the service centre to charge for the labour put into changing the unit.

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The green line issue has popped up predominantly on phones with an AMOLED panel, which also includes OnePlus. The brand has faced a lot of issues lately, forcing the company to widen its free replacement support to ensure that people dont stop buying its devices.

Samsung will also have its hands full with the rumoured early launch of the Galaxy S25 series next year. Reports say the company could unveil its new flagships along with the Android 15 version in January itself which will be a few weeks earlier than its usual timeline.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 08:30 IST
Gurugram Residents Bursting Crackers As City Grapples With Over 400 AQI Leaves Internet Breathless

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 08:10 IST

Apart from Gurugram, Delhi, Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Hajipur, and Hapur have also recorded AQI levels in the severe category, with Delhi reporting the highest AQI at 460.

People bursting fire crackers in Gurugram as residents gasps for clean air amid rising pollution levels. (Image: Reddit/@Fluffy-Diver241)

Gurugrams air quality index (AQI) has been in the severe category for a few days now. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city hit 402 at 4 pm on November 19, with PM2.5 and PM10 being the dominant pollutants. Despite the concerning air pollution levels, many Gurugram residents seem largely unbothered. And a video that has been doing the rounds on the Internet proves just that.

The video shows a wedding procession filmed by a resident from the top floor of a nearby building. In the footage, people can be seen bursting firecrackers and playing loud music as they take baraat to the venue. News.com cannot independently verify when or where the video was taken.

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AQI is 999 and people are bursting crackers in Gurgaon?! What even is happening right now," ranted Reddit user Fluffy-Diver241" on the forum social networks Gurgaon community.

Read| Learn Kannada, Settle In Bengaluru: Mans Suggestion To Delhiites Breathing Hazardous Air

The video, since being shared a day ago on Reddit, has accumulated over 5,200 upvotes and numerous comments.

They are celebrating the 1000 mark of AQI in Gurgaon. A feat never achieved before by any global city!" wrote an individual.

Another added, I just heard crackers bursting in Sector 48 Gurgaon." To this, the original poster replied, Call 112 helpline. They actually came after we called them."

Its like celebrating Halloween with zombie-themed decorations on a house while an actual zombie apocalypse is going on," expressed a third.

A fourth posted, I dont know why but this video has the same energy as the scene from the Chernobyl series. Everyone enjoying, not having the slightest clue what will happen to them."

People are zoned out. Not thinking, not living. Just existing until they wont anymore due to their ignorance," shared a fifth.

Some even said that police should take strict action against them.

Also Read| North Indias Air Pollution Is Now Visible From Space Not Just From Your Balcony. See Pic

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An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 is satisfactory but causes minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people. When the AQI ranges from 101 to 200, it is considered moderate and can cause breathing difficulties for people with respiratory, lung, or heart conditions.

If AQI falls between 201 and 300, it is in the poor category, leading to breathing discomfort for most people with prolonged exposure. A very poor AQI between 301 and 400 can trigger respiratory illnesses after prolonged exposure. AQI levels between 401 and 450 are severe, and anything above 450 is severe plus, affecting even healthy individuals and severely impacting those with pre-existing health conditions.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 08:10 IST
Hyderabad Man Returns Bag With Rs 2 Lakh To Police

Curated By :

Local News Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 11:13 IST

The bag fell from a speeding motorcycle, whose rider had already vanished from the scene.

Satish Yadav's act of honesty shows his values of integrity.

It is not everyday that you come across a bag of fortune on the street, but the action you take knowing that it does not belong to you, defines your character and integrity. This inspiring story showcases the integrity and sense of social responsibility displayed by a lineman named Satish Yadav. The unexpected incident unfolded on November 18 in the Lalaguda area of Hyderabad when Satish stumbled upon a bag containing a significant amount of cash  around two lakh rupees  while returning home after work. The bag fell from a speeding motorcycle, whose rider had already vanished from the scene. Despite efforts to trace the motorcyclist by inquiring with bystanders, Satish couldnt locate him. As soon as Satish Yadav opened the bag, he found that it contained about Rs 2 lakh in cash. He got a little scared in this unexpected situation, because it was not normal to find such a huge amount. But he did not keep the money out of greed and immediately took the right step.

Confronted with this unexpected situation, Satish chose not to be tempted by the large sum of money. Instead, he took the noble path, promptly handing over the bag to the Lalaguda police station. Satish Yadav received well-deserved praise for his honesty when he reached the police station. Police officials commended his actions, stating that such deeds promote a strong message of integrity and accountability in society. They lauded his initiative, emphasising that choosing the right path and practising honesty can significantly contribute to positive societal change.

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Satish Yadavs act of honesty serves as a powerful reminder of the values of integrity and responsibility. His actions not only highlight his character but also send an important message to society about doing the right thing, even when faced with unexpected opportunities for personal gain.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 11:13 IST
Man Receives Rs 10,000 Bill Despite Free Tata Altroz Car Service, Calls Out B******t Charges

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 14:24 IST

Mumbai: A man has turned to the Internet to seek insight into whether a 10,000 bill for his free Tata Altroz car service is justified.

Mumbai: A Tata service centre handed a man an approximate bill of Rs 10,000 after inspecting his car. (Image: Reddit/@rahulrangafp)

A resident of Mumbai took his Tata Altroz car for free service to address issues with the gears and clutch, along with other minor repairs. However, after an inspection, the service centre handed him a bill exceeding 10,000, excluding taxes. Shocked and frustrated, the man turned to the Internet, questioning whether the charges imposed during a supposed free service" were justified.

Tata Car 3rd Free Service B******t Charges. Is it Justified?" asked Reddit user rahulrangafp" while sharing a picture of the bill on the platforms CarsIndia" community. The man also attached a picture of the bill and revealed that his car is only a year old and hasnt even completed less than 9,000 km.

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According to the bill, the service centre charged approximately Rs 10,900, excluding GST. The breakdown included 2,159 for engine oil, Rs 179 for an oil filter, Rs 750 for consumables, Rs 1,850 for brake cleaning, Rs 1,350 for injector cleaning, Rs 900 for AC duct cleaning, Rs 1,650 for interior cleaning, and Rs 350 for door lubrication.

Take a look at the bill here:

In response, a Redditor wrote, Ask them on why a new car which has not even completed 10000kms would need Injector Cleaning? Atrocious of the service centre to bill you this much for a basic service. Cant imagine how much would they charge for a Major Service, post your free service."

Same with door lubrication. Doors dont need regular lubrication specially below 10k kms. Even if they need it, Rs. 350 dont justify it. He would have barely spent 5 minutes spraying some on the hinges," added another.

A third posted, All service centres are looting people. There should be a law which regulates these things. Even if the product is faulty, we need to pay for it in the name of service. Like fuel lid, gear getting stuck are something which should be fixed for free. And half of the cleaning which was mentioned here wouldnt even happened. 80 percent of the service centres in India are scamsters."

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Bro always use the tata service app. They gave me a quote of 8k for my 3rd service of altroz. When I checked in the app, it came down to 3k. They immediately apologised and did only what I wanted," suggested a fourth.

A fifth advised, Decline everything except engine oil and oil filter. Get wheel alignment done from outside. Ask what is included in consumables". Tell them to replace air and ac filter."

First Published: November 20, 2024, 14:20 IST
Men Serve Food At Bhandara With Unbelievable Speed, Internet Says They Must Train AI

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 10:10 IST

A video has surfaced online showing a group of men serving food at a bhandara with remarkable speed and precision.

The video shows four men, all dressed in red T-shirts and black pants. (Photo Credits: X)

A fascinating video has been making rounds on social media, leaving viewers amazed by the precision and speed of a group of men serving food at a bhandara feast. The clip, shared on X, shows a synchronised display of skill and efficiency that has drawn widespread admiration online. The video shows four men, all dressed in red T-shirts and black pants, moving quickly along a line of people seated on the floor waiting for their meals.

Each man plays a specific role in this seamless operation. The first quickly places paper plates in front of the diners, followed closely by another who tosses paper cups onto the plates. The third man swiftly adds bowls and the fourth promptly serves food on the plates which were set up mere moments before. The timing and accuracy of their actions are remarkable as every item lands perfectly where it belongs. The sheer precision and speed make the process look like it is choreographed.

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The caption accompanying the video humorously described their expertise as MBBS (Master in bhandara and bachelor of serving)."

MBBS ( Master in bhandara and bachelor of serving ) pic.twitter.com/LieXrOwqni Ankit (@terakyalenadena) November 18, 2024

Since being posted online, the video has gained significant attention online. The comment section was filled with a variety of reactions from social media users, ranging from praise to criticism.

One user humorously remarked, Ye degree bhi easy nahi hai (Even this degree is not easy)," while another quipped, PhD in Bhandarology!"

Ye degree bhi easy nahi hai DJ13 (@LFC_DJ13) November 18, 2024

Phd in bhandarology!Someone joked, Bhai he can, must train the AI now." Bhai he can must train the AI now  sujay anand (@imsujayanand) November 18, 2024

A viewer curiously asked, Kaha se crash course kia (From where did they do this course)," and another admired, He is serving plates like a pro."

Kaha se crash course kia He is serving plates like a pro A person sarcastically wrote, I have also received this degree from my community and I am very happy because this is also not easily available." I have also received this degree from my community and I am very happy because this is also not easily available.#MBBS  Nikunj Prajapati (@hridaylomas) November 19, 2024

However, not all reactions were lighthearted. Many criticised the act and labelled it as disrespectful.

A viewer noted, This is some kind of making fun not serving. Reels time, not lunch time."

This is some kind of making fun not serving. Reels time not lunch time. Gopi Krishna (@gopik_neeru) November 19, 2024

Another pointed out, Saving time but wasting material for sure."

Saving time but wasting material for sure. Capt Suresh Sharma (@CaptSuresh_S) November 19, 2024

When you cant respect the guests, never invite them. And if you cant learn how to respect, never try to be a host," an individual strongly remarked.

When you can't respect the guests never invite them. And if you can't learn how to respect never try to be a Host. B.Zafar Farooqui (@Badarzafar) November 18, 2024

Lastly, one added, Tremendously disrespectful to food and to the person eating."

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Tremendously disrespectful to food and to the person eating Save_our_planet (@citizen_uddin) November 20, 2024

The video has accumulated more than 7.5 lakh views so far.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 10:10 IST
Photo Shows Yellow-Tinted Skies In Noida As Air Quality Deteriorates: Indian Version Of Chernobyl

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 13:16 IST

Reacting to the photo, a social media user said, "Delhi NCR is not liveable anymore".

The yellow-tinged skies over Noida look like a haunting scene. (Photo Credits: X)

Delhi NCR is facing a severe environmental crisis with the onset of the winter season. Thick layers of pollution and dust have already settled over the region, making the air quality dangerously poor. Residents are facing severe challenges as experts compare breathing in the toxic air equivalent to smoking over 40 cigarettes a day. The crisis has escalated to the point where schools have been forced to close. The situation became even more alarming when a striking photo surfaced online showing the extent of pollution and its impact on the environment.

Captured from a balcony, the image reveals the yellow-tinted skies over Noida which looks like a haunting scene from post-apocalyptic films. Shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user, the photo was initially thought to be filtered, but it actually highlights the thick, murky skies caused by the dangerously high pollution levels in the region. Friend sent this view from her balcony in Noida. NCR is f***** beyond measure," the user wrote in the caption.

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Take a look at the photo here:

Friend sent this view from her balcony in Noida. NCR is fucked beyond measure. pic.twitter.com/b5HtYZLk17 Scion of Mewar (@BromActivist) November 18, 2024

A photo showcasing the hazy skies of Delhi-NCR has gone viral, amassing over 1 million views. While many commenters humorously likened the image to post-apocalyptic scenes from movies, others voiced serious concerns about the alarming pollution levels, calling for immediate action to address the issue.

One user remarked, Delhi is Mexico filter of Hollywood RN (Right now)."

Delhi is mexico filter of hollywood rn. https://t.co/TSZZP48Mqs Akshay (@Ajain112) November 18, 2024

Another wrote, Looks like the movie scene from Kalki," while someone said, Chernobyl (Indian Version)."

Looks like the movie scene from Kalki  Rohit Mundra (@RohitMu91645791) November 18, 2024

Chernobyl (Indian Version) Dogarmal (@psyc_engineer) November 18, 2024

Others couldnt resist drawing comparisons to iconic films, with one asking, Isnt this the part of Dune where the sandworms attack?" Another joked, Delhi mein Mad Max ki shooting ho rahi hai kya? (Is the shooting for the film Mad Max happening in Delhi?)"

Isnt this the part of Dune where the sandworms attack? https://t.co/h5q1WivjAL TechnoWatermelon (@pranavvk) November 18, 2024

Delhi mein Mad Max ki shooting ho rahi hai kya? https://t.co/9QJO5fq4VB KSW (@kswindia) November 18, 2024

The comments continued to pour in, with one saying, Looking like a post-apocalyptic earth."

Another said, Delhi NCR is not liveable anymore."

Delhi NCR is not liveable anymore. Monill Parikh (@MonillParikh) November 18, 2024

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Political parties are busy proving each other wrong instead of working together on stubble burning issue. Funds should be used to eliminate this annual saga instead of renaming places like Sarai Kale Khan and calling it a day. Today's air pollution is at a terrible level. https://t.co/S9vp0Ozqzl  Srishti (@TechellaTea) November 18, 2024

What are your views?

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 13:16 IST
This Chinese Student Travels To Australia Every Week To Meet Girlfriend

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 13:57 IST

Xu Guangli, who has been pursuing a master's degree in arts management at RMIT University, undertook the inter-country weekly travel between August and October.

The 28-year-old student continued the journey for 11 weeks. (Representative Image)

How far can you go for love? A Chinese man has been garnering attention for his weekly travel back to his hometown all the way from Australia. Xu Guangli commuted between his place in Shandong province, China and Melbourne, Australia for the last three months. Wondering why? The 28-year-old student continued the journey for 11 weeks only to attend a single weekly class and spend time with his girlfriend.

Xu Guangli, who has been pursuing a masters degree in arts management at RMIT University, undertook the inter-country weekly travel between August and October. He decided to make the weekly journey after his girlfriend had returned to China following completion of her studies in Australia.

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This wasnt all! You would be surprised to know that each round trip took Xu Guangli three days. But he never backed down. He used to start at 7 am from his home in Dezhou and commute to Jinan to board a flight. Following a layover, Xu Guangli reached Melbourne the next day. After attending his class the same day, the Chinese man returned home on the third day.

Speaking to Dazhong Daily, Xu Guangli mentioned, It was my last semester, and I only needed one class to meet the graduation requirements." He further said, More importantly, my girlfriend had returned to China, and life in Melbourne on my own was lonely."

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Xu Guangli, who studied in Australia for eight years, completed his course in October. In one of his videos posted on social media, the man documented his journey. According to the South China Morning Post, Xu Guangli broke down the cost of each trip, totalling 6,700 yuan, which included a return flight ticket, taxi fares and meals.

The man saved money by staying at his friends residence during his one-night Melbourne stay each week. I could have rented a flat in Melbourne for 10,000 yuan a month, but the time and money spent were worthwhile for love," he added.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 13:57 IST
This Ultra-Luxury Apartment In Gurugram Can Host 50 People On Balcony

Curated By :

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Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 17:31 IST

A content creator shared a video giving a tour of a luxurious apartment in one of Indias most expensive societies in Gurugram.

The apartment has a 72-foot-long balcony. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

Residential properties in Delhi-NCR have become some of the priciest in the country. Apartments in Gurugram are a prime example. With its lavish apartments, some of which have been sold for up to Rs 100 crore, the exclusive society attracts top CEOs, business moguls, and high-net-worth individuals from the region. Recently, content creator Priyam Saraswat gave a rare glimpse into one of these opulent homes, leaving viewers in awe of the sheer luxury.

The video begins with a tour of the grand entrance. Double doors open into an elegant foyer adorned with mirrored artwork and golden planters. The architect, who lives in the apartment, explains its design, which is divided into two sections: a public part" for hosting guests and a private part" where the bedrooms are located. She then shows the living area is described as the biggest part of the house. It features three sections  a formal sitting area, a dining space and a relaxed corner with a plush couch for family conversations.

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The architect described the interior decor as minimalistic and sparse" through the use of muted colours. The DLF Camellias apartment also has a spacious 72-foot-long balcony that can accommodate up to 50 people. The balcony overlooks a swimming pool and greenery which makes it a calm and relaxing spot.

Cant ask for a better work station," Saraswat remarks in the video.

The apartment also includes a lounging area with plants, a small bar and a combined dining and workspace. In the video, the woman also shows the master bedroom and her sons bedroom who is currently studying in New York.

The architect said, Living in a concrete jungle, thats the best we can do, a happy breathing space." She lives in the apartment with her husband who is a businessman.

Take a look at the video here:

The video of the luxurious apartment gained significant attention online, amassing nearly 3 million views so far. The comment section was flooded with a variety of reactions from social media users.

One user quipped, Man that balcony is almost the size of 3 houses in Mumbai."

Another joked, That lady called us poor in different languages."

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The kind of minimalism" I want in life," someone else remarked, while another pointed out, Very underwhelming for the price. Just a status symbol."

I think she has done a really good job. Designing an independent villa and an apartment are two really different things. Less is more," a person shared.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 20, 2024, 17:31 IST
After Australia, UK Mulls Banning Social Media For Children Under 16

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Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 23:30 IST

UK's Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said "everything was on the table" and that he would do "what it takes" to keep people safe online..

Australia is planning a social media ban for children under 16 over concerns over its impact on youth. (File)

Australia recently planned to introduce a world-first legislation seeking to ban children under 16 years from using social media. Now, a similar step is being considered in the United Kingdom amid concerns over its impact on the youth.

UKs Technology Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC that such a plan is on the table", adding that he would do what it takes" to keep people, particularly children, safe online. He also said additional research would be done into the impact of technology like smartphones and social media on young people.

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Kyle said there was currently no firm, peer-reviewed evidence" on the impact on the youth and that he spelt out his priorities on a letter of specific intent" to the communications regulator Ofcom, which will assume greater powers under the Online Safety Act (OSA).

Kyle said a potential social media ban was on the table" but wanted to see more evidence first. He said he wanted to make sure the powers in the OSA were used assertively" by the regulator. I just want to make sure that Ofcom knows that the government expects them to be used," he added.

What This Means?

The OSA has demanded tech firms like Meta, TikTok and X take more responsibility for the content on their platforms to protect children from harmful material. Social media platforms could face significant fines if they do not comply with the act.

Ahead of the OSA coming into effect, social media companies have already introduced significant changes  like Instagram creating new teen accounts and Roblox banning young children from messaging others. However, critics have consistently said the government has not done enough to mitigate the harmful effects of social media on children.

Iona Silverman of the law firm Freeths said a possible ban on social media is akin to a drop in an ocean-sized problem" and expressed concerns over teenagers finding new ways to access problematic material online. The government needs to think bigger: this is a problem that requires a cultural shift, and also requires legislation to be one step ahead of, rather than behind, technology," she said.

The debate was fuelled with Australias potential ban on social media for under-16s, which will be introduced in Parliament during its final two weeks in session this year. The age limit would take effect 12 months after the law is passed, said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

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More than 140 Australian and international academics with expertise in fields related to technology and child welfare signed an open letter to Albanese last month opposing a social media age limit as too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively."

(with agency inputs)

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: November 20, 2024, 23:06 IST
'Whoever Brings Us Hostages...': Netanyahu Makes Rare Gaza Visit, Vows To End Hamas Rule

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Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 07:51 IST

Benjamin Netanyahu visited Gaza and vowed to end Hamas's rule. He also offered a $5 million reward for each hostage's return.

Benjamin Netanyahu visits Gaza (Video screengrab/X:@netanyahu)

Amid his countrys war with Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a rare visit to Gaza on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Israels Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and the head of its army.

In a video message posted on X in Gaza, Netanyahu asserted that Hamas would not rule the Palestinian enclave after the war had ended.

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Offering a 5 million dollar reward for the return of each hostage, Netanyahu said anyone who brings him hostages will find a safe way to escape.

His remarks came as he claimed Israel had not given up trying to locate the 101 remaining hostages believed to be still in the enclave.

Anyone who dares to harm our hostages will have blood on their head. We will hunt you down and get you," Netanyahu said.

Whoever brings us a hostage will find a safe way, he and his family, to get out," he said.

Choose, the choice is yours, but the result will be the same. Well get them all back," the Israeli Prime Minister said.

He also said that Israel had destroyed the Islamist groups military capabilities.

   .       .   ,   . pic.twitter.com/6Coj7l410O Benjamin Netanyahu    (@netanyahu) November 19, 2024

During his visit, Netanyahu also received a briefing on operational activities.

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

The conflict in the Middle East began when the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas stormed from Gaza into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250.

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In solidarity with Hamas, Hezbollah began firing into Israel on October 8, 2023.

Israels war in Gaza has killed over 43,800 Palestinians, the Associated Press quoted local health authorities.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 07:34 IST
Brazil's Lula Says He And Xi Put 'Peace First' In A World Plagued By Conflict

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 23:11 IST

Lula stressed Brazil's joint effort with China to end the war in Ukraine, which includes a roadmap that Kyiv has rejected

China's President Xi Jinping and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrive for a joint statement to the press after a meeting at Alvorada Palace in Brasilia on November 20. (AFP photo)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said during a state visit Wednesday by Chinese President Xi Jinping that their countries prioritize peace in a world roiled by conflicts.

In a world plagued by armed conflicts and political strife, China and Brazil put peace, diplomacy and dialogue first," Lula said in Brasilia after holding talks with Xi.

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He stressed Brazils joint effort with China to end the war in Ukraine, which includes a roadmap that Kyiv has rejected.

The United States and Europe have not taken it on board either, given Beijings strong ties with Moscow.

The Chinese and Brazilian leaders showcased their deepening bilateral ties by signing cooperation accords on trade, technology and environmental protection.

Xi said China-Brazil relations are at their best in history" and the two countries are now reliable friends," according to Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency.

Lula said: I am confident that the partnership that President Xi and I signed today will exceed all expectations and pave the way for a new phase of bilateral relations."

He added that he looked forward to welcoming Xi to Brazil again next July for a BRICS summit.

Xis visit to Brazils capital comes fresh off his attendance Monday and Tuesday at a G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, and an APEC summit last week in Lima, Peru.

The Chinese leader figured prominently at both summits, in contrast with outgoing US President Joe Biden, who cut a spectral figure as fellow leaders looked past him, politically, to the coming presidency of Donald Trump.

That difference also spoke to Chinas ascendant role as trade partner and investor in Latin America, and expectations that America under Trump will erect trade and migration barriers.

Lula welcomed Xi with full honors, greeting him on the red carpet as horse-mounted guards rode past, a military brass band played their national anthems, and lines of children waved Chinese and Brazilian flags.

Trade partners

China is Brazils biggest trading partner overall, with two-way commerce exceeding $160 billion last year.

The South American agricultural power sends mainly soybeans and other primary commodities to China, while the Asian giant sells Brazil semiconductors, telephones, vehicles and medicines.

Since returning to power in early 2023, Lula has sought to balance efforts to improve ties with both China and the United States.

A visit to Beijing this year by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin was seen as paving the way for Brazil to potentially join Chinas Belt and Road Initiative to stimulate trade  a central pillar of Xis bid to expand Chinas clout overseas.

South American nations that have signed up include Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Xi inaugurated South Americas first Chinese-funded port while in Lima last week for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where he also met with Biden.

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The port opening prompted senior US officials to warn Latin America to be vigilant of Chinese investment.

We encourage Brazil and our allies in general to evaluate with open eyes the risks and benefits of a rapprochement with China," State Department spokeswoman Natalia Molano told AFP.

Location : Brazil

First Published: November 20, 2024, 23:11 IST
Canada Boosts Screening For Flyers To India, Says Beware Of Terror Attacks In Fresh Alert

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Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 12:10 IST

Canadian Air Transport Security Authority will carry out the additional screening measures for Indian flyers

Canadian government said passengers may experience some screening delays. (Reuters)

Canada has enhanced its security screening for passengers travelling to India, citing an abundance of caution". The fresh move comes amid the diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Federal Transport Minister Anita Anand told Canadian Broadcaster CBC, Transport Canada has implemented temporary additional security screening measures for travellers to India out of an abundance of caution," Anand said. She added passengers may experience some screening delays while these measures are in place."

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A government official informed CBC News that the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), the agency in charge of screening passengers and their luggage before they enter restricted areas of airports in Canada, will carry out the additional measures.

CATSAs screenings include hand swabs to detect traces on individuals when necessary, sending carry-on bags through X-ray machines, and conducting physical screenings of passengers.

However, Anands office statement did not link to any specific incidents.

Exercise Caution Due To Terror Attacks: Canada Issues Alert

Meanwhile, the Canadian government has issued a travel advisory for its citizens seeking to travel to India, mentioning the Zika virus scare and terror attacks.

Exercise a high degree of caution in India due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country," the alert read.

Exercise a high degree of caution in and around Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai. Consular services in-person are temporarily unavailable in those cities or surrounding areas. If you need consular services, contact the High Commission of Canada in India, located in New Delhi. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa," the alert further read.

The North American nation also urged its people not to travel to northeast India, Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan borders.

Souring India-Canada Ties

Relations between India and Canada have been deteriorating over last years assassination of India-designated Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, for which Ottawa alleged Indian involvement. India has rejected the allegations, calling them preposterous", and accused Trudeau of harbouring Khalistanis who are not only plotting against India but also attacking Hindus on Canadian soil. The two countries eventually called back their diplomats and stopped operations of the consulates.

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Of late, there has been an increase in incidents involving attacks on Hindu devotees in Canadas temples, prompting a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has condemned the deliberate attack".

Indian intelligence and government agencies, meanwhile, are of the view that Trudeau is backing Khalistani groups to ensure MP Jagmeet Singhs support in next years election, giving the Liberal Partys rapid decline in popularity as polls show it would lose badly to the opposition Conservative Party.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 11:36 IST
'Climate Finance Is Legal Obligation, Not Charity': G77 Demands Trillion-Dollar Deal At COP29

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 00:42 IST

Disappointed by the talks so far, developing country blocs, united in their demand, declared that they will continue engaging until the very last minute

The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly known as COP29, is the 29th United Nations Climate Change conference. COP29 is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, 2024. Image: UN Climate Change Conference

As the COP29 negotiators entered the final hours to prepare a draft outcome, developing country blocs came out united on Wednesday to demand a strong trillion-dollar climate finance deal at the UN summit.

We need a figure in trillions, as the headline of the text. Then we can discuss the rest of the issues. But that figure is critical. It is imperative for developed nations to step up," said Adonia Ayebare, the Ugandan chairman of the G77+China grouping of developing nations.

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Speaking at a press briefing in Baku, the largest group of developing nations, led by G77+ China, along with the African group, as well as the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs), firmly declared that the provision of climate finance is a legal obligation of developed countries under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Climate finance is not charity. Providing finance is a legal obligation of developed countries to developing nations. That is why this COP is really important, and we need an outcome that strongly agrees to a consistent, clear figure in terms of the new finance target," asserted Diego Pacheco from Bolivia on behalf of the LMDCs.

Renegotiation of Paris Agreement unacceptable

The developing nation blocs made it clear, quite strongly, that there was no scope for re-negotiating the 2015 Paris Agreement, which clearly stipulates that developed countries provide financial resources to developing countries, which are more climate-vulnerable. This comes in the wake of calls by a few developed nations to expand the contributor base to include certain developing countries based on their wealth and GDPs.

The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) should be grounded in the mandate of the 2015 Paris Agreement. We are very concerned over the attempts to introduce innovative elements, or change the mandate of the Agreement to dilute the responsibility of developed countries. There are also attempts to impose targets on developing countries with no provision of finance," said the Bolivian delegate on behalf of LMDCs.

G77+China, however, said it is open to looking at another layer of voluntary contributions" to the new climate finance target.

Disappointing progress so far

Disappointed by the lack of clarity on the finance target, the developing nation blocs highlighted that they have already specified their climate finance needs in trillions, but the developed countries lack plans and political will, and continue to undermine the negotiation process.

The two-week-long UN summit has entered its crunch time to establish a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) to replace the previous $100 billion target set by the rich nations in 2009. Developing nations have proposed at least $1.3 trillion every year till 2030 to be mobilised by developed countries through grants, concessional finance, and non-debt-inducing support. However, the rich nations are holding their cards close to their chest, and are yet to propose any figures.

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We expected some direction on the NCQG by now, but there is still no confirmation on the quantum of finance we asked for. We have been pushing for the last ten days, but there has been no movement, no figure until now. This is disappointing and frustrating. We hope that our partners will come forward with a justifiable number to meet the needs and scale of the growing problem of climate change," said Kenyas climate envoy Ali Mohamed, representing the African Group.

Developing countries are at the forefront of climate change impacts, despite contributing the least to the historical emissions. United in their demand, the blocs stated that they would continue engaging positively until the last minute, in the face of an unexpected outcome. We are here to negotiate in good faith. It is too premature to be talking about walking out," added Mohamed.

First Published: November 21, 2024, 00:42 IST
Donald Trump's Lawyers Urge Judge To Ignore Prosecutors And Dismiss Hush Money Conviction

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 22:50 IST

Echoing their arguments since Trump's win, his lawyers said in a letter Wednesday to Judge Juan M. Merchan that continuing with the case will interfere with Trump's preparations for returning to the White House and impede his ability to run the country

A dismissal would erase Trumps conviction, the first of a former and now future U.S. president. If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Trumps punishments would range from a fine or probation to up to four years in prison. (Reuters file)

A day after New York prosecutors said they will fight efforts to dismiss Donald Trumps hush money conviction, the president-elects lawyers urged a judge to ignore them and dispose of the case before he takes office in January.

Echoing their arguments since Trumps win, his lawyers said in a letter Wednesday to Judge Juan M. Merchan that continuing with the case will interfere with Trumps preparations for returning to the White House and impede his ability to run the country.

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The lawyers, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, said they will file paperwork formalizing their dismissal request and asked Merchan for a deadline of Dec. 20, after Special Counsel Jack Smiths team is expected to disclose the next steps it intends to take in two federal cases against Trump.

Blanche and Bove urged Merchan to heed the will of the voters who returned Trump to office rather than the word of prosecutors, who are often referred to in court proceedings and filings as representing the People of the State of New York."

They warned of protracted appeals overlapping with Trumps second term if what they deemed a politically-motivated and fatally flawed" case isnt dispatched urgently.

On November 5, 2024 the Nations People issued a mandate that supersedes the motivations of (the district attorneys) People," Blanche and Bove wrote. This case must immediately be dismissed."

Trump has tapped both Blanche and Bove for high-ranking Justice Department jobs.

Trump was convicted in May of falsifying business records to cover up a scheme to influence the 2016 election by paying hush money to squelch a story of extramarital sex. Trump denies the allegations.

In a court filing Tuesday, the Manhattan district attorneys office said it opposes any effort to dismiss Trumps case, but did express openness to potentially delaying his sentencing until after his second term.

D.A. Alvin Braggs office said in that Trumps looming presidency isnt grounds for dropping a case that was already decided by a jury.

But, citing the need to balance competing constitutional interests," prosecutors said consideration must be given" to pausing the case and delaying Trumps sentencing until after hes out of office.

Prosecutors, in their filing, sought an even more accelerated schedule than the defense for hashing out the dismissal issue. They suggested the defense file its paperwork in the next week or two so they could submit their response by Dec. 9.

Merchan hasnt set a schedule, nor has he said when he will rule.

In the meantime, the case is effectively on hold. Trumps sentencing, which had been set for Nov. 26, will not go on as scheduled.

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A dismissal would erase Trumps conviction, the first of a former and now future U.S. president. If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Trumps punishments would range from a fine or probation to up to four years in prison.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 20, 2024, 22:50 IST
'Body Stuffed In Car Boot, Vehicle Abandoned': How Indian-Origin Man Killed Wife In London

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Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 10:35 IST

Police are investigating the murder of 24-year-old Harshita Brella, whose body was found in a car in east London on November 14. Her husband, Pankaj Lamba, is the prime suspect.

Images show 24-year-old Harshita Brella (L)/her husband Pankaj Lamba (R) (Source: Northamptonshire Police/Facebook)

The postmortem report of 24-year-old Harshita Brella, whose body was found in a vehicle in east London on November 14, has revealed she died of strangulation, the police have said.

A probe into the case has revealed Harshita was murdered in Corby on the evening of November 10, by her husband, whom the police identified as 23-year-old Pankaj Lamba. They suspect Lamba first strangled his wife and then transported her body from Corby to Ilford by car.

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The car was left parked in Brisbane Road, Ilford, and the police believe Lamba then fled the country.

HARISHITA BRELLA MURDER CASE: POLICE INVESTIGATION

According to the police, they had received a call on November 13, informing them that Harshita had been missing. They visited Harshitas house in Skegness Walk, Corby. However, could not find her there.

Subsequently, a missing person investigation was launched in the case and the probe led to the recovery of her body from inside the boot of a vehicle in Brisbane Road in the Ilford area of London.

In an official statement in connection with the case, senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell from the East Midlands Special Operations Major Crime Unit (EMSOU), said, Our inquiries have established that Pankaj Lamba drove a Silver Vauxhall Corsa (pictured) from Corby to Ilford sometime on the morning of Monday, November 11. We suspect Harshitas body had been placed in the boot of the vehicle by Lamba before leaving Corby. Lamba then abandoned the vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford and made his getaway."

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We are continuing to appeal for information and I would urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or had any sightings of Pankaj Lamba in Corby, Ilford or elsewhere in the days leading up to the discovery of Harshitas body, to contact police as soon as possible. Any information, no matter how small, may be relevant to the investigation and help us get justice for Harshita."

Specialist officers continue to provide support to Harshitas family and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time as they try to come to terms with the tragic loss of their daughter and sister," the official said.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 10:31 IST
Modi Becomes First Indian PM To Visit Guyana in 56 years, Receives Ceremonial Welcome

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Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 08:44 IST

PM Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and will address a special sitting of Guyana's parliament

PM Modi lands in Georgetown. (Screengrab/ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Guyana in 56 years. He received a heart-warming and ceremonial welcome as he reached Georgetown.

PM Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and will address a special sitting of the South American nations parliament.

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#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour in Georgetown, GuyanaDuring his visit, PM Modi will hold a bilateral with President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and will address a special sitting of Guyanas parliament. He will also join leaders from pic.twitter.com/3cnVzCGOeD  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Indias Envoy to Guyana, Amit S Telang, emphasised the importance of the visit, stating, This visit is significant as it reflects the long-standing and warm relationship between our two countries, which I would describe as historically strong. After almost five decades56 years to be precisethis visit serves as a symbol of the enduring friendship, mutual trust, and cooperation that have developed between us over the years."

Meeting with CARICOM Leaders

He further highlighted the growing ties between India and Guyana, noting, Our Indian community in Guyana is also expanding, including students, professionals, and those involved in trade and commerce. There is great excitement, enthusiasm, and optimism surrounding this visit, and I am confident that Prime Minister Modis trip will bring fresh momentum to our partnership."

Telang also pointed out Indias active role with CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market), of which Guyana is a member. India has been collaborating closely with CARICOM nations through our Voice of Global South initiative, which was launched during our G20 presidency under Prime Minister Modis leadership. Many CARICOM leaders participated in these summits and contributed their perspectives," he remarked.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with other CARICOM leaders at the Caricom-India Summit on Thursday, which he will co-chair alongside Grenadas Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell. The summit aims to strengthen ties between CARICOM and India, with a focus on areas such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, food security, health, pharmaceuticals, and technology innovation.

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India and Guyanas relationship is further supported by a joint ministerial commission, cultural exchanges, and a business council between the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI).

Development cooperation is facilitated through the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, which offers 50 scholarships annually. Over 600 Guyanese have received training through ITEC and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships. India has also extended credit for agricultural and IT projects, with Indian companies showing interest in biofuels, energy, minerals, and pharmaceuticals. While trade between the two countries remains modest, it is steadily growing.

First Published: November 20, 2024, 08:28 IST
PM Modi, Guyanese President Plant Sapling In Georgetown Under Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam Initiative

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 23:07 IST

On June 5, Prime Minister Modi launched the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Campaign on the World Environment Day.

PM Modi and Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali planted a sapling (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Wednesday planted a sapling in Georgetown under the Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam initiative.

Modi, who arrived in Guyana on Wednesday, is the first Indian head of the state to visit the country in more than 50 years.

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"Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam goes global. PM Modi and President Irfan Ali plant a sapling in Georgetown under the Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam initiative," an official said.

A shared commitment to sustainability!In a very special gesture, the President of Guyana and my friend, Dr. Irfaan Ali, took part in the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (a tree for Mother) movement by planting a tree with his grandmother and mother-in-law.@DrMohamedIrfaa1 pic.twitter.com/WxgWrTmZdt  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2024

On June 5, Prime Minister Modi launched the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Campaign on the World Environment Day.

President Ali praised Prime Minister Modi, calling him a champion among leaders for his impactful leadership and contribution to the developing world.

"Thank you very much, Prime Minister Modi. It is our greatest honour to have you here. You are a champion among leaders. You have led incredibly," Ali said during a joint press statement with Modi.

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He lauded Modis governance style, noting its relevance and adoption in Guyana and other nations.

"You have shown the light to the developing world, and you have created development metrics and a framework that many are adopting in their own country. And much of it is relevant to us here in Guyana," he said.

Location : Georgetown, Guyana

First Published: November 20, 2024, 22:50 IST
Republicans Push To Bar Trans People From Using Womens Bathrooms After McBrides Win

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 22:05 IST

House Speaker Mike Johnson signaled support for a Republican effort to ban Democrat Sarah McBride, the first transgender person to be elected to Congress, from using womens restrooms in Capitol

House Speaker Mike Johnson signaled support for a Republican effort to ban Sarah McBride from using womens restrooms in the Capitol once she's sworn into office next year

House Speaker Mike Johnson signaled support Tuesday for a Republican effort to ban Democrat Sarah McBride  the first transgender person to be elected to Congress  from using womens restrooms in the Capitol once shes sworn into office next year.

Were not going to have men in womens bathrooms," Johnson told The Associated Press. Ive been consistent about that with anyone Ive talked to about this."

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Johnson earlier in the day emphasized the need to treat all persons with dignity and respect," adding, This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before, and were going to do that in deliberate fashion with member consensus on it."

A resolution proposed Monday by GOP Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina would prohibit any lawmakers and House employees from using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex." Mace said the bill is aimed specifically at McBride, who was elected to the House this month from Delaware.

The debate over whether transgender people should be allowed to use the bathrooms that align with their gender identity has been prevalent across the U.S. and was a focal point of President-elect Donald Trumps campaign. At least 11 states have adopted laws barring transgender girls and women from girls and womens bathrooms at public schools, and in some cases other government facilities.

Im absolutely, 100% gonna stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a womens restroom, in our locker rooms, in our changing rooms," Mace said told reporters Tuesday. The second-term congresswoman added that Johnson assured her the bathroom provision would be included in any changes to House rules for the next Congress.

If its not," she said. Ill be ready to pick up the mantle."

Democrats, including McBride, denounced the GOP effort as bullying" and a distraction."

This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing," McBride said. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars."

Rep. Katherine Clark, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, quipped that House Republicans are already off to a great start."

What are they talking about there, on day one, is where one member out of 435 is going, where she is going to use the bathroom?" the Massachusetts lawmaker said during a press conference Tuesday. That is their focus?"

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McBride was elected to the House this month after building a national profile as an LGBTQ+ activist and raising more than $3 million in campaign contributions from around the country. She became the first openly transgender person to address a major party convention in the United States in 2016, when she spoke at the Democratic National Convention.

After her election win earlier this month, McBride said that her victory was a testament to Delawareans that we have shown time and time again that in this state of neighbors, we judge candidates based on their ideas and not their identities."

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 20, 2024, 22:05 IST
US Closes Embassy In Kyiv Over Potential Air Attack From Russia

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 12:35 IST

On Tuesday, Putin lowered the threshold for a nuclear response to a wider range of conventional attacks, heightening nuclear risks

A convoy of cars leaves the US embassy, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine on February 20, 2023. (Photo: Reuters)

The United States shut its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday after receiving information of a potential significant air attack" amid escalations in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place," the US Department of State Consular Affairs said in a statement published on the website of the US embassy in Kyiv.

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The US Embassy has advised American citizens to be ready to shelter immediately if an air alert is issued.

This warning follows Ukraines use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles to target Russian territory, a move made possible by newly granted permission from the outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden, marking the 1,000th day of the war.

Russia had been warning the West for months that if the US allowed Ukraine to launch US, British, and French missiles deep into Russian territory, Moscow would consider these NATO nations as directly involved in the conflict.

In October, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow would retaliate against Ukrainian strikes using US-made weapons within Russian borders.

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On Tuesday, Putin lowered the threshold for a nuclear response to a wider range of conventional attacks, heightening nuclear risks amid the highest tensions between Russia and the West in over 50 years.

(With agency inputs)

First Published: November 20, 2024, 12:23 IST
US Vetoes UN Resolution For Ceasefire In Gaza, Says No Link With Hostage Release

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 23:30 IST

Many diplomats hoped Donald Trump's election win would prompt Joe Biden to become more flexible in his few remaining weeks.

The UN resolution demanded an 'immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire' in Gaza. (Reuters)

The United States on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council push to call for a ceasefire in Gaza that Washington said would have emboldened Hamas.

The resolution demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in the war between Israel and the Palestinian group, along with the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages."

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But Israels UN ambassador Danny Danon said the resolution was not a path to peace, it was a road map to more terror, more suffering and more bloodshed.

Many of you attempted to pass this injustice. We thank the United States for exercising its veto."

Robert Wood, deputy ambassador to the United Nations, said that the US position remained there had to be a linkage between a ceasefire and the release of hostages."

The war was triggered by the assault on Israel by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, a cross-border raid that resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said the death toll from the resulting war had reached 43,985 people, the majority civilians. The United Nations considers the figures reliable.

Of 251 hostages seized during the October 7 attack, 97 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

Almost all of Gazas 2.4 million people have been displaced by the war, which has caused a humanitarian catastrophe.

Hamas condemned Washington as a partner in the aggression against our people."

It is a criminal, kills children and women and destroys civilian life in Gaza."

US Criticised For Vetoing Ceasefire Resolution

Since the beginning of the conflict, the Security Council has struggled to speak with one voice, as the United States used its veto power several times, although Russia and China have as well.

China kept demanding stronger language," said a US official who also claimed that Russia had been pulling strings" with the countries responsible for pushing the latest resolution.

The few resolutions that the United States did allow to pass by abstaining stopped short of calling for an unconditional and permanent ceasefire.

In March, the council called for a temporary ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, but this appeal was ignored by the warring parties.

And in June, the 15-member body pledged support for a US resolution that laid out a multi-stage ceasefire and hostage release plan that ultimately went nowhere.

We regret that the Council could have incorporated compromise language the UK put forward to bridge the existing gaps With that language, This resolution should have been adopted," Wood, the US envoy, said following the vote.

Slovenias deputy ambassador to the UN Ondina Blokar Drobic said we regret the veto was cast. Even more since this war, with its humanitarian impact and spillover effect, amounts to a serious threat to international peace and security."

Some diplomats have expressed optimism that following Donald Trumps election win, President Joe Biden might be more flexible in his few remaining weeks in power.

They hoped for a repeat of December 2016 when then-president Barack Obamas second term was finishing and the council passed a resolution calling for a halt to Israeli settlement building in the occupied territories, a first since 1979.

The United States refrained from using its veto then, a break from traditional US support for Israel on the sensitive issue of settlements.

Once again, the US used its veto to ensure impunity for Israel as its forces continue to commit crimes against Palestinians in Gaza," Human Rights Watch said.

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The resolution vetoed on Wednesday calls for safe and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance at scale," including in besieged northern Gaza, and denounces any attempt to starve the Palestinians.

Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations Majed Bamya said Wednesday that theres no justification whatsoever for vetoing a resolution trying to stop atrocities."

Location : New York, United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 20, 2024, 23:30 IST
Ukraine Slams Western Allies For Embassy Closures, Says Russia Launched Psychological Op

Published By :

AFP

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 21:21 IST

The warnings of fresh strikes come as Moscow looks to retaliate against Ukraine for firing US-supplied long-range missiles on Russian territory for the first time and with the Kremlin accusing outgoing US President Joe Biden of dragging out the war

Putin has demanded Ukraine's troops abandon four regions in its south and east as a precondition to ceasefire talks. (Photo: AFP file)

Ukraine on Wednesday called on its Western allies not to fuel tension inside the country, after a string of embassies in Kyiv announced they would close, citing the threat of a massive air attack" on the capital.

The warnings of fresh strikes come as Moscow looks to retaliate against Ukraine for firing US-supplied long-range missiles on Russian territory for the first time and with the Kremlin accusing outgoing US President Joe Biden of dragging out the war.

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Russia has already ramped up a wave of deadly missile strikes in recent days, targeting residential areas and Ukraines energy grid. Air alerts blare out across the country daily.

The United States led the wave of closures, saying it was shutting its Kyiv office to the public after having received specific information of a potential significant air attack" on Wednesday.

It did not provide further details.

Greece, Hungary, Italy and Spain  all NATO members  followed suit, announcing the closures of their diplomatic premises in the capital.

Ukrainian officials criticised the rare move and called on its allies not to spread yet more fear among Ukrainian society.

Psychological Operation

Kyiv said the information" the US was referring to looked to be a psychological operation" launched by Moscow in a bid to destabilise the country.

We remind you that the threat of strikes by the aggressor state has unfortunately been a daily reality for Ukrainians for over 1,000 days," Ukraines foreign ministry said in a statement on social media.

The GUR military intelligence directorate said a fake" message was being spread on social media, purporting to be a warning from them over a massive bomb attack on Kyiv.

A terrorist country is conducting a massive information and psychological attack against Ukraine," it said in a statement.

Nerves are already frayed in Kyiv after almost three years of war, and Trumps victory in the US presidential election has injected fresh uncertainty.

The Republican has repeatedly criticised US support for Ukraine and claimed he could broker a ceasefire within hours  comments that have triggered fears in Kyiv and Europe about Ukraines ability to withstand the Russian attacks without American support.

Both Ukraine and Russia are jockeying for upper hand on the battlefield before he re-enters the White House in January.

Russia on Wednesday accused Biden of prolonging the war by stepping up weapons deliveries to Kyiv in his final weeks in office.

If you look at the trends of the outgoing US administration, they are fully committed to continuing the war in Ukraine and are doing everything they can to do so," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Peskov was responding to the US saying it would soon provide Ukraine with antipersonnel land mines.

Big Mistake

World leaders have taken note of the step-up in American support for Kyiv.

Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a NATO ally of the US, said Wednesday the decision to allow Kyiv to use the powerful long-range missiles was a big mistake."

This step by Biden will not only escalate the conflict, but will lead to a greater reaction from Russia," Ergodan, who sees himself as a possible mediator, told journalists.

Moscow has struck a defiant tone, pledging retribution and continuing its advance on the front lines.

Its forces claimed Wednesday to have captured the town of Illinka, close to the strategic hub of Kurakhove in the eastern Donetsk region.

The Kremlin also rejected as absurd" and laughable" suggestions it was involved in the cutting of two telecommunications cables running under the Baltic Sea.

European officials have said they suspect sabotage" and hybrid warfare" linked to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Despite increased rumblings of possible talks to end the conflict, there is no sign of Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky being anywhere close to converging on a possible deal.

Zelensky, who warned Tuesday Ukraine would lose the war if Washington pulled funding, has ruled out ceding territory in exchange for peace.

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Putin has demanded Ukraines troops abandon four regions in its south and east as a precondition to ceasefire talks.

Both have rejected a temporary pause in combat or freezing of the conflict along the current front lines.

Location : Kyiv, Ukraine

First Published: November 20, 2024, 21:16 IST
'You Are A Champion Among Leaders': Guyana's President Praises PM Modi

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 23:11 IST

PM Modi became the first Indian leader to visit Guyana in 56 years and was accorded a ceremonial welcome.

PM Modi with Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali in Georgetown.

Guyanas President Mohamed Irfaan Ali praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a champion among leaders" for his impactful leadership and contribution to the developing world.

Speaking at a meeting in Georgetown, Ali commended Modis governance style, noting their relevance and adoption in Guyana and other nations. It is our greatest honour to have you here. You are a champion among leaders. You have led incredibly. You have shown light to the developing world and you have created development metrics and framework that many are adopting in their own country," he said.

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PM Modi arrived in Guyana on Tuesday following the G20 Summit in Brazil, becoming the first Indian leader to visit the country in 56 years. In an special gesture, he was received by President Ali, his counterpart Mark Anthony Phillips along with several cabinet ministers.

Modi held a meeting with Ali at the State House in Georgetown and held wide-ranging discussions on defence, energy, health, pharmaceuticals, digital public infrastructure and UPI among others. They also oversaw the signing of several bilateral agreements in agriculture, technology transfer and other areas. During the visit, the two leaders also planted a sapling in Georgetown under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative.

#WATCH | Georgetown: PM Modi and Guyana Dr Irfaan Ali planted a sapling pic.twitter.com/1Lmp4Dk7id ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Landed in Guyana a short while ago. Gratitude to President Dr Irfaan Ali, PM Mark Anthony Phillips, senior ministers and other dignitaries for coming to receive me at the airport. I am confident this visit will deepen the friendship between our nations," Modi posted on X soon after.

A heartfelt thank you to the Indian community in Guyana for their warm and spirited welcome.They have shown that distance is never a barrier to staying connected to ones roots. Glad to see the community making a mark here across different sectors. pic.twitter.com/BED9nxnEuZ  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2024

President Ali said he had the pleasure of introducing Prime Minister Modi to several CARICOM leaders who are in the city for the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit. This meeting underscored the strengthening bonds between India and the Caribbean, built on shared values and a vision for mutual progress," he said in a post on X.

Last evening, I welcomed @narendramodi , the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, to Guyana for a three-day state visit.Later in the evening, at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, I had the pleasure of introducing Prime Minister Modi to several CARICOM leaders who are pic.twitter.com/zFCQjXGGGy  President Dr Irfaan Ali (@presidentaligy) November 20, 2024

PM Modi Highlights Personal Connection With Guyana

Modi also met his counterparts Dickon Mitchell from Grenada and Mia Amor Mottley from Barbados after arriving in Georgetown. Modi also received the Key to the City of Georgetown as a testament to the close India-Guyana ties.

During a press conference in Georgetown after his meeting with President Ali, the PM said he had a personal connection" with Guyana. I had the opportunity of coming here 24 years ago. Today, I am fortunate to come here as a prime minister," he said. Our relations were established by those who arrived from India here, in Guyana, 180 years ago. Today, the Indian community plays a significant role in the development of Guyana."

President Irfaan Ali has a special relationship with India. He attended the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas last year. His visit inspired us to take our cooperation to a new level We have identified multiple new initiatives to strengthen our relations India has made an important contribution to skill development and capacity building in Guyana," he further said.

The Prime Minister also underscored Indias contribution in Guyanas defence with the supply of two Dornier aircrafts last year and pledged to contribute to the capacity building of the soldiers of Guyana through scholarships and training. He also called President Ali a huge brand ambassador" of the Indian community.

Guyana President Ali also expressed gratitude for Modis state visit and said it represents a significant milestone in enhancing cooperation between the two nations and across multiple sectors".

#WATCH | Georgetown: Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali says,  PM Modi, we are very grateful and humbled for your visit here in Guyana. I had the honour of welcoming PM Modi to the State House Our discussions were not only fruitful but also reinforced our shared commitment to pic.twitter.com/PL7iuRVsgo ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Modi will join leaders from the Caribbean partner countries for the second India-CARICOM Summit here. He had previously attended the first India-CARICOM Summit on the margins of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where they discussed cooperation modalities in renewable energy and climate change through a $150 million credit line from India.

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(with inputs from agencies)

Location : Guyana

First Published: November 20, 2024, 21:52 IST
The United States Navy has been in the business of submarines for a long time, but it was only in 2010 that it decided to let women aboard. Cue 2024, and we have the first sub specifically designed with female submariners in mind. It's the USS New Jersey, reports CBS News, and it's not your grandmother's boat: Commissioned in September, the New Jersey can carry a dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles and 24 torpedoes, and is the "most advanced fast attack submarine" in the Navy fleet, per CBS. It can dive to more than 800 feet and pull 25 knots. A look around:

The main differences: Per Stripes, the New Jersey has more sleeping and bathing areas (and more doors for better separation), steps to three-high bunk beds, and lowered and easier-to-turn overhead valves.
UPDATE

Nov 22, 2024 12:44 PM CST

The state board of education in Texas on Friday approved an elementary school curriculum that includes Bible-based lessons, reports the Washington Post. Critics say the curriculum, which is optional, improperly pushes Christian beliefs in public schools. Gov. Greg Abbott and other supporters disagree, saying the Bible is a part of American history.

Nov 19, 2024 8:35 PM CST

A new Texas public school curriculum criticized for focusing too much on Christianity passed a preliminary Texas State Board of Education vote on Tuesday. A measure to reject the state-produced Bluebonnet Learning curriculum was defeated in an 8-7 vote, with three Republicans siding with the board's four Democrats, the New York Times reports. It is up to schools whether they adopt the curriculumbut those who do so can get an extra $40 per student per year. A final vote on the curriculum is expected Friday.
The escape of 43 monkeys from a research facility in South Carolina earlier this month may have been no accident. Alpha Genesis founder and CEO Gregory Westergaard tells ABC News that the company is investigating whether the release of the rhesus monkeys from the facility was an "intentional act" by an employee. Westergaard says the recent rapid expansion of the facility wasn't the cause of the escape. "The enclosure was brand new and in perfect working order," he says, but three containment doors, each with two locks and two latches, were left unsecured while an employee was "doing routine cleaning and feeding." "We continue to investigate in an attempt to determine to the greatest extent possible whether this was or was not an intentional act," he says.

"My understanding is that immediately after the incident occurred, the employee's supervisor approached her and stated that she could be terminated if it was determined that there was no structural failure which led to the escape," Westergaard told WCSC earlier this week. "I am told at that point the employee walked off the job and has not returned." He said he's not sure if the employee has been officially fired, but "he would expect so." He said it's still unclear whether the escape was the result of human error or "malice." Westergaard says only four monkeys are still on the loose as of Tuesday and the recaptured 39 are in good health, the AP reports.

The escape has drawn a lot of attention to the facility, which breeds primates for disease research. "A lot of constituents were concerned about whether or not the primates that escaped were sick or ill, or have been tested on," Rep. Nancy Mace wrote in a letter to the National Institutes of Health, expressing "very urgent concerns regarding federal oversight of Alpha Genesis." Westergaard tells ABC News that there has been a severe shortage of research monkeys since China banned all exports. Without his company to "fill this void," he says, the "alternative is to allow the Chinese to dominate medical development to the severe detriment of our national security interests." (More rhesus monkeys stories.)
Two Australian tourists are receiving medical care in Thailand after allegedly consuming contaminated alcohol in Laos, according to Australian media reports. The two 19-year-old women fell ill while on a backpacking trip in the tourist hub of Vang Vieng and were later transferred to hospitals in Bangkok and Udon Thani. After failing to check out from Nana Backpacker Hostel on November 13, they were transported to a hospital through arrangements made by the hostel staff.

The women, along with over 100 other guests, had consumed complimentary Lao vodka shots given by the hostel two days before their hospital visit. The hostel's manager says no other guests reported similar symptoms and that the women went out for the evening after consuming the shots. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is offering support to the women and their families but declined to share additional details citing privacy rules. Officials have not specified what the women drank, but methanol, sometimes used in substandard bars, can cause severe health issues or even be fatal. The hostel manager says the establishment has ceased offering free shots and is eager for the inquiry to exonerate them. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
With President-elect Trump and Elon Musk looking on, the sixth Starship test flight took off Tuesday from SpaceX's launch site in southern Texas. The Super Heavy booster splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico minutes after the 5pm Eastern launch, the BBC reports. SpaceX had initially planned to catch the booster with the launch tower's giant mechanical "chopsticks," as it did during a test flight last month . "We did mention that we're constantly evaluating the criteria for catch. There's a lot of things that need to go well in order to line that up," a SpaceX commentator said, per Reuters . "Unfortunately, today we will forgo booster catch." The catch was called off four minutes into the flight, the AP reports.

The top half of Starship splashed down in the Indian Ocean around an hour after launch. The upper stage appeared to split into two halves and SpaceX does not expect to recover them, the Guardian reports. Starship lights up its six engines after separating from the booster, and the test flight included an attempt to fire up one of the engines for a second time, CNN reports. "This is really important, something they haven't done before," says former NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman. "They're finicky little beasts, and it's not so easy to light them up and shut them down and light them up again," Reisman, a SpaceX consultant, tells CNN. In another test, thermal shielding was removed from some parts of the spacecraft to see if catch mechanisms could be placed there in future flights.

"I'm heading to the Great State of Texas to watch the launch of the largest object ever to be elevated, not only to Space, but simply by lifting off the ground. Good luck to ElonMusk and the Great Patriots involved in this incredible project!" Trump said in a Truth Social post earlier Tuesday.



This story has been updated with new developments. (More Starship stories.)
The US government recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the "president-elect" of the South American country on Tuesday, months after President Nicolas Maduro claimed to have won the July election. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recognized Gonzalez in a post on X in which he also demanded "respect for the will" of Venezuelan voters, the AP reports. President Biden's administration has said Gonzalez earned the most votes in the disputed July 28 election but until now, it fell short of acknowledging him as president-elect.
A man has pleaded guilty to murdering a Georgia couple found fatally shot nearly a decade ago after being lured to a rural county by a false offer to sell them a classic car. Ronnie "Jay" Towns pleaded guilty Monday in Telfair County Superior Court to two counts of malice murder in the January 2015 killings of Bud and June Runion. Superior Court Judge Sara Wall sentenced Towns to a double life sentence with no chance of parole, WMAZ reports. Towns's plea spared him from a possible death sentence if he had been convicted by a jury, reports the AP .

Investigators said the Runions traveled more than three hours from their home in Marietta outside Atlanta to Telfair County expecting to buy a 1966 Ford Mustang from someone who contacted 69-year-old Bud Runion in response to an ad on Craigslist. Instead, they were robbed and fatally shot. Authorities found their bodies beside a county road. Towns was arrested a few days later and charged with armed robbery and murder. His case stalled after Georgia courts threw out Towns' first indictment over problems with how the grand jury was selected. Towns was indicted for a second time in 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic caused further delays.

"This has been an extremely long 10 years," the judge said during Towns' plea hearing. New evidence surfaced unexpectedly last April, when someone using a magnet to fish for metal objects in a creek pulled up a .22-caliber rifle and a bag containing a cellphone as well as a pair of driver's licenses and credit cards that belonged to the Runions. District Attorney Tim Vaughn said the new evidence strengthened his case against Towns. The Runions' daughter, Brittany Patterson, told the AP in 2015 that her father traveled to Telfair County hoping to buy a piece of his youth, a 1966 Mustang convertible like one he had purchased after returning from the Vietnam War decades earlier.

(More Georgia stories.)
The eldest son of Norway's crown princess has been arrested on suspicion of rape. Authorities arrested Marius Borg Hoiby, the 27-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, on Monday evening, saying he violated a section of the penal code related to "sexual intercourse with someone who is unconscious or for other reasons unable to resist the act," per the New York Times . Police clarified he's accused of carrying out a "sexual act without intercourse" on a victim "said to have been unable to resist," per CNN . His lawyer says he's not guilty. Hoiby, who has no royal title or duties, is already facing numerous charges for alleged offenses against three women and one man.

Hoiby apologized following his arrest in August on charges of damage and bodily harm against a woman, who CNN reports was with him Monday. Hoiby admitted to those charges, saying he was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine and would seek treatment for substance abuse. Two other women who had relationships with Hoiby then accused him of physical and psychological abuse, prompting charges, per the Times and BBC. Hoiby has also been charged with threatening to kill a man in his 20s, per CNN, while the Guardian reports he was arrested again in September for allegedly violating a restraining order.

The woman Hoiby is accused of raping met him on the same day of the alleged incident, her lawyer tells CNN. The attorney adds that police initiated the case and his client is cooperating, per the Times. Hoiby was arrested late Monday as police made a surprise visit to Skaugum, the estate of the crown prince and princess, where they searched Hoiby's residence, per the Times. Crown Prince Haakon acknowledged the "serious charges" Tuesday on a visit to Jamaica, saying he trusted the authorities and judiciary to do their jobs. Hoiby was 4 years old when his mother married the crown prince. He was raised alongside two younger half-siblings, who are second and third in line to the Norwegian throne. (More Norway stories.)
His was a life defined by political protestand ended by it. The New York Times reports Iran has been shaken by the death by suicide of anti-regime activist Kianoosh Sanjari, who pledged to take his own life last Tuesday if four political prisoners weren't freed by 7pm the next day. Last Wednesday evening, the 42-year-old shared a photo taken from the edge of a commercial building in central Tehran, made a final post to X , and jumped.

In that last post, Sanjari wrote, "No one should be imprisoned for expressing their opinions. Protest is the right of every Iranian citizen. My life will end after this tweet but let's not forget that we die and die for the love of life, not death. I wish that one day Iranians will wake up and overcome slavery."

Sanjari was first arrested as a 17-year-old who was protesting in support of student activists; he cycled in and out of Iranian prisons and psychiatric institutions over the next two decades as "Iran tried to silence him." Sanjari served a two-year sentence in the notorious Evin prison on charges of "threatening national security" then fled the country in 2007, obtaining asylum in the US and remaining there from 2008 to 2016; during part of the time, he worked as a journalist for the Persian Service of Voice of America. He returned to Iran to care for his ill mother, believing enough time had passed that he would be safe. He wasn't.

story continues below

After being swiftly arrested, Sanjari served five years, during which he was moved to government psychiatric facilities half a dozen times. The Times reports that "out of all of Mr. Sanjari's activism, his resolve to expose the abuse he endured in the psychiatric institutions may stand out most. He called it the 'darkest period' of his life." In a 2022 interview with Deutsche Welle, he said, "The positive effect of solitary confinement on me was that it made me more patient and resilient. It expanded my worldview and revealed to me the ugliness of dictatorship. However, I cannot deny that solitary confinement also disturbed my soul and spirit." If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available: Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. (More Iran stories.)
Ben Hanna heard the news at the local hardware store. "Hey! The water is coming back on!" yelled an employee, prompting cheers from shoppers. It's no wonder. Residents of Asheville, North Carolina, have been without drinkable tap water since Tropical Storm Helene unleashed devastating floods and mudslides on the city of 95,000 in late September. But with Monday's announcement that safe drinking water was restored, "we don't have to worry about getting sick from the water that's coming into our houses right now, and that is one little load that's been lifted off of our minds," Hanna tells the New York Times. For weeks, residents lugged water from creeks just so they could flush their toilets. They had to visit disaster relief sites to bathe, do laundry, and pick up bottled water.
President-elect Donald Trump is assembling his administration with a distinct penchant for television personalities. Prominent figures like Pete Hegseth, Sean Duffy, and Mike Huckabee, all with ties to Fox News, have been tapped for key roles, underscoring Trump's affinity for familiar faces from the small screen. Dr. Mehmet Oz, notable for his talk show tenure and medical expertise, is designated to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Trump, a former reality TV figure himself, appears intent on infusing his Cabinet with visual charisma even as this approach evokes criticism. Democratic Rep. Jim Himes humorously likened the administration to a "nuclear-armed reality television show."

The reality-focused composition of Trump's picks continues a trend from his earlier tenure when individuals like John Bolton and Mercedes Schlapp transitioned from TV appearances to White House roles. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie remarked that Trump's selection process resembles casting for a television production, with Trump's decisions reflecting a desire for loyalty and media savvy. Highlighting the television backgrounds of nominees, Trump praised Duffy as a "STAR on Fox News" and noted Hegseth's bestselling book achievements, further cementing the media-friendly theme.

While Trump's media-centric selections have generated debate, they reflect a broader interplay between politics and television, which transcends party lines. During his presidency, Joe Biden incorporated media figures into his transition team, though he emphasized experienced officials for strategic roles. Despite past tensions with Fox News, the network remains a key conduit for conservative discourse and policy influencers, offering Trump ongoing access to Republican dialogue. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
The United States Embassy in Kyiv closed its doors Wednesday as it issued a warning that Russia might launch "a significant air attack." It said it had "received specific information" about a possible attack but did not elaborate; employees were advised to shelter in place and Americans were told to heed air-raid alerts. The New York Times reports Ukraine's capital is frequently the target of drone and missile attacks, "but the embassy rarely issues such a specific alert or shuts down." CNN goes further, reporting the embassy had not previously fully closed since the war began in February 2022. More:
The Venezuelan man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley has been found guilty of her February murder and sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. Jose Ibarra, 26, had waived his right to a jury trial, so Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard heard and decided the case. Ibarra was convicted on three counts of felony murder and counts of malice murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, and peeping Tom, reports NBC News . The judge gave Ibarra the maximum possible penalty on the charges, a total of two life sentences plus 27 years, CNN reports. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty.

The AP reports Riley's family and roommates cried as the verdict was read. Ibarra showed no visible reaction. The killing added fuel to the national debate over immigration when federal authorities said Ibarra illegally entered the US in 2022 and was allowed to stay in the country while he pursued his immigration case. The trial began Friday and saw prosecutors call more than a dozen law enforcement officers, Riley's roommates, and a woman who lived in the same apartment as Ibarra. Defense attorneys called a police officer, a jogger, and one of Ibarra's neighbors on Tuesday and rested their case Wednesday morning.

Prosecutor Sheila Ross told the judge that Ibarra encountered Riley while she was running on the University of Georgia campus on Feb. 22 and killed her during a struggle. Riley, 22, was a student at Augusta University College of Nursing, which also has a campus in Athens, about 70 miles east of Atlanta. Defense attorney Kaitlyn Beck said in her closing argument that there wasn't sufficient evidence to prove that her client killed Riley and that Ibarra's brother, Diego Ibarra, could have committed the murder. She suggested the DNA evidence could have been contaminated because the brothers shared clothing and a bed. This story has been updated with news of Ibarra's sentence.

(More Laken Riley stories.)
The United Nations Security Council's fifth resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza was blocked on Wednesday, with a "nay" vote from the US sinking it. The New York Times reports 14 Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution, which had been in the works for weeks, with only the US against. The US explained its veto came because the resolution did not make the ceasefire contingent on the release of the roughly 100 remaining hostages in Gaza; a third are thought to be dead. The resolution does call for their release, but the language indicates the release would follow the implementation of a ceasefire.
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF), welcomed General Michael Kurilla, the Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), for a meeting to discuss strengthening defense cooperation between Bahrain and the United States.

The meeting was attended by Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi, Minister of Defense Affairs, and Lieutenant General Theyab bin Saqr Al Nuaimi, Chief of Staff of the BDF.

During the discussions, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa praised the longstanding and robust ties between Bahrain and the US, highlighting the progress made in various areas of collaboration. He emphasized the importance of further enhancing cooperation and coordination, particularly in the military domain, to advance defense relations between the two countries.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to continuing their strategic partnership and working closely to further develop defense collaboration.
TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Parliament debated Bahrains worsening traffic congestion yesterday, with some MPs blaming expat drivers for clogging roads while others called for urgent infrastructure upgrades and stricter planning. The session, chaired by Abdulnabi Salman, the First Deputy Speaker, saw a range of proposals addressing the long-term challenges of urban growth and daily gridlock.

The Speaker, Ahmed Al Musallam, stepped down to participate directly in the debate. MP Hassan Ebrahim warned of the economic toll caused by congestion.

Productivity

The daily gridlock is eroding productivity in both public and private sectors while also harming Bahrains economy and tourism, he said. He proposed measures including flexible working hours, remote working arrangements, road expansions, and improvements to public transport.

We must act decisively to ease the congestion choking our roads, he urged. MP Jalal Kadhem, however, drew attention to expat drivers, suggesting that their licences be linked to residency permits to prevent misuse of the roads.

Better oversight

We need rules that work for everyone and ensure better oversight, he said, adding that unregulated access to driving licences by expatriates contributes to congestion. He also called for a ban on the personal use of government vehicles outside work hours.

Hassan Bu Khammas pointed to the poor planning of roads in areas like northern Hidd and Qalali, describing Shaikh Khalifa bridge as a bottleneck. He criticised the unregulated use of vehicles for delivery services, which he argued worsens the issue.

Immediate remedies

Our streets are clogged because of poorly managed traffic laws and a lack of control over heavy vehicles, he said, calling for stricter enforcement and immediate remedies. MP Dr Hesham Al Ashiri demanded clarity from the Ministry of Works on the opening of Muharraqs ring road, questioning delays despite visible progress.

We see fences, lights, and a road that looks ready, yet theres no official announcement. The Minister must give us a firm date, he said, speculating the project might coincide with National Day celebrations. His Excellency Ebrahim Al Hawaj, Minister of Works, assured MPs of the governments focus on maintaining high standards in infrastructure development, aligning with Vision 2030 and preparations for Vision 2050.

Continuous improvement

The government prioritises continuous improvement of infrastructure to meet global standards, enhancing Bahrains investment appeal, he said. He added that the Traffic Council, chaired by the Minister of Interior, coordinates with stakeholders to address mobility issues through traffic studies and consultancy work.

These studies help prioritise and execute projects, whether its improving traffic signal systems, enhancing public transport, or managing road networks more effectively, he explained. Al Hawaj also noted that urgent solutions packages are being implemented to resolve congestion hotspots while longerterm plans are developed.

Lack of foresight

MP Mohsen Al Asbool criticised the lack of foresight in infrastructure planning, citing East Sitra City as an example. Were opening massive housing developments without proper traffic solutions. This is short-sighted planning at its worst, he said, pressing for strategies that span decades rather than quick fixes.

Mahmood Fardan called for solutions that address the root causes of congestion rather than shifting the problem from one area to another.

National issue

Traffic congestion isnt confined to a single governorate  its a national issue, he said, calling for a coordinated and sustainable approach. MPs broadly agreed on the need for clear priorities, coordinated planning, and quicker execution of solutions.

Proposals included redistributing schools, creating dedicated lanes for buses and bicycles, and modernising public transport systems. Effective planning and bold measures are whats needed if were to free Bahrains roads from the grip of congestion, Kadhem concluded.
TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Brainobrain Bahrain continued its tradition of excellence by successfully hosting its 6th National Abacus Competition Festival, Brainobrainfest 2024 with the participation of 400 enthusiastic students from across the nation, showcasing their remarkable skills in abacus and mental arithmetic.

The day began with an inspiring inauguration ceremony, leading to a series of competitions. Results were announced, and prizes were distributed during a grand evening event.

This annual competition aims to bring out the best in children and fine-tune their competitive spirit by rivalling their peers to become abacus champions. Participants aged 5 to 14 competed in categories matching their age and skill level, with those demonstrating maximum speed and accuracy being awarded Champion, Gold, and Silver awards.

The event was hosted by Mrs. Hima Joy and Mr. George Raphel, Directors of Brainobrain Bahrain, with Mr. Anand Subramaniam, Managing Director of Brainobrain International, serving as the Guest of Honor. The Chief Guest, HE Dr. Hasan Eid Bukhammas, Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and National Security Committee and Honorable Advisory Board Member of Gulf Cooperation Council, Kingdom of Bahrain praised the participants for their dedication and achievements, highlighting the exceptional platform Brainobrain provides for overall development of a child.

Parents expressed pride in their children's performances, while participants enjoyed the experience, noting the fun and learning from the competition. Brainobrain has proven to be a role model for students seeking self-empowerment through its world class kids friendly syllabus. To reinforce the winning spirits of children and keep them creatively engaged, the institution organizes various competitions throughout the year.
CALGARY, AB, Nov. 20, 2024 /CNW/ - (TSXV: GRD) (OTCQB: GRDAF) - Grounded Lithium Corp. ("GLC" or the "Company") announces our financial and operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2024. Selected financial and operational information is set out below and should be read in conjunction with the Company's September 30, 2024 financial statements and the related management's discussion and analysis, which are available for review at www.sedarplus.ca or the Company's website at www.groundedlithium.com.



















(CAD$, except per share amounts and common shares outstanding)



























Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,





2024 2023

2024 2023

FINANCIAL RESULTS













Net comprehensive loss

183,389 783,927

932,819 3,410,678

Per share - basic and diluted

- 0.01

0.01 0.05

















Cash flow used in operating activities

119,701 549,952

624,867 2,688,376

Per share - basic and diluted

- 0.01

0.01 0.04

















Funds flow used in operations

79,609 542,677

655,462 2,700,693

Per share - basic and diluted

- 0.01

0.01 0.04

















Capital expenditures













Capital expenditures (*)

- 999

(800,000) 451,846

















Liquidity













Working capital surplus

135,879 385,560

135,879 384,560

















Common shares outstanding













Weighted average - basic and diluted

78,279,227 70,034,545

77,896,317 69,436,671

Outstanding, end of period





























* Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 includes the first cash payment from Denison Mines Corp which

is recorded as a reduction of the Exploration & Evaluation asset balance.

About Grounded Lithium Corp.

GLC is a publicly traded lithium brine exploration and development company that owns approximately 1.0 million metric tonnes of Measured & Indicated lithium carbonate equivalent mineral resource and approximately 3.2 million metric tonnes of Inferred lithium carbonate equivalent resource over our focused land holdings in Southwest Saskatchewan as per the Company's updated PEA. The updated PEA, titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report: Preliminary Economic Assessment Kindersley Lithium Project  Phase 1 Update" dated November 7, 2023 and effective as of June 30, 2023, reports a Phase 1 NPV 8 after-tax of US$1.0 billion with an after-tax IRR of 48.5%. In January 2024, GLC entered into an agreement with Denison Mines Corp ("Denison") whereby Denison has the option to earn up to a 75% working interest in the KLP by funding in aggregate up to $15,150,000 comprised of both cash payments to GLC of up to $3,150,000 and funding project expenditures of up to $12,000,000 through a structured earn-in option.

GLC's multi-faceted business model involves the consolidation, delineation, exploitation and ultimately development of our opportunity base to fulfill our vision to build a best-in-class, environmentally responsible, Canadian lithium producer supporting the global energy transition shift. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on https://www.otcmarkets.com/.

Qualified Person

Scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been prepared under the supervision of Doug Ashton, P.Eng., Alexey Romanov, P. Geo., Meghan Klein, P. Eng., Dean Quirk, P.Eng., Jeffrey Weiss, P.Eng., Chad Hitchings., P.L. Eng., and Michael Munteanu, P.Eng., each of whom is a qualified person within the meaning of NI 43-101.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The opinions, forecasts, projections and statements about future events of results, are forward looking information, forward-looking statements or financial outlooks (collectively, "forward-looking statements") under the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These statements are made as of the date of this press release and the fact that this press release remains available does not constitute a representation by GLC that the Company believes these forward-looking statements continue to be true as of any subsequent date. Although GLC believes that the assumptions underlying, and expectations reflected in, these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the internal rates of return and net present values of the KLP, activities funded by Denison to drive the KLP value and GLC's vision of becoming a best-in-class, environmentally responsible, Canadian lithium producer supporting the global energy transition.

Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: GLC's expectation that our operations will be in Western Canada, unexpected problems can arise due to technical difficulties and operational difficulties which impact the production, transport or sale of our products; geographic and weather conditions can impact production; the risk that current global economic and credit conditions may impact commodity prices and consumption more than GLC currently predicts; the failure to obtain financing on reasonable terms; volatility in the trading price of the common shares of the Company; the risk that unexpected delays and difficulties in developing currently owned properties may occur; the failure of drilling to result in commercial projects; unexpected delays due to the limited availability of drilling equipment and personnel; and the other risk factors detailed from time to time in GLC's periodic reports. GLC's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation 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.

SOURCE Grounded Lithium Corp.

For more information, please contact: Gregg Smith, President & CEO, Greg Phaneuf, SVP Corporate Development & CFO, Phone: 587.319.6220, Email: [email protected]
TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2024 /CNW/ - Marking its 175th anniversary, The Royal Canadian Institute for Science (RCIScience) celebrates science engagement by awarding the 2024 Sandford Fleming Medal for Excellence in Science Communication to independent science writer Alanna Mitchell , and the William Edmond Logan Award to the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC).

RCIScience Engagement Awards (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Institute for Science)

A special addition to this year's awards, a selection of standout Canadians will be honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medals . Recipients include Professor Timothy Caulfield, science influencer Dr. Samantha Yammine ( ScienceSam ), YouTube stars AsapScience and hosts of CBC's The Nature of Things, Dr. Sarika Cullis-Suzuki and Anthony Morgan.

For 175 years, RCIScience has been connecting people in Canada with science to foster dialogue, discovery and community, and build an engaging science culture for everyone. The charity awards the Sandford Fleming Medal and Citation annually to a Canadian who has made outstanding contributions to the public understanding of science. Previous recipients include David Suzuki, Ursula Franklin, Chris Hadfield and Andre Picard.

The William Edmond Logan Award recognizes organizations rather than individuals. Past winners include Celestica, IBM Canada, Toronto Metropolitan University's SciXchange, and CBC Radio's Quirks and Quarks. Together, the Fleming Medal and Logan Award fill a vital niche in celebrating outstanding science communication efforts in Canada.

As a Royal chartered organization, RCIScience was selected to honour a number of distinguished Canadians with King Charles III Coronation Medals for their significant contributions to Canada, and their communities. The Institute will award medals to those whose work furthers the charity's mission of fostering science culture in Canada.

Carrie Boyce, Executive Director of RCIScience, remarks, "It's a great honour to recognize this year's award recipients. These influential partners work enthusiastically to advance the science community for everyone in Canada, reaching millions of people each year with the value of scientific knowledge and integrity."

Speaking about the awards, Alanna Mitchell notes, "We are living in a time when the very foundations of science and truth are under attack globally. Propaganda, doubt and disinformation have taken up residence in the public discourse to a degree I find alarming. So receiving this award, this year, is a sweet validation that the task of democratizing science matters, and that we have to keep doing it!"

"Alanna has made a huge impact on science reporting and knowledge translation in Canada and beyond throughout her illustrious career," says Carrie Boyce.

The Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) is Canada's largest network of science engagement organizations whose membership includes leading science centres, museums, zoos, aquariums and informal STEM learning organizations from coast to coast to coast. CASC members collectively reach more than 10 million people from multigenerational audiences every year.

"CASC is thrilled to accept this year's William Edmond Logan Award. Our board of directors, our team of dedicated staff and volunteers, and our network at large work hard to advance Canada's science and innovation culture. To be recognized for this hard work and for our impact on the lives of people across Canada and around the world is a true honour. We see this moment as a marker of great success, and we will use it to propel us forward as we continue to advocate for this vital sector in our society," says Marianne Mader, CEO of CASC.

Jock Fleming, Chair of RCIScience and great great grandson of the Institute's founder, Sir Sandford Fleming, after whom the Fleming medal is named, reflects on CASC's win, "Our collective missions often overlap and it's always been a pleasure to partner with local science centres, museums, aquariums and beyond, not to mention ScienceUpFirst/LaSciencedAbord in the fight against mis and disinformation. The Awards Committee was unanimous in its decision to recognize the huge difference CASC makes to science communication in Canada and beyond."

A private ceremony to celebrate all of the recipient's contributions to the Canadian science landscape will be held at the Toronto Zoo (a CASC member organization) on December 4th, sponsored by Burgundy Asset Management Ltd.

About RCIScience

The Royal Canadian Institute of Science (RCIScience) is Canada's oldest scientific organization, established in 1849. Celebrating its 175th anniversary, RCIScience is a registered charity whose award-winning programming builds science culture in Canada, providing a platform for adult engagement with scientists to foster critical thinking, expand science dialogue and promote informed decision making. The Institute also trains scientists to be better communicators, so they can share their cutting-edge research with the public in creative, inspiring and thought-provoking ways.

www.rciscience.ca | Press Kit

SOURCE Royal Canadian Institute for Science

Carrie Boyce, Executive Director, RCIScience Email: [email protected]; Tel: +1 416 977 2983
Syracuse, N.Y. -- The Biden administration announced it has signed a final deal to provide GlobalFoundries $1.5 billion to expand a chipmaking plant in Saratoga County and update a smaller plant in Vermont.

GlobalFoundries will receive $1.375 billion to expand its plant in Malta, where it produces chips for cars, smart phones, artificial intelligence and military hardware. The expansion, which GlobalFoundries said would cost $13 billion, would create 8,000 construction jobs and 1,000 manufacturing jobs.

Its the second major announcement in a week of a final deal from the CHIPS and Science Act, which is giving $39 billion to chipmakers to produce chips in the United States. On Friday, the $6.6 billion deal with the worlds largest chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., was announced.

Several other preliminary deals between the U.S. Department of Commerce and chipmakers have yet to be finalized, including one with Micron Technology to build up to four fabrication plants, or fabs, in the town of Clay. Micron has delayed the start of construction until at least November 2025.

Biden announced a tentative deal with Micron in April during a visit to Syracuse. Under that agreement, Micron could receive up to $4.6 billion in CHIPS Act grants and more than $11 billion in tax credits to build the first two fabs in Clay.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, in a visit to Central New York in September, said she expected the Micron deal to be signed by the end of this year.

The Biden administration is racing to get the deals done before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. Trump has criticized the CHIPS Act as so bad and House Speaker Mike Johnson said in Syracuse Nov. 2 that Congress could repeal or make substantial changes to the law and its implementation.

GlobalFoundries will also receive $125 million to revitalize its fab in Burlington, Vermont. That will create 1,000 construction jobs.

This major investment will help secure Americas supply chains and protect against the shortages that led to skyrocketing prices for cars, computers, and more that hit families during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of us not producing enough of these chips domestically, U.S. Sen Charles Schumer, the architect of the CHIPS Act, said in a statement.

The CHIPS money is not paid upfront; companies have to meet certain milestones or construction and hiring before receiving the funds. The Commerce Department has not released details on those milestones.

The department has also released no information on the terms of a $1.6 billion loan to GlobalFoundries that was announced in February.

GlobalFoundries also finalized a $550 million agreement with New York state for the Malta expansion. Most of that -- $515 million -- will come as tax credits from the states Green CHIPS program.

GlobalFoundries has a proven record of creating jobs in New York and we are proud to support their continued growth and commitment to New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
A 28-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years in prison on narcotics, firearm and money laundering charges Tuesday, more than four years after he was arrested for dealing heroin out of his home in Egg Harbor Township, authorities said.

A narcotics investigation that culminated in a March 2020 raid on David Thomas residence turned up more than half an ounce of suspected heroin and an unspecified amount of crack cocaine, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office.

The drugs were found in Thomas bedroom, along with equipment for packaging the heroin, an AK-47-style assault rifle, and an extended magazine, authorities said. Police also seized $4,508 in cash on the property.

Prosecutors said Thomas indicated to investigators that all the illicit items belonged to him, and that an 8-year-old boy who also lived in the house had access to both the drugs and the rifle. Previously convicted of aggravated assault, Thomas was legally prohibited from owning a firearm.

He was subsequently charged with first-degree maintaining a narcotics production facility, second-degree unlawful possession of an assault firearm, third-degree money laundering, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree certain persons not to possess firearms.

His decade-long aggregate sentence will be served out at New Jersey State Prison. He will be ineligible for parole for the first five years of his term.

Thomas was also sentenced to serve five concurrent years on a separate count of second-degree conspiracy to engage in official misconduct, prosecutors said. The charge stems from his time in the Atlantic County Justice Facility, when he worked with two family members and a correctional officer to smuggle in cell phones for money.

Thomas and his relatives were recorded discussing the matter, and the officer was caught on surveillance tape bringing an object to the detainee, according to authorities.

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AJ McDougall may be reached at amcdougall@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on X at @oldmcdougall.
As it turns out, even the greats occasionally get down on themselves. For the incomparable Denzel Washington, it happened when when he lost the Academy Award for best actor to Kevin Spacey in 2000.

Washington, 69, spoke about his feelings in an extensive interview with Esquire that was released Tuesday.He won the Oscar for best supporting actor in 1990s Glory and earned a best actor nomination for his portrayal of Rubin Carter in 1999s The Hurricane  the true story of the New Jersey native and middleweight boxer wrongfully convicted of murder.

Washington went up against Spacey, who was nominated for his role as the midlife crisis-suffering Lester Burnham in American Beauty. The actor recalled hearing Spaceys name as the winner and how devastating that felt.

I dont want to sound like, Oh, he won my Oscar, or anything like that, Washington told Esquire. It wasnt like that.

Washington had previously received a best actor nomination for the titular role in 1993s Malcolm X, but lost that award to Al Pacino for Scent of a Woman. But Washington was so angry after losing to Spacey that he told his wife he would avoid watching Oscar nominees entirely.

I went through a time then when (my wife) Pauletta (Washington) would watch all the Oscar movies  I told her, I dont care about that, Washington said. Hey: They dont care about me? I dont care, You vote. You watch them. I aint watching that. I gave up. I got bitter. My pity party. So Ill tell you, for about fifteen years, from 1999 to 2014, when I put the beverage down, I was bitter.

Two years after his loss, Washington would win his first best actor award in 2002 for Training Day. Afterward, he would receive four additional best actor nominations for Flight, Fences, Roman J. Israel, Esq., and The Tragedy of Macbeth. Hell next star in Gladiator II, the sequel to 2000s Oscar-winning Gladiator. That latest film comes to theaters on Nov. 22.

Related coverage:

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Two New Jersey school districts cannot be held responsible for the conduct of their teachers in alleged child sexual abuse cases, a statewide appeals court ruled.

A panel of judges found the districts  South Orange-Maplewood and Upper Freehold Regional  cannot be found vicariously liable for the alleged abuse, a legal term that refers to an employer being responsible for the conduct of its employees, said John Baldante, an attorney involved in the cases.

The appellate court decisions did not clear the school districts of being legally responsible for allegedly failing to supervise the accused teachers. But, the court did say the school districts could not be sued for the teachers conduct when they allegedly sexually assaulted students.

Theres no dispute that the school boards of ed are liable for negligent supervision of these teachers, said Baldante, an attorney for the South Orange-Maplewood cases. The question is whether or not theres vicarious liability, and thats, in large part, what the courts decisions are all about.

A three-judge panel in the state Appellate Division released two separate decisions on Oct. 8, each stemming from lawsuits filed by former students in the South Orange-Maplewood and Upper Freehold Regional districts.

The South Orange-Maplewood cases involve several students alleging sexual abuse by teacher Nicole Dufault, a language arts teacher at Columbia High School who pleaded guilty in 2020 to aggravated criminal sexual contact with male students.

The Upper Freehold Regional case involves a former student who alleged sexual assault by a teacher in 1979. The teacher has since died.

School officials in both Upper Freehold Regional and South Orange-Maplewood declined to comment on the cases or ruling, with one official citing pending litigation.

The attorneys for the former students said they filed motions to appeal the decision by the three-judge panel not to hold the school districts vicariously libel for the teachers alleged conduct. If the motions are granted, the cases could go to the state Supreme Court.

In 2019, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law that gave victims of sexual assault more opportunity to sue their abusers and the public and nonprofit entities that employed them.

The South Orange-Maplewood and Upper Freehold Regional cases reviewed by the appellate court included four lawsuits, all filed in 2021.

Three of the lawsuits involved former students in the South Orange-Maplewood school district. They alleged sexual abuse in 2013-2014 by Dufault. She was arrested in 2014 and pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated criminal sexual contact in a 2020 plea deal.

The students were between 14 and 17 when the alleged abuse occurred. Their lawsuits were consolidated into one case with Baldante as their attorney.

The Upper Freehold Regional lawsuit was filed by a former student alleging sexual assault by teacher Charles Hutler in 1979. The student, who was 15 at the time of the alleged abuse, also participated in the local chapter of the New Jersey Future Farmers of America, which Hutler led.

Hutler died in 2011, according to the appellate decision. The lawsuit was filed against his estate, among other entities, including the school district and the school board.

The case was argued by attorney Gabriel Magee, who works at the same law firm as Baldante. Based in Philadelphia, the law firms attorneys have filed hundreds of child sexual abuse civil lawsuits in New Jersey, after the 2019 law went into effect, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

In the Upper Freehold Regional case, the trial court originally denied a motion to dismiss the counts of vicarious liability. The appellate judges reversed the decision.

In the South Orange-Maplewood cases, the trial court granted the motion to dismiss vicarious liability, which the appellate judges upheld.

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Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com.
A Newark man has been convicted of murder in the shooting death of another city resident last year, prosecutors said Wednesday.

William Whitfield, 46, was found guilty of first-degree murder following a two-week jury trial in the killing of 45-year-old Keni Johnson, according to Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II.

Johnson was found by police shortly before 9 a.m. on Feb. 11, 2023, in the hallway of an apartment building in Newarks Bradley Court Housing Complex. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Prosecutors said Whitfield and Johnson had at argument at the complex. After the dispute, Whitfield retrieved a gun from his apartment and shot Johnson in the back of the neck, killing him.

The jury deliberated for three days before reaching the verdict on Nov. 14, Stephens said.

Whitfield, who was also convicted of weapons charges, faces 30 years to life in prison at his sentencing scheduled for Jan. 24 before Superior Court Judge Arthur Batista.

Under New Jerseys No Early Release Act, Whitfield must serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Members of the local community poured into Dunkins newly remodeled next generation restaurant at 725 State Route 440 in Jersey City in the early morning hours of Nov. 7 to help celebrate the grand reopening of the remodeled franchise store.

The occasion was commemorated by Dunkin franchisee Brothers L Inc., who made a $1,500 charitable donation to New City Kids, a faith-based after-school program for local youth from under-resourced communities.

Throughout New City Kids 30-year history, our success has depended on partnering with the community, said New City Kids Jersey City Executive Director Shaun Hopkins. We appreciate this generous gift from Brothers L Inc. and Dunkin. This contribution will play an important role in enhancing programs that inspire, educate and equip Jersey City youth for success. Together, were making a difference.

The morning featured the first 100 Dunkin Rewards members in line at 9 a.m. receiving one free medium hot or iced coffee for 100 consecutive days on the Dunkin App. Other Rewards members spun the Dunkin prize wheel for free Dunkin merchandise.

The newly remodeled 3,000 square-foot Dunkin has employed 18 people and is open 24 hours a day.
An aide to Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and member of the citys LGBTQ+ task force who was fired for refusing to denounce his MAGA conservative sisters anti-gay rhetoric has filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against the mayor and the city.

Jonathan Gomez Noriega, who worked for the city since 2018, says in the 37-page lawsuit that he was unjustly fired in August for supporting the political campaign of his far right-leaning sister, Valentina Gomez, who unsuccessfully ran for secretary of state in Missouri earlier this year.

My First Amendment right was violated. I was retaliated against, coerced, wrongfully fired, and humiliated by the mayor of Jersey City Steven Fulop, and his staff, Gomez Noriega said in a post on X Wednesday.

Gomez Noriegas MAGA conservative sister made headlines from Missouri to Jersey City with a bevy of posts on X that consistently bashed the LGBTQ+ community.

Just this week she posted a video supporting Matt Gaetzs nomination for Attorney General, saying the former congressman accused of having sex with at least one underage girl will protect the country against pedophiles.

Gomezs termination was not based on job performance, but on his familial and political association, showcasing Fulops willingness to sacrifice an employees career to maintain political favor, the lawsuit says.

City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione, Chief of Staff John Minella, Business Administrator John Metro and city Director of Employee Relations and Workforce Management Mobin Yousaf were also named in the suit.

This lawsuit has no merit, Wallace-Scalcione said. Jonathan was an at-will employee, and part of his responsibilities were focused on the LGBTQ community along with diversity and inclusion.

Once he decided to partake in a hate-filled campaign, the community in Jersey City no longer wanted to work with him, making him unable to do his work responsibilities. Its as simple as that, and we wish him luck in his next chapter.

Gomez Noriega also contends in the suit he was fired appease political progressives as he runs for governor in 2025.

The suit also claims the firing violated Gomez Noriegas civil rights, he was discriminated against because of his race, and he was also defamed when Wallace-Scalcione made comments to the media that painted Mr. Gomez (Noriega) as a bigot and racist.

Wallace-Scalciones statement, provided as part of the lawsuit, did not refer to Gomez Noriega as a bigot or a racist. The lawsuit did not provide any mention of negative actions by the city based on Gomez Noriegas Colombian heritage.

Since being fired, Gomez Noriega has applied for dozens of jobs, and despite being an Olympian with a bachelors degree from Southern Methodist University and a masters degree from Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs, he is unable to secure employment due to defendants defamatory public statements and retaliation.

As an aide to Fulop, Gomez Noriegas job consisted of appear at non-controversial events on behalf of the mayor, such as flag-raisings.

The lawsuit claims the Jersey City mayor was well aware of Gomez Noriegas support of his sister, including his campaign contributions; and it wasnt a problem until media outlets linked his position on the LGBT+ task force and his sisters anti-gay political stances.

Gomez Noriega issued a statement Aug. 5 saying he would step down from the task force and noting: I do not support any hateful remarks directed toward the LGBTQ+ community or any individual.

According to the lawsuit and recorded conversations between Fulop and Gomez Noriega (which were posted online by Gomezs sister), Fulop was angry that while denouncing anti-gay rhetoric, Gomez Noriega failed to denounce his sisters anti-gay comments.

Jersey City officials did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit, which describes in great detail the tense conversations between Fulop and Gomez Noriega and the number of calls from Fulop and other city officials that Gomez Noriega declined to answer.

Gomez Noriega is seeking compensatory damages, nominal damages, punitive damages, interest, costs of suit, attorneys fees any other relief the court deems appropriate.
Youth production of The Wizard of Oz at Art House

Skyline Arts is bringing their production of The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition to Art House Productions on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23 and 24.

Skyline Arts Junior Company features actors from grades 4 through 7. The production follows L. Frank Baums classic tale of a young girls adventure in the land of Oz that has been adapted for stage and screen for the past century.

Shows on Saturday, Nov. 23, take place at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Shows on Sunday, Nov. 24, take place at 1 and 5 p.m.

General admission is $20 and anyone under age 15 gets in for $10. Tickets can be found online at arthouseproductions.org.

Art House Productions is located at 345 Marin Blvd., Jersey City.

Record Riot returns to Jersey City

The Jersey City Record Riot continues at the Grove Street PATH Plaza on Sunday, Nov. 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The event is free to attend and will include more than 50 tables of LPs and CDs.

The Grove Street PATH Plaza is located at 321 Grove St., Jersey City.

Celebrate Segunda Quimbambas Legacy

Segunda Quimbamba, which features musicians who perform Afro Puerto Rican drum and dance traditions, will be celebrating their 30-year history with a fundraiser at Grace Church Van Vorst in Jersey City on Friday, Nov. 29, from 7 to 10 p.m.

The event will include a concert, artists vendors, raffles, and a bar and dessert table. All proceeds will go towards Segunda Quimbambas archive work and their street fair, Reclaim the Block.

Grace Church Van Vorst is located at 39 Erie St., Jersey City.

Dory Previn documentary at Monty Hall

WFMU is continuing its movie nights at Monty Hall with a screening of the documentary Dory Previn: On My Way to Where on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 4 p.m.

Dory Previn began her career as a lyricist for Hollywood musicals with songs for some the greats including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Dionne Warwick, earning three Academy Award nominations in the process. However, a tabloid scandal and public breakdown would lead to her re-emergence as a cult artist in the Laurel Canyon scene.

The screening will include a Q&A with the films co-director Julia Greenberg; producer Amy Hobby and animator Emily Hubley. There will also be a set of Previns songs performed by Julia Greenberg, Joe Mcginty and Jeremy Chatzky.

Tickets can be found online on Eventbrite. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Monty Hall is located at 43 Montgomery St., Jersey City.

Strangers Stopping Strangers at White Eagle Hall

Strangers Stopping Strangers returns to White Eagle Hall for the third time on Friday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m.

The band is known for experimenting with the music of the Grateful Dead, adding elements of folk and bluegrass to the mix along with their vocal harmonies and improvisation with their instruments.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets can be found online at https://whiteeaglehalljc.com.

White Eagle Hall is located at 337 Newark Ave., Jersey City.

Live Comedy at The Parlor

The Parlor in Jersey City has more laughs to give with An Evening with Comedy, Vol. II, on Friday, Dec. 6, from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.

The evening will feature a lineup of comedians as well as sounds by DJ Wavy Geez. There will also be a cash bar provided.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. An after-party will follow the show immediately. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

The Parlor is located at 237 Ocean Ave., Jersey City.

GOMOs 5th Annual Pre-Christmas Singalong

GOMOs 5th Annual Pre-Christmas Singalong & Lounge takes place on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m. at SMUSH Gallery.

The kid-friendly show will include the vocal stylings of GOMO the Ghost, performances by DoubleM2000 on guitar and Laszlo Szep on piano. There will also be a special guest appearance by Bibi the Chihuahua. The show will be followed by an Open Mic and Lounge at 7 p.m.

Tickets can be found online at Eventbrite. SMUSH Gallery is located at 340 Summit Ave., Jersey City.

Holiday gala dance showcase

Jersey City Ballroom will host their 2024 Holiday Gala Dance Showcase, an evening of dance to showcase its students and instructors, on Saturday, Dec. 7, at from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Ukrainian Community Center.

Performances include instructor-student dances with ballroom and Latin pro-am, and student-student and professional performances.

Group classes will be taught during the intermission to give the audience a chance to dance.

Doors open at 6:10 p.m. Tickets for the event can be found online at Eventbrite. The Ukrainian Community Center is located at 90 Fleet St., Jersey City.

An Evening of the Healing Powers of Music

NJCUs Margaret Williams Theatre will be hosting An Evening of the Healing Powers of Music featuring Grammy-winning artists Carla Patullo, the Scorchio Quartet, and special guests on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

The artists will be performing music from their acclaimed album, So She Howls. Special guests include the Hispanic Nurses Association, Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority, Integrated Black Nurses Association and the NJCU Department of Nursing-Simulation.

The NJCU Multi-Style Strings Ensemble will also perform a showcase of original work under the direction of Dr. David Eggar.

Tickets can be found online at njcuarts.ludus.com. The Margaret Williams Theatre is located at 2039 JFK Blvd., Jersey City.

15th Annual Grace Holiday Concert

Grace Church Van Vorst will be hosting their 15th Annual Grace Holiday Concert on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m.

The afternoon show will feature music and holiday songs from local musicians. Admission is a suggested donation of $5.

Members of the community are welcome to contribute to the wine and snack bar for the event.

Grace Church Van Vorst is located at 39 Erie St., Jersey City.

Walk 10 to 30 miles of the Hudson

FreeWalkers are hosting their biggest walk event of the year with the Winter Hudson River Loop Walk on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hudson River Loop Walk is a one-day 30-mile walk along the river bordering New York City and New Jersey, beginning at the Exchange Place PATH Station and continuing along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway to the George Washington Bridge.

The walk then connects to the Hudson River Greenway trail and ends at the World Trade Center. A ferry will then return participants to Exchange Place.

You can register for the event online at Eventbrite. The Exchange Place PATH Station is located at 15 Exchange Place, Jersey City.
Get ready to try your favorite wines from around the country as the Jersey City Wine Festival returns on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Harborside Atrium.

Guests will be able to sample more than 100 types of wine during the three-and-half-hour event, including reds, whites, roses and sparkling wines as well as access to food and live music for the evening.

Food for the event will be provided by eateries such as Mozzarepas, Taste of Poland, Chavas Empanadas and Angry Archies among others.

Participating wineries and breweries include Gorgee d Art, Amour Geneve, Meadowdale Winery, Kedem, Enovation Brands, 902 Brewing Co., Untied Brewing, Life Vine, The Bull and Bee, Soubourbon Life, Docs Road Soda. Talkhouse, Pale Moonlight Wine, Quintessential Brands, Addictive Grapefruit Rose, Pinaq, Vodka Salad, Yale Terrace, Czig Meister and Departed Soles Brewery.

The makers of the wines featured during the event will be present to share their creations and to answer questions from visitors.

General admission is $60 and includes tastings and a souvenir tasting glass. Designated drivers get in for $15. Tickets are available online at winefestnewyork.com/jersey-city-wine-fest.

Profits from the event will go towards the Guardian Foundation Corp., a 501(c)3 nonprofit youth mentoring program in Bayonne that improves the lives of children in the communities by building on existing relationships between the police and residents. The organization also donates ballistic body armor to protect officers against increased gun violence.

Harborside Atrium is located at 210 Hudson St., Jersey City.
10 1 / 10 Hoboken Church Square Park, Nov. 4, 2024

They heard enough words Monday night. Now they want action.

Dissatisfied with the responses from Mayor Ravi Bhalla and public safety officials at a meeting to discuss ways to make city parks safer, a group of city council members are urging the city to take swift and decisive action.

Even stopgap measures will help residents feel safer, say councilmembers Tiffanie Fisher, Paul Presinzano and Ruben Ramos, who issues a joint press release Wednesday.

This is a tipping point ... This is a crisis of safety and confidence, Fisher said.

The meeting stemmed from a brutal daytime attack at Church Square Park Oct. 31 in front of children  an incident that left two people hospitalized and sparked outrage over what many residents see as a rise in quality-of-life crimes  and the lasting fear that comes along with them.

This is 34 days after the event happened and (the people at the meeting) expected a crisis-type response and they didnt get one, Fisher said.

The councilmembers, seen as critics of the Bhalla administration, offered a four-point plan that starts with immediate safety measures at Church Square Park.

The plan includes heavier police presence at all city parks and public spaces and more coordination with other law enforcement agencies that operate in the city such as Port Authority police and New Jersey Transit police.

Despite repeated calls for action from the community and city council efforts to address safety and quality-of-life concerns, Church Square Park remains a hotspot, with no viable plan from City Hall, the group said.

The turnout at City Hall Monday night made one thing clear: Our community is fed up with the lack of action by the Bhalla administration on safety, Presinzano said. Church Square Park used to be one of our busiest, family-friendly spaces, but its become a place people avoid. After the recent brutal attack on a resident, its clear: Enough is enough. This needs to change now.

More police foot patrols, more lighting and the installation of temporary security cameras are among the solutions that can be implemented immediately at Church Square Park, the three say.

Thats the basic blueprint for public areas across the city, they say. Its something they wanted to hear Monday, but did not.

Leadership means acting when the community needs you most, not shying away from tough problems, Ramos said. Weve been raising this issue for over a year, yet here we are, still without a long-term solution. The frustration in our community is palpable, and its time for real action, not more empty promises.

Police Chief Steven Aguiar said they would be increasing lighting and city officials say they hope to have new cameras at Church Square Park by year end, and that the city is always actively trying to fill its police ranks.

In a long note to residents Monday morning, prior to the meeting, Bhalla pointed out We need to do better, but he also noted steps the city has taken, such as increasing police presence and hiring social workers to engage with the homeless and connect them with services.

The homeless population is growing, many say, and the gazebo at Church Square Park has become a popular place during daytime hours.

Making residents feel safe in the parks and on the streets should be the citys top priority, Fisher, Presinzano and Ramos say.

Our community deserves immediate steps to make families and residents feel safe in Church Square Park again and a real plan to address the rising safety concerns in all of our public spaces, Fisher said.

Presinzano said Its going to get fixed. But it should not be that we need a tragedy to happen and then we react.
A former New Jersey resident has been indicted by a grand jury in a three-vehicle crash that caused the death of another driver.

Drew Peterson, 34, now a resident of Jensen Beach, Florida, was indicted on a second-degree manslaughter charge on Oct. 30, the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office said in a news release. He returned to New Jersey and surrendered to authorities on Monday of this week.

The indictment hearing was held following an extensive review by a forensic toxicologist. Prosecutors did not publicly release the results of the review.

Peterson was allegedly traveling west on Route 33 near Colts Neck Road in Howell on March 11, 2022, when the crash occurred. Shortly after midnight, his truck veered into the opposing lane and sideswiped a small car, authorities said.

Petersons truck then continued and hit a Dodge Challenger head-on before overturning, officials said.

The driver of the Dodge Challenger, Robert C. Johnson, 50, of Neptune Township, was pronounced dead on the scene, prosecutors said.

Peterson, who lived in Jackson Township at the time of the crash, was ejected from his truck, authorities said.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
Flanked by Amtrak and NJ Transit officials, Gov. Phil Murphy said progress and repairs have been made to the busy Northeast Corridor Line, but he cant guarantee commuters in New Jersey wont experience another rail summer of hell.

Murphy, Amtrak and NJ Transit, holding their first partnership meeting since June, said the service delays that plagued the Northeast Corridor line over the summer are not occurring as much as before.

While Amtrak officials have repaired 2,000 defects and $300 million in federal grants were awarded last week to begin the process to replace problematic overhead power wires and signals between Newark and New Brunswick, it will be years before construction begins.
A Senate Republican just signaled that confirming President-elect Donald Trumps picks for his cabinet may not be a walk in the park.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) told CNNs Manu Raju on Wednesday that he is not in support of recess appointments for Cabinet-level positionsa procedural move that Trump has called on Senate Republicans to back. A clause in the Constitution allows the president to fill out their administration when the Senate is in recess, but that process is typically just used for lower-level positions.

Tillis said he supports recess appointments for lower-level positions, but not for a cabinet level position, that should be absolutely off the table.

And quite honestly, any serious candidate for cabinet level position, I would have to really wonder if they would want it or be willing to accept it under a recess appointment. These positions are too important and carry too much weight internationally, he added.

GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, who sits on Senate Judicary, says hes OK if Trump installs lower-level nominees via recess appointments. But not for a Cabinet-level position. That should be absolutely off the table, he told us. Also believes House Ethics report will eventually get out pic.twitter.com/hvIQAi1UBb  Manu Raju (@mkraju) November 20, 2024

Trump posted on Truth Social earlier this month that the next GOP Senate Majority Leader should agree to recess appointments in the upper chamber. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) committed to allowing for recess appointments before Republicans elected him to lead the Senate earlier this month.

In the days since winning the White House, Trump has announced his picks for his Cabinet and other positions in his administration. Many of his picks were seen as controversial, including choosing former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for Attorney General and choosing former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. Many Republicans have expressed concerns with these picks as they have vowed to let Trumps candidates make their cases.

Getting Gaetz confirmed could be an uphill battle in the Senate, with many GOP senators calling on the House Ethics Committee to release its report of the Florida Republican.

The committee was looking into allegations that Gaetz was involved in sexual misconduct, including allegedly having sex with a minor, and engaged in illicit drug use. Its not clear with the committee will release the report now that Gaetz has resigned from the House. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged by the Justice Department in connection to the accusations.

Recess appointments for Cabinet-level positions could allow Trump to quickly put controversial picks in his administration by bypassing Senate confirmation. While its not clear yet whether Republican senators would go along with his plan to appoint important positions with the upper chamber in recess, its rare to see GOP members defy Trump.

The Senate, as set up by the U.S. Constitution, holds an important role in confirming  or rejecting  high-level officials like Cabinet positions, judges and ambassadors. Its part of the governments checks and balances that ensures the president does not get to unilaterally rule. However, there is a clause in the Constitution that allows presidents to fill out their administrations while the Senate is in recess.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Donald Trump critic is dunking on a pair of MAGA loyalists for focusing on fringe issues over GOP elections.

You guys spent the whole day focused on the bathroom. Do your thing, Ron Filipkowski, editor-in-chief of MediasTouch, posted to X in response to Marjorie Taylor Greene accusing Democrats of stealing a California U.S. House race.

Filipkowski was referring to Greene and her colleague Nancy Mace spending most of the past couple of days in front of TV cameras in an effort to ban Democrat Sarah McBride  the first transgender person to be elected to Congress  from using womens restrooms in the Capitol once shes sworn into office next year.

Republicans have narrow control of the House after this months election and votes are still being counted in several races, including in incumbent Republican John Duartes race in Californias 13th Congressional District. Democratic challenger Adam Gray could end up costing Republicans another seat, reports the nonpartisan Cook Political Reports Dave Wasserman.

You guys spent the whole day focused on the bathroom. Do your thing. pic.twitter.com/FHDw8Fwp6h  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) November 20, 2024

Breaking: newly tabulated Merced Co. ballots cut #CA13 Rep. John Duartes (R) lead from 1,564 votes to just *227* votes. This is going down to the wire, and an Adam Gray (D) win would cost the GOP another House seat, Wasserman posted to X. Merced Co. estimates another 3,182 ballots left to tabulate, and if they break like the last batch did, Gray (D) would take the lead. Also several thousand votes left to count across Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Madera and Fresno parts of #CA13 that could tip the balance.

Filipkowski kept pointing out on social media how much time Greene and Mace were focused elsewhere.

Nancy Mace has now made 126 posts in the last 24 hours about the bathroom in the Capitol, he posted to X, to which Mace responded, Ive been working overtime for you, Ron.

I've been working overtime for you, Ron. https://t.co/qNg6ukiCW2  Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) November 20, 2024

House Republicans havent been able to pass their own budget for the past two years, but they are laser focused on the bathroom in the Capitol after wrapping up the Hunter Biden investigation, Filipkowski added.

A resolution proposed Monday by Mace of South Carolina would prohibit any lawmakers and House employees from using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex. Mace said the bill is aimed specifically at McBride, who was elected to the House this month from Delaware.

The debate over whether transgender people should be allowed to use the bathrooms that align with their gender identity has been prevalent across the U.S. and was a focal point of Trumps campaign. At least 11 states have adopted laws barring transgender girls and women from girls and womens bathrooms at public schools, and in some cases other government facilities.

Democrats, including McBride, denounced the GOP effort as bullying and a distraction.

This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing, McBride said. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
The chief of staff for New Jerseys former lieutenant governor violated the state ethics code by using her local board of education seat to help rename a school after her boss, according to a state ethics panel.

Terry Swanson-Tucker was president of East Oranges Board of Education on Dec. 11, 2018, when she cast two votes to help put then-Lt. Gov. Sheila Olivers name on a $41 million elementary school that was under construction.
A man who attacked a worker at a bar with a beer bottle on Super Bowl Sunday has been convicted by a jury.

Junior Suriel-Gonzalez, 38, of Manville, was found guilty of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and the disorderly persons offense of simple assault, the Somerset County Prosecutors Office said. The verdict was returned on Monday following a week-long trial.

Suriel-Gonzalez was at a bar in Manville on Feb. 11 of this year, which was Super Bowl Sunday. After a bar employee ordered him to leave the establishment, Suriel-Gonzalez attacked the worker with a beer bottle, swinging it at the persons head, authorities said.

He was eventually removed from the bar and left the scene in a vehicle, officials said.

He was arrested the next morning by officers from the Manville Police Department.

The extent of the employees injuries was not clear.

Suriel-Gonzalez will be sentenced on Jan. 10, 2025.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
UPDATE: Winter weather advisory issued in 4 N.J. counties, with 4 to 6 inches of snow possible in some spots

While a lot of attention has been focused on the much-needed rain thats heading our way, some parts of New Jersey could also get up to 2 to 3 inches of accumulating snow later this week.

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service is calling for a few inches of snow in western Passaic County and a light coating of snow in Sussex County, mainly in high-elevation areas.

It looks like the higher elevations could get an inch or maybe a couple of inches, including the hills of Sussex, said Michael Silva, a meteorologist at the weather services main forecast office in New Jersey.

The National Weather Service is calling for a few inches of snow in western Passaic County and a light coating of snow in Sussex County, mainly in high-elevation areas, Thursday night as cold air turns rain to snow.National Weather Service



Most of the snow, however, is expected to remain slightly north and west of New Jersey, where winter storm watches will be in effect from Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon.

The weather service says parts of the Poconos in northeastern Pennsylvania could get as much as 4 to 8 inches of snow from this storm.

Forecasters also say some computer guidance models are suggesting that colder air could push its way as far south and east as the Interstate 95 corridor, so theres a possibility of some light snow showers or snow mixing with rain in that region Thursday night and early Friday.

The National Weather Service is calling for a few inches of snow in western Passaic County and a light coating of snow in Sussex County, mainly in high-elevation areas, Thursday night as cold air turns rain to snow.National Weather Service

The storm system, which is arriving from the west Wednesday evening, will start out as a rain event for all of New Jersey, with as much as 2 to 3 inches of rain expected to fall Wednesday night through Thursday night in the northern half of the state and a half-inch to 1 inch of rain likely in the southern half.

The rain is badly needed to help make a small dent in the serious drought conditions that have plagued the region for more than a month.

The National Weather Service is calling for a few inches of snow in western Passaic County and a light coating of snow in Sussex County, mainly in high-elevation areas, Thursday night as cold air turns rain to snow.National Weather Service

Most areas of New Jersey have had no substantial rain falling since August, and only a few light rain showers since late September.

The drought continues to put a strain on drinking water sources, like reservoirs and underground aquifers. Some of the biggest reservoirs in New Jersey are at the lowest capacity seen in more than 20 years, and other reservoirs have dipped to their lowest levels on record.

Current weather radar

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Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality.
NEW YORK  For Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, the Juan Soto sweepstakes comes with some unknowns.

Steinbrenner thought the Yankees meeting with Soto and agent Scott Boras earlier this week went well, but as of now, he has no idea how confident he should be about the superstars big decision on the open market this winter.

Call it a realistic takeaway from a sit-down that left others within the organization feeling encouraged. Steinbrenner knows other high-spending contenders  like Steve Cohens Mets  will be making a run at Soto this winter as well.

Its presently unclear when Steinbrenner and the Yankees will meet with Soto and his team again. The timing of Sotos free agency decision isnt set in stone either. The same goes for how much money the Yankees will ultimately be willing to offer. Steinbrenner hasnt thought about a walking-away number just yet. Its early in that process.

What Steinbrenner does know, however, is that re-signing Soto this offseason is a top priority.

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He wouldnt have flown out to California a few days ago for a meeting with Soto and Boras  joined by general manager Brian Cashman, manager Aaron Boone and more  if that wasnt the case.

We listen to our fans, Steinbrenner said Wednesday, speaking in Midtown at the Owners Meetings. Our fans really enjoyed having him in New York. Hes definitely a significant part of why we got to the World Series. Ive got ears. I know whats expected of me.

As he was peppered about Soto, Steinbrenner brushed off certain questions about possible contract details and the intricacies of his recent sit-down with the superstar, playing it coy.

All I can tell you, Steinbrenner explained, is I do believe he enjoyed his time here. Hes close with Aaron Judge, hes close with Aaron Boone. So well see, but in the end, he needs to do whats best for him and his family.

Soto has already met with a handful of other teams, including the Mets, Red Sox and Blue Jays. The World Series champion Dodgers and Phillies are also expected to get their chance to sit down with Soto in the coming days.

Steinbrenner shared that he while he didnt get to know Soto that well personally during this past season  he didnt want to bother Soto at the ballpark, knowing the outfielder is in a zone when hes at the office  the owner hopes to be able to treat the 26-year-old the same way he does with other team leaders for years to come.

Should he be back next year, Steinbrenner said, I made it clear that the kind of relationship I would like is the kind of relationship I have with Gerrit [Cole] and Aaron Judge.

The Yankees are in a position to spend this winter. They have a substantial amount of money coming off the books. That said, theyll need to invest what is expected to be a record-setting amount to keep Soto in pinstripes. It could take upwards of $700 million.

Steinbrenner is ready and willing to consider every avenue this winter to make the Yankees better. Coming off a loss to Los Angeles in the World Series, Steinbrenner said he recently told Cashman to send any and all suggestions on how to improve this clubs roster  Soto and otherwise  his way.

While he doesnt believe that payrolls at and above $300 million per year are sustainable  theyre not feasible was the way he put it on Wednesday  Steinbrenner acknowledged that it wont preclude him from spending big if he wants to.

Weve got the ability to sign any player we want to sign, Steinbrenner said.

Would it hurt to lose him even more if he bolted to Queens and signed with the Mets, who might be the highest bidder?

Were going to be in the mix for Soto, he said. If it doesnt work out, its going to hurt a little bit no matter where he goes.

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Max Goodman may be reached at mgoodman@njadvancemedia.com.
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News / National

by Staff reporter

Japanese company Dai Nippon Construction has been awarded a contract to upgrade a 7.2-kilometre stretch of the Harare-Chirundu Road, a critical regional trade route linking Zimbabwe with neighboring countries.The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development confirmed the development in a statement this week. Permanent Secretary Engineer Joy Makumbe signed the contract on behalf of the government on November 15.The project will focus on the Wafa-Wafa area in Mashonaland West and involves significant safety improvements, including the addition of a climbing lane, curve modifications, and the installation of drainage facilities and other structures.This initiative is part of the larger US$550 million Harare-Chirundu highway upgrade, which resumed in August. Five local companies - Tensor Systems, Bitumen World, Masimba, Fossil, and Exodus and Company - are currently working on widening and partially dualizing sections of the 352-kilometre road. Each company has been assigned a 67-kilometre stretch.The Harare-Chirundu highway is a vital transport corridor connecting Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa to Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania.The government has set an ambitious completion deadline of August 2025 for the highway upgrade, following a ground-breaking ceremony held in February this year.The improvements are expected to enhance road safety, reduce travel time, and bolster regional trade by improving the efficiency of this key transport route.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Two Zimbabwean nationals, aged 26 and 37, are set to appear before the Belfast Magistrate's Court following their arrest on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. The pair was apprehended in possession of stripped body parts from a state-owned vehicle belonging to the Department of Health.Brazen Robbery at Hospital PremisesThe incident reportedly unfolded late Monday, November 18, at around 11:00 PM, when the suspects allegedly deceived security personnel at the hospital gate, claiming they were transporting a critically ill patient. Upon gaining entry, the men turned on the unsuspecting guards, brandishing firearms.The suspects tied the two security guards with ropes, forcing them to lie on the floor. Once the guards managed to free themselves, they discovered the theft of a damaged Toyota Hilux, which had been parked on the premises following an accident.Swift Police Action Leads to ArrestsA business robbery case was swiftly registered with the Belfast South African Police Service (SAPS), prompting a multi-unit investigation involving the Witbank Tactical Response Team, Middleburg Flying Squad, and Belfast SAPS. The operation led to the arrest of the two suspects, who were found in possession of stripped vehicle parts matching the stolen Hilux.Some parts were discovered loaded onto a suspect's light delivery vehicle (LDV), while additional parts were recovered in surrounding areas following further police inquiries.Commendation from Police LeadershipThe Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr.) Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the officers involved for their swift and effective response."Our team of investigators, in collaboration with prosecutors, will ensure that a strong case is presented in court. We are confident that the suspects will be convicted to show that no one disrespects the state," said Major General Mkhwanazi.Potential Additional ChargesWhile the suspects currently face charges of possession of suspected stolen vehicle parts, authorities have indicated the possibility of additional charges as the investigation unfolds.The arrests underscore the importance of collaborative law enforcement efforts in combating crime and recovering stolen government property. The court proceedings will likely shed more light on the suspects' motives and the extent of their involvement in the crime.
FILE - A U.S. Senate committee on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, advanced legislation that would increase the amount of revenues Louisiana would receive from energy exploration and production in federal waters. This Sunday, April 10, 2011 picture shows a rig and supply vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, off the cost of Louisiana.
Kelly Whitman stood in the rain and wind for a while Tuesday morning waiting for a Blue Angels jet to arrive at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport.

There were delays due to bad weather, but Whitman waited patiently in the elements. She said she likes to come out and see the Blue Angels with her family whenever they are at the airport.

We come out of here every year that the Blue Angels are here (for the show) -- and we even come to this visit every year as well, Whitman said of the advance visit.

Whitmans father served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and his service is something the family takes seriously.

I just have a great appreciation for the military and really just love seeing this every year. It's kind of just a tradition for the family, Whitman said.

U.S. Navy Blue Angels Jet No. 7 arrived at the airport in Eau Claire on Tuesday just before noon for a winter preseason visit ahead of the team's 2025 Chippewa Valley Air Show.

The Blue Angels headline the event, and a host of other aviation professionals and performers will showcase aerobatics, flight maneuvers and static displays. On-site activities, a kids zone and concessions round out the experience.

While in town, Blue Angels officers Maj. Scott Laux, and Lt. Com. Lillian "Lunchbox" Montana, met with air show organizers during their stop.

We started the morning in Duluth, Minnesota, and we flew down to Eau Claire, Laux said.

He said bad weather caused delays. A flyover at the airport did not happen as well because of the weather, organizers said.

The purpose of the trip was to meet with show coordinators and community members to check on plans for the show.

Any stakeholder in the air show, we like to meet with them and just make sure that we've got a good plan; everybody's on the same page as we go forward and start to work towards leadership, Laux said.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are scheduled to perform 64 demonstrations at 32 locations in 2025, a year that will mark the squadrons 79th season. Montana and Laux are visiting all 32 sites on the schedule.

This is kind of the beginning of our winter visits. We started yesterday, Montana said.

Montana said she was glad to bring the Blue Angels to the area in 2025.

I hope the average air show attendee takes this away  that it's not just about six jets flying around and six pilots. It's a team of almost 140 individuals, and everybody is working at their peak performance, Montana said. Everybody is working at their absolute, you know, highest capacity. And getting to see that energy, I think, is pretty special.

Montana has accumulated more than 1,000 flight hours and has more than 180 aircraft carrier landings.

Laux has more than 1,300 flight hours and 169 aircraft carrier landings.

I really like getting to go out and meet all the different people around the country and bring the Navy and the Marine Corps to places like Eau Claire that probably don't see a lot of the Navy and the Marine Corps, and what we do, Laux said.

Scouts host event

The Chippewa Valley Council, Scouting America will again host the air show.

Revenue supports initiatives that benefit more than 60 local nonprofit organizations and youth development programs in west central Wisconsin.

Tim Molepske, CEO of the Chippewa Valley Council, Scouting America, said Scouts are a big part of the air show each year.

The reason why we do it as the Scouts, is we want to show people that Scouting is still around and active in our community, he said. We want to make our camp is the best possible for young people in our community, and things like the air show and capital-giving help make sure that our young people have a great outdoor experience.

The Chippewa Valley Council serves nearly 5,000 youth through 10 counties in west-central Wisconsin.

Molepske said the air show is one way young people get to experience STEM-focused activities so they become aware of science, technology and all that.

The Scouts host a camperie at the airport during the show.

They camp and they provide service. So when you come to the air show, you'll see Scouts all around handing out different things because it is their community service, he said.

Laux said he appreciates meeting kids from across the country who look up to the Blue Angels.

One of the parts of our mission is that we hope to inspire a culture of excellence, he said.

His advice to young people who think they might want to be on a Blue Angels team one day is to do things with solid effort and determination to get on the path to any future goals, he said.

Whatever your task is, if it's school, if it's a club, if it's a team, whatever it is, be excellent at that and work hard, he said.

Molepske said the organization and planning for the air show is robust, but it is an amazing experience.

It's a lot of hours of planning and a lot of people looking over all the details to make sure everything's in line for a safe experience, Molepske said.

In addition to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the show will feature a roster of world-class aerobatic teams, historic aircraft displays, interactive exhibits, and an expanded kid zone area that offer a glimpse into the world of aviation and aerospace.
US Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, says he has a process to consider presidential nominees that the Senate must confirm. He wants to complete that process before deciding if he will support cabinet picks.
A coffee morning held at the Assembly Rooms in South Molton raised 700 for the international development agency Christian Aid.

The event featured a performance by the Young Voices Choir from South Molton C of E United Primary School, which added a musical highlight to the fundraiser.

Organiser Lynne Miller said: The response was amazing, and I think we had a record turnout!

The Young Voices Choir of South Molton C of E United Primary School performed beautifully, singing melodiously and with great enthusiasm. They must have put in hours of practice under the expert and skilled encouragement of Mrs Helen Jarvis. Their performance was the highlight of a successful morning.

Dr Frances Clemson from Christian Aid delivered a presentation on the organisations efforts to assist vulnerable communities impacted by war in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. This focussed our minds on the urgent need for fundraising, Ms Miller said.

The coffee morning was organised by the South Molton and District Christian Aid fundraising team, with attendees contributing to the total raised.

According to Christian Aid, the funds will go towards supporting communities through initiatives including savings and loans associations, farming co-operatives, healthcare schemes, and disaster risk training.

In 2023, the organisation reportedly assisted 3.3 million people through 275 programmes.
Thousands of farmers gathered in Westminster yesterday (November 19) to protest changes to inheritance tax rules announced in the latest Budget.

Demonstrations also took place across the country for those unable to travel to London.

From April 2026, inherited agricultural assets valued at over 1 million will be subject to a 20 per cent tax; half the standard inheritance tax rate.

Farmers have expressed concerns about the potential impact on family-run farms.

Ian Roome, Liberal Democrat MP for North Devon, met with local farmers in Westminster Hall to discuss the challenges posed by the tax.

North Devon, which has 1,475 farms, could see many family businesses affected by the changes.

Mr Roome said: Older farmers fear losing businesses that have been in their families for generations, while younger farmers are questioning whether a career in agriculture is still viable.

The Government is also accelerating reductions in direct payments under the Basic Payment Scheme, with recipients facing a 76 per cent cut next year.

Mr Roome has called for an urgent review of these policies, saying they could hinder the ability of farmers to operate sustainably.

Mr Roome stated: Family farmers across North Devon have already been failed by a Conservative party that didnt care about them. They cant now be let down by a Labour government that doesnt understand them.

British farmers are already battling with sky-high energy bills and botched overseas trade deals, and this hike will only make things worse. I am urging the Government to change course.

Farmers and campaigners continue to seek clarity on how the Government plans to address their concerns.
The founder of an artificial intelligence start-up focused on education was arrested and charged with defrauding her investors, lying about the companys profits and falsely claiming that some of the largest school districts in the country, including New York Citys, were her customers.

The founder, Joanna Smith-Griffin, started the company, AllHere Education, in 2016, with the goal of using artificial intelligence to increase student and parent engagement and curb absenteeism.

In the years that followed, Ms. Smith-Griffin, 33, misrepresented AllHeres revenue and customer base to fraudulently raise almost $10 million in funds, according to the indictment. Once the companys valuation had climbed, she sold some of her stake in it and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on a down payment for a new home and on her wedding.

Ms. Smith-Griffin was arrested Tuesday in North Carolina, where she lives, and charged with wire fraud, securities fraud and aggravated identity theft. She faces more than 40 years in prison.
Tom Goodman

In news that certainly caught the attention of the PR world, President-elect Trump last week selected Karoline Leavitt, a 27-year-old, to be the White House press secretary.

27?

Steven Spielberg directed JAWS at age 26, and he did pretty well, so there are exceptions. But his biggest challenges back then were a mechanical shark that rarely worked, a restless studio, and an ocean that made shooting (any) film on water a monumental task.

Leavitt and her bosses will be confronting much more serious challenges. Among them, China, Ukraine, Russia, North Korea and a free press at home, the latter surely being in their sights at the first press briefing, post-inauguration, if not before.

It is against this backdrop, of a 27-year-old being thrust into an important role, that I thought back to my early days in the business and the rookie mistakes that I made in my 20s.

Some were relatively harmless (or I thought), like wearing a short sleeve shirt on my first day at the distinguished J. Walter Thompson Company. Tara Nicholson, an account executive with great class and style, approached me on Day One and said, I dont know who you are, but if you ever wear short sleeve shirts here again, Ill kill you.

That faux pas paled in comparison to the disaster on my first (and last) assignment for Deutsche Bank.

Although my primary accounts at JWT PR were Kodak, Bausch & Lomb and Standard Brands, I was called in as a utility player to invite US-based German media outlets to a major press conference.

My mistake not differentiating between West and East Germany news organizations. I ended up inviting communist East German reporters to this Western, capitalist press conferencebefore the fall of the Berlin Wall. The client, sweating like Albert Brooks in Broadcast News, was apoplectic. Luckilyand miraculouslyI was not fired and I went on to a career at ABC News, CBS News and CBS Inc. before starting my own agency in 1996.

Will Karoline Leavitt avoid rookie mistakes? Will she be effective on the world stage with much more serious issues at stake?

In the landmark NBC show The West Wing the fictitious White House press secretary played by Allison Janney was youngbut not too youngfor the job. She was 40 when the show premiered. Her character C.J. Cregg seemed intelligent, poised, and experienced in the role. But, C.J. Cregg wasnt real.

Leavitt will become the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history on Inauguration Day. Those of us in the business will be watching closely to see how she fares, in real, non-fiction time.

***

Tom Goodman is Founder and President/CEO of Goodman Media International, Inc., a New York public relations agency.
Not a Subscriber? Join O'Dwyer's & Get RFP Access Stop wasting time tracking down RFPs. O'Dwyer's connects you with organizations looking for PR firms & services. Get new business with O'Dwyer's! Join O'Dwyer's
Burson is integrating strategic market research consultancy and fellow WPP company BSG (formerly Benenson Strategy Group) into its U.S. Insights, Data & Intelligence group, effective January 1, 2025. BSGs talent, expertise and commitment to excellence across qualitative and quantitative market research will be the perfect complement to the infrastructure and tech stack we currently have within Bursons Data & Intelligence group and through the Burson Innovation Portfolio, said Burson Americas chair, insights, data & intelligence Kari Butcher. BSG co-founder Carl Rossow made the decision earlier this year to retire from BSG, effective December 31. Carl played an outsized role in building BSG into the renowned consultancy it is today, Butcher continued.

French/West/Vaughan announces a strategic alliance with Dallas-based Baker & Bonner Creative Emporium, forming a marketing services partnership that has worked with some of the biggest brands in the Western lifestyle industry. During their 24-year partnership, Baker & Bonner co-founders Rob Baker and Jimmy Bonner have also developed campaigns for Spalding, PGA TOUR Superstore, Jeep, Home Depot, Biltmore and Pegasus Bank. There is no substitute for the credibility and consumer understanding acquired over 30 years of immersion in the culture of the American West, and with the added horsepower of Baker & Bonner, weve taken it to the next level, said FWV president David Gwyn. FWV will introduce the new alliance at its hospitality and gifting suite for media, brands, influencers and VIPs at Resorts World in Las Vegas during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 5-14. The partnership has established a digital outpost at WaysoftheWest.com.

Stagwell adds Blue Horse Digital Marketing (Malaysia) and Dash Digital (South Africa) to its Global Affiliate Network. Blue Horse provides specialized solutions that focus on maximizing sustainable profitability while automating day-to-day operations for consumer industries, including wellness services, consumer goods, and e-commerce centered activities on marketplace platforms. DashDigital, a specialized design studio, serves a global client base, helping brands connect with their audience via in-depth research, rigorous strategy, well-built technology and responsive design. We cant wait to harness the immense resources and possibilities the partnership will afford us, said Dash Digital co-founder and creative director Rogan Jansen.

Sprout Social, a provider of cloud-based social media management software, launches several additions to its product suite intended to help marketers work faster and smarter in the face of tightening budgets and heightened customer expectations. Those additions include Generate Posts, which provides AI-generated post text options (written in a brands voice) based on top-performing content. Generate Subtitles and Generate Translations by AI Assist will automate publishing tasks essential to inclusivity and accessibility, while Smart Categories enables marketers to understand the key subjects driving conversations around their brand. Also part of Sprouts new developments are such new features as PII (personally identifiable information) Masking and Stop Words, which lets brands set triggers to hide PII from agents and enabling admins to define a list of words or phrases that will be automatically blocked. Our latest enhancements in AI empower marketers to scale their social operations while staying true to their brands and meeting the rising expectations of todays consumers, said Sprout Social chief product officer Erika Trautman.
OFFALY student Lucy Bannister was presented with a scholarship award by Dublin City University at a ceremony to celebrate memorial and endowed scholarships on Wednesday, November 6. In total, 51 students received awards named in honour of individuals and organisations who have played a leading role in the life of Dublin City University and in wider Irish society.

Lucy Bannister from Edenderry, a former student of Oaklands Community College who is currently completing a Bachelor of Education at Dublin City University, was presented with the Endowed Alumni Scholarship, established to widen access to third level education.

Speaking at the event, Declan Raftery of DCU Educational Trust commented: Memorial and endowed scholarships make an enduring contribution to the Universitys mission to transform lives and societies. By creating opportunities for doctoral research that tackles some of the worlds most pressing challenges, and opening a door for talented students to excel, these scholarships are supporting more DCU students to make their mark on the world. We are proud to honour those who created these scholarships, and our friends and loved ones who are remembered through them.

The 51 scholarship recipients were selected based on different criteria, depending on the wishes of those who created the scholarship. These include undergraduate students supported by DCUs Access Programme, postgraduate students in the fields of cancer research, education, law and journalism, and students with outstanding sporting and academic achievements.
Chinese vice premier meets with Vietnamese deputy prime minister

Xinhua) 09:41, November 20, 2024

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Le Thanh Long, who is in China to attend the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

HANGZHOU, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Tuesday met with Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Le Thanh Long in east China's Zhejiang Province.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China and Vietnam are friendly neighbors that will celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties next year.

Ding said that China is ready to work with Vietnam to implement the important consensus reached between the top leaders of the two parties and countries, consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen cooperation in various fields, comprehensively advance the construction of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Le Thanh Long, who is in China to attend the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, congratulated China on its great achievements in reform and opening-up. He said that Vietnam is willing to maintain close, high-level exchange with China, strengthen practical cooperation, and work together to push bilateral relations to a higher level.

The 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit is scheduled to take place from Nov. 19 to 22 in Zhejiang's water town of Wuzhen.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Ruhuna University strike: Staff and students demand Vice Chancellors removal

Posted by Editor on November 20, 2024 - 3:04 pm

The academic and non-academic staff of the University of Ruhuna along with student unions have launched a strike yesterday (October 19) demanding the immediate removal of Vice Chancellor Senior Professor Sujeewa Amarasena.

The strike continued into its second day today (November 20).

Protesters accuse the Vice Chancellor of exerting undue pressure on staff and students and claim his actions are driven by personal vendettas.

Co-Chairman of the University Trade Union Joint Committee (UTUJC), Dhammika S. Priyantha, alleged that under his leadership, studentship of several students had been revoked, some were barred from attending graduation ceremonies, and non-academic staff faced unfair penalties.

Faculty promotions, he claimed, were granted based on favoritism rather than merit, allegedly backed by political protection.

A protest by university students took place on campus yesterday in support of the strike.

Representatives of the striking unions met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday (October 19) to discuss their grievances.

According to UTUJC Media Spokesman Senior Prof. Charudaththa Ilangasinghe, the government responded promptly to the strike by initiating talks.

The Prime Minister assured a swift resolution to the issue, but union leaders insist they will not end their action until Professor Amarasena is removed from his position.

Meanwhile, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Ruhuna University, Senior Professor Sujeewa Amarasena stated that he rejects all the allegations made against him.

He points out that although requests for his resignation have been made based on false allegations, he is not prepared to resign from his position.
The problems you have with your BigPond email account and other related services may have the best chance of being resolved at Telstra BigPond Customer Support. To reach customer support, go to the Telstra website and click on the 'Contact Us' tab. You will be offered many options, such as live chat, phone support, and a help request form. The website also lists telephone numbers that customers can call should 
Labuan, Malaysia - [20-11-2024] - Universal Serviced Offices & Management Limited, a leader in premium serviced office solutions, proudly announces the opening of its new location in the bustling Mid Valley City. This marks the company's third location in Malaysia, adding to its existing branches in Labuan and Bangsar South. Founder and CEO, Hesham Mansour, expressed his enthusiasm for the expansion: "Our goal has always been to provide outstanding, ethical, and transparent 
Portlands population increased by a sliver from 2023, according to the Portland State University Population Research Center, climbing for the first time by the centers estimations after three years of declines.

The citys population stood at a preliminary 639,448 in 2024, rising 0.1% from last years 638,624 by adding just over 800 people, according to Portland State.
A man was shot and killed early Wednesday morning at a Northeast Portland motel, calling tactical police teams to search the area.

Portland police officers responded a little after 7 a.m. to a call about a shooting at the Quality Inn motel in the 8200 block of Northeast Sandy Boulevard. When they arrived, they found an unidentified man in the parking lot. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance and later died.
The longtime Oregon prison guard accused earlier this month of fatally shooting his brother before driving to the states maximum-security prison with a revolver previously fired a gun at his home in an attempt to end it all, records show.

Alonzo Rowell, 52, was investigated at the time by the states law enforcement certification agency and found to have engaged in gross misconduct but retained his certification in large part because he accepted responsibility, state records show.

The Oregon Department of Corrections also allowed him to keep his prison job.

By then, Rowell had already been the subject of two separate restraining orders from girlfriends who described him as violent and prone to alcohol-fueled rages, according to court records. Both women noted in court records that Rowell had access to guns.

Rowell resigned from the Department of Corrections last year; the agency confirmed this week that Rowells job performance was under review at the time.

Rowell now faces a second-degree murder charge in the Nov. 9 killing of his brother, Tony Miller. That day, he drove to the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem with a handgun in his car, according to court records.

The shooting that prompted the state investigation occurred in 2015 after Rowell fired a handgun at his Dallas apartment. Another corrections officer called 911 to alert police that Rowell was suicidal and had fired a round at home.

Rowell was later convicted in Polk County Circuit Court of recklessly endangering another person, a misdemeanor.

According to the Dallas police report, Rowell fired a Taurus Judge in the apartment shooting  the same model police found on the front seat of Rowells gold Cadillac this month when he was arrested on suspicion of shooting and killing his brother earlier that day.

In 2015, a Dallas police report written by Officer Jeffrey Huey noted: Alonzo told me the pistol was a Judge and that he was going to be judged tonight with it when he used it to end it all.

Rowell told police who responded to his apartment that tonight was the night he was supposed to die, Huey wrote. Rowell said a relative had died by suicide and so had people he worked with so tonight was his night, the officer wrote.

Rowell said he shot the gun in the air, hoping to trigger a police response, the report noted.

The records state that Rowell told officers he had consumed a fifth of Jagermeister that day and that he thought he was being followed and that people were doing surveillance on him.

Rowell told me he was tired of everything and just didnt want to live anymore, the officer wrote. Rowell gave police permission to seize his gun; he was taken to a local hospital for psychiatric treatment, the report stated.

At the time, he worked as a corrections officer at the Oregon State Penitentiary, the prison where he spent his entire 24-year corrections career.

Rowells conviction prompted the state agency that certifies law enforcement and corrections officers to conclude he had engaged in gross misconduct. A committee of the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards & Training found that Rowells actions rose to the level to warrant revocation of his state certification as a corrections officer.

Yet in a unanimous vote, the committee recommended that Rowell retain his certification, citing his well written letter where he took full responsibility for his actions.

Ten members of the committee took part in the vote on May 10, 2016, records show. They included four Department of Corrections employees and other law enforcement representatives. One committee member, a corrections officer at the Oregon State Penitentiary, abstained.

After the 2015 shooting, the Department of Corrections placed Rowell on paid leave until the case was resolved the following year, agency records show. He was required to see a doctor before returning to work, according to agency spokesperson Amber Campbell.

Campbell said she did not know why Rowell was allowed to remain employed; corrections officials who made the decision no longer work for the agency, she said.

The two restraining order petitions describe Rowell as erratic and verbally abusive.

In a 2012 petition filed in Marion County Circuit Court, a woman who worked with Rowell at the state penitentiary and was romantically involved with him wrote: Alonzo possesses firearms and has stated that he is not afraid of death.

She added that Rowell smashed a window with his fist and she told the court that Rowell was later hospitalized due to his acute alcohol intoxication.

Marion County Circuit Judge David Leith signed off on the womans request, finding that Rowell represented a credible threat to her safety and that she was in imminent danger of further abuse, records show. The order also prohibited Rowell from purchasing or possessing a gun.

Rowell immediately challenged the restraining order, arguing the prohibition related to guns interfered with his job. While in general corrections officers do not carry guns, some posts are armed.

Rowell filed his own restraining order against the woman the following day, alleging that she told him to prepare for death.

Later that month, Marion County Circuit Judge J. Channing Bennett dismissed the womans restraining order. Meanwhile, court records show that Rowells request, which he filed in Polk County, was upheld by Judge Monte Campbell.

At the state penitentiary, the woman who filed the petition and Rowell continued to work for the agency but were assigned to posts away from each other and given strict orders not to come in contact with each other, said Campbell, the corrections spokesperson.

The next year, another woman who said she was in a romantic relationship with Rowell filed a restraining order petition, also in Marion County Circuit Court.

She, too, cited alleged physical abuse, saying Rowell grabbed her wrist and screamed at her. She told the court that Rowell had access to a gun. She claimed Rowell drank a half-gallon of alcohol a night and that he had been talking about killing himself and others.

I fear for my safety, she wrote.

Bennett granted the womans request; Rowell again contested the order. Records show the Bennett dismissed it the following month.

The court records do not make clear why the court dismissed the orders.

Earlier this month, Rowell shot and killed his brother on the Dallas property where his brother lived. Rowell then drove to the state penitentiary with potential intent to harm others, according to an email the prison superintendent sent agency employees that day.

Rowell was arrested in front of the prison.

He is being held at the Polk County Jail on allegations that include second-degree murder. His next court date is Dec. 11.

 Noelle Crombie is an enterprise reporter with a focus on criminal justice. Reach her at 503-276-7184; ncrombie@oregonian.com

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A gun control advocacy group is pushing for Oregon to strengthen oversight of firearms dealers in the state.

In Oregon, almost 75% of the 26,046 guns recovered in crimes from 2017 to 2021 were originally bought from in-state dealers and got into the hands of criminals through so-called straw gun purchases and thefts from dealers, the group reported.
The state psychiatric hospital has violated a court order for the last six months, pushing the average wait to 26 days for jailed criminal defendants to be admitted for mental health treatment.

The wait is supposed to be up to only seven days.
Oregon will divide $8.9 million dollars among the states special education teachers, paraeducators and other staff members as one-time bonuses meant to help address the fields alarming recruitment and retention problems.

The money follows a 2023 law that created a potential pay differential for special education workers, allowing school districts to increase their wages or give them one-time stipends. State Sen. Michael Dembrow, who sponsored the 2023 law and pushed for the current funding, said the bonuses now are meant to ensure all special educators receive recognition, regardless of school districts individual salary decisions.

We wanted to make sure that there would be something for everyone, Dembrow said.

Anyone who spends at least 75% of their work time supporting students who have Individual Education Programs will qualify for the bonus. School districts and other qualifying organizations  like public charter schools  are responsible for counting how many of their staff members qualify and reporting it to the Oregon Department of Education by Jan. 13.

Oregon Department of Education Communications Director Marc Siegel said state public schools employed 4,190 special education teachers last school year. The Oregon School Employee Association, the union representing classified employees like paraeducators, identified a minimum of 2,400 members who would also qualify. Were the stipend split only among those people, they would receive $1,350 each, but others  like speech language pathologists  will likely be added to the pool.

I do think its a sort of a respectful nod from the state towards the work that special education teachers are doing across Oregon, said Trevor Spangle, a special education teacher at Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis.

But at the same time, he  like several other people working in special education  said he felt like the bonuses wouldnt truly dent the states problems with hiring and retaining special education staff.

Oregon is facing a notable shortage of special education staff. The Teacher Standards and Practices Commissions job dashboard, which is not an exhaustive list of vacancies, lists more than 100 open special education positions in the state. Portland Public Schools careers page shows 32 vacancies, more than three times the number of open jobs in any other subject area.

Kyrsti Sackman, a paraeducator in Beaverton School District and the local chapter president of the Oregon School Employee Association, said her district started the school year with 120 or more paraeducator and special education vacancies. And as a roving paraeducator who fills in for other special education staff in schools throughout the district, Sackman sees how thinly her colleagues are stretched.

People are constantly asking, requesting for me to come to their classes. Theyre so short staffed, Sackman said. But then theres always somebody else thats more short staffed.

Watching students light up is one of paraeducator Kyrsti Sackman's favorite part of her job in Beaverton School District.Dave Killen / The Oregonian

She loves her job, watching kids light up when she walks in the room and advocating for her students and fellow educators through her union work. But she also understands why the district sometimes struggles to fill jobs.

Though Sackman is in her ninth year as a Beaverton paraeducator, she still brings home about $1,900 a month. She works several jobs just to scrape by. This month, after more than a year of couch-surfing and scrounging, shes moving into an apartment outside Beaverton  she cant afford rent inside the district anymore.

I really do love the students, she said. But its getting pretty close to having to pick between my passion in the world and being a supportive human to neurodiverse students, and actually being able to live a comfortable life.

Paraeducator Kyrsti Sackman (right) said she feels like she's close to having to choose between working in special education, her passion, and supporting herself properly.Dave Killen / The Oregonian

The bonus seems like a nice gesture, Sackman said. But it also doesnt feel fully sufficient.

Jennifer Groth, an inclusion educational assistant at Bend Senior High School and another Oregon School Employee Association chapter president, agreed. She, too, cares deeply about her job, but shes also been scratched and bled at work before. Like Sackman, she works a second job to boost her income.

Any recognition is a step in the right direction, Groth said, especially for classified staff members like herself. But the stipend is not long term, and thats a problem.

Sackman said she thinks a pay differential for all special education staff in Oregon would be the long-term solution. Other special education workers said that higher staffing levels  not just filling vacancies, but actively hiring more people  would make the job more sustainable.

Special education teacher Alyssa Potasznik said Portlands Franklin High School, where she works, cant fully support students with different levels of need with its current staffing. She said it needs more teachers and more funding, which would be her top priority over a bonus.

Moira Finnegan, a speech language pathologist at Franklin, concurred.

Its nice that the teachers and staff who work in special education are being recognized for the hard work that they do, Finnegan said. But a one-time stipend doesnt move us in the direction of the bigger picture of properly funding special education services in K through 12 education in Oregon.

 Aviva Bechky covers politics and education for The Oregonian/OregonLive. They can be reached at abechky@oregonian.com or on X at @avivabechky.

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An elk hunter shot and killed a grizzly bear in eastern Idaho on Saturday after it charged at him, according to a news release from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. It was the third such incident in the area since June.

Fish and Game officials said the man was hunting near Kilgore, an unincorporated area in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest west of Island Park, during the evening on Oct. 26. The man was in thick timber when the female grizzly charged through dense brush from just a few yards away, according to the news release.

The man shot the bear with his hunting rifle, Fish and Game said. The bear was a short distance from him but did not make contact.

Its unclear whether the man was carrying or used bear spray, a strong mace recommended for people spending time in grizzly habitat.

The news release said the hunter called authorities as soon as he got back to where there was cellphone service. U.S. Forest Service and Fish and Game officials determined that the man acted in self-defense after he was surprised by the bear in close quarters.

Grizzly bears in the contiguous 48 states are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and killing or injuring them is illegal unless necessary for self-defense.

Its the third time this year that a grizzly has been killed in the Island Park area in what was determined to be self-defense. In September, two archery hunters shot and killed a male grizzly after it knocked one of them to the ground and bit him. In June, a man shot and killed a young male bear that charged at his girlfriend near their home.

Two other grizzlies were killed in similar incidents in the same area last fall.

The Island Park area is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of a handful of grizzly population areas delineated as part of the species recovery plan. Its home to Idahos largest concentration of grizzly bears, though the species is also present in North Idaho and has been documented occasionally in and around the Bitterroot zone in Central Idaho in recent years.

Fish and Game Upper Snake Region spokesperson James Brower told the Idaho Statesman last month that there has not been a fatal grizzly attack in Idaho in recent memory, but there have been several grizzly-related injuries and conflicts.

2024 The Idaho Statesman. Visit idahostatesman.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Kevin Machiz

Machiz is a financial analyst for an institutional investment consulting firm. He lives in Portland.

Outgoing Mayor Ted Wheeler recently warned city bureaus  and the new leaders elected to run the city  to expect painful budget cuts in the coming year that will test Portlands ability to pay for basic services. But as the next mayor and City Council grapple with the gymnastics of how to stretch tax dollars in the short-term, they should also consider long-term changes that can both free up money and give the city greater flexibility in how it spends the limited dollars it has.

There is no greater opportunity for doing so than in changing the nonsensical way that the city pays for the pensions of firefighters and police officers who joined the city before 2007.

This might not seem like the most exciting topic. But a look at Portland property tax bills show why residents should care. Unlike other governmental pension programs where money is regularly set aside in a designated pension fund throughout an employees career, Portland didnt set any money aside for those workers future pension benefit payments. Rather, the citys Bureau of Fire and Police Disability and Retirement waits until after members retire to levy the amount of property taxes necessary to pay benefit payments as they come due. The amount levied by the bureau last year was $210 million  about $636 in property taxes for a house assessed at $250,000. But none of this dedicated levy is available to pay the salaries of current firefighters or be allocated to other bureaus for things like maintenance of city parks and pools.

The city switched firefighters and police hired from 2007 on to a different program that does set aside money for retirement during employees careers. But the burden on property tax bills for the pensions of the pre-2007 hires will continue to weigh on Portlanders for years  even decades  to come. That $636 bill last year is $745 this year. It represents one-third of the city of Portlands property tax revenue. Four years from now, the city projects it will need 40% more from this specialty tax.

It is, according to my review of the Public Plans Data website, the costliest pension program in the country. And Portland is nearly alone in using this kind of funding system that was common 100 years ago  only Puerto Rico follows this same pay-as-you-go approach.

There are many reasons such pension funding policies were abandoned over the years. First, they hinder transparency, hiding the costs of pensions by passing them off to future generations. Second, they transgress against intergenerational equity by forcing taxpayers to pay members who may have retired before the taxpayer was even born. Third, they are the most expensive way to fund pensions, because there are no investment earnings to help cover costs. Finally, they create risks for the governments that sponsor the pension, because benefit payments are protected by law and most other expenditures are not.

Between now and the end of the plans life sometime in the 2080s, the plan actuary projects that taxpayers will have paid more than $8 billion in pension costs for pre-2007 firefighters and police officers.

The city does not have to keep going down this same path. It can instead switch to a modern system in which the city sets money aside now to pay for what retirees are owed. While theres a legitimately daunting question of how the city could fund it, adopting such a comprehensive actuarial funding policy could reduce that $8 billion-plus by $2.5 billion. Unfortunately, the city has for nearly two decades refused to provide transparency by analyzing potential cost savings of switching to a different system. While one member of the board of trustees overseeing the FPDR bureau made a motion in January 2023 to just get a quote from their actuary to find out how much it would cost to run such an analysis, the motion failed. Similarly, City Council has failed to act.

I am not the first person to warn the city about its pension funding policy. Since 2011, the plans actuary, former city auditor, former chief administrative officer and the citys CPA firm have all sounded the alarm about different aspects of this program. But over the years, the City Council has preferred to pretend that it already fixed any problems by putting those hired from 2007 on in a more responsible program. That doesnt change the huge liability Portland taxpayers continue to shoulder for the earlier hires.

The new City Council will have many urgent challenges the second they are sworn into office. But they can get the ball moving in a few ways: Request the FPDR actuary provide an analysis of the cost savings of switching to a comprehensive actuarial funding policy. Engage with independent national experts. Appoint an independent citizens commission with a mandate to study Portland FPDR funding policy reform and provide recommendations to City Council. Direct the citys Office of Government Relations to advocate for access to a state funding source to help address this issue.

But with Portlanders increasingly fed up with high property tax bills and a city facing a serious budget crunch, city councilors shouldnt sit back and ignore this issue. While no solution will be easy, making Portlanders pay billions more than necessary should never be the default.

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The Smurfit Westrock paper mill in Longview likely contributed to the mysterious odor that wafted through southwest Washington and northwest Oregon in September, the Washington State Department of Ecology has determined.

But there might be more contributors  the agency cant say for sure that the mill was the sole source of the odor that triggered a slew of complaints and speculation Sept. 24 and into the following day.

The odor drew widespread consternation and curiosity, not only because it was unpleasant, but also because it had no clear or obvious source. Days later, scientists said Mount St. Helens wasnt the source and, about two weeks later, officials said the odor came from Longview, but wouldnt say what the specific source was.

On Sept. 24, the Smurfit Westrock paper mill vented a gas stream containing chemicals that cause odors, the mill told officials, as required by its permit, the Department of Ecology said in a statement Wednesday. The amount the mill vented was allowed by the permit, the department said.

Ecologys investigation identified that the WestRock Facility in Longview likely contributed to the odor, the agency wrote. However, based on the data, we cant conclude if this venting was responsible for all of the odor complaints across the region on Sept. 24.

To reach its conclusion, the agency analyzed weather data, odor complaints, WestRock gas-venting data and other emissions data, and conditions at the WestRock mill as well as at the Nippon Dynawave paper mill, also in Longview.

 Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. Do you have a story? Reach him by phone or text at 971-373-2905 or by email at fzarkhin@oregonian.com.

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A teenager from Gaza who lost both of his arms in an airstrike is now getting the chance to receive prosthetics at Portlands Shriners Childrens Hospital, thanks to assistance from the nonprofit Palestinian Childrens Relief Fund.

Diaa, 15, is one of many children who have been injured in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has left over 41,000 Palestinians dead and killed about 2,000 Israelis.
By the way, Six Days in August is still playing in four or five theaters through this Thursday, and will survive in two more  in Pocatello and, I believe, in Kaysville  over at least this coming weekend. Were also arranging some private showings. (My wife and I will be involved with one of those on Sunday next.) Final approval for DVDs and Blu-ray should come today, and were moving forward with plans for streaming the film.

A few months ago, I read Amy Tanner Thiriot, Slavery in Zion: A Documentary and Genealogical History of Black Lives and Black Servitude in Utah Territory, 1847-1862 (Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 2023):

Slavery in Zion combines genealogical and historical research to bring to light events and relationships unknown or misunderstood for well over a century. The total number of enslaved people in Utahs early history has remained an open question for many years, due in part to the nature of nineteenth-century records, and an exact number is undetermined. But while writing this book Thiriot documented around one hundred enslaved or indentured Black men, women, and children in Utah Territory. Slavery in Zion has two major parts. The first section provides an introductory history, chapters on southern and western experiences, and information on life after emancipation. The second section is a biographical encyclopedia of names, relationships, and events. Although Slavery in Zion contains material applicable to legal history and the history of race and Mormonism, its most important contribution is as an archive of the experiences of Utahs enslaved Black people, at last making their stories an integral part of the record of Utah and the American Westno longer forgotten or written out of history.

Just today, I finished W. Paul Reeve, Christopher B. Rich Jr., and LaJean Purcell Carruth, This Abominable Slavery: Race, Religion, and the Battle over Human Bondage in Antebellum Utah (New York: Oxford University Press, 2024):

On July 22, 1847, a group of about forty refugees entered the Salt Lake Valley. Among them were three enslaved men, two of whom shared the religion, Mormonism, that had caused them to flee. The valley was also home to members of the Ute tribe, who would sometimes barter captive women and children to Spanish colonizers. Thus, the question of whether the Latter-day Saints would accept or reject slavery in their new Zion confronted them on the day they first arrived. Five years later, after Utah had become an American territory, its legislature was prodded to take up the question then roiling the nation: would they be slave or free? George D. Watt, the official reporter for the 1852 legislative session, reported debates and speeches in Pitman shorthand. They remained in their original format, virtually untouched, for more than one hundred and fifty years, until LaJean Purcell Carruth transcribed them. In this eye-opening volume, Carruth, Christopher Rich, and W. Paul Reeve draw extensively on these new sources to chronicle the session, during which the legislature passed two important statutes: one that legally transformed African American slaves into servants but did not pass the condition of servitude on to their children and another that authorized twenty-year indentures for enslaved Native Americans. This Abominable Slavery places these debates within the context of the nations growing sectional divide and contextualizes the meaning of these laws in the lives of Black enslaved people and Native American indentured servants. In doing so, it sheds new light on race, religion, slavery, and unfree labor in the antebellum period.

In one of the conversations that ensued upon the appearance of the article by Jana Riess, a vocal critic confidently declared that Brigham Youngs views on race were essentially those of the Nazis.

However, this accusation simply cannot be sustained.

Brigham Young was, very clearly, a racist by ordinary twenty-first century American standards. There can be no serious question about that. But so, arguably, was Abraham Lincoln. And so too, probably, were a large majority of his contemporaries  even among opponents of slavery.

However, his was a paternalistic racism, not the toxic (and genocidally lethal) racism of the Third Reich. And  this will come as a surprise to many, and as an unpleasant shock to more than a few of those who hate the man  Brigham Young opposed slavery. Hoping to avoid conflict, he favored what Reeve, Rich, and Carruth call gradual emancipation, as did others across the nation. And his fear of conflict was not misplaced: In 1861, the American Civil War erupted. It eventually killed more than 620,000 people and injured several million more, out of a much smaller American population than today.

I have often seen the claim that, with his strong backing of An Act in Relation to Service, which was passed by the 1852 Utah Territorial Legislature, Brigham Young endorsed Black slavery in Zion and established it as both legal and effectively government-approved. I accepted this idea uncritically and without question, and I very much regretted that blight on his historical record. But I now recognize that this is to grossly misunderstand and misrepresent not only that Act of the legislature but Brighams reasons for supporting it.

I will probably write more on this subject at some point. In fact, Im thinking right now of proposing it as at least a substantial part of a presentation for the annual FAIR conference next year, so important do I find what Ive now learned. In the meantime, as I say, anybody who presumes to pontificate upon the topic of Brigham Young and his attitudes toward people of Black African descent without being thoroughly familiar with the information contained in Slavery in Zion and especially in This Abominable Slavery simply doesnt deserve a hearing.
Matthew 19:29; 25:34-46; Mark 16:16; Luke 6:35; Acts 10:34-35

On 10-8-24, I published my article, Bible vs. Faith Alone: 100 Proofs (100 Bible Passages On Catholic Justification, Sanctification, and Faith + Works [from 22 out of 27 NT Books]: All Disproving Protestant Faith Alone Soteriology). Later, I got the idea of inquiring as to how John Calvin (1509-1564), one of the two the most influential founders of Protestantism, along with Martin Luther, would react to these passages in his Commentaries (and then offering my rebuttals). My approach here will be the same as in my book, The Catholic Verses: 95 Bible Passages That Confound Protestants (Aug. 2004). I explain my method in that books Introduction:

I shall now proceed to offer a critique of common Protestant attempts to ignore, explain away, rationalize, wish away, overpolemicize, minimize, de-emphasize, evade clear consequences of, or special plead with regard to the Catholic Verses: ninety-five biblical passages that provide the foundation for Catholicisms most distinctive doctrines. . . . I will assert  with all due respect and, I hope, with a minimum of triumphalism  the ultimate incoherence, inadequacy, inconsistency, or exegetical and theological implausibility of the Protestant interpretations, and will submit the Catholic views as exegetically and logically superior alternatives.

The dates of Calvins various Commentaries are as follows:

1540 Romans

1548 All the Epistles of Paul

1551 Hebrews, and the Epistles of Peter, John, Jude, and James

1551 Isaiah

1552 Acts of the Apostles

1554 Genesis

1557 Psalms

1557 Hosea

1559 Twelve Minor Prophets

1561 Daniel

1562 Joshua

1563 Harmony of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy

1563 Jeremiah

1563 Harmony of Three Gospels and Commentary on St John

I use RSV for biblical citations. Calvins words will be in blue.

A complete listing of this series will be on my web page, John Calvin: Catholic Appraisal, under the subtitle: Bible vs. Faith Alone vs. John Calvin.

*****

Matthew 19:29 And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my names sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. (cf. Mk 10:29-30)

After having raised the expectation of his followers to the hope of a future life,

Indeed, Jesus said in v. 28: you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones . . .

he supports them by immediate consolations, and strengthens them for bearing the cross. For though God permit his people to be severely afflicted, he never abandons them, so as not to recompense their distresses by his assistance. And here he does not merely address the apostles, but takes occasion to direct his discourse generally to all the godly. The substance of it is this: Those who shall willingly lose all for the sake of Christ, will be more happy even in this life than if they had retained the full possession of them; but the chief reward is laid up for them in heaven.

Jesus expresses the thought, If you do x, you inherit eternal life. Thats much different from if you believe in me and have faith, you receive possibility of having a connection to salvation. They dont fit the plan and so they are either totally ignored, or else this obvious aspect is simply not addressed. Calvin noted that Jesus went beyond the disciples to all the godly.

But Calvin does a clever and not altogether honest thing. Rather than assert that their reward is heaven itself, as the passage does (everyone who has [done any of these self-sacrificing things] . . . will . . . inherit eternal life), he claims that the chief reward is laid up for them in heaven: that is, the person who does these things will be more greatly rewarded in heaven (the differential rewards that we all agree upon). But thats not what the text teaches. It doesnt say that the reward in heaven is a hundredfold. The hundredfold is referring to this life. The cross-references in Mark and Luke make this absolutely clear:

Mark 10:30 . . . receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. Luke 18:30 . . . receive manifold more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.

This is utterly contrary to the doctrine of faith alone. Calvin alludes to rewards in this life (will be more happy even in this life) but he doesnt acknowledge that heaven itself is a reward, too. To sum up, the text (most undeniably in Mark and Luke) is in the following logical form: whoever does x, will receive y and z: as opposed to, whoever does x, will receive y as part of z.

Calvin simply ignores the central teaching of the text itself. And that wont do. If we are serious about following the Bible as Gods inspired revelation, we must follow it wherever it leads, rather than trying to force-fit it into our preconceived theology, when in fact it does not harmonize with the latter (what is called eisegesis, or reading into a biblical text things that arent present). Its an even more serious error when one is messing around with the words of Our Lord Jesus Himself.

Matthew 25:34-35, 41-43, 46 Then the King will say to those at his right hand, Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; [35] for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, . . . [41] Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; [42] for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43] I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me. . . . [46] And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

We must remember Christs design; for he bids his disciples rest satisfied now with hope, that they may with patience and tranquillity of mind look for the enjoyment of the heavenly kingdom; and next, he bids them strive earnestly, and not become wearied in the right course. To this latter clause he refers, when he promises the inheritance of the heavens to none but those who by good works aim at the prize of the heavenly calling. But before speaking of the reward of good works, he points out, in passing, that the commencement of salvation flows from a higher source; for by calling them blessed of the Father, he reminds them, that their salvation proceeded from the undeserved favor of God. Among the Hebrews the phrase blessed of God means one who is dear to God, or beloved by God. . . . There can be no doubt, therefore, that Christ, in describing the salvation of the godly, begins with the undeserved love of God, by which those who, under the guidance of the Spirit in this life, aim at righteousness, were predestined to life. [my bolding]

I think hes putting too much stock in the notion that blessed of God could only mean one of the elect. After all, we have this passage, too:

Luke 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Does that mean they were all saved and predestined for heaven? It cant, since Judas was among them at this time (he was mentioned along with all the others in 6:14-16). Jesus also said the following:

Matthew 26:24-25 . . . woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born. [25] Judas, who betrayed him, said, Is it I, Master? He said to him, You have said so. John 17:11-12 And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. [12] While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Therefore, it follows inexorably that just because one is pronounced to be blessed by Jesus, or even that they possess the kingdom of God: it doesnt always or necessarily mean that they are saved, let alone predestined to be saved. I think this is simply Calvins way of trying to avoid the plain Catholic implications of the text. In context, blessed of my Father refers to those who are actually about to enter eternal life. That said, it doesnt follow, even if they are predestined (Catholics agree that all saved persons were predestined by God), that works had nothing to do with it. We say that both things are relevant to salvation, because Jesus said so (more plainly here than almost anywhere else in Scripture, out of the one hundred examples I have compiled).

Its Jesus (not some pope or other Catholic) Who said that the ones who went to heaven at the Last Judgment did so, for [synonym of because here] they did various works. And the damned went to hell for they refused to do the same good works. Thats causation, any way we look at it. Were happy to agree that the works go hand-in-hand with grace and faith; no problem. Its what the Bible teaches. But Protestants want to remove works from the equation altogether, and that is what is blatantly unbiblical. They amazingly exclude from consideration the very thing that Jesus singled out in this passage, in Matthew 19:29, and earlier in Matthew 19, in His discussion with the rich young ruler (discussed solely and at length in my previous installment).

***

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To this also relates what he says shortly afterwards, that the kingdom, to the possession of which they will be appointed at the last day, had been prepared for them from the beginning of the world. For though it may be easy to object, that the reward was laid up with a view to their future merits, any person who will candidly examine the words must acknowledge that there is an implied commendation of the grace of God. Nay more, Christ does not simply invite believers to possess the kingdom, as if they had obtained it by their merits, but expressly says that it is bestowed on them as heirs.

Again, its both things. Those who are saved in the end, were indeed predestined to be among the elect. But merit is still a factor in the causation of salvation because Jesus said it was (the all-important word, for in Matthew 25).

Let us always remember the inheritance which awaits us in heaven; for it depends on no uncertain event, but was prepared for us by God before we were born, prepared, I say, for each of the elect, for the persons here addressed by Christ are the blessed of the Father.

Even as great of a saint as St. Paul wasnt absolutely sure that he was saved, as Calvin thinks we all can and should be, since he wrote:

Philippians 3:11-13 that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. [12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [13] Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own . . .

Note the six tentative qualifiers there . . . God knew that Paul was in the elect and would go to heaven, but Paul wasnt sure, because he wasnt God and didnt know the future. And thats the point in these discussions of predestination and our supposed certain knowledge of our salvation. We can have a moral assurance but not an absolute assurance.

For I was hungry. If Christ were now speaking of the cause of our salvation, the Papists could not be blamed for inferring that we merit eternal life by good works;

Hes certainly speaking of one of the causes, and the only one mentioned in this passage concerning the Last Judgment. Faith is never mentioned.

but as Christ had no other design than to exhort his people to holy and upright conduct, it is improper to conclude from his words what is the value of the merits of works. With regard to the stress which they lay on the word for, as if it pointed out the cause, it is a weak argument; for we know that, when eternal life is promised to the righteous, the word for does not always denote a cause, but rather the order of procedure.

At least hes responding to actual Catholic arguments (praise God!), but for is used in exactly the same way in at least nine other places in the NT, too:

Romans 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. Galatians 3:11 . . . for He who through faith is righteous shall live; Galatians 6:7-9 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. [8] For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. 1 Timothy 4:16 . . . for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. Revelation 3:4-5 . . . they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. [5] He who conquers shall be clad thus in white garments, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life; I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth. Blessed indeed, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!

Calvin can try to play games with different meanings of words, but it wont fly here: the text is too clear (as it invariably is).

We do not deny that a reward is promised to good works, but maintain that it is a reward of grace, because it depends on adoption.

Thats not what the text says! Calvin is eisegeting again. It says nothing of the sort. Rather, it proclaims that people go to heaven because they did the good works mentioned. That is the text. What Calvin claims is simply his contradictory presupposition or preconceived view, smuggled into the text, when in fact its not there at all. Calvin believes that if works have anything to do with salvation, grace is thereby nullified, whereas the Bible states that good works flow from grace. Hence Paul could write:

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me.

although by the guidance of the Spirit they aim at the practice of righteousness, yet as they never fulfill the law of God, no reward is due to them, but the term reward is applied to that which is bestowed by grace.

I have collected fifty biblical passages about meritorious works. And my hundred against faith alone show over and over again that works playa role in determining salvation.

Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; . . .

By believing in the only begotten Son of God, not only are they reckoned among the children of God, but receiving the gift of free justification and of the Spirit of regeneration, they possess what constitutes eternal life. Baptism is joined to the faith of the gospel, in order to inform us that the Mark of our salvation is engraved on it . . .

None of this addresses the text as it is, which is a combination of two propositions:

He who believes will be saved; . . . He who is baptized will be saved; . . .

But by adding and between the two things that save us, its proven that both things are necessary. Calvin gets out of these clear and strong implications by superimposing onto the text the notion that regeneration is somehow separate from baptism, and that baptism is only a seal or testimony of an already received justification and salvation rather than a direct cause of salvation. If we treated all of Scripture so shabbily we could invent all manner of doctrines out of whole cloth. But we have to respect what inspired revelation teaches us.

Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; . . .

In his commentary on this passage, Calvin completely ignores the fact that in this passage being sons of the Most High (being justified, saved, attaining heaven) is a result of loving enemies, doing good, and lending, expecting nothing back (two of these being good works, plus love that is proven by outward good works: love is kind after all [1 Cor 13:4], and kindness is a good action).

Acts 10:34-35 And Peter opened his mouth and said: Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, [35] but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

It seemeth that this place doth attribute the cause of salvation unto the merits of works. For if works purchase favor for us with God, they do also win life for us which is placed in the love of God towards us. Some do also catch at the word righteousness, that they may prove that we are not justified freely by faith, but by works. But this latter thing is too frivolous. For I have already showed that it is not taken for the perfect and whole observing of the law, but is restrained unto the second table and the offices of love. Therefore it is not the universal righteousness whereby a man is judged just before God, but that honesty and innocency which respecteth men, when as that is given to every man which is his.

Therefore the question remaineth as yet, whether works win the favor of God for us? which that we may answer, we must first note that there is a double respect of God in loving men. For seeing we be born the children of wrath, (Ephesians 2:3,) God shall be so far from finding any thing in us which is worthy of his love, that all our whole nature causeth him rather to hate us; in which respect, Paul saith that all men are enemies to him until they be reconciled by Christ, (Romans 5:10.) Therefore the first accepting of God, whereby he receiveth us into favor, is altogether free; for there can as yet no respect of works be had, seeing all things are corrupt and wicked, and taste of [bespeak] their beginning. Now, whom God hath adopted to be his children, them doth he also regenerate by his Spirit, and reform in them his image: whence riseth that second respect. For God doth not find man bare and naked then, and void of all grace, but he knoweth his own work in him, yea, himself. Therefore, God accepteth the faithful, because they live godly and justly. And we do not deny that God accepteth the good works of the saints; but this is another question, whether man prevent the grace of God with his merits or no, and insinuate himself into his love, or whether he be beloved at the beginning, freely and without respect of works, forasmuch as he is worthy of nothing else but of hatred. Furthermore, forasmuch as man, left to his own nature, can bring nothing but matter of hatred, he must needs confess that he is truly beloved; whereupon, it followeth that God is to himself the cause that he loveth us, and that he is provoked [actuated] with his own mercy, and not with our merits. Secondly, we must note, that although the faithful please God after regeneration with good works, and their respects of works, yet that is not done with the merit of works. For the cleanliness of works is never so exact that they can please God without pardon; yea, forasmuch as they have always some corruption mixed with them, they are worthy to be refused. Therefore, the worthiness of the works doth not cause them to be had in estimation, but faith, which borroweth that of Christ which is wanting in works. [my bolding]

This is classic total depravity theology (which I have critiqued). Calvin says, our whole nature causeth him rather to hate us. This is outrageously incorrect. Pat McCloskey, OFM explains why in his article, Did God Hate Esau? (Franciscan Media, 5-12-20):

Malachi 1:1-3 says: An oracle. The word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi. I have loved you, says the LORD; but you say, How have you loved us? Was not Esau Jacobs brother? says the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, but hated Esau; I made his mountains a waste, his heritage a desert for jackals. Romans 9:13 quotes part of this passage, As it is written: I loved Jacob but hated Esau. Is it true that God hated Esau? No, God did not hate Esau, but God did prefer Jacob (later known as Israel) over Esau. The Hebrew word used in these passages is translated as hate in The New American Bible, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and The New Jerusalem Bible. If God prefers one person over another, biblical writers may say that God loves the one and hates the other, although God cannot hate any person. According to The NRSV Concordance Unabridged, the word hate occurs 83 times in the Old Testament and 17 times in the New Testament, not counting hated, hates and similar words. In the Old Testament, 78 of those usages apply hate in the context of one person to God, an individual, a group of people or some type of sin. Only five times do we read that God hates in the sense described above. The New Testaments first usage of hate is a challenge to the idea that one person is allowed to hate another. In Matthew 5:43-45, Jesus says: You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. . . . Other New Testament passages apply hate as happening between one person and someone else or in the Semitic sense of prefer.

What the Bible teaches is that God our Savior, . . . desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:3-4) and that God is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Pet 3:9). Indeed, God is love (1 Jn 4:8, 16). St. Paul wrote that if we are faithless, he remains faithful  for he cannot deny himself (2 Tim 2:13). Its precisely because God loves everyone that we are commanded to do the same:

John 15:12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (cf. 13:34; Mt 5:43-45, seen above) 1 John 3:11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 1 John 4:11-12 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. [12] . . . if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. (cf. 4:7) 2 John 1:5 And now I beg you, lady, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.

Nor did God hate us when we were sinners, as Calvin vainly imagines, and start loving us when we repented. That would be conditional love; but His love (like a parents love) is unconditional. If, after all, He didnt love us when we were sinners, it wouldnt ever be His will to predestine us and save us in the first place:

Romans 5:6, 8 While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. . . . [8] But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!

God hates no one, loves everyone; desiring that all be saved, and it is blasphemy and sacrilege to claim that He does do so.

Calvin claims, the cleanliness of works is never so exact that they can please God without pardon; yea, forasmuch as they have always some corruption mixed with them, they are worthy to be refused. This is untrue. King Solomon asked God, Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil (1 Kgs 3:9). Then the text states, It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this (1 Kgs. 3:10). God then proclaims:

1 Kings 3:11-12 . . . Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, [12] behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.

Note that Solomon made the request before God granted him a wise and discerning mind with which he could discern what is right. It follows that he asked while still in an ostensible state of unregenerate sin. But Calvin asserted that such a person can never please God. Thats false. A person can do that by doing what is right: which is an intrinsically good thing. The Bible never teaches that all actions, even intended good one from unregenerate people always some corruption mixed with them. And those come from Gods grace, too (Catholics fully agree!). For more on this, see:

All Our Righteousnesses Are As Filthy Rags (Is 64:6, KJV): Does Isaiah 64:6 (even our best actions are filthy through and through: GNB) Prove That All Works Whatsoever, Done by Regenerated Persons in Faith and By Grace, Are Absolutely Worthless? [6-30-23]

Meanwhile, Calvin ignored, as usual, the main point of the passage at hand: in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. He played around with it with his usual boilerplate polemics about Reformed soteriology, never directly addressing it. And thats one of his constant tactics that we have observed all through this series of critiques. Calvin appears rather scared and fearful  if not outright contemptuous  of biblical teachings, as soon as they disagree with his prior beliefs. Otherwise he could simply deal with them head on, as I do, without all the foolish sophism and other avoidance techniques. I grant in charity that he may not be  probably is not, in my opinion  engaging in these tactics willfully or consciously, but he is still utilizing them in either case, and they remain highly objectionable.
Conservative columnist and Orthodox Christian Rod Drehers new book Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age is three books in one. Two of them are very good. The third is dangerous, especially to those of us in the Pagan community.

Its important to read good writers from religious and political perspectives other than your own. It helps keep you out of an echo chamber where you never hear anything that challenges your thinking. Sometimes it shows you that youre overlooking  or outright ignoring  other peoples very valid concerns. You may learn something you wouldnt have learned otherwise.

And sometimes you get critical insight into the thinking of people you hope will be your neighbors but may end up being your enemies.

Rod Dreher: conservative columnist and Eastern Orthodox Christian

Rod Dreher is one of my favorite writers on the conservative side. I rarely agree with him, but hes almost always thoughtful and reasonable  hes not a Fox News propagandist. He grew up in Louisiana and has written for numerous major publications including the New York Post, Chicago Tribune, Dallas Morning News, and National Review. He grew up Methodist, became Catholic as a young adult and then Eastern Orthodox in 2006. He currently lives in Budapest and writes for The European Conservative.

His 2017 book The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation suggested that in the face of the declining influence of Christianity, Christians should embrace exile from the mainstream culture and construct a resilient counterculture  an approach those of us in the Pagan community are familiar with.

When I heard he had a new book on the topic of re-enchantment, I knew I wanted to read it. When I heard it discussed spiritual warfare, I knew I needed to read it sooner rather than later.

The history of disenchantment

The first book within the book is the story of how the West became disenchanted.

In his 2017 book The Myth of Disenchantment: Magic, Modernity and the Birth of the Human Sciences, Professor of Religion Jason Josephson-Storm showed that the myth of disenchantment is a lie. We have always lived in a world filled with Gods, spirits, and magic, and we always will.

At the same time, modernity brought with it a view of reality as soulless matter. We may bump into Gods and spirits as much as our ancient ancestors did, but we never recognize them. Thats because mainstream Western culture says such things not only do not exist, they cannot exist. If we have a mystical or religious experience we tend to rationalize it away for fear of being called childish, uneducated, or mentally ill.

Dreher does an excellent job of showing how this disenchantment came to be. Ive written a fair amount about this over the years  many of Drehers points are familiar. But as an Eastern Orthodox Christian he brings a different and insightful perspective.

He says it is impossible to discount the role that the Reformation played in exiling the numinous from the collective consciousness of Western Christianity. And unlike almost every political conservative Ive ever read, he blames capitalism as much as Protestantism, because capitalism reduces a world infused with the divine to a thing to be monetized. His argument isnt quite animism, but its certainly on the right track.

Dreher says you may desire enchantment, but if you do not have a mind prepared to receive it, and act on the message it carries, a hierophany will do you little good. And on that we are in complete agreement.

A recipe for re-enchantment

If we live in a world assumed to be soulless, materialist, and disenchanted, what can we do about it? Earlier this year I laid out 5 Steps to Re-enchant the World. In the second book within the book Dreher advocates for his own approach.

Its somewhat different, but its not completely different. We both recommend prayer.

Dreher tells the story of his own healing experience with prayer, and emphasizes the importance of focusing our attention on the person to whom we are praying. He says there is a world outside our heads, but how we attend to it determines how real it becomes to us. And the manner of our attending is the way to become aware of the divine presence saturating the material world.

Dreher recommends ritual prayer, and while he points out the weaknesses of Evangelical extemporaneous prayer, he admits it can be done well. Hes right  I incorporate both styles in my own practice.

He calls out the need for an appreciation of beauty, especially the beauty of the natural world. He says we are not going to argue ourselves back to enchantment, nor are we going to behave ourselves into true goodness. We need reason, and we need morality. But, above all, we need beauty.

All this is good and helpful, and if this was the extent of the book (to be fair, its about 80% of the book) I would recommend it unconditionally to my Christian friends and, with the usual caveat of separate the human commonalities from the Christian specifics, to my Pagan friends.

But theres a third book within the book that we have to deal with.

The Dark Enchantment of the Occult

The fifth chapter of the book is titled The Dark Enchantment of the Occult and it opens with a quote from Hamlet: the Devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape.

Living in Wonder includes numerous stories of religious experiences, of miracles, and of demonic possession. I do not challenge the authenticity of these stories. Ive seen too much, done too much, and experienced too much to try to dismiss other peoples experiences as lies or delusions.

I do challenge the interpretation of these experiences, and I strongly challenge the religious implications of those interpretations.

The critical problem with this book is summarized in this quote: people today arent wrong to seek enchantment  but if they do it outside a clearly and uniquely Christian path, they will inevitably be drawn into the demonic.

The danger of that line of thinking is shown here: as the old Christian faith framework breaks down, more and more Americans  are opening themselves to dark enchantment, a real phenomenon, one that kills the soul. In the spiritual warfare raging around us, both visibly and invisibly, there is no neutral ground. You must take a side and commit.

This is the path to a new Satanic Panic. This is the path to quite literally demonizing your neighbors because they follow a different religion. And it ignores the fact that many of us  myself included  find great meaning and purpose in what Dreher dismisses as the occult.

This is the result of bad metaphysics.

A failure to recognize unstated assumptions  and to deal with them

Metaphysics are our foundational assumptions about the world and how it works. They form a container for interpreting our experiences, a boundary between what we assume is possible and what we assume is not. Anything that conflicts with our metaphysics is likely to be rejected, because its easier to deny the reality of our own experiences than it is to contemplate the possibility that our fundamental assumptions about the universe might be wrong.

This is why we occasionally see people reverting out of Paganism and witchcraft and back to Christianity. They never examined their foundational beliefs and they never dealt with their religious baggage. And then when times got tough  materially or spiritually or both  they went running back to the religion of their childhood, or to a different variant of it.

You must take a side and commit assumes that there are two sides: the Christian God and the Christian devil. For all that Dreher correctly points out that the West is unique in its abandonment of mystery and wonder, he never considers that the dominant religion of the West  Christianity  is simply one religion among many. Orthodox Christians like to point out that theirs is the only unbroken line to Jesus and the apostles, but Hinduism is far older than Orthodoxy and the worlds remaining indigenous religions are older still.

Age and continuity alone prove nothing. But when we see many different religions providing many different people with meaning and wisdom in many different ways, it points us toward religious plurality, not religious exclusivity. As religious scholar Page duBois explained in her 2014 book A Million and One Gods  the Persistence of Polytheism, polytheism is humanitys default religious position. Without constant reinforcement by institutional monotheists, people will intuitively acknowledge, pray to, and worship many Gods.

Dreher is hardly alone in his belief that the many Gods are demons in disguise. But the evidence points in another direction.

The religious implications of Tanya Luhrmanns work

Dreher relays the findings of anthropologist Tanya Luhrmann, who spent time in Evangelical churches studying how God becomes real to people, and how they live their lives in ways that enable that spiritual intimacy. Luhrmann says these practices work. They change people.

Dreher rightly points out that the techniques that Luhrmann observed in her fieldwork among Christians she also saw working among Pagans.

Early in her academic career, Tanya Luhrmann embedded herself with a group of British witches. She studied, practiced, and celebrated with them and then she wrote Persuasions of the Witchs Craft (1989) from a strictly atheist and materialist viewpoint. To say that her book was not well received in the Pagan community would be a major understatement. Still, she was an objective observer, and if she saw these techniques producing similar results in both Pagan and Christian settings, its fair to say that whatever is driving the results is also similar.

So either the Christian God is all-good and all-powerful but he allows the Christian devil to mimic him to perfection, or other Gods exist and have the same or similar essence as the Christian God.

My experiences and reasoning have led me to conclude that the Gods are many, not one.

Im not sure if Rod Dreher has ever seriously contemplated that question. Most people who grow up Christian and remain Christian to any significant degree never consider it. I dont fault him for diving deeply into the practices and traditions of Orthodoxy, nor for recommending them to others. They clearly work for him, and thats a good thing.

I do fault him for assuming that other peoples practices and traditions are demonic.

The dangers of Christian re-enchantment

On one hand, I would love to see a re-enchanted Christianity. Enchantment is part of our legacy as humans and it should be available to followers of all religions. And while Christianity is in significant decline, its still the dominant religion in this country. If we want to re-enchant the West any time soon it would greatly help to re-enchant Christianity.

On the other hand, its not lost on me that Christians stopped burning witches (or rather, people they thought were witches) about the same time Christianity became disenchanted. We know there are some Christians who would burn witches today if they thought they could get away with it  Id like to keep them completely out of mainstream Christian thought and practice.

An enchanted Christianity that is accepting and tolerant of other paths would be a beautiful thing.

An enchanted Christianity that is exclusivist and intolerant of other paths would be a very dangerous thing.

We will see how the coming years play out.

Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age

by Rod Dreher

published by Zondervan  October 2024

288 pages

Hardcover: $29.99; Kindle: $14.99
This week, the rumor mill is swirling once again around a Google-made first-party laptop, one thatll presumably run ChromeOS. Sources say that the company is committing to a new design, possibly emboldened by a new direction that more closely marries Chrome and Android.

Its an interesting possibility from many angles, but the one that I want to chew on is this: What could Google possibly do differently this time to make a laptop that people actually want to buy?

Before I continue, I should point out that all of this is based entirely on speculation. Heres a story about Google pushing hard on a new laptop design, and heres a story about a new version of ChromeOS thats heavily based on Android. That second factor would presumably power up ChromeOS to more effectively use Android apps, making it better able to compete with devices like the iPad Pro and Surface.

So, lets assume (and it is an assumption) that Google sees a rejuvenated ChromeOS as a good reason to dip its toes back into the laptop market. The company has an inglorious history there, which is worth looking at before we move on to considering the future.

A history of laptop letdowns

The original ChromeOS development device was the Cr-48, an interesting footnote. It was meant to be a sort of blueprint for the first generation of Chromebooks, but unlike the Nexus and Pixel phone lines, this one wasnt sold at retailers. At the debut of ChromeOS in 2011, Google left that up to its OEM partners.

But not for long. While companies like Acer, Lenovo, and HP pounced on ChromeOS as a way to sell tons of cheap laptops to those who needed a browser and not much else, Google wanted to show that Chromebooks could compete with higher-end machines like Apples MacBook and Dells XPS. And so the Chromebook Pixel debuted in 2013, notable for Googles first use of Pixel as a brand name.

The Chromebook Pixel was designed to be a flagship device, with the cheapest model coming in at $1,300. And for its specs, that was a fair price: a third-gen Intel Core i5, a high-resolution 3:2 touchscreen, and an attractive aluminum body. It was gorgeous, and I especially loved the four-color status panel that subtly hinted at Google branding. The laptop had a few ideas that were still pondering over, such as bucking the trend of 16:9 aspect ratios and going with 3:2. (Microsofts Surface Laptop series certainly took notice.)

Google

But ChromeOS was a very different beast over 10 years ago, and most laptop users werent in the always-online mindset thats ubiquitous today. Though reviewers loved the hardware, they found the price far too high for an operating system that demanded constant connection to be useful and couldnt run standalone apps or games. Even as someone who was obsessed with Android at the time, I couldnt justify a four-figure laptop that couldnt run Photoshop.

The Chromebook Pixel was a curiosity that never seemed to catch the attention of the MacBook or XPS buyers that Google was gunning for. While inexpensive Chromebooks exploded in popularity as web-focused alternatives to the iPad and as thin client laptops for schools, Google failed to move its premium laptop design even after a refresh in 2015 with more powerful processors, more RAM, and USB-C. The Chromebook Pixel was quietly put out to pasture the following year, and Google executives tried to reframe the laptop as a proof of concept rather than a failure.

But Google wasnt ready to give up the dream of a premium flagship Chromebook. They went back to the drawing board and released the Pixelbook in early 2018. With a convertible two-in-one form factor and a lower $1,000 starting price  not to mention some big improvements in ChromeOS  it seemed like a much more palatable take on a more premium laptop design.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Reviewers praised the design and the compromises, but still noted that it was a very particular customer who would be attracted to a high-end laptop without Windows or macOS. While the Pixelbook was a noted improvement on the Chromebook Pixel, shoppers looking for a Chromebook still went with cheaper options, and shoppers with a $1,000+ budget for a laptop simply stuck to Windows. For the second time in a row, a Google-branded laptop was a flop.

The Slate falls flat

But the Pixelbook wasnt a full-on failure. For that we need to look at the Pixel Slate, a full ChromeOS-powered tablet with powerful Intel hardware. It was the more capable, grown-up version of Googles Nexus tablets that had been around for almost a decade. It really turned heads at the time for its convergent form factor that took on both the Microsoft Surface and the iPad Pro.

Foundry

But with a $600 starting price, not including the crucial keyboard upgrade, not to mention poor battery life with its svelte build and powerful guts, the Pixel Slate was crushed in initial reviews and failed to find an audience. Once again, people looking for a high-end tablet just bought an iPad, people looking for a Surface bought a Surface, and people looking for a deal avoided it entirely. The Pixel Slate went on a fire sale soon thereafter, and Google wouldnt try its hand at a new tablet for five years  and that one would notably run Android, not ChromeOS.

Theres one last member of this family to mention, but sadly its a very familiar story. Google tried one last time with the Pixelbook Go in 2019, a Chromebook that seemed much more like, well, a Chromebook. This cheaper and more conventional laptop dispensed with the premium materials and the 2-in-1 form factor, trying to appeal to students and budget buyers. But with a starting price of $650, once again Google was undercut by its own Chromebook partners who sold tons of cheaper models that could do more or less the same thing for far less.

IDG

Google hasnt tried to make a laptop or a 2-in-1 this decade, and the original hardware team has been disbanded. And after four straight high-profile disappointments  five if you count the Pixel C and its gorgeous tablet keyboard add-on  who could blame them?

A budget blueprint from Lenovo

In Googles place, Id focus on making ChromeOS more appealing to mainstream buyers and corporations who wont settle for anything less than Windows. Theres plenty of ill will going Microsofts way that they could capitalize on. But thats beyond the premise were working with here. Lets simply take these rumors at face value and assume that Google wants to bring Chrome and Android closer together, presumably to better compete with devices like the iPad and iPad Pro (and avoid the disaster that was the Pixel Slate).

I think Google already has a blueprint for such a device: the Lenovo Chromebook Duet. Google representatives have told me that across several generations, this cheap convertible tablet (which always comes with a keyboard in the box!) is the best-selling Chromebook on the planet. They went on to say that it does especially well in the education market, and that makes sense because more and more kids are growing up with a touchscreen as their primary mode of digital interaction.

Michael Crider/Foundry

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet isnt perfect. Its underpowered with Arm-based hardware, and its detachable keyboard and kickstand arent so elegant to juggle. Its also a much better Chromebook than it is a tablet. Even though it feels pretty close to an iPad in the hand, ChromeOS just cant run both its own tabs/apps and Android apps at the same time with anything approaching grace.

But those drawbacks dont really matter  or, at least, theyre minor enough to overlook for a $300-ish device that includes lots of accessories. The Duet is tiny and imminently portable, lasts a long time on a charge, and it includes everything you need in the box. The latest model is notably improved in both its screen and keyboard, and it even includes a second USB-C port for easy charging while using accessories. You can read my full review of it here.

If Google wants a self-branded Chromebook that will actually appeal to people, there it is. And thats doubly true if future versions of ChromeOS do actually get a lot more chummy with Android, enough to run phone and tablet apps next to full-power browser tabs without any headaches. Give this theoretical neo-Chromebook some of the same understated charm as the Pixel phone line, and make sure it has access to the expanded capabilities of a Chromebook Plus (something that the Duet cant manage with its low-power hardware).

Michael Crider/Foundry

Most of all, dont repeat the mistakes of the Pixel Slate. Keep it small-ish, about the size of an 11-inch iPad Air at most. Keep the price low (preferably under $500) and include a stand and keyboard in the box. This might be the hardest thing for Google to achieve, who has yet to make a laptop that can truly compete on price. Maybe some close relationships with Arm-based chipmakers like MediaTek could help bridge that gap.

If you want to really wow me, resurrect that wonderful wireless charging keyboard-and-case design from the Pixel C. I have yet to see a tablet keyboard so elegant.

Will Google do it? Can Google do it? I have no idea. Probably not, to be honest. The rumors say that this new device is once again setting its sights on the over-$1,000 laptop market, something Google has failed at twice before. Id love to be proven wrong but in consumer tech, as in life, cynics are rarely disappointed.
Imagine being in a meeting, perhaps with a client or with other team members, and not quite sharing the same preferred languages. Communication barriers can cause all kinds of misunderstandings and issues when collaborating, and a translator isnt always available.

At Ignite 2024, Microsoft just unveiled a cool new feature for Microsoft Teams that uses artificial intelligence to not only translate words from one language to another in real time, but even emulate the speakers voice, intonations, and mannerisms.

Microsoft says a preview version of this AI interpreter feature will come some time in early 2025, but it remains unknown when the feature will be released more generally across all versions of Teams.

The Teams interpreter will initially support nine languages: English, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, German, Italian, Japanese, French, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese. Users will also be able to set whether they want the interpreter to mimic their own voices. For example, so the translated audio sounds like youre the one speaking Spanish.
Survivors of sexual assault have few options for criminal justice if a district attorney decides not to file charges.

As PennLives yearlong investigation found, that sadly applies to most people who have been sexually assaulted. On average, more than 75% of all reported sex crimes in Pennsylvania, including crimes against children, have gone unprosecuted since 2019.

Pennsylvanias attorney general has the ability to prosecute county cases, but only if a DA refers the case to them because of a lack of resources or a conflict of interest, according to spokesman Brett Hambright. Even if a case is referred to the attorney general, the AGs office can decide whether or not to accept it, he said.

Hambright said citizens are unable to go directly to the attorney generals office because the attorney general doesnt have jurisdiction over district attorneys.

If a survivors case is turned down by police, they could consider filing a private criminal complaint at a magisterial district judges office, but it must first be approved by the district attorney, something that may not be helpful if the DA already decided not to prosecute.

Other options include a case getting reopened under a different district attorney. That is the case in Lehigh County, where the newly elected DA recognized there were problems regarding the handling of some cases and pledged to reevaluate them.

In Pennsylvania, victims of adult sex offenses have a 12-year statute of limitations for charges to be filed. For child victims, charges can be filed until they reach age 50, and the clock doesnt start until they reach age 18.

According to Lewis & Llewellyn, a law firm that mainly represents sexual assault victims, survivors have two options if a DA rejects their case: hire an attorney to present a stronger case to the district attorneys office, or try to resubmit the case for consideration with the DA while pursuing a civil case. Most Pennsylvania counties also have sex assault victims advocacy organizations that provide support for victims as they navigate the system.

If a criminal process is exhausted, the only remaining path for justice may be suing the abuser in civil court.

In Pennsylvania, a victim who was abused as an adult has two years from the day of the assault to file a lawsuit. Childhood survivors must sue their abusers before they turn 30.

The burden of proof in a civil case is lower than the high bar of a criminal case, where the defendant is presumed innocent at the start of trial. In civil court, both parties are considered equal.

In civil court, a victim needs only to convince a jury that the defendant more likely than not committed the act. If the attacker was convicted in criminal court, a victim can use that as evidence to bolster their civil case.
Concerns about Allegheny Countys sexual assault investigations have been aired for years.

Last year, nine advocacy groups that work with sexual assault survivors wrote a letter to District Attorney Stephen Zappala and Matt Dugan, his Democratic opponent in the 2023 election.

Through our representation of individual survivors and our collaborative efforts with other advocacy groups and community-based organizations, it has come to our attention that the Allegheny County District Attorneys office has a practice of regularly declining to pursue charges in cases of sexual assault where the assaulter and the victim had a prior relationship, said the letter, which was obtained by PennLive.

The letter was mailed to the men 12 days before the general election. Zappala was re-elected to the office hes held for 25 years.

Women have come forward with stories of police investigations getting shut down in Allegheny County by requests from the district attorney. Experts say, however, cases should be fully investigated before prosecutors make a decision on whether to move forward.

The stories align with five years worth of data from Allegheny, showing the county filed charges in just 23% of reported sex crimes, below the state average of 30%, an already troublingly low figure. Allegheny County also accounts for the largest percentage of reported sex crimes  about 10%  that are categorized as unfounded by police.

Six other district attorneys agreed to in-person or phone interviews with PennLive to discuss sex crimes prosecutions. Zappala was among several with low rates of prosecution who declined to answer questions. Instead, he provided a brief written statement: We must treat all investigations the same and apply the same evidentiary rules and standards of proof to all allegations.

The DAs office said decisions on charges are made after deliberate and careful consideration of all the evidence.

Meeting with people whose cases have been declined is considered common practice, according to the district attorneys who met with PennLive.

But Allegheny County prosecutors routinely wont meet with victims, instead leaving advocates who work for nonprofits to break the bad news, said Dugan, Zappalas challenger.

He said communicating with victims is a basic obligation for law enforcement.

I think what it comes down to is another way to deny accountability, Dugan said. It does take some courage and it takes empathy to sit down and tell a victim why youre not going to prosecute their case, he said. Theres a decency involved that I think were lacking in Allegheny County.

Allegheny County, with its population of 1.2 million residents, is among several large counties in Pennsylvania with lower-than-average rates of prosecuting sex crimes.

There are more than 1.5 million people living in the Philadelphia suburbs of Bucks and Montgomery counties, yet those district attorneys filed among the lowest number of sex crimes per capita in the last five years  the second and fifth lowest, respectively, of all 67 counties.

The leaves hundreds of victims who come forward to tell police who never get a chance at justice through the criminal justice system.

The Bucks County district attorneys office disputed PennLives statistics, saying they cant be used to draw meaningful conclusions. A Bucks County DA spokesman said PennLive was overly broad in counting the number of (police) reports and overly restrictive in counting the number of charged criminal cases. However, the office would not provide its data on the number of rape charges filed and did not suggest any better way to gather statewide data.

Officials from the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office said their office requires trauma-informed training for investigators and remains aggressive in fighting for victims and following other best practices. They theorized that their advocates have created a culture that encourages victims to come forward, regardless of the evidence available, thereby boosting the number of reports. That could make their rates of prosecutions lower, they said.

The number of police reports per capita for the county dont necessarily support that theory, however, leaving their lower numbers somewhat of a mystery.

Critics say there is no such mystery in Allegheny County.

Philadelphia County, with its 1.5 million residents, ranked among the highest in the state for prosecuting reported sex crimes. Prosecutors there filed at twice the rate of Allegheny per capita, three times the rate of Montgomery County and four times the rate of Bucks County.
The Oakland rapper known as Saafir died on Tuesday in his hometown of Oakland, Calif., at the age of 54.

Saafirs longtime friend and fellow rapper Xzibit confirmed the news in an Instagram post by Saafirs longtime friend and fellow rapper Xzibit.

I cant believe Im writing this right now, but dont know what else to do at the moment. Approximately at 8:45 a.m. this morning, my brother Reggie known to the world as Saafir passed away, he wrote.

We have so much history I cant even explain what Im feeling right now. We surrounded him and let him know how much we loved him. He can rest now, he continued. My soul is crushed. We love you Bro.

Born Reggie Gibson, Saafir was a member of the Golden State Project, a rap group that included Xzibit and Ras Kass. He also worked with the groups Hobo Junction and, more notably, Digital Underground, according to People and E! News.

In addition to rapping, he got a starring role in the acclaimed 1993 film Menace II Society. The next year he got a record deal with Quincy Jones and released the album Boxcar Sessions.

After releasing several albums, he stepped away from music due to health issues, including a cancerous tumor in his spinal cord that left him unable to walk.

The doctor told me that if I didnt take it out, by the time I was in my later 40s I would probably be paralyzed, he said to the San Francisco Bay Guardian in 2013. And its ironic because I did the surgery and Im still kinda in that situation.

He is survived by his son, Lil Saafir, and his brother, a rapper known as Chop Black, according to E! News.
The Kutztown Folk Festival will not go forward next year, according to a press release from the event organizers.

The release from the Board of Directors for the Kutztown Folk Festival states that the festival will not be held in 2025, due to "mounting financial challenges that have made the event unsustainable."

This was a difficult choice, but due to dwindling attendance, increased costs and continued net losses, we are no longer able to host the Kutztown Folk Festival, said Ed Richmond, vice president and chief financial officer of the Kutztown Pennsylvania German Festival, Inc., in the press release. We are hopeful that a successor, or successors, will step up to reimagine the event and take on its operations moving forward.

The Kutztown Folk Festival is billed as the oldest continuously operated folklife festival in America, and focuses on the traditions and culture of the Pennsylvania Dutch people.

The Kutztown Folk Festivals annual budget in 2024 was $1,000,000, according to the press release, but the event was operating at a deficit and lost $347,000 since 2022.

The decision was announced early in order to allow vendors to make alternate plans. All vendors who have made deposits for the upcoming fair will be refunded.

In the announcement, the board expressed gratitude for everyone who had supported the festival in years past.

The Festival is a true community event, and we are grateful to the volunteers, staff, vendors, craftspeople, sponsors and patrons who contributed to its cultural legacy, Richmond said in the press release. We encourage our guests to continue to support Pennsylvania Dutch culture in the region.

For more information, visit the Kutztown Folk Festival website here.
The Food and Drug Administration has said that it has found disease-causing bacteria, as well as mold-like and powdery substances in Toms of Maine products and facilities.

In a letter to Colgate-Palmolive dated Nov. 5 but released on Tuesday, the agency said that several types of bacteria were in the water supply at a facility in Sanford, Maine.

The bacteria found include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause blood and lung infections, and Ralstonia insidiosa, which can lead to sepsis. They were found in water samples used to make Toms Simply White Clean Mint Paste.

Another strain of bacteria, known as Paracoccus yeei, was discovered in a batch of Toms Wicked Cool! Anticavity Toothpaste.

The FDA said the samples were taken between June 2021 and October 2022.

Water is a major ingredient in many of your OTC drug products, the FDA wrote. It is essential that you employ a water system that is robustly designed, and that you effectively control, maintain, and monitor the system to ensure it consistently produces water suitable for pharmaceutical use.

The FDA also said that it found "a black mold-like substance" and powder residues on or near equipment during an inspection in May.

"It is essential that your facility is in a good state of repair and sanitary conditions are maintained to protect drug products from potential routes of contamination," the FDA said.

In addition, the agency said that did not investigate customer complaints about the odor, color, and taste of its toothpaste products.

The agency is asking the company to provide multiple documents, including remediation plans, cleaning procedures, remediation plans and more, within 15 working days.

The company told CBS News that it is working with the FDA to resolve the issues the agency found in the Maine plant.

We have always tested finished goods before they leave our control, and we remain fully confident in the safety and quality of the toothpaste we make, Toms of Maine said in a statement. In addition, we have engaged water specialists to evaluate our systems at Sanford, have implemented additional safeguards to ensure compliance with FDA standards, and our water testing shows no issues.
Not long after he was sworn in, Gavin Holihan concluded his office needed to improve its prosecution of sex offenses. But the new Lehigh County district attorney didnt realize how far it lagged behind the state.

Lehigh County landed dead last in a PennLive data analysis examining which Pennsylvania counties prosecuted the fewest sex offenses reported to police over the past five years. The county ranked 67 out of 67 counties when sex crimes charges were compared to population, and to the number of police reports filed.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and two of its government agencies are defendants in a lawsuit challenging building codes that require community homes for people with intellectual disabilities and autism to install sprinkler systems at their own expense.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the Department of Justice against the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

No other single-family homes in Pennsylvania, including new constructions, are required to install automatic sprinklers, the release added.

Current Pennsylvania law already requires community homes to partake in regular fire drills. However, state building codes label those same homes as facilities, which forces them to install sprinkler systems despite the age of the home, the release said.

The obligatory sprinkler systems limit housing availability for community homes because property owners do not want to make their rental units less desirable with exposed metal pipes, the release said. It is also difficult and expensive to install sprinkler systems in individual apartment units, according to the DOJ.

Although expensive fire prevention methods, like automatic sprinklers, may reduce personal injury and damage to property, Pennsylvania cannot require individuals with disabilities to obey this code requirement without assessing their unique and specific needs, said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

An investigation by the DOJ determined sprinkler systems cost around $10,000, at a minimum, to install in single-family homes. Those costs can triple if local water utilities require the sprinklers to have their own water line.

People with disabilities should not have their housing opportunities stripped away from them by restrictive safety measures that are simply not necessary, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division.

The lawsuit is seeking an injunction to allow local governments throughout Pennsylvania to gauge the need for automatic sprinkler systems in community homes based on the capabilities of each homes residents and monetary damages.

The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that building requirements, zoning restrictions and land use codes are not abused and manipulated to deny people with disabilities their right to live integrated in their communities, Clarke added.

A bill was passed in Pennsylvania to require interconnected smoke detectors in family child-care homes after five children in an Erie home were killed in an August 2019 fire.
Harrisburg City Council is scheduled to vote on construction plans for a new homeless veterans complex at its next legislative meeting.

But the Tunnels to Towers (T2T) Veteran Village, which could house up to 84 veterans and support them with in a specialized programming, will inevitably offset the Capital Area Greenbelt Trail, which previously ran through the property.
For the first time in nearly 40 years, PrimeCare Medical will have to compete to maintain its contract at Dauphin County Prison.

Commissioner Justin Douglas announced at Wednesdays Prison Board meeting that the county was compiling information to produce a request for proposal for medical services at Dauphin County Prison.
Pennsylvania prosecutors and law enforcement officers say the number of times they see a family pet caught in domestic violence cases is too many to count.

Abusers often threaten pets to torment a victim or use them as a tool to keep victims in a violent relationship. Until now judges had limited authority to protect pets when issuing restraining orders.

On Monday Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill giving judges the power to block a defendant from harming a victims companion animal by including them in Pennsylvanias Protection from Abuse Act.

We are closing a critical gap helping to ensure that no one is forced to choose between their safety and the safety of a beloved pet, said co-sponsor Rep. Christiana Sappey, D-Chester County.

Surveys show as many as 71 percent of domestic violence victims report their abuser targeted their pets and more than half of victims say they would not leave their homes without their pets, leading to prolonged suffering for both.

The bill, which defines companion animals as those not used in commercial agriculture and takes effect in 60 days, received wide bipartisan support in both chambers. In the Senate, only Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Lehigh County, voted against the measure. Leo Knepper, Colemans chief of staff, said the language in the bill didnt provide enough of a distinction of who owns the pet in those cases.

Until now, Pennsylvania was one of only 12 states that did not automatically consider the welfare of pets in protective orders.

Cassandra Reyes, a professor at West Chester University, was working as a probation officer in New Jersey in the mid-1990s when her live-in boyfriends anger escalated from breaking things to assaulting her, culminating with him holding a 22mm handgun to her neck. Her beloved tabby cat Sammy was caught in the middle.

Pa.'s new law adds pets to Protection from Abuse orders.Courtesy Cassandra Reyes

Hed run and hide during these episodes, she said. Reyes was able to exit the relationship with multiple restraining orders and the help of a friend {I was one of the lucky ones), but it was her experience in law enforcement and being in abusive relationship that led her to become a volunteer for domestic violence shelters and for the Humane Society of the United States.

Cathleen Palm, founder of the advocacy group Center for Childrens Justice, noted studies that show domestic violence shelters have found a high percentage of their clients said their animals had been threatened or harmed by the abuser.

Coercion keeps someone stuck. Its such a big deal to uproot a child and uproot a beloved pet, said Palm, who co-founded Keystone Link with Kristen Tullo of the Humane Society of the U.S. to connect advocacy groups for children and animals and connect the dots between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence. The new law ups the ante. It recognizes that both human and animal species are worthy of protection.

Grace Coleman, executive director of Crisis Center North in Allegheny County. said she was delighted the bill she and others worked to pass for four years is now law.

When it comes to domestic violence, pets are the canary in the coal mine, Coleman said. The abuse that begins with them often escalates to other family members. Protecting pets from domestic violence is an important step to protecting the entire family.
The American Bar Association has granted conditional approval of Penn States plan to reunite its two now-independent law schools under the Penn State Dickinson Law banner.

Approval by the ABAs Section on Legal Education is a major step toward completion of the proposed reunification, albeit not the last. Final accreditation decisions still rest with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and U.S. Department of Education.

But the ABAs decision is an important conditional approval that gives Penn State the latitude to begin teaching its first unified class next fall, the university said in a Tuesday news release. Those lawyers-in-training would graduate in 2028.

Uniting the best of both of our existing programs into a single law school allows Penn State to continue... empowering our law students, and fostering continued greatness in the study and practice of law, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said in Tuesdays release.

PennLives efforts to reach the ABA directly for this report was not immediately successful.

The unified school will retain Penn States two existing law campuses, with the current Penn State Dickinson Law campus in Carlisle as the primary location, and additional classes and programs offered at University Park. Danielle M. Conway will serve as dean.

In its filings with the ABA earlier this year, the university said its plan envisions an in-residence juris doctor class of 200 students per year, with 125 based in Carlisle and 75 based in University Park. Overall faculty staffing will remain at current levels.

Administrators and faculty have already begun unifying sequencing of courses and experiential education requirements; guaranteeing leadership and extra-curricular opportunities for students at both sites; and reconciling standards for advancement and graduation.

The ABAs approval comes about two years after Bendapudis charge to study the structure and approach for legal education at the university.

The unified law school will actually be the fourth iteration for Penn States law school since it entered the legal education field by acquiring the then-independent Dickinson School of Law in 1997.

The Carlisle campus was targeted for closure several years later during the administration of former Penn State President Graham Spanier, who supported an effort to move the law school to the University Park campus in State College.

After a contentious debate that went all the way to the governors office, Penn State built a law school building at University Park and continued to operate the Carlisle campus as a single, united, two-campus law school.

The two schools were split into two, separately accredited law schools  Penn State Dickinson Law in Carlisle and Penn State Law at University Park  beginning in 2014, after an aborted effort by then-Dean Phil McConnaughay to meet a national decline in law school applicants by consolidating all first-year instruction at State College.

On its face, the two-school approach seemed to be working:

2022 U.S. News law school rankings had Penn State Dickinson Law in Carlisle ranked 58th nationally, with Penn State Law at University Park 64th. Bendapudi noted that put both in the top five of Pennsylvanias nine accredited law schools.

But as Bendapudi confronted a set of bracing budgetary challenges at Penn State after taking office in 2022, she commissioned a fresh look at the law schools operations.

Bendapudi noted then Penn State was having difficulty finding a permanent law dean in State College because of concerns over Penn States unique model and its long-term sustainability in the face of continued expected declines in future law school applications for admission.

She also cited the budgetary pressures that come with subsidizing two separate law campuses.

Add it all up, Bendapudi said, and it was her belief that competing against ourselves may not be the way to go ... for us to be outstanding and excellent.

A study panel ultimately recommended reverting to the one-law school, two-location structure, which it contended could help Penn State best serve students at both locations.

In her 2022 charge, Bendapudi indicated a preference to keep the primary location of the law school in Carlisle, owing to its proximity to the state Capitol in Harrisburg and the opportunities that represents, plus the schools historic roots.
A pregnant woman from northern Indiana has been missing for over a month. Now her family is seeking help from the public to locate her.

Emma Baum, 25, was last seen on Oct. 10 near where her boyfriend lived at 25th Avenue and Connecticut Street, which is about two miles south of downtown Gary, according to her family and the Gary Police Department.

Baum was never heard from after that. Her family also said she didnt have a working phone with her when she went missing.

Authorities, as well as a missing flyer of Baum, describe her as 5 foot, 3 inches tall, weighing 136 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. She has several tattoos and multiple scars on her arms. She also often wears colorful wigs.

The flyer of Baum, who is already a mother to three young children, has been making its rounds on Facebook.

She is due to have her baby, Baums sister Hailey Baum wrote on the flyer. Please, anyone with information...

Since her disappearance, the family has been resilient in its search efforts.

I have stopped people walking. I have talked to anybody I could. Were looking in abandoned houses, Hailey Baum said to CBS News.

Were always going to look for her. Im never going to stop looking for her, Baums mother, Jamie Baum, told the outlet.

My sister is beautiful. Shes energetic. She reaches for the sky just like a sunflower, which is her favorite, Baums other sister, Abby Smith, told NBC5 in Chicago.

As for Baums boyfriend and the father of her unborn child, he was picked up and is now in custody on an unrelated failure to appear in court warrant, per NBC5.

According to Gary Police Commander Jack Hamady, the boyfriend has not been charged in connection to Baums disappearance.

But Baums family suspects he might know more than what hes saying and is pushing for more resources to be deployed in the search efforts.

I would like my daughter home. We miss her, Jamie Baum said to NBC5.

Anyone with information on Baums whereabouts is asked to contact Gary police or The Crime Tip Hotline at 866-274-6347.
 Workers at Arlington Auto Wrecking in Akron, Ohio, had had enough of 26-year-old Alexander Funk, who had broken into the facility three times, Fox News reported.

In the most recent incident in October, Funk broke into an SUV on the lot, but before he could drive away, a forklift driver hoisted the car about 20 feet off the ground with Funk inside.

When they explained the situation to the 911 operator, they said, "Wonderful, that is the greatest thing I've ever heard."

Officers arrived and Funk was lowered to the ground and handcuffed.

He was charged with criminal trespassing and possessing criminal tools. [Fox News, 11/5/2023]
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without cornerback Cory Trice Jr. against the Cleveland Browns, who is still trying to return from a hamstring injury. Pittsburgh decided to not activate Trice from injured reserve, but he is just seven days into his 21-day window to return from injured reserve. Trice has missed the last eight weeks with the injury suffered in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Trice now has three full practices under his belt, but the team would like to see him get more comortable in the defense before throwing him back out there. That could come against the Cincinnati Bengals, but the Steelers have wanted him to return this week, yet they did not feel comfortable making that move.

James Pierre will remain the teams top backup on the outside. The Steelers will dress all five of their cornerbacks on the roster for Thursdays game, and Pierre has even taken Trices role a punt gunner after Trices injury against the Chargers.
On Wednesday at 5:09 p.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated tornado warning in effect until 5:30 p.m. for Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.

"At 5:09 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Plum, or near Penn Hills, moving east at 40 mph," according to the weather service. "Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely."

Locations impacted by the warning include Penn Hills, Monroeville, Apollo, Plum, Murrysville, New Kensington, Lower Burrell, Oakmont, Springdale, Cheswick, Oklahoma, Slickville and North Washington.

The weather service adds, "Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris."

Tornado watch vs. Tornado warning: Know the difference

When it comes to tornadoes, understanding the difference between a Tornado watch and a Tornado warning can be a matter of life and death. Let's break it down:

Tornado watch: Be prepared!

A Tornado watch serves as an early warning that conditions are conducive to tornado formation.

It's your cue to review and discuss your emergency plans, check your supplies, and locate your safe room.

While it doesn't mean a tornado is imminent, it's a heads-up that you should be ready to act quickly if a Tornado warning is issued or if you suspect a tornado is approaching.

Watches come from the Storm Prediction Center and often cover a large area, potentially spanning multiple counties or even states.

Tornado warning: Take action!

A Tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted or detected by weather radar.

This is the real deal  there's an immediate danger to life and property.

Your response should be swift: move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.

If you're in a mobile home, a vehicle, or caught outdoors, seek the nearest substantial shelter and shield yourself from flying debris.

Warnings are issued by your local forecast office and pinpoint a much smaller area, typically the size of a city or a small county, where a tornado has been identified, either by radar or through reports from trained spotters and law enforcement.

Knowing the distinction between these two alerts is paramount for staying safe during tornado season. Stay informed, have a plan, and act promptly when danger looms.

Get ready for tornadoes

Stay weather-ready:

Keep an eye on the weather forecast to stay informed about tornado risks. Tune in to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updates on tornado watches and warnings

Sign up for alerts:

Know how your community sends warnings. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others depend on media and smartphones to alert residents of severe storms capable of producing tornadoes.

Create a communication plan:

Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and related information. If you live in a mobile home or home without a basement, identify a nearby safe building you can get to quickly, such as a church or family member.

Choose a secure shelter:

Pick a safe room within your home, such as a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor without windows.

Establish a communication plan:

Conduct regular family drills for severe thunderstorms so everyone knows what to do when a tornado threat arises. Ensure that all family members are aware of the safe location to seek shelter, and don't forget about your pets if time permits.

Secure your home:

Consider reinforcing your safe room for added protection. You can find plans for fortifying an interior room on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.

Extend a helping hand:

Encourage your neighbors and loved ones to prepare for possible tornadoes. Consider taking CPR training to be of assistance in case of injuries.

Staying safe during a tornado: Quick actions to take

When a tornado strikes, taking swift action is crucial to ensuring your safety and minimizing potential harm. Follow these guidelines from the weather service:

Stay informed:

Remain vigilant and stay updated by listening to local news broadcasts or a NOAA Weather Radio for tornado watches and warnings.

At home:

If you find yourself under a tornado warning while at home, head to your basement, a designated safe room, or an interior space away from windows. Ensure your pets are safe if time permits.

At work or school:

Follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.

Outdoors:

If you're outdoors and a tornado is approaching, seek immediate shelter inside a sturdy building. Sheds, storage facilities, mobile homes, and tents are not safe. If there's time, make your way to a secure structure.

In a vehicle:

It is not safe to be in a vehicle during a tornado. The recommended action is to drive to the nearest shelter. If reaching a safe shelter is not possible, either crouch down in your car and cover your head, or leave your vehicle and seek refuge in a low-lying area like a ditch or ravine.

Always keep in mind that taking swift action and following established safety procedures are crucial for your well-being when a tornado threat is imminent.

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.
FILE - Judge Paige Reese Whitaker answers the question as she hears arguments for several motions the trial of Atlanta rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, July 30, 2024, at the Fulton County courtroom in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)
The first of four starting flights has concluded here at the 2024 Merit Poker Gatsby Gala $2,200 Warm Up hosted at the Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino in North Cyprus. Day 1a attracted 75 entrants, with only 30 players finding a bag and advancing to Day 2 by the end of the night.

Candido Cappiello ended the night with the Day 1a chip lead, finishing with 694,500, a stack worth 232 big blinds going into Day 2. Cappiello is most closely folowed by Alisa Sibgatova (511,000) while Aleksandr Kirichenko (490,000) rounds out the top three. Cappiello was a massive chip leader midway through the day after eliminating Abdullah Alajmi, who was at the top of the counts for most of the early parts of the day. From that point on Cappiello never looked back, and was among the chip leaders for the rest of the night.

Day 1a Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Candido Cappiello Italy 694,500 232 2 Alisa Sibgatova Russian Federation 511,000 170 3 Aleksandr Kirichenko Russian Federation 490,000 163 4 Sinan Unlu Turkey 397,500 133 5 Simone Pascucci Italy 390,500 130 6 Rayan Aljawhari Lebanon 343,500 115 7 Daniele Grasso Italy 317,000 106 8 Dumitru Pora Romania 308,000 103 9 Nemo Koering France 306,000 102 10 Nichan Khorchidian Lebanon 303,000 101

Day 1a Action

Despite a very slow structure, featuring hour-long levels and a starting stack worth over 150 big blinds, the action got off to a quick start and several massive pots took place in the opening levels. In one such pot, Kirichenko got his chips in as a huge underdog with top pair versus Hadi Khordbin's middle set. A miraculous runout saw Kirichenko make a running Broadway straight to earn a critical double up and from that point on the two players went in opposite trajectories. Khordbin was left short and eliminated before the end of the night while Kirichenko kept climbing, ultimately bagging the third-largest stack.

Aleksandr Kirichenko

Sibgatova faced some early adversity after losing her first bullet to Lachezar Petkov, who had rivered a flush to pull ahead of Sibgatova's two pair. Sibgatova wasted little time reentering and fared much better on her second bullet. On Level 7 she knocked out Erdal Gulseven with pocket kings en route to finishing the day with the second-largest stack.

Alisa Sibgatova

More notables to make it through Day 1a with chips include Nichan Khorchidian (303,000), Jeremy Saderne (195,000) and Simone Andrian (143,500), Others who joined the Day 1a field but were unable to find a bag include Lachezar Petkov and Alessio Isaia.

Day 1b begins tomorrow at noon local time, featuring the same structure as Day 1a. As always, Stay tuned for more coverage as PokerNews brings you all the action from the remainder of the festival.
Somalia is working to put in place a favourable regulatory framework to strengthen its digital infrastructure. In particular, regulator the National Communications Authority is preparing the introduction of new regulations on submarine cable landings.

A unified fibre optic deployment policy covering all aspects of fibre installation and rollout in the country is the aim. Such an initiative, the government suggests, will reduce the costs associated with the deployment and extension of fibre optic infrastructure, while promoting the growth of the modern digital economy and national interconnection.

To this end, says Ecofin reporting on this development, the Department of Communications and Technology has organised a public consultation to get the opinions and contributions of the various stakeholders.

On its Facebook page, it says: "The unified fibre optic deployment policy aims to guide national telecommunications companies towards collaboration for the installation and expansion of fibre optic cables."

The country's present domestic fibre optic network is underdeveloped and fragmented, even with the existing connection to five international submarine cables (a sixth is on the way).

Thus a fair distribution of available capacity seems some way off. As the World Bank said in a report earlier this year: "The absence of a robust backbone network prevents the distribution of international capacity across the country, resulting in unequal broadband access, heterogeneous network quality, limited redundancy and slowing down competition in the market."

Ecofin also highlights an internet penetration rate of only 27.6% in early 2024, and numerous obstacles to its extension, including limited access to affordable, broadband-enabled devices, a lack of attractive data-driven services, insufficient local relevant content, and a digital skills deficit. Arguably, these issues should be addressed at the same time as digital infrastructure.
Greenville, SC (29601)

Today

Cloudy skies this evening followed by thunderstorms late. Low 63F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening followed by thunderstorms late. Low 63F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
In what has been an unprecedented year for global elections, the world may look drastically different by next year. For Ukrainians, however, life changed profoundly two years ago. On 24 February 2022, many packed the bare essentials and fled to safe havens as Russian forces began their invasion.

Across the Atlantic, the United States re-elected Donald Trump to serve a second term as president. This outcome is significant given Trumps bold campaign claims, including a promise to end the war in Ukraine with a single phone call.

However, such promises remain unfulfilled, and hopes for a swift resolution persist. The war has devastated Ukraine, upended lives, and sent shockwaves through the global economy. As the conflict nears its third year, Ukraines telecoms sector remains resilient, with operators and government officials working to deliver a robust digital future despite the ongoing turmoil.

Resilience amid destruction

The Ukrainian government has set a target to increase 4G coverage from 65% to 91% over the next three years, as part of its goal to align with European Union standards. This ambitious plan has continued despite repeated attacks on critical infrastructure.

Speaking at the 5G Techritory conference in Riga, Stanislav Prybytko (pictured, right), Director-General of the Directorate for Mobile Broadband at Ukraines Ministry of Digital Transformation, praised the efforts of operators.

The government does not need to inspire operators to rebuild their networks because every company understands how vital connectivity is. Operators send teams as soon as it is possible to repair destroyed equipment, he said.

In liberated cities, entire networks have been obliterated, requiring operators to rebuild from scratch. Despite the immense costs, Prybytko commended operators for their unwavering commitment.

Olga Deynega (pictured), Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer at Vodafone Ukraine, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the unbelievable human efforts engineers have made. Some base stations have been repaired up to eight times following repeated attacks.

Deynega recounted the heroic story of Artem Onishchenko, a Vodafone Ukraine engineer who continued supplying diesel to base stations in Mariupol for ten days under heavy fire. He even shared fuel with rival operators to maintain their networks. This spirit of cooperation led to a national roaming agreement within the first month of the war, ensuring connectivity in critical areas.

Challenges for operators

The telecommunications network has become a frequent target for Russian forces, as its destruction can lead to civil unrest and prevent communication with loved ones or emergency services. Since the invasion began, 900 base stations and 3,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables have been destroyed and subsequently repaired by Vodafone Ukraine, while 5% of Lifecell-Datagroup-Voilas 10,000 base stations and 47,000 kilometres of fibre had been impacted.

Both operators worked ardently to provide backups for expected blackouts, however, the challenges are immense, especially in eastern Ukraine, where much of the fighting occurs. Recording financial losses has become nearly impossible, Deynega noted, as the situation changes daily.

Mykhaylo Shelemba (pictured), CEO of Lifecell-Datagroup-Voila, highlighted how operators have adapted to the circumstances. Since the beginning of the war, the company installed over 2,000 generators and 120,000 lithium batteries to bolster energy capacity and will expand the latter by another 32,000. It also used innovative solutions, such as deploying electric cars to serve as mobile power banks for base stations.

An average electric car has a capacity of 85 kilowatts, and base stations consume two to three kilowatts per hour. We used half the cars capacity to travel to depleted sites and the rest to power the base station, Shelemba explained.

Government support

While operators have shown resilience, the Ukrainian government has worked to reduce bureaucratic hurdles that have historically delayed infrastructure deployment. Before the war, gaining permission to build a base station could take up to two years. Reforms have since reduced this timeline to six months, with plans to shorten it further to one to three months.

Prybytko acknowledged the importance of these reforms, particularly for rural areas. With 38 million people spread across 28,000 villages and towns - some with populations as small as 50 - it is essential to reduce the digital divide.

Ukraine has also aligned its telecommunications sector with EU standards to support its bid for EU membership, targeted for 2030.

In a significant development, Ukraine recently auctioned new frequencies in the 2100MHz, 2300MHz, and 2600MHz bands, generating UAH2.9 billion (US$70 million). This exceeded initial estimates of UAH2 billion and is expected to bolster the countrys war effort.

These frequencies are especially for urban areas, where they will improve capacity and internet speeds. After the full-scale war began, internal migration led to capacity issues in western Ukraine, where networks were not initially built to handle such a large number of subscribers, Prybytko explained.

Although the government is working to keep Ukraines digital future on track, Deynega highlighted that the telecoms sector has faced intense scrutiny since the onset of the war, and shares the view that the government is over-regulating the industry.

It would be helpful if regulators eased their over-regulation of the telecoms sector. During the war, we have been, I would say, one of the most heavily regulated economic industries in Ukraine, she explained.

She criticised some of the regulatory requirements as impractical. For instance, theres a mandate to keep networks operational for 72 hours without electricity. From a basic physics standpoint, its impossible, but we are still expected to try and meet it, she argued.

Deynega also pointed out the significant logistical challenges operators face. The war has disrupted supply chains, making it extremely difficult to import essential items like lithium batteries and diesel generators for base stations, as well as to manage their ongoing refuelling needs.

The road to 5G

Ukraines plans to launch 5G in 2022 were derailed by the invasion. Moreover, 5G frequencies could interfere with military equipment, much of which is of Soviet origin. As a result, full deployment can only proceed after peace is restored.

Nevertheless, the government is preparing for a pilot 5G deployment in Kyiv and Odessa by the second quarter of 2025. The focus will be on non-standalone 5G networks due to financial constraints and the priority to enhance existing network resilience.

Vodafone Ukraine conducted its first 5G test in May 2023 with equipment partner Nokia. However, Deynega admitted that a full commercial rollout remains challenging due to the high capital expenditure required during the ongoing conflict.

Despite these challenges, Lifecell-Datagroup-Voilas CEO Shelemba remains optimistic: The later you implement any technology, the more efficient it is. 5G equipment has become more affordable, so we are not at a disadvantage for a quick rollout.

Digital future

Despite the immense challenges, Ukraines telecoms sector continues to push forward. The Ministry of Digital Transformation is committed to aligning the industry with the European Unions Electronic Communications Code, a crucial step towards EU membership.

The combined efforts of Ukraines operators and government to sustain and rebuild the nations telecom infrastructure exemplify an unwavering commitment to its digital future. From the heroic engineers working under fire to the governments streamlined regulations enabling faster network deployment, every stakeholder has shown extraordinary resilience.

Operators have not only worked innovatively but thrown rivalries aside to collaborate through initiatives like national roaming to ensure connectivity during the most critical of times.

Despite facing relentless attacks on infrastructure, logistical challenges, and over-regulation, their determination remains steadfast. These efforts underscore a shared vision: to build a stronger, more connected Ukraine that stands ready to advance and embrace next-generation technologies like 5G when peace prevails.
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

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Goose Creek, SC (29445)

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Mostly cloudy skies. Low 66F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

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Madagascars three mobile money operators  MVola, Orange Money and Airtel Money  have denounced plans by the governments Directorate General for Taxes (DGI) to tax mobile money transactions, which they say will discourage financial inclusion and harm the economy.

The DGI announced last Thursday it is looking to introduce a 0.5% tax on all mobile money transactions above MGA150,000 (a little over US$32.00), which it said will generate MGA143 billion in tax revenue per year.

According to a joint statement from MVola, Orange Money and Airtel Money published on the Ecofin news agency website, the actual tax revenue would be far less, as it would actually reduce usage of mobile money services.

MVola, Orange Money and Airtel Money said families would see fees for money transfers increase by up to 5x, and while fees for merchant payments would increase by much as 10x. That would cause the number of active mobile money users to drop 30% immediately, and decrease the value of transactions 60% within six months, they said. There are currently around 23 million mobile money users in Madagascar.

Reduced usage of mobile money services would also impact the 164,000 distribution agents (cash points) operating in the country, the operators said.

In essence, mobile money operators claim the tax would encourage people to switch back to cash, which goes against the financial inclusion efforts promoted by the Central Bank of Madagascar, as well as the governments own digitalisation initiatives.

Among other things, taxing mobile money would slow down digitization of the economy, increase security risks, reduce the traceability of transactions (which would also make it more complicated to collect tax revenue), reduce foreign exchange inflows and discourage local and international investment, the operators said.

MVola, Orange Money and Airtel Money also noted that similar tax schemes in other countries such as Tanzania, Ghana, Cameroon and Central African Republic that have seen similar results.

Mobile money operators said that if the government wants to increase tax revenues, it should accelerate large-scale adoption of mobile money services. The resulting boost in total transaction volumes and value of merchant payments would in turn accelerate digitalization and boost the digital economy.

This digitization will contribute to the formalization of the economy and generate increased tax revenues, of the order of MGA100 billion, the operator statement said.
Dothan city commissioners revoked operating licenses from two local businesses Tuesday citing excessive police calls to the premises.

In a public hearing regarding the proposed revocation of the business license issued to event venue Exotic Experience, business owner Shangquia Mitchell and another concerned citizen spoke about allegations and concerns that they hoped were being taken into consideration by the commission in its decision.

I started Exotic Experience because I had the resources to connect others who were looking to have a location to book events and I was ready to start my own business, said Mitchell, who opened the venue for business several weeks ago at 208 E. Powell St. across from the old train depot in the historic Dixie area.

In an Oct. 1 meeting, the commission heard complaints about Exotic Experience from Michael Conway, who owns the nightclub Imanis Lounge, located a block west of Exotic Experience at the corner of North Foster and East Powell streets. Conway told commissioners he was concerned about the business being involved with prostitution, gambling, selling liquor without a license, and operating a strip club without a license.

This business has a lot of illegal activities going on, said Conway. I dont want my business to get in the crossfire of what theyre doing.

Mitchell said she believes Conways complaints are a form of retaliation; she worked for Conway until she started her own business down the street. She learned her license was up for revocation from a local news report, and only later received information from the city.

The commissions Nov. 19 agenda includes a document that reads:

Whereas, a Crime Analysis Summary Report provided by the Dothan Police Department cataloged 1 calls for service to include 2 medical calls, a 911 hang up and 8 visits from police, and whereas, upon site visits by Dothan Police, officers observed liquor bottles in view and other inappropriate activities, and whereas, Exotic Experience was licensed on September 19, 2024, as a Real Estate Management, Appraisers, LeasingEvent Venue and there have been no approvals for a special event liquor permit, and whereas, representatives for Exotic Experience in connection with the issuance of its business license, provided false, deceptive or other misleading information, and whereas, the owner/representatives for Exotic Experience were notified that they could not have any form of alcohol at this location without proper licensing from the State and the City, and whereas, Exotic Experience continued to advertise events that include the sale of alcohol.

Following the public hearing the commission had lengthy discussion about the situation hearing from several commissioners voicing concerns for both sides of the issue. Many commissioners were inquiring if Mitchell could fix any issues that were calling for her license to be revoked but they were informed that the process would start over if they did need to revoke her license down the line.

Commissioners also sought to make it clear that Mitchell is able to reapply for a new license for her business and make the necessary changes.

Following the revocation, Mitchell said that she has not seen the police reports that the commission spoke of at the meeting and only once ever received any type of official citation from an officer, but that document was blank. She also said she is already taking steps to rectify that situation.

Exotic Experience has only been in business about four months and Mitchell said it is the first business that she started on her own. She told commissioners her goal is to always make sure things are safe and secure especially for night events.

The new business owner says she is learning from this as a business woman moving forward and shes looking to pivot with her business to take time to learn everything she needs to succeed in all legal matters. She also appreciates the commissioners who tried to understand her and provide support and help her get some clarity today at the meeting.

Commissioners also revoked the business license of D&B Seafood Restaurant and Lounge located at 3011 Ross Clark Circle, Suite 2, citing operation without a lounge liquor license, failure to pay sales and alcohol taxes to the City of Dothan, failure to provide alcohol reports and substantiating evidence or receipts upon request, and a Dothan Police Department report of 169 calls for service and 38 reported incidents since September 2022, including multiple shootings with injuries and numerous assaults, drug incidents, and thefts.

In other action, the commission:

Amended Chapter 14, Buildings and Building Regulations, of the Code of Ordinances in its entirety.

Amended Chapter 38, Fire Prevention Code, of the Code of Ordinances in its entirety.

Amended Chapter 62, Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, of the Code of Ordinances to create a section to prohibit camping on public property.

Revoked the business license issued to Exotic Experience, located at 208 E. Powell Street, Dothan, Alabama.

Revoked the business and alcohol licenses issued to D & B Homestyle Cooking Corp., d/b/a D & B Seafood and Lounge, located at 3011 Ross Clark Circle, Suite 2, Dothan, Alabama.

Entered into a permit agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for a tap and bore under Highway 134 for water service to be installed off the right-of-way at 1020 County Road 87, Midland City.

Authorized the Mayor to sign ALDOT permits when required for installation and maintenance of utilities in ALDOTs right-of-way.

Donated and transferred ownership of Dothan Police K9 Toto (615) to Devin Magill, Paul (616) to Nicholas Krista, and Bert (618) to Brad Strickland.

Entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for reimbursement of overtime and other costs incurred while providing task force assistance, and appropriated funds for said agreement.

Approved the installation of traffic calming devices (speed humps) on Marigold Lane from Grove Park Lane to Orchard Circle.

Submitted an application to ALDOT for the ATRIP-II Intersection Improvements at US-84 and Flowers Chapel Road Project, which said project was estimated to be $5,859,104.03 with the Citys share of said cost estimated to be $3,859,104.03.

Approved the Final Summary Change Order with Suncoast Infrastructure for the B4-52 Comprehensive Rehabilitation Project which results in a cost decrease for the total contract bid in the amount of $38,536.91, making the final adjusted contract price of $5,258,73.09.

Approved payment of invoices for the month of October, 2024 in the amount of $27,297,345.35.

Awarded bids and approving other purchases over $30,000 by the City.

Approved advance travel requests for City employees.

Accepted a sanitary sewer easement to construct necessary improvements to existing utility facilities in Hidden Creek Subdivision.
Customer Science Groups AI Accelerator provides a rapid, 20-day solution to implement AI in contact centers, addressing issues like high costs and low staff satisfaction.

Supported by leading contact centre vendors including Genesys, Verint, Cisco and Google, implementation partners including QPC and Optus as well as consulting partners including COPC, Simon Kris and Ensighted, the AI Accelerator Program is the only program available which provides all the IP to implement AI safely and rapidly so that organisations can retain the knowledge and learnings in their operations.

Uniquely, it provides a low-cost pilot program up front that sets out to prove value and establishes a pre-live, sustainable self-funded AI program. It ultimately aims to evaluate how AI can support improved staff and customer satisfaction while at the same time reducing costs through productivity gains, accuracy and downstream error minimisation.

In practice, the program supports contact centres through a 20-day rapid immersive exercise, during which time an organisations AI journey is finetuned. It includes a readiness assessment, enablement incorporating change management, a pilot and scaling aimed to expose benefits. The solution measures success at each point and ensures investments deliver results.

Heres a breakdown of how the AI Accelerator Program will help SMEs:

1. Rapid ROI Without Breaking the Bank

The program is designed to prove AIs value quickly with a low-cost pilot. For SMEs, this means you can test the waters without committing to a hefty investment, seeing real results like cost reduction and efficiency improvements in just 20 days.

2. Easy-to-Adopt, Scalable AI

Many SMEs struggle with limited resources or technical expertise to implement AI. The AI Accelerator removes complexity by providing everything you needtools, frameworks, and consulting expertiseto adopt AI securely, ensuring its tailored to your unique needs and ready to scale as your business grows.

3. Boost Staff and Customer Satisfaction

The program addresses common SME pain points like overworked staff and frustrated customers. AI solutions can streamline workflows, assist agents during calls, and even handle repetitive tasks, freeing up your team for more meaningful work while ensuring customers get faster, more accurate service.

4. Compliance Made Simple

For SMEs, staying compliant with industry regulations can be overwhelming. The AI Accelerator is built with compliance in mind, ensuring your business can adopt AI without worrying about legal or regulatory hurdles.

5. Tailored to Solve Your Specific Challenges

Whether its reducing after-call work, speeding up knowledge management, or improving customer sentiment analysis, the program is customized to address your businesss top challenges. Past successes with fintechs and reward card providers show how adaptable and impactful the solutions are.

6. Keep the Knowledge In-House

Unlike many consulting services that lock you into a dependency, the AI Accelerator ensures you retain the knowledge, tools, and processes internally. This means your SME can continue leveraging the benefits of AI long after the program ends.

7. Start Small, Grow Big

This isnt about overwhelming you with a giant AI rollout. Instead, the program begins with a pilot that delivers quick wins, building confidence in AIs potential for your SME while paving the way for larger-scale adoption down the road.

Today, contact centres are under pressure from a combination of cost, customer abandonment, staff satisfaction, workload and attrition issues, says Todd Gorsuch, CEO, Customer Science Group. At the same time, theres a need for an effective and easy to implement solution that help organisations start their AI contact centre journey while readying themselves to scale the use of AI as their business demands. The AI Accelerator Program seeks to resolve the pain points facing contact centres and the potential AI risks and complexity that make it hard for organisations to start enjoying its benefits.

The Ecosystm Future of CX Study 2024 found that the leading driver of adopting AI in Australian organisations is freeing agents for more critical tasks, followed by the ability to provide 24/7 services, analysing customer sentiments, responding to common queries to reduce inbound activity, and assisting agents with the right insights during calls.

Recently, Customer Science Group successfully completed an AI accelerator program for a fintech company which introduced an after-call wrap AI solution and delivered accurate notes, call coding and notes to reduce after call work by over 30 seconds, translating to staffing efficiency.

In addition, Customer Science Group has worked with a reward card provider which utilised their knowledge management AI solution to rapidly build out and optimise knowledge articles for human review to support future service automation. This saved creation time by 30 percent and now enables the organisation to provide large automation improvements.

Many Australian enterprises have a supportive CEO and board who are often encouraging the use of AI, while at the same time remaining conservative and slower to approve its actual use, says Gorsuch.

Typically, human resources, security, risk or compliance teams place constraints around its use creating a major hurdle to overcome. Operations stall as they are both busy and often dont have the skills inhouse to bring an AI vision to life. As a result, the AI journey is largely an agreement of the need to adopt AI yet not launching solutions or in a pilot.

Ultimately, AI success is wrapped up in gaining access to the right resources, methodologies and IP so that organisations can ensure their deployments are successful. We believe that the AI Accelerator Program will support organisations achieve the value from the AI tools of their choice at their own unique moment of need for excellence in contact centre service delivery and heightened staff satisfaction.

For further information about the Customer Science Group AI Accelerator Program visit https://customerscience.com.au/ai-accelerator/

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HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AURORA Retro Nights announces its inaugural concert series, "70's, 80's, 90's RETRO Concert," set to take place on March 22, 2025, at ArtsPark at Young Circle in Hollywood, Florida. As part of the City of Hollywood's 2025 centennial celebration, the event aims to make history and spark a new retro comeback.

This concert will feature a lineup of performers, bringing together music lovers to celebrate the greatest hits from the golden ages. Performers whose music plays on every radio station, movie, and restaurant will be brought back live - the original legends. In line with the ongoing trend of nostalgia and revival in the music industry, our mission is to bring back different legendary performers each year.

Event Highlights:

Date: March 22, 2025

Location: ArtsPark at Young Circle, Hollywood, FL

ArtsPark at Young Circle, Lineup: Featuring performances by The Commodores, Blue Oyster Cult, and Journey former lead vocalist Steve Augeri

Featuring performances by The Commodores, Blue Oyster Cult, and Journey former lead vocalist Ticket Information: Tickets are now on sale through Eventbrite

About AURORA Retro Nights: AURORA, established in 2023, was founded on the belief that legendary performers from the golden ages of music can be brought back. In the context of an evolving music industry and an ever-growing demand for live music events, our organization aims to cater to a niche often overlooked despite Florida's numerous festivals. The goal is to create an annual concert series featuring renowned performers, catering to the diverse musical interests of Florida's residents and visitors.

Sponsorship and Partnerships: We are actively seeking sponsors, partners, and vendors to join us in launching Florida's newest premier concert series. Interested parties can contact [email protected] for more details on available opportunities.

Follow us

Facebook: AURORA Retro Nights

X: AURORA_Retro

Instagram: aurora_retro_nights

Eventbrite: AURORA Retro Nights

https://auroraretronights.com/

SOURCE AURORA B., LLC
NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The aesthetic devices market in mexico size is estimated to grow by USD 533.06 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period. Rise in awareness regarding aesthetic surgeries is driving market growth, with a trend towards rising demand for minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures. However, adverse effects related to application of energy-based aesthetic devices poses a challenge.Key market players include AbbVie Inc., Bausch Health Companies Inc., BTL Group, Candela Corp., Cutera Inc., Cynosure LLC, Galderma SA, Hologic Inc., Home Skinovations Inc., Inmode Ltd., Lumenis Be Ltd., Merz Pharma GmbH and Co KGaA, Rohrer Aesthetics Inc., Salient Medical, Sanuwave Health Inc., Sisram Medical Ltd., Venus Concept Inc., and Laser Technology Inc..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Aesthetic Devices Market in Mexico 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 Type (Energy-based aesthetic devices and Non energy-based aesthetic devices), End-user (Hospitals, Dermatology clinics, and Others), Application (Skin resurfacing and tightening, Body contouring and cellulite reduction, Hair removal, and Others), and Geography (North America) Region Covered Mexico Key companies profiled AbbVie Inc., Bausch Health Companies Inc., BTL Group, Candela Corp., Cutera Inc., Cynosure LLC, Galderma SA, Hologic Inc., Home Skinovations Inc., Inmode Ltd., Lumenis Be Ltd., Merz Pharma GmbH and Co KGaA, Rohrer Aesthetics Inc., Salient Medical, Sanuwave Health Inc., Sisram Medical Ltd., Venus Concept Inc., and Laser Technology Inc.

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

The Mexican aesthetic devices market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing trends in aesthetic treatments for cosmetic concerns. Individual preferences for enhancing surface-level appearance and improving quality of life drive the demand for aesthetic procedures. Minimally invasive treatments, such as wrinkle reducers and dermal fillers, are popular among the geriatric and elderly populations. Aesthetically conscious consumers seek innovative features from pioneering startups and multinational giants, including laser resurfacing, breast implants, and facial enhancements. Safety standards are crucial, with a focus on medical-grade injectables and specialized aesthetic clinics, hospitals, and medical spas. Emerging economies and medical tourists contribute to the market's expansion, influenced by changing beauty standards and heightened awareness, as well as celebrity influence. Innovative devices, such as laser systems, tattoo removal devices, and thread lift products, cater to various aesthetic concerns, including facial wrinkles, volume loss, and skin lighteners.

Minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures have gained significant traction in Mexico's aesthetic market due to their numerous benefits. These techniques limit the size of incisions, expedite recovery, minimize pain and scarring, and reduce post-surgical complications. Facial resurfacing and body contouring procedures, such as laser treatments, have replaced traditional surgeries. Laser treatments, including laser hair removal and fat and cellulite removal, offer quick and efficient solutions with natural-looking results. The popularity of these non-invasive procedures continues to grow as they provide a youthful appearance with minimal downtime and risks.

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Market Challenges

The Mexican aesthetic devices market is witnessing significant growth due to increasing aesthetic concerns among individuals, particularly in the areas of wrinkles, sagging skin, age spots, and hair loss. The geriatric and elderly populations are a large consumer base for aesthetic procedures, seeking improvements in their surface-level appearance and quality of life. Minimally invasive treatments, such as aesthetic injectables and implants, are popular choices, with breast implants, face implants, and penile implants leading the market. Laser resurfacing, laser systems, and innovative features from pioneering startups are driving the market forward. Safety standards are a top priority, with medical tourists from emerging economies seeking expert local knowledge and personalized treatments. The market is dominated by multinational giants, but innovative startups are gaining ground with grants and funding. Cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, facial enhancements, skin lighteners, tattoo removal devices, and thread lift products are also in demand. Clinics, hospitals, and medical spas offer a range of surgical and nonsurgical procedures to meet the diverse needs of the aesthetically conscious population.

Energy-based aesthetic devices, such as lasers and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) systems, offer various benefits for cosmetic procedures. However, they come with potential risks and complications. These devices emit hazardous radiation, which can cause serious health effects, including skin color changes and herpes infection. High-power energy devices pose a risk of damaging the eye and skin. Anesthesia complications, blood clots, allergic reactions, and adverse effects due to undiagnosed medical conditions are other potential risks. Long-term side effects can impact the quality of life of end-users. Previous versions of carbon dioxide (CO2) resurfacing lasers had a high rate of thermal injury, discomfort, pain, depigmentation, skin eruptions, scarring, erythema, and infections, requiring extended downtime. As professionals, it's crucial to weigh the benefits against the risks and ensure proper training, certification, and adherence to safety guidelines when using these devices.

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Segment Overview

This aesthetic devices market in Mexico report extensively covers market segmentation by

Type

1.1 Energy-based aesthetic devices

1.2 Non energy-based aesthetic devices

End-user

2.1 Hospitals

2.2 Dermatology clinics

2.3 Others

Application

3.1 Skin resurfacing and tightening

3.2 Body contouring and cellulite reduction

3.3 Hair removal

3.4 Others

Geography

4.1 North America

1.1 Energy-based aesthetic devices- The Mexican market for energy-based aesthetic devices is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing popularity of cosmetic procedures. These devices, which include laser, light therapy, ultrasound, and RF technologies, are used for minimally invasive or invasive treatments to address various skin and body defects. Mexico's affordability and the rise in the number of working women have made aesthetic procedures more accessible, leading to a surge in demand. In 2021, Mexico accounted for 5.1% of global plastic surgeries, making it the fourth largest market after the US, Brazil, and Japan. The market's expansion is further fueled by the availability of multiple treatment options, such as RF-based devices for various skin types and new technologies for cellulite treatment and fat reduction. Additionally, research on skin procedures for diverse skin conditions and hair removal for all skin types is driving growth in this segment. Overall, these factors are expected to positively impact the energy-based aesthetic devices market in Mexico during the forecast period.

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 aesthetic devices market in Mexico continues to grow as more individuals seek noninvasive procedures to address their cosmetic concerns and enhance their surface-level appearance. Aesthetic treatments, including facial rejuvenation, wrinkle reduction, and volume loss correction, are increasingly popular among both young and elderly populations. Personalized treatments using medical-grade injectables, laser therapy, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion cater to individual preferences for improving aesthetic concerns such as sagging skin, age spots, and facial wrinkles. Safety standards are paramount in this industry, ensuring that emerging economies like Mexico offer high-quality treatments that adhere to international safety and efficacy guidelines. Beauty standards continue to evolve, leading to an increase in demand for cosmetic and reconstructive procedures such as breast augmentation, facial enhancements, and buttock implants. Medical tourists from around the world travel to Mexico for affordable and expert care, further fueling the growth of the aesthetic devices market. Local expertise and adherence to skin aesthetic and cosmetic implant standards ensure that patients receive the best possible results.

Market Research Overview

The Aesthetic Devices Market in Mexico is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing awareness and acceptance of aesthetic treatments among the population. Individuals are prioritizing their surface-level appearance as a means to enhance their quality of life, addressing cosmetic concerns such as wrinkles, sagging skin, age spots, and hair loss. Aesthetically conscious consumers seek personalized treatments using medical-grade injectables, laser resurfacing, and innovative devices like Botox, dermal fillers, and laser therapy. The geriatric and elderly population also contribute to the market's growth, as they seek solutions for aging-related concerns. Changing beauty standards, heightened awareness, and celebrity influence further fuel the demand for aesthetic operations, including breast implants, face implants, penile implants, and surgical interventions like liposuction, facelifts, and buttock implants. The market is dominated by multinational giants and pioneering startups, offering innovative features and safety standards. Emerging economies and medical tourists contribute to the market's growth, with clinics, hospitals, medical spas, and specialized aesthetic centers offering a range of surgical and nonsurgical procedures, from cosmetic implants and skin aesthetic treatments to body contouring and physicians-dispensed cosmeceuticals. Grants and funding opportunities further support the development of new and innovative devices in the market.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Type

Energy-based Aesthetic Devices



Non Energy-based Aesthetic Devices

End-user

Hospitals



Dermatology Clinics



Others

Application

Skin Resurfacing And Tightening



Body Contouring And Cellulite Reduction



Hair Removal



Others

Geography

North 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
TAIPEI, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aetina, a subsidiary of the Innodisk Group and an expert in edge AI solutions, is pleased to announce its debut at Supercomputing (SC24) in Atlanta, Georgia, showcasing the innovative SuperEdge NVIDIA MGX short-depth edge AI server, AEX-2UA1. By integrating an enterprise-class on-premises large language model (LLM) with the advanced retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) technique, Aetina NVIDIA MGX short-depth server demonstrates exceptional enterprise edge AI performance, setting a new benchmark in Edge AI innovation. The server is powered by the latest Intel Xeon 6 processor and dual high-end double-width NVIDIA GPUs, delivering ultimate AI computing power in a compact 2U form factor, accelerating Gen AI at the edge.

Aetina SuperEdge NVIDIA MGX Short-Depth Edge AI Server

The SuperEdge NVIDIA MGX server expands Aetina's product portfolio from specialized edge devices to comprehensive AI server solutions, propelling a key milestone in Innodisk Group's AI roadmap, from sensors and storage to AI software, computing platforms, and now AI edge servers.

NVIDIA MGX Edge AI Server Showcases Enterprise-Class Gen AI

To accelerate Generative AI for enterprises, Aetina provides the compact and high-performance AEX-2UA1 NVIDIA MGX short-depth server, a single socket server integrating the Intel Xeon 6 processor. By supporting the dual double-width NVIDIA GPUs with ultra-fast NVIDIA NVLinkTM GPU interconnect, the AEX-2UA1 unleashes ultimate edge computing performance in a compact 2U form factor. Additionally, it supports advanced networking with NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPUs and NVIDIA ConnectX-7 NICs for high-speed communication.

The AEX-2UA1 empowers enterprises to foster the private LLM, ensuring secure access to sensitive data while meeting stringent regulatory compliance. Built on a modular architecture, the AEX-2UA1 also offers remarkable flexibility and compatibility with current and future NVIDIA hardware, delivering greater scalability for enterprises in the future.

Aetina x Innodisk: Architect Intelligence in the Edge

The announcement of NVIDIA MGX server reaffirms Aetina's position as the driving force in AI innovation within the Innodisk Group, showcasing its strength and momentum in pushing technological boundaries. Alongside Innodisk, we facilitate the widespread adoption of edge AI across diverse markets, enhancing the transformation of cutting-edge innovations into practical endpoint solutions.

Aetina showcases comprehensive edge AI solutions from AI inference systems to AI training servers at SC24. Visit Aetina (Booth No. 420) to discover how our innovative edge AI server can bring business operations to the next level.

For more information about SuperEdge short-depth server, please visit https://www.aetina.com/ .

SOURCE Aetina Corporation
Seventeen Years of Deep Commitment to Power Transmission and Distribution Projects Across the Continent Commemorates the 35th Anniversary of AID

DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating its 17-year journey in Africa, Shanghai Electric (SEHK:2727, SSE:601727) is proud to have contributed to the industrialization and development of the region's power infrastructure. Since 2007, the company has successfully completed 28 power supply projects across African countries, constructing 1,457.16 kilometers of transmission lines and 51 power plants and substations. These achievements have delivered reliable electricity to millions, driving industrial progress and improving livelihoods in the vivid Africa.

Shanghai Electric Powers African Industrialization with 17-Year Commitment to Energy Projects with Djiboutis Railway Electrification Project Shown.

"Industrialization in Africa is spurring unprecedented growth in energy demand. The foundation of power supply is not only critical to development but also to ensuring people's livelihoods. Shanghai Electric is honored to collaborate with African partners to build a modern and thriving continent," said Yang Xinghai, a senior executive at Shanghai Electric.

Powering Africa: A Journey of Growth and Innovation

Over the past 17 years, Shanghai Electric has expanded its footprint from North Africa to East and West Africa, developing and highlighting a diverse range of transmission and distribution projects, among others:

Djibouti ' s Railway Electrification (2014): Shanghai Electric constructed a 230kV substation and 83.85 kilometers of transmission lines to supply power to the Addis Ababa - Djibouti railway.

Shanghai Electric constructed a 230kV substation and 83.85 kilometers of transmission lines to supply power to the - railway. Ethiopia ' s Transmission Network (2008 ): Shanghai Electric has delivered eight major EPC projects in Ethiopia , including the BBDA 400kV transmission line project, Renaissance Dam transmission systems, and the Ethiopia - Djibouti railway power supply. The cumulative effort includes 1,115 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines and 11 substations.

Shanghai Electric has delivered eight major EPC projects in , including the BBDA 400kV transmission line project, Renaissance Dam transmission systems, and the - railway power supply. The cumulative effort includes 1,115 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines and 11 substations. Angola ' s Urban Revitalization (2020): Shanghai Electric modernized the medium- and low-voltage power grids in Huambo and Caala, benefiting one million residents and over hundreds of enterprises with improved and stable electricity access.

Shanghai Electric modernized the medium- and low-voltage power grids in Huambo and Caala, benefiting one million residents and over hundreds of enterprises with improved and stable electricity access. Nigeria 's Grid Modernization: In Lagos, Shanghai Electric upgraded ten aging substations, significantly enhancing the reliability of electricity for both residential and commercial users. Additionally, it completed two critical 330/132kV and 132/33kV substations, Egbin Substation and Makogi Substation, in northern Nigeria , benefiting over 500,000 residents.

As Africa continues its journey toward achieving the African Union's Agenda 2063, Shanghai Electric remains committed to providing innovative energy solutions and fostering sustainable development. Shanghai Electric actively employs local talents, generating significant employment opportunities and fostering economic growth. By working closely with local governments and industry partners, Shanghai Electric envisions a brighter, electrified future for Africa.

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Worker arranges durians at a durian processing factory in the Chanthaburi province, Thailand, May 5, 2022. Photo by Xinhua via AFP

Vietnam exported 177,000 tons of durians worth US$640.72 million to China in September, surpassing Thailand as the top supplier of the fruit to that market.

China spent $894.58 million in all to import 228,000 tons of durian in September, with Vietnam accounting for 77.6% of it, Thanh Nien newspaper reported last Thursday, citing data from Chinas General Administration of Customs.

But Thailand remained the leader in the first nine months, exporting nearly 755,000 tons of the fruit worth $3.73 billion, accounting for 54.7%, according to Dan tri online newspaper. But the figures represented year-on-year declines of 14.1% in volume and 13.3% in value.

During the period Vietnam shipped 618,000 tons worth $2.45 billion, up 72.2% in volume and 57.3% in value.

According to Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, Vietnam typically has an edge over Thailand around year-end when it has off-season durian to export to China unlike Thailand, whose harvest ends well before that.

He said Chinese demand also rises at that time as consumers ramp up purchases for the year-end holidays and the Lunar New Year.

Vietnam enjoys transport advantages such as road and rail links with China, which helps its exporters save time and costs, he added.

In a bid to boost its competitiveness, Thailands Digital Economy Promotion Agency recently rolled out a project called One Tambon, One Digital that aims enhance durian farmers' productivity, strengthen consumer trust in Thai durians, and promote high-value products on a global scale, particularly amid competition from China and nearby nations, the Bangkok Post reported.

The initiative will help over 6,100 farming households adopt digital platforms to record cultivation data and train 12,200 farmers in 23 provinces in e-commerce and Good Agricultural Practices, which is required to export durian.

The country has 163,200 hectares under durian, and grows 1.53 million tons of the fruit annually.

Durian accounted for 69% of its fruit exports in 2023, with China being the primary export market.

Vietnam shipped 500,000 tons of durian worth $2.3 billion that year, with 90% going to China. It has 154,000 ha under the fruit and an output of 1.2 million tons.

It previously surpassed Thailand in durian exports to China earlier this year, shipping 32,750 tons in the first two months of 2024. Thailands exports in the same period plunged by half to 19,000 tons.
NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Kennel Club (AKC), the world's largest purebred dog registry and a leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce that its Patriotic Puppy Program (PPP), has graduated it's 100th detection dog, a yellow Labrador Retriever named K-9 Teddy.

The AKC Patriotic Puppy Program, part of the AKC's Detection Dog Task Force, works with U.S. dog breeders to establish high-level skills for breeding and raising consistent, quality detection dogs to address the critical shortage of these canines in a wide range of sectors including law enforcement, transportation security, military and agriculture.

"The American Kennel Club established the Detection Dog Task Force in response to a crucial need for more U.S. bred and raised detection dogs that are vital to national security," said Sheila Goffe, AKC Vice President, Government Relations. "The success of the Patriotic Puppy Program shows one of the many ways that responsible U.S. dog breeders and enthusiasts give back to their communities and their country."

K-9 Teddy, the program's 100th graduate, was bred by program participant Roxane Dutson of Utah, and is now handled by Police Officer Ryan Frost of the Maine Capitol Police. Frost and K-9 Teddy are stationed at the buildings and grounds of the State Capitol in Augusta. Frost and K-9 Teddy also serve as part of the Maine State Police K-9 Explosives Unit, standing ready to assist at various locations throughout the state.

The American Kennel Club offers training, seminars and one-on-one mentoring opportunities to program participants free of charge. Currently, 187 breeders in 44 states are participating in the program.

To learn more about the Patriotic Puppy Program and its impact on detection dog training, please visit www.akc.org/edc

About the American Kennel Club

Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its more than 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 26,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred and mixed breed dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, scent work, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests.

Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite, the AKC Museum of the Dog, and the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank. For more information, visit www.akc.org

AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.

Become a fan of the American Kennel Club on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @americankennelclub

About the Detection Dog Task Force

The AKC Board of Directors established the AKC Detection Dog Task Force (DDTF) in 2016 to help with this national security issue. The Task Force has interviewed key stakeholders involved in explosives detection including people from academia, government, military, policing, training and breeding. Subsequently, the AKC has launched several initiatives focused on Government Relations, Networking/Education and Breeder Outreach. Learn more: www.akc.org/edc

About the Patriotic Puppy Program

The AKC Patriotic Puppy Program works with breeders of German Shorthaired Pointers and Labrador Retrievers interested in breeding and raising dogs for future careers as detection dogs. Participants work one-on-one with a subject matter expert and receive training to help them establish a path to successfully raising and selling detection dogs even after they've completed the program. To learn more about this free program, contact [email protected] or visit www.akc.org/ppp.

SOURCE The American Kennel Club, Inc.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alaska TourSaver, a book of more than 110 curated travel discounts, is available for pre-sale of its 2025 edition for $99.99. The books will start shipping on or around Dec. 1, 2024.

Free shipping (to 50 U.S. states) is included for all Alaska TourSaver books purchased at TourSaver.com.

Alaska TourSaver is available as an App or a book. Alaksa TourSaver app home screen.

Only venues in Alaska are included: Lodges, flights, cruises, fishing, adventures, rafting and train trips, among other offers.

The "legacy" printed edition of the Alaska TourSaver is designed for two travelers exploring Alaska--with offers from Ketchikan to Fairbanks and all places in-between.

In addition to the printed booklet, travelers can choose the smartphone app edition, available at Apple's App Store or Google Play by searching for TourSaver Alaska 2025

Top-10 popular offers include:

20 percent off Alaska Airlines tickets to/from Alaska (1-2 travelers) and the Lower 48 and Canada between May 1 and August 30, 2025 . 2-for-1 tickets on the Mighty Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Denali, Seward and Talkeetna . $40 off Kenai Fjords National Park cruise (1-4 travelers) with Major Marine Tours in Seward . 2-for-1 tickets on the RIverboat Discovery in Fairbanks . $675 discount on a fly-out trip for two to see giant brown bears in Katmai National Park with Alaska Bear Trips. $199 discount on a flightseeing trip for two, including glacier landing on Denali with Talkeetna Air Taxi. $50 off Juneau whale watching tour (1-2 travelers) with Alaska Galore Tours. $75 off halibut fishing in Homer (1-2 anglers) with Ninilchik Charters. $50 off helicopter flightseeing/glacier landing tour (1-2 travelers) in Knik or in Seward with Alaska Helicopter Tours. 2-for-1 tickets on popular one-hour Anchorage Trolley Tour.

Plus, enjoy 100+ more offers around the state including hotels, lodges, raft trips, glacier hikes, salmon fishing and bike rentals.

Co-publishers Scott McMurren and Gary Blakely have more than 50 years combined travel industry experience in Alaska. Published first in 1999, the Alaska TourSaver's mission is to enable travelers to see more and spend less. To learn more about travel throughout Alaska, subscribe to McMurren's weekly e-newsletter, the Alaska Travelgram (www.alaskatravelgram.com)

Alaska is popular this year--so get the Alaska TourSaver now and start making reservations for air travel, train tickets and glacier cruises statewide.

Special restrictions apply to each offer. Check out the entire list of discounted offers and excursions online: toursaver.com/alaska-deals

Media Contact:

Scott McMurren

907-727-1113

[email protected]

SOURCE Alaska TourSaver
CENTENNIAL, Colo., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AlloSource, a life sciences organization, that helps restore patient functionality by transforming the gift of human tissue donation into enhanced medical products, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month.

When AlloSource was founded in 1994, the company provided approximately 14,000 allografts annually for use in surgical procedures. Now, 30 years later, AlloSource distributes more than 200,000 allografts annually and continues to develop innovative products through research and clinical collaboration with surgical partners. In the last decade, the organization developed many products from human tissue including an articular cartilage disc, amnion sheet and dermal matrix for use across various surgical specialties. Most recently, the organization launched AceConnex Pre-Sutured Fascia, the only ready-to-use device of its kind designed specifically to repair early hip labral damage.

"Unlike other medical device manufacturers, AlloSource's materials come from deceased tissue donors, and we are committed to optimizing every donor's impact by ensuring it is utilized in the most effective way," said Dr. Ross Wilkins, AlloSource Senior Medical Director and cofounder. "When we started tissue banking, we processed a few donors per month and now AlloSource honors thousands of donors annually."

AlloSource has more than 500 employees and operates out of a 160,000-square-foot headquarters in Centennial, Colorado, complete with 37 clean rooms for processing, multiple laboratory spaces and expanded administrative offices. This facility has helped create production advancements such as a proprietary cartilage cryopreservation technology that uses a controlled rate freezing of fresh cartilage to maintain high cell viability for up to two years. The organization also has several regional distribution offices across the U.S.

For AlloSource's 30th anniversary, the organization is adding 'Life Sciences' to its existing logo to further define its focus. Looking forward, AlloSource will continue to develop enhanced life sciences products for joint disease and joint injury, as well as women's health conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse and breast reconstruction following breast cancer.

"The origin of AlloSource's business celebrates humanity in life and death, and that remains core to our business today," said Dean Elliott, President and CEO of AlloSource. "We truly believe in the power of the human body, and with our team of dedicated employees we hope to unlock its full potential."

For more information on AlloSource visit allosource.org.

About AlloSource

AlloSource, a life sciences organization, helps restore patient functionality by transforming the gift of human tissue donation into enhanced medical products that enable a life of movement, health, and wellbeing. We partner with medical professionals and biomedical companies who share our drive for innovation and quality in the use of human tissue allografts for medical advancements. Headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, we have served a global marketplace since 1994. Learn more at allosource.org.

Media Contact

Colton Ostrander

AlloSource

720. 873. 0213

[email protected]

SOURCE AlloSource
Train travelers advised to travel at off-peak times, book in advance, and arrive early to avoid holiday crowds

ORANGE, Calif., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In anticipation of increased holiday travel, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner advises advance bookings for travelers during the Thanksgiving holiday period. Although additional train cars will be used to increase the number of available seats on some trains, customers are still strongly encouraged to plan ahead, book early to ensure available tickets, and upgrade to a Business Class ticket to guarantee seat reservations.

Additional important information for those traveling by rail on the Los Angeles  San Diego  San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor during the week of Thanksgiving:

Complementary Baggage Check Available : To accommodate travelers during the busy holiday weekend, complementary checked baggage will be offered between selected staffed Amtrak Pacific Surfliner stations from Monday, November 25 , through Monday, December 2 . Visit pacificsurliner.com/holiday to see stations offering and accepting checked bags.

: To accommodate travelers during the busy holiday weekend, complementary checked baggage will be offered between selected staffed Amtrak Pacific Surfliner stations from , through . Visit pacificsurliner.com/holiday to see stations offering and accepting checked bags. Rail 2 Rail and Metrolink Code Share Programs Suspended : To help avoid overcrowding during the busy holiday period, the Rail 2 Rail and Metrolink Code Share programs will be suspended on the following schedule: Rail 2 Rail suspended: 11/27, 11/28, 11/29, 11/30, 12/1 and 12/2 Metrolink Code Share suspended: 11/27 and 12/1

: To help avoid overcrowding during the busy holiday period, the Rail 2 Rail and Metrolink Code Share programs will be suspended on the following schedule:

If travel plans change, customers must change their reservation in advance of the scheduled departure online at Amtrak.com, by phone at 800-USA-RAIL, or at a staffed Amtrak station.

Additional Staff On-Hand to Help: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is adding station staffing to assist travelers during the busy Thanksgiving weekend, including temporary station staffing at the Amtrak Office at the Oceanside Transit Center.

More tips to ensure a safe and smooth trip during the Thanksgiving holiday:

Reserve Your Seat by Booking Business Class : Large crowds are expected throughout the holiday. Ensure you have a reserved seat by booking a Business Class ticket.

: Large crowds are expected throughout the holiday. Ensure you have a reserved seat by booking a Business Class ticket. Ride Your Ticketed Train : Travelers are encouraged to ride the scheduled train for which they purchased a ticket. If you need to adjust your travel time, change your ticket in the Amtrak app, online at Amtrak.com, by phone at 800- USA -RAIL, or at a staffed Amtrak station.

: Travelers are encouraged to ride the scheduled train for which they purchased a ticket. If you need to adjust your travel time, change your ticket in the Amtrak app, online at Amtrak.com, by phone at 800- -RAIL, or at a staffed Amtrak station. Cancel If You Need To: Pacific Surfliner tickets can be canceled with a full refund to the original form of payment with no fees if canceled before departure.

Pacific Surfliner tickets can be canceled with a full refund to the original form of payment with no fees if canceled before departure. Luggage: Bring only two bags per passenger, measuring up to 28" x 22" x 11" and weighing 50 pounds or less, on board for free. Two personal items may also be brought on board. Avoid the hassle of carrying bags by taking advantage of complimentary checked baggage during the holiday.

Bring only two bags per passenger, measuring up to 28" x 22" x 11" and weighing 50 pounds or less, on board for free. Two personal items may also be brought on board. Travel Off-Peak and Arrive Early: The busiest travel days are typically the Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday of Thanksgiving week. Morning trains typically have more availability than later trains. Customers are encouraged to arrive at the station 45 minutes before departure.

The busiest travel days are typically the Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday of Thanksgiving week. Morning trains typically have more availability than later trains. Customers are encouraged to arrive at the station 45 minutes before departure. See Something, Say Something: Report any suspicious activity or unattended items to an Amtrak employee or member of the Amtrak Police Department by calling (800) 331-0008, calling 911, or sending a text message to APD11 from a smartphone, or to 27311 from a standard cell phone.

Visit pacificsurfliner.com to book a trip and learn more.

About the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile coastal rail route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 29 stations. It is the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail route in the United States. To learn more and plan a trip, visit pacificsurfliner.com.

About the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency

The Los Angeles  San Diego  San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority composed of rail owners, operators and planning agencies along the entire LOSSAN rail corridor. In addition to working to improve passenger rail ridership, revenue, on- time performance, operational flexibility, and safety, the LOSSAN Agency assumed management responsibility for the Pacific Surfliner service in July 2015, following the execution of an interagency transfer agreement with the state of California. For more information, visit

Lossan.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jason Jewell, LOSSAN Agency

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Farida Waquar, The ACE Agency on behalf of LOSSAN Agency

[email protected]

SOURCE Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Leading Domestic Manufacturer and Brewer Continues Ongoing Investments in its Communities, Building on $2 Billion Spend Over Last 5 Years

HOUSTON, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Anheuser-Busch (NYSE:BUD), a leading domestic manufacturer and brewer of Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, and Bud Light, today announced a new $14 million investment in its Houston brewery. Over the last 5 years, Anheuser-Busch has invested nearly $2 billion in its facilities across the country to help create and sustain jobs and drive economic prosperity in the communities where it operates and its employees call home.

Anheuser-Busch Houston Brewery

Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Anheuser-Busch, stated, "Investing in the communities where our people live and work is part of who we are. At Anheuser-Busch, we've been producing high quality, great tasting products for generations, and through continued investments in our facilities like our Houston brewery, we're improving our capabilities and also contributing to the prosperity of the communities we serve."

Key Highlights of the Investment:

Facility upgrades to maintain industry-leading quality standards and maximize efficiency

Updates to the critical manufacturing equipment that makes our beer production possible

Replacing plant infrastructure, including the roof of the warehouse, elevators, and doors

Installing new air rinsers on can lines in order to reduce water usage

Upgrading wireless, fiber and copper network connectivity

The Houston brewery, a cornerstone of Anheuser-Busch's U.S. operations since 1966, has played a crucial role in the $2.3 billion capital investments the brewer has made in Texas, to date. Anheuser-Busch operates more than 120 facilities across the country and, with its distributor partners, employs 65,000 hardworking Americans. As the nation's leading brewer, Anheuser-Busch has the unique ability to create U.S. jobs and drive economic prosperity at this scale.

Ryan Hudgins, Sr. General Manager of the Anheuser-Busch Houston Brewery, remarked, "We've been a proud member of the Texas community for nearly 60 years, and this investment is a testament to Anheuser-Busch's commitment to producing high quality beer here in Houston. By continuing to invest in our local facility, we're not only reinforcing our leadership in brewing excellence in Texas and beyond, but we're also making a meaningful contribution to our local economy and community that we're lucky to call home."

This year's investment builds on previous investments in our Houston brewery, including last year's $22.5 million investment to upgrade the facility's internal systems to enhance workplace safety and improve brewery efficiency. With almost 1,000 employees across 4 facilities in Texas, Anheuser-Busch remains dedicated to being a key economic driver in the state and maintaining its position as the leader in the American brewing industry.

For more on Anheuser-Busch's economic impact visit www.anheuser-busch.com/community/economic-impact or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH

At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are committed to earning our place in the moments that matter to our consumers and making a meaningful impact in our communities across the country. For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations.

Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities, and packaging plants, and have a dedicated network of more than 65,000 hardworking Americans across the United States who bring our beer to life. We are home to several of America's most iconic beer and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA, Cutwater Spirits, Stella Artois, Busch Light, Budweiser, and Bud Light as well as regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From our industry-leading efforts to support American farmers and our nation's military, veterans, and first responders to emergency drinking water donations and responsible drinking programs, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home  that's who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn , X , Facebook , and Instagram .

SOURCE Anheuser-Busch
FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This year ARIA Property Services is thankful for the opportunity to support Easyside, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing opportunities to artists in the form of studios and exhibitions, and offering resources to the local community through a bi-monthly food pantry and community-focused events.

Easyside - Deck the Hallways - ARIA

Easyside's facility on Lancaster Ave in the Meadowbrook neighborhood of Fort Worth is home to seven artist studios and an on-site micro-gallery. Easyside has also fostered curatorial partnerships with local galleries and institutions, most recently Arts Fort Worth.

The bi-monthly food pantry is hosted on-site in the facility, featuring locally grown organic food from partner farms and community organizers. Easyside hosts regular community events with the goal of connecting neighbors with the arts, and artists with each other.

Easyside's mission is to "Seek alternative methods of creation and care to better equip artists and feed communities in East Fort Worth."

ARIA is proud to help bolster the efforts of Easyside through the holidays and beyond. The nonprofit's commitment to alternative, creative methods to address age-old issues reflects the core ethos of ARIA  to empower, recognize and innovate.

GP Hind, President and Co-founder at ARIA weighs in, "We have been looking for the right community partners for some time. Having visited Easyside numerous times and met with board members and resident artists I knew ARIA was dealing with a set of great people with enormous talent and warm hearts. Having got to know the way Easyside operates there is clearly a strong synergy between ARIA and Easyside. We are looking forward to a long, rewarding working partnership in support of a vital community resource."

The initial donation from ARIA to Easyside is set to create a long-term relationship between the burgeoning real estate investment business and a vital community resource. Funds donated by ARIA will enable the artists in residence to commit even more of their time to delivering vital food bank and community-focused support through Thanksgiving and the Holidays.

The culmination of the hard work and commitment by the Eaysiders is their end of year Deck the Hallways event. This event perfectly showcases the blend of arts and community that drives Easyside and delivers on their sound body, sound mind ethos.

New work from resident artists and the wider DFW artist community will be available to view and buy. Food security resources will be available and Easyside board members will be on hand to chat, advise and educate. Santa will be dropping by, too.

It all goes down December 145, 2024, between 2pm and 7 pm, at 3715 E Lancaster Ave #120, Fort Worth, TX 76103. On street parking is readily available.

For more information on the Easyside programs and Deck the Hallways specifically please email [email protected]

If you are a Texas-born nonprofit that shares the ARIA ethos and would like to discuss partnerships, you can access the President directly.

Equally, if you are looking to advance your real estate career or have skills that match a growing company that does things a little differently check out the ARIA careers page - https://ariapropertyservices.com/careers/

SOURCE ARIA Property Services
Aspiriant's Independent Ownership Model Continues to Attract Top Talent

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspiriant, an employee owned and independent wealth management firm, today announced that two new advisors, Tim Harvey, CFA, CFP, Senior Manager in Wealth Management and Rohit Mansukhani, CFA, Senior Manager in Wealth Management have joined the Mountain View office. Tim and Rohit each have deep and varied experience serving high-net-worth individuals and families.

Tim joins Aspirant's Total Wealth Management group and Professional Fiduciary Practice. With two decades of experience serving clients with investment management and financial planning services, including time as a Chief Investment Strategist, he will lead the expansion of Aspiriant's Professional Fiduciary Practice into the San Francisco Bay Area. This service focuses on the unique investment management needs of professional fiduciaries in the region. Tim joins Aspiriant after his two previous independent firms were sold to outside investors and brings valuable expertise in equity analysis, portfolio design and strategic wealth management. Most recently, Tim was a Senior Wealth Advisor at The Mather Group, where he provided holistic financial planning and proactive portfolio recommendations catering to his clients' unique circumstances.

Rohit rejoined Aspiriant in 2024 after previously working at the firm from 2015 to 2019. He focuses on serving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients in the Total Wealth Management and Exclusive Family Office groups with complex financial needs, including private investments and generational wealth stewardship. Known for his clear communication of complex financial concepts, Rohit collaborates with families on strategies that support long-term goals and values, such as portfolio management, estate planning and managing concentrated stock positions. Before returning to Aspiriant, Rohit was an advisor at ICONIQ Capital, where he supported founders and corporate executives with investment management and financial planning.

"Aspiriant's employee-owned business model and unwavering independence continue to attract top talent such as Tim and Rohit," said Rob Francais, CEO of Aspiriant. "As private equity reshapes much of the wealth management landscape, we remain focused on our clients and colleagues, committed to building a legacy of trusted, best-in-class serviceone that puts clients and employees first."

About Aspiriant

Aspiriant is a leading independent wealth management firm in the U.S. with more than $15 billion of assets under management and advisement. The firm provides a full range of wealth management services for over 2,200 individuals and families throughout the country with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, San Diego, Orange County, New York, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Cincinnati and Austin. For more information, visit aspiriant.com.

SOURCE Aspiriant LLC
The partnership between Shearwater and atNorth has been recognized in the 'Top Energy Efficient HPC Achievements' category.

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- atNorth , the leading Nordic colocation, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence service provider, today announced recognition from the HPCwire Readers' Choice Awards for its partnership with Shearwater Geoservices.

Shearwater Geoservices migrated their UK HPC infrastructure to atNorth's ICE02 data center in Iceland resulting in a 92% reduction in CO2 emissions and 85% cost savings. These impressive results have led to the businesses being awarded the 'Top Energy Efficient HPC Achievements' award.

The migration was driven by rising energy costs and the impending introduction of mandatory carbon footprint reporting legislation. Despite initial concerns over latency, comprehensive testing and collaboration ensured a highly successful transition.

The HPCwire Readers' Choice Awards aim to recognize the exceptional contributions and groundbreaking innovations within the global HPC community. With sustainability being integral to both atNorth and Shearwater's businesses, this accolade is further opportunity to illustrate an environmentally responsible solution to High Performance Computing (HPC).

"Our work with Shearwater demonstrates the benefits of responsible colocation," says Anders Fryxell, Chief Sales Officer at atNorth. "Our highly energy efficient data centers and optimal Nordic locations essentially allow clients to decarbonize their compute - something that is fundamental for the future sustainability of our planet."

"Our partnership with atNorth has given us a true competitive advantage in several areas - from lower power usage and better hosting capabilities to cost effective and sustainable air cooling that doesn't impact the climate," says Nick Riddalls, Hemispheric Head of Processing, Shearwater Geoservices. "We hope the recognition of our work together inspires other data intensive enterprises to address the carbon footprint of their IT workloads."

atNorth has also won the 'Special Award for Sustainability' at the IDC Future Enterprise Awards, the 'Digital Infrastructure Project of the Year' prize at the Tech Capital Awards, the 'Colocation Provider of the Year' award at the Electrical Review & Data Centre Review Excellence Awards . The business also won the 'Location Award' for Iceland at the Tech Capital Awards last year and has been included in TechRound's Sustainability60 list that celebrates the most exciting sustainability companies across the UK and Europe.

About atNorth

atNorth is a leading Nordic data center services company that offers sustainable, cost-effective, scalable colocation and high-performance computing services trusted by industry-leading organizations. The business acquired leading High-Performance Computing (HPC) provider, Gompute, in 2023 enabling a compelling full stack offering tailored to AI and other critical high performance workloads.

With sustainability at its core, atNorth's data centers run on renewable energy resources and support circular economy principles. All atNorth sites leverage innovative design, power efficiency, and intelligent operations to provide long-term infrastructure and flexible colocation deployments. The tailor-made solutions enable businesses to calculate, simulate, train and visualize data workloads in an efficient, cost-optimized way.

atNorth is headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland and operates seven data centers in strategic locations across the Nordics, with additional sites to open in Helsinki, Finland and Ballerup, Denmark in early 2025, as well as its tenth under development in Kouvola, Finland and its eleventh site in lgod, Denmark.

For more information, visit atNorth.com or follow atNorth on LinkedIn or Facebook.

Press Contact:

Caroline Brunton

Kite Hill PR for atNorth

+44 (0) 7796 274 416

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/atnorth/r/atnorth-and-shearwater-geoservices-win-hpcwire-readers--choice-award,c4068917

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/18907/4068917/3123897.pdf Release https://news.cision.com/atnorth/i/aegir-rafn-magnusson-accepting-the-award-on-behalf-of-atnorth-from-tabor-communications-ceo-tom-tabo,c3353415 gir Rafn Magnusson accepting the award on behalf of atNorth from Tabor communications CEO Tom Tabor

SOURCE atNorth
NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global automation market in textile industry size is estimated to grow by USD 775.92 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 3.75% during the forecast period.Upgrading industrial facilities to improve energy efficiency is driving market growth, with a trend towards use of erp solutions in textile manufacturing plants. However, shortage of skilled workforce poses a challenge.Key market players include ABB Ltd., ATE Pvt. Ltd., Baumuller Nurnberg GmbH, BrainChild Electronic Co. Ltd., CLD Automation, Cotmac Electronics Pvt. Ltd., Delta Electronics Inc., Festo SE and Co. KG, Hitachi Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., KUKA AG, Lenze SE, Niagara Automations, Parker Hannifin Corp., Rockwell Automation Inc., SAURER AG, Schneider Electric SE, SIEGER SPINTECH EQUIPMENTS Pvt. Ltd., Siemens AG, and Yaskawa Electric Corp..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Automation Market in Textile industry 2024-2028

Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF

Automation Market In Textile Industry Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.75% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 775.92 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 2.96 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 44% Key countries US, China, India, Pakistan, and Germany Key companies profiled ABB Ltd., ATE Pvt. Ltd., Baumuller Nurnberg GmbH, BrainChild Electronic Co. Ltd., CLD Automation, Cotmac Electronics Pvt. Ltd., Delta Electronics Inc., Festo SE and Co. KG, Hitachi Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., KUKA AG, Lenze SE, Niagara Automations, Parker Hannifin Corp., Rockwell Automation Inc., SAURER AG, Schneider Electric SE, SIEGER SPINTECH EQUIPMENTS Pvt. Ltd., Siemens AG, and Yaskawa Electric Corp.

Market Driver

The textile industry is experiencing significant automation trends that are revolutionizing textile processing, from raw material upgrading at the blow room line to finishing line operations. Automated systems are boosting process efficiency and effectiveness, with innovations like automatic curling, autolevellers, and automated spinning. Sizing, weaving, and dyeing processes are also being transformed with technologies like shuttleless looms, Investa air jets, and aerodynamic systems. Practical automation is key in textile manufacturing, from knitting and dyeing to garment assembly. Robotics, sensors, and artificial intelligence algorithms are driving production efficiency, product quality, and operational flexibility. Faster turnaround times, customization, and sustainability are becoming increasingly important, with technology advancements in digital printing technologies, color accuracy, design flexibility, and environmental sustainability. Textile manufacturers are investing in modern technology to optimize production, reduce energy consumption, and minimize waste. Financial planning and compatibility with existing IT infrastructure are crucial considerations. Workforce displacement, data security, and intellectual property rights are also key concerns. Overall, automation is transforming the textile industry, from traditional production methods to high-quality goods in apparel, home textiles, technical textiles, and industrial textiles.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is a valuable tool for textile manufacturers, streamlining business operations across finance, human resources, production, supply chain, services, and purchasing. ERP solutions enhance communication and data exchange between departments, reducing approval times and boosting departmental efficiency. By coordinating business functions, textile plants can minimize miscommunication and improve overall productivity. ERP systems are increasingly popular in the textile industry due to their ability to optimize resources and automate processes.

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Market Challenges

The textile industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the adoption of automation in various processes. Challenges such as raw material upgrading at the blow room line and finishing at the finishing line are being addressed through process boosting and effective carding. Automatic curling, autolevellers, and spinning are being automated for improved production efficiency and product quality. Investment in automated systems for sizing, shuttleless looms, and aerodynamic systems is on the rise. Innovative automation in weaving, multiphase weaving, heat recuperation, and exhaust air purification is optimizing textile manufacturing. Dye houses are adopting practical automation for environmental safe dyeing using AI algorithms and digital printing technologies. Knitting, dyeing, and finishing operations are being streamlined with robotics, sensors, and fabric inspection for faster turnaround times and customization. Technology advancements in textile manufacturing include AI for production optimization, smart textiles, wearable technologies, and electronic components. Sustainability is a key focus with resource utilization, waste minimization, energy consumption, and environmental impact reduction. Investment cost, compatibility, integration, IT infrastructure, workforce displacement, data security, and intellectual property rights are important considerations in automating textile production facilities. Training and upskilling programs are essential for workforce adaptation to modern technology. The automation market is driving the textile industry towards higher productivity, customization, and production of high-quality goods in apparel, home textiles, technical textiles, and industrial textiles.

Textile manufacturing facilities face a significant challenge in finding enough skilled workers to operate their automated systems. Reports indicate that there were over 63,000 unfilled apprenticeship or training positions in Germany alone in 2021. These facilities require a workforce capable of managing various hardware and software components. However, providing extensive training to existing staff is time-consuming and costly, potentially leading to production downtime. The scarcity of skilled labor in the textile industry necessitates a reevaluation of workforce development strategies to ensure efficient and effective operation of automated systems.

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Segment Overview

This automation market in textile industry report extensively covers market segmentation by

Component

1.1 Field devices

1.2 Control devices

1.3 Communication

Solution

2.1 Hardware and software

2.2 Services

Geography

3.1 APAC

3.2 Europe

3.3 North America

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 Field devices- The textile industry's automation market experienced significant growth in 2022, with the field devices segment leading in revenue generation. Comprising motors, drives, valves, and actuators, these devices are essential for controlling machinery functions and the dyeing process. Their extensive use results in high replacement rates, driving sales. As the textile industry continues to upgrade facilities, demand for automation solutions, particularly field devices, is expected to increase, fueling market expansion. These devices are fundamental to the industry, and their demand is projected to rise throughout the forecast period due to ongoing investments in the industrial sector.

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Research Analysis

The automation market in the textile industry is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing demand for high-quality, efficient, and sustainable textile production. Automation in textile processing includes various stages such as blow room line, finishing line, ginning, carding, drawing, and spinning. Automation in raw material upgrading through processes like autolevellers and sensors enhances resolution and reduces wastage. Robotics and automation in knitting, dyeing, and garment assembly increase factory production and improve product consistency. Process boosting technologies like automatic curling and resolution control optimize energy usage and improve product quality. Overall, automation in textile processing leads to the production of high-quality goods while reducing production costs and enhancing sustainability.

Market Research Overview

The automation market in the textile industry is experiencing significant growth due to the integration of advanced technologies such as Blow room lines, Finishing lines, and automated systems in various textile processing stages. These automated solutions are revolutionizing textile manufacturing by boosting process efficiency, effective raw material upgrading, and optimizing production. Automation is transforming textile processing through innovative technologies like automatic curling, Autolevellers, and shuttless looms. Investa air jet technology and traveling future are leading the way in heat recuperation and exhaust air purification, ensuring environmental safety. Textile finishing operations are being automated with practical solutions, including sizing, dye houses, and optimization of color accuracy and design flexibility. Digital printing technologies and AI algorithms are enhancing production efficiency, product quality, and operational flexibility. The textile industry is embracing automation for apparel, home textiles, technical textiles, and industrial textiles, resulting in faster turnaround times, customization, and resource utilization. Technology advancements, such as smart textiles and wearable technologies, are integrating electronic components and sensors for enhanced functionality. Investment in automation requires careful financial planning, compatibility with existing IT infrastructure, and consideration of workforce displacement, data security, and intellectual property rights. The future of textile manufacturing lies in modern technology, resolution, and factory production, with a focus on sustainability, waste minimization, energy consumption, and environmental impact.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Component

Field Devices



Control Devices



Communication

Solution

Hardware And Software



Services

Geography

APAC



Europe



North America



South America



Middle East And Africa

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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RADNOR, Pa., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR), a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences and advanced technology industries, announced that President and CEO, Michael Stubblefield, will be participating in a fireside chat at the Evercore ISI HealthCONx Conference in Coral Gables, Florida on Tuesday, December 3, at 9:10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

To hear a live audio webcast of the session, visit Events & Presentations in the Investor section of Avantor's website, ir.avantorsciences.com. A replay of the webcast will be available for 30 days.

About Avantor

Avantor is a leading life science tools company and global provider of mission-critical products and services to the life sciences and advanced technology industries. We work side-by-side with customers at every step of the scientific journey to enable breakthroughs in medicine, healthcare, and technology. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities at more than 300,000 customer locations in 180 countries. For more information, visit avantorsciences.com and find us on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

Investor Relations Contact

Christina Jones

Vice President, Investor Relations

Avantor

805-617-5297

[email protected]

Global Media Contact

Eric Van Zanten

Head of External Communications

Avantor

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SOURCE Avantor and Financial News




Dragon TV: Recently President Xi Jinping put forth the Global Cross-Border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders Meeting. The full text of the initiative was officially released by China at the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit. Can you share some comment on that?

Lin Jian: The Global Cross-Border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative, released by China, puts forward constructive approaches to the governance on cross-border data flow, which is of concern to all parties, makes clear Chinas stance and position in advancing global cross-border data flow cooperation, advocates the principles of openness, inclusiveness, security, cooperation and non-discrimination, advances the building of an open and mutually beneficial landscape of international cross-border data flow cooperation, and promotes efficient, smooth and secure cross-border data flow. This is another important initiative on data that China issued after the release of the Global Initiative on Data Security. The initiative outlines the core message of President Xi Jinpings philosophy of building a community with a shared future in cyberspace and demonstrates Chinas firm resolve to coordinate development and security, improve digital governance and practice multilateralism.

Data security is a global issue that needs to be addressed through the joint discussion by the international community. China stands ready to conduct and deepen exchanges and cooperation on cross-border data flow with other parties on the basis of the initiative, and we welcome support from all parties for this initiative.

Reuters: Pakistan has plans for a new military offensive against separatist insurgents in southwestern Balochistan province, where many key Belt and Road projects are. Will China be involved in this military operation with Pakistan?



Lin Jian: Im not aware of what you mentioned. Let me say broadly that China firmly supports Pakistans effort of fighting terrorism and stands ready to deepen practical cooperation with Pakistan in various fields to deliver more benefit to the two countries and the two peoples.

CCTV: Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand. We noted that Thailand hosted an event to unveil the theme for this occasion, which was attended and addressed by Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. Could you share Chinas considerations for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and expectations for the bilateral relations going forward?



Lin Jian: China and Thailand are close and friendly neighbors. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties almost half a century ago, the two countries have always treated each other with sincerity, supported each other and pursued joint development. Despite the changing international landscape, China and Thailand continue to be as close as one family, setting a fine example of amity and common development. Under the strategic guidance of leaders of the two countries, the building of the China-Thailand community with a shared future has continued to make new progress. Not long ago, President Xi Jinping met with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders Meeting. The two leaders reached important common understandings on advancing the building a China-Thailand community with a shared future going forward and jointly announced the decision to make the year 2025, which marks the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, the Golden Jubilee of China-Thailand Friendship. They also agreed to organize a series of commemorative events so as to make China-Thailand friendship more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The two sides also launched the slogan China and Thailand, One Heart, One Community, Shared Future in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Taking the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic ties as an opportunity, China stands ready to work with Thailand to earnestly deliver on the important common understandings of our leaders, ensure the success of celebration activities including the enshrinement of the Buddha tooth relic and a concert celebrating our ties as close as one family and deepen cooperation in such areas as trade and investment, connectivity, sci-tech innovation and culture and education, and strive for more fruitful outcomes in our enduring friendship in the next five decades to come.

Bloomberg: Taiwans Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung met with Belgian lawmakers and European Parliament members in Brussels on Tuesday as he starts a week-long trip in Europe. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment?



Lin Jian: Id like to correct you first: Taiwan is a province of China, and there is no such thing as Taiwans foreign minister. The Taiwan question is at the very core of Chinas core interests. The one-China principle is a prevailing consensus of the international community and the political bedrock of China-EU relations. China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between its Taiwan region and countries having diplomatic ties with China. The EU should abide by the one-China principle, stop any form of official interaction with the Taiwan authorities, and stop sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces. Our message to the Taiwan authorities: Attempts to create one China, one Taiwan or two Chinas, and advance Taiwan independence agenda will lead nowhere.

AFP: Chinas President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Brazil today and will meet Brazilian President Lula. What are your expectations for this meeting?



Lin Jian: China and Brazil are the biggest developing country respectively in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. The two countries are both important emerging markets and comprehensive strategic partners. This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Brazil diplomatic relations. Over the past half century, amid the changing international landscape, the two countries have maintained sound and steady development of bilateral ties, achieved fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation in various areas, and set an example of developing countries pursuing common development in solidarity and cooperation. The overall, strategic and global significance of the bilateral relations has continued to improve. In April last year, President of Brazil Lula da Silva paid a successful state visit to China, and the two presidents reached a number of important common understandings on guiding and opening up new prospects of China-Brazil relations in the new era.

This is President Xi Jinpings second visit to Brazil in five years. President Xi Jinping will have talks with President Lula da Silva for an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. He will also attend state events, including the welcoming ceremony, the signing ceremony of cooperation documents, the joint meeting with the press, and the welcoming banquet. We believe President Xi Jinpings visit will further consolidate political mutual trust, improve the strategic significance, innovative nature and leading role of the bilateral relations, enhance synergy between the two countries development strategies, deepen strategic communication and coordination on global hotspot issues, and jointly open up the next golden 50 years of China-Brazil relations.

RIA Novosti: On November 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order approving the updated version of Basic Principles of State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence. The document points out that Russia sees nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence, noting their use is an extreme and compelled measure. On the same day, Russias Defense Ministry in a statement confirmed Ukraines use of the US-made Army Tactical Missile system (ATACMS). All six missiles were intercepted by Russian air defense systems and their fragments fell into a military facility in Bryansk Oblast. What is Chinas comment on this?



Lin Jian: We noted the reports. Under the current situation, all relevant parties need to remain calm and restrained and jointly seek deescalation and lower strategic risks through dialogue and consultation. On the Ukraine issue, Chinas position is consistent and clear. Let me stress that China calls for all parties to deescalate the situation and strive for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. This position remains unchanged. China will continue to play a constructive role to this end.

AFP: Jimmy Lai is taking the witness stand in Hong Kong today. Just yesterday, parliamentarians and foreign affairs experts from certain countries signed an open letter expressing concern about his incarceration. How will China respond to that? And does China expect a fair trial?



Lin Jian: Hong Kong upholds the rule of law. To abide by the law and bring lawbreakers to justice is a basic principle. No one should be allowed to use freedom as a pretext to engage in unlawful activities and escape justice. Jimmy Lai is the principal mastermind and perpetrator behind the series of riots that shook Hong Kong. He is an agent and henchman of those hostile to China. The Hong Kong SAR government safeguards national security in accordance with the Basic Law and the National Security Law of Hong Kong. This is lawful, legitimate and beyond reproach. Hong Kong judicial authorities independently exercise their judicial power in accordance with the law. The procedures are fair and just, and the trials are open and transparent. The Central Government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR in safeguarding national security and punishing all acts that undermine national security in accordance with the law, and firmly opposes certain countries using the case to interfere in Chinas internal affairs and smear and undermine Hong Kongs rule of law.
Chinese fugitive caught in Vietnam after assuming identity of another wanted man

Zhang Li (4th, L), a wanted criminal hiding in Vietnam, is handed over to Chinese authorities, in November 2024. Photo by police

A Chinese fugitive evading capture in Vietnam has been apprehended after authorities discovered he was using the identity of another Chinese national who was also wanted by the police.

The Immigration Department under Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security announced on Tuesday that Tang Yiyun, who was on the run from Chinese authorities, assumed the identity of Zhang Li, another fugitive, to avoid detection while hiding in Vietnam.

Both Zhang and Tang are wanted criminals in China.

After being detained, Zhang was handed over to Chinese authorities. However, Tang, who lacked a passport and valid legal documents, has been transferred to the Binh Duong Provincial Police for further investigation and legal proceedings.

Police are still investigating the reasons behind Tang's use of Zhang's identity.

Tang admitted to illegally entering Vietnam in 2022 and marrying a Vietnamese woman to secure a visa exemption for long-term residence. While in Vietnam, he used Zhang's passport information to register for temporary residence.

Immigration police conducted an inspection and discovered Tang's true identity on Nov. 9 while he was residing in Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province, near Ho Chi Minh City.

Shortly after, Zhang was also apprehended at an apartment in the Empire complex in Thu Thiem Ward, Thu Duc City, HCMC.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the case.
Capital to scale AXCS' business and launch AXCS Investments

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AXCS Capital, Inc. ("AXCS"), a leader in real estate capital markets and owner of George Smith Partners ("GSP"), today announced a strategic investment from affiliates of Conversant Capital LLC ("Conversant") in an amount up to $102mm. Conversant's investment includes $22mm of growth capital to expand AXCS' existing business and facilitate the launch of new business verticals, including AXCS Investments, AXCS' asset management subsidiary. Conversant has additionally committed to work with AXCS Investments to invest up to $80mm over time.

Conversant's investment represents a key milestone in GSP's evolution following the June 2022 acquisition by AXCS and will enable it to continue its growth strategy for the business while continuing to drive client value.

As part of its investment, Conversant will seed new AXCS-managed investment vehicles focused on Co-GP and Credit/Preferred Equity opportunities. Building out complimentary verticals has been a key focus since AXCS' acquisition of GSP.

"We are excited to partner with Conversant. They understand our business and its potential. The investment with Conversant represents an important step forward in the evolution of our business", said Evan Kinne, CEO/Co-Founder of AXCS Capital and Managing Director at George Smith Partners.

"We are thrilled to welcome AXCS and its team into the Conversant ecosystem," said Mike Simanovsky, Managing Partner of Conversant. "We've been impressed with the concrete steps management has taken toward its strategic vision and are excited to support the Company's next phase of expansion."

Conversant's investment comes as AXCS launches its second Co-GP Fund. "This is our second Co-GP Fund, designed to invest alongside sponsors and developers to generate multiples of capital," noted Ed Steffelin, Chief Investment Officer and President of AXCS Capital. "AXCS additionally plans to launch an Opportunistic Credit Fund in early 2025."

GSP's Continued Growth and Recent Developments

Since AXCS' acquisition in 2022, GSP has restructured to enhance collaboration and shared resources to position the firm for nationwide growth.

Justin Piasecki, President of GSP, emphasized the company's focus on geographic expansion: "We are optimistic that this funding will support the growth of our offices in Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Dallas, and Washington D.C. We also plan to expand into new markets, including Miami, Atlanta, and Chicago, within the next 6-12 months."

Piasecki added, "As capital markets stabilize, we are ramping up recruitment. Acquisition and construction financing is rebounding, and we're excited about the market recovery."

About AXCS Capital

AXCS Capital Inc. is a commercial real estate finance firm redefining the industry. Through its affiliates, AXCS manages investment vehicles and combines its proprietary technology with decades of experience to provide capital markets advisory to institutional real estate sponsors nationwide via its subsidiary, George Smith Partners. www.axcscapital.com.

About Conversant Capital

Conversant Capital LLC is a private investment firm founded in 2020. The firm pursues credit and equity investments within the real estate, digital infrastructure and hospitality sectors in both the public and private markets. Further information is available at www.conversantcap.com.

SOURCE AXCS Capital
BATON ROUGE, La., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BASIS Baton Rouge Primary Mid City and BASIS Baton Rouge Materra have announced significant academic gains, as reflected in their 2024 School Performance Scores (SPS).

The Louisiana Department of Education School Performance Scores are based on criteria such as year-to-year student academic progress and proficiency on the state assessment for grades 38. The scores are an indicator of how well a school prepares its students for the next level of study.

BASIS Baton Rouge Materra Campus (PRNewsfoto/BASIS.ed) BASIS Baton Rouge Primary, Mid City Campus (PRNewsfoto/BASIS.ed)

BASIS Baton Rouge Primary Mid City experienced a remarkable 19.3-point increase, rising from an SPS of 57.3 to 76.6. This substantial growth propelled the school to a "B" rated campus, demonstrating a significant improvement in student achievement.

BASIS Baton Rouge Materra also achieved notable progress, increasing its SPS from 90.8 to 102.3, an 11.5-point gain. This achievement solidified the school's "A" rating status while setting a new benchmark by surpassing an SPS of 100.

"We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and staff," said Carolyn McGarvey, CEO of BASIS Ed Louisiana. "These exceptional results are a testament to our commitment to providing a rigorous, college-preparatory education that empowers students to reach their full potential."

BASIS Baton Rouge Primary Mid City and BASIS Baton Rouge Materra are tuition-free charter schools serving students in the East Baton Rouge Parish School District. The schools provide an accelerated curriculum designed to prepare students for success in college and beyond.

Earlier this year, both schools achieved incredible results on the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP). BASIS Baton Rouge Primary Mid City earned the highest year-over-year academic gains of any school in Louisiana, and BASIS Baton Rouge Materra was the highest-performing open-enrollment school in Baton Rouge. These impressive state assessment results played a large role in the schools' dramatic SPS increases.

BASIS Baton Rouge Primary Mid City and BASIS Baton Rouge Materra are both accepting applications for the 202526 school year. Both schools are open to all learners in East Baton Rouge, with no entrance exams. To learn more about enrollment, please visit enrollBASIS.com.

About BASIS Charter Schools

BASIS Charter Schools are a network of high-performing, tuition-free public charter schools, offering a rigorous college preparatory curriculum for grades K12. Founded in 1998, the BASIS Charter School network educates students at the highest international levels. In 2024, BASIS Peoria was named the #1 High School in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. As of the 202425 academic year, there are 40 public charter school campuses managed by BASIS Ed. These campuses serve more than 24,000 students across Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

For more information, please visit enrollBASIS.com, enrollBASISTX.com, or BASISed.com.

SOURCE BASIS.ed
BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 18 and 19, the 19th Heads of State and Government Summit of the Group of 20 (G20) took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Chinese President Xi Jinping on November 18 delivered an important speech at Session I of the 19th G20 Summit titled Building a Just World of Common Development.

The day the world becomes more just, life will be simpler

"I pointed out at this forum that prosperity and stability would not be possible in a world where the rich become richer while the poor are made poorer, and countries should make global development more inclusive, beneficial to all, and more resilient," Xi said during his speech.

"The day the world becomes more just, life will be simpler." This is the English version of a quote by Oscar Niemeyer, one of the greatest architects in Brazilian history, whose works include the National Congress Palace of Brazil. On July 16, 2014, Xi quoted this line in a keynote speech he addressed to the Brazilian National Congress during his state visit to Brazil.

By quoting this line, Xi called for joint efforts to promote international fairness and justice and build a harmonious world safeguarded by lasting peace and common prosperity.

The pursuit of fairness and justice in international relations has always been a noble cause in human history. Remaining committed to these values has not only been a time-honored tradition but also an unwavering strength of character in China's diplomacy.

This commitment can be traced back to the 1950s, when China first put forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. This vision has widely resonated with the international community and has since served as the basis for China's participation in international affairs.

Since the new era began in 2012, China has been actively promoting a new type of international relations, one that focuses on building a community with a shared future for humanity. In support of international fairness and justice, China has put forward practical proposals, including the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilizations Initiative.

Since its proposal in 2013, the country's Belt and Road Initiative, a strategy to boost connectivity along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes, has been a powerful driver of growth for its participating countries. Other Chinese initiatives, including the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and the China-UN Peace and Development Fund, have covered more than 100 countries and regions across Asia, Africa, Latin America and Oceania, fostering widespread prosperity and collaboration.

As a key member of the Global South, China has been committed to empowering other developing countries by amplifying their voice and influence in global governance. China was the first country to openly support the African Union's inclusion in the G20.

In our world today, protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise. The divide between the Global North and South continues to widen. In the face of these challenges, the global community must share the responsibility of safeguarding international fairness and justice. By holding the belief that "the day the world becomes more just, life will be simpler," we will one day advance to an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity.

Just as Xi said at the end of his speech in Rio de Janeiro, "China is ready to take steps together with all parties to build a just world of common development, leave poverty in the past, and turn our vision into reality."

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Website

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SOURCE Beijing Review
Flagship Fund VII exceeded its target size and is the largest fund raised to date by Belveron

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Belveron Partners ("Belveron"), a privately held real estate investment management firm focused on the preservation and creation of affordable housing assets, has announced the final close of its seventh fund, Flagship Fund VII ("Fund VII") with $354 million in capital commitments. Fund VII exceeded its target size of $350 million and is the largest fund raised by Belveron to date.

Paul Odland, Founder & Managing Partner, Belveron Partners

Fund VII welcomes a diverse group of new institutional capital partners as part of its recent vintage, including a sovereign wealth fund, pension fund, university endowment, family offices, and outsourced CIOs (OCIO's). Since its inception, Belveron has organized seven discretionary funds and a number of joint venture vehicles with aggregate capital commitments of more than $1.2 billion.

Paul Odland, Founder & Managing Partner, said, "We are incredibly grateful for the support of our longtime investors and are pleased to welcome new institutional thought partners to Fund VII. This continued confidence reflects Belveron's ability to expand its capital base and build on our track record of thoughtful, yield-focused affordable investments in this nuanced segment of the real estate market."

Jessica Ke, Director of Business Development, said, "We are immensely proud of our steady growth and success to date, which can be attributed to our team's specialized regulatory acumen alongside private market expertise. This intersection of knowledge is what allows for truly productive public-private partnerships."

Josh Plattner, Chief Investment Officer, said, "This fund will allow us to create, preserve and revitalize greatly needed affordable housing units and advance solutions to the nation's long-standing affordability crisis."

To date, Fund VII has committed approximately $120 million of equity to nine affordable housing investments.

About Belveron Partners

Founded in 2006, Belveron Partners is a privately held real estate investment management firm focused on the preservation and creation of affordable housing assets. Belveron seeks to achieve value-add returns by implementing creative business strategies refined through decades of experience in this nuanced segment of the real estate market. In direct-owned and majority-controlled entities, Belveron has over 30,000 high-impact affordable homes in a portfolio that spans 14 states and the District of Columbia. Belveron has offices in San Francisco, New York and Austin. For more information, please visit: belveron.com.

SOURCE Belveron Partners
NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Benzinga , the leading financial media platform for next-generation investors, is thrilled to announce the winners and runners-up of its 10th annual Benzinga Global Fintech Awards. The prestigious event, held at Convene Brookfield Place in New York City, celebrated innovation, excellence, and outstanding achievements across over 25 categories, recognizing companies and individuals who are shaping the future of financial technology.

Benzinga Fintech Awards

"This year's finalists and winners embody the transformative power of fintech innovation," said Jason Raznick, Founder of Benzinga. "We are proud to honor the brightest minds and most innovative companies in the fintech industry. Their contributions are driving significant advancements and shaping the future of finance."

Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: Anthony Pompliano

Best of Awards

Best Alternative Investments Platform

Winner: Arrived Homes

Arrived Homes Runner-Up: Groundfloor: Fractionalized Retail Investing

Best API Solution

Winner: Polygon.io

Polygon.io Runner-Up: DriveWealth

Best Automated Trading Software

Winner: Tickblaze

Tickblaze Runner-Up: AlgoBulls

Best Broker for Sophisticated Traders

Winner: Alpaca

Alpaca Runner-Up: TradeStation

Best Brokerage App

Winner: Webull

Webull Runner-Up: TradeStation

Best Brokerage for Beginners

Winner: Stash

Stash Runner-Up: eToro

Best Brokerage for Day Trading

Winner: TradeUp

TradeUp Runner-Up: Moomoo

Best Brokerage for Forex in the US

Winner: Trading.com

Trading.com Runner-Up: IBKR

Best Brokerage for Options Trading

Winner: IBKR

IBKR Runner-Up: Firstrade

Best Brokerage for Short Selling

Winner: TradeZero Holding Corp.

TradeZero Holding Corp. Runner-Up: IBKR

Best Brokerage for Trading Futures

Winner: EdgeClear

EdgeClear Runner-Up: NinjaTrader

Best Canadian Brokerage

Winner: Questrade

Questrade Runner-Up: Qtrade Direct Investing

Best Data Analysis Tool

Winner: Northern Trust Investment Data Science  Equity Data Science

Northern Trust Investment Data Science  Equity Data Science Runner-Up: PitchBook

Best Day Trading Software

Winner: IBKR

IBKR Runner-Up: Tickblaze

Best ETF Launch

Winner: iShares Bitcoin Trust

iShares Trust Runner-Up: Xtrackers U.S. National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC)

Best Financial Literacy Tool

Winner: Financial Finesse

Financial Finesse Runner-Up: MoneyLion Digital Financial Ecosystem

Best Financial Planning Software

Winner: Asset-Map

Asset-Map Runner-Up: Origin

Best Financial Research Company

Winner: Toggle AI

Toggle AI Runner-Up: EPSMomentum

Best in Financial Education

Winner: Options Industry Council

Options Industry Council Runner-Up: TradeStation

Best Insurtech Company

Winner: infineo

infineo Runner-Up: Mylo

Best Investment Research Tech

Winner: Trading Central

Trading Central Runner-Up: Outprfrm

Best Lending Solution

Winner: Pagaya Technologies

Pagaya Technologies Runner-Up: Prosper

Best Matching Engine

Winner: Devexperts' DXmatch

Devexperts' DXmatch Runner-Up: EP3 by Connamara Technologies

Best New Product

Winner: Frec

Frec Runner-Up: SoFi Alternative Investments

Best Paper Trading Platform

Winner: TradeZero Holding Corp.

TradeZero Holding Corp. Runner-Up: Charles Schwab

Best Payments Solution

Winner: Modern Treasury

Modern Treasury Runner-Up: Aeropay

Best Portfolio Tracker

Winner: Delta Investment Tracker

Delta Investment Tracker Runner-Up: TradeZella

Best Prop Trading Platform

Winner: IBKR

Best RegTech

Winner: Green Check

Green Check Runner-Up: Kore

Best Robo-Advisor

Winner: Wealthfront

Wealthfront Runner-Up: Titan

Best Social Investing Platform

Winner: Parrot Finance

Parrot Finance Runner-Up: Traderverse

Best Software for Longterm Cryptocurrency Investments

Winner: Path Crypto

Path Runner-Up: iTrustCapital

Best Software for Swing Trading

Winner: Autochartist Automatic Trade Identification

Autochartist Automatic Trade Identification Runner-Up: WealthCharts

Best Software for Trading Cryptocurrency

Winner: Devexperts' DXtrade

Best Trading Technology

Winner: GTN

GTN Runner-Up: Tickblaze

Best Venture Capital Firm

Winner: Tribe Capital

Tribe Capital Runner-Up: BankTech Ventures

Breaking Barriers

Winner: Gotrade

Gotrade Runner-Up: Apex Trader Funding

Emerging InsurTech

Winner: Aspida

Aspida Runner-Up: TruStage Payment Guard

Institutional Innovation

Winner: Tipigo Insights

Tipigo Insights Runner-Up: Quinn

Most Innovative ETF Company

Winner: StockSnips

Most Innovative in Capital Markets

Winner: GTN

GTN Runner-Up: OpenYield

Most Impactful Fintech Executive

Winner: Anthony Denier

Peoples Choice

Winner: NVSTly: Social Investing

Chairman's Awards

Chairman's Awards: Best AI Analysis Tool

Winner: True Trading Group

Chairman's Awards: Best AI Chat API

Winner: FinChat

Chairman's Awards: Best AI Finance Start-up

Winner: WNSTN.ai

Chairman's Awards: Best AI Research Platform

Winner: Quasar Markets

Chairman's Awards: Best AI Tool for Software Performance

Winner: TurinTech AI

Chairman's Awards: Best Backtesting Software

Winner: FX Replay

Chairman's Awards: Best Fraud Prevention Solution

Winner: ID Dataweb

Chairman's Awards: Best Gold Broker

Winner: MultiBank Group

Chairman's Awards: Best Hybrid Trading Solution

Winner: Tickblaze

Chairman's Awards: Best In Customer Loyalty

Winner: Kartera

Chairman's Awards: Best Shareholder Engagement Platform

Winner: Tiicker

Chairman's Awards: Best Stock Scanner

Winner: WealthCharts

Chairman's Awards: Excellence in Democratizing Options Trading

Winner: SensaMarket

Chairman's Awards: Excellence in Futures Education

Winner: NinjaTrader

Chairman's Awards: Excellence in Futures Prop Trading

Winner: Apex Trader Funding

Chairman's Awards: Excellence in Holistic Trading Education

Winner: Piranha Profits

Chairman's Awards: Most Innovative Leveraged Issuer

Winner: Microsectors

Chairman's Awards: Most Innovative Options Brokerage

Winner: Tradier

Chairman's Awards: Most Innovative Prop Trading Firm 2024

Winner: For Traders

Chairman's Awards: Best Software for Trading Futures

Winner: Optimus Futures

About Benzinga Fintech Deal Day & Awards 2024:

The Benzinga Fintech Deal Day & Awards celebrate excellence across the fintech industry, honoring the companies, executives, and platforms that are shaping the future of finance. With networking opportunities, panel discussions, and a prestigious awards ceremony, the event provides an unparalleled platform for deal-making and collaboration.

For more information about the winners or to learn more about future events, visit Benzinga Events .

SOURCE Benzinga
PANAMA CITY, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. ("Bladex" or the "Bank") announced today that, after 34 years of a successful career at Bladex, Ana Graciela de Mendez, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has decided to step down from her position, effective April 2025. Mrs. Mendez will continue to work closely with Bladex in the coming months to ensure an orderly and smooth transition of her duties to incoming EVP and CFO Annette van Hoorde.

"We're grateful for Ana Graciela's commitment and exceptional contributions, which have been instrumental to the growth and success of Bladex over the decades. Her leadership and tireless work have left an indelible mark on our organization", said Jorge Salas, Chief Executive Officer of Bladex.

"After an extensive worldwide search with a top executive search firm to find a successor, where both internal and external candidates were evaluated, I'm pleased to announce that Annette van Hoorde, who currently serves as Senior Vice President of Funding and Asset-Liability Management of the Bank, has been selected to assume the role of CFO of Bladex." Mr. Salas added.

Mrs. Mendez said, "I'm thankful for having had the opportunity to contribute to the growth of Bladex and to work alongside such talented and dedicated colleagues. I also want to express my full support for Annette in her new position. Annette is a brilliant dedicated professional, who I fully trust to take on the role and continue building on the foundations we have worked on over the years. I know that she, along with the entire team, will take Bladex to a new level."

About Annette van Hoorde

Annette van Hoorde joined Bladex in August 2005, having served in different capacities throughout the years. In 2010, she became a member of the Treasury team as Assistant Vice President and was promoted to Senior Vice President of Funding and Asset-Liability Management of the Bank's Treasury and Capital Markets Department in January of 2019.

Mrs. van Hoorde holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Viginia Tech and has acquired vast experience in the financial sector, having previously worked at other leading financial institutions.

About Bladex

Bladex, a multinational bank originally established by the central banks of Latin American and Caribbean countries, began operations in 1979 to promote foreign trade and economic integration in the Region. The Bank, headquartered in Panama, also has offices in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, the United States of America, and a Representative License in Peru, supporting the regional expansion and servicing of its customer base, which includes financial institutions and corporations.

Bladex has been listed on the NYSE in the United States of America (NYSE: BLX), since 1992, and its shareholders include central banks and state-owned banks and entities representing 23 Latin American countries, commercial banks and financial institutions, and institutional and retail investors through its public listing.

For further information on Bladex, please access its website at www.bladex.com or contact:

Carlos Daniel Raad  Chief Investor Relations Officer

E-mail address: [email protected] / [email protected]. Tel.: (+507) 366-4925 ext. 7925

Head Office Address: Torre V, Business Park, Ave. La Rotonda, Urb. Costa del Este, Panama, Republic of Panama

SOURCE Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (Bladex)
FRANKFURT, Germany, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CABIO, a high-tech enterprise underpinned by biotechnology and listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board (stock code: 688089), unveiled its innovative product, NeoHMOs, at the Food Ingredients Europe event held in Frankfurt, Germany. Recently, CABIO's Human Nutrition Business Unit has made frequent appearances in international exhibitions, participating in events such as SupplySide West in Las Vegas, USA, and Food Ingredients Europe. These participations have facilitated discussions on future industry trends and cooperation with global partners.

CABIO at Food Ingredients Europe 2024

At the Food Ingredients Europe event, CABIO presented its latest product, NeoHMOs, which has obtained approval in China and adheres to all European Union standards. Through cutting-edge technology, CABIO has improved the flavor and flow characteristics of 2'-FL powder, simplifying its incorporation into various products and providing scientifically validated and safe nutritional support for infant development. Furthermore, CABIO demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental sustainability by utilizing renewable raw materials for large-scale manufacturing, thereby reducing land and natural resource consumption while offering sustainable health and nutrition solutions on a global scale. As Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) continue to gain prominence worldwide, this achievement represents a significant milestone in CABIO's application of synthetic biology in industry, emphasizing its positive influence on infant nutrition and well-being.

The year 2024 has been a fruitful one for CABIO, particularly in the global infant nutrition sector. The company's flagship product, CABIO-A-2 DHA Algal Oil, has been granted market access permission (Novel Food) by the European Union and is listed in the EU's novel food catalog as per regulation (EU) 2017/2470. CABIO-A-2 Algal Oil, known for its high purity DHA and stringent quality control, provides crucial nutritional support for the brain and vision development of infants. This product, along with CABIO's previously EU-recognized ARA product, forms a perfect combination to deliver comprehensive and balanced nutrition for infants. The approval of CABIO-A-2 highlights CABIO's technological leadership in the algal oil sector and reflects international recognition of the company's commitment to compliance, safety, and secure supply chain management.

For many years, CABIO has remained steadfast in its pursuit of high-standard market access, with safety and compliance as the cornerstones of its product development. The company is deeply committed to the international market, actively engaging in global partnerships for mutual benefit. With sincere dedication, CABIO looks forward to ongoing collaboration with global partners, using biotechnology to nourish life.

For more information, please visit: www.cabio.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562077/Picture1.jpg
NETANYA, Israel, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellcom Israel Ltd. (TASE: CEL) (the "Company") announces that the Meeting will convene on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at 15:00 p.m. (Israel time), at the offices of the Company, 10 Ha'gavish Street, Netanya, Israel. An adjourned Meeting, if required, will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the same time and at the same place. The record date for the Meeting is November 27, 2024.

The Agenda of the Meeting

Discussion on of the Company's audited annual financial statements and Board of Directors Report for the year ended December 31, 2023 ; Reappointment of Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer (EY) as the Company's independent auditors and report of their fees for 2023; Reappointment of Yuval Cohen (Chairman), Samy Backlash, Shmuel Barashi , Uri Zahavi , Chanan Gal Ezer and Richard Hunter as directors of the Company; Appointment of Ran Bukshpan as independent director of the Company; Approval and Ratification of the resolution to grant indemnity and exemption letters to office holders of the Company (including directors) in office and/or that will hold office from time to time, which are controlling shareholders of the Company and/or that the controlling shareholder of the Company me be viewed as having a personal interest in such grant, including the directors Yuval Cohen , Shmuel Barashi , Uri Zahavi , Chanan Gal Ezer and Richard Hunter , commencing on May 13, 2024 .

Voting Instructions

The summon statement and the voting card published by the Company on November 20, 2024 regarding the convening of the Meeting (the "Meeting's Documents") may be viewed on the Magna distribution website at: www.magna.isa.gov.il and on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange Ltd. website at: www.maya.tase.co.il.

Section 3.10 of the summon statement contains voting instructions for shareholders whose shares are not held via a member of the TASE Clearinghouse (for trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange) but instead via a member of the Depositary Trust Company (DTC) or Shareholders who are registered directly with the Company's U.S. transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

An Unregistered Shareholder is entitled to vote through the Electronic Voting System. Voting through an Electronic voting card shall be possible until six (6) hours before the assembly time of the General Meeting. In addition, an Unregistered Shareholder shall be entitled to deliver the certificate of ownership through the Electronic Voting System

A shareholder is also entitled to vote at the General Meeting through a voting card. Voting in writing shall be made by way of the second part of the voting card, which is attached to the Report.

The voting card and documents that must be attached thereto as set forth in the voting card, must be delivered to the Company's offices (including by registered mail) including the certificate of ownership (and with respect to a registered shareholder - including a photocopy of an identity card, passport, or certificate of incorporation, as applicable) until four (4) hours before the assembly time of the General Meeting. For this purpose, "time of delivery" is the time on which the voting card and the documents attached thereto arrived at the Company's offices.



Company Contact Gadi Attias

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

Tel: +972-52-998-4774 Investor Relations Contact Elad Levy

Investor Relations Manager

[email protected]

Tel: +972-52-998-4774

SOURCE Cellcom Israel Ltd.
Grant funding will support the new Syn-Q Clinical Study to further investigate the quantification of P-SYN in skin biopsies using CND's Syn-One Test

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CND Life Sciences (CND), a medical technology company pioneering the development of cutaneous neurodiagnostic tests and associated biomarker services, today announced that it has been awarded a $4.2M grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF). The award will support an 18-month clinical initiative, the Syn-Q Study, to investigate the use of the Syn-One Test to quantify abnormal phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in patients with Parkinson's disease over time. Syn-One is a skin biopsy assay that detects and visualizes phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in cutaneous nerves, a key indicator of Parkinson's disease and other related disorders known as synucleinopathies.

"This grant from MJFF will accelerate our efforts to quantify and monitor alpha-synuclein progression over time," said Todd Levine, MD, Chief Medical Officer, CND Life Sciences. "We are optimistic that these efforts will aid in the advancement of the field for those living with Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies."

"Biomarkers are critical to early diagnosis and the development of effective treatments for Parkinson's disease," said Mark Frasier, PhD, Chief Scientist, MJFF. "The Foundation supports an aggressive agenda to develop quantitative biomarkers of progression that enables research and improves clinical trials. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of this study evaluating abnormal alpha-synuclein in the nerves of the skin."

The study will enroll 75 patients with Parkinson's disease and 25 patients with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) to further investigate the quantification of P-SYN in skin biopsies. This study will include longitudinal clinical assessments and biopsies to track the progression of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein accumulation in patients with Parkinson's disease. To ensure a diverse participant pool in the Syn-Q Study, CND will collaborate with approximately 25 clinical sites to enroll participants of different genders, racial backgrounds, and disease severity.

In March 2024, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published results from a prospective, multicenter NIH-sponsored study evaluating Syn-One's ability to detect phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in cutaneous nerves. The study demonstrated that the Syn-One Test detected phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in 95% of patients with a clinical diagnosis of synucleinopathy, achieving a 92.7% positivity rate for patients with suspected Parkinson's disease. The Syn-One Test is also utilized in clinical development with pharmaceutical partners to better identify the patient population, quantify changes in synuclein deposition over time, and measure target engagement.

"We are excited to have the funding support of MJFF in our efforts to advance our Syn-One technology," said Christopher Gibbons, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, CND Life Sciences. "We believe this study will provide a foundational understanding of the natural progression of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein deposition in Parkinson's disease patients and support the ability to recognize who responds to treatment, assess therapeutic impact, and monitor disease progression."

About CND Life Sciences

CND Life Sciences supports the care of patients facing the potential diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease and other neurological conditions. Operating a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory in Scottsdale, Arizona, CND developed the Syn-One Test to help clinicians diagnose Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and related disorders known as synucleinopathies. Syn-One uses proprietary immunofluorescence techniques to detect, visualize, and quantify phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in cutaneous nerves. Results of a recent prospective, multicenter NIH-sponsored study of the Syn-One Test were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) demonstrating >95% sensitivity in patients with a clinically determined synucleinopathy.1 The test analyzes three small skin biopsy samples collected in a clinician's office through an in-office patient procedure and includes an assessment of intraepidermal nerve fiber density and other important pathologic markers. Approximately 2,000 neurologists and other clinicians in 49 states have used the Syn-One Test to support their diagnostic evaluation of patients. The Company also collaborates with biopharmaceutical companies on clinical trials for investigational therapies targeting neurodegenerative diseases and is conducting studies assessing the test's ability to provide early disease detection and prognostic insights. For more information, visit cndlifesciences.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

1Gibbons CH, Levine T, Adler C, et al. Skin biopsy detection of phosphorylated -synuclein in patients with synucleinopathies. JAMA. 2024;331(15):12981306. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.0792.

Media Contact:

Jaryd Leady

[email protected]

(856) 803-7855

Company Contact:

Kathryn Van Wie

VP, Commercial Strategy & Market Development

[email protected]

SOURCE CND Life Sciences
To learn more, visit Bracco's booth #3300 at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2024 Annual Meeting, to be held from December 1-5 in Chicago, Illinois

PRINCETON, N.J., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bracco Diagnostics Inc. (BDI), the U.S. subsidiary of Bracco Imaging S.p.A., a leading global company in the diagnostic imaging business, and ColoWatch  are excited to announce a new partnership to deliver a turnkey solution for imaging facilities to expand the availability of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests using virtual colonoscopy.

ColoWatch and Bracco Diagnostics Inc. Announce Partnership to Expand the Availability of Virtual Colonoscopy for the Early Detection of Colon and Rectal Cancer

Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer at ColoWatch, Dr. Mark Klein said, "With the increased risk of colorectal cancer in younger patients and evidence that screening saves lives, the time to expand access to virtual colonoscopy is now. We are very excited to partner with Bracco, a leader in this field, as we execute our mission to significantly expand the use of virtual colonoscopy for CRC screening and early detection."

According to Sr. Director of MR, X-Ray, and Device Marketing at BDI, Noelle Heber, "Our partnership with ColoWatch makes implementing the practice of virtual colonoscopy easier for imaging centers, especially those in underserved communities. With the recent U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recommendation that proposes Medicare reimbursement for CRC screening using virtual colonoscopy, radiology can play an even bigger role in saving lives."

Over the last 25 years, virtual colonoscopy has been proven to be a highly accurate, safe, convenient, and cost-effective method of CRC prevention and screening. It can reliably find relevant polyps that are the precursor of CRC while safely confirming the absence of problems in over 90% of those screened.1 CRC under the age of 50 will increase by 140% by 2030, and only 20% of those aged 45-49 undergo any CRC screening.2

Co-founder and CEO of ColoWatch, Bikram Bakshi said, "Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that is highly preventable. And yet, there is still a significant population that unfortunately goes unscreened. Widespread implementation of virtual colonoscopies has the potential to save thousands of lives in the United States alone and generate extensive cost-savings for the healthcare system annually. We are proud to partner with Bracco to expand access of this highly important practice and reach more patients who can benefit."

About ColoWatch

ColoWatch brings together expert radiologists, cutting-edge imaging software, and standardized, reproducible methodology to increase access to virtual colonoscopy, a less invasive, highly accurate way to screen for colon and rectal cancer. Find out more at www.colowatch.com .

About Bracco Imaging

Bracco Imaging S.p.A. ("Bracco Imaging"), part of the Bracco Group, is an innovative world leader delivering end-to-end products and solutions through its comprehensive portfolio across diagnostic imaging modalities. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Bracco Imaging's purpose is to improve people's lives by shaping the future of prevention and precision diagnostic imaging. The Bracco Imaging portfolio includes products and solutions for all key diagnostic imaging modalities: X-ray imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS), and Nuclear Medicine through radioactive tracers and novel PET imaging agents. Bracco Imaging has 3,800 employees and operates in more than 100 markets globally. Bracco Imaging has a well-skilled and innovative Research and Development (R&D) organization with an efficient process-oriented approach and track record in the diagnostic imaging industry. Discover Bracco at www.bracco.com .

Press Contacts:

Kimberly Gerweck

Bracco Diagnostics Inc. Media Relations (USA)

[email protected]

D: +1 609-524-2777

Bikram Bakshi

Co-Founder and CEO, ColoWatch

[email protected]

_____________

1 Pickhardt PJ et al. Computed Tomographic virtual colonoscopy to Screen for Colorectal Neoplasia in Asymptomatic Adults. N Eng J Med, 2003;349:2191-2200

2 American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2023-2025. Available here. Accessed November 14, 2024.

SOURCE Bracco Group
Le Ngoc Mai left behind a lucrative career as a marketing professional in Sweden to return to Vietnam and establish a wellness-focused business aimed at promoting mental and physical harmony.

Having traveled to 25 countries and worked in four, Mai, an alumna of British University Vietnam (BUV) in northern Vietnam, achieved significant milestones before turning 25. This journey ultimately inspired her to create New Mantra Yoga and Retreats, a wellness tourism initiative that integrates yoga and nature to enhance the well-being of both mind and body.

Le Ngoc Mai, an alumna of British University Vietnam (BUV), chose to return to Vietnam to fulfill her dream after having been to lots of countries. Photo courtesy of Mai

The path to transformation

After graduating from BUV, Mai landed a high-paying job in Vietnam. Yet, within a few months, she realized it was not the life she envisioned. At 21, she made the bold decision to quit her job and pursue a master's degree in Sweden.

Her years abroad were transformative. Working in diverse fields such as sustainable development, mental health, and gender equality across Scotland, Sweden, and Egypt, Mai gained invaluable experience. She also discovered a deep interest in mental healtha relatively underexplored topic in Vietnam at the time.

While juggling her studies in Sweden, Mai worked in marketing, earning tens of thousands of dollars monthly. However, despite her financial success, something felt incomplete. A statement from her boss resonated deeply with her: "Women always have more than one choice. What matters is that they are aware of it."

This insight prompted Mai to reflect on her life and aspirations, eventually leading to a pivotal decision: leaving her dream job in Europe and starting a new in Vietnam.

At BUV, Ngoc Mai, like many graduates, was equipped with not only academic knowledge but also the resilience to face challenges and make bold decisions. The university nurtures students to think critically, adapt quickly, and pursue their passions with confidence, ensuring they are ready to navigate the uncertainties of life and the professional world. This foundation empowered Mai to take risks and shape her own path, demonstrating the power of resilience in achieving personal and professional growth.

Le Ngoc Mai (R) instructing a student at her yoga class. Photo courtesy of Mai

Building resilience and a wellness community

Mai returned to Vietnam with a wealth of experiences but also a fragile mental state. She spent six months focusing on her well-being, exploring psychological tools and yoga. During this period, she realized many young Vietnamese lacked emotional regulation tools, sparking her vision for a supportive wellness community.

Her initiative, New Mantra Yoga and Retreats, derives its name from Sanskrit: "manas" (mind) and "tra" (tool), symbolizing a "tool for the mind." Through yoga and meditation, Mai has helped numerous individuals find balance.

"One student told me she no longer needed antidepressants after completing a six-month course. Moments like these remind me of the profound impact of this work," Mai said.

Mai acknowledges the challenges of her role, particularly the need to maintain her own emotional balance. Yet, every success story, every person helped, reaffirms her purpose and fills her "cup" even more.

Le Ngoc Mai (C) with her yoga students. Photo courtesy of Mai

The journey of growth and impact

Shifting from a corporate career to running a wellness business was no small feat. It required adaptability, resilience, and a clear vision. Drawing on her marketing skills from BUV, Mai has worked tirelessly over the past three years to grow her venture.

"No job is too small, from creating strategies to laying out yoga mats. Every role contributes to delivering high-quality services to our clients," Mai said.

Recently, Mai expanded her business to Hoi An, a renowned tourism hub, marking another milestone in her journey. Her mother's tears, first shed when Mai left a stable path for her dreams, now represent pride in her courage and achievements.

Mai admits that her choices in her youth once caused a disconnect with her family. However, this journey of going far away has since brought them closer, proving her path was driven by passion and purpose.

Le Ngoc Mai's yoga retreat class. Photo courtesy of Mai

For Mai, success is not about reaching a destination but embracing the journey. Whether connecting with people who share her love for animals, minimalism, and travel or witnessing the positive impact of her work, she finds fulfillment in the simple joys of life.

"Now, my parents feel more at ease with my choices. These moments make me truly proud of what I've accomplished," Mai said.

Her story demonstrates that resilience, bold decisions, and a commitment to learning from every experience can open doors to meaningful success. As Mai continues to shape her wellness community, she embodies the idea that there's always more than one way to achieve your dreamsyou just need the resilience to pursue them.
John Silvestri Brings Over 25 Years of Legal Strategy, Risk Management & Governance Expertise to Multi-Brand Restaurant Platform

CHICAGO, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Craveworthy Brands ("Craveworthy"), the innovative, multi-brand restaurant platform, has appointed its first in-house General Counsel, John Silvestri, J.D. With over 25 years of experience, Silvestri's addition to the team strengthens Craveworthy's goal to build a comprehensive legal framework that enhances operational resilience, supports partner success and drives the company's vision forward.

John Silvestri brings over 25 years of experience of legal strategy, risk management and governance expertise in his new role as in-house General Counsel for Craveworthy Brands.

As General Counsel, Silvestri will oversee corporate governance, franchise compliance, M&A negotiation and risk management across Craveworthy's expanding portfolio of legacy brands and emerging concepts. His extensive expertise ensures Craveworthy is well-positioned to navigate the intricacies of corporate and franchise expansion while addressing the restaurant industry's opportunities and challenges.

"John's expertise and leadership will be a game-changer for Craveworthy as we redefine what success looks like in the restaurant and franchise industries," said Gregg Majewski, CEO and Founder of Craveworthy. "With his guidance, we're going to develop a strong, dynamic foundation for the company to hit on our immediate tactical priorities and long-term strategic business goals."

Silvestri most recently served as General Counsel for The John Buck Company, a prominent national real estate developer with life cycle investments exceeding $8 billion. Over his 20-plus years with the company, he directed legal strategy, advised executive leadership on complex matters and managed corporate governance for more than 150 subsidiaries and affiliates. He successfully negotiated high-stakes joint ventures, including a multi-country partnership in Abu Dhabi, and oversaw risk management programs. In addition to leading a team of attorneys, paralegals and law clerks, Silvestri managed external counsel across litigation, arbitration and contract negotiations.

Prior to his position at The John Buck Company, Silvestri was the Senior Attorney Editor at Thomson-West Corp. and an Associate Attorney at Marks, Marks and Kaplan, LTD. as well as Stellato & Schwartz, LTD.

"In this new role with Craveworthy, I'm truly looking forward to helping bring its bold vision for the future to life and helping lay the groundwork for its continued growth," said Silvestri. "With the right legal strategies in place, together, we'll empower our partners and stakeholders to ensure they thrive while the company leads the charge in innovation and excellence in the QSR and fast casual sectors."

Silvestri's addition to Craveworthy's leadership team follows the brand's announcement sharing that it has acquired Fresh Brothers, a California-based pizza brand with over 20 existing locations throughout the state. The Concept puts a unique spin on an all-time favorite consumer category by offering inclusive menu options that appeal to today's diverse dining preferences.

For more information about Craveworthy Brands and its concepts, please visit www.craveworthybrands.com . For more about the franchise opportunities, please visit www.craveworthybrands.com/franchising .

About Craveworthy Brands

Craveworthy Brands, the parent company of Bd's Mongolian Grill, Dirty Dough, Flat Top Grill, Fresh Brothers Pizza, Genghis Grill, Hot Chicken Takeover, Krafted Burger Bar + Tap, Lucky Cat Poke Co., Nomad Dawgs, Pastizza Pizza & Pasta, Scramblin' Ed's, Sigri Indian BBQ, Soom Soom Mediterranean, taim Mediterranean Kitchen, The Budlong Southern Chicken and Wing It On!, is dedicated to invigorating and supercharging legacy brands while nurturing and growing emerging brands. The company brings together diverse, yet complementary brands and an accomplished, veteran leadership team in the growing culinary space. In addition to building and operating leading restaurant brands, Craveworthy Brands is active in the communities it serves and creates exciting career opportunities for its team members. Bridging the distinctive individuality of its concepts with a shared culture and spirit of collaboration, the Company's goal is to create truly unique and craveworthy experiences every day, every shift and at every turn. Learn more about Craveworthy and its brands at CraveworthyBrands.com .

SOURCE Craveworthy Brands
PUNE, India, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Summary:

The Custom T-shirt Printing Market is set to grow from USD 9.23 billion in 2023 to USD 17.27 billion by 2032, at a 7.20% CAGR. Growth is driven by rising demand for personalized apparel, advancements in printing technologies, and increased adoption for promotional and corporate purposes. The e-commerce boom and eco-friendly printing practices further fuel market expansion, with North America and Asia-Pacific leading the growth.

Market Overview

The Custom T-shirt Printing Market is witnessing robust growth, fueled by rising consumer demand for personalized apparel, advancements in printing technologies such as screen printing, direct-to-garment (DTG), and dye sublimation, and the increasing adoption of customized T-shirts for promotional activities, corporate branding, and team events. According to report by Credence Research titled "Custom T-shirt Printing Market By Printing Technique (Screen Printing, Digital Printing, Plot Printing) By Design (Graphic Designed Shirt, Artwork) By Sales Channel (Online, Offline) By End-Use (Commercial, Personal)  Growth, Target, Share, Opportunities & Competitive Analysis, 2024-2032" The market is poised for substantial growth, with revenues estimated to increase from USD 9,234.67 million in 2023 to USD 17,265.31 million by 2032, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.20%. The e-commerce boom has further accelerated market expansion, providing easy access to customization tools and a wide customer base. Additionally, the growing influence of fashion trends, combined with eco-friendly printing practices and the use of sustainable materials, is shaping the market. Regions such as North America and Asia-Pacific are leading in market growth, supported by high disposable income and expanding small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the customized clothing sector.

Dive deeper into market insights, growth drivers, and key trends by browsing the comprehensive report. Click here to access the full report- https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/custom-t-shirt-printing-market

Market Growth Drivers

Increasing Demand for Personalized Apparel

Consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z, are showing a strong preference for personalized clothing that reflects their individuality and style. Custom t-shirts allow people to express their personality, interests, and support for causes they care about. This trend is driven by the rise of the DIY culture and the maker movement, which encourage individuals to create and wear unique items. Additionally, the increasing disposable income among these age groups enables them to spend more on personalized fashion.

Rising Trend of Print-on-Demand Business Models:

Businesses and individuals are increasingly adopting print-on-demand models, which allow for small batch printing and reduce the need for large inventory storage. This model is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Print-on-demand significantly reduces waste by producing items only when there is a demand, thus minimizing overproduction and excess inventory. It also supports sustainability by lowering the carbon footprint associated with traditional manufacturing processes.

Ease of Online Designing Tools:

The availability of online tools and platforms that make it easy to design custom t-shirts has contributed to the market's growth. These tools allow users to create unique designs without needing advanced design skills. Platforms like Canva, Printful's Design Maker, and Adobe Spark provide user-friendly interfaces and a wide range of templates, making it accessible for anyone to design their own apparel. These tools often include features like drag-and-drop design, extensive clipart libraries, and mockup generators, simplifying the design process.

Advanced Printing Technologies:

Innovations in printing technologies, such as digital printing, have improved the quality and variety of designs that can be produced. These technologies also offer faster turnaround times, which is appealing to both businesses and consumers. Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing and dye-sublimation are among the advanced methods that allow for high-resolution, full-color prints with intricate details. These technologies also enable quicker production cycles, allowing businesses to respond rapidly to market trends and consumer demands.

Growth of E-commerce:

The expansion of e-commerce platforms has made it easier for consumers to order custom t-shirts online. Online retail shopping provides convenience and access to a wider range of designs and customization options.

Market Trends

Growing Demand for Personalization

Consumers are increasingly seeking personalized apparel that reflects their individuality and style. This trend is especially prevalent among millennials and Gen Z, who value uniqueness and self-expression. The rise of user-friendly online design tools enables customers to create custom t-shirt designs with ease, fueling the demand. Companies offering a wide range of customization options, from graphics to fabric choices, are capitalizing on this desire for personalized products.

Advancements in Printing Technologies

Technological innovations, such as Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing and sublimation printing, have revolutionized the custom t-shirt industry. These advancements offer high-quality prints with vibrant colors and intricate details, even for small batch orders or single pieces. Improved printing technologies have reduced production costs and turnaround times, making custom t-shirt printing more accessible to businesses and consumers alike.

Expansion of E-commerce and Online Platforms

The growth of e-commerce has significantly impacted the custom t-shirt market. Online platforms and marketplaces provide businesses with the opportunity to reach a global audience without the need for physical storefronts. Social media integration and digital marketing strategies enhance brand visibility and customer engagement. The convenience of online shopping, coupled with direct-to-consumer models, allows for efficient order processing and delivery of custom apparel.

Emphasis on Sustainability and Ethical Practices

Environmental consciousness is shaping consumer preferences, leading to a higher demand for sustainable and ethically produced apparel. Custom t-shirt companies are adopting eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and recycled fabrics, as well as water-based and biodegradable inks. Ethical manufacturing practices, including fair labor conditions and transparent supply chains, are becoming important factors for consumers. Businesses focusing on sustainability not only meet regulatory standards but also build trust and loyalty among environmentally conscious customers.

Tailor the report to align with your specific business needs and gain targeted insights. Request customization now- https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/custom-t-shirt-printing-market

Challenges

The custom t-shirt printing market faces significant challenges due to intense competition and market saturation. With low barriers to entry, a multitude of small businesses and independent designers have entered the market, alongside established companies. This overcrowding makes it difficult for businesses to differentiate themselves and maintain a loyal customer base. Price wars are common, leading to reduced profit margins. Companies must invest heavily in marketing, brand development, and unique offerings to stand out, which can strain resources, especially for smaller enterprises.

Rapid technological advancements present both opportunities and challenges. Staying up-to-date with the latest printing technologiessuch as advanced direct-to-garment (DTG) printers, sublimation printers, and sophisticated design softwarerequires substantial capital investment. These technologies are expensive, and the need for continual upgrades to remain competitive can burden businesses financially. Additionally, implementing new technology often necessitates staff training and adjustments in production processes, which can disrupt operations and increase the potential for errors or delays

Market Segmentations

Based on Printing Technique

Screen Printing

Digital Printing

Plot Printing

Based on Design

Online

Offline

Based on End-use

Commercial

Personal

Based on Sales Channel

Graphic Designed Shirt

Artwork

Based on the Geography:

North America

Asia-Pacific

South America

Europe

Middle East and Africa

Market Leading Players

CafePress Inc.

CustomInk, LLC.

CustomThread

Printful Inc.

RushOrderTees.com

Spreadshirt

THEBLUEGECKOPRINTING

THREADBIRD

UberPrints, Inc.

Vistaprint

Recent Developments:

September 2024: Kavy's Customs introduced innovative custom T-shirt printing services with no minimum order requirements, emphasizing creativity and inclusivity while supporting women-owned businesses.

July 2024: Life Is Good launched "Keep it Simple," a custom T-shirt printing service at its Hudson facility, offering a rapid 48-hour turnaround and targeting small businesses such as restaurants and bands.

January 2024: Epson unveiled the SureColor F1060, a compact hybrid printer designed for both direct-to-garment and direct-to-film printing, enhancing efficiency in custom T-shirt production.

March 2023: Mimaki USA introduced the TxF 150-75, its first direct-to-film (DTF) printer, along with the PHT50 heat transfer pigment ink. This printer, catering to the textile and garment printing industry, features an 80 cm maximum printing width for transfer sheets.

March 2023: A leading Brisbane-based custom printing company launched a personalized birthday T-shirt printing service, allowing customers to customize T-shirts with images, text, or graphics. The service also offers custom-printed hoodies and tote bags via its official website.

February 2023: Nick & Justin Co. launched a customizable T-shirt service that allows customers to order as few as a single print. The service provides extensive options for unique designs, color combinations, and patterns on 100% cotton T-shirts.

April 2022: Amazon expanded its custom-fit clothing services, originally launched in 2020, enabling customers to design apparel based on their body measurements and personalize labels with their names.

July 2022: Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More, a full-service custom apparel decorating business with over 100 franchises, launched a franchising incentive program offering a 20% discount on initial investments for veterans and first responders. The brand specializes in DTF garment printing.

2021: Printful partnered with Vexels, a leading design platform for commercial and merchandise graphics, to enhance its design offerings for custom T-shirt printing.

March 2023: Mimaki USA launched the TxF 150-75, a direct-to-film (DTF) printer, alongside the PHT50 heat transfer pigment ink. The printer, specifically designed for textile and apparel printing, offers a maximum width of 80 cm for transfer sheets, enhancing efficiency in garment customization.

March 2023: A leading Brisbane-based custom printing company introduced a personalized birthday T-shirt printing service. Customers can now customize T-shirts with images, text, and designs. Additionally, the company offers custom-printed hoodies and tote bags through its official website.

February 2023: Nick & Justin Co. introduced a customizable T-shirt service allowing customers to order single prints. This service provides diverse options for unique designs, color schemes, and patterns on 100% cotton T-shirts, emphasizing convenience and creativity.

April 2022: Amazon expanded its custom-fit clothing services, initially launched in 2020, enabling customers to create apparel based on body measurements. The service also allows consumers to personalize labels by adding their names as an exclusive feature.

July 2022: Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More, a full-service custom apparel decorating business with over 100 franchises, announced a franchising incentive program. This initiative offers a 20% discount on initial investments for veterans and first responders and highlights the company's expertise in DTF garment printing.

Regional Analysis

North America and Europe represent mature markets in the custom t-shirt printing industry, characterized by high consumer demand for personalized apparel and a strong presence of key industry players. In these regions, the widespread adoption of advanced printing technologies such as Direct-to-Garment (DTG) and screen printing has facilitated efficient production processes. The robust e-commerce infrastructure and high internet penetration rates enable businesses to reach a broad customer base through online platforms. Additionally, the preference for customized products as a fashion statement and the popularity of promotional merchandise among corporations contribute to steady market growth in these areas.

The Asia-Pacific region and emerging economies in Latin America and Africa are experiencing rapid growth in the custom t-shirt printing market. Factors such as increasing disposable income, a growing youthful population, and the rise of internet accessibility contribute to this expansion. In countries like China, India, and Brazil, the demand for customized apparel is rising due to evolving fashion trends and the influence of Western culture. The proliferation of small and medium-sized enterprises offering affordable custom printing services caters to local demand. Additionally, the lower production costs and availability of skilled labor in these regions attract international companies seeking to tap into new markets with significant growth potential.

Why you should buy this report?

Gain an in-depth understanding of the custom t-shirt printing market's current landscape, including growth drivers, trends, and future projections.

Utilize detailed analysis to make data-driven decisions for business strategies, market entry, expansion plans, and investment opportunities.

Understand the competitive landscape with insights into key players, their market shares, strengths, and strategies to position your business effectively.

Discover emerging trends, niche markets, and untapped segments that offer significant growth potential for your business.

Stay updated on the latest printing technologies and innovations shaping the industry, such as Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing and sustainable practices.

Gain insights into customer preferences, purchasing patterns, and the increasing demand for personalized and sustainable apparel.

Understand the market dynamics in different regions, helping you tailor your strategies to specific geographic areas with high growth potential.

Learn about the market challenges like intense competition and technological costs, and explore strategies to overcome these hurdles.

Use the report's insights to optimize your marketing efforts, target the right audience, and strengthen your brand positioning in the market.

Understand the importance of eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing, enabling you to meet consumer expectations and stand out in the market.

Preview the report with a detailed sample and understand how it can benefit your business strategy. Request a free sample today - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/custom-t-shirt-printing-market

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Dallas College hosted ACE for a commemorative signing event on Nov. 19.

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dallas College and American College of Education (ACE) recently announced a collaboration that allows Dallas College healthcare students to enroll in both institutions concurrently. Both colleges celebrated during a signing event at Dallas College on Nov. 19.

Once students complete 12 credits toward their associate degree at Dallas College, they're eligible to enroll in an ACE bachelor's degree program simultaneously, placing healthcare students on the fast-track to career advancement.

"We are pleased to formalize this articulation agreement with the American College of Education," said Dr. Shawnda Floyd, provost and vice chancellor of workforce education for Dallas College. "This agreement facilitates concurrent enrollment for our Health Sciences students, significantly enhancing educational pathways and supporting the academic endeavors of our students."

ACE President and CEO Geordie Hyland added, "It's powerful when two educational institutions share a mission to support human capital growth through accessible learning, especially in today's growing healthcare landscape. We are greatly appreciative of Dallas College for the opportunity to celebrate together."

About American College of Education

American College of Education (ACE) is an accredited, fully online college specializing in high-quality, affordable programs in education, business, leadership, healthcare and nursing. Headquartered in Indianapolis, ACE offers more than 60 innovative and engaging programs for adult students to pursue a doctorate, specialist, master's or bachelor's degree, along with graduate-level certificate programs. In addition to being a leader in online education, ACE is a Certified B Corporation and part of a global movement to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.

About Dallas College

Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025, Dallas College consists of seven campuses  Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake and Richland  plus a dozen centers located throughout Dallas County. As one of the largest community colleges in the U.S., Dallas College offers online and in-person learning, serving more than 127,000 credit, workforce and continuing education students annually. Students benefit from partnerships with local school districts, four-year universities, industry and community leaders. Dallas College offers associate degrees and career/technical certificate programs in more than 100 areas of study, as well as bachelor's degrees in education and nursing. As the largest provider of dual credit in Texas, Dallas College serves 30,000 high school students through 63 dual credit programs.

SOURCE American College of Education
In partnership with the City of Dallas, LISC Fund Management and TREC Community Investors, the fund has already supported nearly 500 units of affordable housing

DALLAS, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LISC Fund Management, LLC (LFM) announced today that the Dallas Housing Opportunity Fund (DHOF) has raised $41.5 million to fuel additional affordable housing development across the city.

Launched in 2022 with $6 million in seed funding from the City of Dallas, DHOF has since attracted additional private investments and already invested $34 million across seven affordable housing developments. The fund is designed to mitigate the worsening affordable housing crisis in Dallas. DHOF particularly addresses the need for renters, more than half of whom are considered cost-burdened and struggle to find quality and safe housing within their means.

"Housing is such a critical piece of the economic infrastructure of communities," said Tiffany Durr, president of LFM, which manages DHOF. "By expanding the fund with new investors, we will be able to support more development projects and help more residents find housing they can afford near good jobs, schools and other services that contribute to a good quality of life."

While Charles Schwab Bank and KeyBank are longstanding partners of LISC, this round of investor financing includes a new partnership with BOK Financial for $3 million. BOK Financial provides a range of financial services to Dallas residents, businesses and communities. Along with $5 million each from Schwab and KeyBank, the new capital will be deployed as affordable loans to housing development projects that will meet the needs of people with low-to-moderate incomes.

"BOK Financial is committed to making quality housing more accessible for Dallas residents," said Gilbert Gerst, senior vice president of community development banking at BOK Financial. "Our investment in the Dallas Housing Opportunity Fund reflects our dedication to helping families find affordable homes near vital resources, fostering a more inclusive and thriving community for all."

Since launching in September 2022, DHOF investments have supported nearly 500 affordable rental units and $130 million in total development costs. Oak Lawn Place, for instance, is a newly opened 84-unit development for seniors that provides services specifically geared to the needs of older LGBTQIA+ residents. DHOF invested $5.4 million to support the $31 million project, which was developed by the nonprofit Resource Center of Dallas. Apartments are affordable to people over 55 who earn 30-60 percent of the area median income (AMI), or $23,200-$46,380 for a one-person household.

"We are pleased to partner with LISC, the City of Dallas and our banking colleagues to provide funding for much needed affordable housing in one the America's fastest growing cities," said Brian Maddox, head of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) lending and investment at KeyBank. "Our investment underscores our commitment to improving the quality of life for underserved communities."

LFM worked with the City of Dallas and TREC Community Investors, a local philanthropic real estate focused organization, to launch DHOF in late 2022 and has been raising and deploying capital since then to support local housing goals.

"There is an urgent need for more affordable housing in Dallas," said Jamee Jolly, president and CEO of The Real Estate Council. "TREC Community Investors is proud to be a partner in this impactful collaboration and appreciates the support from the fund's newest investors. Together we are increasing the supply of affordable housing in our region and building a stronger Dallas."

For more information on DHOF, please visit https://www.liscstrategicinvestments.org/dallas-housing-opportunity-fund-dhof.

About LISC Fund Management

LISC Fund Management, LLC (LFM) is a mission-driven impact investment firm that manages $840 million in assets through 11 national and place-based funds across the United States. LFM is dedicated to expanding access to safe, high-quality affordable housing, fostering inclusive economic growth, and supporting small businesses and underserved communities. LFM is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of LISC, one of the nation's largest community development financial organizations. These private funds are available only to eligible investors and are offered solely through their official offering documents.

Since 1979, LISC has invested $32 billion to create over 506,302 affordable homes and apartments, develop 82.5 million square feet of retail, community, and educational space, and help tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances. Together, LISC and LFM work to close systemic gaps in health, wealth, and opportunity, advancing racial equity and fostering vibrant, resilient communities where people and local economies can thrive.

To learn more about LISC Fund Management, please visit https://www.liscstrategicinvestments.org/fund-management.

About TREC Community Investors (TREC CI)

For 30 years, TREC Community Investors (TREC CI) has made catalytic investments with over 250 nonprofit organizations dedicated to transforming Dallas. TREC CI furthers that work by creating equitable development that revitalizes the region's most underserved communities. Employing a place-based strategy that transforms a neighborhood block by block, TREC CI provides a combination of loans, equity-equivalent investments, and expert TREC-member technical assistance to work in a collective partnership with neighborhood leaders and community members. Nearly 20 years ago, TREC CI's first major place-based investment of $1.5 million helped spark the creation of Klyde Warren Park. Community Investors is a 501 c3 organization certified by the United States Department of the Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).

Learn more at treccommunityinvestors.org.

Disclaimer: This document is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as investment advice. This document is not a recommendation for any security or investment. An investment in DHOF entails a high degree of risk, including the risk of loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results or a guarantee of future returns. References made to endorsements by any third-party to invest with LFM are not indicative of future performance and do not imply any guaranteed level of service, skill or training. Investors should not rely on endorsements for any purpose and should conduct their own review prior to investing. Tiffany Durr, Gilbert Gerst, Brian Maddox, and Jamee Jolly are not "promoters" who are compensated.

SOURCE Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Del-Air Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electric , Florida's foremost indoor comfort provider, continues its expansion across Florida with the acquisition of Colman Heating & Air. Del-Air now serves Volusia and Flagler counties including Daytona, Titusville, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa, New Smyrna, Ormond Beach and Palm Coast.

Del-Air Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electric continues its expansion across Florida with the acquisition of Colman Heating & Air.

Since opening in 1980, Colman Heating & Air has been a leading provider of home comfort along Florida's Space Coast. Located in Titusville, the company committed itself to excellent customer service while providing customers with top-quality services in air conditioning repair, installation, ductless HVAC, heat pumps, light commercial HVAC and much more.

"Through the acquisition of Colman Heating & Air, homeowners in Volusia and Flagler counties will have access to the services provided by our excellent team at Del-Air," said Rick Rogers, CEO of Del-Air. "We remain dedicated to creating premier home comfort for homeowners and businesses in these two communities. Through our full suite of HVAC, plumbing and electrical services, we commit ourselves to being an asset in the community."

For over 40 years, Del-Air has created a reputation as the air conditioning and heating contractor of choice for Florida homeowners, homebuilders and commercial businesses. As part of their dedication to the community, customers in their service areas can save $100 on their A/C tune-up when they donate five cans of food.

For more information about Del-Air or to see their discount offers, visit https://www.delair.com/ .

To schedule a service visit or repair, call (877) 418-0556.

About Del-Air Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electric

Since 1983, Del-Air has served Florida residents, businesses and homebuilders with quality air conditioning, heating, plumbing and electrical products and services. Del-Air's warranty programs and flagship Precise Comfort Plan includes regular professional maintenance for all household plumbing, air conditioning and electrical systems where applicable. Visit https://www.delair.com/ or call 888-831-2665 to contact Del-Air. Del-Air is majority owned by Astara Capital Partners.

About Astara Capital Partners

Astara Capital Partners is an integrated team of investors and operators investing in the middle market. The firm brings capital, strategic, and operational resources to its investments to build sustainable value and position them for long-term success. Astara focuses on a variety of industrial and services sectors, including building products, food, packaging, residential services, IT services, A&D, and government services. More information about Astara can be found at www.astaracapital.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Del-Air Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electric
AMSTERDAM, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Deliverability Summit 2025 is set to return to Amsterdam on April 24-25, bringing together global email deliverability professionals for an unmatched event in the heart of Europe. This year's summit proudly announces Postmastery as the Headline Sponsor and GreenArrow as the Platinum Sponsor, underscoring the event's pivotal role in shaping the future of email delivery.

MTA Panel Discussion with Maarten Oelering, Partner, CTO, Postmastery. Barry Abel, Chief Revenue Officer, Halon Kieran Cooper, Director, Technical Account Manager, Bird. David Harris, CEO & Founder, GreenArrow. Mike Hillyer, co-founder, KumoMTA. Discussing Mail Transfer Agents, Email Infrastructure and how the needs of transactional and email marketers from publishers to affiliates, ecommerce to SaaS rely on this critical part of teh tech stack. Audience at Deliverability Summit Amsterdam 2024.

Returning for its fifth year, the Deliverability Summit has become the premier gathering for strategists, marketers, engineers, and business leaders committed to overcoming the challenges of high-volume email delivery. Attendees from industries such as enterprise technology, ESPs, SaaS, finance, retail, travel and e-commerce will gain actionable insights, discover innovative solutions, and connect with peers driving change in the email ecosystem.

"Securing Postmastery and GreenArrow as lead sponsors reflects the prestige and growing influence of the Deliverability Summit," said Andrew Bonar, Managing Director at emailexpert. "These partnerships demonstrate their shared commitment to advancing industry standards and fostering meaningful collaboration among email professionals."

David Harris, CEO of GreenArrow, shared his excitement about joining as a key partner for 2025 "After attending last year's summit, I was inspired by the depth of the discussions and the calibre of the attendees. It became clear that GreenArrow needed to play a larger role in supporting this incredible event and the email deliverability community."

For Postmastery, this year's sponsorship marks a significant evolution. Willem Stam, Partner at Postmastery, reflected on last year's success: "We hosted an experimental Customer Day at the 2024 summit and were blown away by the response. Upgrading to Headline Sponsor this year is a natural step in strengthening our collaboration with this vibrant community."

What to Expect at Deliverability Summit 2025:

In-Depth Sessions : Technical deep dives into email infrastructure, MTAs (mail transfer agents), email marketing, compliance, spam detection, and deliverability strategies.

: Technical deep dives into email infrastructure, MTAs (mail transfer agents), email marketing, compliance, spam detection, and deliverability strategies. Unmatched Networking : Opportunities to connect with industry leaders, innovators, and peers.

: Opportunities to connect with industry leaders, innovators, and peers. Cutting-Edge Insights: Explore the latest trends and tools shaping the future of email deliverability.

The venue, Rosarium Amsterdam, renowned as one of the 125 most inspiring event locations featured in Locaties.nl, will once again host the summit. Established in 1973, Rosarium offers a vibrant yet professional setting to inspire creativity and collaboration.

Early registration is strongly encouraged, as previous years have sold out. Attendees can join the waitlist now to secure their spot and receive exclusive updates.

About Postmastery & GreenArrow:

Postmastery : A leader in email infrastructure, analytics and deliverability offering advanced tools and strategies to optimise email delivery and performance.

: A leader in email infrastructure, analytics and deliverability offering advanced tools and strategies to optimise email delivery and performance. GreenArrow: Known for its innovative MTA and email technology solutions, GreenArrow empowers organisations to manage high-volume email campaigns with precision and reliability.

About the Deliverability Summit:

The Deliverability Summit is the only global conference exclusively dedicated to email deliverability. It brings together professionals from around the world to share expertise, promote best practices, and drive the evolution of email delivery. The event is organised and promoted by the professional members community emailexpert.

For more information and to subscribe for updates, visit deliverabilitysummit.com.

Media Contact:

Andrew Bonar

+34 643451975

[email protected]

SOURCE Deliverability Summit
PONT-DU-CHATEAU, France, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Domes Pharma Group has officially renamed SentrX Animal Care as Domes Pharma, Inc. in the U.S., strengthening its global brand presence. This rebranding aligns with the company's vision of expanding its global leadership in veterinary ophthalmology and therapeutic specialties.

In addition, Domes Pharma has acquired the NeoPolyBac ointment Veterinary label from Akorn Pharmaceuticals, a triple antibiotic ophthalmic product with a long history of sales and support in the U.S..

"We are delighted to have the U.S. division aligned with our global brand. Veterinarians are engaging with our products, research and technical support on a global level. This change will ensure a consistent experience no matter where they engage with us." said Anne Moulin, President of Domes Pharma US. "In addition, the acquisition of NeoPolyBac and the actions we are taking to re-establish manufacturing is a crucial step toward our goal of addressing unmet needs in veterinary ophthalmology.

About Domes Pharma

Domes Pharma, an independent family-owned group, a pioneer in animal health, has been developing, manufacturing and marketing solutions for the health and well-being of pets since 1947. Established in Auvergne in central France, the region of volcanoes and its domes from which it takes its name, in 2016 the Group began its international expansion by opening subsidiaries in the UK, Germany, Spain and the USA. In July 2023, the Group acquired the American company Sentrx Animal Care based in Salt Lake City (Utah), which develops and manufactures ophthalmology products, based on an exclusive patented technology that potentiates the action of Hyaluronic acid on the eye of animals. With this acquisition, Domes Pharma strengthens its world leadership in veterinary ophthalmology while creating a launch pad for its range of therapeutic specialities in North America.

Press Contact

Mason Williams, Sales and Marketing

[email protected] and [email protected]

Domes Pharma, Inc.

Domespharma.us and Domespharma.com

SOURCE Domes Pharma Group
GREENSBORO, N.C., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DoubleTree by Hilton Greensboro Airport successfully held its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the completion of extensive renovations to the property. The event welcomed local dignitaries, business leaders, members of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Visit Greensboro, and members of the community to experience the revitalized spaces. The hotel is managed by Commonwealth Hotels, a Covington, Kentucky-based hotel management company, and owned by SMP Greensboro LLC which is a part of the Scale My Portfolio group which partners with retail investors to buy Commercial real estate assets such as hotels and Apartment communities around the country.

Official Ribbon Cutting

Located just minutes from Piedmont Triad International Airport, DoubleTree by Hilton Greensboro Airport has served as a prominent hospitality venue in Greensboro. The newly updated property now combines DoubleTree brand's signature comfort with modern design and enhanced amenities, meeting the needs of today's travelers.

Renovations included newly designed guestrooms, modernized lobby and public spaces, refreshed dining options, and enhanced meeting and event spaces.

Guests at the event had the opportunity to tour the renovated spaces, meet with the hotel's management team, and enjoy light refreshments. A memorable photograph was taken as local leaders and hotel representatives participated in the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

"We are thrilled to welcome guests to see our transformed property and experience our commitment to excellence firsthand," said Jennifer Porter, president of Commonwealth Hotels. "These renovations reflect our dedication to providing the highest quality of service and comfort to all who stay with us."

With these renovations, DoubleTree by Hilton Greensboro Airport remains a top choice for travelers to Greensboro, offering all the signature touches of the brand, including its iconic warm chocolate chip cookie at check-in.

For more information about the DoubleTree by Hilton Greensboro Airport or to book your stay, please visit DoubleTree by Hilton Greensboro Airport or call 336-668-0421.

About Commonwealth Hotels

Commonwealth Hotels was founded in 1986 and is a proven partner in providing hotel management services with superior financial results. The company has extensive experience managing premium branded full-service and select-service hotels. Additional information may be found at commonwealthhotels.com

About Scale My Portfolio

Scale My Portfolio has been involved in over $400mm of Commercial Real Estate transactions across 16 properties over the past 10+ years. The company has over 650 investors who it partners with to invest in assets such as hotels and apartment communities and it offers investors above average returns for investing passively in these assets. Additional Information can be found at www.ScaleMyPortfolio.com

Contact

Barbara E. Willen

Commonwealth Hotels, LLC

[email protected]

859.392-2254

SOURCE Commonwealth Hotels, Inc.
Performance Systems Integration acquires Action Technology Systems as an add-on to its platform

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Performance Systems Integration (PSI) has acquired Action Technology Systems (ATS) as an add-on to its fire and life safety platform. Based in Portland, Oregon, PSI is a leading single source provider of fire and life safety services in the Pacific Northwest, Mountain West, Northern California, and the Pacific. PSI provides customers with fire and life safety services including inspection, repair, monitoring, and installation for sprinkler, fire alarm, and suppression systems.

Action Technology Systems is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and provides commercial customers in the greater Portland area with fire alarm service, monitoring, and installations, as well as intrusion detection, access control and video surveillance.

"We're excited to have Action Technology Systems as part of the PSI family," said PSI CEO Jodi Kohler. "We look forward to providing expanded services to customers in the greater Portland area and building upon the strong reputation ATS has worked hard to establish."

Action Technology Systems is the 14th addition to PSI overall, and the 3rd addition this year alone, which includes Alexander Gow Fire Equipment.

As NFPA compliance experts, the Performance Systems Integration team supports customers with a single point of management solution and highly qualified, NICET-certified technicians to deliver exceptional service. Beyond compliance, Performance Systems Integration's mission is to help save lives by providing meaningful fire and life safety protection and training.

About Performance Systems Integration

Performance Systems Integration, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is committed to delivering high-quality customer service through its comprehensive compliance services for all fire and life safety installations, inspections, and repairs. Performance Systems Integration also operates cylinder requalification, cylinder maintenance, and fire equipment parts distribution businesses under the Fire King brand.

SOURCE Performance Systems Integration
MUSCAT, Oman, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Future Fund Oman (FFO), the latest investment initiative under Oman Investment Authority (OIA), has announced its first batch of approved investment projects. With a combined value exceeding US$ 2 billion, these projects include US$ 1.6 billion committed by foreign investors and US$ 571 million contributed by FFO. The investments are expected to create more than 1,600 direct employment opportunities, marking a significant step forward in Oman's economic diversification and development strategy.

Future Fund Oman launches first wave of investment projects worth over US$ 2 billion (PRNewsfoto/Oman Investment Authority)

The approved projects span ten key sectors, including technology, manufacturing, tourism, renewable energy, and electric vehicles. In addition, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups will play a prominent role, with investments targeting food, health, financial technology, e-commerce, and more. This comprehensive approach reflects FFO's commitment to fostering innovation and growth across a broad spectrum of industries, ensuring that both large-scale ventures and emerging businesses contribute to Oman's economic progress.

Mulham Al Jarf, Deputy President for Investments at Oman Investment Authority, stated that these projects underscore the Fund's dedication to fulfilling its strategic objectives. These include stimulating local economic growth, fostering collaboration with the private sector, attracting foreign investments, and creating opportunities for Omani businesses and job seekers. He emphasized that these projects represent just the beginning of FFO's efforts since its establishment in January 2024.

Among the approved projects are transformative initiatives that position Oman as a leader in innovative industries. Notable projects include the United Solar Polysilicon Plant in the SOHAR Port and Freezone, which will be one of the largest polysilicon production facilities in the world and the first of its kind in the Middle East. This facility will produce 100,000 tonnes of polysilicon annually, a critical component for renewable energy industries such as solar panel manufacturing.

Other major partnerships include the IDG Oman Fund, developed in collaboration with IDG Capital, an international investment firm with a global footprint and extensive experience in China, focusing on ICT, renewable energy, and electric vehicles. Additionally, FFO has also partnered with EW Partners to establish the EWP Oman Fund, which targets key sectors such as ICT, energy, tourism, and agriculture.

Future Fund Oman is also supporting a range of SMEs and startups in partnership with fund managers like Tanmia, ITHCA, Omantel, and Cyfr Capital. These include IO Kitchen, an innovative cloud kitchen featuring over 30 virtual brands; Bima, an online insurance brokerage service; and Qpay, the first licensed Omani entity offering a "buy now, pay later" service. Other groundbreaking projects include BcLear Aligner, an AI-powered solution for dental braces; Nashid, a blockchain-based digital identity platform; and Antom, a digital financial platform that enhances the capabilities of Oman's fintech ecosystem.

FFO was established in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance with a capital of $5.2 billion, allocated over five years from 2024 to 2028. The Fund strategically excludes investments in oil, gas, and real estate, focusing on growth-oriented sectors aligned with Oman's Vision 2040.

Interested investors are invited to submit proposals through the dedicated platform, https://futurefund.om/futurefund/

Media Contact:



Fahad Al Toubi

+968 24745781

[email protected]

www.oia.gov.om

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563379/FFO_Investment_Projects.jpg

SOURCE Oman Investment Authority
Among the most significant contributors to global warming are the so-called pollutants: non-carbon greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide, as well as hydrofluorocarbons: synthetic greenhouse gases that damage the ozone layer. Eliminating these pollutants is the fastest way to slow down global temperature rise and avoid the most severe climate impacts.

The Biden-Harris Administration has been taking on sources of climate pollution across the board, and that includes super pollutants, said Ali Zaidi, Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor.

Half of today's warming is caused by super polluting greenhouse gases, and that includes nitrous oxide, methane and hydrofluorocarbons. And that leads to really pernicious outcomes, including a real downward pressure on our public health. Thousands of deaths, tens of thousands of emergency room visits because of the warming caused by super pollutants.

In fact, when it comes to super pollutants, I think we've seen really durable and sustained action from the global community, said Climate Advisor Zaidi. We embraced the Kigali amendment globally, the United States, of course, has now implemented that through what we call the AIM Act, as well as ratified that in the United States Senate.

We've taken a similar approach to methane emissions, the U.S. putting forward its own methane program. Over 100 Executive actions taken just in the last year, and also rallying with  the rest of the world as over 100 countries have joined the global methane pledge, he said.

Furthermore, in mid-November, the United States, along with the Peoples Republic of China and Azerbaijan convened a Summit to accelerate actions to cut emissions of super pollutant gasses.

The three partners announced that over the past three years, multilateral development banks, philanthropic organizations, and governments mobilized $2 billion in funding to tackle super pollutants.

At the same time, numerous governments, including the United States, announced new policy and regulatory steps to reduce super pollutants.

Finally, the UN Environment Program and Food and Agriculture Organization launched the first ever Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment, and new efforts to track and reduce the climate impacts of the third-largest contributor to climate change.

Indeed, Nitrous Oxide is the next super pollutant that this global coalition will take on via a comprehensive approach, said Ali Zaidi. The new Assessment is important. That scientific basis will help us make the necessary progress to keeping one and a half degrees alive.
The joint venture will provide high-performance AI infrastructure optimized for advanced AI workloads while maximizing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability

LUXEMBOURG, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gcore, the global edge AI, cloud, network, and security solutions provider, and Ezditek, an innovator in data center and digital infrastructure services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), have launched a joint venture focused on providing high-performance AI infrastructure in the KSA. The joint venture will develop an 'AI factory', which can be used for building, training, and deploying generative AI solutions locally and across the globe.

Gcore and Ezditek launch a joint venture to drive AI innovation in Saudi Arabia

The joint venture brings together Gcore's expertise in cloud-based AI infrastructure and Ezditek's innovative approach to sustainable and AI-centric data center design and build. The joint venture is the result of an agreement signed by Gcore and Ezditek in May 2024 and will support the KSA's position as a leading global AI hub. The incorporation process of the joint venture is currently underway and is subject to regulatory approvals, including from the General Authority for Competition in the KSA.

"We are excited to join forces with Ezditek in building this groundbreaking AI factory. By combining our cloud services and AI infrastructure capabilities with Ezditek's expertise in data center development, we are setting a new standard for AI infrastructure in the region," said Andre Reitenbach, CEO at Gcore.

The AI factory will be deployed in an Ezditek data center and be home to tens of thousands of GPUs that will empower organizations to train and deploy sophisticated generative AI models. This will enable the rapid training and development of predictive analytics models, deep data analysis, and process optimization, as well as a growing number of AI use cases.

"Over the last six months, we have worked in collaboration with Gcore to identify areas where we can deliver the most value for customers, and support the KSA's vision for AI leadership. Together, we are developing an AI factory purpose-built for enabling and accelerating AI innovation and adoption," said Ibrahim Almulhim, CEO at Ezditek. "We're extremely proud to be working with a global leader in AI enablement and bringing a visionary approach to AI innovation to market in the KSA."

"This partnership will accelerate the adoption of AI and cloud computing solutions, benefiting businesses and citizens alike," said Eng. Bassam Al-Bassam, Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure at MCIT. Al-Bassam also pointed out that this partnership will boost digital investment and national digital capacity in Saudi Arabia, underpinned by its digital capabilities and reliable infrastructure.

About Gcore

Gcore is a global edge AI, cloud, network, and security solutions provider. Headquartered in Luxembourg, with a team of 600 operating from ten offices worldwide, Gcore provides solutions to global leaders in numerous industries. Gcore manages its global IT infrastructure across six continents, with one of the best network performances in Europe, Africa, and LATAM due to the average response time of 30 ms worldwide. Gcore's network consists of 180 points of presence worldwide in reliable Tier IV and Tier III data centers, with a total network capacity exceeding 200 Tbps.

Learn more at gcore.com and follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

About Ezditek

Ezditek is a leading Saudi Arabian company specializing in the development and operation of state-of-the-art data centers. With a proven track record in delivering scalable and energy-efficient data center solutions, Ezditek plays a key role in supporting the Kingdom's growing digital economy. Learn more at Ezditek.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562146/Gcore_and_Ezditek.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2527184/Gcore_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Gcore
GHRI Phase Two: Looking Ahead

As part of the second phase of GHRI, which runs through May 31, 2025, CenterPoint teams will be taking additional actions including: installing 4,500 automated reliability devices to minimize sustained interruptions during major storm events and reduce restoration times; and establishing a network of 100 new weather monitoring stations. This part of GHRI Phase Two is set to begin in early 2025. The company plans to complete each of these actions before the start of the next hurricane season.

When completed, the actions outlined as part of GHRI Phase Two will lead to more than 125 million fewer outage minutes annually for customers. The company is also continuing to expand and improve the way it communicates with customers and engages with communities before, during and after emergencies, including through a year-round safety and preparedness campaign.

Post-Beryl Commitments: Completed Ahead of Schedule

In addition to this Phase Two GHRI work, CenterPoint announced last week that it has completed all 42 of the critical actions the company committed to taking in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl to immediately strengthen the electric system and improve its storm response. These initial improvements included:

Trimming or removing higher-risk vegetation from more than 2,000 power line miles

Installing more than 1,100 stronger, more storm-resilient poles

Installing more than 300 automated devices to reduce sustained outages

Launching a new, cloud-based outage tracker

Improving CenterPoint's Power Alert Service to provide better customer information

Hosting listening sessions across the service area and using feedback to inform the company's storm response plans

CenterPoint will continue to provide updates on its progress toward completing all of its GHRI commitments. For more information and real-time updates, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction.

###

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

As the only investor-owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas. With approximately 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release, as well as the website pages related to the GHRI, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release or the website pages related to the GHRI, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding our resiliency investments, and the GHRI, including effectiveness, timing and related matters, are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release or the website pages related to the GHRI regarding future events that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release, or the website pages related to the GHRI speaks only as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) the impact of pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) financial market conditions; (3) general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative decisions; and (5) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and CenterPoint's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For more information, contact:

Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc
GLEN ALLEN, Va., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Company (NYSE: HBB) (the "Company") today announced that the Board of Directors has increased the size of the Board from 11 directors to 13 directors and appointed April L. Lane and Bela S. Mehta to the Board, effective immediately.

Alfred M. Rankin, Jr., Chairman of the Board, said, "We are pleased to welcome two new independent directors to the Board. These additions are part of our long-term succession planning. April brings strong e-commerce, consumer products and strategy experience. Bela brings deep financial, operating and strategy expertise."

Ms. Lane has extensive experience leading large e-commerce businesses. She joined Thrive Market as Chief Merchandising Officer in April 2024. Previously, she was with Hearst Corporation, where she served as Chief eCommerce Officer. Prior to Hearst, she spent 12 years at Amazon in a variety of leadership roles. Prior to Amazon, she held strategy roles at Limited Brands and Nike after beginning her career at Boston Consulting Group, where she specialized in retail. Ms. Lane graduated from Northwestern University with a B.A. in Sociology and Political Science.

Ms. Mehta is an experienced private equity partner who has been Managing Partner at CITG Capital Partners since 2004. She has served as President and Board Chairman of Little Switzerland, Inc. since 2006. She began her career as an analyst with Fidelity Capital. Ms. Mehta graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.B.A. in finance, she received an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a graduate degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

About Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Company

Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Company is a leading designer, marketer, and distributor of a wide range of branded small electric household and specialty housewares appliances, as well as commercial products for restaurants, fast food chains, bars, and hotels. The Company's owned consumer brands include Hamilton Beach, Proctor Silex, Hamilton Beach Professional, Weston, and TrueAir. The Company's owned commercial brands include Hamilton Beach Commercial and Proctor Silex Commercial. Hamilton Beach Brands licenses the brands for Wolf Gourmet countertop appliances, CHI premium garment care products, Clorox True HEPA air purifiers, and Brita Hub countertop electric water filtration appliances. Hamilton Beach Brands has exclusive multiyear agreements to design, sell, market, and distribute Bartesian premium cocktail delivery machines, and specialty appliances to create Numilk non-dairy fresh milk on demand. The Company's Hamilton Beach Health subsidiary is focused on expanding the Company's participation in the home medical market. In February 2024, Hamilton Beach Health acquired HealthBeacon PLC, a medical technology firm that specializes in developing connected devices. For more information about Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Company, visit www.hamiltonbeachbrands.com.

SOURCE Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Company
BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- After a long day at work, Ni Beiyue sits in front of his computer at home, eagerly immersing himself in the world of creating short videos with AI (artificial intelligence) tools. For nearly three hours, he brainstorms video content, generates mental images using AI, and makes the necessary revisions. It is late in the night when he finally uploads the finished video to an online platform, but Ni Beiyue feels quite happy and fulfilled.



It's hard to imagine that just a few months ago, the 45-year-old was a patient struggling with severe depression. With the help of AI tools, Ni Beiyue gradually channeled his heavy sadness into video creation, and eventually freed himself from hospitalization and medication - a miracle in the eyes of his doctor.



Mental health is a topic that the Chinese government and society have long cared about, and an important factor related to people's well-being. With the rapid development of AI technology in China, various AI companies, hospitals, regional governments, and social organizations are creatively applying AI to improve mental health and treat psychological disorders.



From using AI algorithms and large models for assessment, monitoring, and rehabilitation training, to employing AI-generated tech - which includes AI-generated image, music, and video creation - for supportive psychological healing, these initiatives have, to some extent, shown promising results, the Global Times learned. They showcase the warmth of human compassion shining through the rapid advancements in China's AI technology.

"I am grateful to have encountered AI during my darkest days," Ni Beiyue told the Global Times. "It saved me."

An outlet and bridge of emotion



In early 2023, Ni Beiyue was introduced to AI generative tools through a friend's recommendation, at a time when his mental health was poor.



Ni Beiyue works in the transportation system in Wenzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province. He recalled that due to immense work pressure and other factors, he was diagnosed with severe depression and spent six months in the hospital, taking medication with no improvement.



To help Ni Beiyue overcome his struggles with depression, his friend Ni Kaomeng, a seasoned generative AI enthusiast, shared some text-to-video tools with him. Ni Beiyue was quickly captivated.



"I graduated from an art school, and my passion for artistic creation has never faded, although my job is unrelated to that," said Ni Beiyue. He said that the first time he used these AI tools, he felt his previous state of emptiness and confusion dissipate. "I seemed to see a glimmer of hope, as I could finally pick up art again."



Despite having little knowledge of this new field, Ni Beiyue's background in art, and the low entry barrier of generative AI tools, allowed him to quickly master the creation of AI videos. His creative enthusiasm then surged. Over the next four months, Ni Beiyue created and uploaded more than 120 self-made short AI videos, many of which featured lighthearted themes like cute animals. These videos garnered him a total of 30 million views, along with unprecedented confidence and joy.



AI video creation serves as an excellent outlet for Ni Beiyue's negative emotions. He said that thanks to AI, now he has largely recovered, no longer needing medication for his depression. "Even my doctor was amazed," he added.



Ni Kaomeng was pleased with his friend's improvement in mental health. As the initiator of the China AIGC (AI-generated content) Industrial Alliance, a nationwide civil group of China's AIGC industry insiders, Ni Beiyue's experience has also inspired him to explore using AI tools to assist other groups facing psychological issues. He believes that AI tools can serve as an outlet for individuals with depression like Ni Beiyue to express their emotions, and can also act as a new bridge for patients with other mental health conditions - such as autism - to further connect with the world.



Ni Kaomeng said that in 2024, the alliance organized two public benefit activities related to children with autism, in collaboration with charitable groups. During these events, the artwork created by some autistic children was re-created and enriched using AI tools. The alliance also created an AI music video from their artwork, attracting tens of millions of views online.



"In my understanding, children with autism may have a lot to say internally, but find it difficult to express themselves through conventional means like language," Ni Kaomeng told the Global Times. "The low entry barrier of generative AI tools can help them present their inner thoughts and bridge the gap with the world." He said that the alliance members plan to hold more activities to support children with autism, including attempts to teach them how to create music using AI.



"If language limits some autistic children's expression, then we will use AI tools to break through that limitation," he noted.



In September, Ni Kaomeng's alliance held an online exhibition focused on supporting children with autism. In about two months, it gathered 537 pieces of themed drawings, many of which were also reinterpreted with AI tools. The artworks from these "children from the stars" became even more interesting and imaginative under the interpretation of AI.



"The combination of my child's drawings with AI has turned his dreams into reality," said the parent of a participating child with autism surnamed Ma. "He felt an immense joy."

More objective, quantifiable

There are over 10 million individuals with autism in China, with a conservative estimate of around 2 million children aged 0-14, according to the fifth report on the Development of Autism Education and Rehabilitation Industry in China released in April 2024. "Autism is the leading mental disability among children in our country," Feng Rui, director of the Chengdu Frontier Brain AI Innovation Center in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, told the media in April.



Diagnosing autism in young children has been challenging. Due to their age, very young children often struggle to express themselves fully and cannot undergo assessments effectively, making it difficult to distinguish autism from other developmental disorders, said Lu Zhuhai, a chief neurosurgeon at Nanjing Brain Hospital in East China's Jiangsu Province. Similarly, the diagnosis of adolescent mental health issues such as ADHD and depression may not be sufficient if it relies solely on the work of psychiatrists, as it lacks objective and quantifiable assessments, Lu added.



"In clinical practice, we often encounter parents of children with depression asking if their child can stop medication. However, the criteria for determining whether a child's depression has improved are usually quite vague, such as when a doctor asks the patient, 'Do you feel better?'" Lu told the Global Times. "We need more objective data to assess whether the situation has improved."



Interested in the potential of AI technology for diagnosing and rehabilitating mental health issues, Lu and his team have developed their own algorithm platform and database in recent years. They collected and analyzed various characteristic signals of mental disorders, such as neural networks, hormone levels, and brain waves, to assist in diagnosing children's mental health issues.



At Feng's innovation center, AI technology is also bringing about positive developments. For instance, a research team at the center has reportedly established an early diagnosis and identification system for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) based on AI technologies, such as deep learning, transfer learning, and manifold learning. This system fills a gap in the Chinese domestic field, "achieving a diagnostic accuracy rate of 91.67 percent," said Sichuan-based Fengmian News in April.



Lu said that most of these AI devices and technologies have not yet been applied at the hospital level, but this is a promising start. "In the future, we will collaborate with special education schools, rehabilitation institutions, and research institutes, to ensure that AI technology benefits more people with mental health issues, especially children and teenagers," he told the Global Times.

Government support



In July, the Chinese government released the "Implementation Plan for the Care and Promotion of Autistic Children (2024-2028)," which outlines a five-year initiative to improve the care service mechanisms and systems for children with autism. Notably, the plan includes the integration of 29 medical rehabilitation projects for children with autism into the national health insurance system, aimed at alleviating the medical and rehabilitation burdens on involved families.



Ni Kaomeng expressed his enthusiasm for this plan, saying that it signifies a commitment from the government and society to allocate more resources to support children with autism. Ni Kaomeng, who is also the deputy head of the Wenzhou Federation of Social Science, shared that the federation regularly organizes activities to care for children with autism and other mental health issues.



On a broader scale, the State Council of China in 2022 issued a plan to improve policies on national health during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), which places greater emphasis on mental health. The plan stated the goal of slowing the rising trend of mental health disorders and effectively controlling severe mental illnesses and occupational diseases by 2025.

With national support, AI has significant potential in the detection and intervention of mental health issues, said Ni Kaomeng. He envisioned several possible applications of AI technology in this field, such as "AI psychologists" based on large language models, and an "AI network manager" that can monitor the depressive and suicidal tendencies of underage users through their posts.



"In the future, the government will encourage AI companies and institutions to participate more actively in serving patients with mental health issues, through ways such as policy subsidies and service purchases," he said. "It will be a 'two-way effort.'"

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202411/1323398.shtml

SOURCE Global Times
COLORADO SPRINGS, Co., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Junior Achievement USA (JA) today announced the launch of Future Bound by Junior Achievement, a teen-focused forum inspired by thought leadership conferences for adults. Future Bound is set to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's dynamic world. More than 300 Junior Achievement students from across the country will attend Future Bound June 9 through 12, 2025, at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. With presenting sponsors Chick-fil-A, Delta Air Lines, Pacific Life Foundation, and Staples, Future Bound is positioned to make a lasting impact on students across the country.

"Future Bound by Junior Achievement is designed to inspire and empower young people, introducing them to real-world skills and insights they can apply to their futures," said Ed Grocholski, Chief Marketing Officer, Junior Achievement USA. "Through engaging activities, mentorship, and exposure to industry leaders, we aim to help students confidently navigate their career paths and prepare for success."

Future Bound will feature immersive learning experiences that connect students with mentors, industry professionals, and real-world opportunities. This dynamic event showcases students' knowledge of essential financial literacy concepts, entrepreneurial thinking, and career exploration, preparing them for the future with hands-on tools and actionable knowledge. In addition, Future Bound will include four competitive tracks:

JA Company of the Year

This competition involves high school students presenting and pitching their student-run businesses, where they are evaluated on various aspects of business performance and innovation.

JA Social Innovation Challenge

Where high school students are challenged to identify a social problem and develop a creative solution as a business enterprise, which they then present to a panel for review.

JA Stock Market Challenge

A live simulation where high school students apply their classroom knowledge of the stock market in a competitive, fast-paced environment to test their investing skills.

JA Titan Competition

A computer simulation-based event where high school students act as business CEOs, making strategic decisions in areas like production, marketing, and R&D to compete for the title of JA Titan of Business.

Chick-fil-A, Delta Air Lines, Pacific Life Foundation, and Staples are proud to serve as presenting sponsors for Future Bound by Junior Achievement, supporting JA's mission to prepare young people for economic success. Their commitment to empowering students through education and real-world experiences is at the heart of this groundbreaking event.

For more information about Future Bound by Junior Achievement and how to get involved, please visit here.

About Junior Achievement USA (JA)

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA learning experiences are delivered by corporate and community volunteers and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Junior Achievement is expanding its reach to 18-to-25-year-olds to provide young adults with critical life skills, as well as to pre-K youth to ensure children get a solid head start. Today, JA reaches more than 4.6 million students per year in 99 markets across the United States as part of 12.5 million students served by operations in more than 100 other countries worldwide. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org .

SOURCE Junior Achievement USA
FAIRFIELD, N.J., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Keypoint Intelligence, the leading provider of data-driven insights for the digital imaging industry, has released its latest report: Wide Format Print Forecast: 2023-2028. This comprehensive study offers a careful examination of the wide format printing market, covering key trends, technology advancements, and market dynamics that will shape the industry over the next five years. This insightful report offers industry stakeholderssuch as manufacturers, service providers, and resellersvaluable guidance to help them adapt to market shifts and take advantage of new opportunities in the evolving wide format print market.

"Our analysis shows that the wide format market is at a critical juncture," said Eric Zimmerman, Principal Analyst for Wide Format Print at Keypoint Intelligence. "Businesses need to adapt to evolving customer demands and invest in advanced technologies to maintain a competitive edge."

Key Insights included cover:

Ink Technology Trends: Detailed analysis of key ink technologies, including aqueous, toner, resin/latex, solvent, UV curable, and sublimation inks.





Detailed analysis of key ink technologies, including aqueous, toner, resin/latex, solvent, UV curable, and sublimation inks. Data Segmentation: Comprehensive breakdown of hardware shipments, installed base, print volumes, and ink/toner consumption.





Comprehensive breakdown of hardware shipments, installed base, print volumes, and ink/toner consumption. Revenue Segmentation: Projections for equipment, ink/toner, service/consumables, and media revenue streams.





Projections for equipment, ink/toner, service/consumables, and media revenue streams. Regional Insights: Market dynamics and growth forecasts for North America , EMEA, South America , Japan , Asia Pacific , and China .

Keypoint Intelligence's Wide Format Print Forecast: 2023-2028 is designed to help businesses in the digital imaging industry stay informed and ready for what's next. This report gives a practical look at upcoming trends and market opportunities, helping industry leaders make smart, timely decisions.

For more information about the report or to schedule a personalized consultation, visit here.

About Keypoint Intelligence:

For more than 60 years, clients in the digital imaging industry have relied on Keypoint Intelligence for independent hands-on testing, lab data, and extensive market research to drive their product and sales success. Keypoint Intelligence has been recognized as the industry's most trusted resource for unbiased information, analysis, and awards due to decades of analyst experience.

SOURCE Keypoint Intelligence
One of the nation's best lawsuit loan funding providers streamlines process for Massachusetts plaintiffs to obtain presettlement cash via newly redesigned website.

BOSTON, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal-Bay, the nation's premier pre settlement funding company, is pleased to announce a new development for their Massachusetts customers. With the growing demand for settlement loan funding in the northeast, Legal Bay has instituted some user-friendly features on their website specifically focused on their clients in the New England area. Not only that, they've also expanded their staff of underwriters in order to approve lawsuit loan applications even more efficiently than before, most times within 24-48 hours after all documentation has been received.

From Cambridge to Quincy, Pittsfield to Provincetown, and everywhere in between, Legal Bay has settlement loan options to assist every plaintiff's financial situation covering almost every type of lawsuit. In instances where lawsuits have been filed for everything from personal injury to police brutality to medical malpractice cases, applications for lawsuit loans are sometimes soon to follow.

Chris Janish, CEO of Legal-Bay, commented on the company's dedication to assisting their clients, "It can be emotionally as well as financially demanding to wait out the lengthy amount of time until a filed lawsuit makes its way to trial. Legal Bay understands the anxiety that accompanies all those mounting bills, and is devoted to helping clients get the money they needquickly and competently."

If you're a lawyer or plaintiff involved in an active lawsuit of any kind and need an immediate cash advance lawsuit loan against an impending lawsuit settlement, please visit Legal-Bay here: Massachusetts Lawsuit Loans

Legal Bay's loan for settlement funding programs are designed to provide immediate cash in advance of a plaintiff's anticipated monetary award. While it's common to refer to these legal funding requests as settlement loans, loans for settlements, law suit loans, loans for lawsuits, etc., the "lawsuit loan" funds are, in fact, non-recourse. That means there's no risk when it comes to lawsuit loan funds because there is no obligation to repay the money if the recipient loses their case. Therefore, terms like settlement loan, loans for lawsuit, or loans on settlement don't necessarily apply, as the "loan on lawsuit" isn't really a loan at all, but rather a stress-free cash advance.

To apply right now for a loan settlement program, please visit the company's website at Massachusetts Lawsuit Loans or call toll-free at: 877.571.0405 where agents are standing by to answer any questions.

SOURCE Legal-Bay, LLC
ATLANTA, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Oy Lunawood Ltd and Atlanta Hardwood Corporation are pleased to announce the formation of a joint venture, Lunawood LLC. This new entity will oversee the procurement, production, and sales of ThermoWood and other thermally modified products across North America.

Effective January 1, 2025, all North American Lunawood sales, including products manufactured at Lunawood's Finnish facilities, will be managed through Lunawood LLC. Under this joint venture, Lunawood LLC will build a production facility at Atlanta Hardwood Corporation's plant in Cleveland, Georgia. The plant will be dedicated to producing thermally modified timber products from locally sourced hardwood for the North American market, with additional global distribution. Lunawood is the first Finnish company in the mechanical wood industry to establish production in the U.S. Production at the North Georgia facility is expected to begin mid-summer 2025.

Lunawood, a pioneer in thermal modification of Finnish pine and spruce since 2001, was instrumental in developing the patented ThermoWood process. The joint venture combines Lunawood's expertise in thermal modification, production, quality control, and commercialization with Atlanta Hardwood's market knowledge, logistics and profiling facilities. Lunawood LLC will stock the full range of Lunawood products for sale within North America at Atlanta Hardwood's facilities in Cleveland, GA, and Clarksville, TN.

"Lunawood is known as a growth-driven company exporting already to over 60 countries. Having found a partner that shares our ambitions and is committed to serving the North American market comprehensively, we recognized a joint venture as the ideal solution to leverage both of our core competencies and enable our growth", says Arto Halonen, CEO of Oy Lunawood Ltd. "We are also happy to be able to serve the Northern American market with shorter delivery times for Lunawood Collection products, thanks to local inventory," he continues.

According to Hal Mitchell, President of Atlanta Hardwood Corporation, and brand manager for AHC Hardwood Group, "We have partnered with the best producer of the most environmentally friendly building product on the planet. This joint venture will allow Lunawood to become the world's leader in thermal modification in both North American and Nordic species. We are excited to offer volume production of these quality-tested, sustainable and durable products to the North American market. Scaling the manufacturing of U.S. lumber has been a dream since our first thermal modification kiln was installed 10 years ago. This joint venture allows us to accomplish that goal."

The growing demand for thermally modified timber in the United States is driven by the increasing demand for sustainable building materials for both indoor and outdoor applications and a strong trend toward green building construction. Demand is especially strong in design applications, including interior architectural accents, exterior cladding, and decking, as architects and builders seek durable, sustainable alternatives to chemically treated wood or exotic hardwoods.

Oy Lunawood Ltd, established in 2000 in Finland, is the pioneer and global leader in sustainable wood innovations that positively impact architecture, well-being and emission reduction worldwide. We re-connect nature with people by bringing the natural benefits of the forest into daily life. We have two production units in Finland and world-wide partner network to serve building professionals.

Atlanta Hardwood Corporation has operated from its base in the metropolitan Atlanta area since the mid-1950s and is doing business as AHC Hardwood Group in Cleveland, Georgia and Clarksville, Tennessee. Atlanta Hardwood Corporation also offers domestic trucking as AHC Logistics, which specializes in the transportation of lumber and building materials. www.hardwoodweb.com

For more information globally, please contact:

Arto Halonen, CEO of Oy Lunawood Ltd

+358 40 823 2877

For more information in the U.S., please contact:

Hal Mitchell, President, Atlanta Hardwood Corporation

+706-865-1470

SOURCE Atlanta Hardwood Corporation
C$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945

TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife Financial Corporation ("Manulife") today announced the applicable dividend rates for its Non-cumulative Rate Reset Class 1 Shares Series 17 (the "Series 17 Preferred Shares") (TSX: MFC.PR.M) and Non-cumulative Floating Rate Class 1 Shares Series 18 (the "Series 18 Preferred Shares").

With respect to any Series 17 Preferred Shares that remain outstanding after December 19, 2024, holders thereof will be entitled to receive fixed rate non-cumulative preferential cash dividends on a quarterly basis, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Manulife and subject to the provisions of the Insurance Companies Act (Canada). The dividend rate for the five-year period commencing on December 20, 2024, and ending on December 19, 2029, will be 5.54200% per annum or $0.346375 per share per quarter, being equal to the sum of the five-year Government of Canada bond yield as at November 20, 2024, plus 2.36%, as determined in accordance with the terms of the Series 17 Preferred Shares.

With respect to any Series 18 Preferred Shares that may be issued in connection with the conversion of the Series 17 Preferred Shares into the Series 18 Preferred Shares, holders thereof will be entitled to receive floating rate non-cumulative preferential cash dividends on a quarterly basis, calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in each quarterly floating rate period divided by 365, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Manulife and subject to the provisions of the Insurance Companies Act (Canada). The dividend rate for the three-month period commencing on December 20, 2024, and ending on March 19, 2025, will be 1.44025% (5.84100% on an annualized basis) or $0.360063 per share, being equal to the sum of the three-month Government of Canada Treasury bill yield as at November 20, 2024, plus 2.36%, as determined in accordance with the terms of the Series 18 Preferred Shares.

Beneficial owners of Series 17 Preferred Shares who wish to exercise their right of conversion should instruct their broker or other nominee to exercise such right before 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on December 4, 2024. Conversion inquiries should be directed to Manulife's Registrar and Transfer Agent, TSX Trust Company, at 18007839495.

The Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") has conditionally approved the listing of the Series 18 Preferred Shares effective upon conversion. Listing of the Series 18 Preferred Shares is subject to Manulife fulfilling all the listing requirements of the TSX and, upon approval, the Series 18 Preferred Shares will be listed on the TSX under the trading symbol "MFC.PR.S".

The Series 17 Preferred Shares and the Series 18 Preferred Shares have not been and will not be registered in the United States under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, a "U.S. person" (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities in the United States and any public offering of the securities in the United States must be made by means of a prospectus.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2023, we had more than 38,000 employees, over 98,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 35 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' in Hong Kong.

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com .

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation
LAKE FOREST, Calif., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move to bring a more secure and reliable Microsoft Teams Rooms solution to market, MAXHUB has joined forces with Microsoft as part of the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Program (MDEP).

The Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP) is the Android-based platform from Microsoft, which enables device manufacturers and software developers to deliver innovative solutions, backed by Microsoft's reputation for security, trust, reliability, accessibility, and management.

MAXHUB and the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Program (MDEP): Advancing Security and Reliability for Microsoft Teams Rooms

This partnership is centered on delivering enhanced security, reliability, and customizable solutions to business users globally, underscoring MAXHUB's vision to become the global leader in integrated commercial display and unified communications solutions.

Enhanced Security and Reliability

Both MAXHUB and Microsoft are committed to providing enterprise-grade security features. The collaboration leverages MDEP's robust security framework, which includes secure device pairing and data encryption, to complement MAXHUB's focus on creating secure, scalable solutions for business environments. Together, they ensure that organizations can trust the reliability and protection of their collaboration systems.

Customizable and Flexible Solutions

MDEP's open platform allows partners like MAXHUB to integrate and customize solutions tailored to diverse customer needs. MAXHUB will utilize this flexibility to offer personalized solutions for various meeting environments, ensuring businesses can adapt seamlessly to evolving collaboration requirements.

Accelerated Deployment and Management

The collaboration between MAXHUB and Microsoft fosters faster deployment of integrated solutions across industries. MDEP's streamlined platform, allied with MAXHUB's dedication to optimizing device management, ensures easy setup, remote management, and real-time monitoring for IT administrators. This results in reduced complexity and enhanced efficiency for enterprise IT teams.

Future-Ready Innovation

Built on Microsoft's legacy of platform development and MAXHUB's expertise in interactive displays and unified communications, this partnership is poised for the future. Together, they offer sustainable, forward-looking solutions that guarantee long-term support and future-proofing for enterprises. MAXHUB's specialization in visual and communication technologies ensures scalability and seamless upgrades across diverse collaboration environments.

"Our commitment to simplifying collaboration and enhancing meeting experiences is at the core of everything we do," says Darren Lin, Vice General Manager, MAXHUB Global Business. "Through our collaboration with Microsoft in the MDEP program, we're excited to deliver secure, seamless, and customizable Microsoft Teams Rooms solutions that cater to diverse business needs, transforming BYOD spaces into fully integrated Teams environments."

"MAXHUB's expertise in interactive displays and unified communications aligns perfectly with Microsoft's vision for secure and scalable collaboration solutions," said Juha Kuosmanen, Head of MDEP at Microsoft. "We are thrilled to welcome MAXHUB to the MDEP community and look forward to seeing their innovations drive success in the Microsoft Teams Rooms ecosystem."

About MAXHUB

MAXHUB is committed to being the global leader in integrated commercial display and unified communications solutions. MAXHUB creates a technology hub where inspiration has the freedom to grow into meaningful connections. Centered around integration, MAXHUB provides next-level integrated solutions for people to communicate, present, and collaborate. MAXHUB, where inspiration moves ahead. For more information about MAXHUB, visit www.maxhub.com.

SOURCE MAXHUB
President Joe Biden and PRC President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit for what is likely their final meeting. We are the most important  relationship in the entire world. And how we get along together is going to impact the rest of the world, said President Biden before the two spoke.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters after the meeting that the two leaders conducted a lot of business in areas both where we are making progress and in areas where there are profound differences  And the two sides did not shy away from the more direct and difficult conversations where the two sides dont agree, he said.

One area at issue was the dangerous development of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Koreas sending troops to Russia to help Putins war against Ukraine; another was the DPRKs direct provocations against the Republic of Korea. President Biden pointed out the PRC should use its influence with the DPRK to prevent further expansions of conflict. Advisor Sullivan said, Its not a sufficient answer to simply say, ... Theres really nothing we can really do about it.

Another issue of contention was the topic of U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductors with national security applications. While President Xi raised his concerns over the controls, President Biden reinforced the rationale for the U.S. policy, which, said National Security Advisor Sullivan, has protected Americas national security and enhanced our innovation edge, and we will continue to support that  until the end of this term, and we will continue to advocate to the next team that they carry forward with this policy.

Areas where the two countries have made progress and where their interests align were also discussed, noted Advisor Sullivan, from sustaining military-to-military communication to avert potential miscalculations, to counternarcotics, to the climate, to Artificial Intelligence. The two leaders affirmed the need to address the risks of AI systems, and both agreed that there should be human control over any decision to use nuclear weapons.

President Biden, said National Security Advisor Sullivan, is determined that the current transition period between the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations be smooth, so that the U.S.-PRC relationship can be passed off to the new administration on stable terms. ... [T]he two leaders have an obligation, he declared, to make that happen.
Driving AR Homes Forward with Proven Vision and Commitment to Consumer Experience

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AR Franchising, Inc., franchisor of the prestigious AR Homes brand, proudly announces the promotion of Mitzi Hatori to Chief Marketing Officer. In her new role, Hatori will lead strategic initiatives to strengthen AR Homes' market position, ensuring a seamless consumer experience and fostering innovation across both its franchise network and direct-to-consumer channels.

Hatori brings over 15 years of expertise in marketing for homebuilding and development sectors. Since joining AR Franchising, Inc. in 2020 as Vice President of Marketing, she has redefined the brand by aligning the company's vision with a consumer-centric approach. Her strategic leadership has consistently focused on enhancing the AR Homes brand through integrated efforts that prioritize customer experience and brand relevance. Her strategic leadership has not only driven impactful campaigns but has also garnered significant recognition for AR Homes, including a Gold Award for "Best Website" from The Nationals, sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Her commitment to excellence extends across digital and print initiatives alike. Under her direction, AR Living magazine has also received high honors, winning the Platinum Hermes Creative Award and an ADDY Award. These accomplishments underscore Hatori's dedication to creating award-winning brand experiences that resonate deeply with consumers, franchisees, and industry professionals.

"Mitzi's impact on our brand and organization has been profound," said Don Whetro, CEO of AR Franchising, Inc. "Her commitment to advancing our vision and her ability to align our brand with consumer expectations make her the ideal leader to drive AR Homes into the future."

Beyond marketing, Hatori oversees the brand strategy for product design, ensuring AR Homes delivers a cohesive experience for both the franchise network and direct-to-consumer audiences. Her integrated approach positions AR Homes as a leader in the custom homebuilding industry, focused on exceptional quality, innovative design, and elevated customer experience.

About AR Homes

Founded in 1978 by award-winning homebuilder Arthur Rutenberg, AR Homes is a legendary name in homebuilding, known for exceptional design, quality craftsmanship, and timeless value. AR Homes operates through independently owned and operated franchises in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, with expansion expected in additional markets.

For more information about AR Homes and AR Franchising, Inc., please visit www.ARHomes.com and www.ARFranchising.com.

Contact:

Marli Wills

Marketing Manager

AR Franchising, Inc.

727-536-5900

[email protected]

SOURCE AR Franchising, Inc.
Goat cheese brand continues to satisfy consumer cravings from morning to evening with bold new flavor innovations available this fall

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Montchevre brand, the leading U.S. goat cheese, is launching two 'mischievous' flavors this fall. Montchevre's Cold Brew & Donuts goat cheese takes breakfast toast and brunch charcuterie boards to the next level with its blend of sweet and creamy flavors, while Montchevre's Mild Gouda-Style goat milk cheese adds a unique and tangy twist to any dish.

Credit Saputo USA Credit Saputo USA

"We're always analyzing consumer insights to stay ahead of the trends, and the demand for adventurous goat cheese profiles and flavor mashups continues to increase year over year," said Jenny Englert, marketing director of Saputo USA, maker of Montchevre goat cheese. "Launching a first-of-its-kind Cold Brew & Donuts goat cheese on the market is one more example of how we continue to offer our customers an even wider range of flavors to explore."

The Montchevre Cold Brew & Donuts goat cheese is rolling out on shelves now in a 4-ounce log format. This latest innovation is currently the only cold brew flavored goat cheese on the market, blending rich coffee flavors with a satisfying donut sweetness  opening the door for playfully cheesy desserts, snacks, and breakfast and brunch usage occasions.

Imported from the Netherlands, Montchevre Mild Gouda-Style goat milk cheese melds the creaminess of traditional gouda cheese with the subtle kick of a goat milk tang. This stylized goat cheese is available in a 5.3-ounce wedge, perfect for slicing up on a charcuterie board, shredding over a pizza or livening up a mac and cheese dish with a creamy, tangy twist. The Mild Gouda-Style goat milk cheese will hit retail shelves later this year.

Montchevre goat cheese is available in grocery retailers nationwide. To learn more about Montchevre's innovative offerings or find a retailer near you, visit the Montchevre website at https://www.montchevre.com/ .

About Montchevre

Founded in 1989 in Preston, Wisconsin, the Montchevre brand merged traditional French goat's milk cheese-making techniques with the rich heritage of Wisconsin cheese-making, paving the way for the domestic goat cheese industry. As the nation's leading goat cheese brand*, the Montchevre brand is committed to growing the category through driving trial and innovation with over 14 flavors of its goat cheese logs, including Plain, Blueberry Vanilla, and Garlic & Herb as well as other formats such as aged goat cheddar and topped goat cheese.

For more information on the Montchevre brand and to find out where to purchase our products, visit Montchevre.com . To stay up to date on the latest news from the Montchevre brand, follow us on Instagram , Facebook and TikTok .

About Saputo USA

Saputo USA produces, markets, and distributes cheese and dairy products. It converts, markets, and sells a broad range of specialty cheeses and holds import licenses for specialty cheeses manufactured abroad. Saputo USA also produces a variety of dairy and non-dairy extended shelf-life products, and produces, markets, and distributes dairy ingredients in the USA and on the international market. In the USA, Saputo ranks among the top three cheese producers and is one of the largest producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products. It is part of Saputo Inc., one of the top ten dairy processors in the world. Saputo USA products are sold under a variety of market-leading brand names, such as Montchevre, Treasure Cave, and Stella.

*Source: Circana MULO+ latest 52 weeks ending October 27, 2024.

Media Contact

Jenna Greene

[email protected]

SOURCE Saputo USA
Former Art & Drama Teacher Allegedly Abused Students for More Than a Decade

ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) is being named in a civil complaint alleging negligence that enabled the sexual assault of at least 25 former students who attended Sycamore Junior High School between 1997 and 2010. As alleged in the complaint, the district failed to protect students from a predatory teacher, despite numerous warning signs and at least two reported incidents. The lawsuit was filed in Orange County Superior Court by attorneys at Slater Slater Schulman LLP, a leading, full-service law firm with decades of experience representing survivors of traumatic and catastrophic events.

The lawsuit details a pattern of negligent supervision that allowed David Bruce, a former art and drama teacher at Sycamore Junior High School, to abuse his position of authority. According to the complaint, Bruce taught at the school from 1981 to 2013, "engaged in open and notorious sexual grooming, harassment, and sexually charged behaviors toward minor students for the entirety of his tenure as a teacher." He also promised students access to his Hollywood connections and jobs in the movie industry.

"The district's failure to act on clear warning signs and reports of misconduct allowed this abuse to continue for over a decade," said Adam Slater, Founding and Managing Partner of Slater Slater Schulman LLP. "These young students were entrusted to the care of AUHSD, which had a legal and moral obligation to ensure their safety. Instead, the district's negligence caused years of trauma that continues to impact our clients' lives."

The complaint alleges that the school failed to implement proper supervision protocols and ignored warning signs of inappropriate behavior. Of particular concern, the filing states that a school maintenance employee witnessed Bruce molesting students on two separate occasions and reported this to school supervisors, yet no formal action was taken. The plaintiffs, identified in court documents as John Roes 1-25 to protect their privacy, were between 12 and 14 years old at the time of the alleged incidents. They report ongoing psychological trauma, including emotional distress, depression, anxiety, and difficulty pursuing educational and professional goals.

Bruce was arrested in 2015 and charged with sexually assaulting five students. He died by suicide in 2018 on the day closing arguments were scheduled in his criminal trial. The current civil action represents a broader group of former students who have now come forward.

NOTE: Individuals seeking to be linked to resources for sexual assault survivors can call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. The National Sexual Assault Hotline operated by RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) provides confidential support from trained staff members and can assist with finding local healthcare resources, help talk through what happened, and offer referrals for long-term support.

About Slater Slater Schulman LLP

Slater Slater Schulman LLP is a leading, full-service law firm with decades of experience representing survivors of traumatic and catastrophic events. Our dedicated attorneys are committed to ensuring the best results for our clients through persistence and compassionate representation. With 10 offices in 9 states, Slater Slater Schulman has achieved successful resolutions in some of the most challenging cases in the nation. We have considerable experience with complex, historical sexual abuse cases involving massive institutions, including academic, religious, and youth organizations. Our firm also represents clients in litigation involving pharmaceutical drugs, product liability, environmental law, employment and labor law, medical malpractice, and personal injury, and has proudly represented thousands of World Trade Center survivors. Learn more at sssfirm.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

[email protected] / ICR, Inc.

SOURCE Slater Slater Schulman LLP
In the heart of Watertown, MA the five-story, 190,000-square-foot mixed-use building is expected to begin operation in 2026.

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- O'Connor Group of New York today announced the launch of Elysian Watertown Square Residential Property Owner, LLC, a joint venture of O'Connor Group ("O'Connor"), FrontRange Capital Partners ("FrontRange Capital"), and Takenaka Corporation ("Takenaka"). This 142-unit development at 53 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA, will include a thoughtful mix of residential and retail space along vibrant Main Street.

Rendering of Elysian Watertown at Square Development

Upon completion, the development will deliver 190,000 square feet of rental units, 15% of which will be allocated for households making 65-80% of the median income. The project will also include the renovation of a historic row house built in 1890, an undertaking that will convert the property into five for-sale condominium townhouse units with one set aside for affordable home ownership.

"We are thrilled to be bringing new market rate and affordable housing to a Main Street location like this in Watertown Square. With the help of our elected officials, town planning staff, and a first rate team of professionals we have designed a building in The Elysian at Watertown Square that we think will serve both new and existing Watertown residents for years to come  all in a fully sustainable program which sets the standard for new development in the area. With the help of great partners like Takenaka, FrontRange Capital, and Sumitomo, this type of housing development is a cornerstone of O'Connor's future growth initiatives," said John F. O'Connor of the O'Connor Group.

Developed to the highest sustainability standards, the property will be Passive House certified. The all-electric building will feature rooftop solar panels, structured parking with EV charging stations, and a transportation management plan to promote alternative options. Incorporating the resident-first experience created at Elysian at Stonefield, Elysian Watertown Square will offer a hotel-style lobby, a drop-off court with a porte-cochere entrance, meeting rooms, a clubroom, a coworking area, a state-of-the-art gym, a pet care spa, bike storage, and two rooftop terraces. The property will also include an art walk connecting Main Street to both Pleasant Street and The Charles River Walk.

"FrontRange Capital is very excited to partner with the O'Connor Group on another compelling development opportunity. Over the Company's 40-year history, O'Connor has proven its ability to identify and capitalize attractive investments across the real estate spectrum. Elysian Watertown Square is another great example of their long-standing development track record, and we couldn't be more pleased to be a part of this exciting project," said Christopher Davis, Managing Principal of FrontRange Capital.

The five-story building is designed by ICON Architecture to embrace the aesthetic of Watertown through the inspiration of design elements inspired by the surrounding buildings. The Main Street side will include 6,500 square feet of retail space for a future restaurant and service-oriented retail. Additionally, O'Connor Group will work with the local art community to establish public art installations along the art walk where there is a boutique office/gallery space.

Elysian Watertown Square will be built by Dellbrook|JKS. Headquartered in Quincy, MA, the firm boasts more than 20 years of experience in the construction of residential buildings, including projects with Passive House construction standards. Construction of the project is expected to be complete in the Summer of 2026.

"The City's recently adopted plan for Watertown Square recommended more housing to make the Square a lively destination and support our small businesses. The 104 Main Street development will bring more people into the Square and help us achieve the plan's vision," said Watertown city manager George Proakis.

About O'Connor Group

O'Connor Group is a real estate development and investment company based in New York City. Founded in 1983 the company has been involved in the development of approximately 20,000 units over its 40-plus-year history. Alongside Elysian Watertown Square Residential Property Owner, LLC, O'Connor Group develops and invests in residential, retail, industrial and boutique office sectors. With a proven track record in developing quality projects throughout the United States and Mexico. For more information, please visit oconnorcp.com.

About FrontRange Capital

FrontRange Capital is a real estate private equity firm specializing in strategic partnerships with leading middle-market real estate companies. FrontRange provides both the capital and operational expertise for management teams to further institutionalize their businesses and execute their growth plans. The firm strives to serve its investors by being a partner of choice for real estate owners and operators, with investment opportunities and financial terms that reflect the value brought to each relationship. For more information, please visit frontrangecap.com.

Press Contacts:

PR Representatives for Atlas/Seaboard

Rubenstein Public Relations

Kevin Pryor

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (212) 805-3057

SOURCE O'Connor Group
During 2024, PG&E customers have lost over $334,000 to scammers

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the holiday season ramps up, scammers are also ramping up their efforts to target consumers, including utility customers. To help combat this trend, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is joining Utilities United Against Scams to help customers recognize potential scams as part of Utility Scam Awareness Day on November 20.

Each year around the holiday season, scammers target consumers with new and predatory tactics and seek to exploit and defraud customers when they are more distracted or stressed than normal. While many are aware of the potential for online shopping scams, the same danger exists for utility bill scams, where scammers will demand payment by telephone, online or in person to prevent immediate disconnection of service.

Reports of scams targeting PG&E customers have remained alarmingly high throughout 2024. In fact, there have been nearly 15,000 reports year-to-date with customer losses of over $334,000, and an average loss of $628.

"Scammers don't take the holidays off. Stress and distraction create a window of opportunity for scammers to deploy their latest strategies to defraud and exploit consumers," said Matt Foley, lead scam investigator for PG&E. "Remember, PG&E will not contact you for the first time within one hour of service disconnection, and we will NEVER request payment by a pre-paid debit card or via online payment services like Zelle or Venmo."

Small and medium-sized businesses are also a target, and scammers will focus their efforts during busy business hours, preying on business owners' sense of urgency to keep the doors open and the lights on. In fact, PG&E has received over 500 reports of scam attempts targeting these customers during 2024.

"We encourage customers of all ages to stop and verify any unusual utility company requests before making a payment, regardless of whether the customer is contacted via phone, internet, or in person," said Utilities United Against Scams Executive Director Monica Martinez. "While scammers often target elderly and vulnerable populations, customers in all age groups are reporting utility impostor scam incidents that take place online, on the phone, and in person."

Signs of a potential scam

Threat to disconnect: Scammers may aggressively demand immediate payment for an alleged past due bill.

Scammers may aggressively demand immediate payment for an past due bill. Request for immediate payment: Scammers may instruct the customer to purchase a prepaid card then call them back supposedly to make a bill payment.

Scammers may instruct the customer to purchase a prepaid card then call them back supposedly to make a bill payment. Request for prepaid card: When the customer calls back, the caller asks the customer for the prepaid card's number, which grants the scammer instant access to the card's funds.

When the customer calls back, the caller asks the customer for the prepaid card's number, which grants the scammer instant access to the card's funds. Refund or rebate offers: Scammers may say that your utility company overbilled you and owes you a refund, or that you are entitled to a rebate.

How customers can protect themselves

Customers will never be asked by PG&E to specifically purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff, a tactic often used in scam attempts. PG&E does not specify how customers should make a bill payment and offers a variety of ways to pay a bill, including accepting payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.

If a scammer threatens immediate disconnection or shutoff of service without prior notification, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email, or shut the door and report this incident to PG&E at www.pge.com/scams. Customers with delinquent accounts will be contacted by PG&E with an advance disconnection notification, typically by mail, and included with their regular monthly bill.

Signing up for an online account at pge.com is another safeguard. Not only can customers log in to check their balance and payment history, they can sign up for recurring payments, paperless billing and helpful alerts.

Scammers Impersonating Trusted Phone Numbers: Scammers are now able to create authentic-looking 800 numbers which appear on your phone display. If called back, the numbers do not lead back to PG&E. If a customer has doubts about the authenticity of the call, they should hangup and call PG&E at 1-833-500-SCAM. If customers ever feel that they are in physical danger, they should call 911.

Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud, or who feel threatened during contact with a scammer, should contact local law enforcement. The Federal Trade Commission's website is also a good source of information about how to protect personal information.

For more information about scams, visit pge.com/scams or consumer.ftc.org.

About Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS)

UUAS, a consortium of more than 150 U.S. and Canadian electric, water, and natural gas utilities and their respective trade associations, continues to raise customer awareness of common scams and new scam tactics being used by utility impostors. Through its work and with the help of customer reporting, UUAS has successfully helped to take nearly 13,000 toll-free numbers used by scammers against utility customers out of operation.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com / and http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/.

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Career opportunities and access to higher education are among the top reasons service members and spouses want their children to consider a career in the military, according to new research

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Frequent moves, deployments and risk of injury are among the sacrifices Americans make when serving in the military. Despite these challenges, military families are eager to recommend service to their children, with 8 in 10 military families (81%) either "likely" or "very likely" to encourage their children to join the military, according to the National Military Family Association (NMFA) 2024 Series of Surveys, with research and analysis conducted in collaboration with Deloitte.

Families overwhelmingly (84%) prefer the support the military provides compared to life outside the military. The prospect of greater professional success from serving in the military drives parents to encourage their children to serve.

"For many military families, service is a family business," said Besa Pinchotti, NMFA CEO. "Military life is hard  but it's also good. We hear it from families in our programs, advocacy and research, with nearly 90% of military parents reporting their children benefitted from military life, with many saying it has helped them become more resilient."

When service members and spouses were asked to identify the primary reason for encouraging their children to serve, the top responses were professional career opportunities of military service (33%), educational funding (19%), values the military instills (18%), financial wellbeing (16%) and the opportunity/duty to serve their country (14%).

"Our research and analysis bodes well for the Department of Defense's military recruitment and retention efforts, but we can do even more to support service members and their families," said Juan Garcia, managing director, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and leader of Deloitte's Veterans, Military, Spouses and Allies Community. "In focus groups, several parents pointed out military life becomes more challenging after having children, with more responsibilities being placed on spouses. A more supportive environment could be created by reducing the frequency of military moves, enhancing accessibility and effectiveness of family support programs and offering additional financial programs."

Researchers also asked teenage children of active military service members whether they plan to serve in the future. Half of them said "yes" (51%), an increase compared to 2022 when fewer than half (44%) of teen respondents said "yes."

"Among the teens who said they weren't likely to take a military path, we found many were not aware of the broad diversity in career options available in the service," Garcia added. "Most of them were Gen Z, and we know from other Deloitte research that this generation is particularly outspoken about finding purpose in work. So, we have an opportunity to better communicate the wide range of roles, experiences and skills needed for military jobs that may align with their interests and beliefs."

The 2024 NMFA study, which featured surveys and focus group interviews, captured data from nearly 10,000 military spouses and service members and more than 1,300 teenage children.

The report can be viewed in its entirety here.

About Deloitte

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500 and more than 8,500 U.S.-based private companies. At Deloitte, we strive to live our purpose of making an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. We leverage our unique blend of business acumen, command of technology, and strategic technology alliances to advise our clients across industries as they build their future. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Bringing more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte's approximately 460,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.

About NMFA

The National Military Family Association (NMFA) is the leading nonprofit dedicated to serving all military families. Since 1969, NMFA has worked with families to identify and solve the unique challenges of military life through advocacy and programs. NMFA provides scholarships for military spouses, camps for military kids, and programs for military teens. The Association's research creates a better understanding of the experience of today's military families. NMFA serves the families of the currently serving, veteran, retired, wounded or fallen members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA. To learn more and get involved, visit www.MilitaryFamily.org

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

SOURCE Deloitte
NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), a nonprofit organization leading the fight to end Duchenne , commemorated its 30th anniversary with the "Investing in Every Future" celebratory event on November 14, 2024, in New York City. With some 200 attendees, this meaningful gathering honored three decades of progress and the resilience and spirit of the Duchenne community, and demonstrated the organization's commitment to fighting for every future as PPMD continues to lead the fight to end Duchenne.

This milestone year for PPMD has been marked by significant accomplishments and impactful initiatives. The "Investing in Every Future" event served as the culmination of PPMD's 30th anniversary, a year that also included the launch of the PPMD Together regional meeting series, designed to connect families, share knowledge, and strengthen the community's collective voice. PPMD hosted its renowned Advocacy Conference in March, which included a first-ever Town Hall featuring a panel discussion with an adult living with Duchenne, parents of children with Duchenne, and members of the FDA to help inform the next steps in PPMD's patient preference work. The PPMD Annual Conference, which serves as a pivotal platform for the community to connect and shape a future where every individual affected by Duchenne and Becker can thrive, also had a record-breaking number of in-person attendees, further establishing it as the seminole global conference for Duchenne and Becker.

The "Investing in Every Future" event showcased an exclusive photography exhibit by award-winning photographer Rick Guidotti. Guidotti is the founder and director of POSITIVE EXPOSURE, a non-profit organization that promotes a more inclusive, equitable and compassionate world for individuals and communities at risk of stigma and exclusion through photography, film, community storytelling, education, and advocacy. The exhibit honored the resilience and beauty of individuals within the Duchenne and Becker community, serving as a powerful reminder of PPMD's mission to end Duchenne.

"Celebrating our 30th anniversary is more than just marking the passage of time," said Pat Furlong, PPMD Founding President and CEO. "It's about acknowledging the profound achievements we've made together as a community, reaffirming our commitment to fighting for every future, and ushering in a new era for the next generation."

"We are grateful for the families who have been with us since the beginning and those who are just finding their way to PPMD, the dedicated and compassionate healthcare providers, our industry partners and researchers developing the treatments of the future, and our advocates across the country and across the globe. Rick's beautiful photos capture just a few of the countless individuals who have contributed immensely to the progress and hope we see today, and help us educate and advocate for all people living with Duchenne and Becker," said Furlong.

As PPMD reflects on 30 years of transformative work, the organization remains steadfast in its mission to accelerate research, shape policy, advance care, empower families, and connect the Duchenne and Becker community.

PPMD thanks the generous companies, foundations and individuals who sponsored this celebration: Alex Rezkalla Foundation, Austin's Hope, Capricor Therapeutics, The Chilcutt Family, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, ITF Therapeutics , Kate Therapeutics, The Killian Family, Kindness Over Muscular Dystrophy, The Joti Family, RegenxBio, The Rice Family, Sarepta Therapeutics, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and VOZ Advisors. Your Part Time Controller.

ABOUT PARENT PROJECT MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

Duchenne is a genetic disorder that slowly robs people of their muscle strength. Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) fights every single battle necessary to end Duchenne.

We demand optimal care standards and ensure every family has access to expert healthcare providers, cutting edge treatments, and a community of support. We invest deeply in treatments for this generation of Duchenne patients and in research that will benefit future generations. Our advocacy efforts have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in funding and won seven FDA approvals.

Everything we doand everything we have done since our founding in 1994helps those with Duchenne live longer, stronger lives. We will not rest until we end Duchenne for every single person affected by the disease. Join our fight against Duchenne at EndDuchenne.org . Follow PPMD on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , and YouTube .

SOURCE Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD)
This 10 Year Old Bourbon embodies the spirit of the West, honoring the inaugural year of the iconic rodeo, the Pendleton Round-Up

HOOD RIVER, Ore., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pendleton Whisky announced today the expansion of its portfolio with the introduction of Pendleton 1910 Bourbon, broadening its Western lifestyle roots to appeal to a national whiskey audience. Pendleton 1910 Bourbon is a premium 90-proof straight American bourbon aged for ten years in #3 char White American Oak barrels. It is crafted with a blend of high and low rye bourbons and cut to proof with glacier-fed spring water from Oregon's Mt. Hood. This 10 Year Old bourbon is a golden amber liquid with a robust flavor profile highlighting caramel, vanilla, and rye spice.

1910 Bourbon

Born in the iconic western town of Pendleton, Oregon, and named after one of the largest and oldest rodeos in North America, Pendleton Whisky celebrates the spirit of the Western lifestyle. The year 1910 pays homage to the first year of the Pendleton Round-Up, the rodeo from which Pendleton Whisky was built, and its ornate bottle resembles the leather craftmanship of a prize rodeo saddle. With the addition of Pendleton 1910 Bourbon to the brand's existing Canadian Whisky and Pendleton 1910 Rye expression, Pendleton Whisky celebrates the spirit of the American cowboy and true Western tradition with a new bourbon for those who are seeking a liquid that matches their tenacious spirit and work ethic.

"Pendleton Whisky is outpacing the broader whiskey category in sales YTD1 and has achieved a remarkable 10% CAGR growth in depletions over the last four years2. With the addition of Pendleton 1910 Bourbon, we are poised for outsized expansion on a national level with this 10 Year Old bourbon, ushering in an exciting new chapter for this historic and iconic Western brand," said Lander Otegui, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Proximo Spirits.

Pendleton Whisky honors its Western heritage with the launch of Pendleton 1910 Bourbon, a tribute to the hard work and character woven into the American West and Western lifestyle. Pendleton 1910 Bourbon is best enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a classic bourbon cocktail like the Cowboy Gold Rush. It is now available on PendletonWhisky.com and in select retailers and will be available nationwide by February 2025.

For more information about the product and to find cocktail recipes, please visit PendletonWhisky.com or follow @PendletonWhisky on Facebook and Instagram .

1Source: Nielsen YTD thru 10/19/24

2Source: iDig Jan-Dec 2019 thru Jan-Dec 2023

About Pendleton Whisky:

Pendleton Whisky is bottled in Hood River, Oregon, and is available nationwide. The portfolio of whisky and bourbon is oak barrel-aged using glacier-fed spring water from Oregon's Mt. Hood and is known for its rich, complex flavor and uncommonly smooth taste. Pendleton Whisky is the official whisky of Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and the official whisky of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Pendleton Whisky is distributed by Proximo Spirits. Visit Pendleton Whisky online at www.pendletonwhisky.com or at @PendletonWhisky on Facebook and Instagram.

Pendleton Straight Bourbon Whisky. 45% Alc./Vol. (90 Proof). 2024 Pendleton Distillers, Lawrenceburg, IN. Please drink responsibly.

LET'ER BUCK and the bucking horse logo are registered trademarks of The Pendleton Round-Up Association. PENDLETON is a registered trademark of Pendleton Woolen Mills.

SOURCE Pendleton Whisky
AUBURN, Ala., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- From its early years to today's research benefiting service men and women, Auburn University remains a strong supporter of our nation's military.

When it was known as East Alabama Male College, Auburn taught military tactics, and students wore grey woolen-uniforms and marched to class in companies. These days, the uniform-clad students undergoing military training are part of one of the three Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs.

Admiral Christopher Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently visited Auburn University and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, including its National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence, because of Auburns ongoing commitment and work with the U.S. military.

For those students who already served their country, the Veterans Resource Center can help them navigate the return to civilian life and complete their college education. Because of the work of VRC staff and others, Auburn has consistently earned the Military Friendly School designation from G.I. Jobs magazine.

Equipment support

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering collaborates with the military in a number of research areas. In January, the university announced the largest research contract in its history was awarded to the college to help the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center boost its increasing modernization efforts with advanced manufacturing.

The project will be facilitated through the Auburn University Applied Research Institute in Huntsville and rely extensively on research expertise in Auburn's National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence and the Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems.

Steve Taylor, senior vice president for research and economic development, called it a "significant accomplishment for Auburn's research enterprise," placing value on the university's Army partners in Huntsville and beyond, as well as Auburn's work in advanced manufacturing.

In 2022, Auburn and the Army signed a 10-year, renewable Intergovernmental Support Agreement for the university to provide natural resource management services to eight Army bases across the Southeast. The agreement has since expanded to include 27 Army installations in the Eastern region and environmental, cultural, architecture and engineering services.

The partnership led to the establishment of the Center for Natural Resource Management on Military Lands in Auburn's College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment.

Warrior support

JoEllen Sefton, a professor in the School of Kinesiology and director of Auburn's Warrior Research Center in the College of Education, has been researching military populations since 2008. Her recent work involves developing a comprehensive performance initiative for military service members attending Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

"One reason the Air Force came to us is because the Warrior Research Center reaches out across Auburn to collaborate with partners that can help us provide any additional expertise that's needed," she said.

The initiative, named BOLT for the lightning bolts on the Air University shield, is designed to focus on the Air Force's Comprehensive Airman Fitness pillars: physical, social, spiritual and mental. The program's first participants are the 500 military service members currently teaching and studying at Air University's Air Command and Staff College.

Engineering also has an educational partnership with Air University, as well as Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia, that allow engineering faculty and students to participate in Air Force-related research and technology.

Family support

The work of two faculty members with the Department of Human Development and Family Science in the College of Human Sciences support the military and their families.

Professor Mallory Lucier-Greer uses Military REACH to bridge the gap between military family research and practice by making research practical and accessible to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and others who work on behalf of military families.

"Family readiness is an essential component of operational readiness, such that service members with healthy, prepared families are better prepared to focus on their mission," she said. "Part of my job is identifying resources, supports and programs that enhance family readiness."

Associate Professor Kyle Kostelecky also has a longstanding partnership with the DOD to meet the professional development needs of those who serve military families worldwide through OneOp. It is "a virtual organization with global reach," offering free, online learning opportunities to the DOD, Cooperative Extension System, community non- and for-profit organizations and others.

Both projects receive funding through a partnership between DOD's Office of Military Community and Family Policy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

SOURCE Auburn University
The partnership comprises the establishment of Plug and Play Seattle with SBI Holdings and SNBL as the Founding Anchor partners and Plug and Play's future participation as co-GP in the $40M SBI US Gateway Fund

Plug and Play expands presence to Seattle, Washington, in strategic collaboration with SBI Holdings and SNBL to foster innovation and early-stage investment

SEATTLE, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Plug and Play, the world's leading innovation platform based in Silicon Valley that connects startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies, announced today a strategic collaboration with SBI Holdings, Inc. , and SNBL to establish Plug and Play's first presence in the Greater Seattle Region. The expansion includes two new offices in the region, with locations at the SNBL Global Gateway (SGG) business incubation facility in Everett, WA, and at CoMotion Labs technology incubator on the University of Washington's (UW) Seattle campus, aiming to drive regional innovation and support early-stage startup growth.

This collaboration not only marks Plug and Play's entry into the Seattle area but also includes Plug and Play's participation as co-General Partner (co-GP) for the newly launched SBI US Gateway Fund. The $40 million fund established by SBI and SNBL focuses on early-stage startups in North America with promising advancements in sectors such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, climate technology, supply chain, and healthcare, including biotechnology and drug research and development. Through its co-GP role, Plug and Play will leverage its extensive global network and innovation expertise to guide and support portfolio companies, providing strategic growth opportunities and strengthening investment outcomes.

Strengthening the U.S.-Japan Innovation Pipeline

The launch of the SBI US Gateway Fund is a significant step in connecting North American startups with key investment and partnership opportunities from Japan. With this partnership, Plug and Play, SBI, and SNBL aim to create synergies between the U.S. startup ecosystem and Japanese investors, fostering long-term growth and sustainability in cutting-edge fields. The fund's operations will benefit from Plug and Play's expansive reach across five continents and its experience in corporate innovation and startup acceleration.

"We are thrilled to bring Plug and Play's innovation platform to Seattle in partnership with SBI Holdings, SNBL, and the University of Washington," said Saeed Amidi, Founder & CEO at Plug and Play. "The Pacific Northwest is home to a dynamic and rapidly growing tech ecosystem, and we are excited to contribute to this community by supporting the next generation of innovative companies."

Yoshitaka Kitao, Representative Director, Chairman, President & CEO from SBI Holdings, stated, "This collaboration with Plug and Play and SNBL represents a major milestone in our commitment to fostering innovation and supporting transformative startups. By connecting Japanese investment with North American innovation, we are creating a unique bridge that will empower startups with not only capital but also strategic guidance and industry connections. Together, we are shaping the future of technology and healthcare advancements."

Ryoichi Nagata, Representative Chairman, President & CEO from SNBL stated, "We are excited to join forces with Plug and Play and SBI Holdings in this groundbreaking collaboration. Through the combined strengths of our organizations, we aim to build a robust platform that will enhance our ability to support startups and innovation utilizing the SNBL Global Gateway business incubation facility. This strategic alliance enables us to leverage our respective expertise and extensive networks, creating unparalleled opportunities for growth and advancement on a global scale."

This new collaboration between Plug and Play, SBI, SNBL, and UW will provide startups with capital and access to a unique blend of corporate innovation resources, strategic advisory services, and a wide network of industry leaders across key sectors. These resources are expected to amplify the value and growth of portfolio companies in the SBI US Gateway Fund, setting a strong foundation for sustainable innovation and development.

Plug and Play x SNBL Global Gateway (SGG) (Everett, WA)

SBI has partnered with SNBL, the largest non-clinical contract research organization in Japan, to operate an accelerator program and SBI US Gateway Fund at SGG business incubation facility in Everett, WA. Plug and Play plans to use the SGG business incubation facility as a hub to operate their accelerator programs.

Plug and Play x CoMotion Labs (Seattle, WA)

Plug and Play, SBI, and SNBL have agreed to partner with the University of Washington's CoMotion Labs to help foster the startup ecosystem in the Seattle area and on campus. CoMotion Labs provides a multi-industry incubation environment for early-stage startups. While preference is given to UW spinoffs, CoMotion Labs also accepts startups from outside the UW community. From critical infrastructure to learning, mentoring, and networking, CoMotion Labs nurtures and enables success and helps startups grow without taking equity or IP.

To learn more about Plug and Play Seattle, visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/locations/seattle .

About Plug and Play

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 five 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 manage over $1 billion in AUM across our funds, driving innovation across multiple industries where we've invested in hundreds of successful companies, including Dropbox, PayPal, Guardant Health, Honey, N26, Rappi, Turing, and more. For more information, visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/ .

About SBI Holdings

Established in 1999 as a pioneer of Internet-based financial services in Japan, the SBI Group is a comprehensive Internet financial group that operates globally, encompassing five core businesses: "Financial Services Business," such as securities, banking and insurance businesses; "Investment Business," which is engaged in private equity investment including venture capital investment; "Asset Management Business," that provides various asset management related services; "Crypto-asset Business," which operates crypto asset trading and exchange services; and "Non-financial Business," which includes business activities related to biotechnology, healthcare and medical informatics, Web3, and new overseas markets. For more information, please visit https://www.sbigroup.co.jp/english/ .

About SNBL

Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd. (SNBL) is the largest and the oldest non-clinical contract research organization in Japan, with a strong focus on supporting the growth and development of the global biotechnology and drug discovery ecosystem. Founded in 1957, SNBL provides comprehensive services ranging from translational research (TR) to contract research and Medipolis, a unique blend of biomedical facilities. Headquartered in Kagoshima, Japan, SNBL is dedicated to advancing innovation in biotechnology and healthcare through its partnerships, research, and support of new and groundbreaking therapies. For more information, visit https://en.snbl.com/ .

Media Contacts

Plug and Play Media Relations

Jacky Tsang

[email protected]

SBI Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications Dept.

Tel: +81 3 6229-0126

SNBL IR & Corporate Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Plug and Play
The situation in the Middle East requires an urgent diplomatic solution, declared U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield. For more than a year, the world has witnessed civilian suffering in Israel and Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. There have also been unprecedented attacks by Iran and its proxies.

Against this backdrop, the United States has exercised leadership and resolve in pursuing clear objectives, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield:

End the war in Gaza  end the war in Gaza by securing the release of hostages, while surging aid to Palestinians, who did not start and cannot end this conflict. Avoid a broader regional war while forcefully countering Irans terrorist proxies and destabilizing activities, and demonstrating an ironclad, unprecedented commitment to Israels security.

Despite public claims to the contrary, Hamas has refused to engage on any of the numerous proposals put forward in the past eight weeks. Israel, too, has its role to play, noted Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.

As we press for an end to the war, Israel must also urgently take additional steps to alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. ... That includes Israel allowing commercial trucks to move into Gaza alongside humanitarian assistance. This is crucial to avoiding famine.

This conflict was stoked and exploited by Iran, which provided support to regional proxies and partners, and directly put millions of innocent Israelis, Palestinians, and Lebanese civilians at risk, stated Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.

The United States has responded forcefully, deploying its military assets on two occasions when Iran launched unprecedented ballistic missile attacks on Israel. And as President [Joe] Biden has made clear: We will continue to stand alongside Israel and all of our regional partners in defending against Irans destabilizing regional actions.

Rather than call for unconditional ceasefires that Iran and its proxies have no intention of honoring, members of this Council should speak with one voice in support of diplomatic efforts to achieve a durable end to the fighting, urged Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.

Through diplomacy, this region can begin to heal and rebuild a better future: One without Iran or its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah, exerting undue influence, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. One in which Israelis and Palestinians are afforded equal measures of peace and security.
Demonstrated technical proficiency, proven customer success, and growing demand for Precisely Data Integrity Suite strengthens collaboration with AWS

BURLINGTON, Mass., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Precisely, the global leader in data integrity, today announced it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Migration and Modernization Competency status for AWS Partners. This designation recognizes that Precisely has demonstrated technical proficiency and proven customer success automating and accelerating customer application migration and modernization journeys with its Precisely Data Integrity Suite. Precisely also announced continued support of the Data Integrity Suite in global AWS regions with the addition of the UK and Australia.

AWS Migration and Modernization

AWS launched the AWS Migration and Modernization Competency to allow customers to easily and confidently engage highly specialized AWS Partners that help AWS customers modernize their applications, either before or after they are moved to AWS. The AWS Migration and Modernization Competency takes on the heavy lifting of identifying and validating industry leaders with proven customer success and technical proficiency in migration and application modernization tooling. This is the second AWS Competency that Precisely has received, having previously achieved AWS Data and Analytics Competency in December 2023.

"Achieving AWS Migration and Modernization Competency is another significant milestone in our relationship with AWS. Congratulations to all the teams involved in working closely on our combined product solutions," said Eric Yau, Chief Operating Officer at Precisely. "Additionally, the need for fast, powerful data integrity solutions continues to drive our expansion of support for AWS regions. Precisely is committed to accelerating and scaling the performance of Precisely Data Integrity Suite for our global customers."

AWS is enabling scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions 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

Together, AWS and Precisely are helping businesses leverage AWS services for reporting, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) using data from mainframe systems.

Precisely Data Integrity Suite AWS Region Expansion

Precisely Data Integrity Suite customers across North America, Europe, the UK, and Australia can now access in-country AWS data centers for enhanced performance and compliance with local data residency laws. Built from the ground up as interoperable SaaS services connected by a common foundation, the Data Integrity Suite helps organizations ensure their data is accurate, consistent, and contextual. Services include Data Integration, Data Governance, Data Quality, Data Observability, Geo Addressing, Spatial Analytics, and Data Enrichment.

Visit Precisely at AWS re:Invent in Las Vegas from December 2-6 at booth #875. Go to these pages to learn more about the partnership between AWS and Precisely and the Data Integrity Suite.

About Precisely

As a global leader in data integrity, Precisely ensures that your data is accurate, consistent, and contextual. Our portfolio, including the Precisely Data Integrity Suite, helps integrate your data, improve data quality, govern data usage, geocode and analyze location data, and enrich with complementary datasets for confident business decisions. Over 12,000 organizations in more than 100 countries, including 93 of the Fortune 100, trust Precisely software, data, and strategy services to power AI, automation, and analytics initiatives. Learn more at www.precisely.com.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2408758/5035720/Precisely_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Precisely
The teams are working together to establish an internet built on the principles of user control, digital sovereignty, and community-driven governance.

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Project Liberty , an organization helping people to take back control of their digital lives by reclaiming a voice, choice, and stake in a better internet; Consensys , the leading blockchain and Web3 software company; and the Frequency Network Foundation , an organization dedicated to development, support, and growth of the Frequency blockchain and ecosystem, announced a partnership to develop infrastructure for a more people-centered internet.

Through this alliance, these three organizations will collaborate on multiple technical integrations with the goal of expanding interoperability and scalability. Aligned in their mission to offer an upgraded internet, the collaboration intends to return agency to individuals, prevent their data from being parceled off, tracked, and sold; and enable individuals to take back control of their online sovereignty from Big Tech.

This collaboration will facilitate Frequency's expansion into the Ethereum ecosystem and EVM compatibility making use of Consensys' technology. Specifically, joint development teams are investigating leveraging the technology stack of Linea , the zkEVM Layer 2 network empowering the world to live onchain. Dedicated teams are also exploring "EVM based" Frequency integration with MetaMask , the self-custodial digital wallet and Web3 gateway developed by Consensys, to bring a broader range of social capabilities to the wider Web3 community. Anchored by Project Liberty's dedication to digital democracy, the collaboration aims to initiate a new era for the digital world: one rooted in freedom, privacy, and community. It's a revolutionary vision that shifts the power dynamics of the internet as we know it.

At the heart of this initiative is the Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP), an open data standard that allows for secure, user-centered data interoperability. Frequency is a DSNP-compliant blockchain that makes it possible for users to carry their digital identities and data across platforms, without surrendering control to one specific platform. In a Frequency-powered world, individuals are not bound to a single platform but can navigate the web freely and securely, maintaining complete autonomy over their online personas across multiple platforms.

A Vision for Digital Democracy

For Project Liberty, this partnership is more than a technological shift; it's part of a broader digital renaissance. Project Liberty was born from a belief that the internet should serve as a public good, a place where people can express themselves freely, connect without fear, and exercise autonomy over their personal data. Through this alliance with Project Liberty, Consensys and the Frequency Network Foundation, that vision is coming to life.

"We're at a tipping point for the future of the internet," said Frank McCourt, Founder of Project Liberty. "With Consensys and the Frequency Network Foundation, we're building an internet that empowers people. This is evidence that we are no longer allowing a handful of companies to continue exploiting and controlling our digital lives, instead we are providing a solution that gives people back their agency and a true stake in the digital ecosystem."

"Our social graphs in the Web3 era will be a profound extension and expression of our identities, interests, and ultimately our reputations," said Joe Lubin, co-founder of Ethereum and CEO and Founder of Consensys. "The Web3 generation of social networking will put the user at the center, giving them full control and ownership of the core elements of their life. We are excited to collaborate with Project Liberty and the Frequency Network Foundation to drive this vision".

Additionally, by collaborating with Consensys to expand into the Ethereum ecosystem, Project Liberty and the Frequency Network Foundation aim to bring the benefits of data ownership and transparent digital governance to a growing number of online citizens who want to reclaim a voice, choice, and stake in a better internet.

About Project Liberty

Project Liberty is leading the movement to give people back control of their lives in the digital age by ensuring they have a voice, choice, and stake in a better internet. Started in 2019 and publicly launched in 2021 by civic entrepreneur Frank McCourt and supported by a $500-million commitment, Project Liberty includes the work of the Project Liberty Institutea 501(c)(3) with an international partner network that includes Georgetown University, Stanford University, ETH in Zurich, and other leading academic institutions and civic organizationsand a technological team that is focused on developing the next generation of digital infrastructure. Project Liberty's activities include the release of the Decentralized Social Networking Protocol ( DSNP ), which is stewarded by the Institute and available as a public utility to serve as the bedrock of a more equitable web and support a new era of innovation that empowers people over platforms and serves the common good.

About Consensys

Consensys is the leading blockchain and web3 software company. Since 2014, Consensys has been at the forefront of innovation, pioneering technological developments within the web3 ecosystem. Through our product suite, including the MetaMask platform , Infura , Linea , Diligence , and our NFT toolkit Phosphor, we have become the trusted collaborator for users, creators, and developers on their path to build and belong in the world they want to see. Whether building a dapp, an NFT collection, a portfolio, or a better future, the instinct to build is universal. Consensys inspires and champions the builder instinct in everyone by making web3 universally easy to use and develop on. To explore our products and solutions, visit https://consensys.io/ .

About Frequency

Frequency is a blockchain that powers the people's internet through the Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP). It provides the infrastructure for creating self-sovereign digital identities, public social graphs, and decentralized content sharing, advancing data privacy and user control. Brands, developers, and platforms can use Frequency to integrate scalable, interoperable social features without the need for deep expertise in blockchain. This implementation of DSNP is aligned with Project Liberty's mission to give people control over their digital lives while fostering innovation in decentralized technology.

SOURCE Project Liberty
SUSSEX, Wis., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Quad/Graphics, Inc. (NYSE: QUAD) ("Quad" or the "Company"), a global marketing experience company, is hosting its 2024 Investor Day today in New York City from 8:30 a.m. ET to 12:00 p.m. ET.

Quad's Investor Day Agenda

Quad will provide an overview of its strategy, growth opportunities and long-term financial goals.

Featured speakers are:

Joel Quadracci , Quad Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

, Quad Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Eric Ashworth , President of Quad Agency Solutions and Executive Vice President of Product & Market Strategy

, President of Quad Agency Solutions and Executive Vice President of Product & Market Strategy Julie Currie , Quad Executive Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer

, Quad Executive Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer Josh Golden , Quad Chief Marketing Officer

, Quad Chief Marketing Officer David Honan , Quad Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

, Quad Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Joshua Lowcock , President of Quad Media

, President of Quad Media Tony Staniak , Quad Chief Financial Officer

, Quad Chief Financial Officer Heidi Waldusky , Quad Vice President of Brand Marketing

, Quad Vice President of Brand Marketing Special Guest: Tim Armstrong , Founder & CEO of Flowcode

Highlights

During Quad Investor Day, company leaders will discuss:

Quad's continued focus on differentiating itself as a marketing experience, or MX, company.

Quad's proprietary household-based data stack that is driving new AI-backed solutions for enabling brands to create highly personalized content at scale across multiple marketing channels.

The significant market opportunity in omnichannel retail media networks (RMNs) and Quad's investment in in-store RMNs.

How brands and marketers are leveraging Quad's MX Solutions Suite to streamline marketing efficiencies and drive business outcomes.

Quad's operations and long-term financial goals, including continued focus on its variable cost structure, efficiencies and margin expansion.

The event also will feature an interview and Q&A session with Flowcode Founder & CEO Tim Armstrong, including insights on the continued important role of data in contemporary marketing.

Presentation and Webcast Information

In-person attendance is for institutional investors and analysts by invitation only. To request in-person attendance or for more information on Investor Day, please contact Quad Investor Relations at [email protected].

Quad's presentation also will be broadcast live and may be accessed via Quad's Investor Relations website.

A live Q&A session will follow the formal presentation.

A recording of the event and all presentation materials will be archived on Quad's Investor Relations website following the event.

About Quad

Quad (NYSE: QUAD) is a global marketing experience company that helps brands make direct consumer connections, from household to in-store to online. Supported by state-of-the-art technology and data-driven intelligence, Quad uses its suite of media, creative and production solutions to streamline the complexities of marketing and remove friction from wherever it occurs in the marketing journey. Quad tailors its uniquely flexible, scalable and connected solutions to clients' objectives, driving cost efficiencies, improving speed to market, strengthening marketing effectiveness, and delivering value on client investments.

Quad employs approximately 13,000 people in 14 countries and serves approximately 2,700 clients including industry leading blue-chip companies that serve both businesses and consumers in multiple industry verticals, with a particular focus on commerce, including retail, consumer packaged goods, and direct-to-consumer; financial services; and health. Quad is ranked among the largest agency companies in the U.S. by Ad Age, buoyed by its full-service Rise media agency and Betty creative agency. Quad is also one of the largest commercial printers in North America, according to Printing Impressions.

For more information about Quad, including its commitment to ongoing innovation, culture and sustainable impact, visit quad.com.

Investor Relations Contact

Don Pontes

Executive Director of Investor Relations

916-532-7074

[email protected]

SOURCE Quad
NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) resulting from allegations that Unisys may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So What: If you purchased Unisys securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=9648 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

What is this about: On October 22, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it had charged four companies, including Unisys, with "making materially misleading disclosures regarding cybersecurity risks and intrusions." Further, the SEC also charged Unisys with disclosure controls and procedures violations.

On this news, Unisys stock fell 8.6% on October 22, 2024.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
The company will provide manufacturing services through 2031 in deals worth over USD 668 million

Samsung Biologics' cumulative contract value for 2024 surpasses USD 4 billion with latest deals

INCHEON, South Korea, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940.KS), a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), today announced a series of manufacturing deals with a Europe-based pharmaceutical company.

The disclosed deals, worth over USD 668 million combined, will run through December 2031. The latest agreements bring up the company's cumulative contract value for this year to more than USD 4 billion.

"We are delighted to expand our partnership with the European pharmaceutical company toward our shared commitment to delivering high-quality biopharmaceuticals to patients," said John Rim, President and CEO of Samsung Biologics. "As we further expand strategic collaboration with clients worldwide, we also make continued investments in our capabilities and manufacturing technologies. Our goal is to provide the highest-quality services at every stage and deepen our trusted partnerships."

The company has proactively addressed the evolving needs of clients with a series of significant deals this year, solidifying its customer base across the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Samsung Biologics has now partnered with 17 of the world's top 20 pharmaceutical companies and continues to extend contracts with existing clients to support them in advancing innovative therapies.

Samsung Biologics is set to add antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) services to its portfolio, with a dedicated facility to be completed by the end of this year. The company will provide a range of services, including ADC process development and conjugation, leveraging its comprehensive understanding of biologics and expertise in antibody manufacturing and engineering. Samsung Biologics will also see the opening of Bio Campus II next year, with Plant 5 on track to be operational in April 2025.

About Samsung Biologics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940.KS) is a fully integrated, end-to-end CDMO service provider, offering seamless development and manufacturing solutions from cell line development to final aseptic fill/finish as well as laboratory testing support for the biopharmaceutical products we manufacture. Our state-of-the-art facilities are CGMP compliant with bioreactors ranging from small to large scales to serve varying client needs. To maximize our operational efficiency and expand our capabilities in response to growing biomanufacturing demand, Samsung Biologics completed Bio Campus I with Plant 4, offering a combined 604 kL total capacity, and launched Bio Campus II with the construction of Plant 5, which will be operational in April 2025, adding 180 kL biomanufacturing capacity. Additionally, Samsung Biologics America enables the company to work in closer proximity to clients based in the U.S. and Europe. We continue to upgrade our capabilities to accommodate our clients by investing in technologies such as an ADC facility, a dedicated mRNA manufacturing facility, and additional aseptic filling capacity. As a sustainable CDMO partner of choice, we are committed to on-time, in-full delivery of the products we manufacture with our flexible manufacturing solutions, operational excellence, and proven expertise.

Samsung Biologics Media Contact

Claire Kim, Head of Global Marketing & Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Samsung Biologics
Innovative solutions to business and social challenges driven by access to SAS Viya and its new AI tools

CARY, N.C., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SAS, a leader in data and AI, has announced the winners of the 2024 SAS Hackathon across 25 regional, industry, technology, specialty and student categories. These winning teams represent businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, universities and SAS Partners.

The 2024 SAS Hackathon offered hands-on experience with the very latest SAS Viya technology. Post this The SAS Hackathon is an incubator for innovation.

This year's SAS Hackathon boasted 1,731 registrants from more than 70 countries. This led to an all-time high of 145 approved teams that participated in the month-long hack, supported by 110 SAS mentors. SAS produces the annual SAS Hackathon, which was sponsored this year by long-time SAS Partners Microsoft and Intel.

During the SAS Hackathon, teams of data scientists, business analysts, technology enthusiasts and students come together  often virtually across continents  to network, learn from each other and from a SAS mentor, and experiment with new technologies that spark innovation and improve lives.

Cutting-edge tech

The 2024 SAS Hackathon offered hands-on experience with a host of new technologies, including the very latest from SAS Viya, SAS' cloud-native, massively parallel data and AI platform. Four new Viya offerings were available to SAS Hackathon teams:

SAS Viya Workbench  a self-service, on-demand compute environment for conducting data preparation and exploratory data analysis and developing AI models.

Model Cards  best described as "nutrition labels" for AI models, they highlight indicators like accuracy, fairness and model drift. With emerging AI rules, it is crucial to understand and share with regulators how models are performing.

SAS Data Maker  a synthetic data generator, it addresses data privacy and data scarcity challenges by generating high-quality synthetic data without compromising sensitive information.

SAS Viya Copilot  a personal AI assistant, it enhances productivity for developers, data scientists and business users by accelerating code generation, data cleaning and exploration, marketing planning and more.

"Hackathons are a fantastic way to advance novel ideas and explore new methods. And with hands-on access to SAS Viya and its powerful new AI tools, the winning teams in this year's SAS Hackathon have raised the bar of innovation to new heights," said Jennifer Chase, Chief Marketing Officer at SAS.

"Their projects will have a substantial impact on many of today's business and societal challenges. Congratulations to the winners and all SAS Hackathon participants for inspiring us."

Preventing heat stroke and saving lives

An example of a SAS Hackathon team effectively using these new technologies is team StaSASticians. Team members are experts in data analytics, mathematical modeling and health care. Using SAS Viya Workbench and SAS Data Maker, along with SAS Viya and Python tools, they developed an AI-enabled Heat Stroke Prevention System for construction workers.

The system analyzes real-time weather data and sensor information from IoT-equipped smart helmets from IoT company (and team member) BeeInventor that monitor factors such as workers' heart rate and core body temperature. The system then provides real-time warnings of potential heat stroke to protect high-risk workers. This can save lives and enhance safety, productivity and regulatory compliance while also reducing health care costs.

In a world warming due to climate change, this Heat Stroke Prevention System is a very timely and targeted innovation. For the 2024 SAS Hackathon, team StaSASticians won in three categories: Americas (region), Insurance (industry) and IoT (technology). And its project is typical of the many inspiring stories within this year's SAS Hackathon.

Overall winner?

While SAS announced category winners today, the overall SAS Hackathon winner will be named at SAS Innovate, the SAS data and AI technology conference, May 6-9, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.

2024 SAS Hackathon winners

More than 100 expert judges chose regional winners and global industry, technology, specialty and student winners. To learn more about each winning team and view videos of their projects, visit the SAS Hacker's Hub community and search by team name.

Regional winners

Americas  StaSASticians [U.S.] Using SAS Viya, SAS Viya Workbench, SAS Data Maker and Python tools, this team developed an AI-enabled Heat Stroke Prevention System for construction workers. See above for more details.

 [U.S.] Using SAS Viya, SAS Viya Workbench, SAS Data Maker and Python tools, this team developed an AI-enabled Heat Stroke Prevention System for construction workers. Asia-Pacific  Nupeak Neurons [ India ]. This team from IT services provider and SAS Partner Nupeak Group applied computer vision and machine learning to create a new approach to quality inspection in the pharmaceutical industry. Using SAS Visual Data Mining and Machine Learning and Python tools, the team created an automated system for inspecting injectable pharmaceuticals that quickly detects defects, improves manufacturing quality and ensures product safety.

 [ ]. This team from IT services provider and SAS Partner Nupeak Group applied computer vision and machine learning to create a new approach to quality inspection in the pharmaceutical industry. Using SAS Visual Data Mining and Machine Learning and Python tools, the team created an automated system for inspecting injectable pharmaceuticals that quickly detects defects, improves manufacturing quality and ensures product safety. EMEA  Butterflies [U.K.] The flood of data, misinformation and disinformation are becoming major problems, often negatively influencing decisions and causing harm. SAS Partner Butterfly Data has developed a tool to help analysts assess data sources for their reliability and credibility. The tool uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) and classification models to check the trustworthiness of news and open source data. Built with SAS Viya, Viya Workbench, and Viya Copilot, as well as open-source tools like Git and Python, the tool helps verify data sources, spot unreliable information and ensure the use of ethical information to make decisions.

Global industry winners

Banking  Raffles Vietnam . Many banks face policy complexity that can lead to misunderstanding and misalignment. SAS Partner Raffles Data & Analytics has created RAGI, a generative AI solution built on SAS Viya. With RAGI, banks can automate the extraction of business rules from policy documents and resolve conflicts or gaps in credit policies, saving time and money. By seamlessly integrating with SAS Intelligent Decisioning, RAGI drastically reduces the time-to-market for new policies and products.

 . Many banks face policy complexity that can lead to misunderstanding and misalignment. SAS Partner Raffles Data & Analytics has created RAGI, a generative AI solution built on SAS Viya. With RAGI, banks can automate the extraction of business rules from policy documents and resolve conflicts or gaps in credit policies, saving time and money. By seamlessly integrating with SAS Intelligent Decisioning, RAGI drastically reduces the time-to-market for new policies and products. Energy  IAEA: Climate Change and Challenges to Nuclear Plant Safety [U.S., Italy ]. As countries confront the climate crisis and energy-security concerns, nuclear energy is increasingly recognized for its potential. But it must demonstrate a proven level of safety. A team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Pacific Disaster Center, and Oakland University assessed natural hazard risks in nuclear facility site selection. Using SAS Viya and its AI and machine learning capabilities, the team identified various natural hazards (floods, wildfires, severe weather and more), uncovered correlations between hazards, analyzed hazard characteristics and affected regions, and estimated the probability of occurrence and risk to new and existing nuclear facilities.

 [U.S., ]. As countries confront the climate crisis and energy-security concerns, nuclear energy is increasingly recognized for its potential. But it must demonstrate a proven level of safety. A team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Pacific Disaster Center, and assessed natural hazard risks in nuclear facility site selection. Using SAS Viya and its AI and machine learning capabilities, the team identified various natural hazards (floods, wildfires, severe weather and more), uncovered correlations between hazards, analyzed hazard characteristics and affected regions, and estimated the probability of occurrence and risk to new and existing nuclear facilities. Health Care  NEAR Exergame [Malaysia]. A team of researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia has created a system that delivers engaging and safe rehabilitation for stroke patients and elderly individuals. Powered by AI and SAS Viya, the system offers real-time recovery feedback while tracking progress, predicting outcomes and tailoring a therapy plan for each patient.

 [Malaysia]. A team of researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia has created a system that delivers engaging and safe rehabilitation for stroke patients and elderly individuals. Powered by AI and SAS Viya, the system offers real-time recovery feedback while tracking progress, predicting outcomes and tailoring a therapy plan for each patient. Insurance  StaSASticians [U.S.] See above for more details.

 [U.S.] Life Sciences  RatioTeam [Italy]. This team from SAS Partner Rationence developed Abstract Finder, a solution that exploits generative AI to enhance biomedical literature retrieval. Powered by SAS Viya, the solution helps researchers, medical and health professionals and students quickly find the abstracts they need within the PubMed database to advance scientific discovery.

 [Italy]. This team from SAS Partner Rationence developed Abstract Finder, a solution that exploits generative AI to enhance biomedical literature retrieval. Powered by SAS Viya, the solution helps researchers, medical and health professionals and students quickly find the abstracts they need within the PubMed database to advance scientific discovery. Public Sector  Team Only Planet 2120 [Netherlands]. This diverse and dynamic team of experts included specialists in civil engineering (Heijmans and Dura Vermeer), water management (Waterschap Rivierenland and Groene Metropoolregio Arnhem-Nijmegen), data science/GIS (SAS Partner Notilyze) and climate research (Wageningen University). By using SAS Viya, open source tools and GIS mapping and simulation, the team integrated diverse data sources to create comprehensive visualizations of climate scenarios in the Dutch river delta. These helped the team optimize water-management strategies.

 [Netherlands]. This diverse and dynamic team of experts included specialists in civil engineering (Heijmans and Dura Vermeer), water management (Waterschap Rivierenland and Groene Metropoolregio Arnhem-Nijmegen), data science/GIS (SAS Partner Notilyze) and climate research (Wageningen University). By using SAS Viya, open source tools and GIS mapping and simulation, the team integrated diverse data sources to create comprehensive visualizations of climate scenarios in the Dutch river delta. These helped the team optimize water-management strategies. Retail, Consumer Goods & Manufacturing  Supply Chain Resource Cooperative NCSU [U.S.] A team from North Carolina State University has developed a machine learning-based system that grades apparel factory compliance with established labor standards. NCSU used SAS Viya to develop its framework, which creates a more transparent and ethical way to evaluate apparel supply chains.

 [U.S.] A team from has developed a machine learning-based system that grades apparel factory compliance with established labor standards. NCSU used SAS Viya to develop its framework, which creates a more transparent and ethical way to evaluate apparel supply chains. Telecom  Advanced Analytics TEF Vivo. [ Brazil ]. A team from telecom provider Vivo created a solution that automates revenue and profit forecasting in the mobile segment. Using machine learning models and data analysis within SAS Viya led to significant increases in forecasting accuracy, a simplified process, and easy visualization and adjustment. The result? Better strategic planning and resource allocation, reduced manual effort and improved efficiency.

Global technology winners

Computer Vision  avalanche [Turkey]. A student team from TOBB University of Economics and Technology designed a system to monitor social media platforms and economic and public camera data. The goal? Detect harmful content or dangerous activity and provide timely alerts to relevant authorities to prevent panic and protect public safety.

 [Turkey]. A student team from TOBB University of Economics and Technology designed a system to monitor social media platforms and economic and public camera data. The goal? Detect harmful content or dangerous activity and provide timely alerts to relevant authorities to prevent panic and protect public safety. Decisioning  Benjamin & Joseph (Benjo) [Singapore]. SAS IoT Partner Ecosystem member Benjamin & Joseph has developed a solution to automate line-by-line auditing of medical bills. Its Sherlock solution, powered by SAS AI and IoT analytics, helps reduce errors in medical billing. These errors lead to billions of dollars in preventable losses for health care providers and payers worldwide.

 [Singapore]. SAS IoT Partner Ecosystem member Benjamin & Joseph has developed a solution to automate line-by-line auditing of medical bills. Its Sherlock solution, powered by SAS AI and IoT analytics, helps reduce errors in medical billing. These errors lead to billions of dollars in preventable losses for health care providers and payers worldwide. Forecasting  Datacurate [India]. SAS Partner Datacurate Technologies created a procurement-planning solution for the food industry using SAS Viya. For a restaurant chain, for example, procurement planning involves determining which ingredients to buy, the optimal time for purchasing, and the precise quantities needed to meet anticipated demand. Effective procurement planning aims to minimize costs and reduce waste while ensuring timely availability of ingredients.

 [India]. SAS Partner Datacurate Technologies created a procurement-planning solution for the food industry using SAS Viya. For a restaurant chain, for example, procurement planning involves determining which ingredients to buy, the optimal time for purchasing, and the precise quantities needed to meet anticipated demand. Effective procurement planning aims to minimize costs and reduce waste while ensuring timely availability of ingredients. Internet of Things (IoT)  StaSASticians [U.S.] See description above.

 [U.S.] Models  Butterflies [U.K.] See description above.

 [U.K.] Natural Language Processing (NLP)  Council Insights Heidelberg [Germany]. This team wanted to create a way for Heidelberg's citizens to find out quickly about the work and resolutions of the city's Municipal Council. Using SAS Viya, they built a system that automatically retrieves documents from the Council's website, preps the data, and analyzes it with NLP, large language models (LLMs) and Viya tools so it can be easily accessed and searched. By better presenting the work of city committees, the team helps strengthen citizens' trust in their local government. And this project could be a model for other cities.

 [Germany]. This team wanted to create a way for Heidelberg's citizens to find out quickly about the work and resolutions of the city's Municipal Council. Using SAS Viya, they built a system that automatically retrieves documents from the Council's website, preps the data, and analyzes it with NLP, large language models (LLMs) and Viya tools so it can be easily accessed and searched. By better presenting the work of city committees, the team helps strengthen citizens' trust in their local government. And this project could be a model for other cities. Visualization  Council Insights Heidelberg [ Germany ]. See description above.

Global special award winners

Channel Ready  Butterflies [U.K.] See description above.

 [U.K.] Sustainability  Cleaner Commutes [ Netherlands ]. Employee commuting is a significant part of many companies' carbon footprint. Using SAS advanced analytics and machine learning, this team provides data-driven insights to companies to help them reduce their commuting emissions and comply with environmental regulations. Large volumes of synthetic data (from SAS Data Maker) can also help simulate different commuting scenarios so companies can assess employee impact and develop personalized solutions.

 [ ]. Employee commuting is a significant part of many companies' carbon footprint. Using SAS advanced analytics and machine learning, this team provides data-driven insights to companies to help them reduce their commuting emissions and comply with environmental regulations. Large volumes of synthetic data (from SAS Data Maker) can also help simulate different commuting scenarios so companies can assess employee impact and develop personalized solutions. Data for Good  AbuSearch [U.K.] This team from SAS Partner Katalyze Data and the Child Rescue Coalition used text analytics, NLP and other tools to fight child abuse. They analyzed chat and forums data from Project Nemesis, child-protection software for law enforcement. The goal was to identify users of the chat and forums who share and even produce harmful content on children, as well as those who find, groom and contact potential victims.

 [U.K.] This team from SAS Partner Katalyze Data and the Child Rescue Coalition used text analytics, NLP and other tools to fight child abuse. They analyzed chat and forums data from Project Nemesis, child-protection software for law enforcement. The goal was to identify users of the chat and forums who share and even produce harmful content on children, as well as those who find, groom and contact potential victims. Emerging Talent  NEAR Exergame [ Malaysia ]. See description above.

 [ ]. Trustworthy AI  Butterflies [U.K.] See description above.

Global student winners

Data for Good  ORSOL [U.S.] This team from Purdue University examined how economically disadvantaged populations are disproportionally affected by climate change. It built a system to identify the 50 counties in the U.S. that are most at risk from the combination of climate change and economic vulnerability. And created data-driven insights to help policymakers better allocate resources.

 [U.S.] This team from examined how economically disadvantaged populations are disproportionally affected by climate change. It built a system to identify the 50 counties in the U.S. that are most at risk from the combination of climate change and economic vulnerability. And created data-driven insights to help policymakers better allocate resources. Ethical Data Analysis  Data Ninjas [U.K.] To develop a data-driven and ethical admissions process for graduate schools, this team from the University of London and the University of Wolverhampton used SAS Viya for Learners to mitigate bias and promote fairness.

About SAS

SAS is a global leader in data and AI. With SAS software and industry-specific solutions, organizations transform data into trusted decisions. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW.

SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries.  indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright  2023 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved.

Editorial Contact:

Mike Nemecek

SAS

[email protected]

919-531-5140

sas.com/news

SOURCE SAS
VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Scottie Resources Corp. ("Scottie" or the "Company") (TSXV: SCOT) (OTCQB: SCTSF) (FSE:SR8) is pleased to announce that, in anticipation of pursuing a more aggressive marketing strategy to attract new shareholders, the Company will consolidate its common shares at a ratio of six pre-consolidation shares to one post-consolidation share (the "Consolidation"). The consolidation will also be coupled with the initiation of an extensive technical program focused on fast-tracking mining through engineering studies, economic modelling, and permit advancement. The release of the planned maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (expected late Q1 2025) will represent the first deliverable item in the pathway towards clearly demonstrating the economic viability and optionality of the deposit. Representing 16% ownership of the company, Scottie management and advisors are aligned with shareholders and believe that the consolidation is a beneficial step in creating value.

Upcoming Marketing and Technical Catalysts:

Post 6:1 Share consolidation resulting in ~ 50 million outstanding shares

Strong cash position ~ $7.5M CAD in hard dollars

CAD in hard dollars Release of the remaining 2024 Scottie Gold Mine Project drill results

Completion of the maiden NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Blueberry and Scottie Gold Mine Deposits

Technical study to outline permitting requirements, viability and timeline for potential mining of the historic Scottie Mine tailing piles

Initiate technical and market studies for the direct ship ore (DSO) sales and tolling through the Stewart export terminal for Asian markets

export terminal for Asian markets Evaluate divesture options for the Georgia Project in order to capture value of the asset

Initiation of a U.S. marketing campaign

President and CEO, Brad Rourke commented: "After 5 years of aggressive exploration and land acquisition, and our discovery of the Blueberry Contact Zone, this share consolidation will allow us to improve our marketing initiatives to U.S. retail investors by reducing their incremental cost of share acquisition. We feel that the timing of the consolidation, prior to the release of our maiden Mineral Resource Estimate and commencement of the mining focused technical program, will allow us to capture the attention of new investors and build momentum. 2025 will be a transformational for the Company as we begin to explore an array of value enhancing opportunities over and above growing the mineral resources through our highly successful exploration programs. We welcome everyone to join our Webinar on November 25th to discuss in more detail."

Consolidation Arrangement

The Company currently has 299,819,618 common shares issued and outstanding. Upon completion of the Consolidation, the Company will have approximately 49,970,000 common shares issued and outstanding. Fractional shares of 0.5 or greater will be rounded up to the nearest whole number of common shares and fractional shares of less than 0.5 will be rounded down to the nearest whole number of Shares. Some slight variance is expected due to fractional rounding. As is customary, to reflect the Consolidation, all outstanding warrants and incentive stock options will be adjusted to increase their exercise price by a factor of six and to reduce the number of common shares issued upon exercise by dividing by six.

Subject to Scottie receiving all required approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), the Consolidation is expected to take effect on or about November 27, 2024.

Holders of shares of the Company who hold uncertificated shares (that is shares held in book-entry form and not represented by a physical share certificate), either as registered holders or beneficial owners, will have their existing book-entry account(s) electronically adjusted by the Company's transfer agent or, in the case of beneficial shareholders, by their brokerage firms, banks, trusts or other nominees that hold in street name for their benefit. Such holders generally do not need to take any additional actions to exchange their pre-consolidation shares for post-consolidation shares. If you hold your shares with such a bank, broker or other nominee, and if you have questions in this regard, you are encouraged to contact your nominee.

Registered shareholders holding share certificates will be mailed a letter of transmittal advising of the Consolidation and instructing them to surrender the share certificates representing pre-consolidation shares for replacement certificates or a direct registration advice representing their post-consolidation shares. Until surrendered for exchange, each share certificate formerly representing pre-consolidation shares will be deemed to represent the number of whole post-consolidation shares to which the holder is entitled as a result of the Consolidation.

Technical Program

In the coming months the Company plans to initiate a number of engineering and economic studies to support the development of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) built on the upcoming maiden MRE and allow the evaluation of multiple mining scenarios. Studies will address metallurgy, viability of ore-sorting, as well as underground and open-pit mine design.

Georgia Project Divesture

The Georgia Project is a 100% owned high-grade gold deposit located on the Portland Canal tidewater, 16 kilometres south of the town of Stewart, BC, in the prolific Golden Triangle. It was acquired through the merger with AUX Resources in 2021 and boasts numerous high-grade gold intercepts from a quartz vein system. The most recent documented, unclassified historical resource estimate for the SW Vein of the Georgia River Mine was completed in 1990 (BC Assessment Report 1983) and estimated 276,403 tonnes of 27.6 g/t gold and 20.9 g/t silver. The estimate was based on 50 drill holes and considers a minimum mining width of 1.22 metres. The SW Vein historical estimate does not comply with CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves as required by NI 43-101 and has no comparable resource classification. The reliability of the historical estimate is considered reasonable, but a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and the Company is not treating the historical resource as a current resource.

Due to the focus on the recent discovery of the Blueberry Zone and the overall advancement of the Scottie Gold Mine Project, the 18,000 ha Georgia River Project has been overshadowed and underexplored in recent years. The Company will be evaluating multiple options relating to its divesture, including spinning out a new exploration company, taking a joint venture partner, and sale of the property.

Webinar

Scottie management will be hosting a live Webinar on November 25, 1:30 PM (PST) to discuss and answer questions  link to the webinar can be found here: https://6ix.com/event/scottie-resources-or-corporate-update

Quality Assurance and Control

Results from samples taken during the 2024 field season were analyzed at SGS Minerals in Burnaby, BC. The sampling program was undertaken under the direction of Dr. Thomas Mumford. A secure chain of custody is maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Gold was assayed using a fire assay with atomic absorption spectrometry and gravimetric finish when required (+9 g/t gold). Analysis by four acid digestion with multi-element ICP-AES analysis was conducted on all samples with silver and base metal over-limits being re-analyzed by emission spectrometry.

Dr. Thomas Mumford, P.Geo., a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release on behalf of the Company.

ABOUT SCOTTIE RESOURCES CORP.

Scottie owns a 100% interest in the Scottie Gold Mine Property which includes the Blueberry Contact Zone and the high-grade, past-producing Scottie Gold Mine. Scottie also owns 100% interest in the Georgia Project which contains the high-grade past-producing Georgia River Mine, as well as the Cambria Project properties and the Sulu and Tide North properties. Altogether Scottie Resources holds approximately 58,500 hectares of mineral claims in the Stewart Mining Camp in the Golden Triangle.

The Company's focus is on expanding the known mineralization around the past-producing mines while advancing near mine high-grade gold targets, with the purpose of delivering a potential resource.

All of the Company's properties are located in the area known as the Golden Triangle of British Columbia which is among the world's most prolific mineralized districts.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release may contain forwardlooking 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 the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forwardlooking 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. Forwardlooking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date such statements were made. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statements 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 the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Scottie Resources Corp.
STOCKHOLM, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinch (Sinch AB (publ)) (XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Customer Communications Cloud, today announced that during 2024, the company has successfully delivered more than 1 billion Rich Communication Services (RCS) business messages for businesses worldwide. This milestone underscores Sinch's role as a trusted partner when businesses seek out innovative messaging solutions to engage with their customers.

A pioneer in advanced mobile messaging and RCS technology, Sinch launched the first RCS API in 2018 to enable feature-rich, interactive messaging experiences. Today, Sinch partners with Google and mobile operators worldwide, enabling businesses to send RCS messages in every market where RCS Business Messaging is available. This extensive global reach empowers brands to connect with customers through engaging, personalized communications directly within their favorite native messaging apps.

Sinch offers multiple ways for businesses to leverage RCS, including its Conversation API, RCS Upscale solution, and turnkey software applications. RCS Upscale enables businesses to seamlessly transition from SMS to RCS with minimal changes to systems and processes. The Conversation API enhances flexibility, adds features, and supports additional messaging platforms like WhatsApp for a unified and comprehensive customer communication strategy. Businesses can also integrate RCS through Sinch's ecosystem partnerships, simplifying adoption and scalability.

RCS Business Messaging is now being introduced to rising numbers of businesses and consumers as mobile operators across the world enable the service. The technology works on both Apple and Android devices and is made available, by default, through the preinstalled messaging app that consumers already use for SMS.

"This milestone marks the beginning of a new era in business messaging," said Sean O'Neal, Chief Product Officer at Sinch. "RCS builds on the strengths of SMS, but adds a wealth of value-adding capabilities, and we're excited to make these opportunities available to our many business customers throughout the world."

This achievement reinforces Sinch's position as a leader in omnichannel communication and a trusted partner for businesses looking to enhance customer engagement with innovative and advanced messaging solutions.

For more information on how Sinch's RCS solutions can transform your business communications, visit Sinch.com

For further information, please contact:

Janet Lennon, Director of PR and Global Communications

[email protected] | 206-914-6175

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/sinch-ab/r/sinch-reaches-milestone-of-1-billion-rcs-business-messages-delivered-worldwide,c4068802

SOURCE Sinch AB
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture honored the recipients of its 2024 Sustainability Leadership Awards on the eve of the 10th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Summit. Now in their eighth year, the awardspresented as the capstone of the Alliance's fall meetingare given to farmers, individuals, and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding leadership through their efforts to advance continuous improvement in the sustainability of U.S. commodity crop production.

The recipients of the 2024 Sustainability Leadership Awards are as follows:

2024 Farmer of the Year: Bob Walker , Yum Yum , Tennessee



Recognized for outstanding conservation efforts on his farm and leadership in advancing sustainable agriculture, Bob Walker was honored as Field to Market's 2024 Farmer of the Year. Co-owning and operating Walker Farms in Yum Yum , Tennessee , Walker and his brother raise cattle and grow cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay, most of which is on land that has been in the family since the 1830s.



With a suite of sustainability practices that include no-till, cover crops, integrated pest management, variable rate fertility applications, and variable rate seeding, Walker only puts out what he needs, when it's needed.





Recognized for outstanding conservation efforts on his farm and leadership in advancing sustainable agriculture, was honored as Field to Market's 2024 Farmer of the Year. Co-owning and operating Walker Farms in , , Walker and his brother raise cattle and grow cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay, most of which is on land that has been in the family since the 1830s. With a suite of sustainability practices that include no-till, cover crops, integrated pest management, variable rate fertility applications, and variable rate seeding, Walker only puts out what he needs, when it's needed. 2024 Trusted Adviser of the Year: Christine Bielski, Northern High Plains Division Manager for Research and Sustainability, Nutrien Ag Solutions



Recognized for her outstanding leadership in supporting farmers' journeys of continuous improvement, Christine Bielski was honored as Field to Market's 2024 Trusted Adviser of the Year.



Reaching approximately 2,000 grower customers annually, both directly and through her work with her sales teams, Bielski works across just over 5 million acres in northwest Kansas , northeast Colorado , and southwest Nebraska as the Northern High Plains Division's Manager for Research and Sustainability at Nutrien Ag Solutions.





Recognized for her outstanding leadership in supporting farmers' journeys of continuous improvement, was honored as Field to Market's 2024 Trusted Adviser of the Year. Reaching approximately 2,000 grower customers annually, both directly and through her work with her sales teams, Bielski works across just over 5 million acres in northwest , northeast , and southwest as the Northern High Plains Division's Manager for Research and Sustainability at Nutrien Ag Solutions. 2024 Collaboration of the Year: Peninsula Pride Farms Project



Recognizing outstanding collaboration and cross-sector partnership in advancing continuous improvement of sustainability at the field and landscape level, the 2024 Collaboration of the Year Award honors Field to Market members Farmers for Sustainable Food and Houston Engineering, Inc., along with Peninsula Pride Farms, for their work on the Peninsula Pride Farms sustainability project.



Enrolled in Field to Market's Project Directory, this Innovation project, located in Wisconsin , has connected downstream members of the agricultural value chain with conservation-minded farmers in a local, farmer-led conservation group to make improvements to water quality and soil health.

Each of this year's award recipients exemplifies how blending innovative, sustainable and regenerative practices with community- and collaboration-based approaches to conservation can build a more resilient and sustainable food system.

"Congratulations to each of our three awardeestheir dedication to innovation and continual improvement is a testament to how collaborative efforts across the value chain foster resilience for farmers and the environment," says Field to Market President Carrie Vollmer-Sanders. "We applaud Bob Walker, Christine Bielski, and the partners involved in the Peninsula Pride Farms Project, for their dedication to advancing the sustainability of U.S. agriculture."

The winners of Field to Market's Sustainability Leadership Awards are selected by the Alliance's Education and Outreach Committee. Each recipient demonstrates leadership in the pursuit of continuous improvement, resulting in measurable results and significant impact on both agriculture and the environment. This year's program was made possible thanks to the support of Nestle Purina Petcare and Arva Intelligence.

Learn more about the 2024 Sustainability Leadership Award winners at www.fieldtomarket.org/awards .

ABOUT FIELD TO MARKET

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture brings together a diverse group of grower organizations; agribusinesses; food, feed, beverage, restaurant and retail companies; conservation groups; universities and public sector partners to focus on defining, measuring and advancing the sustainability of food, feed, fiber and fuel production. Field to Market is comprised of nearly 200 members representing all facets of the U.S. agricultural value chain. For more information, visit www.fieldtomarket.org.

SOURCE Field To Market
Emerging Brand, LatinUs Beauty, was a sponsor of the event, which included awards presentations, scholarship announcements, and a performance by Grammy-nominated recording artist MAJOR.

CINCINNATI, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sister Accord Foundation , an organization whose movement is changing the way girls and women treat, support, and interact with each other, hosted its signature Leadership Development Tea Party on Sunday in Cleveland, OH.

Founded by corporate leader and philanthropist Sonia Jackson Myles , the Foundation has transformed innumerable women's and girls' lives globally over the past decade with its initiatives, programs, financial support, and beloved YouTube videos (which have accumulated 70.5 million views and 332 million impressions to date).

L-R MAJOR., Naa (Chief) Ife Bell, Sonia Jackson Myles, and Gabrielle Christman.

The Tea Party took place at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and included a number of exciting moments:

The presentation of The Sister Accord  Leadership Award honoring remarkable individuals whose personal integrity and body of work have made a positive and transformative impact on society. Honorees included Naa (Chief) Ife Bell , a distinguished royal leader in the Kingdom of Dagbon, Ghana ; Gabrielle Christman , President & CEO of Hunter International Recruiting and STEMHUNTER; and Grammy  -nominated recording artist, MAJOR.





Leadership Award honoring remarkable individuals whose personal integrity and body of work have made a positive and transformative impact on society. Honorees included ; The announcement of two $10,000 scholarship recipients, Nia Baker and Leilah Betts , as part of the Nella D. Jackson Memorial Scholarship Program, which was created to honor Jackson Myles' late mother. The scholarship awards deserving female students with funds for their college education every year.





scholarship recipients, and , as part of the Memorial Scholarship Program, which was created to honor late mother. The scholarship awards deserving female students with funds for their college education every year. A musical performance by Grammy-nominated recording artist MAJOR .

Jayda Rogers, The Sister Accord alum who started working with the Foundation when she was 14 and went on to establish The Sister Accord chapter at The Ohio State University, also spoke to the audience. Now almost 25, Jayda is on track to become a first-generation attorney and sees her involvement with the Foundation as a catalyst for her success. Jayda had a message for all of the younger women and girls in the audience, "We all struggle with the 'what ifs,' I still struggle with confidence sometimes but I have a supportive community, people that I can lean on, people that pray for me. And the biggest thing is knowing who you are and not backing down from it. You can be the first-generation attorney, you can be the first-generation journalist, you can be the first-generation doctor. It is all possible if you forge ahead, keep positive relationships, and know that you can. I think that it's very much possible."

The Sister Accord Tea Party helps young women understand why strong, healthy, positive relationships with other young women are important to their own development as exceptional leaders. Over the years, programming has been aimed at inspiring girls and women to embrace, pursue, and engage with STEM/STEAM opportunities and to learn about financial literacy, personal safety, empowerment, mental, emotional, and physical wellness, and the importance of leading with kindness.

Iris T. London, Founder and CEO of ITL Fitness, demonstrated The Sister Accord Slide that she created for the organization, as she discussed being "Fit For Purpose." Norlynn Story, Business Access Advisor from U.S. Bank, shared the work she is leading to help small business owners in the greater Cleveland area. Her passion and work are making a positive difference in the community.

"I'm incredibly proud of the remarkable achievements we've made through The Sister Accord Foundation," said Sonia Jackson Myles, Founder and CEO of The Sister Accord Foundation. "It was a wonderful day from presenting awards to Naa (Chief) Ife Bell and Gabrielle Christman to announcing our new scholarship recipients in the name of my mother to hearing the inspiring words of Jayda Rogers, who literally grew up in our program. I want to thank everyone who attended, our amazing sponsor, LatinUs Beauty, and our musical guest and honoree, MAJOR. At this time in the world, the power of sisterhood and the ability we have to lift each other up through education and inspiration are absolutely essential. I'm so excited about the work that LatinUs Beauty and The Sister Accord are going to do with women in Sports. It's going to be amazing!"

About The Sister Accord Foundation:

The Sister Accord Foundation (https://thesisteraccordfoundation.org/) is a 501c3 organization focused on enabling girls and women to establish and nurture positive, supportive, and loving relationships with each other. The Sister A.C.C.O.R.D. Leadership Development Program is used by school districts, and The Sister Accord LLC's 'Sisterhood & Brotherhood in The Workplace' Platform has made a significant, positive difference in corporate America and around the globe. The organization also holds inspirational events throughout the year focused on Sisterhood, Anti-Bullying, and Health & Wellness.

For More Information:

Contact: Caitlin Burke

[email protected]

SOURCE The Sister Accord Foundation
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This will help Ukrainian national systems better prosecute the full range of abuses committed by Russian perpetrators in connection with Russia's war of aggression, said Ambassador Van Schaack.
Twelve-story community for older adults creates 150 jobs in Vancouver, Wash.

VANCOUVER, Wash., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Springs at The Waterfront, a 12-story residential community for older adults, is now open in Vancouver, Wash. Located in the recently revitalized Waterfront Vancouver, which provides easy access to top restaurants, wine-tasting rooms, and a half-mile waterfront path, the community has created 150 jobs to serve approximately 300 residents.

The Springs at The Waterfront, a 12-story urban community for older adults located on the Columbia River waterfront in Vancouver, Washington, opened in fall 2024, bringing 150 jobs to the area.

"The goal of the Waterfront Development Project is to provide a dynamic and vibrant mixed-use space for all," Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle said. "With its emphasis on supporting the holistic wellness of its active residents, The Springs at The Waterfront community is a welcome addition to the diversity of development the waterfront offers."

The Springs at The Waterfront was designed to meet the rigorous standards for LEED certification, which rates systems for the construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, and Fitwel certification, which uses evidence-based design and operational strategies to enhance occupant health. Offering a continuum of care options for its residents, the community provides residences for independent living, assisted living, and memory care.

"We have taken everything we've learned over the past 30 years and poured it into The Springs at The Waterfront," said Fee Stubblefield, founder and CEO of The Springs Living. "The result is more than just a beautiful environment. It's full of energy and a great place to thrive. It's our staff that truly makes the difference."

With a mix of floorplans that showcase stunning views of the Columbia River and surrounding mountains, the interior spaces at The Springs at The Waterfront are warm and inviting to bring the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest inside, with high-end amenities and services suitable to an urban setting, including outstanding views from the rooftop terrace to secure underground parking.

The community design and construction resulted from a collaborative effort between GBD Architects, Howard S. Wright Construction, and The Springs Living, all based in Oregon. The team at PMB, a healthcare real estate developer based in San Diego, Calif., is the project's development partner.

About The Springs Living

Based in McMinnville, Oregon, The Springs Living serves older adults in communities in the Pacific Northwest. For nearly 30 years, The Springs Living has been committed to transforming senior living.

Media Contact

Tracy Darchini

The Springs Living

[email protected]

SOURCE The Springs Living
PRINCETON, NJ, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tokamak Energy has raised $125 million to accelerate ambitious plans to commercialize fusion energy and grow its transformative high temperature superconducting (HTS) technology solution, TE Magnetics.

The round was co-led by East X Ventures and Lingotto Investment Management with participation from new investors including Furukawa Electric Company, British Patient Capital, global maritime company BW Group and U.S.-based Sabanci Climate Ventures.

Tokamak Energy's ST-40 spherical tokamak Tokamak Energy's Demo4 HTS magnet system Tokamak Energy's executive management team

The investment from new strategic partners alongside existing shareholders is recognition of the world-class talent and expertise at Tokamak Energy, the only private fusion company with more than 10 years' experience designing, building and operating tokamaks.

It brings the total raised since forming as a spin-out from UK Atomic Energy Authority in 2009 to $335m, comprising $275m from private investors and $60m funded from the UK and U.S. governments.

The investment round will support the rapid growth of TE Magnetics to address demand from the fusion energy market and open new fields of performance in other industries including science, mobility, renewable energy and security.

It will also advance the company's leading fusion pilot plant design program, as well as develop, test and validate new fusion technologies using its record-breaking high field spherical tokamak ST40 for ground-breaking experiments near Oxford. This pioneering research is key to driving the innovation needed to achieve fusion and deliver clean, limitless, affordable energy all over the world.

Warrick Matthews, Tokamak Energy CEO, said: "In addition to the ongoing support of our existing shareholders, we are delighted to welcome new strategic investors to collectively accelerate our ambitious plans. Tokamak Energy's mission is to make fusion energy a reality, and we believe the only way to achieve that is through strong, global partnerships.

"This raise provides us with added experience and capability to drive through this critical and exciting phase of fusion development, addressing the twin challenges of climate change and energy security. Simultaneously, we are focused on commercializing our transformative HTS technology as TE Magnetics. Launching this new business division allows us to focus on our core mission of delivering clean, secure and affordable fusion energy, while supporting our strategy for rapid growth across complementary markets."

Dr. Geri Richmond, Under Secretary for Science and Innovation, Department of Energy, said: "This accomplishment highlights Tokamak Energy's commitment to advancing fusion energy  a critical step towards realizing a future of clean, sustainable power. As an awardee of the Department of Energy's Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program, Tokamak Energy is helping to lead the way in fusion innovation, positioning the United States and our global partners at the forefront of this transformative energy technology. The DOE is proud to support Tokamak Energy in its journey to achieve commercial fusion energy, which is essential to securing our clean energy future and strengthening our energy independence."

Hideya Moridaira, President of Furukawa Electric, owners of leading HTS tape supplier SuperPower Inc, said: "We are pleased to become a shareholder in Tokamak Energy through a strategic investment. Many opportunities are emergent for both of us."

Murat Oguz Arcan, Managing Director of Sabanci Climate Ventures, said: "Energy transition and sustainability require solutions that not only address today's challenges but also meet the needs of the future. Tokamak Energy's work in fusion energy and TE Magnetics' leadership in high temperature superconducting technology could become the cornerstone of this transformation. At Sabanci Climate Ventures, we invest in leading startup companies and venture capital funds within the energy transition and climate technology sectors. This investment represents a strategic step towards clean energy's future and will significantly impact energy technologies in various industries."

Tokamak Energy is the first private company to reach a fusion-threshold plasma ion temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius in a spherical tokamak, ST40.

The company recently presented the first details of its fusion energy pilot plant being designed as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program, established for private companies to bring fusion towards technical and commercial viability.

Born from Tokamak Energy's fusion mission, TE Magnetics is leading the deployment of HTS magnet technology for clean and affordable energy as well as other exciting new industrial applications, including scientific research, medicine, and land, water, air and space propulsion.

The new generation technology enables the efficient operation of fusion energy devices by confining the extremely hot plasma of fuels. Fusion, the power of the stars, will play a vital role in a complete transition to a clean and secure energy future and TE Magnetics aims to become the market-leading designer and supplier of HTS magnets to the fusion industry.

What is fusion energy?

Fusion is the original source of all energy. When a mix of two forms of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium) are heated to form a controlled plasma at high temperatures  hotter than the core of the Sun  they fuse to create helium and release energy which can be harnessed to produce electricity and heat.

This hot plasma of fuels is confined using strong magnets in a device called a 'tokamak'. The energy created from fusion can be used to generate electricity and heat in the same way as existing power stations. Fusion is extremely efficient, creating many million times more energy, per kilogram of fuel, than burning coal, oil, or gas with no harmful emissions.

About Tokamak Energy | tokamakenergy.com | temagnetics.com

Tokamak Energy is a leading global commercial fusion energy company. We are a world leader in two transformative technologies: the compact spherical tokamak and High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnets. One company, with licensable technology for commercializing clean, secure and affordable fusion energy and enabling new levels of performance in HTS applications that change the world in which we live today.

Our U.S. subsidiary, Tokamak Energy Inc, was established in 2019 and is one of eight companies selected by the Department of Energy for an award as part of its Milestone Program, a key aspect of the bold decadal vision for delivering commercial fusion.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562153/Tokamak_Energy_Logo.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562154/TE_leadership_team.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562152/Tokamak_Demo4.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562151/Tokamak_Energy_ST40.jpg

SOURCE Tokamak Energy
LINDON, Utah, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trucordia has acquired the insurance business of The DeLuca Agency and Denver Insurance Brokerage, which has offices in Colorado, Maryland and Utah.

"We're thrilled to welcome The DeLuca Agency and Denver Insurance Brokerage team to Trucordia," said Trucordia CEO Felix Morgan. "This acquisition aligns with our strategy to attract businesses with high growth potential in target industries and markets that have the ability to enhance our offerings to clients."

The DeLuca Agency and Denver Insurance Brokerage has been providing exceptional quality insurance solutions and services to businesses and individuals for over 25 years. It operates offices in Greenwood Village, Colorado; Owings Mills, Maryland; and Draper, Utah.

Through the Acquire pillar of its transformational growth strategy, Trucordia seeks to join forces with successful businesses that have a desire to expand capacity and enhance its current offerings. Trucordia is striving to build the next great insurance brokerage by uniting more than 5,000 professionals coast to coast to deliver extraordinary opportunities and exceptional experiences for our clients, team members and partners.

About Trucordia

Trucordia, formerly PCF Insurance Services, is the group name for a top 20 U.S. insurance brokerage headquartered in Lindon, Utah. The Trucordia group of companies offers a broad array of commercial and personal lines, life and health, and employee benefits insurance solutions. Trucordia is an integrated organization united by a passion to deliver extraordinary opportunities and exceptional experiences for its clients, partners and each other. With more than 5,000 team members across the U.S., Trucordia is a notable leader in the insurance brokerage space, ranking #19 on Business Insurance's 2024 Top 100 Brokers and #13 on Insurance Journal's 2024 Top Property/Casualty Agencies. Visit trucordia.com for more information.

SOURCE Trucordia
The program will increase the financial literacy of upper primary students in Hong Kong and provide insights for other countries looking to develop financial education curriculum

CHICAGO, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 20, the University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative (UCFEI) launched The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programmea school-based financial education program for upper primary studentsinitiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, in partnership with The Education University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society, and CoCoon Foundation. UCFEI experts developed two different curricula, teacher training, and resources for the program that will be used in schools across Hong Kong starting this year. The learnings from this pilot will provide critically needed insights that can be used to develop financial education programs for young children in other countries around the world.

University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative logo.

Financial education at the primary level provides a foundation that students need to understand the financial system and how to navigate it, but few high-quality, rigorously tested programs exist. Research suggests that the earlier financial literacy is introduced , the more likely individuals are to avoid debt, make informed financial choices, and build wealth over time. By age seven, children have developed many core values and habits around money based on what they see at home with their families. Through The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme, UCFEI experts will have the opportunity to pilot high-quality curricula that introduce key financial skills at the right point in young children's brain development, maximizing their learning potential.

"I believe this program has the potential to not only benefit students and families in Hong Kong, but those across the world as well," said Rebecca Maxcy, director of UCFEI and principal investigator of the project. "Today's students are growing up in financially challenging times. There's a global need for stronger financial education and one way to achieve that is by starting early."

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme takes a holistic approach that engages students, teachers, and parents. The comprehensive curricula, created by UCFEI, utilize a variety of pedagogical routines including scenarios, simulations, and role plays to ensure high-quality implementation. Student learning is reinforced by engaging them in classroom discourse and reflection on their own financial experiences. The curricula are also educative for teachers, deepening both their content and pedagogical knowledge. Parents will also receive expert advice and practical strategies to model sound financial habits for their children. The program is expected to benefit about 17,800 students and train 240 teachers from 70 primary schools. Additionally, 1,500 parents will also be engaged through parent-child workshops and talks.

"The University of Chicago is dedicated to providing life-changing educational opportunities, and this initiative to develop a financial education program in Hong Kong does exactly that. We are particularly honored to be partnering with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, which has a long history of engagement with the University of Chicago through its generous support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club University of Chicago Academic Complex | The University of Chicago Francis and Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong," said Ka Yee C. Lee, Interim Dean of the Division of the Physical Sciences, Senior Advisor to the Provost for Global Initiatives, and the David Lee Shillinglaw Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Chicago.

About UChicago Financial Education Initiative

UCFEI was launched in July 2016 to develop the tools, resources, and capacity to spread robust financial education. The Initiative draws upon the group's expertise in learning science, curriculum design, digital tool development, assessment, and programming, as well as their experience with schools, students, and families.

About the University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a leading academic and research institution that has driven new ways of thinking since its founding in 1890. As an intellectual destination, the University draws scholars and students from around the world to its campuses and centers around the globe including the research center in Beijing, China and the campus in Hong Kong. The University provides a distinctive educational experience and research environment, empowering individuals to challenge conventional thinking and pursue field-defining research that produces new understanding and breakthroughs with global impact.

SOURCE University of Chicago - UChicago Financial Education Initiative
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Urban Engineers, Inc., a multidisciplinary firm specializing in planning, engineering design, environmental, and construction services, today announced the following six promotions to its leadership team: Jeff Roken, Gary Etter, Chris Gubeno, Jim Bilella, Angelo Waters, and Laura Frein.

As Business Leader for Pennsylvania, Jeff Roken, PE, will lead the Pennsylvania management and technical staff, focus on developing and maintaining client and teaming partner relationships, and participate in the delivery of Urban's projects to ensure results align with our mission to be our clients' first choice by providing consistent, quality services.

Since joining Urban Engineers in 2020, Gary Etter, PE, has brought 35 years of technical, project management, and executive leadership experience in consulting engineering. In his new role as Business Leader for the Northeast U.S., he will expand his leadership to include additional jurisdictions, further strengthening our team's impact and reach.

As Market Leader for Aviation, Christopher Gubeno, PE, will drive strategic business development initiatives for the firm's aviation endeavors in facilities design and construction, infrastructure design and construction, and program management oversight. Throughout his career of over 34 years, Chris has worked on impactful projects nationwide at general aviation, corporate, and air carrier airports and military airfields and bases.

Jim Bilella, PE, will bring over 32 years of experience in design and construction as the Market Leader for Rail and Transit. In this role, Jim will drive strategic business development initiatives for the firm's rail and transit endeavors in facilities design and construction, infrastructure design and construction, and program management oversight.

With 25 years of consulting engineering experience, Angelo Waters, PE, LEED AP, is the Business Leader for Urban's Integrated Engineering Services. He leads a multidisciplinary team of professionals across environmental, ports and waterways, construction services, land development, structures, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering. Angelo and his team are dedicated to delivering comprehensive project management and support solutions that enhance Urban's internal operational units and serve our diverse and valued clients.

Laura Frein, CPSM, is the Business Leader for Urban's Marketing and Sales department. With nearly 20 years of experience in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry, she will oversee business development, marketing, communications, and proposal development.

"During their tenure at Urban Engineers, these leaders have shown the highest levels of professional accomplishment and dedication to developing and advancing the interests of our clients," said CEO Pat McCormick. "As we look forward to the growth and development of Urban, I am honored and thrilled to work with such a talented and spirited Executive Group. They are committed to the growth of Urban and the development of our employees, and I look forward to working with each of them in their new roles."

About Urban Engineers, Inc.

Urban Engineers, Inc. is an employee-owned multidisciplinary planning, design, environmental, and construction support services consulting firm with more than 400 employees located in 14 regional offices across the United States. Through planning, design, and construction support, our experts put their passion to work to improve the everyday built environment, wherever that may be. We provide services for facilities, ports & waterways, public transportation, railroads, airports, energy and utilities, bridges, and roadways. With this growth and the ever-changing market, our mission has remained the same: to be our clients' first choice by providing consistent, quality services. More information is available at https://urbanengineers.com/.

Disclosure: Urban Engineers, Inc. is not affiliated with Urban Engineers of Georgia (acquired by VHB), Urban Engineers of New York, D.P.C., or any other similarly-named business.

CONTACT: Stacey Weiss

[email protected]

SOURCE Urban Engineers
LONDON, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CityHub , the urban lifestyle hotel brand, is bringing its signature blend of cutting-edge technology and sustainable design to the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik this November.

Having officially opened in the heart of the Hverfisgata district on 16th November, and with bookings available through its website , CityHub Reykjavik promises a unique, digitally-driven stay perfect for tech-savvy travellers looking to explore Iceland like a local.

CityHub Reykjavik

Known for reinventing the traditional hotel experience, CityHub offers modern, pod-style 'Hubs', prefabricated units designed in collaboration with Studio Uberdutch, for ultimate comfort and privacy. With 89 Hubs and 4 accessible rooms equipped with smart technology, guests can fully personalise their stay. Key features of the Reykjavik location include:

Rooftop hot tub : Inspired by Iceland's hot springs, guests can relax in CityHub's rooftop hot tub after a day of exploring the city with stunning views and, if you're lucky, a glimpse of the iconic Northern Lights

: Inspired by hot springs, guests can relax in CityHub's rooftop hot tub after a day of exploring the city with stunning views and, if you're lucky, a glimpse of the iconic Northern Lights Seamless digital experience : Guests can check-in 24/7 via CityHub's kiosks and use RFID wristbands for smooth access to their Hubs, as well as its self-service bar with a range of wine, spirits, soft drinks and local craft beers on tap.

: Guests can check-in 24/7 via CityHub's kiosks and use RFID wristbands for smooth access to their Hubs, as well as its self-service bar with a range of wine, spirits, soft drinks and local craft beers on tap. Icelandic-inspired design : The hotel's design is influenced by Iceland's vibrant nature and culture, developed in partnership with local developers and interior designers HAF Studio.

: The hotel's design is influenced by vibrant nature and culture, developed in partnership with local developers and interior designers HAF Studio. 24/7 access to CityHosts: Guests have access to friendly CityHosts who are selected for their deep local knowledge and who can provide insider hacks and tips to help guests explore Reykjavik like a local.

CityHub aims to challenge the perception that Iceland is a budget-breaking destination. With rates starting from 80 a night, it offers an affordable yet premium stay in the heart of Reykjavik, making it an ideal option for budget-conscious explorers.

The hotel combines affordability with high-end amenities, including spa-like bathrooms and a cosy Hangout with plenty of space to work from or organise a day of sightseeing, delivering a unique way to experience the city without compromising comfort.

And like CityHub's other locations (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Copenhagen), the Reykjavik property repurposes an existing building, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

"We're passionate about creating spaces that not only offer incredible guest experiences but also contribute positively to the environment," said Sem Schuurkes, Co-founder of CityHub.

"With CityHub Reykjavik, we're offering a fresh take on affordable, modern travel in one of the world's most stunning destinations. Iceland is often seen as a luxury escape, but we're breaking that mould - bringing a tech-enabled, sustainable, affordable option for travellers who want an authentic city experience. From our rooftop hot tub to our expert local CityHosts, we've created a space where guests can truly connect with the city while enjoying all the modern comforts they would normally expect."

Hafsteinn Juliusson, the Industrial & Interior designer at HAF Studio comments: "We are proud to collaborate with CityHub on the design concept and styling of CityHub Reykjavik. Alongside our talented team of designers, we set out to capture the vibrant landscape of Iceland with bold colours inspired by the city's colourful nature. Having now seen our vision come to life, we are excited to provide visitors with a modern, authentic and eco-friendly accommodation that best showcases the rich offerings of this dynamic city".

Early bookings are now available at cityhub.com/reykjavik , with limited availability for the grand opening weekend.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit: https://cityhub.com/reykjavik/

About CityHub

CityHub is an urban lifestyle hotel brand that is reshaping the future of city stays for a new generation of travellers. We seamlessly blend cutting-edge technology, community-focused environments, and sustainable design to redefine and curate the contemporary hotel stay in the world's most dynamic, connected cities.

CityHub's luxury pod-style hotels offer guests both the privacy of their own compact, modular Hub and the use of vibrant, premium shared spaces. Through a combination of innovative technology, guests enjoy the benefits of a modern, connected stay, but also have access to friendly CityHosts who provide 'in the know' insider hacks and knowledge so guests can enjoy the city like a local.

Sustainability is also woven into the fabric of CityHub. From the use of repurposed, vacant buildings to a meticulous use of space that results in more than twice the number of rooms per square metre compared to a standard hotel, CityHub reduces each guest's carbon footprint by 89% compared to the European average, without compromising on comfort or experience.

CityHub was founded by college friends Sem Schuurkes and Pieter van Tilburg, who saw a need for a hotel experience that met the evolved needs of modern travellers. Beginning with CityHub Amsterdam in 2015, CityHub has opened new hotels in Rotterdam and Copenhagen, with Reykjavik officially opening in November.

Discover the future of city stays at cityhub.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563400/CityHub.jpg

SOURCE CityHub
Outlook and intent to spend gauges for upper income US consumers show particular strength, with positive trends also seen among lower income consumers, as findings mark public launch of the Bain/Dynata Consumer Health Indexes

BOSTON, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The US consumer is showing signs of strength, especially among upper income earners who represent the majority of discretionary consumer spending by Americans, the latest results of the Bain & Company/Dynata Consumer Health Indexes, released today, show.

November results of the Consumer Health Indexes (CHI) show a rise in the survey data's headline gauge of the US consumer outlook to 102.0, up 1.1 points from October's reading.

The outlook score among upper income consumers, earning more than $100k a year, shows particular strength, rising 2 points month-on-month in November after a 1.9-point increase in October, and has now risen by 3.6 points over the last three months. The CHI gauge of consumers' intent to spend for upper income earners also continues to trend upwards, climbing by 1.2 points month-on-month in November and by 7.1 points over the last three months.

Lower income consumers, earning up to $50k a year, are reporting less robust but still positive trends in the CHI results. The intent to spend score for this group is up by 5.3 points month-on-month in November, and by 7.6 points in the last three months. However, alongside this, the consumer outlook score for the group has remained essentially flat in the past two months, making the strength of reading for the lower income group more tentative.

In contrast to upper and lower income earners, middle income Americans (earning $50-100k a year) at present still show no signs of building strength. Both the consumer outlook and intent to spend score for this group remained flat in the past month.

The findings are the key insights from the first edition of the Bain/Dynata Consumer Health Indexes to be publicly released. Bain & Company and Dynata have run the indexes since 2017 to provide business decision-makers with in-depth information and analysis on consumer trends for near-term and medium-term strategy and planning. Previously the data from the monthly CHI survey was provided to clients privately.

Karen Harris, partner at Bain & Company and managing director of the firm's Macro Trends Group, commented: "As we enter the critical spending weeks for the US holiday retail season upper-income earners  who represent the majority of discretionary spending in the US  are becoming increasingly positive in their outlook and are telling us they intend to spend more freely.

"Upper income consumers' outlook is buoyed by positive investment portfolio performance. Barring a significant correction, this demographic group's outlook is likely to remain strong. The enthusiasm recorded in upper income earners' outlook seems to be having an impact of their spending intentions, where we've seen a four-month positive trend in our data. If you are hoping for a positive holiday retail spending season, you would want to see emerging strength from this group, which represents over 50% of discretionary spending in the US.

"Lower income spending intentions have also been trending positively over the last three months, but we continue to look for corresponding positive increases in this group's outlook on their wages. If we observe these increases, we will have more confidence that these elevated spending intent levels could be supported over the long-term.

"If there is cautionary flag in our data this month, it comes from middle-income households. Their outlook and spend-intent measurements have trended slightly down over the past couple of months. With much of this group's financial wealth tied up in their houses, and with those markets often summarized as 'frozen,' we can't say we expect to see a sudden favorable shift on the horizon."

For more details and the full report (PDF), please click here or get in touch via the media contacts below.

Media contacts

To arrange an interview or for any questions, please contact:

Gary Duncan (London)  Email: [email protected]

Katie Ware (New York)  Email: [email protected]

About Bain & Company

Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future.

Across 65 cities in 40 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. We earned a gold rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social, and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains, putting us in the top 2% of all companies. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry.

About Dynata

Dynata is the world's largest first-party data company for insights, activation, and measurement. With a reach that encompasses 70 million consumers and business professionals globally and an extensive library of individual profile attributes collected through surveys, Dynata is the cornerstone for precise, trustworthy quality data. The company has built innovative data services and solutions around its robust first-party data offering to bring the voice of the customer to the entire marketing continuum  from uncovering insights to activating campaigns and measuring cross-channel marketing return on investment. Dynata serves more than 6,000 market research, media and advertising agencies, publishers, consulting and investment firms, and corporate customers in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Learn more at www.dynata.com.

SOURCE Bain & Company
CRM Bot and Voice Control deliver GenAI-powered assistance in Vault CRM

MADRID and PLEASANTON, Calif., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Veeva Systems (NYSE: VEEV) today announced Vault CRM Bot and Vault CRM Voice Control, two new GenAI capabilities in Vault CRM. Unveiled at Veeva Commercial Summit Europe, CRM Bot and Voice Control join a host of new innovations coming to Vault CRM next year. With these new capabilities, companies can deploy AI that will have immediate value by boosting field productivity.

CRM Bot embeds the large language model (LLM) of your choice into Vault CRM to enable a wide range of context-driven tasks including pre-call planning, suggested actions, recommended content, and context-specific learning. Planned for availability in late 2025, CRM Bot is included in Vault CRM for no additional charge and requires the Vault Direct Data API.

AI-powered Voice Control brings the human voice as a user interface into Vault CRM by leveraging Apple Intelligence for hands-free operation of CRM via spoken commands. Planned for availability in late 2025, Voice Control is included in Vault CRM for no additional charge and requires Apple Intelligence and compatible devices.

Delivering AI within its products  like CRM Bot and Voice Control  is part of Veeva's overall strategy to help enable AI for the life sciences industry. Veeva also provides the Vault Direct Data API for high-speed access to data needed for AI and the Veeva AI Partner Program that enables customers and partners to more easily build AI applications that integrate seamlessly with Vault applications.

"Vault CRM Bot and Vault CRM Voice Control bring the latest advances in generative AI into Vault CRM for more effective, productive reps," said Arno Sosna, general manager of CRM products at Veeva. "Our product focus is to leverage AI for clear use cases with high impact and ensure smoother, more effective deployments of advanced technologies."

Veeva customers and life sciences industry professionals can learn about these innovations and more in the Vault CRM Product Roadmap session replay in Veeva Connect starting November 25.

About Veeva Systems

Veeva is the global leader in cloud software for the life sciences industry. Committed to innovation, product excellence, and customer success, Veeva serves more than 1,000 customers, ranging from the world's largest biopharmaceutical companies to emerging biotechs. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Veeva is committed to balancing the interests of all stakeholders, including customers, employees, shareholders, and the industries it serves. For more information, visit veeva.com.

Veeva Forward-looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding Veeva's products and services and the expected results or benefits from use of our products and services. These statements are based on our current expectations. Actual results could differ materially from those provided in this release and we have no obligation to update such statements. There are numerous risks that have the potential to negatively impact our results, including the risks and uncertainties disclosed in our filing on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 31, 2024, which you can find here (a summary of risks which may impact our business can be found on pages 36 and 37), and in our subsequent SEC filings, which you can access at sec.gov.

Contact:

Alison Borris

Veeva Systems

925-226-8821

[email protected]



 2024 Veeva Systems Inc. All rights reserved. Veeva, V, Vault, and Crossix are registered trademarks of Veeva Systems Inc. All third-party trademarks (including logos and icons) referenced herein remain the property of their respective owners. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

SOURCE Veeva Systems
Debut Artist George Alexander to Be Showcased in Miami Event During Art Basel

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new foundation dedicated to fostering Native American and Indigenous talent is making its debut. The Walker Youngbird Foundation aims to uplift emerging Native voices in contemporary art by providing resources, mentorship, and platforms.

The foundation's launch highlights its first featured artist, George Alexander , a Muscogee painter from Oklahoma now based in Santa Fe. Alexander's work bridges cultural heritage with contemporary storytelling, embodying the foundation's commitment to celebrating the depth and diversity of Indigenous artistry.

Founder Reid Walker, a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation, describes the inspiration behind the foundation: "I founded the Walker Youngbird Foundation to help ensure that emerging Native voices have the support and visibility they deserve. Our mission is to celebrate the richness of Indigenous cultures while empowering artists like George Alexander to share their stories and creativity with the world."

"Through his work, George is a powerful storyteller," says Nina O'Neil, Foundation Director. "We are honored to support his journey and amplify his voice to reach wider audiences."

The Walker Youngbird Foundation's commitment to elevating Native art will debut in early December in Miami coinciding with Art Basel. Alexander's art will be shown in an exclusive event featuring some of his newest works.

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

Follow us on instagram.com/walkeryoungbird.

SOURCE Walker Youngbird Foundation
California Milk Advisory Board and partner VentureFuel award Petit Pot and select four new finalists during the final pitch and Future of Dairy Expo event showcasing game-changing innovations in dairy

TRACY, Calif., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) and VentureFuel announced Petit Pot as the grand prize winner in the 2024 Real California Milk (RCM) Excelerator product innovation competition. The award was presented during the Future of Dairy Expo and Final Pitch Event on November 14th in San Ramon, Calif., where four new finalists were also selected to compete for the 2025 grand prize.

Founder, Maxime Pouvreau discussing Petit Pot and his participation in the Real California Milk Excelerator. From left to right, Fred Schonenberg, Founder & CEO, VentureFuel; Eric Lallart, CEO, Petit Pot; Maxime Pouvreau, Founder, Petit Pot; and John Talbot, CEO, California Milk Advisory Board.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/real_california_milk/9303251-en-real-california-milk-venture-fuel-2024-excelerator-grand-prize-winner

This competitive program is designed to drive value-added dairy innovation using California milk, ultimately strengthening the industry by providing startups with access to sustainably produced milk as well as resources, expertise, and non-dilutive funding to grow their businesses. As the winner of the 2024 RCM Excelerator, Petit Pot will receive $100,000 worth of marketing support from the CMAB to continue scaling their dairy-based desserts in California and beyond.

Through the Real California Milk Excelerator, early-stage companies are able to leverage the power of Real California Dairy through access to:

Tailored content and resources specific to the dairy industry, including access to quality, sustainably sourced milk

Mentorship from leading experts across product development, marketing, distribution, and sales

Extensive exposure to industry stakeholders

Petit Pot was one of four finalists in the 2023 RCM Excelerator event. The company was selected for its innovation in product packaging with the introduction of a paper dessert cup to further drive its commitment to sustainability. Since being selected for the 2023 cohort, founder Maxime Pouvreau has scaled up production in California and demonstrated his company's tremendous potential for growth. The CMAB selected the company as the Grand Prize Winner based on the company's $2MM+ in retail sales over a one-year period and rapidly expanding presence through 6,000 stores across the country. The $100,000 grand prize will provide marketing support for initiatives like on-pack promotions, digital and instant redeemable coupons, product sampling, and in-store signage to further drive brand awareness.

Headquartered in Emeryville, Calif, Petit Pot was founded by French-born pastry chef Maxime Pouvreau and specializes in single-serve gourmet desserts crafted with dairy and other organic ingredients. The company has seen rapid growth since it first participated in the Excelerator's snack-focused competition in 2020.

"We're thrilled for Petit Pot to be recognized as the top choice in this year's Real California Milk Excelerator competition," said Maxime Pouvreau, Petit Pot's Founder. "Wellness-focused snacking is on the rise, and more people are looking for indulgent, yet balanced, options. Petit Pot offers a rich, creamy treat that satisfies those cravings without compromise. With the CMAB's support, we look forward to bringing our French-inspired desserts to even more people across the country."

The Real California Milk Excelerator was established by CMAB to drive transformational growth for innovative dairy products that can deliver value both to consumers and to the dairy community. At a time when venture funding for food and beverage startups has slowed, programs like the Excelerator play a crucial role in bridging the gap for high-potential food and beverage startups.

"Innovation is the lifeblood of any brand and any product category. Our continued investment in amplifying products in the value-added space supports the sustainability of our industry while providing consumers with more options for tapping into the unique benefits that come from only real milk and dairy," said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB.

At the 2024 Future of Dairy Expo, attendees also experienced product tastings and exhibitions from 20+ pioneering dairy startups, and witnessed the selection of four new finalists chosen by the CMAB from this year's incubator cohort during the live pitch event:

Pluff, a fluffy protein dessert with high nutritional value, represented by its founder, Dylan Paul ;

; Projo*, an instant coffee blend infused with dairy and collagen, represented by Charbel Mawad , founder and CEO;

, founder and CEO; Smearcase, a cottage-cheese-based ice cream, represented by founder and CEO, Joe Rotondo ;

; And Todo, a meal replacement shake with a balanced nutritional content, represented by founder, Niket Soni .

"The passion and creativity we've seen from this year's Grand Prize Winner and Finalists exemplify the bold future of California dairy," said Fred Schonenberg, CEO of VentureFuel. "From sustainable practices to breakthrough flavors, these founders are redefining what dairy can be. We're thrilled to support their journeys as they open new possibilities and help drive California's dairy industry's continued growth and innovation."

The event offered industry stakeholders an opportunity to engage with products poised to shape the future of dairy, while also showcasing the commitment of California's dairy farmers to sustainable practices.

About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state's dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB's programs focus on increasing demand for California's sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, X, Instagram and Pinterest.

About VentureFuel, Inc.

Founded in 2014, VentureFuel is an independent innovation advisory that helps the world's best organizations ignite change through startup collaborations. Its innovation programs include Diagnostics, Corporate Accelerators and Commercial Pilots; and focus on solving clients' biggest challenges by driving greater efficiencies; closing strategic capability gaps; and identifying emerging business models. VentureFuel provides organizations like Hershey's, Comcast, Dick's Sporting Goods, AARP Foundation and the State of California the tools to drive transformative change with less risk, more speed, and greater proximity to the consumer than traditional innovation models. Learn more at: www.venturefuel.net, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram. You can listen to The VentureFuel Visionaries podcast on Apple, Spotify, Simplecast or wherever you get your podcasts.

SOURCE California Milk Advisory Board
ELKO  Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital leaders and government officials dedicated the upcoming inpatient behavioral health unit on Tuesday, providing tours to the third-floor facility and discussing its impact on Elko County communities.

Building an inpatient behavioral health unit has been a very big undertaking, to put it mildly. There has already been a lot of hard work poured into the behavioral health unit, even before we receive our first patient. But through it all, we have been guided by our mission statement of making communities healthier, hospital CEO Steve Simpson said.

While NNRH has been improving the physical health of our region for over 20 years, we havent always had the resources to fully address the mental health challenges we have in our community, Simpson explained. That was really the impetus behind this project, the understanding that we cannot truly make our communities healthier unless were also addressing behavioral health. The mental health crisis in our towns and in our country is very complex and daunting. While NNRH cannot do everything to address it, this is something we can do.

He said the 16-bed, $3.2 million unit isnt ready to open just yet. Today is not a ribbon cutting or a grand opening, he noted. Unfortunately, our unit is not quite ready for patients. Weve had a few key components delayed during construction.

For one, the unit will not have its doors delivered until mid-December, Simpson said. Also, the hospital awaits a certificate of occupancy from the state of Nevada.

It is expected to open in January.

Due to those unfortunate delays, we are still about six weeks from admitting our first patient. So, while we can show off a slightly incomplete unit today, well also show you a work in progress. Its important for us to dedicate this unit and the staff who will be working in it to the health of our community.

Certified Nursing Assistant Floramel Hendrickson said she and her coworkers have undergone orientation training for the new unit. Were going to work together, hand in hand, for the patients safety, she said.

This really fills a huge gap which existed here in the Elko area, Elko Mayor Reece Keener said, noting about 25 people a month are transported out of Elko due to mental health crises.

It was really kind of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With the American Rescue Plan funding, the city received about $26.5 million and we thought, you know what, the biggest need in the community is mental health, the mayor said.

The city put up about $3 million, Keener said. And some $500,000 went to the hospital to help launch the third-floor inpatient facility. Other money also went to Nevada Health Centers and Vitality Unlimited. And our whole idea was to develop some homegrown infrastructure here in Elko to be able to minister to the needs of patients without them having to make a trip to Salt Lake City, Twin Falls or Reno, he said.

NNRH has been a strong partner with the city, he noted, explaining hes been told of other plans in the works that are really going to be helpful for the community and will be able to grow local jobs here in Elko.

We are absolutely committed to not only the great behavioral health services that were going to be providing, but ongoing investment, Jason Zachariah, executive vice president and CEO of corporate parent Lifepoint Health said, in terms of closing the gap between the rural and urban divide in America.

Our passion is around not only the physical health but the mental and spiritual health of all Nevadans, especially here in Elko and the Ruby Mountain Range, he said. We want to keep our care close to home.

He praised Simpson and County Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi, who chairs the hospitals board of trustees.

Yes, theres a capital investment of $2.3 million to build this unit out. And were not stopping. We have to also add outpatient services so we can continue the care. Once someone is stabilized here and is more resilient, we have to get them back into the community and safe. Unfortunately, it is chronic for a lot of folks and so we have to address this professionally with added resources around our inpatient unit. That, too, will be further investment.

State-licensed clinical social worker and behavioral health manager Michelle Sandoval appeared at the dedication on behalf of Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, who presented the health unit with a certificate of recognition from the governors office.

The hospital also received a certificate of congressional recognition from Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei and a certificate of special congressional recognition from Democratic U.S. Sen. Jackie Rosen.

after the 45-minute dedication, Rex Mitchell, the hospitals director of materials management, was one of the hospital officials providing tours of the care unit  which was under the process of finishing construction.

He explained how the unit will contain 16 beds, 12 for general behavioral care psychiatric patients and four for geriatric patients and patients with compounding conditions.

The providers will come up with individual care plans for each of them, based on their needs, Mitchell said.

The unit will also be staffed with RNs and CNAs and include a nurses station, two activity areas divided up based on noise level, kitchen space, laundry space, bathing areas and consultation rooms where patients can meet with providers.

There will be private and semi-private rooms, each with large windows to let in sunlight.

We want our rooms to be warm and inviting. Therefore, were trying to incorporate certain colors, Mitchell said, noting how the walls will be brightly painted. The furnishings in here are set up in a manner that is very conducive to that warm environment, as well as safety.

The hospital had a behavioral health unit which closed around a decade ago, Mitchell said. At the time, the hospital was unable to find consistent partners to provide care.

Andreozzi said the new unit is an important puzzle piece which Elko has been missing.

It opens up access, he said. Access equals better outcomes  but it also is pointing us to a place of hope. Hope gives us something to look forward to. Hope leads us to a path where we believe that we can get better, and we can.

We have no idea who amongst us might be in distress, Andreozzi said.

Check in with each other. Check in with your neighbors, check in with your friends, your parents, your coworkers and ask them, Hey, how are you doing today? Are you okay? You doing okay? he said. Its just that simple.
In partnership with the Boston Society for Architecture, Women in Design celebrates and encourages the success and leadership of women in the design community.

BOSTON, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Women in Design (WiD), a Boston Society for Architecture Knowledge Community, is proud to announce the winners of the 25th annual WiD Award of Excellence. The 2024 winners are Aisha Densmore-Bey, DDES, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, and Elizabeth Lowrey, FIIDA, RDI. Presented by WiD and the Women Principals Group, the peer-nominated WiD Award of Excellence is presented in recognition of individuals who have built their life around design, whose work exemplifies the best of process and product, and who uses their position of achievement to give back to the world of design and to the community at large.

"Aisha and Elizabeth are both pillars of the New England design community and recognized nationally for their work. Their dedication to championing innovation in the built environment and lifting up those around them is unmatched," said Mary McCarthy AIA, co-chair of Women in Design. "We could not be prouder to have them represent the 25th annual WiD Award of Excellence and join the ranks of the talented, dedicated and collaborative women that have come before them."

Dr. Aisha Densmore-Bey has devoted her career to enhancing access to and visibility of the design professions. As a multi-hyphenate creative, she combines artistry with advocacy, actively creating change, making sure to bring others along.

Elizabeth Lowrey has devoted her life's work to designing inspiring and beautiful interiors where people build community, create, and innovate. Rooted in her parents' activism, her conviction that we are "better together" guides every project she leads.

Ms. Densmore-Bey and Ms. Lowrey will be celebrated at an awards ceremony on December 4, 2024 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm in the BSA Space at 290 Congress Street in Boston. Ticket information can be found here. For more information on the Boston Society for Architecture and WiD, please visit the BSA website here.

About the Boston Society for Architecture (BSA)

The Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) is a non-profit membership organization focused on improving the quality of life for Boston-area residents by championing innovation in the built environment, with particular emphasis on sustainability and social equity. We achieve this by connecting our diverse and passionate network of over 4,500 architects, firms and allied members through collaborative initiatives that create solutions towards a more equitable and sustainable future. We extend and deepen these efforts philanthropically through our BSA Foundation, with donations and hands-on work in our community. The BSA is one of the oldest and largest chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). For more information about the BSA and the BSA Foundation, visit architects.org.

SOURCE Boston Society for Architecture
SMYRNA, Ga., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wynk, an award-winning leader in low-dose, hemp-derived cannabis beverages, is thrilled to announce its statewide debut in Georgia. As demand surges for refreshing alternatives to traditional alcohol, Wynk's THC-infused seltzers are now available at age-gated licensed retailers across the state, offering consumers in cities like Atlanta and Savannah a new way to socialize.

Wynk is partnering with United Distributors, Georgia's largest beverage wholesaler, to expand its reach and bring its signature 1:1 THC seltzers to local retailers. "We're thrilled to introduce Wynk to Georgia, a state with a strong regulatory framework that supports cannabis beverage growth," said Phil McFarland, General Manager of Wynk. "This expansion is a testament to the increasing demand for alternative adult beverages, and we look forward to sharing Wynk's light, balanced, and social experience with consumers across Georgia."

United Distributors' extensive network and strong local presence will help introduce Wynk's cannabis beverages to a broad audience in Georgia. With United's expansive footprint, combined with Wynk's strong brand recognition, dynamic marketing, and sales capabilities, this partnership is poised to make Wynk's products widely available to consumers across the state.

This expansion builds on Wynk's national retail footprint in other states such as Texas, Tennessee, Illinois, Minnesota, Connecticut, and more. Wynk's appeal lies in its balanced, easy-to-enjoy effects. Each 2.5mg or 5mg THC dose offers a light, social buzz without calories, sugar, or alcohol.

Georgia consumers can look forward to a range of unique flavors, including Black Cherry Fizz, Lime Twist, Juicy Mango, and Tangerine. For a complete list of retail locations and to learn more about Wynk, visit https://drinkwynk.com/find-in-stores .

About Wynk

Established in 2021, Wynk is a driving force in the rapidly growing cannabis-infused beverage space. Combining a balanced 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD with high-quality manufacturing standards, Wynk delivers a refreshing, social experience trusted by consumers for its great taste and consistent effects. Committed to safety and transparency, Wynk is at the forefront of the mainstream cannabis-infused beverage movement. Available in both 7.5 oz cans with 2.5mg of THC and CBD, and 12 oz cans with 5mg of each, Wynk offers a refreshing variety of flavors including Black Cherry Fizz, Lime Twist, Juicy Mango, and Tangerine. Wynk is available online for purchase in 37 states and sold in retail stores in 12 states at www.drinkwynk.com .

SOURCE Wynk Seltzer + THC
IHG to Participate in Giving Tuesday, Matching Member Donations up to 10 million IHG One Rewards Points in Support of Action Against Hunger

ATLANTA, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IHG Hotels & Resorts is ready to make dreaming up your next getaway even more enticing with its annual Cyber Sale event. Whether you're planning a spontaneous winter escape, mapping out next year's spring vacation, or surprising a loved one with the gift of travel, the choice is yours to book and save up to 25% off stays through April 2025 at IHG's more than 6,000 hotels globally.

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

With iconic brands and locations  from stunning ocean views of crystal blue waters at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort and Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach to a lively food scene in the heart of Hudson Yards at Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan in New York City  IHG has a destination that shows up on every traveler's bucket list this season.

Below is an overview of details surrounding this year's sale:

Members Save 25% Globally : Members receive a 25% discount on global bookings. All stays must be completed by April 30, 2025 , at participating IHG Hotels & Resorts properties.

: Members receive a 25% discount on global bookings. All stays must be completed by , at participating IHG Hotels & Resorts properties. Everyone Saves 17% Globally : Travelers everywhere can save up to 17% off their next adventure when they book a stay with IHG from Nov. 20  Travel Tuesday on Dec. 3, 2024 . All stays must be completed by April 30, 2025 , at participating IHG Hotels & Resorts properties.

: Travelers everywhere can save up to 17% off their next adventure when they book a stay with IHG from  Travel Tuesday on . All stays must be completed by , at participating IHG Hotels & Resorts properties. Download the App, Get 500 Points: For those who have not yet enrolled in IHG One Rewards, now is the perfect time to join and download the app. First-time downloaders earn an extra 500 IHG One Rewards points, setting themselves up for more perks and savings.

For those who have not yet enrolled in IHG One Rewards, now is the perfect time to join and download the app. First-time downloaders earn an extra 500 IHG One Rewards points, setting themselves up for more perks and savings. Up to 40% Off at Iberostar Beachfront Resorts: IHG One Rewards members can save up to 40% off at participating Iberostar Beachfront Resorts properties in Mexico , the Caribbean , Spain and more when they book a stay from Nov. 21  Dec. 3, 2024 . Most stays must be completed by Dec. 20, 2025 , while some stay dates vary by location. A list of participating locations can be found at: ihg.com/iberostar-beachfront-resorts.

"If you've been thinking about jumpstarting travel plans for next year, or you're eager to take a holiday vacation, now's the time to book the trip," said Michael Menis, SVP of Global Marketing at IHG Hotels & Resorts. "With over 6,000 hotels to choose from, IHG has something for every type of traveler from city escapes to relaxing beachside resorts and is offering IHG One Rewards members even more ways to save this year."

Make an Impact: Give Back on Giving Tuesday

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BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Huang Tianming, a 62-year-old farmer from Zhan'ao village in Keqiao district, Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang province, delivered a speech at a side event themed "Advancing the Implementation of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda", on Nov 18.

Huang, travelling 6,000 km, shared a story between his family and ancient Chinese torreya trees, the oldest of which is 1,570 years old.

"Our story with the trees started from ancestors, who migrated to this place 800 years ago. Now, six generations from the same family are still guarding the trees," said Huang. The farmer spends more than 200 days a year in the Chinese torreya tree forest, weeding, fertilizing, pruning.

For hundreds of years, local farmers follow ancestors' practices to live with the trees harmoniously. In recent years, database was established to record the ancient trees' data including health conditions.

Luigi Latini, owner and CEO at MOPI srl, said that this story from rural China is very worth learning. "Ecological protection and economic development on both hands can inject driving force to sustainable development. I hope many people will learn from it," he said.

Zhan'ao village and adjacent villages are in possession of a Chinese torreya tree forest with over 5,000 trees that are above 500 years old. In 2013, the forest was recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage, the first of its kind in the world.

Today, Chinese torreya nuts industry has become a pillar industry in Zhan'ao village. Annual income related to Chinese torreya reached over 30,000 yuan ($4,143) per person.

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563094/11_20__1.mp4
Rio De Janeiro, Nov 20 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the leaders at the G20 Summit "deepened global collaboration" for a better future.

Rio de Janeiro, Nov 20 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the leaders at the G20 Summit "deepened global collaboration" for a better future.

He said this before leaving the Brazilian city for Guyana on Tuesday.

"We had engaging conversations and deepened global collaboration in areas like sustainable development, growth, fighting poverty, and harnessing technology for a better future", he said before his departure.

At the summit, he presented India's progress in overcoming poverty and fighting climate change and offered to share the country's expertise.

With India emerging as the voice of the Global South, he reiterated strongly the calls for reforming global institutions and finding a fair and just way to share the burdens of fighting climate change.

During his two-day visit to Guyana, he will co-chair the India-CARICOM summit that will bring together the leaders of 14 Caribbean countries, and work on strengthening ties with the nation with a large diaspora that is emerging as a major global energy source.

Summing up PM Modi's participation in the G20 Summit, India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration adopted under PM Modi's leadership at the summit last year found a place in the Rio Declaration.

Briefing the media, he said, "The Prime Minister spoke in two sessions, one on hunger and poverty and the other on sustainable development and energy transition. In both of them, he highlighted the huge impact which India had made".

In addition, PM Modi also held several formal bilateral meetings with leaders from around the world and spoke with many informally.

India also organised a side event on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Artificial Intelligence(AI), and Data for Governance (DfG).

Among PM Modi's many bilateral meetings, two stand out.

He and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed to restart the negotiations for a free trade agreement.

At the Second India-Australia Annual Summit, he and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership and also agreed to increase strategic cooperation as members of the Quad, the Indo-Pacific group that includes Japan and the US.
Washington, Nov 20 : US President-elect Donald Trump named Howard Lutnick, Chairman & CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, as his nominee for secretary of commerce with additional charge as the country's top trade negotiator.

Lutnick is also co-chair of the Trump transition team.

"I am thrilled to announce that Howard Lutnick, Chairman & CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, will join my Administration as the United States Secretary of Commerce," Trump said in a statement on Tuesday.

"He will lead our Tariff and Trade agenda, with additional direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative."

Lutnick was also in the running for the position of Secretary of Treasury, but that battle is now being fought by other contenders, who were being vetted by the President-elect through personal interviews.

If confirmed, Lutnick will be the US counterpart of Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, and they will together lead a robust set of engagements between the two countries in bilateral trade and commerce.

And should the Trump administration decide to pick up the trade deal it was working on with India during President Trump's first term, Lutnick and Goyal will be the officials leading the negotiations. Goyal's current counterparts are Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

The Trump transition team announcement described Lutnick as "a dynamic force on Wall Street for more than 30 years." He started out in Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial institution, in 1983, and rose "rapidly" through the ranks to become President and CEO at the age of 29.

The firm, located in the World Trade Center, faced a devastating tragedy on September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the building. It lost 658 of its 960 New York-based employees, including both Lutnick's brother and his best friend.

"He emerged from these events with an indomitable sense of purpose to rebuild the firm to honour those lost, support their families, and become a beacon of hope for those who remained. He was an inspiration to the World - The embodiment of resilience in the face of unspeakable tragedy."

Lutnick is on the board of directors of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and Weill Cornell Medicine. He was named the Financial Times' Person of the Year in 2001 and Ernst & Young's United States Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010.

Howard also received the Department of the Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honour granted to non-military personnel by the Navy, the Trump transition team said in the announcement.
Seoul, Nov 20 : South Korea's antitrust regulator said on Wednesday it has issued corrective orders on 47 unfair terms and conditions found in the operations of two major Chinese e-commerce platforms, AliExpress and Temu.

Despite rapid growth -- estimated at around 10 million users in South Korea -- due to extremely low prices and a broad range of products, the Chinese online retailers have recently come under scrutiny for their business practices, advertising and handling of customer complaints and requests.

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) identified 47 clauses in the platforms' terms and conditions that were deemed to unfairly limit consumer rights and excessively exclude the platforms from liability, in violation of local e-commerce laws and other relevant regulations, reports Yonhap news agency.

First, the FTC ordered adjustments to several existing clauses that limit the platforms' liability to consumers rights and broadly restrict compensation for damages.

With the corrections, the two platforms would bear responsibility within the limits of their negligence and be required to comply with the South Korean civil law for consumer compensation.

Additionally, some of AliExpress and Temu's existing terms permit extensive collection of users' personal data without specifying usage duration and even allow the sharing of data with third parties without user consent.

South Korea's Personal Information Protection Act mandates that e-commerce platforms obtain users' consent before transferring their personal information, and to include consumer complaint procedures in their terms and conditions.

The FTC ordered AliExpress and Temu to specify which data could be collected and to delete any clauses that unfairly limit consumers' data protection rights.

Furthermore, the companies' existing terms require consumer disputes to be resolved exclusively in overseas courts, with AliExpress specifying Hong Kong and Temu specifying Singapore as their choice of destination.

The FTC ordered such terms to be revised to state that South Korean laws apply to disputes with South Korean consumers.

The FTC anticipates that standardizing AliExpress and Temu's terms before Black Friday, slated for next week, will help effectively protect the rights of South Korea's estimated 13 million overseas shoppers.

Direct overseas purchases by South Korean consumers reached 6.8 trillion won (US$4.9 billion) in 2023, up from 5.3 trillion won in 2022, largely driven by increased online purchases from China through platforms like AliExpress and Temu.

While the United States had historically held the largest share of South Korean overseas purchases, goods from China accounted for 48.7 percent of the total in 2023.
Rio De Janeiro, Nov 20 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the Brazilian city for Guyana, saying the leaders at the G20 Summit "deepened global collaboration" for a better future.

"We had engaging conversations and deepened global collaboration in areas like sustainable development, growth, fighting poverty, and harnessing technology for a better future," he said before his departure on Tuesday.

At the summit, he presented India's progress in overcoming poverty and fighting climate change and offered to share his expertise.

With India emerging as the voice of the Global South, he reiterated strongly the calls for reforming global institutions and finding a fair and just way to share the burdens of fighting climate change.

During his two-day visit to Guyana, he will co-chair the India-CARICOM summit that will bring together the leaders of 14 Caribbean countries and work on strengthening ties with the nation with a large diaspora that is emerging as a major global energy source.

Summing up the Prime Minister's participation in the G20 Summit, India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said that the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration adopted under PM Modi's leadership at the summit last year found a place in the Rio Declaration.

Briefing the media, Kant said, "The Prime Minister spoke in two sessions, one on hunger and poverty and the other on sustainable development and energy transition. In both of them, he highlighted the huge impact which India had made."

In addition, PM Modi also held several formal bilateral meetings with leaders from around the world and spoke with many informally.

India also organised a side event on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Artificial Intelligence(AI), and Data for Governance (DfG).

Among PM Modi's many bilateral meetings, two stand out -- One with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where the two leaders agreed to restart the negotiations for a free trade agreement and second, the Second India-Australia Annual Summit, where PM Modi and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership and also agreed to increase strategic cooperation as members of the Quad, the Indo-Pacific group that includes Japan and the US.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : India will work towards efforts to boost global health, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday while pledging his support to World Health Organisation chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who he addressed as 'Tulsi Bhai'.

He said this in response to Ghebreyesus' post on X, thanking PM Modi and others for their support and contributions during the first-ever WHO Investment Round held in Brazil.

The Prime Minister said that India is actively working in the health sector by integrating technology.

"Dear Tulsi Bhai, A healthy planet is a better planet. India is working actively in this sector," PM Modi said in the post on X.

"We are attaching great priority to integrating technology too. At the same time, we will strengthen global efforts in this regard," he added.

The WHO organised its first-ever Investment Round to raise funds for its strategy for global health during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro.

The event, attended by world leaders along with Prime Minister Modi, "raised $ 1.7 billion".

At the Summit, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building a fair world and a sustainable planet. They pledged to prioritise the fight against inequalities in all their dimensions.

Their declaration reaffirmed the WHO's central role in global health governance, emphasising the need for stable and transparent financing.

They also backed the WHO Investment Round as a means to secure additional funding for the organisation's activities.

"Investment in @WHO is an investment in global health security," the WHO chief posted on X.

The global health body noted that it "has $ 3.8 billion toward its $ 7.1 billion goal".

This also marks "a 53 per cent funding for the 14th General Programme of Work -- set to save 40 million additional lives over the next 4 years", the UN agency said.
Kolkata, Nov 20 : A division bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Wednesday, will pronounce its verdict on the bail petition of Partha Chatterjee, the former West Bengal Education Minister and ex-Trinamool Congress Secretary General in the cases registered against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the cash-for-school-job matter.

The division bench of Justice Arijit Bandopadhyay and Justice Apurba Sinha Roy will pronounce the judgement in the second half of the day. The same bench will also pronounce verdicts on the bail petitions of eight other persons in the matter at the same time in the afternoon.

However, sources said that even if the division bench of Calcutta High Court grants bail to Chatterjee, there is no chance for him to be freed from behind bars immediately since his separate bail petition against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case in the same school job case is pending before the Supreme Court.

Partha Chatterjee approached the apex court seeking bail in the case registered by ED after a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court earlier this year rejected his bail petition in the same case.

Two parallel cases are going on against the former state education minister, one registered by the CBI and the other by the ED. He was arrested in July 2022 by the officials of ED after huge cash and gold were recovered from the twin residences of his close aide Arpita Mukherjee.

Since then a solitary cell at Presidency Central Correctional Home became his abode and his bail petitions one after another were rejected at different courts. Mukherjee has been serving judicial custody since then.

Soon after his arrest, Trinamool Congress announced his removal from all administrative and organisational chairs. Even the party abolished the post of secretary general, which was specially created to give Chatterjee a party rank somewhat equivalent to national general secretary.
Ramallah, Nov 20 : Three Palestinian men were killed in clashes with Israeli forces after they were surrounded near the town of Qabatiya in Jenin, West Bank.

"We were informed by the General Authority for Civil Affairs that three young men were killed by Israeli forces' bullets near Qabatiya," the Ramallah-based Palestinian Health Ministry said in a press statement.

The ministry identified the victims as 24-year-old Raed Hanaysheh, 25-year-old Anwar Sabaaneh, and 32-year-old Suleiman Tazaza.

Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rab told Xinhua that Israeli forces assassinated three men from the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin, after besieging a house where they were holed up, and their bodies were detained.

He added that the Israeli forces fired several shells at the house amid heavy gunfire.

Israeli forces stormed the city and camp with a number of vehicles and bulldozers, destroying main roads in the city and some neighbourhoods of the camp, said Palestinian security sources.

Undercover Israeli Border Police officers surrounded a building in Qabatiya and carried out a tactic known as "pressure cooker," which involves escalating the volume of fire against a building to flush "suspects" out, Israeli media said on Tuesday.

Israel Police said in a statement on Tuesday that during a "counterterrorism" operation that was carried out this morning in the Jenin area, the police, in cooperation with the Shin Bet and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), killed three militants and seized weapons.

The West Bank has been witnessing an escalation of tension since October 7, 2023, which has led to the killing of more than 770 Palestinians by Israeli bullets and shelling, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Nairobi, Nov 20 : Eight countries in the Horn of Africa region are set to receive more than usual rainfall leading to floods, the Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) announced.

"More than usual rainfall expected in most parts of Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia and South Sudan," the ICPAC said on Tuesday, advising the communities in high-risk areas to exercise caution during this period.

Affected areas in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi would receive over 200 mm of rain, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting ICPAC.

Besides, the ICPAC also said that temperatures are expected to be warmer than average over most parts of the Greater Horn of Africa region.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and IGAD noted in a recent report that the Horn of Africa has 67 million food-insecure people.

The institutions said that multiple climate shocks and hazards contribute to a high level of food insecurity in the region, which is prone to droughts, floods, conflicts, economic instability and displacement of populations.
Patna, Nov 20 : Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to distribute appointment letters to 1,14,138 special teachers on Wednesday at an event at Patna's Convention Hall.

Prominent leaders will attend the programs, including Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Education Minister Sunil Kumar, Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, and Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav.

As part of the program, the Chief Minister will hand over appointment letters to 200 teachers at the Convention Hall.

Meanwhile, the remaining teachers across Bihar will receive their appointment letters from district-level officers.

According to Education Minister Sunil Kumar, these appointees will officially become special teachers and will hold the status of state employees.

This initiative marks a significant step in strengthening the state's education system and underscores the Bihar governmentas commitment to improving employment opportunities and the quality of education in the state.

Among the 1,14,138 special teachers, there are 98,349 primary teachers, 12,524 secondary teachers, and 3,265 higher secondary teachers.

Meanwhile, the governmentas policy on the transfer of teachers has been temporarily halted. This decision follows a directive from the Patna High Court, which required the government to clarify its position.

Consequently, Education Minister Sunil Kumar announced that transfers would only be processed after the completion of five phases of the competency examination. This change aligns with the court's instructions and aims to streamline the teacher management process.

Currently, there are about 3.85 lakh teachers employed across primary to higher secondary schools in Bihar. Of these, 1.87 lakh teachers have passed the competency test.

The 1.14 lakh teachers receiving appointment letters on Wednesday have already undergone document verification. The remaining eligible teachers will receive their letters once their verification is complete.

The halted transfer process had been initiated earlier, with teachers who passed the competency test being asked to submit online forms. However, after the court's intervention, the government decided to postpone the initiative until further notice.
Chennai, Nov 20 : Samba paddy cultivation in Tamil Nadu's Delta districts, often referred to as the state's rice bowl, has been affected due to heavy rain.

Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam have been receiving heavy rainfall over the past few days, inundating fields.

On Tuesday, Sembanarkoil in Mayiladuthurai recorded 68 mm of rainfall, while Mayiladuthurai town received 51 mm. In Tiruvarur district, Nannilam recorded 59 mm of rain, and Needamangalam received 47.7 mm.

Murugesan Perumal, a 52-year-old farmer from Thanjavur, reported that the heavy rain has flooded samba paddy fields, destroying thousands of acres of crops.

He attributed the inundation primarily to the lack of proper de-silting of irrigation canals.

"The Ottai Vaical canal, which functions as both an irrigation channel and a stormwater drain, has not been properly de-silted, leading to extensive damage," he said.

Farmers revealed that about 500 acres of farmland connected to the Ottai Vaical canal submerged due to vegetation overgrowth and accumulated silt.

Krishnaswamy, a farmer from Kumbakonam, expressed frustration, saying, "We have been complaining about the lack of de-silting for a long time."

Now, with the northeast monsoon lashing the region, the inundation has destroyed crops. If the rain continues for a few more days, the entire samba paddy crop will be wiped out.

Samba paddy is typically cultivated on about 18 lakh acres in Tamil Nadu's Delta districts. This year's heavy rain submerged a significant portion of the crops, raising concerns among farmers.

Farmer association leader M. Pandian said, "The heavy northeast monsoon has caused severe water stagnation in paddy fields. This is due to the poor maintenance of canals. If the inundation continues, the losses will be catastrophic."

In 2023-24, there was already a 40 per cent drop in samba paddy production in the Delta districts due to a deficit in the northeast monsoon. However, this year, despite adequate rainfall, the lack of proper de-silting and drainage can lead to severe crop damage, leaving farmers distressed.
Sanaa, Nov 20 : Yemen's Houthi group said in a statement that it had launched a rocket attack on the Anadolu S ship in the Red Sea.

"We carried out an operation targeting the ship, Anadolu S, in the Red Sea with a number of appropriate ballistic and naval rockets, and the hit was accurate," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement, without providing the details regarding the extent of the damage or casualties, Xinhua news agency reported.

The attack occurred on Monday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations. The agency posted on social media platform X that a rocket landed near the ship but caused no damage, and the crew were all safe.

Sarea claimed that his group targeted the ship, registered in Panama and sailing under Panama's flag, because its owning company allegedly has dealings with Israel.

The Houthi military spokesperson vowed to carry out more attacks on what he described as "Israel-linked" ships in the Red Sea.

Since November 2023, the Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen, 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.
Baghdad, Nov 20 : The Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) announced the delivery of 60 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies to Sudan.

A delegation from the IRCS accompanied the aid shipment and held a meeting with Sudanese Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim to discuss the prospects of joint cooperation and additional aid to alleviate Sudan's severe humanitarian crisis, the IRCS said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.

For his part, the Sudanese health minister expressed his appreciation for the IRCS' efforts, emphasising the importance of the medical supplies in addressing Sudan's urgent needs, it said.

Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since mid-April 2023.

The deadly conflict has resulted in 27,120 fatalities and displaced more than 14 million people, according to estimates by international organisations.
Bengaluru, Nov 20 : More than 20 teams of Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) and local police on Wednesday continued to hunt for the associates of slain Maoist Vikram Gowda in the thick forests of the Western Ghats in the coastal Karnataka region of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.

Dreaded and most wanted Maoist, 46-year-old Vikram Gowda was shot dead in a police encounter on Monday evening by the state police. The police forces had launched combing operations after collecting inputs about the movements of Maoists in the region.

The drones and dog squads are being used for search operations in forests and isolated areas. A high alert has been issued in Sringeri, Koppa, Mudigere and Kalasa taluks of Chikkamagaluru district.

A combing operation in the Karkala region of Udupi district of the coastal region has also been launched. The inputs are being collected from local tribes who frequent forests, sources said.

The family of Vikram Gowda were making preparations to conduct the final rites of the body. The postmortem of his body will be conducted at the KMC Hospital in the presence of a judge.

Suguna, the sister of Vikram Gowda who came to the mortuary to collect his body said, "The authorities have told us that they will hand over the body of our brother. We have decided to conduct final rituals to Vikram Gowda's body at our farm, where our house is also located."

"Me, Vikram Gowda and another brother Suresh grew up in that house," she stated.

"We have our land and why Vikram Gowda's body should be burnt somewhere else like orphans. He had left home many years ago. He never came back to our family or stayed in touch with us," Suguna stated.

Praveen Gowda, a relative of Vikram Gowda stated, the family has decided to conduct final rituals at his place.

Sources stated that Vikram Gowda was killed when he came with his team to collect ration. The police had gathered information in this regard.

Vikram Gowda had fallen in love with Maoist Savithri and their marriage was conducted in the forests. However, after marriage, Savithri forced him to surrender before the marriage. Not agreeing to it, he had separated from her, sources stated.

Sources further stated that the Maoists are trying to create the base in the coastal Karnataka region and Malnad (hilly) regions of the state following the debate on the implementation of the Kasturirangan report, which recommends eviction of farmers to save the Western Ghats.

The farmers of the coastal districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Malnad districts of Chikkamagaluru, and Shivamogga will be affected by the implementation of the report.

The Maoists are planning to encash the insecurity of farmers and people of these regions fearing their eviction after the implementation of the Kasturirangan report. The authorities had earlier gathered information that the team led by Vikram Gowda and Mundagaru Latha is meeting the families living on the fringes of the forest areas and conducting meetings.

The classification of 56,826 square kilometers of Western Ghat region including the area in Karnataka and other states as per the report of the Kasturirangan Committee by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has raised stiff opposition in the state.

The Karnataka government has already rejected the Kasturirangan Committee report and opposed the recommendations of the report. It is feared that the development of the region will suffer with the implementation of the report.

Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had clarified in the virtual meeting with Bhupinder Yadav, former Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change that classifying the Western Ghat region as a sensitive zone will impact the life of people of the region and affect their livelihood. He also added that the proposal is opposed by the people as well as the state government.

Karnataka has one of the largest forest covers in the country. Experts have opined that opposition to the Kasturirangan Committee will be disastrous for ecologically fragile Western Ghats. The report proposes that 37 per cent of the total area of the Western Ghats, which is about 60,000 square kilometres, should be declared as an eco-sensitive area (ESA).
Hyderabad, Nov 20 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has asked Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to make an effective law for gig workers by holding state-wide public consultations.

The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha has written a letter to the Chief Minister, requesting him to conduct public consultation for the draft legislation for gig workers.

"Hearing from all parties will ensure that the law is robust, effective, and meaningful. The process can also help anchor future regulations for this sector," reads the letter dated November 11.

Rahul Gandhi also offered to be part of this consultative process. He exuded confidence that Telangana will lead the way in building a sustainable gig economy for the future.

The Chief Minister posted the letter on the social media platform 'X' on Wednesday and assured Rahul Gandhi that the state government would make gig workers' policy comprehensive, inclusive, and fair in line with his vision.

"All of our work is inspired by your vision, ideas and work. It gives us more energy that the Telangana Caste Survey has made you feel proud. We will make the Telangana State Gig Workers' Policy comprehensive, inclusive, fair, and pioneering, in line with your vision & promise," wrote the Chief Minister.

In his letter, Rahul Gandhi mentioned that the Congress stands for the well-being of workers, especially in contractual roles.

"Our manifesto committed to framing a law to protect gig workers and enhance social security. The states we govern have taken several steps in this direction with the Congress government in Rajasthan becoming the first state to legislate the welfare of gig workers. I am pleased that you too are moving forward with a draft law, honouring our guarantee to the people of Telangana, and offer a suggestion," wrote Rahul Gandhi, who had interacted with gig workers in Hyderabad during the Assembly elections campaign last year.

The Congress MP said during his recent visit to Hyderabad, he was impressed by the vibrant consultative process for the socio-economic, educational, employment, political and caste survey. It offers a valuable model to ensure lawmakers hear directly from the people, he said while suggesting Revanth Reddy have similar consultations for the draft legislation for gig workers.

Rahul Gandhi noted that over the last decade, lakhs of workers have joined the gig economy.

"The relatively easy entry and flexibility offered opportunities, especially in low-skilled roles. The generous incentives in the early years also helped many acquire income-generating assets. It also offered workers a platform to tap into a much bigger market. The sector is replete with success stories of workers who found viable livelihood opportunities, particularly in the absence of alternative jobs."

The Congress leader mentioned that time and again, workers highlighted the vulnerabilities that arise due to their nature of employment.

"The absence of regulations further diminished their ability to negotiate or demand fair terms of work. Exploitative work conditions, predatory pricing and the lack of an effective grievance redressal mechanism must be addressed. Furthermore, workers grapple with social discrimination and inhumane conduct in their daily work," he added.
Mumbai, Nov 20 : Actor Ishaan Khatter is turning heads once again with his latest social media post, where he flaunts his toned biceps.

On Wednesday, the actor took to his Instagram handle and shared a series of photos that showcase his ripped biceps and lean frame, leaving fans in awe. In the images, Ishaan is seen showing off his toned physique in white vest and jeans. Sharing the post, the 'Dhadak' actor emphasized the importance of staying hydrated in the caption. He wrote, "Stay hydrated."

The photos have sparked a wave of admiration, with fans and industry peers showering Ishaan with compliments.

Meanwhile, the actor had previously shared a post wherein he revealed that he has just finished shooting something that is special beyond words to him.

The 'Pippa' actor posted a series of photos accompanied by a heartfelt note on social media, expressing his excitement about the project. He wrote, "Just finished shooting something which is special beyond words to me. Sometimes you are left with nothing but pure gratitude for meeting certain people. It's a privilege to give your blood, sweat, and tears when you receive purpose and meaning in return. Can't wait to share more when the time comes. Moving forward with love."

The post included a photo of Ishaan with filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, along with a solo candid shot of the director. Ishaan's message hinted at a collaboration with Neeraj on an upcoming film.

Reports suggest that Janhvi Kapoor is set to make a cameo appearance in Neeraj Ghaywan's upcoming project, which also involves Karan Johar. A source close to the development revealed that Janhvi eagerly accepted the offer when approached by Karan and Neeraj, as she holds immense respect for both filmmakers. Despite her busy schedule, she has dedicated 10 days to the project and is thrilled about reuniting with her Dhadak co-star, Ishaan.

Ishaan is gearing up for the release of his Netflix romance series, "The Royals." The show boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Bhumi Pednekar, Nora Fatehi, Zeenat Aman, Dino Morea, Chunky Panday, and Milind Soman.
Kolkata, Nov 20 : West Bengal government, on Wednesday, will submit a report to a division bench of the Calcutta High Court on the action taken by the administration over the clashes between two groups at Beldanga in Murshidabad district on the night of November 16.

State government sources said the report will have details on what actually happened there, what triggered the tension and the action taken by the police administration to restore normalcy in the area after the clashes.

The Calcutta High Court sought the report from the state government acting on public interest litigation (PIL) filed there demanding Central Armed Forces' deployment at Beldanga. In the petition, a demand was also raised for the handover of the charge of investigation in the matter to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Since the clashes broke out between the two groups, the political debate started over the issue between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP.

First BJP's state president in West Bengal and the Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar claimed that the attack targeting a particular community was made at Beldanga in line with what is happening in neighbouring Bangladesh.

He also questioned why Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also the police minister of the state, was so reluctant to tackle such issues.

Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh refuted the claims and said the situation at Beldanga became peaceful fast because of the prompt intervention by the police administration with active cooperation from the common people despite provocation from some "vested interests" to aggravate the tension.

"There was provocation in Beldanga due to which clashes broke out. However, the situation is peaceful now in the area. Evil forces are trying to provoke people in Beldanga. They (evil forces) are trying to create confusion. What happened in Beldanga was due to the confusion created by these evil forces," Ghosh told IANS.

Without mentioning anyone, Ghosh said evil forces are at work to disturb peace in the state.
Ranchi, Nov 20 : The Jharkhand Assembly elections saw key political leaders and citizens actively participating in the democratic process. BJP state president and Rajdhanwar constituency candidate Babulal Marandi cast his vote in his native village of Kodaibank, located in the Tisri block of Giridih district.

Speaking to the media after casting his vote, Marandi claimed that the electorate was voting with determination to address pressing issues like employment, law and order, corruption, and preventing infiltration.

He expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies would secure a majority in the 81-member Assembly.

He said, "This is a festival of democracy. It comes once in five years. I appeal to all voters to come to the polling stations and cast their votes. We are getting an indication from the way the voting is progressing, the Hemant Soren government is on its way out and a BJP-led government is coming to power."

Marandi is contesting the Rajdhanwar seat in Giridih District amid fractured opposition. While JMM has fielded Nizamuddin Ansari, CPI(ML) has put forward Rajkumar Yadav, complicating the INDIA bloc's unity.

Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly and BJP candidate from Chandankiyari, Amar Kumar Bauri, also cast his vote in his village. He urged citizens to participate in the "great festival of democracy" and stressed upon the importance of safeguarding Jharkhand's "roti, beti aur maati" (livelihood, daughters, and soil).

He called for record voter turnout to ensure the establishment of a government committed to transparency and progress.

Godda BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, voting in his constituency, talked about the democratic spirit of the elections. He encouraged citizens to vote for the candidates of their choice. "This is a festival of democracy, and everyone must take part," Dubey said.

Vinod Singh, the CPI(ML) candidate from Bagodar, exercised his franchise in his native village of Khambra. He expressed hope for the formation of a secular and inclusive government that prioritises societal welfare.

In the second and final phase of the Jharkhand elections, 38 seats are going for polls with counting scheduled on November 23.
Rio De Janeiro, Nov 20 : South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a meeting in Brazil to discuss cooperation on supply chains for critical minerals and security issues, Yoon's office said.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro to focus on strengthening trade and investment, and the energy sector ties between the two nations, Yonhap news agency reported.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen collaboration in the critical minerals sectors to address instability in the global supply chain.

Yoon introduced a plan to launch the Korea-Africa critical minerals dialogue at Mining Indaba, an African mining conference set to take place in South Africa in February, and asked for Ramaphosa's support for the initiative, the office said.

They also agreed to work together to send a "stern message" against North Korea's provocations and its troop dispatch to support Russia's war in Ukraine, characterising their military cooperation as violations of UN Security Council resolutions, it noted.
Baramati, Nov 20 : NCP(SP) Chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday slammed the BJP for levelling allegations against his daughter and party MP Supriya Sule in connection with cryptocurrency fraud.

"This is a classic example to show how BJP can stoop such a low. The IPS officer, who had made the complaint and allegations against Supriya Sule, was in jail in the past. There is no need to give importance to what that officer says,aa said Pawar.

Pawar, who cast his vote, was responding to the allegations made by BJP against Supriya Sule and state Congress chief Nana Patole in connection with cryptocurrency fraud.

Supriya Sule and Nana Patole have been accused of selling Bitcoin and using the money in the Assembly elections in the state. The complaint was made by the former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil and based on that BJP held a press conference and released audio tapes and WhatsApp messages.

However, both Sule and Patole have denied these charges.

On the other hand, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who is locked in a direct fight against his nephew and NCP(SP) nominee Yugendra Pawar after casting his vote in Baramati, demanded that an impartial inquiry should be held into the cryptocurrency fraud so that the truth will come out.

"I know the voices of Supriya Sule and Nana Patole very well. The voices in the audio clips belong to both of them," he claimed.

Supriya Sule hit back at her estranged cousin saying that "Ajit Pawar can say anything". She has already denied the charges saying that she will file a defamation case against BJP.

Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar appealed to the voters to exercise their voting rights. "The future of Maharashtra is in the hands of the citizens. The only hope is that every citizen should perform the duty and exercise the right to vote. During the Lok Sabha elections, the northeastern states had reported 70 to 75 per cent polling while 67 per cent voting was reported in Maharashtra. This time round Maharashtra should not lag in voting percentage. I appeal to every citizen to vote. The voters should vote for a person and the party that they think is right,aa he said.

He took a swipe at Ajit Pawaras statement that the MahaYuti will win 175 seats in the state. "I am not an astrologer to tell the exact number of seats. But considering Ajit Pawar's numbers, he should have claimed 280 seats and not just 175 seats," the veteran leader taunted.

Pawar senior also reacted to Ajit Pawaras statement about injustice. "What injustice to Ajit Pawar? He has become the deputy chief minister four times and was minister for many years. He had all powers and still he complains about injustice. What injustice?" he asked.

Commenting on the attack on former Home Minister and NCP(SP) leader Anil Deshmukh, Pawar senior said that the election process in Maharashtra is always peaceful. "But the attack on former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in Nagpur is disturbing," he added.
Mumbai, Nov 20 : The revenue of India's automotive components industry is expected to cross $80.1 billion in FY2025 while exports have already touched $21.2 billion, according to B2B risk management consultancy Rubix Data Sciences.

Mumbai, Nov 20 (IANS) The revenue of Indiaas automotive components industry is expected to cross $80.1 billion in FY2025 while exports have already touched $21.2 billion, according to B2B risk management consultancy Rubix Data Sciences.

While the countryas production of automotive components has been growing at an 8 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since FY2020, exports have recorded a CAGR of 10 per cent during the same period, the report says.

One of the standout trends is the doubling of the EV components industryas contribution to 6 per cent of total production in FY2024. Battery technology and powertrain systems are emerging as critical areas, comprising 45 per cent of EV manufacturing costs. Indiaas EV market, supported by the EV 30@30 initiative, saw sales grow by over 76 per cent CAGR from FY2020 to FY2024, with projections to maintain this momentum, the report states.

The Indian governmentas focus on localisation and self-reliance has led to significant investments in domestic manufacturing capabilities. Between FY2020 and FY2024, exports saw a 10 per cent CAGR, reaching $21.3 billion, with the US being the largest market. Simultaneously, a trade surplus of $300 million in FY2024 underscores Indiaas strategic shift in global automotive supply chains, the report points out.

The report also focuses on investments in technology upgrades and modernization, with Indian manufacturers allocating $2.5 billion to $3 billion for capacity expansion and innovation. This aligns with the increasing demand for advanced components such as electric motors, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and lightweight materials. The report forecasts a sixfold growth in the ADAS market, from $169 million in FY2023 to nearly $1 billion by FY2028.

Rubix Data Sciences co-founder & CEO Mohan Ramaswamy said: "India is rapidly becoming a vital player in the global automotive supply chain, thanks to robust growth in vehicle production, strong government support, and the unwavering commitment of component manufacturers - including a vibrant network of SMEs - to quality and innovation. We believe this momentum will position India as an indispensable sourcing hub for global OEMs, especially as the industry seeks reliable, diversified alternatives."

Policies such as the PLI scheme, PM e-Bus Sewa initiative, and the Vehicle Scrappage Policy are further helping industry growth. The PLI scheme alone aims to generate significant employment while fostering economies of scale in advanced automotive technologies. The Automotive Mission Plan 2047 sets ambitious targets, including a 50 per cent export share of automotive vehicles and components by 2047, positioning India as a global manufacturing powerhouse, the report states.

However, despite the encouraging trends, the industry faces challenges like increasing Chinese imports of EV components and adapting to stringent BS VII norms. Additionally, SMEs, which account for nearly 80 per cent of the sector by volume, are grappling with the need to modernise and align with the EV transition, it observes.

The report emphasizes the urgency for innovation in lightweight materials, emission control systems, and advanced manufacturing techniques to maintain competitiveness.

Indiaas automotive components industry is not only a key pillar of its domestic economy but also a growing force in global supply chains. There is a bright future for Indiaas automotive components industry, with investments in ADAS projected to grow sixfold to $1 billion by FY2028. The aftermarket segment is expected to reach $14 billion by 2028, driven by pre-owned vehicle sales and the growing vehicle parc, which is anticipated to surpass 340 million units by 2028, the report adds.
Mumbai, Nov 20 : India's insurtech sector has delivered 12 times revenue growth over the last 5 years, with cumulative funding surpassing $2.5 billion and ecosystem valuation over $13.6 billion, a report showed on Wednesday.

The country has more than 150 insurtech companies, with 10 unicorns and soonicorns and more than 45 minicorns, with 12 times increase in revenue over the past five years to reach $750 million, according to the report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in collaboration with the India InsurTech Association (IIA).

"Most of the insurtechs at scale are present in the aggregation and distribution legs of the value chain, with these accounting for over 80 per cent of the funding. There is a substantial opportunity for insurtechs to leverage data and technology in underwriting and claims, which can play a critical role in the continued growth of the insurance industry," said Pallavi Malani, Managing Director and Partner, Lead-India Insurance Practice at BCG.

Although India has made significant progress, increasing penetration still remains a priority, particularly in health insurance with 45 per cent of medical spend still being out of pocket.

Multiple macroeconomic tailwinds are already driving growth in the industry. The goal is to achieve 100 per cent coverage for all citizens and reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses to less than 10 per cent, the report mentioned.

India envisions becoming the world's third-largest insurance market, with over 10 companies in the global top 50 and more than 100 insurtechs operating at scale.

"As India aspires to become a developed economy, there are substantial opportunities across three pathways: higher accessibility, increased awareness and trust, and enhanced affordability," said Vivek Mandhata, Managing Director and Partner at BCG.

As the insurtech landscape evolves, more than 75 per cent of insurtechs are prioritising to building profitable operating models.

Additionally, over two-thirds are fostering strategic partnerships and expanding into new geographies.

"The evolving insurtech landscape clearly demonstrates that collaboration is not just an option but a strategic imperative for achieving Viksit Bharat  the vision for 2047," said Subhajit Mandal, Cofounder at India InsurTech Association.
Mumbai, Nov 20 : BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde, who has been accused of distributing cash to influence voters in Maharashtra's Palghar, on Wednesday thanked NCP(SP) Chief and political rival Sharad Pawar for not making any comment on the issue.

Pawar has refused to comment on the allegation saying, "Vinod Tawde is a good gentleman and I will not say anything unless the allegations against him are proven."

Tawde, under attack from the opposition which is demanding his arrest, thanked Pawar senior. "Sharad Pawar is a mature and senior leader. He knows me personally. He also knows that I cannot be involved in such matters. Therefore, I thank him," said Tawde.

The BJP leader has denied the allegations of distributing money in the Nalasopara-Vasai-Virar area. He said no one knew that he was going to Nalasopara on Tuesday.

"No one knew that I would go to Nalasopara. When I was leaving Wada in Palghar district, I called the BJP candidate Rajan Naik and inquired about the preparations for the polling. He called me for tea so I went there. There was no conspiracy nor any personal differences. As the opposition sees defeat, they try to take advantage of this. Police and Election Commission officials did not find any money. Sanjay Raut is lying. I didn't even know that I was going there initially because everything was decided in just two minutes. I then went to Nalasopara. Everything is recorded from what I spoke with the party workers," clarified Tawde in his defence.

Tawde has demanded that CCTV footage should be checked and an impartial inquiry be held in this matter.

His response came after the police lodged three FIRs in connection with cash for vote controversy.

The Bahujan Vikas Aghadi chief Hitendra Thakur and his son Kshitij Thakur had levelled allegations against Vinod Tawde for distribution of money saying that he was carrying Rs 5 crore. Hitendra Thakur also said that he had seen Tawdeas diary with a record relating to the distribution of cash.

"During the last five years, the politics in the state has stooped to a new low. Politics is marred by the distribution of money and engineering splits in families and political parties. The voters should exercise their vote by increasing turnout to elect the right candidates," said Thakur.

Meanwhile, Tawde refuted the oppositionas charges that the cryptocurrency fraud was exposed to divert his alleged involvement in the cash-for-vote case. "Sudhanshu Trivedi (who is BJP MP) will not make allegations (against Supriya Sule and Nana Patole) unless he has concrete information. In my case, I have not been caught, and no cash has been seized. So there is no question of suppressing the matter," he said.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)
Visitors look at an intelligent connected autonomous vehicle at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Li He)

People visit the area for overseas exhibitors at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Li He)

People visit the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

A child tries her hands on a digital flight simulator at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

Visitors view an electric passenger-carrying autonomous aerial vehicle at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

People visit the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin)

Visitors try their hands on the video game "Black Myth: Wukong" at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin)

A humanoid robot (1st R) interacts with visitors at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Li He)

A child poses for photos with a fictional image of his generated by AI system at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Li He)

This photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows an exterior view of the venue for the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Li He)

A visitor tries an exoskeleton gear for heavy-lifting at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Li He)

This photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows an exterior view of the venue for the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

People visit the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

A visitor interacts with a smart robotic dog at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin)

A visitor tries his hands on a holographic intelligent medical imaging system under the guidance of a staff member at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin)

People visit the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

A visitor shakes hands with a humanoid robot at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. The Light of Internet Expo kicked off on Tuesday during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in the water-town of Wuzhen, showcasing the latest technological achievements, especially those made in the artificial intelligence (AI) area. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin)

Editor: WRX
New Delhi, Nov 20 : Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday shared plans to implement anti-pollution measures like work from home for government employees, and odd-even vehicle scheme, as Delhi-NCR recorded air pollution more than 17 times above the acceptable levels.

As worsening smog triggered curbs on trucking and shuttered construction sites and schools, on Wednesday, the AAP-led government in Delhi has decided to instruct 50 per cent of government employees to work remotely.

"To reduce pollution, the Delhi government decided to implement work from home in government offices. 50 per cent of employees will work from home. For its implementation, a meeting will be held with the officials today in the Secretariat," Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said in a post on X on Wednesday.

Speaking to IANS, Rai said, "A meeting has been scheduled with Delhi officials today to discuss immediate measures. We plan to implement work from home while ensuring that essential services, including emergency services, continue uninterrupted."

Gopal Rai emphasised that the AAP government's focus would be on reducing Delhi's contribution to the pollution levels in the National Capital Region while maintaining critical operations.

Gopal Rai further talked about the ongoing conversation about implementing the odd-even scheme in the national Capital, which aims to curb vehicle emissions.

He criticised the BJP for its lack of urgency in tackling the pollution crisis in North India, despite the party's governments in the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and at the Centre.

"The responsibility of the BJP is five times greater than that of the AAP in Delhi. BJP-led governments in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and the Centre must also take action," he stressed.

The Environment Minister expressed his frustration over the Central government's inaction, stating that the Delhi government has yet to receive any response regarding the emergency meeting they requested with the Union government over the pollution emergency in the region.

"We regret having to write letters to request a meeting, but still, there has been no response," Rai added.

He called on the BJP to end its "inactivity and negligence" and swiftly convene a meeting to take decisive action in the fight against Delhi-NCR's escalating pollution crisis.

Meanwhile, Delhi's 24-hour average air quality stood at 424 in the 'severe' category as of 9 A.M on Wednesday, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). On Tuesday at 4 P.M. it was recorded at 460, also in the 'severe' range.

The AQI in Haryana's Gurugram is 384 and Faridabad is 268, in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad it is 352, Greater Noida 344 and in Noida it is 316.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday restored the alleged "underwear" evidence tampering case against former Kerala Minister Antony Raju.

A bench of Justices C.T. Ravikumar and Sanjay Karol set aside the order of the Kerala High Court which had quashed the criminal proceedings on the ground that for the offence in question, the courts below could not have taken cognisance based on a police report.

In its impugned decision, the Kerala High Court had clarified that its order would not be a bar on pursuing prosecution as per the provisions of Section 195(1)(b) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and left open the initiation of fresh action and prosecution against Raju for falsifying evidence.

Now, the Supreme Court restored the trial court order taking cognisance of the police charge sheet and directed the completion of the trial within a year. The top court asked Raju to appear before the trial court on December 20.

The case dates back to 1990 when an Australian man named Andrew Salvatore Cervelli was arrested at the Thiruvananthapuram airport for allegedly smuggling 61.5 grams of contraband by concealing it in his underwear. Raju, who had just begun his political career and was a young lawyer practising in Kerala, represented Cervelli first before the trial court, which convicted him and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment. However, when he moved the High Court in appeal, the underwear in question was found to have been way too small to fit Cervelli and he was acquitted.

But things changed after a few years of Cervelli returning to his home country, and based on information received from the Australian National Central Bureau, the investigating officer in the smuggling case approached the High Court seeking a probe to find out if there was any tampering of evidence.

Soon, a criminal complaint was registered against Raju and a court clerk in 1994 and after 12 years of investigation, in 2006, the Assistant Commissioner of Police filed a charge sheet before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Thiruvananthapuram, alleging offences under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, and causing disappearance of evidence of the offence.

It was Raju's argument that the crucial piece of "underwear" evidence was in the custody of the trial court while it was allegedly tampered with and, therefore, it should have been the court in question that initiated the action, but in this case, the proceedings were initiated on the complaint of the police. His plea pointed out that the court took cognisance of the case upon a charge sheet by the police and the police have no authority to conduct an investigation in such cases. The police also cannot file a charge sheet before the court and the proceedings pending before the court is 'non-est' (one that can be ignored altogether) in the eye of the law, he had argued.
Mumbai, Nov 20 : In the ongoing Maharasthra Assembly polls, an extraordinary moment of democratic spirit was on display as 113-year-old Kanchanben Badshah exercised her franchise on Wednesday.

Defying her age and physical limitations, Kanchanben, who arrived at the polling station in a wheelchair, showcased unwavering enthusiasm for participation in the democratic process.

A resident of Mumbai, Kanchanben has been voting in every state assembly and Lok Sabha election, a tradition she has maintained with remarkable consistency and dedication. The elderly voter was accompanied by a family member who expressed pride in her commitment to fulfilling her civic duty.

Despite her advanced age, Kanchanben continues to serve as an inspiration, reminding citizens of the power and importance of every single vote.

Speaking to the media, her companion said, "She has never missed an election and participates with the same enthusiasm each time. Her dedication is a lesson for all of us."

The elections across Maharashtra on Wednesday, saw a voter turnout of 18.24 per cent by 11 a.m., picking up momentum after a slow start at 6.61 per cent by 9 a.m. The Maoist-affected Gadchiroli region stood out with an impressive 30 per cent turnout during the early hours.

The polls, contested across 288 assembly seats, are a high-stakes battle between the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition. Over 9.70 crore voters, including 5.22 crore men and 4.69 crore women, are eligible to vote, with Pune district leading in voter numbers.

The election will decide the fate of 4,136 candidates, including prominent figures such as Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray.

The counting of votes is set to be conducted on November 23.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : Russian Oil Company Rosneft, which carried out five expeditions in the north of Krasnoyarsk Territory in 2024 as part of its "Tamura" corporate biodiversity conservation programme, has found 60 rare bird species and has taken count of the polar bear and wild reindeer population.

New Delhi, Nov 20 (IANS) Russian Oil Company Rosneft, which carried out five expeditions in the north of Krasnoyarsk Territory in 2024 as part of its "Tamura" corporate biodiversity conservation programme, has found 60 rare bird species and has taken count of the polar bear and wild reindeer population.

Scientists from top Russian research institutes together with specialists from Rosneft's Arctic Research Center studied the Kara subpopulation of polar bears, wild reindeer, and rare species of birds in the western Taymyr Peninsula in a survey that involved flying almost 17,000 km and travelling over 3,000 km on water.

Researchers at the A.N.Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IEE) of the Russian Academy of Sciences studied rare birds inhabiting the Brekhovskykh Islands in the Yenisey River estuary.

Amongst the 60 species recorded in this internationally significant ornithological zone were the peregrine falcon, the Brent goose, the black scoter, and the long-tailed duck, as well as Siberian chiffchaffs, redwings, and dusty thrushes.

The researchers recorded the movements of Bewick's swans, geese, ducks, and seagulls to help clarify the size and species composition of each flock.

The IEE experts also carried out a polar bear count on the northwestern shore of Taymyr and the Kara Sea islands during the ice-free period, recording a total of 50 individuals.

To monitor the animals' seasonal migration and activity, and to study their maternity dens and feeding grounds, transmitters with satellite radio tags were attached to several individuals -- not only females but also, for the first time in Russian practice, males.

One of the tasks facing the team in 2025 is to carry out Russia's first full-scale aerial census of the Kara subpopulation of the polar bear.

As part of the "Tamura" programme, Rosneft jointly with the Siberian Federal University has continued its multi-year study of the wild reindeer

population. This year, they travelled more than 1,000 km along the Pyasina River and its major tributaries and carried out aerial observations over an area of 360,000 square kilometres.

On Sibiryakov Island a group of at least 100 reindeer was found, and a unique case of a reindeer swimming across 12 km of water was also recorded.

During the expedition, reindeer were tagged with satellite transmitters for remote monitoring of their population.

The researchers also announced a new four-year Tamura research programme to update information on the status of the region's key animal species, including its bioindicators.

Based on the new data, scientists will be able to reach conclusions on the state of the ecosystems and draw up measures to preserve the biodiversity of the Arctic region.

Ten expeditions will be conducted over four years with a particular focus on ecology and biodiversity conservation in the most extensive and comprehensive study of the Arctic region since Soviet times.

The researchers also spoke about a unique project to create a genome database of living organisms in the Russian Arctic.

This is a joint project between Rosneft, Innopraktika, and Biotechnology Campus. One of its priority activities already up and running is to assemble the best-quality full reference genome of the polar bear.

The data being acquired will help not only to assess the status of the population but also to predict its size and draw up conservation plans.
Bengaluru, Nov 20 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that Vikram Gowda, the most wanted Maoist in Karnataka, died during a police encounter which was part of efforts to suppress the nefarious activities in the state.

Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said that Gowda, who was actively involved in Maoist activities, was killed in the encounter. Responding to doubts over the death in the encounter, he clarified that Vikram Gowda was given orders to surrender, but he refused.

CM Siddaramaiah also mentioned that Kerala had announced a reward of Rs 25 lakh and Karnataka had announced Rs 5 lakh for capturing Vikram Gowda.

"There is a standing order. It is conveyed that if they surrender all facilities would be given to them by the state government. He did not surrender and the encounter was carried out. This should be appreciated by you (media). Do you want Naxalism to flourish or to perish? You have to say that it should perish," CM Siddaramaiah said.

Karnataka Police killed one of the most wanted Maoist leaders of South India, Vikram Gowda, in an encounter in the Kabbinale forest region in Udupi district on Monday evening.

Providing details about his Delhi visit, the Chief Minister said he has sought an appointment with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday.

He will appeal to increase the loan amount sanctioned to Karnataka by NABARD, which was reduced from last year's Rs 5,600 crore to Rs 2,340 crore this year. "There is a reduction of 58 per cent. NABARD is coming under Nirmala Sitharaman and I will request her to take corrective measures in this regard," the CM said.

When asked whether he would be meeting party leaders in the national capital, CM Siddaramaiah said, "I have to come back tomorrow evening. If time permits, will meet with senior party leaders during the visit. Besides, I am taking part in the launch of Nandini products by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) in New Delhi."
Chandigarh, Nov 20 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Punjab minister Anil Joshi, a prominent Hindu leader in Amritsar, on Wednesday resigned from the party, saying he found himself a "misfit" there.

A two-time legislator from Amritsar North, Joshi submitted his resignation to Akali Dal Working President Balwinder Singh Bhundar citing "the party's deviation from its motive".

In the resignation letter, he said he found himself a "misfit" in the party as it is seldom commensurate with the vision that he had carried to join it.

Saying he" joined the Akali Dal as the party then stood for people, farmers and rights of Punjab", Joshi, a former minister with the Akali Dal-BJP government in the state from 2012 to 2017, said, "I joined the Shiromani Akali Dal with postulation that it aimed to stand by the principle of unity and brotherhood unmindful of any caste, religion or creed, under the leadership of five-time former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal."

"But after getting into it, especially after Badal sahib, I realised it to be a farce assumption. The present scenario took such a dismal state of affairs within the party that Sukhbir Singh Badal had to resign from the party President's post," he said.

"It appeared as if SAD has the sole agenda to resurrect its position on Panthic parameters and got entangled only in Panthic politics. I find no place for me in the party. My motive was for the overall welfare and development of the people. After introspection, I concluded that it would be impossible for me to continue in the party and I have requested Bhunder sahib to accept my resignation," he said.

Before joining the Akali Dal in 2021, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expelled Joshi for six years terming his outburst against the state and the central leadership over the farm protests as an "anti-party activity".

Joshi had been openly blaming the BJP's state leadership for "not giving correct feedback" to the Centre on the farm laws.
Chennai, Nov 20 : Tamil Nadu-based Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE) and AGCO, both have claimed legal victory from the Madras High Court in a dispute about the Massey Ferguson tractor brand.

After AGCO, a global leader in design, manufacture and distribution of agriculture machinery, said that the Madras High Court has overturned interim injunction on the dispute, TAFE came out with a press release saying that ownership and other related issues will be decided by the single judge of the court before whom applications are pending, citing the same High Court order.

TAFE noted that the courtas directive recognized its use of the brand for over six decades.

"The present status quo is in continuation of the status quo granted to TAFE as early as in April 2024, and the latest of several judicial orders protecting TAFEas rights to the use of the Massey Ferguson brand," the company in a statement said.

TAFE, founded in 1960 in Chennai, is one of the worldas largest tractor manufacturers and the second-largest in India by volume, producing over 180,000 tractors annually.

The company in the statement said that it has built a strong reputation for its quality products and low operational costs. TAFEas extensive distribution network includes more than 1,600 dealers, supporting its four iconic tractor brands like Massey Ferguson, TAFE, Eicher Tractors, and IMT.

The company exports tractors to over 80 countries, serving farms across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Russia.

The statement said, "In 2005, TAFE acquired the Tractors, Engines, and Transmissions business of the Eicher brand through its subsidiary, TAFE Motors and Tractors Limited (TMTL)."

The company also said that other than tractors, TAFEas interests span farm machinery, diesel engines, gensets, engineering plastics, hydraulic components, and more.

TAFE received the aLaunch of the Yeara award for its Eicher PRIMA G3 range of tractors and was recognized for its Best CSR Initiative at the Indian Tractor of the Year (ITOTY) Awards, 2018.

TAFE in the statement said that it has been named the Star Performer a" Large Enterprise (Agricultural Tractors) by the Engineering Exports Promotion Council of India for 23 consecutive years.

The company also said that it was committed to Total Quality Management (TQM).

Its manufacturing facilities have received numerous aTPM Excellencea awards from the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance (JIPM).

The company also said that Social responsibility was integral to TAFE, with initiatives in agriculture, education, healthcare, community development, disaster relief, conservation, and tribal welfare. The company also supports traditional art forms.

Earlier, AGCO had said that the Madras High Court overturned an interim injunction in the trademark dispute with Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE), who had previously been granted a license to use its trademarks in India, holding that the injunction was unjustified and confirming that AGCO is the registered proprietor and owner of the Massey Ferguson trademarks in India.

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aal/skp
New Delhi, Nov 20 : The Commerce and Industry Ministry announced on Wednesday that the schedule for holding the India-UK free trade talks in early 2025 would be finalised through diplomatic channels "at an early date".

"Subsequent to the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, we welcome the announcement by the UK to relaunch the India-UK Free Trade talks in the new year," a Ministry statement said.

"The FTA talks would resume the discussions from the progress achieved previously and seek to bridge the gaps for expeditiously closing the trade deal," it added.

Noting the importance of securing a balanced, mutually beneficial and forward-looking Free Trade Agreement (FTA), India looks forward to closely working with the UK's negotiating team to address remaining issues to mutual satisfaction, the statement added.

PM Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer agreed to strengthen bilateral ties with a new strategic partnership, including trade and cooperation in areas such as security, education, technology, and climate change. Indiaas trade relationship with the UK continues to grow steadily, showcasing immense potential for deeper collaboration and strategic engagement. As per the latest data from April to September 2024, Indiaas exports to the UK witnessed a robust growth of 12.38 per cent, reaching $7.32 billion, compared to $6.51 billion during the same period in 2023, the Commerce Ministry said.

Mineral fuels, machinery, precious stones, pharmaceuticals, apparel, iron and steel, and chemicals lead Indiaas export basket to the UK, contributing a 68.72 per cent share of total exports. The United Kingdom is a priority country for the achievement of the ambitious $1 trillion export target by FY30, with exports to the UK expected to reach $30 billion by 2029-30.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : Even as the national capital continues to battle poor air quality, experts on Wednesday said that the toxic pollutants are raising dry eyes, irritations, and allergies in the eyes of children and adults.

On Wednesday morning, Delhi's air quality remained in the "severe" category with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) at 427 at 10 am, making it the most polluted city in India, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

"Pollution poses a serious threat to our eyes, particularly to the conjunctiva and the cornea, which is the first point of contact with harmful particles in the air. The fine particulate matter, allergens, and toxins in polluted environments can irritate the ocular surface and make it highly susceptible to infections," Dr. Rohit Saxena, professor of ophthalmology, R P Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS New Delhi, told IANS.

"This is especially of concern in children and adults already experiencing dry eyes or allergic reactions, as these conditions worsen with exposure to poor air quality," he added.

On Wednesday morning, about 12 out of 38 air quality monitoring stations in Delhi reported an AQI of 450 or above. Environment Minister Gopal Rai has directed the Delhi government to grant half of the staff to work from home.

A recent study by researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus showed that people living in areas with increased exposure to PM10 can be twice more at risk of suffering eye infections.

The study showed that clinical visits by patients suffering ocular surface eye conditions -- that affect the eye surface, including the cornea, conjunctiva, and eyelids -- more than doubled when ambient particulate matter from air pollution was in the atmosphere.

Air pollution can significantly affect eye health causing discomfort and irritation. The polluted air carries suspended particles, dust, and pollutants which can irritate the eyes.

Saxena noted that frequent eye rubbing of the irritated eyes can weaken the cornea over time and lead to conditions like keratoconus -- an eye condition that causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone shape, which can lead to vision loss.

Common symptoms include itching, watering, burning, redness, and a general feeling of soreness.

"In severe cases, air pollution may lead to pain or blurred vision, requiring immediate medical attention," Dr. Smriti Goel, Consultant - Eye Surgery, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, told IANS.

The doctor suggested avoiding over-the-counter medications other than lubricating eye drops unless prescribed by a doctor.

"Use lubricating drops to maintain moisture, and apply cold compresses to relieve irritation. Wear protective glasses or sunglasses to shield your eyes from dust and pollutants. For allergy-prone individuals, anti-allergic eye drops and timely treatment are essential. These measures can help safeguard your eyes from pollution-related issues," Goel said.

Pollution isn't just a respiratory issue -- it has harmful effects on the entire body including on the ocular health, the experts said recommending people to limit outdoor exposure during peak periods of pollution.
Seoul, Nov 20 : General Kang Shin-chul, the Deputy Commander of the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command (CFC), was set to depart for the US on Wednesday to discuss ways to improve the allies' combined defence posture, according to the CFC.

Kang's trip, which runs through November 28, will begin by laying flowers at a monument dedicated to those who served in the 1953-53 Korean War and involve visits to institutions, including the US Department of Defence and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Yonhap news agency reported quoting the CFC.

Kang will also deliver a lecture to military trainees on the South Korea-US alliance and the role of the CFC and visit research institutions to discuss the importance of the alliance in maintaining regional peace and stability.

"Amid a stern security circumstance that requires a firmer combined defense posture than ever, this visit is expected to serve as an occasion to further bolster the powerful bond of the South Korea-US military alliance," the CFC said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that the EU's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles are drawing attention around the world, and China always insists on resolving differences through dialogue and consultation.

It is hoped that Germany will continue to play an important role in this regard, Xi said in his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Xi said that he and Scholz had frank, in-depth and fruitful exchanges during Scholz's visit to China this April. Over the past six months, the two countries have achieved significant results in the fields of green development, sustainable transportation and agricultural cooperation with Africa, and China-Germany relations continue to glow with new vitality and dynamism, Xi said.

Noting that transformation of a scale not seen in a century is accelerating across the world today and global development is at a critical crossroads, Xi pointed out that as the second and third largest economies in the world, China and Germany are both major countries with significant influence, and the two sides need to consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership from a long-term and strategic perspective and continue to write cooperative stories of mutual achievement.

Xi noted that China's policy toward Germany maintains a high degree of stability and continuity, and is willing to work with Germany to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, seek common ground while shelving differences, and learn from each other.

China and Germany share highly integrated economic interests, and bilateral cooperation is an opportunity for shared development and common future, Xi said, noting that China regards Germany as an important partner in advancing Chinese modernization, and will continue to provide broad market opportunities for German companies.

China and Germany should focus on upgrading cooperation through digitalization, intelligence and low-carbon action, and work together to explore third-party markets to achieve win-win cooperation, Xi said.

China regards Europe as an important pole in a multi-polar world, Xi said, adding that Beijing is committed to cooperating with Europe to jointly meet challenges and promote the sustained, steady and sound development of China-EU relations.

Since his last visit to China, Scholz said, the Germany-China relationship has made positive progress. Under the current complex international situation, it is of great importance for Germany and China to strengthen communication and cooperation, he added.

The German side hopes to further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, strengthen bilateral and multilateral dialogue and cooperation in the spirit of equality, frankness and mutual respect, properly resolve differences, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and contribute to world economic recovery, growth and common prosperity, he said.

Scholz also voiced hope that the EU and China will solve the issue of electric vehicles as soon as possible through dialogue and negotiation, noting that the German side is willing to make positive efforts in this regard.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, the situation in the Middle East and other hotspot issues.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Editor: WRX
Seoul, Nov 20 : South Korea's spy agency on Wednesday confirmed North Korea's additional exports of howitzers and multiple rocket launchers to Russia, according to lawmakers.

In a briefing to the parliamentary intelligence committee, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) also reported that North Korean troops deployed to Russia in the Ukrainian war are known to have partially participated in combat alongside Russia's Airborne Brigade and Marine units, the ranking committee members of the ruling and main opposition parties said, Yonhap news agency reported.

Specifically, the NIS reported that approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers completed acclimation training in Russia's northeastern regions and were relocated to Kursk in late October.

The soldiers assigned to the Kursk front are undergoing tactical and counter-drone training. Some have already participated in combat operations, according to the NIS.

The agency further noted that, with North Korean troops now actively involved in front-line combat, casualties are likely to emerge. Efforts are under way to assess specific operations and the extent of losses suffered by North Korean forces.

The NIS also reported that North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui engaged in sensitive discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and added the North's leader Kim Jong-un could make a visit to Russia.

Choe visited Russia earlier this month, during which she met her counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, and Putin. Her visit came at a time when tensions have heightened with the North's deployment of thousands of troops to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : The UDAN scheme has fuelled the civil aviation sector, transforming air travel by enhancing regional connectivity and making it accessible for millions, the government said on Wednesday.

On November 17, the domestic aviation sector reached a historic milestone as 5,05,412 domestic passengers took to the skies in a single day, marking the first time daily passenger numbers crossed the 5-lakh mark.

With over 3,100 flights operating nationwide, this achievement highlights India's growing prominence in the global aviation landscape.

"The UDAN scheme has been instrumental in this transformation, operationalizing 609 routes, including helicopter services, and seamlessly connecting states and union territories across the country," said the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

With continuous advancements like helicopter routes and last-mile connectivity, UDAN has bridged the gap between aspirations and accessibility, reshaping India's aviation landscape.

"This relentless progress has now culminated in a historic milestone, showcasing the scheme's far-reaching impact," the ministry said in a statement.

The Udan scheme was launched on October 21, 2016. The first UDAN flight took off on April 27, 2017, connecting Shimla to Delhi.

The UDAN 5.0 series (5.0 to 5.4) brought major advancements, including removing distance caps, prioritizing operational airports, boosting helicopter and small aircraft connectivity, and reactivating discontinued routes, ensuring last-mile air connectivity and affordability across India.

The regional connectivity scheme (RCS)-UDAN has played a pivotal role in revitalising the civil aviation industry in India. Regional carriers such as Flybig, Star Air, IndiaOne Air, and Fly91 have benefited from the scheme, developing sustainable business models and contributing to a burgeoning ecosystem for regional air travel.

Meanwhile, the extension of regional air connectivity scheme called 'Udan' for 10 more years by the government will further improve unserved air routes in underserved regions of the country and fulfill the aspirations of the common citizens.

Under the scheme, 609 routes and 86 airports are operationalised, and 1.44 crore passengers were benefitted from the scheme (till October).
Kolkata, Nov 20 : Three persons, including two women, have been arrested by Barrackpore Police Commissionerate in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on charges of abetting the suicide of Trinamool Congress leader and the Vice-Chairman of local urban body Satyajit Bandopadhyay, an official said on Wednesday.

Bandhopadhyay's body was recovered in hanging condition from the attic of his rented accommodation on the morning of November 16.

The three persons have been identified as Jayashri Das, and husband-and-wife Subhojit Biswas and Shukla Biswas.

Sources from the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate said that the three persons have been arrested based on the suicide note recovered from near the hanging body of Bandopadhyay as well as on the basis of the complaints registered by his family members.

It is learnt that the deceased leader named a total of four persons in the suicide note, which included the three who have been arrested. As per the contents of the suicide note, the accused couple had extorted a few lakhs of rupees from Bandopadhyay by virtue of a fake video. Accordingly, the local police interrogated all four of them and finally on the basis of the findings in the questioning, three of them were arrested.

The Trinamool leader's family members also complained to the police that he had been blackmailed for quite some time on the basis of a fake video. The family said that Bandhopadhyay was missing for two days before he came back home on the night of November 15. After coming back home, he did not interact with his family members or reveal the reason why he went missing for two days. The very next morning, his hanging body was discovered.

Barrackpore Municipality Chairman Moloy Ghosh had claimed that there was nothing political about the tragedy. "All we want is that the police investigate the truth and ensure that anyone responsible for that tragedy is punished," he said.

Following the discovery of Bandopadhyay's death on Saturday, Ghosh said that he met Bandopadhyay last on Thursday at a meeting of the municipality and "did not find anything unnatural in his behaviour".
Hyderabad, Nov 20 : The Telangana High Court on Wednesday reserved its orders on a petition filed by former BRS MLA Patnam Narender Reddy, who was arrested for the attack on the Collector and other officials in Vikarabad district last week, seeking that the case against him be quashed.

After hearing the arguments from both sides, a division bench reserved its order. It directed police to submit the statements of eyewitnesses to the November 11 incident at Lagacharla.

During the hearing, the court found fault with the police for the manner in which it arrested the former MLA.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader sought quashing of the case registered against him. His counsel argued that he was arrayed in the case as the first accused based on the confession statements of the other accused.

As Narender Reddyas counsel told the court that the police arrested him like a terrorist when he was on a morning walk at KBR Park, the bench wanted to know if the police followed the Supreme Court guidelines while arresting the accused. The court also observed that a proper report was not submitted on the nature of injuries to the officials.

The public prosecutor told the court that Narender Reddy instigated people to attack officials. He argued that if the former MLA's petition is allowed, this would impact the investigation in the case.

The Vikarabad District Collector and some other officials were attacked by a mob at Lagacharla village during a public hearing on the proposed Pharma Village on November 11.

The incident in Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddyas Assembly constituency Kodangal had triggered a political slugfest between the ruling Congress and the main opposition BRS with the former blaming BRS leaders for the violence.

Police on November 13 arrested Narender Reddy in Hyderabad and the same day a court sent him to judicial custody for 14 days. He is currently lodged in Cherlapally Jail.

The High Court on Tuesday directed prison authorities to allot a special barrack to the former MLA. He had made a request to the court seeking direction for allotment of a separate barrack separating from other inmates in the jail.

The High Court also permitted Narender Reddy to receive home-cooked meals while in jail.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : The overturning of the historical Roe v. Wade judgement, paired with other promises made by President-elect Donald Trump, can have significant implications for the medical industry, largely in areas related to reproductive health, regulations, and innovation, according to a report on Wednesday.

Trump emerged victorious in the recently concluded US elections. He is set to become the country's 47th President in January 2025.

Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022 during the last tenure of Trump. Since then, many US states have enacted restrictive abortion laws. This will follow suit in the coming months and years, especially if there is a nationwide ban, said the report by GlobalData, a data and analytics company.

During his recent campaign in the run-up to the elections, Trump said that individual states should determine their own policies. But, in March, he supported a nationwide abortion ban after 15 weeks gestation. His Vice President-elect, JD Vance, has also alluded to his support of a national law limiting abortion.

"The inconsistencies within the campaign have made it difficult to say exactly what a Trump victory means for abortion and reproductive health in general. However, there are some precautionary measures many women will take in case of restrictive regulations," Alexandra Murdoch, Senior Medical Analyst at GlobalData.

The report noted that in the case of a nationwide ban, it is likely that the demand for devices used in abortion procedures (such as aspiration devices and ultrasound equipment) will be reduced.

At the same time, it may spike demand for contraceptive devices in many states to reduce the likelihood of unwanted pregnancies.

The report estimates that the volume of reversible contraceptive devices will increase at a 2.53 per cent CAGR in the US from 2023-33. Reversible contraceptive devices include diaphragms, hormonal implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs).

"The market for reversible contraceptive devices in the US is already increasing, and the CAGR will likely grow if more restrictive abortion bans are put in place, whether it is by state or nationwide. However, medical device companies could face other issues, such as regulatory and research barriers, if bans are put in place," Murdoch said.

Medical device companies operating across the US could face a patchwork of state laws if abortion continues to be left to the states. This could complicate the marketing and distribution of reproductive health devices, and ultimately increase compliance and regulatory uncertainty.

In addition, restrictions on abortion could limit access to tissue samples used in health research, potentially slowing innovation in areas like foetal development and maternal health.

As a result, there may be a shift in investment focus, as companies may pivot to developing devices for contraception, fertility treatments, or maternal health rather than abortion-related technologies.

"While there may be a lot of changes coming to the US reproductive health market, the overall impact will vary depending on a company's product portfolio, geographical market, and stance on reproductive health issues," Murdoch said.
Jaipur, Nov 20 : Rajasthan BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP, Madan Rathore is confident that his party will win all seven seats in the bypolls in the state.

In an interview with IANS, Madan Rathore spoke on different issues ranging from Rajasthan minister Kirodi Lal Meena's resignation, to the absence of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje from bypoll campaigning, to infighting in the Congress.

Commenting on Kirodi Lal Meena's resignation, Rathore urged everyone to learn lessons from the Ramayana and Mahabharata and refrain from making promises which can have a far-reaching impact. Here are some excerpts from the interview.

IANS: You have said that the BJP will win all seven seats in the Rajasthan bypolls. On what basis are you confident that the party will make a clean sweep?

Rathore: Soon after the announcement of elections, we initially discussed candidates and winning strategies with our workers. Then we spoke to local leaders and then to national leaders and after these activities, we announced the names of our candidates. This was an unbiased selection where there was no element of nepotism. Then during polling, our workers spoke to voters who gave a positive response to the BJP. Even after election, we contacted voters and they showed their excitement, which made us confident that we are winning all seats. The post-poll feedback also indicated that we are making a clean sweep.

IANS: Did the Congress' failure to form an alliance help you?

Rathore: Even if they had formed an alliance similar to the INDIA Bloc, they would have failed. Actually, voters saw how they made fake claims on reservation and the Constitution during the Lok Sabha elections. Without any basis, they said that the BJP was planning on scrapping reservation and would change the Constitution. Now, even after we won the elections, we did not tamper either with reservation nor with the Constitution. Voters have come to know that the Congress has been lying to win elections and hence they are voting in our support.

IANS: Senior Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot have been deputed for the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Did it go in the BJP's favour?

Rathore: It's a known fact that Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot can never stay united. In fact, the Congress can never stay united. This is because they have aspirations and they have the greed to gain power. However it is the opposite in the BJP. Our leaders come from the grassroots to serve society. However, in the Congress there is competition to bring each other down. They are ready to do anything to gain power, so they can never be together. Gehlot does not want Pilot to become strong and Pilot wants Gehlot to get down. In fact, these days, a third leader, Govind Singh Dotasra is getting ready and he feels why not me? So basically, there is internal fighting in the Congress.

IANS: What is the BJPas stand on minister Kirodi Lal Meenaas resignation?

Rathore: I strongly endorse everyone to learn something from the Ramayana and the Mahabharat, where making promises without having any vision proved to be a disaster. Kirodi, too, made a promise that he would resign if the BJP loses the Assembly polls from his home constituency. As it happened, he resigned by himself. There was no pressure from anyone around, however, it was his own conscience. The party has not accepted his resignation and he is still a minister in the Cabinet.

IANS: Why was Vasundhara Raje absent from bypoll campaigning despite being a star campaigner?

Rathore: Vasundhara Raje is our veteran leader who is also a BJP National Vice President. Basically, none of the workers from the national team were pulled in for these elections. However, as Vasundhara was also a former CM of Rajasthan, twice, we wanted her to be there. However, she had Chikungunya and Covid. Also her daughter-in-law is quite unwell. Hence, we did not bother her for campaigning.

IANS: Why is there a delay in taking a final call on the SI exams when it has been proved that there were paper leaks?

Rathore: Our party has been discussing this issue and we think that there should be no injustice. If a candidate has cracked the exam with hard work and cracked it in the last year of eligibility, it means they will not be able to appear again if the exam is cancelled. So this is one thing which is under discussion within the state government.
Kolkata, Nov 20 : The decision on the bail plea of Partha Chatterjee, the former West Bengal Education Minister and ex-Trinamool Congress secretary general, in the cash-for-school-job case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) remained pending on Wednesday, as the two-judge division bench of the Calcutta High Court reached a split verdict.

One judge of the division bench, Justice Arijit Bandopadhyay, pronounced in favour of bail for Chatterjee and eight others accused in the case. The second judge, Justice Apurba Sinha Roy, however, rejected the bail for Chatterjee and four others.

The matter has been sent back to the division bench of Calcutta High Court Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, who will refer the matter to a higher three-judge bench.

However, the four persons whose bail petitions have been granted both by Justice Bandopadhyay and Justice Sinha Roy will now be released on bail.

As it is, Chatterjee did not have the chance to be released immediately from behind bars even if the division bench had cleared his bail plea, since his separate bail petition in the same case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is pending before the Supreme Court.

Partha Chatterjee approached the apex court seeking bail in the case registered by ED after a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court earlier this year rejected his bail petition in the same case.

Two parallel cases are going on against the former state education minister, one registered by the CBI and the other by the ED. He was arrested in July 2022 by the officials of ED after huge cash and gold were recovered from the twin residences of his close aide Arpita Mukherjee.

Since then a solitary cell at Presidency Central Correctional Home became his abode and his bail petitions one after another were rejected by different courts. Chatterjee has been in judicial custody since then.

Soon after Chatterjee's arrest, Trinamool Congress announced his removal from all administrative and organisational chairs. Even the party abolished the post of secretary general, which was specially created to give Chatterjee a party rank somewhat equivalent to national general secretary.
Hyderabad, Nov 20 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launched various development works worth Rs 76 crore at Vemulawada temple in Rajanna Sircilla district on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister, who reached the town by helicopter, performed a special puja at Sri Rajarajeswara Swamy temple, also known as Vemulawada temple.

Before visiting its sanctum canctorum, he laid the foundation stone for temple development works at the cost of Rs 76 crore at Dharmagundam (Pushkarini).

The priests explained to the Chief Minister about ' Sthala Purana'. The temple authorities also briefed the Chief Minister about the temple development works.

Earlier, the priests accorded a warm welcome to Revanth Reddy with 'Purnakumbha'. He performed 'Kode Mokkulu' (a ritual where a devotee circles the temple with a cow) at the flagpole on the temple premises.

Later, Revanth Reddy performed special puja including Archana at Sri Lakshmi Ganapati Swami, Raja Rajeshwari Ammavaru (deity), and Abhishekam of Sri Raja Rajeswara Swami.

The priests blessed the Chief Ministers and ministers accompanying him amid chanting of Vedic hymns.

Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, D. Sridhar Babu, Tummala Nageswara Rao, Konda Surekha, and Government Whip and Vemulawada MLA Adi Srinivas accompanied the Chief Minister.

Later the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for or inaugurated various other development works.

These included houses under the Indiramma housing scheme. He performed 'Bhoomi Puja' for the construction of Indiramma houses for 4,696 displaced families of Mid Manair Reservoir at a cost of Rs 235 crore.

He also laid the foundation stone for the construction of a yarn depot which is being built at a cost of Rs 50 crore. The Chief Minister also launched the road expansion works from Mula Vaagu Bridge to Devasthanam at the cost of Rs 45 crore.

The Bhoomi Puja was also performed for the construction of the medical college and hostel block at a cost of Rs 166 crore.

The CM also laid the foundation stone for the construction of Annadana Satram at the cost of Rs 35 crore. He launched works for the construction of a high-level bridge in Konaraopet mandal with Rs 52 crore and also laid the foundation stone for drain works to be constructed at a cost of 3 crore.

Revanth Reddy also laid the foundation stone for the SP's office (Rs 26 crore) in Sircilla, the District Library building (Rs 45 lakh) in Vemulawada, and a working women's hostel building which is being constructed at the cost of Rs 4.80 crore.
Seoul, Nov 20 : South Korea's Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun emphasised Wednesday that the government will prioritise removing uncertainties in the semiconductor sector by closely engaging with the incoming US administration under Donald Trump.

"As the US is a major semiconductor market and a key investment destination for Korean companies, we must closely monitor any shifts in US policy and thoroughly prepare for all possibilities," Ahn said during a meeting with officials from major South Korean chipmakers, including Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc, Yonhap news agency reported.

"We will work to resolve uncertainties by maintaining close communication with the new US administration through various diplomatic and trade channels," he added.

Semiconductors are South Korea's largest export product, and concerns are mounting over possible policy changes in the US, including the introduction of universal tariffs or reductions in investment subsidies under the CHIPS and Science Act.

Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have plans to build or expand their facilities in the US.

During the meeting, industry officials urged the South Korean government to strengthen cooperation with the US administration to help ensure the stability of South Korean investments and exports.

The Korea Semiconductor Industry Association highlighted that any significant policy changes in the US would profoundly affect the global semiconductor supply chain, as South Korea, the US, Taiwan, and other major chip-producing nations are closely interconnected.

Later in the day, Minister Ahn held a separate meeting with representatives from the shipbuilding industry, which is anticipated to see greater business opportunities in the US.

Following the US presidential election, President-elect Trump emphasised the need for enhanced bilateral cooperation in shipbuilding, particularly in naval shipbuilding and the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service, during a telephone conversation with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

South Korea's Hanwha Ocean Co. recently secured two MRO contracts with the US Navy for the regular overhaul and inspection of US naval vessels, signaling growing opportunities in the field.

"The shipbuilding industry is a newly developing area of collaboration, unlike established sectors such as automobiles and semiconductors," Ahn said. "We must prepare more swiftly and precisely, considering the differing industrial environments, laws and regulations in the two countries."

He called for concerted efforts to seize the opportunity to "open new markets" for the Korean shipbuilding industry.
Jaipur, Nov 20 : Former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said that the Congress will win all seven seats in the state and also expressed confidence over party's solid performance in Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections.

Speaking to IANS, Pilot said, "The by-elections, whose vote counting is on November 23, were held on seven seats in Rajasthan. Our party has a strong presence across all constituencies, and we are confident of winning all the Assembly seats."

Pilot also voiced optimism over party's performance in Assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, saying that JMM-Congress alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will outdo the rival party on results day.

"This is a critical election for the nation. The feedback we are receiving indicates that voters are favouring MVA leaders. The issues we have raised resonate with the public," he said.

"The MVA will secure a decisive victory in Maharashtra as the people desire development. They are dissatisfied with the central and state governments. The public is convinced by our five guarantees and will vote in our favour," Pilot further stated.

Commenting on the alleged cash-for-votes controversy in Maharashtra, Pilot criticised the BJP, following reports that BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde was accused of distributing money to sway voters in Maharashtra's Palghar district.

The controversy arose after Bahujan Vikas Aghadi chief Hitendra Thakur and his son Kshitij Thakur alleged that Tawde was caught with Rs 5 crore in cash, purportedly intended for distribution among voters in the Nalasopara-Vasai-Virar area. Hitendra Thakur further claimed that a diary in Tawde's possession contained records related to the cash distribution.

Although Tawde denied the allegations and demanded a thorough investigation with CCTV footage, three FIRs have been filed in connection with the case.

Reacting to the incident, Pilot said, "When such incidents come to light, the Election Commission of India (ECI) should take immediate and strict action. A leader of such stature being accused of carrying such a large amount of money for election manipulation is alarming. An inquiry alone is insufficient."

"Such incidents naturally raise questions. While I have no expectations from the government, I do hope that the ECI takes appropriate measures to ensure accountability and transparency in the electoral process," he added.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- China and France, as major countries, share common responsibilities to lead the international community to unite in efforts to address global challenges at a time when many new changes are unfolding in the international landscape, said Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

China-France relations are of unique strategic significance and global influence as both are independent, mature and responsible major countries, Xi noted, adding that in May this year, he and Macron outlined a vision for the next 60 years of China-France relations and jointly spoke out on global challenges and hotspot issues, leaving a wide and positive impact on the international arena.

He urged the two countries to deepen strategic communication, strengthen mutual support, maintain a momentum of steady and positive development of bilateral relations, and make greater contribution to the sound development of China-Europe relations and world peace and stability.

Xi reaffirmed that China is willing to continue to strengthen high-level exchanges with France, deepen exchanges and cooperation in such fields as culture, education, youth, and at local level, so as to promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee has launched a new round of reform and opening-up process in China, creating fresh opportunities for China-France cooperation and broadening the scope for practical cooperation between the two nations, he said.

Xi expressed his hope that the two sides will make good use of mechanisms such as the high-level economic and financial dialogue and the joint committee of trade and economic cooperation to further tap the potential of cooperation, strengthen complementary advantages, properly resolve differences, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

For his part, Macron recalled Xi's successful visit to France in May this year, during which they jointly celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between France and China.

Noting that the world today is full of instabilities and uncertainties, Macron said that France is willing to work with China to earnestly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, continue to strengthen high-level exchanges, enhance people-to-people exchanges, continue traditional friendship and forge a new type of state-to-state relations.

France upholds strategic autonomy and is willing to engage in dialogue and cooperation with China in the spirit of mutual respect, properly handle economic and trade disputes, maintain a sound and steady development of bilateral economic and trade relations, and strengthen cooperation in climate change, global AI governance and other fields, he said.

The two sides exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Xi noted that China's position on the crisis is consistent, and China hopes that the conflict will be eased.

Neither spillover of the crisis nor escalation of the conflict is what China wants to see; instead, China will continue to play a constructive role in its own way for the ceasefire and end of the conflict, he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Editor: WRX
New Delhi, Nov 20 : The Supreme Court has said that during the pendency of the divorce petition, a wife is entitled to enjoy the same amenities of life as she would have been entitled to in her matrimonial home.

The observation was made by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P.B. Varale as it dealt with the cross-appeals filed against the December 2022 order of the Madras High Court reducing, to Rs 80,000, the maintenance amount to be paid to the wife.

Before the apex court, the husband prayed for further reduction of the maintenance amount while the wife prayed for enhancement of the same.

The marriage between the parties was solemnised in 2008 according to Christian customs. As the relations between them got estranged, the husband filed a petition for divorce under the Indian Divorce Act, 1869, alleging cruelty.

During the pendency of the divorce petition, the wife filed an application before the Chennai family court praying for maintenance of Rs 2,50,000 per month along with litigation expenses. She claimed that the husband is a cardiologist and has several sources of income. The wife added that she has an M.Sc. degree in Clothing and Textiles and she worked in 2012 for about ten months but she was forced to leave her job as her husband was against her working.

The family court, after evaluating the status, standard of living, income, and assets of the parties, held that Rs 1,75,000 per month would be a reasonable amount to be paid to the wife as interim maintenance.

The aggrieved husband filed an appeal before the Madras High Court, which partially allowed the appeal and reduced the interim maintenance amount to R 80,000 per month.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court said: "We find that the High Court has erred in reducing the quantum of maintenance to Rs 80,000 per month. The High Court has considered only two sources of income for the respondent. Firstly, the sum of Rs 1,25,000 that he earns from working as a cardiologist at the Hospital. Secondly, the rent amount he and his mother receive from a property, of which the High Court has stated that he receives half the amount only. However, the High Court has not dealt with the findings of the family court wherein the respondent (husband) is said to own a number of worthful properties and the fact that he is the only legal heir of his father."

Allowing the wifeas appeal, the top court restored the order of the family court directing the husband to pay Rs 1,75,000 per month as interim maintenance. It took note of the fact that the wife is not working as she sacrificed her employment after the marriage.

"The appellant (wife) was accustomed to a certain standard of living in her matrimonial home and therefore, during the pendency of the divorce petition, is also entitled to enjoy the same amenities of life as she would have been entitled to in her matrimonial home," the court observed.
Chennai, Nov 20 : The Madras High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy that claimed the lives of 68 people.

The tragic incident occurred on June 18 in Tamil Naduas Kallakurichi district.

A division bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Justices D. Krishnakumar and P.B. Balaji, on Wednesday, directed the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) to transfer the case to the central agency.

The court passed the orders while hearing a batch of writ petitions filed by I.S. Inbadurai (AIADMK), K. Balu (PMK), B. Parthasarathy (DMDK), and A. Mohan Dass (BJP).

The petitioners argued that hooch tragedies have become a recurring issue in Tamil Nadu, and the CB-CID investigations in previous cases had failed to serve as a deterrent.

The division bench observed that since more than 60 lives were lost in this incident, the case was fit for a detailed CBI investigation.

Justice Balaji remarked that the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for society to recognise the harmful effects of alcohol abuse.

The court criticised the police for allowing the sale of spurious liquor to go unchecked. The bench noted that the sale of methanol-laced hooch appeared to have taken place right under the nose of the local police, who chose to ignore it.

As a result, the court ruled that the investigation must be transferred from the CB-CID to the CBI for a comprehensive inquiry.

The deaths occurred after residents of Karunapuram -- mostly Dalits and economically disadvantaged daily wage labourers -- consumed methanol-infused liquor sold by a local bootlegger, Govindaraj, alias Kannukutty, on the night of June 18.

In July, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of those killed in the tragedy. He also assured that the government would bear the education and hostel expenses of children who lost their parents. Additionally, Rs 5 lakh was deposited into the accounts of children who lost both parents in the incident.
Hyderabad, Nov 20 : A worker was killed and three others injured in a chemical reactor blast at a pharma company in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at Aurore Pharmaceuticals Private Ltd at Jeedimetla industrial area in Medchal Malkajgiri district on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

The workers were cleaning the boiler when the explosion occurred, killing one worker on the spot. Three others sustained critical injuries and were shifted to a hospital.

The deceased was identified as Anil, 43, and the injured as Gopi, 23, Srinivas, 25, and Balram, 30, were injured.

Tension prevailed at the pharma unit as relatives of the deceased and injured employees staged a protest.

They alleged that the management failed to provide them with information about the accident. The protestors blamed the negligence of the management for the tragedy. They demanded a thorough probe and compensation.

Senior police officials rushed to the spot. An officer said they were investigating the cause of the blast.

The pharma unit had witnessed a similar incident last year. Two workers were killed in the accident that occurred on March 1, 2023. The workers were charred to death when a fire broke out in the chemical reactor when they were mixing flammable solvents to clean it.

It was suspected that the fire was triggered by static electricity discharge. Due to the reactive nature of the material, it caught fire and two workers died on the spot. It was alleged that adequate safety measures were not taken while using highly flammable solvents during the manufacturing process.

Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have reported many reactor blasts at pharma units in recent times. At least 17 workers were killed and 20 others injured in a major fire that broke out after a reactor blast in Escientia Advanced Sciences Private Ltd in Atchutapuram in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh in August this year.
Damascus, Nov 20 : US airstrikes killed five members of militias and wounded several others in eastern Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based monitoring group reported on Tuesday that US warplanes targeted military gatherings in the Al-Quriyah desert of Deir ez-Zor province. It said the strikes came after a rocket believed to be fired by "pro-Iran militiamen" landed near a US base in the countryside of al-Hasakah province in northeastern Syria, reports Xinhua news agency.

Meanwhile, intermittent explosions of unknown origin were heard at a US military base inside the al-Omar oil field base in Deir ez-Zor, the observatory said.

US fighter jets were seen flying over several villages, reaching as far as the town of Mayadeen in Deir ez-Zor's countryside near the Iraqi border, according to the observatory.

There were no immediate reports of additional casualties.

The region has seen increased tensions between US forces and Iran-backed groups, which have a significant presence in eastern Syria.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : In a bid to combat the rising air pollution woes of India, tech giant Google on Wednesday launched Air View+ -- an artificial intelligence-based solution that can help the government and the people with useful hyperlocal air quality information.

Air View+ is powered by Google AI and works in collaboration with local climate tech firms. This can enable real-time hyperlocal air quality information, which includes local sustainability startups, researchers/climate action groups, corporations, city administrators, and citizens.

The ecosystem can provide "valuable air quality insights to government agencies responsible for environmental monitoring and urban planning," said Google in a blog post.

It will also provide "real-time hyperlocal air quality information in Google Maps for users across India," it added.

Air View+ empowers local municipal corporations with hyperlocal air quality data for their cities. This can be used to develop their in-house AQ dashboards via the researchers and sustainability partners.

"These dashboards provide air quality data for unmonitored areas and help urban planners identify hotspots and make necessary interventions," Google said.

The capabilities of Air View+ were tested in a pilot run last year. The partnerships with municipal corporations including Navi Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Greater Chennai have yielded hugely encouraging results, Google said.

Further, Air View+ also helps common people access hyperlocal air quality information across the country in Google Maps.

"With a multi-layered AI fusion approach that combines data from various input sources, including the sensor network, government data, satellite imagery, weather and wind patterns, traffic conditions, land cover, and more, we generate dynamic hyperlocal Air Quality Index (AQI) at a granular level. We have customised the model for India to reflect the methodology, categorisation, and guidance as defined in the National Air Quality Index (NAQI)," the tech giant said.

The information garnered may help vulnerable populations such as young children or the elderly to take appropriate preventative measures and precautions for their health such as using N95 masks or reducing outdoor exposure.

People can readily access AQI in Google Maps by selecting the Air Quality layer from the Layer button on the home screen and tapping on any location on the map. Clicking the Weather widget on the Explore tab on the home screen can help them access AQI info at their current location.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : As companies all over the world embrace artificial intelligence (AI), Microsoft has announced to empower every employee with its Copilot AI as a personal assistant, and to transform every business process with agents built in its Copilot Studio.

The newly-launched 'Copilot Actions' will automate everyday tasks with simple, fill-in-the-blank prompts that the users can set and forget.

The company said it has dramatically improved Copilot performance  responses are two times faster on average and response satisfaction is nearly three times higher  and shipped hundreds of new features.

"New agents in Microsoft 365 will unlock SharePoint knowledge, provide real-time language interpretation in Microsoft Teams meetings, and automate employee self-service," said Jared Spataro, Chief Marketing Officer, AI at Work, during the 'Microsoft Ignite 2024' event.

The Copilot Control System will help IT professionals confidently manage Copilot and agents securely, he added.

Additionally, the 'Windows Resiliency Initiative' introduces Quick Machine Recovery, allowing targeted fixes even on unbootable PCs.

Microsoft said it is adding new value to Copilot Pages  a dynamic, persistent canvas designed for multiplayer AI collaboration  with rich artifacts, which will be available in early 2025.

Now, you can prompt Copilot to create everything from interactive flow charts to blocks of code  drawing from data across Microsoft Graph then share them in durable Pages your team can build upon.

Now, Copilot in Teams can understand, recap, and answer questions based on visual content shared onscreen  from PowerPoint to the web  in addition to the transcript and chat.

"With a single prompt, Copilot in PowerPoint can translate entire presentations into one of 40 languages, while maintaining the overall design of each slide," Spataro informed.

"Copilot in Outlook can now help you schedule focus time or one-on-ones with a colleaguelooking across both your calendars to find the best time  and draft a meeting agenda. Generally available by the end of November," he added.

Nearly 70 per cent of Fortune 500 companies are using Microsoft 365 Copilot, according to the company.
Caracas, Nov 20 : Venezuela rejected a bill approved by the US House of Representatives to intensify sanctions against the South American nation.

"This instrument seeks to prevent economic ties and cooperation between Venezuela and the United States in different areas ... in clear violation of the United Nations Charter," Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The bill in question adds to the more than 930 "unilateral coercive measures," or sanctions, already imposed by Washington, the ministry said, accusing segments of the Venezuelan political opposition of promoting the bill's passage, reports Xinhua news agency.

"This new attack is guaranteed to fail, like all the ridiculous misadventures to which they have subjected the United States government," it said.

The ministry noted it was an "offence" that the bill is called "Banning Operations and Leases with the Illegitimate Venezuelan Authoritarian Regime," so that it would be known by its acronym as the BOLIVAR Act, in the same name as the Venezuelan national hero Simon Bolivar who "dedicated his life to defeating imperialism and colonialism, counter to the values contained in this new criminal attack."

Venezuela called on the United Nations and the international community to "condemn this illegal act and violation of national sovereignty."

The US House of Representatives passed the bill with bipartisan support of both Republican and Democratic legislators, and it now goes to the Senate for consideration.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : As BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde faced accusations of distributing cash to influence voters in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, Congress Lok Sabha MP, Tariq Anwar on Wednesday slammed the BJP and said "they use such tactics to win polls."

High drama unfolded on Tuesday as workers of a regional party gheraoed Tawde, accusing him of distributing cash to influence voters in Palghar, in Maharashtra.

While Tawde has denied the allegations, the Election Commission of India has filed an FIR against the senior BJP leader over cash-for-vote allegations.

Talking to IANS, Tariq Anwar said, "It is not the first time that the BJP has done this. BJP believes in such a voting tactic for votes. They have used the same strategy in Haryana elections and other places as well."

"So, for this reason they thought it will work out that's why they are using such a strategy in Maharashtra also. Now, with the video, it is clear that they buy votes by giving money," he added.

Anwar further reacted to the BJP's allegations of National Congress Party (SP) MP, Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress President, Nana Patole's alleged involvement in a 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case and said, "If anything wrong happened, then they can probe it. They can do anything, if they want to find out who was involved in it. We don't have any issue."

Anwar further reacted to the events in Uttar Pradesh's bypolls where people belonging to the minority community were allegedly stopped from voting.

"It is true. We have also received such information. As the government claims to have full democracy, then why are such things happening in the country? It is condemnable," he said.

The Congress leader also claimed that the party would win in the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly polls.

"Party workers have worked really hard. I believe that we will form the government in both the states," he concluded.

Voting for all the 288 Maharashtra Assembly seats and the remaining 38 Jharkhand constituencies began on Wednesday.

Results for both the states will be out on November 23. While 4,136 candidates including 363 women, are contesting in Maharashtra; 528 contestants, including 55 females are in the fray in Jharkhand's second phase.

In Maharashtra, it's a high-stakes battle for the two major alliances, the Mahayuti which is currently in power and the Maha Vikas Agadi (MVA).

As of 1 P.M., Maharashtra saw the quietest polling booths with voter turnout at 32.1 per cent while Jharkhand was at 47.92 per cent.
Wellington, Nov 20 : New Zealand's tough new gang crackdown laws will officially come into effect on Thursday, banning gang insignia and stopping criminal gang members from associating and communicating.

A raft of new laws will take effect soon, including gang insignia to be banned in all public places, and courts to be able to issue non-consorting orders, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said on Wednesday, according to Xinhua news agency.

"Gangs in our country think they're above the law and can choose which laws they comply with...We have a justice system that applies equally to everyone," Goldsmith said, adding greater weight will also be given to gang membership at sentencing, enabling courts to impose more severe punishments.

With the establishment of district gang units, police are ready to make maximum use of the new tools brought in to target disruptive gang events and enforce the new gang laws, Police Minister Mark Mitchell said.

Gang members make up less than 0.25 per cent of New Zealand's adult population but are linked to 18 per cent of all serious violent crimes, 19 per cent of all homicides and 23 per cent of all firearms offences, Mitchell said.
People visit an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A visitor is pictured at an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

People visit an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A visitor views exhibits at an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A visitor is pictured at an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

People visit an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A visitor takes photos of exhibits at an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A visitor takes photos of an exhibit at an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A visitor is pictured at an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

People visit an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A visitor views an exhibit at an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A visitor views an exhibit at an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A visitor views exhibits at an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A visitor is pictured at an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France, Nov. 18, 2024. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

This photo taken on Nov. 18, 2024 shows exhibits at an exhibition titled "Tang China -- A Cosmopolitan Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, France. The exhibition was inaugurated Monday at France's Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts.

The exhibition, directed by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration and the French Ministry of Culture, showcases over 200 pieces or sets of exquisite artifacts from 32 cultural and museum institutions in 10 provincial-level regions and cities in China. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

Editor: GSY
Patna, Nov 20 : Rashtriya Lok Morcha President and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha on Wednesday exuded confidence in the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) victory in the Jharkhand and Maharashtra Assembly elections.

He claimed that the NDA would secure victories in both states, asserting that the public supports the alliance's vision.

Even as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar did not campaign for the NDA in Jharkhand, it will not affect the alliance's poll performance, he said.

"It will not make any difference. The NDA government will be formed in Jharkhand too. Nitish Kumar not campaigning for the polls should not be linked to any differences in the alliance," Kushwaha said.

He added, "The good news will come wherever voting is underway. NDA will win everywhere."

In the Jharkhand Assembly elections, the Janata Dal (United), led by Nitish Kumar, was contesting only two seats as part of the seat-sharing arrangement within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Under this formula, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded candidates in 68 constituencies, the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) in 11 seats, and the Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) in one seat.

CM Kumar reportedly skipped campaigning to focus on consolidating JD(U)'s position in its stronghold Bihar.

Responding to allegations against BJP's Bihar in-charge Vinod Tawde in a cash scandal during the Maharashtra elections, Kushwaha criticised the opposition's approach.

"Some people just keep making allegations. BJP leaders have clarified their stance, and the truth has come out," he claimed.

As voters in Jharkhand and Maharashtra exercise their right to franchise, the political landscape remains highly contested.

Jharkhand currently has an INDIA bloc government, while NDA is in power in Maharashtra.

The Assembly elections' results will play a significant role in shaping the political dynamics in both states.
Chandigarh, Nov 20 : Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said he has ordered that reflectors must be installed on all vehicles and no vehicle without reflectors should be allowed as they "are the ones involved in or cause accidents".

Chandigarh, Nov 20 (IANS) Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said he has ordered that reflectors must be installed on all vehicles and no vehicle without reflectors should be allowed as they "are the ones involved in or cause accidents".

Vij made this statement in response to a media question regarding transportation arrangements during the fog.

In response to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's slogan "Daroge to Maroge", Vij said, "Why does Mallikarjun Kharge always think about dying? A person should be positive. The idea of 'Ek rahoge toh safe rahoge", as mentioned by (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi seems beyond their understanding."

"Our elders, teachers, and professors have always taught us that staying together ensures safety. Now that Modi-ji has reiterated this, the Congress still doesn't understand it. They want to steer people towards negativity instead of positivity."

In reaction to Maulana Sajjad Nomani's statement that Muslims who vote for the BJP would be ostracised, Cabinet minister Vij said, "No one can make religious appeals during elections. The Election Commission should take note of this and take action against them."

On farmers announcing their march to Delhi without tractors and trolleys, he said, "The Supreme Court's committee is already talking with farmers. I am not aware of the latest developments in their discussions."

When asked about the Assembly session, Vij said the session was peaceful. "This was the first session of this Assembly. Despite being new, the Speaker conducted the House proceedings very well."

Work has commenced on resolving the water drainage issues in the industrial area of Ambala Cantonment and soon the waterlogging problems faced by residents of colonies near the Tangri River will be resolved.
Bengaluru, Nov 20 : Karnataka, one of the fastest-growing states in the country, is committed to offering all possible support to investors leveraging its industry-friendly environment and talent pool, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday.

During a meeting with British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, the Chief Minister discussed various issues, highlighting Karnataka's potential for investments.

"There are immense opportunities for industries in Bengaluru, and we are hosting the Global Investors Meet in February next year. Under the government's ambitious Queen City project, investors can explore further opportunities," CM Siddaramaiah stated.

"Our state's industrial policy is highly progressive, and with excellent air connectivity to most cities, the government is ready to extend full support for investments in Tier-2 cities," CM Siddaramaiah said.

High Commissioner Lindy Cameron acknowledged the presence of numerous British companies in Bengaluru, adding that 15 UK-based firms were participating in the ongoing Bengaluru Tech Summit.

Lindy Cameron also confirmed the participation of several British delegations in the upcoming Global Investors Meet and Aero India event in February.

She further noted that 30 students from Karnataka's government colleges are currently undergoing a 15-day academic exposure program in London. A collaborative initiative between the British High Commission and Karnataka aims to provide scholarships for female students in the state.

This agreement, valid for three years, will offer scholarships for postgraduate studies in the UK, specifically for women graduates from government colleges in Karnataka.

This year, 15 students will benefit from the programme, stated Lindy Cameron.

As Lindy Cameron met CM Siddaramaiah on Wednesday for discussions, Deputy High Commissioner Chandru Iyer, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM L.K. Atheek, Political Secretary to the CM Nasir Ahmed, and Govindaraju were present during the meeting.
Guwahati, Nov 20 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday asserted that the Assam Pavilion at the ongoing India International Trade Fair in the national capital is attracting national and international visitors by displaying the unique culture of the state.

He has appealed to people to pay a visit to the pavilion at the trade fair to experience the rich heritage of Assam.

"The Assam Pavilion at the ongoing India International Trade Fair is attracting national and international visitors. Displaying the State's unique culture and its modern outlook the Pavilion aptly captures the Viksit Assam vision of our government," the Chief Minister wrote on X.

The Assam Pavilion under the aegis of the Department of Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprise of the state government has altogether 36 stalls showcasing a wide array of products from handloom and textiles to water hyacinth and from tea to brass metal.

"Different state government departments and undertakings like Assam Tourism, Assam Industrial Development Corporation, NEDFi, Directorate of Tea, Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, Directorate of Information and Public Relations and Assam Government Marketing Corporation Ltd. are actively participating in the event," an official release mentioned.

The MSME sector is well represented in the Assam Pavilion. Stalls displaying cane and bamboo, handloom and handicrafts, terracotta, woodcraft, brass metal, food processing products, and tea reflect the entrepreneurial spirit of Assam.

One District One Product (ODOP) and emerging startups from the state are also taking part in the fair.

A senior official earlier said: "The stall on Agar and its derivatives  an initiative supported by the Assam government has been the cynosure of all eyes. MJI Perfumes is Assam's first licensed manufacturing cum retail store for perfume and agar. Under the Assam Agarwood Promotion Policy, the state government supports Agar cultivation and its downstream industries from perfumes to critical chemical Ingredients of medicines, etc."

The Assam Pavilion highlights the state's progress in various sectors including manufacturing, technology, tourism, and infrastructure, as well as its vision to transform into a major economic hub in Eastern India.

"Visitors get to know about Assam's unprecedented development journey and its slew of future initiatives such as the development of advanced semiconductor facilities aimed at making the state a leader in high technology manufacturing, creating skilled employment opportunities and supporting technological growth," the official added.

He added that the Pavilion also highlights the state's emphasis on the renewable energy sector and the government's initiatives in the field of healthcare to improve accessibility among the entire community.

"It also presents schemes and policies aimed at aligning the development of Assam with the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat@2047," the official stated.
Mumbai, Nov 20 : Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, who was recently seen in the Diwali release 'Singham Again', was enquired about a broken public toilet by a man. The actor had donated the said toilet a few years ago.

Mumbai, Nov 20 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, who was recently seen in the Diwali release aSingham Againa, was enquired about a broken public toilet by a man. The actor had donated the said toilet a few years ago.

Akshay was seen coming out of the polling station on Wednesday after casting his vote for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections.

As he walked towards his car after interacting with the media, he was called by an aged man, who walked up to him and started talking to him in Hindi.

The man asked the superstar to help with some resources to which the actor said that he will speak with the BMC, and get things done.

Meanwhile, Akshay was one of the early voters to exercise his right to vote. The actor arrived early in the morning at the polling booth in the Juhu area of Mumbai on Wednesday.

The polling for Maharashtra Assembly elections is currently underway across 288 constituencies in the state. This time around, 4136 candidates are contesting elections across 288 constituencies in Maharashtra, the state with the highest GDP per capita, and by virtue of it, the highest economy.

The fight is intense with alliances from both sides locking horns with each other. While Uddhav Bal Thackerayas Shiv Sena has joined forces with Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party led by Sharad Pawar to form Maha Vikas Aghadi, the other side has BJP forming an alliances with Eknath Shinde branching out of the original Shiv Sena (retaining the party symbol) and the Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar, who branched out of his uncleas original NCP for Mahayuti, the ruling alliance.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : Janata Dal (United) leader Rajiv Ranjan Prasad expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) prospects in Jharkhand and the Mahayuti's performance in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Speaking to IANS about the Maharashtra Assembly polls, the JD-U leader described the contest as "one-sided," asserting that the Mahayuti alliance is poised for a decisive victory. He attributed this to significant trust issues and internal conflicts among the leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). "The lack of cohesion and mutual trust between the MVA partners has negatively impacted their electoral prospects," he remarked.

Commenting on Jharkhand polls, the JD-U leader noted the strong momentum achieved by the NDA. "If we analyse both phases of the Jharkhand elections, the NDA's performance has been consistently strong. The second phase, in particular, showed significant growth, reflecting a positive atmosphere for the alliance," he added.

Commenting on the allegations surrounding the misuse of Bitcoin in Maharashtra elections, Rajiv Ranjan emphasised the need for a thorough investigation. He stated, "This matter should be investigated, and a proper resolution is required. Using Bitcoin in elections is a serious concern for the integrity of upcoming polls."

The Bitcoin controversy erupted after former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil accused Supriya Sule and Nana Patole of selling Bitcoin and utilising the proceeds during the Assembly elections. The BJP later released audio tapes and WhatsApp messages supporting these claims. Both Supriya Sule and Nana Patole have denied the allegations, while Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has also called for an impartial enquiry to bring out the truth.

On the other hand, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who is locked in a direct fight with his nephew and NCP(SP) nominee Yugendra Pawar after casting his vote in Baramati, demanded that an impartial enquiry should be held into the cryptocurrency fraud so that the truth will come out.

"I know the voices of Supriya Sule and Nana Patole very well. The voices in the audio clips belong to both of them," he claimed.

Supriya Sule hit back at her estranged cousin saying that "Ajit Pawar can say anything". She has already denied the charges saying that she will file a defamation case against the BJP.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : The number of registered complaints against unregistered senders or spam calls/SMSs reduced to 1.51 lakh in October, a 20 per cent drop from August, the government said on Wednesday.

In September, this figure (as reported by access providers) was 1.63 lakh, a 13 per cent drop from August, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which has taken several measures to combat the persistence issue of spam calls and SMSs.

On August 13, the telecom regulator issued directions, mandating that any entity found to be making promotional voice calls in violation of regulations would face strict consequences.

This includes disconnection of all telecom resources, blacklisting for up to two years, and a ban on new resource allocation during the blacklisting period.

Consequent to this direction, Access providers have taken widespread actions which led to a significant reduction in the complaints registered against the spam calls.

To enhance message traceability, TRAI issued direction on August 20 and mandated that the trail of all messages from senders/principal entities to recipients must be traceable from November 1.

All access providers have since implemented the technical solutions.

As a result of these efforts, more than 13,000 principal entities (PEs) have already registered their chains with the respective access providers and further registration is in progress at a rapid pace, said TRAI.

Access Providers have sent many warning notices to all principal entities and registered telemarketers (RTMs) who have not yet implemented necessary changes.

"All PEs and telemarketers (TMs) are advised to complete the declaration of chains on priority as any message that fails to adhere to the defined telemarketer chain will be rejected," said TRAI.

Last month, the government announced a new spam-tracking system to identify and block incoming international calls posing as Indian phone numbers.

The system was made operational and within 24 hours of operation, about 1.35 crore or 90 per cent from all the incoming international calls with Indian phone numbers were identified as spoofed calls and blocked by telecom service providers (TSPs) from reaching Indian telecom subscribers.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 20 : Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Wednesday said the state-wide campaign that her department has launched against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics has seen a drop of around 30 per cent in their usage since the initiative began.

"With the drop in antibiotics use by around 30 per cent, it means people were having it before without actually having any reason to have it. This dip took place due to our campaign," George said at a state-level campaign inauguration meeting held at a state-run school here.

"Our aim is to see that all hospitals in the state are turned into antibiotic-smart hospitals. There should be no sales of antibiotics done through medical shops without a prescription from doctors," she added.

The Minister later joined health workers and took part in a door-to-door campaign near the school.

This campaign is to confront antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which is one of the top global public health and development threats as the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and plants are the main drivers in the development of drug-resistant pathogens.

Another step that has been initiated is that antibiotics will have to be given in a blue cover and a doctoras prescription will be compulsory for people when they buy it from medical shops.

This campaign is in various stages in the 14 districts of the state and the targeted plan is to reach each and every home in the state. The campaign is also geared to cover areas where migrant workers are staying and the awareness class is being conducted in their mother tongues also. The awareness programme points out that no one should take antibiotics without a doctor prescribing it and the entire course prescribed by the doctor has to be completed.

People are also told that antibiotics should not be shared between people and utmost care has to be taken while disposing of old antibiotics.

The Kerala government has taken up this programme very seriously as international studies have shown that AMR affects countries in all regions and at all income levels and the worst affected are the low and middle-income countries. Studies have also revealed that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million deaths.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : As the BJP intensified its attack on Maharashtra Opposition leaders Supriya Sule and Nana Patole for their alleged involvement in using Bitcoins to fund elections, Congress leader T.S. Singh Deo on Wednesday said there is no option left for the BJP as the money distribution video of Vinod Tawde has shown their reality.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra also targeted Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and asked the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha to hold a press conference on the issue. He also claimed that the money involved so far is Rs 235 crore.

Talking to IANS, T.S. Singh Deo said, "There is no option left for the BJP after being caught red-handed. Respected BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde was caught red-handed distributing money. I want to ask if they got to know about it today. Sambit Patra got the information about it from any Central probe agency or any officials. Why were they silent over this till now."

"The BJP has now been caught red-handed that's why they are accusing Congress leaders. They are trying to play a blame game now to divert the people's focus," he added.

The Congress leader further reacted to Vinod Tawde's viral video where he was allegedly seen distributing money for votes and the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s FIR against him.

"See, the action of the ECI was needed. We will be satisfied by the level of judgment in Tawde's case," he remarked.

The Congress leader further reacted to minorities being stopped from casting votes in some parts of Uttar Pradesh during the bypolls in the state.

"If it is happening then it is very sad and condemnable. It is against democracy. If people are being stopped from giving votes then there will be no meaning of the Constitution. The Constitution was made for the people only," he asserted.

Singh Deo also claimed victory for the Congress in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

"There is a high chance of winning the Maharashtra and Jharkhand polls," he concluded.
A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departs from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China. A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Zhang Ziyu)

CHONGQING, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- China Railway has conducted its first large-scale trial transportation of lithium batteries for electric vehicles.

On Tuesday, three trains loaded with lithium batteries departed from Chongqing Municipality, Sichuan Province and Guizhou Province, all of which are located in southwest China.

For China, the world's largest producer of lithium batteries, this is a major step forward in the transportation of these vehicle batteries, which are listed as dangerous goods and were previously transported only by sea or road.

The transport of lithium batteries is risky as they may burn or explode if jolted.

"For the trial run, we are using a new type of container designed solely for the transport of lithium batteries. The containers are made of non-combustible materials and equipped with smoke and temperature detectors and venting devices," said Jia Ping, deputy general manager of China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd.

Rail transport will facilitate the export of Chinese lithium batteries as it has a larger capacity than road transport and is faster than sea transport, Jia said.

The trial has been welcomed by Chinese battery giant CATL. "This trial rail transportation is further recognition of the safety performance of domestic lithium batteries," said Liu Jie, who is in charge of CATL's supply chains and logistics.

"Rail transport opens up a new channel for the efficient transportation of lithium batteries. It will boost our exports by reducing logistics costs and improving logistics efficiency," said Liu. 

An aerial drone photo shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departing from Yibin Port in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Zhuang Geer/Xinhua)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is about to depart from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes at Dulaying international land-sea logistics port in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is about to depart from Yibin Port in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Zhuang Geer/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departing from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is about to depart from Yibin Port in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Zhuang Geer/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes about to depart from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is pictured at Dulaying international land-sea logistics port in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes about to depart from Yibin Port in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Zhuang Geer/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes at Dulaying international land-sea logistics port in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departing from Dulaying international land-sea logistics port in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Long Jianrui/Xinhua)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is pictured at Dulaying international land-sea logistics port in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Long Jianrui/Xinhua)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is about to depart from Yibin Port in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Photo by Zhuang Geer/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes about to depart from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is about to depart from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes is pictured at Dulaying international land-sea logistics port in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 19, 2024. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2024 shows a train loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes about to depart from a train station in southwest China's Chongqing. Three trains loaded with lithium batteries for traction purposes departed separately from Chongqing, Guiyang and Yibin on Tuesday, marking the first large scale test run for rail transportation of such batteries in China.

A new type of container enhanced with multiple safety measures including smoke sensing and pressure releasing has been deployed to effectively reduce potential risks during transportation. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Bhubaneswar, Nov 20 : A youth was arrested on the charges of sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl in the Baranga area of Odisha's Cuttack on Wednesday.

The accused has been identified as Kailash Sonar, a resident of Singhbhum district in Jharkhand.

Cuttack DCP Jagmohan Meena said, "A case has been registered under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at the Baranga Police station in connection with the sexual abuse of the minor girl on Tuesday night."

"After getting information about the crime, we formed three teams. As both the victim and accused's families hail from Jharkhand, we sent a team to Jharkhand suspecting that the accused might escape to the neighbouring state," Meena said.

Meena further stated that another team was sent to the house of the accused's relative in Paradip in Odisha while the third team searched for the accused at possible hideouts at Baranaga and nearby places.

"We finally succeeded in apprehending the accused today," added Meena.

The police sources further revealed that the accused Kailash, a driver by profession, used to visit the victim's house near a Fly Ash brick unit in the Baranga area and bring chocolates for her.

On Tuesday, the girl was playing on the premises of the fly ash brick unit when the accused took her to a nearby isolated spot on the pretext of offering her chocolates and raped her, as per the complainant.

"When the girl returned after around one hour, she narrated the incident to her mother. Meanwhile, the accused fled the spot when the family members of the victim accosted him over the incident," the complainant added

The victim was rushed to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics or Sishu Bhawan in Cuttack on Tuesday evening after her health deteriorated.

The minor girl was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for advanced treatment on Wednesday.

The Cuttack DCP told media persons that the victim's condition was stable now.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday searched the premises of Gaurav Mehta, a witness in the 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case, in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur and scanned documents in connection with a money laundering probe.

New Delhi, Nov 20 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday searched the premises of Gaurav Mehta, a witness in the 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case, in Chhattisgarhas capital Raipur and scanned documents in connection with a money laundering probe.

Mehta worked for a consultancy firm which was helping Pune Police probe a separate cryptocurrency fraud.

Earlier, Mehtaas name also figured in a complaint filed by former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil in the Rs 5 crore cryptocurrency fraud revolving around politicians.

Patil, who spent 14 months in custody in the case as an accused, had alleged the involvement of Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole in the 2018 cryptocurrency fraud.

The former cop kicked up a political storm by claiming that he had access to voice notes in which Sule could be heard asking Mehta, an alleged witness in the case, to encash bitcoins as funds were needed for Assembly elections, voting for which concluded on Wednesday.

Bharatiya Janata Party National Spokesperson and Member of Parliament Dr Sambit Patra addressed a press conference at the partyas headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday and accused Sule and Patole of selling Bitcoin and using the money in the Assembly elections in the state. Both Sule and Patole have denied the charges.

Dr Patra alleged the misappropriation was done on the directions of the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.

A complaint against the two Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders was made by the former IPS officer Patil and based on that BJP held a press conference and released audio tapes and WhatsApp messages.

Dr Patra also accused them of using the funds from this scam in the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 and the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. Dr Patra said that Congress and Rahul Gandhi should clarify their positions on this issue.
Chandigarh, Nov 20 : Recognising the Cooperation Department as the backbone of Punjab's economic development, the state's Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday affirmed that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann the government is providing full support to the Cooperation Department.

Cheema made these remarks while addressing the state-level function on the last day of the 71st All-India Cooperation Week here.

During the event, Cheema launched the web portal 'Phulkari' prepared by the Cooperation Department with the aim to provide a world-class sales avenue for the products crafted by women artisans across the state.

He also unveiled new products from Verka and a coffee table book of the department.

In his address, the Finance Minister said Sugarfed, once burdened with liabilities exceeding Rs 400 crore when the present government took over in 2022, has been transformed into a thriving institution over the past two years.

He said during the last two years, these liabilities have not only been cleared, but the institution has been strengthened significantly.

"As a result of these efforts, the area under sugarcane cultivation has increased from 50,429 hectares in 2022-23 to 56,391 hectares in 2024-25. Efforts to bring this institution from loss to profit have also been made, with a 14 MW co-generation plant running on paddy straw at the Bhogpur Cooperative Sugar Mill, earning Rs 15.31 crore in 2023-24," he said.

Describing Milkfed as one of the top three milk-product agencies in the country, Finance Minister Cheema said it has set a record by purchasing 31 lakh litres of milk per day during the financial year 2023-2024.

He also mentioned the commissioning of a by-pass protein plant at Verka Cattle Feed Plant in Ghania Ke Bangar and a fermented milk processing and packaging unit at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana.
Mumbai: Actor Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan, daughter & actor Suhana Khan and son Aryan Khan leave after casting their vote for the Maharashtra Assembly elections in Mumbai . Image Source: IANS

Mumbai, Nov 20 : Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, who will be next seen in 'King', was seen at a polling station in the Bandra area of Mumbai on Wednesday. The megastar arrived with his kids Aryan and Suhana in their swanky Maybach.

Mumbai, Nov 20 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, who will be next seen in aKinga, was seen at a polling station in the Bandra area of Mumbai on Wednesday. The megastar arrived with his kids Aryan and Suhana in their swanky Maybach.

SRK was seen dressed in white shirt and cargo pants. He rounded up his look with a pair of sunglasses and a beanie while Suhana opted for an Indian attire. Aryan donned an all black attire with a drop shoulder t-shirt and pants.

Earlier, SRK announced the release of Aryanas directorial debut with a streaming series. The series is set against the backdrop of the Hindi film industry. The multi-genre project promises an unabashed take on cinema through the adventures of a charming, ambitious outsider navigating the lanes of B-town. The series blends a high-stakes narrative with self-aware humour.

SRKas aKaran Arjuna co-star Salman Khan too was seen casting his vote in Bandra. The actor made his first public appearance after he was seen at the mourning of the slain politician Baba Siddique.

Bollywood stars turned up in impressive numbers to cast their votes for the Maharashtra State Assembly Elections.

The polling for Maharashtra Assembly elections was conducted across 288 constituencies in the state. This time around, 4136 candidates are contesting elections across 288 constituencies in Maharashtra, the state with the highest GDP per capita, and by virtue of it, the highest economy.

The fight is intense with alliances from both sides locking horns with each other. While Uddhav Bal Thackerayas Shiv Sena has joined forces with Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party led by Sharad Pawar to form Maha Vikas Aghadi, the other side has BJP forming an alliances with Eknath Shinde branching out of the original Shiv Sena (retaining the party symbol) and the Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar, who branched out of his uncleas original NCP for Mahayuti, the ruling alliance.
Jammu, Nov 20 : J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday called for the promotion of organic farming in order to increase the income of farmers.

Addressing the inaugural function at the agricultural summit and Kisan Mela organised by the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture and Technology (SKUAST) here, Abdullah said: "It is important to promote organic farming in order to increase the income of our farmers."

Appreciating that the SKUAST Jammu and also the SKUAST Kashmir have made a lot of progress, he said: "We must try to improve production of agriculture-related items. We can export these items if we improve our production and through agricultural exports, our economy can see a huge boost. You will find factories in some places while other places will have tourist destinations, but farmers are found everywhere."

aUnfortunately, our farmers are not getting due attention. Our focus is on other sectors as agriculture and its allied sectors remain neglected. We can make a lot of economic progress if we give due attention towards agriculture and allies sectors. At present, we are forced to import everything right from milk to meat. We must try to provide adequate financial backing to farmers," the Chief Minister added.

He rued the fact that the children of our farmers don't want to be farmers as they are not getting good profit.

"It is the duty of SKAUST Jammu and SKAUST Srinagar to ensure that farmers get all updates about climate. Agriculture is facing many challenges, there is less snowfall now. Global warming is another big challenge for farmers," he said.

On a positive note, Abdullah said that the Basmati rice of R.S. Pura and the Rajma beans of Jammu are famous all over. He added that the entire agricultural scenario has changed due to new types of crops, vegetables, and fruits.

"We have to make farmers mentally prepared for future challenges. They need to be made aware of modern technology to promote multi-cropping. Research must have practical implementation and farmers can benefit only if they are properly guided. Agricultural universities must focus on research and then involve farmers in research mechanisms," he said.

The Chief Minister assured all governmental support to the SKAUST in its mission to increase agricultural production. Omar hoped that todayas Kisan Sammelan would help and benefit farmers from both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has petitioned the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on trial in the money laundering case linked to the alleged liquor policy scam.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo contended that the trial court took cognizance of the alleged offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) without any prior sanction having been obtained by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for prosecution.

Kejriwalas plea added that the trial court should have not taken cognizance on EDas prosecution complaint without sanction since he held a public office at the time of the commission of the alleged money laundering offence.

Last week, the Delhi High Court agreed to examine a plea filed by Kejriwal challenging the maintainability of complaints filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over non-compliance with summons issued to him in the liquor policy scam case.

A Bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri issued a notice and asked the federal anti-money laundering agency to file its response.

Before his arrest on March 21, the ED moved a magisterial court, filing two complaints over non-compliance with its summons.

It said that if a high-ranking public functionary like him disobeyed the law, it would set a wrong example for the common man.

The ED's complaint added that then CM Kejriwal intentionally did not want to obey the summons and kept on giving "lame excuses".

In response to the ED's complaint, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) of the Rouse Avenue Court issued a summons to Kejriwal.

Challenging the order, the AAP chief moved the sessions court against the two above-mentioned complaints filed by the ED.

However, the sessions court on March 15 refused to grant a stay on the summons issued to Kejriwal by the ACMM.

Left with no immediate legal remedy, Kejriwal applied for bail and was granted relief on a bail bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of Rs 50,000.

Before the Delhi High Court, Kejriwal has challenged the sessions court decision rejecting his plea against the summons issued on the ED's complaint.

Kejriwal contended that when summons were issued by one ED officer of Assistant Director rank, a complaint before a magisterial court could not have been filed by another ED officer of the same rank in view of Section 195 CrPC.

The Supreme Court, on September 13, had granted bail to the former Delhi CM in connection with the corruption case lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) linked to the liquor policy case.

Earlier in July, the SC had ordered Kejriwal to be released on interim bail in connection with the money laundering case filed by ED.
Jaipur, Nov 20 : Investment MoUs worth INR 6.57 lakh crore were exchanged with investors from the Energy sector on Wednesday at the energy pre-summit in Rajasthan.

The MoUs have proposed to set up projects across various segments of the renewable energy and power generation sector including solar, wind, green hydrogen, hybrid, pump storage, battery storage and green ammonia projects among others.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma speaking on the occasion said that the on-ground implementation of the signed investment proposals will generate approximately 70000 new jobs in the state.

Giving a call to the investors to work towards making Rajasthan Atmanirbhar in the energy sector and making it energy surplus, the Chief Minister said that Rajasthan presents a golden opportunity for investment in the renewable energy sector.

"The state hosts the world's largest solar park with a capacity of 2245 MW, gets over 325 days of sunshine and presents limitless opportunities in the solar and wind energy sector. We are aiming to make Rajasthan an energy-surplus state that not only meets the demand of the state but also meets the demands of other states and countries in the region," he said.

The Chief Minister added that the government will soon launch the Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024 which will provide a series of new incentives in the energy sector including for newer segments of renewable energy such as pump storage, green hydrogen, battery storage, and bio-energy among others.

Accompanying the Chief Minister on the occasion, Minister of State for Energy (Independent Charge), Heeralal Nagar said that the government is committed to work towards expeditious on-ground implementation of the investment MoUs through comprehensive monitoring and handholding of the investors.

Expressing happiness at the signing of investment MoUs in the diverse segments of renewable energy at the pre-summit, Chief Secretary, Sudhansh Pant said that the energy sector has been at the forefront in garnering a huge amount of investment under the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024.

Additional Chief Secretary-Energy, Alok, speaking on the occasion said that Rajasthan has created an investment-friendly ecosystem and right policy environment in the energy sector which will contribute not only to Rajasthan's energy transition but that of the entire country.
Jammu, Nov 20 : Six landmines, planted along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K's Poonch district, exploded in a forest fire on Wednesday, officials said, adding the blaze, which originated from the other side could be a "deliberate attempt" to cripple the defence system to enable an infiltration bid by terrorists.

Jammu, Nov 20 (IANS) Six landmines, planted along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&Kas Poonch district, exploded in a forest fire on Wednesday, officials said, adding the blaze, which originated from the other side could be a "deliberate attempt" to cripple the defence system to enable an infiltration bid by terrorists.

The six landmines were part of an anti-infiltration obstacle system, the officials said.

"The forest fire started from across the border in the afternoon and spread to this side of the LoC in the forward areas of Krishna Ghati sector of Mendhar sub-division. Six blasts were heard at regular intervals over the past few hours after the fire activated the landmines, but there was no report of any casualty. Efforts are on to control the flames, the cause of which is yet to be clearly ascertained," an official said.

"A deliberate attempt from across the border to harm the anti-infiltration obstacle system cannot be ruled out. Army is on high alert to foil any attempt of infiltration by terrorists," the official said.

There is an extraordinary vigil in the hinterland, as the LoC and the International Border (IB) in J&K after reports that terrorists are waiting across the border to infiltrate into the UT before the mountain passes are closed by heavy snowfall.

Terrorists have become active in J&K after the peaceful and people-participative Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the UT. Security forces believe that the handlers of terrorism sitting across the border in Pakistan have directed terrorists to increase their attacks irrespective of whether the army, security forces, police, or civilians become targets of such attacks.

It is to tackle this menace that Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha has instructed the security forces to eliminate terrorists, their harbourers, sympathisers and over-ground workers (OGWs) in order to wipe out the ecosystem of terrorism in J&K.
Patna, Nov 20 : The Bihar STF on Wednesday arrested Vivek Yadav, the brother of RJD MLA Ajay Yadav alias Ranjit Yadav, in connection with a 11-year-old murder case.

Ajay Yadav, the sitting RJD MLA from Gaya's Atri Assembly constituency, is a prominent political figure in the region, and the arrest of his brother has created an atmosphere of tension and fear there.

The case against Vivek Yadav dates back to February 26, 2013, involving a murder in the Neemchak Bathani market area in the district.

Sumirak Yadav, the JD-U Block President at the time, was allegedly beaten to death, and Vivek Yadav was named among the five accused in the case.

The FIR, lodged at the Neemchak Bathani police station, also named Kunti Devi, the MLA from Atri in 2013 and Vivek Yadav's mother.

Allegations were made that she orchestrated the incident.

The arrest of Vivek Yadav by the Bihar STF is being viewed as a significant move, given the political connections involved.

With the accused being linked to an influential MLA, the incident has stirred political and social reactions in the area.

Vivek Yadav's mother, Kunti Devi, who was the sitting MLA from Atri at the time, was accused of being the mastermind behind the 2013 incident. Kunti Devi was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for her involvement in the case.

While serving her sentence at Gaya Central Jail, her health deteriorated, leading to her hospitalisation at PMCH. She passed away during treatment on April 23, 2021.

Vivek Yadav, who had been absconding for 11 years, was arrested by the Gaya STF and brought to Khizersarai police station.

Neemchak Bathani DSP, Prakash Kumar confirmed the arrest.

"The police are looking into further details, including whether a reward had been announced for Vivek Yadav's capture," Kumar said.

This development has drawn public and political attention due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved. It underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to resolve long-pending cases, even those involving influential families.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : About 74 per cent of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) houses are owned by women, and the scheme now aspires to provide 100 per cent ownership to women, the government said on Wednesday.

New Delhi, Nov 20 (IANS) About 74 per cent of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojanaa"Gramin (PMAY-G) houses are owned by women, and the scheme now aspires to provide 100 per cent ownership to women, the government said on Wednesday.

Skilled employment has also been a priority, with almost three lakh rural masons trained in disaster-resilient construction, boosting their employability, said the Ministry of Rural Development, as it celebrated aAwaas Diwas 2024a, the 8th anniversary of the PMAY-G scheme.

The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 20, 2016 in Agra, underscoring the governmentas unwavering commitment to achieving Housing for All.

PMAY-G aims to provide pucca houses with essential amenities to all eligible houseless households and those living in kutcha or dilapidated houses by March 2029.

The scheme got extension with 2 crore more houses with a total outlay of Rs 3,06,137 crore for FY 2024-29 and Rs 54,500 crore allocated for FY 2024-25 to implement the scheme, this initiative continues to transform rural housing.

Originally targeting 2.95 crore houses to be completed by 2023-24, the scheme now aims to construct an additional 2 crore houses, addressing evolving rural housing needs.

To enhance inclusivity, exclusion criteria have been reduced from 13 to 10, removing conditions such as ownership of a fishing boat or motorized two-wheeler, and raising the income threshold to Rs 15,000 per month, according to the ministry.

Payments are made efficiently through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), with over 10 lakh beneficiaries receiving their first instalment this year via a single click by PM Modi in Bhubaneswar.

PMAY-G converges with schemes like MGNREGA, SBM-G, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Surya Ghar, ensuring beneficiaries access water, toilets, LPG, electricity, and solar energy. Special focus is given to landless beneficiaries, with 2.88 lakh houses and land provided in the past decade, according to the government.

The scheme reserves minimum 60 per cent of targets for SC/ST households, with 59.58 lakh SC houses and 58.57 lakh ST houses completed.

Five per cent of the target is reserved for differently-abled beneficiaries, and another 5 per cent prioritises housing for families affected by natural disasters, such as the Fani Cyclone in Odisha.
Chinese President Xi Jinping poses for a group photo with other participating leaders after the closing session of the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. Xi attended the closing session of the 19th G20 Summit on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

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New Delhi, Nov 20 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned hearing on a plea filed by former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee seeking bail in connection with the money laundering case linked to the alleged cash-for-school job scam.

The matter could not be taken up for hearing due to the non-sitting of Justice Surya Kant-led Bench.

As per the computerised case status, no fresh date of listing is shown on the website of the apex court.

On October 1, the top court had issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and asked the federal anti-money laundering agency to file its reply within two weeks.

In April this year, the Calcutta High Court had rejected Chatterjeeas bail plea. After being denied bail in the lower court multiple times, Chatterjee approached the Calcutta High Court. Chatterjee contended that he had no connection with the huge amount of cash recovered from the residence of his close aide Arpita Mukherjee, and should be granted bail. The ED had recovered huge quantities of cash and gold from the twin residences of Mukherjee in July 2022, which the latter had claimed were kept there by former Education Minister Chatterjee.

In the course of the investigation, the ED also confiscated some property in the form of land plots or residential houses indirectly or jointly held by the Trinamool Congress leader and his close associates and relatives.

Chatterjee was arrested from his residence by the ED in July 2022. Since then, after the initial days of central agency custody, his address had been a cell at Presidency Central Correctional Home in south Kolkata.

On Tuesday, the Calcutta High Court delivered a split verdict on Chatterjeeas bail plea in the corruption case registered against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the same alleged multi-crore cash for school job scam. While Justice Arijit Bandopadhyay pronounced in favour of bail for Chatterjee and eight others accused in the case, Justice Apurba Sinha Roy rejected the bail for Chatterjee and four others.

The division bench ordered the matter to be placed before Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, who will now refer the bail pleas before a three-judge bench.

However, the four persons whose bail petitions have been allowed both by Justice Bandopadhyay and Justice Sinha Roy will now be released on bail.
Kolkata, Nov 20 : A physically challenged minor girl, who symbolically assumed the chair of the chief of UNICEF in West Bengal on Wednesday on the occasion of World Children's Day, has urged this international body to include children's opinion in their decision-making process.

Kolkata, Nov 20 (IANS) A physically challenged minor girl, who symbolically assumed the chair of the chief of UNICEF in West Bengal on Wednesday on the occasion of World Childrenas Day, has urged this international body to include children's opinion in their decision-making process.

After being helped to sit as the symbolic chief of UNICEF in West Bengal for a day, Riya Sardar, who hails from Vidyanagar village decided that the officials of this UN body would meet the children once annually and their opinions would be included during planning for children's development programme.

As part of UNICEF's "Kids' Takeover" programme on World Children's Day today, this class-IX student of Vidyanagar Girls' High School held the chair of Dr Monjur Hossain the chief of UNICEF in West Bengal.

Riya is a physically challenged girl who faces difficulty in walking and uses a wheelchair to move around. As she clicked on Dr Hossain's computer button, an email containing her decision reached all officials of UNICEF in Kolkata.

"Initially, there was no ramp in the toilet of our school. Now with the help of our school authorities, a ramp has been built. Classes are now being organised on the ground floor of our school only after my father requested the teachers as children like me faced difficulty in walking up to the top floors of the building. I want that no physically challenged children should face any trouble in school and other places," Riya, the daughter of a small businessman, said.

UNICEF officials pledged to implement the decisions taken by Riya as their chief for the day. They said that an annual meeting with the children would be organised as part of their movement to 'Listen to the Future' and their participation in the decision-making be promoted adequately.

"The idea and drive to include childrenas voices in our work will promote and ensure childrenas participation through platforms created to listen to them. Such initiatives will help us to understand their problems and opinions to ensure inclusive decision-making and realise their rights," Dr Hossain said.
Patna, Nov 20 : The Bihar government launched the Ayushman Vandan Scheme on Wednesday which is aimed at providing free healthcare benefits to senior citizens aged 70 years and above.

The scheme was inaugurated by Health Minister Mangal Pandey and Urban Development Minister Nitin Naveen during a program at the Maurya Lok Complex in Patna.

On the occasion, Ayushman cards were distributed to some beneficiaries to mark the commencement of the initiative.

Under this scheme, the government will fully bear the treatment costs for eligible individuals.

The government aims to issue 50 lakh Ayushman Vandan cards by December 12, 2024.

"In Patna, the Municipal Corporation will lead a campaign across all 75 wards to identify eligible elderly individuals and ensure their enrollment. The card-making process is completely free of cost. A systematic drive has been initiated, where municipal and health officials will actively reach out to senior citizens to enrol them in the scheme," Mangal Pandey said.

This scheme is a step towards making healthcare more inclusive and accessible in Bihar, reflecting the government's dedication to improving the welfare of senior citizens.

The Bihar government is making significant strides in implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme, a flagship healthcare initiative aimed at providing free treatment for vulnerable sections of society.

Health Minister Mangal Pandey said that Bihar ranks third in terms of card issuance and is working to move up to the second position by December.

The scheme has saved 1,800 crore for beneficiaries, reflecting its financial impact on reducing healthcare costs for families.

Urban Development Minister Nitin Naveen said that the government would launch a door-to-door campaign in Patna to ensure every eligible individual receives their Ayushman Card.

"This initiative demonstrates a proactive approach to maximise coverage. The campaign aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election promise to make healthcare accessible for all," Naveen said.

To create an Ayushman Card, people should have an Aadhar Card as proof of identity, a residence certificate, to establish domicile, a ration card, to verify eligibility and a mobile number, for communication and registration purposes.
Mumbai, Nov 20 : Maharashtra recorded 58.22 per cent polling in 288 Assembly constituencies till 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district has reported a record 65.88 per cent turnout.

As the voting was underway, an Independent Balasaheb Shinde from the Beed constituency died of a heart attack. When Shinde was approaching the polling station, he suffered a heart attack and died on the spot.

A pale of gloom has fallen on the Shinde family and the activists of the candidate Shinde are also shocked by this incident.

Ahmednagar has reported 61.95 per cent voting, Akola - 56.16 per cent, Amravati -58.48 per cent, Aurangabad- 60.83 per cent, Beed - 60.62 per cent, Bhandara- 65.88 per cent, Buldhana-62.84 per cent, Chandrapur- 64.48 per cent, Dhule - 59.75 per cent, Gadchiroli-69.63 per cent, Gondia -65.09 per cent, Hingoli - 61.18 per cent, Jalgaon - 54.69 per cent, Jalna- 64.17 per cent, Kolhapur- 67.97 per cent, Latur- 61.43 per cent, Mumbai City- 49.07 per cent, Mumbai suburbs-51.76 per cent, Nagpur - 56.06 per cent, Nanded - 55.88 per cent, Nandurbar- 63.72 per cent, Nashik -59.85 per cent, Osmanabad- 58.59 per cent, Palghar- 59.31 per cent, Parbhani- 62.73 per cent, Pune - 54.09 per cent, Raigad - 61.01 per cent, Ratnagiri- 60.35 per cent, Sangli - 63.28 per cent, Satara - 64.16 per cent, Sindhudurg - 62.06 per cent, Solapur -57.09 per cent, Thane - 49.76 per cent, Wardha - 63.50 per cent, Washim -57.42 per cent and Yavatmal - 61.22 per cent.

As the polling began at 7 a.m., the state election machinery had received several complaints with regard to the non-functioning of the EVMs. The voting machine from Vikram High School in Kolhapur stopped functioning after it reported technical snags. Similar complaints were reported from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar while in Akola East the EVM was not functioning on polling booth number 221 for 50 minutes that halted the voting.

The voters had to wait for a while after EVM reported technical fault at the Vidyavardhini College polling booth from Dhule city. In the Boisar Assembly constituency, the power failure brought the voting to a halt causing a lot of inconvenience to the voters and the polling staff. Nearly 20 polling machines including VVPAT and control units stopped functioning between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. at various polling booths from Jalgaon district.

In the Nandgaon constituency, an Independent Sameer Bhujbal and Shiv Sena nominee Suhas Kande came face to face for a while. Bhujbal uploaded a video wherein Kande was reportedly threatening him that "your murder today is fixed." The police had to disperse the activists from both groups. Bhujbal alleged that Kande had reportedly kept sugarcane-cutting farmers at one site and they were brought there for polling.

In Wardha, the NCP-SP spokesperson Nitesh Karale was beaten up by a mob. The NSP-SP had accused BJP activists of beating and manhandling Karale. In the Ashti constituency, the supporters of BJP nominee Suresh Dhas and NCP-SP nominee Mehboob Shaikh engaged in a verbal duel that ultimately led to manhandling and roughing up of a few activists.
Imphal, Nov 18 : The Manipur government on Wednesday extended the suspension of mobile internet and data services for three more days in seven trouble-torn districts, while with some improvement in the law and order situation, like the previous day, curfew was relaxed in four Imphal Valley districts for five hours.

Commissioner, Home, N. Ashok Kumar in his order said that in view of the prevailing law and order situation, the government has decided to extend the suspension of mobile internet and data services for three more days in seven trouble-torn districts with effect from 5.15 p.m. on Wednesday to 5.15 p.m. on Saturday. The seven districts, comprising both the valley and hills, are Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur.

After the widespread violence and attacks by mobs started in valley districts including Imphal East and Imphal West on November 16 following the recovery of six bodies of missing three children and three women in Jiribam district on November 15 and 16, Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi on November 16 ordered the suspension of mobile internet and data services in these seven districts for two days.

The Commissioner, Home, in his order on November 18, extended the suspension of mobile internet and data services for two more days in seven districts till 5.15 p.m. on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, with no major incident reported from any of the districts in Manipur, the Home Department on Tuesday conditionally lifted the suspension on broadband services (fixed line) considering the hardships faced by students, employees, common people, healthcare facilities, educational institutions and other offices.

Officials said that with no major incident reported from any of the four districts, curfew was relaxed in Imphal East and West, Thoubal, and Kakching districts from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Thursday to facilitate the people to purchase essential items and perform important work.

District Magistrates of four districts issued separate notifications relaxing the curfew, which was imposed for an indefinite period on November 16 after the widespread violence started in the Valley districts after the recovery of the bodies of children and women in Jiribam on November 15 and 16.

--IANS

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Guwahati, Nov 20 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asked the opposition on Wednesday that they should criticise him and not the legendary poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore over changing of name of Karimganj district to Sribhumi.

"They can criticise me, but why are they criticising Rabindranath Tagore? In Assam, why should a place's name be kept after an unknown person? It should have been changed a long ago," the Chief Minister told media persons.

Earlier, Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi aiming at Sarma said that the name of Chief Minister must be changed. "I do not like the name Himanta Biswa Sarma and many people pronounce it wrongly. So I suggest that the Chief Minister should change his name as well," said the MLA.

The Chief Minister reacting to Akhil Gogoi said, "Had Rabindranath Tagore given me another name 100 years ago, I could have changed it gladly."

Sarma also asserted that the previous name Karimganj had no resemblance with either Assamese or Bengali sentiments and the new name has been coined in line with the cultural heritage of the place.

There have been wide-scale celebrations across the district after the Assam government changed the name of Karimganj district to Sribhumi.

"Glad to see the celebration in Sribhumi district. Its erstwhile name Karimganj had no resonance with either Assamese or Bengali sentiments. Sribhumi is a fitting tribute to the region's ancient Sanskriti," said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Following the decision of the Assam Cabinet to change the name of Karimganj district to Sribhumi on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said that Rabindranath Tagore described the Karimganj district as Sribhumi at least 100 years ago and the state government decided in line with this to change the name of this district.

"Over 100 years ago, Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore had described modern-day Karimganj District in Assam as 'Sribhumi'- the land of Maa Lakshmi. The state cabinet has decided to change the name of Karimganj district to Shribumi. This was done keeping in mind the historical significance of the place. In our state, many places were named that do not go well with the cultural value of that location and we will gradually rename those places giving due importance to their historical trait," the Chief Minister wrote on X.

He also stated that the ruling dispensation had earlier changed the names of a few places.

"In the recent past, locations like Kalapahar and Sarabhatti in Guwahati city were renamed. This practice will be continued in the upcoming days," the Chief Minister said.

Assam has 35 districts, including Karimganj - now Sribumi district. In addition to being the largest town in the district, Karimganj serves as the administrative headquarters of the district. It is situated in southern Assam and has borders with Bangladesh's Sylhet Division and Tripura. Together with Hailakandi and Cachar, it forms the Barak Valley.

Prior to India's partition, Karimganj was a part of the Sylhet District. In 1983, it was given district status.
Jaipur, Nov 20 : Terming the National Education Policy 2020 as the 'game changer', Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday called education the biggest centre of change.

"Education promotes equality in society and eliminates inequality. The character that education gives us is what defines us," said the Vice President while addressing the students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kajra, Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan on the occasion of World Children's Day.

Praising the National Education Policy 2020, the Vice President said: "It is a game-changer. After three decades, India has got a new education policy, which aims to free the students from the burden of books and degrees and make them skilled. This policy will help establish India as a developed India by 2047."

He also emphasised the importance of discipline, culture and human development.

"It is necessary to be cultured at your age. Respecting parents, saluting teachers, promoting mutual brotherhood and showing discipline should be integral parts of your life. Inculcating good habits for human development should be your priority," he said.

He claimed that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi the government's policies have provided many platforms to ensure talent shines.

"All of you are the backbone of rural India. Remember, the soul of India is in the rural area. Our roots are strong in rural India. Our food provider farmer also lives in rural areas." He said that through institutions like Panchayat Raj and Nagar Palika, India has strengthened democracy at the grassroots level.

While making the students aware of the environment, he urged them to plant trees in the name of their grandparents. He appealed to the institutions to carry out this noble task in 'mission mode'.

"When you leave this school, you should show such exemplary conduct that increases the glory of this school," he said.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : The Ministry of Science and Technology on Wednesday launched India's first Artificial Intelligence (AI) data bank that is aimed at propelling innovation and boosting the country's national security.

The initiative will provide researchers, startups, and developers access to high-quality, diverse datasets essential for creating scalable and inclusive AI solutions.

It was launched by Minister of Science and Technology Minister (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh at the 7th Edition of the ASSOCHAM AI Leadership Meet 2024.

The event, themed "AI for India: Advancing Indiaas AI Development - Innovation, Ethics, and Governance", showcased India's strategic roadmap for harnessing the transformative potential of AI.

The AI Data Bank will enhance "national security through real-time analytics of satellite, drone, and IoT data", the Minister said.

It also aligns with the countryas goal to utilise AI for predictive analytics in disaster management and cyber security.

While AI "is an essential tool, it must be used optimally with responsible handling", said Singh.

The Minister also emphasised the pivotal role of AI in reshaping various sectors, including governance, business, healthcare, education, and space exploration. He highlighted AI as the backbone of Indiaas future development, capable of driving economic growth and addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, public service delivery, and national security.

At the event, Singh reaffirmed Indiaas commitment to ensuring transparent and fair AI systems, with robust governance frameworks being developed to address challenges like algorithmic bias and data privacy. The Minister highlighted the governmentas focus on using AI to empower citizens and ensure equitable access to the benefits of this transformative technology. He stated that AI must bridge divides rather than create them and must empower people without replacing them.

The event served as a platform for thought leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to exchange insights and chart a responsible path for AI adoption in India.
Addis Ababa, Nov 20 : The UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has called for enhanced protection measures for Eritrean asylum-seekers arriving in Ethiopia.

"The Eritrean asylum-seekers have entered into Ethiopia through its northern regions of Afar and Tigray, seeking international protection and basic assistance," the UN Refugee Agency said in a statement released on Wednesday.

According to the agency, an estimated 20,000 Eritreans have crossed into Ethiopia since January, joining the more than 70,000 Eritrean refugees already registered in the country.

"Supporting these arrivals at an early stage is crucial," said the agency, noting that registration and documentation are critical to advancing refugees' protection.

The UNHCR expressed readiness to support the Ethiopian government to expand access to registration for Eritrean asylum-seekers, saying that registration is pivotal in providing access to basic services such as healthcare, education, family reunification, and the right to work in Ethiopia.

"The swift registration of asylum-seekers can reduce the risk of human trafficking among others," the agency added, Xinhua news agency reported.

Ethiopia is the third-largest host of refugees in Africa, home to over one million refugees and asylum-seekers mainly from neighboring South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea, according to the UNHCR.
Nairobi, Nov 20 : Security specialists are meeting in Kenya's capital of Nairobi starting Wednesday to seek solutions to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Africa.

The three-day forum brought together representatives from the 15 member states of the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA), and United Nations officials to review ways to curb the illicit flow of weapons in the region.

The RECSA's member states are Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.

Executive Secretary at RECSA Jean Pierre Betindji said that the proliferation of weapons is a transnational issue requiring a unified response from securities agencies of affected countries.

"The menace can be controlled through improved information sharing among countries as well as enhanced capacities to monitor and detect the crime," Betindji said.

Raymond Omollo, Kenya's principal secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, noted that some of the measures required to reduce the threat of illicit arms in the region include strengthening stockpile management of arms to prevent the diversion of weapons to criminals.

Omollo added that disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants and providing alternative livelihoods will improve peace and security in the region, Xinhua news agency reported.

Susanne Dam, acting director of the United Nations Development Programme Regional Hub for Arab States based in Amman, Jordan, told the forum that the region can address the illicit flow of arms through alignment with international treaties like the Arms Trade Treaty.
Vladimir Putin is open to discussing a Ukraine ceasefire deal with Donald Trump but rules out making any major territorial concessions and insists Kyiv abandon ambitions to join NATO, the Reuters news agency reports, citing five sources.

In the first detailed reporting of what President Putin would accept in any deal brokered by Trump, the five current and former Russian officials said the Kremlin could broadly agree to freeze the conflict along the front lines. There may be room for negotiation over the precise carve-up of the four eastern regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson, according to three of the people who all requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, the message reads.

While Moscow claims the four regions as wholly part of Russia, defended by the country's nuclear umbrella, its forces on the ground control 70-80% of the territory with about 26,000 square km still held by Ukrainian troops.

Russia may also be open to withdrawing from the relatively small patches of territory it holds in the Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions, in the north and south of Ukraine, two of the officials said.

At the same time, Putin said this month that any ceasefire deal should reflect the "realities" on the ground but that he feared a short-lived truce which would only allow the West to rearm Ukraine.

"If there is no neutrality, it is difficult to imagine the existence of any good-neighbourly relations between Russia and Ukraine," Putin told the Valdai discussion group on November 7. Why? Because this would mean that Ukraine will be constantly used as a tool in the wrong hands and to the detriment of the interests of the Russian Federation," Putin said at the Valdai discussion group on November 7.

Two of the sources said outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to fire American ATACMS missiles deep into Russia could complicate and delay any settlement - and stiffen Moscow's demands as hardliners push for a bigger chunk of Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Kyiv used the missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time, according to Moscow which decried the move as a major escalation.

According to two of the sources, if no ceasefire is agreed, the two sources said, then Russia will fight on.

"Putin has already said that freezing the conflict will not work in any way. And the missile authorisation is a very dangerous escalation on the part of the United States," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters hours before the Russians reported the ATACMS strikes.

While Russia will not tolerate Ukraine joining NATO, or the presence of NATO troops on Ukrainian soil, it is open to discussing security guarantees for Kyiv, according to the five current and former officials.

According to sources, the Kremlin could push for include Kyiv agreeing to limit the size of its armed forces and committing not to restrict the use of the Russian language.

Domestically, Putin could sell a ceasefire deal that saw Russia hold onto most of the territory of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson as a victory that ensured the defence of Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine and safeguarded the landbridge to Crimea, according to one of the sources.

The future of Crimea itself is not up for discussion, all the Russian officials said.

One of the officials, a senior source with knowledge of top-level Kremlin discussions, said the West would have to accept the "harsh truth" that all the support it had given Ukraine could not prevent Russia from winning the war.

When asked what a possible ceasefire might look like, two of the Russian sources referred to a draft agreement that was almost approved in April 2022 after talks in Istanbul, and which Putin has referred to in public as a possible basis for a deal.

Under that draft, opens new tab, a copy of which Reuters has seen, Ukraine should agree to permanent neutrality in return for international security guarantees from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

One of the Russian officials said there would be no agreement unless Ukraine received security guarantees, adding: "The question is how to avoid a deal that locks the West into a possible direct confrontation with Russia one day."
Bhopal, Nov 20 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday visited Gujarat and met top officials of the Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's administration in Gandhinagar.

Bhopal, Nov 20 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday visited Gujarat and met top officials of the Chief Minister Bhupendra Patelas administration in Gandhinagar.

During the meeting, Gujarat officials gave a presentation on the functioning of the CM (Bhupendra Patel) dashboard, the process to monitor the progress of ongoing projects and other governance improvement measures in the neighbouring state.

During the meeting, Mohan Yadav sought information about the arrangements made for e-governance applications, web services, call centres, and data collection from villages.

After observing the functioning of the system, Yadav said, "CM dashboard is an excellent example of the use of technology to improve the functioning of the government, facilitate citizens and improve the standard of living of the common people. It's need of hour."

Notably the Gujarat CM Dashboard is a digital platform and is helpful in monitoring and evaluating various programmes, schemes, and progress of the state government.

The dashboard has been developed to make the state administration transparent, effective, and accountable. It monitors and assesses the progress of the schemes, ensuring that the schemes are implemented in a timely and effective manner.

CM Mohan Yadav along with top bureaucrats of his government, including Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, reached Gujarat on Tuesday evening. Upon reaching there, he met Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar and held a discussion on key issues.
Mumbai, Nov 20 : The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray experienced tense moments when a purported letter 'signed' by him allegedly declared support to the Shiv Sena candidate in Worli, here on Wednesday.

The Worli seat is witnessing a high-profile three-cornered contest between sitting MLA, Shiv Sena's (UBT) ex-Minister Aditya U. Thackeray and rival MahaYuti's Murli M. Deora, and MNS' General Secretary Sandeep Deshpande.

A grim Raj Thackeray  whose son Amit Thackeray is standing from nearby Worli constituency  emphatically denied having issued such a letter, while alleging that a lot of money power was deployed in the polls campaign.

"This shows that the ground is slipping from under their feet. That's why they are resorting to such gimmicks. But it will not help them. I have not given any such letter of support to anyone and we are taking it up seriously," warned Raj Thackeray.

The MNS candidate Deshpande pointed an accusing finger at the ruling Shiv Sena's local Shakha Pramukh Rajesh Kusale for indulging in the mischief as they are staring at (Deora's) debacle in Worli.

"The Shiv Sena candidate is losing. We have lodged complaints with the Election Commission of India and the police, in the matter against Kuchale for carrying out such fake propaganda," said Deshpande.

Both Raj Thackeray and Deshpande said that the voters in Worli are 'wise' and will not fall for such falsehoods, and would teach a lesson to the Shiv Sena candidate.

The purported support communication, bearing the MNS chief's signature on a letterhead, sparked a sensation this afternoon in the prestigious Worli constituency  and boosted sentiments among the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp.

The supposed letter also triggered arguments among supporters of MNS and Shiv Sena in some parts of the constituency as the MNS bigwigs appealed to all not to fall for such lowly stunts.

The alleged letter claimed: "The MahaYuti has respected the MNS by not fielding a candidate in the Sewri seat. Accordingly, as a reciprocal gesture, the MNS extends support to the Shiv Sena (Worli) nominee to avoid a split in the Hindu votes".

Rattled by the potential damage of the 'letter' that went viral, the MNS local leader A. Patkar lodged a complaint with the Agripada Police Station and also with the ECI.

In another jolt for the MNS, its candidate from Murtizapur in Akola district Bhikaji Shrawan Awchar suo motu declared support to the rival Bharatiya Janata Party nominee Harish M. Pimple, a three-term MLA in the fray for the fourth time.

The abrupt turn in the polls triggered a wave of anger and protests among the MNS workers, many heard abusing their turncoat candidate, but Awchar went incommunicado during the crucial voting day, raising questions about his intentions.

Speaking to media persons, a fuming MNS Akola President Pankaj Sable warned that though Awchar is currently in hiding after he emerges, "we shall teach him a lesson in our style".

The MNS is independently contesting around 128 of the 288 Assembly constituencies and is optimistic of bagging a sufficient number of seats to emerge as a likely 'king-maker' in the next government.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: qnajmi@gmail.com)
Hyderabad, Nov 20 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday claimed that his government has achieved in 10 months what the BRS regime could not in 10 years.

Addressing a public meeting in Vemulawada town of Rajanna Sircilla district on Wednesday as part of "Praja Vijayotsavalu" to mark one year of Congress government, he lashed out at Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) saying its leaders have lost their mental balance after the defeat in Assembly elections last year.

The Chief Minister remarked that the BRS is unable to digest the works undertaken by the Congress government in 10 months.

"They did nothing in 10 years but want us to be ousted from power in 10 months," he said.

Revanth Reddy once again dared BRS President and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao to come to the Assembly and discuss the achievements of the Congress government vis-a-vis the works done during 10 years of BRS rule.

He offered to place all facts and figures with regard to the implementation of the farm loan waiver scheme. He claimed that the Congress government waived farm loans to the tune of Rs 18,000 crore in just 22 days, benefitting 23 lakh families. He alleged that the BRS waived farm loans of only Rs.11,000 crore and that too in instalments, over a period of five years.

Stating that Telangana is in second place in farmers' suicides in the country, he blamed the previous government for the state of affairs.

He challenged KCR, as the BRS chief is popularly known, to come to the Assembly and debate on loan waivers and the government jobs provided.

Alleging that the opposition is spreading misinformation about farm loan waivers, he dared them to come to the Assembly to face the truth.

"We have provided 50,000 government jobs in 10 months. No state government in the country has given 50,000 government jobs in the first year in office," he said.

Reiterating the allegation that BRS is creating hurdles in the path of development works undertaken by his government, he questioned why the party was so desperate.

Revanth Reddy alleged that KCR betrayed not only people but also god as he failed to complete the development works of the Vemulawada temple.

The Chief Minister said Congress was honouring its commitment to rehabilitate families displaced by the Mid Manair project during BRS rule.

Referring to the recent attack on officials in his Assembly constituency Kodangal, he said the opposition was creating hurdles for land acquisition to establish industries and provide jobs to locals. He alleged that the opposition formed rowdy gangs and instigated attacks on officials.

"Hasn't the previous government acquired lands in 10 years? The BRS leaders have a history of land encroachment in Konda Pochamma Sagar. Why is the BRS opposing land acquisition in Kodangal? Why is it showing hostility towards Kodangal?" he asked.

Stating that land acquisition is a must for undertaking development works, he said the government was taking care of those who are losing their lands and has decided to enhance the compensation.

He accused BRS Working President and KCR's son K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) of hatching conspiracies and referring to KTR's recent visit to Delhi, remarked that he would land behind bars even if he goes to the moon. He also asked KCR if he would support the language used against him (Revanth Reddy) by his son and nephew, T. Harish Rao.
Jaipur, Nov 20 : A military academy for girls will be set up by Shriram Narayan Rathi Charitable Trust in Jaimal Sar village of Bikaner district of Rajasthan. Shriram Narayan Rathi Trust will invest Rs 100 crore in the construction of the military academy, said state Education Minister Madan Dilawar on Wednesday.

In a ceremony organised at Hotel Taj for the establishment of the military academy, Shriram Narayan Charitable Trust President Poonam Chand Rathi and Education Department Director Secondary Ashish Modi signed the MoU.

Education Minister Madan Dilawar said that Rajasthan is the land of brave men, the youth here have the passion to die for patriotism and join the army in large numbers.

"There is a need to open good military schools in the state. Honourable Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has instructed that Sainik Schools should be opened in all the divisions of the state. As per the wishes of the Chief Minister, we want to open Sainik Schools in every division headquarters and want to establish Vedic Pathshalas to impart Vedic knowledge," he said.

Dilawar added: "Our sisters are joining the Army and showing their incomparable ability, valour and courage. In such a situation, if a girl Sainik School is opened, then every village's sister and daughter will get a chance to join the army and give a befitting reply to the enemies and display their patriotism. We need the support of philanthropists and donors in opening the Sainik Academy."

Poonam Chand Rathi, President of Ram Narayan Rathi Charitable Trust, announced the opening of a girl Sainik School in Jaimalsar village of Bikaner district on which the officials of the Education Department took necessary action and signed the MoU.

Further, Seth Shankar Lal Charitable Trust Kolkata also agreed to build a girls' higher secondary school and a college building in five villages of Bikaner district by investing Rs 10 crore.

Trust's president Shankarlal said that he will build a Government Girls Higher Secondary School building in Panchu villages.
Chhapra, Bihar Nov 20 : The 'Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana' (PMBJP) launched by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is proving to be highly beneficial for the common people. In the Chhapra district of Bihar, this initiative is greatly benefiting the local population.

Under this scheme, the Janaushadhi Kndras in Chhapra has become a blessing for the people. The central government's scheme is being widely appreciated, as it provides affordable generic medicines to people from all walks of life, significantly reducing their financial burden.

Beneficiaries of this scheme believe that all the medicines available at these centres are effective and useful. They have also appealed to the government to open more such kendras (centres) so that these medicines can be made available in other areas as well.

Manoj Kumar, a person who bought medicine from a Janaushadhi Kendra, spoke to IANS and praised the initiative. He said, "Earlier, buying medicines used to be very expensive, but this scheme is really helpful. A medicine that used to cost Rs 400 is now available for just Rs 36. This is a huge benefit for the poor."

He further stated, "This scheme is very good for the welfare of the poor. Just because the medicines are inexpensive doesn't mean they are less effective. They work just as well. Even private doctors say that there is no issue with the quality of the medicine."

He also mentioned that he has shared information about the scheme with several people.

A woman who came to the Janaushadhi Kendra to buy medicine for her husband, who is a diabetic, shared her experience.

She said: "The insulin here costs Rs 340, while outside it costs around Rs 550. We get all our medicines from here. If a medicine is not available, we have to buy it from outside. Those who cannot afford expensive medicines should definitely buy from here."

Latifur Rahman, another beneficiary, told IANS: "The medicines at Janaushadhi Kendras are available at 75-80% lower prices. This is a huge benefit. However, not many people know about this scheme yet, so the government should launch an awareness campaign."

A shopkeeper mentioned that the Janaushadhi Centre started in January 2024, and people are very happy because they can get medicines at much lower prices, which is benefiting many individuals.
Srinagar, Nov 20 : Sleuths of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and police arrested a high-profile offender on Wednesday from J&K's Kupwara district.

Officials said that the NIA and the local police carried out a joint operation in the Handwara area of Kupwara district today.

"Muneer Ahmad Bandey, a proclaimed offender who carried a cash reward of Rs 5 lakhs, was arrested from Bandey Mohalla in Handwara town. He had been evading arrest since June 2020 in case FIR number 3/2020 under sections 8/21 of NDPS 17,28, 20 UAPA, 120-B, 121 of the IPC.

"He was involved in a multi-million drug smuggling case, which had significant implications for funding illegal activities. Muneer Ahmed Banday's arrest marks a major success for Handwara police and other security agencies in the fight against organized crime and narco-terrorism. The operation underscores the commitment of the police and NIA to bring offenders to justice and dismantle networks involved in such unlawful activities," said a police statement.

Terror funding through the smuggling of narcotics has emerged as a major financial support base of terrorism in J&K.

There have been many incidents when trade in narcotics has been directly linked to financial support for different terrorist outfits. The security forces are tackling narcotic smuggling as part of their endeavour to dismantle the ecosystem of terrorism in the J&K.

The major financial support to terrorism has been through narcotic smuggling aided and assisted from across the border.

Officials said another joint operation by the army and police was carried out in Margi, Lolab area of the same district.

Contact was established (Terrorists were engaged in gunfire) and a gunfight started. Further development in this operation is awaited.
Jaipur, Nov 20 : A delegation from Singapore praised work being done in different fields in Rajasthan after meeting Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday.

The delegation said that Rajasthan is a state of immense possibilities and excellent work is being done here in the field of health, skill development and energy.

Addressing a meeting organised with the delegation of Singapore in the conference hall of the Secretariat on Wednesday, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said: "Our goal is to make Rajasthan an economy of 350 billion dollars in the next 5 years by doubling it from 180 billion. As per the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Developed India-2047, we are also working for Developed Rajasthan-2047 and Singapore can become our very important partner in this reference."

Welcoming the representatives from Singapore, he said that Rajasthan has a culture of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' and Rajasthan is famous all over the world for its unique culture and heritage.

He said that Singapore is a very important partner of the Prime Minister's 'Act East Policy' and Singapore has inspired the world with its economic model.

The Chief Minister said that unprecedented work is being done in various sectors including health, water conservation, and industry in Rajasthan.

"To provide accessible health services to the people of the state, we have given 8.26 per cent of the total budget to the health sector. Water conservation is being promoted in the state through Catch the Rain and Chief Minister Jal Swavalamban 2.0. We have signed a historic MoU of ERCP for drinking water and irrigation in eastern Rajasthan," he said.

Sharma said that to open new investment opportunities from all over the world in the state, "We are going to organise the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit from 9 to 11 December. Ground Water Recharge going on in Rajasthan through the presentation."

Principal Secretary Medical and Health. Gayatri A. Rathore informed that the state government is providing free health insurance coverage to about 88 per cent of the population of the state through the Chief Minister Ayushman Arogya Yojana.

Commissioner of Industries Rohit Gupta informed that Rajasthan is a leading state in the country in renewable energy, gems and jewellery, textiles, mines and petrochemicals.

The meeting was attended by Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Ministry of Singapore Jenil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State from the Prime Minister's Office Desmond Tan Kok Meng among others.
Amaravati, Nov 20 : Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said on Wednesday that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu should continue in the post for 10 years.

Speaking in the Assembly, the Jana Sena leader heaped praise on the Chief Minister and claimed that under his leadership the state was marching ahead towards comprehensive development.

"You should continue as Chief Minister not just five years but for a decade," he told Naidu amid thumping of desks by the members of the Telugu Desam Party, the Jana Sena, and the BJP.

The actor-turned-politician expressed satisfaction over the completion of 150 days of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and its performance. He said the state was heading for overall development.

Pawan Kalyan slammed the previous government of the YSR Congress Party, saying it troubled Naidu by sending him to jail in false cases. He also alleged that the previous government destroyed the stateas economy and pushed it back in all the sectors. He hoped that Andhra Pradesh would soon become a one trillion dollar economy.

Lauding the services of TDP party chief Naidu, the Jana Sena leader said that if there are Telugu-speaking people across the world, it is because of the efforts of Naidu.

Pawan Kalyan said the NDA partners were determined to work together to realise the dreams for which they joined hands.

Meanwhile, Naidu said they have the responsibility to inform people of the works undertaken by their government. He told the Assembly that the government was moving ahead by laying one brick at a time. He claimed that the deeper the government was going into the irregularities of the previous government, the more shocking details were coming to light.

Stating that people have been giving him love and affection for the last four decades, Naidu said he would always remain indebted to them and continue to work for their welfare.
Georgetown, Nov 20 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Guyana on the third and final leg of his three-nation tour, launched his pet 'Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam' campaign on the soil of the South American nation.

PM Modi and Guyana's President Irfaan Ali jointly planted the sapling to spread the aforestation endeavour to another continent.

The aEk Ped Ma Ke Naama campaign was launched by PM Modi on June 5, 2024, with the planting of a Peepal tree at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi. This unique initiative combines environmental responsibility with a heartfelt tribute to mothers.

President Ali earlier called PM Modi a achampion among leadersa for his impactful leadership and contribution to the developing world while praising the Indian leader's governance style.

"Thank you very much Prime Minister Modi. It is our greatest honour to have you here. You are a champion among leaders. You have led incredibly. You have shown light to the developing world and you have created development metrics and frameworks that many are adopting in their own country. And much of it is relevant to us here in Guyana," the Guyanese President said at the release of the joint statement.

PM Modi earlier had said that the rousing welcome that he received in Guyana early Wednesday morning (India time), will forever be etched in his memory.

In a special gesture, President Ali, along with the country's PM Brigadier Mark Anthony Phillips (retd) and over a dozen Cabinet Ministers - welcomed PM Modi at the airport as he arrived from Rio de Janeiro following the conclusion of the G20 Summit on a historic visit - the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the South American nation in 56 years.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders had also reached Guyana for the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit that will be co-chaired by the Indian PM, Grenada PM Dickon Mitchell and Ali.

"The welcome in Guyana will remain etched in my memory. "I was delighted to meet you, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada, PM Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados and the respected Cabinet Ministers of Guyana. I am also humbled to have received a 'Key to the City of Georgetown' by the Mayor of Georgetown. India is eager to deepen cooperation with the CARICOM across various sectors," PM Modi posted on X while replying to the Guyana President's social media post.

PM Modi's visit underlines the historically strong relations between India and Guyana. The Guyanese President had visited India in January 2023 as the Chief Guest at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, where he was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.

Besides co-chairing the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit, PM Modi engaged in summit-level bilateral discussions with the Guyanese leader.
New Delhi, Nov 20 : In addition to his meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday met his Malaysian counterpart Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin.

He also met with the Defence Minister of Lao PDR General Chansamone Chanyalath in Vientiane, on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Plus.

Rajnath Singh also attended an Indian Community event where he highlighted the progress India has made in various spheres in recent years. He dwelt upon the commitment of the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to make India 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.

"During the meeting with the Malaysian Defence Minister, both sides agreed to support each other's endeavours to arrive at meaningful outcomes to promote security and stability in the region," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

Both leaders looked forward to the conduct of the Malaysia-India Defence Committee Meeting in the first quarter of 2025, wherein both sides will have detailed discussions on ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.

India and Malaysia currently hold the co-chairmanship of the ADMM Plus Expert Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.

In his meeting with the Defence Minister of Lao PDR, the Defence Minister complimented Lao PDR for its efficient and inclusive leadership as the Chair of ASEAN this year.

He conveyed India's strong support for ASEAN's unity and centrality for promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and assured General Chansamone Chanyalath that India will continue to strengthen its ties with Lao PDR and ASEAN in all spheres.

Both sides appreciated the signing of the revised MoU, which was exchanged during the visit of the Prime Minister to Laos recently. They concurred that it would go a long way in building stronger bonds and enhancing exchange in capacity and building spheres.

The 11th ADMM-Plus will be held in Vientiane on November 21. Rajnath Singh will address the forum on regional and international security issues.

ADMM-Plus is an annual meeting of the Defence Ministers of the ASEAN member states and its eight dialogue partners (India, USA, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand) to strengthen security and defence cooperation.
Defense Minister of Ukraine Rustem Umerov has begun a working visit to Denmark on Wednesday to meet with his Danish counterpart Troels Lund Poulsen.

"We discussed further cooperation for 2025, including increasing military support to EUR 2.2 billion. This assistance will form the foundation for training our brigades and equipping them with modern technology," the Ukrainian minister said on Facebook.

According to him, a key focus of the talks was a new investment initiative, the Danish Model 2.0.

"This format envisions mutually beneficial cooperation, including investments in Ukraine's defense and technology companies, accelerating arms supplies, and providing Denmark with access to advanced technologies," Umerov said.

The ministers also focused special attention on joint projects in the defense industry.

"Ukraine continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of its developments, which include the missile program, such as Neptune, and combat drones capable of precisely striking deep into enemy territory," the Ukrainian Defense Minister said.

He also expressed gratitude to Denmark for its support in financing the Ukrainian defense-industrial complex through the Danish Model.

"This initiative has already proven its effectiveness, and we agreed to continue its development. Denmarks leadership in this area sets an example for other countries," Umerov said.
Hyderabad, Nov 20 : AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi said on Wednesday that the Babri Masjid judgment has emboldened Hindutva groups to target Muslim places of worship across India.

The Hyderabad MP cited the case of Shahi Jama Masjid at Chandausi, Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.

"Within three hours of the application being submitted, the Civil Judge ordered an initial survey at the mosque site to find out if a temple had been demolished to build the mosque. The application was made by a lawyer who is the UP government's standing counsel in SC. The survey was carried out on the same day. This is how Babri's locks were also opened within an hour of the court order, without even hearing the other side," Owaisi posted on X.

"This "speed" isn't shown in ordinary cases. If courts continue to carry out such orders, the Places of Worship Act is just a dead-letter. The Act was meant to prevent such litigation from even reaching courts in the first place," he said.

Owaisi stated that a masjid that has been used as such for hundreds of years is being made subject to motivated and communal litigation. He said courts must nip this in the bud.

A court on Tuesday ordered a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. It pronounced the orders on a petition filed by a mahant who claimed the mosque was built in 1526 after demolishing a temple that stood there.

Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh directed Ramesh Chand Raghav, whom the court appointed advocate commissioner, to carry out an initial survey at the mosque site to find out if a temple had been demolished to build the mosque. The court also directed that a report of the survey should be filed by November 29.

The advocate commissioner and a special team formed after consultation with the managing committee of the mosque, petitioners and local officials reached the site for the survey by evening.
Bhopal, Nov 20 : Madhya Pradesh Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday instructed that the State Assembly should be made paperless by the monsoon session of 2025.

Addressing a meeting of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) House Committee in the Assembly on Wednesday, Tomar instructed the committee to give adequate information about this project to the Assembly members before its implementation.

Tomar also asserted that the committee should be informed about its progress every two months. "Till now, 25 houses of 23 states have signed MoU to implement the e-Vidhan. The project has been implemented in 14 houses of 13 states of the country," Tomar added.

State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said that the committee of MLAs formed to implement this project should soon visit those states where the project has been successfully implemented.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's cabinet approved a proposal for 'e-Vidhan' on July 10 and has also approved 83.87 crores for the implementation of the project, which has been pending for the last few years.

In 2022, former Madhya Pradesh Speaker Girish Gautam along with some senior officials visited several states to learn the 'e-Vidhan' system. Gautam, who was the Speaker in former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's last tenure, had then told IANS that, the project could not be implemented due to lack of funds.

The anational e-Vidhan applicationa scheme was launched by the Central government to make all the legislative Assemblies paperless and bring them on one platform.
Hyderabad, Nov 20 : At least 25 children were taken ill after consuming mid-day meals at a government school in Telangana's Narayanpet district on Wednesday.

Hyderabad, Nov 20 (IANS) At least 25 children were taken ill after consuming mid-day meals at a government school in Telanganaas Narayanpet district on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at Zilla Parishad School at Maganoor. While having their lunch, the students complained of vomiting.

The school staff and teachers shifted the affected children to a local hospital. Some of them were sent home after first aid. Nine of the students were taken to Makthal government hospital. The condition of a female student of eighth standard is stated to be critical.

Some students were being treated by doctors at the school premises. On learning about the incident, anxious parents and family members of the students rushed to the school.

The police officials also reached the school and gathered details of the incident from the school staff and teachers.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has taken a serious note of the incident and ordered the officials to take action.

The Chief Minister ordered the District Collector to take strict action against those responsible and suspend the officials concerned immediately if they found dereliction of duty.

The Chief Minister enquired about the health condition of the students who fell ill and instructed the officials to provide better treatment to the affected students immediately.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also instructed the officials in the Chief Ministeras Office to immediately conduct a probe and find out the reasons that led to this incident and submit a report to him.

Revanth Reddy warned that such incidents should not be repeated and alerted the Collectors of all the districts. He made it clear that the government will not compromise in providing nutritious food to the students and strict action will be initiated against those responsible if such incidents happen anywhere in the state.
Agartala, Nov 20 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday expressed grief following the death of Nayek Subhankar Bhowmik of the 10th Battalion of the Assam Regiment and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the next kin of the brave heart.

According to state government officials, Bhowmik, a resident of Amarpur in the Gomati District, made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Siachen Glacier on November 19.

Upon the arrival of the slain Bhowmik's body at the Maharaja Bir Bikram airport in Agartala, the Chief Minister along with Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu, paid tribute by laying wreaths on the soldier's body.

Speaking to the media, Saha said: "Our son from Tripura, Subhankar Bhowmik, made the ultimate sacrifice at Siachen after a massive avalanche struck. Unfortunately, the incident occurred at night, making an immediate rescue operation impossible."

He was found the next morning but had already passed away, the Chief Minister said, adding that this is a deeply painful incident.

He leaves behind a young daughter and his wife, the Chief Minister added.

Saha said: "Subhankar gave his life while safeguarding the nation. The state government would provide all necessary support to the family. Additionally, I will extend personal assistance to them as well."

Indian Army's Northern Command in a post on X said: "Lt General M. V. Suchindra Kumar, Army Commander, Northern Command and all ranks of Dhruva Command salute the supreme sacrifice of brave heart Nk Subhankar Bhowmik, who laid down his life in the line of duty. Dhruva Command stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief."

Nayek Bhowmik is the second Army man from the northeastern states to make the supreme sacrifice in Siachen Glacier in two weeks.

Sepoy Aibok Madur from the same 10th Battalion of the Assam Regiment died in Siachen Glacier on November 7.

Madur was a native of Mawbri village in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also expressed grief following the death of Sepoy Madur and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh to the next of kin of the brave heart.
Jaipur, Nov 20 : BJP MLA from Rajasthan's Tijara Assembly constituency, Baba Balak Nath, spoke to IANS on Wednesday, sharing his views on the decision to rename the 'Khadim' hotel in Ajmer to 'Ajaymeru', the restoration of Prithviraj Chauhan's fort in Ajmer, a film based on the Godhra incident, and illegal mosques in the Mewat region.

Jaipur, Nov 20 (IANS) BJP MLA from Rajasthan's Tijara Assembly constituency, Baba Balak Nath, spoke to IANS on Wednesday, sharing his views on the decision to rename the 'Khadim' hotel in Ajmer to 'Ajaymeru', the restoration of Prithviraj Chauhan's fort in Ajmer, a film based on the Godhra incident, and illegal mosques in the Mewat region.

Regarding renaming the 'Khadim' hotel in Ajmer to 'Ajaymeru', Baba Balak Nath said that the term 'Khadim' has no connection with Rajasthan's heritage, culture, or history.

He lauded the government's decision, asserting that names associated with great historical figures help future generations understand who fought for their rights and worked to unite society.

He believes the new name reflects Rajasthan's culture and history, serving as a reminder of the great figures who shaped the state.

The Rajasthan government has rechristened Hotel Khadim, an undertaking of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC), in Ajmer as 'Ajaymeru'.

On renaming other places in Ajmer, Baba Balak Nath recalled his visit to the city a year and a half ago, during which he learned that Ajmer is home to the only fort of Prithviraj Chauhan.

He said that more than 250 years have passed since the Mughals left India, but their control over Prithviraj Chauhan's fort still remains.

He expressed his desire to see the fort freed from Mughal control and restored to its historical significance.

He urged the government to preserve the fort and its legacy, ensuring that future generations learn about Prithviraj Chauhan's contributions to the country and its culture.

On the Godhra incident, Baba Balak Nath came down heavily on the Congress government for politicising the tragedy.

He explained that during the incident, activists associated with the Ram Mandir movement were burnt alive, and he praised the movie "The Sabarmati Report" based on the incident for shedding light on the truth.

He acknowledged the investigative work that had already been done on the matter but welcomed the opportunity for the younger generation to learn the real story through the film.

On illegal activities in the Mewat region, Baba Balak Nath said that illegal mosques act as centres for planning various unlawful activities, including religious conversions, love jihad, and online fraud.

He stressed that while all religions are respected, any conspiracy that goes against humanity or the nation must be investigated.

He called on the government to take action against illegal constructions and encroachments, particularly on village and forest department land.

He mentioned that his team has compiled a list of such illegal encroachments and urged the government to take steps to remove them.
Shillong, Nov 20 : Agitating students of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) here have temporarily suspended their indefinite hunger strike after 16 days of protest owing to their deteriorating health conditions.

The students of NEHU, the Northeast's oldest Central varsity in Shillong, started their hunger strike on November 5 demanding the removal of "incompetent" Vice-Chancellor (V-C) Prabha Shankar Shukla and "illegally" appointed top officials, including Registrar Colonel (retired) Omkar Singh and Deputy Registrar Amit Gupta.

Announcing the suspension of the hunger strike on Wednesday evening, NEHU Students' Union (NEHUSU) President, Sandy Sohtun, said that after appeals from the state government and many other quarters including teachers, community members, and doctors, they suspended their hunger strike but the university would remain closed and classes would remain suspended as their protest is not over since their core demands were not fulfilled.

"The agitation would continue, although in a curtailed manner. We would hold a sit-in protest on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of the V-C's office," he told the media.

NEHUSU General Secretary Toniho S. Kharsati also said that this is a temporary suspension of their hunger strike pending the inquiry committee submitting its findings and recommendations on their charter of demands to the Ministry of Education.

The NEHUSU has been spearheading the protest and it was supported by the influential North East Students' Organisation (NESO), an apex body of eight students' organisations representing seven northeastern states, Khasi Students Union's NEHU unit and the Meghalaya Tribal Teachers' Association are also supporting the protest.

The NEHU is the northeast's oldest Central varsity in Shillong and students from all the eight northeastern states, many states in the country and more than seven countries have been studying in the institution.

The Ministry of Education, earlier, formed the two-member inquiry committee headed by former University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman D. P. Singh, with former Assam University Vice Chancellor Dilip Chandra Nath as the member.

The Ministry has asked the committee to investigate the allegations of the students and others and submit recommendations within 15 days.

The committee members, according to the officials, are expected to arrive in Shillong by Wednesday or Thursday.

Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam Sangma earlier said that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had already spoken with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on the stalemate in NEHU and the UGC has constituted a committee to look into the details of the issues.

The strike would also affect their academic activities, the Minister said.

A host of dignitaries and politicians earlier met the agitating students on the NEHU campus and spoke to them.

Earlier, Meghalaya Governor and the NEHU's Chief Rector Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar, Chief Minister Sangma appealed to the agitating students to halt their protest.

The NEHU students also wrote a letter to President Droupadi Murmu detailing the situation in the varsity and sought her intervention to resolve the ongoing imbroglio.

Before going on leave last week, V-C Shukla on several occasions, urged the students to call off their protest and hold talks so that normal academic activities could be resumed in the university.

NEHUSU General Secretary said that due to the incompetence of all top varsity officials, including the V-C, NEHU's rank has slipped 21 points to 101 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking.
Imphal, Nov 20 : Schools, colleges and universities in Manipur's Imphal Valley would remain closed till November 23 for the safety of the students, teachers and staff, officials said on Wednesday.

An order issued by Daryal Juli Anal, the Joint Secretary (Higher and Technical Education Department), said that in view of the curfew imposed by District Magistrates in many of the districts and considering the safety of the students and teachers, all the government and government-aided educational institutions, including state universities in these districts where curfew has been imposed, will remain closed till November 23.

After the widespread violence broke out in several districts, especially in Imphal East and Imphal West districts, on November 16 following the recovery of six bodies of three missing children and three women in the Jiribam district on November 15 and 16, the state government considered the safety of the students and teachers, closing all educational institutions in the five valley districts where curfew has been imposed.

The five valley districts include Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching.

However, like Wednesday, curfew was relaxed in four Imphal Valley districts for five hours on Thursday.

Officials said that with no major incident reported from any of the four districts, curfew was relaxed in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Kakching districts from 5 to 10 a.m. on Thursday to facilitate the people to purchase essential items and perform important work.

Meanwhile, Commissioner (Home), N. Ashok Kumar in his order said that because of the prevailing law and order situation, the government has decided to extend the suspension of mobile internet and data services for three more days in seven trouble-torn districts with effect from 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday to 5.15 p.m. on Saturday.

The seven districts comprising the valley and hills are Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur.
Jaipur, Nov 21 : A four-year-old boy died after falling into a borewell in Rajasthan's Barmer on Wednesday evening, police said.

Jaipur, Nov 21 (IANS) A four-year-old boy died after falling into a borewell in Rajasthanas Barmer on Wednesday evening, police said.

The incident occurred in Arjun ki Dhani in the Gudhamalani area where Naresh fell into the borewell while playing.

A rescue operation was immediately launched by the administration and the police after getting information from Naresh's family.

The rescue team pulled the boy out from the borewell after nearly three hours but he had died by then, the police said.

According to official information, Naresh, the only son of one Pappu Ram, was playing in the field near the house when he fell into the borewell about 150 feet deep while playing.

The child was stuck at a depth of about 100 feet, the police added.

The place where the child had fallen was an old borewell which was filled with water.

A team of Civil Defence had arrived from the district headquarters. Other rescue teams had also been called.

According to the child's family, his father Pappu Ram was in Punjab at the time of the accident. As soon as he received the information, he left for Barmer. He works as a driver in Punjab.

The team led by Madharam, a resident of Meda (Jalore), a desi jugaad technology expert, was trying to rescue the child with PVC pipe, rope, wire, and other ways.

Barmer Superintendent of Police, Narendra Singh Meena, had also reached the spot and collected information about the rescue operation.

Teams of private companies -- Vedanta and Weatherford Company -- also reached the spot. Using borescope technology, the team got information about the depth at which the child was trapped.

Different teams tried to pull out Naresh with every possible technique.

Earlier on September 19, a two-year-old girl, who was trapped in a pit near a borewell in Bandikui in Rajasthan's Dausa, was rescued after around 20 hours of operation.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 21 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday announced that the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), a cutting-edge international exhibition of contemporary art, starting in Kochi in December 12, 2025, will be curated by renowned artist Nikhil Chopra and his team HH Art Spaces.

This event, which has now become the cynosure of many art lovers, is organised by the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF).

The selection of curators was made by a committee of internationally acclaimed art world figures -- Shanay Jhaveri, Dayanita Singh, Rajeeb Samdani, Jitish Kallat, and Bose Krishnamachari, who is also President of KBF.

The mega show, spanning four months, will begin on December 12 featuring 60 artists and artistic practices from India and across the world, and will conclude on March 31, 2026.

Welcoming Nikhil Chopra, Chief Minister Vijayan said: "We invite the people of Kerala, the nation, and the world to join us in celebrating this spectacular event that fosters the spirit of art, community, and dialogue."

Introducing Chopra along with his team at HH Art Spaces based in Goa, Bose Krishnamachari noted that the versatile artist's work that blends performance, drawings, paintings, photography, sculpture, and installation critically explores issues of identity, politics, history, and the body.

Nikhil Chopra, who had completed his early education in Kochi, described the KBF curatorship as an 'incredible task' and 'humbling privilege'.

He had featured in the second KMB (2014) and won acclaim for his work's off-beat approach at the Aspinwall House venue.

Highlighting the Biennale's famed calibre to "ignite conversations about being human; poetic and political," Nikhil Chopra hailed the eminent artistic potential of Kerala.

"The ancient, the modern, and the contemporary in the region have always been in critical dialogue with each other churning ideas and knowledge into wisdom," he said.

"For me, the process or the journey of artwork is more central than the destination itself. I envision this Biennale as a series of moments, where one can enter and exit. For this Biennale we look at works that lean more on the process, works that are still in making as opposed to the industrial norm of valuing only the completed work. I feel it's important to embrace the unfinished and the process," said Chopra explaining his curatorial vision.

Bose Krishnamachari said the deep-rooted commitment of Nikhil Chopra and his team to the arts, along with their visionary approach to curating, will undoubtedly shape a remarkable chapter for the Biennale.

"Nikhil's unique perspective, paired with the creative energy of HH Art Spaces, promises to bring fresh dialogue and innovative perspectives to this global platform. We look forward to witnessing the transformative experience they will create for artists, audiences, and the community alike."

"In this new chapter, we will reaffirm the epithet 'People's Biennale'," Bose added.
Russian occupiers once again shot captured Ukrainian defenders in the direction of Pokrovsk. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, a pretrial investigation has been launched into the fact of the commission of a war crime that resulted in the death of people.

"According to operational data, on November 10, 2024, during an assault on a fortified military base near the village of Novodmytrivka in Pokrovsk district, the Russian military captured two Ukrainian soldiers. After that, they forced the prisoners to undress and led them through a wooded area at gunpoint, where they shot them," the PGO said in the Telegram channel.

Information about the killing by the occupiers of three more wounded defenders of Ukraine at this position is also being verified.

"Such actions qualify as a serious international crime and gross violation of the Geneva Conventions," the PGO said.
This year, the National Book Foundation celebrated the 75th anniversary of the National Book Awards. The modern incarnation of the awards was launched in 1950 by the American Book Publishers Council, the American Booksellers Association, and the Book Manufacturers Institute, after a seven-year initial run under the ABA alone that began in 1936. Since then, the awards have been, for the better part of a century, among the most coveted and prestigious prizes in American literaturecomprising, alongside the National Book Critics Circle Awards and the Pulitzer Prizes, what some have called the U.S.s literary triple crown.

To mark the milestone, we asked former and current chairpersons and executive directors of the National Book Foundationwhich has administered the awards since 1989to recall moments from their tenures that they consider to be the most definitive, powerful, or reflective of the awards, the foundation, and their shared spirit. We also dug into PWs archive and beyond, unearthing photos representing the awards history.

Neil Baldwin (executive director, 1989-2003)

It was November 27, 1990, in the gilded age, votive candle-lit, flower-bedecked Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotelthe second National Book Award ceremony of my fledgling executive directorship. Catherine Stimpson, chair of the fiction panel, announced the winner: Charles Johnson, professor of English at the University of Washington, for his novel Middle Passage, a dramatic account through the eyes of Rutherford Calhoun, a newly freed slave and scoundrel, stowed away on the slave ship Republic. I've been waiting my entire life for this, Johnson began his moving acceptance speech. He gestured to the center of the room. I am the first Black man to win this award since Ralph Ellison paved the way in 1953 with Invisible Man. I am profoundly grateful to him for the insistence that a novel should have all of the bright magic of a fairy tale and be rich at the same time, not driven by ideology or agenda. After the 76-year-old Ellison had risen slowly to his feet to waves of applause, Johnson forged ahead with the hope that black American fiction would shift in the coming decade from narrow complaint to broad celebration.

Bruno Quinson (chairman, 1989-1996)

At a board meeting, one of our board members suggested the addition of poetry, stating that it was a writing art form that could stand on its own, as it covered fiction and nonfiction, and could and should be included as its own category. He pointed out that, in the past, poetry books were bestsellers, and poetry needed to have its own category recognized. We voted and added poetry unanimously. We also looked at the childrens book field, which successfully were promoting their books with well-designed Caldecott and Newberry Awards. The medallion helped the sales of the individual books in perpetuity. We then all agreed as a board to have a design produced. It caught on right away.

Deborah Wiley (chairman, 1996-2006)

On September 11, 2001, a small group of directors, Paul LeClerc, Steve Riggio, and I met with Neil Baldwin to decide whether we should proceed with the award ceremony in light of what had just transpired. The outcome was to not capitulate to the horror of what the terrorists had done, so we proceeded on our normal course with one philanthropic aspect: we had a successful fundraising auction during the event, for which the families of the employees of Windows on the World were the beneficiaries.

Harold Augenbraum (executive director, 2004-2016)

In 2014, the Foundation presented its Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters to Ursula Le Guin. When I contacted Ursula to offer her the Medal, she reminded me that she had had a problematic relationship with the National Book Awards. While she had won the National Book Award in 1973 for The Farthest Shore, and had been a finalist three other times, I had sent her a request to participate in a poll for best of the National Book Awards Fiction five years before, to celebrate 60 years of the National Book Awards. She declined to participate in the vote, expressing dissatisfaction that the Awards had leaned too much to realistic fiction and to New York. I told her that her relationship with the Foundation had no bearing on our offering her the medal: we wanted to honor her work. She called the following day and accepted. Her speech at the Awards reiterated her unhappiness that the Awards had not recognized fantasy and science fiction and then spoke truth to power, slowly taking apart the whole idea of the commodification of literature taking place in American publishingin a room full of commercial publisherspunctuated only by Jacqueline Woodsons yelling, during a pause, We love you, Ursula! We uploaded her speech to the web that night, and it was viewed by 250,000 people in the first three weeks. When I emailed Ursula to tell her that, she wrote back one sentence: Long live the National Book Awards! A gracious woman.

David Steinberger (chairman, 2007-present)

The year is 2016. Robert Caro, a historian and writer of unprecedented achievement, received the Foundations Distinguished Contribution to American Letters for his lifes work and its extraordinary impact on this countrys literary heritage. In his remarks, Bob recalls telling Ina, his wife and sole source of research, the realization that his LBJ biography cannot be written without their relocating from New York to the hill country of Texas. Like always, he said, she was completely supportive, and immediately agreed to the move. He then related what Ina said next: Just one thingnext time, could you please write a biography of Napoleon? It is just one line, a little bit of humor, yet it is a moment that remains indelible for me, capturing the powerful way the National Book Awards so often gives us a unique and unexpected glimpse into the essential humanity of writers and their craft.

Lisa Lucas (executive director, 2016-2020)

On November 18, 2016, the 67th National Book Awards ceremony and my first as executive director, the United States hadn't even had two weeks to process the results of the election, and no one was quite sure how it was all going to go down. Much of the book world seemed anxious, devastated, or depressed. But by force of literary miracle, by the end of the night, Toi Dericotte had reminded us that joy is an act of resistance, Colson Whitehead had skillfully deployed the word motherfucker on stage, and the iconic civil rights icon John Lewis had wept over the receipt of this honor, now bestowed upon a man who as a child in the south was denied access to use of a library simply because he was Black. That night gave us all succor, hope, and books that would and will help us find a way out of no way.

Ruth Dickey (executive director, 2021-present)

2022 was the first year that we returned to an in-person Awards after the pandemic. As our nonfiction winner was being announced, I happened to be facing Imani Perrys table. We dont often have children attend the Awards, but Imani had brought her two sons with her. And when Oscar Villalon, our nonfiction chair that year, called Imanis name, I got to see the three of them smile at one another, and then see her sons leap to their feet and begin cheering wildly. I love how the Awards are such a big stage for celebrating books, from the more than 700 people in the room to the tens of thousands who tune in online. But sometimes, the small moments within that celebration are the most special. I felt so lucky that I happened to be looking in the right spot, to get to witness that moment of so much joy.
The board of directors of the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association announced on Tuesday that executive director Carrie Obry has stepped down from her position. Effective immediately, Grace Hagen will serve as MIBAs interim executive director while the search for a permanent executive director takes place. In a release, the board stated, during this period, Hagen will work closely with the board and senior leadership to ensure continuity in all organizational operations, while advancing the priorities and goals of MIBA.

Hagen, who previously worked as director of operations and inclusion at the Novel Neighbor in Webster Groves, Mo., a St. Louis suburb, has worked for MIBA since May as its operations manager. MIBAs other employee, Cori Theroux, who owns Green Dragon Bookstore in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, has served since October as bookstore membership manager.

Obry, who at the time was an acquisitions editor at Llewellyn Worldwide in St. Paul, Minn., was hired as MIBAs executive director in October 2010, after longtime executive director Susan Walker announced she was moving to North Carolina to care for her elderly parents. Obry assumed her responsibilities at MIBA in late December of that year. Membership levels have ebbed and flowed during Obrys tenure, from 205 bookseller members when she was hired in 2010 to 331 currently; theres been a 40% spike in membership since 2022.

Obry, along with Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association's previous executive director, Deb Leonard, oversaw the inaugural Heartland Fall Forum in October 2012, which drew 400 booksellers and was deemed a great success; the joint trade show has taken place every year since, except during two pandemic years, 2020 and 2021. The show switches every year between the MIBA and GLIBA regions, and this October it was held in Obrys hometown, Milwaukee; it received mixed reviews from several publishers reps that PW spoke to during it. Next year, HFF will take place in Indianapolis, Oct. 1216.

MIBA's nine-member board, which consists of seven booksellers and two publishers' reps, disclosed that it intends to start the search process for a new executive director in the coming weeks." The board is looking, it said, for "a candidate who is passionate about fostering a vital and supportive bookselling community, advocating for the essential value of independent bookstores, and possesses the skills and vision necessary to lead MIBA into its next chapter.

In an email to PW, board president Kristen Sandstrom, the manager of Apostle Islands Booksellers in Bayfield, Wis., wrote: "MIBA thanks Carrie Obry for her years of service. We wish Carrie the best of luck in her future endeavors. We are excited to have Grace Hagen step into the temporary role of interim executive director while a full executive director search is undertaken.

MIBA, founded in 1981 as the Upper Midwest Booksellers Association, represents indie booksellers in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
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To coincide with the publication of a book featuring photographs and paintings by renowned photographer and artist Eric Oldham, the Bahamas Locomotive Society is to auction one of Erics original paintings.

Published by Mortons Books and written by John Hillier, the book is titled The Eric Oldham Legacy Collection.

It has a published price of 35, and can be purchased from the Bahamas Locomotive Society website www.bahamas45596.co.uk

Cover of The Eric Oldham Legacy Collection. // Credit: Bahamas Locomotive Society

The painting to be auctioned measures 50 x 40 cm and is framed. It depicts Great Central Railway Class 9Q 4-6-0 No. 1167 Lloyd George climbing eastbound towards the Woodhead Tunnel, not far from Erics home at Hyde.

Eric Oldham died in 2008 aged 87. He was a founder member of the Guild of Railway Artists, an active member of the Railway Photographic Society, and a member of the Bahamas Locomotive Society for many years. Until now a lot of his fine work has not been seen by the wider public.

45596 Bahamas. // Credit: Bahamas Locomotive Society

With The Eric Oldham Legacy Collection, John Hillier brings Erics photographs and paintings featuring the changing railway scene from the 1940s until the late-20th century to a wider audience.

John Hillier, Eric Oldhams photographic mentor, was prompted to produce this book after fearing that Erics imagery had been lost.

Fortunately, John eventually tracked down the negatives and other ephemera, and The Eric Oldham Legacy Collection is the result.

Sir John Oldham, Erics nephew, currently holds the collection of Erics work and offered the painting in order to raise funds for the Bahamas Locomotive Society.

The Auction will start on Wednesday, 22nd January 2025, and the successful bidder will also receive a copy of The Eric Oldham Legacy Collection signed by the author, John Hillier, and Erics nephew, Sir John Oldham.

Earlier this year, the National Trust transferred its ownership of Coal Tank No. 1054

and historic 0-4-0 saddle tank Hawarden to the Bahamas Locomotive Society.


Supporting Ukraine in no way turns it into West vs Russia war  Austrian FM

Supporting Ukraine in no way turns it into a war of the West against Russia, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has said on Wednesday.

Asked what he thought about authorizing Ukraine to launch strikes deep inside Russia, the minister said he could not comment because Austria, by virtue of its neutral status, does not provide Ukraine with military equipment and lethal weapons, nor does it finance it.

Russia is using troops from the DPRK, using drones and missiles provided by other parties to strike the entire country, civilian, energy infrastructure, which is a war crime, he said at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha emphasizing, adding that supporting Ukraine in no way turns it into a war of the West against Russia.

Schallenberg also noted that Ukraine exercises the right to self-defense in line with the UN Charter and the country supporting Ukraine fully respects international law and the UN Charter.
Disney/Christopher Willard

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 11/19/2024



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

star Joan Vassos has revealed what the conversation with her children was like after they had met Chock Chapple for the first time in Bora Bora.On 's finale, Chock -- who already knew the names of Joan's children when he first met Joan on Night 1 -- was the first of Joan's Final 2 bachelors to meet Joan's family.Joan's son Nick admitted to Chock he had very high expectations for his mom's future partner and that Chock would have very big shoes to fill.But Joan shared on a recent episode of the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast that her family thought Chock was fantastic as well as the obvious winner of 's heart."My kids thought it was so obvious that he was the person, and they literally said that they've never seen me look happier," Joan told Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt on the podcast.Joan apparently struggled for years before and after the death of her late husband John Vassos, who passed away in 2021 following a battle with pancreatic cancer."We had so many years when John was dying, for two years, and then he passed away. So it was three years of [grief]. And then, you know, it was during COVID and our business failed," Joan explained."We just had a lot of really hard times," she added, "all in like a five-year period."But Joan admitted she was "just plain happy" when Chock met her family and they got to spend some time with each other in the same room."Plain and simple: life was good again," Joan shared. "It just felt good. I had my person and they could just see it on my face!"Joan said her children got to talk to Chock and, at the end of the day, they embraced him and were ready to welcome him into the family."We were all good. There was no need to go any further. We were done," Joan recalled.Chock also revealed that he had gotten to spend more time with Joan's family off-camera that day."After that day, we all went out to dinner," Chock shared."Joan was like, 'Is it cool if we go out to dinner with my family?' And I was like, 'Absolutely!' That's a big part of who we are, our family and friends."At this point in process, Joan's other Final 2 bachelor, Guy Gansert , was still in the picture.Guy had been hoping to meet Joan's family because he was falling in love with her, but Joan decided to break up with him in Bora Bora before he could even have that chance.Guy ended up finishing in second place behind Chock on finale, and Guy admitted he was "heartbroken" and "devastated" by his breakup with Joan.Joan and Chock ultimately got engaged on finale, which just aired on ABC earlier this month.Joan said that going into her journey, her kids really wanted her to be happy."I was really serious. I felt like this was a really unique opportunity to find somebody, that I was never going to have this chance again," Joan explained."I know that if they saw I was happy, they were going to be really open to the person that I had met because they wanted it to turn out well for me."During their final date of process, Chock said he was "ready to go" and propose marriage."I'm the luckiest guy," Chock concluded."And the surprise of her kids being there after our engagement, after Joan accepted it, it's one of those moments you'll remember -- and the kids were so happy!"As for what's next for the happy couple, Joan plans to stay in Maryland and Chock will continue living in Kansas.However, Joan and Chock are going to spend the holidays together with Joan's family and then begin apartment hunting in New York City.Joan and Chock said they'd like to have a convenient meet-up spot where they can spend time together in the Big Apple.Joan and Chock also shared how they have many international trips planned for 2025 -- including stops in Africa and France.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Instagram / Maria Georgas

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 11/19/2024



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Maria Georgas has denied recent rumors regarding the status of her relationship with comedian Pete Davidson The Sun reported earlier this week that Pete had checked into rehab and was in "bad shape" after having a brief -- and secret -- romance with 's Season 28 alum.But Maria took to Instagram Stories on Tuesday, November 19 to set the record straight."Never dated Pete. False rumor! I'm friends with his sister [Casey Davidson]. Case closed," Maria wrote to her followers.A source had told The Sun that Pete, a 31-year-old Saturday Night Live alum, has struggled with his mental health and substance abuse for years and he just sought treatment for the second time in 2024."He checked into rehab in Florida fairly recently. He flew in on a private jet," the source claimed."He's in pretty bad shape this time around. He's not in a good place."However, Maria insisted in her Instagram post that Pete's alleged rehab stint is another nasty rumor."Just spoke to his sister. He's not in rehab and has been sober for months," Maria revealed."Can't believe this sh-t. It's very insulting to his recovery and my mental health. He's literally home."Prior to Maria's public denial, the source claimed that Pete had decided to seek treatment shortly after his low-key romance with Maria fizzled out."He ended a fling with Maria just before he checked in," the source claimed.The source added how Pete and Maria had only dated "for a couple of months."Speculation Maria and Pete were dating was fueled by Maria commenting on Casey's Instagram page and Casey, in turn, liking alum's comments.Since Pete was spotted at a restaurant in Kingsport, TN, on November 5, the source said he must have checked into rehab very recently.Pete had also made a cameo appearance on Saturday Night Live on November 2.According to The Sun, Pete -- who was allegedly diagnosed with BPD and PTSD -- has checked into rehab at least four times in the past, including "a really short stay" beginning in July 2024.Pete allegedly checked out of the treatment center just weeks after he had checked in this past summer.The insider also claimed that Pete's former Saturday Night Live co-stars are "done with him" because he's "too much of a headache" and "really hard to deal with" on the set. He also allegedly skips meetings."At least one project has been canceled because of it," the source said.Pete previously had a relationship with The Kardashians star Kim Kardashian , and he broke up with his last serious girlfriend, Madelyn Cline, in July.For Maria's part, Bachelor Nation is quick to assume she's dating someone when she's spotted with a man.Maria and 's Season 24 star Peter Weber were photographed in a restaurant booth with friends, sparking dating rumors earlier this month.Peter and Maria appeared to be out with two friends or on a double date.Maria, for her part, competed for Joey Graziadei 's heart on 's 28th season. She finished in fourth place following her hometown date, and Joey ended up getting engaged to Kelsey Anderson Maria claimed on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast in April -- while Jenn Tran was out of touch filming ette -- that she had been offered ette role and turned it down before Jenn was officially cast as Season 21's star.Maria has since made headlines for being linked to two of Jenn's Final 4 bachelors: Jeremy Simon and Devin Strader "Yes, did I go out with Jeremy -- a night with friends, a bunch of us, together -- yes I did," she said in an early September TikTok video. "But Jeremy got sent home. And they ended on amicable terms. They were on good terms.""And guys, what do you think [Bachelor in Paradise] is? [It's] everyone's exes, girls and guys, on a beach trying to mix and mingle. But I'm not going on Paradise, so I'm doing this sh-t in real life... I think that's very normal and okay to do, so I will not apologize about that."Maria also confirmed that while Devin had admitted to following her on Instagram, she never noticed Jenn was upset because her ette winner and now ex-fiance, Devin, had followed Maria on Instagram shortly after dumping Jenn in a short phone call."Say your piece, girlfriend, I respect it. I just think without the full context, it leads people to believe a whole different narrative. My name being brought up was a shock," Maria said in her video, before confirming, however, that she and Jenn are no longer friends Maria insisted that she had never met Devin before, nor did she play any role in the demise of Jenn and Devin's post- ette relationship."I can't control who follows who. But what I can control is what I do about it. And what I'm doing is not following back, and I never followed back," Maria vented in her video."And now seeing how things transpired , I will never follow that man. And people knew that. So the fact that this whole thing has come out now, and the story has changed is beyond me."Interested in more news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
By Akbar Novruz



During the ninth day of COP29, Dutch Climate Minister Sophie Hermans shared her perspectives on climate finance and Azerbaijan's contributions as the host of the summit in an interview with Azernews.

Responding to criticism that wealthy nations, including the Netherlands, have fallen short of fulfilling past climate finance pledges, Hermans stated:

Well, I think for the Netherlands, if I have a look at what we contributed in the past few years on international climate financing, then I think that we paid our fair share. And I see that we're not yet there, and that in the coming years we still have to contributethe Netherlands, the EU, but a lot of countries in the world, also countries that are not contributing yet. So that's, of course, the discussion we are now having in the negotiations.

When asked about Azerbaijans role as the host of COP29 and its contributions to global energy security and climate action, Hermans expressed optimism about the collaborative spirit of the summit.

I think it's pretty good that we're here now, that COP29 is taking place, that all the countries are here in Azerbaijan to talk about this really important issue of climate and the energy transition, she noted.

Hermans emphasized the importance of unity and determination in addressing climate challenges. You feel the energy here, the motivation of people that want to contribute. They are optimistic that we can do it together, because that's what I believe in. If we stand shoulder to shoulder, then we can solve this problem together. Nobody says it will be easy. Everybody sees there are barriers and difficulties on the way as well. But they're not a reason to give up. Instead, they're a reason to go on and to focus and to have eyes on the ball, she concluded.

The Dutch ministers remarks underscored the importance of maintaining momentum in climate action and fostering global cooperation to overcome challenges.
In Kursk region, Ukrainian Armed Forces military personnel captured 26 Russian servicemen in one battle, the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

"Galician paratroopers continue to replenish the exchange fund, capturing Russian soldiers in Kursk region. Thus, during one of the unsuccessful enemy assaults, paratroopers of the 80th destroyed a significant number of the enemy, and those who miraculously survived decided to surrender, which saved their lives," the forces said in the Telegram channel on Wednesday.
States are on track of fiscal consolidation with their total borrowings reaching Rs 5 trillion till October, which is 60 per cent of the projected borrowings of Rs 8.38 trillion till December 2024, according to data from official sources.

Government officials said the lower-than-projected borrowings by states were a sign of prudent fiscal management by them.

States announce their borrowing plans every quarter.

States are allowed to go for a fiscal deficit of 3 per cent of their GSDP and 0.5 per cent relaxation is given in case they pursue power sector reforms.

Experts, however, say states have continued to borrow as per their needs and lower borrowings could be because of lack of projects involving high capex.

Upcoming elections in several states, including Jharkhand and Maharashtra, and the recently held Haryana polls could also have stalled investments in capital-intensive projects, economists said.

Overall state spending has been low because of elections in several states.

"If there are no capex-led projects, then states can resort to their own cash flows to meet revenue expenditure.

"There are also some states such as Gujarat and Maharashtra which project higher borrowings for fiscal prudence, said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist, Bank of Baroda.

In order to push states to accelerate capital spending and finance their development and welfare-related expenditure, the Centre has so far released 65 per cent of the total tax devolution to them.

This includes two advance instalments.

In its report released on Tuesday, Motilal Oswal noted that based on the provisional data for 18 states, capex is estimated to have fallen 11.5 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in the first half of FY25.

These states reached 26.7 per cent of Budget Estimates in H1FY25, compared to 31.8 per cent in the corresponding period last year.

Our estimates suggest that states' capex dipped 20.8 per cent Y-o-Y in Q1FY25, followed by a decline of 5.7 per cent Y-o-Y in Q2, the Motilal Oswal report said.

The aggregate fiscal deficit of 21 states, according to an Ind-Ra study, stood at Rs 4.1 trillion in H1FY25.

This was 44.1 per cent of Budget Estimates for FY25.

Among the key states, the study said, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Telangana have utilised more than two-thirds of their budgeted fiscal deficits in H1FY25.

States such as Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra maintained a fiscal restraint, with their fiscal deficits in H1FY25 being lower than 25 per cent of FY25BE.
An average voter turnout of 20 per cent was recorded in the first four hours of voting in the bypolls to 15 assembly seats spread across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Uttarakhand on Wednesday amid an incident of stone pelting in a village in UP's Meerapur and allegations of police personnel deterring voters from casting their ballot.

IMAGE: A screengrab from a video posted by the Samajwadi Party on X, alleging use of force by the police in UP's Meerapur constituency, during voting for the bypolls, on Wednesday. Photograph: Courtesy @samajwadiparty/X

Voting for bypolls in nine assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh picked up pace after a sluggish start, with over 20 per cent voters turning up to exercise their franchise by 11 am.

An EC update showed 12.56 per cent turnout in Ghaziabad, Katehari (24.28 per cent), Khair (19.18 per cent), Kundarki (28.54 per cent), Karhal (20.71 per cent), Majhawan (20.41 per cent), Meerapur (26.18 per cent), Phulpur (17.68 per cent), Sisamau (15.91 per cent).

An incident of stone pelting was reported in Kakroli village during voting for the Meerapur assembly bypoll following a confrontation between two groups.

Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Singh told reporters that police promptly reached the spot and dispersed the crowd using 'mild force'.

"The situation was brought under control, and voting continues peacefully," Singh added.

It was not immediately clear what caused the confrontation.

The All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidate Mohammad Arshad told reporters that polling percentage in Kakroli area was low.

"The police are harassing voters, not allowing them to step out of their house. They are behaving like enemies of the people," he alleged.

"This is not a people's election, this is government's election," he claimed, adding his party workers were being detained by the police.

Samajwadi Party candidate Sumbul Rana also alleged that police were harassing voters in the name of checking their identification cards.

Rashtriya Lok Dal candidate Mithlesh Pal told reporters that she has been informed about people from outside the constituency being called in for 'bogus voting'.

"These people have been accommodated in Madrasas and schools," she alleged.

Pal also claimed that bogus voting was being done by 'women in burqa'.

On SP president Akhilesh Yadav's remark that policemen should not check ID cards of voters, Pal said they must definitely check it to prevent bogus voting.

"All this is happening because of the 'flexible attitude' of the police. We have made a complaint but the police are unable to do anything at the moment," she charged.

Both the SP and the Bharatiya Janata Party sought the intervention of the Election Commission.

The SP president urged the Supreme Court and the EC to take immediate cognisance of alleged voter suppression based on video evidence.

In a post on X, Yadav said, 'All police officers who are checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs should be immediately suspended on the basis of video evidence. Police have no right to check Aadhaar ID cards or identity cards.'

He shared a video of party candidate Sumbul Rana from Meerapur in Muzaffarnagar district, accusing police personnel of trying to deter people from voting.

Rana claimed that such complaints were coming from Nayagaon, Nagla Buzuk, Sambalheda, and other areas in the constituency.

"We are raising complaints but officers are not checking it," she alleged.

Countering the opposition party's claims, BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla said the Samajwadi Party and its chief are scared of losing the bypolls.

"The SP has lost trust in the voters. That is why they have gathered external disruptive elements in the bypoll areas. According to several media reports, the faces of women wearing burqas are not matching with their identity cards," Shukla said.

"The BJP appeals to the EC and the administration to ensure that voting is not allowed without matching the identity cards and that the EC's instructions are strictly followed," he added.

The SP's media cell also highlighted alleged poll code violations at some locations, including the Kundarki seat in Moradabad. It said that the party's agents were not being allowed near the polling stations.

Moradabad DM Anuj Singh, "We got these claims verified, I myself spoke to the polling officer in Bikanpur and found that voting is underway smoothly and no voter is facing any problem. There is adequate security presence also".

In neighbouring Uttarakhand, the Kedarnath seat saw a turnout of 17.69 per cent till 11 am.

The assembly seat in Rudraprayag district fell vacant after the death of BJP MLA Shaila Rani Rawat in July this year.

There are six candidates in the fray, with BJP's Asha Nautiyal and Congress's Manoj Rawat seen to be locked in a straight contest.

In Punjab, a voter turnout of over 20 percent was recorded till 11 am.

The Gidderbaha seat recorded 35 percent polling, Dera Baba Nanak 19.4 percent, Barnala 16.1 percent and Chabbewal 12.71 percent.

Forty-five candidates, including three women, are in the fray for the bypolls. A total of 6.96 lakh voters, including 3.31 lakh women, are eligible to exercise their franchise at 831 polling stations.

Among the key contestants in the fray are former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Kewal Singh Dhillon, Sohan Singh Thandal and Ravikaran Singh Kahlon (BJP), Amrita Warring and Jatinder Kaur (Congress), and Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon and Ishank Kumar Chabbewal (AAP).

In Kerala, brisk polling was witnessed in the Palakkad with a turnout of 20.50 per cent at 10.30 am.

Among the 10, the key contenders are Rahul Mamkootathil (Congress-led United Democratic Front), C Krishnakumar (BJP-led National Democratic Alliance), and P Sarin (Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front).

The by-election was necessitated after Congress leader Shafi Parambil resigned as MLA of the constituency following his election to the Lok Sabha.

Polling started at 7 am in 14 seats and will end at 5 pm. However, in Kedarnath it started at 8 am and will end at 6 pm.

Votes will be counted on November 23.
During her visit to Slovenia, Ukraines First Lady Olena Zelenska visited the pediatric clinic in Ljubljana  one of three Slovenian institutions that will enter into medical partnership with Ukrainian hospitals, the website of the head of the Ukrainian state reported on Monday evening.

"Slovenian experience will help us, but ours, acquired by Ukrainian doctors in difficult war conditions, is also worth sharing to save lives in all situations," the First Lady noted.

The Ljubljana Clinic will cooperate with the Volyn Regional Territorial Medical Association for Maternity and Childhood Protection, the Ljubljana Perinatal Clinic - with the Odesa Perinatal Center, the University Medical Centre Maribor - with the Poltava Regional Clinical Hospital named after Sklifosovsky.

Zelenska began her visit to Slovenia to participate in a meeting of the Enhancing Human Security Foundation. At this event, she presents projects to help children, adolescents and their families affected by the war.
The Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday ramped up their investigations against Bitcoin Ponzi 'scam' suspect Gaurav Mehta, a day after Bharatiya Janata Party made public purported voice notes to allege that Congress and Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar leaders were trying to encash cryptocurrency to influence Maharashtra assembly polls.

Image used for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

The allegations were refuted by NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule and Congress leader Nana Patole who termed the voice notes released by the Bharatiya Janata Party on the eve of polling as fake.

Gaurav Mehta, an audit company employee, was at the centre of the action taken by the two federal probe agencies on Wednesday with the Enforcement Directorate carrying out searches at his Raipur residence while the Central Bureau of Investigation issued summons to him seeking his presence before the investigation officer as soon as possible.

The ED questioned him and recorded his statement during the searches. It also seized some computers and digital devices.

ED officials said the agency has widened its ongoing money laundering probe into a crypto (Bitcoin) assets ponzi scam and is investigating the "links" of Mehta and some others with politicians, politically exposed persons and bureaucrats.

The agency attached assets worth Rs 98 crore of actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra in April as part of this crypto-ponzi probe. The couple challenged the ED action and got relief from the Bombay High Court.

It was alleged by the ED that the bitcoins were to be utilised for mining and investors were supposed to get huge returns in crypto assets but the promoters "cheated" the investors and have been concealing the "ill-gotten" bitcoins in obscure online wallets.

Kundra, the ED alleged, received 285 bitcoins from the "mastermind" and promoter of Gain Bitcoin Ponzi "scam" Amit Bhardwaj for "setting up" a bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine.

These bitcoins were sourced from the "proceeds of crime" collected by Amit Bhardwaj from gullible investors, it said.

The agency arrested three people -- Simpy Bhardwaj, Nitin Gaur and Nikhil Mahajan -- in the case last year.

The main accused Ajay Bhardwaj and Mahendra Bhardwaj are absconding, the ED said, adding that it attached properties worth Rs 69 crore in the case earlier.

Two chargesheets have been filed in the case till now -- the first in June 2019 and the second in February this year.

The BJP on Tuesday played purported voice notes of Baramati MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress chief Patole alleging attempts were being made to encash bitcoins to influence the elections.

Sharing the audio clips, in which voices and signal chats purportedly of Sule and Patole allegedly indicate that bitcoins were used for funding the poll campaign, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi had said it is clear that the MVA has seen the writing on the wall that it will be defeated in the polls.

The allegations were strongly refuted by both leaders who said that the voice recordings were not theirs.

Sule said she has filed a complaint with the Election Commission and the cybercrime department of the state against the false allegations. She told reporters on Wednesday that she "did not know Gaurav Mehta".

Patole also dismissed the BJP's allegations and said, "The voice in the clip being circulated is not mine. Even (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi recognises my voice."

Voting in Maharashtra elections took place on Wednesday for 288 assembly seats where BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is facing a challenge from NCP-SP, Shiv Sena-UBT and Congress alliance known as Maha Vikas Agadi.

A former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil, who was arrested in a 2018 cryptocurrency "fraud" case being probed by Pune Police, has also claimed that Mehta had provided him 10 voice notes on the Signal app which had purported audio clips of Sule, Patole, and IPS officers Amitabh Gupta (ex-Pune Police commissioner) and Bhagyashree Navtake, who was the DCP (cyber) in Pune when he was arrested.

He had also sent a complaint to the Election Commission alleging three voice notes were sent by Sule to Mehta in which she is purportedly heard asking the latter to encash the Bitcoins as funds were needed for elections and assuring him that he need not worry about inquiries as once they come to power, they would handle them.

In his complaint sent to the EC via email, Patil stated that according to the chats that he claims to be in possession of, it appears that hundreds of bitcoins worth billions of rupees may have been pumped in the assembly polls and the previous Lok Sabha elections.

It also appears that Mehta is currently having custody of the misappropriated bitcoins, amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees, Patil said in the complaint.

The ED's money laundering probe in the crypto-ponzi case stems from FIRs of Maharashtra Police and Delhi Police against a company named Variable Tech Pvt Ltd and individuals named (late) Amit Bhardwaj, Ajay Bhardwaj, Vivek Bhardwaj, Simpy Bhardwaj and Mahender Bhardwaj, among others.

A number of multi-level marketing agents are alleged to have collected huge amounts of funds in the form of bitcoins (worth Rs 6,600 crore in 2017) from the public with the "false promise" of 10 per cent per month return in the form of Bitcoins.

The Supreme Court handed over cases registered against Variable Tech Pte Ltd across the country to the CBI in December last year.

At least 10 FIRs were registered by multiple police stations in the country against Variable Tech Pte Ltd, the late Amit Bhardwaj and Ajay Bhardwaj and others.

"During the investigation, it shall be open to the CBI to club/consolidate any one or more of the FIRs. It is further clarified that in the event that charge sheets have already been filed by the local police in connection with any of the FIRs, this shall not preclude the CBI from conducting further investigation and thereafter file charge sheets or supplementary charge sheets, as the case may be," the apex court had said.

The CBI officials said that the case was registered in October this year and the agency was looking into all aspects related to the alleged involvement of Mehta in the scam and it may expand the scope of investigation.
The ruling Mahayuti is poised to retain power in Maharashtra with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi also putting up a strong show in assembly polls, most exit polls predicted on Wednesday after conclusion of polling on 288 seats in the state. Jharkhand is likely to see a change of government with BJP-led National Democratic Alliance coming to power in the state, three exit polls said on Wednesday with one poll giving majority to the ruling JMM-led alliance.

IMAGE: A man carries an elderly woman as she arrives to cast her vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections, in Nagpur, November 20, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

According to Republic TV-PMARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra could win 137-157 seats whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi could get 126-147 seats and others 2-8 seats.

The Mahayuti includes BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP).

ABP-Matrize exit poll projected 150-170 seats for the Mahayuti alliance and 110-130 seats for Maha Vikas Aghadi. It said others could get 8-10 seats.

MAHARASHTRA EXIT POLLS 2024 Agency Mahayuti MVA Electoral Edge 121 150 Chanakya 152-160 130-138 Republic TV 137-157 126-146 CNN-News18 154 128 People's Pulse 182 (175/195) 97 (85-112) SAS Group 127-135 147/155 Lokshahi 128-142 125-140 Dainik Bhaskar 125-140 135-150 PMARQ 137-157 126-146 Matrize 150-170 110-130

News 24-Today's Chanakya projected that Mahayuti will win 152-150 seats, MVA 130-138 seats and others 6-8 seats.

'Peoples Pulse' projected Mahayuti scoring a decisive victory by getting 175-195 seats. It said Maha Vikas Aghadi is poised to get 85-112 seats and 'others' winning 7-12 seats.

The majority mark in Maharashtra assembly is 145.

Maharashtra polled 58.22 per cent votes till 5 pm on Wednesday.

The elections saw a keen contest between Mahayuti and MVA. It was first assembly poll in the state after splits in Shiv Sena and NCP.

Jharkhand is likely to see a change of government with BJP-led National Democratic Alliance coming to power in the state, three exit polls said on Wednesday with one poll giving majority to the ruling JMM-led alliance.

Elections were held in two phases for 81 assembly seats in Jharkhand.

JHARKHAND EXIT POLLS 2024 Agency BJP+ JMM+ Matrize 42-47 25-30 People's Pulse 44-53 25-37 P Marq 31-40 37-47 JVC 40-44 30-40 Axis My India 25 53 Chanakya Strategies 45-50 35-38

According to Today's Chanakya exit poll, BJP-led NDA is likely to win 45-50 seats in the state while JMM-led alliance could win 35-38 seats. It said others could get 3-5 seats.

Peoples Pulse exit poll said that the NDA may get 44-53 seats, JMM-led alliance 25-37 seats and others 5-9 seats.

The BJP-led alliance include the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Janata Dal (United), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led alliance includes Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist).

Matrize exit poll said NDA is poised to win 42-47 seats, INDIA bloc 25-30 seats and others 1-4 seats.

My Axis predicted that JMM-led alliance will retain power in Jharkhand by winning 53 seats.

It predicted that the NDA could win 25 seats, others one and Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM) two seats.

Polling for the second phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections across 38 constituencies in 12 districts concluded on Wednesday, recording an approximate voter turnout of 67.59 per cent till 5.00 pm.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Jamtara recorded the highest turnout at 76.16 per cent, followed by Pakur with 75.88 per cent, and Deoghar with 72.46 per cent.

Bokaro recorded the lowest turnout of 60.97 per cent, with Dhanbad at 63.39 per cent, Dumka at 71.74 per cent, Giridih at 65.89 per cent, Godda at 67.24 per cent, Hazaribagh at 64.41 per cent, Ramgarh at 71.98 per cent, and Sahebganj at 65.63 per cent.

The state capital, Ranchi, recorded a turnout of 72.01 per cent by 5 pm.

A total of 528 candidates were in the fray in the second phase of the Jharkhand elections, including 55 women, one third-gender candidate, and 472 male candidates.

Prominent candidates in the fray included Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren, and his sister-in-law Sita Soren from the JMM. Key BJP leaders in the second phase included former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, Assembly Speaker Ravindra Nath Mahto (JMM), AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto, and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri.

The first phase of the Jharkhand polls was held in 43 of 81 assembly seats on November 13. The results for all 81 constituencies will be declared on November 23, alongside those for Maharashtra assembly elections and bypolls across several states.
The first issue in engaging with Pakistan is the cessation of terrorism, India's envoy at the United Nations said, underlining that India has been a long-standing victim of cross-border and global terrorism and has zero tolerance towards the scourge.

IMAGE: India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish. Photograph: ANI Photo

"With Pakistan, the main issue we have is of terrorism," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said during a conversation in New York on Tuesday.

Harish delivered the keynote address on 'Responding to Key Global Challenges: The India Way' at an event at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).

Responding to a question on Pakistan during an interactive session after the keynote address, Harish said Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an effort to reach out and engage with Pakistan.

"Terrorist activities in India have eroded the trust. The first issue in engaging with Pakistan is the cessation of terrorism. That is a key issue."

The event was co-sponsored by the MPA programme in Global Leadership and the International Organisation and UN Studies programme (IO/UNS) and attended by students, faculty and policy experts.

In his address, Harish emphasised that terrorism is a big issue on the global stage.

"India has been a long-standing victim of cross-border and global terrorism," he said as he described terrorism as an 'existential threat' to humanity that knows no borders, no nationality and for which there can be no justification.

"Terrorism can only be combated through international collaboration," he said.

On what is the 'India Way' in dealing with terrorism, Harish underlined that a 'big focus' for the country has been on taking along its international partners to combat terrorism as he stressed that India has zero tolerance for the scourge.

"A single attack is one too many. A single-life loss is one too many. How do we reinvigorate the international counter-terrorism agenda, including at the UN and especially at the UN? How do we address new challenges in dealing with terrorism, cyber terror, new technologies, terror financing, state culpability and online radicalisation? How do we ensure that justice is delivered to victims of terrorism," he said adding that accountability and justice delivery are very important.

Emphasising that justice delayed is justice denied, Harish said the end goal is 'Never again. We don't want a 9/11, has happened here. We don't want a 26/11. Has happened in Mumbai', a reference to the September 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Centre twin towers in Manhattan carried out by Al Qaeda and the November 26, 2008 terror attacks across Mumbai perpetrated by Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.

He further noted that unfortunately, there has been an enhanced salience of nuclear weapons now.

"India has always stood for universal, verifiable, non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament. We do not believe that you can create pools of nuclear weapons-free zones in a world where the means of delivery are global, so we stand for universal disarmament, of course, verifiable and non-discriminatory."

India follows a policy of maintaining a credible minimum deterrence based on no first use and non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states, he said.

"In recent years, a big issue, of course, is new threats and increasingly, the international community is called upon to collaborate to come up with measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction," he said.
The Delhi high court on Wednesday stayed the trial court proceedings against senior Congress leader P Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate.

IMAGE: Congress MP P Chidambaram addresses a press conference, in Mumbai on November 16, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The high court also issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and sought its response on Chidambaram's petition challenging the trial court's order taking cognisance of the chargesheet filed by the agency against him and his son Karti in the money laundering case.

"Notice issued. Till the next date of hearing, the proceedings against the petitioner shall remain stayed. List on January 22," Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri said, adding that he will pass a detailed order later.

Senior advocate N Hariharan and lawyers Arshdeep Singh Khurana and Akshat Gupta, representing Chidambaram, contended that the special judge took cognisance of the chargesheet for the alleged offence of money laundering in the absence of any sanction for prosecution of the former Union minister who was a public servant when the offence was allegedly committed.

The ED counsel raised a preliminary objection on the maintainability of the petition and submitted that the sanction for prosecution was not required in this case as the allegations pertain to Chidambaram's actions that have nothing to do with his official duties.

As interim relief, Chidambaram has also sought a stay on the proceedings before the trial court.

The trial court on November 27, 2021, took cognisance of the chargesheets filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the ED against Chidambaram and Karti in the Aircel-Maxis case and summoned them on a later date.

Chidambaram's counsel said obtaining sanction for prosecution under Section 197(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) is mandatory and the ED has not obtained it till date to prosecute the Congress leader.

The counsel said the proceedings before the trial court are currently fixed for consideration of charges.

'The protection under Section 197(1) CrPC extends to the petitioner in the subject case and the special judge erred in taking cognisance of the offence under Section 3 read with Section 4 of the PMLA as against the petitioner without the ED having obtained previous sanction under Section 197(1) CrPC.

'Hence the impugned order taking cognisance of the offences mentioned in the prosecution complaint dated June 13, 2018, and October 25, 2018, ought to be set aside and quashed qua the petitioner on this ground alone,' the plea said.

According to Section 197(1) of the CrPC, when any person who is or was a judge or magistrate or a public servant not removable from his office save by or with the sanction of the government, is accused of any offence alleged to have been committed by him while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duty, no court shall take cognisance of such offence except with the previous sanction.

While taking cognisance of the chargesheet, the special judge had said there was sufficient evidence to summon Chidambaram and the other accused in the corruption and money laundering cases lodged by the CBI and the ED respectively.

The cases relate to alleged irregularities in the grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval in the Aircel-Maxis deal. The approval was granted in 2006 when Chidambaram was the Union finance minister.

The CBI and the ED have alleged that as finance minister, Chidambaram had granted approval to the deal beyond his capacity, benefitting certain persons, and received kickbacks.
India and China on Wednesday agreed to work towards a "roadmap" for rebuilding mutual trust with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calling for drawing lessons from the "unfortunate border clashes" of 2020 during talks with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun.

IMAGE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun in Vientiane, Laos, November 20, 2024. Photograph: Courtesy Rajnath Singh on X

The two defence ministers met in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos on the sidelines of a regional security conclave, weeks after Indian and Chinese militaries completed disengagement of troops from two last face-off points in eastern Ladakh.

The defence ministry said both sides agreed to work together towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding.

In the delegation-level talks, Singh highlighted that amicable relations between India and China would have positive implications for global peace and prosperity.

On Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi held talks in Rio de Janeiro on the margins of the G20 summit with a focus on "next steps" in the India-China ties that included resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers, direct flights and media exchanges.

The two sides also agreed that a meeting of the special representatives and secretary-vice minister mechanism will also take place soon.

In his meeting with Dong, Singh underlined the need to focus on cooperation rather than conflict.

"The defence minister highlighted the fact that amicable relations between India and China, the two largest nations in the world, would have positive implications for global peace and prosperity," the ministry said in a statement.

"Considering that both countries are and will continue to remain neighbours, he mentioned that 'we need to focus on cooperation rather than conflict'," it said.

It said Singh "called for reflecting on the lessons learnt from the unfortunate border clashes of 2020, take measures to prevent recurrence of such events and safeguard peace and tranquility along the India-China border".

"He emphasised and looked forward to greater trust and confidence building between the two sides through de-escalation. Both sides agreed to work together towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding," it said.

The ties between the two Asian giants nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.

Indian and Chinese militaries completed the disengagement exercise in Demchok and Depsang late last month after the two sides reached an agreement on October 21 following a series of negotiations to resolve the festering border row.

They also resumed patrolling activities in the two areas after a gap of almost four-and-a-half years.

Two days after the pact on patrolling and disengagement was sealed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in the Russian city of Kazan on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.

The two leaders endorsed the agreement on patrolling and disengagement and issued directions to revive various bilateral dialogue mechanisms, signalling attempts to normalise ties.

In the nearly 50-minute meeting, Modi underscored the importance of properly handling differences and disputes and not allowing them to disturb peace and tranquility in border areas.

The prime minister said mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity should remain the basis of the relations.

India has been maintaining that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas.

The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong Lake area.

Singh began his three-day visit to Vientiane on Wednesday, primarily to attend a meeting of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus.

He also held separate bilateral talks with Defence Minister of Laos Gen Chansamone Chanyalath and his Malaysian counterpart Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin.

ADMM-Plus is a platform comprising 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its eight dialogue partners -- India, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States.

Laos is hosting the meeting in its capacity as the current chair of ADMM-Plus.
Jharkhand witnessed a voter turnout of 68 per cent on Wednesday in 38 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand where voting in the second and final phase ended, officials said.

IMAGE: Voters show their IDs while waiting in queue to cast their votes for the final phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections, at a polling station in Bokaro, November 20, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Polling began at 7 AM in 14,218 booths across 12 districts and continued till 5 pm.

However, polling in 31 booths ended at 4 PM though people standing in the queue at that time were allowed to exercise their franchise, the officials said.

The ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc is seeking to retain power riding on its welfare schemes, while the BJP-headed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trying to wrest it.

"A voter turnout of 67.59 per cent was recorded till 5 PM. Voting has been peaceful," an Election Commission official said.

The highest turnout of 76.16 per cent was reported from Jamtara district, followed by 75.88 per cent from Pakur, 72.46 per cent from Deoghar and 72.01 per cent from Ranchi.

Ramgarh registered a turnout of 71.98 per cent, Dumka 71.74 per cent, Godda 67.24 per cent, Sahebganj 65.63 per cent, Giridih 65.89 per cent, Hazaribag 64.41 per cent and Dhanbad 63.39 per cent.

The lowest turnout was recorded in Bokaro district at 60.97 per cent till 5 pm.

A total of 1.23 crore voters, including 60.79 lakh women and 147 third-gender electors, were eligible to exercise their franchise on Wednesday, another official said.

Altogether 528 candidates are trying their luck in the second phase of the elections.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged electors to participate in the great festival of democracy in Jharkhand, and asserted that "your every vote is the strength of the state".

Chief Minister Hemant Soren also said the second phase of polling would "play an important role in the creation of golden Jharkhand".

"In the first phase of voting, people of 43 assembly constituencies exercised their franchise with enthusiasm. All sections voted for their rights and a strong Jharkhand. Those who were conspiring against Jharkhand were given a befitting reply," Soren said in a post on X.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi also urged voters to participate in polling for a better future.

Eighteen of the 38 constituencies are in the Santhal Pargana region comprising six districts - Godda, Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara, Sahibganj and Pakur.

The remaining 18 seats are in the North Chotanagpur division and two in South Chotanagpur.

Of the total 14,218 polling stations, the responsibility of the entire voting process at 239 was in the hands of women and 22 were manned by persons with disabilities (PwDs), Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar said.

The first phase of elections was held on November 13, and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.
Four men were arrested in Visakhapatnam for allegedly gang-raping a law student and blackmailing her with some intimate videos, police said.

IMAGE: Students protest against Kolkata doctor's rape and murder, on August 31, 2024. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

The accused were arrested for allegedly raping the law student and also recording the act to blackmail her later, police said in a press release on Tuesday.

A case was registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 70(1), 77, 351(2), 69 and 75(1), including Section 67 (A) of IT Act 2000 to 2008.

"All four accused (were) arrested and remanded. The victim's boyfriend (Vamsi) and his three close friends are the accused," Visakhapatnam police commissioner Shanka Brata Bagchi said.

According to police, the prime accused, Vamsi and the law student were in a relationship for more than a year and on August 13, 2024 he took the girl to his friend's room in Krishna Nagar in the port city, where she was sexually assaulted.

Later, other accused reached the spot and filmed the intimate moments of Vamsi and the girl, police said.

With the help of the girl's boyfriend, the accused persons threatened the law student with her obscene videos and allegedly sexually assaulted her.

After months of harassment, the girl attempted suicide on November 18, but was rescued by her father. She then shared her ordeal with the family.

Subsequently, a complaint was lodged with the police leading to the arrest of the four on Tuesday, police added.
An estimated 65 percent voter turnout was recorded in the Maharashtra assembly elections on Wednesday, where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance is making a determined bid to retain power and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition is hoping to continue its good showing in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/ Rediff.com IMAGE: A family takes a selfie after casting their votes at Jamnabai Narsee School in Juhu, Mumbai.

The figures are provisional, election officials said, adding that 61.74 percent of polling was recorded in the 2019 assembly elections in the state.

The Maoist-affected Gadchiroli district recorded a turnout of 69.63 percent on Wednesday, while Mumbai, the financial capital, saw an estimated 54 percent turnout.

In the 2019 polls, Mumbai's polling figure stood at 50.67 percent.

Officials noted that poll percentage figures are provisional and may undergo minor revisions once all data is verified. The final voter turnout percentage is expected to be officially announced on Thursday.

Notably, an encouraging trend has been observed in urban constituencies, traditionally known for lower voter participation.

Mumbai's Colaba constituency, which recorded just 40 percent turnout in 2019, showed an improved figure of 44.49 percent this year, as per the figures shared by the state Chief Electoral Officer's office.

In rural areas, where voter engagement tends to be higher, several constituencies reported exceptional turnout rates.

Karvir constituency in Kolhapur district recorded 84.79 percent turnout, which is expected to be the highest in the state. Similarly, other constituencies in Gadchiroli district also registered high participation.

Several Bollywood celebrities, including actors Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ranbir Kapoor, cast their votes adding a touch of glamour to the festival of democracy.

Photograph: Mahipal Soni/ Rediff.com IMAGE: Voters show their inked fingers after exercising their franchise at Charkop polling booth, Kandivali west, Mumbai, on Wednesday.

The voting for the 288 assembly seats began at 7 am and people sealed the fate of over 4,100 contesting candidates across 1,00,186 booths, an increase from 96,654 in the 2019 elections.

In the Mahayuti alliance, the BJP contested 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP fielded candidates in 59 constituencies.

In the opposition's MVA combine, the Congress fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena-UBT 95, and NCP-SP put up 86 candidates.

Parties like Bahujan Samaj Party and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, also contested, with BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM putting up 17 candidates.

The MVA combine had performed well in this year's Lok Sabha polls by securing 30 out of 48 seats in the state.

An analysis of the Lok Sabha results at the assembly segment level indicates that the MVA coalition would have narrowly surpassed the crucial 145-seat majority threshold, as it led in 153 assembly segments. The Mahayuti coalition led in 125 assembly segments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media, urging voters to partake in the elections with zeal, emphasising the importance of enhancing the "festival of democracy."

He particularly appealed to women and young voters to make their voices heard.

Among the early voters was Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, who cast his ballot in Nagpur.

Post-voting, he highlighted the civic duty of voting, stating, "Voting is a responsibility that every citizen should perform." He noted his commitment to voting early, prioritising it before attending to other matters.

Bollywood stars, including Akshay Kumar, Rajkummar Rao, and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, also stepped out early to exercise their franchise, encouraging their fans to do the same.

The high-stakes campaign culminated on Monday, featuring prominent leaders such as PM Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, all rallying for increased voter participation.

A day before the polling, police registered two cases against BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde, party candidate Rajan Naik and 250 others after allegations of a cash-for-vote scam.

Allegations also surfaced involving Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole and NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule regarding Bitcoin transactions.

Maharashtra has been in a state of political flux since the last assembly elections in 2019, marked by significant splits in key parties, including the Shiv Sena in 2022 and the NCP in 2023.

These developments led to the fall of the MVA government and the rise of the Mahayuti government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The number of candidates this time increased by 28 percent compared to the 2019 state assembly elections. This year, 4,136 candidates contested, up from 3,239 in 2019 elections.

Among these candidates, 2,086 were independents. Rebels were in the fray in over 150 constituencies, with candidates from the Mahayuti and MVA contesting against their party's official nominees.

There were 1,00,186 polling booths in Maharashtra this time, compared to 96,654 booths in the 2019 assembly elections.
Three unidentified persons allegedly opened fire at Shiv Sena candidate Bhausaheb Kamble's car in Maharashtra's Shrirampur in the early hours of Wednesday, the police said.

IMAGE: Shiv Sena candidate Bhausaheb Kamble. Photograph: Courtesy Bhausaheb Kamble on Facebook

The three persons riding two motorcycles targeted Kamble's car near Ashok Sugar Mills on the day of polling.

The bullets, however, didn't hit the car and Kamble, a police official said.

Shrirampur police in Ahilyanagar district registered an FIR against unidentified persons under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita on a complaint lodged by Kamble, the official said.

Nobody has been arrested so far and the investigation is underway, he added.

Kamble is in the poll arena against Congress' Hemant Bhujangrao Ogale.

Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 45.53 percent till 3 pm on Wednesday in the elections to the 288-member state legislative assembly.
In a shocking incident, a woman teacher was fatally stabbed on government school premises in Mallipattinam in the district by a youth, leading to some tense moments in the educational institution, police said on Wednesday.

Image only for representation. Photograph: Niek Verlaan/Pixabay

The youth, who was later detained, repeatedly stabbed the teacher in full view of her colleagues at the school's staff room, they said.

The incident evoked the spontaneous ire of the locals and Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi strongly condemned the attack on the teacher Ramani, of Mallipattanam Government Higher Secondary School, Thanjavur district.

"Violence against teachers cannot be tolerated. Strict legal action will be taken against the attacker. We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family, students and fellow teachers of teacher Ramani," the minister said on the social media platform X, shortly after the incident occurred.

The police claimed personal reason to be the motive behind the murderous attack.

The teacher was rushed to the government hospital in Thanjavur, but was declared brought dead by the doctors.

Describing her death as a "huge loss" for the teaching community, Poyyamozhi told reporters in Chennai that the man responsible for her murder has been arrested.

Chief Minister M K Stalin has asked him to visit Thanjavur and console the bereaved family, the minister said.

"I have asked the district collector to declare a holiday for the school today and take steps to provide counselling to the students," Poyyamozhi said.

Meanwhile, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami condemned the murder and said the incident had exposed that government teachers and doctors lacked safety and security at their workplaces.

'The DMK government has failed to maintain law and order. Murders and other crimes have become very common in Tamil Nadu. At least now the Chief Minister should devote his attention to maintaining law and order in the state,' Palaniswami said in a post on social media platform X.
The first meeting within the Northern Group-Ukraine format, which unites 12 European countries and is designed to promote the development of defense cooperation, was held in Denmark, said Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

"We are expanding our horizons: we are launching cooperation within the Northern Group-Ukraine. A total of 12 countries are uniting to strengthen security and support Ukraine: Nordic states: Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Norway; Baltic countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania; as well as Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and the United Kingdom," he wrote on Telegram.

"Today was the first meeting in this format. I am grateful to my friend, the Minister of Defense of Denmark, for his leadership and hospitality," Umerov wrote and noted that the participants agreed to hold the next meeting in Ukraine.

Umerov reported on a frank, sincere and constructive conversation with his colleagues. "We discussed plans for 2025, Ukraine's urgent needs and how to meet them together as quickly as possible. We focused on common threats, as well as equipping combat brigades with heavy equipment," Umerov specified.

The minister noted that investments in the Ukrainian defense industry have become a separate priority. "More and more countries are joining the financing of Ukrainian production, including within the Danish model: Sweden, Norway, and Lithuania."

"I expressed sincere gratitude to the allies for the assistance they provide. These countries are leaders in supporting Ukraine. They were the first: they provided Western-style main battle tanks, transferred long-range ammunition for strikes behind enemy lines, provided long-range air defense systems, supported Ukraine in financing the defense industry, and transferred F-16 fighters," the minister noted.
The Samajwadi Party on Wednesday accused police personnel of deterring some people from casting votes in Uttar Pradesh where bypolls are underway, while the Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that the faces of some burqa-clad women voters are not matching with their IDs.

IMAGE: A screengrab from a video posted by the Samajwadi Party on social media, alleging voter suppression by the UP police. Photograph: Courtesy @samajwadiparty/X

Both the SP and the BJP called for the Election Commission (EC) to intervene.

SP president Akhilesh Yadav urged the Supreme Court and the EC to take immediate cognisance of alleged voter suppression based on video evidence, take punitive action and ensure fair elections.

The party requested the EC earlier to issue instructions that on polling day, police officers are not allowed to check the ID of voters, only polling officers are permitted to do so.

In a post on X, Yadav said, 'All police officers who are checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs should be immediately suspended on the basis of video evidence. Police have no right to check Aadhaar ID cards or identity cards.'

He shared a video of party candidate Sumbul Rana from Meerapur in Muzaffarnagar district, accusing police personnel of trying to deter people from voting.

"We are going from village to village, people are being harassed and are not being allowed to vote. Police officers are troubling people, telling them that they cannot vote. They are asking for one ID, and then asking for another ID. They are checking all IDs, but still, people are not being allowed to cast their votes," she told reporters.

Rana claimed that such complaints were coming from Nayagaon, Nagla Buzuk, Sambalheda, and other areas in the constituency.

"We are raising complaints but officers are not checking it," she alleged.

Countering the opposition party's claims, BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla said the Samajwadi Party and Akhilesh Yadav are scared of losing in the ongoing bypolls in Uttar Pradesh.

"The Samajwadi Party has lost trust in the voters. That is why they have gathered external disruptive elements in the bypoll areas. According to several media reports, the faces of women wearing burqas are not matching with their identity cards," Shukla said.

"The BJP appeals to the EC and the administration to ensure that voting is not allowed without matching the identity cards and that the EC's instructions are strictly followed," he added.

On social media platform X, SP's media cell also highlighted alleged poll code violations at some locations, including the Kundarki seat in Moradabad. It said that the party's agents were not being allowed near the polling stations.

Moradabad DM Anuj Singh said there were reports from a party alleging 'bogus voting' in Bikanpur and claims that the administration has not allowed their agents.

"We got these claims verified, I myself spoke to the polling officer in Bikanpur and found that voting is underway smoothly and no voter is facing any problem. There is adequate security presence also," Singh added.

In Kanpur, SP candidate Naseem Solanki alleged her party voters were complaining of foul play by the administration, and alleging 'biased behaviour' by the administration.

Voting for bypolls is underway in Katehari, Karhal, Mirapur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan, Sisamau, Khair, Phulpur and Kundarki assembly seats. Polling began at 7 am and will continue till 5 pm. Votes will be counted on November 23.
A 23-year-old Dalit woman was found dead in Mainpuri with her family on Wednesday alleging she was killed as she refused to vote in favour of the Samajwadi Party in the Karhal assembly bypoll.

Image used for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Police in Mainpuri district on Wednesday arrested two persons accused of abducting and killing the woman.

The woman's father lodged a complaint at Karhal police station levelling allegations against Prashant Yadav, a resident of Tapa ki Nagaria, of abducting his daughter.

He alleged that his daughter was abducted around 12 pm on Tuesday and later poisoned to death by Yadav the help of another person named Dr. Mohan Katheria, according to the FIR.

The body of the woman was found in a field near Kanjara village on Wednesday morning, according to the police.

"Both the accused Dr. Mohan Katheria and Prashant Yadav named in FIR have been arrested and further investigation is in progress," superintendent of police Vinod Kumar told PTI.

The issue snowballed into a political controversy with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Samajwadi Party trading barbs.

Raising concern over the incident, the BJP accused the SP of "creating an atmosphere of terror" in its bastion.

"In Karhal, Samajwadi Party leader Prashant Yadav and his associates murdered a Dait girl just because she had refused to vote for the 'cycle' (SP's election symbol). In Mainpuri, the Saifai family and Akhilesh Yadav's goons are again trying to create an atmosphere of terror," the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit posted on X and attached a video of the grieving father.

BJP state president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary also took to social media to slam the SP over the issue.

Meanwhile, SP president Akhilesh Yadav during a press conference in Lucknow alleged that the Election Commission was turning a blind eye and deaf ear to the complaints being raised by his party over BJP's alleged misuse of government machinery to tilt the bypolls in its favour.

"This is a conspiracy to defame the Samajwadi Party by the BJP, which often engages in such activities. This has nothing to do with the SP," SP spokesperson Rajendra Choudhary told PTI.

Separately, the SP also cast aspersions on the police over its role in Karhal during the bypolls.

"In Mainpuri's Karhal assembly constituency, police inspector Lalit Bhati is spreading fear in the name of patrolling with the force, which may affect voting. Election Commission should take cognizance and ensure fair voting," the SP posted on X in Hindi along with video of police patrolling.

In family bastion Karhal, SP's Tej Pratap Singh, a grandson of party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, is fighting the bypoll with a contest from his 'fufa' Anujesh Pratap Singh. The BSP has fielded Avanish Kumar Shakya.

The seat has a total seven candidates, including nominees of Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), Sarvjan Sukhay Party, Sarva Samaj Janata Party and one Independent.

The bypoll was necessitated after Akhilesh Yadav vacated the seat as its MLA upon being elected as the Lok Sabha MP from Kannauj parliamentary constituency earlier this year.
Tensions between the United States and Russia have reached new heights amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, with a series of developments marking a dangerous escalation.

IMAGE: Ukrainian service personnel use searchlights as they search for drones in the sky over Kyiv during a Russian drone strike, on November 20, 2024. Photograph: Gleb Garanich/Reuters

The US Embassy in Kyiv announced its temporary closure on Wednesday following warnings of potential significant Russian airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital.

This comes after Ukrainian forces, for the first time, used US-supplied ATACMS long-range missiles to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Bryansk and Belgorod regions.

These attacks, made possible by a recent policy shift from US President Joe Biden, have drawn sharp condemnation from Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned of a 'new phase' of Western involvement in the war, citing the use of US-made weapons in strikes on Russian soil.

In response to these developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree updating Russia's nuclear doctrine.

The revised policy permits nuclear retaliation for conventional attacks supported by a nuclear power -- a scenario that could now encompass Ukrainian strikes backed by the US.

The Kremlin described the move as a necessary deterrent amid what it views as escalating Western aggression.

Meanwhile, reports have surfaced of North Korean troops assisting Russian forces on the battlefield, alongside the provision of artillery systems to bolster Moscows war effort. US officials believe these developments influenced Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to conduct deeper strikes.

Adding to the unease, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov revealed that the emergency hotline between the US and Russia, established during the Cuban Missile Crisis, is currently inactive.

Instead, communication between the two nations is limited to a protected presidential channel, raising concerns about the potential for miscommunication during this period of heightened tension.

While the Kremlin warned of severe repercussions, Western and Ukrainian leaders dismissed the nuclear posture update as a bluff aimed at deterring further military aid to Kyiv.

Nonetheless, these developments underline the increasingly international dimensions of the 1,000-day war, which shows no signs of de-escalation.

-- with inputs from ANI
Tension prevailed outside a polling booth in Baramati town in Maharashtra's Pune district after Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar candidate Yugendra Pawar's mother alleged intimidation and malpractices by workers of the rival Nationalist Congress Party led by sitting MLA Ajit Pawar.

IMAGE: NCP-SP candidate Yugendra Pawar with his family after voting in Baramati. Photograph: Kind courtesy @YSPawarSpeaks/X

Yugendra Pawar, a grandnephew of NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar is pitted against his uncle and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a high-profile contest in the stronghold of Pawars.

Yugendra's mother, Sharmila Pawar, alleged that one of their party cadres was intimidated by the workers of the rival faction.

"When I received the information, I reached the spot and saw that some voter slips bearing the symbol of their (NCP) party were being circulated and our people were being intimidated and given death threats," she alleged.

She said a complaint will be lodged with the Election Commission in this regard.

Meanwhile, Kiran Gujar, the election-in charge of Ajit Pawar-led party in Baramati, said Sharmila Pawar is not an election official and she had no right to go inside the polling station.

"As far as voter slips bearing our party's symbol are concerned, why does the election officer of the polling station not take objection. It shows that when the system is working fairly, you are trying to defame the system," he said.

He dared the opposition to prove that the slips were distributed by them.

Ajit Pawar, who has represented the Baramati seat since 1991, also refuted the claims, and said his party workers were adhering to the election code of conduct.
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TOWNSHEND  A patient who fled from Grace Cottage Hospital after allegedly assaulting a nurse and damaging property was located by police.

Adam Rauch, 22, of San Diego, Calif., was found at 2:10 p.m. Wednesday on foot on Route 30 in Newfane. He was taken into custody by the Vermont State Police without incident, according to a news release issued shortly after.

"VSP thanks members of the public for tips that were instrumental in locating the suspect swiftly," the news release states.

Rauch was cited with assault on a protected professional and unlawful mischief. Police said the nurse was treated for facial injuries and released.

Grace Cottage Hospital put under lockdown after assault on nurse TOWNSHEND  Grace Cottage Hospital was put under lockdown after a nurse was assaulted and pr

Andrea Seaton, director of community relations at Grace Cottage, said a lockdown at the hospital started at about 9:30 a.m. and ended at about 11 a.m. Wednesday.

At 1 p.m. Thursday, State Police asked for the public's help in locating Rauch. They said he "may be in crisis and is potentially dangerous, and there are concerns for his welfare."

Townshend Elementary School and Leland & Gray Union Middle and High School were in a "lock out situation" due to the incident at the hospital, Superintendent Bob Thibault said. Students could still move around inside the school buildings.

"Please rest assured that students and staff were safe at all times, and classes continued as usual," L&G Principal Dana Aquadro wrote to families. "The lockout was a proactive measure, allowing us to maintain normal school operations while ensuring everyone's safety inside the building. We take these measures seriously to protect our school community."

School staff were "working with local authorities," Aquadro added.
Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with World Bank Managing Director of Operations Anna Bjerde.

"I met with the World Bank Director of Operations. We talked about our financial resilience, our support programs and funds from frozen Russian assets. It is absolutely fair that Russian funds should work to protect against Russian aggression," Zelenskyy said in an evening video address on Wednesday.
During the Russian aggression, Ukraine has gone through many cruel attacks by Russia, it is necessary to always pay attention to the air raid siren, but the information escalation that was today only helps Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"Today there were a lot of nerves and questions about some special danger. Although how many cruel and vile attacks from Russia have we already gone through during this time. We must always pay attention to the air raid siren. We have such a neighbor  a madman," Zelenskyy said in an evening video address on Wednesday.

He said on the 1001st day of a full-scale war, Russia is just as crazy as on the 1000th day, and on February 24.

"The information escalation that took place today, some panic messages that were sent  all of this only helps Russia," Zelenskyy said.

The president called on Ukrainians to take care of themselves, help the army and take care, in particular, "so that no one can use your emotions for their own interests." "And we continue to strengthen the air defense," the head of state said.

Earlier, it was reported that the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv received specific information about a potential significant air attack on November 20. The embassies of Spain, Hungary, Italy and Greece in Ukraine decided not to provide consular services on Wednesday due to the increased risk of air attacks after the corresponding decision was made in the morning at the U.S. Embassy.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, amid information about the closure of a number of foreign embassies on Wednesday, said that it is in constant contact with partners and emphasized that the threat of shelling from Russia has been a daily reality for Ukrainians for more than a thousand days.
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.
Under an inspiring soundtrack, a video shared to the official X account for COP29, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku, shows protesters with the message "COP29 Azerbaijan is a truly inclusive COP where all voices are heard." Comments for the post are turned off. Two days earlier, animal rights activist Kamran Mammadli found that some protests are more welcome than others at COP29.

Mammadli entered the "green zone" of COP29 on November 15, then pulled out a sign from his backpack decrying Azerbaijans notorious practice of killing street dogs. "I managed to keep the protest going for two minutes," Mammadli told RFE/RL. "The security guards didn't know what to do." After orders to act came through the guards' radios, Mammadli was hauled away. "After I was detained, I could hear voices coming from the security guard's walkie-talkie right above my head. They were in a panic," he said. As a known dissident in the authoritarian state, Mammadli said, "one of the voices was scolding the security guards for not following me as soon as I entered the COP29 venue."

The young activist was dragged across the carpeted hall, then he says he was locked inside a toilet cubicle for more than an hour with a security guard as the authorities decided what to do. He was eventually released but human rights observers have called for attention to be paid to what happens to him next. Mammadli's violent treatment is in stark contrast to how groups of foreign protesters are accommodated elsewhere at COP29. Multiple protests, on topics from fossil fuels to the war in Gaza have been permitted inside the "blue zone" of the conference, which is under the jurisdiction of the UN rather than local authorities.

Zhala Bayramova, whose father, civil activist Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan, says the protests at COP29 are being used as a "tool" by Baku. Such protests she says are carefully screened to forbid any direct criticism of Azerbaijans government, while allowing fingers to be pointed at other countries. "Azerbaijan is allowing [the protests] because they don't target them," she told RFE/RL. In some cases, Bayramova says, indigenous people who have genuine grievances are being utilized by Baku. "They are using their pain as a tool, so it's quite saddening."

Other protests surrounding COP29 are alleged to have been organized by the Azerbaijani government itself. U.S. Representative Frank Pallone (Democrat-New Jersey) was jostled by a crowd of protesters and state media journalists on his arrival at Baku's airport. The congressman left the country shortly afterward. Pallone is widely known for his pro-Armenian positions relating to Nagorno-Karabakh and other issues. Pallone has since accused Baku of "organizing violent protests to prevent me, [Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey] and others from participating in #COP29."
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.

I'm RFE/RL's China Global Affairs Correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now.

Minding The Transatlantic Gap

China is looking to capitalize on a transatlantic rift between the United States and Europe that is widening as U.S. President Donald Trump looks to quickly end the war in Ukraine.

But how much of an opening is there actually for Beijing?

Finding Perspective: The threat of tariffs, a war of words at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, U.S.-Russia talks that excluded Europe and Kyiv, and a standoff at the United Nations over how to commemorate the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine have all been recent fissures between Washington and European governments.

That brought new questions about relying on the United States to European capitals and left an opening for Beijing, which has been trying to woo back Europe over the past four years.

On the sidelines in Munich, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral meetings with several top European officials, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Spain's foreign minister seems to be at least more open to the idea of keeping China closer amid tensions with the United States.

Jose Manuel Albares told the Financial Times that the European Union should craft its own China policy and not follow the more confrontational line with Beijing advocated by those in the Trump administration.

"Europe must take its own decisions, on its own. And we have to decide when China can be a partner and when China is a competitor," Albares told the newspaper.

How We Got Here: During Trump's first term in office, Washington pushed European governments to take a harder line on China. That led to the bloc labeling China a "systemic rival" in 2019.

The Chinese government's untransparent handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, trade, human rights, and supply chain concerns, and Beijing's backing of Russia throughout the war in Ukraine all saw that harder line solidify in Europe under former U.S. President Joe Biden's tenure.

Now amid growing transatlantic tensions, some European governments see following Trump's tough stance on China as a way to win over Washington. Others, like the Spanish government, are arguing to preserve vital economic ties with Beijing, especially amid growing uncertainty about the United States.

This has even led to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, one of Brussels's more hawkish voices on China, calling in January for a new effort to improve relations between Brussels and Beijing.

A True Rift? Tensions on each side of the Atlantic are real.

Following his party's victory in elections on February 23, Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting for the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said the Trump administration "does not care much about the fate of Europe" and that the Continent needs to act accordingly.

"My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the U.S.A.," he said.

Talk of a seismic shift in the geopolitical order is also under way in Brussels.

One EU official recently back from discussions with U.S. officials told RFE/RL that the White House's focus is on ending the war in Ukraine and that there is a "take it or leave it" attitude from Washington.

The Trump administration wants to "remove the Ukraine issue from the table and move on to other issues. It is becoming clear that Trump's goal is to rule the world together with Russia and China" and work toward "strategically separating them from each other," said the official, who was granted anonymity in order to discuss sensitive matters.

Why It Matters: Europe may be grappling with a realignment, but that doesn't mean China is its only option to hedge.

As European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visit Washington, von der Leyen is set to arrive in India on February 27.

James Crabtree, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told me that "it's hard to imagine a better time to re-energize Europe's and India's historically lackluster ties" and that a focus of the trip will be technology cooperation.

"A meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council -- only the second since its foundation in 2023 -- offers opportunities to deepen collaboration in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to clean technologies," he said.

China may also be short on opportunities, with most EU members unable to look past its support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine. The bloc's most recent sanctions package passed on February 24 once again included Chinese companies and individuals.

What is likely to emerge is a more fragmented Europe when it comes to China. While some governments look to countries like India, South Korea, and Japan to balance out their foreign policy, others -- such as the current Spanish government and Hungary -- will keep courting Chinese investment and create new openings for Beijing.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. A Reverse Nixon?

China publicly backed the Trump administration's recent talks with the Kremlin, but analysts and former U.S. officials I spoke with mostly said the prospect of a U.S.-Russia reset is also making Beijing "nervous" about having less leverage over its partner.

The Details: "While a complete rapprochement might not be in the cards, they're nervous because if Trump lifts sanctions on Russia, then Moscow's dependency on China decreases," Dennis Wilder, who was a top White House China adviser to former U.S. President George W. Bush, told me.

One of the hallmarks of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's foreign policy has been a burgeoning strategic partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin that's grown closer since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Beijing has propped up the Russian economy through enhanced trade and energy purchases while fueling the Kremlin's war effort with the supply of key goods as both Xi and Putin have found common ground in wanting to challenge the West and unseat the United States.

The fear of all that being derailed by a new type of U.S.-Russia relationship born out of a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine is real for Beijing.

Wilder says he's had conversations with "very senior Chinese officials" since Trump's election in November who have expressed concern about a potential U.S.-Russia reset.

He says they've used the phrase "Only Trump goes to Moscow," a play on the historical reference to former U.S. President Richard Nixon's landmark visit to Beijing in 1972, when he defied precedent and courted China to exploit its split with the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War.

2. But Can It Work?

A grand bargain would be a major diplomatic feat, but it's something Trump administration officials have hinted at in public comments of late.

What You Need To Know: The Trump administration has made clear it sees managing a long-term rivalry with China as its top foreign policy objective and may look to deprioritize regions like Europe and the Middle East in order to raise pressure on Beijing in Asia.

Following the talks in Riyadh, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the possibility for future "geopolitical and economic cooperation" between Washington and Moscow was among the key points discussed.

And in an interview this month with The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington was prepared to reset the relationship with the Kremlin following an agreement over Ukraine as a move to end Russia's isolation and its growing dependence on China since the war began.

"It's not in Putin's interest to be the little brother in a coalition with China," Vance said.

The thinking is that even new cracks between the two powers may loosen Moscow's alignment with Beijing and could have a deterrent effect on China, especially if it decides to use military force to take Taiwan.

Still, both Beijing and Moscow are aware of what the White House is trying to do, and Beijing has made a point to show it and Moscow are still a tandem, including a recent phone call between Putin and Xi on the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

Steve Tsang, director of SOAS University London's China Institute, told me he believes Washington's efforts to reset its Russia ties are also not all bad news for Beijing.

"Xi does not want Putin to fail in the war, and so Trump delivering a peace that mostly meets Russian conditions is a positive," he said. "Who knows who will be the next U.S. president and if there will be a reversal of U.S. posture post-Trump."

3. Taiwan Watches A New U.S. Line On Ukraine

Ukrainians living in Taiwan and local supporters protested outside the de-facto Russian Embassy in Taipei on the eve of the third anniversary of Moscow's invasion.

What It Means: The self-governing island has been a vocal supporter of Kyiv, which the Taiwanese government sees as a foil for its own tenuous geopolitical position where China has long threatened to invade and annex Taiwan if it refused to peacefully accept unification.

Those parallels have grown since Trump's election. The United States is Taiwan's largest military backer and its support is considered vital for its survival, but Trump's global shakeup, including launching negotiations with Russia without Ukraine and threatening to cut off future aid to Kyiv, has brought anxiety to Taiwan about a similar withdrawal of American assistance.

When I was in Taiwan in December, I spoke with several senior officials who said they were closely watching what happened to Kyiv on the battlefield and with the new U.S. administration.

So far, the White House has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan, but Washington has also threatened tariffs on the island's semiconductor industry, which is responsible for around 60 percent of world production for microchips and 90 percent of the most-advanced ones needed for the global AI boom.

Across The Supercontinent

Choking Off Iranian Oil: Earlier this month, the United States brought in a new tranche of sanctions on Iranian oil, my colleague Kian Sharifi and I reported . The move is seen as an opening shot against Tehran and Beijing -- Iran's top oil customer.

New Bridge Deal: The Transport Ministry of Tajikistan and the Tajik branch of the Chinese company Zhejiang Communications Construction Group (ZCCC) signed a cooperation agreement for the construction of what will be the longest road bridge in Central Asia.

New Tools For Tashkent: Uzbekistan showcased on February 25 newly purchased Chinese-made air-defense systems, including the FM-90 short-range surface-to-air missile system and the KS-1C medium-to-long-range air-defense system.

One Thing To Watch

A Chinese-crewed cargo ship is detained in Taiwan's southern port of Tainan after a key Taiwan-Penghu Internet cable was mysteriously severed.

Taiwanese prosecutors are investigating whether this was an accident or part of a broader pattern of disruptions to vital communication lines, but the country's Coast Guard released footage of them apprehending the vessel.

The move comes amid growing tensions from a rise of so-called gray zone tactics, the term often used by Taiwanese officials to refer to the hybrid tactics used to intimidate the island but which remain below the threshold for war.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish
Thousands of NATO troops are training with artillery in Finland just 100 kilometers from the Russian border. Soldiers from more than 20 countries are deployed in one of the largest drills in the organization's recent history. RFE/RL's Olena Abramovych reports from Rovajarvi as Finland hosts its first such exercise since joining NATO in 2023.
Suspension of US Embassy in Kyiv does not require evacuation of its employees  State Department

The employees of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv have not left Ukraine, this is not required, despite the temporary suspension of the diplomatic mission, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a briefing on Wednesday.

Miller said that no one has left Ukraine due to the temporary suspension of the embassy's work.

According to the State Department spokesman, the temporary closure of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv is due to the possible threat of a significant strike against Kyiv.

Milled said the embassy is expected to resume normal operations tomorrow.
Ministers of Defense of Ukraine and Estonia Rustem Umerov and Hanno Pevkur signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the defense ministries.

"This document is an important step in the implementation of the Agreement on Cooperation in Security and Long-Term Support, which was signed in June by Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy," the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said in its Telegram channel.

As noted, the memorandum expands the possibilities of using Estonian military aid to Ukraine in 2024-2027. Support in the amount of 0.25% of Estonia's GDP will be directed to: material assistance for the Ukrainian military; financing the IT coalition chaired by Estonia; training of Ukrainian military personnel.

"This is not only assistance to Ukraine, but also an exchange of experience. Ukraine will share combat knowledge that will strengthen the defense capability of Estonia and our partners," the ministry said.
Michael Bolton

Charli XCX has announced a gig at Malahide Castle in Co Dublin.

The Brat star will return to Ireland next year on June 17th, with The Japanese House set to support her.

She'll also play Belfast's Belsonic on June 18th.

Tickets for the Dublin gig go on sale this Friday at 12pm, and start at 59.90.

She released her sixth studio album BRAT in June which stands as the most critically acclaimed album of the year and landed at Number 1 on the UK Official Album Chart in October.

The album was nominated for the Mercury Prize 2024 while Guess featuring Billie Eilish debuted at Number 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart, making Charli the first British artist to land at the top of the charts this year.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

A new national therapy service in schools is a red-line issue for Fianna Fail in any future programme for government.

Party leader Micheal Martin said significant investment and reform is needed in disability services.

Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein both held press conferences on their policy platforms relating to disability on Wednesday.

Sinn Fein said there had been a decades-long failure of successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fail governments to provide for disabled people.

Mr Martin said he wanted to address gaps in childrens disability network teams (CDNT) and roll out a new national therapy service in education, which would see a multidisciplinary response including therapists directly providing therapy in schools.

The Tanaiste said that too many families were waiting too long for assessments of need, which are a HSE process to identify a childs needs and must be completed within six months.

He said Fianna Fail would ramp up the numbers of therapy clinicians and assistants, as well as occupational and speech and language therapists.

He admitted that these measures, along with an increase in regional assessment hubs, would take time  adding that his party would ensure increased procurement of private assessments in the interim.

Mr Martin was speaking alongside Senator Catherine Ardagh, who is the mother of a son with autism.

Ms Ardagh, running in Dublin South Central, said she had first-hand experience of the daily struggles faced by families who require support for a child with autism.

She said her son had so much potential but was held back by the system, adding that she this week received rejection letters from schools: It is frustrating, heartbreaking, and absolutely exhausting  a reality that no family should face.

We need real change. Thats why I am calling for a right nationwide roll out of a one-stop shop for school application.

Fianna Fail has held the health and education portfolios for the last four-and-a-half years, along with the Minister of State role for disability.

Asked if she was frustrated by a lack of progress, Ms Ardagh said 1,700 special classes had been introduced since 2020 but added there was a need for further ambition: Weve come from the ground, and we need to reach the treetops.

Mr Martin added that there needed to be obligations around inclusion at every school in the country.

Minister of State for disability Anne Rabbitte, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Senator Catherine Ardagh (Cillian Sherlock/PA)

Pressed on what would be different about a future Fianna Fail term, the Tanaiste said blamed HSE delivery and recruitment of therapists.

The recruitment and retention plans are not working. There seems to be a morale issue, a human resources issue, an overload issue within the CDNT teams.

He said there was a fundamental issue of the system not delivering on services: Its unfinished business as far as I am concerned.

Mr Martin also said there was resistance from Green Party leader and Minister for Children Roderic OGorman to Fianna Fails school-based approach, who instead preferred a programme within the HSE.

Fianna Fails plan includes the development of a disabled persons organisation, the expansion of summer provision, the increase of the disability support grant to 1,000, doubling the housing adaptation grant, adding 20,000 personal assistance hours, and public sector pay parity for section 39 staff.

Daithi Doolan, Pauline Tully, Louise OReilly, and Shane OBrien discuss Sinn Feins disability policies during a press conference at the Teachers Club in Dublin (Cillian Sherlock/PA)

Elsewhere, Sinn Fein said it would fully staff CDNT teams amid reports of 800 vacancies.

Sinn Fein disability spokeswoman Pauline Tully said her party would increase annual current funding for disability supports by 829 million and provide 659 million of additional capital beyond what has been pre-committed for existing levels of service.

She said Sinn Fein would ensure disabled children have their needs assessed, have school places, and summer provision of support.

Ms Tully said her party in government would make sure young disabled people are supported to pursue their goals in education and employment.

She added that adults with disabilities will be supported to live independent lives.

Elsewhere, the party has committed to providing 3,000 additional residential places for people with disabilities, expanding day service places by 4,000 and adding 345,000 personal assistance hours annually.

Louise OReilly (Niall Carson/PA)

At the start of the election campaign, Sinn Fein briefly parked a small truck with a billboard over double yellow lines and a footpath for a press conference on Dublins Merrion Street.

Asked if her party had to do more internally to promote inclusion and accessibility, Sinn Fein employment spokeswoman Louise OReilly said: Weve done a huge amount of thinking about disabled people and, indeed, sometimes we are constrained by logistics  that happens.

She added: Sometimes in the teeth of an election campaign, you dont always get to the venue that you want.

Ms OReilly said the party makes every effort on accessibility, adding that Sinn Fein was putting for a holistic approach around employment strategies and universal access to public transport in the country.

She said that, for her own part, her constituency offices are fully accessible.
A County Roscommon business won the accolade Biodiversity Initiative of the Year at the 2024 All-Ireland Sustainability Awards held in Belfast.

Swarms.ie, based outside of Strokestown, is run by Stephen Gallagher and his wife Abigail Shannon. It is a collaboration of 1,100 beekeepers across the country who respond to honeybee swarms and related events.

Founded by Stephen and Abigail in 2018, the business is essentially a a 999 for bees. In six years they have assisted in over 10,000 cases, saving between 100-200 million bees in the process.

The idea for the business came to Stephen when he was first getting into beekeeping. He was running a local beekeeping page in Kildare and found that people messaging the page all had the same issue. Id get messages saying I was the fifth or sixth person they contacted over a swarm they had sitting on their patio, so it occurred to me no one had a point of contact. It was too complicated, there were too many places to look for help, and the names of the places were really obscure. The swarms.ie founder was in the early stages of his own beekeeping journey. I was learning about bees. I was taking my time because its expensive to start, he explained. He used his experience from a previous job to fill the gap he identified in the Irish beekeeping landscape.

The former call centre worker initially got into beekeeping when his wife could not locate Irish beeswax for her skincare products that she sells on honeymaiden.ie. His initial foray into beekeeping was completely accidental. I couldnt find a single beekeeper website online to just order beeswax.

I put up a post on a Facebook group and someone agreed to meet me and it turned out to be a beginners course for bees. It was easier to become a beekeeper and spend two years building up and learning than buying the stuff, he said.

He combined his newfound beekeeping skills with his previous experience as a call centre worker when setting up swarms.ie. I advertised to beekeepers first, to a couple of groups on Facebook especially. Once we had two people in every county we launched and it grew from there. The public picked up on it really fast.

The posts did very well because people have been conditioned to think about bees in a bad way. Once we had the beekeepers it was easy to push the idea, said Stephen.

In doing so, he created a system that benefitted both the individual affected by a swarm, who got a free removal service, which could cost up to 2,000 if left unchecked, while also allowing the beekeeper to add up to 200 worth of bees to their hives for sometimes as little as ten minutes of work.

He explained how valuable bees can be to a beekeeper, especially when retrieved early in the summer. The swarm that would appear in around May is called a prime swarm. Theres an old saying, a swarm in May is worth a pile of hay, but basically it will grow very quickly and produce honey that year. The same colony will swarm again and again and keep getting smaller, so youre basically feeding them until next year and then you have an animal that can create a crop, but that first one is valuable. The service also prevents millions of bees dying each year, protecting them from pests and diseases if left unmonitored.

Given that the service is free, Stephen and Abigail do not profit from the business, as the only money they make is from donations. It is mainly Abigails skin cream website that allows the couple to run the business. The skin cream is what got us into it in the first place and is probably what will sustain us long term. Stephen also makes bee-vacs with a 3D printer, the only ones available to purchase in Ireland.

The recent erratic weather patterns have affected swarms.ie callouts. During last years really good weather they were getting over 150 e-mails a day, but due to the heavy rain, flowers have not been able to produce enough nectar for the bees, and in Stephens opinion an unbelievable number of bees died because of the rain.

This year there has been a huge drop in swarms, to the point where were back to between 30 and 50 cases a day, he said.

Stephen and Abigail have finished this year on a really successful note. At the recent All-Ireland Sustainability Awards ceremony in Belfast they beat companies like Aldi, An Post and Bord na Mona to be awarded Biodiversity Initiative of the Year.
CBSE Board Exams 2025 Date Sheet to Be Released Soon

For regular schools, practical examinations, internal assessments, and project work will commence from January 1, 2025.

CBSE Board Exams 2025 Date Sheet Latest News: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is set to release the date sheets for the Class 10 and 12 board examinations on its official website, [cbse.gov.in](https://cbse.gov.in). The exams are scheduled to begin on February 15, 2025, and the date sheets will provide detailed subject-wise schedules for both classes.

Practical Exams and Assessments Begin January 1

For regular schools, practical examinations, internal assessments, and project work will commence from January 1, 2025. Meanwhile, for winter-bound schools, these activities are already underway and will conclude on December 5, 2024.

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Attendance Requirement for Exam Eligibility

Students must maintain a minimum attendance of 75% to be eligible to appear for the board exams. This year, around 44 lakh students from over 8,000 schools across India and abroad are expected to participate in the CBSE Class 10 and 12 board examinations. (CBSE Board Exams 2025 Date Sheet Latest News)

Steps to Download the CBSE Board Exam Date Sheet 2025

Once the timetable is released, students can follow these steps to download it:

1. Visit the CBSE official website: [cbse.gov.in](https://cbse.gov.in).

2. Go to the homepage.

3. Click on the link for the Class 10 or 12 date sheet PDF.

4. Download the file and review the exam dates.

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CBSE Addresses Rumours on Examination Changes

In a recent statement, CBSE clarified that there are no changes to the current examination system for Classes 10 and 12. Specifically, the board dismissed rumours about a 15% syllabus reduction and the introduction of open-book exams in select subjects.

The official statement, issued by CBSE Regional Officer Vikas Kumar Agrawal, urged students, parents, and the public to trust only official updates shared via the CBSE website. Agrawal emphasized that no such announcements had been made and warned against relying on unverified claims circulating online. (CBSE Board Exams 2025 Date Sheet Latest News)

Clarification on Misleading Reports

The board's clarification comes in response to media reports suggesting significant examination reforms were announced at a recent educational summit in Indore. These reports falsely claimed that changes were being introduced to reduce student stress and align with the holistic principles outlined in the New Education Policy (NEP).

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CBSE has reaffirmed its commitment to providing timely, accurate updates through its official platforms, ensuring students and parents remain informed about any developments.

Students are advised to regularly check [cbse.gov.in](https://cbse.gov.in) for the latest information regarding the board examinations.

(For more news apart from CBSE Board Exams 2025 Date Sheet Latest News, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Balwant Singh Rajoana Attends Brothers Antim Ardas

The antim ardas was attended by notable personalities.

Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the assassination case of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, was granted parole on Wednesday to attend the antim ardas of his brother, Kulwant Singh, at their native village, Rajoana Kalan, in Ludhiana. Escorted under tight security from Patiala Jail, Rajoana participated in the prayer ceremony held at Manji Sahib Gurdwara.

This marked only the second instance of Rajoana stepping out of prison in nearly three decades. Previously, he was permitted parole in January 2022 to attend the last rites of his father. The Punjab and Haryana High Court approved a three-hour parole for this occasion, allowing him to attend the ceremony from 11 am to 2 pm.

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The antim ardas was attended by notable personalities, including Giani Raghbir Singh, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib; Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC); and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia.

Addressing the gathering, Rajoana reflected on his familys sacrifices and the collective struggles of the Sikh community. He spoke emotionally about the pain endured by his siblings and the Sikh Panth. His two brothers, Gurmeet Singh and Shamsher Singh, both engineers, have also spent 30 years in prison for their involvement in various cases.

Rajoana described his village as sanctified by the footsteps of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and recounted how he embraced what he termed a "life mission." He credited his family and the Sikh community for their unwavering support during his decades-long incarceration.

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He paid special homage to his sister, Kamaldeep Kaur, whom he described as a pillar of strength. Rajoana also reminisced about his journey with Dilawar Singh, who carried out the 1995 suicide bombing that killed Beant Singh. He highlighted their shared resolve and commitment to alleviating the suffering of the Sikh community.

Rajoana has been in prison since 1995 and was sentenced to death in 2007. Despite repeated appeals from Sikh organisations and leaders, his clemency plea has been pending for over 12 years. Recently, the Supreme Court referred his mercy petition to the President of India, directing a decision to be made within two weeks. The court emphasized that clemency decisions lie solely within the executives jurisdiction, limiting judicial intervention.

Rajoanas legal team has argued for his death sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment, citing the prolonged delay in execution as a form of mental torture. The outcome of his clemency plea remains awaited.
Canada Tightens Security for India-Bound Passengers Amid Diplomatic Strain

Transport Canada has implemented temporary additional security screening measures"

Amid rising tensions between India and Canada, passengers traveling from Canada to India are now subject to enhanced security screenings. Canada's Transport Minister, Anita Anand, announced the new measures on Monday, citing an abundance of caution as the reason behind the heightened protocols.

Transport Canada has implemented temporary additional security screening measures, Anand stated, according to CBC reports. She also acknowledged the potential for travel delays and urged passengers to prepare accordingly while the measures remain in place.

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Oversight by CATSA

The enhanced screening procedures will be conducted under the supervision of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), responsible for overseeing passenger and baggage screenings at Canadian airports.

Advisory Issued by Air Canada

Air Canada, the primary airline connecting Canada and India, has issued an advisory to passengers, warning of longer wait times due to the heightened security checks. The airline has recommended that travelers heading to India arrive at the airport at least four hours prior to departure to avoid disruptions.

Due to heightened security mandates by Transport Canada for all passengers traveling to India, security wait times are expected to be longer than usual. We appreciate your patience and understanding, Air Canada said in a notification, as reported by the 'Hindustan Times'.

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Context of the Diplomatic Strain

The move comes amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations, triggered by allegations and counter-allegations. In October, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accused individuals allegedly linked to the Indian government of involvement in organized criminal activities in Canada, including extortion and harassment.

India has dismissed these accusations as baseless. The situation escalated further when both nations expelled each other's top diplomats. Additionally, India withdrew its High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, following accusations from Ottawa that linked India to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen designated as a terrorist by the Indian government.

These developments have significantly strained India-Canada relations, leading to the imposition of stricter travel protocols as a precautionary measure.
Life between work shifts for foreign workers in Romania

Romania is attracting more and more foreign workers, including Asia.

Souce: pixabay@Vertax

Iulia Hau, 20.11.2024, 14:00

According to the latest survey conducted by the Centre for the Comparative Migration Studies, a little over 200 thousand foreign citizens were living in Romania at the end of October 2023, 87% of whom were holders of temporary residence permits. With a rejection rate of humanitarian protection applications of over 83%, the latter makes up for the least numerous group among foreign citizens living in Romania.

Due to the many opportunities it provides in terms of employment, education and leisure, the capital city Bucharest accounts for 26% of the total number of foreign citizens in Romania, followed by Ilfov county with 10%, Timis county, in the west, with 7%, Cluj county, in the northwest, with 6%, and Constanta county, in the southeast, with 6%. The survey also shows that Nepali citizenship is the most numerous (accounting for 9%), followed by Turkish (with 8%), and Italian, Sri Lankan and Moldovan (with 7% each). While Italian, Turkish and Moldovan labour migration is the result of historical links and cultural and economic similarities, South Asian migration is the result of labour agreements and is yet insufficiently studied and understood.

A survey entitled Bridging Communities: An exploratory study on labour migration in Romania has analysed in detail the rights of Asian workers, their working and living conditions and to what extent these are respected. According to the Romanian Labour Code, immigrant workers should enjoy the same rights, working conditions, rest periods, social benefits, wages and protection against discrimination as Romanian citizens.

However, researchers found that workplace exploitation is the most frequently cited issue, and which has a major impact on the decision to re-migrate to other countries. Among the jobs most vulnerable to potential exploitation and rights violations are those of food delivery courier and kitchen worker. The risk of exploitation is even greater for those without valid work permits, for example the people waiting for the necessary documents to be issued.

Anatolie Cosciug, the coordinator of the study, believes that the state institutions should verify and ensure compliance with the legislation, including the rules related to the necessary qualifications and skills:

According to the General Inspectorate for Immigration, workers must prove a number of things; either some qualification in their field or a practical test. There are a few things that clearly dont work. One of them is mastery of the language; they must know Romanian or an international language and this is not the case. They just give a statement that they know, but we should have a practical test. Very often we see people come in and they dont know or have no qualifications in that specific area. Which is unthinkable for countries like Germany, where this aspect is state-owned and over-controlled. Youre not allowed to bring in a worker who has to weld and doesnt know how to weld. And there are a few other things, for example healthcare. The responsibility lies with the companies that bring the workers in, but they must be supervised, that is, they must be clearly controlled by public authorities in various forms.

One aspect we know even less about when it comes to foreign workers is how they spend their free time, what music they listen to, where they hang out, and what small businesses owned by other members of their community facilitate their meeting together. In October, for example, a well-known performance venue in Bucharest known as Arenele Romane, the Roman Arenas, hosted a concert by the most popular band in Sri Lanka. It was a huge success, with people coming from all corners of Romania, from cities as far away as Arad, in the west of the country.

Similarly, a recently opened restaurant in the Pantelimon area of Bucharest has become a meeting and hangout place for the Sri Lankans living in the Romanian capital. The restaurant is owned by a young couple who arrived in Romania on work visas, aware of their communitys need for a place that represents their culture. In addition to traditional food, the restaurant hosts electronic music events, inviting DJs from the local Sri Lankan community and musicians from around Europe.

We often forget that recent arrivals bring with them more than labour. They bring music, cuisine, local businesses, a different lifestyle and way of being that slowly make their way and strengthen the community and ultimately enrich the host culture.
1,000 days of war in Ukraine

After 1,000 days of war and facing a difficult winter and great uncertainty, Ukraine says it will never give in to Russia

Credits: LukasJohnns / pixabay.com

Daniela Budu, 20.11.2024, 13:50

Representatives of several states, politicians and diplomats conveyed messages of support on the anniversary of 1,000 days since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. In this context, leaders of European institutions spoke about the bravery and courage of Kyiv. The European Parliament promises the Union will stand by Ukraine for as long as it is necessary to achieve fair peace. The European Parliament held a plenary session where president Volodymyr Zelenskyy also took part via videoconference. The Ukrainian president said that, in the absence of European aid, Ukraine would have fallen under Russian occupation. Zelenskyy thanked the community bloc for its help, which made resistance to Moscow possible, and called on the world to respond strongly to Vladimir Putins new threats after the Russian president approved changes to the countrys military doctrine, which now calls for a nuclear response in the event of an attack with conventional weapons if backed by a nuclear power. By changing the nuclear doctrine, president Zelenskyy argues, the Russian president shows that he does not want peace, but that he wants to destroy Ukraine and the whole world.

In turn, the Armed Forces of Ukraine published a message addressing the Ukrainian people, reminding them that, for exactly 1,000 days, the national army has protected European homes, cities, families, friends and the future of our children from the large-scale aggression of the Russian Federation.

Also to mark 1,000 days of war, a meeting of the European Ministers of Defense was held in Brussels, attended by the NATO Secretary-General, Mark Rutte. Officials discussed military aid to Ukraine, following the announcement made by the USA, which allowed Kyiv to use US-donated weaponry to attack military targets inside Russia. Since the start of the war, European states have donated Ukraine over 130 billion EUR, of which 45 billion represented military aid. So far, 67,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained in the European Union.

On the other hand, to express support for Kyiv, a thousand days after the start of the war, the buildings of the main European institutions  the Commission, the Council and the Parliament  were illuminated on Monday evening in yellow and blue, the national colors of Ukraine. In Bucharest too, the Parliament building was lit yellow and blue, and the flag of the neighboring state was hoisted at the main entrance.

Ukraine remains undefeated, after 1,000 days of devastating war, the Ambassador of the United States in Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, told Radio Romania in a message. The US ambassador added that, according to the UN, Russias aggression in Ukraine has so far killed 11,000 civilians, including over 600 children. Moscow continues to commit shocking war crimes, including torturing civilians and prisoners of war, while Russian bombs have destroyed schools, hospitals and monuments of Ukrainian history, culture and identity, Ambassador Kavalec said. In her message, the official thanked Bucharest for supporting Kyiv and reminded that the stakes of the war far exceed the borders of Ukraine, one such example being the incidents on the territory of Romania. (VP)
November 20, 2024

A roundup of local and world news.

Newsflash

Newsroom, 20.11.2024, 13:59

BONDS  Foreign investors are showing great interest in the Romgaz bond issue, according to the companys CEO Razvan Popescu. He says the money raised from the listing on the Bucharest Stock Exchange will be used for the companys investment program, especially the strategic Neptun Deep project in the Black Sea. Romgaz, the largest producer and main supplier of natural gas in Romania, listed its first international corporate bond issue on the Bucharest Stock Exchange on Tuesday, worth 500 million euros. The bonds are also listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

INVESTIGATION  Prosecutors with the Cluj-Napoca office of the European Public Prosecutors Office are investigating a possible fraud involving European funds, with an estimated damage of 2 million euros. The case involves three projects to modernize a vegetable farm in Maramures (north). The prosecutors suspicions concern the use of false, incorrect or incomplete documents in order to obtain EU funds for the purchase of a tomato sorting and packaging facility and for the installation of photovoltaic panels. According to the investigation, the suspects allegedly forged documents and signatures in order to mislead the authorities. On Tuesday, searches were carried out at the home of a person and at the headquarters of companies targeted by this case.

CYBERSECURITY  A new edition of the CyberCon Romania 2024 international conference, organised by the Romanian Association for Information Security Assurance jointly with the US Embassy in Romania, is sunder way in Bucharest. . The conference, a landmark event in the field of cybersecurity, is held at the European Commission Representation in Romania and brings together experts from the public, private and academic sectors. According to the organizers, among the topics addressed are: current challenges and trends in the field, maintaining resilience for a secure digital infrastructure, improving cooperation between the defense and civilian sectors, the evolution of cyber threats and innovative solutions to combat them, as well as recommended practices to unite cybersecurity and cybercrime prevention.

PROTESTS  The Romanian Trade Unions Federation in Energy staged a protest in front of the Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity offices in Bucharest on Wednesday, on the topic of the new Pension Law, which entered into force on September 1. According to the trade unionists, the law endangers workers in the integrated nuclear field, because it increases the contribution period in their case and sets a minimum age threshold of 45 years for their retirement. Unionists want the contribution period and the retirement conditions for Level I and II of radiation exposure be maintained as stipulated by the previous Pension Law.

DRONE  A new Russian drone has been found in the north of Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of Moldova, neighboring Ukraine invaded by Russian troops. According to the National Police, which reported the case, this is the fourth flying object observed on the territory of the Republic of Moldova in recent days. The drone was found on a plot of land located between a shopping centre and a stadium, by a citizen who alerted the authorities. On Sunday, the Moldovan authorities announced that two Russian missiles had entered the airspace of the Republic of Moldova. This is the first time that a Russian drone has been reported in the airspace of the capital of the Republic of Moldova.

UKRAINE  A thousand days after the start of the Russian invasion, the European Parliament promises Ukraine that the EU will stand by it for as long as necessary. The leader in Kyiv, Volodymyr Zelensky, said that without European support, Ukraine would have been occupied by Russia. The EP held a plenary session in Brussels on Monday, and the European Defense Ministers held a meeting, to which NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was also invited.
The Netherlands has handed over the last two F-16 fighters to a training center in Romania where Ukrainian pilots and personnel are undergoing training, Sky News said.

"The Netherlands has handed the final two of 18 promised F-16 fighter jets to a training facility in Romania, where Ukrainian pilots and ground staff are being taught to fly," Sky News said on its website on Wednesday.

It is indicated that the Netherlands was one of the driving forces behind the international coalition to deliver F-16 fighters to Ukraine to bolster its air defenses against a Russian invasion.

Earlier this fall, the Netherlands decommissioned its last F-16 fighters. In late July, Ukraine received its first F-16 fighters from the Netherlands.
Throughout my life, Ive sat in classrooms, trying to decipher teachers scribbles on the chalkboard or receiving whispered answers from classmates during math lessons. For many of us, these moments seem typical, maybe even boring. We complain about homework or

count the hours until the weekend. But its easy to take these privileges for granted.



What many fail to realize is how fortunate we are to have access to education. For millions of children worldwide, the simple act of going to school is a distant dream. Around 64 million primary school-aged children lack access to education, and 759 million adults are illiterate, unable to improve their lives or those of their children.



The fact that millions of children are deprived of education starkly contrasts with the rights guaranteed to all the children by international law. According to Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, governments are required to provide free, compulsory education for all children, regardless of their circumstances. Despite these principles, millions remain excluded from education due to poverty, gender inequality, conflict, and financial challenges. In regions like Somalia and Burkina Faso, some children attend school for fewer than two years.



The gender gap makes the exclusion in education even more urgent. In many cultures, girls are denied their right to learn due to deeply ingrained beliefs that favor boys. In countries like Afghanistan, more than 1.4 million girls have been banned from school since the return of the Taliban.



Conflict and violence only worsen the crisis. In Yemen, for example, ongoing violence destroys schools, displaces families, and traumatizes children. Teachers salaries are often cut, and children face severe challenges caused by the conflict.

Around the world, more than 220 million children are affected by crises, from missile strikes in Gaza to displacement in Ukraine, and lack access to education.



Despite these overwhelming challenges, organizations like UNICEF are working vigorously in order to protect and improve the childrens access to education, with local, national, and global partners, providing temporary classrooms for refugees, distributing learning materials, and training teachers. Education is a right that every child should cherish and have access to. It opens doors to the future and empowers us to combat injustice.
The People's Bank of China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged on Wednesday as it monitor the impact of recent policy adjustments.



The PBoC maintained its one-year loan prime rate at 3.10 percent. Likewise, the five-year LPR, the benchmark for mortgage rates, was retained at 3.60 percent.

The bank had cut its both LPRs by 25 basis points each in October.

The PBoC fixes the LPR monthly based on the submission of 18 designated banks. However, Beijing has influence over the fixing. The LPR replaced the traditional benchmark lending rate in August 2019.

Earlier in a note, economists at Capital Economics said the PBoC rarely does back-to-back rate cuts and is likely to monitor the impact of its recent policy changes before making any further adjustments. Moreover, policymakers will attempt to reduce additional downward pressure on the renminbi.

"Although a weak currency doesn't preclude PBOC rate cuts, it does make them less likely, especially now that the has regained some momentum, reducing the urgency behind monetary easing," economists said.



Last month, PBoC Governor Pan Gongsheng said the central bank could further lower key rates and reserve requirement ratio before the year-end.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Finance approved a CNY 10 trillion fiscal package to bolster economic growth. The package was intended to refinance debt of local governments.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The European Union has pledged to provide Ukraine EUR 50 billion ($52.73 billion) until 2027, and $50 billion until 2026 combined with G7 countries.

This promise was made by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a video message marking 1000 days of Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"We promise to keep standing by your side, for as long as it takes. You can rest assured that European and Western support will continue to flow," von der Leyen said.

This is in addition to the European Union using the proceeds of immobilized Russian assets to boost military production inside Ukraine, and to repair its energy infrastructure ahead of the winter.

The European Commission chief also announced an additional EUR65 million ($68.54 million) in support for the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska to buy school meals for Ukrainian children.

She insisted that the day of Ukraine joining the European Union is "not so far away", and that the country's progress towards joining the bloc is "impressive".

Separately, on the 1,000th day of Russia's attack, the UK expanded military support for Ukraine with funding to provide new drone capabilities.

Tuesday, the U.K. Government announced 7.5 million ($7.90 million) funding for new attack and surveillance drones, which will be invested through the drone coalition led by the UK and Latvia and drawn from the 3bn annual funding pool. The drone coalition will receive an additional 16m from countries including Germany (10m), Canada (3m), and Luxembourg (3m) who have pledged to purchase drones through the coalition.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The US embassy in Ukrainian capital Kyiv has been closed over a potential threat of air attack Wednesday.

"The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20. Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place," the Embassy said in a Security Alert issued on Wednesday.

The U.S. diplomatic mission in the Ukrainian capital recommended U.S. citizens to be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.

They have also been advised to identify shelter locations in advance of any air alert, and follow the directions of Ukrainian officials and first responders in the event of an emergency.

Air raid sirens were sounded multiple times in Kyiv since midnight, reports say.

Ukraine's military intelligence agency has said a Russian command post was attacked in the town of Gubkin, in the Belgorod region.

Russian forces have stepped up attacks targeting Kyiv since September, forcing residents to seek shelter.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday approved the supply of anti-personnel land mines in Ukraine.

However, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concern that his country "will lose" the war against Russia if Washington stops its military aid, an apparent reference to the incoming Trump administration's expected change in policy on arming Kyiv.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Sybiha at meeting with Grossi: Increased presence of IAEA missions at our nuclear facilities is necessary response to Russias nuclear threats

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha visited the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, where he held detailed talks with Rafael Mariano Grossi on the eve of the Board of Governors meeting.

"I stressed that the increased presence of IAEA missions at our nuclear facilities is a necessary response to Russias systematic threats to nuclear safety and security. I highlighted Russias recent reckless strikes on our nuclear energy system and urged a decisive international response," he said on the X social network.

The minister said the deployment of the IAEA mission underscores the global recognition of these threats.

"We must counter Russia's nuclear blackmail and ensure the entire region's safety," Sybiha said.
Nectar foraging by Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensis) may contribute to the pollination of the Ethiopian red hot poker flower (Kniphofia foliosa), according to a new paper published in the journal Ecology.

The Ethiopian wolf  also known as the red jackal, the Ethiopian jackal, the Abyssinian wolf, the horse jackal, the Simien jackal or Simien fox  is the rarest wild canid species in the world.

The species is listed as Endangered by the IUCN, on account of its small numbers and fragmented range.

Found only in the Ethiopian highlands, fewer than 500 individuals survive, in 99 packs restricted to 6 Afroalpine enclaves.

The primary prey of this large carnivore are African mole-rats, though it also feeds on other rat species and hares, occasionally goslings and eggs.

Dr. Sandra Lai, a researcher at the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme and the University of Oxford, and her colleagues observed Ethiopian wolves foraging for the nectar of Kniphofia foliosa.

Kniphofia foliosa is a perennial herb endemic to Ethiopia found in the Bale Mountains and other high altitude grasslands, which also host the endemic Ethiopian wolf, a top predator restricted to the Afroalpine ecosystem, the authors said.

Flowers from the Kniphofia genus produce large amounts of nectar, which attracts a variety of bird and insect pollinators.

According to the team, some Ethiopian wolf individuals would visit as many as 30 blooms in a single trip, with multiple wolves from different packs exploiting this resource.

There is also some evidence of social learning, with juveniles being brought to the flower fields along with adults.

In doing so, the wolves muzzles become covered in pollen, which they could potentially transfer from flower to flower as they feed.

This novel behavior is perhaps the first known plant-pollinator interaction involving a large predator, as well as the only large meat-eating predator ever to be observed feeding on nectar.

I first became aware of the nectar of the Ethiopian red hot poker when I saw children of shepherds in the Bale Mountains licking the flowers, said University of Oxfords Professor Claudio Sillero, founder and director of the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme.

In no time, I had a taste of it myself  the nectar was pleasantly sweet.

When I later saw the wolves doing the same, I knew they were enjoying themselves, tapping into this unusual source of energy.

I am chuffed that we have now reported this behavior as being commonplace among Ethiopian wolves and explored its ecological significance.

These findings highlight just how much we still have to learn about one of the worlds most-threatened carnivores, Dr. Lai said.

It also demonstrates the complexity of interactions between different species living on the beautiful Roof of Africa.

This extremely unique and biodiverse ecosystem remains under threat from habitat loss and fragmentation.

_____

Sandra Lai et al. Canids as pollinators? Nectar foraging by Ethiopian wolves may contribute to the pollination of Kniphofia foliosa. Ecology, published online November 19, 2024; doi: 10.1002/ecy.4470
Social networks have revealed the alleged execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war who were encircled by Russia in Kursk region (RF), Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said.

"I sent letters to the UN and the ICRC about this crime. The international community must act immediately. The occupying country has once again violated the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War," he said in Telegram channel on Wednesday.
By Laman Ismayilova



Communique of the Second High-Level Meeting of Culture Ministers on Culture-Based Climate Action has been adopted within the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Azernews reports citing the Culture Ministry.

The document notes the significant progress made in the relationship between culture and climate over the past year since the establishment of the Friends Group on Culture-Based Climate Action. It emphasizes the increasing multifaceted impact of climate change on cultural heritage, as well as the disproportionate effects of climate change on certain regions and vulnerable groups, expressing deep concern.

It is stated that the relevance of the strategy established by the COP29 Culture Trilogy is acknowledged, and efforts will continue towards the approval of the first action plan on Culture-Based Climate Action within the UNFCCC framework.

For this purpose, the indispensable role of culture in climate action concerning the mitigation of and adaptation to the effects of climate change, as well as the importance of supporting the ecological transition of cultural and creative sectors, is highlighted.

The communique emphasizes the commitment of the member states of the COP29 Culture Trilogy to the following provisions, while striving to fulfill the obligations established in international normative documents such as the 2022 MONDIACULT Declaration and the 2024 G20 Salvador da Bahia Declaration:

1. Further integration of culture into policies and strategies for the reduction and adaptation to the impacts of climate change, including national adaptation plans and nationally determined contributions;

2. Promotion of the formation of intersectoral policies at the national level, including strengthening interministerial cooperation;

3. Utilizing the transformative potential of the cultural sector to promote behavior change and sustainable production and consumption patterns;

4. Investing in knowledge building and data collection in the fields of culture and climate change;

5. Promoting structured dialogue and coordinated advocacy related to the maintenance of a permanent operational mechanism for Culture-Based Climate Action and COP;

6. Promoting international cooperation in the field of culture and climate action based on values of solidarity and inclusivity, including South-South and North-South collaboration;

7. Increasing support for the inclusion of culture as an independent objective in future discussions on promoting sustainable development beyond 2030, recognizing the transformative role of culture as a facilitator and driving force for sustainable development.

The document also expresses gratitude to the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry for hosting the Second High-Level Meeting of Culture Ministers under COP29 and welcomes the advancement of the "Culture for Climate" (C4C) initiative that contributes to the ongoing efforts to integrate culture into climate action.

The communique states that an agreement has been reached to reconvene during COP30, which will be held in Brazil in 2025, to evaluate new developments and issues related to the culture-climate nexus.

Recall that several culture ministers from various countries and representatives of participating organizations attended the Second High-Level Meeting of Culture Ministers on Culture-Based Climate Action.

The meeting was held under the leadership of the tripartite presidency of the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, and Brazil, representing COP28, COP29, and COP30, respectively.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) will pass to Azerbaijan in December this year, the director of the Department of Transport Policy of the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan, Nurlan Kenesov said at a panel discussion on "Pathways to Sustainable Connectivity: Efforts of CICA & its Member States, and Regional Organizations in Asia for Secure, Effective and Climate-Resilient Transportation Corridors" in Baku today, Trend reports.

He emphasized that Kazakhstan is looking forward to the final establishment of the Sustainable Connectivity Council.

Last year, a concept for the establishment of the Council was developed and together with the CICA Secretariat, we held three working meetings with national experts to discuss the concept. Overall, the initiative received broad support from participants. Given that the chairmanship of the organization will pass to Azerbaijan in December this year, we request our distinguished Azerbaijani colleagues together with the CICA Secretariat to continue working on finalizing the concept and proceed with the establishment of the Council, 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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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 Presidency 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
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Ports in Alat (Azerbaijan), Aktau (Kazakhstan), and Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan) require modernization and better integration with rail and road networks to enhance multimodal cargo handling capabilities, said Khurshid Rustamov, the UN representative in Azerbaijan, at a panel discussion on "Pathways to Sustainable Connectivity: Efforts of CICA & its Member States, and Regional Organizations in Asia for Secure, Effective and Climate-Resilient Transportation Corridors at COP29, Trend reports.

Rustamov emphasized that improving these transport links is critical for boosting trade efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

"The International Energy Agency estimates that international freight transport, which includes air, rail, sea, and road, accounts for about 8 percent of global emissions and up to 11 percent when factoring in warehouses and ports.

As you can see, the share of international freight transport in global emissions is significant. Among all transport modes, road freight is the most polluting. With the growth of global trade, emissions from freight transport are expected to rise in the coming years. In this context, collective efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of freight transport are becoming increasingly important," he said.

Rustamov also recommended increasing investments in the modernization of transport infrastructure and fleets.

"For example, the seaports in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, such as Alat, Aktau, and Turkmenbashi, play a crucial role in Caspian Sea trade, but they require modernization and better integration with rail and road networks to enhance multimodal cargo handling capabilities," 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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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 Presidency 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
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. It is a great honor for me to express gratitude to Azerbaijan for humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine in this difficult time, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine Svitlana Grynchuk said as she delivered her national statement at the COP29 summit, Trend reports.

The minister also emphasized that Ukraine continues to work on its nationally determined contribution to the Paris Agreement and plans to submit it on time next year. Ukraine will also present its investment plan, which will include measures for the country's green recovery.

The greenhouse gas absorption potential of Ukrainian forests has decreased by 1.7 million tons of CO2. Nature knows no boundaries, and this will affect neighboring countries and the global food chain, Svitlana Hrynchuk added.

According to her, Ukraine has planned to plant more than 100 million trees within three years as part of the program on greening and reforestation. At the moment, 17 bog ecosystems are under threat; their unique biological diversity is protected by the Ramsar Convention.

Ukraine is committed to the global climate agenda and has already committed to achieving zero emissions by 2050. This will require significant efforts from both the private sector and the government, she 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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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 Presidency 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
Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital and Network180 came together to open a behavioral health crisis center in June 2024. Architect's rendering of the space.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The countries should be more ambitious in combating climate change, Peru's Deputy Minister for Strategic Development of Natural Resources Raquel Soto Torres said as she delivered her national statement at the COP29 summit, Trend reports.

Climate change is intensifying around the world, and Peru is not being left out of its devastating effects. The country, with its fragile ecosystems, is facing negative phenomena such as droughts, forest fires in the Amazon, and loss of ice cover, she said.

She recalled that Peru has developed a National Adaptation Plan, which is integrated into the National Climate Change Strategy and into NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions). However, despite these steps, funding for climate programs remains inadequate. There is also an urgent need to adjust the direction of the climate change mitigation program in order to increase the ambition and implementation of commitments.

Peru is actively working to integrate adaptation and mitigation into its national policies; however, the country lacks the resources to implement these efforts and cover losses from climate disasters. One of the key steps taken by Peru was the development of the Regulations of the National Registry of Mitigation Measures, which will ensure transparency and efficient functioning of the carbon credit market, she noted.

According to her, another important achievement was the updating of the National Climate Change Strategy, which guides the country to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, close cooperation of all actors in the process is necessary.

All countries must collectively tackle climate change. Successful implementation of climate action depends on continued multilateral cooperation, 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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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 Presidency 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
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Guatemala assumes obligations for achieving a zero carbon balance in the forest sector, the country's Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change Edwin Castellanos said as he delivered her national statement at the COP29 summit, Trend reports.

According to him, Guatemala, as one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world, faces serious climate challenges.

He pointed out that despite contributing only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, the country is experiencing the consequences of climate change, such as severe storms, hurricanes, and floods, which cause economic and environmental damage.

"We must strengthen collective efforts to combat the climate crisis. Our country is actively implementing initiatives for climate adaptation and mitigation," the deputy minister explained.

He mentioned that Guatemala is also working actively on the restoration and expansion of forested areas, implementing mechanisms such as the carbon certificate program to reduce CO2 emissions.

An important aspect of this process is the involvement of all sectors of the economy and local communities, including rural areas and indigenous peoples, the official highlighted.

"Countries most affected by climate change need fair and accessible climate financing to effectively implement adaptation programs and reduce the vulnerability of local communities," added Castellanos.

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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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
Transport technology specialist Tracsis reported full-year revenue of 81m on Wednesday, a slight 1% decline, while adjusted EBITDA fell 20% to 12.8m, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 15.7%.

The AIM-traded firm said adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased 35% in the 12 months ended 31 July, to 25.1p.

Statutory operating profit dropped 87% to 1m, due to 3m in exceptional costs related to the groups transformation strategy.

However, cash generation remained strong, with a balance of 19.8m, up from 15.3m in 2023.

Tracsis also increased its total dividend per share by 9% to 2.4p, continuing its progressive dividend policy.

Recurring and repeat revenue in the rail technology and services division grew 10% to 25.5m, highlighting the strength of its subscription-based model.

New contracts were secured across smart ticketing, safety, and operations solutions, and Tracsis successfully deployed its train dispatch product with a US commuter rail provider, expanding its footprint in the North American market.

Operationally, the group said it underwent significant transformation, streamlining its product portfolio to focus on higher-margin activities and creating a scalable platform for accelerated growth.

The changes had doubled its software opportunity pipeline across the UK and North America, with several large multi-year contracts in advanced stages of procurement.

While UK customer activity showed variability in the first half, the group said it anticipated long-term alignment with the new UK governments rail strategy.

Challenges such as Network Rail funding pressures and upcoming National Insurance and minimum wage increases were expected to impact EBITDA in the 2025 financial year by around 0.5m.

Looking ahead, Tracsis said it was confident in its ability to achieve sustainable growth through its transformed operating model, an expanding pipeline of opportunities, and disciplined evaluation of merger and acquisition prospects.

The group said it was well-positioned to capitalise on increasing demand for rail technology solutions both domestically and internationally.

Despite our financial results for 2024 being impacted by the timing of the UK General Election and lower yard automation conversion in North America, we have made significant progress over the past 12 months in transforming our operating model and laying the foundations for our future growth, said chief executive officer Chris Barnes.

We have delivered further growth in rail technology licence usage and annual recurring revenues, and have a large pipeline of new software opportunities in both the UK and North America, where long-term market drivers remain strong.

The UK rail industry remains in a period of transition as the new government prepares to provide further detail on its strategic vision for the railway.

Barnes said Tracsis' products and services were well placed to support that, adding that the company was looking forward to the legislation relating to Great British Railways, expected in the coming months.

Some short-term headwinds remain across the UK rail supply chain related to control period 7 funding restrictions from Network Rail, which is impacting our remote condition monitoring hardware activity.

The changes to National Insurance and minimum wage legislation announced in the October Budget will bring additional cost into our business.

We are working hard to mitigate these and are continuing to focus on converting our large opportunity pipeline and diversifying our client base both in the UK and internationally.

Chris Barnes said the company was well positioned to deliver sustainable growth in the 2025 financial year and beyond.

We have invested in upskilling our commercial, technical and delivery capabilities, and post year-end have delivered the successful go-live of a new train dispatch product in North America as well as the latest deployment of our TRACS Enterprise solution in the UK.

We remain focused on delivering long-term value through the continued pursuit of both organic and acquisitive growth, supported by a strong balance sheet and healthy cash generation, and look to the future with confidence.

At 1043 GMT, shares in Tracsis were down 7.05% at 618.15p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
With the continuous growth of international trade and deepening globalization, ship-to-shore (STS) container cranes have become indispensable in enhancing cargo handling efficiency, optimizing supply chain management, and supporting modern port operations. These cranes are experiencing unprecedented market demand, underscoring their critical role in the global logistics landscape.

Market Expansion Driven by Global Trade

In 2023, the global STS container crane market was valued at $2.67 billion, and it is expected to grow to $3.99 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. This growth is primarily fueled by the rising volume of international trade, especially with the increasing adoption of ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs), which necessitate more efficient port crane equipment.

Key ports in Asia, Europe, and North America are heavily investing in modern port facilities to meet the growing complexities of trade. For example, major ports in China, such as Ningbo-Zhoushan and Shanghai, play a pivotal role in global trade networks, driving sustained demand for high-performance STS cranes. These equipment upgrades enhance port throughput and strengthen their international competitiveness.

Trend 1: Larger Cranes and Technological Advancements

To accommodate the ever-growing size of container vessels, ports are adopting larger and more efficient STS cranes. Compared to traditional models, the next-generation ultra-large STS cranes offer greater handling capacities and extended outreach. For instance, in 2023, PSA Halifax acquired giant STS cranes to handle ULCVs, significantly boosting port efficiency.

Simultaneously, the industry is witnessing a shift towards electrification and automation. Electric STS cranes, favored for their environmental benefits and low operating costs, have become the preferred choice for many ports. Additionally, automation technologies, such as remote control and real-time data analytics, are enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

Trend 2: Regional Market Diversification

The global STS crane market exhibits distinct regional characteristics:

Asia-Pacific: As the core region of global trade, Asia-Pacific leads in STS crane demand. Ports in China, Japan, and South Korea are continuously upgrading equipment to maintain their competitiveness in international logistics.

As the core region of global trade, Asia-Pacific leads in STS crane demand. Ports in China, Japan, and South Korea are continuously upgrading equipment to maintain their competitiveness in international logistics. Europe: European ports prioritize eco-friendly solutions, such as hybrid and electric STS cranes, to comply with stringent environmental regulations.

European ports prioritize eco-friendly solutions, such as hybrid and electric STS cranes, to comply with stringent environmental regulations. North America: The expansion of ports along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico drives sustained demand for STS cranes in this region.

Opportunities: Globalization and Emerging Markets

The growth of international trade offers vast market potential for STS crane manufacturers. In emerging economies, port expansion and modernization projects are fueling the demand for advanced equipment. For instance, the rapid industrialization in Southeast Asia and Africa has made STS cranes essential infrastructure. Additionally, the rise of e-commerce has further expanded global supply chain demands, requiring ports to adopt more efficient container handling equipment to support increasing trade volumes.

Challenges and Strategic Responses

Despite the promising market outlook, high initial investment costs remain a significant barrier to further market expansion. From crane procurement to infrastructure upgrades, port operators need substantial financial resources. However, the adoption of automation and smart technologies is gradually offsetting these costs by improving long-term operational efficiency and reducing maintenance expenses.

Conclusion: Trends and Opportunities Ahead

The steady growth of global trade continues to drive the expansion of the STS container crane market. From the trend of larger crane models to the diversified regional demands and the vast opportunities in emerging markets, the STS crane industry stands at a critical juncture of growth. As ports increasingly adopt integrated systems of STS container gantry crane, RTG container gantry crane, RMG container gantry crane, and mobile harbor cranes, the container-handling sector is poised to achieve unprecedented efficiency and adaptability.

With advancing technology and increasing market demand, this sector is poised to play an even more significant role in international trade and port operations in the years to come.
Leaders at the G20 Summit 'deepened global collaboration' for a better future, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hours before leaving the Brazilian city for Guyana.

We had very interesting discussions and advanced global collaboration in areas such as sustainable development, growth, fighting poverty, and harnessing technology for a better future", he said before his departure.

At the summit, he showcased India's progress in overcoming poverty and fighting climate change and offered to share the country's expertise.

He reiterated strongly the calls for reforming global institutions and finding a fair and just way to share the burdens of fighting climate change, with India emerging as a voice of the Global South.

He will co-chair the India-CARICOM summit, which includes leaders of 14 Caribbean nations, during a two-day visit to Guyana and work on deepening ties with the large diaspora nation emerging as a major global energy source.

Summing up PM Modis participation in the G20 Summit, Indias G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said the New Delhi Leaders Declaration adopted under PM Modis leadership at the summit last year found a place in the Rio Declaration.

Briefing the media, he said that the Prime Minister spoke in two sessions: one on hunger and poverty and the other on sustainable development and energy transition. In both of them, he focused on the enormous impact which India has made".

In addition, PM Modi held several formal bilateral meetings with leaders from around the world and spoke with many informally.

India also hosted a side event on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Artificial Intelligence(AI), and Data for Governance (DfG). Among many bilateral meetings PM Modi conducted, two are noteworthy.

He and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed to restart negotiations for a free trade agreement.

He announced the launch of the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership at the Second India-Australia Annual Summit with Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He and PM Albanese also agreed to increase strategic cooperation as members of the Quad, the Indo-Pacific group that includes Japan and the US.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A prominent Staten Island doctor has been sentenced after accepting a plea offer for charges in a hit-and-run crash that injured a man and child in Greenridge, according to the Richmond County District Attorneys Office.

Dr. Sam Leuzzi, 66, was sentenced to a $300 fine and ordered to complete the victim impact panel, a driver accountability program; and 100 hours of community service through the Salvation Army soup kitchen, court records say.

Leuzzi, who lives on Garryford Drive in Middletown, N.J., struck a 51-year-old father and a 6-year-old daughter with his truck while driving along Arthur Kill Road, on Jan. 9, according to police, the Advance/SILive.com previously reported.

The defendant, a pediatrician, pleaded guilty to a charge of leaving the scene of an incident causing physical injury without reporting  a misdemeanor, according to the office.

He was sentenced on Nov. 13 in Criminal Court, St. George, by Justice Lisa Grey, who also issued an order of protection on behalf of the victim.

The pediatricians name is prominently displayed on the outside of the building where he practices at 2131 Richmond Road, Grant City.

A message left for the doctors attorney was not immediately returned.

The officer for Dr. Sam Leuzzi, a pediatrician, is located at 2131 Richmond Rd. in Grant City on Staten Island. (Courtesy of Google Maps)Courtesy of Google Maps

Man holding child when struck

The 51-year-old father, Guy Seth, and his 6-year-old daughter, Zoey, were walking along with the family Yorkie, in the crosswalk, westbound on Arthur Kill Road, when they were struck by Leuzzi, who was making a left turn from Arthur Kill Road onto Drumgoole Road in his black truck, police previously told the Advance/SILive.com.

The father was holding his child while crossing the street in the designated crosswalk with the pedestrian signal in his favor when they were hit at around 5:10 p.m., according to the criminal complaint.

The man suffered a concussion and a laceration to his head, while the child suffered visible swelling to her head, the complaint states.

Both victims were transported to Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze in stable condition.

According to an account in the criminal complaint, Leuzzi allegedly told a detective: I did not tell anyone I was the driver; I did not give my information because nobody asked me. I left. I felt terrible about what had happened and I was going to go to the police precinct in the morning.

The impact of the hit knocked both out of their shoes, Malgorzata Seth, wife and mother to the victims, said. Her young daughter was standing, crying, in fear of the worst-case scenario, and her husband was unconscious for close to seven minutes, she said.

According to Malgorzata, who goes by the name Goshia, her husband does not remember a single detail from the incident. Yet, her daughter recalls every moment of it.

In an interview about the harrowing ordeal, Goshia previously said: If my daughter was not on my husbands shoulders, the impact of the car would have hit her and who knows?

A GoFundMe created by a family friend to help with the anticipated financial burden of medical bills and other expenses the Seth family may assume raised $6,800 of its $25,000 goal as of Nov. 19.

Guy and 6-year-old Zoey Seth were crossing the street inside the designated crosswalk at the intersection of Arthur Kill Road and Drumgoole Road at around 5:10 p.m., when they were struck by a black truck allegedly driven by a prominent Staten Island doctor. (Courtesy of the Seth family)Courtesy of the Seth family

A notice of claim

In September, the Seth family, announced their intentions to sue the city for over $100 million in connection with the crash.

According to the family lawyer, Ravi Batra, who filed a notice of claim against the city, Guy suffered a catastrophic brain injury, while Zoey faces future surgeries after suffering a skull fracture that required a titanium plate to cover a bone gap in her skull.

According to the claim, Guy, a now former NYPD maintenance worker, suffers from chronic headaches, facial numbness, double vision and other symptoms in the wake of the crash and will require extensive rehab.

Zoey, who has recently returned to school, suffers nightmares and needs to wear a hard hat to protect her from normal kid activities, the claim details.

Goshia, 41, has had little choice but to take on the role of her husband and daughters primary caretaker.

The claim alleges liability on the part of the citys Department of Transportation (DOT), which negligently designed and created the dangerous intersection of Arthur Kill Road and Drumgoole [Road] West.

Batra contends that the city created a dangerous intersection thats been known for years to be defective and deadly, by having a disappearing green arrow to control two left-turn lanes on Arthur Kill Road on to Drumgoole Road West.

Leuzzi was not named as a defendant in the suit.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Seven years ago, with his own hands and a carpenter friend, Massimo Felici gutted a dilapidated storefront at 704 Bay St. Saving only the checkered tile backsplash from the prior tenant as part of the rebuild, he created VINUM, a well-regarded restaurant with six years worth of Michelin-acknowledgments throughout a seven-year run.

Despite the sweat-equity and emotional attachments to the location, Felici announced he will close it by Saturday, Nov. 30. He cited reasons as a poor post-COVID economy, historically high staple food prices and crime in Stapleton.

The only thing left of the prior restaurants in this space taken over by VINUM was a checkered backsplash in the kitchen. Other than that detail, the interior was a complete rebuild. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si

On Wednesday morning, Felici posted a good-bye video to his social media, thanking patrons who have stuck with him since the restaurants infancy. He explained to the Advance/SILive.com that the decision to shut down pained him, especially after a fight to remain open throughout COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 27, 2020, VINUM sold dry goods, cleaning supplies and to-go meals. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Massimo Felici

The dining room shutdowns and capacity restrictions of March through August of 2020 earned the Tuscan-born chef a few viral moments at VINUM, including his immediate and temporary pivot to selling toilet paper, cleaning products and on-line wine tastings.

Porchetta with cannellini beans and arugula with cherry tomatoes was a specialty dish at VINUM. This and other VINUM dishes will be included in the menu at Don Cheech. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si

Reinventing a block with a restaurant

Felici said he struggled to get to this point of putting the key in the door. Fresh to Staten Island from the Manhattan restaurant scene about eight years ago, the Stapleton address to which he committed had a notable revolving door of food concepts. His friends called him outright crazy for setting up shop on this very block.

Outdoor dining at VINUM was expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Staten Island Advance /Pamela Silvestri)

Felici had no fear at the onset, he maintained. He has watched other chefs around New York City reinvent formerly downtrodden neighborhoods like Red Hook, Williamsburg, Bed Stuy and Flatbush.

Stapleton seemed no different. And he saw great charm and promise in this swath of the North Shore. Plus, lease terms from a generous landlord were further incentives to put down roots.

Felici recalls, I thought we were living in the Renaissance.

So confident in the future here several years ago, Felici purchased land nearby and became a homeowner. He took an initial partnership in a place across the street, The Richmond, which closed in August. His wife, Deya, managed VINUM while Felici ran their other properties, Don Cheech and the food service contract at Casa Belvedere supper club on Grymes Hill.

Officers respond to a call of a burglary at Vinum restaurant at 704 Bay St. in Stapleton on the morning of Friday, March 24, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

What truly killed VINUM?

Since those inaugural days in the restaurant business, Felici weathered the COVID-19 pandemic. Even with some government aid, he said, long-term survival just wasnt sustainable.

But the area is what ultimately killed him, he maintained.

Felici said, Did it get better since these multi-million dollar drug busts directly across the street from VINUM? Definitely  there are less of the drug addicts running around the neighborhood, one hundred percent. Remember I live right here. I see it. I experience it. Are they still there? Yes.

And while hes advocated for brighter lighting and increased video surveillance  those have taken over two years to be realized  he thinks its too late to change public perception. The restaurant collection at nearby Urby residential is a blessing. However, the two areas are a Tale of Two Cities with perceived safety.

Even with enormous kudos to elected officials and the District Attorneys Office, he described the local drug scene on his section of Bay Street as a land of The Walking Dead. And it rips his heart out.

Felici confessed, I am so sad for these people who need help. I think of their families  their mother, their father, their siblings. Ill bet their families dont even know where they are."

Don Cheech in Rosebank will host some of VINUM's specialty items on its menu. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)

Moving forward

Felici tried selling VINUM. After months on the market, takers included entrepreneurs in the business of fried chicken, Chinese or Mexican cooking.

They all said to me basically the same thing, Boss, you are very well-known. You couldnt make it? What . . . am I going to do there? said Felici.

He added, Im going to give the keys back to the landlord. Im taking a bloodbath but I have to stop the bleeding.

Felici said, Lets say tomorrow, theres no more drugs. By the time peoples perception of the neighborhood changes, it really is going to be too late.

He added, I want people to know that despite VINUM closing I still love Stapleton and Bay Street. I am still going to be very active with advocating for the community with tree-bed cleaning and planting, more beautification.

A steely reserve keeps him optimistic and very much grounded on Bay Street, he explained. In the area around Don Cheech among Fort Wadsworth, Shore Acres and Rosebank, for instance, he wanted to talk about great things underway.

As president of the Rosebank Merchants Association, he will busy himself with a Winter Village on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 2 to 6 p.m. Bay Street will shut down between Evelyn Place to Belair Road. There will be food for sampling and a neighborhood literally taken to celebrating in the streets with Santa.

He said, Even with mistakes, I have to look to a future for my children and family. And I have no doubt that in America, living here in the greatest city on earth, incredible things are possible.

Pamela Silvestri is Advance/SILive.com food editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. We must double the funding for adaptation and expedite the allocation of resources to address the damages caused by climate change, said Kenrick Williams, the country's Vice Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, as he delivered her national statement at the COP29 summit, Trend reports.

Williams noted that the climate crisis continues to have a devastating impact on vulnerable countries like Belize.

Natural disasters, such as Tropical Storm Laura and forest fires, have resulted in losses exceeding $200 million, representing more than 6 percent of the countrys GDP in the past two years.

We need a doubling of adaptation financing, and we need to expedite the financing for loss and damage. Every moment of inaction causes harm to lives, ecosystems, and livelihoods. Investment in adaptation is not a luxury; it is a prerequisite for survival," he said.

The Vice Minister emphasized the importance of global participation in tackling the climate crisis, urging that all countries, including Taiwan, must join in the collective effort to ensure a sustainable future.

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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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 Presidency 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.

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The pursuit of Juan Soto has begun, and a new team is in on the superstar slugger.

According to the New York Posts Jon Heyman, the Phillies plan to meet with Soto, but they have not yet done so.

TO BUY METS TICKETS, VISIT: VIVIDSEATS, TICKETNETWORK and STUBHUB

Philadelphia presents the opportunity for Soto to reunite with former Washington Nationals stars Bryce Harper and Trea Turner.

Soto officially declined his qualifying offer on Tuesday after having met with the Mets and Yankees. The Dodgers, Blue Jays and Red Sox are also pursuing the outfielder.

This year with the Yankees, Soto earned his fourth All-Star nod and hit .288/.419/.569 over 157 games and had career highs in hits (156), run scored (128), home runs (41) and OPS+ (178).

Soto, 26, could create a bidding war between the Mets, Yankees, Phillies and Dodgers.

According to MLB.coms Mark Feinsand, Soto and Boras were set to meet with Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Last offseason, the Mets and Dodgers competed to sign right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who ultimately landed with Los Angeles.

Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com.
A second 14-year-old boy has been charged with intentionally starting a forest fire in Evesham last month that grew to 52 acres before being contained, authorities said.

The teen, a resident of the Marlon section of Evesham, is charged with aggravated arson and causing or risking widespread injury or damage, township police said Wednesday.

Police charged a different 14-year-old from Marlton with the same offenses on Nov. 7. Neither has been identified because they are minors. Police are still investigating to see if anyone else was involved.

An investigation is also ongoing following a 375-acre wildfire in the same area that ignited on Nov. 7. No one has been charged in connection with that fire and authorities havent ruled out that the two fires are connected.

The boys started the Oct. 30 fire at about 1 p.m. in the area near Sycamore Drive and the Berlin Township border, according to police. No homes were damaged and the fire was brought under control several days later.

Anyone with information regarding the fires is asked to call the Evesham police at 856-983-1116 or the confidential tip line at 856-983-4699. Email tips can be sent to MahanD@eveshampd.org.

Anonymous tips can also be sent by texting ETPDTIP to 847411.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  An NYPD officer was shot in the leg on Tuesday night while exchanging gunfire with a robbery suspect in Queens, multiple media outlets are reporting.

According to reports, the firefight broke out at around 6:30 p.m. in the vicinity of Jamaica Avenue and 164th Street in Jamaica as police were responding to a report of a robbery in progress.

The officer, who was not named in reports, took a bullet to the right leg, but the injury was not considered life-threatening.

The suspect was reportedly shot multiple times in the chest and died at the scene, according to police sources.

The wounded officer was rushed to Jamaica Hospital in a police patrol car in stable condition.

Mayor Eric Adams was expected to visit the officer in the hospital later this evening.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here.

Judith Wood passed away on Sept. 30, 2024. Born in Brooklyn in November 1943, she moved with her husband Ronald to Oakwood, Staten Island in 1968. Judy enjoyed a distinguished career at the Bank of Tokyo in Manhattan, rising to become the first female officer and retiring as Deputy General Manager and Vice President in 2002. She met her husband of 61 years, Ron, in July 1960 while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. Judy was an avid bowler, participating in leagues at local Staten Island bowling alleys. She is survived by her husband, two children, a daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and a great-grandson. Read the full obituary on SILive.

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story based on data from Legacy.com. It was reviewed and edited by Staten Island Live staff.
A tax credit that could save drivers thousands could be going out the window when president-elect Donald Trump enters the White House.

Tax credits and tax incentives are not generally a very good thing, Trump said to Reuters in August about possibly axing electric vehicle (EV) tax credits, which can amount to $7,500.

Consumers who bought a new EV off the lot in the last few years can get credited for their purchase if they fall into specific criteria, according to the IRS.

The EV must be primarily used within America and is for personal use  not for resale.

There are also three stipulations for adjusted gross income maximums, according to the IRS:

$300,000 for married couples filing jointly or a surviving spouse

$225,000 for heads of households

$150,000 for all other filers

If your EV was placed in-service in 2023 between Jan. 1 and April 17, then you can get thousands back automatically:

$2,500 base amount

Plus $417 for a vehicle with at least 7 kilowatt hours of battery capacity

Plus $417 for each kilowatt hour of battery capacity beyond 5 kilowatt hours

Up to $7,500 total

In general, the minimum credit will be $3,751 ($2,500 + 3 times $417), the credit amount for a vehicle with the minimum 7 kilowatt hours of battery capacity, the IRS noted.

As for consumers who bought their EV after that April 2023 date, your EV can score you thousands even still being placed in-service April 18, 2023, and after.

According to the IRS, drivers get:

$3,750 if the vehicle meets the critical minerals requirement only

$3,750 if the vehicle meets the battery components requirement only

$7,500 if the vehicle meets both

Trump is deliberating on ousting these credits, Reuters reported, much to the dismay of the the Zero Emission Transportation Association. The association encompasses companies like Tesla, Uber, Rivian, LG, Panasonic, and Lucid, Reuters said.

They argue that the production tax credits have driven enormous job gains in states like Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Georgia, and warned killing those production and consumer tax credits would undercut those investments and hurt American job growth.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Industrial countries are unable to fulfill their promises to combat the climate crisis, Special Representative for Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment of Panama Juan Carlos Gomez said in his national statement at the COP29 summit in Baku, Trend reports.

He claims that after years of pie in the sky promises, carbon dioxide emissions have shot through the roof, and humanity is on the fast track to wiping out half of all life on this planet.

Thirty-two years ago, we pledged to address this catastrophe; yet, after decades of unfulfilled pledges, emissions have doubled, and we are on the trajectory to eradicate half of all life on Earth, Gomez said.

He recalled that in 2010, it was pledged that $100 billion would be allocated annually to assist developing countries. However, they were instead confronted with substantial debts and continuing oil exploitation. Panama, on the other hand, is experiencing the catastrophic consequences of the climate crisis, despite its efforts to combat climate change and preserve the environment.

Panama conserves 35 percent of its terrestrial area and over 55 percent of its marine environment while actively utilizing renewable energy, sourcing 70-90 percent of its electricity from renewable origins. Notwithstanding these endeavors, the nation endures substantial economic losses attributable to weather phenomena, including the Panama Canal drought and floods, which this year culminated in losses over $1.3 billion, he added.

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This was the deal of a lifetime for Ahmad, 53, who runs Mourads Coffee & Nuts. Not only did he pay $13.5 million for the property, which is $5.5 million less than Merhi had spent in 2016, but in the intervening years, Merhi had received approval for a $70 million commercial and residential development on The Horsley Drive site. Loading The liquidators later appointed to Merhis collapsed property empire were troubled by this deal. In an October 2022 report, Stephen Hathway, from Helm Advisory, told creditors it may have been an uncommercial transaction as the site had a potential sale value of $23,300,000. This is not the only time Whites private real estate plays have attracted scrutiny. After being introduced to Linda Rogan by Nasser in August 2022, White used a company to buy the wellness entrepreneur a $13.1 million mansion in Vaucluse, in Sydneys eastern suburbs. However, just three weeks after Rogan collected the keys, Nasser discovered the relationship and kicked Rogan out of the home. The luxury property was then sold at a $1.6 million loss.

A year earlier, White had used another company to purchase a $7 million luxury Melbourne waterfront mansion for a current WiseTech employee with whom hed been in a relationship. White became involved in the Fairfield property deal in August last year. According to mortgage documents, a subsidiary of Whites personal investment vehicle, Realwise Group Holdings, lent millions of dollars and registered mortgages on Ahmads Fairfield site as well as another property Ahmad purchased via his company, Sky Rise Projects. The site in Raglan Road, Auburn, was bought in October 2022 for $28 million. Asked how he had come to borrow money from one of Australias richest men and whether he knew Whites wife, Zena Nasser, Ahmad said, I cannot comment on anything, I am very busy, before hanging up. White said in written responses to questions that the Fairfield property was sold by Merhi to Ahmad, pursuant to an expression of interest run by Colliers and that Scraper Developments was the highest bidder.

He also said Nasser was not involved in brokering the refinancing deal. Her only involvement was that Mark Merhi is the father of her daughter, he said. Loading While they do meet or talk occasionally with Merhi, he said their relationship was centred around our shared parenting. White said he passed on the financing deal to his investment office which has legal, accounting and property investment staff. Valuation reports were undertaken by CBRE as part of the due diligence and the loans are at arms length and on commercial terms, he said.

Nassers former spouse has had his own unfortunate real estate history. In 2020, NSW building commissioner David Chandler described his companys 16-storey Auburn Road apartment tower as an abomination. He said the building ticked about every box in failing to meet critical benchmarks in fire safety, structure, waterproofing and building enclosures. The NSW Building Commission launched legal action this month against Merhi over his failure to comply with rectification orders regarding the Auburn tower block. The matter is likely to remain in limbo, with Merhi out of the jurisdiction. Richard White, Zena Nasser and her daughter. Merhi and his brother Khalil, who was involved in various Merhi Group companies, were central figures in an inquest into four deliberately lit fires, all using a similar method. These were in Lidcombe, Bellevue Hill and two in Fairfield East, between 2006 and 2010. The fires were linked to organisations or people whod had confrontations or disagreements with Khalil Merhi and/or Mark Merhi, Coroner Michael Barnes found in 2016.

One of the fires destroyed the Lidcombe headquarters of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU). A stolen Mazda crashed through the front doors of the CFMEU building and was then set alight. Drums of accelerant including paint thinners and two car tyres were inside the car, in an obvious attempt to increase the destructive effects of the fire, said the coroner. The conduct of the Merhi brothers towards those with whom they were in dispute whose property was burnt creates a suspicion that they were responsible for the fires, Barnes said. But there was not enough evidence to make a conclusive finding and no charges were ever laid. Loading Of interest to the coroner was the number of disputes the Merhi brothers had had with the CFMEU. On May 12, 2010, the day before the Lidcombe firebombing, Mark Merhi had a tense discussion with a CFMEU executive about his companys alleged breaches of employment and taxation laws. Later that day, in a phone call, Khalil threatened to take the union down. The Merhi brothers did not provide evidence to the inquest. They refused to be interviewed by police or provide statements, according to the coroner.

Six weeks earlier, the CFMEU had launched legal action against Khalil Merhi and his company Merhis Constructions for refusing to let union officials inspect possible safety breaches on his work site. Khalil told CFMEU officials to get the f--- off my site and Merhis Constructions was ultimately fined $12,000. Representing Khalil Merhi in the 2010 court case was his sister-in-law Zena Nasser. Nasser is a former criminal defence lawyer who once had an array of Sydney underworld figures as clients. These included bikie boss Hassan Kalache, drug importer Michael Ibrahim, the brother of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim, and gang leader Bassam Hamzy. Richard White and his second wife, former criminal defence lawyer Zena Nasser. Credit: Facebook In July 2007, she was banned from visiting jails in NSW because Corrective Services had reason to believe she was forwarding her clients calls to their associates outside of prison. She was deemed a security risk.

Nasser had a falling out with the Ibrahim family after she lodged a caveat on the Castle Cove home of Fadi Ibrahim in 2008 when Michael Ibrahims $150,000 legal bill wasnt paid to her firm. However, corporate records indicate Nasser and the Ibrahims buried the hatchet. She was later a director and shareholder of Krazye Dave Pty Ltd, a company associated with one-time Notorious bikie gang enforcer Sofe Veiru Levi, better known as Crazy Dave Lima. Michael and Sam Ibrahim were involved with Notorious. When Nassers caveat on Fadi Ibrahims house was lifted in 2010, her signature was witnessed by her then-husband Merhi. Now based in Dubai, Merhi is involved in the family business Merhis Perfumes, which sells fragrances in bottles with diamonds on the 18k gold letter pendant. White and Nasser recently visited Dubai. It is unclear whether they met with Merhi. Separate yourself from the crowd and savour the scent with the feeling of splendour and glory, says Merhis Perfumes website, which lists its address as a suite in a luxury hotel in Dubai. Attempts to call the perfume business were unsuccessful.

Back in Australia, there was little for the liquidators to savour as they picked through the wreckage of Merhis development empire. In Hathways October 2022 statutory report to creditors about the collapse of Merhis Fairfield, the liquidator said that efforts to unravel the companys affairs were stymied by having no books and records. On Christmas Eve, 2021, Merhi appointed a new director to his company, Mike Tarsissi, a computer repairman who ran Merhis IT department. Tarsissi told the liquidators that the books and records were located at the companys former registered office, which turned out to be a vacant block of land, according to the liquidators report. When it collapsed in June 2022, Merhis Fairfield was using the same registered address as Ahmads Scraper Developments  the office of Sydney accounting firm Lion Sterling. Ahmad was not involved in Merhis Fairfield. One of Ahmads close business associates is developer Joseph Samia, 51. The pair has other developments in Prestons, Botany and a former mine site 30 kilometres outside Bathurst.

In 2015, the NSW Crime Commission examined Samia about his knowledge of a Leichhardt property, which was the subject of a proceeds of crime application. Marouf El Hassan, who was jailed for a maximum of 15 years in relation to a cocaine importation from Panama, had allegedly purchased the property at a substantial discount. The outcome of the examination is not known. Ahmad was not involved in the property. Loading Samia has also been in business with Savas Guven, a Mosman property developer, who is facing a three-month-long trial in August 2025, over one of Australias biggest drug importations. Since Guven was refused bail, Samia has become a director with Guvens wife, Jade, of Rhodes Station Property Holdings, which purchased a $4.5m property in Rhodes. The property has a NSW Crime Commission caveat on the title to prevent its sale. White said he had never heard of Samia or Guven. Given RealWise Finance was taking over an existing financing arrangement from a finance company, the only involvement with Mr Ahmad related to Know Your Customer checks on Mr Ahmad and the companies that held the properties and the financing arrangement, White said.
Hello Kitty is famously the height of just five apples. But these days, the more striking statistic is that shes worth more than 1 trillion yen close to $10 billion.

Stock in Japans Sanrio Co. hit that milestone for the first time recently, just weeks before the companys feline star turned 50. Kitty White was born on November 1, 1974, when she first appeared on a vinyl coin purse that quickly helped her became a national sensation in Japan.

Half a century later, shes not just big business in Sanrios home country: Hello Kitty is the second highest-grossing media franchise in the world, according to TitleMax, earning more than the likes of Harry Potter or Star Wars.

Hello Kitty display at the exhibition, As I Change, So Does She, marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty at the Tokyo National Museum. Credit: AP

Sanrio was one of the pioneers of content licensing, placing Kitty on everything from Pez dispensers to computer mice, and tying up with brands from Nike to Gucci. You can find her everywhere: throwing out the first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game earlier this year as part of a special Kitty-themed night, no doubt to piggyback off the achievements of superstar Shohei Ohtani; or appearing on official Japanese government videos explaining the countrys net zero carbon-reduction goals.
Troye Sivans year has already been globe-conquering as Australias inside man within Charli XCXs viral Brat summer. But on Wednesday, pops reigning It boy capped it by dominating the ARIA Awards, winning three trophies including the nights top honour, album of the year.

The 29-year-old also won best solo artist and best pop release for Something to Give Each Other, his lusty dance-pop album inspired by a post-breakup period spent partying and hooking up at Melbournes queer clubs.

Troye Sivan speaks at the ARIAs, where he won three awards. Credit: Getty Images

In an acceptance speech, he recalled his mum sending a video of him singing Aquas Barbie Girl when he was three. It made me aware of the fact that since I was a little kid, I knew I was gay and I also knew I loved pop music... Ive had the most insane experiences this year playing my music all around the world, and Im so proud to be bringing it home, he said.

The wins continue an eventful period for Sivan, who launched his national tour this week after finishing a US co-headlining tour with Charli XCX. Proving his international notoriety, he was even parodied on US sketch show Saturday Night Live this week by XCX herself.
NSW Greens MLC Amanda Cohn will introduce a bill to amend NSWs Abortion law that would increase access to pregnancy terminations - including making further provisions about health practitioners - amid moves to limit abortion rights in other Australian jurisdictions.

The Greens spokesperson for Health gave notice today of the bill on the final sitting day of the NSW legislative council, which aims to further enshrine abortion access following news that Orange Hospital had banned pregnancy terminations, which was only overturned when NSW Health Minister Ryan Park publicly instructed the hospital to immediately reinstate the service.

Ive just given notice of my bill to increase access to abortion health care, Cohn said on Instagram.

It updates the NSW Abortion Law Reform Act 2019 to allow nurses and midwives with appropriate training to prescribe medical abortions, consistent with TGA guidelines up to 9 weeks gestation, removes onerous and bureaucratic mandatory reporting requirements, and prevents conscientious objection from being weaponised to obstruct access.

In October, the South Australian parliament narrowly defeated a bill that would force women seeking an abortion after 28 weeks of pregnancy to give birth.

Loading

In Queensland, a push to wind back abortion rights became a state election issue when Robbie Katter, the leader of Katters Australian Party, announced he would force a vote to recriminalise abortion if the Liberal National Party won.

The Greens have also kept abortion on the federal election agenda and push Labor to reveal its plan for improving access to terminations, pledging $100 million to give public hospitals more resources to offer the service.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told his MPs he had no plans to change the laws after Nationals Senator Jacinta Price put it on the national agenda with controversial comments that said late-stage abortions were akin to infanticide.

The earliest the bill can be debated in NSW parliament is February 2025.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 19. The newest installment of the analytical video series hit the airwaves on the expert platform Baku Network, showcasing the Armenian professor Gagik Oganjanyan, as the featured guest, Trend reports.

The professor discussed myths still held in Armenia during the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the destructive actions of the West that are impeding the peace process.

He emphasized that the Western informational influence on Armenia is still ongoing.

"We need to understand why the French appear on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and loudly proclaim that they are selling some miracle weapons to Armenia. This informational influence persists, leading many individuals to believe it, as they have been persuaded that Armenians are unique and intelligent. In reality, Armenians do not have any special characteristics.

Armenians are just like all the other people living around them. These stereotypes, when children are taught them in kindergartens and when parents begin to take pride in these images that have no connection to reality, are what need to be eradicated. It is important to work toward changing this situation and bringing people back to a normal state," said the Armenian professor.

We give the complete broadcast to the audience.
Sydney commuters will avoid what was set to become one of the worst shutdowns of the citys rail network after the Minns Labor government agreed during crisis talks on Thursday to run 24-hour train services this weekend in return for the union dropping work bans.

The latest ceasefire offers both sides time to enter intense negotiations involving six unions over a new pay deal and averts a shutdown which would have been costly politically for the government because of the disruption it would inflict on commuters.

A shutdown of Sydneys passenger rail network was averted at a crisis meeting on Thursday. Credit: Wolter Peeters

Emerging from more than two hours of crisis talks, Premier Chris Minns said intensive bargaining would begin between the government and unions for two weeks from next Monday, and he was hopeful that it reaps an agreement.

So an interim agreement, effectively now, and hopefully a long-term agreement over the next two weeks, he said. The heats on us to get an agreement.
During the first Trump administration, Charles Haran of Noosa Heads (Qld) tried to decipher COVFEFE and arrived at the following: Transposing one character to the right on a QWERTY keyboard makes COVFEFE = VPBGRGR which obviously means Vladimir Putin Blackmailing Give Roubles Great Russia. Although Im not sure I have GR correct. It may mean Gut Republicans, Geriatric Revolution, Gonads Rusting or Gerbil Riot.

Now, recent attempts at decoding MAGA (C8) have him scrolling back through Column 8 online: I didnt know there was so much! Each column either has Grans effigy or the C8 dinkus except for August 30, 2017 (where I described the real meaning of COVFEFE), which has a picture of Vladimir Putin looking a bit peeved that the secret is out about his hybrid warfare against Western democracies. BTW, does anyone know where to get the antidote to Novichok? I now think GR means Government Ruin, and I would guess MAGA means the wearer has Matriculated from the Acrimonious Gerbil Academy and is prone to Gerbil Riots.

I had a similar experience to Evan Bailey (C8) with language, says Adela Parkes of Boat Harbour. When collecting my daughter from boarding school in Brisbane to take her to an event, she asked if I could take the Romanians as well. I had no idea she had European classmates, but on meeting them, I found out they hailed from a property near Roma, Queensland.

On the banks of the Volga in Vulgaria, Evan Bailey, the juicy language of the Vulgars would be ripe Aryan, adds George Manojlovic of Mangerton.

Regarded as either a C8 deity or irritant, will gorgeous Georges European punditry (C8) confirm him as a Buddha Pest? asks Chris Roylance of Paddington.
A police investigation into a child who was removed from her father and influencer mother will likely take several weeks while detectives seek further information from medical reports.

Child protection detectives are investigating the Queensland mother, who regularly shared her familys life on social media and documented one of her children undergoing medical treatment.

It is understood the child has been removed from both parents after reports of harm.

Police are aware of reports of child harm against a girl, a spokeswoman said.
Victoria is set to swelter as a three-day heatwave intensifies, putting firefighters further on edge after a small bushfire briefly triggered an evacuation warning in central Victoria on Thursday.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts the temperature in the city will hit 34 degrees on Friday. Across the state, the mercury could reach 10 degrees above average.

Victorias south-west stretching into the Wimmera, along with parts of Melbourne, could feel the highest temperatures, senior meteorologist Helen Reid said.

The mercury is expected to reach the high 30s in much of the Mallee, Northern Country and North Central regions on Friday.
There have been 658 reports accusing teachers of sexual misconduct, violence and damaging behaviour in the past financial year, a nearly 70 per cent increase on the previous year, but the number found guilty of serious crimes came to seven.

The Victorian Institute of Teachings latest annual report said those allegations include claims a registered teacher engaged in sexual offences against or in front of a child, sexual misconduct, physical violence, behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm to a child or neglect of a child.

There has been a surge in educators being accused of serious offences, according to the teaching watchdog.

But the teachers union and the childrens commissioner are at odds over the reason for the big increase in complaints, with the former claiming many of the reports are frivolous.

The Independent Education Union says the big increase in reportable conduct allegations is because of pressure put on school leaders to formally report every and any concern raised with them, and that teachers were being reported for trivial matters.
Supermarkets are charging shoppers more for loose fresh produce than for the same items wrapped in plastic, sparking a warning that customers are being pushed towards products that contribute to the environmental crisis.

Plastic-wrapped fruit and vegetables were cheaper than loose produce 73 per cent of the time, according to a survey by the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Boomerang Alliance.

Tomatoes were the only fresh food item found to be cheaper when sold loose.

As shoppers seek out savings during a cost-of-living crisis, the survey found that loose potatoes were over 50 per cent more expensive than the same quantity wrapped in plastic, while oranges and carrots were 40 per cent dearer, and onions 30 per cent.

Price differences ranged from a few cents to as much as $1.48 a kilogram, with the average cost of buying loose produce $155 extra over a year.
Bill Shorten is preparing for departure, taking his last haircut in the Parliament House salon before delivering his valedictory speech on Thursday to the House of Representatives.

Taking a haircut is almost as potent in the crueller reaches of parliamentary slang as being kneecapped  something Australias voters did to Shorten in 2019, denying him the prime ministership  but he rebuffs any suggestion his looming retirement from parliamentary politics is a retreat.

A big grin for the final haircut before the valedictory speech. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

I cannot foresee a set of circumstances where I will ever retire, he says. Im a man in my 50s. The choice was to become a lifer in this place [Parliament House] or to try something new.

Something new is his appointment, at 57, as vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra, beginning early next year.
Coalition frontbencher Sarah Henderson headlined an event for migration agents and private colleges, and stood on stage at the brand launch of a Liberal Party member who helps international students extend stays in Australia, just a month before tanking Labors bill to crack down on the private education sector.

Henderson, who leads the oppositions education policy, spoke at the private forum attended by dozens of colleges and agents  some of whom have had restrictions imposed on them by the tertiary education regulator or helped international students appeal their visa rejections  as the Coalition was blasting the number of students exploiting Australias visa system to stay in the country.

Some of the companies are also Liberal Party donors.

Coalition frontbencher Sarah Henderson and a post from the company that organised the event. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen/Supplied

The company that hosted the event, Apply 4 Study Australia, has posts on Facebook telling students to call us now if their visa was expiring soon, and online testimonials praise it for helping people extend or change visas after their degrees. Another agent at the event posts about hassle-free processes for recent graduates to stay and work in Australia  practices that the Coalition has hit out at.
US President Joe Bidens top adviser on Asia has issued a ringing endorsement of Kevin Rudd, declaring the Australian ambassador operates like a foreign minister in Washington while Penny Wong focuses on matters closer to home.

Kurt Campbell, Bidens deputy secretary of state, said Trump should sideline Republican Party hawks who want to overthrow the communist regime in Beijing because such a push would damage relations between the superpowers.

Australias ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, and US President-elect Donald Trump. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen; Bloomberg

Campbell said the world was entering an acute moment of strategic competition as Trump returned to the White House, predicting that Chinese President Xi Jinping would feel nostalgic for the days of Bidens more rational presidency.

Campbells remarks to a forum in Sydney came after Rudd insisted he and his fellow diplomats in Washington were ready to deal with the incoming Trump administration after a top adviser to the president-elect suggested Rudds days in the US capital were numbered.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Azerbaijan will continue to seek redress for Armenias violations of Azerbaijans sovereign rights, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan in a statement, Trend reports.

"On 19 November 2024, the Government of Azerbaijan filed its Statement of Claim with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (in the Hague) against Armenia that details Armenias multiple breaches of Azerbaijans sovereign rights over its energy resources under the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) and fundamental principles of international law.

This Statement of Claim is the latest development in international legal proceedings that began on 27 February 2023, when Azerbaijan served a Notice of Arbitration on Armenia. The arbitral tribunal was constituted on 8 September 2023, and the first procedural meeting between Azerbaijan and Armenia took place on 12 January 2024.

During its nearly thirty-year illegal occupation of Azerbaijans internationally recognized territory, Armenia prevented Azerbaijan from accessing or developing its energy resources in that territory. Instead, it exploited those resources for Armenias own benefit.

Crucial among Armenias breaches of international law is its refusal to allow Azerbaijan to access or benefit from significant renewable energy projects for decades. These include the Tartar Hydropower Plant on the Sarsang Reservoir in the formerly occupied Aghdara district, along with the Khudafarin and Giz Galasi hydropower projects on the border with Iran, in the formerly occupied Jabrayil district of Azerbaijan, as well as previously untapped energy potential, renewables, including hydropower, and other resources.

During its illegal occupation, Armenia also licensed and regulated the entities that operated the Tartar Hydropower Plant, unlawfully plugging this energy source into its domestic electricity network and directing surplus energy to Armenia for domestic energy consumption. Further, Armenia barred Azerbaijan from accessing the Khudafarin and Giz Galasi project sites, delaying the completion of these critical hydropower projects by 30 years and impairing Azerbaijans development of its renewable energy sector.

Azerbaijan will continue to seek redress for Armenias violations of Azerbaijans sovereign rights over its energy resources, including Armenias unlawful exploitation and impairment of renewable resources in the liberated territories," the statement reads.
The drug addict who attacked celebrated police officer Samantha Barlow has been quietly released out the back gate of a Sydney prison after the NSW government abandoned a plan to challenge his parole.

Roderick Holohan was whisked out of Long Bay jail on Wednesday morning to avoid the awaiting media, before being handed over to a charity group who will help him reintegrate into society in the regional town of Nowra.

Former police officer Samantha Barlow, pictured in 2013. Credit: Steven Siewert

An angry Barlow was only told at 6pm on Tuesday that the government appeal would not proceed. She questioned how women are supposed to avoid the high-risk violent man as he begins a new life in a town where no one knows his face.

If he is no longer a threat to community, why wasnt he given his things told where the bus stop was and released just like everyone else where the media were waiting? Barlow and her husband Laurence said in a statement.
London: A Chinese-registered vessel is under investigation by European authorities after it was detected in the area where two critical data cables were severed in the Baltic Sea in a suspected act of sabotage.

Yi Peng 3, a Chinese bulk carrier, was on its way from the Russian port of Ust-Luga to Port Said in Egypt, according to maritime tracking group Marine Traffic, passing close to the Swedish-Lithuanian and Finnish-German cables about the time each was cut on Sunday and Monday.

Yi Peng 3 passing under the Great Belt Bridge on Tuesday. Credit: Storeblt Bridge webcam

Swedish public broadcaster SVT and several Finnish media outlets reported that two Danish navy ships shadowed the ship as it sailed out of the Baltic Sea on Tuesday.

The four countries affected by the cuts  Finland, Germany, Lithuania and Sweden  have all launched investigations. The Financial Times reported that the Swedes were examining what role the Yi Peng 3 might have played.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) has made significant progress in its investigation into a violent assault that was widely circulated on social media. The incident, which occurred at the intersection of L.B. Scott Road and Marigot Hill Road in Sint Peters, involved a male victim being subjected to severe physical abuse by several individuals.

After a thorough investigation and in coordination with the Prosecutors Office, arrest warrants were executed for the three suspects involved in this incident.

 The first suspect, identified by the initials N.A.B.J, was arrested earlier in the day on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

 Later that evening, detectives apprehended the other two suspects, identified as J.I.A and D.A.M.

All three suspects have been taken into custody and are currently being detained at the police station pending further investigation.

KPSM reiterates that such violent acts will not be tolerated. The police, in collaboration with the Prosecutors Office, will take firm action against anyone engaging in criminal behavior of this nature.

A Message to the Public

The Sint Maarten Police Force is committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of all citizens. KPSM encourages anyone with information regarding incidents of violence or criminal behavior to come forward.

Contact Information for the Detective Department:

 Telephone: +1 (721) 542-2222

 Anonymous Tip Line: 9300

The Sint Maarten Police Force thanks the community for their continued cooperation in tackling crime and emphasizes its dedication to creating a safe environment for all.

KPSM Press Release.
PHILIPSBURG:--- NAGICO Insurances and local Publisher Lasana Sekou introduced and presented a new storybook titled Ti Koko and Kush Kush to the students of Group 4 (Grade 2) during their English Class at the Sr. Borgia Elementary School amidst excited giggles and eager eyes.

The presentation was filled with excitement as the young students eagerly giggled, watched with bright eyes, and answered questions from the presenters while the new book was shown to them.

The book was published in St. Maarten by the House of Nehesi and written by educator Patricia G. Turnbull of the British Virgin Islands.

The story highlights themes of friendship and environmental awareness, focusing on how a young coconut tree, a wise yam, and their friends work together to save their beach or bayside community from a mysterious destroyer known as Brogudoosh!

Reading is an essential skill that every person must have because it opens doors to endless opportunities. And it is best if reading is encouraged and practiced at an early age, said NAGICO Marketing Manager Lisa Brown to the attentive students.

While technology will always evolve, with many ways to entertain and capture your attention, you must always discipline yourself to read and engage your mind. Learning never stops, and reading is the foundation of knowledge, said Ms. Brown.

Sekou recognized as one of the Caribbeans prolific poets, is known best on the island as a son of the soil for his contributions to St. Maartens culture in the form of the creative arts and as a poet, short story writer, and an author of over 20 books.

In speaking with the Sr. Borgia school students, Sekou stressed the importance of reading and how, when nurtured, it can be a lifelong skill. By presenting Ti Koko and Kush Kush to the students, we hope to further inspire a love of reading and learning in our young people, he said.

Sekou thanked NAGICO for partnering with HNP on this project to promote literacy and foster a love for reading among our young children.

NAGICOs support aligns well with our shared goals of fostering literacy and expanding educational resources. This partnership not only strengthens vital literacy skills, but also demonstrates NAGICOs commitment to community engagement and educational advancement.

Ms. Tamisha Wigley, the new Operations Manager for NAGICO St. Maarten, Saba & Statia, also paid a courtesy visit to the school and assisted with the presentation to their English subject teacher, Mrs. Lechardes Bell. Each student was challenged to read and provide a summary to their English teacher as soon as possible.

Principal Edmaira Jacobs welcomed this valuable addition to the schools resources and thanked Mr. Sekou and the NAGICO team for not only the donation, but also for taking the time to sit with their class. Both Ms. Jacobs and Teacher Bell extended their appreciation and promised to use the books to their fullest capabilities.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The University of St. Martin (USM) is taking a bold step in the global fight against gender-based violence (GBV) by hosting a significant event in observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This day, recognized worldwide, serves as a critical reminder of the persistent and systemic violations of womens rights and the urgent need for collective action to address this scourge.

USMs event promises to be a cornerstone in raising awareness and fostering meaningful dialogue about GBV. With an emphasis on understanding the systemic and intersectional roots of violence against women, the program will offer an inclusive platform that highlights the societal impacts of this issue while showcasing the transformative work of advocates and organizations locally and internationally.

The event underscores the importance of collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches in addressing GBV. It aims to inspire attendees from diverse sectorsgovernment, non-profits, academia, business, and community groupsto join forces in building a safer and more equitable society. Whether you are a policymaker, advocate, educator, entrepreneur, or concerned citizen, this event offers valuable insights and actionable solutions that can drive change.

A Program to Educate, Inspire, and Mobilize Action

The evening is structured into three distinct and engaging segments:

Segment 1: Film Screening  "UNITE FOR BISSAU (No Kumpu Guine)"

Directed by Lara Lee of Cultures of Resistance Films, this documentary takes audiences to Guinea-Bissau, where women are defying societal norms to assert their rights. The film captures their brave efforts in agroecology, their resistance to female genital mutilation and forced marriage, and their establishment of community-led institutions that challenge entrenched patriarchy.

Segment 2: Inspiring Presentations from Transformative Leaders

Two dynamic speakers will bring their unique experiences and innovative strategies to the stage:

 Samantha Blostein, Founder and Director of Research for Change, will share her work in advancing outcomes for survivors of GBV. Through systemic reform, trauma-informed approaches, and gender-focused advocacy, Samanthas consultancy empowers organizations to create lasting impact.

 Delna Buhariwalla, Co-Founder and Executive Director of COOK-UP, will highlight her work in fostering entrepreneurship among women of color. With her expertise in social justice and economic development, Delna exemplifies how business innovation can address systemic barriers and transform communities.

Segment 3: Open Dialogue and Discussion

The event will culminate in an interactive discussion moderated by Dr. Gale Rigobert, USMs Dean of Academics, and Cassandra Richardson, Director of Victim Support Services. This session will encourage attendees to share perspectives, explore actionable solutions, and contribute to a collective vision for eradicating violence against women.

Why You Should Attend

This event is not just an academic exercise or a call to reflection; it is an urgent invitation to action. GBV affects all facets of society, and addressing it requires input and commitment from every sector. For policymakers, it offers insights into community-driven solutions. For business leaders, it highlights the role of economic empowerment in dismantling systemic inequities. For educators, advocates, and citizens, it is an opportunity to learn, engage, and contribute to a global movement of solidarity and change.

By attending, you will join a growing network of individuals and organizations dedicated to ensuring that women everywhere live free from violence and inequality. Your presence matters, as it sends a powerful message of collective support and commitment to this critical cause.

Event Details

Thursday, 21 November 2024

6:30 PM

USM Lecture Hall

This event is a chance to be part of a transformative evening of education, empowerment, and community-building. Together, let us reaffirm our shared responsibility to create a world where violence against women is not tolerated and equity is not an aspiration but a reality.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis addressed the media and the public on Wednesday at the Council of Ministers press briefing outlining some of his achievements during his tenure as Minister. Below is the full address.

Today marks a pivotal moment as I stand before you for the final time as your Minister of Justice for a press briefing. Reflecting on my tenure,

though brief, it has been a period of intense and impactful service, during which we have pursued comprehensive reforms and initiatives

aimed at enhancing the efficacy and integrity of our justice system. I came in with a determination to see justice for our justice workers who

have long awaited the appropriate compensation for their work. I encountered a lot of inconsistency, and I am proud that we were able to

push all stakeholders involved and accomplish LBs during my tenure. Currently, Batch 11 is being distributed, and I hope that Batch 12

can also come back from the governor and be distributed in the remaining period.

Furthermore, in partnership with the Coast Guard, we have successfully finalized agreements with CCSU to adjust and increase the salaries of

our brave officers, incorporating a 3.2% indexation. This not only boosts morale but also ensures that our security forces are rewarded for their

unwavering dedication.

The National Detectives Department has achieved a significant milestone, as we have strengthened the foundation of our force with the

successful swearing-in of all personnel, a gesture underscoring our commitment to accountability and duty.

Another necessity has been the need for resources across all departments. Unfortunately, we faced budget constraints across all ministries. However, we were able to increase our capabilities with the acquisition of three new service vehicles for the National detective, ensuring our teams are equipped to respond with the agility and

efficiency that justice demands. On the front lines of public safety, significant strides have been made under my leadership to enhance the

operational capabilities and responsiveness of the St. Maarten Police Force (KPSM). Recognizing a critical need, we secured funding through the capital expenditures budget to acquire additional vehicles for the KPSM; This initiative was designed to address the shortage caused by wear and tear on the existing fleet, thereby increasing police visibility and strengthening public safety efforts across the island.

I have aimed for more collaborative efforts with our French counterparts, taken decisive actions to combat crime, and provided KPSM with the necessary mandate to address gun violence on the island. Furthermore, I have empowered KPSM by providing them with the support and manpower needed to tackle the crime

challenges our island faces effectively. Our proactive engagement with the community during the disturbances in the Dutch Quarter is one such example. During tenure, we have taken a comprehensive approach to crime aimed at increasing visibility, increasing patrol, and using technology to identify hot spots.

Our most important initiative, however, has been the Agreement to Launch Phase 2 of the New Prison Project with UNOPS. This project isnt just about constructing a new facility; it's about rethinking and reshaping our approach to correction and rehabilitation. This state-of the- art correctional facility, aligned with the highest international standards, addresses the acute challenges posed by our current infrastructure. It embodies our commitment to a humane, efficient, and

modern correctional environment. The overwhelmingly positive reception from all stakeholders has confirmed we are on the right path.

Regarding immigration, when I assumed office, I encountered a significant backlog of cases, neglect of humanitarian concerns, and inconsistent application of policies. I prioritized improving the admissions and residence processes, especially focusing on granting residence permits to individuals born here and those who have resided on the island for many years. Additionally, I tackled emerging challenges by ensuring our immigration policies aligned with both our national security priorities and our humanitarian obligations. This focus was clearly integrated into our broader immigration policy framework.

We engaged in meaningful discussions across different sectors of immigration to push these changes forward. Although our ambitious goals sometimes strained our operational capabilities, they underscored the dedication and adaptability of our Immigration and Border Protection Services staff in crafting impactful and progressive solutions.

Furthermore, we strengthened our collaborative frameworks with kingdom partners through the (JVO), enhancing information sharing and operational coordination. This comprehensive approach to immigration aimed not only to streamline procedures but also to reaffirm our commitment to being a welcoming, secure, and just nation.

As we move forward, the groundwork laid in these areas is crucial for the continued prosperity and security of St. Maarten. The initiatives we have introduced serve not only our current needs but also prepare us for future challenges and opportunities in the evolving global landscape.

As I conclude my tenure, I am confident in the foundation we have built for a more just, secure, and responsive justice system. The progress we have made is not just a reflection of my vision but of our collective commitment to the principles of justice and equity. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served and look forward to seeing the seeds we have planted bear fruit in the capable hands of the future.

Thank you for your trust, support, and collaboration. Let us continue to strive for a community where justice prevails, peace is cherished, and our people can thrive in safety and dignity.




BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. On 20 November 2024, Anne Boillon, Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trend reports.



"During the meeting, objection to France's targeting of the Azerbaijani presidency on the eve of and during the 29th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) was expressed.



In this regard, it was emphasized that the calls for a boycott of this prestigious UN event, which Azerbaijan was hosting, Frances encouragement of several Heads of States to refrain from attending the event, as well as adoption of a resolution that unfairly criticized the presidency and our global efforts to combat climate change in general by the European Parliament with France's particular efforts at the beginning of the COP29 are unacceptable.



Furthermore, it was brought to the attention that the actions of France, which conducts Armenia's massive arms supply and promotes militarism and revanchism undermine the peace process.



France was vehemently demanded to put an end to the actions targeting Azerbaijan and jeopardizing the normalization process," the ministry said in a statement.
In 2010, astronomers discovered what they thought was the most Earth-like planetary candidate known at the time orbiting a red dwarf star. Today, astronomers no longer think the planet, which they'd dubbed Gliese 581g, nor several of its neighbors, are real.

This is the story of what happened to Gliese 581g  a precautionary tale that reminds us not to take all exoplanet discoveries at face value because, as we shall see, the stars themselves can lie.

Gliese 581 is a red dwarf star about 20 light-years from Earth. Starting in 2005, astronomers at the European Southern Observatory (ESO), using the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher ( HARPS ) spectrograph on the 3.6-meter telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile, began detecting exoplanets orbiting Gliese 581.

Radial velocity describes how a planet can be detected via its gravitational tug on its parent star. Both the star and its planet(s) orbit the shared center of mass between them. Because the star contains the bulk of the system's mass, the center of mass is found within the star  but importantly, not at the star's very center. Consequently, the star appears to wobble around this center of mass. This wobbling manifests as a subtle redshifting and blueshifting of the star's light, as described by the Doppler effect, as it moves toward and then away from us while wobbling around the center of mass.

The extent of this Doppler shifting tells us the mass of the planet, and the period of the wobble reveals the planet's orbital period. When there are multiple planets in a system, as there are around Gliese 581, there are a lot of radial velocity signals to disentangle. As we'll see, there are also other effects intrinsic to the star itself that can confuse matters.

All of Gliese 581's planets have been found through radial velocity measurements. Unfortunately, the Gliese 581 system is not aligned in such a way that we can see the transits of its planets moving across the face of the star and blocking some of its light.

Gliese FAQs

What is Gliese 581? Gliese 581 is a red dwarf star about 20 light-years away, in the constellation Libra . It is far too faint to be seen with the naked eye. That's because, even though the star is close, red dwarfs are small and cool, so they are not as bright.

How many planets are around Gliese 581? There are three known planets, all of which are more massive than Earth, around Gliese 581. There were three other candidates, but they were eventually ruled out (although there's still some debate). Gliese 581 also has a very richly populated belt of comets .

When were Gliese 581g and the other planets discovered? The first planet candidate around Gliese 581 was found in 2005. Between then and 2010, the other planet candidates, including Gliese 581f and Gliese 581g, were detected, although they are no longer thought to exist.

Are any of Gliese 581's planets habitable? Two of the claimed planets, Gliese 581d and 581g, were in the habitable zone, which is the distance from the star at which temperatures should be just right for liquid water, assuming the planets have an atmosphere. However, both planets are now thought not to exist.

Could we travel to Gliese 581? No, we couldn't travel to Gliese 581. Even if we were to travel at the speed of light  which, of course, is not possible  it would take 20 years to get there. Our fastest spacecraft is the Parker Solar Probe , which got a boost to 394,736 mph (635,266 km/h) after a gravitational assist from Venus . Traveling at this velocity, it would take 34,850 years to reach Gliese 581.

Gliese 581's planets

An artist's impression of Gliese 581e. This planet is the closest to its star. (Image credit: ESO/L Calcada)

The first exoplanet to be found orbiting Gliese 581 was Gliese 581b . It is a Neptune-size world with a mass at least 15.8 times the mass of Earth, and it orbits its star at a distance of 3.7 million miles (5.97 million kilometers) every 5.4 days. The habitable zone has been shown to begin at a distance of 10.9 million miles ( 17.5 million km ) from the star, so Gliese 581b is too close to the red dwarf  and, therefore, too hot  to be considered habitable.

Next up were two "super-Earths," Gliese 581c and 581d , both announced in April 2007. Gliese 581c is also too hot to be in the habitable zone, orbiting the star at a distance of 6.7 million miles (10.7 million km). However, Gliese 581d was more interesting. Orbiting 20.3 million miles (32.7 million km) from the star every 66.5 days, it was snugly inside the habitable zone. Even though its mass was at least 5.6 times that of Earth, it was still deemed the most Earth-like planet discovered until that point.

A fourth planet, Gliese 581e , was spotted in 2009. This planet was the closest planet to the star, orbiting at a distance of just 2.6 million miles (4.2 million km) every 3.2 days, and its mass is about 2.5 times that of Earth .

Not one of these planets has a direct analog in the solar system. We don't have a Neptune-size planet close to the sun or rocky planets several times Earth's mass. So the worlds of Gliese 581 are very alien to us.

Discovery of Gliese 581f and Gliese 581g

In 2010, a different team announced the discovery of two more planets in the Gliese 581 system . Named Gliese 581f and Gliese 581g, they were found by a team led by Steven Vogt of the Lick Observatory in California and Paul Butler of Carnegie Science in Washington, D.C. One of the claimed planets, Gliese 581g, was very promising. Its discovery was based on 11 years of radial-velocity data collected by the HIRES instrument at the W. M. Keck Observatory atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii, coupled with 4.3 years' worth of data from 119 separate observations made with HARPS.

Moreover, Gliese 581g seemed to sit squarely inside its star's habitable zone. Without an atmosphere, its temperature would be between minus 35 and 12 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 37 to minus 11 degrees Celsius). But an atmosphere could allow the planet to retain heat, like Earth's atmosphere does, so that, in principle, it could be warm enough for liquid water on the surface.

Gliese 581g was, therefore, the most Earth-like exoplanet known at the time, in terms of its mass (at least 3.1 times Earth's mass) and the amount of heat it received from its star, as it orbited at a distance of 13.5 million miles (21.8 million km) every 36.6 days. Coupled with 581d , it meant that Gliese 581 had two planets in its habitable zone.

What happened to Gliese 581g?

Almost immediately, cracks began appearing in the arguments for Gliese 581f and g. The first to question their existence was a study by the same team of European astronomers who found the first four planets around Gliese 581.

Detecting planets via the radial velocity method isn't as simple as finding an alternating redshift and blueshift in a star's light. Stars are roiling, turbulent beasts, and there are intrinsic stellar characteristics that can mimic redshift and blueshift, creating the illusion of an orbiting planet.

The red dwarf star Gliese 581. (Image credit: Digital Sky Survey)

For example, the sun has parts of its photosphere and chromosphere, such as plages , that are hotter and brighter  and, therefore, "bluer"  and regions that are cooler and fainter, and correspondingly "redder," such as sunspots . Red dwarf stars such as Gliese 581 have the strongest magnetic fields of all sunlike stars and can produce much larger starspots much more frequently than the sun does, for example.

Because all stars have this kind of activity to some extent, it is always present in the radial velocity measurements. To be certain that a planet  and not just a large starspot  has been detected, the signal must be statistically significant. Instead, the European astronomers argued that, having combined 121 new radial velocity observations from HARPS with the 119 HARPS measurements used in Vogt and Butler's original study, they found no statistical evidence for either planet. A second paper published around the same time used Bayesian statistics to come to the same conclusion: that there are only four planets, and that Gliese 581f and Gliese 581g do not exist.

Vogt and Butler rejected the European findings. They claimed that the team had ignored data that didn't agree with the four-planet model and that their four-planet model was dynamically unstable and, therefore, impossible. Instead, Vogt and Butler reanalyzed the HARPS data and believed they found strong evidence for Gliese 581g, albeit with slightly different properties, including a minimum mass of 2.2 times that of Earth rather than the previously reported 3.1 Earth masses, and an orbital period of 32, not 36, days. Nevertheless, this supposed planet would still be in its star's habitable zone, and its smaller size would make it even more Earth-like.

Doubts about Gliese 581d

That was as good as it got for claims for planets Gliese 581f and Gliese 581g. In 2014, a study led by Paul Robertson of Pennsylvania State University concluded that stellar activity was masquerading as the planets in Gliese 581's habitable zone. They measured the star's rotation period as 130 days plus or minus two days (this was later refined to 132 days) and that starspots moving in and out of view as the star rotated were mimicking not only planets f and g but also planet d, which suspiciously had a claimed orbital period half that of the star's measured rotation. So now there were three planets in the firing line!

Back and forth the debate went. With the potential loss of planet d as well, the stakes were higher. "The existence (or not) of GJ [Gliese] 581d is significant because it was the first Earth-like planet discovered in the 'Goldilocks'-zone around another star and it is a benchmark case for the Doppler technique," Guillem Anglada-Escude, an astronomer at Queen Mary University of London, said in a statement in 2015.

The debate surrounding planet d swiftly ended in 2016, when Artie Hatzes, an astronomer at the Karl Schwarzschild Observatory in Germany, showed that hydrogen-alpha emissions on the star with a frequency of 66.7 days were 180 degrees out of phase with the supposed orbit of planet d. In other words, the frequency of these hydrogen-alpha emissions resulting from stellar activity were creating the illusion that there was a planet orbiting roughly every 66.5 days.

A year later, the stories of planets f and g were also brought to an end. A survey conducted by the CARMENES (Calar Alto high-Resolution search for M dwarfs with Exoearths with Near-infrared and optical Echelle Spectrographs) radial velocity measuring instrument at the Calar Alto Observatory in Spain confirmed that there were only three planets orbiting Gliese 581: b, c and e.

Not the end of the story

The lesson from all of this is to remember that when astronomers talk about having discovered an exoplanet, it does not usually mean they have seen it with their own eyes through a telescope. The existence of exoplanets is usually inferred indirectly, and the signals are often so faint that we need multiple observations to be statistically sure the planet is there.

That's why you might often see the phrase " planet candidate ," which is a signal, either from radial velocity or transit, that we think is a planet but have not yet achieved statistical significance in the observations or, alternatively, have not been seen in both transits and radial velocity, the two independent methods providing a degree of verification for each other. And even when we think we're sure, the case of Gliese 581 reminds us just how difficult these exoplanet observations can be.

In fact, the story of Gliese 581's planets is not over. In January 2024, astronomers Manfred Cuntz of the University of Texas at Arlington and Scott Engle and Edward Guinan of Villanova University in Pennsylvania reported that they suspected the spectroscopic measurements of Gliese 581's rotation  and, therefore, its stellar activity  were inaccurate.

They calculated that the star spins on its axis once every 148.7 days  more than 16 days longer than the previously presupposed period. Remember, planet d was originally ruled out because its orbital period was half that of the star's originally calculated rotation period, connecting its signal with activity on the star. However, this is not the case if the new value for the stellar rotation is correct. Cuntz, Engle and Guinan are not claiming planet d exists; they are just saying the main reason for ruling out the planet has been shown to be inaccurate.

So this isn't the end of Gliese 581d's story. Stay tuned to find out what happens next!

Additional resources

Keep tabs on new exoplanet candidates and planet confirmations via NASA's Exoplanet Catalog and Europe's Encyclopaedia of Exoplanetary Systems .

Check out news from the latest exoplanet-hunting spacecraft, NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite mission.

See plans for the European Space Agency's exoplanet-hunting mission, PLATO (Planetary Transits and Oscillations of Stars).

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David Hathaway; 'Solar Physics: Photospheric Features', NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (2014) https://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/feature1.shtml#Sunspots

D. Shulyak et al; 'Magnetic Fields in M dwarfs From the CARMENES Survey', Astronomy & Astrophysics, 626 (2019) https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2019/06/aa35315-19/aa35315-19.html

M. Tuomi; 'Bayesian Re-Analysis of the Radial Velocities of Gliese 581: Evidence in Favour of Only Four Planetary Companions', Astronomy & Astrophysics, 528 (2011) https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2011/04/aa15995-10/aa15995-10.html

S. S. Vogt, R. P. Butler, N. Haghighipour; 'GJ 581 Update: Additional Evidence for a Super-Earth in the Habitable Zone', Astronomical Notes, Vol 333, issue 7 (2012) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/asna.201211707

Paul Robertson et al; 'Stellar Activity Masquerading as Planets in the Habitable Zone of the M Dwarf Gliese 581', Science, Vol 345, issue 6,195 (2014) https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1253253

Sarah E. Dodson-Robinson et al; 'Magnitude-Squared Coherence: A Powerful Tool For Disentangling Doppler Planet Discoveries from Stellar Activity', The Astronomical Journal, Vol 163, number 4 (2022) https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/ac52ed

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T. Trifonov et al; 'The CARMENES Search for Exoplanets Around M Dwarf Stars', Astronomy & Astrophysics, Vol 609 (2018) https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2018/01/aa31442-17/aa31442-17.html

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SpaceX fails to repeat Starship booster catch, as Trump watches on



Boca Chica, United States, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



SpaceX flew its latest test flight of its Starship megarocket on Tuesday, with President-elect Donald Trump joining Elon Musk to witness the spectacle firsthand in the latest sign of their ever closer ties.

But the Republican leader was deprived of the chance to see the descending first stage caught in the launch tower's "chopstick" arms, an engineering marvel demonstrated by the company last month and one he personally lauded during his election victory speech.

Instead, the massive Super Heavy booster made a more subdued splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

Company representatives cited unmet technical criteria, dampening the triumph of an event attended by an array of Trump-world figures.

Space X founder and CEO Musk has been a constant presence at Trump's side since the incoming president's election victory, joining him at a meeting with Argentina's President Javier Milei and even at a UFC bout.

Trump's decision to travel to Musk's home turf was the latest sign of the burgeoning bond between the billionaire duo, which has raised questions over possible conflicts of interests given SpaceX's lucrative contracts with NASA and the Pentagon.

Flying in from his Mar-a-Lago home, Trump greeted Musk warmly on Tuesday afternoon, sporting a red MAGA hat as the pair headed off to watch from the control tower of the company's Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, where Starship blasted off at 4:00 pm (2200 GMT).

Tuesday's launch marked the quickest turnaround between test flights for the world's most powerful rocket, a gleaming, 400-foot-tall (121-meter) stainless steel colossus central to Musk's ambition of colonizing Mars and making humanity a multiplanetary species.

Musk aims to launch the first uncrewed missions to the Red Planet as early as 2026, coinciding with the next "Mars transfer window" -- a period when the journey between Earth and Mars is at its shortest.

NASA is also counting on a specialized version of Starship to ferry astronauts to the lunar surface later this decade under its Artemis program.



- Stuffed banana -



Flight six of Starship was seen as a test of whether SpaceX's first booster catch was pure precision or relied on a stroke of luck after Musk -- perhaps inadvertently -- disclosed how close the last flight came to disaster.

In a clip posted to X showcasing his gaming chops in "Diablo IV," sharp-eared fans caught an employee briefing him that the Super Heavy booster was "one second away" from a system failure that could have spelled catastrophe.

Starship's upper stage meanwhile made a partial orbit of Earth, reentered the atmosphere and splashed down in the Indian Ocean around an hour and five minutes after launch.

SpaceX employees erupted in cheers during a live feed watched by nearly nine million viewers, as the upper stage executed a near-vertical daylight splashdown off Australia's northwest coast, sending up a towering plume of water vapor before tipping over.

Key milestones included reigniting Starship's Raptor engines for the first time in space and trialing new heat shield materials. The flight also carried Starship's first ever payload -- a stuffed banana -- and served as a swan song for the current generation of Starship prototypes.

With twice the thrust of the Saturn V rockets that powered Apollo missions, Starship is the most powerful rocket ever built.

Musk has already teased that its successor, Starship V3, will be "3X more powerful" and could take flight in about a year.

The flight comes as Musk is riding high on Trump's November 5 White House win, having campaigned extensively for the returning Republican leader, as well as donating staggering sums from his own fortune to the cause.

His loyalty has paid off. Musk has been tapped to co-lead a new "Department of Government Efficiency" -- or DOGE, a cheeky nod to the meme-based cryptocurrency Musk loves to promote.

That in turn has led to concerns Musk could engage in "self-dealing" as the CEO is poised to straddle the line between government insider and corporate titan.
US finalizes $1.5 bn chips award to GlobalFoundries



Washington, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



The US government said Wednesday it has finalized a grant with chipmaker GlobalFoundries to support its semiconductor manufacturing investments, as President Joe Biden works to secure parts of his legacy before Donald Trump's White House return.

The binding contract provides up to $1.5 billion in direct funding and comes under the CHIPS and Science Act, a suite of incentives to boost research and US semiconductor production.

The United States produces just about 10 percent of the global supply of chips, relying on East Asia for 75 percent of world production, the White House noted in 2022.

"By investing in GF's domestic manufacturing capabilities, we are helping to secure a stable domestic supply of chips that are found in everything from home electronics to advanced weapons systems," said US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

The finalized award comes after a preliminary agreement announced in February, and means that funds can begin flowing when milestones are reached.

The Biden administration has unveiled billions in grants through the CHIPS Act but much of the funds have not been disbursed.

Officials have since been working to get deals across the finish line.

Tuesday's announcement comes about two months before President-elect Trump, who has previously criticized the CHIPS Act, takes office.

The award is aimed at supporting broader investment of around $13 billion by GlobalFoundries (GF) over the next 10 years or so, in its manufacturing sites in New York and Vermont, the Commerce Department said.

This will improve US "competitiveness in current-generation semiconductor production," the department added.

The sites produce semiconductor tech in key areas like automotive, aerospace and defense, as well as communications.

There are currently just four companies outside China that provide "current and mature foundry capabilities at the scale of GF," said the Commerce Department.

And GF is the only one of these firms headquartered in the United States.

"We are strategically strengthening every part of the semiconductor supply chain to ensure we meet our national security objectives and have the ability to out-compete and out-innovate the rest of the world," Raimondo added in a statement.

The aim is to boost economic and national security by increasing domestic manufacturing capacity and bringing back technologies key to US defense and intelligence communities.

The company's investment is estimated to generate about 1,000 manufacturing jobs across both sites.

Last week, US officials finalized a grant to Taiwanese chip giant TSMC as well, for up to $6.6 billion in direct funding to help build facilities on American soil.
Azerbaijani Ambassador to Paris, Leyla Abdullayeva, was summoned to the French Foreign Ministry. According to official sources in Paris, Abdullayeva was protested "in connection with the 'unacceptable statements' made by the Azerbaijani authorities regarding France and Europe within the framework of COP29."

Thats quite a statement, of course. But what exactly did the French consider unacceptable, I wonder? The truth about how Paris oppresses the population of its overseas territories? Or maybe the truth about how France actually encouraged Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan? And did these words hurt Emmanuel Macron so much that the entire French government, in a unified response, canceled its trip to Baku for COP29? Well, okay. You're offended, sometimes. We didnt attend the biggest climate event of the year. AND NOTHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED.

The conference is ongoing, negotiations continue, and the halls are far from empty. French delegates could have filled those seats if they found the courage to come to Baku. The team didnt even notice the loss of one member, as they say.

But the most amusing part of the French Foreign Ministrys statement regarding the summoning of the Azerbaijani ambassador is the ending. France, Paris claims, demands that Azerbaijan "cease hostile actions." Wow! What an interesting classification of actions the French have. The statements made in Baku are considered "hostile actions." And what about the trips of French deputies to the still-occupied Karabakh? Or Macrons scandalous interviews? Or the vandalism of the Natavan monument in France? How do these incidents rank according to the French Foreign Ministry's scale? Are they considered a declaration of war? Well, if that's the case, then Azerbaijans "hostile actions," in the form of voicing the truth about the policy and approach of the Macron administration, are all Paris can count on.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, is currently on a working visit to Pakistan to participate in the 12th International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2024). Within the visit, he met with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.

The discussions focused on the current state of military relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, which are founded on strong, fraternal ties, and explored new avenues for further cooperation. Both sides highlighted that the strategic partnership is in progress.

The sides emphasized the significance of such dialogues in deepening bilateral relations and exchanged views on various issues of common interest, the ministry statement said.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
European powers, US seek to censure Iran at UN nuclear watchdog board



Vienna, Nov 19 (AFP) Nov 19, 2024



European powers and the United States are moving ahead with a plan to censure Iran for its poor cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog at this week's board meeting, despite an offer by Tehran to cap its highly enriched uranium stock, diplomats told AFP.

Tensions between Iran and Western powers have repeatedly flared since a 2015 deal curbing Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief fell apart.

In recent years, Tehran has decreased its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) by ramping up its nuclear activities, deactivating surveillance devices to monitor the nuclear programme and barring UN inspectors.

A plan by Britain, France, Germany and the United States to submit a new resolution against Iran comes as concerns over the rapid expansion of its nuclear programme heightened fears that Tehran might be seeking to develop a nuclear weapon.

According to the IAEA, Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state to enrich uranium to 60 percent, a short step from the 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons.

Iran has always denied seeking a nuclear weapon.

A confidential agency report seen by AFP on Tuesday showed that Tehran has further increased its stock of highly enriched uranium in recent months.

Iran's total stockpile of enriched uranium also grew to an estimated 6,604.4 kilogrammes as of October 26.

However, Iran pledged to halt the expansion of its highly enriched uranium stock during recent talks with the IAEA, and has since implemented preparatory steps to achieve that, the report added.



- 'Comprehensive report' -



Following the report, a senior diplomat voiced "scepticism" about Iran's last-minute offer to freeze its sensitive stockpile, saying it was "pretty disingenuous" as it did not require much effort and could be reversed.

Another senior diplomat said "based on past experience" the recent offer by Iran will probably "not stand" anymore once a resolution is tabled.

With the planned censure, diplomats aim to raise diplomatic pressure on Iran to come back into compliance and address the IAEA's long-standing concerns.

A similar resolution was passed by the agency board in June.

According to a version of the censure motion seen by AFP, Western powers this time ask for a "comprehensive report" to be issued by IAEA head Rafael Grossi.

The report would seek to shed more light on Iran's nuclear activities, including "a full account" of Tehran's cooperation with the agency on uranium traces found at undeclared sites.

The planned resolution comes after Grossi travelled to Tehran last week for talks with President Masoud Pezeshkian and other high-ranking officials.

While Grossi's visit marked "a positive step toward establishing a better relationship" with Iran's new government, it nonetheless was "too little and too late to stave off a censure from the board", Kelsey Davenport, an expert with the Arms Control Association, told AFP.

For months, Western powers have been demanding tangible steps from Iran to improve cooperation.

Nonetheless, Tehran has ramped up its nuclear activities, which have "no credible civilian purpose", said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller on Tuesday, adding that Iran must be "held accountable".



- Trump's return -



Earlier this month, Iran expressed hope that talks on its nuclear programme would be conducted "away from political pressure and considerations", but warned it would retaliate if a resolution is adopted.

Grossi's visit was seen as one of the last chances for diplomacy before Donald Trump returns as US president in January.

During his first term between 2017 and 2021, Trump imposed a "maximum pressure" policy against Iran.

This included Washington tearing up a deal on Iran's nuclear programme that had been reached under his predecessor, Barack Obama in 2015.

The landmark deal struck with the United States, China, Russia, France, Germany and Britain provided Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme.

Efforts to revive the deal have so far failed.
Iraqis face tough homecoming a decade after IS rampage



Hassan Shami, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



A decade after Islamic State group extremists rampaged through northern Iraq, Moaz Fadhil and his eight children finally returned to their village after languishing for years in a displacement camp.

Their home, Hassan Shami, is just a stone's throw from the tent city where they had been living, and it still bears the scars of the fight against IS.

The jihadists seized a third of Iraq, ruling their self-declared "caliphate" with an iron fist, before an international coalition wrestled control from them in 2017.

Seven years on, many of the village's homes are still in ruins and lacking essential services, but Fadhil said he felt an "indescribable joy" upon moving back in August.

Iraq -- marred by decades of war and turmoil even before the rise of IS -- is home to more than a million internally displaced people.

Baghdad has been pushing for the closure of the displacement camps, with the country having attained a degree of comparative stability in recent years.

Most of the camps in federal Iraq have now been closed, but around 20 remain in the northern autonomous Kurdistan region, which according to the United Nations house more than 115,000 displaced people.

But for many, actually returning home can be a difficult task.

After getting the green light from Kurdish security forces to leave the camp, Fadhil moved his family into a friend's damaged house because his own is a complete ruin.



- 'Beautiful memories' -



"Water arrives by tanker trucks and there is no electricity," said the 53-year-old.

Although the rubble has been cleared from the structure he now lives in, the cinder block walls and rough concrete floors remain bare.

Across Hassan Shami, half-collapsed houses sit next to concrete buildings under construction by those residents who can afford to rebuild.

Some have installed solar panels to power their new lives.

A small new mosque stands, starkly white, beside an asphalt road.

"I was born here, and before me my father and mother," said Fadhil, an unemployed farmer.

"I have beautiful memories with my children, my parents."

The family survives mainly on the modest income brought in by his eldest son, who works as a day labourer on building sites.

"Every four or five days he works a day" for about $8, said Fadhil.

In an effort to close the camps and facilitate returns, Iraqi authorities are offering families around $3,000 to go back to their places of origin.

To do so, displaced people must also get security clearance -- to ensure they are not wanted for jihadist crimes -- and have their identity papers or property rights in order.

But of the 11,000 displaced people still living in six displacement camps near Hassan Shami, 600 are former prisoners, according to the UN.

They were released after serving up to five years for crimes related to membership of IS.



- Not that simple -



For them, going home can mean further complications.

There's the risk of ostracism by neighbours or tribes for their perceived affiliation with IS atrocities, potential arrest at a checkpoint by federal forces or even a second trial.

Among them is 32-year-old Rashid, who asked that we use a pseudonym because of his previous imprisonment in Kurdistan for belonging to the jihadist group.

He said he hopes the camp next to Hassan Shami does not close.

"I have a certificate of release (from prison), everything is in order... But I can't go back there", he said of federal Iraq.

"If I go back it's 20 years" in jail, he added, worried that he would be tried again in an Iraqi court.

Ali Abbas, spokesperson for Iraq's migration ministry, said that those who committed crimes may indeed face trial after they leave the camps.

"No one can prevent justice from doing its job", he said, claiming that their families would not face repercussions.

The government is working to ensure that families who return have access to basic services, Abbas added.

In recent months, Baghdad has repeatedly tried to set deadlines for Kurdistan to close the camps, even suing leaders of the autonomous region before finally opting for cooperation over coercion.

Imrul Islam of the Norwegian Refugee Council said displacement camps by definition are supposed to be temporary, but warned against their hasty closure.

When people return, "you need schools. You need hospitals. You need roads. And you need working markets that provide opportunities for livelihoods," he said.

Without these, he said, many families who try to resettle in their home towns would end up returning to the camps.
Russia vows response after Ukraine fires long-range US missiles



Kyiv, Ukraine, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



Russia warned on Tuesday that it would respond after Ukraine fired longer-range US missiles at its territory for the first time, as President Vladimir Putin issued a nuclear threat on the 1,000th day of the war.

A senior official told AFP that a strike on Russia's Bryansk region earlier on Tuesday "was carried out by ATACMS missiles" -- a reference to the US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System.

Speaking 1,000 days after Russia invaded Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the attack showed Western countries wanted to "escalate" the conflict.

"We will be taking this as a qualitatively new phase of the Western war against Russia. And we will react accordingly," Lavrov told a press conference at the G20 summit in Brazil.

Putin signed a decree on Tuesday lowering the threshold for using nuclear weapons, a move that the White House, UK and European Union condemned as "irresponsible".

He has used nuclear rhetoric throughout the conflict but has grown increasingly belligerent since last year, pulling out of a nuclear test ban treaty and a key arms reduction agreement with the US.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky accused G20 leaders in Brazil of failing to act over Putin's nuclear threats, saying the Russian leader had no interest in peace.

He later warned that Ukraine would lose the war if the United States cuts military funding to Kyiv.

US President-elect Donald Trump is a vocal sceptic of the billions that the administration of Joe Biden has given to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in 2022.

"If they cut, we will -- I think we will lose," Zelensky said in an interview with US network Fox News.

"We will fight. We have our production, but it's not enough to prevail," he added.



- Nuclear sabre-rattling -



Washington this week said it had cleared Ukraine to use ATACMS against military targets inside Russia -- a long-standing Ukrainian request.

The Washington Post on Tuesday -- citing two unnamed officials -- reported Biden had also authorised the provision of antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine, a step that will bolster Kyiv's defences against advancing Russian troops but has drawn criticism from arms control groups.

Russia said on Tuesday that Ukraine had used the ATACMS missiles against a facility in the Bryansk region close to the border.

"At 03:25 am (0025 GMT), the enemy struck a site in the Bryansk region with six ballistic missiles. According to confirmed data, US-made ATACMS tactical missiles were used," said a defence ministry statement.

Lavrov said the 300-kilometre (186-mile) range missiles could not have been fired without US technical assistance.

Moscow has said the use of Western weapons against its internationally recognised territory would make the US a direct participant in the conflict.

Confirmation of the strike came shortly after Putin signed a decree that enables Moscow to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states such as Ukraine if they are supported by nuclear powers.

The new doctrine also allows Moscow to unleash a nuclear response in the event of a "massive" air attack, even if it is only with conventional weapons.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said this was "necessary to bring our principles in line with the current situation."

He also accused the West of trying to use Ukraine to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, RIA Novosti news agency reported.



- 'Emboldened Russia' -



The 1,000th day of Russia's invasion -- launched on February 24, 2022 -- comes at a perilous time for Ukrainian forces across the front, particularly near the war-battered cities of Kupiansk and Pokrovsk.

Russia has also intensified strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent days, with attacks on city centres and residential buildings that have killed dozens of civilians.

A Russian strike in the eastern Ukrainian region of Sumy late Monday gutted a Soviet-era residential building and killed at least 12 people, including a child, according to officials.

Ukrainian forces have steadily lost ground in Russia's Kursk region where they seized territory in August, and have warned that Russia has massed some 50,000 troops, including North Korean forces, to wrest back the region.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Chinese President Xi Jinping Tuesday that the alleged deployment of North Korean soldiers risked worsening the conflict.

Both Russia and Ukraine have steered their economies to help the war effort.

Ukrainian lawmakers voted Tuesday to approve the 2025 budget with more than $50 billion -- or 60 percent of all expenditure -- allocated to defence and security.

Russia's parliament last month approved a budget that will see a defence spending surge of almost 30 percent next year.

NATO chief Mark Rutte warned Tuesday that Putin must not be allowed to prevail.

"Why is this so crucial that Putin will not get his way? Because you will have an emboldened Russia on our border... and I'm absolutely convinced it will not stop there," Rutte told reporters in Brussels.

At the United Nations, around 50 member states reaffirmed their support for Kyiv and demanded Moscow withdraw its troops from Ukraine on Tuesday, as they marked the anniversary of Russia's invasion.
Lebanese army says soldier killed by Israeli fire



Beirut, Lebanon, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



The Lebanese army said Israeli fire killed a soldier on Wednesday, a day after it said three other personnel died in a strike on their position in south Lebanon.

South Lebanon has seen intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah militants whose group holds sway in the area.

A soldier "died of his wounds sustained due to the Israel army targeting of an army vehicle" in south Lebanon, a statement on X said, after reporting two personnel wounded in the incident near Qlayaa in south Lebanon.

On Tuesday, the military said three soldiers were killed when "the Israeli enemy targeted an army position in the town of Sarafand", where the health ministry said eight people were wounded.

AFP images showed destruction at the site in Sarafand on the Mediterranean coast, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the southern border, with a concrete structure destroyed and a vehicle among the debris.

Since September 23, Israel has ramped up its bombing campaign in Lebanon, later sending in ground troops, after almost a year of cross-border exchanges begun by Hezbollah in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas.

South Lebanon and the capital have seen heavy strikes in recent days, though the situation was calmer in Beirut on Tuesday and Wednesday, with US envoy Amos Hochstein visiting for truce talks.

Lebanon's official National News Agency reported Israeli shelling and air strikes in south Lebanon overnight and on Wednesday, saying Israeli troops were seeking to advance further near the town of Khiam.

Hezbollah on Tuesday said it had attacked Israeli troops near the flashpoint border town.

The NNA also said that Israel forces were "attempting to advance from the Kfarshuba hills... to open up a new front under the cover of fire and artillery shells and air strikes".

"Violent clashes are taking place" between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, it added.

Hezbollah said it carried out several attacks on Israeli troops near the border Wednesday.

On Tuesday, it claimed more than 30 attacks on troops, positions and locations in central and northern Israel and south Lebanon.
Western powers move to censure Iran at UN nuclear meet



Vienna, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



European powers and the United States have submitted a resolution censuring Iran for its poor cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, diplomats told AFP on Wednesday, as Tehran warned of a "proportionate" response if it passes.

As a board meeting by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) kicked off in Vienna, diplomats told AFP that Paris, Berlin, London and Washington formally tabled a censure motion critical of Iran.

The resolution is expected to come to a vote on Thursday, the diplomatic sources said.

In a phone conversation with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned of a "proportionate" response from Tehran if the board passes the resolution, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Araghchi also said the move is "in clear contradiction to the positive atmosphere created in the interactions between Iran and the agency."

Earlier on Wednesday, Araghchi said he "strongly condemned" the move, adding it "will only complicate the matter further".

The tabled resolution follows a visit by Grossi to Iran, where he also toured the country's major enrichment sites in Fordo and Natanz. Iran viewed the trip as positive.

The agency has said that Iran has taken steps towards halting the expansion of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, according to a confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seen by AFP on Tuesday.



- Tensions -



With the planned censure motion, diplomats aim to raise diplomatic pressure on Iran to come back into compliance and address the IAEA's long-standing concerns.

According to the final version of the text seen by AFP, Western powers this time ask for a "comprehensive report" to be issued by IAEA head Grossi by spring 2025 "at the latest".

The report would seek to shed more light on Iran's nuclear activities, including on Tehran's cooperation with the agency on uranium traces found at undeclared sites.

According to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who held talks with his Iranian counterpart, Tehran's expansion of its nuclear programme is "very worrying and entails major risks of proliferation".

Tensions between Iran and the agency have repeatedly flared since a 2015 deal to curb Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanction relief.

The deal fell apart after Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States in 2018 and reimposed heavy sanctions on Iran.

Tehran in response stepped back from its mandates under the deal, increasing its enrichment levels up to 60 percent, close to the 90 percent threshold required to develop a nuclear bomb.

Iran, however, has always denied seeking a nuclear weapon, saying the nuclear developments are for civil and peaceful purposes.

According to the IAEA, Tehran is the only non-nuclear weapon state to enrich uranium to 60 percent.

The agency said on Tuesday that Iran had increased its stockpile of enriched uranium in recent months, which reached more than 32 times the cap set in the 2015 nuclear deal.

The stockpile was estimated at 6,604.4 kilograms as of October 26, up 852.6 kilos from the last quarterly report in August.

Last week, Araghchi told Grossi that Iran was "willing to negotiate" but was not "under pressure and intimidation".

He also said that if a resolution against Tehran was passed, Iran would "take new measures in our nuclear programme that they will certainly not like."

The veteran diplomat was Iran's chief negotiator in talks that led to the 2015 nuclear deal.
Iraq accuses Israel of seeking pretext for future attack



Baghdad, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



Iraq has accused Israel of attempting to legitimise an attack on its territory, after the Israeli foreign ministry protested to the United Nations about attacks by Iraqi militants.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of armed groups backed by Iran, has claimed almost daily drone attacks targeting Israel in recent months, which they say are in support of their Palestinian ally Hamas.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called on the UN Security Council Monday to pressure Iraq to end the attacks launched from its soil.

Saar said Israel would take "all necessary measures to protect itself and its citizens" from the attacks.

In a statement late Tuesday, the Iraqi government rejected the Israeli complaint.

"These allegations are merely excuses intended to justify planned aggression against Iraq," it said, adding that it was already taking measures "to prevent the use of Iraqi territory for launching attacks".

The Iraqi government, which is dominated by pro-Iranian parties, has been pursuing a delicate balancing act in its efforts to keep out of the regional conflict sparked by Hamas's attack on Israel in October last year.

While most drones launched from Iraq have been intercepted by Israeli air defences, one in early October killed two soldiers and wounded 24 at a base in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.
UK and Moldova sign defence pact to counter 'Russian aggression'



London, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



Britain and Moldova launched a new defence and security partnership on Wednesday in the face of threats from Russia, the UK government announced.

The initiative was disclosed as British Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited the Moldovan capital Chisinau.

The UK foreign ministry said the pact was about "building on extensive cooperation between the two countries and strengthening Moldovan resilience against external threats.

"Moldova is a vital security partner for the UK, which is why to reinforce their resilience against Russian aggression and to keep British streets safe, I am deepening cooperation on irregular migration and launching a new defence and security partnership," said Lammy.

Moldova has been looking eastwards with unease since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The war has forced millions of civilians to flee their homes in Ukraine, including tens of thousands to Moldova, with more than 50,000 Ukrainian children now living in the country, the UK statement said.

Earlier this month, Moldova's pro-European President Maia Sandu won re-election following a tense vote overshadowed by allegations of Russian meddling.

It came just two weeks after a referendum in which Moldovans voted by a razor-thin margin in favour of joining the EU.

The two votes laid bare divisions in the former Soviet republic.

A large diaspora and those in the capital mostly favour joining the EU, while rural areas and the pro-Russian separatist regions of Transnistria and Gagauzia are against.
Syria says 36 killed in Israeli strikes on Palmyra



Damascus, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



The Syrian defence ministry said 36 people were killed and more than 50 wounded Wednesday in Israeli air strikes on the oasis city of Palmyra, renowned for its ancient ruins.

"The Israeli enemy launched an air attack from the direction of the Al-Tanf area, targeting a number of buildings in the city of Palmyra," a ministry statement said.

The attack "killed 36 people and wounded more than 50", as well as causing "significant material damage," it added.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Israeli strikes killed 41 people, many of them pro-Iran fighters from neighbouring Iraq.

"Forty-one people have been killed, including seven pro-Iranian Syrian fighters and 22 non-Syrians, mostly Tehran-backed Iraqi members of the Al-Nujaba Brigades," the Britain-based war monitor said.

State news agency SANA said the Israeli strike "targeted residential buildings and the industrial area" of the city.

Since civil war erupted in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria, mainly targeting the army and Iran-backed groups.

The Israeli military has intensified its strikes since almost a year of hostilities with Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon escalated into all-out war in late September.

Israel rarely comments on individual strikes in Syria but has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to expand its presence in the country.
Danish navy shadowing Chinese ship after Baltic cables severed



Copenhagen, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



Denmark's navy said Wednesday that it was shadowing a Chinese cargo vessel that was stopped off the Danish coast, a day after Finland and Sweden opened investigations into suspected sabotage of two undersea telecoms cables.

The cutting of the two cables within 48 hours prompted European officials to say Tuesday that they suspect "sabotage" and "hybrid warfare" linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- which the Kremlin on Wednesday rejected as "absurd" and "laughable".

The C-Lion 1 submarine cable connecting Helsinki and the German port of Rostock was cut Monday south of Oland island in Swedish waters, around 700 kilometres (435 miles) from Helsinki.

Early Sunday, another telecoms cable, Arelion, running from the Swedish Baltic Sea island of Gotland to Lithuania, was also damaged.

"The Danish Defence can confirm that we are present in the area near the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3," the military wrote in an email to AFP, adding that it would make no further comment for now.

The cargo ship, owned by Chinese company Ningbo Yipeng Shipping, stopped overnight Tuesday to Wednesday in the Kattegat strait between Denmark and southwestern Sweden, according to the tracking site Marinetraffic.



- 'Sabotage' -



The tracker also showed that the Yi Peng 3 had on Monday been in the area of the C-Lion 1 cable when it was damaged, though there is nothing to indicate that it was involved in the incident.

According to the specialised site VesselFinder, the Yi Peng 3 left the Russian port of Ust-Luga, west of Saint Petersburg, on November 15.

Swedish police also said Wednesday that they were interested in a ship that had been observed in the vicinity of the cables.

They did not specify which ship they were referring to, other than saying it "was currently not in Swedish waters".

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, said Wednesday that he was not aware of the situation but that "China has consistently and fully fulfilled its obligations as a flag state and requires Chinese vessels to strictly abide by the relevant laws and regulations".

On Tuesday, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the severed cables were likely the result of "sabotage".

"Nobody believes that these cables were accidentally severed," he said on the sidelines of a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels.

The prime ministers of Denmark and Sweden echoed that sentiment Wednesday.

"We are closely following what the relevant authorities are saying, and I wouldn't be surprised if it is an external actor that has carried out sabotage," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told news agency Ritzau.



- 'Unrest' -



Frederiksen added that given the tensions in the Baltic Sea area there was "a risk of hybrid attacks, cyberattacks and attacks on critical infrastructure".

"We're seeing more and more unrest on several fronts," she said.

Her Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson also said the severed cables "very well could be intentional sabotage".

But he cautioned that "this is not something we know yet, I won't speculate on it".

"We live in a time where you need to take every such risk very seriously. We have previously seen sabotage," Kristersson told Swedish news agency TT.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected speculations that Russia could somehow be involved.

"It's quite absurd to keep blaming Russia for everything without any grounds. It is laughable in the context of the lack of any reaction to Ukraine's sabotage activities in the Baltic Sea," Peskov said Wednesday.

In October 2023, an undersea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia had to be shut down after it was damaged by the anchor of a Chinese cargo ship.

And in September 2022, a series of underwater blasts ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines that carried Russian gas to Europe, the cause of which has yet to be determined.

In August, The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukraine's top military commander at the time, Valery Zaluzhny, oversaw a plan to blow up the pipelines, with approval by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine rejected the claims as "absolute nonsense".
Cash-strapped UK to decommission aging assault ships, helicopters



London, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



Britain's military will decommission two former Royal Navy flagships and more than a dozen ageing helicopters in cost-saving measures, Defence Secretary John Healey said Wednesday.

It comes as the new Labour government grapples with stretched public finances, which it has blamed on the "dire inheritance" left by the previous Conservative administration ousted from power in July.

Announcing the decisions in parliament, Healey said the assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark would be decommissioned alongside an ageing frigate and two support tankers.

Fourteen of the oldest Chinook transport helicopters will be removed early from service, and the lifespan of Puma support choppers will not be extended beyond March 2025.

Elsewhere, the Army's Watchkeeper drones, which have been in service for a decade but beset by problems and are now effectively obsolete, will be grounded.

"For too long our soldiers, sailors, aviators have been stuck with old, outdated equipment because ministers wouldn't make the difficult decommissioning decisions," Healey said.

"As technology advances at pace, we must move faster towards the future," he said.

The moves drew swift criticism from opposition MPs, pointing to the need for strong Western military deterrence amid Russia's war in Ukraine and escalating global tensions.

One Tory MP called it "a black day for the Royal Marines".

But Healey said the decommissionings would save pound500 million ($632 million) over five years, adding that those savings "will be retained in full in defence".

He also said that "these will not be the last difficult decisions I will have to make to fix the defence inheritance that we were left with".

"But they will help get a grip of finances now, and they will give greater scope to renew our forces for the future."

Britain spent an estimated 2.3 percent of GDP on defence last year, with the new government saying it intends to increase that to 2.5 percent by an unspecified date.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The support we have been waiting for for decades has come from Azerbaijan, President of the Solidarity Support for the Reinforcement of Development Aid (ASRAD) Kabine Doumbia said during a meeting with representatives of colonization-affected African states who visited Azerbaijan within COP29, today, Trend reports.

One state strives for the sovereignty of another state and creates a group, and this is commendable. We have been waiting for this support for decades. For the first time, this initiative came from Azerbaijan.

Congratulations to Azerbaijan for organizing COP29. The Baku Initiative Group provided us with great support. I also welcome Azerbaijans chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, 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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The current interstate relations have been discussed during a meeting between Azerbaijan's Prime Minister Ali Asadov and Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Crafts of Iran Reza Salehi Amiri, Trend reports the statement from the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers.

The meeting emphasized the high organization level of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

It was brought to attention that one of the priorities identified by Azerbaijan during its presidency of COP is climate action in the tourism sector.

During the conversation, the current state of Azerbaijani-Iranian relations and prospects for bilateral cooperation between the parties were discussed," added the statement.

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The ASA said: Because the ads did not include any risk warnings to make clear that the investments could go down as well as up, and that gold investment was an unregulated activity, and the landing page did not present that information immediately to consumers, we concluded that the ads were misleading.
This says Ofcom should ensure the concept of safety by design is being followed by platforms from the start so more harm is caught before it occurs, and pushes for more transparency from tech firms on what harms are occurring on their platforms.
Rust is billed as the story of a 13-year-old boy who, left to fend for himself and his younger brother following their parents deaths in 1880s Wyoming, goes on the run with his long-estranged grandfather after being sentenced to hang for the accidental killing of a local rancher.
The theory about lightning that Omar and Jo talk about in the second episode of The Listeners has been floated. The idea is that some of the eight million bolts of lightning that strike the Earth every day could cause vibrations, which might by audible. Other natural phenomena such as the jet stream or waves crashing on the ocean floor have also been posited.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaija

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The successful continuation of bilateral military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan has been discussed during the working visit of the First Deputy Minister of Defense  Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev to Pakistan, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.

As part of the visit, Valiyev met with the Chairman of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Board, Air Vice Marshal Hakim Raza.

At the meeting, the sides highlighted the successful continuation of bilateral military cooperation, such as cooperation in other areas, and wide opportunities for further development, as well as discussed other issues of mutual interest.

The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov.

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Police released new CCTV images of the prime suspect of her killing, her husband Pankaj Lamba, 23, in east London after he is thought to have killed her and abandoned her body in the vehicle.
He spoke to confirm his name, age, home address in Wallis Close in Hornchurch, Essex, and to enter a not guilty plea to the charge of wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.
He hasnt listened to older people who say they feel safer going to the shops. I met one woman who said its the first time in 50 years living on Old Bethnal Green Road that she feels safe walking to the shops by herself. He hasnt listened to the GPs or to the hospitals, who say that were all healthier.
Since being out here weve been assisted by Arctic warfare instructors, both from the UK and also the Finnish Jaeger Brigade, to help us learn some techniques to survive the cold and we have all our usual cold-weather kit.
He said to me that the level of fatalities of young soldiers on both sides is enormous, and its just an appalling lack of any moral compass that leaders can preside and President (Vladimir) Putin can preside over such carnage and it should stop.
This might sound terrifying, but its for good reason: staff at the park milk the spiders of their venom, which helps them to create antivenom to treat those unfortunate enough to have been bitten by the creature.
The United States expects Ukraine to use the mines in its own territory, though it has committed not to use them in areas populated with its own civilians, a US official said. The Washington Post first reported the development.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Azerbaijan's initiative to measure climate literacy through the International Program for the Assessment of Students' Educational Achievement (PISA) was supported by COP29 on November 18, Trend reports via the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan.

Thus, at a high-level panel session on Measuring environmental literacy within the framework of international assessment between the Ministry of Science and Education and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an agreement on cooperation on the assessment of climate literacy of students within the framework of PISA was signed.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev and Director for Education and Skills of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Andreas Schleicher.

According to the agreement, in the next PISA study, which will be held in 2029, a framework document on the assessment of climate literacy of students around the world and training materials on the organization of this process will be prepared at the initiative of Azerbaijan.

The agreement is viewed as an important step in focusing global efforts to integrate climate literacy into education, following the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, visited Kashalata, Baku`s first and only inclusive cafe where young people with disabilities are employed, Trend reports.

Leyla Aliyeva was welcomed by Sahil Babayev, Azerbaijani Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population, cafes co-founders, Natavan Mammadova and Ayten Eynalova.

She was informed about the cafe's mission to support employment in an inclusive environment for people with disabilities. Kashalata cafe, located at U. Hajibeyli Street, 57, Baku, was created on the initiative of "Birge va Saglam" PU. Established with support from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, KOBIA, SOCAR, Pasha Holding, and Trendyol Azerbaijan, Kashalata employs 20 young people, 10 of whom are individuals with disabilities.

Leyla Aliyeva toured the facilities, met with the employed youth, and engaged in conversations.

The choir and rhythm group "Blue Hearts" consisting of young people with autism performed the song. They resented Leyla Aliyeva with their handicrafts.

Leyla Aliyeva posed for photos with the employees of the inclusive "Kashalata" cafe.
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The capital will host, on Wednesday, Bucharest Energy Storage 2024, a key event dedicated to discussing the future of energy storage in Romania.

The event will highlight the latest trends and technologies in energy storage, alongside the major players in the market.

Thus, Bucharest Energy Storage 2024 will bring together some of the most influential actors in the area, ranging from investors in renewable energy to representatives of banks, international experts, consultants, and equipment manufacturers.

"The event will offer a unique platform for discussions on the future of storage in Romania, gathering 20 renowned speakers who will address essential topics such as the bankability of projects, their security, and the latest technologies in storage. The event's speakers will include representatives from the companies with the largest market share at present, as well as companies that have announced new investments in the region starting from 2025. The event is structured into three panels, which will address the following discussion topics: Legislative proposals to support investments in BESS; Storage capacities, the future of renewable energy; Financing storage projects," a statement from the event organisers reads.
The level of harmful external pressure exerted on the Republic of Moldova during the elections was historic, the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu stated on Wednesday in Chisinau, inform agerpres.ro.

She was in the capital city of the neighboring country, together with her British counterpart, David Lammy.

"This trilateral meeting once again shows the determination of Romania and the United Kingdom of Great Britain to work together and continue to firmly and resolutely support the Republic of Moldova", stated Odobescu, according to a press release.

She welcomed the "historic" results of the recent election in the Republic of Moldova - the re-election of Maia Sandu as president and the positive result of the constitutional referendum on European integration.

"Unfortunately, the level of harmful external pressures exerted on the Republic of Moldova before and during this electoral exercise was also historic. The scale and diversity of the attacks, the virulence of the hostile, illegal actions aimed at affecting the electoral climate in the Republic of Moldova and diverting the voting options of to the voters was, indeed, without precedent", said the head of Romanian diplomacy.

From the point of view of the Romanian minister, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova "showed maturity and ability to discern between stage elections and those with decisive value for the future".

"The place of the Republic of Moldova is in Europe, because the citizens of the Republic of Moldova deserve a safer, more dignified, better future, a prosperous and European future", stated Odobescu.

David Lammy announced, for his part, a support of 5 million pounds from the United Kingdom, for the more than 100,000 Ukrainian refugees in Moldova.
Two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the latest to join the European F-16 Training Center, landed on Wednesday at the 86th Air Base "Lieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociornita" in Fetesti, announces the Ministry of National Defence (MApN), inform agerpres.ro.

The aircraft will join the 16 already in Romania to strengthen the training capacity of the Center, which currently has a total of 18 aircraft of this type.

The first five aircraft arrived in Romania in November last year, followed by the delivery of another 11 aircraft.

"With today's reception of the two aircraft, the training squadron is now complete, thus fulfilling the commitments assumed by the partners," the source said.

By setting up the European F-16 Training Center, Romania is committed to providing a high quality training environment, with access to state-of-the-art technical resources and know-how not only for Romanian pilots, but also for those from allied and partner states, including Ukraine. The first series of Romanian pilots completed the training program in July this year, and four Ukrainian pilots are currently training at the Center, MApN shows.

The F-16 Center contributes to creating common operational standards and strengthening the North Atlantic Alliance's capacity to meet the complex challenges in the Black Sea region and Eastern Europe.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The US Embassy in Azerbaijan organized a special event to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Azerbaijani students, Trend reports.

Fatima Mammadova and Farid Aliyev, fifth-year Chemical Engineering students at Baku Higher Oil School of SOCAR (BHOS), emerged victorious in the acceleration program organized by Ventures Well for South Caucasus countries with support from the US State Department. Competing as part of the Ateshgah team, they successfully completed a five-week program in Tbilisi.

Their innovative project focuses on cooling solar panels, addressing a critical challenge in renewable energy. The program was implemented in Azerbaijan with the support of SUP VC, Ventures Wells local partner.

During the embassy event, along with other students, they showcased their project and participated in engaging Q&A sessions, fostering discussions about their work.

It is clear that Azerbaijanis who set their sights on studying in the US are increasingly successful in realizing their dreams. The US is the most attractive study destination for students from around the world, with over 1.1 million international students from 210 countries and regions studying there last year, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mark Libby stated at the event.

According to recent statistics, a total of 1,130 Azerbaijanis studied in the US during the 2023-2024 academic year, which shows a 25.4 percent increase compared to the previous year.

The US remains the top destination globally for international study, with over one million international students. International student mobility is central to diplomacy, innovation, economic prosperity, and national security.

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Merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in Romania over January - September 2024 totaled $1.7 billion, almost 13-fold the mere $134 million recorded in the same period last year, shows the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) global M&A report, inform agerpres.ro.

The value of the deals concluded over the entire year 2023 was $2 billion. Romania recorded the seventh largest transaction in Central and Eastern Europe in 2024, as Banca Transilvania acquired OTB Bank for approximately $400 million.

Last year, Romania was third in the regional ranking, propelled by the announcement of the takeover of the Profi chain by Mega Image owner Ahold Delhaize for $1.4 billion.

Central and Eastern Europe recorded transactions worth a combined $18 billion in the first nine months of 2024, slightly higher compared to the same period last year.

In the regional ranking, the Czech Republic leads with deals worth $4.7 billion, followed by Poland ($2.4 billion) and Romania ($1.7 billion). Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia come next with total deals of $500 million, $300 million and $100 million, respectively.

Boston Consulting Group, founded in 1963, collaborates with business and society leaders to address the most important challenges and capture the greatest opportunities. BCG provides solutions through leading management, top-notch technology & design consulting, and digital companies and ventures.
Global losses caused by cybercrime exceeded 8 trillion US dollars in 2023, almost double the entire economy of Japan, Peter Hansen, economic affairs officer at the US Embassy in Romania, said on Wednesday at the CyberCon Romania 2024 international conference.

"Today, it is clear that we are at the intersection of both great opportunities and vulnerabilities in the digital world. Cyber threats know no borders and target critical infrastructure such as energy, healthcare, the financial system, and a breach in one region can spread across the globe. In 2023 alone, global losses due to cybercrime exceeded 8 trillion US dollars, approximately double the entire economy of Japan, the world's fourth largest economy. However, within these challenges lies an opportunity, a chance for governments, businesses, academia and, of course, civil society, such as RAISA [Romanian Association for Information Technology and Security Assurance - editor's note] and others to form effective partnerships. In Romania, a country that has just proved its cyber expertise, this collaboration is already bearing fruit and we have conferences like this as an example, but also the fact that the country is hosting the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and it's producing world-class innovators like Bitdefender," said Hansen.

He referred to the strategic partnership between Romania and the US, which he considers a mutual commitment to "a resilient digital future."

"While referring to the US - Romania Strategic Partnership, it really underlines our mutual commitment to digital solidarity, a principle that emphasises mutual support and cooperation to ensure a resilient digital future. Through our efforts, we are not only improving cybersecurity, but also upholding the values of transparency and freedom. This partnership is crucial, as authoritarian regimes continue to exploit digital tools to disrupt surveillance. We have seen the power of collaboration in action in the FBI's partnership with the law enforcement here in Romania to secure critical data (...). Our cooperation remains a model for combating cybercrime. No matter how rigorous your cyber 'hygiene' is, if your network is not clean, you are building your house on shifting sands. That is why the United States supports the importance of clean networks, using trusted providers and technologies that protect against exploitation by authoritarian regimes. Ensuring clean networks is not just a technical necessity, but it is also a strategic imperative. Together with Romania, we promote this vision to ensure the security, not only of systems, but of the values we hold close to us," the American official pointed out.

The Romanian Association for Information Security Assurance (ARASEC), in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States of America in Romania, is organizing a new edition of the international conference CyberCon Romania 2024, an important event in the field of cybersecurity, awarded with CyberOSPA in 2022 for excellence in promoting cybersecurity at the international level.

CyberCon Romania 2024 takes place on November 20 and 21, 2024, at the European Commission's Representation in Romania and brings together experts from the public, private and academic sectors.
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ST. LOUIS  Yusef Scoggin refers to the divided nature of government in the St. Louis region as our Achilles heel  a weak point that often fails, stopping progress in its tracks.

The city of St. Louis is separate from the county of the same name, and that county has more than 80 municipalities. Then there are the surrounding counties of Jefferson, Franklin and St. Charles. And, of course, theres the other part of St. Louis, across the Mississippi River in Illinois, with its Madison and St. Clair and Monroe counties.

The fractured nature of our community has plagued us for many years, Scoggin told a crowd of leaders from those various places on Tuesday afternoon at The Hub in north St. Louis.

Trying to get all those government entities rowing in the same direction is a challenge no matter what the issue.

This week, though, leaders from across the region came together to announce a promise: they want to tackle one of the big problems that for too long has had people pointing fingers at each other.

I believe that we can all solve homelessness together, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said at Tuesdays unveiling of a broad plan labeled Housing First STL.

All of the elected leaders of the East-West Gateway Council of Governments have committed to the plan.

Earlier this year, following a previous process to address violent crime, Jones asked fellow elected officials in the region to convene a summit on homelessness.

The result is a first-of-its-kind plan for St. Louis that recommends a coordinated system to get people quickly into housing. Nonprofits currently serving the unhoused population would work together to unify their disparate systems, under the guidance of an anchor institution. That will be the next critical step: whos in charge?

A key to the plan, modeled after successful efforts in Houston, Dallas, Milwaukee and elsewhere, is accessing money from the business and philanthropic communities. Then, the goal would be to push the hodgepodge of organizations serving unhoused people to focus on a housing first philosophy.

Theres one big hurdle to overcome: the St. Louis region doesnt have enough affordable housing. And getting local governments to change their laws so people can more easily get into shelters, transitional housing or apartments will be difficult. Witness the bill signing in City Hall that took place shortly after the Housing First plan was unveiled. It took two years for the bill to get to that point.

But after several twists and turns, Jones finally signed the bill, sponsored by Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, that creates zoning options for a variety of special housing circumstances. It should help the city overcome its current shortage of affordable housing.

This bill complements what that (Housing First) system needs to be, said Adam Pearson, the citys director of human services and a key leader in the regional housing summit.

The plan produced by the Housing First summit will have to be developed by civic, business and nonprofit leaders. They will need to examine the most successful approaches in the region, work to adopt them across governmental boundaries and scale them to size.

Scoggin knows as well as anybody that the work wont be easy. Hes run the human services departments in both St. Louis city and county, and hes been executive director of a nonprofit that serves unhoused teens. Now hes in philanthropy, serving as executive director of the Delmar Divine Charitable Foundation.

Getting past the regions parochialism will take sustained effort, Scoggin says, and it will require lasting power beyond the next election for mayor or county executive in the various entities that make up the East-West Gateway Council of Governments.

We have all the elements already in St. Louis needed to do this work, said Samantha Stangl, executive director of the nonprofit House Everyone STL. Its just a matter of connecting the dots.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Azerbaijan will exempt 75 percent of journalists' income from personal income tax, with no conditions applied, Trend reports.

The measure is reflected in a new article, 102.1.30-1, proposed for inclusion in the country's Tax Code.

According to the draft law, 75 percent of income earned by individuals engaged in journalistic activities, with an annual income (excluding expenses) up to 45,000 manat ($26,470), will be exempt from income tax.

Starting from January 1, 2024, under the current version of Article 102.1.30 of the Azerbaijani Tax Code, 75 percent of the income generated by microentrepreneurs (with at least three employees) is exempt from income tax, provided they do not have outstanding social security contributions.

There are also certain individuals working independently who cannot benefit from this exemption because they provide services to other taxpayers rather than the public. To address this, the proposed amendment aims to extend the 75 percent tax exemption to individuals in specific service sectors, provided their annual turnover does not exceed 45,000 manat ($26,470), without any further conditions.

If approved, the law will come into effect on January 1, 2025.
ST. LOUIS  A 9-year-old girl with nonverbal autism was harassed by teachers at a school for children with severe disabilities, according to a discrimination lawsuit against St. Louis Public Schools.

Staff at Gateway Michael School were recorded in September 2023 verbally abusing, bullying, shaming and barely teaching the girl, referred to as H.G. in the suit filed Nov. 12 in St. Louis Circuit Court by the girls mother Rebecca Geremew.

Gateway Michael in the Carr Square neighborhood serves about 40 students ages 3 to 14 who have serious health problems and multiple disabilities, according to the schools website.

The girl H.G.s autism and developmental delays cause challenges with communication, using the toilet and focusing. She received behavioral, occupational, physical and musical therapy at Gateway Michael starting in fall 2022.

By September 2023, Geremew suspected that H.G.s teachers were failing to adequately provide academic instruction, the lawsuit states.

Geremew sent her daughter to school with a device that can make phone calls and overheard teachers cussing and yelling at H.G. She then sent a recording device to school.

The recordings picked up teachers swearing at and using the N-word in front of H.G., who is biracial.

H.G. was also called a heifer, lazy as all get out, and was told by one of the teachers momma gonna knock you out!

One teacher said I dont know why she gotta come down here every day and get on my nerves, referring to H.G., the lawsuit states.

Geremew pulled H.G. out of school on Sept. 18, 2023, and started homeschooling. The experience at Gateway Michael caused the girl to develop sensitivity to noise, extreme separation anxiety, fear of strangers and an increase in frustration levels, according to the suit.

Geremew and her attorneys at Kennedy Hunt civil rights law firm in St. Louis could not be reached Tuesday. A spokesman for SLPS, Jordan Grimes, did not respond to a request for comment.

The lawsuit claims SLPS discriminated against H.G. for her race and disability by harassing her and treating her less favorably than her classmates and asks for damages for emotional distress and mental anguish.
Laser pointers aimed at aircraft can be a major safety hazard, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. (U.S. Air Force)

KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa  Japanese police are investigating reports from the 18th Wing that laser pointers were aimed at two of its aircraft in the air on Tuesday.

Okinawa Prefectural Police received two reports from the base that a green laser was aimed from the ground at the aircraft, a police spokesman said by phone Wednesday.

Neither the spokesman nor the wing would specify what type of aircraft were targeted.

The first report, around 7:15 p.m., said a laser that seemed to originate from the shore of Yomitan village was aimed at an aircraft flying around the base, the spokesman said.

A second report at 7:45 p.m. said a laser originating from the Mizugama district of Kadena town was aimed at another aircraft, the spokesman said.

No injuries or damages to the aircraft were reported, the spokesman said. The Air Force is cooperating with a police investigation, according to the spokespeople.

Wing spokeswoman Maj. Alli Stormer in an email Wednesday confirmed the reports of lasers pointed at aircraft assigned to Kadena.

Pointing a laser at an aircraft is not only dangerous but also illegal under Japanese law, she wrote.

Kadena is a strategic Air Force hub with squadrons of air refuelers; surveillance, command and control aircraft; helicopters; and fourth- and fifth-generation fighters.

The incidents may violate the Civil Aeronautics Act or Article 234 of Japans penal code, forcible obstruction of business, the spokesman said.

A violation of Article 234A may result in up to three years in prison or a fine up to 500,000 yen  more than $3,200.

I am aware that something similar happened about 10 years ago in Ginowan city, and that case was filed as forcible obstruction of business, the spokesman said.

Some Japanese government officials are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.
(James Busch/Stars and Stripes)

Darmstadt, Germany, July 7, 1955: Sgt. 1st Class Freeman Tuberville, left, who serves with the 760th Field Artillery Battalion, B Battery, measures the firing range for the cannon behind him, assisted by an unknown soldier.

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Retired U.S. Marine Major Eric Dominijanni is photographed pouring his FIOR Scotch at a restaurant on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Miami, Fla. FIOR is a Black-owned scotch brand that Dominijanni launched and owns. (Matias J. Ocner)

(Tribune News Service)  In 2006, celebrity chef Bobby Flay traveled to a Mojave Desert military base to compete against Marine Corps Maj. Eric Dominijanni under the 110-degree sun. After winning a steak-grilling contest against Flay, Dominijanni  a home chef from New York  thought his dreams were coming true. He envisioned a post-military career in the culinary world.

But life had other plans. After retiring in 2017, Dominijanni began blending scotch in his kitchen and, with the help of an old friend from college, created a liquor product and became a brand founder instead.

Dominijanni, a 52-year-old Kendall resident, is the founder of Fior, the only scotch in America that is both Black-owned and U.S. veteran-owned. What started out as a private batch of liquor to enjoy with his Marine friends has since become a full-fledged business.

A view of FIOR Scotch photographed on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Miami, Fla. FIOR is a Black-owned scotch brand launched and owned by retired U.S. Marine Major Eric Dominijanni. (Matias J. Ocner)

Fior is now available online and in more than 90 stores nationwide and will be sold in Florida stores by 2025, according to Dominijanni. His business partner  his college friend James Landis  has had a long career in the spirits industry and was one of the founders of Hpnotiq liquor before the brand was sold in 2003.

Although Dominijanni frequently heard from other Black liquor enthusiasts that Black people dont appreciate scotch, Landis was quick to emphasize that many Black people didnt drink tequila until Patron came along.

Landis believes that with a product as good as Fior, people who have not traditionally enjoyed scotch will give it a chance.

Eric crafted something that I think is going to have universal acceptance, he said. This can be enjoyed by a spectrum of people.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Dominijanni was raised in Queens. After graduating from high school in 1990, he majored in pre-med at New York University. It was there that he befriended Landis, a fellow pre-med major. The two often hung out on Thursdays, the popular night for NYU students to go out. Neither ended up going into medicine.

Eric went into the military, and I went into the booze industry, Landis said.

In 1997, Dominijanni joined the Marine Corps and served for 20 years before retiring out of Southern Command in Doral.

It was on a trip to California in 2013 that Dominijanni was exposed to scotch for the first time. While in between deployments, he was out with friends when he asked for a rum drink at a bar. The bartender informed Dominijanni that he was actually in a scotch bar and began to teach Dominijanni about the different varieties.

Dominijanni already had a habit of making his own ice cream, sausage and beer at home, and after he returned from California, he began making his own house blend of scotch. From there, his fascination grew.

When Dominijanni retired in 2017, he had a realization: He knew he didnt want to work for anyone again. He said he had made good financial decisions and investments during his Marine career. He just wasnt sure what was next.

What eventually became Fior started out as a bottle for Dominijanni and his Marine buddies to enjoy when he had them over. It was never intended to leave the house, he said.

His friends, however, were relentless. They wouldnt stop telling Dominijanni he had a good thing on his hands, and eventually, he got an idea to launch his own scotch brand.

Creating his own brand of liquor used many of the same skills he used as a home chef but in a different way. Once he had a high level of confidence in his scotch blend, Dominijanni reached out to his longtime friend Landis.

Dominijanni had a single bottle of his scotch blend and, knowing his friends background, asked if Landis could find a way to reverse engineer it and make it at scale.

I knew scotch geniuses in Scotland and sent it to people I know that have palettes beyond what I could comprehend, Landis said.

Landis contacts were able to develop three samples for commercial production using Dominijannis home recipe. While the first sample was only okay at best and the third sample didnt taste great, the second appealed to Dominijannis taste.

Landis soon asked if he could market the scotch, and the two men became business partners. But launching the business presented one particular challenge: Dominijanni didnt know what to call his product.

It was Landis who suggested Fior, explaining that it was the Italian word for flower and also the Scottish Gaelic word for pure, clean and true. Dominijanni knew he had something, and the two men went to work. The product was officially launched in 2021.

Dominijanni said the leadership skills he gained as a Marine Corps officer have helped him in delegating tasks and leading a team of six employees.

In any business you need leadership and management. In any business, if you dont have that, you will fail. You need to learn how to delineate tasks, he said.

Seven years after retiring, hes grateful that his unlikely pivot as an entrepreneur has allowed him to succeed in a way he never imagined.

You have to learn to make something that everyone will appreciate, he said.

2024 Miami Herald.

Visit miamiherald.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The recent statements by US congressmen Frank Pallone and Edward Markey following their participation in the COP29 climate summit regarding their visit to Azerbaijan are disconnected from reality, a development that has sparked deep disappointment on our part, Azerbaijan's Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) Sabina Aliyeva said in a response statement, Trend reports.

Aliyeva condemned the remarks made by the US lawmakers, particularly those regarding the situation in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, calling them a reflection of the congressmen's hostile stance toward the country.

"Instead of making baseless statements, we would expect these congressmen to prioritize the issue of ensuring the safe and dignified return of hundreds of thousands of our compatriots, who were displaced from what is now Armenia due to their ethnicity, to their ancestral lands, without any discrimination.

I would also like to remind the US lawmakers that as a result of Armenias occupation policies, twenty percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory was under occupation for nearly thirty years, and over one million Azerbaijanis became internally displaced persons.

However, we are witnessing that Frank Pallone and Edward Markey, in this sensitive period, are not taking steps to foster sustainable peace in the region but are instead adopting positions that risk creating new sources of conflict. In his speech, Pallone endorses the leader" of an illegitimate entity that is not even recognized by the United States, a figure now under investigation for war crimes, while meddling in the internal affairs of another country and disregarding universally accepted norms and principles of international law. This raises the question: which political interests does this congressman truly serve?

I would also like to point out that these congressmen remain silent about the devastating mine terrorism carried out by Armenia, which claimed the lives of countless civilians, including the elderly, women, and children. Moreover, Armenia has yet to provide any information about the fate of nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis who went missing during the First Karabakh War, further revealing their bias.

During COP29, Congressman Pallone evaded questions from independent media and failed to address compelling arguments, dismissing them with baseless claims. This behavior clearly reflects his intolerance for freedom of speech and the press," the Ombudsperson said.

Aliyeva reiterated her condemnation of the unjust and biased views expressed by the US lawmakers, which she attributed to the influence of the Armenian lobby, and called on them to respect international law and abandon attempts to foment conflict based on national grounds.
Airman Anthony Hyler signals to a CH-53E Super Stallion on the flight deck of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset in the South China Sea, May 24, 2024. (Evan Diaz/U.S. Navy)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. has witnessed in recent months a historic amount of large military exercises conducted by China, the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said Tuesday as he sounded the alarm about a potential invasion of Taiwan.

Over the summer, I saw the most rehearsal and the most joint exercises from the Peoples Republic of China that I had ever seen  with the widest geography, the most joint operations for air, missile, maritime power that I had seen over an entire career of being an observer, Adm. Samuel Paparo said during a Brookings Institution panel.

A fleet of 152 vessels, as well as 200 combat amphibious vehicles, were spotted on a single day, Paparo said, which was evidence of an upward trajectory and modernization of the Peoples Liberation Army.

The Peoples Republic of China has indicated its forces would be ready for conflict by 2027. The country has a growing interest in invading Taiwan. China regards the democratically governed island as a renegade province that must, at some point, accede to Beijings control.

Chinas military in recent years has increasingly encroached on Taiwans air defense identification zone, the area just beyond its airspace.

In May, China simulated bomber attacks and ship-boardings during two days of military exercises around Taiwan. On Tuesday, Paparo said China conducted a second military demonstration near Taiwan in October that coincided with the Taiwan National Day holiday.

Adm. Samuel Paparo leads a talk at the Indo-Pacific Irregular Warfare Symposium in Honolulu on Aug. 15, 2024. (Wyatt Olson/Stars and Stripes)

Additionally, Paparo highlighted, China has a growing partnership with Russia. In July, Russian and Chinese bombers were spotted flying together near Alaska for the first time. Last week, Vice Adm. Peter Gautier, deputy commandant for U.S. Coast Guard operations, told lawmakers the service recently witnessed the Russian border guard and Chinese coast guard conducting a joint patrol high in the Bering Sea, marking the first time the two countries have conducted joint operations in Arctic.

This is the military environment that we find ourselves in in 2024, Paparo said.

Now, conflicts around the world  Russias invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflicts between Israel and Iran-backed proxy groups  are eating up U.S. inventory of high-end capabilities, such as Patriot air defense missiles, Paparo said.

Inherently, it imposes costs on the readiness of America to respond in the Indo-Pacific region, which is the most stressing theater for the quantity and quality of munitions, because the [Peoples Republic of China] is the most capable potential adversary in the world, he said.

In August, the U.S. purchased approximately $19.6 million worth of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptors, or PAC-3 missiles, the Japanese Defense Ministrys agency for acquisition, technology and logistics said in a Sunday news release. The number of missiles included in the deal was not disclosed.

The U.S. promised to send Ukraine 500 Patriot missiles and short-to-medium range missiles early this month, the Wall Street Journal reported.

U.S. stocks of PAC-3 missiles, commonly used in the MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system, have decreased over the past year due to U.S. support for Ukraine.

Paparo said he is dissatisfied with the U.S. magazine depth and stressed a need to replenish those stocks, and then some.

The closer we get to [2027], the less relevant that date is, and the more we must be ready today, tomorrow, next month, next year and onward, Paparo said.

Stars and Stripes reporter Wyatt Olson contributed to this report.
Lucille MacDonald poses in her work coveralls in this undated photo taken during World War II while she worked as a shipyard welder in Georgia. (Dodo Dunaj)

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  Lucille Cille MacDonald, who this spring was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for Rosie the Riveter work during World War II, died Friday in Valley Island, Maui. She was 98.

MacDonald, a longtime Maui resident who narrowly escaped the Lahaina wildfire last year, was a shipyard welder during the war, according to Pacific Historic Parks, which announced her death in a news release Monday.

MacDonald was one of 27 Rosies who attended an April ceremony in Washington, D.C., where they received the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of the millions of women who labored in the war effort on the home front.

The medal is the highest honor Congress can bestow on civilians.

Rosie the Riveter was the moniker given to the legion of women who entered the workforce during World War II as the nations men went off to serve in the armed forces.

About 5 million civilian women toiled in the defense industry and war-related sectors during the four-year war, according to the Defense Department.

Another roughly 350,000 American women served in uniform in non-combat roles in organizations such as the Womens Army Auxiliary Corps, Marine Corps Womens Reserve and Army and Navy nurse corps.

Lucille MacDonald, 98, who this spring was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for "Rosie the Riveter" work during World War II, died Nov. 15, 2024, in Hawaii. (Dodo Dunaj)

MacDonald, just three weeks shy of her 99th birthday, attended the last two commemorations of the Dec. 7, 1941, surprise attack on Oahu held each year at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.

I am so heartbroken, Dodo Dunaj, a longtime friend who attended the Pearl Harbor events with MacDonald, said in the news release.

Cille was the most incredibly inspiring and strongest woman Ive ever known, Dunaj said. I will treasure our memories made together, her unbelievable stories, and the Rosie journey that I was so blessed to be a part of with her. She is a true American icon, my forever hero.

Aileen Utterdyke, president of Pacific Historic Parks, described her in the release as diminutive, tough, spunky and beloved, an ambassador of all the Rosies who had a key role in helping win World War II.

MacDonald was born Dec. 9, 1925, in Greenville, S.C., one of nine children. She grew up on a farm picking cotton, according to Pacific Parks.

After the United States declared war on Germany and Japan after the Dec. 7 attack, the 16-year-old MacDonald boarded a Greyhound bus for the first time and headed south to a shipyard she had heard was hiring, MacDonald said in an oral history posted to Pacific Historic Parks YouTube page earlier this year.

J.A. Jones Construction in Brunswick, Ga., sent her to school for a few days, after which she began work as a ship welder.

One ship a week, one ship a week, MacDonald recalled of the shipyards output.

They wore knee-high, steel-toed boots and blue coveralls, she said.

We worked double shifts, seven days a week, she said. Not a minute to have a life other than welding.

MacDonald said she laid down flawless welding beads, striking enough that she was chosen to provide finishing touches to each ship after they moved to the wet dock.

I was a champion welder, but now Im a Rosie the Riveter, she said, adding with a laugh, Howd I get to be a riveter?

Over the past half-century living on Maui she was sometimes dubbed honorary mayor for her effort to build school playgrounds and help in financing construction of a fire station in Napili, according to the news release.

She and her late husband built a waterfront home in Lahaina, which, along with thousands of others, was wiped out by wildfire on Aug. 8, 2023.

A neighbor helped her escape the inferno, and she spent several nights sleeping in the bed of the neighbors truck, the release said.
This motorcycle, parked at Ishikawa Police Station in Uruma, Okinawa, Nov. 20, 2024, was involved in a fatal collision the previous day in Kin town. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  One Marine motorcyclist died and another was injured Tuesday in a multivehicle crash in northern Okinawa, according to Japanese police and the Marine Corps.

Police identified the Marine who died, but Stars and Stripes is withholding his name until his family is notified. Police did not identify the injured Marine.

A spokesman for III Marine Expeditionary Force, Capt. Pawel Puczko, by email Wednesday declined to identify the Marines before the notifications or confirm their ranks.

A lance corporal, 21, was killed and a corporal, 20, was injured at 8:16 p.m. on northbound Route 329 in the Yaka district of Kin town, according to an Okinawa Prefectural Police spokesman. A third Marine riding in the group was uninjured, the spokesman said by phone Wednesday.

All three are from Camp Hansen, according to the spokesman.

The two Marines, riding side by side, collided, and the lance corporals bike veered into the oncoming lane, hit the right front of a passenger car and then a kei truck behind the car, according to police.

The corporal hit the rear of the passenger car in front of him, the spokesman said.

Puczko said the deceased Marine was declared dead at Chubu hospital in Uruma city. Police said he was pronounced at 9:13 p.m. Tuesday.

The injured Marine was in stable condition at Naval Hospital Okinawa, Puczko said. Police said he apparently broke his ankle.

The third Marine, 22, was riding behind the others and not involved in the crash, the spokesman said. No one else was injured in the accident.

Puczko said the Marines Corps is cooperating with local authorities on the investigation.

Some Japanese government officials are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.
A South Korean air force F-15K Slam Eagle drops a laser-guided bomb while training over Gangwon Province, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2024. (South Koreas Ministry of National Defense)

SEOUL, South Korea  The State Department this week approved the possible sale of a host of U.S.-made upgrades to South Koreas F-15K Slam Eagle fighter aircraft.

The possible $6.2 billion sale includes high-speed mission system computers; Active Electronically Scanned Arrays, or AESA, radars; missile-warning systems and continued maintenance and software support, according to a news release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Tuesday.

The agency, an arm of the Defense Department, is responsible for delivering on the Foreign Military Sales program. Congressional approval is required for military equipment sales of more than $25 million to NATO members and five other countries, including South Korea.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region, the agency said in its release.

The sale will also improve South Koreas capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its critical air defense capability to deter aggression in the region and to ensure interoperability with U.S. forces, according to the release.

Interoperability is a term used by the U.S. military to describe the ability of one nations forces to use anothers training methods and equipment.

The agencys approval comes roughly two weeks after it signed off on the possible $4.9 billion sale of four E-7 Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft, also known as the Wedgetail. The aircrafts reconnaissance capabilities will meet current and future threats to South Korea, the agency announced Nov. 4.

In 2002, South Korea purchased its first 40 F-15Ks valued at $4 billion from Boeing, according to a news release from the U.S.-based defense firm. An additional 21 F-15Ks were purchased in a $2 billion contract six years later.

The Slam Eagle is South Koreas variant of the F-15E Eagle, the U.S.s fourth-generation aircraft that entered service in 1976. It was initially assigned to air-to-air combat roles in the Air Force until the introduction of the F-15E multirole derivative in 1988, according to the services website.

The F-15K frequently flies in joint air drills with U.S. military aircraft. On Oct. 1, a pair of Slam Eagles served as escorts for an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber over Seoul for the countrys Armed Forces Day parade.

One month later, four F-15Ks conducted a trilateral bomber escort drill with an Air Force B-1B and four Japanese F-2s between South Korea and Japans air identification zones, according to the Souths Ministry of National Defense.
Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky speaks to reporters at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Nov. 19, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

TOKYO  North Korean troops in Russia are learning battlefield lessons that will pose a challenge for the United States and its Asian allies, according to Ukraines top diplomat in Japan.

Ambassador Sergiy Korsunsky, speaking Tuesday at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan, blamed Moscow for the ongoing conflict. His talk marked the 1,000th day of hostilities in his homeland.

The recent arrival of nearly 10,000 North Korean troops in Russias Kursk region bordering Ukraine is a concern, he said, adding: We already begin eliminating them from battlefield.

Korsunsky spoke the day before Ukraine for the first time used a long-range, U.S.-made tactical missile to strike targets deeper inside Russia, a potentially significant escalation of the war. President Joe Biden on Monday lifted restrictions on Ukraines use of the Army Tactical Missile System to strike Russia.

Ukraine has received massive quantities of weapons and funding from the U.S., but President-elect Donald Trump has promised to quickly resolve the conflict once he takes office in January.

What Russia will supply to North Korea in exchange for the ground troops is a serious problem, Korsunsky said.

Its about military technologies  which enable North Korea to move forward with their missile program, he said.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky speaks to reporters at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Nov. 19, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

The Oct. 31 launch by North Korea of an intercontinental ballistic missile that flew thousands of miles was directly related to cooperation with Russia that will continue, Korsunsky said.

North Korea will become much more sophisticated in terms of militarchy technologies he said.

North Korean officers and advisers are in Russia to study modern war, not to fight, Korsunsky said.

We believe this is  one of the ideas of (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un to participate in this war, he said.

North Korea, backed by China for decades, recently signed a defense pact with Russia.

They (the North) have two security guarantees from two military powers, Korsunsky said, adding that the support will embolden Kim Jong Un to make any provocations when conditions will be ripe.

The ambassadors words echoed comments Monday by U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller at a press briefing in Washington.

Our concerns are not just because of the fact that North Korea has introduced its own forces onto the battlefield with Ukrainian soldiers, but what it is that North Korea might be getting in return, he said.

Its unclear what Russia might provide the North, Miller said.

A modern-day version of the Soviet Unions old Warsaw Pact alliance could reemerge linking Russia, North Korea and Iran, Korsunsky said.

Kim, who visited a drone test site last week, has ordered mass production of attack drones, according to the countrys state media.

They saw that this war is a war of drones, Korsunsky said. Imagine that instead of balloons with bad things they send to South Korea, if they have drones flying to South Korea. That is a direct result.

Ukrainians dont want territorial concessions to Russia to end the war and expect Russian President Vladimir Putin to keep fighting, not for land or resources but for power, according to the ambassador.

We have to fight back, he said. We have no choice. We dont need advice.  We dont need phone calls to Putin. We need weapons.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 11. Kazakhstan intends to increase grain exports by railroad transport, Trend reports.

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy shared the statistics of grain transportation for the last ten months.



Over the first 10 months of this year, the KTZ network handled 7.8 million tons of grain. Domestic grain transportation within Kazakhstan rose by 7 percent, reaching 1.8 million tons, while exports via rail totaled 6 million tons. Exports to Tajikistan increased by 9 percent, to Iran by 35 percent, and to Kyrgyzstan saw a 2.5-fold growth.

KTZ is prepared to transport over 1 million tons of grain per month for the remainder of the year, with all necessary resources in place. For November, KTZ expects to move 1.2 million tons of grain and 1.3 million tons in December. Grain exports are projected at over 890,000 tons in November and more than 970,000 tons in December.

The total forecast for 2024 is approximately 10.2 million tons of grain, including 7.8 million tons for export. Exports to Central Asia are expected to reach 4.7 million tons, while shipments to China will total 1.6 million tons. Domestic grain transport within Kazakhstan is projected to grow by 8 percent, reaching 2.4 million tons by the end of 2024.

Earlier, KTZ predicted that the actual volume of grain transportation for the new harvest in September and October would be around 2.2 million tons, while KTZ was ready to provide services for the transportation of grain in September and October at a volume of 4.3 million tons, of which 3.6 million tons were designated for export. The corresponding plans from the company had been pre-approved.
Troops from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the U.K. and the U.S., assigned to NATOs enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Poland, stage their vehicles before a firepower demonstration in Adazi, Latvia, Nov. 13, 2023. NATO members must focus on how to boost weapons production quickly to win a long war, according to a Rand Corp. study. (U.S. Army)

STUTTGART, Germany  Insufficient ammunition, manpower shortages and questions about the Wests popular support for a potentially long war are the most urgent matters for NATO countries to grapple with as the alliance draws lessons from Russias war in Ukraine, a new think tank study says.

Since Russias full-scale attack in February 2022, U.S. and other military strategists have been studying the war in detail, looking for tactical insights and advantages that can be gleaned from the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

The war, which has involved trench tactics from the early 20th century, also has been a testing ground for cutting-edge technology ranging from the electromagnetic realm to drones that have reset the battlefield. Army commanders and security analysts have pondered the various tactical implications in scores of military journals.

But the biggest takeaway from the war has nothing to do with tactics, according to the Rand Corp., which conducted the study in coordination with the United Kingdoms defense ministry.

In fact, theres no compelling evidence that NATO needs any fundamental change in how it maneuvers on the battlefield or commands missions, Rand said.

The most pressing question is whether sufficient resources are available to credibly implement NATO plans over the course of a long war, the report said.

Urgent action is needed to address a lack of sufficient mass of personnel, equipment or stockpiles, especially munitions, Rand said in its report, released Monday. Shortfalls are also reported in readiness, training and infrastructure and in levels of industrial mobilization and societal resilience more widely.

One reason it is difficult to draw sweeping tactical lessons from the war is that a conflict between Russia and NATO would look completely different from whats unfolded in Ukraine, Rand said.

Just as Russia would alter its own approach, the collective power of the U.S.-led NATO alliance would incorporate air and long-range strike capabilities that Ukraine isnt even close to matching.

NATO countries, which have provided billions in arms to Ukraine, are not without weaknesses, despite the alliances collective might. The war has demonstrated a notable lag in the buildup of production capacity both in Europe and in the United States, exposing vulnerabilities when it comes to replenishing munitions at the speed theyre expended, the report said.

The U.S. and its Western allies have stepped up production of weapons and ammunition over the past two years, but critics say it isnt enough.

On Tuesday, the head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific command raised an alarm over the issue, saying that the conflict in Ukraine and unrest in the Middle East are chipping away at an arsenal also needed in the Pacific.

With some of the Patriots that have been employed, some of the air-to-air missiles that have been employed, its now eating into stocks, and to say otherwise would be dishonest, Adm. Sam Paparo said during a Brookings Institution event in Washington.

U.S. European Commands Gen. Christopher Cavoli also has repeatedly said ramping up the Wests defense industrial base is paramount.

The scale of this war is out of proportion with all of our recent thinking, Cavoli said as far back as January 2023 at a security forum in Sweden. But it is real and we must contend with it.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has put his economy on a wartime footing, demonstrating the ability to ramp up production of munitions and weapons systems to replenish his militarys heavy losses in Ukraine.

In the West, home to liberal democracies with divergent views on security and an industrial base that has been depleted over the years, following suit is likely to be a more complicated endeavor.

But without sufficient resourcing or underlying political, industrial and societal support to sustain potentially years of warfighting at scale, (NATO) will fight well  for a short while  but then it will be attritted and the war will in all possibility be lost, Rand said in the report.
Russias President Vladimir Putin meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan on Oct. 22, 2024. (Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool Photo, AFP, Getty Images via TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to visit India for the first time since he ordered the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, a further sign of that U.S.-led efforts to isolate him on the world stage are failing.

While dates are still being worked out for the trip to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are looking forward to it, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in video comments to Indias ANI news service published Tuesday that he later confirmed to Bloomberg News.

After two visits of Prime Minister Modi to Russia, now we have a visit of President Putin to India, Peskov said. We attach a very great importance to these contacts.

Indias Ministry of External Affairs didnt immediately respond to requests for information about Putins visit.

India and Russia held annual summits between the two leaders before the invasion of Ukraine. New Delhi skipped the in-person meeting in December 2022 after Putin threatened to use nuclear weapons in the war, according to people with knowledge of the matter at that time.

Putin and Modi held talks when Russia hosted the summit of BRICS states last month. The Indian leader also met Putin in Moscow in July on his first trip to Russia since the war began, and his first bilateral visit after winning a third term in Indian elections.

Modi embraced Putin and called him his friend at those talks, which took place a day after a deadly Russian missile strike on a childrens hospital in Kyiv that provoked international outrage.

Modis readiness to visit Putin earlier this year sparked concerns in the U.S., which has sought to make the Russian leader a pariah over the war in Ukraine. Still, Washington also knows it needs India to help counter Chinas influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Moscow and New Delhi have had close ties since the Cold War era. India is a major customer for military hardware from Russia and has also emerged as a top buyer of Russian oil since the U.S. and its Group of Seven allies sought to restrict sales over the war.

If Putin does go to India, it will signal his growing confidence about traveling abroad since an arrest warrant against him was issued by the International Criminal Court in March last year for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

India isnt an ICC member and isnt obliged to implement the warrant. Still, Putin opted not to attend last years G-20 summit in India.

In September, Putin visited Mongolia, which is an ICC member state and faced international criticism for failing to meet its obligation to enforce the warrant.

South Africa, which is a signatory, asked Putin not to attend last years BRICS summit because of the warrant. Putin declined to go to this weeks G-20 in Brazil, which is also an ICC member state, saying his presence at the summit would have been a distraction because of the warrant.

With assistance from Sudhi Ranjan Sen.

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Air-defense weapons, ammunition and drones for Ukrainian forces included in U.S. military aid worth $275 million announced Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Daniel Avilaramirez/U.S. Marine Corps)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. is providing about $275 million in air-defense weapons, ammunition and drones in the latest round of military aid for Ukraine, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

The aid will be provided through the presidential drawdown authority, which means equipment is pulled from existing U.S. military stocks and sent to Ukraine on an emergency basis.

The latest tranche of weapons comes as President Joe Bidens administration readies for the transition to the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office Jan. 20. Ukraine and Russia are pushing to gain an advantage in the war as Trump has promised to resolve the conflict quickly once he is president.

The White House recently granted permission to Ukraine to fire longer-range American missiles at targets in Russia. Ukraine fired several missiles into Russia on Tuesday, The Associated Press reported. According to a U.S. official, Ukraine fired about eight of the missiles, and just two were intercepted by Russian forces. The official said the U.S. was still assessing battle damage, but the missiles struck an ammunition supply location in Karachev, a city of about 18,000 people in Russias Bryansk region, according to the AP.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday lowered Russias threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. Moscow warned Ukraine firing the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, at targets inside Russia could trigger a strong response.

We arent surprised by Russias update to its nuclear doctrine. Its something that theyve been signaling that they intend to update over the last several weeks, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Tuesday. Its something that were going to continue to monitor, but we dont have any indications that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon within Ukraine.

The White House has also approved supplying Ukraine with American anti-personnel mines to bolster defenses against Russian forces, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday. The secretary said the U.S. decision was prompted by Russias increasing reliance on foot soldiers to lead their assaults instead of armored vehicles.

[The Ukrainians have] asked for these, and so I think its a good idea, Austin told reporters while traveling in Laos.

The Biden administration would have to rush $7.1 billion in weapons from the Pentagons stockpiles in the next two months to spend all the funds allotted for Ukraine aid before Trump takes office. That includes $4.3 billion from a foreign aid bill passed by Congress earlier this year and $2.8 billion still on the books in savings due to the Pentagon recalculating the value of items sent.

Singh said defense officials are working to get Ukraine what it needs.

We are committed to using that full authority that Congress has allotted to us, she said. The only way we can do that also is to make sure that our shelves are fully backfilled and stocked. So as our shelves continue to get stocked with equipment and capabilities that are needed, we draw down from those and send those to Ukraine.

The U.S. has provided about $60.7 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russian forces invaded the country in February 2022.

The items in the military aid announced Wednesday include:

 Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.

 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition.

 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds.

 Unmanned aerial systems.

 Tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missiles.

 Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems.

 Small arms and ammunition.

 Demolitions equipment and munitions.

 Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear protective equipment.

 Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.
A sign warns of land mines in Ukraine's Kherson region in 2023. (Ed Ram/The Washington Post)

President Joe Biden has authorized the provision of antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine, two U.S. officials said, a step that will bolster Kyivs defenses against advancing Russian troops but has drawn criticism from arms control groups.

The move comes in the wake of the White Houses recent authorization allowing Ukraine to use a powerful long-range missile system to strike inside Russia - part of a sweep of urgent actions the lame-duck Biden administration is taking to help Kyivs faltering war effort.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will retaliate for the latest missile strikes from the Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS. Shipping antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine is also potentially controversial, though among a different group: More than 160 countries have signed an international treaty banning their use, noting that the indiscriminate weapons can cause enduring harm to civilians. But Kyiv has sought them since Russia invaded nearly three years ago, and the Kremlins forces have deployed antipersonnel land mines liberally on the front lines, impeding Ukraines progress as it seeks to reclaim its own territory.

The Biden administration is deeply concerned about Russias assaults against Ukraines front lines in recent weeks and sees a pressing need to blunt the advance, officials said. The Pentagon believes that the provision of the mines is among the most helpful steps the Biden administration can do to help slow Russias attack, officials said.

One official said the type of antipersonnel land mine is nonpersistent, meaning that the mines self-destruct or lose battery charge to render them inactive, reducing the danger to civilians. The official said that Ukrainian policymakers had committed to not deploying the mines in densely populated areas. Arms control experts said that even nonpersistent mines pose a safety hazard.

The official and three others spoke about the decision on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss sensitive internal White House deliberations.

Russia is attacking Ukrainian lines in the east with waves of troops, regardless of the casualties that theyre suffering, one of the officials said. So the Ukrainians are obviously taking losses, and more towns and cities are at risk of falling. These mines were made specifically to combat exactly this.

When theyre used in concert with the other munitions that we already are providing Ukraine, the intent is that they will contribute to a more effective defense, the official said.

Biden had been reluctant to supply Ukraine with the mines in the face of concerns within his own administration and from a wide range of anti-mine advocates who say the risk to civilians is unacceptably high. But Russias battlefield progress in recent months has forced the White House to find fresh ways to help Kyiv, especially following the victory of President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to steer the conflict toward a swift conclusion.

Use of the mines would be limited to Ukrainian territory, with an expected focus on eastern Ukraine, one of the officials said. Russian forces have made significant advances in the Donetsk region and in recent months have gained territory at the fastest rate since 2022. Ukrainian troops have struggled to build strong defensive lines in the face of relentless drone sorties and small assault teams. Land mines could help them shore up their defenses by slowing enemy troops and channeling them to areas where they can be targeted with artillery and rockets.

Neither Russia nor the United States is one of the 164 parties to the Ottawa Convention, also known as the Mine Ban Treaty, that prohibits the deployment and transfer of antipersonnel land mines. Biden in 2022 revived an Obama-era policy that banned the transfer and use of U.S. antipersonnel land mines outside the Korean Peninsula.

One Ukrainian official welcomed any policy change despite the potential risks that would come with widespread deployment of the weapons.

Russia uses them anyway, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the subjects sensitivity.

But some human rights campaigners said that the U.S. decision to provide antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine - a signatory to the Mine Ban Treaty - is a black mark against Washington.

Its a shocking and devastating development, said Mary Wareham, deputy director of the crisis, conflict and arms division at Human Rights Watch, the advocacy group, who said that even nonpersistent mines hold risks for civilians, require complicated cleanup efforts and are not always reliably deactivated.

The Trump administration in 2020 had reversed the Obama-era policy, pointing to the need for strategic use of mines to counter adversaries like Russia and China, and drawing strong condemnation from arms control advocates.

It will put more civilians at risk of being injured by unexploded mines, and is unnecessary from a military perspective, Biden, as a presidential candidate, said in response to Trumps decision, calling it reckless.

The United States had a stockpile of about 3 million antipersonnel land mines as of 2022. The mines had not been used since 1991, during the first Gulf War, apart from a single 2002 incident in Afghanistan involving a lone munition, the State Department said in 2022.

The Biden administration has already committed to supporting mine-clearance efforts in Ukraine after the end of the conflict. One of the U.S. officials said that the administration will extend that commitment to helping clean up the U.S.-supplied mines.

The Ukraine conflict has spurred other countries to reevaluate their opposition to antipersonnel land mines. The Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia considered withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention earlier this year in order to bolster their defenses against Russian aggression, although they ultimately decided to reinforce stocks of antitank mines and other tools that are less hazardous to civilians.

Siobhan OGrady in Kyiv and Ellen Nakashima in Washington contributed to this report.
(Tribune News Service)  Nippon Steel Vice Chairman Takahiro Mori said he would not accept a potential decision by President Joe Biden to block the Japanese steelmakers proposed purchase of U.S. Steel.

I will never give up, he said Tuesday during an interview with the Post-Gazette in West Mifflin. This is good for the region, good for the community, good for U.S. Steel and good for the American economy as a whole.

Presidential blocks are not subject to a judicial review. But Nippon could target the interagency panel currently vetting the deal for national security concerns. A decision is due to be sent to Mr. Bidens desk before the end of the year.

Nippons CEO said last week in Japan that he would consider a lawsuit. Mr. Mori declined to elaborate Tuesday.

Its too sensitive at this moment, he said. We are doing everything at our disposal. Thats all I can say.

U.S. Steel first agreed to the $14.9 billion takeover in December 2023 following a bidding war sparked by Ohio-based competitor Cleveland-Cliffs. The deal drew swift backlash from members of Congress and has since been held up by a regulatory review that experts say was influenced by political opposition from Mr. Biden and President-elect Donald Trump.

Mr. Mori resumed efforts to win over steelmakers and their communities in the Monongahela River Valley this week with visits to the Steelers game on Sunday and a planned stop at the Penguins game this Friday.

The momentum to support this deal is getting stronger and stronger, Mr. Mori said Tuesday as he and other Nippon leaders met with West Mifflin Mayor Chris Kelly at his home office  a garage stuffed with Pittsburgh memorabilia.

Nobody around here is against it, Mr. Kelly assured them. A lot of steelworkers in the area, theyre all for it. And their wives.

As if on cue, Mr. Kellys wife returned to the garage with a tray of pastries for the Japanese contingent.

Not all of their meetings have gone as smoothly.

The group has been trying to win over Sen. John Fetterman and was hoping to meet his wife Monday in Braddock, but she was out of town, Nippon officials said.

Mr. Kelly offered up her cell phone in case that was helpful. He also asked who else he could personally call to help win them over.

Mr. Mori had just one name: David McCall.

For months, the head of the United Steelworkers union has refused to meet with Nippon leadership while continuing to publicly bash the deal and lobby Washington against it.

Bad for workers and bad for America, Mr. McCall said Thursday in his latest salvo to members.

The union leader maintains a close relationship with Mr. Biden, who is trying to solidify his reputation as the most pro-union president. A growing number of USW members, however, now support the deal.

Mr. Kelly called Mr. McCalls unwillingness to negotiate disgraceful.

Its not a way to represent your membership, he said.

Mr. McCall was not immediately available Tuesday when the Post-Gazette reached out for comment.

Nippon has worked hard to bring the West Mifflin mayor and other regional leaders on board, promising a $1 billion investment in the regions steel facilities and arranging visits to the companys existing steel mill in Follansbee, West Virginia.

Mr. Kelly said the trip there totally committed me before we even left.

One person said there wouldnt be a town if it wasnt for Nippon.

Still, its not clear whether voices like his will carry as far as Nippon and U.S. Steel are hoping.

The voices of this region [are] very important, Mr. Mori said. I think it will definitely have some impact on this [regulatory] review.

(c)2024 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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A man watches a television screen showing news footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attending the 8th congress of the ruling Workers' Party held in Pyongyang, at a railway station in Seoul on January 6, 2021. (Jung Yeon-je, AFP, Getty Images/TNS)

WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service)  Years of high-profile intercontinental ballistic missile tests by North Korea have fallen short of demonstrating that Pyongyang can successfully launch and deliver a nuclear warhead against the U.S. mainland, the head of American forces in the Indo-Pacific said.

North Koreas recent test flight of a Hwasong-19 ICBM, its largest missile to date, showed a capability that will have the ability to range the entire continental United States, Admiral Samuel Paparo said in remarks Tuesday at the Brookings Institution in Washington.

Pressed whether that means North Korea can pair a nuclear warhead with an ICBM that can withstand the rigors of launch, flight and descent through the atmosphere, Paparo added that weve not yet seen that capability, but we just see continued testing towards that.

Under leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea has accelerated its development of missiles and nuclear weapons, ratcheted up aggressive rhetoric against South Korea and emerged as a critical ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine.

In a dispatch a day after the test launch of the long-range missile, the official Korean Central News Agency described it as an ultimate version ICBM that will be used by the strategic forces of its military.

Paparos remarks outlined a caveat about the threat posed to the U.S. mainland by Pyongyangs progress so far, and it falls in line with other American assessments in recent years.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said in 2022 that the question of whether they can mate a nuclear warhead to an intercontinental ballistic missile, fire it, and actually have it hit a target as they would want to in the continental United States, that is something that is not yet proven.

That doesnt mean North Korea cant threaten American interests: The country has spent decades stockpiling millions of rounds of artillery and thousands of rockets in the terrain north of the shared border with South Korea, where nearly 30,000 U.S. troops are based. Its also shown an ability to launch missiles over Japan, another key ally the U.S. would rely on in a conflict.

Kim has vowed to strengthen the nations nuclear capabilities to counter threats posed by the security partnership between the U.S. and its allies in the region, North Korean state media reported this week.

The U.S., Japan and South Korea will never get away from the responsibility as the culprits of destroying the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the region, Kim said, referring to a partnership he called an Asian version of NATO.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 20. Kazakhstan's government is ready to provide comprehensive support to Serbian entrepreneurs implementing investment projects in our country, said President Tokayev during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Serbia, Trend reports.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Milos Vucevic.

During the meeting, Tokayev urged the governments of Kazakhstan and Serbia to work together to effectively implement the agreements reached, especially in terms of identifying several major economic projects, the implementation of which will provide a serious boost to expanding bilateral trade, economic, and investment cooperation.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that, in this context, he has high hopes for the work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and the Business Council. For his part, Milos Vucevic stated that Belgrade is closely studying Kazakhstan's experience in political and socio-economic reforms and is practically considering opportunities to expand contacts in a number of promising areas.

Milos Vucevic focused on issues related to green technologies and energy transition and called for the exchange of experience in these areas. He also proposed holding regular business forums, as well as Serbia Days in Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan Days in Serbia.

To note, before the meeting with the Prime Minister of Serbia, Tokayev held talks in both narrow and expanded formats with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, during which a number of memoranda and agreements were signed.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, holds a hearing Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Washington to receive testimony on the activities of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and to hear from its new director, Dr. Jon T. Kosloski. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Dr. Jon T. Kosloski, director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) testifies Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

AARO has received 1,652 reports of unidentified objects or phenomena since the office was established in 2022. Of the 757 new incidents submitted between May 2023 and June 2024, the office was unable to explain 21, according to a report released last week.

Lawmakers in recent years have sought to lift the veil of secrecy that has traditionally enveloped government investigations of UFOs. The House Oversight and Accountability Committee has provided a platform for whistleblowers to share their experiences and last week renewed its call for greater government transparency.
Noel Ward was homeless at the time when he made a plan with his friend to claim multiple social welfare benefits using the friends PPS number

Noel Ward of Dolmen Way, Ballymun, Dublin pictured leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street. Pic: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

A man who used his friends identity to steal from the State in social welfare fraud after his friend moved to Thailand has been jailed for 18 months.

Noel Ward (59), of Dolmen Way, Ballymun, was homeless at the time when he made a plan with his friend, now deceased, to claim multiple social welfare benefits using the friends PPS number.

Ward fraudulently claimed a total of 109,235 over a ten-year period, of which he lodged 100 a week into his friends bank account.

At an earlier hearing last week, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Ward transferred about 64,000 into the AIB account of his friend Patrick Rooney, who died last December in Thailand.

Ward pleaded guilty to two charges of using a false instrument, including a driving licence, and six counts of theft from the State, on dates between May 2008 and August 2019.

Among the payments Ward fraudulently claimed were Jobseekers Benefit, Disability Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance, Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Rent Allowance.

Ward has been making repayments to the State since 2017, the court heard, including a lump sum of 20,000 paid over earlier this month.

The State remains at a loss of about 15,000 but Ward is expected to have this repaid within the next four years.

Judge Orla Crowe said it had been a deliberate fraud perpetrated over the course of ten years. She said it was a sophisticated fraud that involved two different identities and it was only due to the efforts of third parties that the crime was uncovered.

The judge said notwithstanding the mitigating factors, including the fact that Ward is the sole carer for his partner, who is a wheelchair user, a custodial component to the sentence is required.

She set a headline sentence of five years before she imposed a term of three years.

Judge Crowe suspended the final 18 months of the sentence having take into account other mitigating factors including the fact that Ward has repaid all but 15,000 of the total cash he had stolen from the public purse.

At the end of the sentence hearing, a woman spoke from the body of the court  Sorry Judge, this woman is in a wheelchair who is going to take care of her and take her home.

Garda Louise Keane told David Perry BL, prosecuting, at the previous hearing last week, that gardai believe the late Mr Rooney was complicit in the abuse of his PPS number.

Gda Keane said that between May 2008 and July 2012, Ward claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling 41,861 in the name of Patrick Rooney.

Then from July 2012 to August 2018, Ward took up employment with two companies, using Mr Rooneys name and PPS number.

During this time, Ward claimed a raft of unemployment benefits, including Rent Allowance and Disability allowance, in his own name.

In total, he fraudulently claimed 56,590 in his own name, the court heard.

His final claim was illness benefit in Mr Rooneys name from January to March 2017, to the tune of 783.

Ward used a false driving licence in the name of Mr Rooney, but with his own genuine photo attached.

The fraud came to light after Ward applied to the Department of Social Protection for Disability Allowance, submitting Ulster Bank statements showing his weekly wages from his then employer, Musgraves Wholesale Partners.

When a department inspector queried where the money was from, Ward said his cousin Mr Rooney was using his bank account to receive his wages.

The inspector visited Musgraves who said that Ward had been working for them but went by the name of Patrick Rooney.

The court heard that Mr Rooney lived in Thailand from late 2008 until his death last year.

Gardai searched Wards home in July 2018 and found the fake driving licence in Mr Rooneys name.

On his arrest, Ward made full admissions to gardai and admitted he had been claiming social welfare benefits in Mr Rooneys name, and later working under Mr Rooneys identity and claiming benefits in his own name.

Ward told gardai that his friend Mr Rooney, a recovering alcoholic, had offered him a place to stay when he was homeless in 2008.

When Mr Rooney moved to Thailand, Ward agreed to collect social welfare for him.

The court heard that Ward was living at the address at Dolmen Way but claiming rent allowance on a different property.

When asked about the false driving licence, Ward told gardai he thought he got that in a pub about 11 years ago.

I cant remember everything, Ward told gardai.

Ward has one previous conviction for drunken driving in 2008.

He has not come to garda attention since these offences, the court heard.

Ward has set up a direct debit of 80 a week to the Department of Social Protection.

Gda Keane agreed with Mark Lynam SC, defending, that both Ward and Mr Rooney were living a somewhat chaotic life at the time the offences began.

Counsel said that when Mr Rooney left for Thailand, he gave Ward somewhere to live, and as a quid pro quo, Ward transferred his social welfare money to him over a long period.

Mr Lynam gave the court a letter from a GP confirming Wards history of depression and anxiety.

Counsel said Ward got into the deception at a low point, when he was homeless and desperate, but had never intended for it to carry on so long.

A letter from Wards current employer where he has been working since 2021 spoke highly of him as a very good worker.

Mr Lynam said Ward has overcome his alcohol problem and has been sole carer to his partner for the last six years.

Ward is not claiming Carers Allowance though he is entitled to do so, the court heard.

Letters were also submitted from Ward and from his daughter, who said she had never seen her father so broken and remorseful.

Counsel said Ward has taken out a loan of 15,000 while his partner has taken out a loan of 5,000 in order to repay the State.

Hes doing his very best to pay it back, Mr Lynam said of Ward.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Bahrain is committed to climate action despite its minimal contribution to global emissions, said the countrys Minister of Oil and Environment Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina as he delivered his national statement at the COP29 summit, Trend reports.

"As a low-lying island, Bahrain contributes less than 0.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet we choose to lead by example," Bin Daina stated, underscoring the urgency for global collaboration.

Under the guidance of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain has set progressive goals to combat climate change. These include an ambitious commitment to reduce emissions by 2035 and achieve net zero by 2060. To support this, the Kingdom has developed a national energy strategy uniting private and public stakeholders to ensure success.

Highlighting Bahrains focus on ecological restoration, Bin Daina announced bold targets to double the nations tree coverage and quadruple its mangrove coverage. Additionally, Bahrain has crafted a comprehensive coastal resilience strategy to protect its 946 kilometers of coastline from climate impacts.

Acknowledging the global challenges in mobilizing adaptation finance, Bin Daina unveiled Bahrains national adaptation investment plan. This initiative outlines innovative financing options to bring Bahrains climate vision to life.

"We are doing our role," he said, emphasizing Bahrains readiness to share its insights and expertise with the global community. However, he called for renewed international cooperation, urging developed nations to provide enablers such as finance, technology, and capacity building for developing countries.

"Let us restore faith in multilateralism. Climate change is a global challenge that requires a global solution. The urgency we face empowers us to deliver," Bin Daina asserted, reminding delegates of the foundations laid in the Paris Agreement.
Garda Michael Fox read his victim impact statement in the sentence hearing of Michael Donoghue (21)

A garda has told a court that when he was staring directly at two black barrels of a shot gun the only thought in his head was that his mother would never get over his death.

Garda Michael Fox read his victim impact statement in the sentence hearing of Michael Donoghue (21), who was brandishing a double barrel shot gun when he approached the garda and his colleagues as they sat in a garda patrol car in Dublin last year.

I fully believed that I was going to be killed. Killed for doing my job, killed for going to help members of the public, Gda Fox said before he added that he was simply doing his job and responding to a call from members of the public.

Donoghue of Stocking Hill, Stocking Lane, Rathfarnham, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal to possession of a firearm and making threats to kill at his home on December 20, 2023. He has 12 previous convictions, mainly for theft and fraud and public order offences.

Three gardai read their victim impact statements into the record describing that while they appreciated their job as a garda was an occupation that came with risk, they never expected to be placed in such fear.

They described watching Donoghue as he approached the vehicle and waiting for gun to go off, waiting to be shot. One garda, who was only six weeks into his career at the time, said his life flashed before his eyes.

It was accepted by defence counsel Michael Hourgian SC that while it was later discovered that the shot gun was not loaded, the gardai that day would not have been aware of that.

He acknowledged that gardai were not in a position to know that their lives were not in danger.

Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case to November 27 next for sentence and remanded Donoghue in continuing custody until that date.

Garda Thomas Kinsella told Aoife OLeary BL, prosecuting, that officers arrived at Stocking Hill following a call in relation to a disturbance there.

He was the driver of the patrol car and he and his colleagues were in uniform and unarmed. When they arrived at the halting site at 12.40am everything was quiet so he drove to a cul-de-sac and turned the patrol car.

Donoghue was then spotted approaching the patrol car and pointing a shot gun at the vehicle. He was in an agitated and aggressive state.

Gda Kinsella said he had genuine concerns that Donoghue intended to shoot at him and his colleagues. He reversed the patrol car in an attempt to get away. Donoghue continued to approach the car, pointing the weapon at the officers inside.

He then ran to the back of the halting site and threw the gun over a wall.

Gda Kinsella said a call was made for back up and two of his colleagues ran to retrieve the gun.

Donoghue then ran off into a caravan before he re-appeared carrying a black steel three foot long crowbar.

He threatened gardai that he would strike them if they approached him and called the officers pigs and rats.

Donoghue retreated into another building beside one of the caravans and refused to come out. He was ultimately arrested, after back up arrived and was later detained for questioning. Nothing came out of those interviews and he has been on remand in custody since.

The shotgun was retrieved and it was discovered that it was not loaded. It was a 12 gauge double barrel shotgun and was later deemed, following a subsequent ballistic examination, to be in fair condition.

Gda Kinsella accepted a suggestion from Mr Hourigan that his client is genuinely remorseful for his actions that night and has written a letter of apology.

Mr Hourigan said his client has a condition which has limited his growth. He said he started abusing drugs as a young teenager after being the victim of bullying.

Counsel said his client has suffered from acute depression for a very long period of time and first exhibited suicidal ideation at the age of ten years old.

Mr Hourigan said his clients condition has had a profound impact on how he viewed himself. He said he was very much a solitary child and only found comrades when he fell into the company of other addicts.

Counsel handed in letters from Donoghues mother and brother and said he is from a loving and supportive family. He has been doing well in prison and is not due for release until July next year on a separate offence.

Gda Fox said in his victim impact statement that when they arrived at Stocking Hill, his colleague turned the patrol car in an cul-de-sac. He looked out his window and Donoghue appeared holding the firearm on his shoulder and pointing it directly at the patrol car.

Gda Fox said he felt they were trapped with nowhere to go. Donoghue walked around the side of the patrol car.

I turned my head and I was staring directly at two black barrels of a shot gun..I was trapped, unarmed and defenceless. The only thought in my head was that my mother would never get over my death, Gda Fox before he added that he sat waiting then to be shot by Donoghue.

He said that night will stay with him for the rest of his life. On his way home later he had to pull his car over and he cried continuously for 15 minutes straight because of the fear.

Gda Fox said he cried again the next morning and he had to abandon his Christmas shopping that day because he suffered a panic attack. He has since attended his GP and has been treated with medication and has been attending counselling sessions.

He said he will never forgive Donoghue for the stress and turmoil he has put him and his colleagues through.

Gda Kinsella read his victim impact statement in which he said he was trained to deal with all kinds of situation but this kind of situation is one in which he never expected to find himself in.

He said during the incident he had profound sense of vulnerability for my safety and that of my colleagues. He said he felt a sense of responsibility for his colleagues safety as he was the driver of the car.

Gda Kinsella described watching Donoghue as he continued to walk towards the patrol car while aiming the shot gun at them. I never felt so helpless and trapped. I was just waiting for the gun to go off.

He said the incident has had a lasting effect both professionally and personally and that he understood that this would have been a risk in his job but one he never expected to have to face.

He said his sense of safety was shaken and he has suffered post-traumatic stress with trouble sleeping.

Gda Kinsella said it has also impacted his family who are more worried about the dangers he and his colleagues face on a daily basis.

Garda Scott Oates said in his victim impact statement that he was only six weeks into his career at the time. He said his life flashed before his eyes and he felt completely helpless.

It is etched in my memory and it is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life, he continued.

He now finds himself distant with his partner and his family as he doesnt want them to worry.

Gda Oates said the flashbacks and nightmares he experiences include an image of Donoghue pulling the trigger.

I feel this will affect the rest of my career. It has negatively impacted my life in ways that I could never have imagined, Gda Oates said.
Paul Houston (73) was jailed for eight and a half years in December last year following a trial in Malaga

AN IRISH OAP convicted of sexually abusing a teenager has had his conviction overturned by a Spanish appeals court on a technicality.

Expat Paul Houston, 73, was jailed for eight and a half years in December last year following a trial in Malaga.

His sentencing judges ruled he had befriended a 14-year-old in 2017 in Fuengirola after meeting him in a park in the Costa del Sol resort and buying him gifts as well as giving him money to gain his trust.

They said it had been proven he got the youngster to send him photos of his private parts in exchange for a monthly pocket money payment of 40 when he was just 15, knowing the precarious financial situation of the minor and his family.

And they also ruled in their written sentence it had been proven at trial Houston had bought a 2,114 computer for the teenager in January 2019 after moving from his his previous home in Fuengirola to nearby Benalmadena, but before handing it over asked the boy to measure the size of his manhood in front of him and then touched it.

Houston asked three other minors for intimate photos and videos and got one of them to go to his home, Malagas Provincial Court ruled in its initial sentence, although he wasnt convicted over those approaches.

Today it emerged he was free to restart his life as an innocent man after winning an appeal ruling against his conviction and prison sentences.

He had been handed a six year jail term for corrupting a minor and two and a half years for sexual abuse by the Malaga court.

Houstons defence lawyer argued in her appeal to the High Court of Justice of Andalucia, Ceuta and Melilla the teenagers credibility had not been put to the test during the trial because it had gone ahead without him after officials were unable to locate him.

Natividad Saban Lubian said the youngster had never given a sworn statement before a judge which could have been used as evidence at trial in his absence.

And she argued Houstons pedophilic disorder characterised by sexual fantasies or urges involving young children and diagnosed by a forensic doctor, had not been taken into account as a mitigating circumstance at his trial and his presumption of innocence had been violated.

Before his trial started the Irishman was warned he faced being jailed for nearly 20 years if convicted of crimes against four children aged 14 to 17.

He was held in the Costa del Sol resort of Benalmadena in October 2020 on suspicion of crimes including sexual abuse and attempted sexual abuse and corruption of minors.

He had initially been arrested the previous December for allegedly molesting a youngster, but re-arrested after detectives analysed his phone and found evidence pointing to more children being targeted.

Public prosecutors said they were seeking prison sentences totalling 19.5 years for seven offences in an indictment submitted to the courts ahead of his trial, which was suspended three times before it finally went ahead last December.

The Irishman was bailed following his arrest before being charged after a lengthy probe by an investigating judge.

A spokesman for Spains National Police said at the time of the October 2020 arrest: Officers have held a 69-year-old Irishman in Benalmadena for his alleged involvement in crimes of child pornography, corruption of minors and and sexual abuse.

He was arrested in December for allegedly sexually abusing a child in the same town and an exhaustive analysis of his mobile phone has now led to the identification of four other youngsters who were targeted.

The detainee is suspected of gaining their confidence through gifts including mobile phone credits, the purchase of online games, cinema tickets and money.

The gifts were designed to entice them into sending him explicit material of a sexual nature or even agreeing to meetings with him.

The investigation began in December after a woman contacted police to say her son had received messages from a man who asked for intimate photos of him and said he would give him presents if he met up with him.

The force added in a statement: The suspect appears to have taken advantage of the financial situation of the families of the children, obtaining sexual favours from them in a wide spectrum of situations including indecently molesting at least one of the children.

He was arrested and a search of his home led to the seizure of computer equipment which is now in the process of being analysed.

Malaga-based newspaper Diario Sur, which did not name Houston, said in an article it published overnight after the appeal ruling: An alleged paedophile escapes jail in Malaga after the main victim could not be located for the trial.

Public prosecutors have been told they can lodge a final appeal against the acquittal, but it was not clear today if they will exercise that right.
Trial of Tralee man Patrick Murphy continues with gardai and eyewitness evidence

A Central Criminal Court jury in Dublin has heard that a murder accused told gardai he was jabbing back with a knife during a fight with other men in Tralee, which resulted in him stabbing his life-long friend.

I know it was me. I had the knife. I know I was the one with the knife, Patrick Murphy (52) told gardai, going on to accept that he had stabbed Joseph Brosnan on May 22, 2022.

However, the jury heard that Mr Murphy also said that he would not have harmed Mr Brosnan on purpose.

Mr Murphy, of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Brosnan, at Abbey Court, Tralee.

At the Central Criminal Court on Monday, Detective Garda James Fairbrother gave evidence to counsel for the DPP, Patrick Gageby SC, that when he first interviewed the accused, Mr Murphy said he did not see any weapon produced, telling gardai that all he knew was that he was assaulted.

Det Garda Fairbrother said the accused told him he had drunk one or two Baileys and taken tablets for anxiety but these would not affect his memory.

Det Fairbrother gave further evidence to Emmet Nolan BL that the accused told gardai that he started drinking and taking tablets before numerous scuffles broke out.

At some stage, I was being beaten. A knife was produced. I was feeling out of it, and I picked up a knife to defend myself. I didnt mean to stab Joe, Mr Murphy had told gardai when interviewed.

I remember having a knife in my hand. I didnt know I got Joe, I didnt know he was hurt until today, the accused also said in interview.

At the beginning of the trial, Mr Gageby told the jury that it was the States case that Mr Murphy called over to Mr Brosnans home, where drinking took place which resulted in some insult passing between Mr Brosnans friend Kamil Lisowski and Mr Murphy.

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 Mr Murphy was asked to leave, the court heard.

Mr Gageby said that Mr Murphy later returned and apologised, but he 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.

Meanwhile, an eye-witness has told the trial that the murder accused came to the front door of his daughters neighbour "to revenge" and stabbed him like rapid fire.

My best friend was dying in my hands," the eyewitness told the jury on Friday last.

Mr Lisowski gave evidence to the trial, where defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC put it to him under cross-examination that Mr Murphy may have come to the door with a knife in order to frighten him.

Mr Lisowski rejected this, saying that when Mr Murphy came to the door, he did not hesitate and went immediately to stab Mr Brosnan.

He told Mr Grehan: I believe there was one thing in his head, to stab me or Joseph... To revenge that I hit him or Joseph.

Mr Lisowski said that it took him a few moments to react to the shock. He said he tried to stop the bleeding and called the gardai.

The remains of Joseph Brosnan being removed from the scene in Tralee . (Photo by Domnick Walsh.

Det Fairbrother told the jury that, when he arrived at the scene shortly after 7pm, he saw the deceased lying on the couch, bleeding from the stomach.

He said he was approached by Mr Lisowski who told him to f**cking do something, that the attacker was Patrick Murphy and that he had confirmed it was him because he has a very distinctive scar on his face.

Det Fairbrother said he was then approached by Mr Murphy who said: Youre looking for me James, we can sort this.

Garda Fairbrother arrested Mr Murphy at 7.25pm and said he noticed there was blood on his jeans. Later on in the Garda station, he said he noticed Mr Murphy had blood on his hands.

Dr Sibeal Waldron, of Forensic Science Ireland, identified a black-handled kitchen knife which was found on the scene and was 20.5cm in length with a 12cm handle.

She said she found that blood traces from the blade area and on the tip matched the DNA of Joseph Brosnan. She also said that the blood traces found near the hilt matched with the DNA of Patrick Murphy.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of eight men and four women.
You went further than necessary to defend yourself

A Bulgarian national who left a man with life-changing and life-limiting injuries in a case of excessive self-defence walked free from court today with a suspended jail sentence.

Sentencing Apostol Apostolov at Newry Crown Court, Judge Paul Ramsey told the 36-year-old that having become involved in a confrontation with the injured partyyou went further than necessary to defend yourself.

That decision has led to devastating and long-lasting consequences for the victim and his family, said the judge, adding that while the custody threshold had clearly been passed, the question was whether to suspend the sentence or order Apostolov to go to prison.

Although Judge Ramsey imposed a two-year jail sentence, he said given the features of the case including the element of self-defence, the defendants clear record, genuine remorse and low risk of reoffending, he had decided to suspend it for three years.

At an earlier hearing, Apostolov, with an address at The Square, Newtownhamilton, entered a guilty plea to causing the victim grievous bodily harm on April 28 last year.

In an agreed document outlining the facts, prosecuting counsel Fiona OKane told the court how there had been a confrontation outside a shop on Victoria Street in Keady just after 11am that day.

Apostolov was buying cigarettes when the 61-year-old victim entered in what was described as a very agitated state, complaining repeatedly about how a car had been parked outside.

The complaint was directed at Apostolov, and as he left the shop, the victim was following close behind continuing to remonstrate verbally with him.

The shop owner told police he could see the victim had his right fist clenched, and as the two men stood facing each other, the victim punched Apostolov, shouting at him, what way is that to f****** park a car?

Apostolov, the court heard, did not appear to react, with Mrs OKane explaining how the victim had parked his car almost touching the rear bumper of Apostolovs car.

The victim was there to purchase coal, and it seems the defendants car was obstructing access to the shops coal bunker, said Mrs OKane, adding that after Apostolov was seen to step back from the victim, he was struck again with a punch to the face.

Apostolov moved his car a few feet, and as the victim was putting coal into his boot, he was still shouting towards the defendant. He even refused to get back into his car when his mother, a lady in her 80s, told him to.

It was at this point, said the barrister, that Apostolov punched the man, causing him to fall backwards like a plank - he didnt move his arms at all and went straight back appearing to hit his head off the ground. It looked like he was unconscious from the moment he was punched.

The court heard that where Apostolov went too far was when he moved over to his unconscious victim, lifted him slightly from the ground and punched him again, before getting into his car and speeding off. He was arrested a short time later.

Judge Ramsey described how medical reports detail how the victim sustained significant, catastrophic, life-changing and evidently life-limiting injuries.

The man suffered a severe traumatic brain injury with extensive bleeding around the brain, as well as multiple facial and skull fractures. He was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital and Judge Ramsey told how he spent a month in intensive care before he was transferred to a brain injury unit.

The victim was only discharged from hospital in February. The living room of his home has effectively been changed into a hospital ward as he will require round-the-clock care for the rest of his life.

Judge Ramsey revealed that, at one point, medics told his family to prepare for the worst and that a priest had been sent to anoint him.

He told the mans family that although he was not fully opening the contents of the victim impact statements, he assured them that he had read and considered the heart wrenching and poignant comments.

Outlining that it was a very difficult case, the judge said while there were aggravating features such as the extreme harm caused in the assault, there were also mitigating features including the guilty plea, genuine remorse, clear record and low risk of reoffending.

After handing down the suspended prison sentence, he warned Apostolov if he commits any other offences in the next three years, he would serve the two-year sentence in addition to any other sentence.
The 84-year-old woman was attacked as she went to greet Peter Keaney with a hug

A FATHER of two was "like a man possessed" when he attacked his partner's elderly mother in a nursing home, knelt on her and tried to suffocate her with a pillow while shouting, "Die bitch, die," a court heard.

The incident happened at the Sonas home, Ballymahon Road, Athlone, shortly before 8 pm on April 29, 2024.

The 84-year-old woman was attacked as she went to greet Peter Keaney with a hug.

Keaney, 55, of Hillsidsympe Close, Monksland, Athlone, Roscommon, was drunk and told gardai afterwards that he was going to kill her, Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court heard this afternoon.

The former carer and theatre worker pleaded guilty to two counts under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act for assault causing harm, and attempting to suffocate the victim by holding a pillow across her face.

Judge Keenan Johnson described it as an extraordinary case and remarked, "As far as I'm concerned, it is unprecedented; I have never come across anything like it."

He said Keaney was "like a man possessed on the day in question". The court heard he got drunk on wine and was triggered by unsubstantiated abuse allegations.

The judge noted the guilty plea but said the offence, which can result in 10 years' imprisonment, would carry a significant sentence.

Peter Keaney

He directed the Probation Service to provide a report on Keaney and adjourned sentencing until December 5.

The accused, who did not address the court, was remanded on continuing bail with strict conditions.

Detective Garda Kevin Nerney agreed with prosecutor Cathal o Braonain BL, instructed by State solicitor for Westmeath, Matt Shaw, that the accused travelled six-and-a-half kilometres by bus and on foot to the nursing home to carry out the attack.

Nursing home staff "forced" their way into the pensioner's room and found she had suffered multiple injuries, including a deep laceration to her forehead.

The accused remained at the scene and told gardai, "I did it; I tried to kill her." The court heard his long-term partner was the victim's daughter.

The elderly woman had lived there since 2021, and her husband also had a separate room in the home.

Until that night, they had a great relationship.

The court heard that when "Peter Keaney came into her room, and she initially stood up to give him a hug."

However, he "hit her in the face with his fist, causing her to be stunned, and she asked, 'Peter, what is wrong? But he kept hitting her and punched her onto a chair at the side of her bed."

The court heard he told the OAP, "You will live to regret it and put a pillow over her face. She was struggling to get air."

She slipped to the ground, where Keaney repeatedly kicked her in the head.

Just two days before the incident, the victim had spent time with him and her daughter; they had coffee and "had no issues with him, had a good laugh with him".

"She did not know why he did this," Detective Garda Nerney said.

Care workers outside heard him screaming, "Die bitch, die; die you fucking bitch. Get away from me. I wish you were dead."

Staff forced their way through the blocked door and saw her lying face down on the floor, "Keaney crouched over her, and there was a pillow covered with blood on the floor".

The court heard he then walked over to the bed, sat on it and waited until gardai arrived and arrested him.

Peter Keaney

En route to Athlone Garda station, "He made a number of comments in the patrol car and told gardai he wanted to kill her."

He admitted putting the pillow over her and told officers: "Yes, I wanted to kill her and will do it again; I wanted to kill her and will kill her," and he said he could not control himself and would do it again.

He also signed a Garda notebook, in which his comments were recorded.

The court heard he began drinking wine shortly after 11 am and had consumed four bottles before going to the nursing home, and he admitted that he had an alcohol problem.

He disclosed to gardai that he had suffered sexual abuse as a child and had gone to counselling for eight years.

He also maintained his partner had recently made allegations about a family member, but she and all her family have since told gardai that never happened.

However, he went to the nursing home in a "rage" against the elderly woman to punch her in the face.

And he told gardai he would have attacked her husband too, but he was in a room upstairs.

He admitted to gardai that he used his fist to hit her and when he "felt her go limp, I thought she was gone, thought I killed her after she went limp."

His partner of more than 30 years told gardai that Keaney was "bananas drunk" and that she had never disclosed anything negative or abuse allegations about her family, and she did not know why he said that or attacked her mother.

Her only sibling also confirmed to gardai they were never abused.

The court heard the victim needed nine stitches to her head and had bruises and a sore back from being knelt on as she struggled with the pillow on her face, which the pensioner described as "horrible".

She did not come to the hearing or provide a victim impact statement.

But the court heard she and her husband had enjoyed a close relationship for years with Keaney.

In 2005, the accused and his partner moved from Galway to Athlone to help care for them after her father was seriously injured in an accident and had to learn how to walk and talk again.

The detective agreed with Delia Flynn SC, defending, that the victim told gardai, "We all loved him", and she still did not know why he did this.

Counsel said the accused had been abused by a priest when he was a child and a discussion about an abusive priest "triggered" his memory.

The court heard he believed people were overly sympathetic to the clergy and did not have insight into what people suffered.

He had been going to counselling for his trauma and had also developed a binge drinking problem.

The court heard Keaney, who now lives in Dublin, had two previous convictions for driving without a licence or motor insurance.
Prison officers in Mountjoy witnessed a murder accused "stamping" and delivering kicks to the head of a fellow inmate who died three days later in hospital, a prosecution barrister has told a trial.

Michael Delaney SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the jury they will hear evidence that during interviews with gardai, the accused man, David Dunne, said the deceased man had attacked him and he had acted in self-defence.

Mr Dunne (40), with a last address in Summerhill, Dublin 1, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Robert OConnor on the 29th of July 2022 at Mountjoy Prison, North Circular Road, Dublin 7.

Opening the prosecutions case this afternoon, Mr Delaney said this is a somewhat unusual case which concerns the violent death of a man in the custody of the State at the hands of another prisoner.

The lawyer said the deceased man, Robert OConnor, was 32 years old when he died.

He said Mr OConnor received a prison sentence on July 27, 2022, and was returned from court to Mountjoy prison that evening. He said at approximately 7pm, Mr OConnor was assaulted in his cell by a number of prisoners, and this appeared to involve some kicking while he was on the floor of his cell.

Following the assault, Mr OConnor was placed in protection for a period and was moved to C landing.

Mr Delaney told the jury they will hear evidence that it was on that landing that the fatal assault occurred at approximately 5.30pm on July 29.

On the evening in question, prison officers on the C2 landing opened the cells for the purpose of allowing prisoners to go out to the exercise yard, the lawyer said.

Sometime later, prison officer Conor Kenny heard officer Jonathan Deegan shouting for assistance. Officer Kenny could see Officer Deegan looking into a cell and Officer Kenny could see the accused man, David Dunne, stamping on the head of Robert OConnor who was on the floor, the lawyer said.

Mr Delaney said the jury will hear evidence that Officer Deegan also witnessed part of the assault and in particular saw Mr Dunne kicking Robert OConnor in the head.

Officer Kenny observed Robert OConnor in a lifeless state on the ground with blood on his face. David Dunne was restrained and removed from the scene.

As he was being brought downstairs, Mr Dunne repeatedly protested, asking: Why are you bringing me here? I didnt do anything.

An ambulance was called, and paramedics provided some treatment, but Mr OConnors Glasgow Coma Scale was as low as three and he wasnt responding to any form of stimuli.

He was brought to the Mater Hospital where he was intubated, and attempts were made to resuscitate him. A CT scan demonstrated a very severe brain injury with bleeding and swelling to the brain.

Mr Delaney said there wasnt any great expectations of survival and on August 1 a second brain stem test was carried out and Mr OConnor was declared dead.

A post mortem was carried out on August 3 by State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan which disclosed the presence of multiple blunt force trauma injuries to his head, trunk, arms and legs.

His cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.

Mr Delaney said CCTV evidence will show Mr Dunnes movements in the minutes prior to the assault.

Mr Dunne was arrested on November 16, 2022 on suspicion of murder.

Mr Delaney said the jury will hear that during the course of being interviewed, Mr Dunne told gardai he had invited Robert OConnor into his cell because he wanted to speak to him about the assault that had occurred two days earlier.

The barrister told the jury they will hear that Mr Dunne told gardai that Mr OConnor attacked him, and he had acted in self-defence.

Mr Delaney told the jury that what they must establish is what the accused man did.

He told them that if, having heard the evidence, they are satisfied that David Dunne assaulted Robert OConnor by stamping on his head or kicking him in the head, they must then decide whether he intended to kill or cause serious injury to the deceased.

The 12 jurors are the sole judges of fact, he said, and they will decide on the ultimate issue in this case which is whether or not the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused man is guilty of murder.
Brandon Hennessy (21) is on trial at the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court accused of violent disorder during the incident in which both his father and Sherry lost their lives. He denies the charge

Tristan Sherry, who was beaten to death after fatally shooting Jason Hennessy Snr, "deserved it" because he came to a busy restaurant on Christmas Eve to "slaughter everyone", one of Hennessy's sons told gardai.

Brandon Hennessy (21) is on trial at the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court accused of violent disorder during the incident in which both his father and Sherry lost their lives. He denies the charge.

In garda interviews more than one month after the attack, Mr Hennessy said Sherry was a "scumbag" who didn't care about women or children when he came into the restaurant and started firing. "I think he deserved it because he came in to kill, not just one, but to slaughter everyone," Mr Hennessy said.

In relation to his own alleged violent conduct, Mr Hennessy said he acted in self-defence, did not use unnecessary violence or excessive force and was provoked by Sherry.

Mr Hennessy also accused gardai of not protecting his family and questioned why it took them so long to respond to the fatal shooting.

The court has heard that Hennessy snr and a group of about 30 people had gathered in Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown last December 24 for a party when Sherry and a second gunman arrived with their faces covered and hoods up.

Tristan Sherry

Sherry scuffled with Hennessy snr and fatally wounded him before the gunman was himself disarmed and beaten to death.

Det Sgt Mark Murphy today told prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC that Brandon Hennessy presented himself at Blanchardstown Garda Station on January 28 this year to be arrested and questioned.

During his first interview, gardai told Mr Hennessy that they were there to protect him. "If you were here to protect us, why did it take 45 minutes to get there [Browne's} when the garda station is two minutes down the road?," Mr Hennessy responded.

The accused identified himself and his father arriving at the restaurant on CCTV footage and then pointed to himself and others laughing and joking after taking up their table inside.

He pointed to his dad holding a baby as people began diving for cover when a woman shouted, "they have guns," as Sherry and the second gunman emerged from the bar area.

Mr Hennessy described his dad tackling Sherry as he, the accused, ran to the bathroom.

He came back and went to look for the second gunman, he said, before he is alleged to have struck Sherry while he lay on the ground where he was being beaten by other members of the Hennessy group.

Mr Hennessy said he couldn't remember what he was doing at that time and when asked why he wasn't helping his father, he said: "Where were youse [gardai] when this was going on? I still don't see youse."

Gardai asked Mr Hennessy how he could say he was defending himself when CCTV footage shows him striking down on Sherry as Sherry lay on the ground. Mr Hennessy responded: "It could be worse, I could have had a gun like him." He asked why he should care about Sherry when Sherry didn't care about anyone, including the women and children present. He added: "We are not there to kill, he is there to kill."

Gardai asked how Sherry could have been a threat when he had been disarmed and was lying on the ground with people "laying into" him. Mr Hennessy said it "depends on the circumstances".

Mr Hennessy said gardai "don't care about us, you don't give a f**k about us" and questioned why the second gunman had not been arrested. Having consulted with a solicitor, Mr Hennessy told gardai: "I acted in self-defence, I didn't use unnecessary violence or excessive force and was provoked by Tristan Sherry to do so."

The court also heard from interviews with 18-year-old Diarmuid O'Brien after his arrest on January 23 this year. Mr O'Brien denies a charge of violent disorder arising from the incident at Browne's.

Det Gda John Hayes told Ms Murphy that in his third interview, Mr O'Brien's solicitor told his client to "say what you are supposed to be saying, what you were going to say?" Mr O'Brien then told gardai: "I want to put it on the record that I found myself in an extraordinary situation. I did not use unnecessary violence or excessive force."

The trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge James Faughnan. _____ The three men currently on trial accused of Sherry's murder 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 is also charged with violent disorder.

All accused have pleaded not guilty.
Closing statements began on day 9 of the high profile civil trial

The closing statements have been made to the jury in the case of Nikita Hand who is suing UFC star Conor McGregor and his friend James Lawrence claiming both raped her in the Beacon Hotel in Dublin in 2018.

Both deny the allegations and claim they had consensual sex with her. After an almost two-week trial counsel for the pair summed up their cases to the jury.

Clodagh Meaney was there to hear their closing statements. This is part one of todays proceedings.

MORE EPISODES
The suspects, whose identities are already known, are separate from the 99 people deemed persons of interest in the Dublin riots investigation whose pictures were published by gardai

A number of people wanted for questioning in connection with last Novembers Dublin riots have moved abroad, with one European arrest warrant already sought, the Sunday World can reveal.

The suspects, whose identities are already known, are separate from the 99 people deemed persons of interest in the Dublin riots investigation whose pictures were published by gardai yesterday in a new appeal.

Five of the 99 individuals highlighted by gardai have already been identified after a significant amount of assistance from the public.

Following the identification of those five, their images were removed from the garda public gallery.

In a statement last night, gardai said they were not confirming the role any of these individuals played on the night of November 23 last year, adding that it should not be presumed that identification means criminal involvement in these events.

Senior gardai have said they now expect many more arrests to be made for multiple offences committed in the city centre on the night in question. To date, 57 people have been arrested as part of the inquiry, with all but four of these charged with offences including rioting, arson and burglary.

Rioting broke out in the capital after three children and a care worker were injured in an attack outside a primary school and creche on Parnell Square East, for which a man has been charged and appeared before the courts.

Almost 30 vehicles including a Luas and garda cars were burnt out, while over 60 businesses were targeted, with more than 17,000 hours of CCTV footage harvested so far.

In a bid to identify the 99 persons of interest, gardai published CCTV stills online yesterday morning and immediately experienced a high volume of traffic.

Sources said in the initial hours of the appeal that gardai had already received a significant amount of assistance and nominations in identifying the persons of interest.

Chief Superintendent Patrick McMenamin, of Store Street Garda Station, said they will not give up until every person involved in the Dublin riots is brought to justice.

He said they were asking for public assistance, but also appealed to any person featured in the images to come forward.

It may be the case that after meeting with you we can eliminate some from inquiries or progress the investigation in relation to your participation, Chief Supt McMenamin said.

The first person convicted before the Circuit Court as part of the investigation is due to be sentenced later today.

Declan Donaghey (28), of William Street, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to burning out a garda patrol car, rioting and causing criminal damage to a migrant hostel.

When arrested by gardai, he said he got caught up in the violence and that he wanted to support the victims of an earlier stabbing.

Asked about the anti-immigration aspect to the riot, Supt Liam Geraghty of the Garda Press Office said a lot of people they are seeking to identify are not connected to any hate crimes, but rather criminal damage and other offences.

He added that gardai are seeing the highest level of increases in crime relating to anti-immigration protests, which are occupying a lot of time and energy of An Garda Siochana.
Criminal beaten in his Midlands cell in organised attack is moved to a different prison for his safety

Declan Tier, who is serving time for having an imitation firearm, was attacked in his cell

A HORROR attack on a prisoner involving 16 of his fellow inmates in the Midlands Prison has been linked to an epidemic of spice overdoses.

Finglas native Declan Tier, who is serving a 21-month sentence for possession of a realistic imitation firearm, was set upon in his cell on the prisons B1 landing on Friday morning last week.

Several prisoners entered Tiers cell and badly assaulted him, while a larger group of inmates stood in front of the cell door and attempted to block the assault from the view of CCTV cameras.

Tier was targeted because the prisoners in the landings were looking for a scapegoat, a source said.

Things would have gotten a lot worse for him if another inmate hadnt stepped in and put a stop to it.

The attack happened shortly after breakfast and as the inmates were getting ready to attend their workshops and the gym. Its a time of free movement on the landing.

This was obviously pre-planned because all the inmates involved knew what their roles were.

Several prisoners entered the cell while others stood outside and tried to stand in front of the cameras to block the assault from view.

It didnt last long but Tier got a bad going over. He was pummelled and ended up badly bruised and battered.

Thankfully, he didnt require hospitalisation.

The source said Tier was subsequently moved to a protection cell and later moved to Wheatfield for his own safety.

Declan Tier, who is serving time for having an imitation firearm, was attacked in his cell

Tier (37) has a number of convictions for assault as well as convictions for dealing cocaine and cannabis dating from 2011.

Originally from Finglas, hed been living in Meath prior to his arrest and had set up a personal training business in Drogheda.

He survived a shooting attempt in 2009.

Sixteen inmates were P19d, or subjected to disciplinary action, over the attack.

Sources said tensions in the prison have been escalating because of recurring overdoses linked to the use of the drug spice.

Spice is a substance containing one or more synthetic cannabinoids.

Synthetic cannabinoids were originally designed to mimic the effects of cannabis, however, they are more harmful and unpredictable than the real version.

They may be powdered chemicals, dissolved and sprayed onto paper or dried plant material.

Earlier this week, a directive was issued in the Midlands Prison that all in-bound domestic mail addressed to prisoners be photocopied and copies given to prisoners rather the originals.

The belief is that some of this stuff was being sprayed onto letters and the prisoners were getting it that way, the source said.

So this is an attempt to close down that particular route.

In the days following the assault on Tier, four more overdoses linked to spice occurred in the prison.

Convicted killer Adriano Martins Costa, who overdosed on the drug last month, was again one of the casualties.

Costa is serving life in prison for brutally beating to death his fellow countryman Paulo Cesar Siqueria in Kildare in 2005.

The latest series of overdoses is the third to have occurred on B-Wing in the last three months.

Understandably, tensions are extremely high on the wing and people are being blamed left, right and centre, a source said.

Over the course of a weekend in mid-September six inmates on the B1 landing took ill almost simultaneously. A seventh inmate overdosed on D wing the following Monday.

This was followed up by three simultaneous overdoses on B wing last month.

This stuff is extremely potent, a source said.

Its incredibly fast acting and after taking it, its lights out! Thankfully, we havent had a fatality yet.

The medical team are on high alert and have managed to get to those affected in time.

The drug causes the users body and brain to shut down but once treated they come back and appear to be relatively unaffected.

It seems to wipe out the prisoners memories and feelings as to what occurred so they dont recognise the harm its done.

Thats why you have prisoners like Costas who are ready to roll the dice again within weeks of overdosing.

Adriano Martins Costa

The ongoing issues in the Midlands come as the Irish Prison Service is engaged in a concerted campaign to tackle the distribution of drugs in the countrys jails.

Three people were arrested last month during an operation aimed at preventing individuals throwing drugs to inmates over the walls of Cloverhill Prison.

Separately, on October 24, the Irish Prison Service seized a substantial number of phones, weapons and drugs following a general search at Wheatfield.

Some 24 phones, including iPhone chargers and accessories, were first discovered on a landing with some hidden in light fittings.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: The Irish Prison Service is committed to preventing the access of contraband into prisons and continues to be a high priority for the Irish Prison Service.

Our Canine Unit carry out searches around the prisons, including a greater focus on searching deliveries into prisons.

There is a free confidential telephone line (1800 855 717) and text line (086 180 2449) which is operational.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. As a small island developing state, we are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, said Dominica's Minister of Environment, Rural Modernization, Kalinago Upliftment, and Constituency Empowerment Cozier Frederick as he addressed the COP29 summit, Trend reports.

"Dominica faces major threats despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. Increased frequency of extreme weather events directly jeopardizes our ecosystems, economy, and the daily lives of our people," he said.

Frederick detailed how these climate impacts severely affect national food security and tourism, critical components of the countrys development. He emphasized the profound consequences that climate change poses to Dominica's stability and future, stating: "The impact on us is profound, affecting our national food security and tourism, all of which are essential aspects of our development and stability."

Pointing to Dominicas efforts to adapt and build resilience, Frederick noted that the island, which suffered catastrophic losses from Hurricane Maria in 2017, is striving to become the worlds first climate-resilient nation. "In response to Hurricane Maria, which destroyed 226 percent of our GDP overnight, we have invested heavily in resilience, infrastructure, and human capacity," he explained. "We have mainstreamed resilience across the public sector and created policies to guide us. We have also invested in geothermal energy as an alternative to fossil fuels."

Despite these investments, Frederick stressed that such initiatives are expensive, and called for stronger global financial support. "Whenever major events affect us, we are always forced to use our limited financial resources," he said. "We need stronger financial support for adaptation and resilience. This will safeguard our future and preserve our unique natural and cultural features."

Dominicas Minister also called for a revision of climate finance goals, advocating for the replacement of the previous $100 billion annual target. He expressed strong support for the Caribbean communitys ongoing call to double climate finance from 2019 levels by 2025, in line with the Paris Agreement. However, he voiced disappointment that the adaptation fund has fallen short of its targets, and that developed countries have not yet fulfilled their pledge to double their contributions.

"We are not satisfied with the adaptation fund falling short of its contribution targets," Frederick said. "Developed countries must stay true to their pledges. We must also build on the foundation of the loss and damage fund established at COP28 to enhance its financial reach and operational structure."

He also called for a transparent and inclusive process for accessing these funds, ensuring quick and effective assistance for those hardest hit by climate impacts. "This will facilitate quality, quick, and effective assistance to all of us hardest hit," he stressed.

Frederick further underscored the importance of transitioning from adaptation planning to implementation, in line with the broader global climate agenda. With COP29 coinciding with global discussions on biodiversity and land degradation, he emphasized the need for a holistic approach. "These promote a holistic approach that ties climate action to ecosystem health and community resilience," he noted, advocating for a comprehensive strategy that integrates climate action with broader environmental goals.
Id prefer not to say anything at this time, he said, when asked whether he intends on appealing the closure order served on him in late October.

A FORMER garda ordered to shut down an unlicensed puppy farm where he kept up to 100 dogs has claimed the authorities have painted a bad picture of him.

Approached by the Sunday World near his home in Rosenallis, Laois on Wednesday, retired guard Sean Drumm also complained that he had been in hospital when the Council and ISPCA inspected the property.

A closure order subsequently issued to him noted conditions at the facility posed a serious and immediate threat to public health or animal welfare.

Id prefer not to say anything at this time, he said, when asked whether he intends on appealing the closure order served on him in late October.

Obviously they have painted a bad picture.

I was in Beaumont Hospital with a brain tumour.

Declining to comment further, Mr. Drumm then walked quickly away from our reporter.

The order to shut his unregistered dog breeding establishment was issued to Mr. Drumm on the same day the County Council carried out an inspection of the premises on October 25th.

Tristan Blundel acting for Laois County Council under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010, exercised powers set down under the Act to direct that the premises be closed with immediate effect.

"I am satisfied, he wrote, that the operation of the unregistered dog breeding establishment poses a serious and immediate threat to public health or animal welfare, details of which are specified below.

You are required to cease breeding or keeping dogs at the establishment and take such measures as directed to enable the rehousing, at your expense, of all dogs being kept for the time being at the establishment.

If you contravene this closure notice you shall be guilty of an offence.

According to sources, Mr Drumm had been a registered breeder but at a different location in Laois.

The enforcement action was taken because it is claimed he was not registered to operate from Mucklone and that no planning permission was in place.

Sources said that when the inspection occurred on Saturday, October 25, about 100 dogs were found on site.

This number included six breeding females.

Its understood the dogs were not found to be in poor health or in bad living conditions but some pups and a small number of adult dogs were removed for their welfare.

The Dog Warden was accompanied by veterinary inspector Aidan Grant and other agencies including the ISPCA during the operation.

The written notice outlined the grounds that the operation poses a serious and immediate threat to public health or animal welfare.

The notice says the premises in which the dogs are kept and the management of same are not compliant with Section 15 of the Act and associated guidelines applicable to a registered dog breeding establishment.

It added that the operation of a dog breeding establishment without registration or application for the same also merited an order.

The order says the premises and operator were not registered by Laois County Council.

It added that the operator was unable and unwilling to adhere to the duties applicable to a registered dog breeding establishment.

The order outlines measures to enable the rehousing of all dogs being kept for the time being at the establishment.

Mr Drumm must microchip, licence and rehome or sell females to ensure less than six breeding females over age of six months are on the premises.

Proof of microchipping and licencing and details of sale/rehoming must be submitted to the Dog Warden within three weeks.

Mr Drumm was advised that he could appeal the notice to the District Court in accordance with the Act

Mr. Drumm served as a garda in Co. Laois until his retirement in and around 2012.

Before joining the gardai, he worked as a prison officer.
Marian and her pal Tara Flynn discuss why having distinct hobbies is good for a healthy partnership

Best-selling author Marian Keyes has revealed how her marriage works so well due to her and her husbands wildly different interests.

The Watermelon writer has frequently described her long-time husband, Tony Baines, as her soulmate.

Keyes, who has sold more than 30 million of her books to date in 33 languages, told her BBC podcast she recently regaled her husband on a trip away at dinner with the story of the break-up of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.

He knew nothing about it, he was starry-eyed. He found it so immensely thrilling, the twists and the turns, she said, adding that Tom shared his love of nature with her on the same trip.

And then he went for a run [and] he showed me the hare that he saw and the lovely mountains, and you could see some of the mountains in Ireland from Wales.

We bring each other these offerings from our different worlds, but then we have things together. It is absolutely fine, as long as you do nice things together, as well as being different, as long as you are nice to each.

Marian with her husband Tony Baines

Its absolutely fine to be married to a person who has different interests.

Marian has garnered a following of millions around the planet but now they can directly interact with the author on her BBC podcast, Now Youre Asking.

Recorded with her close friend Tara Flynn, the pair act as witty, modern-day agony aunts to fans looking for advice.

Actress and comedian, Tara, who also shares her pearls of wisdom on marriage and relationships on the podcast, said she loves the outdoors while her husband is the opposite.

I often go off on my morning walks, and he has a lovely lie-in, she says on the podcast.

And then some days, hell bring me a coffee when Im working because hes been out at a movie, and hes had a lovely time.

Were different. We always say to each other, we want to have stories to tell each other.

One of the worst things for that is just doing everything together all the time. I love spending time with him. Hes my favourite. Hes great. But we love doing things apart. So, we have stories to tell each other.

Marian Keyes

I think a couch bunny and an adventure hound go well together.

In the hugely popular podcast, Keyes reveals she doesnt like being swept along in the moment in typically frank fashion.

I am hopeless at spontaneity. I like to plan my enjoyment and then I need huge amounts of recovery time. Im very much an introvert, she reveals.

Netflix announced earlier this year that it is producing a series based on the authors best-selling novel, Grown Ups.

The series is described as an ensemble family drama, based on three couples  Nell and Liam, Cara and Ed and Jessie and Rory.

The billing says: Like most families, the Caseys are a complicated bunch. Ever-shifting politics. Old and new resentments. Arguments that blow over quickly and hurts that are nursed forever. Theyre loyal. Noisy. And bound together by a whole lot of love.

Meanwhile, in her upcoming BBC podcast, Keyes gives a real-life fan advice on meeting up with a bully in adult life.

The author, known for her relatable blockbusters, says childhood events stay with people for life.

The way we felt at that time crystallises in our psyche, and it remains on file forever. So if were ever in a similar situation, instead of responding as the person we are now, we respond out of the much younger self, the child self.

If somebody is horrible to you, I speak for myself, and then if you spend hours and hours and hours thinking of all the fabulously cutting, witty, brutal things youll say to them when you meet them, and then you do meet them, as has happened to me, I have been tongue-tied. I have been frozen.

Marian with podcast co-host Tara Flynn

Thats because I am no longer the adult Marian. I am the much, much younger person. These are actual, literal facts, and Ive been in therapy for like, 600 years, so I know what Im talking about.

You have to do a huge amount of work to be able to back into a situation with somebody who bullied you and best them, and triumph, it just never works.

She said she has learned the best revenge is living well.

When I get upset about people my husband says, Never wrestle with a pig, because youll both get covered in mud, and the pig will enjoy it.

The writer, whose latest novel is called My Favourite Mistake, also revealed how she believed the pandemic has changed attitudes towards workwear in Ireland.

I love [Crocs], said the 60-year-old.

The pandemic changed it for everyone, there might have been a lot more Croc-deniers before the pandemic, but then we moved into a realm of endless comfort and elastic waistbands and flat, bouncy shoes.

We are who we are, it doesnt matter what we wear.
Hill said at first blush it looked like a typical gang-related firearms and drugs case. But he explained the guns were given to Tanga when he was a teenager and, while he admitted he did not have a gun licence, he never used the weapons and did not know if they worked.

The maximum sentence he faced was 14 years in jail but his lawyer, Andy Hill, pressed Judge John Bergseng to sentence Tanga to home detention.

The charges included five counts of dealing, one of possessing the drug for supply, two of possessing firearms, one of possessing ammunition and one of failing to abide by a police order.

Tanga appeared for sentencing in the Rotorua District Court last Wednesday after earlier pleading guilty to 10 charges relating to supplying and possessing ecstasy.

After Tamatoa Tanga was caught selling ecstasy, the fear of going to jail convinced the 25-year-old to hand in his Filthy Few gang patch so he could live a better life.

Hills plea for his client to stay out of jail was echoed not only by a public gallery full of family members and supporters but also by police prosecutor Luke Kerr, who confirmed Tanga was no longer a gang member.

Normally we have someone coming out here with two fists on their face and you see gang members all in the back row and that leads to some scepticism.

However, Kerr said gang members had confirmed seeing Tanga hand in his patch  a story validated by several police officers.

What Tanga did

Judge Bergseng said Tanga supplied the class B drug MDMA, known as ecstasy, between October 27, 2023, and December 2, 2023, in Rotorua. In total, he dealt about 4 grams.

On December 11, 2023, police searched his house and found 12.85g of ecstasy, two firearms and ammunition. He refused to hand over his phone to police.

He told a pre-sentencing report writer that money motivated him to deal drugs and he struggled to provide for his family lawfully.

Judge Bergseng said Tanga set up his own dealing business with his own clients.

Tangas history

Tanga had a long-time partner and young daughters, the judge said. He did well academically but drugs and alcohol sidetracked him.

He became a mechanic after leaving school and, at the time of the offending, was a patched member of the Filthy Few.

He was previously diagnosed with significant addiction issues but had not used drugs since the age of 18 after a significant health scare.

You are in a period of sustained avoidance of drug use, Judge Bergseng said. Thats not to say you are cured because your addiction is life-long but you are currently not using and havent been for some time.

A letter of support from a Man Up group leader was positive, as was a comprehensive letter Tanga had written, the judge said.

You have been open and honest. You have said one of the biggest changes you have made was to leave the Filthy Few gang. You had a position of some note within the local chapter.

He said there was also a letter of support from the Fordlands Community Centre manager that outlined the role Tanga had played over the years, including running rippa rugby for about 80 children.

The sentence

Judge Bergseng gave a starting prison sentence of 36 months but reduced it by 25% for Tangas guilty pleas and 20% for other mitigating factors, including his bid to change his life.

With the reductions, the end prison sentence was 20 months, which the judge agreed to make 10 months of home detention.

The fact you have received a sentence of home detention on this occasion is one I have thought carefully about but I can see it is justified. It is one that is supported by police.

Tanga is allowed to serve his home detention at his parents home in Fordlands and Judge Bergseng said he was grateful for the support the Fordlands community had given Tanga.

The fact that you have got a number of people who have come from the Fordlands community, which often does not get good publicity, is perhaps a testament to the person that you can be, as opposed to the person you have been.

The judge said he would like to see Tanga continue with his community-based roles and be a proper father to his children.

You show them how they can live their life by the way that you live your life from this point on. We all know that children very much learn from their parents and, if you do the right thing moving forward, there is a good chance that you will be able to lead a highly productive life in a difficult community.

-Rotorua Daily Post.
A 13-year-old boy spent a month in hospital after a speeding car he was a passenger in became airborne and flew over a roundabout before crashing to the ground and rolling multiple times.

Now the 21-year-old driver, who was on a learners licence, has been discharged without conviction after a judge took into account his age and the significant hurdles he faces in society as a person of Maori and Niuean descent, along with his rehabilitative steps.

Craig Foliolas lawyer, Lyn Walkington, acknowledged the crash was a result of a silly, silly piece of driving on March 9 this year.

Foliola was in the Hamilton Young Adult Court on Tuesday pursuing a discharge without conviction through Judge Denise Clark on three charges of driving dangerously causing injury, driving without an appropriate licence and burglary after stealing a courier package containing soap from his neighbour.

It was about 1.30am when he was travelling north along Cobham Dr and he hit the roundabout outside PaknSave, at the intersection with Tristram St, flipping the vehicle before landing upside down on a grass verge. It was captured on the dashcam of another motorist.

Walkington said while she wasnt trying to suggest that the offending was not troubling, and that speed was involved, Foliola had pleaded guilty immediately and felt terrible for what happened, putting people at risk.

Emergency services at the scene of the crash about 1.30am on March 9 this year after driver, Craig Foliola, crashed into a roundabout and flipped several times. Photo / Supplied

Being of Maori and Niuean descent, he already faces significant hurdles in our society, but mixed in with his youth, meant he wasnt mature enough to recognise the consequences of his actions.

Hed also actively applied for jobs over the past month and enlisted with agencies but when informed of his offending, hed been told there wouldnt be a job available.

He also had a tattoo on the side of his head but with a bigger beard that could be covered up. Foliola had also been to WINZ to get a grant for the $2100 removal cost but it was declined.

The whole purpose of the Young Adult Court was to take a holistic way to offenders to provide them with some hope as they didnt recognise the short-term consequences of their actions and those decisions can be life-changing, she said.

Foliola had also successfully completed the Right Track programme which was aimed at challenging offenders' thinking and behaviours when behind the wheel.

Hes trying ... the motor vehicle incident was really troubling. It was just a silly, silly piece of driving. Hes so fortunate that ... that people didnt die.

Not a relevant consideration

Police opposed the application, citing the seriousness of his actions, the time of night it happened, the speed he was going - which was unknown, the unroadworthiness of the vehicle and the potential to hurt other road users.

The prosecutor also noted Walkingtons comments around Foliolas ethnicity, but she said that Europeans had the highest traffic offending rate so far this year, compared to other ethnicities, according to police statistics.

The unregistered, unlicenced vehicle flips through the air during the crash in central Hamilton in March. Photo / Supplied

Police acknowledge that Maori are systematically disadvantaged but ... this is not a relevant consideration for a discharge without conviction.

As for his difficulties getting a job, that is speculative.

It wouldnt preclude the defendant from seeking other employment in the future therefore employment consequences do not outweigh the gravity of the offending.

And, it would be in the interests of public safety that a conviction was entered, she told the judge.

Judge Clark then took the opportunity to talk to Foliola about the Right Track programme.

It was good for me, he said. I learnt heaps. Speed aint always cool.

Asked why he hadnt driven since he said it was because of his dumb behaviour and dumb decision I made at the time.

He was still on his learners licence but told the judge he would get his proper licence once his disqualification had ended.

Poor decision-making

Judge Clark accepted Walkingtons submissions and agreed his offending didnt fall into the serious category, more moderately serious, and found there was an appreciable risk that a conviction would hinder Foliolas future job prospects.

It is clear that in our communities and actually nationwide that our statistics show that there is disproportionate over-representation of Maori in many areas and that is something that Ms Walkington says isnt a reason to get a [106] but its something that can perhaps be taken into account.

I think your behaviour on these occasions ... showed poor decision-making ... but is something that is not an excuse but is a feature that young people do not think through consequences of actions before they take them.

She found a conviction would be out of proportion to the consequences of his offending and granted him the discharge without conviction.

Foliola was also disqualified from driving for 12 months, backdated to the offence date, but didnt issue a fine as he had no money.

- Waikato News
Three of Whakatane's high-end businesses fear months of flood protection works starting early next year could shut their doors forever.

Owners of spa and skin care clinic Saving Face, fine dining restaurant Roquette and Kathryns Pilates Studio chose Quay Street's riverfront location for its Zen-like peacefulness, up-market vibe and river views.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has warned the businesses of road closures, parking restrictions, loud construction noise and vibrations from large sheet piles being driven into the ground.

The work is expected to take eight to nine months from January, but the business owners say they learned of the work only three weeks ago when a council staff member dropped off a notice.

Its about a year too late, said Saving Face owner Mellanie Smith.

We just feel really broken that we havent been given enough notice to either look at moving or putting money aside to try and soundproof our rooms.

Mrs Smith said she had been told by a regional council spokesperson that they couldn't go public with the plans until they had come to an agreement with all the parties involved.

All they had to do was come to us as say, 'we dont know the details but in one year you are going to have some impact of some sort on your business so we could start planning.

It comes as they look forward to the busiest part of the year.

Weve all done the hard yards through winter and the economic downturn and were looking forward to a busy period.

Mrs Smith said she understood flood prevention was needed for the town.

"However, they way it has just been pushed upon us without any consideration or collaboration just feels very hurtful.

Even if the businesses survived next years works, the river views they currently enjoy will be gone, she said.

Standing, we might just be able to see the tip of White Island, Mrs Smith said.

I feel like they dont give a toss about our businesses. Theyre destroying my livelihood."

Mrs Smith said relocating would come at a cost of around $200,000.

Roquette part-owner and head chef Romel Saavedra said it would be closer to $400,000 for the restaurant. They had also just invested in new furnishings, which they might not have done if they knew about the works.

The owner of Kathryns Pilates Studio was overseas but a friend and advocate for her business Marianne Wilson said customers came expecting a relaxed atmosphere.

All of our three businesses need a quiet environment. We need Zen. Its quite sad because these are all beautiful spaces that really enhance Whakatane.

Residents of the two Quay Street apartment blocks, Quayside and White Isle Apartments, would also be affected by the noise.

Were not going to have a nice summer up there, said one Quayside Apartment resident who moved into the building three weeks ago.

If I had known that was happening I would have rethought where I was going to go.

The regional councils Project Future Proof is a flood protection programme to raise the height of the stopbanks and floodwall by around 800 millimetres along 1.8 kilometres of the Whakatane town centre.

The plans were made public around three years ago.

Regional council engineering manager Mark Townsend said Stage 2, which covered the Quay Street area, would happen two parts.

Stage 2a, covers the isite to Wairere Stream, with Stage 2b covering the Wairere Stream bridge to the end of Quay Street, in front of the regional council building.

The works also included a new footbridge across Wairere Stream, while further work would take place on the Wairere Stream, between Quay Street and the waterfall, in 2026-27.

A key part of the Stage 2 work is working with Ngati Awa and Whakatane District Council to ensure that the area remains attractive for residents and visitors to Whakatane."

Flood protection would be incorporated into the look and feel of the surrounding area, Mr Townsend said.

To achieve this, the team will retain as much of the existing vegetation as possible and ensure access to the river.

"Flood protection is the first line of defence when it comes to minimising and managing the risk of significant flood events to people, property and livelihoods."

The current CBD flood defences were being upgraded to handle current weather events and the future impact of climate change, Mr Townsend said.

Asked whether the regional council would provide compensation for loss of business due to the work, he aid only one business had approached the council at present.

Further discussions with all affected businesses needs to occur before any decision on compensation is made, he said.

He said there had been widespread communication about Project Future Proof over the past year including drop-in sessions at the councils Quay Street offices late last year and early this year.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
A bunch of Kiwi blokes were throwing around ideas for a coffee table book. It wasnt a completely random conversation because award-winning photographer Derek Morrison was in the group and he had already produced some top-selling photography books, including Surf Dreams and New Zealand Surf Culture .

It all started around a summer campfire on the West Coast of New Zealand.

A mouth-watering passion project from photographer Derek Morrison lifts the lid on some of Aotearoas most luxurious pastries.

We all laughed and we didnt all take it seriously until the next day and then we thought Actually, thats a really good idea', Morrison told RNZs Nine to Noon.

Over the next few years, that fireside group expanded and fanned out around the country finding and tasting potential subjects for Morrisons latest coffee table New Zealands Best Gourmet Pies. It was published last month.

I had about 80 people sending me photos of pies that should be in the book and the concept just took on a life of its own. I knew that there was something really good there.

New Zealands Best Gourmet Pies isnt just food porn where the 38 selected pies are the celebrated focal point. The coffee table book peels back the story behind each pie and its place of origin in photos and words.

For the ultimate pie enthusiast, a companion tea towel provides a road trip map with all 38 pie locations around New Zealand.

The pies are a few steps beyond your grisly mince offering at whatever petrol station. One of the standout inclusions for Morrison is the beef rendang pie from the Lunch Bar in Port Chalmers, near Dunedin.

The pie came about when a baker hired someone who came from Malaysia and they collaborated on the flavour.

I had one in 2012. I will never forget it. I drove away thinking Im going to get another one.

For a full list of New Zealands top-ranked pies, as voted at the Bakels NZ Pie Awards 2024, click HERE

Unfortunately for Morrison, the bakery made a limited number each day and every time he stopped by it was sold out. It would be five years before he got his hands on another one. The third time he had the pie, he was photographing it for the book.

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Port Chalmers down there and the Lunch Bar.

Pies are known for their portability. Photo / 123rf

One love-it-or-hate-it inclusion in the book is the paua pie. Most people are used to eating the New Zealand shellfish via oceanside barbecue, but in this instance, its creamy paua mince wrapped in pastry.

It is probably way more delicious than you think it might be if you are not a paua fan and if you are a paua fan, then its like heaven.

Pies are known for their portability  pull over in a car, grab a pie and eat while driving. A key to that is the integrity of the pastry.

A bit of hot mince on the inner thigh is not good.

Morrison met many pastry whisperers on his travels, including the baker behind Fat Bastard Pies in Invercargill. He built himself a climate-controlled bakery to perfect his pastry.

He is so passionate about the science of pastry. For him, it is a no-brainer.

Pastry crumb fall, as the fireside group called it, became one of the measures for a pies inclusion in the book.

How much crumb fall you had on your T-shirt was a good sign.

Morrison spent time with legendary New Zealand pie maker Patrick Lam in Tauranga who works almost around the clock on his craft.

In Wellington, he visited Salut Pies where Joe and Carey Player have clocked up more than 1600 flavours with new creations almost daily.

The one that appears in the book is a pie inspired by eggs benedict with salmon, spinach, eggs and hollandaise sauce.

I dont really know how he does it. When you cut it, [the sauce] just pours out. Its theatre.

- RNZ
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said.

We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives."

According to Goldsmith, court delays affect everyone. It just takes one thing to be out of place, and everything grinds to a halt.

"Another adjournment. Justice delayed once more," he said.

The Tribunal is a quick and inexpensive way for New Zealanders to settle civil disputes without expensive legal fees. This comes at a time when low-cost dispute resolution is increasingly vital for many.

Ministry of Justice modelling indicates around 2,000 claims per year could benefit if we increase the jurisdiction, including new claimants and for people who would have abandoned part of their claim to fit within the jurisdiction.

The government has agreed to change the law so that Disputes Tribunal Referees can order a respondent to pay the cost of the filing fee back to a successful applicant.

Currently, filing fees vary from $59 to $234 depending on the size of the claim, and this can often be a cost barrier for people, particularly when an applicant isnt seeking money," he said.

Giving referees the power to order respondents to repay the cost will help ensure these costs do not fall on those wronged.

Improving court timeliness is a key component to restoring law and order to New Zealand and ensuring victims are returned to the hearth of the justice system.
6.45pm: Fire and Emergency continues to respond to a vegetation fire in the area of Snodgrass Road near Te Puna, Bay of Plenty.

"Multiple shelterbelts are on fire, but the fire is currently contained to the area," a FENZ spokesperson said.

"At this time, the fire is estimated to have burned around 3.5km of shelterbelt.

"Ten properties have been evacuated and it is unknown whether they will be able to return home tonight."

FENZ currently have 16 appliances at the fire with multiple support vehicles and crews will be working to extinguish the fire overnight.

"A helicopter will be working on extinguishing the fire until twilight."

People are advised to avoid the area to allow Fire and Emergency crews to fight the fire.

"If anyone is impacted by smoke, please keep your windows and doors closed, and turn off any air conditioning units."

A Te Puna waterfront resident and SunLive reader who lives on The Esplanade noted that the wind had been gusting up.

MetService recorded moderate westerlies of 28km/h this afternoon with gusts up to 41km/h between 4pm and 6pm.

"The wind is pretty intense this afternoon. We can't see the smoke from here, but with the wind we've had, it would have whipped up fairly quickly," said the SunLive reader at the Te Puna waterfront.

A Mount Maunganui SunLive reader reported noticing the impact of the fire due to the westerly wind, within 30 minutes of it being reported to FENZ.

"I could smell the smoke and was getting covered in ash in our yard off Hewletts Road," said the SunLive reader, who first noticed the smoke and ash at 3.45 pm.

"I knew it must be a fairly big one [fire]."

Te Puna fire seen from Tauranga harbour. Photo/Claire Rogers.

Update, 4.46 pm: Evacuations are underway in Te Puna, and a number of properties are under threat from fire.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews were called around 3.20pm to reports of multiple shelterbelts on fire on Snodgrass Road near Te Puna. Seven crews are currently in attendance.

"Evacuations are underway with a number of properties under threat from fire," said a FENZ spokesperson.

"If smoke affects your home, please keep your windows and doors closed and turn off any air conditioning units."

People are advised to avoid the area to allow Fire and Emergency crews to fight the fire.

Fire crews from Omokoroa, Greerton, Katikati, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Waihi, Te Puke, Mayor View, and Papamoa are attending.

Police are assisting FENZ with the fire and advise the community to avoid the immediate area as emergency services respond.

Snodgrass Rd is blocked, and further road closures are being considered.

A caller to SunLive said smoke can be seen across the Te Puna area.

I was coming up the hill towards the Minden Lookout, and there is a massive lot of smoke right across the Minden, said a Sunlive reader.

It must be a massive fire.

View of the fire from near the Minden lookout. Photo/ Renee Adkins.

Earlier, 4.30pm: Police are assisting Fire and Emergency New Zealand at a fire off Snodgrass Rd, Te Puna, Western Bay of Plenty.

"Crews were called around 3.20pm to reports of multiple shelterbelts on fire," said a Fire and Emergency spokesperson. Seven crews are currently in attendance.

Evacuations are underway with a number of properties under threat from fire.

Police advise the community to avoid the immediate area as emergency services respond.

"If your home is impacted by smoke, please keep your windows and doors closed, and turn off any air conditioning units," said the Fire and Emergency spokesperson.

Snodgrass Rd is blocked, and further road closures are being considered.

View of the Te Puna fire from Bellevue looking west. Photo/ Daniel Hancock.

A caller to SunLive said smoke can be seen across the Te Puna area.

I was coming up the hill towards the Minden Lookout, and there is a massive lot of smoke right across the Minden, said a SunLive reader.

It must be a massive fire.

At the scene?

Phone 0800SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz
Two MPs in Tauranga are calling for the Auditor-General to investigate the sale of the citys marine precinct, which one believes is a really bad deal for Tauranga.

Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell and Act MP Cameron Luxton have asked the Auditor-General to investigate the sale due to concerns it was sold for well under its valuation.

Mayor Mahe Drysdale confirmed the council was investigating the transaction internally and working with the Office of the Auditor-General. No evidence of wrongdoing had been found, Drysdale said.

In May, Tauranga City Council sold the precinct at Sulphur Point for $13.987 million to Christchurch developer Sam Rofe, to be developed into a superyacht refit destination.

The 2.98-hectare precinct, also known as Vessel Works, was valued at $18.63m and $19.24m by different valuers. It is zoned for port industry and some sites within the precinct are already privately owned.

The 7195sq m hardstand area was separately valued at $6.12m and $7.81m.

To reach the sale price, the council started with a valuation midpoint of $23.13m then deducted $6.96m for the hardstand and $2.54m for risk. An agreed value of $110,000 for the hardstand and $250,000 for the Vessel Works plant and equipment was added, according to a report presented to the council.

As part of the sale, the council also agreed to fund up to $29.2m to develop an alongside wharf and replace the existing Bridge Wharf, and the council would receive part of the berthage fees.

Reports presented to the council said developing the precinct under private management would benefit the citys economy.



Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell met with the Auditor-General and asked him to investigate the Tauranga marine precinct sale. Photo / Alex Cairns

National Party MP Uffindell said, in his view, it was a really bad deal for Tauranga.

In his opinion: [It] sold well below market value, committing Tauranga City Council to an expensive investment for the benefit of a private developer and significantly impacting the fishing industry. The deal sucks. It is a really bad outcome for Tauranga.

The people of Tauranga deserve better from the council.

He said if the council wanted to get the best price, it should have gone to an open market process.

The sale conditions meant most of the working-boat operators would need to relocate from their precinct berths.



An aerial overview of the Tauranga marine precinct. The precinct is outlined in red, the blue shaded areas are privately owned. Image / Tauranga City Council.

A report presented to the council said Rofe approached the council in late 2023 with a proposal to buy the precinct.

The Government-appointed commission running the council decided to sell the precinct. Elected councillors replaced the commission in July, after the decision was made.

Uffindell has questioned whether the council had followed its internal Property Acquisitions and Disposal Policy.

He also had genuine concerns about whether appropriate consultation was done with the marine precinct users that would be affected by the sale.



ACT MP Cameron Luxton said ratepayers deserved clarity about the sale. Photo / Supplied

Papamoa-based MP Luxton shared Uffindells concerns around a lack of public consultation and the sale price.

Ratepayers deserve clarity around this decision to ensure their interests have been put first, he said in a statement.

In his view: Many ratepayers are already under immense pressure resulting from rising rates bills. Selling the precinct at below market rates is yet another kick in the guts.

At a council meeting in October, marine precinct users aired their frustrations over what one described as the unconscionable sale and being forced to leave the precinct.

The marine industry figures said they contributed well over $100m annually to the local economy.



Pacific7 managing director Sean Kelly, pictured in 2018, said precinct users had to stop their plans for an injunction because of the financial risks. Photo / John Cousins.

Managing director of marine service company Pacific7 Sean Kelly told the meeting he had planned to file an injunction with the High Court to try to stop the sale, but he has since had to abandon the plan due to the financial risk.

Kelly said in a statement that stakeholders received advice if they continued with the injunction it could cost more than $100,000, and if it failed, they could be held liable for the new owners legal fees and damages.

Weve poured time, resources, and money into trying to protect our livelihoods, the communitys best interests, and our industry. But the financial risk became too great to bear.

Drysdale said he asked council staff to provide information to the group looking at an injunction in a timely manner to help them.

The marine precinct sale was yet to be formally settled but legal advice indicated there was a binding agreement in place, he said.

The council was investigating the transaction internally, had gathered legal advice and was working with the Office of the Auditor-General, Drysdale said.

Those processes will shed light on whether the sale price fairly reflected the actual value of the marine precinct assets and business at the time of the sale.



Tauranga mayor Mahe Drysdale said councillors supported an independent investigation.

While no evidence has been found of personal wrongdoing, as elected members, we are supportive of independent scrutiny of significant property transactions.

I have written to the Office of the Auditor-General to express full support for any review or investigation they might deem necessary.

This was to ensure that proper processes, legislation and policies had been followed and ratepayers best interests were considered, Drysdale said.

The newly elected council made the information public to be transparent about what they had inherited, he said.

I dont think the current council would agree to the same deal or process if it was put in front of us.

However, I can see the rationale and have to respect the previous governance decision.

We need to be proactive and find a solution that works for all parties going forward. Thats where we can have the most influence.

The new council is focused on making decisions that deliver the best financial outcomes and value for money for Tauranga ratepayers.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Auditor-General confirmed they received correspondence asking them to look at investigating the issue.

In line with our usual process, we are considering the issues raised, and whether or not we will carry out any inquiry work, including whether the issues are within our mandate.

Local Democracy Reporting attempted to contact Rofe for comment.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Police around the country are ready to enforce new laws that kick in from midnight tonight, providing extra tools to target gang-related crime and intimidation.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham said Police will be actively enforcing any breaches of the Gangs Act 2024.

If you wear a gang patch in public, or display a sign or symbol associated with a gang, you can expect the attention of Police, either at the time of the offence, or at a time that suits us, he saidd

In preparation for the new laws, Police launched Operation Nickel  a nationally-led and coordinated plan to support staff around the country with the new enforcement powers.

This operation sets us up well to respond to breaches and enforce the law accordingly.

There will be no excuses," Basham said.

Anyone found in breach of the law can expect the certainty that Police will take action.

Its important to note that Police will continue to prioritise calls for service," Basham said.

This means there may be situations where a breach has occurred, and Police arent able to respond at the time.

In these cases, wherever possible, we will be gathering available evidence to follow through with enforcement action at a later time.

Basham said this work will be the focus of the new Gang Disruption Units, which are dedicated teams across the country to help identify, target and catch priority offenders.

This includes following up on reports of breaches and, where appropriate, obtaining sufficient information to enable the subsequent execution of search warrants and arrests to recover patches or other insignia.

Our message is simple  Parliament has passed a law, its our job to enforce the law, and we will be enforcing it, Assistant Commissioner Basham said.

Police staff have undergone training to understand the new law, and how it is to be policed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Denmark is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030, said Lars Aagaard Mller, Minister of Climate, Energy, and Utilities as he addressed the COP29 summit, Trend reports.

Mller emphasized the progress Denmark has made and the challenges still ahead in achieving this ambitious target.

When we set the target, it seemed almost impossible, said Mller. We started with the low-hanging fruitsrenewable energy, wind, solar, biomethane, rapid expansion of e-mobility, energy efficiency, and CCS. These tools, mostly in the energy sector, can only take us so far. He explained that Denmark's energy sector progress has been substantial, but the nation still faces a critical challenge in reducing emissions from agriculture, a sector that has proven more difficult to address.

In a significant step forward, Mller described a groundbreaking collaboration that took place this summer. A diverse coalition, including farmers, trade unions, employers, a national nature conservation NGO, and the government, reached a historic agreement despite their often conflicting interests. This summer, something amazing happened in Denmark, Mller remarked. We came together with farmers, trade unions, employers, and nature conservationists to agree on the biggest restructuring of the Danish landscape in recent times.

To further reduce emissions from agriculture, Denmark has introduced a pioneering climate tax on the sector, making it the first country in the world to do so. In order to walk the last mile toward the 70% reduction target, we had to break new ground, he stated. Weve done this with the worlds first climate tax on agriculture, which will help us cut the necessary emissions while focusing on jobs and affordable food.

With strong support from a broad coalition in Denmark's parliament, the country has now reached a political agreement that sets the foundation for implementing these climate measures. We found a way, but we know it's not as easy as it sounds, Mller acknowledged. One of the biggest challenges to climate action is polarization. We must take people's concerns seriously.

He also highlighted the importance of international cooperation, specifically calling for a new, ambitious, and achievable goal for climate finance. Finance is key to building trust between countries, Mller said. We need a new goal on climate finance that paves the way for new NDCs and more climate action.

Looking ahead, Mller emphasized the critical role of the upcoming round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and urged the G20 to take the lead in driving more ambitious climate commitments. The next round of NDCs is crucial, and we count on the G20 to take the lead, he concluded.
Urban Task Force has announced that Tauranga Civil Engineer, Hayden Boag, is the recipient of a prestigious scholarship for 2025 which aims to foster the next generation of property and business leaders within our community.

UTF Chair Scott Adams said a record number of applicants were received for the annual Leader Development Scholarship which is now in its third year.

The scholarship is designed to encourage, support and retain quality candidates within our local property and business sector. We want to grow their skillset so in time they become a leader who can give back in a professional and personal capacity to those around them," Adams said.

Applicants are assessed on their enthusiasm, drive for progression and leadership potential.

Boag is an up-and-coming Civil Engineer at S&L Land Specialists and has previously worked at Harrison Grierson. He works as both a project manager and site engineer, is a health and safety officer, and also serves on S&Ls wellness committee to help foster a positive workplace culture.

In his scholarship application, Boag said he has a passion for leadership and fostering environments where individuals can thrive.

I am passionate about advancing in leadership roles as far as I can, as I believe in empowering others to reach their full potential. My aim is to foster an environment where efficiency and collaboration lead to shared success, he said.

As this years recipient, Boag will be given a seat on the UTF Board for 2025 to gain industry insights and further develop his business acumen. He will also have access to an experienced career mentor and industry leader, and will receive a financial contribution towards further study.

Boag said his career goals include obtaining Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and achieving CPENG certification with Engineering New Zealand.

Adams and the UTF Board has warmly congratulated Boag on his scholarship success.

Hayden has made great progress in his career to date and we are confident this opportunity will help him to hone his leadership skills even further so he can take on greater responsibility. Working together and supporting our rising leaders is an important way in which we can advance the Bay of Plentys economy, regional assets and infrastructure.

UTF represents Taurangas property owners, developers and business communities and advocates for positive progress and smart decisions that will support the citys growth and encourage collaboration. Land supply, housing, community facilities and transport infrastructure are key areas that UTF said it is working hard to improve.

For more information about the Urban Task Force see: https://urbantaskforce.co.nz
A Rotorua student with an unyielding desire to help others is one step closer to becoming the first in her family to go to university thanks to a life-changing scholarship.

Western Heights High School student, Bhavika Keshav, is this years recipient of the OCS First Foundation Scholarship, which will help her achieve her dream of becoming a doctor.

Every year, the scholarship is awarded to a student who has a family member employed at facilities services company, OCS New Zealand, and faces financial hardship that may prevent them from attending university.

For Bhavika, her mum Mehal is a cleaner at OCS, and when she read about the scholarship, she encouraged her daughter to apply.

Mum has been super supportive of my desire to go to uni, so when she saw the email about the scholarship, she told me there was no harm in applying.

Bhavika said she was in complete shock when she learned her scholarship application was successful.

When I received the email saying I was successful, I was so shocked because I wasnt expecting it at all. To have a scholarship already in Year 12 takes a huge weight off.

Growing up, we havent always had a lot of money, so this scholarship means a lot. I know my mum would try to help with uni costs, but I didnt want to put that burden on her.

Alongside three years of financial aid and work experience, the scholarship also includes a mentor  a benefit Bhavika is particularly thankful for.

The financial aid will go a long way to reducing my student loan, but Im also really excited for the mentor.

Being the first person in my family to go to uni is quite daunting because I dont know what to expect. Having that person there for support and guidance will be invaluable.

While its nerve-wracking to be the first to go into this unknown territory, I know I am setting the footsteps my younger sister will be able to follow, and thats pretty cool.

With her eyes and heart set on a career in healthcare, Bhavika said she is driven by a desire to improve peoples lives.

I'm keen to help others, and I've always had a strong interest in science. The advancements in medicine are happening so rapidly which is exciting, especially since you never know what to expect next.

I'm keeping my options open as to what I want to specialise in, but I'm currently leaning towards fields like chiropractic, surgery, physiotherapy, or radiology. The human body is just fascinating to me."

First Foundation Chief Executive, Kirk Sargent, said the scholarship empowers students with the tools and opportunities they need to become tomorrow's changemakers.

Through OCSs support of the First Foundation Scholarship, students like Bhavika can turn their educational aspirations into impactful careers that drive personal growth and uplift their communities."

OCS ANZ Managing Director, Gareth Marriott, said presenting the scholarship is one of the most rewarding moments of the year.

Many of the recipients face financial obstacles, yet they are consistently driven by a deep sense of ambition and a passion for contributing to their communities. Weve seen the transformations experienced by our past and current students and look forward to seeing Bhavika flourish.

OCS New Zealand, part of the OCS Group, is a leading facilities management services company providing a range of both standalone and integrated services including commercial cleaning, hygiene, waste management, pest control, and maintenance and building services for large customers in the private and public sectors. The company has more than 3,700 colleagues across the country supporting local communities from Kaitaia to Invercargill.
A fundraising fashion show held in Te Puke recently could prove to be life-changing.

Fashion on a Mission raised money for Brennan Miller, 19, who has battled Ewings Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer, since he was 15.

Previously from Papamoa, the family now lives in Pukekohe.

The show, organised by Ree Style (formerly Street 2 Surf) owner Maree Cooper with a team of helpers, raised over $32,000.

It was absolutely overwhelming and incredible, absolutely mind-blowing what my friends have done, says Brennans mum Michelle.

It can significantly change things for us looking at the options, its huge.

The family is currently exploring the possibility of Brennan going to the United States for a trial treatment.

A tissue sample has been sent over from his tumour to see if the tumour markers will match what the trial needs.

If thats not an option, there is another trial we are looking at as well and if thats not an option then we are looking at options in Australia.

Basically the money will fund us going overseas and, obviously, Im not going to be able to work, I have to be with him, so it just opens up that door for us.

Models on the catwalk at The Fashion on a Mission fundraising show at Te Puke Citizens RSA. Composite image / Hayden Williams Photography

She says she is grateful to the local community for its hard work and generosity

What an incredible, incredible community. They just came together and made it happen.

Maree says there was some amazing feedback from those at the show.

Everybody was very complimentary on the night, which was great because when you have it all in your head, but youve never done it before, you think oh, hows it going to come together - but it was great.

All tickets sold.

We went to 220 but could have sold many more, but we didnt want it to be uncomfortable in the venue for everybody.

The night of the fashion show

What great support and what an amazing community we live in.

All auctions were sold.

We couldnt have done that without all of the sponsors  they gave a huge amount of support for the evening to happen.

Maree says the emotion hit her the next day.

Im just so humbled and grateful to be in such an amazing community.

Its just amazing because things are hard for people, we are really finding it in retail, but people are digging into their wallets to help a young man  thats my biggest highlight I reckon.

Maree was helped by Erin Williams, Nicola Morrison, Jenny Williams, Hayley Whistler Vanessa Reid, Rebecca Wasley and Jane Laird-Pick.
Almudena Nogues Malaga Wednesday, 20 November 2024, 10:33 | Updated 10:39h. Compartir

A new "high impact" storm with a name of its own: Caetano. This is the name given by the southwest European weather group, made up of the national meteorological services of Portugal (Ipma), France (Meteo-France), Belgium (RMI), Luxembourg (MeteoLux) and Spain (Aemet). Its impact will be felt as early as today (Wednesday), when 18 Spanish provinces will be on alert for coastal phenomena and wind, with maximum gusts of up to 90 km/h in Tarragona. In the case of Andalusia, this storm is keeping two provinces in check. Specifically, the coastline of Almeria and Granada will be under a yellow warning for high waves.

Zoom Weather alerts, Wednesay 2 November. Aemet

The warning will come into force at 12noon this afternoon. Westerly winds of 50 to 60 km/h (force 7) and waves of 2 to 3 metres are expected throughout the day. The warning will end at midnight but, according to Aemet, it will be reactivated again at 12.00 on Thursday and will last until 10am on Friday, according to the official weather agency's website at this moment (10am Wednesday).

Tenemos nueva borrasca con nombre: Caetano.



Provocara vientos muy fuertes, sobre todo en el norte y este de la Peninsula a partir del miercoles, dia 20.



Tambien dara lugar a un intenso temporal maritimo, con olas de mas de 4 o 5 metros en el Cantabrico.#BorrascaCaetano pic.twitter.com/lwtJx5wT2Y  AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) November 19, 2024

For today, the general forecast for the Andalucia region points to cloudy skies on the Atlantic coast, with morning mist and fog. In addition, weak and occasional rainfall is not ruled out in the Betic mountain ranges and the area of the Strait of Gibraltar. On the Mediterranean side, cloudy or clear skies are forecast.

As for temperatures, the maximums will decrease, except on the Mediterranean slope where there will be no changes. Westerly winds will be light to moderate, with strong intervals from the afternoon onwards on the Mediterranean coast and in the eastern highlands.
Ignacio Lillo Malaga Wednesday, 20 November 2024, 11:08 Compartir

Some 2,000 people affected by the 'Dana' storms, including private individuals, companies and institutions, have made insurance claims for damages following the two extreme weather events in Malaga province, at the end of October and last week.

This was revealed on Tuesday 19 November during a virtual meeting the sub-delegate of the government, Javier Salas, held with representatives of 45 town councils in the province which were affected by floods. The meeting aimed to speed up the process of aid for the areas declared as "seriously affected".

Spain's central government, through the insurance compensation consortium, has already started to pay compensation in the province for both episodes of the 'Dana'. "So far, a total of 83,585 euros have been paid out, so we are making good progress," Salas said.

Some 1,048 applications for compensation have been registered from the storm at the end of October, while 819 claims have been made following last week's torrential downpours.

Of the 1,048 claims related to the first 'Dana' storm, in Malaga city there were 237, followed by Alora (174), Benalmadena (159), Cartama (125), Alhaurin de la Torre (63), Pizarra (40) and Torremolinos (39). In the breakdown by type of damage, the most notable were damage to homes and homeowners' associations (630); vehicles (267); businesses, warehouses and others (123).

Meanwhile, there have been 819 claims for compensation corresponding to last week's 'Dana' in the province, of which the majority are located in Malaga city (565), Alhaurin de la Torre (58) and Marbella (56). In terms of damage, the bulk of the claims are related to homes and communities (372), followed by vehicles (233) and shops and warehouses (180).
The Junta de Andalucia has given the green light to a bullfighting immersive experience centre which Malaga's provincial authority plans to open in the city's bullring. The Diputacion plans to open it in the first quarter of next year and says it will be the first of its kind in the world.

The Junta voted in favour of the cultural project at its last meeting. This authorisation is mandatory as the bullring of La Malagueta is an asset of cultural interest (BIC) and is located in the historic centre of Malaga, which is also a BIC.

"The proposed intervention does not affect the heritage value of the BIC bullring of La Malagueta, and is compatible with the maintenance of the heritage values of the protected assets of the historic centre of Malaga," according to Junta documents seen by SUR.

It pointed out that once the documentation provided by the Diputacion has been reviewed, the project will get under way, consisting of the installation of furniture, lighting and audiovisual elements using the existing installations.

Promoting the history of Malaga

"The implementation of the immersive centre is compatible with the ordinary use of the monument, reversible at any time," the report pointed out. "It is considered that its establishment helps to promote the history of the monument itself, boosting tourism and the culture of the city and the historic centre of Malaga."

The provincial authority said the immersive bullfighting experience will be an avant-garde space designed to immerse visitors in the world of bullfighting through various interactive and multimedia experiences.

An educational visit

Visitors will also be able to tour the monument in approximately an hour and a half, living immersive experiences in first person and taking a journey through the general history of bullfighting, with a special focus on the impact of this cultural phenomenon in Malaga province.

There will be two types of routes, depending on whether or not a bullfighting event is being held in the bullring at the time, and all three floors will be used: the ground floor, the seating area and the grandstand. The management of the site will be the responsibility of Toroshopping, which won the tender and plans to make an initial investment of more than 600,000 euros.

The centre will feature, among other things, 3D projections that recreate historical events and iconic moments in the history of bullfighting; with virtual glasses, visitors can feel the excitement of attending a bullfight in La Malagueta from different points of view; visitors can also experience the feeling of being a bullfighter thanks to a virtual reality simulator in the bullring.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia during their visit to the Valencian town of Chiva on Tuesday.

Laura Garces Valencia Wednesday, 20 November 2024, 10:13 Compartir

The King and Queen of Spain have returned to the area in Valencia devastated by last month's catastrophic flooding for the first time since enraged survivors pelted them with mud.

They said they would return and staying true to their word, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visited the towns of Chiva and Uriel, with a final stop in Letur (Albacete), along with a central government minister and the regional leader of Valencia, whom many people have criticised for bungling the flood response.

On Valencian soil, with the streets now cleaner, life gaining ground over desolation and anger and the population less heated than on the previous visit on 3 November, the King and Queen wanted to show residents that they do not forget the hardship and pain being felt by the Valencian people.

"Attention must not drop" because "we must be with the citizens, suffering with them and supporting them," the monarchs said, accompanied by Valencian government president Carlos Mazon and minister of territorial policy Angel Victor Torres.

Concerned about the consequences of the tragedy

"It is true that the situation has already changed a lot, but this is going to take a long time and we must maintain our help and support," King Felipe VI said.

He defended the actions of the public administrations and pointed out how important it is they see that aid is reaching them. "This is sometimes not easy. We know that there are many formalities to complete and many controls and so on, but the important thing is that the aid works, that it reaches them. This is something important," King Felipe VI said.

Salutes of applause

Proximity, a clear desire to be close to those affected and to show their support, was the message the monarchs left behind. In Chiva, they received a round of applause and cheers. Continuous expressions of gratitude for the visit marked the day, such as the emotional and symbolic image of Queen Letizia hugging Candela, a three-year-old girl, whom she asked who had made her braids.

The meeting with the residents of Chiva was followed by a trip to Utiel, where the King and Queen went to Guardia Civil's headquarters after visiting the most affected area, following the overflowing of the Magro river which damaged homes in the La Fuente and San Isidro neighbourhoods on 29 October.

The enthusiasm for the King and Queen did not prevent residents from expressing their disapproval of Carlos Mazon, as was the case three weeks ago during a visit. The president, on the same day that he placed lieutenant general Gan Pampols at the head of the new vice-presidency for reconstruction, heard shouts of "resignation", "shameless" and allusions to his controversial meal with journalist Maribel Vilaplana.

The government of Pedro Sanchez, also questioned for its alleged inaction in the early stages of the flooding catastrophe, opted for a low profile which could be a way to avoid possible criticism, something the prime minister could not avoid in Paiporta on 3 November, when he had to be led away by his bodyguards due to the volatile crowds.

Delegate of the government, Pilar Bernabe, who was also present at the visit on Tuesday, and minister of territorial policy Angel Victor Torres, went unnoticed at the meeting with residents and local authorities.

At least 227 people died in the floods due to the 'Dana' weather event which swept across Valencia three weeks ago.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. By 2030, Lithuania's national electricity grid will turn green, with the share of electricity from renewable energy sources reaching 100%, said the country's Minister of Environment Simonas Gentvilas as he addressed the COP29 summit in Baku, Trend reports.

"Our meeting represents another opportunity to act," Gentvilas began, stressing the need for immediate action. He highlighted the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels and set a bold target of tripling global renewable energy capacity and doubling energy-saving efforts by 2030, a commitment made last year in Dubai. However, Gentvilas noted that the initial program assessment revealed that global efforts were not sufficient. "Unfortunately, the first program assessment shows that our collective efforts were not enough. We can and must do better," he stated.

Lithuania has already made significant strides in its green transition. The country has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, with a long-term goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. He also pointed out that Lithuania's solar and wind power capacity has quadrupled since 2020 and is expected to more than double by 2026. Additionally, the country aims to achieve 100% renewable energy in its heating sector by 2050.

Looking to the international stage, Gentvilas called for an ambitious and balanced outcome at COP29. "Today, Lithuania calls for ambitious and balanced outcomes here in Baku," he said, urging the global community to implement the global stocktake decision and enhance mitigation ambitions in line with the 1.5C temperature goal.

He also addressed the critical issue of climate finance, emphasizing the need for a realistic and ambitious global target. "We must move towards long-term resilience and reach a new agreement on a new collective quantified goal on climate finance," Gentvilas said. He stressed that the quantum of this goal should reflect the evolving economic capabilities of countries, taking into account not only historical emissions but also the growing contribution of current emissions.
TORUN, Poland (AP)  Alec Baldwins Western Rust had its world premiere Wednesday at a film festival in Poland with a dedication to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was fatally shot in an accident on the set three years ago.

Organizers called for a minute of silence before showing the film, which opened to a full house at the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography Camerimage in the city of Torun.

Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer, was pointing a gun at Hutchins during a rehearsal outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, in October 2021 when the revolver went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer  but not the trigger  and the revolver fired.

Baldwin, whose family raises money for breast cancer research in Syracuse, did not attend the premiere.

Souza introduced the film at the festival, a popular industry event dedicated to cinematography. He told the audience that initially after the accident he could not have imagined continuing with the production, or even working on a movie set again.

It just hurt too much, he said.

But Hutchins husband, Matthew, wanted the film to be finished, and came on as an executive producer.

It was important to him that the people who knew and loved Halyna get to see her final work, Souza said. The mission became to preserve every single frame that I could of hers, and to honor her final work.

Rust  which includes scene after scene of shooting violence  is the story of a 13-year-old boy who is sentenced to be hanged after he fatally shoots a rancher by accident. He goes on the run with his estranged grandfather, played by Baldwin.

Bianca Cline, the cinematographer who finished the project, said Hutchins established the look and feel of the film, and filmed more than half of it. She studied Hutchins notes to honor her vision.

Ahead of the premiere, Hutchins mother, who is suing Baldwin and the production, refused to attend and said she viewed it as an attempt by Baldwin to unjustly profit from her daughters death.

It was always my hope to meet my daughter in Poland to watch her work come alive on screen, said Hutchins mother, Olga Solovey, in a statement issued by her lawyer.

Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologize to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death, Solovey added.

A New Mexico judge dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in the fatal shooting. The case was thrown out halfway through trial on allegations that police and prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense.

The film armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, received the maximum sentence of 18 months in jail for involuntary manslaughter. A judge found that her recklessness amounted to a serious violent offense. Prosecutors blamed Gutierrez-Reed for unwittingly bringing live ammunition onto the set of Rust, where it was expressly prohibited, and for failing to follow basic gun-safety protocols.

Hutchins, 42, was a Ukrainian cinematographer on the rise and a mother of a young son. She grew up on a remote Soviet military base and worked on documentary films in Eastern Europe before studying film in Los Angeles and embarking on a promising movie-making career.

This years Cameraimage festival, where Cate Blanchett is serving as jury president, has already been beset by controversy.

Blitz director Steve McQueen dropped out of the festival to protest an editorial about female cinematographers written by festival founder Marek Zydowicz that McQueen viewed as sexist. Director Coralie Fargeat pulled her film The Substance due to the comments. Zydowicz has since apologized.

Zydowicz earlier said organizers were aware that Rust could stir emotions.

However, we wanted to pay tribute to Halyna, who respected our festival and who wanted to show her film here, he said in a statement. There is no commercial undertone, either from our festival or the filmmakers.
Three Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways members from Troop 60500 in Jamesville, N.Y., participated in events at United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York City this fall, advocating for girls' rights, leadership and empowerment.

The experiences provided a global platform for each Girl Scout to engage with leaders and youth activists from around the world as they contributed to discussions on gender equality, mental health and youth leadership.
Hunter, N.Y.  Wanderlust never hibernates.

So when temperatures and snowflakes fall, head to the mountains of Upstate New York  home to one of the top-rated winter vacations in the United States.

Hunter Mountain, a ski resort in the stunning Catskills, was crowned one of the best winter vacations in the U.S. by Time Out, an international travel website. In particular, the eclectic ranking named Hunter the best small ski resort for snow lovers.

Dont hesitate, Time Out wrote. This little-known locale is only getting more popular.

The resort made the list alongside Fairbanks, Alaska, named the top spot to see the aurora borealis, and Kauai, Hawaii, dubbed the best trip for snowbirds-in-training.

Hunter Mountain, a resort in Hunter, N.Y. in the Catskills, has been named among the best places for a winter vacation by Time Out. In this photo from January 2024, a snowboarder carves down the snowy mountain. Photo courtesy of Alexis Alexis Moyer, @alexisxsky on InstagramPhoto courtesy of Alexis Alexis Moyer, @alexisxsky on Instagram

Named after the mountain it sits upon, Hunter Mountain ski resort is in Hunter, a town in Green County thats home to two charming villages and the highly-lauded (and Instagramed) Scribners Catskill Lodge.

The resort opened nearly 65 years ago in January 1960. Hunter boasts a vertical drop of 1,600 feet, according to the resorts website, and will add two new lifts this season.

Hunter Mountain is not huge, its certainly not as challenging as an Alpine black run, or even as ridiculously wide as the runs at somewhere like Mammoth, Time Out wrote in its winter vacation roundup.

But its cozy, fun and if you stay at the Hunter Mountain Sanctuary, you can kick your boots off, enjoy a roaring open fire and gently sup a whiskey or mulled wine, looking back at the mountain and the very runs youve just raced down.

Hunter Mountain, a resort in Hunter, N.Y. in the Catskills, has been named among the best places for a winter vacation by Time Out. In this undated photo, guests enjoy a drink in Hunter's main bar. Photo courtesy of Hunter MountainPhoto courtesy of Hunter Mountain

For snow lovers looking to book a winter vacation at Hunter Mountain instead of visiting for a short day trip, the resort offers a range of ski-in, ski-out stays  including the Kaatskill Mountain Club, which features a range of suites and a heated year-round pool.

Hunter Mountain also offers a range of places for guests to fuel up and wind down, ranging from full-service bars to restaurant that features ramen bowls.

Hunter Mountain, a member of the 42 mountain-strong Vail Resorts family, is at 64 Klein Ave. in Hunter. Lift tickets and reduced-price Epic Day passes can be purchased on the resorts website.

Hunter Mountain, a resort in Hunter, N.Y. in the Catskills, has been named among the best places for a winter vacation by Time Out. In this undated photo, skiers and snowboarders carve their way down the snowy mountain. Photo courtesy of Hunter MountainPhoto courtesy of Hunter Mountain
This story originally appeared in New York Focus, a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York. Sign up for their newsletter here.

President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear: His administration will aggressively pursue mass deportations.

States may seem powerless in the face of such an agenda. Immigration is the purview of the federal government, which, in just over two months, will seek to flood communities with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers (and perhaps the US military) to detain and deport as many people as possible, whether those communities and their state and local officials like it or not.

But deportations are a logistical game, and state and local governments hold some of the cards. For a removal campaign as massive as what Trump is promising, states can aid ICEs efforts to find, apprehend, and lock up deportable people. Or they can throw a wrench in the agencys plans.

Despite New York states immigrant-friendly reputation, the jurys out on which role it will play. The direction it goes depends heavily on whether state lawmakers and Governor Kathy Hochul take quick action.

In the wake of the first Trump presidency, under then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York enacted some policies that restricted federal immigration enforcement in the state. Executive orders and legislation now prohibit immigration arrests at courthouses and within state government facilities, and state agencies are largely barred from coordinating with immigration authorities.

But unlike other blue states  like New Jersey, Illinois, and Oregon  New York hasnt extended those prohibitions to local and county governments. That means local authorities are mostly free to deal with immigration issues as they see fit, including by helping feds facilitate deportations.

We dont have a statewide law that is protecting immigrant New Yorkers, or anybody traveling in New York, no matter where in the state they are, explained Yasmine Farhang, director of advocacy at the Immigrant Defense Project.

Legislators have proposed those kinds of laws: namely, the New York for All Act, which was first introduced in 2020 and would prohibit local law enforcement from colluding with ICE. Part of the reason those laws havent passed is misconceptions about immigration and public safety, according to Senator Andrew Gounardes, a lead sponsor of New York for All.

US media and politicians on both sides of the aisle frequently associate immigration with crime and violence, even though immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, are less likely to commit crimes than US-born citizens. Despite police insinuation otherwise, deportable people go through the same criminal justice system as citizens when charged with a crime, and available research has found that sanctuary policies have no effect on reported crime. In fact, sanctuary jurisdictions are associated with lower rates of homicide and assault.

The truth is that separating families, and sowing fear and chaos in communities, does nothing to ensure public safety or fix our broken immigration system, Gounardes said. Local enforcement of immigration wastes resources and distracts police from investigating crimes and responding to emergencies.

Gounardes called Trumps plan a hard-right agenda that would tear apart families. A Trump presidency makes enacting policies that inhibit aggressive ICE action all the more urgent, he said.

It also complicates those policy efforts, as Trump plans to recruit local law enforcement to help with immigration enforcement, and his allies have threatened to punish state and local governments that resist the mass deportation campaign. During his first term, Trump cut off federal grants and threatened to withhold Covid relief money from localities that refused to cooperate with ICE.

And Project 2025, the political initiative widely viewed as a blueprint for Trumps second term, has recommended withholding federal disaster relief funding and law enforcement grants from those localities.

Its unclear how New York feels about a wave of immigration enforcement in the state, though voters have made clear that they care about immigration as a whole: An Associated Press exit poll clocked it as the second most important issue among Empire State voters.

Trump, who hammered his immigration message on the campaign trail, gained ground in the Democratic stronghold in the recent election. But that was as much a result of decreased Democratic turnout as it was of increased turnout for Trump, a New York Focus analysis of voting data showed.

By far the most pressing immigration-related issue in the state is the influx of some 100,000 asylum seekers over the past two years. A recent Siena College poll found that a plurality of New Yorkers see these people, who fled persecution or violence in their home countries, as more of a burden than a benefit to the state. But asylum seekers arent undocumented, and arent subject to deportation unless their asylum claims are rejected or theyre convicted of a qualifying crime. Research shows that new refugees are a net economic benefit to communities, though the recent influx has stressed state and local government budgets.

Voter opinions aside, Governor Hochuls attitude about Trumps deportation plan is also an open question. In response to Trumps election victory, she launched an initiative to identify any possible threats posed by the incoming administrations policies, including in the realm of immigration, and protect New Yorkers. But the governor has allied herself with immigration enforcement in the past.

The state of New York has the power to work with ICE, she told CNN in February  distinguishing state policy from that of New York City, which has local laws prohibiting cooperation with immigration authorities.

Hochul made the remark in response to a scuffle between cops and a group of migrant men in Manhattan. Conservative media latched onto the incident, with the New York Post describing the men as unruly thugs who randomly ganged up on and assaulted a cop.

Video released days later showed that it was the cop who initiated the scuffle, grabbing one of the men by his collar as he was trying to leave and ramming him up against the wall; the other men intervened to wrest him from police custody. Hochul followed the tabloid narrative.



I want them arrested, tried, and if convicted, I want them to spend time in New York jails before they are deported, she said. Get them all and send them back.

The governors office did not respond to New York Focuss request for comment.

Hochul hasnt experienced a nationwide ICE crackdown as governor. Her time in office has coincided with a rare lull in interior enforcement, with federal focus aimed mostly at the southern border.

Trumps first administration, before Hochuls gubernatorial tenure, attempted to ramp up deportations. It scrapped existing federal policy that prioritized deporting those with criminal convictions and gave immigration authorities the green light to remove as many people as possible. While court cases and logistical hurdles prevented Trump-era deportations from reaching the levels they did under Barack Obama  who deported more people than any other US president  immigrants across the country, including in New York, lived in fear that ICE would come knocking on their door.

President Joe Biden, like every US president over the past three decades, is an immigration hawk. He extended a Trump administration policy, then crafted his own, to facilitate the removal of hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers and other migrants attempting to cross the border from Mexico, where many remained in crisis humanitarian conditions.

But that focus on the border, as well as logistical challenges during the Covid pandemic, led the outgoing president to curtail deportations from the interior US, leaving states like New York freer from ICE actions than theyve been since the agencys creation two decades ago.

With his second term, Trump is looking to once again unleash ICE. His top immigration advisor has promised a return to indiscriminate enforcement, suggesting a blitz to overwhelm uncooperative governments and civil society.

If New York decides that it wants to resist the crackdown, it will have to act fast.

Lawmakers have re-introduced the New York for All Act in every legislative session since the bills debut more than four years ago. It has never made it out of committee.

Without that law, theres little that prevents local governments, particularly law enforcement, from helping to facilitate deportations.

Local deportation assistance takes a variety of forms. The most formal involves a written agreement between ICE and a law enforcement agency. Only one agency in New York has such an agreement with ICE: Since 2018, the Rensselaer County sheriff has signed memoranda that deputize sheriffs office employees to identify deportable people who enter its jail and flag them for the feds.

Absent a formal agreement, there are other ways local agencies can assist with deportations. If ICE gets word that someone who is deportable ends up at a local jail, it can send the jail a request, known as a detainer, asking them to hold the person so federal agents can pick them up. A 2018 state court ruling prohibits New York jails from holding people for ICE past their normal jail release dates  but state policy still allows sheriffs to honor detainers in other ways, like by sharing the persons case and personal information.

Law enforcement agencies can also work with immigration authorities on a fully informal, ad hoc basis. Some counties, especially in southern border states, have collaborative relationships with immigration authorities, according to Zach Ahmad, policy counsel at the New York Civil Liberties Union. They have each other on speed dial, he said.

The informality of those relationships makes it difficult to track if or how each local agency cooperates with ICE  and whether theyll expand that cooperation under a Trump administration. Some municipalities, like New York City and Westchester County, have laws and policies preventing much of that collaboration. With others, its up to law enforcement officials.

State and local agencies dont have to actively collude with ICE to assist with deportations. Since the mid-2000s, a patchwork of federal programs have facilitated information-sharing partnerships between ICE and other federal agencies, like the FBI, that receive fingerprints and other data from states and localities for non-immigration purposes. While the full extent of intra-federal information sharing is difficult to pin down, its safe to assume that any information that gets shared with the feds can get funneled to ICE.

Once information is disclosed to anyone, it can be hard to unring that bell, said Ahmad.

Information-sharing between local, state, and federal police is a mainstay of Hochuls criminal justice approach, as New York Focus has documented. Through the state budget process, she has expanded New Yorks primary fusion center  one of the secretive post-9/11 hubs that aims to facilitate intelligence-sharing among local, state, and federal police  including by giving it new social media surveillance teams. She has expanded similar types of specialized intelligence centers aimed specifically at gun crime and boosted special law enforcement partnership hubs aimed at terrorism surveillance and drug trafficking.

All of these post-9/11 intelligence-sharing centers  they were built in the name of combating terrorism, but they routinely have been targeted at immigrant communities, said Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the New York-based Surveillance Technology Oversight Project.

And the amount of information the state has to share with the federal government is ever-increasing. With Hochuls blessing, the New York State Police have ramped up data-collecting efforts, embarking on a years-long shopping spree for tech designed to troll the web and their internal data sources to compile intimate profiles of peoples lives.

State lawmakers have introduced over a dozen pieces of legislation to rein in data-collecting in New York. These bills have tried to ban DNA databases, prohibit geolocation searches without a warrant, and place limits on drone surveillance. None have passed.

While not directly targeted at immigrant communities, those kinds of policies are important if New York wants to shield them from ICE crackdowns, said Cahn.

We need to create a firewall between New York agencies and the incoming Trump administration, he argued.

Migrants line up outside the intake center at St. Brigids church in Manhattan on February 10, 2024. | Marco Postigo Storel

To facilitate mass deportations, Trump will need places to detain people whom ICE arrests. His allies have proposed dramatically expanding the agencys detention apparatus, including by constructing makeshift camps.

Currently, ICE detention relies heavily on private facilities run by big corporations, like the GEO Group and CoreCivic, which have brutal human rights records. But state law prohibits running private detention centers in New York.

Instead, ICE incarcerates people in public detention facilities  currently in three corners of the state. It runs and manages one, near Buffalo, itself. The other two are county jails, run by the Clinton and Orange county sheriffs. (Other jails, like those in Alleghany, Chautauqua, and Rensselaer counties, housed ICE detainees in the recent past.)

Sheriffs generally use ICE contracts as revenue generators, charging the federal government a per-head, per-day fee to detain people in deportation or other immigration proceedings. While less notorious than private facilities, immigration detention in county jails has also come under fire for inhumane conditions: In 2022, ICE detainees in the Orange County Jail went on a hunger strike after years of allegations of abusive and racist treatment and lack of medical care. And last year, advocates filed a lawsuit and federal complaint over alleged retaliation for the protest.

On detention, too, advocates have attempted to end New Yorks complicity in immigration enforcement. The Dignity Not Detention Act, first introduced in 2021, would ban government agencies in New York from agreeing to participate in immigration detention. But, like the New York for All Act, the bill has gone nowhere. Legislators have re-introduced the bill during every legislative session, but it has never made it out of committee.

Action is overdue, asserted Ahmad of the NYCLU. Legislative leaders in Albany need to act on their rhetoric and pass the laws that have been introduced  before some of the worst things were fearing come to life.
Four college students in Upstate New York have been charged over antisemitic posters, officials announced Tuesday.

WROC reports four University of Rochester students have been charged with felony criminal mischief after allegedly putting up wanted posters targeting Jewish faculty members. The posters were discovered Sunday, Nov. 10, on the schools River Campus.

A fifth suspect is still being investigated for their possible involvement, WHAM reports.

According to WROC, the four students were released on their recognizance Wednesday morning. Samantha Escobar, Jonathan Bermudez, Naomi Gutierrez, and Jefferson Turcios pleaded not guilty to felony criminal mischief.

The University of Rochester said the charges currently do not meet the threshold to be considered a hate crime, but noted the posters identifying faculty, staff, and board members have instilled credible fear among those depicted, their families, and other members of our Jewish community.

According to WROC, an investigation into vandalism at UR Medicines Brighton Health Center remains open. A sign was found purposefully damaged, but officials have not confirmed if it was connected to the antisemitic posters.

The university is committed to properly addressing and reporting any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health of members of our university community, as well as coordinating the investigation of such crimes with local law enforcement agencies. While its sad when individuals engage in criminal conduct that is intimidating to others in classrooms and other facilities that they need to use while seeking an education or going to work, enforcement of the law is done for the protection of the community and in compliance with legal obligations of the institution, said Quchee Collins, assistant vice president of U of Rs department of public safety, in a statement.

As a community that leads with our values, we take responsibility and accountability seriously. In addition to the criminal justice process, the accused students will undergo the Universitys conduct procedures, added university president Sarah C. Mangelsdorf. I am certain that as we move forward, we will all find ways to re-commit ourselves to demonstrating the values that make our University the true community that we aspire it to be.

Multiple colleges across the U.S. have reported a rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia on campuses amid Israels war with Hamas that began last year. The House passed a bill in May to establish a broader definition of antisemitism for the Department of Education to enforce anti-discrimination laws.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Chile is strongly committed to climate action, said the country's Minister of Transport Juan Carlos Munoz as he addressed the COP29 summit in Baku, Trend reports.

In his national statement, Munoz outlined Chiles ambitious plans for reducing emissions and transitioning to green energy, emphasizing the importance of a holistic, inclusive approach to addressing climate change.

"Chile is committed to climate ambition. We are one of the few developing countries that has set the goal of achieving carbon neutrality and resilience by 2050," Munoz stated. He explained that the countrys climate change framework law mandates that all levels of government integrate climate considerations into their policies. This includes developing strategic plans, regulations, and economic instruments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Munoz highlighted Chiles vulnerability to climate change, pointing to the prolonged droughts, wildfires, and floods that have disproportionately affected the countrys poorest populations. "We have implemented inclusive policies with a focus on a just transition," he said, stressing the importance of addressing climate challenges while ensuring fairness for all communities.

As part of its long-term climate strategy, Chile aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with specific sectoral mitigation and adaptation plans already underway. "This integrated government approach allows Chile to have a firm state climate policy, based on science and supported by multiple instruments to ensure that our national goals are met," he explained.

Turning to the transport sector, Munoz outlined Chiles comprehensive plan to reduce emissions and improve quality of life. The plan includes a focus on electromobility, mass public transport expansion, and the development of railway infrastructure. "These actions aim not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also to decrease local pollution and improve people's quality of life," he noted.

A key component of Chile's climate strategy is its commitment to making 100% of public transportation zero emissions by 2040. Munoz pointed to the National Public Transport Subsidy Law, which allocates nearly $1.5 billion annually to support the transition to electric public transport. "This law provides stability and predictability for planning and investment in sustainable public transport projects nationwide," he said. The law was recently extended until 2032, ensuring continued financial support for the countrys green transport ambitions.

Chile has already made significant progress, with Santiagos electric bus fleet now the largest urban fleet outside of China, numbering 2,500 buses. "An additional 1,200 buses will arrive in the next 18 months," Munoz added. The country is also making substantial investments in its metro and railway networks, with the Santiago Metro set to expand by 75 kilometers.
An Upstate New York man has been arrested after intentionally setting a home on fire during a standoff, leading a New York State Trooper to rescue him through a window.

State police say troopers and Broome County Sheriffs Deputies were responding to a fire alarm and disturbance at an apartment building near Binghamton late Saturday night. Michael J. Stephens, 46, of Endicott, N.Y., intentionally started a fire in his apartment upon their arrival, police said, and brandished a knife.

Stephens allegedly menaced troopers and deputies with his knife and then retreated into the apartment, refusing to leave despite the blaze. He began to suffer from smoke inhalation, police said.

While Stephens was near a window, a trooper was able to climb up a ladder, enter through the window and remove Stephens from the residence, police said. Stephens was transported by ambulance to Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, where he was treated for smoke inhalation.

After treatment, Stephens was transported to the Broome County Correctional Facility for Centralized Arraignment. Hes been charged with arson in the second degree and menacing a police office, both felonies.

His arrest was announced Tuesday. Police did not say if anyone else was in the apartment when the incident occurred.

The fire was extinguished by members of the Endwell Fire Department, Vestal Fire Department, Endicott Fire Department and West Corners Fire Department. No injuries were reported.
If any Americans want to leave their country after President-elect Donald Trump won the 2024 election, theres a cheap option for a new home.

CNN reports Ollolai, Italy, has launched a website in hopes of attracting potential U.S. expats to move to the small village on the island of Sardinia. In fact, theyre offering dilapidated houses for as little as one euro, or just over $1.

Are you worned (sic) out by global politics? Looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities? the website asks. Its time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia.

Ollolai also boasts pristine nature, surrounded by incredible cuisine, and a new way of life, while offering guided help with arranging viewings, finding contractors or navigating any bureaucratic issues.

According to USA Today, Ollolai is not on one of Sardinias famous beaches, but the village surrounded by forests has nearly 1,500 years of history and is known for its tradition of basket weaving, called SIstrumpa. Some of the homes are made from local granite rocks and previously housed farmers and shepherds.

Ollolai Mayor Francesco Columbu told CNN that he loves the United States and hopes to convince Americans frustrated with the election results to help revive their community. The villages population has declined from 2,250 people to just half  1,150 residents  over the past century.

Columbu says the village is offering three options: Free temporary homes for digital nomads, one-euro homes that will require renovations, and ready-to-move-in homes worth up to $105,000. Passports are not required, but Columbu said U.S. citizens will be favored over applicants from other countries.

We just really want, and will focus on, Americans above all, he told the cable news network. We cant of course ban people from other countries to apply, but Americans will have a fast-track procedure. We are betting on them to help us revive the village, they are our winning card.

Colombu said Tuesday the website has already received more than 38,000 requests for information on houses. According to CNN, the villages town hall first started selling dilapidated homes for one euro in 2018, but still has about 100 unoccupied cheap homes available.

Its unclear how many Americans would actually leave the U.S. as Trump returns to the White House, but The Hill reports Google data showed a 5,000% in search interest for moving to Canada and immigrate to Canada shortly after Vice President Kamala Harris lost the election. There were also spikes in search traffic for Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The Dominican Republic reiterates its firm commitment to the Paris Agreement and the urgent need for collective action in response to the global climate crisis, said Ana Emilia Pimentel Rodriguez, Vice Minister of Climate Change and Sustainability, as she addressed the COP29 summit in Baku, Trend reports.

"In the past three years, the Dominican Republic has faced devastating storms, massive flooding, and extreme periods of drought, with serious economic and social consequences," Pimentel Rodriguez stated. She highlighted the direct impacts of climate change on the country, which has seen its crops reduced, communities destabilized, and development opportunities severely limited.

She also drew attention to the challenge posed by sargassum, a type of seaweed, which affects the Dominican Republics coastal areas, directly impacting the tourism industry. "Beach pollution from sargassum has resulted in millions of dollars in losses, threatening the stability of a key industry for our economy," she said. The growing costs of collecting sargassum are further straining local resources.

Despite these challenges, Pimentel Rodriguez called for greater international efforts to address the climate crisis. "How can we build resilience when the resources to do so are so elusive?" she asked, pointing to the imbalance in global efforts to limit warming. "The results of the global balance are clear. We are not doing enough to limit global warming."

In her national statement, she also highlighted the Dominican Republic's commitment to environmental protection, including its goal to protect 30% of its marine and terrestrial territories. "We have raised the ambition of our Nationally Determined Contribution and reaffirmed our commitment to protect 30% of our marine and terrestrial territory," she confirmed.

Addressing the issue of climate finance, Pimentel Rodriguez made it clear that the Dominican Republic is not asking for charity but for justice. "We are not asking for charity; we are asking for justice. Justice for our communities, our ecosystems, and our future generations," she said, urging the international community to deliver adequate and accessible financial support for climate action.

"The system is fragmented and too complex for the most vulnerable countries. Without timely financing, we will not be able to face losses and damages or implement adaptation and mitigation solutions," Pimentel Rodriguez warned. She reiterated that global commitments must translate into immediate and tangible actions.
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Join Date: Jun 2024 Location: KA05 Posts: 78 Thanked: 1,211 Times

Re: The story of my personal financial journey | Managing income, expenses & investments Quote: Aviator_guy Originally Posted by I have been contemplating this insurance for me and family. If you don't mind sharing, could you please share more details about policy /company etc.



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https://www.nivabupa.com/family-heal...y-floater.html





As of today, I paid following premiums:





When I was renewing my policy this year, they gave me the option to upgrade from Reassure 1.0 to Reassure 2.0 with an additional 5 lakh increase in the base policy sum insured. Since I was blessed with a 2nd daughter this year, I upgraded the policy and this upgrade increased the premium amount. Also, since I crossed 35 years age, the premium amount increased further. The new Reassure 2.0 provides the following additional features: ReAssure "Forever": First claim paid triggers ReAssure, forever. It is unlimited.

Each claim under ReAssure "Forever" will be up to Base Sum Insured.

Lock the Clock: Pay premiums as per your entry age, till a claim is paid.



If you read reviews online about health insurance policies, all of them have positive and negative reviews. I do not have personal experience with claiming super top-up policy, nor have I heard anything from my friends or close circle. We will know only when we try to claim. After buying a policy with larger sum assured, we will have the following 3 options: Pray that we do not face a situation where we need to claim the policy. Hope that the insurance company will approve the claim when we really need it. Get rich enough not to worry about claiming the insurance.

I hope this helps you.





Quote: dearchichi Originally Posted by 5. I've never understood the reasoning for emergency funds. Having MFs that allow for quick redemption, a month's expenses in the SB account and credit cards with a high aggregate limit should suffice for any eventuality.



We cannot predict when or what kind of emergency we might face. It is always better to set aside 6 months to 1 years of expenses in non-equity assets. After I realised that I needed to buy a separate health insurance policy with a larger sum assured around the beginning of 2021, I read a few blogs, reviews, and e-books online to understand the details of health insurance and available options.The next question was how much sum assured do we need for a family of 3? There was no straight answer as it depends on individual lifestyle and affordability. In most cases, the probability of claiming the insurance increases in ones 40s and 50s. Since I was early 30s, the probability of I am claiming the insurance would be around 10 years from today.For example, if I buy a policy with a sum assured of 10 lakhs today, due to inflation, that 10 lakhs will be worth approximately 3.85 lakhs in 10 years (with 10% inflation rate). Would 3.85 lakhs be sufficient for a family of three? I felt it may not be sufficient. At the same time, I could not afford a policy with a sum assured of 25 to 50 lakhs as it would be too expensive.Also, one might argue that we can increase the sum assured later when we need it. But the problem is that after few years if one of the insured members in the policy develops health issues, it will be difficult to increase the sum assured. Because the decision to increase the sum assured lies with the insurance company and is subject to the health condition of all members insured in the policy. If in case if there is any health issue, they might reject the request to increase the sum assured. Due to inflation, it is important to buy a large sum assured when we are young and gradually increase it to decent sum assured. It will help us as we age.This is when I came across the super top-up policy. This will help us to reduce the premium while still allowing us to buy policy with larger sum assured. We can find lot of information about super top-up policies online. So please refer the same to understand more about it.I decided to buy a 1 crore sum assured with a 10 lakhs base and a 90 lakhs super top-up policy. I started searching to shortlist the insurance policy by considering the below points:I shortlisted the following 3 insurance policies:I rejected Star Health because it had a single private AC room rent limit and the premium was expensive. HDFC Ergo did not offer a 90 lakh super top-up plan.Also, in 2011, IRDIA had issued guidelines on portability of health insurance policies that we can port our policy to any insurer. The new insurer would provide the benefit relating to waiting period for pre-existing conditions that we have gained with the old insurer and also provide the sum assured of old policy.Please find the complete rules at https://irdai.gov.in/web/guest/docum...umentId=368747 The goal was to buy a large sum assured with a lower premium that provides all the important features as we can always port to another insurer later due to the portability rule. So, we decided to go with MaxBupa health insurance because it offered no room limit, no co-pay, a lower premium, and a decent claim ratio.NaviBupa ReAssure 2.0 (MaxBupa was changed to NaviBupa recently)NaviBupa Health RechargeAs of today, I paid following premiums:When I was renewing my policy this year, they gave me the option to upgrade from Reassure 1.0 to Reassure 2.0 with an additional 5 lakh increase in the base policy sum insured. Since I was blessed with a 2nd daughter this year, I upgraded the policy and this upgrade increased the premium amount. Also, since I crossed 35 years age, the premium amount increased further. The new Reassure 2.0 provides the following additional features:If you read reviews online about health insurance policies, all of them have positive and negative reviews. I do not have personal experience with claiming super top-up policy, nor have I heard anything from my friends or close circle. We will know only when we try to claim. After buying a policy with larger sum assured, we will have the following 3 options:I hope this helps you.Consider this situation: If the market crashes like during the COVID time and we get an emergency, would we be comfortable selling our mutual fund units at a loss? Or if we lose our job due to a layoff and don't find another job for 6 months to a year, would we be comfortable selling our MF units?We cannot predict when or what kind of emergency we might face. It is always better to set aside 6 months to 1 years of expenses in non-equity assets. Last edited by TurboTorque : 15th November 2024 at 21:10 .
Earthroamer BHPian



Join Date: Feb 2024 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 70 Thanked: 270 Times





This is wilful ignorance by the useless govt bodies pretending to be holier than thou and collecting money from general public.



Quote: saikishor Originally Posted by Even I feel the same. Irrespective of how well a car is maintained, our country simply does not have well qualified testing centers to differentiate between a polluting one and a clean one. The simplest way to get out of this mess is by banning them.



Even if we do have qualified testing centers, I doubt if they will be able to handle the work load. Irrespective of how much we hate this vehicle banning system, I think this is the easiest way for the govt to sort this mess.

So why this phenomenon keep happening only in the month of November every year? Do BSIII and BSIV vehicles only come out in November? Are cars only responsible for pollution? Are poorly maintained govt buses, transport lorries, tempos run on water and emit oxygen? Are vehicles present only in Delhi? Why other metros are not facing this problem?





Forest for the trees.... Another day, another bureaucracy acting as if the Delhi is the only city on the planet which has vehicles. What about other metros in India? Do they not have BSIII and BS IV vehicles plying their roads? Are BSIII and BSIV vehicles only start coming out in the month of November every year? How can one cannot see this? Cleary there is only one parameter that correlates with the level of pollution in November.This is wilful ignorance by the useless govt bodies pretending to be holier than thou and collecting money from general public.So why this phenomenon keep happening only in the month of November every year? Do BSIII and BSIV vehicles only come out in November? Are cars only responsible for pollution? Are poorly maintained govt buses, transport lorries, tempos run on water and emit oxygen? Are vehicles present only in Delhi? Why other metros are not facing this problem?Forest for the trees.... Last edited by suhaas307 : 18th November 2024 at 22:43 . Reason: Merging back-to-back posts. Please avoid submitting one post after another. Use the EDIT / QUOTE+ functions within 30 minutes of submitting the 1st post instead!
Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust

Forward-looking: Real-time translation is often cited as one of the most practical applications of generative AI, and Microsoft plans to bring this feature to its video conferencing and team collaboration software early next year. The company also showcased numerous new and upcoming AI features at its recent Ignite 2024 event.

One of the many Copilot "AI agents" coming soon to Microsoft 365 aims to translate speakers' voices during meetings in Microsoft Teams. The functionality will enter public preview in early 2025.

Supported languages include Mandarin, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish.

Users can also instruct the agent to replicate their voice and speaking style in the translated language. Additionally, a new AI transcription feature in Teams supports translations into 31 languages. Another translation tool, launching next year, enables Copilot to convert entire PowerPoint presentations into one of 40 languages without changing their formatting.

Microsoft's new Copilot enterprise agents  essentially customizable AI-based apps  were first introduced a month ago. The first wave was designed to automate some tasks for sales and finance companies, a new wave of these agents will roll out to other industries between now and early 2024.

For example, Copilot will soon be able to recap Microsoft Teams discussions, answer participant questions, and summarize files shared in chat. A feature launching later this month will allow Copilot to schedule one-on-one meetings by analyzing users' calendars, identifying mutually available times, and drafting meeting agendas.

Agents have also come to Microsoft's SharePoint tools. A new AI assistant can summon information about a company and its products to assist customers, train new team members, or plan budgets. Additionally, 365 subscribers can implement SharePoint Advanced Management at no extra cost starting early 2025.

ServiceNow, Workday, Cohere, and other companies are also preparing to release more AI agents in the coming months. Meanwhile, Copilot is expected to expand its data access capabilities through partnerships with companies like S&P Global and CB Insights.

Microsoft's Ignite 2024 announcements show the company is betting heavily on GenAI. However, features like translation, summaries, and queries hinge on accuracy  a persistent challenge for AI due to the well-documented issues of hallucinations.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff harshly criticized Microsoft's initial Copilot Agent rollout, citing insufficient accuracy, data, and security. However, Salesforce is attempting to compete with its Agentforce AI tools. The recent debut of Apple Intelligence has called generative AI summaries into question, with numerous unintentionally funny results spreading on social media.

Microsoft contends that limiting AI agents to information from user-determined datasets will ensure accuracy. The upcoming public betas will put that claim to the test.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. At the COP29 summit in Baku, Helga Baradottir, Deputy Director of the Ministry of the Environment, Energy, and Climate of Iceland, highlighted the urgent need for collective global action to address the escalating climate crisis, Trend reports.

With 2024 projected to be the warmest year on record, Baradottir emphasized the dire consequences of exceeding the 1.5C temperature limit set by the Paris Agreement.

"In 2024, we are most likely going to exceed the 1.5C threshold, marking the first year to surpass this critical target," Baradottir stated. "The changes this level of warming brings to our planet are devastating, and the climate-related tragedies we have witnessed in recent years will only intensify with further warming."

The deputy director pointed to the Arctic, which has already warmed at a much higher rate than the global average. "The Arctic continues to experience retreating glaciers, loss of biodiversity, and conditions that will force the displacement of indigenous peoples," Baradottir noted. She underscored the importance of ensuring the rights and participation of these communities as they face the adverse effects of climate change.

Baradottir also referenced a letter of concern presented by 42 scientists at the recent Arctic Circle conference in Reykjavik, warning of the potential risks to ocean circulation in the North Atlantic. "The letter highlighted the possible changes in ocean currents like the Amok, a warm branch of the Gulf Stream, which plays a crucial role in shaping the climate conditions we experience in Iceland and much of Northern Europe," she explained. "Drastic changes in these currents could severely disrupt living conditions and bring us closer to the limits of adaptation."

The Icelandic representative called for accelerated climate mitigation actions to prevent crossing these critical tipping points. "The only way to avoid crossing these tipping points is through enhanced and fast climate mitigation action," Baradottir said.

In her address, Baradottir reiterated Iceland's commitment to climate finance, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that integrates both mitigation and adaptation efforts. "In all our development aid projects, gender equality and human rights are always at the forefront," she added.

Baradottir also stressed the importance of following up on the results of the first global stocktake. "We must move forward with robust mitigation efforts. We will not make progress on our path unless we commit to phasing out fossil fuels and building green energy systems," she stated. "The only way forward is to adhere to the 1.5C goal of the Paris Agreement and significantly enhance our efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases across all sectors."
In context: The CrowdStrike incident impacted millions of Windows PCs worldwide, disrupting numerous industries and leaving a significant dent in Microsoft's business confidence. In response, the company has had to refocus its development efforts, making substantial commitments to reshape the future of the Windows platform.

Microsoft in recent months has committed to significantly enhancing security across the Windows ecosystem. The company is reportedly working to ensure that even a non-bootable OS can be updated and repaired, a promising step forward in its efforts to bolster reliability and protection.

At the recent Ignite 2024 conference, Microsoft unveiled several upcoming changes for Windows users, set to roll out over the next few quarters. Central to these updates is the Secure Future Initiative, which positions security as a "foundational" pillar for every product. Currently, an estimated 34,000 developers are working full time to address these top-priority challenges.

One of the first tangible outcomes of SFI is Quick Machine Recovery (QMR), a feature designed to prevent disasters like the infamous "July incident." Microsoft explained that QMR will empower IT administrators to deploy targeted fixes via Windows Update, even on machines that are unable to boot.

Quick Machine Recovery will operate remotely and is slated to join the Windows Insider Program in early 2025. Meanwhile, Microsoft is urging customers to prepare for the end of Windows 10 support, emphasizing that Windows 11 is "secure by default." The company is advising enterprise organizations to complete their migration to the newer operating system without delay.

Windows 11 is set to receive several new security enhancements in the coming months. Among them is a novel "administrator protection" feature designed to make standard user accounts more practical. This feature will allow users to grant temporary administrator rights through Windows Hello when performing system changes. A temporary, "isolated" admin token will be created for the task and automatically destroyed upon completion, minimizing potential vulnerabilities.

Microsoft is also introducing stronger protections for access credentials, smart app control policies, data security, and OS management tools.

A major shift in the Windows security architecture is on the horizon as well: the company plans to remove security software from the Windows kernel entirely. This move will compel antivirus and security tools to operate in standard user mode, aligning them with other non-privileged programs. The initiative marks a fundamental change to the Windows software ecosystem, with a private preview expected to launch in July 2025.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has recently arrested a Houston man who works as a graphic designer for the transnational terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). The man was revealed to have made significant pro-ISIS propaganda which was discovered after law enforcement authorities raided the criminal's home in Texas, seven years after he was first investigated.

Not only that, it was also revealed that the man previously expressed his interest to join and fight for the terrorist group, but also to bring the violent attacks of the group in his home state in the United States.

ISIS Graphic Designer From Houston Arrested by the FBI

The US Department of Justice recently shared a press release that detailed that the FBI recently arrested a 28-year-old man from Houston named Anas Said for working as a graphic designer for ISIS. According to the DOJ, Said was already indicted for his crimes, as well as his affiliations to the Middle Eastern terrorist group, with his home raided by the authorities which led to further discoveries.

Part of what the FBI found were electronic devices which further confirmed Said's affiliation to the group, including the work he accomplished to help spread ISIS' cause online. Meta previously shared with the FBI in 2023 that Said had communications with an ISIS graphic designer who is designated as its "number 2."

Said was monitored by the FBI since 2017 for the suspected affiliation of the Houston individual to the terrorist group, and he was interviewed several times by law enforcement officials in 2018 and 2019.

Arrested ISIS Supporter Plans to Launch Attack in US

Prosecutors recently filed a motion in Said's case which detailed his involvement with ISIS, including his plans to launch an attack in Houston to further the terrorist group's tyranny against its enemies.

After being arrested, Said allegedly confirmed to the FBI that he took part in creating ISIS propaganda for the group. Moreover, Said also claimed that he previously considered purchasing a firearm which he would use to take down a US military personnel, but never got around to doing so.

ISIS and Their Reign of Terror and Misinformation

ISIS made its debut over a decade ago when it captured several parts of Iraq and Syria during its early reign of terror, with the militant group looking to expand its controlled territory in the Middle East. The group did not only rely on word of mouth and global reports to make their cause known, as it also previously resorted to creating online propaganda and misinformation, even going as far as using "Grand Theft Auto V."

Over the past years, ISIS members have also utilized social media campaigns to spread their work and invite more people to join their cause in causing terror not only to foreign adversaries but also to their fellow countrymen. ISIS also took advantage of the long-torn country of Syria which is known for still facing a civil war, but the group is yet to make its move on the recent aggressions in this battle.

During the coronavirus pandemic in early 2023, ISIS did not stop its acts of aggression despite the global health crisis, with American and British soldiers perishing from their attack in Iraq. However, people like Said are known for offering their support to the militant group by serving as an ISIS graphic designer operating out of the country, and his dedication to the cause almost led to an attack against his home city of Houston.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk appeared together at SpaceX's Starship launch in Texas to show off their deepening friendship. The occasion underscored their common vision for U.S. space exploration in the future as Trump hailed the mission while Musk thanked the president for coming.

Joined by Senator Ted Cruz, this moment means a lot for the space agency. Aside from technological advancements, the partnership could mean that the newly-elected President can help mold the space policy in the country.

Starship's Sixth Test Flight Wasn't Perfect

As Sky News reports, Starship's latest test flight demonstrated some remarkable advancements but also experienced setbacks. The rocket was successfully launched and accomplished its main objective of demonstrating upgrades to the hardware and software. Its first-stage booster didn't get recovered as had been planned, with the vehicle opting to splash down into the Gulf of Mexico in a controlled manner.

The upper stage completed a suborbital flight before splashing down in the Indian Ocean where it fragmented and sank.

Despite these challenges, SpaceX continues with the spirit of learning from expendable prototypes to drive innovation. Modifying heat shields were streamlined during this flight and marked the first successful in-space reignition of a Raptor engine.

Closer Trump-Musk Partnership on SpaceX Sighting

It is increasingly evident that Musk runs close to Trump, with the entrepreneur playing a very influential role in shaping Republican policy on space.

Now that Musk is the head of DOGE (not the crypto meme coin), but the newly-established department known as the Department of Government Efficiency, Trump believes his "first buddy" will be by his side every time he goes out.

With SpaceX holding billions in US government contracts for lunar and Mars missions, Musk's presence by Trump makes complete sense of them maintaining common interests toward advancing private-sector-leadership space exploration.

According to The Guardian, the victory of Trump will also mean that NASA's future depends on him since Donald has the power to designate the people who will manage the agency.

With Musk calling for Mars colonization within four years and with the administration considering privatizing the space endeavor, SpaceX is well placed to dominate U.S. space activities.

Trump is Interested About Martian Exploration

Trump has indicated that he would like to see people land on Mars within his second term. For SpaceX to achieve this, it clearly needs rapid progress in its rocket abilities and capabilities without parallel.

Starship's thrust capability and payload carry are critical factors that guarantee it a leading role in lunar and Martian missions of the future.

SpaceX is expected to carry out more launches starting next year. With Trump now on Elon's side, expect to see more surprising launches within the space exploration sector.

In another report by Tech Times, Tech CEOs believe that US-based companies will continue their dominant approach in the industry. However, this would cause Europe-based firms to lag behind them.

As a result, a coalition of tech leaders from the region plans to launch a "Europe-first strategy" that promises to be "fair" to everyone.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Sweden is determined to achieve climate neutrality by 2045, with net negative emissions thereafter, said Romina Pourmokhtari, the country's Minister for Climate and Environment as she addressed the COP29 summit in Baku, Trend reports.

"Our strategy relies on harnessing the innovation and the dynamic of our business sector," Pourmokhtari said, pointing to Sweden's advancements in renewable energy, nuclear power, green steel, and sustainable finance.

"Climate change threatens our very existence," Pourmokhtari stated, underscoring the critical need for immediate action. "But I stand here before you not only with a message of urgency, but with one of hope and unparalleled opportunity." She pointed to the irrefutable science and warnings in countless IPCC reports as a call to action but also highlighted the potential for prosperity through a green transition.

Sweden commended the historic agreement made at COP28 in Dubai, which she called a "turning point towards a future liberated from fossil fuels." Pourmokhtari urged that at COP29, the international community must honor this progress. "Renewable energy will lead the way, and nuclear power too has a pivotal role in achieving global net-zero emissions by 2050," she emphasized, reiterating that tripling nuclear capacity worldwide would help keep the 1.5C temperature goal within reach.

Looking to the future, Pourmokhtari called on all countries to submit new, ambitious nationally determined contributions (NDCs) ahead of COP30. "We must have commitments that span our entire economies, cover all greenhouse gases, and align fully with the 1.5C goal," she said, pledging Swedens support as a steadfast partner in shaping and implementing these goals.

In addition to domestic efforts, Pourmokhtari reaffirmed Sweden's commitment to international climate financing. "Between 2022 and 2023, we have increased our international climate financing by more than $80 million," she reported. "Sweden is proud to announce a pledge to the Green Climate Fund of more than $750 million, as well as a pledge of approximately $20 million for the fund responding to loss and damage."

However, Pourmokhtari stressed that achieving the Paris Agreements ambitions requires a fundamental transformation of both domestic and global economies and financial systems. "The new collective quantified goal on climate finance must be bold and it must be relevant," she said. "We want every country to commit to this new goal, with those in a position to do so contributing financially, and recipient countries delivering results on the ground."
How climate funds helped Peru's women beekeepers stay afloat



Peru, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



In the mountains of northeast Peru, a group of women beekeepers have plucked millions of the industrious insects from the jaws of death and saved their own livelihoods with the help of UN climate funding.

The women not only rescued the bees' hives from extreme weather events linked to climate change, but built a thriving honey business.

Chilal de la Merced, a village of some 800 souls perched at over 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) in the Andes, in Peru's Cajamarca region, has been battered in recent years by recurring heavy rains, droughts, frosts and hail storms linked to a changing climate and warming oceans.

The weather has played havoc with the bees' ability to forage for nectar and pollen.

In early 2022, the rains were so heavy that they didn't venture out of the hive at all, and began to starve.

"When we checked the hives, we found the boxes full of dead bees," Karina Villalobos, the 28-year-old spokeswoman for the Hojuelas de Miel (Honey Flakes) beekeepers association, recalled.

A year earlier, she and 14 other beekeepers had applied for a grant from Avanzar Rural, a program founded by the Peruvian government and the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to help small-scale food producers in rural areas vulnerable to climate change.

It almost didn't work -- climate change doesn't wait for grant money, and even when funds arrive, projects take time to implement.

Months after they secured $27,000 in climate funding -- a topic at the center of discussions at the COP29 climate conference in Baku -- they were staring ruin in the face.

"We asked ourselves, what are we going to do? If we don't take action, the bees will disappear, the project will collapse and our organization will fail," Villalobos said.



- Syrup and lilies -



Around the world, bee populations are seen as a bellwether of healthy ecosystems but experts warn they are increasingly vulnerable to climate change as well as pesticide use and habitat loss.

Hojuelas de Miel decided to try to adapt to the changing weather cycles, which were disrupting flowering seasons -- hampering the ability of the bees to collect nectar and pollen.

To compensate for the bees' depleted food resources, the women fed them with a syrupy mix of sugar and vitamins.

But they also planned for the future.

Using the grant, they surrounded the hives in native plants and flowers, including arum lilies and coffee plants, that are more resistant to drought and rain.

When the plants grew, they transplanted them into the forest to expand the bees' habitat.



- Uplifting rural communities -



Less than two percent of all international climate finance goes to rural communities, small-scale farmers and Indigenous populations, Juan Diego Ruiz, IFAD's chief for the Andean region and the Southern Cone, told AFP.

In Peru, women particularly struggle to secure funding for their businesses.

"Because the owner of the land is the man, so how can we get a loan?" Villalobos explained.

Yet, women like her are "on the frontline of the impact of climate change," Ruiz argued.

Avanzar Rural has funded 1,031 small businesses in Peru in the last four years, to the benefit of 17,557 people.

IFAD contributed $24 million, with the Peruvian state, which identifies projects in remote areas to support, adding another $45 million.

Chilal de la Merced's beekeepers had to come up with 10 percent of the cost of their business plan -- $3,800 -- before receiving a first tranche of aid, which they used to buy equipment and hire technical, financial and environmental advisors.

The association now operates 89 beehives and makes about $13,000 a year.

"Today we are empowered and resilient women," Villalobos said proudly.
Philippine hatchling stirs hope for endangered eagle



Manila, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



A baby Philippine Eagle has hatched in the Southeast Asian country with the help of artificial insemination, sparking hope that science and conservation can save the critically endangered raptor from extinction.

Habitat loss and ruthless hunting have caused a rapid decline in the number of Philippine Eagles, one of the world's biggest eagles and the national bird of the archipelago country.

But when "Chick Number 30" broke through its shell last week at the newly opened National Bird Breeding Sanctuary in the southern city of Davao, it signaled hope to a small band of conservationists including 77-year-old Domingo Tadena.

"The first successful hatching in the new facility is very important for us. The entire team was so elated when we saw it alive," Tadena, who manages the facility, told AFP on Wednesday.

A product of artificial insemination, the chick hatched after a 56-day incubation period during which it got special help breathing through its shell, the Philippine Eagle Foundation said in a statement.

Known as the "help out" method, the process is "difficult and very delicate, but it's worth it," said Tadena.

"We had an experience before that a chick ended up suffocated and dead because it wasn't able to open its own shell... so now, we assisted this eaglet in pipping through its eggshell," he said.

He added that the birth of "Chick Number 30" indicated that "with cutting-edge technology, cross-cultural collaboration, and unwavering dedication, we can create new hope for the Philippine Eagle and ensure future generations."

Philippine Eagles, known for their sumptuous head plumage, are difficult to mate, with some even killing unwanted suitors.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation estimates that there are only 392 pairs of the eagles remaining in the wild, with just 30 born in captivity including the new hatchling.

The centre's ultimate goal is to release the eagles back into the wild, but doing so has proved an even bigger challenge than breeding them.

"We did experiments but so far, there's no success in the eagles that we have released," Tadena said, explaining that many have died after being shot or electrocuted.

"Plus, we can only breed a few eagles, just enough to serve as breeding stock."

Tadena said the Philippine Eagle Foundation is still deliberating if they will release "Chick Number 30" into the wild or hold it captive for breeding.

"The artificial reproduction of the new chick gives hope... but it's way better to have forests where eagles can reproduce naturally and live freely -- safe and protected."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Transportation plays a crucial role in assessing climate risks, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission (DG MOVE) Maya Bakranna said at a session on "Greening Urban Transport" at COP29, Trend reports.

Successful adaptation of urban transport to climate change requires a comprehensive understanding of risks and the construction of resilient infrastructure that can recover after disasters. Without proper planning, it is impossible to address the challenges effectively, and transport must be an integral part of climate risk assessment, she said.

Bakranna also highlighted the pivotal role cities play in the green transition and the steps being taken in the EU to address the issue.

First, it is essential to plan urban mobility carefully. Second, we are working to make public transport more accessible and attractive.

Infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and charging stations for eco-friendly vehicles are also being expanded. In addition, innovative solutions are being introduced, including shared mobility services and optimized urban freight logistics.

All of these initiatives are part of the EU's sustainable urban mobility plans, which are now mandatory for 431 large cities in the trans-European network. This means that cities must gather data and create multimodal transport hubs to support climate resilience and sustainability," 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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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 Presidency 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
Spain minister says 'dangerous' to doubt state agencies' role in floods



Madrid, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



Spain's ecological transition minister, a candidate for a top European Commission post, on Wednesday said questioning the role of state agencies during the country's devastating floods was "dangerous".

The state weather and environment services have faced intense scrutiny over their response to the October 29 disaster that wreaked widespread destruction and killed 227 people.

The leader of the hardest-hit Valencia region defended his handling of the catastrophe last week, citing an "information blackout" and criticising a central government agency responsible for monitoring river levels.

Regions are in charge of disaster management in Spain's decentralised political system, but the Valencia region's conservative leader Carlos Mazon said he received "insufficient, inaccurate and late" information.

Doubting the state agencies was "unfair and deeply dangerous", Ecological Transition Minister Teresa Ribera told parliament, in a veiled retort to the conservative opposition.

"I would like to thank the work and dedication of the public servants who issued the information as was their duty," added Ribera.

Ribera's socialist-led government has argued Mazon bore responsibility for the late issuing of an emergency alert.

Anger has coursed through Spain over the authorities' perceived mishandling of the country's deadliest floods in decades and further polarised its politics, which has spilled over at EU level.

The European Parliament has blocked Ribera's appointment to an influential commission role encompassing environment and competition, with Spain's right-wing Popular Party (PP) accusing her of neglecting her duties during the floods.

The conservative EPP parliamentary group to which the PP belongs refused to approve her nomination until she reported to the Spanish parliament.
EU states oppose watering down embattled deforestation ban



Brussels, Belgium, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



An overwhelming majority of EU governments opposed further amending a sweeping anti-deforestation law on Wednesday, rejecting a last-ditch effort by parliament to ease the controversial rules, diplomatic sources said.

The bill, which bans imports of products driving deforestation, was thrown into uncertainty last week after EU lawmakers on the right hijacked a vote on a one-year implementation delay in order to change the text.

But almost all 27 member states, with the exception of Italy, agreed to turn down the additional amendments at a meeting of country representatives in Brussels, several diplomatic sources confirmed.

Most governments felt that "opening the text would only generate legal uncertainty," according to a diplomat.

A meeting between representatives of parliament, the European Commission and member states would be called to chart a way forward, the source said.

The law prohibits a vast range of goods -- from coffee to cocoa, soy, timber, palm oil, cattle, printing paper and rubber -- if produced using land that was deforested after December 2020.

It has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight to protect nature and combat climate change by environmental groups.

But the ban has faced opposition from trading partners and some EU capitals, amid concerns over red tape, costs and lack of clarity over some aspects of the law.

In October the commission proposed delaying its entry into force by one year to December 30, 2025 -- a move supported by both parliament and member states.

The amendments introduced last week sought to lessen the administrative burden for countries deemed at no risk of deforestation among other things. But critics said they could have resulted in some nations being relieved of all obligations.
'Steep climb' ahead as clock ticks on stalled climate talks



Baku, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



Pressure mounted on rich nations Wednesday to commit nearly $1 trillion a year in assistance for poorer countries as time runs out to strike a deal at the COP29 climate talks.

With two days left to break the impasse in Azerbaijan, wealthy nations have still not revealed how much they are willing to provide the developing world to cope with climate change.

Developing nations, from islands imperilled by rising seas to drought-afflicted states, contribute the least to global warming but will need trillions to prepare for its impacts.

They say rich historic polluters have a duty to help, and are clamouring for an existing commitment of $100 billion a year to be increased many times over at COP29.

Talks have gone around in circles for over a week but a slimmed-down draft is expected around midnight on Wednesday, ensuring a sleepless night for negotiators.

"I'm sure we will have some long days and hours ahead of us... This will be a very steep climb," EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told reporters.

Susana Muhamad, environment minister of Colombia, said it was difficult to speed things up "when there's nothing to negotiate".

"The concern is that at this moment, nobody is putting a figure on the table," Muhamad told delegates.

Rich countries on the hook for climate finance say they cannot show their hand until they know what they are agreeing to.

"It is only once we have established that, that we can have a meaningful conversation about the exact amount," said Hoekstra.

"Otherwise... you will have a shopping basket with a price, but you don't know exactly what is in there."



- China role -



Developing countries, excluding China, will need $1 trillion a year in foreign assistance by 2030 to wean off fossil fuels and adapt to worsening disasters.

This number rises to $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, according to an expert economic assessment commissioned by the United Nations.

Rich countries, facing political and fiscal pressure at home, insist they cannot cover this cost on their balance sheets alone.

But developing countries want public grants, not loans and promises of private capital, to make up the bulk any new finance commitment.

Australian climate minister Chris Bowen, one of the envoys leading the finance negotiations, said he had heard three figures being asked of rich nations: $440 billion, $600 billion and $900 billion.

Delegates from several countries told AFP these numbers were not proposed by developed nations themselves.

"Many parties told us they need to see certain building blocks in place before they can put forward their suggested number," Bowen told COP29 delegates.

Chief among these is a demand for emerging economies such as China and Saudi Arabia, which have grown wealthy yet remain classified as developing nations, to chip into the pot.

Danish climate minister Lars Aagaard said his country would like to see the United States, China and Middle Eastern nations pay their fair share.

"There are countries out in the world that have an income level that is close to or above the poorest European countries, and we think that it's only fair to ask them to contribute," Aagaard told AFP.



- 'Receding hope' -



Bowen said some countries had drawn a "red line" over the type of money that could be included in any deal, insisting it come "from a wide range of sources and instruments".

Bolivia's chief negotiator, Diego Pacheco, said there was a "steadily receding hope of getting an ambitious" deal and cited $200 billion as one number in circulation.

"Only 200 billion," he told the conference. "This is unfathomable, we cannot accept this."

The lead negotiator of COP29 hosts Azerbaijan, Yalchin Rafiyev, urged countries to "pick up the pace".

"Let us embrace the spirit of collaboration, compromise and determination to ensure that we leave this conference with outcomes that make a real difference," he said.
Kazakhstan reports 2,000 deaths of rare seal in a month



Almaty, Kazakhstan, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



Kazakhstan said Wednesday that almost 2,000 seal carcasses on its Caspian Sea shores in under a month, raising new concerns over the endangered species.

The Central Asian country has reported sporadic mass deaths of the seals -- the only mammals to live in the Caspian Sea, which is the world's biggest inland body of water.

Some scientists have linked the deaths to pollution in the sea, which has seen a drop in water levels as rising temperatures threaten its flora and fauna.

"In total, 1,989 dead seals were discovered between October 24 and November 18 2024," said Kazakhstan's fishing committee, which is in charge of the country's fauna.

According to a specialist from Kazakhstan's Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology, "the pollution of the marine environment could be a possible cause of the deaths."

The fishing committee, however, blamed "under water gasses" that it said were released after marine earthquakes.

Kazakhstan is conducting tests on the dead seals to determine the cause opf death, but authorities said the results will only be known in three to four months.

Kazakhstan and Russia, which also has a Caspian shoreline, have placed the seals on a red list of endangered species.

Kazakhstan has said the population of the seals has dwindled to 270,000 in recent years.

The Caspian Sea is an enclosed sea bordering five countries: Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan. All have periodically reported discovering dead seals on their shores.
Under-fire Spain minister defends state agencies' role in floods



Madrid, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



Spain's under-fire ecological transition minister, a candidate for a top European Commission post, on Wednesday said questioning the role of state agencies during the country's devastating floods was "dangerous".

The state weather and environment services have faced intense scrutiny over their response to the October 29 disaster that wreaked widespread destruction and killed 227 people.

The European Parliament has blocked Teresa Ribera's appointment to an influential EU commission role encompassing environment and competition, with opponents accusing her of neglecting her duties during the floods.

Regions are in charge of disaster management in Spain's decentralised political system, but the hardest-hit Valencia region's conservative leader Carlos Mazon said he received "insufficient, inaccurate and late" information.

Doubting state agencies was "deeply unfair and deeply dangerous", Ribera told parliament, in a veiled retort to the conservative opposition.

"I would like to thank the work and dedication of the public servants who issued the information as was their duty," she added.

Mazon defended his handling of the catastrophe last week, citing an "information blackout" and criticising a government agency responsible for monitoring river levels.

But Ribera said "there was never an information blackout" and enumerated a lengthy list of warnings issued by public bodies to the regional authorities.

Although the national weather agency issued the highest red alert in the morning of October 29, Valencia residents in many cases only received telephone warnings when water was already gushing through towns.

The socialist-led central government has argued Mazon bore responsibility for the late issuing of the emergency alert.

"Having all the necessary information is of little use if the one who must respond does not know how," Ribera added.



- Political polarisation -



The right-wing opposition Popular Party (PP) has accused the government of abandoning the Valencia region before and after the floods for political gain.

Anger has coursed through Spain over the authorities' perceived mishandling of the country's deadliest floods in decades and the ensuing political polarisation has spilled over at EU level.

The conservative EPP parliamentary group to which the PP belongs refused to approve Spain's nomination for the commission until she reported to the Spanish parliament.

"The European Commission does not deserve to come into existence with a candidate under suspicion," PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo wrote on X.

The Socialists and Democrats group have complained that the Spanish right was trying to make Ribera "the scapegoat" for its own failure to manage the floods in Valencia.

By doing so, it was "pushing the entire European Union to the brink in the most irresponsible way", it said.

Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday said his party always backed PP candidates for the commission and urged "reciprocity" from them.
How will Senegal's new leaders use their legislative landslide?



Dakar, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



As Senegal's ruling party heads for an overwhelming majority in weekend parliamentary elections, expectations are high for the new leaders to deliver on their promise of a profound political shake-up.

Eight months after sweeping to power pledging economic transformation and social justice, what are the priorities for the president and prime minister as voters face widespread unemployment and a high cost of living?



- Budget -



President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's Pastef party could hold around three quarters of the seats in the West African country's parliament, according to various media projections.

The new national assembly is expected to start work soon after the results are confirmed, with a delayed vote on the 2025 budget top of the priority list.

Amadou Ba, a prominent Pastef MP, said the budget would bear "the beginnings of transformation" as promised by the government, reflecting their commitment to fighting corruption.

But "you don't have much leeway. It will not fundamentally be a budget of total change", he cautioned, citing "colossal debt" left by the previous administration.

"The first break is already the reduction in the budget" compared with the previous year, Ba said.

The International Monetary Fund suspended a $1.8 billion aid programme after the government said an audit of public finances revealed a wider budget deficit than previously announced.

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko accused the former administration of having manipulated financial figures, particularly with international partners.

The new budget will contain amended figures and will aim to keep Senegal as a credible partner, Ba said.

The new leaders have vowed to clean up public finances and said they will broaden the tax base.

"It's going to be a difficult start" for the Senegalese, said El Hadji Mamadou Mbaye, a political science lecturer and researcher at the University of Saint-Louis.



- Judges -



Lawmakers will have one month to elect judges to the high court, a body likely to play a key role in the coming months.

Sonko has repeatedly suggested that former leaders should be held accountable for the three years of deadly political unrest from 2021 until 2024, and for alleged corruption.

The high court can only try the former president if three-fifths of lawmakers vote in favour of his indictment. The judicial body can also try former ministers.

Pastef MP Ba said that lawmakers would meet the deadline to elect judges, but this would not necessarily mean swift action from the court.



- Amnesty -



Another point of contention is the potential repeal of an amnesty law adopted under former president Macky Sall in March.

The law was intended to ease spiralling tensions in the run-up to the presidential election and led to the release of hundreds of prisoners detained during the unrest.

Faye and Sonko were themselves released just 10 days before the vote.

Many Senegalese people have argued that the law exonerates those responsible for three years of deadly violence.

But revoking it would pose political and legal questions, said political science professor Maurice Soudieck Dione, pointing to a potential return to a "crisis situation".



- Major reforms -



Although more toned down now than when they first took office, Faye and Sonko have made a vast range of policy pledges.

These include a constitutional revision to see a reduction in presidential powers, institutional reforms, changes to labour laws, and an overhaul of the tax system.

"Everything has to be redone", said Ba. "Everything is a priority."

He said that the executive would define the priorities but it was the parliament who would decide the timetable.

Political science lecturer Mbaye said he expected to see "strong actions to show the people that we are making a break with the past".

The government says it has begun a wide-ranging review of agreements signed with foreign partners.

A fishing accord with the European Union, which had been in force since 2019, has just expired without being renewed.

Political science professor Dione said that the renegotiation of contracts was a matter for the executive branch.

But Ba said that the parliament could also "ask to be informed about the conditions under which such and such an agreement was signed".
Rich nations pressed to put money on table at UN climate talks



Baku, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



Pressure mounted on wealthy nations Wednesday to put a figure on the table as time runs out at COP29 to strike a deal on climate assistance for poorer countries.

With two days left to break the impasse at the UN talks in Azerbaijan, rich nations have still not revealed how much they are ready to provide the developing world to fight climate change.

"We need a figure," said Adonia Ayebare, chair of the G77+China group of developing nations.

"Then the rest will follow. But we need a headline," the Ugandan negotiator told reporters.

Developing nations, from islands imperilled by rising seas to drought-afflicted states, contribute the least to global warming but have called for $1.3 trillion annually to prepare for its impacts.

They say rich historic polluters have a duty to help, and are clamouring for an existing commitment of $100 billion a year to be increased many times over at COP29.

Talks have gone around in circles for over a week but a slimmed-down draft is expected to land in the early hours of Thursday, ensuring a sleepless night for negotiators.

"I'm sure we will have some long days and hours ahead of us... This will be a very steep climb," EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told reporters.

Colombian Environment Minister Susana Muhamad said it was difficult to speed things up "when there's nothing to negotiate".

"The concern is that at this moment, nobody is putting a figure on the table," Muhamad said.

Rich countries on the hook for climate finance, including the European Union and United States, say they cannot show their hand until they know what they are agreeing to.

"Otherwise... you will have a shopping basket with a price, but you don't know exactly what is in there," said Hoekstra.

"We don't just want to pluck a number from the sky," echoed Germany's climate envoy Jennifer Morgan.



- China role -



Developing countries, excluding China, will need $1 trillion a year in foreign assistance by 2030 to wean off fossil fuels and adapt to worsening disasters.

This number rises to $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, according to an expert economic assessment commissioned by the United Nations.

But many of the nations obligated to pay face political and fiscal pressures, and insist they cannot cover this cost on their balance sheets alone.

Developing countries want public grants from governments -- not loans or private capital -- to make up the majority of the new finance goal under negotiation.

Three figures -- $440 billion, $600 billion and $900 billion -- had been floated, said Australian climate minister Chris Bowen, one of the envoys leading the finance negotiations.

Delegates from several countries told AFP these numbers were not proposed by developed nations themselves.

"Many parties told us they need to see certain building blocks in place before they can put forward their suggested number," Bowen told COP29 delegates.

Chief among these is a demand for emerging economies such as China and Saudi Arabia, which have grown wealthy yet remain classified as developing nations, to chip into the pot.

"There are countries out in the world that have an income level that is close to or above the poorest European countries, and we think that it's only fair to ask them to contribute," Danish climate minister Lars Aagaard told AFP.



- 'Receding hope' -



Bowen said some countries had drawn a "red line" over the type of money that could be included in any deal, insisting it come "from a wide range of sources and instruments".

Bolivia's chief negotiator, Diego Pacheco, said there was a "steadily receding hope of getting an ambitious" deal and cited $200 billion as one number in circulation.

"Only 200 billion," he told the conference. "This is unfathomable, we cannot accept this."

The lead negotiator of COP29 hosts Azerbaijan, Yalchin Rafiyev, urged countries to "pick up the pace".

"Let us embrace the spirit of collaboration, compromise and determination to ensure that we leave this conference with outcomes that make a real difference," he said.
Under-fire Spain minister defends agencies' role in floods



Madrid, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



Spain's under-fire ecological transition minister, a candidate for a top European Commission post, said Wednesday that questioning the role of state agencies during the country's devastating floods was "dangerous".

The state weather and environment services have faced intense scrutiny over their response to the October 29 disaster that killed 227 people and wreaked widespread destruction.

The European Parliament has blocked Teresa Ribera's appointment to an influential EU commission role encompassing environment and competition, with opponents accusing her of neglecting her duties during the floods.

Regions are in charge of disaster management in Spain's decentralised political system, but the hardest-hit Valencia region's conservative leader Carlos Mazon said he received "insufficient, inaccurate and late" information.

Doubting state agencies was "deeply unfair and deeply dangerous", Ribera told parliament in a veiled retort to the conservative opposition.

"I would like to thank the work and dedication of the public servants who issued the information as was their duty," she added.

Mazon defended his handling of the catastrophe last week, citing an "information blackout" and criticising a government agency responsible for monitoring river levels.

But Ribera said "there was never an information blackout" and enumerated a lengthy list of warnings issued by public bodies to the regional authorities.

Although the national weather agency issued the highest red alert in the morning of October 29, Valencia residents in many cases received telephone warnings only when water was already gushing through towns.

The socialist-led central government has said that Mazon bore responsibility for the late issuing of the emergency alert.

"Having all the necessary information is of little use if the one who must respond does not know how," Ribera said.



- Political polarisation -



The right-wing opposition Popular Party (PP) has accused the government of abandoning the Valencia region before and after the floods for political gain.

The political polarisation has spilled over at EU level after the conservative EPP parliamentary group to which the PP belongs refused to approve Spain's commission nominee until she reported to the Spanish parliament.

"The European Commission does not deserve to come into existence with a candidate under suspicion," PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo wrote on X.

The EPP released a statement Wednesday saying Ribera should resign if the Spanish justice system "accuses her of wrongdoing" but did not rule out backing her.

The Socialists and Democrats group have said the Spanish right is trying to make Ribera the "scapegoat" for its own flood mismanagement in Valencia and pushing the bloc "to the brink".

Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Tuesday that his party always backed PP candidates for the commission and urged "reciprocity" from them.
Ukraine fires UK Storm Shadow missiles into Russia: media



London, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



Ukraine has fired UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles into Russia for the first time, British media reported on Wednesday, after being given the green light from London.

Several missiles were launched against at least one Russian military target, the Financial Times said, citing an unnamed Western official.

The Times said government sources had confirmed the use of the long-range missiles for the first time.

The report, quoting Russian channels, said 12 of the missiles were fired into Kursk, a border region partially held by Ukrainian forces, on Wednesday afternoon.

The Guardian said the UK had given Ukraine permission to use the missiles in Russia in response to the deployment of North Korean troops on the border.

Broadcasters Sky News and the BBC also reported the use of the missiles.

Both Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Downing Street office and the Ministry of Defence refused to confirm the reports when contacted by AFP.

Asked about the reports in parliament on Wednesday, Defence Secretary John Healey said he was "not able to go into any further operational details".

But he said he spoke to his counterpart in Kyiv, Rustem Umerov, on Tuesday, where they discussed UK support for Ukraine.

"We've seen over recent weeks significant change in the action and in the rhetoric on Ukraine, and Ukraine's action on the battlefield speaks for itself," he said.

"We, as a nation and as a government, are doubling down on our support for Ukraine and are determined to do more."

On Tuesday at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Starmer promised that Ukraine would have "what is needed for as long as it's needed" to defeat Russia.

Several Western countries, including the UK, United States and France, have supplied Ukraine with long-range missiles. Washington gave its approval for Kyiv to use them against targets inside Russia last weekend.

Overnight Monday to Tuesday, US-supplied ATACMS were used against a military site in the Russian border region of Brianksk, prompting the Kremlin to accuse US President Joe Biden of seeking to "escalate" the conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has since signed a decree loosening the rules about the use of nuclear weapons.

Storm Shadows are long-range cruise missiles developed jointly by the UK and France, where they are called SCALP. They are launched from fighter jets and have a range of more than 250 kilometres (155 miles).

The UK supplied weapons have previously been used against targets in Russian-annexed Crimea.
Two dead as 'bomb cyclone' storm pounds western US



Los Angeles, United States, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024



A "bomb cyclone" was lashing the western United States on Wednesday, bringing hurricane-force winds that have killed at least two people and left half a million without power.

Gusts of nearly 90 miles (145 kilometers) per hour were racing through the Pacific Northwest, toppling trees and power lines.

Torrential rains dumped up to three inches (eight centimeters) of rain on parts of Oregon, Washington and northern California, the National Weather Service said.

Firefighters in the city of Lynnwood, near Seattle, said a falling tree had killed one woman at a homeless encampment, while another person died when a tree crashed into their house in nearby Bellevue.

"Trees are coming down all over the city & falling onto homes," Bellevue Fire Department wrote on social media. "If you can, go to the lowest floor and stay away from windows. Do not go outside if you can avoid it."

About 500,000 homes were without power in Washington state as of Wednesday morning, according to the Poweroutage.us website.

The storm originally hit Washington, but was now moving into Oregon and California, where forecasters say over a foot of rain could cause flooding at lower elevations and develop into blizzards over the mountains.

"The latest forecast calls for 12-16 inches of rainfall over northern California and far southwest Oregon into Friday," the Weather Prediction Center said in a bulletin.

"In the Cascades and mountains of northern California, a heavy snow threat will unfold as several feet of accumulation are possible.

"Strong winds will combine with snow to produce potential blizzard conditions."

Meteorologists say the center of the cyclone is likely to remain well off the West Coast, limiting its destructive potential.

But the speed with which it formed and gathered power has led it to be classified as a "bomb cyclone."

Scientists say human-caused climate change is amplifying the destructive force of storms around the world.

Warmer oceans give up more water which provides additional energy to storms, increasing the strength of the wind.

The warming atmosphere also means storms can carry more water, resulting in heavier downpours.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) prioritizes enhancing accessibility and mobility within urban environments, Head of the Transport Sector Group at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Jamie Leather said at the COP29 session themed "Greening urban transport" today, Trend reports.

"A systematic strategy is necessary to attain an optimal equilibrium in the urban transport system, which entails categorizing urban journeys into a 70-30 ratio: 70 percent should consist of public and non-motorized transport, while 30 percent should comprise private travels. This will guarantee the environmental sustainability of urban transportation.

The ADB, serving as the climate bank for the Asia-Pacific region, prioritizes accessibility and mobility in urban areas by promoting sustainable transportation through extensive investments in infrastructure and operational enhancements," 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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held 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.

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 Germany's Berlin with its secretariat in Bonn.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) underscores the critical need for integrated climate and biodiversity strategies, said Clarissa Arida, Acting Executive Director of the ACB, as she addressed the COP29 summit in Baku, Trend reports.

This impacts the region's carbon-rich ecosystems and habitats, home to over 25% of the planet's known plant and animal species, and most importantly, the 670 million people that depend on this natural wealth, Arida stated. She highlighted that biodiversity-focused actions often translate directly into climate action, as recognized by leading global bodies such as IPBES and IPCC.

Arida reaffirmed ASEAN's commitment by reiterating the region's joint statements at CBD COP16 and COP29, which call for integrating biodiversity into climate action plans across sectors like agriculture, health, finance, and infrastructure. Healthy ecosystems are solutionsour natural solutionsenhancing resilience against extreme weather events and other serious climate-related challenges, she emphasized.

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, in collaboration with member states and partners, champions initiatives like the ASEAN Heritage Parks and the ASEAN Green Initiative, which demonstrate nature-based solutions in one of the worlds most vulnerable regions.

To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, mobilizing financial resources is imperative, Arida urged, calling for unified efforts to optimize resources effectively for addressing the interconnected crises.

As a technical support center in Asia, the ACB pledged to play a key role in fostering coordinated and cohesive actions. By mainstreaming biodiversity into climate action, we can tackle the interconnected issues our planet faces, she concluded, reaffirming ASEAN's dedication to sustainable development and global cooperation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are steadily enhancing agricultural cooperation, Kazakh Vice Minister of Agriculture Yermek Kenzhekhanuly told Trend.

"As of today, bilateral cooperation in agriculture between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is progressing steadily in line with our agreements. Trade turnover for the first nine months amounts to $27 million. The main products supplied from Kazakhstan include grains and processed grain products, as well as meat and meat products," he said.

The minister pointed out that Kazakhstan imports vegetables and fruits from Azerbaijan.

"Meanwhile, compared to last year, we are seeing an overall decrease in trade turnover, which is linked to global changes affecting major suppliers," he added.

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Acclaimed author Richard Flanagan has refused to accept almost $100,000 for winning a British literature award until the prizes major sponsor releases a plan to divest from fossil fuels.

Flanagan won the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction for his latest book, Question 7, at a ceremony in London on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEDT).

Richard Flanagan calls Question 7 a love note to my parents and my island home. Credit: Adam Gibson

But in a pre-recorded acceptance speech, the Booker Prize-winner said he will delay taking receipt of the money until Baillie Gifford, an investment company, unveiled a plan to reduce its direct investment in fossil fuels and increase its renewable energy investments.

Flanagan, who is currently hiking through Tasmania, thanked the company for helping fund the 50,000 ($97,261) prize and noted it had an already minimal investment in hydrocarbons and saw no future in them.
Disney has commissioned a second season of colonial-era dramedy The Artful Dodger, with eight episodes to be shot in Sydney in 2025.

The series, created by former lawyer James McNamara and inspired by Charles Dickens 1838 novel Oliver Twist, has been a global success for Disney+ and is the platforms first Australian-made drama to gain a second season.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Maia Mitchell in season 1 of The Artful Dodger. Credit: Disney+

Theres been an internet narrative that says it was a limited series, says McNamara. I dont know where that came from, but in my mind it was always written to be a returning story, and that was certainly my hope. And Im just profoundly grateful to Disney that theyve given us that opportunity to play again in this world.

It stars English actors Thomas Brodie-Sangster as pickpocket-surgeon Jack Dawkins (aka The Artful Dodger) and David Thewlis as his mentor-cum-tormentor Fagin. Plus, Australian actress Maia Mitchell plays Belle, a woman determined to pursue a life of science despite the disapproval of her father, the colonial governor. The show was announced in May 2022 as part of Disneys first slate of Australian productions for its streaming service.
Ammonia production is a $US100 billion ($154 billion) global industry, and 70 per cent of that is for agriculture. The synthesis and transport of ammonia accounts for about 2 per cent of global emissions from both energy usage and the chemical process itself. The true impact on greenhouse emissions is many times greater because once the fertiliser is applied to the soil, it releases nitrogen oxides  potent greenhouse gases that also cause smog and acid rain. From left: PlasmaLeap co-founder Samantha Cullen, chief executive Frere Byrne and co-founder P.J. Cullen. Credit: Janie Barrett There have been many attempts to create green ammonia, and one of the most promising is happening in Sydneys inner west at the headquarters of PlasmaLeap. The start-up, which grew out of University of Sydney and University of NSW research, claims it can make fertiliser out of renewable electricity, air and water at significantly lower cost and energy intensity than traditional methods. The technology can also be distributed and deployed on location.

The invention at PlasmaLeap, which enables the production of fertiliser with minimal carbon emissions. Credit: Janie Barrett PlasmaLeap chief executive Frere Byrne says the researchers made a breakthrough discovery about two years ago and have been scaling it to something that could disrupt the entire fossil fuel-driven fertiliser market. It uses plasma, which is a highly excited gas, and occurs naturally in lightning. What were doing is replicating the process when lightning hits soil, which is a plasma-driven process that fixes nitrogen to the soil through electricity, Byrne says. The technology captures very, very tiny lightning strikes  electrical discharges. We capture those discharges inside bubbles, the bubbles that are made of plasma, and then we proliferate them through liquids. In a nutshell, PlasmaLeap uses renewable electricity to make plasma and then employs the plasma to fix nitrogen and oxygen out of the air to make nitrates. In a second conversion, it can use plasma to turn the nitrate into ammonia, by replacing the oxygen with hydrogen.

For every kilogram of nitrogen put on a crop, the Haber-Bosch process generates the equivalent of just under 11 kilograms of carbon dioxide. The PlasmaLeap process, Byrne says, generates closer to 0.1 kilograms of carbon dioxide. Graham Gall of Dawson River Pastoral Co. says the technology could offer greater self-reliance and sustainability for the agricultural industry. In Australia, almost all our nitrogen fertilisers are sourced from overseas, leaving us vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations, Gall says. PlasmaLeaps solution allows us to produce nitrogen on-farm using green energy sources, which is a game-changer. Building homes with hemp Expect to hear a lot more about hemp as a building material since actor Zac Efron recently revealed he is using it to construct an eco-home in northern NSW near Tweed Heads.

Hempcrete  concrete made from hemp fibres  is not new. Archaeologists have confirmed it was used in a bridge in sixth century France, back when it was still Gaul. The Romans used hemp in the mortar for Hadrians Wall. Its in buildings in South-East Asia that have stood for 1000 years. And it has been used in modern times for several decades, with a builder mixing a pallet of hemp and a pallet of binder on site and casting it in a frame. Actor Zac Efron, pictured here on the red carpet in 2022, is building a home in northern NSW out of hempcrete. Credit: NNA / Kate Rafferty X-Hemp founder and managing director Andi Lucas says the innovation is making prefabricated building materials from hemp. Commercial customers are coming to us, and they want us to be giving them [a] finished product, Lucas says. They want to have hemp blocks arriving on site. They want hemp timber substitutes arriving on site. They want hemp wall insulation arriving on site. The company is based in Tasmania, close to a supply of hemp from both agricultural waste and purpose-grown crops. Lucas is raising capital to expand nationally.

Lucas lost her home to a bushfire in Tasmania in 2013 and an apartment in Colorado to a flood later the same year. She was drawn to hempcrete because of its fire-retardant properties, became interested in its ability to sequester carbon, and started a business. X-Hemp founder and managing director Andi Lucas became interested in hemp after losing two homes, one to a bushfire and one to a flood. Credit: Lucas says a hectare of hemp should sequester about 15 tonnes of carbon through its growth cycle of about 120 days, and there are peer-reviewed studies that suggest a hempcrete building will continue sucking in carbon dioxide for several years after construction. An average-sized hempcrete house will lock up 5.5 tonnes of carbon over the course of the buildings lifespan, she says, making it not just carbon-neutral but even carbon-negative if the hemp is locally grown. So far, X-Hemp has supplied materials for 35 homes, plus a $131 million project with the University of Tasmania.

Hempcrete also has insulating properties to keep a house passively warm and cool, and anti-mould properties. Asked for the downside, Lucas admits its not the cheapest material, but she adds that you dont have to be Zac Efron. Hempcrete was used in the construction of a project for the University of Tasmania. Credit: We have solidly middle-class folks who are building houses that theyre planning to live in and thats our client base, Lucas says. Brewing palm oil from yeast When Thomas Collier was 21, his then-girlfriend and now-wife went to Borneo to work on a documentary about how the palm oil industry was fuelling deforestation and threatening orangutans and other wildlife.

When she came back, she told me about all the things she saw first-hand, which were quite upsetting, Collier says. I couldnt do too much about it at the time, but it stuck with me. Collier completed a PhD at Macquarie University that focused on how to sustainably produce palm oil, a common ingredient used in food and in 70 per cent of cosmetic products, including soaps. He also visited Borneo himself. Synthetic biologist Tom Collier has invented a palm oil substitute using yeast. Credit: Janie Barrett Rather than trying to improve plantations, Collier wanted to find a replacement that didnt cause deforestation in the first place. After years of research, he has cracked the goal of producing palm oil that is indistinguishable from that found in nature  only it doesnt come from a palm tree, it is made by genetically modified yeast.

Collier has founded a company, Levur, and won backing from Main Sequence Ventures to focus on palm oil for the cosmetics industry. Using a technique similar to brewing beer, Collier is feeding the yeast with sugar, though he hopes to move to compost to make it part of the circular economy. The yeast organisms are physically separated and removed, leaving behind an isolated oil. Levur will focus initially on palm oil used in cosmetics. The picture shows the yeast growing, the oil, and moisturiser containing the oil. Credit: Janie Barrett He would love for his technology to be used in the communities that produce palm oil to ensure a livelihood for people just trying to put food on the table. Splitting solar between apartments

More than 4 million Australian households have rooftop solar, but most of the 2 million people living in apartments are missing out or only have it to power lights in common areas. Melbourne-based Allume is trying to change that, with smart hardware called SolShare. Mirvacs Tullamore apartments in Doncaster, Melbourne with solar panels and Allumes SolShare. Credit: The company recently received a federal government grant of $3.77 million to help develop the technology, which has been installed in 4000 apartments in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Britain so far. Founder and chief executive Cameron Knox says SolShare can split solar between five and 60 dwellings, but the average size was about 12 purely because of the prevalence of older blocks of flats.

As the electricity is piped down from the solar system, it enters the SolShare box, an inverter power-sharing device that physically splits the energy and divides it between various dwellings. An algorithm dynamically decides where and when to send the energy, ensuring every apartment receives a fair share over a month. Loading If were neighbours in an apartment building, and I switch on my kettle whilst you go out to walk the dog, SolShare will send me proportionally more of my solar allocation at that point in time than it will yourself, Knox says. Then you might get home and switch your microwave on. At that point in time, youll be prioritised above me to catch back up. Knox says the NSW government will follow Victorias lead and introduce an incentive for solar on apartment buildings next year.
Last years ARIA Awards failed to chart as a fashion hit, so its difficult to understand why this years red carpet looked like an encore that no one requested.

In an era when fans light up social media with their concert outfits for Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and even Coldplay, most musicians lack the same enthusiasm for playing dress-ups.

Apart from some exceptions, it could have been a school formal, with male artists mostly keeping it basic and boxy in black or brown, while female performers leant in to satin, tulle and crafty forms of self-expression.

When two of the best outfits for an edgy music event come from conservative stalwarts Ralph Lauren and Carla Zampatti, its time for musicians to take a second look in the mirror before getting into an UberXL and heading to Sydneys Hordern Pavilion.
Brisbanes second-largest state high school is bursting at the seams  but it also has one of the lowest rates of student suspensions in the city.

Exclusive analysis can reveal Brisbane State High School issued only 146 student disciplinary absences (SDAs) last year, despite taking hundreds of students above its enrolment capacity.

There were 136 short suspensions (one to 10 days), two long suspensions (11 to 20 days), two exclusions and six cancellations, which only occur when a child is either 16 or has finished year 10 and refuses to participate in school.

Brisbane State High School is one of the citys largest schools, but it also has one of the lowest suspension and exclusion rates. Credit: Dan Peled

Those numbers equate to just over four disciplinary absences for every 100 students enrolled.
The family of a young Melbourne woman on life support in Thailand after a suspected mass methanol poisoning is urging authorities to get to the bottom of what happened to their daughter.



Best friends Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both aged 19, were holidaying in Vang Vieng, Laos, during a backpacking trip through South-East Asia when they failed to check out of their hostel on November 13. Staff later found them seriously ill in their room.

Holly Bowles (left) and Bianca Jones are fighting for their lives in Thai hospitals.

We hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible, the Jones family said in a statement on Wednesday.

Bowles father, Shaun Bowles, spoke outside the hospital in Bangkok on Wednesday afternoon.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 20. Kazakhstan's first embassy in Europe was opened exactly 30 years ago in Budapest, said President Tokayev during a meeting with the President of Hungary, Trend reports.

The meeting took place in the format of a working lunch between Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Hungarys President Karoly Schmitt, where the sides discussed a wide range of issues concerning Kazakh-Hungarian strategic partnership.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that over the three decades of diplomatic relations between the two brotherly nations, a trusting political dialogue has been established.

"Relying on our shared history and culture, Kazakhstan and Hungary have built strong bilateral relations. I would like to particularly highlight that Hungary was one of the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan's independence. My official visit to Budapest clearly demonstrates our mutual desire to further deepen multifaceted cooperation," said the President of Kazakhstan.

It was noted that Kazakhstan and Hungary share mutual interests in developing such sectors as energy, transportation, logistics, metallurgy, renewable energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, the food industry, and more.

Tamas Schmitt pointed out that despite the geographical distance, the peoples of the two countries share common historical roots and aspirations.

Kazakhstan is located at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road. Your country is a leader in economic development in Central Asia. Maintaining friendly relations between our peoples is an important priority for Kazakhstan, noted the President of Hungary.

In the framework of the business meeting, President Tokayev arrived in Hungary yesterday evening. At Budapest Airport, the President of Kazakhstan was welcomed by Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Modern apartments are being built with cramped, impractical kitchens that are forcing residents to store food in bedrooms, cook less and buy groceries more frequently through the week.

The findings from new research that assessed the kitchens of 115 two-bedroom apartments for sale in Richmond, Box Hill and Footscray, in buildings of between five and 17 storeys, has prompted calls for stricter standards to ensure the state governments high-rise ambitions deliver quality, liveable housing.

Kathleen Locke took 18 months to find a suitable apartment because of poor kitchen designs. Credit: Wayne Taylor

Only 18 of the homes assessed in the Deakin University survey  less than one-sixth  were found to be appropriately designed for storing and preparing meals.

Associate Professor Fiona Andrews, a co-director of Deakins housing research centre, said that if Melbourne was to densify, getting kitchens right was crucial for making apartments a more appealing, long-term option.
Target the bottom line

Many practical difficulties make it difficult to force social media companies to stop delivering rip-off content to their users (Editorial, 20/11). Most of the companies are based in America or other overseas countries. As for the scammers, they can easily cover their tracks, hiding their identity and base location in the brave new virtual world.

Certainly Meta, Google, X, TikTok and the rest should shut the doors to scammers. But whatever the governments scams prevention bill includes, it may be hard to enforce.

The solution has to be to encourage these social media companies to want to comply with Australian law. The best way would be to hit what they care about, namely their revenue and profits.

Hit those who facilitate scams where it hurts  their financial bottom lines.

John Hughes, Mentone

Litany of errors

VCAA appears intent on making students suffer more for its inexcusable errors. It was cruel and ill-timed to announce the hidden exam question debacle while some students were still studying. VCAA then issued the confounding advice to students via their schools this week that it may use an anomalous grade method to review exam responses and it now may delay the issue of results.

Rather than grasping at fixes, VCAA needs to focus on the knowns and unknowns. It is not possible to identify or quantify the number of students advantaged by release of the hidden exam questions. It is not possible to differentiate between a student who has studied hard for these life-changing exams and may not have applied themselves with so much vigour earlier in the year (aka my comeback kid), and a student who may have prepared a response to one of these questions without the knowledge that it would be on the final exam.

VCAA needs to acknowledge that there is no reliable fix and that it is likely to disadvantage a greater number of students by interfering further. The exam responses should be accepted as presented, and VCAA should issue results on time so the university preference review period remains unchanged and allow these exhausted and disillusioned young adults to finally celebrate their achievements and enjoy their holidays.

Louise Lowe, Burwood East

Facing up to reality

Consumer advocate advocate Choice has promoted a petition calling for strong laws to keep facial recognition technology out of retailers databases. Choice is calling on the government to pass a new law that would effectively ban the use of facial recognition technology by Australian retailers.

I will not be signing the petition.

Theft and malicious damage in stores are indirectly costing consumers big bucks. Ultimately, consumers pay the price for the misdemeanors of others. Providing major operators clearly inform patrons that their identity is being captured on film, stored for a given period, used for no other purpose and then deleted, I fully support their actions.

If prospective customers are then unhappy with the capture of their image, they have the option to go elsewhere. No doubt Bunnings and other retailers take this into account and are comfortable with the outcome.

It is time that we woke up to the fact there must be deterrents to safeguard the broader interests of the public.

On balance, facial recognition technology is a realistic method of deterring criminal elements. Others may have altruistic standards for privacy, but containing the cost impost of theft no doubt has the support of the overwhelming majority.

Mike Reece,

Doncaster

Not a pretty picture

Angus Delaneys Comment (20/11) on his negative experience of attending a concert where attendees preferred filming to experiencing brings to mind sad experiences when travelling, where there appears to be a similar preference for taking photos or videos as a substitute for drinking in the splendour or the excitement, then storing it in ones memory for the future.

In particular, I recall several visits to see Da Vincis The Last Supper in Milan.

Visits are restricted to 15 minutes, and groups of visitors are limited to maybe 20. Each time I have visited, as soon as the doors opened, everyone rushed towards the fresco, cameras aloft, and the whole 15 minutes was spent taking videos, selfies, whatever.

No one just sits and takes it in: a ruined but beautiful painting, made by one of civilisations great geniuses and with such a poignant history, including its miraculous rescue from Allied bombing during World War II.

And as for people, young and old, who prefer to look at their feeds instead of at the sky, or the trees, or the faces of their children or their pets...

Angus, I despair.

Jane Stephens, Carlton

Onus on VCAA

It is outrageous that students might have their marks docked either directly or through the use of derived scores merely because their marks are better than predicted (Pupils could lose marks after exam row, 19/11).

As a teacher, we work hard with our students to help them improve over the year. Using SAC grades and GAT results is not fair in these circumstances and assumes that students are not capable of learning growth. At the very least students should be notified and given a right of appeal if their marks are changed. After all, it is VCAAs fault that the exams were potentially compromised and it should be VCAA, not our diligent students, who have the onus of proving that a student actually did gain an advantage from seeing any questions in advance.

Stephen Anderson, Camberwell
A massive solar farm that can power 51,000 homes is the second investment of Victorias revived State Electricity Commission, Premier Jacinta Allan has announced.

Speaking from Horsham in the states west on Wednesday morning, Allan said it was a big moment because the solar farm would be the first 100 per cent government-owned energy generation project since the commission was privatised in the 1990s.

Sweden-headquartered renewables developer OX2 will manage the projects construction of a 119-megawatt solar farm and 100-megawatt two-hour battery on behalf of the SEC.

The government is investing $370 million into Horshams SEC Renewable Energy Park.
Bidders on the first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop are being asked by the Allan government to keep their spending for the $35 billion project within tight limits until at least 2028 to ease the impact on the states finances.

The move to limit early spending would also allow a significant share of the early works to be covered by the Commonwealths promised $2.2 billion contribution.

A Suburban Rail Lop construction site in Clayton. Credit: Joe Armao

Two tunnelling contracts for the underground railway between Cheltenham and Box Hill have now been signed, with Premier Jacinta Allan essentially locking in the project to be built over the next decade.

However, questions remain over two-thirds of the projects costs and whether they will be covered by the federal government and additional taxes from station precincts.
The Biden administration has been increasingly aggressive in pursuing antitrust cases against big technology companies, including one that threatens to force Google to offload its dominant Chrome browser. The looming change in administrations offers little prospect of relief.

This week, the US Department of Justice and the state attorneys-general who launched an antitrust case against Alphabets Google last year  and won it earlier this year  have said they are considering asking the judge, Amit Mehta, to order Google to sell its Chrome web browser.

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with the House GOP conference. Credit: AP

Chrome, with a US market share of about 61 per cent and a global share of almost 65 per cent, is the worlds leading web browser. It plays a key role in the larger Alphabet business, enabling the targeting of the advertisements that generate the bulk of its revenue. It has also become a gateway to Googles Gemini AI assistant.

In August, Judge Mehta ruled that Google had illegally monopolised the search market, with $US26 billion ($40 billion) of payments made to other companies to make its search engine their default option, blocking competition from search rivals like Bing and DuckDuckGo. As a result, he said, Google had been able to raise its prices for advertising without any constraints.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The Heads of 10 multilateral development banks (MDBs) welcomed the G20 Leaders endorsement of the G20 Roadmap towards Better, Bigger, and More Effective MDBs, Trend reports.

This comprehensive vision aims to enhance MDB financing capacity, create more jobs, and support countries in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement.

The Roadmap, a priority of Brazils G20 presidency, builds on recommendations from last years G20 Summit and encourages MDBs to collaborate more effectively with governments, national development banks, and the private sector.

This year, MDBs reached several key milestones, including a $400 billion increase in lending headroom over the next decade, record-high climate finance lending of $75 billion to low- and middle-income countries in 2023, and nearly doubled private finance mobilization to $101 billion. Additionally, MDBs launched a co-financing portal for over $95 billion in projects and advanced efforts to scale up private sector mobilization through local currency financing.

MDBs are also working to streamline procurement practices, enhance climate financing, and improve data transparency, with further reforms planned for the coming years. The Heads of MDBs Group will continue to work closely with the G20, particularly under the South African presidency, to track progress and implement the reform agenda.

The chair of the Heads of MDBs Group will pass from the Inter-American Development Bank to the Council of Europe Development Bank on December 2, 2024.
Photo: Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. During COP29, Economy Minister Mikayl Cabbarov and SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf met with Ken West, President and CEO of Honeywell Energy and Sustainability Solutions, Trend reports.

The Ministry reported that the meeting covered Azerbaijans green energy policy and the countrys ongoing efforts to develop renewable energy sources. Key priorities were also highlighted, including industry digitalization, sustainability, energy transition, and human capital development.

The discussion focused on transitioning to sustainable practices within the business sector, utilizing renewable energy resources, and implementing innovative mechanisms in the economy. The importance of Honeywells expertise in modern technologies for driving energy transition initiatives was noted.

Furthermore, the participants exchanged views on the potential of Honeywells innovative solutions to expand the use of sustainable energy resources in Azerbaijan and to enhance efficiency across various sectors of the economy.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 21. Kazakhstan is committed to boosting trade with Hungary to $1 billion, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, Trend reports.

"The world is currently facing economic and energy crises. Despite these challenges, trade between our countries continues to grow steadily. Last year, it increased by 9% compared to the previous year. Our goal is to raise this figure to $1 billion," Tokayev said.

He noted that Kazakhstan is ready to supply Hungary with 95 types of goods valued at a total of $700 million. "We have the capacity to export products in energy, metallurgy, petrochemicals, engineering, agriculture, and construction," he added.

The president also highlighted the importance of fostering effective political dialogue and advancing joint economic projects.

"Its crucial to give a strong push to multilateral cooperation. Today, we adopted a Joint Statement. Strengthening ties across various sectors between Kazakhstan and Hungary is in the best interests of both nations," he concluded.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 21. Kazakhstan and Hungary have explored opportunities to enhance one of the most strategic trade corridors - the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, Trend reports.

"New opportunities are opening up for the development of infrastructure, logistics, and international trade. Kazakhstan handles 85% of overland transit shipments between Asia and Europe, and in the near future, shipments along this route are expected to reach 10 million tons," Tokayev stated.

He also revealed that during his visit to Hungary, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between KTZ Express (Kazakhstan), L.A.C. Holding (Hungary), and Xi'an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation (China).

"This agreement will strengthen trade and transport connections between our countries and represents another step forward in deepening economic ties across the region," the president added.

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the so-called Middle Corridor, is a trade and transportation route linking Asia and Europe, passing through a number of regional countries as an alternative to the traditional Northern and Southern Corridors.

Beginning in China, the route crosses Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, then traverses the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe. Offering a direct land route, the Middle Corridor connects East Asia, including China, to Europe, providing a faster alternative to longer maritime paths.
45.53 pc voter turnout till 3 pm in Maharashtra assembly polls





Mumbai, Nov 20 (PTI)

Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 45.53 per cent till 3 pm on Wednesday in the elections to the 288-member state legislative assembly, election officials said.

In the bypoll to the Nanded Lok Sabha constituency held simultaneously, the voter turnout till 3 pm was 41.58 per cent, they said. Polling began at 7 am in the state, where the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is vying to retain power and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) combine is hoping for a strong comeback. Voting will continue till 6 pm.

There are a total of 1,00,186 polling booths in Maharashtra this time, compared to 96,654 booths in the 2019 assembly elections, the officials said. Gadchiroli tops the list of districts with 62.99 per cent turnout.

Aheri assembly seat in the district saw 66.27per cent voting, while Gadchiroli constituency recorded 62.43 per cent voting. Armori saw 60.50 per cent polling. Mumbai city district and Mumbai suburban district recorded 40.89 per cent and 39.34 per cent voting respectively. The Colaba assembly segment in the megapolis registered 33.44 per cent polling, Mahim 45.56 per cent and Worli 39.11 per cent. Shivadi recorded 41.76 percent and Malabar Hill 42.55 per cent. In Mumbai suburban, Bhandup polled 48.82 per cent votes, Dahisar 41.91 percent and Bandra East 39.49 per cent, they said. In Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency in Thane, the voter turnout was 44.60 per cent, while the overall percentage of Thane district was 38.94 per cent.

The Nagpur South-West constituency, from where Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is in the fray, the voter turnout was 41.76 per cent till 3 pm, the officials said. Nagpur district recorded 44.45 per cent turnout.

In Baramati constituency in Pune district, from where Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar is fighting against his nephew Yugendra Pawar, the poll percentage was 43.57 per cent, they officials said, adding that Pune district recorded 41.70 per cent voter turnout.

Nashik district recorded 46.18 per cent turnout till 3 pm. Over 9.7 crore voters will be choosing from among the 4,136 candidates in the fray, officials said. In the Mahayuti alliance, the BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena is in the fray in 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. In the opposition's MVA combine, the Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) has put up 86 candidates. Smaller parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), are also contesting, with BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM 17 in the 288-member Lower House. Bypoll to the Nanded Lok Sabha seat was necessitated following the demise of Congress MP Vasantrao Chavan soon after the elections earlier this year.
High octane Mah Assembly polls today





MUMBAI :

THE Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held on Wednesday, with the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance vying to retain power and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) combine hoping for a strong comeback. Polling will begin in all the 288 Assembly seats at 7 am and end at 6 pm, an election official said. The votes will be counted on November 23. The election campaign saw prominent leaders like Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and many Union Ministers crisscrossing the State to garner votes for their candidates. The MahaYuti, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and the Nationalist Congress Party led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, is banking on its popular schemes like Majhi Ladki Bahin for women helping it retain power. The BJPs use of slogans like Batenge toh katenge and Ek hai toh safe hai prompted the Opposition parties to accuse the Mahayuti of polarising voters along religious lines. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), slammed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths use of Batenge toh katenge and PM Modis Ek hai toh safe hai slogans. Not all the BJP allies supported these slogans. Ajit Pawar, distanced himself from them. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attempted to clarify the meaning of the slogans, leading to confusion within the ruling alliance.

The MVA alliance countered the ruling combines rhetoric by focusing on issues like caste-based census, social justice, and protecting the Constitution. The Opposition aimed to appeal to voters who felt neglected by the Government. Ahead of the elections, the BJPonMondaylaunchedanew ad campaign attacking the Opposition MVA and urging people toSayNo toCongress. The ad campaign highlighted various incidents from the past, including the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and incidents like the lynching of sadhus at Palghar. The BJP is contesting the November 20 electionsin149seats,ShivSena is in the fray in 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. TheCongresshas fielded101 candidates,ShivSena (UBT)95, andNCP (SP)hasputup86candidates. Smaller parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party and the All India Majlise-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), are also contesting, with BSP fielding 237 candidates andAIMIM17in the288-member Lower House.

The number of candidates has increased by 28 per cent this timecompared to the 2019 State Assembly elections. This year, 4,136 candidates are contesting, up from 3,239 in 2019. Among these candidates, 2,086 areindependents. Rebels are in the fray in over 150 constituencies, with candidates from theMahayuti and MVA contesting against their partys official nominees. AsonOctober 30, theupdated number of registered voters stands at 9,70,25,119, officials said. Among these, there are 5,00,22,739 male voters, 4,69,96,279 female voters, and 6,101 transgender voters.
Mahayuti Stage set for electoral battle in Nagpur district

By Kartik Lokhande :

THE stage is all set for polling on Wednesday for 12 seats of the State Legislative Assembly elections in Nagpur district. This time, the electoral battle is mainly between two alliances comprising three major partners each. Mahayuti comprising Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-Ajit Pawar; and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction). While the Mahayuti is hoping to surpass the 2014 performance when it had won 11 out of total 12 Assembly seats in the district, MVA has campaigned to at least repeat the 2019 performance when Congress and NCP together had won five seats in the district. However, much has changed in Maharashtra since 2019 in the form of split in NCP and Shiv Sena.

As a result, this time, there are six parties in the fray testing their strength. Of these six, the battle is mainly between two major parties namely the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. Of the total 12 Assembly constituencies in Nagpur district, six are in Nagpur city and six are in rural. Both, Mahayuti and MVA, have campaigned hard post-Diwali and are hoping to win as many seats as possible. Barring Katol, where NCP (SP) is a major contestant against BJP, and Ramtek where Congress rebel is a major contestant against Shiv Sena (Shinde) candidate, in the remaining 10 constituencies there is a straight fight between BJP and Congress. After the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, which saw BJP retaining Nagpur seat but the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance losing Ramtek seat, Congress-led MVA was buoyed with the hopes of repeating good performance in Assembly elections too. But, MVA seat-sharing had a bearing on the fielding of candidates. Besides, as was seen during the campaign, much of the MVA narrative centred around the pitch made during the Lok Sabha elections.

On the other hand, Mahayuti reshaped its pitch by making corrections wherever necessary and launched various schemes including Ladki Bahin Yojana, Bhavantar Yojana for agricultural produce, Mukhyamantri Karya Prashikshan Yojana etc. Also, the Mahayuti took steps to counter the Congress attack regarding the Constitution. So, apart from the regular political planks to woo various communities, the outcome of the pitched electoral battles in the district is expected to rest on the response of the segments of voters to various schemes and narratives. In 2014, BJP had won 11 out of total 12 Assembly seats in Nagpur district, including all six in Nagpur city, and five in Nagpur rural.

The lone seat Congress had won was Saoner, where Sunil Kedar dominated the scene. However, the situation changed in 2019. BJP managed to win only six seats in the district including four in Nagpur city -- Nagpur South-West won by Devendra Fadnavis, Nagpur South won by Mohan Mate, Nagpur East won by Krishna Khopde, and Nagpur Central won by Vikas Kumbhare. BJP won two seats in Nagpur rural namely Hingna bagged by Sameer Meghe, and Kamptee bagged by Tekchand Savarkar. Interestingly, in Kamptee, BJP had fielded Savarkar in place of Chandrashekhar Bawankule. Gradually, Bawankule made a stellar comeback in the party organisation and is now its State President as well as candidate from his home-turf of Kamptee. In 2019, Congress had improved its tally to four by winning Nagpur West (Vikas Thakre) and Nagpur North (Dr Nitin Raut) in city, and Saoner (Sunil Kedar) and Umred (Raju Parwe) in rural. NCP had won one seat of Katol (Anil Deshmukh). Shiv Sena rebel Adv Ashish Jaiswal (who later joined Shinde faction of the party) won back Ramtek seat. Here is a brief overview of 12 Assembly constituencies in the district at the end of the high-octane campaign from both the sides:





This has been the constituency dominated by BJP candidate Devendra Fadnavis, who is presently Deputy Chief Minister. BJP party organisation is very strong in this constituency, and a large part of the electorate takes pride in the fact that their MLA was earlier the Chief Minister and now the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Hence, this constituency is among the most watched in Maharashtra. This time, again, Congress has fielded its senior leader Praful Gudadhe. The former Congress corporator had contested unsuccessfully against Fadnavis. In 2014, Fadnavis had polled 1,13,918 votes and Gudadhe had polled 54,976 votes. Fadnavis victory margin was 58,942 votes. In 2019, Congress replaced Gudadhe with Dr Ashish Deshmukh as a candidate from this constituency. Back then, Fadnavis had polled 1,09,237 votes and Dr Deshmukh had polled 59,893 votes. Fadnavis defeated Dr Deshmukh by a margin of 49,344 votes. This time, Congress has fielded Gudadhe again. BJP is banking upon the leader appeal of Devendra Fadnavis, and also upon the developmental works he has ushered in in his constituency. Besides, he is credited with launching various welfare schemes. The constituency has seen registration of over 30,000 new voters, of which BJP and Congress both hope to win some votes. Many observers feel that Fadnavis may sail smoothly because of his pan-community appeal, stature as a tall leader of Maharashtra, and a man of action when it comes to development.

Congress had wrested this seat from BJP in 2019. In 2014, BJPs Sudhakar Deshmukh defeated Vikas Thakre of Congress. In 2019, Thakre avenged his defeat by wresting this seat from Deshmukh. This time, Thakre is fighting to retain the seat while BJP has fielded Sudhakar Kohale, former MLA and District President of the party. The fight is perceived to be triangular instead of straight. But, many believe that the third contestant -- Narendra Jichkar, a Congress rebel -- may not be strong enough to win. Political observers believe that Jichkars candidature as an Independent, may, at best, dent the prospects of Vikas Thakres victory. While the plank of Thakres campaign is that the BJP has given a candidate residing in another constituency, Kohales campaign has focused on connecting with the party organisation as well as BJPs traditional voters. While Jichkar and Thakre both bank upon traditional Congress voters, BJP has put in its organisational weight behind Kohale. Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister, had held a meeting of BJP workers after which they have been reaching out to voters, brightening Kohales position in the contest. Both the main candidates -- Thakre and Kohale -- are locked in a tough contest, and political observers are keenly watching the performance of the third candidate -- Jichkar.

For past few terms, this constituency has patronised BJP. Vikas Kumbhare of BJP has represented this constituency successively. This time, BJP has replaced veteran Kumbhare with a younger Pravin Datke, former Mayor. He is locked in a contest with young Congress gun Bunty Shelke, who had contested unsuccessfully in 2019 against Kumbhare. The constituency is mainly dominated by the Halba community, whose votes are decisive. Kumbhare belongs to this community. Against this backdrop, many viewed BJPs decision to give a non-Halba candidate as a risky one. However, BJP is banking upon the opportunities it gave previously to the community. It had given Vikas Kumbhare consecutive opportunities as MLA, made Deepraj Pardikar as Deputy Mayor, made Pravin Bhisikar as Chairman of Standing Committee, and Rajendra Sonkusare as Chairman of a committee of Nagpur Municipal Corporation. Now, it is seeking Halba communitys cooperation in getting party candidate Pravin Datke elected as MLA from this constituency. Bunty Shelke, who is popular as a Youth Congress leader, had secured good number of votes against Kumbhare in 2019. However, later, many viewed his agitations as antics. Though Congress party has thrown its weight behind Shelke, Punekar contesting as an Independent may dent his prospects.

A tough contest is on cards in this constituency. BJP candidate Mohan Mate hopes to retain the seat while Congress has fielded Girish Pandav with a hope to wrest this seat from BJP. BJP has won this seat in the past two Assembly elections. In 2014, Sudhakar Kohale had won the seat for BJP. In 2019, BJP changed its candidate and Mohan Mate retained the seat for the party. Girish Pandav, who was fielded by Congress in 2019, had given a good fight back then. Hence, many view the Mate vs Pandav electoral battle as a keen contest this time too. Over the past five years, many changes have taken place. However, the people in the electorate are keeping in mind the help given by different political parties and their leaders during the tough times of COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, political observers believe that the women voters sympathy will play a major role in deciding victory in the constituency this time. Though many feel that Mohan Mate may retain the seat for the BJP, many view the contest as a tough one to predict.





This constituency has become predictable of sorts in the past few Assembly elections. Since the BJPs Krishna Khopde defeated Congress stalwart Dr Satish Chaturvedi, this constituency has remained a fortress of Khopde. However, Khopde is predicted to sail smoothly. Pethe, in the previous contest from this constituency on the ticket of NCP (undivided then) in 2014, had polled only 8,061 votes. Congress had fielded Adv Abhijeet Wanjari then, and he had polled 50,522 votes. Shiv Sena candidate had polled 7,481 votes. All their votes put together were still at least 33,000 votes lesser than the total votes polled by Khopde alone. In 2019, Congress fielded Purushottam Hazare who had polled 79,975 votes and had lost to Khopde who had polled 1,03,992 votes. However, Pethe is facing a challenge from within MVA as Purushottam Hazare is contesting as an Independent. Also, NCP rebel Abha Pande is in fray as Independent, which may cost Pethe dearly.

Congress has fielded its veteran leader Dr Nitin Raut again from this constituency. He is locked in an electoral contest with Dr Milind Mane of BJP. Some predict Dr Raut to sail smoothly, and some predict the return of Dr Mane. In 2014, Dr Mane had defeated Dr Raut by a margin of over 18,000 votes. That time, Kishore Gajbhiye of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had polled a whopping 55,187 votes and had finished second in the contest. Dr Raut was relegated to third position, in fact. However, in 2019, Dr Raut made a strong comeback from this constituency. He defeated Dr Mane by a margin of over 20,000 votes. Kishore Gajbhiye was not in the fray then from this constituency, and BSP candidate Suresh Sakhare polled 23,333 votes. This time, once again, Dr Raut and Dr Mane are locked in a contest. BSP has fielded Manoj Sangole, who also is popular in the constituency. As far as the campaign is concerned, all three have engaged in visibility exercise. Political observers predict that if Sangole could garner as many votes as secured by Gajbhiye in 2014, the outcome may favour Dr Mane of BJP.

The chances of BJP candidate Sameer Meghe retaining the seat are looking bright, given the past results. In 2014, Meghe had defeated NCP veteran Rameshchandra Bang by a margin of over 23,000 votes. That time, Congress had contested independently. Congress candidate Kunda Raut, however, polled 20,573 votes. But, even if the votes polled by Bang and Raut then are put together, Meghe still had over 2,500 votes more. In 2019, NCP replaced Bang with former BJP MLA Vijay Ghodmare. Still, Meghe retained the seat with a margin of more than 46,000 votes. This time, NCP (SP) has reposed faith in veteran Bang. However, Meghes youth appeal and a long list of works done are on his side.





This constituency made headlines due to the alleged attack on former Home Minister and NCP (SP) veteran Anil Deshmukh on the day when the election campaign closed. While the BJP-Mahayuti viewed it as a desperate attempt to gain sympathy ahead of polls, NCP(SP) and MVA constituents alleged that it was the work of the opponents. Congress Yajnavalkya Shrikant Jichkar has resorted to rebellion and is contesting as an Independent. Anil Deshmukhs name was announced as NCP (SP) candidate, but later the party gave ticket to his son Salil, who has been a Zilla Parishad member. As far as past elections are concerned, Anil Deshmukh has turned the seat into his home-turf. However, in 2014, his nephew, BJP candidate Dr Ashish Deshmukh defeated Deshmukh by a margin of around 5,000 votes.





This constituency has been a stronghold of senior Congress leader Sunil Kedar, who has been dominating the political scenario in the entire Nagpur rural as was seen during the Lok Sabha elections when he ensured victory of his supporter and a novice Shyamkumar Barve. In 2019, Kedar reconsolidated his position by defeating his rival BJP candidate Dr Rajiv Potdar by a margin of over 26,000 votes. However, Kedar has been facing a tough time owing to his conviction in the NDCCB scam case and subsequent disqualification. He has now fielded his wife Anuja Kedar from his home-turf of Saoner. Anuja Kedar is facing a challenge from BJP candidate Dr Ashish Deshmukh, who has returned to BJP fold after quitting Congress which he had joined after leaving BJP. It is a straight fight. BJP-Mahayuti is trying to avenge the Lok Sabha defeat, and Sunil Kedar has made this contest a prestige issue.





Contest in this constituency reserved for Scheduled Caste is unpredictable this time. The constituency where Hindu Dalit votes are more decisive than others is witnessing a fight with an interesting 3rd dimension. Former MLA and BJP candidate Sudhir Parwe is locked in an electoral battle with Congress candidate Sanjay Meshram. But, the interesting third dimension is said to be Pramod Gharde, an Independent candidate. Sudhir Parwe was BJP MLA from Umred in 2014. Things changed in 2019 as Raju Parwe contested on Congress ticket and defeated BJPs Sudhir Parwe by a margin of over 18,000 votes. BSPs Sandeep Meshram had polled 18,567 votes then. Earlier this year, ahead of Lok Sabha elections. Raju Parwe quit Congress and joined Shiv Sena (Shinde) and fought from Ramtek. Later on, he expected Shiv Sena (Shinde) to field him from Umred in Assembly elections. But, BJP managed to pacify Raju Parwe, who quit SS (Shinde) and joined BJP, clearing the path for BJPs Sudhir Parwe.





This constituency is considered a BJP stronghold in general and a home-turf of Chandrashekhar Bawankule, State President of BJP and former minister. Political observers predict a smooth sailing for Bawankule, who is locked in a contest against Congress candidate Suresh Bhoyar once again. In 2014, in the contest between BJPs Bawankule and Congress Rajendra Mulak, Bawankule had won with a margin of over 40,000 votes. In 2019, however, BJP replaced Bawankule with comparatively lesser-known Tekchand Savarkar. Congress had fielded Suresh Bhoyar. In the fight between both the faces well known in Zilla Parishad circles  Savarkar and Bhoyar  Savarkar emerged victorious on the strength of BJPs organisational depth and spread. Savarkar defeated Bhoyar by a margin of over 11,000 votes. This decline in BJPs winning margin was attributed to denial of ticket to Bawankule.

This is among the most keenly-watched contests this time. Adv Ashish Jaiswal of Shiv Sena (Shinde) is trying to retain this seat. His rival and official candidate of Shiv Sena (Thackeray)-MVA Vishal Barbate is already on a shaky ground, because of rebellion by Rajendra Mulak of Congress, which is a constituent of MVA. In 2014, when all the four major parties  BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress  had contested independently, BJPs D Mallikarjun Reddy had defeated long-time MLA Adv Jaiswal. In 2019, Adv Jaiswal contested as an Independent and wrested back this seat from BJP. This time however, he is facing a strong contest from Congress rebel and Independent candidate Rajendra Mulak. But, Mulak is going strong and he is gaining support from senior Congress leader Sunil Kedar, as was seen ahead of the Assembly election campaign.
Modi meets several world leaders in Brazil





RIO DE JANEIRO :

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi met leaders of several countries, including those from Italy, Indonesia, Norway, Portugal, Egypt and South Korea on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and discussed ways to improve and strengthen bilateral ties. Modi also met International Monetary Fund (IMF) Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath and European Union (EU) President Ursula von der Leyen. Modi, who arrived in the Brazilian city on Sunday after concluding a two-day trip to Nigeria, on Monday met his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni and discussed ways to deepen ties in defence, security, trade and technology. Glad to have met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the Rio de Janeiro G20 Summit. Our talks centred around deepening ties in defence, security, trade and technology. We also talked about how to boost cooperation in culture, education and other such areas. India-Italy friendship can greatly contribute to a better planet, Modi said in a post on X. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also posted on X about the meeting.

Strategic Partnership going strong!  Both leaders welcomed the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 to further elevate and give impetus to the longstanding India-Italy bilateral ties, the MEA added. Stating that it is always a great pleasure to meet Modi, Meloni too termed the meeting as a precious opportunity for dialogue that allowed the two countries to reaffirm our common commitment to advance the India-Italy strategic partnership with the announcement of the action plan. In a post on X, she said the two leaders together expressed desire to continue working together to further deepen the bilateral partnership for the benefit of the economies and citizens of both nations. Modi also met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and discussed ways to improve ties in security, health care.

Delighted to meet President Prabowo Subianto during the G20 Summit in Brazil. This year is special as we are marking 75 years of India-Indonesia diplomatic relations. Our talks focussed on improving ties in commerce, security, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and more, Modi said in a post on X, along with pictures of the two leaders. Commemorating 75 years of warm and friendly ties!  The prime minister congratulated President Prabowo and assured him of Indias full support. Both leaders discussed ways to work together for further strengthening the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, in existing domains as well as expand it to newer areas, the MEA said on X. The talks during Modis meeting with Portugal Prime Minister Luis Montenegro focussed on adding more vigour to the economic linkages between the two countries. Had a very good meeting with the Prime Minister of Portugal Luis Montenegro. India cherishes the long-standing ties with Portugal.

Our talks focussed on adding more vigour to our economic linkages. Sectors like renewable energy and green hydrogen offer many opportunities for collaboration. We also talked about strong defence relations, people-to-people linkages and other such subjects, Modi said on X. The MEA post on X about the meeting said: Both sides deliberated on further strengthening India-Portugal bilateral ties, including in areas of the economy, renewable energy, defence and people to people ties & cooperation in multilateral fora. Modi also met his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store on the sidelines of the summit. The meeting with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store was excellent. Our Arctic Policy has led to further cementing of India-Norway bilateral relations. We talked about how investment linkages between our nations can improve, particularly in renewable energy, green hydrogen and the blue economy. Closer cooperation in sectors like innovation and research were also discussed, he said on X. The MEA said the meeting explored new avenues to strengthen India-Norway ties.  Discussions focused on ways to deepen India-Norway bilateral relations, particularly in trade and economic cooperation after the signing of India-EFTA-TEPA. The leaders also exchanged views on geopolitical issues.

With the new EFTA-India Free Trade Agreement, there are new possibilities for cooperation and job creation between India and Norway, said Store on X and added, he discussed the common interests of free trade between our two countries, and the war in Ukraine and in the Middle East. During the summit, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath also met Modi. Great to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in Rio. He conveyed the many successes of India in reducing hunger and poverty. Numerous creative initiatives for the world to learn from, the India-born economist said on X. Modi replied to her post, saying, India stands committed to promoting food security and eliminating poverty. We will build on our successes and harness our collective strength and resources to ensure a brighter future for all. Earlier in the day, Modi met US President Joe Biden and briefly interacted with him. It is not immediately known what transpired between the two leaders. Modi also interacted with several world leaders, including those from Brazil, Singapore and Spain, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit on Monday. Further posting on X, Modi termed as great his interaction with Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and said it was a pleasure to interact with President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol. After his meeting with von der Leyen, Modi posted on X, Met @EU_Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. India will keep working closely with the EU for global good.
NDA MLAs call for mass op against Kuki militants for killing 6 in Manipur





IMPHAL :

A MEETING of MLAs of the ruling BJP-led NDA in Manipur adopted a resolution calling for a mass operation against the Kuki militants responsible for killing three women and three children in Jiribam district within seven days, a statement said. The meeting, held on Monday night, was attended by 27 MLAs. To start Mass Operations against the Kuki militants responsible for the killing of the 6 (six) innocent women and children within 7 (seven) days, the statement said. Declare the Kuki Militants responsible for the killing of the 6 (six) innocent women and children as an unlawful organisation within 7 (seven) days, it added. It was resolved that the case be handed over to the NIA immediately.

The Centre to review the imposition of AFSPA as per the order dated November 14 with immediate effect, the statement said. If the resolutions taken are not implemented within the specified period, all the NDA legislators will decide the further order datedNovember 14 with immediate effect, the statementsaid.Iftheresolutions taken are not implemented within the specified period, all the NDAlegislatorswilldecide the furthercourseof actioninconsultation with the people of Manipur, it said. The Centre and the State Government will take all necessary steps at the earliest to ensure peace and normalcy in Manipur,itsaid.

TheMLAsalso condemned the attack on the properties of ministers and MLAs.Legal actionswillbeinitiated against the miscreants based on the findings of the High PoweredCommittee, the statement issued by the Chief Ministers Secretariat said. Seven MLAs were absent from themeeting with formalinformation on medical grounds, whilenoticewasreceived from 11MLAs for theirabsencewithout reasons, it said. Meanwhile, Curfew was relaxed in three Imphal Valley districtsonTuesdayandthesuspensiononbroadbandinternet lifted with conditions, even as Chief Minister N Biren Singh blamed the Congress for the present crisis in Manipur. Peacefulralliesalsostaged,with hundreds taking to the streets with empty coffins in Churachandpur district.
Probe uncovers gaps in attack on Anil Deshmukh





Staff Reporter :

The investigation into the stone-pelting attack on former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has raised several unanswered questions, as the police uncover discrepancies in the details surrounding the incident. While the Nagpur Rural Police have initiated a thorough probe, technical methods, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and DUM (Data Utilisation Management) data, have revealed some gaps in the story of the attack. On Monday night, Deshmukhs car was reportedly attacked near Belgaon turning, on Jalalkheda Road near Katol, when four assailants on two motorcycles threw stones at the vehicle. Deshmukh suffered an injury on his forehead and was later admitted to a private hospital in Nagpur, where he was discharged on Tuesday evening following treatment. While the police have reconstructed the sequence of events using AI technology, the findings have raised several questions. The attackers threw three stones: one from the front, one from the window near the rear passenger seat, and one from behind the car. Interestingly, the stone thrown from the back appeared to have the potential to strike Deshmukh in the head, but it did not make contact. Also, there was no blood found inside the car, which contradicts initial claims of the former Minister being injured by the stone from behind. Although Deshmukh has injury on his forehead, there is a strong possibility that the stone from the rear did not actually hit him. IGP (Nagpur Range) Dr Dilip Bhujbal, to a question asked in press conference, answered, We have also found that no blood was present inside the car.

Further discrepancies were uncovered when investigators examined the scene of the attack. Forensic teams seized stones and other relevant items from the location, and footage from CCTV cameras was reviewed. However, a key piece of evidence remains elusive: a CCTV camera located six kilometers from the scene showed no sign of the motorcycles between 8 and 9 pm, the time the attack was believed to have occurred. This absence of footage from the nearby surveillance camera has added to the mystery surrounding the attackers movements. The attackers reportedly fled towards Bharashingi on two motorcycles after the incident. But the lack of footage from the CCTV camera raises further questions about their route and timing. More clarity may emerge once expert reports come in. Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr Harssh Poddar said that the case is being investigated from all possible angles with the help of Forensic teams. He also said that Deshmukh, his PA and complainant in the case Ujjwal Bhoyar, driver and one other person, have been issued notices for recording their statement. However, they were not willing to immediately register their statement. IGP Bhujbal said that the police are actively pursuing leads and the case remains under close scrutiny as forensic and technical teams continue their analysis.
QR codes intiated in Thane to help voters with polling booths





THANE :

IN AN attempt to boost voter turnout in Thane district, a one-click facility has been introduced for the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections wherein voters only have to scan QR codes to find out about polling stations. Talking to reporters, Thane collector and election officer Ashok Shingare said the initiative aims to enhance voter convenience and participation, particularly as the Election Commission raised concerns regarding low voter turnout in the Thane and Kalyan regions. He said the district administration has implemented several measures to engage voters and improve the overall turnout, including introducing a QR code system, which will guide voters across 18 Assembly constituencies. The official said the QR codes will direct voters to their designated polling booths, providing them with critical information such as the exact location and address. Shingare reported that as of Monday morning, of the total 7.2 million voters in Thane district, 3.27 million (nearly 50 per cent) had already accessed the QR codes on the Election Departments website and at some public places where they are displayed.

In addition, the districts Election Department has reported over 156 million impressions on its social media platforms, he said. Mumbai top cop urges city electors to vote MUMBAI, Nov 19 (PTI) MUMBAI Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar has appealed to people in the metropolis to keep aside their leave plans and vote in the Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled on Wednesday. Voting will be held from 7 am to 6 pm on Wednesday. The Mumbai district election officer has said all establishments, businesses and other workplaces here are mandated to grant leave to their employees for voting on Wednesday. I humbly request all Mumbaikars to exercise their voting right with responsibility and in a peaceful manner, Phansalkar said in a video message on Tuesday.

Earlier, in a post on X, he appealed to the people to vote to ensure their future is in genuine and responsible hands. Just keep your long leave plans aside and make sure you will not miss the opportunity of pressing the button quietly thereby discharging your responsibility, he said. Also spread the message to the unaware voters as to not waste their extremely important vote and do your bit in building the future of this zealous nation. Vote and spread the importance of voting, he added. Meanwhile, the police in neighbouring Navi Mumbai have introduced a one-click facility for voters to get all information about their polling booth, parking place in the vicinity and crowd status at the booth, an official said. People need to scan the Navi Mumbai Police QR Code to get all the information, the official added.
UK to relaunch FTA talks with India





By Aditi Khanna

LONDON :

BRITISH Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that trade talks with India will relaunch in the new year, following his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in Brazil. Starmer and Modi met on the sidelines of the summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday after which Downing Street said the UK will seek a new strategic partnership with India, including a trade agreement as well as deepening cooperation in areas like security, education, technology, and climate change. Starmers spokesperson said the UK is committed to negotiating a trade deal with India, one of the fastest growing economies in the world. A new trade deal with India will support jobs and prosperity in the UK  and represent a step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across our country, Starmer said in a statement released by 10 Downing Street after the bilateral meeting. A readout of the Starmer-Modi talks released in London on Tuesday stated that both leaders agreed to take forward an ambitious UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to take the relationship to new heights in trade and investment, security and defence, technology, climate, health and education.

As part of this they agreed to relaunch UK-India trade talks early next year. They also welcomed the recentlaunchof the Technology Security Initiative, and discussed the opportunities for furthercooperation on defence and security, a Downing Street spokesperson said. Finally both leaders agreed on the strength of cultural ties between the two countries, providing a strong foundation for further ongoing cooperation, thespokespersonadded. Starmer then took to X to term hismeeting withModi as a very productive. Earlier,PrimeMinisterModi describe the exchange as extremely productive on his post on X. He said: For India, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UK is of immense priority. In the coming years, we are eager to work closely in areas such as technology, green energy, security, innovation and technology. We also want to add strength to trade aswell as cultural linkages. Meanwhile, Downing Street highlighted that Starmer is using his trip to the G20 in Brazil to strengthen ties with the worlds leading economic powers to drive growth and deliver for the British people. It came soon after Starmers meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and talks with Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba and Australian PM Anthony Albanese.
At COP29 on November 20, Azerbaijan Renewable Energy Agency under the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AREA), Clean Energy Invest LLC, and Baltech Green LLC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop the Kalbajar Wind Power Plant, located at a unique altitude of 3,100 meters. The Clean Energy Invest LLC and Baltech Green LLC agreed to establish a joint venture for the project, with plans to begin measurement campaigns and project preparations in the near future.

The wind power plant is expected to begin commercial operations by early 2028, with an initial installed capacity of 200-240 MW. Given its unique location at high altitudes, the project has the potential for future expansion, with a total capacity of up to 600 MW. The investment aims to boost national renewable energy capabilities, particularly in wind power generation, and contribute to the countrys energy transition.

This is a proud moment for Azerbaijan as local private investors demonstrate their readiness to contribute to the country's energy transition, said Javid Abdullayev, Director of AREA.

Volkan Gerdan, a board member of Baltech Green LLC, highlighted that Baltech Group has a successful track record of developing and operating renewable energy projects in Turkiye. He emphasized that the Kalbajar wind project in the liberated territories demonstrates the companys commitment to Azerbaijans sustainable development.

Clean Energy Invest LLC, a subsidiary of the Azerbaijan Green Energy Company (AGEC), is focused on renewable energy investments. CEO of Clean Energy Invest LLC Hayala Naghiyeva expressed the companys enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting that the project aligns with their shared vision of advancing clean energy and building economic and environmental resilience in the region.

Mir Jamal Pashayev, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Clean Energy Invest LLC and CEO of AGEC, stated that the Kalbajar project marks a key milestone in Azerbaijans efforts toward decarbonization and sustainable growth. Meanwhile, Bulent Karani, Chairman of the Board of Baltech Green LLC, reaffirmed the collective commitment of all parties to advancing renewable energy initiatives and supporting global climate goals.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. A development path in the field of renewable (green) energy in Azerbaijan and Latvia has been discussed during a meeting between Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and his Latvian counterpart Kaspars Melnis at COP29, a source in the country's Ministry of Energy told Trend.

The meeting also discussed the importance of energy initiatives during Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency, as well as the countrys production and export projects in the field of energy security and energy transition across a broad geographic coverage.

Besides, the meeting pointed out that the share of renewable energy sources in the installed electricity capacity, through wind and solar energy projects, will increase to 33 percent by 2027 and 35.5 percent by 2030, reflecting the high dynamics of the green energy sector's development in the country.

The meeting also featured a wide exchange of views on the supply of green energy and 'green' gas from Azerbaijan and Central Asia to Europe and Turkiye, as well as the use of energy storage systems to enhance the stability of renewable energy sources.

Additionally, Latvia's experience in renewable energy was highlighted, and the prospects for cooperation in the energy sector were assessed during the meeting.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. 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 Ramesh Subramaniam, Director General and Group Chief Sectors Group at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In an exclusive interview with Trend on the sidelines of COP29, Subramaniam said he is delighted that COP is now placing explicit focus on green skills and green jobs.

"We need policies and investments that steer skills development for economic expansion that comes with quality jobs in the green sectors. Given the expected growth in the number of green jobs, the deliberations at COP can give the much-needed push to increase investments in green skills that matter for a clean and just transition and help young people to access new and emerging area economy jobs," he said.

Educations role in climate action



The director general noted that the Human Development Day is a first of its kind and he is hopeful that it will trigger new commitments to embed climate change knowledge and skills in education systems.

"We know that the most vulnerable people in the Asia and the Pacific region are the most affected by adverse climate events, hence investing in climate resilience for young people but also in communities is critical to combat the adverse effects of climate change," said Subramaniam.



Promoting climate-resilient and low-carbon schools



The director general pointed out that ADB has already done considerable work in this area of disaster risk resilient infrastructure for schools and other facilities.

"We would like to enhance our work in terms of embedding climate change in curriculum, teacher training and learning competencies in order to build the knowledge and skills necessary to combat climate change. Our aspiration is also that we are able to influence future NDCs in incorporating education and skills as levers for climate action. As a climate bank, we will be increasing investments for climate adaptation and mitigation across all sectors and this includes the human and social development sector," he said,

Subramaniam went on to add that education and training are very important levers to build the knowledge and capacities for effective climate action.

"We will working at the intersection of various sectors: for instance how to strengthen the training of frontline health workforce for climate resilience? How do we invest in the training of the workforce for eMobility and clean and renewable energy occupations? How to we invest in skills for high-tech and climate-resilient infrastructure that not only increased agriculture productivity but also brings higher quality jobs in agriculture to rural youth. In short we will be working across, schools, Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions and universities to promote climate change adaptation and mitigation," he said.



Joint Statement and Baku Guiding Principles on Human Development for Climate Resilience



The director general noted that the Joint Statement and the Baku Guiding Principles on Human Development for Climate Resilience are excellent take-off points for the next level of work in increasing investments in education and skills development for enabling climate resilience among children, youth and workforce.

"The Joint Statement and the Baku Guiding Principles denote the shared commitment and aspiration of international agencies and partners to work together and to embrace new solutions to bring greater development impact. The Baku Guiding Principles are aligned with the calls to action we have outlined in the ADBs publication Climate Change and Education Playbook: Investing in Education and Skills for Climate Resilience in Asia and the Pacific. We need to bring solid action on the ground in our region which will tip the balance in pro-climate behavior, actions and investments," Ramesh Subramaniam concluded.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Water is the basis of life, the backbone of every ecosystem, economy, and society, and its availability, quality, and effective management are closely linked to the efforts we make to build a long and sustainable future, the Chairman of the State Water Resources Agency of Azerbaijan Zaur Mikayilov said at the event Combating Climate Change: Sustainable Water Solutions and Sustainable Future in Azerbaijan held within the framework of the COP29 event, Trend reports.

He noted that water in every sector is the foundation of sustainable development.

Access to clean drinking water is not only a basic human right but is also important to protect public health and maintain ecological balance. Water resources are the foundation of agricultural productivity and support irrigation systems that ensure food security for millions of people. In addition, water plays an important role in energy production, sanitation systems, and economic activity. Sustainable development efforts are therefore inextricably linked to the availability, quality, and effective management of sustainable water resources.

Azerbaijan is one of the countries that have made important steps in this area and submitted voluntary reports on the Sustainable Development Goals. For about ten years, Azerbaijan has had a National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development. This long-term commitment demonstrates Azerbaijan's will to integrate sustainable water management into the National Development Strategy and serves as an example for other countries facing similar challenges.

Climate change is accelerating; rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events are affecting freshwater availability, posing threats to humans and natural systems. All these emphasize the need for adaptive and sustainable strategies, Mikayilov noted.

According to him, Azerbaijan has introduced innovative and advanced water management technologies to protect water resources against the backdrop of growing climate challenges.

Climate change knows no borders and once again points to the need for global regional cooperation. Transboundary water management is an example that demonstrates the benefits of cooperation. However, regions such as the South Caucasus face hydro-security voids regarding cooperative management. We encourage all regional states to jointly manage transboundary water resources and take concrete steps that will strengthen water security in the South Caucasus.

Azerbaijan has built ultrafiltration water treatment plants at the Jeyranbatan reservoir, a modern treatment plant in Pirshaghi, and introduced SCADA systems. Azerbaijan's Caspian Sea desalination initiative, the first public-private partnership project, is a clear example of the country's efforts.

We must prioritize effective water management while facing the realities of climate change. Our actions today will determine the state of water resources for future generations. We invite everyone to join forces to conserve this vital resource. Our work under COP29 will create an important legacy for water security in the future, he noted.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. 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 Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, World Health Organization's (WHO) Regional Director for Europe.

In an exclusive interview with Trend on the sidelines of COP29, Kluge said that the event is very well organized.

I just finished the bilateral meetings with the Minister of Health, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister of Azerbaijan. And after two days being here, I really would like to start to congratulate the government of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev, because COP29 is amazing, he said.

Kluge noted that Azerbaijan only had nine months to prepare, while Brazil has two years to prepare for the COP30.

COP29 is very well organized. Obviously, as a medical doctor, I'm very glad that health is featured very high on the agenda. Actually, Azerbaijan's COP presidency is bringing together four other COP presidencies, UAE, Egypt, Brazil, and UK, to ensure that health will remain a priority in the global climate negotiations. So really, bravo, added WHOs regional director.

Kluge believes that the world really must start seeing real commitments on reducing the carbon emissions at this COP.

Why the health sector is important? If you take the whole health sector, it contributes to 5 percent of the global emissions, double the emissions generated by all of the world's aircraft. Health sector can be a big polluter, but can, to take it positive, contribute a lot to the green economy. We really must try to keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, because all areas of health are impacted. Now in Italy, for example, we see tropical diseases which they haven't seen for a very long time, like West Nile virus. Spain is completely not prepared for the flooding. More than 200 people died and still people are struggling. The impact of climate change is not going to go away. We have to tackle it heads on.

And again, congratulations that Azerbaijan, based on my discussions with the leadership, is taking the COP29 itself as a transformative moment to move towards a green economy. Minister of Health Teymur Musayev told me that all hospitals will be greened in five years. Congratulations, said WHOs regional director.

He went on to add that all areas of health are impacted by the climate change.

But I would like to focus on just one, which I also picked up at COP29, the mental health, particularly mental health of the youth. There is a new term called eco-anxiety, anxiety among the youth. They see the future not so positive really, with less hope than before. Youth can be depressed, there is climate fatigue. We also know from our studies that a 1-degree Celsius increase in temperature is directly linked to 1 percent increase in suicides among the youth.

It really shows that climate change and health are directly intertwined. Data from Australia shows that heat waves have been linked to increases in both mental and behavioral disorders. In that sense we need to get a deeper insight. For example, healthcare workers dealing at the front line of climate crisis need also to be educated about the mental health aspects. And here WHO will start a lot of research in this particular area, said Kluge.

He pointed out that what the WHO found out from the research is that a big polluter is the transport between healthcare facilities.

There are a number of projects which introduce telehealth digital health, drones to deliver medicines, which can help with greening of the economy, also ensure much better waste management. We have guidelines on all of those. In addition, digital health tools, including the use of artificial intelligence, will help to reduce the carbon emissions, said WHOs regional director.

Kluge mentioned some concrete initiatives in this regard.

Number one, we have a WHO European Centre on Environment and Health in Bonn in Germany, which produced global guidelines for heat health action plans, because the number one cause of mortality due to climate change in our region is heat. 174,000 people die every year due to heat. Last year was the hottest summer record in history, and it's only going to increase. Heat health action plans are very important. Number two, on February 27, I'm going to launch in Reykjavik, Iceland, with the previous Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrin Jakobsdottir, a new Pan-European Commission on Climate Change and Health to elevate the health sector leadership in this regard. I asked Azerbaijans prime minister and health minister to appoint a commissioner from Azerbaijan. There are only 11 high-level political commissioners, because we need to make the link between COP29 and COP30, and Azerbaijan has a lot to show, he said.

WHOs regional director pointed out that he was fascinated by the concept of smart villages, both digital and green. This is very avant-garde.

Kluge went on to add that WHO has a process of health and environment, which is unique in WHO globally.

Every five years we organize a Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health. The last one was last year in Budapest, Hungary, where we agreed with all 53 member states on concrete actions to address what we call the triple crisis, climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental pollution, he concluded.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The organization of COP29 is fantastic, and I have been to many COPs, but Baku is the most organized of all the previous ones, the head of Climate Tech Propel Rachel Barr from Israel told Trend.

The climate problem can be solved, so the world has assembled here. COP29 is a message of hope to humanity. I think the key element is focusing on oil and gas production emissions. The oil and gas industry has a huge opportunity to increase its revenues by reducing the methane emissions that are currently flared. Methane can be sold. The time is now, she noted.

Rachel Barr, who traveled to Azerbaijan for the first time, noted the beauty of the country.

It has beautiful architecture and natural resources. We visited the Fire Mountain (Yanardag) and the Temple of Fire (Ateshgah). It was magnificent. We also visited the mud volcanoes in Gobustan, and it was amazing. The country was very hospitable, and the food was delicious. Thank you all so much!" 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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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
Nearly 4,500 people are now working at the site for the new $8.5 billion Golden Triangle Polymers plant on Highway 87 South. The

Heather Betancourth with the company told Orange County Commissioners Court that on Tuesday during a quarterly report on local hiring and purchases.

The Chevron/Phillips/Qatar Energy project was officially announced two years ago. The county spent a few years negotiating a tax abatement contract for the plant. The contract included the corporation adopting a Local First program to help people in the region get jobs and for local businesses of all sizes to get the plant's purchases. The quarterly reports are part of the contract.

Betancourth gave a grand total of local employment at 1,803. However, County Judge John Gothia said "there's more. I see them every day."

Betancourth said the total employment including people from outside the nine-county region considered local, is a 4,500.

Gothia made the quip because he lives in Bridge City. The main thoroughfare from Orange to Bridge City is past the plant's construction site. Traffic between the two cities during rush hours is getting to be notoriously slow with all the work.

The latest report covers the third quarter from July 1 through September 30. During the quarter, the company added another 36 qualified local vendors or suppliers for a total off 132.

The local region is considered Orange, Jefferson, Newton, Jasper, Hardin, Tyler, and Chambers counties, plus the Bolivar Penisula area of Galveston County.

During the quarter, another 17 approved engineering, procurement, and construction companies drew in $8 million from the project. GTP spent $8.7 million with local companies previously contracted.

Since the project was announced two years ago, a grand total of $355.5 million has been spent on local contracted work, not including the small vendors and businesses.

A total of nearly $1.3 million were spent during the quarter on small purchases with local vendors and businesses. Lists of the local businesses include a wide variety of restaurants, printing, pest control, plumbing, printing, appliances, photographers, and rental companies.

Bethancourth said GTP will be hosting a holiday mixer exclusively for Orange County businesses on the approved vendor list so then can meet the company's new procurement official.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Johnny Trahan was back at his first meeting after being hospitalized getting an internal infection that required surgery. He thanked everyone for the calls, texts, cards, and emails he has received during his recuperation.

Business included the presentation of the Sheriff's Office's retiring K-9 Phoenix, who was injured. Deputy Brandon Mojica, the dog's handler, is now his official owner.

Judge Gothia reported the tax assessor-collector's office receied $2.29 million in back taxes last month with the county's share as $298,876. The county office contracts to handle tax property collections for all local entities. The 2025 taxes will be due January 31.

County Maintenance Director Kurt Guidry reported the county is going to save about $50,000 by taking donation of a generator from the McLewis Volunteer Fire Department, which is part of OC Emergency Services District 4.

He said the county has been looking to get a generator for the elections administration office. The one being donated was purchased with grant money in 2010 and has been used only 69 hours. The generator has been sitting inside a building and not outside.

The project will cost the county the expense of getting the generator hooked up to natural gas. Guidry said natural gas lines run along the streets near the elections office and should not be a problem for connection.

Judge Gothia praised Guidry's maintenance office. He said when the weather forecast for the November 5 general election showed thunderstorms and rain in the forecast, he asked the maintenance department to make a cover for the walkway from the parking lot to the election building.

The county crew completed the task. Gothia said it rained that night and the cover helped. Poll workers are required to bring all the voting equipment and returns back to the elections office to report in.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Azerbaijan plays a pivotal role as a coordinating country in the priority area of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA)  the development of safe and efficient transport corridor systems, said Zhang Ling, Deputy Secretary-General of CICA, at a panel discussion titled "Pathways to Sustainable Connectivity: Efforts of CICA & its Member States, and Regional Organizations in Asia for Secure, Effective and Climate-Resilient Transportation Corridors" as part of COP29, Trend reports.

"Azerbaijan plays a key role as the coordinating country in CICAs priority area  developing secure and efficient transport corridors. As an important transit hub connecting Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan demonstrates the transformative potential of sustainable connectivity".

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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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
CPI (M) urges

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IMPHAL, Nov 20 : The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has sought serious intervention of the Central Government to end the violence besetting Manipur.

The CPI (M) Central Committee, in a statement, said that the Government needs to work out a political settlement which can restore peace in the State and safeguard the rights of all ethnic communities.

Claiming that it is Chief Minister N Biren Singh who is responsible for the deteriorating situation in Manipur right from the beginning, the Left party added that the Central Govt and the ruling BJP, unfortunately, have been refusing to remove him.

A situation has now arisen where the writ of the State Government and the administration does not run, it added.

Further stating that a grave situation has emerged in Manipur following a brief absence of violence due to killings and counter killings on ethnic lines, the CPI added that 20 people have been killed in various incidents since November 7.

The discovery of six bodies of women and children including a baby of just eight months who were abducted earlier in a horrific incident has inflamed the situation in Manipur, the Left party continued while urging the Centre to intervene and put an end to the cycle of violence in Manipur.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Azerbaijan will host the World Urban Forum (WUF13) and World Environment Day, said Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the country, at the High-Level Opening on Multilevel and Multisectoral Climate Action at COP29 in Baku, Trend reports.

He expressed Azerbaijans pride in being chosen to host the WUF13 in 2026 and announced the countrys readiness to establish an institute for a Special Envoy on Climate Action in Urbanization, which marks a practical step towards advancing climate action.

He also highlighted the creation of the Baku Continuity Coalition.

"I am also pleased to announce the establishment of the Baku Coalition for Continuity. We are grateful to our partners from Egypt, the UAE, Brazil, and UN-Habitat for supporting this initiative. The creation of this coalition sends a powerful message that the future of our cities depends on collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility," 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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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 Presidency 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
An elderly businessman died after being attacked by a young man. The attacker demanded to marry the elderly mans daughter. The murder sparked tension in the area, leading to the accuseds house being vandalised and demolished by angry locals.

The incident took place in the Matia area of Basirhat sub-division, North 24-Parganas. The victim, 55-year-old Jabbar Molla, a vegetable trader from Kora Para village under Matia police station, was killed following his refusal to marry his daughter to his neighbour, Nizamuddin Molla. Reportedly, Nizam had proposed marriage to the daughter a few days ago, but Jabbar declined, leading to frequent disputes between the two families. Jabbar had even received death threats over the issue.

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Meanwhile, the elderly man arranged his daughters marriage elsewhere, which enraged Nizam. On Tuesday night, Jabbar was returning home from his business near Malatipur station in Hasnabad when Nizam allegedly attacked him with a sharp weapon. Nizam repeatedly struck Jabbar, killing him on the spot. After the murder, Nizam fled with Jabbars gold chain and cash amounting to Rs 60,000. Upon receiving the news, police reached the scene, recovered the body, and sent it for post-mortem. Meanwhile, enraged locals vandalised the accuseds house in protest. Police from Matia police station later brought the situation under control and have launched an investigation into the incident.

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The importance of coastal security was acknowledged long ago. In the evolving world, types of threats have diversified. With seaborne threats steadily rising, and only the Navy and Coast Guard seriously engaged in coastal security, the government approach towards coastal security was not fully established. The 26 November 2008 incident shook not only Mumbai but the world, when Pakistan-backed terrorists carried out deadly attacks in the financial capital of the country, utilising the sea routes to enter Mumbai.

Soon the Indian Navy was tasked as the lead agency towards revamping the coastal security apparatus. The government, having realised the shortcomings, set in motion pan-India reviews, multi-agency-inter-ministerial integration and infrastructure build-up. With a coastline of over 7,500 km, India has much to defend.

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The Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard regularly undertake state-level exercises with all the government agencies to test the effectiveness of the set-up. These range from district-level exercises to the whole state; a few even with adjoining states. There have been both, alerted and unalerted simulated intrusions to test the ability of the security apparatus to not merely detect but to respond comprehensively. Exercise Sea Vigil has been Indias major coastal defence exercise, first launched in 2019 to assess and strengthen maritime security across the countrys extensive coastline. Conducted by the Indian Navy in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard, the exercise has extended across Indias entire coastline across all states and Union Territories at the same time, including the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

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The primary aim of Exercise Sea Vigil is to simulate various coastal defence challenges, incorporating a wide range of national resources to ensure comprehensive defence readiness. The fourth edition of Exercise Sea Vigil will be conducted in the last week of November across seven states and four Union Territories. Typically, one would imagine the ministry of defence, marine and state police to be involved. But what makes this exercise unique is the fact that it covers a multitude of government agencies.

Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS), who is responsible for the operational aspects of the Indian Navy chaired the main planning conference with all stakeholders across the states and Union Territories in the last week of October and highlighted how Sea Vigil-24 would serve as a cornerstone exercise to strengthen Indias Maritime Security framework and coastal defence, ensuring robust surveillance and seamless response to any emergent threat. This Years edition will also address the gaps and shortfalls identified in the third edition held in 2022.
Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta has written to Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena demanding a high-level investigation into the alleged luxurious resources installed at sheesh mahal, the then-official residence of former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal at 6, Flagstaff Road, Civil Lines here.

In his letter addressed to the LG, he claimed that there is a significant disparity between the furniture and resources provided by the Public Works Department (PWD) when Kejriwal became chief minister again in 2022 and the items left behind by him when he vacated the property in October.

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He asserted that an inventory list prepared by the PWD after Kejriwal vacated the bungalow revealed that the items present at the residence far exceeded those originally provided by it in 2022.

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The Leader of Opposition alleged that the additional items included luxurious and expensive toilet seats, premium wash basins, reclining sofas, costly curtains, exquisite carpets, high-value television sets, and refrigerators. These were not supplied by the PWD.

Questioning the source of these alleged extravagant additions, he said, If the PWD did not provide these items, then who were the individuals who enriched Kejriwals sheesh mahal with such lavish items? Liquor mafia, in return for benefits received under Kejriwals liquor policy, provided these luxurious resources to enhance his lifestyle. Stating that the BJPs earlier disclosure about toilet commodes worth Rs 12 lakh each was understated, Gupta said these facilities were part of bribes worth crores of rupees.

The Leader of Opposition requested for a high-level investigation into the entire matter. He asserted that the truth about Kejriwal, who calls himself a hardcore honest and common man, should be revealed to the public. He emphasised that the two crore people of Delhi deserve to know the truth about the layers of alleged corruption in the AAP government.
Uma Dasgupta, beloved for her role as Durga Roy in Satyajit Rays timeless classic Pather Panchali, passed away on Monday at the age of 84. She had been battling cancer and breathed her last at a private hospital in Kolkata. Her daughter, Srimayee Sen Ram, confirmed the news, and actor Chiranjit Chakraborty shared it publicly.

Dasguptas portrayal of Durga as a free-spirited young girl in Rays 1955 masterpiece left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Cast at just 12 years old while studying in eighth grade, she was discovered by Ray with the help of her schools assistant headmaster, Ashish Burman.

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Her debut in Pather Panchali, based on Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyays novel, was her only venture into cinema, as she chose not to pursue mainstream acting thereafter.

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The film, part of Rays Apu Trilogy, featured a talented cast, including Kanu Banerjee, Karuna Banerjee, and Subir Banerjee, and remains a landmark in Indian and global cinema for its realistic portrayal of rural life.

Beyond her brief but iconic stint on the silver screen, Uma Dasgupta led a life rooted in academics and community service. A graduate of Jogamaya Devi College, affiliated with the University of Calcutta, she dedicated her career to teaching.

From 1984 to 2000, she worked as a nursery and primary school teacher at Jadavpur Vidyapith, nurturing young minds with the same passion she brought to her acting.

Dasguptas passing marks the end of an era, as she represented the golden age of Indian cinema that brought global acclaim to Bengali storytelling. The family cremated her on the same day at Kolkatas Keoratala crematorium in the presence of close family and friends.
Maharashtra witnessed the kick-off of its 2024 Assembly Elections early Wednesday morning. Polling, which began at 7 a.m. and will close at 6 p.m., is being conducted across 288 constituencies. This election has attracted a staggering 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, competing for a chance to represent the people. Among the early voters were several prominent Bollywood figures. Actor Sonu Sood, known for his philanthropic efforts, emphasized the significance of casting a vote.

Speaking to the media, Sonu Sood passionately appealed to citizens, saying, Its very important for the country. Voting is a responsibility, not a holiday. Make your voice count.

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Actor Gautami Kapoor echoed similar sentiments, describing her experience as empowering. Voting feels amazing. Every vote matters, and its our duty as citizens to make a difference, she shared. Other celebrities, including Ali Fazal, Kabir Khan, Zoya Akhtar, and Farhan Akhtar, also showcased their inked fingers, encouraging others to participate.

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This election holds immense significance, given Maharashtras dynamic political landscape. Major players like the BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP are battling it out, alongside smaller parties like the BSP. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, Congress 101, and the NCPs Sharad Pawar faction 86. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded 95 candidates, showcasing the fragmented yet competitive nature of the contest.

Security has been ramped up to ensure a smooth polling process. Mumbai Police has deployed over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards, to maintain law and order. The Brihanmumbai Police Commissionerate has also stationed more than 2,000 officers to safeguard the election process.

With a massive voter base of approximately 9.7 crore, turnout will play a pivotal role in determining the results. The key contest lies between the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCPs Ajit Pawar faction, while the MVA comprises Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCPs Sharad Pawar faction.
Vincenzo star Song Joong Ki is experiencing the bliss of fatherhood once again! The South Korean star and his wife Katy Louise Saunders have welcomed their second child, a baby girl. Taking to his fan cafe, the over-the-moon father broke the news to fans, all the way from Rome.

On November 20, the Descendants of the Sun star shared the happy news with his fans through his fan cafe. Joong Ki wrote, Its been over a year since I met my first child here. Im incredibly grateful to announce that weve been blessed with another beautiful baby. Our lovely princess was born healthy, and both my wife and our baby are doing well and resting.

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Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by  songjoongki official (@hi_songjoongki)



The announcement comes months after his agency, HighZiumStudio, confirmed that Song Joong Ki is going to become a father once again. In July, the agency reported that he and Saunders were expecting their second child. The couple welcomed their first baby, a son, in June 2023. The K-drama heartthrob tied the knot with the British actress earlier that year in January. Meanwhile, Joong Ki admitted to dating Saunders in December 2022.

On the work front, Song Joong Kis last was the drama Reborn Rich and the film My Name is Lee Kiwan, and he made a cameo as his hit character Vincenzo Cassano in the drama Queen of Tears.

Also Read: BTS Jin breaks silence on rumours about leaving the band and going solo

Moving ahead, the actor will star opposite The Atypical Family actress Chun Woo Hee in MY YOUTH. Touted as a melodramatic romance, the drama will follow the lives of Sun Woo Hae (Song Joong Ki) and Sung Je Yeon (Chun Woo Hee). Sun Woo Hae is a novelist and florist. He recently left behind a complex and unpleasant past to begin anew. He is transitioning from his former life as a successful child actor to living an ordinary life. In the past, Sun Woo Hae got overshadowed and forgotten after adults began meddling in his artistic pursuits for their own gain. His life takes an unexpected turn when Sung Je Yeon, who holds a key to his past, re-enters his life and reminds him of the reasons for living that he had lost sight of.
Hitting back at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs political advisor Nasir Aslam Wani on Wednesday said Article 370 would have remained intact had the PDP not joined hands with the BJP to form the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014.

Wanis reaction came a day after PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti applauded her partys three MLAs who raised the demand for restoration of Article 370 in the recent session of the Assembly.

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Wani said that the PDP was unable to digest the National Conference (NC) coming into power in Jammu and Kashmir and accused them (PDP) of trying to trigger political instability.

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Had PDP not supported BJP in 2014, we wouldnt have witnessed abrogation of Article 370, nor its fallout. The region has endured destruction for the past 10 years due to their decision, Wani said.

People will never forgive those who joined hands with BJP and played a role in the abrogation of Article 370. PDP is responsible for whatever problems the people of J&K are facing today, he said.

Wani, who was replying to questions of reporters regarding PDPs claim that the NC has failed to bring about a resolution for the restoration of Article 370, said they (PDP) were not digesting NCs coming into power after a thumping victory in the Assembly elections.

He alleged that the Mehbooba Mufti-led party never thought of contributing to the development and progress of people in Jammu and Kashmir. They never thought of how people will benefit and progress. They are trying to incite people. The PDP leadership should do some introspection, Wani said.

We will do what we have promised in our manifesto. They (PDP) are indulging in political chaos. They have always supported chaos, be it in 2008 or 2010. Then it came to haunt them in 2016, he said referring to the unrest in Kashmir between 2008 and 2016.

It is worth mentioning that the PDP, Peoples Conference led by Sajad Lone and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) led by jailed MP Engineer Rashid were trying to corner chief minister Omar Abdullah on the issue of restoration of Article 370. They claim that the ruling NC had taken a half-hearted step towards this direction by moving a resolution in the Assembly in which only restoration of the special status of J&K was mentioned.

The BJP in its poll campaign in Maharashtra and Jharkhand is highlighting the issue of Article 370 against the Congress that is supporting the NC government in J&K.
As Maharashtra goes to the polls for the crucial assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday intensified its attack on NCP(SCP) leader Supriya Sule and Congress leader Nana Patole over an alleged Bitcoin scam, promising a thorough investigation post-elections.

Ravindranath Patil, a former IPS officer from Pune, has accused Sule and Patole of encashing bitcoins in Dubai. The BJP swiftly launched a scathing attack on its Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) opponents, releasing purported audio clips and chats allegedly involving the two leaders.

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The saffron party claimed the funds were meant to influence the elections in Maharashtra and reiterated the need for a thorough investigation after the polls.

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Reacting to the allegations, Sule announced that her lawyer would issue criminal and civil defamation notices against BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi, who made the accusations during a late-night press briefing on Tuesday.

Its appalling that such baseless allegations are made by Mr Sudhanshu Trivedi, yet not surprising as its a clear case of spreading false information the night before elections. My lawyer will be issuing a criminal and civil defamation notice against Sudhanshu Trivedi for making outrightly false allegations with an intent to deceive the public at large, she stated.

Following Sules dismissal of the allegations, the BJP maintained that the more she defended herself, the more she cornered herself.

The matter will be investigated as soon as the new government is formed. There is no way we can allow the MVA to shortchange the people of Maharashtra, BJP leader Amit Malviya said.

The BJP also shared alleged conversations between Sule and an individual named Gaurav Mehta, whom the party identified as an audit professional specialising in cryptocurrencies.

Ex-IPS Ravindranath Patil has spoken. He has named Gaurav Mehta, an audit professional specialising in cryptocurrencies, Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta, and IPS Bhagyashree Navtake. These are real people. A simple search on the internet throws up details on them and their involvement in the Pune cryptocurrency scam. The more Supriya Sule defends, the more she is pushing herself into a corner, Malviya added.

Malviya further compared Sules defense to K Kavithas in the Delhi liquor scam and hinted at a similar outcome for her.

Supriya Sules quick clarification on the Bitcoin scam establishes guilt. Her defense sounded a lot like K Kavitha Rao, KCRs daughter. Similar fate awaits Sule? he remarked.

BJP MP Sambit Patra, addressing a press conference on the matter, said it was natural for Sule to deny the allegations but emphasised that a trail exists that can be proven in an investigation.

Till date, is there any thief in the whole world who has been caught and says that this is a true allegation? The one who is caught says that this is a false allegation. So naturally such a big theft has taken place. Bitcoin, cryptocurrency is no joke, these are transactional things. They leave their footprints. There is a trail. This can be proved in the investigation, Sambit Patra asserted.

The BJP claimed that the voice in one clip was Sules. Her cousin and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, now an ally of the BJP, also suggested that one of the voices was Sules and the other was of Congress leader Patole.

From the tone in the audio clips, I can identify the voices. One of them is my sister, and the other is someone I have worked with extensively. An inquiry will be conducted, and the truth will emerge, Ajit Pawar told reporters.
BJPs Lucknow Mahanagar unit has made arrangements for a special screening of Vikrant Masseys film The Sabarmati Report, based on the Godhra incident, for the party workers of six assembly segments of Lucknow city for free on November 21, 22, and 23.

City President Anand Dwivedi has arranged free tickets for workers to attend the screenings organised at Alambagh Bus Stand Gateway Mall.

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Media in-charge Praveen Garg said here on Wednesday that on November 21, city President Anand Dwivedi will watch the film with party officials and workers from the Cantonment assembly segment during the 12 to 3 pm screening.

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Following this, arrangements have been made for a free screening of the film for Sarojini Nagar assembly workers from 3 to 6 pm. Similarly, on November 22, East and Central assembly workers will watch the movie, and on November 23, workers from the North and West assembly segments will watch the film.

BJP City President Anand Dwivedi said this film is based on a true incident and reveals the truth about the Godhra incident. Unfortunately, it took more than 22 years for the truth to come out in this country. He added that the film portrays the truth of the Godhra incident very effectively.

Therefore, I appeal to everyone to watch The Sabarmati Report with their families to understand the reality of the Godhra massacre, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The Ministerial Roundtable on Climate Change will hold a special discussion in Leipzig next May, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications of Chile Juan Carlos Munoz said during a high-level roundtable on "Greening Urban Transportation" in Baku today, Trend reports.

Given the importance of the upcoming NDCs, we will hold a special discussion as part of the Ministerial Roundtable on Climate Change at the ITF Summit in May 2025 in Leipzig. This discussion will assess the extent to which transportation is included in the recently submitted NDCs. Moreover, it will identify areas for cooperation among ITF member countries to support the implementation of measures.

We are confident that this roundtable will be an important milestone in our joint efforts to decarbonize the transport sector. By bringing together ministers, policymakers, and stakeholders, we will be able to build on progress, identify gaps, and work together to overcome challenges. This dialogue will be an opportunity to strengthen our common resolve, share best practices, and build partnerships to accelerate progress, 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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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 Presidency 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.

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Chhattisgarhs aviation sector is taking a giant leap forward. Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur is all set to launch direct international flights to Singapore and Dubai, thanks to a high-level meeting between Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu in New Delhi.

This move is expected to boost the states economic and industrial growth, as well as meet the growing demand for overseas connectivity.

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The discussions at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan centered on expanding air connectivity within Chhattisgarh and enhancing the states regional airports. The Union Minister approved the commencement of international air services from Raipur, marking a significant step towards positioning Chhattisgarh as a global gateway.

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Chief Minister Sai emphasized the need for granting Swami Vivekananda Airport international airport status, citing Chhattisgarhs strategic location and its growing demand for overseas connectivity. He stated that direct flights to Singapore and Dubai would not only meet passenger demand but also serve as a catalyst for the states economic and industrial growth.

The proposal to develop Raipur Airport as a cargo hub was also discussed, with Chief Minister Sai highlighting its potential to support the transportation of agricultural and horticultural products. The Union Minister assured immediate action to establish the facility, envisioning a significant boost to the regions export capabilities.

The meeting also focused on expanding domestic air connectivity. The Union Minister approved direct flights connecting Raipur with Patna and Ranchi, strengthening links with Bihar and Jharkhand. Chief Minister Sai underscored the economic and cultural importance of these routes for the region.

In addition, plans to upgrade Bilaspur Airport to the 3C IFR category were discussed. The Chief Minister requested expedited installation of the Radio Navigation System DVOR to enable night landing facilities. Union Minister Naidu directed officials to prioritize this upgrade, addressing a key bottleneck in regional air operations.

The Chief Minister advocated for increased air services from Ambikapur Airport, proposing routes to Raipur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya. He noted that such connectivity would benefit the regions cultural and economic development, leveraging its rich heritage and mineral wealth.

Restoration of financial assistance for Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) flights at Jagdalpur and Bilaspur airports was another priority. Chief Minister Sai called for the resumption of Indigo Airlines Raipur-Jagdalpur service, highlighting the untapped tourism potential of Bastar. The Union Minister assured timely action on these proposals.

Speaking after the meeting, Chief Minister Sai expressed optimism about the transformative impact of these initiatives. Direct international flights and enhanced regional connectivity will unlock Chhattisgarhs economic potential, boost tourism, and integrate the state into global and domestic networks, he stated. The meeting, attended by Chief Ministers Secretary Rahul Bhagat and Chhattisgarhs Investment Commissioner Ritu Sain, concluded with a shared commitment to fast-track implementation of the discussed proposals.

The Raipur airport handled around 2.5 million passengers between April 2023 and March 2024, is already the busiest in Chhattisgarh and the second busiest in Central India. With its longest runway in Central India, extending to 3250 meters, Swami Vivekananda Airport is well-equipped to handle international flights.

The launch of international flights from Raipur marks a pivotal moment in Chhattisgarhs aviation journey. By bridging global and domestic destinations, these initiatives are set to redefine the states economic and cultural dynamics. This development is being seen as a bold leap towards making Chhattisgarh a central player in Indias aviation map.
Commanders of the counter-insurgency force, Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Wednesday deliberated upon the preparedness to pre-empt and respond to dynamic operational contingencies both in sub-conventional and operational domains.

Northern Army Commander Lt General Suchindra Kumar presided over the 13th Rashtriya Rifles Biennial Conference that was held at Udhampur. Major General Anupam Bhagi, Additional Director General, Rashtriya Rifles, General Officers Commanding Counter Insurgency Forces, Rashtriya Rifles Formation, Battalion Commanders and senior officers from Army Headquarters and Northern Command, were present in the conference.

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Army Commander lauded the stellar performance of Rashtriya Rifles in restoring peace and stability in Jammu & Kashmir over the past decades and extolled their contribution to inclusive development and nation building.

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He emphasised on the need for Rashtriya Rifles to continue re-orienting, restructuring and re-configuring as an agile, lean and mean, technology-enabled Force to deal with prevalent operational challenges and those likely to manifest in future; efficiently and effectively.

He exhorted all Rashtriya Rifles Commanders and troops to continue to operate for the people and with the people as a counter-terrorism force which is well-embedded in the geography and demography of Jammu & Kashmir. As emissaries of the Indian Army in grass-root contact with the populace, the Rashtriya Rifles are well poised to contribute towards both community and nation building and this larger aim must define all our lines of effort, the Lt Gen said.

Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar congratulated all ranks of Rashtriya Rifles for their steadfast commitment and sacrifice towards successfully prosecuting the counter-terrorism effort in Jammu & Kashmir.
Former Rajasthan legislator Giriraj Singh Malinga, on Wednesday, surrendered before a local court in Dholpur in a two-year-old case of assault on an assistant engineer of the Vidhyut Vitran Nigam.

In compliance with the Supreme Courts order, the former MLA surrendered before the SC-ST Special Court in Dholpur. Subsequently, he was arrested and sent to jail under judicial custody.

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The apex court, on November 8, cancelled the bail granted to Malinga by the Rajasthan High Court and directed him to surrender before the trial court within two weeks.

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A case of assaulting AEN Vidhyut Nigam Bari Harshadhipati was registered at the Bari police station under the sections of the IPC and SC-ST Atrocities Act on March 22, 2022.

He was annoyed for non-compliance of his desire for shifting of a transformer from his assembly constituency.

He petition is pending before the Supreme Court in which further hearing is due after four weeks of his surrender.
The state government has notified the Haryana Good Governance Award Scheme 2024 (Haryana Sushaasan Puraskaar Yojana 2024). It aims to promote excellence in governance by recognizing and rewarding employees whose innovative practices and exceptional efforts contribute to improved governance across the state. The notification to this effect was issued by Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi on Wednesday, which is applicable to all employees across government departments, boards, corporations and public sector undertakings in the state.

The notification states that under the scheme, the State Government has outlined specific rewards to recognize exceptional efforts in promoting good governance across the state. The awards at the state level have been categorized to include both Flagship Scheme Awards and State-Level Awards for teams demonstrating outstanding performance and innovation.

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The State-Level Flagship Scheme Awards will honour teams involved in flagship projects that bring significant improvements in governance. These awards include a trophy and an appreciation certificate signed by the Chief Secretary of Haryana, which will be added to the service record of each awarded employee through the respective Administrative Secretary.

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Additionally, a cash reward of Rs 51,000 will be provided per flagship scheme. The cash reward will be equally distributed among all team members, regardless of their individual ranks or positions, ensuring fair recognition for each contributor within the team. Alongside the flagship scheme awards, State-Level Awards will be conferred on teams achieving high performance in various governance initiatives. These awards include a trophy and a certificate of appreciation, placed in the service records of the recipients.

According to an official statement, cash rewards for the state-level awards are structured across three categories, with Rs 51,000 for the first prize, Rs 31,000 for the second prize and Rs 21,000 for the third. As with the flagship scheme awards, the cash rewards will be divided equally among the winning team members, fostering a spirit of teamwork and collective achievement.

At the district level, the scheme introduces the District-Level Awards, which will be presented by the Deputy Commissioner of each district. Each district will recognize teams in three categories, with cash rewards set at Rs 31,000 for first place, Rs 21,000 for second place and Rs 11,000 for third place. Each awarded team will also receive a trophy and an appreciation certificate signed by the Divisional Commissioner of the respective district.

A maximum of six awards will be granted under the State-Level Flagship Scheme Awards category, acknowledging exceptional performance in key state initiatives. Additionally, the State-Level Awards will include six honours, with three awards for individual state-level performancesone each for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positionsand three awards designated for the top three performing districts, as ranked by the parameters provided in the guidelines. At the district level, each district will be eligible for three awards, acknowledging the top three positions for governance initiatives.

The areas of evaluation for these awards cover a wide range of public service domains, including Economic category- key performance indicators include the ease of doing business, the growth of industries and MSME establishments, agricultural advancements such as food grain and horticultural production, and environmental considerations like forest cover changes and the implementation of climate action plans. Economic governance metrics, including Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth, per capita income, fiscal health, and state revenue generation, are also critical factors in the evaluation process.

In the Infrastructure category, the scheme assesses the availability of essential public utilities, including potable water, electricity, and sanitation. The success of initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages and towns, and the accessibility of 247 power supply are key focus areas. Additionally, the scheme evaluates improvements in rural connectivity and energy availability to meet growing demands.

The social sector evaluation covers a wide range of indicators related to human resource development, including the quality of education, gender parity in school enrolment, and skill training initiatives. It also emphasizes social welfare, such as health insurance coverage, unemployment rates, and housing for all. Special attention is given to the empowerment of women, SCs, STs, OBCs, and minorities, along with the disposal of cases related to atrocities against SC/ST communities. Further, it evaluates citizen-centric governance initiatives, such as the digitization of services and the efficiency of the judiciary in disposing of cases, including those related to consumer rights.

The notification further outlines the procedure for employees to apply for the awards. Employees are required to submit their online applications via the portal at haryanagoodgovernanceawards.haryana.gov.in or manually to the Empowered Committee or the District-Level Empowered Committee. Additionally, employees may submit an advance copy of their success story through the portal or by regular mail.

The deadline for submission of applications to both the Empowered Committee and District Level Empowered Committee is December 5. The final recommendations for the awards, including State-Level Flagship Schemes (by the Government), State-Level Awards (by the Empowered Committee), and District-Level Awards (by the District Level Empowered Committee), will be finalized, preferably by 10th December, 2024.

The Empowered Committee for State-Level Awards and the District Level Empowered Committee for District-Level Awards will be responsible for shortlisting candidates for up to three times the number of awards to be given.

The competent authority for the approval of awards will be the Government of Haryana for State-Level Flagship Schemes and State-Level Awards, while the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned district will approve the awards for District-Level categories.

Notably, the Good Governance Day is celebrated every year on 25th December on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
To support widows, disabled women and Ekal Naris, the Himachal Pradesh government will provide assistance of Rs 4 lakh to construct houses. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here on Wednesday said that all these eligible women registered with the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board will receive financial assistance of rupees four lakh to construct houses.

The state government is launching an initiative to support widows, disabled women and Ekal Naris by offering financial assistance to realize their dream of constructing their houses, he said.The CM also said that the Board was implementing various welfare schemes, including financial aid for marriage, maternity benefits, education support, medical care, pensions, disability pensions, cremation expenses, relief for sudden deaths, hostel facilities and widow pensions.

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He said, the financial assistance for house construction will include Rs. three lakh for building the house and an additional Rs. one lakh for constructing essential facilities like a kitchen, toilet and bathroom. However, to avail this benefit, women must register with the Board and have completed at least 90 workdays in the last 12 months and their annual income should be less than Rs. 2.50 lakh.

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Eligible women must apply for the scheme through the Labour Officer, submitting the required supporting documents. Once approved, the financial assistance will be directly transferred to the beneficiarys bank account, he said. Sukhu said that the present state government has dedicatedly worked over the past two years to uplift the underprivileged sections of society and reaffirmed its commitment to their welfare. He further said a new scheme to cover higher education expenses for children of widows up to the age of 27 is underway.

The CM said that Himachal has become the first state in the country to enact legislation ensuring comprehensive care and support for orphaned children. Under this initiative, 6,000 orphans have been adopted as Children of the State and the government is committed to ensuring their welfare and education to help them in becoming self-sufficient, said he.
The Department of Commerce on Wednesday welcomed British Prime Minister Keir Starmers announcement to resume the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks between India and the UK in early 2025.

The development comes subsequent to the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his United Kingdom counterpart Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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The Commerce department added that India looks forward to closely working with the UKs negotiating team to address remaining issues to mutual satisfaction. It noted the importance of securing a balanced, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

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The dates for the Free Trade talks in early 2025 would be finalised through diplomatic channels at an early date. The FTA talks would resume the discussions from the progress achieved previously and seek to bridge the gaps for expeditiously closing the trade deal, according to the statement.

As per the latest government data, from April to September 2024, Indias exports to the UK witnessed a robust growth of 12.38 per cent, reaching USD 7.32 billion, compared to USD 6.51 billion during the same period in 2023.

Mineral fuels, machinery, and precious stones, pharmaceuticals, apparels, iron and steel and chemicals lead Indias export basket to the UK, contributing a 68.72 per cent share of total exports.

The United Kingdom is a priority country for the achievement of our ambitious USD 1 trillion export target by FY30, with our exports to the UK expected to reach USD 30 billion by 2029-30, the Commerce Ministry said.

On Wednesday, PM Modi left for Guyana on the last leg of his three-nation tour after attending the G20 Summit in Brazil, where he met global leaders, including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP candidate from Baramati Assembly constituency, Ajit Pawar on Wednesday cast his vote.

Speaking to reporters Pawar said, The Mahayuti is going to form the Government here and I hope people of Baramati have faith in me.

Pawar also backed allegations made by former IPS Ravindra Patil who had claimed that NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule and Congress state Chief Nana Patole had used Bitcoin Scam tainted cash to fund the polls.

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Whatever audio clip is being shown, I just know that I have worked with both of them. One of them is my sister and the other is someone with whom I have worked a lot. The audio clip has their voices, I can figure out from their tone. An inquiry will be done and everything will be clear, he said.

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One of the most anticipated battles in these elections is taking place in Baramati. Where Ajit Pawar is contesting Yugendra Pawar, the son of his younger brother, Shrinivas Pawar.

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.

Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase of Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies.

A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters.

Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls. Mumbai Police has deployed over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards. According to the Brihanmumbai Police Commissionerate, more than 2,000 police officers and over 25,000 police personnel are on duty to maintain law and order during the elections.

Shifting alliances, ideological conflicts, complex caste dynamics, and emotional appeals have characterised the battle for power in the Maharashtra Assembly. The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).

In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed Jonas Masetti, the founder of Vishwa Vidya Gurukulam, a Brazilian organisation, for popularising Indian culture globally.

Modi witnessed a presentation of Ramayana in Brazil.

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The Ramayana was performed by the students of Vishwa Vidya Gurukulam, dedicated to promoting Vedanta and Sanskrit.

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Jonas Masetti also known as Acharya Vishwanath, welcomed PM Modi by reciting Sanskrit Mantra.

Lauding Jonas Masetti for his passion towards Vedanta and the Gita, the Prime Minister remarked that it was commendable how Indian culture is making an impact all over the world.

The PM met Jonas Masetti and team after seeing their performance of the Ramayana in Sanskrit.

In a post on X, Modi said, Met Jonas Masetti and his team. I had mentioned him during one of the #MannKiBaat programmes for his passion towards Vedanta and the Gita. His team presented glimpses of the Ramayana in Sanskrit. It is commendable how Indian culture is making an impact all over the world.

Talking to a news agency, Masetti said Ramayan is a tribute to Dharm.

Ramayan is a tribute to Dharma. Ram represents Dharma and performing Ramayan and being in touch with Ram Katha is a way of purifying ourselves and having a better way of living. It took like six years (to prepare). In the beginning, we were very nervous and emotional because it meant a lot to us, he said.

Masetti said PM Modi was very impacted from the performance. He also encouraged Indian Youth to believe in the Indian way of life.

Im very glad that he could receive that I get very sad when I hear that the youth in India are not so much interested in the Vedic tradition and all the old ways. I have to tell you that the way of the West, you think, is very dry and very poor, so dont fall for that. You have a very nice culture inside your home, he said.

Mariana Viana who played Lord Ram said that shes been studying Vedanta, Sanskrit and reciting mantras for the past eight years.

I studied Vedanta for eight years and Sanskrit and Mantras. Ramayan is the path, the journey of Ram in his fight against evil against Adharma and weve been studying the Ramayan in our Sanskrit classes We did this performance  an adaptation of this bigger play and its an honour, its a blessing that we are able to perform for the Prime Minister of India, she said.

Gleifer Vaz Alves who played Lord Hanuman said that Hanuman represents devotion to the Dharma.

To prepare for the play, it was more than one year but we also studied Sanskrit for more than three years and I am very grateful to my Sanskrit teacher. The main lesson from Ramayana is Dharma and Hanuman represents devotion to the Dharma, he said.

PM Modi attended the G20 Leaders Summit in Brazil, where he emphasised Indias role in combating hunger and poverty. He also held the second India-Australia bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit.
The Kedarnath assembly bypoll in Uttarakhand recorded around 57 per cent of voting by 5 pm on Wednesday even as the Election Commission of India (ECI) was yet to announce final figures with a likely margin of 3 per cent increase.

The high-profile political battle at more than 11,000 feet height on the Himalayas is lower than 65 percent in the state 2022 assembly polls.

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As the voters in the Kedarnath assembly constituency caste their votes for the second time in less than three years to elect their representative as the seat fell vacant due to passing away of former BJP MLA Shaila Rani Rawat. Although both main political parties, the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress party, have expressed their confidence of winning the election here, the turnout of voters was down by nearly 9 per cent by 5 pm but the gap was likely to reduce by nearly 3 per cent with the final count of vote share is revealed by the Election Commission of India. The final vote share was still awaited.

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The dip polling is being attributed to rising cold in the higher Himalayas and lack of interest among voters in the hill for casting their franchise. However, BJP leaders claimed that low polling would go in their favour as their voters were in the front to exercise their right to vote.

The BJP leaders said the Kedarnath electorates have voted positively for the development in the shrine area. State BJP President Mahindra Bhatt said, We are getting encouraging feedback from our booth agents and local workers. Kedarghath voters have voted for the development. Kedarnath Dham voters are flag bearers of Sanatan culture. They have again stamped their mandate for cultural nationalist. The people of Kedarnath have expressed their faith in BJP nominees Asha Nautiyal.

On the other hand, Congress candidate Manoj Rawat and other party leaders claimed that low polling in Kedarnath would go in their favour. We respect peoples mandate in this byelection. Polling appears little low but it will go in Congress partys favour as BJPs cadre voters remained unwilling to come out pf their homes. This mainly for the fact that local public in Kedarnath is not happy with the lack of developmental in the region and Chief ministers indifferent attitude towards the plight of the unemployed youths in the hills. People in Kedarnath feel that they have been meted out step motherly treatment by the chief minister as latter ignored the interest of Kedarnath as important tourism centre of the state and allowed construction of its replica in Delhi, said Rawat.
Rahul Gandhi has written to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy suggesting state-wide consultations while preparing the draft legislation for gig workers, one of the key promises mentioned in the Congress manifesto.

He cited the case of Rajasthan where the previous Ashok Gehlot government was the first to bring the legislation for the welfare of gig workers. Revanth Reddy responded to him by promising to make Telangana gig workers policy comprehensive and inclusive.

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In a letter dated 11 November, the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha told Reddy that the state government should hold public consultations to make the law effective. In this context, he said he was impressed by the vibrant public consultative process for the ongoing caste census and observed that it offers a valuable model to ensure lawmakers hear directly from the people.

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On the grievances of the gig workers, he said, The absence of regulations further diminished their ability to negotiate or demand fair terms for work. Exploitative work conditions, predatory pricing and the lack of an effective grievance redressal mechanism must be addressed. Furthermore, workers grapple with social discrimination and inhuman conduct in their daily life.

I request you to conduct similar state-wide public consultations for the draft legislation for gig workers as well. Hearing from all parties will ensure that the law is robust, effective and meaningful. The process can also help anchor future regulations for this factor, he added.

The chief minister responded by asserting, We will make the Telangana State Gig Workers Policy comprehensive, inclusive, fair, and pioneering, in line with your vision and promise.

Shaikh Salauddin, founder president of the TGPWU welcomed Gandhis suggestion hoping that the Bill would be passed in the winter session of the Telangana Assembly.

He also put forward certain demands, including that the law should be applicable to all gig and platform workers and there should be a welfare board to provide social security benefits such as healthcare, insurance covering accidents, and maternity benefits. Fair wages should be ensured for all gig and platform workers. Before the Assembly elections in the state, Gandhi had met auto rickshaw and cab drivers in Hyderabad.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. 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 Deputy Director-General of the Maldives Meteorological Service Ali Shareef.

In an interview with Trend, Shareef noted that positive outcomes in the fight against climate change are achievable if competence is demonstrated within the framework of mutual interests.

The deputy expressed his optimism for the ongoing negotiations at COP29.

"I am still very hopeful. You know, were in the final days of COP29, and while there have been some delays in the negotiations, we still have two days left. Thats why I remain full of hope and optimism. I will stay optimistic until the very end.

If we demonstrate our expertise and work together within the framework of shared interests, we can achieve positive results in combating climate change.

The negotiations are progressing well. Some of the proposals we presented earlier have changed slightly, but we expect to move forward more quickly given the limited time," 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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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 Presidency 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.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasized the importance of reflecting on the lessons learned from the 2020 border clashes in eastern Ladakh and taking steps to prevent future incidents, ensuring peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Speaking with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun at the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Lao PDR, Singh called for confidence-building measures and de-escalation to rebuild mutual trust.

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A statement from Indias Ministry of Defence highlighted Singhs focus on fostering amicable relations between India and China, noting that improved ties between the two nationsamong the worlds largestwould contribute positively to global peace and prosperity.

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The discussion marked the first high-level interaction between the defence ministers following recent disengagement agreements at Demchok and Depsang. Singh underscored the need to prioritize cooperation over conflict, given the countries shared status as enduring neighbors.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot has demanded a judicial inquiry into the recent SDM slapping incident at Samarvata village during the November 13 bypoll in Rajasthan.

He returned here Tuesday evening after concluding his prolonged election campaign for Maharashtra assembly polls, expressed dissatisfaction over the state governments move of holding the inquiry by the Ajmer Divisional Commissioner and said that it seemed strange that an officer would probe the act and actions of the fellow officers.

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He said an earlier impression was given that a judicial probe would be ordered, however, now they say inquiry would be conducted by the Division Commissioner.

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I wonder why it has changed who they want to save. I want to know whether this act (violence) was intentional at somebodys behest.

He also deplored the police action in this connection and said that the cops acted in a targeted manner, damaged houses of (targeted) villagers and set afire the vehicles.

Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena had announced the decision about an inquiry by the Divisional Commissioner, in the presence of Cabinet Minister Kanhaiya Lal Chaudhary and MoS Home Jawahar Singh Bedham.

Meena said, Consensus has also been reached with a delegation of the Samaravata village in respect of main demands. Accordingly, five gram panchayats, including Samaravata, will be detached from the Deoli sub division for merging with the Uniara sub division.

This demand was the bone of contention that led to calls for boycott of voting in by-polls and ugly incidence of SDM slapping at the polling booth that later triggered violence.
In a setback to Antony Raju, former Kerala transport minister and ruling LDF MLA , the Supreme Court on Wednesday revived criminal proceedings against him in an over two-decade-old evidence tampering case.

A bench of Justices CT Ravikumar and Sanjay Karol held that the Kerala High Court erred in holding that the criminal proceedings were barred due to Section 195(1)(b) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

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The apex court restored the order of the Chief Judicial Magistrate that took cognisance of the chargesheet against Raju. Taking into account the fact that the alleged offence dates back more than two decades, the Court directed that the trial be concluded within one year.

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The case dates back to 1990, involving a drug seizure from an Australian national who was found in possession of drugs concealed in the pocket of his underwear. At the time, Antony Raju was junior to the lawyer representing the Australian accused. The underwear was seized as a material object in the case, and later, the court allowed the return of the personal belongings of the accused, including the underwear. Raju collected the underwear and subsequently returned it to the court.

The sessions court subsequently convicted the Australian under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. However, on appeal, the Kerala High Court acquitted him because the underwear did not fit him. Despite the acquittal, the High Court observed the possibility of evidence tampering and ordered a vigilance inquiry. Following the inquiry, an FIR was registered in 1994, and a final report was filed the same year, naming Antony Raju and a court staff member as accused of offences under Sections 120B, 420, 201, 193, and 217 of the Penal Code

The trial in the case remained pending for many years, and in 2022, media reports highlighted the delay. This prompted Antony Raju to approach the High Court seeking a resolution. The High Court quashed the FIR on the grounds that cognisance cannot be taken on a police chargesheet in a case relating to the fabrication of evidence in a court proceeding. Acknowledging the serious nature of the offence, the high court, however, asked its registry to take appropriate action to pursue the complaint under the relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Two appeals were filed against this before the Supreme Court  one by a third person challenging the acquittal and the other by Raju against the high court direction that the complaint be pursued under relevant provisions of CrPC.

The Supreme Courts ruling on Wednesday,now reopens the criminal proceedings, bringing renewed focus to a case that has spanned over 30 years.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday requested the Union government to take steps to expeditiously secure the release of 14 Indian fishermen languishing in Pakistani prisons for over 10 months.

Of the 14 fishers, seven are from Tamil Nadu and had ventured into the sea off Porbandar in Gujarat. All of them were apprehended along with their two mechanised boats by the Pakistani navy, the Chief Minister said in a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

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I wish to draw your attention to the plight of 14 Indian fishermen who were arrested by the Pakistani navy on January 3, this year It has been nearly 10 months since their incarceration, and there has been no communication regarding their status or any efforts being made towards their release. Their families are facing severe emotional and financial distress, and are struggling to cope with the prolonged uncertainty. Further, the absence of the primary breadwinners of the families has made the lives of the dependent families miserable, reads the letter.

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Given the prolonged detention and the humanitarian concerns involved, I request you to take up this matter in a tangible and meaningful manner, to secure the immediate release of all fishermen, the Chief Minister said.
Amid reports of minor violence, polling in nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh is progressing peacefully with around 31.21% voter turnout till 1 pm.

A total of 34.35 lakh voters have used their franchise till 1300 hrs.

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In Meerapur assembly segment of Muzaffarnagar district, stones were pelted from rooftops on the police team near the bus stand in Kakroli.

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Earlier, agitated people who had come to vote in Kisan Inter College had alleged that they were stopped from voting ,despite having Aadhaar card and other documents.

The area from where stone pelting took place is a Muslim dominated area.

Police sources said constable Vikrant has been injured in stone pelting while

Police station in-charge Rajeev Sharma and constable Shailendra Bhati also suffered minor injuries.

After the incident, SSP Abhishek Singh reached the spot with the police force and restored peace in the area.

Another report from Kanpur said BJP workers demonstrated outside the polling center of Chuniganj District Government Inter College, alleging fake voting in Sisamau assembly segment.

State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Randeep Rinwa said voting was underway on a peaceful note except for some minor clashes in Muzaffarnagar.

He said till 1300 hours, the voting percentage was 31.21%.

Till 1300 hours, 36.77 % voting was recorded in Meerapur seat, 31.68 % voting in Majhwan, 28.80 percent voting in Khair, 26.67 percent voting in Phulpur, 41.01 percent voting in Kundarki, 32.29 percent voting in Karhal assembly seat, 36.54 percent voting in Katehari seat, 20.92 percent voting on Ghaziabad seat and

28.50 percent voting in Sisamau assembly seat.

Meanwhile, SP President Akhilesh Yadav said that BJP is pressurizing the administration to stop SP supporters from voting.

Officials are not allowing people to vote, he alleged while appealing to the public, that if the police stop people from voting once, then go to vote again.

Taking the names of some officers, he has demanded their removal.

Akhilesh Yadav was addressing the media at the party office here on Wednesday.

Akhilesh Yadav said that SP people should make videos and take photographs of such officials who are not allowing them to vote.

On the other hand BJP has also made a complaint to the EC alleging that SP was indulging in fake voting and trying to trigger violence during the polling.

The voting will continue till 1800 hrs.

The by-elections in 9 assembly seats of UP will seal the fate of 90 candidates.
New York City is poised to launch the first congestion pricing plan to reduce traffic in a major U.S. metropolitan area on 5 January 2025. Like many journeys in the Big Apple, this one has been punctuated by delays, including a pause that Gov. Kathy Hochul imposed in early June 2024 as the plan was about to launch. Now, however, Hochul has resuscitated the plan with a new $9 fee for private cars to enter Manhattan, down from $15 in the earlier iteration. It remains to be seen whether this version can withstand resistance and legal challenges from New Jersey officials, car commuters and President-elect Donald Trump.

Assuming that the system starts up, its expected to significantly reduce gridlock in Manhattan and generate billions of dollars to improve public transit citywide. The basic idea is simple. To enter the Congestion Relief Zone, which covers Manhattan south of 60th Street, under new rates announced by Hochul, large trucks will now pay $21.60, small trucks $14.40, passenger vehicles $9 and motorcycles $4.50. Ride-share vehicles and taxis will pay $1.50 and $0.75, respectively. Peak hours run from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends; overnight tolls are discounted by 75 per cent. Passenger vehicles that are not part of the E-ZPass electronic toll collection system will pay $13.50 during peak periods. Evidence from cities around the world shows that charging motorists fees for driving into city centres during busy periods is a rarity in urban public policy: a measure that works and is cost-effective.

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Congestion pricing has succeeded in cities including London, Singapore and Stockholm, where it has eased traffic, sped up travel times, reduced pollution and provided funds for public transportation and infrastructure investments. As an urban policy scholar, Im looking forward to seeing New Yorks plan go into effect. There may well be surprises and adjustments as officials see how it works in practice. But given the heavy costs that traffic imposes on public health and productivity, Im encouraged to see a major U.S. city finally test this approach. Congestion pricing is a response to externalities  costs or benefits that are generated by one party but incurred by another. Clogged city streets and air pollution are externalities created by urban car users, many of whom live outside the city. This concept has been around for some time. British economist Arthur Pigou discussed it as early as 1920 as part of his attempt to remedy the suboptimal workings of the market system. In Pigous view, taxing harmful activities would discourage people from engaging in them. Other thinkers took up this idea.

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In 1963, Canadian economist William Vickrey, a future Nobel laureate, argued that roads were scarce resources that needed to be valued by imposing costs on users. This approach is behind behavioral economics, the policy strategy of using nudges that preserve choice but encourage certain actions. Congestion pricing assumes that increased prices will make people heading into New York think more carefully about their travel patterns, and about alternatives to driving. Congestion pricing in a city a big as New York is no small step. The New York plan was presented to the board of the Metropolitan Transit Authority in November 2023 after years of study and a detailed environmental impact assessment, required by federal law. Project sponsors, who include several city agencies and the state transportation department, stated in the impact assessment that on an average weekday, an estimated 1.86 million people entered lower Manhattan by motor vehicle.

Travel speeds in Manhattans central business district, below 60th Street, declined by 23 per cent between 2010 and 2019, from 9.1 to 7.1 mph. The traffic was generating air and noise pollution, wasting travellers time, increasing business costs and preventing emergency vehicles from responding quickly to accidents. The agencies estimated that the proposed toll system would reduce traffic in the Congestion Relief Zone by 17 per cent, with an associated decline in air pollution. It also would generate $15 billion for capital improvements to the citys public transit system, including making stations accessible for passengers with disabilities and buying new electric buses and commuter rail and subway cars.

More than 75 per cent of all trips into the central business district are made by public transit. The system has been plagued by breakdowns over the past decade. The Metropolitan Transit Authority recently adopted a $52 billion capital improvement programme to update its network, some parts of which are more than 100 years old. Over several months of public hearings, the MTA heard both broad support for congestion pricing and thousands of requests for credits, discounts and exemptions, most of which were denied. The limited number of exemptions includes private commuter buses, school buses and city-owned vehicles, including emergency vehicles. In addition, drivers who travel via Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive on Manhattans eastern edge, the West Side Highway on its western edge, or the Carey Tunnel between Brooklyn and Battery Park will not be charged if they do not enter any street in the Congestion Relief Zone.

Drivers from the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island will be eligible for rebates and discounts on certain bridge tolls. There were widespread complaints from New Yorkers in the outer boroughs of the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, and from car commuters who live outside the city. New Jersey is suing the MTA, arguing among other things that the plan is unconstitutional because it burdens interstate commerce. This suit, which is ongoing, could delay the start of congestion pricing. Nonetheless, the board adopted the plan with just one dissenting vote, from a representative of Nassau County on Long Island. Many questions will only be answered once the system starts up. Will toll prices be high enough to spur people to switch to another mode of transportation or combine trips, while still generating enough revenue for the MTAs ambitious capital improvement program? How will toll revenue be spent? And how will commuters respond when they find that trains and subways initially are more crowded, before capital upgrades improve the system? Some low-income and minority communities that already experience heavy traffic, such as the Bronx, could see increased congestion as drivers detour around the toll zone.

To help mitigate some of these effects, the transit authority is planning to invest millions of dollars to reduce pollution in these environmental justice areas through steps such as installing air filters in schools, planting more trees and electrifying trucks at the massive Hunts Point Food Distribution Center in the Bronx. No one likes to pay for something that was previously free. But freedom for car users has imposed health and economic costs on millions of New Yorkers for many years. Congestion charges do raise equity issues, but only 5 per cent of people who commute into the central business district travel by car, and most of those drivers have relatively high incomes. The MTA may need to adjust tolls, the zones borders or other aspects of the plan. But if New Yorks experiment succeeds, it could provide a model and valuable insights for other traffic-clogged cities.

(The writer is Professor Emeritus of Public Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County. This article was published on www.theconversation.com)
A troubling wave of denunciations in Russia has revived a practice reminiscent of one of the darkest chapters in Soviet history. Citizens, emboldened by rhetoric that glorifies patriotism and vilifies dissent, are turning against one another, fuelling a climate of fear and repression. This disturbing trend, epitomised by recent high-profile cases, reflects the deep societal fractures and authoritarian impulses shaping Russia today. Denunciations ~ accusations made by ordinary people against their neighbours, colleagues, or even strangers ~ were a hallmark of Stalinist purges. These accusations often had devastating consequences, leading to imprisonment, exile, or execution.

Today, under the guise of national security and wartime censorship laws, such practices are reemerging with alarming frequency. In the current context, they are being used to silence dissent, enforce conformity, and root out perceived internal enemies. Recent cases highlight the profound personal and professional toll of these denunciations. A veteran doctor with a distinguis  hed career was imprisoned following accusations based on little more than hearsay. Her case demonstrates how easily denunciations can be weaponised to destroy reputations and lives, even in the absence of substantial evidence. What is particularly unsettling is that the judicial system appears complicit, often disregarding due process in favour of politically motivated outcomes. This culture of mutual suspicion is not happening in isolation. It is a direct result of government rhetoric that equates dissent with treachery. Citizens are encouraged to report anyone who deviates from the official line, creating an atmosphere of paranoia.

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Statements from the highest levels of leadership reinforce this mindset, framing the countrys current challenges as a battle not only against external enemies but also against internal traitors. The impact of this trend extends beyond the individuals targeted. It erodes trust within communities, creating a society where people are hesitant to express their opinions or even engage in casual conversations. For professionals in sensitive fields, such as medicine or education, the risks are particularly acute. Fear of being reported stifles open dialogue, innovation, and the willingness to serve in challenging environments. While the current wave of denunciations draws parallels with Soviet practices, it also has unique modern dimensions. Social media amplifies accusations, turning private grievances into public spectacles.

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This digital dimension accelerates the spread of fear and enhances the states ability to monitor and control dissent. The revival of such practices is a stark warning of the dangers of authoritarianism. A society that prioritises loyalty to the state over fundamental rights and freedoms risks losing its humanity. The international community must recognise the broader implications of these developments, not only for Russia but also as a cautionary tale about how easily repression can resurface in any context. Ultimately, the resurgence of denunciations is a symptom of a deeper crisis ~ one that demands both domestic and global attention to safeguard the principles of justice, freedom, and human dignity
Socialists invent class, nationalists invent the nation, and so the populists invent the people. This phrase distills a defining element of Donald Trumps political appeal and hints at his most recent ambition: a potential third term as President of the United States. Though the U.S. Constitutions 22nd Amendment prevents any president from serving more than two terms, Trumps words and actions suggest he may be willing to challenge this long-standing restriction, fuelling a new wave of discussion and debate over the limits of executive power in American democracy. Since the amendments ratification in 1951  following Franklin D. Roosevelts unprecedented four-term presidency presidential term limits have been an integral part of the U.S. Constitution. The amendment, designed to curb the accumulation of too much power in any single leader, was introduced to preserve democracy by preventing extended reigns in the nations highest office.

No president has seriously challenged it since then, but Trump is no ordinary president. His populist approach, aimed at dismantling traditional norms, opens the possibility of a third run, capturing the imagination of his base and sparking concerns among political observers. To challenge the 22nd Amendment would require a Herculean political effort. Passing a constitutional amendment demands supermajorities in both houses of Congress  at least 290 of 435 votes in the House of Representatives and 67 of 100 in the Senate. Beyond that, 38 of the 50 U.S. states would need to ratify the amendment for it to take effect. These hurdles are in place to protect foundational principles, making any change exceedingly difficult in todays deeply divided political environment. Yet Trumps populist appeal and unorthodox style suggest he may believe these obstacles can be overcome with the right message and a mobilized base.

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Trumps possible third-term bid aligns with his larger-than-life image as a leader for the people and against what he describes as the political elite. Since his initial election in 2016, he has characterized himself as an outsider, ready to do whatever it takes to shake up a system he claims has lost touch with ordinary Americans. For his supporters, Trumps style and policy choices, though controversial, embody this outsider ethos. His administration was marked by decisions that broke with political tradition, and his unconventional appointments were often more a reflection of popular sentiment than professional credentials. One of the most emblematic aspects of Trumps presidency was his appointment of vocal anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to a health advisory position. This move catered to a faction of his base sceptical of established health policies and, in particular, vaccine mandates. Critics claimed such appointments undermined science and public health, but Trumps supporters saw them as a challenge to what they perceived as unchecked authority in the medical establishment.

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For Trump, these decisions represented the broader ethos of populism: amplifying voices and viewpoints that had previously been sidelined. Another example of Trumps populist style was his choice of press secretaries, particularly young women with media-savvy personas who connected directly with the public via social media. His selections, including the likes of Kayleigh McEnany, were criticized by some for focusing more on appearance and charisma than on experience. However, Trumps supporters viewed these choices as refreshing, seeing them as a break from the bureaucratic norm and a shift towards an administration that felt accessible and in touch with the media culture of the digital age.

As Trump hints at a third bid, the debate surrounding his intentions has taken on a constitutional dimension. The 22nd Amendment exists precisely to prevent the concentration of power in any single leader. Trumps willingness to consider a challenge to it raises questions about the durability of democratic norms in an era defined by populism. Should Trump genuinely pursue this path, he would need overwhelming support not only from Congress but also from the American public, as the approval of 38 states would be a formidable requirement in any political landscape. Supporters argue that extraordinary times call for extraordinary leaders, and they believe a two-term limit might unjustly prevent an effective president from serving during times of need. In this light, they see a third term as a reasonable consideration, arguing that American voters not constitutional constraints should decide if a president has earned another term.

For them, Trumps influence and agenda are about preserving an American identity they feel is under threat, and any pushback against constitutional limits would be a justifiable means of defending their vision. Detractors, however, view Trumps interest in a third term as a dangerous move toward authoritarianism. Presidential term limits were introduced precisely to prevent prolonged rule by a single individual, and those opposing Trumps potential third run see it as a challenge to the very foundation of American democracy. In their view, any attempt to amend the 22nd Amendment to suit a specific political figure would erode the integrity of the U.S. Constitution and pave the way for other leaders to attempt similar power consolidations. For Trump, the symbolism of pursuing a third term could resonate with his base as a continuation of a populist revolution against entrenched elites and political norms. His 2016 slogan, Make America Great Again, has evolved beyond policy into a full-fledged movement focused on challenging mainstream power structures.

Trump supporters, many of whom distrust the establishment media, see their loyalty as a stand for American identity against forces they view as diluting it. This segment of the electorate sees Trump as a cultural warrior, someone who dares to say and do what others would not. For them, a third term would represent a continuation of that battle. However, amending the Constitution for a third term goes beyond any individual candidate; it brings into focus a central tension in democratic societies. How much flexibility should there be in the rules governing leadership succession? The power and appeal of populism lies in its ability to connect with the people, but this connection can sometimes strain the structures of democratic governance. Trumps challenge to the 22nd Amendment may be seen as an expression of populism taken to its ultimate extent, where the will of the people is pitted against institutional safeguards.

If Trump were to succeed in garnering support for a third term, it would mark a significant shift in American democracy. It would signal a move toward a system more open to bending long-standing rules in favour of powerful personalities. For some, this flexibility could be viewed as a pragmatic approach in an era of rapid change, adapting constitutional norms to meet the demands of a polarized society. For others, it would represent a troubling departure from democratic principles and an endorsement of political instability. As the 2028 election draws nearer, the potential for Trump to pursue a third term, or at least lay the groundwork for that possibility, will likely continue to dominate public conversation. His brand of populism has already reshaped American politics, challenging notions of civility, convention, and governance.

A push for a third term would amplify these dynamics. In the end, Trumps third-term ambitions are more than a political question they are a defining moment for American democracy in the populist age. Whether Trump ultimately succeeds or not, his willingness to entertain the notion of amending the 22nd Amendment is a testament to the profound shifts populism has brought to the political landscape. The debate that Trump has ignited will shape American democracy long after 2028, leaving a lasting imprint on the nations future.

(The writer is Associate Professor, Centre For South Asian Studies, Pondicherry Central University.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday that India cherishes a close friendship with Argentina.

Had an outstanding meeting with President Javier Milei of Argentina. India cherishes the close friendship with Argentina. Our Strategic Partnership marks 5 years, adding immense vibrancy to bilateral relations. We talked about enhancing ties in energy, defence production, trade and culture, PM Modi wrote on X.

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Earlier, PM Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni acknowledged the significant potential of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership at the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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During their bilateral meeting on Monday, both leaders agreed to strengthen their collaboration and outlined a series of targeted, time-sensitive initiatives, along with a joint strategic action plan to advance this partnership, the Prime Ministers Office said in a statement.

Prime Minister Modis talks with Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni focused on enhancing the partnership between New Delhi and Rome in several important sectors.

On Tuesday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also described his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as productive as he announced plans to relaunch bilateral trade negotiations.

A very productive meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yesterday, we announced plans to relaunch UK-India trade talks. A new trade deal will support jobs and prosperity in the UK and represent a step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across the country, Starmer said in a post on X.

In the meeting that took place on the sidelines on the first day of the Rio G20 Summit, both leaders agreed to advance the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The collaboration aims to elevate relations in trade and investment, security and defence, technology, climate action, health, and education, according to a statement released by 10 Downing Street.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Guyana from Brazil on Wednesday on the last leg of his three-nation tour. This is the first visit by an Indian PM to Guyana in 56 years.

As a special gesture, on arrival at the Georgetown airport, he was warmly received by the President of Guyana Mohamed Irfaan Ali, along with Prime Minister Brigadier (Retd) Mark Anthony Phillips and was accorded a ceremonial welcome. More than a dozen Cabinet Ministers of the Government of Guyana were also present at the ceremony.

On his arrival at the hotel, he was welcomed by President Ali along with other leaders. In addition, he received a rousing and colourful welcome from the Indian community and the Indo-Guyanese diaspora.

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Between the welcome at the airport and the hotel, the entire Guyanese government Cabinet was present. As a testament to the close India-Guyana friendship, the Mayor of Georgetown handed over the Key to the City of Georgetown to Mr Modi.

The visit underlines the growing diplomatic and economic engagement between the two countries, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as trade, energy, and cultural exchange.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Airports are reaffirming their commitment to climate action, ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci said at a panel discussion on "Airport Climate Action Showcase Heydar Aliyev International Airport Spearheading Carbon Reduction in the Subregion" at COP29 in Azerbaijan's Baku, Trend reports.

"Airports are demonstrating their commitment to addressing climate change, which was once again highlighted today at COP29. In light of the complex political challenges surrounding climate action, we must collectively reaffirm our commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Aviation brings immense benefits to our society and economy. Airports and their partners must continue to work towards reducing carbon footprints while preserving aviation's unique role in promoting prosperity and enhancing resilience to climate change. We look forward to governments worldwide providing supportive frameworks to make the long-term ambitious goal of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) achievable," Erbacci said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The Airports Council International (ACI) expresses its gratitude to Heydar Aliyev International Airport for its commitment to sustainable development principles, ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci told reporters on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Trend reports.

"We are very happy to be here in Baku at COP29 and would like to extend our sincere thanks to Azerbaijan and the airport team for their hospitality and support. It is especially important to highlight that Heydar Aliyev International Airport has committed to achieving carbon neutrality and overall sustainability.

The airport has received carbon accreditation today, marking a significant step toward becoming an environmentally sustainable hub. This is critical in reaching our shared goal of carbon-neutral airports by 2050. We are deeply grateful to Heydar Aliyev International Airport for their efforts and dedication to sustainable development principles, and we look forward to working together to achieve the next level of accreditation," Erbacci 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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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 Presidency 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
Majority supports closer UK-China economic ties: survey

Xinhua) 09:42, November 20, 2024

LONDON, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- A live survey conducted by The Times shows on Tuesday that over 60 percent of respondents believe Britain should strengthen economic ties with China.

As of Tuesday evening, more than 5,660 participants had responded to the question "Is Starmer right to forge closer economic ties with China?" and 63 percent of them voted "yes."

John Bryson, a strategy and international business expert at the University of Birmingham, told Xinhua: "The recent reader poll represents a snapshot of a particular group's attitudes."

"In many cases, trade fosters job creation and global economic growth. Encouraging open, fair, and transparent trading relationships is a core economic development strategy," he said.

The survey was carried out by the pollster Opinary for The Times, Britain's oldest national daily newspaper.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Slovakia is ready to establish a regional center for the European Growth Initiative, the countrys Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment Tomas Taraba said at a press conference within the framework of COP29 in Baku, Trend reports.

"I highly appreciate the climate change discussions organized by Azerbaijan. We cannot ignore the crisis caused by climate change. All policymakers are responsible for helping people live in good urban communities. We are very happy to share our experience. Slovakia is ready to create a regional center for the European Growth Initiative. We fully support this initiative.

We are also excited to share our expertise on sensitive issues, such as water resource management," 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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was 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 Presidency 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.

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Upasana Konidela, wife of actor Ram Charan, has caused the latest stir on social media for posting a photo of her husband visiting a dargah.

The enterpreneur, who is the vice chairman of the Apollo Foundation, posted a photo of Ram, who is currently observing Ayyappa Deeksha, praying at the Kadapa Dargah in Andhra Pradesh.

Faith unites, never divides

As Indians, we honor all paths to the divine  our strength lies in unity.  #OneNationOneSpirit #jaihind @AlwaysRamCharan respecting other religions while following his own  pic.twitter.com/BdW58IEEF9  Upasana Konidela (@upasanakonidela) November 19, 2024

Upasana's attempt at bridging the two religions was not well-received and many took to the comments section to express their opinions.

"Stop this nonsense Upasana. He is in Ayyappa mala. There are rules to be followed. He made a mistake. Stop chest thumping despite making a grave mistake. This is hurting Ayyappa swami devotees," one wrote, while another netizen commented, "Wearing Ayyappa mala and visiting the death grave is nothing less than a crime."

Upasana was quick to shut down netizens who criticised her husband's decision. To a comment that said religions should not interfere with each other, she simply shared a link to a Times of India article titled "Embracing Harmony: Sabarimala's Unique Tradition of Praying at the Mosque of Vavar".

According to the article, "Vavar mosque stands as the symbol of the harmony between Hindus and Muslims, where devotees of Ayyappa pay their respects before commencing their pilgrimage to Sabarimala. With a rich tapestry of legends, dreams, and cultural offerings, the Vavar Mosque symbolizes an enduring spirit of interfaith unity and shared spirituality."

Ram is currently gearing up for the release of S. Shankar's Game Changers, which is set to release on January 10, 2025. He was last seen in RRR and Acharya, both of which released in 2022. He also made a special appearance in the song Yentamma in Salman Khan-starrer Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan.
A leading Canadian newspaper on Wednesday reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of the alleged plot to kill Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was gunned down in Surrey, British Columbia, in June last year. The Justin Trudeau government had alleged potential involvement of Indian agents in the incident, sparking a diplomatic face-off between the two countries.

New Delhi has strenuously denied any complicity in Nijjars murder.

An unnamed Canadian national security official told the Globe and Mail that the Canadians are convinced that the plot to kill Nijjar was led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were all informed about it, he further said.

Though the Canadian authorities had earlier linked Shah to the alleged plot, this is the first time an accusation has been made against Modi, Jaishankar and Doval in this regard.

The official said the (Canadian) assessment is that it would be unthinkable that three senior political figures in India would not have discussed the targeted killings with Mr. Modi before proceeding, the report said.

India hit back at the newspaper report, saying such smear campaigns would further damage the already strained ties between the two countries.

Our response to queries regarding a report in Canadian media: https://t.co/1IAURpKlfT pic.twitter.com/jIPlg05JM6  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) November 20, 2024

We do not normally comment on media reports. However, such ludicrous statements made to a newspaper purportedly by a Canadian government source should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

India-Canada relations nosedived after Justin Trudeau said last year that there was credible intelligence linking Indian government agents to the killing of Nijjar.

The diplomatic tension escalated further last month after Canada alleged the involvement of the Indian high commissioner in the incident, drawing a sharp reaction from New Delhi.

India expelled six Canadian diplomats and announced withdrawing its high commissioner from Canada after dismissing Ottawa's allegations.
The Jammu and Kashmir government will soon enhance the ration quota and provide 12 gas cylinders annually to households as a New Year gift.

The announcement was made by Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma while speaking to reporters on Wednesday. We have ensured all necessary arrangements for winter to ensure a smooth supply of essentials across the region, he said.

He said that restoring Jammu and Kashmirs statehood is a top priority. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has personally met with top leaders in New Delhi to press for statehood restoration," Sharma said. "I believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also interested in restoring statehood. Once that is achieved, other pending issues will be addressed.

He requested 11 months to address the "gaps and deficiencies" created over the past 11 years.

Regarding winter preparedness, Sharma stated that much has been done but admitted there are still areas that need improvement.

Our officers are capable, but some deficiencies persist. These will be addressed soon, he said.

He assured the public that essential supplies like food and fuel have been stockpiled in key locations to avoid shortages during the harsh winter. We are prepared, but we must remain vigilant to tackle any unforeseen challenges, he added.

This announcement comes as the National Conference (NC) government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, completes its first month in office. In this short time, the government has already fulfilled several promises.

With the proposed increase in the monthly ration quota, deserving households will also receive 12 subsidized gas cylinders annually, addressing both food security and rising fuel costs. The academic calendar has been revised to better suit the regions seasonal and administrative needs, reducing disruptions caused by the harsh winters. Additionally, the age eligibility for combined competitive exams has been increased, providing aspirants with more opportunities to compete.

As part of its winter preparedness, the government has strategically stockpiled essential commodities in remote and snow-prone areas, ensuring that residents are not left without food or fuel during the winter. Furthermore, government offices have been shifted to Jammu for the winter months, facilitating smoother governance during severe weather in Kashmira practice that had been abandoned by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha-led administration.

These initiatives reflect the governments focus on addressing immediate concerns while setting the stage for pursuing the restoration of statehood.
In a major setback to the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court on Wednesday transferred the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The case relating to the incident that claimed the lives of 68 people is currently being probed by the Crime Branch Criminal Investigation Division (CBCID) of the Tamil Nadu police.

Hearing petitions filed by the opposition political parties including the AIADMK, PMK, DMDK and the BJP, a division bench comprising justices D Krishnakumar and P B Balaji passed the orders on Wednesday and transferred the investigation to the CBI. The opposition parties in their petitions had urged for a CBI investigation in the case, stating that a probe by the Tamil Nadu police may not yield justice to the families of the victims.

The bench contended that the case be transferred to the CBI given the seriousness of the issue as 68 lives have been lost due to the consumption of illicit liquor. In his observation, Justice Balaji said that the sake of illicit liquor happened right under the nose of the police and the authorities did not act even after they had information.

The Kallakurichi hooch tragedy was one of the major setbacks for the DMK soon after it won all 39 constituencies in the Lok Sabha poll. The government initially did not know the seriousness of the issue and said that the death was not due to spurious liquor. Later when the death toll began to climb, the government swung into action and switched to damage control mode.

The district collector was transferred and the SP was placed under suspension. The government brought amendments to the existing law to allow stringent punishment for those who brew and sell spurious liquor. Huge barrels of liquor stored at the Kalvarayan hills near Kallakurichi were confiscated by the police after several rounds of search operations.
Voting to the 288 seats in Maharashtra Assembly began on Wednesday at 7 am, a high-stakes election that will see the ruling Mahayuti alliance led by the BJP take on the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) combine.

As many as 4,132 candidates are in the fray. In Mahayuti, the BJP has the highest number of candidates at 149, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) has candidates in 81 seats while Ajit Pawar-led NCP has fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. In the opposition's MVA combine, the Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) has put up 86 candidates.

Other parties in the fray include Bahujan Samaj Party which fielded 237 candidates and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), which has 17 candidates.

Both Mahayuti and MVA alliances ran a mammoth campaign ahead of the campaign, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah leading the campaigning for the former. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Sharad Pawar crisscrossed the state meeting voters for the MVA, as the Opposition hopes to repeat their performance in the Lok Sabha elections to bounce back to power.

Early voters

Among those who cast their votes early were Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, a candidate from Baramati Assembly constituency and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

Ajit Pawar faces his nephew Yugendra Pawar, a political debutant, in the constituency. Yugendra is the son of Ajit Pawar's younger brother. However, Ajit expressed optimism about his win after casting his vote.

#WATCH | On allegations against Supriya Sule and Nana Patole, Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP candidate from Baramati Assembly constituency, Ajit Pawar says "Whatever audio clip is being shown, I just know that I have worked with both of them. One of them is my sister and the other pic.twitter.com/wgoEJrAFya  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

"Even during Lok Sabha elections, members of our family contested against each other. I have tried to meet every voter in Baramati and am hopeful that the people will make me victorious. I am sure that the voters will think about the numerous allegations against the MVA," Ajit told voters.

NCP (SCP) MP Supriya Sule was also one of the early voters.

#WATCH | Nagpur, Maharashtra: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat says, "In a democracy, voting is a citizen's duty. Every citizen should perform this duty. I was in Uttaranchal, but I came here last night to cast my vote. Everyone should vote..."#MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024 https://t.co/TPje6eCYg2 pic.twitter.com/U6ePRamY7f  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024 #WATCH | NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule along with her family show their inked fingers after casting a vote for #MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024



NCP has fielded Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and NCP-SCP has fielded Yugendra Pawar from the Baramati Assembly constituency. pic.twitter.com/x22KuN8OEI  ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

While Mohan Bhagwat cast his vote at a polling station in Nagpur, Governor C P Radhakrishnan was seen exercising his franchise at the polling booth at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, under the Colaba Assembly Constituency. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das was also seen arriving at the polling booth

Actor Rajkummar Rao and director Kabir Khan were also among those who arrived at the booth before 8 am to cast their votes. "It is very important (to vote). Everyone, please step out and vote," Rao said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Azerbaijan's Ministry of Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on energy storage with China Southern Power Grid International (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. and Powerchina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited at COP29 in Azerbaijan's Baku, Trend reports via the ministry's statement.

The MoU delineates collaboration in domains including pumped hydro storage systems (PHS), battery energy storage systems (BESS), high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems, and further technologies for alternative energy transmission, distribution, and grid modernization. A steering committee and a working group will be formed to improve coordination and supervise the processes for effective implementation.

Before the signing ceremony, the Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov met with delegations from the companies, led by Vice Presidents Fan Yalang, Liu Shaoquan, and Zhu Bo.

The meeting discussed the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China as well as prospects for cooperation in renewable energy and energy storage technologies under the memorandum.

Azerbaijan's efforts to expand green energy production and promote the development of energy corridors regionally and globally were highlighted.

Additionally, the participation of Chinese companies in this process was viewed positively in terms of integrating modern technologies and innovative solutions.

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 at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held 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.

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.

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The exit poll predictions of Maharastra and Jharkhand Assembly Elections will be out after the voting ends in both states. According to the Election Commission of India guidelines, the exit poll predictions can be published only after 6:30 pm.

One prominent poll predictor is Pradeep Gupta, who will release his firm Axis My India's predictions around 6:30 pm. The results will be streamed on the firm's YouTube channel.

Another firm C-Voter will release its predictions through the YouTube channel of the respective TV channel and the YouTube channel of TheRedMike.

Maharashtra

Voting began at 7 am in 288 seats across the state where the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is fighting Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) combine. The votes will be counted on November 23. Over 9.7 crore voters will be choosing from among the 4,136 candidates in the fray.

In the Mahayuti alliance, the BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena is in the fray in 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. In the opposition's MVA combine, the Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) has put up 86 candidates.

Jharkhand

The second phase of Jharkhand Assembly elections will see voting in 38 Assembly seats, where 528 candidates will seek a mandate. The prominent names in the fray in the second phase include Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri of the BJP.

In Jharkhand, the NDA takes on the INDIA bloc, a coalition led by JMM and Congress.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus at Vientiane, Lao PDR.

This was the first meeting between the two defence ministers after the disengagement of troops in Demchok and Depsang in eastern Ladakh.

Singh highlighted the fact that amicable relations between India and Chinathe two largest nations in the worldwould have positive implications for global peace and prosperity.

Had an extremely productive meeting with the Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun in Vientiane. We agreed to work together towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding. pic.twitter.com/PD7E6hue1h  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 20, 2024

We need to focus on cooperation rather than conflict, he said noting that the two countries are and will continue to remain neighbours.

Shri Rajnath Singh called for reflecting on the lessons learnt from the unfortunate border clashes of 2020, take measures to prevent recurrence of such events and safeguard peace and tranquility along the India-China border, the defence ministry said in a statement.

It said the minister emphasised and looked forward to greater trust and confidence building between the two sides through de-escalation.

During the meeting, both Singh and Jun agreed to work together towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding.

The defence minister arrived at Vientiane on a three-day visit to attend the 11th ADMM-Plus on November 21 and address the forum on regional and international security issues.

Earlier on Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese foreign minister H.E. Wang Yi held talks in Rio de Janeiro on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. The two leaders also reviewed progress in the disengagement of troops in eastern Ladakh.

According to an MEA statement, the two foreign ministers discussed resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrimage and direct flights between India and China.
Three fourth of the Bharatiya Janata Party candidates who will test their fates at the ballot boxes in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday have criminal cases registered against them. This is the highest of any party which is fighting eight seats in the by-elections.

BJPs ally Rashtriya Lok Dal, which is fighting the ninth seat, has also fielded a candidate with a criminal case to his name.

Nine seats in Uttar Pradesh will go to the bypolls on Wednesday. Except one seat, all seats have their incumbent MLAs getting elected to the Lok Sabha recently. The Sishamau candidate is in prison and thus necessitated the election in the seat.

The Samajwadi Party has 44 per cent criminal candidates while the Bahujan Samaj Party has 22 per cent.

Another notable trend is that the parties that have contesting a single seat have picked a candidate with registered criminal cases. This includes the Sarvjan Sukhay Party, Pichhra Samaj Party, Sarva Samaj Janata Party, Sabhi Jan Party and the Peace Party.

Around 48 per cent candidates are crorepatis, with the BSP and the Samajwadi Party leading the tally.

The richest candidate in this election is Shuchismita Maurya of the BJP who is contesting from Mirzapur and has assets worth over Rs 50 crore. She is also the candidate with the highest liability of over Rs six crore. The next two places are occupied by Samajwadi Party candidates Sumbul Rana from Muzaffarnagar with assets worth over Rs 40 crore and Singh Raj Jatav from Ghaziabad whose net worth exceeds Rs 28 crore.

The three canidates with the lowest net worth are independents. Rupesh Chandra from Ghaziabad has just Rs 18,000 to his name.

The most common qualification of candidates is graduate or equivalent with 54 per cent candidates reporting it in their affidavits. The most common age group of those contesting is 41 to 60 years. A miniscule 13 per cent of those in the fray are women.
A two-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday delivered a split verdict on the bail plea of former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee, who was arrested by the ED and the CBI as part of their investigations into several cases linked to the alleged teacher recruitment scam.

Justice Arijit Banerjee granted bail to Partha Chatterjee in the CBI case concerning the alleged West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment scam. However, Justice Apurba Sinha Ray disagreed. The matter will now be referred to the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, who will assign it to a larger bench.

The division bench also ruled on the bail pleas of eight others involved in the same case. Four were granted bail, while Justice Ray denied the others. However, Chatterjee, whose bail plea hearings concluded on October 7, would have remained behind the bars even if he had been granted bail on Wednesday.

Before the CBI took him into custody, Partha Chatterjee and his associate Arpita Mukherjee were first arrested by the ED on July 22, 2022, in connection with the alleged SSC recruitment scam. During their investigation, the ED seized over Rs 49.80 crore in cash, gold valued at approximately Rs 70 crore, and foreign currency worth about Rs 5.6 crore from properties linked to Mukherjee.

The 72-year-old former education ministers bail prayer in this case was rejected by the Calcutta High Court earlier this year. Currently, the matter is sub-judice at the Supreme Court of India. Meanwhile, he has also been arrested by the CBI in a case related to an alleged recruitment scam in West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBPE).

On Wednesday, the High Court granted bail to Kuntal Ghosh, an expelled youth leader of the Trinamool Congress, in an ED case related to the alleged primary recruitment scam. However, he will remain in custody as he has also been arrested by the CBI.






A day after US President Joe Biden authorised Kyiv to use a US-made long-range missile into Russian territory in the Bryansk Region, two undersea communication cables linking Lithuania and Sweden and Germany and Finland were found severed on Monday in the Baltic Sea.

While Lithuanian telecommunications company Telia claimed an undersea cable linking the country and Sweden was snapped on Sunday morning around 10 am, the disruption in a 1,200-km 'C-Lion' cable linking Germany and Finland was detected Monday.

Both Finland and Sweden joined NATO recently.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Tuesday that all clues point to sabotage as "no one believes that these cables were cut accidentally". "We have to state, without knowing specifically who it came from, that it is a 'hybrid action," he said. "And we also have to assume, without knowing it yet, that it is sabotage."

Pistorius's statement focuses on what regional analysts believe to be Russia's power move: 'Hybrid warfare'.

Germany and Finland also released a joint statement that said "European security is not only under threat from Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors." The US too, albeit in general terms, warned about "hybrid warfare".

What is hybrid warfare?

A hybrid attack may cover a wide range of options, including sabotage campaigns, assassinations, cyberattacks, communication disruptions and arming of US adversaries.

While President Putin announced he has lowered the threshold for his countrys use of nuclear weapons in retaliation to the US move of allowing Ukraine to strike inside Russia using American missiles. Russia may have already begun hybrid warfare.

So much so that, analysts believe the repercussions of the Ukraine attack may not come directly on the battlefield but elsewhere in the world, especially in Europe.

Earlier this month, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte had openly accused Russia of intensifying its campaign of hybrid attacks that showed that the frontline in this war is no longer solely in Ukraine. "Increasingly, the frontline is moving beyond borders to the Baltic region, to western Europe, and even to the high north," Rutte said.

Many point fingers at Russia's alleged 'hybrid warfare' in connection with the 2022 hacking campaign in Estonia and the arrest of Russians with drones and cameras near oil and gas infrastructure.

There were also murder plots and conspiracies which the US and Germany suspect were the brainchilds of Russia.

These include a plot to murder European defence industry executives, including the CEO of the leading German arms manufacturer, Rheinmetall. There was another sabotage plot involving incendiary devices hidden inside planes in the UK.

Last month, MI5 head Ken McCallum said Russian GRU military intelligence was engaged in a campaign to "generate mayhem on British and European streets" using proxies that "further reduces the professionalism of their operations".
When Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden as the Presidential candidate against Republican Donald Trump, questions were raised on whether the US was ready to have a female president. While Harris herself expressed optimism that the US was "absolutely" ready to elect its first woman president, things didn't pan out as she expected.

As the wait for the first US woman President continues, former President and Democrat Bill Clinton has a prediction.

On whether the US is still not ready for a female president, Clinton told CBS News that "maybe" the US isn't ready yet. He, however, had a suggestion on how it would be easier for a Republican woman to get elected.

"I think in some ways we've moved to the right as a reaction to all the turmoil. And I think if Hillary had been nominated in 2008, she would've walked in, just like Obama did," Clinton added.

"Well, I think all these cultural battles that we're fighting make it harder in some ways for a woman to run," he said.

You think it has more to do with party than gender? news correspondent Tracy Smith asked.

"No," Clinton responded. "Although I think it would probably be easier for a conservative Republican woman to win." He, however, expressed optimism that the US will soon have a female president pretty soon."

Both Bill and Hillary Clinton had campaigned for Harris in August, urging her to break the "highest, tallest" glass ceiling in the country, a reference to the all-male history of the U.S. presidency.

Clinton was speaking during the promotion of his latest book 'Citizen' wherein he talks about his infamous affair with Monica Lewinsky. On why he decided to touch upon the topic in his book, Clinton said it was because he felt he needed to say something about it.

"I wanted to be as helpful as I could to let her turn the page. I think she should be given a chance to build a life that is about her and the future, and not, you know, being whiplashed into an old story," Clinton said.

In the book, it is said that Clinton complimented Lewinsky's work, adding that he lives with it all the time. "I wish her nothing but the best," he wrote.
New Delhi Aerocity celebrated its 11th anniversary in spectacular style, marking over a decade of excellence in luxury hospitality. To commemorate this milestone, the hotel hosted an exclusive event featuring an exquisite six-course dinner, curated by acclaimed Berlin-based Chef Caique Tizzi. Held in the iconic Grand Crystal Ballroom, the evening was a true celebration of culinary artistry and global flavors.



Reflecting on this milestone, Sandeep Gupta, Executive Chairman of Aria Hotels & Consultancy Services, said, Its been an amazing journey since 2013. Every year, we aim to bring something different, innovative, and creative. This year, we wanted to offer our guests and patrons a complete sensory experience by blending food and art in a unique way. Were thrilled to have brought this vision to life through such an immersive celebration, and as we complete yet another incredible year.



Chef Caique Tizzi, known for his innovative approach to tropical ingredients and immersive dining experiences, transformed the ballroom into a vibrant setting for Tropical Anthologyan experience designed to take guests on a unique culinary journey. The six-course menu artfully blended flavors, art, and storytelling, exploring the impact of tropical ingredients on diverse cultures around the world. Each course brought forward Chef Caiques signature style, combining elements of history and innovation, and leaving guests with a sense of wonder and discovery. The evenings atmosphere was heightened by the ethereal sounds of MIDIval Punditz, whose music created the perfect backdrop to this sensory celebration.



Adding to the magic of the night, Neel Madhav delivered a mesmerizing performance that left guests captivated. Known for his extraordinary skills in mentalism and illusion, Neel brought an element of wonder and astonishment to the event, keeping the audience spellbound with each act.



Sharad Datta, General Manager of JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity, shared his thoughts on the occasion: This anniversary is not just a celebration of our past but a stepping stone towards an even brighter future. Over the years,



our commitment to creating exceptional experiences has only grown stronger, and tonights event reflects our dedication to pushing boundaries in hospitality. We are grateful to our guests and team for their continued trust and support, and we look forward to many more years of innovation and excellence.



Over the past eleven years, JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity has earned its place as a leading hotel in the Delhi-NCR region, recognized with numerous awards and accolades. The hotel continues to set new benchmarks in luxury, service, and guest experiences, making it a top choice for travelers and locals alike. This 11th-anniversary celebration is yet another testament to the hotels commitment to excellence and its dedication to creating unforgettable moments for its guests.



For press and media enquiries, please reach out to us at director@studioshibui.in



About JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity



JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts expanded its luxury portfolio in India with the debut of JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity on November 21, 2013. The hotel is a luxury destination in Aerocity with 509 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites, situated at a prime location adjacent to Central Delhi and Gurgaon, conveniently located just a 7-minute drive from the Airport. The hotel offers an alluring array of four restaurants and lounges including K3 - New Delhis Food Theatre, Adrift Kaya  the Japanese Izakaya, Delhi Baking Company, and JW Lounge. JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity features one of the citys largest meeting and conference facilities with over 30,000 sq. ft. of flexible convention spaces, including a 12,000 sq. ft. pillar-less ballroom. Distinct features of the hotel also include Quan Spa, an outdoor heated swimming pool, and a modern fitness center. To find out more, visit www.jwdelhi.com, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.



(Disclaimer: The above content is a press release and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) India and the UK would seek to bridge the differences for expeditious conclusion of the proposed free trade agreement as Britain has announced resuming the negotiations early next year, an official statement said on Wednesday.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that trade talks with India will relaunch in the new year, following his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in Brazil.

Starmer and Modi met on the sidelines of the summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, after which Downing Street said the UK will seek a new strategic partnership with India, including a trade agreement.

The India-UK talks for the proposed FTA began in January 2022. The 14th round of talks stalled as the two nations stepped into their general election cycles.

"We welcome the announcement by the UK to relaunch the India-UK free trade talks in the new year," the commerce ministry said.

Noting the importance for securing a balanced, mutually beneficial and forward looking FTA, it said, India looks forward to closely working with the UK's negotiating team to address remaining issues to mutual satisfaction.

The dates would be finalised through diplomatic channels soon.

"The FTA talks would resume the discussions from the progress achieved previously and seek to bridge the gaps for expeditiously closing the trade deal," it added.

There are pending issues in both the goods and services sectors.

The Indian industry is demanding greater access for its skilled professionals from sectors like IT and healthcare in the UK market, besides market access for several goods at nil customs duty.

On the other hand, the UK is seeking a significant cut in import duties on goods such as scotch whiskey, electric vehicles, lamb meat, chocolates and certain confectionary items.

Britain is also looking for more opportunities for UK services in Indian markets in segments like telecommunications, legal and financial services (banking and insurance).

The two countries are also negotiating a bilateral investment treaty (BIT).

There are 26 chapters in the agreement, which includes goods, services, investments and intellectual property rights.

The bilateral trade between India and the UK increased to USD 21.34 billion in 2023-24 from 20.36 billion in 2022-23.

A virtual meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Jonathan Reynolds, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, was held on July 11 to discuss next steps on the pact.

During April-September this year, India's exports to the UK witnessed a growth of 12.38 per cent, reaching USD 7.32 billion, compared to USD 6.51 billion during the same period in 2023.

Mineral fuels, machinery, and precious stones, pharmaceuticals, apparels, iron and steel and chemicals lead India's export basket to the UK, contributing a 68.72 per cent share of total exports.

"The UK is a priority country for the achievement of our ambitious USD 1 trillion export target by FY30, with our exports to the UK expected to reach USD 30 billion by 2029-30," the ministry said.
India with the grand opening of its first two flagship boutiques located at Nexus Select Citywalk Mall in New Delhi & the Phoenix Mall of Asia in Bengaluru. Beauty addicts and fragrance lovers will be able to immerse themselves in an array of YSL Beautys cult favorites like; All Hours Foundation, Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick & Libre fragrance, the latest viral innovations from the brand such as Loveshine Lipstick & MYSLF and exclusive collections and limited-edition products, bringing a unique offering to customers unavailable anywhere else in India.



The boutiques offer a chic & immersive experience for customers, designed to reflect the brands bold and edgy aesthetics. Its gold accents & sleek marble interiors, create a bright eye-catching environment, the center of the store with its black flooring reminiscent of a catwalk, put Makeup as the first touchpoint, attracting with color & product profusion. Each element in the store is intentionally designed to enhance the customer journey.



The 35 & 49 sqm spaces allows customers an elevated experience to explore a curated selection of YSL Beautys most iconic products with the guidance of passionate & highly trained in-house experts & Makeup Artists while being the first destination in India to launch the YSL Look Sur Mesure makeup services - A tailor-made couture consultation where customers can discover YSLs signature edge with bold lips, captivating eyes and/or sculptural face. With a year-round calendar of stylish events, attendees can learn about the latest trends and techniques, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the artistry & expertise of YSL Beauty. In addition, the YSL Beauty boutiques in India offer an exceptional gifting experience. A dedicated 'Make it Yours' area provides customers the ability to personalize their makeup & fragrance products with engraving and couture gift wrapping options to build a bespoke gift with the signature YSL edgy luxury.



In keeping with YSL Beautys commitment to sustainability, the boutique incorporates eco-conscious materials and energy-efficient lighting, reflecting the brands dedication to reducing its environmental footprint. Instore customers can purchase refills of the bestselling fragrances such as Libre & MYSLF allowing customers to hold on to their bottles like a forever accessory while reducing glass, metal & plastic usage every time they purchase a refill.



Shreshta Jana, General Manager of L'Oreal Luxe India, says, "Opening YSL Beauty Exclusive Boutiques in Delhi and Bengaluru marks an exciting new chapter for us in India. These cities are influential, and we are thrilled to offer YSL Beauty's innovative products, expert services and luxurious experiences to our Indian consumers. YSL Beauty represents more than just beauty; it embodies confidence, boldness, and making a statement. We are proud to create a space where our customers can express themselves with boldness and style."



Since its inception, YSL Beauty has been synonymous with boundary-pushing innovation and unparalleled luxury. Guided by the iconic vision of M. Saint Laurent, the brand has consistently redefined beauty standards, empowering individuals to express themselves freely and fearlessly. As Yves Saint Laurent Beauty expands its presence in India, it remains committed to enhancing beauty through sophistication and innovation with its mission to create daring beauty that dresses change. Each exclusive boutique is a testament to our dedication to push the boundaries of style and inspire our customers.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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Mumbai, Nov 20 (PTI) Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das and leading captains of industry cast their vote in the financial capital for the Maharashtra Assembly elections on Wednesday.

Das went to exercise his franchise with his wife at a booth near his official residence in south Mumbai, and complimented the election officials for the arrangements they have made.

Former chairman of HDFC, Deepak Parekh, also voted at a booth in a south Mumbai neighbourhood and appealed to everybody to vote pointing to his swift experience at the booth.

Amid concerns about low turnouts repeatedly in the financial capital, the outspoken financial services industry veteran questioned the reasons for the reluctance to participate in the process despite incentives like a public holiday being thrown in.

Keki Mistry, Parekh's long-time colleague who retired as the vice chairman and chief executive of HDFC, also exercised his franchise at another booth nearby.

Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran also cast his vote in south Mumbai and called voting a privilege that everybody should exercise.

Industrialist Ajay Piramal also voted along with his wife Swati near his residence in the financial capital. After stepping out, Piramal also urged all the voters to come out and exercise their franchise.

Swati Piramal, an author, said the new government needs to focus on children, women's issues and health.

Textile and realty major Raymond's Gautam Singhania and construction-focused HCC's Ajit Gulabchand were also among the other notable captains of the industry who had voted till about 3 pm.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The second edition of the Net Zero Roadmap for Travel and Tourism was presented by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) with the support of the State Tourism Agency as part of the Tourism Day at COP29, Trend reports.

According to information, the Net Zero Roadmap for Travel and Tourism, as an improved decarbonization document of the first roadmap presented at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, highlights the urgency of climate action to achieve the goal of net zero for the tourism sector by 2050.

The report, published with the support of the State Tourism Agency, found that 53 percent of 250 travel companies have already set their climate targets, a 42 percent increase from the first report published in 2021. According to the report, 75 percent of global travelers express a desire for more sustainable travel.

According to Kanan Gasimov, Chief of Staff of the State Tourism Agency, the report presents a roadmap for reducing emissions in sectors directly and indirectly related to tourism, from aviation to the hotel industry. He noted that the inclusion of tourism in international climate discussions under Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency is an important achievement for the global tourism industry, emphasizing the importance of applying sustainable tourism practices to national strategies, an approach that adapts to global climate goals, and supports local communities by preserving our natural heritage.

In her speech, Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council, noted that the updated roadmap is a challenge for tourism and travel businesses and that joint urgent steps are needed to protect our planet and ensure that tourism is supported for a lasting and sustainable world. The report highlights that the global tourism industry has seen a 27 percent increase in meeting climate goals over the past three years, and more than half are actively committed to emission reduction commitments.

Based on the World Travel and Tourism Council's Environmental and Social Research Paper cited in the report, the travel and tourism sector accounted for 6.5 percent of global emissions in 2023, indicating a 7.8 percent decrease in 2019, as well as a 10.2 percent decrease in the sector's greenhouse gas intensity. It also notes a six percent decrease in carbon intensity in the aviation sector in 2023 compared to 2019 and an 11 percent decrease in the cruise and hospitality industries.

The roadmap also encourages businesses to adopt targets for carbon reduction strategies and encourages travel companies, states, and other stakeholders to support measures in this direction, encouraging travelers to travel more responsibly.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) A delegation from Japan Quality Assurance Organization (JQA) has expressed interest in testing Indian steel products, noting that over 50 per cent of their certification work pertains to the steel sector, the government said on Wednesday.

The delegation, led by JQA's Deputy Director Toshihiko Komitie, visited the National Test House (NTH) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on November 19 to explore potential collaborations for testing Indian products under Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS).

"This presents a significant opportunity for Indian steel manufacturers to obtain JIS certification, enhancing their appeal in Japanese and global markets," a government statement said.

The JQA team saw equipment at NTH's facility, including the high-voltage testing equipment, it added.

The visiting delegation emphasised the possibilities of a long-term partnership between JQA and NTH, noting that the latter's advanced facilities could become a key resource for certifying Indian-made products for export to Japan.

According to the statement, NTH's comprehensive testing infrastructure, which covers a wide range of industrial products, aligns with global quality assurance standards.

The collaboration aims to support Indian manufacturers in meeting international standards, particularly in high-demand sectors such as steel, electrical components and other industrial goods.

The certification under JIS would boost the reputation of Indian products globally, making them more competitive in international markets, particularly Japan, the statement added.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has finalised model city logistics plans (CLPs) for Delhi and Bengaluru with an aim to improve urban freight efficiency and cut logistics costs, an official said on Wednesday.

Under the Indo-German technical cooperation, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ's) Green Freight Project supported the relevant state authorities in the preparation of the model CLPs and adopting international best practices.

This is crucial for reducing congestion, pollution and logistics costs while improving the overall quality of life in cities.

Additional Secretary in the DPIIT Rajeev Singh Thakur said that both Delhi and Karnataka governments have provided support for developing these plans.

"It is a work in progress. They have agreed to support. It is a model plan which can be used by these cities or any other city. It is a broad-based and theoretical plan to give a focus on logistics," he told reporters here.

From experiences gained in preparation of CLPs for Delhi and Bengaluru, the suggestive guidelines for preparing CLPs for Indian cities were compiled for the purpose of enabling all states and city authorities in India to prepare a plan for efficient freight and logistics movement within the city.

According to the DPIIT, this will help advance the Central government's agenda on ease of doing business and fulfil the country's ambition of achieving carbon Net Zero by 2070.

The guideline is also intended for practitioners in cities and states to make the city logistics ecosystem efficient and sustainable.

The guideline, it said, provides a framework and methodological approach from the perspective of a city to tailor its vision, objectives and indicators to specific local needs and peculiar city characteristics, collect relevant data and analyse its freight distribution issues and choose appropriate infrastructure, policy measures and services in collaboration with other relevant actors and stakeholders.

This guideline is also considered a living document that will continue to evolve through the incorporation of feedback and input from stakeholders and DPIIT will extend its support to the willing state/UTs to prepare city logistics plans.

In 2022, India launched the National Logistics Policy which includes the support for the development of city-level logistics plans. This initiative aims to reduce logistics costs and improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban freight transport.

Several countries have adopted city logistics plans to improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban freight transport. Japan has been a pioneer in city logistics implementing consolidation centres and other innovative solutions to manage freight effectively in densely populated urban areas.

Many European countries, including Germany, France and the Netherlands, have developed comprehensive city logistics plans.

These plans often focus on reducing emissions, improving traffic flow and integrating logistics with urban mobility plans.

Brazilian cities like Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro have started to implement city logistics plans to tackle congestion and pollution issues.

These countries are leveraging CLPs to create more sustainable and efficient urban environments, addressing unique challenges posed by urban freight transport.

Urban freight and city logistics systems can be highly efficient if planned and managed holistically. First and last-mile freight movement in cities is largely responsible for high logistics costs in India's supply chains.

Conventionally, policymakers have treated city logistics as a problem area and solutions have been driven often by ad-hoc planning.

This is because there is competition for road space as the city transport network and infrastructure are shared by both passenger and freight traffic; comprehensive mobility plan largely addresses issues and challenges of passenger movement with limited emphasis on urban freight and logistics; logistics is predominantly controlled and operated by private interests, and hence public authorities have limited role.

Therefore, a city logistics plan is crucial.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Navratna PSU NLC India Ltd on Wednesday said it has contributed Rs 1 crore to the Kerala Disaster Mitigation Fund.

The contribution was made through NLC Tamil Nadu Power Ltd (NTPL) CSR Fund in Thiruvananthapuram.

NTPL is a joint venture of NLC India Ltd and Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO).

"A cheque for Rupees 1 crore was handed over to Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala, by Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman & Managing Director, NLC India Limited," the PSU said in a statement.

On July 30, heavy rainfall triggered landslides in Wayanad. The contribution aims to support restoration efforts and rehabilitation of those displaced by the floods and landslides in the state, it said.

Motupalli also briefed the Kerala Chief Minister about NLC India's current activities and future plans.

NLC India has been a reliable power supplier to Kerala for over three decades, contributing to the state's economic growth and development.

NLC India has also signed a power purchase pact with Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd for supply of 400 MW electricity from the upcoming NLC Talabira Thermal Power Project at Talabira in Odisha.
MUMBAI, India, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Protiviti Member Firm in India has won the prestigious SAP ACE Award 2024 in the Disruptor  Manufacturing Transformation category. The Protiviti team was recognized for making an exceptional impact on its client's business by leveraging SAP's innovative technologies.



This year, over 200 nominations were submitted across nine categories, and winners were selected by a distinguished jury panel appointed by INDUS (the SAP India User Group) for their ability to disrupt and redefine manufacturing processes, setting new benchmarks in operational excellence.



Commenting on the recognition, Sandeep Gupta, Managing Director, Protiviti Member Firm for India, said, "The award stands as a testament to our strong partnership with SAP and highlights our team's exceptional ability to execute complex, high-impact client engagements efficiently. Leveraging proprietary tools and accelerators, we deliver faster ROI while aligning seamlessly with clients' strategic and operational objectives."



The achievement highlights the transformative impact Protiviti made in reshaping business processes and strategically positioning the client organization for long-term success through the implementation of SAP S/4 HANA Public Cloud.



Protiviti's deployment of SAP S/4HANA unified core business processes, including procurement, production, sales, and finance, onto a streamlined platform. This transformation enabled end-to-end process automation, reducing costs and boosting productivity. Innovations like IoT integrations enhanced operational efficiency, while SAP SuccessFactors improved employee engagement and simplified HR processes. The project established a strong digital foundation, addressing current needs and positioning the client for future innovation.



"This is the first ACE Award for our emerging SAP practice, a remarkable achievement in such a short time, considering it often takes firms years to earn this recognition," further added Ankit Gupta, Managing Director, Protiviti Member Firm for India.



The award was presented to the Protiviti Member Firm for India at the SAP ACE Awards 2024 ceremony, which took place on November 14, 2024, at Mumbai.



Protiviti's SAP practice spans an extensive array of capabilities, encompassing RISE with SAP migrations, greenfield and brownfield implementations across public and private cloud landscapes, application management services (AMS), SAP BTP-enabled innovations, SAP Analytics Cloud solutions, and bespoke industry-specific SAP offerings. Augmenting these services, Protiviti has developed proprietary intellectual property tools and accelerators that optimize processes, expedite delivery timelines, and drive enhanced ROI for clients. This integrated and comprehensive approach positions Protiviti as a trusted partner for end-to-end digital transformation initiatives.



In addition, Protiviti's Technology and Digital (T&D) practice delivers seamless digital, cloud transformation, ERP systems, Security and Privacy, technical consulting, and strategic advisory services. From conceptualization and deployment to ongoing post-implementation support, the T&D practice specializes in creating scalable, efficient, and future-ready digital ecosystems, enabling organizations to achieve sustainable growth and operational excellence.



About Protiviti:



Protiviti (www.protiviti.com) is a global consulting firm that delivers deep expertise, objective insights, a tailored approach and unparalleled collaboration to help leaders confidently face the future. Protiviti and its independent and locally owned member firms provide clients with consulting and managed solutions in finance, technology, operations, data, digital, legal, HR, risk and internal audit through a network of more than 90 offices in over 25 countries.



Named in the 2024 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list for the past 10 years, Protiviti has served more than 80 percent of Fortune 100 and nearly 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies. The firm also works with government agencies and smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public. Protiviti is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half Inc. (NYSE: RHI). Founded in 1948, Robert Half is a member of the S&P 500 index.



Media Contact:

Sayan Chatterjee,

+91-8802202285,

sayan.chatterjee@protivitiglobal.in



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562870/Award_PROTIVITI.jpg



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Following are the top business stories at 2030 hours:



DEL68 BIZ-DEA-LD GROWTH

* Growth likely to have slowed in Q2, FY25 capex may undershoot Budget estimates: Seth

New Delhi: India's economic growth may have slowed in the September quarter, but overall there is not much downside risk to 6.5-7 per cent growth projections for the current fiscal year, Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth said on Wednesday. *



DCM16 BIZ-GDP-ICRA

* India's GDP growth likely to slip at 6.5 pc, maintains 7 pc estimate for FY25: Icra

Mumbai: Domestic rating agency Icra on Wednesday said India's real GDP growth for the September quarter is likely to decline to 6.5 per cent due to heavy rains and weaker corporate performance. *



DEL55 BIZ-GOOGLE-AQI-AIR VIEW

* Now access hyperlocal air quality info on Google Maps with AI-powered Air View+

New Delhi: Users across India can now access hyperlocal air quality information on Google Maps, the tech titan said on Wednesday announcing Air View+, an AI-powered and ecosystem-based solution. *



DCM73 BIZ-MH POLLS-LD INDIA INC

* RBI Guv, India Inc leaders Ambanis, Chandrasekaran cast votes in Maharashtra polls

Mumbai: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das and leading captains of the industry, including the Ambani family, cast their votes in the financial capital for the Maharashtra Assembly elections on Wednesday. *



DCM88 BIZ-LD APPLE-REVENUE

* Apple India net profit up 23 pc to Rs 2,746 cr in FY24, revenue rises to Rs 67,152 cr

New Delhi: iPhone maker Apple India posted a 23 per cent increase in net profit to Rs 2,745.7 crore in the financial year 2023-24, according to a company's regulatory filing shared by Tofler. *



DEL56 BIZ-GOLD-PRICE

* Gold slips Rs 150 to Rs 77,900 per 10 gm; silver declines Rs 500

New Delhi: Gold prices slipped Rs 150 to Rs 77,900 per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday amid a weak trend in the international market, according to local marketmen. *
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) India has joined Russia to raise a concern regarding potential conflicts between future global rules on trade in plastics products and WTO norms, an official said on Wednesday.

The issue was flagged by Russia during a meeting of a WTO (World Trade Organisation) Committee on Market Access on November 19-20.

Russia has raised concerns regarding potential conflict between future rules on trade in plastics products and WTO rules.

According to Moscow, an upcoming meeting of the UN's Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution in Busan, Korea, will consider attempts by some countries to adopt provisions aimed at establishing limits of production, trade and consumption of all kinds of plastics.

It has stated that if such a scenario unfolds, fundamental WTO rules such as bound tariffs, national treatment, most-favoured nation treatment, the prohibition of quantitative restrictions, as well as technical barriers to trade (TBT) and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules may no longer apply to trade in plastic materials.

"Saudi Arabia and India echoed the concerns raised by Russia," a Geneva-based official said.

India is a key player in plastic exports. The shipments rose 14.37 per cent to USD 5.21 billion during April-October this fiscal year.

Further during the meeting, Indonesia raised issues with regard to quality control orders issued by India on a number of products, including medical textiles, viscose staple fibres, and footwear made from leather and other materials.

Thailand has flagged concerns on measures that may have unintended results equivalent to quantitative restrictions on the import of copper, wooden boards, and tyres.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Supreme Court verdict granting telecom companies the right to claim tax credits on infrastructure duties will not only aid compliances but also reduce the financial burden on the sector, industry body COAI said on Wednesday.

The verdict reinforces fairness and consistency in taxation, SP Kochhar, Director General of COAI said in a statement.

"We welcome the Supreme Courts judgement affirming the telecom industrys entitlement to claim the credit for taxes and duties paid on towers and its parts - including green shelters," Kochhar said.

The apex court's judgement will not only help the industry in fulfilling compliances but will also help reduce the financial burden on the sector, he noted.

Prachur Sah, MD and CEO, Indus Towers said the "pivotal" ruling will have a positive impact on the company's financial exposure.

"Through this landmark judgement, the Supreme Court while upholding Delhi High Court's decision in our favour, has allowed CENVAT credit inter-alia on towers and shelters. This pivotal ruling will have a positive impact on our company's financial exposure," Sah said.

He added: "With this favourable outcome and a settled tax position, we are poised to continue advancing digital infrastructure growth across the country.

In a relief to mobile service providers, the Supreme Court on Wednesday held that the telecom companies can take the benefit of CENVAT credit for payment of service tax on the output services rendered by them.

The CENVAT Credit Rules of 2004 refers to the set-off available to manufacturers if they utilise some specific inputs procured by them after paying excise duties for manufacturing their products.

The top court's verdict held that mobile service providers are also covered under the CENVAT credit rules as they pay excise duties on various items for setting up their business more particularly for erection of mobile towers and peripherals like pre-fabricated buildings (PFBs).
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Users across India can now access hyperlocal air quality information on Google Maps, the tech titan said on Wednesday announcing Air View+, an AI-powered and ecosystem-based solution.

Google said Air View+ enables valuable air quality insights to government agencies responsible for environmental monitoring and urban planning, by offering citizens hyperlocal air quality information on Google Maps.

The company said its latest move assumes significance as Delhi's air quality index (AQI) touched a high of 491 earlier this week, as toxic haze engulfed the national capital prompting the government to restrict vehicle movement and construction activities, and schools to shift to online classes.

Google, in a blogpost penned by Yael Maguire, VP and GM, Google Maps Platform and Google Earth, along with Miriam Daniel, VP and GM, Google Maps, announced Air View+ which it said is an ecosystem-based solution to empower government authorities and people with hyperlocal air quality information.

As India continues its "incredible growth momentum", backed by tech innovation and demographic advantage, it is crucial to also mitigate risks which could slow it down, Google said in the blogpost, adding that environmental issues are one such stumbling block, with air pollution topping the list.

"Air pollution not only diminishes the livability of our cities but it massively contributes to an overloaded healthcare system," it said.

While this aspect is widely understood and appreciated, the ability to take targeted action has been limited due to imperfect data around air quality at the hyperlocal level, Google said.

"To combat this challenge, today, we are pleased to announce Air View+ -- an ecosystem-based solution to empower government authorities and people with useful hyperlocal air quality information, in collaboration with local climate tech firms," it said.

Powered by Google AI, modelling a wide range of data inputs, Air View+ enables valuable air quality insights to government agencies responsible for environmental monitoring and urban planning. It would also enable real-time hyperlocal air quality information in Google Maps for users across India.

"People in India can now access hyperlocal air quality information across the country in Google Maps," it said.

Air View+ adopts an ecosystem-based approach, bringing together local organisations working to enable real-time hyperlocal air quality information, including local sustainability startups, researchers/climate action groups, corporations, city administrators, and citizens.

"Climate tech firms, Aurassure and Respirer Living Sciences were instrumental in setting up an air quality sensor network in cities that previously lacked the requisite infrastructure to monitor air quality," it explained.

These sensors measure various air quality parameters, PM2.5, PM10, CO2, NO2, Ozone, and VOCs, along with temperature and humidity, taking measurements every minute. Strategically deployed in static locations across more than 150 Indian cities, including administrative establishments, commercial buildings, and utility poles, to maximise population coverage, these sensors continuously monitor air quality.

With the support of local researchers from IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, state pollution boards and climate action groups like CSTEP, these sensors are rigorously validated and calibrated.

This data is analysed using Google AI by researchers and sustainability startups to compute insights quickly and at scale, making this information useful for both citizens and city planners.

The solution empowers local municipal corporations with hyperlocal air quality data of their cities, which they are using to develop their in-house AQ dashboards via the researchers and sustainability partners (Aurassure and Respirer Living Sciences). These dashboards provide air quality data for unmonitored areas and help urban planners identify hotspots and make necessary interventions.

People can readily access AQI in Google Maps by selecting the Air Quality layer from the Layer button on the home screen and tapping on any location on the map or by clicking the Weather widget on the Explore tab on the home screen, for AQI info at their current location.

"This information is especially important for vulnerable populations such as young children or the elderly, enabling families to take appropriately preventative measures and precautions for their health such as using N95 masks or reducing outdoor exposure," the blog said.
Panaji, Nov 20 (PTI) Amid conflicts raging in parts of the globe, veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur on Wednesday emphasised that fights between countries can be stopped if they start telling their stories to each other.

Kapur, director of the 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which opened in Goa, maintained the country's movie industry is the greatest content makers, and also its greatest consumers, in the world.

In his brief interaction during inauguration of the IFFI, the 78-year-old filmmaker opined that in this polarised world, within nations, within communities, "the only way we talk to each other is by telling each other our stories".

"Stories is how we relate, stories is how we perceive each other and that's what has to go on," he said during the formal function held at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium at Bambolim near Panaji.

Kapur, known for Hindi movies like 'Masoom', 'Mr India' and 'Bandit Queen', said the Indian film industry is the greatest content makers in the world and added "we are the greatest content consumers in the world".

"So, for this festival, I begged everybody to celebrate, not just filmmakers but audiences. Let's celebrate the audiences," he noted.

"Let's tell our stories. Stop all this, the fights everywhere, the missiles, the only way it can stop is when each one of us get together and tell our stories and that is the most important job," asserted Kapur.

The ace director, who successfully branched out to Hollywood with the Oscar-nominated period drama Elizabeth, The Four Feathers and Elizabeth: The Golden Age, said film festivals are not just about winning awards.

"The job should be to have the best festival in the world, not to win awards, but to come together and tell our stories so that we understand each other," the celebrated filmmaker noted.

The IFFI's inaugural function was compered by actors Bhumi Pednekar and Abhishekh Banerjee.

The function paid rich tributes to Indian cinema legends such as Raj Kapoor, Mohammed Rafi, Tapan Sinha and Akkineni Nageswara Rao with special audio-visual performances in the opening ceremony by veteran actor Boman Irani.

Representatives from families of all the four icons were recognised on the stage in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, IFFI director Kapur and Sanjay Jaju, secretary, Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Responding to the tribute paid to Akkineni Nageswara Rao, his son and actor Nagarjuna Akkineni said it was difficult for him to describe in one word what life-lessons were taught by his late father.

"As I grew up, he taught me life, cinema and how to live," he emphasised.

Nagarjuna said he learnt lessons of life from cinema and acting.

The 55th edition of IFFI, which began on November 20, will conclude on November 28.
Panaji, Nov 20 (PTI) Actor Boman Irani who is making his directorial debut with "The Mehta Boys" said on Wednesday young filmmakers should not to take a cue from him as he is directing his first project at the age of 65.

Irani, who was honoured during the inaugural function of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2024 at Panaji on Wednesday, is known for his roles in films such as "Khosla Ka Ghosla", "Munnabhai" series as well as "3 Idiots".

"I just want to tell all the youngsters here that don't take your cues from me, and I will tell you why, he said. "At this festival, on 25th November I am making my debut as a director at the age of 65," he added.

He said places like IFFI make him believe that India is a land of opportunities for youngsters who dream of making films. "Do it. This is your time. I am just taking a bite of your time by making my debut on 25th from here," he said.

The actor-turned-director said those dreaming of becoming directors must learn how to write. "Write every single day without fail. Because even if you are not a writer, someone may write for you, but your direction would be much better.

"Write and don't stop writing. Don't take 65 years to do it. You start writing now. It is your time."
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 20. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during an official state visit to Hungary, Trend reports.

During the meeting, the sides explored key areas of bilateral cooperation and opportunities for further strengthening their partnership. President Tokayev emphasized Hungarys role as a reliable strategic partner for Kazakhstan within the European Union and as a close and friendly nation.

The Kazakh president noted that the primary aim of his visit was to give a new impetus to bilateral relations, with a particular focus on energy, transport, and logistics. The discussions prioritized joint projects in the oil and gas sector, agriculture, logistics, nuclear industry, and financial cooperation.

Both leaders reaffirmed their governments commitment to creating favorable conditions for the successful implementation of these initiatives, underscoring their shared ambition to enhance economic and strategic collaboration.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Hollywood star Norman Reedus would love to bring his long-running TV franchise "The Walking Dead" to India as the actor says he is curious to see how different cultures would react to a zombie apocalypse.

"The Walking Dead" franchise, based on Robert Kirkmans comic series, is set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, called "walkers", and explores themes of survival, morality, and relationships of various groups. It started with the eponymous show that ran from 2010 to 2022 on American network AMC.

Reedus plays the role of Daryl Dixon in the franchise, starting with "The Walking Dead", set in the US, and now in the spin-off series "The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon", which travels to France.

"I would love to explore more and more of this (show) in different places and see how different cultures deal with a zombie apocalypse. I could see it going to a whole bunch of different places," Reedus told PTI in an interview.

Asked if he would like the franchise to travel to India, the 55-year-old actor said it would be "awesome".

"All the delicious food, all the colours, it would be great... It's interesting, I remember at one point Kirkman and all were talking about doing spinoffs... They were talking about different cultures, different languages. I know there were conversations. Not that I had anything to do with it, I was just lucky I was still coming back," Reedus added.

The USP of the franchise is the relationships between disparate characters that feels relatable to the audiences, he said.

"It was a group of people that were in the situation together that never would have been in the same room. Like none of those people would have hung out with each other and they were forced to get along, fight together, live together, work together, make decisions together in order to survive.

"I think those people started relationships and certain pacts were made and they became like a real functioning family. And I think watching all those different characters, people could relate to someone in that group," he said.

The actor has been associated with the character of Daryl Dixon for more than a decade. Dixon is a skilled tracker, hunter, and fighter, who was initially introduced as a lone wolf with a tough exterior but came to be known as a deeply loyal and compassionate figure.

Reedus said Dixon has changed a lot as during the entirety of "The Walking Dead" and also in the spin-off "The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon", which recently returned with its second season, titled "The Book of Carol".

"The character of Daryl is so different from where he started. If he was going to look you in the face, he's probably going to fight you. Everything kind of came in this direction. Through the years, Daryl has learned a lot from all these people that have meant something to him.

"I think he'll look at his situation a little differently now than he would have back then," he said.

Also starring Melissa McBride, Clemence Poesy, Louis Puech Scigliuzzi, Laika Blanc Francard, Charrier, Romain Levi and Eriq Ebouaney, "The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon  The Book of Carol" is showrun by David Zabel. The six-episode second season is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.
Epworth (Zimbabwe), Nov 20 (AP) Carrying her infant daughter, 19-year-old Sithulisiwe Moyo waited two hours to get birth-control pills from a tent pitched in a poor settlement on the outskirts of Zimbabwe's capital, Harare.

The outreach clinic in Epworth provides Moyo with her best shot at achieving her dream of returning to school. I am too young to be a baby-making machine," she said. "At least this clinic helps me avoid another pregnancy.

But the free service funded by the US government, the world's largest health donor, might soon be unavailable.

As he did in his first term, US President-elect Donald Trump is likely in January to invoke the so-called global gag rule, a policy that bars US foreign aid from being used to perform abortions or provide abortion information. The policy cuts off American government funding for services that women around the world rely on to avoid pregnancy or to space out their children, as well as for heath care unrelated to abortion.



Four decades of on-again, off-again restrictions

The gag rule has a 40-year history of being applied by Republican presidents and rescinded by Democratic presidents. Every GOP president since the mid-1980s has invoked the rule, which is known as the Mexico City Policy for the city where it was first announced.

As one of his first acts as president in 2017, Trump expanded the rule to the extent that foreign NGOs were cut off from about USD 600 million in US family planning funds and more than USD 11 billion in US global health aid between 2017 and 2018 alone, according to the US Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress.

The money  much of it intended for Africa  covered efforts such as preventing malaria and tuberculosis, providing water and sanitation, and distributing health information and contraception, which might also have repercussions for HIV prevention.

Women's health advocates are uneasy following Trump's victory, said Pester Siraha, director of Population Services Zimbabwe, an affiliate of MSI Reproductive Choices, an NGO that supports abortion rights in 36 countries.

The policy stipulates that foreign NGOs that receive US government funding must agree to stop abortion-related activities, including discussing it as a family planning option  even when they are using non-US government funds for such activities.

During Trump's first term, MSI did not agree to those conditions, effectively making it ineligible for US government funding.

Siraha said that a blueprint offered to Trump by the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation in its plan known as Project 2025 indicates that the new administration could enact a more comprehensive global gag rule.

Even NGOs in countries that outlaw abortion, such as Zimbabwe, are affected. Population Services Zimbabwe, for instance, closed its outreach clinics during Trump's first term after losing funding due to its association with MSI Reproductive Choices. Such outreach clinics are often the only health care option for rural people with limited access to hospitals due to poverty or distance.

It leaves women with no place to turn for help, even for information, said Whitney Chinogwenya, global marketing manager at MSI Reproductive Choices.

Some NGOs in other African countries such as Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa rolled back services, including clinics, contraception, training and support for government and community health workers, as well as programmes for young people, sex workers and LGBTIQ+ communities.

Other services shut down entirely. The risk of unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions and related deaths increased in many of the affected countries, according to the US-based Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights.

Chinogwenya, the MSI Reproductive Choices marketing manager, said her organization's donor income dropped by USD 120 million during Trump's first term. The money would have provided 8 million women globally with family planning help, preventing 6 million unintended pregnancies, 1.8 million unsafe abortions and 20,000 pregnancy-related deaths, she said.

The gag-rule policy leads to more unintended, unwanted, unsupportable pregnancies and therefore an increase in abortion, said Catriona Macleod, a professor of psychology at South Africa's Rhodes University.

This legislation does not protect life  it's been called America's deadly export, said Macleod, who heads the university's studies in sexuality and reproduction.

Trump's transition team did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.



Damage isn't always easy to repair

President Joe Biden rescinded the gag-rule policy in 2021, resulting in Population Services Zimbabwe receiving USD 9 million, about 50 per cent of its donor funding, from USAID in 2023. But we haven't regained all the loss we suffered, said Siraha, the organisation's director.

You need a minimum of five years to have an impact. If we then have another gap of five years, it means we are reversing all the gains, she said.

Her organisation estimates that 1.3 million women could lose out on the care they need in Zimbabwe, leading to an additional 461,000 unintended pregnancies and 1,400 maternal deaths if the gag rule is reinstated.

Overseas aid budget cuts by other Western governments will make it harder to find alternative funding, Siraha said.



Forced into difficult choices

MSI Reproductive Choices is lobbying world leaders and alternative donors to fight for abortion rights.

Trump's reelection may embolden the anti-choice movement, but the fight for women's reproductive rights is nonnegotiable, Chinogwenya said.

However, agencies that rely heavily or entirely on US funding might have little choice but to quiet their guidelines on access to abortion to qualify for funding, said Denise Horn, an international relations and civil society expert at Bryant University in Rhode Island.

In South Africa, where abortion is mostly legal, some NGOs, especially those without alternative funding, stopped openly discussing abortion as an option or changed their guidelines and the information they share publicly, according to an assessment by South Africa's Rhodes University and the International Women's Health Coalition, a New York-based NGO.

Organisations thus have to evaluate what is most important: the non-abortion work they will still be able to do or the principle of pro-choice, read part of the 2019 assessment report. Ultimately, these organisations will have to make this difficult decision.

The long lines of women at the outreach clinic in Zimbabwe's Epworth settlement underline the dire need for family planning services in impoverished communities.

Engeline Mukanya, 30, said she is already struggling to support her three children with the USD 100 she earns monthly from plaiting women's hair. Nurses inserted a birth-control implant in her left arm to protect her from pregnancy for the next five years.

Like many here, she cannot afford private providers who charge USD 20 to USD 60.

It's unfortunate that we are so far away from America yet we are being caught in the crossfire of its politics, she said. All we want is the freedom to space our births. (AP) PY

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Beijing, Nov 20 (PTI) The ruling Communist Party of China on Wednesday expelled Lou Wenlong, the former vice president of the Agricultural Bank of China, from the party for corruption.

The decision was handed down following an investigation launched by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported, quoting an official statement.

Lou was found to have deliberately resisted the investigation of his case and violated the party's frugality code by attending banquets that were paid for using public funds or that may influence the fair execution of official duties, the statement said.

He has also failed to truthfully report personal matters while seeking benefits for others in terms of job promotion, it said.

He also took advantage of his positions to seek benefits for others in matters such as regulatory approvals, shareholding and financing, and accepted huge amounts of money and valuables in return, according to the statement.

His illicit gains will be confiscated, in addition to his expulsion from the CPC, and the case will be referred to the procuratorate for criminal investigation and prosecution, the statement said.

Since he came to power in 2012, President Xi Jinping has carried out a massive anti-corruption campaign in which over a million officials, including two former defence ministers and dozens of top military officers, were punished.

In August, Li Jianping, a former Chinese Communist Party official from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region who was accused of embezzling a staggering USD 421 million - the largest single corruption case in Chinas history, was sentenced to death by a local court.

Critics say the anti-graft campaign enabled Xi, who continued in power for an unprecedented third five-year term, to consolidate his hold on the party and the military.
London, Nov 20 (PTI) London has topped a definitive ranking of the Worlds Best Cities 2025 released on Wednesday for the tenth year in a row, followed closely by New York and Paris, even as Indian cities failed to make the cut based on the criteria of perception and performance.

The annual rankings produced by Resonance Consultancy in partnership with Ipsos are an analysis of large urban regions around the world that are leading in aspects most important to attracting workforce, visitors, and businesses.

The 2025 report marks a first in incorporating perception-based data by surveying more than 22,000 people in 31 countries for the first time  the results of which also demonstrate that people all over the world still very much aspire to live, visit, and work in the worlds largest cities.

Mumbai and Delhi are just outside of the top 100; those cities in the Asia Pacific context are in the top but at a global scale don't make the top 100, Chris Fair, President & CEO of Resonance Consultancy, told PTI in response to a question at the launch of the report in London.

Mumbai and Delhi have some particular strengths, but they have some particular weaknesses from a livability perspective relative to these other cities and from a livability perspective as well. But in our Asia-Pacific report in February, they are in the top 20, he said.

The World's Best Cities ranking is drawn up on livability, or the physical sense of a city based on the quality of its natural and built environments; lovability, or the quality of life in terms of culture, dining and nightlife; and prosperity, or the human capital of a city and the support it receives to thrive. The goal is to create the most comprehensive and holistic approach to measuring and benchmarking both perception and performance of the cities.

London continues to set the bar for what a truly great city should be, said Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners, the UK capitals growth agency.

Our iconic attractions, world-class financial sector, and fast-growing tech industry are proof of our citys strength. But its the diversity of our people and ideas that drives the innovation, opportunities, and progress that shape our future. No city embodies this quite like London, she said.

After London (UK), New York (US) and Paris (France), Tokyo (Japan), Singapore, Rome (Italy), Madrid (Spain), Barcelona (Spain), Berlin (Germany) and Sydney (Australia) complete the top 10.

While the United States is in the lead with 36 cities in the Top 100, Canada comes in a distant second with six cities and Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro make a mark as new entrants to the 2025 ranking.

The phrase perception is reality is often used when developing reputation management strategies for companies, but the same holds true for destinations. By merging the top-of-mind destinations where people tell us they want to live, work, and visit with the rigorous evaluation of place that Resonance has been conducting for nearly a decade, we have created a more comprehensive evaluation of cities and can better advise destinations on how to strengthen their reputation, said Jason McGrath, Executive Vice President at Ipsos.

The overall Worlds Best Cities rankings are determined by analysing public perception, combined with a wide range of factors that have demonstrated moderate to strong correlations with attracting prime age population (aged 25-44), visitor expenditure, and/or business formation. The key takeaway from the latest analysis is of the strength and resilience of some of the worlds large cities.
Vientiane (Laos), Nov 20 (AP) Southeast Asian defence chiefs and representatives are meeting in the Laotian capital on Wednesday for security talks at a time of increasing maritime disputes with China in the Asia-Pacific and as the transition to a new US president looms.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was set to join the meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations defence ministers in Vientiane, where many will be looking for assurances ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's return to power in January.

Austin just wrapped up meetings in Australia with officials there and Japan's defence minister, where they pledged their ongoing support for ASEAN and their "serious concern about destabilising actions in the East and South China Seas, including dangerous conduct by the People's Republic of China against Philippines and other coastal state vessels".

In addition to the US, other nations attending the two-day ASEAN meetings include Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and China.

Along with the Philippines, ASEAN member states Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei all have competing claims with China in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in entirety as its own territory.

Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos make up the rest of the member states.

As China has been more assertively pushing its claims in recent years, ASEAN members and Beijing have been negotiating a code of conduct to govern behaviour in the sea for years, but progress has been slow.

Officials have agreed to try and complete the code by 2026 but talks have been hampered by sticky issues, including disagreements over whether the pact should be binding.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who has called for more urgency in the code of conduct negotiations, complained at the meeting of ASEAN leaders last month that his country "continues to be subject to harassment and intimidation" by China's actions, which he said violated international law.

Chinese and Philippine vessels have clashed repeatedly this year, and Vietnam in October charged that Chinese forces assaulted its fishermen in disputed areas in the South China Sea. China has also sent patrol vessels to areas that Indonesia and Malaysia claim as exclusive economic zones.

At the meeting of ASEAN leaders last month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was "very concerned about China's increasingly dangerous and unlawful activities in the South China Sea which have injured people, harm vessels from ASEAN nations and contradict commitments to peaceful resolutions of disputes".

He pledged that the US would "continue to support freedom of navigation, and freedom of overflight in the Indo Pacific".

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said US and other military presences from outside the region were the main source of instability in the sea.

"The increasing military deployment and activities in the South China Sea by the US and a few other non-regional countries, stoking confrontation and creating tensions, are the greatest source of instability for peace and stability in the South China Sea," Mao said.

It is not yet clear how the incoming Trump administration will address the South China Sea situation.

After Austin's meetings in Australia, the Defense Department said the US, Australia and Japan had agreed to expand joint drills in the region, and announced a defence consultation body among the three countries' forces to strengthen their cooperation.

When asked on Tuesday while in the Philippines about whether the strong US defence support would continue for the country under Trump, Austin said he would not speculate.

It remained unclear whether Austin plans to meet China's Defence Minister Dong Jun on the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings but Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani is expected to meet with Dong to express his concerns over Beijing's military activities, Japan's NHK reported.

Japan has protested that a Chinese military aircraft violated its airspace briefly in August, and in September Japan expressed "serious concerns" after a Chinese aircraft carrier and two destroyers sailed between two Japanese islands.

The meetings are also likely to touch on the ongoing tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the escalating conflict in the Middle East. They also expect to hold talks on a range of issues, including natural disasters, cybersecurity and terrorism.

Another thorny security issue in the region also includes the civil war and growing humanitarian crisis in ASEAN member Myanmar. The group's credibility has been severely tested by the war in Myanmar, where the army ousted an elected government in 2021, and fighting has continued with pro-democracy guerillas and ethnic rebels.

More than a year into an offensive initiated by three militias and joined by other resistance groups, observers estimate that less than half the country's territory remains under the army's control.

Myanmar military rulers have been barred from ASEAN meetings since late 2021 but this year, the country has been represented by high-level bureaucrats, including at the summit in October. (AP) SZM
La Paz (Boliva), Nov 20 (AP) Last year, then-presidential candidate Javier Milei declared Argentina would not make deals with communists in China or Brazil, calling their leaders murderers and thieves in a bid to channel the populist energies of Donald Trump and other global far-right icons into a winning political message.

But Tuesday, President Milei found himself at the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping and vowing to boost trade with the Asian powerhouse, a day after his economy minister signed a preliminary agreement to export Argentine natural gas to Brazil.

Milei even acquiesced to a joint declaration endorsed by world leaders late Monday despite his earlier attempts to play spoiler to the G20 host, Brazil's left-wing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who was once called by Milei a corrupt communist".

The final moments of the summit revealed Milei's more pragmatic streak, coming as a surprise after the irascible president sought to undercut various international initiatives  withdrawing Argentine negotiators from the UN climate summit, casting the only no votes on two UN resolutions, one supporting Indigenous rights and another advocating for an end to violence against women, and roiling negotiations at the G20 summit.

Argentina has also dramatically reshaped its foreign policy in line with its hard-right allies in Italy  with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni headed to Buenos Aires on Tuesday to spend more time with Milei  and in Israel.

On Tuesday, Andrea Tenenti, a spokesperson for the UN peacekeeping mission operating along Lebanon's southern border, told reporters in Geneva that Argentina had decided to withdraw its peacekeepers from the force, known as UNIFIL.

He did not say why, but Israel has repeatedly requested that peacekeepers leave the area since the military's October 1 invasion of southern Lebanon. Despite Israeli attacks on peacekeepers, UNIFIL has vowed to stay put and none of the other 47 troop-contributing countries has pulled out.

In the past few days, Argentine resistance to the joint G20 communique focused on clauses related to the taxation of the super-rich and regulation of online speech, diplomats said. Argentine delegates also sought to block language about gender equality and references to the UN 2030 agenda on sustainable development, which Milei has decried as socialist.

Critics in Rio saw the Argentine president as a saboteur. Supporters back home cheered Milei as a leader of the new world disorder. Fresh off a trip to Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida where he ranted against socialism and rubbed shoulders with the president-elect and tech billionaire Elon Musk, Milei initially seemed immune to such concerns in Rio.

Milei's office issued a harsh statement citing his objections to the G20 declaration. But the president ultimately signed onto it under enormous international pressure.

Argentina is not a great power and it is in a very difficult situation economically," said Roberto Goulart Menezes, a professor of international relations at the University of Brasilia. That pressure, he added, was enough for Argentina to finally reduce its opposition.

During Milei's first-ever meeting with Xi on Tuesday, the leaders discussed their current trade and financial ties" and desire to continue exploring new opportunities to expand and improve, the Argentine presidency said in a statement, along with a photo of the presidents sharing a warm handshake. It said the leaders had invited each other to visit.

With Argentina highly reliant on China as a market for its soybeans and other crops, the cordial tone made clear that the crisis-stricken South American nation has no desire for relations with its second-largest trading partner and crucial source of financing to further deteriorate.

A statement from China's foreign ministry said Xi expressed his appreciation for Milei's willingness to continue deepening bilateral cooperation".

China has maintained strategic assets in Argentina, including stakes in lithium mines and a space station in Patagonia. Earlier this year, former Foreign Minister Diana Mondino, whom Milei recently fired, led a successful visit to China to patch up relations strained by Milei's colorful insults ("Would you trade with an assassin") he asked on the campaign trail last August, accusing China of killing dissidents).

After Mondino's trip, Beijing in June resumed a currency swap deal worth billions of dollars that boosted Argentina's depleted reserves.

On Monday, as negotiations over the G20 draft grew increasingly tense, Argentine Economy Minister Luis Caputo and Brazilian Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira signed a memorandum of understanding that offered a new and important source of income to cash-strapped Argentina.

The agreement to work toward shipping 30 million cubic metres of natural gas to Brazil from Argentina's Vaca Muerta, a vast shale oil and gas field in Patagonia, over the next five years, might have helped Milei sign the joint G20 statement, Silveira told reporters.

But it did nothing to dispel the chill between the leaders of South America's largest economies, who have opposite views on climate change, social issues and the role of governments.

A set of official photographs that splashed across the front pages of local newspapers Tuesday showed Lula and other government leaders clasping hands amicably in sharp contrast to the Brazilian leader's photo-op with Milei  both men standing stiffly apart despite protocol demanding they shake hands, looking like they'd rather be anywhere else in the world.

Some fear that Trump's election has further emboldened Milei and other far-right political figures to abandon UN commitments and ambitious multilateral agreements on issues like climate change.

Milei has already taken a pro-Trump stance, thinking ... that the G20 could be emptied by President Trump," said Goulart Menezes, the international relations expert.

Yet, he cautioned that making Argentina's foreign policy conditional on the future president of the United States carries risks.

Argentina is putting itself in a position of international isolation," he said.

Indeed, at the traditional G20 family photo  taken for a second time Tuesday because U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau failed to show up to the first  Milei was the only leader missing from the lineup.

There would be no third attempt. (AP) PY

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Baku (Azerbaijan), Nov 20 (AP) Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine, pulls out a piece of paper with bar charts showing how much new electricity his company has brought online this year in the country versus how much Russian bombs have destroyed.

Total electricity goes up, then down, then up, then down  capturing the company's constant rebuilding each time Russian missile attacks take out a facility, which include wind and solar farms and thermal (coal or gas-fired) generating stations.

The Russian strikes are part of a campaign to target energy infrastructure to reduce power in Ukraine as winter looms.

What other choice do we have? said Timchenko during an interview on the sidelines of this year's UN climate talks, taking place in Azerbaijan. Sit and wait and pray that they don't hit us, or do our job and bring lights back to our people?

The nearly three-year-long Russia-Ukraine war, which has left large swaths of Ukraine destroyed, has accelerated a transition to clean energy. At Ukraine's pavilion at COP29, on display is a large smashed solar panel, destroyed in an attack this year.

Russian forces continue to make small but steady gains in capturing Ukrainian territory at a time when there are questions about how much the United States, which has been providing weapons and money, will continue to support the country once President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January. During the campaign, Trump repeatedly said he could quickly end the war if elected, although he hasn't said how.

Whatever the future, the decentralized nature of some clean energies, in particular wind and solar, has allowed Ukraine to quickly restore power in ways that would be impossible with Ukraine's more traditional energy sources, such as coal-fired power plants.

In centralised systems, all power is generated and sent to the grid over transmission lines from the same area. That means if the plant goes down, say in an attack, a large section of grid, or even the entire grid, comes to a halt.

By contrast, wind and solar installations are usually more scattered, so less of the system goes down with one hit, and if the solar is on rooftops, the impact can be even more limited.

Attacks on two DTEK solar farms last spring is a good example. They destroyed many solar panels and some of the transformers, which step up voltage for long distances or step it down for use in homes. Replacing the transformers and swapping out destroyed panels allowed the farms, which generate 400 megawatts, to be back up in seven days.

Timchenko said an attack on a thermal generating station, which experienced a similar amount of damage, took three to four months to rebuild.

That's the difference between centralised and so-called decentralised generation. It's much more resistant and difficult to destroy, said Timchenko.

Geoffrey Pyatt, assistant secretary of the US State Department's Bureau of Energy Resources, said that Russian attacks on energy infrastructure have evolved. In 2022 and 2023, they focused on transformers.

The Ukrainians were incredibly efficient in working around those attacks. So Putin changed his tactics beginning in March to go after generation capacity," said Pyatt, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Since then, about 50 per cent of Ukraine's total power generation has been knocked out, leaving mostly nuclear, some hydropower and large new renewable projects, like a wind farm being built by DTEK, he added.

Renewable and other infrastructure projects are financed by partnerships between governments and businesses, spreading out the risk, since there is no guarantee that something built isn't destroyed by missiles. In June, turbine maker GE Vernova and manufacturer Honeywell announced plans to partner with DTEK for major wind and battery storage projects in Ukraine.

Roger Martella, chief sustainability officer for GE Vernova, said that developing public-private partnerships was key to lowering risk and making investment more attractive. Ukraine's resistance was also an inspiration, Martella told a panel on Ukrainian renewables at COP29.

We're humbled by the fact that Ukraine has done something no one has ever done before, which is to maintain the grid in a war-torn environment, said Martella.

Pyatt, a former ambassador in Ukraine, said he has seen widespread support for Ukraine's energy systems in the G7, a group of leading industrialised nations.

While making clear he couldn't speak for the incoming Trump administration, Pyatt said he believed support for Ukraine in the energy sector would continue in any scenario.

If you start to get big American companies like GE and Fluxus and Honeywell involved in energy reconstruction, and there's going to be billions of dollars of energy reconstruction," he said. (AP) PY

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Hong Kong, Nov 20 (AP) Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai testified he met with then-Vice President Mike Pence and then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during Hong Kong's anti-government protests in 2019 but told the court at his landmark national security trial on Wednesday that he did not ask the US officials to take action.

Lai, founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily pro-democracy newspaper, was arrested in 2020 in the crackdown that followed the protests. He is accused of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to issue seditious publications. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

He testified about his meetings with US officials and gave details about his alleged overseas political connections with people in the US, Britain and Taiwan, including ex-Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen and Hong Kong's last British governor, Chris Patten.

But the media tycoon who also describes himself as a businessman and social activist said he never tried to influence foreign policy on Hong Kong or China through the people he met overseas or ask them to take action against them.

Lai's case is widely seen as a measure of press freedom and judicial independence in the Asian financial hub.

Lai testified in English that he asked Pence to voice his support for Hong Kong but not for the US government to take any action, saying, It's beyond me.

During the same trip to the US, Lai also met with Pompeo and discussed the situation in Hong Kong with him, noting it was a similar conversation to the one he had with Pence, he testified.

When Lai's lawyer, Steven Kwan, asked him whether he had requested the US to do something, Lai said not to do something but to say something.

Beijing promised to retain the former British colony's civil liberties for 50 years when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997. But critics say that promise has become threadbare under the rubric of maintaining national security.

Authorities have used a Beijing-imposed national security law to prosecute many of Hong Kong's leading activists, including Lai and 45 democracy advocates who were sentenced to several years in prison on Tuesday. Other pro-democracy figures were forced into self-exile or silenced. Dozens of civil society groups have disbanded under the threat of the law.

Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist that the law restored stability to the city following the 2019 protests.

Prosecutors have alleged that Lai asked foreign countries, especially the United States, to take actions against Beijing under the guise of fighting for freedom and democracy.

They pointed to Lai's meetings with Pence, Pompeo and US senators in July 2019 to discuss a now-withdrawn extradition bill that sparked the massive anti-government protests. They allege that Lai sought support from the US in sanctioning mainland Chinese and Hong Kong leaders who cracked down on the movement.

Dozens of people stood in the rain to secure a seat in the courtroom, including former Apple Daily reader William Wong, who said he wanted to remind Lai that Hong Kongers have not forgotten him. I haven't seen him for a few months. I know he will testify himself, so I want to encourage him, said Wong, 64.

Upon entering the court, Lai waved and smiled at his family members, who sat next to the city's Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen.

During the hearing, Lai said he had introduced former US officials Paul Wolfowitz and Jack Keane to Taiwan's former President Tsai Ing-wen  whom he knew before she became the island's leader. It was because Tsai wanted to know more about the thinking of then-President Donald Trump's administration back then, he said.

Lai said she knew he was "supportive of Trump" and she thought he knew a lot about the US because of his links with US think tanks. But he never communicated with Trump, he said.

He said he wanted to help Taiwan to know how to better deal with the US because the island was the only democracy of Chinese people.

But Lai rejected the idea of Hong Kong independence, saying it was a crazy" idea and he never allowed his staff or the newspaper to mention it.

He said he broke into the media world because to participate in delivering freedom was a very good idea for him.

The more you know, the more you are free," he said.

He said the core values of Apple Daily were the core values of the people of Hong Kong, including the rule of law, freedom and the pursuit of democracy.

In May 2020, a month before the security took effect, Lai took up the role of executive chairman of Next Digital, the parent company of Apple Daily.

I think it's right for me to take up the responsibility of the company if anything happens to it as an owner, he said.

The American and British governments and a group of independent United Nations human rights experts have called for Lai's release.

Trump was asked on a podcast before his reelection this month whether he would talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping to seek Lai's release, and he replied: One hundred percent, I will get him out.

Hong Kong leader John Lee said mutual respect is important for the development of trade relations and there should be no interference in local affairs. Beijing also criticised some US lawmakers for supporting Lai.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also raised concerns over Lai's detention to Xi in a meeting during the Group of 20 summit in Brazil.

Hong Kong's security minister Chris Tang maintained the prosecution was based on facts.

Lai's son, Sebastien Lai, said on Friday that his father's treatment in prison is inhumane. My father is now 77 and has spent nearly four years in a maximum-security prison in solitary confinement, he said in the statement released by Britain-based law firm Doughty Street Chambers.

On Sunday, the Hong Kong government condemned some members of the law firm for what it called spreading misinformation. It said the separation of Lai from other inmates has been made at his own request and was approved by prison authorities.

It added judges remain independent and partial when handling national security cases.

On the eve of the court hearing, some US lawmakers gathered with the younger Lai in a restaurant near the US Capitol in Washington in a show of support for the publisher. (AP) PY

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Rio de Janeiro, Nov 20 (PTI) India and Australia sealed an ambitious renewable energy partnership and set their eyes on a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese vowed to significantly ramp up overall bilateral ties.

A raft of issues including ways to boost ties in areas of defence and security ties, mobility, science and technology and education figured prominently at the second India-Australia annual conclave held on the sidelines of the G20 summit late on Tuesday.

The two leaders also looked forward to a long-term vision of defence and security collaboration to enhance collective strength, contribute to both countries' security, and make an important contribution to regional peace and security, according to a joint statement.

The Renewable Energy Partnership (REP) would provide the framework for practical cooperation in priority areas such as solar energy, green hydrogen, energy storage, investments in related projects and allied areas.

In his media statement after the summit talks with Albanese, Modi said both sides will work on new possibilities of cooperation in areas like defence industry, critical minerals, renewable energy, ship building, space and sports.

The two prime ministers welcomed further work towards an "ambitious, balanced and mutually beneficial" Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to realise the full potential of the bilateral economic relationship, the joint statement said.

Both sides are keen to build on the momentum created by the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) which was signed in 2022.

In his remarks, Modi said work will be done for a mutually beneficial CECA and that Albanese committed to protect the interests of the Indian community in Australia, especially Indian students.

After the implementation of 'ECTA', our mutual trade has increased by 40 per cent in the last two years, he said.

Modi also emphasised the need to resolve conflicts and tensions through dialogue and diplomacy.

"We have been and will continue to support peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region together. We have emphasised on dialogue and diplomacy to resolve global conflicts and tensions," he said.

The prime minister said both India and Australia are also unanimous on the need for reform in global institutions.

Modi said Albanese has accepted his invitation for the Quad summit to be held in India next year.

"I am confident that in the times to come, the partnership between India and Australia will touch new heights and will become a force for the global good," he said.

According to the joint statement, the two leaders observed that 'Make in India' and 'Future Made in Australia' have complementarity and collaborative potential and could help create new jobs, unlock economic growth and secure our future prosperity in a changing world.

"The leaders called for greater two-way investments reflective of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and instructed officials to explore ways to realise greater synergies between the economies of both the countries," it said.

Modi and Albanese reiterated their commitment to supporting an open, inclusive, stable, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected.

The comments came amid growing global concerns over China's military muscle-flexing in the South China Sea as well as in the Indo-Pacific.

"The prime ministers underlined the importance of being able to exercise rights and freedoms in all seas and oceans consistent with international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight," the joint statement said.

The two leaders also reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation through the Quad as a "force for global good which delivers real, positive and enduring impact for the Indo-Pacific".
Fergus Falls (US), Nov 20 (AP) A man convicted of human smuggling testified that he shuttled more than 500 Indian migrants across the US-Canada border over four years as part of an international smuggling ring that prosecutors said led to the deaths of a family of four.

Rajinder Singh, 51, said Tuesday he made over USD 4,00,000 as part of the sprawling scheme that included two men who are now on trial for human smuggling. Federal prosecutors said he preyed on Indian nationals' dreams of a better life in the US, just like the men on trial.

Singh took the stand on the second day of the trial of Indian national Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, and Steve Shand, 50, of Florida. Prosecutors say they put financial profit over human life when they attempted to smuggle Indian migrants across the border into Minnesota over a five-week period. They say Patel ran part of the smuggling scheme and recruited Shand as a driver. Both men have pleaded not guilty to four counts related to human smuggling.

Singh said he never met Patel or Shand, but he heard about them through a high-ranking member of the smuggling operation. Singh provided an inside account of how the international smuggling ring allegedly works and who it targets.

Singh said most of the people he smuggled came from Gujarat state. He said the migrants would often pay smugglers about USD 1,00,000 to get them from India to the US, where they would work to pay off their debts at low-wage jobs in cities around the country. Singh said the smugglers would run their finances through hawala, an informal money transfer system that relies on trust.

Singh entered the US illegally three times after getting deported following convictions on multiple federal charges. He said he is testifying because it is the right thing to do.

They are playing with people's lives, Singh said of the smugglers. "People died.

Patel's attorneys suggested that Singh is testifying because he doesn't want to go back to India and face potential retribution from those running the smuggling ring. In exchange for his testimony, Singh's deportation will be deferred and he will be given a temporary work permit.

After getting people into Canada with student visas, Singh said he usually smuggled people from British Columbia into Washington state, where he would order Uber drivers to pick up the migrants. But in late 2021, the operation's leaders changed their plans. They began sending people to cross the border into Minnesota instead of Washington state.

Federal prosecutors say the family of four  39-year-old Jagdish Patel; his wife, Vaishaliben, who was in her mid-30s; their 11-year-old daughter, Vihangi; and 3-year-old son, Dharmik  froze to death on January 19, 2022. Patel is a common Indian surname and the victims were not related to Harshkumar Patel.

The other witnesses called by the prosecution on Tuesday said conditions were brutal when the victims trudged through vast, snow-filled fields and high winds the night they tried to cross from Canada into the US.

Daryl Ritchison, a climatologist and director of the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network, told jurors that anytime weather conditions and windchills drop into the minus 30s Fahrenheit, frostbite can occur within 10 minutes.

Troy Larson, a mechanic who works at a compressor station just south of the border, said he helped dig Shand's 15-passenger white van out of a ditch that frigid January morning. After the van drove away, he saw a border patrol vehicle pull up alongside it.

Border patrol agent Christopher Oliver testified that he was driving that vehicle. He said that in the weeks prior, he had seen footprints in the snow and suspected people had been trying to cross the border. He said he spotted the van, pulled it over, identified Shand as the driver and arrested him along with two passengers.

One of those passengers, Yash Patel, is expected to testify this week.

One of Shand's attorneys, Lisa Lopez, asked the jury to differentiate between the two defendants. She said Shand was an unwitting participant in the smuggling ring.

Mr Shand was used by Mr Patel. And being used does not equate under the law to being guilty of conspiracy, Lopez said.

Lopez said Shand and the migrants were duped by Patel and the smuggling network. Aaron Morrison, Shand's other attorney, said his client never attempted to conceal his identity while working with Patel, as those involved in human smuggling normally do. He also pointed out that human smuggling rings often outsource some of their work to unwitting participants.

On Tuesday, Thomas Leinenweber, Patel's attorney, argued that Shand's defense is antagonistic and prejudicial against his client.

Prosecutors say Shand told investigators that Patel paid him about USD 25,000 for the five trips. They filed court documents showing Harshkumar Patel was in the US illegally after being refused a visa at least five times and that he recruited Shand at a casino near their homes in Deltona, Florida, just north of Orlando.

The morning the Patel family died, Singh said he woke up to a slew of missed calls from one of his associates in the smuggling ring. He called the man, who sounded panicked.

'Our work got screwed up. People got caught,' he recounted his associate telling him.

Later on, Singh said, the man told him that a family had died. (AP) NPK

NPK
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 21. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban held extended discussions in Budapest, joined by members of their respective delegations, Trend reports.

The meeting followed earlier one-on-one talks between the two leaders, highlighting a shared commitment to advancing bilateral relations.

It is a great honor to be in the capital of Hungary, a friendly and brotherly nation, said President Tokayev. The main purpose of my visit is to give new impetus to the multifaceted cooperation between our countries.

The talks resulted in several significant agreements, including the establishment of a Kazakhstan-Hungary Investment Fund. The discussions covered key areas of collaboration such as trade and economic partnerships, energy, oil and gas, transportation, and education.

Prime Minister Orban emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and expressed optimism about the successful implementation of the agreements. Our countries share a common history and have great potential for deepening cooperation. Todays discussions lay the groundwork for future collaboration in the interests of our peoples, he stated.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Tokayev invited Prime Minister Orban to visit Astana for a reciprocal visit.
Islamabad, Nov 20 (PTI) A high court in Pakistan on Wednesday granted bail to incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan in the second Toshakhana case.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, after concluding the hearing, accepted Khan's bail plea subject to furnishing two bonds of PKR 1 million each.

Khan, 72, has been in jail since his arrest on August 5, 2023 and it was not immediately clear if he would be released now.

Earlier on Thursday, a court in Pakistan had rejected Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi's acquittal requests in the Toshakhana II case.

Also known as Toshakhana 2.0, the case was based on the allegations that Khan and his wife caused loss to the national exchequer by keeping state gifts at discounted prices in violation of rules.

The judge also ordered the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to appear before the trial court after bail, warning that the bail could be revoked if he failed to cooperate with the court.

Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were arrested in the case on July 13, hours after their acquittal in the Iddat case the same day. Bibi was given bail by the IHC on October 24 and she was released from jail.

Khan has been implicated in dozens of cases since his government was dismissed through a no-confidence motion in 2022.
Tokyo, Nov 20 (AP) Japanese officials said Wednesday they are closely watching to see if China keeps its promise to prevent further violations of Japan's airspace after explaining that an incursion by a Chinese military aircraft nearly three months ago was unintentional and caused by turbulence.

Tokyo protested and sought an explanation from Beijing after a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance plane briefly entered Japanese airspace off the southern main island of Kyushu on Aug. 26, prompting Japan's military to scramble fighter jets and warn the plane.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said China acknowledged the airspace violation and assured Japan that it would make efforts to prevent a recurrence.

We take note of China's explanation, and we will closely watch Chinese military activity from now on, Hayashi said.

China said the airspace violation occurred when the plane's pilot took emergency measures in response to turbulence in the area and was not intentional, Japan's Foreign Ministry said. Japanese officials did not disclose further details, such as when China provided the explanation, citing the protocol of diplomatic exchanges.

Even though aircraft can encounter turbulence, such a significant deviation from a flight route is unthinkable, Japanese officials said.

NHK public television reported that Japanese defense officials said they still find the airspace violation unacceptable because it was a serious breach of territorial sovereignty.

In Bejing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian did not confirm what Japanese officials said they were told. He said only the diplomatic and defense ministries of the two countries have been communicating on the issue and that China has no intention of intruding into the airspace of any country.

Japanese officials are concerned about China's growing military activity around Japan's southwestern waters and airspace. It has led Tokyo to significantly reinforce its defenses in the area, which includes remote islands that are considered key to Japan's defense strategy.

Japan is also worried about joint military activities between China and Russia.

A Chinese survey ship violated Japanese territorial waters off a southern island in August. In September, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and two destroyers sailed between Japan's westernmost island of Yonaguni  just east of Taiwan  and nearby Iriomote, entering Japan's contiguous zone, an area just outside of a country's territorial waters in which it can still exercise some control over maritime traffic. (AP)



AMS
Baku (Azerbaijan), Nov 20 (PTI) Three years of painstaking negotiations to craft a new climate finance package for the developing world now hinge on the final 48 hours of the UN climate conference.

The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown as rich and poor nations remain deeply divided, and the clock ticks toward an uncertain Friday deadline.

COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev is holding out hope for a timely closure, but the odds are slim as developed and developing nations remain locked in a standoff over the thorniest issues.

At the heart of the talks is a new climate finance goal aimed at helping developing nations cut emissions and adapt to the worsening impacts of climate change. The developing world argues it needs at least USD 1.3 trillion annually -- 13 times the USD 100 billion pledged in 2009 -- to meet the growing challenges.

Trust remains thin as rich nations met the USD 100 billion goal two years later in 2022, with around 70 per cent of the funds provided as loans -- adding to the debt burdens of countries already reeling from climate disasters.

Developing nations are pushing for funding to come directly from developed countries' public budgets, rejecting the heavy reliance on private-sector contributions, which they say prioritize profit over accountability.

But the developed world, led by the US and EU, wants a broader global investment goal that taps into public, private, domestic, and international sources. They are also calling on wealthier nations like China and Gulf states -- classified as developing in 1992 -- to contribute, citing their changed economic status.

Developing countries see it as an attempt to dodge responsibility for historical emissions by shifting the burden to those who industrialized more recently.

After a disappointing first week, the COP29 presidency assigned ministerial groups to tackle the sticking points.

On Wednesday morning, Babayev urged negotiators to clear technical issues to focus on core disagreements. A new draft text is expected by midnight, but it is unclear if it will break the impasse.

The G77, the largest negotiating block at the UN climate talks with over 130 developing nations, has demanded a headline figure in trillions. "We need this figure as a headline of the text... The rest can be discussed in the coming days," said Adonia Ayebare, the G77 chair.

Meanwhile, Egyptian Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad, co-leading the talks, told a stocktake plenary that while all parties want to finalize the funding goal, some insist that trillions can only be achieved with contributions from all sources.

However, she said all countries agree that the goal would not override Article 9, which mandates developed nations to provide financial support.

Disagreements remain over how much public finance should be included.

India, on behalf of the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs), has called for USD 600 billion in public funding, with private finance offered at concessional rates. The AOSIS group of small island nations wants USD 900 billion in government money, while the Arab group has proposed USD 440 billion.

The frustration is palpable. Ali Mohammed, head of the African Group of Negotiators, said, We are halfway through the second week, and there is still no clarity on the quantum of finance. This is deeply frustrating.

As tensions rise, some fear a repeat of the 2009 Copenhagen summit, where backroom deals left many nations feeling excluded.

The stakes are high. Without a clear finance goal, the conference risks undermining progress on other critical issues like mitigation and adaptation.
Georgetown, Nov 20 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Wednesday planted a sapling in Georgetown under the Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam initiative.

Modi, who arrived in Guyana on Wednesday, is the first Indian head of the state to visit the country in more than 50 years.

"Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam goes global. PM Modi and President Irfan Ali plant a sapling in Georgetown under the Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam initiative," an official said.

On June 5, Prime Minister Modi launched the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Campaign on the World Environment Day.

President Ali praised Prime Minister Modi, calling him a 'champion among leaders' for his impactful leadership and contribution to the developing world.

"Thank you very much, Prime Minister Modi. It is our greatest honour to have you here. You are a champion among leaders. You have led incredibly," Ali said during a joint press statement with Modi.

He lauded Modi's governance style, noting its relevance and adoption in Guyana and other nations.

"You have shown the light to the developing world, and you have created development metrics and a framework that many are adopting in their own country. And much of it is relevant to us here in Guyana," he said.
Pune, Nov 20 (PTI) A polling station in Pune's Shivajinagar area on Wednesday offered a unique experience to voters, blending democratic participation with technological innovation.

As voters queued up to cast their votes, they were greeted by an impressive display of student projects, including an electronic voting machine, drones, aeroplanes, robots, a satellite prototype, and even an F1 car, all highlighting the creative spirit of the 170-year-old College of Engineering Pune (COEP) Technological University.

In collaboration with the Election Commission of India (ECI), the COEP Youth Parliament set up this unique polling station centred around the theme, "Pune, Vidyeche Maherghar - Oxford of the East & Historical Legacy of Education."

The venue featured a replica of the Lal Mahal as a selfie point, a feedback wall shaped like the map of Maharashtra, and several kiosks showcasing voter awareness materials created by local school students.

Engineering projects and prototypes from various technical clubs at COEP were also displayed.

"COEP Technological University is one of the largest polling stations in the Shivajinagar constituency.

"This time the COEP Youth Parliament joined hands with the ECI to showcase the legacy of educational institutes in Pune along with the innovative projects of our different clubs," said Krushna Sapkal, one of the coordinators of the COEP Youth Parliament.

The polling station also displayed information about Punes iconic educational institutions, including Deccan College, the first school founded by social reformer Savitribai Phule, Fergusson College, COEP, and the National Chemical Laboratory, among others.

At the entrance, a selfie point featuring Lal Mahal, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent his childhood, attracted many visitors.

The feedback wall, designed in the shape of Maharashtra, also garnered significant attention. "We received a tremendous response from voters, who were pleasantly surprised by the theme," Sapkal added.

To further engage the community, voters were given unique stickers bearing the message, "I stand with my vote," which they could affix to their phones.

Divya Nahar, a voter, was delighted by the student projects on display.

"Usually, we come, cast our votes, and leave. But today, I got to experience something special. I saw electronic voting machines, robots, drones, and even a satellite prototype. This is an excellent initiative to draw people into the process, and it helps the public, especially those unfamiliar with technology, understand the advancements in the field," she said.

Shankar Kapate, who voted with his family, shared his appreciation for the educational theme.

"After voting, my children explored the project kiosks and learned about various engineering innovations. This is the first time I have seen such a creative, theme-based polling station. My kids were thrilled by the demonstrations," he added.

Deepak Kadam, Nodal Officer for the Shivajinagar constituency, emphasised the significance of the theme.

"We aimed to showcase the historical legacy of Punes educational institutions, ranging from law and medical to engineering and science research, which have shaped Punes reputation since 1842," he added.

COEP students were also eager to share their work with the public.

Aditya More, a final-year student, noted that the Robot Study Circle displayed projects like the electronic voting machine and a robot dog.

"It was a unique opportunity for us to engage with the public, including children and senior citizens. Many voters stopped by our tables after casting their votes and showed great interest in our projects," he said.

Chirag Gujarathi, a student member of the Aerial Robotics Study Circle, added that drones, RC planes, and quadcopters designed for aerial surveillance were also on display, offering a glimpse of the latest technology.

Anvay Joshi, from the Satellite Team, spoke about their Swayam satellite, which was launched by ISRO in 2016.

"Our team conceptualised, designed, and built the satellite, and it was amazing to explain its features to the voters," he said.

Harshvardhan Korgaonkar, leader of the Octane Racing Electric Club, said the electric car on display was a major attraction. "Children were especially excited and even asked if they could sit in it," he added.
Ranchi, Nov 20 (PTI) The ruling JMM as well as the opposition BJP exuded confidence about forming the next government in Jharkhand as polling drew to a close on Wednesday evening.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren claimed the people of the state have showered blessings on the ruling JMM-led alliance.

"The elderly, youth, workers, women, farmers -- all gave their unprecedented blessings with enthusiasm and zeal in this great festival of democracy. All, especially the half population of the state - our Maiyas (women), enthusiastically gave their infinite blessings to the JMM and INDIA alliance in a historic manner for their rights, dignity and respect," he posted on X.

State BJP president Babulal Marandi claimed that the NDA would win over 51 of the 81 seats in the state.

"In the Lok Sabha polls, NDA had a lead on 51 assembly seats in the state. We are confident that NDA will win over 51 seats in the assembly polls," he told reporters.

Marandi claimed the Barhait assembly seat where the chief minister is contesting may throw a surprise.

Senior Congress leader Rajesh Thakur said, "The way women have participated in polling and the discussion that was going on among people about the government's work at the polling booths, I can say that our alliance is going perform better than last time and we will provide a strong government to the state."

Polling was held for 38 assembly constituencies in the second phase during the day.

The first phase of polling for 43 seats was held on November 13, and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.
Imphal, Nov 20 (PTI) Amid spike in violence in Manipur, eight companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) reached the state capital Imphal on Wednesday, officials said.

These forces arrived in Imphal a day after another batch of 11 companies of CAPF reached the state.



Officials said that four companies each of CRPF and BSF that arrived on Wednesday will be deployed at sensitive and fringe areas of the state.



Of the CRPF companies, one belongs to the Mahila Battalion.

The Centre recently announced that 50 fresh companies of CAPF would be deployed in Manipur.

Violence has escalated in the state as offices of the Congress and the BJP have been ransacked in the hill district of Jiribam last week.

The incidents occurred after irate mobs set fire to the residences of three BJP legislators, one of whom is a senior minister, and a Congress MLA in various districts of Imphal Valley where an indefinite curfew has been clamped.



Security forces also foiled the attempt of the agitators to storm the ancestral residence of the Manipur chief minister on Saturday evening.

The violence escalated after three women and three children belonging to the Meitei community had gone missing from a relief camp in Jiribam district after a gunfight between security forces and suspected Kuki-Zo militants that resulted in the deaths of 10 insurgents on November 11.



Bodies of those six were later found over the past few days.



More than 220 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.
Kolkata, Nov 20 (PTI) The son of a Trinamool Congress councillor was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly hitting an elderly woman while driving a car in south Kolkata's Rabindra Sarobar area, police said.



He was later released on bail.

The incident happened at around 6.45 AM when TMC's councillor of ward no 99 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Mitali Bandyopadhayay's two sons went out in their car to have tea.

Her younger son was driving the car on Southern Avenue when it allegedly hit a 70-year-old pedestrian, idenfitied as Tara Saha, a police officer said.

"The two took the injured woman first to a local hospital and then to the SSKM Hospital. She is now out of danger," he said.



The younger son was arrested under various sections of the BNS including 281 (rash driving), the police officer added.



The accused was released in the evening after the police granted him bail, he said.
Bhubaneswar, Nov 20 (PTI) The Odisha government has decided to study the root causes for migration of labourers from the state and find solutions to address the issue.

This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo after chairing a meeting of the High-Level Task Force constituted to address the migration of labourers.

The government has decided to engage Nudge Foundation, an action institute working towards a poverty-free India, for this purpose, he said.



A relatively large number of people from districts like Ganjam, Balangir, Kalahandi, Jharsuguda, and Bargarh go to other states in search of livelihood and earnings.



Among them, people who go to other states from Ganjam district are mainly in the hope of earning more money by aspirational migration and from other districts in search of livelihood and to pay back the loans, he said.



The problem can be addressed to some extent by providing them all the facilities of sustainable livelihood in the state, Singh Deo said.



He said that Nudge Foundation will provide people with means of livelihood while considering the climate, environment and needs of the respective region.



For this, the institute will first study the root causes and solutions in the migration-prone districts and Gram panchayats of Odisha. Based on the study, the future approach will be determined in consultation with the government, he added.



Food security, social security, sustainable livelihoods and prospective employment can help to address the problem. Once the livelihoods are provided, the Foundation will assess their financial and social status at regular intervals, the deputy chief minister stated.

Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, who is a member of the task force, suggested using cluster approach in panchayats or blocks where the migration is high.



Nudge Foundation has already worked in the sector in West Bengal and Jharkhand. There are two main reasons why people prefer to go out on migration: firstly because of the expected higher earnings, and secondly because of the not feasible livelihood options available, officials said.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Acting on complaints, the Election Commission on Wednesday ordered suspension of police personnel violating its guidelines on checking of voters and stopping them from casting votes in the Uttar Pradesh bypolls, officials said.

This comes after SP president Akhilesh Yadav urged the EC to suspend all police officers who are checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs on basis of video evidence.

Acting on the Commission's directions, district election officers and superintendents of police, after verifying the complaints, have suspended the police personnel for their conduct.

Taking cognisance of the complaints on social media by the Samajwadi Party that some communities were prevented from voting during the bypolls, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar gave strict instructions to chief electoral officer of Uttar Pradesh and all district election officers and returning officers to ensure fair and smooth voting process.

They were told to take immediate cognisance of all complaints and take prompt action and inform the complainant through social media also by tagging them.

No eligible voter should be prevented from voting and any kind of biased attitude will not be tolerated, they were warned.

If anyone is found guilty after receiving a complaint, strict action should be taken, the poll machinery was told, the officials said.

Voting is underway in nine assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 21. Kazakhstan and Hungary have formalized their commitment to strengthening strategic ties through the signing of a Joint Statement and several key agreements, Trend reports.

The ceremony followed high-level talks between Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest.

The agreements signed by members of both delegations include:

1. Memorandum of Understanding on Consular Cooperation between the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Hungarys Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, aimed at enhancing mutual support in consular matters.

2. Investment Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstans Samruk-Kazyna Fund and Hungarys National Capital Holding, focused on joint investment initiatives.

3. Tripartite Framework Agreement among Kazakhstans Ministry of Agriculture, Kazakh Invest, and Hungarys UBM Group to establish projects for feed and premix production in Kazakhstan.

4. Logistics Partnership Memorandum between Kazakhstans National Railway Company (KTZ), Hungarys L.A.C. Holding, and Chinas Xian Free Trade Port, to expand transport and trade links.

5. Oil and Gas Collaboration Memorandum between KazMunayGas and Hungarys MOL Group, setting the stage for enhanced cooperation in the energy sector.

6. Banking Cooperation Memorandum between Kazakhstans Financial Regulation and Development Agency and Hungarys National Bank, aimed at fostering ties in financial services.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi embarked on a four-day visit to Nepal on Wednesday to further ramp up the already close defence and strategic ties between the two countries against the backdrop of the evolving regional security situation.

Gen Dwivedi will be conferred the honorary rank of "General of the Nepal Army" by Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel on Thursday in continuation of an age-old tradition that first started in 1950, reflecting the strong ties between the two militaries.

The Army Chief's visit to Nepal from November 20-24 aims to strengthen military cooperation between the militaries of India and Nepal, besides exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two nations, the Indian Army said.

In Kathmandu, Gen Dwivedi is set to hold extensive talks with his Nepalese counterpart Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel and will call on President Paudel, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Defence Minister Manbir Rai.

Gen Dwivedi will also be briefed by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Nepali Army on issues of common interest at the Nepali Army headquarters on Thursday, officials said.

Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old "Roti Beti" relationship.

Landlocked Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services. Nepal's access to the sea is through India, and it imports a predominant proportion of its requirements from and through India.

Gen Upendra Dwivedi is also likely to visit the Shri Muktinath temple in the Mustang region of Nepal.

It is learnt that India's first Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat also wanted to visit the temple. In his memory, a Bell named 'Bipin Bell' was installed in the temple in February 2023.

Nepal has continued its close ties with India, with regular exchanges of military training, visits, and defence modernisation.

India and Nepal are critical partners in enhancing mutual military capabilities, particularly through training programmes.

Gen Dwivedi's visit is expected to focus on the ongoing defence modernisation in both militaries, through various initiatives, officials said.

A key pillar of India-Nepal military cooperation is the annual 'Surya Kiran' joint military exercise, which enhances interoperability between the two armed forces.

This exercise, which focuses on counterterrorism, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, will see its 18th edition in December in Nepal.

The scope and complexity of this exercise are set to be expanded, providing an opportunity to further improve the operational synergy between the two armies, sources said.

India has been supporting Nepal in its military modernisation by supplying various forms of military hardware, including small arms, vehicles, and advanced training simulators.
Jaipur, Nov 20 (PTI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday said education is the biggest centre for change and establishing equality in society.

Addressing the students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Jhunjhunu district, Dhankhar stressed the importance of being cultured at a young age.

"The character that education gives us defines us," Dhankhar said, highlighting the importance of discipline, culture and human development.

"Respecting parents and teachers, promoting mutual brotherhood, and showing discipline should be integral parts of your life. Inculcating good habits for human development should be your priority," he told the gathering.

He asserted that the soul of India lies in rural areas.

"Our roots are strong only in rural India. Farmers, our food providers, also live in rural areas," he said.

Dhankhar said that through institutions like Panchayat Raj and Nagar Palika, India has strengthened democracy at the grassroots level.

Praising the National Education Policy 2020, the vice president called it a "game-changer".

"After three decades, India has got a new education policy which aims to free the students from the burden of only books and degrees and make them skilled. This policy will help India to establish itself as a developed India by 2047," he said.

Making the students aware of the environment, he urged them to plant trees in honour of their grandparents.
Lucknow, Nov 20 (PTI) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav urged the people to go out and vote as nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh hold bypolls on Wednesday.

Voting is underway in Meerapur, Ghaziabad, Kundarki, Khair, Karhal, Sisamau, Katehari, Majhawan, and Phulpur.

In his social media message, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called on the voters to support the uninterrupted development journey of the state.

"Appeal to the respected voters to vote to provide more speed and strength to the uninterrupted development journey of Uttar Pradesh. Vote unitedly to bring comprehensive and positive change in the lives of 25 crore residents of the state," he said in a Hindi post on X.

In a lighthearted reminder, he added, "Dhyan rahe, pehle matdaan phir jalpaan" (Keep in mind, first vote then refreshment).

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, in his appeal, encouraged people to cast their votes with their future and the values of the Constitution in mind.

"Voters of the nine assembly seats in UP where elections are being held are requested to go and cast their vote while remaining committed to their future and the Constitution," Yadav wrote on X in Hindi.

He also emphasised the importance of full voter participation and said: "Karein 100 per cent matdaan, rahein 100 per cent savdhaan" (Cast 100 per cent vote, stay 100 per cent careful).

Voting for bypolls in the state started at 7 am and will continue till 5 pm. The counting of votes will be done on Saturday.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Delhi Metro's ticket booking app will now allow people, including tourists in the national capital, to book tickets for ASI-managed monuments.

On Wednesday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to enable the sale of ASI monument tickets through DMRC's Momentum 2.0 mobile application, an official statement said.

Under this collaboration, both ASI and DMRC will jointly develop and implement an integrated QR-based ticketing system which will provide seamless access to Delhi Metro services as well as entry to selected centrally protected monuments managed by ASI.

The two organisations will also work together to promote Delhi's rich cultural heritage through coordinated efforts, including public campaigns, joint events and digital platforms, it said.

This initiative aims to offer a hassle-free, world-class travel and tourism experience for both national and international tourists across Delhi and the NCR.

The collaboration will provide tourists and the general public with easy and convenient access through a unified ticketing solution that covers both metro travel and monument entry, the statement noted.

DMRC will integrate ASI's ticketing system into its app and provide space for the installation of ASI signages and standees, featuring historical information about various monuments at designated metro stations, to increase awareness among tourists, it added.
Srinagar, Nov 20 (PTI) Senior National Conference leader Nasir Aslam Wani on Wednesday claimed that Articles 370 and 35A would not have been revoked in Jammu and Kashmir had the PDP not joined hands with the BJP in 2014 to form government in the erstwhile state.

He alleged that the Mehbooba Mufti-led party thought of contributing to the development and progress of people in Jammu and Kashmir.

"They never thought of how people will benefit and progress. They are trying to incite people," Wani, an advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, said.

He said the opposition party should do some introspection.

"Had they (PDP) not supported the BJP in 2014, we would not have lost Article 370 and Article 35A. We would also not have seen all this destruction that took place in the past 10 years," Wani told reporters in reply to a question on the PDP alleging that the NC was not serious about the resolution passed in the Assembly earlier this month.

"We will do what we have promised in our manifesto. They (PDP) are indulging in political chaos. They have always supported chaos, be it in 2008 or 2010. Then it came to haunt them in 2016," he said referring to summer unrest in the Valley between 2008 and 2016.

Wani said the PDP has never thought of contributing to the development and progress of people and advised the opposition party to do some introspection.
Jammu, Nov 20 (PTI) Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Suchindra Kumar on Wednesday lauded the "stellar performance" of the Rashtriya Rifles in restoring peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir over the past decades.

He urged all Rashtriya Rifles commanders and troops to continue operating "for the people and with the people" as a counter-terrorism force in the Union Territory.

The Army commander, who chaired the 13th Rashtriya Rifles Biennial Conference at Udhampur, hailed the Rashtriya Rifles for restoring peace and stability in JK over the past decades and highlighted their contributions to inclusive development and nation-building.

He emphasised the need for the Rashtriya Rifles to continue re-orienting, restructuring and re-configuring as an "agile, lean and mean technology-enabled force" to address prevailing operational challenges and efficiently tackle those likely to emerge in the future.

The Lt General reiterated that all Rashtriya Rifles commanders and troops must continue operating "for the people and with the people" as a counter-terrorism force deeply embedded in the geography and demography of JK.

"As emissaries of the Indian Army, in grassroots contact with the populace, the Rashtriya Rifles are well poised to contribute to both community and nation-building. This larger aim must define all our lines of effort, he said.

Lt Gen Kumar congratulated all ranks of the Rashtriya Rifles for their steadfast commitment and sacrifice in successfully prosecuting the counter-terrorism effort in JK.

The conference, attended by Major General Anupam Bhagi, Additional Director General Rashtriya Rifles; General Officers Commanding counter-insurgency forces, Rashtriya Rifles formation battalion commanders and senior officers of the Army headquarters and Northern Command discussed various issues, including the security situation, operational preparedness, training, deployments and counter-insurgency operations.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Members of the Indian National Teachers' Congress (INTEC) staged a protest at Delhi University's Arts Faculty on Wednesday to express solidarity with the people of Manipur

The association also wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the Centre to take immediate and decisive action to restore peace in the northeastern state, which has been grappling with ongoing clashes between two communities.

In its letter, the INTEC, affiliated with the Congress, called for an inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders to address the crisis, emphasising the need for strengthened security measures to ensure the safety of all communities.

It also urged the government to mobilise resources for humanitarian aid to support those displaced and affected by the conflict.

Expressing deep concern over the prolonged unrest, the association underlined the devastating impact of the conflict on lives, property, and the overall well-being of the people in Manipur.

"Manipur has historically been a land of rich cultural diversity and harmony, but recent events have disrupted its social fabric, causing widespread suffering," the letter read.

"The conflict has resulted in displacement, loss of lives, destruction of infrastructure, and a deep sense of insecurity among the people. Despite various efforts, peace and normalcy remain elusive, it added.

The association stressed that restoring peace in Manipur is essential for the unity and integrity of the nation.

"As educators, we envision a harmonious society where every citizen's voice is heard, and their rights are protected. We appeal to the Home Minister to consider our concerns with the seriousness they deserve and take immediate action to restore peace in Manipur," it said.

Violence in Manipur has flared up again as a fresh wave of protests erupted after six people went missing from a camp for displaced persons in Jiribam on Monday, following a gunfight between armed men and security forces that resulted in the deaths of 10 Kuki youths.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) The Special Summary Revision (SSR)-2025 of the electoral roll is progressing smoothly and is set to conclude with the publication of the final electoral roll on January 6, 2025, Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Wednesday announced.

The revision, which began on October 29, 2024, is being conducted across all 70 assembly constituencies in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, an official statement of the CEO said.

It offers the citizens an opportunity to correct their electoral details, register new voters and raise objections to any incorrect inclusions. Claims and objections can be filed until November 28, 2024, while continuous updates to the roll will remain open after this date, the statement said.

Special campaigns have been organised at polling station locations to encourage public participation, it said.

"The first round of campaigns, held on November 9 and 10, 2024, witnessed a strong response from citizens keen to update their electoral records," the statement said.

The next round of campaigns is scheduled for November 23 and 24, 2024, with the CEO urging the citizens to take full advantage of these events to ensure the accuracy of their voter details, it added.

According to the statement, to facilitate the process, the draft electoral roll is available online and at all designated polling locations, including voter centres.

Apart from offline submissions, the citizens can file claims and objections online through the Election Commission of Indias voter portal, the voter helpline app or the Saksham app for Divyangjans, it reads.

CEO P Krishnamurthy has appealed to all prospective voters turning 18 on or before April 1, July 1 or October 1, 2025 to pre-register to ensure their inclusion in the electoral roll.

Additionally, he emphasised the importance of verifying electoral details, as merely possessing a voter ID card does not guarantee the right to vote.

The voters must confirm their inclusion in the roll through online verification tools or the helpline, he added.

The CEO further highlighted the critical role of accurate and updated electoral rolls in strengthening the democratic process and urged all citizens to seize this opportunity to ensure their participation in the upcoming elections.
Chandigarh, Nov 20 (PTI) Haryana BJP's core group meeting was held in Panchkula on Wednesday which brainstormed on organisational issues, upcoming municipal polls, the party's ongoing membership drive and other issues.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister and Karnal MP Manohar Lal Khattar, Rajya Sabha MPs Subhash Barala and Kiran Choudhry, and other senior leaders, including Satish Poonia, Sudha Yadav and Saudan Singh, were present in the meeting chaired by Haryana BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli.

The BJP leaders also discussed various other topics, including those related to government schemes, in the meeting.

After the core group meeting at Haryana BJP office in Panchkula, a meeting of the party's district unit presidents and district in-charges was also held at the chief minister's residence here. Necessary guidelines were given to all the workers in the meeting, said a party statement.

After the core group meeting, the chief minister told reporters that the municipal elections would be held soon.

Saini said the BJP workers are fully prepared for the municipal elections.

The party's membership campaign is going on in the state, he added.

Notably, the elections to the municipal corporations of Rohtak, Hisar, Yamunanagar, Gurugram, Karnal, Faridabad and Panipat are due, while the polls to the newly-created municipal corporation of Manesar is also likely to be held with polls to these municipal corporations.

The BJP has set a target of adding 50 lakh members in the membership campaign and a plan and strategy has been made for that, he said.

Commenting on the BJP forming its government for a third consecutive term in Haryana in the recently held assembly polls, the chief minister expressed his gratitude to people and also gave credit to the hard work and tireless efforts of the party workers.

Saini said the government is working with full speed to further accelerate development works and added discussions were also held in the meeting about this.

Responding to a question, Saini said the Congress leaders are raising the demand of caste census and asked who stopped the grand old party from conducting one when they ruled the country for 55 years.

When they have been rejected by people, then they remember these things to divert public attention, he said.

Saini said when the Congress ruled the country, it took votes from the Dalits, backward and poor but exploited them.

The chief minister said the Congress did not fulfill the expectations of people, adding the party leaders fulfilled their own expectations, depriving people of basic facilities like good roads, electricity, good health and education facilities as a result of which the people later rejected them.

During the Congress' rule, the poor did not get anything, but now the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking care of the poor, he added.

Saini said the Modi government has done many development works in the country.

Due to the work of the "double-engine" government, the BJP led government will be formed in Maharashtra and Jharkhand as well, he added.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) A Delhi Police head constable foiled a robbery bid and nabbed the suspect after a chase near Red Fort in north Delhi.

The accused, Aarif, also attempted to stab head constable Manish during the Friday morning episode, a CCTV footage of which also made rounds on the internet.

"At around 9.30 am, when Manish was patrolling near Red Fort on a motorcycle to curb street crimes like snatching and robbery, he spotted a man robbing a labourer, Prem Kumar Parsad," Deputy Commissioner of Police (north) Raja Banthia said.

Manish stopped his bike and rushed toward the suspect. Sensing the constable approaching him, the robber started running and crossed the busy Subash Marg and jumped over the road divider toward the Old Lajpat Rai Market.

The constable pursued the suspect across the road and caught him up. When he was overpowered, the accused attempted to stab Manish using a knife, the police said.

"A scuffle took place between Manish and the robber, but the constable gave a good fight to the robber," the DCP said.

A stolen mobile phone and the knife used in the attack was recovered from Aarif. The constable later traced the labourer to assist in the investigation, police said.

Aarif is previously involved in five criminal cases, the DCP said, adding that an FIR has been registered against him at Kotwali Police Station.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The connection of the energy system of Iran and Russia via Azerbaijan will contribute to further strengthening of relations and cooperation, the Iranian Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said, Trend reports.

He made the remarks in a statement following a meeting with Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov in Tehran on November 19.

According to him, proposals to connect and synchronize power grids have been put forward for many years. Iran and Russia have large power systems. Interconnecting the two countries' power systems could create a large power system in the region from which other countries could benefit.

Aliabadi stated that detailed discussions were held today with his Russian counterpart in the direction of interconnecting the two countries' power grids. The Russian side expressed its readiness to cooperate in this field.

The Iranian minister noted that Iran currently has direct electrical connections with neighboring countries and intends to develop these connections.

The voltage level of Iran's power grid is 400 kilovolts. Iran is interested in increasing the voltage level to reduce losses in the transmission of electricity. To transport electricity to other countries, the voltage level should be increased, he said.

Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov also noted that Russia is interested in expanding cooperation with Iran and added that Russia has many joint projects with Iran. The new electricity utilization strategy should be adjusted. The exchange of technical knowledge with Iran to eliminate needs in the direction of supplies, including gas turbines, is included in the Russian program.

To note, the project to create a North-South energy corridor between Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia is underway. The goal is to synchronize the power grids of the three countries. The necessary design work for this project is being carried out by the Iranian company Monenko.
Lucknow, Nov 20 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath would watch

Vikrant Massey-starrer "The Sabarmati Report" at a cineplex here on Thursday, a senior government official has said.

The film, directed by Dheeraj Saran, is based on the Godhra riots and was released in cinemas on November 15.

"The CM would watch the film at Lucknow's Palassio Mall's Audi 7 at 11.30 am," a senior official told PTI on Wednesday.

Massey called on Adityanath at his official residence here on Tuesday. The chief minister shared a photo of his meeting with the actor on his official X account that was subsequently reposted by the actor.

"Got an opportunity to meet honorable CM Yogi Adityanath whose appreciation inspired the entire team of 'The Sabarmati Report. I heartily thank him for this love and affection," Massey posted later.

It is yet unclear as to who all would accompany the CM for the special screening but some BJP leaders and ministers could accompany him.

Several special screenings have been organised at Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's Lok Bhavan office over the last couple of years such as the Kerala Files, Kangana Ranaut's Tejas but the chief minister has rarely visited theatres to watch films.

Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the 'The Sabarmati Report' and said it was good to see the "truth" come to light.
Panaji, Nov 20 (PTI) Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Wednesday appealed to filmmakers to produce films that will give people hope to live and make their life a celebration.

The spiritual guru was recognised during the inaugural function of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2024 near Panaji on Wednesday in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.

A film inspired by the life of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is being produced as a part of the Columbia India Audio Visual Treaty. This is the first film to be produced under this landmark treaty.

Interacting with actors Abhishekh Mukherjee and Bhumi Pednekar, who anchored the inaugural function of the film festival, the spiritual guru said storytelling has got two aspects, one is to bring out the facts and second is to uplift the spirit.

He said when people watch movies, they should walk out with some inspiration.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that the artists entertain everyone but in their life, there is sadness.

This is what we should correct. It is important for artist fraternity to look after their mental health, depression issues and concentration on the happiness... I would want the artiste to live for every moment, he said.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said the Happiness Index of the Indian film industry must be on the top.

Mahaveer Jain, the producer of the first film under India Columbia Treaty, was also recognised during the inaugural function.

He said the film would be a global film which is being produced in English and later it would be dubbed in Spanish and other languages.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh government has notified rules to provide for child-care leaves to mothers taking care of disabled children, the Supreme Court was informed on Wednesday.

The amendment in the states child-care leave rules is in line with the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 and came following a nudge by a bench headed by the then Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, since retired.

The development came following a plea by an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at Government College, Nalagarh, whose 14-year-old son suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a rare genetic disorder requiring ongoing medical care and surgeries.

She argued that the lack of child-care leave provisions in the state forced her to exhaust all sanctioned leave, leaving her unable to meet her sons needs.

She had come to the top court after the Himachal Pradesh High Court dismissed her plea in 2021.

On April 22, the then CJI-led bench had termed as "serious" the denial of leave to a mother taking care of a child with disabilities and had said this violated the constitutional duty of the State to ensure equal participation of women in the workforce.

It had directed the state government to set up a committee headed by the chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh to take a policy decision on the issue of granting child-care leaves (CCLs) to working women having children with disabilities.

On Wednesday, a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and NK Singh disposed of the plea of a working mother after her advocate Pragati Neekhra acknowledged the notification but pointed out certain lacunas in the amended rules.

The bench gave the petitioner the liberty to make a representation to the state authorities pointing out deficiencies in the amended rules.

"In this backdrop, we dispose of this writ petition, preserving liberty to the petitioner to seek further clarifications or enhancements under the scheme by making a representation to the Respondent State, which shall consider it expeditiously," the bench ordered.

Her lawyer Neekhra said the amended rules provide for this relief to only those women who have specially-abled children to take care of.

In her petition, she sought the adoption of Rule 43C of the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, which allows women employees with differently-abled children to avail child-care leave until the child turns 20.

The High Court had dismissed her plea, citing the states non-adoption of these provisions. Subsequently, on July 31, 2024, the Himachal Pradesh Government notified the Central Civil Services (Leave) Himachal Pradesh Amendment Rules, 2024, inserting Rule 43C.

This provision permits female government servants to avail up to 730 days of child-care leave during their service to care for children with a minimum disability of 40 per cent.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) The National Green Tribunal has observed that the Uttarakhand authorities failed to substantiate their claim that adequate sewage treatment facilities were in place for sewage treatment in the pilgrim town of Badrinath.

The green body was hearing the issue of inadequate sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Badrinath, causing the discharge of untreated sewage in the Ganga River.

In an order passed on November 13, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said though the states urban development secretary appeared virtually before the tribunal, he did not produce any material to show that there were adequate sewage treatment facilities.

"Only an oral attempt has been made to make such an assumption," said the bench also comprising judicial members Justices Arun Kumar Tyagi and Sudhir Agarwal, and expert member Afroz Ahmad.

The tribunal directed the authorities concerned to place on record the extent of daily sewage generation when the footfall of the pilgrims was the highest.

It also sought the details of drains and their capacity to carry the sewage to the STP, the quantity of untreated sewage discharged in the river, the details of the capacity utilisation of the STP and the sample analysis report of the discharge from the STPs.

"Authorities are also required to disclose the method and manner in which the generation of the sewage is calculated," the tribunal said.

The green body also expressed dissatisfaction about the state's environment secretary not appearing before the tribunal.

"The secretary has not appeared virtually today and in compliance with the previous order. There is also no application file on his behalf seeking an exemption from virtual appearance and when the matter was taken up today, only a casual oral request was made stating that he is held up in some other work," the tribunal observed.

It directed the officer to remain present on the next date of hearing on March 4.
Bengaluru, Nov 20 (PTI) The Karnataka High Court has reserved its decision on a petition filed by Surya Sareen, an Indian-origin American citizen and CEO of California-based Akon Inc, seeking the dismissal of a CBI case that alleges irregularities in the supply of radio frequency (RF) generators to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 2009.

Akon Inc had secured a contract worth over USD one million in 2009 to supply 35 voltage-controlled oscillator-based RF generators to the Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE), a DRDO unit.

Following allegations of faulty supplies, the CBI launched an investigation in 2020 and filed a chargesheet in 2023.

Surya Sareen now faces extradition efforts after failing to respond to non-bailable warrants issued for his appearance in the case.

During the high court hearing, Sareen's counsel argued for a stay on trial court proceedings, emphasising the businessman's age -- 79 years -- and his health issues.

They contended that the case concerns a "commercial liability" rather than a criminal offence.

The counsel also questioned the prolonged delay in the investigation, noting that the supplies were made in 2009, but the CBI lodged its First Information Report (FIR) only in 2020, following a preliminary inquiry initiated based on a Defence Ministry reference.

The CBI, however, justified the delay, attributing it to the need for a thorough verification of allegations that two senior DRDO scientists were involved in the procurement of substandard or "dummy" products.

The agency argued that these faulty supplies caused significant delays in deploying high-end radar systems along India's borders.

Sareen also approached the High Court last week, citing concerns over the issuance of a Red Corner Notice against him in what he described as a matter of "contractual liability."

The chargesheet filed by the CBI last year named Sareen, Akon Inc, and two former DARE employees -- ex-director U K Revankar and senior scientist Priya Suresh.

The agency has sought Sareen's presence for trial proceedings, while the court has directed the CBI not to take precipitative actions until the judgment is pronounced.

Akon Inc specialises in products for aviation, maritime, and space industries.
Bengaluru, Nov 20 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday appeared to justify the killing of Maoist leader Vikram Gowda in an encounter with the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), noting that he faced multiple criminal cases and also chose to ignore the government's direction to lay down arms and join the mainstream.

Home Minister G Parameshwara said Gowda was carrying "deadly" weapons, and rejected calls for a probe into the killing.

Had the ANF not shot him, he would have fired at all of them, Parameshwara said, as he rejected any suspicion surrounding his killing on Monday.

"There is a standing order. We have said that if they (Naxals) surrender they will be given all the facilities. He (Gowda) did not surrender. Kerala government had announced Rs 25 lakh reward on him, our government had announced Rs 5 lakh reward," Siddaramaiah said, in response to a question on some "intellectuals" expressing doubts about the encounter.

"You should appreciate it (the encounter). Should Naxalism remain or go?" the Chief Minister asked.

Gowda (46) was killed in an alleged exchange of fire between the ANF and a group of Maoists near Peetebailu village in Kabbinale area near Hebri of Udupi district.

According to officials, he was one of the most wanted Maoist leaders from Karnataka, facing 61 cases, including murder and extortion, in the state and 19 in Kerala.

Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said there are more than 60 cases against Gowda, including murder charges.

"He (Gowda) was carrying a deadly weapon, an automatic machine gun-like weapon. If they (ANF personnel) did not shoot him, he would have fired at them. So I'm told that he was shot at first sight. So there is no need to suspect anything," he said.

"...so not taking any chances, he was 'encountered'. Further details I can share once it comes to me in writing from the department," Parameshwara added.

Reacting to Karkala BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar's statement that Naxal activities had surged after the Congress came to power last year, the Minister noted that the incident happened in his constituency -- Karkala, where the ANF is also headquartered.

"The ANF had constantly been keeping a watch on Naxal activities. Until recently there was nothing. Fifteen days ago two persons named Latha and Raju, who are Naxal leaders, were sighted and I was reported about it. So the Internal Security Division (ISD) started a combing operation. Meanwhile, information about Gowda came and ANF were trying to track him and the 'encounter' has happened," he said.

The Minister noted that there have been calls from some quarters demanding a probe into Gowda's killing, but pointed out that there were 60 cases against him, and he was carrying weapons when he was "encountered."

"Tell me, in what angle investigation should be done? Everything was done within the framework of law. The person who was involved in murders, carrying weapons like automatic machine guns, cannot be left and treated in a friendly manner," he said.

To a question on some "Leftists" allegedly targeting the government over the encounter saying that there is no "difference" between Congress and BJP, Parameshwara said it is not the question about the two political parties.

"It is the question of safety. For what purpose he had taken up Naxalism is important. He was told to surrender, his relatives also had asked him to quit and surrender, they had even written letters. He did not pay heed to them," he said.
Malappuram (Kerala), Nov 20 (PTI) As the voting for the crucial assembly by-poll is underway in Palakkad, former BJP leader Sandeep Varier, who recently joined the Congress party, called on prominent Islamic scholar and Samastha leader Syed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal at his house here on Wednesday.



Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, popularly known as Samastha, is an apex body of Sunni scholars in the state.



Though Varier termed it as a "courtesy call", it assumes great significance as it came a day after two Malayalam newspapers, the mouthpieces of two prominent factions of the Samastha, published CPI (M)-sponsored advertisements against him.



The paid advertisements featured Varier's alleged old social media posts, sparking a huge political controversy in the state on the eve of Palakkad by-election.



Addressing reporters here after Varier's visit, Muthukoya Thangal said the newspapers would publish whatever advertisements they receive.



However, he was reluctant to elaborate on the political controversy that erupted in the state over that.



The controversial advertisements were published in the Palakkad edition of the newspapers on the eve of the assembly by-poll, prompting the UDF to question how the Election Commission permitted the same.



The advertisement contained screenshots of several social media posts allegedly by Varier when he was in the BJP.



The CPI(M) defended its move, saying it published the advertisement in many English and Malayalam newspapers and the intention behind it was to point out that Congress accepted into its fold a person with a "communal mindset".



On Varier's visit, the Samastha leader said the organisation has been making all possible efforts to strengthen religious harmony in the society and this was also part of that.



Asked about Varier's BJP background in the past, he said in India anyone can choose their political ideology and party.



"Now, he has come out of it and the Congress party has accepted him. He should be accepted like that. We shall support anyone who does good," the veteran said.



Varier also expressed happiness over the meeting with the Samastha leader and said he gifted him a handwritten copy of the Constitution of the country.



"We have not discussed any politics during our meeting. The message he has given is the need for everyone to stand united to strengthen the secular values," he said.



After joining the Congress party last week, Varier visited IUML chief Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, which triggered sharp criticism from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Bengaluru, Nov 20 (PTI) Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said Maoist leader Vikram Gowda, who was shot dead in an alleged encounter with the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), was carrying "deadly" weapons, and rejected calls for a probe into the killing.

Had the ANF not shot him, he would have fired at all of them, he said, as he rejected any suspicion surrounding his killing on Monday.

"He (Gowda) was carrying a deadly weapon, an automatic machine gun-like weapon. If they (ANF personnel) did not shoot him, he would have fired at them. So I'm told that he was shot at first sight. So there is no need to suspect anything," Parameshwara said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said there are more than 60 cases against him, including murder charges.

"...so not taking any chances, he was 'encountered'. Further details I can share once it comes to me in writing from the department," he added.

Gowda (46) was killed in an alleged exchange of fire between the ANF and a group of Maoists near Peetebailu village in Kabbinale area near Hebri of Udupi district.

According to officials, he was one of the most wanted Maoist leaders from Karnataka, facing 61 cases, including murder and extortion, in Karnataka, and 19 in Kerala.

Reacting to Karkala BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar's statement that Naxal activities had surged after the Congress came to power last year, the Minister noted that the incident happened in his constituency -- Karkala, where the ANF is also headquartered.

"The ANF had constantly been keeping a watch on Naxal activities. Until recently there was nothing. Fifteen days ago two persons named Latha and Raju, who are Naxal leaders, were sighted and I was reported about it. So the Internal Security Division (ISD) started a combing operation. Meanwhile, information about Gowda came and ANF were trying to track him and the 'encounter' has happened," he said.

The Minister noted that there have been calls from some quarters demanding a probe into Gowda's killing, but pointed out that there were 60 cases against him, and he was carrying weapons when he was "encountered."

"Tell me, in what angle investigation should be done? Everything was done within the framework of law. The person who was involved in murders, carrying weapons like automatic machine guns, cannot be left and treated in a friendly manner," he said.

To a question on some "Leftists" allegedly targeting the government over the encounter saying that there is no "difference" between Congress and BJP, Parameshwara said it is not the question about the two political parties.

"It is the question of safety. For what purpose he had taken up Naxalism is important. He was told to surrender, his relatives also had asked him to quit and surrender, they had even written letters. He did not pay heed to them," he said.
President-elect Donald Trump is filling key posts in his second administration, and its shaping up much differently than his first. Hes prioritizing loyalists for top jobs.

Trump was bruised and hampered by internal squabbles during his initial term in office. Now he appears focused on remaking the federal government in his own image. Some of his choices could face difficult confirmation battles even with Republicans in control of the U.S. Senate.

Heres a look at whom he has selected so far.

Cabinet nominees:

SECRETARY OF STATE: Marco Rubio

Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making the critic-turned-ally his choice for top diplomat.

Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trumps running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries, Trump said of Rubio in a statement.

The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator once called a con man during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trumps plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations.

ATTORNEY GENERAL: Matt Gaetz

Trump said Wednesday he will nominate Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as his attorney general, naming a loyalist in the role of the nations top prosecutor.

In selecting Gaetz, 42, Trump passed over some of the more established lawyers whose names had been mentioned as being contenders for the job.

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 in a statement.

Gaetz resigned from Congress Wednesday night. The House Ethics Committee has been investigating an allegation that Gaetz paid for sex with a 17-year-old, though that probe effectively ended when he resigned. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.

DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE: Tulsi Gabbard

Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, another example of Trump prizing loyalty over experience.

Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the partys 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall, and shes been accused of echoing Russian propaganda.

I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, Trump said in a statement.

Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions.

DEFENSE SECRETARY: Pete Hegseth

Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channels Fox & Friends Weekend and has been a contributor with the network since 2014. He developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show.

Hegseth served in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021, deploying to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011. He has two Bronze Stars. However, Hegseth lacks senior military and national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises  ranging from Russias war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea.

Hegseth is also the author of The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free, published earlier this year.

HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Kristi Noem

Noem is a well-known conservative who used her two terms leading South Dakota to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state open for business. Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic.

More recently, Noem faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting and killing her dog.

She is set to lead a department crucial to the president-elects hardline immigration agenda as well as other missions. Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports.

CIA DIRECTOR: John Ratcliffe

Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trumps first term, leading the U.S. governments spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic.

I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nations highest Intelligence positions, Trump said in a statement, calling him a fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans who would ensure the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy ran for president as a Democrat, then as an independent, and then endorsed Trump. Hes the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign.

The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading fears about vaccines. For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism.

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: Sean Duffy

Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trumps most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of The Bottom Line on Fox Business.

Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, Fox and Friends Weekend co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children.

VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY: Doug Collins

Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate.

Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command.

We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need, Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.

INTERIOR SECRETARY: Doug Burgum

The governor of North Dakota, once little-known outside his state, is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump and then spent months traveling to drum up support for Trump after dropping out of the race.

Burgum was 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 initially announced his choice of Burgum while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida on Thursday night. The president-elects formal announcement on Friday said he wanted Burgum to be Interior secretary and chairman of a new National Energy Council that will oversee the path to U.S. ENERGY DOMINANCE. As chairman of the council, Trump said Burgum will also have a seat on the National Security Council, which would be a first for the Interior secretary.

ENERGY SECRETARY: Chris Wright

A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write 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.

Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trumps first term.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR: Lee Zeldin

Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X, 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, he added.

During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administrations promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referred to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign that his administration would drill, baby, drill, referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration.

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.

(AP)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi noted the importance of continuing negotiations on conflict resolution, the statement of Iranian Foreign Ministers said on social media accounts, Trend reports.

The statement notes that a telephone conversation took place between the Iranian Foreign Minister and the IAEA Director General.

In the telephone conversation, the Iranian Foreign Minister and IAEA Director General noted the importance of refraining from non-constructive and counter strategies.

Iran's Foreign Minister has made it clear that the country is ready to roll up its sleeves and work hand in hand with the International Atomic Energy Agency, showing that they mean business when it comes to cooperation, and if the other side decides to throw a wrench in the works by backing a resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Directors meeting, ignoring Iran's good intentions, Iran will respond accordingly.

This telephone conversation was preceded by the visit of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to Tehran on November 14, 2024, during which he engaged in discussions with numerous senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian.

To recall, in January 2016, Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) implemented the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action concerning Irans nuclear program.

However, in May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran.

Two years later, Iran responded to the sanctions by implementing a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions. This decision was made by the Iranian parliament at the end of 2020, resulting in the suspension of additional measures and the Additional Protocol per the nuclear agreement.

Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The U.S. government recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the president-elect of the South American country on Tuesday, months after President Nicolas Maduro claimed to have won the July election.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recognized Gonzalez in a post on X in which he also demanded respect for the will of Venezuelan voters.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden previously said Gonzalez earned the most votes in the disputed July 28 election but it had fallen short of acknowledging him as president-elect.

Venezuelas National Electoral Council, which is stacked with Maduro loyalists, declared Maduro the election winner hours after polls closed. Unlike previous presidential elections, electoral authorities did not provide detailed vote counts.

But the opposition coalition collected tally sheets from 80% of the nations electronic voting machines and posted them online. Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said the voting records showed the former diplomat won the election with twice as many votes as Maduro.

We deeply appreciate the recognition of the sovereign will of all Venezuelans, Gonzalez said in a post on X shortly after Blinkens statement Tuesday. This gesture honors the desire for change of our people and the civic feat that we carried out together on July 28.

Gonzalez left Venezuela in September for exile in Spain after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with an investigation into the publishing of the vote tally sheets.

Venezuelas Foreign Minister Yvan Gil responded to Blinkens comment with personal attacks.

In the last days of his government, he should dedicate himself to reflecting on his failures, getting rid of imperial and colonial complexes and going to write the memoirs of how the Bolivarian Revolution made him bite the dust of defeat, just like his predecessors, Gil said of Blinken in a statement, which did not mention election results.

Maduro and electoral authorities have rejected repeated calls from the U.S., the European Union, Colombia, Brazil and other nations to show the detailed vote records that back up the presidents reelection.

Swift condemnation of the lack of post-election transparency prompted Maduro to ask Venezuelas Supreme Tribunal of Justice, whose members are aligned with the ruling party, to audit the results. The high court reaffirmed his victory.

Experts from the United Nations and the U.S.-based Carter Center, which observed the election at the invitation of Maduros government, determined the results announced by electoral authorities lacked credibility. The U.N. experts stopped short of validating the oppositions claim to victory but said the factions voting records published online appear to exhibit all of the original security features.

Earlier in the week, Colombias President Gustavo Petro, who has friendly relations with Maduro, reversed his support for the July elections, calling the vote a mistake.

Petro spoke in an interview with Brazilian news outlet Globo News, which released excerpts online that Petros office shared Tuesday on social media. Petro told the news outlet Monday while visiting Brazil for the G20 summit that he initially was in favor of Venezuela holding the elections, but that he later decided that the vote was not free.

I think the elections were a mistake, Petro said. His office did not immediately respond to a request for him to elaborate on the reasons for his change of heart.

Petro, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and then-Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador  all leftists friendly with Maduro  attempted to make peace as the results came under dispute, but the effort went nowhere.

Venezuelas next presidential term begins Jan. 10. Maduro has already received an invitation from the ruling party-controlled National Assembly for a swearing-in ceremony.

(AP)
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary.

The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial.

Lutnick, a co-chair of Trumps transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trumps Small Business Administration, once appeared on Trumps NBC reality show, The Apprentice. He has become a part of the president-elects inner circle.

Here are things to know about the billionaire who, if confirmed by the Senate, will lead the Commerce Department.

He was Elon Musks pick to lead the Treasury Department

Elon Musk and others in Trumps orbit called on Trump last week to dump previous front-runner for treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, in favor of Lutnick. Musk said in a post that Bessent is a business-as-usual choice, whereas @howardlutnick will actually enact change.

The treasury role has been at the center of an unusual high-profile jockeying within the Trump world. At the same time, the position is closely watched in financial circles, where a disruptive nominee could have immediate negative consequences on the stock market, which Trump watches closely. Trump has yet to decide on one of the top remaining vacancies in his proposed cabinet.

The major remaining nominees for the role are Bessent, former Federal Reserve board governor Kevin Warsh, Apollo Global Management Chief Executive Marc Rowan, and Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty, Trumps former Japan ambassador.

He is a major supporter of Trumps tariffs plan

Trump on the campaign trail proposed a 60% tariff on goods from China  and a tariff of up to 20% on everything else the United States imports. On the campaign trail, Trump portrayed the taxes on imports as both a negotiating tool to hammer out better trade terms and as a way to generate revenue to fund tax cuts elsewhere.

An advocate for imposing wide-ranging tariffs, Lutnick gave full-throated support for Trumps tariffs plan in a CNBC interview in September. Tariffs are an amazing tool for the president to use  we need to protect the American worker, he said.

Mainstream economists are generally skeptical of tariffs, considering them a mostly inefficient way for governments to raise money and promote prosperity.

His brother and hundreds of Cantor employees were killed in the September 11th terrorist attacks

Lutnicks brother, Gary Lutnick, and 658 of 960 Cantor Fitzgerald employees were killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center. The firm lost two-thirds of its employees that day. Lutnick is a member of the Board of Directors of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Partnership for New York City.

After Cantor Fitzgerald settled a wrongful death and personal injuries case against American Airlines and insurance carriers in 2013 for $135 million, Lutnick said: We could never, and will never, consider it ordinary. For us, there is no way to describe this compromise with inapt words like ordinary, fair or reasonable. All we can say is that the legal formality of this matter is over.

Trumps Tuesday announcement on the Commerce Department nomination mentioned Lutnicks loss  stating he was the embodiment of resilience in the face of unspeakable tragedy.

Hes a major supporter of cryptocurrency

Lutnick is a proponent of advancing aims of the cryptocurrency industry  namely, the cryptocurrency Tether.

Cryptocurrencies are forms of digital money that can be traded over the internet without relying on the global banking system. Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin is like gold and should be free trade everywhere in the world, Lutnick said at a bitcoin conference earlier this year. And as the largest wholesaler in the world were going to do everything in our power to make it so. Bitcoin should trade the same as gold everywhere in the world without exception and without limitation.

Trump has taken on a favorable view of cryptocurrencies  from announcing in May that the campaign would begin accepting donations in cryptocurrency as part of an effort to build what it calls a crypto army leading up to Election Day. He has also launched a cryptocurrency platform called World Liberty Financial with members of his family earlier this year.

(AP)
In what could generously be described as a trainwreck, a debate on Piers Morgan Uncensored between progressive commentator Cenk Uygur and historian Allan Lichtman turned into a spectacle of juvenile insults and theatrical outrage on Tuesday. Lichtman, a self-proclaimed authority on election predictions, accused Uygur of committing blasphemy against himbecause, apparently, thats a thing now.

The chaos kicked off when Uygur criticized Lichtmans failed prediction for the 2024 election, which Lichtman naturally blamed on voters being duped by disinformation from Fox News and Elon Musk. Uygur wasted no time pouncing on the excuse: Dont blame the voters. Look, I told you before, your theories about The Keys were absurd. I was right, you were wrong. I said youd lose your keys.

That was all it took to send Lichtman into a tailspin. No, you were not right, and I was not wrong, snapped the historian, indignantly. Thats a cheap shot, and I wont stand for it!

What followed was an embarrassing verbal brawl that veered between high school drama and an ego contest. You live in a total world of denial! Uygur shouted while making a hand gesture to suggest Lichtman had lost his mind.

I read your own followers comments, and they all trashed you! retorted Lichtman, seemingly unaware of how weak a flex that was.

The zingers kept flying. Lichtman decided to lean on his academic credentials, proclaiming, Ive only been a professor for 51 years, published 13 books. How many books have you published?

You got it wrong! You were preposterously, stupidly wrong, Uygur shot back, clearly unimpressed.

Dont call me stupid! Lichtman yelled, clutching what remained of his dignity. I admitted I was wrong. I dont need you to call me stupid.

As the debate spiraled even further into absurdity, Uygur delivered the piece de resistance: Hey Allan, shhh! Hey Allan, you deserve a tall glass of shut-up juice, so can you just shut up for a second and let someone who knows what theyre doing talk?

What was meant to be a substantive debate on election integrity devolved into a spectacle of thinly veiled arrogance and unhinged bickering, leaving viewers wondering if this was an actual discussion or an elaborate audition for a reality show no one asked for.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Finnish authorities said Wednesday they have opened an investigation into the rupture of a data cable under the Baltic Sea, adding to a Swedish probe into the possible sabotage of that link and another cable.

The C-Lion1 cable, which runs between Finland and Germany was damaged on Monday, the day after similar damage to a cable that crosses the Baltic between Lithuania and Sweden, with the incidents occurring off the Swedish islands of Oland and Gotland respectively. Germanys defense minister said Tuesday that the damage appeared to have been caused by sabotage, though there is no proof at present.

Finlands National Bureau of Investigation said it opened a criminal investigation into the rupture of the C-Lion1 cable on suspicion of aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications.

Swedish police already opened a preliminary investigation Tuesday into suspected sabotage regarding the two cable breaches, and said Wednesday that Swedish police and prosecutors are also interested in a ship that has been seen at the locations in question.

They didnt give any details or identify the vessel, but said that it is not currently in Swedish waters.

The official investigations came as news reports said a Chinese-flagged vessel, the Yi Peng 3, had been in the area at the time of the ruptures.

Vessel tracking information from the Marine Traffic website showed the 225-meter (738-foot) long bulk carrier not moving Wednesday afternoon off the coast of Denmark in the Baltic.

The Royal Danish Navy did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from The Associated Press.

(AP)
The illegal immigrant convicted in the killing of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Jose Ibarra was charged with murder and other crimes in Rileys February death, and the guilty verdict was reached on Wednesday by Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard. Ibarra, 26, had waived his right to a jury trial, meaning Haggard alone heard and decided the case.

Haggard found Ibarra guilty of all 10 counts against him: one count of malice murder; three counts of felony murder; and one count each of kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, aggravated battery, obstructing an emergency call, evidence tampering and being a peeping Tom.

Rileys family and friends tearfully remembered her and asked the judge to sentence Ibarra to the maximum penalty. Her mother called him a monster and her father called him a truly evil person.

Ibarra did not react as an interpreter relayed their words to him.

Before announcing the verdict, Haggard had said that as he listened to the closing arguments, he wrote down on a legal pad two things the lawyers had said. He noted that prosecutor Sheila Ross called the evidence overwhelming and powerful and that defense attorney Kaitlyn Beck reminded him he was required to set aside my emotions in making his ruling.

Rileys killing added fuel to the national debate over immigration when federal authorities said Ibarra illegally entered the U.S. in 2022 and was allowed to stay in the country while he pursued his immigration case. But there was no mention of Ibarras immigration status during the trial.

Laken Riley herself has given you all the evidence you need to find Ibarra guilty on all counts, Ross told the judge during her closing. She added that the physical evidence is sufficient and is corroborated by forensic, digital and video evidence to twist this very powerful knot that this defendant cannot get out of. There is no way out for him.

The trial began Friday, and prosecutors called more than a dozen law enforcement officers, Rileys roommates and a woman who lived in the same apartment as Ibarra. Defense attorneys called a police officer, a jogger and one of Ibarras neighbors on Tuesday and rested their case Wednesday morning.

(AP)
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US Advances $680M Arms Deal with Israel, Claims Unrelated to Ceasefire A U.S. official has confirmed to The Times of Israel that the Biden administration is moving forward with a $680 million arms deal for Israel. The official emphasized that the sale is unrelated to the ceasefire with Hezbollah, which took effect this morning. Earlier, on Tuesday, Washington reiterated that the truce was not linked to any weapons transfers to Israel.

Wizz Air to Resume Israel Flights December 20 Wizz Air, a budget airline based in Hungary, plans to restart operations at Israels Ben Gurion Airport starting December 20. The decision follows the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

WATCH AND ENJOY: What Dead Nasrallah Said A Few Weeks Ago OH THE IRONY: Remember when Nasrallah, who is now a rotted carcass, said, A ceasefire in Lebanon without one in Gaza would mean all our sacrifices were for nothing. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26101313/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-9.46.01-AM-1.mp4

REPORTS: Ceasefire Expected In Hours Numerous reports state that a joint statement from the United States and France will confirm a ceasefire in Lebanon shortly after 10 p.m. local time. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati is expected to issue a separate statement welcoming the agreement.

The Scene In Jabaliya, Gaza Meanwhile. this is the scene of what once was Jabaliya, Gaza. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26100905/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-9.00.57-AM.mp4

IDF UPDATE: 8 Fighter jets, 20 Strikes, Two Minutes The IDF reports that eight fighter jets struck 20 Hezbollah-linked sites in Beiruts southern suburbs within two minutes. Targets included seven buildings tied to Hezbollahs financial operations, such as headquarters and branches of the Al-Qard al-Hasan association, as well as 13 military sites, including an aerial forces center, weapon depots, and intelligence facilities. Civilians in the area were warned to evacuate prior to the strikes. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26101042/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-9.06.21-AM.mp4

Massive Wave Of IDF Airstrikes Underway The IDF is still carrying out additional airstrikes in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahieh, a suburb in Southern Beirut. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26100834/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-8.55.21-AM.mp4

IDF Launches Dozens of Airstrikes in Beirut After Evacuation Warnings UPDATE: Dozens of IDf airstrikes underway in Beirut. The strikes come just a short while after the IDF sent warnings to the residents of around 20 residential buildings to evacuate. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26100707/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-8.42.09-AM.mp4

Israeli Airstrike in Beirut Amid Ceasefire Talks; Evacuations Ordered As discussions of a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, a major Israeli airstrike just took place in Beirut. The strike occurred outside Hezbollahs stronghold in the citys southern suburbs. The lack of an evacuation warning suggests the attack may have been an assassination attempt rather than a strike on Hezbollah infrastructure. Simultaneously, the IDF has issued evacuation notices to residents of around 20 buildings in Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut, ahead of planned airstrikes targeting the groups assets. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26100536/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-8.09.20-AM.mp4

Direct Rocket Strike In Nahariya [VIDEO] The IDF reports that 10 rockets were fired from Lebanon toward the Western Galilee. Some of the rockets were intercepted, while others landed. Magen David Adom, are currently inspecting impact sites in Nahariya for any injuries. A fire has also broken out in Nahariya, reportedly caused by an impact or debris from the attack. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25170137/My-movie-66.mp4

WATCH: Celebrations In Lebanon Ahead Of Ceasefire Confirmation People in Lebanon celebrate ahead of a likely ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25113820/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.33.48-AM.mp4

Video: Israeli Airstrike Hits Hezbollah Site in Beirut Video captures an Israeli airstrike earlier today targeting a Hezbollah-linked site within a high-rise building in southern Beirut. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25113530/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.34.53-AM.mp4

WATCH: Haifa Demolishes Rocket-Hit Building to Prevent Collapse Municipal crews in Haifa are demolishing a residential building heavily damaged by a direct rocket hit during a Hezbollah attack on northern Israel yesterday. The Haifa municipality stated that experts recommended the demolition to prevent the structure from collapsing onto a nearby apartment complex. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25112623/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.12.30-AM.mp4

WATCH: See The Scene In Beirut On Monday This was the scene in the Hezbollah stronghold neighborhood of Dahiyeh in Southern Beirut, earlier on Monday, after the IDF pounded dozens of targets. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25112448/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.09.46-AM.mp4 https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25112501/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.10.10-AM.mp4

Hezbollah Launches Rocket Barrage; Israel Responds with Strikes on Key Targets This morning (Monday) at 8:35 a.m., Hezbollah launched approximately 20 projectiles from southern Lebanon toward the Nahariya region in northern Israel. In response, the Israel Air Force (IAF) struck the launcher used in the attack, located near Bazouriye in southern Lebanon. In a series of additional operations, the IAF carried out intelligence-driven strikes targeting critical Hezbollah infrastructure. These included command centers of the groups coast-to-sea missile unit, communication facilities, and two military command centers in Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25111546/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.04.28-AM.mp4

Massive Destruction Following IDF Strikes In Beirut Massive destruction to residential buildings and Hezbollah infrastructure in the city of Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, as a result of the recent Israeli airstrikes.

IDF Carries Out 25 Airstrikes In Lebanon In One Hour Over the past hour, the IAF conducted intelligence-based strikes on approximately 25 terror targets belonging to Hezbollahs Executive Council in Lebanon, including in Nabatieh, Baalbek, Beqaa Valley, Dahieh, and the outskirts of Beirut. Among the targets struck were the Executive Councils command centers, and intelligence control and collection centers, where Hezbollah commanders and operatives were located. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25111445/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.05.00-AM.mp4

IDF Airstrikes In Gaza Against Hamas Targets The IDF bombard several homes in the Manshiya area of Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, that were being used by Hamas to attack the IDF. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25114144/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.07.41-AM-1.mp4
Israel is proposing that the US lift some sanctions from Syrian President Bashar Assad in exchange for his cooperation with Russia in halting the transfer of arms across the Syrian border to Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Lebanese daily Al Joumhouria, reported on Tuesday.

According to Al Joumhouria, which is affiliated with the opposition movement against Hezbollah, potential sanctions relief is also aimed at securing Russias involvement in stopping the flow of arms across the border, with a goal of Moscow cooperating with Assad to close the Iranian highway connecting Iran via Iraq and Syria to the Hezbollah stronghold neighborhood of Dahieh in Beirut.

Earlier this month, Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer paid a secret visit to Moscow to advance the negotiations. Israeli security officials are aware that Russia has influence with Hezbollah, Syria, and Iranand Moscow wants a ceasefire.

In Moscow, Dermer promised that he would ask the US to freeze sanctions on Assad, as well as Syrian and Russian companies.

This idea was first raised during President-elect Donald Trumps first term and a similar multi-stage plan that was supported by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was launched. However, the plan was stalled after the change of governments in both Israel and the US, with the Biden administration adamantly opposed to any move to legitimize Assad.

When Naftali Bennett entered the position of prime minister, he was updated on the plan but he decided against advancing it, believing that it wasnt feasible. In any event, the plan would have been stalled after Russia invaded Ukraine and its ties with the US deteriorated.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels in defiance of international demands, according to a confidential report by the United Nations nuclear watchdog seen Tuesday by The Associated Press .

The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said that as of Oct. 26, Iran has 182.3 kilograms (401.9 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%, an increase of 17.6 kilograms (38.8 pounds) since the last report in August.

Uranium enriched at 60% purity is just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

The IAEA also estimated in its quarterly report that as of Oct. 26, Irans overall stockpile of enriched uranium stands at 6,604.4 kilograms (14,560 pounds), which represents an increase of 852.6 kilograms (1,879.6 pounds) since the last report in August. Under the IAEAs definition, around 42 kilograms (92.5 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity is the amount at which creating one atomic weapon is theoretically possible  if the material is enriched further, to 90%.

Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but the IAEA chief, Rafael Mariano Grossi, has previously 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.

The IAEA also reported that Iran has failed to take concrete steps as of now to improve cooperation, despite pleas by Grossi, who visited Iran last week for talks with Mohammad Eslami of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Irans reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian.

However, the IAEA said in its report that during the meetings, the possibility of Iran not further expanding its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% U-235 was discussed, including technical verification measures necessary for the Agency to confirm this, if implemented.

The report said that one day after director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Mariano Grossi left Iran, on Nov 16, IAEA inspectors verified that Iran had begun implementation of preparatory measures aimed at stopping the increase of its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 % U-235 at its underground nuclear sites in Fordow and Natanz.

Tuesdays confidential report also said that during Grossis visit to Iran on Nov. 14, Iran agreed to respond to the Agencys concerns related to Irans withdrawal of the designation of several experienced Agency inspectors by considering the acceptance of the designation of four additional experienced inspectors.

In September 2023, Iran barred some of the Vienna-based agencys most experienced inspectors.

The report also said there was no progress thus far in reinstalling more monitoring equipment, including cameras, removed in June 2022, which also has detrimental implications for the Agencys ability to provide assurances of the peaceful nature of Irans nuclear program.

Since then, the only recorded data is that of IAEA cameras installed at a centrifuge workshop in Isfahan in May 2023  although Iran has not provided the IAEA with access to this data and inspectors have not been able to service the cameras.

The reports come ahead of this weeks regular IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna. Western countries have been considering a resolution censuring Iran for its failure to improve cooperation with the agency.

Last week, Eslami warned that Iran could retaliate if challenged at the upcoming IAEA board meeting. Grossi acknowledged some nations were considering taking action against Iran.

A senior diplomat said it is possible that the commitments made by Iran during the IAEAs chief visit may not stand in case a resolution is passed.

(AP)
The Jerusalem District Court has ruled that the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) must pay tens of millions of shekels in compensation to victims of the 2001 terrorist bombing at the Sbarro pizzeria in central Jerusalem, according to a Channel 12 report.

The August 9, 2001, suicide bombing, one of the deadliest attacks of the Second Intifada, claimed the lives of 16 civilians, including seven children, and injured 130 others.

The courts decision is based on evidence of the PAs longstanding policy of financially compensating terrorists and their families. This precedent-setting ruling could potentially pave the way for victims of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, massacre to also seek financial restitution from the PA.

The courts ruling came in response to two lawsuits filed by victims of the 2001 attack, marking the culmination of a two-decade legal battle. The decision relied on an April 2022 Supreme Court ruling, which established the PAs liability for terrorist acts due to its practice of paying stipends to security prisoners and the families of attackers.

Justice Isaac Amit, in the 2022 ruling, wrote that the PAs payments to convicted terrorists and those killed during attacks constituted an acknowledgment of responsibility for their actions. [The PA] expresses its consent to their actions, in a manner that takes responsibility for the acts. This justifies that [the PA] will be assigned personal and direct responsibility, Amit stated.

Channel 12 reported that the compensation could be drawn from funds Israel has been withholding since 2018 from monthly tax revenues it collects on behalf of the PA.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed that Turkey barred Israeli President Isaac Herzog from using its airspace earlier this week, forcing him to cancel a planned visit to the United Nations COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Herzogs office announced that the cancellation was due to security considerations. However, during a press conference at the G20 Leaders Summit in Brazil, Erdogan said that the decision was actually tied to Turkeys opposition to Israels ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.

With regard to the Israeli president going to Azerbaijan for the COP summit, we did not allow him to use our airspace, Erdogan said, according to Turkish media. There are other areas, there are other opportunities, we told him to travel from there but I do not know whether he was able to go or not.

The decision marks another escalation in tensions between Turkey and Israel.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. Since China, Afghanistan, and Iran are neighboring countries, the distance and cost of railway transportation between the three countries can be seriously reduced, Iran's Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development and Director General of Railway Administration Jabbar Ali Zakeri said at a meeting with Director of Afghanistan Railway Administration Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada on November 19, Trend reports.

According to him, the proposal has been put forward by Iran and is the only direction that can be comprehensively effective in freight transportation. Based on this, the completion of the Herat railroad line within the set schedule is of great importance.

Zakeri noted that the existence of a railroad line in northwestern Afghanistan close to its joint border with Iran is a great opportunity for freight transportation between the two countries.

At the meeting, Director of Afghanistan Railway Administration Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada also expressed his hope that, based on the studies conducted, there is a great potential for freight transportation in the direction of China-Afghanistan-Iran. Afghanistan is ready to take the necessary steps in this direction together with Iran.

Sahibzada added that studies are underway for the construction of the Zaranj-Kandahar railroad line in Afghanistan. The connection of this railroad line to the Iranian city of Zabol will open a new page in the trade of the two countries. Joint cooperation between the two countries will lead to an increase in freight transportation, which will lead to an increase in trade turnover between the two countries.

To note, the length of railway lines in Iran is currently 14,984 kilometers. A total of 993 locomotives, 29,950 freight cars, and 2,178 passenger cars are operating on Iran's railroad lines.
The Rishon Lezion Magistrates Court has authorized the publication of the names of three individuals arrested for firing flares near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus private residence in Caesarea last weekend

One of the suspects is Rear Adm. (res.) Ofer Doron, a former senior Navy officer who made headlines last year for refusing to participate in volunteer reservist duty as a protest against the governments planned judicial overhaul. His refusal led to his suspension from the reserves.

The other two suspects have been identified as Amir Sadeh and Itai Yafeh, both veteran anti-government protesters.

According to reports from Channel 12 news, the suspects claimed during police questioning that the incident was not an intentional attack on Netanyahus home. They claimed that they had tested the flares to ensure they would not head toward the residence but that wind conditions redirected their trajectory.

No injuries or damage were reported from the incident, and the prime minister and his family were not at home at the time.

The three suspects remain in detention as investigations continue.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Indictments against two suspects in the leaks case at the Prime Ministers Office are expected to be filed on Thursday by the State Prosecutors Office, with Attorney-General Gali Baharav Miara responsible for the final decision on what charges will be filed.

The suspects are former spokesperson Eli Feldstein and a former aide who has not been identified.

Journalist Caroline Glick wrote about the case: Eli Feldstein, a spokesman at the Prime Ministers Office is being railroaded by Israels corrupt deep state. The charge against him is that he went around the military censor and published Hamas documents that showed Sinwar was using hostage talks to overthrow Netanyahu and had no intention of freeing the hostages.

IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi filed the complaint because the publication in BILD exposed the fact that he was lying when he said there was a deal to be had.

The military censor is Koby Mandelblit. His uncle, Avichai Mandelblit is the former Attorney General who indicted Netanyahu. All of the charges disintegrated in the courtroom. The prosecutors are the same lawyers who used prolonged incarceration to coerce Netanyahus advisors to turn state witnesses against him even though they had no incriminating evidence against him.

Feldstein has been imprisoned in harsh and isolated conditions for 25 days in Ashkelon Prison, where he is surrounded by 12 cells of Arab criminals and is the only Jew among 15 Arabs in his ward. He has expressed fear for his life to his guards and is now on suicide watch due to the harsh conditions and isolation he has endured.

On Tuesday, the Shin Bet finally allowed Feldstein, to speak to his parents by phone ahead of the indictment on Thursday. Channel 14 reported that the parents described the conversation as difficult and painful.

Ynet reported that during Elis brief conversation with his mother, he told her about daily, prolonged interrogations that amounted to dozens of hours. He said that he was hooked up to a lie detector during the interrogations and endured torments of soul and body, as he put it.

His relatives say that he has been wearing the same clothes since his arrest and family members who tried to bring him clothes were held outside the detention facility for hours and eventually sent home.

Haaretz journalist Chaim Levinson felt the case justified an investigation but said that it has been completely blown out of proportion: The more time that passes, the more the Feldstein case and the leaks are proving to be an inflated affair blown out of proportion, he wrote. A secret system [Shin Bet] that sees itself as the only one concerning national security is flying off the handle over an event of disciplinary and administrative order. And the judicial system, which is supposed to oversee the security system, is capitulating and surrendering without exercising judicial oversight as it should.

I have certain knowledge that is prohibited from publication about why this particular document leak triggered the entire military information security apparatus. Its good they investigated. Its good they found the source of the leak and its good they are removing the officer from the IDF. The IDF has its own investigative authorities and appropriate minor military offenses for this type of case. Here, the secret police were involved. Why?

Not everything is the end of national security. Even if there is certain damage  and there probably was some damage  it doesnt mean the sky has fallen. Its not an Iranian spy who transferred nuclear secrets. Its a few individuals with poor judgment.

Theyre investigating this case as if they found Iranian spies within the IDF rather than irresponsible individuals. The rationale behind the ban on meetings [of the suspects with lawyers, family members, etc.] is that terrorists or spies are individuals who are trained for interrogations and are mentally and ideologically prepared for a thorough investigation and therefore should be pressured and isolated.

I dont think Feldstein fits the case, he emphasized There was no justification for preventing him from meetings, not for himand not for anyone else I hope that the system will come to its senses and be ready to accept some criticism, and to emerge from the madness surrounding this affair and return it to the proper dimensions.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
A video of US Senate Majority Leader-elect Senator John Thune (R-SD) promising Israel and Jews around the world that reinforcements are on the way was widely shared in Israel on Wednesday.

In statements that can only be called a breath of fresh air after four years of the Biden administrations constant inane posturing about Israel and lack of action on the soaring antisemitism on US soil, Thune speaks the truth  clearly and forcefully  and proudly posted the video on his X account, catching the attention of Israeli media outlets.

Its been over 13 months since Hamas terrorists waged war against Israel and for the past year plus, Democrats have struggled to support our ally Israel and has literally fractured the Democratic party, Thune began. For example, we are expecting tomorrow Sen. Sanders to offer a resolution denying lethal aid to Israel.

The refusal to have our allys back and the hesitation to call out antisemitism in our own country has consequences. It enables bad behavior and bad actors around the world and encourages others to abandon Israel in their time of need. Now you have the ICC and its prosecutor pursuing warrants against Israeli officials. That is outrageous and it is unlawful. The ICCs rogue actions are a threat to our ally Israel and left unchecked can pose a threat to America in the future.

Im calling on leader Schumer to bring a bill to the floor sanctioning the ICC, which the House has already passed on a bipartisan basis. If he refuses to act, our Senate Republican majority next year will. We will stand with Israel and make this and other supportive legislation a top priority in the next Congress.

So to our allies in Israel and to the Jewish people around the world: my message to you is this: reinforcements are on the way. Senate Republicans reclaim the majority in six weeks, and when we do, we will make clear that the US Congress stands squarely in Israels corner and we will help the Trump-Vance administration to defend Israel and promote peace in the region.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, citing concerns over the absence of provisions for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

The 15-member council voted on a draft resolution that sought an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire while separately demanding the release of hostages. However, the US opposed the measure, insisting that a ceasefire resolution must explicitly tie hostilities to the immediate release of all captives.

A senior US official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, accused some council members of rejecting efforts to find a compromise. As we stated many times before, we just cant support an unconditional ceasefire that does not call for the immediate release of hostages, the official said.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
El Al has reported record earnings in the third quarter of 2024, benefiting from a near-monopoly on flights to and from Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza and regional security tensions. The airline posted $1 billion in revenue from July to September, a 43% increase from $696 million during the same period last year. Profits soared to $187 million, up nearly 260% from $52 million in 2023.

El Als strong financial performance comes as many major international airlines have suspended routes to Tel Aviv due to security concerns. U.S. carriers like Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines have halted flights indefinitely, leaving El Al as the sole operator of direct routes between Tel Aviv and North America. This disruption has resulted in a severe seat shortage and skyrocketing airfares, with El Als planes operating at 94% capacity, up from 88% last year.

El Als current pricing ranges from $799 to $1,900 for North American routes, while European destinations like London and Paris are priced between $353 and $880. However, passengers booking closer to their travel dates face even higher prices.

El Als financial success has drawn criticism, with many accusing the airline of price-gouging during a national crisis. The company denies these claims, claiming that it has capped ticket prices to prevent excessive costs.

We make every operational effort to increase the supply of seats as much as possible, said El Al CEO Dina Ben Tal Ganancia. But for the moment, we dont have any substantial capacity to add additional flights, and foreign airlines need to resume operations to stabilize passenger demand.

Smaller Israeli carriers, Israir and Arkia, are preparing to enter the North American market to ease the seat shortage. However, these airlines face regulatory hurdles and logistical challenges, including sourcing wide-body aircraft and crews willing to stay overnight in Israel. Even if they succeed, it will not lead to a dramatic change, Ben Tal Ganancia noted.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A severe and unprecedented incident occurred on Wednesday when an Israeli civilian was killed by enemy fire in Lebanon. The civilian was identified as Zeev Chanoch Erlich HYD, 71.

What was the 71-year-old civilian, a well-known historian and tour guide, doing in a battle zone? His friend, a deputy Golani commander, brought him to Lebanon in violation of regulations.

Details of the incident, which occurred around 3 p.m. on Wednesday reveal that Erlich donned a uniform  without being called up for reserves.

He was killed in an operational area of Division 36, in the second-line village area in southern Lebanon. This was the same area where a soldier from the 13th Battalion of Golani had fallen a few days earlier. The event unfolded when a group of soldiers, commanded by Col (.res.) Yoav Yarom, chief of staff of the Golani Brigade, entered an archaeological fortress in a village in southern Lebanon. The soldiers thought the area had already been cleared of terrorists but it turned out that two terrorists were hiding inside the fortress. The terrorists opened fire and a gun battle ensued in which the two terrorists were killed, and tragically, Erlich and another soldier were killed [his name has not yet been released] and an officer was seriously injured.

According to reports, Erlich entered the operational area of the IDF while in uniform and armed, with permission from the Golani Brigades Deputy Commander, but he was not on active reserve duty. After the incident, the IDF began investigating the circumstances of his entry into Lebanon, and it was revealed that it was carried out in violation of regulations and without the required approvals. The Commander of the Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin will investigate the circumstances of the incident.

The head of the IDFs Personnel Directorate recognized Erlich as a fallen IDF soldier and he will be buried with military honors due to the IDFs responsibility for the tragic event. The IDF stated that disciplinary actions will be taken against those involved.

The Binyamin Regional Council stated: Zeev Erlich, 71 years old, a reservist, joined the IDF forces operating in southern Lebanon. He was a distinguished researcher in the field of Eretz Yisrael and its settlement. Zeev, one of the early residents of Ofra in Binyamin, was married to Tamar and was a grandfather to grandchildren. Professional teams from the Ofra community and the Binyamin Council are supporting the family.

Zeev Chanoch Erlich, Hyd, was born in 1953 to the researcher Yisrael Erlich, a Sukatchov chassid who edited many books on the history of Gedolei Yisrael from Poland.

He learned at Yeshivas HaKotel in Jerusalem and earned a Bachelors Degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Touro College in Gemara and the history of Am Yisrael.

Erlich, who lived on the yishuv of Ofra in Binyamin, later became a tour guide, researcher of Eretz Yisrael, one of the founders of the Ofra Field School, and editor of the book series Shomron and Binyamin and Studies of Yehudah and Shomron.

In his younger years, he served as an infantry officer and an intelligence officer during the first intifada.

He has published dozens of research studies on the subject of knowledge of Eretz Yisrael ( ) and wrote a regular column on matters related to Eretz Yisrael in Makor Rishon. He served as a guide on Yehudah and Shomron at the Lander Institute and a lecturer at the Moreshet Yaakov  Orot Yisrael College [a Dati Leumi teacher training institute]. He was also involved in documenting archaeological sites in Arab villages in Yehudah and Shomron.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The IDF has announced the death of a reservist who was killed in combat in southern Lebanon earlier today.

The soldier has been identified as 22-year-old Sgt. First Class (res.) Eitan Ben Ami, of the Maglan commando unit from Jerusalem.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
It can be minimal, it can be tremendous. It can be positive, it can be negative. It can disappear after mere moments, it can last for millennia. It can be felt across the world, it can create ripples that radiate outwards ad infinitum.

What is this phenomenon? Its IMPACT. The mark something leaves is a measure of its importance and its success; as we view the impact, we can begin to appreciate the reality of what created it.

Enter Yeshiva Toras Chaim of Denver. Within the walls of the Yeshiva, young men study Torah, engage in prayer, build their character and lay the foundations for a productive life as committed and knowledgeable Jews. At first glance, not something one would regard as earth-shattering. Not an institution impacting the world.

Take a second look.

Those young men studying Torah are learning with a purpose, harnessing the Torahs transformative power to fill themselves with passion and excitement that will spill over to their families and communities, that will radiate to their colleagues at work, to their friends in the neighborhood, to their students in the classroom  to anyone and everyone they will have the opportunity to impact.

Yeshiva Toras Chaim has been impacting for decades, its graduates moving well beyond the physical confines of the Yeshiva while still maintaining a connection that transcends space and time. Wherever lifes journey leads them, the Torah they studied and the world they discovered is still fresh in their minds and their daily lives as they positively impact countless individuals.

The impact of Yeshiva Toras Chaim does not end with its students and alumni. This is an institution that has had an inestimable impact upon the Denver Jewish community, playing a major role in the spread of Torah and Judaism throughout the Jewish communities of Colorado. Its no exaggeration to say that the Jewish landscape of Denver has been forever changed and impacted by the efforts of Yeshiva Toras Chaim.

Yeshiva Toras Chaims Dinner Campaign

Yeshiva Toras Chaims annual Dinner Campaign will focus on the enormous positive IMPACT the Yeshiva has made, both in Denver and across the globe.

The Yeshiva will honor Rabbi Yaakov and Mrs. Chaya Meyer and Rabbi Ahron Yisroel and Mrs. Hadassah Wasserman, two couples whose impact has been tremendous, lasting and continues to create ripples across Colorado..

The Meyers joined the Yeshiva more than 40 years ago as members of the Yeshivas Kollel. After a stint as a rebbi (teacher) in the Yeshiva, the Meyers began reaching out to Jews in Denver, educating them and drawing them closer to their roots, with phenomenal results. Rabbi and Mrs. Meyers impact grew, attracting many Jews to grow with them, and eventually evolved into a Shul and coalesced into a community that is today Aish of the Rockies and the thriving Southeast Denver/Greenwood Village Jewish community.

Rabbi and Mrs. Meyer have two sons who attended the Yeshiva, Moshe and Yehuda (who is still studying in the post-high school Bais Medrash division).

The Yeshivas reach goes far beyond the walls of the school, says Rabbi Meyer. Their impact is seen throughout the entire region and beyond. The bonds that are made never sever; they stay in touch and feel like they are family for life.

Rabbi Ahron Yisroel Wasserman is the son of Yeshiva Toras Chaim Dean Rabbi Yitzchok Wasserman. Born and raised in Denver, Rabbi Wasserman and his wife Hadassah returned to Denver from Lakewood, NJ some 25 years ago, Rabbi Wasserman assuming the leadership of The Jewish Experience until taking on the mantle of CEO of Yeshiva Toras Chaim some years later.

Rabbi Wasserman has been at the forefront of all manner of efforts to build Torah and Judaism throughout Denver. Merkaz Torah Vchesed, a center of Torah learning and inspiration for Jews in East Denver; helping inspire the founding and development of Kehilas Bais Yisroel, a synagogue impacting dozens of lives in East Denver; the Vaad Project, inspiring Jews both in Denver and throughout the world to develop a deeper and more meaningful Judaism; helping develop the East Side into a strong, committed Torah community  Rabbi Wasserman has made a deep and lasting impact through all these institutions and projects, and he continues to play a major role in developing Denver.

The Wassermans son, Ari, is currently a 10th grade in the Yeshiva.

Having the opportunity to contribute to the growth of the Yeshiva and The Jewish Experience, along with other local institutions we were able to be involved in, has been a tremendous privilege and honor, says Rabbi Ahron Yisroel Wasserman. When we were approached to take an active role in this years Annual Dinner as Honorees, we felt an obligation to assist in whichever way we could as a small way of giving back to the Yeshiva that has given us so much.

This years Dinner Campaign will include an online matching campaign on November 19th & 20th, followed by the Dinner Celebration on Tuesday, December 3rd. There will be an opportunity to make a tribute in the ad journal which is all part of the campaign.

All funds raised during the Crowdfunding Campaign will be matched, doubling the impact of every donation.

The Celebration Dinner will feature world-renowned speaker Rabbi Asher Sinclair, a teacher at Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem. Rabbi Sinclair has made an amazing journey in his own life from Hollywood to Jerusalem, and he shares his experiences, insights and wisdom with enthralled audiences across the world.

The Dinner will also offer a unique culinary experience that will reflect the Yeshivas worldwide impact, as guests will enter different rooms, each one featuring international cuisine from a different part of the world.

The Yeshivas main source of income is their Annual Dinner Campaign, explains Rabbi Wasserman. We humbly ask every individual to participate in the online campaign, and to please join us at the Dinner. Your participation will enable the yeshiva to continue its holy work.
My two-year-old washing machine has stopped working and the retailer says I will have to pay for a repair, which I do not agree with.

I made a Section 75 claim with my card provider but it was rejected as they say there was no breach of contract.

H.W., via email.

Law: The Consumer Rights Act provides that if goods are faulty, the trader must provide a free repair, replacement or refund, unless the problem was caused by misuse or wear and tear

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 provides that if goods are faulty, the trader must provide you with a free repair, replacement or refund, unless the problem was caused by your own misuse or general wear and tear.

This right under the Consumer Rights Act becomes part of your contract under what is known as an implied term.

This is important, as I explain below. As you purchased the washing machine more than six months ago, the burden of proof (meaning who has to prove the issue is a manufacturers fault and not misuse or wear and tear) falls on you.

For this you could use the services of a local engineer to give you an opinion on the cause of the problem, or you may be able to find evidence online that the problem you have experienced is common for the machine brand and model, in the likes of consumer chat rooms.

If you can prove the issue is a manufacturers fault, this shows there has been a breach of contract on the part of the retailer  remembering the implied term of the contract that you will be entitled to a free repair, replacement or refund if the washing machine is faulty, which they have denied you.

So you should then go back to the card provider and explain that there is a breach of contract and how it has come about, as a result of the Consumer Rights Act.

If you get a no from the card provider for a second time, your next step will be to lodge a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service (financial-ombudsman.org.uk).

Can I request CCTV to see who damaged my car?

My car was scraped when parked in a cinema car park while I was watching a film. I want to find out who did it so Ive asked to see the CCTV footage, but the cinema manager is dragging his feet. What are my rights?

T.S., Canterbury

Under a law known as the Data Protection Act 2018, you have the right to request access to CCTV footage that contains your personal data (i.e. your image).

To obtain the footage you need to send a subject access request, setting out the date, time and location of the incident so that the entity or person in possession or control of the CCTV at the cinema can identify the relevant footage that you require.

Note that, following such a request, you are entitled to a response within one month.

However, there are some exemptions to the requirement to release such footage, most notably where the footage includes other identifiable individuals where they cannot be redacted or their faces blurred.

In addition, an image of a car and its number plate is also considered personal data, if it can be combined with other information that allows for the identification of the owner.

Of course, in your situation, you are seeking the footage to specifically see who damaged your vehicle, so the cinema will therefore have a valid reason to deny your request.

In these circumstances you could instead ask the cinema if you could simply view the footage without obtaining a copy, but it may still say no.

If you do hit this brick wall, your only other option will be to report the matter to the police, as they can then request a copy of the footage as part of their investigation, which provides the cinema with a legitimate reason to release it.

If the police say they cannot help, you may like to remind them that it is a criminal offence, under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act, to leave the scene if you hit and damage a vehicle, and this is precisely what has happened here.

If there had been no reasonable grounds for the cinema to reject your request, your next step would have been to escalate the matter to the Information Commissioners Office, but thats not the case in these circumstances.

Can Dean Dunham help you? Do you have a legal question for Dean Dunham? Email d.dunham@dailymail.co.uk, with brief details of your question or problem. No legal responsibility can be accepted by the Daily Mail and This is Money for answers given. > Read all of our consumer rights expert Dean Dunham's previous columns
TfL has stopped refunding me Ulez fees when I go for cancer treatment: SALLY SORTS

Im a cancer patient being treated by the Kings College Hospital Trust. I regularly attend hospital in the Transport for London (TfL) Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) area.

The only way that I can reclaim the charges paid for my non-compliant car are through the hospital.

Each month I send off the relevant paperwork to Kings. It worked fine until the TfL repayments stopped in April. I am owed about 530, and I wonder if others are, too. Can you help?

R.C., Westerham, Kent

Additional stress: TFL has stopped refunding a cancer patient's Ulez fees for trips to the hospital for treatment

Sally Hamilton replies: You told me that once or twice a week you attend outposts of Kings College Hospital about 11 miles from where you live because you are a long-term sufferer of Crohns disease and since 2016 have also been treated for blood cancer.

It makes life easier to drive to your appointments and because you are registered disabled and have a blue badge for your car, which means you can park for free.

But it is not as straightforward for Ulez, the scheme designed to clean up Londons air quality, which was expanded to include your area of London last August.

Since your car does not comply with the low-emission standards required to enter the zone for free, you must pay the 12.50 charge for each day you attend hospital, then reclaim it under a special reimbursement scheme via the hospital.

Since you dont want to worry about forgetting to pay and risk penalties, you opened a Ulez auto pay account. This may have reduced the hassle for making payments, but getting reimbursements processed is more of a faff with regular forms to complete.

It all ran smoothly for many months, then hit some bumps in the road from April when no further refunds arrived.

Despite the best efforts of your contact there to solve the matter with TfL, the repayments still did not turn up. TfL refused to discuss the matter with you directly, so you came to me.

Following my intervention, Im pleased to say that, within a few days, cheques started to arrive at your home from TfL covering the delayed refunds.

A TfL spokesman says: We are very sorry for the difficulties R.C. has experienced using the NHS Ulez charge reimbursement scheme and any distress caused.

'We have returned the funds to him and are in contact with Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to help them with the process for refund requests to ensure claims are properly submitted.

I asked Kings what had gone wrong and whether others had been affected, as you suspected.

A spokesman says: We have continued to submit monthly claims to TfL for patients eligible for Ulez reimbursement.

However, since spring 2024, we have experienced difficulty in getting some claims processed.

We have raised this with the TfL complaints team. She added that its records show that all outstanding claims have now been processed by TfL, including yours.

Patients entitled to reclaim Ulez costs  and/or the 15 congestion charge, if relevant  can get their money back by applying via the particular hospital or NHS Trust.

To be eligible they must be too weak or disabled to travel by public transport and suffer other issues, such as needing regular therapy. Eligibility is assessed by the hospital. More details at tfl.gov.uk/tfl-nhs-patient-reimbursement-charge-leaflet.pdf

Fortnum & Mason hamper headache

Im extremely disappointed with Fortnum & Mason customer services after ordering a bespoke hamper from them recently as a gift for my husband.

I ordered a build-your-own hamper, which not only arrived late but turned out to be someone elses.

F&M want me to pack it up again so they can come and pick it up and then examine it before refunding me. The sheer audacity! Please can you take a look.

E.M., Cupar, Fife

Sally Hamilton replies: A Fortnum & Mason hamper is considered among the most exclusive treats with its distinctive initial-stamped wicker work almost as important to the recipient as the baskets contents. It is the epitome of class and top-notch service.

Shame it didnt live up to this image in dealing with your case.

Scam Watch Households should beware a scam email impersonating hotel chain Premier Inn, consumer website Which? warns. Tricksters lure in victims by claiming they have been randomly selected to receive a set of two luxury Premier Inn pillows. The email asks you to answer some questions to be sent the pillows. But this will lead you to a phishing website designed to harvest your personal and financial details. Do not click on any links in the emails  instead, report it by forwarding it to report@phishing.gov.uk.

You spent 157.60 on a hamper and chose to fill it with chocolates, chutneys, mustard, biscuits, jams and hot chocolate among other delights.

But the one you received contained a Winnie the Pooh teddy bear, a mug, tea, jam and biscuits. It might have delighted a small Pooh fan, but it left you feeling Eeyore-ish in the extreme.

Your pessimism only grew after making several attempts to get things resolved. Fortnums online chat service put you in spin. Simple questions were not addressed.

As an example, you asked: Please advise when you will deliver my hamper and collect this one.

If you cant do this immediately, please refund my payment. The chat service responded: Some fresh items (mainly meat products) are not eligible for the bespoke hamper service. Most other fresh items are eligible...Was that helpful in answering your query? Er, no.

Eventually, the discussion ended with you being told to pack the hamper and wait in for a courier to collect it. You thought this treatment shabby. So did I...

Im pleased to say customer services were swiftly in touch with you and insisted you keep the misdirected hamper  with a replacement for the original on its way.

You were delighted and plan to donate the Winnie the Pooh hamper to your churchs Christmas bazaar.

A F&M spokesman says: We strive to provide exceptional service but it is clear we fell short of the mark on this occasion. We have been in contact with E.M. to offer our sincere apologies and the issue has now been resolved.

Straight to the point I booked eight Disney World tickets in January and used them in July. Ive been told Im due 33,586 Avios points. They are in the pending section of my account but I cant get anybody to credit them to my account so I can spend them. L.T., via email. BA says it can take up to 120 days until the points are awarded. It has credited you with 12,696 points as you were wrongly told you were due more than 33,000. *** I worked for the Post Office in the 1990s and was in the workplace pension scheme. My pension was transferred when I moved jobs. But when I started drawing my pension, I found no record of the transfer. I believe it was worth 5,600. L.A., Biggar, South Lanarkshire. The Post Office has no record of your pension. Willis Towers Watson manages your RBS pension. It believes while you worked for the Post Office you were contracted out of the Additional State Pension. In effect, the pension transfer you are looking for went into your State Pension. *** I returned a roll of wallpaper in October via Evri but the company never received it. Evri cant locate it. Ive been unable to submit a refund form. The wallpaper cost 75 and I paid 8.93 postage. C.H., via email. Evri apologises and says the parcel was damaged. It has now paid the claim in full. *** The battery light appeared on my van so I visited a repair shop. I was sold a battery for 135 but the light still came on. I returned the next day asking for the alternator to be checked but was told they didnt test that despite being told they did the day before. I later broke down and spent 610 on recovery and repairs. A.S., Kent. The repair shop apologises. You have been refunded for the battery and some of your breakdown costs.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. It has been almost four years since Iran ceased its nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), said Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as he addressed the IAEA Board of Governors, Trend reports.

This cessation has led to a loss of continuity in the IAEAs knowledge regarding Irans nuclear program, the IAEA chief noted, particularly in relation to the production and inventory of critical components such as centrifuges, rotors, bellows, heavy water, and uranium ore concentrate.

Additionally, Grossi reported ongoing discrepancies regarding Irans compliance with its Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement. Iran has stated that it has declared all necessary nuclear material, activities, and locations under the NPT Safeguards Agreement; however, the IAEA has found uranium particles of anthropogenic origin at undeclared locations in Iran. Grossi reiterated the need for Iran to clarify the current whereabouts of this nuclear material and any contaminated equipment, stressing the importance of addressing these outstanding safeguards issues for the Agency to provide assurance that Irans nuclear program remains exclusively peaceful.

In his remarks, Grossi also mentioned the continuing discussions between the IAEA and Iran following the Joint Statement signed in March 2023, particularly regarding the discrepancy in the nuclear material balance and the situation concerning the Varamin location. The resolution of these issues remains a critical priority for the IAEA to ensure full compliance with Irans safeguards obligations.
The takeover of Royal Mail by a Czech billionaire looks set to be approved by ministers.

It places the postal service into foreign hands for the first time in its 508-year history.

Trade union bosses representing around 100,000 posties told their members it was 'likely the Government will clear' the 3.6billion sale to Daniel Kretinsky on national security grounds.

The Czech Sphinx: Foreign billionaire Daniel Kretinsky (pictured) looks set to be given permission to take control of the Royal Mail

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) also said it 'anticipates' ministers will reach an agreement with Kretinsky and his backers over safeguarding its future.

Union bosses have drawn up an 'engagement plan' in a bid to get the best deal for staff  including higher pay and more favourable working conditions.

'It is clear in meetings with the company, prospective buyer, government, and regulator, that we have a major opportunity to influence the future through our collective strength,' said CWU general secretary Dave Ward in a letter to members.

He added: 'We need to work on the basis that it is likely the Government will clear the takeover bid from the perspective of the national security investigation.'

Royal Mail, which traces its roots back to the Master of Posts established by Henry VIII in 1516, is set to be taken over by Kretinsky, 49, in a swoop on its parent company International Distribution Services (IDS).

An energy baron nicknamed the Czech Sphinx, he already controls nearly 28 per cent of IDS through his vehicle Vesa Equity.

But in May he tabled an offer for the rest of the business which was accepted by the IDS board, sparking fears over its future.

In its manifesto, Labour pledged to ensure any takeover of Royal Mail was 'robustly scrutinised'. A review under the National Security and Investments Act was launched in August.

Kretinsky has offered a series of promises on jobs and the Universal Service Obligation (USO)  to deliver post across the UK six days a week at a single price  to win support for the deal.

However, many remain concerned over the implications for Royal Mail given the promises are limited to five years at most.

Ward said the CWU has been in talks with Kretinsky's representatives and Royal Mail bosses and that a crucial two-day meeting with the Czech billionaire's EP Group is due to take place next week.

'It is vital that all members now get behind the union to help us create the leverage needed to demand a fresh start for Royal Mail, the service and most importantly you as frontline workers,' he added.

IDS will publish half-year results tomorrow while Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is expected to face questions from MPs about the deal at a meeting of the House of Commons business select committee on Tuesday next week.
The stock market has been battered and bruised in recent years, hit by regulation, tough economic conditions and investors love affair with American shares.

However, it is still worth around 3.7 trillion and millions of us own a piece of it. According to official data, UK households own almost 11pc of the London stock market, a collective stake valued at 400billion.

Many private investors have acquired shares in household name businesses, whether these are companies that were privatised such as BT and National Grid, or familiar High Street firms such as Marks & Spencer and Sainsburys.

Fashion stakes: M&S's Six-month figures to September showed a 6% uplift in sales to 6.5bn and a 17% surge in profits to more than 400m, far better than brokers expected

One advantage in holding shares like these is that investors can see how well or badly a business is doing, especially if they use its services.

The revival in M&S shares, for example, has been driven in large part by an improvement in its womens fashion, which shoppers can see for themselves.

Many investors will have held these shares for a long time, perhaps even since receiving them in the privatisations in the 1980s and 1990s.

Buy and hold can be a sensible strategy. Most companies have ups and downs  the important question is the long-term direction of travel.

Trading frequently also means more dealing costs, which can take a bite out of returns.

But hanging on to shares out of apathy or neglecting to keep track of your portfolio is not a sensible approach. Its worth checking in on a regular basis and considering whether long-standing investments still make sense.

So which of these popular shares remain good value today and are any past their sell-by date?

Its good to talk

Almost 40 years have passed since BT was privatised, a watershed moment in the stock market and one that put Margaret Thatchers government on the map.

More than 3bn shares were put up for sale and the general public ended up with a third of them.

Four decades later and BT is still one of the UKs most widely held shares, with 614,000 individual shareholders, including me.

Four decades since privatisation and BT is still one of the UKs most widely held shares, with 614,000 individual shareholders, including me

We have not been particularly well served. BT shares began trading on December 3, 1984, with the shares priced at 130p each.

By the turn of the century, they had soared to more than 1000p. Today, the stock is changing hands at 149.8p.

BT's privatisation put Margaret Thatchers government on the map

The decline reflects years of lacklustre growth, increased competition and a company that often seemed more like a sprawling mess than a streamlined operation fit for todays world.

Chief executive Allison Kirkby is determined to change that.

Appointed at the start of this year, she wants to make BT simpler, more focused and better able to deliver for shareholders and customers.

She has a challenge on her hands. Six-month results to September, released this month, showed falling sales, declining profits and rising debt.

In August, Indian billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittals Bharti Enterprises became BTs largest shareholder, acquiring almost 25 per cent of the company, for around 3billion, from struggling telecoms magnate Patrick Drahi.

BT shares have risen by around 10p since Mittals investment was disclosed so he has already made more than 100million from the deal but he maintains he is in it for the long term.

Dividends have bolstered overall returns but BT has been a disappointing investment.

Now seems the wrong time to sell, however.

Kirkby has an impressive pedigree and Mittals presence on the register suggests he sees value in the business.

That makes BT a hold for now.

Tell Sid

The privatisation of British Gas in 1986 involved one of the most memorable advertising campaigns of all time.

The slogan, If you see Sid...tell him, was designed to persuade ordinary people to buy shares  and it worked like a dream.

Would-be investors queued for hours to join in the fun and 1.5m of them ended up with stock, paying 135p a share.

Tell Sid: The privatisation of British Gas in 1986 involved one of the most memorable advertising campaigns of all time

British Gas was split in half in 1997. The oil and gas exploration arm was renamed BG Group, now part of Shell.

Tell Sid: The privatisation of British Gas in 1986 involved one of the most memorable advertising campaigns of all time

British Gas, the energy supplier and boiler installer, became known as Centrica on the stock market and, even though many early investors sold out, the group still has almost half a million shareholders on its register.

They received dividends last week of 1.5p a share.

But Centrica profits plunged in the first six months of this year and the rest of 2024 may be even worse.

The share price has slumped by around 25 per centover the past 12 months to 120p. It has been on a roller-coaster ride since the 1990s, soaring to nearly 400p in 2013, sliding to 70p during the pandemic and recovering sharply last year before current woes emerged.

Some City brokers believe the shares have potential at current levels but Dan Coatsworth of broker AJ Bell is less enthusiastic.

Its a big business with a market-leading brand, but that doesnt automatically make it a good investment, he says.

Investors who have been there from the start have enjoyed plenty of dividends and, through a series of complex transactions, now own shares in Shell and National Grid, as well as Centrica itself  boosting their overall returns.

Boss Chris OShea is also keen to pay decent dividends, with 4.6p a share payout pencilled in for 2024, rising to 5.3p next year.

Some may choose to hold on for those payments alone. But short-term challenges remain for this business.

Plugged in

National Grid is a little different from other privatised stocks.

The energy transmission firm became an independent quoted company in 1995 and investors in seven regional electricity companies automatically received shares in the business. Many still own their stock, as do some of the original investors in British Gas.

This makes National Grid one of the most widely held shares on the market, with more than 640,000 individual investors.

National Grid became an independent quoted company in 1995 and investors in seven regional electricity companies automatically received shares in the business

They have done rather well. National Grid has bought, sold and merged with several other businesses.

The shares have risen around six-fold to 987.8p since flotation and investors have received generous dividends to boot.

Half-year results this month were complicated, not least because boss John Pettigrew has just sold a chunk of the business  the Electricity System Operator responsible for balancing supply and demand  to the Government.

National Grid also needs urgently to upgrade its network, as renewable power plays an increasing role in Britains energy system.

Pettigrew duly raised 7billion from shareholders in May, said the company would be spending a hefty 60billion on improvements over the next five years and unveiled a fall in the dividend from 53p to 45p for the year to next March. Shares sank on the news but have regained much of their poise.

Pettigrews plans are expected to deliver growing revenues and profits. Most analysts believe the stock should rise to more than 11 as a result.

For National Grids army of small shareholders, sitting pretty would seem the best option.

New investors might also choose to snap up a few, especially if there are any signs of short-term weakness in the price.

Feeling sparky

Stalwart: Marks & Spencer has spent nearly 100 years on the stock market

Marks & Spencer has spent nearly 100 years on the stock market, and remains a popular share to this day. Most quoted companies attract some individual shareholders. M&S has more than most.

Not only does the retailer boast around 145,000 investors but many are deeply engaged with the business, in good times and in bad.

The shares topped 7 in 2007. But in little more than a year, they had tumbled to less than 2. Its fortunes waxed and waned thereafter, as consumers and investors fell out of love with M&S.

Now, chairman Archie Norman and chief executive Stuart Machin are turning the business around.

Six-month figures to September, revealed just a fortnight ago, showed a 6 per cent uplift in sales to 6.5billion and a 17 per cent surge in profits to more than 400million, far better than brokers expected.

Not one to sit on his laurels, Machin believes there are big opportunities to do better. And he also seems to recognise the contribution that individual investors make.

The company set up a Shareholder Panel in 2016. Under Machin, discussions between investors and management have become more frequent.

Shares have sparkled since he was appointed, soaring almost four-fold in little more than two years to 3.72.

But Chancellor Rachel Reevess decision to raise National Insurance contributions from employers is unwelcome. Machin, however, has plenty of self-help measures to pursue, which should ensure continued growth.

A payment of around 5p is expected for the year to next March, rising to more than 6p a share the year after. Investors who have seen their holdings surge may be tempted to sell some stock and splurge on Christmas goodies, perhaps even at M&S. But they should not sell out completely as these shares should continue to motor.

Taste the difference

Sainsburys is the UKs second-largest supermarket chain.

But it battled for years with a value problem, considered more expensive than Tesco and less luxurious than Waitrose or M&S.

Chief executive Simon Roberts has taken bold steps to attract shoppers and persuade existing customers to buy more.

Struggles: Sainsburys battled for years with a value problem, considered more expensive than Tesco and less luxurious than Waitrose or M&S

Half-year results showed some progress. Sales were up, profits rose.

Nonetheless, there was no increase in the interim dividend, maintained at 3.9p, and sales fell at Argos, acquired in 2016.

Roberts also admitted that Reevess move on National Insurance will hit Sainsburys hard and prices may well have to rise.

Where does this leave the 40,000 shareholders?

The stock has been a volatile performer, priced at 2.46 in 2014, rising and falling since then, but changing hands today at 2.48.

Roberts is keen to do better and brokers believe sales, profits and dividends should increase from here.

Frustrated investors might choose to sell but, with signs of progress at the half year, they should probably stick with the business.
Sage Group shares jumped by a fifth to trade at a record high on Wednesday as the business software group hiked investor payouts after a bumper financial year.

The group, which provides businesses with accounting and payroll solutions, told shareholders that underlying operating profits had rocketed 21 per cent to 529million in the year ending November.

Sage proposed a 13.5p per share final dividend, growing full-year dividends by 6 per cent to 20.45p, and a stock buyback programme worth up to 400million.

Sage shares soared 19.4 per cent to 1,285.5p, around 1.4 per cent above a previous record high set in March and making them by far the top FTSE 100 performer for the session.

Total underlying revenue jumped by almost 200million to 2.3billion, thanks to higher sales across all regions and customer subscription penetration expanding by three percentage points to 82 per cent.

Half of its turnover growth came from the US, where the company's Intacct business enjoyed solid demand from the not-for-profit, construction and real estate sectors.

US trade further benefited from increases in both prices and new customers, as well as orders for its 200 cloud, 50 cloud and Sage X products.

Strong performance: 'Sage has delivered another successful year,' said Steve Hare, chief executive of Sage Group (top right)

Sage's underlying revenue improved by 7 per cent to 505million in the British Isles, its second largest territory by sales, and by 6 per cent to 610million across Europe.

And on a statutory basis, the Newcastle-based group's operating profits climbed by 43 per cent to 452million, thanks to an absence of property restructuring charges and adverse currency movements.

Boss Steve Hare said: 'Sage has delivered another successful year, achieving strong, broad-based revenue growth together with significantly higher profits and cash flows.

'Small and mid-sized businesses remain resilient, despite the ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, and they continue to choose Sage to help them become more productive and efficient.'

Over 8,000 customers are now using Sage Copilot, an artificial intelligence assistant launched in February designed to handle administrative and repetitive tasks.

Hare added: 'Building on our progress to date, we look forward to delivering further sustainable growth in the year ahead.'

For the 2025 financial year, the company expects its operating margins' to trend upwards' and organic revenues to rise by at least 9 per cent.

Founded in 1981, Sage is one of the few London-listed technology businesses and one of the world's biggest suppliers of enterprise resource planning software.

Adam Vettese, market analyst at eToro, said: 'Sage's software produces payslips among other things, and perhaps that's exactly what they're delivering to shareholders this morning.

'Sage is already used by millions of small businesses who know and trust the product. The recurring revenue shows that, with product innovation also now including AI, the firm seems to be setting itself up for further growth.'
CVS Group has upheld its annual outlook despite subdued demand in Britain, where the veterinary services industry is the subject of a major competition probe.

The Norfolk-based company, which operates around 460 practices, revealed its total revenue rose by 7.6 per cent year-on-year in the four months ending October.

It also declared adjusted earnings before nasties increased by 5.5 per cent, with its margins climbing by 19.5 per cent.

CVS has been steadily expanding its presence in Australia since the summer of last year, making multiple takeovers, including three deals involving four sites since July for a combined 9.5million.

The business recently sold its operations in the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland, citing 'significant investment opportunities' in Australia and capital spending in its UK operations.

While it warned that the upcoming hike in National Insurance rates will push up staff costs, the group expects this to be offset by 'growth, efficiencies and purchasing synergies in Australia.'

Growth: Norfolk-based CVS, which operates around 460 practices, revealed its total revenue rose by 7.6 per cent year-on-year in the four months ending October

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in her first Budget last month that employers' NI rates will rise by 1.2 percentage points to 15 per cent from April. CVS expects the change to cost it around 8million in the next financial year.

'Whilst the board remains mindful of headwinds in the UK, the fundamental need for high-quality veterinary care remains strong, the expansion into Australia is progressing well, and CVS remains well positioned to deliver attractive growth,' the company said.

CVS's trading update comes amid a Competition and Markets Authority investigation into the UK veterinary sector.

The CMA is concerned that pet owners might be paying too much for medicines or prescriptions and that sector consolidation could be stifling competition in some areas.

Six firms - CVS, IVC, Linnaeus, Medivet, Pets at Home and VetPartners - have bought nearly a third of Britain's 5,000 vet practices since 2013, according to the CMA.

It warned these businesses that they could be forced to sell off segments of their business, cap prescription fees, and offer compulsory information to pet owners.

Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said CVS 'has been badly damaged' by the probe, but under the bonnet, the company offers exposure to some strong long-term growth drivers.

'However, until certainty emerges next year about the extent of any changes levied on business practices in the industry, the shares could remain under pressure.'

CVS Group shares rose 2.7 per cent to 843p by late Wednesday afternoon, but the CMA inquiry has contributed to their value slumping by around 49 per cent since the year started.
Crisis: Mining giant Rio Tinto said eight employees reported actual or attempted rape or sexual assault in the past 12 months

Mining giant Rio Tinto has been rocked by a rise in sexual assault cases across its operations.

The FTSE 100 firm yesterday said eight employees reported actual or attempted rape or sexual assault in the past 12 months  up from five when its last report in 2022  fuelling fears the horrifying treatment of women continues, particularly at remote fly-in fly-out sites.

A further 32 experienced pressure or requests for sex or sexual acts  down from 37.

Most victims were women, the report found.

Rio chief executive Jakob Stausholm said he was disturbed by the fact that people are being hurt.

The industry faced an Australian state inquiry over its treatment of women in 2022. Miners have taken steps to address problems at remote sites.

Miners have improved, but there is still a long way to go, said Shane Roulstone of Western Mine Workers Alliance.
Renters in the UK can expect their bills to soar by almost a fifth over the next five years as demand continues to outstrip supply, says estate agent Savills.

Tenants will pay 17.6 per cent more by 2029, with rents expected to rocket up by 4 per cent in 2025.

A squeezed private rental stock is set to be overwhelmed by demand over the coming years as beleaguered landlords shun the market due to raised mortgage costs, more red tape and changes in second home stamp duty tariffs.

Rent hikes: Tenants will pay 17.6% more by 2029, with rents expected to rocket up by 4% in 2025

This decline will continue to reduce availability of private rented properties, pushing up monthly rents.

Tenant demand has reduced from the record highs seen in 2021 and 2022, but is still at elevated levels.

Latest figures show the number of available rental listings per lettings branch was down 16 per cent in September compared to 2018-19 levels, with lets getting snapped up 20 per cent faster so far this year.

Landlords have exited the market in increasing numbers in the past few years due to tightened legislation and sky-high mortgage costs, which have made investments untenable.

Brokers fear more landlords will stop investing following Chancellor Rachel Reevess second home stamp duty tax grab at the Budget.

Guy Whittaker, associate director at Savills, says: The increase in the stamp duty land tax surcharge for second homes will likely dampen demand from new buy-to-let investors, and it will prevent some existing landlords from expanding their portfolios.

The potential requirement to upgrade energy performance ratings by 2030 may see some leave the sector altogether, particularly in markets where the upgrades required would exceed an entire years rental income. In those cases, it may make more sense to sell.

However, rental growth in some markets could slow as an affordability ceiling has been reached, according to Savills. In London, tenants spent as much as 43 per cent of their income on rent in 2023.

Supply: Latest figures show the number of available rental listings per lettings branch was down 16% in September compared to 2018-19 levels

But rents in the capital grew by just 1.5 per cent in the 12 months to September 2024, compared to 4 per cent across the nation, as affordability was stretched.

Mr Whittaker says slow growth in London has led to a slight easing of affordability pressures and Savills forecasts 2.5 per cent growth for the capitals rents next year.

Slightly stronger rental growth of 3 per cent is expected toward the end of the forecast period in 2028 and 2029.

But the capitals growth in the five years to 2029 is expected to be just 14.2 per cent  3.4 percentage points lower than forecast growth across the nation.

L.evans@dailymail.co.uk
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 20. The relocation of Iran's capital has been assigned to First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a meeting with representatives of some provinces in Tehran today (November 20), Trend reports.

According to him, studies on relocating the Iranian capital have already started.

The Iranian president noted that if this issue is not kept at the center of attention, environmental and other problems will arise in the future.

Pezeshkian added that Iran seeks to take advantage of the potential of neighboring countries. The Iranian government attaches great importance to strengthening economic ties with neighboring countries. This is because it can help the country achieve economic growth and reduce the impact of sanctions.
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A showstopping performance : as the end of 2024 nears, Maurice Lacroix unveils the AIKON Automatic Ceramic, a real looker, offered in two sizes and executed in two contrasting hues: black and white

The culmination of three years of research and development, these latest models deliver an unprecedented quality/price ratio, democratising ceramic watch ownership, while delivering an ultra-refined appearance. Moreover, Maurice Lacroix has gone further by using technical ceramic, a material that elevates the performance of regular ceramic by doping zirconium oxide with additional oxides.

Close attention has been paid to the case and bracelet, ensuring each surface and facet exudes excellence. In addition, each bracelet link has been designed to smoothly articulate around the wrist, delivering maximum wearer comfort. Unequivocally new, these latest models perpetuate the AIKONs reputation for nuanced details and sublime tactility. One material, two looks; how do you wish to express your urban-style?

AIKON Automatic Ceramic in white  Maurice Lacroix

Technical ceramic: a material with a lasting allure

This year has seen Maurice Lacroix release several versions of the AIKON, its hugely successful urban-style watch, executed in a multitude of materials. Now, to round out 2024, the Swiss company turns its gaze to technical ceramic, a scratch-resistant material that will never fade with the onset of years. Ceramic cases composed of zirconium oxide have been in existence for some time; however, Maurice Lacroix has pushed the performance envelope with the creation of technical ceramic.

In common with conventional ceramic cases, technical ceramic is corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic, but it also represents a significant step forward in terms of durability, thermal stability and overall strength. This technically advanced material involves doping zirconium oxide with three additional oxides: hafnium oxide, yttrium oxide and aluminium oxide. This process is strictly controlled to achieve the desired result.

Bringing the technical ceramic case and bracelet to life necessitated three years of intense research and development and presented numerous technical challenges along the way. The R&D team at Maurice Lacroix expended much time, often burning the midnight oil, to ensure that all surfaces and facets of the case and bracelet exude quality. For example, the bezel with its distinctive arms, presented in relief and with a contrasting finish, proved techni- cally challenging. Likewise, making a bracelet in technical ceramic also proved demanding as the links need to articulate, allowing the bracelet to flex as it encircles the wrist to confer optimal wearer comfort.

AIKON Automatic Ceramic in black  Maurice Lacroix

During the development process, Maurice Lacroix commissioned research, talking to retailers and the public alike. Obtaining feedback, the brand sought to optimise the look and feel of its new technical ceramic models, paying close attention to the ergonomic relationship between the case, bracelet and wearer. The culmination of its time-consuming efforts has led to the creation of the new Maurice Lacroix AIKON Automatic Ceramic, a unisex model offered in two sizes, 39 mm and 42 mm, each sporting a decidedly different appearance.

Technical ceramic: a new era

Since it was founded in 1975, Maurice Lacroix has continuously shown its unwavering desire to deliver high perceived value. With the new Maurice Lacroix AIKON Automatic Ceramic, the brand from the Franches-Montagnes delivers an unprecedented quality/price ratio, bringing this alluring material within the reach of new audiences.

A lesson in contrasts

Back in 2016, Maurice Lacroix unveiled the first AIKON, a quartz watch inspired by the CALYPSO, the former best-selling watch of the 90s. Two years later, the company released mechanical versions of the AIKON after which the collections popularity grew exponentially. Over the years that followed, the brand capitalised on this success, releasing different case sizes, dial colours and complications.

Today, Maurice Lacroix explores contrast with the new AIKON Automatic Ceramic in a choice of white or black. The 42mm matt black option is stealth-like, reinforcing the urban-vibe, a night-owl that plays out after dark, while the 39mm glossy white reference looks comparatively angelic, bathing in sunlight, garnering admiring looks wherever it goes.

AIKON Automatic Ceramic in white  Maurice Lacroix

Whether night or day, overt or discreet, innocent or knowing, there is an AIKON Automatic Ceramic perfectly suited to the situation, mood and wearer. Once again, Maurice Lacroix demonstrates it is a master of materials and contrasts. Its a showstopping performance.
The latest Audemars Piguet collaboration puts the work of KAWS at the heart of haute horlogerie with the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon COMPANION 43mm

Sometimes, pushing the envelope in creative pursuits is best achieved through collaboration. Audemars Piguets Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon COMPANION 43mm stands as proof, born of an inspired creative dialogue between the Swiss watchmaker and influential artist KAWS.

Encapsulating the Manufactures quest to fuse high-end watchmaking with bold creative expression, this eye-catching, 250-piece limited edition in titanium brings KAWS iconic COMPANION character physically into the timepiece, transforming the Le Brassus brands avant-garde, high-tech interpretation of its Royal Oak into a remarkable stage.

Who is KAWS?

Born Brian Donnelly in Jersey City in 1974, KAWS has become a prolific figure in modern art, known for his iconic COMPANION character with its crossed-out eyes and gloved hands. From his early days as a graffiti artist in New York Citys streets, KAWS gained notoriety by altering advertising posters with his distinct ad intervention style.

Over time, his COMPANION evolved into a recognisable figure across his work, reflecting themes of isolation, curiosity and nostalgia for pop culture. Today, his art spans paintings, large-scale sculptures and collaborations with global brands.

KAWS fascination with symbolism and subversion makes him a fitting choice for Audemars Piguets ongoing mission to redefine watchmaking as a part of the cultural conversation.

Brian Donnelly wearing his Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon COMPANION  Audemars Piguet

KAWS to the Fore

The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon puts KAWS COMPANION front and centre  quite literally. Beneath the sapphire crystal, a miniature version of the iconic figure appears to press against the glass  evoking the artists early ad intervention style  as if eager to reach beyond the watchs surface and connect with the outside world.

Crafted from titanium and mounted on a titanium dial plate with a sunburst finish, this meticulously designed 3D sculpture mirrors every detail of KAWS character, from the skull-shaped head to the gloved hands and signature X-shaped eyes which have been cut into the titanium and embellished with grey lacquer. Contrasting shades of light and dark grey, along with satin-brushed and sandblasted finishes, lend texture and depth to its rounded silhouette, giving it a striking sense of dimension, even on this miniaturised scale.

And in a nod to KAWS dissected series, which exposes the internal anatomy of his characters, this COMPANION reveals its own inner workings: the tourbillon at 6 oclock. With an open chest exposing the tourbillon, the heart of the movement, this piece merges the whimsical with the mechanical.

Close-up of KAWS with his exposed anatomy  Audemars Piguet

On the Edge

The presence of KAWS COMPANION isnt the only design element defying convention: The Vallee de Joux watchmaker has reimagined the time display by shifting it to the periphery.

Rather than traditional central hands, the titanium hour and minute hands are triangular forms positioned along the dials edge, driven by superimposed gears rotating around the outer rim.

Filled with lume that glows blue in the dark  mirroring the five-minute markers carved into the titanium inner bezel  each hand is mounted on its own peripheral wheel, with the hollowed-out minute hand distinct from the solid hour hand.

This atypical configuration not only keeps the focus on KAWS COMPANION but also reinforces the watchs futuristic, otherworldly aesthetic.

State-of-the-Art Movement

At the heart of the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon COMPANION lies Audemars Piguets new manually wound Calibre 2979. With a three-day power reserve, this movement powers the peripheral display as well as incorporating a tourbillon designed to counteract positional errors caused by gravity, ensuring heightened accuracy.

Beyond its technical function, the tourbillon, as mentioned, also serves as the visual centrepiece of KAWS COMPANION, rotating within the characters chest  a symbolic pulse of vitality, supporting both the watchs precision and the characters spirit.

Through the transparent sapphire caseback, more of the movements details are on display. Black-PVD titanium bridges echo the characters padded aesthetic, while the ratchet wheel proudly bears KAWS distinctive X, a subtle homage to the artists signature iconography.

Underside of the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon COMPANION  Audemars Piguet

X Marks the Spot

The Royal Oak Concept line was refreshed last year with a more ergonomic, wrist-friendly design. Its angular 43mm case, now slightly thinner, wraps comfortably around the wrist while preserving its signature spaceship-like look.

A mix of sandblasted, satin-brushed and polished finishes highlights the geometric facets of the titanium case. The black ceramic crown, meanwhile, is topped with an AP-emblazoned titanium chip.

For this special edition, Audemars Piguet has taken KAWS X motif even further: both the bezel and caseback are secured by screws bearing slots in the form of the iconic X. As a final touch, the caseback is engraved with Limited Edition of 250 pieces, alongside KAWS signature.

Switch It Up

Adding versatility to this co-creation, the Royal Oak Concept now features an interchangeable strap system, introduced with last years revamp. Each strap extends the lines of the titanium case, creating a cohesive, flowing aesthetic.

Audemars Piguet  which celebrates its 150th anniversary next year  delivers the watch with two strap options: a light grey calfskin leather strap with a textile effect, paired with a titanium triple-blade AP folding clasp, and a slate grey alternative.

Light grey calfskin leather bracelet on the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon COMPANION  Audemars Piguet

Pushing New Boundaries

As Audemars Piguets Research and Development Director Lucas Raggi explains, the collaboration with KAWS has driven the Manufactures team to push back our limits in terms of watchmaking technology

Indeed, this timepiece is as much a technical feat as it is an artistic exploration. Raggi highlights the inventive hour and minute display system housed in the periphery, underscoring how technical execution plays a central role in spotlighting KAWS character.

KAWS himself describes his venture into watchmaking as an honour, noting: It has been an incredible experience working with Audemars Piguet I am honoured to have my watch included in the companys catalogue, which spans over a hundred years of watchmaking excellence.

And Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet, views the project as an extension of the brands cultural engagement: KAWS has taken collaboration to a whole new level. By placing a miniature COMPANION at the heart of a Royal Oak Concept, he not only challenged us to push new boundaries, he also encouraged us to look at our craftsmanship from a more humanistic perspective.

A Meeting of Minds

The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon COMPANION 43mm brings together two powerhouses, each a defining force in their field. Audemars Piguets history of partnerships with cultural icons like Tamara Ralph and John Mayer aligns naturally with KAWS own portfolio of high-impact collaborations with brands like Uniqlo, Dior and Nike. Perhaps, then, it was inevitable that these two would eventually cross paths.

And for watch collectors attuned to KAWS' unique artistic style, this piece forms a natural bridge between the watchmaker, the artist and their passionate audiences.

Brian Donnelly drawing KAWS whilst wearing his Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon COMPANION  Audemars Piguet
The mother of Hollywood cameraman Halyna Hutchins, who died on the set of the movie Rust, refused to attend the premiere of the scandalous film because of the actor responsible for her daughter's death, Alec Baldwin. Although the celebrity was acquitted in court, the woman cannot forgive him, claiming that he has not yet apologized to her for the fatal incident.

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The premiere of Rust took place at the Camerimage festival in Poland three years after a prop gun fired by Baldwin fatally wounded Hutchins on the set of the western. According to The Guardian, despite the tragic background, the movie sold out quickly.

Hutchins's mother, Olga Solovey, and her lawyer, Gloria Allred, issued statements the day before saying that she would not be attending the film's premiere. According to the festival, the screening is only intended to honor the memory of Hutchins, who attended Camerimage and wanted her work to be shown at this screening.

"Even though Mr. Baldwin fired the gun that killed Halyna, he never called them to apologize. Even worse, he claimed through his lawyers that Halyna was emotionally distant from her family in Ukraine. This is untrue, hurtful and insulting. Furthermore, the decision not to even call the family to say he was sorry is cruel and dishonors Halyna and her memory. Now, a decision has been made to promote Irzha to buyers in order to make a profit for Alec Baldwin and others involved in Halyna's death," the lawyer said.

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The cameraman's mother also expressed her pain. She said that she had dreamed of meeting her daughter at the premiere of Rust in Poland, but Baldwin took this opportunity away from her.

"I had always hoped to meet my daughter in Poland to see her work come to life on the screen. Unfortunately, this hope was taken away from me when Alec Baldwin fired a gun and killed my daughter. Alec Baldwin continues to compound my pain with his refusal to apologize to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death. Instead, he is trying to unfairly benefit from my daughter's murder. That is why I refuse to participate in the festival to promote the film Rust, especially now that justice for my daughter has not yet been achieved," she said.

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Camerimage festival director Kazimierz Suwala told the Hollywood Reporter that he had not planned to invite Alec Baldwin to the premiere, as the event was supposed to be dedicated not to him, but to the dead cameraman.

What is known about the case

Cameraman Halyna Hutchins was shot dead on the set of the film Rust on October 21, 2021. The Ukrainian woman died after suffering a perforating chest wound. The bullet also hit director Joel Seuss, who was standing behind her. The man was injured but survived.

In April 2023, Alec Baldwin was acquitted of manslaughter charges against Halyna Hutchins. Then the filming of the movie continued. Later, the prosecutor's office found evidence again. After an examination of the revolver used by the actor, the investigation resumed on the grounds of negligent use of firearms and disrespect for the safety of others. Baldwin faced up to 18 months in prison.

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On March 6, 2024, a New Mexico jury found gunman Hannah Gutierrez Reed guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of a Ukrainian cameraman. On July 12, all charges were dropped against Alec Baldwin, and his lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case.

The family of Halyna Hutchins cannot accept the court's decision and says they will "fight to the end." The relatives and the widower of the cameraman will try to bring the actor to justice again.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that the colleagues of the shot Halyna Hutchins opposed the screening of the movie "Rust" in Poland.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Details of the death of the actor of the Chernihiv Shevchenko Drama Theater and soldier Petro Velykyy have emerged. He was serving in the Kursk direction, where his life ended.

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The family was informed of the death of the 48-year-old actor the day before, on November 19 in the evening. The theater's general director Serhiy Moisienko told Suspilne.

"Employees of the Territorial Center of Recruitment came to the theater and handed the victim's daughter, Kateryna, who also works as an actress with us, a 'funeral'. We don't know any more details, the family hasn't come to yet. However, according to his comrades-in-arms, who are also our actors fighting alongside Petro, he was killed on November 15 in the Kursk sector," he said.

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As Serhiy Moisienko notes, Petro Velykyy was a talented man and devoted to his acting work. Before Russia's full-scale invasion, he was nominated for the title of Honored Artist of Ukraine, but this was never realized.

"Leading master of the stage. The golden fund of the theater. A very tactful, very polite person... He took on any role. He came to work even with a high fever. He was very devoted to his profession," added the director general.

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The actor has been working at the Chernihiv Regional Academic Music and Drama Theater named after Taras Shevchenko since 2004, and has played more than 35 roles, including Petro in the play Earth, Perelesnyk in The Forest Song, Holokhvosty in Chasing Two Hares, and Karpo in The Kaydashev Family.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that Petro Velykyy's death was reported online by his daughter, actress Catherine. The girl published the last correspondence with her father and signed her post as follows: "Message from my dad. I love you forever. You have always been, are and will be my best friend."

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson supported Ukraine on the 1001st day of the Great War. The 60-year-old politician wore a T-shirt with a symbolic inscription "Battle for Light".

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The statesman shared the photo on his page on the social network X. He appeared in front of the camera wearing an outfit from the limited collection of the domestic brand DAMIRLI, created to support power engineers, air defense forces and rescuers of the State Emergency Service.

"On the 1001st day of this war, the main struggle remains the same. It is the struggle between the great Ukrainian ideals of freedom, democracy and independence on the one hand and the brutal and criminal aggression of Vladimir Putin on the other. I am proud to wear this T-shirt with Kyiv design. Glory to Ukraine," the politician wrote.

The symbolic phrase on the T-shirt is very relevant for Ukraine at the moment. After Russia's massive strikes on our energy sector, large-scale blackouts began across the country. Domestic specialists are forced to fight every day to ensure that Ukrainians' homes have electricity.

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This is not the first time Boris Johnson has demonstrated his support for Ukraine. Shortly after the start of the full-scale war, he addressed the citizens of our country in a nightingale-like voice and noted that he could not even imagine what we are feeling now, because everything we love has been destroyed by the aggressor country Russia. The friend of Ukraine has repeatedly visited our homeland, and in the international arena he has insisted on increased assistance.

It is worth noting that today, November 20, the Russians have once again shown their "true colors," and the US Embassy in Kyiv has warned of the possibility of a powerful missile strike on Ukraine, citing "specific information about a potential significant air attack." As a precautionary measure, the diplomatic mission will be closed. Subsequently, the embassies of Spain, Italy, and Greece made similar decisions.

For their part, OBOZ.UA's sources in the Defense Forces noted that the loud statements of US representatives are more of a "specific reaction of our Western partners to the intimidation of Russian propaganda" that promised a "response" from Russia to Biden's decision to lift restrictions on the use of ATACMS.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The stylish Skoda Yeti crossover has long been forgotten by many. However, this model has influenced the Czech brand. The car was shown with a brutal concept design online.

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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 an unexpected design for the Yeti. It turned out to be stylish, brutal and very bold, although the Czech manufacturer does not plan to return the vehicle 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 be made of recycled bottles and used clothes.
Gemini is a multimodal language model developed by Google DeepMind. Gemini is distinguished from other LLMs (large language models) by its unique design, which is actually multimodal, not just textual. This makes it possible to process different types of data.

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The large project was the result of a collaboration between DeepMind and Google Brain. TheVerge publication talked about the latest changes in AI.

From now on, Google Gemini can "remember" certain things about you, such as your interests and personal preferences. The developers say that this will allow the AI chatbot to adapt its answers to your needs.

According to the latest Gemini release notes, this change applies to subscribers with access to Gemini Advanced.

According to Google, when communicating with Gemini, you can now share your interests, as well as details about your work, hobbies, or aspirations. In addition, you can enter relevant information about yourself on the bot's Saved Information page. For example, you can ask for only vegetarian recipes or indicate that you are only interested in financial news.

Gemini Advanced will remember your interests and preferences to provide more useful and relevant answers. All information you share can be easily viewed, edited, or deleted.

You can also view, edit, or delete the data collected by Gemini on the Stored Information page.

Gemini Advanced can be accessed through a Google One AI Premium subscription and is currently only available in English.

OpenAI first launched its memory feature for ChatGPT Plus subscribers in April. Just like Gemini, ChatGPT can keep track of things you mentioned in previous conversations.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest developments.
Earthlings have one last chance to see the asteroid 2024 PT5, which has been called the "second moon" of the Earth for two months. The space rock will soon disappear from the sky and will not return until 2055.

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The Earth's gravitational field will "let go" of the asteroid on November 25. However, it is difficult to see this space rock, which is about the length of a small bus, because such objects are very weak, and only the light they reflect can be seen, TheSun writes.

The "second moon" was first spotted by NASA's asteroid alert system on August 7 this year. However, the agency immediately noted that it "does not pose a hazard to Earth."

According to NASA, the space object is approximately 10 meters wide. That is, this asteroid is tiny compared to the Moon, so it is difficult to spot in the sky.

"These objects are very faint and we can only see them by the light they reflect. Its possible that an asteroid of the size of a dishwasher is orbiting our planet at any given time and we dont even notice it," said Barbara Castanheira Endl, an assistant professor of physics at Baylor University in Texas.

According to the scientists, the "second moon" should leave the Earth's orbit on Monday, November 25, at about 16.40 (for those who will be watching from the European continent).

The asteroid is known to have previously appeared near Earth as a "mini moon" back in the 1960s. And it will return again in 2055.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The British Zoo has launched a large-scale conservation campaign to save a rare fish species from extinction. This happened after they discovered that they had the last specimen left.

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Employees of the Whipsnade Zoo reported that the world's last individual of the boxer fish is under their care. The official status of the species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the fish as endangered, Express writes.

A recent study conducted by the zoo's partners in Mexico showed that the wild population was completely wiped out  probably due to the introduction of invasive fish species such as Mayan cichlids.

Aquarists at Whipsnade were informed by conservation partners that the world's last remaining boxer fish was at the zoo, and they launched an urgent plan to save the species.

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"The news that the last wild boxer fish could be extinct was a truly sobering moment, but we knew we didn't have time to think and had to act quickly to protect the future of this species," said Alex Cliffe, who is assistant curator of fish at ZSL, the conservation charity that runs Whipsnade Zoo.

Bedfordshire Zoo transferred the precious eggs of these fish to Bristol Zoo after it became known that the last remaining wild population might be wiped out. The team began the delicate process of moving 50 boxerfish eggs to Bristol Zoo, which is run by the conservation and education charity Bristol Zoological Society, to start a new population as part of a conservation breeding program.

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This will allow both zoos to maintain a healthy and genetically viable reserve population that could one day be used to reintroduce the fish to the wild.

"Thanks to the quick response of the keepers at Bristol Zoological Society and the skillful care of our aquarists at Whipsnade, in just four days we had the precious eggs collected and transported for our conservation colleagues to hatch, raise, and care for," said Cliffe.

The tiny, translucent eggs of the fry were carefully collected by the caretakers from tufts of wool that replicate the plants and algae where the fish normally lay their eggs and placed in fry tanks. The eggs were extracted and transferred to pots filled with water, ready to be transported to new homes where they will hatch.

"When a species no longer exists in the wild, its future is entirely dependent on conservation zoos. At Whipsnade, we have the incredibly important responsibility of preventing this tiny fish from going extinct  a responsibility we take very seriously," the scientist explained.

Whipsnade Zoo will work with partners in Mexico and IUCN to confirm the status of the Boxer fish, and in the meantime, as part of ZSL's work to end human-caused extinction, they will coordinate breeding efforts to ensure the protection and continued existence of this species.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
It's not just big cities like Kyiv or Lviv that can be a great off-season destination. Little-known places that travelers often overlook are also worthy of attention. Today we're going to tell you what sights are hidden from the eyes of tourists!

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Yablunytsia, Ivano-Frankivsk region

Yablunytsia is located at an altitude of 960 meters above sea level. The village is a real museum of living traditions. Every element of everyday life, from household to clothing, reflects ancient customs. The villagers cherish and pass on their knowledge and skills. That is why the Hutsul language is heard here almost at every turn. In particular, the dialects.

One interesting thing: instead of streets, there are dirt roads. There are 11 of them in total. Three mountains are visible from the settlement: Khomyak, Hoverla, and Petros.

Be sure to visit the Polonyna Pertsi. Before entering, we advise you to pay attention to the largest wooden coat of arms of Ukraine. It is 15 meters long. Here, tourists will visit a real Carpathian smithy, taste budz, vurda, and brynza in a cheese factory. They can also take up pottery and meet a molfar.

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Vorokhta, Ivano-Frankivsk region

The village is located at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level by the banks of the Prut River. According to a legend, the village was named after a Polish army deserter who was hiding here.

Later, the construction of railroad tracks began here. In 1895, a viaduct was built, which is considered one of the most complex structures in Europe.

Ski schools were also opened here. Therefore, the region has become a training center for athletes. We advise you to go up to the slopes using the local ski lift to admire the autumn landscape.

We also recommend climbing Mount Kukul. The way here is quite simple and will take only a few hours.

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Plavia, Lviv region

It is located in Stryi district near the town of Skole. The history of the village is shrouded in legends. According to one of them, the village was founded in 1523 by the opryshok (opryshky are members of the Ukrainian peasant insurgency in Galicia) Plavianosh. Another story says that it is named after first settler.

There are also versions related to logging, which was carried out by the brothers Vadrus and Bryn. Interestingly, the surnames are still common among the locals.

By the way, the movie The Rising Hawk based on Ivan Franko's novel was filmed here.

Be sure to visit the Museum of National Culture. The gates and doors of the estate are decorated with traditional carvings. Inside, travelers will be able to see weaving and carpentry equipment. Do not forget about the cheese factory and smithy.

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Vytachiv, Kyiv region

It is located in the Obukhiv district on the right bank of the Dnipro River. The village is considered to be one of the oldest settlements of the Poliansk principality and Kyivan Rus. According to archaeological research, it was founded around the fourth century BC.

Once upon a time, a fortress was built here, which served as a defensive point against attacks by steppe tribes. Princes often held congresses here.

In 1991, a wooden chapel was built here based on a sketch by Taras Shevchenko. The writer created the drawing while preparing his album "Picturesque Ukraine." In addition to the chapel, a mill was built here too.

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Do not miss the place where the chronicle city used to stand. It was founded by Sviatopolk Iziaslavych in 1096. Now a monument stands here.

Holovchyntsi, Khmelnytskyi region

It is located in the Medzhybizka community. The first written mention of the settlement appeared in 1486. It is believed that it was named after a landowner who lived here.

In the early 16th century, the fortress was built by Hetman Mykola Syniavskyi. It stood for about three decades and was later destroyed during the Tatar invasion of 1566. The uniqueness of the building was that it was not rebuilt much. Archaeological finds, including fragments of Italian majolica and Turkish porcelain, household items, and weapons, testify to the rich history of the building and its important strategic importance.

We also recommend visiting the Holy Transfiguration Monastery, one of the oldest Orthodox shrines in Podillia. The attraction was built in 1540. It is also home to the miraculous Onufriivske spring.

We wish you a successful autumn trip!

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
In this quick update post we want to take another quick glimpse at an ongoing debate betwixt a small biz leader in the River Market and the current 12th & Oak Administration.

More to the point . . .

MATT SHATTO & MAYOR Q STILL HAVEN'T HAD THEIR FACE TO FACE MEETING ABOUT RISING RIVER MARKET CRIME AFTER WEEKS OF OPEN DEBATE!!!



We think this looks like a city council or mayoral run in the making.

However . . .

Nobody can deny the guy's LEGIT frustration with rising KCMO property crime . . .



Now, were in the midst of it, right?" Shatto said. "Were at the peak of crime, and now we have to wait for whether its a new prosecutor, whether its additional jail space."



Since the city and Jackson County agreed on a new municipal jail site, leaders have been examining what that mean . . .



Data from the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department reported over 2,600 property crimes in October alone.



I think it needs to be made very clear that if you commit property crimes in Kansas City, that is a problem, Lucas said. Some people try to say police wont show up, thats not true.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Two things . . .

Wouldn't it be nice if Kansas "progressives" were actually concerned about REAL WARS raging across the world that have killed thousands of innocent women & children?!?

Secondly and to be fair . . .

Writing about trade policy is BORING and this passage attempts to make it fun and easily relatable for most readers . . . Check-it:



"Worst-case scenario is that Trump is telling the truth. A 60% tariff on Chinese goods would not just harm Kansas agriculture but the entire state economy.



"Im not the one saying this. The experts testifying at Mondays hearing did. John Addessi, business adviser of the Kansas Small Business Development Center, predicted that other countries are going to be imposing tariffs in a retaliatory fashion, and thats going to make our goods less competitive. Others explained how our economy benefits from a global marketplace.



"Weve clearly passed the point of reason or logic or facts. Perhaps we passed that point long ago.



"I dont mean to claim that the Kansas Republicans prostrating themselves before the orange god king of Mar-a-Lago are bad people. No doubt they love their children and spouses and do important work for their constituents and communities. Yet when it comes to this decision, they have shown themselves more than willing to 'obey in advance.' "

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
More than a few local stories to consider and keep up with as we check reporting on high-profile crime, local gunfire, police action, ongoing investigations & more.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Police may have suspects in Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce burglaries One week after high end burglaries targeting Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, FOX4 is learning who could be behind them.

Man in stable condition after officers provide life-saving measures following Independence shooting An Independence man was hospitalized Tuesday night after a shooting.

Kansas City, Missouri's, Public Safety Task Force seeing success after rollout Kansas City, Missouri's, Public Safety Task force is one of the city's latest measures to address crime, officials said.

KCK police investigate break-ins at faith-based non-profit pharmacy The burglaries occurred in a pharmacy located inside the building called the Pharmacy of Grace.

'He was a gift:' Brother of slain Twin Peaks victim speaks out 19-year-old Gabriel Garcia died from a gunshot wound he suffered at Twin Peaks Saturday night off I-70 and Little Blue Parkway.

Charges filed against members of Kansas City gang with 'history of violence', police say The four men were arrested as part of a sweep of suspects in Kansas City with outstanding warrants, law enforcement said.

Kansas agrees to increase hospital beds for mentally ill defendants Kansas has promised to provide more hospital beds for mentally ill criminal defendants to settle a federal lawsuit filed over defendants waiting months for evaluations.

Man charged after alleged attack on KCATA bus driver A Kansas City, Missouri, man has been charged after allegedly attacking a Ride KC bus driver.

Suspect who allegedly shot Ray County deputy had history of escalating violence MSHP identified 26-year-old Brett Yager as the suspected shooter of a Ray County deputy Sunday night in Lawson. A deeper look into Yager's legal history revealed evidence of escalating violence.

KCPD sees improving staffing levels, lower homicide numbers: 'There's still a lot of work to do' On Tuesday, the Kansas City, Missouri Board of Police Commissioners heard improvements in the department's push to get more staff and lower violent crime. However, they still have a lot ahead of them, according to Chief Stacey Graves.

Man injured in Tuesday night shooting in Independence, police say A man was injured in a shooting Tuesday night in Independence, police said. About 7 p.m, officers responded to the 11000 block of E. 39th Street on reports of a shooting.

Developing . . .
At least we're hoping that the stalling tactic takes a bite out of the profit motive.

And honestly . . . There are a million other places to put more garbage office space.

Here's a quote we liberated from a surprisingly useful update by suburban bloggers . . .



"On Friday, the Kansas Court of Appeals ruled that a Westwood resident suing her city over the sale of the citys main park should have a chance to argue her case.



"Back in February, resident Beckie Brown filed a motion to intervene in the proceedings after she and others voiced opposition to a Karbank Real Estate Services plan that calls for an office-retail development to be built on top of Joe D. Dennis Park.



"Later that month, Johnson County District Court Judge David Hauber dismissed Browns motion to intervene in legal proceedings regarding a protest petition against the sale of the park.



"The appellate courts decision last week to reverse and remand Haubers dismissal effectively sends the issue back to district court for a retry. Still, the decision only addresses Browns motion to intervene rather than the validity of the protest petition itself."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Sky Vacations at WTM London: Pioneering the Future of Tourism to India



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - November 20th, 2024 - For Immediate Release

Sky Vacations at WTM London: Pioneering the Future of Tourism to India

New York, November 18, 2024:

This year, Director Richard Krieger and the Sky Vacations leadership team had the distinct honor of attending the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, where they were invited to engage in a series of high-level meetings with prominent dignitaries from India. These discussions were centerd around expanding tourism to India, with a particular focus on developing and promoting new, exciting travel experiences that will captivate global travelers for years to come.

Some of the key dignitaries included:

Ms. Mugdha Sinha, Director General of Tourism, Government of India

Mr. Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Goa

Ms. Sikha Surendran, Director, Kerala Tourism

These discussions were a vital part of shaping the future of tourism in India resulting in important insights that will allow Sky Vacations to build upon its already substantial portfolio of travel experiences to India:

Expanding Tourism Beyond the Traditional

The tourism landscape in India has always been rich with history, culture, and natural beauty. From the majestic Himalayas to the tranquil beaches of Goa, and the vibrant festivals of Kerala, theres no shortage of incredible destinations. However, as explored in the meetings, there is tremendous potential to expand beyond the traditional tourist hotspots.

Ms. Mugdha Sinha emphasized the government's commitment to promoting India as a destination that offers not only cultural immersion but also modern travel experiences, such as eco-tourism, wellness retreats, and adventure tourism. These initiatives are aimed at attracting a diverse range of travelersfrom luxury tourists to those seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Collaborating for a Stronger, More Inclusive Tourism Ecosystem

Meetings with Indian tourism leaders highlighted the importance of collaboration between Sky Vacations, local governments, and tourism boards. By working together, they can create seamless travel experiences that are both enriching for visitors and beneficial to local communities.

Mr. Rohan Khaunte shared exciting developments in Goa, where sustainable tourism practices are being promoted alongside the state's famed beach destinations. With an increased focus on eco-friendly resorts and responsible travel, Goa is set to become an even more attractive destination for conscious travelers.

Similarly, Ms. Sikha Surendran introduced initiatives to promote Keralas existing and emerging ecotourism offerings, such as backwater cruises, wildlife sanctuaries, and Ayurveda wellness tourism. Keralas reputation for sustainability and rejuvenation is poised to draw an increasing number of visitors seeking relaxation and healing in a natural setting.

The Role of Technology in Shaping the Future of Travel

One of the most exciting aspects of the discussions included the role technology in enhancing the travel experience. From AI-driven travel planning to immersive virtual reality tours, there are many ways digital innovations can transform how travelers experience India before, during, and after their trips.

As a forward-thinking company, Sky Vacations is already exploring ways to integrate these technologies into their offerings, ensuring to stay ahead of the curve and continue to provide clients with memorable, personalized travel experiences.

Director Richard Krieger notes: "At Sky Vacations, we are incredibly excited about the future of tourism in India. Our involvement in these pivotal discussions at WTM London is just one of the many steps were taking to help shape the next wave of travel to this incredible country. By partnering with Indian tourism leaders and embracing new technologies and experiences, we aim to offer our clients even more opportunities to explore the wonders of India in unique and meaningful ways. We look forward to sharing more exciting updates as these projects unfold and cant wait to see how the tourism landscape in India evolves over the coming years. Whether you're seeking adventure, culture, or tranquillity, India is waitingand Sky Vacations is here to make your journey unforgettable."

To explore Sky Vacations' diverse portfolio of travel experiences, visit www.skyvacations.net or call 1.877.666.3113.

About Sky Vacations:

Sky Vacations is a proud Active Member of the United States Tour Operator Association (USTOA) and member of The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA), the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), National Tour Association and the African Tourism Board.

Media Contact:

Priya Chhabra

Email: priya@skyvacations.net

Direct Line: +1 248 653 1618

###
The inexpensive Toyota RAV4 crossover is preparing for a generational change. The popular car was shown with a new design. After a major modernization, the car will surely appeal to buyers.

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Artist avarvarii showed his version of a possible design for the crossover model. However, there is no data to confirm or deny this style. Nevertheless, it looks stylish and very modern.

The new 6th-generation Toyota RAV4 is scheduled for release in 2025. So, the car is almost ready. The manufacturer is busy refining the model and is close to completing the design. Surprisingly, the details of the development are kept secret.

The only thing that is known is that the Japanese company is very careful in modernizing this successful model. The Toyota RAV4 will retain its formula and will not demonstrate any dramatic changes to the concept. The car will definitely not turn into an electric vehicle. Hybrid modifications will remain in the lineup.

The Toyota RAV4 2025 crossover will cross the 30-year model period. The car appeared in 1994 at the beginning of the popularity of compact city crossovers and was very popular with buyers, like similar models from other manufacturers.
The new Porsche Macan 2025 crossover is the cheapest electric car of the German brand with a price of $77,000. The first EV in Bentley's history will be built on its basis. The network has already fantasized about what it might look like.

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The first Bentley electric car, expected in 2026, will be built on the PPE platform from the Porsche Macan EV. The British model has no name yet. But the artist theottle visualized a possible design of the car in a characteristic style.

Accordingly, Bentley is developing a crossover. It is positioned as a city car. It is already known that this is the most compact Bentley model in the current lineup.

There is no technical information about the electric car. The most powerful Macan EV offers 630 horsepower and a range of about 600 km. This is a benchmark for the British crossover, which can be made even more powerful.

Of course, somehow Bentley will have to justify the multiple price increase of the car, which will be much more expensive than Porsche.
Denmark has already handed over the first batch of six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine out of a planned 19. The next batch is expected to be delivered to Ukraine by the end of 2024.

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The Danish Prime Minister has not yet disclosed the exact number of jets that this delivery will include. She said this during a joint press conference with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Our plans for the F-16 have not changed. The number is the same as it has always been. 6 have already been delivered - this is the first batch. We have been training pilots since August last year. Then there will be another batch, and another. This makes 19 aircraft in total," Frederiksen said.

It is worth noting that on November 19, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The main topic of the talks was the strengthening of defense cooperation between the two countries and the provision of a new aid package for Ukraine.

Mette Frederiksen announced that Denmark would allocate 130 million euros for the Ukrainian defense industry.

These funds will be used to finance the production of key weapons, including Bohdana self-propelled artillery systems (SAU).

As reported, at the summit in Budapest on November 7, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that Europe should support Ukraine more and that she agrees with recently elected US President Donald Trump on this issue.

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No immediate risk to crew: NASA after cracks in ISS spark concerns

American space agency NASA Tuesday said there is no immediate danger to crew and astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS)

Wednesday November 20, 2024 8:05 PM , ummid.com News Network

[AI generated image showing astronauts aboard International Space Station (ISS)]

Washington: American space agency NASA Tuesday said there is no immediate danger to crew and astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The ISS crew is in no immediate danger, NASA said.

The statement by the American space agency was wanted as concerns were raised after reports of the leakage in the science laboratory floating in the space.

The leakages were first discovered in 2019 on the Russian module section of the space station in a tunnel that connects to a docking station.

Some cracks were repaired, but NASA in a report released recently said there are still 50 cracks that can result in catastrophic failure.

In April 2024, NASA identified an increase in the leak rate to its highest level to date, the space agencys 46-page report NASAs Management of Risks to Sustaining ISS Operations through 2030 said.

U.S., Russia differ on severity

The International Space Station (ISS) is a joint project of five space agencies and their contractors including - NASA (U.S.), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (European Space Agency), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).

While other space agencies are maintaining a guarded silence on the cracks and leaks that have developed in the space station, NASA and Roscosmos have differed on the severity and causes.

During a recent ISS Advisory Committee meeting, Chairman Bob Cabana said that the leaks are a concern to NASA and that both the U.S. space agency and its Russian counterpart cannot agree to the cause of it.

Although the teams continued to investigate the causal factors of the crack initiation and growth, U.S. and Russian technical teams, they don't have a common understanding of what the likely root cause is or the severity of the consequences of these leaks," said Cabana, a former astronaut who previously served as associate administrator at NASA.

"The Russian position is that the most probable cause of the  cracks is high cyclic fatigue, caused by micro vibrations, he added.

He added that NASA believes the cracks are caused by a variety of things like pressure and mechanical stress and environmental exposures.

He also said the two space agencies disagree on the severity of the cracks.

So, while the Russian team continues to search for and seal the leaks, it does not believe catastrophic disintegration of the pair is realistic. And NASA has expressed concerns about the structural integrity of the PrK (the name of the Russian module) and the possibility of a catastrophic failure, he said during the recording of the meeting.

He continued that NASA is bringing in engineering experts to evaluate and offer suggestions and hopes that Roscosmos will do the same.

Safety concerns of Sunita Williams, other astronauts

Roscosmos on the other hand has not commented on Cabanas statement. But, the NASA statement that there is no immediate danger to crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has provided some relief in India where people were worried about the safety of Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams who is stranded in the space.

Sunita Williams was launched to the ISS along with Barry Wilmore on the first crewed flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024 for an 8-day mission. Their return to Earth however has been delayed due to technical issues in the spacecraft. They are expected to return to Earth in February 2025 on the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

Meanwhile, Musk owned SpaceX has been awarded to build a unique Deorbit Vehicle to usher the International Space Station (ISS) to its doom. The International Space Station (ISS) ends its operational life in 2030.

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The (Dark) Legacy of DY Chandrachud

The impact of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Chandrachuds maleficent judgments was not confined only to the apex court level, but trickled down to the state high courts and lower judiciaries

Wednesday November 20, 2024 4:28 PM , Sumanta Banerjee

On the eve of his retirement, Chief Justice of Indias hallowed Supreme Court, Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud came out with a shocking ridiculous revelation. At a gathering in his native village Kanhersar recently in October, he shared a secret with his neighbours. He confessed that while sitting as a Judge in the Supreme Court to settle the dispute over the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, he appealed to God for a solution, and God advised him to approve the construction of the Ram temple on the debris of the destroyed mosque, and allocate another site to Muslims to build their mosque.

So, apparently he had been guided by his religious faith while delivering judgments, instead of adhering to the oath of his legal profession by which he swore when he entered it.

Did he deserve to occupy a bench in the apex court all these years?

Justice Rekha Sharma, a former Delhi High Court judge, expressed her shock at DY Chandrachuds confession, and said:

he has failed the oath hes taken and hes failed the people of India also. (Re: Interview with Karan Thapar on The Wire, October 26, 2024).

Chandrachuds retirement should be greeted as a good riddance of a bad rubbish. He descended to the lowest depth of unethical and unprofessional behavior, when he recently entertained Prime Minister at his residence for Ganesh Puja  displaying a shameful spectacle of bonhomie between a ruling politician and the head of the apex court. The latter, by traditional judicial standards, had always been required to maintain a distance from politicians and the ruling party. But DY Chandrachud had been a cunning judge who was unwilling to rock the boat of the prevailing status quo of camaraderie between the government and the judiciary.

Chandrachuds Record

Meanwhile, let us look at Chandrachuds record as a judge. On public platforms, all these years, he had waxed eloquent, claiming that he was a judge of the people delivering justice to the disadvantaged. But his public rhetoric never extended to his judicial verdicts.

As one observer commented, he should have been a college lecturer!

Adish Aggarwala, President of All India Bar Association, on November 5, 2024, sent a letter to him complaining that he prioritized lecturing at public events, while sidelining pressing concerns within the judiciary.

After his public lecturing, once he retreated to his bench in the Supreme Court, Chandrachud resorted to the usual delaying tactics of adjourning cases  to the disadvantage of the poor litigants who had to go through years of the tortuous and expensive path of seeking justice through legal means.

Take for instance the case of the JNU student Umar Khalid who was arrested for protesting against the Modi governments discriminatory laws, and has been languishing in jail from 2020. Every time his plea for bail came up before the Chandrachud-led bench, it adjourned it.

More importantly, when it came down to substantial matters where in certain cases, he had to encounter the Union government, he delivered verdicts in favour of the government  displaying a bias in favour of the ruling powers.

The most despicable display of such bias was evident when as a member of a bench which approved of the destruction of the Babri Masjid , he along with his colleagues went a step ahead by allowing the vandals who destroyed it to build a Ram temple on that spot. He now claims that he was inspired by God to give that verdict!

Exactly a year ago, on November, 2023, I sent a letter to Chandrachud at his personal e-mail address, requesting him to explain why the bench that was presided over by him, consistently postponed and reserved judgments on petitions that challenged draconian laws and sought release of prisoners who had protested against them. I asked him why was he so hesitant in confronting the government on these issues. The letter was also published under the title: "Open Letter to Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud" on November 9, 2023.

Needless to say, I did not get any reply. He lacked either the courtesy, or the guts, to engage in an open debate with me.

Positive Gestures and Negative Partisanship

Let us look back at Chandrachuds career. Born in 1959, he was appointed a judge in the Supreme Court in May, 2016. Three years later, as a member a five-bench apex court, headed by the then Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, he participated in delivering the atrocious judgment of November 19, 2019 that paved the way for the construction of a Ram Temple on the debris of Babri Mosque that was destroyed by vandals of the Hindutva brigade in 1992. He now justifies his verdict as being inspired by God !

During his tenure as a judge in the Supreme Court to which he was appointed in May 2016, and later as the Chief Justice of India since November 2022, he came out with a series of judgments which are a mixed bag. Some of his verdicts have had positive consequences for citizens (e.g. right of abortion for unmarried women; right to privacy and dignity of individuals; sanctioning of inter-faith marriages; decriminalization of consensual same-sex relationship).

But he had also been a party to judgments that had violated the Constitutional guarantees to religious minorities like the above-mentioned notorious verdict on the destruction of Babri Masjid.

Further, in 2023 he delivered a judgment giving a clean chit to the Modi government by stating that there was no flaw in its policy of demonetization that wrought havoc on the common people.

Then again, he suppressed the right of independent investigation by citizens by dismissing a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) seeking an non-official inquiry into the case of the death of one of his colleagues, Justice B.H. Loya in 2014 under suspicious circumstances.

Why?

He has not come out with any convincing arguments to explain his rejection. One suspects that he wants to hide some evidence that may involve him in the case.

Besides that, Chandrachud has been extremely offensive in his remarks on some of his predecessors who occupied the bench and were head and shoulders above him.

In one of his latest judgments on the dispute over whether private resources should be brought under the umbrella of "material resources of the community", he passed derogatory remarks on his predecessors, Justices Krishna Iyer and O. Chinapppa Reddy, accusing them of being influenced by "socialist and Marxist economic writings".

This is unbecoming of a CJI, who is expected to respect his senior predecessors, instead of attributing extraneous and unverified political motives to them.

His colleagues Justices Nagarathna and Justice Dhulia, who shared the same bench with the CJI, expressed their dissent by endorsing Krishna Iyers principle. Justice Nagarathna pulled up an arrogant Chandrachud by reminding him about his being ignorant of past judgements by eminent judges which correctly decided the issues that do not call for any interference on the merits of the matter

Justice Dhulia said that the Krishna Iyer Doctrine (the term by which his judgments are known) was based on strong humanist principles of fairness and equity. It is a doctrine which has illuminated our path in dark times. (Re: Times of India, November, 2024)

Chandrachuds disastrous impact on the lower judiciary

D. Y. Chandrachuds unprofessional and hypocritical behaviour is a symptom of Indian judiciarys general degeneration. Both - by his verdicts and public behavior that mostly favoured the majoritarian Hindu community at the cost of the minorities, he set a model of partisan behavior for his juniors in state high courts and sessions courts.

The impact of his mala fide ways of acting both inside and outside the court, was not confined to New Delhi alone, but percolated down to the lower level of the judges of high courts and session courts.

They followed him as a role model, and passed verdicts that suited Chandrachuds religious and social biases and political partisanship (hoping that the collegium led by him would promote them to the Supreme Court).

These judges wanted to keep their boss, the CJI, in good humour, so that under his blessings they could climb up their ladder of upward mobility. Such verdicts threatened the common litigants at these courts who became victims of these biased judgments

Thus, the impact of CJI Chandrachuds maleficent judgments was not confined only to the apex court level, but trickled down to the state high courts and lower judiciaries. Here the judges followed his model of jurisprudence leaning towards the ruling powers. We can take a few instances of such judicial misdemeanor at the lower level.

Under Chandrachuds benign gaze, some of them have passed verdicts that violate the basic constitutionally guaranteed rights of our citizens. Take for instance this judgment by Justice Subhash Chand of the Jharkhand High Court (as reported by the Times of India, of January 25, 2024), where he dismissed a wifes request for maintenance allowance by her husband who deserted her, and who wanted to live away from her marital in-laws family. He described it as an unreasonable demand to live separately, and quoted Manusmriti saying that the ideal married relationship depended on the wifes obligation to serve the elderly members of her husbands family.

Or, lets have a look at the advice given by a Calcutta High Court bench of judges last year saying:

 adolescent girls must control their sexual urges instead of giving in to two minutes of pleasure", without extending that advice to adolescent boys.

Thankfully, on December 8, a Supreme Court bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan pulled up the Calcutta High Court judges warning them that they should not resort to preaching in judicial proceedings.

But will this have a chastening impact on these Bengali judges and compel them to shelve their orthodox religious prejudices while passing judgments?

It is no coincidence that one of them, Abhijit Gangopadhyay resigned from the Calcutta High Court and joined the BJP, which rewarded him with a Lok Sabha ticket to contest elections.

Lets have a look at another judgment passed by Justice G. Ahluwalia of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on May 31, 2024 in response to a petition by Sarika Sen (Hindu) and Safee Khan (Muslim), both 23 years old, seeking police protection from the formers parents, who opposed their marriage registered under the Special Marriage Act, and threatened them. Dismissing the plea of the interfaith couple, the judge came up with this astounding statement:

Even if the marriage is registered under the Special Marriage Act, the marriage would be no more a valid marriage and it would be an irregular marriage. (Re: Deccan Chronicle. June 1, 2024).

Chandrachuds obnoxious legacy of justification of Hindu majoritarianism and refusal to challenge an oppressive executive is thus becoming a model for his juniors at the lower courts, who are reinforcing obscurantist beliefs and betraying pro-ruling party partisanship in their judgments. It spells a dark future for litigants.

[The writer, Sumanta Banerjee, is a political commentator and writer, is the author of In The Wake of Naxalbari (1980 and 2008); The Parlour and the Streets: Elite and Popular Culture in Nineteenth Century Calcutta (1989) and Memoirs of Roads: Calcutta from Colonial Urbanization to Global Modernization. (2016).]

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Germany continues to provide significant military assistance to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. The latest package of support handed over to the Armed Forces of Ukraine includes a wide range of weapons and equipment aimed at strengthening the country's defense capabilities.

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The list includes armored vehicles, drones, ammunition and other modern equipment. This was reported on the federal government's website.

According to the updated list of assistance provided, the German Government has transferred 47 additional armored mine-resistant armored vehicles (MRAPs) to Ukraine. This brings the total to 73.

Ammunition for Marder armored personnel carriers, one TRML-4D radar (the 14th such system), and four Panzerhaubitzen 2000 self-propelled howitzers were also transferred, supplementing the 20 units of this equipment previously transferred.

The aid package also includes more than 40,000 rounds of 155 mm artillery ammunition. This ammunition will be used on the new Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery systems, which are also included in the transferred equipment. We are talking about four units of such systems.

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In addition, Germany has provided a variety of drones, including 20 VECTOR reconnaissance UAVs, 12 HORNET XR reconnaissance UAVs, 100 RQ-35 HEIDRUN reconnaissance drones and 120 SONGBIRD drones. 60 Golden Eagle UAVs and two VT-4 Ray reconnaissance drones were also transferred to perform tasks.

Also included in the support package for Ukraine are two new BIBER bridge paving machines and three WISENT 1 demining tanks to help Ukrainian forces clear the territory of mines and other explosive devices. In addition, six M1070 Oshkosh heavy-duty semi-trailers and 8 Caracal tactical airborne vehicles were provided to ensure mobility on the battlefield.

Germany has also provided Ukraine with a significant amount of ammunition, including 8,000 rounds of 40 mm ammunition, 100,000 HLR 338 precision rifles with accompanying ammunition, and another 100,000 rounds of small arms ammunition. In total, Ukraine has received almost 56 million rounds of ammunition of various calibers.

On November 18, Bild reported that Germany would soon begin to supply Ukraine with the latest Helsing kamikaze drones equipped with artificial intelligence. The publication called these drones "mini-Taurus" because of their functionality and range.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
On the morning of November 20, several embassies in Kyiv announced that they would suspend operations due to a possible "massive missile attack" during the day. After that, the Internet began to spread information about Russia's preparations for an attack using various types of missiles and drones.

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The Main Intelligence Directorate has warned Ukrainians that the terrorist country Russia is conducting a massive information and psychological attack against Ukraine. This was reported by the DIU press service.

Ukrainian intelligence officers warned that a message is being spread in messengers and social networks, allegedly on behalf of the DIU, about the threat of a "particularly massive" missile and bomb attack on Ukrainian cities during the day on November 20.

The DIU emphasized that this is a fake message. Moreover, it contains grammatical errors typical of Russian information and psychological operations. The intelligence called on Ukrainians not to panic and to trust information only from official resources.

At the same time, Ukrainian citizens were urged not to ignore the signals and to take cover in case of danger.

"The enemy, unable to subdue Ukrainians by force, resorts to measures of intimidation and psychological pressure on society. Please be vigilant and resilient. Do not ignore the air raid alarms - it is safer to wait in a shelter. However, we urge you not to succumb to panic," the DIU said.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Nov, 2024) The Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) has achieved a target of Rs 550 billion in fresh bonds and achieved 15 percent of the annual target for the current fiscal year, from July 1 to November 15th.

The CDNS has set an annual target of Rs 1650 billion for the current Fiscal Year, 2024-25, which will promote the saving culture in the country, the senior official of CDNS told APP on Wednesday.

Similarly, the CDNS has set a target of Rs 170 billion in investment in Islamic finance for the Current Fiscal Year, which will lead to the growth of the Islamic economy in the country.

Replying to a question, he said that the CDNS has realized a target of Rs1.742 trillion in fresh bonds and exceeded 100 percent of the annual target in the last fiscal year 2023-24, from July 1 to June 30.

National Savings has set an annual target of Rs 1.7 trillion for the year 2023-24; it is encouraging that this year, We surpassed the 100 percent of the annual target.

The CDNS surpassed the annual target and achieved the target of Rs 1.6 trillion in fresh bonds in the previous fiscal year 2022-23, he said.

He said this was an Rs 200 billion additional annual target than the target of Rs 1300 billion for the previous financial year 2021-22.

The CDNS has set a reviewed saving target of Rs 1.4 trillion for the financial year (2021-22) which will promote a savings culture in the country, he said, adding that given the current market trend in the country, the ambitious target had been set to further improve the savings culture.

The official said that work was being done on institutional reforms in CDNS and new reforms and innovations were being introduced. At this time Automated Teller Machine (ATM) has also been introduced in CDNS which will provide enough facilities to the users, he added.

The official said that the directorate had set a target of Rs 75 billion for the new financial year 2023-24 for Islamic finance bonds.

Replying to a question; he said the CDNS aimed to introduce new dimensions in the Islamic finance sector.

Islamic finance has a very important role in the global financial sector at this time and a large part of the economy of many major countries currently includes Islamic finance, he added.
Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan strongly condemned Banu terrorist attack on armed forces and expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of 12 soldiers

Gilgit, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Nov, 2024) Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan strongly condemned Banu terrorist attack on armed forces and expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of 12 soldiers.

Paying tribute to the armed forces for their sacrifices in defending the nation, the Chief Minister stated that the entire nation salutes those who laid down their lives for the safety and security of the mother-land.

He emphasized that the nation remains united in its resolve to eradicate terrorism completely. The Chief Minister also prayed for the highest ranks in the afterlife for the martyred soldiers.
National Assembly Standing Committee on Science and Technology in its fourth meeting held here Wednesday expressed satisfaction over the performance of Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Nov, 2024) National Assembly Standing Committee on Science and Technology in its fourth meeting held here Wednesday expressed satisfaction over the performance of Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR).

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Member National Assembly, Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood,

The meetings agenda was to receive a briefing from the Chairman of the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) regarding its functions, responsibilities, and the targets set and achieved, particularly over the last three years.

During the meeting, the committee expressed satisfaction with the briefing provided by the PCSIR.

The Committee also emphasized the need for the benefits of all PCSIR projects and research to be accessible to the general public.

The Chairman of PCSIR provided an overview of the organization, stating that PCSIR is the largest public sector Research and Development body in Pakistan, with a network of 17 laboratories and units, including 6 technical centers across the country.

The mandate of PCSIR is to conduct, promote, and guide scientific and technological research to address issues related to the establishment and development of industries in Pakistan.

Additionally, PCSIR disseminates the results of its research to various sectors to support the economic development of the country.

Since its establishment, PCSIR has made significant contributions in import substitution and exports by enhancing the production activities and technological processes within both public and private sector industries.

The Chairman and other members of the committee appreciated the efforts of Dr Syed Hussain Abidi, SI, Chairman PCSIR in the revamping of the organisation.

He welcomed the invitation by Chairman PCSIR to review the latest technology development in PCSIR research complex in Lahore.

PCSIR has played an important role in human resource development, meeting the needs of academic institutions.

The meeting was attended by the following MNAs: Shahnaz Saleem Malik, Irfan Ali Laghari, Khuram Shahzad Virk, Ghous Muhammad, Muhammad Moazzam Ali Khan, along with senior officers from the Ministry of Science and Technology and PCSIR.
PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Nov, 2024) Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, on Wednesday strongly condemned tragic suicide attack on Mali Khel security forces check post in Bannu district, resulting in the martyrdom of 12 security personnel.

The governor expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred heroes.

In a statement, the governor paid tribute to the brave security forces, saying, The sacrifices of these martyrs will never be forgotten, and we salute their dedication to safeguarding the nation. He also prayed for the elevation of their ranks and patience and perseverance for their grieving families.

Governor Kundi extended his condolences to the families of the martyrs, offering his deepest sympathies and moral support during this challenging time. The entire nation stands united in this war against terrorism, and we remain steadfast alongside our security forces, he said.

The governor also commended the security forces for their swift response, saying that six militants were killed during the operation.

These terrorists may attempt to disrupt our peace, but they will never succeed in achieving their nefarious goals. We will continue to fight this battle against extremism with courage and resolve, said Faisal Karim Kundi.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Nov, 2024) Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a security forces checkpoint in the Bannu region.

In a statement, Naqvi expressed his profound sorrow over the loss of 12 soldiers who embraced martyrdom while valiantly defending the nation.

Paying tribute to the martyrs, Naqvi stated, The brave sons of our homeland sacrificed their lives to thwart the nefarious designs of terrorists. They are the true heroes of our nation.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs, assuring them of unwavering support. We stand with the families of the martyrs and will always support them, Naqvi said.

Highlighting the sacrifices of Pakistans security forces, Naqvi remarked, The great sacrifices of our brave soldiers will be remembered for eternity. The nation remains indebted to their ultimate devotion to peace.

He also emphasized Pakistans unmatched contributions in the fight against terrorism, asserting that these sacrifices have no parallel globally.

The attack has once again underscored the ongoing threats posed by extremist elements in the region, while the resilience of Pakistans security forces continues to inspire unity and resolve among the people.
Beijing, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Nov, 2024) China on Wednesday urged "calm" and "restraint" after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a nuclear threat and Ukraine fired longer-range US missiles at its territory for the first time.

Moscow has reacted furiously to a decision by US President Joe Biden to change policy on Ukraine and allow Kyiv to use US-supplied long-range missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time.

On Tuesday, Putin signed a decree that enables Moscow to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states such as Ukraine if they are supported by nuclear powers.

Following the decree, a senior official told AFP that a strike on Russia's Bryansk region earlier on Tuesday "was carried out by ATACMS missiles" -- a reference to the US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System.

On Wednesday Beijing called for a cooling of tensions.

"Under the current circumstances, all parties should remain calm and exercise restraint, working together through dialogue and consultation to ease tensions and reduce strategic risks," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said when asked about the decree and the strikes inside Russia.

"China's stance of encouraging all parties to de-escalate the situation and commit to a political resolution of the Ukraine crisis remains unchanged," Lin added.

"China will continue to play a constructive role in this regard," he said.
Berlin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Nov, 2024) Former German chancellor Angela Merkel was still one of the world's most popular politicians when she retired in 2021, but critics are increasingly questioning her legacy ahead of the release of her memoirs.

"Freedom", co-written by Merkel and her longtime political adviser Beate Baumann, will be published in 30 languages on Tuesday just as Germany grapples with a deep political crisis ahead of snap elections in February.

The contents of the 736-page book have been a closely guarded secret but are expected to shed new light on the four terms in office between 2005 and 2021 during which she was the world's most powerful woman.

But with Europe's biggest economy in disarray since she left office, critics have already rounded on Merkel ahead of the publication date.

In a book titled "The Illusion", Eckart Lohse, a journalist for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper, said Merkel, 70, had "left behind a country full of unfinished business".

In another stinging analysis, The Economist recently commented that "16 years of no reforms are taking a toll on Germany and Europe".

Comments like these show how much public opinion has turned on Merkel since 2021, when her image was still "very positive overall", researcher Marie Krpata, an expert on German politics, told AFP.

In an interview with the Tagesspiegel newspaper, political scientist Wolfgang Schroeder said two major things have shifted the landscape in Germany since Merkel retired: the war in Ukraine and "the collapse of the export-oriented economic model".

- Dilapidated infrastructure -

As a result, Germany, long a driver of European growth, was the world's only major advanced economy to shrink in 2023 and is expected to contract again this year, by 0.2 percent.

Germany is also increasingly suffering from "dilapidated infrastructure... in the transport sector, such as railways, but also in the digital sector, schools and kindergartens", Krpata said.

While the Merkel era was marked by stability -- much prized among German voters -- according to her critics this often turned into stasis.

It's not for nothing that Merkel inadvertently coined the term "merkeln" -- to put off a decision for as long as possible.

On foreign policy, The Economist said Merkel had "left the country with a now-famous trifecta of dangerous dependencies: unable to defend itself without America, struggling to grow without exporting to China, relying on Russian gas to keep its industry going".

Specifically, Merkel's government backed the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline even after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, a decision now widely regarded as a mistake in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

- 'What the majority expected' -

But this decision was "in line with the expectations of the German business community, which were strongly expressed at the time", Norbert Lammert, a former lawmaker for Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, told AFP.

Public opinion was also an important factor in other controversial decisions made by Merkel, Lammert said -- such as weaning Germany off nuclear energy after the Fukushima disaster in 2011.

It was also the main driver behind her decision to leave Germany's doors open to hundreds of thousands of migrants in 2015.

Merkel always "did pretty much exactly what the majority expected of her", Lammert said.

The huge influx of migrants in 2015 helped fuel the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which entered parliament for the first time two years later.

The AfD is now polling in second place ahead of February's snap election, behind only Merkel's conservatives under their new leader Friedrich Merz.

The government of Social Democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz, once a minister in Merkel's cabinet, has extended border controls and curbed benefits offered to asylum seekers.

Merz meanwhile has pledged to reform Germany's constitutionally enshrined "debt brake", fiercely defended by Merkel during her time in power.

But Merz "would risk losing the loyalty and approval of a large part of his own party if he wanted to distance himself" from Merkel, according to Lammert.
Family and friends of One Direction star Liam Payne, who died last month after falling from a Buenos Aires hotel room, gathered for his funeral in Britain on Wednesday

Amersham, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Nov, 2024) Family and friends of One Direction star Liam Payne, who died last month after falling from a Buenos Aires hotel room, gathered for his funeral in Britain on Wednesday.

Payne's former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson were among the dozens of mourners at the private service at St Mary's Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, just outside London.

Payne's tearful parents were joined by his two sisters, his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and former partner Cheryl Tweedy, with whom he has a son.

Around a dozen fans watched from behind a nearby cordon as guests hugged each other before walking past floral tributes into the 12th-century church to pay their final respects.

"Because his death was such a public death, to have the funeral in a private way... I think it was very nice," said onlooker Sheila Morris, a 65-year-old from Amersham.

"It's a beautiful church... it's a very beautiful place for a funeral," she said.

Payne's coffin arrived in a white horse-drawn hearse topped with floral tributes spelling the words "Son" and "Daddy", followed by his parents.

Payne was found dead on October 16 after falling from the balcony of his third-floor room at the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentinian capital.

His death, at 31, prompted a global outpouring of grief from family, former bandmates and fans, with thousands gathering in cities around the world to offer condolences.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Nov, 2024) Pakistan has expressed deep regret over Wednesday's United States veto on a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel's war on the besieged Gaza.

At the same time, Ambassador Munir AKram, Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, commended and endorsed the resolution brought forward by the 10 elected members ( E-10) of the 15-member Council.

The resolution was put forth by 10 nonpermanent members of the Security Council: Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Switzerland.

With more than 43,000 Palestinians in Gaza killed, the threat of famine, especially in the north, and no sign of an end to the war, the Councils 10 elected members decided to focus first on a cease-fire.

"We deeply regret that even now a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire has been vetoed by the sole negative vote of a permanent member of the Council," Ambassador Munir Akram, told APP UN correspondent when asked for his comments.

The U.N. Security Council voted 14-1 in favour of the resolution sponsored by the 10 elected members on the 15-member council, but it was not adopted because of the U.S. veto.
The Western "Rust" got its world premiere on Wednesday at a Polish film festival, three years after its cinematographer was killed in an on-set shooting

Torun, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Nov, 2024) The Western "Rust" got its world premiere on Wednesday at a Polish film festival, three years after its cinematographer was killed in an on-set shooting.

Hollywood star Alec Baldwin was accused of violating gun safety rules in the 2021 death of Halyna Hutchins, but his involuntary manslaughter trial collapsed earlier this year.

Hutchins's mother refused to attend the premiere "when there is still no justice for my daughter".

"Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologise to me and take responsibility for her death," Olga Solovey said Tuesday.

Director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting, introduced the movie at the Camerimage film festival -- known for celebrating cinematography -- in Torun, northern Poland.

He told AFP the "massive devastation" of the shooting had left him an emotional wreck.

"'Rust' just became this sort of insane hurricane," he said. "You're just left to sort of pick up the pieces."

The filmmaker admitted that he agonised over whether to complete the movie.

"I was definitely on the fence... There was a time when I thought I just didn't want to make movies anymore," he said.

He said what convinced him to finish it was learning that Hutchins's husband wanted her final work to be seen.

Camerimage said it was also Hutchins's "dream" to have her work shown at the festival.

The premiere was preceded by a minute of silence for Hutchins, whom Souza described as "a real joy to know" and "someone who spoke Westerns very well".
The US Embassy in Kyiv has warned of the possibility of a powerful missile strike on Ukraine. The diplomatic mission noted that it had received specific information about a potential major air attack on November 20.

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This is a potential danger to all regions of Ukraine. This is stated in a statement on the website of the US Embassy in Kyiv.

The embassy said it had received "specific information about a potential significant air attack on November 20." As a precautionary measure, the embassy will be closed. The diplomatic agency also recommends that US citizens be prepared to take shelter immediately in case of an air raid alert.

The department advises to follow the updates in local media, to identify shelter locations in advance and to follow the instructions of Ukrainian officials and rescuers in case of an emergency.

The Spanish news agency EFE said that the Spanish Embassy in Ukraine would also close on November 20 due to the threat of missile attacks. The diplomatic mission said it would not provide services due to the "increased risk of air attacks across Ukraine." In an email sent to Spaniards living in the country, the embassy recommends that they "take extreme precautions, follow all recommendations of local authorities and always have a shelter."

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OBOZ.UA's sources in the Defense Forces commented on the US Embassy's information about the likelihood of a missile strike. Ukrainian servicemen do not expect more shelling than the previous massive attack, as the enemy has technical limitations.

In addition, the Defense Forces explained that the US Embassy's message is a specific reaction of Western partners to the intimidation of Russian propaganda in response to President Joe Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to fire missiles at Russian territory.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, esponded to the US Embassy's warning. He noted that the Russians had been stockpiling missiles for a series of attacks on Ukraine for months. This includes Kh-101 missiles, which they continue to produce, as well as Kalibr and ballistic missiles.

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"Russia has aviation and missile stocks ready for shelling at strategic aviation airfields and warehouses. Also ships. This has been reported earlier. Accordingly, we need to understand this and always keep it in mind, structures need to think about security measures, people need to respond to alarms," Kovalenko said.

The Telegram channel Monitor reported that a certain risk of missile use remains every day, so airborne alarms must be responded to constantly.

It is also noted that there are indeed warnings about the likelihood of a missile strike. The monitoring channel suggested that this may be due to the authorization of the use of ATACMS missiles on the territory of the Russian Federation.

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As a reminder, on the morning of November 20, Russia launched an air attack on Kyiv. Loud explosions were heard in the capital, and air defense forces were operating.

Earlier it was reported that the Russian occupation forces attacked Hlukhiv in Sumy region with Shaheds on the evening of November 18, and explosions were heard in the city. Putin's terrorists hit a high-rise building with drones. The attack killed 12 people and injured at least 13 others.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to another Russian terrorist attack against Ukrainian civilians. The head of state stressed that the attack on the dormitory in Hlukhiv only confirms the true intentions of dictator Vladimir Putin.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
United Nations, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Nov, 2024) The United Nations chief on Tuesday denounced the "systematic" looting of humanitarian aid in Gaza, a day after the territory's Hamas authorities said 20 people were killed in a security operation targeting such actions.

"Armed looting has become systematic and must end immediately. It is hindering life saving aid operations and further endangering the lives of our staff," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"However, the use of law enforcement operations must be lawful, necessary and proportionate."

Israel imposed a total siege on Gaza in the early stages of the war last year, and the UN warned on November 9 that famine was looming in some areas due to a lack of aid.

Aid distribution in Gaza is complicated by shortages of fuel, war-damaged roads and looting, as well as fighting in densely populated areas and the repeated displacement of much of the territory's 2.4 million people.

Several humanitarian officials have told AFP on condition of anonymity that almost half the aid that enters Gaza is looted, especially basic supplies.

On Monday, Gaza's interior ministry said it had carried out a major operation targeting looters.

"More than 20 members of gangs involved in stealing aid trucks were killed in a security operation carried out by security forces in cooperation with tribal committees," the ministry said in a statement.

It said the operation was "the beginning of a broad security campaign that has been long planned and will expand to include everyone involved in the theft of aid trucks."

On Tuesday, the US-based Washington Post newspaper cited a UN memo as saying some of the gangs were receiving "passive if not active benevolence" or "protection" from the Israel Defense Forces.

Dujarric said he was unaware of the memo, but that the allegation was "fairly alarming" if true.

"The idea that the Israeli forces may be allowing looters or not doing enough to prevent it is frankly, fairly alarming, given the responsibilities of Israel as the occupying power to ensure that humanitarian aid is distributed safely," he said.
Spain's under-fire ecological transition minister, a candidate for a top European Commission post, said Wednesday that questioning the role of state agencies during the country's devastating floods was "dangerous"

Madrid, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Nov, 2024) Spain's under-fire ecological transition minister, a candidate for a top European Commission post, said Wednesday that questioning the role of state agencies during the country's devastating floods was "dangerous".

The state weather and environment services have faced intense scrutiny over their response to the October 29 disaster that killed 227 people and wreaked widespread destruction.

The European Parliament has blocked Teresa Ribera's appointment to an influential EU commission role encompassing environment and competition, with opponents accusing her of neglecting her duties during the floods.

Regions are in charge of disaster management in Spain's decentralised political system, but the hardest-hit Valencia region's conservative leader Carlos Mazon said he received "insufficient, inaccurate and late" information.

Doubting state agencies was "deeply unfair and deeply dangerous", Ribera told parliament in a veiled retort to the conservative opposition.

"I would like to thank the work and dedication of the public servants who issued the information as was their duty," she added.

Mazon defended his handling of the catastrophe last week, citing an "information blackout" and criticising a government agency responsible for monitoring river levels.

But Ribera said "there was never an information blackout" and enumerated a lengthy list of warnings issued by public bodies to the regional authorities.

Although the national weather agency issued the highest red alert in the morning of October 29, Valencia residents in many cases received telephone warnings only when water was already gushing through towns.

The socialist-led central government has said that Mazon bore responsibility for the late issuing of the emergency alert.

"Having all the necessary information is of little use if the one who must respond does not know how," Ribera said.
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
Doctors Without Borders said on Tuesday that it is stopping operations across the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, and its wider metropolitan area because of an escalation in violence and threats to its staff from members of the Haitian police.

The suspension would begin Wednesday and last "until further notice," Doctors Without Borders  also known as MSF  said.

MSF said in a statement that since a deadly attack on one of its ambulances last week, police had repeatedly stopped its vehicles and directly threatened their staff, some with death or rape.

"We are used to working in conditions of extreme insecurity in Haiti and elsewhere, but when even law enforcement becomes a direct threat, we have no choice but to suspend our projects," MSF's Haiti mission chief Christophe Garnier said.

A spokesperson for Haiti's national police declined to comment.

Earlier Tuesday, police reported that more than two dozen suspected gang members were killed after residents joined police to fight off attempted overnight attacks in a resurgence of a civilian vigilante movement.

This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing - Click to reveal A man sets fire to the bodies of alleged gang members in Petion-Ville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Nov. 19, 2024.

MSF, whose presence grew in Haiti in the wake of the devastating 2010 earthquake, is one of the main providers of quality free health care in the Caribbean nation and operates key services such as a trauma center and a burn clinic.

The United Nations estimated last month that 24% of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area's health facilities remain open, while those outside the capital face an influx of displaced people jeopardizing their ability to provide essential care.

MSF cited four separate incidents of police threats and aggressions, including from an armed plain clothed officer it said threatened to start executing and burning staff, patients and ambulances as of next week.

Each week, the medical aid group treats on average 1,100 outpatients, 54 children in emergency situations, more than 80 sexual- and gender-based violence survivors, and many burn victims, MSF said.

Garnier added that while MSF remained committed to the population it could only resume services if it receives guarantees of security and respect by armed groups, members of self-defense groups and law enforcement.

In the earlier violence, residents joined police to fight off an attempted overnight attack on an affluent hillside suburb of Port-au-Prince, police said.

The suburb of Petion-Ville was closed off on Tuesday as residents barricaded streets and asked those not from the area to stay home as they mobilized, some with machetes and hammers in hand, to protect the district from another gang invasion.

A Reuters reporter saw at least 25 bodies across the neighborhoods of Petion-Ville, Delmas and Canape Vert.

This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing - Click to reveal Bodies of alleged gang members covered in tires burn in the street in Petion-Ville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Nov. 19, 2024. Police and civilian self-defense groups killed 28 alleged gang members in the Port-au-Prince, authorities said Tuesday,

National police deputy spokesperson Lionel Lazarre told Reuters about 30 people he described as gang members had been fatally wounded throughout the day.

"The population stood along the Haitian National Police during these moments. They will continue to work hand in hand," he said.

The U.N. has reported at least 149 cases of vigilantism between June and September this year, just more than half outside Port-au-Prince where residents fear gangs spreading their influence from the capital.

The U.N. Security Council approved a support mission last October but has so far deployed just a fraction of the promised personnel. Haitian leaders have pushed for it to be transformed into a peacekeeping mission to secure more funding.
A Venezuelan migrant was convicted on Wednesday of murdering Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student whose killing became a rallying cry for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as he attacked illegal immigration during the campaign.

Jose Ibarra, 26, who entered the U.S. illegally, was found guilty on murder and other charges by Judge Patrick Haggard in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court. As he read the verdict aloud, Riley's family members and friends could be heard sobbing, while Ibarra sat stony-faced.

Haggard heard the evidence and rendered the verdict after Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial.

Trump and other Republicans often cited Riley's murder in claiming falsely that migrants who crossed the southern border illegally were responsible for a wave of violent crime.

Prosecutors said Ibarra encountered Riley, 22, on a wooded trail while she was out running on Feb. 22 and killed her after she resisted his efforts to rape her.

In her closing statement earlier on Wednesday, prosecutor Sheila Ross called the evidence against Ibarra "overwhelming," including DNA under her fingernails that authorities linked to the defendant, scratches on Ibarra's body and video footage of a man matching Ibarra's description throwing a bloodied jacket into a dumpster soon after the murder.

Defense attorneys argued that the evidence was circumstantial and could not rule out another attacker.

Riley's case made national headlines in March during President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, when firebrand U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene interrupted his speech to demand that he "say her name."

Biden went off-script to mention Riley, whom he described as an innocent woman killed by an "illegal." Republicans criticized him for appearing to mispronounce Riley's first name, while Biden later apologized for using the word "illegal" to refer to a person.

Biden, then the Democratic nominee for president, dropped out of the race in July and was replaced by Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost earlier this month to Trump.

Trump has vowed to pursue mass deportations of immigrants after he is sworn into office in January.
Several international human rights organizations have raised alarm about Azerbaijans crackdown on rights defenders, government critics and journalists before the start of the COP29 climate change conference currently being held in its capital, Baku.

We urge every delegation attending COP29 to press the Azerbaijani government to end its clampdown on civil society, guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly throughout and beyond the conference, and take meaningful action to reverse the deterioration of human rights in the country, Amnesty International said in a statement before the start of the event on Nov. 11.

The United Nations annual conference on combating global warming, COP29, began last week as the Azerbaijani government escalated its crackdown on government critics.

Azerbaijani authorities have jailed at least 14 journalists since November 2023. Many of them are facing charges of currency smuggling. All of them deny the allegations, calling them bogus.

On November 12, a group of Azerbaijani civil society representatives issued an open appeal to COP29 participants, claiming that after Azerbaijan was announced as the conference host in December 2023, the country's government began to silence dissidents and alternative voices.

In a short period of time, opposition leaders, human rights defenders, socio-political activists, independent media organizations, including the leaders and employees of 'Abzas Media,' 'Toplum TV,' 'Kanal 13,' and the civil society organization Institute for Democratic Initiatives, were detained on politically motivated charges. The trial of those arrested was postponed until December, as they coincided with COP29, they said.

The Azerbaijani government, which has rejected accusations that the arrests were politically motivated, insists that journalists and activists are being detained "on the basis of credible suspicions of violations of individual articles of the Criminal Code [of the Republic of Azerbaijan]."

Climate change and human rights

On Tuesday, COP29 hosted a debate titled No Climate Justice Without Civic Space and Meaningful Participation, organized by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and several other human rights organizations.

After the event, Fuad Hasanov, head of the nongovernmental organization Democratic Monitor, told VOA that the main theme of the debate was that it is impossible to hold discussions on climate change in an environment where the space for civil society is limited.

Panel members also called on Azerbaijani authorities to release all political prisoners, including journalists, and to create conditions for the free operation of independent civil society institutions and the media.

In a letter to President Ilham Aliyev published on Monday, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty also urged the immediate release of all political prisoners.

I share with you my concern about the recent arrests of a number of human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists, O'Flaherty said in the letter.

O'Flaherty said that as a member of the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan should create a safe environment for human rights.

I urge the Azerbaijani authorities to take the necessary steps to ensure that all laws and practices in connection with freedoms of association, assembly and expression and the situation of human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists in the country comply with relevant Council of Europe human rights standards, O'Flaherty said.

Rufat Safarov, executive director of the human rights organization Defense Line, told VOA that the 29th annual U.N. Climate Change Conference should not have been held in Baku. He said this legitimizes the country's authorities, who deny fundamental rights and freedoms in Azerbaijan, on the international stage.

"In an environment where law is worthless, human rights are ignored, political rights are denied, violence has become the official state policy, and there are 319 political prisoners, holding COP29 in Baku serves the interests of the repressive regime at best," Safarov said.

Azerbaijan response

The unsigned response letter from Azerbaijani authorities to the Council of Europe commissioner emphasizes that Azerbaijan remains committed to upholding its international obligations, including those under international human rights law, and ensuring the safety and freedom of all persons. The letter was made available on the Council of Europe commissioners website Monday.

The letter stated: It should be emphasized that no journalist or media representative is being targeted for carrying out their professional work in Azerbaijan. Every individual, irrespective of their standing, is equal before the law and is expected to adhere to the legislation in force, as this forms the foundation of the rule of law principle.

Therefore, it is of utmost importance to exercise due diligence and refrain from any actions, especially calling for immediate release of the persons under criminal investigation, that may be construed as interfering with the judicial process.

Lawmaker Bahruz Maharramov, a member of the parliaments Human Rights Committee, told VOA on Thursday that the attacks on Azerbaijan from the West under the guise of human rights and democracy on the eve of and during COP29 are an instrument for cheap imperialist intentions.

In this sense, the claims and statements of those circles are irrelevant for us, and we rightly consider these claims to be part of a smear campaign against Azerbaijan, he said.

This story originated in VOAs Azerbaijani Service.
China has surpassed the United States and regained its place as the second-largest bilateral donor to the Pacific Islands, according to a new report published Wednesday by the Lowy Institute. Australia remains the largest donor.

Every year, the Lowy Institute, an Australia-based research group, releases a Pacific Aid Map that tracks loans and grants to the region in detail. The 2024 map includes spending in the Pacific from 2008 to 2022.

Over the past decade, China has invested billions of dollars in Pacific Island nations in a bid to increase influence in the region amid competition with the U.S. and its allies. Following a reduction in investment during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, China resumed its focus on projects in the Pacific Islands in 2022, the last year covered in the report.

Beijing has emerged from a pandemic-induced lull with a more competitive, politically targeted model of aid engagement," reported Lowy Institute in its annual Pacific Aid Map. Chinas ODF [overseas development finance] has acquired a more targeted focus on winning influence in specific countries, involving more grants and community-level outreach.

While total development finance from all countries to the islands fell by 18% in 2022 in the midst of the global pandemic, according to the report, China increased its financing that year by 6% with support of $256 million dollars. That was up nearly 14% from three years earlier.

"The uptick in Chinese spending has been accompanied by a resurgence in new Chinese project commitments, signaling a revival in its ambition to engage in major infrastructure works in the Pacific," the report said.

Australia is the largest financier for the Pacific Island nations, contributing $1.5 billion, while the United States ranks third, allocating $249 million.

From 2008-2016, Chinese banks lent more than $1.1 billion to the region, which raised concerns that the area may become increasingly vulnerable to diplomatic pressure from Beijing.

The report says, recently, China has taken a more strategic approach toward their financing, shifting away from funding through debt towards financing through large grants and community-level projects.

China has opted for a new double-pronged approach relying on large-scale grant financing, rather than loans, and high-frequency embassy activity in priority countries, the report said. This reflects a more competitive and politically attuned method to regional engagement.

China sees itself as a development partner with Pacific Island nations and has previously stressed that its aid comes with no political conditions attached.

Examples of community-level projects cited in the report include vehicle donations to local governments, cash grants to schools, and the gifting of agricultural equipment to local farmers.

Despite this shift in aid strategies, China has still engaged in potentially risky debt financing such as in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, where, according to the report, debt risks have significantly worsened over the past five years.

The lack of transparency around these loans [to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu] and uncertainty regarding the efficacy of the projects they finance undermine aspects of Chinas own debt sustainability frameworks and risk further degrading the political economy of many Pacific Island countries, the report said.

The report says geopolitical motives were a factor in how China decided to provide aid.

Chinas aid involvement in the Pacific has grown to pursue various objectives but reinforcing the One China policy remains a key motivating factor in its regional engagement, emphasizing that Taiwan is part of China, with Beijing as the sole legitimate government, the report added.

Consequently, countries can only diplomatically recognize  and thus receive aid and development funding from  one of the two governments.

In 2022, self-ruled Taiwan dropped out of the top 10 donors to the Pacific Islands, spending $7.2 million, after several nations severed diplomatic ties with Taipei and switched to Beijing, according to the report.

Some material in this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Russia has long threatened to use nuclear weapons. In reality, there is a big difference between threats and actual use. And Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin's update of Russia's nuclear doctrine is unlikely to make Moscow launch a nuclear strike in response to Ukraine's use of long-range ballistic missiles on Russian territory.

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This opinion was expressed by Yaroslav Chornohor, PhD in History and Director of the Russian and Belarusian Studies Program at the Ukrainian Prism think tank, in an interview with OBOZ.UA.

The updated Russian doctrine states that Moscow may use nuclear weapons in the event of a "critical threat" to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia or Belarus. The grounds for a nuclear strike by Russia could be "aggression against the Russian Federation and its allies by any non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state," as well as a massive air attack with non-nuclear means.

These changes were announced by the Kremlin a month ago, although Putin signed the document only after the West allowed Ukraine to launch long-range strikes on Russian territory.

"They announced these changes a month ago. As we can see, none of our shelling so far has led to the use of nuclar weapons. Will they use this doctrinal document as a basis? I don't think so, I don't believe so," Chornohor believes.

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The analyst noted that Russia has long threatened to use nuclear weapons, but "there is a big difference between threats and use."

If Moscow does decide to use nuclear weapons, there are many scenarios, the expert noted.

"Even if it does use it, how? With what kind of weapons - tactical or strategic? Will it detonate this nuclear warhead somewhere on its territory and thus demonstrate its readiness to use it? Will it use nuclear weapons against Ukraine or somewhere else in the world? It can use some proxy forces, terrorists in the Middle East or Africa to do this," Chornohor noted.

According to him, the development of events will depend on how Russia uses nuclear weapons. However, NATO's retaliatory strike can only be possible if Russia launches a nuclear strike on the territory of one of its members.

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"If it is a strike against Ukraine, then NATO countries, our Western allies, will most likely step up their assistance. Although, according to all international norms, they would have to strike back. But I think that such a retaliatory strike is possible only if Russia launches a nuclear strike on the territory of a NATO country. And even then I am not so sure," the analyst believes.

As reported, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin approved the new nuclear doctrine of the Russian Federation on a "landmark" day. He signed the decree on the 1000th day of the full-scale war against Ukraine. Moscow does not hide the fact that it changed its nuclear doctrine in order to threaten Western countries. The Kremlin has claimed that the changes in the nuclear doctrine are "a certain signal to unfriendly countries."

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Chinas recent proposal to establish a joint security company with Myanmars military junta has drawn sharp criticism from those who view it as an encroachment on national sovereignty and a sign of the juntas inability to ensure security.

According to a report in the Myanmar Gazette published on November 8, the junta formed a 13-member committee on Oct. 22 to review Chinas proposal and draft a memorandum of understanding for the joint venture.

The committee evaluated the logistical aspects of the draft MOU, such as importing weapons and security equipment, while ensuring the plan does not undermine Myanmars sovereignty.

Myanmar observers believe the proposal may have been prompted by the Oct. 18 bombing of its consulate in Mandalay, highlighting Beijings growing concerns over its investments in Myanmars unstable political environment.

A question of sovereignty and security

Chinas top priority in Myanmar is stability for its Belt and Road Initiative projects, according to a Myanmar scholar who requested anonymity for safety concerns of his family in Myanmar. The juntas failure to control the revolution has forced China to explore alternative measures, he added.

The scholar explained that because Myanmars 2008 Constitution, drafted by the military, prohibits the deployment of foreign troops on its soil, the referencing of a Chinese company in the proposed joint venture is a strategic move to avoid accusations of military intervention.

But the public perceives it as a breach of sovereignty, and even the junta would be uncomfortable with such overt Chinese involvement, he said.

The proposal indicates Beijings lack of confidence in the juntas ability to maintain control and security.

Regimes lack of control

Chinese projects under the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), including the oil and gas pipelines, have faced increasing threats since the opposition declared a Peoples Defensive War in 2021.

The limitations of both the SAC and the NUG have jeopardized the CMEC, said Kyi Sin, a research officer at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. In his paper Securing the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor: Navigating Conflicts and Public Skepticism, Kyi cited the January 2022 attack on the $800 million Tagaung Taung nickel-processing plant by a local Peoples Defense Force as a stark example.

According to Jason Tower, Burma country director at the United States Institute of Peace, the Myanmar military has shown signs of weakening control.

Mandalay, the countrys second-largest city and a major commercial hub, was the site of an attack on October 18, which occurred during the day, raising questions about the regimes security capabilities. China responded swiftly, saying it was deeply shocked at the attack and strongly condemns it.

Chinas balancing act and mounting challenges

Chinas involvement in Myanmar since the 2021 coup has been a delicate balancing act, according to Thomas Kean, a senior consultant on Myanmar and Bangladesh at the International Crisis Group. While Beijing has provided economic, diplomatic, and military support to the junta, it has also maintained relationships with ethnic armed organizations and opposition groups, underscoring its strategic interest in stability.

However, Beijing's approach shifted as the military lost control of significant territories.

They dont want to see a disorderly collapse in Myanmar; they feel compelled to get involved, Kean said. Its not something they want to do. Like the first few years after the coup, they really tried not to get too involved. And I think thats their preferred position.

Kean explained that Chinas recent military support, including the supply of combat aircraft, reflects its concerns about the juntas inability to maintain order. While this involvement aims to safeguard Chinas investments and projects, it has drawn sharp criticism from Myanmars citizens and resistance groups, complicating Beijings position further.

The military's grip is somewhat tenuous, Kean said of the junta.

Overstretched junta forces

Abdul Rahman Yaacob, a security expert on Southeast Asia and research fellow at the Lowy Institute, highlighted the juntas overstretched military and security capacity.

The junta forces are actually overstretched, Yaacob said. Thats the reason why they are looking at conscripts to support the numbers. But numbers dont mean you have good quality. The junta is fighting across multiple fronts in the south, north, and border areas. They dont have enough forces, actually, to provide comprehensive security.

He noted a significant shift in the dynamics of the conflict. What we are seeing now is that opposition or rebel groups are able to start operating within the city area, targeting government interests there, Yaacob said.

A complex future

While the juntas inability to provide security highlights its weakening grip, experts caution that the introduction of Chinese security forces could further complicate Myanmars political landscape.

The proposed joint security company poses challenges for both revolutionary forces and ethnic armed organizations, the Myanmar scholar said. Its crucial for opposition groups to prepare for this scenario.

As China deepens its involvement in Myanmar, it risks alienating not only the public but also regional powers like India. The question remains whether Beijing can achieve its goal of stability without becoming further entangled in Myanmars conflict.

Beijing will have to consider its economic interest in the long term versus its need to support the junta in the short and medium term, Yaacob said.
China's President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Brazil Wednesday, fresh off a warm reception at summits of the G20 and APEC groups, both held under the cloud of Donald Trump's White House return.

Xi has said he would seek to "further enhance" ties with Brasilia when he meets counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, host of the G20 summit that closed in Rio Tuesday.

The bilateral comes as China is looking with trepidation to a future after U.S. President Joe Biden, with whom Xi had led efforts to ease tensions over issues from trade to Taiwan.

Trump, who will be sworn in on January 20, has signaled a confrontational approach to Beijing, threatening tariffs of up to 60% on imports of Chinese goods.

China and Brazil have sought to position themselves as leaders of the Global South at a time of great global uncertainty, with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

"The Global South is on a collective rise," Xi wrote in an article published in Brazilian media ahead of his visit.

Both China and Brazil have sought to mediate in the Ukraine war while declining to sanction fellow BRICS member Russia for its invasion.

Value-added exports

China is Brazil's biggest trading partner overall, with two-way commerce exceeding $160 billion last year.

Xi looked forward to talks with Lula "on further enhancing China-Brazil relations, promoting synergy of the two countries' development strategies, international and regional issues of common interest," state news agency Xinhua forecast.

Brazil, in turn, will push for increasing exports of value-added products, said secretary for Asia Eduardo Paes.

The South American agricultural power sends mainly soybeans and other primary commodities to China, while the Asian giants sells it semiconductors, telephones, vehicles and medicines.

Since returning to power last year, Lula has sought to balance efforts to improve ties with both China and the United States.

A visit to Beijing this year by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin was seen as paving the way for Brazil to join China's Belt and Road Initiative to stimulate trade -- a central pillar of Xi's bid to expand China's clout overseas.

South American nations that have signed up include Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Xi inaugurated South America's first Chinese-funded port while in Lima last week for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where he also met with Biden.

The port opening prompted senior U.S. officials to warn Latin America to be vigilant of Chinese investment.

"We encourage Brazil and our allies in general to evaluate with open eyes the risks and benefits of a rapprochement with China," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Natalia Molano told AFP.

Wednesday's meeting between the leaders of the second- and seventh-most populated countries of the world, comes as Brazil and China mark 50 years of diplomatic ties.

Evan Ellis, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told AFP Lula will likely discuss with Xi how to adjust their economic relationship "to give more advantage to Brazilian companies."

He would also be interested "in seeing how Brazil can continue to posture itself as an international player in the context of a possibly diminished U.S. role in Latin America and globally" under Trump.

To address trade imbalance concerns, China "will need to make good on its commitment to supporting re-industrialization," added Margaret Myers of the Inter-American Dialogue think tank.
The announcement by Cambodian journalist Mech Dara that he will quit journalism after his recent arrest shows how effective legal threats are in silencing media, say analysts.

Dara, who worked for several media outlets, made a name for himself as an investigative reporter, including by exposing illegal scam centers that operate in Cambodia and have links to powerful interests.

In September, authorities arrested the journalist and charged him with incitement related to social media posts. He spent over 30 days in pretrial detention and could still face up to two years in prison if convicted.

The arrest of one of Cambodias best-known journalists brought an outpouring of protest from the international community. Dara acknowledged that support when he was released on bail on October 24.

But in an interview with the Agence France-Presse not long after, the journalist said he had "no more courage" and planned to quit journalism. In the interview, Dara said he was "still afraid" after the arrest and questioning.

Experts have long said that jailing journalists or threatening legal action has become an effective way to silence reporting. For analysts, Daras case, coming after a yearslong crackdown on media, underscores the challenges for media working in difficult environments.

Daras decision to quit journalism speaks volumes about the state of press freedom in Cambodia, Beh Lih Yi, the Asia program coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists, told VOA via email.

It is worrying that Cambodia is losing more and more independent journalists. The right thing for Cambodia to do is to allow the media to operate and report freely in the country, she said.

VOA contacted the Cambodian governments press office and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment by email but didnt receive a reply.

Cambodias press freedom environment has declined rapidly since 2017, when pressure from the government led to more than 30 independent news outlets closing and several journalists being detained.

In the years since, other journalists have been imprisoned for charges that include false news or incitement over their coverage or social media posts. In 2023, three media outlets were stripped of their licences. One of them, Voice of Democracy, was one of the countrys last independent media outlets.

Nop Vy, the executive director at CamboJA, the Cambodian Journalist Alliance, said the number of reporters being targeted is growing.

Legal threat has increased more than double if compared to the 9-month report last year and this year released by CamboJA, Vy told VOA via email.

Some journalists who have been [actively] reporting on deforestation, land conflict, illegal logging, human rights issues, have experiences with court cases which more or less have created more challenges for them, he said.

Since the start of the year, CamboJa has recorded 28 cases of harassment, including legal intimidation.

Alongside legal threats, journalists covering the scam centers that Dara helped to expose have previously told VOA of the security risks they encountered.

Jacob Sims, an expert on transnational crime, said that Daras arrest concluded a crackdown on independent journalists who reported on the scam center issues.

[Daras] arrest can only be viewed as a 2-year project of systematic repression, Sims told an event at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand in November.

Aleksandra Bielakowska, advocacy officer at media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, known as RSF, said arrests send a chilling message to other journalists.

By repressing journalists such as Mech Dara, the Cambodian government sent a chilling message and directly threatens any remaining independent journalists in the country, she told VOA.

The Cambodian government draws inspiration from the practices of other authoritarian regimes, which views journalists as mouthpieces for authorities, she said, adding that it suppresses any independent voices.

According to the RSF latest press freedom index, Asia is the second-most difficult region for journalism. Four countries in the region  Myanmar, China, North Korea and Vietnam  are among the worlds 10 most repressive countries for media. Cambodia ranks 151 out of 180 on the Press Freedom Index, where 1 shows the best environment.
Leaders of the world's largest economies ended their two-day G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro with a statement supporting the priorities of the Global South: climate change, poverty reduction and taxing billionaires.

The Global South is generally considered to be developing countries, as well as Russia and China.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, host of the G20 summit, focused the talks around three key pillars: social inclusion and tackling hunger and poverty; energy, transitions and climate action, and reforming global governance.

Globalization has failed, Lula said.

"In the midst of growing turbulence, the international community seems resigned to sailing aimlessly through hegemonic disputes," he said. "We remain adrift as if swept along by a torrent pushing us towards tragedy."

In their joint statement, the group underscored the need to slow global warming and reduce poverty. They agreed to work together to "ensure that ultra-high-net-worth individuals are effectively taxed."

The communique states that progressive taxation "is one of the key tools to reduce domestic inequalities  promote strong, sustainable balanced and inclusive growth and facilitate the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs]."

Call for expansion

The G20 again called to expand the United Nations Security Council beyond its five current permanent members.

The outcomes are a reasonable reflection of Biden administration priorities, said Matthew Goodman, director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

"But it isn't clear how much of this will carry forward into a second Trump administration," he said.

President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated in January. A senior Biden administration official said they're working to ensure the durability of U.S. commitments with a "multiprong, multitier approach," including through civil society, so "there is some real staying power."

At the summit, President Joe Biden continued his "legacy of leadership," the White House said, including rallying leaders "to invest in their futures, accelerate the global clean energy transition, tackle global health threats, and champion an inclusive digital transformation" while building on the U.S.'s "longstanding leadership on food security."

Global conflicts

The group called for a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon but did not mention Israel's right to defend itself, a line that Biden pushes for in various global forums.

"I ask everyone here to increase the pressure on Hamas, which is currently refusing this deal," Biden said.

As in last year's summit, G20 leaders highlighted the human suffering and economic impact of the war in Ukraine, without any condemnation of Russia. The war is escalating as Ukraine begins using long-range weapons provided by the U.S. and Britain to strike inside Russian territory.

Kyiv accuses the G20 of failing to act.

"Today, G20 countries are sitting in Brazil. Did they say something? Nothing strong," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday. "G20 countries don't have any strong strategy? So, our strategy is to be strong."

There is "less international consensus now on Russia's culpability than there was before," said Kristine Berzina, managing director of GMF Geostrategy North.

"Countries skeptical of a rules-based or rights-based order are flexing their muscles at the G20, much as they brazenly sidled up to Russia at the BRICS summit in Kazan weeks ago," she said.

Support for Ukraine is on the minds of leaders ahead of the incoming U.S. administration under Trump, who has criticized sending aid to help Kyiv.

Biden and Lula met on the summit's sidelines, underscoring the urgent need to address the climate crisis, another area of uncertainty among leaders here.

Trump has repeatedly called climate change a hoax and withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accords in 2017 during his first term.

Brazil ended the summit by passing the baton to South Africa, the next G20 president.
Jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai insisted his newspaper had championed democracy and "freedom" as he took the witness stand for the first time in his collusion trial on Wednesday.

Lai's case is one of the most prominent prosecuted under the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020, with Western countries and rights groups demanding his release.

The 76-year-old founder of tabloid Apple Daily is accused of colluding with foreign forces, a charge that could carry a sentence of up to life in prison.

The case centers around articles in the newspaper that supported huge, sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019 and criticized Beijing's leadership.

On Wednesday, Lai insisted that "the core values of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong... (including) rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly".

He said he had entered the media business because "to participate in delivering freedom is a very good idea for me... The more you are in the know, the more you are free."

But he said he opposed violence and was not an advocate of Hong Kong independence, calling it "too crazy to think about."

Lai did not appear to be in ill health as he stood in the dock, flanked by four prison officers and waving to people in the public gallery.

His testimony comes with Hong Kong's political freedoms already under the spotlight after a court jailed 45 democracy campaigners for subversion in the city's largest national security trial on Tuesday.

'Deserves admiration'

Lai has been behind bars since December 2020, and concerns have been raised about his medical and jail conditions.

He has not opted to testify in any of his five previous cases, all of which resulted in convictions, including for organizing and participating in marches during the 2019 democracy protests.

Outside the court in pouring rain on Wednesday, an 80-year-old retiree named Liu told AFP Lai "deserves our admiration."

"He has a lot of money, he could have left anytime, but he didn't because he felt a responsibility," Liu said.

Hong Kong and Beijing have rejected criticism of the case, condemning Lai as "a voluntary political tool of foreign forces trying to curb China through Hong Kong."

The case against him revolves around 161 articles published in Apple Daily as well as his own interviews and social media postings.

The newspaper was forced to close in 2021 after police raids and the arrests of its senior editors.

'Hostile activities'

Since the prosecution opened in January, it has alleged that Lai on multiple occasions asked the United States and other countries to impose sanctions "or engage in other hostile activities" against China and Hong Kong.

On Wednesday, Lai was asked about his contacts with politicians and other figures from places including the United States, Britain and Taiwan.

Asked whether he tried to influence foreign policy on Hong Kong and China via a list of overseas contacts compiled by prosecutors, Lai answered "never."

Lai said he had met former U.S. vice president Mike Pence in 2019 and asked the Republican to "say something in support" of Hong Kong.

But he insisted he hadn't asked Pence to take action, saying it was "beyond me."

Questioned if he had ever "communicated directly or indirectly" with then-president Donald Trump, Lai said no.

Lai holds British citizenship, and last month Prime Minister Keir Starmer told parliament the case was "a priority" for his Labour government.

Starmer raised the issue in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday.

Health concerns

Lai's son had previously said "much stronger" support from the British government was needed as Lai's health "could get much worse at any moment."

A legal team led by a senior British rights lawyer has filed a number of complaints to the United Nations concerning arbitrary detention and prolonged solitary confinement.

On Sunday, the Hong Kong government condemned the legal team for "spreading misinformation," saying Lai himself had requested to be kept apart from other inmates.

Robertsons, a Hong Kong law firm representing Lai in the trial, has brushed off some of the allegations.

"Mr. Lai wishes to make known that he has been receiving appropriate medical attention for conditions suffered by him, including diabetes," the firm said in a statement in September.

"He has access to daylight through the windows in the corridor outside his cell, albeit he cannot see the sky. He exercises for an hour every day in a secure area."
Iran has defied international demands to rein in its nuclear program and has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog seen Tuesday by The Associated Press.

The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said that as of Oct. 26, Iran has 182.3 kilograms (401.9 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%, an increase of 17.6 kilograms (38.8 pounds) since the last report in August.

Uranium enriched at 60% purity is just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

The IAEA also estimated in its quarterly report that as of Oct. 26, Iran's overall stockpile of enriched uranium stands at 6,604.4 kilograms (14,560 pounds), an increase of 852.6 kilograms (1,879.6 pounds) since August. Under the IAEA's definition, around 42 kilograms (92.5 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity is the amount at which creating one atomic weapon is theoretically possible  if the material is enriched further, to 90%.

The reports come at a critical time 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.

Adding to the complexity, Donald Trump's reelection raises questions about whether and how the incoming administration and Iran may engage.

Trump's first term in office was marked by a particularly troubled period, when he pursued a policy of "maximum pressure" against Tehran. He unilaterally withdrew America from Iran's nuclear deal with world powers, leading to sanctions hobbling the economy and ordered the killing of the country's top general.

Western diplomats consider censuring Iran

Iran last week offered not to expand its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60%, during a visit to Tehran by the IAEA chief, Rafael Mariano Grossi.

The IAEA said during the meetings that "the possibility of Iran not further expanding its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% U-235 was discussed, including technical verification measures necessary for the Agency to confirm this, if implemented."

The report said that one day after Grossi left Iran, on Nov. 16, IAEA inspectors verified that "Iran had begun implementation of preparatory measures aimed at stopping the increase of its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 % U-235" at its underground nuclear sites in Fordow and Natanz.

The reports come ahead of this week's regular IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna.

A senior western diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, confirmed to the AP that the United Kingdom, France and Germany, with the support from the U.S., are going ahead with a resolution at this week's IAEA Board of Governors meeting, censuring Iran for its lack of cooperation, leading to potential confrontation with Iran ahead of Trump's return to the White House.

"We remain tightly coordinated with our E3 partners (France, Germany and UK) in advance of the IAEA Board of Governors meeting. And, we strongly support efforts to hold Iran accountable," U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Tuesday in Washington.

"The Iranian regime continues to amass a growing stockpile of highly enriched uranium for which there is no credible civilian purpose and they continue to not cooperate fully with the IAEA," he added.

A senior diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said it is possible that the commitments made by Iran during the IAEA's chief visit may not stand in case a resolution is passed. In the past, Iran has responded to resolutions by the IAEA Board of Governors by further enhancing its nuclear program.

Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but Grossi has previously 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 Iran's centrifuges may have been peeled away for clandestine enrichment.

Iran's mission at the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Little progress on improving ties

The IAEA also reported that Iran has failed to take concrete steps as of now to improve cooperation, despite pleas by Grossi, who held talks last week with Mohammad Eslami of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iran's reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian.

However, Tuesday's confidential report also said that during Grossi's visit to Iran on Nov. 14, "Iran agreed to respond to the Agency's concerns related to Iran's withdrawal of the designation of several experienced Agency inspectors by considering the acceptance of the designation of four additional experienced inspectors."

In September 2023, Iran barred some of the Vienna-based agency's most experienced inspectors.

The report also said there was no progress thus far in reinstalling more monitoring equipment, including cameras, removed in June 2022. Since then, the only recorded data comes from IAEA cameras installed at a centrifuge workshop in Isfahan in May 2023  although Iran has not provided the IAEA with access to this data and inspectors have not been able to service the cameras.

Last week, Eslami warned that Iran could retaliate if challenged at the upcoming IAEA board meeting. Grossi acknowledged some nations were considering taking action against Iran.

In an effort to ensure Iran could not develop atomic weapons, world powers struck a deal with Tehran in 2015 under which it agreed to limit enrichment of uranium to levels necessary for nuclear power in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. U.N. inspectors were tasked with monitoring the program

Under the original 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was allowed to enrich uranium only up to 3.67% purity, can maintain a stockpile of uranium of 300 kilograms and is permitted to use only very basic IR-1 centrifuges, machines that spin uranium gas at high speed for enrichment purposes.

A year after the U.S. withdrawal from the deal under Trump, Iran started to gradually abandon all limits the deal put on its program and began enriching uranium to up to 60% purity.
Iran has increased its supply of uranium that has been enriched to 60% purity, according to confidential International Atomic Energy Agency reports sent to member states and seen by several news agencies.

Atomic weapons can be created when uranium enriched to 60% is further enriched to 90%. The enrichment procedure is a short, technical process.

However, Iran has offered to cap its stockpile of enriched uranium if Western powers abandon their plan to pass a resolution against the Middle Eastern country at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting this week in Vienna. The resolution is about Irans lack of cooperation with the IAEA, the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency.

Diplomats told Reuters the campaign for the resolution, backed by Britain, France, Germany and the United States, continues.

If the resolution is adopted, the IAEA would then have to issue a comprehensive report on Irans nuclear activities, diplomats told Reuters.

Iran made the offer to stop producing the enriched uranium last week during a visit to Tehran by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

One day after Grossis visit, IAEA inspectors confirmed that Iran had begun implementation of preparatory measures aimed at stopping the additional stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% U-235 at its underground nuclear sites in Fordow and Natanz.

The IAEA report revealed that as of October 26, Iran had 182.3 kilograms of 60%-enriched uranium, an increase of 17.6 kilograms since the August report. The Middle Eastern country maintains that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes only.

Grossi has previously warned that Iran has enough enriched uranium that could be further enriched to make several atomic weapons.

Irans original IAEA deal allowed it to enrich uranium to 3.67% purity and keep a supply of only 300 kilograms of uranium.

IAEAs dispute with Iran comes at an internationally sensitive time as Iran and Israel have exchanged missile attacks related to Israels war with Hamas and Hezbollah, designated terror groups that Iran supports.

In addition, Donald Trump will become the U.S. president in January. During Trumps first term in office, he withdrew the U.S. from the worlds nuclear deal with Iran, a move that exposed Iran to sanctions that have had a crippling effect on its economy.

Some information provided by The Associated Press and Reuters.
Pakistan's top cleric has declared that virtual private networks, or VPNs, are unlawful, igniting a debate on privacy rights and access to information amid a government crackdown on the internet.

Allama Raghib Naeemi, head of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), issued a decree saying it makes no difference whether a VPN is registered or unregistered.

If attempts are made to access indecent or immoral sites, character assassination is done, statements are being made against national security, or if various incidents of religious blasphemy are being spread through it, then [using] it would completely be un-Islamic, he said.

A VPN protects online privacy by creating a secure connection and is used to access blocked content, protect data from hackers and support remote work or secure transactions.

Several internet service providers in Pakistan expressed concerns Tuesday over the possible imposition of blanket restrictions on VPNs, warning that the move would anger users and impact online businesses.

Shahzad Arshad, chairman of the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan, said in a statement, It is essential to recognize that blanket restrictions or sweeping narratives around tools like VPNs risk alienating segments of society, particularly those who rely on these tools for entirely legitimate purposes, such as IT exports, financial transactions, and academic research.

Arshad, in reference to CII's declaration, said technology is neutral and that how it is used determines whether it is aligned with ethics.

Amnesty Tech, part of Amnesty International, said last week on X that imposing restrictions on VPNs would amount to violating the right to privacy under international law, restricting peoples access to information, and suppressing free expression.

Qibla Ayaz, former chairman of CII, told VOA Deewa it seems as if a government agency has reached out to the religious body seeking its stance on the VPN issue.

Similar requests were sent by the government in 2023, he said.

The CII is a constitutional body in Pakistan that advises the legislature on whether a certain law is repugnant to Islam, namely to the Quran and Sunna.

According to activists and experts, CIIs declarations on technology use are unwarranted and will only strengthen the government's digital suppression of social media users.

Haroon Baloch, a Pakistani digital rights activist, believes the proposed restrictions on VPNs are aimed at suppressing political dissent.

First, the government had compliance challenges with X. And when the platform did not agree with the governments requests, then it banned X. And when X was available with the help of VPN, the government is planning to ban the VPN now, Haroon told VOA.

Pakistan banned X in February and installed firewalls to restrict access to certain online content. But consumers are using VPNs to access restricted networks and content and to hide their identities and locations.

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir told a gathering at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute on November 16 that technology has played a pivotal role in the dissemination of information, but the spread of misleading and incorrect information has become a significant challenge.

In a speech to religious leaders in Islamabad earlier in August, Munir said, Anarchy is spread through social media.

A directive in October from the Interior Ministry asked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to block "illegal" VPNs that had not registered by the end of November.

The Interior Ministry charged in a letter to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, which oversees the internet and mobile industry and has broad powers over online content and the licensing of service providers, that terrorists are increasingly using VPNs to facilitate violent activities and financial transactions in Pakistan.

Of late, an alarming fact has been identified, wherein VPNs are used by terrorists to obscure and conceal their communications, the letter said, adding that pornography sites are frequently accessed using VPNs.

"These trends ... warrant the prohibition of unauthorized virtual private networks in order to address critical threats, the letter said.

The 2024 Freedom on the Net report published by Freedom House says the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has historically implemented policies that undermine internet freedom, removed content without a transparent process and instituted wholesale bans on platforms.

This story originated in VOAs Deewa Service.
The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday unanimously passed a "sanctuary city" ordinance to protect immigrants living in the city, a policy that would prohibit the use of city resources and personnel to carry out federal immigration enforcement.

The move by the Southern California city, the second most populated city in the U.S. after New York City, follows President-elect Donald Trump's vow to carry out mass deportations of immigrants.

The ordinance codifies the protection of migrants in municipal law. Council member Paul Krekorian said the measure addresses "the need to ensure that our immigrant community here in Los Angeles understands that we understand their fear."

Pro-immigrant protesters spoke on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall before the vote, holding up signs saying, "Los Angeles Sanctuary City Now!" They chanted in Spanish "What do we want? Sanctuary. When do we want it? Now."

The city is home to 1.3 million migrants, council members said, without specifying how many entered the country legally.

"We are extremely concerned, given that this is a city where about a third of the population is immigrants," Shiu-Ming Cheer said at the rally. She is deputy director of immigrant and racial justice at the California Immigration Policy Center.

People were "afraid that the National Guard or other people are going to be forced to execute Trump's mass deportation plans," she said. "But, you know, we're also organized."

Eleven states have, to varying degrees, taken steps toward reducing cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, according to the non-profit Immigrant Legal Resource Center. Trump, winner of the Nov. 5 election, takes office on Jan. 20.

The Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment.
British long-range missiles and U.S. land mines are now being used by Ukraine against Russias full-scale invasion. The Biden administration will allow Ukraine to use American-supplied antipersonnel land mines to help it slow Russias battlefield progress in the war. And Ukraine has fired long-range British Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory for the first time. The U.S. and other foreign embassies closed in Kyiv Wednesday over security threat. We speak with Jim Townsend, adjunct senior fellow in the Center for a New American Security Transatlantic Security Program.
Currently, Ukraine has about 50 ATACMS missiles that can strike targets in Russia. These long-range missiles are scarce, highly valued around the world, and the United States exports them to many countries, including Australia, South Korea, Romania, Greece, Turkey, Poland, and Morocco.

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The Times writes about this. At the same time, Ukraine has enough M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS multiple launch rocket systems to fire ATACMS.

However, due to the limited supply of missiles, the Ukrainian military command will need to carefully select targets inside Russia for strikes.

ATACMS is manufactured by Lockheed Martin. These are long-range tactical ballistic missiles that are launched from a GPS (global positioning system) guided MLRS.

The missile's payload consists of a fragmentation warhead weighing about 227 kg, and the maximum range is 300 km.

Earlier, we wrote that there are at least 250 military and paramilitary facilities in Russia within reach of ATACMS.

These include large military bases, communications stations, logistics centers, repair shops, fuel depots, ammunition depots, and permanent headquarters, from which it would be extremely difficult or impossible to quickly relocate assets or quickly strengthen their protection.

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As you know, ATACMS are designed to do just that - target enemy command centers, airfields, air defense facilities, and logistics.

ATACMS flies on a semi-ballistic trajectory. The initial acceleration is carried out on a pre-programmed rigid trajectory, and the entire subsequent flight is in a controlled mode. At the end, such missiles are accelerated, which allows them to blow up even underground bunkers.

As reported, US Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols confirmed that President Joe Biden had authorized Ukraine to strike Russian territory with ATACMS missiles.

Recently, Ukraine has used American long-range ATACMS missiles to hit Russian territory for the first time. The Defense Forces used these weapons to attack ammunition warehouse in the Bryansk region. A military target in the city of Karachev was successfully hit on the night of November 19.

The US media reported that Russia was able to intercept two of the eight missiles fired by Ukraine and that the strike was on an ammunition supply point.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Stability is returning to northeastern Nigeria after decades of insurgency as the military and the Borno State government work to reduce terrorist activities and rescue abducted civilians.

Operation Hadin Kai, the military's counter-insurgency operation in the northeast launched in 2021, has rescued of numerous civilians held captive by insurgents.

The deputy theater commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Kenneth Chigbu, praised the partnership with Borno State government.

"The Borno State government has always come to our aid and support in ensuring that the entire state is rid of the activities of terrorists," Chigbu said.

Alice Loksha was working for UNICEF when she was abducted by the Islamic State West Africa Province insurgent group in a 2018 raid on a humanitarian camp in Borno.

After six years in captivity, she escaped and found refuge in a military camp.

Loksha credits her freedom to military efforts.

"We want to thank God for the military," she said. "We pray that God will continue to strengthen them and give them victory over these terrorists"

The Borno State government is working closely with the military to support survivors like Loksha.

Zuwaira Gambo, the state's commissioner for womens affairs, said the partnership is key to the region's stability.

"The synergy that exists between the military and the government, because without the enabling environment, Borno State won't be enjoying the peace and stability we are witnessing today," Gambo said. "It is that singular commitment and political will of the government that our sisters are able to escape, to be received by the military and officially being handed over today to the Bono state government."

Chigbu has urged terrorists to surrender, promising amnesty to those who lay down their arms.

"Let me also use this opportunity on behalf of the theater commander to once again extend the olive branch to the so-called terrorists," he said. "The fight is long enough. They should come out. Amnesty will be given, will be granted them, just as the lot of them who have surrendered."

In July, Operation Hadin Kai successfully rescued 330 captives, including a schoolgirl abducted in the town of Chibok in 2014.

Most recently, Alice Loksha and another victim have been handed over to the Borno State government for rehabilitation.
In a state of the nation address late Tuesday, outgoing Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi invited the four presidential candidates for a dialogue as part of a bid to end post-election unrest that has left several people dead and dozens of others injured.

Protesters say the October 9 election won by ruling party candidate Daniel Chapo was rigged. The government denies that accusation.

Nyusi said the demonstrations are having a negative impact on the economy, as they limit the activities of companies and ports and increase unemployment, among other issues.

He said in his address that he will work to pacify Mozambique until the last day of his term, but he needs all Mozambicans to come together to solve the problems. He also hoped that, by meeting with the four candidates from the recent election, they could find a solution that benefits the country.

At least 30 people are reported to have died during the post-election violence that flared after electoral officials said Chapo, of the ruling Frelimo party, won the presidential election with more than 60% of the vote.

Venancio Mondlane, the independent candidate who came in second with 20%, challenged the result and called for nationwide protests.

International observers say the election was marred by irregularities.

Nyusis invitation to the dialogue comes a few days after the Attorney Generals Office filed cases against Venancio Mondlane and his PODEMOS party to compensate the state for property damage caused during protests.

Human rights activist Adriano Nuvunga said the president is trying to prod Mondlane into dialogue while refusing to acknowledge the protesters grievances. The president has repeatedly called for protesters to wait until the Constitutional Council validates the election results.

Nuvunga expressed skepticism over the dialogue, which he said is carried out with sticks through legal proceedings. He said the presidents call for a meeting did not seem genuine, adding Nyusi has been hiding behind the Constitutional Council for a long time, which has discredited the legitimacy of the results.

Mondlane holds historical ruling Frelimo figures responsible for issues troubling the country, including widespread poverty and high rates of youth unemployment.

But Methodist Bishop Dinis Matsolo said dialogue is the best way to calm the country and move forward.

In a telephone interview, Matsolo told VOA that Mozambique needs credible elections to achieve domestic peace.

What is happening now is the consequence of bad mismanagement of the electoral process, so it is very crucial that people should talk and put things right, Matsolo said. If we look at the whole thing, the whole electoral process is not well conducted in the country and that creates a lot of anxiety.

So far, none of the four candidates have accepted the presidents offer to hold talks. Chapo is scheduled to be inaugurated in January.
Photojournalist Kyaw Swa Tun, who was released last week from Yangons notorious Insein Prison after serving more than two years, has recounted the brutal treatment he endured at the hands of prison guards in an exclusive interview with VOA.

When the authorities learned I was a journalist, he said, I was isolated, tortured privately and subjected to threats of further harm if any news about the prison leaked out.

Having been accused of insulting the state, Kyaw, 27, was sentenced to three years of hard labor in January 2023 under Section 505(a) of the penal code, one of several key amendments to Myanmars colonial-era penal code made after the 2021 coup. Section 505(a) is widely seen as one of the juntas primary means for charging journalists, student leaders and civil servants seen as a threat to their military rule.

As a photojournalist, Kyaw captured iconic images of protest as people nationwide demonstrated in the streets because of the military coup.

Myanmars military junta has systematically targeted journalists, aiming to silence independent reporting and dissent. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Myanmar has become one of the worlds largest jailers of journalists, with dozens arbitrarily detained under charges such as incitement or spreading "fake news."

2022 arrest

Kyaw was arrested by military security forces at his home in Yangon on September 8, 2022.

They found a message on my phone where I had contacted an ethnic armed group to verify some facts, he told VOA. I always made sure to carefully delete all my messages and contact numbers, but on that day, I wasnt able to delete that particular message.

At the time of his arrest, he was working with the VOA Burmese-affiliated news outlet, Mizzima, in their fact-checking department. Mizzima had been forced underground after the military junta revoked their operating license, along with several other popular media outlets, due to their coverage of anti-coup protests.

Mizzima and DVB are now based in a neighboring country, broadcasting online.

The authorities accused me of spreading false information as part of my work with Mizzima News Agency and other outlets," he told VOA.

After his arrest, Kyaw was taken to an interrogation center, where he was detained for more than a month before being sentenced and sent to Insein prison in November. He recalled being brutally beaten by the prison authorities upon arrival.

When they found out I was a journalist, they beat me even more, he said.

Inside Insein Prison

Arriving at Insein Prison, journalists like Kyaw were subjected to degrading treatment, including body and cavity searches upon arrival."

He was violently beaten at the prison entrance, where he was forced to kneel for 45 minutes.

"The conditions were appalling. Upwards of 30 prisoners were crammed into a cell designed for 10, where some suffocated to death amid poor ventilation, he said. The food provided wasnt enough to sustain even one person."

Several prominent figures associated with Myanmars ousted government and civil society have died while in detention or shortly after their release.

Zaw Myint Maung, 72, a senior member of Myanmars former ruling party, the National League for Democracy, and a close ally of the ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, died last month while serving a prison sentence. He had been battling leukemia since 2019.

Win Khaing, 73, a former minister in Aung San Suu Kyis government, died 10 days ago, shortly after being released from prison due to the poor treatment he endured during his incarceration.

Similarly, award-winning documentary filmmaker Pe Maung Same, 50, died in August, just three days after his medical parole from a prison. According to his wife, Khin Suu Htay, he suffered severe complications from tuberculosis exacerbated by the torture he endured during his arrest in 2022 and the harsh conditions in detention.

The military junta has not allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross, or ICRC, to visit prisons in Myanmar since the coup.

We consistently urge the ICRC to take action, said Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmars permanent representative to the United Nations, who spoke with VOA on Sunday.

In the past, the ICRC has visited prisons, and during these visits, prisoners rights were upheld to some extent. We have observed that their presence helps ensure these rights are respected. We strongly call on the ICRC to protect political prisoners and prevent further violations of their rights.

Enduring impact

Despite his release, Kyaw still suffers psychologically.

"I can no longer feel safe. At night, even the sound of a dog barking or the sight of a car can startle me," said Kyaw. He added that imprisonment, poor living conditions and torture have taken a toll on his health.

Myanmar ranks 171 out of 180 countries on the global Press Freedom Index, making it one of the worlds most oppressive environments for journalists.

"If not for Chinas population size, Myanmar would lead in the number of journalists imprisoned relative to its population," said Toe Zaw Latt, secretary-general of the Independent Press Council Myanmar, a group formed last year to help promote media freedom and safety for journalists reporting in the country.

Research by the VOA Burmese Service indicates that approximately 40 journalists are imprisoned across Myanmar. Among them is VOA contributor Sithu Aung Myint, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for "sedition," among other charges. He had been providing news analysis for a VOA Burmese weekly program until his arrest in August 2021.

The junta has weaponized laws like Section 505(a) to suppress dissenting voices and control the narrative, Toe Zaw Latt told VOA. This is a deliberate attempt to silence journalists and ensure that only the militarys version of the truth is disseminated.

Journalists and press freedom advocates are urging the international community to take stronger action.

"If the international community is serious about democracy and stability in Myanmar, they must support independent journalism," Toe Zaw Latt said.

"Journalists are the messengers who expose atrocities and violence on the ground. Without them, the world would remain blind to the realities in Myanmar. Supporting them is not just about protecting individuals; its about safeguarding truth and democracy."
Thousands of NATO soldiers are taking part in large-scale artillery exercises in Finland's Arctic this month, seen by some as a signal to neighboring Russia over its war on Ukraine.

Sounds of cannon fire and rocket artillery echo across the snowy, hilly Lapland landscape as some 3,600 soldiers from the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France and other NATO members conduct live fire drills throughout November.

They are part of NATO's largest artillery exercise ever held in Europe, dubbed Dynamic Front 25, which also includes drills in Estonia, Germany, Romania and Poland involving a total of around 5,000 soldiers.

Joel Linnainmaki, a researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, said the massive exercises should be interpreted as a message to Russia, with which Finland shares a 1,340-kilometre border.

"These NATO exercises are increasingly intended to show other countries, in this case especially Russia of course, that the alliance is united and is capable of defending its members," he said.

The exercises are the first large-scale maneuvers held in Finland since the Nordic country joined NATO last year, when it dropped decades of military non-alignment following Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The move angered Moscow, which has long opposed any expansion of NATO.

Colonel Janne Makitalo, director of the Dynamic Front 25 exercise in Finland, said the main goal was to train and develop inter-operability within the alliance's artillery units, and prepare troops for harsh Arctic conditions, now that Norway, Sweden and Finland are all NATO members.

"Of course this sends a message that we are able to train together and we are developing our assets," he told reporters.

"Artillery is basically the king and queen of the battlefield, as we have seen from experience of combat in Ukraine," Makitalo said.

He dismissed the notion that NATO could provoke Moscow by flexing its military might in Russia's backyard.

"It is not any sort of show of force," he insisted.

That said, Finland joining NATO brought "280,000 soldiers to NATO's northern flank," he said.

In the hilly Rovajarvi area, troops are camped and stationed at gun positions covered in thin layers of snow and ice.

The sun rises at around 9:30 am this time of year above the Arctic Circle and sets less than six hours later, before 3:00 pm.

Measuring more than 1,000 square kilometers, it is Europe's largest firing range and training area, and allies come to rehearse in its difficult conditions.

"This is a unique place to train, because this is one of the few places where you can train things at their actual scale," said lieutenant Antti-Matti Puisto, a firing platoon leader for the Finnish Karelia brigade.

In a region where temperatures typically drop to below minus 20 degrees Celsius during winter months, the Finnish defense forces are known for being well-trained and equipped for harsh winter conditions.

Puisto underlined the importance of staying warm by wearing many layers of clothes, and of keeping encampments dry and free of humidity.

"The aim is to practice our skills as artillerymen and mountaineers, working in a very cold environment," said Captain Romain, the French unit commander of the Ecrins battery of the 93rd mountain artillery regiment, told AFP.

"Also to work on interoperability with our allies, to carry out artillery fire in coherence with our NATO allies," he told AFP, choosing only to give his first name.

"We are making history and it's really nice to see different nations in Finland," conscript and sergeant Olli Myllymaki said after his brigade conducted fire drills with K9 tanks in a snowy forest.
Nigeria concluded a three-day conference Wednesday to mark National Mining Week. Authorities in the West African nation have been seeking to expand investments in the mining industry in a bid to diversify the economy, amid the global surge in demand for minerals.

The conference, attended by government officials, mining industry players and international investors, was part of the Nigerian government's campaign to boost not only mining, but also local processing of the minerals extracted.

Earlier this year, the Nigerian government said new investors will be required to set up local processing plants if they want to obtain a mining license.

Mary Ogbe, permanent secretary of the mining and solid minerals industry, spoke about the impending changes.

"Before now, people will come in, cart away our minerals and go and refine [them] and bring [them] back and then we're paying so much on what belongs to us, she said. Now, with the local value addition, no one is allowed to legally carry out our products without adding value. Now, this is creating jobs.

Nigeria has rich deposits of more than 40 minerals, including tin, iron ore, lead, zinc and gold. The country is also a new source of lithium, a metal used in batteries and electric vehicles.

But the country's minerals are often illegally exploited and exported without generating much revenue locally.

At the summit authorities pledged to address the problem by investing in mining technologies, surveillance, data gathering, community enlightenment and enforcement of mining laws.

In March, authorities deployed 2,500 agents to police unauthorized mining activities.

This week, the government said the Mining Marshal Corps has arrested more than 300 illegal miners, including foreign nationals.

But economist and founder of the Center for Social Justice Eze Onyekpere said authorities are still not doing enough to boost income from the mining sector.

"It's been a mantra of successive governments to improve government revenue by diversifying into the solid minerals sector, but we're getting very infinitesimal sum of money from solid minerals mining, he said. And it's not as if we don't have enough solid minerals or that mining is not taking place, it is because solid minerals mining has been converted to a criminal activity especially in those areas where there's security threats and crisis but the federal government has not taken it seriously."

Despite the government's lofty goals, the mining sector contributed only about 0.77% of Nigerias GDP last year.

Onyekpere says until the government gets more serious, Nigeria's mining industry will not be able to reach its potential.
In the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, newly-elected president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, commonly known as Irro, called for unity as his supporters celebrated in the streets following his landslide victory over for over the incumbent president, Muse Bihi Abdi. Analysts said that the election of Irro could lead to fresh dialogue between Somaliland and the federal government of Somalia on a number of controversial issues.

Irro received 64% of the votes cast, while the Kulmiye Party, led by outgoing President Muse Bihi Abdi, garnered 34%. Following his victory, Irro expressed gratitude to those who worked to help him win.

He emphasized that everyone had won today and that no one was defeated. And he focused on unity of the people in his speech.

Irro said that this election was not about one group being defeated while another emerged victorious; rather, it was an election of brotherhood, aimed at unifying the people and fostering coexistence and development.

In Burao, the second-largest city in Somaliland, large crowds gathered at a square to celebrate Irro's landslide victory.

Among them was Hawa Elmi, a woman wearing the flag of Irros Wadani party.

Elmi expressed her joy, saying that after more than 30 years, her political party had finally won the presidency.

She said that she is happy that after 34 years of serious attempts at gaining power, she is finally proud to have elected a president who is loyal to both the country and its people.

Somaliland declared its independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991, following the collapse of the military government led by the late dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

Somalia has never accepted Somalilands secession, nor has Somaliland received international recognition. Efforts by the international community to broker a settlement between the two have been unsuccessful.

With Irro's victory, discussions between Somalia and Somaliland may resume, according to Mohamed Husein Gaas, the founding director of the RAAD Peace Research Institute and a Research Associate at the Conflict Research Program at the London School of Economics.

He said that Irro's win presents an opportunity to reopen stalled dialogue. During his campaign, Irro expressed a willingness to initiate discussions with the Federal Government of Somalia, potentially leading to a formal agreement and reunification.

Gaas also said that Irro's election means a new hope for those who advocate for Somali unification and togetherness, adding that he believes Irro has a vision for development and is a decent leader with a long-term perspective.

Irros election has also been well-received in Mogadishu, where many, like Abdullahi Mohamed, a university graduate, see him as a decent leader.

Abdullahi noted that the implementation of a one-man, one-vote election in Somaliland could provide a lesson for people in the southern regions, such as Mogadishu, where residents have never voted to elect their leaders.

He said that the people in the South are pleased with Irro's election as president of the Northern region of Somaliland, believing that he is a unifying figure from whom they can learn a lot.

Somaliland has long sought international recognition since declaring independence in 1991, but no government has yet recognized its status. In its pursuit of recognition, Somaliland signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ethiopia in January, which involves leasing a seaport in exchange for recognition. However, the Somali government has labeled this arrangement as illegal, viewing it as Ethiopia's attempt to create a rift within Somalia.
Scuffles erupted for a second day Wednesday in a northern Serbian city between police and opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at the city's railway station earlier this month.

Anti-government protesters sought to block a courthouse in Novi Sad, where the roof collapse at the station on Nov. 1 killed 15 people and injured two others. Riot police pushed the protesters away from the building.

A similar opposition action on Tuesday resulted in an hours-long standoff.

The collapse in Novi Sad has triggered a wave of protests against the populist authorities and arrests of several activists who have taken part. Many in Serbia believe rampant corruption led to sloppy renovation work at the station and consequently to the roof collapse.

Serbia's Interior Minister Ivica Dacic on Wednesday warned protesters in a statement that police "won't tolerate disruption of public law and order, threats to the security of the country and state institutions, as well as attacks on police."

Separately, police detained two activists in Belgrade who were protesting against plans to demolish a World War II-era bridge that carries trams as well as vehicle traffic over the Sava river between the new and old parts of the city.

Authorities plan to build a new bridge in its place, a process that will take at least three years. Opposition activists say the existing bridge should be preserved and that the process of awarding contracts for the building work lacks transparency.

In Novi Sad, a group of opposition lawmakers managed to enter the court building on Wednesday while police pushed away others who were standing outside. Protesters are also demanding the release from detention of activists jailed during the recent protests over the collapse.

The huge concrete outer roof of the railway station building suddenly crashed on Nov. 1, falling on people sitting on benches or standing below. Initially 14 people died and three were severely injured but one of the injured people died on Sunday.

The authorities have promised a thorough investigation and Serbia's construction minister, Goran Vesic, resigned shortly after the tragedy.

Populist President Aleksandar Vucic has said more resignations will follow, and on Wednesday a former construction minister now in charge of trade, Tomislav Momirovic, also said he was stepping down.

No one has been arrested, however, and no charges have been brought, though prosecutors said dozens of people have been questioned as part of the probe.

The station was originally built in 1964 and was renovated twice in recent years as part of a wider agreement with Chinese state construction companies.
Some U.S. weapons deliveries to Ukraine may take place after President Joe Biden's term ends in January, Pentagon officials tell VOA, noting it will take time for certain capabilities to arrive in Ukraine.

"As you know, some equipment and some systems can get to Ukraine very quickly, and you've seen that happen within days or weeks. Sometimes, it does take longer  and that could be longer than weeks; that could be months, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said November 14 in response to a question from VOA.

Singh noted that under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, or USAI, weapon deliveries could take years.

The long and short of it is, is that some equipment does get to Ukraine exceptionally quickly. But then there are some that take longer," she said.

The United States has remaining funds for two main programs supporting Ukraines defense  PDA, or Presidential Drawdown Authority, and USAI. The first program allows weapons to be provided from existing U.S. stockpiles, ensuring faster delivery. The second program involves purchasing weapons from industry, a process that can take longer.

As of November, the U.S. has around $9 billion left for military assistance for Ukraine, the Pentagon has reported. Of this, approximately $7 billion is available under the PDA program, including around $4 billion approved by Congress in April and an additional $2.8 billion made available after accounting adjustments by the Department of Defense. Some $2.2 billion is available through the USAI program.

On November 20, the U.S. announced an additional security assistance package for Ukraine valued at $275 million. It included munitions for rocket systems, artillery rounds and anti-tank weapons.

Pentagon officials have confirmed to VOA that the Department of Defense is committed to allocating all remaining PDA funds authorized by Congress before January 20 and additional funds made available due to recalculations. The exact total will depend on ongoing assessments of Ukraine's defense needs and the logistics of assistance delivery.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has said that some weapons deliveries to Ukraine could take time.

"Everything won't be delivered immediately," he told reporters during a visit to Italy in October. "Things that we're purchasing now, for example, may wind up showing up a couple of months later.

The secretary added that some materiel from U.S. stocks is refurbished before being delivered to Ukraine. And again, it's not instantaneous, it may take weeks or in some cases, a couple of months," he said.

Austin underscored that the Pentagon has provided a plan to the Ukrainians and is confident that weapon deliveries will proceed according to the expected schedule.

If the incoming Trump administration decided to stop some remaining deliveries, they could do so. In this case, however, they would have to de-obligate aid that was previously obligated by the Biden administration, Austin said last month in Italy.

On November 12, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder said that between the passage of the supplemental funding by Congress in April and the middle of October, the U.S. has delivered 83% of committed munitions from its stockpiles, 67% of other critical air defense commitments and 60% of artillery and close air support capabilities.

Since the passage of the supplemental, we've delivered hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of armored vehicles, thousands of munitions for HIMARS and antitank weapons, dozens of artillery systems, significant air defense capabilities, including a Patriot battery, hundreds of interceptors and dozens of other systems, Ryder said.

And together with our allies and partners, the deliveries of the strategic air defense system we committed to providing at the NATO summit are nearly completed, he said.
Spain's royal couple returned Tuesday to the area devastated by last month's catastrophic flooding for the first time since enraged survivors pelted them and top elected officials with mud on their first visit to the disaster zone.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visited the town of Chiva along with a central government minister and the regional leader of eastern Valencia, whom many citizens have slammed for bungling the flood response.

No mud flew this time as Felipe and Letizia shook hands with people at the beginning of their tour of the village. Other spectators took photos.

Chiva, a hilltop town some 30 kilometers (20 miles) to the west of Valencia city, was ripped apart by a crushing wall of water that overflowed a normally dry gorge on the night of Oct. 29. Two of the four bridges spanning the gorge were demolished and several houses were washed away.

The royals, Spain's prime minister and Valencia's leader had attempted to visit a hard-hit neighborhood of Valencia's southern outskirts on Nov. 3 just a few days after the floods. But they had to cut it short when angry locals tossed mud and other objects on their arrival in Paiporta.

The royals withstood the vitriol for half an hour and spoke to several furious residents, but they eventually had to cancel the visit and postpone a subsequent stop planned for later that day in Chiva.

The floods claimed a confirmed 227 lives and destroyed thousands of homes and vehicles. The cleanup effort continues three weeks on.
Russian dictator Putin's approval of the new Russian nuclear doctrine has once again proved the Kremlin's irresponsible attitude to its international obligations. It is symbolic that the announcement of the updates coincided with the 1000th day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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This was stated by the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, at a press conference following the EU Foreign Affairs Council on November 19. His words were quoted by the Ukrinform news agency.

The EU's top diplomat reminded that this is not the first time Moscow has threatened nuclear escalation, which is completely irresponsible.

"Russia has subscribed to the principle that 'a nuclear war cannot be won and, so, must never be fought'. Any call for nuclear warfare is an irresponsibility. We have to call it the way it is," Borrell said.

According to him, this is not the first time Putin has relied on nuclear weapons. In addition, the dictator is creating food and energy crises and increasing the danger by using North Korean troops on European soil.

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"But to call for nuclear [weapons], [to] talk about nuclear deterrence is something that we strongly reject. We condemn any reference to the use of nuclear arms, and it is certainly being done on purpose on this specific date. Of course, this was done intentionally for this special date (1000 days of full-scale Russian aggression - Ed.)," the chief European diplomat added.

As a reminder, Russian dictator Putin has approved a new nuclear doctrine of the Russian Federation. The Russian war criminal signed the relevant decree on the 1000th day of the full-scale war against Ukraine. The updated document provides for the expansion of the grounds for the use of nuclear weapons.

Earlier, the Kremlin admitted that it had decided to change its nuclear doctrine in order to threaten Western countries. According to Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russia warns the West of the consequences in case of an attack.

As reported, the White House said that it does not intend to change its nuclear policy in response to Russia's new doctrine, which expands the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Spain will legalize about 300,000 undocumented migrants a year, starting next May and through 2027, the country's migration minister said Wednesday.

The policy aims to expand the aging country's workforce and allow foreigners living in Spain without proper documentation to obtain work permits and residency. Spain has largely remained open to receiving migrants even as other European nations seek to tighten their borders to illegal crossings and asylum seekers.

Spain needs around 250,000 registered foreign workers a year to maintain its welfare state, Migration Minister Elma Saiz said in an interview on Wednesday. She contended that the legalization policy is not aimed solely at "cultural wealth and respect for human rights; it's also prosperity."

"Today, we can say Spain is a better country," Saiz told national broadcaster Radiotelevision Espanola.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has often described his government's migration policies as a means to combat the country's low birthrate. In August, Sanchez visited three West African nations in an effort to tackle irregular migration to Spain's Canary Islands.

The archipelago off the coast of Africa is seen by many as a step toward continental Europe with young men from Mali, Senegal, Mauritania and elsewhere embarking on dangerous sea voyages there seeking better job opportunities abroad or fleeing violence and political instability at home.

The new policy, approved Tuesday by Spain's leftist minority coalition government, simplifies administrative procedures for short and long-term visas and provides migrants with additional labor protections. It extends a visa offered previously to job-seekers for three months to one year.

By mid-November, some 54,000 undocumented migrants had reached Spain this year by sea or land, according to the country's Interior Ministry. The exact number of foreigners living in Spain without documentation is unclear.

Many irregular migrants make a living in Spain's underground economy as fruit pickers, caretakers, delivery drivers or other low-paid but essential jobs often passed over by Spaniards.

Without legal protections, they can be vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Saiz said the new policy would help prevent such abuse and "serve to combat mafias, fraud and the violation of rights."

Spain's economy is among the fastest-growing in the European Union this year, boosted in part by immigration and a strong rebound in tourism after the pandemic.

In 2023, Spain issued 1.3 million visas to foreigners, according to the government.
Authorities in northwestern Pakistan said Wednesday that militants overnight launched a gun and suicide bomb attack against a military outpost, killing at least 12 troops and injuring several others.

The deadly assault took place in the militancy-hit Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan.

The statement reported that Pakistani security forces in the ensuing gunfight killed six assailants and effectively blocked their attempt to enter the post, prompting a suicide bomber to ram an explosive-laden vehicle into the facility.

The explosion caused the collapse of a portion of the perimeter wall and damaged the adjoining infrastructure, resulting in fatalities, the military said.

Sanitization operation is being conducted in the area, and the perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to justice, the statement added. It did not share further details.

Local security sources have confirmed that at least six troops also sustained injuries, with two of them in critical condition.

The military statement attributed the attack to Khwarij, a term the government uses for militants linked to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The outlawed group frequently targets army and police forces in the provinces districts near or on the Afghan border.

Hafiz Gul Bahadur, a militant organization affiliated with the TTP, claimed responsibility for the Tuesday night raid in Bannu.

Pakistan says that TTP, which the United Nations lists as a global terrorist organization, is orchestrating the deadly violence from sanctuaries in Afghanistan.

Islamabad has persistently urged the Islamist Taliban government in Kabul, which is not recognized by any country, to prevent TTP and other anti-Pakistan groups from using Afghan soil for cross-border terrorism.

Taliban authorities in Afghanistan deny the allegations, saying no foreign militant groups are present in the country.

Pakistani security forces are also battling ethnic separatists in the country's largest but sparsely populated province, Balochistan in the southwest.

Resurgent militant violence, mainly affecting the two provinces, has claimed the lives of more than 1,100 Pakistanis, many of them security forces, so far this year, according to the Islamabad-based independent Center for Research and Security Studies.

The surge in attacks in natural resources-rich Balochistan prompted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday to approve a new military offensive against separatists in the province, which borders Afghanistan and is home to China-funded major infrastructure development projects.

The official announcement did not say when the military offensive would be launched, nor did it share other details.


The U.S. House of Representatives Ethics Committee failed Wednesday to reach agreement on whether to release findings from its nearly finished investigative report on former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for attorney general.

The panels chair, Republican Representative Michael Guest, emerged from a lengthy committee meeting, saying, There was no agreement by the committee to release the report.

He declined further comment. The other nine committee members  four Republicans and five Democrats  also did not comment immediately.

Gaetz was accused of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use before he was picked by Trump to become the countrys top law enforcement official in the new administration that takes office on January 20.

Two news outlets, ABC News and The Washington Post, reported that the committee had obtained documents that showed Gaetz paid two women who appeared before the committee as witnesses a total of more than $10,000 between July 2017 and late January 2019. The women, who were over the age of 18 at the time of the payments, told the panel that some of the money was for sex.

A Trump transition spokesman defended Gaetz in a statement.

The Justice Department received access to roughly every financial transaction Matt Gaetz ever undertook and came to the conclusion that he committed no crime. These leaks are meant to undermine the mandate from the people to reform the Justice Department, with Gaetz at the head of the agency, the spokesman said.

Several U.S. senators, Democrats and Republicans alike, are demanding that the report be released so they can consider the scope of Gaetzs background as they undertake their constitutionally mandated role of confirming or rejecting a new presidents Cabinet nominees.

Hours after Trump named him as a nominee, Gaetz, 42, resigned from Congress, even though he had just been reelected to a fifth term. His resignation ended the House Ethics Committees investigation, which had been nearing a conclusion.

It remained uncertain whether the panel would divulge what conclusions lawmakers had reached. With the allegations hovering over him, Gaetz quickly became Trumps most controversial selection for his Cabinet, although the president-elect has continued to support him and has been making calls to lawmakers to bolster his chances of confirmation.

Gaetz was in the Capitol Wednesday to meet with some of the senators who will decide his fate. The Senate has not voted to reject a presidential nominee for a Cabinet position since 1989, with members of both political parties giving wide deference to new presidents to fill top-level jobs with appointees of their choosing.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he met with Gaetz and Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a sitting senator, and told them there would be no rubber stamps, no lynch mobs in the confirmation process.

These allegations will be dealt with in committee, but [Gaetz] deserves a chance to confront his accusers, Graham told reporters.

The Justice Department investigated the allegations against him but last year declined to bring any charges.

Senate Democrats on the Judiciary Committee that will consider the Gaetz nomination asked the FBI to release the evidentiary file from its investigation.

That material would include interviews with a woman who said she was paid to have sex with Gaetz when she was 17. Gaetz has denied the accusations.

Representative Dean Phillips, a Democrat who previously served on the House Ethics Committee, said Gaetz's situation  a former member of Congress nominated for one of the most powerful jobs in the U.S. government  is an argument in favor of releasing the report.

"He's not just gone [from the House]. He's now been nominated for a very important position in this country, which is the chief legal officer, if you will, of the country. It would seem bizarre and incongruent with any ethical principle to not release it," Phillips said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who leads the narrow Republican majority in the House, has said he is opposed to the release of the as-yet unfinished report by the House Ethics Committee because Gaetz is no longer a member of Congress. But reports about wrongdoing by other former members of Congress have been released in a few instances in the past.

Ultimately, the Senate, which Republicans will control by at least a 52-48 margin next year, will decide whether to confirm Gaetz, who has never worked at the Justice Department or served as a prosecutor at any level of government.

But Gaetz, like other Trump nominees for top government jobs, has been a vocal supporter of the president and his Make America Great Again agenda.

Gaetz, however, angered some fellow Republican lawmakers in the House in 2023 by spearheading the effort to oust then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who eventually was replaced by Johnson.
The U.S. government recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as "president-elect" of the South American country on Tuesday, months after President Nicolas Maduro claimed to have won the July election.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recognized Gonzalez in a post on X in which he also demanded "respect for the will" of Venezuelan voters.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has said Gonzalez earned the most votes in the disputed July 28 election but has fallen short of acknowledging him as president-elect.

Venezuela's National Electoral Council, which is stacked with Maduro loyalists, declared Maduro the election winner hours after polls closed. Unlike previous presidential elections, electoral authorities did not provide detailed vote counts.

But the opposition coalition collected tally sheets from 80% of the nation's electronic voting machines and posted them online. Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said the voting records showed the former diplomat won the election with twice as many votes as Maduro.

"We deeply appreciate the recognition of the sovereign will of all Venezuelans," Gonzalez said in a post on X shortly after Blinken's statement on Tuesday. "This gesture honors the desire for change of our people and the civic feat that we carried out together on July 28."

Gonzalez left Venezuela in September for exile in Spain after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with an investigation into the publishing of the vote tally sheets.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil responded to Blinken's comment with personal attacks.

"In the last days of his government, he should dedicate himself to reflecting on his failures, getting rid of imperial and colonial complexes and going to write the memoirs of how the Bolivarian Revolution made him bite the dust of defeat, just like his predecessors," Gil said of Blinken in a statement, which did not mention election results.

Maduro and electoral authorities have rejected repeated calls from the U.S., the European Union, Colombia, Brazil and other nations to show the detailed vote records that back up the president's reelection.

Swift condemnation of the lack of post-election transparency prompted Maduro to ask Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice, whose members are aligned with the ruling party, to audit the results. The high court reaffirmed his victory.

Experts from the United Nations and the U.S.-based Carter Center, which observed the election at the invitation of Maduro's government, determined the results announced by electoral authorities lacked credibility. The U.N. experts stopped short of validating the opposition's claim to victory but said the faction's voting records published online appear to exhibit all of the original security features.

Earlier in the week, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has friendly relations with Maduro, reversed his support for the July elections, calling the vote a "mistake."

Petro spoke in an interview with Brazilian news outlet Globo News, which released excerpts online that Petro's office shared Tuesday on social media. Petro told the news outlet Monday while visiting Brazil for the G20 summit that he initially was in favor of Venezuela holding the elections, but that he later decided that the vote was not "free."

"I think the elections were a mistake," Petro said. His office did not immediately respond to a request for him to elaborate on the reasons for his change of heart.

Petro, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and then-Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador  all leftists friendly with Maduro  attempted to make peace as the results came under dispute, but the effort went nowhere.

Venezuela's next presidential term begins on January 10. Maduro has already received an invitation from the ruling party-controlled National Assembly for a swearing-in ceremony.
The U.S. is planning to send Ukraine antipersonnel land mines to help Kyivs forces fend off the advance of Russian ground troops, U.S. defense chief Lloyd Austin said Wednesday.

The decision is the second U.S. policy reversal in recent days after President Joe Biden, in the last two months of his White House tenure, switched his stance and said Ukraine is now free to launch Washington-supplied, long-range missiles deeper into Russia.

Ukraine quickly targeted munitions warehouses with its first attack on Tuesday.

Austin, speaking to reporters traveling with him on a trip to Laos, said allowing the shipment of the U.S. landmines to Ukraine became necessary because of changing battlefield tactics by Moscows forces.

The Pentagon chief said Russian ground troops are leading the movement on the battlefield, rather than forces protected by armored carriers, so Ukraine has "a need for things that can help slow down that effort on the part of the Russians."

Moscow has captured more territory in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks.

Austin said the land mines that the U.S. will provide can be controlled for self-activation and self-detonation. A U.S. official said late Tuesday the United States sought commitments from Ukraine on how it will use the antipersonnel mines, with the expectation they will be deployed only on Ukrainian territory in areas where Ukrainian civilians are not living.

The official also pointed to the functioning of the mines, which require a battery for operation and will not detonate once the battery runs out after a period of a few hours to a few weeks.

Russia, like the U.S., did not sign the United Nations convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines, but Ukraine did, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted on Wednesday.

Russia has deployed at least 13 types of land mines in Ukraine, according to Human Rights Watch, and uses them extensively in territory it has captured from Ukraine, according to The Washington Post.

The U.S. on Wednesday also said it is sending another $275 million package of munitions to Kyiv, including arms for rocket systems, artillery and anti-tank weapons. It is the 70th such shipment since August 2021.

The changing policies and additional arms supply appear to be an effort by Biden and his defense team to shore up Ukraines war effort before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office January 20.

Trump has been a skeptic of continuing U.S. support for Ukraine, claiming he will have the war ended before he even takes office, but not offering any details on how he would do so.

Meanwhile, with fighting in the 1,000-day war raging on, the U.S., Italy and Greece closed their embassies in Kyiv on Wednesday, with the American delegation saying it had received a warning of a potentially significant Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital in response to Bidens decision to allow Kyivs use of the long-range U.S. missiles. Britain kept its embassy open.

Russia and Ukraine each carried out widespread drone attacks Wednesday.

Russias Defense Ministry said it shot down about 50 Ukrainian drones, with intercepts taking place over the Novgorad, Kursk, Oryol, Belgorod, Tula, Tver, Bryansk, Moscow and Smolensk regions.

Ukraines air force said Russia attacked with 122 drones, with Ukrainian air defenses shooting down 56 of them. The aerial attacks targeted Ukraines Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Khmelnytksyi, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia and Zhytomyr regions.

Also on Wednesday, an 11-year-old boy was killed instantly in his yard and his 13-year-old sister was injured in a Russian attack with cluster munitions in Ukraines Donetsk Oblast. A 63-year-old man was also injured in the incident.

Carla Babb contributed to this report.
The last time Javeria Siddique spoke with her husband, the renowned Pakistani news anchor Arshad Sharif, he was happy and excited, she said.

Sharif was in Kenya after leaving his home country because of threats and legal issues. On that video call on October 21, 2022, he talked to all the family members, Siddique said, even the pets.

His dogs were so excited to see him on video call as they thought he had returned home, Siddique told VOA.

But the journalist never returned home. Two days after that call, Sharif was shot dead at a roadblock in Kenya.

His death shocked Pakistan and led to competing theories about what happened. Was it, as Kenyan authorities claim, a case of mistaken identity, or had powerful interests that Sharif took on in his journalism found a way to silence him?

For Siddique, she is balancing grief over her husband of 12 years with fighting for answers about what led to his death, and who may be responsible.

But it is a lonely fight.

It is so quiet in my house right now that you can hear the ticking of the wall clock. It seems like everything is getting out of hand, Siddique told VOA during a video call.

Siddique, one of Sharifs two widows, wants the government to re-open the case into her husbands killing. A special judicial commission should be formed, she said, so that an investigation can be conducted into the murder of Arshad Sharif and other journalists who have been killed in Pakistan this year.

Siddiques push for justice is a challenge shared by other families of journalists killed in apparent retaliation for their work.

Pakistan has legislation to ensure journalist safety at provincial and federal levels, said Iqbal Khattak, Pakistan representative for Reporters Without Borders, known as RSF.

But, both the laws appear to be failing in protecting journalists and combating impunity, leaving journalists vulnerable, without any use of the legal framework protections, said Khattak.

Part of the reason, he added, is because the safety commissions and systems required have not been fully established.

Without robust and functioning safety mechanisms, these laws will remain ineffective, and the lives of media professionals will continue to be at greater risks.

Pakistan has proved to be one of the deadliest countries for journalists this year, with at least six killings, according to media watchdogs.

But the Pakistani media watchdog Freedom Network, of which Khattak is executive director, has documented attempted killings this year as well.

In the groups first report focused on journalist safety, it documented at least 57 violations, including threats, assaults, and legal harassment between November 2023 and August 2024.

Sharif had experienced threats and legal harassment before he finally left Pakistan in August 2022.

The one-time anchor of Pakistans ARY News channel had become a vocal critic of Pakistan's powerful military establishment after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was removed from office in April 2022.

Arshad acted on his own will, said Siddique. And when you do that, the system starts to feel threatened by such people.

Siddique said that suspicious people would stand outside their home, and on one occasion someone tried to enter their property. The journalist also received anonymous threatening calls.

But, she said, Sharif refused to back down. I saw him becoming even more fearless. I saw him crossing the so-called red lines. He started questioning various things that we normally cannot question in Pakistan.

Sharif also came under legal threats, with sedition charges leveled against him when he finally left, traveling first to Dubai and then to Kenya.

Two months later, he was killed. Two years later, Sharifs case remains unresolved.

Cross-border probe

The government of Pakistan sent an investigation team to Kenya and requested collaboration with Kenyan authorities, saying an assassination cannot be ruled out.

In December 2022, the chief justice of Pakistans supreme court ordered a five-member bench to look into Arshads death. The following year, that chief justice retired; since his departure, there has been no movement in the case.

Siddique says the Pakistan court proceedings have been marred with delays and hurdles.

There have been delays in Kenya, too. After a court there ruled that the journalists death was unlawful and arbitrary, law enforcement was ordered to pay compensation. But an appeal led to a stay on the case until January, one of the Kenyan lawyers who represents Siddique told VOA.

RSFs Iqbal Khattak believes Pakistan should be taking the lead.

Sharifs murder story begins from Pakistan, Khattak said. If we do not find who killed him and why was he killed, then the conspiracy theories surrounding his death will stay the course and people will believe them.

For Siddique, the two years since her husbands death have been hard. She faced threats and harassment that she believes are intended to deter her from demanding a transparent investigation.

In last two years, I had to relocate twice, she said. I have seen my ID card, home address, all plastered on the internet.

She is also trying to keep the legal cases moving forward.

Siddique has demanded that the Pakistani state form a special judicial commission to investigate her husbands death as well as the killings of other journalists in Pakistan this year.

Now, I speak up for everyone. Because they all have the option to be reunited with their loved ones. I don't have that option, said Siddique.
In Zambia, Catholic bishops raised the alarm this week about increased arrests and prolonged detentions of opposition leaders.

In a letter signed by all 11 of the countrys Catholic bishops, they lamented what they called significant restrictions on democratic freedom, illustrated by charges being brought against at least six opposition leaders, as well as journalists and civil society activists, for political activities.

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops, the churchs national leadership body, released a pastoral letter Sunday. It said the church is alarmed by gross violations of human rights and undemocratic tendencies by the Zambian government.

The groups president, Kasama Archbishop Ignatius Chama, said, Even more alarming is the disturbing trend by the police of keeping suspects in detention for a period more than prescribed by the law.

Hate speech penalties

Chama urged authorities to withdraw a penal code amendment bill being considered by parliament to allow for further consultations. According to the National Assembly website, the bill is aimed at increasing penalties for hate speech.

Introducing the bill in June, President Hakainde Hichilema said certain sections of society were promoting hate speech against some tribes, which he said could cause civil strife. He said the proposed law would help ensure that perpetrators were given stiffer punishments and deter others.

However, the bishops said the proposals would undermine fundamental freedoms needed to ensure democracy.

Jackson Silavwe, a spokesperson for the United Kwacha Alliance, a network of 10 opposition political parties, told VOA that the Catholic Church has shown commitment to being the voice of the voiceless in Zambia.

We commend the ZCCB for its courageous and principled stance in addressing these critical issues, which resonate with the cries of many Zambians yearning for justice, equity and peace in our nation, Silavwe said.

Government response

Zambias chief government spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, told journalists Tuesday that the government is studying the contents of the letter.

The church are all-weather partners of government, and where they raise issues of concern, we shall not be in a hurry to respond to them, Mweetwa said. We would like to internalize and be able to consult widely.

University of Zambia lecturer and political scientist Boniface Cheembe emphasized the need for the church and government to strengthen dialogue and address issues of mutual interest.

In August 2024, senior United Nations human rights officials issued a report that concluded the restrictions and arrests of political opponents in Zambia has had a chilling effect on freedom of opinion, association and assembly in the country and has stunted the building of democratic institutions.
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Artificial intelligence was much discussed and demonstrated at the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa earlier this month. The conference highlighted how technology is changing industries on the continent. Vicky Stark filed this report.
By Harun Maruf

The Somaliland electoral commission announced Tuesday that opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro defeated incumbent Muse Bihi Abdi for the presidency of the breakaway region located on the Horn of Africa.

Independent observers described the election as peaceful. Irro, candidate for the Waddani (National) party captured 63.92% of the vote, compared with Bihis 34.81%. A third candidate, Faysal Ali Warabe, received 0.74% of the votes.

The election was originally scheduled to take place in 2022 but was delayed due to political differences.

Bihi, who defeated Irro in the last election in 2017, promised during the campaign that he would respect the results of the election.

Irro ran on a platform of change, promising to create a brighter future for the people of Somaliland, including more work and job opportunities for women.

Somaliland in 1991 declared its independence from Somalia, which views it as a northern breakaway region, not a separate nation.

Its location near Djibouti puts it close to the only permanent U.S. military base in Africa and the first overseas base for China.

Both Bihi and Irro said they hope the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will review policy toward Somaliland. The U.S. and Somaliland do not have diplomatic relations. The U.S. recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia within its 1960 borders.

Irro recently posted messages of congratulations to Trump after his victory.

We Somalilanders are thrilled with your bold policies towards Somaliland and look forward to strengthening the #Somaliland-US Partnership, as the President Aspirant, I look forward to promoting and contributing to a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous East Africa and the Red Sea, Irro said.

The International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) to Somalilands presidential elections said the elections took place in a mostly calm and peaceful environment where registered voters were able to exercise their right to vote during the day.

IEOM said it did not observe any serious irregularities or electoral malpractice, although observers noticed procedural and administrative inconsistencies that could be addressed by better training.

The mission said it identified a number of issues that electoral authorities could address including making sure that the secrecy of the vote is upheld in future elections and that the voter register is updated more regularly and closer to the holding of elections to ensure it is up-to-date.

In addition, voters need to be better informed about voting procedures, the mission added in an assessment of the election.

Who is the new president?

Abdirahman Irro, as he is commonly referred to, was born on April 29, 1955, in Hargeisa, Somalia. After completing his secondary school education at Sheikh high school near Burao town, he moved to Mogadishu for higher education.

He has a diploma from the Somali Institute of Development Administration and Management, and SIDAM/California State University and he earned an MBA from SIDAM/New York State University, according to the Waddani partys website.

He speaks Somali, English, Arabic, Russian and Finnish, the party said.

In 1981 he was employed by Somalias Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a diplomat. During his time there, he worked at the Somali embassy in Moscow, before moving to Finland to live with his family.

He started leading Somaliland community organizations in Finland before he returned to Somaliland in 1999 to join politics. He was elected to the Somaliland Parliament in 2005, and became the speaker for the first democratically elected Parliament, a position he held for 12 years.

In 2012, he co-founded the Waddani political party and was chosen as its first chairman as well as the presidential candidate for the 2017 election.

Following parliamentary elections in 2021, Waddani become the majority party in parliament.

According to human rights lawyer and analyst Guleid Ahmed Jama, the election shows the strength of Somalilands democracy.

After two years of political controversy and election delays that resulted in political violence, the successful completion of the electoral process is good news, he said.

However, it does not solve the many problems Somaliland is facing. There are big tasks ahead of the president-elect. I believe a government of national unity can salvage Somaliland and unite the divided and polarized people. The president-elect should not treat this as a win-lose scenario. He should come up with a plan to unite the people.
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Cancer patients and advocates are urging authorities in Zimbabwe to ensure cancer centers have lifesaving equipment needed to properly treat patients. Some patients say public hospitals do not have working machines to provide radiotherapy. Columbus Mavhunga has more from Harare.
Gritty, populated by downtrodden losers, pathetic and surreal, yet also full of humor and color. No one has drawn the American experience quite like Daniel Clowes, 63, who captured teen rebelliousness in Ghost World and is also the author of the traumatic biography Monica. One of the most relevant cartoonists in the United States, he seems exhausted and frustrated by the current state of his country: We are looking at the possibility of moving to Europe, just in case. You never know. You just think of Jews in Berlin in 1932. You have to think ahead, he said in Madrid in early November, before giving a talk at the Reina Sofia Museum that was not coincidentally called Make America Weird Again: Nobody wants Americans for good reasons. But my wife always tells me: In Europe they value artists, so maybe some country will adopt you.

Now that he is presenting Bola Ocho Integral, the Spanish edition of his first comic book Eight Ball, where he published Ghost World, Clowes almost looks back with nostalgia at 1989, when he began publishing comics. That lonely outcast in his twenties saw then that the underground comic scene was the thing that could get him out of his confinement: The late 80s were really one of the calmest, least crazy eras in American history. It was very boring. I remember at most of the elections back then, the complaint was that both parties were just the same. There was no real choice between voting. And the scandals were nothing compared to today. But you could sense underneath it that there was a madness in America, and that it had always been there. And I was very interested in that madness. I wanted to explore it. Then the madness came up to the top and now its released. It has been like a Pandoras box, he explains to EL PAIS.

The cover for 'Bola Ocho Integral'. Daniel Clowes / Fulgencio Pimentel

His work explored awkward, complicated characters you wouldnt want to have a coffee with. Convoluted, surreal plots inspired by film noir, his great hobby. And perhaps none of them made sense or went anywhere. He was experimenting with the genre. He had his own voice, and his comics have maintained that oddity. In Patience, a man from the future travels back in time to bring back his murdered lover. In Wilson, he portrayed a middle-aged sociopath in whats got to be the most atypical and depressing newspaper cartoon strip ever made.

But he is still surprised by what todays audiences can believe: When I went to the supermarket as a child, there were newspapers like The National Enquirer that published things like Elviss twin had been discovered in a fetus. And as a kid you think do people believe this? My mom would say well yeah, some do. And you think, well, who are these people? And now theyre half the country. And so it was always there. And it was funny because I was always interested in things like conspiracy theories and all the things that Im now fighting against. But I do have because of that I have an understanding of cults and conspiracies and all the things that are now mainstream. That has always been there. And I, who was always interested in conspiracy theories, find myself fighting against them. Cults and conspiracies are now mainstream, something that Monica delved into, and which took him seven years to write.

Clowes has always tried to understand his characters, no matter how complicated and insufferable, and even despite the bad decisions they make. I tried to depict characters that were sort of oppressive to me, or ones that I related to. My wife and friends, whenever were walking around somewhere, theyll look at somebody and say, Thats one of your characters! Theyre really out there in the world. The goal is always to inhabit them in a way that you try to see the world through their perspective and try to understand why they make whatever decisions they make. Sometimes I think: what are characters I could never fully write? I couldnt write like a Nazi prison guard, like someone whos so evil in a way thats almost without thought. I cant get in the head of somebody like that. But a lot of other very antisocial types, I can imagine how they would feel.

Clowes adds that it would be very difficult to find empathy in an Elon Musk or Silicon Valley. I couldnt do it without utter contempt. It would be very hard to find empathy for that. But if it were a developed story, Im sure I could find some way into it. I mean, they have to have some kind of frailty. Although it seems useless, and maybe they dont deserve it, I try to understand them, he reflects.

The Spanish edition of 'Monica', by Daniel Clowes. DANIEL CLOWES

Over time, Clowes left behind the cynicism of youth to embrace a tenderness that he still feels (you come to realize that there are people and things and principles that are absolutely worthy of all your affection and attention and all the things that you get angry about are just worthy of being ignored), he finds it difficult to express it at this moment: Im a bit too [...] angry and appalled to answer right now, he replied by email days after his visit to Europe, with Trump now elected president, in response to questions about the election outcome.

The people in Spain are so much more supportive of the arts and artists than in the U.S., and the culture, as in most of Europe, is far less stressful, he noted. During his visit he had already spoken about his fascination with the Spanish capital, since he sees in its gritty reality something that reminds him of the dark Chicago of his adolescence where he built his fictional world, although he has been living in progressive Oakland (California) for more than 30 years.

Comics are not made for museums. They should be read in solitude, in a comfortable chair and in silence. That's how you get the emotional connection.

How has he changed personally? I was very isolated, very shy, had social anxiety. And just general anxiety. So I was just really in my room a lot, just working all the time. I would sit in front of a sheet of paper and think about pretty women and cool friends, about someone reading me. It was my connection to the world. Today I would have been completely glued to the networks, so I am happy to have grown up with that solitude. At 63 years old and after traveling and seeing a lot, I look back at the young man and I think he made some very good decisions in his art. I feel glad that I had my own vision from the beginning, recalls this thin, bald man, as he has portrayed himself countless times, who has taken advantage of his stay in Madrid to enjoy several big meals and have a good time.

He recalls that the lonely 12-year-old boy wished that he could share his love for Thor comics with a friend at school, but these were not popular at the time. And now you see a 50-year-old guy wearing a Thor T-shirt on the street. Its disturbing. In Europe at least you see adults dressed like adults, he says, and admits that he stopped collecting and reading Marvel comics when he was 14: I never looked at them again.

Self-portrait by Daniel Clowes. Daniel Clowes / Fulgencio Pimentel

Clowes is particularly critical of societys emotional drift, and the frustrating Gen Z message of only wanting to see characters they can identify with: Its just devastating to fiction and to developing critical thinking. The only way to develop perspective and understand characters is to read fiction and the classics, and young people dont do that anymore. There are people who now read Ghost World and think the characters are mean and horrible. Nobody said that in the first 30 years after it was published; you related to them, they were human. But now people say that the ideals the characters represent dont relate to my values so how dare you produce them. Now you have to censor yourself, so I admire young artists who dont do that. Theyre the ones who in 20 years people will still care about. But all of this self-censored stuff will be completely ignored and it will be looked back on like a huge mistake.

Scarlett Johansson and Thora Birch, in the film adaptation of 'Ghost World', directed by Terry Zwigoff. MGM

He himself was strange from the start. I can see in those first issues, I was so tense about making it look professional. I could feel the veins popping on my hand. I felt like my whole life depended on those being good, which it actually did. These days I barely feel the brush in my hand, its like a feather, says this author who still refuses to call his long works graphic novels: It is silly, pretentious, although the truth is that it has been useful to reach another public. Chris Ware and I tried to come up with a better name and it didnt work out, we only thought of jokes. For him, they will always be comics, period, whether in magazine format, serialized or self-contained works for adults.

Although he is now presenting his work in a museum, Clowes still believes that comics are not made for museums. They should be read in solitude, in a comfortable chair and in silence. Thats how you get the emotional connection. That and the film he watches every night constitute his refuge from a world that today terrifies him a little more than yesterday. And its going to get worse, with artificial intelligence, all public spaces are going to be polluted. We will end up not knowing if we are talking to our friends anymore. Whoever claims that an AI will produce better art than a human makes it clear that they have no idea what good art is, but its like arguing with a Trump supporter. Its useless, he concedes.

A page from the Spanish edition of "Eight Ball" by Daniel Clowes. Daniel Clowes / Fulgencio Pimentel

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From Swept Away, at the Longacre. Photo: Emilio Madrid

Consider the subtleness of the sea, wrote Herman Melville in Moby-Dick, the devilish brilliance and beauty  the universal cannibalism of the sea; all whose creatures prey upon each other, carrying on eternal war since the world began. Consider all this; and then turn to the green, gentle, and most docile earth  Do not you find a strange analogy to something in yourself? For as this appalling ocean surrounds the verdant land, so in the soul of man there lies one insular Tahiti, full of peace and joy, but encompassed by all the horrors of the half-known life. God keep thee! Push not off from that isle, thou canst never return!

Damn, Herman. Perhaps its unfair to jump straight to the leviathan of seafaring lit when reflecting on the new musical Swept Away. At the same time, its writers are clearly going for Melvilles roiling depths and vertiginous existential heights. Theyre interested in what happens when mans soul leaves the safety of its own inner island. John Logans book weaves its way through songs from Mignonette, the 2004 album by the North Carolinian folk rockers the Avett Brothers, while dipping heavily into the rest of their catalog along the way. That album musicalizes an 1880s naval tragedy in which an English ship of the same name sank off the Cape of Good Hope. Four crew members were stranded in a lifeboat for 19 days, rescued only after three of them had killed and eaten the fourth. Welcome to the horrors of the half-known life.

In turning the Avett Brothers take on this gruesome true story into a musical, Logan and director Michael Mayer were facing a strangely paradoxical task. On the one hand, the events are there, the songs are there, and the central characters and situations are just waiting to be brought to three-dimensional life. Conversely, that very straightforwardness is a potential trap. A piece of theater assembled from preexisting songs, or charting a known historical event, can wind up feeling by-the-numbers: The things we expect to happen happen, and along the way folks sing about them (or, more likely, they sing about slightly generalized circumstances adjacent to the specific ones onstage). Despite its creative teams efforts to lace a capital-T Theme through the work, Swept Away often falls prey to this roteness. Logan, with the support of Scott and Seth Avett and their bandmate Bob Crawford, has chosen salvation and redemption as the plays big idea, but its deployment is telly not showy  we hear a lot about it, but our pulses never really rise with the stakes.

Both story and character issues are to blame. Logan and Mayer are striving to mash up the economical (the show is only 90 minutes) with the epic, but their tale of shipwreck, suffering, and cannibalism stays constrained by its own plot points  it aspires to but never quite touches Melvillian metaphysical grandeur. At the same time, the character who needs redeeming is one tough nut, with such a thick shell that its questionable whether theres anything inside. Hes known only as MateLogan takes a Cormac McCarthy approach to namesand hes played by John Gallagher Jr. with a glinting leer, a six-months-at-sea beard, and a backwoods dialect cranked up so high that it makes the scores banjo part feel downright sinister. Gallagher, even as he sings well and moves well, is more Mephistophelean than human. Its fine that Mates not nice, but if were going to commit to bringing his soul back to the light, theres got to be a soul there in the first place. [I] kept the coloreds in line down the Carolinas, he hisses at two of the men who end up on the lifeboat with him after the wreck, laying out his ugly past by way of threat, killed so many damn Indians out in the Oklahoma Territory I couldnt keep track, so many scalps I had on my belt. Every despicable trade there was came easy to me So dont ask who I am. You know. (Logan moves Mignonettes basic plot Stateside, setting it postbellum in the waning years of the whaling trade.)

This kind of speech could be an opportunity for an actor to play both persona and shadow at once. Theres a version of Mate thats trying to convince himself as much as hes trying to intimidate his fellow sailors. If they want to survive, theyre going to have to do the unspeakable, and perhaps theres part of Mate that knowslike Lady Macbeth as she prays to be filled with crueltythat hes going to have to become monstrous, and so he does his best to play the monster. But that subcutaneous layer, the part that fears and regrets and longs for a different past as much as for a different future, isnt visible with Gallagher. His Mate feels wicked and sly, if not happily then still committedly so, all the way up to the end.

Or rather the beginning: Like many new musicals these days, Swept Away exists inside a frame. We first meet Mate in a rickety hospital bed, swathed in bloody rags and coughing out whats left of his life. Its 22 years after the wreck and its ensuing horrors; now hes dying in a charity ward. But before he can slip away, three old friends arrive. Here are the men who endured the nightmare with him, the Captain (Wayne Duvall) and two farm boys, Big Brother (Stark Sands) and Little Brother (Adrian Blake Enscoe), who picked the worst possible ship on which to abandon the land for an adventure at sea. None of them is still among the living (no spoilers as to which guy got consumed), and both Susan Hilfertys costumes and Kevin Adamss lights do a beautiful job of suspending them in a different realm, dim and watery in the shadows around Mates bed. Fess up, fess up, tell the truth, my man, they sing to him, Unless takin it to hell is your plan. Mates redemption, it appears, hinges on their deliverance from purgatory. Tell our story, they urge him. Release us  Release yourself.

As Big Brother and Little Brother, Sands and Enscoe bring the conscience and the vulnerability to Swept Away that Mate lacks, along with, in Enscoes case, a sparking vitality that boosts the plays engines. Enscoe, whos got their own indie band called Bandits on the Run, is a radiant presence, delivering the Avett Brothers tunes, including the surprisingly gentle title track, with both passion and tenderness, longing and lilt. Theyre the ingenue, the adventurous young spirit who hightails it on board a whaling ship because theres got to be more in this life, while Sandss Big Brother is the hard-working, pious, stay-at-home type. Poor Big Brother  hes only onboard when the ship casts off because hes trying to drag Little Brother off of it. He wasnt even supposed to be here today!

Ultimately, Swept Aways most compelling elements exist around its center rather than within it. Along with Sands and Enscoe, the shows buff, shaggy, dirty-Henley-wearing ensemble do a great job with David Neumanns manly maritime choreography. They clamber enthusiastically up rigging and swing on the ropes of Rachel Haucks cleverly engineered set, which is, in itself, perhaps the productions greatest triumph. Its got a trick up its big wooden sleeve for the eventual shipwreck, and when it comes, Mayer and his whole team pull off a piece of staging that does indeed summon the terrible and sublime. The seas devilish brilliance and beauty pours through the space. Its temporary, but at least for a moment were swept up with it.

Swept Away is at the Longacre Theatre.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil and host of the G20 summit, with the outgoing US president Joe Biden, and other leaders, this Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro. Pilar Olivares (REUTERS)

The G-20, the club of the worlds major economies, ended its annual summit in Brazil on Tuesday with a modicum of unity but failure to reach a consensus on global challenges. The meeting, marked by the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon and the imminent return of Donald Trump to the White House, has shown the extent of internal disagreements both in terms of the war horizon and on commitments to fight hunger and poverty, the great priority for the host president, Brazils Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The final declaration of the participating leaders, released on Monday night, calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, to urgently speed up the delivery of humanitarian aid, but without mentioning either Israel or Egypt, which control the border crossings. The statement on Ukraine is even more generic, avoiding a reference to territorial integrity and limiting itself to encouraging any effort to achieve a just and lasting peace.

The second and final day was dedicated to the fight against climate change and was somewhat overshadowed by the arrests of five uniformed officers suspected of trying to kill the Brazilian president. In his speech, Lula called for greater ambition because the warning signs are not letting up. I propose advancing their climate neutrality targets from 2050 to 2040 or even 2045. Without assuming their historical responsibilities, rich nations will not have the credibility to demand ambition from others.

Both Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany and President Emmanuel Macron of France regretted that the final declaration was so lukewarm on Ukraine. It is too little when the G20 cannot find the words to make it clear Russia is responsible, said the German leader. Macron went further: This framework doesnt work very well, and Im being polite, we have not demonstrated this year our capacity to prevent or resolve conflicts. Lula decided to close the final declaration at the end of day one, when, according to Reuters, the leaders of the United States, France and Germany were not in the room and after overcoming a protest from the French negotiator.

President Lula and Brazilian diplomacy feel they scored a point by achieving a final declaration on the first of the two days of the summit, when negotiations often extend to the end or even beyond the deadline. And they can boast that none of the G-20 members introduced footnotes, as Trump did in his first term.

A minimum consensus was reached after neutralizing an attempt by the G-7, the worlds most industrialized countries, to reopen the negotiations on the section on the war in Ukraine in order to toughen it up. The G-7 gave in, as did the Argentine leader Javier Milei, who signed the document although he issued a statement in which he rejected the conclusions on several issues.

The 22-page final document also mentions the need for a world without nuclear weapons. The care and attention with which diplomats negotiate every word at a summit like this contrasts with the brutality and speed with which events unfold on the ground, whether it be the first Ukrainian attack on Russia with American missiles immediately after the U.S. granted authorization, changes in Russian nuclear doctrine or the large-scale armed theft of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Trumps shadow has loomed over the final declaration and the entire development of the summit that marks Joe Bidens international farewell. The Republicans upcoming second term sows enormous uncertainties in international balances. Many see it as a threat to collaboration between countries and the future of multilateral organizations.

Advocacy of global cooperation

In contrast to the isolationist rhetoric of the U.S. president-elect, the G-20 in its final declaration advocates global cooperation, stating that The challenges the global community faces today can only be addressed through multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow and the strengthening of global governance for both present and future generations. With this premise, the members of the summit pledged to work for a reinvigorated and strengthened multilateral system.

For Brazil and other emerging countries, this means addressing once and for all the reform of the UN Security Council, financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank so that they reflect the current balance of power and not those of more than seven decades ago. This is an old-standing demand.

As well as re-treading well-trodden ground, the leaders agreed to forge new paths. In their final statement, they embraced Brazils proposal for a tax on the wealth of the super-rich: With full respect to tax sovereignty, we will seek to engage cooperatively to ensure that ultra-high-net-worth individuals are effectively taxed. It would be a tax that each country would have to levy, at an estimated rate of around 2% of wealth, and the resulting income could be invested in the fight against climate change or other purposes.

The differences with the agenda that Trump has promised for his second term were also reflected in the debate on sustainable development. The G-20 expressly advocated continuing the fight against climate change within the framework of the Paris Agreement, which the U.S. president-elect intends to abandon again, and urged the countries meeting at the conference in Baku (Azerbaijan) to reach an agreement on financing.

Lula called for an acceleration in emissions reductions and asked the summit, whose members emit 80% of greenhouse gases, to be more ambitious in order to achieve their goals. But at the same time, the final document avoids an express request to abandon fossil fuels. Argentine President Javier Milei, who was on the verge of boycotting the declaration, was a staunch opponent of all content related to the 2030 Agenda, that is, the UNs sustainable development goals, which range from eradicating hunger to gender equality.

For Lula, this summit was an opportunity for the most powerful countries to look again at long-standing and little-treated problems in a world of crises and conflicts, such as hunger and poverty. With this G20, Brazil is writing another important chapter in its return to the international scene. Next year it will have another date with the first UN climate summit in the much-discussed Amazon that few have visited. COP 30 will be held in Belem.

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The recovered Etruscan artefacts, looted by tomb raiders in Citta della Pieve, date to the third century BC.

Italian art police have seized a significant collection of Etruscan artefacts, worth at least 8 million, that were looted from an ancient burial site in the central Umbria region of Italy.

The perfectly preserved items, which date to the third century BC, were recovered thanks to the efforts of the Carabinieri TPC art squad in an investigation that lasted several months.

The looted artefacts - found in Citta della Pieve, about 150 km north of Rome - were displayed during a news conference at the TPC headquarters in Rome on Tuesday.

Photo TPC

The precious items include eight finely decorated urns and two sarcophagi - one of which contains the skeleton of a woman in her 40s - as well as bronze mirrors, a bone comb and balsamarium bottle still containing traces of a perfume used in antiquity.

The Etruscan civilisation flourished in central Italy between the 8th and 3rd century BC before being gradually assimilated by the Romans.

The police investigation began last April, when officers from the TPC unit came across some photographs of Etruscan funerary urns on the illegal art market.

Photo TPC

Thanks to an accidental discovery by a farmer in Citta della Pieve in 2015, the Carabinieri suspected that the finds could have come from the same area.

Their investigation led them to the owner of an earthmoving company, who had the means to excavate and move such large and heavy finds, as well as focusing on land adjacent to that of the 2015 discovery.

Police employed various tactics in the investigation, including stakeouts, wiretapping and surveillance drones, to monitor the suspects.

Currently two people face charges in relation to theft and receiving stolen cultural goods, and reportedly risk up to 10 years in jail.

Photo TPC
Michael Bolton

A man in his 20s has been hospitalised in Cork City after an alleged assault and incident of false imprisonment.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses following the incident that occurred at a residence in Maryborough Hill, Cork, in the early hours of Sunday, November 17th.

At 2.30am on Sunday morning, a man, aged in his 20s, was assaulted and forcibly removed from his home in Douglas and driven to Curraheen Park, Bishopstown, Cork, where the vehicle crashed, and the injured party managed to escape.

Gardai attended the scene and the injured man was taken to Cork University Hospital to be treated for his non-life threatening injuries.

Gardai are appealing to any person who was travelling in Maryborough Hill, Douglas area between 2.30am and 3am or in the Curraheen Park Bishopstown area between 3.30am and 4am, on Sunday morning 17th November or between both areas to contact investigating gardai.

Additionally, road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Togher Garda Station on 021 494 7120, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Senior Roads Engineer at Waterford City and County Council is advising motorists to travel on national and secondary roads as hazardous weather conditions are expected from tonight.

The engineer said at the Comeragh District meeting today, November 20, that those roads will be prioritized for gritting.

He said the incoming weather is complex and asked the public to heed weather warnings from Met Eireann.

I am advising drivers to drive with extreme caution, said Mr Hynes.

A list of priorities can be found on the council's website.

Waterford City and County Council say they have activated its severe weather plan and ground crews will attend to the Priority One (P1) and Priority Two (P2) road network.

Gritting will be undertaken as required on these P1 and P2 roads for the duration of the cold weather advisory warning.

Crews will only salt Priority Three (P3) roads as and when resources allow, and during normal working hours.

A map of winter maintenance routes can be found at https://bit.ly/WaterfordGrittingRoutes

ORANGE

The engineer's comments came as Met Eireann issued a 'Status Orange Snow and Ice' warning for the county.

The warning will be in place from 9pm tonight to midday on Thursday, November 21.

Waterford City and County Council expect all roads will be dangerous for drivers, with some becoming impassable.

In a statement Mr Hynes said:

We would advise all motorists to exercise caution on their journeys, reduce speed and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front, as travelling conditions will potentially be hazardous with widespread frost and icy stretches.

Please allow extra time for any journey and be conscious of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.

OTHER ADVICE

Waterford City and County Councils severe weather management team will continue to monitor the situation and is advising members of the public that:

 Wintry showers and icy surfaces will lead to difficult travel conditions

 Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey

 Take extra care while walking: footpaths etc. can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice

 Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours

 Keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112

 The Be Winter Ready website https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-ready provides further advice on preparing for severe weather

 People are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication

 Monitor Met Eireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.

Members of the public can contact Waterford City and County Councils Customer Services Desks on 0818 10 20 20 during normal office hours, after which calls will be transferred to the Councils emergency services number.

Emergency contact numbers are as follows:
Waterford City and County Council are operating with additional homelessness capacity in light of the snow forecast for Waterford tonight and tomorrow morning.

The council has enacted its Severe Weather Protocol tonight as part of its collaboration with the HSE, Focus Ireland and South East Simon Community. The organisations run a cooperative homelessness service during the colder months to keep in regular contact with any known rough sleepers to advise them of impending weather alerts and freezing temperatures.

Additional capacity has been made available at McGwire House on Bath Street in Waterford, where homeless people - both men and women - can present to avail of shelter or to contact them at 051 879 930.

There are facilities available for women and children who are fleeing domestic violence Oasis House, located at 71 Morrisson's Road, Waterford. They are available to be contacted at 051 370 367.

Given the Met Eireann orange warning for snow and ice, the City and County Council is appealing to the public to contact the Homeless Services Team if they see anyone sleeping rough in Waterford from Thursday, November 21st to midday, Thursday, November 21st, so that they can provide emergency respite for those impacted most by the harsh weather conditions set to hit Waterford.

The Homeless Services Team at Waterford Integrated Homeless Services can be contacted by email at homelessservicesteam@waterfordcouncil.ie or by calling 0818 10 20 20.

Met Eireann has said that "significant snowfall accumulations [are] expected" in Waterford tonight with some flooding possible.

The status orange warning has been added to an existing status yellow low temperatures warning issued on Monday, November 18, by the national forecaster. An orange snow and rain warning is also in place in Waterford and Cork with flooding possible in the area.

Temperatures in the south of the country are predicted to be very cold with lowest temperatures of -4 to 0 degrees in light to moderate easterly or variable winds. Widespread frost and ice will develop.
Mayor of Waterford Jason Murphy held a reception for students from De La Salle College's Hub in the Mayor's Parlour.

In attendance at the event on Tuesday were students and teachers, as well as representatives from St Paul's, 50 Shades of Exceptional and Autism Friendly Waterford.

Mayor of Waterford Cllr Jason Murphy is pictured here with some of the De La Salle Hub students and staff. Photo: Joe Evans

Mayor Murphy told those gathered it was his honour to host the class of 'Hub Stars' and celebrate their achievements.

To the dedicated staff, to the incredible children who inspire us all, and to their families, I want to extend my deepest gratitude.

Your efforts are shaping lives, creating opportunities, and building bridges that will help these children integrate successfully into mainstream education and beyond, said Mayor Murphy.

The mayor described the work at the autism class as pioneering and said it was important to ensure an equality in education that meets students' needs and is in line with legislation.

Thank you for all that you do and for reminding us of the power of education, compassion, and collaboration in making a difference, said Mayor Murphy.

Mayor of Waterford City & County Cllr Jason Murphy pictured here with Aaron who spoke at the event. Photo: Joe Evans

Following the mayoral speech, teacher Elaine Walsh gave a presentation on the hub's projects.

Student at the hub, Billy said the hub had helped him when he was struggling in school. He flew under the radar, he said.

He visited the hub for chair yoga.

It is the best thing in the school. It has helped me unfathomably. I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for everyone in the hub. It has been the best thing ever, honestly, said Billy.

Former hub pupil and journalism student Alex said he too struggled in school but after attending the hub he felt a huge improvement in himself.

The hub was introduced when he was in transition year and last year he completed his Leaving Certificate.

If the hub hadnt been there, I wouldnt have been able to do it.

I am really happy it is here for you lads, said Alex.

Aaron said he was able to improve his grades with the support of the hub and his Special Needs Assistant.

Everyone in the hub is amazing, said Aaron.

Joe said he moved from St Pauls Community College to De La Salle in 2023, and he said the hub had helped him.

Thank you to the teachers and staff for getting me this far. You support me and I support you, said Joe.

Mayor Murphy said he very much enjoyed the presentation by Ms Walsh but more so the testimonials from the boys.

You are making fantastic progress, all of you, and you will make great contributions to society," said Mayor Murphy.
Eoin Reynolds

Tristan Sherry, who was beaten to death after fatally shooting Jason Hennessy Snr, "deserved it" because he came to a busy restaurant on Christmas Eve to "slaughter everyone", one of Hennessy's sons told gardai.

Brandon Hennessy (21) is on trial at the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court accused of violent disorder during the incident in which both his father and Sherry lost their lives. He denies the charge.

In Garda interviews more than one month after the attack, Mr Hennessy said Sherry was a "scumbag" who didn't care about women or children when he came into the restaurant and started firing.

"I think he deserved it because he came in to kill, not just one, but to slaughter everyone," Mr Hennessy said.

In relation to his own alleged violent conduct, Mr Hennessy said he acted in self-defence, did not use unnecessary violence or excessive force and was provoked by Sherry.

Mr Hennessy also accused gardai of not protecting his family and questioned why it took them so long to respond to the fatal shooting.

The court has heard that Hennessy snr and a group of about 30 people had gathered in Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown last December 24th for a party when Sherry and a second gunman arrived with their faces covered and hoods up.

Sherry scuffled with Hennessy snr and fatally wounded him before the gunman was himself disarmed and beaten to death.

Det Sgt Mark Murphy told prosecution on Wednesday counsel Fiona Murphy SC that Brandon Hennessy presented himself at Blanchardstown Garda Station on January 28th this year to be arrested and questioned.

During his first interview, gardai told Mr Hennessy that they were there to protect him. "If you were here to protect us, why did it take 45 minutes to get there [Browne's] when the Garda station is two minutes down the road?," Mr Hennessy responded.

The accused identified himself and his father arriving at the restaurant on CCTV footage and then pointed to himself and others laughing and joking after taking up their table inside.

He pointed to his dad holding a baby as people began diving for cover when a woman shouted, "they have guns," as Sherry and the second gunman emerged from the bar area.

Mr Hennessy described his dad tackling Sherry as he, the accused, ran to the bathroom.

He came back and went to look for the second gunman, he said, before he is alleged to have struck Sherry while he lay on the ground where he was being beaten by other members of the Hennessy group.

Mr Hennessy said he couldn't remember what he was doing at that time, and when asked why he wasn't helping his father, he said: "Where were youse [gardai] when this was going on? I still don't see youse."

Gardai asked Mr Hennessy how he could say he was defending himself when CCTV footage shows him striking down on Sherry as Sherry lay on the ground.

Mr Hennessy responded: "It could be worse, I could have had a gun like him."

He asked why he should care about Sherry when Sherry didn't care about anyone, including the women and children present. He added: "We are not there to kill, he is there to kill."

Gardai asked how Sherry could have been a threat when he had been disarmed and was lying on the ground with people "laying into" him.

Mr Hennessy said it "depends on the circumstances".

Mr Hennessy said the gardai "don't care about us, you don't give a f**k about us" and questioned why the second gunman had not been arrested.

Having consulted with a solicitor, Mr Hennessy told gardai: "I acted in self-defence, I didn't use unnecessary violence or excessive force and was provoked by Tristan Sherry to do so."

The court also heard from interviews with 18-year-old Diarmuid O'Brien after his arrest on January 23rd this year. Mr O'Brien denies a charge of violent disorder arising from the incident at Browne's.

Det Gda John Hayes told Ms Murphy that in his third interview, Mr O'Brien's solicitor told his client to "say what you are supposed to be saying, what you were going to say?" Mr O'Brien then told gardai: "I want to put it on the record that I found myself in an extraordinary situation. I did not use unnecessary violence or excessive force."

The trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge James Faughnan.

The three men currently on trial accused of Sherry's murder are Noah Musueni (18), of Corduff Park, Blanchardstown; David Amah (18), of Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin; and Michael Andrecut (22), of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown.

Jonas Kabangu (18), of 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, is also charged with violent disorder. All accused have pleaded not guilty.
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The year was 1996 and my friend, Uberto Pasolini, an independent producer, was standing on a street in Londons Soho giving away tickets to a preview screening of his latest film. I had come along to support him as he had been sounding typically downbeat about the films prospects. It was a low-budget affair, he told me, shot in the industrial north of England, written by Simon Beaufoy, directed by Peter Cattaneo and starring a cast of relative unknowns.

So I sat down to watch with few expectations, but the film made me laugh and cry and raised a cheer from the packed cinema. It was called The Full Monty, went on to gross more than $250 million from its tiny budget and was nominated for four Oscars including the best film, best director and best original screenplay.

Uberto and I had first met, two years earlier, to discuss his passion project The Odyssey. My first response at the time was to point out that The Odyssey is famously un-adaptable. The Kirk Douglas version Ulysses (1954) tried to cram all the highlights into a single movie  the Cyclops, the Sirens, the love affair with Circe and so on  a spirited if dated effort which kind of proved my point that the epic Homeric poem  24 books in all  was far too complex for a single film. That, in fact, is the central joke of Jean-Luc Godards Contempt (1963) which is ostensibly about a failed attempt to wrangle The Odyssey into a workable screenplay, but actually centres on the age-old tension between art and commerce in making a Hollywood epic.

Ubertos instincts leaned towards the artistic and away from the blatantly commercial. The references he cited were David Webb Peoples Oscar-winning Unforgiven (1992) and Daniel Vignes The Return of Martin Guerre (1982). In other words, he suggested, I should think of our film as a simple homecoming movie in which a warrior returns home, filled with self-hatred after many years of fighting an unjust war. What he finds on his return is that his son Telemachus has grown up deeply resenting him, and his wife Penelope is besieged in her palace, surrounded by interlopers intent on exploiting the islands riches, abusing its populace and hoping to marry the queen.

Uberto Pasolini, Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche and Claudio Santamaria at the premiere of The Return at the Rome Film Fest. Credit: Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

In this version I would dispense with the monsters, the endless wandering, and the constant interference of the gods  all elements one normally associates with the story. Uberto saw The Odyssey as a modern psychological drama disguised as a period piece, and his instinct proved absolutely right. When one embarks on this kind of adaptation, finding a sound psychological reason for every action, stripping away the overlay of magical thinking, one discovers the timeless human story that lies at the heart of the Homeric poem.

There is good evidence that the siege of Troy was a real event, and that the Bronze Age kings of Greece were real people. The way they lived and the wars they fought are now well documented, and not so dissimilar from tribal conflicts in Roman, medieval, or indeed modern times. Travelling in remote parts of the world  as I did as a doctor before my career as a screenwriter  feels like travelling back in time to a pre-industrial era. One need not go too far from the cities of Central Africa to find small communities, like those of Bronze Age Ithaca, whose menfolk have left the fields to wage war, whose remaining population consists largely of old folk, women and children, vulnerable to armed raiders. And one can easily find in modern America, or my adopted homeland Australia, soldiers who returned from some foreign conflict in Afghanistan or Iraq, with doubts about the purpose of the war and their part in it. Survivor guilt is not new, nor is PTSD, nor is the inner turmoil of the returning warrior. Asked to recount the glorious victory at Troy, according to Homer: great Odysseus melted into tears, running down from his eyes to wet his cheeks There is no shortage of military vets who can identify with that emotion.
On the streets of Solino, an impoverished neighborhood in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, silence reigns supreme after last weeks violence, when the armed group Viv Ansanm forced a mass exodus of its residents. The area now lies empty, strewn with rubble. Residents were still grappling with the devastation and uncertainty left by the attacks, when the gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, better known as Barbecue and the leader of Viv Ansanm, arrived six blocks from the neighborhood. Escorted by heavily armed men, he distributed school bags to children at a local school.

This act exemplifies the stark contradictions in Haiti  a nation where gangs simultaneously provide aid to impoverished communities to garner favor and perpetuate violence that displaces thousands and paralyzes the countrys institutions. Marcial Pierre, a neighbor who witnessed Barbecue distributing the aid, still remembers with surprise what happened that morning: Seeing him arrive with so many armed men was terrifying. He brought backpacks, but we had already lost our homes. There is no way to forget what we have experienced, he says. Pierre, like many in Solino, had to leave his home due to the constant threats and clashes with armed gangs and the glaring absence of state protection.

While the plight of the displaced received little media attention, images of children receiving backpacks from Barbecue quickly circulated in local media, eliciting a mix of reactions. For some, this gesture signals a strategic attempt by gangs to gain legitimacy amid the escalating insecurity. They win people over with gifts, but we all know what they really want: greater control, especially in the most vulnerable neighborhoods in the capital, explains Jean-Louis Belizaire, a young resident of the area.

In a makeshift camp on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, Marie Dorleus, a mother of three, shares her experience. We were told that if we didnt leave [Solino], we wouldnt live to tell the tale. We ran away without knowing where to go. Its hard to be here, far from what was once my home, she says, watching her children play in the mud as they try to adapt to the conditions of the camp.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 20,000 people were displaced in just four days last week, with Solino among the hardest-hit areas by Viv Ansanms violence. In total, more than 700,000 Haitians have been displaced this year, according to the U.N. Many of the displaced face dire conditions, with limited access to basic services. Pregnant women, children, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

We sleep on the ground, sometimes without food. The rains have ruined our few belongings, says Clemence Auguste, another displaced resident. In the makeshift camp, the living conditions are only getting worse. And despite government promises of assistance, many are yet to receive any aid.

Bwa Kale, the self-defense movement regains strength

Meanwhile, in other areas of the capital, such as the residential area of Canape-Vert or the once well-off neighborhood of Petionville, the population has begun to take measures to resist the pressure of the gangs. On Tuesday, residents of these areas who make up the self-defense movement known as Bwa Kale, supported by the Haitian National Police (PNH), directly confronted the gangs that were attempting to push into their neighborhoods.

We cannot continue to allow them to terrorize us. If we do not defend our neighborhoods, no one will do it for us, says Francois Rene, a member of a local self-defense group. The clashes have resulted in the deaths of at least 35 gang members, whose bodies were burned by residents in a symbolic act of resistance. Law enforcement recovered several weapons used by the attackers.

We have lost too much. If we dont defend ourselves, no one will do it for us, says Andre Paul, a shopkeeper in Canape-Vert who was forced to close his store due to the unrelenting violence. For many, the collaboration between the Bwa Kale movement and the police represents one of the few effective responses to the gangs. However, even these efforts have not yet provided the enduring peace residents desperately seek.

Meanwhile, Barbecue, the leader of the armed group Viv Ansanm, issued new threats against the Haitian government. In a Tuesday interview with local media, he vowed to dismantle the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) unless the government initiated dialogue with his group. They think they can stop us, but all the helicopters in the world wont be enough. The gangs are here to stay, he said defiantly.

Violence in Haiti escalated sharply after the inauguration of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime on November 11. Since then, economic and social activity in the capital has ground to a halt. We cannot work; there is no security. Every day is a struggle to survive, says Michel Lafontant, a taxi driver whose livelihood has been destroyed by the insecurity and collapse of activity.

Haitis economy, already battered by years of political instability and crisis, is now reeling further from the relentless violence. The country is facing one of the most difficult periods in its recent history.

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The arrival

For aviation geeks, Toulouse-Blagnac is the dream airport. The first Concorde took off from here in 1969. In 2005, it was the turn of the Airbus A380. Both planes are among those on display at the nearby Aeroscopia museum, next door to Airbus headquarters (which you can also tour) at the northern tip of the airport zone. Airbus also uses one of the runways for flight tests and deliveries.

As we arrive in the outskirts of Toulouse by car, the route to the airport is well signposted, the approach is easy to navigate and there is little traffic on the road. Public transport options from the city centre will be bolstered when the direct tram line reopens in 2026. For the moment, the best option is the airport bus, which takes 25 minutes to downtown Toulouse and costs 9 ($14.70).

The look

In a word: indistinct. A single, long, three-storey concrete block of a building split into four halls with sky-high ceilings and shiny stone floors. Its calm, clean and hard to believe more than 7.8 million passed through in 2023, given the quiet entrance. Where is everyone?
The hearings marked a trial of cowardice on the part of the men accused of taking part in the rapes, she added. Betrayed and fooled Of the co-defendants, only 14 have admitted charges of aggravated rape. The 35 others deny having raped her and maintain that they thought they were taking part in sex games. Gisele Pelicot said: Ive seen people take the stand who deny rape, and some who admit it.

I want to say to these men: at what point did Mrs Pelicot give you her consent when you entered the room? At what point do you become aware of this inert body? At what point do you not report it to the police? None of her alleged abusers alerted police. People gather in Paris in September in support of Gisele Pelicot. Credit: AP Asked whether her husband was a sexual predator, she said: Of course, certainly. She added: I dont forgive him. His actions are unforgivable. I was betrayed and fooled.

Responding to defence lawyers suggestions that their clients had also been manipulated by her ex-husband, Pelicot said: Your conscience has to kick in when you step into the bedroom. They are not children. Loading Gisele Pelicot described herself as a positive person who would attempt to rebuild her life. However, she added: Ive lost 10 years of my life that Ill never make up for. This scar will never heal. Therell forever be 51 people who have defiled me and I will have to live with this for the rest of my life. A name known throughout the world

Investigators have counted around 200 alleged rapes, most of them by Dominique Pelicot, along with more than 90 that were carried out by strangers. Almost half of them have not been identified. Gisele Pelicot said her former husband had a lot of fantasies that I couldnt fulfil. She added: But why did it come to this? I think what he wanted was Mrs Pelicot and not someone else. As I didnt want to go to a swingers club, he thought hed found the solution by putting me to sleep. A mural created by Maca_dessine depicts Gisele Pelicot and a sentence reading: So that shame changes sides in Gentilly, south of Paris. Credit: AFP

Asked why she continued to use her ex-husbands name during the trial, she responded: When I arrived in this room, my children were ashamed to bear the name Pelicot. I wanted to bear it so that they would not be ashamed. Loading Today my name is known throughout the world  People will remember Gisele Pelicot. In his final remarks, her husband said he bitterly regretted having annihilated his family and said that subjugating an unsubmissive woman was my fantasy, out of pure selfishness. He said this constituted his main motive. Dominique Pelicot reminded the court that he had been shaped by sexual abuse and trauma in his childhood  but added this did not excuse anything.

That caused a break in me. It lasted for life, he told the court. You will die lying and alone Dominique Pelicot denied ever having abused Caroline Darian, his daughter, after photographs of her partially undressed were found on his computer hard drive. I insist that I never touched my children or my grandchildren, he said, bursting into tears. However, Antoine Camus, her lawyer, warned Dominique Pelicot that failure to acknowledge the facts would leave his daughter in perpetual hell.

Gisele Pelicots children Florian, (right), David and Caroline Darian arrive in the Avignon courthouse, southern France, on September 5, 2024. Credit: AP Dominique Pelicot replied: I can tell her, looking at her straight in the eye, that I never touched her  Caroline, I never touched you. His daughter then shouted across the room: You are lying. I am sick of your lies. You will die lying and alone. They then glared at one another across the silent room. Prosecutors will deliver their closing arguments on Thursday and Friday, which will include their sentencing demands for the defendants.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hit the jackpot with the election of Donald Trump. He could not hope for a more ardent supporter than the US president-elect to energise him and the extremists within his coalition to pursue their Gaza and Lebanon campaigns, and as they seek to diminish Irans regional influence.

But, given the complexity of the Middle East, Trump stabilising the region based on ensuring Israels regional paramountcy will not prove easy.

Illustration: Dionne Gain

While Trump has said he is not afraid to use US power to boost what he regards as Americas national interests, he is not fond of conflicts. His motto is that he ends wars and does not start them. He has proudly claimed that not a single war started during his first presidency, and that he vigorously sought to end the Afghanistan war responsibly through a peace deal with the Taliban, but that it was President Joe Biden who made a mess of the US withdrawal from the country.

Regarding the Gaza and Lebanon conflicts, however, he has promised Netanyahu all the assistance he needs to succeed against Hamas and Hezbollah, and to rebuff Iran as the main villain and sponsor of terrorism in the region.
Cairo: The Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war has stirred debate among the enclaves Palestinian clerics, with some saying it was not worth the heavy civilian death toll and others declaring the October 7, 2023 assault was an Islamic duty.

Responding on an online messaging platform to questions sent by Gazans, prominent preacher Suleiman al-Dayya said Muslim leaders should avoid going into battles if the harm inflicted upon civilians was greater than the gains.

He said warriors should question the wisdom of fighting if it increased the harm to religion, life, honour, children or wealth or the seizure of land, let alone the destruction of the foundations of life.

A Palestinian carries away the wrapped body of an infant following an Israeli strike in the east of the refugee camp in al-Bureij, central Gaza, in September. Credit: Bloomberg

Dayyas views are well respected in Gaza among both ordinary residents and Islamists, and he also has influence with Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. A decade ago, he issued a fatwa for Palestinians to honour the Egypt-brokered ceasefire that ended the 2012 Gaza War.
Looting is increasingly threatening the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza. A humanitarian convoy of more than 100 trucks loaded with food was violently attacked in Gaza last weekend in the worst incident of its kind since the start of the war, the U.N. agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said on Monday. The looting  likely perpetrated by a criminal gang  exposes the breakdown of law and order in the Gaza Strip due to Israels military offensive, as well as the growing difficulties in delivering aid amid a catastrophic humanitarian crisis that is rapidly deteriorating.

According to U.N. Secretary-Generals spokesman Stephane Dujarric, the raided convoy  which was carrying aid from the World Food Program (WFP) and UNRWA  was scheduled to leave on Sunday but was instructed by the Israeli military to leave a day earlier, on Saturday morning, via an alternative, unknown route. The attack occurred shortly after the trucks  109 in total  entered southern Gaza. Most of the vehicles (97 according to UNRWA; 98 according to Dujarric) were stopped at gunpoint and the drivers forced to unload the aid. The current location of the drivers remains unknown. At least 11 trucks reached their destination, a warehouse in the center of Gaza.

UNRWA has strongly criticized Israeli authorities for continuing to fail to uphold their legal obligation to ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to Gazas population. International law requires that aid is protected and reaches civilians without obstruction. UNRWA says that this responsibility extends to the point where aid is received by civilians. Saturdays raid took place near the Karem Abu Salem border crossing between southern Israel and Gaza, Dujarric said. Since the beginning of the year, this has been the main gateway for humanitarian aid into Gaza. Most of the looting takes place in this area, despite it being effectively controlled by the Israeli army.

Israeli authorities previously accused Hamas of looting aid, but without hard evidence, and the situation in Gaza is more complex. Aid agencies say shortages of basic supplies as a result of Israels blockades have created a desperate environment that fosters looting and profiteering. According to these agencies, the only sustainable solution is to dramatically increase the flow of aid. However, October saw the lowest number of aid trucks entering Gaza since the war began. Data from the U.N. and Israeli authorities show that the flow of goods fell by roughly 75% compared to the peak in April, which itself marked less than half the pre-war levels.

Dujarric noted that recent measures by Israel, including the opening of a new border crossing at Kissufim in central Gaza, have done little to improve the situation due to ongoing security challenges. And UNRWA  which has long struggled to find truck drivers willing to collect humanitarian aid due to the risk of looting  warned that without immediate intervention, food shortages in Gaza will worsen, further endangering the two million people who rely on aid to survive. The situation is particularly critical in northern Gaza, which remains under siege by the Israeli army. Experts warn that famine conditions may already be emerging in this area.

A group of people loot a truck that entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing, on November 2. DPA via Europa Press (DPA via Europa Press)

In an effort to reassert some control, the Gazan Interior Ministry announced on Hamas-controlled Al Aqsa television on Monday that security forces, in cooperation with tribal committees, had killed over 20 individuals during an operation targeting gangs involved in looting humanitarian aid. They emphasized that this was the beginning of a broader campaign to combat such actions. And in an apparent attempt to avoid stoking local unrest, the ministry clarified that while members of certain clans were implicated in these raids, this would not tarnish their family reputations.

Despite these efforts, doubts remain about the Gazan Interior Ministrys ability to address the growing challenge. The increasing frequency and scale of looting stem from the breakdown of law and order caused by the Israeli military offensive, which has severely damaged the Gaza Strips civil infrastructure, including police forces and aid management officials. This power vacuum has been partly filled by organized crime groups. Humanitarian agencies warn that no substantial increase in aid flows will be possible until a new and functional police force is established  a step Israeli authorities have so far opposed. The Gazan Interior Ministry includes members affiliated with Hamas and others who are not.

The rise of gangs capable of orchestrating large-scale looting, like last Saturdays raid, also raises critical questions about the role and priorities of the Israeli army, which controls practically all of Gaza. Most looting incidents occur in southeastern Gaza, near areas where Israeli troops are stationed. In the past year, Israeli forces have been notably more aggressive in targeting local law enforcement officials than in confronting organized crime groups. The Israeli military did not respond to EL PAIS questions regarding these issues.

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The United States has for the first time recognized Edmundo Gonzalez, the opposition candidate, as Venezuelas president-elect following the presidential election of July 28. Washington had already declared Gonzalez the winner on August 1. The Venezuelan people spoke resoundingly on July 28 and made Edmundo Gonzalez the president-elect. Democracy demands respect for the will of the voters, Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote on social media.

It is the first time that the U.S. has described Gonzalez as Venezuelas president-elect. The change comes two months before Nicolas Maduros new term is due to begin on January 10, which will be followed by the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on January 20. It also comes just after the end of the G-20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, attended by outgoing President Joe Biden and Blinken himself.

The Venezuelan opposition leader expressed his gratitude for the recognition on the same social platform just minutes after Blinkens message. This gesture honors the desire for change of our people and the civic gesture that we carried out together on July 28, he posted in X.

Venezuelas National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed Nicolas Maduro the winner, but since then it has not published the vote tallies with the disaggregated results, in spite of calls from the United States, the European Union and Latin American countries such as Brazil or Colombia to do so. The main Venezuelan opposition coalition, the Plataforma Unitaria Democratica (PUD), released the results of the election online, and these tallies show Gonzalez as the winner, with more than twice as many votes as Maduro.

The former diplomat has been in exile in Spain since September. He took refuge there after denouncing persecution by Venezuelan authorities: the Venezuelan Prosecutors Office had opened an investigation against him and an arrest warrant had been issued for him after the PUD released the vote tallies online. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has also been in hiding since then. Despite his departure, Gonzalez maintains that he is the real winner of the election.

Trump has proposed as his Secretary of State the current Florida senator Marco Rubio, considered a hawk towards the authoritarian regime in Venezuela. In August, after the elections in that country Rubio criticized the partial lifting of sanctions that the Biden Administration had approved months earlier to encourage free elections. The strategies presented by this administration have done nothing but empower narco-dictator Maduro and his thugs [...] Any negotiations are a continued lifeline to the narco-regime, Rubio said in a statement.

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In science fiction films, we often see characters entering machines that scan their cells to detect illnesses and cure them. While the concept of a robot doctor may belong to dystopian visions, science is working toward a technology that could help real-life medical professionals diagnose diseases early and accurately, and prescribe personalized and precise treatments. Though this goal remains distant, it is one step closer today. A series of over 40 studies published on Wednesday brings us closer to building a 3D atlas of all human cells  a detailed and complete digital manual of the body.

As with any major scientific endeavor, the announcement of the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) in 2016 wasnt the headline of the day. It began as an ambitious but relatively modest project, introduced in London by a group of about a hundred scientists led by two biologists, Aviv Regev  now at Genentech  and Sarah Teichmann  now at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute. Over the years, the HCA has expanded to include over 3,600 members from around the world, supported by more than a hundred institutions. Today, it is one of the largest global consortia in the field of Big Science, surpassing even the size of the Human Genome Project at its peak.

The HCA is divided into 18 networks, each focused on a specific organ, tissue, or system. Researchers have already analyzed over 100 million cells from approximately 10,000 individuals, ensuring a broad representation of human diversity. Applying precision genomic techniques to each individual cell, together with powerful bioinformatics and artificial intelligence (AI) tools, they are mapping which of the 20,000 genes in the human genome are active in different cell types. The idea is to create a kind of cellular ID for each profile, identifying the proteins they produce, how they function, and how cells communicate within tissues, all captured in intricate, navigable spatial maps. As Teichmann explains, the HCA will be a kind of Google Maps of cellular biology.

The HCA has contributed more than 440 studies, and its data portal already offers atlases of the nervous system, the lungs and the eye. These atlases will be superimposed to form a complete reference map of the healthy human body, says Teichmann. The atlas not only covers the adult organism, but also the development of organs and tissues from the embryonic and paediatric stages, which are often the cause of ailments.

Causes of the disease and new drugs

The more than 40 studies published on Wednesday in various journals of the Nature group mark a crucial moment for the HCA community, according to Regev. This major collaborative effort spans multiple areas, including the development of the placenta, skeleton, and nervous system, as well as the impact of genetic variations on cell diseases. The studies also explore the effects of Covid-19 on the lungs and the function and alterations of the digestive system, among other topics.

These findings will be incorporated into the first draft of the Human Cell Atlas, which is set to be published in 2025-26. The atlas will be made available online with open access and will continue to grow, ultimately encompassing billions of cells from every organ and tissue in the human body, which is made up of around 37 trillion cells.

According to Regev, the main future  and current  benefit is the progress in discovering the causes of diseases and the development of medicines. Scientists are already using the atlas daily for these purposes. As the HCA co-founder explains, researchers compare cells from diseased tissues  such as biopsies from tumors or patients with autoimmune conditions  with healthy reference cells. The differences in their composition and gene expression offer valuable insights into the origins of the disease and potential treatments. At Genentech, we have a clinical trial for inflammatory bowel disease that we have undertaken in part thanks to the large-scale data analysis from the atlas, says Regev.

An image of the small intestine. Grace Burgin, Noga Rogel & Moshe Biton, Klarman Cell Observatory (Broad Institute)

The study cited by Regev is part of one of the studies published on Wednesday, which identifies a specific type of cell involved in inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease. Co-led by Teichmann and published in Nature, this study is the result of a collaboration between scientists from the Institut dInvestigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)  based at the Hospital Clinic de Barcelona  and Spains Center for Biomedical Research Network on Liver and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD).

The researchers compiled existing RNA sequences  the product of genes that are used to create proteins  from single cells, as well as new samples, bringing the total to 1.1 million healthy cells of 137 different types from across the entire digestive tract, both in adults and during development. The digestive atlas also includes an additional half million cells affected by diseases such as stomach and colorectal cancer, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, and Crohns disease.

Misguided cells in intestinal inflammation

By comparing the transcriptional profiles  the RNA present in the cells  the scientists identified certain cells in the large intestine of patients that resembled cells found in the stomach or small intestine. The presence of cells corresponding to another tissue is common in the context of chronic inflammation, explains Azucena Salas, the director of the Spanish group. While this phenomenon had previously been attributed to the healing of wounds in the intestinal wall, the study revealed a new insight: these misdirected cells, generated from stem cells during tissue repair, actually contribute to the inflammation itself. They are not mere spectators, but actively participate in the intestinal damage, says Salas.

Rasa Elmentaite, co-director of the study at Ensocell Therapeutics, suggests that processing the findings from the digestive atlas using AI platforms will facilitate the design of a new generation of therapies. Despite the critical role of epithelial cells in the progression of inflammatory bowel disease, available treatments do not effectively target them, she says.

Organoids  miniature, lab-grown versions of organs and tissues  are already being used in research to better understand organ functions, diseases, and to test potential new drugs. These organoids will play a central role in the development of new therapies.

To ensure that an organoid correctly represents the organ, we need to compare its cells to a reference atlas of the organ, which is what the HCA provides us, explains Regev. Looking ahead, regenerative medicines long-awaited promise is also on the horizon: Understanding normal cell development will help biomedical engineering create cells that can be introduced into the body as therapy.

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Weber State, Utah State degrees help sisters run familys six-generation farm

November 20, 2024

OGDEN, Utah  When a pair of Utah sisters took the reins of their family farm dating back to the 1850s, they relied on two very different degrees from two long-standing Utah universities to take their business into a new era.

Cold Springs Trout Farm is a 13-acre property nestled in the foothills of North Ogden. Throughout its roughly 170-year history, covering two world wars and two global pandemics, the farm has changed hands from son to son. Last year, sisters Tarah Holt and Tylynn Griffin  two among a set of triplets  became the sixth generation and first women of the family to lead the business.

We knew pretty early on that we wanted to get degrees that would complement each other, that we could use together to grow the business, Griffin said.

Griffin completed most of her general education courses at Weber State University before transferring to Utah State University and earning a bachelors degree in fisheries and aquatic sciences. Holt graduated from Weber State with a bachelors degree in business administration, minoring in leadership.

Combined, the sisters believe their education provides the necessary tools to build on the success of their family business, which unofficially started when their third great-grandfather purchased the land in the mid-19th century and began raising trout.

Today, the Utah business is a top provider of fish and fish eggs to customers nationwide and internationally. Cold Springs has also expanded into agritourism, offering a scenic venue for weddings, hosting fall family activities and operating fishing ponds. Together with their husbands, the sisters have quite the legacy to uphold, Griffin said.

The sisters began working at Cold Springs at age 10, doing basic outdoor chores before taking on bigger responsibilities as teenagers. When their father, Neal Barker, retired in 2023, he entrusted the business to his daughters  two of the seven he raised  and served as their mentor during the transition.

The previous generation never truly steps away, its always a part of us, Griffin said. My grandpa was here until he was 80, feeding fish every day, and my dad still comes and does construction.

Growing up on the trout farm, the sisters differing but complementary interests became clear, along with their goals for college. Griffin loved the lifecycle of the fish, and delivering them across Utah and the surrounding states. Holt was drawn to the business side, exploring ways to keep their water-reliant business sustainable in such a dry state.

From a younger age, we had both decided we wanted to do the farm, and so college just seemed like the next step, Holt said. On her dads advice, Holt took a few classes at WSU and soon fell in love with the business school. Professors would offer to meet after class to brainstorm ways to improve the farm, where she and her sister continued to work throughout their schooling.

Business has helped me learn to adapt, she said. One thing you can count on a farmer to be is optimistic. Businesses need to innovate to keep growing. If its not working the way it used to, try something new. Hopefully, that mindset will take our farm another hundred years into the future.

Griffin said inheriting Cold Springs was a crash course in fish farming, but it had fewer unforeseen challenges thanks to her degree from USU.

I had always grown up in the aquaculture industry and I truly thought I knew everything about fish, Griffin said. College showed me theres so many ways to look at something.

Most notably, Griffin said her education was essential in having a voice to represent public aquaculture and influence decisions that affect the industry. Shes active in the Utah Farm Bureau and other civic organizations. I wouldnt have been able to do that without Utah State, she said.

Holt said her sisters degree helps Cold Springs navigate natural resources and the regulations that surround them, while her own degree helps the business respond to economic changes. Both noted how college challenged their assumptions about the industry they grew up in, better equipping them for the future.

Just over a year into their venture, which included bouncing back from the worst drought in the farms recorded history, the sisters feel confident.

There are many paths you could take, but choose to keep learning and choose to keep growing, Holt said. Each generation has brought something unique to this farm, and now were making our mark.
The name of the president-elect hangs over two borders. As a succession of migrant caravans begin their journey north from southern Mexico, at the U.S. border it is already possible to detect the first signs of a wave of migrants desperately trying to reach American soil before Donald Trump foreseeably implements his plans on immigration, which are a priority for him as he has said time and again. Two weeks after the Republicans election victory, the flow of migrants remains low, as it has been since Joe Biden signed a decree in early summer that dramatically limited entry. But in recent days, the arrests of groups of more than a hundred people at the border point to a change of trend in the final months of the Democratic Administration  which has been preparing for it.

In Eagle Pass, Texas, which has been at the epicenter of the recent migrant crisis, 154 undocumented immigrants were detained on Sunday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The group included 20 unaccompanied minors and six people from Afghanistan. On Monday, in San Miguel, Arizona, Border Patrol detained more than 230 undocumented people. In both cases, the groups were said to be safe and being processed. This, under current regulations that have effectively suspended asylum applications and also allow for immediate returns of migrants who cross outside official access points, means that most of these people will likely be deported, if they have not already been. While the outlook under the new Trump administration is for a complete border closure, the reality is that at this point, it is practically already so.

The scenario of a sudden spike in the flow of migrants ahead of Trumps inauguration on January 20 has been on the agenda of immigration authorities since even before the election, however. NBC News reported that the day before the election, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas had met with his top advisers and the heads of Customs Enforcement (CBP) and Immigration (ICE) to discuss and prepare for what a possible Trump victory would mean for the border.

According to the anonymous sources cited by the news outlet, the issues discussed were whether there was the capacity to deal with an increase in the number of migrants trying to enter the country irregularly, specifically whether there was enough space in temporary detention centers to house potentially thousands of people before deportation. And, along the same lines, whether rapid processing and expulsion would be maintained or whether, on the contrary, without a roof to house larger numbers of migrants, there would be a return to the policy of releasing them in U.S. territory to await their court date, a practice highly criticized by the right.

Although the conclusions reached at that meeting are not publicly known, nor whether there have been any new ones in recent days, a CBP spokesperson was blunt: The fact remains: the United States continues to enforce immigration law, and those without a legal basis to remain will be removed.

The latest available data on migrant arrivals, for September, was the lowest since Biden took office. There were just over 100,000 encounters at the southern border during the month, just over half of them outside border posts. This is about 7% fewer than in August, and 170% fewer than September of the previous year. Mexicos role in intercepting migrants before they reach the border has been key to this drop.

These trends have been occurring month after month since President Biden signed his executive order, but he also accelerated deportations. From June 5 until now, according to CBP data, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has tripled the percentage of foreigners processed for expedited removal, and the number of people released by Border Patrol pending immigration court proceedings has dropped by 80%. As a result, DHS has expelled or returned more than 160,000 people to more than 145 countries in that period, not including CBP repatriations at airports or on the northern border.

For the entire fiscal year 2024, which runs from October 2023 through the end of September 2024, preliminary data show the United States completed more than 700,000 deportations, more than in any previous fiscal year since 2010. This includes more removals to countries other than Mexico than in any previous year. DHS has also more than halved the time it takes to remove individuals who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States from its historical average. Additionally, the estimated number of migrant abscondersindividuals who crossed the border without encountering authoritieshas decreased by approximately 60% from FY 2023 to FY 2024.

But this reality remains lax compared to what the imagination throws up when thinking about the border under Trumps second presidency. After naming three immigration hawks last week to some of the most important positions in this area  Stephen Miller as White House deputy chief of staff for policy, Tom Homan as border czar, and Kristi Noem as secretary of Homeland Security  the complete closure of the border seems imminent. On Monday, president-elect Trump assured that he would declare a national emergency, which would allow him to deploy the army for immigration work, and he has also promised mass deportations, the end of humanitarian parole programs and a significant increase in beds to temporarily house detained migrants, even using or expanding prisons.

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Kenneth Fox

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called for special measures to be taken at University Hospital Limerick, including the cancellation of all non-urgent elective care, amid severe weather warnings in the midwest region.

Limerick will be under a status-orange snow and ice warning on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

More than 352 patients have been on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick so far this week.

Colm Porter, INMO assistant director of industrial relations, said: We know that when weather warnings are issued, the number of patients on trolleys in University Hospital Limerick increases.

"There is already an unacceptable and dangerous number of patients on trolleys in UHL, 116 today alone. The hospital is at an occupancy of 111 per cent, over 30 per cent above the recommended safe occupancy of 82-85 per cent.

63 patients are on trolleys outside the emergency department in UHL, which is a blockage to moving patients out of the emergency department. Hospital management must now make it their focus to de-escalate the number of patients being admitted on trolleys.

"The aim has to be to reduce the number of patients on trolleys across the hospital.

The INMO is calling for a number of extraordinary measures to be implemented in the hospital immediately, including the 24/7 attendance of adequate senior clinical staff, the immediate cessation of all non-urgent elective procedures, and diversion to minor injury units.

The number of patients on trolleys in UHL have been dangerously high, while weather warnings are in place emergency care must be prioritised on the Dooradoyle campus.
The head of Mayo Co Council's Roads Design Office (RDO) has said it may take until 2033 for a car to travel along the planned Ballinrobe bypass.

Paul Hyland told members of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District that it will take three years before the council can seek planning permission from An Bord Pleanala for the Ballinrobe bypass, which is currently in its initial phase. He explained that a planning decision will take another year while two more years will be needed to prepare design documents and a further two years will be needed for construction.

Youre looking at 2033 by the time the Ballinrobe bypass will be open. That is the realistic timeframe we are looking at, he said.

Mr Hyland also told councillors that progress in 2025 is largely dependent on the funding available to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the office resources available to the Mayo RDO. The allocation for the project in 2024, which was used primarily for the first phase, was 25,000. An outline proposal has been submitted to the TII for approval.

Mr Hyland said TII funding was the biggest challenge overall, and if it were not made available, certain projects would not proceed.

Funding for TII is at maximum. We are seeking TII approval to appoint a contractor to the upgrade of the N59 from Newport to Derradda. If they cant get that funding next year, then we will not be appointing that contractor.

It is not a slight on projects in this municipal district, but the national problem with TII is funding. That is the reality of the situation. Their funding model is not sufficient to cover projects [at the moment], he said.

Cllr Damien Ryan said provision needs to be made at the next meeting of the council's roads strategic policy committee for councillors in the Ballinrobe area to attend the monthly meetings between TII and the Mayo RDO to reinforce the urgency of this issue.

Gridlock will cause consternation," he said. "Emergency vehicles will be unable to get through a choked town and that will draw national criticism.

Cllr Michael Burke said Ballinrobe cannot continue to wait for a bypass.

Someone will lose a life because of the traffic or because an emergency vehicle cannot get to them and that will wake TII up," he said.

Cllr Patsy OBrien said the sort of urgency that has been put on the Adare bypass in Limerick needs to be put on Ballinrobe.

Adare is getting full attention now because it's hosting the Ryder Cup. Its a pity theres no Ryder Cup in Ballinrobe, he said.

Cllr O'Brien added that a full-time air ambulance needs to be stationed in the South Mayo area to alleviate the risk of ground ambulances being unable to get through Ballinrobe.

The three councillors spoke in support of a link or alleviation road to help with the issues until the bypass can be progressed significantly.
By David Young and Cillian Sherlock, PA

A Sinn Fein manifesto pledge to investigate RTEs objectivity is a dog whistle to conspiracy theorists, the Taoiseach has said.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin both heavily criticised the proposal, with Mr Martin branding it a dangerous departure.

In its General Election manifesto published on Tuesday, Sinn Fein said it would commission an independent human rights and journalist expert review into the objectivity of coverage by RTE of the Israeli genocide in Gaza and other international conflicts.

Arriving separately for a Cabinet meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin on Wednesday, Mr Harris and Mr Martin both raised concerns over the proposed examination of how Irelands national broadcaster has covered the bloodshed in Gaza and its reporting on other war zones.

The Taoiseach said: I just cant imagine this scenario in any functioning democracy that a political party that wants to lead a government would put in its manifesto, in its list of political promises to the Irish people, that it will establish an independent review of RTEs objectivity and news coverage.

Questioning where the Sinn Fein policy would stop, Mr Harris asked if the party would later probe matters beyond the Middle East, and added: RTE today, who tomorrow?

He called on Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald to withdraw the chilling, despicable proposal.

To actually even suggest that RTE needs to be independently reviewed is a dog whistle to conspiracy theorists, is an effort to undermine media freedom in this country, and I, quite frankly, believe its an effort to intimidate journalists from the work that they do, Mr Harris said.

What was she thinking?

Mr Martin said he was shocked by the proposal.

Political parties cant be setting up committees to investigate the media, he said.

We may all have complaints and so on like that. But this is a dangerous new departure. Its almost a threat to the media, really, that you know well be coming after you, because we dont believe you are being objective.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin described the Sinn Fein proposal as a dangerous new departure Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

He said the implication was that Sinn Fein does not believe RTE is objective in its reporting of the Middle East. Mr Martin said he found it hard to give credit to such an assertion.

I think its a dangerous departure in terms of, essentially, what Sinn Fein are saying if your views dont accord with ours, then were going to set up a committee to investigate you, he added.

Sinn Fein president Ms McDonald defended the measure at the manifesto launch in Dublin on Tuesday morning, insisting peer review processes were common in every professional walk of life.

She made clear the independent review would be carried out by media and human rights experts and would not involve political interference.

Ms McDonald said confidence in the national broadcaster was absolutely key.

She said she did not think the line dividing government and the media would become murky if such a review of RTE was commissioned.

Mary Lou McDonald outlined the proposal as she launched the Sinn Fein manifesto on Tuesday. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

This is a matter of trust and a matter of confidence, it is a matter of peer review, she said.

This happens in virtually every professional walk of life. Peer review is standard. Its a standard, standard process.

She said it could prove a very, very healthy, very worthwhile exercise  not to be done by politicians, but by human rights (experts) and journalists themselves.

A spokeswoman for RTE said: Impartiality and objectivity are among the cornerstone principles of RTE and the organisations own journalism guidelines.

Section 46L (1) of the Online Safety & Regulation Act 2022 imposes a specific obligation to report in an objective and impartial manner and without any expression of the broadcasters own views.

The Oireachtas established CnaM (Coimisiun na Mean) as an independent statutory body with power to hold broadcasters accountable for compliance with the legislation and the broadcasting codes.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 20, 2024 - 08:24 | All, Japan, World

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tuesday he will pursue cooperation, not confrontation, with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as a mutual effort to deepen the longtime bilateral alliance should benefit not just the two nations but the wider Indo-Pacific region.

Ishiba's remarks came as he wrapped up a South American trip to Peru and Brazil. The Japanese leader hoped to travel from there to the United States for a meeting with Trump, which would have been the first with the Republican since he won the presidential election in early November.

Although a meeting could not be organized as the Trump side cited domestic legal constraints that do not allow him to meet with foreign leaders before becoming president, Ishiba has said he will explore another chance soon.

"If I were to describe my approach to the next president Trump, I don't think it would be confrontational," Ishiba told a press conference.

"I will explain in detail that Japan-U.S. cooperation will not only benefit Japan or the United States but will contribute to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region and will secure his understanding," he said, adding Japan will pursue close communication with the next U.S. administration.

During his visit to Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and to Brazil for the Group of 20 leaders' summit, he sat down with many global leaders, including incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden.

Ishiba, who became Japan's prime minister in October, is pushing for a free and open international order based on the rule of law, at a time when aggressive and unilateral moves to change the status quo by Russia and China have raised security concerns.

While its alliance with the United States remains the foundation of Japan's diplomacy, Ishiba said he will seek to "multiply the effects of networks with like-minded nations," such as Australia, South Korea, India and the Philippines.

Related coverage:

Japan PM confirms he will not meet with Trump on return from Brazil
Reading, PA (19601)

Today

Mainly cloudy, mild, and mainly dry after some morning fog and drizzle taper off. .

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, a bit breezy, and mild; perhaps a spotty shower.
MT. PENN BOROUGH, Pa.  Mount Penn Borough Council is looking ahead to a possible combined future with its neighbor.

A potential merger of the borough with Lower Alsace Township is again on the table, according to borough officials who heard a presentation Tuesday night on the community's finances and advice for what could come next.

"So from April until now, we've been really diving into numbers, statistics, data, interviews," said Hunter Ahrens, Mount Penn borough manager.

All eyes were on a 35-slide PowerPoint that could steer the future of the borough.

It was a quiet room of listeners. Some people took notes and others raised questions, as representatives with the Pennsylvania Economy League and state Department of Community and Economic Development presented a report that outlines recommendations for the borough.

It's part of the Strategic Management Planning Program, or STMP.

"Basically, what it does, is it empowers the state to grant a certain amount of money, depending on the situation, to the municipality to take a strategic plan process through with a partner agency," Ahrens said.

Ahrens said the borough partnered with the Pennsylvania Economy League for the report.

"They went through our operations, our budget, old finances; talked to some of the stakeholders; did interviews with staff," he said.

It's all information that Ahrens said was used to curate recommendations for the long term.

In addition to those recommendations, the report revisited a topic from nearly a decade ago.

"We entered into the process of discussing a merger, again, with Lower Alsace Township in November of 2023," Ahrens said.

The merger between the two municipalities failed a vote in 2014.

"That process has not been center stage because we had a lot of things go on with the school district and the flood that really took center stage for us," Ahrens said.

Since then, Ahrens said the borough has asked the strategic planning team whether or not the merger makes sense.

"Merger and consolidation is a huge step," a representative said. "It is something that can fail, and so you want to make sure that the conditions are right."

Officials gave recommendations for the municipalities' administrations, codes and zoning, Central Berks Police Department, street crews and community and economic development.

"You want to make sure that you and Lower Alsace have a really solid relationship," said a representative. "The top recommendation is communications, communications, communications."

Officials are also interested in revitalizing Perkiomen Avenue.

"There's a huge amount of traffic that goes through Perkiomen Avenue," Ahrens said. "It's right outside of the city of Reading. It's right central to Berks County in general."

"So the opportunity to see development there and invest in economic development is really high," he said.

Tuesday's presentation touched on the borough's demographics, historical findings and financial projections.

"We have a list of different financial recommendations," said a representative. "Many municipalities are using 'home rule' so that they can increase their earned income tax."

Officials said the next steps are to finalize the direct report and consider Phase 2 of implementation funds with the DCED.

Mount Penn Borough Council is expected to approve the report or request any changes at the next council meeting or a meeting in December.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 20, 2024 - 19:12 | Sports, All, Japan

No. 6 maegashira Takanosho upset new ozeki Onosato on Wednesday to remain in a three-way title race after 11 days of action at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Former sekiwake Takanosho (10-1) moved to his left at the opening clash and followed with a right-handed shove to the throat to unbalance Autumn meet champion Onosato (7-4), who was easily pushed out at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

"The ozeki is immensely strong when he comes straight at me, so I instantly changed my position a little. I thought about going head-on but got scared a bit," said Takanosho, who has never won an Emperor's Cup, "There's some sense of elation in beating the ozeki, but I'm calm."

The two other ozeki, Kotozakura and Hoshoryu, won their respective bouts to keep pace at the top. Kotozakura was driven back slightly, but quickly powered his way forward to push out komusubi Wakamotoharu (6-5) with little trouble.

Hoshoryu faced a trickier test from Daieisho (6-5) as the sekiwake matched the ozeki's nimble footwork. But Hoshoryu seized his one chance to grab a belt hold that kept the pusher-thruster squarely to his front and allowed him to be pushed out.

No. 3 maegashira Abi (8-3) took a step back from the race when his early pull-down attempt against Onokatsu (8-3) failed, and the the No. 15 maegashira shoved him out instead.

No. 16 Takerufuji (8-3) also fell two wins off the pace after his ill-timed pull-down attempt allowed No. 8 maegashira Gonoyama (8-3) to push him out.

In a rare spectacle, No. 2 maegashira Ura (3-8) and No. 1 maegashira Hiradoumi (1-10) needed two rematches to determine a winner. The pair landed beyond the straw bales simultaneously in their first two bouts.

After the second rematch was ordered, Ura could barely contain a grin before sealing victory with an emphatic push down.

Related coverage:

Sumo: Birthday boy Kotozakura downs Tobizaru to keep share of lead

Sumo: Hoshoryu, Kotozakura remain among leaders on Day 9

Sumo: Ozeki Kotozakura, Hoshoryu maintain share of lead on Day 8
KYODO NEWS - Nov 20, 2024 - 08:01 | All, Podcast

What's in a name?

Ao () and Rin () turned out to be the most popular names given to boys and girls, respectively, in Japan between January and September this year, according to an annual survey by an education service provider. Listen as three Kyodo News reporters - Junko (), Rei () and Ed () - talk about popular names in foreign countries and the characteristics of Japanese names.

Article mentioned in the podcast:

Ao, Rin most popular baby names in Japan in 2024

Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents.

Recent episodes:

Podcast [English World] Episode 71: U.S. presidential election

Podcast [English World] Episode 70: Cashless payments

Podcast [English World] Episode 69: Nobel Peace Prize
KYODO NEWS - Nov 20, 2024 - 18:24 | All, Japan

A Japanese court on Wednesday ordered the government to pay damages to residents around Atsugi air base near Tokyo over excessive noise but rejected their call for suspending Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military flights.

The Yokohama District Court ordered the state to pay approximately 5.9 billion yen ($38 million) for past disturbances but rejected the plaintiffs' demand for compensation for future noise pollution.

In the lawsuit filed in 2017, the group of some 8,700 plaintiffs demanded that the state halt nighttime and early morning flights at the base and pay a total of 13.1 billion yen in compensation for past and future noise-related health damage.

The air base straddling the densely populated cities of Yamato and Ayase in Kanagawa Prefecture is shared by the SDF and the U.S. military.

Presiding Judge Nobuhiro Okada, however, acknowledged the "highly pubic" nature of SDF flights in handing down the ruling dismissing their suspension.

It was the first ruling since the March 2018 completion of the transfer of U.S. carrier planes, known for generating loud noise, from Atsugi to another U.S. military base in Iwakuni, western Japan, as part of a U.S. forces realignment.

In the trial, the fifth in a series over noise pollution at the base since the 1970s, the government argued that noise levels had significantly decreased following the transfer.

Taking into consideration the eased noise pollution and other factors, the judge also said it cannot be said that SDF flights "significantly lack validity in light of social norms."

On U.S. military aircraft, the court said the Japanese government has no authority to restrict their operations.

In the trial, the plaintiffs living in eight neighboring cities, including Yamato and Ayase, had argued that noise pollution has persisted as U.S. fighter jets and Osprey transport aircraft still arrive at the base.

In the fourth suit, the district and high courts ordered the suspension of SDF flights. However, the top court overturned the decision, ordering the state to pay compensation for past disturbances.

Some previous rulings ordering the state to pay compensation have been finalized, with the Japanese government requesting that the United States share the burden based on the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement.

But the U.S. government had not made any payments as of February, according to the Japanese government.

Related coverage:

U.S. Navy apparently begins Osprey deployment in western Japan

U.S. forces, Okinawans yet to meet under new forum over assault cases

U.S. to have F-35 fighters at Misawa base in Japan for 1st time
By Noriyuki Suzuki, KYODO NEWS - Nov 20, 2024 - 13:02 | All, World

The Group of 20 leaders on Tuesday wrapped up their two-day meeting, underscoring the need for collective action to combat climate change, poverty and other global challenges.

While the leaders managed to issue a joint statement covering a wide range of topics, they mostly stuck to generalities ahead of the expected return of Donald Trump as U.S. president, with the forum already split in recent years over Russia's war in Ukraine.

Under the presidency of Brazil, the diverse group noted geopolitical risks in the Middle East as well as the "human suffering" and other negative repercussions of wars, but it did not single out Russia as an aggressor.

It also took the sting out by removing a pledge to resist protectionism that appeared in the leaders' statement last year. While a G20 delegation source downplayed the significance of the change, dropping the previously agreed language was a symbolic move before the inauguration of Trump, a skeptic of multilateral arrangements.

The group highlighted the importance of multilateralism in the fight against climate change, though the outlook for any movement on the issue remains uncertain after Trump returns to the White House.

The two-day summit in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro was a forum for leaders from both advanced and emerging economies to explore ways to jointly tackle global challenges.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, making his G20 summit debut, told his fellow leaders the role of the G20 is expanding.

"I stressed that a free and open international order based on the rule of law is important," Ishiba told a press conference at the end of his South American trip.

He visited Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit before the G20 leaders' meeting.

While the group remains divided over issues like Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Brazil, this year's chair, has prioritized global efforts to fight poverty and hunger, enhance governance and ensure sustainable development.

The outcome document that was released on the first day of the meeting included Brazil's priorities, such as taxing the superrich and the launch of a mechanism to mobilize funding and share knowledge toward reducing poverty and hunger.

As part of better global governance, reform of the United Nations is seen by some members as a higher priority since Russia, a permanent member of the international body's Security Council, launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Japan, for its part, has been cooperating with Brazil, Germany and India to realize U.N. reforms, with an eye to gaining a permanent seat on the Security Council.

The G20 statement calls for "an expanded Security Council composition" reflective of "the realities and demands of the 21st century," vowing to make it "more representative, inclusive, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable, and more transparent."

Regarding the global economy, the leaders said there are "good prospects of a soft landing" but downside risks have increased amid geopolitical turmoil and other challenges.

In a move that may offer some relief to Japan, which has been battling a persistently weak yen, the G20 maintained its stance that currency movements should be stable and reflect economic fundamentals, as disorderly movements and excessive volatility can harm economic and financial stability.

South Africa will take over the rotating G20 presidency next year.

The Group of Seven members -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union -- are part of the broader G20. The other members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey.

Related coverage:

G20 drops anti-protectionism vow as Trump victory tests unity

Japan PM Ishiba hopes to work with Trump, not confront him
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Argentine President Javier Milei on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Zhang Ling]

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua)  China is ready to continue its financial cooperation with Argentina and help Argentina maintain economic and financial stability, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Xi pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, the two countries have adhered to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

China's policy toward Argentina has always been oriented towards all the Argentine people, and China-Argentina cooperation also benefits them all, he said.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership, and relations between the two countries stand at an important historical juncture of building on past achievements and forging ahead, Xi said.

China cherishes the traditional friendship between the two peoples, supports the Argentine side in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions through reform, he said.

China stands ready to work with Argentina to promote the long-term and stable development of the China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership and make a greater contribution to their respective development, said Xi.

Noting that the current world situation is undergoing profound changes, Xi said China and Argentina should continue to firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen exchanges at all levels and in all fields, and promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, so as to make China-Argentina friendship more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

The economic and trade structure between the two countries is highly complementary, and the prospects for cooperation are broad, Xi said.

He welcomed the Argentine side to seize the significant opportunities created by China's high-level opening-up and further expand its market share in China.

China is willing to work with Argentina to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said.

China is ready to deepen cooperation with Argentina in energy and mining, infrastructure, agriculture, scientific and technological innovation, digital economy and other fields, he added.

For his part, Milei said he was very pleased to meet President Xi, thanking China for the valuable assistance to Argentina in stabilizing its domestic economic and financial situation.

Argentina and China enjoy profound traditional friendship, Milei said, adding that Argentina hopes to be a reliable and stable partner of China.

Argentina firmly supports China's position on the Taiwan question and stays committed to the one-China principle, he said.

Milei said Argentina hopes to further strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of economy, trade, energy, mining and finance, welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and cooperate in Argentina, and stands ready to provide a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises investing in Argentina and protect their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law.

The Argentine side highly appreciates Xi's insightful proposals on global governance at the G20 Leaders' Summit and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China, Milei said.

Argentina supports the further success of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum and is willing to play a positive role in promoting the development of relations between China and Latin America, he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Argentine President Javier Milei on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Ding Haitao]

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Teng Ge
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Bolivian President Luis Arce on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Ding Haitao]

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and Bolivia to align Belt and Road Initiative with Bolivia's 2025 development plan.

Xi made the remarks when meeting Bolivian President Luis Arce on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Noting that China and Bolivia are good friends and good brothers, Xi said that bilateral relations have maintained a sound momentum of development in recent years.

The two sides have firmly supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, and Belt and Road construction has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, said Xi.

China supports Bolivia in independently exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and is willing to take the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Bolivia next year as an opportunity to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen strategic mutual trust, expand win-win cooperation and lead the China-Bolivia strategic partnership to a new level, he said.

Xi stressed that the two sides should strengthen exchanges between governments, legislatures and political parties as well as at local level, carry out in-depth exchanges on governance experience, and expand cooperation in infrastructure construction, plateau agriculture, green development and digital economy.

The two sides should also deepen coordination within multilateral mechanisms, including the United Nations, BRICS, to promote unity, self-improvement and common development among Global South countries, he said, adding that China supports the integration of Latin America and stands ready to work with Bolivia to strengthen the building of such mechanism as the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum.

Hailing the profound and brotherly friendship between Bolivia and China, Arce expressed gratitude to China for helping Bolivia in its fight against COVID-19 and its efforts to promote Bolivia's economic and social development.

China has made remarkable accomplishments in its modernization process under Xi's leadership, providing valuable experiences and guidance for the development of Bolivia and other countries, he added.

Congratulating Xi on the recent opening of the Chancay Port in Peru, Arce noted that Bolivia is willing to jointly celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China next year, further deepen their strategic partnership and strengthen cooperation in such areas as infrastructure connectivity, so as to support Bolivia's national development and improve the well-being of its people.

Bolivia is ready to enhance cooperation with China in multilateral frameworks such as BRICS and the China-CELAC Forum, he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Bolivian President Luis Arce on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Zhang Ling]

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Teng Ge
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that the EU's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles are drawing attention around the world, and China always insists on resolving differences through dialogue and consultation.

It is hoped that Germany will continue to play an important role in this regard, Xi said in his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Xi said that he and Scholz had frank, in-depth and fruitful exchanges during Scholz's visit to China this April. Over the past six months, the two countries have achieved significant results in the fields of green development, sustainable transportation and agricultural cooperation with Africa, and China-Germany relations continue to glow with new vitality and dynamism, Xi said.

Noting that transformation of a scale not seen in a century is accelerating across the world today and global development is at a critical crossroads, Xi pointed out that as the second and third largest economies in the world, China and Germany are both major countries with significant influence, and the two sides need to consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership from a long-term and strategic perspective and continue to write cooperative stories of mutual achievement.

Xi noted that China's policy toward Germany maintains a high degree of stability and continuity, and is willing to work with Germany to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, seek common ground while shelving differences, and learn from each other.

China and Germany share highly integrated economic interests, and bilateral cooperation is an opportunity for shared development and common future, Xi said, noting that China regards Germany as an important partner in advancing Chinese modernization, and will continue to provide broad market opportunities for German companies.

China and Germany should focus on upgrading cooperation through digitalization, intelligence and low-carbon action, and work together to explore third-party markets to achieve win-win cooperation, Xi said.

China regards Europe as an important pole in a multi-polar world, Xi said, adding that Beijing is committed to cooperating with Europe to jointly meet challenges and promote the sustained, steady and sound development of China-EU relations.

Since his last visit to China, Scholz said, the Germany-China relationship has made positive progress. Under the current complex international situation, it is of great importance for Germany and China to strengthen communication and cooperation, he added.

The German side hopes to further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, strengthen bilateral and multilateral dialogue and cooperation in the spirit of equality, frankness and mutual respect, properly resolve differences, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and contribute to world economic recovery, growth and common prosperity, he said.

Scholz also voiced hope that the EU and China will solve the issue of electric vehicles as soon as possible through dialogue and negotiation, noting that the German side is willing to make positive efforts in this regard.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, the situation in the Middle East and other hotspot issues.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Teng Ge
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is alarmed by the escalating violence in Haiti, where armed gangs are reported to be gaining ground in the capital Port-au-Prince, his spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Guterres strongly supports efforts by the Haitian National Police, with the backing of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to address the mounting violence, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, said in a statement.

The secretary-general reiterates his pressing call to ensure that the MSS mission receives the financial and logistical support it needs to successfully implement its mandate. He also emphasizes the importance of urgent progress in the political transition.

Ulrika Richardson, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Haiti, warned earlier this month that the situation in Haiti is very critical, especially in the capital. Many neighbourhoods there are completely under the control of gangs who impose brutal violence, rape women and recruit children into their ranks, and that is extremely worrying.

Nearly 4,900 people have been killed in Haiti between January and September this year largely due to the persistent violence across the country, according to the UN Human Rights Office. More than 700,000 people are displaced internally, over half of whom are children. In Port-au-Prince, the deteriorating violence has displaced 12,000 people in recent weeks. 
The last few years in Germany have been marked by drastic austerity measures with funding diverted to finance a massive military build-up. The collapse of the German coalition government will further exacerbate this development. The Berlin state government (Senate), a coalition of the CDU and SPD, is already anticipating the budget cuts to be implemented at a federal level.

Senators in the Berlin House of Representatives [Photo by Sandro Halank / CC BY-SA 4.0

The Berlin Senate wants to save three billion euros next year alone. Cuts of at least another 1.8 billion euros are planned for the years 2026 and 2027. To this end, the CDU and SPD have agreed on a fiscal policy freeze, with all budget items to be frozen at the 2025 level. Currently, the citys total budget is around 40 billion euros.

In September, the Senate administrations were instructed to stop making firm funding commitments for 2025. To this end, a circular letter to secure the 2025 budget was sent out to all departments, Finance Senator Stefan Evers (CDU) explained. The aim was not to raise false expectations among recipients of grants and subsidies for the coming year, for example, according to the finance administration.

Former state governments, which were led by the SPD for 22 years and included coalitions involving the Left Party and the Greens, had already made massive cuts in the areas of health, education and social services, making Berlin a centre for widespread poverty.

The drastic nature of the planned cuts is made clear by the statement of a spokeswoman for the finance ministry, who explained: We have to reduce government spending to a normal, sustainable level after the spending explosion of the last five years.

The state government had already decided on significant cuts for the current year with each department called upon to reduce its budget by around two percent, saving around 550 million euros.

In the Berlin Senate, there is talk of the most severe budget crisis since the bank scandal. In 2001, the billions in losses incurred by the state supported Bankgesellschaft Berlin were passed on to the population through brutal austerity measures implemented by the Senate (a coalition of the SPD and the Left Party/PDS) headed by Klaus Wowereit (SPD). Today, much more far-reaching cuts are on the agenda under even more stringent conditions.

The Senate is currently deciding on the specific cuts behind closed doors and they will not be made public until the end of November. Little has been revealed so far. What is certain, however, is that almost all areas will be affected by the cuts.

There are to be massive savings in the sector of education and child care. Berlin schools are already no longer allowed to book school trips. Senator for Education Katharina Gunther-Wunsch (CDU) justified this by saying that it was necessary to stabilise the budget. Here, both the costs for the teachers involved are to be saved, as are subsidies for poor families. Around 30 percent of pupils from poorer families were until recently entitled to these subsidies. Other costs for business trips and trips for teachers are also to be cancelled.

Further savings are planned for the renovation of schools and daycare centres, which are in a dilapidated state across the board. New buildings could be smaller than planned. According to press reports, the additional construction of urgently needed daycare centres could be cancelled.

The twelve Berlin music schools are particularly affected. The permanent employment of 1,800 teachers, which is laid down by law, has been delayed for months. Finance Senator Evers has stated that funds would only be made available if they were financed by reducing the services offered by the music schools. As a result, about 25 to 30 percent of music students would lose their places. Around 18,000 students would be affected.

Severe cuts are also expected in the areas of health and social services. Around 40 health care institutions and similar independent organisations have already submitted a document to the Senate, as they justifiably fear for their continued funding and survival.

The majority of them provide important services on behalf of the state, such as pastoral care, hospice work, support for people with chronic illnesses or care for people without health insurance. As a rule, these organisations are completely dependent on funding from the state.

For many years and decades, these services have been hopelessly underfunded and it is not uncommon for them to be maintained only through the commitment of employees. But the planned austerity measures threaten to be devastating.

Even now, public funds for health care for homeless and homeless people and people without health insurance in Berlin are insufficient, said Peter Bobbert, President of the Berlin Medical Association, warning against destroying the citys social infrastructure.

The CDU and SPD are also planning severe cuts in the cultural sector. Senator for Culture Joe Chialo (CDU) has so far refused to comment on how much will be saved and where. Overall, the targeted cuts amount to a volume of around 120 million euros.

There are already fierce protests against the planned cuts. In an open letter to the Berlin Senate, the signatories warn of the consequences of drastic cuts. Opera, concert and theatre institutions would have to cut back their operations and reduce jobs, and some would probably have to close. Among the well-known signatories are conductor Daniel Barenboim, actor Lars Eidinger and theatre director Frank Castorf.

The fact that a scenario of well-known concert houses closing is not out of the question was confirmed by the governing mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) as early as the summer of this year. In connection with a possible sale of the Komische Oper, Wegner stated that the situation of the state budget allows no room for manoeuvre. Currently, the renovation of the building, which has been urgent for years, is being postponed again with reference to the alleged necessary savings.

Further cuts are also expected in the area of climate protection, although the city has hardly any significant expenditure here. At the beginning of the year, the so-called climate special fund, which had previously been announced with great fanfare, was scrapped at the instigation of the tax authorities. Now measures such as the planned installation of solar panels on state-owned buildings will also fall victim to the red pencil.

This devastation of the citys social fabric can only be enforced against the resistance of the population. It is therefore considered certain there will be no cuts affecting the police, secret service and security apparatuses. Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) has spoken out clearly against any savings in this area and has been supported by the entire Senate.
Five faculty members at the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) received a warning in September from the campus administration for allegedly violating the universitys Time, Place and Manner Policy, (TPM) a collection of restrictions on academic freedom of speech specifically targeted to suppress dissent against the Gaza genocide in particular, and US domestic and foreign policy in general.

The five professors who have been targeted are Araceli Esparza, Professor of English; Azza Basarudin, Associate Professor of Womens, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Jake Alimahomed-Wilson, Professor of Sociology; Sabrina Alimahomed-Wilson, Professor of Sociology, and Steven Osuna, Associate Professor of Sociology.

The violation they committed, according to the TPM policy, is the use of a microphone or megaphone at campus protests against the genocide in Gaza. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the real reason for their persecution lies in the fact that these five faculty members, referred to by supporters as the CSU-5, were the authors last May of an expose on what they call the Golden Triangle of military, industry and university cooperation.

The op-ed reveals in particular the financially reciprocal relationship between military contractor Boeing and CSULB, one of 16 universities across the US to adhere to what is known as the Boeing Partnership, a program that, as the faculty correctly pointed out, is a university-corporate alliance that has further transformed CSULB into a public relations mouthpiece for the defense contractor.

The authors of the expose also observe that, The CSULB-Boeing partnership illustrates not only how defense contractors such as Boeing, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman profit from Israels violence against Palestinians, but also how these massive corporations simultaneously undermine the mission of public universities by harming students domestically and facilitating genocide, militarism, and mass death abroad.

The statement also connects the assault on public education with unlimited military funding: it is also critical to expose how the complicity of US universities in Israeli militarism and Palestinian genocide extends far beyond investments in stocks. Under constant threats of austerity measures and the steady erosion of state funding in the neoliberal context, large public university systems like the California State University (CSU) system have quietly become embedded with defense contractors saturating every facet of campus life.

This expose comes at a time of heightened conflict between Boeing, the Biden administration and the International Association of Machinists (IAM) union leadership on one side, and the rank-and-file Boeing workers on the other. The sellout contract forced through by the union leadership earlier this month in collusion with the Biden administration, concerned with the repercussions of unrest for one of the US major defense contractors, prioritizes corporate profits and broader pro-war policies instead of addressing decades of wage stagnation, rising medical costs, and insufficient benefits. As a result of this collusion, more than 2,500 layoff notices have already been issued for US-based workers and the company plans to cut 17,000 jobs globally.

With reference to the relentless attacks on democratic rights that students and faculty have suffered, especially in the last year since the Israeli onslaught in Gaza, the professors emphasize, The university-corporate nexus has become all-encompassing, producing deleterious consequences for students, faculty, and staff while undermining the universitys mission of promoting the public good.

The universitys mission is the product of political control exerted by the Democratic Party in the Golden State. The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees is a 25-member body responsible for appointing presidents for the 23 CSU campuses, including California State University, Long Beach.

Members of the Board include ex officio members such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, the Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia. They all abide by the Democratic Partys imperialist rule.

In this context, there is no worse crime the five CSULB educators could have committed than exposing the crimes of the state and revealing the truth about social relations. While adequate resources cannot be allocated for fundamental social rights, such as public education, health and secure jobs, governments of both big-business parties allocate gargantuan funds for military aggression and imperialist domination. This is why these professors were targeted by a political establishment that is increasingly coming into conflict with democratic forms of rule and resorts to militarism to offset its decline in global economic position.

This is not an aberration:

In Philadelphia, Keziah Ridgeway, a teacher of African American history, was terminated after expressing pro-Palestinian views and supporting students in projects discussing Palestinian resistance. She faced harassment, including threats and public defamation from pro-Israel groups. Parents and students protested her dismissal, highlighting the chilling effect on free speech.

At nearby Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, 11 undergraduate students face expulsion for using a bullhorn after the school changed its definition of assault to include loud chanting.

In New York City, educators were threatened with disciplinary action for engaging in private protests and expressing outrage over restrictions on discussing Gaza during school hours. Efforts to call for a ceasefire were ignored by union leaders like Randi Weingarten, criticized for supporting pro-Israel policies.

Similarly, in West Orange, New Jersey, students received death threats for organizing a walkout against the violence in Gaza.

At Muhlenberg College, Dr. Maura Finkelstein, a tenured professor, was dismissed for supporting Palestinian rights in class discussions.

California has equally been the target of academic persecution. The repression of pro-Palestinian protests across the University of California (UC) system reflects a deliberate effort by the state and university administration to suppress dissent against US-backed Israels genocidal policies and to align universities with the US military-industrial complex, silencing criticism of the Israeli government and its corporate allies.

These antidemocratic measures, framed as safety precautions, are part of a broader crackdown on basic democratic and constitutional rights to shield imperialist interests and quash opposition to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

It is significant that, in California like in other US states, this is happening under the auspices of a Democratic Party-dominated university leadership controlled by a Democratic state government. This political position played a crucial role in the recent reelection of Donald Trump. In its support for the genocide in Gaza, the war in Ukraine and the ongoing expansion of the conflict in the Middle East, the Democratic Party enabled the rise of fascism in the United States by subordinating working class interests to corporate, military and imperialist agendas, while refusing to offer any meaningful opposition to far-right forces.

This created widespread disillusionment, leaving the working class politically disoriented and allowing backward and reactionary figures like Donald Trump to exploit anti-war sentiment as well as economic and social grievances, and advance authoritarian forms of rule.

The repression of faculty and student protests at campuses underscores the urgent need for a unified working class movement to oppose imperialist war, defend democratic rights, and challenge the capitalist system, the root cause of war and dictatorship. Divestment campaigns, while well-intentioned, primarily focus on pressuring universities, corporations, or governments to change policies without fundamentally challenging the capitalist and imperialist systems that perpetuate war and genocide.

Universities resistance to divestment, often citing fiduciary responsibility or yielding to pressure from Zionist groups, illustrates their integration with corporate and political interests. A viable solution requires mobilizing the working class internationally to dismantle these structures, transcending nation-state frameworks and capitalist exploitation, rather than relying on reformist strategies like divestment campaigns.

Only a genuine socialist perspective, one that is completely independent of the influence of Democrats or their pseudo-left apologists, can be used as a strategy in the struggle against censorship, fascism and war.
President-elect Donald Trump with Florida Senator Marco Rubio [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

Donald Trumps threat to force through his slate of far-right cabinet nominees as recess appointments without Senate confirmation votes marks a significant step in the de jure breakdown of constitutional forms of government.

Trumps plan is for his congressional allies to effectively auto-prorogue the legislature to evade the Advice and Consent clause of the Constitution. It comes as Trump brags of plans to rule by emergency decree and deploy federal troops to deport immigrant workers.

In April 2020, Trump threatened to prorogue the legislature and exercise my constitutional authority [sic] to adjourn both chambers of Congress through executive fiat.

Now, on November 10, in the run-up to the Senate Republican Conferences vote for majority leader, Trump issued a statement on social media declaring that 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 We need positions filled IMMEDIATELY!

Trump and the Fuhrer principle

The Republican conference elected John Thune of South Dakota, who declared shortly thereafter that he was open to Trumps proposal for recess appointments of far-right figures like Matt Gaetz (Attorney General), Pete Hegseth (Defense), Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (Health and Human Services) and Kristi Noem (Department of Homeland Security).

I think we have to have all the options on the table, Thune said. And the Senate will perform its constitutional role under advise and consent. But we are not going to allow the Democrats to thwart the will of the American people in giving President Trump the people that he wants in those positions to implement his agenda.

Other prominent Republicans have rushed to support Trumps call for recess appointments. Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville told the media last week, in reference to the Senates role in confirming cabinet appointments, Its not [up to] us to determine that, though it most certainly is.

Thunes claim that the will of the people means giving President Trump what he wants is a dangerous re-hash of the Fuhrer Principle, the pseudo-legal doctrine elevating the national leader above the rule of law. In reality, Thunes warning that all options are on the tablea phrase out of the imperialist war playbookis a brazen threat to the legislative branch: Either confirm Trumps nominees, or Trump will violate the Constitution and cut the legislature out of appointments.

This plan makes clear that the incoming administration will be operating with explicitly extra-constitutional methods, essentially in continuity with the coup attempt of January 6, 2021. While it is possible that Trump and his Republican Senate allies threats to end-run the Constitution may succeed in forcing Congress to back Trumps reactionary cabinet slate, the mere threat to accomplish his goals the easy (legal) way or the hard (illegal) way itself means the Constitution is being transformed into a dead letter.

Trump, with the Supreme Court in his back pocket, is treating the countrys founding documents like the building trades contracts he spent his career ignoring.

The revolutionary origins of the Appointments Clause

Guided by the experiences of their struggles against the British crown and inspired by Enlightenment theories of governance (most importantly Montesquieus 1748 Spirit of the Laws), the American revolutionaries separated the functions of the different branches of government.

The first three articles of the US Constitution lay out the powers of the three branches: The role of the legislature, enumerated in Article I, is to make the law. The role of the executive, enumerated in Article II, is to enforce the law. The role of the judiciary, separated from the executive power in Article III for the first time in history, is to interpret the law.

Separation of powers is the principle that the powers of the branches of government must be so divided and guarded as to prevent those given to one from being engrossed by the other, in the words of Thomas Jefferson.

During the Revolution and its immediate aftermath, the revolutionaries took particular aim at the power of the executive. The historian Gordon Wood wrote in The Creation of the American Republic, 1776-1787 that When Americans in 1776 spoke of keeping the several parts of the government separate and distinct, they were primarily thinking of insulating the judiciary and particularly the legislature from executive manipulation.

So powerful was the democratic mood against monarchy that state constitutions created during the war to supplant the British colonial governments substantially limited the powers of the executive, treating new governors more as administrators than as leaders. Pennsylvanias state constitution eliminated the position of governor altogether, replacing it with an executive council.

Curbing the executives power to unilaterally make appointments was seen as an essential element of the separation of powers. The American revolutionaries pointed repeatedly to the manner in which the Crown was able to maintain its prerogative through patronage and personal control over the various departments of government.

Thomas Paine wrote in Common Sense that the fact that the British crown derives its whole consequence merely from being the giver of places and pensions is self-evident; wherefore, though we have been wise enough to shut and lock a door against absolute monarchy, we at the same time have been foolish enough to put the crown in possession of the key. The Declaration of Independence lists as a grievance against King George III: He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

The convention which gathered in 1787 to draft the Constitution was divided on many aspects of the exact powers of the executive. Ten years had passed since the Declaration of Independence, and the framers, increasingly fearful of popular movements from below, developed a somewhat more expansive view of executive powers compared with the wartime state constitutions.

But even so, the Constitution provided for impeachment, gave Congress important roles in approving or declaring foreign policy decisions, and refused to grant the executive the power to unilaterally appoint officers or judges. Later the Constitution was also amended to set presidential term limits.

The Constitution gave the legislature, through the Senate, the power to advise on and consent to appointments. Section 2 of Article II states that the president by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States

At the time the Constitution was drafted in 1787, Congress was in session for a relatively brief period of time, and traveling to the capital on horseback was arduous and expensive, especially for representatives from far-flung regions. In view of that, the constitution also added a recess appointments clause, stating the president shall have the 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 (i.e., in two years).

Trump and his Republican allies claim that this recess appointments clause gives Trump the power to impose his will without Senate votes. Their plan is to pass resolutions in the House and Senate to adjourn with sufficient time for Trump to force through his recess appointments. This essentially means the prorogation of the legislature by legislators personally loyal to the executive himself. Such powershowever temporaryare reserved for kings and dictators. If this plan is carried out, any legal challenge would wind up before the Supreme Court.

The Constitution unravels

If the president can violate one provision of the Constitution, why not violate them all? If the president can appoint cabinet members without a vote in the Senate, why not appoint Supreme Court justices in the same way? Why allow the Senate to vote on ratifying treaties? Why allow Congress the power to declare war? In fact, why not place the lawmaking power in the hands of the president himself by eliminating the legislatures power to override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority?

The response of the Democratic Party to Trumps recess appointment scheme has been remarkably muted. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker called it frustrating, as though lighting the Constitution on fire were a mere inconvenience. To dull popular consciousness, Booker downplayed the possibility that Trumps plan may come to fruition: I think people on both sides of the aisle would express that and from what Im hearing from senators on both sides of the aisle, is that folks are not going to let that happen.

By effectively putting their trust in the Republican Party, the Democratic Party has again proven itself opposed to alerting the population of the great danger posed by Trumps threats against democracy.

It was, after all, under the two terms of Barack Obama that the executive branch arrogated for itself immense powers. George Bush pushed the limit on recess appointments in 2005 by appointing John Bolton as UN ambassador, but Barack Obama crossed numerous thresholds expanding executive power under the guise of war powers. It was his Democratic administration which ordered the assassination of US citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, expanded NSA surveillance of the entire population, refused to investigate Bush-era CIA torture, and prosecuted wars abroad without an authorization from Congress. Indeed, the last formal declaration of war took place in 1942.

The American ruling class now views the democratic principles it once fought to establish as barriers on the accumulation of wealth. The legal and constitutional foundations of the country are collapsing under the weight of the American oligarchy. The working class is the only social force which can defend democracy, and it can only do so through a frontal assault on the capitalist system.
A ceremony marking the graduation of a Chinese language training program for Malaysian government officials is held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- A rapidly growing interest in the Chinese language, reflected in the rising number of those interested in learning it, bodes well for Malaysia-China ties as it fosters mutual understanding and respect, a Malaysia-based cultural association said here on Wednesday.

In his remarks at a ceremony to mark the graduation of a Chinese language training program for Malaysian government officials, President of Han Culture Center Malaysia Goh Hin San said that a growing recognition of and interest in the Chinese language reflects the increased interaction between the two countries.

Goh added that strong support from the Chinese side has also greatly helped realize such efforts, as 12 outstanding students in the latest batch of trainees will be sent to China in a few days for further Chinese language study as part of the program.

"This training program for government officials to learn Chinese is very important for promoting Malaysia-China relations, especially the relationship between the Chinese and Malay communities in Malaysia," he said.

Meanwhile, Education Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Zhao Changtao, said learning the Chinese language goes beyond creating a sense of understanding but also promotes continued people-to-people ties, especially as this year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic ties.

"Language is not only a communication tool, but also a bridge connecting the hearts and minds of people from different countries. Over the years, the Chinese language training program for Malaysian government officials has provided a valuable platform for friendly exchanges between the two sides," he said.

"In the process of learning Chinese, students not only felt the unique charm of the Chinese language, but also gained an in-depth understanding of Chinese culture and history. This exchange of language and culture has laid a solid foundation for future cooperation between the two countries," he added.

Among the graduates today is Nurhana Masazing Abdullah, a communications officer based at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex, where she receives various foreign delegations including those from China.

"I want to be able to communicate with visitors, so when the opportunity came to learn Chinese I took it. Not only does it make communication easier but through this I am able to better connect with and understand them and this in turn helps me create a better appreciation of our own traditional handicraft exhibitions even as I gain an appreciation for the Chinese language and culture," she told Xinhua following the graduation ceremony.

Liang Chuyi, one of the Chinese language teachers, said the students are very enthusiastic about Chinese culture during the lessons, and their enthusiasm for the Chinese language is gradually growing. 

Participants pose for a group photo during a ceremony marking the graduation of a Chinese language training program for Malaysian government officials in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)
Are you a Vauxhall-Stellantis worker at Luton or Ellesmere Port? Do you have information about conditions at your workplace? If so, get in touch using the form below. All submissions are anonymised.

Vauxhall workers can place no confidence in Unite the unions belated pledge of full backing for car workers opposing Stellantiss threatened closure of the Luton and Ellesmere Port plants.

For more than a month after Stellantis chief executive Carlos Taveress highly publicised closure threat against 2,500 Vauxhall workers, Unite was silent. Its stonewalling continued for weeks, even after the company announced plant meetings for November 26 which workers feared would confirm plans for closure and/or mass layoffs.

Stellantis announces start of electric vehicle production at Ellesmere Port, September 6, 2023 [Photo: media.stellantis.com]

Widespread anger by Vauxhall workersas reported by the World Socialist Web Siteis the real reason Unite ended radio silence. But Unites statement on November 17 is aimed at preventing a fightback, not launching one.

Its press release, described by Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham as a warning shot against Stellantis over the plants future, commits the official leadership to nothing. It puts forward no concrete proposals to fight the shuttering of the plants or further job losses.

No mass meetings have been called for Vauxhall workers to raise their grievances and draw up non-negotiable strike demands against the threatened closure and appealing to Stellantis workers worldwide. This is what a real fight would entail, not a PR exercise conducted through the media.

Unites overriding strategy is corporatism: an alliance of the union bureaucracy with company boardrooms and the Labour government to make British car manufacturing internationally competitive. This economic nationalist programme has led to the virtual destruction of the car industry and a never-ending race to the bottom.

Graham states: Unite is already having constructive discussions with the government and industry to reform the ZEV [zero emission vehicle] mandate to protect jobs. Much more can be done, but the transition to electrification will not be achieved by threatening workers. Unites constructive discussions are a conspiracy against car workers in the national interest.

Global strategy is needed

Stellantis is not simply threatening workers. It is implementing a global jobs massacre. In Italy, the company has earmarked 12,000 jobs for destruction next year, provoking the first national strike by Italian autoworkers in two decades; in the US, Stellantis announced 1,139 indefinite layoffs at the Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio (where Gladiator and Wrangler jeeps are made), following 2,400 layoffs at Detroit Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan. This is only the beginning.

Stellantiss ultimatum to the Labour government that it will pull production from the UK unless concessions are granted is part of a globally coordinated strategy. Automakers are seizing on the shift to electric vehicles to restructure the industry and launch a frontal assault on the jobs, conditions and wages of car workers.

As far as the automakers are concerned, the cost of EV retooling must be borne by workers, through lower labour costs, throwing thousands onto the scrapheap, while protecting the profits of billionaire shareholders. Moreover, the struggle for market dominance is driving trade war and protectionism. US and European car producers are competing against China over who will dominate the EV market, part of a cut-throat struggle leading to world war.

Unite avoids any reference to this brutal reality of capitalist production and its implications for the class struggle, portraying Stellantiss actions as mismanagement by Tavares. This is absurd. Volkswagen has announced plans to close three of its plants in Germany and is demanding pay cuts of 20 percent pay alongside the closure of its Audi plant in Belgium. Nissan has announced 9,000 job cuts, to cite just a few examples.

The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) has called for a globally coordinated fightback by autoworkers, insisting that: The campaign against layoffs must be on a world scale because every industry operates using globalized production and supply chains. There is no such thing anymore as a German or American car. Instead, modern vehicles are a product of the coordinated labour of workers in dozens of countries, regardless of whether the corporate headquarters are in Wolfsburg or Detroit.

Vauxhall workers know they are fighting a global corporation, and WSWS reporters at Luton and Ellesmere Port have encountered widespread support for a fightback with Stellantis workers in Europe and the US, including strikes that could paralyse Stellantis overnight. But while Unites press statement name-checks strikes by Stellantis workers in Italy and balloting for action in United States, the union bureaucracy is hostile to any fight which challenges their long-established partnership with the company.

United and effective action by Stellantis workers worldwide can only be achieved by the rank-and-file in direct opposition to the economic nationalism and corporatism of the trade union bureaucracy. Whether Unite in Britain or the United Auto Workers (UAW) in the US, the trade unions today are led by pro-company stooges whose salaries and expense accounts place them in the top 1 to 5 percent of income earners.

Grahams pledge that Vauxhall workers will receive the unequivocal backing and the whole weight of the union behind them to fight Stellantiss closure must be judged against Unites actions over decades.

Unite has worked with successive ownersGeneral Motors, PSA Group and Stellantisto eliminate thousands of jobs at Vauxhall, destroying hard-won conditions and suppressing wages. Vauxhalls current reliance on van-only production and the switch to EV was hailed in July 2021 by Unites then-general secretary Len McCluskey as securing a bright future. This followed the stripping out of car production from Vauxhalls operations at the expense of thousands of jobs.

Repeated closure threats were used to wring concessions from Vauxhall workers. In 2001, the TGWU (predecessor of Unite) published The Case for Britain, urging GM to reverse its closure announcement because British workers were cheaper than car workers on the continent, and accusing GM of betraying the productivity agreements made with the union. This included a three-year deal that delivered flexibility and productivity improvements and a wage deal to help cut costs.

Unites bankrupt strategy of sweetheart deals with the auto companies to defend threatened plants against closure was exposed once again with the closure of the Honda plant in Swindon in 2021 with the loss of 3,500 jobs, after Unite had earlier agreed to pay cuts and voluntary redundancies.

Vauxhall workers should not wait on events. It is critical to seize the initiative and establish rank-and-file committees at Luton and Ellesmere Port, to map out an industrial and political strategy and to reach out to Stellantis workers worldwide.

The IWA-RFC proposes as a starting point the following demands:

Reject the race to the bottom! No sacrifice of jobs, pay or conditions to maintain production in the UK. Unite car workers worldwide!

No two-tier workforce! All temporary workers must be provided a permanent contract on equal pay, terms and conditions.

EV technology for workers not billionaire shareholders! The reduced labour time expended on EVs must be used to shorten the working day and to increase pay, compensating for decades of declining wages.

Place Vauxhall-Stellantis under public ownership! The auto companies must be nationalised under workers democratic control. Profits must be used to provide secure and well-paid employment, research and development.

Vehicle design and production determined by car workers and scientists not hedge fund managers and bankers. Production for social need not private profit!

We urge Vauxhall workers who agree with this to get in touch.
On October 21, 2024, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and the state Premier of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Manuela Schwesig (both Social Democrats, SPD) inaugurated the Commander Task Force (CTF) Baltic, a tactical naval headquarters for NATO, in Rostock. The immediate task of CTF Baltic is to establish a so-called situational maritime picture in the Baltic Sea as part of NATOs war offensive against Russia.

The German frigate Baden-Wurttemberg [Photo by Ein Dahmer / wikimedia / CC BY-SA 4.0

In his speech, Pistorius left no doubt as to what this concerns. Not defending freedom and democracyas stated in the official propagandabut about enforcing tangible imperialist interests. The Baltic Sea has always been a crossroads of European history and is much more than just a waterway, said the defence minister. It is an important corridor for trade, military mobility and energy security. It is a strategic area of great geopolitical importance and a front line in our collective defence against evolving threats.

And further: Most importantly, the security of the Baltic Sea region is inextricably linked to the security of Europe as a whole. The regions importance has become even more apparent in light of Russias ongoing aggression in our immediate neighbourhood.

In fact, the main aggressor in Europe is not Russia, but the NATO powers. Through their long-standing military encirclement of Russia, they consciously provoked the reactionary intervention of Putins regime in Ukraine. Now they are escalating the conflict further and further in order to put the resource-rich country under increased military pressure and ultimately subjugate it.

We must ensure that Putin does not get his way. We must defend ourselves and do everything we can to support our partners on NATOs eastern flank, Pistorius threatened. With the inauguration of CTF Baltic, Germany has once again taken a step forward and is ready to show responsibility and take the lead as a global trading and seafaring nation in the Baltic Sea region.

German imperialism, which already expanded violently eastward during the two world wars of the 20th century, committing terrible crimes in the process, sees the establishment of the NATO headquarters under German leadership as an opportunity to increase its military weight in NATO and especially in Northern and Eastern Europe. Pistorius made no secret of the fact that this is about preparing an open war against Russia.

The headquarters will play a decisive role in the preparation of military situational reports and in the response to regional challenges, including the protection of the interests of NATO member states against aggressive acts, especially in view of the proximity of Russia, Pistorius declared. It would also play a key role in promoting cooperation between the navies of the Baltic Sea region, improving interoperability and ensuring the rapid deployment of forces when needed.

In several interviews at the beginning of the year, Pistorius had already stated that Germany must prepare for a direct military confrontation with Russia. Since then, this insane plan has been systematically advanced. The German government is gearing its entire structure towards war, sending combat troops to Lithuania directly on the Russian border and stationing US long-range missiles in Germany that are directed against Moscow. Now it is also supporting the Biden administrations decision to grant Kiev permission to attack targets deep inside Russia with long-range missiles. In doing so, it is provoking a military response from the nuclear power.

In response to the inauguration of CTF Baltic, on October 22, Moscow summoned the German ambassador, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff. The ambassador was informed that this step by the ruling circles in Germany continues the creeping revision of the results of the Second World War and the militarisation of the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated in an official press release.

It was a gross violation of the Two Plus Four Agreement. Washington, Brussels and Berlin must be aware that the expansion of NATOs military infrastructure into the territory of the former GDR [East Germany] will have extremely negative consequences and will not go without a corresponding response from Russia.

It is obvious that the establishment of a NATO headquarters on the territory of the former GDR violates the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany of September 12, 1990, the so-called Two-Plus-Four Treaty. Article 5, paragraph 3 of the Treaty stipulates: Foreign forces and nuclear weapons or their carriers shall not be stationed or deployed in this part of Germany.

CTF Baltic in Rostock is commanded by a German admiral. But the position of his deputy is initially being occupied by a Polish admiral, and that of the chief of staff by a Swedish officer. Subordinate leadership positions are also filled by personnel from different nations.

In addition to Germany, personnel from 11 other nations are involved in CTF Baltic: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. All these countries are NATO members. Even in peacetime, military personnel from these and other partner countries can fill 60 of 180 multinational posts in CTF Baltic. In the event of crisis or conflict, the staff can grow to up to 240 posts. National responsibilities are to change at least every four years.

The Putin regimes denunciation of the breach of the Two Plus Four Agreement also underscores the reactionary character of the post-Stalinist oligarchy in Russia itself. The 1990 agreement sealed the restoration of capitalism on the territory of the GDR. The subsequent dissolution of the Soviet Union by the Stalinist bureaucracy ultimately created the precondition for the unbridled expansion of NATO to the borders of Russia. The Putin regime is reacting to this with a reactionary mixture of servile appeals to the Western partners and extreme military threats.

In September, the Kremlin responded to NATOs plans to allow Kiev to attack Russia with long-range Western missiles by tightening its nuclear doctrine. At a meeting of the Russian Security Council, Putin warned that Russia reserved the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of aggression against Russia and Belarus.

The new NATO headquarters and naval base in Rostock are inevitably potential targets for conventional or even tactical nuclear missile attacks in the event of a crisis or war.

Residents of Rostock and all of Germany and Europe should not remain under the illusion that the military build-up of the Rostock naval base will increase the security of the civilian population. Rostock was almost completely destroyed once before because it was a strategic military target. The Heinkel factories in Rostock and Rostock-Warnemunde produced military aircraft for the German Luftwaffe (Air Force) during the Second World War. From June 1940 to August 1944, British and American aircraft dropped around 4,000 tonnes of bombs on Rostock and Warnemunde during a total of 16 major attacks.

By the end of the war, 85 percent of Rostocks residential and 42 percent of its commercial buildings were destroyed or damaged. Due to evacuations, the population was halved between 1940 and the end of the war, from 130,000 to 60,000. Between 1940 and 1944, 617 people lost their lives in the air raids on Rostock, including over 100 foreign workers and prisoners of war.

A total of over 60 million people worldwide died in the Second World War.

This war was ruthlessly prepared by the imperialist circles of Germany with the transfer of power to Hitler, the illegal rearmament of the Reichswehr (Armed Forces) and the antisemitic and racist incitement against Jews and the peoples of Eastern Europe.

The crucial question today is to warn workers worldwide of the imminent danger of a third world war with even greater destructive potential and to mobilise them against it. The plans of the capitalist governments to shed even more blood, to pour billions more into the current wars, to expand their war machines and to attack the living standards and social rights of workers in order to finance these crimes must be stopped. This requires the building of an international socialist anti-war movement in the working class against the imperialist war and its root, the capitalist profit system.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogans Turkish government is desperately trying to hide its complicity in Israels genocide in Gaza and to appease public anger.

Ozlem Zengin, Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) parliamentary group deputy chairperson and an MP from Istanbul, has denied allegations that Azerbaijani oil is being transported to Israel via Turkeyclaiming that his government is not involved in the oil that passes through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline.

Ozlem Zengin [Photo: Yldz Yazcoglu]

Our minister said once again that all the companies that send [their oil] through this pipeline have been asked and that there is absolutely no oil flowing to Israel through this line, Zengin said, adding: Turkey has nothing to do with the oil flowing through this pipeline. As Turkey, we are only responsible for the operation of this pipeline. In other words, we have nothing to do with the oil flowing through it.

Zengin said that Turkey earns one dollar and 27 cents for every barrel of oil that passes through the pipeline.

In reality, the oil flowing through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline, the Turkish section of which is operated by the state-owned BOTAS International AS, feeds Israels war machine. A study by Oil Change International shows that many countries, including signatories to the Geneva Conventions on genocide, use the pipeline to supply oil to Israel and are implicated in crimes against the Palestinian people. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are the most prominent.

The research analysed shipping records, satellite imagery and other open-source industry data to track 65 oil and fuel shipments to Israel between October 21, 2023 and July 12, 2024.

Israel imports almost 99 percent of the oil it uses. According to the report, Azerbaijan is the main supplier, providing 28 percent of the crude oil going to Israel. It is followed by Kazakhstan and the African country Gabon with 22 percent. These three countries meet three-quarters of Israels oil needs.

Crude oil from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan is delivered through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, in which BP is a partner. The crude oil is loaded onto tankers at the Turkish port of Ceyhan for delivery to Israel.

According to BPs figures, In the first half of 2024, about 110 million barrels (14 million tonnes) of BTC-exported crude oil was lifted at Ceyhan and loaded on 150 tankers. The BTC pipeline currently carries mainly ACG crude oil and Shah Deniz condensate from Azerbaijan. In addition, other volumes of Caspian regional crude oil and condensate (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, SOCAR non-ACG volumes) continue to be transported via BTC.

Turkey, Italy, Cyprus and Greece play a key role in providing transshipment services to Israel. As the terminus of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline, Turkey ranks first in terms of volume, accounting for 26 percent of shipments to Israel. Cyprus follows with 21 percent.

Erdogan and his government officials continue to loudly condemn Israel in the hope of covering up these exposed facts and tensions between the two countries continue. According to Turkish and Azeri media reports, Israeli President Isaac Herzog wanted to use Turkish airspace to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, but Turkish authorities rejected the Israeli authorities request.

The official statement from the Israeli Presidents office said that Herzogs trip to COP29 had been cancelled for security reasons. However, Azerbaijani media reported that the real reason was Turkeys refusal to allow an Israeli Wing of Zion government transport plane through its airspace.

The main concern of the Turkish ruling class and the Erdogan government is not the genocide and persecution of the Palestinians, but fear that the expansion of the war in the Middle East could undermine its own interests.

The risk of the Israeli genocide in Gaza escalating into a regional war involving Iran has prompted the Erdogan government and its partners in the Peoples Alliance to take significant steps over the past month to strengthen their hand at home. Erdogans statement While the maps are being redrawn in blood, while the war that Israel has waged from Gaza to Lebanon is approaching our borders, we are trying to strengthen our internal front, was a clear expression of this.

At the end of last month, Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the fascist ally of the Peoples Alliance led by Erdogan, made an unprecedented statement. Bahceli suggested that jailed PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) leader Abdullah Ocalan should lift his isolation and address parliament, shouting that terrorism is completely over and the organization [PKK] has been dismantled. Bahcelis statement, supported by Erdogan, was seen as the beginning of a new peace process with the PKK, which Ankara has been trying to suppress since 1984.

However, just one day after Bahcelis speech, while Erdogan was in Russia for the BRICS summit, a bomb and gun attack by the PKK took place at the Ankara facilities of the state-owned strategic defence company Turkish Aerospace Industries Corporation (TAI).

The PKK claimed responsibility for the attack, but also claimed that it was not aimed at a new peace process. The government responded by targeting elected Kurdish mayors. Elected Kurdish mayors in Esenyurt, Srnak, Mardin and Halfeti were unconstitutionally dismissed and replaced by trustees.

Various leaders of the PKK have repeatedly stated that the transformation of the Middle East under the leadership of the US imperialism could be an opportunity for them and that any agreement with Ankara must recognise the position of the Kurdish movement in Syria and Iraq.

As a movement organised in four countries, the PKK also represents the interests of the Kurdish bourgeoisie in Iraq, Syria and Iran and has become an important political-military force in the Middle East on the basis of close cooperation with the US in the last decades.

In an interview with Medya Haber Digital, Zubeyir Aydar, a member of the executive committee of the KCK (Union of Communities of Kurdistan), the umbrella organisation of which the PKK is a member, suggested that Ankaras borders could expand if it made a deal with them, and shrink otherwise. The first possibility was the main objective of the peace process between Ankara and the PKK, which came to a bloody end in 2015.

Aydar said the following:

Under the conditions of a world war, others would be knocking on the door of the Kurds. The Kurds are not without alternatives here. (...) What we want is for our neighbour to knock on our door in good faith, not someone from outside. Lets solve our problem with our neighbour. In other words, others should not come and interfere between us... There are conditions. If Turkey acts with common sense on this issue, it can grow by getting along with the Kurds. But as long as it does not get along with the Kurds, as long as it confronts the Kurds and excludes them, Turkey can shrink.

While listing the countries with which the Kurdish bourgeoisie will negotiate according to its interests, Aydar said: This could be the Americans, the Europeans, the Russians, the Chinese, Turkey, Iran, the regional states... We do not approve of [Israels] policies, especially in Palestine. We do not approve of the absence of a solution. But we can have relations with Israel.

Gideon Saar, who took over as Israels foreign minister, said at the handover ceremony on November 11: The Kurdish people are a great nation, one of the great nations without political independence. They are our natural allies.
The authorization by the Biden administration for Ukraine to use US long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russian territory marks a new and dangerous escalation in the US-NATO war against Russia. The move, followed just two days later by Ukrainian attacks using the weapons, underscores the unrelenting drive by US and NATO powers to intensify the conflict, regardless of the catastrophic consequences.

An ATACMS missile being launched from an M270 MLRS.

On Tuesday, Ukraine attacked a military base in Bryansk, 110 miles inside the Russian border, using US-provided ATACMS missiles. There are conflicting reports about how many missiles were fired and how many of them were shot down by Russian defense systems.

The same day, the Guardian reported that the UK would follow the US in allowing its long-range missiles to be used to attack deep inside Russia. We must double down on the support for Ukraine, declared UK Defense Secretary John Healy. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, outside of the G20 summit in Brazil, that the irresponsible rhetoric coming from Russia  is not going to deter our support for Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the United States announcement, calling it a good decision and an appropriate response to the deployment of North Korean troops inside Russia. Russia is the only power that made an escalatory decision ... its really this break that led to the US decision, Macron said at the G20 summit.

In the European media, there is intense discussion on the imperative for European imperialism to take a more assertive and aggressive role in the war against Russia, if necessary independently of the United States.

The Biden administration and the NATO powers are well aware that the action to authorize Ukraines use of long-range weapons to target Russia will provoke retaliation from the Putin government. They are knowingly and deliberately crossing a red line that Putin had indicated would lead to a military response, including the potential use of nuclear weapons.

The move by the Biden administration to authorize Ukraines use of the long-range weapons came less than two weeks after the US presidential elections and just 60 days before the transfer of power to the incoming Trump administration.

On the part of Biden, there is no doubt an element of creating facts on the ground to push the situation as aggressively as possible. The White House had been planning to announce the strikes on Russia in September but ultimately decided to make the announcement after an anticipated victory by Vice President Kamala Harris, in a campaign that made no mention of the imminent plans for a massive escalation.

The election resulted in the victory of Donald Trump, who demagogically postured as a critic of the war in Ukraine. Last week, Biden and Trump met in the White House, with both men promising a smooth transition, and the behind-the-scenes discussions focused on Ukraine. It is noteworthy that Trump, who posts dozens of times per day on his social media platform, has said nothing at all about the ATACMS authorization or their use by Ukraine.

In September, in response to reports that the US would soon allow long-range strikes on Russian cities, Putin outlined proposed changes to Russias nuclear doctrine. The Russian president said that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear-weapon state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear-weapon state, should be considered as a joint attack on the Russian Federation.

On Tuesday, following the Ukrainian strike on Bryansk, Putin signed into law the new nuclear strategy document, which significantly lowers the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons by Russia in response to attacks on its territory, including attacks using conventional arms, if such an aggression creates a critical threat for their sovereignty and/or territorial integrity.

Under the terms of Putins prior statements and the new doctrine adopted by the Russian Federation, Russia could potentially respond to the NATO attack with an escalation in Ukraine, attacks on American bases in Europe or European military targets, other forms of asymmetrical warfare or even with the use of a nuclear weapon.

Whatever the response, the US and NATO powers are willing to risk the consequences. The tendency is for relentless escalation. The question must be asked: What is the next stage of escalation of the war? How soon will NATO weapons be raining down on Moscow? Will NATO troops be deployed?

On Monday, Estonias Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told the Financial Times that he supports the European powers putting boots on the ground in Ukraine. While raised in the context of a possible peace deal engineered by Trump, the proposal for direct deployment of NATO into the conflict has been raised repeatedly, most significantly by French President Macron earlier this year.

The Biden administration, with the support of the European powers, is seeking to take a series of steps intensifying the war that makes further escalation all the more likely. And an incoming Trump administration, no less dedicated to the ruthless pursuit of US global hegemony, will be just as aggressive in waging wars all over the world.

The US-NATO war against Russia is itself a component part of an escalating global war, which includes the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the Israeli bombing of Lebanon and threats of war against Iran, and the developing conflict with China, which has been the central focus of Trump.

The escalation of war takes place amidst an intensifying political crisis in all the imperialist powers, the turn to dictatorial forms of rule, and the immense escalation of the assault on the working class. The oligarchs are determined to subordinate all of society to war. It is the international working class that must be mobilized, on the basis of a socialist program, to stop the descent into World War III.
Sri Lankas new president, Anura Dissanayake, formed his new cabinet on Monday after his National Peoples Power (NPP)/Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) obtained 159 of the 225 parliamentary seats in last Thursdays general election.

Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer and the IMF delegation met with President Dissanayake (centre) and key ministers of the newly-formed government at the Presidential Secretariat, November 18, 2024 [Photo: Presidential Secretariat Sri Lanka]

The JVP/NPP exploited a tidal wave of popular anger against the traditional political establishment, whose ruinous capitalist policies have plunged the country into a devastating, ongoing socio-economic crisis. The new government, however, is committed to implementing the austerity demands of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as aligning Sri Lanka with the aggressive US-led confrontation against China.

The JVP/NPP campaigned in the election for a strong government, supposedly to root out corruption and promote a national renaissance. Dissanayakes real objective was to strengthen the governments use of the levers of state power to suppress the inevitable opposition to its agenda of class war at home, and integration into US imperialisms wars abroad.

Dissanayake, who is also the commander of the armed forces, retained the powerful defence and finance ministries, bringing the implementation of the IMFs austerity measures under his direct purview. After appointing the ministers, he met the visiting IMF delegation and reaffirmed his readiness to collaborate with the IMF to advance Sri Lankas economic recovery within the context of the mandate.

The main ministers in the 21-member cabinet are leading members of the JVP and the NPP. Among them are long-standing JVP leaders who are identified with the partys fascistic, anti-Tamil campaign in the late 1980s and fierce support for the racialist war waged by successive Colombo governments against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) from 1983 to 2009.

The JVP deliberately buried its past crimes in an effort to woo Tamil voters during the election campaign. It achieved the largest vote in every Tamil-majority district except one, as a result of widespread disaffection with the all the traditional parties, including the bourgeois Tamil parties.

Working people as a whole are in for a shock as Dissanayake implements austerity measures that will inevitably produce major class struggles. The appointment of diehard JVP leaders to the cabinet makes clear that the government will not hesitate to resort to police-state measures and will also step up chauvinism to vilify Tamils and Muslims and divide the working class.

Harini Amarasuriya, who was appointed prime minister after Dissanayake was elected and sworn in as the president in September, continues as premier and has the education portfolio. An academic, she is a key figure in the NPP, which was established by the JVP in 2019 to draw in layers of the upper-middle classincluding fellow academics, business layers, former police and army officersand to prove itself a trustworthy political tool of the ruling class.

Amarasuriya undoubtedly had a hand in orienting JVP/NPP foreign policy towards US imperialism and its strategic partner in South AsiaIndia, where she studied and had strong connections. In 2015, she played an important role in the US-orchestrated removal of the regime of President Mahinda Rajapakse, regarded as too close to China, and its replacement with the pro-Washington Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government.

Vijitha Herath, a prominent JVP leader, is the remaining member of the three-person JVP/NPP cabinet formed in September pending parliamentary elections. He continues in the key role of foreign minister as well as holding the tourism and foreign employment portfolios.

Both Herath and Dissanayake were members of the JVP/NPP team that met regularly with Western diplomats in Colombo, most significantly with US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung in the past few years. The JVPs past radical posturing against US and so-called Indian imperialism has been completely dropped.

From the left: US Embassys political officer Matthew Hinson, Ambassador Julie Chung, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath, during the meeting at the JVP head office on 19 October, 2023. [Photo: X/Twitter @anuradisanayake]

As MPs in the previous parliament, Dissanayake or Herath did not utter a word against the US or India when the previous pro-US Wickremesinghe government banned Chinese research ships from Sri Lankan ports in 202223. The JVP also gave support to Wickremesinghes decision to send a Sri Lankan navy vessel to the Red Sea as part of the US-led operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen who were threatening supplies to Israel as it carried out genocide in Gaza.

Significantly, Herath has announced that Dissanayake will make his first trip as president to India to consolidate ties. The Sri Lankan president has already pledged that he will work with the incoming US administration of the fascist president-elect Donald Trump.

Just as the JVP/NPP government is making clear that it will carry out the dictates of the IMF and international finance capital, so to it is aligning itself with US imperialism and its allies and partners as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the confrontation with China, intensify.

The governments hostile attitude to the working people has been signalled by the appointment of K.D. Lalkantha, the JVPs National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) president, as the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. This longstanding JVP leader and union bureaucrat was instrumental in banning strikes prior to the presidential election. He declared that even the suggestion of industrial action would cut across the JVPs electoral plans and would be a blatant reactionary act.

Another prominent JVP leader, Nalinda Jayathissa, who was appointed Minister of Health and Media, went further, stating prior to the parliamentary election that under a JVP/NPP government strikes would be a thing of the past. In statements that recall the corporatism of the fascist regimes of the 1930s, he has suggested that the party and the state would merge and emphasised the closest collaboration between management and the trade unions.

Other significant appointments include:

* Professor Chandana Abeyrathna, who is now Minster for Public Administration, is a longtime JVP figure who was a leader of the Patriotic National Movement formed to prosecute the JVPs chauvinist campaign in support of the communal war against the LTTE.

* Ananda Wijepala, who is Minister of Public Security in charge of the police, is a longtime JVP member and associate of Dissanayake, having served as his personal secretary when the latter was a cabinet minister in the 2004 coalition government of President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

* Dissanayake had earlier announced that Aruna Jayasekara, head of NPPs Retired Military Collective, would become defence minister if the JVP/NPP came to power. He is a former major general who served as Eastern Province Commander during the war against the LTTE. He is tipped to become the deputy minister for defence today under Dissanayake as defence minister.

* Former DIG Ravi Seneviratne, a leading member of the NPPs Retired Police Officers Collective, has been installed as secretary, the top administrative post in the Ministry of Public Security.

These appointments made clear that Dissanayake and the JVP/NPP intend to keep a strong grip on the key levers of state repressionthe defence and public security ministriesas they proceed with their program of austerity.

Just as the Dissanayake government and the ruling class are preparing for the class battles ahead, so must the working class develop its own organisations and strategy to fight for its social and democratic rights.

The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) calls on workers and rural toilers to establish action committees in every workplace, plantation, suburb and town independent of the trade unions and all capitalist parties to defend its class interests. We advance the demand for the repudiation of all foreign debts and reject all claims that working people must sacrifice for the benefit of the profits of the super wealthy few.

The SEP is calling for the establishment of a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Masses based on representatives of the action committees. This is the essential mechanism to unify the struggles of working people in the fight for political power and the formation of workers and peasants government to implement socialist policies as part of the struggle for socialism internationally.
Family and community members in Independence, Missouri, a suburb of Kansas City, are outraged after a police shooting on November 7 left a two-month old baby and her mother dead inside their own apartment. Almost two-weeks after the double-homicide, police have yet to identify the killer cop or release any body-camera footage of the incident.

Destinii Hope, 2 months, was shot and killed by police on Thursday, November 7 in Independence, Missouri. [Photo: Talisa Brian Coombs]

There is no question that a major cover-up is underway. In a press conference held following the shooting, Independence police chief Adam Dustman claimed the mother of the child, Maria Pike, 34, was armed and that the deceased included a child. When confronted by a reporter that the child was in a fact a baby no more than a few months old Dustman refused to comment on the alleged ages of either of the victims, or even their cause of death.

Pressed on what Pike was allegedly armed with, police have claimed a knife. This, however, is disputed by eyewitnesses, including the father of the child, Mitchell Holder, who witnessed police execute his daughter, Destinii Pike, and her mother in front of him.

According to family members, Maria and Mitchell both suffer from mental health issues, with Maria having recently been diagnosed as suffering from post-partum depression. After Destinii was born, Mitchells mother and Destiniis grandmother, Talisa Coombs, who lived in the same apartment complex, would frequently visit to assist with childcare and check on Maria and Mitchell.

On November 7, Coombs alleges that Maria assaulted her while she was in the apartment with the couple and the baby. After the incident, Coombs left the apartment and called the police to report the alleged assault. In multiple interviews, Coombs has claimed that she repeatedly told police that she was concerned about the baby and that there was a baby in the apartment.

While she wanted to press charges against Maria, she told KCTV5 that she did not instruct the cops, to go up there and shoot them. You dont shoot anyone with a child. They could have done anything else, but they wanted to choose to kill my granddaughter and her mother. If I had known that baby was in danger with the police officers, then I would have never said anything.

Despite tens of millions of dollars in de-escalation and mental health training, police killings in the United States have not abated over the last decade, having in fact increased. At least 1,151 people have been killed by police in the US so far this year, according to a tracker maintained by MappingPoliceViolence.org. Mapping Police Violence notes that police have killed 31 more people in the US through October in 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year.

Police violence is endemic to the capitalist system. Imbued with immense power to kill, cops exist to serve and protect the property and privileges of the ruling class. They are not neutral guardians, but the foot-soldiers of the financial oligarchy.

This is why police overwhelmingly kill working class, poor and those suffering from mental health emergencies. And while racist and fascistic attitudes are cultivated in every police department, the highest rate of police killings are in the predominantly rural states of New Mexico, Wyoming and Montana.

In his November 8 press conference, Chief Dustman admitted that a mental-health responder was on-site, but that they didnt have an opportunity to de-escalate the situation. Far from de-escalating, video obtained by the Kansas City Defender shows multiple police racing up the stairs of the apartment complex, guns already drawn before they even reach the door.

Police were apparently in such a rush to kill that they broke into the wrong apartment and held Bug Arnold, a resident of Oval Spring Apartments, at gunpoint. Arnold told the Defender that he witnessed police, From the moment they jumped out of their cars, it was as if they were ready to kill. Arnold explained to the Defender that after the police opened his door they had their guns trained on him the entire time.

I wasnt sure what to do. I was just frantically, like waving my arms, like, Oh my God! No! No! You have the wrong house! he recalled. Arnold said police accused him of doing something to their officer, like Wheres my officer! Whatd you do with my officer! I said, I dont know where your officer is, sir. I assume hes in the other apartment, because you have the wrong apartment.

Police eventually identified the correct apartment. Holder told the Kansas City Defender that he asked the police if we could talk through the door. I didnt want my baby Destinii to be around the cops with their weapons out like that. But ultimately, they came in.

Holder told the Defender, I was in the room when it all happened. From what I could see, I never once saw Maria armed with anything. I honestly dont even know where that came from. Ive heard crazy things like that she was holding the baby hostage in a closet, that she had a knife, all this crazy stuff thats not true. I mean, all I can say is its possible she had a knife and somehow I didnt see it, but all I know is I never saw her holding anythingand I was right there in the room.

Holder recalled seeing his daughter shot. I know she died instantly. He recalled, It looked like her head exploded. Her blood splattered across my glasses and all over me. All I could do was scream. I just kept saying three wordsthe same three wordsYou killed her! I was screaming it. Over and over.

After Destinii was murdered, Holder said that Maria jumped up. And as soon as she did, I dont know if the cop got scared or something, but then he fired another shot that hit Maria. I think it hit her in the hip. And the cop didnt stop her bleeding the right way, he didnt know what he was doing. I believe she choked on her blood and bled out. Thats my understanding of how she died.

A GoFundMe has been created by Felisha Holder, Destiniis aunt, to pay for Destiniis funeral expenses. Felisha wrote that the bullet hit baby Destinii in the head. The cops didnt even negotiate with Maria (the mom) Felisha noted that Destinii would have been 3 months old on the 22nd.

This past Friday, November 15, family and residents of the apartment complex, and the broader community members held a vigil for Maria and Destinii. Police were banned from attending the vigil by the family members.

Attendees of the vigil held signs demanding Justice for Destinii! The cop needs to own up to what he did!

Amber Travis, a cousin of Destinii, told KSHB at the vigil, Its not fair and for nobody to be like, taking accountability for it, that makes me mad too.

Travis added, It makes me angry the body-cam footage hasnt been released. Give my family some peace.
Since its founding last June, the pseudo-left Revolutionary Communist Party (previously known as Fightback) has made the focus of its political work a campaign for a Student Strike for Palestine, whose import it has left vague and ill-defined.

Now, however, it is heavily promoting a one-day Student Strike for Palestine scheduled to take place at university and CEGEP campuses across Canada this Thursday, November 21, as a major step toward its goal.

The date was set in a statement issued last month by the Students for Palestine (S4P) and Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), groups that have organized protests across Canada over the past year against Israels imperialist-backed genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza.

Hundreds of thousands of workers and young people across Canada, and millions around the world, have joined protests since October 7, 2023 to express their outrage over Israels wanton slaughter of Palestinian men, women and children with the political, material and logistical support of the United States and Canada. Based on an estimate published in the medical journal The Lancet in July, upwards of 200,000 Palestinians have now been killed, many with weapons supplied to the fascist Netanyahu regime by American, Canadian and European imperialism.

Section of the 40,000-strong Nov. 4 demonstration in Toronto opposing the imperialist-backed genocidal assault on the Palestinians of Gaza

The organizationsincluding S4P and the PYMthat have led these protests have proven incapable of providing a viable perspective to stop the genocide, which continues unabated and has now expanded to the West Bank and Lebanon.

They are opposed to the fight for the industrial and political mobilization of the international working class, the only social force capable of halting the genocide. Instead, they have focused their efforts on pressuring the same bourgeois politicians who are up to their necks in the blood of Palestinians to change their policies. Presenting the genocide and the imperialist powers support for it as merely a moral question and the outcome of a mistaken policy, they claim that if only protesters shout loudly enough and often enough, the powers that be will have to listen. This perspective is epitomized in Thursdays student strike, which the organizers have limited to a single day in advance.

The RCP, which is the Canadian section of the recently renamed Revolutionary Communist International, the successor to the International Marxist Tendency founded by Ted Grant and Alan Woods, shares this bankrupt protest perspective. In its campaign material for a Student Strike for Palestine it advances no call for students and young people to turn to the working class and fight to mobilize it in struggle against genocide and imperialist war. Nor does it indict the trade unions and NDP for their support for the pro-genocide, pro-war Trudeau Liberal government, and expose them as the principal political impediment to the mobilization of the working class in defence of the Palestinian people.

Significantly, the RCP does not even mention the call by the Palestinian trade unions for a global general strike to put a stop to weapons shipments to Israel and the manufacturing of military equipment for the genocide. Instead, it uncritically advances the S4P and PYMs call for a student strike to pressure the ruling class and make them listen. In a statement welcoming the S4P and PYM announcement of November 21 as the date for a one-day student strike, the RCP declared that such an initiative is exactly what the movement to free Palestine needs! It continued: For the last year millions have protested week after week, signed countless petitions and wrote letters to politicians asking them to find their humanity. The rich and powerful have ignored us

In order to put an end to this, we need to escalate our tactics and organize mass actions that they cant ignore. [emphasis in original]

Israels genocide against the Palestinians and imperialist world war

Such bankrupt statements offer nothing to the students who will join this weeks action because they are outraged by the extermination of the Palestinians and want to play a part in stopping it.

If such humane sentiments are to find progressive expression they must be animated by an entirely different political perspective than the one advocated by the promoters of the November 21 student strike, including the RCP. As World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board Chairman David North explained at a rally held in Washington, D.C. last July 24 to protest the appearance of the fascist Netanyahu before a joint session of the US Congress in July to thank the US for enabling his regimes war crimes,

The building of an antiwar movement requires the mobilization of the working class as an international force. It requires the establishment of the political independence of the working class. And it requires a perspective that has as its aim not protesting to the capitalists, appealing to them to adopt a peaceful policy, but explaining to the working class that if they want to put an end to these horrors, if they want to secure the future, they have to conquer power.

This is the necessary conclusion that flows from an analysis of the escalating war in the Middle East, of which the genocide is a component part. Israel is acting as US imperialisms attack dog in carrying out the final solution of the Palestinian problem and provoking a region-wide war targeting Iran.

Palestinians walk through the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip near Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Monday, April 1, 2024. [AP Photo/Mohammed Hajjar]

Moreover, the war in the Middle East is one front in a developing world conflagration that is being led by American imperialism as it desperately seeks to overcome the collapse of its economic supremacy.

In addition to sponsoring Israels genocide, the US, Canada and their NATO allies have instigated and are conducting an imperialist war against Russia through their Ukrainian proxies in alliance with overt fascists, with the goal of toppling its government and looting its vast resources. In the Asia-Pacific, Washington is assembling regional and global allies as it carries out diplomatic, economic and military provocations against China in order to prepare for war with its chief economic competitor.

That these are three fronts in a developing global war is openly admitted by leading imperialist politicians and strategists. They increasingly speak of an axis of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, while US President Joe Biden proclaims that making sure Israel and Ukraine succeed is vital for Americas national security.

As twice before in the last centuryand as the outcome of the same basic contradictions of capitalism, between global economy and the system of rival nation-states and between socialized production and the pursuit of capitalist profitworld imperialism is hurtling toward the precipice of world war, with the rival great-powers vying to control resources, pools of labour, production networks, new technologies and strategic territories.

But the very process that drives world capitalism toward fascism and world war is fuelling a growing global upsurge of the working class. The number of strikes and mass protests is rapidly increasing, as more and more disenfranchised, impoverished and unprecedentedly urban sections of the international working class enter into struggle to oppose decades of declining living standards, catastrophic climate change and endless militarism.

The instinctive striving of the working class for social equality, democratic rights and world peace, must become consciously articulated in a political program to replace the profit-driven accumulation of capital with international socialism. The struggles of the working class must converge in the conscious struggle for political power to expropriate the capitalist financial oligarchy, and turn giant transnational industries into public utilities, in which workers control production democratically, on the basis of human need and not private profit. This is the program being fought for by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) and the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), and it is on this basis that we intervene in the anti-genocide protests to fight for the building of an international anti-war movement led by the working class.

The RCP, protest politics, and the lessons of the 2012 Quebec student strike

The RCP is hostile to the necessary struggle to develop a global antiwar movement based on the mobilization of the working class on a revolutionary socialist perspective.

In its campaign material, it does not refer to the broader geopolitical and historical context of the genocide in Palestine, and its relation to the crisis of capitalism. Instead, in the manner of all middle class protest groups, the RCP presents the genocide in Palestine as a single isolated issue, and Western support for Israel as a moral question, as opposed to the vital component of imperialist strategy that it is.

While it misleadingly presents itself as a Communist and at times even a Trotskyist organization, the RCP is committed to channeling the opposition of workers and youth behind the bankrupt and suicidal perspective of pressuring the capitalist establishment. This fact is underscored by its invocation of the 2012 Quebec student strike as a model for the type of movement that students wanting to fight for an end to the genocide must build.

In a rare statement defining the political character of its campaign for a student strike for Palestine, the RCP states that the methods of the 2012 Quebec student strike are the methods we must use in the fight for a free Palestine. Not coincidentally, their language is reminiscent of slogans used in the 2012 student strikeCrions plus fort, pour que personne ne nous ignore/Shout louder so they cant ignore uswhich epitomize the middle-class protest perspective of pressuring the ruling class, as opposed to the fight for the working class to become an independent political force fighting for its class interests and developing a movement for workers power. As one RCP leaflet for their student strike campaign candidly states: If we shut down the campuses, they will be forced to listen to us.

While the lessons of the 2012 student strike are certainly vital, they are precisely the opposite of those advanced by the RCP and that it is advocating animate students action against the Gaza genocide through its Student Strike for Palestine campaign.

In mid-February 2012, a student strike erupted in Quebec, which was initially triggered by opposition to a 75 percent student fee hike tabled by the Liberal provincial government of Jean Charest. The strike quickly amassed tremendous popular support, persisted for six months, and represented an implicit challenge to the austerity and privatization agenda of the entire ruling class in Quebec and across Canada. At its height, it began to ignite a broader counter-offensive of the working class against the reactionary user pays principle, decades of capitalist austerity, and capitalism more broadly. As such, this movement had profound implications for the class struggle throughout Canada and internationally.

The RCP falsely presents the outcome of the 2012 strike as a victory, because there was a change in government, and because the 75 percent fee hike was repealed. In reality, the strike collapsed during a provincial election campaign that was initiated to divert the movement behind an alternate party of bourgeois rule, and smother it.

The Liberal government of Quebec was not toppled, as the RCP writes. It was merely peacefully replaced by the nationalist Parti Quebecois (PQ), which, once order had been re-established and opposition suppressed, imposed its own tuition hikes and austerity measures. It then went on to whip up the anti-Muslim agitation, which forms a pillar of the far-right anti-immigrant chauvinism that today increasingly dominates establishment politics, at both the provincial and federal levels.

For this maneuver to succeed, the intervention of the trade unions, in alliance with the petty bourgeois student leaders, was essential.

By early May of 2012, the negotiations between the Liberal government and the three student federations (the FEQ, the FEUQ, and CLASSE, the most militant and influential among them) had arrived at an impasse. Quebecs three main trade union federations had pressured student leaders into accepting a deal that largely upheld the fee hikes proposed by the Liberal government. But despite the student leaders agreeing to this sellout (including those from CLASSE), rank-and-file students refused to back down and rejected it overwhelmingly.

In response, the Charest government escalated its crackdown on the student movement by passing Bill 78 (Law 12), legislation designed to criminalize the strike and enforce harsh penalties. This led to increased repression, including police violence and mass arrests. However, rather than crushing the movement, the governments repression galvanized further resistance, drawing the working class into action in solidarity with the students.

Mass demonstrations erupted against Charests authoritarian measures, with growing calls for a general strike. In direct opposition to the overwhelming sentiment of the working class, the unions pledged to enforce every anti-democratic measure of Bill 78, instructing teachers and other academic staff to report to work, thereby aiding the government in breaking the strike. Their aim was to demobilize and politically derail the movement, arguing that students and workers should respond to Bill 78 by pushing for the election of a PQ government, or as was summarized in their newly introduced slogan: From the streets, to the ballot box.

The unions responded to the mass working class opposition to the Quebec Liberal government's law effectively illegalizing the student strike (Bill 78) by instensifying their efforts to shut the strike down.

QFL President Michel Arsenault then wrote to Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) President Ken Georgetti, urging unions outside Quebec to withhold all supportfinancial or otherwisefrom the striking students, claiming that such actions would violate Quebecs right to self-determination.

When CLASSE gave timid and ambivalent support to the burgeoning general strike movement by suggesting that a social strike should be considered, the union bureaucrats went ballistic. In his letter to the CLC, Arsenault denounced the call for a social strike put forward by radical sections, and argued that the priority was to broker a deal, not fan the flames. CLASSE refused to respond to, or even acknowledge this letter. It went on to meet with Arsenault a few weeks later, continuing to present him as an ally of the students as it silently dropped its call for a social strike.

Despite all the efforts of the trade unions and student unions to contain the mass mobilization, it was evident that the situation threatened to spiral completely out of control. This led the Liberal government to call an early election for September 4, 2012 in an attempt to stabilize the political situation.

That the PLQ was politically and temporarily defeated in 2012 only helped obscure the fact that, notwithstanding its tactical retreat with the repeal of the initial fee hike, the bourgeoisie had won the battle, and was able to continue to implement its agenda of austerity and social reaction through its alternate party of government. In isolating the students from the working class in Quebec and the rest of Canada, the trade unions proved once more to be the ultimate line of defence of the capitalist class in the maintenance of bourgeois order and political stability.

In the case of Palestine too, the trade unions have acted as the guardrails preventing a movement to develop against the capitalist states that defend, support, and perpetrate genocide. When they arent loudly pro-Zionistas is the case in Germany where the major trade unions have declared their solidarity not with Palestine, but with Israelthey seek to orient the working class to the very pro-imperialist capitalist parties that are the main supporters of genocide in their country, as is the case of Labour in Great-Britain, or the union-backed NDP-Liberal alliance in Canada.

CLASSE then, and the RCP today

For all its militancy, CLASSE served as an auxiliary to the unions betrayal. While its best-known leader, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, ended up openly supporting the diversion of the strike behind the PQ, other more anarchistic elements drowned out all discussion of political perspectives with shrill calls for more radical protest tactics, including isolated confrontations with the police.

CLASSEs moderate and radical leaders complemented each other in leaving the bourgeois monopoly over political life untouched, and the union-backed PQ unchallenged among youth and workers. What united them was their opposition to a turn to the working class and the fight to mobilize it as an independent political force by breaking the stultifying influence of the corporatist trade union bureaucracy.

CLASSE was instrumental in keeping the strike confined to a single issue, and to a single province. By channeling the students energies into putting pressure on Quebecs bourgeois political establishment, CLASSE kept the students isolated from the working class, their most powerful and only true ally in the defence of social rights, among which is the right to education.

The RCP argues that one of the main lessons of the strike is how the student leaders prepared the strike politically. They write: For months, student leaders waged a vast campaign explaining the tuition increase, austerity in general, and the need for a student strike.

This is not true. The tuition increase was presented as an isolated issue, and austerity, it was adamantly argued on the basis of standard petty-bourgeois economics, was not really necessary at all under capitalism. From the outset, the struggle was not framed as one against austerity in general, but against one austerity measure in particular; not as a struggle against capitalism, but against neoliberalism.

The sole focus on neoliberalism became a central plank in the campaign to elect the PQ and defeat the neo-Liberals, reinforcing the false impression of students and workers that the enemy they faced was not a social class clinging to its dying mode of production, but rather, a political tendency with erroneous conceptions (not to mention the fact that the PQ shared those same conceptions anyway).

The RCP presents CLASSE as somehow being composed of internationalists, when it writes that it connected the struggle against the tuition increase to the wider struggle unfolding around the world, due to its occasional references to a Maple Spring (an invocation of the 2011 Arab Spring).

In fact, CLASSE had a completely myopic focus on Quebec and was profoundly steeped in nationalism. Their provincialist narrow-mindedness and nationalist prejudices prevented them from looking toward the working class in Canada, not to mention around the world, for support. Not once did they appeal to students and workers in Canada or internationally. Their manifesto, published in July 2012 to sum up their perspective and lessons learned, made explicit their understanding of the strike as a democratic movement of Quebecers.

The RCP not only recommends these nationalist protest politics to youth and students in the abstract, it completely identifies with ASSE/CLASSEs politics, and idolizes its former leader Nadeau-Dubois by quoting him uncritically at length.

Like the other utterly conformist leaders of the strike, Nadeau-Dubois has gone on to pursue a comfortable career. Only more so. Today, he is the leader of the third-party in the Quebec National Assembly, Quebec Solidaire (QS)a nationalist Quebec independantiste party based in privileged sections of the upper middle class. For years QS has served as a home for Fightback/RCP. Notwithstanding his occasional radical sounding rhetoric during the strikes more tumultuous days, Nadeau-Dubois political trajectory between 2012 and today was entirely organic and predictable.

The pseudo-lefts hostility to the revolutionary role of the working class

Not unlike the police and media, who always vastly overestimate the capacity of agitators to somehow summon mass movements, ASSE/CLASSE thought at the time that its methods were the cause of the explosive popular appeal of the strike. The RCP echoes this self-flattering estimate, when it uncritically quotes Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois on how to build this strike, or when it describes the participation of large sections of the working class as the product of the student unions calls for support.

The reality was very different. While the initial organizational efforts of ASSE/CLASSE played a role, they were eventually far more instrumental in scuttling the strike than in unleashing it. The students didnt need CLASSE to explain to them that a fee hike was not in their best interest. Neither was the willingness of workers to join students in the streets determined by CLASSEs calls to oppose the Liberals repressive and anti-democratic legislation.

What the student strike uncorked was the product of decades of social frustration and growing opposition to the decaying capitalist order. There is much documentary evidence illustrating the student leaders bewilderment at being thrust in the position they found themselves in from one day to the next. The underlying social force which propelled the strike to its remarkable dimensionsthe working classwas not at all perceived or understood by the young student leaders, who identified the working class with the trade union bureaucracy, and more generally held it in contempt.

The reality of the working class and the scientific understanding of its social power and revolutionary role elaborated by Marxism remained a closed book to the student leaders, who were steeped in the middle-class anti-Marxist conceptions promoted by the Frankfurt School, anarchism and the student radicalism of the 1960s. Demoralized by the rise of fascism, Stalinism, and by the postwar restabilization of capitalism, the petty-bourgeoisie and its theoreticians blamed the defeats of the socialist movement on the working class itself, and sought different social forces upon which to build opposition to what were increasingly perceived as merely excesses of a capitalism which could somehow be regulated within a national framework.

The RCPs opportunist, anti-Trotskyist political pedigree

The RCP/Fightback stands in the tradition of Pabloism, a virulently liquidationist tendency led by Michel Pablo and Ernest Mandel that arose within the Fourth International under conditions of the post-World War II restabilization of capitalism. Mesmerized by the apparent strengthening of the counter-revolutionary Stalinist, social-democratic and trade union bureaucracies, the Pabloites claimed that under the pressure of objective forces the Stalinist and reformist parties and, in the backward countries, the bourgeois-led national movements would be compelled to initiate socialist transformation. Bitterly hostile to the Trotskyist program, they worked to dissolve the national sections of the Fourth International into the mass movement.

The International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) was formed in 1953 to defend orthodox Trotskyism, in uncompromising opposition to this petty-bourgeois opportunist tendency which rejected the revolutionary role of the working class.

The RCP and its mentorsthe late Ted Grant and the current head of the IMT/Revolutionary Communist International Alan Woodsstand out among the various strands of Pabloism for two reasons. First, their insistence that the Fourth International and its perspective of building new mass revolutionary parties in opposition to Stalinism and social-democracy were stillborn at the Fourth Internationals founding in 1938; and second their singular, decades-long insistence on burying themselves in left capitalist parties on the grounds they can and must be transformed into instruments to fight for socialism.

Fightback and the IMT systematically promoted illusions in the now defrocked left British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Syriza, Greeces Coalition of the Radical Left. The former capitulated at every point to the partys Blairite right-wing, ultimately handing the leadership back to the pro-war, pro-austerity Keir Starmer; the latter imposed savage austerity measures on the Greek working class that went well beyond those of its right-wing predecessors.

During 2024, Fightback and the IMT with much fanfare, but no serious theoretical-political preparation, have transformed themselves into the RCP and the Revolutionary Communist International (RCI) with the stated aim of drawing into their ranks anyone who simply describes himself as a communist. This rebranding is yet another opportunist maneuver, aimed at capturing the increasing number of radical-minded young people and transforming them into political apologists and props for the trade union bureaucracy, and various establishment left and pseudo-left parties. The RCP specializes in issuing declamations about the need for socialism while cravenly adapting to the union, NDP and QS leaders.

The RCPs Student Strike for Palestine campaigntheir principal activity since they officially transformed Fightback into the RCPonly serves to underscore that while the labels may have changed and they may on occasion employ more revolutionary rhetoric, their politics remain the same. That is to say, bitterly hostile to the struggle to imbue the working class with socialist consciousness, free it from the domination of the labour bureaucracy and mobilize it as an independent and revolutionary political force.

The Palestinian genocide as an isolated mistake

The RCPs campaign for a Student Strike for Palestine not only adapts to the illusions of youth and students, but actively reinforces them. It presents the genocide in Palestine as a discrete and isolated issue, which is accidental to the bourgeoisies agenda, and which has nothing whatsoever to do with a broader movement against war and capitalism. In so far as it speaks of a student strike impacting workers, it is solely with the hope of stimulating a broader protest movement. There is no relationship at all between the demands it advances, the student strike it proposes, and working class opposition to war and the capitalist system.

There are objective economic reasons, rooted in the very foundations of capitalism, for the attacks against workers (and by extension students), as well as the sponsoring of genocide and the international escalation toward World War III. Workers must become conscious of these reasons for the potential inherent in their growing movement of opposition to be actualized. But organizations like the trade unions, QS, the now-disbanded CLASSE/ASSE, and today the RCP, actively prevent them from arriving at such an understanding.

Entirely reconciled with the existence of capitalism, these organizations and the middle class social layer they represent rather hope for a more comfortable position for themselves within the framework of the current system. Their role in channeling social movements into harmless avenues provides them with the leverage they need to advance their own middle-class interests.

Far from seeking to overthrow the capitalist class, the RCP actually seeks an audience with it. As one of their Student Strike for Palestine campaign leaflets candidly states: We will force the rich and powerful to listen to us. Or as the programmatic statement for their campaign states we must make them listen! and They have proven that they wont listen unless we make them listen. One could go on.

These are not isolated slips of the pen, but rather concisely summarize the RCP/RCIs entire perspective. In a recent article published by its international organ and titled Are we facing World War III?, the leader of the RCI Alan Woods, elaborates his understanding of the causes of the current danger of a global conflagration. He writes:

One looks on in absolute astonishment to see how the policies of Washington are being determined by the antics of two desperate menone in Kyiv and the other in Jerusalem. These men, who are actually completely dependent on the money and arms supplied by Washington, evidently feel free to pursue policies that are in direct contradiction to the strategic interests of US imperialism.



If the genocide in Palestine and the war in Ukraine are in direct contradiction to the strategic interests of US imperialism, as the leading voice of the RCI claims, then the problem isnt US imperialism. If Woods is to be believed, it evidently follows that the struggle against genocide and war does not require a struggle against imperialism, but to the contrary, consists of informing the imperialists of their true interests and convincing them to act accordingly. Hence the call to force the ruling class to listen.

The necessity of a turn to the working class

In 2012, the Socialist Equality Party in Canada and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) intervened in the student strike on the basis of a revolutionary socialist perspective. We fought to raise the consciousness of youth and students in demonstrations, meetingsincluding a meeting in Montreal at which Jerry White, the SEP US presidential candidate that year, explained the international significance of the student strike and underscored the global character of the class struggleas well as over 70 in-depth articles analyzing the events over the course of six months, while providing the only viable fighting perspective.

The SEP explained that the task was not to pressure one or the other section of the ruling class, but to link the fight for the right to education to the broader fight against austerity and capitalism, and therefore to turn the student strike into a catalyst for a working class offensive against capitalism. It fought for a turn to the working class as the only social force capable of defending the right to education and supporting the students, because it is the only social force objectively pitted against capitalism in its entire social being.

As early as February 2012, when the strike was only in its very beginnings, the WSWS alone understood the political challenges it needed to surmount and warned:

The student strike, however, cannot succeed unless it becomes the spearhead of a vast counter-offensive of the entire working class. For this to happen, the strike must go beyond a mere protest over a single issue. Students must consciously turn towards the working class, the only social force capable of offering a progressive alternative to the capitalist system of private property and profit that condemns the overwhelming majority of society to rising unemployment, poverty, and economic insecurity.

It insisted that the student fee-hike was only one element of a broader austerity agenda, which itself was part and parcel of the strategy of the financial aristocracy adopted in every capitalist country and intensified since the crisis of 2008.

The danger of the movement being channeled behind the election of a PQ government was also immediately foreseen, as well as CLASSEs potential role in that regard. It explained that while CLASSE:

has adopted a more radical stance, initiating the current strike movement, its political perspective does not differ fundamentally from that of FEUQ and FECQ. It conceives of the student strike, which it characterizes as a measure of last resort, as a more aggressive form of protest aimed at pressuring the Charest government into negotiations. For all its angry rhetoric, CLASSE is opposed to linking the student strike with a movement of the working class against the attacks of big business and its political representatives in Quebec City and Ottawa.

The SEP then went on to explain what a turn to the working class entailed:

A turn to the working class means not only sending student delegations to workplaces, but first and foremost assisting the workers in breaking politically and organizationally from the trade union bureaucracy, which for decades has isolated and suppressed the struggles of the working class.

Since 2012, the ICFI has built a growing network of rank-and-file committees, united through the International Workers Alliance of Rank and File Committees (IWA-RFC), to return decision-making power to the rank and file, enable them to break through the union-imposed isolation of their struggles, and develop an intentional working class counter-offensive against austerity, social inequality and war.

Vital as is the building of such new organizations of class struggle, the most decisive question of all is the building of mass revolutionary partiessections of the ICFIto systematically oppose to the counter-revolutionary strategy of the bourgeoisie a thoroughly worked out strategy of the international working class.

From the very beginning of its intervention in the 2012 student strike, the SEP fought for an understanding that the heart of the matter was the social question, that is the objective necessity of socialism:

Students are confronted with a political struggle that goes far beyond the single issue of tuition fees. The question has been clearly posed: Who should control the resources of society and how should socioeconomic life be organized?

The same question should be posed to students and youth who oppose the genocide in Palestine today. The struggle against genocide and war cannot be based on the old middle class protest politics of the past, which have dominated protests for the whole preceding historical period, and have lead to nothing but defeat and demoralization. A new genuinely anti-war mass movement is required, based on the most profound and far-reaching understanding of the historical bankruptcy of capitalism.

To build this movement, youth and students must recognize that the turn to the working class requires both direct participation in the growing struggles of the working class, in opposition to the union bureaucracies and all those who work to confine it to trade-union collective bargaining struggles, single-issue protests and parliamentary politics; and a turn to Marxism. For it is through the assimilation of Marxism, the science of the class struggle, and the lessons drawn by the ICFI and its predecessors from the more than a century-long struggle for Trotskyism, that the working class will find the theoretical weapons it needs to overthrow capitalism and emancipate itself.

To be part of the solution, join the IYSSE and the Socialist Equality Party, and build the International Committee of the Fourth International!
As Ukraine deploys US-supplied ATACMS missiles to bomb Russia, European officials are giving this policy their full support. The content of this staggeringly reckless decisionafter the Kremlin warned that the use of US missiles, fired by US forces in Ukraine based on US targeting data, meant direct war between NATO and Russiais unmistakable. The NATO alliance is, in reality, risking total war between the major nuclear powers.

European governments are imposing this policy with flagrant disregard for the will of the people. After French President Emmanuel Macron called for sending troops to Ukraine to fight Russia this winter, a Eurasia Group poll found that nine in 10 people in Western Europe rejected this policy, which other European heads of state criticized. Now, however, they are all setting into motion an escalation of the conflict with Russia that could lead to nuclear war.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin enacted a tougher Russian nuclear doctrine than he had announced earlier this autumn, in response to US-UK threats to arm Ukraine with long-range missiles to bomb Russia. It states that aggression against the Russian Federation and (or) its allies by any non-nuclear state with the participation or support of a nuclear state will be regarded as their joint attack. That is, if Ukraine fires NATO missiles at Russia, the NATO states are legitimate targets of Russian counterattacks, including with nuclear weapons.

With monumental recklessness, European governments are indicating that they are willing to risk nuclear war in order to escalate their intervention in Ukraine.

At a meeting of European Union (EU) foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock endorsed the use of US missiles to bomb Russia. Berlin supports the decision from the American side, Baerbock said, stressing that this was not a rethink  but an intensification of what has already been delivered by other partners.

Asked about the the use of NATO missiles to bomb Russia during the Brussels summit, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said France already supported this policy: Well, you have heard President Macron on May 25th, in Meseberg, earlier this year. We openly said that this was an option that we would consider if it was to allow to strike targets from where Russian are currently aggressing Ukrainian territory. So, nothing new on this.

Yesterday, after Russia confirmed that Kiev and Washington had used ATACMS missiles to bomb Russia, Baerbock reiterated this position. She brushed aside Russian threats of a massive response, including the potential use of nuclear weapons, at Tuesdays EU foreign ministers meeting in Warsaw. Asked how the German government views the change to Russias nuclear weapons doctrine, she dismissed it, stating: We will not be intimidated, no matter what new things are trumpeted time and again.

Amid the German election campaign, representatives of the governing and official opposition parties took similar positions. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), Chair of the Defense Committee in the European Parliament, commented on X: Better late than never. It is very good that Joe Biden is now making this important decision at the end of his term of office.

Norbert Rottgen, a leading foreign policy strategist of Germanys opposition Christian-Democratic Union (CDU), also wrote on X: The USA is doing what is morally and politically right. An overdue step that will finally enable Ukraine to defend itself against Russian weapons before they kill civilians in Ukraine. He added, Strengthening Ukraines ability to defend itself [is] permitted under international law and morally and politically necessary. It is the only language Putin understands.

No one is asking the necessary questions to explain the staggering consequences of this policy. If the Russian military responds to NATO strikes on its soil by bombing European military bases, or European cities, what do the European powers plan to do? Do they believe that they can wage a large-scale war with Russia without triggering nuclear war? How many millions of human lives are the European powers prepared to sacrifice for their war aims?

Yesterday, at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Macron responded to the bombing of Russia by denouncing the Kremlin for the change to its nuclear doctrine. I want to truly call on Russia to behave responsibly. It has responsibilities as a permanent member of UN Security Council, Macron said, complaining that Moscow now has an escalatory posture. He added, Russia today is in the process of becoming a power for global destabilization.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made similar points, brushing off Putins change to Russian nuclear doctrine as irresponsible rhetoric and promising that it is not going to deter our support from Ukraine.

Dismissing Russian threats as just irresponsible rhetoric is to play Russian roulette, but with nuclear weapons. NATO officials have stated that they aim to impose a comprehensive strategic defeat on Russia, destroy the Russian state and divide up the country. Putin is no doubt under intense pressure to respond to the escalating bombing of Russia. If the Kremlin has so far decided not to respond massively to previous NATO provocations, this does not mean it can avoid doing so in the future.

It is the NATO powers, in fact, that are acting with utter recklessness, bombing Russia and stating they will not be deterred, even by the danger of nuclear Armageddon. Their arguments are torn apart by crying contradictions. On the one hand, they claim that Ukraine and Europe must wage war to protect democracy from the relentless, Hitlerian threat of Putin; on the other, they imply that Putin is so responsible that he will patiently allow them to bomb Russia.

This was the content of the German paper Die Zeits coverage of the Ukraine crisis. Strictly speaking, Russia could already start a nuclear war now according to its own doctrine, it admits, only to add: In reality, however, such documents have hardly any value. They are more of a threat, aggressive PR for the outside world, than an actual guideline for internal use.

Die Zeit knows it is lying when it dismisses Russias nuclear doctrine as empty PR, so it contradicts itself. The problem, it adds, is that Russian threats, whether in the form of a doctrine, nuclear exercises or demonstrative planning games visible to intelligence services, have consequences. Experts agree Vladimir Putin will not use his weapons of mass destruction, but governments in Western countries cannot ignore the risk. Not even if they are convinced that Putin is bluffing. At least as long as the technical possibility of a Russian nuclear strike remains.

In reality, the NATO powers are effectively ignoring the risk of a nuclear holocaust to try to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. The pursuit of this goal has a relentless military logic. With their Ukrainian proxy forces on the brink of defeat, and concerns that US President-elect Donald Trump might reduce US military aid to Kiev, the European powers are planning an ever stronger and more direct intervention in its war with Russia.

There is deep-rooted popular opposition to the war plan laid out by European imperialism, but the working class must be alerted to and mobilized against the danger. Workers must have no illusions. The ruling class is planning the militarization of Europe, with far-reaching consequences: the reintroduction of the draft, the deployment of combat troops to Ukraine, a massive increase in defense spending at the expense of wages and critical social programs, and the establishment of fascistic police-state regimes to suppress working class opposition.
VIENTIANE, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Laos hosted a regional policy dialogue workshop on strengthening e-commerce cooperation to boost the region's economic development and strengthen trade between ASEAN and China's Hong Kong.

The meeting, held from Tuesday to Wednesday, aimed to promote business-to-business and business-to-consumer engagement under the ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement.

The event was attended by researchers and representatives of the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Electronic Commerce, business bodies, and governments of regional countries, according to a report issued by Laos' Ministry of Industry and Commerce on Wednesday.

The dialogue aimed to identify and address key challenges faced by the e-commerce sector and to collaboratively shape policies that will enhance resilience, inclusivity and competitiveness in this field.

"One of the significant goals of the dialogue is to explore the development of a shared digital platform and ecosystem that can seamlessly facilitate cross-border transactions, benefiting both large corporations and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises," said Lao Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Chansouk Sengphachanh at the event.

The dialogue was also a call for unity and a shared vision as ASEAN member states work together to strengthen the region's digital economy, said Chansouk.

"The insights, strategies, and policy recommendations we develop here will not only enhance the resilience of our economies but will also empower our citizens and businesses to thrive in the digital age," she said. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders attending the 19th G20 Summit pose for a group photo for the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty initiated by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

G20 members should keep in mind that mankind lives in a community with a shared future, see each other's development as opportunities rather than challenges, and view each other as partners rather than rivals, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the 19th G20 Summit.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for a just world of common development and a fair and equitable global governance system, as G20 leaders gathered here to seek solutions to pressing global crises, ranging from hunger and economic instability to climate change.





BUILDING JUST WORLD OF COMMON DEVELOPMENT

While addressing the summit, Xi said that China is ready to work with all parties to build a just world of common development.

He pointed out that transformation of a scale not seen in a century is accelerating across the world today, and humanity faces unprecedented opportunities and challenges.

As leaders of major countries, G20 leaders should not let their vision be blocked by fleeting clouds. Rather, they must see the world as one community with a shared future, and shoulder their responsibility for history, take historical initiative and move history forward, Xi said.

How to address the global challenge of hunger is high on the agenda of this year's G20 summit. According to the UN's State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, 733 million people faced hunger in 2023.

Hunger is the biological expression of social ills, said Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the summit. "It is the product of political decisions that perpetuate the exclusion of a large part of humanity."

On Tuesday, the G20 launched the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty to support the implementation of country-led, country-owned programs aiming at reducing hunger and poverty worldwide, contributing to revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development, according to the G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders' Declaration.

"Poverty alleviation has always been a priority and a major task I am determined to deliver," Xi said while addressing the summit.

Always concerned about impoverished regions and families in straitened circumstances, Xi has directed the country's battle against poverty in person. Under his leadership, China launched a monumental anti-poverty campaign.

In 2021, China declared a "complete victory" in eradicating absolute poverty. "We have lifted 800 million people out of poverty, and met the poverty reduction target of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ahead of schedule," Xi told the summit.

China's story is proof that developing countries can eliminate poverty, that a weaker bird can start early and fly high, when there is the endurance, perseverance, and striving spirit that enables water drops to penetrate rocks over time and turns blueprints into reality, he said.

Xi stressed that China will always be a member of the Global South, a reliable long-term partner of fellow developing countries, and a doer and go-getter working for the cause of global development. China will go hand in hand with fellow developing countries toward modernization, he said.

"China is sharing its development experience with other countries through its development initiatives which have helped to promote common development," said Straton Habyarimana, Rwandan economic analyst.





Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech entitled "Working Together for a Fair and Equitable Global Governance System" at the Session II of the 19th G20 Summit on Reform of the Institutions of Global Governance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

FAIR, EQUITABLE GLOBAL GOVERNANCE SYSTEM

During Session II of the 19th G20 Summit on Reform of the Institutions of Global Governance, Xi called for a fair and equitable global governance system.

Noting that it has been 16 years since the G20 Summit was launched, Xi said that proceeding from a new starting point, the G20 needs to build on its past achievements and continue to act as a force to improve global governance and move history forward.

G20 members should keep in mind that mankind lives in a community with a shared future, see each other's development as opportunities rather than challenges, and view each other as partners rather than rivals, Xi said at the summit. He called for building a world economy characterized by cooperation, stability, openness, innovation and eco-friendliness.

Xi's call resonated with the shared vision of G20 members. According to the G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders' Declaration, G20 leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to multilateralism and pledged to reform the global governance system.

"We need to better equip the world with a reformed global governance," said the G20 leaders in the declaration, noting that the challenges the global community faces today can only be addressed through multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow and the strengthening of global governance for both present and future generations.

Xi's emphasis on improving global governance also earned praise from experts, who highlighted China's longstanding advocacy for a more just and equitable global order.

China plays an essential role within the G20 in pushing for a more just and equitable world order, said Ali Oguz Dirioz, an associate professor of international relations at Ankara's TOBB University.

"China is a very big economy and is also promoting more equitable global governance, therefore its role in this group is significant for other members," said the Turkish expert.

The G20 comprises 19 countries across five continents, along with the European Union and the recently admitted the African Union (AU). This year's summit marks the first gathering since the AU's inclusion.

China was the main proponent advocating for the AU's full membership in the G20, said Keith Bennett, an international relations consultant based in London, noting that the move has strengthened the group's representation.

"China is at the forefront of promoting the representation and voice of developing countries in the international governance system," Bennett told Xinhua.

Climate change is also a key issue on the summit agenda. In the summit's declaration, G20 leaders emphasized the group's leadership role and its commitment to tackling climate change by strengthening the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.

In his remarks, while highlighting the need for the G20 to improve global ecological governance and build a world economy characterized by eco-friendliness as part of his five-point proposal to improve global governance, Xi said that China stands ready to continue to deepen international cooperation with all sides on green infrastructure, green energy, green mining and green transport, and will provide support to developing countries to the best of its ability.

As a summit observer, John Kirton, co-author of Reconfiguring the Global Governance of Climate Change, said he still remembers what President Xi said at the G20 Hangzhou Summit: Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.

"The message is clear: it's not about the money; put the natural environment and ecology first," he said. "It is a very impressive approach for all G20 members to follow and to come together to build a common future for mankind." 
TEHRAN, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Iran and the United Nations nuclear watchdog on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to continuing dialogue and interaction to resolve differences and deal with other issues on the bilateral agenda.

In a phone call, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi also highlighted the necessity to refrain from "unconstructive and confrontational" approaches, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Regarding the IAEA's Board of Governors meeting scheduled for Wednesday in Vienna, Araghchi stressed that Iran would respond "appropriately" if other parties proposed an anti-Iran resolution at the session.

European powers are reportedly pushing for a new resolution to be adopted by the Board in its Wednesday meeting, aiming to pressure Tehran over its alleged "poor cooperation."

Several outstanding issues remain between Tehran and the IAEA, including the agency's claims of finding "traces of uranium" at multiple "undeclared" Iranian sites, which Iran has consistently denied. 
BEIRUT, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein said Wednesday that negotiations with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri about a ceasefire draft in Lebanon have made additional progress, local TV channel MTV reported.

"The points of contention regarding the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon cannot be disclosed publicly, but we have achieved positive progress in the negotiations with House Speaker Berri," Hochstein said following his second meeting with Berri at Lebanon's Ain el Tineh.

Hochstein did not provide additional details but said he would visit Israel later in the day to discuss the ceasefire proposal with Israeli authorities.

"We will take it one step at a time," he said. "I will work with the next U.S. administration on calming efforts in Lebanon."

Hochstein met with Berri in Beirut on Tuesday and said later that they had "constructive talks," adding that a solution to the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel is close.

"It is now within our grasp ... As the window is now, I hope the coming days yield a resolute decision," he said.

Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its airstrikes on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. In early October, Israel initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon. 
Black Friday arrives on November 29 this year. Some might say this mass retail (therapy) event is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it gives modest consumers a chance to buy items and experiences that are usually out of reach. On the other, millions of other people want these offers, too.

While Black Friday used to cover the retail space only, the modern version extends to vacations, cruises, and excursions. It isnt only big-box stores fighting for our dollars: tour companies, hotels, and car rental companies all want our business, too. Keep ahead of the pack this Black Friday and Cyber Monday with this comprehensive breakdown of the various deals on offer.

Hotels

1. Sandals Resorts & Beaches Offers 65% off Stays

Turn your winter blues into tropical joy with Sandals Caribbean Blue Black Friday deals, giving a huge 65% discount and up to $1,500 in booking credit. For example, travelers booking adult-only resorts, such as the newly opened Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, can enjoy up to $1,000 instant credit and $500 of air credit.

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Other Sandals offers include Jamaica or Turks and Caicos Sandals resort deals with 65% off and up to $1,000 (up to $400 instant credit + $600 air credit). Both these offers are available if you book by December 3.

2. Extra Holidays Offering 35% Discounts

Extra Holidays self-dubbed Best Sale of the Year offers 35% off on 100 of its most popular destinations. For potential guests who book by December 6, picturesque resorts such as Utahs WorldMark Moab might be as low as $100 per night. You might want to try Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek, sitting a short drive from Orlandos world-class theme parks.

Furthermore, as an extra bonus, guests can join Insider Extras for no charge and receive early access to deals. Signing up by December 6 with promo code BF24 grants new members two instant rewards. Travel must take place by February 28, 2025.

3. 25% off Maines Most Iconic Stays From Atlantic Hospitality

Fans of the Northeastern United States will marvel at the Black Friday deals offered by Atlantic Hospitality with its Semi-Annual Joy Event. Atlantic Hospitalitys Travel Tuesday applies to the booking companys boutique properties, and a 25% discount comes for new 2025 reservations.

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Esteemed havens such as the newly reimagined The Dunes on the Waterfront in Ogunquit and the Claremont Hotel in Southwest Harbor are up for grabs. The offer begins December 3, and a full deposit is required.

4. Atlantis Casino Offers 30% Through Late Spring

Good news for art lovers, high rollers, and outdoors enthusiasts: Atlantis Casino is offering 30% off stays in its Reno Tahoe location. Right now, visitors can take advantage of the newly renovated premier rooms at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.

Through April 30, guests can unwind in discounted rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the dazzling Reno City or the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountains. Visitors must book a minimum of three nights for the offer.

Tours

5. Unforgettable Travel Company Gives $1,000 Savings on Custom Trips

For jetsetters considering an adventure to Europe, Asia, or Africa, luxury brand Unforgettable Travel has an unforgettable offer. From November 29 through December 13, long-haul, custom-made trips will have a $1,000 discount.

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Unforgettable Travel specializes in tailored tours away from the crowded cities and resorts, guided by local experts. The deal is for all new trips booked for 2025, giving great opportunities for those looking to broaden their travel experiences.

6. Heres to 25% off With Contiki

Travelers 18 to 35 years old will find great deals for journeys to Peru, Thailand, Albania, and more with Contiki. The young peoples go-to travel platform is a social enterprise, grouping like-minded wanderers with bucket-list attractions.

Contiki will offer 25% off a monumental 145 travel experience across six continents. Trips booked by December 5 might include Contikis Thai Island Hopper West tour or its Lima to Machu Picchu Road Trip.

7. Trafalgar Global Unleashes 15% Savings

Trafalgar Global is a guided vacation company operating all over the world. Right now, the firm is advertising notable discounts on its Best of Spain itinerary, with savings of over $600 available. In addition, the award-winning companys Switzerland and Austria itinerary comes with a generous $630 discount.

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Furthermore, in the period up to and including December 5, Trafalgar Global customers will see 30% off other popular trips.

8. Insight Vacations Gifts 15% off Premium Tours in Greece, New England & More

Up until December 5, adventurers can find 30% off great daily deals on Premium Tours stellar vacations departing in 2025. Travelers with a penchant for New Englands old historical landscapes can enjoy $620 off the Boston, Cape Cod, and The Islands itinerary.

Meanwhile, those looking further afield will enjoy another $620 saving on Premium Tours Greece Undiscovered itinerary. Think top-level accommodations, luxury dining, and poignant travel experiences for the trip of a lifetime.

9. 15% off British Isles Adventures With Brendan Vacations

Brendan Vacations specializes in bespoke Britain and Ireland tours and will knock down prices for certain itineraries this early winter. The Romantic Britain and Ireland tour gets a huge $1,200 reduction, while there is $800 off the Best of Scotland and Ireland version.

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This year, the first 50 guests traveling on any custom itineraries from January through March 2025 will receive a whopping $1,200 off. Customers can also redeem a $500 discount on Lux Self-drive or Private Chauffeur bookings or $400 off Rail Vacations and other self-driving tours. Seeing the old country in style just became much cheaper.

10. Costsaver Gives Money off Trips to London, Peru, and More

Another tailor-made tour provider, Costsaver, is celebrating Black Friday 2024 with discounts on its wide range of budget trips. Appealing to younger nomads and backpackers alike, Costsaver is cutting rates through December 5.

Those with an international wanderlust will find up to $300 off its European Experience trip and $380 off South America Discover. The former involves 12 cities in eight countries, while the latter entails a life-changing journey to Iguassu Falls and the marvelous Machu Picchu ruins.

Cruises

11. $700 Savings With Cruise Croatia

Croatia is one of Europes coolest locations, famous for its rugged beauty, numerous national parks, and crystal-clear seas. Good news for next summer: Cruise Croatia has got your backs with $700 off per cabin on selected departures.

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The offer applies to voyages between Dubrovnik and Split departing between May and August 2025, and bookings are necessary by December 13, 2024.

12. Multiple Savings With Uniworld, Including 50% off Cruises and More

Uniworld is a boutique cruise company operating across Egypt, South America, Europe, and Asia. This Black Friday, the firm begins its 12 Days of Christmas drive, offering crazy savings and surprise offers.

From November 29, travelers can stay tuned as the company unveils an outrageous offer each day. Expect anything from 50% off popular cruises to complimentary upgrades or free solo traveler supplements.

13. Priceline Marks Its Biggest Sale of the Year

Through Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Priceline has announced its commitment to travelers seeking out personalized, life-affirming adventures. The travel firm dropped a recent statement promising exceptional value and unforgettable experiences at top destinations around the world.

Up until November 29, customers might land on deals such as $3,000 cruise cash to spend on a Royal Caribbean trip or 45% off Extended Stay America hotels. This offer is one serious adventurers cant ignore.
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Sony Pictures

The standalone sequel to Searching is here, and like its predecessor, Missing weighs in on some hefty topics using social media and technology. Starring Nia Long and Storm Reid as mother-daughter duo Grace and June Allen, Missing follows the twists and turns of Grace's mysterious disappearance as June pieces it all together at home using her laptop and some social media hacking. But while the film will lure you in as a suspenseful thriller with astounding editing and novel visual storytelling, its real appeal stands on the thematic undertones grounding its whirlwind plot.

At a first glance, Missing may seem to be a crime story about the internet's many rabbit holes that undermine our privacy. But the film is actually more concerned with the public's obsession with finding the perfect victim and villain for a news story. It's a fixation that's created and nourished by a seemingly endless wave of true-crime content that sensationalizes real-life tragedies, frequently at the expense of people of color. Missing's real story is about how quick people (and the internet) are to villainize and neglect people of color if it means they get another TikTok hit or Netflix true-crime special.

What happens in Missing?

Two teenage girls sit on a couch while scrolling on their laptops.

Credit: Sony Pictures

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"A lot of this film is playing with your biases, and the ways you might misinterpret something."

When Grace Allen fails to return from her vacation with her new boyfriend Kevin (Ken Leung) in Colombia, time is of the essence. As the feds drag their heels on investigating her disappearance, June takes things into her own social media-savvy hands to find out what actually happened to her mom. While Missing strings you along for many plot twists, spoiler alert  its big reveal is that Grace never actually left for Colombia; she was kidnapped on her way to the airport by June's father, James (Tim Griffin).

James was dangerously abusive to Grace when June was young. So, Grace fled with June to California years before, changing their names and leaving young June to believe her father was dead. As it turned out, James met Kevin while they were both in prison. It was Kevin who helped him orchestrate this entire heist by hiring actors to play out their Colombia vacation gone wrong. While all eyes and fingers were pointing to Kevin in Colombia, Grace was trapped in a shack in James' ranch the entire time. After a series of trials and tribulations, June manages to save the day and get her mom back home.

SEE ALSO: 'Missing' review: a twisty whodunnit where Gen Z's internet habits save the day

What does Missing's ending actually mean?

A man and a woman get into a cab.

Credit: Sony Pictures

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Mashable hopped on a quick Zoom with the co-directors of Missing, Nick Johnson and Will Merrick, to discuss the subtext of their movie.

"There was one [high-profile] case in particular where it felt like people on TikTok were profiting off of the commentary and theories of this case, that we didn't really love," shared Johnson. "And so we injected that into the movie itself because we saw that happening [in real life]."

When Grace's disappearance makes it to the news, everything about her case quickly becomes internet clickbait, with TikTokkers and Gen Z true-crime aficionados digging into Grace's past and finding out that she has something to hide. The viewer knows Grace changed her name to escape her abuser, but the internet doesn't and is adamant about making her a villain.

The wave of true-crime TikToks pouring in and pointing to Grace as the true puppet master behind everything illuminates how quick society is to point fingers at single Black women (or men) instead of looking at the bigger picture. "We definitely thought about the missing white girl syndrome while making this" added Merrick. "A lot of this film is playing with your biases and the ways you might misinterpret something, even you as the audience and not the true-crime people we're criticizing."

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In Missing, true-crime content creators don't operate with empathy, never stopping to wonder what might have compelled Grace to change her name in the first place. Instead, they hop on a dangerous media bandwagon for the rush of it all, leaping to scandalizing conclusions. It's a phenomenon Cat Cardenas at Slate Magazine refers to as "true-crime brain," and we can see it every day, onscreen and off.

While Missing is a wild roller coaster with a series of events that may seem out of the ordinary, a lot of the film is grounded in real-life inspirations that guide its characters' actions. The real joy of the film is watching your TikTok FYP page being fed to you on the big screen  a dish out on all things true crime and what it can create.

Missing is now streaming on Hulu.

UPDATE: Nov. 18, 2024, 4:48 p.m. EST This article was originally published on Jan. 22, 2023. It has been updated to include the latest viewing options.
The Pretty Woman actor recently sold his Connecticut home for $11 million after revealing his plans to put down roots in Madrid with his family

Ross Gilmore/Getty Images Richard Gere in February 2016 Richard Gere in February 2016

Richard Gere is getting ready for his big move to Spain!

During a Nov. 20 appearance on the Today show, the Pretty Woman actor, 75, opened up about the new journey hes embarking on with his family in Madrid while discussing his upcoming series The Agency.

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You and your wife and your little ones are moving to Spain! host Savannah Guthrie said to the actor. Gere shares sons Alexander, 5, and James, 4, with wife Alejandra Silva, 41.

He responded, My wife is Spanish, and were going there for her family, her friends, her culture. The kids are bilingual, so its really going to be great for them.

Then youll become bilingual, hopefully Guthrie teased.

Joking back, Gere said, Perfect! You come to Spain, well do the whole show in Spanish, to which Guthrie replied, Challenge accepted!

Related: Richard Gere Flips Savannah Guthrie the Bird During Live Interview on Today as She Tells Him, 'I'm Bleeping You!'

NBC Richard Gere and Savannah Guthrie on 'Today' Richard Gere and Savannah Guthrie on 'Today'

The actors excitement over his familys new chapter comes after he officially sold their $11 million New Canaan, Conn., home in October.

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Gere lived in the six-bedroom, 11-bathroom abode with his wife and kids for two years after purchasing it in 2022 for $10.8 million, according to local outlet the New Canaan Advertiser. At one point after making the real estate purchase, Gere reportedly wanted to turn the property into a farm.

Along with his younger kids, Gere is dad to son Homer, 24, from his second marriage to Carey Lowell. Silva also has an 11-year-old son, Albert, with ex-husband Govind Friedland.

Related: Why Richard Gere Is Moving to Spain for a 'Great Adventure' with Wife Alejandra Silva and Their Kids

Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Richard Gere and wife Alejandra Silva in September 2024 Richard Gere and wife Alejandra Silva in September 2024

During an interview with Vanity Fair Spain in April, Gere hinted at his plans to relocate to his wifes home country so she can be near her relatives there.

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"For Alejandra, it will be wonderful to be closer to her family, her lifelong friends and her culture," he said. "She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers."

He continued, I love Spain and I think your lifestyle is fabulous. Also your ability to live transmitting joy and happiness. It is a beautiful place, the food is extraordinary and the people exude sensitivity and generosity, as well as a strong will to laugh and enjoy."

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.

Alejandra Silva/Instagram Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva with their kids Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva with their kids

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While Gere told VF Spain that he was ready for his upcoming great adventure as he has never lived full-time outside the United States" before, he noted that hes still keeping a property "in the countryside near New York" to have a foothold here.

Gere and Silva have lived in the U.S. since they tied the knot in 2018. They first met in Positano, Italy, in 2014.

The Agency streams Nov. 29 on Paramount+/Showtime. Today airs weekdays on NBC (beginning at 7 a.m. ET).


This photo taken with a mobile phone shows rescue personnel working at the site of a landslide in Bruno village in Purworejo regency, Central Java, Indonesia, Nov. 20, 2024. Four members of a family were killed after landslide hit their house in the Indonesian province of Central Java on Tuesday, a local official said. According to a preliminary report, the disaster took place in Bruno village in Purworejo regency on Tuesday afternoon amid heavy rain. (Photo by Wawan Setiawan/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Four members of a family were killed after landslide hit their house in the Indonesian province of Central Java on Tuesday, a local official said.

According to a preliminary report, the disaster took place in Bruno village in Purworejo regency on Tuesday afternoon amid heavy rain.

Muhammad Abdullah, mission coordinator for the region's search and rescue agency, told local media on Wednesday that rescue teams recovered three victims on Tuesday evening and the fourth on Wednesday morning. The victims have been taken to nearby hospitals for identification.

He added that the region was poured by rain on Tuesday, triggering the landslide.

Indonesia frequently experiences hydrometeorological disasters during the rainy season. The country's National Disaster Management Agency data showed that as of November, the country has recorded more than 1,700 disaster events this year, over 1,000 of which were hydrometeorological disasters, including floods, landslides, and extreme weather.

The Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency forecasted that most of Indonesia will experience rainfall with an intensity ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 mm annually throughout 2025, beginning in November. 

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows rescue personnel transferring the body of a victim after a landslide in Bruno village in Purworejo regency, Central Java, Indonesia, Nov. 20, 2024. Four members of a family were killed after landslide hit their house in the Indonesian province of Central Java on Tuesday, a local official said.

According to a preliminary report, the disaster took place in Bruno village in Purworejo regency on Tuesday afternoon amid heavy rain. (Photo by Wawan Setiawan/Xinhua)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows rescue personnel working at the site of a landslide in Bruno village in Purworejo regency, Central Java, Indonesia, Nov. 20, 2024. Four members of a family were killed after landslide hit their house in the Indonesian province of Central Java on Tuesday, a local official said.

According to a preliminary report, the disaster took place in Bruno village in Purworejo regency on Tuesday afternoon amid heavy rain. (Photo by Wawan Setiawan/Xinhua)
Okay, buckle in for this one because were going to be throwing a lot of dollar signs and reports your way about Taylor Swifts UK leg of her Eras tour. As many fans know, Swift had to cancel three concerts in Vienna, Austria, after a foiled terrorist plot that was supposed to take place at her shows. Since then, shes upped the ante on security measures (understandably so), but apparently, all the security came with a hefty price.

Now, the added security cost the Metropolitan Police nearly $1 million of taxpayers money. (Dont get it twisted, this was already money taken from taxpayers, not another thing taxpayers have to pay up.) You may be wondering, how did the security measures cost that much?

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Taylor Swift is joined on stage by Travis Kelce

Well, according to The US Sun, it cost the Met around $880,000 to provide security for each of Swifts UK concerts. Along with that, Swifts team requested $200,000 worth of security measures, including a blue-light escort. Also, they supplied 1,100 cops for around $85,000 per night, and then nearly $130,000 when she returned in August.

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Allegedly, Swifts mom, Andrea, who also acts as her manager, was the one to negotiate with officials to make the padded security changes happen. (In fact, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper even intervened to convince the Met to alleviate some rules, according to the outlet.)

Fast forward to today, Swift will be ending her Eras tour on Dec 8 in Vancouver, Canada, and her UK shows went swimmingly (and during her time in the UK, we got an on-stage appearance from her boyfriend, Travis Kelce).

Before you go, click here to see more celebrities who have suffered through home invasions.

Sandra Bullock Celebrities Who Suffered Through Terrifying Home Invasions

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Theres palpable optimism in India as exports of apparel and textile have picked up, defying years of stagnant growth or decline.

Following the general election in India, the government laid out a plan for a 100-day period of focus on the industry. That initiative, which began in September, is expected to boost growth to $350 billion.

More from Sourcing Journal

Recently appointed textiles minister Giriraj Singh spoke to the countrys 2030 roadmap for the sector. With a goal of about $250 billion in sales for the domestic market and $100 billion in exports, the textiles and apparel industry is expected to generate millions of jobs, he said. As a part of the governments transformative vision, the Ministry of Textiles had engaged in several initiatives during the first 100 days of the new government, including strengthening infrastructure, focusing on technical textiles, bolstering natural fiber sectors and more.

Between April and September, exports for textile and apparel were up more than 5 percent over the previous year, reaching $17.6 billion. Textile exports grew 2.76 percent to a little over $10 billion while apparel exports grew by 8.5 percent to $7.5 billion, according to figures from the Ministry of Commerce and Trade.

September saw overall growth up by over 12 percent, while apparel exports alone surged by about 17 percent. Textiles and apparel account for around 8 percent of Indias total exports.

During the last financial year, textiles and apparel saw a decline of 3.2 percent to $34.4 billion. Apparel exports declined by 10.25 percent to $14.5 billion from $16.1 billion, while textile exports grew a marginal 2.6 percent to $19.8 billion.

Its too early to celebrate, an apparel manufacturer in New Delhi told Sourcing Journal. There are too many variables at this time, there is a lot to be addressed to really help and change the way we are looking at the industry. The industry really needs to be given much more focused attention to help it, the way it is done in some neighboring countries. But maybe we can break the time warp we were stuck in, theres a definite shift now.

Mithileshwar Thakur, secretary general Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), told Sourcing Journal that Indian apparel exports were now on a high growth trajectory.

We have started harnessing the untapped potential and have been logging double-digit growth in apparel exports in the last few months in spite of geopolitical challenges and consequent supply chain disruptions. India is clearly at the cusp of global attention, and the world has started looking at India as a preferred sourcing destination, he said.
Milos Tea Company is expanding its operations in Spartanburg County with a $53 million investment, creating 80 new jobs.

Spartanburg County was incredibly excited to welcome Milos Tea here, and were even more excited to share the news of their expansion  all before their facility is fully up and running," said Spartanburg County Council Vice Chairman David Britt in a release.

Operations are expected to begin at the end of November at the 130,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility in Moore.

The new investment announced this week will expand its Spartanburg County operation by installing an additional production line and enhancements to meet increased demand for its brewing, bottling, and distribution operation, according to the release.

This expansion of Milos Tea Companys Spartanburg County operations represents yet another vote of confidence in South Carolinas talented workforce," South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement. "By creating 80 new jobs in the Upstate, Milos Tea is reinforcing its commitment to doing business in South Carolina and strengthening the local economy.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded Spartanburg County a $250,000 set-aside grant to assist with building construction costs, according to the release.

Milo's announced plans to build in 2023

In January 2023, the Bessemer, Alabama beverage company announced plans to invest $130 million to build the production facility which would create 103 jobs in Spartanburg County.

According to a January 2023 Herald-Journal article, the company sought tax breaks from Spartanburg County, which the council approved. The breaks will give Milo's a reduced property tax rate of 6%; the standard rate is 10.5%.

A groundbreaking was held at the Spartanburg County facility at 6684 U.S. Highway 221 in Moore in March 2023.

In the 2023 article, Milo's Tea Company CEO Tricia Wallwork explained why Spartanburg County was chosen for its fourth plant in the United States.

South Carolina was the optimal location to efficiently serve our customers up and down the East Coast," Wallwork said in the 2023 article. "We immediately felt at home in the Spartanburg area as we received a warm welcome from state and local community partners."

Milo's Tea Company groundbreaking: Milo's Tea Company gets 'sweet' Spartanburg County welcome for new manufacturing plant

What to know about Milo's

According to the January 2023 Herald-Journal, here are some fun facts about Milo's:
El Salvador just got its first World Surfing Reserve. On Saturday, November 16, members of the surf community in Oriente Salvaje celebrated becoming the worlds 13th such region. World Surfing Reserves are designated by the Save The Waves Coalition, an international nonprofit organization that aims to protect surf ecosystems.

Though not formally protected by law, the idea is that by recognizing the areas high-quality natural and ecological resources, local communities will be better equipped to advocate and preserve the theme. Ericeira, Portugal, the Gold Coast of Australia and Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica are just a few of the wave-rich regions on the list. The bio-diverse Oriente Salvaje region covers 19 kilometers of coastline and includes 12 waves, including two damn good right points in Las Flores and Punta Mango.

Oriente Salvaje is a truly diverse coastline and deserving of the WSR title. Some of Central Americas last wild dry tropical forests are a backdrop to these world-class waves, Trent Hodges, senior manager of World Surfing Reserves at Save The Waves Coalition, said in a release. It really is something special and worth protecting.

The initiative culminates yearslong efforts from organizations like the Association of Tourism Companies of the Eastern Coast, Sociedad Salvaje Salvadorena and Paso Pacifico. In addition to taking on conservation initiatives and instituting tourism sustainability standards, they nominated the eastern region of Oriente Salvaje as a World Surfing Reserve.

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According to the folks at Save the Waves, this designation is important in preserving the coastline as more money comes into the region. A STW statement reads:

El Salvadors eastern region is at a key turning point with a rapidly developing coastline. As the popularity of surfing has grown in the country, the Oriente Salvaje World Surfing Reserve is working to proactively protect its pristine coastline while balancing ongoing development pressure.

Related: Planning a Surf Trip to El Salvador? Here are 8 Crucial Tips from Local Surf Coach Marcelo Castellanos

The work of the World Surfing Reserve will focus on expanding protected areas in the tropical dry forest, instituting sustainability standards, collaborating on a master plan for development, and working towards marine protection initiatives. All of this work will help safeguard the ecosystems that create the incredible point breaks of Oriente Salvaje.

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With the governments tourism sector targeting Oriente Salvaje as Surf City 2, the World Surfing Reserve will also work to ensure that the countrys growing love for surfing provides economic benefits to the local communities while protecting the natural environment.

This geography is unique on the Pacific slope of Northern Central America, said Sarah Otterstrom, the executive director of Paso Pacifico. It hosts mature and secondary forests bordering biodiverse and wave-forming rocky reefs. Threatened and endangered wildlife like hawksbill sea turtles, Salvadorean spider monkeys, and Pacific mahogany trees depend on this area.

Other World Surfing Reserves around the globe include Australia's Gold Coast, Malibu in California, Ericeira in Portugal, and Playa Hermosa in Costa Rica. In total, there are 13 World Surfing Reserves.

Related: Can an Innovative Insurance Model Save Some of the Worlds Best Waves?
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Its a somber milestone in Ukraines war against Russias invasion, as Tuesday, Nov. 19, marks 1,000 days since Russia began its full-scale assault on the country back in February 2022.

One local man is working to help boost morale during times of war, as he helps with soldiers mental health.

In one part of Ukraines capital, an area that was once greenspace is now crowded with blue and yellow flags, each honoring a soldier who died fighting Russia.

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2 NEWS checked in with a man from Dayton whos currently in Ukraine. We first introduced you to Brett Hill nearly two years ago.

Hill started out by collecting donations for medical supplies. A thousand days later, hes now focused on the mental health concerns soldiers face.

And we were running and doing everything we can to support Ukrainian culture before that, said Brett Hill, with From Ohio With Love. So were going to continue for thousands of days more, after victory, and after the war is won, to do everything we can to continue showing up. To help rebuild and continue facilitating this bridge between communities in Ohio and Ukraine.

Hills campaign, called From Ohio With Love, funds counseling services for Ukrainian soldiers.

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Hill plays in a band that combines folk music from Ohio and Ukraine, where several of his friends continue to fight on the front lines.

He says in some ways, Russias invasion is sparking a renaissance for Ukrainian culture.

The fact that theres actually more people speaking Ukrainian now than ever before in history, which is one of those things that Russia wouldnt expect when theyre trying to eliminate a nation from existing, said Hill.

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TAPACHULA, Mexico (AP)  About 1,500 migrants formed a new caravan Wednesday in southern Mexico, hoping to walk or catch rides to the U.S. border. The migrants are mainly from Central and South America. Some say they are hoping to reach the United States before Donald Trumps inauguration in January, saying they think it might be more difficult after that. They started out walking from the city of Tapachula, near the border with Guatemala, where thousands of migrants are stranded because they do not have permission to cross further into Mexico.

What are migrant caravans?

Migrant caravans began forming in 2018, and they became a final, desperate hope for poorer migrants who do not have the money to pay smugglers. If migrants try to cross Mexico alone or in small groups, they are often either detained by authorities and sent back to southern Mexico, or worse, deported back to their home countries. In that sense, there is safety in numbers: it is hard or impossible for immigration agents to detain groups of hundreds of migrants. So police and immigration agents often try to pick off smaller groups, and wait for the main body of the caravan to tire itself out. Usually the caravans stop or fall apart within 150 miles (250 kilometers).

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What are the obstacles?

There is no safety in numbers, however, against threats, extortion or abduction by drug cartels in Mexico, which have become heavily involved in migrant trafficking. The cartels charge migrants or their smugglers for permission to cross their territories along the border. In addition, the gangs often kidnap migrants, hold them in terrible conditions or torture them until they call relatives to send money for their release. The biggest obstacle, though, is the searing heat, dehydration and distance: it is over 1,100 miles (1,780 kilometers) from Tapachula to the nearest border crossing at Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas. And that is the shortest, but also one of the most dangerous routes. It would mean 16 days of straight walking even for an adult with no rest stops; many of the migrants come with their children.

Why do they come?

Since migrants usually cannot find work to support themselves in Tapachula, most of the foreigners trapped there are desperate to leave. Some feel a sense of urgency, hoping to reach the border before Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration.

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It is going to be more difficult, that's why we are going in hopes of getting an appointment quicker so we are able to cross before he (Trump) takes office, said Yotzeli Pena, 23, a migrant from Venezuela. That would be easier.

Weren't there changes to keep caravans from forming?

This year, in a bid to stop people from gathering at the border to claim asylum, the U.S. government expanded areas where migrants can apply online for appointments to enter the United States to a large swath of southern Mexico.

The CBP One cellphone app was instituted to make asylum claims more orderly. About 1,450 appointments are made available daily, encouraging migrants to get an appointment before they show up at the border. But the service was only available in northern and central Mexico.

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By extending the app south to Tapachula, officials hoped it would stem the rush north. But some migrants still want to be close to the border so that if they do get one of the cherished appointments, they can get to it quickly and not risk missing it. Trump has promised to end the app, reduce legal pathways to the U.S. and organize mass deportations.

Do they ever reach the border?

The biggest caravans formed in 2018 and 2019, and back then Mexican officials helped out some of the migrants by arranging buses to border cities, but that created a backlash in those communities. Groups from those original caravans did eventually reach the border.

In caravans since then, most participants have sought out as many hitch-hiking or paid rides as they can, and often swarm empty trucks to hitch a ride on empty freight platforms. But that has become much harder as Mexican authorities discouraged buses, taxis and trucks from stopping to pick up migrants. In recent years, authorities have eventually offered temporary transit permits to dissolve the caravans.
At least two people have died and hundreds of thousands are without power as a second powerful bomb cyclone approaches the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, causing high winds, heavy rain and snow.

The first storm packing inches of rain, feet of snow and damaging winds already clobbered areas from Oregon to Northern California and Washington as the second atmospheric river and bomb cyclone take aim.

A Pacific Gas & Electric worker saws a tree that toppled into power lines during heavy rains on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in the Occidental community of unincorporated Sonoma County, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

The two deaths happened in the Seattle, Washington region after trees fell on them in separate incidents on Tuesday, police say. One woman was killed while showering at home, and another was killed in a homeless encampment.

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The next storm, approaching Friday, will not be as intense as Tuesday's powerhouse storm. The storm will make more of a glancing blow from south to north just off the coasts of Northern California, Oregon and Washington, but it will still be close enough and strong enough to bring impacts from wind, rain and snow.

A satellite image loop shows the bomb cyclone approaching British Columbia and Washington state on November 19, 2024. (NOAA/CIRA)

Winds gusted as high as 85 mph in Oregon and 101 mph were reported off the coast of Vancouver Island Tuesday. The storm dropped to a pressure of 27.82 inches of mercury (942 mb), likely the strongest storm ever measured off the coast of Washington State. Over a foot of snow fell at several locations in Washington, with 15 inches reported at Malott.

More than a foot of rain fell in northern California, with gauges at Venado and Austin Creek, both west of Sacramento, reporting 12.29 inches and 11.66 inches respectively Thursday morning.

As the second cyclone approached Friday, the rain total at Venado rose to 17.40 inches, with 15.88 inches at Austin Creek. Winds gusted as high as 98 mph at Mattole Road, California and 20 inches of snow was reported at Soda Springs.

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Fire officials in Puget Sound, located on the northwestern coast of Washington, said in a statement Tuesday that two people were injured when a tree fell on a trailer in Maple Valley. Both victims had been inside the trailer. One was quickly rescued, fire officials said, while the other took about an hour to extricate.

"Stay safe by avoiding exterior rooms and windows and by using caution when driving. Prevent damage to your property by trimming loose branches and parking away from trees," it said on X.

The Fire Department in Bellevue, located east of Seattle, warned of trees "coming down all over the city, with multiple falling onto homes."

Officials said two people were hospitalized Tuesday after a tree fell on their trailer. (Photo credit: Puget Sound Fire/X)

"If you are able, head to the lowest floor you can and stay away from windows. Do not go outside if you can avoid it," it said on Facebook.

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As of Thursday morning, more than 300,000 customers in Washington, and 11,000 in California were without power, according to poweroutage.us. By Friday, that number had fallen to under 200,000.

At the peak of the storm, as many as 600,000 customers were in the dark in Washington, while 300,000 B.C. Hydro customers were without power, around half of those on Vancouver Island. By Wednesday, power had been restored to the majority of people, but about 50,000 customers on Vancouver Island remained without electricity, according to CBC.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A 16-year-old boy has died after a shooting at a WeGo bus station in Nashville, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD).

Authorities responded to a shots fired call reported in the 400 block of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard shortly after 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Investigators believe shooting appeared to be targeted. Apparently, the shooting was the result of an ongoing dispute.

The victim was identified as 16-year-old Braden Caldwell. He died at Vanderbilt University Medical Centers Pediatrics. The suspected shooter was identified as 15-year-old Shamari Bailey, who was taken into custody at an apartment on University Court around 7:30 p.m.

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Woman dead after stabbing near bus stop in South Nashville

According to Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), both Caldwell and Bailey were students in the school system. Caldwell reportedly attended Johnson Alternative Center and Bailey was a student at McGavock High School.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the shooting death of Braden Caldwell, a student at the Johnson Alternative Center, yesterday afternoon at the WeGo bus terminal. Our hearts go out to his family and friends grieving his loss. Our grief counseling team was on site today to help students and staff process this tragic loss. MNPS

At 4:45 p.m., WeGo posted to X all bays on the Upper Level of the Elizabeth Duff Transit Center at WeGo Central were closed. Service did not resume on the Upper Level until minutes after 8 p.m., according to WeGos announcement.

Shamari Bailey (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

At 5:43 p.m., the MNPD posted to X the shooting occurred between two apparent teens on the second story of the bus station. Police added that the suspect fled ran away wearing a black hoodie and Christmas sweats.

(Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

In a press conference conducted just before 6 p.m., police said homicide detectives and Specialized Investigations TITANS detectives were working on the case. Police also stated that the victim was shot twice and that there were multiple witnesses, including a security guard.

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WeGo has a robust amount of security guards that are here and present, especially in these transient hours of the commuting afternoons and evenings, MNPD spokesperson Brooke Reese said at the press conference. There is about 15,000 people that come in through this station every single day, so security is definitely a main priority for WeGo and the police department.

Anyone with information about this case has been asked to call (615) 742-7463.

No additional information was immediately released.

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 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.

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CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  A 1-year-old was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Cherokee County on Tuesday morning, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Brandi Odell, a 46-year-old from Gadsden who was driving a Nissan Murano, was fatally injured when the car hit a tree. The 1-year-old, who was also from Gadsden, was a passenger in the vehicle. The crash happened on U.S. 411 near Pine Cone Road around 8:15 a.m.

Man pushing bicycle killed in northwest Alabama crash

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Odell and the 1-year-old died at the scene. There was a 3-year-old who resides in Gadsden who was in the Nissan when the crash occurred. They were injured and taken to a local hospital.

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.
Police say a suspect is in custody after a man was shot and killed at a food mart late Tuesday afternoon in northeast Charlotte.

Residents dont feel safe after deadly shooting at apartment complex

Chopper 9 Skyzoom was over the Charlotte Fast Mart on Tom Hunter Road at Reagan Drive at about 5:50 p.m. Tuesday, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department had the area cordoned off with crime scene tape.

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The victim, 53-year-old Ronnie Leon Ruth, died at the scene.

On Thursday, CMPD identified a suspect in the shooting. The department said Sharrieff Ellis Gray, 52, was charged with first-degree murder.

It was a very quick entry, and just an immediate act of violence, and left the area, said Maj. J.D. Thomas, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

There was not a robbery or assault that led up to it. The suspect just walked in and shot someone, Thomas said. The victim was not an employee, he said.

We have a high likelihood of identifying the suspect due to the video quality, Thomas said.

Increased patrols

Police looked for the suspect at the nearby Hunters Point apartments and told Channel 9 that is part of an increased presence approach called Core 13.

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Were picking the areas where our call volume has been high, or weve had acts of violence recently, Thomas said.

CMPD has moved into those high-crime zones on four-hour rotations.

We immediately pulled officers from other spots, other places that we were concentrating in, Thomas said.

Businesses have been investing in ways to deter crime, Thomas said.

This area has had a lot of video upgrades, from grants and the businesses, themselves, actually putting money into upgrades, Thomas said.

Earlier Tuesday, there was another deadly shooting about 1 mile away along at an apartment complex off West Arrowhead Road. The shootings were not connected.

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Its an unfortunate reality of the area around West Sugar Creek Road near Interstate 85.

When you over here in this area, its like a jungle, you dont know what might happen, said someone in the area after the second shooting.

People in the area are exhausted.

I do get tired of this but aint nothing you can do about it, the resident said. Only thing you can try to do is just mind your business, stay out the way.

No additional details have been made available.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
A farmer harvests saffron flowers in Herat city, Herat province, Afghanistan, Nov. 17, 2024. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)

HERAT, Afghanistan, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- On a dusty saffron farm in Afghanistan's western Herat province, Nafisa, a 55-year-old woman, carefully gathers saffron flowers. For her, this seasonal work provides a vital lifeline.

"I earn between 150 afghani (2.20 U.S. dollars) and 180 afghani (2.64 U.S. dollars) daily from working on the saffron farm. It helps me cover my basic needs and sustain my daily life," she said.

"I have no other way to earn a living. I wait for the saffron harvest season every year to collect these flowers," she said.

Saffron cultivation, a promising alternative to Afghanistan's infamous poppy farming, has been steadily expanding in the war-torn country over the past two decades. More farmers are turning to this precious crop, drawn by its profitability.

Currently, around 9,000 hectares of land are dedicated to saffron cultivation in Afghanistan, with approximately 95 percent concentrated in Herat province, according to Abdul Shakor Ehrari, chairman of Tulai Surkh Afghan (Afghan Red Gold), a leading saffron processing company.

According to the official, Saffron cultivation in Afghanistan, especially in the Herat province, continues to grow as farmers aim to harvest more and earn better incomes.

"Based on the reports we have received from partner bodies, some 8,000 to 9,000 hectares of lands have been cultivated saffron in Afghanistan with 85 to 95 percent of them only in Herat," Ehrari told Xinhua in his saffron farms recently.

According to Ehrari, the saffron harvest season provides employment for between 500,000 and 1 million workers across the country. He predicts a significant increase in this year's yield, estimating a harvest of up to 40 tons of saffron compared to last year's 35 tons.

However, Afghanistan's saffron industry faces challenges due to international sanctions. "Sanctions have caused major problems, particularly in transferring money. This has cost us many of our customers," Ehrari said, lamenting the obstacles undermining saffron exports.

The U.S.-imposed sanctions on Afghanistan have heavily impacted Afghanistan's fragile economy, especially the banking system, which has undermined trade, transactions and other economic activities in the central Asian nation.

For workers like 39-year-old Hatam, the harvest season offers a source of stability. "I collect about 12 kg of saffron flowers each day. Life goes on. I work here and am satisfied with the outcome of my efforts," Hatam told Xinhua on the saffron farm in Herat recently.

Despite the hardships, the growing saffron cultivation continues to offer hope and opportunities in Afghanistan, contributing to both individual livelihoods and the national economy. 

A farmer unloads newly harvested saffron flowers in Herat city, Herat province, west Afghanistan, Nov. 17, 2024. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)
A rare deep-sea oarfish, nicknamed the doomsday fish for its ominous reputation, has washed up on a Southern California beach, marking the third such discovery in recent months.

The nearly 10-foot-long fish was found in Encinitas, north of San Diego, by Alison Laferriere, a Ph.D. candidate at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

We took samples and froze the specimen awaiting further study and final preservation, said Ben Frable, manager of the Scripps Oceanography Marine Vertebrate Collection.

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Like with the previous oarfish, this specimen and the samples taken from it will be able to tell us much about the biology, anatomy, genomics and life history of oarfishes.

Oarfish, with their long, ribbon-like bodies, are among the most elusive and mysterious creatures of the deep sea. They typically inhabit the mesopelagic zone, a twilight region 300 to 3,300 feet below the oceans surface, where sunlight barely penetrates.

Known to grow up to 30 feet long, they have inspired myths of sea monsters and are often considered harbingers of natural disasters, particularly earthquakes.

The fishs foreboding reputation gained traction after 20 oarfish washed ashore in Japan shortly before the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Despite the folklore, scientific studies, including one conducted in Japan in 2019, have found no conclusive evidence linking oarfish strandings to seismic activity. Still, the nickname doomsday fish persists, fueled by the fishs strange appearance and rarity.

An unusual pattern of strandings

Since 1901, only 22 oarfish strandings have been documented along Californias coastline, making the recent uptick in sightings particularly intriguing. In addition to last weeks find in Encinitas, a 12-foot-long oarfish was discovered in La Jolla Cove in August, and another, too degraded to study, was found in Huntington Beach in late September.

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Ben Frable, a researcher at Scripps and curator of its Marine Vertebrate Collection, suggests that changes in ocean conditions might explain the increased sightings. He points to phenomena like El Nino, red tides, and strong winds as potential contributing factors.

It may have to do with changes in ocean conditions and increased numbers of oarfish off our coast, Frable explained, though he cautioned that many variables remain poorly understood.

Frable also noted that Californias coastline, particularly near underwater canyons like those in La Jolla, is a hotspot for deep-sea fish strandings. These canyons funnel deep water toward the shore, increasing the likelihood of encounters with disoriented or dying deep-sea creatures.

Unlocking the secrets of the deep

The Encinitas oarfish has been transported to the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, where it will undergo a necropsy. Scientists hope to glean insights into the species anatomy, genomics, and life history.

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In August, the La Jolla oarfish provided researchers with their first high-quality, chromosome-level genome of the species, marking a significant step in understanding this enigmatic fish.

Oarfish primarily feed on krill, using powerful vacuum-like mouths to draw in their prey. Observations from underwater footage reveal that they sometimes swim vertically, head-up, undulating their dorsal finsan unusual behavior thought to aid in spotting prey silhouetted against the faint light above.

Despite their massive size and striking appearance, much about oarfish biology remains a mystery. They are rarely encountered alive and are difficult to study in their natural habitat.

Specimens preserved in collections like the one at Scripps, which houses over 6,000 species and 2 million specimens, are invaluable for research on marine evolution, ecology, and human impacts on ocean ecosystems.
ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI)  Each month, WPRI 12, along with Somerset Federal Credit Union, honors those who make a difference in the community. This month, were recognizing staff members and volunteers at Hebron Food Pantry.

WPRI 12s Melissa Sardelli delivered thanks and recognition on behalf of the TV station, the sponsor, and the community.

12 Gives Back  a way to simply say THANK YOU to those making a difference.

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More 12 Gives Back: Honoring deserving members of the local community | 12 Gives Back is made possible with the help of their sponsor, Somerset Federal Credit Union.

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A 12-year-old boy from the Westside of Jacksonville is taking action to help steer young people away from the dangers of gang life.

Peyton Macon, the founder of an initiative called Future Leaders of America, isnt just speaking uphes actively working to build a brighter future for his peers. Action News Jax sat down with him and his grandmother, who are both advocating for change.

I am standing up for my generation and saying there is nothing for us to do, Peyton said.

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On Friday, Peyton spoke directly to the Duval County Legislative Delegation, addressing some of the biggest challenges facing todays young people.

I talked to them about getting a community center for kidssomewhere they can go instead of being stuck at home or hanging out in apartments getting into trouble, Peyton said.

According to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, 13,900 juveniles were arrested in North Florida from 2022 to 2023, a troubling increase from previous years. But Peytons message is clear: this doesnt have to be the future for teens.

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To help prevent this, Peyton believes his community needs resources like:

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Somewhere to play games, have fun, and play sports, Peyton said.

We want to stop our kids from going to prison and help them become our future leaders, Peytons grandmother Patricia Brooks said.

Brooks is the driving force behind his passion. Her support inspired him to start his nonprofit organization.

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I know if I can reach just one child, then they can teach someone else, Brooks said.

Through Future Leaders of America, Peyton focuses on mentorship, job placement, and access to resourcesefforts to help steer kids away from gangs and violence.

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Peytons story is a reminder that no age is too young to make a difference.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Somerset Police Lt. Matthew Reis law enforcement career started back in 1998.

My brother-in-law was in law enforcement for a long time, Reis said. Growing up, I was always like, Thats probably something Id like to get into.'

Though its not the primary reason Reis became a police officer, he enjoys the added benefit of being offered first responder discounts.

It shows that people care about you and this job is not easy, he said. I think just them offering that discount gives that extra added benefit of appreciation.

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Thats why Reis was surprised back in March when he noticed Verizon Wireless was not honoring his first responder discount.

Reis said Verizon had been giving him $25 off of his phone bill prior to that. He tried reaching out to Verizon and was initially told the discount would be applied to his account.

But months later, his phone bill still didnt include his first responder discount.

So, he decided to reach out to 12 Responds.

Ive seen it advertised before, and I just thought, Let me give it a shot,' he said of 12 Responds.

12 Responds reached out to Verizon on Reis behalf, to which a spokesperson later replied that the company has come to a satisfactory resolution with the customer.

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Reis said Verizon told him he will be receiving $25 off his bill for the next year, but will need to verify that he is a first responder on a yearly basis to keep the discount.

Sarah Guernelli (sguernelli@wpri.com) is the consumer investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook.

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"I Voted" stickers are available for voters to pick up after casting their ballot in the general election on Nov. 5, 2024, at Lowell Elementary School in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

New data from the Idaho Secretary of States Office show 121,015 Idahoans registered to vote on Election Day on Nov. 5.

That is the second highest number of Idahoans who registered to vote on Election Day in general elections since 2000, according to the Idaho Capital Suns review of past election data reported by the Secretary of States Office.

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On average, 80,304 Idahoans registered on Election Day in general elections in that time, excluding the 2024 rate. The most voters registered to vote same-day in 2016, when 131,455 registered on Election Day.

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The data, shared with the Idaho Capital Sun, includes voter registration and ballot cast information after county election officials conducted a more complete count.

But this years election results are still unofficial until certified by the Idaho State Board of Canvassers, which will meet at 10 a.m. Nov. 26 in the Idaho State Capitol Building in downtown Boise.

More Idahoans than ever cast ballots. But high voter turnout rate didnt break the record.

This year, Idaho set a new record for the most number of ballots cast in an election, with this years ballots casts rising to 917,608.

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The turnout, being over 900,000 Idahoans participating and setting a new record for this whole number of voters is awesome, Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane told the Sun in an interview Wednesday.  To process almost a million voters is a huge compliment to all the county clerks and the efforts that they did, as well as the poll workers. I know we heard about lines in some situations. And a large part of that is just so many people showing up to vote, which is what we hope for.

The new data show 77.8% of Idaho registered voters turned out in the 2024 general election. While thats still high compared to past general elections, Idaho this year didnt break the record voter turnout rate of 81.2% set in 2020.

This year, Idahoans cast 218,586 in person, early votes, compared to 173,317 absentee votes, data from the Idaho Secretary of States Office show; 90% of absentee ballots were returned.

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Idaho has 1,178,750 total registered voters, with 1,057,735 registering before Election Day, the Secretary of States Office data show.

What types of ID cards did Idahoans use to register to vote?

About 98.1% of Idahoans  663,202 people  used an Idaho drivers license or ID card to register to vote, incomplete data by the Idaho Secretary of States Office shared with the Sun show. Another 1.5% of Idahoans  or 9,964  used a passport or federal ID.

Only 0.2% of Idahoans used a personal ID affidavit, while another 0.2% used a concealed weapons license. Another 229 Idahoans registered using a tribal ID.

The data on the types of identification Idaho voters used to register to vote includes data from counties that use electronic pollbooks, representing 675,747 registered voters. McGrane said the data represents most in-person voters who voted early and on Election Day, but he said a handful of counties arent using e-pollbooks.

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New Idaho laws passed in 2023 require Idaho drivers licenses or other official Idaho, federal or tribal ID cards for voter registration, but disallows student ID cards.

Since July 2023, the Idaho Transportation Department has offered free state ID cards to Idaho adults who dont have a drivers license to use for voting. The Idaho Capital Sun published a guide on how to get a free state ID card for voting.

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A sex trafficking investigation led to the arrest of thirteen people, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

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Operation Macon Plays was a multi-agency undercover operation that targeted sex traffickers and commercial sex buyers in the Bibb County area. The goal was to identify and arrest pimps and human traffickers.

Officials say 11 sex workers were rescued and offered medical treatment and community-related resources.

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The following people were arrested:

Georgia Marie Emmons, 37, of Americus, GA, was charged with pimping, giving a false name, address, or date of birth. Emmons also had two unrelated outstanding warrants.

Darrell Lee Gillis, 33, of Macon, was charged with pimping.

Anthony Ramond Bowens, 27, of Macon, was charged with prostitution and violation of parole.

Suhntain Naurice Griffin, 45, of Macon, was charged with giving a false name, address, or date of birth.

Bobby Darien Harden, Jr., 33, of Macon, was arrested on an unrelated outstanding warrant.

Thomesha Armstrong, 33, of Macon, was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, and possession of a Schedule I controlled substance.

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According to the GBI, the following people traveled to Bibb County with the intent to purchase sex and were charged with pandering:

Johntaz Bryant, 37, of Macon;

Torri Vontrea Walton, 37, of Macon;

Clinton Cardiable Harris, age 54, of Columbus, GA;

Cecilio Gabriel Lopez Hernandez, age 34, of Macon;

Jose Alfredo Cruiz, age 32, of Blackshear, GA;

Loc Tan Nguyen, age 49, of Macon;

Mark Alan Gunter, age 61, of Rincon;

The investigation is ongoing with more charges and arrests possibly forthcoming.

Anyone with information can call the GBIs HEAT Unit at 404-270-8433 or the Bibb County Sheriffs Office at 478-751-7500. All forms of human trafficking can be reported to Georgias statewide human trafficking hotline, 1-866-ENDHTGA.

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In an extraordinary feat, scientists have retrieved 145-year-old rye seeds from a Lake Huron shipwreck and plan to turn them into whiskey.

This effort not only seeks to revive a lost crop but also aims to connect Michigans agricultural history with its future.

In 1878, the schooner James R. Bentley sank in Lake Huron while carrying a load of rye bound for Chicago. The crew managed to survive the accident.

Unearthing a historic rye

However, the rye shipmenta type no longer grown todaywas lost underwater. The shipwreck stayed hidden for over a century until it was found in 1984.

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On September 17, 2024, a team of scientists set out to recover the submerged seeds. Using special metal tubes, the team went down to the shipwreck to collect the rye seeds. They managed to recover a good amount, but keeping the seeds viable was a major challenge. Exposure to oxygen and warmer temperatures could damage the seeds after being underwater for so long.

The recovered seeds, dubbed Bentley rye after the ill-fated ship, were swiftly transported to Michigan State University (MSU) for further analysis. Associate Professor Eric Olson, an expert in wheat breeding and genetics, expressed cautious optimism about their potential to germinate.

It was so exciting to potentially achieve what we set out to do, which was to revive this variety and bring back a piece of agricultural history, Olson shared.

However, he acknowledged the odds were daunting: The idea of the seeds germinating is so exciting, but the odds are stacked against us because theyve been underwater for 145 years.

Specially made tubes contain rye seeds from the Bentley shipwreck site. Photo by Nick Schrader

A race against time

Despite appearing intact, the seeds initially failed to germinate even with the aid of gibberellic acid, a plant hormone used to stimulate dormant seeds. Olson described the process as using Miracle-Gro on steroids, but the 145 years underwater had taken their toll.

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It seemed that despite looking in decent nick, the seeds no longer had the viable mitochondria required for germination, Olson explained.

However, the team had an alternative approach: extracting genetic material from the seeds to recreate their historic traits.

The seeds arent dead at all, Olson said. We can revive the genes that were carried in the seeds and use modern genome sequencing techniques to assemble parts of the genome. Well be able to sequence the chromosomes of this rye and transfer those chromosome segments into a modern rye variety, essentially reviving a historic rye.

A whiskey from the past

The team plans to combine the genetic material of Bentley rye with another historic variety called Rosen rye. This will create a new type of crop. The hybrid crop could be used to make whiskey, connecting Michigans farming history with its current economy.

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If we can introduce the Bentley shipwreck rye chromosome segments into Rosen rye, this will have huge appeal for visitors and create several opportunities for rural farmers, Olson explained.

MSU researchers begin the process of extracting the seeds and attempting germination. Photo by Jonah Brown

Chad Munger, an MSU alum and CEO of Mammoth Distilling and Consolidated Rye and Whiskey, envisions this project boosting agrotourism and creating markets for Michigan-grown rye.

We want to see Michigan recreate the economy it had built purposefully around growing rye 120 years ago, Munger said. One of the ways we can do that is create a market for Michigan rye outside the state. And were going to do that with history  Rosen rye and Bentley rye.
Nearly one-third of the world's billionaires live in just 15 cities, a new Altrata study says.

New York City is home to the largest population of the world's uberwealthy.

Chinese hubs saw their billionaire populations fall as the country battles a weak economy.

For all the talk about the ultrawealthy escaping New York or San Francisco for Jackson Hole and Palm Beach, it turns out billionaires like to stay put  and stick together.

According to Altrata's 2024 Billionaire Census, which examined the high net worth population, 28% of the world's billionaires live in just 15 cities. All of these were also among the most popular for billionaires to live in last year, and most saw their concentration of very rich residents increase.

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New York City maintained its position as the city with the most billionaires. The financial capital, which also saw the biggest growth in billionaire residents, has more of them than nearly every country on Earth, apart from the US, China, and Germany.

The three Chinese cities on the list (Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou) and Hong Kong experienced declines in their billionaire population due to the region's struggling economy and real estate downturn. Political crackdowns on extreme wealth as part of Xi Jinping's push for a "common prosperity" have also led some Chinese billionaires to flee the country, with the most famous being Alibaba cofounder Jack Ma. In total, the country experienced a 14.8% decline in its billionaire population.

India saw its billionaire population grow the most. It's up 15.9% year on year, and the country is now home to 304 billionaires thanks to infrastructure development, a maturing consumer class, and an uptick in Indian stocks.

There are more billionaires in the world than ever before. Altrata reported a total billionaire population of 3,323, up 4% over last year. Billionaire wealth increased 9% to a cumulative $12.1 trillion.

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These are the cities that the members of the world's wealthiest class call home.

15. Hangzhou

Hangzhou, China. Xiaodong Qiu/Getty Images

Billionaire population in 2023: 33

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: -1

12. Istanbul (tie)

Istanbul, Turkey. Lokman Akkaya/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Billionaire population in 2023: 34

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: +1

12. Sao Paulo (tie)

Sao Paulo, Brazil. Carlos Alkmin/Getty Images

Billionaire population in 2023: 34

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: +1

12. Paris (tie)

Paris, France. Telmo Pinto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Billionaire population in 2023: 34

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: +2

11. Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Kabir Jhangiani/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Billionaire population in 2023: 39

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: +1

10. Mumbai

Mumbai, India. Peter Adams/Avalon/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Billionaire population in 2023: 40

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: +1

9. Shenzhen

Shenzhen, China. Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Billionaire population in 2023: 41

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: -1

8. Singapore

Singapore. ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images

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Billionaire population in 2023: 58

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: +4

7. Beijing

Beijing, China. JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images

Billionaire population in 2023: 60

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: -2

6. Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, United States. Paul Rovere/Getty Images

Billionaire population in 2023: 62

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: +5

5. Moscow

Moscow, Russia. NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images

Billionaire population in 2023: 77

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: +1

4. London

London, England. Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images

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Billionaire population in 2023: 78

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: +3

3. San Francisco

San Francisco, California, United States. Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

Billionaire population in 2023: 87

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: +3

2. Hong Kong

Hong Kong. Vernon Yuen/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Billionaire population in 2023: 107

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: -5

1. New York City

New York, New York, United States. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Billionaire population in 2023: 144

Number of billionaires lost or gained, year over year: +9

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POLK COUNTY, Mo.  The Humane Society of Missouris (HSMO) Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACT) rescued 15 dogs from a Polk County property that were found to be malnourished and suffering from various health problems, making it the second time this month they had to rescue dogs from Polk County.

According to HSMO, the Polk County Sheriff contacted them saying they found several dogs on a property in the county without food or water after the property owner was found dead. Their ACT team responded and saw many dogs roaming the property or stuck in cramped cages. They also found the remains of deceased dogs on the property.

The dogs were taken to an HSMO headquarters in St. Louis for emergency treatment and health evaluations.

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These dogs faced unimaginable hardship, and with freezing temperatures arriving later this week, it was critical that we get them to safety, said HSMO President Kathy Warnick. We are so appreciative of the Polk County Sheriff and their assistance in helping us rescue these animals before winter sets in. The dogs are receiving the care and love they deserve, and we are grateful to the HSMO community for their support and generosity in helping give them their second chance.

On Nov. 8, 2024, HSMOs ACT and the Polk County Sheriff rescued 27 dogs and puppies from another property in Polk County after they were found to be severely underweight and chained to random items, with several of the dogs also being injured.

27 dogs rescued from property in Polk County

If HSMO is awarded custody of the rescued dogs on Dec. 9, they will put the dogs up for adoption whenever they are determined to be healthy enough by their veterinarians and animal behavior team.

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HSMO is asking the public for help in supporting the care of the rescued dogs, primarily through donating blankets, newspapers, dog toys, dog beds and more. These items can be found on their Amazon wish list and other donations can be made at hsmo.org/rescue.

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NANJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Song Tao, the mainland's senior Taiwan affairs official, on Wednesday called on Taiwan businesspeople and compatriots to actively participate in cross-Strait exchanges and jointly strengthen the economy of the Chinese nation.

Song, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a seminar for Taiwan businesspeople that was held in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province.

The mainland will provide new opportunities and broad prospects for the development of Taiwan businesspeople and compatriots, and improve the mechanisms and policies for exchanges and cooperation in cultural and economic sectors between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, Song said.

He called on Taiwan businesspeople and compatriots to uphold the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, and to take a clear-cut stance against separatist activities seeking "Taiwan independence" and external interventions.

At the seminar, representatives of Taiwan's industry and commerce organizations, enterprises and young entrepreneurs pledged to participate actively in cooperation on and integrated development of industrial and supply chains on both sides of the Strait, and to achieve high-quality development.

They also expressed the willingness of Taiwan compatriots and enterprises to make new contributions to boosting cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, to promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 
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: Sergeant First Class Lola Bolden. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum.

We want to remember Sergeant First Class Lola Bolden, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Authorities are investigating a south Minneapolis shooting that left an 18-year-old man dead Tuesday evening.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said officers responded to the shooting in the 2500 block of Ogema Place at around 8:40 p.m. and found the gunshot wound victim. He died at the scene.

According to police, little information is available regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

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My thoughts are with all those impacted by this senseless act of violence, OHara said. Our investigators will work tirelessly to give a voice to this person who can no longer speak for themselves and seek justice for him.

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Authorities have not yet formally identified the victim, pending autopsy results from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office.

No arrests have been reported in this case.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change.

Related: 1 dead in shooting on Minneapolis' south side
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A 19-year-old woman is in the hospital after she was shot on Ravine Avenue, police said.

Around 1:35 a.m. Wednesday, Rochester police officers responded to Ravine Ave. for a ShotSpotter activation. At the scene, they found evidence of gunfire and an occupied vehicle that was hit.

The gunfire did not injure the two women in the vehicle, but RPD learned a woman was taken to a hospital for a gunshot wound. It was determined that, while she was shot on Ravine Avenue, she was not an occupant of this vehicle.

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The victim is expected to survive her injuries.

Wednesday afternoon, residents of a home in the area reported they found a bullet hole in their door. Police confirmed it stemmed from the overnight shooting, adding the three women inside, 17, 13 and 35 years old, werent hurt.

Police said no suspects were arrested in connection with the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.

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TYLER, Texas (KETK)  The University of Texas at Tyler received a $2.25 million U.S. Department of Education grant that officials said will be used to support student success.

Texas church to serve early Thanksgiving meal for Eagle Pass border agents

According to the university, they have planned to fund initiatives to improve retention and graduation rates as well as creating flexible academic pathways.

President Dr. Julie V. Philley, courtesy of UT Tyler.

This grant will significantly enhance our ability to support students from the moment they arrive on campus to the day they walk across the stage at graduation, UT Tyler President Dr. Julie V. Philley said. By offering more tailored academic support, we are committed to fostering an environment where every student can achieve their full potential.

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Dr. Colleen Swain, associate provost for academic success and dean of undergraduate studies, said they want to equip students with the resources they need to succeed and one of those resources is faculty and advisors.

We are committed to enhancing our professional development efforts, focusing on elevating curriculum design and teaching effectiveness, Swain said. This grant will also allow us to provide students with dedicated study hours with faculty, giving them the personalized support they need to thrive academically.

Local superintendents address state of East Texas education

UT Tyler officials said the initiative will first be launched at the School of Nursing to increase support for students.

Thanks to this support, students will have regular checkpoints to review their progress with their

advisor, said Dr. Jenifer Chilton, UT Tyler School of Nursing associate dean for academic affairs.

During advising appointments, if they find that another program is a better fit, they will have

access to off-ramps that guide them toward a better-suited major without losing significant

credits.

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Officials said the $2 million grant will be the initial seed to launch the initiative to increase the retention rate of first-time college students, improve the six-year graduation rate and reduce the drop, fail and withdrawal rates.

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ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI)  Police have arrested a suspect in a shooting that occurred over the weekend in Attleboro.

The 58-year-old victim was taken to Rhode Island Hospital after he was shot on Saturday at an Oakland Avenue home.

Police said the suspect, Jacob Lacourse, was found at a home on Dean Street and taken into custody by Attleboro detectives.

Lacourse, 33, was arraigned in Attleboro District Court on charges of assault and battery with a firearm and carrying a firearm without a license. He was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.

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Police also arrested Alexandra Elliot, 30, at the Dean Street home, charging her with accessory after the fact and intimidation of a witness. Shes due in court on Wednesday.

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ELBERT COUNTY, Ga. (WSPA)  The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested two men allegedly involved in the death of a teenager.

The arrests stem from an October 12 shooting that killed 15-year-old Bryshun Treviyus OBrian Jordan. The shooting, according to investigators, injured seven others.

According to GBI, Demarion Jamal Raiford, 18, and Zorion Tymal Sims, 19, were arrested Monday and charged with the following:

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Murder

Aggravated assault

Aggravated battery

Violation of the Georgia Street Terrorism and Prevention Act

Both await extradition to Elbert County, and are the seventh and eighth suspects to be arrested.

Five suspects were taken into custody in October, each facing murder and gang act violation charges. Another suspect was arrested on November 7.

The shooting investigating is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Elbert County Sheriffs Office at (706) 283-2421 or the GBI office in Athens at (706) 552-2309.

Tips can be submitted anonymously online or by calling (800) 597-TIPS.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
HOPKINS COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  Two people are behind bars and three others have warrants for their arrest in connection to recent East Texas vehicle burglaries, the Hopkins County Sheriffs Office said.

Crime spree targets unlocked vehicles in several East Texas counties, officials said

According to Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum, the department began working with other East Texas law enforcement agencies that were also affected by the vehicle burglaries but the investigation proved to be difficult due to large crime spree area.

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We are proud to announce that at this time Hopkins County has issued warrants on five individuals for engaging in organized criminal activity, the sheriffs office said. Their bond is set at $1 million for each suspect. Two of the suspects are in custody in another county near Houston.

In recent months, more than 12 East Texas sheriffs offices including Wood, Van Zandt, Henderson, Rains, Rusk, Nacogdoches counties reported on vehicle burglaries with some saying the suspects were considered armed and dangerous.

In October, Hopkins County shared that some firearms that were taken from vehicles during the crime spree were prevented from being smuggled into Mexico.

Tatum said the sheriffs office will continue to work to protect the citizens of Hopkins County and their property.

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Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The Department of Justice said Wednesday two Honduran men have been convicted for illegally smuggling Honduran nationals into the United States.

Devon Cooper Zelaya, 30, and Rudy Jackson Hernandez, 37, were in a conspiracy with at least six others, according to the Justice Department.

According to court documents and trial evidence, Zelaya and Hernandez attempted to bring 23 Honduran migrants into the United States from Utila, Honduras, to Cocodrie, La., aboard the M/V Pop, a 65-foot sport-fishing vessel.

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That ship became disabled due to engine trouble and was interdicted by the U.S. Coast Guard about 75 miles off the Louisiana coast.

The Justice Department said in a statement, "For almost a year, Cooper Zelaya and Jackson Hernandez participated in the scheme to bring Honduran migrants from Honduras to the United States via two vessels: the Masita III and the M/V Pop. Once the migrants reached the United States, the co-conspirators placed some of them in factories and other businesses, knowing that the migrants lacked authorization to enter, remain, or work in the United States."

The men were convicted of one count of conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain and two counts of attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain.

They face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count. A federal judge will determine sentencing later.

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The Justice Department said others were previously convicted in this conspiracy. The lead defendant, Carl Allison, pleaded guilty in December to conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for financial gain and conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride.

Three other Honduran co-conspirators also pleaded guilty earlier last year.

Darrel Martinez, 41, and Josue Flores-Villeda, 36, pleaded guilty to the same charges as Allison, according to the Justice Department.

Lenord Cooper, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to aid and assist aliens to enter the United States unlawfully and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain.
DELTONA, Fla. (AP)  Two central Florida parents were charged criminally after a mother pushed a middle school resource officer and the father punched her in the face, authorities said Wednesday.

Jorge Rivera, 46, and his wife, Dagmarie Aponte Iturrino, 45, were charged Tuesday with battery on a law enforcement agent and armed robbery, among other charges, because Rivera took the deputy's taser weapon after she had been knocked to the ground.

According to an arrest report, Rivera became angry during a meeting in the deputy's school office after she told the parents that another student wouldn't face charges for throwing a shoe at their 11-year-old son, who also was in the office during the confrontation. When Rivera began insulting and cursing at the deputy, she calmly asked them to leave, the report said.

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In a hallway after exiting the office, Aponte Iturrino placed herself between the deputy and her husband and pushed the deputy, the report said. During the struggle, Rivera punched the deputy in the face and then took her taser, according to bodycam video released by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

After a few moments, the deputy got on her feet, drew her weapon and ordered Rivera to drop the taser, the report said. She then handcuffed Rivera. The deputy was treated by paramedics for a possible concussion and taken to a hospital for treatment, according to the report.

To say, 'I'm furious,' is beyond, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said at a news conference. Theres no reason I have a deputy with a concussion for something so trivial.

Online court records showed no attorneys for the parents.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  The names of the officers injured in a shooting Tuesday night have been released.

The Louisville Metro Police Department said around 8:30 p.m., Officer Laxman Acharya and Officer Brendan Koerner stopped 19-year-old Jeremiah Thompson during a traffic stop.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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According to police, Thompson admitted to driving an SUV that was reported stolen two days prior, but when the officers tried to detain him, he allegedly resisted arrest.

During the struggle, Koerner was shot in the hand and Acharya was shot in the leg.

Reportedly. Thompson was also shot in the torso and right arm.

On Wednesday, Chief Paul Humphrey said no officers fired their guns.

LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS:

The department said the officers body cameras were activated during the struggle, and the video is scheduled to be released the first week of December.

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One of the things about tragedies like officers getting shot is that it is a time for us to show how much we care about each other; as opposed to going on our day-to-day, we can just pass by each other without really expressing that. This was a time we share we really do need to take care of each other.

Thompson was charged with the following:

First-degree assaultpolice officer

Second-degree assaultpolice officer

First-degree wanton endangerment-police officer

Receiving stolen property $10,000 or more

Resisting arrest

Thompson was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.

Previous story:

According to Lt. Col. Emily McKinely, the officers made a traffic stop involving a stolen vehicle with multiple people inside.

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McKinely said the struggle over a gun happened during the stop, leading to one of the people in the vehicle being shot as well. They were reportedly in stable condition.

One of the police officers involved in the stop was shot in the hand, while the other was shot in the leg. According to the Associated Press, both are in stable condition

Deputy Chief Mckinley and I just visited two LMPD officers who sustained gunshot wounds earlier this evening making a stop on a stolen vehicle. Both officers are fortunately in good spirits and on the road to recovery, said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenburg.

Everyone in the car has been accounted for and there is no danger to the public, McKinely told the Associated Press.

Previous story:

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Two Louisville police officers were rushed to the hospital after a shooting on Tuesday.

Around 8:30 p.m., the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) posted on X that there was a heavy police presence in the 400 block of Roselane Street and asked the public to stay away from the area.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Before 9 p.m., the department confirmed two LMPD officers had been shot and were taken to the University of Louisville Hospital.

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The conditions of the officers are unknown at this time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Han Zhiqiang speaks during a launch event of the official logo for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 19, 2024. The official logo features Dragon and Naga, mythical creatures with auspicious meanings in their respective cultures, and incorporates the colors of both national flags. Facing each other, the Dragon and Naga gaze toward the same gold orb, representing their shared goals of building a China-Thailand community with a shared future for enhanced stability, prosperity and sustainability. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)

BANGKOK, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- A launch event of the official logo for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand was held here on Tuesday, gathering some 200 representatives from the competent authorities, business communities and media of the two countries.

Speaking at the event, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa emphasized the close ties between Thailand and China, which have continuously developed since the two countries signed the Joint Communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations on July 1, 1975.

Maris added that the 50th anniversary would be a great opportunity for both sides to further enhance cooperation, marking next year as "the golden jubilee for Thailand-China friendship."

Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Han Zhiqiang noted that China and Thailand enjoy a long history of friendship. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, which is not only a milestone in China-Thailand friendship, but also a new starting point for the continuation of bilateral relations.

The ambassador stressed that China will, as always, carry forward the China-Thailand friendship and unswervingly push for greater progress in building a China-Thailand community with a shared future.

The official logo features Dragon and Naga, mythical creatures with auspicious meanings in their respective cultures, and incorporates the colors of both national flags. Facing each other, the Dragon and Naga gaze toward the same gold orb, representing their shared goals of building a China-Thailand community with a shared future for enhanced stability, prosperity and sustainability. 

Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa speaks during a launch event of the official logo for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 19, 2024.

The official logo features Dragon and Naga, mythical creatures with auspicious meanings in their respective cultures, and incorporates the colors of both national flags. Facing each other, the Dragon and Naga gaze toward the same gold orb, representing their shared goals of building a China-Thailand community with a shared future for enhanced stability, prosperity and sustainability. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
About the suspects and their trial: Prosecutors allege that Harshkumar Patel  who is unrelated to the family and had used multiple aliases  coordinated smuggling operations with Canadian counterparts, hiring Shand to drive migrants across the border, including during at least five trips in late 2021 and early 2022. Both men have pleaded not guilty: Shands attorney claims he was unwittingly manipulated by Patel, while Patels lawyer denies any involvement in the conspiracy. Graphic photos of the Patel family and text messages showing the defendants awareness of the dangers were presented to jurors this week, while testimony from surviving migrants and law enforcement is expected to continue during the five-day trial.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  Two police officers and a suspect were shot Tuesday night in Louisville during a struggle over a gun that happened after the officers stopped an allegedly stolen vehicle, authorities said.

One officer was wounded in the leg, and the other in the hand, Louisville Metro Police said in a social media post. Both were in stable condition at the University of Louisville Hospital, Deputy Police Chief Emily McKinley said at a media briefing.

The officers, whose names have not been released, stopped the vehicle about 8 p.m. in the Smoketown neighborhood, according to McKinley. There was a struggle over the firearm, and all three were shot.

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The person in the vehicle was in stable condition at a different hospital, McKinley said. All suspects were accounted for and there was no danger to the public.

Mayor Craig Greenberg posted on social media that he visited both officers, saying, They are in good spirits and on the road to recovery.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU)  Two educators in the Siouxland area are among nine statewide to have been named Iowa Regional Teachers of the Year.

The Iowa Department of Education announced the winners on Monday. Nine designations were awarded, each corresponding with a different region of the state.

10 children adopted in honor of National Adoption Month

Beth Oolman, an eighth-grade teacher at the MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District in Orange City, was named Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year. Oolman has taught English language arts in the district for 20 years. She is also an adjunct instructor at Morningside University and Northwestern College, per a release.

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Meanwhile, Melanie Bloom, an agriculture teacher at Sioux Central Community School District in Sioux Rapids, was named Prairie Lakes Regional Teacher of the Year. According to the release, shes spent over 16 years helping students explore all the opportunities afforded in [agriculture-related] industries.

Left: A headshot of Beth Oolman, a teacher at MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District. Right: A headshot of Melanie Bloom, a teacher at Sioux Central Community School District. (Courtesy: Iowa Department of Education)

This is the first year in which the Iowa Department of Education has named Regional Teachers of the Year.

We recognize the expertise, commitment and care of each of Iowas inaugural 2025 Regional Teachers of the Year, and we thank them for choosing this honored profession, putting students at the center of all they do, Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow said in a statement in part.

Sioux City council approves several local projects

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Each of the nine teachers was selected through nominations sent in by educators, students, families, and Iowans as a whole. Snow says that this years winners teach at many different levels and in many different subjects.

The teachers will serve as finalists for the 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year award, set to be announced at a later date. The statewide award has been given out since 1958.

For more information, including the full list of Regional Teachers of the Year, click here.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  After KXAN called Austin Mayor Kirk Watson the apparent winner in the mayoral race last week, a new batch of provisional ballots was added to the Travis County election totals Monday night, the night before official results are required to be posted.

Watson is above the runoff threshold, now by 13 votes, according to KXANs results team. In Texas, even though Watson is more than 100,000 votes ahead of the next candidate, hes got to have more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff.

Tuesday, Austin City Council canvassed and signed off on the final results, making Watson the official winner in that race.

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Mayor Kirk Watson apparent winner in Austin mayoral race

On Friday November 15th, voter registration staff was entering provisional ballot history, which is the final step for our office in the election process. This stage is one of the final of many steps that compare entries by different parties to ensure accuracy. Through this procedure, it was determined 75 provisional ballots had not fully completed that process. Appropriate individuals were immediately notified and contacted the Secretary of State for guidance. As with every election, processes will be reviewed for any necessary modifications to increase efficiency and foster confidence in our open and accurate elections. The public should feel confident all eligible votes were counted. We are thankful current systems revealed this issue and it was able to be rectified, a spokesperson for the Travis County Tax Assessor said.

Will second-place candidate Carmen Llanes Pulido request a recount?

Though KXAN has asked, Llanes Pulido has yet to say whether she will make that request.

According to the Texas Secretary of States website, the deadline for Llanes Pulido to make that request would be 2 p.m. Thursday. She would also need to drum up a deposit, and if the outcome of the election doesnt change, she would be on the hook for the cost of that recount.

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Kirk Watson fundraises nearly $1M in Austin mayoral race, other candidates trail significantly

As for what exactly that will cost, a spokesperson for the Travis County Clerks Office told KXAN: As far as I know Carmens campaign hasnt requested a recount yet so we have no responsive information at the moment.

We told you a little more than a month ago that Llanes Pulidos 30-day campaign finance report showed she only had roughly $5,000 on hand going into the final month of the election.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
PIEDMONT TRIAD, N.C. (WGHP)  Twenty-three men are being charged with soliciting children for sex online after a sting operation in the Triad, according to the Inviticus Task Force.

The ITF and Kernersville Police Department made those 23 arrests as a part of Operation Milestone, a five-day undercover and online operation to target predators who are accused of seeking to engage in sexual acts with children.

The sting was conducted from Oct. 23 to Oct. 27 in Davidson County and Forsyth County.

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Investigators accuse several of the men charged of traveling to either county to engage in sex with a person they knew to be a minor through online applications.

The following people have been charged as a result of the sting operation:

Christopher Daniel Hornung

Jonathan William Wingate

James William Delozier

Rogelio Daniel Agredano

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Corey Gage White

Brandon Craig Fischer

Aaron Michael Slaughter

Michael Paul Washer

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David Lee Clay

Michael Todd Villines

Kevin Arthur Corron

Miterio Jaimes Jaimez

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Christopher Reid Yountz

Crispen Quintana Rubio

Kyle Andrew Wilder

Joshua Martin Flack

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Rogelio Santiago Mendez

William Hasten Steelman

Timothy Ray Pannell

Brandon Lamont Booker

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Robby Dean Charles

Kevin Scott Ammons

John Taylor Gray

James William Delozier , 62, of Thomasville Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old boy Taken into custody at the location where he agreed to meet the minor Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $25,000

Christopher Daniel Hornung, 39, of Kernersville Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. Taken into custody after being pulled over near the agreed meeting place Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $25,000

Jonathan William Wingate, 25, of Thomasville Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be 13 years old Taken into custody at the location where he agreed to meet the minor Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer and felony solicitation of a child for prostitution Bond set at $50,000

Corey Gage White , 27, of Randleman Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Did not appear at the agreed meeting place, taken into custody at his home Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $50,000

Rogelio Daniel Agredano, 44, of Raleigh Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody at the location where he agreed to meet the minor Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $75,000

Brandon Craig Fischer, 33, of High Point Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody at the location where he agreed to meet the minor Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $30,000

Aaron Michael Slaughter, 31, of Lexington Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody at the location where he agreed to meet the minor Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $25,000

David Lee Clay, 25, of Kannapolis Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody nearby where he agreed to meet the minor Charged with felony solicitation of child by computer, felony flee & elude and felony assault on a government official with a deadly weapon Bond set at $100,000

Michael Paul Washer, 40, of Bethlehem, Georgia Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody at the location where he agreed to meet the minor Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $125,000

Michael Todd Villines, 54, of Pembroke, Virginia Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl Did not appear at the agreed meeting place, taken into custody in Virginia Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer No bond set; awaiting extradition

Kevin Arthur Corron, 38, of Asheboro Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Did not appear at the agreed meeting place, taken into custody at his home Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $30,000

Christopher Reid Yountz, 62, of Lexington Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Did not appear at the agreed meeting place, taken into custody at his home Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $25,000

Miterio Jaimes Jaimez, 39, of Hamlet Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody by Richmond County Sheriffs Office Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $100,000

Crispen Quintana Rubio, 35, of Lexington Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody at the location where he agreed to meet the minor Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $25,000

Kyle Andrew Wilder, 35, of China Grove Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody by the Rowan County Sheriffs Office Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer in Forsyth County and charged with a separate count of felony solicitation of a child by computer in Davidson County Bond set at $20,000

Rogelio Santiago Mendez, 30, of King Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody at the location where he agreed to meet the minor Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer/appear Bond set at $15,000

Joshua Martin Flack, 33, of Charlotte Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl Taken into custody by the US Marshals Service Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer in Davidson County Bond set at $30,000

William Hasten Steelman, 66, of Advance Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody at the location where he agreed to meet the minor Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer/appear No bond set; pretrial release

Timothy Ray Pannell, 42, of Greensboro Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody at the location where he agreed to meet the minor Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer/appear No bond set; pretrial release

Robby Dean Charles, 56, of Summerfield Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody at the location where he agreed to meet the minor Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $10,000

Brandon Lamont Booker, 40 (no permanent residence listed) Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody at the location where he agreed to meet the minor Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $25,000

Kevin Scott Ammons, 30, of Catawba, South Carolina Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody on Nov. 9 Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $250,000

John Taylor Gray, 53, of Matthews Accused of communicating with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl Taken into custody on Nov. 15 Charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer Bond set at $250,000



The ITF is a partnership between The Inviticus Project nonprofit organization, the Randolph County Sheriffs Office, the Davidson County Sheriffs Office, the Alamance County Sheriffs Office, the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations.

The following law enforcement agencies contributed to Operation Milestone:

Davie County Sheriffs Office

Iredell County Sheriffs Office

Guilford County Sheriffs Office

New Hanover County Sheriffs Office

Scotland County Sheriffs Office

Rockingham County Sheriffs Office

Rowan County Sheriffs Office

Archdale Police Department

Thomasville Police Department

Lexington Police Department

Huntersville Police Department

Sanford Police Department

Durham Police Department

Fayetteville Police Department

Mint Hill Police Department

US Army Criminal Investigations Division

United States Secret Service

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The task force also expressed thanks to the following local Triad businesses and organizations who provided meals, snacks and drinks during the sting operation, including Lexington BBQ, Southern Lunch in Lexington, West Asheboro Baptist Church, American Roadhouse in Asheboro, Tammy Karnes, Elizabeths Pizza in Thomasville, Davidson County Fraternal Order of Police, Greater Life Church in Locust and Foster Street Wesleyan Church in Asheboro.

The greatest gift we have .. is our children, said Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough during a press conference at the Davidson County Sheriffs Office on Wednesday.

These people you would see in the grocery store, Randolph County Sheriff Greg Seabolt said. Theyre ordinary people. They are not monsters. They look like they could be trusted, and thats why we need to do it and continue doing this program to arrest all these perverts.

The operation wasnt just about making arrests. Its part of a broader mission to raise awareness about online predators and to send a clear message that no corner of the digital world is safe for those who want to exploit children.

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The ITF released the following statement:

The Invictus Task Force partners with other agencies as a force multiplier, extending the proverbial net to catch the predators who prowl like lions desiring the flesh of our innocent children. There is no door we wont kick down and no corner of this state that we wont search to track down the dregs of society that prey on our children. On behalf of The Invictus Task Force, we extend our most sincere appreciation to all the Sheriffs and Chiefs for allowing their men and women to participate in this operation. Our children are a little safer today due to their efforts and the fact that these predators have been identified and criminally charged. In addition, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible community partners who provided meals, snacks, and drinks over the course of five days to feed the men and women who conducted this operation. Their efforts allowed this valiant team of men and women to work continuously throughout their shifts and increase their efforts. The Invictus Task Force

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RUBICON, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in Wisconsin say one man was arrested and is facing serious life-threatening injuries following a crash Tuesday evening between a semi-truck and another vehicle.

According to a release from the Dodge County Sheriffs Office, deputies responded around 5:00 p.m. to reports of a crash on County Road N and Goodland Road in the town of Rubicon.

Officials say a 2021 Infinity was heading north on Goodland Road and failed to stop at the stop sign at County Road N causing it to be hit by a 2024 Western Star semi-truck.

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Woman arrested after allegedly firing a gun inside of a North Fond du Lac apartment

As a result of the crash, the Infinity was pushed into the north ditch where both vehicles involved came to a rest.

The driver of the Infinity, a 23-year-old Milwaukee man, was extricated from the vehicle, arrested for his first operating while intoxicated offense, and taken by Flight For Life to the hospital where he is facing serious life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the semi-truck, a 35-year-old man from Wheeling, Illinois, was not hurt in the crash and was later released from the scene.

At this time, no other information is available and an investigation of the incident remains ongoing.

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I think its unacceptable and were working to fix it, said Evandro Carvalho, the executive director of Bostons Office of Police Accountability and Transparency or OPAT, a position hes held for the last 6 months.

Carvalho addressing members of OPATs civilian review board about weeks of reporting by 25 Investigates.

Since October, anchor and investigative reporter, Kerry Kavanaugh has been telling you about its broken website and backlog of civilian complaints.

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Wednesday, OPAT met for the first since 25 Investigates reporting began.

Carvalho vowed to get things back on track.

Certainly, during transition, theres been some gap. Theres been some challenges as Ive mentioned, one of which that led to a dashboard being down for some time and thats not appropriate, right, he said.

The OPAT website  which promises data on police complaints, arrests, and use of force is a site of broken links. The information is inaccessible to the public. The links to the dashboards havent worked since July.

Since then, the city replaced the dead links with a message saying, Were currently working to update and improve the dashboards.

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25 Investigates also heard from a woman, Annemarie Grant who says its not just the website thats broken.

I think that its a waste of tax dollars and resources that theyre pouring into this committee for nothing to happen, Grant told Kavanaugh in early November.

Grant filed a complaint about an interaction with a Boston police officer in November 2023. More than a year later, she still had no resolution.

After 25 Investigates reporting, Grants was among 8 complaints finally being reviewed at a hearing on Wednesday.

The city of Boston acknowledged a backlog of civilian complaints as well.

OPAT took no public comment at the Wednesday meeting. And the board went into executive session to review the civilian complaints on the agenda.

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That means the public and our camera needed to leave the room.

But before that private session began a board member asked questions about how the group moves forward and whether they will issue an apology for the gap of time.

I think this is about community engagement. Its to go in front of the people and say, Im sorry go to the churches and say, Im sorry, Carvalho said.

During the meeting, Carvahlo introduced a new staff member, who just started last week and will be responsible for the OPAT data. He is tasked with getting the website back up and running. 25 Investigates will let you know when its fixed.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  One of the suspects from the Dunham Park shooting in August has been arrested in South Carolina.

According to Sioux Falls Police Department Sgt. Cullen McClure, Lamont Burks Jr., 28, was arrested in South Carolina at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Burks Jr. is a Sioux Falls resident.

Timeline of Dunham Park shooting, first arrest

On Friday, Walter Stewart was arrested and hes being held on a $1 million cash-only bond.

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A total of four people were injured in the shooting that happened on Aug. 25. Stewart and Burks Jr. face charges for shooting and killing Josh Allen Jr. and one other victim.

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SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)  Today is Wednesday, Nov. 20. Heres a look at todays top stories with KELOLAND On the Go.

Officials have arrested a second person involved in a Sioux Falls shooting that happened at Dunham Park in late August. The Anderson County Sheriffs office in South Carolina arrested Lamont Burks Jr. yesterday.

South Carolina authorities arrest murder suspect

The South Dakota Highway Patrol has been posting pictures on social media showing conditions in the summit area. Visibility is reduced and roads are icy and snow covered. You can find details on the latest closings on KELOLAND.com

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School closings

A winter storm is forecast to move across KELOLAND. Sioux Falls will likely stay under 1, but the wind will reduce visibilities in the middle of the snow bands. You can watch as the storm moves into South Dakota by visiting our KELOLAND Live Cam page.

Developing Now- Snow and wind impacting eastern KELOLAND

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Ukraine has managed to bring back 3,767 of its citizens from Russian captivity since the start of the full-scale invasion. Only 186 of them are civilians.

Source: Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Human Rights Commissioner, at a press conference on 20 November

Details: Dmytro Lubinets said that as of now, working together with the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War and other bodies, they have managed to bring 3,767 Ukrainians back from Russian captivity. He added that he had personally spoken with some of them, and they all said they had been exposed to physical, psychological and sexual torture.

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Lubinets said that all the Ukrainian defenders were brought home through prisoner swaps. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian servicemen are still being held in Russian torture chambers.

The human rights commissioner said the number of Ukrainian soldiers in Russian captivity was not publicly disclosed, but that official figures indicate that tens of thousands of Ukrainian citizens, both civilians and military, are being held in Russian captivity.

Background:

Dmytro Lubinets has stated that almost 40% of the people brought back from Russian captivity had previously been reported missing.

More than 14,000 Ukrainian civilians were known to be in Russian captivity as of June 2024. Lubinets says it is even more difficult to bring civilians home than children and military personnel.

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ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has called for enhanced protection measures for Eritrean asylum-seekers arriving in Ethiopia.

"The Eritrean asylum-seekers have entered into Ethiopia through its northern regions of Afar and Tigray, seeking international protection and basic assistance," the UN Refugee Agency said in a statement released on Wednesday.

According to the agency, an estimated 20,000 Eritreans have crossed into Ethiopia since January, joining the more than 70,000 Eritrean refugees already registered in the country.

"Supporting these arrivals at an early stage is crucial," said the agency, noting that registration and documentation are critical to advancing refugees' protection.

The UNHCR expressed readiness to support the Ethiopian government to expand access to registration for Eritrean asylum-seekers, saying that registration is pivotal in providing access to basic services such as healthcare, education, family reunification, and the right to work in Ethiopia.

"The swift registration of asylum-seekers can reduce the risk of human trafficking among others," the agency added.

Ethiopia is the third-largest host of refugees in Africa, home to over one million refugees and asylum-seekers mainly from neighboring South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea, according to the UNHCR. 
CHICAGO  Three people are in custody and four guns have been recovered, authorities have confirmed, after shots were fired at Chicago police officers who had approached a vehicle overnight in the Mayfair neighborhood on the citys Northwest Side.

No officers were injured and no shots were fired at the suspects, according to police.

Suspect found dead after off-duty CPD detective injured during attempt to stop deadly stabbing on Northwest Side

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Police say officers were on patrol just after 2 a.m. Wednesday in the 4600 block of North Knox Avenue when they saw a parked car that matched the description of a vehicle involved in an earlier incident in which a male suspect was armed.

When officers approached the parked car, police say, several males exited it and started to run away. Officers were able to immediately catch one of the offenders.

Man charged with murder in shooting death of suburban doctor, police say

Meanwhile, according to police, one officer continued to go after the other fleeing suspects and had to take cover after hearing multiple shots fired.

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Additional units then arrived on scene, and two more male offenders were apprehended after the area was canvassed, police say.

Knocking on doors

Police have not said exactly where the suspects were arrested, but the incident happened at a time when most people were sleeping.

A significant police presence took over a portion of Mayfair early Wednesday morning. Longtime residents near N. Knox Ave. and West Wilson Avenue told WGN officers knocked on their doors during their search and asked to look in their backyards.

I started counting police squad cars, area resident Mike Halleron said. There were probably more than 20, 25 squad cars. They had taped off all sections of the road here.

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They asked if they could come through the house and look in the backyard. They looked up and down the backyard. They didnt find anything.

Other neighbors, who did not wish to be identified for fear of their safety, said they saw police search nearby buildings as well, including the Irish American Heritage Center.

First they sent K-9s in, and then they sent people in, one resident said.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Police continue to investigate, and charges are pending.

I just think so highly of the police in Chicago, Halleron said of the work officers did tracking down suspects. Theyve got a tough job, and they did a great job.

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As of about 7 a.m. Wednesday, the suspects vehicle had been towed away and the area was back open to the public.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Three commissioners shot down an agenda item that would have raised the sales tax in Clark County.

At its regular meeting Tuesday, commissioners Marilyn Kirkpatrick, Jim Gibson and Michael Naft sided against the commissions chairman, Tick Segerblom, who said he added the surprise measure to the agenda with the hopes of using the increased revenue to combat the escalating homeless crisis plaguing the county.

Had the board agreed to move forward with the tax increase, it would have held a meeting introducing the amendment to the County Code, followed by public discussion. But todays meeting put a decisive end to that process and keeps the status quo with regard to the countys efforts to manage a growing homeless population.

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This money would solely go to homelessness, Segerblom said at the meeting. In my district, I can just tell you, it has become an overwhelming problem and it seems like  even though Im not sure the populations going up  the situations becoming worse.

Segerblom apologized to the other commissioners for the sudden addition of his proposal to the agenda. He said having broached the topic prior to the meeting would violate the states open meeting laws, so he felt it prudent to add the sales tax increase as an agenda item.

Proposal for possible sales tax increase makes surprise appearance on Clark County commission meeting agenda

Since we cant talk to each other about this, I just asked to put it on the agenda because I personally think its time to try to step up and generate some more money, Segerblom said.

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In 2019, the state legislature gave each county the authority to raise its respective sales tax by one-quarter of 1%. As such, Clark County raised its sales tax half of that amount .0125% in January 2020, prior to the onset of COVID-19. This increase, should it eventually receive the commissions approval, would account for the other half of the authorized increase  from 8.375% to 8.5%.

Segerblom indicated that other means of raising revenue were not as readily available as the money that would come from raising the sales tax  which would amount to one cent for every eight dollars spent at the point of sale for most transactions not including food sales, housing, or medication.

The three commissioners who spoke against Segerbloms proposal were united in strong opposition.

I agree that it is the most regressive tax that we could impose, and while it is the option thats in our authority right now, it doesnt mean that we should raise taxes just because we can, District A commissioiner Michael Naft said. Naft noted that peoples budgets are strained and there was

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Marilyn Kirkpatrick, commissioner of District B, agreed. It is hard out there, she said. People are struggling. Kirkpatrick also expressed frustration that Segerblom added the proposal as to the agenda.

Im mad about it, one, because I think that it could have been a discussion item as opposed to an agenda item, Kirkpatrick said. Thats what emerging issues are for. Can we look at it? Can we bring some data back?

Gibson, commissoiner of District G, said the commission needs to figure out an exact amount of money necessary to meet the boards objectives.

Thats the only way it will work, Gibson said. You work to a number, then you figure out how on earht you cover that number.

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The commission recently adopted a ban prohibiting and criminalizing homeless camping, but Segerblom said in order for that to be effective, the ordinance requires the county to offer services and shelter.

We cannot allow these camps to exist and its become unacceptable, Segerblom said.

Monday, The Retail Association of Nevada, in a statement, objected to the measure.

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ELYRIA, Ohio (WJW)  Three men are facing charges after shots were fired outside of an Elyria business over the weekend.

I-Team: Mystery man from China busted in money scam

According to Elyria police, around 2:15 a.m. Nov. 17, officers responded to a call of shots fired at the Settle Inn at 703 Lake Ave. Officers learned a disturbance involving several people had escalated outside the establishment, and gunfire was exchanged, a release from police said. Nobody was hurt, but a car and a nearby residence were hit by gunfire.

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The majority of individuals left the scene before police arrived, however, detectives identified three suspects: Johnny Boone, Khayden McFarland and Kamran Dukes. On Nov. 18, criminal charges and arrest warrants were issued against the three of them.

Tuesday, members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested Boone at a home on Spruce Street, and McFarland was taken into custody in the 400 block of West 21st Street.

Later in the day, as task force members attempted to execute a warrant for Dukes at a residence on West Avenue, he voluntarily surrendered himself to officers at the Elyria Police Department.

Video: Wrong-way drivers near-miss with ODOT intern

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The charges for each include:

Khayden McFarland

Felonious Assault  R.C. 2903.11  F2

Having Weapons Under Disability  R.C. 2923.13  F3

Discharge of Firearm on or Near Prohibited Premises  R.C. 2923.162  F3

Kamran Dukes

Felonious Assault  R.C. 2903.11  F2

Discharge of Firearm on or Near Prohibited Premises (6 counts)  R.C. 2923.162  F3

Johnny Boone

Felonious Assault  R.C. 2903.11  F2

Having Weapons Under Disability  R.C. 2923.13  F3

Discharge of Firearm on or Near Prohibited Premises  R.C. 2923.162  F3

Police also noted that Boone has an extensive criminal history and is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.

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According to the release, four firearms were recovered during the investigation.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact Detective Loesch at 440-326-1205 or via email at tloesch@cityofelyria.org.





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New flights are coming to the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky International Airport.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Frontier Airlines announced a nonstop flight that will operate twice a week to Austin, Texas starting in March.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Allegiant Air is also adding flights to two under-served markets.

One will be going non-stop to Portland, Oregon twice a week.

A second non-stop flight will fly twice weekly to Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Those flights will start in May.

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President-elect Donald Trump has outlined plans for his second term in scary detail: using military force to execute mass deportations, clearing out DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies, and, shockingly, even eliminating the Department of Education (DOE).



In preparation for four more MAGA years, Trump announced Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive, will head the DOE he vows to abolish, yes. With Americans everywhere still reeling from the Nov. 5 results, its time we truly understand whats at stake if the 44-year-old DOE is abolished  especially for Black students.

Billions of Dollars Wont Be Federally Regulated

Its important to remember the DOE does not develop school curricula, set requirements for enrollment or graduation or accredit schools or universities. But it does handle the billions of dollars that fund education nation-wide.

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Trumps plan to send all education work and needs back to the states means every state will create there own budget and resources for education including college. This means states like Louisiana which has the second largest Black population in the country but also ranks 49th of all states in public school rankings according to the World Population Review will now have complete control over how and where this money is distributed.

Since fall 2010, Black student enrollment has decreased by 23 percent, according to the Postsecondary National Policy Institute. And whos to say when education funds run dry, that percentage wont increase?



Protections For Race, Gender, and Disability Would Be At Risk

The DOE was created in major part to provide equal access to education to all American students regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic status. With no federal body to protect these identities, students of diverse backgrounds will be subjected to discrimination simply based on their identities with no protection from the federal government.

Of course the agency has its flaws, but it is this department that holds schools accountable for enforcing non-discrimination laws like Title IX based on gender, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act based on disability and Title VI based on race.



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Black people are more likely to report a disability than any other race in the nation, according to the National Disability Institute. So for Black students with learning and/or physical disabilities, the DOE would no longer be able to protect them under Trump.

Financial Aid For College Would Be Gone

Before the pandemic, 80.6 percent of Black students received some type of financial aid from the government, according to the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. And with Black Americans carrying the highest amounts of student loan debt, its clear Black folks rely on the DOE for assistance.

You look at those college-access programs and the populations they serve, and you do have to worry about the types of support that will be available to students, Jon Fansmith, senior vice president for government relations at the American Council on Education, told Inside Higher Ed. Theres very little on the table that Im not worried about.

The department backs Federal Student Aid, which awards more than $120 billion a year in grants, work-study funds, and low-interest loans to 13 million students, according to ABC News. If the DOE is gone, this means the financial help is too.

Can Trump Really Do It?!

The quick answer is yes, but before Trump does away with the DOE, he has to jump though some hoops first. Itll take time and effort to get rid of the department, but in theory, it can be done inside four years. Both the Senate and House of Representatives are under Republican control, making Trumps task an easieroneto complete.

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The Department of Education was created through legislation, Education Analyst Neal McCluskey at the Cato Institute told ABC News. Legislation comes through Congress. If you want to take the Department of Education apart, you have to do that through legislation.

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Teachers wave at students on a public school bus as they arrive at Carter Traditional Elementary School on January 24, 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky. A proposed constitutional amendment to allow public funding support for private school education in the state was soundly defeated in this months election by nearly two-thirds of the vote. (File/Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

Voters in Colorado, Kentucky and Nebraska put the brakes on the school choice movement this month, 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.

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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 dont have the same accountability 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

What that means for South Carolina

South Carolinas 2023 school choice law was gutted by the state Supreme Courts ruling in September that payments for private school tuition violated the state constitution.

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Restoring the taxpayer-funded K-12 scholarships is a priority for GOP legislators.

As the majority of justices laid out in their opinion, the surefire way for a new law to survive is to get voters permission to delete the constitutions ban on public funds directly benefiting private education. That would require a supermajority of the House and Senate agreeing to put the question on the ballot, and a majority of voters approving the change.

The House passed a resolution in 2023 that would have put the question on November ballots. But the Senate never took up that measure. It would be November 2026 before voters could be asked again.

Some Republican leaders and school choice advocates were already reluctant to pursue that option, partly because it could mean a years-long delay in reinstating the scholarships. Even if voters say yes, the constitution couldnt be changed until legislators ratify the amendment in 2027.

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But they also worried about the outcome. The results of this months ballot initiatives, particularly in Kentucky and Nebraska, may make it even less likely that Republicans take that route.

SC Daily Gazette Editor Seanna Adcox contributed to this report.

Like the SC Daily Gazette, Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Four people were arrested Tuesday afternoon after allegedly shoplifting from an area business.

The Grand Junction Police Department received a shoplifting in progress report around 3:50 p.m., at Tractor Supply, 2449 Highway 6 and 50.

Officers  working with the GJPDs Intelligence Unit  located the suspects a few minutes after the incident, performing a traffic stop near Highway 6 and 50 and 25 Road.

Joe Tatom

Joe Tatom, 39, Jaiden Kennedy, 24, Elizabeth Tucker, 36, and William Darling, 26, were arrested on multiple charges related to the incident. Tatum was booked in the Mesa County Correction Facility on a separate warrant.

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The police department said in the release it believes this to be an isolated incident with no further danger to the community. The case is under investigation.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Four students have been charged in connection to a series of wanted posters found around the University of Rochester.

A rally was held outside court Wednesday morning before the four suspects were released. Samantha Escobar, Jonathan Bermudez, Naomi Gutierrez, and Jefferson Turcios pleaded not guilty to felony criminal mischief.

Some students spoke up at a rally Wednesday in support of those arrested, calling it free speech. Sarah, a fellow UR student, said the school should have handled things differently.

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The fact that the school has framed this in a way that has incriminated them like this and making them a scapegoat at this time instead of caring for their students and really working on something that doesnt put them in the public eye like this has been really hard, she said Wednesday

The posters were found around the River Campus. Officials called the posters antisemitic in nature, adding that they largely targeted Jewish faculty members.

The university said the actions taken against the students were both criminal and disciplinary at the school, but added this did not meet the legal threshold for a hate crime.

Sitting here today seeing four children, young adults, coming out in jumpsuits  its absolutely ridiculousshame, shame, shame on the university president, shame on the DPS chief of public safety  shame on the University of Rochester, said city councilmember Stanley Martin.

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A hateful act: Jewish Federation leader responds to arrests of UR students in wanted posters case

According to Chief Quchee Collins with the Department of Public Safety, a fifth person is still under investigation for their possible involvement in this case.

While we always hope to address student misconduct from an educational perspective, there are some acts that require referral to the criminal justice process. As Chief Collins outlined in his message, the activity that weve experienced reaches that level, announced President Sarah Mangelsdorf.

Meanwhile, the investigation into vandalism at UR Medicines Brighton Health Center remains open. Friday when officials said they discovered the sign, they emphasized it was too early to connect the incident with the poster investigation, but admitted the vandalism was similar. At this time, there are no updates to this investigation, per university leadership.

(WROC/Melanie Sosa)

Each of the students connected to the posters case have various upcoming court dates. This story will be updated as more information is revealed.

Heres the full message to the UR community released Tuesday night:

Dear Members of the University Community,

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Im writing as a follow up to todays message from Public Safety Chief Quchee Collins announcing that the Department of Public Safety has arrested four students on charges of criminal mischief in relation to the Wanted posters that targeted individual members of the University community and that were glued to surfaces in several University buildings earlier this month. I am saddened that the underlying conduct required this step.

While we always hope to address student misconduct from an educational perspective, there are some acts that require referral to the criminal justice process. As Chief Collins outlined in his message, the activity that weve experienced reaches that level. Our code of student conduct makes clear: The University is not a sanctuary from public law and does not promote or condone unlawful behavior.

I want to thank the members of the community who offered support and understanding that such acts dont represent our University in any shape or form. I am saddened that any member of our community was subject to harassment and intimidation. The posters identifying faculty, staff, and board members have instilled credible fear among those depicted, their families, and other members of our Jewish community. On behalf of my senior leadership team, the Board of Trustees, and myself, I want to underscore that antisemitism will not be tolerated. I want each of those who were targeted to know that they have our wholehearted support.

I am grateful for the excellent investigation that Chief Collins and his team carried out. The team was focused and professional from the start. They ensured, first and foremost, that the members of our community were safe and then set out to identify the perpetrators. I want to thank Chief Collins, the investigative unit of DPS, and the entire team at DPS for their work, as well as the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that were consulted during the investigation.

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That such activity may have been perpetrated by our students is particularly disappointing. We have worked diligently with students and other members of the University community to provide a respectful setting for protest, dissent, and dialogue. Our policy on Demonstrations, Vigils, and Peaceful Protests balances our commitment to freedom of expression with our commitment to the safety and security of all members of our community.

The process for the students is now in the hands of the Monroe County District Attorneys office. I am confident that those who were charged will get a fair and public hearing. We are a community that respects the rule of law, one that believes in the honest weighing of evidence and facts in an open forum as the best way to advance truth and to build a sustaining society.

As a community that leads with our values, we take responsibility and accountability seriously. In addition to the criminal justice process, the accused students will undergo the Universitys conduct procedures.

I hope our recent experience ultimately reminds us of why we value our membership in a great academic community like the University of Rochester. We have dedicated ourselves to creating a supportive and inclusive University, one where multiple perspectives are welcomed with respect and where all members of our community can thrive.

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I am certain that as we move forward, we will all find ways to re-commit ourselves to demonstrating the values that make our University the true community that we aspire it to be.

 Sarah C. Mangelsdorf, President and G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor

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Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, who has served on Skokies Village Board since 1984 and was appointed mayor in 1999, will not run for re-election, per Cook County clerk records, ending a historical 40-year-run of leadership in the northern suburb.

In his 15 years as a trustee and 25 as mayor, Van Dusen, who was not available to speak before deadline, served throughout Skokies police department accreditation, park district accreditation, the creation of an Oakton Street Yellow Line CTA L train station stop, redevelopment of Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, creation of the Illinois Science + Technology Park, launching of Backlot Bash, and countless other developments and accomplishments.

Mayor Daniel Biss of neighboring Evanston told Pioneer Press that Van Dusen is a thoughtful, extremely pragmatic guy. Skokie is like his universe; he loves that town; he knows it like the back of his hand.

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Per the villages website, Van Dusen has been a resident of Skokie since 1974, though he originally hails from Detroit, Michigan, he said in an interview with Pioneer Press. Van Dusen is also a former Niles Township assistant supervisor, per previous reporting.

Van Dusen was also the director of suburban operations for U.S. Representative Sidney Yates for 26 years, from 1973 to 1999. From 1999 to 2022, he taught U.S. History and Government as an adjunct faculty member of Oakton Community College. He is also the author of two books: Clear it with Sid! Sidney R. Yates and Fifty Years of Presidents, Pragmatism, and Public Service and The Detroit Tigers Encyclopedia.

As a trustee, Van Dusen served as the villages delegate to the Northwest Municipal Conference and served as its president in 2007. He is also the chairman of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County, per the villages website.

In 1990, Van Dusen lost the Democratic primary for the Illinois House of Representatives for District 58 to Jeffrey Schoenberg. When appointed to lead the village as its mayor in January 1999, Van Dusen said he would prioritize two things: extending the CTA Yellow Line, then called the Skokie Swift, to Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, then called Old Orchard Center, and defusing the quiet ticking crisis of solid waste impacting the region.

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My door will always be open, Van Dusen said in 1999. Let me know what needs to be done and if were doing well, say so, and if were not doing well, say so.

In October, Biss and Van Dusen teamed up to write a letter to Evanston/Skokie School District 65 to try to convince the district to extend the deadline to close Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies for two middle school grades.

Its really nice for us to have the opportunity, as people who have a trusting relationship, and see eye to eye, to work together, Biss said. Having a mayor from the adjoining community who I could really comfortably and easily work well with to articulate our shared views, I think, has been beneficial to residents of both Evanston and Skokie.

Its important to have a quality of life thats excellent across the region, not just in one town or another. And thats part of why these relationships are really critical.

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Pramod Joshi, a member of the villages Fine Arts Commission, said, The mayor is very cooperative, thoughtful, as well as taking care of diverse communities, respecting them and supporting them.

Illinois Senator Ram Villivalam, a Democrat of the 8th district, which covers portions of Skokie, Niles, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove and Chicagos Northwest side, said he worked with Van Dusen in securing funds for capital improvement projects in the village and also on a Pan Asian American Cultural Center in Skokie.

Villivalam, who was elected in 2018 and sworn in in 2019, said he looks up to Van Dusen for his pragmatic and progressive values. At the end of the day people generally have the same principles  safe communities, taking care of elders, he said, and gave credit to Van Dusen for Skokies affordable housing stock and for the villages co-responder program in which a mental health counselor teams up with a police officer to respond to cases such as mental health crises, for example.

We need more of that, now more than ever, Villivalam said of Van Dusens manner of running the village.
RAMALLAH, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli army gunfire in the eastern neighborhood of Jenin city in the northern West Bank on Tuesday, according to Palestinian medical sources.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a statement that its team retrieved two bodies from a house in the neighborhood.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that two unidentified victims were brought to Jenin Government Hospital after being shot by the Israeli army in the eastern neighborhood. No further details were provided about the incident.

The Israeli army has not commented on this incident yet. Israel usually described these raids in the West Bank as "counter-terrorism operations" targeting "terrorists" linked to Palestinian armed groups.

The death toll of Palestinians has risen to five during Israeli raids in Jenin since Tuesday morning, with three Palestinians killed earlier in the day during an Israeli army siege on a house in the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin.

Since the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, violence in the West Bank has intensified, resulting in the deaths of over 780 Palestinians due to Israeli gunfire and airstrikes, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. 
Credit - Getty Images

Shortly after Donald Trump declared victory for his second term, Google searches for the 4B movement spiked around the country. Born from South Koreas broader feminist reckoning over gender inequality, 4B refers to the four Korean terms for sex, dating, marriage, and childbirth. Dismayed American women, fearing a federal abortion ban and more restrictions to reproductive freedoms, ran with the idea on social media, announcing that they would no longer have sex with men, or that they were dumping their MAGA boyfriends. Popular related search terms included head shaving and white supremacist Nicholas J. Fuentes, who posted Youre body, my choice after Trumps victory.

Doing my part as an American woman by breaking up with my Republican boyfriend and officially joining the 4B movement this morning, one woman shared on Tiktok the day after the election. Another American creator explained 4Bs origin like this: The 4B movement is a movement in South Korea right now where the misogyny and sexism is so bad that South Korean women have decided to opt out of men entirely. Some women proudly shaved their heads on camera in an effort to become less attractive to the male gaze, as though being bald might protect us from violence and subjugationa move that I, a cancer patient, observed with bemusement and that conservatives enjoyed mocking.

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Somehow, legitimate post-election fears about body autonomy and womens safety have translated into galvanizing around a movement that is highly specific to South Korea, divorcing it from its original context and glossing over some uncomfortable realities in the process. While American women can and should share strategies to protect themselves, this whitewashed version of 4B, which has a history of anti-trans actions, is not the winning strategy to resist and undermine the patriarchy people think it is.

Hawon Jung, a journalist and author of Flowers of Fire: The Inside Story of South Korea's Feminist Movement & What It Means for Women's Rights Worldwide, says that 4B initially emerged as part of a wider wave of feminist movement that swept South Korea from the late 2010s to the early 2020s, in response to pervasive sexism, gender-based violence, and workplace discrimination. Much of this discussion hinged on the unfair treatment of women within the domestic sphere, specifically the disproportionate burden of childcare and household chores, rampant intimate partner violence without strong protections for victims, and the enormous pressure to get married and give birth despite it all.

Although many women in the U.S. vow to embrace the four creeds of the 4B, I see a lot of differences compared to Korea in terms of where their voices are focusedpartly because the whole social context that gave rise to the movement in the two countries are quite different, says Jung.

4B is at the extreme end of the whole spectrum of women in South Korea who choose to stay single and childless, says Jung. Extreme, in part, because of hostility towards trans women, Jung explains. Many of these young radical feminists in South Korea claim that other feminists, including mainstream women's rights groups, have lost focus by allying with other social minority groups fighting for, for example, labor rights, disability rights, or even sexual minorities' rights, says Jung, and vow to support biological women only.

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Unlike the U.S. post-election discourse, which I hesitate to even call a movement quite yet, the original 4B is concerned primarily with rejecting the institution of marriage, says Jung, with the other Bs following naturally as an inevitable result of the rejection of marriage, says Jung. Why? In a conservative society in South Korea, dating is largely considered, especially by men, the prelude to marriage, and marriage the prelude for childbirth, so many of those who wish to remain single or childless end up not dating, either.

American women, in contrast, are more-so calling for the rejection of sexual relationships with menand becoming less sexually appealing to them as part of this. While being bald cant protect you from, say, needing to get an abortion, getting assaulted, or bleeding out from a miscarriage, many women shared resources for staying safe in a society thats increasingly hostile toward women, especially with the return of a president found liable for sexual abuse who has threatened to protect women whether they like it or not.

Read More: What Donald Trumps Win Means for Abortion

If we cant control what they do in terms of legislation and abortion rights, we have to do something for ourselves, a 25-year-old woman who posted about 4B told the New York Times. Starting with cutting out the male influence in our life, and making sure were taking the safety precautions as well, visiting OB-GYNs, and making sure we are best prepared for when January comes and the years after that.

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As a gesture of self-protection, concerted celibacy is not a bad ideaeven if avoiding sex will not stop men from harming us. Young women were already losing interest in sex with men, long before the election, and making conscious efforts to opt out. As someone who reports on sexual satisfaction and the sex recession among younger generations, Ive found that many women are drawn to celibacy (or celibate sluthood) because they are tired of being mistreated by men and a patriarchal culture.

The fact that the small, seemingly fringe feminist movement in South Korea is resonating with so many women in the United States seems to be a reminder [of the] frustration and anger women feel about a patriarchal societyno matter where they live and despite the cultural, political, and geopolitical differences around the world, says Jung.

For many young Americans, of all genders, the price for sex has become steeper, dramatically so with the overturning of Roe V. Wade, while the need for sexor marriage, or menhas lessened, a reality that experts link to rising incel ideology. There are other reasons, too, like increasingly excellent vibrators, growing visibility around asexuality, and just general burnout. Aligning with the rising social acceptance of singledom, American women have been having fewer and fewer babies since 2008, with the fertility rate reaching a record low in 2023.

But misunderstandings of the South Korean movement aside, many of the other calls to action stateside have rung somewhat hollow as they seem to suggest getting back at men for letting a second Trump presidency happen. The idea of punishing men for recent affronts to womens rights as though ladies only do sex for the benefit of male partnerserases many painful realities, including that an unmistakable majority of white women voted for Trump or that the Democrats centrist strategy largely failed.

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Read More: The Democrats Blame Game Begins

Perhaps the harder-to-swallow pill is that "the problem" were currently facingthe terrifying, even gleeful rolling back of abortion rights, which is already killing womenis less about badly behaving men than some women might like to believe and more about a broken system (and ideologically driven judiciary mired in ethics controversies). Its also worth noting women and men who love and voted for Trump would be unaffected by this kind of movement: According to a study from the University of Michigan, most couples share political beliefs, and Republicans are already more likely to get married than Democrats anyway, as noted by a July 2024 Gallup poll.

Of course, rejecting the hetero dating-marriage-baby pipeline is politically valid, as is asserting ones own bodily autonomy. Sex strikes, in particular, have a storied history. In the play Lysistrata by Aristophanes, a woman attempts to end the Peloponnesian War by mobilizing women to stop having sex with their husbands and lovers. High-profile Lysistratic non-actions, as politically motivated sex strikes came to be known, include Togo women abstaining from sex for a week in 2012 to push for reforms, as opposition leader Isabelle Ameganvi declared sex could be a "weapon of the battle." Ameganvi invoked Liberias women-led peace movement, which included a sex strike among other nonviolent actions, that helped end the countrys civil war in 2003.

But South Koreas 4B faction is too fringe and too culturally specific to yoink and whitewash. Shepherd, a U.S.-based student with family in South Korea (his full name has been protected for privacy), sees much of the posts as wildly performative. He notes that South Korean women often cant find employment after having childrenmy mom is in her mid-40s and is considered nearly out of employment ageand that women have little to no workplace protections, work culture keeps families away from their children, and the brutal schooling system also discourages people having families. The 19-year-old adds, 4B was constructed under these circumstances. So, seeing Americans and American women jump to adopting 4B, using South Korea as an exotic site of development for a movement they want to adopt as their own, while having immense amounts of privilege, is a little frustrating.

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Shepherd, who is trans, notes that the many South Koreans participating in 4B have developed hateful anti-trans, anti-gay views, given the bioessentialist ideology that places immense import on child-bearing as a marker of womanhood. Korean women arent transphobic or homophobic, I have friends there and they love me and my transness, he adds. Im saying that the most stalwart members of the 4B movement, those who champion it the most passionately, usually fester in queerphobic forum spaces like Womad. This wasnt intentional in the creation of the 4B movement, but a separatist movement based in biological essentialism is a movement that can very readily foster that environment.

A few weeks after the election, American searches and social media posts about 4B have dwindled, and its not clear that the U.S. movement has legs outside of the general trend towards having less sex that was already in motion. Women should opt out of sex with men for literally any and all reasons on earth, for any and all lengths of time, because that is their right. The call to decenter men goes as far back as the 1960s. Taking additional safety precautions in the face of a second Trump presidency, which is sure to further criminalize womens and trans healthcare, is a smart idea, too.

But we are going to have to think bigger, and grow our imaginations, to build a safer world for all. 4b is not the movement to hang our hopes on.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN)  In this internet age, we are surrounded by an enormous amount of data, and teachers are often not equipped to educate students on how to use all the information. However, MTSU is launching a program to fix that, and five Middle Tennessee school will benefit from it.

This is very exciting and the first of its kind in this area, said Greg Rushton, director of Tennessee STEM Education Center at MTSU.

Renewed push for free school meals in Tennessee

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Rushton, who is also a chemistry professor, received a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation. Starting in the spring, that money will be used to teach 16 Middle Tennessee public school teachers how to use data science in the classroom.

Most teachers are traditionally trained in a STEM subject  a science subject, a math subject, an engineering subject  and so they need additional support to carry out the kinds of activities and assessments that are consistent with a data-based economy, said Rushton.

The schools set to benefit from the new program include those in Bedford County, Cannon County, Williamson County, Warren County and Murfreesboro.

So, what is data science? Keith Gamble, a finance professor at MTSU and director of the universitys Data Science Institute explained how the concept helps students and teachers in the classroom.

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Tennessee aims to place mental health clinicians in every school

The world is rich in data. In the past 20 years, data has been collected everywhere. But the problem is getting insight from that data. That takes some tools and techniques and that is what we do in data science, said Gamble.

For example, take writing a high school paper. Using data science, that experience is very different for students and teachers today.

Rather than having to start from scratch, you get a draft, then you customize it how you want. This is rapidly changing software development, and these tools will be available to our teachers in these courses as they learn to use data and get insights they want out of that data, explained Gamble.

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The selected teachers will embark on a five-year program. Within two-and-a-half years, teachers will earn an advanced degree in data science education and teacher leadership, with the option to further their education with a doctorate degree.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Were really excited to partner with our school districts to see what we can accomplish together, said Rushton. We just want to be prepared for an economy thats going to be data-based.

The selected teachers will reportedly receive a $10,000 stipend and tuition and fees are covered.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  More than six months after the crime, the final suspect in that case has been arrested.

The case is in rural Lincoln County shooting that left a man with a bullet lodged in his brain.

2nd Dunham Park shooting suspect in custody in South Carolina

Authorities have been looking for Rakeem Fitzgerald, 20, since May. Hes from Pennsylvania but was in South Dakota at the time of the crime. Fitzgerald is accused of aiding and abetting attempted murder and was booked into jail Tuesday morning.

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Heres a look back at the case.

According to court documents, it started with a drug deal outside a bar on the west side of Sioux Falls on April 30.

A 24-year old man and a 15-year old were in one car. The four teenage suspects were in the other.

Court documents say someone in the car full of teens took possession of the drugs but did not pay so the 24-year-old followed their car.

They eventually ended up in rural Lincoln County, where the car full of teens stopped in the road.

The affidavit says the front passenger exited the car, pulled a silver handgun out of his waistband area and shot

One bullet struck the windshield, and hit the driver in the head, lodging itself in the frontal lobe of his brain. The driver survived.

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Four people are accused in the case.

Court documents say Victor Rios pulled the trigger. Hes scheduled to go on trial for attempted murder in January. Antonio Hacker, Danai Cha and Rakeem Fitzgerald are accused of aiding and abetting attempted murder. Hacker pleaded guilty earlier this month and is scheduled to be sentenced next month. Cha is out on bond, and Fitzgerald is schedule to be arraigned on Monday.

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Today, Thanksgiving tables typically feature side dishes like mashed potatoes and mac and cheese.

Once-popular options like Jell-O salads and hot Dr Pepper are no longer part of the celebrations.

However, some people still like to make dishes like ambrosia salad for nostalgia's sake.

No festive Thanksgiving gathering would be complete without a table heaped with steaming dishes. These days, the most popular side dishes include mashed potatoes, rolls, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

Thanksgiving spreads haven't always looked this way. There was a time when Jell-O creations and canned products reigned supreme.

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These vintage food trends were often driven by economic factors, involving ingredients that were inexpensive or readily available in past decades.

Here are seven unique Thanksgiving menu items that have mostly fallen out of vogue.

Turkey leftovers were turned into aspic.

Turkey Jell-O was a thing in the 1930s. Ann_Zhuravleva/Shutterstock

Gelatin became a popular foundation for many meals during the 1930s after the Great Depression because it was an inexpensive source of protein. According to The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America, close to a third of all cookbook recipes from this time period were gelatin-based.

In 2015, YouTuber and vintage recipe enthusiast ThisMidlifeMillennial tried a vintage Thanksgiving leftover Jell-O recipe from a 1975 cookbook called "Carefree Cooking with Aluminum Foil." The recipe called for turkey, frozen vegetables, cream of celery soup, and ranch dressing mixed with gelatin.

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"I probably would not eat this again, but it's not the worst thing I've ever had," she said.

Savory Jell-O salads made for festive centerpieces.

Some people would make a "Sunset Salad" using Jell-O. Keith Beaty/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Jell-O salads were popular in the 1950s and 1960s.

A Jell-O dish with radishes, scallions, and a few tablespoons of vinegar wouldn't have been out of the ordinary at a festive meal. Some people continue to serve them up on Thanksgiving just because.

"Modern American palates have changed to dislike savory gelatin, but that was not always the case," food historian Sarah Wassberg Johnson previously told Business Insider. "Probably until the 1960s, savory gelatinous dishes were a thing."

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A "spring basket dessert" consisted of fruity Jell-O with chunks of fruit inside.

A fruity Jell-O loaf alisafarov/Shutterstock

Gelatin was also popular in sweeter desserts. One example is the "spring basket dessert," which was advertised in The Ladies Home Journal in 1948.

The molded-gelatin dessert usually contained fruit juice and chunks of fruit. The gelatinous dish is no longer the dessert of choice at most holiday gatherings.

Ambrosia salad is still popular in the South, but many have left it behind.

Some people still bring ambrosia salad to holiday gatherings. Bart Ah You/Modesto Bee/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

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Ambrosia recipes began appearing in publications towards the end of the 19th century, Serious Eats reported. It remains a holiday classic in some Southern homes, but is rarely seen elsewhere.

Ambrosia usually includes some kind of canned fruit with mini marshmallows, with variations that include Cool Whip, cottage cheese, and Jell-O.

Canned foods were once all the rage, including creamed corn.

Creamed corn is still eaten in some households. freeskyline/Getty Images

A 1948 ad in the Ladies Home Journal advertised creamed corn in a can as "something to try  smooth, creamy, with plenty of tender-skinned kernels to round out the good eating."

However, in the past few decades, canned products have gone out of style in favor of fresh food. With that, creamed corn from a can has become less popular at the table, too.

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Served on special occasions, Hot Dr Pepper consisted of warm soda over lemon slices.

Dr Pepper was once heated up and paired with lemon. AP

In a 1968 advertisement, Dr Pepper recommended serving "steaming hot" soda over lemon slices. It definitely is "something different" to offer Thanksgiving guests.

Per Serious Eats, the drink was concocted by Dr Pepper in the 1960s "to keep profits strong during the holiday season, when sales of cold pop plummet." It was apparently pretty huge in the South but has since faded in popularity.

Hellmann's mayonnaise shared a recipe for a Thanksgiving-themed "Cranberry Surprise."

"Cranberry Surprise" combined mayonnaise and fruit. Hellmann's

In 2013, Hellmann's mayonnaise released a compilation of vintage advertisements and recipes to celebrate its 100th year.

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One of the delicacies in the collection was the "Cranberry Surprise," a holiday side dish that "blends the tartness of cranberries with the delicate creaminess of Hellman's Real Mayonnaise" with an extra dollop of mayonnaise on top to provide "the final distinctive flavor garnish."

This story was originally published on November 1, 2018, and most recently updated on November 20, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A deputy located the wandering reptile in Shapleigh, Maine, on Nov. 15 and asked the community for help finding its owner

York County Sheriff's Office - Maine/Facebook Deputy Jonathan Marshall with the 8-foot-long boa constrictor he found in Shapleigh, Maine Deputy Jonathan Marshall with the 8-foot-long boa constrictor he found in Shapleigh, Maine

A deputy got a big  8 feet, to be exact  shock when he found a snake slithering in a small New England town.

Jonathan Marshall, a deputy with the York County Sheriff's Office, located the lengthy boa constrictor last week after responding to an animal complaint in Shapleigh, Maine, the York County Sheriff's Office shared in a Facebook post.

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After arriving where the reptile was spotted at Shapleigh Corner Rd. on Friday, Nov. 15, Marshall tracked down the wandering boa constrictor  whose length measured 8 feet, according to the sheriff's office.

Related: 13-Foot Python Seized from N.Y. Home After Owner Admits He Wasnt Prepared for How Fast Snake Would Grow

The deputy posed with the snake, draping it across his hands on the side of the road, before removing the reptile from the chilly Maine weather  a far cry from its ideal climate.

"Deputy Marshall secured the snake in his vehicle to get it out of the cold temperatures," the sheriff's office wrote, noting that the chilly conditions could've been "deadly to this cold-blooded animal"  a concern several Facebook users also expressed in the comments section.

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"It was cold out yesterday! Poor snake ," one wrote, while another added, "I am in no way a snake lover, but setting out free in the cold is cruel. Hopefully, it will find a new home."

"I'm surprised it's survived this long in the cold," another top comment read. "So glad it was saved."

York County Sheriff's Office - Maine/Facebook Deputy Jonathan Marshall with the 8-foot-long boa constrictor he found in Shapleigh, Maine Deputy Jonathan Marshall with the 8-foot-long boa constrictor he found in Shapleigh, Maine

Native to Central and South America, boa constrictors can survive in many environments but thrive in tropical rainforests, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Pet MD recommends a range of habitat temperatures for boas of 90 to 95 degrees, with a minimum of 80 degrees at night. According to Weather Channel data, temperatures peaked at 58 in Shapleigh on Nov. 15.

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Related: South Carolina Woman Surprised When She Finds Snake Behind Her Toilet

After Marshall secured the boa in his vehicle, the authorities contacted the Maine Warden Service (the government office responsible for protecting the state's natural resources) to retrieve it.

The service transported the boa to the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk, which "is trying to locate the owner," a rep for the Maine Warden Service tells PEOPLE.

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.

The Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk told PEOPLE that "at this time, no one has come forward to claim this pet. The snake is a common boa constrictor in good condition, and we will be partnering with a local reptile rescue and sanctuary to find an adopter."

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While many comments on the York County Sheriff's Office post about the snake concerned the animal's well-being, some addressed what would've happened if someone else had come face-to-face with the reptile before its rescue.

"This would have ruined my hunt if I stumbled across it in the woods," one commenter said, while another person wrote that they are "moving" away from the area.

Boa constrictors, however, are not typically dangerous to humans. According to the Smithsonian's website, there are "very few cases" of the nonvenomous snakes attacking people. The website also notes that "even human babies are too large to be suitable prey" for the snakes.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  An eighth person is set to plead guilty in the 2023 death of Walker County inmate Anthony Tony Mitchell.

Megan Johnsons plea agreement on one count of deprivation of rights was made public Tuesday afternoon, making her the seventh officer to confirm being involved in the case. A nurse entered a guilty plea as well.

These people who have come forward who have plead guilty to some degree shows that what the community has been calling for has been right, said Ryan Cagle, an organizer for the Justice for Tony Mitchell movement.

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7th person set to plead guilty in Anthony Tony Mitchells death

Mitchell was arrested by Walker County Sheriffs Office deputies after allegedly firing at an officer during a wellness check on January 13, 2023. According to a lawsuit his family filed after his death, Mitchell was allegedly mistreated at the jail for days. On January 26, 2023, he lost consciousness, and police took him to a nearby hospital, where he later died. A coroners report indicated that the 33-year-olds death was the result of hypothermia, as well as sepsis and medical neglect.

At the end of the day, the buck stops at the desk of the sheriff and hes responsible for keeping his house in order, and his house is in disarray. It is causing the loss of life, it is causing abuse, it is causing the dehumanization of no telling how many more inmates. Because Tony cannot be a one-off situation, said Cagle.

The Walker County Sheriffs Office maintained that Mitchell had been conscious at the time he was taken to the hospital, but leaked footage from the jail showed him being carried out by deputies at the time.

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According to Johnsons guilty plea agreement, Johnson and her co-conspirators kept Mitchell from access to medical care. Johnson admitted to hearing members of the jail staff talking trash about Mitchell, saying He should have been killed instead of being brought to the jail and He gets what he gets for shooting at cops.

According to the agreement, Johnson neither corrected her co-conspirators nor gave Mitchell medical access on her own.

Johnsons plea agreement can be read below:

Megan-Johnson-Plea-AgreementDownload

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
President-elect Donald Trump has said repeatedly that he will invoke the Insurrection Act so the American military can round up migrants for his program of mass deportations and suppress political protests.

In his first term, Trump wondered aloud why soldiers couldnt just shoot Black Lives Matter protesters, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper said. And, of course, the Supreme Court has given the president carte blanche to break the law with impunity.

So why should anyone doubt that Trump would use an agency like the IRS to punish his perceived political enemies, stripping groups of their tax-exempt status by falsely claiming they support terrorist organizations?

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Read more: Abcarian: How could voters choose both Trump and AOC? Pay attention, Democrats

The House is expected to vote on a bill this week that would give Trumps treasury secretary virtually unfettered discretion to declare that a nonprofit group is a terrorist-supporting organization and revoke its tax-exempt status. Last week the bill failed to garner the two-thirds majority required to pass in an expedited vote. This time it could pass with a simple majority vote on the floor.

Never mind that it is already a federal crime to provide material support to terrorist groups. But criminal charges, as you know, involve pesky issues like evidence and due process. This would be a purely subjective exercise, executed at the treasury secretary's whim.

The Department of Treasury would not have to file criminal charges, but would subject nonprofits to an administrative process and then the courts, said Robert McCaw, the government affairs department director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the countrys largest Muslim civil liberties organization. By then, the damage would be done.

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Donors would not want to be associated with the word terrorist and the costs of taking a fight to the courts would plunge most nonprofits into what American Civil Liberties Union Senior Counsel Kia Hamadanchy described as a death spiral.

And that, of course, is the point.

This bill aims to punish groups that advocate for Palestinian rights. Republicans have already called for the IRS to investigate stripping the tax-exempt status of several such groups. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith recently accused eight nonprofits of subsidizing illegal activity on college campuses and beyond and potentially providing support to terrorist organizations overseas.

In a recent social media post, House Speaker Mike Johnson tagged some of the groups  including Jewish Voice for Peace, the Alliance for Global Justice and Islamic Relief USA. Your tax exempt status should be revoked immediately, he wrote.

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In response, around 100 national, regional and state civil rights groups sent a letter to Johnson and Smith, accusing the pair of a blatant abuse of authority stemming from your personal discomfort with their constitutionally protected First Amendment activities  political speech, organizing, and protests by American Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, and Jewish groups.

Its not just those sorts of groups who should be worried. After initially supporting the legislation, many Democrats belatedly became aware that it could enable the worst impulses of a new Trump administration.

Read more: Abcarian: Think Donald Trump isn't really serious about being a dictator? Think again

This bill basically authorizes him to impose a death penalty on any nonprofit in America or any civil society group that happens to be on his enemies list and claim that theyre a terrorist, Texas Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett told the Washington Post last week. Whether its a hospital performing an abortion, a community news outlet that he doesnt think is giving him sufficient attention, or basically anyone, certainly groups that might be trying to assist migrants in this country.

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Unfortunately, the bill also contains a worthy provision that is supported by legislators on both sides of the aisle. It would allow the IRS to make sure that Americans who have been taken hostage  as happened in Gaza  or who have been wrongfully detained by a foreign government do not incur penalties for late tax payments while in captivity.

This is why it carries the cumbersome name The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. And why its critics say it is a dangerous policy change hidden inside a bill that at first blush seems innocuous.

They attached it to a super popular bill that everyone likes because they want to make it hard for people to vote no, the ACLUs Hamadanchy told the Intercept. The reality is that if they really wanted the hostage thing to become law, theyd pass that by itself.

Attacks on civil society groups are a hallmark of authoritarian regimes around the globe.

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As our country faces the next four years with a president determined to have his way by whatever means necessary, with a legislative branch poised to do his bidding and a Supreme Court unlikely to put any sort of checks on his power, we must find ways to limit his worst impulses, not enable them.

Killing this bill would be a good place to start.

Bluesky: @rabcarian.bsky.social. Threads: @rabcarian

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.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Abilenes dog park is going to reopen before Thanksgiving in a new location!

Abilene City Council reluctant to approve $1 million dog park relocation

November 26 at 2:00 p.m. marks opening day for Camp Barkeley, now located at 610 ES 11th Street near Cal Young Park by the Pet Adoption and Resource Center, which recently opened and replaced Abilenes previous animal shelter.

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Camp Barkeley was relocated from Grover Nelson park, and the new location will have additional features such as more shade and a dog washing station.

All Kind moves animals to new facility ahead of grand opening

The relocation cost the City of Abilene $1 million, which was allocated from the citys minor improvement fund after receiving city council approval.

Admission to Camp Barkeley is free!

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
TEHRAN, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Iran's First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref and visiting Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev on Wednesday discussed ways to expand economic ties and cooperation, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA.

Numerous capacities exist for the further development of bilateral economic ties, which could increase trade transactions between the two countries, Aref was quoted by IRNA as saying. He added that previously-reached bilateral agreements should be implemented to that end.

Iran attaches great importance to long-term and all-out cooperation with Russia, Aref said, stressing that the two countries are determined to improve bilateral ties to the highest level.

He also underscored the importance of constant consultations between both sides given the current circumstances in the West Asia region and the world.

Noting that there are numerous areas for expanding and deepening bilateral cooperation, Tsivilev said meetings between high-ranking officials of both sides would help facilitate and deepen bilateral economic ties.

Iran and Russia, both under U.S. sanctions, have recently expanded their political and economic relations, particularly in the banking sector, as part of efforts to counter U.S. restrictions. 
If the Senate goes along with President-elect Donald Trump's pick, then financier Howard Lutnick will be the next secretary of the Department of Commerce.

He should also be the last.

On Tuesday, Trump nominated Lutnick, a personal friend with deep ties to Wall Street who is also co-chairing Trump's transition effort. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said Lutnick would "will lead our Tariff and Trade agenda," and Politico notes that Lutnick has been a defender of Trump's plans to impose across-the-board tariffs. During an appearance on CNBC in September, Lutnick spelled it out clearly, saying "we should put tariffs on stuff we make and not put tariffs on stuff we don't make."

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In other words, Lutnick aims to make it more difficult and expensive for many American businesses and consumers to engage in commerce, the very thing that he's supposed to be overseeing. That contradiction reflects the Commerce Department's own confused statusan amalgamation of programs and agencies that often have little to do with the exchange of goods and services, or seem determined to make the process more complicated than it needs to be.

Commerce, after all, is something that happens spontaneously, without government approval or direction. Americans are very good at commerce, and that has nothing to do with the fact that the federal government spends $121 billion on a department named after that activity. If the Commerce Department ceased existing tomorrow, we would still buy and sell things as if nothing had changed.

In fact, we'd probably buy and sell more things. As Lutnick seems keenly aware, one of the chief roles of the Commerce Department is to find quasi-economic rationales for the imposition of tariffs and other trade barriers. During Trump's first term, it was the Commerce Department that cooked up the flawed studies explaining why steel and aluminum imports were a national security threat. The administration tried unsuccessfully to hide an even more embarrassing report claiming foreign-made cars were a threat too (thankfully those tariffs were never imposed).

If the president wants to impose economically damaging tariffs, he has that powerthanks to poor decisions by Congress. What we don't need is an army of taxpayer-funded bureaucrats churning out reports that justify those delusions. Shut it down.

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One might suspect that a large part of the Commerce Department's portfolio would be focused on protecting Americans' right to engage in commerce without undue coercion. That's not true, because that role is already filled by other governmental entities. If someone lies or cheats or commits fraud during a business transactionand if for some reason the judicial branch couldn't solve the matter, which it probably wouldthen it would be the Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission that would get involved on behalf of the aggrieved party.

So what does the Commerce Department do, besides tariffs? If you go to its website, you'll learn that "the department has one overarching goal: Improve America's Economic Competitiveness." (The best way to achieve that goal would be to tax American businesses less than similar businesses in other parts of the world, but current Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is an advocate for higher corporate taxesso she's failing by her own metrics.)

If you care to dig further, you'll find that there are five "strategic goals" below this main objective. They manage, somehow, to be even more vapid. One promises to foster "equitable economic growth." Another ensures "21st Century Service with 21st Century Capabilities." And only 20-some years into the century! Great work, guys, this is totally worth $120 billion annually.

It's a good bet that Lutnick will scrap some of that rhetorical nonsense when he gets the new gig. It would be better for Congress to shut the whole thing down.

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In fairness, there are two big parts of the Commerce Department that seem worth savingand one of them should never have been in this department in the first place, so moving them around the federal organizational chart shouldn't be too difficult.

The first is the Census Bureau, which is charged with performing the (constitutionally mandated) once-per-decade counting of Americans and also performs a variety of other data-related tasks. It could be spun off as an independent agency, which might also give the Bureau a bit more independence to avoid politically motivated mandates regarding how it counts heads.

The second is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which forecasts the weather and charts the oceans. The NOAA could be downsized considerably since the private sector is more than capable of doing most of its work these days. What remains should be relocated to the Department of the Interior, where it obviously belongsand where it would be if not for the fact that President Richard Nixon was mad at Interior Secretary Wally Hickel for criticizing the Vietnam War. No, that's really the reason.

The Commerce Department makes little sense, and abolishing it isn't even that radical of an idea. During his tenure, President Barack Obama (no champion of smaller government) called for downsizing and reorganizing the department so it could be focused more narrowly on trade policy. That would be a fine compromise todayone that would allow Trump and Luknick to trim some unnecessary agencies, relocate the NOAA and Census Bureau, and still pursue their (albeit misguided) tariff agenda.

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Reports this week suggest that Lutnick landed in the catbird seat at the Commerce Department after losing an intense internal battle for the gig he really wanted: Treasury Secretary. Some of Trump's top allies, including Elon Musk and Robert Kennedy, Jr., wanted Lutnick to get that post. "The fight over Treasury secretary has become a proxy battle over the direction of Trump's term, with Bessent emerging as the clear favorite among some who prefer a more steady approach and Lutnick winning the backing of many of Trump's more die-hard supporters," The Wall Street Journal reported.

But the Commerce Department ought not to be a consolation prize. Indeed, the Commerce Department ought not to exist at all.

The post Abolish the Commerce Department appeared first on Reason.com.
Students wait for a bus outside Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago. Teen birth rates have been falling for decades, but abortion bans threaten to undo that progress, experts say. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Houston OB-GYN Dr. Hillary Boswell says she has seen how abortion bans affect teenage girls: More of them are carrying their pregnancies to term.

These are vulnerable girls, and its just heartbreaking to see the number of pregnant 13-year-olds Ive had to take care of, Boswell said, referring to the change since Texas prohibited abortions after six weeks in September 2021. In June 2022, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Texas enacted a total abortion ban.

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They would come in, and they would be very distressed, said Boswell, who spent the past decade treating underserved women and girls at community health clinics. Not being able to help them get an abortion when they wanted one, she said, was so hard  and so against everything that I trained for.

In the year after Texas began implementing its six-week abortion ban, teen fertility rates in the state rose for the first time in 15 years, according to a study released earlier this year by the University of Houston.

Overall, the increase in teen fertility in Texas was slight: only 0.39%. But the University of Houston researchers said the change was significant, because it reversed a 15-year trend and because the national teen fertility rate declined during the same period. They also noted that the increases were larger for Hispanic teens (1.2%) and Black teens (0.5%), while the rate for white teens declined by 0.5%.

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So far, the Texas data is the first evidence that abortion bans might lead to an increase in teen births. But as abortion restrictions have spread post-Roe  13 states now have total bans  some providers and other experts predict that other states will see increases. If so, the nations nearly 30-year trend of declining teen births could be in jeopardy.

Boswell and other providers note that teens are having a harder time accessing contraception and abortions  and they fear the incoming Trump administration could make it even more challenging for teens, whose pregnancies are riskier and who disproportionately sought abortions before the Supreme Court overturned Roe.

In a lot of ways, Texas is sort of a microcosm of what were going to see in other parts of the country, said Dr. Bianca Allison, a pediatrician and assistant professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Historically, it has always felt like young people  those who are minors but of reproductive potential  are left out of the conversation of reproductive autonomy and rights.

Access to pills

People seeking abortions have been relying on the broader availability of telehealth for medication abortions, which now account for nearly two-thirds of all abortions. The number of abortions in the U.S. has increased since the fall of Roe, largely because more people are using the easier-to-access method, according to the Society of Family Planning.

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But the Trump administration could make it harder to procure the pills by reversing a current U.S. Food and Drug Administration policy that allows them to be sent through the mail. 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 medication.

States also could require in-person physician visits for abortion medication, effectively barring patients from accessing it via telemedicine.

And Louisiana last month began classifying mifepristone and misoprostol  the two medications used in nonsurgical abortions  as controlled substances, making it a crime to possess them without a prescription. A Texas state lawmaker has proposed similar legislation in his state.

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I would absolutely predict that we will see a reversal in our progress of reducing teen pregnancies, said developmental psychologist Julie Maslowsky, an associate professor at the University of Michigan who studies adolescent reproductive and sexual health.

If someone does not want to be pregnant, they should have all the options available to them to prevent pregnancy, Maslowsky said. And the majority of teens do not desire a pregnancy.

Teenage girls tend to have less money, less access to transportation and less independence than adult women. That makes it harder for them to cross state lines for abortion care, or to obtain and pay for abortion medication. A medication abortion can cost as much as $800, according to Planned Parenthood.

Many teens have trouble ordering abortion medication online because they dont have credit or debit cards or a safe place where the pills can be mailed, said Rosann Mariappuram, senior reproductive rights policy counsel at the State Innovation Exchange, a nonprofit that advocates for progressive policies. Abortion funds that help people who cant afford the care have been struggling to keep up with demand.

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Thirty-six states require parental consent or notification before a minor can get an abortion, creating another barrier. And teens are more likely to have irregular menstrual cycles, which makes them less likely to notice a missed period. Overall, about a fourth of women might not realize theyre pregnant at six weeks, which is the gestational time limit for abortions in Florida, Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina.

It's just heartbreaking to see the number of pregnant 13-year-olds I've had to take care of in the last three to four years.

 Dr. Hillary Boswell, Houston OB-GYN

In addition, a law in Texas that went into effect in April mandates that family planning clinics get parental consent for minors seeking birth control. Lawmakers in Oklahoma and Indiana have argued that IUDs and emergency contraceptives are types of abortions, and thus should not be covered by insurance or shouldnt be available, said Mariappuram.

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That conflation of contraceptives with abortion care is just evidence that theyre coming for contraception, she said.

Health risks, diminished prospects

Teenage girls from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to become pregnant. There have been persistent racial disparities in the national teen birth rate, with rates at least twice as high among Black, Hispanic and Native American girls. And while the average age of a girls first menstrual period has been declining for all girls, the trend is particularly pronounced among racial minorities.

These downstream impacts [of abortion restrictions] are not the same for everyone, said Mayra Pineda-Torres, an assistant professor of economics at Georgia Tech who specializes in gender and inequality. The reality is that, still, there is a racial component here that may be exacerbating racial inequalities or this inability to access abortion services.

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Teenage motherhood often derails a girls education and diminishes her long-term financial prospects. And pregnancy poses particular health risks for teens: They are more likely to experience serious complications, including blood pressure-related disorders such as preeclampsia, and their babies are more likely to be born underweight. For those reasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics says teens should have access to legal abortion care.

But to abortion opponents, teen pregnancies and births are preferable to teen abortions. Joe Pojman, founder and executive director of the Texas Alliance for Life, said the state has programs designed to help families, including teen parents, take care of their children.

[The program] teaches them a variety of things, like how to manage a budget, how to apply for a job, how to basically make that child self-sufficient to be able to function, Pojman told Stateline.

We dont want to encourage a child to be responsible for taking the life of her own unborn child, he said.

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Last month, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit with fellow Republican attorneys general in Kansas and Idaho that asked a Texas judge to order the FDA to reinstate restrictions on mifepristone. They argued that lower teen birth rates harmed their states by shrinking their population, costing them federal money and congressional representation.

But some studies suggest the opposite. The federal government cites research showing that teen pregnancy costs taxpayers about $11 billion per year because it leads to more public spending on health care and foster care, higher incarceration rates of teen parents children, and lower levels of education and income.

Pregnancy is not benign, said Allison, the North Carolina pediatrician. Its not a joyful, welcome thing for a lot of people across the country.

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Students wait for a bus outside Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago. Teen birth rates have been falling for decades, but abortion bans threaten to undo that progress, experts say. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Houston OB-GYN Dr. Hillary Boswell says she has seen how abortion bans affect teenage girls: More of them are carrying their pregnancies to term.

These are vulnerable girls, and its just heartbreaking to see the number of pregnant 13-year-olds Ive had to take care of, Boswell said, referring to the change since Texas prohibited abortions after six weeks in September 2021. In June 2022, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Texas enacted a total abortion ban.

Advertisement Advertisement

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They would come in, and they would be very distressed, said Boswell, who spent the past decade treating underserved women and girls at community health clinics. Not being able to help them get an abortion when they wanted one, she said, was so hard  and so against everything that I trained for.

In the year after Texas began implementing its six-week abortion ban, teen fertility rates in the state rose for the first time in 15 years, according to a study released earlier this year by the University of Houston.

Overall, the increase in teen fertility in Texas was slight: only 0.39%. But the University of Houston researchers said the change was significant, because it reversed a 15-year trend and because the national teen fertility rate declined during the same period. They also noted that the increases were larger for Hispanic teens (1.2%) and Black teens (0.5%), while the rate for white teens declined by 0.5%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

So far, the Texas data is the first evidence that abortion bans might lead to an increase in teen births. But as abortion restrictions have spread post-Roe  13 states now have total bans  some providers and other experts predict that other states will see increases. If so, the nations nearly 30-year trend of declining teen births could be in jeopardy.

Boswell and other providers note that teens are having a harder time accessing contraception and abortions  and they fear the incoming Trump administration could make it even more challenging for teens, whose pregnancies are riskier and who disproportionately sought abortions before the Supreme Court overturned Roe.

In a lot of ways, Texas is sort of a microcosm of what were going to see in other parts of the country, said Dr. Bianca Allison, a pediatrician and assistant professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Historically, it has always felt like young people  those who are minors but of reproductive potential  are left out of the conversation of reproductive autonomy and rights.

Access to pills

People seeking abortions have been relying on the broader availability of telehealth for medication abortions, which now account for nearly two-thirds of all abortions. The number of abortions in the U.S. has increased since the fall of Roe, largely because more people are using the easier-to-access method, according to the Society of Family Planning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

But the Trump administration could make it harder to procure the pills by reversing a current U.S. Food and Drug Administration policy that allows them to be sent through the mail. 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 medication.

States also could require in-person physician visits for abortion medication, effectively barring patients from accessing it via telemedicine.

And Louisiana last month began classifying mifepristone and misoprostol  the two medications used in nonsurgical abortions  as controlled substances, making it a crime to possess them without a prescription. A Texas state lawmaker has proposed similar legislation in his state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

I would absolutely predict that we will see a reversal in our progress of reducing teen pregnancies, said developmental psychologist Julie Maslowsky, an associate professor at the University of Michigan who studies adolescent reproductive and sexual health.

If someone does not want to be pregnant, they should have all the options available to them to prevent pregnancy, Maslowsky said. And the majority of teens do not desire a pregnancy.

Teenage girls tend to have less money, less access to transportation and less independence than adult women. That makes it harder for them to cross state lines for abortion care, or to obtain and pay for abortion medication. A medication abortion can cost as much as $800, according to Planned Parenthood.

Many teens have trouble ordering abortion medication online because they dont have credit or debit cards or a safe place where the pills can be mailed, said Rosann Mariappuram, senior reproductive rights policy counsel at the State Innovation Exchange, a nonprofit that advocates for progressive policies. Abortion funds that help people who cant afford the care have been struggling to keep up with demand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thirty-six states require parental consent or notification before a minor can get an abortion, creating another barrier. And teens are more likely to have irregular menstrual cycles, which makes them less likely to notice a missed period. Overall, about a fourth of women might not realize theyre pregnant at six weeks, which is the gestational time limit for abortions in Florida, Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina.

It's just heartbreaking to see the number of pregnant 13-year-olds I've had to take care of in the last three to four years.

 Dr. Hillary Boswell, Houston OB-GYN

In addition, a law in Texas that went into effect in April mandates that family planning clinics get parental consent for minors seeking birth control. Lawmakers in Oklahoma and Indiana have argued that IUDs and emergency contraceptives are types of abortions, and thus should not be covered by insurance or shouldnt be available, said Mariappuram.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

That conflation of contraceptives with abortion care is just evidence that theyre coming for contraception, she said.

Health risks, diminished prospects

Teenage girls from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to become pregnant. There have been persistent racial disparities in the national teen birth rate, with rates at least twice as high among Black, Hispanic and Native American girls. And while the average age of a girls first menstrual period has been declining for all girls, the trend is particularly pronounced among racial minorities.

These downstream impacts [of abortion restrictions] are not the same for everyone, said Mayra Pineda-Torres, an assistant professor of economics at Georgia Tech who specializes in gender and inequality. The reality is that, still, there is a racial component here that may be exacerbating racial inequalities or this inability to access abortion services.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Teenage motherhood often derails a girls education and diminishes her long-term financial prospects. And pregnancy poses particular health risks for teens: They are more likely to experience serious complications, including blood pressure-related disorders such as preeclampsia, and their babies are more likely to be born underweight. For those reasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics says teens should have access to legal abortion care.

But to abortion opponents, teen pregnancies and births are preferable to teen abortions. Joe Pojman, founder and executive director of the Texas Alliance for Life, said the state has programs designed to help families, including teen parents, take care of their children.

[The program] teaches them a variety of things, like how to manage a budget, how to apply for a job, how to basically make that child self-sufficient to be able to function, Pojman told Stateline.

We dont want to encourage a child to be responsible for taking the life of her own unborn child, he said.

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Last month, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit with fellow Republican attorneys general in Kansas and Idaho that asked a Texas judge to order the FDA to reinstate restrictions on mifepristone. They argued that lower teen birth rates harmed their states by shrinking their population, costing them federal money and congressional representation.

But some studies suggest the opposite. The federal government cites research showing that teen pregnancy costs taxpayers about $11 billion per year because it leads to more public spending on health care, foster care, incarceration rates of teen parents children, and lower education and income.

Pregnancy is not benign, said Allison, the North Carolina pediatrician. Its not a joyful, welcome thing for a lot of people across the country.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.
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. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)

Widespread support for abortion rights continued to defy partisan labels in the Nov. 5 election, 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.

Voters in seven states  including deep-red Missouri and Montana  chose to protect or expand access to abortion through ballot initiatives.

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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 currently 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 impact of the new ballot measures.

Supporters of the Missouri measure anticipate continued opposition. Mallory Schwartz, the 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.

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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.

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.

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We are in a position where even if your state has passed great legislation, the actual, tangible access to medication abortion might be harder.

 Nourbese Flint, president of the abortion-rights group All* In Action Fund

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.

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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.

The Trump administration also could reverse a current 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.

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In addition to reliably red Missouri and Montana, voters on Tuesday also 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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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Missouri state Rep. Brian Seitz, a Republican, told Stateline in July that he plans to introduce a fetal personhood bill in the upcoming 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.

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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.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.
Senate Democrats have confirmed some of President Joe Bidens picks for the federal bench this week in the face of President-elect Donald Trumps calls for a total GOP blockade of judicial nominations  in part because several Republicans involved with the Trump transition process have been missing votes.

Conservative activists blasted Republicans failure to show up for the votes, prompting a since-deleted, defensive social media post Tuesday by Vice President-elect JD Vance, an Ohio Republican senator who was at Trumps Florida resort during a significant Monday evening confirmation.

The Senate approved Embry Kidd for the 11th Circuit, an appeals court overseeing the southeast where GOP-appointees make up a narrow majority of the judges. The 49-45 vote was essentially party line, with independent Sen. Joe Manchin voting with Republicans against the nomination. Five Republicans  including Vance and Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, who was also at Mar-a-Lago on Monday as he is being considered for Trumps Cabinet  were absent, as was Democratic Sen. John Fetterman.

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Trump earlier this month had urged Senate Republicans not to allow any judicial confirmations in the final weeks of the Biden administration while the upper chamber was under Democratic control. Republicans have made the confirmation process more time-consuming for Democrats by slow-rolling procedural votes, but have not been able to block the nominees outright when members of their caucus werent there.

Carrie Severino  who leads the Judicial Crisis Network, which advocates for conservative judicial nominees  said in a social media post after Kidds confirmation said that it was critical that Senate Republicans show up to make this more difficult and to try to block these radicals from being confirmed.

Vance, in a post on X that he later deleted, called another critic, Grace Chong, who is CFO of Steve Bannons podcast organization, a mouth breathing imbecile after she brought attention to his absence. The tweet also revealed that Trump was planning to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray, though FBI directors have traditionally stayed on even when the White House changes party control to avoid the perception of partisan influence.

When this 11th Circuit vote happened, I was meeting with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including FBI Director, Vance said, while arguing that Democrats would have still confirmed the nominee  even if all Republicans were there  by getting Fetterman to show up to the vote.

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Vances office did not respond to CNNs inquiry.

Since then, other judicial nominees have been able to clear pivotal votes because not enough Republicans were present to block them.

On Tuesday, with several GOP senators including Vance absent, the Senate approved two district court nominees who faced united Republican opposition.

One of those nominees, Sarah Russell, who was selected for Connecticuts federal trial court, was confirmed with just 50 votes, with Manchin voting against her. Had the six absent Republicans been present and voted no, its likely the nomination would have failed.

Hours before the vote, Vice President Kamala Harris departed DC for a weeklong trip to Hawaii, depriving Democrats of their tiebreaker. Two of the missing Republicans, Sens. Hagerty and Ted Cruz of Texas, were with Trump to watch a SpaceX launch on Tuesday in Texas.

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Neither Cruzs nor Hagertys responded to CNNs inquiries.

Several of the missing Republicans  which also included Sen. Marco Rubio, Trumps pick for secretary of state  were back in the chamber Wednesday. But with Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana absent and Cruz also missing for some of the procedural votes, Democrats have been able to confirm two more nominees: Rebecca Pennell, for the US District Court in the Eastern District of Washington, and Amir Ali, for DCs federal trial court.

(Manchin has typically, but not always, voted against any nominee that doesnt have GOP support. He supported Ali, but independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema voted against the DC district court nominee.)

Brauns office did not respond to CNNs inquiry. Montana GOP Sen. Steve Daines, meanwhile, who was missing from the Monday vote on Embry but has participated in votes since, has explained that his Monday arrival in DC was delayed by multiple flight issues.

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Trump took to social media again on Wednesday to complain about the absences, writing Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line  No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day!

During the lame duck session after Trumps first term, the Senate confirmed 14 of his judicial nominees, among them, US District Judge Aileen Cannon, who dismissed special counsel Jack Smiths classified documents case against the former president.

The tightwire over attendance shows the high stakes with which every judgeship is viewed.

When Trump retakes the White House next year, he will inherit far fewer vacancies than he did at the beginning of his first term. Then, he started with more than 100 judicial vacancies, in large part because of GOP tactics when it controlled the upper chamber at the end of President Barack Obamas administration. Even if no other Biden-appointed judge is confirmed, Trump will start his second term with a number of openings that is fewer than half of that previous number.

CNNs Alyana Treene, Kristen Holmes, Betsy Klein and Devan Cole contributed to this report.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY)  The Louisiana Department of Education released its 2023-24 performance scores for the states public schools and systems Wednesday, and several Acadiana districts showed improvement over last year.

Statewide, Louisiana has achieved its highest national rankings ever, moving from 46th to 40th on the U.S. News & World Report Best States ranking.

Each year, the state gives schools and districts numerical scores and letter grades based on student test scores, graduation rates and course offerings.

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In Acadiana, Iberia, Jeff Davis, Lafayette, St. Martin and St. Mary parishes all improved their school performance scores from 2023.

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Vermilion Parish attained the areas only A grade, with a score of 90.3, but that was down from 91.1 in 2023.

LPSS is one of only four districts among Louisianas 64 parishes to achieve consistent growth every year since 2019. The district received a B in 2024, now 2.5 index points away from attaining an A classification. Other highlights include:

LPSS is tied as the #1 Large School System (more than 29,000 students) in the state.

The Early College Academy ranks as the #1 school in the state.

17 schools increased their SPS numerical score.

29 schools achieved the Top Gains Honoree designation, awarded to schools with a progress index score above 90.

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We are incredibly proud of the consistent growth across Lafayette Parish, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, the strong leadership within our schools, the meaningful contributions of our support staff, and the steadfast commitment of our central office team, said Lafayette Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr. By being present in classrooms, offering feedback, and delivering targeted instructional support, we ensure that every student can succeed. Together, we are truly Experiencing the Difference in education.

Lafayette Parish School System gets final recommendations for school closures

St. Martin Parish saw the biggest year-over-year improvement in the area, goping from a C to a B with a score of 72.8 to 76.6.

The St. Landry Parish School Board had the lowest score in the area, but saw several improvements in school performance scores across the district.

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Seven schools saw a rise in letter grades

Eleven schools have earned a progress Index of an A

Three schools have achieved Opportunity Honoree status, scoring in the 90th percentile or higher in one or more of the following subpopulations: English Learners, Economically Disadvantaged, and/or Special Education.

We are excited to celebrate the hard-earned accomplishments of the schools that improved their letter grades, those recognized as top gains schools, our opportunity honorees, and those schools that have demonstrated growth, said St. Landry Superintendent Milton Batiste. This achievement reflects the dedication and perseverance of our teachers, staff, students, and families. I have no doubt that this is only the beginning of a phenomenal instructional shift for our district.

The St. Mary Parish School System district performance score of 82.6 showed a growth of two points over the previous score of 80.6 and is higher than the state average of 80.2. Other highlights include:

Julia B. Maitland Elementary and Wyandotte Elementary improved by 15 points and 11.2 points, respectively.

85.7% of the students in the St. Mary Parish School System are attending schools rated A, B or C.

The district saw four A schools, Franklin High (98.2), Patterson High (95.8), Berwick High (95.1) and West St. Mary High (93.1).

Ten schools in the St. Mary Parish School System have earned the prestigious Top Gains designation

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We are deeply grateful to all stakeholders in St. Mary Parish, said Superintendent Buffy

Fegenbush. The collective effort and dedication to improving student outcomes are

clearly reflected in our gains. While a single letter grade or score doesnt fully capture a

schools success, we will use this data to provide targeted support to schools that showed

any decline. We recognize there is still work to be done. These scores, combined with the

research-based instructional strategies being implemented district-wide, will guide our

ongoing efforts to ensure sustained improvement.

Here are the letter grades and district performance scores, and the 2023 scores for comparison, for districts in Acadiana:

District Letter Grade Performance score 2023 score State Average B 80.2 78.5 Acadia Parish B 80 81.2 Evangeline Parish B 78.2 78.3 Iberia Parish B 80.4 80.3 Jeff Davis Parish B 86.8 86.7 Lafayette Parish B 87.5 87.3 St. Landry Parish C 72.9 73.1 St. Martin Parish B 76.6 72.8 St. Mary Parish B 82.8 80.8 Vermilion Parish A 90.3 91.1

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  The accused bagman in a multi-million international scheme that targeted a local victim was in federal court this week to enter a plea.

Read next: Why the Steelers/Browns game wont be on local TV on Thursday

Yash Raval pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering conspiracy in connection to an FBI case that has multiple victims across the country.

Raval is connected to a Salem case where he was sent to pick up money from the victim who was fraudulently convinced to hand over money to scammers after getting a fake computer virus popup on his computer, according to court records.

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The investigation began in November 2023, when the Salem mans bank notified the FBI that he may be the victim of fraud and elder abuse when the man wanted to take $50,000 out of his account, after already withdrawing $61,000 over a short period of time.

The FBI talked with the man who told them that in August 2023, he got what he thought was a Microsoft security alert on his computer and the screen froze with a number to call. The man called the number and the scheme began to extort money from the victim, with Raval being sent to the mans house to pick up the money, court records state.

The FBI learned that the mastermind behind the scheme was Shreyas Baldevbhai Chaudhary, 24, of India, who they said used Raval as his bag man. Chaudhary pleaded not guilty earlier this month.

Both men are being held in federal custody pending trial. No further court dates are listed for either defendant.

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So far, victims have been identified in California, Washington, New York and Maryland.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The man accused of burglarizing more than 30 Las Vegas valley businesses, mainly in the Chinatown area, works as a welder and allegedly stole more than $200,000 over several months.

The 8 News Now Investigators first identified Cedric Hasan, 34, as the suspect in the rash of burglaries reported since June. Las Vegas Metro police arrested Hasan at a North Las Vegas home on Tuesday, the department announced.

It is clearly the same person, prosecutors said during Hasans initial court appearance Wednesday.

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After serving prison time on a 2019 burglary charge, Hasan became a welder through the Hope for Prisoners program, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Hasans cellphone was tracked to several of the burglarized businesses. In all, they allege he stole $213,000 and caused tens of thousands of dollars in damages. They asked Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Rebecca Saxe to set bail at $2.5 million. Hasans court-appointed attorney requested $10,000.

Saxe set bail at $500,000 with the stipulation he wears a GPS monitoring bracelet should he post bond.

Metro police said the person who burglarized 34 businesses is Cedric Hasan, 34. (LVMPD)

Hasan also faces burglary and theft charges connected to a Nov. 10 incident in North Las Vegas, records said.

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In that case, police responded to a burglary call on Centennial Parkway near Commerce Street for a report from an alarm company that an alarm was powered down and they caught hear banging and rattling, documents said.

Responding officers then saw a man, later identified as Hasan, running from the business.

Hasans criminal history involving burglaries dates back to 2010, records said. He previously served prison time for burglary. It was not immediately clear when he was last released from custody, though he awaited trial in jail beginning in 2019 before taking a plea deal on burglary 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 KLAS.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  President-elect Donald Trump signaled he plans to use military assets to carry out mass deportations, though his allies said the deportations will start with violent criminals.

At the Capitol on Tuesday, a group of activists and members of Congress urged President Joe Biden to take action before he leaves office.

Were very concerned that were going to have a lot of families that are essentially left orphaned, said Julietta Lopez from the Hispanic Federation.

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The group called on President Biden to grant temporary protected status to undocumented migrants from Ecuador. The move allows migrants to stay and work in the U.S., legally, if their homelands are considered unsafe.

We agree being undocumented is a problem, said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). But our solution, instead of turning the military on our own people, is to document them.

Republican lawmakers, meantime, keyed in on children crossing the border alone.

The Biden-Harris Administrations crisis at the border has led to trafficked, missing and exploited children, said Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) at a hearing on Tuesday.

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Department of Homeland Security statistics show between October 2023 and August 2024, 103,474 children crossed the border illegally, by themselves. An Inspector General report from the Department of Homeland Security said between FY 2019-2023, 32,000 unaccompanied children didnt show up for their immigration hearings, which is how federal authorities can verify their health and safety.

Democrats said they would work with Republican leadership in Congress and the White House on immigration, where they can.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Adams Funeral Services and Saint Philip AME Church are partnering up to hold their Second Annual Thankful Turkey Giveaway with All the Trimmings.

The giveaway will take place on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at noon at Saint Philip AME Church, located at 613 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Savannah, Ga.

They said that 100 turkeys with all the trimmings will be distributed to those in need, on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Dancing into Christmas: One Spirit Dance Academy announces recital

The Adams family said they are thrilled to bring this tradition back for a second year, with hopes of continuing and expanding the initiative in the future.

We believe in community support and involvement, co-owner of Adams Funeral Services Amari Adams said. This event is our way of expressing thankfulness and giving back to the community we hold dear.

The family said that this event represents a commitment between Adams Funeral Services and Saint Philip AME Church to support people in need, especially during the holiday season.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
MANILA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos said on Wednesday that Indonesia has agreed to repatriate a convicted Filipino woman who has been sentenced to death for drug smuggling.

Marcos said that the Filipino convict, Mary Jane Veloso, will soon return to the Philippines after 14 years of languishing in Indonesian jail, and that she will remain in prison in the Philippines.

"After over a decade of diplomacy and consultations with the Indonesian government, we managed to delay her execution long enough to reach an agreement to finally bring her back to the Philippines," Marcos said in a social media post.

Manila had consistently appealed to Jakarta for Veloso's pardon, commutation of sentence and extradition, so she could serve her sentence in the Philippines.

Veloso was arrested in Indonesia's Yogyakarta in 2010 after she was caught carrying a suitcase containing over 2.6 kg of heroin. An Indonesian court meted Veloso a death sentence in the same year. 
The proposed rules  and the process surrounding them  have drawn steady criticism. (Dana Wormald | New Hampshire Bulletin)

North Country advocates are asking a legislative committee to object to the Department of Environmental Services proposed updates to its landfill rules, arguing they arent protective enough and were overly shaped by industry interests.

The Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules will hear the proposed rules, among a number of other items, at a public meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday in rooms 210/211 of the Legislative Office Building in Concord. It will also be livestreamed on YouTube. The members will decide on a majority vote whether to issue an approval, conditional approval, or preliminary objection to the proposal.

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The proposed rules  and the process surrounding them  have drawn criticism at several turns. They set minimum standards for where landfills can be put and how theyre designed, built, managed, and closed, and must be updated every decade. The rules attracted special attention due to the pending permit applications from Casella Waste Systems to build a new landfill in the tiny northern town of Dalton, not far from the Vermont-based companys existing landfill in Bethlehem that racked up hundreds of permit violations within a year.

DES did not respond to requests for comment for this article, but it argued in documents submitted to JLCAR that the updated rules benefit the regulated industry by clarifying certain requirements, and the public and the environment by enhancing the siting requirements for new landfills. The agency pointed to new design requirements that it says will safeguard the environment from potential releases and make landfills resilient to weather impacts from climate change.

For months, DES and critics of its proposal have cast the updates in starkly different light. Critics have argued the proposed rules  even after tweaks following the departments review of public comments  are far too weak and that the solid waste industry had too much say in crafting them. Adam Finkel, a Dalton resident who spent years as the chief rule writer at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, urged JLCAR in the strongest possible terms to return these rules to DES for a complete restart and rewrite.

The proposed-final NH DES landfill rules , Finkel wrote in a letter, offer the most unscientific, unprotective, biased, and captured regulatory language I have seen in 37 years of writing federal and state environmental rules, advising more than a dozen state and local environmental agencies, and co-directing the largest study ever (at the University of Pennsylvania Law School) of how environmental agencies worldwide succeed or fail at the core tasks of listening, learning, and leading.

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He is not alone in his opposition. The citizen group North Country Alliance for Balanced Change, which has advocated against the new landfill and for more protective landfill standards, sent a 500-page letter to JLCAR outlining its critiques of the rules and asking the panel to object to them. Amy Manzelli, an attorney for the group with BCM Environmental & Land Law, wrote that the proposed rules are not in the public interest because they ignore public comment without any countervailing, credible evidence.

They bucketed all the comments into 97 comments, Manzelli said in an interview, describing the departments response to public input. However, 26 of them, the department made no change, and about 27 of them, they just made a clarifying change. And then many of them, actually, the change is to weaken the rule.

Siting standards

Landfills are designed with the threat  or, many would argue, inevitability  of a leak in mind. Thats where redundant systems come in, like having a double-liner.

But part of that question, too  and one that has spurred conflict in this rulemaking process  is how protective the natural barrier of the earth a landfill is built atop should be. Leachate, the liquid pollution created when water mixes with waste, moves more easily through some materials, like gravel and coarse sand, than others, like clay and silt.

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There is no standard in the states existing regulations for something called hydraulic conductivity, which essentially describes how easily liquid moves through the ground. Under the departments final proposal, landfills could be built on land where the original soil, going down 5 feet in depth, has representative saturated hydraulic conductivity of 0.001 centimeters per second or less. Or, the landfill can import a 2-foot base of soil with a hydraulic conductivity of 0.0001 centimeters per second or less. (The lower the rate, the slower pollution would move through the soil.)

Though the department strengthened that figure from the draft proposal the public made comments on to the final proposal its presenting to JLCAR, advocates argue that improvement is not enough, and that it is dulled by the imported soil loophole added in the latest iteration of the proposal.

Finkel looked at more than two dozen other jurisdictions in the nation and around the world with standards for hydraulic conductivity, all of which were stricter than what is being proposed in New Hampshire. According to his analysis, every other jurisdiction on Earth requires imported soil to be 10 to 1,000 times more resistant to pollutant flow than DES prefers. In other words, according to Finkels math, pollution could travel through that 2-foot barrier in as fast as eight days in the event of a leak.

You could find, you know, a ball pit at IKEA with giant gaps between the balls, Finkel said in an interview, and as long as you put 24 inches of dirt over it, you can put it (a landfill) anywhere.

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Manzelli, the attorney, raised similar concerns. While the proposal states a hydraulic conductivity standard, the loophole effectively swallows the rule such that there really is no requirement to meet any hydraulic conductivity standard. This means landfills could be located anywhere, no matter what the in-situ (original) soil as long as the other requirements are met.

Lack of clarity over where the idea for a 2-foot imported soil base came from also raised red flags. Manzelli cited it as another possible instance of the regulated industry playing an outsized role in drafting the rules.

Interestingly, the concept of a 2-foot layer of imported base material does not appear in any version of the rules until the very last version, the Final Proposed Rules, and no comment suggested a 2-foot layer, Manzelli wrote. Upon information and belief, the Department met with waste industry representatives after June 5, 2024 and before the Final Proposed Rules were published, suggesting the possibility of another example of disproportionate influence of the waste industry in the rulemaking process.

Finkel also argued the word representative  which replaced average in the previous version of the proposal  has no fixed statistical meaning.

Whats ahead

JLCAR provides legislative oversight to the rulemaking process. Its made up of five members each from the Senate and the House (plus 10 alternates to fill in when there are absences).

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If the panel approves the rules, the next step is adoption by the agency. But JLCAR may also conditionally approve the rules, in which case the agency would have to file an amendment, or issue a preliminary objection, which sets off a string of additional steps.

Regardless of the outcome Thursday, landfill standards are poised to come up in the next legislative session that kicks off early next year. Bill requests related to leachate management and pausing further landfill development have already been filed.

Though many solid waste proposals have gone to die in the Senate over the years, advocates hope the proposals will meet a different fate next year, when Kelly Ayotte, a Republican who has appeared more sympathetic to landfill concerns than Sununu, will be in office.
(WKBN)  Ohio Attorney General David Yost pointed to two local cases of school officials having illegal, inappropriate relationships with students as examples of how the state is cracking down on those crimes.

Yost announced Wednesday the conviction of a Preble County deputy sheriff who was working as a school resource officer when he had a sexual relationship with a student.

Mason Williams, 26, of Eaton, was convicted of three third-degree felonies  two counts of sexual battery and one count of tampering with evidence  after attorneys from Yosts Special Prosecutions Section detailed an inappropriate relationship between Williams and an 18-year-old student at National Trail High School, where the deputy worked as a resource officer.

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Williams will be sentenced Dec. 16.

The case is the fourth involving illegal sexual conduct with a student prosecuted in recent years by the Ohio Attorney Generals Office, including two local cases.

Yost mentioned Shawn Long, a former school resource officer with East Liverpool Schools, who was sentenced in February to 90 days in jail for disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. Yost said investigators found that he had messaged a 17-year-old student and sent her photos of his genitals.

Yost also mentioned Steven Kent, a former school resource officer with Poland Local School who recently lost an appeal of his one-year sentence for tampering with evidence to cover up a relationship hed had with a student. He is currently incarcerated at the Toledo Correctional Institution, Yost said.

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Parents shouldnt have to worry about predators when they send their kids to school, Yost said. There is no age or no so-called consent that makes a school employee having sex with a student appropriate.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is calling on Congress to pass legislation he believes will keep kids safe on social media.

A bipartisan group of 32 attorneys general including Raoul are hoping the House of Representatives can pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) before the end of the year. The group sent a letter to congressional leaders Monday.

KOSA would create more transparency and require more regulations for young people on social media platforms.

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Some aspects of KOSA the attorneys general said would help include requiring platforms to default to the strongest safety protections for minors, allowing for more prevention addiction, and adding tools for parents to identify harmful consumption behaviors and report dangerous content.

American children and teenagers are in the grip of a devastating mental health crisis, Raoul said. The addictive features on many social media platforms interfere with sleep and education, and contribute to depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia and thoughts of self-harm. I am proud to join my fellow attorneys general in urging Congress to approve the Kids Online Safety Act and require companies to take reasonable steps to protect young people from harm online.

Despite the bipartisan support, many are against the bill. Several organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Free Speech Coalition, and several regional and state LGBTQ advocacy groups oppose KOSA, as they believe the bill would lead to online censorship.

KOSA compounds nationwide attacks on young peoples right to learn and access information, on and offline, said Jenna Leventoff, senior policy counsel at the ACLU, after the Senate voted for it in July 91-3. As state legislatures and school boards across the country impose book bans and classroom censorship laws, the last thing students and parents need is another act of government censorship deciding which educational resources are appropriate for their families.

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Raoul has advocated for more protections for children online, including calling for the U.S. Surgeon General to create warning labels on all social media.

Last month, the Illinois Attorney General announced a lawsuit against TikTok for its business practices that target minors. This follows a lawsuit from last year against Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a phone conversation with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Source: press service of the Ukrainian President, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The press service revealed that Zelenskyy thanked Tusk for his "firm response to the recent Russian attack and efforts to prevent the political isolation of the Russian dictator from being broken".

The two leaders discussed continuing defence cooperation between Ukraine and Poland. Tusk informed Zelenskyy that Poland was preparing its 45th support package and has already begun working on the next defence package.

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They also discussed expectations regarding Polands presidency of the EU Council in the first half of next year.

Zelenskyy expressed hope for Polands support in negotiations with the EU on opening the first negotiation cluster and simultaneously progressing on other matters.

Zelenskyy also thanked Tusk for leveraging his extensive personal connections to advocate for Ukraine's NATO membership and continued defence support.

The leaders agreed to intensify personal contacts and plan to meet by the end of the year.

Background:

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently commented on Russia's large-scale missile attack on Ukraine, stating that it proved the ineffectiveness of German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs phone diplomacy with Putin.

It was earlier reported that after his first conversation in two years with the Russian leader, Scholz called Tusk.

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AIKEN, SC. (WJBF)- After a weekend of chaos for the town of Wagener, the situation has drawn attention around the CSRA.

19 firefighters joined former Wagener Fire Chief Tillman Rushton signing their resignation letters on Saturday.

2 more resigned during last nights town council meeting, meaning nearly the entire department has left their positions.

This was discussed at the Aiken County Council meeting Tuesday evening, where city leaders spoke up after they declined to comment at the town council meeting Monday.

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My heart really hurts. Im torn between my firefighters, Im torn between my citizens, and I just want whats best for our town. I really do, said Councilwoman Nyia Adams.

County leaders discussed the contract between the town of Wagener and the fire department in a work session prior to the council meeting.

It drew a crowd before the council meeting, with former firefighters like Johnathan Jordan wanting a change.

The best thing to do is separate this fire department from the town, and let us run our department. Separate the fire department out of the politics, out of the government of the town, and let us run our own department, said Johnathan Jordan.

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This stems from backlash from the department and the town for Mayor Mike Miller and some other town council members.

After the council met for executive session, council members made a unanimous decision-voting to officially terminate the contract between the town and the fire department.

With most of the department gone, an option is to extend the contract to neighboring towns to ensure safety for Wagener residents in the meantime.

With the fire service, its not just a one-man game. We cant do it with one personits a team effort. Its going to take all of us, and thats what it is. Its a brotherhood and a sisterhood, and we have to take care of each otherand thats what our departments around us are doing, said Ashley Frey.

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In order for the contract to be terminated, the town needs a 90-day notification, so today marks the beginning of that termination.

Wagener City Council will discuss next steps at their next meeting on December 2nd.

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Ukrainian air defence has been responding to Russian drones over the city of Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast on the morning of 20 November.

Source: Kyiv City Military Administration; Kyiv Oblast Military Administration

Details: Kyiv City Military Administration reported that air defence was responding at 05:45.

Simultaneously, Kyiv Oblast Military Administration informed residents about air defence responding in the area.

Earlier, reports indicated the movement of a Russian drone toward the city of Kyiv from the south.

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Nearly 100 passengers of an Air India flight to Delhi were stranded in Phuket, Thailand, for more than 80 hours due to repeated technical issues.

Some of the frustrated travellerswho included children and elderly personsvoiced their grievances on social media, claiming insufficient communication and support from the airline.

The flight, originally scheduled for 16 November, was initially delayed by six hours due to a technical fault. Passengers reported being asked to board, only to be deboarded an hour later as the flight was cancelled. Despite assurances that the fault had been resolved, the aircraft was forced to return to Phuket two and a half hours after taking off due to another problem.

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FlightRadar, a flight-tracking app, showed the aircraft making a brief journey before returning to Phuket.

Some of the passengers took to social media to express their exasperation and distress over the situation.

Please look into this on urgent basis. We are stranded in Phuket, a passenger wrote on X, tagging the Indian civil aviation ministry.

Air India boarded us on a plane which was not entirely fit for flying. Thats a huge risk and potentially life threatening.

@Ministry_CA @RamMNK @MoCA_GoI @DGCAIndia @AAI_Official

Please look into this on urgent basis. We are stranded in Phuket. #AirIndia boarded us on a plane which wasnt entriely fit for flying. That's a huge risk and potentially life threating#flight_AI377 https://t.co/cbcP6raRVP  Manny (@freeeknumber) November 17, 2024

Stuck in Phuket for 2 days, more than 48 hours, another complained. Please refund my money @airindia so I can make other travel arrangements.

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Air India expressed regret and blamed a technical issue for the repeated delays.

While our staff on the ground made effort to minimise their inconvenience, providing all on-ground assistance including hotel accommodations and meals, some of the guests were also reaccommodated on alternatively available flights, the Indian airline said in a statement.

An unnamed airline source told NDTV that some 40 passengers remained in Phuket, while the rest had been put on alternative flights.

Another Air India flight, from Paris to Delhi, was diverted to Jaipur because of heavy smog in the capital. The pilots of the plane then allegedly refused to fly further because they had finished duty hours. The stranded passengers were taken to Delhi by bus.

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The passengers lashed out at the airline for the shameful and pathetic management.

Shameful and pathetic management from @airindia today as flight #AI2022 from CDG-DEL diverted to JAI. Pax stranded at JAI asked to spend 5 hrs inside the aircraft and then to take a bus from JAI to DEL. My wife and two months old is suffering and I am helpless. @TataCompanies  Vishal P (@vsp246) November 18, 2024

Shameful and pathetic management from @airindia today as flight #AI2022 from CDG-DEL diverted to JAI. Pax stranded at JAI asked to spend 5 hrs inside the aircraft and then to take a bus from JAI to DEL. My wife and two months old is suffering and I am helpless," Vishal P posted on X.

The Independent has reached out to the airline for comment.
A fast track room at Vaughan Regional Medical Center in Selma on Tuesday, Sep. 3, 2024. The Alabama Certificate of Need Review Board delayed a decision on a proposed Montgomery surgery center, seeking more discussions and documentation. (Will McLelland for Alabama Reflector)

A state board Wednesday delayed a decision on whether to develop Southern Orthopedic Surgeons, a non-hospital center aiming to expand surgery services in Montgomery.

The Alabama Certificate of Need Review Board postponed the vote for further discussions between Southern Orthopedic Surgeons and other surgery centers in Montgomery to allow the group to produce documentation related to physician ownership of the clinic.

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If theyre in charge, thats one thing. If somebody away from them is in charge, I view things differently. Thats my two cents, said Dr. Swaid N. Swaid, chair of the board.

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The delay means a final decision will not take place until next year at the earliest.

Swaid said hes concerned whether their decisions will benefit patients and alleviate some of the stress that this system has in Montgomery.

Southern Orthopedic Surgeons plan includes six operating rooms, 14 recovery stations, two procedure rooms and nine pre-operative rooms.

Opposition came from Jackson Hospital, Baptist Medical Center South and the Montgomery Surgical Center, all surgery centers based in Montgomery.

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An attorney for Baptist Medical Center South said that there are three acute care hospitals in Montgomery with surgery centers within nine miles of the proposed facility. With Montgomery Surgical Center he said there are 50 (operating rooms), and need has not grown over the last few years.

Much of the discussion centered around Southern Orthopedic Surgeons intentions, with the established surgery centers claiming owners intend on flipping the facility once its profitable, leading to those doctors leaving the region. Southern Orthopedic Surgeons claims they can recruit doctors to the region, saying that doctors prefer outpatient settings.

Doctors are not cheap. If they quit, nothing happens in the health care system. But do they become so obnoxious and aggressive that they go after their own interest, regardless of what the fallout might be? This is a serious issue, Swaid said.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping extends congratulations via video to the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, which opened in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping extended congratulations via video to the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, which opened in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Wednesday.

Noting that a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation is rapidly advancing, Xi urged efforts to embrace the digital, internet-based and smart development trends.

He called for accelerating innovative, safe and inclusive growth in cyberspace, and jointly striving for a brighter "digital future."

China is willing to work with countries around the world to take historical initiative in information revolution, and jointly build a community with a shared future in cyberspace, to make the internet better benefit the people and the world, Xi said. 
State Crime Information Director Maury Mitchell presents information to members of the Alabama Justice Information Commission at a meeting on Oct. 31, 2024 meeting. The group, comprised of law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies, will be more strict with enforcing rules related to access to its criminal justice database. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector)

An Alabama state commission that regulates access to a criminal information database plans to impose greater oversight over law enforcement agencies who failed audits of personal privacy protections.

The Justice Information Commission plans to send those agencies a show cause letter requiring those agencies to take steps protecting peoples personal information when retrieving data from the Law Enforcement Tactical System (LETS) or attend a commission meeting to explain their situations.

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Otherwise, the Commission will terminate their access to the criminal information database.

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We are getting written up because of what agencies are not doing, said Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, the chair of the commission, in an interview Thursday. So, what we are saying now, the agencies need to start doing it or we are going to bring them before the Commission, and they will have to explain why.

The more stringent rules were approved by members of the Justice Information Commission, comprised of law enforcement agencies, judicial associations and prosecutors.

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In the past, the commission notified agencies of shortcomings in compliance, but did little else in the way of sanctions.

Maury Mitchell, the states crime information director, told commission members during the October meeting that the U.S. Department of Justice has grown stricter on rules requiring law enforcement to adhere to policies and procedures aimed at protecting criminal information.

In theory, this has been one of the most important functions of this body, but we have not really pursued it in 15 years, 20 years, very well anyway, Mitchell said.

That has forced the Justice Information Commission, who retains authority over the criminal database, to become even more vigilant with its audits and imposing sanctions when local law enforcement does not address their issues found during the examination.

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The database includes information that law enforcement would conduct a search as part of their regular duties, such as when stopping a vehicle.

This Commission passed rules for license plate recognition use in the state, Mitchell said. There are rules that any policing agency, or any criminal justice agency, that deals with license plate recognition, can only use it in a certain way. It may or may not be used properly locally, but we are going to start auditing on that use.

Mitchell said the departments compliance team will be performing more vigorous and more frequent audits of local law enforcement agencies throughout Alabama with access to its information system.

The compliance team separates the state into different districts based on their location. A compliance officer on the team responsible for overseeing a specific region will ensure that each agency will be audited at least once every three years, if not more frequently.

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We are going to start auditing very closely to make sure agencies have an access agreement that is up to date, Mitchell told members of the Commission. We have found where the police chief retired three chiefs ago. They even moved to another building, and nobody even told us.

Agencies will sign a new agreement with the Justice Information Commission when officials appoint a new police chief, and the agreement will ensure that local law enforcement designate someone in charge who will oversee compliance when accessing information in the system as well as a person responsible for the billing because the Commission charges for access.

The officer, after the inspection, will publish a report for the agency that identifies the issues related to compliance with the information system that the agency must then address.

If the agency does not respond to an audit or continues to be out of compliance for several months without having communicated with the compliance team, that will trigger a letter from the commission requiring them to address any shortcomings or appear before the body to explain itself.

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The commission already knows of some with problems pertaining to the audit that need to be addressed.

The majority of the audits that seem to have issues are more policy based, said Mike Trotter, Criminal Justice Information Service operations chief. They do not have policies in place that the FBI requires them to have in place.

According to Mitchells PowerPoint presentation, there were at least five agencies listed, including the Bullock County Sheriffs Office.

At that time, we were changing things over, and our people had not got themselves certified, said Raymond Buck Rodgers in an interview Tuesday, sheriff for Bullock County. We are certified now.

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The most egregious violations may be referred to as possible criminal proceedings to either the district attorneys office or the state Attorney Generals Office, but those found to have problems with the audit did not rise to that level.

If problems persist, the commission may vote to terminate an agencys access.

That means that you will have to have another agency to be able to get you into the system, Cunningham said. That agency will be doing all the checks until you get your act together and get your policies and procedures up.

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)  The original sponsors of last sessions comprehensive gambling bill told CBS 42 that the issue is not going away and it is very much still on the table.

It is here. It is here to stay, said Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) about illegal gambling in the state. And the only thing we can do in Alabama is try to grasp control of that industry so we can protect the public and be a beneficiary of it.

Sen. Albritton originally sponsored the gambling bill in the Senate but voted against it. He said itll be hard to find a lawmaker who will sponsor a comprehensive bill after it didnt pass last year.

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Going from a lottery only to the comprehensive plan, to everything in between- and we havent been able to garnish the votes in both houses, explained Sen. Albritton.

Rep. Sam Jones (D-Mobile) sponsored the gambling bill in the House. He said hed be open to working on the bill again across both aisles and chambers.

Sen. Tuberville on Trumps election win and the conditions for his support of Matt Gaetz for AG

And when it got to the Senate, a lot of discussion took place, he said. And someone there didnt agree with something in it, and it didnt make it before the people. The people never got an opportunity to vote on it. Really, never got an opportunity to digest it.

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Jones said getting it before the people also means working with other groups, like the Poarch Creek Indians. I dont know if we really addressed everything theyd like to see. But you know, I think that those discussions can continue. I dont see any reasons why they shouldnt continue, said Sen. Jones. Since theyre already in the business here in the state.

Political Analyst Steve Flowers said there is more to the story with the Poarch Creeks purchase of the Birmingham Racecourse and Casino. This move tells me theyre getting ready to move, said Flowers. And if they get out of the way or get behind casino gambling, itll pass. It wont pass with the governors strength. The governor doesnt have the strength the casinos do.

Flowers explained the Poarch Creeks have a lot of say in the gambling legislation. They may sit back and say when the timings right, he said. Theyve secured their future. If youre going to have casino gambling in the state, the Birmingham location is the golden goose.

Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest) also sponsored last sessions gambling bill. He said the House has proven that they can and are willing to pass a gaming bill. He said he expects several gaming bills to be introduced, but he is not working on any legislation.

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Despite recent victories for abortion rights activists in seven states, Alabama is unlikely to change its effective abortion ban in the near future. (Getty Images)

When the Alabama Legislature approved a near-total abortion ban in 2019, some Republican members of the Legislature downplayed the impact of the legislation, saying it was meant as a challenge to Roe v. Wade and that the state would revisit the issue if Roe fell, possibly in a heartbeat bill that would ban the procedure at about six weeks after conception.

I have prayed my way through this issue and this bill, because it was hard to give up heartbeat, Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, said at the time. I believe we cant get a heartbeat bill until we get Roe v. Wade turned over.

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More than five years later, and over two-and-a-half years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and ended federal abortion rights protections, Alabamas ban seems unlikely to change despite successes of abortion rights advocates in other parts of the country.

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Collins, who sponsored the legislation, said in a recent interview she had asked other lawmakers if they were interested in moving to a heartbeat bill, and she did not find that they did.

Everyone was pleased with the bill that we had in place right now, said Collins, who said she supports the current law.

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In contrast, Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, said that she worries about the health of women going forward. She said she would hate for a woman to die of a lack of medical care for a miscarriage.

I would hate it if someone who has not supported this issues, whose daughter was a victim of incest, and at 10 years old, 11 years old, 12 years old, being forced in that young girls body to even risk her life at that, I would hate for that to happen, she said.

Alabama has one of the strictest anti-abortion laws in the country, only allowing abortion if a womans life is threatened; if the fetus has a fatal anomaly that could result stillbirth or death shortly after birth, or if the woman has a mental illness that could threaten the life of the child. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, only seven induced terminations of pregnancy were performed in the state in 2023.

Alabamians have traveled out of state to get abortions, even to states with restrictions. In 2022, 3,279 Alabamians had abortions in Georgia, according to data provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health. About 3,254 Alabamians did so in 2023. Through Sept. 30 of this year, 1,952 Alabama patients had abortions in Georgia.

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The closest state with comparatively few restrictions is Virginia. A drive from Montgomery to Richmond would take roughly 11 hours.

Despite the legal exceptions, an Alabama woman had to travel to Virginia to terminate a pregnancy with fetal anomalies.

Seven states earlier this month voted to enshrine or expand abortion rights in their state constitutions, but such a move would face high hurdles in Alabama. The state has no referendum process allowing citizens to put proposed laws on the ballot, requiring any changes to be made by the Republican-controlled Legislature. Even if the Legislature was moved to add exceptions to the law, it would likely face major legal action from anti-abortion rights activists.

State voters in 2018 approved a Sanctity of Life amendment to the state constitution, which says that it is the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children,including the right to life.

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The Alabama Supreme Court cited the amendment in its February decision declaring that frozen embryos were children, which put access to IVF services in the state in jeopardy.

Eric Johnston, an attorney who helped write the abortion ban, said that a lawsuit would be filed if the Legislature tried to pass a bill adding exceptions to the abortion ban.

So it would be very easy: just file a lawsuit, say its unconstitutional, and the judge would immediately enter the order, he said.

Coleman said she hopes lawmakers can come together in a bipartisan way to address exceptions for sexual assault.

It really upsets me every time we see one of these stories and one of these national stories when someone has passed away, mothers that are passing away because they cant get the health care that they need, and I dont want that to happen here in Alabama, she said.

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Coleman said Thursday that she had not yet spoken with her Republican colleagues yet, and she wanted to speak to a fellow Democratic senator first.

Robin Marty, executive director of WAWC, a reproductive health clinic in Tuscaloosa formerly known as the West Alabama Womens Center, said that all discussions around exceptions or a heartbeat bill were useless until the Sanctity of Life amendment was addressed.

There isnt any law that we can or exception that we can bring in that couldnt be overturned if somebody decided that they wanted to challenge the law, she said.

Johnston said there were no intentions to add exceptions to the bill, and the pro-life community opposes exceptions.

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For those who claim to be pro-life, I think its a misconception or misunderstanding by them that theyve bought into this idea that there ought to be rape and incest exceptions, because rape and incest are very bad things, he said.

Johnston said that exceptions would also have to be law enforcement-oriented, which would dissuade some women from seeking abortions.



Its going to deter people from doing it, and youve got to have those to protect against the fraud that would take place and the claims that would be made against innocent men who may have had sex with someone, and then they get charged with rape, and all of a sudden theyve got to defend themselves, because the woman really wants to get an abortion, he said.

Marty said that exceptions dont work in practice.



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But also, there is this part of me that has seen so many people facing pregnancies under all sorts of circumstances, coming into the clinic and if there was the ability to help just one person, I mean, I cant say that that isnt something that I would love to be able to take, she said.

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SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE)  An Albuquerque man is behind bars following a deadly shooting at a birthday party in San Miguel County on Saturday. New Mexico State Police said 18-year-old Jeremiah Salazar fatally shot 23-year-old Gabriel Rivera on Friday after an argument turned physical.

Albuquerque man with lengthy criminal history back behind bars

NMSP Investigations Bureau agents responded to 1096 County Road B27 in Myers to investigate a homicide where Rivera was shot in the chest. Officials learned Rivera and Salazar were at the party when they got into a verbal dispute that turned physical.

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At some point, Salazar shot Rivera and a bystander, who was not involved in the initial altercation, police said. Rivera died at the scene, and the bystander was taken to a local hospital where they were treated for their non-life-threatening injuries.

Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office investigating death of inmate at MDC

After the shooting, police said Salazar fled the scene but was later found walking on the side of the road, where officials took him into custody. During that process, Salazar was found with a gun, police added.

Salazar was arrested and booked into the San Miguel Detention Center on charges of murder in the second degree, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a handgun, and negligent use of a deadly weapon.

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Aldermen fretted about the Chicago Fire Departments aging vehicle fleet and sure-to-be-expensive union contract Tuesday as the citys budget hearings continued.

The $760.8 million budget Mayor Brandon Johnson proposed for the department for 2025 is down 2% from this year. That total does not include the long overdue deal with raises and back pay that could be struck soon with Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2, though money is allotted for the possible contract elsewhere in Johnsons spending plan.

Department leaders were mum on what a final deal with the frustrated union might look like, but said an agreement was getting closer.

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We are continuing to meet on a regular basis with Local 2, and there is incremental progress being made, the CFDs general counsel, Evan Haim, said.

Johnsons proposed budget includes enough money to give firefighters 5% raises, in line with a deal struck last October for rank-and-file police officers, city budget leaders have told the Tribune. The contract is expected to include back pay for three years worth of raises since 2022.

Its distressing because we know that theres a retroactive balloon payment that is going to come with that, and that is going to be a bite, Ald. Daniel La Spata, 1st, told CFD Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt.

Local 2 President Pat Cleary told the Tribune Tuesday he expects a deal with modest pay raises to come in the next year. He wants the City Council to put in more money to buy new vehicles for the department.

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We need more manpower, we need more ambulances, we need more apparatus, Cleary said.

Nance-Holt pointed to the aging fleet of ladder trucks, engines and ambulances as another challenge for the department. She blamed years of disinvestment for the problem.

This can has been kicked down the road a long time. The Fire Department has always been the last at the table, Nance-Holt said.

In the Fire Departments fleet, 63% of the engines, 33% of the trucks and 20% of the tower ladders have been in use longer than their 15-year recommended lifespan, according to a department spokesperson.

Grants to replace fire department vehicles across the country have become more competitive as prices for the vehicles themselves have jumped in recent years, Nance-Holt said. A new fire engine costs nearly $1 million, she said.

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Money for new CFD vehicles is budgeted within the citys Department of Fleet and Facility Management. Nance-Holt asked aldermen to make the case with that departments commissioner.

I believe we might be putting firefighters at risk with some of the older equipment we have, Ald. Lamont Robinson, 4th, said.

Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, floated the possibility of using tax increment finance money to cover the cost of paying for new vehicles for the department. Nance-Holt added that she is working with U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Chicago, to secure federal funding to buy another truck.

Other congressmen representing Chicago should push for more money in Washington, D.C., Ald. Bennett Lawson, 44th, said.

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We know were going to get less out of the federal government, he said.

Aldermen also asked how the department was increasing diversity in its ranks and making sure injured firefighters recover to keep working.

Asked by Dowell about how many CFD workers are off on medical layup, Nance-Holt identified the current process for the departments paramedics, EMTs and firefighters to return to work as another challenge.

Over 250 CFD workers are currently on leave, she said. Each of them  in addition to the over 900 Chicago Police Department staffers on medical leave  are seen by just one doctor. That allows some of the people on medical leave to reschedule appointments and fall through the cracks.

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Nance-Holt said her goal is to eliminate abuse of the system.

Youll be able to get a lot of people back to work, she said. They definitely need more than one doctor between two large departments  its not adequate enough to serve.

Chicago Tribunes Alice Yin contributed.
MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said that a man has died following a single-vehicle crash on Tuesday.

According to ALEA, a 2010 Honda Civic was driving along Natural Bridge Road near Peek Road just south of Priceville when the vehicle left the roadway, struck a ditch, and hit a utility pole around 10:20 p.m.

ALEA told News 19 that Hunter Tapscott, 26, of Hartselle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Troopers said that Tapscott was not using a seatbelt at the time of the crash and that he was partially ejected from the vehicle.

The crash remains under investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Highway Patrol Division.

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Conspiracy theorist and right-wing media personality Alex Jones sued on Monday to challenge the sale of his Infowars platform to the parent company satirical news outlet The Onion and the families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook mass school shooting.

Jones alleged in a filing in Texas bankruptcy court on Monday that conspiratorial negotiation and agreement involving his bankruptcy trustee and a flagrantly non-compliant Frankenstein bid led to the Sandy Hook families and Global Tetrahedron, The Onions parent company, winning an auction last week for the site.

Infowars went up for sale after Jones declared personal and corporate bankruptcy in 2022. He faces more than $1bn in damages he owes to the families for defamation after claiming the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax.

Joness filing on Monday alleges the winning bidders in the bankruptcy auction for Infowars submitted an offer that only appeared more valuable than the $3.5m bid from a company associated with his online store. He claims The Onions bid was worth $1.75m on its own, but managed to appear more valuable in the aggregate because the Connecticut-based Sandy Hook families agreed to forgo some of the funds theyd earn from the sale, meaning a separate group of families who won a different defamation suit against Jones would receive a higher ultimate payout from the Jones estate.

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Global Tetrahedron hasnt publicly described the value of its bid.

The Independent has contacted The Onions CEO Ben Collins for comment.

Jones alleges a conspiracy led to the sale of Infowars (REUTERS)

Christopher R. Murray, the bankruptcy trustee overseeing the sale of Joness assets, responded to the filing on Monday, painting Joness move as a disappointed bidders improper attempt to influence an otherwise fair and open auction process.

Jones, he argued, alleges, without evidence, collusion and bad faith in an attempt to mislead the Court and disqualify its only competition in the auction.

Lawyers for the Sandy Hook families also said they would not back down.

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At every step, the families we represent have sought to hold Jones accountable to the fullest extent of the law and to protect others from his lies, attorney Chris Mattei toldThe Wall Street Journal on Monday. They will not be intimidated, and they look forward to bringing this process to a just conclusion at the earliest possible date.

The parent company of The Onion and family members of those killed at Sandy Hook purchased Infowars in a bankruptcy auction last week

A status conference is scheduled in the case for November 25.

The joint bid from Global Tetrahedron and the Connecticut families has been selected as the winning bid for InfoWars, Collins, The Onions CEO, told The Independent in a statement after the sale last week. The sale is currently underway as part of the standard processes.

The judge overseeing the case said last week no one should feel comfortable with the results of this auction.

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Were all going to an evidentiary hearing and Im going to figure out exactly what happened, District Judge Christopher Lopez said in court during a status conference. I personally dont care who wins the auction  I care about process and transparency.

Jones, in his final broadcast before the original sale, claimed the deep state gestapo was conspiring to shut down his broadcasts.

Lawyers for X, which reinstated Joness account on the platform in December, notified the trustees in the case they were reserving their rights regarding the sale of Jones account on the social media site.

Alex Woodward contributed reporting to this story
Bonds were set Wednesday for two suspects accused of killing five people, including two children in a fire in Alexander County.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

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The suspects have been behind bars without bond since the crimes five years ago.

Their attorneys argued that there was evidence of their innocence.

However, its unlikely the two will leave jail anytime soon.

Areli Aguirre-Avilez and Heidi Wolfe are accused of killing five people, including two children, in 2019 and setting fire to a home on Pine Meadows Lane.

Aguirre-Avilez has a $2 million bond and Wolfes bond is $1 million.

Their attorneys raised several questions about the evidence theyve seen so far in the case.

When police arrived, they found Berenice Reyess younger brother and sister dead inside and her mother, Maria Calderon, and two other men missing.

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I want people to know that they were good people and they didnt deserve this, said Berenice Reyes, the victims daughter.

According to court documents, Calderon had taken out a domestic violence restraining order against Aguirre-Avilez claiming he threatened to burn her house down.

His attorneys said it was dismissed by a judge.

He always threatened to kill her if she did something or left her, Reyes said.

At the time of the murders, deputies said Avilez was dating Wolfe who was 16 years old.

She confessed to being at the home and running over one of the victims but then later recanted.

She was arrested when she was 16, said attorney Joel Harbinson. Didnt have counsel present and she was threatened with receiving the death penalty so agreeing with just about anything they said.

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Her attorney said much of the information she gave police wasnt accurate including telling deputies Calderon was in the Catawba River.

Instead, Caulderon and two men were found months later in a pickup truck that had been set on fire in Virginia.

In court Wednesday, defense attorneys also spoke about cellphone tower records that showed Aguirre-Avilez and Wolfe in Catawba County at a party, not at the home where the fire started.

Pings from cellphones dont lie and we tend to think the evidence points to someone else, Harbinson said.

There is a possibility the case could go to trial next spring. The judge said if it doesnt happen by June 2 nearly 6 years after the murder, hell reconsider bond.

VIDEO: Community pays tribute to 2 children, mother killed in triple murder
















ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now)  The Alexandria Health Department is issuing a third rabies alert in less than a month after another rabid raccoon was found.

The raccoon was near Chambliss Park and has since tested positive for rabies, according to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA).

On Nov. 15, the raccoon came into contact with some dogs in the backyard of a home near the park.

Fire forces DMVs first romance bookstore in Alexandria to close days after grand opening; other businesses affected

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AWLA said the dogs are in quarantine and the raccon is dead.

Anyone who has come in contact with the raccoon should call the health department at (703) 746-4910.

Two other raccoons tested positive for rabies in late October.

One of the rabid raccoons was found along a trail at Dora Kelley Nature Park on Oct. 27 and the other was found in the Taylor Run neighborhood on Oct. 29.

For more information about rabies, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Officers arrested an Alexandria man after he allegedly stabbed another man, unprovoked, in Baileys Crossroads on Tuesday.

According to The Fairfax County Police Department, at around 2:20 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 5600 block of Leesburg Pike for a stabbing.

There, they found a man who had been stabbed in the upper body. He was in a life-threatening condition when he was taken to the hospital.

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Sterling woman charged with animal cruelty after 2 dogs found dead; officials say she left dogs in empty home for months

As of Wednesday afternoon, there is no word on his condition.

The suspect, who police identified as 27-year-old Richard Fuentes Cordova, remained on the scene of the stabbing, where officers arrested him. Detectives said they learned that Cordova approached the victim and stabbed him while inside the business.

Officers took Cordova to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, charging him with malicious wounding. He was held on no bond.

Fairfax County police encourage anyone with information to call 703-246-7800, option 2. Tipsters can also submit information anonymously through Crime Solvers at 866-411-8477.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
NANJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- After a short stay in China, Liu Yutao is about to return to Kenya, where he has been working as an expert for almost three years in an effort to help local farmers grow tomatoes.

"Tomato is an important vegetable in Kenya. In recent years, the country's tomato production has been threatened by diseases and pests such as bacterial wilt and leaf miners, leading to severe yield reductions, and in some areas even complete crop failure," said Liu, who is an agronomist from Nanjing Agricultural University in east China's Jiangsu Province.

China's grafting technology provides a solution for tomato farmers in Kenya. A mature, safe and time-honored agricultural technology in China, grafting is widely used in the cultivation of melons, vegetables and fruit trees.

In 2022, Nanjing Agricultural University and Egerton University in Kenya decided to introduce and promote tomato grafting technology in Kenya, with the aim to empower rural youth in Kenya through innovation of the tomato value chain. By the end of 2023, the tomato grafting program managed to secure funding from the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development.

According to Liu, who is also the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at Egerton University, the tomato grafting technology has been promoted in Kenya's Nakuru County via 15 demonstration sites and more than 10 technical training classes and demonstration promotions.

"After witnessing harvests achieved at the demonstration farms, more and more local farmers have regained confidence in growing tomatoes, and are signing up for training," he added.

According to Liu Gaoqiong, another agronomist working in Kenya who is also from Nanjing Agricultural University, the tomato seedlings now planted by the farmers at the demonstration sites have strong disease resistance and growth capabilities. They bear fruit earlier, have good quality and high yield, while resulting in an increase in production of at least 50 percent.

Joshua Ogweno, the Kenyan director of the Confucius Institute at the Egerton University, said the tomato grafting technology from China is well adapted to the local environment in Kenya and has greatly improved agricultural productivity. More than 4,000 Kenyan farmers have received training in the fields of Chinese greenhouse agriculture and tomato grafting technology.

It is predicted that this technology can reduce the incidence of bacterial wilt in local tomatoes from 90 percent to below 10 percent, and increase annual yield from near total crop failure to up to 90 tonnes per hectare, while elevating income by about 1.5 million Kenyan shillings (about 11,600 U.S. dollars) per hectare.

The work being done by Liu Yutao and his Chinese colleagues in Kenya is part of China's efforts to use advanced agricultural technologies in cooperation with African countries to promote the adoption of modern agriculture on that continent.

At a China-Africa innovation forum held earlier this month, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and the African Academy of Sciences initiated the China-Africa agricultural sci-tech innovation alliance.

The alliance aims to promote the development of modern agriculture in both China and Africa, with emphasis on food security, biosecurity and green development, and cooperation in fields such as sustainable development, application of remote sensing and big data, pollution control, and poverty alleviation through sci-tech empowerment.

Over the last three years, China has sent more than 500 experts to Africa and provided nearly 9,000 training opportunities to agricultural talents. By the end of 2023, China had established 24 agricultural demonstration centers in Africa, promoting more than 300 advanced technologies such as dense planting of corn, vegetable cultivation and rapid propagation of cassava -- benefiting over 1 million local households.

Chinese institutions participating in China-Africa agricultural cooperation include not only local universities such as Nanjing Agricultural University, but also national institutions like the CAAS and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS).

Chen Qing, a professor at the CATAS, has been focusing on green and integrated pest management for cassava in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, for many years. One of his students, Oluwole Gregory Ijiti, comes from Nigeria, which is the world's largest cassava producer in terms of harvested area.

In a field in Sanya's Yazhou District, Ijiti accompanied Chen Qing in harvesting new varieties of cassava under the scorching sun.

"This new variety can be eaten both fresh and processed, with features of high yield, insect resistance and strong adaptability," Chen said.

Cassava is an important staple crop in Nigeria. Chen helped Ijiti establish a research direction based on the actual needs of cassava production in Nigeria and in line with Ijiti's goal of improving his technical innovation ability.

"My student is tackling Tetranychus Urticae, a pest that heavily impacts cassava crops in his home country," Chen said. "By merging insect and pesticide resistance studies, we aim to develop pest-resistant cassava varieties, ensuring both high yield and green approaches."

"Such collaboration is beneficial to both countries, and will lead to progress beyond national borders to alleviate poverty and hunger," Ijiti said.

Over the past decade, the CATAS has signed 19 cooperation memoranda with African institutions, promoted about 50 new varieties and technologies in Africa, and conducted 65 technology training sessions involving more than 3,000 participants.

Technology cooperation efforts include tropical crop cultivation and processing involving Rwanda, tropical crop pest and disease control in collaboration with Tanzania, and research on crops such as cassava in partnership with Nigeria, Tanzania and Cote d'Ivoire.

"China plays an important role in the modernization of agriculture in Africa," said Rahamtalla Mohamed Osman Elnor, the African Union's permanent representative in China.

He added that China's technology advantage and policy expertise combine to offer African countries experiences that are easy to understand and quick to grasp, which not only supports the sustainable development of agricultural production in Africa but also helps African farmers to increase their incomes. 
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  The alleged ringleader of a nationwide fraud scheme has been arrested following a 3-year-long investigation.

According to the Evansville Police Department, the Felony Lane Gangs tactic is stealing womens purses and using their stolen IDs and checks to defraud banks.

As previously reported in 2021, a New Jersey woman, Jennifer Tritto, was arrested in Vanderburgh County in connection to this scheme. Police say a car that was broken into resulted in a stolen purse. Tritto claimed she received the stolen ID from the leader of the crew, who was later identified as Carderrece Frazier.

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Authorities say the SUV Tritto was driving at the time of her arrest had a plate with a fingerprint on it which came back to Frazier. Additional surveillance video from several different locations showed Frazier and Tritto together with another individual, Phillip Sibblis. It is said Sibblis and Frazier were also near the area when Tritto was arrested.

Police believed Frazier and Sibblis were living in Florida, and requested an extraditable warrant.

Frazier was eventually arrested and booked in the Vanderburgh County Jail Tuesday afternoon and charged with Forgery. He is being held on a $5,000 bond.

Carderrece Frazier (Courtesy: Vanderburgh County Jail)

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American Airlines is expanding its new boarding technology that stops passengers from cutting in line during boarding to over 100 airports nationwide before Thanksgiving.

The airline has given the technology a test-run at Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport over the last month to fine-tune the process before a wider rollout.

Passengers who board before their assigned group will trigger technology that makes a sound to alert the gate agent.

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In these instances, the American team member will invite the customer to rejoin the line when their boarding group is called, the airline said in a release.

Use of the technology could help cut down on the crowds of people who hover near gates, creating confusion and congestion and at times blocking concourse thoroughfares. The crowds have been referred to by some frequent flyers as gate lice  an unflattering term that has its own Wikipedia page.

The airline has received positive feedback from both customers and workers, according to Julie Rath, senior vice president at American.

Weve heard from our customers that the ability to board with their assigned group is important to them because its a benefit associated with their AAdvantage status or fare purchase, Rath said.

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Among the 100 airports that will see the new technology is Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, the worlds busiest airport based on passenger traffic. American also plans to expand the technology further to hubs and other airports.

The airline says the technology offers other benefits as well, saying in the release that it provides team members with more insight into the number of customers in each boarding group, which helps agents pace the boarding process.

American says it plans to fly nearly 8.3 million people across over 77,000 flights over the Thanksgiving holiday, which runs November 21 to December 3.

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(WHTM)  -The American Red Cross continues to help people in the face of disasters, such as fires.

So far this year, the Red Cross has assisted with more than 100 fires across Central Pa.

One of the more recent fires theyve been assisting with happened early Sunday morning in Warwick township, Lancaster County.

This is where just about two dozen people have been displaced, following an apartment fire there on the 300 block of Creekside Lane.

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Laura Burke, the Executive Director of the American Red Cross Central Pennsylvania chapter says their volunteers are offering these residents any support they may need during this time  such as emergency lodging, food relief supplies and emotional support.

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We have now kind of dispatched our caseworkers to continue to help those impacted residents in the days and weeks ahead, ensuring that they have the resources they need to recover from the disaster, Burke said. So thats kind of the space were in right now is that casework and recovery process, making sure that everyone has information, tools and resources they need to recover.

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The Red Cross is 90 percent volunteer based, anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can click here.

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According to a new report released on November 19, 2024 by the Human Rights Campaign ahead of the Trans Day of Remembrance, at least 36 transgender and gender expansive people have been killed in the U.S. in the last year.

While the fatalities outlined in the report impact groups across gender-expansive people of all ages, races, gender, gender identities, and from rural and urban areas, Black transgender women saw the brunt of the violence: they comprise 61% of all victims of fatal violence against transgender and gender-expansive people in the 12 month period documented in the report. This represents a slight increase from the 2022-2023 time period, during which 33 victims were identified. Overall, in the period between Trans Day of Remembrance 2023 and 2024, people of color accounted for three-quarters of victims with a known race or ethnicity.

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The epidemic of violence against transgender and gender-expansive people is a national tragedy, Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation said in a statement accompanying the report. As we pause to honor those lost to fatal violence, we must also celebrate the fullness and beauty of their liveslives filled with love, laughter, and dreams that were unjustly cut short. Let their memories ignite our determination to build a future where transgender and gender-expansive people are not merely surviving but thriving as free, equal, and valued members of society.

HRC notes that, while data may change moderately year to year in their reports, many of the overarching patterns in data remain the same: transgender women of color  Black trans women in particular  are disproportionately affected by the epidemic of violence against trans people.

Since the HRC began tracking deaths among trans Americans in 2013, over 84% of victims were people of color, defined as identifying as any race/ethnicity other than exclusively white. More than two-thirds (68.6%) of victims identified as Black, exclusively or in combination with other racial/ethnic identities. The data is supported by organizations like Everytown, which noted that in 2023, 50% of gun homicides were of Black trans women.

This report is released amid an onslaught of anti-transgender legislation in the U.S. In 2023, over 550 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced into state houses across the country, dozens of which were passed into law. In 2024, more than 500 additional anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced, and over 40 passed into law across 14 states, according to HRC. The impact of these bills had immediate and lasting effects among transgender youth. According to the Trevor Project, 86% of transgender and nonbinary youth say recent debates around anti-trans bills have negatively impacted their mental health. The real-world effects of these laws can, as experts say was the case in the death of Nex Benedict, prove fatal.

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As president-elect Donald Trump is poised to take office, Project 2025 looms as a blueprint for his administrations extremist approach to LGBTQ+ issues, and the direct consequences for LGBTQ+ Americans. Calls and texts to the Trevor Projects LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention lines saw in a massive spike of activity, with a 700 percent increase in calls, texts and chats after election day as compared to prior weeks.

Still, as Them reports, in this devastating context, the time to assist trans communities across the country has never been more ripe, as individuals seek aid in finding shelter, medical care and support against legislative attacks.

Utah-based Genderbands offers individual grants for trans people seeking help with medical costs (including surgeries for those over 18), travel, name and identity document changes, and special grants for trans youth with parental consent. Any trans person in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico may apply.

The Iowa Mutual Aid Networks fund assists with gender-affirming medical care throughout the state. Grant recipients may receive funding for hormone therapy, surgeries, therapy, and some other medical fees, as well as name change costs, travel expenses for medical care, and gender-affirming clothing.

Gender Justice LA is a grassroots social justice organization of Black, indigenous, and POC trans and gender-diverse people that opened a new community center in Lincoln Heights this year. The group is raising funds via NetworkForGood to pay for the centers rent for the next two years.

For more, visit Thems state-by-state list of mutual aid funds and advocacy groups.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
It is a very specific and high-profile warning, so you would expect the information behind it to have been quite precise.

The US Embassy in Kyiv has not closed since it relocated during the opening months of Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But on Wednesday, it announced a one-day closure, citing specific information of a potential significant air attack. Kyiv endures air attacks on an almost nightly basis  but the US step suggested a fear of being potentially targeted.

The Greek, Italian, and Spanish embassies followed suit, causing the Ukrainian foreign ministry to plead that its allies behave on the 1001st day of the war, as they had done on the previous thousand days, and not let their anxieties overcome them. Ukrainian defense officials even derided a fake warning circulated widely on Telegram claiming a massive Russian air attack, as being crude Russian-produced misinformation.

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A senior advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mykhailo Podolyak, told CNN the apparent anxiety after years of war should be put down to Russias bid to use elements of psychological influence.

[Moscow] have one instrument, which is to scare. This have always been a classic element of Russian politics. Its blackmail and panic they want to create. I would like our partners to be more careful as to the information coming from Russia, he said.

Residents in Kyiv struggled to reconcile the specific nature of the US warnings, with the quotidian daily threat they face. On Wednesday morning alone, there was a 45-minute air raid alert, and then another that lasted two and a half hours.

In the central Maidan Square, where a sea of flags are each marked with the name of a dead soldier, Anya planted one in memory of her father. She is used to air raids in her hometown of Krivyh Rih, but Wednesday felt different.

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I will be honest, we went down to the basement during every air raid siren today, she said. It was really scary indeed.

Every flag in the square is a story of this wars trauma and turmoil. Her father died in late October after five months in a coma from frontline injuries, she said. I want peace very much, but want things to be as they used to be  without Russia. I just want all this to be over.

Threats and talk of peace are deeply personal across Ukraine, yet the geopolitical risk is growing too. The US Embassy felt compelled to clarify its closure was not linked to the nuanced changes in Russias nuclear doctrine, loudly detailed by the Kremlin on Tuesday, insisting it stemmed from the fear of drone or missile attack.

Yet both statements showed how far this war is escalating: a US diplomatic mission saying it feared a direct Russian attack, then specifying at least this would not be nuclear.

A woman walks past the temporarily shuttered US Embassy in Kyiv on November 20, 2024. - Tanya Dzafarowa/AFP/Getty Images

It would be a grave and perhaps foolhardy move by the Kremlin to directly attack American government assets in Ukraine now. It would necessitate a severe American response that could trigger a wider war between NATO and Russia. Above all, it would likely tie the hands of US President-elect Donald Trump, who seems keen on stopping the killing and striking a deal with Russia. Putin would be wise to hold off a few months.

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It is important to remember much of Russias domestic narrative insists Moscow is already in a wider war against the US and NATO. That is an inaccurate reflection of the proxy fight, in which NATO is arming Ukraine to wage in its own defense. But it is a story told by the Kremlin to Russians, intended to excuse their appalling performance over a thousand days, fighting a war that was only meant to last a few weeks.

While Russia is the aggressor, strategically it is difficult to see how Moscow can continue to endure the overt Western escalation against its territory without trying to assert some sort of deterrence again. They are slowly finding all the red lines the Kremlin head seems to lay down evaporate in the heat.

Kyiv will likely remain on edge. Moscow might inflict damage on a civilian target where Westerners are known to congregate  a major hotel, or district in the capital. Putin is unlikely to view his slow success on the frontline  and the looming change in the White House  as marking a moment where the tide is turning against him. Rather, he may see the next two months as a test of his patience and resolve, with clear rewards ahead.

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CNNs Anderson Cooper reminded former Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) that Republicans have little shame these days after the ex-lawmaker suggested senators would act appropriately on the confirmation of Matt Gaetz as attorney general.

Dent, who served on the House Ethics Committee for eight years and chaired it for two, told Cooper the committees report on the now-former Florida congressman should be released.

Ordinarily, when a member of Congress resigns because of a scandal, they usually go away quietly. They go about the business of reconstructing their lives, relationships with family members and their reputations, Dent said on CNN Tuesday night, per a clip captured by Mediaite.

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They dont get elevated to the attorney general of the United States, the top law enforcement officer of the country.

He added, The United States Senate  as part of their official record and official duties in this confirmation process  want to see this report before they vote on this really important position.

Cooper interrupted, Congressman, you do know you are referring to a time when there was shame.

Gaetz resigned from Congress last week after President-elect Donald Trump announced he would nominate him for attorney general. Gaetz must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be led by the GOP, to serve.

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Gaetzs departure effectively ended an ethics committee investigation into his alleged misconduct, including sex trafficking and illicit drug use. It reportedly took place just days before a damaging report was set to be released.

He was previously investigated by the Justice Department on sex trafficking allegations but was not charged.

The ethics committee is expected to meet Wednesday to discuss what to do with its report on Gaetz.

Dent published an MSNBC op-ed on Tuesday calling for the report to be made public. Dont let Matt Gaetz escape accountability, he titled it.

Senate Republicans, under pressure from Trump, are reportedly divided on whether they need to view the findings before the confirmation process.

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A surprising number of Brummies seem to think that Andy Street is still West Midlands mayor. In the 20 minutes or so he is having his photograph taken outside the Birmingham Rep theatre, a stream of passers-by recognise his slight figure and a few call out to him to ask for help with some problem or other.

Did you not know, Im not the mayor any more? he politely asks one woman who tries to buttonhole him. Another comes up and whispers to me that it is a sin that hes not still the mayor.

Despite being a popular figure in his hometown after seven years as mayor, the 61-year-old former John Lewis boss narrowly lost Mays election to Labours Richard Parker as the crushing unpopularity of Rishi Sunaks government weighed on Conservatives across the country.

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Now, he is mounting something of a return by becoming chairman of the Rep. The voluntary post is his first foray back into public life (despite not being short of offers) because he thought itd be stimulating, interesting, exciting for me and he could help the highly successful theatre reach greater heights.

The son of scientists, Street, who grew up in Solihull, has been a regular at the theatre for decades. He reckons he was about 11 when he first came, to see a Christmas production, and it has been a constant through my life. He raves about the 2016 adaptation of The Rotters Club, Jonathan Coes novel about growing up in 1970s Birmingham, and says that last years version of I, Daniel Blake is the sort of hard-hitting show that the theatre ought to do.

Andy Street is mounting something of a return by becoming chairman of the Birmingham Rep - Mike Hayward / Alamy Stock Photo

It was wonderful, he says. But I got quite a lot of gyp from other audience members, because I was the Tory mayor and I was seeing this thing  Ken Loach!  but it sort of illustrates the point that a place like this must, of course, do the crowd-pleasers, the comedies, but it must also examine some tough issues in society.

Street joins the Rep at a critical time. Regional theatres have lagged behind Londons West End in recovering from the ravages of the pandemic, while the arts scene in Birmingham is under particular strain because the city councils effective insolvency has meant dramatic funding cuts.

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The Rep receives a little less than 2 million a year from the Arts Council, a figure that has remained flat for a decade and is, as a result, a real-terms cut. The crisis at Birmingham City Council, Europes largest local authority, is even more stark. Equal pay claims and a botched IT project have blown a near-1 billion hole in its finances, meaning that arts funding is being slashed to the bone across the city: not just the Rep, but also the likes of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Birmingham Royal Ballet. There have even been fears that the cash-strapped council could sell off the museum and art collection. But to be absolutely clear, there is no intention of selling off the collection, Street says. And my personal view is that that would be absolute sacrilege.

A theatre like this must do the crowd-pleasers, the comedies, but must also tackle tough issues in society - Matt Writtle

The Rep is getting just 150,000 from the council this year  which will fall to zero in April.

Despite the headwinds, Street, as may be expected from somebody who spent three decades at John Lewis, is never knowingly undersold and is approaching the chairmanship with his characteristic energetic optimism. I genuinely believe we can make this the best regional theatre in Europe, he says. And I think its so important that Britains second city has a producing theatre that genuinely is world-class.

His first big task as chairman  and probably the biggest task he will face in post  was overseeing the appointment of a new artistic director to fill the large shoes of Sean Foley. Foley had brought vital energy to the Rep and launched world premieres of Withnail and I, based on the cult film, and Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image Saves The World (the latter then had a 15-week West End run, which helped boost the Reps coffers).

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Foleys successor is revealed today as Joe Murphy, artistic director of Cardiffs Sherman Theatre who was formerly associate director at the Old Vic and whom Street describes as one of Britains brightest stars, who has the potential to go on to be, truly, one of the countrys leaders. Murphy will be assisted by locals Madeleine Kludje  who came up through the Reps Foundry training programme and is now deputy artistic director  and Iqbal Khan, associate director of the Rep, to ensure that the theatre serves its audience.

Joe Murphy, artistic director of Cardiffs Sherman Theatre - Kris Askey

Street can consider himself unfortunate that in Mays election, when more than 600,000 ballots were cast, he lost by less than 1,500, despite the drubbing that the Tories took less than two months later in the General Election. That the result was so close is a testament to his popularity and the appeal of his moderate politics. I took it entirely on my own shoulders, I never passed the blame to anybody else, but I do know in my heart of hearts that it was a very difficult battle, given that I was wearing a T-shirt that was blue, he says. It was a very light blue. My brand of conservatism is very distinct. And I have, since the campaign, continued to do all I can to fight for my type of conservatism.

Most importantly of all, I look back and I had my integrity, because I never compromised over my principles and values, and for someone coming out of Conservative politics in 2024 to be able to say that, that is more important than anything else to me.

The softly-spoken Street chooses his words carefully, but it is clear that he reckons many of his fellow Tories lost their integrity in recent years.

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So, what does Street make of Kemi Badenochs fledgling leadership? No, I dont want to go there. Ive answered every one of your questions, he says. I told everyone, very clearly, that I would wish that we had chosen a leader from the centre ground. Tom [Tugendhat] was my preferred candidate who didnt win through. Shes been fairly elected. Now we have to see.

It is difficult to envisage Badenoch and Street being part of the same tribe, given that she has a reputation for being able to start a fight in an empty room while he is emollient by nature. The biggest challenge was getting people to see that politics didnt have to be partisan, Street says of his mayoralty. One of the things of which he is most proud was managing to find consensus among the seven councils in his patch, which were controlled by different parties. I feel there was a maturity to that model, which is just so different to the yah boo sucks politics that we see all the time on telly.

Street, who has said he did not realise he was gay until he was 30, has long been linked with Michael Fabricant, the luxuriously coiffed former Tory MP. The pair own a holiday home in Snowdonia together, but their unconventional relationship has never really been defined. Fabricant has described Street as his life partner. He uses that, says Street. I just use best friend.

The long-time Aston Villa fan lives in a flat in The Cube, a swish city centre development, and since moving back to Birmingham has noticed that a city famed for being self-deprecating is more willing to say how good it is.

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One of the things I look back on, which is different to how it was seven or eight years ago, people here now expect to win, Street says. They do not expect to come second. And, hopefully, the growing self-confidence here is based around the facts. It is helped, of course, by our team doing rather better now as well.

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ANKENY, Iowa  A criminal investigation is underway after an internal audit at the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce found financial irregularities. The groups President and CEO was let go after further investigation, according to the board.

In an email sent to chamber members on Monday, chairwoman Corey Morrison said the board wanted to provide some information regarding a recent event, before announcing the organizations leader had been dismissed on Saturday. That was the same day the Ankeny Police Department said an official complaint was filed and a criminal investigation opened into potential financial crimes.

Theres a lot of different things to look into, said Sgt. Corey Schneden.

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Schneden would not comment on the amount allegedly mishandled, but said that detectives were actively investigating and that the agency would provide more details as information became available.

Matt Rife bringing new tour to Des Moines in 2025

An attorney representing the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce told WHO-13 that board members were not available to answer questions regarding the situation due to the ongoing investigation. However, they provided a written statement on the matter.

The Ankeny Chamber of Commerce recently discovered some financial irregularities during the course of an audit. Given the details known at this time, the individual tied to these irregularities has been dismissed from the organization and the Executive Board of Directors is working with an external audit team to fully assess the extent of the issue. Thankfully, the Chamber has insurance to help cover these types of occurrences. The Chamber is financially sound and focused on fulfilling its mission and the board and staff are committed to ensuring this incident will not derail the Chambers efforts moving forward. We have turned the matter over to local authorities for further investigation and will cooperate with any future investigation. Any questions regarding this should be directed to law enforcement.

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It is unclear at this time what the financial irregularities consisted of. However, the individual the statement refers to appears to be Melisa Cox, who had served as CEO and president of the chamber since 2021, after the previous president retired. Coxs profile had been scrubbed from the chambers website by Tuesday afternoon, but a public post on her Facebook page appeared to show she had been on vacation in the Dominican at a chamber-sanctioned event as recently as last week. She has not been charged.

Multiple Ankeny business owners and chamber members expressed disbelief to WHO-13 after learning the news.

The board will begin searching for a new CEO in the coming weeks. Until then, Trent Murphy has been named as the interim CEO.

WHO-13 attempted to contact Cox for comment, but a listed phone number was not accepting calls. A message left at an alternative number was not returned.

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BOSTON (WWLP)  Massachusetts State Police are disciplining more officers connected to the Karen Read murder investigation.

Highest court in Massachusetts to hear arguments in Karen Reads bid to dismiss murder charge

The former head of the detective unit that investigated Read, Lieutenant Brian Tully, will lose six days of pay for failing to take action about inappropriate text messages sent by Trooper Michael Proctor, NBC Boston reports.

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He admitted to sending texts to his colleagues that he called unprofessional and regrettable. Proctor has since been suspended without pay. Tully was moved out of his original unit last month.

Read was charged with murder in the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John OKeefe, in January of 2022. OKeefe was found outside the Canton home of Brian Albert, another Boston police officer. Prosecutors argued that Read hit him with her SUV and left him for dead, while the defense claimed she was framed in a wide-ranging coverup.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's Long March-10 carrier rocket series has completed a fairing separation test that fully assessed issues in such areas as design, connection structure and separation strategy.

The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), which developed the carrier rockets, said on Wednesday that the fairing separated smoothly at the planned time and under predetermined conditions, and that all parameters tested met their design requirements. The test verified the rationality of the design, as well as interface coordination.

The results have validated the reliability of the entire system plan and provided valuable data for subsequent tests.

Fairing separation is a key action in the carrier rocket launch process. The success of the test is further solid progress in the sample development of the Long March-10 carrier rocket series.

The fairing is an important part of a launch vehicle and provides effective protection for spacecraft to avoid the adverse effects of high-speed airflow.

During the separation test, the height and diameter of the fairing were both 5 meters -- a newly developed configuration, according to CALT.

The Long March-10 carrier rockets are China's new generation of manned launch vehicles, which will help the country achieve its goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2030.

The Long March-10 series has also passed several large-scale tests, including a sub-stage power system test, CALT said, noting that it will continue to verify the design of each system comprehensively. 
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Austin Police Department identified a pedestrian in a deadly crash that happened in south Austin in August, the agency said in a news release Tuesday. Police are also searching for a suspect vehicle in connection with the crash.

The crash happened on Aug. 27 shortly after 1 a.m. in the 700 block of East Ben White Boulevard SVRD westbound near the Murphys gas station, according to police.

Police identified the pedestrian as Michael Schoenherr, 38. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

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According to APD, the suspect vehicle left the scene. No description of the suspect vehicle was given by police Tuesday.

This is being investigated as Austins 58th fatal crash of 2024, according to police.

If anyone has any information on the crash, they can contact APDs Vehicular Homicide Unit at 512-974-8111. Tipsters can remain anonymous via the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program website or they can call 512-472-8477, according to police.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The Austin Police Department held a news conference Tuesday to address a recent spike in the number of homicides in the city.

Since Nov. 1, seven people have been died in homicides in Austin  five by gun and two by knife. Thats the same number of killings that occurred during the entire month of November last year, according to Police Department data. In November 2022, there were only three.

Police Lt. Sheldon Askew, head of the homicide and aggravated assault units, said he did not have a solid answer to explain the increase and that none of the killings appear to be connected. But he said the recent spate has burdened an already taxed homicide unit where detectives work long hours.

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We've seen a tremendous spike in the number of homicides since 2020, Askew said.

Thats true in many major American cities, which saw an overall spike in violent crime amid racial unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report from the Council on Criminal Justice.

Austin saw its most killings ever in 2021 when 88 people were slain, or about 7.9 per 100,000 residents. Still, the citys homicide rate lagged far behind other major Texas cities, public data show.

That year, Houston saw 458 homicides, or about 20 per 100,000 residents. Dallas, meanwhile, saw 220, or about 17 per 100,000.

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So far this year, 62 people have died in homicides in Austin. Thats essentially on par with last year when about 60 homicides had occurred by this time.

Most of the suspects in this months homicides knew their victims, though the most recent killing, which came on Sunday, was an accidental shooting and didnt result in murder charges.

The Austin Police Department has held more news conferences since new Police Chief Lisa Davis took the helm in September. In a 100-day action plan released last week, she vowed to prioritize transparency and communicate directly with the public.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin Police Department says recent spike of homicides not connected
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  If you got sticker shock opening your last property tax bill, you may want to spend the next few minutes reading this story. It could have a $50,000 impact.

The window to appeal property values has opened in Franklin County. Owners can start the Board of Revision process to appeal property values and NBC 4 Investigates is going to show how.

My future is unstable, retired teacher Loyce Hopkins said.

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Ohio-based furniture store to close all locations amid bankruptcy filing

We first introduced you to Hopkins in June. Shes owned her south Columbus home for almost 50 years, but when her 2023 property tax bill came in the mail, she wasnt sure if she could afford to stay.

Let me refresh your mind here, that it went from my taxes went from $679 to $2,300, Hopkins said.

Her bill tripled and she had to get help to pay it.

What my mom is sharing here is not just her personal story; it has happened to a lot of seniors, Loyce Hopkins son Aaron K. Hopkins said.

Now they hope the Board of Revision process will give them some relief.

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If I dont say anything, I cant get anything done, but I will fight till the end, until they do something, Loyce Hopkins said.

Why fighter jets may be flying over Chillicothe and southeastern Ohio

A home is evaluated on improvements, recent sales around it and neighborhood appeal. You pay real estate taxes on the assessed value: 35% of the propertys value. The rest of the tax bill comes from levies.

The board of revision, good or bad, is one of the avenues or the outlet to potentially seek a relief, Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano said.

The window to appeal is open until the end of March 2025.

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Were starting to hear from property owners who are saying, Hey, I continue to kind of feel a crunch when Im looking at my property taxes, Stinziano said.

Home contractor to serve over seven years in prison for fraud in Delaware County

If you live in Franklin County and feel your property value is incorrect go to the Franklin County Auditors website.

Scroll to the Board of Revision and click it.

Then click filing instructions.

Heres where you pick the form depending on your property: most homes will be that first form, and manufactured or mobile homes will be the second.

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What were going to look for when they file a board of revision as evidence of why that valuation is incorrect. Maybe the square footage is wrong. Maybe there is damaged or destroyed property, Stinziano said.

Read the instructions, click continue and then you have two options: fill out and mail a printed form or file online.

Click here for that form.

Fill out each category and gather the documents to prove the home is yours.

Any pictures, any evidence that you may have, some people go as far as getting a third-party independent appraisal, Stinziano said.

Submit the form, at which point, two things can happen from there.

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Ohio principal reinstated after investigation into election message to staff

Depending on the change that youre seeking, it may go to the more formal Board of Revision, which is made up of the auditor, the treasurer, board of commissioner or we also have a mediation program in Franklin County, Stinziano said.

Mediation is less formal and usually used if the change requested is less than $50,000.

Ive heard from people that have been successful in going through the revisions and taking the pictures and submitting them. They said its like a six-month process, a six-month process, but they were successful in getting it lowered, Aaron Hopkins said.

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In June we also met Pastor Frederick LaMarr, who appealed his Driving Park home value and had his hearing in September.

I had to bring the evidence of, you know, the properties were mine and proof of that and all updates or anything that I can bring to substantiate that it should be down lower, LaMarr said.

He lost his appeal.

Ohio State parents hire company to test air in dorm after mold found in rooms

Theres no change. Theres no change in my property value. So, you know, what was the purpose of me going through the process then? LaMarr said.

Others did get some relief.

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The average property value reduction for 2023 residential property appeals was $50,544. Thats the largest reduction going back to 2014.

What were going to always ask a property owner if youre going to sell that property is the auditors value within the range that you would probably seek in the open market? Stinziano said.

For the Hopkins family, their hopes are now resting on this process lowering their home value and their taxes.

You have to accept what it is now, but it doesnt mean that you have to be satisfied with it. You have to do what you have to do, but you still fighting in the process. So I know somewhere along the way Ive got to have $2300 for my taxes while Im fighting the battle, Loyce Hopkins said.

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Franklin County is not the only county where homeowners can appeal. The process is very similar in surrounding counties. Delaware County will accept complaints from Jan. 2-March 31, 2025. More information on that process can be found here.

Pickaway County has the form to complain listed on its website here. Owner can also call the office for more information: (740) 474-4765.

Fairfield County has information here.

Knox County has steps here.

Madison County residents can find the form to appeal here and email it to realestateappeals@madison.oh.gov.

Union County residents can find more information here.

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NBC4 Investigates asked the Franklin County Auditor how many appeals were successful for the 2023 tax year. As soon as we have that number, we will share it.

The Franklin County Auditors office is also holding Mobile BOR events starting in January. More information on where and when those will be held can be found here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
36,718 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?

36,718 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?
(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. argued in federal court that a US judge should dismiss the Justice Departments antitrust lawsuit at an early stage because it failed to state how the iPhone makers alleged monopoly has harmed any consumers or developers.

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The suit accuses the iPhone maker of violating antitrust laws by blocking rivals from accessing hardware and software features on its popular devices. It claims Apple has used its power over app distribution and the iPhones features to thwart innovations that would have made it easier for consumers to switch phones.

US District Judge Julien Xavier Neals said after the hearing that he hoped to decide by January on Apples bid to dismiss the suit brought earlier this year by Joe Bidens administration and attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia.

Counsel addressed pretty much every question I had, said Neals, a Biden appointee, breaking his silence after three hours of arguments on Wednesday. Were really going to put a lot of effort into having a decision to you by January.

Apples lawyers urged the judge to dismiss the case because of the governments failure to argue it has any monopoly power in the smartphone market or that anyone was harmed. They also argued that Apple has a legal right to choose with whom it does business and it has no duty to boost the chances of its competitors.

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The fundamental problem with the governments allegations is that they dont include facts that link the challenged conduct to any harm to smartphone users, Apple attorney Devora Allon argued Wednesday in federal court in Newark, New Jersey. The governments theory of harm really boils down to speculation about what smartphone developers and consumers would do under the alleged conduct, said Allon.

The Justice Department and a group of US states say Apple has refused to support cross-platform messaging apps, limited third-party digital wallets and non-Apple smartwatches, and blocked mobile cloud streaming services.

Apple is litigating a ghost complaint based on rules of law that dont exist, Justice Department attorney Jonathan Lasken argued. Apple can compete on the merits. What Apple cant do is use monopoly to prevent others from competing.

The hearing came as President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second stint in the White House. The Biden administration has made competition a cornerstone of its economic policy, with Silicon Valley becoming a key focus, but the business community is hoping for at least a partial rollback of that stance, particularly around dealmaking.

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Business Changes

Apple has already made some changes to its business, recently adding support for cloud-based gaming services and RCS messaging, a text messaging standard used by many telecom carriers and communication apps.

The antitrust law allows companies like Apple to choose the companies with which it wishes to deal and the terms on which it does so, argued another Apple lawyer, Craig Primis.

Lasken said the case is not about Apple refusing to do business with rivals. Rather, it accuses Apple of using its dominant position in the smartphone market to block competitors, he said, comparing it to how someone uses a baseball bat.

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If you use it to break your neighbors window it becomes illegal, Lasken said.

Apples conduct has led to inflated prices and restrictions on consumer choice, said Isabella Pitt of the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office.

At this early stage in the case, the US and states must only show their allegations are plausible. Apple claims the case should be dismissed or limited before moving forward. The Justice Department and states argue that Apples conduct was a deliberate attempt to box out rivals and build an illegal moat around the iPhone.

Apple contends that its iPhone business is constrained by Samsung Electronics Co. and Alphabet Inc.s Google but that is an argument the company can make at trial, Lasken said.

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Apple is also facing a full-blown European Union probe into its compliance with the blocs Digital Markets Act. Bloomberg reported earlier this month that the company is expected to be the first to face a fine under the European law.

The Justice Department and states filed the case in New Jersey, which is overseen by the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals and has a reputation for issuing friendly rulings to those bringing antitrust lawsuits. Those include exclusive dealing cases in dental supplies and consumer goods.

The case is US v. Apple, 24-cv-4055, US District Court, District of New Jersey (Newark).

(Updates with judge saying he may rule by January.)

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A 72-year-old man in Paragould, Arkansas pled guilty to four counts of rape and will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.

The Office of State Prosecuting Attorney Sonia F. Hagood announced on Tuesday that John Paul Barron pled guilty to the crimes and was sentenced to 35 years in prison on each count.

John Paul Barron (Courtesy of the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney Sonia F. Haygood)

This verdict should send a message, once again, that we will never stop fighting to protect rape

victims in Greene County and the entire Second Judicial District, Said Greene County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Adam Butler. The plea results in what is effectively a life sentence given the Defendants age.

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Man facing 3 counts of attempted murder released without bond

Reports say the Greene County Sheriffs Office received a report of rape from a minor victim on January 12, 2024. The victim informed them that John Barron had touched her inappropriately multiple times over the course of six years, beginning when she was just 11 years old.

Barron was arrested on March 4, 2024.

After he was arrested, reports say another victim came forward to report similar acts that Barron committed against her under similar circumstances.

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By Luc Cohen and Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Former billionaire investor Sung Kook "Bill" Hwang was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Wednesday over the collapse of Archegos Capital Management, which cost Wall Street banks more than $10 billion.

Hwang was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan, where a jury convicted Hwang in July on 10 criminal charges including wire fraud, securities fraud and market manipulation.

"The amount of losses that were caused by your conduct are larger than any other losses I have dealt with," Hellerstein said before announcing the sentence.

Archegos' March 2021 implosion took less than a week, stunning Wall Street and Hwang's lenders.

The U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan sought a 21-year prison term for Hwang - unusually long for a white-collar case - and for him to forfeit $12.35 billion and make restitution to victims.

"It stands among a rare class of cases that truly could be described as a national calamity," prosecutor Andrew Thomas said at the sentencing hearing before Hellerstein.

Hellerstein did not reach a decision on Wednesday on whether Hwang must forfeit money or pay restitution. The sentencing hearing is expected to resume on Thursday.

Before sentencing Hwang, Hellerstein asked the defendant's lawyer, Dani James, how she thought Hwang compared to Sam Bankman-Fried, who was sentenced in March to 25 years in prison for stealing $8 billion from users of the now-bankrupt FTX exchange.

"Mr. Bankman-Fried was literally stealing from his customers," James said. "I don't think that's what's happened here."

Hwang had asked for no prison, forfeiture or restitution, and to remain free on bail while he appealed his conviction. James said his low risk of committing more crimes meant a lengthy prison term served no purpose.

"The notion that he would commit a crime in the future, it's just not so," James said.

Bankman-Fried denies wrongdoing and is appealing his conviction.

STARTED AS FAMILY OFFICE

Hwang, 60, was a protege of late hedge-fund billionaire Julian Robertson.

He set up Archegos in New York as a family office in 2013, the year after his former hedge fund Tiger Asia Management pleaded guilty to wire fraud in an insider-trading case.

Prosecutors accused Hwang of lying to banks about Archegos' portfolio so he could borrow money aggressively and make concentrated bets on media and technology stocks such as ViacomCBS, now called Paramount Global.

While Archegos eventually managed $36 billion, Hwang's borrowing helped him amass $160 billion of exposure to stocks.
A man introduces two Exeed SUV models at a launching ceremony in northern Great Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 18, 2024. Chinese premium automotive brand Exeed, a subsidiary of automaker Chery, has introduced two SUV models, the Exeed RX and Exeed VX, to the Egyptian market. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

CAIRO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese premium automotive brand Exeed, a subsidiary of automaker Chery, has introduced two SUV models, the Exeed RX and Exeed VX, to the Egyptian market.

A launching ceremony held by Exeed on Monday in the Muhammad Ali Palace in northern Great Cairo attracted more than 1,000 guests from the two countries, including government representatives, auto dealers and experts, potential customers and media representatives.

The two gasoline-powered SUV models boast luxurious features and advanced smart technology. The launch of the new models also marked Exeed's debut in the Egyptian market.

National Automotive Company (NATCO), an established Egyptian automotive dealer since 1988, is partnering with Exeed to distribute its vehicles in the region. Speaking at the event, NATCO Chairman Karim Sami Saad highlighted China's growing prominence in the global automotive industry and expressed optimism about the partnership.

Qin Chao, CEO of Exeed International, told Xinhua that his company is striving to be a high-end mobility solution provider. "In Egypt, together with NATCO, we will provide high-quality models to meet customer needs and contribute to the development of the Egyptian automotive industry," he said.

On Sunday, Egypt launched the production line of the Exeed cars at the Egyptian-German Automotive (EGA) factory in the 6th of October City. Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel el-Wazir said the initiative aligns with Egypt's strategy to become a key industrial hub, particularly in the automotive industry. 

People look at Exeed SUV models at a launching ceremony in northern Great Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 18, 2024. Chinese premium automotive brand Exeed, a subsidiary of automaker Chery, has introduced two SUV models, the Exeed RX and Exeed VX, to the Egyptian market. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Photo taken on Nov. 18, 2024 shows two Exeed SUV models during a launching ceremony in northern Great Cairo, Egypt. Chinese premium automotive brand Exeed, a subsidiary of automaker Chery, has introduced two SUV models, the Exeed RX and Exeed VX, to the Egyptian market. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

People attend a launching ceremony of two Exeed SUV models in northern Great Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 18, 2024. Chinese premium automotive brand Exeed, a subsidiary of automaker Chery, has introduced two SUV models, the Exeed RX and Exeed VX, to the Egyptian market. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

People look at an Exeed SUV model at a launching ceremony in northern Great Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 18, 2024. Chinese premium automotive brand Exeed, a subsidiary of automaker Chery, has introduced two SUV models, the Exeed RX and Exeed VX, to the Egyptian market. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

People look at an Exeed SUV model at a launching ceremony in northern Great Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 18, 2024. Chinese premium automotive brand Exeed, a subsidiary of automaker Chery, has introduced two SUV models, the Exeed RX and Exeed VX, to the Egyptian market. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)
LA PAZ, Boliva (AP)  Last year, then-presidential candidate Javier Milei declared Argentina would not make deals with communists in China or Brazil, calling their leaders murderers and thieves in a bid to channel the populist energies of Donald Trump and other global far-right icons into a winning political message.

But Tuesday, President Milei found himself at the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping and vowing to boost trade with the Asian powerhouse, a day after his economy minister signed a preliminary agreement to export Argentine natural gas to Brazil.

Milei even acquiesced to a joint declaration endorsed by world leaders late Monday despite his earlier attempts to play spoiler to the G20 host, Brazils left-wing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who was once called by Milei a corrupt communist."

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The final moments of the summit revealed Milei's more pragmatic streak, coming as a surprise after the irascible president sought to undercut various international initiatives  withdrawing Argentine negotiators from the U.N. climate summit, casting the only no votes on two U.N. resolutions, one supporting Indigenous rights and another advocating for an end to violence against women, and roiling negotiations at the G20 summit.

Argentina has also dramatically reshaped its foreign policy in line with its hard-right allies in Italy  with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni headed to Buenos Aires on Tuesday to spend more time with Milei  and in Israel.

On Tuesday, Andrea Tenenti, a spokesperson for the U.N. peacekeeping mission operating along Lebanon's southern border, told reporters in Geneva that Argentina had decided to withdraw its peacekeepers from the force, known as UNIFIL.

He did not say why, but Israel has repeatedly requested that peacekeepers leave the area since the military's Oct. 1 invasion of southern Lebanon. Despite Israeli attacks on peacekeepers, UNIFIL has vowed to stay put and none of the other 47 troop-contributing countries has pulled out.

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In the past few days, Argentine resistance to the joint G20 communique focused on clauses related to the taxation of the super-rich and regulation of online speech, diplomats said. Argentine delegates also sought to block language about gender equality and references to the U.N. 2030 agenda on sustainable development, which Milei has decried as socialist.

Critics in Rio saw the Argentine president as a saboteur. Supporters back home cheered Milei as a leader of the new world disorder. Fresh off a trip to Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida where he ranted against socialism and rubbed shoulders with the president-elect and tech billionaire Elon Musk, Milei initially seemed immune to such concerns in Rio.

Milei's office issued a harsh statement citing his objections to the G20 declaration. But the president ultimately signed onto it under enormous international pressure.

Argentina is not a great power and it is in a very difficult situation economically," said Roberto Goulart Menezes, a professor of international relations at the University of Brasilia. That pressure, he added, was enough for Argentina to finally reduce its opposition.

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During Milei's first-ever meeting with Xi on Tuesday, the leaders discussed their current trade and financial ties" and desire to continue exploring new opportunities to expand and improve, the Argentine presidency said in a statement, along with a photo of the presidents sharing a warm handshake. It said the leaders had invited each other to visit.

With Argentina highly reliant on China as a market for its soybeans and other crops, the cordial tone made clear that the crisis-stricken South American nation has no desire for relations with its second-largest trading partner and crucial source of financing to further deteriorate.

A statement from China's foreign ministry said Xi expressed his appreciation for Milei's willingness to continue deepening bilateral cooperation."

China has maintained strategic assets in Argentina, including stakes in lithium mines and a space station in Patagonia. Earlier this year, former Foreign Minister Diana Mondino, whom Milei recently fired, led a successful visit to China to patch up relations strained by Milei's colorful insults ("Would you trade with an assassin?" he asked on the campaign trail last August, accusing China of killing dissidents).

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After Mondino's trip, Beijing in June resumed a currency swap deal worth billions of dollars that boosted Argentinas depleted reserves.

On Monday, as negotiations over the G20 draft grew increasingly tense, Argentine Economy Minister Luis Caputo and Brazilian Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira signed a memorandum of understanding that offered a new and important source of income to cash-strapped Argentina.

The agreement to work toward shipping 30 million cubic meters of natural gas to Brazil from Argentinas Vaca Muerta, a vast shale oil and gas field in Patagonia, over the next five years, might have helped Milei sign the joint G20 statement, Silveira told reporters.

But it did nothing to dispel the chill between the leaders of South America's largest economies, who have opposite views on climate change, social issues and the role of governments.

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A set of official photographs that splashed across the front pages of local newspapers Tuesday showed Lula and other government leaders clasping hands amicably in sharp contrast to the Brazilian leader's photo-op with Milei  both men standing stiffly apart despite protocol demanding they shake hands, looking like theyd rather be anywhere else in the world.

Some fear that Trump's election has further emboldened Milei and other far-right political figures to abandon U.N. commitments and ambitious multilateral agreements on issues like climate change.

Milei has already taken a pro-Trump stance, thinking ... that the G20 could be emptied by President Trump," said Goulart Menezes, the international relations expert.

Yet, he cautioned that making Argentinas foreign policy conditional on the future president of the United States carries risks.

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Argentina is putting itself in a position of international isolation," he said.

Indeed, at the traditional G20 family photo  taken for a second time Tuesday because U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau failed to show up to the first  Milei was the only leader missing from the lineup.

There would be no third attempt.

___

Associated Press reporters Debora Rey in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Eleonore Hughes and Mauricio Savarese in Rio de Janeiro contributed to this report.
High school can be a difficult time for Arizona teens, especially as they consider what they want to do after graduation.

Whether it's college, the workforce or something else entirely, Friends of Public Radio Arizona aims to help those students dream big and have the skills to reach their goals with a special boot camp.

SPOT 127 Youth Media Center opened its doors in 2012 and has since taught hundreds of metro Phoenix students the art of storytelling in different mediums.

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The media center teaches photography, video and audio production skills while also training students to think critically, be curious and engage with their communities.

Friends of Public Radio Arizona previously received a grant from The Arizona Republic's Season for Sharing campaign grant to assist with expenses for the SPOT 127 Youth Media Center. The campaign has raised and given away more than $74 million to Arizona nonprofits since 1993.

Make a donation to Season for Sharing by clicking here.

The nonprofit's responses to The Republic's questions have been edited for length and clarity.

What is your organizations mission?

SPOT 127 empowers teens to develop their skills through digital media and technology. We continuously innovate our free multi-award-winning programs to meet the needs of our communities through free, year-round in and after-school instruction.

What vision does your organization have for the future?

Our vision for the future is to improve and enrich the quality of our programs whether its through the afterschool online experience, in-person high school workshops or summer boot camp sessions.

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Homelessness is on the rise. This group is helping Arizona families break the cycle. Here's how

What inspires the work of your organization?

The growth and success of our students are what inspire our work. Our goal is to prepare high school students for major life decisions that will impact their future, such as college, trade school or a post-high school job. SPOT 127 applies a unique digital media curriculum and applied learning practices that enable students to develop communication and technological skills leading to a wide range of educational and employment opportunities. We are motivated to continuously improve our program as we watch our SPOT 127 students receive acknowledgement for their outstanding work.

How does your organization help make Arizona a better place for Arizonans?

SPOT 127 programs provide the opportunity and equipment that will give the students access, which will enhance their learning experience. Rio Salado College is making the Adobe Suite software available to SPOT 127 students, and their ongoing support is a huge asset for SPOT 127.

How to donate to Season for Sharing

There are several ways you can donate to Season for Sharing and help organizations like UMOM continue to help families in need.

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Fill out the secure online form at sharing.azcentral.com.

Text "SHARING" to 91-999 and click on the link in the text message.

Go online at facebook.com/seasonforsharing and look for the featured "DONATE HERE" post.

Clip the coupon on Page 4A of The Arizona Republic, fill it out and mail it to P.O. Box 29250, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9250.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona teens learn the power of listening at this boot camp
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Jonesboro) explains a bill he is sponsoring on the Senate floor Feb. 22, 2023. The Jonesboro Republican is reviving a failed 2023 bill that he said aims to end discrimination in state agencies. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

A Jonesboro Republican filed a bill Wednesday to prohibit discrimination or preferential treatment by state and public agencies that mirrors legislation that failed during the 2023 legislative session.

Sen. Dan Sullivan is lead sponsor of Senate Bill 3, which again proposes eliminating required minority recruitment and retention plans and reports from public school districts and higher education institutions, as well as amending a scholarship designed to attract qualified minority teachers to the Delta.

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SB 3 also would repeal requirements that state procurement proposals include language that encourages minority participation or to adopt an equal opportunity hiring program designed to increase the percentage of minority employees.

Additionally, the bill would eliminate the requirement for bids for certain public improvement contracts exceeding $75,000 to include statements encouraging the participation of minority- and women-owned businesses.

Knowingly violating the bill would result in a Class A misdemeanor.

SB 3 differs slightly from its predecessor, Senate Bill 71 of 2023, with the addition of language explicitly stating that the intent of the act is to prohibit discrimination by public entities on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin, and that it is not meant to affect preferences provided to veterans under law based on their status as veterans.

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During the 2023 legislative session, Sullivan said the intent of his bill was to stop discrimination, noting that we will not ever end discrimination with more discrimination.

Sullivan did not return a request for comment Wednesday.

SB 71 narrowly passed the Senate last March before dying on the House floor on the final day of the session after several passionate speeches from members of both parties.

Sen. Reginald Murdock, D-Marianna, who will serve alongside Sullivan on the Senate Education Committee next year, voted against SB 71 in 2023.

Murdock told the Advocate Wednesday that when Sullivan broached the subject of reviving the bill for the upcoming legislative session, Murdock responded that the country and state are not ready.

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People have not succumbed to just being civil, being equitable, being fair and being just, Murdock said. Thats not the country we live in, and so it does surprise me that hes filed that bill, but we will fight vigorously again against it in hopes that it will be defeated again.

Sullivans bill was one of nearly four dozen filed Wednesday that address a variety of topics, including allowing online voter registration, prohibiting book bans and requiring Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers for one year after giving birth.

The 95th General Assembly will convene on Jan. 13, 2025.

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Debris and a mobile home are piled up along a tree line in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 29, 2024, in Old Fort, North Carolina. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

Arkansas is sending $780,000 in disaster assistance funds to North Carolina, Florida and New Mexico to help those states deal with the effects of hurricanes, wildfires and flooding.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued two executive orders and amended a third on Friday authorizing the release of the funds via the Governors Disaster Response and Recovery Funds. The states Division of Emergency Management will direct the funds as needed to the recipients through a federal mutual aid program known as the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

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The largest amount of money, $750,000, will go to Florida and North Carolina to assist in recovery from Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida on Sept. 26.

The storm killed at least 230 people across six states and caused billions of dollars in property damage. As of last week, there had been 103 verified storm-related deaths in North Carolina, according to the states Department of Health and Human Services.

Sanders ordered another $25,000 directed to Florida to aid in recovery from Hurricane Milton, which hit the state barely two weeks after Helene on Oct. 10.

Another Sanders executive order last week sent $5,000 to New Mexico to help its recovery from wildfires, severe weather and flooding that began June 19. Those funds are in addition to $210,000 that Arkansas sent the state in October for the same disasters.

The money is reimbursable, according to a press release from the governors office.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A new rideshare service rolling out in Austin will featured armed drivers, in an effort company officials say will help bolster customers security.

Ride-hailing service BlackWolf announced this month it was expanding its services into Austin, Dallas and Houston. BlackWolf is in its recruitment phase, looking to launch around January 2025 in all three markets with between 35 and 50 drivers in each city, a company spokesperson told KXAN.

Founder Kerry KingBrown launched the company in Atlanta last year, inspired to develop a rideshare platform centered around security after hearing about his friends experience of being sex trafficked. More than 300,000 downloads of the app have been made since its launch, company officials said.

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Services have since expanded to Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, along with the Florida communities of Boca Raton, Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg and West Palm Beach.

BlackWolf currently offers two tiers of service: BlackWolf Premium and BlackWolf Armed, with the latter the only service level featuring armed drivers. The business is also working to roll out a BlackWolf Comfort service.

BlackWolf Premium drivers must undergo thorough background checks and also are required to have at least four years of experience in the military, law enforcement and security sectors. This service offering specializes in premium sedans and SUV vehicles, with eligible types outlined here.

BlackWolf Armed focuses on hiring drivers who hold active security licenses in their respective states. These drivers will also have premium sedans and SUVs.

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BlackWolf Comfort drivers will go through an extensive background check and are required to have at least four years of experience in the military, law enforcement or security. This service level will feature everyday vehicles, with a list of eligible vehicle types listed online.

These are the people whove dedicated their lives to serve their communities and country, and were proud to give them a home at Black Wolf where their expertise is put to great use, BlackWolfs spokesperson added.

Currently, Lyfts safety policy outlines a stringent no weapons clause for all properties, applying to both Lyft Hubs and its service centers. This no weapons policy applies to its drivers, even in areas where they are legally allowed to carry a weapon.

For Uber, its policy confirms riders and their guests along with Uber drivers and food delivery workers arent allowed to carry firearms to the extent permitted by applicable law.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The British Armys main drone system is to be axed in a swathe of post-Budget cuts to the military.

John Healey, the Defence Secretary, confirmed that six outdated projects across all three Armed Forces will be cancelled in order to raise half a billion pounds over five years.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Healey confirmed that the Armys Watchkeeper drone programme, as well as the Navys Landing Platform Docks, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark and the Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland are all to be scrapped.

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He also said the wave class tankers RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler were to be axed, as well as 14 of the RAFs oldest Chinooks and 17 Puma helicopters.

It comes ahead of the Ministry of Defences Strategic Defence Review, which is due to be published next year and will look at how to adapt the military to fight better in a more contested world.

The Telegraph understands the review will be looking for ways to save money across each of the forces, with the military expected to do more with less. Government departments were asked to save money after Rachel Reeves said there was a 22 billion black hole in the public finances.

Army sources voiced concern to The Telegraph that Mr Healey had taken the decision to get rid of its primary drone programme, which is 14 years old.

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When drones appear to dominate the Ukrainian battlefield, the Army seems to be divesting itself of drones, one said.

The source called for certainty on when the uncrewed aircraft system, which only reached full operational capability in 2018, would be replaced upon its end in March next year. He added that while the drone is out of date, the sensors it carries remain good.

However, senior Whitehall officials insisted it was time the Army replaced Watchkeeper with a better drone system that could withstand all weathers, with many drones having struggled to navigate in poor weather.

A number have crashed while flying, with one having plummeted into the sea while performing a routine training flight in 2022.

In Ukraine, unmanned aerial vehicles have dominated the conflict, but the war has also shown how easily they can be jammed and manipulated by adversaries if the software is outdated.

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In a recent paper, Prof Justin Bronk and Dr Jack Watling, of The Royal United Services Institute, said: Any UAV becomes increasingly ineffective over time as the adversary refines its countermeasures. Ensuring that a UAV complex can continue to function effectively requires updates to software, behavioural logic, sensors and radios, every six to 12 weeks.

Defence sources warned that, at 14 years old, Watchkeepers design meant it could not be routinely updated to keep up with an enemys changing tactics.

General Sir Roly Walker, the Chief of the General Staff, said there came a time to accept when platforms from drones to helicopters had reached their shelf life.

Warfare is changing and we need to think and act differently, including having the courage to retire the legacy with dignity and respect when the time is right, he said, adding that all warhorses must go out to pasture at some stage, often because weve found a faster, better, and cheaper way.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the Chief of the Defence Staff, said the militarys focus needed to be modernisation in order to make the Armed Forces even more lethal and responsive.

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He added: Accelerating the disposal of legacy equipment is the logical approach to focus on the transition to new capabilities that better reflect changing technology and tactics. It also complements our taking some tough decisions to ease some of the current financial pressures.

Defending the decision to scrap so many vessels, Admiral Sir Ben Key, the First Sea Lord, said: To deliver this change, we must divest in old capabilities to make way for this future.

HMS Albion, HMS Bulwark, HMS Northumberland, RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler have served our Navy and our nation exceptionally well. Having been a Commanding Officer of a Type 23, and as the Fleet Commander responsible for global maritime commitments, I know first-hand what they can deliver.

These ships have given an invaluable service over many years. However, the threat is changing, so we should have the self-confidence to make the changes required to keep pace.

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But Lord West, a former First Sea Lord, was critical of the move, saying: The Navy has been squeezed more and more.

I hope they say they will put in the order for the new amphibious ships now in order to replace these capabilities. If you dont put the orders in, the ships wont be built and available when you need ships to replace them when they are falling apart, which is what has routinely happened.

I feel it is a sad day, yet again showing that over the last 14 years people have forgotten how important the sea and maritime is to the Navy. I understand if there is no money and people are broke, but it means there is less resilience.

Everyone seems to forget that when we fight, we lose things. Thats what happens, so you want to have a bit of surplus. We need to be careful that we are reducing our base level to such a degree.

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The U.S. Armys Picatinny Arsenal in northern New Jersey is working with local, state, and federal partners to obtain more information about mysterious drone activity over the facility and in the surrounding area, a spokesman told us. His comments were in response to questions we asked about reports of strange drone activity near the facility that emerged on social media overnight.

The military installation is home to several important armament development organizations, including the Joint Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center, and one of the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC)s research and development laboratories.

The reported drone activity comes in the wake of a drone incursion over Langley Air Force Base last December that we were the first to report. You can read more about that in our initial story about those incidents here. Langley is just a high-profile example of an increasingly concerning pattern of peculiar drone operations around sensitive facilities.

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We received reports of what were believed to be drones flying over Picatinny Arsenal, in addition to other locations in Morris Countyon the evening of November 18, 2024, facility spokesman Timothy Rider told us in an email Tuesday afternoon. Picatinny Arsenal organizations were not involved in UAV flight operations on that date. We are working with several of our local, state, and federal partner organizations to obtain more information on the reported activity.

One Twitter account claimed that drones flew over Picatinny Arsenal.

Large Sized Drones flying around in unauthorized areas around New Jersey, including over Picatinny Arsenal, which is a Military Base, last night November 18th, being followed by BlackHawk Helicopters. New Jersey residents speak up  pic.twitter.com/sonoqZyLY5  BeautyMrk (@BeautyMrked) November 19, 2024

We remind everyone that it is unlawful to fly UAVs over Picatinny Arsenal and any other federal military installation without prior authorization, Rider warned.

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Several social media accounts posted video and images Tuesday of lights seen over northern New Jersey they attribute to drones of an unknown origin. However, they are low-quality and it is impossible to discern exactly what was seen and whether they were even drones.

Unusual activity reported over Morris County, NJ: multiple large drones spotted flying from the Somerset County border northward and back, the @NJerzyFireAlert Twitter account reported. Law enforcement has been advised to notify their communications centers of any sightings.

New Jersey State Police aviation is reported to be in the area tracking the drones, the account, which monitors police and fire activities in the area, added. An Army Black Hawk helicopter was also tracked on flight radar in the area. Multiple reports of the drones being spotted in Madison, Morris Township, and Mendham.

Unusual activity reported over Morris County,NJ: multiple large drones spotted flying from the Somerset County border northward and back. Law enforcement has been advised to notify their communications centers of any sightings. Photo taken in Morristown (  Josh Wolfson) pic.twitter.com/pSqe6KnwQj  N. Jerzy Fire Alert (@NJerzyFireAlert) November 19, 2024

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There were several posts of the above video with differing claims.

Upwards of a Dozen Large Drones have been spotted tonight over Morris County in Northern New Jersey, with them being tracked by Law Enforcement and Fire Officials. A AW139 Helicopter with the New Jersey State Police was tracking the Drones to the North of Dover, but has since pic.twitter.com/A3lJWOosbx  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 19, 2024

UNUSUAL: Morris County NJ is tracking at least five, unknown, large drones that have been flying unauthorized for over 2 hours.



Army BlackHawk helicopter also on flight radar in the area. Drowns reported in Madison, Morris Township, and Mendham. pic.twitter.com/fSpFYDmzkJ  Oliya Scootercaster  (@ScooterCasterNY) November 19, 2024

As this was taking place, a New Jersey State Police helicopter was spotted traveling down to Picatinny Arsenal and flying several orbits over it, according to an online flight tracking website. Rider, the facility spokesman, could not immediately tell us if there was any connection to the drone incidents it is asking partner organizations about.

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Seems the NJ State police heli beelined it right for the Picatinny Arsenal military research and manufacturing facility same time the drones were spotted.. Circled for awhile, then headed back after a fuel stop. https://t.co/Cw9TnNQHLh pic.twitter.com/ds5Tf0QgP5  CT POLICE LIVE  (@CTPOLICELIVE) November 19, 2024

Sgt. Boris Sanchez with the Dover Police Department, told us that as of Tuesday afternoon, his agency has not received any reports about drones flying in the area last night or early this morning.

Meanwhile, about 25 miles to the north, drones are being used in efforts to fight a large forest fire along the New Jersey-New York border. It is unclear what, if any connection, there is between those and what was posted on social media, but that seems unlikely considering the distance involved, unless they were being confused with manned aircraft.

Several drones were spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal in northern New Jersey. The facility is about 25 miles from a large forest fire on the New Jersey-New York border. (Google Earth image)

New York State Police Drones continue to play a vital role in the ongoing battle against the Jennings Creek Wildfire, which has now consumed 5,300 acres along the New York-New Jersey border, the Drone-XL website reported on Monday. The fire, which initially challenged responders with only 10% containment, has now reached 88% containment on the New York side and 90% containment on the New Jersey side, thanks in part to advanced drone surveillance capabilities.

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New York State Police Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) pilots remain at the forefront of the firefighting operation, using thermal imaging to identify hotspots and guide ground crews, according to Patch. This aerial intelligence has proven especially valuable as the fire zone has expanded and conditions have evolved.

Drones operating on the New York side of the fire did not cross into New Jersey, a New York State Police spokesman told us.

New York State Police is the only agency authorized to operate Unmanned Aerial Systems on the New York State side of the wildfire, Beau Duffy said. We dont have any evidence that our UAS have crossed into New Jersey.

Nobody has sought information about the New Jersey drone sightings from the New York State Police, Duffy added.

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The New York State Department of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA) told us that they were flying UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters to help fight the fire, but they were not operating drones in that effort.

Eli Roberts, who chases storms, captured extensive video of those helicopter flights in operation, which you can see below.

We have reached out to several federal, state and local agencies for additional details and will update this story with any pertinent information provided.

It remains unclear exactly what people were seeing in the sky last evening over and near Picatinny Arsenal, however, the installation is clearly taking reports of drone activity seriously enough to contact several other partner organizations to find answers. This fits with a major change in how seriously military installations and critical infrastructure facilities are taking these kinds of events. For years they were largely seen as puzzling and action came slow, if at all. Now, with the glaring threat posed by drones of various types and their proliferation in conflicts overseas, as well as the increase in intrusion events at home and abroad, and especially after the events over Langley AFB last winter, they are being looked at with much more concern. This now includes accelerating the deployment of military capabilities to identify and defeat drone systems near these key areas, which you can read about here.

We will update you when we find out more details about this incident.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  FirstLight Federal Credit Union is helping an El Paso student continue his education and learn the skilled trade of welding.

Jaime Herrera was given the inaugural Sun City Welding Academy Scholarship, valued at $5,000, during a ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

The scholarship is sponsored by FirstLight Federal Credit Union and will help Herrera continue his education at the Sun City Welding Academy.

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This scholarship is part of a broader effort to provide local individuals with the opportunity to receive high-quality training in one of the regions most in-demand fields. Herreras award will directly apply to his tuition and fees for the Combo Welder 480 course at the Academy, according to a news release that was sent out.

Herrera is also an U.S. Army veteran.

We are incredibly excited to support Jaime Herrera and all of our students who are committed to building careers in the trades, said Scott Herndon, director of Sun City Welding Academy. This scholarship exemplifies our dedication to empowering the next generation of skilled workers, and were proud to partner with FirstLight Federal Credit Union in making Jaimes educational goals more achievable.

Herreras scholarship was awarded based on his commitment to learning the craft and his potential to make a significant impact in the welding industry. The scholarship reflects the shared belief of both organizations in fostering educational opportunities that lead to fulfilling careers, the news release said.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
World War II veterans, their families and military representatives of the countries that participated in the D-Day invasion hold a wreath laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall on the 75th anniversary of Operation Overlord, June 06, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (File/Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The U.S. armed forces overused asbestos-containing products throughout the last century before and since entering World War II, when affordable materials were sought for mass-producing military equipment quickly.

All five military branches utilized asbestos in some form, exposing many service members to the materials toxic fibers, especially veterans of the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

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Todays growing number of toxic exposure cases reflects the health risks our vets assumed, in addition to the challenges of service.

Navy veterans were at a strikingly high risk of asbestos exposure and developing severe diseases decades after service, as the Two-Ocean Navy Act expanded the U.S. Naval Forces by more than 70% in preparation for the States entry into the Second World War.

Shipbuilding picked up the pace by applying asbestos insulation wherever possible on Navy ships built before the 1980s.

Moreover, most of the past centurys industries routinely used asbestos, so nobody considered asbestos dust a health threat. This is why the risk of developing asbestos diseases is still a concern for all veterans who might have asbestos fibers in their lungs, including those in South Carolinas veteran population.

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Toxic contaminants represent environmental and health risks on military sites, and exposure to these substances is a severe issue requiring more attention, investigation, and, in most cases, immediate action after discovery.

South Carolina has military bases from every branch, and most of them had an essential role in WWII.

One example is the Charleston Naval Base, an essential piece of South Carolinas wartime past from 1901 through its closure in 1996. As written on the city of North Charleston website, the Navy Yard provided construction, repair, and logistic support to the operating forces. Thousands of airmen, soldiers, and sailors trained its military facilities on their way to war.

Asbestos exposure at the root of veterans deteriorating health

Asbestos disintegrates into microscopic particles when disturbed, forming dust that can float in the air for hours.

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Its the white dust many veterans remember. These sharp-edged microscopic threads are easy to inhale or ingest and cause irreversible damage to the tissue of organs, generating life-altering diseases.

Asbestos-related diseases are latent for decades from the initial exposure and usually manifest symptoms when they reach advanced stages.

Even if veterans may not have had health issues during their service, some of them now have to fight for their health, especially when they are diagnosed with illnesses like mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or other severe respiratory diseases.

Many must accept the fact that their asbestos illness shortens their lives, as no existing treatment can reverse the damage done by asbestos.

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Todays medical procedures can only slow the progression, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications.

With South Carolina ranking 22nd in the nation for asbestos-related deaths, veterans should schedule periodic check-ups to monitor their health. Timely detection is crucial in asbestos diseases because it considerably improves treatment results and prolongs life expectancy.

Inhaled asbestos fibers affect the lungs first, so veterans should undergo chest X-rays or CT scans and pulmonary function (breathing) tests. These noninvasive tests reveal any injury caused by the asbestos fibers and are reliable in diagnosing benign and malignant asbestos conditions.

Veterans who know theyve served in an asbestos-contaminated environment or those who suspect theyve been exposed during the military years should know their rights and options.

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Compensation programs and legal avenues are available through asbestos trust funds and Veterans Affairs to help those harmed by asbestos exposure, and veterans need to be informed about these resources.

PACT Act helps SC veterans and their families

Brielle Robinson, daughter of the late Army Sgt. First Class Heath Robinson, joins veterans advocacy groups, activists, politicians and fellow victims families during a news conference about military burn pits legislation outside the U.S. Capitol on March 29, 2022, in Washington, DC. The SFC Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act was signed into law months later. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

In 2022, the 117th U.S. Congress enacted The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, known as the PACT Act.

The Act extends eligibility for VA health care for retired military members exposed to harmful substances during active duty and provides veterans with the care and benefits they deserve.

Thanks to this law, approximately 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans are eligible for extended VA benefits.

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Since passage of the PACT Act, nearly 6 million veterans have been screened for toxic exposure, and more than 1.3 million veterans have been approved for expanded benefits, as of Nov. 9, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In South Carolina, 28,622 PACT Act claims had been approved, paying a total $148.2 million in benefits, as of August, just ahead of the laws two-year anniversary, according to the VA.

Veterans can consult more information by accessing https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits.
Smoke caused by an Israeli missile attack rises from the city of Palmyra, central Syria, Nov. 20, 2024. (Str/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 36 people were killed and more than 50 others wounded by an Israeli missile attack that hit sites in and around the city of Palmyra in central Syria on Wednesday, according to the Syrian Defense Ministry.

"Around 1:30 p.m. this afternoon, the Israeli enemy carried out an air aggression from the direction of the al-Tanf area, targeting a number of buildings in the city of Palmyra in the Syrian desert, which led to the martyrdom of 36 people and the injury of more than 50 others, and caused significant material damage to the targeted buildings and the surrounding area," the ministry said in a statement.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported earlier that the fatalities included four non-Syrian fighters loyal to Iran and seven Syrian nationals. The attack also injured dozens, including at least seven civilians, one of whom is in critical condition.

According to the Observatory, Israeli aircraft targeted three separate sites in Palmyra, including two locations in the al-Jami'ah neighborhood. One of the targets was a weapons warehouse near the industrial area, which is inhabited by families of Iran-backed fighters of Iraqi and other foreign nationalities. A third site nearby was also struck.

Photos circulating on social media show plumes of smoke rising from Palmyra, near its archaeological sites.

The Observatory added that Israeli warplanes flew over the southern province of Daraa before firing at Palmyra.

Palmyra, located in the eastern countryside of Homs province, comprises a residential area and an archaeological site dating back to the Neolithic period.

Since the beginning of 2024, Israel has launched 152 attacks on Syrian sites, destroying 272 targets such as weapon depots, command centers, and military vehicles, and killing 303 soldiers and pro-government fighters as well as 62 civilians, according to the Observatory. 

Smoke caused by an Israeli missile attack rises from the city of Palmyra, central Syria, Nov. 20, 2024. (Str/Xinhua)
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Nov. 19 that Ukraine had launched the U.S.-made ATACMS missiles against Russia's Bryansk Oblast.

Hours prior, Ukraine struck a Russian military facility in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast, a two-hour drive from the Ukrainian-controlled part of Russia.

President Joe Biden's decision to finally allow Ukraine to use ATACMS against Russian and North Korean forces comes with a looming deadline  the inauguration of Donald Trump on Jan. 20.

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The new president is widely expected to lead a dramatic shift in U.S. policy towards the war, focused on attempts to get Kyiv and Moscow to negotiate.

Both sides will be looking to enter any possible talks in the most favorable position possible, with territory in Kursk Oblast potentially being some of the most politically valuable of all.

"Many of our fellow citizens will be hurt by these words, but the defense of Kursk Oblast is a higher priority than the Kurakhiv bridgehead, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts," Dmytro Zhmailo, a military expert and executive director of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center, told the Kyiv Independent.

The ability to finally use the long-range missiles to attack military facilities in Kursk Oblast and its surroundings is expected to give Ukraine a better chance to hold on to the Russian territories that are said to be the last major ace in Kyiv's rather unfavorable hand.

What is ATACMS?

The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a U.S.-made, short-range, supersonic ballistic missile.

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The ATACMS have a range of up to 300 kilometers, can be equipped with either high explosive or cluster munition warheads, and are fired from U.S.-made 142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

They're not new to the war in Ukraine  in the fall of 2023, the U.S. began supplying Kyiv with an older model of ATACMS with a range of around 165 kilometers.

In the spring of 2024, the New York Times (NYT) reported that the U.S. had shipped around 100 updated versions of ATACMS missiles, which can reach up to 300 kilometers.

Ukraine has put both variants into effect on the battlefield, striking targets in occupied Crimea and other parts of Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.

In this handout image released by the South Korean Defense Ministry, an Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is fired during a joint training of the United States and South Korea, on Oct. 5, 2022, at an undisclosed location. (South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images)

How could ATACMS help in Kursk?

After Ukraine launched its incursion into Kursk Oblast, Kyiv said one of the main aims of the operation was to prevent Moscow from sending additional reinforcements to the front in Ukraine's east.

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Yet, Russia's grinding advances in Donetsk Oblast have only gained pace in the months since, with large chunks of Ukrainian territory, sometimes including entire towns, lost on a near-daily basis in southern Donetsk Oblast.

Without diverting troops from eastern Ukraine, Russia has been able to assemble a force of nearly 50,000 troops in Kursk Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 11, including more than 10,000 soldiers from North Korea.

Militarily, this particular aim in Kursk Oblast has failed, but Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election has dramatically changed the calculus.

The president-elect has long promised to bring a swift end to the war in Ukraine, and although he has not elaborated on his plans, it's been widely reported that it will involve a freezing of the front lines shortly after he takes office.

Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump greets supporters during a campaign rally at Lees Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada, US on Oct. 31, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

According to experts who spoke to the Kyiv Independent, Ukraine's territory in Kursk has now soared in political value and would be a strong bargaining chip in any negotiations.

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"Moscow wants to go into any negotiations with the dominant narrative that Ukraine is getting progressively weaker and less able to sustain the war, with allies that are growing tired of supporting Kyiv, whereas Moscow can keep up this level of effort forever," Jenny Mathers, senior lecturer in international politics at Aberystwyth University, told the Kyiv Independent.

"Anything that raises questions about that narrative, such as a newly empowered Ukrainian force in Russia, or the easing of restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons, or greater energy and enthusiasm for the fight on the side of Ukraine's allies, is a danger to Russia's position."

If Ukraine can hold on until Trump takes office, it could make the idea of Russian President Vladimir Putin agreeing to any proposal to freeze the war unfeasible, as freezing the war with a front line inside Russia would likely be a non-starter for the Kremlin.

"Our presence in Russia negates its power," Zhmailo said. "It also strengthens our negotiating position, and offsets the principle of the Russians, various peace doves, the Chinese-Brazilian initiative, and the African initiative to freeze the actual front line.

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"Our presence in Russia negates its power. It also strengthens our negotiating position."

"That is why the Russians have become so active now."

But this all relies on one thing  Ukraine being able to hold on to territory in Kursk Oblast, and fend off the 50,000-strong force now assembled to assault Kyiv's positions.

According to John Foreman CBE, the U.K.'s former defense attache in Moscow from 2019 to 2022, the decision to allow Ukraine to use ATACMS against Russian and North Korean forces in Kursk Oblast is at least in part an effort to help Kyiv hold on to as much territory as possible before Trump takes office and tries to freeze the front lines.

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"Plus a reaction to North Korea sending troops and Russia pummeling Ukrainian cities," he added.

Can ATACMS make a difference in Kursk Oblast?

"Like with any weapon introduced it will not win the war by itself," Sascha Bruchmann, a military analyst at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, told the Kyiv Independent.

"But it will make it more difficult for the Russians to command their troops effectively and supply them adequately from even further afar."

Bruchmann points to the effect U.S.-supplied HIMARS had in Ukraine when they first arrived in the summer of 2022, compelling Russian forces to move command centers and logistical nodes out of their 80-kilometer range after a series of devastating Ukrainian strikes.

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"It will make it more difficult for the Russians to command their troops effectively, and supply them adequately from even further afar," Bruchmann said.

"For example, Russian transport hubs such as train junctions that feed the front lines in Kursk or Belgorod are now more vulnerable."

Ukrainian reported an attack against a Russian arsenal in Karachev overnight on Nov. 19, reportedly  stored artillery ammunition, including North Korean munitions, KAB guided bombs, anti-aircraft missiles, and rocket launcher ammunition.

Retired U.S. Lieutenant General Ben Hodges agreed with Burchman, saying while strikes like this won't be a "game changer," it is nonetheless "still a positive step."

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"I would anticipate that the Ukrainian General Staff will use these to target Russian headquarters, logistics, and artillery," he told the Kyiv Independent.

"That's how you defeat mass and mass is the only advantage that the Russian forces have, the big numbers." On the ground in Kursk Oblast, the political machinations of Biden's ATACMS decision prompted more questions than answers from at least one soldier.

"That's how you defeat mass and mass is the only advantage that the Russian forces have, the big numbers."

"I look at it all, and it's all a big show to me," Dmytro, a medic with Ukraine 61st Mechanized Brigade who has been stationed in Kursk Oblast since the start of the incursion, told the Kyiv Independent.

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"Why didn't they give it earlier? Why did we take so long? Because it was simply profitable for someone to drag it all out, that's all. That is, human life is not valued, human resources are not valued, but something else is valued."

A Ukrainian drone Unit commander with the call sign Boxer (right) stands in front of Ukrainian vehicles parked at a Ukrainian military position and former Russian military position in the Ukrainian-controlled territory of Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, Russia, on Aug. 18, 2024. (Ed Ram/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

What is Kyiv saying?

Officially, holding territory in Kursk Oblast is not about holding a bargaining chip in future negotiations but defending Ukraine's Sumy Oblast from attacks, Ukrainian lawmaker and the chair of the parliament's foreign affairs policy Oleksandr Merezhko told the Kyiv Independent.

But he added that as well as having a military purpose, it does hold political weight in the context of peace talks.

"It might help to force Putin to negotiate in earnest," he said, adding: "Because holding this territory shows the weakness of Putin, his inability to guarantee security within the country."

While it may not be the official position, Zelensky has alluded to the bargaining power of holding territory in Kursk Oblast, saying on Sept. 4 that the "same attitude" was applied to trading captured territories as trading captured prisoners of war (POWs).

And the mood music in Kyiv has shifted dramatically since the Nov. 5 election, with Zelensky saying on Nov. 16 that the war will "end faster" under a Trump administration, adding that Ukraine must do everything possible to end the war through diplomatic means.

"There is a tendency to see Trump's election and looming presidency as nothing but bad news for Ukraine, but the sense that this stage of the war is coming to some kind of a resolution may have created some urgency and pace that may work in Ukraine's favor," Mathers said.

"Without the sense of the ticking clock produced by Trump's approaching inauguration, there is the risk that Ukraine's territorial gains in Russia could have just dwindled to little or nothing, gradually over time.

"So, by creating a new momentum, I think Trump has affected events quite a lot."

Read also: Better late than never: Israeli companies finally reach out to Ukraine to help fight Iranian drones

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  A 66-year-old man is at the Henderson County Jail after authorities found him in possession of methamphetamine and supplies used in narcotic distribution during a Tuesday search.

2 arrests made, more expected in East Texas vehicle burglary spree

According to the Henderson County Sheriffs Office, at around 6:30 p.m. investigators executed a narcotics search warrant at Singletree Trail just outside of Athens.

Mugshot of Ricky Clyde Hurt, courtesy of the Henderson County Jail.

During the search, Ricky Clyde Hurt, 66 of Athens, was found in possession of a large amount of suspected methamphetamine, baggies and scales, the sheriffs office said.

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Hurt was charged with manufacture of delivery of a controlled substance and is being held at the jail on a $150,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT)  The Athens Police Department is hosting a toy-drive for victims affected by Hurricane Helene.

APD said one of its officers visited the impacted area where Hurricane Helene struck and noticed a lack of toys among children in the community.

The Athens Police Department and its SROs are working with Athens City Schools to provide a solution by hosting a toy-drive.

Toys can be collected through Monday, November 25 at the following locations:

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Spark Academy at Cowart

Fame Academy at Brookhill

Athens City Schools Central Office

Athens Intermediate School

Athens Police Department

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Nov. 20SUNBURY  A Northumberland County judge did not grant defense attorneys' requests to dismiss charges, including attempted homicide, against two Sunbury men, so the criminal case is now in the hands of the jury.

Anthony Moultrie and Francky Riche are accused of shooting from one vehicle at another vehicle occupied by Naesir Robinson, of Sunbury, and a relative of Ajani Munsh-Ousha Uhuru the night of June 15, 2022.

Uhuru was convicted of voluntary manslaughter earlier this year for fatally shooting Kareem Jakes, 30, inside a Sunbury convenience store and fleeing on May 19, 2022. Jakes was Moultrie's cousin.

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On Wednesday morning, President Judge Paige Rosini ruled the charges were going to go to the jury.

Riche's attorney, Brian Ulmer, of Lewisburg, and Moultrie's attorney, Richard Feudale, of Mount Carmel, both made motions to dismiss the charges following day one of the trial because of what they called "lack of evidence" presented during testimony Tuesday.

Ulmer and Feudale closed their cases Wednesday, arguing that their clients are innocent.

"The commonwealth did not show a single piece of evidence toward my client," Ulmer told the jury of Riche. "You must acquit this innocent man.

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Feudale said Sunbury police overcharged Moultrie.

"It was like kill them all and let God sort it out," he told the jury.

During testimony Tuesday, witness Isaac Holley, the driver of the vehicle in which Moultrie and Riche were riding, said he never saw a weapon that was fired but heard what sounded like gunshots.

Holley testified he had seen Robinson and wanted to follow him to talk about an alleged incident that happened between the two eight months prior. He said that's when Riche and Moultrie got into his vehicle, along with a third man, Reggie Houseal, of Sunbury.

Holley testified as he was following Robinson, he heard what sounded like gun shots and only saw Moultrie's hand in the air, but he did not see a weapon.

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Holley said he pulled over and ordered Moultrie, Riche and Houseal out of the vehicle.

During cross-examination, Ulmer asked Holley if he made a deal with the commonwealth for his testimony, considering Holley was facing multiple charges and a possible prison sentence of up to 100 years.

Holley said he did have a deal with the district attorney's office and all the charges against him were to be dropped.

District Attorney Mike O'Donnell told the jury Wednesday during his closing argument that he did drop the charges against Holley, and that it took courage for the man to testify against Moultrie and Riche.

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The prosecutor said even without the testimony of Holley, there was enough evidence presented to the jury to show the group of men had gotten together, that shots were fired at the occupied vehicle and that a jury should decide what they believe.

Moultrie's and Riche's first trial in August ended in a mistrial after a shooting occurred outside the Northumberland County Courthouse, during a break in the trial.

Robinson, who testified during the August trial, but did not on Tuesday, was arrested along with Carnel Shelborne, of Wilkes-Barre, in connection with the shooting death of Dayveon Creel, 20, who police say was killed outside the courthouse in a nearby parking lot.

Police arrested Robinson and Shelborne the night of the shooting. They are charged with homicide and conspiracy to commit murder.

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Sunbury Police Chief Travis Bremigen said the two men blocked Creel from leaving a parking spot in the lot while a third man, Danarii Springs, of Northumberland, opened fire, striking Creel in the chest and killing him.

The search for Springs continues, Bremigen said.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  An attempted murder suspect who escaped from a Hernando, Mississippi courthouse over the summer is being extradited back to Mississippi.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety confirmed that Joshua Zimmerman is being transferred back to the state.

However, the date of the extradition was not given.

Joshua Zimmerman.

On June 14, Zimmerman escaped from a DeSoto County courthouse after being scheduled for a hearing in a case where he was facing an attempted murder charge. He made it past the courtroom, down the stairs, past the metal detectors and guards at the front entrance without being noticed.

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So Ive actually seen a video from inside the courthouse, said Matthew Barton, DeSoto County District Attorney. They came inside the courthouse, theyre going upstairs to the courtroom. Hes wearing shackles and a jumpsuit like everybody else. He broke from the line, [and] went through a door. Sometime later, he left the courthouse with no shackles and street clothes.

Zimmerman is accused of attacking an elderly Southaven man who hired him to work at his house last September.

Escaped MS Inmate back in custody after standoff with U.S. Marshals in Chicago

He was on the run for two months before the United States Marshal Serivce alerted the DeSoto County Sheriffs Office that theyd found Zimmerman in a restaurant just blocks from the Democratic National Convention, in Chicago, Illinois.

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A standoff ensued between Zimmerman and U.S. Marshals before the former was eventually taken into custody hours later.

Hes also facing murder charges in Texas.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI)  The city of Attleboro is at serious risk of depleting its water supply, according to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Attleboro residents are urged to continue conserving water as the city suffers historically low reservoir levels due to a lack of seasonal rainfall, which is relied on for their water supply. The DEP has issued a water supply emergency for the city as a result.

We are asking all residents and businesses to conserve indoor water use as much as safely possible, Attleboro Water Superintendent Kourtney Allen said.

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RELATED: Attleboro setting up emergency water line with Pawtucket to boost supply

Allen said the emergency declaration will allow the city to more quickly establish its interconnection line with the nearby town of Mansfield. The interconnection is expected to supply Attleboro with between 250 and 500 gallons of water per day.

The water we receive from Mansfield will help buy us time as continue our conservation measures and wait for much-needed rain, Allen explained.

The Mansfield interconnection is expected to be operational sometime next week. Allen said that interconnection will consist of a temporary above-ground hydrant-to-hydrant hose connection, which will be replaced by an underground permanent connection that will be built within the next six-to-eight months.

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The cost to install that permanent interconnection will be a shared effort between Attleboro and Mansfield, Allen added.

More Information: Attleboro Water Restrictions

Attleboro is also working to establish an interconnection over the state line with the city of Pawtucket. Allen said that interconnection will be up and running by early December and will provide the city with up to 1 million gallons of water per day for roughly $35,000 a week.

Mayor Cathleen DeSimone stressed the importance of residents practicing continued water conservation, explaining that it is require to slow the depletion rate of the stored water in city reservoirs and to postpone the threat of a more serious water shortage.

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If everyone makes even small changes, like turning off the faucet when washing hands, brushing teeth and doing dishes, we can save thousands of gallons of water every day, DeSimone said. If more people run their washers and dishwashers only when full and take shorter showers, taken together that can make a huge impact.

We are in a serious critical drought situation, and we all need to do our part to conserve water, she continued.

SEE ALSO: Healey asks Massachusetts to conserve water amid drought

The dangerously dry conditions have also put fire departments statewide on high alert, as the Commonwealth contends with an unprecedented number of brush fires.

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The DEP generally prohibits outdoor burning statewide between Jan. 15 and May 1. Right now, Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Jake Wark said more than 200 cities and towns have issued their own burn bans.

Every firefighter battling a preventable wildfire is one who cant respond to a house fire, car crash, or medical emergency, Wark said. We wont be out of the woods until we have a few days of steady, soaking rain that gets past the surface fuels and deep into the ground.

Wark said the state has already seen more than 400 brush fires this month. That number is expected to climb, especially with nearly the entire state experiencing critical drought conditions.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
University of Utah President Taylor Randall delivers a speech at the school's commencement ceremony on May 2, 2024. (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch)

Are public colleges and universities in Utah bound to lose students to private or nontraditional schools? According to a legislative audit, yes, if leaders dont take action.

Student enrollment is projected to decline while private institutions continue to expand, and employers relax degree standards, the audit reads. Additionally, theres unhealthy competition within the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), which doesnt allow some schools to succeed.

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How should the system prepare for that shift and remain relevant? It should cater more to future skilled work, prioritizing programs that attract students and improve their employment outcomes.

One of the recommendations is that the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education and institutions should develop and oversee a uniform methodology to calculate program-level return on investment, including program costs and completion rates.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

That recommendation implied cutting some programs and prioritizing others in the name of efficiency, which was met with both curiosity and skepticism, especially from House Minority Leader Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City.

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I have concerns that we might be just using data points, but were not getting the full picture when were talking about higher education, Romero told the auditors in the middle of their presentation to the Legislative Audit Subcommittee on Tuesday.

She added that during her time at the University of Utah, some of the classes that may not be high performing helped her become a well-rounded person, she said

While making social good isnt measured in the data, auditors said that for some of the programs they studied, about 40% of graduates were no longer in the workforce five years after graduation, which could be evaluated by university presidents.

House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, highlighted a data point that stood out to him while reading the findings; in 2022 a program offered by four institutions across the state graduated a total of 14 students. Another program also offered by four institutions graduated 20 students.

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Theres no information on the costs of the programs since institutions havent assessed them. However, Schultz said this showed that resources are sometimes not being allocated where the growth needs are.

I have no doubt that those programs are needed. Im not saying that we should do away with them. Maybe you keep one in the south end of the state and one in the north end of the state, or maybe one will work in the middle of the state, he said.

A declining higher ed population

Schools in the system are experiencing a period of high growth thats projected to continue until 2028, auditors wrote. However, after this period, its projected that the growth of student enrollment will slow and, eventually, from the mid 2020s through the 2040s, it will decline because of the fall of national birth rates.

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By 2060, Utahs school and college-age groups are projected to represent only 15% and 10% of the population respectively, auditors wrote. While Utahs general population is projected to increase due to natural migration, USHE will need to adapt to an era of enrollment decline and act more efficiently with existing and future resources.

There are other challenges for Utah institutions, including the fact that bachelors degree programs within Utahs higher education system have varying employment outcomes, with some alumns making wages that are below 150% of the poverty line for a family of four, five years after graduating.

Because wage outcomes are one of the main reasons why Utahns go to college, the legislative auditors looked at four case study areas with high workforce demands, including nursing and software engineering.

In nursing, both public institutions and private non-traditional schools (which include Western Governors University, BYU Pathways and Joyce University of Nursing) saw a great increase of bachelors degrees in nursing students, Nick Varney, performance auditor, told the subcommittee. In software engineering, public colleges and universities are maintaining their market share, largely tied to legislative funding directly targeted to increase computer science graduates throughout the state.

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Other states have experienced issues of declining enrollment and funding, forcing them to shutter or merge campuses, review for duplicative or under enrolled programs, terminate programs, lay off faculty, or rely more heavily on out-of-state students, the audit reads. These states provide a glimpse of the current condition of higher education in the United States and the realities Utah may face in the future.

An inefficient system?

Geoffrey Landward, Utah Commissioner of Higher Education, described the audit as exceptional. With changing demographics and shifting views on the value of higher education, its time the system adapts, he said.

Weve been working with legislative leadership on designing a framework in which we can make decisions around appropriations and budgeting at an institutional level, Landward said. And Im excited about what that could do for the state of Utah, and the type of investments that the state of Utah can make, and what that means for students and for industries that hire our workforce.

The state could also help fund programs like Talent Ready Utah, a workforce development program aimed to fill high-demand jobs, the commissioner said.

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We can take investments from the Legislature and issue those as grants to the institution, saying, partner with these industries, come together with the industry, and design the program with them at the table, Landward told the subcommittee. That way, were guaranteeing that the training we provide meets that need. We do that really well with our technical colleges

While the Legislature authorized school presidents to make decisions to use taxpayer funds to operate efficiently in 2024, auditors found that presidents dont have the necessary information to determine which programs are efficient. They also questioned presidents ability to reallocate resources to programs in high workforce demand.

Auditors found that there isnt enough coordination between the schools within the states higher education system.

Without strong systemwide direction, at least one regional institution has expanded its online programs to serve a broader in-state and out-of-state demographic. These efforts create competition between institutions for out-of-service-region students, auditors wrote.

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Besides that, there are also reports of school marketing on the campuses of other institutions, and two institutions hiring recruiters within the same region.

That competition, Landward said, is a longstanding frustration for him.

We have exceptional institutions of higher education, really amazing leaders, amazing faculty, serving the needs of our regions, yet I watch them all competing against each other, he said. And what I see is a lost opportunity.

The network of public schools should be working together to compete nationally, Landward said. Partnerships, not cannibalism.

Those conversations have started in the Utah Board of Higher Education. And, while they are difficult decisions, they can simplify academic offerings, he added.

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For example, language programs that were brought up. We dont need every institution providing every program in languages, but we need languages, so why cant we have one or two institutions providing them on multiple campuses? Lanward said. Thats the benefit of having a system.

2024-22 UHSE FINAL REPORT  11.19

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Nov. 19More than a year after a news report uncovered what one lawmaker called "lavish spending" at Western New Mexico University, an investigation by the Office of the State Auditor paints an even more detailed and damning picture.

A recently completed fact-finding examination by the office's Special Investigations Division outlined multiple instances of wasteful spending and improper use of public funds  and it points a finger of blame squarely at the top.

University management and the Board of Regents "failed to uphold their fiduciary responsibilities by neglecting to adhere to the corresponding elements as established in the university's policies, procedures, and rules regarding travel, per diem, and procurement," the State Auditor's Office says in a news release issued Tuesday. The release cites hundreds of thousands of dollars in spending that didn't comply with the university's rules.

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State Auditor Joseph Maestas said in an interview any organization that handles taxpayer money has a fiduciary responsibility to be good stewards of public resources.

"There certainly was a failure in carrying out those fiduciary responsibilities on the part of university management and the Board of Regents," he said.

Maestas said his office is "encouraged" the university has already taken steps to improve its policies and procedures and designated itself for a special audit, which he understands is just getting underway.

"You can have internal controls and policies and procedures to ensure that you're an effective steward of public funds," he said. "But if you don't adhere to them, then there is a breakdown  there's a total breakdown  and that's what occurred here, unfortunately."

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'We're moving forward'

The investigation examined expenditures related to procurement and travel from July 2018 through June 2023. It included more than $214,000 in spending involving 402 instances of domestic and international travel and lodging that didn't comply with university policies and rules, and more than $149,000 in "non-compliant" spending covering 91 instances of procurement and university credit cards.

It also reviewed "expense accounts and purchasing cards to a non-university employee," a reference to WNMU President Joseph Shepard's wife, Valerie Plame, a former CIA operations officer-turned-author who ran unsuccessfully for New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District in the 2020 Democratic primary.

WNMU Board of Regents President Mary Hotvedt said in a statement she appreciated the time and insights from the Office of the State Auditor.

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"These are serious concerns which have been addressed by Western New Mexico University leadership," she said. "This includes a comprehensive review of cost disparities; updating of University policies to align with applicable state guidelines and regulations; revised travel and procurement procedures as well as staff training to ensure compliance; and initiating an independent cost-benefit analysis of international initiatives. The University has also engaged an independent auditor to conduct a Special Audit of the concerns raised, this is ongoing."

Board Secretary and Treasurer Trent Jones, a student regent, referred questions to Hotvedt. The university's other three regents did not respond to calls requesting comment.

Phillip Schoenberg, an associate professor of English composition and philosophy and president of WNMU's faculty senate, declined to comment on the state auditor's findings, while leaders of the staff union, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3882, did not respond to requests for comment.

In a brief telephone interview, Shepard referred to Hotvedt's statement as the university's official response but reiterated WNMU has spent the last year reviewing all of its policies and procedures.

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"We're moving forward," he said. "I mean, that's all we can do."

Auditor's glaring findings

A report last year by Searchlight New Mexico found Shepard had spent tens of thousands of dollars on international travel, often accompanied by other university executives, members of the Board of Regents and his wife, as well as high-end furniture for the president's official residence in Silver City.

The questionable spending drew more media scrutiny of the university and sparked criticism from outgoing state Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill, a Silver City Democrat who was once close friends with Shepard and Plame.

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The state auditor's examination delved deeper into the allegations against Shepard and the university, including excessive or extravagant travel and lodging and improper use of procurement and credit cards.

Among the investigation's more glaring findings:

* Shepard took trips paid for by the public university that appear unrelated to official university business. "These included trips related to other non-educational organizations which the President is affiliated, such as the Finca Vigia Foundation, dedicated to saving author Ernest Hemingway's Cuban legacy, and for conferences and events where his spouse was a guest speaker, such as the Simmons Leadership Conference, established for women's leadership and business," State Auditor Joseph Maestas wrote in a "letter of concern" to Hotvedt.

* Regents submitted incomplete or incorrectly calculated travel vouchers, and vouchers were missing documentation.

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* The university approved travel reimbursements for Shepard and regents that either exceeded the amounts listed in a purchase order or weren't listed in the purchase order at all.

* International travel and travel and lodging upgrades by Shepard and regents lacked any justification documentation.

* The university spent more than $25,500 for university staff to attend programs in person at the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., when they were available virtually "at a potentially" lower cost and without the need for out-of-state travel.

* Government-issued purchase cards included several instances where Shepard purchased alcohol, food or room service during his travel, which is prohibited. Though the university's foundation "subsequently reimbursed" WNMU for the disallowed purchases, the university "appears to have affirmatively disregarded its policy" by allowing the transactions to occur in that manner.

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* A university purchase card was issued to and used by Plame even though she isn't an employee. "The University's purchasing card holder agreement applies to university employees, requires approval of their supervisor, and any violation of the agreement references sanctions which can only be enforced on university employees," Maestas' letter states.

* The purchase of high-end customized furniture for the president's official residence violated established university policies regarding use of credit cards to purchase tangible goods valued at $1,500 or more, as well as a requirement for a purchase order of requisition to buy furniture valued at $1,000 or more.

"At least one purchase, totaling over $17,000, was verbally approved by the chief procurement officer on the same day of the purchase, without a required purchase order of requisition," Maestas wrote. "It was noted that two additional purchases were made from the same vendor for additional furniture the month following the initial purchase again without a required purchase order or requisition in place."

The combined $24,740 cost for the furniture exceeded the university's "small purchase $20,000 threshold" requiring quotes from three different vendors.

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The separate purchases from the same vendor, Santa Fe-based Seret and Sons, "gives rise to the appearance" Shepard was trying to skirt procurement policy, Maestas wrote.

"Such structuring would further be in violation of the Procurement Code," he added.

Staff writer Margaret O'Hara contributed to this report.

Follow Daniel J. Chacon on Twitter @danieljchacon.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)  Australia's communications minister said Wednesday the government won't force social media users to hand over their personal information to tech companies, as children younger than 16 are set to be banned from the platforms.

Michelle Rowland plans to introduce into Parliament on Thursday world-first legislation that would make X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram responsible for excluding Australian children younger than 16 from the platforms.

After the bill becomes law, the platforms would have one year to work out how to implement the ban on younger children before they face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic breaches.

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How the platforms will be able to determine the ages of account holders is not yet known.

Rowland told Parliament on Wednesday the legislation will contain robust provisions to protect social media users privacy.

This is not about government mandating any form of technology or demanding any personal information be handed over to social media companies, Rowland said.

The government announced last week that a consortium led by British company Age Check Certification Scheme has been contracted to examine various technologies to estimate and verify ages.

In addition to removing children under 16 from social media, Australia is also looking for ways to prevent children under 18 from accessing online pornography, a government statement said.

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Age Check Certification Scheme's chief executive Tony Allen said Monday the technologies being considered included age estimation and age inference. Inference involves establishing a series of facts about individuals that point to them being at least a certain age.

None of these methods is 100% accurate, Allen told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Allens company will report back to the Australian government by the end of June next year.

I think if people understand the risk and the check is carried out close to that risk, then I think people generally are OK ... We dont want our children to be exposed to extreme violent video games or to pornography or to suicide material or to things that are going to cause them problems with their mental development such as body dysmorphia and weight loss and stuff like that, Allen said.

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What people are less keen on is having to go through ID check and verifications to access the internet generally or to do things online generally, Allen added.

Digital Industry Group Inc., an advocate for the digital industry in Australia, described the age limit as a 20th century response to 21st century challenges.
Nov. 19The Albert Lea man who was found dead in rural Wells earlier this month had been reported missing at the time he was found, according to the Faribault County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday it is continuing to investigate the homicide of Miguel Angel Chavez Lopez, 54, with the help of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Albert Lea Police Department and the South Central Violent Crimes Task Force.

Authorities stated Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a report of human remains Nov. 1 at a rural property in Walnut Township in the 14000 section of 540th Avenue. Upon arriving at the scene, investigators determined the death to be the result of a homicide.

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More details have not been released.

Authorities have confirmed there is no ongoing threat to public safety.

The case remains under investigation, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Faribault County Investigator Chris Albers at 507-526-5148, extension 2133.
HANGZHOU, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Over the next 15 to 20 years, artificial intelligence (AI) is estimated to generate up to 680 billion U.S. dollars for the telecommunications industry, said John Hoffman, CEO of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) Ltd. on Wednesday.

Hoffman was citing a McKinsey report when making the remarks in a speech that he delivered at the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, which is being held in Zhejiang Province, east China.

He said AI is emerging as a powerful force with the potential to transform business and society on an unprecedented scale.

About 81 percent of telecom operators around the world are testing generative AI solutions, and "Chinese operators are one of the leaders in the space, with big investments, strong government support and a booming tech landscape," Hoffman said.

"China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom have already made huge strides in AI research and applications, with solutions that are transforming public services, supply chains and healthcare," he said.

For instance, an intelligent computing service platform has been launched in northwest China to assist local flood control efforts, while an AI database in the country's southwest is committed to the protection and development of cultural diversity.

Across the world, Hoffman said, over 150 million people could have their lives improved by mobile big data and AI solutions in the next five years.

Noting that AI brings responsibilities alongside opportunities, Hoffman called for greater attention to the ethical and sustainable development of AI technology.

The summit, themed "Embracing a People-centered and AI-for-good Digital Future -- Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," will last until Friday. 
NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY)  The New Iberia Police Department and the United States Marshals Service are asking for your help in finding a murder suspect.

Derrick Mouton, 30, is wanted by the New Iberia Police Department and the United States Marshals Service for second degree murder and other felony charges in connection with a shooting that occurred in New Iberia on July 26, authorities said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Derrick Mouton can contact Iberia Parish CrimeStoppers or the USMS tip-line at 1-877-926-8332.

Derrick Mouton

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The Baker County Sheriffs Office is excited to introduce Bella, the agencys newest K-9.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

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Bella, a German Shorthaired Pointer, is a trained firearm detection canine.

School Resource Deputy Ricky Crews serves as Bellas handler, and she will be utilized throughout the school district upon request by other law enforcement agencies to aid in the detection of firearms.

Through the Florida Safe Schools Canine Program, Bella could be purchased and ushered through her training before entering Baker County.

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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG)  A man is in custody after allegedly leading members of the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office Street Crimes Unit on a chase.

According to a BCSO news release, the BCSO Street Crimes Unit members were in the Foley area around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday searching for a reportedly stolen vehicle.

University of Mobile mens basketball player collapses on campus, pronounced dead

A Street Crimes Unit member said they spotted the vehicle traveling on Charolais Road near County Road 65 and attempted to make a traffic stop. The release said the driver refused to stop after the deputy activated blue lights and sirens.

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The driver then led deputies on a high-speed chase, which covered the outskirts of Foley through Magnolia Springs and into an area south of Magnolia Springs, according to the release.

The release said the driver at one point left the roadway, drove into a field, and returned to the public roadway on Hartung Road.

The deputy in pursuit used a pursuit intervention technique or PIT maneuver to end the chase.

Disabled retired veteran of Theodore scammed on SNAP benefit assistance card

Officials said speeds reached over 100 miles per hour during the chase which lasted about 12 minutes.

27-year-old Jabari Maliek Stots was the sole occupant and driver of the vehicle, according to the release. He allegedly fled from the vehicle on foot.

Jabari Maliek Stots. (Baldwin County Sheriffs Office)

Deputies said they saw Stots had a gun in hand and began making verbal commands for him to drop the gun. He did not comply, the release said.

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Trial underway for Sheila Agee, the mother accused in deadly Home Depot shooting

Deputies deployed a K-9, and Stots allegedly swung his arm and shoulder toward the K-9. Upon seeing this, the deputy fired a shot at Stots, which did not strike him.

The K-9 made contact with Stots, which led to deputies making contact with him. The release said Stots resisted being apprehended but was ultimately taken into custody.

Stots received medical treatment after the K-9 injured him.

He will be booked into the Baldwin County Corrections Center and charged with resisting arrest, first-degree receiving stolen property, felony fleeing or attempting to elude, and already existing felony failure to appear warrant.

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Pensacola International Airport opening new long-term parking lot

According to BCSO officials, more charges could arise as the investigation remains ongoing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Nov. 19A Baltimore man was charged with attempted first-degree murder in connection with a shooting on Interstate 95 that sent a motorist to the hospital Monday morning and halted rush-hour traffic in Laurel.

Kevin Gross, 46, was arrested Monday and being held without bond at the Howard County Detention Center pending a bail review later Tuesday morning. In addition to the attempted murder charge, he faces counts of first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and malicious destruction of property stemming from the shooting near Maryland Route 216.

Troopers responded to the highway at around 4:30 a.m. Monday and found a 28-year-old Laurel resident lying on the shoulder of northbound I-95 with gunshot wounds, Maryland State Police said. He was taken to Shock Trauma and was being treated for injuries, police said.

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Investigators believe Gross and the victim were "acquaintances," and an altercation had likely ensued prior to the shooting, though police said it was unclear whether the victim was inside or outside his vehicle when he was shot.

The ensuing investigation by police prompted all lanes of northbound I-95 to be closed between the Intercounty Connector and Route 216 for several hours on Monday morning.

Have a news tip? Contact Dan Belson at dbelson@baltsun.com, 443-790-4827, on X as @DanBelson_ or on Signal as @danbels.62.
A "Code Red" was sent to the Oakdale community early Tuesday morning after a suspected shooter barricaded himself inside a home.

Oakdale Police were called to the 2800 block of Granada Avenue for a disturbance at about 4 a.m. When officers arrived, they spoke with a woman who had escaped the home, who said a man had fired a handgun inside.

The shooter was uncooperative with officers, according to the City of Oakdale's press release, and he barricaded himself in the property.

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Oakdale police had sent a Code Red Message to the community, alerting them to the ongoing incident and asking them to avoid the area.

Courtesy of Unsplash.

The Washington County SWAT Team responded and crisis negotiators attempted to speak with the man. After communication attempts were unsuccessful, the SWAT Team used chemical munitions to draw him out of the house.

The 35-year-old Saint Paul man ultimately surrendered into police custody and is currently booked at the Washington County Jail pending assault charges.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change.
BARRINGTON, IL  A 46-year-old Barrington man beat a Vernon Hills doctor with a baseball bat Sunday before fatally shooting her in his townhome while their 3-year-old child was present, prosecutors said Wednesday.

William R. Zientek, of the 400 block of West Russell Street, has been remanded to the Cook County Jail after a detention hearing. Zientek is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting of his estranged girlfriend, Olga Duchon, of the 800 block of Sagatuck Trail in Vernon Hills.

Zientek and Duchon have a 3-year-old child together, according to media reports.

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Cook County Assistant States Attorney Robert Mack said the two ended their relationship in 2021. At that time, Duchon filed an order of protection, which required Zientek to surrender his firearms and lead to the revocation of his Firearm Owners Identification card, according to the Daily Herald.



A gun, which was reported stolen by Zientek, was used in Sunday's fatal shooting, Mack said during the detention hearing.

Zientek's lawyer, Thomas Glassgow, is claiming his client acted in self-defense. He said Duchon pointed the gun at Zientek, according to media reports.

ABC 7 is reporting an investigation by Barrington police shows Zientek hit Duchon in the back of the head twice with a baseball bat before shooting her in the stomach.

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Duchon died at a suburban hospital after police were called to the townhome on West Russell Street in Barrington at about 5:40 p.m. Sunday. Preliminary results from an autopsy show a single gunshot wound to the chest killed Duchon, of the 800 block of Sagatuck Trail in Vernon Hills, according to the Lake County Coroner's Office.

Neighbors told ABC 7 Chicago the man who lived at the townhome shared a daughter with Duchon. A next-door neighbor said they never heard a gunshot but did hear a toddler crying. Shortly after, "the police started showing up," Juliana Etling told ABC 7.

Police have referred to the fatal shooting as a "domestic-related incident between family members."

Hours before she went to visit the Barrington townhome, Deuchon spoke at a Ukrainian Medical Association of North America meeting, a doctor told NBC Chicago. The meeting was held in Wheeling, according to media reports.

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Duchon founded HLS Endocrinology in Mundelein and completed her endocrinology training at the University of Chicago at the time of the COVID Pandemic. She joined Northwestern Medicine after completing her fellowship, returning to practice first at Crystal Lake and Huntley locations before moving "closer to home and family in Mundelein," according to the HLS Endocrinology website.

Duchon left Northwestern last summer but "remained affiliated with our organization as a member of our medical staff and continued to treat patients independently," according to statement from Northwestern.

"We are learning about this tragic event in real time and we are devastated to hear this news. Our sympathies go out to her family during this difficult time," the statement read.

MORE ON PATCH

Ex Beat Doctor With Baseball Bat Before Shooting Her: Prosecutors originally appeared on the Algonquin-Lake In The Hills Patch
A barrister accused of forging his mothers signature to cut his younger brother out of his inheritance has lost a court fight over the 1.2 million fortune.

Robert Grierson, 56, who specialises in tax and will disputes, was sued by his 55-year-old brother Duncan, who was left with just 10,000. Robert, on the other hand, was given the rest of the estate.

The High Court heard that Elise Grierson, their mother, dramatically changed her will 16 days after their fathers death in 2022, having previously treated the brothers equally.

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Robert claimed she had already signed a declaration of trust in 2013, handing him a half share of her 1 million home in Sutton Coldfield.

But he was sued by his brother at the High Court, with Judge Joanne Wicks KC ruling that both the gift of half the house and the will were invalid.

The judge said there was compelling evidence that Grierson had not herself signed the trust document, while the will was not properly witnessed and was made at a time when Robert could not prove she was of sound mind.

The judge made no findings as to whether Robert was responsible for forgery because he had not been in court to defend himself.

Robert Grierson was accused of supervising his mothers final will when she was mentally unsound - Champion News

During the trial, Judge Wicks heard that Grierson and her husband, also named Robert, had enjoyed a 60-year marriage, with their son Robert living with them from 1999 and later operating his legal practice from their home on an exclusive private estate.

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Constance McDonnell KC, Duncans barrister, said the parents treated their sons equally and had worked extremely hard to support them, with both going on to study law at the University of Cambridge.

After her husbands death in January 2022, Grierson suffered an acute grief reaction, the barrister said. She also suffered depression and a decline in her physical health and died in hospital in March aged 84.

Duncan went to court to challenge the 2013 document on the basis of forgery and the will on the basis that his mother was mentally unsound, did not understand and properly approve of it, and that it was not witnessed properly.

He said a previous will from 2020, dividing her estate equally, was her last true will and that there was no reason for her to have changed her mind in the two intervening years.

Duncan Grierson was left 10k of his mothers fortune - Champion News

Ms McDonnell said an expert had assessed the declaration of trust and said the signature and initials of Grierson on it were probably simulations.

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There was also evidence that an indented tracing guideline had been followed to produce it, making it highly probable it was not signed by Grierson.

Roberts defence to the action was struck out following his failure to disclose evidence earlier this year, with the judge then left to decide the case on Duncans evidence alone.

Giving judgment, Judge Wicks said the expert evidence provided compelling evidence that Grierson did not herself sign the document handing Robert half of the house.

Duncans case is that Robert is the only person who could, and would, have placed such simulated signatures on that document, and that he did so in order to acquire by fraud an asset worth about 500,000, Ms McDonnell said.

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Having declared the declaration of trust void and 2022 will invalid, the 2020 will  splitting Griersons fortune equally between the brothers  stands as her final will and the whole house is included in the estate.

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The battle over who will take the reins of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has begun as the party points fingers and works to refocus after resounding losses on Election Day.

Current DNC Chair Jaime Harrison is not expected to seek another term, opening up what could be a highly competitive contest for his leadership role. Whoever takes the position will signal where the partys priorities stand as President-elect Trump reenters the Oval Office and steer Democrats forward as focus turns toward 2028.

The race officially kicked off this week when former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley (D) entered the ring Monday. Minnesota state Democratic leader Ken Martin jumped in Tuesday, and multiple other names are being floated for the slot. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel is reportedly weighing a bid, though David Axelrod  who was an adviser to former President Obama  and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) publicly clashed over the suggestion last week.

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Just like the presidential election was a change election, the DNC chair election will be a change election, said Todd Belt, the director of the political management program at George Washington University. People want a break from the past.

Democrats are flabbergasted after their dismal Election Day results, Belt said, when they lost control of the Senate and the White House and made way for a GOP trifecta to take power next year. Theres also ongoing criticism about how the replacement of President Biden on the ticket was handled, and a lot of frustration among rank-and-file Democrats about whether the partys governing elite are out of touch with everyday Americans.

The finger-pointing is still going on and will continue to go on, but I think what a successful candidate for this position to do is acknowledge the weaknesses that the party has right now, especially among working-class voters, and try to find a way to put together what will ultimately be the post-mortem, Belt said.

Harrison, who has held the national chair position since 2021, steered the DNC through this years historic presidential ticket switch-up and Harriss fast-tracked bid. After Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) attributed Democrats losses to the party having abandoned the working class, Harrison hit back that the progressive was spewing straight up BS.

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How prospective national chair candidates address and frame the partys 2024 losses are set to play a major role in their bids for the position, strategists said.

What we need to see is somebody who can take the very, very clear lessons of not just this election, but the past several presidential elections, where weve gone from winning very conclusively [to] eking out and white-knuckling a very narrow victory  and really apply it to how we approach elections writ large going forward, said Democratic strategist Jon Reinish.

The party needs to look at fresh, young, next-generation  outsider voices, Reinish said, as Democrats recalibrate.

Im hoping that we have a wide array of people and experiences to evaluate who can make the case for why theyre the ones to lead the party out of the wilderness, he added.

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Axelrod, who worked on Obamas campaigns, pushed last week for Emanuel to take the chair position, calling the veteran Washington insider a skillful, political kind of infighter. Emanuel has served as a member of Congress, White House chief of staff to Obama and mayor of Chicago.

But Ocasio-Cortez, one of the leading progressive voices on Capitol Hill, blasted reporting on Emanuels rumored bid.

There is a disease in Washington of Democrats who spend more time listening to the donor class than working people. If you want to know the seed of the partys political crisis, thats it, she wrote. Shed previously pushed back against Emanuels nomination to the ambassadorship.

In a separate post, Ocasio-Cortez knocked the idea of bringing Obama-era insiders back for party-building purposes.

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OMalley, a 2016 presidential contender, was the first official entrant into the DNC chair race on Monday, stepping down from his post as head of the Social Security Administration. He told The New York Times that Harris lost because the American peoples eyes were taken off the ball and by the politics of fear, and he argued we need to focus on fixing the problem and not the blame.

Martin announced his run Tuesday, touting his work to get his party out of disarray in Minnesota during his tenure. Martin told the Times that Democrats lost the presidential race because of really strong headwinds blowing against us from the very beginning, and he said the new DNC chair would have the chance to reimagine the committee while also really trying to get at what happened in this last election.

Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler is seriously considering a run, a source familiar with his thinking told The Hill. Other names are in the mix, and experts say the race could get crowded.

Its a position where theres often dark horses come out of nowhere, Belt said.

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One Democratic strategist granted anonymity to speak candidly said a focus on 2024 will certainly play a role in who becomes the next chair, but pushed back that the retrospective at some point becomes counterproductive.

We have to be able to gel back together, starting now, in order to get ready for races in 2025, the strategist said. Yes, everybodys talking about 2028 and 2026, but truth be told, weve got races in 2025 that will frame the ongoing environment under Republican leadership.

The fundraiser, cheerleader and organizer role of DNC chair may become more visible when Biden exits the White House. Democrats will be on defense against a Trump White House and Republican-controlled Congress next year, with the midterms on the horizon. The Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill also will be in the spotlight as blue state governors and attorneys general make news with resistance efforts across the country.

But Democratic strategist Eddie Vale stressed that, while a big part of the job is to act as a public figurehead, the DNC chair is responsible for actual day-to-day running the place  which is a different talent, and not a lot of people are necessarily good at both.

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The chair will ultimately be chosen by the roughly 450 members of the DNC. Thats notable, strategists said, because while some candidates for the chair slot may try to run a more external campaign, its all likely to come down to relationships within the party apparatus.

DNC members have until March 1 to hold an election, according to party bylaws, and whoever they select could helm the party through 2028.

Its going to be about figuring out what happened in this election, Belt said of the DNC chair battle, and charting a new way 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 The Hill.
Nov. 19The Illinois State Board of Education recently released school report cards. They show how Illinois, each school and each district in the state are doing based on a wide range of goals like attendance, graduation rate and test scores.

Beecher City Unit 20 is made up of an elementary school and a junior-senior high school, which is sixth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment total of 362 students, both schools received a commendable designation on their report cards this school year.

Karen Hanfland has been the principal for the grade school for five years, and she enjoys working with the kids.

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"I love to see them catch on, get excited about learning. Their energy is contagious," said Hanfland. "They like being at school."

After the curriculum changed a few years ago and working out the kinks that went along with that, Hanfland believes they are "holding strong" with their test scores.

"I think we're holding strong ... with math, strong reading, just holding tight with those scores where we're at and just building on them and working on student growth," said Hanfland.

They've also introduced and are focusing on social-emotional learning (SEL). The district hired a social worker to be at the district four days a week, so students are able to have different needs and concerns addressed.

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Over on the junior-senior high side, Carrie Burks, junior-senior Dean of Students, has been in her position for two years. However, she does most of the roles a high school principal does, but she's going to school to earn her certificate for the position.

"I love working with kids. I like seeing them be successful. I like watching them learn and grow. It's my favorite part: encouraging them," said Burks.

Burks believes their finances are good, along with the test scores. If the scores don't meet the benchmark, they're usually close.

Burks also highlighted different opportunities for students to explore, including dual credit math and English classes, learning construction through their Construction Trades Education Curriculum (CTEC), participating in a commercial driver's license (CDL) class, taking an agricultural class, taking a welding class and participating in Future Farmers of America (FFA), a club students can join to learn more about agriculture.

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"We try to make a variety of things for our kids so that when they leave here, they might have an idea of which avenue they wanna go to and that we've supported them to get there," said Burks.

One of the big concerns Burks has is switching from the SAT to the ACT test this school year. The high school is working on introducing kids to what the test looks like, what to expect and the different time restrictions the test will have. The school is also preparing for the ACT by having teachers attend different ACT workshops.

Burks explained that all the teachers work very hard and are passionate about their subjects, which transfers to the students. Teachers there are always trying to help one another.

"I always say I want that diploma in their hands, so when they leave these walls, they can do whatever they choose to do," said Burks. "They have that opportunity and those ... doors and windows are open for them to pick out what they wanna do, and that's my goal."

Effingham Daily News Reporter Marie Adamick can be reached at marie.adamick@effinghamdailynews.com or 618-510-9230
ANKARA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. decision to allow Kiev to deploy its long-range missiles for strikes inside Russia is "a move aimed at fueling the war," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.

"It appears to be a move aimed at fueling the war, ensuring it does not end, and even encouraging its spread," Erdogan told reporters on his flight back to Turkiye from Brazil, where he attended the Group of 20 summit, according to a report by semi-official Anadolu Agency.

"We do not consider it a right decision, nor do we approve of it," he added.

Calling the U.S. decision a provocative action that could push the world closer to a large-scale conflict, Erdogan said "even the smallest mistake in such circumstances is akin to throwing fire into a barrel of gunpowder. Therefore, I advise everyone to act carefully."

"This mindset of 'after me, the deluge' will lead us nowhere," he added.

In a major shift of his administration's policy on the Ukraine crisis, U.S. President Joe Biden had authorized Kiev to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles, or the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), to strike targets inside Russia, U.S. media reported on Sunday.

The White House or the Pentagon has not yet confirmed the decision.

Late on Tuesday, the Ukrainian Armed Forces reportedly fired six U.S. ATACMS ballistic missiles at Russia's Bryansk region. 
A trade group representing the American brewing industry released proposals on how Congress should regulate its competitors. Unsurprisingly, they recommend a heavy hand.

The Beer Institute is a trade organization that "represents the beer industry before Congress, state legislatures and public forums across the countryas the recognized and authoritative source of information on aspects of the industry." Last week, it released a list of "guiding principles" calling for restrictions on intoxicating CBD products.

"The Beer Institute supports efforts underway by lawmakers to close an unintended federal loophole that is enabling the proliferation of unregulated intoxicating hemp products across the country, including those containing synthetically derived THC," the statement said. "Intoxicating hemp and cannabis products are fundamentally different than beer and the taxation of them by government entities should reflect these stark differences just as governments at all levels in the United States have consistently reaffirmed the different tax treatment between beer, wine and hard liquor."

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While marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, Congress inserted a provision into the 2018 farm bill legalizing hemp by defining it as part of the cannabis plant containing "not more than 0.3 percent" delta-9 THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Soon thereafter, chemists began to manufacture intoxicating products with CBD derived from hemp that contained delta-8, a milder form of THC not mentioned in the farm bill.

The industry for intoxicating hemp-derived products exploded, and state laws have struggled to catch up. "State regulations governing hemp products vary widely and are unevenly enforced, creating a patchwork of rules that can change dramatically from one state to the next," according to a policy brief by Geoffrey Lawrence and Michelle Minton of the Reason Foundation, the nonprofit that publishes this magazine. There are currently no federal laws that specifically address these products, including their legalitythey are simply assumed to be legal based on the phrasing of the farm bill, and Congress has struggled to pass an updated version for more than a year.

In its guidelines, the Beer Institute takes no position on marijuana's legality, merely allowing that "the legalization of consumable cannabis products is for American voters, state legislatures and Congress to decide." But if and when Congress does get around to addressing intoxicating hemp products, the group recommends it pull no punches.

"If legalized, the Beer Institute supports the establishment of a federal excise tax rate on intoxicating hemp and cannabis, with the tax rate set higher than the highest rate for any beverage alcohol product," the guidelines stipulate. "Regulators at the federal, state, and local levels should prohibit co-location of the sale of alcohol beverages in the same retail venues as intoxicating hemp and cannabis products, if legalized, and further, to avoid consumer confusion, intoxicating hemp and cannabis products, if legalized, should only be sold in dispensaries."

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In addition to smoke shops, delta-8 products are often sold in gas stations and convenience stores, where they directly compete with alcohol: Among 12,000 stores and bodegas between January and July 2021, nearly 20 percent of all sales were for beer, cider, and malt beverages, while nonalcoholic beverages comprised only 13.3 percent. A trade group advocating for the beer industry is now asking Congress to forbid a competitor from sharing shelf spacenot to mention tax rates intentionally set higher than for beer.

The proposal presents a classic "bootleggers and Baptists" scenario, in which groups with completely separate ideologies nonetheless come together to oppose a substance, even though their reasons are completely different.

"The classic coalition behind 'blue laws' that ban liquor sales on Sunday consisted of Baptists, who didn't want anyone drinking on their day of rest, and bootleggers, who enjoyed windfall profits on Sundays," James Plummer wrote in the November 1997 issue of Reason.

Earlier this year, Republicans in Florida passed Senate Bill 1698, which would have banned hemp-based products containing delta-8. "If we sayyou can't buy [these products], and you're a drug user, then sure, maybe you'll go to a drug dealer. Maybe you'll do the right thing and stop using drugs," then-state Rep. Tommy Gregory (RSarasota) said at the time. (Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the bill, saying it "would introduce dramatic disruption and harm to many small retail and manufacturing businesses in Florida.")

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Similarly, a major representative of the beer industry is advocating tougher rules and regulations on hemp-based productspresumably out of fear of competition as much as concern about user health.

There may very well be reason for Congress to pass legislation addressing the proliferation of intoxicating hemp-based products. As Lawrence and Minton write, unlike with marijuana, delta-8 "consumers face an increasingly confusing array of products of uncertain quality while businesses must navigate a shifting and uncertain regulatory environment." But any laws to address intoxicating hemp should reflect reality, not the overblown concerns of moralists or competitors.

The post Beer Lobby Wants Restrictions and Higher Taxes on Intoxicating Hemp Products appeared first on Reason.com.
Nov. 19An evangelical church in Belfast is suing the University of Maine System, accusing it of rescinding an offer to sell the church a property because of its religious beliefs.

Calvary Chapel Belfast was close to purchasing the Hutchinson Center from the University of Maine in Orono after winning the bidding process in August, but several local groups, including other bidders, complained that they felt a public resource was being transferred to a religious entity.

The university announced in September that it was rescinding the offer and would issue a new request for proposals. It cited a flaw in the bid assessment process that didn't account for the potential cost savings related to a network hub in the building that the university would still need to access. Greg Huston, lead pastor at Calvary Chapel, told the Press Herald at the time that he was given no prior notice and told the university "we will not go quietly into the night."

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In the lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bangor against the entire university system and several officials, Calvary Chapel alleges it was criticized for its "biblical Christian beliefs."

The church is suing for religious discrimination, violation of its rights to free speech and other civil rights, according to a copy of the lengthy complaint. It also has filed a request for a temporary restraining order to halt the property's sale.

UMaine announced last week that it now plans to sell the Hutchinson Center for $3 million to Waldo Community Action Partners, a nonprofit focused on addressing poverty and supporting low-income Waldo County residents. The site was appraised at $2.5 million in 2023. Waldo Community Action offered $3.06 million in the second round of bids, while the church put up $1.1 million and another bidder offered $1.8 million, the university said.

The church is represented by Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based firm that takes up religious lawsuits around the country. The same group represented several health care employees who attempted to anonymously sue the state over a COVID-19 vaccine requirement in 2021.

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The Hutchinson Center was built by Delaware-based bank holding company MBNA and later gifted to the school by Bank of America. The building has not hosted classes for degree-seeking students since 2020, and rental rates for things like conferences never returned to pre-pandemic levels. Programming ceased completely last year.

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Nov. 19An evangelical church in Belfast is suing the University of Maine System, accusing it of rescinding an offer to sell the church a property because of its religious beliefs.

Calvary Chapel Belfast was close to purchasing the Hutchinson Center from the University of Maine in Orono after winning the bidding process in August, but several local groups, including other bidders, complained that they felt that a public resource was being transferred to a religious entity.

In late August, as initial criticisms mounted, the university system defended its selection of the church by arguing that considering the group's religious affiliation could amount to discrimination, violating its own internal policies and the law. But one of the losing bidders, both of which filed appeals, argued that the procurement process itself was unclear.

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The system later announced in September that it was rescinding the offer and would issue a new request for proposals. It cited a flaw in the bid assessment process that didn't account for the potential cost savings related to keeping a network hub in the building that the university would still need to access.

Ryan Low, the system's vice chancellor for finance and administration, emphasized in statements at the time that the reversal did not reflect the details or merits of any individual proposals and was strictly a procedural issue.

Greg Huston, lead pastor at Calvary Chapel, told the Press Herald at the time that he was given no prior notice and told the university "we will not go quietly into the night."

In the lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bangor against the entire university system and several officials, Calvary Chapel alleges it was criticized for its "biblical Christian beliefs."

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The church is suing for religious discrimination, violation of its rights to free speech and other civil rights, according to a copy of the lengthy complaint. It also has filed a request for a temporary restraining order to halt the property's sale.

The university system "strongly disagrees with any allegations of discrimination," spokesperson Samantha Warren said in a statement emailed Tuesday night.

"Every proposal received was scored by the same objective standards," Warren said. "The proposal selected provided the most favorable terms for our public university consistent with the evaluation criteria, including a purchase price that was nearly double that of any other offer."

UMaine announced last week that it planned to sell the Hutchinson Center for $3 million to Waldo Community Action Partners, a nonprofit focused on addressing poverty and supporting low-income Waldo County residents. The site was appraised at $2.5 million in 2023. Waldo Community Action offered $3.06 million in the second round of bids, while the church put up $1.1 million and another bidder offered $1.8 million, the university said.

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The church is represented by Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based firm that takes up religious lawsuits around the country. The same group represented several health care employees who attempted to anonymously sue the state over a COVID-19 vaccine requirement in 2021.

The Hutchinson Center was built by Delaware-based bank holding company MBNA and later gifted to the school by Bank of America. The building has not hosted classes for degree-seeking students since 2020, and rental rates for things like conferences never returned to pre-pandemic levels. Programming ceased completely last year.

Staff Writer Daniel Kool contributed to this report.

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The Atlanta BeltLine filed plans on Friday with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs announcing their intent to build more than 1,000 residences in northwest Atlanta.

According to the development filings, the residences will be built under the project name 425 Chappell Road.

The development will be set with at least 30% of the units to be affordable housing, along with the development of 5,000 square feet of commercial space. The overall project will be placed on a 32-acre site, according to the filing, which is located at 425 Chappell Road NW.

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The BeltLine said the construction in Atlantas Bankhead/Historic Westin Heights area is the organizations largest land acquisition to date, sitting next to 30 acres of Atlanta city-owned property.

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Coordinating with Invest Atlanta and city officials, the BeltLine said they would be creating an intentional development plan that they said prioritizes affordable housing and supports small businesses while keeping the city connected.

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The location for the Chappell Road development is near the Bankhead MARTA station and part of the Atlanta BeltLines Westside Trail. The site itself is being master planned with both transit and affordability in mind, according to the BeltLine.

The Atlanta BeltLine said in a release that theyd purchased the site from Brock Built Homes for $25.6 million, 30% below what it was appraised for, and that the development will boost both affordability and job creation.

Now, officials will have to determine the developments regional impact as part of the approval process. The BeltLine is requesting approval for rezoning, variance, sewer, water, permitting and other project needs, with an expected completion date of sometime in 2030.

The project is expected to be valued at $270 million upon completion, with annual local tax revenues generated at roughly $3.1 million per year, according to development filings.

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The development plan also says the design of the proposed community will not negatively impact local floodplains, and that they are taking actions to reduce and slow stormwater runoff to the nearby Proctor Creek as part of the building process.

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Nov. 19BEMIDJI  A Bemidji home has suffered significant damage after a fire broke out early Tuesday morning along Bemidji Avenue NW.

According to a release from Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood, at 4:25 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire on the 1200 block of Bemidji Avenue NW.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a two-story house with fire and smoke coming from the second story, the release said.

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Using a 1 3/4-inch handline, firefighters went into an offensive mode, entering the house to locate and extinguish the fire. Additional crews arrived on the scene, assisting with fire extinguishment and overhaul, the release said.

A total of 28 firefighters and nine pieces of equipment were on the scene for about three hours. The home suffered significant damage and no injuries have been reported, the release said. The fire is under investigation.

The Bemidji Police Department, Bemidji Ambulance, Minnesota Energy, Ottertail Power Company and the Minnesota Fire Marshal's Office assisted the Bemidji Fire Department at the scene.
Ohio Sen.-elect Bernie Moreno pledged Tuesday to support President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet picks, including a former congressman and Fox News host who were each accused of sexual misconduct.

Moreno defeated Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in the Nov. 5 election. He'll take the oath of office in January along with Vice President-elect JD Vance's replacement, who Gov. Mike DeWine will appoint in the coming weeks.

"The American people delivered President Trump a mandate, and it is crucial that Senate Republicans confirm his nominees quickly," Moreno said Tuesday. "Our Republican majority must unite and deliver a strong cabinet so we can begin implementing the America-First agenda as soon as possible."

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More on Bernie Moreno: Bernie Moreno gives victory speech after networks report Ohio Senate win

Sen.-elect Bernie Moreno speaks during a post-election conference hosted by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 7.

Moreno's statement came as Senate Republicans wrestle with Trump's more controversial cabinet nominees, particularly former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., for attorney general. The Department of Justice under President Joe Biden investigated allegations that Gaetz sex trafficked a 17-year-old girl but never charged him with a crime.

The House Ethics Committee also investigated Gaetz, who resigned from Congress just days before the committee planned to decide whether to release its findings. Two women testified that Gaetz paid them for sex, and one said she saw him having sex with a 17-year-old. Gaetz has denied the allegations.

"Under the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of Justice has been weaponized against President Trump and other Republicans," Moreno said. "Matt Gaetz is exactly the type of leader to clean up the corruption and return the DOJ to following the rule of law."

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Moreno also threw his support behind Trump's other cabinet picks, including Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic tapped to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran who previously co-hosted Fox & Friends Weekend, paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017. He denied the allegation and agreed to a settlement because he worried about losing his job, according to his attorney.

In his first interview after the election, Brown cited Trump's nominees as he outlined how Democrats should approach the president-elect's second term.

"Democrats need to work with Republicans when some of these nominees are so out of the mainstream," Brown told Politico last week. "I also think Democrats have to make sure voters know that this administration is all about helping the rich and all about hurting workers."

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USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Haley BeMiller covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Bernie Moreno pledges to support Matt Gaetz, other Trump cabinet picks
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Senate on Wednesday rejected attempts by Sen. Bernie Sanders Wednesday to block sales of offensive weapons to Israel for its war in Gaza over mounting civilian deaths there.

The Vermont lawmaker and a small group of Democrats sought to put legislation up for a Senate vote that would block the sale of some tank and mortar rounds and smart-bomb kits to Israel. The first attempt to block the sales was rejected overwhelmingly, and two more efforts also went down to defeat.

Sanders, in making the case for stopping the sales, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government has not simply waged war against Hamas. It has waged an all-out war against the Palestinian people.

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Known as joint resolutions of disapproval, the measures would have had to pass both houses of Congress and withstand any presidential veto to become binding. Congress has never succeeded in blocking any arms sales with the joint resolutions. But the vote served as a test of broader frustration among Democrats at the war and President Joe Biden's handling of relations with Israel.

Lawmakers' move comes after a 30-day Biden administration deadline came and went earlier this month for Netanyahu to meet specific U.S. targets to improve its treatment of Palestinian civilians in Gaza trapped in the war. U.S. demands included that Israel lift a near-total ban on delivery of aid to hard-hit north Gaza for starving civilians there.

Leading global aid organizations say Israel  which is heavily dependent on U.S. arms and military aid  fell far short of meeting the U.S. demand to allow in an adequate number of aid trucks, and in some other ways worsened conditions for civilians.

That includes Israeli lawmakers newly banning the main U.N. agency that provides aid to Palestinians.

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U.N. officials said as the end of the U.S. deadline neared that the entire population of north Gaza is now at imminent risk of dying from famine, airstrikes or other threats.

We would expect that there be some consequences when things get even worse, Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said in the run-up to the vote on the measures. Fellow Democratic Sens. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Peter Welch of Vermont also joined Sanders in the appeal.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor that he will strongly oppose the measures.

Israel needs to protect itself not just today, but also tomorrow and next year and beyond, Schumer said. It has been a cornerstone of American policy to give Israel the resources it needs to defend against its enemies. We should not stray from that policy today.

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Sen. Ben Cardin, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, read what he said was a message from the White House urging lawmakers to defeat the measures.

The move to block arms to the U.S. ally came at a delicate time in Middle East cease-fire negotiations and would put wind in the sails of Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas at the worst possible moment, Cardin quoted the White House as warning.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham also argued for defeat of the bills. This signal will be seen by the enemies of Israel, and the enemies of peace, that if they just stick with it they will win, he said.

Centrist and progressive Democratic lawmakers and Sanders have made repeated runs during the more than 1-year-old war at convincing the White House and Congress to condition U.S. arms shipments to Israel on improved treatment of Palestinian civilians in the offensive.

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The Biden administration has increased its warnings and appeals to Netanyahu to do more to spare civilians in airstrikes and other attacks, and to allow more aid to reach Gaza. The Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks that started the war killed about 1,200.

The death toll of Gazans killed since then was nearing 44,000 on Wednesday. Health officials in Gaza do not distinguish between civilians and combatants in tracking deaths.

Other than pausing one planned shipment of 2,000-pound bombs, Biden  at 82, a stalwart supporter of Israel since its modern founding  has rejected calls to limit military support to Israel.

Sanders, on the Senate floor, said the continuing flow of U.S. arms to Israel for the war violated U.S. law and undermined U.S. standing in the world.

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Other governments will say to Americans, 'Dont give us advice, dont criticize us, when you have supported the mass starvation of children with your tax dollars, he said.

Republicans have stood firmly behind Netanyahu and will control both chambers of Congress next year as President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

The U.S.'s roughly $18 billion in military support for Israel during the war was a politically divisive issue in the U.S. presidential campaign, with Republicans vowing to keep up undiminished backing for Israel.

Trump has vowed strong support for Israel and has called on Netanyahu to bring the Gaza war to a quick close. He has offered few specifics on his plans on that.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  U.S. News & World Report, known for its rankings, recently released its findings for the best schools nationally and within each state.

The American media company also narrowed it down to the best schools in each district, using measures like standardized test scores to assess math, science and reading proficiency.

U.S. News said half of the formula assessed the scores themselves and the other half incorporated the test results in the context of socioeconomic demographics.

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In other words, the top-ranked schools are all high-achieving and have succeeded at educating all their students, the company stated.

Yelp releases 2024 list of top 25 restaurants in Savannah

Here are the best schools in the Savannah-Chatham County district, according to the rankings. News 3 has also included where the schools rank within the state.

The top five best elementary schools (out of 37 schools total):

Jacob G. Smith Elementary School (#170 in Georgia elementary schools) May Howard Elementary School (#266 in Georgia elementary schools) Savannah Classical Academy Charter School (#270 in Georgia elementary schools) Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts (#283 in Georgia elementary schools) Marshpoint Elementary School (#536 in Georgia elementary schools)

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The top five best middle schools (out of 23 schools total):

Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts (#52 in Georgia middle schools) The Stem Academy at Bartlett (#63 in Georgia middle schools) Savannah Classical Academy Charter School (#218 in Georgia middle schools) Coastal Middle School (#301 in Georgia middle schools) Tybee Island Maritime Academy School (#345 in Georgia middle schools)

The top five best high schools in the Savannah area (out of 17 high schools):

Savannah Arts Academy (#14 in Georgia high schools) Richmond Hill High School (#84 in Georgia high schools) Woodville-Tompkins Technical and Career High School (#85 in Georgia high schools) South Effingham High School (#104 in Georgia high schools) Savannah Early College High School (#126 in Georgia high schools)

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The Biden administration will allow Ukraine to use anti-personnel land mines to mitigate Russias battlefield progress, undoing a policy the president had previously set at the beginning of his term.

A U.S. official confirmed the U.S. will soon supply Ukraine with non-persistent anti-personnel land mines (APLs).

These mines are designed to rapidly blunt advances by ground forces, significantly enhancing Ukraines defensive capabilities, particularly in the east, when combined with other U.S.-supplied munitions, the official said.

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The U.S. has already supplied Ukraine with anti-tank mines for use against Russia. But in 2022, President Biden reversed a Trump administration policy that had allowed for the use of APLs, returning to an Obama-era policy that had banned their use except in South Korea.

Russia has already been using land mines in Ukraine. Anti-personnel land mines have faced pushback from activists, human rights and arms control groups because they can linger for years after a conflict has ended and pose a threat to civilians.

There was similar pushback in 2023, when Biden approved cluster munitions for Ukraine. Those munitions can also remain on fields and across towns long after the war.

The U.S. official said that Washington has secured commitments from Ukraine regarding the responsible use of these mines to minimize risks to civilians.

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These mines are intended for use on Ukraines sovereign territory, and Ukraine has committed to avoiding deployment in areas populated with its own civilians, they said. Unlike the thousands of landmines that Russia has indiscriminately employed in eastern Ukraine, U.S. APLs are non-persistent.

The official noted that they become inert after a pre-set period that can range from four hours to two weeks, and they require a battery to detonate. Upon detonation, the mines cannot function. They added that the U.S. is working to address hazards on the battlefield in the long-term.

The move comes as Ukraine is looking to push back against a larger Russian military, which is encroaching on Ukrainian positions across the 600-mile front and with particular force in the Donetsk region.

The U.S. has been looking for ways to boost Ukraines prospects on the battlefield with more capabilities, especially as President-elect Trump is set to return to office on Jan. 20. Trump has vowed to end the war, spurring concerns he may cede territory in eastern Ukraine seized by Russia.

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Biden is rushing the last of some $9 billion in security aid to Ukraine before inauguration day on Jan. 20. The latest package of some $275 million on Wednesday did not include APLs.

Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said Russian mines helped defeat the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Kyiv would now like to give invading Russian forces a taste of their own medicine, he wrote in an email analysis. The biggest threat to Ukrainian civilians is Russian strikes and advancing Russian forces, not anti-personnel mines. If we want to help save Ukrainian lives, we should give Kyiv the means to defend itself and defeat Russian forces.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also confirmed that APLs would be sent on Wednesday.

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The land mines that we would look to provide them would be land mines that are not persistent, you know, we can control when they would self-activate, self-detonate and that makes it far more safer eventually than the things that they are creating on their own, Austin said, referring to how nonpersistent land mines generally need batteries, making them unable to detonate over time.

The announcement follows Bidens approval for the use of Western-provided long-range missiles by Ukraine to strike targets within Russia, which enraged Russia and riled allies of Trump, who has previously been critical of Ukraine. On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to end the war in a day.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Monday referred to comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin in September that warned Moscow would view the U.S. and NATO in direct conflict with Russia if the U.S. granted permission to Ukraine to use missiles from the Army Tactical Missile System far-beyond Russias borders to hit targets.

If this decision is taken, it will mean nothing less than the direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine, Putin said at the time.

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The approval by Austin on Wednesday also follows Putins decision to lower the threshold for nuclear weapons use, which came just days after Bidens announcement to use long-range missiles inside Russia. Any aggression from a nonnuclear state with the support of a nuclear state will be treated as a joint attack on Russia, according to the update.

Updated at 12:32 p.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.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that the EU's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles are drawing attention around the world, and China always insists on resolving differences through dialogue and consultation.

It is hoped that Germany will continue to play an important role in this regard, Xi said in his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Xi said that he and Scholz had frank, in-depth and fruitful exchanges during Scholz's visit to China this April. Over the past six months, the two countries have achieved significant results in the fields of green development, sustainable transportation and agricultural cooperation with Africa, and China-Germany relations continue to glow with new vitality and dynamism, Xi said.

Noting that transformation of a scale not seen in a century is accelerating across the world today and global development is at a critical crossroads, Xi pointed out that as the second and third largest economies in the world, China and Germany are both major countries with significant influence, and the two sides need to consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership from a long-term and strategic perspective and continue to write cooperative stories of mutual achievement.

Xi noted that China's policy toward Germany maintains a high degree of stability and continuity, and is willing to work with Germany to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, seek common ground while shelving differences, and learn from each other.

China and Germany share highly integrated economic interests, and bilateral cooperation is an opportunity for shared development and common future, Xi said, noting that China regards Germany as an important partner in advancing Chinese modernization, and will continue to provide broad market opportunities for German companies.

China and Germany should focus on upgrading cooperation through digitalization, intelligence and low-carbon action, and work together to explore third-party markets to achieve win-win cooperation, Xi said.

China regards Europe as an important pole in a multi-polar world, Xi said, adding that Beijing is committed to cooperating with Europe to jointly meet challenges and promote the sustained, steady and sound development of China-EU relations.

Since his last visit to China, Scholz said, the Germany-China relationship has made positive progress. Under the current complex international situation, it is of great importance for Germany and China to strengthen communication and cooperation, he added.

The German side hopes to further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, strengthen bilateral and multilateral dialogue and cooperation in the spirit of equality, frankness and mutual respect, properly resolve differences, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and contribute to world economic recovery, growth and common prosperity, he said.

Scholz also voiced hope that the EU and China will solve the issue of electric vehicles as soon as possible through dialogue and negotiation, noting that the German side is willing to make positive efforts in this regard.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, the situation in the Middle East and other hotspot issues. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
The Biden administration has announced a range of options for new rules to address chronic water shortages and low reservoir levels on the Colorado River, a vital water source for seven Western states that has dwindled during more than two decades of drought compounded by climate change.

The Interior Department released four alternatives for new long-term rules aimed at dealing with potential shortages after 2026, when the current operating rules expire. The announcement of the proposed alternatives represents one of the Biden administrations final steps to outline potential paths toward reaching a consensus among California and the six other states, as well as the regions 30 Native tribes.

We're putting forth alternatives that establish a robust and fair framework for a basin-wide agreement, said Laura Daniel-Davis, acting deputy Interior secretary. Now really is the time for the basin states and tribes to redouble their work toward a consensus alternative.

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Read more: As California farms use less Colorado River water, worries grow over shrinking Salton Sea

The action advances a federal review process that President-elect Donald Trumps administration will inherit. Although the change in administration brings a dose of uncertainty, the biggest challenge for the region currently appears to be the stark divisions among the seven states that have emerged in negotiations over the last year.

There have been persistent disagreements about how triggers for water cutbacks should be determined and how those reductions should be apportioned. The disputes have pitted the three states in the rivers lower basin  California, Arizona and Nevada  against the four upper-basin states  Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico.

There certainly are extremely difficult choices and trade-offs to be made, but we believe that there are ample opportunities to create a fair path to solutions that work for the entire basin, federal Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton told reporters in a conference call.

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The Colorado River provides water for cities from Denver to San Diego, tribal communities and farmlands across seven states and northern Mexico. The river has long been overallocated, and its reservoirs have declined dramatically since 2000.

The average flow of the river has shrunk about 20% since 2000, and scientists have estimated that roughly half that decline has been caused by global warming driven by the burning of fossil fuels and rising levels of greenhouse gases. The decline in flow is projected to continue to worsen as temperatures climb.

Read more: Colorado River losing vast amounts of water due to warming climate, study finds

In recent years, states that depend on the river have adopted a series of incremental water-saving plans in an effort to prevent the Colorados reservoirs from falling to critically low levels.

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The Interior Department in 2023 began the process of developing long-term operating guidelines to replace rules that expire in December 2026. The agency says an operating plan must be in effect by August 2026.

In its announcement of the alternatives, the Interior Department said the overarching goals include defining water allocations, guiding management of the river and guarding against the need for the kind of short-term fix that state and federal officials negotiated to temporarily reduce water use and boost reservoir levels from 2024 through 2026. The Biden administration recently has been funding programs that pay farmers to temporarily reduce water use in exchange for payments.

The Bureau of Reclamation, which manages dams on the river, said the four alternatives are: one that focuses on federal authorities absent new agreements; a second hybrid approach based on federal authorities; a third cooperative conservation alternative that would include incentivizing water conservation and developing flexible management strategies; and a fourth that would be a hybrid of proposals submitted by the states and tribes.

Also included was a no action alternative, as required under federal environmental law.

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California, which uses more Colorado River water than any other state, responded with caution and cited the 1922 Colorado River Compact, which allocated the rivers water among the states and established the existing legal framework.

Federal law requires the Colorado River Basins reservoirs be managed in accordance with the Colorado River Compact  the most significant component of which is mandatory deliveries of water from the Upper Basin to the Lower Basin and Mexico, said J.B. Hamby, Californias Colorado River commissioner. In order to be valid, any alternative considered must meet this requirement unless the states agree to a compromise otherwise.

Read more: 'We can do better': Western states divided over long-term plans for Colorado River water

The 1922 agreement requires the four states of the upper basin to deliver an annual average of 7.5 million acre-feet to California, Arizona and Nevada (over any 10-year period).

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Arizona officials have warned that projections show water deliveries might decrease below that required minimum as soon as 2027, which would enable the lower basin states to make a so-called compact call and require the upper basin states to meet the requirement by cutting their water usage.

Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, discussed that possibility at a meeting this week, saying such a scenario would lead to larger cuts for the upper basin than would occur under a proposal submitted by Arizona, California and Nevada.

Buschatzke said Wednesday that he was a bit disappointed the Bureau of Reclamation chose to create hybrid alternatives rather than presenting a full analysis of the three-state proposal.

Under that proposed plan, California, Arizona and Nevada would make the first round of water cuts to address a shortage, and then would look to the other states to participate if larger reductions are needed, which Buschatzke called a reasonable approach.

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How is the upper basin going to participate with the lower basin? he said. Thats the big issue.

Read more: Colorado River in Crisis: A Times series on the Southwests shrinking water lifeline

So far, the states of the upper basin have offered a proposal that includes some conservation efforts but avoids accepting the sort of mandatory cutbacks the other states are calling for.

The current impasse has raised the possibility that an intractable dispute between the states could lead to a fight in the courts. Buschatzke stressed that Arizona doesnt want a legal battle and that representatives of other states have assured him they do not want litigation either.

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We still have a pretty wide gap between us, Buschatzke said.

But he said he sees some good provisions in the federal governments options, and he hopes continued talks can move the needle forward.

In a joint statement, California, Arizona and Nevada said they are committed to working toward a negotiated solution that inherently requires the participation of all water users.

Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado said the only viable solution is a collaborative, seven-state plan to solve the Colorado River crisis, because if the states turn to the courts, well watch the river run dry while we sue each other.

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Other experts have agreed that turning to lawsuits would create major risks.

If this issue goes to the courts, the health of the river is going to suffer, because everybody's attention is going to be directed towards that litigation, said Jennifer Pitt, director of the National Audubon Societys Colorado River program.

Pitt said she hopes the states can reach a compromise to manage the river for the 21st century in the face of climate change  now a very "different river than was imagined by the people who wrote the compact.

The federal government announced the alternatives shortly before Touton was scheduled to meet with state and tribal leaders for the latest in a series of working group discussions.

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Water management officials and representatives of states and tribes also will gather in Las Vegas from Dec. 4 to 6 for an annual conference of Colorado River water users, an event that often features negotiating sessions in addition to speeches outlining proposals for reducing demands on the river.

White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi said the struggle is fundamentally about adapting to the effects of climate change. He pointed to recent research by UCLA scientists showing that global warming is a major culprit of the rivers decline, and that higher temperatures have, since 2000, robbed the Colorado River Basin of more than 10 trillion gallons of water, more than the entire storage capacity of Lake Mead, the countrys largest reservoir.

Just over the last two decades, we've seen that deterioration take place, Zaidi said. It doesn't matter what your politics are, climate change still impacts you. We are all lassoed in, banded together, and we've got to come up with solutions together.

Near Las Vegas, Lake Mead is now 33% full. Upstream on the Utah-Arizona border, the water level of Lake Powell, the nations second-largest reservoir, stands at 38% of capacity.

Zaidi noted that in 2023 the seven states reached a consensus deal to make substantial short-term reductions in water use.

We can either remain stuck at an impasse, or we can secure a future for future generations that promises the stability and sustainability of one of our greatest natural resources, Zaidi said.

The options the federal government has outlined, he said, provide essentially a platform to reach a consensus path.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Washington Post has reported that US President Joe Biden has authorised the provision of antipersonnel mines to Ukraine.

Source: The Washington Post

Details: The Washington Post noted that this decision follows the recent approval by the White House to use long-range weapons for strikes deep into Russian territory.

One official stated that the type of antipersonnel mines being provided is "nonpersistent", meaning they self-destruct or lose their battery charge, making them inactive and reducing the risk to the civilian population.

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The official also noted that Ukrainian policymakers have committed not to deploy the mines in densely populated areas.

However, arms control experts highlighted that even nonpersistent mines pose risks to safety.

A total of four officials spoke on condition of anonymity about sensitive internal discussions within the White House.

Quote from an official: "Russia is attacking Ukrainian lines in the east with waves of troops, regardless of the casualties that theyre suffering. So the Ukrainians are obviously taking losses, and more towns and cities are at risk of falling. These mines were made specifically to combat exactly this."

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"When theyre used in concert with the other munitions that we already are providing Ukraine, the intent is that they will contribute to a more effective defence."

Details: According to one of the officials, the use of these mines will be confined to Ukrainian territory, with an expected focus on Ukraines east.

The Washington Post added that one Ukrainian official welcomed any change in policy despite the potential risks associated with the widespread deployment of such weapons.

"Russia uses them anyway," the official said, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue.

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However, some human rights activists criticised the US decision to supply antipersonnel mines to Ukraine, which is a signatory of the Mine Ban Treaty, calling it a "black mark" against Washington.

In 2020, the administration of then-President Donald Trump reversed the policies of Barack Obama's presidency, pointing out the strategic need for mine deployment to counter adversaries like Russia and China. This move was strongly condemned by arms control advocates.

"It will put more civilians at risk of being injured by unexploded mines, and is unnecessary from a military perspective," Biden stated at the time as a presidential candidate, describing Trumps decision as "reckless".

The United States held a stockpile of about three million antipersonnel mines as of 2022. These mines have not been used since 1991 during the first Gulf War, except for a single incident in 2002 in Afghanistan involving one munition, according to the State Department in 2022.

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The Biden administration has committed to supporting mine-clearance efforts in Ukraine after the war. One US official stated that this commitment would also extend to assisting with the clean-up of the US-supplied mines.

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President Joe Biden has approved the supply of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine to use in its fight against Russia, according to reports  marking his latest policy shift as he scrambles to help Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before Donald Trump returns to the White House in January.

Two US officials told The Washington Post that Kyiv has committed to deploying the explosive devices exclusively on its own territory and not in areas populated by civilians

Ukraine hopes the development will enable it to slow the advance of Russian ground troops in the east, especially when used alongside other munitions gifted by its western allies, an official told Reuters.

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The US has provided Ukraine with anti-tank mines throughout the war with Russia, which began in late February 2022, but the addition of anti-personnel mines provides a different defensive threat, although the battery-powered mines are non-persistent, meaning they become inert after a preset period.

The development comes days after Biden also shifted his stance by permitting Americas war-torn European ally to use its long-range ATACMS missiles to strike deeper into Russian territory.

President Joe Biden and other G20 leaders meet during the G20 Summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. Biden is scrambling to help Ukraine in his final days in office (AP)

The decision  which coincided with the conflicts 1,000th day  inspired an outcry from members of Trumps inner circle, including his son Donald Trump Jr and Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who accused Biden of attempting to start a Third World War before the president-elect takes office.

On Wednesday morning, the US shuttered its embassy in Kyiv saying it had received intelligence about a potential significant air attack on November 20.

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Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place, the US Department of State Consular Affairs said in a statement.

The US embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.

Moscow claimed on Tuesday that attacks on Russian targets had already begun and said the move was a clear signal that the NATO-led west was seeking to escalate the conflict, just as experts had warned.

Ukraining forces firing a 2S5 self-propelled 152mm howitzer towards Russian positions near Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region, Ukraine, November 18 (EPA)

In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks.

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Under Putins revised nuclear doctrine, a conventional attack on Russia by any nation supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country.

The doctrine, which lays the conditions under which Russias leadership might consider a nuclear strike, also states that an attack using conventional missiles, drones or other kinds of aircraft could justify the response.

Additional reporting by agencies.
Lawmakers in both parties are generally offering support for President Bidens decision to authorize a major shift in U.S. policy to allow Ukraine to use long-range U.S. missiles to attack sites in Russia.

The escalatory move came less than two weeks after President-elect Trump defeated Vice President Harris in the presidential election. The incoming presidents most vocal supporters on Capitol Hill have been much less enthusiastic to support Ukraine, and Donald Trump Jr. suggested Bidens decision could trigger a third world war.

But key figures in both parties said they thought the stronger U.S. policy was to back Ukraines ability to attack the Kremlin forces in Russia, particularly now that North Korean troops have also arrived on the scene.

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Its high time we do this and help Ukraine push [Russia] back and be victorious, Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) said.

Republicans say the move came too late.

Better late than never, but it was late, said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Ive been urging the administration to untie their hands for two years, and every weapons system they drag their feet and then they finally approve it.  Let them use everything were giving them. Stop putting restrictions on them.

The policy change spurred Moscow to lower the threshold for nuclear weapons use, renewing fears of a serious escalation in the war.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin updated his nuclear doctrine Tuesday to say an attack on Russia with conventional weapons from a nonnuclear state, but with the support of a nuclear-armed state, would be considered a joint attack.

That could trigger a nuclear response, the Kremlin said, as Putin appears to be issuing a major threat to the U.S. and Western allies.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (N.Y.), senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was not worried about the bolder strategy, faulting Russia for ratcheting up the war by deploying North Korean troops.

The escalations on the other side, Meeks said. So now to have the ability to go and take those weapons out, so they can stop the shooting at Ukraine  indiscriminately  is the right thing to do.

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But Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) sounded a more cautious note.

The administration should not take that as saber-rattling, he said. They should take the very serious elevation of a nuclear threat posture as a very serious threat.

Biden on Sunday authorized Ukraine to use the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) inside Russia, though the White House has yet to publicly confirm the approval.

ATACMS, which can strike at targets up to 190 miles away, will give Ukraine a much-needed edge, allowing Kyiv to hit critical ammunition depots and approaching troops. Ukraine has asked for the long-range missiles to hit inside of Russia since at least 2022 and increased lobbying for the capability in the past few months.

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On Tuesday, Ukraine used the ATACMS for the first time in Russia, hitting an ammunition depot in Bryansk, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Such missile strikes may also prove critical in Kursk, where Russian and North Korean troops are working to dislodge Ukrainian forces that took swaths of the territory in Russia in a surprise August attack.

Trump has said he would end the war by the time he takes office Jan. 20. The ATACMS policy will give Ukraine more leverage in the expected negotiations, lawmakers say.

Thats because Russia has pounded Ukrainian troops on the battlefield for the past year-and-a-half and is slowly gaining more territory in eastern Ukraine, although Russian forces have also suffered heavy losses.

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In a month-and-a-half, youre going to have a new president, and Russia will probably sue for peace, Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) said. So let them defend themselves, punch Russia back in the face.

Putin has a light at the end of the tunnel where he can save face. Hes not going to start a nuclear war with all of Europe and the United States when he knows in a month-and-a-half now, youre going to have a new leadership.

But many of Trumps biggest supporters on Capitol Hill have long called for an end to U.S. assistance to Ukraine and the war, and they are upset about the shift on ATACMS.

Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), Trumps pick for national security adviser, said Monday on Fox News that it was another step up the escalation ladder.

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Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.), who does not support more security funding for Ukraine, said the ATACMS move was a continual escalation in the wrong direction.

Biden is going to do what Bidens done the last four years, which is destroy the country, destroy our position on the world stage, try and weaken us in every way when it comes to negotiations, to make it more difficult for President Trump to go ahead and focus on the America First agenda, he said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he supported lifting the ATACMS restrictions because it could lead to a diplomatic breakthrough, but he also accused Biden of being shallow and trying to stymie Trump.

Hes trying to put Trump in a box, Graham said, adding it was odd that he decided to do this right after the election.  I just think that this was something he should have done to help Ukraine, and hes playing politics with it. And I think thats a crappy thing to do.

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Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) said she was worried about this last-minute shift in policy before Trump comes in to defuse the situation.

I dont understand the abrupt change in foreign policy on this matter. Its concerning to me, she said. We all want Ukraine to win, but Trumps going to be the new leader of the free world.

Critics fear Trump will give up territory in eastern Ukraine seized by Russia since the 2022 invasion. They have also pointed to his close relations with Putin, with Trump reportedly having called the Russian leader seven times since leaving office.

But Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) argued Trump would not hamstring Ukraine in the negotiations.

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Hes going to look at President Putin, who hes met with, he said, and who he has both respect and a willingness to be tough with and give him a choice: Come to the table now, or we have to back Ukraine in a way that keeps you from getting further advantage. Thats the implied support.

Mike Lillis contributed.

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(Bloomberg) -- Nicolas Maduro was hoping for a fresh start with the US under Donald Trump. Instead, hes getting deja vu.

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The outgoing Biden administration announced Tuesday it now considers opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as Venezuelas president-elect. While it doesnt go quite as far, the move harks back to when the US unsuccessfully declared another Maduro rival the rightful leader of the South American nation during Trumps first term at the White House.

It also makes Trumps job harder, given its now less likely the incoming US president can cut a deal with the socialist strongman in exchange for accepting planes full of Venezuelan migrants deported from the US.

At this point a return to maximum pressure, or something like it, is all but guaranteed, said Geoff Ramsey, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council  referring to the Trump strategy that saw the US tighten sanctions and recognize Juan Guaido as interim president in a failed bid to sweep Maduro from power.

The Biden teams move sets an important early test for the incoming administration, Ramsey added. It will force Trump to decide whether to go all the way and recognize Gonzalez not as president-elect, but as the legitimate president.

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Tuesdays shift, telegraphed to allies at the Group of 20 summit in Brazil and then confirmed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a post on X, is the strongest US acknowledgment yet that the opposition won Venezuelas contested election in July. It also fits with the most likely approach by Trumps pick to succeed Blinken, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who has been one of the Maduro regimes fiercest critics.

Venezuelas bond prices have been slumping ever since Rubios appointment. Sovereign notes maturing in 2027 are now trading at levels not seen since the end of October, before they rallied ahead of the US election on hopes of a fresh approach under Trump.

Trumps transition team didnt respond to a request for comment Tuesday on Venezuela policy. Before Bidens change, analysts had speculated he could still seek a bargain with Maduro, despite his hard-line cabinet choice.

The new presidents planned crackdown on undocumented migrants would be easier to implement if Maduro agreed to allow Venezuelans to be forcibly returned to his country. About 8 million people have fled in the past decade because of political repression and economic struggles, making Venezuelans one of the biggest sources of undocumented migration to the US.

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Venezuelas oil is also complicating factor. Chevron Corp. is major American producer working in the country under an exception to US sanctions that is vulnerable to a harder line against Maduro. Caracas sends about a third of its oil to China, and the US could disrupt that relationship by being friendlier to the socialist strongman.

Although Rubio favors a maximum-pressure approach, Trump is less critical of dictators than he is and is exposed to an oil lobby pressing for the lifting of sanctions, Harold Trinkunas, a senior scholar at Stanford University in California, said before Tuesdays announcement.

Rubio makes his Cuban heritage and opposition to communism central to his political identity. He introduced a bill seeking to increase a reward for Maduros arrest to $100 million and has been one of the most vocal opponents of President Joe Bidens Venezuela policy, saying the easing of US sanctions in exchange for democratic guarantees instead helped the regime steal the election again.

Still, Maduro found reasons to welcome Trumps victory this month, saying a golden opportunity opened for change in the relationship between the US and the region. We didnt get along during your first term, Maduro said Nov. 6 on state television. But now we can bet on a win-win that benefits the US and Venezuela and all of Latin America.

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On Tuesday, however, Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil called Blinkens comments ridiculous, saying in a statement sent by the information ministry the new US move makes Gonzalez a 2.0 version of Guaido.

For her part, banned opposition leader Maria Corina Machado  who remains in hiding, having last appeared in public on Aug. 28 at a rally Caracas  has praised Rubios appointment as excellent news. Taking swift action against Maduro could provide the Trump administration with an enormous foreign policy victory in the very, very short term, she told the New York Times this week.

To one veteran Republican policy hand, the timing of Bidens move is hard to explain given Venezuelas election was more than three months ago. Waiting until now only serves to deny the Trump administration an opportunity to differentiate his foreign policy from theirs, said Jose Cardenas, who worked on Latin America issues under former President George W. Bush.

But its something the Venezuelan opposition had been asking for, Cardenas added. And it makes it harder for Maduro and his allies to deligitimize Gonzalez and the oppositions electoral victory in the court of world opinion.

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U.S. President Joe Biden has approved the provision of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Nov. 20.

The decision is expected to help slow down Russia's advance in the east of the country.

The move follows the Biden administration's authorization of the use of U.S.-made long-range missiles to strike Russian territory. Kyiv has not officially confirmed the claims, but recent reports indicate Ukraine deployed U.S. ATACMS missiles in Russia's Bryansk Oblast.

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The transfer of anti-personnel mines could be controversial, as it contradicts the Ottawa Convention, also known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, which has been signed by more than 160 countries. Russia and the U.S. are not signatories to this initiative.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Washington has been supplying Kyiv with anti-tank mines, while Ukrainian forces have been looking for opportunities to obtain infantry mines over the past three years. Moscow has used anti-personnel mines without restriction at the front line, hampering the progress of the Ukrainian military.

Biden was reluctant to supply Ukraine with mines due to doubts in his administration and the risk to civilians. Yet Washington is now concerned about Russia's rapid advance in eastern Ukraine and sees the need to halt it, U.S. officials told the WP.

"Russia is attacking Ukrainian lines in the east with waves of troops, regardless of the casualties that they're suffering," one of the officials said.

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"So, the Ukrainians are obviously taking losses, and more towns and cities are at risk of falling. These mines were made specifically to combat exactly this."

One U.S. official described the mines for Ukraine as "non-resistant," meaning that they self-destruct or lose battery power to render them inactive within days or weeks, reducing the danger to civilians, the WP reported.

The official said Kyiv had committed to not installing these mines in densely populated areas.

Read also: From Bucha to Kursk: 1,000 days of Russias full-scale war (Photos)

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U.S. President Joe Biden has submitted to Congress a statement of intent to cancel half of Ukraine's economic aid debt, a sum of around $4.65 billion, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press briefing on Nov. 20.

The supplemental security assistance package worth $61 billion that Congress provided to Ukraine in April included about $10 billion in economic aid as a loan, rather than a grant. The terms of the offer gave Biden the authority to forgive up to 50 percent of the loan.

"We have taken the step that was outlined in the law to cancel those loans, provide that economic assistance to Ukraine, and now Congress is welcome to take it up if they wish," Miller told reporters.

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Miller said Biden's statement of intent was delivered to Congress within the last week.

While Congress does have the option to overturn the president's request, Miller said he expected U.S. lawmakers to support the debt cancellation.

"I would be surprised if Congress took that step (to overturn the request) given the overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress for providing assistance, but we will follow the law," he said.

With only two months until President-elect Donald Trump takes office, the Biden administration has pledged to shore up support for Kyiv before the presidential transition.

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Biden has promised to deliver the remaining $6 billion in allocated aid to Ukraine before Trump's inauguration. He has also approved the delivery of anti-personnel land mines to Ukraine and reportedly authorized Kyiv to strike targets in Russia with long-range ATACMS missiles.

Read also: Biden approves delivery of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine in light of Russian gains in east

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With just two months until he leaves office, President Joe Biden is gearing up to utilize his presidential pardon power for fowl reasons.

Justice will be served Monday as Biden pardons the national Thanksgiving turkeys on the White House South Lawn, CNN has exclusively learned, participating in the 77th annual tradition of the turkey presentation, according to a White House official.

The president will talk turkey and make much ado about stuffing at his fourth and final Thanksgiving roast, a yearly opportunity for a cornucopia of puns and a moment to give thanks  providing some levity amid a range of global crises and the aftermath of a hectic campaign season.

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Weighing in at 40 and 41 pounds, this years birds were hatched in July in Northfield, Minnesota, and will ride the gravy train to Washington over the weekend, according to Alex Davidson, a spokesperson for the National Turkey Federation. Theyll spend the customary night in a luxe suite at the nearby Willard Hotel, where their names will be unveiled at a press conference. They will be presented to Biden by National Turkey Federation chair John Zimmerman, who raised the turkeys on his independent farm.

Following their expected pardon, both turkeys will retreat to Farmamerica, an agricultural interpretative center in southern Minnesota, Davidson said.

Rumors of turkey pardons go back in presidential history as far as Abraham Lincolns administration. Folklore has it that Lincolns young son asked his father to spare a pet turkey that was supposed to be part of their Thanksgiving dinner.

A competitive version of the ceremony became national news in 1920, when a turkey from Texas sent to Woodrow Wilson in a White House-shaped crate battled outside the White House with a turkey from Kentucky. The Kentucky bird emerged victorious, according to the White House Historical Association.

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The National Turkey Foundation became the official turkey supplier to the first family in 1947, and the formal turkey presentation ceremony has been around since Harry Truman. Truman was the first to accept a turkey from the group  however, he did not spare it.

The first documented turkey pardon was given by John F. Kennedy in 1963, though it didnt catch on right away. Even though Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon, neither one of them decided to pardon any turkeys as president.

Turkey pardoning became the norm in 1989, when George H.W. Bush revived the tradition, now a staple of the White House holiday season.

Bidens most recent predecessors have peppered their pardons with turkey and other topical political puns.

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After the 2022 midterm elections, Biden joked that the two birds were part of another flock hoping to come to Washington in 2024.

The votes are in, theyve been counted and verified, no ballot stuffing, no fowl play. The only red wave this season is going to be if German shepherd Commander knocks over the cranberry sauce, he said.

Donald Trump poked fun at the impeachment inquiry against him in 2019, telling a crowd that the turkeys have already received subpoenas to appear in Adam Schiffs basement, referring to the California Democratic then-congressman.

And Barack Obama employed his signature rhetoric in 2016: I want to take a moment to recognize the great turkeys who werent so lucky, who didnt get to ride the gravy train to freedom. Who met their fate with courage and sacrifice and proved that they werent chicken.

Yes, we cran, Obama added.

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The U.S. surgeon general said Tuesday that a federal ban on menthol cigarettes would be one of the most effective ways to slash tobacco-related illnesses and deaths among Black people  even as the clock winds down on the Biden administrations ability to do anything about it.

The long-standing promise of a ban on menthol cigarettes, which has been years in the making, is unlikely to move forward before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. The ban had been expected by the end of this year.

Its possible that the Food and Drug Administration may push through its proposal to reduce the addictiveness of cigarettes by capping the levels of nicotine. But menthol cigarettes are likely to remain on the market.

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As a public health advocate  and as a Black woman and mother  I am heartbroken that this rule has not made it over the finish line, said Dr. Avenel Joseph, interim executive vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a nonprofit health care advocacy group.

The FDA announced it would begin the process of banning menthol tobacco cigarettes in 2021. Since then, it has done all it is legally authorized to do to put the finalized rule to ban menthol in motion. It has since been in the hands of the Biden administration to move forward. Instead, it has been repeatedly delayed.

Public health officials  including Bidens own surgeon general  have said the science is clear: Menthol tobacco products should be pulled from the market to save lives.

But its politics, not public health, that is likely to keep menthol cigarettes on the market as Bidens term ends. The Congressional Review Act appears to be key in the decision-making process.

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Any rule Biden OKs in the last few weeks of his administration is subject to congressional review. Incoming lawmakers have 60 days to take a close look at any new rule, and, if they deem it necessary, reverse it. (Legislative days include only weekdays and dont take into account coming winter holidays.)

Thats a risk the Biden administration appears unwilling to take.

When the Trump administration takes over in January, the measure could be repealed almost immediately. In such a case, Congress would be prohibited from releasing another, similar rule.

In other words, if it doesnt happen now, experts say, it wont happen any time soon.

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In the new report, the surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, recommended multiple possible strategies to reduce widespread smoking-related health disparities among Black people and other vulnerable groups.

The vast majority of Black smokers use menthols, whose flavor creates a cooling sensation, making it easier to inhale tobacco smoke deep into the lungs.

It also makes it more difficult to quit smoking.

This puts the success of quitting lower in the Black population compared to the white population, despite the fact that Black people attempt to quit more frequently, Murthy said. A menthol ban would help to address some of those disparities.

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Few policies would upend the tobacco companies insidious, racist playbook more than a ban on menthol cigarettes, which are largely responsible for the 45,000 Black people in the United States who die from tobacco-related illnesses annually, Joseph said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has previously reported on the tobacco industry's menthol ads targeting Black communities.

Murthy deferred questions about whether the Biden administration would push the ban through as one of its final acts. Spokespeople for both the White House and the FDA said they had no updates on the matter.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship recorded a video on Wednesday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the successful launch of Shenzhou-1, the country's first experimental crewed spaceship launched on Nov. 20, 1999.

The Shenzhou-19 crew members, Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, paid tribute to all the pioneers who have contributed to the country's space exploration efforts in the video.

Shenzhou-1 marked the first step taken by China in turning manned spaceflight from blueprint into reality and laid a strong foundation for the age-old dream of the Chinese nation to navigate the space, said commander Cai Xuzhe in the video, a seasoned astronaut who previously journeyed into orbit on the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022.

The main goal of the Shenzhou-1 launch was to examine the performance and reliability of the launch vehicle, a Long March-2F carrier rocket, and evaluate key space exploration technology.

The launch of Shenzhou-5 in October 2003 was another milestone for China's manned space program, as the mission successfully sent astronaut Yang Liwei into space, making China the third country to send a man into space after the Soviet Union and the United States.

Shenzhou-19, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China early on Oct. 30. This mission is the 33rd of China's manned space program since the debut of Shenzhou-1.

Since their arrival, the Shenzhou-19 crew has been actively advancing their mission objectives. They have inspected and maintained their extravehicular spacesuits, ensured the operational status of the regenerative life support systems, and monitored the acoustic environment within the cabin, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The astronauts have completed several scheduled medical examinations, including hearing tests, and conducted in-orbit exercises to mitigate the effects of microgravity on the body.

The trio simulated emergency scenarios in collaboration with ground-based researchers and carried out their first comprehensive pressure emergency drill and in-orbit medical rescue training.

On Saturday, the Shenzhou-19 crew received six tonnes of materials, including 458 kilograms of scientific research supplies, after the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the space station.

The scientific supplies aboard will support 36 experiments in several fields, including the space life sciences, biotechnology, materials science, microgravity fluid physics and combustion, and the testing of new technologies for space application. 
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  The risks associated with fentanyl should not be underestimated, as it has proven to be one of the most dangerous drugs we currently face in our society. However, there are some misconceptions about how easily one can be exposed to fentanyl. Those misconceptions could possibly deter someone from providing help to a person experiencing an overdose. Local law enforcement and medical professionals weigh in about the real possibility of being accidentally exposed to fentanyl.

Saving a Generation: The Fentanyl Crisis

Dr. Andy Russell, the Emergency Room Medical Director at Hendrick Medical Center North, shared and clarified some of the myths surrounding accidental fentanyl exposure.

One is that you can overdose on it by touching it. Thats absolutely false. There is only one formulation that you can absorb through your skin, and its specifically formulated as a transdermal patch. Its something thats absorbed very slowly. Its not something that you would touch and be able to overdose on from that quick touch. The ability to become intoxicated from a secondhand inhalation type of exposure is also pretty low. Weve had concerns about cases like that here in Abilene, and it didnt pan out that the person had actually been exposed, Russell explained.

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Battling addiction: Abilene woman chronicles her fight with fentanyl

But how did these myths surrounding fentanyl exposure become so prevalent? One potential source comes from law enforcement body cam videos, with some depicting a law enforcement individual conducting a search and discovering fentanyl. In some of these videos, after the discovery is made, the officer falls into a lethargic state. The assumption is that they had been exposed to the deadly drug and are having a reaction to that exposure; however, Lieutenant Marvin Patterson with the Taylor County Sheriffs Office Narcotics Division says there could be an alternate reason for these reactions.

A lot of the videos you see people passing out, its not from the fentanyl; it is from the fear of the fentanyl. I dont want to diminish the danger of it. Its very, very dangerous. If you see it, stay away from it and call us. But dont be paranoid. If somebody said, Oh, theres a fentanyl pill in there, you dont have to evacuate a restaurant. We can get that, and everybodys safe, Patterson shared.

FORUM: Big Country leaders shed light on the Fentanyl crisis

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Both law enforcement and medical professionals agree that accidental exposure to fentanyl is not as easy as once believed, but they firmly acknowledge the risks associated with this incredibly dangerous drug. Patterson outlined some of the measures currently taken to minimize the risk of exposure.

We deal with it daily. Its a lot more prevalent here than people realize. Weve gone into rooms before where theyve been smoking it. It was in a hotel room. You couldnt see the back wall. There was so much smoke. Because of things like that, we have bought the proper equipment. We have gas masks. We have gloves. Different equipment that we use to try to protect us from that, Patterson said.

Misconceptions about accidental exposure can lead to fear and ignorance, which may prevent someone from using lifesaving Narcan on a person who is actively overdosing. Fentanyl, for example, causes extreme relaxation of the body, sometimes to the point where the individual can no longer breathe. In this deep lethargic state, a person experiencing an overdose is unable to administer Narcan to themselves to reverse the drugs effects. It requires another person to administer the fast-acting countermeasures.

Unique vending machine saves lives in Abilene

Due to the increasing prevalence of opioid overdoses in our area, Abilene now offers several locations where Narcan can be obtained for free. Some of these places include the Abilene Health Department, the Betty Hardwick Center, and a vending machine located in front of Book Therapy on Butternut Street.

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If you find yourself in a situation where you need to prevent a person from overdosing by using Narcan, but youre unsure how to administer it, here are step-by-step instructions. Narcan comes in a small plunger-style plastic applicator, and most boxes include instructions on how to use it.

Step 1: Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril of the person until your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the persons nose.

Step 2: Once the nozzle is inside the persons nose, press the plunger firmly to give the dose of Narcan Nasal Spray.

Step 3: Remove the Narcan Nasal Spray from the nostril after giving the dose.

If possible, gently lift the persons chin, similar to the technique used in CPR, to help open their airway for the Narcan. There is no limit to the amount of Narcan a person can safely take without experiencing lasting side effects. In some cases, multiple doses of Narcan may be necessary to counteract the effects of the drug that the person has overdosed on.

What is fentanyl? Exploring the origins, impact of the drug

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If you suspect that you have been accidentally exposed to fentanyl, it is recommended that you seek medical attention immediately. The Taylor County Sheriffs Department advises that if you happen to find or come into contact with fentanyl, you should contact local law enforcement for proper disposal.

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The Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner's Office has complaints regarding the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Source: Ukrinform news agency, citing Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, at a briefing

Quote: "As for the Red Cross, there are three organisations. We definitely have no complaints against the National Red Cross, but only gratitude. This is the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. The second organisation is the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which includes all national societies. And we have a lot of complaints against this organisation."

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Details: Lubinets explained that one of the issues with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is that the Russian Red Cross is officially a member.

It has also been officially confirmed that the Russian Red Cross, for example, was involved in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.

"It has been acknowledged and confirmed that, in violation of the charter of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, they turned a blind eye to the fact that the Russian Red Cross seized property belonging to the Ukrainian Red Cross in Crimea and is publicly using it. Moreover, we have received no response from them," Lubinets said.

The Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner's Office has the biggest complaint against the ICRC.

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Quote: "Because when they claim the Russians are not allowing them access, we ask them: 'Did you mention or record this anywhere?' If not, it implies they are tacitly accepting that the Russians are fulfilling their obligations. Every month, Ukrainian prisoners of war have the right to correspond, receive parcels and access medical care. The severely wounded and seriously ill should be repatriated to Ukraine unconditionally. Yet, none of this is happening."

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DENVER (KDVR)  Imagine the amount of patience and dedication it would take to read two million words. Now imagine performing part of the feat in a language that is not native to you.

That is exactly what seventh grader, Ayden Mejia-Solis from Rocky Mountain Prep Sunnyside, did when he became the first student across 12 schools in the Denver metro to accomplish the Two Million Word Challenge, according to a release from his school.

He actually read 2,082,698 words to be exact.

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The Two Million Word Challenge was created by Rocky Mountain Prep to encourage its students from the sixth to the eighth grade to embrace the joys and importance of reading.

Will Denver have a downtown ice skating rink this year?

Starting in May and heading into the school year, students from the schools around the Denver metro were given a list of books to choose from to reach the two million word goal.

Mejia-Solis began reading on June 1 and took nearly two months to complete his literary journey when he became the first to accomplish the Two Million Word Challenge on Aug. 23.

His story should inspire any student focused on English Language Development, which demonstrates whats possible when we work together to help children achieve their potential. Two million words, in both English and Spanish, is an extraordinary feat, but its an achievable one when we encourage a love of learning, said Alyssa Montano Story, Assistant Principal of Instruction at RMP Sunnyside, in a press release.

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Mejia-Solis books of choice were the seven books from the classic Harry Potter series. He was able to read and pass a comprehension test on every book in the series in English and Spanish. According to WordCounter, the Harry Potter series contains approximately 1,084,170 words in total.

Students like Ayden remind us why we do what we do, and they remind us why its such a privilege to serve students who are hungry to learn, said Rocky Mountain Prep CEO Tricia Noyola in the release. We know that literacy delivers academic justice, economic justice, and overall fairness. As educators, we do all we can to encourage our students to cultivate a love of reading both inside the classroom and out.

Cant place a price on our community: Students, parents speak at DPS public comment session

Rocky Mountain Prep created the challenge to help students in English Language Development. The school network reported that every one million words read is equivalent to the growth of a full academic years worth of reading.

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For reference, this story is 401 words.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Billie Eilish is sending love to the family of three fans, two of whom were killed in a multi-state police chase Sunday morning while traveling to her concert on Interstate 29.

Lucy Yeates and Kole Cunningham were killed in the crash Sunday, and Lucys sister, Aubrey Yeates, was injured and taken to a Nebraska hospital. According to the Yeates family statement, she is recovering from multiple traumatic injuries.

Two Kearney 18-year-olds, one man killed in multi-state police chase

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On Monday, a fan account called @billieeilishtours on Instagram showed the GoFundMe for Aubrey and let Billie Eilish fans know about the deaths of two of her fans.

Eilish commented on the post, saying, Sending so much love to the families. so heartbreaking.

Eilish performed at CHI Health Center in Omaha Sunday night.

A representative for the Yeates Family shares with FOX4 that Aubrey, Lucy and Kole were incredible fans of the artist and had just attended the concert the night before in Kansas City.

According to MSHP, on Sunday morning, a Ford Focus was driving northbound on Interstate 29 when two cars, a Kia Sorento and a Chevrolet Tahoe, entered their lanes, driving in the opposite direction of traffic. MSHP confirmed that the Tahoe was being driven by a Fremont County, Iowa, deputy who had been chasing the driver of the Sorento.

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Shortly after entering the opposite lanes, the driver of the Sorento crashed into the Focus head-on. The Ford Focus also ran off the roadway before it overturned and ejected one of its 18-year-old passengers.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH)  Hundreds of members of Greater Binghamtons business community gathered downtown to celebrate Thanksgiving a little early.

The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce held its 28th annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon at the Double Tree Hotel in Binghamton.

Its a chance for business leaders to break bread together, share ideas, and to celebrate the four local organizations who received awards.

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Including the Matthews Auto Group, named the corporate citizen of the year, The American Civic Association was named the non-profit of the year, the Rising Star Award went to Dancing with D, and the Community Advocate of the Year was given to the Binghamton Move Out Project.

The founder of the Move out Project, Christina Fuller, says her organization collects items from B.U. students moving out of student housing and donates it back to the community.

We keep a ton of stuff out of the landfill. Last year we donated over twenty-thousand pounds of items. And then, not only is that stuff kept out of the landfill but all of it goes back into our community. We work with over forty non-profit organizations with a variety of causes, says Fuller.

The keynote speaker for the luncheon was owner of Kampai Japanese Steak House, Richard Matsushima.

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The Executive Director of The Agency, Stacey Duncan says, its the perfect way to re-center before the busy holiday season.

Its a way to just come together to just pause, to reflect on our blessings as a community. But also to recognize some incredible work being done. Just kick-off the start of the holiday season. Hopefully we all can start to slow down a little bit. And reflect and spend time with family and friends, says Duncan.

Each table was given the traditional Thanksgiving spread.

Including turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and a variety of pies, such as pumpkin, apple, and pecan.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH)  A Binghamton parent is calling on the school district to improve bus safety, after her 5-year-old son suffered a head injury that required stitches.

On September 30th, a Binghamton City School District elementary student allegedly sustained a head injury on his school bus.

Tamisha Manago says her son fell asleep during the bus ride, and was injured when the bus made a turn, causing him to fall from his seat and strike his head.

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Manago says when her son got off the bus, his hands and shirt were covered in blood.

He was rushed to Wilson Hospital for urgent medical attention, including two stitches.

She claims that she received a call from the bus monitor prior to her son getting off the bus that did not properly explain the severity of his injury.

She also says they failed to give him any first aid.

Manago says the bus company, First Student, has not taken responsibility for the incident.

Binghamton City School District released a statement that says steps are being taken to maintain the safety of all students riding their buses.

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An investigation is on-going, and the contractor will be held accountable for any improper actions that may have occurred.

The mother was expected to speak out at tonights Binghamton City School District Board Meeting but changed her mind after speaking with her lawyer.

News 34 reached out to First Student and has not yet received a response.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The Birmingham Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in the investigation of a man who was killed in October.

Johndarius Ward, 26, was found shot to death on the 800 block of 3rd Avenue West at 3:10 a.m. Saturday. By 3:20 a.m., Ward was pronounced dead.

If you have any information, contact BPD at 205-254-1700.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Pending Ohio legislation could create new ways for residents to use cryptocurrencies in the midst of their best month yet, but the bills sole sponsor could depart the statehouse before it ever sees a vote.

Bitcoin saw an immediate jump in value following the results of the 2024 general election, and on Tuesday hit a new record-high over $94,000. With Bitcoin sitting well above its pre-election price of $68,317, President-elect Donald Trumps win has been perceived as a major boost for cryptocurrency. A crypto super PAC also bankrolled several victorious candidates it viewed as friendly to the industry, including Ohio Senator-elect Bernie Moreno.

Before Bitcoins latest hysteria  and as the biggest cryptocurrency exchange in the world pulled out of doing business in Ohio  Republican Sen. Niraj Antani introduced a bill intended to further integrate its use in the state. Senate Bill 317 would require Ohios government entities to accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin for the payment of any tax, fee, cost, charge, assessment, fine, or other payment of expense.

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Ohio Supreme Court justice, victim advocates fight against baseless plea deals

If we want to encourage innovation and free enterprise in Ohio, we should do everything we can to normalize these use of cryptocurrencies, Antani said when he announced the legislation. By allowing Ohioans to pay their taxes and fees with cryptocurrency, we will be on the cutting edge.

Thats not all SB 317 would permit, however. The bill includes language that would let any state universitys board of trustees, as well as the board over any of the states retirement funds, purchase cryptocurrency as an investment. The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, in particular, has been embroiled in a major ideological battle between board members as well as an investigation by the state over their past investment choices. But the pension managers have yet to dip their toes into cryptocurrency, and would potentially get the chance when Bitcoin holds the highest price in its existence.

Though Bitcoin is seeing heightened hype post-election, SB 317 may never make it out of Ohios congressional chambers. Since being introduced in September, the only action the Ohio Senate took on Nov. 12 on the bill was referring it to the Financial Institutions and Technology Committee. Democratic Sen. Kent Smith, the ranking member of that group, has a negative view of its proposals. He referenced other states similar attempts at a rollout, suggesting Ohioans wouldnt be interested in using cryptocurrency to pay their taxes.

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As we have seen in the only two out of fifty states that have started accepting crypto for payment of taxes, there have been relatively few takers, Smith wrote to NBC4. Colorado only received 72 tax payments in digital currencies while Utah received none. Additionally, while Ohio pension funds and universities have voiced no desire to invest in crypto, public funds should not be used for dangerously speculative investments.

NBC4 reached out to Antani for an update on the bills progress, but he did not respond as of Tuesday night. Before introducing SB 317, he announced he would not seek reelection to the Ohio Senate and instead campaigned for the states 2nd Congressional District seat. Antani hasnt announced any plans for his political future since losing in that races Republican primary. But he has used the last months of his statehouse tenure  ending Dec. 31  to also vote in favor of Ohios bathroom ban for transgender students.

Police arrest 16 in Columbus street gang bust

Antani does have GOP support in the committee, including Republican Sen. Steve Wilson and Bob Hackett as chair and vice chair. But the Ohio Senate has three committee hearings and three full sessions left before Dec. 18, according to its online schedule. If no action is taken on SB 317 by that date, it would have to be reintroduced next year by a new sponsor to even be considered again.

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Ohio became the first state to consider accepting cryptocurrency for taxes in 2018, with an initiative launched by then-state treasurer Josh Mandel. Antani referenced this when he drafted SB 317, and noted Attorney General Dave Yost halted the project in November 2019. Yost advised that the State Board of Deposits would have to approve the new payment method, and that body never took action on Mandels idea.

This policy should have been acted on by the State Board of Deposits when it was deemed necessary, Antani previously said. Since they have failed to act, the legislature will.

As of Wednesday, no revised version of SB 317 has surfaced in the Ohio General Assemblys online database since it entered committee. View the full text of the bill as Antani introduced it below:

sb317_00_INDownload

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The election results didnt shock Keith McCants, a 42-year-old welder in south Georgia.

Leading up to Election Day, the chairman of the local Democratic Party had been door-knocking and engaging with voters across Bryan County, about 21 miles from Savannah. He even passed out Kamala Harris for President signs, but people would take them down and steal them and things like that, he said.

In the Republican-leaning county, where Black people are 13% of the roughly 45,000 population and Donald Trump won in 2016 and 2020, McCants kept hearing the same concerns from Black voters on the fence.

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They [Democrats] can say, Oh, the economys been doing better. Yeah, on TV, but on the ground, we dont feel it, McCants said. Trump, through all his fluff, he had signs down here in Richmond Hill: Kamala high prices, Trump low prices. It was a simple slogan, and it resonated.

The long-standing frustration within and outside the Democratic Party stems from its failure to engage effectively with working-class and low-income Black voters in rural areas. Political experts and Democratic leaders say the party has faced deep divisions for years, driven by neglect of these voters, limited civic engagement, constant criticism, and increased voter suppression, including state-level laws enacted this year. While its still too early to analyze how Black rural voters cast their ballots, experts and leaders on-the-ground told Capital B these concerns have resulted in some level of loss of trust among rural communities.

Read More: A Trump Win, Against the Will of Black Voters

McCants efforts, this time around, didnt bear fruit. Unlike other states, voter turnout in Bryan County (and statewide) was high in 2024. Despite voter turnout being at 75% in the county, a 5% increase from 2020, Black voters cast 37 fewer votes than in 2020, according to Georgia Votes.

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While canvassing, McCants heard: Trump was more believable. Harris was indecisive on camera. Food prices are too high.

McCants noted that many voters are tired of the partys attempts to court them during election season, yet see no meaningful improvements in their daily lives. Despite Trumps rhetoric that many view as racist and sexist, they argue he offered a more compelling message to certain voters.

The Democratic Party has lost its way, McCants added.

Capital B spoke to several Democratic leaders and political experts to explain this shift.

A disconnect when it comes to messaging

In recent conversations, Dwan Walker, mayor of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, said people didnt trust Harris economic plan or immigration policies, and consumed a lot of misinformation on social media by the Trump campaign, which he believed led to some disengagement. Some fed into the narrative that Harris didnt care about them.

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He knew how to play it. Most people, who dont investigate the why, will always fall into whats being promoted, he said. Thats just the way it is.

Many residents in rural areas  where people are struggling to make ends meet  expected her to show up more, Walker said. If you keep yourself distanced, the decision is easy. I cant approve of what I dont touch. I cant vote for who I dont see, he added.

In rural North Carolina, Enfield Mayor W. Mondale Robinson says the Democratic Party didnt have trusted messengers, and instead used a consultant class, which included Black celebrities and influencers, who are disconnected and not in community with rural voters.

We see either people are sitting out of elections or people are rejecting our ideas completely in elections, Robinson told Capital B. When are we going to get critical of the tactics and not show up outside of presidential elections to show that you are committed to addressing whats plaguing them?

Read More: The Powerful, Unsung Role of Black Rural Voters Can Play In Our Elections

The Democratic Party hasnt clearly articulated how their policies or laws have tangible benefits on Black communities, especially in rural areas that struggle with hospital closures, limited jobs, and crumbling infrastructure, said Emmitt Riley III, president of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. Democrats dont do enough to explain the difficulty of being a Democratic leader in a red state, he added, which can add to lack of government trust.

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What you dont see Democrats doing is at least connecting the current conditions of rural America to Republican-controlled legislatures and Republican statewide governors, Riley said. All these towns look just alike, and we have Black leadership, but theyre crippled by a Republican-controlled legislature that has desecrated our health care infrastructure, our roads, our streets, our bridges.

Despite the message, Riley contends that with a Black woman at the top of the ticket, it doesnt matter what the economic message is or not  white voters are going to respond to the race of that candidate. He referenced Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor in North Carolina. Voters there chose Trump for president, but didnt pick Robinson, even though he is conservative and the equivalent of Donald Trump, Riley added.

White peoples rejection of a changing country

Keith McCants, chairman of the Democratic Party in Bryan County, Georgia, speaks to a crowd during a local fundraiser in April. (Courtesy of Keith McCants)

Several people, including McCants, say much of the election discourse around the Democratic Party disproportionately centered on criticizing Black voters, despite the fact that they overwhelmingly supported Vice President Harris, with 80% of their vote. This may have overshadowed the impact of sexism, misogyny, misinformation and racism on voting patterns, with shifts among younger voters, Latino men, and white voters who have remained a loyal voting bloc to the Republican Party.

With only about 100 days to officially run a campaign, Harris lagged behind President Joe Bidens turnout in 2020. The vote count isnt complete, but an analysis by the New York Times found she had 1.9 million fewer votes in large Democratic counties, whereas Trump received an additional 1.2 million votes in Republican-majority counties.

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Were still going through the data, but I think that this election essentially came down to  white peoples rejection of a changing country, Riley said. You had more than 76 million voters to vote for Donald Trump, despite him engaging in one of the most racist and sexist campaigns that weve had.

Harris underperformed with rural voters, too, particularly in southern Virginia, eastern North Carolina and south Georgia, Politico reports. She received 35% of the rural vote in comparison to Trump who received 63%. Despite this, he generally made slight inroads with Black voters, garnering 16% of Black voters, an 8% increase from 2020.

Millions more sat the election out.

In Bryan County, where McCants lives, Republicans won across the board  from congressional races to school board seats. Other major demographics  white, Asian and Hispanic  nearly doubled their impact, turning out more voters. Each of those groups sent more voters to the polls than Bryans Black community. And with a Black candidate at the top of the presidential ticket for only the second time in history, it was not unreasonable for Democrats to be hopeful that the turnout would have been bigger this election cycle.

A wave of voter suppression and intimidation

Riley went on to say that one of the overlooked factors in the post-election conversations is how states passed voter suppression laws this year, the second most active year for restrictive voting laws in at least a decade. From limiting mail-in and absentee voting, many states restricted access to voting and disenfranchised voters, which Riley says may have been a reason why Harris underperformed.

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In Georgia, a law took effect in July that would make it easier for people to be kicked off the voter rolls. As a result, the Republican Party challenged the votes of 63,000 voters in Georgia. Despite the efforts, less than 1% of people were removed from the rolls or placed into challenged status, according to an analysis by the Associated Press. On Election Day, more than two dozen precincts were targeted with fake bomb threats in the state.

Riley also pointed to Virginia, where the U.S. Department of Justice sued to stop the state, its Board of Elections, and its Commissioner of Elections from removing voters off the rolls. In Pennsylvania, the Republican Party secured a win this week when the state Supreme Court ordered every countys election officials not to count certain mail-in ballots for this years general election that arrived on time but didnt have correct dates handwritten by voters.

Read More: Black Voters Prepare for Backlash Ahead of Election Day

Organizers and leaders have called out the lack of infrastructure and resources in rural areas to fight back against these efforts.

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Dara Gaines, rural researcher and visiting assistant professor at the University of Arkansas, told Capital B in August that national and statewide candidates must ensure voter protection in lieu of these laws. If a person has experienced, or seen, political violence where they live, they may be less likely to step out and vote or speak up.

If were serious about supporting and protecting rural Black voters, we have to make sure that they will be protected and supported all the way up from registration to the time they cast their vote, she said.

Moving forward, the Democratic Party must build relationships and empower Black strategists and organizers on how to get the rural Black community to turn out. They also have to increase turnout among white people  Black voters are not enough to turn the tide. Coming off an election like this, its time to have a different voice at the wheel, McCants said.

If you dont invest in on-the-ground operations, you cant carry any state  let alone Georgia, which is still a largely agricultural state, a conservative state. With my Black voters, the trust has been broken.

The post Some Black Rural Voters Feel Abandoned by Democrats appeared first on Capital B News.
Quanesha Cocoa Shantel, a Black transgender woman and popular drag performer, was shot to death November 10 in Greensboro, N.C., and her former boyfriend has been arrested.

Shantel was sitting in her car outside the ex-boyfriends apartment when she was shot three times with a semi-automatic weapon, The North Carolina Beat reports. She still managed to drive a short distance, but she crashed her car and died at the scene.

Police arrested the former boyfriend, Jeremy Reynolds, 31, two days later. Reynolds, who was apparently enraged after Shantel broke up with him a few months ago, is charged with first-degree murder and discharging a barreled firearm into an occupied dwelling or vehicle. He was denied bond and remains in custody.

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Shantel, who was in her mid-to-late 20s  news outlets are stating various ages  was active in the ballroom community and was a member of the House of Mizrahi. She participated in drag and ballroom events throughout the Southeast and as far away as Chicago. She had recently entered nursing school.

She came out as trans early in life. She came to me at age 11 and said, Mama, I want to transition over, her mother, Toi NiCole Ratliff, told the Greensboro News & Record.

You wouldnt imagine that a young person would know it at that age, but she did, Ratliff added. And I told her, Ill support you through it. But if you do it, do it right. And she had it from there!

We grieve the death of Cocoa, Tori Cooper, director of community engagement for the Human Rights Campaigns Transgender Justice Initiative, said in a press release. Like so many of our trans siblings, Cocoa should be with her loved ones today, and I pray that Cocoas friends and family find some measure of peace and joy in the memories of her during this extremely difficult time. Choosing violence against anyone for any reason is unacceptable and inexcusable as is the inaction by those in power who turn a blind eye to gun violence and transphobia to suit their own political agendas. Its time for communities across this country to reckon with the fact that their silence makes them complicit. Hateful stereotypes, rhetoric, and legislation fuel violence against transgender people. We must demand better of our elected officials as well as each other.

Shantel is at least the 30th trans, nonbinary, or gender-nonconforming person to have died by violence in the U.S. in 2024. There are likely many more, as some are deadnamed or misgendered by police or media, or their deaths not reported at all.
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Twelve soldiers and six terrorists were killed in a clash between security forces and militants in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday, the military said in a statement on Wednesday.

The incident happened in Bannu district of the province, where terrorists "attempted to attack a joint check post" of the Pakistani army and paramilitary troops Frontier Constabulary, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani army, said in the statement.

The attack triggered an exchange of fire, in which six terrorists were gunned down, and the attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted by troops, forcing the terrorists to drive an explosive-laden vehicle to the perimeter wall of the post, the statement added.

The suicide blast led to the collapse of a portion of the perimeter wall and damaged the adjoining infrastructure, resulting in the killing of the soldiers, the ISPR said.

A clearance operation was being conducted in the area. 
(Bloomberg) -- BlackRock Inc. plans a major expansion in Mexico that may boost the number of employees in the country to as many as 400, according to people familiar with the matter.

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The worlds largest asset manager is seeking to build a stronger presence in Mexico City, where it currently has about 250 personnel, that will help it grow its business there and across Latin America, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information isnt public.

We are constantly assessing our global and regional footprint to better meet our clients needs, a spokesperson for the New York-based company said Wednesday in an emailed statement.

While US President-elect Donald Trump made Mexico a target during his campaign, threatening to impose tariffs and deport millions of migrants, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum is trying to jumpstart investment in Latin Americas second-biggest economy. Sentiment on Mexico has soured in the wake of Trumps reelection and recent constitutional reforms that prompted Moodys Ratings to change the countrys credit outlook to negative.

BlackRock Mexico Operadora SA is the nations second-biggest fund manager, overseeing almost 780 billion pesos ($38.4 billion), trailing only Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, according to October data from local brokers association AMIB.

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Mexico offers great opportunities for investments in infrastructure projects, Sergio Mendez, BlackRocks top executive in the country, said during a panel discussion last week. The head of Mexicos debt office told an annual gathering of the countrys pension funds that the government was looking at different types of securities to finance projects.

BlackRock Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink has been a champion of Mexico in recent years, meeting several times with former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who often had tense relationships with investors and local billionaires.

In the wake of the US elections, Sheinbaum posted photos of her meeting with Fink and Adebayo Ogunlesi, head of Global Infrastructure Partners, which BlackRock acquired last month. They discussed the economy and free trade in the region, she said.

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EAU CLAIRE  Hunter and Heather Wiesen of Eau Claire brought their two-year-old son, Wilder, to the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport to see the Blue Angels Boeing F/A 18 Super Hornet arrive. Hunter, 42, said he has always gone to the Chippewa Valley Air Show, and hes eager to share the tradition with his son.

Im a Blue Angels fanatic, since I was a kid, Hunter Wiesen said as he waited for the plane to arrive. I take off work and come over and watch them practice. Its (about) the noise and the speed. Im excited to see how he reacts to it. He already points out planes in the sky.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels, renowned for their precision flying and thrilling aerobatics, will headline the 2025 event, captivating audiences with their signature formations and high-speed passes, a press release states. The Blue Angels performance included jets flying at speeds that can reach up to 700 mph. In past years, the two-day event has drawn crowds reaching 60,000 spectators.

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About 75 Blue Angels enthusiasts gathered at the airport to greet pilots Scott Laux and Lilly Montana, who arrived after promoting a different air show in Duluth, Minn.

Laux said hes been flying since 2013 but has only been flying this Super Hornet since July. The air show season begins in March, and Laux said they will participate in 32 shows in 2025.

Its absolutely fantastic, Laux said of getting to fly as part of the Blue Angels show. The American public doesnt get to see us do our job. Its really special to get to bring this show to Wisconsin. What impresses me is the amount of effort everyone puts into this.

Meghan Kulig, Chippewa Valley Air Show public relations coordinator, noted that tickets for next years show  scheduled for June 28-29, 2025  are now on sale, and having the Blue Angels stop here Tuesday helps promote the event and get everyone excited for it.

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What they are really doing is checking out the site for next years show, Kulig said. Its exciting for us to have them here. Its really awesome for our community to have the Blue Angels come here. It really brings the community together.

Doug Ellis, a retired Chippewa County Sheriff and a former Boy Scout Scoutmaster, was among the enthusiasts who attended the event to see the plane arrive. Ellis has volunteered for decades at the air shows that have come to the Chippewa Valley. The Boy Scouts raise money for their organization by working the air show.

I come back because I believe in the scouting movement, and its good for the community, Ellis said. Were supporting all the youth. Its a benefit for everybody in the area.

Profits from the event will support initiatives that benefit more than 60 local non-profit organizations and youth development programs in West Central Wisconsin.

To learn more and buy tickets, visit chippewavalleyairshow.com.
Daniel Foganholi was appointed to the Florida Board of Education in August after losing his seat on the Broward School Board. (Screenshot via Florida Channel livestream)

Exactly three months after receiving 20% of votes cast in the Broward County School Board primary election, Daniel Foganholi on Wednesday sat on the statewide Florida Board of Education for his first meeting.

Foganholi was appointed to the state board by Gov. Ron DeSantis. His position on the Broward board was thanks to the governor, too. The governor appointed Foganholi to that board twice, first in April 2022, and again eight months later though DeSantis did not include Foganholi in his 23 school board endorsements this year.

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I am honored to sit up here and I look forward to doing great work with you, and continue to be innovative, create, and continue to make Florida the number one place for education, Foganholi said to other board members during the Wednesday meeting in Orlando.

Foganholi faced his first election in August 2024. He received 20% of the vote. Maura McCarthy Bulman won the three-way primary with 51.1%, earning a majority vote and negating a runoff in November. Jon Canter received 28.9%. He ran in August as a firm supporter of both school choice and the public school system and highlighted his support for a National Day of Prayer and Clergy Recognition Month in the schools.

Foganholi thanked God and the governor in his first remarks on the board.

I do first and foremost want to thank God for this opportunity.  His grace, his favor, [I] wouldnt be here without it, Foganholi said. But I also do want to thank our governor, great governor of free state of Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis for this opportunity. His vote of confidence and believing in a young Brazilian American from Broward County to be able to do change in schools that I cared so much about in Broward.

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Foganholi, a first-generation American born to parents who came to the United States from Brazil, is a member of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, to which DeSantis appointed him.

The 38-year-old Republican is from Coral Springs, the governors office said, and holds certificates in marketing and business management from Florida Atlantic University, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Used to be a rapper

Miami New Times reported in August that Foganholi used to be a rapper. He told the outlet that he is proud of his music venture, but not of the music itself, which includes him spitting bars about everything from getting women to getting high, according to the New Times.

Foganholi appeared in a music video that includes a depiction of him robbing a convenience store with a gun, the outlet reported and published a screenshot of the YouTube video. The video linked in the article has since been deleted.

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The now-statewide education official toured his music around the U.S., including opening for the Jonas Brothers, the outlet reported, although his music career has been quiet since 2019.

His appointment to the Board of Education is subject to Florida Senate approval.

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In conjunction with charters

The Board of Education meeting was held in conjunction with the three day Florida Charter School Conference and School Choice Summit in Orlando. The conference serves to connect private and charter schools with the Department of Education and companies providing services to private and charter schools.

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Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., who previously served as chief operating officer of a college affiliated with a charter school operator, remarked on the size of the conference, telling board members that it was hosting more than 1,300 attendees and 160 exhibitors, the largest school choice conference held in Florida, he said.

Its a sign of the movement in Florida and the work that is being done by this board, by our governor, by the Legislature, so Im very proud of that, Diaz said.

The conference included welcome remarks by Diaz and Success Academy Charter Schools CEO Eva Moskowitz and will feature closing remarks on Thursday by Department of Education Senior Chancellor Paul Burns.

In Florida, 405,000 students attend 738 charter schools, Diaz said, a growing number as school choice initiatives continue to flow out of the Florida Capitol.

School safety

In his update to board members, Diaz said he sent a letter to school superintendents following a sharp rise in false reports submitted through Fortify Florida.

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FlortifyFL is an app used by parents, students, teachers, and law enforcement to report suspicious school activity and threats. It was created in 2018 in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that left 17 people dead that same year.

This is especially troubling since false reporting is not only reckless but it takes resources away that are needed for actual emergencies, Diaz said.

The board passed a policy during Wednesdays meeting requiring annual trainings for parents on how to use the app, and the consequences for misusing the app.

Policy already required students to be trained to use the app, but an update to the policy requires the training to spell out possible consequences for falsely reporting a school threat or making a school threat.

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A group of 18 migrants from two countries arrived Tuesday morning in Pompano Beach in a cabin cruiser boat, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.

The group included five people from China and 13 people from Ecuador, Jeffrey Dinise, chief patrol agent for the Border Patrols Miami sector, said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

Its not clear if there were any arrests. Dinise said the landing is under investigation.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Never mind the Republicans. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania has lost fellow Democrats in his quixotic quest for a recount comeback over David McCormick, the Republican challenger who vanquished him on November 5.

Many media outlets days ago called the Pennsylvania Senate race for McCormick, who leads Casey by more than 17,000 votes, out of nearly 7 million cast, with more than 95 percent of the vote counted. To be sure, that margin is razor-thinit works out to one quarter of 1 percentage point, or less, according to various tallies and is tight enough to trigger a state law-mandated automatic recount. But veteran Democratic insiders in the Keystone State tell The Dispatch the votes simply arent there for the recount, which Casey supports, to change the outcome.

As a [political] practitioner, any outcome other than McCormick winning in the end is a very, very long stretch, said a Democratic operative in Pennsylvania, who requested anonymity because he did not want to publicly criticize Casey. I cant see it going much more than another week.

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The hard-fought contest will end the three-term Senate career of Caseywho has held elected office in the commonwealth since 1997 and whose father, Robert P. Casey, served as governor from 1987 to 1995. But the fact that Democrats now seem to agree with Republicans on the outcome does not mean the effort to keep Caseys hopes alive hasnt been controversial.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled pre-election that the states 67 counties could not count mail-in ballots submitted with undated or improperly dated exterior envelopes. After three southeastern Pennsylvania countiesBucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphiabrazenly ignored the ruling and decided to include such ballots in the recount, the high court on Monday issued a second directive ordering them to comply.

In a statement Monday evening, Gov. Josh Shapiro said the counties must abide by the Pennsylvania Supreme Courts ruling, although the Democratic chief executive did not comment on Casey or how the senator should handle the recount moving forward:

The Department of State had advised counties repeatedly of their duty to segregate challenged provisional ballots and undated ballots in anticipation of a ruling by the court. The court has now ruled on the counting of these ballots specific to the November 5, 2024 election and I expect all county election officials to adhere to this ruling and all the applicable laws governing our elections. As we move forward, I want to be clear: any insinuation that our laws can be ignored or do not matter is irresponsible and does damage to faith in our electoral process. The rule of law matters in this Commonwealth, and as I have always said, it is critical for counties and officials in both parties to respect it with both their rhetoric and their actions.

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Following pressure from state supreme court and the governor, officials in Bucks and Montgomery counties appeared to soften their intransigence, although Philadelphia County did not appear to immediately back down, according to reporting from The New York Times. The deadline to conclude the recount is November 26, with results due in the secretary of states office by November 27the day before Thanksgiving.

But would these disqualified votes even make a difference in Caseys longshot bid to alter the outcome of the race? Even fellow Democrats are doubtful.

Its time for Bob Casey to concede, Mark Singel, a Democratic operative in the state who served as lieutenant governor under Caseys father, told WHP, the CBS affiliate in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I know he wants to count every single, last ballot, and it is possible that when you look at the amended ballots and the last ones to come in, you might get to that point five threshold. But, to reconsider all the votes and have a recount, it rarely changes the effect.

Its time to get on with this, Singel added.

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Casey and his Democratic allies insist its too soon to give up.

Their main argument is that some counties are still in the middle of their original tabulation of votesincluding mail-in and provisional ballots not discounted by the Supreme Court ruling. Caseys campaign contends those ballots could further reduce a McCormick advantage that has shrunk precipitously since November 5.

Were counting votes and theres a recount underwayits already started. So, well see what the recount shows, Casey told reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill. Regarding Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties defying the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Casey added: My own belief is that the state Supreme Court should make a determination on the constitutionality, which they have not reachedtheyve not reached [a decision based] on the merits of the case.

Pennsylvanias high court never ruled on whether counting mail-in ballots with misdated or undated envelopes was legal or constitutional. Rather, in a response to a lawsuit brought in late October, they ruled for the plaintiffs, the Republican National Committee and the Pennsylvania Republican Party, on procedural grounds. This was the rationale Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties relied upon to count flawed mail-in votes in defiance of the court, saying all votes should be counted (Republicans have said it amounted to a scheme to help Casey.)

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Casey, similarly, has argued that not counting all ballots cast amounts to disenfranchisement.

Republicans, meanwhile, are not taking McCormicks apparent commanding position in the vote count for granted.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee in conjunction with the RNC has dispatched 100 staff, including 40 lawyers and its own general counsel, across Pennsylvania to manage the partys effort to monitor and litigate the recount. The McCormick campaign is confident its lead will hold, regardless of whether the disqualified ballots are included in the final tally. Still, Republicans are pressuring Democrats to back off and accept defeat.

This election has been settled for weeksDave McCormick won. Josh Shapiro, [Pennsylvania Sen.] John Fetterman, and Democrat party leaders must demand that Casey concede instead of wasting millions in taxpayer dollars on a doomed recount, NRSC spokesman Philip Letsou said in a statement provided to The Dispatch.

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Charles Hilu contributed to this report.

Read more at The Dispatch

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The Boise Airport became 100% powered by renewable solar energy in the fall of 2024 after the city began buying solar energy from Black Mesa Energy solar project in Elmore County. (Courtesy of city of Boise)

The Boise Airport became powered by 100% clean energy this fall after Boise opted to be the first city to sign on to an optional new renewable energy program through Idaho Power.

The city of Boise is purchasing enough solar energy to power both the Boise Airport and the Lander Street wastewater treatment facility through 100% clean energy, Steve Hubble, climate action manager for the city of Boise, said in an interview Thursday.

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The Boise Airport is likely the first municipally-owned major airport in Idaho to become 100% solar energy powered. Hubble said he isnt familiar enough with municipalities in North Idaho or eastern Idaho, which work with different utility companies, to know what their energy mix is.

Were the first municipality in Idaho to enter one of these Clean Energy Your Way contracts, so thats pretty exciting in and of itself, Hubble said. And then from a quantitative perspective, Im always going to link that back to what the citys goals are.

The move to powering its facilities by renewable energy represents Boise moving forward on climate policies at a time when the Idaho Legislature is actively pushing back against environmental and climate programs. While the Idaho Legislature has not established formal climate goals, the city of Boise has specific goals it bases climate policies around.

Power city government by 100% renewable energy by 2030.City government operations become carbon neutral by 2035.Power the entire community by 100% clean electricity by 2035.The community becomes carbon neutral by 2050.

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Making the Boise Airport and Lander Street wastewater treatment plant 100% renewable-powered brings the city to 25% of its 2030 renewable energy goal for city government.

Lander Street aerials may not be accurate after 2019 remodel.

So in other words, if you look at all the citys electricity usage right now, about a quarter of it is being powered by renewable electricity, because the airport and Lander Street are two of our three biggest electricity-using facilities, Hubble said.

How did Boise make its airport and a water treatment plant renewable energy powered?

Boise had been powering the airport and Lander Street facility with the standard energy it received from Idaho Power, which includes an energy portfolio of renewable energy like hydro as well as nonrenewable energy sources, like coal. To go 100% renewable, the city bought enough renewable solar energy to cover 100% of the energy those two facilities use.

The project is part of Idaho Powers Clean Energy Your Way program, which is optional and does not change the energy mix that regular Idaho Power customers receive or the rates they pay, Idaho Power Director of Economic Development and Innovation Megan Ronk said in an interview.

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Idaho Powers largest source of energy today is renewable hydro power, Ronk said. For 2022, 24% of Idaho Powers energy generation capacity was coal, Idaho Power reported. Idaho Power has a goal to have 100% clean energy by 2045.

For customers who want to go renewable sooner, Idaho Power created Clean Energy Your Way, Ronk said.

Clean Energy Your Way is really intended to provide a menu of options to meet customers where they are at in meeting their respective renewable and clean energy goals, Ronk said in a phone interview.

The Boise City Council approved participating in the Clean Energy Your Way program in October 2023.

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This is possible because Boiseans have been so clear that they expect our city to lead in protecting our environment for the future, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said in a written statement after the Boise City Council vote. It is important that we are resilient and because we want our kids, and their kids, to be healthy and to have a place where they can live and thrive into the future.

After the Boise City Council approved participating in the program, Idaho Power and the city applied for approval from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, which regulates utility companies in Idaho.

Under the application for the project, Boise sought approval to buy up to 10 megawatts of power from Black Mesa Energy solar project in Elmore County. In addition to the normal Schedule 19 rate Boise pays for energy not from the solar project, Boise will pay a fixed cost charge for each kilowatt hour of energy received from the Black Mesa Energy solar project. Excess energy generated but not used will be credited to the city.

The city of Boise buys enough energy from the Black Mesa Energy solar project in Elmore County to power the Boise Airport and Lander Street Wastewater Treatment Plant. (Courtesy of Idaho Power)

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved the application in August, which allowed the city to begin purchasing the solar energy Sept. 1.

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The citys contract is for 20 years. Hubble told the Sun he expects the city to pay slightly more for energy during the first 18 months of the project. Then, for the duration of the first 10 years, Hubble expects the city to either realize a savings or be paying no more than it would have regularly, without going renewable.

Were pretty excited about that savings opportunity, because basically this contract allows us to kind of lock in the rate for a portion of our power cost, and power costs do change, so thats something were really excited about, Hubble said. Its kind of cool, not only the renewable attribute of this, but that economic attribute of this is pretty exciting.

Boise has a 25% share of the solar energy from the Black Mesa Energy project, while the remaining 75 % is being used by Micron for renewable energy projects, Hubble said.

Other Idaho cities, residents and businesses can also participate in Clean Energy Your Way

Idaho Power offers different types of Clean Energy Your Way programs for residential customers, businesses and large municipal customers like the city of Boise. The largest energy-using customers, like the city of Boise, are able to participate in the Clean Energy Your Way Construction agreement that powered the Boise Airport and Lander Street facility. Hubble thinks Boises project could set an example for other large Idaho Power municipal or industrial customers who want to go with renewable energy.

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But there are other options for other types of Idaho Power customers too. Residential customers can cover all or part of their energy use with renewable wind and solar energy at a cost of 1 additional cent per kilowatt hour, with the ability to cancel any time. Business customers can purchase renewable energy certificates, with options to buy on a month-to-month basis or for a three-year commitment. More information is available on Idaho Powers website or by sending an email to cleanenergyyourway@idahopower.com, Ronk said.

Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com. Follow Idaho Capital Sun on Facebook and X.
The Boise Airport became 100% powered by renewable solar energy in the fall of 2024 after the city began buying solar energy from Black Mesa Energy solar project in Elmore County. (Courtesy of city of Boise)

The Boise Airport became powered by 100% clean energy this fall after Boise opted to be the first city to sign on to an optional new renewable energy program through Idaho Power.

The city of Boise is purchasing enough solar energy to power both the Boise Airport and the Lander Street wastewater treatment facility through 100% clean energy, Steve Hubble, climate action manager for the city of Boise, said in an interview Thursday.

Advertisement Advertisement

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The Boise Airport is likely the first municipally-owned major airport in Idaho to become 100% solar energy powered. Hubble said he isnt familiar enough with municipalities in North Idaho or eastern Idaho, which work with different utility companies, to know what their energy mix is.

Were the first municipality in Idaho to enter one of these Clean Energy Your Way contracts, so thats pretty exciting in and of itself, Hubble said. And then from a quantitative perspective, Im always going to link that back to what the citys goals are.

The move to powering its facilities by renewable energy represents Boise moving forward on climate policies at a time when the Idaho Legislature is actively pushing back against environmental and climate programs. While the Idaho Legislature has not established formal climate goals, the city of Boise has specific goals it bases climate policies around.

Power city government by 100% renewable energy by 2030.City government operations become carbon neutral by 2035.Power the entire community by 100% clean electricity by 2035.The community becomes carbon neutral by 2050.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Making the Boise Airport and Lander Street wastewater treatment plant 100% renewable-powered brings the city to 25% of its 2030 renewable energy goal for city government.

So in other words, if you look at all the citys electricity usage right now, about a quarter of it is being powered by renewable electricity, because the airport and Lander Street are two of our three biggest electricity-using facilities, Hubble said.

How did Boise make its airport and a water treatment plant renewable energy powered?

Boise had been powering the airport and Lander Street facility with the standard energy it received from Idaho Power, which includes an energy portfolio of renewable energy like hydro as well as nonrenewable energy sources, like coal. To go 100% renewable, the city bought enough renewable solar energy to cover 100% of the energy those two facilities use.

The project is part of Idaho Powers Clean Energy Your Way program, which is optional and does not change the energy mix that regular Idaho Power customers receive or the rates they pay, Idaho Power Director of Economic Development and Innovation Megan Ronk said in an interview.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Idaho Powers largest source of energy today is renewable hydro power, Ronk said. For 2022, 24% of Idaho Powers energy generation capacity was coal, Idaho Power reported. Idaho Power has a goal to have 100% clean energy by 2045.

For customers who want to go renewable sooner, Idaho Power created Clean Energy Your Way, Ronk said.

Clean Energy Your Way is really intended to provide a menu of options to meet customers where they are at in meeting their respective renewable and clean energy goals, Ronk said in a phone interview.

The Boise City Council approved participating in the Clean Energy Your Way program in October 2023.

Advertisement Advertisement

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This is possible because Boiseans have been so clear that they expect our city to lead in protecting our environment for the future, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said in a written statement after the Boise City Council vote. It is important that we are resilient and because we want our kids, and their kids, to be healthy and to have a place where they can live and thrive into the future.

After the Boise City Council approved participating in the program, Idaho Power and the city applied for approval from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, which regulates utility companies in Idaho.

Under the application for the project, Boise sought approval to buy up to 10 megawatts of power from Black Mesa Energy solar project in Elmore County. In addition to the normal Schedule 19 rate Boise pays for energy not from the solar project, Boise will pay a fixed cost charge for each kilowatt hour of energy received from the Black Mesa Energy solar project. Excess energy generated but not used will be credited to the city.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved the application in August, which allowed the city to begin purchasing the solar energy Sept. 1.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The citys contract is for 20 years. Hubble told the Sun he expects the city to pay slightly more for energy during the first 18 months of the project. Then, for the duration of the first 10 years, Hubble expects the city to either realize a savings or be paying no more than it would have regularly, without going renewable.

Were pretty excited about that savings opportunity, because basically this contract allows us to kind of lock in the rate for a portion of our power cost, and power costs do change, so thats something were really excited about, Hubble said. Its kind of cool, not only the renewable attribute of this, but that economic attribute of this is pretty exciting.

Boise has a 25% share of the solar energy from the Black Mesa Energy project, while the remaining 75 % is being used by Micron for renewable energy projects, Hubble said.

This article was first published by the Idaho Capital Sun, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com. Follow Idaho Capital Sun on Facebook and X.
A bomb cyclone riding a long atmospheric river toward the West Coast is expected to bring more than a foot of rain to parts of Northern California and 30-foot waves to the Oregon coast, but the weather wont be quite as catastrophic in and around Los Angeles, the latest forecast models show.

Right now, the bomb cyclone (a rapidly intensified storm system) is poised to hit the northern half of the Golden State starting Wednesday morning. The rain is being carried toward the California coast by an atmospheric river, which is essentially a long plume of moisture in the sky.

Atmospheric rivers can bring lots of rain to Southern California, but this one looks like it will stall out up north. So while it will dump rain there, well be just on the southern edge of the system, Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist at the National Weather Services Oxnard/Los Angeles said.

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There is a chance for a little bit more significant rain, like over two inches in some areas. But it is a little different story (than in Northern California), and there is some uncertainty since were on that south edge of it, Lewis explained.

The rain looks like it will arrive in the Los Angeles area late Friday into early Saturday morning, Lewis said.

The areas most likely to see rain are the mountainous areas of Southern California. Landslides and debris flows dont look like a significant risk with this storm system, he explained, because its not likely to be a lot of rain in a short period of time.

It looks to be kind of a longer duration thing: cloudy skies and occasional periods of rain, Lewis said.

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The surf in Southern California is also not expected to be anywhere near as dramatic as the Oregon coast, where a high surf warning predicts breaking waves between 25 and 30 feet. Sea conditions were hazardous for small boats Tuesday afternoon, but there were no high surf advisories issued for the coast.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A massive bomb cyclone continued to bear down on the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday, and has been blamed for at least two deaths and hundreds of thousands losing power.

Two Washington women were killed by falling trees Tuesday night in King and Snohomish counties. Two other people were injured and transported to the hospital south of Seattle. The names of the people killed have not been released.

Trees blocked major highways and damaged buildings in the city of Issaquah. Drivers were advised to obey road closures and the states Department of Transportation said it was working to clear any debris. Some mudslides were also reported.

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Washington was not the only state slammed by the storm. Along the West Coast, Oregon and California residents have also had to contend with extreme weather, including flooding rain and whipping winds.

While the Evergreen States winds were projected to die down by midday, as the low pressure system moves away from the region, Oregon and California will continue to feel flooding rains from an associated atmospheric river storm that could hamper ground and air travel. Tens of flights were already canceled at San Francisco International Airport, according to FlightAware.

A person records damage of a tree and downed power lines during a major storm in Seattle, Washington. The storm brought extreme winds whipping across much of western Washington (Credit: (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP))

Travel was also hampered in Washington on Tuesday. An Amtrak train en route to Seattle hit a tree near the Stanwood station, according to FOX Weather. The train was towed, but no passengers were hurt. A ferry route was out of service until further notice.

Utility companies said they were working to get power back on, but that conditions on roads were making efforts difficult.

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All of Neah Bay is out, however crews cannot get in to fix the problem due to trees and mudslides, Clallam Countys public utility district said Wednesday. The crew in Sekiu is finishing up restoration there and will return to Neah Bay once WSDOT has cleared the road.

Tracker PowerOutage.US showed more than 491,000 customers without power in Washington, more than 5,600 in Oregon, and nearly 35,000 out in California.

Puget Sound firefighters work to rescue two people who were injured after a tree fell on their trailer. The individuals, who were not identified, were taken to the hospital (Credit: Puget Sound Fire/X)

Many schools were closed across Washington on Wednesday, and others had delayed starts. School buses for the Renton School District were picking up students two hours late.

The powerful storm brought extreme winds and blizzard conditions to higher elevations that were expected to continue on Wednesday throughout the Cascade Mountains.

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More than a foot of snow fell around Snoqualmie Pass and several inches of rainfall were reported in Quinault, Oregon and California. Snow was continuing to fall around Washington on Wednesday and some hail was possible in coastal areas.

The National Weather Services Seattle office said the peak wind gust from the storm, recorded off Vancouver Island, was 101 miles per hour. Most people cant stand in winds up to 50 miles per hour and some places saw hurricane-force winds. The offices radio transmissions were disrupted by the storm.

More than a foot of snow fell around Snoqualmie Pass. Members of the states transportation department were using plows to help keep roads clear as snow continued to fall on Wednesday (Credit: WSDOT Snoqualmie Pass/X)

In neighboring Oregon, hurricane-force winds  gusts over 75 miles per hour  were also felt along the coast. Special weather statements were also issued there on Wednesday.

Down the coast, threats were just beginning in Californias San Francisco Bay Area.

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Flooding was reported in Sonoma County, and the National Weather Services Bay Area office reported rain there between one-and-half and two-and-half inches over a period of six hours. Flood advisories were issued across the state, while the Bay Area and Central Coast were expected to see impacts from the plume of moisture through the end of the week.

With precipitation beginning to spread across portions of interior #NorCal this morning, here's a look at estimated precipitation observations so far this morning vs. forecast precipitation expected through early Saturday morning #CAwx pic.twitter.com/25Q93FVF79  NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) November 20, 2024

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The heaviest rainfall is anticipated across the North Bay, where 10 to 15 inches of rainfall are forecast. This will result in an increased flood threat. Be sure to avoid flood prone areas! the office warned. Dangerous wave action along the coast was also expected.

More than 10 inches of rain are likely to raise the risk of life-threatening flash flooding, rock slides, and debris flows from the northern California coast to inland mountain ranges.

The National Weather Services Sacramento office issued a wind advisory, cautioning that gusts could reach up to 45 miles an hour.

A high resolution satellite image shows the bomb cyclone as the sun sets on Tuesday. The storms occur when their central pressure drops by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours (Credit: CSU/CIRA & NOAA)

A second low pressure system is forecast to develop and strengthen off the Northwest coast on Friday that will help to amplify the atmospheric river, exacerbating the threat of flooding. More strong winds are anticipated throughout the Northwest to end the week.

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A bomb cyclone, known technically as bombogenesis, occurs when a storms central pressure drops by at least 24 millibars within 24 hours. Satellite images showed the strength of this bomb cyclone.

The last bomb cyclone swept the Pacific Northwest region in January, with California receiving most of the storms threats.
GANZHOU, Jiangxi, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- In land ports and at logistics hubs in cities such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan and Ganzhou, containers branded with "China-Europe freight train" can be easily spotted amid the vast sea of stacked containers.

These cities, located deep in China's inland regions, have become critical nodes within the expansive China-Europe freight train network, which now connects 227 cities in 25 European countries and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries, forging an unbroken trade link between Asia and Europe.

The departure of the 100,000th China-Europe freight train last week from southwestern China's Chongqing marked a significant achievement in this trade corridor's development. It underlined the importance of the service in accelerating the high-level opening up of China's inland regions and transforming once-remote areas into dynamic hubs of international trade.

GROWING OPPORTUNITIES

As a China-Europe freight train departed from Ganzhou in east China's Jiangxi Province on Tuesday, Liao Xiang watched with pride. Among the 55 containers onboard, three contained office furniture produced by his company, with these products destined for Hungary -- a new international market for his business.

Founded in 1995, Jiangxi Sanyou Furniture focused on the domestic market, with some initial overseas ventures in the Middle East.

"The launch of the China-Europe freight train service in Ganzhou, combined with the opening of the Ganzhou International Inland Port, has significantly reduced export costs," said Liao.

"Thanks to the convenience and efficiency of these services, we've been able to explore European markets," Liao added.

From January to October 2024 alone, Sanyou exported over 20 TEUs of office furniture worth over 5 million yuan (about 695,303 U.S. dollars).

The train that departed from Ganzhou was the 2,000th such service from Jiangxi, and carried a variety of goods, including daily necessities, lighting fixtures and machinery equipment.

To date, the China-Europe freight train service from Jiangxi has transported 220,000 TEUs and 5.2 million tonnes of goods, valued at over 8.4 billion U.S. dollars, according to the Nanchang branch of China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

The service is benefiting not just furniture makers but also local enterprises in the timber, pottery, medical supplies and even frozen goods industries.

Wei Wei, a logistics official, highlighted the critical role these trains play in fostering economic cooperation between inland Chinese regions and the rest of the world -- particularly participating countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

CLOSER TO PUBLIC

For many Chinese consumers, the China-Europe freight train service is also making international products more accessible.

"This is my first time shopping at an imported goods bonded store facilitated by the China-Europe freight train. I was impressed by the wide variety of products and their attractive prices," said Niu Runfeng, a traveler from Xinyang, central China's Henan Province, who made a train transfer at Hankou station in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, before heading to Shanghai.

Niu purchased some Russian-made cookies, while his friend bought several cans of German beer at the store at Hankou station. "We trust the quality of the products."

The store, the first of its kind in Wuhan, has seen its daily sales reach around 100,000 yuan, said Li Wenyan, who is in charge of the store.

"We have imported more than 10,000 products from countries and regions along the China-Europe freight train routes, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Germany, Italy and Poland, and our product range features grains, cooking oil, alcohol and beverages, daily necessities, healthcare products and handicrafts," said Li.

The best-selling items in her store include snack foods from Southeast Asia and cosmetics from Europe.

In addition to the Hankou station store, there are about 60 similar stores that have opened across China, which can be found at train stations and in residential communities in cities such as Beijing, Zhengzhou, Nanchang, Xiamen, Ganzhou, Taiyuan and Yinchuan. These stores are part of broader efforts to leverage the China-Europe freight train service to foster economic exchange and improve consumer access to global goods.

"The China-Europe freight train (Wuhan) has become a crucial platform for Hubei's opening up, playing a key role in ensuring the stability of foreign trade channels and boosting the economic development of Hubei," said Wu Qiong, general manager of Wuhan Asia-Europe Logistics Co., Ltd.

"The service has driven the high-level opening up of China's inland regions and ensured the benefits of people in BRI participating countries and regions, demonstrating the initiative's core principle of achieving shared growth through consultation and collaboration," said Ding Yao, head of the Chongqing economic information center. 
Boston police detectives are seeking the publics help in identifying a woman who reportedly stole approximately $250,000 worth of jewelry from the locker room of a local spa in the upscale Newbury Street neighborhood.

The theft happened at about 2:33 p.m. Tuesday in the area of 33 Exeter St., or the location of the G20 Spa and Salon, according to police, who released a photograph of the suspect on Wednesday.

Police described the suspect as a white female, possibly in her 20s, standing about 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 130 pounds, with blonde hair and dark roots.

Police are investigating. Anyone with information is strongly urged to call Boston detectives at 617-343-5619.

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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.

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This story was updated to include new information.

Police are investigating a fatal shooting on the upper level at the Elizabeth Duff Center at WeGo Central, 400 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

WeGo posted on social media that all buses will be operating out of the lower level bays until further notice.

Police responded to the shooting call at about 4:09 p.m. Two teens got into a physical altercation and gunfire rang out, MNPD spokesperson Brooke Reese said, noting that the victim is believed to be a 16-year-old boy, who was shot twice.

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Police arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection to the shooting.

The boy was taken to Vanderbilt Pediatrics, where he died. Police are working to notify his family before releasing his identity.

Reese said detectives are combing through security camera footage and witness statements to locate the suspect, who police said fled on foot towards Municipal Auditorium.

Tuesday's shooting is the second fatal attack in a week at WeGo station or bus stop.

Police responded to a call Friday at a WeGo stop near Harding Place and Antioch Pike on a report of a fatal stabbing.

This is a breaking news story and it will be updated as more information becomes available.

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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: Police: Boy, 16, shot, killed at Nashville bus station, suspect sought
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A 14-year-old student accused of having a gun Tuesday at East High School entered a plea of denial Wednesday at his arraignment in Mahoning County Juvenile Court.

Read next: Car that caused rush hour crash was going 100 mph: YPD

The plea is the juvenile equivalent of not guilty. The boy was ordered held in detention pending a Dec. 3 preliminary hearing.

The boy was booked into the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center about 2 p.m. Tuesday on felony charges of carrying concealed weapons and illegal conveyance of a gun onto school property after reports said a loaded 9mm semiautomatic pistol was found in his book bag.

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A police report said a Mahoning County Sheriffs Office deputy working security at the school was asked to check the auditorium, and when he did, he found the student and two others hiding behind a cabinet and they were taken, with their bags, to meet with an assistant principal.

The student appeared very nervous when he was told his bag would be searched. The student gave the deputy his bag and the deputy placed it outside while the assistant principal left for a moment. When the assistant principal came back, the deputy retrieved the bag and he immediately felt a handgun, reports said.

A statement by the school district said the student never wielded the gun and added;

We understand your concern as parents and guardians. Please be assured that everyone is safe, the building is secure, and the weapon was never discharged. Appropriate action will be taken according to district policy, as any incident involving a weapon is taken seriously.

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Youngstown City Schools is committed to a safe environment for all scholars and staff. We encourage you to have an open conversation with your child about the importance of reporting any concerns they may have regarding school safety.

We thank you for your trust, support, and understanding.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Brazilian police have arrested five people, including a former adviser to ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, over an alleged plot to assassinate President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2022, authorities said.

The coup plot was conceived in late 2022, before Lula took office, according to Federal Police. In addition to killing the then-president-elect, the plot also included plans to capture or kill Lulas Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the Supreme Court said in its arrest order.

The order, signed by Moraes on Sunday, authorizes the preventative detention of the five suspects, including retired general Mario Fernandes.

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Fernandes was previously the second-highest ranking executive of the General Secretariat of the Presidency during Bolsonaros administration, CNN Brasil reported. Its unclear if he has an attorney.

CNN has reached out to a representative of Bolsonaro for comment.

The alleged plot also involved other military personnel with training in special forces, the Federal Police said.

Jair Bolsonaro talks with reporters after arriving at the airport in Brasilia, Brazil, on June 30, 2023. - Eraldo Peres/AP

The planning drawn up by those under investigation detailed the human and military resources needed to carry out the actions, using advanced military operational techniques, police said.

The plan envisioned the eventual creation of an Institutional Crisis Management Office in Brazils government that the coup plotters would control, according to the police.

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According to the court order, the alleged plotters also considered several methods to carry out the political assassinations, including the use of poison or explosive devices.

For the execution of President Lula, the document describes, considering his health vulnerability and frequent visits to hospitals, the possibility of using poisoning or chemicals to cause an organic collapse, reads Moraes order, citing an investigation into the plot.

In addition to the five arrests, police said the suspects would be prohibited from leaving the country or contacting other people suspected of involvement in the plot, documents show.

In February of this year, Bolsonaro was placed under investigation over the alleged plot. The investigation is expected to be finished later this month, Reuters reported, citing a source with direct knowledge of the probe.

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According to a police warrant carried out on Tuesday, Bolsonaro allegedly met with officials from the army and navy as well as the minister of defense in December 2022 to present a document detailing the legal framework that would keep him in power.

The former president has repeatedly denied allegations of attempting a coup. His son, Flavio Bolsonaro, who is a senator in the Brazilian Congress, suggested in a post on X that the five suspects had not committed a crime.

As disgusting as it may be to think about killing someone, it is not a crime. And for there to be an attempt, the execution must be interrupted by some situation beyond the control of the perpetrators. Which does not appear to have happened, he wrote.

In October 2022, Lula narrowly beat Bolsonaro in the presidential election. Bolsonaros supporters rejected the results and rioted in the capital Brasilia, storming government buildings on January 8, 2023.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  Two shelters for those experiencing homelessness in the Knoxville community have now been shuttered due to code violations. Shelters at Vestal United Methodist Church and Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church are now closed.

The closures come right before the the coldest weather of the season. At least a dozen people have been displaced from the Vestal Villas Center at the Vestal United Methodist Church. Those impacted by the closure are worried about what is next when their stay at a local motel runs out.

UPDATE  Officials work to reopen Knoxville homeless shelters shuttered for code violations

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It breaks my heart cause its not fair to them. You know these are people, just because theyre homeless doesnt meant they are less than a person, said Anthony Jackson, Vestal Villas codirector. It hurts to see them where theyre at when theyve tried for almost two months to get back on their feet.

Among those who stay at Vestal Villas are Justin and Rose Cook. They say their concern is with the impending cold weather.

We are very concerned. I know me and her, we have the clothing to get us through a night or two of that, Justin Cook said. I know a lot of people that stay with us at Vestal Villas and a lot of people in the City of Knoxville, a lot of the homeless here do not have that.

Hopefully the other people thats homeless can find adequate shelter for over the weather, the weather thats coming, Rose Cook said. Its getting cold fast, right now its chilly and its sprinkling. If we didnt have shelter tonight, wed be cold.

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With those concerns felt by some of the others staying at the Motel 6, we reached out to the city for a statement on what is happening. The City said: It came to the citys attention that several people were being permanently housed in South Knoxville, in a building that did not meet the proper health and safety codes for residents. The city continued by saying, We worked with community partners to connect all the individuals with appropriate services, and as of today, everyone has a place to stay.

6 News reached out to the Holston Conference which oversees the United Methodist Church, about a potential solution to the issue. A church statement said they are working closely with city officials to update its building at Vestal United Methodist Church to meet safety standards.

Among those staying at the Motel 6 are Tina Worlock and Tyree Buchanan. They said they had a mix of emotions when they got the news they were being moved from the church to the motel.

Its kind of upsetting because its back in the streets again after this, Buchanan said. We dont know where were gonna go and some of us dont have family out here.

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Me and my husband, he cant walk, and we are mobility and disabled and its hard on us, Worlock said. We dont want to go back to the roach-infested motel which is very unsafe, thats where we were.

I am the Voice of the Voiceless CEO Vivian Shipe also commended the work being done at the Vestal and Magnolia shelters.

The work that they are doing at Vestal and Magnolia is life changing. See, they arent just sheltering these people, they have been taking them in, getting the training they need, life skills, theyre helping them to get jobs, Shipe said. They are helping them to have self-dignity to take care of themselves to return back to the work world and to be able to stand on their own.

 See more top stories on WATE.com

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Those who have been displaced are holding out hope that something will be done so they can continue getting the help they need to get back on their feet.

In speaking with the Holston Conference, they said the decision to close the shelters was not made in the spur of the moment and it is the conferences impression that the city has general concern for those impacted by this.

The Holston Conference added that it will continue its mission to support their neighbors in any way possible.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Its getting increasingly difficult to imagine a man more out of his depth, more tone deaf and more downright away with the fairies when it comes to the business of running Britain.

This week it was clearer than ever that Sir Keir Starmer doesnt have a clue how the people of this country feel, what their priorities are and why so many of them have turned on him after less than five months in office.

His attendance at a G20 summit in Brazil when the biggest protest yet against his governments policies took place a stones throw from Downing Street was perhaps his greatest wrong place at the wrong time manoeuvre yet. And all to cosy up to President Xi of China  who was so impressed with what Starmer said to him he immediately ordered the imprisonment of dozens of lawyers, journalists, professors and activists in Hong Kong for the crime of subversion.

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The question on the lips of my listeners and viewers this week was What on earth is the Prime Minister thinking. And what does he think hes doing?

After his ludicrous appearance on the back of a French military jeep last week he thought it wise to release pictures of him working hard on a private jet flight to Rio, decked out in Lord Alli style smart casual dress, and staring intently into his reading material.

This was his fifteenth foreign trip since winning the election in July  and while he may think his globe trotting antics are promoting him as an international statesman, the results would suggest something rather different.

Instead he looks for all the world like a politician on the run, hunting desperately for any international distraction to keep him away from the UK where things are going from bad to worse. With growth over the last three months to September limping in at 0.1 percent we are now dangerously close to recession.

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Just a few weeks on from the Budget the economy is in disarray. Big business warned this week of job losses and higher prices, the farmers are on the march all over the country  up in arms at the ludicrous new inheritance tax on families  and pensioners abandoned without their winter fuel allowance sat shivering in their homes as the first snows of winter fell across the land.

In truth, Britain is going down the pan, and this Labour government is driving it there with Captain Keir at the helm of an ever sinking ship.

His approval ratings continue to dive-bomb, the lies coming out of government are now reaching ludicrous proportions and his seemingly wilful failure to understand the concerns and the cares of the people is off the scale.

Only yesterday he was asked if he sympathised with people who had concerns about Russias threats to retaliate against Ukrainian missile strikes with a nuclear response. Starmer seemed incapable of anything but a robotic response  as if he has no feel for the job, no communication skills at all. He could only muster a rather pathetic message that we must stand by the people of Ukraine. No mention of the people of Britain.

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Similarly in Brazil he made much of wanting to build a rapport with China. He might be better served building a rapport with his own people.

On the day thousands for them travelled to London in buses, on trains, and driving in tractors he thought it would be a good time to say his first job was on a farm, picking up stones from a field when he was 14. My whole family live in the country, he offered. Its in my DNA.

Britain responded with a heavy sigh. The Prime Minister tells lies so frequently now that we have come to switch off when he talks. Why believe a man who said he would cap energy prices, why believe a man who told farmers he would not be raising their taxes, and why listen to the architect of the removal of 300 for winter fuel to the most vulnerable in our society?

On his first trip to Washington DC he returned with a spring in his step and declared that Joe Biden had never been in better health and was absolutely not standing down as the Democrats candidate. Only days later Biden did exactly that.

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Two-tier, free gear, insincere, not here Keir is fast becoming the grim reaper of international politics. After he visited Germany, the government collapsed. When he arrived in Budapest no European leaders wanted to shake his hand. And now hes desperately trying to get back into the good books of President elect Donald Trump and his new partner in crime Elon Musk.

Its all gone horribly wrong for Starmer. But we are the unfortunate recipients of his weekly disasters. It cant go on like this. And neither can he.

Mike Graham is the host of Morning Glory, every weekday morning on Talk from 6am-10am

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The United Kingdom has announced sweeping cuts of its Armed Forces as it seeks to save money, despite the precarious security situation in Europe and elsewhere. The Royal Air Force, British Army, and Royal Navy will also lose frontline equipment, and its not necessarily clear how capabilities will be maintained once these assets are withdrawn. Moreover, with a new defense review expected next year, there is the possibility of worse to come for the British Armed Forces.

Speaking in parliament today, U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey outlined the plan, which will affect all three branches of the British military.

The assets to be withdrawn include the following:

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The Royal Navys two Albion class amphibious assault ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark will be taken out of service at the end of the year, around a decade earlier than planned  although their withdrawal has been threatened now for several years. With their retirement, the ability of U.K. Royal Marines to launch land assaults from the sea will be notably reduced.

A new class of amphibious warfare vessels, up to six Multi-Role Support Ships (MRSS), is being planned, with these expected to carry out a wider variety of operations, as you can read about here. However, these are only due to enter service beginning in the early 2030s, leaving a significant capability gap in the meantime.

Concept artwork of the new Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS). BMT

The Royal Air Force will lose its fleet of 17 Puma battlefield mobility helicopters, together with 14 of the oldest Chinook heavy-lift helicopters used by the same service. The United Kingdom had already ordered new Chinooks to modernize that force, some of which date back to the very first deliveries of these helicopters in the early 1980s. However, todays decision leaves a question mark over plans to replace the Puma fleet, under the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) program. There had already been suggestions that the NMH might also face the ax.

A U.K. Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. Crown Copyright

The British Armys controversial fleet of 47 Watchkeeper drones is being culled. Although these have only been in service for six years, they have suffered a spate of crashes and have been widely criticized. You can read more about them here.

A British Army Royal Artillery Watchkeeper ready for flight at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, in July 2021. Crown Copyright



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The Royal Navy will bid farewell to the Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland. The warship was already in need of an expensive overhaul and was due for retirement. Interestingly, this particular warship collided with a Russian Navy submarine in the North Atlantic Ocean in 2020, and both vessels were reportedly damaged in the incident, which you can read more about here. Earlier this year, the Type 23 fleet had been reduced by two, with the decision to withdraw HMS Argyll and Westminster, reportedly in order to free up personnel to staff its new class of frigates. This reduced the services fleet of Type 23s to nine. All this comes at a time when the Royal Navys major surface combatants are in high demand, including in the Red Sea.

HMS Northumberland at sea in 2022. Crown Copyright

CPO Phot Owen Cooban

Other naval assets getting chopped include the two large Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler. These vessels carry fuel and supplies but are notably not compatible with supporting the Royal Navys two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.

RFA Wave Knight at sea. Crown Copyright LA(Phot) Dave Jenkins

Healey said the cuts would result in savings of up to 500 million  equivalent to around $633 million  over the next five years.

Healey also defended the assets being withdrawn on the basis that they are outdated, although this is a claim that doesnt stack up for all the equipment affected, most notably the Watchkeeper drones. Despite their problems, these drones do offer certain critical capabilities, including ground moving-target indicator (GMTI), a radar mode that allows discrimination between moving targets on the ground and static ones, allowing it to track the activity of the moving targets over time.

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Congratulations to Labour, in particular, for managing to screw up WATCHKEEPER twice. First by ordering it, and then by scrapping it just as it started delivering.

Ground Moving Target Indication radar tracking of surface targets clearly considered a decadent capitalist luxury. pic.twitter.com/dZKvLD8rKy  Gabriele Molinelli (@Gabriel64869839) November 20, 2024

We face increasing global threats, Healey said in a written statement today. War in Europe, growing Russian aggression, conflict in the Middle East, and technology changing the nature of warfare. As a result, defense needs increased resilience and readiness for the future.

While that is certainly true, the truth is that, with some exceptions (notably Watchkeeper, again), this equipment is very much part of the U.K. Armed Forces resilience and readiness. Ultimately, the cuts are the result of tight budgets  something that the British military is becoming increasingly familiar with.

A Watchkeeper drone in flight over the United Kingdom during a test flight. Watchkeepers have reportedly struggled to operate in the British climate. British Army



Although working under greater financial pressure, the U.K. Armed Forces are also being called upon to restructure and modernize to better face the resurgent Russian threat, illustrated by the war in Ukraine and by a spike in hybrid warfare activities across Europe, widely seen as being Kremlin-inspired.

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As well as Russia, the U.K. Armed Forces are also increasingly expected to play a more active role in the Indo-Pacific theater, not to mention in the Middle East, and a host of other global missions.

These are significant ambitions, and, at the same time, the United Kingdom is committed to some hugely expensive big ticket defense programs, including the replacement of the Royal Navys Trident submarine-based nuclear deterrent with the new Dreadnought class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, and the Tempest future combat aircraft.

An infographic for the future Dreadnought class SSBN. BAE Systems

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While cuts have continued to be made, the U.K. government has remained committed to increasing the defense budget to 2.5% of GDP, a pledge that the defense secretary repeated today. However, he didnt announce when this would come into effect.

As it stands, the U.K. Armed Forces  like many others around the world  are being asked to do a lot more, with less.

Removing older and expensive-to-operate equipment makes sense, so long as its being replaced by equivalent capabilities that are cheaper, but which also meet the demands of the latest force posture.

A good example of this would be the Armys Watchkeeper drones, which are not likely to be badly missed by many. On the other hand, theres no doubt that uncrewed air systems are of growing importance on the battlefield and British efforts in this direction have so far achieved very mixed results. If the money saved by withdrawing Watchkeeper doesnt help drive the development and fielding of more reliable drones for the Army, then questions will likely be asked.

A British Army Archer artillery gun is fired during Exercise Dynamic Front, in Finland. Russian aggression is seeing the U.K. Armed Forces re-posture to fight a potential conflict in Europe, adding yet more demands on its three branches. Crown Copyright Corporal Rebecca Brown, RLC

There is also the possibility of more cuts to come. After all, the U.K. government is expected to release its latest defense review next spring, and that might see another raft of cuts to all three services. With funds for defense spending limited, there will be fears that more equipment might be axed as an easy option for making short-term savings.

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Overall, however, todays cuts reflect the very harsh decisions facing the U.K. government as it seeks to meet the goal of a British military that is increasing its resilience and readiness to meet a wider range of threats, not just from Russia.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Lucy Letby, 34, was found guilty of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder six others between June 2015 and June 2016

EyePress News/Shutterstock Lucy Letby Lucy Letby

A senior doctor told a public inquiry that British nurse Lucy Letby likely murdered or assaulted more children than she was convicted of killing.

On reflection I think its likely that Letby didnt start becoming a killer in June 2015, or didnt start harming babies in June 2015, Stephen Brearey, a consultant pediatrician, told the public inquiry, which is looking into events surrounding the deaths, the BBC reported. I think its likely that her actions prior to then over a period of time changed what we perceived to be abnormal.

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Letby, 34, was found guilty of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder six others between June 2015 and June 2016 while working as a neonatal nurse at Chester Hospital in Cheshire, England.

The seven deaths were caused by being given excess milk, air, insulin or fluid, prosecutors have said.

Related: Why Will Killer Nurse Lucy Letby Go Back to Court Tomorrow for Another Trial?

SWNS Lucy Letby

The former nurse was sentenced to life in prison and is considered one of the most prolific child killers in United Kingdom history.

During the public inquiry chaired by High Court judge Lady Justice Thirlwall, Brearey said he didnt know of anyone who was suspicious of Letby prior to June 2015, but there now appeared to be suspicious cases, according to the Times of London.

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If we had a thermostat for the level of work and number of events that we cant quite understand, I think it was turned up over those years, he said, per the Times. So our perception of what is normal for a neonatal unit in terms of number of collapses you might expect in a week, a month, or a year had changed.

Related: Lucy Letby Trial: What to Know About the Nurse Convicted of Murdering 7 Infants in U.K. Hospital

Brearey was among the staff members who raised suspicions about Letby at Chester Hospital. One senior doctor, Dr. Ravi Jayaram, testified during Letby's trial that he observed her standing over an infant whose breathing tube was dislodged, watching the baby's oxygen levels dropping and doing nothing. The doctor intervened, but the baby died three days later.

The Cheshire Constabulary launched its own investigation into the deaths in May 2017, after they were alerted to Letby's suspicious behavior

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.

During her trial, Letby took the stand in her own defense, telling the jury that she meant no harm during her time working at the Countess of Chester Hospital. "I only ever did my best to care for them," Letby said of the babies in her care. "That's completely against everything that being a nurse is. I am there to care not to harm."

Letby claimed in court that the infant deaths could be related to alleged plumbing issues in the hospital.
Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, can face the death penalty, a judge has ruled.

Kohberger's defense team had sought to remove the death penalty as a possible punishment should he be convicted, but Ada County Judge Steven Hippler denied their motions in his ruling dated Tuesday. The prosecution has said it intends to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.

Kohberger's attorneys' arguments included claims that forcing inmates to wait for years on death row and the methods available for prisoners to be executed in Idaho both constitute cruel and unusual punishment. They also argued Idaho's death penalty laws violate an international treaty banning the torture of prisoners.

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Kohberger is accused of the Nov. 13, 2022, stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. All four were students at the University of Idaho and were killed in a home off campus. Kohberger was arrested on Dec. 30, 2022, in Pennsylvania and was extradited back to Idaho in January 2023. He is charged with four counts of first degree murder.

From left, Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.

Kohberger did not respond when asked in court to enter a plea last year, so a not guilty plea was entered for him by the judge. Kohberger in September was booked into jail in Boise, where his trial was moved at the request of the defense.

His trial is scheduled to begin in August 2025.

Goncalves' family in a statement said they were "overjoyed" at the decision and criticized the judge who had been handling to case prior to the move to Boise for "failing to pronounce the victims' names correctly, laughing in the courtroom, or entertaining every absurd motion or argument the defense could muster."

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"We finally have a judge who appears prepared, thoughtful, and well-versed in the legal process," they said. "There is a newfound level of seriousness that has been absent for far too long...Justice is moving forward, and we pray that one day, in the not-so-distant future, it will be served."

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HERAT, Afghanistan, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Around 240 grooms and brides were married at a mass wedding ceremony in western Afghanistan's Herat province.

The event was organized by a charity organization, and each newlywed couple received household appliances, including carpet, blanket, and kitchen tools valued at 100,000 afghani (about 1,460 U.S. dollars), said Mawlawi Abdul Haq Sadiqi, head of the organization.

Young people may have to wait for years to have their wedding ceremonies due to unemployment, the economic crisis, the high cost of lavish dowries and expensive gifts in the poverty-stricken country.

Earlier, a mass wedding event was held in northern Sari Pul province, where 100 couples got married.

The Afghan caretaker government has repeatedly called on people to prevent irrational marriage customs and avoid wasting money on wedding ceremonies. 
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Buffalo man was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a mail carrier Monday morning on the East Side, according to Buffalo police.

Police responded to the 400 block of Doat Street around 10:45 a.m. to reports of an alleged assault. A suspect had yelled at, shoved, and struck a USPS mail carrier, witnesses said. He then fled the scene. Witnesses gave a description of the vehicle that fled.

37-year-old Kenneth Livingston was apprehended without incident. He was charged with one count of second-degree harassment.

Latest Local News

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Buffalo man was indicted on charges after allegedly selling fentanyl that resulted in two deaths in February 2023, the United States Attorneys Office announced Tuesday.

Rashaun Crule, 30, was charged with narcotics conspiracy and distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison to a maximum of life.

Officials said Crule gave fentanyl to two people in Amherst. The victims thought they were buying cocaine, but authorities said Crule delivered them a bag of pure fentanyl.

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The victims ingested the fentanyl, immediately overdosed and then died as a result, the attorneys office said. Their bodies were not found for several days.

Authorities searched Crules phone and found that he deleted all of the messages between himself and one of the victims. About five months after their deaths, officials said Crule joked in a text message with another person about the strength of the fentanyl he was selling. He allegedly responded with laughing emojis to a message that suggested his fentanyl was strong enough to cause overdoses.

Crule was on probation at the time for a 2022 felony drug conviction in Erie County.

Latest Local News

Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Two children reported missing Tuesday who were believed to be with their mother have since been located, Buffalo police say.

Karlie Leonard, 5, and Raymond Leonard, 9, were initially last seen in the area of Connelly and Olympic Avenues.

Karlie is approximately 4-feet, 57 lbs. She was last seen wearing a red coat with black fur and black Adidas pants with pink lines on the sides. Raymond is around 5-feet, 97 lbs., and was last seen wearing an all black outfit and braids in his hair.

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It is suspected that the two were with their mother, Destiny Goodwin, when they went missing. She is approximately 5-feet-5 and 150 lbs. She has a tattoo on her forehead and pink and white hair.

Destiny Goodwin {Courtesy: Buffalo police}

Buffalo police gave the update Thursday evening and thanked the public for spreading the word.

Latest Local News

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Debbie Thomas (inset) was a resident of Centerville Specialty Care in Appanoose County prior to her death in 2023. (Main photo courtesy of Appanoose County assessor; inset photo courtesy of the Thomas family)

One of Iowas largest nursing home operators is facing the 10th wrongful death lawsuit filed against the company this year.

Recently, the family of the late Debbie Thomas sued Care Initiatives of West Des Moines and the Appanoose County nursing home the company operates, Centerville Specialty Care, in state court. The family is seeking unspecified damages for professional negligence, wrongful death and dependent adult abuse.

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Care Initiatives, which doesnt comment on pending litigation, has yet to file a response to the lawsuit. So far this year, at least 10 wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against company, which operates 43 Iowa nursing homes as well as several assisted living centers and hospice locations. In each of the lawsuits, Care Initiatives has denied any wrongdoing. Roughly 2,800 elderly or disabled Iowans receive care from one of the companys facilities.

In August, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported Care Initiatives was facing at least 10 then-active lawsuits, some of which were filed in 2023, alleging negligence or wrongful death. Some of those cases have since been resolved, but additional cases have been filed in the past three months.

One of the new cases involves Thomas, an Appanoose County woman who had sustained brain damage at birth in 1958. As an adult, Thomas could read, write and socialize with others and lived an active adult life, according to court records.

State inspection reports indicate that on Dec. 19, 2022, at the age of 64, Thomas was admitted to Centerville Specialty Care for rehabilitation after a brief hospital stay. According to the recently filed lawsuit, Thomas was joined by family members for dinner at the care facility two days after her admission, at which point the relatives found second-degree burns covering Thomas legs.

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The family alleges Thomas bed had been pushed against a wall near a heating element. According to the lawsuit, the staff at Centerville Specialty Care was unaware of the burns until the family discovered them.

The next day, relatives returned to the home and allegedly discovered Thomas had developed a bed sore that the homes staff characterized as minor  although, the lawsuit claims, the staff refused to say whether the wound was infected.

By Jan. 7, Thomas was allegedly diagnosed as malnourished and dehydrated, and on Jan. 27, the staff allegedly found that her blood pressure had dropped to an extremely low level. On Jan. 29, staff at the home called Thomas family to inform them Thomas was in a state of decline and was dying, according to the lawsuit.

Nobody at Centerville Specialty Care called a doctor or an ambulance for Debbie until (her sister) demanded they do so, the lawsuit claims.

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Thomas was rushed to the emergency room at MercyOne-Centerville, where the medical staff allegedly concluded she was severely dehydrated, had a urinary tract infection, her kidneys were failing, and she had potassium levels so low they could trigger a heart attack. According to the lawsuit, doctors then showed the family a bed sore Thomas had sustained and which measured roughly 4 inches across.

Thomas died on Feb. 1, 2023. State records indicate the cause of death was sepsis  an often-deadly infection  that resulted from a bed sore.

Five days later, the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing initiated an investigation at the Centerville home in response to seven complaints. Four of the complaints were substantiated, according to DIAL records.

The inspectors reported that the hospitals emergency room physician said that when Thomas arrived there from Centerville Specialty Care, she was in serious pain and was admitted in critical condition with a deep, open, grapefruit sized bed sore that had become infected. The physician allegedly described Thomas hair as matted, very dirty and unkempt when she arrived in the ER.

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State inspectors also reported that the physician questioned the accuracy of the nursing homes claim that Thomas had been up and about and eating breakfast just hours before her admission to the ER.

The state proposed a $9,750 state fine that was then held in suspension while the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services considered a federal fine. CMS records indicate the agency eventually imposed a fine of $56,750 against the Centerville home.

Care Initiatives home cited for dental care

A Marshalltown nursing home operated by Care Initiatives is accused of repeatedly failing to provide emergency treatment for a resident with grossly decayed teeth.

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According to state inspectors, Southridge Specialty Care of Marshalltown failed over several months to thoroughly assess and follow through on physician-ordered interventions for a female residents grossly decayed and non-restorable teeth.

According to inspectors, the woman reported mouth pain to the Southridge staff from July through October, during which time she lost one tooth and other teeth broke, cutting her tongue.

In early September, a dentist allegedly gave the Southridge staff instructions to send the woman to the University of Iowa Hospitals emergency room to be evaluated by an oral surgeon for severe pain. According to inspectors, the dentist later complained that nobody took her to the ER.

On Oct. 23, the woman was seen again by the dentist who, according to inspectors, observed the womans teeth had worsened. He referred her to go to the university hospital but no one set up the appointment, inspectors later wrote in their report.

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The inspectors report indicates University of Iowa Hospitals told the womans care providers the soonest they could schedule an appointment for the woman was Jan. 16, 2025, and the emergency room referrals were an attempt to provide immediate care.

On Oct. 29, the woman reportedly met with state inspectors and told them she was still experiencing severe pain and the decayed teeth had yet to be pulled. She allegedly stated that she didnt know if she could wait a few months to have her teeth removed because it hurt a lot and she couldnt eat or drink.

A proposed $5,500 state fine has been held in suspension for consideration of a federal fine.
POLAND, Ohio (WKBN)  There might be some changes to busing for Poland families.

The district is facing a driver shortage, so adjustments to schedules might need to be made.

In a Facebook post, Poland Local Schools says the transportation department will communicate route changes on the Stopfinder app.

Poland Schools is also looking for bus drivers. If youre interested, contact the Transportation Department for more information.

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GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCBD)  Businesses are starting to open in the new Uptown development at Carnes Crossroads.

Ribbon-cuttings were held Monday for a Starbucks and Mai Poke, a Hawaiian-themed restaurant, in the up-and-coming Goose Creek community.

Carnes Crossings  its been a long time coming. Starbucks has continued to evolve, and were truly looking for ways to be involved in the community, said Johnny Davis, district manager for Starbucks. Coffee is the first thing thats on peoples minds in the morning, and for us to be able to be in this community as its growing. Were here to serve the community with a simple cup of coffee but just also how much were involved in the community.

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The coffee shop is located on Highway 17-A next to the $50 million Uptown development.

Its always huge for us, for any business, to want to invest in our community, said Goose Creek councilwoman Melissa Enos-Sims.

Newly opened Mai Poke offers Hawaiian dishes similar to a deconstructed sushi roll. We have Acai bowls, freshest ingredients, organic, said Britney Stapleton, Vice President of Operations for Mai Poke.

There are a number of small businesses, even a rooftop bar, that will be opening soon in Uptown Goose Creek. The community will have roughly 100,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space.

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We wanted to come here in Uptown because its an up-and-coming growing area. Theres a lot of residential and a lot of families. A lot of other businesses. People need to eat good healthy food, and feel good about it, said Stapleton.

Goose Creek city leaders say a First Watch and an Eggs Up Grill will be opening in the future.

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Some recent house fires in Butler County required multiple crews and were, at times, dangerous for them to fight. The Butler County Fire Chiefs Association is looking for vacant properties to help them prepare for similar situations.

The organization is looking for abandoned, unfurnished buildings donated by property owners that are structurally sound and marked for demolition. Earlier this year, several departments took part in four days of live fire training on the campus of VA Butler Healthcare in a structure that was demolished after the training wrapped up.

Its a three-story hospital facility with multiple offices, rooms and whatnot, said Sean Sokolowski, a firefighter for the City of Butler.

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While the Butler County Fire Chiefs Association did not set up that particular live fire training, firefighters said any similar training opportunity, whether its a vacant single-family home, apartment building, or commercial property, is valuable for many reasons.

No two occupancies are the same. Your house isnt the same as your neighbors, Sokolowski said.

That includes how a fire reacts in a real structure vs. a blocked building.

The smoke conditions inside of a blocked building after the building gets hot  it burns the smoke away, so you can see quite well like you would in the movies, where a normal house or building  all those furnishings are combustible and add to the heat and smoke properties, Sokolowski said.

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Firefighters said donating a piece of property can benefit the owners but point out there are some restrictions.

It reduces their demolition cost because they dont have as much to clean up at this point, but if it hits hot for asbestos  asbestos remediation is incredibly expensive, so it has to be cost-effective for us to be able to remediate that, Sokolowski said.

For more information, you can message the Butler County Fire Chiefs Associations Facebook page.

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While it might seem as though gen AI tools such as ChatGPT have been around forever, the reality is that the aforementioned platform only burst onto the scene two years ago.

Fast-forward to now, and the vast majority of workers are using AI in some form in their everyday work.

In fact, according to the most recent Slack Workforce Index, workplace adoption of AI tools accelerated by 24 percent between September 2023 and January 2024.

Five jobs hiring across the US

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Of those who have incorporated AI into their daily work practices, 80 percent admit AI tools improve their productivity.

Similarly, research conducted by GitHub found that developers who started using its AI Copilot tools could complete tasks 55 percent faster.

The vast majority (96 percent) said they were faster and therefore could get through more work, 88 percent felt they were more productive, 59 percent found coding less frustrating, 87 percent found repetitive tasks less mentally taxing, and 74 percent had more time to focus on more rewarding tasks.

Heads will roll

The flip side to this argument is that workers are under increasing pressure to complete their daily or weekly tasks on time and at an extremely high level; expectations have shifted around how much work needs to get done.

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Thanks to intense restructuring across the tech sector over the past two years411,952 tech workers have lost their jobs since the beginning of 2023entire departments have been wiped out in some cases.

The employees who are left behind (and once enjoyed the pace of being part of a team that consisted of multiple people with the same job title) are now trying to justify their existence by upping the ante.

As a result, many knowledge workers resort to BYOAI, aka bring your own AI to work.

We all have tasks to complete that arent part of our job description but are necessary to keep things running smoothly. Its the work of work, says Christina Janzer, the senior vice president of research and analytics at Slack and head of Slacks Workforce Lab.

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But if the average desk worker is spending two full days each week on this work of work, thats a problem  and an opportunity. In this pivotal moment, implementing AI and automation tools that are trusted, intuitive and embedded in the flow of work is key to recalibrating energy at work toward the activities that will move the needle.

Looking to the future

A recent Thomson Reuters report, Future of Professionals, found that knowledge workers will save as many as 12 hours per week by 2030 by using assistive AI tools.

But how can you balance efficiency, output, and high-value work if your employer has their head buried in the sand, or worse yet, theyve prohibited you from using some of the most common tools available?

After all, Verizon, Citigroup, and Deutsche Bank have all banned ChatGPT usage due to concerns about data privacy. Elon Musk has warned that he will forbid using Apple devices at his companies if ChatGPT is installed onto iPhones as standard.

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Unsure of the extent to which AI will transform the workplace, some leaders are hesitant to shift their approach toward AI, says Aytekin Tank, CEO and founder of Jotform, an online form builder.

You might remember when Snapchat first took social media by storm. Some businesses waited to see whether it was sticky enough. Ultimately, we discovered the answer was yes, concerning a specific demographic.

AI, however, isnt just a social media platform, and its not just impacting a limited demographic. Its overhauling how work is done and requires more than just training sessions. It requires adopting a systems thinking way of looking at your daily tasks. Within organizations, that kind of fundamental shift must come from the top-down.

And if you feel the company you work for isnt progressive in its approach, it could be time to consider your options elsewhere. Before youand theyget left behind.

Looking for your next opportunity? Visit the Interesting Engineering Job Board today to browse thousands of roles
Californians have voted against increasing the state's minimum wage, despite raising that of fast food workers to $20 per hour with Assembly Bill 1228 in 2023. Of 31 minimum wage ballot initiatives since 1996, California's Proposition 32 is only the third to fail.

Proposition 32 would have raised the state's current $16 per hour minimum wage to $18 per hour for businesses employing more than 25 employees in 2025 and for those employing 25 or fewer in 2026.

One of the unintended consequences of such a staggered minimum wage increase is fewer job openings as firms would wait to employ their 26th employee. Under such a plan, the marginal cost of the 26th worker is $141,440 per year: the sum of one full-time worker paid $18 per hour plus 25 full-time workers paid $2 more per hour. Unless the marginal product of that twenty-sixth worker defies the law of diminishing marginal returns, the 25-person business delays expansion, producing less than it otherwise would. Californians' rejection of Proposition 32 averts this distortion.

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Alaska has adopted Measure 1, which raises the state's current $11.73 per hour minimum wage to $13 per hour in 2025, $14 per hour in 2026, and $15 per hour in 2027. The measure also requires businesses with fewer than 15 employees to provide 40 hours of paid sick leave. Firms with more than 15 employees must provide 56 hours of paid sick leave. This fringe benefit increases the effective minimum wage by an additional 50 cents per hour, according to Geoffrey Lawrence, research director at Reason Foundation, the nonprofit that publishes this magazine.

With Proposition A, Missouri will raise its minimum wage from $12.30 per hour to $13.75 per hour in 2025, reaching $15 per hour in 2026. The proposition also requires businesses with 15 or fewer employees to provide their workers with 40 hours of paid sick leave, while those with more than 15 employees will be mandated to offer 56 hours of paid sick leave. Like Alaska, this in-kind benefit translates to an additional 50 cents per hour, according to Lawrence.

A minimum wage is only effective if the floor it sets on the price of labor is above that paid to employees. In Alaska in 2023, mean wages for food preparation and retail workers were $17.48 and $17.47, respectively. This is more than $2 per hour greater than the minimum wage set by Measure 1. In Missouri, it's the same story: The average hourly wage for food preparation and retail workers was $15.92 and $17.17 in 2023, respectively, both higher than the minimum wage set for 2026.

Few full-time workers are paid minimum wage and will not have their income directly impacted by Alaska's and Missouri's ballot initiatives. However, 3 percent of employed teenagers are paid minimum wage, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Increasing the minimum wage disproportionately affects such entry-level workers, many of whom will have their hours reduced or lose their jobs entirely.

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A knock-on effect impacts workers whose salaries are pegged to the minimum wage: Those who retain their jobs will enjoy higher incomes, but increasing the cost of labor will decrease employment opportunities and increase the price borne by the consumer.

California's refusal to increase the minimum wage, alongside its rejection of Proposition 33, which would have repealed bans on local rent control policies, is a victory for sound economic policy in the Golden State. Alaska and Missouri should have followed suit.

The post California Bucks Alaska and Missouri by Rejecting Minimum Wage Ballot Initiative appeared first on Reason.com.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A California couple who lost their son to suicide traveled across the country to pass on his bike to a central Arkansas boy who lost his dad the same way.

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COLOMBO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a proposal to import 70,000 metric tons of rice as a short-term solution to address the current rice shortages, a minister said on Wednesday.

Wasantha Samarasinghe, minister of trade, commerce, food security and cooperative development, told the media that the rice will be imported through two state-owned trading companies, Lanka Sathosa and Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation.

Sri Lanka has seen rice shortages for the past few weeks.

Rice is the staple food of Sri Lanka and its citizens consume about 200,000 metric tons of rice monthly, the minister said. 
LOS ANGELES  Erik and Lyle Menendezs bid for freedom hit another possible roadblock this week as California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he will not review their clemency request until after the incoming Los Angeles County district attorney makes a resentencing recommendation.

Nathan Hochman is set to take office Dec. 2 after his win this month over District Attorney George Gascon, who has supported resentencing the Menendezes and urged clemency. Hochman has said he will review the case himself before he makes any decisions.

Newsom respects the role of the district attorney in ensuring justice is served and recognizes that voters have entrusted District Attorney-elect Hochman to carry out this responsibility, a spokesman said.

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Erik and Lyle Menendez are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Mary Louise Kitty Menendez. Their case has been thrust back into the public spotlight after recent documentaries and a Netflix series that dramatizes the murders and highlights the brothers accounts that they acted in self-defense after years of physical and sexual abuse by their father.

Gascon recommended this fall that the brothers be resentenced to 50 years to life in prison, citing good behavior during their 35 years behind bars. If a judge agrees, they would be immediately eligible for parole and could be released. A hearing is scheduled before a judge on Dec. 11

Nathan Hochman in Los Angeles on Oct. 10.

But Hochman, the incoming DA, said he needs to review the case, including transcripts from two trials and prison disciplinary records, before he makes a recommendation. He could ask a judge for a delay.

Hochman questioned the role politics may have played in Gascon's decision to support resentencing.

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Was it a just decision or was it just a political ploy? Hochman asked NBC News. Thats why I have to do this thorough review of the facts and the law to make sure that theres no credibility problems with my decision.

Gascon has denied that his re-election bid played any role in his support for resentencing.

High-profile names, including Kim Kardashian, are among those who have called for the brothers release, citing a cultural shift in how society views sexual abuse allegations and victims. Several of the brothers relatives are also asking that they be set free.

We will look at all the facts of the underlying crimes and what created those crimes, Hochman said. But as far as whether or not theres a cultural shift or not, thats in some ways irrelevant for whether or not the facts in the law in the Menendez case justify a resentencing and, if so, what that resentencing should be.

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The brothers have asked the court to weigh a piece of potential evidence centered on the sex abuse allegations to challenge their convictions  a letter Erik said he wrote to his cousin about the alleged abuse decades ago.

Juan Mejia, who is now a head deputy for the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office but was a prosecutor on the brothers second murder trial, said there are questions about that potential linchpin evidence, as one of the brothers attorneys described it.

Are they trying to pull another fast one on the court? Mejia asked.

But many do believe the brothers.

Last week, Gascon filed more than 600 pages of documents supporting resentencing, including several letters from prison employees and correctional officers who describe the brothers as rehabilitated model prisoners who deserve second chances.

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If Hochman were to make a different recommendation, he could introduce additional material ahead of the hearing next month, but ultimately the decision will be made by a judge, followed by the parole board and then, if he ultimately chooses to weigh in, Newsom.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
As long-serving members of the California Air Resources Board, we have prioritized environmental justice and community health, championing efforts to combat climate change. However, we believe state policies must thoughtfully address the consequences for communities least able to bear the associated costs.

This concern applies to CARBs newly adopted amendments to accelerate the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, or LCFS, which we opposed. The fuel standard program, established in 2011, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by capping the carbon intensity of fuels. The current program mandates a 20% reduction in fuel carbon intensity by 2030. The proposed amendments push this to a 30% cut by 2030 and 90% by 2045.

Read more: Why some people think California's cow manure methane plan stinks

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Faster implementation, however, risks increasing gasoline prices  a significant burden on low-income communities already struggling with costs. This issue has attracted attention from the media, legislators and the public. Beyond financial concerns, the LCFS has had another, less-publicized consequence: a dramatic transformation of Californias dairy industry.

Over the past decade, many dairies have shifted their priorities driven by LCFS incentives, with troubling public health consequences.

Californias dairy industry has historically focused on milk production, but today, many dairies are producing renewable natural gas by capturing methane from manure. The LCFS propels this trend through Californias carbon credit system, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under this program, entities earn and sell credits for cutting emissions, and dairies profit by converting methane into renewable natural gas. However, the system rewards larger-scale manure production, as more methane generates more credits and profits. This creates a perverse incentive, prioritizing pollution-heavy practices over sustainable, low-impact solutions.

Read more: Gas prices could rise after vote by California regulators

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Capturing methane, a greenhouse gas over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term, is vital for combating climate change. Yet, the methods to achieve reductions matter. The new amendments inadvertently incentivize the growth of mega-dairies now disproportionately concentrated in the Central Valley, where land is cheaper than other parts of the state  a region already grappling with environmental and health challenges.

As mega-dairies expand, their impacts on local communities worsen. According to comments from the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, a climate, health and equity organization working in the Central Valley, these facilities exacerbate air pollution, groundwater depletion and nitrate contamination, disproportionately affecting low-income Latino communities.

The promise of renewable natural gas as a bridge fuel is fundamentally flawed. Instead of transitioning toward sustainable decarbonization, the LCFS now encourages the expansion of large-scale dairies to maximize methane generation. Dairies are rewarded not for reducing methane emissions but for capturing what they generate, perpetuating pollution-heavy practices. More waste generated means more profit.

Read more: Column: From the state Assembly to the California Air Resources Board, Hector De La Torre makes his mark

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While capturing methane contributes to Californias greenhouse gas reduction goals, the collateral damage is undeniable. Mega-dairies are among the largest ammonia emitters, contributing to fine particulate matter pollution that causes respiratory illnesses and premature death. The Central Valley, already burdened with some of the worst air quality in the nation, cannot withstand additional harm. Moreover, nitrate runoff from manure continues to contaminate drinking water, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged communities reliant on domestic wells.

Accelerating LCFS mandates will only hasten the expansion of mega-dairies.

CARB has already undermined efforts to regulate livestock methane emissions. While we successfully pushed for regulations to begin by 2028, a last-minute change allowed mega-dairies to continue to profit from avoided methane credits based on flawed assumptions, encouraging herd consolidation and pollution-heavy liquid manure systems. Sustainable alternatives, such as dry handling or pasture-based systems, which generate far fewer pollutants, remain unsupported. For these reasons, we were on the losing side of a 12-2 vote by the board on the LCFS amendment.

Read more: Human activity now fuels two-thirds of global methane emissions, report finds

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Methane is an immediate climate threat, and failure to address it would be catastrophic. However, ignoring the long-term environmental and social costs of factory-farm gas development prioritizes short-term climate gains over public health and equity. Our climate solutions must not come at the expense of environmental justice.

The LCFS program could be improved by capping the size and number of dairy operations eligible for methane incentives. Without such limits, we risk entrenching an industry whose environmental harms outweigh its climate benefits.

Additionally, CARB must prioritize sustainable methane reduction alternatives, including practices that reduce pollution at the source rather than perpetuating harmful systems. Setting these limits would create a fairer and more effective framework for addressing emissions while protecting vulnerable communities.

Fighting climate change is not just about dairies. It is about choosing a path that doesnt result in more harm to vulnerable communities. For the sake of our air, water, and public health, we must ensure our solutions work for everyone, not just for those who profit from pollution.

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Dean Florez, a member of the California Air Resources Board, is a former California Senate majority leader. Diane Takvorian, a member of the California Air Resources Board, is the co-founder and former executive director of the Environmental Health Coalition in San Diego/Tijuana.



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Voters in California have narrowly rejected a ballot measure that would have gradually increased the minimum wage in the state to $18 an hour, NBC News projected Wednesday.

Its the first time a ballot measure proposing to raise a statewide minimum wage has failed nationwide since 1996.

The California measure, listed as Proposition 32 on the ballot, proposed bumping the minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2026, which would have made it the highest in the U.S.

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With 92% of the vote counted, the no vote had the support of 50.8% of voters, while the yes vote had 49.2%.

Supporters of the measure said it would have benefited workers, while opponents argued that passing it would have increased costs for employers, which would most likely have prompted them to fire employees.

The California Chamber of Commerce, which opposed the measure, lauded its defeat.

CalChamber opposed Prop. 32 because it would have resulted in higher costs for small business employers and consumers, CEO Jennifer Barrera said in a statement. With the economy and costs top of mind for many voters this election, that message appears to have resonated.

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Californias current state minimum wage for most workers is $16 an hour, though under a law signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom that went into effect in March, the minimum wage for many fast-food workers is $20 an hour.

Another law signed by Newsom increased the minimum wage in the state for many health care workers to $25 an hour starting last month.

Californias $16 minimum wage is already among the highest in the country. Some cities in New York also have minimum wages of $16 an hour, while Washington states minimum wage is $16.28 an hour. Hawaiis minimum wage is set to gradually increase to $18 an hour in 2028 under a law passed in 2022.

The defeat is the first time in 28 years that a ballot measure to increase a state minimum wage was defeated. According to Ballotpedia, which tracks the outcomes of statewide ballot measures, voters had passed all 26 measures to increase state minimum wages that appeared on statewide ballots since 1996, when voters in Missouri and Montana rejected increases.

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Meanwhile, ballot measures in two other states to increase the minimum wage overwhelmingly passed this month.

Voters in Alaska and Missouri approved measures to gradually raise their state minimum wages to $15 an hour by 2026, according to NBC News projections, with increases after that attached to economic data. Both measures won by 16-point margins.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The defeat of an initiative to raise the minimum wage to $18 an hour makes California the first state to reject a statewide minimum-wage increase at the ballot in almost 30 years, an outcome likely to reverberate across organized labor nationally.

Sponsored by entrepreneur and anti-poverty advocate Joseph Sanberg, the fight over Proposition 32 received less attention than other recent minimum-wage initiatives that have become contentious conflicts between business and organized labor.

Jot Condie, the president and CEO of the California Restaurant Association called voters rejection of Proposition 32 historic and argued it represented a rejection of laws that Condie said added to the states high cost of living.

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It is important that policymakers hear the message being sent by the voters  stop using California consumers as guinea pigs for public policy experiments that make life more expensive for everyone, Condie said.

The Yes on 32 campaign said the measure's failure still laid essential groundwork for future wage advocacy and that the fight for fair wages is far from over.

This close result shows that California workers are ready for change and wont back down, said Sanberg, the lead proponent of the measure. The fight for higher wages and economic dignity for millions of California workers doesnt end here.

Our coalition has laid a strong foundation, and we are more determined than ever to keep organizing and advancing a fair economy agenda for working families, said Jane Kim, the California Director of the Working Families Party.

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Circumstances specific to California also played a role in the measures defeat. In the past half-decade, California service unions have effectively plotted to raise minimum-wage standards by industry and location, setting a patchwork of wage floors that rendered the $18 initiative obsolete for much of the states low-paid workforce.

Sanberg spent $10 million to qualify the initiative in 2022, but only a pittance to pass it this year. He and other supporters said they were banking on the simplicity and familiarity of the policy proposal to get it over the finish line. Business interests, too, spent little to defeat the initiative.

The usual politics of raising the minimum wage was far from predictable this election. Voters in deep-blue Massachusetts rejected an initiative to raise it for service workers, while more conservative states like Missouri and Alaska appeared to approve their own statewide boost.

In California, the No on 32 campaign had already declared victory prior to the Associated Press officially calling the contest on Tuesday, citing itsadvantage in outstanding ballots.

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John Kabateck, the California State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business said voters correctly saw Prop 32 as another broadside on the ever-shrinking budgets of working-class families.

Opposition to Prop 32 united families and businesses in common cause," Kabateck said.
Do Canada's sex work laws violate its constitution? A case argued before the country's Supreme Court this month brings the question to the forefront of Canadian law.

The case is Kloubakov v. Canada. It was brought by two menMikhail Kloubakov and Hicham Moustainewho were employed as drivers for women being paid for sex. Both men were found guilty of benefiting financially from, and helping to procure, people for sexual services.

How It Got To This

In 2014, Canada adopted a controversial model of sex work regulation known as the Nordic Model (or, perversely, the "equality model"). Under this model, selling sex is itself not a crime, but paying for sex is. It's also illegal for third parties to benefit financially from sex workfor example, by running an escort agency, marketing for sex workers, or serving as a sex worker's bodyguardto advertise prostitution, or to procure someone for prostitution.

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The current Canadian lawknown as the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA)includes some provisions that allow for arresting sex workers themselves, too. For instance, communicating for the sale of sexual services in certain public places is a crime.

The 2014 law was passed in response to a 2013 case before the Canadian Supreme Court. In that caseCanada v. Bedfordthe Court struck down laws against brothel keeping, communicating in public about prostitution, and living off the proceeds of prostitution, holding that these prohibitions violated Canada's Constitutional Charter of Rights and Freedoms. "Parliament has the power to regulate against nuisances, but not at the cost of the health, safety and lives of the prostitutes," Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin wrote in her opinion.

"The prohibitionsdo not merely impose conditions on how prostitutes operate," the Court held in Bedford. "They go a critical step further, by imposing dangerous conditions on prostitution; they prevent people engaged in a riskybut legalactivity from taking steps to protect themselves from the risks."

The Canadian Parliament acted swiftly to not only recriminalize much of the activity that the Court had ruled on but also to build on these prohibitions, now criminalizing the purchase of sexual services, too.

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Since then, sex worker rights advocates have been arguing that the new laws are similarly unconstitutional.

Sex workers and their "allies spent 6 years educating and advocating for the government to uphold sex workers' Charter rights, respect the Bedford decision, and review and reform the sex work offences introduced through PCEPA, to no avail," according to the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform (CASWLR), which in 2021 sued to overturn the new laws. "In March 2021, after years of inaction from Parliament to repeal (remove) the current sex work offences, sex workers were forced to go to court to challenge these laws to have their human rights protected."

The Ontario Superior Court tossed the 2021 case, which was brought by CASWLR and a group of individual sex workers. Their appeal is still pending.

The Current Case

In arguments before the court on November 12 and 13, lawyers for Kloubakov and Moustaine argued that certain provisions of Canada's current sex work laws violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees all people a right to life, liberty, and security of person.

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Kloubakov only focuses on the two offenses that Kloubakov and Moustaine were charged withbenefiting materially from prostitution and procuring persons for sexual servicesand not on the whole package of antiprostitution laws. This has frustrated some sex-worker rights advocates, reports Emily Gwun-Shun Lennon at Canada's National Post.

"We hope that the Supreme Court will strike down these two provisions and that we will get the chance to argue before the Supreme Court that the other provisions are also unconstitutional," said Jenn Clamen, of the CASWLR.

But striking down just the two provisions at issue now could still be a benefit for sex worker safety and quality of life.

A Winnipeg sex worker named Austin told Gwun-Shun Lennon that people presume that sex workers are OK under the current laws, since selling sex is not directly illegal. But "the way that these laws actually operate, is that it criminalizes so many aspects of what it actually takes to sell sex and how that drastically impacts our safety, our security. It just infiltrates so many aspects of being a sex worker both in the actual work part but also in our personal lives."

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All things being equal, however, it would likely have been better if the CASWLR's case was the one that made it to the Supreme Court first. The current case could be a hard sell, considering its particular circumstances.

Kloubakov and Moustaine were employed by an escort business whose principles were convicted of human trafficking. Because of this, some suggest that the conviction of Kloubakov and Moustaine means the system is working.

"The facts of the Kloubakov case demonstrate why Parliament enacted the laws," wrote Debra M Haak, an assistant professor of law at Queen's University in Ontario. "They involve a sex-trafficking operation and women who were moved across the country to provide sex to men for money."

Yet the existence of those human trafficking convictions shows us there are ways to punish those engaged in exploitative or threatening activity without employing the laws against benefiting financially from or procuring someone for sexual services. And if Kloubakov and Moustaine were directly or knowingly involved in violence or exploitation, it seems they could have been charged under Canada's trafficking in persons law, too. Among other things it criminalizes transporting a person for the purposes of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation by someone else.

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The fact that Kloubakov and Moustaine weren't convicted under the trafficking statute suggests there is a qualitative difference between what they did (benefiting/procuring) and offenses that could be considered trafficking. And this bolsters the case for not treating one as synonymous with the other.

In any event, the fact that Kloubakov and Moustaine may have worked for an exploitative enterprise doesn't mean that anyone who benefits from or procures someone for prostitution is committing harm. For a variety of reasons, sex workers may willingly employ third parties, such as drivers, or choose to work for someone that takes a cut of their earnings in exchange for services such as finding and vetting clients, arranging dates, or providing security.

As it stands, Canadian sex workers who wish to employ third parties for any reason are forced to work in a black market, with all the extra risk that entrails. In fact, Canadian sex workers in general are forced to work in a black market, since their clients are criminalized and so is communications about their services.

Far from giving a license to violence and exploitation, striking down the PCEPA laws would free sex workers to work in ways that could be safer and more profitable, while robbing those engaged in bad deeds of the power they derive from criminalization.

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The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association is one of the groups that intervened on the side of the plaintiffs, meaning it, too, wants to see the regulations struck down. "By criminalizing sex work and limiting sex workers to non-profit work associations (an unrealistic hypothetical), [the current law] restricts sex workers from assessing and addressing their protected safety needs," the group argued in July. It "confronts sex workers with an untenable choice: work alone, placing themselves in materially dangerous conditions, or risk criminalization by choosing to work with others for their own safety and wellbeing."

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DOJ Wants to Force Google to Give Up Chrome: The U.S. Department of Justice is proposing the forced breakup of Google as a remedy for the antitrust caseUnited States v. Google LLC, one of two antitrust cases against Googlethat was decided in August. Specifically, the DOJ would force Google to sell off its web browser, Google Chrome. Here's what some antitrust experts are saying:

"The DOJ's proposed remedies would severely harm America's small business owners, who leverage Google's secure, cost-effective integrated tools to run and grow their businesses," said Connected Commerce Council (3C) Executive Director Rob Retzlaff. "Radically altering the way these tools operate and integrate will create significant disruptions for small businessesand claiming otherwise is disingenuous. Rather than 'remedying' anything, these extreme measures would be a massive blunder that punishes the hard-working entrepreneurs who keep America's economy and communities thriving."

"In his liability finding in the Google search case, Judge Mehta made it clear that he recognized the efficiencies and welfare benefits that flow from the integrated nature of Google's platform. Mandating a 'break-up' that would require Google to sell of key elements of its integrated platform, such as the Chrome browser, would destroy key integrative efficiencies and reduce welfare," commented Alden Abbott, former Federal Trade Commission General Counsel and a current research fellow at the Mercatus Center. Reassuringly, Abbott finds it "highly unlikely that Judge Mehta would endorse such a harmful 'remedy.'"

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And that's provided the incoming Trump administration continues on the Biden administration's path. "Though the forced sale of Chrome would be a dramatic turn of events for Google, the incoming administration is likely going to upend many of the DOJ's current plans, perhaps including its prosecutorial strategy in this case," said Damian Rollison, SOCi's director of market insights.

"Despite the market dominance of Chrome, it's fair to say that a strike against Google's browser hits the company at one of its weaker points; plenty of reasonable alternatives exist, from Safari to Firefox to Brave, DuckDuckGo, and even Microsoft's revamped Edge," added Rollison. "All of these would likely benefit from a market where Chrome is no longer propped up by membership in the Google family."

Rollison's comment gets at one of the more irritating elements of the Biden administration's antitrust enforcement theory: the idea that it's meant to prop up competitors to popular products.

People have plenty of browser options, as Rollison points out. If they use Chrome, it's because they either prefer it to the others or, at least, find it sufficient enough as a default not to warrant changing it. Consumers are not being bilked, defrauded, or harmed; the federal government's role here is simply stepping in and saying that Chrome competitors deserve a leg up.

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Google has until December 20 to counter the DOJ's desired remedies with its own proposal.

No, Brendan Carr Is Not a "Free Speech Warrior": Reason's Jacob Sullum runs down the ways in which Brendan Carr, Trump's pick to run the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is a big-government promoting, First Amendmentdisrespecting mess of a choice, contra Trump's claims that he's "a warrior for Free Speech."

Carr's agenda for "reining in Big Tech," as described in the chapter that he contributed to the Heritage Foundation's 2025 Mandate for Leadership, includes new FCC rules aimed at restricting the liability protection offered by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Carr also supports regulations that would "impose transparency rules on Big Tech" and legislation that "scraps Section 230's current approach." He favors "reforms that prohibit discrimination against core political viewpoints," which he says "would track the approach taken in a social media law passed in Texas." That law, which says social media platforms may not "censor" content based on "viewpoint," was the focus of NetChoice v. Paxton, a case that the U.S. Supreme Court decided in February along with Moody v. NetChoice, which involved a similar Florida law. In both cases, the Court unanimously vacated appeals court decisions (upholding the Texas law and blocking provisions of Florida's law, respectively), saying they did not properly apply the First Amendment.

NetChoice sues over social media "addiction" act: California's Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act is "the latest in a string of misguided attempts by California lawmakers to regulate online speech 'for the children,'" writes Techdirt's Mike Masnick. "And like its predecessors, it is destined to fail a court challenge on First Amendment grounds." Now, the tech trade group NetChoice has "stepped up and sued to block this law from going into effect," notes Masnick. From the group's complaint:

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California is again attempting to unconstitutionally regulate minors' access to protected online speechimpairing adults' access along the way. The restrictions imposed by California Senate Bill 976 ("Act" or "SB976") violate bedrock principles of constitutional law and precedent from across the nation. As the United States Supreme Court has repeatedly held, "minors are entitled to a significant measure of First Amendment protection."And the government may not impede adults' access to speech in its efforts to regulate what it deems acceptable for minors.These principles apply with equal force online: Governments cannot "regulate ['social media'] free of the First Amendment's restraints."

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(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government is facing more trouble as one of his cabinet ministers was forced to step aside amid scrutiny over his business dealings.

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Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault left his post Wednesday after reports that he remained involved in a business while in cabinet and that the company claimed it was Indigenous-owned while bidding on federal contracts. Hes facing an ethics investigation over his ties to that company, which supplied gloves to the national agency that runs elections.

Its another blow to Trudeau, who rose to power in 2015 by pledging a cleaner approach to politics but has been damaged by a number of scandals, including the accusation that he twisted his attorney-generals arm to help an engineering firm that was embroiled in a criminal investigation.

Boissonnault joins six other ministers since July who have either left cabinet or made clear their decision not to run in the next election. Trudeau is planning a cabinet shuffle, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News last month.

Trudeaus minority Liberal government is struggling in national opinion polls against rival Pierre Poilievres Conservative Party. The prime minister has faced calls from some members of his caucus to step aside as leader before an election thats due to take place by October 2025.

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The Prime Ministers Office said in a statement that Boissonnault will focus on clearing the allegations made against him, without elaborating.

Boissonnault has said his adoptive great-grandmother was Cree, and previously identified himself as non-status adopted Cree. He apologized last week for not being clear in his statements about Indigenous heritage. He has said he didnt continue to work for the medical-supply company while in cabinet.

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LILONGWE, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Global Fund has applauded Malawi for being resilient in the wake of climatic disasters and disease outbreaks in the past few years, and for the gains that the country has made in fighting malaria, AIDS and tuberculosis (TB).

Roslyn Morauta, the chair of the Global Fund Board, noted the success Tuesday at the opening of the organization's 52nd board meeting hosted by Malawi, in Lilongwe, the Malawian capital, under the theme "Stop at Nothing: Uniting to Build a Healthier, Safer, Equitable Future."

Malawi has shown "unwavering determination and remarkable success" in fighting infectious diseases and building resilient health and community systems, despite the onslaught of climate change, she said.

Morauta said the southern African country stopped at nothing to fight back when tropical cyclones Ana and Gombe, and Freddy hit parts of the country in 2022 and 2023, respectively, damaging dozens of health facilities and spiking malaria cases.

Malawi managed to build resilient health systems, investing in strong laboratory surveillance and developing robust electronic medical record systems in the aftermath of the climatic disasters, she said.

The success that Malawi has registered testifies to the benefits of prioritizing health investments, resulting from the "strong leadership and the tireless work of the civil society and effective communities," Morauta said.

"Malawi has made remarkable progress in controlling the HIV, TB and malaria epidemic in recent years, contributing to the improvement of overall life expectancy at birth from 44.7 years in 2000 to 62.5 years in 2021," she said. "That is, really, worth celebrating."

Jean Kaseya, the director general for the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, echoed Morauta's praises for Malawi and commended President Lazarus Chakwera for his leading role in successfully fighting the cholera outbreak in 2023.

"I am here to celebrate the successful leadership that you are bringing to this continent," Kaseya told the Malawian leader who presided over the opening of the board meeting.

"When Chakwera launched the 'End Cholera' campaign, he took the lead not only in Malawi; not only in southern Africa; but in all the African continent, and the lesson from Malawi led the response in so many African countries," Kaseya added.

In his keynote address, Chakwera said Malawi would not have achieved what it has without the support of the Global Fund, a private-public partnership. He said that with support from the Global Fund, his government has managed to expand access to health facilities by constructing new health posts, infectious disease wards, and renovations across the country.

The Global Fund has been Malawi's partner since 2003, with cumulative investments of over 2.8 billion U.S. dollars to date, according to Morauta.

The two-day Global Fund board meeting, which ends Wednesday, has drawn over 300 delegates, including health ministers and representatives of the United Nations and other international organizations from across the globe. 
TORONTO (AP)  The leader of Canada's most populous province said Wednesday that all of the country's provincial and territorial governments want Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's federal government to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States that excludes Mexico.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford chaired a phone call with all 13 provincial and territorial premiers and said they want Trudeau to do a straight bilateral trade deal with the U.S., Canada's top trading partner.

The meeting and Ford's comments come as provincial and federal governments in Canada prepare for the uncertainty of another Donald Trump presidency.

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"Theres a clear consensus that everyone agrees that we need a bilateral trade deal with the U.S. and a separate bilateral trade deal with Mexico, Ford told reporters in Toronto after the call with provincial leaders.

We know Mexicos is bringing in cheap Chinese parts, slapping made in Mexico stickers on, and shipping it up through the U.S. and Canada, causing American jobs to be lost and Canadian jobs. We want fair trade," he said.

Ford said they've asked for a meeting with Trudeau's government to discuss the issue.

Asked about the issue at her morning press briefing. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that Trudeau does not agree with that and that he wants to maintain the treaty between the three countries and strengthen relations.

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She said that during the bilateral meeting they held during the G20 summit, Mexico proposed drafting a document with concrete data on how the treaty benefits each of the three countries because there is a misconception that it only benefits Mexico or Canada.

But Trudeau's federal government did not rule out sidelining Mexico in future trade talks on Tuesday. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said she shares U.S. concerns about Mexico serving as a back door for China to import cheaper goods into the North American market as a review of the trade pact known as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement looms.

Freeland said members of the outgoing administration of U.S. President Joe Biden and supporters and advisers of President-elect Trump have expressed very grave concerns to her about the issue and Canada shares them.

Freeland chairs a special Cabinet committee on U.S-Canada relations that is designed to address concerns about another Trump presidency. Freeland has been meeting with provincial, business and labor leaders throughout Canada.

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Canada took a Team Canada approach to the previous trade talks with Trump. It crossed all party lines.

Trudeau called Trump after his election win and the two discussed the trade deal Trump reached during his first term with Canada and Mexico, the USMCA, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA.

Ottawa will soon have to focus on a scheduled review of the agreement in 2026.

During the recent U.S. election campaign, Trump proposed tariffs of 10% to 20% on foreign goods  and in some speeches has mentioned even higher percentages. Trump has not said whether his administration would exempt Canada.

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During Trumps first term, his move to renegotiate NAFTA and reports that he was considering a 25% tariff on the auto sector were considered an existential threat in Canada at the time.

Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and 75% of Canadas exports, which include automobiles, go to the U.S.

Ford said the leaders of provinces and territories will meet in Toronto in person in mid-December regarding their U.S. trade concerns. He also noted there is a U.S. governors meeting in February that he said they'd like to attend.

Later Wednesday, Trump announced has chosen former Republican Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, who served as ambassador to the Netherlands during his first term, as his upcoming administrations ambassador to Canada.

Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST, the president-elect said in a statement.

____

Associated Press Writer Maria Verza in Mexico City contributed to this report.
The House of Commons of Canada has passed a resolution that outlined Canada's stance on the Russo-Ukrainian war to mark the 1,000 days of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

Source: Yuliia Kovaliv, Ukraines Ambassador to Canada on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The resolution was passed unanimously. A minute of silence was also held in the House of Commons to honour the Ukrainians who gave their lives for Ukraines freedom and independence.

A minute of silence in the House of Commons

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Photo: Yuliia Kovaliv

In the document, Russia's aggression is condemned and it is emphasised that Ukraine is fighting on the front line of the free world. The war, initiated by the order of the Kremlin leader, is described as having led to daily atrocities against the Ukrainian people, including genocide, crimes against humanity and violent acts of aggression.

The MPs called on Russia to fully cease the hostilities against Ukraine and withdraw all its troops and armed forces from Ukrainian territory. They also urged the Canadian government to continue providing significant military and humanitarian support to Ukraine in order to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

The resolution also calls for strengthening sanctions against Russia, holding accountable those who evade sanctions and banning all forms of Russian state media in Canada.

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It urges all possible efforts to ensure the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war, illegally detained civilians and Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia (Canada has taken a leadership role in this aspect of the Peace Formula). It also supports efforts to bring to justice those responsible for the crime of aggression and war crimes.

Furthermore, the resolution expresses support for Ukraines future NATO membership.

Quote from Kovaliv: "We are grateful to MPs Heather McPherson (New Democratic Party) and Stephane Bergeron (Bloc Quebecois) for their initiative and for introducing the resolution, as well as to all members of the House of Commons for their support and numerous statements in support of Ukraine."

Background:

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At the beginning of November, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the shipment of the first NASAMS air defence system ordered by Canada for Ukraine.

Following the news that the US lifted its "long-range" strike restrictions for Ukraine, Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair stated that Ottawa had long advocated for such a decision.

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HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Officials say the city of Cannelton is seeking proposals from qualified developers for the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of a historic Italianate commercial building located at 201 Washington Street.

City officials say the town acquired the property this fall. The building is classified as a contributing structure in the Cannelton National Register Historic District and is eligible for federal rehabilitation tax credits as an income-producing property.

Officials note due to the structures deteriorated condition, the city is seeking a developer who will commit to a timely and sensitive rehabilitation of the building for mixed commercial and residential use consistent with the Citys Downtown Revitalization Plan, adopted in 2013. Cannelton officials say time is of the essence to receive proposals to avoid demolition of the building. A $20,000 grant from the city may be available based on the merits of the project.

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Officials say proposals should include as much of the following information as is applicable:

Description of the developers legal status and state of residency or incorporation and the name, address and position of persons who are authorized to execute contracts on the developers behalf. Description of the developers pertinent professional qualifications or experience that the developer will bring to the rehabilitation of the property. Listing of historic rehabilitation projects of similar scope and nature that the developer has completed, including dates, locations, costs and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of references who may be contacted concerning work done on those projects. Experience working with local government units or economic development organizations in Indiana or a statement indicating whether or not the developer carries insurance in the following categories and the principal amount of all coverages maintained: Commercial General Liability

Professional Liability

Workers Compensation General description of the rehabilitation that the developer proposes, with a construction timeline for completion of exterior work and ground level retail space within a maximum of one year, and stating the proposed end use of the property on both levels. Financial statement, credit information or other verification of the developers financial wherewithal to undertake the necessary rehabilitation as outlined in the submitted project timeline. List of any outside contractors, architects or engineers who are anticipated to be part of the project team and are ready to perform services to meet the submitted timeline.

Students design and construct new habitat home

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Cannelton officials say in evaluating the qualifications received in response to this, the city shall consult with Indiana Landmarks. Based on the merits of the proposal, funding allocated for demolition could be directed toward a rehabilitation project as an incentive grant. The following factors will be considered in the selection of a winning proposal:

Demonstration of relevant background and experience with evidence of successful completion of comparable projects, supported by satisfactory responses from references. Professional qualifications, financial responsibility and capacity to undertake the project. Overall appropriateness of rehabilitation plan, including timetable and level of anticipated financial investment in the property. Overall benefit to revitalization of Canneltons historic district.

Officials say the deadline for submitting proposals is 4 p.m. on December 9. Two hard copies of the proposal shall be submitted and received by the deadline to:

City of Cannelton

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Attn: Mayor Morris Smokey Graves

210 S. 8th Street, Room 2, Suite 5

Cannelton, IN 47520

E-mail: canneltonmayorusa@gmail.com

(Courtesy: Indiana Landmarks)

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As President-elect Donald Trump rolls out his controversial Cabinet picks, he has demanded the Republican-led Senate take extended breaks to allow him to make recess appointments rather than subject his nominees to an extensive public vetting process and upper chamber approval.

Trump's demand not only tests congressional Republicans' willingness to uphold checks and balances over bending to the president-elect's wishes but, if met, would be an affront to the Constitution, which empowers the Senate to provide "advice and consent" over the president's key executive branch nominees, experts told Salon.

"It's certainly one of the biggest attempts at a power grab that we've seen. He wants not to just recess appointment, he wants to basically do an end-around around the Senate's role in advice and consent," said Josh Huder, a senior fellow of the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University.

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Such an action would "undermine" Congress' power of personnel and its ability to shape the federal government and the Judiciary, he said in a phone interview. "It would be something that would be unprecedented in American history  there's no question."

Since winning the presidency earlier this month, Trump has picked potential Cabinet members at a lightning quick pace, raising the question of whether he could bypass Congress to install his selections. His nominees, a swath of loyalists with contentious positions, have drawn widespread pushback  even from Republican elected officials.

Chief among the president-elect's controversial picks is former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who was nominated for attorney general despite being investigated by the Justice Department and the House Ethics Committee over allegations that he paid to have sex with a 17-year-old girl, which he denies.

Trump also chose former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services, and ex-Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, to oversee the nation's intelligence services. Many in the medical community have harangued Kennedy Jr.'s appointment over his outspoken criticism and skepticism of vaccines, while national security experts have sounded alarms over Gabbard's ties to Russia and Syria.

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Though they could receive Senate backing from a traditional confirmation process, the GOP's narrow 53-seat majority does not guarantee it, especially as some senators question the choices.

David Alvis, a professor of political science at Wofford College in South Carolina, told Salon that making recess appointments offers the incoming Trump administration a "stronger hand" over the appointees than the confirmation process typically affords.

By circumventing Senate confirmation, "you're not having to negotiate the terms of the appointee. You don't have to come up with deals or bargaining with members of the Senate  especially Senate holdouts  so that gives you greater strength over it," he said in a phone interview. The recess appointment concluding at the end of the legislative session creates a "threat of non-renewal of that appointment" that "allows the executive a little bit more control over the recess appointee."

Trump's push for recess appointments ahead of his second term could "easily" be anticipated based on "maneuverings toward" this action in the later years of his first term, Alvis argued.

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Trump made a quick appointment of then-Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, who the Senate had already confirmed for that role, to acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in late 2017 to avoid a confirmation process for a different nominee. He also threatened to invoke his constitutional power to adjourn Congress to push through nominees while lawmakers were out of Washington, D.C., during the early months of the pandemic.

More than 1,000 executive branch roles are subject to Senate approval in addition to the Cabinet positions, according to The Washington Post. The Constitution authorizes the president to fill vacancies if Congress is in recess, and presidents of both major parties have done so. Strict rules and procedures over both recessing and making recess appointments have made outfitting a Cabinet with such picks a challenge.

In 2014, the Supreme Court held that the upper chamber had to be adjourned for at least 10 days before a president could make an appointment following former President Barack Obama's use of a short recess to fill three empty positions on the National Labor Relations Board.

Either chamber of Congress requires approval from the other to recess for more than three days, and with the Republican majority in the House narrow at just 218 seats, calling a recess could be difficult.

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Both chambers usually convene pro forma sessions, brief procedural meetings in which no formal business is conducted, during recesses specifically to block the president from making recess appointments and sidestepping congressional approval.

Senate Democrats could also slow down a vote to adjourn by objecting to ending the session and upending the typical unanimous vote sought for such decisions. While this would require overcoming a 60-vote threshold, Huder says stalling the process could run the risk of "[slowing] the institution to a crawl" and giving the majority greater incentive to "go nuclear" on majority votes.

"It's one of those situations where, if the minority goes too far in gumming up the works, the majority will have incentives to press their prerogatives and do things by majority vote," he said. "That hasn't been done in history yet, but obviously we're getting to some territory in the not too distant past where majorities have been considering these types of things."

The other avenue left open to Trump  though historically unprecedented  would be to attempt to instruct Congress to recess in order to install his nominees without their approval. The Constitution empowers the president to adjourn Congress if the chambers can't agree on the timing of a recess.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Huder said that whether Trump is able to accomplish either means of bypassing the Senate comes down to the votes  and the president-elect is unlikely to have the broad support from lawmakers needed to push Congress to adjourn for more than 10 days or create the circumstances that would compel that unilateral, presidential action.

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"That is possible, but I don't think it's very likely at all," Huder said. "In fact, I think it's very, very, very, very, very unlikely that Congress actually allows this to happen."

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., told the Post that Republicans allowing Trump to circumvent the Senate's advice and consent role would be "frustrating."

I think people on both sides of the aisle would express that and from what Im hearing from senators on both sides of the aisle, is that folks are not going to let that happen, he said.

Senate Republicans have also had mixed responses to the suggestion that Trump's nominees should subvert the confirmation process.

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Im hesitant to give up any aspect of our role when it comes to advice and consent. Thats what we do, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who has signaled her opposition to Gaetzs nomination, told the Post.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told the outlet that he believed Trump is within his constitutional authority to make recess appointments, adding that it could push Republican leadership to confirm nominees quickly and send a message to Democrats should they seek to interfere with Trump's nominees.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Sunday also left open the possibility of adjourning Congress to allow Trump to appoint his Cabinet nominees outside of the confirmation process, depending on how the Senate moves.

In the grand scheme, Huder said, Congress will have to play a role in whether Trump can circumvent the Senate. The upper chamber's advice and consent role extends back to the framing of the Constitution and is "at the core of the constitutional construct."

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"When you look at the Constitution, it's really Congress's Constitution," he said, noting the legislative body is empowered with "the most power and the most authority."

"You can't just prorogue Congress like the king could prorogue Parliament back in the day," he added. "You can't just get rid of them. It requires their consent at some level."
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now)  The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree stopped in Hagerstown as it continued making its way to the nations capital.

A band played and people gathered as the 80 tall Sitka Spruce made its way down Potomac Street. Tuesday was the first time the tree has made a stop in the city on its way to Washington.

Were really excited and happy they selected us as one of their stops on their tour this year, and were just looking forward to seeing everyone down here, Community Engagement Officer Brittney Arizmendi said.

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US Capitol Christmas Tree Spruce Wayne set to arrive in DC

Before the tree started its 4,000-mile trip from Alaska to D.C., Deputy Tree Supervisor Barbara Miranda explained the teams process of picking the perfect tree was not as simple as one might think.

There was a team out early this year looking for the perfect tree, she said. They came up with about a dozen and then the architect of the Capitol came out from D.C. to look at those sample trees, and he chose the most beautiful 80 feet tall, 39-year-old Sitka Spruce for the nations capital.

For some people in Hagerstown, this was their first time seeing what will be the National Christmas Tree.

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Its amazing because it brings the community out, Mayor of Hagerstown Tekesha Martinez said. I think this adds another holiday celebration that gets people in the street.

The tree is expected to arrive in the District by the end of the week. To see what other stops the Capitol Christmas Tree has made on its way to D.C., click here.

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As officials at the Atlanta airport prepare for a busy holiday season, new crime data shows how flyers are having to deal with more baggage than just their carry-ons.

Car thefts at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International have more than tripled since 2023, according to data from the Atlanta Police Department.

Now, Atlanta police will be at the airport in bigger numbers for the busy holiday travel season.

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Channel 2 Action News has reported on car thefts, and how theyve spiked, before. But now, new numbers show just how much the thefts have ramped up.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

From Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2023, there were 95 car thefts at the airport. In 2024, there have already been at least 311 car thefts.

Speaking during a holiday travel briefing, APD Hartsfield Commander Major Kelley Collier addressed the huge increase in car thefts from airport lots on Tuesday.

We have increased our presence in the terminal and parking areas, Collier said.

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On top of the 311 vehicle thefts so far, there have also been 62 reported thefts from vehicles at the airport, APD data shows.

Seven vehicles also had parts or accessories taken from them.

In the past few years, data from Atlanta police shows how car thefts have continued to rise. There was a minor dip from 2022 to 2023: 101 cars were stolen in 2022 from the airport, according to the data.

The year before, there were only 67 vehicles stolen. That means that from 2021 to 2024, there was a more than 360% increase in car thefts.

The APD data also shows that there have been 3,607 vehicle thefts in Atlanta this year, as of Nov. 5. Thefts at the airport accounted for about 8.6%.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  I Cared Enough 2024 will be hosted Nov. 26 in Birmingham.

According to organizers, the event will be held at Bill Harris Area with two Thanksgiving programs scheduled at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. There will be Thanksgiving food, free groceries, clothes, medical screenings and toys.

Birmingham named host city for 2029 National Senior Games

Doors open at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, call 205-365-1838.

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CareerSource NEFL is hosting a virtual job fair on Nov. 21 for those interested in apprenticeships.

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The event is happening from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

You can register for the event here.

To enhance your visibility to employers, you are also encouraged to set up a profile on Employ Florida.

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Nov. 19WELLS  The fire that destroyed an apartment building and displaced more than a dozen families in Wells on Monday night was started by the "careless disposal of smoking materials," the Office of State Fire Marshal said.

Investigators determined that the fire started near a wooden porch along the outside of Pine Tree Commons, Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. The fire marshal's office was called to the apartment building at 2124 Sanford Road at about 7:40 p.m. Monday.

All the building's residents escaped the blaze safely, though one firefighter sustained minor injuries, the Wells Fire Department said in a statement early Tuesday.

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The fire hit four-alarm status, burning approximately half of the complex's roughly 20 units. The building is a complete loss, the department said.

Wells Fire Chief Mark Dupuis said the fire began in a bucket full of ash and cigarette butts, which sat a few feet from the building's three-story wooden deck.

"The fire actually caught the structure  caught the railings on fire  and just moved dramatically fast through the setup," Dupuis said on a Monday evening phone call.

By the time crews arrived, the flames had engulfed the entire deck structure and breached the main building's walls, he said.

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Roughly 20 crews from surrounding communities, including from as far as New Hampshire, helped combat the blaze, the department said. Dupuis estimated that between 80 and 100 firefighters responded, though others responding Monday night said it could have been more.

Initial crews arrived with one tanker truck of water and two engines, but they quickly exhausted the thousands of gallons it held, Dupuis said Monday night. The property does not have a pressurized fire hydrant, nor did it have a sprinkler system, he said.

To ensure a steady flow, crews then set up a pool of water on Sanford Road, which was constantly refilled by a stream of tanker trucks from Kennebunkport, Eliot and beyond. That water traveled more than 100 feet down snaking fire hoses before reaching the flames.

Though part of the building avoided direct fire damage, the entire building is uninhabitable, leaving 16 families displaced, Dupuis said, adding that he was not sure how many individuals were affected. Two households are staying with relatives nearby, while the other 14 are in a local hotel, he said.

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One firefighter was injured when a piece of debris fell onto his shoulder, Dupuis said. Firefighters used a chainsaw to cut into the building's walls to reach deep flames.

Property owner Marty Devlin blocked non-resident cars from entering the parking lot around 5 p.m. Tuesday evening.

Devlin said he was "getting things buttoned up" at the property and that several people had stopped by to look at the damage. He adjusted a line of yellow tape that ran between two "NO TRESPASSING" signs and covered the driveway.

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China has played a major part in opening up the world economy through various initiatives it has been undertaking, Rosemary Nsepe, the head of a Zambian think tank, has said. #GLOBALink
OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL)  The case involving Armin Rubidio Gomez-Lopez, an undocumented noncitizen charged with alleged reckless murder in a wrong-way DUI crash that killed Columbus, Georgia, surgeon Dr. Malcolm Goodchild, is moving forward.

On Wednesday morning, November 20, Attorney Zach Alsobrook, representing Gomez-Lopez, elected to waive his clients preliminary hearing as he had received all necessary discovery beforehand. By waiver, Alsobrook essentially conceded there exists probable cause for the arrest. This means the case will be bound over to a Grand Jury for consideration of an indictment. Gomez-Lopez remains jailed at the Lee County Detention Center without bond.

The September crash occurred when Gomez-Lopez allegedly drove a Toyota 4Runner the wrong way on Interstate 85s northbound ramp at exit 62, colliding head-on with a Tesla driven by Dr. Goodchild. The Tesla caught fire, and Dr. Goodchild died from his injuries. His wife, who was in the passenger seat, survived with non-life-threatening injuries.

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Investigators say they discovered empty and unopened alcoholic beverage containers in Gomez-Lopezs vehicle. Prosecutors have confirmed to WRBL results are back from a blood alcohol test conducted on Gomez-Lopez. Prosecutors say they do not plan to release BAC results to the public before a possible trial.

Dr. Goodchild, a renowned general and trauma surgeon, had privileges at multiple Columbus hospitals and was widely respected in the community. He was born to parents who immigrated legally to the United States and worked in healthcare.

The case has drawn attention to Gomez-Lopezs immigration status. Following his 2022 DUI conviction. Court records reveal Gomez-Lopez had a previous DUI conviction in Lee County nearly two years before the fatal September 7 crash. The earlier DUI incident occurred on October 15, 2022, when a Lee County deputy stopped Gomez-Lopez around 11:16 PM for improper lane usage near Lee Road 10 and Lee Road 394. Gomez-Lopez, driving a Ford F-150, did not have a valid drivers license and registered a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.090, above Alabamas legal limit of 0.08%. He pleaded guilty to DUI in December 2022 and received a suspended 12-month sentence upon completing a court referral program and 24 months of probation. Additional charges for improper lane usage and open container were dismissed.

Gomez-Lopez was not deported following the case. Immigration attorneys not connected to the case explained misdemeanors like DUIs typically do not lead to deportation unless they involve additional charges or are considered crimes of moral turpitude or aggravated felonies.

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Gomez-Lopez remains in custody with a detainer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

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Republican David McCormick and Democratic Sen. Bob Casey are vying for Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate seat (Capital-Star composite from official/campaign photos)

The campaigns for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and his Republican challenger Dave McCormick are suing to overturn decisions by the boards of elections in a dozen Pennsylvania counties on whether to count provisional ballots on which voters or election workers made errors.

The lawsuits are a significant escalation of litigation over the race for Pennsylvanias U.S. Senate seat, in which McCormick leads by less than 0.3% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Pennsylvania Department of State. The margin was small enough to trigger Pennsylvanias automatic recount provision and counties are required to begin the process by Wednesday. The counties must complete their recounts by Nov. 26.

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Thousands of Pennsylvanians votes are in question across the Commonwealth as David McCormick and national Republicans work to throw out ballots cast by eligible voters and accepted by county election boards, Casey campaign manager Tiernan Donohue said in a statement Tuesday. As hearings commence today, Senator Casey will continue to fight back against efforts to disenfranchise voters to ensure Pennsylvanians voices are heard and that eligible voters can participate in our democracy.

The Casey campaign claimed a victory on Tuesday afternoon after a Philadelphia judge rejected a challenge by McCormick to the election boards decision to count 966 provisional ballots with various errors by voters or election officials.

Republicans have criticized Casey for allowing the recount to proceed, noting that it is a costly process that has never changed the outcome of a statewide election . The Department of State estimated that the recount in the Senate race will cost the state $1 million.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, asked if he would intervene to avoid wasting taxpayer money, said the decision of whether to waive a recount is the candidates to make. Speaking to reporters at a news conference Tuesday, Shapiro noted that McCormicks unsuccessful campaign for the GOP nomination for Senate in 2022 was among the four recounts that have proceeded since the recount law was passed in 2004.

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The most important thing is that the will of the people be respected, that all the votes are counted and that ultimately a winner is determined based on the will of the people, Shapiro said.

McCormicks campaign on Tuesday evening released results it said showed figures from Armstrong, Montour, Forest and Sullivan counties where the recount has already been completed showing Casey gained a total of 6 votes. The Department of State could not verify the figures provided by the McCormick campaign, a spokesperson said. Each county can report its recount result when it is complete but is under no obligation to report results until the deadline.

While it is Senator Caseys prerogative to seek a recount, it is a waste of time and taxpayer money, McCormick campaign communications director Elizabeth Gregory said. With four counties done, there has been virtually no change in the result. We expect this pattern to be repeated everywhere.

The four small, rural counties are Republican strongholds that President-elect Donald Trump carried by margins between 21% and 53%.

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Caseys campaign has filed lawsuits in ten counties over the boards of elections decisions to invalidate provisional ballots for what it describes as minor issues that have no bearing on a ballots validity or the voters eligibility.

They include ballots rejected because the voter signed the envelope once but not a second time. Voters are required to sign before and after completing the ballot and Caseys campaign argues the requirement is unnecessary.

Casey is also challenging the rejection of ballots where the completed ballot was not placed in the inner envelope before being sealed in the outer envelope. Because election workers are supposed to supervise the provisional ballot voting process, voters may be disenfranchised because they were not given the correct instructions or materials, the campaign argues.

And Casey is challenging decisions not to count ballots where the voter did everything correctly but an election worker made a mistake by not signing the envelope.

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Caseys campaign has filed suits in Berks, Bucks, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Montgomery, Philadelphia and York counties over rejections for one or two of those ballot flaws.

McCormick is suing to throw out ballots over missing voter signatures, election worker mistakes or a failure to check a box stating the reason a provisional ballot was cast in Bucks, Chester, Erie, Lackawanna, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton and Philadelphia counties.

Republican election lawyer Jessica Furst Johnson told the Capital-Star such challenges are a normal part of the ballot canvassing process in any election.

The counting of the provisionals is part of the canvassing process so that would happen regardless of the recount, said Johnson, who worked for the Keystone Renewal super PAC, which advocated for McCormicks election this year.

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But Democratic election lawyer Adam Bonin told the Capital-Star on Monday that this year the issue of provisional ballots has been amplified following the state Supreme Court decision that county election officials must allow voters to vote by provisional ballot if they learn their mail-in ballots may not be counted. Problems with mailing vote-by-mail ballots in Erie County may have increased the number of provisional ballots cast there, he added.

(*This article was updated at 9:40 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, to correct the name of Casey campaign manager Tiernan Donohue and again at 10:20 a.m. to include a response from the Pennsylvania Department of State.)

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A Gig Harbor man is accused of financially exploiting a woman diagnosed with dementia throughout their three-year relationship.

Prosecutors charged Kirk D Hein, 62, on Nov. 18 with five counts of first-degree theft from a vulnerable adult and second-degree theft from a vulnerable adult. Hein is accused of taking thousands of dollars from his girlfriends bank accounts while being aware of her cognitive decline. Prosecutors allege Hein exploited the woman between July 1, 2021 until Dec. 31, 2023, court records show.

Hein has been summoned to hearing Dec. 2 at Pierce County Superior Court in regards to the charges, records show.

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The News Tribune reached out to Hein, who said he had no comment at this time.

Charging details

The 65-year-old woman worked at a University Place daycare before she retired and began receiving Social Security. Prosecutors wrote that the woman suffered a gradual but significant cognitive decline. Her thought process slowed, her memory worsened and she eventually could not write, documents show. The woman eventually was diagnosed with dementia in July 2021.

The woman met Hein that month at a dinner party in Gig Harbor. The womans cousin attended the event as well and had a conversation with Hein about not starting a relationship with the woman because of her medical condition, prosecutors wrote. Hein agreed, but he began a relationship with the victim shortly after meeting her. He eventually moved into her waterfront home three to four weeks later, prosecutors said.

Hein was living in an RV in Gig Harbor at the time and had very little income, prosecutors wrote. He did not have retirement or Social Security funds deposited into his bank account. Prosecutors wrote that Hein reportedly sold a University Place used-auto dealership for about $20,000.

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An investigation by the Adult Protective Services allegedly showed that Hein had 19 prior tax warrants and judgment cases from 1981 through 2024. He was also delinquent in paying his Washington State Department of Revenue fees, documents show.

Four APS complaints alleged that Hein financially exploited as well as physically, sexually and emotionally abused the woman during the relationship, prosecutors wrote.

The first complaint came from Columbia Bank in November 2022 when workers there noticed unusual activity in the womans bank account. While Hein was not an authorized signer, he allegedly was always with the woman during suspicious transactions, prosecutors wrote.

Prosecutors wrote that Hein allegedly dictated the amount of withdrawals. He allegedly would have the woman sign the withdrawal slip. When bank personnel attempted to speak to the woman about the purposes of those withdrawals, Hein allegedly interrupted or spoke over her, court documents show.

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Gig Harbor police learned there was an extensive catalog of purchases made after Hein accessed the womans bank accounts. The purchases included cars, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, boats, trailers, auto parts, tools and vacations. There also were several cash withdrawals, documents show. Prosecutors noted that the woman never purchased those types of items prior to meeting Hein.

Purchases at automobile suppliers/vehicle parts totaled $170,745.11 and cash withdrawals alone were an additional $174,223.82, prosecutors wrote.

The investigation alleged that Hein took steps to isolate the woman from her friends and family, and family and friends were concerned about Heins involvement in the womans life.

Prosecutors wrote that Hein constantly told the woman that her family wanted her to go into a memory-care facility, and he was her only hope of avoiding that from happening. Prosecutors contend that was a manipulation tactic to get the woman to do what Hein wanted.

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Hein allegedly took the womans iPhone she had for years and gave her an Android cellphone. That made it difficult for the woman to contact longtime friends or relatives as she was unfamiliar with Android phones, prosecutors wrote.

He allegedly controlled her schedule, and her children had to coordinate through him the times they could see their mother. Family members accused Hein of not answering their calls or ignoring their texts, documents show.

Family members began to drive by the womans home at random times to see her when she was left home unsupervised, prosecutors wrote. A medical provider previously told the woman that she was advised not to live alone because of her cognitive decline, documents show.

Hein was allegedly uncomfortable when APS went to the womans home and wanted to speak with her privately. Prosecutors alleged he did not want her signing anything without his permission. He allowed investigators to speak with her when they said law enforcement would get involved.

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The woman began crying to the APS investigators privately and said she missed her family , prosecutors wrote. She was not aware who was managing her money and thought that Hein was handling it, documents show.

Investigators learned that Hein was involved in getting the womans will changed. He became the new executor of her estate, prosecutors wrote. There were several vehicles and motorcycles that would be left to him. Hein also had the ability to sell the house, which was worth about $1.2 million.

Hein told investigators that he made sure the womans bills got paid. He allegedly admitted that he was the one who transferred money in and out of all the accounts, prosecutors wrote. He said that he used her ATM card with her permission.

The womans family obtained a Vulnerable Adult Protection Order in December 2023, and Hein was evicted from the home, prosecutors wrote. Hein acknowledged in court filings that the woman was not able to take care of herself.

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The woman had $877,796.83 deposited into her bank accounts, which included a settlement from her separated husband, the sale of a University Place house and loan repayments from family members, prosecutors wrote.

A forensic accounting report allegedly showed the withdrawals from the womans bank accounts totaled $874,231.30, prosecutors wrote. That included cash withdrawals, purchases at automobile suppliers and vehicle purchases, cashiers checks to Hein and gifts/loans to family members.

Hein is being charged with these withdrawals, court records show:

On Nov. 1, 2021, a $15,000 cashiers check from the womans account was allegedly made out to Hein and deposited into his bank account.

On June 1, 2022, a $30,000 check from the womans account was allegedly made out to Hein and deposited into his bank account.

From March 28, 2022 through Sep. 29, 2023, there were 54 alleged transactions from an auto-parts store totaling $14,739.42.

Between Oct. 18, 2022 and May 31, 2023, Hein allegedly charged 30 transactions on the womans credit card for Ford Mustang parts totaling $8,425. Hein had also purchased a Ford Mustang registered to his name.

During March 24, 2023 to Sep. 7, 2023, there were 13 alleged transactions from an auto parts store totaling $3,386.

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A Gig Harbor police officers investigation allegedly showed there were over 130 cash withdrawals from the womans bank account. About 80 withdrawals were for the maximum amounts of $500 or $600, records show. Over $173,000 in cash was taken from the time Hein met the woman in 2021 until December 2023, prosecutors wrote.

Prosecutors wrote the investigation is ongoing and more charges may be filed.
TISKILWA, Ill. (WMBD)  A local cowgirl is quickly moving up the ranks in the sport of professional rodeo.

Prep sports recap for Nov. 18, 2024

Tiskilwa native Katie Chism was a rookie only two years ago, but now, she is headed to compete at the National level.

Throughout her professional barrel racing career, she has faced many challenges, from her star horse, Ace, getting injured on the field, to riding competitions while six months pregnant.

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Chism talked about what motivated her to get the title of Great Lakes Regional Champion.

Sharing it with her, you know, in my belly for six months, competing with her, she said. I remember Id get done with a run and Id go lay in my trailer and Id hold my belly and feel her kick and stuff like that. And then Id say, We got another one down, girl. You know, Were getting there.'

Chism also shared her advice for the next generation of rodeo competitors.

Kids are the future of our sport, she said. My recommendation for parents and kids alike is just keep at it. Find somebody that is knowledgeable and willing to help you and guide you in a good direction. Its not easy, but anything worth doing isnt.

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She will compete with Ace in the 2025 National Finals Rodeo qualifier in Las Vegas in which she could qualify for the NFR in December 2025.

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LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)  CGI celebrated 10 years in the Lafayette community Tuesday morning with state and local leaders.

Over the past decade, CGIs collaborations with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Economic Development, Lafayette Economic Development Authority and other community organizations have led to the creation of 750 high-impact, high-wage jobs in Acadiana and a continuous pipeline of trained tech professionals moving to and staying in Louisiana.

CGI is a global I.T. consulting company and so we provide support for federal government clients, state and local government clients, and then commercial entities and essentially what we do is we figure out a way to bring technology to their missions in order to help them achieve better results for their client, for their customers, or for their constituents, said William LaBar, CGI Vice-President.

LaBar said that back in 2014, CGI announced that they planned to create 400 jobs in the area. Since then, the company has created more than 750 and more than 900 across the state.

Its incredible. Ive lived in Lafayette for, you know, 24 years and to see, you know, 750 of our employees here today and close to 100 of our community partners honoring the milestone that were able to celebrate here. Its just a special moment to be a part of, he continued.

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LaBar said CGI is helping retain talent here in Lafayette and the state of Louisiana, and attracting talent from outside of the state to come and live here.

This is a great place to be. We love Lafayette and are excited about the next 10 years, he said.

Mandi Mitchell, the president and CEO of Lafayette Economic Development Authority, said the economic development authority has a long and personal stake in the success of CGI.

It is like watching a family member reach a milestone today. So Im very excited to be here to celebrate this 10th anniversary of CGI in Lafayette, Mitchell said.

St. Landry Sheriff needs help finding cemetery vandals

Dr. Joseph Savoie, president of UL Lafayette, said when it comes to Lafayette, CGI promised to invest in the community, to engage in its betterment, and to grow alongside it; which it has done. He said CGI pledged to help the city and region stand out as a hub for innovation, technology, and opportunity and has done that too.

Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet said one thing CGI does that stands out, thats a little bit different, is building the quality of life in the community from every aspect.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  A Champaign man is expected in court after police said he pointed what appeared to be a weapon at a moving train overnight.

Champaign Police Lieutenant Greg Manzana said in a statement that the man, identified as 20-year-old Trey Keith, was found with a pellet gun that matched the weapon staff from Canadian National told Police they had seen. Hes been given a notice to appear in court for criminal damage.

Champaign Co. Crime Stoppers seeking tips in $1200 shoe theft

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The charge stems from a series of incidents over the last few weeks involving trains on the east-west tracks. Manzana said CN employees reported on Tuesday instances of projectiles hitting the windows of their trains as they passed by Spaulding Park.

Officers were dispatched to the neighborhood to investigate and provide a presence as another train moved through the area, manzana said. At 6:44 a.m., staff told police they saw someone pointing a gun in their direction. The weapon was not fired in this incident.

Manzana said officers returned to the area and gathered information before going to Keiths home near Spaulding Park, where they found the pellet gun.

Champaign Police are still investigating.

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ALBANY  Disa Seymour, a SUNY Plattsburgh assistant professor of nursing, was selected for the inaugural class of the SUNY Nursing Simulation Fellowship for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Im a full-time faculty member at SUNY Plattsburgh and back in mid-August our department chair forwarded an email that came from SUNY System and it was a call for applicants to apply for this fellowship. The intent was to select 11 Fellows from the 64 campuses across the state to collaborate on this project, Seymour said.

Its a key initiative aimed at further advancing SUNY nursing programs in adopting simulation-based education for students, State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. stated in a press release.

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The SUNY Nursing Simulation Fellowship will advance SUNYs effort to prepare more nurses for New York States health care workforce  a major objective of Governor Kathy Hochul and SUNY, a press release stated.

The Fellowship was developed based on recommendations from the SUNY Future of Health Care Workforce Task Force, a group convened to guide SUNY in addressing the critical health care workforce shortage and the Governors goal of increasing the health care workforce in New York State by 20%.

Following the engagement with more than 125 experts across SUNY institutions as well as the healthcare industry, the Task Force identified four priority areas for short-term action and investment, including fully leveraging nursing simulation.

In May of 2023, Hochul signed legislation permitting nursing students to complete up to one-third of their clinical training through high-quality simulation experiences.

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By making it possible for nursing students to fulfill one-third of their clinical requirements through high-quality simulation, Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State legislature truly took a significant step forward in addressing the health care workforce shortage in New York State, King said.

The SUNY Nursing Simulation Fellowship will prepare more of our extraordinary faculty members to lead efforts on their own campuses and across SUNY to prepare more nurses in order to meet New York States health care needs.

Ive been an educator since about 2016, and I really was inspired to apply because I wanted to really deepen my expertise in this field and bring more advanced simulation techniques back to SUNY Plattsburgh just because simulation is becoming just a big part of our education. Given that the bill was passed back in May of 23 to allow for one-third of clinical time to be used with simulation. We really wanted to give our students that experience at SUNY Plattsburgh. I really wanted to be able to collaboration with other campuses across the state to enhance that experience for our students and build some bridges, Seymour said.

SUNY Board Trustee Eric Corngold said, Across our system, SUNY has incredibly robust nursing programs, and this fellowship will ensure that these programs remain at the forefront of innovation and impact in educating the next generation of nurses. These fellows hold the unique power to influence SUNYs nursing simulation programs for the better so our students are consistently prepared for the incredibly rewarding career ahead of them.

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The following SUNY faculty members were selected for the inaugural cohort of SUNY Nursing Simulation Fellowship:

- Amanda Adams, SUNY Upstate

- Susan Chory, SUNY Farmingdale

- Holly Farwell, SUNY Broome

- Kelly Foltz-Ramos, University at Buffalo

- Debra Giugliano, Stony Brook University

- Kady Hoistion, SUNY Jefferson

- Suzanne Lindau, SUNY Orange

- Ashley Molina, Corning Community College

- Disa Seymour, SUNY Plattsburgh

- Lori-Marie Sprague, SUNY Binghamton

- Carlene Williams, SUNY Suffolk

In addition to advancing their knowledge and skills in simulation education, Fellows will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of simulation-based learning across the SUNY system.

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Through their expertise, they will contribute to the development of the SUNY Simulation Shared Resource Library, a central repository of nursing simulation resources that will benefit nursing programs system-wide. Fellows Kelly Foltz-Ramos from the University at Buffalo and Suzanne Lindau from SUNY Orange have been selected as Co-Conveners to help lead this important work.

Seymour found out in early October that she was selected for the Fellowship, which she is honored to receive and very, very excited.

Because to be the only of the 11 chosen to represent a SUNY comprehensive is huge for our community, she said.

The other Fellows are all from much larger colleges over the state. But just to be able to represent our small comprehensive. SUNY is amazing and its just a huge opportunity. I did travel to Albany and got to meet Chancellor King and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Health & Hospital Affairs and Chief Hospital and Healthcare Operations Valerie Grey. Its just very surreal to be involved in this project.

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The SUNY Simulation Shared Resource Library will include vetted simulation scenarios spanning various specialties, teaching strategies, simulation education best practices, and more. The library will enhance the quality and diversity of simulation experiences for nursing students while increasing faculty capacity to support simulation operations beyond scenario creation, such as simulation space management, technical operations, and running simulation labs with students.

This is in collaboration with my current work. SUNY Plattsburgh really encourages us as faculty to engage in scholarship. We actually are given course release to do that. Im given additional course release to work on this project. Not enthusiastically because I love to teach. I want to teach as much as I can, but I will be relieved of enough of my expected course load to be able to participate in this, Seymour said.

The Fellows will have monthly virtual meetings because they are located statewide.

Were all going to the IMSH Conference (International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare) in Orlando in January, she said.

Then, there will be some more in-person meetings scheduled throughout the spring semester.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  A man from Ozark County, Missouri accused of leaving a threatening message for an Arizona election official had his charges dropped in federal court.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 50-year-old Walter Lee Hoornstra of Tecumseh was charged in 2022 with one count of communicating an interstate threat and one count of making a threatening phone call.

The indictment says Hoornstra left a voicemail containing a threat to the personal cell phone of an election official in Maricopa County, Arizona in May 2021. He wouldve faced up to seven years in prison if convicted.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Southwest Missouri man charged with threatening election officials in Arizona

According to a statement from Hoornstras attorney, a U.S. attorney argued for the federal court to dismiss the charges against Hoornstra without prejudice, stating that there were issues with an important witness that they said would make a conviction unlikely.

Mr. Hoornstra appreciates the government for this decision and knows it wasnt easy to make, said attorney Joseph S. Passanise, who represented Hoornstra. He and his family have been humbled by this process and thank the attorney for dismissing the case, after two-plus years of litigation. He apologizes and is grateful for this result.

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MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCBD)  To Moncks Corner locals he is known as Lenard McKelvey but to the rest of America, he is Charlamagne tha God  or just Charlamagne for short.

Charlamagne has been an active hometown hero for the Moncks Corner community for nearly a decade by leading annual backpack and turkey drives at his alma mater, Berkeley High School.

He says, If they dont have to spend money on school supplies or spend money they dont have on Thanksgiving turkeys  or whatever it is  whenever I can provide a little bit of relief, they can take that money and hopefully pour it into something else.

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According to Kinta Palmer, the co-founder of Third Eye Awareness, the givebacks stemmed from a conversation that he and his cousin, Charlamagne, had during the holiday season over ten years ago.

Charlamagne has been honored with his own day in Moncks Corner, North Charleston, and Charleston, which is celebrated on August 14. He expressed how grateful he is to be recognized for his accomplishments.

I was raised in hell in South Carolina when I was a kid growing up, Ive been kicked out of two high schools. Ive been arrested for drugs and guns, like I was a person who wasnt doing what they were supposed to be doing, said the radio personality. So to be able to turn their life around and be able to give back to a place that I once took so much from  its a beautiful thing, it means everything.

Some could argue that being from a small town could be difficult, but Charlamagne says being from Moncks Corner, SC has taught him life skills that he can carry with him every day.

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It enables you to walk into any room and look whoever youre talking to in the eye and not feel intimidated by it in any shape or form because  Im not impressed. Thats just the reality of the situation  because like I said I grew up where I feel was the realest, he added.

In his opinion, Charlamagne says he believes Moncks Corner needs to have more opportunities or simply something that gives people hope that they have a shot of achieving what they want to do in life.

I think thats what places need, they need more resources, they need more money poured into those communities, you need more trade schools, you just have to create more lanes of opportunities for people to walk through, said Charlamagne.

Charlamagnes 11th Annual Turkey Drive is scheduled for November 23 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Berkeley High School.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
Guests communicate ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 20, 2024. The 2024 WIC Wuzhen Summit kicked off on Wednesday morning in the ancient water town of Wuzhen in east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

HANGZHOU, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit kicked off on Wednesday morning in the ancient water town of Wuzhen in east China's Zhejiang Province, highlighting efforts to build a people-centered and AI-for-good digital future.

The 2024 edition, themed "Embracing a People-centered and AI-for-good Digital Future -- Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," includes 24 sub-forums on topics such as the Global Development Initiative, digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI) technology governance, along with a series of activities.

"AI is transforming lives at an unimaginable pace," said Li Junhua, UN under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs, via video link at the opening ceremony. "We can only harness the incredible potential of AI if we do so through a people-centered approach and foster dialogue to understand global needs and perspectives."

Nii Narku Quaynor, chairman of Ghana Dot Com, said Africa faces the task of how to introduce AI and how to ensure participation in both its development and usage.

Regional cyberspace communities and technical institutions across Africa are coordinating efforts to bring better connectivity infrastructure to the region, he said while addressing the main forum on Wednesday afternoon.

The main forum of this year's summit underscored the dual priorities of advancing AI innovation and fostering a people-centered digital future. The event brought together over 1,800 participants, including representatives from international organizations, government agencies, leading internet companies, as well as experts, scholars and media professionals.

Participants called for advancing innovation in artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing and blockchain, while accelerating the conversion of scientific achievements into practical applications.

In the future, smart healthcare will enable precise diagnoses and universal access to top medical services, intelligent education will provide personalized digital tutors for every student, care robots will enhance the well-being of the elderly, and autonomous driving will redefine travel, said Zhou Hongyi, founder of 360 Group.

"We are living through a historic technological revolution, and I feel deeply proud to witness and contribute to this transformative era," said Zhou.

A consensus was reached by many speakers at the main forum to promote the development of artificial intelligence aimed at improving human well-being. This effort should prioritize social security, respect for human rights, shared global values and a people-centered, ethical approach to AI.

Teo Nie Ching, Malaysian deputy minister of communications, said Malaysia is accelerating the deployment of 5G networks. Through digital technology, it aims to achieve more efficient resource allocation, bridge the digital divide, and bring greater benefits to more Malaysians.

"AI offers humanity the opportunity to build a better future. How to seize this opportunity and ensure that technology genuinely contributes to improving health and longevity, eradicating poverty and hunger, addressing waste and pollution, and resolving conflicts and disputes has become a shared challenge for all of humanity," said Chen Tianshi, founder and CEO of Cambricon.

The main forum also included an award ceremony honoring 18 WIC 2024 Global Youth Leaders. Established in 2023, the WIC Global Youth Leadership Program identifies outstanding young talent in the internet field worldwide, and carries out various activities emphasizing industry advancement and governance.

Following the award ceremony, the summit witnessed the launching ceremonies of the WIC think tank cooperation program and WIC Digital Academy.

The WIC Digital Academy is meant to train professionals with global perspectives, as well as digital thinking and skills, particularly for developing countries. By facilitating the global flow of knowledge and technology, the institute seeks to bridge the digital divide and ensure that the benefits of internet development reach more nations and people.

This year's WIC Wuzhen Summit is scheduled to close on Friday. 

Guests attend a roundtable during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 21, 2024. The 2024 WIC Wuzhen Summit kicked off on Wednesday morning in the ancient water town of Wuzhen in east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

Chen Rui, chairman and CEO of Chinese online entertainment platform Bilibili Inc., speaks during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 21, 2024. The 2024 WIC Wuzhen Summit kicked off on Wednesday morning in the ancient water town of Wuzhen in east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

Chairman and CEO of Ant Group Eric Xiandong Jing speaks during the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 20, 2024. The 2024 WIC Wuzhen Summit kicked off on Wednesday morning in the ancient water town of Wuzhen in east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Charleston County School District is looking to hire 40 new bilingual teaching assistants to better help students.

Tuesday at Pinehurst Elementary School, Superintendent Anita Huggins shared the progress the school has made with bilingual students and what they hope to bring to seven other elementary schools.

At Pinehurst Elementary 78% of the students speak a language other than English at home. Several other schools in the district have many bilingual students and the Charleston County school board is working on meeting 100% of their students needs.



Our teams are focused on long- and short-term strategies to make a difference. Paramount to that, is the work of our human resources department to hire 45 bilingual teachers assistants urgently to be here in schools and to support our students, said Huggins.

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At Pinehurst the assistants are in their second year of a residency program where they work with two teachers in the classroom to help meet all of their students needs. One veteran teacher works with Clemson towards their South Carolina credentials and the other novice teacher is working to receive their masters degree.



Pinehurst rating is currently average and very close to good, according to school leaders. They are able to fund the co-teaching through their WSF fund. They have also been able to bring in bilingual staff members such as guidance counselors through the fund.



With the partnership at Clemson as well as through our staff were able to meet all of our needs of our students, which in turn has helped us turn the school report card around. We are one point away from being deemed a good school, but outside of that our growth is exceptional and we are now seeing academic achievement we have not seen before, said Paul Pallagi, Pinehurst Principal.

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A non-profit in the Queen City is asking for help getting turkeys for Thanksgiving meals to those in need.

Charlotte Rescue Mission said Wednesday that theyre about 1,300 turkeys short of their goal.

You can donate turkeys to the nonprofit at their main office at 915 W. 1st Street on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, you can bring turkeys to 624 McNinch Street. Collection hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Learn more at the Charlotte Rescue Missions website here.

(VIDEO: Hornets players, staff deliver Thanksgiving meals to 1,000 families)
CHICAGO  Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday took a shot at critics as he proposed new taxes and savings to make up a budget shortfall in his $17 billion proposed municipal budget.

Following last weeks sound rejection of his $300M property tax hike proposal, Johnson accused some alders of having tantrums as the calendar ticks toward the end of the year deadline.

Its time to grow up, he said in his weekly press briefing.

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The mayor maintains the levy increase is necessary to avoid laying off city workers like police officers and firefighters. His new proposal: a lower $150 million property tax hike plus additional revenues by increasing the citys taxes on streaming services and cloud computing. Further savings will be found by eliminating redundancies and efficiencies in administrative costs, he said.

Alders unanimously reject mayors proposed $300M property tax hike

He wouldnt reveal Tuesday whether or not he has the 26 votes needed to pass the smaller increase but held up his efforts to work with City Council, claiming an unprecedented effort to reach out to every member.

This is not the final budget, he said. Theres an ongoing level of collaboration that Im very encouraged by.  We are still in the process of negotiating.

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He threw an elbow at alders who privately said theyve been left out of the process.

This is not a one-way street. Its a two-way street and we fully expect  all of the residents of the city of Chicago fully expect  that when the mayors office reaches out that is an opportunity for them to engage, he said. There are some individuals that, you know, their engagement has been slow or slower.

Sources told WGN the talks have picked up but a final deal is not close.

Johnson insisted his team will listen to the councils ideas on how to generate revenue because hes committed to not laying off city workers.

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Cuts to services is a nonstarterfor the people of Chicago, he said.

Johnson said he will fight for new progressive taxes at the state level, funds that might lessen the burden on cities. But a progressive tax measure that would have allowed Springfield to tax higher-income earners more was rejected by voters in 2020.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 32-year-old woman dubbed the Chicken Scam Lady, accused of stealing thousands of dollars from businesses across King and Pierce counties, was taken into custody Tuesday.

Lakewood officers arrested Jasmine Willie in the 3600 block of Pine Street in Tacoma on four felony and 13 misdemeanor warrants. Three of those warrants were from the Lakewood Police Department, according to a news release.

Police learned that Willie would be in that area and conducted surveillance. She was seen at about 5 p.m. and arrested without incident, the release said.

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Her husband, a 33-year-old man, was with Willie and was arrested on a warrant for third-degree assault of a child, records show. They were both booked into the Pierce County Jail.

Willie will appear for an arraignment at Pierce County Superior Court on Wednesday afternoon for two counts of second-degree theft, first-degree organized retail theft and two counts of second-degree extortion, court records show. The incidents Willie has been charged with took place between 2022 to 2023 in Pierce County.

Willie was nicknamed the Chicken Scam Lady after law enforcement said she told several restaurant employees that she needed a refund for chicken that had gone bad, according to a FOX 13 story.

The release said that Willie is known for demanding refunds from businesses for items that she never purchased. She also allegedly demanded refunds claiming that she was discriminated against for her race, according to charging documents.

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Willie pleaded guilty in November 2022 in Pierce County to some felony cases involving the same alleged tactics. Documents show she was released from custody and placed on Department of Corrections supervision. A warrant was out for Willies arrest after she did not appear for the DOC.

The alleged scams included an incident in Lakewood on Aug. 14, 2023, when Willie went into a Daiso store and told the employee she had a video of the assistant manager being racist. She claimed she would post the video on Facebook if she did not get a refund, prosecutors wrote. She also claimed the manager told her over the phone she would get a refund.

Willie left the store with $554.92 and allegedly stole items that were worth $4.75, documents show.

A few days later on Aug. 17, 2023, Willie allegedly demanded a refund of $414 from a Dutch Bros in Lakewood. She said the refund was approved by the manager after someone made racial comments to her, prosecutors wrote. The employee gave her the refund in cash.

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On Nov. 12, 2022, Willie went to a smoothie shop and was pretending to talk to the owner on the phone. She told the cashier that she made a purchase for her church group the previous week and staff was rude to her. Willie claimed the owner authorized a refund, but the cashier later learned that was not true, documents show. The cashier gave her a total refund of $210.81 before learning the accusation was untrue.

Willies most recent alleged thefts took place on Nov. 12 in Auburn where she stole over $800 from three different businesses, according to the Auburn Police Department.
Republicans in the House and Senate are expected to introduce legislation that would provide exemptions for West Virginias strict school immunization laws. (Pedro Vilela | Getty Images)

Republican lawmakers say theyll again introduce exemptions to the states strict school vaccine laws. They expect the measures to face an easier pathway next year due to the Legislatures changing makeup and a new governor.

Del. Chris Phillips, R-Barbour

Republicans in the House and Senate will introduce a bill that would give families use of a religious exemption for vaccinations, according to lawmakers. A separate expected measure would allow private schools to bypass the states strict immunization laws.

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The House last year passed a measure that would have given private schools autonomy over their vaccine policies. Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, vetoed the bill, citing concerns about crippling childhood immunity in his decision.

Del. Chris Phillips, R-Barbour, says he expects similar or even more sweeping vaccination exemption legislation to pass the Republican-heavy House in 2025.

Mandatory vaccinations in a place with compulsory schooling is a very significant hurdle for people who are concerned about personal liberty, he said.

He co-sponsored the vaccination exemption bill earlier this year.

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We were able to get that out of the House fairly easily, and I suspect that would be the case this year, Philips said. Some people who fought so hard to veto that may regret that decision when a wider piece of legislation goes through.

Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, a physician, listens to members of the Senate Health Committee on March 6, 2024, consider a bill that would have weakened the states strict vaccine laws. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

The Senate will lose one of its most out-spoken vaccine advocates, Sen. Mike Maroney, R-Marshall, a physician who is not returning. Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, is a doctor and vice-chair of the Senate Health Committee, which narrowed the vaccine exemption bill to apply only to private schools; he is now a top contender to be the next Senate president. Takubo did not return a request for comment for this story.

Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, said that, should Takubo be Senate president, he expects a vaccination exemption bill to be considered.

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I know Sen. Takubo has made it clear if the majority of the caucus wants to do something, then hes going to instruct the chair to put it on the agenda. We work in a process of democracy, Oliverio said.

Dr. Lisa Costello

Dr. Lisa Costello, a pediatrician and assistant professor at WVU Medicine, has been an advocate for the states nation-leading immunization laws. She spoke out against this years vaccination exemption bill and plans to continue educating lawmakers on the importance of vaccines as one of the most cost-effective life-saving interventions.

Costello said she remains grateful  both as a parent and a pediatrician  that Justice vetoed this years vaccination exemption bill.

I said it at that time, and Ill say it again, that its important that we dont become complacent and take for granted the strong immunization policy that we have here, she said.

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In April, a Monongalia County resident who had recently traveled internationally contracted measles  the states first reported case of the disease in 15 years. The countys health officer credited the areas high vaccination rate as the reason the highly-contagious disease did not spread to others.

Del. Anitra Hamilton, D-Monongalia, is a nurse who voted against this years vaccination exemption. She noted that physicians from West Virginia University and Marshall University spoke out against the bill.

I believe we should follow that advice. I know I am, and I just hope that other legislators will do the same, she said. I will never be in support of that  Its a public safety issue.

Health care professionals watched members of the Senate Health Committee on March 6, 2024, debate a bill that would have allowed private schools to create their own immunization policies. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

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Religious exemption measure expected, Morrisey supports it

All states require children attending school to be vaccinated for certain contagious diseases, including measles, mumps, whooping cough and polio. In West Virginia, students entering school for the first time must show proof of being vaccinated against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis B. The state allows only medical exemptions to the requirements.

West Virginia is considered a leader in this area.  As a result, West Virginia, since 2017 has had over 95% childhood school entry immunization rates because of this strong policy, Costello said. It not only protects children in schools, it also protects our community, particularly those who are more vulnerable.

West Virginia is one of only five states that does not allow religious or philosophical exemptions to those requirements.

Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, said during campaigning that hed like a religious exemption to go into effect during his time in office.

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One of the strongest parts of our Constitution is the ability of families and citizens to freely practice the religion of their choice, Morrisey said during the gubernatorial debate in October So, West Virginia right now is an outlier with respect to that. Its not recognizing, at minimum, a religious exception  I would make sure that that provision changes when Im governor.

Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio

Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, said she expected a religious exemption measure in the Senate and would sponsor one if necessary.

There are genuine religious beliefs against vaccinations, and its not fair to deny a child [his or her] education because there are sincerely-held beliefs against vaccines, she said, adding that she expected the measure to pass the Senate.

Chapman cited her areas strong religious ties as well as the states support of anti-abortion politicians as reasons to support a religious exemption. The way these vaccines are derived, they are from aborted fetal cells, so we are a pro-life state.

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A subset of vaccines are made using human fetal cells from the 1960s, according to Costello. The cells are replicated to develop vaccines that protect against illnesses like rubella, hepatitis A, and rabies, she said. Vaccines themselves do not contain fetal cells, she said.

For me as a Catholic myself, I appreciate that religious leaders from the major religions, have evaluated the use of these cells in making vaccines and determined that not only is it not sinful to accept vaccines made in this manner, Costello said, but it is morally important for people who are able to get vaccinated do so to protect children, our neighbors, our communities, and vulnerable people such as those who are pregnant.

Some Republicans joined Dems in voting against changing vaccine laws

In the House, Phillips said hed again co-sponsor legislation similar to this years vaccination exemption bill.

Its a tough issue, and its personal for me and a lot of people, he said. Im trying to be reasonable and look at everything from every side of it. Big Pharma in the United States has such an incredible amount of influence.

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He continued, As a legislator, we have a duty to do our due diligence and make our best informed choice. We also have a duty to represent the views of the people who put us there, and its pretty clear where thats moved with compulsory vaccinations.

House and Senate Democrats voted against this years vaccination exemption bill.

Del. Anitra Hamilton, D-Monongalia

Hamilton, who serves on the House Health Committee, cited the states poor health outcomes as a reason to vote against the measure. We are not a healthy state  that goes for adults as well as children. Any weakening of those laws is a disaster waiting to happen, she said. Sometimes it might take a generation or two for this to take effect.

The number of Democrat lawmakers will decrease next year, but they could have some Republicans join them in opposition.

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Oliverio was one of nine senators who voted against the vaccination exemption measure.

I tend to think West Virginia is well served by its current policies, and when representing my district, the biggest concentration of healthcare workers of West Virginia, Ive heard clearly from them that they want to keep the policy as is, he said.

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STORY: On Chile's Ascotan salt flat, this "karachi" fish somehow survives.

But this resilient species, existing in an extreme environment more than two miles above sea level, is now facing a different threat - from the mining industry.

Miguel Allende is director of the Milenio Institute Center for Genome Regulation.

"Chile is a unique environment, it is a unique place in the world that does not exist anywhere else. These species are only here and therefore preserving them is our responsibility as citizens, as a country."

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Allende says Orestias Ascotanensis, to give the fish its scientific name, has a series of genes that help it survive in its hostile environment.

That includes genes to withstand high levels of solar radiation and of salt and heavy metals, as well as low concentrations of oxygen.

However, local residents like Mauricio Anza Cruz say the population of fish has been reducing.

He blames the extraction of water from the salt flats for copper mining activities.

"The ideal for us is not to take more water from these springs, from these wells so that the fish can survive. Because that is what causes harm, when they take the water from us, the fish start dying.''

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The salt flat is also part of government plans to become a private lithium exploitation project.

Back at his lab in Santiago, Allende says guarantees must be given to preserve the eco-system.

While mining activity is economically important, he says, it must be carried out in a way that ensures that a particular environment is not lost forever.
Tasked with investigating and assessing Chinas trade behaviors and reporting on inherent risks to American interests, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission released its annual findings and recommendations on Tuesday, underscoring deepening anxieties about the countrys influence on the U.S. consumer and manufacturing markets.

The premier investigatory body on Chinas economic impacts is urging lawmakers to fully eliminate the de minimis trade provision for imports sold through online marketplaces amid a rapid escalation of e-commerce sales originating from China.

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Section 321 of the Tariff Act has created a superhighway for cheap and dangerous products to reach American shoppers, allowing them to circumvent tariffs and regulatory scrutiny, it reportedand the situation has impeded U.S. government efforts to ensure the safety and regulatory compliance of consumer goods.

Comprised of 12 non-partisan, Congressionally appointed commissioners and staff, the Commission also recommended that Congress revoke the countrys permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) statusa change that would further fray the tenuous trade ties between the worlds largest superpowers.

Chinas PNTR status, which has been in place since the country joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, has afforded it the same benefits and trade terms as U.S. allies for more than two decades. If revoked, China would be subject to annual reviews of its trade practicesand a shift toward a more assertive trade policy aimed at protecting U.S. industries and workers from economic coercion, the Commission wrote in its review.

Stripping China of PNTR would also likely pave the way for the introduction of new tariffs, which President-elect Donald Trump has been promising for months.

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At a hearing in Washington on Tuesday, Commissioner Jacob Helberg said a repeal of PNTR would give the president the flexibility to recalibrate Americas trading relationship with China in light of its failure to comply with its WTO commitments.

Meanwhile, burgeoning channels like Shein and Temu, combined with Chinas reinvigorated focus on export manufacturing as a pillar of economic growth, mean that Chinese factories will remain major suppliers across the consumer products space, the report said. The U.S. is currently a major facilitator of that growth, taking in a total of 4 million de minimis parcels each day, many originating from China.

Holding Chinese manufacturers and exporters accountable remains challengingif not virtually impossibleunder the Xi regime, the Commission wrote.

Our Commissions bipartisan report recommends to Congress to immediately eliminate de minimis exemption for any product coming in through e-commerce. This is an important and critical recommendation; it is our top two in terms of recommendations, Commissioner and National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) lead Kim Glas said at the hearing.

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Were not going to have a fashion industry across the West if we keep these types of loopholes, Helberg added. Its very clear that platforms like Shein and Temu shop around the world to different fashion brands, steal all the designs and then ship copycats of these products in three days, tax-free, to customers around the West And so we can either have a fashion industry or we can have de minimis, but we probably cant have both.

Chatter about the dangers of de minimisboth to consumers receiving counterfeit or shoddily made products and U.S. businesses losing market share to foreign competitorshas reached a fever pitch in Washington in 2024.

Earlier this month, a former Biden Administration official said he expects the president to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)which would lay out a plan for curbing de minimis package volumesbefore the end of the year. Bipartisan legislation has also been introduced calling for guardrails that would keep China from abusing the provision. The Commissions recommendation that the trade loophole be eliminated for e-commerce altogether is especially notable within the context of these proposals.

Another notable recommendation from the Commission centered on addressing the growing issue of transshipment, in which goods made in Chinaor with China-made inputsare entering the U.S. via third countries.

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Congress should require the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), in concert with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. International Trade Commission, and other appropriate entities, to dig into the operation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) and whether it has inadvertently facilitated the ferrying of more Chinese products over the border. The Commission recommended that the agencies compile a comprehensive report on the issue within 90 days.

Obviously, theyre trying to export their way out of some of the economic crisis that they are facing internally, Glas said of China. So this recommendation to Congress is: we need these agencies to coordinate to ensure that theres not misclassification of goods, duty evasion, illegal transshipment to ensure that the component parts are, in fact, meeting rules of origin or requirements.
The US Air Force (USAF) recently remarked on the striking resemblance between the US F-35 Lightning II and the newly introduced Chinese stealth aircraft J-35A, especially after the latter was showcased at the Zhuhai Air Show with great fanfare.

In an interview with Air and Space Forces Magazine on November 19, US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin noted that Chinas latest stealth fighter has a distinctive feature: it seems to be derived from the F-35.

He remarked, Its still relatively new. However, yes, its quite evident; you could place it next to ours and see, at least, from where we think they derived their blueprints, if you will.

US military tech theft?

A photograph released on November 5 during a press conference by the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) provided the first look at this advanced aircraft, significantly enhancing Chinas developing aerial capabilities.

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At the much-anticipated biennial air show, Beijing showcased various modern, cutting-edge equipment, but the J-35A stealth aircraft remained the event's highlight until it concluded.

https://twitter.com/IsabellaAn67/status/1854051959335944519

The aircraft gave an impressive demonstration flight that captivated spectators with its remarkable maneuvers.

Since its unveiling, the J-35A has captured public interest due to its striking resemblance to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.

Although Gen. Allvin did not go into detail regarding his comments, the similarity has reignited discussions about China allegedly stealing sensitive US military technology.

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In earlier remarks about the aircraft this month, several critics condemned it as a copy of the US F-35 Lightning II.

For years, the West has accused China of attempting to steal classified information regarding the F-35 fighter.

Concerns regarding Chinas supposed role in the theft of F-35 information emerged after Edward Snowden, a former US National Security Agency contractor, leaked confidential documents to a German publication in 2015.

These documents purportedly indicated that Chinese hackers had obtained classified data concerning the F-35.

Chinese hackers are said to have initiated a data breach at key subcontractor Lockheed Martin in 2007.

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In 2013, Frank Kendall, then responsible for defense acquisition, expressed during a Senate hearing that he was reasonably assured the F-35s classified information was under security but not entirely confident about its unclassified information.

Furthermore, he claimed that competing nations had forfeited the design and production advantage.

Similarities with F-35

The J-35A exhibits several clear resemblances to the F-35.

Like the US F-35 Lightning II, it employs a tailplane wing design instead of the canard-wing configuration seen on Chinas initial stealth aircraft, the J-20 Mighty Dragon. It also boasts land-attack capabilities.

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Like its American counterpart, the J-35A is expected to have a carrier-based variant with folded wings, the J-35.

The carrier-based J-35 fighter aircraft has recently been in the spotlight following its latest trials aboard the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Type 001 aircraft carrier, Liaoning.

With the inclusion of the J-35A into its fleet, China has become the second nation in history to operate two stealth aircraft.

In the images circulated online, except for its engine, the J-35A appears almost indistinguishable from the F-35.

While the F-35 is designed as a single-engine fighter, the J-35A features a twin-engine design.

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Moreover, the new Chinese stealth aircraft is described as slender and sleeker compared to the Lightning II.

The resemblance is so striking that even the Pentagons F-35 Joint Programme Office (JPO) struggled to differentiate between the two.

In a rather embarrassing incident last week, the JPO released a poster on social media to commemorate Veterans Day.

However, the poster featured an image of a twin-engined aircraft resembling Chinas J-35 under the banner of the American flag.
(Bloomberg) -- Elon Musks Chinese rival in the satellite internet business plans to start operations in Brazil in 2026, the head of the Shanghai-based company told Bloomberg News Tuesday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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SpaceSails Jason Jie Zheng signed a memorandum of understanding with Brazilian telecommunications company Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras S.A. to study the demand for satellite internet areas where fiber optic infrastructure doesnt work.

The MOU was struck amid President Xi Jinpings visit to Brazil. He attended the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro and on Wednesday will sign a series of agreements with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the capital, Brasilia.

Lula is looking to China to help foster Brazils economic development. But its a pivot that risks a clash with Donald Trump, as the US president-elect promises a harder stance against China and its push into the Americas.

Chinese investments in Brazil are moving from announcement to fruition. BYDs most extensive electric-vehicle operation outside of Asia and a local partnership with Chinese smartphone maker Oppo are just two such ventures.

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In a brief interview after the event Tuesday night, Jie Zheng said SpaceSail will begin providing internet in Brazil in two years time and will open a subsidiary in the country by the end of this year.

Our MOU with Telebras is not only a partnership but also a shared commitment to empowering underserved regions of Brazil, he said in a speech. By combining Telebrass expertise with SpaceSails cutting edge solution, we aim to support Brazils national initiative with our broadband services and digital industrial solutions and drive access to essential services like education, public health, government.

SpaceSail launched its first batch of 18 satellites into orbit in August, with a second launch of another 18 last month. That leaves 600 plus to go before the first phase of its planned constellation will be ready, targeted for the end of next year.

This weeks event follows a Brazilian government tour at SpaceSail headquarters in October, just after a monthslong clash between Musk and Brazils top court, which culminated in million-dollar fines and X being banned in Latin Americas largest economy.

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Starlink had its bank accounts frozen in Brazil in a bid to force X to comply with legal orders. Musk eventually gave in, the accounts were unblocked and access to the US billionaires social media platform was restored across the country.

Starlink is the leading provider of satellite internet services, with a 46% market share in Brazil. Musks company only holds 0.5% of total broadband market in the country, with 265,000 customers as of September.

Communications Minister Juscelino Filho denied any retaliatory link between Brazils feud with Musk and its courtship of his Chinese rivals in the sector.

Brazil is always with open arms to everyone who can offer quality services with fair prices and security to the Brazilian population, Filho told journalists. Nothing in any industry is good when you only have one provider, he said.

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday asked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to help resolve the issue of the EU's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The EU's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles are drawing attention around the world, and China always insists on resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, Xi said.

It is hoped that Germany will continue to play an important role in this regard, Xi said, noting China regards Europe as an important pole in a multi-polar world.

The two leaders' meeting took place on the second day of the G20 summit, where Xi had called for building a world economy characterized by cooperation, stability, openness, innovation and eco-friendliness.

It is important to keep in mind that mankind lives in a community with a shared future, Xi said at the summit on Monday, adding that G20 members should see each other's development as opportunities rather than challenges, and view each other as partners rather than rivals.

During a separate meeting with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, Xi said that China and France, as major countries, share common responsibilities to lead the international community to unite in efforts to address global challenges at a time when many new changes are unfolding in the international landscape.

Macron said that France upholds strategic autonomy and is willing to engage in dialogue and cooperation with China in the spirit of mutual respect, properly handle economic and trade disputes, and maintain a sound and steady development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

Despite strong opposition from several member states, the European Commission has finalized its decision to levy tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, a misguided trade protectionist measure hurting many but benefiting no one.

A Bloomberg opinion piece described the decision as "a misstep that one must hope will give way to mutually beneficial negotiation, not launch a trade war that leaves both sides worse off." European automotive giants such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz oppose the tariff plan.

As observers have warned, these tariffs will weaken the competitiveness of the European industry in the long term. Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, dismissed the EU's move as "a step backwards for global free trade and thus for prosperity, job security and growth in Europe."

Meanwhile, Britain has distanced itself from the EU's decision, with British Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds ruling out any plans to impose similar tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports.

Reynolds said that as there had not been any complaints from Britain's automotive industry to the Trade Remedies Authority, he would not seek to follow the EU in pursuing tariffs.

During talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, Xi said that China and Britain enjoy vast space for cooperation.

Brazil is the second stop of Xi's Latin America tour, which has taken him to Peru. In Lima, he kept to a tight schedule, attending the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, paying a state visit to Peru and holding a series of bilateral meetings, including one with his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden.

In Brasilia, Xi is set to discuss bilateral relations with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as China and Brazil mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Strong headwinds from Europe notwithstanding, leading Chinese EV makers have been gathering steam in Latin America. Build Your Dreams (BYD), a Chinese EV giant, doubled its overseas sales in the first nine months of the year, with remarkable performance in Brazil, to a point, offsetting setbacks in Europe.

Alexandre Baldy, vice president of BYD Brazil, told Xinhua that nearly 80,000 BYD cars, affordable, high-tech vehicles for Brazilians, are now on the country's roads.

During her visit to China in June, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte voiced hope for a BYD assembly plant in Peru, as the country plans to build a brand-new public transport fleet of electric vehicles in the next three to four years.

"China and Latin America, in a sense, are complementary economies. We need capital, technology, markets and China has that," said Carlos Aquino, director of the Center for Asian Studies at Peru's National University of San Marcos. "We can learn from China's experience." 
By Ricardo Brito and Eduardo Baptista

BRASILIA (Reuters) -China's President Xi Jinping and his Brazilian peer Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday upgraded the status of diplomatic relations and struck agreements on infrastructure, energy and agribusiness, tightening links between two of the world's largest developing economies.

The state visit in Brasilia capped a regional tour by Xi that showcased Beijing's growing diplomatic clout during a tricky government transition in Washington.

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Xi and Lula both said the China-Brazil relationship had become a "Community with a Shared Future for a More Just World and Sustainable Planet," expanding a key slogan from the Chinese leader in their joint declaration at the presidential residence.

They also agreed to find "synergies" between the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and Brazilian development programs, after Lula declined last year to formally include Brazil in China's global infrastructure investment strategy.

The countries struck nearly 40 cooperation agreements in economic sectors from farming and solar power to communications and nuclear energy, strengthening ties between the two nations with more than $150 billion of bilateral trade, Lula said.

"China-Brazil relations are now at their best moment ever," said Xi, adding that China was ready to make the nations "golden partners."

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Xi has used the term "Community with a Shared Future" to formalize what Beijing sees as a positive and wide-ranging bilateral relationship with a country sharing geopolitical and economic interests, such as Vietnam.

"This designation is reserved for partners China considers truly special and irreplaceable," said Sunny Cheung, associate fellow for China studies with the Jamestown Foundation. "For Beijing, it underscores Brazil's strategic importance, both as a leading voice in the Global South and as a critical partner in ensuring China's long-term economic and food security."

Brazil's Agriculture Ministry cheered the potential for $450 million in new exports to China as new trade accords opened its market for Brazilian sorghum, fresh grapes, sesame and fishmeal.

Brazilian meat packer BRF, the world's largest chicken exporter, in parallel announced a deal to acquire a processed foods factory in China's Henan province for $43 million, along with plans to invest $36 million in expanding the plant.

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Although Brazil-China trade relations have been growing for decades, their diplomatic relations faltered under Lula's right-wing predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, who echoed anti-China rhetoric from former U.S. President Donald Trump, an ideological ally.

During Lula and Xi's meeting on Wednesday, China's low Earth orbit satellite company SpaceSail, which aims to challenge Elon Musk's Starlink, signed an agreement with Brazil's state telecom Telebras to enter the Brazilian market.

Brazilian state bank BNDES said it had arranged for a 5 billion yuan ($690 million) loan from China Development Bank - the first such operation denominated in the Chinese currency.

DIPLOMATIC TOUR

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The state visit in Brasilia came after twin summits for Xi in the past week: the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima and then the Group of 20 major economies in Rio de Janeiro.

Xi played a central role at the summits, while U.S. President Joe Biden arrived as a lame duck with just two months left in the White House and little leverage as Trump vows a total foreign policy overhaul.

A group portrait on the first day of the G20 summit captured the moment, with Xi front and center, next to the presidents of Brazil, India and South Africa - China's partners in the BRICS group of major developing nations and the three consecutive G20 hosts from 2023 to 2025.

Biden missed that photo op for "logistical reasons," the White House said.

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With Biden diminished and Trump averse to multilateral forums, diplomats and foreign policy experts said Xi's charm offensive was filling a vacuum in an unsettled global order.

China's side meetings with Western powers amid trade and geopolitical tensions, from the U.S. and Britain to France and Germany, showed a conciliatory turn from Beijing ahead of four more rocky years facing down Trump, said Li Xing, a professor at the Guangdong Institute for International Strategies

"China's strategy is clear, the posture it is displaying is to let go of past resentment," said Li. "This is definitely an adjustment, and it's all because this year's G20 summit was in a transition period following the U.S. election."

Behind the scenes, several diplomats who had been part of previous G20 summits noticed an evolving posture from the Chinese - less focused on their own narrow interests and more proactive about forging a wider consensus.

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"China is much more involved and much more constructive," said one Brazilian diplomat, requesting anonymity to discuss the negotiations.

A European diplomat noted that Chinese peers helped to build consensus this year on several fronts, including topics such as women's rights where they had not been traditionally active. It looked like a conscious move to occupy a multilateral forum that Trump is likely to neglect, the diplomat added.

"A place left unoccupied will be occupied by another," said the European diplomat. "Apparently China is interested in occupying more than it has to date."

($1 = 7.25 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Ricardo Brito in Brasilia, Eduardo Baptista, Jake Spring, Lisandra Paraguassu and Elizabeth Pineau in Rio de JaneiroEditing by Brad Haynes, Michael Perry and Jonathan Oatis)
[Source]

Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui, known for creating the worlds first genetically engineered babies in 2018, is now looking for interns.

In an X post on Nov. 15, He said his new lab in Beijing is recruiting internship students, though he did not provide details of expected tasks.

After investigators determined in 2019 that He had violated regulations, he was fired from his job as an associate professor of biology at the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen. He was sentenced to three years in prison in January 2020 but was released earlier in April 2022.

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Hes current affiliations are unclear; he announced his new lab on Oct. 18, later welcoming visitors. He continues to talk about genetic engineering but remains unapologetic about his controversial work, writing on Oct. 23, I will apologize for the gene edited baby experiment, only if their parents have requested it. However, they are happy with the results now.

Trending on NextShark: Chinese scientist jailed for gene-edited babies is now looking for interns

My lab is recruiting internship students. Email: jiankuihe@gmail.com pic.twitter.com/XJvRgig8xU  Jiankui He (@Jiankui_He) November 15, 2024

Trending on NextShark: Blackpinks Rose received advice from Taylor Swift for her solo career

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Swedish investigators are looking into the movements of a Chinese vessel in the Baltic Sea after two internet cables were severed in what some Western leaders suspect was an act of sabotage.

According to ship tracking data, Yi Peng 3, a Chinese-registered bulk carrier, passed close to the Swedish-Lithuanian and Finnish-German cables at the time both were mysteriously damaged on Sunday and Monday.

Sweden is now taking a hard look at Yi Peng 3 and the role it might have played in both incidents, a source familiar with the investigation told the Financial Times.

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The vessel had been travelling from Ust-Luga, in Russia, to Port Said, in Egypt, through the Baltic Sea when the 730-mile fibre optic cable C-Lion1  the only such direct connection between central Europe and Finland  and another cable were cut, causing some internet outages in Lithuania.

A Danish navy vessel appears to have pursued the Yi Peng 3 on Tuesday evening, according to marine traffic data. The same data showed HDMS Soloeleven, another Danish military ship, staying close to the Chinese carrier on Wednesday morning.

A Danish military spokesman told The Telegraph: The Danish Defence [ministry] can confirm that we are present in the area near the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3.

The cable between Finland and Germany was laid in the Baltic Sea in 2015 - Heikki Saukkomaa/AFP

The Yi Peng 3 is owned by Ningbo Yipeng Shipping, which owns only one other vessel and is based near Ningbo, an eastern Chinese port city. It was not immediately possible to reach the company for comment.

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The incident comes roughly a year after a Chinese vessels anchor damaged a Baltic gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia. Neither country has confirmed whether the damage was an accident or intentional.

Boris Pistorius, the German defence minister, said he believed the C-Lion1 cable was cut deliberately, a view echoed by other EU governments on Tuesday.

Nobody believes these cables were accidentally severed, he said. Therefore, we have to state, without knowing specifically who it came from, that it is a hybrid action. And we also have to assume, without knowing it yet, that it is sabotage.

Escalating hybrid activities

Hybrid warfare is a Russian strategy to destabilise Nato allies through attacks on critical infrastructure and attempts to sabotage facilities in Europe, which support the Ukrainian army.

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A joint statement by France, Italy, Germany, Poland and Britain had previously suggested that Russia was the prime suspect in the cable incident.

Moscows escalating hybrid activities against Nato and EU countries are also unprecedented in their variety and scale, creating significant security risks, the statement said.

Lithuania said it had increased security patrols around its maritime borders, and Poland threatened to close all Russian consulates if such attacks continued.

US officials have expressed scepticism about the sabotage theory. CNN reported on Tuesday that Washington has not seen any indications of nefarious activity, citing two US officials.

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On Wednesday, the Kremlin rejected laughable suggestions it was involved, saying that it was absurd to keep blaming Russia for anything without any grounds.

The Chinese embassy in London has been 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.
The California Highway Patrol assigned Capt. Gil Peirsol as the new commander for the Bakersfield Area Oct. 31.

According to CHP, Peirsol has been a member of the department for 27 years. Peirsol joined CHP in 1997, starting his career in the San Jose Area, then worked in the Fresno and Monterey areas. Peirsol was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2011 in the Baldwin Park Area.

He returned to the Fresno Area in 2012 until he was promoted to lieutenant, then worked in the Merced Area. Peirsol transferred to the Mariposa Area in 2020 as the commander until his promotion to captain, according to CHP.

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Peirsol attended Monterey Peninsula College before transferring to Long Beach State, studying criminal justice.

I am grateful and humbled to have this opportunity, Peirsol said in a CHP news release. Ive quickly found Kern County is a very caring and generous community. I look forward to working with our allied agencies and just as importantly our communities here in Kern County to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security.
This is an adapted excerpt from the Nov. 19 episode of "All In with Chris Hayes."

Its been just over two weeks since the election and, because of the pace at which California counts votes, its only now that we almost have the final vote tally for the entire election. And guess what?

Yes, Donald Trump won the election. He will be the next president. Theres no question about that. But its also one of the narrowest popular vote wins in U.S. history. He got less than half the votes cast, winning a plurality but not a majority of the popular vote.

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Trump won by about 2.5 million votes out of more than 150 million cast. That means his lead over Vice President Kamala Harris in the popular vote is down to about 1.6%. In fact, when comparing Trumps margin of victory to every presidential election going back to 2000, the president-elect boasts the smallest margin of anyone whos actually won their election and the popular vote.

Sure, he got a higher share than Al Gore, who lost in 2000, but he also won the popular vote by less than Hillary Clinton did in 2016.

Not only was Trumps victory historically narrow, but Democrats also did surprisingly well in down-ballot races for a losing side. Yes, they lost three Senate seats in Ohio, West Virginia and Montana  states that Trump won by huge margins. Thats the sort of result you expect. But Democrats also managed to eke out four Senate victories in swing states that Trump won: Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada and Arizona. Thats not what youd expect.

In 2016 and 2020, Democrats didnt win any Senate races in states Trump won. This time they won four. It seems Trump didnt really offer Republicans much in the way of coattails to ride.

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Just look at the House, where the balance of power is going to remain essentially unchanged. In fact, if the current House results hold and Trump succeeds in getting confirmation for his Cabinet nominees who sit in Congress, the Republican Party is on track for the smallest House majority since there have been 50 states.

So take a step back and keep all of this in mind when you hear Trump and his supporters suggest that the election was this enormous wave in which a transformation swept across the country, in which Americans were just begging for a MAGA makeover.

That is the line Republicans are selling  and lots in the mainstream media are granting it in various ways  but its just plainly not true. And weve gone through this all before. Just compare all the postmortems in the past two weeks about what the American people really wanted when Trump won by 1.6 points nationally to the postmortems we got in 2016, after Clinton beat him by 2.1% nationally, but lost in the Electoral College. Its all the same stuff.

Back then, it was all about how the real Americans wanted Trump and how Democrats were so out of touch. And now, were hearing the same things, about Americans wanting Trump and everyone else  the other half of the country  is just out of touch. Its all ludicrous.

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Because what were talking about was essentially down to tiny portions of the electorate switching votes at the last minute. And again, those voters matter: Theyre what gave Trump a victory and its why hell be the next president.

Generally, what we know is that people felt like the country is on the wrong track. Late deciders did not like higher prices, they felt squeezed, and they wanted something different. But it is ludicrous to read that as a mandate for the absolute avalanche of insanity that Trump and Republicans are planning for his second administration.

From the plan to use the military to forcibly expel millions of migrants from the country  and possibly imprison people in blue states who dont comply with their deportations; to getting rid of birthright citizenship, which is written into the 14th Amendment; to using and abusing the Justice Department as a tool for retribution against perceived political enemies; to using the Federal Communications Committee to threaten media thats critical of Trump; to threatening the health and well-being of trans people and women; and to driving the prices of virtually everything up with tariffs on the goods people buy every day.

Kamala Harris had a line in her campaign speeches about how she would start on Day 1 with a to-do list and Trump would start with an enemies list. She was right. And yes, ultimately, she lost but there was no mandate in this election for an enemies list. There was a mandate for cheaper gas and cheaper eggs.

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But Trump has no policy plan for cheaper gas or cheaper eggs. What he has plans for is to let an unelected Elon Musk run roughshod over the government, along with every other crazy radical Project 2025 right-wing fever dream, all while Trump pursues his own personal grievances.

At a certain point, theres going to be a reckoning about the distance between what the swing voters who gave Trump this majority were voting for and what theyre about to get.

Allison Detzel contributed.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Im old enough to remember when hanging chads didnt conjure images of musclebound alpha males hogging the treadmills at the gym.

The term entered the lexicon in 2000 (somehow nearly a quarter century ago) as a recount in Florida seemed destined to decide the presidential race between Vice President Al Gore and George Dubya Bush. The chads in question were tiny fragments of paper hanging on punch-card ballots. Voters punched holes to select candidates. Some didnt punch hard enough, invalidating their votes and raising widespread doubt about the credibility of our election processes.

Eventually, the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in and appointed Bush president. Gore conceded and we moved on through the 9/11 attacks, a disastrous war based on lies, Hurricane Katrina and the 2008 financial crash. The Florida debacle of 2000 hastened the switch to electronic voting, which proponents said would streamline elections and eliminate long waits for results, costly recounts and other controversies.

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On Monday (two days ago), the Democratic-majority Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered counties to stop counting mail-in ballots that lack an accurate, hand-written date on the envelope. The order echoes an earlier opinion that invalidated such ballots under current state election law. Yesterdays hanging chads are todays clerical Karens.

Democratic-majority election boards in Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks counties voted to count the defective ballots anyway, arguing that a date on an envelope says nothing about the voters eligibility or intent. Its a credible argument, but moot in this election. Im all for counting every vote, but the rule of law must prevail, no matter what Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia said last week.

I think we all know that precedent by a court doesnt matter anymore in this country, and people violate laws anytime they want, she said. So, for me, if I violate this law, its because I want a court to pay attention to it.

I am not making that up.

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On Monday, the Democrat tried to walk her decidedly undemocratic statement back, saying it was misinterpreted. By whom I cant imagine, but the Supreme Court paid attention and issued a ruling that needs no interpretation. The dateless ballots are invalid under the law. Count them all you want, Diane, but they will never count.

A better argument can be made for counting provisional ballots called into question by clerical errors, such as poll workers forgetting to sign them. Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Caseys campaign is forcefully making that argument, but likely in vain. The Associated Press called the race for Republican challenger Dave McCormick on Nov. 7. As of Tuesday, he was up by about 17,000 votes.

Thousands of ballots remain uncounted, but it seems extremely unlikely Casey can close the gap. Still, his campaign refuses to concede, which has MAGA Republicans clutching their pearls and howling for Casey to accept the will of the people, respect the sanctity of the vote and concede to a peaceful transfer of power. The same crowd that has yet to concede Trumps defeat in the 2020 election is demanding that Casey bow out before all the votes are counted.

I am not making that up, either.

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In a Monday conference call, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, state GOP Chairman Lawrence Tabas and U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, took aim at Casey and Democrats for betraying the trust of Pennsylvania voters.

When we began this overall campaign, the RNC and the GOP came together because we knew the electorate had lost confidence in voter outcomes, Meuser said without a hint of irony. So in order to instill confidence, we worked, certainly, on maximizing the ballot but also protecting the ballot, building trust.  And things worked well in Pennsylvania, until now. Until this Casey campaign conduct.

Meuser went on to correctly interpret the Bucks County commissioners cartoonish vow to defy the Supreme Court and state law and called on Gov. Josh Shapiro, the former attorney general, to formally denounce the counting of disqualified ballots. Meuser called Shapiros silence very disturbing and very disconcerting to voters and to all of Pennsylvania.

Maybe he missed it, or it came after the GOP conference call, but Shapiro did issue a statement Monday.

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Any insinuation that our laws can be ignored or do not matter is irresponsible and does damage to faith in our electoral process. The rule of law matters in Pennsylvania, the Democratic governor said. The court has now ruled on the counting of these ballots specific to the Nov. 5, 2024, election, and I expect all county election officials to adhere to this ruling and all the applicable laws governing our elections.

I hope that was clear and conclusive enough for Meuser, who voted against certifying the 2020 election hours after the Jan. 6, 2021, domestic terrorist attack on the Capitol  which he witnessed firsthand. The election integrity advocate was reelected on the same ballot, which he had no qualms accepting as legitimate in his case. Meuser was at the forefront of pushing Trumps Big Lie, joining MAGA Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons baseless election fraud lawsuit to overturn President Joe Bidens victories in Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Biden won the Keystone State by about 1.2% (about 80,000 votes). If Meuser, Trump and company had gotten their way, more than 3.4 million Pennsylvania voters would have been disenfranchised. Now hes sounding the alarm over a county commissioners futile, 15-minute rebellion and a few thousand ballots that arent likely to change anything.

Meuser is an expert on lost confidence in voter outcomes because he helped destroy it, alongside the president-elect. Does anyone believe that if Casey was up by 17,000 votes that McCormick, Meuser and the GOP would ask to stop the counting and concede? If you do, you likely struggle with hole-punching and important dates, too.

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Im confident that a statewide recount will settle the Casey/McCormick race, most likely in the latters favor. In that event, Im also confident the Scranton-born incumbent will place a call to the new Pennsylvania senators Connecticut mansion and concede.

Chris Kelly, the Times-Tribune columnist, will not concede to naked hypocrisy on either side. Contact the writer: ckelly@scrantontimes.com; @cjink on X; Chris Kelly, The Times-Tribune on Facebook.
Despite a recent stretch of dry weather, Christmas tree growers said their trees are fine.

The Christmas tree farm at Port Farms in Waterford is getting ready to help families bring home their live trees for the holiday season.

Local tire shop recommends switching to snow tires before first snowfall of season

The operations manager said its been a great growing season despite recent dry weather.

She said early spring and the heart of the summer are the most important time for the growth of the trees.

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Donate to a child in need during Operation Christmas Childs National Collection Week

This was a great growing year. The biggest impact is if we have a late frost, but it was beautiful all through the spring. We had a great growing season in May, June, and July. The buds were great and the trees are looking really good this year, said Casey Dusicsko, operations manager at Port Farms.

Tree sales begin on Black Friday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The Circle of Ivy, the womens philanthropy circle of the Ivy Tech Foundation, raised $7,500 for two Indiana campuses.

According to a news release, Terre Haute and Greencastle are two of 19 campuses to receive these funds from Circle of Ivy and they plan to use the money on laptop scholarships for students.

Our Circle of Ivy members are making a real difference for our students, said Lea Anne Crooks, Ph.D., Chancellor of Ivy Tech Terre Haute. The $7,500 theyve raised will go toward laptop scholarships, helping students overcome financial and technical barriers and stay on track. Its amazing to see how this groups generosity is creating opportunities and supporting the future of our community.

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The Circle of Ivy has raised more than $1.4 million statewide since it was formed in 2015. They focus on attending to the needs of students attending the college as well as helping with emergency needs, sending students abroad, technology help, textbooks, and other programs. Circle of Ivy has grown to include more than 1,000 members over the nine years it has been active.

The commitment of the women who make up Circle of Ivy should be inspiring to everyone associated with Ivy Tech, said Courtney Roberts, President of the Ivy Tech Foundation. I am personally proud to be part of an organization doing so much good for our students  the future leaders of our communities. Ivy Tech is integral to Indianas success story, and the commitment and generosity of women who belong to Circle of Ivy help make it happen.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Workers remove a lead service line before its replaced by a brass one in Providence, R.I., in 2023. A new federal rule will require water systems across the country to replace roughly 9 million lead service lines to protect residents from potential poisoning. (Kevin G. Andrade | Rhode Island Current)

A new federal rule will require water utilities across the country to pull millions of lead drinking water pipes out of the ground and replace them, at a cost of billions of dollars.

States, cities and water utilities agree that the lead pipes need to go to ensure safe water for residents. But they say they may struggle to do so in the 10-year window required under the rule, and they fear some ratepayers will be hit with massive cost increases to pay for the work.

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State officials are urging Congress to provide ongoing funding for the lead replacement effort. Local leaders say theyll need lots of help to meet the deadline. And environmental advocates are calling on states to issue bonds or provide other financial support to water utilities.

It took us close to 100 years to get all of these lead service lines in the ground, and the EPA is asking us to get them out in 10 years, said Tom Dobbins, CEO of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, an advocacy group for publicly owned water systems. The [Biden] administration grossly underestimated the cost. Obviously, if the federal government doesnt provide the funding for this, the ratepayers will have to pay for this. That exacerbates certain communities affordability issues.

The new rule, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in October, requires cities and water utilities to replace all lead service lines  the pipes that run from water mains to private residences under lawns and sidewalks. Because the lines extend under private property, some water system operators say the rule has created confusion over whether utilities or homeowners will be responsible for the replacement costs.

The EPA estimates that more than 9 million service lines are made of lead, a neurotoxin that can cause nervous system damage, learning disabilities and other health problems, especially in children. If lead pipes corrode, as in the infamous case of Flint, Michigan, they can poison drinking water.

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It took us close to 100 years to get all of these lead service lines in the ground, and the EPA is asking us to get them out in 10 years.

 Tom Dobbins, CEO of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies

While no amount of lead exposure is safe, the federal rule now requires utilities to notify the public and improve corrosion treatment if lead in their water exceeds 10 parts per billion. Some homes in Syracuse, New York, recently tested at 70 parts per billion.

This is a significant public health advance, said Erik Olson, who leads a drinking water protection campaign with the Natural Resources Defense Council, a national environmental nonprofit. Weve known for decades that lead service lines are dangerous, and, unfortunately, a lot of utilities just kept putting it on the back burner.

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Under the rule, water systems will have until 2027 to draft a plan for replacing their lead lines, after which they will have 10 years to complete the work.

Olson said President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to roll back many environmental regulations, would have a difficult time undoing the lead rule. A provision in the Safe Drinking Water Act prevents backsliding for federal protections, he said, and efforts to overturn the rule through Congress could prove deeply unpopular.

Money worries

The federal mandate comes after some states, including Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey, already issued their own lead replacement requirements and directed funding to their hardest-hit communities.

Its a challenging goal, but I think weve shown its achievable, said Eric Oswald, director of the Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Im trying to make Michigan the first state to remove all lead service lines.

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The federal rule will accelerate Michigans timeline, as state regulations gave utilities a 20-year replacement window. But the initial state requirement has given water systems there a head start. Michigan has somewhere between 300,000 and 500,000 service lines, of which its replaced about 50,000 so far. Oswald acknowledged that the work will be expensive.

In New Jersey, water utilities have replaced more than 25,000 service lines since a state lead law was passed in 2021 (that figure does not include a previous effort that replaced 23,000 pipes in Newark). But the state still has more than 120,000 lead service lines, which it said will cost at least $1.8 billion to replace.

Theres nothing yet that has made me think that its not achievable, but right now the focus has been on getting a good inventory, said Trish Ingelido, director of water supply and geoscience at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Well have a better sense in the next two years what the replacement rate is looking like.

The EPA estimates that the cost of replacing lead pipes nationwide will be about $45 billion. A separate analysis by the consulting firm Safe Water Engineering, funded by the Natural Resources Defense Council, arrived at a similar figure. But the American Water Works Association, a coalition of water system operators, puts the cost at closer to $90 billion.

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This is important on the public health side, but its a challenge for local governments, said Carolyn Berndt, legislative director for sustainability at the National League of Cities, which advocates for municipal governments. We do see this raising concerns about affordability.

While local governments worry about expenses, the EPA says that the public health costs of lead poisoning are far greater. A federal analysis estimates that the rule, on an annual basis, will prevent 1,500 cases of premature death from heart disease and protect 900,000 infants from having low birthweight. The agency says the savings from avoiding the poisoning of residents will be 13 times greater than the cost of replacing the pipes.

The EPA contends that replacement costs will be affordable. It estimates that household-level costs associated with the rule will range from 10 cents to $10 a month. The agency pointed to the success of states such as Michigan and New Jersey, which have already replaced tens of thousands of pipes, as evidence that the 10-year timeline is achievable. Federal officials argue that the market will correct for any shortages of labor and material that some states fear will slow the work.

The feds have provided $15 billion for lead service line replacement through the 2021 infrastructure law passed by Congress, plus another $11.7 billion in state-administered drinking water funds that can be used for new lines. Some communities have used those federal grants and loans, along with pandemic relief funds, to make significant progress on their lead problem.

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So far, the EPA says it has distributed $9 billion of the money targeted at service line replacements, enough to change out up to 1.7 million pipes. But many water systems are still working to inventory their lead pipes, leaving them little time to compete for the federal funding that expires in 2026.

[Federal investments] provided significant new funding for this effort, but its absolutely not nearly enough for the successful implementation of the rule, said Ben Grumbles, executive director of the Environmental Council of the States, a nonprofit association of environmental agency leaders.

Grumbles noted that state agencies also are facing significant expenses from new federal rules to limit exposure to PFAS, or forever chemicals, in drinking water (lead, a naturally occurring metal, is not among the man-made PFAS chemicals).

Cities struggle

At the local level, leaders are scrounging for funding as best they can.

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Were looking at federal money, were looking at bonds, were looking at different loans and grants, said Randy Conner, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Water Management. Were making sure we turn over all the couch cushions to find every quarter we can possibly find to put towards this effort.

Chicago has an estimated 400,000 lead pipes, more than any other U.S. city. Because of the sheer scale of the problem, the EPA gave Chicago an extended deadline of 20 years to replace its lines. Even so, that would require pulling out 19,000 lines a year, well more than the citys current pace of 8,000. That work will cost about $780 million annually, according to city officials.

Conner said the city is hoping for more federal and state support to avoid placing a heavy burden on ratepayers.

Meanwhile, state and local leaders say Congress is interfering with a key source of money for lead line replacement. Two loan programs, funded by the federal government but administered by states, provide crucial financing for water infrastructure work. State agency leaders deploy the funding based on detailed assessments of community needs.

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But in recent years, members of Congress have bypassed states funding strategies to earmark money for projects in their districts. State agencies say theyre receiving less than half of the pool of money after Congress assigns its favored projects. That has left them less able to help the neediest communities. And many of the congressionally designated projects are lagging because they havent gone through the rigorous preparation work required by states.

By diverting so much funding away from the successful [loan programs], disadvantaged communities are less likely to get funding, said Grumbles, who oversees the coalition of state agencies.

Grumbles and others argue that any earmarks from Congress should only be in addition to the baseline loan program funding.

Other challenges

Costs arent the only obstacle water systems are facing. Some are concerned that the rush to replace millions of pipes nationwide will strain the workforce and supply chain capacity.

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The limiting factor is going to be the availability of contractors and professionals and materials to do the actual work, said Robert Boos, executive director of the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. Thats going to be a national issue, when youve got tens of thousands of communities trying to do this work.

Pennsylvania has boosted clean water funding in its state budget, and its trying to tackle the workforce issue as well. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order in 2023 to create a workforce training program for infrastructure jobs, including lead pipe replacement.

Olson, the environmental advocate, pointed to Newark, New Jersey, which partnered with a labor union to train local residents. The city replaced all of its 23,000 lead service lines in just over two years.

Creative thinking and political will are really whats needed, he said. This is definitely doable.

Another potential problem is the fact that service lines lie under private property, meaning utilities need cooperation from homeowners to conduct the work. In some cases, theyve run into opposition from residents or struggled to reach absentee landlords.

People just dont trust government; they dont think that anything is free, said Conner, the Chicago official. We want them to understand that were not coming into their house to give citations.

Environmental advocates also note that service lines placement on private property has created confusion over who must pay to replace them. The federal rule does not explicitly make water utilities responsible.

When the city goes to a household and says you have to pay a couple thousand dollars to replace your portion of the lead service line, it may work for higher-income people, Olson said. But the studies are showing that lower-income homeowners and landlords will not pay for it. Its a real exacerbation of environmental injustices.

He pointed to Michigan, which adopted a rule specifying that water systems are responsible for the costs of replacing lines. He also noted that some cities have passed ordinances allowing residents of a home to authorize pipe replacement if a landlord cant be reached.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.

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ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Did you know that approximately 29,046 dogs live in Abilene? While picking up dog poop may be unpleasant, drinking it is far worse. Former city councilwoman Donna Albus sat down with the City of Abilene to discuss stormwater management and, as you might expect, dog waste.

In a video created by the city, Albus greeted residents of Abilene while sipping iced tea on a bright and sunny day in Downtown Abilene.

Well, hello there, darling. Isnt this a beautiful day? Now, I dont mean to sound too forward, but Ive noticed something. Not everyone is picking up their dogs sh*t, Albus shared. Its more than just about being polite. Its about protecting our water. When it rains, all that dog sh*t dont just disappear. It washes into our rivers, lakes, and streams. Imagine all that sh*t mixing in our water supply. Heavens, its just more than our water folks need to deal with, sweetie. Thats just not how we do things.

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Abilene stepping up city code compliance with dedicated enforcement officer

Dog waste is a significant contributor to stormwater pollution. When it rains, or snow and ice melts, water flows across the town and through dog parks, carrying waste into the storm drains.

Dog poop contains bacteria and is high in nitrogen and phosphorus, which are nutrients that can negatively affect our water quality. For instance, dog feces can contain fecal coliform bacteria, which can spread diseases such as Giardia, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. These illnesses can cause serious health issues in humans.

It is not just dogs that contribute to water contamination; other pets and wildlife also play a significant role due to harmful bacteria and parasites.

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All Kind Initiative Shelter introduces new building

So keep a little bag with you. Scoop up that sh*t and toss it in the trash, Albus said. Heres to cleaner streets, cleaner water, and less sh*t. Keep it clean yall.

Click here to learn more about stormwater management and how you can help keep the citys water clean.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TEHRAN, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the double-standard approach of the EU and Britain on arms exports and human rights after they imposed sanctions on Iran over allegations of supplying military aid to Russia.

Araghchi said the EU and Britain had accused Iran of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia and imposed sanctions on the country's airlines and shipping sector without presenting any evidence to support their claims.

He made the remarks in a post on X Tuesday while citing a British media report revealing that the British government had not fully suspended export licenses to Israel and continued sending F-35 fighter jet components and other items to the country.

Araghchi said Britain continues to export these weapons while knowing that they are used by Israel in "grave violations of international humanitarian law."

He said Britain's justification for its continued arms exports to Israel was "maintaining ties with the United States and NATO," noting that London's "contradictory behavior exposes their double standards and abdication of responsibility toward human rights."

The EU and Britain on Monday imposed sanctions against Iranian entities and persons, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and its Director Mohammad-Reza Modares Khiabani as well as the country's national airline Iran Air, based on the accusation that Tehran has transferred ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine. 
Nov. 19Engineering work for the removal of the long-closed Pennsylvania Avenue viaduct will soon begin as the result of City Council action Monday night.

The panel approved a work authorization contract with the firm of Olsson for up to $568,250 to obtain engineering services for the future project as well as replacement and repair of Willow Branch stormwater drainage.

The bridge, located between Fifth and Seventh streets, was blocked to vehicle and pedestrian traffic in February 2019 after a state inspection found it to be structurally unsound.

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It is a concrete beam bridge built in 1929, according to the federal government's National Bridge Inventory Data. It spanned Willow Branch and part of a warehouse at the time it was constructed. The warehouse building has been demolished since the bridge was closed.

At the time it was closed, city officials said a state inspection rated the overall condition of the bridge as poor. Its substructure condition had eroded from fair in 2013 to serious in 2017, according to inspection reports.

The city's public works director, Dan Johnson, recommended to the council Monday night that the demolition of the bridge be planned to coincide with a project to increase underground drainage capacity for the downtown Willow Branch. The work would be timed to coincide with reconstruction of that part of Seventh Street by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Johnson told the council Monday that in a meeting to talk about utilities along Seventh Street, state engineers looked at the Willow Branch channels and said the best way to take care of its floodwater control is to run new drainage channels down Seventh Street.

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"We said if we are going to do this, we need to do it quick so as not to miss the opportunity to work with MoDOT," Johnson said.

That is so the city would not have to dig into Seventh Street after MoDOT completes the renovation.

A $60.2 million rebuild of Seventh Street, a state highway with a Route 66 designation, from Range Line Road to Schifferdecker Avenue is planned by MoDOT. The state will spend $60.2 million on the project, expected to start next year and be finished in 2027. Bids are to be sought in the spring.

Joplin city officials, in looking at conditions of the Willow Branch drainage system, had decided to reroute a decades-old portion of the stormwater system that runs under downtown businesses in the area of Fifth and Main streets. In the new plan, channels would be placed under Seventh Street from Moffett Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue, and then north under Pennsylvania Avenue to tie into an existing drainage channel in that area.

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To remove the old bridge, the city will have to obtain rights of way and easements from several property owners, Johnson said.

The work authorization also includes design of a new street where the bridge is removed. Construction of any new street would be a future decision of the City Council, Johnson added.

Before any construction can be done, the city is seeking the engineering services to do a Willow Branch study to know how big a box culvert is needed and what the results will be from rerouting and larger culverts.

Johnson said there are lots of alternatives to be considered to come up with best one for the best price.

The sum of $12 million has been designated in the city's three-eighths-cent capital improvements sales tax to enlarge Willow Branch capacity for safety and dependability.
Nov. 19During its work session Monday night, the Austin City Council declined a request to submit a letter of support for the Minnesota State Rail Plan that hopes to develop a passenger Amtrak rail line from the Twin Cities down through Albert Lea, as well as a projected line that would run across southern Minnesota from Wisconsin to South Dakota.

With the possible development of an existing line from Austin that would connect to Albert Lea, the council voted 3-1 to turn down the request with Geoff Baker, Jason Baskin and Paul Fischer voting against and Laura Helle voting for the letter.

The three that voted against the letter cited concerns of fiscal viability, ridership and any money potentially spent by the city would not be a good use of taxpayer money.

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The vote is a turn from an earlier City Council move nearly 10 years ago when it voted to support the 2015 plan, which has since been updated.

If established, the line as a whole would extend from the Twin Cities down through Kansas City and into Texas.
The city of Owensboro, Daviess Fiscal Court and the city of Henderson are partnering to create an Emergency Medical Technician certificate program, in conjunction with Owensboro Community & Technical College.

Tuesday evening, city commissioners approved an agreement to create a joint EMT program. City Fire Chief James Howard said the first group of new firefighters will begin the class in January.

The program will allow new firefighters in need of EMT training to go through EMT education at OCTC, with the program taught by certified trainers from the departments. The certificates will be issued by OCTC.

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The class will be open only to OFD, Daviess County Fire Department and Henderson Fire Department members.

Its modeled after what we did successfully with the paramedic program, Howard said Tuesday. Its beneficial to all three agencies that require firefighters as EMTs.

The city and county fire departments and American Medical Response created an accelerated paramedic class in 2022.

We are starting out with something we already have a strong template for, Howard said.

Newly hired firefighters are required to receive their EMT certificate before they finish their probationary period. While the departments can hold regular trainings for current EMTs, the departments cannot create a new program unless they are in conjunction with the state or an institute of higher education.

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The program will help the fire department reach a broader pool of applicants, Howard said.

If you only have candidates who are already EMTs, it can limit your hiring pool, Howard said.

Howard said the departments will run the class when needed, such as when new recruit classes are hired.

Im expecting it to be successful and repeatable, Howard said.
When Joe Livingston steps into his new job as Pauls Valleys city manager it looks like he will have a little help with the transition.

The recent search for a new city manager ended last week with all five members of the Pauls Valley City Council announcing he is their choice for the job.

Livingston looks to have some help easing into the new role as James Frizell, longtime city manager serving in an interim capacity the last few months, will stay on for a while working as a consultant.

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The big day is December 2, as that will be Livingstons first day as city manager, while Frizell will also step down and into his new role as a consultant for Livingston.

My job is to help him acclimate to Pauls Valley, Frizell said.

Livingston is coming from Dalhart, Texas, which is located in a far northwest portion of the Texas panhandle. He works as the economic development director of a community with a population of around 8,300.

The help from Frizell should be a big help to the new city manager as Pauls Valleys city budget is currently facing a shortfall with expenses up and revenues down.

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Right now, our expenses are more than our revenues, Frizell said.

The financials are running in the negative right now and our revenues are down. Were about 5 percent down right now. Thats a big deal.

When he comes in, we have got to address these issues and look at possible cuts. Ill sit down with Joe when he gets here and well have to make some hard decisions. Well have to look at where to cut because, at the end of the fiscal year, the budget has to be balanced.

I will make a mid-year budget adjustment to make this right. We have to be able to sustain ourselves in the future, he said.

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In his work as a consultant, Frizell said he plans to initially work full-time with Livingston to address the budget situation and other issues before easing his workload as needed.

Were still trying to straighten things out, he said.

My next role wont be as city manager, but I think weve got some things rolling. Weve got an engineer retro filling the water plant and that process takes a long time.

The new city manager is not going to magically fix the problems. Weve got to work together. Weve got some people in place, so we can do this. Moving forward, were doing what we need to be doing.

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With last weeks meeting the last for Frizell as interim city manager, council members stepped up to offer their thanks to him for coming back and helping when the city was in need.

I appreciate it more than you know, Mayor Jocelyn Rushing said. We owe a debt to James for coming back and staying to ensure a smooth transition.

We appreciate what youve done for us, Jonathan Grimmett said.

A grateful thank you, James, Vice Mayor Bonnie Meisel said.

Frizell was quick to acknowledge the comments from the council.

This is still my hometown. I did it for you, he said.

As for Livingston, Rushing said he was the best choice for the job.

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Hes knowledgeable in economic development, and he has the kind of willingness in city management that we need, Rushing said.

City Attorney Jay Carlton also announced last week the city is now pursuing a lawsuit against the company that brought smart water meters to the community.

We have commenced legal action against the water meter company, he said to council members.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The City of Portland is about to approve paying a local resident hundreds of thousands of dollars to settle a lawsuit over alleged excessive force by Portland police during the 2020-21 protests.

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Attorney Jason Kafourys lawsuit on behalf of Dustin Ferreira, who uses a wheelchair, claims he sustained injuries from encounters with Portland police officers on Sept. 28, 2020 and April 30, 2021.

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Kafoury told KOIN 6 News the $400,000 the city has tentatively agreed to pay represents the largest settlement of any of the 2020 protests with city Portland police.

No amount of money will ever fix or solve the amount of trauma that my community and myself experienced throughout that protest, Ferreira told KOIN 6. But what it does do is it allows me to live a little more comfortably.

According to the lawsuit, Ferreira accused now-former Portland Police Sergeant Justin Damerville of using excessive force by kicking his wheelchair and pushing in the back during polices efforts to break up protests.

Ferreira says he complained to the officer but Damerville allegedly violently grabbed his arm, lifted part of the wheelchair off the ground, spun it around and pulled his arm to ziptie his wrists.

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Suspect sought after Metzger Park sexual assault

Ferreira was charged with interfering with an officer but the charges were dropped the next day.

There were also multiple videos of the 2020 incident. Part one can be viewed in the video player above. Part two can be seen below.

According to court documents, Damerville said the protesters  including Ferreira  were told to leave several times or face arrest. Damerville left the Portland Police Bureau two years ago and now works in a different state.

Ferreira frequently attended the protests that went on in Portland in 2020, which stretched on for months to protest racial injustice after the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

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Ferreiras isnt the only lawsuit the city has faced related to the 2020 protests. In fact, there are dozens of lawsuits pending against the Portland Police Bureau from the violent clashes between protesters and police.

Last year, the city settled for several similar cases of alleged police excessive force against protesters, ranging from $60,000 to $300,000.

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The City of Portlands City Attorney, Rist Management Services and the Portland Police Bureau have formerly recommended paying Ferreira $400,000 in order to settle the lawsuit. The Portland City Council is set to vote on approving the settlement in their meeting on Wednesday.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The Terre Haute Board of Sanitary Commissioners on Monday reached a resolution regarding $90 million in bond funding for the new main lift station.

That project consists of the construction of a new main pumping facility handling 96 million gallons a day for the combined sewer system. This project will replace an existing pumping facility that was constructed in the early 1960's and has been extended beyond its useful life.

Elements of the bond were tweaked as more projects have been added. Tuesday represented an opportunity for public discussion on the project, but no one from the public was on hand at the meeting in City Hall.

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Board President Pat Goodwin said, "We passed approval for the $90 million bond, but what it's being used for and the timing of how that money is being used is changing, because the project changed.

"It's really just a bunch of legal steps that we need to go through for the bondholders and everyone involved with the project so everyone's aware that it happened and it happened at a public meeting."

He added, "The money's already approved  just the use of it has changed very slightly. We've got a bond book that says, 'Here's what we're gonna use this money for' and this amends it ever so slightly."

The initial hearing introducing the bond was at the board's previous meeting.

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"Today was the day for official remonstrance, of which there was none," Goodwin said.

Terre Haute Controller Jessica Thome came before the board requesting $400,000 to solve a financial glitch left over from the previous administration.

"When this board came in in January," Goodwin explained, "we had a bill for the solid waste fee that we were asked to approve in hindsight  that is, it had already been paid by the previous administration, and we were asked to approve it."

The problem was that the city's trash fee was not covering the actual costs involved in collecting trash.

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"The reason that occurred was, the trash fee that is on everyone's sewer bill had not been increased, and they were running a big deficit," Goodwin said.

"They were using wastewater fees to pay the trash bill. So obviously, we said, 'That's not good.' And so the mayor has adjusted the trash fee so that it will cover the bill for trash collection.

"However, that [trash fee hike] didn't get approved until the middle of this year, so they're still behind [in revenues] this year.

"So we're saying, 'It looks like you've got the problem solved for the future  but you're still in a deficit situation.' This year, at least, let's approve it ahead of time, first of all, and second is just figuring out the right mechanism to move the money from the Wastewater Utility to the Board of Works, who actually pays the trash bill."

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There was discussion of whether the money should be transferred from another department's budget or if the $400,000 should come in the form of a loan.

In the end, the request was tabled until next month, when it will be resolved.

"It wasn't done right in the past and we want to make sure we do it right this time," Goodwin said. "That's why we tabled it today, because we want to just make sure we're following the right procedure. Hopefully, next year, it won't occur anymore."

Neither the lift station resolution nor the trash fee decision produces an immediate change in billing.

The Sanitary Board also announced that it purchased a Pelican Street Sweeper for the Streets Department.
Nov. 20A Claremore man accused of making terroristic threats against supporters of President-elect Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Claremore police arrested 73-year-old Tommy Russell Goodman, who also goes by Rusty, Nov. 7. According to court documents, several of Goodman's neighbors, two bank employees and a real estate agent told officers Goodman had threatened them due to their perceived or actual support of Trump.

Goodman pleaded not guilty at his Thursday arraignment to charges of terrorism in the alternative of terrorism hoax, possessing a firearm during commission of a felony, and unlawfully possessing marijuana during commission of a felony.

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Judge Terrell S. Crosson ordered Goodman to be held in the Rogers County jail without bond.

District Attorney Matt Ballard said he requested no bond for Goodman because he is a "dangerous individual" who demonstrated he poses a threat to the community.

"We've been concerned about his ability to carry out these threats, based on police investigation," Ballard said. "We are pleased that we'll be keeping our community safe while these charges are pending."

According to court documents, Goodman first popped up on Claremore police's radar in 2015. Goodman's wife told officers he was possibly homicidal and suicidal and had set up a sniper's nest in their home.

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Two of Goodman's neighbors filed a police report against him in October 2024. According to the report, Goodman had threatened the neighbors over the course of several months for supporting Trump. He said he had orders to shoot people in red hats on Election Day and told one neighbor he'd "take action" against them if civil unrest occurred after the election.

A third neighbor, according to court documents, said Goodman drove his family out of their home for flying a Trump flag. He told officers Goodman vandalized his home with paint and threw dead animals and trash onto his property.

He said Goodman then tried to figure out his new address with an "address correction requested" letter that read, "When Trump starts his civil war, many people will be killed."

The third neighbor hired a real estate agent to sell his home, according to court documents. The agent showed officers a cell phone video of Goodman accosting her and accusing her of being a "Trump Nazi."

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Court documents also chronicle officers' reports of Goodman threatening to bring an AK-47 assault rifle to a Claremore bank, flying a Nazi flag from his truck, and sending a letter to a neighbor with a Trump flag in their yard addressed to the "Claremore Nazi Party."

"This office believes in the electoral process," Ballard said. "I mean, that's fundamental to our democracy, and somebody who's targeting supporters of the elected president is absolutely unacceptable, and it goes against all of our democratic principles."

Ballard said it's unusual for terrorism cases to cross his desk around election time; in fact, this is the first terrorism case he's filed in his career.

Goodman will next appear in court 9 a.m. Dec. 2 for a no-issue preliminary hearing. Then, Ballard said, Goodman will go in for an issue preliminary hearing, at which his office will present evidence of probable cause to keep holding him.
Urban sprawl will not solve the housing crisis," said one critic of the Clark County Lands Bill. (Photo: Ronda Churchill/Nevada Current)

Legislation to open thousands of acres in Clark County for development while conserving environmentally sensitive lands cleared a crucial hurdle in the U.S. Senate Tuesday, prompting mixed reactions from Nevada conservation groups.

Members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted 13-6 to advance the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act  a critical step to getting the bill in front of the Senate for a full vote.

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The Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, colloquially known as the Clark County Lands Bill, would open 25,000 acres of public land in Southern Nevada to development. In exchange, nearly 2 million acres of land managed by the federal government would be set aside for conservation, outdoor recreation, and cultural preservation.

Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, who first introduced the bill in 2021, called it the largest conservation bill in Nevada history. The bill has gone through several revisions over the years, and now has the support of the Clark County Commission, the non-profit affordable housing developer Nevada HAND, and a few environmental groups.

Much of the proposed expansion would be concentrated south of the Las Vegas Valley along Interstate 15 toward the California border  from Seven Hills to Jean, Nevada. The bill could significantly expand urban and suburban development around the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area.

A large chunk of public land south of the City of Henderson and bordering the Sloan Canyon Conservation Area would also be opened to development, including about 1,500 acres for public recreation and parks, and about 740 acres for non residential development.

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Thousands of acres would also be opened to development around Lake Las Vegas, a high end 3,600 acre master-planned residential and recreational community, under the lands bill.

More than two-thirds of public land in Nevada is owned by the federal government, meaning the state must work with the federal government to expand the boundaries of population centers.

It is undeniable that Southern Nevada is growing, and my legislation will ensure that it can grow responsibly. Together, we can help Las Vegas lower housing costs, preserve our great outdoors, and plan for a sustainable future, said Cortez Masto in a statement after the bills passage through committee Tuesday.

No affordable housing guarantees

While the Clark County Lands Bill does not specifically reserve any land for affordable housing, it does allow local governments to submit an application to use land for affordable housing purposes, which the federal land managers would prioritize over other pending land use applications.

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However, some advocacy groups criticized Cortez Mastos messaging that the bill would lower housing costs in Southern Nevada.

Urban sprawl will not solve the housing crisis, regardless of how much Governor Lombardo or developers have claimed it will, said Hector Fong, an advocate with the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada. If elected officials want to address the housing crisis, it starts with strong tenant protections, prioritizing infill, and holding corporate landlords accountable for rent fixing and buying up single family residences.

The bill contains no provision mandating low-income housing, defined as housing for households earning up to 80 percent of area median income. Most local housing demand in Southern Nevada is for low-income housing.

Conservation and sprawl

Some environmental groups praised the bills conservation measures. The bill sets aside more than a million acres of land for conservation and outdoor recreation, including a 56,000 acres expansion to the Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

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Under the bill, the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area would also expand by 9,290 acres, and grant full wilderness designations to nearly 1.3 million acres of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. Another 324,000 additional acres of wilderness would be designated in Clark County, while 359,000 acres of land would be put aside for wildlife habitat preservation.

Revenue generated from the sale of land released to development under the bill fund recreation opportunities, fund capital improvements, conserve wildlife habitat, and reduce the threat of wildfire across the state, as provided for under the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act. The fund has generated over $3.5 billion from the auction of about 18,000 acres of public land in the Las Vegas Valley since SNPLMA was enacted in 1998.

But not all environmental groups support the updated bill.

Olivia Tanager, the director of the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter, said while the center supports the new conservation designations in the reintroduced legislation, she believes the legislation will only increase unchecked sprawl in Clark County.

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We strongly believe we need to build in a way that benefits communities and public lands in Southern Nevada, not in a way that expedites developers making millions at the expense of Nevadans, Tanager said.

Sprawl has high environmental and economic costs. Residents of sprawling cities generate more carbon emissions than urban dwellers due to the large amounts of driving and the prevalence of bigger, detached buildings that use more energy.

Another top concern for the organization is the urban heat island effect, which causes higher temperatures in cities because of the abundance of blacktop and pavement and is further intensified by rising summer highs and more severe heat waves brought by climate change.

There are areas slated for disposal in this bill that currently have no roads, so roads and highways will need to be built, wrote Tanager in a letter to the Nevada delegation. Will an estimate of those emissions and their impact on air quality in the Las Vegas Valley be provided?

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Las Vegas is one of the fastest-warming cities in the country, having already experienced 5.7F of warming in the last 70 years. Yet, nearly 50% of the Las Vegas metro area is covered by superheating surfaces  like buildings, roads, and sidewalks  and only 9% is covered by cooling vegetation like trees, according to a study published by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Tanager criticized a lack of focus on public transportation in the bill, despite the bills emphasis on facilitating sprawl.

Some of Southern Nevadas fastest growth is in ZIP codes in at the boundary of the Las Vegas valley, with little to no transit service, according to the RTC.

The bill does not create a dedicated funding stream for transit, and additional revenue created by this legislation would need to pay for transit access into the sprawling areas, instead of strengthening the existing system, Tanger said.

Police, fire stations, and parks

Portions of public lands conveyed as part of the legislation would go to public safety, recreation, and parks.

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The City of North Las Vegas would also be the beneficiary of about 10 acres of land for a fire training facility, and about 5 acres for a police substation. The city would receive another 200 acres of public land for public recreation facilities and parks.

Clark County would receive nearly 130 acres of public land for Metro training facilities. Another nearly 20 acres would be offered for a public safety complex at Mount Charlston and a fire station at Lee Canyon.

Another 200 acres of public land would be transferred to Clark County for an expansion of the Hollywood Regional Park on Nellis and Charlston, which would include a fire station and police station. The bill would also transfer about 1,600 acres of public land to Clark County for public recreation and park facilities.
Half of people with HIV in the United States are living in places that are vulnerable to extreme weather and climate disasters, according to a new analysis from the left-leaning Center for American Progress (CAP).

The report from CAP released Wednesday finds that the areas of the country where HIV is being diagnosed at disproportionately high rates are also places most at risk of disasters. The analysis used data from the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) program, a federal program that aims to reduce the rate of new HIV infections, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) national risk index. FEMAs tool takes into account the frequency of disasters, but also the vulnerability of the population, accounting for certain at-risk demographics like low-income and socially disadvantaged people.

Fifty locations, including 48 counties, Washington, D.C., and San Juan, Puerto Rico, have been designated by EHE as high-priority areas to combat HIV because they are where more than 50 percent of new HIV cases occur. On average, those places had a national risk index score of 96.8 out of a 100.

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It is not surprising that those most at-risk live in areas particularly vulnerable to extreme weather and climate events. That is true for many other climate-sensitive health outcomes, said Kristie Ebi, professor of global health at the University of Washington, who reviewed the analysis. The poor and marginalized are generally at higher risk and often live in less desirable locations that are less desirable because of vulnerability to extreme weather and climate events.

Haley Norris, policy analyst with CAP and author of the report, said what stood out to them was the variability in threats faced by the different parts of the country. On the West Coast, wildfires cause issues for people with HIV because many develop lung conditions that are exacerbated by wildfire smoke. In the South and Northeast, flooding and hurricanes pose unique health issues for people with HIV by making it more difficult to access medical care. All three of these types of climate disasters are becoming more destructive due to climate change.

Were seeing extreme weather and climate events that are quite far outside of historic experience, Ebi said, pointing to flooding in Asheville, North Carolina, as one recent example.

For those with HIV, those extreme events are making it harder to stay on track with their medications, which stop the disease from progressing to AIDS and prevent transmission to others.

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Vatsana Chanthala is director of the New Orleans Health Departments Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, a federal initiative that provides funding for clinics and treatments that support low-income people. New Orleans is located in one of the priority jurisdictions to combat new HIV infections.

After Hurricane Ida in 2021, her team surveyed patients in the program to gain a better understanding of how the disaster may have disrupted their care or access to medications. HIV treatment involves taking antiretrovirals daily or bimonthly injections to suppress the virus and keep it at a level that prevents it from spreading. After Ida, pharmacies closed due to damage; electricity was also out for nearly two weeks in parts of the city, making it difficult to contact pharmacies to refill lost prescriptions or others that had run out, Chanthala said. The high cost of the drugs means some pharmacies were hesitant to fill prescriptions, worried that people wouldnt come to pick them up.

The cost of the drugs were also an issue for those who evacuated: Many did not know that they could use their insurance to cover medication out of state, so they did not attempt to purchase the medication due to out-of-pocket costs, Chanthala found. Of the 194 patients surveyed, 30 percent of those who evacuated said they had trouble accessing care, and of those who stayed in New Orleans, 32 percent also had trouble accessing care.

Another barrier to taking medications is the stigma surrounding HIV. In times of disaster, many people evacuate to the homes of family and friends, and some people in the survey said their family was unaware they had HIV.

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Theres still a lot of fear with HIV and so many clients dont disclose their status, Chanthala said. And so they find ways to hide their medications, and if theyre around people, theyre less likely to take those medications out.

Norris, the author of the CAP report, said one study on HIV care and wildfires in California also found that people expressed fear of disclosing they had the disease.

These are people who are going through extremely stressful, life-destroying situations and they have to do the emotional calculation of, will disclosing this make me less safe? they said. That is the hardest part of the puzzle for us to figure out. It is not just about access, it is the reality that HIV stigma is still very alive and well and still very powerful.

The risk associated with not taking medications is high for people with HIV. If someone stops taking their antiretrovirals, also known as ART, or if they run out of medication, their viral load will go up over time, said Dr. Paula Seal, who works at the HIV Outpatient Clinic at the University Medical Center New Orleans. The length of time it would take for that to happen depends on the individual patient and when they were diagnosed with HIV.

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But Seal said they stress the importance of patients staying on their medication.

When you have trouble is when patients are running out of medications because if they dont have enough medicine, then they start skipping doses to make it last longer, thats when we run into problems, and then the virus can become resistant to those medications, Seal said.

To offset those risks, Seal and other providers follow a hurricane preparedness protocol, talking with patients every year before hurricane season hits and urging them to refill their prescriptions. In many instances people can get up to 90 days covered by insurance, which could last through a hurricane season. Seal also provides numbers to pharmacies they can contact if something happens to their medication.

This October, the Biden administration updated its guidelines for providers who are treating people with HIV who have been displaced, Norris said. The new guidelines walk providers, who might not have expertise in treating HIV, through how to assess and prescribe medication for new patients who otherwise may have disruption in their care. Providing ART is very complex, its really really good that they were able to get that out when they did, they said.

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One way that the Ryan White Program could become more nimble is by having its services follow the enrolled patients, Chanthala said. Currently patients at the Ryan White clinics have access to wrap-around services, like transportation and help with housing, but they lose that support if they evacuate.

Medications are important, and adherence is important. But if a person needs food, needs a place to stay, thats going to be first on their minds, she said.

Currently these supports are not provided through money directly, but Chanthala thinks that in disaster situations having that flexibility to provide funds for people with high medical needs could also help: If they cant afford gas to get out of the area, they arent going to evacuate.

The post Climate change is disrupting access to HIV treatment appeared first on The 19th.

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Published by Mother Jones, Miami Herald, Louisiana Illuminator, WWNO, Canada's National Observer

When Miguel Zablah bought his five-bedroom home in Miamis leafy Shenandoah neighborhood in June of 2020, he said he paid $7,000 a year for homeowners insurance.

The house, built in 1923, sits on high ground and has survived a century of famously volatile South Florida weather. But in just four short years, Zablah said his homeowners insurance premium has more than doubled to $15,000 a year. Quotes for next years premiums are looking even worse.

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Some insurance companies are now quoting me at $20,000, $25,000 on my house, which is ridiculous, said Zablah, who works in private equity. The premium increases are so steep that hes considering just paying off his mortgage  and foregoing the insurance that his lender requires him to carry.

Im very grateful that I'm in a good position, he added.

Zablahs premium increases are a symptom of a broader insurance crisis plaguing real estate markets across America. Experts say it's fueled, in large part, by the disastrous effects of human-caused climate change.

Flooding is more frequent. Higher temperatures stoke stronger hurricanes. Wildfires burn more acres. And Americans have spent generations moving to sunny places that are often the most in harms way, including Florida, Texas and California.

Category 5 Hurricane Michael slammed in Mexico Beach, Fla., in 2018, leaving a trail of devastation. (Photo courtesy of Atena Sherry)

So, the cost of insuring homes against natural disasters is spiking along with atmospheric temperatures and carbon dioxide levels.

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Now, new research shows that higher insurance premiums like the one Zablah is paying significantly increase the probability of people falling behind on their mortgages  or motivate them to pay the debt off early. The outcomes spell trouble for banks, and for homeowners.

How significant is the increase in mortgage trouble? A $500 spike in annual insurance premiums was linked to a 20% higher mortgage delinquency rate.

That figure was extracted from findings in a recent study, which will be expanded and then undergo peer review, according to Shan Ge, an assistant professor of finance at New York University and one of the papers authors.

What we found, which is the first in the literature, is that as insurance premiums go up, we have seen an increase in delinquency of mortgages, Ge said. The research adds to a growing body of scientific literature proving that the climate crisis is also a housing crisis.

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Its a crisis with a brutal, but important side effect: higher premiums may convince people in vulnerable areas like Miami to move out of harm's way.

The market is clearly adapting, and there will be winners and losers  but ultimately there should be more winners to the extent that it sends signals and people get out of the way, said Jesse Keenan, a professor of sustainable real estate and urban planning at Tulane University who was not involved in the study.

Damage to property from increasingly severe storms is causing huge bumps in the cost of insurance. The price increase is causing some owners to risk losing their homes and businesses  or going without insurance. Here, four teen-agers canoe through a flooded street caused by heavy rain in Sunny Isles Beach in Florida on June 12, 2024. (David Santiago / Miami Herald)

Worse storms roil Insurance market

Zablah also heads the board of the Brickell Roads condominium association in Miami, where he owns an investment property. The effects of climate change are felt there too.

Brickell Roads residents had been paying $350 a month in condo fees in 2022. But then Weston Insurance, the carrier of the association's windstorm policy, went bust.

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It was the fifth Florida insurance carrier to fold that year in the wake of Hurricane Ian, which slammed into the Southeast United States, causing an estimated $112 billion in damage. It was the most expensive storm ever in Florida and third most expensive in U.S. history.

As the association scrambled to find a replacement policy, it confronted a stark reality: monthly condo fees would more than triple under their new insurance policy. On Oct. 1, 2023, it raised the condo fee at Brickell Roads to $1,000 a month. (The board has since found another insurance carrier and hopes to lower the fee to $700 a month, according to Zablah.)

This map shows average annual insurance premiums by county in the first half of 2023. Source: Property Insurance and Disaster Risk: New Evidence from Mortgage Escrow Data, June 2024, National Bureau of Economic Research

Climate change has blown a hole through insurance markets across the United States. In Louisiana, some residents along coastal Highway 56 have decided to leave , in part, because they cant find companies willing to insure their homes.

In California, that states Department of Insurance has barred carriers from not renewing policies in certain fire-prone ZIP codes, essentially forcing the companies to insure properties there. And in Florida, a volatile mix of fraud , litigation , floods and hurricanes has left homeowners like those in Brickell Roads scrambling for coverage.

Wildfires fueled by climate change are becoming larger and more destructive. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

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One major reason for the spike in insurance prices is a rise in the cost of the insurance coverage that insurance companies purchase for themselves, otherwise known as reinsurance. Globally, reinsurers raised prices for property insurers by 37% in 2023 before stabilizing somewhat in 2024.

Insurers have passed those costs on to customers, said industry analyst Cathy Seifert during a Bloomberg TV appearance on Nov. 4. The insurance industry will leverage climate change into pricing strength, she said.

Analysts and scholars who study the nexus between climate change and housing had long theorized that higher insurance rates would negatively affect property markets.

An August 2024 report by the Congressional Budget Office noted that in 2023, 30% of losses from natural disasters went uninsured. Those losses further constrict an already tight supply of housing. Researchers have also found that higher insurance rates affect the availability of affordable housing. It turns out, housing markets might be more sensitive to premium spikes than many thought.

Residents of a section of Panama City Beach, Fla. ravaged by Hurricane Michael in 2018 leave graffiti imploring then-President Donald Trump for help. (Mario Alejandro Ariza / Floodlight)

Higher premiums, mortgage trouble tied

Using a dataset that links insurance policies with mortgages for 6.7 million borrowers, Ge and two other researchers established that spikes in insurance premiums led a significant number of borrowers to either pay off their mortgages early or fall behind. Obviously, many homeowners cant afford to accelerate their mortgage payoff.

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The researchers found that the effect of premium increases on mortgage delinquency is twice as large for borrowers with a high loan-to-value ratio, meaning they owe a lot of money on their homes compared to the homes value.

This is how many people across the country are beginning to directly experience how climate change is changing our world and the cost its going to have, said Moira Birss, a research fellow at the Climate and Community Institute. In some Florida counties, homeowners are paying over 5% of their income just on their (insurance) policies.

A pickup truck makes its way down a flooded portion of Hallandale Beach, Fla., on June 13, 2024. Residents there woke up to flooded streets and debris after a storm left their community inundated by heavy rain. (Matias J. Ocner / Miami Herald)

Conversely, the NYU study found that people who took out jumbo mortgages  large loans for expensive houses that regular loans wont cover  were three times less likely to end up falling behind on payments. Because more than two-thirds of mortgages are backed by the federal government, it's taxpayers who could be left holding the bag from rising climate-caused delinquencies.

I think it's the tip of the iceberg. said Wayne Pathman, a Miami-based land use attorney who has spent years working on resilience issues in the region. I think it is going to get a lot worse.

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Pathman says he is seeing similar premium increases in the commercial property insurance market  and is also witnessing owners of office buildings consider choices similar to that of Zablah, the homeowner.

Pathman recounted how one of his clients, a hotel operator, handled a looming increase in his insurance premiums. He paid off the mortgage on the building and decided to forego the $1-million-a-year premiums for windstorms.

So next time a hurricane blows in, hell be on his own.
MOSCOW, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Moscow's revised nuclear doctrine outlines the possibility of a nuclear response if Kiev uses Western-made missiles against Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.

"The Russian Federation reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of aggression against it or the Republic of Belarus, ... with the use of conventional weapons, in a way that poses a critical threat to their sovereignty and (or) territorial integrity," Peskov said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree approving Russia's updated nuclear doctrine on Tuesday.

The spokesperson further said that Russia would view the use of Western non-nuclear missiles by Ukraine as an attack by a non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state against the country, potentially justifying the use of nuclear weapons by Moscow.

Peskov said that the doctrine outlines that "aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state with the participation or support of a nuclear state" would be considered a joint attack. 
By Kate Abnett, Nailia Bagirova and Karin Strohecker

BAKU (Reuters) -Countries at the COP29 climate summit were warned on Wednesday that the "hardest part" was about to start in talks over how much money should be provided to developing countries to help them cope with climate change.

Figuring out what form that funding takes, who pays and how much is the main task of this year's annual U.N. climate talks. With a notional Friday deadline looming, frustration over the lack of progress was starting to seep out of the negotiating rooms.

Yalchin Rafiyev, the chief negotiator of the summit's host Azerbaijan said "now the hardest part begins" ahead of a fresh text which is due to drop at midnight (2000 GMT) in the capital Baku.

Progress at the annual summit is typically marked through regular draft documents that get whittled down to a final deal.

Wealthy and developing countries are sharply divided over the size of the new goal. It will replace a 2020 pledge by developed countries - delivered two years late - to provide $100 billion per year in climate finance.

Uganda's Adonia Ayebare, who chairs the G77 and China group of more than 130 developing countries, said its demand was for wealthy nations to provide $1.3 trillion in public climate finance per year.

"The frustration is that the other side has not given us a counter offer," Ayebare told Reuters.

"We are hearing $300 billion. But if that is true, that's really not acceptable. It's embarrassing," he said.

Another developing country negotiator told Reuters the European Union had floated $200 billion or $300 billion in informal talks. But on Wednesday, the EU maintained it did not have an official position on the number.

EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said the bloc was not willing to talk about the figure until it had more structural details, adding: "Otherwise you will have a shopping basket with a price, but you don't know exactly what is in there".

Countries are still at odds over whether large, still-developing economies - including the world's second-biggest economy China - will contribute towards the goal.

Egypt's Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, said countries had agreed better off developing nations would not be legally obliged to pay in.

Azerbaijan's Rafiyev said the COP29 presidency would produce a tighter text overnight. In simple terms, a 25-page document stuffed with multiple options for almost every paragraph needs to become a two page document that can be refined in the final days and then adopted.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Professionals who work with the courts and penal system know that a criminal record can be a barrier to employment and other life milestones.

Thats why United Returning Citizens (URC) hosts a free expungement clinic every first Thursday of every month at 611 Belmont Ave., Youngstown. The next one is set for Dec. 5. from 6-8 p.m. No appointment is necessary, but its a good idea to arrive early since it is first come, first served.

Someone may be eligible for expungement if the charge is a misdemeanor or third through fifth-degree felony; fines are paid; the case does not involve a victim under 16 years old; and there are no other pending cases. OVI or DUI cases are not eligible.

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Participants will receive free legal advice from professionals who can determine eligibility. Bring along relevant legal documents to expedite the process.

For more information, contact United Returning Citizens at 330-743-9922 or go to URCs website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Reality Check is a Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email realitycheck@sacbee.com.

President Joe Biden has several federal judicial nominees lined up for California vacancies  but unless theyre confirmed in the next six weeks by the Senate, their chances will fade instantly.

There are six current and future vacancies across California for lifetime federal judicial roles. Biden has selected six individuals who are pending confirmation by the Democratic-held Senate or a review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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Im pretty bullish on what theyll be able to accomplish, said Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law. This Senate session officially ends and a new one begins on Jan. 3.

President-elect Donald Trump has implored Republicans not to let judicial nominees get confirmed until he takes office, potentially disrupting Senate Democrats plans to barrel through as many of Bidens picks as possible.

Trump was able to move the federal judiciary to the right with more than 230 appointments nationwide in his first term, including five district court judges in California and 10 appeals court judges for the circuit covering Western states. He could cause a shift again in his second term, depending on the number of vacancies.

The White House and Democratic-held Senate are moving as quickly as possible.

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Biden just sent paperwork for two of the California nominees to Capitol Hill, the White House said Monday  Judges Serena Murillo for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and Benjamin Cheeks for the Southern District. The Senate Judiciary Committee, which has to approve nominees before the full chamber can do so, held a hearing for them this morning. Only one committee Republican came to speak against them, which actually helped speed up the hearing.

The Senate is preparing to vote on three California nominees: Judges Anne Hwang and Cynthia Valenzuela Dixon for the Central and Noel Wise for the Northern. Another nominee, Judge Rebecca Kanter, has yet to have a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled despite being nominated at the beginning of 2024.

There are four U.S. district court jurisdictions in California, the most populous state. The Northern District has San Francisco and runs g along the coast from the Oregon border through Monterey. The Eastern District runs from the Oregon border along the Nevada one through Bakersfield. The Central contains Los Angeles, taking San Luis Obispo to the Nevada border through Riverside. The Southern covers San Diego and Imperial counties.

Tobias and other experts think most of these California vacancies can be filled before Jan. 3. More will open up during Trumps term.

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California has a perennial problem because it has so many judges, its hard to keep up with them, Tobias said. This would be good, though  they could get most everything filled before Biden leaves.

California vacancies and case load

Despite the high number of judges, its particularly imperative to have California openings filled given the states case load. District court leaders have advocated to get more judges via legislation that would set spots for three additional federal judges in the state and more in others.

The Judiciary Committee is still having nominee hearings. After the hearings, the committee must vote on sending the nominee for full Senate consideration.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is moving quickly to get votes on the schedule. On Monday, the Senate stayed late into the night as GOP senators were using procedural delays to slow the process. On Tuesday, Republican leaders reprimanded members of their party who were absent, claiming if more senators were present, they could have voted down some of the Democrats picks.

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In the face of Republican slow ups, Tobias said the Democratic response appears to be, Okay, lets get it over with. You want to stay nights and weekends, we could do that too. And I think theyre prepared to do that.

Right now, the Democrats control 51 of the Senates 100 seats. When the next congressional term starts on Jan. 3, Republicans will have 53 seats.

Vacancies not filled before this term ends could be filled by Trump with GOP-controlled Senate approval.

The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door, Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday. Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line  No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day!

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It has not been common in recent history for outgoing presidents to have judicial nominees confirmed in the lame duck session  until Trump in 2020. A lame duck refers to an outgoing official, like Biden now or Trump then.

Since the Democrats didnt go to extraordinary lengths to prevent confirmation of Trumps 13 district judges after he lost the election, its only fair for the Republicans to do the same for Bidens nominees, said Russell Wheeler, an expert in governance at the nonpartisan Brookings Institution. But thats a pretty naive statement, to expect that kind of reciprocity.

Could Trump shape the California bench?

In addition to potential retirements, deaths or unfilled vacancies, a dozen judges overseeing cases in California will be eligible for senior status once Trump takes office on Jan. 20. That includes judges who were appointed by Republicans and Democrats.

Senior status, if judges choose to take it, allows a reduced workload and salary once they meet a certain age and service threshold. Their spots can then be filled with full-time judges.

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Californias Democratic senators could employ the blue slip rule against Trumps nominees. But that depends whether incoming Judiciary Committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, honors it. Grassley has signaled that he will. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the current chairman, honors the blue slip rule with potential district, but not Court of Appeals, judges.

The blue slip rule gives a kind of veto power over judicial nominees to the states senators. For California, that will be Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla and Sen.-elect Adam Schiff next session.

Californias senators in Trumps first term were able to stave off some nominees, Tobias said: There were 17 vacancies in California when Trump came in and 17 vacancies when he left.

They held those vacancies open and they wouldnt agree to people who Trump wanted, at least the worst ones, he said.

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Tobias and others credit Padilla, a Judiciary Committee member, with helping fill Californias courts during Bidens term expeditiously.

Schiff, who should be sworn in to the late Sen. Dianne Feinsteins vacated seat in the next few weeks, does not yet have committee assignments. Sen. Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., whom Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed to hold Feinsteins seat temporarily, is currently on the Judiciary Committee.

The committee is split with 11 Democrats and 10 Republicans. Thatll flip when the GOP takes over Senate control in January.

Will California senators fight Trump nominees?

Padilla suggested that he would not support Trump nominees if he doesnt think theyre qualified.

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If its somebody that I think is right  not just on their approach to the bench, but has strong credentials and experience to offer  then Im more than open minded, Padilla told The Bee. But somebody whos not, thats a different story.

Schiffs own star rose going toe-to-toe with Trump during impeachment proceedings, when Schiff was a House member. He has said he does not plan to back down in the Senate.

This all depends whether Trump will want to fill California vacancies. Given his experience the first time around, the Republican might try hard to fill courts nationwide with conservative justices swiftly.

Youll likely see Trump try to fill all the lower court vacancies in the first two years pretty quickly, said Vikram Amar, a professor at the UC Davis School of Law, because holding the Senate after 2026 might be harder  because, always historically anyway, the party in charge loses seats in the off-year election.

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Among the judges Trump got confirmed in his first term were three U.S. Supreme Court justices who helped overturn federal abortion protections and other wins in Republicans eyes.

Trump is going to care about this next time, Wheeler said. Im just guessing that hes not going to want to appoint any judges who hes not pretty sure will toe the line and agree with him and his policies.

There are many reasons why appointees to lifetime judgeships are crucial, experts said.

Federal judges every day are deciding about who should die and who should live, said Tobias, on issues like abortion or imposing the death penalty or basic human rights.
A wall of handprints stands at the entrance to one wing of Rainbow House in 2021 (Tristen Rouse/Columbia Missourian).

As the community grapples with the closure of the Rainbow House Childrens Emergency Shelter, questions remain about what led to the shutdown of the only shelter of its kind in mid-Missouri.

Allegations of misuse of funds have been raised by both community members and Rainbow Houses board of directors, and much of the blame has been placed on the organizations former executive director, Melissa Faurot. But Faurot, who confirmed that she was terminated in August, said theyve got it all wrong.

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The emergency shelter shuttered its doors unexpectedly in September after providing thousands of children with a temporary home over nearly four decades, Rainbow House founder Kathy Hughes said.

In a matter of months, the nonprofit organization went from asking for millions of dollars for a significant renovation to being the subject of a state investigation.

It was a complete shock to me, Hughes said. She has not been significantly involved in Rainbow Houses operations for the past several years.

Rainbow Houses nearly 1.5-acre property in north Columbia is also pending a sale, hindering hopes that operations can return to normal.

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As the community wrestles with the disappearance of what advocates considered a valuable resource to children and families in 11 Missouri counties, questions persist: What happened to Rainbow House?

And, what happened to the $1.2 million raised for the facilitys planned expansion, $1.1 million of which came from the Veterans United Foundation?

Melissa Faurots departure

In the past few months, Melissa Faurots name has consistently been included in online chatter about Rainbow Houses collapse.

Faurot, an attorney who was previously a board member and was part of the organization for over a decade, was the executive director of Rainbow House from August 2021 to August 2024.

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Ive been silent for many months, and Ive had the mud thrown at me  Im not really interested in sitting back and being quiet anymore, she said.

Faurot was terminated unexpectedly on Aug. 14 by the board of directors, she said. Faurot said she was not given a reason as to why she was terminated, but she speculates it had to do with disagreement between her and the board on how to handle the ongoing renovation, and the subsequent issues of fundraising.

She alleged that Rainbow Houses board of directors is misleading the community about who authorized the constructions commencement, what happened to the money, why the emergency shelter was shut down and how the property ended up in the hands of the contracted construction company.

I saw the writing on the wall. I knew that the blame was going to be placed on me because, well, somebody wanted a scapegoat, she said.

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Faurot also confirmed that the ongoing state investigation of Rainbow House is being facilitated by the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Rainbow Houses beginnings

A child staying at Rainbow House runs through the shelters play room on Feb. 17, 2021, in Columbia (Tristen Rouse/Columbia Missourian).

Kathy Hughes founded Rainbow House in 1986. As an experienced foster parent and pediatric nurse, Hughes saw the need to provide children in short-term foster care with more stability.

Her family was fostering one child in particular who had been placed in emergency foster care and was being moved from house to house. After the child had been placed in her fifth school in three weeks, Hughes realized that the system was not serving children in the way that it should have upon initial intake.

The system (was) doing her more harm than her father beating her did, Hughes said. The bruises were starting to heal, but we were making her feel like it was her fault and that she was being punished.

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Hughes started dreaming of a place where children who had experienced abuse or neglect could stay more permanently until the legal system reached a verdict on their futures, whether thats returning home or being placed into long-term foster care.

She consulted different local government entities but settled on the reality that her vision of a physical home-like space devoted to this mission had to be established independently. Hughes found a big old farmhouse in Columbia with the capacity for up to 12 children, and with a loan, she purchased the property.

After nine months of renovations and preparation, Hughes was ready to open the doors of the emergency shelter. But when she was preparing to finally welcome children to the farmhouse on Oakland Gravel Road, she couldnt decide on a name to give it  until she watched a storm pass and give way to a rainbow.

We never see rainbows, except when weve just had a storm, she said. It all just kind of clicked. Heres a place where children come after a storm, and were giving them a rainbow.

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From that day forward, the shelter was to be called Rainbow House.

Before it even had the proper licensing from the state, Rainbow House had eight kids to care for. The staff members at Rainbow House were issued a temporary license so they could take the children the very night law enforcement picked them up from an emergency situation.

We hit the ground running, Hughes said.

Hughes quit her job as a school nurse and became the emergency shelters executive director. She hired a handful of house parents, live-in staff members and recruited volunteers to fulfill the rest of the operations needs.

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In the early years, Hughes led with the goal of having every child at Rainbow House remain in the school they were already enrolled in. The shelters staff drove the children to school in a donated van every morning. Rainbow House had immediate support from local schools and community members, Hughes said.

Hughes remained as Rainbow Houses executive director for three years. However, she said she has not had a hands-on relationship with the organization in the past few years, partly because things seem to have been going quite smoothly, until very recently.

She heard about the emergency shelter shutting down when a friend called to ask her about it and sent her a news article detailing the event.

Im as curious as everybody else as to what the heck happened, Hughes said.

A multifaceted organization

A child staying at Rainbow House shoves their face into a bowl, Feb. 17, 2021 in Columbia. The bowl was intended to hold a Play-Doh volcano, but the child wasnt all that interested in building one. Behind them, art from previous residents of Rainbow House decorate the wall (Tristen Rouse/Columbia Missourian).

Rainbow House has historically had two arms: The Rainbow House Childrens Emergency Shelter and the Rainbow House Regional Child Advocacy Center. Until its closure, the emergency shelter temporarily housed children in foster care or facing homelessness and assisted parents who requested placement for their children during crisis, according to the organizations website. The child advocacy center provides forensic interviewing, advocacy and therapy for children who have been sexually or severely physically abused.

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Although the shelter was Hughes first priority, the advocacy center was always part of the blueprint, she said. The center was built under one of Hughes successors across the street from the original emergency shelter.

(The child advocacy center meant) that kids did not have to go to the emergency room to get forensic exams. They didnt have to go to the police station to tell their story. They came to some place that felt much safer, Hughes said.

In the new space, the advocacy centers interviewing capabilities became more advanced. Hughes said the organization was able to videotape interviews with children, meaning questions that would have been asked to them in court could be asked in a more comfortable space, and then presented in court. This limited children having to testify in-person, which Hughes said was huge.

The advocacy center and the emergency shelter have always been housed under the same umbrella organization, Rainbow House. Hughes said that this decision was in the best interest of the children Rainbow House served.

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Both the emergency shelter and the advocacy center moved to a joint facility on Towne Drive in 2004.

In addition to fundraising, Rainbow House has also benefitted from state funding for its emergency shelter through the states crisis care and foster care programs. Additionally, the child advocacy center is funded with federal money, from the Victims of Crime Act, and state money.

Rainbow Houses operations come to an end

At the time of the shelters shutdown this fall, Rainbow House was in the middle of a multimillion-dollar expansion. The organization was in the process of completing a new wing that would double the emergency shelters capacity.

While renovations were underway, the shelters operations were moved to a temporary location. Tyler Willy, president of Rainbow Houses board of directors, estimated that the shelter was serving five to seven children on any given day in its last few weeks of operation.

During this time, however, Rainbow House was only doing daytime services in a holding location, so there were no children spending the night and therefore none displaced, Willy said.

The shelters last day of accepting children was Sept. 27. The organizations advocacy center has remained open, also in a temporary location while its permanent facility was being renovated, but a new partnership has stepped in to fill the void left by Rainbow Houses reduction of child advocacy center services.

Though it seemed like Rainbow House initially planned to keep its Regional Child Advocacy Center open, a new one will replace it. Missouri Network Against Child Abuse, a state agency representing all of Missouris child advocacy centers, has contracted with Partner for Better, a company that helps grow nonprofits and foundations, to open a new child advocacy center in Columbia.

Rainbow Houses Regional Child Advocacy Center will remain open until the new center, which will be called the Child Advocacy Center of Central Missouri, is established. The Boone County Commission approved the new centers contract last week.

Having a child advocacy center in Boone County is statutorily mandated, and once the transition to the new center is complete, state and federal funds already allocated to Rainbow House will be transferred to the new organization.

This process is expected to take nine months to a year to complete, and no location for the new center has been set.

Closure amid an expansion

In 2022, Rainbow House launched a capital campaign in efforts to raise money for an expansion to its Towne Drive facility, despite staffing shortages.

The Rebuild Our Rainbow campaign had a fundraising goal of $2.6 million  the price of the slated renovations. Rainbow House received a $1.1 million contribution from the Veterans United Foundation in November 2021. The nonprofit was hoping to raise another $1.5 million.

However, Rainbow House never raised half of the total amount needed for the renovations.

The capital campaign has raised a total of $1,214,000, according to Rainbow Houses website  just 46% of the initial goal. When disregarding the Veterans United Foundation contribution, this leaves a total of just over $100,000 raised by outside sources.

The planned expansion to Rainbow Houses shelter was significant. It included adding a new wing that would double the shelters capacity from 18 children to 36, and it would allow the shelter to have separate living facilities for boys and girls, among other improvements. The advocacy center portion of the facility was also set to receive renovations.

Doubling the shelters capacity may have been a lofty goal for Rainbow House, as the facility reported staffing shortages in early 2022, just weeks before announcing the capital campaign, according to previous Missourian reporting. Because the shelter was required to maintain a specific ratio of youth specialists to children, the shelter had to limit the number of children it served at the time.

The shelter didnt have enough staff to provide for every child in need, Faurot told the Missourian at the time. Nonetheless, plans to double the capacity of the shelter, and consequently the number of staff members needed, commenced.

Rainbow House may have jumped the gun on actually starting the renovations too. Renovations began in October 2023, according to Rainbow Houses website. Yet the funding goal had not been achieved at the time.

Dan Reynolds  president and owner of Holmes, Radford and Reynolds, a firm that specializes in capital campaign management  said nonprofits that embark on capital campaigns should ensure they have most of the funding needed before commencing construction.

I think its best practice to secure upwards of 75-80% of those commitments and pledges before embarking on construction activities, Reynolds said.

Rainbow House authorized construction with less than half of the money needed to complete construction. But there are conflicting accounts of who actually authorized this construction, which ultimately may have led to the shutdown of the shelter.

When Rainbow House announced the closure of its emergency shelter on Sept. 25, it simultaneously announced that the organization was signing over the shelter property to Little Dixie Construction, the company that had been working on the expansion. This decision was made to help alleviate financial distress, according to a news release.

John States, a managing partner at Little Dixie Construction, formed a new company, Towne Drive Investments LLC, on Aug. 22, according to Missouri secretary of state records. This new company then took ownership of the Rainbow House facility on Aug. 30.

The property would soon be put up for sale for over $3.5 million.

States did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Upon closure of the emergency shelter, Rainbow House said that it was placed in a financially unsustainable position after high-level decisions were made outside of guidelines approved by its board of directors, according to previous Missourian reporting. The nature of these high-level decisions remains unknown.

In late September, Willy, the board president, said the state launched an investigation into Rainbow House for internal misallocation of funds. He said that he could not speak on whether the state investigation is focused on the advocacy center, the emergency shelter or both.

Willy said the only person with access to the funds under investigation was terminated from Rainbow House in August. Willy was presumably referring to Faurot, and Faurot said everybody knows he was making the assumption it was me.

Faurot referred to Willys claims as inaccurate.

For him to say out loud  that I was the only one that had access to the funds shows how little he knows about the organization, she said.

Any expenditure over $5,000 had to be approved by Rainbow Houses board of directors, Faurot said, meaning that she did not have the power to authorize the start of the expansion project, and therefore could not have been responsible for the financial wrongdoing that the board has been claiming.

Willy said that when he joined the board of directors, the construction had already been authorized. All other current board members also joined after the expansion was already authorized, he said.

None of us voted on the construction, he said, referring to the board of directors.

Faurot said the board approved the start of construction for the expansion, and the construction company broke ground in October 2023. By late spring of 2024, funding for the project was dwindling, she said.

When the financial situation reached a dire point, the board of directors discussed signing the building over to Little Dixie Construction, Faurot said, which she was adamantly opposed to. The construction was only halfway completed, and Rainbow House owed money to Little Dixie Construction to finish the project, yet the capital campaign money had run out, Faurot said.

I told (the board), in my opinion, if they chose to do that, that it would be the end of Rainbow House, she said.

Faurot was then terminated by the board of directors shortly before the plans for transferring ownership of the building were finalized, she said.

Richie Vanskike, Rainbow Houses director of development from 2019 to 2022, said part of the capital campaign was his responsibility. When the plans for the renovations were drawn, the goal was to expand the facility but avoid walking away in debt, he said.

The start of construction was authorized with the hope that the rest of the money needed would come in, but the outreach efforts werent there, Vanskike said, though he had left the organization prior to this time. He said the staff positions related to marketing and reaching out to the community to raise funds were not filled at the time, so the additional money was never secured.

Vanskike added that toward the end of the shelters run, he doubts there were any volunteers working at the facility, as there wasnt anyone to facilitate that. The volunteer coordinator position, which Rainbow House had in the past to facilitate background checks and organize volunteering, wasnt filled or didnt exist anymore, he said.

I dont know what happened to (the volunteer coordinator position). To tell you the truth, it is kind of like all the positions there, he said. Those positions  they seem to have been just kind of done away with.

Several sources concurred that Rainbow House was facing staffing shortages at various points.

The future of 1611 Towne Drive

What was formerly Rainbow Houses facility on Towne Drive has been put up for sale for over $3.5 million, according to several real estate websites. The buildings identifying Rainbow House sign has been stripped from above its door, and the sale of the facility is currently pending.

While the state-supervised Child Advocacy Center of Central Missouri may see a revival under Partner For Betters leadership, the future of childrens emergency shelters in mid-Missouri remains up in the air.

Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries is an organization that aims to provide safe homes for children in foster care in mid-Missouri. It has tried to partner with Rainbow House in the past to bridge the gap between emergency care and long-term foster care for children, said Kari Hopkins, Coyote Hills chief operating officer. A lot of the children that were served by Rainbow House could potentially have ended up in a Coyote Hill home for more long-term care, Hopkins said.

But Rainbow House was not interested in the partnership when discussions were had prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hopkins said, and the organization cited that it wanted to remain focused on existing services.

She said the community is devastated by the emergency shelters closure, and Coyote Hill is currently in early conversations with the state regarding how the organization could help fill the void of emergency placement and temporary care for children, in hopes of keeping families together and preventing children from needing foster care in the first place.

The people who hurt the most are our kids, and that is not easy for us in this world of foster care, Hopkins said.

Willy told the Missourian that Rainbow Houses board of directors also plans to open a new emergency shelter, and they have identified a group that would run its operations.

He said the board will soon be asking for funding to help the new shelter get off the ground. The shelter will not be located at Rainbow Houses former location, Willy added.

Hughes hopes that the community will rally together to address the ongoing need for emergency services for children.

Child abuse continues, Hughes said. Child neglect continues. Family crisis continues.

This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KDVR)  Community members gathered Tuesday evening at Club Q to honor the lives lost at the mass shooting on Nov. 19, 2022.

Dozens gathered at Club Q for the candlelight vigil: Some loved ones, some families of the victims and many survivors. Michael Anderson led the vigil.

Anderson is a Club Q survivor and was working as a bartender the night of the shooting. Hes since been an advocate for gun reform and a voice for the LGBTQ+ community.

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Today is heavy. Just as heavy as last year, but not as heavy as the night this all happened, Anderson said Tuesday.

Survivors of LGBTQ+ club shooting say the deaths and trauma couldve been avoided in lawsuits

Also in attendance was Astin Gamblin. She was working the door the night of the shooting and was shot nine times.

There isnt a warning that you get at the front door. It just happens and I remember thinking it was a snow thrower because it was white stuff flying and I then I had looked up and realized it was an actual shooting, she said of the moments leading up to the gunfire.

She says the last two years have been more than difficult and hopes the community can continue to rally behind her and other survivors.

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Nobody knows what happened behind those doors and nobody fully understands what we are going through or the difficulties that we have, Gamblin said.

Anderson has since opened a new bar, in honor of Club Q called The Q. Community members met there after the vigil to continue their honor of the lives lost and support one another. Anderson said changes in the community need to happen now.

We have to do something about this problem in this country. We cannot continue to hold candlelight vigils every time an incident like this happens around this country. There is time and a place to do something and that was a long time ago, Anderson said.

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Nov. 19A Santa Fe man charged with murder two years ago, after he was accused of coercing his girlfriend to kill a woman with a sword, has refused a plea deal offered by state prosecutors.

Isaac Apodaca already had signed the agreement; however, state District Judge T. Glenn Ellington ripped the document up during a hearing Tuesday after Apodaca's attorney, Jay Nair, told the court his client "does not wish to take that plea offer anymore."

Nair recently took over the case from a pair of attorneys who filed a motion in October asking to withdraw as Apodaca's lawyers because he was no longer willing to speak to either of them.

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Apodaca's rejection of the plea deal marks the latest in a series of delays in resolving the case, which initially was set for trial in August 2023. The most recent trial dates were set for December, but Nair asked the judge to postpone the proceedings because he'll need time to get up to speed on the case.

Apodaca, who is in jail awaiting his trial, attended Tuesday's hearing but did not speak.

The details of his proposed plea agreement were unclear, as Deputy District Attorney Haley Murphy did not put the terms of the deal on the record Tuesday.

Apodaca 27, and his girlfriend, Kiara McCulley, 21, are both charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the Oct. 29, 2022, slaying of 21-year-old Grace Jennings. Authorities say Jennings was fatally stabbed with a 3-foot metal sword in a detached garage at McCulley's mother's home in southern Santa Fe, where the couple lived at the time.

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Jennings had previously dated Apodaca, and also knew McCulley, and had sent Apodaca a text message the night before the killing asking if she could sleep over, according to a criminal complaint filed in Santa Fe County Magistrate Court.

Authorities believe Apodaca and McCulley spent the evening plotting to kill Jennings while she slept alongside them. The criminal complaint says McCulley is suspected of killing Jennings with the sword the next day.

Police responded to the scene in response to a call from Apodaca's mother, who said her son had told her McCulley had killed someone, according to a court motion seeking pretrial detention of the defendants.

When officers arrived, they found Jennings' body covered in stab wounds and a sword with blood on the blade, the motion states. Jennings also had injuries indicating there had been an attempt to decapitate her, according to police.

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Officers found text messages on Apodaca's phone that linked both suspects to Jennings' killing, the criminal complaint says. Apodaca told police McCulley had been planning to kill Jennings since 2020.

One of his messages to McCulley states: "I am wanting you to kill her, you have to end your suffering by ending her joy," according to the complaint. Apodaca told police he meant what he wrote in the messages and stated he wanted McCulley to kill Jennings.

A judge found McCulley not competent to stand trial in November 2022, and she was sent to the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute in Las Vegas, N.M., to receive treatment. She was found competent in a Dec. 21 evaluation from the state institute and was rebooked into the Santa Fe County jail Jan. 10, 2023.

Attorneys for McCulley and Apodaca told the court in March they expected both cases to be resolved through plea agreements. But in August, the attorneys said the cases had been slowed by a backlog of DNA evidence awaiting testing at the state's forensic laboratory in Santa Fe.

Nair told the court Tuesday he'll continue trying to negotiate a plea deal with the state for Apodaca, but as of now he said, "we don't have a meeting of the minds as to a plea agreement."
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  More than 29,000 pounds of cocaine were offloaded Tuesday in San Diego, U.S. Coast Guard officials said.

The seizures occurred off the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America in September and October, the Coast Guard said in a news release Tuesday.

There were 11 separate suspected drug smuggling vessel interdictions or events during that time.

San Diego gas station draws winning Super Lotto Plus ticket

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The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Munro captured around $335.8 million worth of drugs, according to officials.

I would put this crew on any mission, anywhere, at any time, said Capt. James OMara, commanding officer, Coast Guard Cutter Munro. They executed everything asked of them with incredible teamwork and persistence, and we are proud of the results. Hats off to all our international and interagency partners  we absolutely cannot do this mission without them.

The drug busts are a part of investigations conducted by the government agency Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.

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COLUMBUS, GA. (WRBL)-A cold front is sweeping through the region, with another shot of early light showers before the front sweeps across the region. Once it sweeps through east Alabama will see the first signs of sunshine mid-morning.

By afternoon the sunshine will cover us all, with breezy conditions because the cooler air mass will be filling in behind this front brought to you by plenty of wind.

Overnight low readings dip down into the mid to upper 30s and daytime high temperatures climb into the upper 50s to lower 60s for the remainder of the week through the weekend.

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Staff members discuss on treatment plan in Gansu Wuwei Tumor Hospital in Wuwei, northwest China's Gansu Province, Oct. 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Lyu Shuai)

BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's five-year cancer survival rate has steadily improved. Still, challenges remain as the country strives to address regional disparities in access to quality cancer prevention and treatment.

The ratio of people surviving cancer for at least five years has risen from 40.5 percent in 2015 to 43.7 percent in 2022, according to data released by the National Cancer Center (NCC).

China's health authorities have outlined in an official cancer prevention and control action plan (2023-2030) that the five-year cancer survival rate target will be further raised to a minimum of 46.6 percent by 2030.

The country has developed a cancer screening model covering multiple cancer types to enhance prevention and enable early detection and treatment.

According to monitoring data from 2000 to 2018, the age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of esophageal and gastric cancers prevalent within the Chinese population have steadily decreased. Experts attribute this decline to the expanded adoption of upper gastrointestinal cancer screening.

Cervical and breast cancer are among the most significant threats to women's health in China. Since introducing a nationwide screening initiative in 2009, an increasing number of women have reaped its benefits.

According to the latest data from the National Health Commission (NHC), more than 280 million free cervical cancer screenings have been conducted, resulting in the detection of 902,000 cases of cancer and precancerous lesions.

However, cancer screening still faces challenges, including uneven accessibility and substandard screening quality. Some doctors in community hospitals and rural clinics lack specialized training in early cancer diagnosis, which increases the risk of misdiagnosis and missed cases.

In response, the NCC has led the development of screening and early diagnosis guidelines for seven common cancers, including lung and stomach cancer. These guidelines aim to improve screening and early intervention while reducing disparities.

Reducing cancer incidence and mortality requires both effective prevention and standardized treatment.

While some county-level hospitals have added oncology and radiotherapy departments, they still struggle with meeting necessary diagnostic and treatment standards.

To address this gap, cancer treatment capabilities in primary healthcare institutions should be strengthened through technical support, talent development and remote consultations to enable the sharing of medical resources, said Liu Jinfeng, deputy head of the NHC.

Chen Zhu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized the importance of advancing cancer research, calling for efforts to accelerate breakthroughs in key technologies and foster cancer-related industrial clusters.

China has made significant progress in innovative approaches to treating cancer, developing anti-cancer drugs and creating more accessible diagnostic and treatment devices.

Over the past decade, the number of approved new anti-cancer drugs in China has risen to 208, with domestically developed innovations accounting for over 60 percent in 2024.

The NHC said that China will assemble teams to address core issues related to cancer immune mechanisms, metabolic pathways and other key challenges. 
Cooler air moved into New Mexico Tuesday, but its going to be very cold Wednesday morning. For many, it will be the coldest temperatures since last winter.

Breezy winds returned again Wednesday afternoon. These winds have died down tonight as extremely dry air continues to move in. Skies will stay clear too. This combination, combined with already cool air, will bring the coldest temperatures since early this year to New Mexico. The Albuquerque Metro will drop into the 20s and upper teens, while parts of western and northern New Mexico will even drop into the single digits!

A warming trend begins Wednesday afternoon. High temperatures will continue to warm through this upcoming weekend when highs will be back above average statewide. Winds will stay light all week too with dry weather sticking around. Some changes arrive to the forecast though beginning Sunday, with some moisture beginning to move into southern Colorado. This will eventually move into northern New Mexico by next Monday and Tuesday. This could bring in some light rain to lower elevations and light to moderate snowfall in the northern mountains and southern Colorado.

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By Luis Jaime Acosta

BOGOTA (Reuters) -The Colombian rebel group Segunda Marquetalia has split in two, but the larger faction will continue to pursue peace talks with the government, it said on Wednesday.

Founded by former members of FARC guerrillas who remained loyal to Marxist ideals and the pursuit of armed struggle, Segunda Marquetalia rejected the landmark 2016 peace deal between the FARC and the government that had sought to end decades of conflict in Colombia.

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Prolonged peace negotiations with Segunda Marquetalia and other dissident groups have been championed by President Gustavo Petro, the South American country's first leftist president, who decades ago was a member of a different rebel group.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Segunda Marquetalia said there had been what it termed a "clear breakdown" in unity among its ranks.

"There was internal division within Segunda Marquetalia," said Armando Novoa, the government's chief negotiator with the group.

Novoa told Reuters that peace talks continue "with those who show an interest," which he said was a majority of the group's members, without providing figures.

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He said the divisions within Segunda Marquetalia, one of the largest remnants of the now-dissolved Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), stem from a lack of communication between the group's top leader, Ivan Marquez, and veteran commander Walter Mendoza.

Mendoza has been acting as chief negotiator for the group, which is made up of more than 1,700 combatants. They are primarily based in northeastern Colombia near the Venezuelan border in jungle and mountainous areas key to lucrative drug trafficking and illegal mining.

In July, Mendoza told Reuters that the group would not disarm until the government offered more concessions, calling for social investment in long-neglected parts of the country.

The statement from Segunda Marquetalia's majority faction lamented the group's split, saying there had been "a clear breakdown in coordination" and that unity was needed to secure a peace deal.

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It said they would no longer use the Segunda Marquetalia name, but that they remained committed to the peace talks.

"We reiterate our commitment to continue advancing," they said, pledging to work with Petro to "achieve a great peace deal."

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, a Denver Democrat, speaks about a labor rights bill at the Colorado Capitol on Nov. 19, 2024. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)

A group of Democratic Colorado lawmakers will run a bill next year to alter the states labor laws by removing a secondary election requirement for unions.

The bill, dubbed the Worker Protection Act, would repeal a requirement that workers win a second election  on top of the one to form their union  to require fees from every worker that the union represents. Colorado is the only state to have that requirement, which is part of the states 1943 Labor Peace Act.

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It is uniquely hard to form a union in the state of Colorado, and we are asking our colleagues to affirm the right to collectively bargain and fight for better pay and safer workplaces, Democratic Rep. Javier Mabrey of Denver said.

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Mabrey, House Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon of Denver, Sen. Robert Rodriguez of Denver and Sen. Jessie Danielson of Wheat Ridge will run the bill. They said they will introduce it during the first week of the new legislative session that starts Jan. 8.

Employees need to win a simple majority to become represented by a union. But to negotiate union security, which requires that every worker benefitting from union negotiations pay into it, workers need to win a second election with up to a 75% vote. That is known as an all-union agreement election. It does not compel union membership.

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Of five AUA elections in Colorado in 2024 so far, four were successful, according to state data. Of the 553 unions that initiated a second election in Colorado between July 1977 and July 2024, 68% were successful, according to an analysis from the left-leaning Colorado Fiscal Institute released Tuesday.

CFI estimated that updating Colorados labor law could increase a union workers annual income by $2,300.

It is uniquely hard to form a union in the state of Colorado, and we are asking our colleagues to affirm the right to collectively bargain and fight for better pay and safer workplaces.

 Democratic Rep. Javier Mabrey

The current system means a union can win that first election, but employees wouldnt be compelled to pay the dues or representation fees that fund activities like collective bargaining negotiations, unfair labor practice filings and representation in disciplinary meetings. Advocates say the two-election system is a barrier to financial strength, stability and longevity, and can make it harder for unions to bargain for better pay or safer working conditions.

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Colorado laws insert the government into these negotiations, Rodriguez said. Workers dont need the government to tell them what is right for them in their workplace.

The lawmakers spoke alongside dozens of union members  as well as Attorney General Phil Weiser, Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Treasurer Dave Young, all Democrats  in the state Capitol on Tuesday. Gov. Jared Polis, who vetoed a series of labor protection bills this year to the frustration of progressive Democrats in the Legislature, was not present at the unveiling.

Lawmakers on Tuesday characterized the bill as one to remove a procedural speed bump.

Polis spokesperson Shelby Wieman, however, called the two election system an avenue to strengthen unions through union security agreements.

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The Labor Peace Act has been in effect in Colorado since 1943 and maintained a balance between labor and business interests that has made workers and businesses in Colorado prosper. As the Governor who has expanded labor rights and has proudly signed laws that expanded collective bargaining, he is leery of the need for a new bill to open the Labor Peace Act that serves the state and workers so well. Any changes to The Labor Peace Act would need to find common ground with employers and businesses and labor, and the Governor is deeply skeptical of this bill without a heavily negotiated, thoughtful, and comprehensive process, she wrote in an email.

The bill will likely be opposed by business groups across the state.

Mabrey said Democrats losses during the election this month, which saw Republicans win the White House and both chambers of Congress, should raise alarm bells. The success of this bill, he said, is entirely in the hands of the Democratic Party, which controls Colorados governorship and both legislative chambers.

We have to return to our roots in centering a concern to working families. This is an opportunity to return to that commitment to workers and collective bargaining, he said.

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National pundits have been highlighting that Colorado Democrats performed uniquely well in this election, and this is where we get a chance to put up or shut up as we face the threats of authoritarianism from Trump and his monopolist buddies working together to gut federal labor protections.

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State Rep. Iman Jodeh speaks at an event hosted by Colorado's Black Democratic Legislative Caucus to provide a 2023 legislative preview at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance in Denver, Jan. 25, 2023. (Kevin Mohatt for Colorado Newsline)

A new legislative caucus in the Colorado House of Representatives seeks to elevate the concerns of the Muslim, Middle Eastern, Northern African and South Asian communities in Colorado as President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House.

This past year and an impending Trump administration has underscored the need to create a united caucus that ensures our communitys representation and presence is elevated and has an uncompromising agency at the Capitol, Democratic Rep. Iman Jodeh, an Aurora Democrat, said in a statement announcing the caucus formation.

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Jodeh is the first Muslim and first Palestinian American elected to the Colorado Legislature. She won a third term to House District 41 with over 60% of the vote earlier this month. She has been a member of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus since 2020.

She is joined by Rep.-elect Yara Zokaie, the first Iranian American elected to the Legislature. Zokaie will represent House District 52, south of Fort Collins.

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The mission of the Joint MENASA and Muslim Caucus  the acronym is for Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian  will be to protect civil rights and combat xenophobia and Islamophobia through the lawmaking process and public engagement.

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History Colorado estimates that about 70,000 Muslims live in Colorado. The Census Bureau estimates that about 42,000 Arab Americans live in Colorado.

The caucus also aims to ensure representation for the MENASA population in Colorado who are in the Sikh, Bahai, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Catholic minorities.

These communities also face anti-Arab and anti-Brown hate crimes, xenophobia, and discrimination. Our region and population are unique because we are forced to identify primarily through religious narratives rather than our unified identities. It is time to challenge this monolithic framing, Jodeh said.

The Colorado Legislature reconvenes Jan. 8, shortly before Trump is sworn in to his second term as president. Early in his first term, he signed an executive order banning people from a handful of Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. That order faced legal backlash but certain provisions ultimately went into effect.

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Additionally, there has been a sharp rise in anti-Muslim incidents across the country as the war between Israel and Hamas continues.

With the approaching Trump presidency, it is more important than ever for our communities to have fierce advocates and mount a proactive and comprehensive defense. Should Trump attempt to reinstate a Muslim ban, we will be ready to put protections in place, Zokaie said.

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A group of Black leaders and locals marched through Columbus, Ohio, in a unity rally Sunday, one day after neo-Nazis walked through the same streets carrying Nazi flags and chanting racial slurs and white nationalist slogans.

The Rev. Derrick Holmes, senior pastor at Columbus Union Grove Baptist Church, said he received frantic calls from members of his congregation as people walked along North High Street dressed in all black with red masks, carrying black flags with swastikas on them. They yelled, Bow down, [N-word]! and other racist chants as they made their way through the state capitals Short North Arts District.

Two members were actually in the Short North area while that was happening and their prevailing feeling was fear, Holmes said. There was a feeling of sadness. Theyre older  so it really harkened them back to a time they thought that the country had graduated from.

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President Joe Biden condemned the march, and White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said Nazism is hostile to everything the United States stands for. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and other city leaders condemned the neo-Nazis in statements and on social media.

But Black locals like Holmes wanted to do more and send a message of solidarity, they said. The 100 Black Men of Central Ohio, a service organization that mentors young Black men, along with attorney Sean Walton Jr., Holmes and other locals, joined for the counter-rally Sunday afternoon.

A group of Black leaders and locals marched through Columbus, Ohio, in a unity rally.

Dozens of men walked, many side by side, down North High Street, many dressed in all black. They were largely silent, sharing handshakes and smiles among one another. Brian Winston, president of 100 Black Men of Central Ohio, and Walton led the group, and they all posed together for photos with raised fists at the end of the march.

It was basically just bringing Black men together, to be able to allow our Black women, children and anyone else who were fearful or scared of what they saw  just to be able to redirect them with unity and love, Winston said, noting that he called on Walton to help organize the event.

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Walton said he was in Houston over the weekend and rushed home to check on his wife and children when he learned of the neo-Nazi march. He said the atmosphere among Black Columbus residents was one of fear and anxiety, with many wondering if they were safe in the city. But Sundays march helped ease some of the despair, he said.

I think there was a lot of focus on the fear, Walton said. What we did Sunday changed the tone of the entire weekend. If anything, this has made us stronger. I think it was a test, in a sense, when it comes to whether we can come together in the face of threats to our civil rights, our human rights and our way of life.

In a statement posted Monday on social media, Columbus police said officers responded to calls about the neo-Nazi demonstration, but the available evidence did not support the filing of criminal charges. They said evidence showed pepper spray being deployed, but probable cause has not been established to make any arrests. The incident is still under investigation, they said.

The Columbus Division of Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chief Elaine R. Bryant said in the statement that law enforcement was bound to protect constitutionally protected actions, no matter how hateful. She added: No one in our community should experience intimidation or harassment. We will continue to strive to make Columbus a city where all residents feel welcome and safe.

Dozens of men walked, many side by side, down North High Street, many dressed in all black.

Holmes, Winston and Walton said the outcome of the presidential election and Donald Trumps rhetoric have encouraged neo-Nazi behavior. Earlier this month, protesters waved Nazi flags outside a community production of The Diary of Anne Frank in Michigan, to the shock of performers and theatergoers.

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Far-right groups have made headlines in Ohio in recent months. A white nationalist activist in Springfield took credit for the false story that Haitian immigrants in the city were stealing and eating pets, which Trump repeated during the presidential debate and campaign rallies. Police said there was no evidence for the claim.

Right-wing extremism has increased dramatically since 2016, according to research that has linked Trumps rhetoric about racial and ethnic minorities to vigilantism, hate crimes, and more. After the election, white nationalists, Proud Boys, Christian supremacists, and right-wing conspiracy theorists praised Trumps win and said they saw it as a victory for their far-right visions of America, according to the Washington Post. In 2017, Trump said there were very fine people on both sides after a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, which led to the death of a counterprotester.

Trump has dismissed accusations that he has encouraged extremism or that his supporters include Nazi and fascists. President Trump is backed by Latinos, Black voters, union workers, angel moms, law enforcement officers, border patrol agents, and Americans of all faiths, his campaign press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said in a statement last month.

Oren Segal, vice president of the Anti-Defamation League Center on Extremism, told The New York Times that a St. Louis-based group called Hate Club took credit for the Columbus march.

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Jon Lewis, a research fellow at George Washington Universitys Program on Extremism, said in an interview that these groups may have different names, but share white nationalist ideologies.

I think emboldening is the perfect way to describe it, Lewis said. Neo-Nazis and white supremacists increasingly feel as though they can act with impunity, that they can mobilize to the streets of towns and cities across the country to incite hatred, to spread fear among primarily nonwhite communities.

At the end of the day, this is about fearmongering and hate-mongering. These groups are designed to make the average nonwhite American feel unsafe in their everyday lives.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A Columbus man has been found guilty of raping a minor thanks in part to testimony in court from two other alleged victims.

According to the Franklin County Prosecutors Office, 48-year-old Abdiwahab Hassan was found guilty of one count of rape under the age of 13, and one count of gross sexual imposition.

The prosecutors office said that Hassan knew the victim, while court documents reveal that two witnesses came forward and alleged similar experiences when they were under the age of 13.

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Despite not calling police at the time of the alleged abuse, and a motion filed by defense attorneys to preclude their testimony, a common pleas judge allowed two witnesses to testify on behalf of the victim, who originally reported the accusation to said witnesses.

Amazon driver puts suspected robber in headlock until police arrive

The accusation originated on Aug. 4, 2021, when the Columbus police and a Sexual Assault Unit detective responded to reports of a rape. Officers interviewed an 11-year-old girl who accused Hassan of rape.

The witnesses then told police that they too were sexually abused between the ages of 11 and 17, from 2008-2014 and 2013-2019 respectively. One of the victims claimed that Hassan impregnated her, a claim DNA evidence later corroborated.

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On Tuesday a jury found Hassan guilty on both counts and he will next appear in court for a sentencing hearing on Dec. 17. Hassan faces a maximum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
CHICAGO -- Of the many people whose lives still cast shadows on our history, one of them is that of a little boy, a 14-year-old named Emmett Till who left Chicago full of playful life and returned, as his mother, Mamie, said in 1955, in a pine box, so horribly battered and waterlogged that someone needed to tell you this sickening sight is your son.

I hope you know at least some of the details of that boys life. I have written about him before, many have, but there are good reasons to do so again, for it is now possible to meet him and learn his sad story in two powerful ways.

On Nov. 23, the Chicago History Museum is opening a new exhibition, Injustice: The Trial for the Murder of Emmett Till. It will feature photographs of the youngsters life in Chicago, his funeral and original courtroom sketches of the trial.

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That trial was a sham. Two men  Roy Bryant, owner of Bryants Grocery and Meat Market and the husband of the woman at whom Till supposedly aimed his whistle, and his half-brother, a hulking, 235-pound World War II veteran named J.W. Milam  were first charged with kidnapping. That became murder after the teenagers dead body was found.

Neither Bryant nor Milam testified during a trial that lasted five days. In closing arguments, defense attorney Sidney Carlton told the jurors that if they did not acquit Bryant and Milam, Your ancestors will turn over in their grave.

The all-white, all-male jury (nine farmers, two carpenters and an insurance agent) deliberated for only 67 minutes. Reporters said they heard laughter inside the jury room. The verdict? Not guilty. One juror later told reporters, We wouldnt have taken so long if we hadnt stopped to drink pop.

The outrage at the verdict was expressed in headlines across the globe, in part because more than 100 reporters were there, from Chicago, across the country and from Europe. One of them was future Pulitzer Prize winner David Halberstam, who covered the story for a small Mississippi paper. He would come to believe that the murder/trial were the first great media events of the civil rights movement, and at last (could galvanize) the national press corps, and eventually, the nation.

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It should be noted that before the year was out, Rosa Parks, a seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama, refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. Arrested and fined for violating a city ordinance, this compelled a young pastor named Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to call for a boycott of the city-owned bus company.

Another person in the courtroom during the trial was Chicagos Franklin McMahon, who documented the proceedings in drawings that appeared in Life magazine. His stunning art is among the highlights of the museum show.

Know too that there is a new book that devotes some of its nearly 300 pages to Till but also to the larger sham of American racism. Its title says a great deal, Ghosts of Segregation: American Racism, Hidden in Plain Sight (Celadon Books). It is the work of former Chicagoan Richard Frishman, who traveled more than 35,000 miles across America over five years capturing with his camera such things as once-segregated bathrooms, beaches, churches, hospitals, graves and hotels.

In Chicago, he photographed the Dan Ryan Expressway; the Sunset Cafe, a prominent Black and Tan jazz club; as well as the site of the outbreak of the 1919 race riot. He also photographed Bryants Grocery, where Emmetts story began, and the Black Bayou Bridge across the Tallahatchie River, where his dead body was found.

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Frishmans photos are captivating and thought-provoking. The book is beautiful in a haunting way and that was one of Frishmans aims. In the book, he writes, Look carefully. These photographs are evidence that structures of segregation and racist ideology are still standing in contemporary America. Our tribal instincts continue to build barriers to protect ourselves from people perceived as other while overlooking our shared humanity.

Critic Hilton Als has praised the book, writing, Throughout (the book) the heart and mind are full to bursting with depth of feeling and depth of thought. I cant imagine a more beautiful creation.

When Emmett Tills body was returned to Chicago, to the A.A. Rayner & Sons Funeral Home, with services held at the Roberts Temple Church of God, his mother made the brave decision to allow Jet magazine to publish a photo of the mutilated corpse and also decided to have a open casket, and so tens of thousands saw Emmetts battered body. Some people prayed, some fainted and all, men, women and children, wept.

Now nearly 70 years later, Frishman tells me, I am on a mission to open peoples eyes to the hidden and living legacies that surround us. History does not repeat itself; we repeat history.
The Economist believes that Ukraine and Russia may begin negotiations in 2025 under pressure from the United States and the lack of the necessary weapons and funding. It is assumed that at this time, the fighting will subside and a "semi-frozen conflict" may emerge.

Source: The Economist

Quote: "2025 could be the year in which the fighting largely comes to an end. Both sides are close to exhaustion, and the backers of each would prefer the conflict to wind down. In Washington this will be a priority for Donald Trumps new administration."

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Details: In early 2024, a struggle in the US Congress led to a halt in US funding for Ukraine for several months. The US$61 billion package, which was finally approved, will also be exhausted around 2025.

In addition, the US is running out of military equipment it sends to Ukraine and needs to think about other partners, especially Israel and Taiwan.

Supply constraints are even worse in Europe, where governments have done too little to expand defence production to meet Ukraine's needs.

It is noted that Ukraine itself has an increasingly impressive defence industry, especially in the production of drones, but will find it difficult to fill the gap as Western supplies dwindle.

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This means that after the US presidential election, Russia's pressure on Ukraine will increase significantly in 2025 to enter into some form of negotiations with it.

The Economist suggested that as part of a possible deal, Ukraine will have to accept the loss of part of its territory: "The 7% that Russia seized in its first invasion in 2014 (the Crimea and eastern Donbas) is surely unrecoverable. Any settlement will probably also involve Russia holding on to some or most of the additional 11% that it now controls since the 2022 invasion."

In return, Ukraine should receive credible security guarantees, ideally full NATO membership: "That would probably constitute an acceptable solution in Kyiv, painful though it will be for Ukraine to swallow."

With Trump back in power, it seems likely that Ukraine will not join NATO for years, if ever; but it could still receive at least some form of security guarantee.

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Nevertheless, it now seems very likely that discussions on negotiations will begin in 2025, and when they do, the fighting could abruptly subside, even to the point of a ceasefire: "While talks grind on, a semi-frozen conflict might arise."

Read also: From Zelenskyy's "surrender" to Putin's surrender: how the negotiations with Russia are going

Before and after the counteroffensive: Are there perspectives in peace negotiations with Russia?

Background:

Russian officials said that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin was open to discussing a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine with Donald Trump, but he ruled out the liberation of territories and insisted that Ukraine abandon the idea of NATO membership.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects support from US President-elect Donald Trump in the event of talks between Kyiv and Moscow regarding the war, and he said a "strong Ukraine" would be the foundation of those talks.

In April 2022, Russia effectively upset peace talks with Ukraine when it included a clause in the draft treaty stating that it would have a veto over the international communitys response in the event of a repeated attack on Ukraine.

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SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI)  The University of Rhode Island community is grieving the loss of a beloved staff member of more than 40 years.

According to the university, Maureen McDermott was hit by a car at URIs Kingston campus earlier this month and died from her injuries on Friday, Nov. 15.

Maureen McDermott (Courtesy: URI)

She was hired in 1981 as a major events coordinator and later became the director of student involvement and the Memorial Union, earning widespread admiration for her unwavering dedication to students and the URI community.

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The university described her as an integral part of the fabric of our community and noted her lasting and meaningful legacy of passion for student involvement.

Liam Jolly, a junior at URI, is among the many students grieving her loss.

Jolly worked closely with McDermott through WRIU, the universitys student-run radio station, and called her a real saint in the community.

She was the sort of person who lifts everyone up around her, Jolly recalled. She would always have a smile on her face, and she was just such a genuine and kind person.

He added that McDermott positively impacted countless lives in some way and shared the difficulty of coming to terms with her absence.

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We have a meeting later and she should be here and shes not, and thats not going to change, and nothing is going to make that ever go away and get her back, Jolly said.

Nathan Robillard, a senior at URI, recounted similar experiences while working with WRIU. While he only interacted with McDermott a few times, he said her passing deeply affected him.

Robillard said she was one of the most organized, passionate and reliable people he knew, saying the most profound thing to me is she did it all with a smile on her face.

She was really, for me, the life of this building, Robillard added. I walked into this building yesterday and it felt kind of empty. It really did feel weird, because she was just everywhere.

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URI gets $65 million gift, the largest in school history

McDermotts commitment extended beyond her professional duties, as she tirelessly advocated for more than 100 student organizations at URI.

Her passion for our students and for their success both here and beyond our campuses provided a foundation for their achievement and served as an inspiration for colleagues, the university said in a statement.

McDermott is survived by her husband, Paul, and her three sons, Ryan, Kevin and Michaelall URI graduates.

Maureens radiant smile, unwavering dedication to URI, and 43 years of service to the students and staff she lovingly called her Rhody Family have left an indelible mark. Her legacy and impact will be cherished forever, the letter continued.

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URI is offering the following support resources to help the community cope with the loss:

Counseling Center

217 Roosevelt Hall; (401) 874-2288

24/7 virtual, text, or chat with a counselor via TELUS Health

Dean of Students Office  Student Support and Advocacy Services

302 Memorial Union; (401) 874-2098

Health Services

Potter Building; (401) 874-2246 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.)

Psychological Consultation Center

Chafee Social Science Center, Suite 100; (401) 874-4264

Couples and Family Therapy Clinic

Transition Center, 2 Lower College Rd.; (401) 874-5956

Campus Chaplains

URI Chaplains Association; (401) 874-2740

AHEAD: 2 South Kingstown men killed in Narragansett crash

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
XI'AN, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- A new air route will be launched between Xi'an, the capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, and Japan's Nagoya in December.

According to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport and the China Eastern Airlines' branch in Xi'an, the route will be launched on Dec. 20, with round-trip flights every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Outbound flights will depart from Xi'an at 1:30 p.m. Beijing time and arrive in Nagoya at 6:15 p.m. local time. The return flights will depart from Nagoya at 7:15 p.m. local time and arrive in Xi'an at 11:25 p.m. Beijing time.

After the opening of the route, China Eastern Airlines will operate two routes between Xi'an and Japan, linking the Chinese city with Tokyo and Nagoya.

As one of China's important aviation hubs, Xi'an will continuously enhance and optimize its international flight network, providing travelers with more convenient and efficient travel experiences, according to the airport. 
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (WATE)  Centrus Energy Corp. will resume manufacturing centrifuges in their Oak Ridge facility, investing $60 million, the company announced on Nov. 20.

The company plans to invest this money over the next 18 months to lay the groundwork to support a potential large-scale expansion of uranium enrichment at the Centrus American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio, the press release reported.

New Oak Ridge uranium enrichment facility to support more than 300 jobs

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Centrus recently secured more than $2 billion in contingent purchase commitments. They also received two awards from the United States Department of Energy. Additionally, they are competing for $3.4 billion in federal funding.

Photo via Centrus Energy Photo via Centrus Energy Photo via Centrus Energy Photo via Centrus Energy Photo via Centrus Energy

Centrus President and CEO Amir Vexler said, Todays investment will jump-start what we hope will be a multi-billion dollar public and private commitment to reestablishing Americas uranium enrichment capacity at scale while reducing our dependence on foreign nations  deploying American technology, built by American workers, supported by an American supply chain. The all-American solution we are offering represents the best path forward to ensure a reliable fuel supply for todays reactors, support the deployment of next generation reactors, and meet Americas enduring national security needs for enriched uranium.

The 440,000 square feet Oak Ridge facility, called the Technology and Manufacturing Center, is the only place Centrus American Centrifuge technology is made. It is supported by 14 major suppliers, all of which are American companies. A release from Centrus explained that the only other Western centrifuge technology in commercial operation is the European centrifuge design, which is only made in the Netherlands.

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Construction of next-gen nuclear reactor Hermes begins in Oak Ridge

Oak Ridge has a long history of Uranium enrichment. 6 News recently reported that the city also getting a new multi-billion-dollar centrifuge uranium enrichment facility.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
PROVIDENCE  Frustrated with long work weeks and what they say is inadequate pay, some 950 resident physicians and fellows at major Rhode Island hospitals are seeking to join a union.

The doctors from hospitals that include Rhode Island Hospital, Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, and Kent Hospital are campaigning to join the Committee of Interns and Residents, the largest such union in the country, with more than 34,000 members.

The Committee of Interns and Residents filed petitions with the National Labor Relations Board on Friday on behalf of the doctors to request that their employer voluntarily recognize their union, the union said in a press release.

The main entrance to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.

Why are the doctors trying to unionize in Rhode Island?

Doctors in residencies say they regularly work 80 hours a week for first-year pay that can amount to as little as $15 per hour. The combination of demanding schedules and inadequate pay has a ripple effect that challenges their ability to treat patients and weakens the overall health care system, doctors say.

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"The burnout is real," said Dr. Laura Schwartz, a fourth-year resident in the Brown/Rhode Island Hospital Residency Program in Pediatrics.

Schwartz said, "We work incredibly hard to make sure we give our best to our patients."

But Schwartz said her schedule of long shifts with just one day off per week leaves her unable to follow the advice she gives her patients about self-care habits such as eating well and getting enough exercise and rest.

"We just work such long hours and have such busy schedules, we don't have the time to take care of ourselves," she said.

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Dr. Katherine Spiegel said, "You're being pushed to the limit, both physically and mentally."

What would unionizing accomplish?

The doctors want to "form a union to gain a seat at the table to advocate for themselves and their patients," the union said.

I want us to be able to bring the best parts of ourselves to every visit with patients," Schwartz said. "Having a union will help us win support for ourselves, which ultimately supports care for the amazing people we serve.

"Winning improvements in pay, benefits, working conditions and training through their union would help ensure the physicians are able to thrive during residency and fellowship and that Brown is able to keep attracting great doctors to the state  which is more critical than ever amid a crisis primary care physician shortage and consistently high patient volumes," the union said.

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According to the union, these are the current salaries for first-year residents:

Lifespan/Brown University Health: $69,750

Butler Hospital: $70,555

Kent Hospital: $63,985

Women & Infants: $66,978

The salaries increase annually as the residents progress. For example, the salary for a fourth-year resident in the general psychiatry program at Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School is listed as $80,238 for the 2024-2025 year.

Care New England operates Butler, Kent and Women & Infants hospitals. Brown University Health, formerly Lifespan, operates Rhode Island Hospital. All of the hospitals are affiliated with Brown University's Warren Alpert Medical School.

Would this affect the primary care shortage in Rhode Island?

Resident doctors are medical school graduates who continue their training in hospitals, medical centers and doctor's offices. Residencies typically run for three to seven years. First-year residents are typically called interns. Fellows are those who have continued to study a subspecialty after completing a residency.

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The high cost of medical school contributes to the financial challenges for the nascent doctors. Many of the doctors owe well over $250,000 in student loan debt, according to the union.

Schwartz says her debt is lower than some others, at $160,000, in part because she graduated from a public medical school at the University of Massachusetts.

"You can't even make a dent [in the loan payments] with your residents' salary," she said.

Schwartz says the combination of debt and inadequate residents' pay encourages doctors to gravitate towards higher-paying specialties, rather than areas where there are shortages, such as primary care.

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"Moving to Rhode Island to start residency is especially difficult for folks who come from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine, and campaign leaders say they want to unionize to fight for changes that make residency more accessible," the union said.

Spiegel said, "I'm lucky. I have supportive parents. I look around and see residents who had to take out loans just to move to Providence."

How did Brown University Health and Care New England respond to the plan?

A Brown University Health spokesperson issued the following statement Wednesday: "We are aware that the residents and fellows at Brown University Health are planning a vote to decide if they wish to unionize. Our residents and fellows play a critical role in delivering high-quality care, and we greatly value their contributions."

"We remain committed to maintaining an open dialogue with them to support the ongoing quality of education and patient care. Above all, we are dedicated to fostering a positive and collaborative working environment for all of our employees," the spokesperson said.

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A spokeswoman for Care New England said the hospitals had each received a notice and "are reviewing the information."

In her fourth year of a residency in neurology, Spiegel, 32, will have completed her residency and won't personally benefit from any gains achieved by the union.

"I'm really trying to do it for future generations of residents," Spiegel said.

Four years ago, Schwartz was among the residents who attended the first meeting in a Providence pub to discuss forming a union. It's been a lot of work, and she's excited that the time has finally come when they could file a petition with the National Labor Relations Board and go public with the effort.

She said, "This is something I'm really proud of."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Resident doctors in RI bid to unionize over wages, hours and more
The U.S. military risks going into a potential major fight with China with insufficient stocks of Patriot surface-to-air interceptors and other key munitions due to obligations in the Middle East and Ukraine, the top officer in the Pacific has warned. Americas armed forces need to not only replenish that inventory, but grow it further, to be adequately prepared for a high-end scenario in the Pacific, especially a conflict over Taiwan.

U.S. Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), talked bluntly about his concerns at an open event at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, D.C., hosted earlier today.

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, speaks at AFCEAs TechNet Indo-Pacific in Honolulu, Oct. 24, 2024. USN

At one point in the discussion, Paparo was asked a direct question about whether ongoing fighting in Ukraine and in and around the Middle East were impacting U.S. military preparedness in his part of the world.

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Up to this year, where most of the employment of weapons were really artillery pieces and short-range weapons, I had said not at all, he said. But now, with some of the Patriots that have been employed, some of the air-to-air missiles that have been employed, it is now eating into [our] stocks.  and to say otherwise would be dishonest.

Ukraine has received a number of Patriot surface-to-air missile systems and interceptors to go with them from the U.S. military and other Western partners. Patriots were also among the air and missile defense systems employed in the defense of Israel against Iranian attacks in April.

Ukrainian personnel remove camouflage netting from a Patriot launcher. Ukrainian Air Force Ukrainian personnel remove camouflage netting from a Patriot launcher, which is loaded with missile canisters associated with older interceptors like the PAC-2-series. Ukrainian Air Force

The U.S. military has supplied a variety of other air and missile defense capabilities to Ukraine since 2022. American forces have also expended significant numbers of surface-to-air and air-to-air munitions in operations to shield friendly warships and commercial shipping in and around the Red Sea from Houthi militants in Yemen, as well as while defending Israel. This includes SM-2, SM-3, and SM-6 ship-launched surface-to-air interceptors and AIM-9X and AIM-120 air-to-air missiles. Ground-based National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), examples of which have been supplied to Ukraine, can also fire AIM-9Xs and AIM-120s.

The US Navy Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Carney fires an SM-2 missile at Houthi threats in October 2023. USN The U.S. Navys Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Carney fires a missile at a Houthi threat in October 2023. Also visible in the foreground is a Phalanx CIWS. USN

A variety of other surface and air-launched munitions have gone to Ukraine and/or have been expended in the course of operations against the Houthis and elsewhere in the Middle East, as well. One prime example of this is supplies of Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles to Ukrainian forces, which they have just recently gotten American approval to employ against targets inside Russian territory. In the past, Army officials have explicitly cited incoming stocks of new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) short-range ballistic missiles as helping free up ATACMS for Ukraine.

A US Army M270-series launcher fires an ATACMS missile. US Army

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If there are X [munitions in the] inventory of the United States of America, which is fungible across all theaters, that can be applied equally across any contingency,  none are reserved for any particular theater, expending them elsewhere inherently, it imposes costs on the readiness of America to respond in the Indo-Pacific region, Paparo explained.

The Indo-Pacific region is the most stressing theater for the quantity and quality of munitions, because the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] is the most capable potential adversary in the world, he continued.

We should replenish those [munition] stocks and then some. I was already dissatisfied with the magazine depth, Americas top officer in the Pacific, who took up the post in May, added. Im a little more dissatisfied with the magazine depth. You know, its a time for straight talk.

Paparo is not the first to raise the alarm about what the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are doing to U.S. munition stockpiles. Navy officials have been especially open about the worrying number of missiles and other weapons that have been expended against Houthi and Iranian threats. Concerns about the adequacy of U.S. stocks of certain munitions also predate these current crises, as the The War Zone has highlighted in the past.

An SM-3 missile at the moment of launch. The first combat employment of this anti-ballistic missile interceptor was in April 2024 against Iranian ballistic missiles headed toward Israel. USN An SM-3 anti-ballistic missile interceptor at the moment of launch. USN

There have already been growing calls from inside Americas armed forces, as well as Congress and elsewhere, to replenish those inventories and grow them beyond their previous size. There is also an emerging consensus that expanding and diversifying the U.S. industrial base available to produce key munitions, as well as developing and fielding lower-cost capabilities that are faster to produce, is increasingly critical. The Patriot interceptors and other munitions Paparo alluded to today are not bought off the shelf, are full of high-end and often unique components, and can take months or even years to procure.

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As indicated by his magazine depth remarks, Paparo is already very outspoken on these issues, especially when it comes to preparing for a potential conflict with China over Taiwan, in the South China Sea, or elsewhere in the Pacific. Paparo has previously discussed efforts to help the Taiwanese defend themselves through the use of hordes of kamikaze drones and other uncrewed platforms in the air, on the waves, and underwater that would turn the battlespace around the island into a hellscape for invaders, as you can read more about here.

Speaking today, Paparo stressed his belief that the U.S. military should be working to prepare for a potential fight around Taiwan as soon as possible rather than with an eye toward being ready to do so by 2027. U.S. officials regularly cite past statements by Xi Jinping telling the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) to at least be prepared by that year to successfully execute an armed intervention against the island.

The closer we get to it [2027], the less relevant that date is, and the more we must be ready today, tomorrow, next month, next year, and onward, Paparo said at Brookings.

With a new presidential administration on the horizon and concerns about at best flat defense budgets in the coming years, there are many new questions facing the U.S. military when it comes to things like replenishing munitions and its general global posture. Regardless, when it comes to Ukraine, specifically, ATACMS may be the last major offensive weapons system left that the U.S. has to take off its shelf and hand to that country, according to a separate report just today from Politico, which only underscores Paparos remarks.

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The current head of INDOPACOM has certainly made clear that he believes that there is a worrisome shortfall of critical munitions, which would be doubly concerning should a high-end fight with China break out.

Geoff Ziezulewicz contributed to this story.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
KINSHASA (Reuters) - Opposition politicians in Democratic Republic of Congo called on Wednesday for nationwide protests against President Felix Tshisekedi's plans to revise the constitution.

Sworn into office in January for a second and final term, Tshisekedi said in October a commission would be established to suggest potential changes to the constitution.

Critics have said it could be a tactic to remove term limits and allow him to run again.

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Tshisekedi said the current constitution, ratified by a referendum in 2005, needed to change because it did not align with the country's current realities.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, opposition politicians including former president Joseph Kabila and former presidential candidates Martin Fayulu and Moise Katumbi called for protests to "block" Tshisekedi.

Congo's presidency did not respond to a request for comment.

Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya said on Monday no one should question the president's intentions, and that debates around the constitutional reform should be de-politicised.

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"We're at the beginning of our mandate... The President of the Republic still has four years to go, and we must avoid attributing intentions to him," Muyaya told reporters.

(Reporting by Sonia Rolley and Stanis Bujakera; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Sofia Christensen, Alexandra Hudson)
KINSHASA, Congo (AP)  Leaders of the main opposition parties in Congo called on Wednesday for nationwide protests against President Felix Tshisekedi s plans to draft a new constitution.

Last month, Tshisekedi announced that a national commission will be set up next year to draft a new constitution for the Central African country, raising concern among the opposition over a possible altering of the presidential term limit.

Opposition politicians, including former President Joseph Kabila and former presidential candidates Martin Fayulu and Moise Katumbi, called for the protests against Tshisekedis plans.

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The constitution was meant to prevent authoritarian drifts and guarantee democratic transitions of power, Shadary Ramazani, spokesperson for Kabila's party, said in a join statement from the opposition.

Tshisekedi was reelected last December with results questioned by the opposition. He has spent much of his first term in office trying to gain legitimacy after a disputed 2018 election while struggling to put an end to the armed conflict in the countrys east.

He has criticized the current constitution, which was adopted by referendum in 2006, several times in recent months, saying it is outdated. Opposition groups have expressed worry that the president may change the limit of two five-year presidential terms to remain in power.

Tshisekedi has also slammed what he describes as a slow decision-making process  it often takes months after elections before a government is formed  and has cited tensions between governors and the provincial assemblies as reasons to draft a new constitution.

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He has also said that changing the presidential term limit was up to the people to decide  not the president.

Experts say Tshisekedi has the power to call to change the constitution but it will have to be approved by 60% of the parliament or pass by referendum.
The first woman entered Congress in 1917. It would take 45 years for the seat of legislative power in the United States to give women their own bathroom. Now, bathroom access for women on the Hill could be restricted yet again  but not because of men.

South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican who in 2021 stated that she supported transgender equality, has introduced a bill that would ban transgender women from accessing womens restrooms and facilities in the U.S. Capitol.

Mace has singled out the newly elected congresswoman Sarah McBride, a Delaware Democrat and the first out trans person elected to Congress, when discussing the bill. Maces proposal would leave bathroom policing to the House sergeant-at-arms. House Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled support for the bill.

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Every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, McBride wrote on X on Monday. I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness.

The architecture of the U.S. Capitol has long catered exclusively to men. The first womens gym, before the facility was made co-ed, was inferior to the mens gym with smaller and worse equipment. Women didnt have locker rooms.

The early bathrooms for women were small and windowless, with not enough stalls, and when they were installed there was no thought given to the possibility that more women would eventually walk the halls of power.

It would take 75 years for congresswomen to have any restrooms adjacent to the Senate floor. And in 2011, nearly a century after Jeannette Rankin became the first woman in Congress, women lawmakers got their first bathroom near the House chamber.

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In recent years, women lawmakers have had to use the private quarters of the Speaker of the House just to find a restroom that reliably stocks tampons and pads. Banning trans women from womens restrooms would continue a long history at the U.S. Capitol of women lawmakers being forced to find alternate ways to simply do their job.

The post Congress has always been hostile to women trying to use the bathroom appeared first on The 19th.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Congress debated Tuesday just how much U.S. allies should be able to use American-supplied weapons in their wars.

Ahead of an expected vote in the U.S. Senate this week that aims to block a $20 billion weapons sale from the U.S. to Israel, U.S. Capitol Police arrested dozens of protesters Tuesday who support the arms embargo.

Right down the street, a group of senators were making the case for the embargo against Israel.

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It has raged all-out war against the Palestinian people, said U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

U.S. taxpayer assistance should not come in the form of a blank check, said U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

Van Hollen and Sanders support joint resolutions that accuse Israel of violating internationally recognized human rights and blocking U.S. humanitarian aid.

Under these circumstances, it is illegal for the U.S. government to provide them with more offensive weaponry, Sanders said.

Incoming Senate Republican Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) opposes their efforts.

It encourages others to abandon Israel in their time of need, Thune said.

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Senate Republicans also denounced the timing of the Biden administrations decision that now allows Ukraine to use American missiles inside Russian territory, saying it should have happened months ago.

The next commander in chief will inherit a world of threats made worse by the Biden administrations hesitation, said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

The Pentagon would not comment on the new authorization but did comment on Russias response: lowering its threshold for use of its nuclear weapons.

Its the same irresponsible rhetoric weve seen before, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.

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WASHINGTON (WAVY)  Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act was passed on Monday. Jen Kiggans, Bobby Scott, Rob Whittman, and Jennifer McClellan all voted for the bill which passed with a 389 to 9 vote.

The bill aims to address better in-home care for veterans, increase mental health resources for caregivers, and improve access to disability benefits.

The bill includes two bills put forth by Congresswoman Jen Kiggans who represents Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Franklin, and most of the Eastern Shore. The Caregiver Outreach and Program Enhancement (COPE) Act and the VA Medical Center Security Report Act of 2023 address veterans benefits and the VA Medical Centers.

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The COPE Act aims to provide grants to organizations focusing on the mental health of caregivers who care for veterans. The bill also requires the VA to provide outreach to registered caregivers.

The VA Medical Center Security Report Act of 2023 requires VA leadership to provide reports detailing VA police forces and security at VA Medical Centers. This bill comes after the number of violent crimes committed at VA medical facilities increased from 3,141 in the financial year 2018 to 6,505 in the financial year 2021.

Improving the lives of our nations heroes is, and always will be, one of my top priorities in Congress, Congresswoman Kiggans said in a statement. Veterans deserve a VA that works for them and allows them to fully live the lives they risked so bravely for our freedom. I am proud that two of my own bills were included in this comprehensive legislative package, which will help increase mental health resources for veterans caregivers and improve security at VA medical centers. The passage of todays bipartisan legislation is an exciting advancement for veteran care and services, and I encourage the Senate to swiftly so it can be signed into law as soon as possible.

The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate to be voted on. If it passes in the Senate it will be sent to the Presidents desk.

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MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  The operations used to smuggle contraband into Alabama prisons is a well oiled machine thats hard to stop.

As times change, inmates find new ways to get contraband behind bars, according to Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch. Contraband such as cellphones, drugs and weapons are highly sought after by inmates and extremely expensive to buy.

University of Mobile mens basketball player collapses on campus, pronounced dead

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You can sell a phone for $1,500 cigarettes for $25 or $35 a piece, Burch said.

Among the methods of smuggling contraband is something called a paper route. Its when a person soaks a sheet of paper in a liquified drug before sending a piece of the paper to an inmate.

Theyll sell little pieces, like a little corner of a piece of paper for $20, Burch said.

In recent years, drones have become a popular method of dropping contraband into Alabamas prisons.

Allegiant Airlines to begin commercial air service in Gulf Shores

In 2022, six drone encounters were recorded at Alabama Department of Corrections facilities. ADOC saw 17 encounters in 2023. In just the first three months of 2024, ADOC experienced 13 encounters.

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State Representative Matt Simpson of Baldwin County is on the Prison Oversight Committee. Simpson drafted a bill to crack down on drone use around ADOC facilities, which was unanimously passed into law last year.

People arent dumb, Simpson said. They just try to find different ways around the system.

The law makes it illegal to fly a drone anywhere near an ADOC facility. Those who violate the law would face a Class C felony.

Developer withdraws Spanish Fort rezoning application

People in prison have a lot of time on their hands, so they come up with ways to figure out how they can get items sent into the prison, Simpson said.

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Simpson said some of the smugglers operate out of other states, calling out a South Carolina operation that has been caught smuggling contraband in Alabama.

Sometimes, those smugglers are closer than you think.

So far in 2024, Burch estimated four correction officers have been arrested for promoting contraband at Metro Jail. Meanwhile, state prisons have seen 38 staff arrests.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PRESCOTT VALLEY, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 13: A woman holds a flag that reads "LGBTQ FOR TRUMP" outside of a rally for Donald Trump at Findlay Toyota Center on Oct. 13, 2024 in Prescott Valley, Ariz. Credit - Rebecca NobleGetty Images

After tapping into themanosphere of podcast listeners and college fraternities, the Trump-Vance campaign succeeded in winning over young male voters, exit polls suggest. But the conservative vision of masculinity that won over unexpected numbers of Gen Z voters wasn't aimed at just the stereotypical brosa fact that Vice President-elect J.D. Vance nodded at with his suggestion that the Republican ticket could also win the normal gay guy vote."

Coming from the party pushing forward anti-LGBTQ legislation at historic speeds, conditional approval of some gay men may appear entirely contradictoryand, indeed, the LGBTQ vote appears to have gone strongly in the Democrats' favor. However, as history shows, conservative masculinity's reliance on traditional gender roles can coexist with embrace of certain aspects of gay identity.

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Consider the case of Germany and the rise of the Nazis, which depended on both the construction of the ideal man and male comradeshipboth of which carried potentially homoerotic dimensions.

Read More: What It Means to Be a Man, According to UFCs Dana White

Years before, interwar gay politics was deeply divided, not least along ideological lines. The Scientific Humanitarian Committee, Germanys first gay rights organization, founded in 1897 by sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld, courted left-leaning Social Democratic support. It saw scientific enlightenment as key to its arguments for acceptance of queer and trans people. Despite pervasive homophobia, the organization succeeded in winning some parliamentary support for gay rights, which came almost exclusively from the left. While ultimately unsuccessful, in 1929, it was the Social Democratic Party that introduced legislation to decriminalize homosexuality.

In contrast, gay publisher and organizer Friedrich Radszuweit rooted his League of Human Rights, established in 1920, in liberal ideals. An activist and businessman, Radszuweit saw liberal centrists as protecting both private life and private enterprise from state regulation. Both were also conducive to a version of respectability politics that were ambivalently promoted in his magazines.

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And yet, there was also some gay support for Nazi and right-wing political movements during the 1920s and 1930s. And support went both ways. Already in 1917, gay writer and self-described masculinist Hans Bluher argued that erotic bonds between men were more important than heterosexual family units to the creation of a masculine social community. This"Mannerbund" or mens collective, advocated the creation of a racially pure Volksgemeinschaft, or peoples community, predicated on imagined biological belonging to a fictional Aryan race.

So too did the Sturmabteilung (SA) or Stormtroopers. Not only was the leader of the Nazi paramilitary organization, Ernst Rohm, widely known to be gay, but the SA forged a politics of masculinity that depended on homosocial bonding and the aestheticization of the male form. Different from homosexuality, which was associated with femininity, Judaism, and Marxism, manly eros won support from men who had sex with men. Although homosexuality was violently excised from the SA in the 1934 Night of the Long Knives, camaraderie between men continued to provide ammunition for left-wing detractors.

Critics on the leftsocial democrats and communistsridiculed fascism as homosexual. Sexual perversity, they argued, was part of the political perversity that they identified, and thus homophobia became a tool to discredit right-wing movements generally and the Nazis specifically.

However, some gay mens defense of erotic comradeship did not constitute an acceptance of homosexuality in the ranks of the Nazi party. Nor did the apparent homoeroticism that ran through Nazi cultural institutions necessarily represent the sign of latent homosexual desire. Instead, the priority of masculinity sought to exclude and undermine femininity, resulting in the sexual subjugation of women; the persecution of same-sex desiring men, women, and trans people; and the creation of a Volksgemeinschaft that could only be realized through the genocide of Jews, Roma, and Sinti. While these groups were persecuted differently, they were persecuted nonetheless.

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The paradox at the heart of Nazi homoeroticismbetween the adoption of staples of gay masculinism and the violent rejection of homosexualityresulted in the sexual subordination of women. While many Weimar-era (1919-1933) gay activists sought alliances with feminists, lesbian and straight alike, masculinists argued that womens sexuality should prioritize reproduction in service of building an Aryan race. Male bonding in service to the state gave racially privileged men sexual license and political initiative, while women were expected to focus their sexual energy on producing racially fit children. This did not exclude things like premarital sex, which appealed to both young men and young women, but the strategic breakdown of sexual mores did not translate to womens emancipation.

The fixation of hypervirility of Aryan men also allowed for rule breaking. Soldiers were tacitly permitted to have sex with non-Aryan womenwhich in practice often meant assaultprovided that sexual contact did not result in children. The same logic also resulted in deep confusion about sexual contact between men. Sex between men was subject to the death penalty within the Schutzstaffel (SS) after Germanys 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union. Yet assumptions about masculine sexual virility meant that some sexual acts were not necessarily seen as punishable, even as homosexual effeminacy was to be physically exterminated. Contradictory impulses in Nazi views on masculinity made it impossible to police when much-vaunted male camaraderie crossed the line into unacceptable homoerotic intimacy, precisely because there was no clear line to begin with.

Read More: The False Idea Behind Project 2025's Plans for LGBTQ Rights

Just like the politics that structure them, Nazi masculinity of the 1940s and U.S. conservative masculinity of the 2020s are not the same.

However, the German case helps us understand some of its contradictions and consequences. Rather than undermining right-wing movements, the contradictions of masculinity in Weimar and Nazi Germany upheld them. They were also part of the appeal. Today, the Republican Party, and the incoming Trump-Vance administration in particular, offer young men a version of masculinity that prioritizes their sexual prerogative, which can, at times, include normal gay guys.

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Like before, it will also mean the subordination of women. The fact that Vice President Harris won a higher percentage of LGBTQ voters than any presidential candidate in recent history requires us to make a distinction between manly eros and gay rights. Indeed, the contradictions of conservative masculinity are key to its appeal.

Christopher Ewing is an assistant professor of history at Purdue University. His research examines sexuality, race, and crime in modern Germany and Europe.

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.

Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@time.com.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for more concerted efforts to enhance China-Europe relations and address shared challenges amid profound global changes, and urged both sides to resolve economic and trade differences through dialogue.

He made the appeals on Tuesday during meetings with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit, an annual meeting that gathers leaders of the world's major economies to address global issues.

JOINT EFFORTS

Over the past decades, China has maintained sound and stable relations with both Germany and France despite the complex international situation. This has been marked by frequent high-level visits, fruitful practical cooperation in various fields, and close people-to-people exchanges.

During his meeting with Scholz, Xi said the two countries need to consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership from a long-term and strategic perspective and continue to write cooperative stories of mutual achievement.

China and Germany share highly integrated economic interests, and bilateral cooperation is an opportunity for shared development and common future, Xi said, noting that China regards Germany as an important partner in advancing Chinese modernization, and will continue to provide broad market opportunities for German companies.

While meeting Macron, the Chinese president recalled his visit to France in May, during which the two heads of state outlined a vision for the next 60 years of China-France relations and jointly spoke out on global challenges and hotspot issues, leaving a wide and positive impact on the international arena.

China-France relations are of unique strategic significance and global influence, and the new round of reform and opening-up process in China will create fresh opportunities for China-France cooperation and broaden the scope for practical cooperation between the two nations, he noted.

Currently, the international community is faced with mixed and severe challenges, including rising protectionism and unilateralism, climate change, and escalating regional conflicts.

Addressing these concerns, Xi emphasized the importance of sustained China-EU cooperation and the crucial roles of Germany and France in the process.

He told the German chancellor that China regards Europe as an important pole in a multi-polar world, and is committed to cooperating with Europe to jointly meet challenges and promote the sustained, steady and sound development of China-EU relations.

Xi also said China and France, both major countries, share common responsibilities to lead the international community to unite in efforts to address global challenges at a time when many new changes are unfolding in the international landscape.

He called on Beijing and Paris to deepen strategic communication, strengthen mutual support, maintain a momentum of steady and positive development of bilateral relations, and make greater contribution to the sound development of China-Europe relations and world peace and stability.

In response, Macron said that the world today is full of instabilities and uncertainties, and France upholds strategic autonomy and is willing to engage in dialogue and cooperation with China, maintain a sound and steady development of bilateral economic and trade relations, and strengthen cooperation in climate change, global AI governance and other fields.

SOLVE TRADE DISPUTES VIA TALKS

At his meeting with Scholz, Xi raised the issue of the EU's tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), a major hotspot trade issue between the two sides, and asked the German leader to help resolve the dispute.

The EU's tariffs on Chinese EVs are drawing attention around the world, and China always insists on resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, Xi said.

It is hoped that Germany will continue to play an important role in this regard, Xi said, noting the two countries should focus on upgrading cooperation through digitalization, intelligence and low-carbon action, and work together to explore third-party markets to achieve win-win cooperation.

For his part, Scholz voiced hope that the EU and China will solve the issue of EVs as soon as possible through dialogue and negotiation, noting that the German side is willing to make positive efforts in this regard.

Germany hopes to further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, strengthen bilateral and multilateral dialogue and cooperation in the spirit of equality, frankness and mutual respect, properly resolve differences, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and contribute to world economic recovery, growth and common prosperity, Scholz added.

In a protectionist move, the European Commission finalized its decision last month to levy tariffs on Chinese-made EVs with varying rates on Chinese EV manufacturers, including BYD, Geely and SAIC, among others.

The decision has sparked strong opposition from key industry stakeholders with major European automakers, including Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, voicing a unified stance against the tariffs while advocating for open markets that support fair competition.

As observers have cautioned, these tariffs will weaken the competitiveness of the European industry in the long term. Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, dismissed the EU's move as "a step backwards for global free trade and thus for prosperity, job security and growth in Europe."

BMW CEO Oliver Zipse warned that the tariffs could "harm the business model of globally active companies, limit the supply of electric cars to European customers and thus slow down decarbonization in the transport sector."

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Ola Kaellenius, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz, said protectionism in the form of tariffs "is the wrong way to go, because we believe it stifles growth, it stifles innovation, and it does not create a win-win situation for everybody."

"The right direction would be to sit down with our Chinese partners, discuss a level playing field, and make sure that we come to some kind of a negotiated solution that both parties continue to have access to markets that are opening up and are not creating borders," he said. 
A convicted Jan. 6 rioter has now been found guilty of plotting to murder FBI agents who were investigating the Capitol insurrection.

Edward Kelley, 35, was convicted Wednesday in the federal case against him in Knoxville, Tennessee, according to the Department of Justice.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, and could face a sentence of up to life in prison.

MORE: Convicted Jan 6. rioter seeks pardon based on Trump's win

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Kelley made a "kill list" of FBI agents who were investigating the Jan. 6 riot, the Department of Justice said in a press release following the conviction.

Prosecutors said he plotted to attack the Knoxville FBI office with "car bombs and incendiary devices appended to drones," and to assassinate FBI agents "in their homes and in public places such as movie theaters."

The safety of our men and women in law enforcement is of paramount concern, U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III said Wednesday. There is simply no room in society for those who would engage in this kind of reprehensible conduct and threaten to assassinate FBI agents and others who are honorably serving to uphold the law, and this office will pursue all such threats against civil servants working for the public good.

PHOTO: In this photo released by the Blount County Sheriff's Office, Edward Kelley is shown. (Blount County Sheriff's Office)

Earlier this month, Kelley was convicted on multiple counts, including assaulting law enforcement, at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

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Federal prosecutors in Washington, D.C., said Kelley was identified in photos and videos from the insurrection, and was seen in an "altercation" with a United States Capitol Police officer "where he and two other men throw the officer to the ground."

MORE: Former Capitol Police officer wants to end the falsehoods about Jan. 6

Kelley was seen in the footage pushing against a metal barricade guarded by police to access the Capitol building. He then used a piece of wood to smash a window, then entered the building through the window, prosecutors said.

While inside the Capitol, Kelley confronted U.S. Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, and was also spotted in the Senate Gallery, according to prosecutors.

He is expected to be sentenced in Washington, D.C., federal court on April 7.

Convicted Jan. 6 rioter now found guilty of plotting to kill FBI agents originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The News

As time runs out on COP29, negotiators are stalled on the same questions that brought them to Baku: How much money to raise for climate action in developing countries, and how to raise it.

The main point of contention, negotiators say, is a paradoxical conflict between those two questions: No one can agree to a fundraising target without first agreeing on how it would be met, but developing countries want to veto any accounting structure that would result in a lower target. There are also divisions amongst developing countries on the extent to which private investment could be counted toward the target, and on whether to compromise with richer nations on the portion of finance that could be delivered as loans, as opposed to grants.

Its not going well, Juan Carlos Monterrey-Gomez, Panamas special representative for climate change, told Semafor. After more than two years of technical negotiations and every kind of convening you can think of, we havent really advanced much. There is definitely a risk, he said, that the summit ends without a deal.

Tims view

Money has always been the hardest part of climate diplomacy. Developing nations blame richer peers for being responsible for the lions share of carbon emissions and, thus, the broader climate crisis. Wealthy countries argue the trillions of dollars from government coffers demanded by the Global South just arent there. Attempts to pool money from other sources  China, development banks, Wall Street  are repudiated by delegates from poorer nations as an attempt to dodge responsibility for the climate crisis.

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One reason an agreement is so hard, officials here in Baku say, is the broad retreat of multilateralism: The reelection of Donald Trump as US president was just the latest signal from voters that politicians worldwide lack a mandate to strike any kind of cross-border deal, especially one that involves handing any amount of money to another country. Another problem, counterintuitively, is that the energy transition is almost too successful: As more rich countries recognize the economic advantages of clean energy, climate finance risks becoming a casualty of broader zero-sum trade competition, said Juan Pablo Hoffmaister, a climate finance expert at the Environmental Defense Fund and former finance negotiator on behalf of developing countries. Were seeing the native instincts of industrial policy start to kick in, where theres a feeling that helping someone elses energy transition may put you at a disadvantage, he said.

The strange thing about the climate finance debate is that the amount of money developing countries are asking for  $1.3 trillion is a common figure  is ultimately only about 1% of global economic output, seemingly a small price to pay to save the planet. Whatever fundraising number negotiators land on  the European Union, for its part, is pushing for $200 billion to $300 billion  two things about it will be true. One, it wont be enough: A report last week led by London School of Economics researchers concluded that at least $2.3 trillion is needed by 2030 for climate action in developing countries, excluding China.

Two, more money is not sufficient to solve the problem. Other details under negotiation are even more important for ensuring that climate finance actually has its intended effect; even once rich countries reached an earlier $100 billion climate finance target first adopted in 2009, many developing countries complained that the money was hard to access and too often contributed to their already considerable sovereign debt burdens. Measures are needed, Hoffmaister said, to provide under-resourced governments guidance on how to apply for funds, lowering barriers for middle-income countries to access concessional lending from development banks, and setting more specific rules for how much public finance should be set aside for climate adaptation projects, as opposed to decarbonization. At the moment, none of these measures are settled, because negotiators on all sides are reluctant to agree to any one provision before others are decided.

A new version of the draft finance agreement is expected Wednesday night or Thursday, which will be one of the last chances for negotiators to make progress. Most top negotiators are scheduled to fly out of Baku on Sunday. As with many other COPs over the last three decades, an eleventh-hour breakthrough is probably the most likely outcome. The most potent force for agreement is the prospect of not reaching one, said Avinash Persaud, special advisor on climate change to the president of the Inter-American Development Bank. That prospect only looms large in the final hours of the last day.

The View From BRICS

The impending withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement has many delegates tempering their expectations for what kind of deal may be possible. But powerful emerging economies are stepping into the power vacuum. Brazil, host of next years COP, urged world leaders this week to speed up their net zero deadlines from 2050 to 2040 or 2045. Indias negotiating team is pushing for a target of $600 billion for public climate finance, which would be used to derisk greater investment from the private sector. And although China is still strenuously resisting any attempt to be lumped in with the US and other rich economies that are obliged by the Paris Agreement to donate to climate finance, it is quickly emerging as one of the worlds biggest investors in climate action in the Global South  although almost entirely via lending that ultimately benefits its own economy.
With President-elect Donald Trump's recent announcement of former surgeon-turned-TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), questions are swirling about whether changes could be coming to the government programs.

If his nomination is confirmed by the Senate, Oz would, as CMS administrator, oversee Medicare, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. At least 145 million Americans are enrolled under one of the three programs, according to federal data.

Oz has previously expressed support for an option that could lead to more Medicare privatization. Although Oz has not revealed his views on Medicaid, some Republicans in Congress have expressed support for changes that would slash the budget of the program.

MORE: What to know about Dr. Oz as Trump picks him to lead Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Making Medicare Advantage the default

CMS administers Medicare, the federal health insurance program for those mostly aged 65 and older. More than 66 million people in the U.S. receive coverage through Medicare, the program says.

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However, Oz has expressed support for Medicare Advantage, a Medicare-approved plan run by private insurance companies. The plan must follow rules set by Medicare, such as limiting out-of-pocket expenses and covering all services covered by traditional Medicare.

PHOTO: Donald Trump looks on as Dr. Mehmet Oz speaks at a pre-election rally to support Republican candidates in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Nov. 5, 2022. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

"Medicare Advantage has definitely become a much more important part of the Medicare program. It's now the most popular coverage option within the program," Joe Albanese, a senior policy analyst at the right-leaning think tank Paragon Health Institute, told ABC News.

"It's grown very rapidly in popularity over the past decade," he continued. "And that's going change the way that the government interacts with Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries."

In an op-ed co-written for Forbes in June 2020, Oz said Medicare Advantage offers better care due to there being competing plans. He said Medicare Advantage could also be expanded to all Americans who are not on Medicaid, which would be funded by a 20% payroll tax. He has also promoted Medicare Advantage on his show, "The Dr. Oz Show."

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Trump, too, has promoted Medicare Advantage, touting new benefits for seniors who were enrolled in the plan. What's more, Project 2025  a plan of conservative policy proposals proposed by the Heritage Foundation  has proposed Medicare Advantage be the default option for Medicare coverage.

"I don't know what plans would be for such a proposal in Congress or in this administration," Albanese said. "I can say that some of the proponents of a default Medicare Advantage enrollment approach say that [Medicare Advantage] plans are typically able to offer comparable, if not lower costs."

However, critics argue making Medicare Advantage the default option could privatize the program and limit people's options when it comes to receiving care because many doctors and hospitals don't accept Medicare Advantage.

MORE: What a 2nd Trump term may look like for health care issues including ACA, abortion

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"To move to a default option, I think it'd be hard to get that, particularly in an administration [that] is in favor of less regulation because Medicare Advantage requires a strong partnership with regulators," Daniel Polsky, a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of health economics at Johns Hopkins University, told ABC News. "It's making a lot of requirements to ensure that the private insurance companies are using federal dollars wisely and acting in the best interests of the patients that they're responsible for."

If Medicare Advantage became the default option, Polsky said, it would increase spending, and the program would not be able to negotiate with as many providers as traditional Medicare can.

"You have to take the good with the bad with Medicare Advantage if you're going to lean into that program," he said. "There are just going to be beneficiaries that will not be served by that program because they need specialized care with specialized providers that they can't access in that program."

Work requirements for Medicaid

Little is known about what Oz's views are on Medicaid, a federal health insurance program for disabled and low-income Americans. CMS works with state programs to administer Medicaid, under which more than 72.4 million people are enrolled.

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Some Republicans have called to make cuts to Medicaid, which makes up 9% of the federal budget, according to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation.

PHOTO: Mehmet Oz visits the AW Driving School & License Testing Center in Allentown, Pa., Sept. 23, 2022. (Matt Rourke/AP)

Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, proposed implementing block grants, which are lump sums of money the government provides to states to cover medical expenses. This differs from the current method, in which the government contributes dollars for every dollar spent by the states.

Polsky said there would be negative consequences of moving to a block grants program.

"To move to a block grants program, any marginal spending by states would be felt at a much higher level," he said. "Medicaid is a really critical counter-cyclical program, so when we're in a recession or moving toward a recession, spending goes up in the Medicaid program that acts as an important kind of macro balance that would somewhat go away because states have to balance their budgets."

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He added that flexibility for spending to go up or down based on the needs of the patient population in a certain state would also be much harder if a block grants program is implemented, which he said could have "negative health consequences."

Some Republicans may also encourage Oz and the Trump administration to implement work requirements as a basis of eligibility for Medicaid, including working or volunteering for a number of hours or being involved in educational activities.

MORE: Despite concerns about ACA and reproductive rights, health care was not a voting issue: Experts

House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, a Republican from Texas, told reporters last week that he supports a "responsible and reasonable work requirement."

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Polsky said it would be a deterrent to people who would otherwise qualify for Medicaid signing up, but it also doesn't incentivize work.

"My familiarity with the evidence  turns out there weren't too many that were implemented, but there [have] been some work requirements of other programs in the past  with work requirements is that they don't incentivize or ... actual work doesn't increase for people who enroll in these programs," he said.

Polsky said he has found in his research that such requirements create more of an administrative burden due to the added documentation that comes with new requirements.

Could changes be coming to Medicare, Medicaid with Dr. Oz leading CMS? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  National City detectives are searching for the gunman responsible for a shooting that left a 12-year-old boy dead and four other teenagers wounded late Friday night. It happened during an illegal party at a vacant home on N Avenue. The incident has left the community in shock.

A growing memorial of flowers and candles has appeared at the scene as residents mourn the loss of Elijah Smith, the young boy who was killed. National City Mayor Ron Morrison said he is not only committed to finding the shooter but also wants to hold accountable those who organized the party.

The shooting occurred during an illegal house party at a vacant property owned by Big Hill Oz LLC, which plans to demolish two vacant homes on the site. Neighbors, like Carmen Tafoya, talked about the frightening moments of the shooting.

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We just heard five shots, one that went boom then right after four of them, Tafoya said. She noted that although teenagers had been visiting the property for weeks, she had not observed any disruptive behavior until the shooting.

Gunfire erupts at National City house party, leaving one dead and four injured

The city has been working to expedite the demolition permit for the property to prevent further break-ins. Mayor Morrison stated that the property owners have attempted to secure the site multiple times, but trespassers have repeatedly broken in.

The owners have boarded it up several times, and its been broken into several times, Morrison said.

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Morrison said that law enforcements focus is not only on finding and arresting the shooter, but also bringing charges against those who planned and advertised the event on social media.

That someone would actually put on an event and bring minors with alcohol and everything else, knowing that they were illegally on this property  basically an illegal rave, but youre doing it for minors, Morrison said.

GoFundMe started for married couple killed in downtown shooting

Oakley Smith, Elijahs sister, spoke about her brothers compassionate nature. He cared so much about all of us, even his friends. He had the biggest heart ever, she said.

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Elijahs mother, Sofia Alvarez Smith, expressed her devastation and confusion over her sons presence at the party. He was supposed to be home. He wasnt supposed to leave the house, and we dont know who he went with, she said.

Big Hill Oz LLC has since hired a security guard to monitor the property. Mayor Morrison urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward to prevent further violence.

If you leave them out on the street, guess what  this could happen again. It could be your child, Morrison said.

Investigators estimate that hundreds of people were at the party and are asking anyone with information to contact them.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Lt. Richard Max Bullock took the last flight of his life on June 3, 2022, when his F/A-18E Super Hornet launched from Naval Air Station Lemoore and commenced training near Californias Death Valley National Park.

That afternoon, the 29-year-old executed air-to-ground strafe and slow-speed basic maneuvers when he is believed to have suffered a bout of gravity-induced loss of consciousness, or GLOC, a condition where a pilot goes unconscious due to a lack of blood flow to the brain, according to an internal investigation obtained by Navy Times.

Bullock was incapacitated when his jet quickly descended from 7,300 feet and crashed near Trona at 2:07 p.m. local time. His ejection seat was properly installed and the investigation found that Bullock did not attempt to initiate an ejection.

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Due to the relatively low altitude that this maneuver was executed, the pilot did not have enough time to regain consciousness before impacting the ground, the investigation states.

Now, two-and-a-half years after the young aviators death, questions have emerged about why a system that keeps a jet airborne if a pilot loses consciousness was never installed in Navy Super Hornets, and if such a system might have prevented Bullocks death.

The system is known as Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System, or Auto-GCAS, and its designed to temporarily take control of a jet for short periods of time if the pilot blacks out or gets distracted, military aviators who reviewed the Bullock investigation told Navy Times.

Inside a fatal Super Hornet crash in Star Wars canyon

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But for reasons the Navy has declined to explain, Auto-GCAS has not been installed in the sea services Super Hornet fleet.

The Air Force installed Auto-GCAS on its F-16 and F-22 fighter jets, and credits the system with saving the lives of 16 aviators since 2014.

The Marine Corps legacy Hornets are also slated to receive Auto-GCAS next year, according to Naval Air Forces, and the software is already installed on all F-35 jets, according to that platforms Joint Program Office.

Despite repeated queries by Navy Times, the Navy has refused to explain why Auto-GCAS is not in Super Hornets, or whether the service believes a lack of Auto-GCAS played a role in Bullocks death.

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Auto-GCAS remains an area that the team continually assesses during safety review boards and provides annual updates to the fleet, as safety is our number one priority, Naval Air Forces spokesperson Cmdr. Beth Teach said in an email to Navy Times.

The Naval Safety Command, which conducts its own investigations into such mishaps, declined to say whether its investigation found a lack of Auto-GCAS to have been a factor in Bullocks death.

An aerospace engineer demonstrates the Auto-GCAS in an F-16 flight simulator at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 2016. Auto-GCAS is designed to automatically pull a jet away from the ground if a pilot is disoriented or unable to do so. (Master Sgt. Brian Ferguson/U.S. Air Force)

While the Navy remains mum to such questions, some aviators with direct Auto-GCAS experience believe the system would have prevented Bullocks fatal crash.

Lt. Col. Billie Flynn is a retired pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

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Flynn also served as a test pilot with Lockheed Martin who flew with the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, and has tested out three different Auto-GCAS systems.

After reviewing the Bullock crash investigation, Flynn unequivocally stated that Bullock would still be alive if Auto-GCAS was installed in his aircraft.

Auto-GCAS would have saved Lt. Bullock, period, Flynn told Navy Times.

He isnt the only member of the aviator community to reach that conclusion. An active duty Air Force aviator familiar with Auto-GCAS who reviewed the investigation and was granted anonymity also told Navy Times that he believes the technology would have saved Bullocks life.

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Whats the price of a very talented young naval aviator? Flynn said. I would submit there is no price for that. You cant replace Lt. Bullock, and how do you explain to his parents, his family, that you could have implemented this at some point and chose not to, because it wasnt a value to Navy leadership. I dont think you can answer that question.

Instantaneous G

To decrease the likelihood of suffering GLOC, pilots undergo specific centrifuge training to better equip their bodies to tolerate strong G-forces.

But pilots still carry risks with them in the cockpit, and Auto-GCAS helps mitigate that risk, according to Flynn.

In a Super Hornet, the instantaneous G is so sudden that if you are not perfectly prepared, then your body might not be ready for the G that youre about to experience, and that historically, has contributed to pilots blacking themselves out, he said.

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Pilots typically regain useful consciousness between 45-60 seconds after blacking out, according to Flynn.

Flynn said he thinks the Navy and NAVAIR understand the benefits of Auto-GCAS, but have opted to not spend the money and time installing the system in the Super Hornet fleet because its never been important enough for Navy leaders.

Inside the harrowing final minutes before a C-2A Greyhounds fatal 2017 crash into the sea

Navy leadership, including the leadership at NAVAIR, have all been briefed and are keenly aware of the capabilities that Auto-GCAS brings and the potential to save aircraft and lives, Flynn said.

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Flynn added that GLOC isnt as common now as it once was in aviators due to advancements in training and ensuring G-suits fit properly, and therefore, leadership isnt as inclined to believe installing the technology is worth the effort.

Teach, of Naval Air Forces, told Navy Times that no other naval aviators have suffered injury or death due to GLOC-related incidents in the past five years, according to the services Risk Management Information mishap reporting system.

Max was genuine

Assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 113 at the time, Bullock was remembered as a young man who packed more into 29 years than most could ever imagine.

When asked how he would want to be celebrated, Lt. TJ Hall, Maxs wingman, said, Fast, loud and awesome! Bullocks obituary states. While hell be celebrated this way, hell be remembered as generous beyond belief, a genuine friend, passionate and relentlessly positive, and fearless.

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Bullocks parents, Bill and Robin Bullock, said their son described himself as a possibilitarian who believed anything was possible, and loved his country and fellow service members deeply. They said the family honors his memory by thinking about what he would do when making choices in life now.

Whenever we would question whether or not we should do something or to go forward with it, one of the kids, or one of the parents says, You know, what would Max do? And the automatic answer is, he would go for it. He would try it, he would be the first one to be in line to do something, and reach out to help others, Robin Bullock told Navy Times.

Lt. Richard Max Bullock was flying his F/A-18E Super Hornet, like the ones shown here in March 2019, when it crashed in 2022, resulting in his death. (Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon Renfroe/U.S. Navy)

Bullock conducted a thorough brief prior to take off on the day of his death, outlining the training rules for basic fighter maneuvers, air-to-ground strafe and low-level training.

The investigation also found that Bullock was prepared for the mission, and that human factors did not play a role in the mishap.

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Pilot error likely caused Navys TH-57 helicopter crash in summer 2021

It determined the aircraft safe for flight and that no malfunctions occurred, and that environmental factors such as weather did not contribute to the mishap.

The case did not warrant any disciplinary action within the squadron, and the investigation determined the squadrons command climate didnt factor into the mishap.

Specifically, the report said that no one interviewed for the investigation voiced knowledge of procedure violations, rule-breaking or flat-hatting by any members of the squadron  Bullock included.

Flat-hatting is the practice of conducting maneuvers at low altitude or high speed for thrill purposes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

I have directed that the findings of this investigation will be widely shared with all units under my cognizance to underscore the unforgiving and inherently dangerous nature of naval aviation, which requires the finest sense of judgment and control, a command endorsement of the investigation states.

Bullocks obituary recalls him as someone who would start every day with the intent on figuring out how to make the world a better place.

Max was genuine. He would strike up a conversation and build a friendship with everyone crossing his path; he would listen with interest and appreciation to any story, Bullocks obituary said. He gave the gift of long-term friendship openly and without reservation.
Nov. 19Work to widen Joplin's 20th Street on the west side of the city will begin early next year and it will be the first project to implement the city's Complete Streets design policy, according to Joplin's public works director.

The Joplin City Council has authorized a contract for the construction work with Emery Sapp and Sons Inc. The city will pay the contractor $9,878,241.50 for the project, which involves widening 20th Street from Schifferdecker Avenue to Central City Road.

Dan Johnson, the city's public works director, told the council that a version of the project that was to be done in two parts, first for the acquisition of right of way and second for the construction, was listed in the three-eighths-cent capital improvements sales tax that voters approved in 2014.

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Later, city officials had an opportunity to work with the Jasper County Commission to make it a larger project using city and county funds from the American Rescue Plan Act plus assistance provided by the Joplin Special Road District. That allowed the project to be extended to Central City Road and to include the two roundabouts.

The work will widen the the street from two lanes to three lanes, one a center turn lane, and to add curbs and gutters to the street. It also will replace open drainage ditches with enclosed storm sewer drainage.

That version of the project was one that was listed earlier this year on the renewal of the capital improvements sales tax voters approved in the spring for a 12-year sunset.

Johnson said the city received three bids for the work and that Emery Sapp bid the lowest. It was below the engineer's estimate.

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There was a difference of only $456 between Sapp's bid and the next-lowest bid by D&E Plumbing and Heating Inc. at $9,878,697.42. The third bid by Crossland Construction was more than $10.3 million.

Because the project involves some American Rescue Plan Act funding and any project being done with that type of federal grant must be completed by Dec. 31, 2026, Councilman Chuck Copple asked if the planned completion date of September 2026 would be soon enough for federal review of the grant closeout by the end of that year.

Johnson said the project will meet ARPA deadlines. Because there are several sources of funding for it, the ARPA money will be used first so that the paperwork for the grant can be submitted early enough to give the federal government time to review it before the deadline.

Copple also asked if the project will follow the city's adopted Complete Streets ordinance, also called Smart Streets design. Johnson said this will be the first project to be built using those guidelines to provide access for various modes of transportation.

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Complete Streets are designed and operated to provide safety and accessibility for all users of roads and trails including pedestrians, bicyclists, trolley users, motorists, emergency vehicles, freight and commercial vehicles, as well as people of all ages and abilities. One of the features of the plan for 20th Street is a 12-foot-wide shared-use path for pedestrians, bicyclists and others.

Councilman Mark Farnham asked if the roundabouts planned at Country Club and Central City roads would easily accommodate tractor-trailers. Johnson said they would. Kurt Higgins with the engineering firm Allgeier-Martin said the roundabouts are similar in design to those on Prigmore Road in the Crossroads Distribution Park, which carry a lot of heavy traffic.

Mayor Keenan Cortez asked if the busy entrance to the Twin Hills Country Club would be affected during construction. Higgins said engineers and city officials have met with the club's board of directors several times "and that was one of the issues. What we'll do is leave their existing entrance in place until we get a new entrance that's further to the south constructed," Higgins said. However, there will be a period of about 60 days when motorists will have to turn south to exit the club driveway, he added.

Cortez also asked if the street widening and roundabouts would be helpful with growth on the city's west edge.

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Johnson said that "growth at Wildwood Ranch has been slow but steady, and I think it could take off at any time. And when you build these roads, it could really take off."

Council member Josh DeTar made a motion to approve the construction contract, and it was approved with eight in favor. One councilman, Ryan Jackson, was absent.
Nov. 20JEFFERSON  Village council approved a fire service contract with Lenox Township Monday evening during a short meeting that included an executive session, with no action following, to discuss the promotion of a police officer.

Council approved Jefferson Patrolman Adam Gozelanczyk to attend an advance patrol tactics training at a cost of $199.00. Sale of lawn mowers was also approved.
LANSING  The vote gap between a Democratic state representative from Battle Creek and his Republican challenger grew to 61 votes, from 58 votes previously, as a result of a canvass the Calhoun County Board of Canvassers completed late Tuesday, according to data posted on the state website.

But state Rep. Jim Haadsma, D-Battle Creek, is still seeking more information and it is possible he will request a recount, Haadsma's attorney, Chris Trebilcock, said Wednesday.

Steve Frisbie of Battle Creek, Haadsma's Republican challenger, again declared victory in a news release Tuesday night.

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The hard-fought race in a close battle for control of the state House was thrown into controversy three days after the Nov. 5 election when initial unofficial results, which showed Frisbie beating Haadsma by close to 1,400 votes, were updated, after an error was discovered, to show the gap reduced to 58 votes.

State and local officials said Battle Creek used two high-speed absentee ballot tabulators but, due to a programming error, the reported numbers did not combine the results from the two tabulators and instead excluded about half the results. About 4,500 votes were added to the county's unofficial tally for the presidential election, once the error was detected.

The county had not updated its website to reflect the results of the canvass as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, but the results on the Michigan Secretary of State's website had been updated and showed Frisbie beating Haadsma by 61 votes, up from 58. Amber LeClear, a spokeswoman for the Calhoun County clerk, confirmed Wednesday that the county's election results had been certified by the board and showed Frisbie beating Haadsma by 61 votes.

County canvassers, who faced a Tuesday deadline to complete their work, adjourned Tuesday night and planned to reconvene at noon Wednesday, officials said. It wasn't clear what business, if any, the canvassers planned to take up on Wednesday, having already certified the results.

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Republicans are projected to hold a 58-52 state House majority with a Frisbie victory over Haadsma. If Haadsma is declared the winner, that would leave the state House with a 57-53 GOP majority.

The canvass has now shown the original result was accurate, the voters voices were heard, and the process is complete, Frisbie said in a news release late Tuesday.

Im grateful the canvassers handled this correctly and put the issue to rest. But now it is time to look forward to what comes next. I am ready to finally get to work serving the people of this community as their voice at the state Capitol.

But Trebilcock said Wednesday morning that Haadsma is still waiting on certain detailed election information and it is possible he will request a recount.

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"The county canvass revealed additional questions about potential mistakes that could affect the outcome," Trebilcock said in an email.

"Added to the known data transfer error involving the (absentee ballots) in Battle Creek, a recount would confirm whether those were corrected in the initial canvass or not. The fact is we still havent been provided precinct totals that were certified, so we are in the dark like everyone else.

On Nov. 12, the four-member board of canvassers, which has equal numbers of Republican and Democratic members, voted to order that absentee ballot results from the city of Battle Creek be re-tabulated, or counted a second time, to make sure the initial results were accurate. A re-tabulation is different from a hand recount, which can be requested by a candidate after the canvass is certified.

On Nov. 13, Frisbie sued in Calhoun County Circuit Court to attempt to halt the re-tabulation. But a judge dismissed his lawsuit later that day, and the re-tabulation was completed.

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(This article has been updated to add new information.)

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: County canvass widens gap in Battle Creek state House race to 61 votes
LORAIN, Ohio (WCMH)  A 22-year-old Ohioan who championed his home city to ban anti-LGBTQ+ techniques known as conversion therapy is now advocating for a neighboring county to do the same.

Brandon West is calling on the Cuyahoga County Council to pass an ordinance prohibiting healthcare professionals from engaging with minors in conversion therapy, used to attempt to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity. Wests advocacy comes after he led the effort to make his home city of Lorain the 12th in the state to ban the practice.

Even if there [wasnt] any conversion therapy in practice in Lorain specifically, it still shows to the community that Lorain was there to support its LGBTQ+ residents and to make sure they were safe and sound living here, said West at a Brecksville Broadview Heights Pride panel on Nov. 13. It also acts as a preventative measure.

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HIV is not a crime: Ohio laws criminalizing virus exacerbate disparities, lawmaker says

Now, West is looking for a member of the countys council to sponsor the proposal and hold a public hearing for it. Should the council pass Wests ordinance, Cuyahoga will be the first in Ohio to ban conversion therapy across an entire county.

Lorain joined 11 other cities in Ohio, including Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and Reynoldsburg, that have banned the practice within city limits. Like Lorains measure, the proposed Cuyahoga ordinance echoes the American Medical Association, which says the assumption that someones sexual orientation or gender identity can be changed is not based on scientific evidence.

Practitioners of conversion therapy operate under an erroneous assumption that non-heterosexual, non-cisgender identities are mental disorders, the proposed ordinance states. Those practitioners often employ aversive conditioning, which includes the use of electric shock, deprivation of food and liquid, smelling salts and chemical-induced nausea.

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Survivors [of conversion therapy] are 8.4 times more likely to attempt suicide, and 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression, said West. Conversion therapy is recognized internationally as a human rights violation. It infringes on personal autonomy and health.

Bill to ban LGBTQ+ discrimination inches forward at Ohio Statehouse

West also noted a 2022 study from The Trevor Project found the practice of conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ youth, and its associated harms, costs the U.S. an estimated $9.23 billion annually. The study said more than 508,000 LGBTQ+ youth across the nation were at risk of being subjected to conversion therapy the previous year.

Sarah Kolick, a practicing attorney in Cuyahoga County, is joining West in the effort and called on those attending the Nov. 13 Pride panel to aid in educating about the dangers of conversion therapy.

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Ohio is still one of the top five states where this practice happens, it happens underground. We need a ban in place, said Kolick. Because we cant look to Columbus to protect our children, we are taking matters into our own hands and looking at counties and cities to do the right thing.

Cities like Lorain are passing bans on conversion therapy because Ohios general assembly hasnt advanced a proposal to implement a statewide ban. While former Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) introduced the Anti-Conversion Therapy Act last year, which would make law in Ohio the same parameters as Lorains measure, the legislation didnt receive a single committee hearing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Nov. 20Rogers County may receive more federal money to reimburse county residents for most of the cost of building safe rooms.

Scotty Stokes, director of Rogers County Emergency Management, said during the Rogers County Commissioners' meeting Monday the county can "most likely" pick up additional funds.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency granted Rogers County money it could use to pay residents up to 75% of the cost to build 170 storm shelters. About 40 shelters have been built.

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While more than 400 people applied for safe room grants in Rogers County, Stokes said, there's program money left over because other counties saw lower buy-in.

"I know there's some left in the pot we're going from," Stokes said. "I'm being told [by FEMA] that's why we can probably get a few more. I don't know how many that would be, whether it be five, 10 or 30."

Stokes said another reason the county might be able to fund more shelters is because more than 100 of the 170 Rogers County awardees dropped out.

The county can't apply for another full round of grants at this time because FEMA requires a county to fund all its allotted storm shelters before going back for more.

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Stokes said it would probably be a few years until the county can close out the current round of grants.

Also at the Monday meeting, the commissioners applied for two grants related to electric vehicles.

The first grant would fund two electric trucks and charging equipment for District 3, while the second would fund EV charging equipment in the Rogers County Courthouse parking lot for both county and public use.

According to the grant documents, the federal government would cover 80% of the cost of each project if awarded. The documents estimate the District 3 project to cost $513,636; the courthouse project would cost $473,674.

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District 3 Commissioner Ron Burrows said his district has an electric truck in its fleet, and it works well.

Both grants would award federal money funneled through the Indian Nation Council of Governments. Burrows said the county unsuccessfully applied for charging equipment last year.

"If we don't get the grant, no harm, no foul," Burrows said. "...Grants are kind of throwing out darts and hopefully, you're able to get it."

The commissioners awarded a culvert replacement project bid to King Excavating Inc.

King, the low bid, offered its services to the county for $47,300. The county will pay King to replace a culvert on East Pine Street in Catoosa, east of McNabb Road.

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The commissioners opened a few bids, including a bid to purchase a 40-foot shipping container for the firing range the Rogers County Sheriff's Office is building.

They also approved Steven Baskerville's appointment to the Rogers County Board of Adjustment, filling the board after a period of vacancies.

District 2 Commissioner Steve Hendrix said Baskerville impressed him, especially because Baskerville had worked for the U.S. Secret Service for two decades.

Baskerville will serve two years on the board, which is responsible for hearing appeals and granting special exceptions to county zoning laws.

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Planning Commission Director Missy Richardson said she's seeking to fill vacancies on the planning commission. Positions on both boards are volunteer-based.

The county decided to contract with an Oklahoma City firm, James Farris Associates, to receive human resources services.

Rogers County currently receives these services from Tulsa-based Summit Financial Group Inc. Burrows said though the county has enjoyed working with Summit, the county needs to move to a company dedicated solely to providing HR services.

"Summit helped us through some really challenging times," Burrows said. "I know the president of Summit is a Rogers County citizen, so he really had our best interests at heart."

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Hendrix said the county has a good standing relationship with Gracen Johnsen, a consultant for James Farris Associates. The partnership will begin Jan. 1, 2025.

The commissioners also agreed to engage with the office of Oklahoma State Auditor Cindy Byrd to conduct audits of the past three fiscal years' budgets.

Burrows said the audits would uncover repeat error findings, which wouldn't happen if the state audited the county annually.

"I have a serious problem with [the repeat findings], because how can you fix something if you don't know that it existed?" Burrows said. "We've been 100% all for [the auditor's office finding] issues of opportunity, and we've been quick to fix them."
Actors perform at the opening ceremony of the International Academic Conference on the Ideas of Human Rights in Ancient Chinese Classics in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 20, 2024. Fine traditional Chinese culture contains many ideas related to human rights, which can provide historical resources and enlightenment for the cause of human rights in today's world. That is why scholars across the globe gathered in central China's Hunan Province for a conference on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Ruan Zhouwei)

CHANGSHA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Fine traditional Chinese culture contains many ideas related to human rights, which can provide historical resources and enlightenment for the cause of human rights in today's world. That is why scholars across the globe gathered in central China's Hunan Province for a conference on Wednesday.

Scholars explored the ideas of human rights on the basis of Chinese classics, and promoted exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, at the International Academic Conference on the Ideas of Human Rights in Ancient Chinese Classics, jointly hosted by China Society for Human Rights Studies, the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Hunan Provincial Committee, and Hunan University.

During the main forum and four sub-forums, over 200 scholars from countries including China, the United States, Australia, Canada, India, Italy, Japan, Pakistan and Portugal shared their insights.

Zheng Renzhao, researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Ancient History, said that while the term "human rights" did not come into being in ancient China, there were abundant ideas related to it.

Attaching importance to human life, survival, development and happiness; pursuing equality and justice; and pursuing peace and harmony are the most prominent features of the ancient Chinese concept of "human rights," Zheng said.

"Culture keeps people alive, inspired and having a sense of history. What China has gives a tremendous sense of belonging to an ancient civilization that has so much to offer," said Mary Evelyn Tucker, a senior lecturer and research scholar at Yale University, who has been coming to China for research since 1985.

"It's wonderful to see that this conference tries to examine the classics of Chinese tradition, especially Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism -- the resources for a new sense of what it is to be fully human," she said.

"To be fully human also means to be part of ecology, the nature, even the cosmos, which the Chinese tradition has - Tian Ren He Yi (Harmony of man and nature)," she added.

Fang Qiang, professor of history at the University of Minnesota Duluth, said that Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted and promulgated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, mentioned, "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of person," which is deeply reflected in Chinese classical works such as the Works of Mencius, Tao Te Ching and the Works of Mo-tse.

The UDHR emphasizes the protection of people's property rights, whereas in classical Chinese culture, property rights are also given importance, Fang said. "Chinese traditional culture contains a wealth of human rights concepts, which not only had a far-reaching impact at that time, but are still of great value today."

"I appreciate Confucius very much, because Confucius represents Chinese culture and the foundation of Chinese philosophy. Confucius said we should use culture to achieve peace, and use it for peace, not war," Giuseppina Merchionne, professor of Chinese language and culture of the University of Milan, said in fluent Mandarin.

Both Italy and China are big nations of culture and should make greater contributions to safeguarding world peace and developing human rights, said the Italian sinologist, who is also president of the Italy-China Centre for Collaboration and Cultural Exchanges of the Silk Road.

There are many schools of thought in ancient China, but one of their main concerns is the protection and love of people, said Peter Hediger, a Swiss sinologist, historian and international security policy expert.

He noted that in the hierarchical feudal society of ancient China, Confucianism and Taoism, which had different attitudes toward the government, were both concerned about the well-being and good operation of the whole society.

The first prerequisite for good governance and the implementation of human rights was the emphasis on the self-improvement of each individual, and the second prerequisite was the need for prosperity for all, including the grassroots, he said.

"China's experience in dealing with the delicate balance between state power and individual rights may be earlier, deeper and more sustainable than any other country," he said. "Facts have proved that rather than blindly following the Western-style route, China has found an effective way."

Christophe Peschoux, former section chief of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the ideas of human rights in ancient Chinese classics are the common wealth of all mankind.

The historical wisdom displayed by the fine traditional Chinese culture has ignited the light of civilization and will illuminate the road leading to justice, peace and humanity in the world, he said. 

Christophe Peschoux, former section chief of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, speaks at the International Academic Conference on the Ideas of Human Rights in Ancient Chinese Classics in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 20, 2024. Fine traditional Chinese culture contains many ideas related to human rights, which can provide historical resources and enlightenment for the cause of human rights in today's world. That is why scholars across the globe gathered in central China's Hunan Province for a conference on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Giuseppina Merchionne, professor of Chinese language and culture of the University of Milan and president of the Italy-China Centre for Collaboration and Cultural Exchanges of the Silk Road, speaks at the International Academic Conference on the Ideas of Human Rights in Ancient Chinese Classics in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 20, 2024. Fine traditional Chinese culture contains many ideas related to human rights, which can provide historical resources and enlightenment for the cause of human rights in today's world. That is why scholars across the globe gathered in central China's Hunan Province for a conference on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Nov. 20An Odessa couple who shoplifted some fruit from a United Supermarket is now facing a second-degree felony robbery charge after attacking the store manager, police said.

According to an Odessa Police Department report, the manager told officers Joshua Medrano and Yahaira Torres, both 19, stole a tray of berries worth $6.99 and a strawberry parfait worth $3.79 from the United Supermarket at West County Road and University around 5:15 p.m. Monday.

The manager, 59, told officers that Torres punched her multiple times in the face when she confronted the pair, the report stated.

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According to the report, school district police saw the pair run away and then enter a home on Brazos. They eventually came out of the house willingly.

Torres admitted an argument with the manager turned physical and she also admitted to stealing the berries, the report stated.

Medrano admitted to stealing the parfait, but said he tried to stop the fight between the two women.

Both were booked into the Ector County jail on suspicion of robbery. Medrano's bail was set at $25,000. Torres, who was also booked on two outstanding warrants in an earlier drug case, had her bond set at $100,000.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Louisiana's plan to make all of the state's public school classrooms post the Ten Commandments next year remains on hold under an order Wednesday by a federal appeals court in New Orleans.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a state request to temporarily stay an earlier order by U.S. District Judge John deGravelles in Baton Rouge while litigation continues. Arguments before a 5th Circuit panel are scheduled for Jan. 23, meaning the judge's order stays in effect well past the law's Jan. 1 deadline to post the commandments.

The state contends that deGravelles order affects only the five school districts that are defendants in a legal challenge. But its unclear whether or how the law would be enforced in the state's 67 other districts while the appeal progresses. Also, deGravelles ordered that all schools in every district be notified of his decision that the law is unconstitutional, a requirement maintained by Wednesday's ruling.

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Were pleased that the Court of Appeals left the district courts injunction fully intact, said Sam Grover, an attorney with the Freedom From Religion Foundation. As the district court ruled, this law is unconstitutional on its face.

State Attorney General Liz Murrill said in an emailed statement that her office would continue to defend this clearly constitutional law.

DeGravelles ruled that the law, passed by the GOP-dominated Legislature, was overtly religious and unconstitutional on its face. He also said it amounted to unconstitutional religious government coercion of students, who are legally required to attend school.

Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed the bill into law in June, prompting a group of Louisiana public school parents of different faiths to sue. They argue the law violates the First Amendments provisions forbidding the government from establishing a religion or blocking the free exercise of it. They also say the proposed poster-sized display would isolate students, especially those who are not Christian. The parents further argue that the version of the Ten Commandments specified in the law is favored by many protestants and doesnt match any version found in Jewish tradition.

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Proponents say the Ten Commandments are not solely religious and have a historical significance to the foundation of U.S. law. Murrill, the Republican attorney general, has said she disagreed with deGravelles' ruling and that the law is constitutional under Supreme Court precedents.

The state's loss in court on Wednesday came after a partial victory last week, when a 5th Circuit panel temporarily blocked instructions in DeGravelles' order that state education officials notify schools in all districts of his finding that the law is unconstitutional.

Although Wednesday's decision ended that block, Murrill, in her statement, reiterated the states stance that only districts that are defendants in the lawsuit  in East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Tammany, Orleans and Vernon parishes  are affected by deGravelles' order.

There are more than sixty school boards that are not subject to the ruling of the court, she said.

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In recent years, similar bills requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms have been proposed in states including Texas, Oklahoma and Utah. None have passed.

In 1980, the Supreme Court ruled that a similar Kentucky law was unconstitutional. The court found that the law had a plainly religious purpose and no secular one.

Louisianas legislation, which applies to all public K-12 schools and state-funded university classrooms, requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed on a poster or framed document at least 11 inches by 14 inches (28 by 36 centimeters) where the text is the central focus and printed in a large, easily readable font.

Each poster must be paired with a four-paragraph context statement describing how the Ten Commandments were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries.

Tens of thousands of posters would likely be needed to satisfy the new law. Proponents say schools are not required to spend public money on them and that donors can provide the posters or money to buy them.
A Ukrainian court has sentenced Russian actor Vladimir Mashkov to 10 years in prison in absentia and ordered the confiscation of his apartment in Odesa, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on its Telegram channel on Nov. 20.

Mashkov, who was convicted for war propaganda and for encouraging the violation of Ukraines territorial integrity, owned a 147 square meter apartment on the seacoast in Odesa.

He has performed in various Russian pro-war events and is a vocal supporter of President Vladimir Putin and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He was also a co-chairman of Putin's election headquarters during Russia's 2024 presidential election.

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As head of a leading theater, he used theatrical and media resources to propagate the Kremlin's ideology to a large audience, Ukraines Prosecutor General's Office wrote on Telegram.

Mashkov, who currently resides in Russia, did not appear at the court.

Read also: Opinion: How Russian propaganda reached Venices red carpet

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
In a 2-1 ruling, a federal appellate panel has ordered that a Louisiana law compelling schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms can go into effect in 68 of the states 72 districts. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision at least temporarily overturns a lower court order blocking the law from taking effect Jan. 1, 2025.

The other five districts are among the defendants in a suit filed by nine families, charging that the law is unconstitutional. The mandate is on hold in East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Orleans, St. Tammany and Vernon parishes until the appellate court takes up the issue. State Superintendent Cade Brumley and members of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education are also defendants.

On Nov. 12, U.S. District Judge John DeGravelles issued a 177-page ruling barring the law from taking effect, saying the state was not likely to prevail in the suit. Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church & State and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, the plaintiffs include atheists, Jews, and Presbyterian and Unitarian Universalist clergy, among others.

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State Attorney General Liz Murrill filed an appeal asking that the mandate take effect in the 68 parishes not named in the lawsuit, and the appellate panel ruled in her favor.

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The first mandate of its kind in more than 40 years, the law calls for classroom posters at least 11 by 14 inches in size displaying a state-approved version of the biblical laws in a large, easily readable font, accompanied by a statement describing the history of the Ten Commandments in American Public Education.

Passed in June, the act requires that a specific, Protestant version be used, accompanied by a context statement asserting that the Ten Commandments were a prominent part of American education for almost three centuries. Supposed examples given include The New England Primer, created around 1688, McGuffey Readers from the early 1800s and textbooks published by Noah Webster, DeGravelles noted in his opinion.

I cant wait to be sued, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry told attendees at a GOP fundraiser this summer, as he prepared to sign the edict. If you want to respect the rule of law, you got to start from the original law given, which was Moses. He got his commandments from God.

Far-right lawmakers in Texas, Utah and South Carolina this year considered but did not pass similar bills, while Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters ordered schools in his state to incorporate the Bible  which includes the Ten Commandments, he noted in his order  as an instructional support into the curriculum.

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At the time the Louisiana suit was filed, legal analysts told The 74 the mandate appeared to set up a case that would essentially dare the U.S. Supreme Court to reinterpret the First Amendments opening line  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Courts have repeatedly held that the Establishment Clause prohibits the creation or endorsement of a state religion.

Related

I Cant Wait to Be Sued: Louisiana Ten Commandments Law Not Just About Schools

The plaintiffs accuse Landry of making false statements relating to a purported history and connection between the Ten Commandments and government and public education in the United States, in one instance by fabricating a quote to that effect by James Madison, the Constitutions primary author. In fact, the complaint says, what Madison wrote was that The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries.

With 12 of its 17 active judges Republican appointees  six named by President-elect Donald Trump during his first term  the 5th Circuit is the most conservative court in the nation. It has become a key venue for model legislation drafted by the conservative Christian legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom and others hoping to advance cases that could allow the Supreme Court to shift precedents. The most notable of these has been Dobbs vs. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the Mississippi suit that overturned abortion rights.

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In addition to appealing the Ten Commandments lawsuit, Murrill recently sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, arguing that a major law requiring a host of protections for students with disabilities is unconstitutional. Ostensibly, the lawsuit seeks to overturn a Biden administration rule that Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects those who experience gender dysphoria, a clinical diagnosis given to some transgender people.

If Murrill succeeds, however, the case could create a precedent weakening laws against numerous prohibitions on in-school discrimination, according to disability advocates and attorneys cited by the New Orleans news site The Lens, which first reported on the states suit against federal officials.
The Essex County Historic Courthouse in Newark (Photo by New Jersey Monitor)

Attorneys for the state of New Jersey and four school districts squared off in court in Newark Tuesday over district policies that require parental notification when students change their sexuality or gender identity.

The school districts asked a three-judge appellate panel to lift temporary court orders that prohibit Middletown, Marlboro, Manalapan, and Hanover school districts from implementing the policies.

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Two Superior Court judges had suspended the policies  in May 2023 for Hanover and August 2023 for the other three districts  until a civil rights challenge state Attorney General Matt Platkin filed last year is decided. Platkin says the policies violate protections for LGBTQ people under the states Law Against Discrimination.

Attorney Bruce Padula, who represents Manalapan and Middletown, told Judges Robert J. Gilson, Avis Bishop-Thompson, and Lorraine Augostini that it has been 517 days since Platkin first filed his civil rights complaint.

For all intents and purposes, by stalling the (civil rights) matter, this preliminary injunction has turned into a permanent injunction, Padula said.

The judges did not issue a decision Tuesday but heard almost three hours of argument, in which both sides insisted protecting students was their primary concern.

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In urging the judges to continue prohibiting the policies implementation, Assistant Attorney General Mayur Saxena said such policies involuntarily out transgender students who arent ready or comfortable with sharing their gender identity with their families.

Parents absolutely play an essential role in guiding their childrens development, and the state reaffirms that fact today. But no court has ever held that a parents constitutional rights are so broad as to affirmatively require school districts to discriminate against transgender students through blanket involuntary notification, Saxena said.

But Padula and attorneys for the other districts insisted their policies protect against forced outing, such as a parent hearing about their childs gender transition through gossip.

They also protect students, because notifying parents ensures parents will get kids help when they struggle, added attorney Matthew Giacobbe, who represents Hanover.

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Were never going to put a kid in harms way, Giacobbe said. We have to work as a team. And thats really what this is  its not silos. We dont operate in silos, where school is a silo, home is a silo. No, its a farm. And it all has to work together.

The school districts attorneys argued that children are immature and make rash decisions, and transitioning to another gender can have a lifelong impact, with social transitioning the first step toward medical treatment.

One told the appellate panel that the policies have nothing to do with the students gender identity and that any change would trigger parental notification, such as a student developing eyesight or hearing problems that keep them from seeing the blackboard or hearing the teacher.

Frankly, it doesnt matter what is the cause that triggers the notification, if theres a concern that the kid is somehow suffering from some social, emotional, or physical harm, Giacobbe agreed.

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Saxena disputed that claim, though, saying a students gender identity triggers the policies in question  and gender identity is specifically protected under the Law Against Discrimination.

The policies dont apply to students incidentally because theyre transgender. They apply precisely because the students are expressing their gender identity, and thats what makes them discriminatory, Saxena said.

The judges pushed back on some of the school districts arguments too.

Bishop-Thompson asked how notifying parents against a students wishes is a student-centered policy, as the districts claim, while Gilson asked if the policies represented the school board substituting its view for the students best interest.

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Bishop-Thompson also questioned Hanovers policy, which allows lunch aides and other staff besides teachers and counselors to report a student for actions that could result in adverse impacts.

Giacobbe responded that the policy does not allow aides to report concerns directly to parents, but instead only to a schools higher-ups, like principals, who would then determine whether notification was warranted.

Giacobbe insisted that parental notification policies protect teachers and school districts from angry parents looking for someone to blame when something goes wrong with their children.

Im handling a lot of lawsuits from school districts, and you know who they come after? They come after the teachers, the principal, the school district. Thats what happens, he said. So we do have a duty to notify and its steeped in our law.

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Besides, the policies in question align with other parental notification requirements that bar children from doing things like getting tattoos or taking Tylenol, the school districts attorneys argued.

You cant take an aspirin, you cant do anything, without parental notification  but you could go so far as to fully socially transition in school without parental notification. We just feel that thats not a best policy or practice, and its not in the best interest of the student, Padula said.

Attorney Natalie J. Kraner, representing the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, countered that survival is in the best interest of the student. She reminded the judges of the harms LGBTQ students face when theyre not ready to come out or have a family thats not supportive.

There is no group more vulnerable or more susceptible to physical or psychological harm than transgender, gender-nonconforming, and nonbinary, and the statistical possibility that even one transgender student affected by the amended policies should run away from home or attempt to commit suicide is sufficient to tip the balance of equities in favor of the state, Kraner said. Thats whats at stake here.

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Nov. 20 (UPI) -- A Chinese national has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after admitting to trying to damage an opposition religious movement present in the United States under the direction of the Asian nation.

John Chen, 71, a Chinese national and a Los Angeles resident, was sentenced Tuesday, the Justice Department said in a statement. Along with being sentenced to 20-month prison term, Cjen was also handed three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $50,000.

The sentence comes after Chen and his co-defendant, Lin Feng, 44, a Chinese national and resident of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty in July to conspiring at China's direction to revoke the tax-exempt status of the Shen Yun Performing Arts Center, which is run and maintained by Falun Gong practitioners.

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Falun Gong is a spiritual practice that has been banned in China since 1999. Its practitioners are considered one of the so-called Five Poisons of the Communist Party along with the supporters of Uyghurs and Tibetans as well as those in favor of Chinese democracy and Taiwan independence.

The scheme carried out by the two men at China's direction ran from January to May 2023.

According to court documents, Chen first filed a complaint with the IRS' Whistleblower Program that was "facially deficient" and contained "rhetoric similar to the propaganda that the PRC Government uses to justify its subjugation and harassment of Falun Gong members."

The People's Republic of China is China's official name.

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After the complaint was filed, Chen and Feng paid cash bribes totaling $5,000 to an undercover agent posing as an IRS employee to advance their complaint.

In excerpts of a recorded phone call reproduced in the Justice Department statement, Chen is quoted as stating the bribes were to facilitate China's aim of "toppl[ing]" the Falun Gong.

In a call intercepted by a authorized wiretap, Chen and Feng discussed orders they received from a Chinese government official, including deleting the instructions to evade detection as well as plans to inform the official if their bribery scheme failed.

Prosecutors said Chen and Feng went to Newburgh, N.Y., on May 14, 2023, where they met the undercover agent, whom they paid an initial $1,000 cash bribe. They also informed the agent that they would pay another $50,000 for opening an audit into the Shen Yun Performing Arts Center, along with 60% of any whistleblower award from the IRS.

On May 18, 2023, Feng gave the agent a second, $4,000 cash bribe at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Feng was sentenced to a time-served sentence of 16 months on Sept. 26.
Congressman Joe Courtney has been appointed to the Order of Australia as an Honorary Officer in the General Division

On November 13, the Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C., hosted an official dinner to honor Courtney for his appointment as an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia. Courtney, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Australia Caucus, received this recognition following the announcement of his appointment made late last month.

Eastern Connecticut and Australia share an ironclad mateship  even 11,646 miles apart. It was an honor to receive my appointment as an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia from my friend, Ambassador [Kevin] Rudd. The work continues with the bipartisan Friends of Australia Caucus to advance the AUKUS security agreement and our two nations critical alliance, Courtney said. Ambassador Rudd is an outstanding partner in building strong bipartisan support for AUKUS in the United States. With his great relationships on both sides of the aisle  seen in full force at last weeks official Friends of Australia dinner  weve passed critical AUKUS-enabling legislation in Congress. With Kevin here in Washington, the path forward for AUKUS could not be brighter.

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The Australian Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Kevin Rudd AC, said, The Order of Australia is our highest national award. We dont give them out like confetti. You are a seriously good man. You are a great member of Congress. You are deeply engaged in the affairs of the world. And youve become deeply engaged with the Commonwealth of Australia over the years. Thank you, Joe Courtney, for everything you have done.

The award Citation by Commodore David Frost, Acting Head of Australian Defence Staff reads, Congressman Joseph David Courtney is appointed an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia for distinguished service for Australias relationship with the United States. Congressman Courtney is a strong and tireless advocate of the alliance between the United States and Australia. He has been instrumental and committed to progressing Australias international and security interests, particularly advancing AUKUS enabling legislation required to make the AUKUS trilateral security partnership a success. The contribution of Congressman Courtney to champion a prosperous relationship between Australia and the United States, focused on ensuring global security in the Indo-Pacific, make him worthy of recognition for distinguished service to Australia at the Officer level.
GENEVA (AP)  The right-to-die activist behind a new suicide capsule says he rejects absurd allegations that the U.S. woman who was said to be its first user may have actually been strangled.

Philip Nitschke of advocacy group Exit International said Wednesday he wasn't on hand for the woman's death on Sept. 23 involving the Sarco capsule in a forest in northern Switzerland, but saw it live by video transmission.

The device worked as planned, he said, in the first and only time it has been used.

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The head of a Swiss affiliate of Exit International known as The Last Resort, Florian Willet, was present at the woman's death and was immediately taken into police custody, where he remains as police investigate the circumstances around the woman's death.

___

EDITORS NOTE  This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. The Swiss government refers queries about suicide prevention to a group called Dargebotene Hand, or The Offered Hand.

___

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Several other people  including a journalist for the Volkskrant newspaper in the Netherlands, where Nitschke lives  were initially taken into custody and prosecutors opened an investigation on suspicion of incitement and accessory to suicide. They were later released.

The Australian-born Nitschke broke weeks of silence through an interview with respected Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung, which was published Wednesday.

Speaking to The Associated Press by phone, he said he felt compelled to speak out because Exit International was desperate about the plight of Willet, who could remain behind bars for weeks or months until a possible trial.

He said prosecutors have asked for an extension of Willet's detention, claiming there was now evidence of homicide. He denied the accusation.

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Weve got to try and do something about the fact that Florian has been stuck in prison now for about 58 days, Nitschke said. He said he offered to travel to Switzerland to speak to prosecutors as part of their investigation and share video footage and oxygen-level data in the capsule at the time the woman died.

We will provide everything weve got, he said, adding that prosecutors have not accepted that suggestion.

Swiss law allows assisted suicide so long as the person takes his or her life with no external assistance and those who help the person die do not do so for any self-serving motive, according to a government website.

Switzerland is among the only countries in the world where foreigners can travel to legally end their lives and has a number of organizations that are dedicated to helping people kill themselves.

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Nitschke has repeatedly said Exit Internationals Swiss lawyers had advised that use of the capsule would be legal in Switzerland.

The Sarco, which Nitschke has said cost $1 million to develop and build, was designed to allow a person sitting in its reclining seat to push a button that injects nitrogen gas into the sealed chamber. The person is then supposed to fall unconscious and die by suffocation in a few minutes.

The 64-year-old woman was not identified. Nitschke, a trained medical doctor, said she had compromised immune function that made her subject to chronic infection.

On Oct. 26, Volkskrant reported the Swiss prosecutor had indicated in court that the woman may have been strangled. The Volkskrant article last month said one of its photographers, two lawyers, and Willet were originally detained on suspicion of inciting suicide and providing assistance in doing so.

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It is absurd because weve got film that the capsule wasnt opened," Nitschke said. Everything happened exactly as we had predicted. The woman climbed into the Sarco alone, closed the lid without help and pressed the button that released the nitrogen herself. She lost consciousness and died after about six minutes."

He added that Willet held a mobile phone through which Nitschke watched live video of the woman using the Sarco, and informed the police immediately afterward that she had died.

Nitschke recalled speaking to Willet through the phone at the time, saying: "I was listening and answering his questions and calming him down because it was a very tense time for him.

Peter Sticher, the prosecutor for the northern Schaffhausen region who is leading the legal case, declined to comment in an email to the AP on Wednesday, citing an ongoing investigation.

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Swiss police have confiscated the only operating Sarco device, but Nitschke said another was being produced. He said he wanted a clear decision from Swiss courts before using the device in Switzerland again.

Exit presented the Sarco to journalists over the summer. Before using it, the group had to overcome technical difficulties including its original designer walking out of the project, Nitschke has said.

The Sarco has been billed as a novel, peaceful way for people to take their own lives with a push of a button, such as in a bucolic landscape of their choosing.
Firefighters worked to contain a brush fire in Milton, Massachusetts, on Monday, November 18, footage shows.

Video posted by Dedham Firefighters Local 1735 shows crews battling the Blue Hills fire on Monday evening.

On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) announced it was closing parts of the Blue Hills Reservation overnight to allow fire crews to continue fighting the 40-acre wildfire.

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The DCR urged locals to avoid the area and take precautions against smoke.

DCR will continue monitoring the site to keep the fire contained and prevent flare-ups, especially given the dry conditions expected this week, which may result in lingering smoke, the department said.

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement due to elevated fire weather concerns for Wednesday, caused by prolonged dry weather and low humidity. Credit: Dedham Firefighters Local 1735 via Storyful
On Nov. 16, a vessel carrying 66,000 tons of soybeans arrived at Qinhuangdao Port in Hebei after a 49-day journey from Rio Grande Port in Brazil. Brazil is among the world's leading producers and exporters of soybeans, with China being its largest export market. #GLOBALink
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Tribal leaders were on Capitol Hill Wednesday demanding accountability and asking for more resources for missing and murdered Indigenous women.

During a House hearing, tribal advocates described a crisis impacting Indigenous women across the country.

This is a crisis, its not an issue. Its a crisis, Cheryl Horn, a member of the Assiniboine Tribe of Fort Belknap said.

Horn, whose two nieces were both found dead, described the difficulty associated with trying to get a proper investigation.

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We had to fight for an investigation, we had to fight for everything, Horn said.

Tribal advocates highlighted the lack of attention that cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women get.

When an Indigenous woman goes missing, there is not the same attention and action as when a Caucasian woman does, Maulian Bryant, a member of Penobscot Nation said.

They described gaps in law enforcement, lack of resources, data collection and jurisdictional issues as some of the problems families face when trying to find or seek justice for their loved ones.

The maze of jurisdiction has created an opportunity for predators to utilize it to ensure that they can move from reservation to reservation, community to community, Abigail Echo-Hawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation said.

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Tribal lands have their own jurisdiction and laws, which makes it hard to prosecute non-native members.

Advocates asked lawmakers for funding and resources, as well as legislation to establish a national alert system for missing and endangered American Indians, Alaska Natives and Indigenous people.

According to 2021 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homicide rates among American Indian and Alaska Native people were nearly four times higher than homicide rates for white people.

Lawmakers in the hearing expressed a willingness to reach across the aisle to find bipartisan solutions. A second panel consisting of officials from agencies like the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services also testified about possible solutions.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
(Bloomberg) -- Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said the first round of presidential elections will take place on Dec. 29, the state news agency Hina reported Tuesday.

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Incumbent President Zoran Milanovic is the favorite with 38% support, ahead of the ruling partys candidate Dragan Primorac at 21%, according to a Promocija plus poll released by RTL TV on Nov. 9. Other contenders include center-right lawmaker Marija Selak Raspudic and left-green politician Ivana Kekin.

The presidents role is mostly ceremonial but includes overseeing the armed forces and appointing top diplomats. In parliamentary elections this April, Milanovic attempted to run for prime minister on behalf of the main opposition party, before being barred by the Constitutional court.

In the absence of a clear winner, a second round of voting in the presidential election is expected to take place two weeks after the first.

--With assistance from Jan Bratanic.

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When the Mountain fire broke out more than two weeks ago, Samuel and Florentino witnessed the all-too familiar hazy, gray sky and the smell of smoke as they harvested strawberries in an Oxnard field.

The men were more than 25 miles from the blaze but a combination of high winds and smoke was enough to foul the air. Despite having N95 masks, they could endure work for only about two hours before they were sent home because of worsening air quality.

The men provided only their first names to The Times, citing job security concerns.

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It was not the first time that a wildfire has kept field workers from earning a living.

Samuel said he experienced a similar episode while picking fruit in Ventura County during the Thomas fire of 2017-2018.

"The smoke affected me so much that I had to be taken to the hospital because I was having trouble breathing. It felt like I couldn't breathe," he said.

The nearly 20,000-acre Mountain fire was 98% contained as of Tuesday and has already destroyed 240 structures, damaged an additional 125 and scorched about 3,000 acres of agricultural land.

Read more: 'All we could do was watch': Beekeeper mourns millions of bees killed in Mountain fire

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Another problem caused by the fire is the loss of wages for field hands in Ventura County's fruit and vegetable farms.

Samuel and Florentino lost two full days of pay, straining them both financially.

"Who can make money for you to pay everything that's needed in order to live if it isn't you," Samuel said.

Ventura County officials are gathering information and resources for residents and farmers who have lost their property or suffered damage, but there isn't a financial safety net for field workers because of their undocumented immigration status, according to local nonprofit groups.

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Preliminary findings estimated more than $7 million in agriculture losses from the fire, which scorched avocado, citrus, raspberry and other fields as well as rangeland, said Korinne Bell, Ventura County's agricultural commissioner.

A majority of farming operations in Ventura County are smaller growers that might not have crop insurance or are underinsured because fire coverage is not available for all farms. California's basic fire insurance program is limited to coverage for farm structures and is prohibitively expensive, said Maureen McGuire, executive officer for the Farm Bureau of Ventura County.

"People are really scared and they're assessing whether or not they're going to return to farming," McGuire said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture operates natural disaster relief programs for eligible farmers that aim to help repair damage to farmlands, provide financial assistance or offer emergency loans, depending on their situation.

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Read more: Commentary: A terrible decision sparked a wildfire, and the public will pay the price

Even with some type of disaster relief, Bell said loss of land, crops and infrastructure, such as sprinkler heads, valves, pipe fittings and hoses, can set a farmer back about six years or more.

The effect on field workers can also be devastating.

Without crops to harvest, more than 42,000 field workers in Ventura County are without a paycheck in such disasters, said Primitiva Hernandez, executive director of 805 Undocufund, a joint effort of immigrant-serving organizations in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

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Three days after the fire started, 805 Undocufund launched a needs assessment of field and domestic workers affected by the Mountain fire.

More than 2,800 people responded as of Thursday, with 91% of those responses coming from field workers. Of the total responses, 72% stated they lost wages because of air quality or school closures that forced them to leave their jobs to pick up their children, and 14% were evacuated from their homes.

The organization raised $150,000 to provide each of the 300 evacuated households or farmworkers who lost wages with $500 in financial relief assistance, "which is not even close to the level of need," said Hernandez.

On average an undocumented worker makes approximately $16 an hour, according to the California Immigrant Data Portal. A study on the economic contributions of undocumented workers in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties found that 20% of the immigrants in Ventura County live below the poverty line.

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Unlike U.S. citizens or green card holders, undocumented farmworkers do not qualify for federal unemployment or disaster benefits.

"They [can't] afford not [to] work, even in incredibly dangerous situations," said Lucas Zucker, co-executive director at Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy.

Hernandez said she learned from the 805 Undocfund needs assessment that some farmworkers were told by their employers it was optional for them to work the three days after the start of the fire. The workers, however, were not provided with any information about air quality, health risks or protective measures to help them make an informed decision for themselves, she said.

Read more: With Trump vowing deportations, workers in Los Angeles race the clock for a reprieve

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Some job sites, including Samuel and Florentino's, provided them with masks and a paper to sign, acknowledging they were given a face covering.

Working with a face mask is difficult and slows down his regular pace, Florentino said. "The mask doesn't fit correctly, falls and sometimes the smoke still feels like it's coming through," he said.

The men feel they can't miss a day's work. "It doesn't matter if there is a fire or a storm" because without a paycheck they won't be able to pay rent or utilities or for childcare, food and other basic necessities and then "we'll be taken out of our homes if we can't pay our bills," Samuel said. "Even if we don't want to work in these conditions, your [financial] need, it pushes you to continue working."

In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 227, which would have created a program that resembles unemployment insurance for workers who are undocumented.

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On the first two days of the Mountain fire, the worst days for air quality, advocate groups, the county agriculture commissioner and the Farm Bureau of Ventura County gave many farmworkers N95 masks.

But Florentino and Samuel said there is still a lack of support to help recover their lost wages.

"I want people to understand where help is going and where it's still needed," Florentino said.

"I think a boss should take care of his [employees] so his people can continue to work for him because if he doesn't support his people then he'll lose his harvest," he said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  Another driver intervened to prevent an intoxicated woman with a suspended drivers license from continuing on Interstate 91 on Tuesday, according to state troopers.

Michelle Christina Bullett, 36, of Hartford, has been charged with operating/parking an unregistered motor vehicle, misuse of a registration plate, illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, failure to maintain the proper lane on a limited access highway and three counts of OUI with a child passenger. She has been released on a $5,000 bond, and the Connecticut Department of Children and Families has been notified.

Troopers received multiple 911 calls at 7:50 p.m. Tuesday of an erratic driver on I-91 South near Exit 24 in Wethersfield. Bullett then pulled her Volvo XC90 over onto the shoulder near Exit 21 in Cromwell without her lights on, according to troopers. Another driver pulled ahead of her vehicle so that she couldnt drive off again.

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The other driver told troopers that Bullett didnt have her Volvos lights on, that she kept swerving out of her lane and that she almost hit other vehicles. When troopers approached her, Bullett had her keys in the ignition and the engine running. There were three unbuckled children, along with a dog, in the vehicle.

Bullett smelled like alcohol, had glossy and bloodshot eyes, and had to support herself on the side of SUV in order to walk, according to state police. She initially told a trooper that she hadnt been drinking, and then allegedly admitted to doing so after failing a field sobriety test.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
A Plymouth mother who fatally shot her teenage daughter and seriously injured her young son in 2020 was acquitted on murder and assault charges on the grounds that she lacked the ability to understand the wrongfulness of her actions.

A three-judge panel made the ruling last Friday in New Britain Superior Court following the trial of 47-year-old Naomi Bell on felony charges of first-degree assault and murder, according to her attorney, Christopher Eddy. Bell was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, Eddy said.

Following the verdict, Bell was sent to the Whiting Forensic Hospital in Middletown where she will undergo another evaluation, according to court papers. Eddy said a hearing to determine how long Bell will be committed to the hospital is scheduled for Jan. 31, 2025.

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The charges brought against Bell by Connecticut State Police stem from the shooting of her 7-year-old son, who was critically injured, and her 15-year-old daughter, who was killed following the incident on Nov. 14, 2020.

According to the police report, Bells husband was on his way home the day of the shooting when he called the residence and spoke to his teenage daughter. He told investigators he heard horrible screaming from the girl, but she wouldnt say what was happening, the report said. After hearing the 7-year-old scream and still not getting an answer about what was happening, the father called police.

The father arrived the home in the Terryville section of town before police and found blood in a bedroom, where his son was injured on the ground and his 15-year-old daughter appeared pale and lifeless, police wrote in the report. They had both suffered gunshot wounds.

The husband then took a gun away from Bell, telling police later he believed she was going to kill the children before killing herself, as she said she wanted to die, the report said. The husband forced his wife out of the room and downstairs as officers arrived.

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The teenage girl was taken to Waterbury Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The 7-year-old was taken to St. Marys Hospital in Waterbury before being transferred to the Connecticut Childrens Medical Center in Hartford.

Bell was taken to the Plymouth Police Department, where investigators said she admitted to shooting the two children during an interview with a state police detective, according to the report.

The husband told police his wife had twice in the last year been in the hospital for psychiatric reasons. He also said her mental health started to deteriorate during the pandemic.

Bell had previously worked as a substitute teacher.
The Oak Creek KinderCare worker who parents say allowed their 1-year-old boy to ingest cocaine at the day care has pleaded guilty to possession.

Passion Watson, 24, of Cudahy, entered the plea Nov. 18 as part of a resolution between the involved parties, according to online court records.

Watson was facing one misdemeanor count of cocaine possession with a modifier of it being on or near certain places.

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The court ordered Watson to serve 120 days in the Milwaukee County Community Reintegration Center (formerly called the House of Correction) with credit for four days of time served, according to online court records.

The court stayed the sentence and placed Watson on probation for 12 months with multiple conditions including that she serves 15 days in the CRC, cannot possess controlled substances without a prescription, performs 100 hours of community service and has no contact with Oak Creek KinderCare, among other requirements.

The Journal Sentinel reported that at the time of the incident in May, Watson was no longer employed with KinderCare.

What happened earlier this year

In early May, Kimberly Hopson noticed a bruise on her infant son, Prince, after picking him up from KinderCare, 7677 S. Howell Ave. in Oak Creek. As the month progressed Prince incurred more bruises and abrasions and began vomiting.

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Hopson took her son to Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin where cocaine metabolites were identified in the infants urine, according to authorities.

An Oak Creek Police K-9 found cocaine in an employees bag in the infant room of the KinderCare. Felony charges of child neglect and cocaine possession against Watson were forwarded to the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office.

Instead, Watson was later charged with misdemeanor possession of cocaine.

Kimberly Hopson speaks to reporters May 29 saying she thought her son would be safe at KinderCare in Oak Creek. Attorney BIvory LaMarr (back left) said cocaine was found in the infant's urine and the boy's father, James Staples (right), called it a betrayal of trust.

Attorney BIvory LaMarr, who represented Hopson and the family, told reporters during a news conference at the time of the incident the report is disturbing and a grave and unconscionable betrayal of trust no parent should face.

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Princes father, James Staples, said they put their trust in KinderCare and its betrayal, its betrayal at its finest.

KinderCare told the Journal Sentinel in May it will cover "any out-of-pocket medical expenses the child's family incurs as a result of this situation."

LaMarr noted Oak Creek KinderCare has 23 violations on record between March 28, 2022, and April 10, 2024, according to online records from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.

That same department indicates Oak Creek KinderCare closed on Oct. 14, categorizing it as a temporary closure with no specific date of reopening. Records indicate the locations licensing was revoked/suspended and an appeal has been made.

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Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cudahy woman pleads guilty in Oak Creek KinderCare cocaine case
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  A nursing home patient in Cumberland County had to be taken to the hospital after being assaulted by a caretaker, according to police.

Joseph Ikoghode, 47, of Maryland, allegedly struck the patient in the face multiple times while he was taking care of them Sunday night, according to the charges filed by North Middleton Township Police.

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Ikoghode was employed by the Church of God Home, located at 801 N Hanover St. in Carlisle, charges show.

According to the criminal complaint, police received a report of an employee who had assaulted a patient at the nursing home and spoke with the shift supervisor after arriving. The supervisor directed them to the injured patient, and EMS were then called for treatment.

Woman charged with assaulting Pennsylvania State Troopers at Pennsylvania casino

While speaking with police, Ikoghode claimed that the patient was aggressive and two other nurses were needed to transfer him from a chair to the bed. The patient was swinging his arms during this and ended up striking Ikoghode, who claimed he had to protect himself, police say. However, police say there were no scratches or marks on Ikoghode.

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The other staff were questioned and both said that after he was struck, Ikoghode retaliated back, hitting the patient in the face at least two times, the charges show.

Misdemeanor charges of simple assault and neglect of a care-dependent person were filed against Ikoghode, who is currently locked up in Cumberland County with bail set at $10,000.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 27.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NEW YORK  Enrollment at the City University of New York climbed by 3% this fall, the second straight year of growth after pandemic-era declines thrust the citys public university system into financial chaos.

The increase was largely driven by more students registering for CUNY community colleges, the division hardest hit by COVID-19. Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez planned to announce the data at the State of the University address Wednesday at City Tech in downtown Brooklyn, with the gains totaling almost 15,000 more students over the past two years.

The increase in student enrollment demonstrates that the past year, often eventful and challenging, has also been a time of progress, Matos Rodriguez said in a statement ahead of his speech.

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In recent months, CUNY faced state and federal antisemitism probes while making headlines after the arrests of 170 pro-Palestinian protesters on its Harlem campus, City College. Tensions escalated again last month as contract negotiations stalled and unionized faculty and staff blocked the entrance of John Jay College. Dozens of members of CUNYs Professional Staff Congress were detained.

Despite the challenges, the public university system continued on a trajectory that started the previous school year. This years community college enrollment jumped 6%, while the number of new students registering at graduate schools increased for the first time in four years, according to CUNY data.

But CUNY still has a long way to go to restore enrollment, which remains down more than 10% from prepandemic levels. Officials cited those losses for past rounds of spending cuts and a hiring freeze. At its height, the cash-strapped university systems structural deficit reached $234 million in fiscal year 2022.

While there is still work to do, Matos Rodriguez added, Ive never been more confident in CUNY and our ability to deliver on our core mission of providing a first-rate education to every New Yorker, regardless of means or background.
PRAGUE (AP)  The Czech Defense Ministry said on Wednesday it plans to buy 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks from Germany in a $167 million deal that's part of a major modernization of the country's military amid Russias war against Ukraine.

The ministry said it hopes the deal, worth almost 4 billion Czech crowns or koruna, would be signed with Germanys Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH by the end of the year, with the tanks to be delivered by the end of 2026.

Germany has already donated 28 Leopard 2A4 tanks to the Czechs in exchange for the weapons they gave to Ukraine. The Leopards will replace the obsolete Soviet-era T-72 tanks.

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We continue in the modernization of the tank forces, but also of the entire army, Defense Minister Jana Cernochova said. Its another step to get rid of the old Russian weapons and improve our capabilities.

Earlier this year, the Czech government agreed to get up to 77 Leopard 2A8 tanks in a cooperation deal with several other countries led by Germany. Leopard 2A8 is the latest, most modern version of the tank while 2A4 is an older model.

Last year, the Czech government approved a plan to acquire 24 U.S. F-35 fighter jets and 246 CV90 armored combat vehicles from Sweden, among other deals.
DALLAS (AP)  A Dallas anesthesiologist was sentenced Wednesday to 190 years in prison for injecting a nerve-blocking agent and other drugs into bags of intravenous fluid at a surgical center where he worked, leading to the death of a coworker and causing cardiac emergencies for several patients.

The emergencies began two days after Raynaldo Rivera Ortiz Jr. was notified of a disciplinary inquiry into an incident during which he allegedly deviated from the standard of care during an anesthesia procedure when a patient experienced a medical emergency.

Ortiz, who had a history of disciplinary actions against him, complained to other physicians that the center was trying to crucify him.

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Court documents show that Ortiz, who was arrested in September 2022 and convicted in April, waived his appearance at sentencing in federal court.

An attorney listed in court documents for Ortiz did not immediately return a phone call for comment.

Prosecutors said numerous patients at Surgicare North Dallas suffered cardiac emergencies during routine medical procedures performed by various doctors from May through August in 2022. Another anesthesiologist who had worked there died while treating herself for dehydration using an IV bag from the facility, prosecutors said.

The surgical center staff concluded that these cases suggested a pattern of intentional adulteration of IV bags used at the center.

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They identified 10 additional unexpected cardiac emergencies that occurred during otherwise unremarkable surgeries in the months before his arrest, which was an exceptionally high rate of complications over such a short period, according to the complaint.

His medical license was suspended following his arrest by the Texas Medical Board.

___

This story has been corrected. His first surname is Rivera, not Riviera, according to federal documents.
CARACAS, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela rejected on Tuesday a bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives to intensify sanctions against the South American nation.

"This instrument seeks to prevent economic ties and cooperation between Venezuela and the United States in different areas ... in clear violation of the United Nations Charter," Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

The bill in question adds to the more than 930 "unilateral coercive measures," or sanctions, already imposed by Washington, the ministry said, accusing segments of the Venezuelan political opposition of promoting the bill's passage.

"This new attack is guaranteed to fail, like all the ridiculous misadventures to which they have subjected the United States government," it said.

The ministry noted it was an "offense" that the bill is called "Banning Operations and Leases with the Illegitimate Venezuelan Authoritarian Regime," so that it would be known by its acronym as the BOLIVAR Act, in the same name as the Venezuelan national hero Simon Bolivar who "dedicated his life to defeating imperialism and colonialism, counter to the values contained in this new criminal attack."

Venezuela called on the United Nations and the international community to "condemn this illegal act and violation of national sovereignty."

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill with bipartisan support of both Republican and Democratic legislators, and it now goes to the Senate for consideration. 
Denmark has confirmed its monitoring the Chinese cargo vessel at the center of allegations surrounding recent damage to two communication cables in the Baltic Sea. Yesterday, Germany said that the damage was most likely the result of sabotage, while the Chinese ship, the Yi Peng 3, was identified as operating in the vicinity of the cables when the incidents occurred. You can read our previous reporting here.

In a statement on X today, the Danish Armed Forces said: We are present in the area near the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3. The Danish Defense currently has no further comments.

Regarding the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3:

The Danish Defence can confirm that we are present in the area near the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3. The Danish Defence currently has no further comments. https://t.co/11s3yeR4PB  Forsvaret (@forsvaretdk) November 20, 2024

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On MarineTraffic, an aggregator that provides real-time information on ship movements, the Yi Peng 3 can be seen anchored in the Kattegat as of 1:00 p.m. GMT today, having exited the Baltic via the Danish Straits. In close proximity to the Chinese cargo ship was the Rota (P525), a Royal Danish Navy Diana class patrol boat, also anchored.

The Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 is anchored and monitored by a Danish naval patrol vessel (both vessels are seen in the photo at the top of this story) in the sea of Kattegat, on Nov. 20, 2024. Photo by MIKKEL BERG PEDERSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images MIKKEL BERG PEDERSEN

A screencap from MarineTraffic shows the approximate location of the Yi Peng 3 anchored in the Kattegat as of 1:00 p.m. GMT today. MarineTraffic screencap

Another Royal Danish Navy warship, the Thetis class ocean patrol vessel Hvidbjrnen, was also noted heading toward the scene, underway in the northern part of the Kattegat earlier today.

Yes, definitely looks like Hvidbjrnen is joining the party.  Bengt Sirbelius (@bengts.bsky.social) 2024-11-20T01:08:59.984Z

The Danish Armed Forces have so far not said whether or not a boarding party has been put on the Yi Peng 3.

A screencap from MarineTraffic shows the Yi Peng 3 anchored in the Kattegat as of 1:00 p.m. GMT. The red dot to the right of the Chinese cargo ship is the Royal Danish Rota (P525) patrol boat. MarineTraffic screencap

According to the Polish website Defence24.com, the Rota first detained the Chinese bulk carrier yesterday evening, Nov. 19. At this point, the Yi Peng 3 was in Danish territorial waters, sailing in the Danish Straits at the exit of the Great Belt.

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After a few hours, another vessel HDMS Slven, which is specialized for underwater work, reached both vessels, the same report added.

It appears that the HDMS Soeleloeven is approaching Yi Peng 3 at 16.5kn right now, at a distance of about 23 miles.



There is a high chance that this will have appropiate forces for boarding on board (unlike the patrol boat).



At this speed, they should be there in approximately https://t.co/z08VrFtXtz pic.twitter.com/dabGUhOPux  C Schmitz (@chrisschmitz) November 19, 2024

The Chinese vessel had departed the Russian port of Ust-Luga, in the Leningrad region, close to the Estonian border, on Nov. 15 and had been scheduled to sail to Port Said, Egypt, where it was originally due to arrive on Dec. 3.

The Yi Peng 3 is 224 meters (735 feet) long, with a beam of 32 meters (105 feet) and it has a gross tonnage of 40,622 tons.

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As for the damaged cables, you can read more about the background of those incidents in our previous report. In summary, the first of these is the 135-mile-long BSC cable between the Swedish island of Gotland and Lithuania, which was damaged around 8:00 a.m. GMT last Sunday. The second is C-Lion1, a 746-mile-long cable between Helsinki and the German port of Rostock, put out of action around 2:00 a.m. GMT on Monday.

Both of these are fiber-optic communication cables, running along the Baltic seabed.

The C-Lion1 submarine telecommunications cable being laid to the bottom of the Baltic Sea by a cable-laying ship, off the shore of Helsinki, Finland, in October 2015. Photo by Heikki Saukkomaa / Lehtikuva / AFP) / Finland OUT HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA

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An infographic shows the approximate locations of the undersea cables that were damaged in the Baltic Sea in the last few days. Photo by Murat Usubali/Anadolu via Getty Images Anadolu

Already yesterday there were suggestions that the Yi Peng 3 might somehow be involved in the incidents.

Based on publicly available ship-tracking data, the Yi Peng 3 appears to have passed overhead both of the cables around the same time incidents of damage were first reported.

According to the German newspaper Kieler Nachrichten, on Monday, when the damage to the C-Lion1 cable was confirmed, the Yi Peng stopped, drifted, and sailed two circles in the sea area south of Oland for almost 90 minutes.

The Chinese cargo vessel was seen to slow down as it passed the cables, based on data gathered by auonsson, an open-source intelligence analyst.

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The speed of cargo ship Yi Peng 3 was affected negatively as she passed the two Baltic Sea cable breaks C-Lion 1 and BSC, auonsson wrote on the social media platform Bluesky. Before the incidents, she held normal speeds. After stopping and drifting for 70 minutes she again held normal speeds. By this time the two cables were broken.

Chinese-flagged cargo ship Yi Peng 3 crossed both submarine cables C-Lion 1 and BSC at times matching when they broke.She was shadowed by Danish navy for a while during night and is now in Danish Straits leaving Baltics.No signs of boarding. AIS-caveats apply.  auonsson (@auonsson.bsky.social) 2024-11-19T09:50:25.253Z

Headwinds could play a role in slowing Yi Peng 3 down, but I dont believe this to be the case. The changes in speed are much more significant than the changes in wind speed, auonsson added.

The speed of cargo ship Yi Peng 3 was affected negatively as she passed the 2 Baltic Sea cable breaks C-Lion 1 and BSC.Before the incidents she held normal speeds. After stopping and drifting for 70 minutes she again held normal speeds. By this time the two cables were broken.  auonsson (@auonsson.bsky.social) 2024-11-19T10:56:44.536Z

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So far, no official evidence has been presented that ties the Yi Peng 3 to these incidents, although, as we shared previously, there is a notable precedent.

In October last year, the Balticconnector gas pipeline running between Estonia and Finland was damaged. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation later identified the culprit as the Chinese container ship Newnew Polar Bear, which had dropped its anchor, dragging it along the seabed.

A joint press conference for the investigation into the damage to the Balticconnector gas line on Oct. 8, 2023, between Finland and Estonia at the headquarters of the National Bureau of Investigation in Vantaa, Finland on Oct. 24, 2023. The screen shows the Chinese cargo ship Newnew Polar Bear, which was the focus of their investigation. Photo by HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA

The Newnew Polar Bear had earlier been spotted with one of its anchors missing and the same type of paint on the anchor could be matched to that on the damaged pipeline.

Chinese authorities later admitted that the Newnew Polar Bear was to blame but stated that it was an accident.

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However, the rapid departure of the Newnew Polar Bear from the Baltic last October fueled suspicions that the pipeline damage might have been an act of sabotage.

With that in mind, it would make sense for the Danish authorities to investigate the Yi Peng 3 before it transits into international waters and continues its journey.

Yi Peng 3 in relation to territorial 12 mile limit, ie Danish border.Thanks @bwallacep.bsky.social for noticing!  auonsson (@auonsson.bsky.social) 2024-11-19T18:49:27.114Z

For now, we will have to wait and see whether the Yi Peng 3 is being examined for any signs of damage that might be consistent with snagging the two communications cables, but this would certainly seem like a possible line of inquiry for the Danes.

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If the Yi Peng 3 is found to have been responsible for the damage, questions will very likely be asked about how that could have happened  especially since two cables in separate locations were affected. Moreover, with the precedent of the Newnew Polar Bear incident last year, there will likely be concerns that this could be evidence of some sort of broader, deliberate campaign in the highly strategic Baltic region.

We will update this post if more information becomes available.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
A 55-year-old tourist was slashed in the face on the Upper West Side Wednesday morning in another startling Manhattan street attack, police said.

Police said the victim, who is visiting here from Denmark, was assaulted at about 10:23 a.m. on W. 86th St. near Columbus Ave.

A superintendent of a nearby building, Jerry Rrustemi, witnessed the incident. He said he saw the attacker running toward a group of three men.

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He was dressed very casually, like he just came from a run in Central Park, but he was screaming, he said of the attacker. They had a prior conflict  the guy was on the corner of Columbus [Ave.] looking for them. It was not random.

According to police, the assailant came up behind the victim  who was walking with two companions  and slashed him from the right ear, along the right cheek and down to his neck.

F you, guys! the knifeman reportedly shouted at the trio.

The victims friends, along with Rrustemi, aided him, giving the injured man a shirt, towel and a rag to apply to his wound, before a nurse who lives in nearby building gave the victim an ice pack, according to Rrustemi.

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He was bleeding so badly, the super said. He sat there and didnt say anything. He was losing feeling in his face. He was in shock.

The victim was taken by medics to Mount Sinai Morningside in stable condition.

Police initially were calling the attack unprovoked. It was not immediately clear what set off the slasher.

A surveillance video of the incident shows three tall men, two of them blond, walking by. Soon after they pass out of the video frame, a young man clutching a blade is seen running furiously after them and then he, too, disappears out of the frame. The attacker then reappears in the video frame, appears to shout something angrily back toward the victim and the other two men, and then runs off in the direction from which he came.

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The slasher is being sought by police. He was described as white, with dark curly hair and a full beard and was wearing a gray T-shirt, dark shorts and light-colored sneakers.

The bloody assault comes on the heels of a horrific random triple murder that played out on Manhattans streets earlier in the week. On Monday, three people were stabbed to death in the string of unprovoked knife attacks, which spanned from Chelsea to Kips Bay to near the United Nations. Ramon Rivera, 51, has been charged with murder in each of those three attacks.
DAPHNE, Ala. (WKRG)  The Daphne Police Department introduced its newest employee on Tuesday, K-9 Officer Nola.

Nola is a 2-year-old German Shorthair Pointer.

Developer withdraws Spanish Fort rezoning application

K-9 Officer Nola and her handler, Officer Raymond Nicholas. (Daphne Police Department Facebook)

She is certified to detect cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, according to the department.

Nola will live and work with her new partner, Officer Raymond Nicholas.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 32-year-old Davenport man has been sentenced after police say he led a pursuit, hit a utility pole and caused a power outage, court records show.

Derrick Howard was sentenced Thursday after he pleaded guilty to eluding over 25 mph  second or subsequent offense, and neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, according to court records.

Derrick Howard (Scott County Jail)

At first, he was sentenced to a term not to exceed 10 years, court records show. But the sentence of incarceration was suspended, and Howard was placed on probation pending good behavior for a period of three years unless sooner released by the court upon completion. Specific conditions of probation include that he will have no further law violations, maintain employment, and follow any other conditions set by the probation officer, court records show.

A traffic stop, a chase and a crash

At about 1:40 a.m. Feb. 3, 2024, an Iowa State Trooper saw a Kia SUV headed west on Locust Street with an improper rear lamp emitting white light, arrest affidavits say. The trooper, in a fully marked ISP cruiser, safely caught up to the SUV as it approached the red light for Gaines Street and ran the plate that returned with the owner being suspended.

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When the SUV came to a stop, the trooper gave commands to the driver to put the SUV into park, but the driver moved into the rear seat and the male passenger jumped into the drivers seat and accelerated away, actively eluding me, the trooper writes in affidavits.

During the ensuing pursuit, the trooper says in affidavits that Howard, who was driving, made multiple traffic infractions including but not limited to speeding in excess of 25 mph over the limit, failure to obey a traffic control device, unsafe turns, driving the wrong way on a one-way, failure to maintain control and failure to give a continuous turn signal.

The pursuit ended near the intersection of Grand Avenue and Central Park when the SUV failed to maintain control and struck an electrical pole, which then struck a parked car. The damage caused by the crash exceeded $10,000 and cut power utilities to multiple residences, affidavits show.

The trooper alleges in affidavits that Howard fled on foot from the vehicle showing no care for the possible injuries (of the people in the SUV,) including a 4-year-old child,

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After the trooper confirmed no one was injured, a K9 was brought to the scene and indicated at the SUV. A search of the vehicle was conducted and a marijuana blunt was located in the center cup holder along with an open bottle of vodka, the trooper alleges in affidavits..

Howard was apprehended several hours later hiding in the back yard of a local residence, according to affidavits. After he was read his Miranda Rights, Howard admitted to being the

driver and fleeing because he believed he had an active warrant for his arrest.

Howard also admitted to having drunk out of the bottle of vodka just prior to the traffic stop, but after being run through standard field sobriety tests it was determined he was under the legal limit, the trooper writes in affidavits.

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Nov. 20 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1789, New Jersey became the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights.

In 1910, the Plan de San Luis Potosi was issued by Francisco I. Madero calling for the overthrow of the Mexican government led by Porfirio Diaz. This marked the beginning of the 10-year Mexican Revolution.

In 1945, 24 German leaders went on trial at Nuremberg before the International War Crimes Tribunal.

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In 1947, Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II of England, married Philip Mountbatten.

On November 20, 1945, 24 German leaders went on trial at Nuremberg before the International War Crimes Tribunal. File Photo by U.S. Army

UPI File Photo

In 1969, the Occupation of Alcatraz began as Native American activists seized control of the island prison. It took 19 months to remove the activists from the rock.

On November 20, 1969, the Occupation of Alcatraz began as Native American activists seized control of the island prison. It took 19 months to remove the activists from the rock. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI

In 1975, Generalissimo Francisco Franco of Spain died.

In 1986, the World Health Organization announced a coordinated global effort against AIDS. WHO said there were 34,448 reported cases of AIDS worldwide.

On November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II of England, married Philip Mountbatten, pictured in 1984. File Photo by Rob Taggart/UPI

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In 1992, fire erupted at Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth's official residence west of London, causing much damage. The queen and Prince Andrew helped save priceless artworks and other valuables kept in the castle.

In 1998, Zarya, the first module that would make up the International Space Station, was launched from Kazakhstan.

A man photographs a portion of the AIDS quilt on the National Mall on July 22, 2012, in Washington, D.C. On November 20, 1986, the World Health Organization announced a coordinated global effort against AIDS. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

In 2007, Ian Smith, the former Rhodesian prime minister who led his South African white-minority government through a violence-wracked era until the end of white rule in 1979, died at 88 after a long illness.

In 2009, Hamid Karzai was sworn in, to begin his second five-year term as president of Afghanistan vowing his army would have full control of the country's security by the time he left office.

On November 20, 2009, Hamid Karzai was sworn in to begin his second five-year term as president of Afghanistan, vowing his army would have full control of the country's security by the time he left office. File Photo by Hossein Fatemi/UPI

File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI

In 2012, Church of England elders, in a close vote, decided not to allow women to become bishops.

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In 2014, President Barack Obama took executive action to grant temporary legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants. His order created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans programs.

In 2019, Britain's Prince Andrew announced plans to step back from his public duties as a member of the royal family after facing criticism for his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In 2022, President Joe Biden turns 80, becoming the first octogenarian to serve in the United States' highest office.

File Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A local school district is collecting winter clothing for students who need them.

Dayton Public Schools is hosting a clothing drive as winter approaches.

Vandalia church hosting community dinner for residents

There are five locations accepting donations for this cause:

Kiser Elementary  1401 Leo St.

Edwin Joel Brown Middle School  31 Willowwood Dr.

Horace Mann Elementary School  715 Krebs Ave.

Roosevelt Elementary School  1923 W. Third St.

DPS Central Services Office  136 S. Ludlow St.

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The school district is seeking new and unworn scarves, hats, gloves and coats between now and December 31.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A suspected prowler caught on surveillance camera is alarming a Northwest D.C. neighborhood.

Surveillance footage captured last Sunday shows a man walking up to peoples homes in Brightwood Park and peeking into their windows.

Many neighbors are worried this suspect might come back. They are even passing out flyers to warn others.

RFK Stadium bill passed by Senate committee, officials react

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Nikki, the woman who caught the footage on her surveillance camera, said it was frightening.

He couldve forced his way in and that would have been a really ugly situation, she said.

Despite no trespassing signs and multiple surveillance cameras posted on the deck of the home, the man didnt seem to care.

He tipped around so quietly, Nikki said. Nobody heard him and no one knew he was out there.

She said its really unsettling.

Nothing like that has ever happened here so I felt pretty safe until I saw the footage, Nikki said.

Alexandria Health Department issues third rabies alert in less than 1 month

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In one clip, the man goes to move the camera away so its not facing him.

He comes up the stairs and he stands off to the side and repositions my camera so that its facing the sky but luckily it was after Id already captured him walking up the stairs, Nikki said.

Community members told DC News Now that they have seen the man frequent the area. Nikki said another business down the street also confirmed theyve seen him around.

Neighbor Tequicia Glover said the situation was very scary.

We as neighbors, we have to look out for one another and remain vigilant and speak up when we see things like that, Glover said.

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Nikki said she is now passing out flyers warning other neighbors and hoping to send a strong message to the prowler.

Dont come back here, Nikki said. Youre being watched. Dont come back.

A life saved: Virginia woman credits fast-acting CVS pharmacy staff for saving her life

She hopes the video and flyers can help identify the man who was seen wearing a single glove, ski googles and gold and white sneakers.

The Metropolitan Police Department said it took down an incident report, but no arrests have been made.

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DAVIDSON COUNTY  Davidson-Davie Community College has been recognized as an Apprenticeship Ambassador by the U.S. Department of Labor, college representatives announced recently.

Davidson-Davie Community College was included with 137 other organizations nationwide for meeting and exceeding commitments to expand and diversify its registered apprenticeship program.

Registered apprenticeships are programs that connect job seekers and employers looking for specific skills. They provide paid on-the-job learning and academic instruction reflective of industry needs, such as health care.

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Not only is it an honor being recognized for the work weve done so far, but this gives the college a platform to make more connections and extend these apprenticeships, said Holly Myers, dean of health sciences at DDCC. Being an apprenticeship ambassador means Davidson-Davie is in the position to advocate, promote and grow  helping to create opportunities for good jobs across the country.

In 2022 the college created the largest health care apprenticeship in North Carolina with the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist health system. The apprenticeship program was an extension of a 2021 collaboration between DDCC and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist to start the states first registered nurse apprenticeship program.

The health care apprenticeship program consists of 13 career paths, including medical assisting, medical laboratory technology, nursing, licensed practical nursing, pharmacy technology, central sterile processing, surgical technology and nurse aide.

Myers has also collaborated with the 57 other community colleges in North Carolina to help them create similar apprenticeships.

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These apprenticeship opportunities are critical in addressing shortages in the health care field in our own community, Myers said. Providing on-the-job training in acute care settings not only allows students to become fully immersed in their career, but it also facilitates an overall unmatched learning experience, resulting in highly skilled employees.

Since the launch of the Apprenticeship Ambassadors initiative in 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor has selected a total of 441 Apprenticeship Ambassadors.
Rich Klein will take over as the dean of the Stuart School of Business at Chicagos Illinois Institute of Technology on January 1, 2025. Illinois Tech photo

Chicagos Illinois Institute of Technology has a new business school dean  again.

Thirteen months after naming longtime economics professor Liad Wagman to the top job, and about five months after Wagmans departure to take the deanship at another B-school, the Stuart School of Business this month announced the hiring of Rich Klein as its new dean. Kleins deanship begins in the new year.

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Unlike his predecessor, Klein does not have a deep connection to Illinois Tech, coming to Chicago from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he has been vice chancellor since January 2022. What he does have: significant experience in industry and as a consultant for major corporations.

BIG SHOES TO FILL

Kleins predecessor Wagman joined the Stuart School in 2009 as an economics professor after earning his Ph.D. from Duke. He was a 2015 Best 40 Under 40 Poets&Quants honoree who assumed the interim deanship of the B-school in June 2022  and proceeded to oversee a 140% surge in enrollment across all programs.

Under Wagmans interim deanship, the Stuart School overhauled its curriculum, offering new programs in analytics, finance, economics, management, marketing, and more  including, notably, five new Tech+ majors, interdisciplinary degrees that blend core principles from fields such as business, engineering, psychology, information technology, policy, and cybersecurity. The curricular makeover helped to position Stuart as a destination of choice for students at a time when demand for graduate business education was fluctuating nationwide.

His interim deanship portended great things, but Wagman left Illinois Tech in June 2024 to take on the deanship at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institutes Lally School of Management.

A FORMER CONSULTANT FOR UPS & THE U.S. ARMY

Klein joins Illinois Tech from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he serves as vice chancellor of institutional effectiveness and student success. He also holds dual faculty appointments in UNOs College of Business and College of Information Science and Technology. He will become the Stuart Schools dean on January 1, 2025.

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Prior to UNO, Klein was the associate dean of the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business at Florida International Universitys College of Business, as well as interim director of the colleges School of Accounting. He also has more than a decade of industry experience with Automatic Data Processing and First Data Corporation, as well as consulting experience for Fiserv, General Electric Healthcare Systems, Sage Health Management Solutions, United Parcel Service, and the United States Army.

He earned his doctorate in computer information systems from Georgia State University, a Master of Science in Technology Management from Mercer University, and both a Master and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Boston University.

STUART A PIONEER IN MEETING STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE

Among his predecessors accomplishments, Klein applauds the Stuart Schools recent partnership with Coursera to offer a tech-focused MBA program that allows students to take core courses in finance, marketing, and digital transformation, as well as electives in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and more. Since last year the Stuart Schools enrollment is up 73%.

I am incredibly honored and excited to join Illinois Tech as the dean of Stuart School of Business, Klein says in a report on Stuarts website. Higher education stands at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges that demand bold, innovative solutions. Im eager to join Stuart, which is already a pioneer in meeting students where they are, ensuring the enduring value of their degrees, and providing a quality education that prepares them for the world today and in the future.

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I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students, and alumni to lead the charge in redefining higher education.

DONT MISS AFTER 140% ENROLLMENT BOOM, THIS B-SCHOOL GAVE ITS INTERIM DEAN THE TOP JOB and THIS CHICAGO B-SCHOOL IS LAUNCHING 4 ONLINE PROGRAMS  WITH PERFORMANCE-BASED ADMISSION

The post New Dean Named At Illinois Techs Stuart School appeared first on Poets&Quants.
HAIKOU, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- In a music classroom located at the foot of Wuzhishan Mountain in south China's island province of Hainan, a group of children dressed in Li and Miao ethnic attire were singing, their voices echoing around the venue.

These children, aged six to 12, are members of the Wuzhishan Li and Miao children's choir, mostly consisting of local Li and Miao ethnic children who devote much of their spare time to rehearsals.

Wang Ruhan, 12, is a Li ethnic minority girl and one of the first to join the 45-member choir, which was founded in August 2022. "I didn't think too much. I just loved singing and music, so I signed up for the choir," she said, adding that under the guidance of the choir teachers, she found that her musical knowledge improved and her confidence in communicating with others grew.

"These children had no experience of systematic vocal training or choir singing before. We started from scratch, guiding them step by step in practicing pitch," said Liu Min, conductor and artistic director of the choir.

Like Wang, all the children have undergone great changes thanks to singing. "From initially being shy and having stage fright, to gradually becoming more willing to express themselves, these children have not only gained more confidence, but also enhanced their aesthetic sense, and enriched their creativity and imagination," Liu said, noting "this is the charm of art."

The original intention in establishing the choir was to sow the seeds of art in the hearts of these children, enabling them to discover and express beauty, while also allowing more people to learn about Li and Miao ethnic cultures, Liu said.

As the children grow and progress amid increasing exposure of Li and Miao cultures in China, the choir is gradually expanding beyond the mountain -- and has even featured on the world stage.

In May this year, the choir made its overseas debut in Paris, participating in events commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, and performed together with Le Choeur des Polysons, a renowned French children's choir.

"It was my first time performing abroad, and I was nervous. But when I saw the audience praising our Li brocade costume, I felt proud and honored," said Wang. She said that participating in the choir allowed her to see a different world and make foreign friends, while also providing her with the opportunity to showcase the unique Li and Miao ethnic cultures on the international stage.

According to Elisabeth Trigo, conductor of the French choir, their encounter was more than just a performance together. It was a communion of minds and cultures, she explained.

Last month, the choir from Hainan traveled to Jeju, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and participated in a cultural festival. Dressed in colorful traditional Li and Miao ethnic attire, the children showcased the ethnic charm of Hainan to the ROK people through their beautiful voices, starring as a dazzling highlight of the festival.

"I felt obviously braver performing in the ROK compared with the first time in France," said Chen Kexin, an eight-year-old Miao girl, adding that music has given her a chance to see both the world and different cultures.

Through their songs, the choir has built a bridge of cultural exchanges with the world, spreading the "voice of Hainan" even further.

"We hope to perform in more countries, so that more people can hear us and learn about our ethnic cultures," Liu said, expressing the children's eagerness to tell the world about their beautiful homeland. 
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (WJW)  Investigators have ruled the death of a 19-year-old found dead inside a walk-in oven as not suspicious, the Halifax Regional Police Department confirmed on Monday.

As FOX 8 previously reported, officers were called to a Walmart in eastern Canada around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19.

The woman, a Walmart employee, was found dead inside a large oven in the bakery section of the store.

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Through the investigation, Halifax Regional Police determined there is no evidence of foul play in the case.

We do not believe anyone else was involved in the circumstances surrounding the womans death, said Halifax Regional Police Constable Martin Cromwell in a press conference posted to Facebook.

He advised the public not to expect any more updates in the near future.

Please be mindful of the damage public speculation can cause, Cromwell continued. This womans loved ones are grieving.

Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy: What does that mean for you?

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The police department hasnt released the womans name, but the Maritime Sikh Society identified her as 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur, who came to Canada from India and has worked at the store with her mother for the past two years.

A GoFundMe page has raised more than $194,000 CAD for the family.

A Walmart spokesperson previously said they are fully cooperating with the investigation.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  A Decatur man, already on parole, has been arrested on a warrant for three separate Sangamon County burglaries in September.

In the early morning hours of Sept. 29, Sangamon County Deputies responded to burglar alarms at three different gaming locations in Sangamon County. Video surveillance footage from Gustos Pizza in Dawson, Hilltop Convenience Store in Rochester and Miss Kimmees in Springfield showed a person forcing entry or attempting to force entry at all three locations.

Detectives were assigned to investigate the cases, and they determined that one person was responsible for all of the incidents. By gathering evidence from surveillance cameras in the area and other sources, a suspect was identified.

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Watseka man arrested on warrant charging him with child pornography

On Nov. 18, a Sangamon County arrest warrant was issued for 37-year-old Brent E. Crockett of Decatur. The warrant was issued for two counts of burglary, one count of attempted burglary and four counts of criminal damage to property.

On Nov. 19, Crocket was arrested on the warrant at the Piatt County Courthouse in Monticello. He will be transported to Sangamon County for an initial court appearance.

In 2022, Crocked received a seven-year sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections for a burglary in Macon County. He was released on parole in March 2024, and was on parole at the time the Sangamon County burglaries were committed. Crockett also has prior prison sentences for narcotics and firearms-related offenses.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A decision by Jackson County legislators on how to spend remaining federal COVID-19 relief funds is likely delayed again.

In a letter sent to Chairwoman Jeanie Lauer, five legislators say they wont attend a scheduled meeting Wednesday morning to revisit the issue, which would deny the Legislature a quorum.

Jay-Zs Team Roc, Innocence Project files lawsuit against KCKPD, UG

The move comes after the Jackson County Legislature failed to override County Executive Frank Whites veto of an ordinance outlining how to allocate the funds.

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At issue, how to divide the money between infrastructure and community social service needs.

One of the signees, Manny Abarca, says he plans to have the vetoed ordinance placed on Mondays regular meeting agenda as a starting point.

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The county must decide by Dec. 31 how to spend the $70 million, or it goes back to the federal government.

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She first saw the ad on Facebook. And then again on TikTok. After seeing what appeared to be Elon Musk offering an investment opportunity over and over again, Heidi Swan figured it had to be true.

"Looked just like Elon Musk, sounded just like Elon Musk and I thought it was him," said Swan.

She contacted the company behind the pitch and opened an account for more than $10,000. The 62-year-old healthcare worker thought she was making a smart investment in cryptocurrency from a businessman and investor worth billions of dollars.

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But Swan would soon learn she'd been scammed by a new wave of high-tech thieves using artificial intelligence to create deepfakes.

Even looking back at the videos now, knowing they're fakes, Swan still thinks they look convincing.

"They still look like Elon Musk," she said. "They still sound like Elon Musk."

Heidi Swan / Credit: CBS News Texas

Deepfake scams on the rise in the U.S.

As artificial intelligence technology evolves and becomes more accessible, these kinds of scams are becoming more common.

According to Deloitte, a leading financial research group, AI-generated content contributed to more than $12 billion in fraud losses last year, and could reach $40 billion in the U.S. by 2027.

Both the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau have issued warnings that deepfake scams are on the rise.

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A study by AI firm Sensity found that Elon Musk is the most common celebrity used in deepfake scams. One likely reason is his wealth and entrepreneurship. Another reason is because of the amount of interviews he's done; the more content there is of someone online, the easier it is to create convincing deepfakes.

Anatomy of a deepfake

At the University of North Texas in Denton, Professor Christopher Meerdo is also using artificial intelligence. But he's using it to create art.

"It's not going to replace the creative arts," Meerdo said. "It's going to just augment them and change the way that we understand things that we could do in the sphere of creativity."

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Even though Meerdo sees artificial intelligence as a way to be innovative, he sees its dangers.

Meerdo showed the CBS News Texas I-Team how scammers can take a real video and use AI tools to replace a person's voice and mouth movements, making them appear to say something completely different.

Advances in technology are making it easier to create deepfake videos. All a person who's familiar with AI needs to make one is a single still image and a video recording.

To demonstrate this, Meerdo took a video of investigative reporter Brian New to create a deepfake of Elon Musk.

These AI-generated videos are hardly perfect, but they just need to be convincing enough to deceive an unsuspecting victim.

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"If you are really trying to scam people, I think you can do some really bad things with this," Meerdo said.

How can you spot a deepfake?

Some deepfakes are easier to spot than others; there can be signs like unnatural lip movements or odd body language. But as the technology improves, it will get harder to tell just by looking.

There are a growing number of websites claiming they can detect deepfakes. Using three known deepfake videos and three authentic ones, the CBS News Texas I-Team put five of these websites to an unscientific test: Deepware, Attestiv, DeepFake-O-Meter, Sensity and Deepfake Detector.

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In total, these five online tools correctly identified the tested videos nearly 75% of the time. The I-Team reached out to the companies with the results; their responses are below.

Deepware

Deepware, a website that's free to use, initially failed to flag two of the fake videos the I-Team tested. In an email, the company said the clips used were too short and that for the best results, videos uploaded should be between 30 seconds and one minute. Deepware correctly identified all videos that were longer. According to the company, its detection rate is considered good for the industry at 70%.

The frequently asked questions section of Deepware's website states: "Deepfakes are not a solved problem yet. Our results indicate the likelihood of a specific video being a deepfake or not."

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Deepfake Detector

Deepfake Detector, a tool that charges $16.80 per month, identified one of the fake videos as "97% natural voice." The company, which specializes in spotting AI-generated voices, said in an email that factors like background noise or music can impact results, but it has an accuracy rate of approximately 92%.

In response to a question about guidance for average consumers, the company wrote: "Our tool is designed to be user-friendly. Average consumers can easily upload an audio file on our website or use our browser extension to analyze content directly. The tool will provide an analysis to help determine if a video may contain deepfake elements using probabilities, making it accessible even for those unfamiliar with AI technology."

Attestiv

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Attestiv flagged two of the real videos as "suspicious." According to the company's CEO Nicos Vekiarides, false positives can be triggered by factors like graphics and edits. Both authentic videos flagged as "suspicious" included graphics and edits. The site offers a free service, but it also has a paid tier, where consumers can adjust settings and calibrations for more in-depth analysis.

While he acknowledges that Attestiv isn't perfect, Vekiarides said that as deepfakes become harder to spot with the naked eye, these kinds of websites are needed as part of the solution.

"Our tool can determine if something is suspicious, and then you can verify it with your own eyes to say, 'I do think that's suspicious,'" Vekiarides said.

DeepFake-O-Meter

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DeepFake-O-Meter is another free tool supported by the University of Buffalo and the National Science Foundation. It identified two of the real videos as having a high percentage of being AI-generated.

In an email, the creator of the open platform said a limitation of deepfake detection models is that video compression can lead to sync issues with video and audio and inconsistent mouth movements.

In response to a question about how everyday users can use the tool, the company emailed: "Currently, the main result shown to users is the probability value of this sample being a generated sample across different detection models. This can be used as a reference if multiple models agree on the same answer with confidence (e.g., over 80% for AI-generated or below 20% for real video). We are currently developing a more understandable way of showing the results, as well as new models that can output comprehensive detection results."

Sensity

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Sensity's deepfake detector correctly identified all six clips, showing a heatmap indicating where A.I. manipulation is most likely.

The company offers a free trial period to use its service and told the I-Team that while it's currently tailored for private and public organizations, its future goal is to make the technology accessible to everyone.

Baking an ancient bread in Tennessee

The cream of the crop in butter

Serving up home-cooked dog food
DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  Democratic state Sen. Gerald Malloy is asking for a new election, saying in a complaint on Tuesday that hundreds of votes were miscounted.

Malloy ended the Nov. 5 election 278 votes behind GOP challenger JD Chaplin, but the margin was trimmed to just 87 following a mandatory recount, according to a protest lodged with the state Election Commission naming the boards of elections in Chesterfield, Darlington, Lee, Marlboro and Sumter counties as defendants.

The discrepancies in the 2024 general election for Senate District 29 far exceed vote changes in all other state and congressional recounts in the past ten years combined, the complaint says. Because the margin for the declared winner in this election is only 87 votes, these significant anomalies and changes to vote totals and vote counts during the recount raise more questions than they answer and do not ensure that all votes cast were counted correctly.

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Malloy, a Hartsville attorney, is seeking a fifth term.

In Malloys final power grab of his 22-year reign, hes refusing to concede. His fellow Democrats who lost by even smaller margins conceded to the will of the people, Drew McKissick, chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, said in a statement. I call on Gerald Malloy to stop being an election denier, do the right thing, and listen to the people for the first time in his career.

Chaplin said in a statement that hes looking forward to serving the Pee Dee.

Over two weeks of early voting and Election Day, Gerald Malloy raised zero concerns about the voting process. Now, former Senator Malloy is complaining because he lost. We must not tolerate election deniers who want to overturn the will of the people, he said.

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Malloy and his team are asking the state Election Commission to schedule a new contest. The Senate meets Dec. 4 for reorganization and Chaplins name already appears on its website as the District 22 seat holder.

Commission spokesman John Michael Catalano told News13 on Tuesday that another election is possible depending on the outcome of Malloys appeal.

A date has not yet been set for the protest hearing, so we do not have an election timeline at this point, he said.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Lawyers for the Ohio Innocence Project Wednesday asked a judge in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to hold a new trial for a man serving a life prison sentence for a 2011 murder.

Read next: Boy charged with bringing gun to East High School appears in juvenile court

The lawyers asked Judge Anthony Donofrio to hold the trial for Donovan Miller, now 39, who was sentenced in January 2013 by former Judge Lou DApolito after he was convicted of the Sept. 22, 2011, shooting death of 22-year-old Quest Waggoner.

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Waggoner was found shot to death by his mother inside a home on Inverness Avenue. Prosecutors say he was killed as a result of a feud over a drug deal.

Miller was sentenced to life in prison Jan. 31, 2013, with no chance of parole for at least 36 years.

In their motion filed Wednesday, Millers lawyers said they obtained new evidence in December from the Mahoning County Sheriffs Office of telephone calls, including jail calls.

The motion says the calls are new evidence Miller should have had when he went to trial but were never provided.

The motion included an affidavit from Millers lawyer at his trial who said he never had the calls during the trial.

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The motion said the new evidence would lead to the strong possibility of a different outcome at trial.

If the judge does not order a new trial, the motion asks for a hearing.

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Throughout his manslaughter trial, Daniel Penny has been stoic, disciplined and emotionless  never cracking a smile or a frustrated grimace.

His posture is so straight, you could hang a painting flush against his back. The 26-year-olds been a blank slate for anyone to project upon. Is he a former jarhead adrift? A cold loner who told cops that he put [Jordan Neely] out. A vigilante, as protesters outside the courtroom have called him?

He is none of those things.

Danile Pennys sister Jackie Penny testified about their close knit bond and growing up in West Islip, Long Island. Jane Rosenberg for the NY Post

According to character witnesses  including two Marine Corps sergeants who served with him, childhood friends, his siblings and his mother  Dannys straight face belies a softness and compassion. He remains a man connected to his childhood roots in West Islip, Long Island, where the surfer was a lacrosse standout and played bass in local orchestras.

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He was so kind. If anything he was extra kind  He always spoke up, Pennys childhood friend Alexandra Fay told the jury Monday.

A case for canonization, this hardly makes. But, then again, this is not a man who belongs behind a defense table fighting charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

On Monday, the prosecution rested after a grueling three days of testimony from medical examiner Dr. Cynthia Harris, who said that Jordan Neely was killed solely by Pennys chokehold even if, it turned out, Neely had enough drugs in him to put down an elephant.

Pennys defense started as news was breaking about madman and violent criminal Ramon Rivera fatally stabbing three innocent strangers in a spree across Manhattan  a reminder of the real and random terror that has been unleashed onto the citizens of New York City by progressive policies.

In high school, Daniel Penny was a standout lacrosee player who also played the bass in orchestras. West Islip Public Library

Daniel Penny arrived in court Monday with his sister, Jackie, and his defense team. Michael Nagle

First, Pennys attorney Thomas Kenniff called the defendants sister Jackie, who spoke of their close relationship, their outdoorsy childhood and his bond with their grandparents, strengthened after their parents divorce.

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Then Gina Flaim-Penny said her son wanted to go to the Naval Academy at Annapolis. When he didnt get accepted, despite his good grades and lacrosse skills, Penny joined the Marines, which made her nervous.

The mothers nerves were on display while on the stand. Asked if she was testifying truthfully, she said yes and uttered something so softly I couldnt make it out, but her face was obviously contorted to hold in the anguish.

Daniel Penny (far right) with locals in Oaxaca, Mexico, helping out after a hurricane. Courtesy of Danial Penny

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Pennys former platoon sergeant Nolan Drylie described the Marine veteran as above reproach and detailed how Penny won a Humanitarian Service Medal for his relief work during Hurricane Florence in 2018.

Gunnery Sgt. Nathaniel Dunchie, who now lives in Texas, spoke about Pennys acumen as a Marine and his acceptance of all.

The prosecution countered by noting that Pennys friend Fay had donated to his GoFundMe defense fund, but Judge MaxwellWiley shut down that line of questioning. And, in a filthy Hail Mary, they tried to stain both Marines by bringing up past social media posts  an attempt to counter their judgement as peaceful people.

He was so kind. If anything he was extra kind  He always spoke up, a childhood friend, testifying in court this week, said of Penny (above). Matthew McDermott for NY Post

In a play to Manhattanites anti-gun sensibilities, one of the assistant DAs brought up an innocuous video Dunchie posted on TikTok, showing him revealing a gun inside his fanny pack, accompanied by audio that says no one will know.

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Kenniff asked if Texans have different attitudes toward guns, adding, Are you a criminal?

No I am not, Dunchie said.

And neither is Penny.

Daniel Pennys defense fund, which showed a photo of him in his Marine camo, has reached over $3 million. givesendgo.com/daniel_penny

All of this testimony brought the defendant to life  creating a portrait of a peaceful and compassionate man hardwired to intervene on behalf of strangers in need.

It was a striking contrast to the afternoon, when forensic psychiatrist Alexander Bardey took the stand. The doctor testified that he reviewed between 4,000 and 5,000 pages of Neelys psychiatric history, dating from 2015 to 2021 and including more than a dozen hospitalizations.

Bardey said the most common diagnoses were schizophrenia and abuse of the synthetic drug K2, describing Neelys case as severe.

Daniel Penny is facing up to 15 years for the chokehold that the medical examiner says killed homeless man Jordan Neely.

Medical records revealed Neelys paranoid fears that people wanted to hurt him and his belief that rapper Tupac Shakur, who died in 1996,wanted to use him to change the world.

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Neely, who also had a history of violence, was a danger to himself  and to other New Yorkers.

Penny sensed that. And, despite the DAs assertions in opening statements that he didnt recognize [Neelys] humanity, the ex Marine saw humanity all around him on that F train in May of 2023 and decided to act.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Is the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) going too far? It was a question debated for nearly two hours at Tuesday nights Metro Council meeting.

But that question was left unanswered because Metro Council deferred the MNPDs request for access to surveillance video camera feeds on a voluntary basis.

Before the Metro Council meeting, those in attendance of the Public and Safety Committee drilled the MNPD with questions wanting to know more about FUSUS technology. While city leaders said they need to do everything they can to improve public safety, some argued that the step would be a violation of privacy.

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The can opener: TDOT to address low bridge over Carters Creek Pike

This is a tool in the toolbelt of our police department  and a voluntary one at that, District 14 Councilmember Jordan Huffman said, speaking in favor of the resolution.

The back-and-forth discussion took up the majority of the night and put business surveillance cameras in the spotlight.

Resolution 2024-792 would approve a contract between Metro Government and Fusus, LLC to increase the value, extend the term, and utilize the full scope of work including surveillance technology.

Essentially, the technology would allow the MNPD to have access to business security cameras and monitor its footage when a crime happens near the business. The MNPD explained that camera footage would not be taken from private citizens as part of this resolution. The department added businesses could choose to opt-in or opt-out of the program.

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FUSUS consolidates public and private surveillance networks into a system controlled by law enforcement, creating an infrastructure that feels more like Big Brother than a guardian of public safety, a member of the public in opposition of the resolution said during Tuesdays Metro Council meeting.

Some of Tuesdays public attendees spoke in favor of the resolution, even pointing to their own experiences that could have benefitted from the help of cameras.

1 killed in shooting at downtown Nashville WeGo station

When I was burglarized, we developed the tag pretty quickly of the vehicle that was being used and before that person could be caught, even though it was traveling up and down Bell Road Murfreesboro Road and Hobson Pike, one woman said, speaking in favor of the resolution. It took about 18 days and 12 more victims before that vehicle was stopped. Technology can see more than officers can.

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For years, companies have used cameras as a deterrent, even posting warning signs to would-be criminals. Police said that the cameras could help them solve crimes faster.

Civilians that witness a crime dont often get the best descriptions, MNPD deputy chief Chris Gilder said during the Public Safety Committee meeting. This kind of eliminates some of that issue by allowing us to go in see the actual video of the suspect [and] provide a good, solid description to the responding officers so that we can be more precise in our response and were not stopping the wrong people. Were getting to the right person and hopefully solving a crime.

However, some called tapping into Fusus technology an invasion of privacy.

Increased police surveillance and government overreach pose a real danger to our community and threaten our safety and well-being, another resident said, speaking against the resolution.

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Over the weekend, the MNPD responded to an incident at a Hermitage bowling alley after a 20-year-old was shot and killed. Councilmember Huffman asked if the technology would have been useful in responding to the case.

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Yeah, absolutely, Gilder answered. If theyre a donor camera, that is something that could have been done literally as the call came out  as officers were on their way to the call and possibly intercepted the people who were involved.

Many brought up the worry about whether the MNPD would be able to obtain sensitive information about residents without probable cause. The concern even expanded to worries about the federal government being able to access the video.

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MNPD released a statement to News 2, which reads:

Our goal in utilizing the FUSUS technology is to establish partnerships with our community to make Nashville a safer place. This technology will save our officers and victims of crimes time by being able to get accurate information about suspects quickly while also building evidence in the prosecution for violent crimes. Those business owners that choose to share their cameras with us will be able to set up terms they feel comfortable with. There are currently nearly 1,300 cameras registered within Davidson County. Its discouraging that after months of discussing how effective this technology would be for our community and transparently outlining the policies the MNPD is proposing, that misinformation continues to spread. We hope that the council is able to come to a decision as this technology could be vital asset for public safety in Nashville. MNPD spokesperson

The resolution will be discussed at Metro Councils first December meeting.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Most people hope to live in an area with low crime rates and safety measures that put their minds at ease when they are out in the community, but that isnt always the case.

Have you ever wondered how safe Delaware actually is? Well, a new study from WalletHub ranked each states safety, and the Small Wonders standing might surprise you.

How safe is Delaware?

A view of the Roth Bridge over the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal as seen from the St. Georges Bridge Oct. 11, 2024.

WalletHub compared the 50 states across the five key categories of personal and residential safety, financial safety, road safety, workplace safety and emergency preparedness. The categories encompassed 52 relevant metrics in total, individually weighted and graded on a 100-point scale. Each states weighted average across all metrics was then determined to calculate its overall score and rank among the final list of safest states in the United States. Safest States in America in 2024

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Delaware ranks as the 20th safest state in the country with a total score of 52.84, according to the report.

While Delaware is just above the middle of the rankings overall, the states individual scores for the five key categories vary. The state ranked No. 7 for personal and residential safety and No. 12 for emergency preparedness.

Skyline shot of Wilmington

Delawares financial safety was in the bottom half of the rankings, coming in at No. 28. The states rank for road safety is No. 40, with workplace safety following suit at No. 41.

As part of the metrics included in the five key categories, WalletHub found that Delaware ranked No. 1 for the lowest bullying incidence rate in the U.S., followed by Hawaii, Rhode Island, Virginia and Massachusetts. Delaware also performed well in the metric calculating the percentage of adults with rainy-day funds, coming in at No. 2 behind Hawaii and followed by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

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ICYMI: A new report claims Delaware is the most dangerous state for young drivers. Here's why

Safest, most dangerous states in the U.S.

The top 10 safest states in the U.S., according to WalletHub, are:

Vermont at No. 1, with an overall score of 67.94.

New Hampshire at No. 2, with an overall score of 65.68.

Maine at No. 3, with an overall score of 64.19.

Massachusetts at No. 4, with an overall score of 63.59.

Utah at No. 5, with an overall score of 62.67.

Hawaii at No. 6, with an overall score of 60.11.

Connecticut at No. 7, with an overall score of 59.51.

Minnesota at No. 8, with an overall score of 59.04.

Rhode Island at No. 9, with an overall score of 57.45.

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Wyoming at No. 10, with an overall score of 55.87.

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The top 10 most dangerous states in the U.S. are:

Louisiana at No. 1, with an overall score of 33.27.

Mississippi at No.2, with an overall score of 35.13.

Texas at No. 3, with an overall score of 36.41.

Arkansas at No. 4, with an overall score of 26.85.

Florida at No. 5, with an overall score of 37.66.

Oklahoma at No. 6, with an overall score of 39.92.

Alabama at No. 7, with an overall score of 41.85.

Colorado at No. 8, with an overall score of 42.

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Georgia at No. 9, with an overall score of 42.92.

South Carolina at No. 10, with an overall score of 43.32.

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware's safety rank compared to other states in WalletHub study
DAMASCUS, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. airstrikes killed five members of Iran-backed militias and wounded several others in eastern Syria on Tuesday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based monitoring group reported that U.S. warplanes targeted military gatherings in the Al-Quriyah desert of Deir ez-Zor province. It said the strikes came after a rocket believed to be fired by pro-Iran militiamen landed near a U.S. base in the countryside of al-Hasakah province in northeastern Syria.

Meanwhile, intermittent explosions of unknown origin were heard at a U.S. military base inside the al-Omar oil field base in Deir ez-Zor, the observatory said.

U.S. fighter jets were seen flying over several villages, reaching as far as the town of Mayadeen in Deir ez-Zor's countryside near the Iraqi border, according to the observatory.

There were no immediate reports of additional casualties.

The region has seen increased tensions between U.S. forces and Iran-backed groups, which have a significant presence in eastern Syria. 
Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur won reelection against Republican Derek Merrin in one of the most closely contested House races this year, The Associated Press projected.

Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in the House, represented a safe district for many years that became redder in recent redistricting, making it one of Republicans top targets this cycle. She and Merrin, an Ohio state representative, had sparred over immigration at the southern border as Merrin tried to hitch Kaptur to President Joe Bidens policies.

Merrin had emerged from a messy primary this cycle as Republican leaders maneuvered to stave off a repeat of the 2022 cycle, when Kaptur bested a GOP candidate with personal issues.

Although Republicans had initially boasted of Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vances downballot boost in the race, he ultimately didnt play much of a role in the contest.
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) expressed his sincere bafflement Tuesday about President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet picks, which have caused widespread concern for multiple reasons including that at least four of them have been accused of sexual misconduct.

Trump nominated former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who was investigated for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old, to be his attorney general. He also nominated former Fox News host and veteran Pete Hegseth, who was investigated for sexual assault in 2017.

McGovern, on the House floor, said these nominations are beyond insane.

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Someone who is credibly accused of having sex with an underage girl, the congressman noted Tuesday. Someone who sucks up to foreign dictators and has attracted major concern that they cant be trusted to protect Americas secrets from our adversaries.

Trump nominated former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) to be his director of national intelligence, despite concern over her 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Someone who paid hush money to cover up a sexual assault accusation, you know, to lead our military. Hes picked because Donald Trump likes him on Fox News? McGovern said, referring to Hegseth.

Someone who says that tap water turns kids gay? he continued. I mean, this is the dream team? This is the dream team? Really?

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump tapped to be secretary of health and human services, reportedly argued on his podcast in 2022 that man-made chemicals in food and water are acting as endocrine disruptors that could be making children homosexual or transgender, pointing to their documented effect of turning some male frogs female. Such effects have not been found in humans. Dr. Andrea Gore, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Texas at Austin, told CNN last year that things in the environment can affect frogs sex but sex for humans is set at conception.

McGovern argued that this would be funny if it werent so sad and concluded by hoping that the U.S. Senate has a backbone and insists on a thorough confirmation process, which former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) recently wagered would happen.

Rep. Jim McGovern said Tuesday that this would all be funny if it werent so sad. Andrew Harnik via Getty Images

Gabbard left the Democratic Party after running for president in 2020 and became a Fox News contributor before endorsing Trump in his 2024 presidential bid. She notably sued former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for suggesting she was a Russian asset.

Hegseth allegedly sexually assaulted someone during a Republican womens conference in California and caused contusions to her right thigh, according to a report from the City of Monterey. The woman filed a police report four days later, but no charges were ever filed.

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Gaetz was the subject of a yearslong investigation by the Justice Department over alleged sex trafficking and sex with a minor. A House Ethics Committee probe looking into allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, improper gifts and more ended when he resigned from Congress immediately after his attorney general nomination.

Having written three books on Trump, spent hours with him, the goal is to give him all the say, all the power, journalist Bob Woodward told MSNBCs Jen Psaki on Monday, adding: It makes no sense and its a form of giving his middle finger to the American people.

Related...
Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl speaks on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Forty Democrat women sent a scathing letter Wednesday calling on state party Chair Mike Schmuhl to take action following another case of sexual harassment.

These allegations and the many preceding them are shamefully ignored by Party leadership. Women who bravely come forward to report sexual harassment and assault are repeatedly met not with accountability or even acknowledgement but with silence and complicity, the letter said. Leadership consistently sweeps these issues under the rug and allows perpetrators to remain in power, knowingly placing women in vulnerable and dangerous situations. This is a deeply troubling pattern in our Party, and it must end immediately.

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Schmuhl released a statement saying the topic deserves more attention than a simple response or press statement, and he appreciates the women voicing their concerns.

We have taken a number of steps to address sexual harassment at the Indiana Democratic Party during my time as chair and we will be sharing more of that information with our state central committee at our next meeting. I think its also important to note that IDP is a separate employer from a political campaign, city government, or state government. That being said, our values are vital and I will work with these leaders and all stakeholders to build more trust within the party for the future.

The move comes after the Indianapolis Star revealed three women were allegedly harassed by Indianapolis Democrat Sen. Greg Taylor. Taylor did not deny the allegations and he was re-elected to lead the Senate Democrat caucus within hours.

Most of the women went through the Hoosier Women Forward program, a separate nonprofit described as a political and civic leadership training program designed to empower Democratic women to become more active participants in politics and leaders in their communities.

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Others who signed on are Democrat delegates, precinct committeepersons, or city and county councilwomen.

Women who bravely come forward to report sexual harassment and assault are repeatedly met not with accountability or even acknowledgement but with silence and complicity.

 From a letter addressed to Democrat Party Chair Mike Schmuhl

The letter said leaderships deplorable inaction repeatedly leaves survivors no choice but to risk further trauma by recounting their injuries to the media in search of accountability. This is reprehensible and profoundly unjust. While recent public outcry has elicited a few tepid statements of condemnation from Party leadership, these statements lack substance, conviction, and most critically, solutions. These hollow statements and the silence of others within the Democratic Party, whether born of apathy or complicity, send the devastating and unmistakable message to women across the state: Indiana Democrats do not care about you.

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In addition to the incidents involving Taylor, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has drawn criticism for not firing a top aide after several harassment situations. And Sen. David Niezgodski, D-South Bend, allegedly harassed a young, female former employee: at the office, in voicemails, over texts, and even showed up to her home. His company settled with the former employee for $8,000, according to the Star.

The letter goes on to accuse the Indiana Democratic party of hiding allegations and sheltering offenders. It also demands transparent investigations into any and all allegations of sexual harassment and assault involving party members.

Moving forward, should another survivor of abuse come forward, the Party must hold the perpetrator accountable, and it must help the survivor, not silence her. Words of condemnation alone are not enough. Meaningful action is the only way the Party can regain the trust of Indiana women. Without it, the Party will further alienate, and ultimately lose, the women it claims to support, the letter said.

It ends by saying there is no future for the party without women.

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Your response outlining a plan where survivors of abuse are acknowledged, believed, and protected and where perpetrators are held fully accountable is expected and required. We demand that you act now.

This story was updated with a statement from Mike Schmuhl, and to clarify the status of Hoosier Women Forward.

Letter to Mike Schmuhl, Indiana Democratic Party Chair

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Democrats are deeply divided on how aggressively to resist President-elect Donald Trump and his allies. While some are taking a conciliatory approach to the incoming Republican trifecta, others are vowing to thwart their policies with every legal and legislative tool available.

Its a moment those in the resistance camp  many with grander political ambitions  have been preparing for behind the scenes for many months.

Those preparations were aided by Project 2025, the conservative blueprint that outlined a policy wish-list for the next Republican administration, from slashing environmental regulations to issuing a national abortion ban.

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Blue states began Trump proof-ing programs anticipated to be under attack by the federal government and beefing up teams of lawyers who will battle the new administration in court.

Now, those resistance Democrats  including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison  have a message for the latest installment of the Trump era: Bring it on.

Violating the law, that is something [Trump] cannot find his way to stop doing  its part of his brand, its part of what he does, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is expected to run for governor in 2026, said in an interview. If he doesnt break the law, there is nothing for us to do, and he will be a law-abiding president. But we dont expect that.

These hostile counterforces represent just one segment of the Democratic Party, as its leaders strategize how to confront Trump when he reenters the White House backed by full GOP control of Congress. Some governors are taking a less combative approach, expressing a willingness to cooperate with the president-elect on certain fronts  at least for now.

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Heres a look at the pillars of the movement assembling to undercut Trump and his allies, a collection of Democratic governors, attorneys general and aligned interest groups.

Governors

Expect to see Newsom cement his standing as the lead Democrat fighting the feds. Newsom and Trump are old foes  and that rivalry is guaranteed to flare up as Trump reenters the White House and Newsom lays the groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential run.

Newsom has already begun to position California as the bulwark against the incoming Republican trifecta. Two days after the election, he called a special session of the state Legislature to protect California initiatives likely to be targeted by Trump, like civil rights protections and climate policies.



Beyond Newsom, keep an eye on the newly-formed nonpartisan group focused on countering threats of autocracy that was launched by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. The pair of governors say theyre talking to other Democrats and Republicans about joining the effort, which will have its own staff and researchers.

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You come for my people, you come through me, Pritzker warned Trump in a post-election press conference.

Polis set up that group even as he heaped praise on Trumps provocative pick for Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaking to the complex balancing act governors must face these next few years with Trump in power.

Dont discount the newcomers, either. Governors who entered office after Trumps first term are joining the ranks of the resistance effort  though theyre doing so less overtly than some of their longer-serving peers.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul launched a program aimed at addressing policy and regulatory threats from the Republican administration and pledged to beef up coordination with her states attorney general to protect New Yorkers fundamental freedoms. But she also phoned Trump to press her case for federal funding for key projects across the state.

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Then theres Gov. Maura Healey of Massachusetts, who burnished her profile by repeatedly suing the Trump administration in her prior role as the states attorney general but largely retreated from the national spotlight after he left office. After Trumps election, she roared back onto MSNBC with calls to hold the line once again on the rule of law and vows that state police would not comply with Trumps mass deportation plans.

Attorneys General

When Trump issued the ban on Muslim travelers to the U.S. in the initial days of his first presidency, Democratic attorneys general offices were caught off guard. They scrambled to join together to file a multi-state lawsuit  kicking off an era of intense litigation between the states and federal government.

Those same offices don't intend to be surprised again.

Weve now had some more time to reflect on this, and its not as new as it was before, said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who successfully took on the first Trump administration for withholding law enforcement grant money after the state objected to immigration-related stipulations that were attached to it.

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Well be more ready for this work, Weiser said in an interview. We know a little bit more the nature of whats coming.



Watch Californias Bonta, Minnesotas Ellison, New Jerseys Matthew Platkin and New Yorks Letitia James as likely leaders of the litigation movement. "I didn't run for attorney general's office twice so that I could sue Trump. That's not what I'm here for," Ellison said at a recent press conference. "But if he violates the rights of people, we're gonna sue, it's simple as that."

Also keep an eye on the new crop of attorneys general from states that played a big role in prior lawsuits against Trump, like Dan Rayfield in Oregon and Nick Brown in Washington.

These offices will leverage their large staff of attorneys to likely challenge nearly every move from the Trump administration. In the days since the election, some offices have issued an open casting call to expand the ranks of their litigation attorneys, posting on Linkedin that the need for the best and brightest lawyers to join us has never been greater.

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But while those attorneys general may be more practiced suing Trump this time around, they face more institutional and political challenges that could make it difficult to prevail in court, namely a more conservative Supreme Court that Trump has played a major role in shaping. The president-elect also has the backing of more Republicans in Congress who will likely look to use their majorities in both chambers to pass legislation superseding state laws.



Interest Groups

While Democratic governors worried about their own political futures might not want to be the face of fighting Trump on every front, interest groups that have that as their sole mission will be more than happy to practice scorched earth tactics to stymie the administration.

Democracy Forward, a liberal legal organization launched during the first Trump administration, intends to continue its work challenging federal rules  and this time is armed with a much larger staff and multi-million dollar war chest. Its board members include Democratic legal bigwig Marc Elias and Ron Klain, former chief of staff to President Joe Biden.

There will be plenty of conflict in the abortion space. Trump pledged to veto a national abortion ban should one hit his desk. But Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the vice president-elect, suggested on the campaign trail that the Republican administration would defund Planned Parenthood, telling reporters that we dont think that taxpayers should fund late-term abortions.

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A slate of political groups supporting abortion rights  EMILYs List, National Womens Law Center Action Fund, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Reproductive Freedom for All  issued a post-election memo in which they vowed to hold Trump and all anti-abortion politicians accountable for what they have already done and what they plan to do to destroy reproductive freedom.



In the immigration arena, the American Civil Liberties Union fired its initial warning shot against the Trump administration by filing a lawsuit on Monday seeking more information about how authorities might quickly deport people from the U.S.

Trump officials are thinking about how to construct executive actions aimed to withstand the legal challenges from immigrants rights groups  a strategy intended to avoid the pitfalls of the first Trump term, like when civil rights groups and state attorneys general successfully delayed implementation of various versions of the Muslim travel ban.

Watch the activities of climate organizations like EarthJustice and the Sierra Club, who are bracing for the continued reversal of dozens of environmental rules dealing with everything from air pollution limits to drilling in protected areas.

We are even stronger now, and were ready, EarthJustice, which sued the Trump administration more than 130 times and won the vast majority of court decisions, said in a statement after the election was called for Trump. We will see Donald Trump in court.


New York City Mayor Eric Adams essentially kissed Donald Trumps ring at a UFC event over the weekend that effectively doubled as a MAGA rally. Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., touted Elon Musk and kvetched over liberals justifiable criticism of the tech billionaire. Colorados Democratic governor, Jared Polis, sang the praises of conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s views on health. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said Musks pseudo-governmental agency focused on government efficiency could save hundreds of billions of dollars.

While some liberals are preparing themselves for all-out resistance to Trumps upcoming presidency, some Democratic officials  such as the four above  seem to have settled on schmoozing as a tactic to help extract what they want, be that political harmony, a potential pardon or even mere competency.

All four received a fair amount of backlash online for their obsequiousness, though Coons did offer a bit more criticism of Musk  and Trumps Cabinet picks  in his full interview with Fox News. In fact, all of them but Adams have been quite critical of Trump and/or his high-ranking associates before. Polis is even part of a coalition of Democratic governors who say they are committed to safeguarding democracy from increasing threats of autocracy.

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But with Trumps return to the White House on the horizon, they all appear to have concluded that at least a little kissing up is in order.

Lets see how that turns out.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Senior House Appropriations Committee member Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, sent a letter to Medicaid officials Wednesday urging them to include menstrual products in their coverage.

Menstrual products are currently designated as medical devices, which arent covered through mandatory or optional benefits.

Their letter said that states currently have the option to provide coverage of menstrual products by including them in demonstration projects or using waiver authority for a period of time but none have chosen to do so.

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They cited statistics that say one-quarter of teenagers and one-third of adults say they struggle to afford menstrual products in the United States.

Cost barriers disproportionately impact the sexual and reproductive health of populations who experience heavier or prolonged periods, and therefore require more menstrual products over time, the representatives wrote.

These include people with disabilities that can cause heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, they added.

Moreover, people who experience pregnancy loss and/or have abortions may experience menstrual bleeding or spotting for up to six weeks after.

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Their letter deemed menstrual products an essential rather than personal care or hygiene products and encouraged the National Association of Medicaid Directors to classify them the same way.

Medicaid is a vital federally funded program that ensures that the poorest and most underserved Americans have access to the health care they need, the letter concluded.

We look forward to working with Medicaid Directors and other stakeholders to expand the program to improve the menstrual health of beneficiaries.

Reps. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) also signed the letter.

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JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, is neatly tucked away somewhere in the middle of the Denali National Park in Alaska.

We started out from the lodge to go see the mountain at about 7:00 p.m. The sun was bright, but I figured it would be dark by the time we got there. But I was thinking lower latitude day-length. Not where we were this close to the Arctic Circle.

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Although its a huge mountain, we didnt get to see it right away, but we got to see lots of scenery along the way.

The next day, as we headed south toward Anchorage, we discovered we could see the mountain for many miles down the road. It followed us like a full moon when you are driving.

We stopped for lunch about 75 miles away from Denali. It still loomed so large that youd think you could walk back to it.

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GRANVILLE, Ohio (WCMH)  Denison University will break ground on an innovative center dedicated to combining liberal arts and data sciences next semester.

The new center will renovate the Doane Administration Building, adding 17,700 square feet to it. Completed in 1894, the Doane Building is 21,250 square feet and now on track to house the first center devoted to integrating liberal arts and data at a liberal arts college.

The project is estimated to cost at least $35 million, according to Denisons minimum fundraising goal. The center will house the computer science and data analytics departments, as well as classes in applied mathematics, digital humanities, financial economics and political research data, according to Denisons announcement.

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Licking County governments unite to control resources amid rapid development

The center was planned with architectural firm The Collaborative, and according to Dension representatives it will be home to collaborative spaces, labs and classrooms. The Collaborative also helped design Denisons Ann and Thomas Hoaglin Wellness Center, which opened in August 2022.

Courtesy photo / Denison University press release, in tandem with The Collective Courtesy photo / Denison University press release, in tandem with The Collective Courtesy photo / Denison University press release, in tandem with The Collective Courtesy photo / Denison University press release, in tandem with The Collective

According to Denisons plans for the center, the renovations also include new robotics and virtual reality labs. An executive conference space on the upper floor will host presentations and special events in front of panoramic campus views, with large windows featured heavily in the projects designs. Multipurpose classrooms will be specifically designed for teaching programming and coding, the first of their kind on campus.

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Ohio State parents test air in dorm rooms after mold found

Denison representatives said the buildings insides will look modern and innovative, but its exterior will maintain the historic charm and ornate details that characterize the Doane building. The exterior restoration portion of the project will include a new outdoor classroom space, as well as seating and brick pathways toward the east end of the academic quad.

Denison was one of the nations first liberal arts colleges to offer data analytics as a major, and campus administrators said the university wants to stay at the forefront of the field. According to an announcement from Sept. 25, data analytics is the universitys fastest-growing major.

Construction on the donor-funded building is expected to be completed in August 2026.

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After a foggy start Wednesday morning, we will see colder temperatures move into the Miami Valley.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

We are TRACKING how cold it will get and have the latest TIMING on when the first snow arrives today on News Center 7 at Noon and 5:00.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Colder air will arrive on Wednesday. Morando said the true temperature may come Wednesday morning.

Much of the day will be in the 40s. Breezy with gusts around 30 mph and will make temperatures feel more like the 30s, Morando says.

We will have a quick moving round of showers during the middle part of the day.

Colder temperatures including the chance for snow moves in Thursday.

News Center 7 will update this story.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Remington School is no longer being considered as a possible emergency migrant shelter, according to a city spokesperson, who said that normal migration patterns have returned to Denver and the shelter is no longer needed.

The plan, as presented to the community, was to use the schools gym, cafeteria and auxiliary office space to house migrants coming to Denver. The site, located near the intersection of Pecos Street and Interstate 70, was planned to be used only if the number of migrant arrivals rose significantly, and would have been only for short-term use.

Sorry will never be enough: School bus driver accused of stranding 40 children outside Castle Rock cemetery

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However, incoming migrant levels to Denver have dropped significantly since December 2023, or even over the summer. The city decided to close all of its short-term migrant shelters in early October after first beginning to shelter migrants in December 2022.

Between December 2022 and October of this year, Denver sheltered nearly 43,000 migrants. The city said in July that it had spent over $72 million to support migrants who were coming to the city. At the peak, Denver was sheltering over 5,000 migrants, according to city data.

Denver has experienced normal patterns of migration for several months and has not needed to provide newcomer-specific shelter since early October, said Jon Ewing, a communications specialist with the Denver Mayors Office. We do not see that pattern changing and therefore have decided against securing a standby site for short-term shelter. The city will be ready to respond in the unlikely case of a surge in arrivals.

The Remington School would have been used to shelter 100 people, with families to be kept separate from individuals. The city previously said it would know in 2025 if conditions exist for a surge in migrant arrivals.

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Now that the school is off the table as an emergency migrant shelter, it could be used for other activities. The city previously said it would work with Denver Public Schools to potentially use the site for youth programming.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Award-winning Brazilian musician Ricardo Vogt found his home in China eight years ago. On a spontaneous trip to Xi'an, he encountered traditional Chinese drum music and couldn't resist joining local artists for an impromptu jam session.

What sparks fly when Brazilian rhythms meet Chinese drumbeats? Hit play and find out!

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
DENVER (KDVR)  After a chilly and breezy Tuesday, sunshine and a warming trend move into Denvers weather starting Wednesday.

Weather tonight: Mainly clear, cold

Tuesday night will be mainly clear and cold. Low temperatures will fall to around 20 degrees, which is 5 degrees below what is typical for this time of year.

FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and radar

Weather tomorrow: Sunny, seasonal

Sunshine and a light southerly wind move in on Wednesday. This change will aid in boosting temperatures up to seasonal levels around 50 degrees.

Looking ahead: Warming trend continues into the start of the weekend

Sunshine and a warming trend continue Thursday and into the start of the weekend. Thursday will be mild and dry with a high in the upper 50s. Then high temperatures boost to the 60s on Friday and Saturday.

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Sunday will be cooler and breezy, ahead of the next chance for showers to start the workweek.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
ASHBURN, Va. (DC News Now)  The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) said a gun store in Ashburn was burgled.

On Nov. 15 at around 4:20 a.m., deputies went to the Silver Eagle Group shooting range, located at 21550 Beaumeade Circle, after video captured three people taking 27 guns. Another suspect remained outside during the burglary.

Post Malone, Jelly Roll coming to Northwest Stadium in 2025

All four suspects were wearing hoodies, which were hiding their identities.

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Anyone with information about the burglary is encouraged to call (703) 777-1021.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  The Monongalia County Sheriffs Office has opened an investigation after human remains were found last week in what detectives described as a shallow grave.

According to a release from the Monongalia County Sheriffs Office, on Friday, Nov. 15, deputies received a tip regarding human remains located on Little Indian Creek Road near the intersection of Birchfield Run Road.

Man allegedly stabbed victim in neck during altercation in Fairmont

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Detectives were called to the scene and confirmed the presence of human remains. FBI crews with the Evidence Recovery Team, the Pittsburgh Field Office and the Mercyhurst University Forensic Anthropology Team were called to assist in exhuming the body.

Once the body was exhumed, it was sent to the West Virginia Chief Medical Examiners office for an autopsy and identification. The body is scheduled to be sent to Mercyhurst University for a complete forensic examination and for the collection of additional evidence.

The bodys identity has not been released to the public, but law enforcement officers are investigating this case as a homicide. Anyone with information should call the Monongalia County Sheriffs Office Detective Division at 304-291-7260.

The above-listed crews were assisted by the West Virginia State Police, the Mon Metro Drug Task Force and MECCA 911.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
Des Moines University students will have the chance to complete rotations in Italy, Greece or Sri Lanka with new partnerships. (Photo courtesy of Des Moines University)

Des Moines University has expanded its international offerings for students hoping to gain clinical experience and learn about health care in different cultures and contexts.

The university announced Tuesday that it will add three new locations, in Italy, Greece and Sri Lanka, to its list of international rotation spots in its department of global health. A total of 13 other partner hospitals and institutions are located in 11 countries across the world, including in Belize, Brazil, Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda.

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Students in Des Moines Universitys osteopathic, podiatric, physician assistant, occupational therapy and public health programs are able to complete rotations through the global health department, according to a news release. Each partner offers programs to students in coordination with the university.

The departments website stated that rotations generally last between four and eight weeks for clinical students, which they can split into two locations depending on their circumstances. Non-clinical students have more flexible options for international study. Internships are also available.

The new locations will be available to students starting next fall. A full list of partner locations and what programs are supported can be found online.

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Each of the partner locations introduce students to different approaches to public health and its systems, according to the release, giving them important skills and knowledge as the world becomes more globalized.

Our international rotations are designed to foster cultural humility and adaptability in our students, equipping them to work with diverse populations and practice in a variety of health care settings, said Amy Morris, assistant vice president of institutional effectiveness, in the release.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Nov. 19At the entrance of a luxury resort nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Cathie Sullivan, a resident of Tesuque since 1966, waved a banner reading: "Bishop's Lodge, Keep Your Polluted Water Out of Tesuque's Groundwater!"

She and other concerned Tesuque residents are speaking out against plans by Bishop's Lodge to discharge treated wastewater into an on-site leach field, maintaining the drain field for the effluent would be "immediately adjacent" to Little Tesuque Creek.

This comes several months after the resort changed course in response to community outcry about its previous proposal to dispose of its effluent from a new wastewater treatment plant  by discharging the treated water directly into Little Tesuque Creek. Bishop's Lodge representatives argue the new plans are environmentally sound and will follow state and federal environmental standards.

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They also say some Tesuque residents who were concerned about the resort's former wastewater proposal had asked for a leach field.

But Protect Tesuque, an organization formed in response to the initial water treatment plan, says the location of the proposed new leach field  so close to Little Tesuque Creek  would threaten "hundreds" of downstream domestic water wells.

"From our perspective, this is no different from, and perhaps worse than, putting it into the creek because it's going to go right into the aquifer, and that aquifer supplies the drinking water for hundreds, if not thousands, of people immediately downstream," Tesuque resident Rusty Day said.

The New Mexico Environment Department disagrees.

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Agency spokesperson Jorge Armando Estrada wrote in an email "effluent seeping into the aquifer is expected and if operated properly the wastewater being discharged [by] Bishop's Lodge is not a concern to NMED or downstream water wells."

So the monthslong saga marches on.

Some of the resort's neighbors routinely protest near its entrance on weekends, videos on social media show.

Resort pivots

Bishop's Lodge submitted an application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposing to send treated wastewater from a new plant into the creek, spurring opposition in the summer. In a statement issued in August, the lodge announced it would pursue an on-site leach field instead, in response to neighbors' concerns.

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It has since requested a permit modification and renewal from the state Environment Department to discharge 30,000 gallons of effluent per day into a leach field.

Eric Sirotkin, a member of the Protect Tesuque steering committee who said he lives "three doors down" from the resort, told The New Mexican in August he was celebrating its decision to change course.

"The community organized, and they listened to the community," Sirotkin said. "They backed off a plan to dump in their neighbor's yard  and that is being a good neighbor."

He sounded less celebratory this week. The new plan is problematic because of the leach field's proximity to the creek, he said

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"They pivoted, which is great. But you can't pivot and contaminate my well," Sirotkin said. "I live on the Little Tesuque Creek."

Meredith Sestito of California-based communications firm Murphy O'Brien, which represents Bishop's Lodge, did not answer several questions about the issue. Instead, she said, in a statement, "Bishop's Lodge and Bishop's Lodge Hills & Villas Community have replaced its old wastewater treatment system, which dates back to the mid-1970s, by installing a new, advanced wastewater treatment facility designed to meet or exceed water quality standards of state regulatory agencies including the New Mexico Environment Department and Water Quality Control Commission."

She added, "Further, based on the requests of the local community, Bishop's Lodge has taken the additional step of adding an onsite leach field."

Neither Armando Estrada nor representatives of the resort provided information about the exact location of the leach field.

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"The location of the disposal field is also not concerning to NMED and complies with the same permitting regulations which were written to protect ground water for present and future use as domestic or agricultural water supply," Armando Estrada wrote in an email.

The new system

The resort's old treatment plant, built in the mid-1970s, hasn't functioned properly for years, leading the owners to pump wastewater into trucks that haul it to the Santa Fe wastewater treatment plant; the method has been describe as inefficient and costly.

Bishop's Lodge's newly constructed wastewater treatment plant, a membrane bioreactor, can treat wastewater to produce a "much better" quality of effluent than the current and outdated system, according to a document prepared by the Environment Department.

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The new plant will treat wastewater for the resort, which has about 100 rooms, as well as the roughly 80 homes at the nearby Bishop's Lodge Hills and Villas.

Bishop's Lodge will need approval from the Environment Department to build a leach field but not an EPA permit. If the state agency approves its permit renewal and modification request, the resort plans to withdraw its EPA permit application, according to a news release it issued in August.

The resort's current discharge permit, issued in 2019, allows it to send up to 14,760 gallons per day of effluent into two underground disposal fields.

The Environment Department provided renderings for the new leach field showing it would be 5,000 square feet with a trench length of 1,093 feet.

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A public hearing on the permit change, including the leach field, is planned but not yet scheduled. Armando Estrada wrote in an email it "will include multiple opportunities for members of the public to provide public comment verbally or in writing."

He noted disposal into a leach field or subsurface disposal field has been included in every discharge permit since 1979 for Bishop's Lodge, when permitting at the resort began.

Santa Fe County spokesperson Olivia Romo wrote in an email the county approved a permit for site development and excavation for the leach field in August.

Late last year, the county approved a plan for the wastewater treatment facility.

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"The County's scope of development review is limited to ensuring that the construction and excavation comply with the standards set forth in the Sustainable Land Development Code," Romo wrote.

Lingering concerns

Day contends the resort should "do the appropriate thing" and "find a sane and safe place to build a leach field somewhere on their property that isn't going to impact the stream and the aquifer."

He also suggested the resort could send its wastewater to a municipal plant through a pipe, though he acknowledged that could be expensive.

Viviette Hunt, who produces a weekly newsletter for Protect Tesuque, said about 400 people have signed up to receive it, indicating the concern is widespread in the community of about 1,000 north of Santa Fe.

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Susan Waldman, who lives on Bishops Lodge Road, also expressed concern. She has lived in the area for about a year and a half  the first time she has not been on a municipal water system.

"It's kind of horrifying that someone down the road who has very different interests than ours can do kind of [what they] want when it will have such a large impact on all the people in the community," she said.

Bernadette Romero-Jaramillo, whose family has called the community home since the 1800s, also is opposed to the resort's plan.

"We've been here for many years," she said. "So this is very dear to my family, and the rest of the community on the importance of trying to protect our water."
TEL AVIV  Israeli prosecutors have accused one of Benjamin Netanyahus aides of illegally leaking classified intelligence in an attempt to blunt widespread criticism of the prime ministers handling of the Gaza hostage crisis.

The allegations, detailed in newly released court filings, are part of a sprawling criminal probe that has rocked Israels government and led to the aides arrest and detention in prison. Four military personnel have also been arrested in connection with the case.

Investigators discovered that a low-level Israeli soldier had illegally removed Hamas documents from a military database and passed them to Eli Feldstein, a communications consultant working for Netanyahu, prosecutors said.

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Feldstein, 32, then tried to get the documents published in the media with the goal of showing that the hostage families' protests were playing into Hamas hands, according to the prosecutors' filings, which were published Sunday.

Feldstein acted with the intention of influencing public opinion in Israel on the negotiations regarding the hostages and in particular the issue of the contribution of the demonstrations to the strengthening of Hamas, prosecutors said.

Their filings came after Netanyahus chief of staff was questioned as part of a separate investigation into allegations that he tried to tamper with official phone logs from the day of Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack, a police official told NBC News.

Netanyahu has not been personally accused of wrongdoing in either case and his office denies the allegations, saying it is being targeted by politically motivated security officials attempting to undermine the government.

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The leak investigation, referred to in Israeli media as BibiLeaks, from the prime ministers nickname Bibi, was launched after the German tabloid Bild published an article in early September based on leaked Hamas documents.

The newspaper claimed it had obtained documents from the personal computer of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, who was subsequently killed by Israeli forces in October.

The documents, according to the Bild report, showed Hamas was not interested in a quick cease-fire and believed that the protests by hostage families would weaken Israels negotiating position.

The story was published at a time of intense public anger toward Netanyahu in Israel following the murder of six hostages, including Israeli American Hersh Goldberg Polin, by Hamas in late August.

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Days after it was published, Netanyahu cited the article as evidence of Hamas intent to use psychological warfare on the hostage families and to put pressure on the Israeli government.

But inside the Israeli military, the storys publication set off alarm bells. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that the document cited by Bild was several months old and was not written by Sinwar, but instead a mid-level Hamas operative.

Military leaders ordered an investigation into the leak of the document  which was classified as top secret  and called in the police and the Shin Bet, Israels domestic security agency.

In Sundays filings, prosecutors said that when Israeli media declined to publish the document because of military censorship rules, Feldstein went around the domestic censor by giving the document to the Bild newspaper in Germany. A Bild spokesman told NBC News that the newspaper does not comment on its sourcing.

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Feldstein was arrested in late October. The Israeli soldier accused of leaking the document to him has also been arrested, along with three other military personnel, prosecutors said.

On Monday, Israeli prison authorities said Feldstein had been placed on suicide watch.

Asked to comment on Sundays court filings, Netanyahu's office referred NBC News to a statement from Nov. 12 that said police had invoked special powers reserved for national security cases to hold Feldstein in isolation and deny him access to a lawyer.

It hurts us very much that the lives of young people are being destroyed with idle claims to harm the Right-wing government, his office said. In a democratic country people are not arrested because of a leak for 20 days in the basements  while preventing a meeting with a lawyer for many days  just to extract from them false statements against the Prime Minister.

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Netanyahu has a history of railing against Israeli law enforcement. In 2019, he became the first sitting prime minister in the countrys history to be charged with a crime.

He denies the litany of bribery, fraud and breach of trust allegations and has said the prosecution is politically motivated. His lawyers have repeatedly tried to delay trial proceedings, citing his wartime leadership responsibilities.

The Hostage Family Forum said in a statement Monday that it was appalled by the ongoing efforts of individuals close to the prime minister to sabotage a potential hostage deal.

The advocacy group, which represents hostages and their families has repeatedly criticized Netanyahu and his government over the negotiations to free those taken captive by Hamas during the Oct. 7 terror attacks. Around 100 people remain in captivity, although around a third are believed to be dead.

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Police are also investigating allegations against Tzachi Braverman, Netanyahus chief of staff. Braverman was questioned for several hours last week but has not been arrested or charged, according to an Israeli police official briefed on the investigation.

Police are looking into claims that Braverman falsified phone records from the morning of Oct. 7, the official said. The alleged alterations appear intended to make it look like Netanyahu sprung into action more quickly than he did.

Braverman allegedly asked an aide to change phone records to make it look like a conversation that was logged as having occurred at 6.40 a.m. instead took place 11 minutes earlier, at 6.29 a.m., the official said. Braverman then changed the log himself in a handwritten note.

The police investigation is completed and prosecutors will now make a decision on whether any charges are merited.

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Jack Chen, an attorney for Braverman, told NBC News that the situation was the result of a misunderstanding about the order of the phone calls during the chaotic early hours of the Hamas attack. He said Braverman had explained the misunderstanding to police, and they released him without any restrictive conditions.

Netanyahus office would not comment specifically on Bravermans questioning but pointed to an earlier statement made by the prime minister on Nov. 10.

For the past few days, my office has been under a wild and unrestrained attack, Netanyahu said at the time. The goal is not to protect the security of the state. The goal is to promote an agenda of weakness and concessions during the war.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Susan Smith, the mother convicted of killing her children 30 years ago in South Carolina, appeared before a parole board for the first time on Wednesday.

It was Smiths first hearing after becoming eligible for parole this year. She was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison after killing her children in 1994.

READ MORE:

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The parole board called Smith up at about 11:45 a.m., and she appeared remotely from the Leath Correctional Institution in Greenwood.

An attorney for Smith, Tommy Thomas, spoke before the parole board and said he believes Smith is remorseful.

I believe she would do anything in the world to bring these children back, Thomas said.

Susan Smith speaks

Smith cried when first addressing the parole board, saying: First of all, I want to say Im very sorry. I know what I did was horrible and Id give anything to go back and change it.

Smith was convicted after prosecutors said she rolled her car into a lake in Union County, South Carolina, with her two children still strapped inside. She then lied to police and reported that she had been carjacked by a Black man with her children still inside. She ended up confessing after her report led to a manhunt for her children and the alleged carjacker.

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The parole board asked Smith what she would tell the people who worked hard to find her children.

Im sorry that I put them through that, I really, really am, Smith said. I wish I could take that back. I really do. I didnt lie to get away with it, really didnt, I was just scared. I didnt know how I could tell the people that loved them but they would never see them again. I didnt know how I could tell David he couldnt see his son again.

The board brought up Smiths infractions while behind bars, including illegally communicating with a filmmaker, and having relationships with two prison guards.

I trusted the wrong person. This lady contacted me, and I trusted her. I thought she was going to do a documentary on mental health. And I really am not guilty of what they charged me with, and I have found an appeal on that charge, Smith said. The things that I have been found guilty of in here have been just stupidity I just made. I know I make a lot of mistakes in here, and I have learned from them, and before this last impression, have been 10 years because I grew up and I knew that I needed to stop making dumb decisions, and I did. I just, I knew it was time to just to grow up and do the right thing. I just made a lot of dumb choices and mistakes in here, so I know Ive learned from those mistakes.

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(EXTRA: A look back at the coverage of Susan Smiths children before she was convicted of murder)

The board asked Smith if there was anything else she wanted to tell them.

I am a Christian, and God is a big part of my life, and I know he has forgiven me, and it is by His grace and mercy that I have a lot of faith, and I live by that every day, and I just ask that you show that same kind of mercy as well, she said.

The arguments against her release

Numerous people spoke out against Smiths release, including former prosecutor Tommy Pope, solicitor Kevin Brackett, and the father of Smiths children, David Smith.

They all wore photos of the two children, Alexander and Michael.

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Pope said it was originally a death penalty case, but jurors gave her a life sentence. Pope said one juror told him that they believed life in prison would be the greater punishment.

However, Pope said jurors didnt know that Smith would be eligible for parole when they sentenced her to life in prison. South Carolina changed the law in 1996 to make a life sentence last a convicts entire life.

Brackett addressed the board and recounted the case, saying Smith drowned her children in an attempt to change her life and be with another lover.

She wanted to kill her old life and start anew. She was wearing a sweatshirt that the man who she was cheating with had given to her when she was on TV two hours later, after claiming that a Black man in a toboggan [hat] had carjacked her and spirited her two children away, Brackett said.

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Brackett said the entire country was in the grips of her lies and treachery.

A family member spoke about the impact Smiths crimes had on their family, and she cried while recalling how Smith drowned the two children.

Susan betrayed us and took the lives of those boys and then lied about it for days, said Rebecca Smith French, the boys aunt. When she did this, she destroyed a trust in me that Ive never regained, and as a result, I do not develop close relationships with others easily.

Smith French said the boys never had a chance to live a life of their own.

Susan took that from them. She took that from us all. I know she wants a chance to be free after only serving 30 years. No; life should mean life, she said.

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More family members shared their experiences in the aftermath of the killings, and said Smiths actions changed their lives forever. They asked the board to deny Smiths request for release.

David Smith spoke to the board and said his ex-wife made her choice that night.

This wasnt a mistake, this wasnt something she didnt mean to do ... I never have felt any remorse from her for it. She never expressed any to me. I never seen it on paper, David said.

What she did not only to Michael and Alex, she came pretty close to causing the end of my life because of the grief that she brought upon me. Thankfully, she didnt, he said.

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David says he understands that the law made her eligible, but he said she hadnt served enough time.

But ultimately, to me, thats only 15 years per child, her own children. Its just not enough, he said. So Im asking that you please not parole her today, and hopefully not in the future, but specifically today.

After hearing from family members, the parole board voted unanimously to deny Smiths parole.

Smith can request a new parole hearing in two years.

Im glad she got denied: Locals react

Union County residents said after the parole hearing, that theyve seen Smith cry before.

I cant believe she was sorry throwing the kids in the lake, said resident Marvin Smith.

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If Smith was looking for a sympathetic audience, she didnt find it in her hometown.

Tara Palmer grew up there and remembers the case well.

Im glad she got denied, said Palmer, a resident. She dont deserve to be out at all.

It bothers her that Union is known nationally only for the Susan Smith case.

Oh yes sir, yeah, very much that made our little town famous because of her doing that to those kids, Palmer said.

Residents said Smiths blame on an imaginary Black man increased hostility in the community.

It made me feel like Union County is still a racial county, said resident William Gist.

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Gist was 25 years old at the time and remembers the tension the case produced.

At the lake, there is a memorial with flowers and stuffed animals for the two boys.

Tony Archiere and his family visit the memorial often.

Its a horrible feeling, he said. You think of the kids. (The memorial is) all right there every time you pull in there.

(VIDEO: Sheriff: Man on parole for 1996 murder accused in triple-homicide near Red Springs)
Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal troubles continue to mount as he faces five new lawsuits from alleged victims.

The lawsuits were filed by Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who is currently representing over 120 individuals accusing the rapper of various sex and assault-related crimes.

All the victims are seeking damages from Sean "Diddy" Combs, though the exact amount has not yet been disclosed.

Diddy Reportedly Raped Three Male And One Female Victim According To New Lawsuits

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According to Page Six, court documents show that three of the victims alleged they were raped by Diddy on separate occasions between 2001 and 2004, while the timeline for a fourth victim remains undisclosed.

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One victim claimed the incident occurred during an afterparty at a residence in Miami, which Diddy and several colleagues attended.

As the event progressed, he was given a beverage he later discovered was laced with a substance that caused him to lose consciousness.

When he regained awareness, he alleged that Diddy was attempting to penetrate him anally while speaking inappropriately to him. The victim stated that he was unable to resist due to the effects of the drug.

A second victim, a woman, alleged that she was still a minor at the time she was drugged and raped by Diddy. According to court documents, the assault took place during one of his Fourth of July all-white parties.

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Two other men also claimed that they were drugged and raped by the Revolt co-founder. One mentioned that it occurred while working with Diddy for a video role and that the rapper's bodyguard was also part of the assault. Meanwhile, the other mentioned that the rapper raped him at a party at his NYC home.

The Rapper Allegedly Forced Another Female Victim To Give Him Oral Sex

MEGA

The fifth victim alleged that she met with the rapper at a Halloween party in New York City when she was 18.

Later, during the event, she was led to a black SUV limousine where Diddy was already inside with other members of his security team.

She claimed that inside the vehicle, she was drugged and forced to perform oral sex on the Bad Boy founder while the others watched.

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During the alleged assault, Combs reportedly used inappropriate language and sprayed champagne on her.

After performing oral sex on Diddy, the victim alleged that she was then forced to do the same with everyone else in the vehicle at the rapper's command. It was only after this that she was finally allowed to leave the vehicle.

Other Accusers Have Filed Multiple Civil Suits

MEGA

The latest five suits are part of nearly two dozen that have already been filed by Buzbee, who represents over 120 alleged victims who have accused Diddy of a number of sex-related crimes, including sexual assault, rape, and sexual abuse of minors.

The majority of the suits were filed in October, weeks after Diddy was indicted and arrested on federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

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While it would take quite some time before the cases progress to a reasonable level, a decision was recently made on October 31 on one of the cases involving a female victim allegedly raped by the rapper.

At the time, a federal judge ruled that the woman, who was 19 years old when the incident was said to have occurred, would have to publicly reveal her identity if she wanted to proceed with the case.

Diddy Was Accused Of Assaulting Multiple Minors

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Previously, Buzbee claimed that quite a number of Diddy's victims were minors, including a nine-year-old.

He said they were lured by Diddy's promises to help them kickstart their careers and that they all visited the rapper to audition.

Buzbee also mentioned that his team has "collected pictures, video [and] texts" that will help serve as evidence that the assaults occurred.

In response to the accusations, Diddy has denied them all and feels confident that he can prove his innocence.

"Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts, their legal defenses, and the integrity of the judicial process," an attorney for the rapper said in a statement in October, per Forbes. "In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone  adult or minor, man or woman."

A Celebrity Has Sued The Lawyer Representing Diddy's Accusers For Extortion

MEGA

As Buzbee files lawsuit after lawsuit for alleged Diddy victims, the lawyer has been hit with his own lawsuit for extortion.

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Buzbee, who has said he would go after every celebrity that likely witnessed a crime at a Diddy party, was sued by one of the "high-profile" figures he contacted.

The unidentified person claims in his lawsuit that the lawyer attempted to extort him with false allegations related to supposed sexual assaults at Diddy's parties.

In response, Buzbee stated that he has no intention of backing down and remains committed to seeking justice for his clients.

"We won't allow the powerful and their high-dollar lawyers to intimidate or silence sexual assault survivors," he told TMZ. He also described the lawsuit as "without merit and laughable, adding that it is an "abuse of the legal system."
Liu Gaoqiong (L), a professor of Horticulture from Nanjing Agricultural University, also a visiting professor at Egerton University, gives guidance to Mary Mwangi, a local farmer, on the field management of grafted tomatoes at a tomato farm in Nakuru County, Kenya, Oct. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

NANJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- After a short stay in China, Liu Yutao is about to return to Kenya, where he has been working as an expert for almost three years in an effort to help local farmers grow tomatoes.

"Tomato is an important vegetable in Kenya. In recent years, the country's tomato production has been threatened by diseases and pests such as bacterial wilt and leaf miners, leading to severe yield reductions, and in some areas even complete crop failure," said Liu, who is an agronomist from Nanjing Agricultural University in east China's Jiangsu Province.

China's grafting technology provides a solution for tomato farmers in Kenya. A mature, safe and time-honored agricultural technology in China, grafting is widely used in the cultivation of melons, vegetables and fruit trees.

In 2022, Nanjing Agricultural University and Egerton University in Kenya decided to introduce and promote tomato grafting technology in Kenya, with the aim to empower rural youth in Kenya through innovation of the tomato value chain. By the end of 2023, the tomato grafting program managed to secure funding from the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development.

According to Liu, who is also the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at Egerton University, the tomato grafting technology has been promoted in Kenya's Nakuru County via 15 demonstration sites and more than 10 technical training classes and demonstration promotions.

"After witnessing harvests achieved at the demonstration farms, more and more local farmers have regained confidence in growing tomatoes, and are signing up for training," he added.

According to Liu Gaoqiong, another agronomist working in Kenya who is also from Nanjing Agricultural University, the tomato seedlings now planted by the farmers at the demonstration sites have strong disease resistance and growth capabilities. They bear fruit earlier, have good quality and high yield, while resulting in an increase in production of at least 50 percent.

Joshua Ogweno, the Kenyan director of the Confucius Institute at the Egerton University, said the tomato grafting technology from China is well adapted to the local environment in Kenya and has greatly improved agricultural productivity. More than 4,000 Kenyan farmers have received training in the fields of Chinese greenhouse agriculture and tomato grafting technology.

It is predicted that this technology can reduce the incidence of bacterial wilt in local tomatoes from 90 percent to below 10 percent, and increase annual yield from near total crop failure to up to 90 tonnes per hectare, while elevating income by about 1.5 million Kenyan shillings (about 11,600 U.S. dollars) per hectare.

The work being done by Liu Yutao and his Chinese colleagues in Kenya is part of China's efforts to use advanced agricultural technologies in cooperation with African countries to promote the adoption of modern agriculture on that continent.

At a China-Africa innovation forum held earlier this month, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and the African Academy of Sciences initiated the China-Africa agricultural sci-tech innovation alliance.

The alliance aims to promote the development of modern agriculture in both China and Africa, with emphasis on food security, biosecurity and green development, and cooperation in fields such as sustainable development, application of remote sensing and big data, pollution control, and poverty alleviation through sci-tech empowerment.

Over the last three years, China has sent more than 500 experts to Africa and provided nearly 9,000 training opportunities to agricultural talents. By the end of 2023, China had established 24 agricultural demonstration centers in Africa, promoting more than 300 advanced technologies such as dense planting of corn, vegetable cultivation and rapid propagation of cassava -- benefiting over 1 million local households.

Chinese institutions participating in China-Africa agricultural cooperation include not only local universities such as Nanjing Agricultural University, but also national institutions like the CAAS and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS).

Chen Qing, a professor at the CATAS, has been focusing on green and integrated pest management for cassava in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, for many years. One of his students, Oluwole Gregory Ijiti, comes from Nigeria, which is the world's largest cassava producer in terms of harvested area.

In a field in Sanya's Yazhou District, Ijiti accompanied Chen Qing in harvesting new varieties of cassava under the scorching sun.

"This new variety can be eaten both fresh and processed, with features of high yield, insect resistance and strong adaptability," Chen said.

Cassava is an important staple crop in Nigeria. Chen helped Ijiti establish a research direction based on the actual needs of cassava production in Nigeria and in line with Ijiti's goal of improving his technical innovation ability.

"My student is tackling Tetranychus Urticae, a pest that heavily impacts cassava crops in his home country," Chen said. "By merging insect and pesticide resistance studies, we aim to develop pest-resistant cassava varieties, ensuring both high yield and green approaches."

"Such collaboration is beneficial to both countries, and will lead to progress beyond national borders to alleviate poverty and hunger," Ijiti said.

Over the past decade, the CATAS has signed 19 cooperation memoranda with African institutions, promoted about 50 new varieties and technologies in Africa, and conducted 65 technology training sessions involving more than 3,000 participants.

Technology cooperation efforts include tropical crop cultivation and processing involving Rwanda, tropical crop pest and disease control in collaboration with Tanzania, and research on crops such as cassava in partnership with Nigeria, Tanzania and Cote d'Ivoire.

"China plays an important role in the modernization of agriculture in Africa," said Rahamtalla Mohamed Osman Elnor, the African Union's permanent representative in China.

He added that China's technology advantage and policy expertise combine to offer African countries experiences that are easy to understand and quick to grasp, which not only supports the sustainable development of agricultural production in Africa but also helps African farmers to increase their incomes. 
Low clouds hang over Kodiak's St. Paul Harbor on Oct. 3, 2022. Economic woes in Alaska's seafood industry have affected numerous fishing-dependent communities like Kodiak. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

State officials and industry leaders trying to rescue the ailing Alaska seafood industry are facing daunting challenges, recently released numbers show.

The industry lost $1.8 billion last year, the result of low prices, closed harvests and other problems, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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Direct employment of harvesters last year fell by 8% to the lowest level since 2001, when counts of harvesting jobs began, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development said. The monthly average for seafood-harvesting jobs fell below 5,900 in 2023, down from a peak of about 8,500 in 2015, according to a newly published analysis in Alaska Economic Trends, the departments monthly research magazine.

Local ownership of fishing permits has eroded over several years. In the Bristol Bay salmon fishery, for example, from 1975 to 2023, locally owned setnet permits declined in number by 54% and locally owned driftnet permits declined by 59%, according to experts at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and elsewhere.

State Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, part of a task force charged with making recommendations on ways that lawmakers can help rescue the industry, said the solutions will be difficult and will require the full attention of his colleagues next year.

I think this next session is an opportunity for us to really take that sort of hard look at the industry  where it is today where it could be tomorrow, where it may not be if we dont take action, Edgmon said on Thursday, the second of two days of hearings held last week in Anchorage by the Joint Legislative Task Force Evaluating Alaskas Seafood Industry.

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The task force is due to produce a report, with recommendations for action, at the start of the 2025 legislative session.

Myriad causes and a perfect storm

As described by experts who testified at the task forces most recent hearings, the causes of the crisis hitting nearly all sectors of Alaskas seafood industry are myriad.

One is climate change. The stock crashes that prompted cancellation of recent and formerly lucrative Bering Sea crab fisheries, for example, have been blamed by scientists on a marine heat wave, part of a series of heat waves connected to climate change.

There is no question that climate change is impacting the fish in the ocean environment, said Florence Kargi, regional affairs manager at the Coastal Villages Region Fund, a Western Alaska regional organization that holds Bering Sea harvest shares through the federal Community Development Quota .program

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We see it. Every year. This time of year in the 90s, when I was growing up, the ocean would be frozen and winter conditions would have swept in, Kargi, who is from the Yupik village of Hooper Bay, told legislators on Thursday. But now were in mid-November, and the ocean isnt frozen.

There are plenty of other causes of the economic turmoil, however.

Joe Bundrant, chief executive officer of Trident Seafoods, described how Russian fish production is part of a perfect storm of low prices, devaluation of Alaskas product and a geopolitical landscape like Ive never seen anything close to it.

Fish-scrap-seeking gulls swarm fishing vessel Gold Rush and the Trident Seafood Kodiak plant where it is docked on Oct. 3, 2022. The Gold Rush harvests Alaskan pollock. The harvest of that species on the Russian side of the Bering Sea is bigger than that on the Alaska side, and Russian officials just increased the allowable catch for 2025, triggering more concerns about a market glut. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

In a panel discussion at last weeks Resource Development Council for Alaska annual conference in Anchorage, Bundrant pointed to the recently announced Russian decision to increase its allowable catch of pollock by 7% to 2.46 million metric tons. The Russian quota decision ran counter to advice from some scientists and pleas from some Russian fishing groups worried about low prices in a glutted market.

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The 2025 Russian quota compares to a total allowable catch of pollock for 2024 on the U.S. side of the Bering Sea of 1.3 million metric tons.

This hurts me to even say, Bundrant told the conference audience. When the fish swims across the dateline, its harvested, its sold around the world as Alaska pollock. That is the species name. So even though we can put together a great marketing campaign in South America, we put together a great marketing campaign in Germany or Japan, the Russians come in and say, Well, we have Alaska pollock too. Its just cheaper.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang, speaking at the RDC conference, said booming supplies of salmon from new sources are among the many headwinds the Alaska seafood industry faces.

That includes increasing hatchery releases from Asia that are crowding the ocean that Alaska fish use, he said. And it includes pen-reared salmon, he said.

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Were seeing increased fish farming worldwide, Vincent-Lang said. Thats having an impact on our wild salmon and our ability to sell those wild fish.

Farmed salmon is produced not only in cold-water places like Norway and Chile but also in some less-likely locations, now including Florida.

Luke Fanning, head of a nonprofit that supports fishery development and partipates in Community Development Quota harvests in the Aleutian-Pribilof region, cited aged infrastructure as another challenge.

So much of the Alaska seafood infrastructure was built in the 1970s and 1980s, and its all getting old. At the same time, we need to have the retained earnings, we need to have the support, we need to have the capital investment to continue to make those investments to revitalize the industry or were going to lose all those community benefits, Fanning, who is chief executive office of the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association, told the RDC audience.

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Five seafood plants have closed in the past four years, dealing devastating blows to those communities, Fanning said.

A modernization in the works?

There was some consensus among speakers at the two-day task force hearing, as well as panel speakers at the RDC conference, about certain solutions.

They want more rigorous fishery and environmental science and the funding it would require.

They want continued and enhanced federal trade policies to counter what they say are unfair practices by Russia and other players. Last years executive order barring imports of Russian fish processed in other countries is an example of desired trade policies, Bundrant said.

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Legislative task force members have zeroed in on the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, an industry-funded state agency, as critical to any solution.

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, and Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, listen at a Nov. 13 hearing in Anchorage to testimony about problems facing the Alaska seafood industry. Stevens chairs the Joint Legislative Task Force Evaluating Alaskas Seafood Industry, established earlier in the year, and Stutes and Edgmon are members. The task force is charged with submitting a report, with recommendations for action, in January. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, the chair of the task force, noted that lawmakers approved increased funding for ASMI last year, but that Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed the increase.

I think itll be added back into the budget this coming session, Stevens said during the second day of last weeks hearing. We realize how important it is, that marketing is an important issue.

ASMIs role in fixing the industry problems may require more than funding, some task force members suggested. There could be a need for restructuring the agency or expanding its authority, they said.

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The task force heard ideas about investment projects and technological innovations, like an energy efficient, at-sea fast-freeze system used by fisher sin Iceland.

Kristy Clement, chief executive officer of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, made a presentation on Wednesday that nonprofit organizations ongoing initiative for top-to-bottom modernization of the industry. The initiative was launched at an AFDF board meeting last February, she said.

The first task is better data collection, which has already started, Clement said. The foundation has contracted with McKinley Research for a detailed seafood processor business model and cost analysis, expected to be completed early next year, she said.

Other elements of the initiative include new product development and enhanced marketing. To that end, the foundation has expanded its Alaska Symphony of Seafood event to give it a more global focus, she said. The event showcases new products and menu items made with Alaska seafood, with awards given to winning entries. This year, a Symphony of Seafood event was held in February in Juneau, but an encore event is scheduled for Tuesday in Seattle.

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The initiative also has a workforce development component  targeting processors as well as harvesters  and a technology innovation component, Clement told lawmakers.

Our expected outcomes are really to increase efficiencies across the board, to streamline operations, to reduce waste and to ultimately be able to achieve higher yields and profitability for harvesters and processors, she said.

Task force members said their own work is unlikely to be done when the group finishes its recommendation report at the start of the 2025 legislation session.

One member, Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, floated the idea of another bill to create a two-year task force.

While the current task force was created to produce some quick and immediate legislative responses, it may take more time to address the broader problems, Vance said at the close of Thursdays testimony.

I think all of us are in agreement that were going to have to make a significant change in how we are doing our fisheries. Because we have communities that are in peril, she said.

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Editors Note: We have updated the title of this story to better describe the incident.

THEODORE, Ala. (WKRG)  Retired Marine Gary Wilcox of Theodore said he was shopping for groceries this week when his SNAP card was declined at checkout.

On Tuesday, he called the Alabama Department of Human Resources to check his transactions and was told about a $149 purchase that he said he didnt make.

University of Mobile mens basketball player collapses on campus, pronounced dead

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If I had spent $149 this morning, I wouldnt have went to the store, Wilcox said. I have no ability to get food. I have to call people; my vehicle is broke down. I have to call my neighbors to help me out and give them a list. Sometimes they get the right stuff; sometimes they dont. But when I went this morning, with myself in my wheelchair, it was embarrassing at the front counter.

Earlier this month, News 5 reported on several other cases of stolen SNAP benefits in Mobile County.

In each case, the fraudulent transactions came from out of state, some as far away as New York.

With cases on the rise, Better Business Bureau Educational Foundation Vice President Monde Donaldson explained what to watch for.

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Developer withdraws Spanish Fort rezoning application

Number one DHR or EBT Custer service will never call you, Donaldson said. The government is never going to call you. You want to be aware of card readers. If its a little cockeyed or doesnt seem to work right, then be aware of that.

Donaldson said to contact DHR and law enforcement if anyone notices funds missing from their account.

The saddest thing is these are people that are already on some type of government assistance, Donaldson said. They really dont have another $250.

News 5 has reached out to the state DHR office to learn more about these stolen SNAP benefits in Mobile County but has not received an answer.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Teens spend nearly five hours every day on social media platforms according to a 2023 Gallop survey. One of those platforms, Discord, was created almost ten years ago but many parents still dont know much about it.

If the name sounds familiar, its likely because its the platform North Dighton native Jack Teixeira used to share top Pentagon secrets, earning him a 15-year prison sentence last week.

For many young people like 16-year-old Dylan Rubio, Discord is used to talk with other players while gaming.

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From his basement game room, he could be interacting with dozens or even hundreds of other people.

My friends on Discord I know them in school personally and we play like Fortnite together or Call of Duty, Rubio told Boston 25 Discord is the easiest way to communicate.

Dylans mom, Leandra Cano first heard about Discord when Dylan was 11. She told us what he sees online is priority number one.

I have to rely on myself as a parent and my spot checks for when I see inappropriate things we need to have a discussion, Cano said.

Discord is made up of millions of servers. Some are public and some private and you need an invitation to join.

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Dylan was able to set one up in minutes.

You can press for a club or a community or me and my friends and you just click it. Boom there it is, he said.

Servers break down into channels about specific topics and users can send private messages.

Titania Jordan founded Bark Technologies, a parental control program. She told Boston 25 Consumer Advisor Clark Howard that many parents dont realize Discord exists or how popular it is.

She told Howard parents need to be aware of how their kids use Discord and who they are talking to.

Google Discord. Understand what it is so you can speak somewhat intelligently about it with your children, she said.

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The fact that so many kids use Discord is why Andy Green uses the chat platform to connect with his students at Kennesaw State University.

Discord is any easy way for me to create a space that I manage and control, Green said he can remove users from his serve at any time if he needs to.

He told us Discord is no more dangerous than apps like Facebook or X but it more user-friendly than other platforms and he can set up alerts for alarming content.

Between the alerts and members of his community contacting him he can get rid of any unwanted content.

I typically find out about it within is just a few minutes, he said.

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Jordan said if kids see something concerning or scary online, they dont need to be afraid to tell a trusted adult.

They dont need to worry about ratting out friends because they have the potential to save lives, she said.

Those are words Dylan understands even more after seeing threatening post on his Instagram feed.

He brought screenshots to his mom, and she forwarded them to the police.

He also keeps tabs on his younger brothers devices and told us hes caught him talking to people he shouldnt.

Im like, dude, Im just trying to look after you. These people dont need to know who you are, and they dont need to know how old you are. they dont need to know you live, he said.

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Howard said keeping an open line of communication with our kids about what they see and who they talk to online is one of the best ways to keep them safe.

I believe now more than ever, you and I as parents have got to be nosey. Weve got to be involved and make sure your kids know were doing it, he said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Shawnee County District Attorney has filed charges against a man accused of killing one and severely injuring another in a recent shooting.

Court records show the Shawnee County District Attorney filed charges on Nov. 19 against 24-year-old DuJontez Jaimandre Jerome Owens of Topeka in connection to the death of 45-year-old Ricky R. Washington Jr. in November. His charges include:

Murder in the first degree.

Attempted murder in the first degree.

Conspiracy murder in the first degree.

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Topeka police were called on Nov. 10 to the 1200 block of Southwest Huntoon Street on reports of a shooting in the area. Officers arriving at the scene found one person, later identified as Washington, dead while another was taken to a nearby hospital for urgent care.

Woman charged with murder in the 1st degree after deadly Topeka house fire

Police arrested Owens on Nov. 14 in connection to the deadly shooting. Washingtons death marks the 17th homicide case for Topeka in 2024.

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.

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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.
A popular genetic testing company is on the brink of collapse. There are major questions about the company 23andMes future, and more importantly to its customers, its bank of genetic data.

For millions of Americans, genetic testing answered a curiosity question, Who am I? using your DNA.

It started as a joke -- lets try to see whats the results are going to be, George Farah said.

But now, he has more serious questions and concerns to consider.

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I feel like its a sensitive information that companies have, Farah said.

Read: Risky route: St. Johns County parents asking for help with dangerous bus stop

For people like Farah, who have tested their DNA with 23andMe, theyre worried, about what happens to their genetic data now?

The company he used for genetic testing is 23andMe. Its on the brink of bankruptcy and what it does with your personal information is unclear.

University of North Florida genetics professor Dr. Matt Gilg said that data bank contains very personal information.

Read: Duval schools superintendent spoke to former co-worker in dehumanizing manner, report finds

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Its an issue of privacy, Gilg said, because its just like a fingerprint. Its if its on file and its out there. Like, you cant say that its not you because youre the only person that has that, that fingerprint.

The company assures its users your privacy comes first letting the customer decide whether their spit sample is kept by the company and whether theyll allow it to be used in research. According to the companys site, 80% of its customers opted into the research option.

Thats a prospect that, understandably, UNF business professor and attorney Mark Addington said makes people uneasy.

Read: Holy Ghosted: Local pastor with dark past as a sex offender accused of taking money from families

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Consumers rightfully are concerned, he said. If they feel like that information could be used in a way that would harm them.

According to the fine print in 23andMes terms and conditions, some of that could be allowed. The companys legal privacy page says if we are involved in a bankruptcy, merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your personal information may be accessed, sold or transferred as part of that transaction. It goes on to say, We may also disclose personal information about you to our corporate affiliates to help operate our services and our affiliates services.

Federally, Addington said, there arent specific protections against that, but does say folks in Florida may be in a better boat thanks to the states genetic information nondiscrimination act.

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When asked if the cat is out of the bag if youve already checked the box to allow your DNA to be used for testing, Addington said not necessarily.

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Yes, you signed a consent form and you gave consent for using your information in a certain way. But under Florida law, you could withdraw your consent, Addington said.

None of that has been tested in court when it comes to 23andMe because the company hasnt made a decision yet about your data. So in the meantime for people like Farah, the possibility is still a scary prospect.

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You agreed to  those terms and conditions.. nobody ever reads and youre out of luck. So hopefully nothing bad happens out of that, Farah said.

If youre concerned, you can delete your account. That opts you out of any future research and discards your saliva sample. The problem is, if your data has already been de-identified and used in research, you cant get it back.

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Its important to know, even if you delete your account, 23andMe said it will still hold onto your information including your genetic data, date of birth, and sex, to comply with its legal obligations.

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PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) -Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Tuesday that it is stopping operations across the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and its wider metropolitan area due to an escalation in violence and threats to its staff from members of the Haitian police.

The suspension would last from Wednesday "until further notice", said MSF.

MSF said in a statement that since a deadly attack on one of its ambulances last week, police had repeatedly stopped its vehicles and directly threatened their staff, some with death and rape threats.

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"We are used to working in conditions of extreme insecurity in Haiti and elsewhere, but when even law enforcement becomes a direct threat, we have no choice but to suspend our projects," MSF's Haiti mission chief Christophe Garnier said.

A spokesperson for Haiti's national police declined to comment.

MSF, whose presence grew in Haiti in the wake of the devastating 2010 earthquake, is one of the main providers of quality free healthcare in the Caribbean nation and operates key services such as a trauma center and a burn clinic.

The U.N. estimated last month that just 24% of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area's health facilities remain open, while those outside the capital face an influx of displaced people jeopardizing their ability to provide essential care.

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MSF cited four separate incidents of police threats and aggressions, including from an armed plain clothed officer it said threatened to start executing and burning staff, patients and ambulances as of next week.

The medical aid group treats on average 1,100 outpatients, 54 children in emergency situations and more than 80 sexual and gender-based violence survivors each week, MSF said, as well as many burn victims.

Garnier added that while MSF remained committed to the population it could only resume services if it receives guarantees of security and respect by armed groups, members of self-defense groups and law enforcement.

Earlier on Tuesday, police reported that over two dozen suspected gang members were killed after residents joined police to fight off attempted overnight attacks in a resurgence of "bwa kale" - a civilian vigilante movement that seeks to fight off armed gangs that control most of the capital and are fuelling a worsening humanitarian crisis.

(Reporting by Steven Aristil and Harold Isaac in Port-au-Prince; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle and Michael Perry)
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Oklahoma education leaders are weighing in with their concerns and ideas for how to move Oklahomas education system forward if President-elect Trump follows through with his vow to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.

It was a key campaign promise.

Department of Ed you say, what the hell do all these people do, President-elect Trump asked a crowd at one of his rallies in October.

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Trump has long-vowed to end the federal department of education.

I want to close up Department of Education, move education back to the states, Trump said earlier this year during an interview with Elon Musk on X.

Oklahoma Republican lawmaker asks U.S. Dept. of Education to investigate OSDE

With voters choosing to send Trump back to the White House, that promise could very well become reality.

What exactly the process of dismantling the department would look like remains unclear right now.

But the uncertainty alone is concerning enough for people like State Rep. Melissa Provenzano (D-Tulsa).

Without the United States Department of Education, you say goodbye to the rights of our special education population, the parents who advocate for them there, Provenzano said.

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The U.S. Department of Education runs whats called the IDEA program, providing schools with millions of dollars in funds to help students with special needs.

The department also provides funding for 504 programs, which help students with disabilities like dyslexia, autism, ADHD, and more to tailor their education, to fit their learning needs.

And if that all goes away, it becomes very easy to not provide those services, Provenzano said. And so what replaces it is anybodys guess and dont have those services. Are we serving as kids in Oklahoma?

The U.S. Department of Educations biggest expense comes in the Title I program.

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U.S. Department of Education expanding counseling services

Title I is a federal program that provides billions of dollars to schools serving large populations of economically-disadvantaged students.

And in Tulsa, when I was the principal at a middle school there, 100 percent of my kids lived below the poverty line, Provenzano said. And so those funds were invaluable to providing those extra resources.

Provenzano says in some casesespecially in rural and low-income areas where local income tax revenue is sparsefederal money can account for the majority of a schools budget.

With Trump proposing states now be the ones to handle these issues, Provenzano worries Oklahoma isnt equipped to handle that burden.

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We need a rollout plan, she said. You know, it would be best if the agencies stayed in place. But if were going to do this, weve got to proceed with caution so that children are protected. And right now, children, the most vulnerable kids, are at risk.

So, is Oklahoma ready to take this on?

News 4 wanted to know what Oklahomas top education leaders thought.

As it happens, a national education think tank hosted a convention in Oklahoma City last week, where News 4 found a couple of them.

To be honest with you, I couldnt begin to imagine what President Trumps vision is going to be for that, Oklahoma Secretary of Education Nellie Sanders told News 4.

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Superintendent Walters issues memo on dismantling U.S. Department of Education

Sanders says she, too, is waiting to see what Trumps exact plan for dismantling the U.S. Department of Education is.

But, regardless, shes confident Oklahoma is equipped for the job.

What I can say is that the governor is very, very engaged with our executive branch of government, Sanders said. And he has workedand I work a lot in that area as well through our Department of Education. So whatever that transitions going to be, I assure you that well be on the forefront of it.

Thats comforting for people like Provenzano.

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I have to applaud Secretary Sanders, because thats been her messaging since she stepped into the role, Provenzano said.

But Provenzano still wonders: where will Oklahoma get the money to cover those costs?

How that gets executed, the nuts and bolts of that, is the big question, she said.

News 4 took that question to State Senator Adam Pugh (R-Edmond), who chairs the state senate committee that decides education funding.

What to know about Linda McMahon, Trumps pick for Education secretary

I would say to Oklahomans, no matter what happens in Washington, D.C., or no matter what our federally elected leaders decide to do, were going to make sure that services are provided to kids, Pugh said.

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While exactly where Oklahoma could pull funds to supplement any federal programs lost is still unclear, Pugh says hes ready to draft up any bill he needs to keep the funding coming.

And with so much still up in the air about what will and wont remain of the U.S. Department of Education, Pugh says now is the time to let lawmakers like him know whats important to you.

We are working on legislation for the upcoming session starting in February of 2025, Pugh said. So I would just encourage every Oklahoman, whether youre reaching out to me or to your state representative or state senator, now is the time to really connect with your legislator and build a relationship. Tell them your stories. Talk about your family and your community and what you need, because now is the best time to connect.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  A Maryville man was convicted in federal court on Wednesday of conspiring to murder Federal Bureau of Investigation employees involved in the investigation into his involvement with the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots.

The Department of Justice released on Wednesday that Edward Kelley, 35, of Maryville was convicted of conspiracy to murder federal employees and influencing a federal official by threat. He is now facing a sentence of up to life in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for May 7, 2025.

Rural Metro responding to house explosion in West Knox County

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During the trial, prosecutors told the jury that Kelley developed a plan to murder law enforcement, including FBI agents and employees, while awaiting trial for his involvement in the January 6, 2021 riots, the DOJ said.

Some of the evidence shown explained Kelley developed a kill list of FBI agents and others involved in the investigation into his conduct on January 6 and gave it to a co-conspirator. Along with the list, he also shared videos that had images of some of the FBI agents on the list.

The co-conspirator, Austin Carter, 26, of Knoxville, pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder federal employees. The DOJ shared that Carter testified that he and Kelley planned to attack the Knoxville FBI office using car bombs and incendiary devices appended to drones. Carter also said they strategized about assassinating FBI agents in their homes and public places, like movie theaters.

Knoxville Police investigating possible pedestrian fatality near Merchant Drive

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Prosecutors also played recordings of Kelley calling for the development of a course of action related to his plan. One of those recordings included Kelley giving instructions for the attack to take place if he was arrested and saying Every hit has to hurt. Every hit has to hurt, the DOJ stated.

The danger posed by the defendant in this case was very real, said Special Agent in

Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. Todays guilty verdict is a culmination

of the tireless efforts of our dedicated employees and the invaluable partnership we have with

our law enforcement partners. The FBI remains steadfast in its mission to protect the nation

from threats of violent extremism.

On October 29, Kelley was found guilty of 11 charges stemming from the January 6 riots. FBI investigators said Kelley was one of the first people to enter the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ)  A Somerset County man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly sexually exploiting a minor.

Paul Marone Jr., 45, of Windber is accused of trying to get sexually explicit content of a minor, according to United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan. From Jan. 2024 to July 2024 Marone received and attempted to receive images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Cambria County CO accused of having sex with female inmate

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Marone is also accused of coercing and enticing a minor in that same time period, according to the Department of Justice. The investigation into these charges was done by Homeland Security.

The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

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Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Nov. 20FAIRMONT  Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault will soon be able to access court protection orders remotely thanks to a program adopted by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.

"We want individuals to be able to come into court," Lisa Tackett, director of court services, said. "These are very volatile situations that people are in. We want them to feel they're able to tell the court exactly what's going on in their lives and ask for that protection."

Tackett presented the Remote Victim Outreach Program inside the J. Harper Meredith building on Tuesday. The program is in 11 counties, Tackett said the goal is to expand it to all 55 counties. Marion and Monongalia counties joined this week. The program will partner with HOPE Inc., to provide victims a safe place to go and access a judge through a virtual courtroom and request vital protection orders without having to encounter their assailant.

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The remote option is already available in Cabell, Harrison, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Ohio, Wayne and Wood counties. Tackett said it's important for people to feel safe and secure.

The program came to Marion County after Family Court Judge Susan Riffle called Tackett's office to discuss how small her courtroom was. With only one way in and out, as well as the fact that assailants and victims were in such close quarters, Riffle told Tackett she heard from victim advocates that people didn't feel safe.

"Even though there's a bailiff in the courtroom, there's still a lot of fear that happens," Riffle said. "It's important to the court system that we provide access, and that people feel safe when they're asking for the court to protect them."

That spurred a visit from Tackett, who immediately agreed Marion County had to be part of the rollout with Morgantown after seeing what Riffle and the magistrates have to work with.

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In person hearings can be especially fraught for victims who have to share the room with their assailant. Nancy Hoffman, state coordinator for the West Virginia Foundation for Rape and Information Services, said intimidation doesn't have to be spoken. It can be a look, a glare, or the assailant's friends showing up and intimidating the victim through presence alone.

"We know that having that safe space available where they can provide information, that makes more victims willing to come forward," Hoffman said. "The more that victims are willing to come forward, the more offenders are held accountable. So it not only protects them in their situation, it protects those that are around them and that accountability can protect society."

Hoffman said she expects more victims to come forward now that this option is available. While remote technology offers a way for victims to access a judge without having to step into the courthouse, the option to do so will still be available.

Magistrates and judges will need to work out the particulars of scheduling with Hope Inc., but the equipment has already been acquired for use, Tackett said. The units run between $5,000 to $8,000 dollars a piece, depending on what's available. Tackett said her office reaches an average of three or four counties a year, so expansion to all 55 counties is still several years away.

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The federal grant that makes adding this option to courthouses opens on a yearly basis. She hopes to have the option available by Dec. 1.

Anyone seeking to use the new system can file petitions during weekdays, after hours and on weekends through each county's magistrate court by calling 911.

"I hope it saves someone's life in the process," Tackett said.

Reach Esteban at efernandez@timeswv.com
NANJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Deputy Commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy Ma Lixin called on global naval academies to share experiences and practices in institution development to cultivate talent that can safeguard national maritime rights and promote world peace.

Ma made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the second "maritime community with a shared future" forum for commandants of international naval colleges and academies, which kicked off Wednesday in Nanjing, capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province.

Ma expressed the hope that the forum will promote mutual understanding and trust among countries.

The event attracted representatives from naval academies of 21 countries, including Russia, France, Italy and Pakistan, as well as foreign military attaches in China.

The first forum was held in Nanjing via video link in 2022. 
Donald Trumps staff have privately grumbled about the new house guest at Mar-a-Lago who wont seem to leave, while the company in question, Elon Musk, continues to step out ahead of Trump on matters of both policy and personnel.

But even as some Trump allies are stunned the new friendship has continued  and even as Musks influence proves to have real limitations  the incoming president still cant seem to get enough of it.

Trumps field trip with Musk on Tuesday to marvel at the billionaires SpaceX launch in Texas was just the latest display.

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Trump brought an entourage of aides and lawmakers, including Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), a top contender for Treasury secretary, to the launch. The president-elect was warmly greeted with a hug from Musk and a show-and-tell of his space base.

The incoming president and the worlds richest man have remained seemingly inseparable over the last two weeks as Musk has sat in on calls with world leaders, joined Trump and his family members for meals, and was ever present as the president-elect charts out his second administration.

Still, there are indications that Musks influence on Trumps decision-making process extends only so far. Musk has publicly advocated for both personnel and Senate leadership picks that didnt materialize, while straying from the established talking points of Trump and his staff.

Among Musks defeats: pushing for Sen. Rick Scott for majority leader (it went to Sen. John Thune, after Trump declined to get involved); and touting Howard Lutnick for Treasury secretary, only to watch Trump appoint his transition head to lead the Commerce Department instead. Musk was especially vocal about Lutnick, announcing his support in a post on X to his millions of followers. Trump was apparently unmoved, as Lutnick ended up with an administration job different than what he lobbied for.



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At the same time, Trumps selection of Brendan Carr as Federal Communications Commission chair this week had Musks fingerprints on it. Carrs advocacy has lined up closely with Musks interests throughout 2024, and the two have amplified each other on social media. He's now poised to shape key parts of Trump administration policy  and in ways that stand to benefit Musks businesses, like the satellite broadband service Starlink, which could be in line for more subsidies and contracts.

The push-and-pull is all part of whats shaping up as perhaps the most important friendship in America. Trump is clearly enamored: He has called Musk a genius while listening to ideas and suggestions shared by the quirky Tesla and SpaceX owner. And Musk, who dubbed himself Trumps first buddy, has been particularly captivated by the process of standing up a new White House. He has approached the transition process like a scientist, according to a person close to the former president, picking apart problems and carefully observing as MAGA scenes unfold, like his first UFC fight last weekend.

In the process, he has won over not only Trump but some of his top allies. On the flight to the UFC match, Musk spoke at length with Donald Trump Jr. and other guests about his different ideas.

I got off the plane, and I was like, I wish we were going 20 times further, Trump Jr. gushed to Charlie Kirk. I wish we were there for 20 hours because it was one of the most fascinating conversations Ive ever had. The level of genius  you cant even comprehend it. You throw out questions, and I just want to listen.

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But while aides and advisers have complained to the press that Musk is still around and butting into transition decisions, Trump and his family havent appeared to care.



So far, Trump, who enjoys surrounding himself with an eclectic array of celebrities and business titans at his club, has tolerated behavior from Musk that might have grated him with others.

Elon Musk and President Trump are great friends and brilliant leaders working together to Make America Great Again. Elon Musk is a once in a generation businessman and our federal bureaucracy will certainly benefit from his ideas and efficiency, said Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance transition spokesperson.

In the last week alone, Musk and Trump have met up in Texas  where a Tesla Cybertruck joined Trumps motorcade  traveled together to Washington, D.C., to address GOP lawmakers, chowed down on McDonalds in the early hours of the morning, attended a professional fight and sang together in front of all of Trumps friends at Mar-a-Lago. On election night, Musk and his young son, named X, joined the Trump family photo at the urging of Trump, and Trumps granddaughter in the days after said that Musk had achieved uncle status.

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The former president has even joked that he doesnt know when Musk is going to leave.

Elon, like President Trump, doesnt give a shit about what people think about him, and President Trump finds that refreshing, said a person who has watched him and Musk interact recently. Elon is probably the only other man in the world who can truly relate to President Trump.

The friendship appears especially satisfying for Musk, who is in the room for startup-style discussions unlike any he has been part of before.

There aren't any larger problems than being the President of the United States. And so I think he's fascinated with solving problems, and this gives him a front row seat in helping solve problems that you otherwise would never be faced with, said the person close to Trump.

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Though Musk has lost out on some Trump decisions since the election, its not as if hes been without pull. The president-elects visit to the SpaceX launch alone is attention most CEOs could only wish for.

Musk last week also was given the newly created title of co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, a reference to the cryptocurrency Dogecoin that Musk had previously touted.

In prime 2024 fashion, the story of Trump's new cost-cutting initiative goes back to Musks riff on a podcast a few months ago.

I have discussed with Trump the idea of a government efficiency commission," Musk told host Lex Fridman during an August interview. Musk then brought it up with Trump himself during an Aug. 13 conversation on Musks social media platform X. Trump responded warmly, calling Musk a great cutter."

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On Sept. 5 Trump announced that hed establish the commission, and after his win this month declared the establishment of DOGE.

Musk also influenced Trump on the merits of this novel satellite broadband service. On the campaign trail this fall, Trump said he initially knew little of its operations ("What's Starlink?" he asked). But when he saw how the satellite service could help during hurricane recovery efforts  and amid talks about the offering with Musk  he marveled over its promise. He recounted satisfied Starlink users who told him the service was much better than the wires.

That could lead to tangible benefits for Musk, as Trump agency leaders weigh various technology options to connect more Americans to broadband.

Allies and critics are paying close attention to where the friendship goes from here, given the massive implications.

Its a bromance, said one Mar-a-Lago member who has witnessed Trump and Musks interactions, and they are having a blast.

Derek Robertson and John Hendel contributed to this report.
Law and order. This motto is the paramount stance of President-elect Donald Trump when it comes to mental health and substance abuse issues.

The president-elect campaigned on promises to shake up public health institutions, reshape federal health programs, and slash high costs across the health system. Trump has also said hes ready for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to go wild on health, medicine, and food policy. But what exactly does this mean for mental health, and what does it mean specifically for Texas?

Some Texas mental health and substance abuse experts say it can be a mixed bag when it comes to this topic, as the previous Trump administration made groundbreaking advances in mental health and substance use programs, funded in large part by COVID-19 relief dollars that are set to expire soon. But more recently, Trump has spoken very little about his upcoming plans for mental health and substance use beyond fielding an idea about creating federally-funded homeless camps, diverting more people into mental health institutions and ending urban camping, the latter of which has gained traction in Texas.

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For the most part, mental health and substance has found bipartisan support, but whether lawmakers can find common ground in a divisive political climate under Trump is uncertain.

In President Trumps first term, he did a few things that were actually very beneficial for mental health in general, said Dr. Octavio Martinez, the executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at the University of Texas at Austin. Now the question is going to be, that was then  will those dollars continue under his second term, as a lot of those dollars are about to end next year? If those dollars expire, then we could see a significant impact on the states mental health programs.

President-elect Donald Trumps track record

There is a sense of cautious hopefulness around Trumps second term after he signed the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act that provided $8 billion to Texas.

This funded many innovative mental health efforts in Texas, including telepsychiatry programs in schools and libraries, community mental health programs in churches, and peer-to-peer services where mental wellness can be practiced in the community without a degree.

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The Trump administration also oversaw the creation of the 988 crisis hotline in 2020. Staffed 24/7, the hotline connects people experiencing mental health distress with trained counselors.

Many advocates in mental health had asked for it for many years, and it finally happened under Trump. It was a huge advancement in connecting people with crisis services, Martinez said.

However, implementing the 988 program has been difficult in Texas, especially in the rural areas, as staffing these call centers has been problematic.

Hopefully, he will want to enhance the 988 program because that is one of the legacies of his first term, Martinez said. It allowed for a more humanistic approach to a crisis.

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When it comes to substance use and treatment funding, Trump has been a strong advocate of addressing the opioid crisis, calling it a national public health emergency and handing out nearly $2 billion in grants in his last term. Texas received $27 million, which has been used to create fentanyl campaigns and get anti-overdose medication in schools, bars, churches, and more.

But, throw in the potential appointment of Kennedy as the U.S. health secretary, progress seen in Trumps first term could unravel.

Kennedy has been outspoken about providing more resources for substance use treatment but is critical of medication treatments for mental health conditions. Kennedy, earlier this year, made a series of controversial statements about health care, including that there could be a damaging link between antidepressants and school shootings and the benefits of legalizing psychedelics for mental health treatment.

Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress have supported increases in substance use funding in recent years, and an optimistic view is that the current level of funding support will continue or increase, said Katharine Neill Harris, a drug policy fellow at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Challenges that face the new administration

The mental health and substance abuse field faces many issues, including a workforce shortage and a lack of diversity in the face of growing demand. However, the biggest challenge the Trump administration might face is replacing the COVID-19 relief funding which ends in 2024.

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The Texas Legislative Budget Board estimates the state has received more than $86.1 billion from six funding bills between 2020 and 2021. A significant chunk of the money was spent on mental health resources.

For example, Texas schools received more than $19 billion from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund and a statewide survey showed more than 73% of school districts reported using those funds for mental health.

Much of our mental health approach in Texas has been built on this funding, said Martinez. The politicization of COVID and the pushback against vaccines in general makes you question if there will be ongoing support for those dollars we got during the pandemic.

Another issue facing pro-business Trump is forcing health insurance companies to cover mental health and substance use disorders the same way it covers medical and surgical conditions.

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In Texas, nearly 1 in 5 youth with private health insurance dont have coverage for mental or emotional problems, and roughly one-third of adults who have a mental health disorder are not able to see a doctor due to cost, according to Forbes.

We have to ensure physical and mental health are seen equally in the eyes of insurance companies, Martinez said.

What has Trump proposed so far?

The Trump administration has proposed one plan to address mental illness and substance use across the country already  federally-funded homeless camps.

We are making the many suffer for the whims of a deeply unwell few, Trump said in a video on his campaign website.

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Trump wants to buy large parcels of inexpensive land for tent cities, bringing in doctors, psychiatrists, social workers and drug rehab specialists to treat individuals there.

This controversial concept has alarmed mental health experts who say sequestering those experiencing homelessness is a return to institutionalizing the mentally ill. This movement started to end in the 1980s with the decline of state mental health hospitals.

Martinez said studies have found forcing people into mental health treatment usually doesnt work.

The idea of a law and order approach is concerning when it comes to homelessness, Martinez said. We have some great diversion programs established that use a health care approach. Its less expensive than the criminal justice system, which we have tried to use to address this in the past.

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Trumps desire to use more mental institutions to house and rehabilitate those with severe mental illness jibes with a critical piece of Texas mental health plans for the future.

Earlier this year, Gov. Greg Abbott announced seven new state hospital projects funded by $1.5 billion legislators approved in 2023 to expand, renovate and build new facilities across the state.

Also possibly currying favor among Texas lawmakers is Trumps ban on urban camping.

Bans on homeless encampments in Texas drew backing of the U.S. Supreme Court in a sweeping ruling earlier this year, allowing cities and states to fine people experiencing homelessness for sleeping in public places amid record-high homelessness levels.

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Camping bans adopted by state lawmakers and in major cities like Austin and Houston werent explicitly challenged in the case. But advocates for those experiencing homelessness saw the ruling as a signal to state and local governments to embrace such policies without providing housing options for people experiencing homelessness.

The number of Texans experiencing homelessness returned to pre-pandemic levels last year, growing by more than 12% in 2023. Some 27,000 Texans were homeless last year, according to federal estimates.

In addition to his homelessness proposals, his substance use strategy intersects with border security, which experts say is not effective.

Tighter border security and mass deportations will not reduce the flow of drugs into the U.S., but the president-elect may still point to tactics like these as evidence that he is addressing the epidemic, Harris said.

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If Trump does nothing more than maintain the same amount of effort he put into addressing substance use, it will be a win for the mental health community, she said.

Plus, many of the problems in mental health and substance use must be addressed locally anyway.

Long-term reductions in substance misuse and related harms require a genuine commitment to addressing the country's epidemics of poverty and social isolation, she said. Over the next four years, I hope to see more local and state efforts to tackle these problems.

Disclosure: Hogg Foundation for Mental Health and Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Abortion rights adovcates gather in front of the J Marvin Jones Federal Building and Courthouse in Amarillo, Texas, on March 15, 2023. Credit - MOISES AVILA/AFPGetty Images

President Joe Biden has taken a number of steps to protect access to abortion pills, particularly in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization two years ago. But now that Donald Trump has retaken the White House, he'll have the power to roll back some of those moves.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and more than a dozen states have banned or restricted abortion, the usage of abortion pills has been on the rise. In 2023, medication abortions accounted for about 63% of all abortions in the American healthcare system, meaning that any policy on the two drugsmifepristone and misoprostolcould have a significant impact on abortion access nationwide.

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President-elect Trump has flip-flopped on his stance on abortion, including abortion pillswhile hes recently said that he wouldnt block abortion pills, he has in the past suggested that he would be open to revoking access to mifepristone. The uncertainty of what the incoming Trump Administration could do to abortion pill access leaves many reproductive-rights advocates and medical providers concerned.

Read More: Why Abortion Rights Won in Three States That Voted for Trump

Brittany Fonteno, president and chief executive officer of the National Abortion Federation, says the Biden Administration has been very supportive of abortion access, but adds that there are limits to the executive power that the President has to protect access in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision. Many of the actions the Trump Administration could take on abortion pills dont require approval from Congress the way a national abortion ban would. And curtailing access to abortion pills would effectively block people across the country from accessing abortion careespecially in states that have already restricted abortion.

The White House declined to comment on the record for this story, and the Trump transition team did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

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Heres a look at how the Biden Administration worked to protect access to medication abortionand what authority the incoming Trump Administration would have to undo some of those policies.

Biden Administration

According to Dr. Sejal Hathi, an internal medicine physician who runs the Oregon Health Authority and previously the White Houses Senior Policy Advisor for Public Health in the Biden Administration, one of the most important actions in the past four years was to stand by the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) approval of mifepristone while the drug was challenged in court.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case after a lower court judge sided with a group of anti-abortion doctors and organizations, who pushed for the FDAs decades-old approval of mifepristone to be revoked, despite years of research proving the drugs safety. The Supreme Court unanimously rejected the challenge in June. As the case was making its way through court, the FDA and the Department of Justice (DOJ) defended access to mifepristone, and the White House released statements of support.

Under the Biden Administration, the FDA facilitated access to abortion pills during the COVID-19 pandemic, including by ending the previous requirement that mifepristone be dispensed in person, allowing healthcare providers to use telehealth to prescribe the drug and patients to receive it by mail. In January 2023, after a comprehensive assessment of the risks and benefits, the FDA made those changes permanent. The FDA also allowed pharmacies to choose to become certified to dispense mifepristone.

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The Biden Administration made it easier for women across the country to access medication abortion, to receive it in the mail, including in states where there are otherwise onerous restrictions, Hathi says. They also made it easier for pharmacies of all types, including major retail pharmacies, to dispense the medication simply [by] becoming certified, allowing women to just easily pick it up from their nearest pharmacy.

After receiving reports that some state officials had announced plans to restrict access to mifepristone, Biden signed a Presidential Memorandum in January 2023, directing Cabinet officialsincluding the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)to consider issuing guidance to help protect the safety and security of patients, providers, and pharmacies who are legally accessing, prescribing, or providing mifepristone.

In 2022, the DOJs Office of Legal Counsel released a letter reaffirming that the Comstock Act doesnt prohibit the mailing, delivery, or receipt of legal medication abortion. The letter came after anti-abortion activists indicated an interest in misusing the 19th century anti-obscenity law to ban the mailing of abortion pills. But Fonteno says the 2022 letter made clear to the public the federal governments stance that the law wouldnt be used to restrict abortion pill access, and only applies to people who are mailing abortion pills for a criminal purpose.

Trump Administration

That letter is one of the actions taken during the Biden Administration that experts say could be rolled back by Trump. Looking to a Trump-Vance Administration, there could be an opportunity for them to rescind that letter, says Fonteno. That could embolden anti-abortion activists to try and misuse the Comstock Act to ban the mailing of abortion pills, making it harder for people to get medication abortions.

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Its not clear yet what exactly Trump will do when it comes to abortion once he takes office for the second time in January. While the President-elect has applauded himself for his role in nominating three of the Supreme Court Justices who helped bring about the Dobbs decision, he tried to moderate his stance on abortion during the campaign, insisting that he wouldnt push for a national abortion ban if elected.

Read More: What Donald Trumps Win Means for Abortion

Much of what a Trump Administration would do on abortion pills depends on who the incoming President will appoint to certain positions. New officials at the FDA could decide to revoke the decades-old approval of mifepristone, which is what Project 2025a presidential transition plan drafted by Trump allies that the President-elect tried to distance himself from during his campaigncalls for. Or Trump-appointed officials could roll back measures passed under the Biden Administration that were meant to facilitate access to abortion pills.

The people that he appoints to really key positions within his administration is something that were definitely keeping our eyes on, Fonteno says. Who is going to be the secretary of HHS? What is the Department of Justice going to look like, and will they be weaponizing their power to try to attack abortion access, rather than focus on other ways to keep the American people safe?

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The President-elect has already started announcing his picks for Cabinet positions. Trump named Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has promoted anti-vaccine misinformation and health-related conspiracy theories, as his pick to head HHS. Kennedy, like Trump, has taken a shifting stance on abortion. Trump also announced Matt Gaetz, who has stood against abortion rights, as his nominee for Attorney General. Both would have to be confirmed by the Senate.

Read More: Such Small Steps. States Without Citizen-Led Ballot Initiatives Leave Abortion-Rights Advocates With Little Recourse

Trumps federal judge appointments could also further restrict access to abortion pills. Since the Dobbs decision, many abortion restrictions have been battled out in the courts, including the case over the FDAs approval of mifepristone. The lower court judge who initially ruled to revoke the FDAs approval of the drug, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, was appointed by Trump. By the end of Trumps first presidential term in 2021, he had appointed nearly 30% of all active federal judges. In his second term, he could continue stacking the courts with conservative judges who could rule against preserving access to medication abortion.

Medication abortion has just made such a difference in helping many people who would have faced these seemingly insurmountable barriers to accessing care, Fonteno says. Curbing access to medication abortion would just really be detrimental to many peoples health care.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Donald Trumps team is considering creating a new White House role focused on cryptocurrency policy, according to reports.

Crypto industry representatives with a direct line to Mr Trump are reportedly lobbying for the role, which could take the form of acting as a liaison between Congress, the White House and other agencies.

The president-elects transition team is said to be vetting candidates for the role, according to Bloomberg News.

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While he criticised cryptocurrency in his first administration, in the run-up to the election Mr Trump, 78, became a supporter of Bitcoin and the industry.

On the campaign trail, Mr Trump vowed to establish a strategic national Bitcoin stockpile, attacked the Biden administrations crackdown on crypto, and launched his own digital coin.

He promised to fire Gary Gensler, the crypto-sceptic chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, on day one and reportedly paid with Bitcoin for burgers he bought for his supporters at a New York bar.

Mr Trump also addressed a Bitcoin conference in Nashville in July, telling the audience: If we dont embrace crypto and Bitcoin technology, China will, other countries will, theyll dominate, and we cannot let China dominate.

Crypto advocates are understood to have visited Mar-a-Lago in recent days to hold meetings with Mr Trumps transition team.

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It comes as Elon Musk outlined plans for his new role as the efficiency czar at the helm of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, whose initials, DOGE, bear the name of his favourite cryptocurrency.

Mr Musk, who has not left Mr Trumps side since his election win, penned an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal with his department co-chairman Vivek Ramaswamy.

The pair said bureaucracy represented an existential threat to US democracy and they would work to slash federal regulations and make major administrative cuts and cost savings.

We are entrepreneurs, not politicians. We will serve as outside volunteers, not federal officials or employees, Mr Musk and Mr Ramaswamy wrote in their remarks.

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They added: When the president nullifies thousands of such regulations, critics will allege executive overreach. In fact, it will be correcting the executive overreach of thousands of regulations promulgated by administrative fiat that were never authorised by Congress.

The Telegraph has contacted a representative of Mr Trump for comment.

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President-elect Donald Trump joined mega-billionaire Elon Musk at the launch of his SpaceX Starship rocket Tuesday, a meeting that underscores the two mens increasingly close relationship.

Trump attended Musks unmanned launch near Brownsville, Texas, wearing his signature red Make America Great Again hat. Ahead of his trip, he praised the SpaceX event on social media as the launch of the largest object ever to be elevated, not only to Space, but simply by lifting off the ground.

President-elect Trump watches @SpaceX Starship launch from Starbase in Texas. pic.twitter.com/fy889nE2PY  CSPAN (@cspan) November 19, 2024

This is the sixth launch of Starship, the largest rocket ever built.

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Just months ago, Musk took a backseat to the presidential election and said he wouldnt endorse a candidate, but he ditched those plans and publicly came out in support of Trump in July, becoming one of the campaigns biggest donors. Now, hes Trumps pick to co-lead the so-called Department of Government Efficiency  a new advisory body Trump says hell launch next year to streamline government operations and spending.

It will become, potentially, The Manhattan Project of our time, Trump said in a statement, referring to the government program in the 1940s that created the first atomic bomb.

Musk has been critical of how long it takes the Federal Aviation Administration to approve launch licenses, saying FAA head Michael Whitaker needs to resign. Whitaker has said the delays are ties to concerns about sonic booms from SpaceX launches  something experts say may cause serious structural damage to homes in the densely populated communities nearby the launch sites.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was also at Tuesdays launch. Hell be the next chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees space-related issues.

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Just spectacular, Cruz posted about the launch on social media.

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(WHTM)  President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate former Pennsylvania Senate nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is the federal agency that provides health coverage to more than 160 million people through Medicare, Medicaid, the Childrens Health Insurance Program, and the Health Insurance Marketplace.

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Oz lost Pennsylvanias U.S. Senate race to John Fetterman in 2022 after beating Dave McCormick in the Republican primary by less than 1,000 votes. Ozs victory in the crowded primary came after Trump endorsed him in the final stretch of the race. Oz went on to lose the Senate race to Fetterman, who had suffered a stroke during the primary, by more than 263,000 votes.

Prior to running for Senate in 2022, Oz hosted the Dr. Oz Show and was a frequent guest on Oprah Winfreys show providing medical advice that opponents called quack medicine. Oz graduated from Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and Wharton Business School. Since losing the Senate race Oz became a Global Advisor and Stakeholder to the health supplement company iHerb and filmed an advertisement with Mike Tyson prior to his fight with Jake Paul.

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Our broken Healthcare System harms everyday Americans, and crushes our Countrys budget, said Trump in his announcement on Tuesday afternoon. Dr. Oz will be a leader in incentivizing Disease Prevention, so we get the best results in the World for every dollar we spend on Healthcare in our Great Country. He will also cut waste and fraud within our Countrys most expensive Government Agency, which is a third of our Nations Healthcare spend, and a quarter of our entire National Budget.

Trump says he plans to have Oz work closely with his nominee for Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake.

I have known Dr. Oz for many years, and I am confident he will fight to ensure everyone in America receives the best possible Healthcare, so our Country can be Great and Healthy Again!, said Trump.

Oz praised Kennedy Jr.s nomination on social media, saying Americans need better research on healthy lifestyle choices from unbiased scientists and congratulated Trump on a historic victory.

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Oz is not the first television personality to be nominated by Trump ahead of his second term. Fox & Friends host Pete Hegseth was nominated for Secretary of Defense and Fox News contributor Sean Duffy was tapped to head the Department of Transportation.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

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During the campaign, you may recall Donald Trump waxing on interminably during "the weave" about the time he watched Elon Musk's picture-perfect spacecraft landings. He would say, "Elon with his rocket ships that land within 12 inches on the moon where they want it to land..." Trump traveled to Texas yesterday with his best friend Musk to observe the latest Starship SpaceX test of one of those perfect landings. He and the rest of his entourage watched as the spacecraft aborted its second attempt to catch the returning booster at its launchpad and splashed into the Gulf of Mexico instead.

We're all hoping it's a metaphor for Trump's second administration: lots of hype but just can't stick the landing.

It's certainly possible. Virtually none of the people the president-elect is choosing to lead the various departments have any qualifications for the jobs he's putting them into and little or no management experience of any kind. He's generally named people he's seen on TV, which I suppose makes sense since that was his only qualification for the presidency and in his mind he's the greatest leader the world has ever known. What other qualifications do you really need?

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On Tuesday he even chose another reality show veteran, Fox Business host and former congressman Sean Duffy as secretary of transportation. Duffy was on MTV's "The Real World: Boston." Trump also tapped TV talk-show host Dr. Oz to head up the CMS which administers Medicare and Medicaid. Oz promised to work closely with the equally unqualified conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been tapped to head the Department of Health and Human Services, so that's a double helping of kookiness.

All the other nominees we've seen thus far, with a small handful of exceptions, are quacks and hucksters chosen for their loyalty to Trump and their stated eagerness to take a wrecking ball to the departments they've been hired to oversee. The question at this point is whether or not they are capable of doing that or will spend most of their time on Fox News sucking up to the big boss, which is how they got the nod for their jobs in the first place. They will go in knowing next to nothing and will be staffed with cranks and scammers who know even less. Perhaps the best we can hope for in some of these agencies is that they'll flounder about for a while without any serious results.

But for all the nuts and kooks Trump is appointing to some of the top jobs to accomplish his revenge agenda, there are some areas where he's stocking the administration with people who are determined to fulfill their own. Many of them are Project 2025 veterans.

It's clear that the tag team of Stephen Miller and Tom Homan are prepared to initiate Trump's mass deportation program immediately upon taking office. Trump has said there's no price tag so there is already a tremendous amount of activity taking place in the private sector, with private prison and airplane businesses gearing up for major government contracts. These people are serious about doing this. It's unlikely that they can accomplish their goal of deporting every undocumented person in America but they're going to destroy a lot of lives in the attempt, including those of citizens who "harbor" them, according to Homan.

incoming Trump border czar Tom Homan threatens people in blue states with prosecution if they hide migrants from ICE pic.twitter.com/VenTqWTKdv  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 19, 2024

Then there is the promotion of FCC chair Brendan Carr, another one of the authors of Project 2025, to head the commission. Carr told Fox News on Tuesday that he may obstruct the planned merger between Paramount Global and Skydance because CBS News refused to release the transcript of the Kamala Harris "60 Minutes" interview, a silly Trump conspiracy theory suggesting that the network was covering for her. And you will not be surprised to learn that he is a big promoter of expanding internet access through low-earth satellite technology  including Elon Musk's SpaceXs Starlink and Jeff Bezos' Amazons Project Kuiper.

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Trump has also appointed his good pal and transition chief Howard Lutnick to head the Commerce Department. As longtime CEO of the investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald, Lutnick is at least experienced at running a large organization, so that appointment makes some sense. He reportedly wanted to be treasury secretary and was backed by Musk, but according to the New York Times Lutnick has annoyed Trump in recent days by hovering too closely and seemingly cozying up for his personal benefit. Anyway, Trump is still looking for that perfect man out of Central Casting who can simultaneously keep the markets calm while helping Trump implement his monumentally idiotic tariff scheme. It's a job for a magician rather than a financial expert. That appointment is still to come.

And then there is Russell Vought, one of the real movers and shakers of Project 2025. I wrote about him back in June, concerned that the self-described Christian nationalist would wind up in an important position in a future Trump administration. At the time people were talking about him as a good bet for chief of staff but Trump chose his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, instead. Vought was charged with writing the chapter on the executive office of the president for Project 2025 and was said to be in charge of planning the first 180 days of a new Trump administration. Politico reported on Tuesday that he may be tapped for the Office of Management and Budget, the job he held during the final years of the previous Trump administration. In that role, Vought would be working closely with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy:

On [Tucker] Carlsons show, Vought said he expects to work with their new agency  the Department of Government Efficiency  to use recent court decisions limiting federal agency powers to pursue a massive deregulatory agenda. They will also be as radical or aggressive as you can in reducing full-time federal employees and contractors, he added.

We knew Trump was lying when he said during the campaign that he'd never heard of Project 2025 while simultaneously insisting that he didn't agree with it. He'd certainly never read it personally but knew many of the people involved, who had worked in his first administration. They were among the most loyal of the loyal and there was never any doubt that Trump would hire many of them for a second term.

These are not the instruments of vengeance, like Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, et al., who Trump wants to use to pay back his enemies. These are people who see Trump as their instrument to achieve their own longstanding goals. It looks like they're going to have free rein.
A recent sighting of the deep-water oarfish dubbed the doomsday fish, has generated severe concerns for California weather amid bomb cyclone threats. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography posted on Facebook that an Oceanography PhD candidate, Alison Laferriere, discovered the deep sea creature on the shores of Encinitas. The recent spotting of the fish, often considered bad news, was the third in the last three months and 22nd in the past century, reported CNN.

Deep-water oarfish spotted in Southern California for the third time this year

A rare 9-foot oarfish dubbed the "doomsday fish," washed up in Encinitas, California, marking the third sighting of the species in the state this year.



Watch more video: https://t.co/Rm5gjWukpc pic.twitter.com/fqSCLjAQmW  The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) November 20, 2024

Amid the once in a decade bomb cyclone threats, a deceased doomsday fish washed on the shores of Encinitas, California. CNN extensively reported on the subject citing Atlas Obscura, which mentioned that Japanese mythology associates shallow-water sightings of the deep-sea oarfish as a sign of incoming earthquakes and tsunamis. Reportedly, Japan witnessed a dozen sightings of the creature in 2010, and in March of the following year, the country faced one of its largest recorded earthquakes and devastating tsunamis.

The Scripps Institution noted that Alison Laferriere discovered the doomsday fish on November 6. In addition, it revealed that the cool creature measured about 9 to 10 feet long and was a bit smaller than the one spotted in La Jolla earlier this year in August. Scripps Oceanography Marine Vertebrate Collection manager Ben Frable claimed their experts took samples and froze the specimen awaiting further study and final preservation. Frable believes the specimen and its sample will uncover more about the biology, anatomy, genomics, and life history of oarfishes.

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Kayakers and snorkelers had sighted the first 12-foot-long doomsday fish in La Jolla Cove in August. The oarfish was in a preservable condition at the time of its discovery, after which the Scripps Institutions Marine Vertebrate Collection collected it for further examination. Frable told CNN that the second fish was found in a degraded state in Huntington Beach in September.

In other news, AP News stated that the bomb cyclone has caused harsh weather conditions in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. The Weather Prediction Center has issued warnings of heavy rainfall and strong winds in the regions from Tuesday to Friday. Meteorologist Richard Bann also noted that south of Portland, Oregon, and the north of the San Francisco area will face severe rainfall during the storm.

The post Doomsday Fish Washes up Californian Shores Amid Bomb Cyclone Threats appeared first on Mandatory.
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  The Dothan Police Department is asking the community to rally together to help one of their own who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

DPD will host a hamburger fundraiser on December 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Dothan Police Department Southside Parking Lot.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards Patrol Officer Melissa Phillips, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2024.

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Due to complications with Phillips diagnosis, she will have to undergo a double mastectomy in January 2025 and a follow-up procedure in June 2025.

Phillips started her journey in law enforcement in 2012 as a sheriffs deputy in Virginia. She served in this role until moving to Alabama in 2019.

Phillips recently joined the DPD from the Alabama State Troopers, where she instructed at the trooper training academy.

Plates will be $10 and include a hamburger, chips, and a drink.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Nov. 19Nov. 13

Devin Michael Colassaco, 27, Montreal, domestic disorderly conduct, deferred judgment agreement fulfilled, dismissed.

Leanne Marie Demar, 40, 50 50th Ave. E., two counts party to fraud against financial institution, dismissed.

Nov. 18

Jennifer Louise Engle, 52, 1023 Hammond Ave., 2, domestic disorderly conduct, domestic battery, deferred prosecution agreement fulfilled, dismissed.

Dakotah Jean Hartshorn, 32, E6 Aspen Court, possess amphetamine, deferred prosecution agreement fulfilled, dismissed.

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David William LaBarge, 36, 3806 Tower Ave., Apt. 20, domestic disorderly conduct, no contest plea, four days jail served, $100 court costs; bail jumping, no contest plea, six months jail stayed, two years of probation concurrent, $516 fine and court costs, no contact with victim besides an apology letter; repeater disorderly conduct, dismissed.

Timothy Stephen Shelby, 32, Saginaw, Minnesota, second-offense operating while intoxicated, no contest plea, 15 days jail, $1,585.50 fine, 13-month driver's license revocation, ignition interlock, alcohol assessment; second-offense operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration, dismissed.

Anthony James Silbernagel, 20, Amery, theft-movable property, no contest plea, 66 days jail served, $1,209 restitution, fine and court costs.

Thomas Allan Sokoloski, 58, 2006 N. 27th St., second-offense operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration, no contest plea, 40 days jail with work release, $1,680 fine, 16-month driver's license revocation, ignition interlock, alcohol assessment; second-offense operating while intoxicated, dismissed.

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Kalie Marie Willis, 42, Duluth, criminal damage to property, no contest plea, 36-month deferred prosecution agreement.

The Superior Telegram publishes court records as part of its obligation to serve as a keeper of the local historical record. All items are public records submitted by the courthouse in Superior. Individual requests for items to be withheld will not be granted.
Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao speaks during an event marking the 60th anniversary of the China-Japan journalist exchange agreement in Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 18, 2024. Around 100 government officials, representatives from major media outlets and youth delegates from China and Japan gathered at an event on Monday to mark the 60th anniversary of the China-Japan journalist exchange agreement.(Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

TOKYO, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Around 100 government officials, representatives from major media outlets and youth delegates from China and Japan gathered at an event on Monday to mark the 60th anniversary of the China-Japan journalist exchange agreement.

In a speech delivered at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao highlighted the pivotal role of foreign correspondents in bridging the information gap between nations.

He acknowledged six decades of media collaboration between China and Japan, which has shared stories of development and increased public understanding across various fields, calling on journalists to contribute to the healthy and stable growth of China-Japan relations.

Media representatives from both countries reflected on the historical importance of the journalist exchange, emphasizing the media's role as a bridge for mutual understanding.

They reaffirmed their commitment to fact-based reporting and promoting friendship between the two nations by reflecting the progress of their strategic cooperative relationship.

A panel discussion explored topics such as the history and future of journalist exchanges, the media's responsibilities in bilateral relations, and the evolution of communication in the modern era.

The event also featured a photo exhibition showcasing over 20 images documenting six decades of journalist exchange.

The event was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Japan and Xinhua News Agency, with support from the Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association. 
The Russians have been attacking Ukraine since the evening of 19 November with 122 Shahed drones and UAVs of unspecified type, an S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile and five Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missiles. Ukrainian air defence has managed to destroy 56 Russian drones and two missiles.

Source: Ukraines Air Force on Telegram

Quote from the Air Force: "As of 11:00, two Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missiles and 56 enemy UAVs have been confirmed downed in Kyiv, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts."

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Details: Another 58 drones disappeared from radar in different oblasts, and six drones left Ukrainian airspace  five returned to Russia and one flew to Belarus.

It is reported that the Russians attacked Kharkiv Oblast with S-300 missiles, and Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts with Kh-59/69 missiles.

The Russian air attack was repelled by Ukrainian aircraft, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, mobile fire groups of the Air Force and the defence forces.

Background:

On the evening of 19 November, Russian troops launched attack drones into the territory of Ukraine.

Around 06:00 on 20 November, residents of the capital and Kyiv Oblast heard the sounds of air defence responding to the drones. At 07:55, explosions were heard in the capital for the second time that morning, and the authorities again reported air defence activity.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Public Safety Commission (PSC) announced the new Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety is current Senior Deputy Director Freeman Martin.

Martins appointment will take effect on Dec. 1, according to the PSC.

According to the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement (TCOLE), Martin received his Texas Peace Officer License 34 years ago in 1990 and has been with DPS for the entirety of his career.

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Martin began as a Trooper in the Texas Highway Patrol Division before becoming a Sergeant in the Narcotics Service in Houston, then worked his way up the ranks as a Texas Ranger, according to DPS.

In 2014, Martin was named Regional Commander for the Central Texas Region and was appointed to his current position as Deputy Director in 2018.

Freeman F. Martin (Department of Public Safety Photo)

Martins appointment comes less than three months after Col. Steve McCraw announced his retirement as the director of DPS after serving 15 years as the head of the states law enforcement division.

RELATED: Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw announces retirement

Serving as the Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety has been the greatest honor of my life. I leave knowing that the future of this department is in the best possible handsyours. Your continued efforts and commitment to excellence have made, and will continue to make, a profound difference in the lives of those around you, McCraw said in an email to DPS staff in August.

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Last month, Col. McCraw was honored at his last PSC meeting before his retirement where he was presented with two proclamations from Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for his 15 years of service.

RELATED: DPS Director Steven McCraw honored at last commission meeting before his retirement

Additionally, PSC Chairman Steven Mach announced in a news release that PSC is naming its new training facility the Steven C. McCraw Law Enforcement Academy and Training Center.

There is no doubt that the department has become one of the most elite law enforcement organizations in the nation because of Director McCraw, and by naming this new facility  where recruits will go to learn and train  in his honor, his legacy of service to this state will continue to inspire generations of men and women who choose to join the ranks of the Texas tan, Mach said in the release.

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President-elect Donald Trumps pick to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz, is seemingly drawing more enthusiasm from Senate Republicans than Trumps selection to run HHS, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Some GOP senators have not been publicly enthusiastic about Kennedys selection.

But Senate Republicans across the ideological spectrum  and even the Democrat who beat Oz in a bitter Pennsylvania Senate race in 2022, Sen. John Fetterman  are voicing potential support for the TV celebrity doctor. That bodes well for his confirmation: Senate Republicans can confirm Oz without Democrats, and Democratic support would give him a healthy margin.

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In naming Oz as his pick, Trump said Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake. Oz skeptics, however, point to his support for unproven theories about Covid-19 cures, including hydroxychloroquine, and his lack of experience in the federal government.

As CMS administrator, Oz would have tremendous latitude over health coverage for the more than 160 million Americans in Medicare, Medicaid and other health programs. In 2013, Oz suggested that uninsured people should get 15-minute checkups funded by local hospitals in a festival-like settiing," saying they dont have a right to health but have a right to access.

Oz is also a major supporter of Medicare Advantage, the Medicare-approved private option that has grown in popularity but has come under intense scrutiny for care denials and alleged overbilling. In August, he posted a YouTube video to his nearly 2 million subscribers on the benefits of enrolling in the program.

Moderate Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told POLITICO he is well respected as a physician.

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It may well be helpful to have someone who has been a health care provider running that agency because they would have a whole different perspective, Collins said.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the incoming chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said Ozs nomination is a great opportunity to help patients and implement conservative health reforms.

He is a practicing physician, said Cassidy, who is a gastroenterologist. He understands the practical implications and applications of CMS payment laws as one example. Dr. Oz is a pretty bright guy."

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said that hes obviously a competent doctor and hell look at Ozs resume like everybody else.

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Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told POLITICO he likes Dr. Oz and hes quite an accomplished businessman. Asked if that was enough to lead CMS, Cornyn said it is.

Oz is also getting support from the conservative health establishment. Mark McClellan, the former CMS administrator under then-President George W. Bush, told POLITICO that Oz has shown he can inspire Americans to stay as healthy as possible.

He can help inspire CMS to build on its important steps in this direction, through coverage and payment reforms that pay for innovative care that works, not just more medical services, said McClellan, who serves on the boards of insurer Cigna and drugmaker Johnson & Johnson.

Fetterman, who painted Oz as an out-of-touch carpetbagger from New Jersey in their 2022 contest, has signaled openness to him.

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If Dr. Oz is about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, Im voting for the dude, Fetterman wrote in a post on X. He didnt elaborate on what that meant specifically when asked by POLITICO.

Outside of Fetterman, its unclear how much Democratic support Oz might get.

Dr. Oz is no stranger to peddling nonsense to innocent Americans without facing consequences, Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said in a statement. Wyden will be the panels ranking member in the next Congress once Republicans take the majority. Americans deserve a leader at CMS who will stand up to Big Pharma and insurance fraudsters who are misleading seniors and denying them essential health care, and Im not sure a talk show host is up for the fight, he added.

Its not clear what nonsense Wyden was referencing.

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Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) called Oz a great TV doctor with quack weight-loss recommendations. Weve got a ways to go before I get there, he added.

Oz pushed raspberry ketones and green coffee bean extract for weight loss despite a dearth of evidence. The Federal Trade Commission prohibited a company that appeared on Ozs show from making deceptive claims about the green coffee bean extract.

Robert King and David Lim contributed to this report.
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  A driver nearly hit a Pennsylvania State Trooper after maneuvering around a traffic detail in Lancaster County during President-elect Donald Trumps visit to the countys airport in November, police say.

Stefan Hoenicke 70, of East Petersburg, didnt stop after officers yelled at him when he went around the detail at the intersection of W. Millport Road and Lititz Pike in Warwick Township, Northern Lancaster County Regional Police said.

Hoenicke, who was driving a white Honda CRV southbound, entered a right turn lane and quickly swerved left-right before turning. Police say he then went around four marked police cruisers and rapidly accelerated, and a chase began.

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Eventually, Hoenicke stopped in an area where Pennsylvania State Troopers were also doing a traffic detail, and he reported almost struck a Trooper when he approached them, police say.

Hoenicke had to be removed from the vehicle by police and was taken into custody.

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He faces charges of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer and resisting arrest.

Online court records show that Hoenicke is locked up in Lancaster County Prison on $10,000 bail and he has a formal arraignment scheduled for Dec. 13.

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In a field at a secret location, dozens of armed Ukrainian soldiers are running through billowing smoke and trying to escape the attention of drones buzzing overhead.

The scene is an adrenalin-fuelled theatre of the war  but, on this occasion, it is manufactured.

The field is in East Anglia, not Kursk, and the drones are dropping water balloons, not explosives. Rubber bullets are fired instead of the real thing and the day will end without a single casualty.

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This is how Britain prepares Ukrainian troops for the front line  and has been doing so since a formal training scheme was introduced in June 2022.

But more than 1,000 days into the conflict, the nature of the battlefield preparations has changed significantly  along with the mindset of those benefiting from the experience.

Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), for example, are currently taking centre stage ahead of deployment in Ukraine, which one senior British commander describes as a laboratory for the evolving character of war in a conflict.

The Ukrainian recruits, who have travelled to the UK for up to 10 weeks, face a far harder task than those who first embarked on the scheme two years ago.

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Then, victory seemed possible; now, a total defeat of Russia seems far more difficult to envisage.

With the number of Ukrainians and Russians killed or wounded reported to have reached about one million, Vladimir Putins war of attrition has shown that the only certainty is a mounting death toll.

However, British soldiers such as Lt Col Rob Smith, the commanding officer of 3 SCOTS  the division currently training the Ukrainians as part of Operation Interflex  try to remain positive, for the sake of the men and women they train.

The wargame situations in both trenches and built-up urban areas are based on real-world battles, including the Russian oppression of Mariupol in the early days of the invasion, covering how the war is fought in both civilian areas and at the front lines.

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The British military also takes its lead from defence intelligence, which informs how the fighting is changing in Ukraine on both sides, to keep the lessons as timely as possible.

The wargame situations in both trenches and built-up urban areas are based on real-world battles - David Rose for the Telegraph

Lt Col Smith admitted he has to stop himself from getting too attached to these men and women after spending so many hours preparing them for the battlefield.

Because we care and because that sense of purpose is pretty palpable, it is understandable as human beings that people care about the people they are training, knowing that they are going to go fight a war of national survival, he said.

The recruits experience a combination of basic infantry, command and leadership training before eventually returning to Ukraine and a front line that is becoming bloodier by the day.

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As the war approaches the three-year mark, morale among troops is being tested, which is why a visit on Tuesday from Gen Valery Zaluzhny, the former top general who now serves as Ukraines ambassador to the UK, was welcomed by the soldiers of Operation Interflex.

The Ukrainian recruits travel to the UK for up to 10 weeks to be trained - David Rose for the Telegraph

Yet his message to the brave Ukrainians before him was brutal: he stated that many of them, who have trained so hard to defend their country, will die doing so.

We have only one Ukraine, he said. No one will defend it except us. Remember that war is becoming more cruel every day. It leaves almost no chance of survival.

Gen Zaluzhny urged the soldiers to use their training in the UK to learn not to be afraid of death.

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He added: Kill without hesitation. When you see the enemy, kill him before he tries to kill you or your comrade. Please learn this here. Love each other. And remember Ukraine. If you are gone, maybe someone else will take your place, but Ukraine must be preserved.

Despite mounting death tolls in Ukraine, British soldiers try to remain positive, for the sake of the men and women they train - David Rose for the Telegraph

Upon finishing his speech, a resounding chorus of Heroiam Slava (Glory to the heroes) echoed across the woodland, before Gen Zaluzhny began fist-bumping his comrades and posing for selfies.

We like him, he is like our father for us, said Arthur, 31, who cannot give his full name for security reasons, and has been serving with Ukraines army for two and a half years.

He leads us. He represents calm. We fight not with aggression, we fight with calm, because behind us we have our families. Its not because we want war, its because we have to.

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Luke Pollard, the minister for the Armed Forces, who also visited the troops of Operation Interflex, insisted that the West was not scared by Russias new law that permits a nuclear response if attacked by Western long-range missiles.

Luke Pollard, the minister for the Armed Forces, visits the troops - David Rose for the Telegraph

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Since the start of the war, Putin has been making threats, not just to Ukraine, Mr Pollard said.

Putins threats are designed to put us off in our support for Ukraine. They are designed to weaken our resolve and we are showing strong resolve in return.

What Ive seen today is amazing Ukrainian troops being trained. When they return back to Ukraine, theyll be on the front line. Theyll be facing not just training bullets and water balloons being dropped by drones, but hand grenades being dropped by drones.

That is the resolve that Ive seen today that helps steal me, as a minister, to make sure that our resolve as a government is as strong as it can be.

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Thats what the Prime Minister set out to support Ukraine for as long as it takes with military aid, kit, equipment and training and the bravery of the Ukrainians in seeing today is a reminder of just how serious this situation is.

How escalatory actions by Russia carry real consequences.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Police officers arrested a drunk driver found asleep at the wheel in Troy, Michigan.

The vehicle was found around 1:30 am, upon arrival the two officers realized the car was only stopped due to the passed out drivers' foot on the breaks.

The driver, later identified as 35-year-old, Eva Marie Brow woke up after back up officers arrived. Disoriented, Ms. Brow lifted her foot from the breaks and crashed into the police cruiser in front of her.

Troy police stated, "She was arrested for OWI - operated whiled intoxicated - this happened to be her third offense, so this is a felony and then she was arraigned and given a $5,000 personal bond,"
A 35-year-old Fresno man with a history DUI arrests was sentenced on Tuesday for murder in a crash that killed his passenger.

Joey Barron, who pleaded guilty Aug. 6, was sentenced Tuesday by Judge Jonathan Conklin to 15 years to life in prison, the Fresno County District Attorneys Office said in a news release.

Because he had previously been convicted in a DUI case, he was subject to a murder charge in the Jan. 2, 2021, fatal crash, prosecutors said.

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Barron had alcohol and marijuana in his system when he lost control of his car driving on Highway 168 near the Shields Avenue off-ramp, according to prosecutors.

Barrons blood alcohol content was 0.32%, or four times the legal limit, when he made an unsafe turn about 12:30 a.m. and the car overturned before tumbling multiple times, the California Highway Patrol said.

The passenger, 30-year-old Andres Adrian Romero, was pronounced dead at the scene, CHP said.

Barron had a previous conviction for reckless driving involving alcohol in 2012, prosecutors said. He was also arrested for driving under the influence in 2016, but never appeared in court for that case before the 2021 crash, prosecutors said.
ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Gettysburg Police filed charges Tuesday against two people in connection to a bank robbery that was similar to other robberies in Maryland.

Ashley Lanham, 31, and Nicholas Cahill-Lane, 34, both of Maryland, are accused of robbing the BB&T Bank, located along N. Washington Street, in June 2021, according to the charges filed by Gettysburg Borough Police.

Police responded to the bank for a robbery in progress and were told about a man, who police later identified to be Cahill-Lane, running down the street while wearing a blue ski mask. According to police, witnesses reported seeing the suspect running and carrying a box with money flying out of it.

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The charges state Cahill-Lane ran down multiple streets, including through the college apartments, and even jumped a chain link fence before he got into a Nissan sedan that drove down W. Water Street.

Pennsylvania teen sentenced for attempting to kill father with knife

Employees told police a man walked up to the counter demanding $20,000 and began yelling and cursing. Employees said he also picked up a metal nameplate and a bottle of sanitizer, throwing them both. Police say the sanitizer bounced off of something and ended up hitting an employee, causing shoulder pain.

The suspect was given a cardboard box for the money before he ran from the bank. Employees said he threatened to kill them if they called police, according to the charges. An employee was able to tell police they saw the suspect had a tattoo on his neck.

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A total of $6,597 was determined to be stolen from the bank, police say.

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Surveillance video from the college appeared to have captured Cahill-Lane following the robbery, along with the vehicle that was used as the getaway. According to police, they learned about similar robberies in Howard and Washington counties in Maryland, and the suspect matched the description of the Gettysburg robbery.

Gettysburg Police then worked with police in Maryland to identify the suspects as Cahill-Lane and the driver as Lanham through social media photos and vehicle records.

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The duo was taken into custody at a Maryland inn where they were staying. Lanham then allegedly admitted to being the driver and identified Cahill-Lane as the one who entered the banks.

The charges show that DNA evidence from a mask and sunglasses that the suspect was using which police recovered matched Cahill-Lane.

Multiple felony charges of robbery, theft, and terroristic threats, along with a misdemeanor charge of simple assault, were filed against the duo.

Cahill-Lane is currently being held at a correctional facility in Maryland, according to court records. Both are awaiting preliminary hearings in the Gettysburg case.

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WASHINGTON (KLFY)  The U.S. International Trade Commission Commission has issued a ruling that may help Louisiana shrimpers compete on a more even playing field.

The agency has determined that U.S. shrimpers are materially injured by imports of frozen warmwater shrimp from Indonesia, which the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

It also ruled that frozen warmwater shrimp from Ecuador, India and Vietnam are subsidized by those governments.

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As a result, import duties will be imposed on shrimp from those countires. Import duties are taxes levied by governments on goods brought into a country to protect local industries, raise revenue and control trade.

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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) applauded the U.S. International Trade Commissions decision.

Countries selling shrimp below their cost to the U.S. undermine Louisiana producers and Louisiana jobs, Cassidy said in a news release. We should use every tool we have to ensure fairness in dealing with American businesses.

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In July, Cassidy led a group of Senate colleagues in urging U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo not to grant market economy status to Vietnam and safeguard American industries, such as Louisiana shrimpers.

Last spring, Vietnam formally asked the Department of Commerce to remove it from the list of nonmarket economies on the grounds that it had made economic reforms in recent years.

Louisiana shrimpers rally at the Capitol building to protest imported shrimp

Other countries that have market economy status include China, Russia and North Korea.

Citing Vietnams controlled currency, lack of labor rights and extensive state intervention, Cassidy said granting Vietnam market economy status would devastate U.S. industries already damaged by Vietnams unfair trade practices.

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U.S. International Trade Commission is an independent, nonpartisan, quasi-judicial federal agency that provides analysis of international trade issues to the President and the Congress.

Latest news

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JAKARTA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government plans to import 1 million tons of rice from India before the end of this year to secure domestic needs, a minister said on Wednesday.

"We have requested around 1 million tons from India. The business-to-business process has been completed, and now we are expediting the government-to-government process to accelerate the import," local media cited Trade Minister Budi Santoso as reporting.

He explained that the planned rice import is part of an increased quota of 3.6 million tons for 2024, a rise of 1.6 million tons compared to the previous target.

Santoso noted that discussions to expedite the process were held between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit in Brazil.

"We are also considering rice imports from other countries. They could become suppliers if they offer competitive prices," he added. 
Editors note: This story has been updated to correct to clarify that salad may be the source of the E. coli. The findings only suggest the connection, and it may not be in all cases. We regret the error.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  The St. Louis County Department of Public Health confirms it is investigating at least 97 cases of sickness from a recent E. coli outbreak.

The department said the people who got sick may have eaten salads served at five events catered by Andres Banquets & Catering, with a majority of those affected being students at Rockwood Summit High School. The department is also investigating one current E. coli hospitalization connected to the outbreak.

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The St. Louis County Department of Health notes in their release that the investigation suggests that the salad is the source of the illness. They have not identified a specific ingredient as the source. The timing of the contamination has also not been established. It is possible that it happened at the farm or processing plant.

The department said the events took place between Nov. 6-9 across St. Louis County, including two funerals, an Oakville High School band banquet, and a veterans event and band banquet both at Rockwood Summit High School.

Police: Clayton abduction, St. Louis homicide are connected

While the number of new cases connected to this outbreak appears to be slowing down, the legal battle may be just getting started. At least two lawsuits have now been filed against Andres.

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On Monday, the Missouri Department of Health collected lettuce samples from Andres for testing, with results expected later in the week.

The business denies the allegations and tells FOX 2 upcoming test results of their products will come up negative for E. coli. They also claim multiple students who were sickened as a result of the outbreak were sick before the catered events took place and never even ate the food provided by Andres.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Nearly two years since Thomson Reuters, a global legal publishing and media data firm, announced it would leave its longtime Eagan headquarters, the 179-acre campus is set for redevelopment.

The Eagan City Council on Tuesday voted to rezone the site at 610 Opperman Drive from major office to include light industrial uses and a mix of residential units to align with Ryan Companies redevelopment plans.

Ryan Companies redevelopment vision for the former Thomson Reuters campus preserves the historic balance this site has always had in our Eagan community, Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire said in a statement. The light industrial components ensure it will continue to be a foundational part of Eagans property tax base while thoughtfully preserving the environmental features that make the area desirable for the thriving neighborhoods next door.

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As outlined in the local developers proposal, Ryan plans to allocate 120 acres in the central and eastern portion of the site for industrial uses like data centers and research and laboratory spaces. The remaining 59 acres are planned for a mix of housing types to include single-family homes and an estimated 114 townhomes.

A large component of the redevelopment project is one building that could stand 120 feet tall and have 3.6 million square feet of floor space.

The building, called Project Nova, will convert what was a multi-story north industrial office building with a 350,000-square-foot footprint to an industrial warehouse and logistics building with a 650,000-square-foot footprint.

According to the project narrative, the Project Nova user, who has yet to be identified publicly, is an advanced logistics company that uses multi-floor/mezzanine buildings for implementation of their robotic technology.

Criticisms of the project

No residents spoke out during the public comment period at Tuesdays meeting, but past complaints have concerned the height of Project Nova and the preservation of surrounding oak trees.

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Council member Mike Supina said at the Nov. 4 council meeting that he didnt share the concern regarding Project Novas height. Supina also noted the nearby water tower is taller than the proposed building and closer to the road.

Regarding green space, after hearing community members concerns, the revised proposal calls for the removal of 1,485 trees, down from 2,109 in the original plan. The revision also calls for the preservation of 710 trees, up from the original 626 trees, according to city documents.

While change is never easy or always welcome, I believe that this plan is a win-win-win success for Ryan Companies, Thomson Reuters and Eagan as a whole, Mayor Maguire said.

The developments final approval is expected to occur at the Dec. 3 council meeting and demolition of the existing data centers and office building could begin as early as February, said Eagan City Planner Mike Schultz.
The earlier MCI due to AD and mild AD dementia are diagnosed and treated, the greater the opportunity for benefit [1]

Sponsored by and provided by Eisai and Biogen

Last July, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a notable approval for LEQEMBI (lecanemab-irmb), the first medicine to slow the rate of cognitive decline in certain patients with early Alzheimer's disease (AD), a brain disorder that gets worse over time and affects memory, language and thinking.[1,2]

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The treatment was tested in a large 18-month clinical study in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia due to early AD. Even though you cannot stop AD from getting worse, with LEQEMBI, you can take steps to slow how fast it progresses.[3] That's why identifying symptoms early on is so important.[1]

"In recent years, there have been significant treatment advancements for people living with Alzheimer's disease," said Diana Kerwin, MD, a geriatric care physician and founder of Kerwin Medical Center in Dallas. "LEQEMBI targets and removes plaques that build-up in the brainan underlying cause of the devastating disease.[4,5,6,7] The symptoms of early AD are often confused with normal aging, and many people don't speak up until symptoms have worsened.[1] By speaking to your doctor as soon as you see symptoms, you have a greater opportunity to manage and treat the disease."[1]

LEQEMBI can cause serious side effects including amyloid related abnormalities (ARIA), serious allergic reactions and infusion-related reactions. Some people may have small spots of bleeding in or on the surface of the brain, sometimes fatal events with larger areas of bleeding have occurred. Ask your doctor about testing for a genetic risk factor that may cause an increased risk for ARIA. Tell your doctor the medicines you take, including if you take medications to reduce blood clots from forming such as antithrombotic medicines like aspirin. Some medicines can increase the risk for larger areas of bleeding in the brain. Most common side effects included infusion related reactions, swelling in areas of the brain, and headache. These are not all the possible side effects of LEQEMBI.[3] Please see additional important safety information and Medication Guide below.

KNOW THE SYMPTOMS

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Early AD, when symptoms first start, is often known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD or mild dementia.[1] MCI has tell-tale symptoms that can include repeating questions or forgetting appointments. With mild dementia, symptoms may be even more noticeable and include worsening memory and other cognitive function that impairs independent day-to-day activities, such as handling finances and paying bills.[1] One in three people with MCI due to AD will develop dementia due to AD within five years.[1]

It can be difficult to distinguish early AD from the normal signs of aging and because this disease gets worse over time, getting an accurate diagnosis from a physician and discussing treatment options early on is important.[1]

"Typically, with normal aging, people may struggle to remember names or come up with words for certain things, like forgetting where they placed their keys and then remembering a few minutes later," Kerwin said. "With early AD, people may start to repeat questions. They might ask 'What are we eating for dinner?' You tell them, and then 15 minutes later, they ask again. Another sign is when people misplace items to the point where they can't find them, or forget events, more than just once or twice. What's more is they might have difficulty with judgment and problem-solving. When identifying a diagnosis, I'll assess if symptoms have changed from the past, are consistent and are getting worse."[1]

HOW YOUR DOCTOR CAN HELP

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A doctor can assess a person's cognitive function to determine an AD diagnosis. A cognitive exam may be performed to test memory, thinking, problem-solving and other mental functions. Laboratory tests can rule out other conditions that cause symptoms similar to AD. A neurological exam can test reflexes, speech and how your body is functioning.[8]

Your doctor will also need to check for the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain to confirm an AD diagnosis and determine which treatment is right for you. An amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scan uses a special machine that takes pictures of your brain to check for amyloid plaque in the brain.[1] Another testing option is a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test that takes samples of the fluid around your brain and spinal cord. Both tests check for amyloid proteins that build up into amyloid brain plaque and can give your doctor specific insights into plaque buildup.[1]

"This treatment option has really shifted the Alzheimer's disease landscape for patients who are diagnosed early. That's why it's so important not to wait if you're seeing changes," Kerwin said. "We know a family history of AD is a major risk factor.[1] Nearly two in three people diagnosed are women, and Black and Hispanic people are at higher risk.[1] Speaking with your primary care doctor is an important first step.[1] They may refer you to a neurologist who can help confirm your diagnosis and help decide if LEQEMBI could be a treatment option for you."

If you or someone you love is experiencing memory loss or problems with thinking, especially if you are noticing a regular pattern, it's important to talk to your doctor about your concerns. Learn more about LEQEMBI, a treatment option for mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to AD, at LEQEMBI.com.

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What is LEQEMBI?

LEQEMBI is a prescription medicine used to treat people with Alzheimer's disease.

If you have serious allergic reactions to any of the ingredients in LEQEMBI, you should not be treated with LEQEMBI.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about LEQEMBI?

LEQEMBI can cause serious side effects including:

 ARIA (amyloid-related imaging abnormalities). There are usually no signs of ARIA. In rare cases, it can lead to serious complications

 ARIA can show up as swelling in parts of the brain or small spots of bleeding

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 Larger areas of bleeding in the brain may occur, but this is uncommon

 ARIA usually goes away over time

 Most people with ARIA don't have any symptoms. However, some people may notice:

headacheconfusion that gets worsedizzinessvision problemsnauseaproblems walkingseizures

 Some people have a gene called ApoE4 that may increase the risk of ARIA. Talk to your healthcare provider about testing to see if you have this gene

 Some medicines can increase the risk of larger areas of bleeding in the brain for people taking LEQEMBI. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if any of the medicines you're taking increase this risk

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 Your healthcare provider will check for ARIA with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans before you start LEQEMBI and during treatment

Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Before receiving LEQEMBI, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if LEQEMBI will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during your treatment with LEQEMBIare breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if any of the ingredients in LEQEMBI pass into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while receiving LEQEMBI

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Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take medicines to reduce blood clots from forming (including aspirin). Ask your healthcare provider for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.

Keep a list of the medicines you take. Show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What are the possible side effects of LEQEMBI?

LEQEMBI can cause serious side effects, including:

 ARIA (amyloid-related imaging abnormalities) (see above)

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 Serious allergic reactions may happen during a LEQEMBI infusion. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice any of these symptoms during or after a LEQEMBI infusion:

swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or tongueitchy bumps on the skin, also known as hivesdifficulty breathing

 Infusion-related reactions are common and can sometimes be serious. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of these symptoms during an infusion:

feverflu-like symptoms (chills, joint and body aches, feeling shaky)nausea and/or vomitingdizziness or lightheadednessfast or slow heart rate, or feeling like your chest is poundingdifficulty breathing or shortness of breath

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Your healthcare provider may give you medicines before your next infusion to lower the chance of having a reaction.

The most common side effects of LEQEMBI include:



infusion-related reactionsswelling in areas of the brain, with or without small spots of bleeding in or on the surface of the brain (ARIA)headache

These are not all the possible side effects of LEQEMBI. Call your doctor for more information and medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please read the accompanying full Prescribing Information including Boxed WARNING, and Medication Guide for LEQEMBI.

LEQE-US3242  Eisai Inc. March 2024

[1] 2023 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer's Association. 2023. Accessed February 13, 2024. https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf

[2] FDA Converts Novel Alzheimer's Disease Treatment to Traditional Approval. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. July 6, 2023. Accessed February 13, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-converts-novel-alzheimers-disease-treatment-traditional-approval

[3] LEQEMBI US Prescribing Information Under Traditional Approval.

[4] Brendza RP, Bacskai BJ, Cirrito JR, et al. Anti-a antibody treatment promotes the rapid recovery of amyloid-associated neuritic dystrophy in pdapp transgenic mice. The Journal of Clinical Investigation. February 1, 2005. Accessed February 13, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI23269.

[5] Ono K, Tsuji M. Protofibrils of amyloid- are important targets of a disease-modifying approach for alzheimer's disease. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020;21(3). https://doi:10.3390/ijms2103095.

[6] Soderberg L, Johannesson M, Nygren P, et al. Lecanemab, aducanumab, and gantenerumab  binding profiles to different forms of amyloid-beta might explain efficacy and side effects in clinical trials for alzheimer's disease. Neurotherapeutics. 2023;20(1). https://doi:10.1007/s13311-022-01308-6.

[7] Hartley DM, Walsh DM, Ye CP, et al. Protofibrillar intermediates of amyloid -protein induce acute electrophysiological changes and progressive neurotoxicity in cortical neurons. The Journal of Neuroscience. 1999;19(20). https://doi:10.1523/jneurosci.19-20-08876.1999.

[8] 2022 Medical Tests for Diagnosing Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's Association. 2022. Accessed February 13, 2024. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/diagnosis/medical_tests.

Rebecca Yarros on her rise to fame, "Fourth Wing" success and her new book

Paul Simon's inside look at the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss

American Airlines' new system cracks down on passengers trying to board plane early
ENFIELD, Conn. (WWLP)  Students at Enfield High School were dismissed early on Wednesday after a person was found to have a weapon in the building.

Convicted murderer from Connecticut arrested in Springfield on gun charges

The weapon, later determined to be a BB gun, was discovered in the suspects possession, leading to his arrest.

According to the Enfield Police Department, at approximately 10:30 a.m., a school resource officer was alerted by staff after a student reported hearing another student racking the slide of a handgun in a restroom. The school was immediately placed on lockdown as a precaution, and additional officers were called.

Courtesy of Enfield Police Department

The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Martin Williams of Enfield, was located in a classroom. Officers detained him and conducted a search, discovering what appeared to be a functional handgun in his waistband. Further examination revealed that the weapon consisted of BB gun components and a BB gun magazine.

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Williams was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including:

 Carrying a Dangerous Weapon

 Possessing a Weapon on School Grounds

 Reckless Endangerment, 1st Degree

 Risk of Injury to a Child

 Breach of Peace, 1st Degree

He is being held on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

Students were released from school at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Extra counselors will be available for students and staff on Wednesday and Thursday if needed.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
The California Legislative Analyst's Office reported Wednesday that Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers could face a relatively small $2-billion budget deficit next year, but warned that the outlook looks worse in the future and does not account for changes under the incoming Trump administration.

The Newsom administration agreed with the main tenets of the preliminary fiscal report and said the state should "expect even more uncertainty than usual."

"Every California budget can be affected by forces outside of our control  whether its conflict overseas or an unpredictable stock market here at home," said H.D. Palmer, a spokesperson for the governor's Department of Finance, in a statement. "But this year, we have the added uncertainty of dramatic changes in federal policy next year under a new administration, and how policies such as higher tariffs and changes in legal immigration could add additional costs that affect not only the California economy overall, but our bottom line as well."

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The outlook released from the Legislature's nonpartisan fiscal advisor offers lawmakers a preliminary analysis of the state budget picture through summer 2026. Newsom will unveil an official deficit estimate during a presentation of his budget plan in January.

Read more: Could Trump really cut off wildfire aid for California? Absolutely

The LAO said the state should be in a much better financial position for next year's budget than earlier this year when Democrats were forced to reconcile a nearly $50-billion shortfall. Analysts attribute the shift to higher-than-expected tax revenues and prior actions to offset the deficit.

The forecast assumes the state will receive about $7 billion more in tax revenue above estimates made in July. The balanced budget outlook through 2025-26 also relies on $7 billion from the state's rainy day fund, which Newsom and lawmakers previously agreed upon, and continuing to limit corporate tax deductions and credits.

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"It's really been driven by income gains among high income taxpayers, which are benefiting a lot from the very strong stock market trends that we've been seeing," said Gabriel Petek, legislative analyst.

But Petek warned that revenues are not high enough for lawmakers to make new spending commitments. The LAO is forecasting a deficit of about $20 billion in 2026-27 and an even higher shortfall by 2028-29 of about $30 billion.

The California economy has been in a gradual slowdown over the last two years, Petek said. New job creation has largely been in government and healthcare sectors, with the state reporting about 25% more unemployed workers overall. He also pointed to declining trends in consumer spending.

The passage of Proposition 35, which extends a tax on managed healthcare plans, and Proposition 36, which increases penalties for some theft and drug crimes, is expected to add about $3 billion in costs for the state through summer 2026.

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California is also expecting new costs associated with a $25 minimum wage increase for healthcare workers. The LAO said their outlook accounts for higher costs to fight wildfires, but doesn't calculate in other unanticipated disasters, such as earthquakes or another pandemic.

Read more: Newsom calls special session to fund California's legal defense against Trump

We need to show restraint with this years budget, because California must be prepared for any challenges, including ones from Washington," Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) said in a statement. "Its not a moment for expanding programs, but for protecting and preserving services that truly benefit all Californians.

State Sen. Roger Niello (R-Roseville) said he shares concerns about the threat of higher tariffs, which Trump vowed to impose when he takes office, both for his family car dealership business and as a representative of a state that exports goods.

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He offered a reminder to Democrats that California Republicans can help bridge the divide with the Trump administration.

"It might be a good idea for the governor to remember that while Republicans are a minority here, nonetheless, we've got a lot of Republicans involved in state government, and we would be every bit as concerned about the fiscal impacts," Niello said about disaster assistance and other issues.

"We have lots of relationships with Republicans in Congress, not just those in California, but beyond California. The president and the administration being Republican, I would have to believe that they would pay some credence to the concerns that California Republicans would have," he said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NEWPORT, Tenn. (WATE)  Nearly two months following Hurricane Helene, and clean up efforts are well underway.

Were probably going to be at $150 million worth of damages, Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis said. Thats just the public infrastructure side, thats not the private housing piece.

That $150 million estimate doesnt include revenue thats being lost. One of Cocke Countys biggest tourism drivers is rafting, which also took a hit.

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Well it will be devastating to us because our rafting community, of course the funds that they bring, the revenue that they bring and goes into our coffers and if were not getting it, were all going to suffer, Linda Lewanski, the Director of Tourism with the Cocke County Partnership.

East TN couple losses $15K after company promised to sell their timeshares

We have reported about the damage to I-40 near the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. Parts of the interstate washed away, the closure impacting local businesses.

Slowly businesses are getting back, but I know they are impacted, Lewanski said. So many folks come from the east from Ashville and theyll come antiquing and eating and those folks are really absolutely slowed right down.

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Travelers would typically stop at a place like Bryant Town Doughnuts. The doughnut shop posting on Facebook that their sales have dropped due to the interstate closure.

Before that we dont have any flooding, we have customers from I-40, most of them were tour customer, Molly Noun, Now since we closed the I-40, the business client slowed down.

Morristown concert to support Helene relief, raising money for East TN Foundation

Mathis told 6 News the county was using I-40 to grow their local economy, so the lost revenue will be felt in the coming months.

On the revenue side you know Interstate 40 that is our economic lifeline, Mathis said. We wont know the true impact until, I think we will start to see that in December and then January because sales tax revenue as they are reported to us lag two months behind.

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Mathis encourages folks to continue to stick together as the county works through this.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Proposition 6, the ballot measure that would have amended the California Constitution to prohibit involuntary servitude in prison, failed. Thats troubling. Do voters really believe forced prison labor is acceptable?

The state Constitution (like its federal counterpart) has long outlawed slavery and involuntary servitude except to punish crime. Maybe voters thought prisoners should be made to work as part of their punishment, which would be in keeping with the broader "tough on crime" tilt of this year's electorate. Whatever the voters reasons, forcing incarcerated individuals to do work against their will is immoral and does no one any good  neither prisoners nor those in the outside world to which most will return. The practice should be abolished.

Prison itself is the punishment prescribed for those held in one. Prisoners should be able to choose their jobs  of which there are many in prison  as well as the educational and treatment programs they need to prepare for life after prison. The goal should be changing behavior, says Jay Jordan, a longtime criminal justice reform activist who spent 7 years in prison and advised the Proposition 6 campaign.

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Read more: Endorsement: Yes on Proposition 6. Forced labor undermines prisoner rehabilitation

Former prisoners have recounted being assigned work that they didnt want or that interfered with classes or drug and alcohol treatment programs they wanted to take. Their labor is for the most part barely compensated, at rates far below minimum wage. And refusing work often results in discipline, they have said, such as loss of various privileges. Some former prisoners said they waited years to get the jobs or treatment they wanted.

Not that jobs go undone: More than 90,000 people are in California's prisons, and only about 35,000 have jobs. And if Proposition 6 had passed, prisoners still would have been able to work on a voluntary basis.

This system needs to be changed. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has already made a few improvements. Up to 75% of full-time jobs are being converted into part-time jobs, which would leave prisoners with more time to pursue education and treatment. The prison system also doubled the paltry wages it pays for work, although the jobs pay a pittance even with that increase. Most prisoners make 16 to 74 cents per hour, though firefighters can be paid up to $10 an hour.

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Read more: Editorial: California doesn't have to choose between public safety and criminal justice reform

But state law requires that all able-bodied prisoners work, and prison officials cant change that.

The state Legislature, however, could  and should. In fact, lawmakers passed and the governor signed legislation to do away with the work requirement this year, but it was contingent on voter approval of Proposition 6.

The Legislature should pass a bill to remove mandatory work from the Penal Code that doesn't rely on a constitutional amendment. While the Constitution allows forced labor in prison, it is the Penal Code that mandates it. Only voters can change the constitutional provision, but lawmakers have the power and duty to change the law.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom should also explore the possibility of an executive order directing prison officials to end forced labor.

In addition, the Legislature should give voters another opportunity to do away with the constitutional exception, particularly given the possibility that the language of Proposition 6 could have been clearer. Nevada voters decisively passed a similar measure that, in contrast to California's initiative, used the word "slavery."

There should be no place in the California Constitution for anything as morally offensive as forced labor. It is a remnant of a national atrocity that should not be tolerated in prisons or anywhere else.

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.
BOSTON (SHNS)  The head of the states K-12 education board said Tuesday that she expects the state to be sued for failing to assure theres adequate and equitable learning taking place in schools, after voters overwhelmingly supported a new law this November that got rid of the requirement that students have to pass the MCAS exam in order to graduate. Meanwhile, the states teachers unions that pushed the initiative say theyre open to implementing a new statewide standard.

This is the place that the lawsuits come, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Chair Katherine Craven said at the first board meeting since the election when voters passed Question 2 to decouple the MCAS from a students ability to earn a diploma.

Craven said she worried about school districts suing the state in the absence of a uniform requirement for all Massachusetts students to graduate.

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The state constitution has the cherish education standard in it, which is unique to Massachusetts, she said. And the MCAS and the billions of dollars in money that went into the ed reform act of 1993 was supposed to be the panacea for some of this, right? And now we have a big piece of that missing.

She continued, How are we assuring that learning is happening? I think that Brockton has sued us twice. I expect that this will happen again.

Chapter 5, Section 2 of the constitution states that it is the governments duty to cherish the interests of literature and the sciences for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manufactures, and a natural history of the country.

Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, who opposed Question 2, said Tuesday that the administration would respect the will of the voters while also convening stakeholders to discuss what the future of a new uniform standard would look like.

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It is gratifying to hear state Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler express acceptance of the results of the election, and we urge the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to focus on implementing without delay the new high-school graduation processes outlined in Question 2, said a release from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, who was the main financial backer of the initiative, responding to the boards meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

The unions statement says theyre willing to work on new statewide standards to replace the MCAS requirement.

It is time to look at new, innovative ways to ensure that all students are properly educated to become engaged, informed citizens ready to pursue the goals of their choosing after high school Educators are ready to be part of the robust conversations around making sure that every student is having equitable access to the quality of education prescribed by our states standards, they say.

During Tuesdays meeting, board member Dalida Rocha, who was in the first class of high schoolers who had to pass the exam in order to graduate and was a recent immigrant to the U.S. at the time, said the one size fits all test was the definition of unfair.

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Other board members expressed their disappointment about Question 2s passage while also trying to answer the question about what comes next.

I was strongly in opposition to Question 2 and regret that this is the outcome that we are faced with, said member Michael Moriarty. The ball is very much on our court, because, as was pointed out in the public comment, we actually have a constitutional obligation to ensure that all students are not passed through or pushed out, but that they receive the quality education they need to thrive in the next stage of their life after high school education.

Craven said the board has a responsibility to assure that there is adequate learning and equity and not just social promotion.

And I dont know what we do about that, and I dont even know where we begin, so. And what our role is, versus the Legislatures. But thats important for us to know, she said.

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Education insiders after the Nov. 5 election said that conversations about implementing new education standards in wake of Question 2s passage are already happening, and those who had campaigned against the initiative are pushing for an urgent solution.

Top Democratic lawmakers have left the door open to making changes to Question 2, though changing a ballot law  especially one with a 59-41 margin  could generate backlash. Gov. Maura Healey has made several references to convening stakeholders for a conversation about creating a new standard to replace the MCAS requirement, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has promised future guidance for districts.

As we learned from the history of MCAS and its transformation into a punitive tool, the path forward cannot be limited to assessments; stakeholders must take a holistic approach in addressing the needs of public schools and the students attending them, the MTA said.

DESE Acting Commissioner Russell Johnston said the department is developing new guidance as it relates to the class of 2025. Most of that class likely already passed the MCAS, which is first given in 10th grade, though about 1 percent of every class does not pass the test at all. The guidance will outline how the graduation status of students who havent passed the MCAS may change this upcoming spring.

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A giant 'wall' of galaxies has been found stretching across the Universe

The mathematics Albert Einstein devised to describe the gravitational workings of the physical Universe in the early 20th century is still holding strong.

In one of the biggest tests of general relativity to date, a huge team of astronomers has mapped the distribution of nearly 6 million galaxies across 11 billion years of the Universe's history.

The way gravity clumps these galaxies together along strands of the cosmic web against the outward pull of the expansion of the Universe, and the way that web evolves over time, is exactly consistent with predictions made by Einstein's famous theory.

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It is, perhaps, the largest test of general relativity to date, spanning most of the 13.8-billion-year history of the Universe  meaning that the theory holds up at the biggest scales as well as the smallest.

The findings have been submitted for publication, and are available in three new preprints uploaded to arXiv ahead of peer review.

"General relativity has been very well tested at the scale of solar systems, but we also needed to test that our assumption works at much larger scales," says cosmologist Pauline Zarrouk of the French National Center for Scientific Research.

"Studying the rate at which galaxies formed lets us directly test our theories and, so far, we're lining up with what general relativity predicts at cosmological scales."

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Gravity is fundamental to the way the Universe works. We don't know what it is or why it is, just that objects with mass tend to attract other objects with mass; that the strength of the attraction is directly proportional to the mass; and that it alters the geometry of space-time around a mass.

It also behaves like a glue that draws the Universe together. Large filaments of gravitational fields generated by dark matter span the entire Universe in a sort of web; and most of the matter in the Universe is distributed along the strands and nodes of this cosmic web.

It's predictable and measurable and, so far, extremely well constrained and defined by the theory of general relativity. But finding flaws in the theory could reveal solutions to some remarkably thorny problems, such as the irreconcilable differences between quantum mechanics and classical physics. So scientists keep poking it to see if the Universe's contents look just how general relativity says it ought to, on all scales.

This brings us to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory-led Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), a huge international collaboration that is currently working to map the observable Universe to unravel its biggest secrets. It's been operational since 2019; the new results are based on a detailed and extended analysis of just the first year of data obtained by the instrument.

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The DESI Collaboration used that data to conduct a painstaking survey of 5.7 million galaxies and quasars across the history of the Universe, mapping their growth, evolution, and distribution along the cosmic web from the early Universe 11 billion years ago.

This simulation shows how tweaking gravity changes the distribution of galaxies in the Universe. (Claire Lamman and Michael Rashkovetskyi/DESI collaboration)

They used the theory of general relativity to predict the cosmic web's growth and distribution, and found that the Universe we live in has behaved the way relativity says it should, on an epic cosmic scale. Add more gravity, or take some away, and the Universe would no longer look the same.

The result follows a paper earlier this year that measured the expansion rate of the Universe based on cosmic relics of acoustic waves that froze when the atomic fog that filled the early Universe cleared. The DESI Collaboration hopes that ongoing efforts will continue to shed light on the evolution of the Universe and, in turn, the mysterious forces that drive it.

"This is the first time that DESI has looked at the growth of cosmic structure," says physicist Dragan Huterer of the University of Michigan. "We're showing a tremendous new ability to probe modified gravity and improve constraints on models of dark energy. And it's only the tip of the iceberg."

DESI is at the Mayall Telescope in Arizona, seen here during the 2023 Geminid shower. (KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/R. Sparks)

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The results also placed constraints on the upper limit for the mass of the neutrino, a particle so 'ghostly' that we've been unable to weigh it precisely.

The survey is still ongoing, as is the Collaboration's work. The researchers are currently analyzing the data from the first three years of DESI's operation. By the time the instrument completes its work, it will have collected data on more than 40 million galaxies and quasars.

Among the keenest hopes is that it will help reveal the nature of dark matter, the mysterious invisible something responsible for generating extra gravity in the Universe; and dark energy, the mysterious invisible something responsible for driving the variably accelerating expansion of the Universe.

"Dark matter makes up about a quarter of the Universe, and dark energy makes up another 70 percent, and we don't really know what either one is," says physicist Mark Maus of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California Berkeley.

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"The idea that we can take pictures of the Universe and tackle these big, fundamental questions is mind-blowing."

The team's papers are now available on preprint server arXiv.

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MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG)  The teenager found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and unlawful distribution of a controlled substance in a 15-year-olds death received his sentence today, according to Mobile County Circuit Court documents.

University of Mobile mens basketball player collapses on campus, pronounced dead

19-year-old Jackson Powell Lewis was found guilty in September in connection with 15-year-old Adrianna Taylors overdose death.

Jackson Powell Lewis. (Photo courtesy of the Mobile County Sheriffs Office)

Lewis was sentenced to serve one year in Mobile County Metro Jail for the criminally negligent homicide charge. He was also ordered to pay court costs, $25 in VCA assessments and a $150 bond fee. He will also have to pay restitution, in which the amount will be determined within 60 days.

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Court documents show Lewis was sentenced to serve 97 months in the Alabama State Penitentiary for the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance charge. He was ordered to pay court costs, $50 in VCA assessments and $100 in DFA assessments.

Vibrant, colorful skies across the Gulf Coast  heres what caused it

Lewis sentences will run concurrently, and he will be given credit for his time served.

Jeff Dean, Lewis attorney, withdrew as Lewis counsel.

The court found Lewis to be unable to pay for the counsel costs to assist with his appeal, so Chris Youngpeter with the Mobile County Public Defenders Office was appointed to represent Lewis for his appeal.

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VIENNA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi on Wednesday welcomed Iran's move towards capping its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, describing it as "a concrete step in the right direction."

Grossi briefed a quarterly meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors earlier in the day about his visit to Iran last week, where he held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior officials.

Grossi said their discussions focused on "the possibility of Iran not further expanding its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 percent U-235," and the technical verification measures required for the IAEA to confirm compliance if the plan is implemented.

The IAEA also verified last week that Iran had "begun implementation of preparatory measures aimed at stopping the increase of its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 percent U-235" at two enrichment facilities.

Despite this progress, Grossi noted that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 20 percent and 60 percent U-235 had continued to grow since his last report on the country's nuclear program. He emphasized that the agency would continue its exchanges with Iran on the capping of highly enriched uranium.

In a related development, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Grossi reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue during a phone call on Wednesday. Both stressed the importance of avoiding "unconstructive and confrontational" approaches, according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Regarding this week's IAEA board meeting, Araghchi warned that Iran would respond "appropriately" if any anti-Iran resolution were proposed during the session.

European powers are reportedly pushing for a new resolution at the IAEA board meeting, aiming to pressure Tehran over its alleged "poor cooperation." 
Maricopa County voters wait in line on Nov. 5, 2024, the same day that 10 Arizona counties received Election Day bomb threats. Photo by Caitlin Sievers | Arizona Mirror

Bomb threats sent to Maricopa and Pima counties on Election Day contained identical language, according to copies of the threats obtained through public records requests.

Arizona was one of several states where polling places or election facilities were subject to bomb threats on Election Day. Ten of the states 15 counties received bomb threats that day, according to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes.

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Officials deemed the threats non-credible and during Election Day they stressed that no voters were in immediate danger or were kept from voting because of the threats. However, some locations had to evacuate, including in Maricopa County when a threat was aimed at the Superior Court building, where Recorder Stephen Richers Office is located.

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On the night of the election, Richer was seen evacuating his office in response to one of the threats. Election offices in Cochise, La Paz, and Maricopa counties also evacuated, however, many others did not.

Cochise, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai and Yuma counties all received Election Day bomb threats.

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A threat emailed to Maricopa County, and obtained by the Mirror via a public records request, shares identical language to one obtained by VoteBeat in Pima County also through a public records request.

The email, with the subject line My manifesto, comes from an email account with the name maga_alex which is similar to the one received by Pima County with the same subject and a sender named maga_sam. Both emails have the same wording except for a change in the address where they claimed a bomb had been planted.

It will not cause much damage to the building but there will be many wounded people when it explodes, maga_alex said in the email to Maricopa. I plan on remotely detonating the device as soon as there is a large police presence.

Maricopa County Spokesman Fields Moseley told the Mirror in a written statement that the countys training and technology prevented the possibility of the email harming the countys tech.

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Maricopa County employs multiple intrusion prevention and detection security controls across all technology layers including email. Along with technology controls, Maricopa County performs security awareness training and simulated phishing testing,Moseley said in the statement. It was because of this training that the email was caught, reported and addressed rapidly and efficiently. While the email content is a threat, the email itself wouldnt have harmed technology resources.

Moseley said that the county could not comment further due to the on-going law enforcement investigation.

The FBI previously said on Nov. 5 that the emails appear to originate from Russian email domains and none of the threats were deemed credible. When asked for an update or if the FBI had engaged with the two email providers for the threats made public through records requests, the FBI deferred to their Nov. 5 statement.

The two email domains in the public records releases belong to companies called Mailum and CyberFear. Neither company responded to a request for comment.

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At first glance, the websites appear to be different email services, however, when signing up for CyberFear, users are directed to Mailum, where they can choose between a @CyberFear.com email or a @Mailum.com email address.

Additionally, when viewing the source code on Mailums website, code for an analytics tool with the username CyberFear is visible.

Both companies bill themselves as privacy email options akin to ProtonMail or Tutanota that offer end-to-end encryption and spy-proof email services. The emails operate as a paid subscription model and in a post to the BlackHatWorld Forum in 2020, a now defunct account appearing to belong to CyberFear claimed that the service could send mass emails to up to 50 recipients.

Other states seemingly had it worse than the Grand Canyon State, like Georgia, which reported over 60 bomb threats on Election Day. An analysis of the threats by NBC News found that many targeted largely Democratic areas.

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The Arizona Secretary of States Office said that it is continuing to work with law enforcement to investigate the threats. Despite the threats, elections across the country ran relatively smoothly.

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The board of trustees of an elite preschool in Washington, D.C., told parents they were shocked and deeply unsettled by the allegations against the institutions leader, James Stewart Carroll, who was arrested this week on a child enticement charge.

In a letter sent to National Child Research Center families and shared Tuesday evening with The Independent, board chair Megan Ortiz described the news, which was first revealed by The Independent , as devastating.

Earlier today, NCRCs Head of School James Carroll was arrested and charged with Attempted Enticement and Coercion of a Minor, the missive began. While we do not have reason to believe Mr. Carrolls conduct involves NCRC students or families, we do understand the arrest and charging follows an FBI investigation into Mr. Carrolls online activity on social media channels and message boards.

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The British-born Carroll is accused of having encouraged an undercover FBI agent posing online as the father of a 9-year-old boy to molest his son in various ways, according to the complaint. It says Carroll told the agent he preferred to see boys between the ages of 8 and 12 being abused with no mercy, and that he got more turned on when the victims are crying. Carroll, who previously served as head of outplacement at the Beauvoir School, a primary school affiliated with the Washington National Cathedral , also discussed his interest in circumcision of teenage boys, [and] urinating on teenage boys and adults, the complaint states.

Tuition at the NCRC runs $42,000 a year (Google Maps)

He was caught thanks to an employee at instant-messaging app Discord, who flagged child sex abuse material uploaded to an account the FBI traced back to Carrolls home and workplace, after which it ensnared him in an undercover sting, according to the complaint.

NCRCs letter said that the school immediately placed Carroll on administrative leave upon learning of his arrest, and that Associate Head of School Francesca Gallozzi would be stepping into Carrolls role on an interim basis, effective immediately.

Mr. Carroll has been instructed that he is not permitted to return to campus for any reason and is not to contact any member of the NCRC community, the letter continued. His access to his email, the schools networks, and all school owned technology has been cut off. We are fully cooperating with the authorities and will continue to do so.

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In the letter, Ortiz said she and her board colleagues were shocked and deeply unsettled by [the] news, and that Mr. Carrolls reported conduct  if true  represents a grave betrayal of your trust and ours.

The FBI tracked James Stewart Carroll both online and in real life, according to court filings (US District Court for the District of Columbia)

According to the complaint against Carroll, the undercover FBI agent told him that he would record his sons sexual abuse and would share footage that had to stay strictly between me and you.

Of course!!! Carroll allegedly replied.

NCRC is committed to fostering a safe learning community for each of our students, and we expect each employee to embody these values in and out of the workplace, the letter said, promising that classes would continue as normal, so as to avoid disruption to the learning of the students that we serve.

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We ask that you take care when discussing this matter with others as adult conversations may not be appropriate for children to hear, it said.

Ortizs letter said school officials still have much to learn in the hours and days ahead, but that the administration would share more information as soon as it obtained further particulars.

James Stewart Carroll came under investigation by the FBI after a Discord employee spotted child sex abuse material in an account allegedly tied to the 55-year-old educator (AFP via Getty Images)

In difficult moments such as these, we draw on the strength of our community and our shared drive toward fulfilling our mission, the letter concluded. We remain, as always, deeply grateful for your trust and partnership.

Tuition at NCRC runs almost $42,000 a year, and is the oldest continuously operating preschool in the District of Columbia, according to Carrolls page on the NCRC website, which was removed a few hours after his arrest on one federal count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

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The investigation, which remains ongoing, is being led by the FBIs Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Carroll, who made his first court appearance on Tuesday and remains detained, does not have a lawyer listed in court records and was unable to be reached for comment.

If convicted, Carroll faces up to 10 years in prison.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  A jury found a physician who practiced in Elkins guilty of failing to pay nearly $2.5 million in taxes over several years.

Nitesh Ratnakar, 48, was convicted of 41 counts of tax fraud after he withheld payroll taxes from employees of his gastroenterology practice and medical equipment manufacturer in Elkins and then failed to make those payments to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Those failed payments totaled $2,419,560, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.

Man allegedly stabbed victim in neck during altercation in Fairmont

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He also filed false tax returns in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Following his Tuesday conviction, Ratnakar will serve up to five years in prison for 38 of the tax fraud counts and up to three years for the remaining counts. He will be sentenced by a federal district court judge at a later date.

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Emporia State University President Ken Hush, left, said the threat of a possible 10% deduction in state funding to the university was avoided by complying with a reporting mandate that included posting to a website a degree-completion map for use by students. All 32 public universities and colleges in Kansas had to comply with the directive. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

MANHATTAN  Emporia State University sidestepped a potential 10% financial penalty Wednesday in terms of new state appropriations available to Kansas 32 public universities and colleges.

Prior to a meeting of the Kansas Board of Regents on the campus of Kansas State University, ESU was to be sanctioned for not completing one of five elements in an annual performance report required of the six state universities, Washburn University, 19 community colleges and six technical colleges. This set of annual reports were to have been completed in July.

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However, ESU finished the final step in the process by posting to a website degree-completion information about the universitys academic programs.

Since the last Board of Regents meeting, theyve met those goals, said Blake Flanders, president and CEO of the state Board of Regents. We know that system improvement happens when we collectively do things.

The five-element performance reporting framework applied to institutions supervised by the Kansas Board of Regents was designed to move the needle on a statewide strategic plan to help families, support businesses and advance economic prosperity.

Allocation of new funding from the 2025 Legislature to higher education has been tied  in part  to adherence by the colleges or universities to specific math and English standards and maintenance of academic degree maps useful to students.

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Completion of all reporting elements qualified the colleges and universities to 100% of available new funding. ESU was on the cusp of being eligible for only 90% of new aid allocated by the Legislature.

Ken Hush, president of Emporia State, said the university was aware of the final deadline and made certain the degree maps were posted to a website landing page to satisfaction of the Board of Regents.

Our academic group and provost has been on it, Hush said. We werent too concerned about it.

The semester-by-semester degree maps developed by each college or university covered bachelor and associate degree programs, technical certificates consisting of up to 59 hours of instruction as well as stand-alone programs that could involve a single course.
Floridas prohibition on children under the age of 14 from having social media accounts will not be enforced as early as planned.

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Starting January 1st, Florida was supposed to begin levying fines of $50,000 per violation on social media companies if they failed to remove users under the age of 14.

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The law also prohibits 14 and 15-year-olds from accessing social media platforms without parental consent.

However, a new court filing shows the states Attorney General agreed to delay enforcement until a federal judge makes a decision on whether the law should be blocked while the case against it moves through the courts.

That means enforcement wont begin until at least late February.

You know weve seen suicide rates and rates of depression rise among our children and this bill is designed to help protect our kids, said State Representative Dean Black (R-Yulee).

Black cosponsored the social media ban for minors during this years legislative session.

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He noted Florida was one of the first states to wade into this evolving legal space, and the delay is an acknowledgment that state leaders want to get the policy right.

We know that it can sometimes take a while to get it perfected and so it seems that theyre being responsible waiting to get the opinion of the court, said Black.

The lawsuit filed by industry groups representing companies like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, argues the blanket ban based on age violates the First Amendment rights of impacted users.

It also lays out various ways the industry has attempted to self-regulate and better protect children.

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Black told Action News Jax he hopes the law is ultimately allowed to take effect, arguing the industrys self-policing has been a failure.

I dont agree that you have a constitutional right to come up with logarithms that purposely draw in children whose judgment hasnt developed yet and addict them to social media, said Black.

Attorney General Ashley Moodys Office just recently signed onto a multi-state coalition calling for national legislation to protect children online as well.

That bill would implement mandatory default safety settings, addiction prevention features, and more parental controls on social media sites.

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Engineering educator Marie Stettler Kleine is the newest alumni representative to the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Board of Trustees.

A 2014 RHIT graduate who had a double major in mechanical engineering and international studies, she is assistant professor in the Department of Engineering, Design and Society at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.

Her three-year term as a trustee began during the recent fall 2024 meeting.

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Kleines interest in the professional formation of engineers includes attention to values and community engagement as well as innovation cultures and expertise.

She is known for her focus on how values shape engineers commitment to do good, according to a Rose-Hulman news release.

Maries insights will be valuable as we begin to implement of our Advancing by Design strategic plan," said Robert A. Coons, Rose-Hulman president.

Kleine was honored with Rose-Hulmans Distinguished Young Alumni Award earlier this year.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  More than 108,000 people are living with epilepsy in Michigan, according to Corewell Health.

One in 26 people in the U.S. either has epilepsy or will develop it at some point. Its a brain disorder that causes seizures, which can be as severe as a grand mal seizure.

With modern advancements, the majority of patients with epilepsy can be treated with medication, Dr. David Burdette, director of the epilepsy program at Corewell Health in West Michigan, said. He said there are several types of antiseizure medication and two thirds of patients can become seizure free through medication.

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For the full conversation with Dr. David Burdette, watch the video in the player above.

Other treatment options include a NeuroPace, which is a like a pacemaker for the brain. Burdette said he had one patient who had to give up teaching after developing epilepsy, but the device was able to change her life.

We were able to evaluate her, localize the seizures to a specific part of her right hemisphere, implant that with this brain pacemaker device, he said. She has been seizure-free since January of a couple years ago.

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month. Burdette said his main message this month is that there is always hope.

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Ive been doing this for 30 years, over 30 years, he said. What we now are able to do we were only barely thinking about five years ago.  The medical advancement is, frankly, mind boggling to me.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) released a comprehensive transition plan for students, families, and staff after its Board of Trustees voted to close down several underutilized schools late Tuesday night, Nov. 19.

Divided EPISD board votes to close schools

The school district says the transition plan will prioritize the needs of impacted students, families, and staff. That plan is the following:

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Equitable Student Placement : Students will transition to sister schools that provide enhanced academic opportunities, ensuring continuity and equity in their education.

Investments in Receiving Schools : Targeted improvements will be made at sister campuses, including additional staff, expanded academic programs, and upgraded facilities to accommodate increased enrollment.

Support Services for Families : The district will provide personalized support, including counseling, community meetings, and one-on-one assistance, to guide families through the transition.

Ongoing Monitoring: El Paso ISD will track progress and ensure that all students receive equitable access to high-quality education and resources

The school district released a list of approved school closures on Wednesday morning, Nov. 20, following the decision. That list is the following:

Phase I (20252026):

Carlos Rivera Elementary

Lamar Elementary

Newman Elementary

Putnam Elementary

Rusk Elementary

Zavala Elementary

Phase II (20262027):

Stanton Elementary

Travis Elementary

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EPISD is also implementing a new academic model at Murphree PK-8 school through the Texas Education Agencys (TEA) Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities grant.

According to EPISD in a news release, the academic model, Accelerated Campus Excellence, is structured around five pillars:

Effective principals and teachers

Instructional excellence

Extended School Day

Social and emotional support

Parent and community partnership

The model is to provide high-quality learning experiences that support the whole child and focuses on building literacy and numeracy skills, according to EPISD.

El Paso ISD is committed to academic excellence, and this proposed redesign is a significant step in that direction, Superintendent Diana Sayavedra said. Our vision is to provide an exceptional education that inspires and empowers our students to thrive, and this investment of resources at Murphree PK-8 exemplifies that commitment.

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The model was first introduced at Canyon Hills Middle School, which underwent a redesign two years ago, and has resulted in an increase in TEA accountability ratings, EPISD said.

Divided EPISD board votes to close schools

As we previously reported, EPISD voted 4-3 late Tuesday night to close eight elementary schools over the next two academic years.

Trustees Valerie Ganelon Beals, Isabel Hernandez, Israel Irrobali, and Daniel Call voted in favor of closing schools. Trustees Jack Loveridge, Alex Cuellar, and Leah Hanany voted against the proposal.

The vote resulted in a five-hour-long meeting in which community members and some school board members voiced their opposition.

The school district says the decision was based on a projected $32.2 million budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.

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Adjustments were made based on stakeholder input, including the removal of Park and Hillside Elementary from the closure list and the deferral of Travis and Stanton closures to the 20262027 school year, the school district said.

The school districts board also unanimously approved $500 one-time payments for eligible employees.

The one-time payment was approved for all pay grades up to and including the director level. The estimated amount will be $3.6 million, funded through the General Operating Fund, the district said.

EPISD OKs one-time $500 payment to employees

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.)  The El Paso County Sheriffs Office (EPSO) is looking for a man who allegedly assaulted someone with an axe in the Stratmoor neighborhood on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

According to EPSO, deputies responded to a report of an assault just before 10 a.m. on Tuesday to the 1100 block of Denise Drive, northeast of I-25 and South Academy Boulevard. The person who called 911 reported that someone had been attacked with an axe, and that the suspect and victim knew each other.

EPSO said as deputies were responding, the suspect left the scene on a bicycle. When deputies arrived, they treated the victim who had suffered injuries that appeared to be from being hit with the blunt end of an axe. The axe was found on scene, EPSO said.

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The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries, which EPSO said appear to be non-life threatening.

The suspect has been identified as 40-year-old Steven Barcelona. EPSO said deputies along with officers from the Fountain Police Department conducted an extensive search of the Stratmoor Valley neighborhood using K9 units and drones but were unable to locate Barcelona.

Courtesy: El Paso County Sheriffs Office

EPSO asks that if you see Barcelona, contact 911 and do not approach him. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

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DAMASCUS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from an Israeli missile attack that hit sites in and around the city of Palmyra in central Syria on Wednesday has risen to 49, with over 50 others wounded, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based watchdog group reported that among the fatalities were 24 Syrian nationals affiliated with Iranian militias, including officers in the Syrian government forces-one of whom was a brigadier general loyal to Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, 22 non-Syrian fighters, mostly from the Iraqi "Harakat al-Nujaba" (Al-Nujaba Movement), and three unidentified individuals were killed.

The number of casualties is expected to rise due to the presence of critically injured among the more than 50 wounded, which include at least seven civilians, one of whom is in critical condition.

According to the Observatory, Israeli aircraft targeted three separate sites in Palmyra. Two are in the al-Jami'ah neighborhood, a weapon warehouse near the industrial area inhabited by families of Iran-backed fighters of Iraqi and other foreign nationalities.

The third site was reportedly hosting a meeting of leaders from Iranian militias in Palmyra and the Syrian Desert, along with commanders from the Iraqi Al-Nujaba Movement and a leader from Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Israeli warplanes reportedly flew over the southern province of Daraa, reaching the airspace over al-Tanf before targeting Palmyra.

For its part, the Syrian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the Israeli enemy carried out an air aggression from the direction of the al-Tanf area around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, targeting a number of buildings in the city of Palmyra in the Syrian Desert.

Since the beginning of 2024, Israel has conducted 152 attacks on Syrian territory, including 126 aerial strikes and 26 ground attacks, resulting in the destruction of approximately 273 targets, including weapons and ammunition depots, headquarters, centers, and vehicles, according to the Observatory.

The strikes have led to the deaths of 352 military personnel and the injury of 305 others.

Palmyra, located in the eastern countryside of Homs province, comprises a residential area and an archaeological site dating back to the Neolithic period. 
(WJET/WFXP)  The Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center has partnered up with two other local organizations to make sure veterans in northwest PA have a Thanksgiving meal this holiday.

The Erie VA announced Wednesday theyre passing out 202 Thanksgiving turkey dinner boxes thanks to some help from Erie Elks Lodge 67 and the Erie Times Newsies.

LIST: Thanksgiving dinners dishing out around the Erie community

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Veterans will be able to pick up their dinner boxes at the Erie VAs second-floor pavilion between Nov. 21 and 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Elks Lodge members from Titusville, Franklin, Oil City, Corry, Meadville, Kane, Warren, and Ashtabula also signed up to help deliver dinner boxes to veterans in their area belonging to the Erie VA.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
The House Ethics Committee deadlocked Wednesday over whether to release details of its investigation of attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz for sexual misconduct and drug use, the panels top Democrat said.

Rep. Susan Wild (D-Penn.) told reporters the evenly split committee  a rarity in Congress  saw members vote along party lines on whether to release the report, denying the majority needed for the reports disclosure.

There was not an agreement by the committee to release the report, Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.), chairman of the panel, said as he left the committee meeting, which lasted for several hours.

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Wild said she did not want Guests remarks to be taken to mean there was consensus decision not to release the report.

I do not want the American public or anyone else to think that Mr. Guests characterization of what transpired today would be some sort of indication that the committee had unanimity or consensus on this issue, Wild said.

The development leaves in limbo the fate of the probes potential findings as the Senate faces the prospect of having to vote to install as the nations top cop a man once accused of sex trafficking. Gaetz, a former Florida congressman, has denied the charges, and a federal criminal investigation into his activities was closed with no charges being filed.

Gaetz resigned from the House soon after being named, a move that reportedly came days before the committee was set to release its report on him. Because the House Ethics Committee only has jurisdiction over House members, the resignation ordinarily would have ended the probe without any further action.

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But with Gaetz being nominated to head the Department of Justice, some argue that the usual past practice of closing the investigation without a public report should be ignored.

President-elect Donald Trumps pick of Gaetz is one of several selections that have caused some unease among Republicans. In addition to Gaetz, Trump chose Fox News weekend television host Pete Hegseth to be his secretary of defense and former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to be his national security adviser.

But Gaetzs nomination appears to be the most troubled of the picks so far. In a June statement, the committee said certain of the allegations merited further review, and Gaetz was being looked at due to allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, accepting improper gifts and seeking to obstruct the governments investigations of him.

So far, Trump has stood by Gaetz, even as many Republicans were shocked by the choice. On Wednesday, Gaetz returned to Capitol Hill to meet with some of the senators who would be deciding his nominations fate.

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Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would be the first to consider Gaetz, asked the Justice Department Wednesday to hand over its documents relating to the investigation that led to no charges being filed. Democrats have a majority on the committee until early January.

The grave public allegations against Mr. Gaetz speak directly to his fitness to serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the federal government. The unanswered questions regarding Mr. Gaetzs alleged conduct are particularly significant given that his associate, Joel Greenberg, pleaded guilty to the sex trafficking charge for which Mr. Gaetz was also investigated, the Democratic senators, led by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), wrote.

In the House, the deadlock at Ethics prompted not one but two attempts by Democrats to force a floor vote on whether to release the report.

Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) both notified the House they would introduce privileged resolutions to require the ethics panel to release its findings. Privileged resolutions are often used to try to get a quick House floor vote on an issue dealing with the standards of the House, such as censures or expulsions.

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But given the congressional calendar, a vote on either resolution could be delayed into December, when public pressure may have lessened.

Our hope is that the Ethics Committee releases the report before then so we dont have to deal with this, Casten told reporters. But he did not sound optimistic that would happen.

Every Republican in that House just endorsed someone for president who is an adjudicated rapist. The fact that we have to ask whether Republicans will support making public allegations of sexual impropriety by someone who is trying to be the highest law enforcement officer in the country speaks volumes of the Republican Party, he said.

While those who worked side by side with Gaetz expressed the most wonderment he had been named to head the nations federal law enforcement establishment, a new Economist/YouGov poll out Wednesday found public opinion evenly split.

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The poll said 37% of respondents approved of Gaetzs nomination, while 39% disapproved and 24% werent sure.

Related...
After members of the House Ethics Committee deadlocked along party lines whether to release its report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz, two Democrats introduced privileged resolutions to make the report public.

Reps. Steve Cohen of Tennessee and Sean Casten of Illinois introduced resolutions to try to force the committee to release the report. Under House rules, once a privileged resolution is introduced, the House must take it up within two legislative days. Republicans have the majority in the House and leadership will decide when the resolution is brought up for a vote. Republicans will attempt to block the effort but it's not yet clear how this could play out.

The Ethics Committee was investigating allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift.

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MORE: Judiciary Committee senators suggest a Gaetz confirmation hearing could get fiery

Gaetz resigned from Congress last week after President-elect Donald Trump announced he planned to nominate Gaetz to be his attorney general. The Ethics Committee generally drops investigations of members if they leave office, but Republicans and Democrats have argued whether to break that precedent to allow the Senate to perform its role of vetting presidential nominations.

PHOTO: House Ethics Committee Chairman Rep. Michael Guest departs from a House Ethics Committee closed-door meeting in the Longworth House Office Building, Nov. 20, 2024, in Washington. (Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Earlier Wednesday, the committee voted against releasing the report after multiple rounds of votes, a source told ABC News, with all Republicans on the committee voting against its release.

Republican Rep. Michael Guest, the committee chairman, told reporters, There was not an agreement to release the report, as he left the meeting.

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But Rep. Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the committee, disagreed with Guests characterization, saying There was no consensus on the issue.

The chairman has since betrayed the process by disclosing our deliberations within moments after walking out of the committee, and he has implied that there was an agreement of the committee not to disclose the report. That is untrue -- to the extent that suggests that the committee was in agreement or that we had a consensus on that, that is inaccurate, Wild said.

MORE: Congress could go around Ethics Committee if it doesn't release Gaetz report

Wild said a vote was taken and suggested it was tied, implying no Republicans crossed party lines. There are five Republicans and five Democrats on the committee.

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We often vote unanimously. That did not happen with this vote. And I do not want the American public or anyone else to think that Mr. Guest's characterization of what transpired today would be some sort of indication that the committee had unanimity or consensus on this issue not to release the report. That would be an inaccurate portrayal, she said.

Sources said the committee will complete the report and take it up again in December. Other committee members refused to answer questions.,Gaetz, who along with Vice President-elect JD Vance had been meeting with Republican senators on his nomination, said he hasn't been following developments in the Ethics Committee.

"I'll be honest with you I've been focused on what we've got to do to reform the Department of Justice. I've been meeting with senators. I haven't been paying much attention to that," Gaetz said.

George Santos, the former congressman expelled after the Ethics Committee found he violated House rules, made a surprise appearance at the Capitol, telling reporters the investigation into his former colleague was a "political hit piece."

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Santos later pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Asked if he was seeking a pardon, Santos said it was "not a question, a conversation I've had...I am not entertaining that conversation."

He also said he had no plans to run for Congress again.

PHOTO: House Ethics Committee ranking member Representative Susan Wild leaves a meeting about next steps in the committee's investigation into President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general pick Matt Gaetz, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 20, 2024. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

The investigation into Gaetz

On April 9, 2021, the secretive panel announced it had initiated a review into allegations that Gaetz may have engaged in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift, in violation of House Rules, laws, or other standards of conduct.

The committee spoke with more than a dozen witnesses, issued at least 25 subpoenas and reviewed thousands of pages of documents in its investigation of Gaetz.

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House Ethics initially deferred its consideration of the matter in response to a request from the Department of Justice, which conducted its own multiple-year sex-trafficking probe into the four-term congressman.

In February 2023, DOJ informed lawyers representing witnesses that it would not bring charges against Gaetz.

Gaetz blamed former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy when the Ethics Committee reauthorized its investigation in May 2023 after the Department of Justice had withdrawn its deferral request. Gaetz then successfully led the charge to oust McCarthy as speaker.

MORE: Gaetz allegedly flew 2 women to New York, paid them for sex: Attorney

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This June, the committee announced it was still investigating whether Gaetz had engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct.

But it announced it would take no further action on the allegations that he may have shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe or improper gratuity.

The House Ethics Committee had nearly completed the inquiry before Gaetz abruptly resigned last week after Trump announced he had selected Gaetz as his attorney general nominee.

The committee generally drops investigations of House members if they leave office but Republicans and Democrats have argued whether a break in that precedent is necessary for the Senate to perform its constitutional duty to advise and consent to presidential nominations.

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While the clearest above-water path for the reports release is by agreeing to a majority vote by the Ethics Committee, there is also speculation that any single member could offer a privileged resolution on the House floor to force an up-or-down vote on its disclosure.

What committee leaders have said

Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss, has been tight-lipped about the meeting agenda on Wednesday but said he has read the Gaetz report.

Wild told reporters on Monday that the report should be disclosed to the public and said Wednesday that her position had not changed.

PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz and Vice President-elect JD Vance walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 20, 2024. (Ben Curtis/AP)

You either are going to disclose it or you're not going to disclose it. So, and there's plenty of precedents in the Ethics Committee to disclose the report even after a member has resigned, Wild said Monday.

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MORE: Mike Johnson says he doesn't think House Ethics Committee should release Gaetz report

What congressional leaders have said

Johnson has made clear that he believes the committee should not release an investigative report on a former member of Congress.

My job is to protect the institution, and I have made very clear that I think its an important guardrail for our institution that we not use the House Ethics Committee to investigate and report on persons who are not members of this body, Johnson told reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, during a press conference on Tuesday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries answered Yes when asked if the report should be released.

Who's on the committee?

The five Republicans on the committee are: Chairman Guest of Mississippi, David Joyce of Ohio, John Rutherford of Florida, Andrew Garbarino of New York and Michelle Fischbach of Minnesota.

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The five Democrats are: Wild of Pennsylvania, Veronica Escobar of Texas, Mark DeSaulnier of California, Deborah Ross of North Carolina and Glenn Ivey of Maryland.

-ABC News' Chris Boccia contributed to this report.

Democrats try to force Ethics Committee to release Gaetz report originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The European Unions forced labor regulation has received its final green light, clearing the runway for a ban on all goods made in whole or in part with modern slavery in all 27 members of the worlds largest single market.

Adopted Tuesday following the European Councils approvalthe last hurdle in the decision-making processthe legislation will enter into force after its signed by the respective presidents of the European Council and Parliament and published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member states will have three years to begin implementing the law alongside the blocs corporate sustainability due diligence directive, whose complementary supply chain due diligence requirements were O.K.ed in May.

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The prohibition, which European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen introduced in her State of the Union speech in 2021, covers both domestically produced and imported products. Its goal is to free from the global supply chain the 27.6 million people that the International Labour Organization estimates are being forced to work under the threat of harm or penalty and without their voluntary consent. The EU has said that both combating forced labor and promoting corporate sustainability due diligence standards are priorities of its human rights agenda.

The regulation establishes what its proponents call the necessary framework to flag forced labor-tainted goods. But while it followsand is clearly informedby a U.S. law that has imposed a blanket ban on products from Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, citing the state-sanctioned repression of Uyghurs and other Turkick Muslim minorities, the EU legislation will take a risk-based approach that puts the burden of proof on so-called competent authorities. It has also so far refrained from singling out China in the context of the law, since doing so would be a breach of the World Trade Organizations rules of non-discrimination.

But critics of the law in its current form say that its lower evidentiary threshold makes it difficult for forced labor victims and their advocates to raise complaints, particularly if state-sponsored exploitation is involved. Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi, chairman and ranking member of the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, have also referred to what they consider the EU version of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act as a weaker mandate, proposing a joint U.S.-EU-U.K. forced labor enforcement task force to coordinate policy and enforcement.

The success of the regulation hinges on the EUs ability to function as a collective. The European Commission, as the blocs administrative engine, has been tasked with creating a database that contains verifiable and regularly updated information about forced labor risks, such as reports from the ILO and others, that can support the work of competent authorities in assessing potential violations, including in specific economic sectors and geographical regions.

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Depending on whether a potential violation occurs outside the EU or within a member states territory, the European Commission or national authorities can initiate an investigation. Governments are required to share information with other member states if they suspect that violations of the regulation occur in other parts of the continent, or with the European Commission if there are signs that a third country is involved.

The final decision to outlaw, withdraw or dispose of a product will be taken by whoever led the investigation, but it will also apply to all other member states based on the principle of mutual recognition. In instances where the product is considered critical, the competent authority can choose not to require its disposal but instead order the economic operator to suspend its circulation until forced labor has been eliminated.

A 2023 report from the Uyghur Rights Monitor, Sheffield Hallam Universitys Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice and the Uyghur Center for Democracy and Human Rights warned that a substantial volume of apparel tainted by Uyghur forced labor from China was flooding into the EU. Only legislation, it said, can result in the sea change necessary.

The new rules will boost consumer confidence as products on the EU market are guaranteed to adhere to human rights standards, the European Commission said in a statement that positioned the move as a win-win. For businesses, the proposal has the potential to streamline social sustainability efforts, fostering increased public trust and credibility among customers.
Members of the European Parliament highlighted the precarious human rights situation in Azerbaijan during the UN climate conference and invited Gubad Ibadoghlu, a government critic held under house arrest, to Strasbourg.

"It is appalling" that critics like Ibadoghlu "are arrested on trumped-up charges and subjected to state arbitrariness," Michael Bloss, a member of the European Parliament for the Greens, told dpa after meeting Ibadoghlu at the EU embassy in Baku. "Ibadoghlu must be released immediately."

Bloss also criticized the climate record of the Azerbaijani government: "The fossil autocracy of Azerbaijan is an accelerant of the climate crisis and shows no interest in real climate protection. The regime unscrupulously pursues its economic interests, wants to sell even more oil and gas and turns a blind eye to the consequences of its climate pollution."

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Ibadoghlu, an economist, is being held under house arrest in Azerbaijan and may not leave his home, after spending a lengthy period in pre-trial detention.

His health has severely deteriorated, Amnesty International said, citing his family.

Ibadoghlu holds a post at the University of Dresden in Germany and was due to take up a position at the Technical University (TU) of Dresden in 2023.

His research focuses on corruption, the diversion of raw material profits and the adverse economic consequences of autocratic rule, according to the TU.

He was nominated as a finalist for the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought for his work this year.

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The parliament is now inviting the dissident to Strasbourg for the award ceremony in mid-December, even if he is not chosen as the winner.

"We are very concerned about your deteriorating health," reads the letter from parliament President Roberta Metsola, seen by dpa. He could also receive much-needed medical care if he comes to Strasbourg.

The Azerbaijani government refused to comment on the case. "We do not comment on ongoing legal proceedings," said Yalchin Rafiyev, the chief negotiator for the Azerbaijani presidency, in response to a query.
BERLIN  The European Union must move to integrate its disparate defense cooperation mechanisms to make the bloc more militarily formidable, a recent review document approved by the European Council says.

The self-assessment evaluated the strategic objectives and inner workings of the Permanent Structured Cooperation mechanism, or PESCO. The EU created the scheme in 2017 to coordinate its member states defense capabilities and projects to increase their military effectiveness and operational readiness.

The main thrust of the councils new report is a call to double down on PESCO and make it a stronger force for a defensive Europe. It specifically calls out the need for closer alignment with several other EU mechanisms, such as the European Defence Fund and the proposed European Defence Industry Program.

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The council, which shares legislative power with the EU parliament, also emphasized the need to strengthen the European defense industry. The EDIP funding source, proposed by the EUs executive Commission, would provide 1.5 billion ($1.59 billion) to that end.

In the 1,000 days since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has gradually revised its formerly hands-off approach to defense matters. The war precipitated the first purchase of arms by Brussels, which were sent to Ukraine; resulted in a strategic rethinking of financing for military industry; and has strengthened voices that call for a more joint approach in addition to a more assertive Common Foreign and Security Policy. It has also resulted in the bloc flexing its economic muscle and providing financial support to the tune of billions of dollars to bolster domestic research and development.

At present, there are 66 ongoing PESCO projects covering practically all domains of modern warfare and military necessities. These include, among others, a project to utilize semi-autonomous systems for mine detection and neutralization, work on a European Patrol Corvette ship class, and a project to establish rapid response teams for various cyber threats. Others seek to streamline cross-border military logistics, develop a space-based missile detection system , and establish a command structure for medical services.

Ukraine, while not an EU member, has benefited from this European defense awakening, and the new assessment stresses the importance of drawing Kyiv closer to the EUs defense initiatives. PESCO has an existing mechanism for participation by third countries (meaning non-EU states) in joint projects, which has already been used to coordinate and cooperate with Ukraine, including during wartime.

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Closer to home, the report also called for updated operational commitments to support the EUs Rapid Deployment Capacity and conduct live exercises, as well as increasing defense spending and collaborative defense investment among the 26 PESCO member states.

By streamlining commitments and keeping goals measurable and concrete, Europe would be taking a step towards a stronger and more strategic and effective PESCO beyond 2025, the reports authors said.

A stronger and more capable EU in the field of security and defense will contribute positively to global and transatlantic security and is complementary to NATO, which remains the foundation of collective defense for its members, they wrote. Austria, Cyprus, and Ireland are EU and PESCO members but arent part of NATO, although they collaborate with the alliance to varying degrees.
The major political groups in the European Parliament have agreed in principle on the composition of the next European Commission, sources told dpa on Wednesday.

The new commission headed by President Ursula von der Leyen is now on track to start work on December 1, pending a final vote in the plenary session of parliament, where approval is considered likely.

The powerful EU executive arm is the only EU institution that can propose laws, which are then negotiated by the European Parliament and the EU member states.
The major political groups in the European Parliament have agreed in principle on the composition of the next European Commission, sources told dpa on Wednesday.

The new commission headed by President Ursula von der Leyen is now on track to start work on December 1, pending a final vote in the plenary session of parliament, where approval is considered likely.

The powerful EU executive arm is the only EU institution that can propose laws, which are then negotiated by the European Parliament and the EU member states.

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Germany's von der Leyen had asked EU countries to each nominate at least one female and one male candidate for her team of 26 commissioners.

Von der Leyen was re-elected as head of the Brussels authority in July and presented her planned team for her second term in September.

In recent weeks, the nominated commissioners went before parliamentary hearings. Resistance had arisen during the hearings over the six designated executive vice presidents.

The appointment of far-right Italian politician Raffaele Fitto was a particular point of contention.

This will be the first time that a politician from the far-right Italian party Brothers of Italy will be appointed as one of the vice presidents of the commission.

He is to become the commissioner for cohesion and reforms.
Evangelos Marinakis, the Nottingham Forest owner, is fighting a case in Greece alleging he financed sports violence in an investigation relating to the death of a police officer last year.

Olympiacos, who are also owned by the billionaire, immediately hit out at yet another attempt to blackmail Marinakis and the club to fulfil specific political and business interests. Marinakis and four other Olympiacos executives had been charged with covertly running a violent group of ultra hooligans, according to Skai and various news outlets in Greece.

A case was launched after riot police came under attack last December from a group of Olympiacos ultras following a volleyball match in Athens. During clashes, a 31-year-old police officer was struck in the thigh by a flare, and was taken to hospital, where he died three weeks later. Days after the attack, authorities arrested 167 individuals suspected of being involved in the officers death, with 25 of those placed in pre-trial detention, including an 18-year-old accused of launching the flare.

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Prosecutors handling the case have been reportedly investigating the possibility that fan group Gate 7, which was blamed for the attack, was covertly directed at the highest level by members of the management or executives at the club.

Olympiacos rejected the charges, saying that Marinakis and the Olympiacos family have a crystal-clear conscience. The development, which had been announced for weeks by specific political and business centres, constitutes a new attempt to blackmail Olympiacos FC and its president, a statement read.

It follows the unjust collective targeting and characterisation of our fans as part of an alleged criminal organisation. Even the most naive observer can see that the timing of these allegations is far from coincidental. This orchestrated manoeuvre bears clear political motives, shamefully weaponising the judiciary system. Those responsible for this conspiracy are individuals who operate with underhanded tactics, akin to a shadow state, in the public life of the country.

The case comes to light three weeks after Marinakis launched a 2.1 million High Court libel claim against a Greek rivals smear campaign accusing him of being a crime boss, match-fixer and heroin trafficker. Marinakis is suing Irini Karipidis, the owner of league rivals Aris, over a list of allegations published online last year.

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A hearing last Thursday was told the allegations, which Marinakis vehemently denies, include match-fixing practices including extortion, fraud and arson.

Barrister David Sherborne, representing Marinakis, said in written submissions: The allegations which Mr Marinakis complains of are completely untrue and nothing in the defendants evidence comes anywhere close to substantiating them.

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(FORT CARSON, Colo.)  Fort Carson said Evans Army Community Hospital got the highest score among all military healthcare facilities in the Leapfrog Groups fall 2024 assessment.

According to Fort Carson the Leapfrog Group is a national independent organization that focuses on healthcare quality, evaluating hospital safety measures such as errors, injuries, and infections.

Hospitals must meet certain criteria if they want to participate in the assessment, in the fall 2024 assessment, only 32% of participating hospitals got the highest grade, and of the military hospitals, 75% got an A grade with Evans Army Community Hospital being one of those hospitals.

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Achieving these grades is no small feat, said Dr. Paul Cordts, Defense Health Agencys Deputy Assistant Director for Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. The commitment of our team to ensure the safety of every patient in our care shows that military treatment facilities are among the best in the country when it comes to protecting patients and ensuring high standards.

Fort Carson said the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade program is updated twice a year. Leapfrog evaluates public and private hospitals. Its grades are based on national standards for hospital safety and highlight risks that patients may face in a healthcare setting. This includes preventable medical errors and infections. The ratings are publicly available, which helps patients easily find their local healthcare facilities safety standards.

It takes a true team effort to achieve such distinction from Leapfrog and our whole team is proud to be recognized among the elite hospitals in patient safety, said Col. Matthew Mapes, Evans Army Community Hospital commander. This grade recognizes and validates the entire hospital teams efforts and focus on protecting our patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital. I couldnt be more proud of the EACH Team.

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People sit on benches in Regent's Park in London, Britain, Oct. 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

The rankings underscore London's global appeal as a city that consistently combines rich cultural heritage, robust business infrastructure, and an unmatched quality of life.

LONDON, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- London has been crowned the world's best city for the 10th consecutive year in the annual World's Best Cities rankings released on Wednesday. The British capital retained its top spot, ahead of New York, Paris, and Tokyo.

The rankings, compiled by Resonance, a global advisor in real estate, tourism, and economic development, evaluate cities with populations of over 1 million. London has consistently dominated the rankings since their inception, even as the evaluation criteria evolve each year.

The rankings underscore London's global appeal as a city that consistently combines rich cultural heritage, robust business infrastructure, and an unmatched quality of life.

People cross the Waterloo Bridge as the full moon rises over the capital's financial district in London, Britain on Oct. 17, 2024. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)

This year's rankings, in partnership with leading pollster Ipsos, introduced public perception as a key metric. For the first time, insights from over 22,000 people across 30 countries were incorporated, adding perception-based data to the analysis.

The evaluation considered a wide range of other factors, including the quality of natural and built environments, cultural vibrancy, dining and nightlife, shopping, and business infrastructure. It also assessed regional airport connectivity and the quality of universities, all of which have shown strong correlations with attracting residents aged 25 to 44.

"People are moving and migrating, a trend amplified during the pandemic as individuals sought not just affordable places but lovable places," said Chris Fair, Resonance's president and CEO. "The results show that people around the world continue to aspire to live, visit, and work in the world's largest cities."

This photo taken on Feb. 8, 2024 shows a view of the River Thames during the twilight in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Fair acknowledged inherent biases in the rankings due to reliance on data from platforms like TripAdvisor, which tend to favor a Western perspective.

Laura Citron OBE, CEO of London & Partners, the UK capital's growth agency, highlighted London's appeal to Chinese visitors. "We always love to see more Chinese tourists in London," she told Xinhua.

"Our iconic attractions, world-class financial sector, and fast-growing tech industry showcase our city's strength, but it's the diversity of our people and ideas that drives the innovation and opportunities shaping our future," she added.
Police patrol outside the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center, home of the Colorado Supreme Court, in Denver. Voters in Colorado and two other states embraced measures earlier this month that reflect a get-tough approach to crime. (Chet Strange | Getty Images)

The outcomes of seven ballot measures in Arizona, California and Colorado reflect the stricter approach to crime thats been seen across much of the country recently, with voters and policymakers driven by concerns over rising retail theft, homelessness, fentanyl misuse and challenges in police recruitment and retention.

Voters have decided in recent years that they prefer to adopt progressive changes to the criminal justice system somewhat less aggressively, said Dan Schnur, a former Republican strategist and a political communications professor at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Berkeley.

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Voters are always course correctors. Theyre always adjusting and readjusting, trying to calibrate policy exactly the way they want it, Schnur said. Its not uncommon for them to try to pull back on a reform effort that they think might be going too far.

This year, local and state leaders in blue and red states  including California, Georgia, Louisiana, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont  shifted away from more liberal initiatives aimed at reining in police powers and reimagining criminal legal systems. They have instead embraced harsher penalties for offenses such as retail theft and possession or distribution of certain hard drugs, added more felony and misdemeanor offenses requiring cash bail, and moved to prohibit local governments from altering police traffic stop policies.

Then this month, voters in Arizona, California and Colorado overwhelmingly backed ballot measures to increase prison time for certain crimes, revoke bail for others and crack down on illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

While national crime data is notoriously difficult to track and understand, violent crime and property crime across the United States decreased in 2023, continuing a downward trend since the higher crime rates of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the FBIs latest national crime report. Still, some individual cities and neighborhoods might be seeing higher crime rates, which could explain Americans views on the issue.

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Opinions on crime in the United States have improved over the past year, according to Gallups annual crime survey. Fewer people compared with last year believe national crime has increased or consider crime an extremely or very serious problem  but a majority of U.S. adults, 56%, still do.

Perceptions are heavily influenced by political affiliation, the survey showed. While 60% of Democrats believe crime has gone down over the past year, 90% of Republicans think it has increased.

Rethinking theft and drug crimes

In California, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36, a measure that increases penalties for specific drug-related and theft crimes and that also reclassifies certain drug offenses as treatment-mandated felonies. This reclassification will allow judges to impose mental health or drug treatment requirements. Those who complete treatment would have their charges dismissed, while those who fail to meet the requirements could face up to three years in prison.

Its not the hope or the intention to send a bunch of people to jail or prison who are using drugs. The goal is to incentivize people to engage in treatment again, said Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, one of the measures authors, in an interview with Stateline.

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The measure aims to address issues such as retail theft, homelessness, substance use disorders and fentanyl distribution, Reisig said.

Under the new law, people convicted of theft at least twice may face felony charges on their third offense, regardless of the stolen items value. Additionally, those caught distributing fentanyl while armed with a loaded firearm will now face felony charges and up to four years in prison. Previously, possessing fentanyl and a loaded firearm was punishable by up to one year in jail.

Our strong belief is that this will send a deterrent message to others that there are consequences again, Reisig said.

The measure also received substantial support from law enforcement agencies across the state, although it remains unclear how departments might adjust their enforcement policies. Still, Reisig said, the measure will provide law enforcement with some real, meaningful tools to address specific crimes.

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With options for increased sentencing and mandated treatment, Prop. 36 could provide tools to address repeat offenses more effectively, Sacramento Police spokesperson Sgt. Dan Wiseman wrote in an email to Stateline.

Proposition 36 partially reverses some changes made in 2014 by another ballot measure, Proposition 47, that reduced certain theft and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors to address prison overcrowding. But Reisig said that this is not a complete rollback.

It was drafted to be more down the middle and just kind of bring the pendulum back to center mass, he said. Were not reinventing the wheel. Were just bringing back something that had proven success, and I think all of California is going to benefit.

But some Democrats and criminal justice advocacy groups have argued that the measure could reintroduce drug war policies and result in longer prison sentences.

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California voters also rejected Proposition 6 by a close margin, 53%-47%. The measure would have amended the state constitution to prohibit forcing inmates into labor as punishment. The proposal originated from a state task force examining whether California should provide reparations to Black residents.

In contrast, voters in more conservative states such as Alabama and Tennessee have approved measures in recent elections to abolish involuntary servitude in their prisons. In a similar effort, Nevada voters this year approved a measure repealing constitutional language that permitted slavery and involuntary servitude as forms of criminal punishment.

Schnur said Proposition 6 could have been rejected in part because California voters might have carried anti-criminal sentiment over from one ballot measure to the other.

Because Prop 36 passed by such a large margin, its entirely possible that many voters were already thinking in a more restrictive way about criminal justice policy, and those feelings may have moved over into their vote against Prop 6, Schnur said.

Restricting bail, recruiting police

In Colorado, voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment put on the ballot by the state legislature that makes first-degree murder suspects ineligible for bail if prosecutors can demonstrate a strong enough case.

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Previously, the state constitution allowed only people charged with capital offenses to be denied bail. This change restores bail policies that were in place before Colorado repealed the death penalty in 2020.

Voters are always course correctors. They're always adjusting and readjusting, trying to calibrate policy exactly the way they want it.

 Dan Schnur, former Republican strategist in California

Voters also backed a pair of measures placed on the ballot through a signature-gathering campaign led by Advance Colorado, a conservative political group.

One measure requires people convicted of certain violent crimes, including second-degree murder, aggravated robbery and sexual assault, to serve at least 85% of their sentence  up from the previous 75%  before becoming eligible for parole.

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The other ballot measure directs the legislature to allocate $350 million from the states general fund to help local law enforcement agencies hire additional officers, provide training and bonus pay, and establish a $1 million death benefit for the families of first responders  including police, firefighters and EMTs  killed in the line of duty.

The approval of that measure could deepen Colorados $1 billion budget deficit, though the financial impact will depend on how quickly lawmakers implement the program. Since the measure does not specify a timeline, legislators may choose to allocate the funds gradually rather than all at once in the next budget year, according to Kristi Burton Brown, Advance Colorados executive vice president.

Linking illegal immigration and fentanyl

Arizona voters overwhelmingly passed two criminal justice measures this year: One mandates life imprisonment for people convicted of child sex trafficking; the other goes after both illegal immigration and the sale of fentanyl not made in the United States.

Proposition 314 grants law enforcement the authority to arrest noncitizens who do not have legal authorization to enter or live in the United States. The law specifically targets people attempting to enter or who have entered Arizona outside official ports of entry.

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This measure expands police powers to address illegal immigration at the state level. Under Proposition 314, unauthorized entry into Arizona will become a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense and a felony for subsequent offenses. The measure also allows state judges to order deportations.

However, portions of the law cannot take effect until a court  likely the U.S. Supreme Court  rules on the constitutionality of a similar law in Texas. If the Texas law is upheld and remains enforceable for at least 60 days, Arizonas law could then go into effect. The law now is awaiting an appeals court decision, which is expected to itself be appealed to the Supreme Court no matter the ruling.

And the measure adds a new state felony penalty for selling fentanyl manufactured outside the country that results in another persons death.

Some critics argue that it could lead to racial profiling and heightened community tensions, while supporters claim it will bolster border security and reduce crimes linked to illegal immigration.

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Immigration enforcement is usually a federal responsibility, and some critics also have raised concerns about the additional financial and operational burden local law enforcement agencies may face.

Some local police departments contacted by Stateline were unsure of how the measure would be enforced, noting that they are waiting for further direction from state officials.

The Phoenix Police Department said in an email to Stateline that it would continue its current enforcement practices, which prohibit officers from asking about immigration status during traffic stops unless required by state law and consensual contacts with the public, according to department spokesperson Sgt. Mayra Reeson.

Under existing policies, Phoenix officers may only transport people to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if they are wanted for a criminal immigration violation and have no pending state criminal charges, or if the person has only a civil immigration violation, which includes being in the country without legal authorization, and consents to the transport.

The ACLU of Arizona has vowed to explore all options to block the implementation of Proposition 314, calling it unconstitutional and harmful.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.

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Police patrol outside the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center, home of the Colorado Supreme Court, in Denver. Voters in Colorado and two other states embraced measures earlier this month that reflect a get-tough approach to crime. (Chet Strange/Getty Images)

The outcomes of seven ballot measures in Arizona, California and Colorado reflect the stricter approach to crime thats been seen across much of the country recently, with voters and policymakers driven by concerns over rising retail theft, homelessness, fentanyl misuse and challenges in police recruitment and retention.

Voters have decided in recent years that they prefer to adopt progressive changes to the criminal justice system somewhat less aggressively, said Dan Schnur, a former Republican strategist and a political communications professor at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Berkeley.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Voters are always course correctors. Theyre always adjusting and readjusting, trying to calibrate policy exactly the way they want it, Schnur said. Its not uncommon for them to try to pull back on a reform effort that they think might be going too far.

This year, local and state leaders in blue and red states  including California, Georgia, Louisiana, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont  shifted away from more liberal initiatives aimed at reining in police powers and reimagining criminal legal systems. They have instead embraced harsher penalties for offenses such as retail theft and possession or distribution of certain hard drugs, added more felony and misdemeanor offenses requiring cash bail, and moved to prohibit local governments from altering police traffic stop policies.

Then this month, voters in Arizona, California and Colorado overwhelmingly backed ballot measures to increase prison time for certain crimes, revoke bail for others and crack down on illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

While national crime data is notoriously difficult to track and understand, violent crime and property crime across the United States decreased in 2023, continuing a downward trend since the higher crime rates of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the FBIs latest national crime report. Still, some individual cities and neighborhoods might be seeing higher crime rates, which could explain Americans views on the issue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Opinions on crime in the United States have improved over the past year, according to Gallups annual crime survey. Fewer people compared with last year believe national crime has increased or consider crime an extremely or very serious problem  but a majority of U.S. adults, 56%, still do.

Perceptions are heavily influenced by political affiliation, the survey showed. While 60% of Democrats believe crime has gone down over the past year, 90% of Republicans think it has increased.

Rethinking theft and drug crimes

In California, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36, a measure that increases penalties for specific drug-related and theft crimes and that also reclassifies certain drug offenses as treatment-mandated felonies. This reclassification will allow judges to impose mental health or drug treatment requirements. Those who complete treatment would have their charges dismissed, while those who fail to meet the requirements could face up to three years in prison.

Its not the hope or the intention to send a bunch of people to jail or prison who are using drugs. The goal is to incentivize people to engage in treatment again, said Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, one of the measures authors, in an interview with Stateline.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The measure aims to address issues such as retail theft, homelessness, substance use disorders and fentanyl distribution, Reisig said.

Under the new law, people convicted of theft at least twice may face felony charges on their third offense, regardless of the stolen items value. Additionally, those caught distributing fentanyl while armed with a loaded firearm will now face felony charges and up to four years in prison. Previously, possessing fentanyl and a loaded firearm was punishable by up to one year in jail.

Our strong belief is that this will send a deterrent message to others that there are consequences again, Reisig said.

The measure also received substantial support from law enforcement agencies across the state, although it remains unclear how departments might adjust their enforcement policies. Still, Reisig said, the measure will provide law enforcement with some real, meaningful tools to address specific crimes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With options for increased sentencing and mandated treatment, Prop. 36 could provide tools to address repeat offenses more effectively, Sacramento Police spokesperson Sgt. Dan Wiseman wrote in an email to Stateline.

Proposition 36 partially reverses some changes made in 2014 by another ballot measure, Proposition 47, that reduced certain theft and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors to address prison overcrowding. But Reisig said that this is not a complete rollback.

It was drafted to be more down the middle and just kind of bring the pendulum back to center mass, he said. Were not reinventing the wheel. Were just bringing back something that had proven success, and I think all of California is going to benefit.

But some Democrats and criminal justice advocacy groups have argued that the measure could reintroduce drug war policies and result in longer prison sentences.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

California voters also rejected Proposition 6 by a close margin, 53%-47%. The measure would have amended the state constitution to prohibit forcing inmates into labor as punishment. The proposal originated from a state task force examining whether California should provide reparations to Black residents.

In contrast, voters in more conservative states such as Alabama and Tennessee have approved measures in recent elections to abolish involuntary servitude in their prisons. In a similar effort, Nevada voters this year approved a measure repealing constitutional language that permitted slavery and involuntary servitude as forms of criminal punishment.

Schnur said Proposition 6 could have been rejected in part because California voters might have carried anti-criminal sentiment over from one ballot measure to the other.

Because Prop 36 passed by such a large margin, its entirely possible that many voters were already thinking in a more restrictive way about criminal justice policy, and those feelings may have moved over into their vote against Prop 6, Schnur said.

Restricting bail, recruiting police

In Colorado, voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment put on the ballot by the state legislature that makes first-degree murder suspects ineligible for bail if prosecutors can demonstrate a strong enough case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Previously, the state constitution allowed only people charged with capital offenses to be denied bail. This change restores bail policies that were in place before Colorado repealed the death penalty in 2020.

Voters are always course correctors. They're always adjusting and readjusting, trying to calibrate policy exactly the way they want it.

 Dan Schnur, former Republican strategist in California

Voters also backed a pair of measures placed on the ballot through a signature-gathering campaign led by Advance Colorado, a conservative political group.

One measure requires people convicted of certain violent crimes, including second-degree murder, aggravated robbery and sexual assault, to serve at least 85% of their sentence  up from the previous 75%  before becoming eligible for parole.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The other ballot measure directs the legislature to allocate $350 million from the states general fund to help local law enforcement agencies hire additional officers, provide training and bonus pay, and establish a $1 million death benefit for the families of first responders  including police, firefighters and EMTs  killed in the line of duty.

The approval of that measure could deepen Colorados $1 billion budget deficit, though the financial impact will depend on how quickly lawmakers implement the program. Since the measure does not specify a timeline, legislators may choose to allocate the funds gradually rather than all at once in the next budget year, according to Kristi Burton Brown, Advance Colorados executive vice president.

Linking illegal immigration and fentanyl

Arizona voters overwhelmingly passed two criminal justice measures this year: One mandates life imprisonment for people convicted of child sex trafficking; the other goes after both illegal immigration and the sale of fentanyl not made in the United States.

Proposition 314 grants law enforcement the authority to arrest noncitizens who do not have legal authorization to enter or live in the United States. The law specifically targets people attempting to enter or who have entered Arizona outside official ports of entry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This measure expands police powers to address illegal immigration at the state level. Under Proposition 314, unauthorized entry into Arizona will become a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense and a felony for subsequent offenses. The measure also allows state judges to order deportations.

However, portions of the law cannot take effect until a court  likely the U.S. Supreme Court  rules on the constitutionality of a similar law in Texas. If the Texas law is upheld and remains enforceable for at least 60 days, Arizonas law could then go into effect. The law now is awaiting an appeals court decision, which is expected to itself be appealed to the Supreme Court no matter the ruling.

And the measure adds a new state felony penalty for selling fentanyl manufactured outside the country that results in another persons death.

Some critics argue that it could lead to racial profiling and heightened community tensions, while supporters claim it will bolster border security and reduce crimes linked to illegal immigration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Immigration enforcement is usually a federal responsibility, and some critics also have raised concerns about the additional financial and operational burden local law enforcement agencies may face.

Some local police departments contacted by Stateline were unsure of how the measure would be enforced, noting that they are waiting for further direction from state officials.

The Phoenix Police Department said in an email to Stateline that it would continue its current enforcement practices, which prohibit officers from asking about immigration status during traffic stops unless required by state law and consensual contacts with the public, according to department spokesperson Sgt. Mayra Reeson.

Under existing policies, Phoenix officers may only transport people to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if they are wanted for a criminal immigration violation and have no pending state criminal charges, or if the person has only a civil immigration violation, which includes being in the country without legal authorization, and consents to the transport.

The ACLU of Arizona has vowed to explore all options to block the implementation of Proposition 314, calling it unconstitutional and harmful.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.
Minnesotans will gather Wednesday to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is held annually and honors those who have been murdered due to transphobia.

About 29,500 Minnesotans identify as transgender, according to a 2022 study by the Williams Institute.

In the past two years, Minnesota authorities have investigated the murders of two trans women - Savannah Williams in November 2023 and Liara Tsai in June of this year.

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"This year's community gatherings feel all the more necessary, as we remember Savannah Williams and Liara Tsai, as we recognize the lived experiences of violence for so many in our state, and as we hold space for each other in a changing political climate nationally," OutFront Minnesota Executive Director Kat Rohn said in a statement. "Now more than ever we need leaders and allies standing alongside us."

The day was founded in 1999 in honor of Rita Hester, a trans woman who was killed in Massachusetts. Events and vigils are held around the country in honor of this day and here is a list of all the events happening dedicated to the Trans community in and around Minnesota.

Flickr

Wednesday Events

OutFront Minnesota at Strike Theatre - From 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Minnesota's largest LGBTQ+ organization will be holding a free event, where artists and performers will be taking to the Strike Theatre's stage. Guest performers include: Irene (@thecarcrashheart), Kiki Latham (@lovekikijoy), Mikhayl Dominguez (@mikhamik52), and Ghosting Merit (@ghosting.merit)

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"Our annual Transgender Day of Remembrance is dedicated to honoring the memory of transgender individuals whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence," Its Instagram post promoting the event read. "This is a time to be in community with queer siblings, remembering those who have passed, while also celebrating queer joy, creativity, and love."

Attendees will also be able to participate in activities in the Theatre's lobby such as painting, writing, and more.

Those interested in attending can RSVP here.

University of Minnesota: Gender and Sexuality panel - From 1 to 2:30 p.m. and Trans Day of Remembrance event- From 6 to 8 p.m.

For University of Minnesota students, there will be two events today to choose from, including a panel which will be held by the Gender and Sexuality Center over zoom from 1 until 2:30 p.m. and an in-person event held at Appleby Hall 40 and 41 from 6 to 8 p.m.

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The in-person event is free, and will feature many vendors specializing in art prints, crochet, trinkets, zines, magnets, and more. More information about each vendor can be found on the Gender and Sexuality Center's Instagram.

View the original article to see embedded media.

University of Wisconsin, Superior Trans Day of Remembrance and Resilience - From 4 to 7 p.m.

The University will be hosting two separate events for Trans Day of Remembrance, first being an outdoor, vigil that will held at the corner of Lake Avenue & Superior Street in downtown Duluth from 4 - 5p.m.

After the vigil, the UWS Gender Equity Resource Center will be hosting an event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. where drinks will be provided. There will also be community resource tables, and a panel featuring local community members focused on "building resilience in our community."

Thursday Events

Smitten Kitten Trans Day of Vitality - From 2 to 9 p.m. at its store location

In an effort to bring more joy into Trans spaces, Trans-owned sex shop The Smitten Kitten in Minneapolis is hosting its own day long event the day after Trans Day of Remembrance, dubbing it "Trans Day of Vitality."

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"Too often our holidays are rooted in trauma, death, and mourning," organizer and Smitten Kitten Brand organizer, Myrtle Lemon-Todd said. "Marginalized populations deserve joy in excess amounts, especially those forcibly politicized.

The store will be open as regular hours from 1 to 2 p.m. and then from 2 to 4:30 will host a series of vendors including food vendor Scones Ike Coffee, portrait artist Harper Steinbach, smoothie and juice bar, The Dripping Root, and Concept arts Zacharie McKee.

At 6 p.m. there will be a book reading and conversation with local author and activist, Dex Anderson on their book "Body Phobia."

A drag show at 8 p.m. will finish the night off with a bang, hosted by drag king Pippin Panic, featuring performers such as Cerberus the Hound, Boy Gevalt, Splash, Omni Pain and Primordial Chaos

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Masks are required at all times within the store and during the events.

View the original article to see embedded media.

St. Marks Episcopal Church Transgender Day of Remembrance, St. Pauls  Lake of the Isles - From 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The St. Marks Episcopal Church will be hosting a vigil on Thursday in partnership with St. Pauls Episcopal Church on Lake of the Isles and other neighboring parishes to commemorate both Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) World AIDS Day (WAD), which is on Dec. 1.

The vigil will be held from 7 until 8:30 at the St. Mark's church, and will feature, "Eucharist, song, and collective lamentation."

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"TDOR is an annual memorial holiday to mourn and remember the lives of transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive people lost to violence and hate each year," the churches website reads. "All money collected from the loose plate offering will go toward supporting Tea Time at Aliveness Project, a peer support network for trans femmes in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota."

For a full list of events being held this week, you can visit the Trans Intersex Gender-Expansive Revolutionary Resources and Services Facebook post, highlighting events happening across the Twin Cities.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  Eversource is warning customers to be on the lookout for schemers contacting them, pretending to be representatives of the utility company.

Avoiding online schemes this holiday season

Whether its by phone, email, or at the door, these schemers use urgency or threats to shut off your power to get you to provide personal information or make payments.

Eversource wants customers to know that they do not solicit door-to-door or on the phone on behalf of third-party energy suppliers. All Eversource employees carry photo identification, wear branded clothing, and drive company vehicles.

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They would never ask customers to use prepaid debit cards or go to a department or grocery store to make a payment. Jared Lawrence with Eversource told 22News, Because we have been so effective at getting the word out over the years about the typical schemesthe scammers are not going away, they are trying to innovate. If you hear something that does feel a little bit off your instincts should always be hung up. Dont trust that text that came out of the blue..always go and verify with a legitimate source.

Customers facing disconnection due to non-payment should receive several written notices, including an alert on their bill, that includes information on how to maintain their service. Customers should not search for Eversources phone number or website through a search enginebut instead, find the contact information and website on their bill.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Reflecting as Ottawa Impacts controversial tenure controlling the Ottawa County Board of Commissions comes to an end, one of the exiting commissioners said she hopes the next board will prioritize building relationships and working together.

Come next year, the board will have 10 Republicans and one Democrat. Ottawa Impact will no longer have a majority on the board, with four commissioners affiliated with the conservative political action committee remaining. Six Republicans will sit on the board who are not affiliated with Ottawa Impact.

Commissioner Rebekah Curran, a Republican unaffiliated with OI, chose not to seek reelection after she declared a run for Michigans open U.S. Senate seat.

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Board Chair Moss admits mistakes along the way, but says Ottawa Impact stuck to principles

Curran, who worked in the hospitality industry for most of her career, first got involved in politics in Virginia. She later moved to Houston and worked for a super PAC for Ben Carsons 2016 presidential campaign. She said she later felt a calling to run for office in Michigan and ran for the Ottawa County board in 2022. Curran originally signed an Ottawa Impact campaign pledge when she ran for the board.

I really felt like it was gonna be a great opportunity for OI to make some changes that needed to be made, she said.

While she said she agrees with the groups principles, she pulled out in the spring of 2022, before she was elected. She said she never took campaign money from Ottawa Impact, though she was endorsed by the group at one point.

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I could tell I felt like it wasnt going to be a good fit in the long term, she said. I was very independently minded and I thought we were going to look at things in a more collaborative and group fashion.

Non-Ottawa Impact commissioners: Primary outcomes show what people want

In her last two years on the board, she said she tried to bring everyone together. Looking back, she wishes there was more communication and compromise.

It doesnt matter who it is, she said. It doesnt matter if its a Democrat, Republican, independent. Everyones voice matters.

Curran specifically cited the boards decision to oust former County Administrator John Shay and replace him with former congressional candidate John Gibbs (who was also later fired). She said she would have tried to work with Shay first.

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They were very aggressive in their approach, she said. I wouldve been a little more tempered and measured  hopefully still getting the same outcomes, just bringing along people with you as I did it.

That being said, Curran believes things have improved over the last year on the board, specifically mentioning board chair and Ottawa Impact co-founder Joe Moss.

I felt like there was a softening in the board chair, she said. I felt like he was trying to listen more.

Non-Ottawa Impact Republicans win commission majority

She believes the election results will create a new opportunity for the board to start over.

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I hope they choose to capitalize on this.  Take time to build relations, talk to each other and work together, Curran said.

Earlier this month, Moss and Commissioner-elect Jordan Jorritsma, a Republican not affiliated with Ottawa Impact, both told News 8 they believe both sides can work together well. As Curran prepares to step down, she gave her own advice to the board.

Do as much as you can to make people feel respected and cared for and that their voice counts, even if you cant give them what they want, she said.

The new board will be sworn in Jan. 2. Curran didnt rule out another run for office in the future.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A former Memphis Police officer is set to be back in court to see if his case will be dismissed and expunged from his record.

Former officer William Skelton pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to one year of diversion.

This all goes back to a case in 2019 when body camera footage captured police arresting Drew Thomas for allegedly vandalizing a store on Airways Boulevard. Thomas was said to have been banned from the store.

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Family members of Thomas told WREG investigators that he had mental health issues with dozens of arrests and emergency commitments.

That night, MPD sent officer Skelton to the scene because he was trained to handle people with mental health issues. He had also dealt with Thomas earlier.

Skelton put Thomas into handcuffs and into the squad car. Skelton told internal affairs he sprayed pepper foam four times, restrained Thomas legs and shut the door. He also refused to crack a window for five minutes and 55 seconds, despite that being against the departments policy.

Video of police using pepper foam on a man leads to conversation about mental health calls

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Skelton resigned before the administrative hearing and MPD never referred the case to the District Attorneys office.

When the incident made headlines, the former DA Amy Weirich had a special team look at the case. In November 2020, a grand jury indicted Skelton on an official oppression charge.

Ex-Memphis Police officer gets diversion after pepper spray incident

Two years later, he entered a guilty plea on the lesser charge of reckless endangerment with a weapon.

This story will be updated.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A retired Portland police officer was among dozens of people recently arrested during a two-month human trafficking mission at NE 82nd Avenue and Sandy Street, the agency has confirmed to KOIN 6 News.

Former Sgt. Christopher Kenagy, a sworn Portland Police Bureau officer from 1999 to January 2024, was arrested on two misdemeanor charges on Friday, Nov. 15, according to police.

Thousands lose power as wild weather whacks Portland metro

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Officers with the PPB human trafficking unit arrested or cited a total of 34 people in the area during their mission. Police cited 27 people  including Kenagy  for commercial sexual solicitation and/or unlawful prostitution procurement activities.

Another seven people were arrested for additional or separate crimes, authorities said, including firearms charges or previous warrants.

Man dead after shooting at NE Portland hotel parking lot

KOIN 6 News reached out to PPB for comment. The agency declined, as the arrest took place months after Kenagy retired and became a private citizen.

Kenagy is expected to appear in court on Jan. 3, 2025.

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Anyone with information about someone they suspect is being trafficked is asked to contact Portland police or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CHICAGO  Ed Moody, a former powerhouse precinct captain in the 13th Ward Democratic organization, took the stand Wednesday against his ex-boss Michael Madigan and answered a question at the center of the corruption case.

How much work did he do over the years in exchange for monthly checks from various ComEd contractors close to Madigan?

Little to none, Moody answered. And from 2012 to 2019, he was sent some $354,000 for essentially no work.

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Moody along with his twin brother, Fred, was one of Madigans most trusted election-time door-knockers. And the money came with a catch, he said. Madigan told him if he stopped working on political campaigns for Madigans organization, he would lose the contract, Moody testified.

(Madigan) said if I leave my politics, if I stopped doing what I was doing, I would lose the contract.

He influenced getting it, and he could influence me losing it, Moody said, adding that Madigan told him this is how I award my good soldiers.

Madigan and longtime ally Michael McClain are charged in a sweeping racketeering indictment alleging they ran Madigans state and political organizations like a criminal enterprise.

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Prosecutors allege the subcontractor payments to Moody and other Madigan loyalists were part of a larger scheme by ComEd to provide a stream of benefits to the speaker in order to secure his help with legislation in Springfield.

On Wednesday, Moody, 60, entered the courtroom in a dark gray suit and strode right past Madigan at the defense table without looking at his former boss. The ex-speakers gaze followed him all the way to the witness stand.

My name is Ed Moody, he began, and continued his testimony with a relaxed attitude and a voice so loud that prosecutors initially asked him to back off the microphone. From the defense table, Madigan stared at Moody, expressionless.

Moody, who is testifying under a grant of immunity, walked jurors through his history with the Southwest Side Democrats. Over the years he and his brother became so effective in rallying votes that they rose to the top of the rankings, over much more experienced precinct captains.

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For the most part, they were not paid for their political work, Moody said, but he leveraged his connections into a job with the Cook County highway department and then a job at the Bridgeview courthouse for which he didnt even have to formally interview.

The brothers first met Madigan in 1989 or 1990, Moody said, when they were out for a walk together.

(Madigan) was walking and we just like politics, and we knew who he was, so we just started talking, he testified.

Beginning in 2012, Moody was paid nearly $355,000 through various subcontracts, starting with McClain and later moving under ComEd consultant Jay Doherty and then lobbyist and Madigan ally Shaw Decremer, FBI Special Agent Katharine Heide testified in Madigans trial earlier this week.

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Moody met with McClain in 2012 at a Huck Finn restaurant on the Southwest Side, where McClain handed him sheets with names of legislators to call and reemphasized Madigans role in getting him the work.

McClain said this was a hell of a plum and that I owe the speaker big, Moody testified, and also told him to keep knocking on those doors.

Moody said he did minimal work under that first contract, spending about an hour each month calling lawmakers to tell them that if they had any issues with ComEd they should reach out to McClain. In early 2013, he said, he passed out some ComEd flyers while going door-to-door in support of his own campaign for Worth Township highway commissioner.

He never lobbied anyone on ComEds behalf and never provided the legislators with any information about ComEd, he testified. For his efforts he was paid about $4,500 a month.

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Madigan, 82, of Chicago, served for decades as speaker of the Illinois House and the head of the state Democratic Party. McClain, 77, is a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy. They have pleaded not guilty and deny wrongdoing.

Moody is expected to be one of the last witnesses to testify in the ComEd bribery section of the sweeping indictment.

Meanwhile, the emergence of Moody as a government cooperator sent shock waves throughout Democratic circles, from Madigans base of power on Chicagos Southwest Side to the insiders hanging out in the Illinois Capitols rotunda.

For years, the Moody twins promulgated an almost mythical reputation as a special-operations team that Madigan often referred to as his best, legendary for their door-knocking skills and a gift of persuasion that kept votes coming in for the speaker and his acolytes year after year.

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They were the go-to soldiers dispatched all over the state when Madigan needed to turn around the voters in a critical legislative district in the heat of the campaign. And they did it time after time since the mid-1990s.

Jurors in Madigans trial have already heard plenty of testimony about Moodys importance to Madigans political operation. Earlier this week, they also heard a pair of voicemails recovered from Dohertys phone in May 2019.

The first message was left by McClain on Oct. 9, 2016, the day after Moody had been appointed to the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

I talked to the speaker, uh, speaker talked to Ed Moody and so speaker suggested Ed and you get together and talk cause ya know, hes got some disclosure things hes gonna have to do at the county board level, McClain said on the recording.

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An hour and a half later, Moody called and left a voicemail of his own, which was also played for the jury. Hey, Jay, this is, uh, Ed Moody calling. Uh, the Speaker wanted me to reach out to you, uh, if you wouldnt mind returning my call.

Prosecutors allege that to avoid raising eyebrows, Moodys payments were moved three weeks later from Dohertys account to Decremer, who did not lobby the city or county.

_____
Melissa Lucio, the death row inmate who was convicted of capital murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, is speaking out in an exclusive statement and audio recording to ABC News for the first time since a judge found last month that the Texas mother who has been behind bars for nearly 17 years is actually innocent.

More than words. There are truly no amount of words, no matter how eloquently spoken, that can begin to convey the thanks I feel in this moment, Lucio said in a statement and audio recording that was shared Tuesday exclusively with ABC News by Lucios close friend, filmmaker Sabrina Van Tassel. I want to thank everyone that has fought so hard. Not just for me, but more importantly for Mariahs memory.

Van Tassels 2020 Hulu documentary, The State of Texas vs. Melissa, propelled Lucios case to the national spotlight ahead of a scheduled April 2022 execution that was delayed amid public pressure for the court to review her case.

PHOTO: Jeff Leach stands next to death row inmate Melissa Lucio during a visit by a group of lawmakers to the Mountain View Unit in Gatesville, Texas on April 6, 2022. The lawmakers visited Lucio to update her about their efforts to stop her execution. (Rep. Jeff Leach via AP, FILE)

In a 62-page ruling that was signed on Oct. 16, 2024, and reviewed by ABC News, Senior State District Judge Arturo Nelson recommended that Lucios conviction and death sentence be overturned in the 2007 death of her daughter Mariah.

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Death row inmate Melissa Lucio 'innocent' in daughter's death, judge finds

The judge found that prosecutors suppressed evidence and testimony  including statements from Lucios other children  that could support the argument that Lucio was not abusive and that her daughters death was accidental after a fall down the stairs

This Court finds (Lucio) has satisfied her burden and produced clear and convincing evidence that she is actually innocent of the offense of capital murder, Nelson wrote.

(T)his Court concludes there is clear and convincing evidence that no rational juror could convict Applicant of capital murder or any lesser included offense, Nelson added.

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It is safe to say I find myself still in shock and awe of everything that has transpired this past week, Lucio said in the statement, reflecting on the judges recommendation.

But this story began long before this moment and I want to thank each and every person who has played such a significant part, and not only bringing the truth to light, but fighting so very hard to do so, she added, proceeding to thank her supporters for being instrumental in getting her execution delayed in 2022 as the court reviews her case.

Lucio thanked her attorneys at the Innocence Project, the coordinator of the Free Melissa Lucio campaign, Abraham Bonowitz, and namely, Van Tassel, who Lucio credits with bringing attention to her story through the documentary.

PHOTO: In this undated photograph, Texas death row inmate Melissa Lucio is holding one of her sons, John. (Family of Melissa Lucio via AP)

In her statement to ABC News, Lucio recounted the first time she met Van Tassel, who was working on a story about women on death row when Lucio agreed to an interview with her, and said that she felt led to speak to her.

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Without her tireless dedication to me and my cause, I do not believe I would be alive today. She brought worldwide attention to the system that has been sweeping issues like mine under the proverbial rug for decades and getting away with it, she added, reflecting on the 2020 documentary.

Amid growing calls for the court to review her case in 2022, Lucio was granted a stay of her scheduled April 27, 2022, execution by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on April 25, 2022  after nearly 15 years on death row.

In an exclusive statement to ABC News, Van Tassel said that in the wake of the judges ruling, there is real hope that her death sentence could be overturned, paving the way for Melissa Lucio to finally walk free.

This possibility exceeds all my expectations, and I pray for the day we can finally hold each other in our arms, she said.

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The judges recommendation was sent to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for review.

ABC News reached out to the Cameron County District Attorneys Office, which prosecuted this case, but a request for comment was not immediately returned.

Vanessa Potkin, director of special litigation at the Innocence Project, and one of Lucios attorneys, said in a statement last week that "After 16 years on death row, its time for the nightmare to end. Melissa should be home right now with her children and grandchildren.

Exclusive: Death row inmate Melissa Lucio speaks out after judge finds her 'innocent' in daughter's death originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The lack of flour and fuel in northern Gaza threatens to shut down bakeries serving hundreds of thousands of hungry or starving Palestinians, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its warning comes as parts of northern Gaza are at imminent risk of famine.

The World Food Programme said only seven of the 19 bakeries supported by humanitarian partners in Gaza are still operating: two in Deir al Balah, one in Khan Younis, and four in Gaza City. Seven UN-supported bakeries in Rafah and North Gaza governorate remain closed due to hostilities.

"The three bakeries in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis that are still running are being supported by our partners," OCHA said. "They are still working at full capacity at the moment to meet the extremely high demand but have only enough flour to stay operational through the end of the week."

The office added that several other bakeries in the same areas were forced to cease operations earlier this week due to a lack of flour.

"The four bakeries we mentioned in Gaza City have been forced to reduce their capacity by 50 percent since Tuesday due to dwindling fuel supplies," OCHA said. "These shortages stem from delays in fuel deliveries due to the ongoing safety and security challenges related to accessing supplies entering Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing."

The humanitarians also said partners report that there is a stark increase in the number of households experiencing severe hunger in central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip.

OCHA warned the breakdown in public order and safety in Gaza is leading to increasingly organized armed looting.

"This is also endangering aid workers, making it almost impossible for humanitarian organizations to do their jobs," the office said.

OCHA said that as of Monday, the Israeli authorities facilitated just over 40 percent of the nearly 320 planned humanitarian movements across the Gaza Strip this month. The rest were denied, impeded, or canceled due to security and logistical challenges.

The office also said that nearly two months into the wide-scale escalation of the conflict in Lebanon, 3,000 people are estimated to have been killed, and more than 770,000 people have been displaced from their homes.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) reports that more than 200 children were killed, representing, on average, three children dying each day.

"The health sector is also heavily impacted, with 190 health workers killed in less than two months," OCHA said. "Some 50 primary health-care centers and eight hospitals have also been forced to close, leaving countless people without access to essential services when they need them the most."

OCHA reminded that under international humanitarian law, medical personnel and facilities must be respected and protected.

The office said the world body and its partners continue to deliver critical assistance to Lebanese in need. Since Sept. 23, 65 humanitarian convoys have transported vital aid to people in conflict-affected regions of Lebanon.

"In addition to food, tents, solar lamps, mattresses and medical supplies, humanitarian partners have provided more than 1.6 million liters of bottled water and over 42 million liters of water through trucking," OCHA said. "We have also delivered around 600,000 liters of fuel to support water pumping operations at key establishments."

UNICEF has reported significant efforts to support the reopening of public schools, providing individual learning materials to more than 135,000 children. 
By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Vladimir Putin is open to discussing a Ukraine ceasefire deal with Donald Trump but rules out making any major territorial concessions and insists Kyiv abandon ambitions to join NATO, five sources with knowledge of Kremlin thinking told Reuters.

U.S. President-elect Trump, who has vowed to swiftly end the conflict, is returning to the White House at a time of Russian ascendancy. Moscow controls a chunk of Ukraine about the size of the American state of Virginia and is advancing at the fastest pace since the early days of the 2022 invasion.

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In the first detailed reporting of what President Putin would accept in any deal brokered by Trump, the five current and former Russian officials said the Kremlin could broadly agree to freeze the conflict along the front lines.

There may be room for negotiation over the precise carve-up of the four eastern regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, according to three of the people who all requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

While Moscow claims the four regions as wholly part of Russia, defended by the country's nuclear umbrella, its forces on the ground control 70-80% of the territory with about 26,000 square km still held by Ukrainian troops, open-source data on the front line shows.

Russia may also be open to withdrawing from the relatively small patches of territory it holds in the Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions, in the north and south of Ukraine, two of the officials said.

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Putin said this month that any ceasefire deal should reflect the "realities" on the ground but that he feared a short-lived truce which would only allow the West to rearm Ukraine.

"If there is no neutrality, it is difficult to imagine the existence of any good-neighbourly relations between Russia and Ukraine," Putin told the Valdai discussion group on Nov. 7.

"Why? Because this would mean that Ukraine will be constantly used as a tool in the wrong hands and to the detriment of the interests of the Russian Federation."

Two of the sources said outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to fire American ATACMS missiles deep into Russia could complicate and delay any settlement - and stiffen Moscow's demands as hardliners push for a bigger chunk of Ukraine. On Tuesday, Kyiv used the missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time, according to Moscow which decried the move as a major escalation.

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If no ceasefire is agreed, the two sources said, then Russia will fight on.

"Putin has already said that freezing the conflict will not work in any way," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters hours before the Russians reported the ATACMS strikes. "And the missile authorisation is a very dangerous escalation on the part of the United States."

The Ukrainian foreign ministry didn't immediately respond to a request for comment for this article.

Trump's communications director Steven Cheung told Reuters about the incoming U.S. president: "He is the only person who can bring both sides together in order to negotiate peace, and work towards ending the war and stopping the killing."

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Real estate billionaire Trump, author of the 1987 book "Trump: the Art of the Deal", has said he would speak directly to Putin in his efforts to forge a peace deal, though has given no details on how he might reconcile the warring sides, which both show scant sign of backing down.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said his country will not rest until every last Russian soldier is ejected from its territory - based on the borders it gained after the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union - though top U.S. generals have said publicly that this is a very ambitious aim.

On June 14, Putin set out his opening terms for an immediate end to the war: Ukraine must drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw all of its troops from the entirety of the territory of four Ukrainian regions claimed and mostly controlled by Russia.

SECURITY GUARANTEES, ARMY LIMITS

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While Russia will not tolerate Ukraine joining NATO, or the presence of NATO troops on Ukrainian soil, it is open to discussing security guarantees for Kyiv, according to the five current and former officials.

Other Ukrainian concessions the Kremlin could push for include Kyiv agreeing to limit the size of its armed forces and committing not to restrict the use of the Russian language, the people said.

Dimitri Simes, who emigrated to the United States from the Soviet Union in 1973 and is one of Russia's best-connected experts on America, said a ceasefire agreement could be struck relatively swiftly to end the war, which has killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and displaced millions of civilians.

But a wider, lasting deal that addressed both Ukraine and Russia's security concerns would be extremely challenging to forge, he added.

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"A grand bargain, in my view, would be very difficult to reach as the positions of the two sides are very far apart."

'HARSH TRUTH: RUSSIA IS WINNING'

Russia controls 18% of Ukraine including all of Crimea, a peninsula it annexed from Ukraine in 2014, 80% of the Donbas - the Donetsk and Luhansk regions - and more than 70% of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. It also holds just under 3% of the Kharkiv region and a sliver of Mykolaiv.

In total, Russia has over 110,000 square km of Ukrainian territory. Ukraine holds about 650 square km of Russia's Kursk region.

Domestically, Putin could sell a ceasefire deal that saw Russia hold onto most of the territory of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as a victory that ensured the defence of Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine and safeguarded the landbridge to Crimea, according to one of the sources.

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The future of Crimea itself is not up for discussion, all the Russian officials said.

One of the officials, a senior source with knowledge of top-level Kremlin discussions, said the West would have to accept the "harsh truth" that all the support it had given Ukraine could not prevent Russia from winning the war.

Putin, a former KGB lieutenant colonel who watched the Soviet Union crumble while stationed in Dresden, took the decision to invade Ukraine himself with only limited counsel from a tiny group of trusted advisers, 10 Russian sources with knowledge of Kremlin thinking told Reuters.

He will likewise have the deciding voice on any ceasefire, according to the five current and former officials.

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The Kremlin chief presents what he calls the "special military operation" in Ukraine as a watershed moment when Moscow finally stood up to what he sees as the arrogance of the West which enlarged NATO eastwards towards Russia's borders and meddled in the politics of what Moscow considers as its own backyard, including Georgia and, crucially, Ukraine.

Kyiv and the West say the invasion was an attempt to grab sovereign Ukrainian territory.

When asked what a possible ceasefire might look like, two of the Russian sources referred to a draft agreement that was almost approved in April 2022 after talks in Istanbul, and which Putin has referred to in public as a possible basis for a deal.

Under that draft, a copy of which Reuters has seen, Ukraine should agree to permanent neutrality in return for international security guarantees from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

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One of the Russian officials said there would be no agreement unless Ukraine received security guarantees, adding: "The question is how to avoid a deal that locks the West into a possible direct confrontation with Russia one day."

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Washington; Editing by Pravin Char)
By Charlotte Greenfield and Gloria Dickie

KABUL/BAKU (Reuters) - United Nations agencies are trying to unlock key climate financing for Afghanistan, one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change which has not received approval for any fresh such funds since the 2021 Taliban takeover, two U.N. officials told Reuters.

Plagued by drought and deadly floods, Afghanistan has been unable to access U.N. climate funds due to political and procedural issues since the former insurgents came to power.

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But with the population growing more desperate as climate woes stack up, U.N. agencies are hoping to unseal project financing for the fragile country to boost its resilience.

If successful, this would be the first time new international climate finance would flow into the arid, mountainous nation in three years.

"There are no climate sceptics in Afghanistan," said Dick Trenchard, U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) country director for Afghanistan. "You see the impact of climate change and its environmental effects everywhere you go."

Two U.N. agencies are currently drawing together proposals they hope to submit next year to shore up nearly $19 million in financing from the U.N's Global Environment Facility (GEF), part of the financial mechanism of the 2015 U.N. Paris Agreement on climate change.

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These include the FAO, which hopes to get support for a project costing $10 million that would improve rangeland, forest and watershed management across up to four provinces in Afghanistan, while avoiding giving money directly to Taliban authorities.

The U.N. Development Programme, meanwhile, hopes to secure $8.9 million to improve the resilience of rural communities where livelihoods are threatened by increasingly erratic weather patterns, the agency told Reuters. If that goes ahead, it plans to seek another $20 million project.

"We're in conversations with the GEF, the Green Climate Fund, the Adaptation Fund - all these major climate financing bodies - to reopen the pipeline and get resources into the country, again, bypassing the de facto authorities," said Stephen Rodriques, UNDP resident representative for Afghanistan.

National governments often work alongside accredited agencies to implement projects that have received U.N. climate funds. But because the Taliban government is not recognised by U.N. member states, U.N. agencies would both make the request and serve as the on-the-ground partner to carry out the project.

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A Taliban administration spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.

FLOODS, DROUGHT

"If one of the countries most impacted by climate change in the world cannot have access to (international climate funds), it means something isn't working," Rodriques said, adding that any funds should come alongside continued dialogue on human and women's rights.

Flash floods have killed hundreds in Afghanistan this year, and the heavily agriculture-dependent country suffered through one of the worst droughts in decades that ended last year. Many subsistence farmers, who make up much of the population, face deepening food insecurity in one of the world's poorest countries.

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The FAO and UNDP will need to receive initial approvals by the GEF secretariat before they can submit their full proposals for a final decision from the GEF Council, which comprises representatives from 32 member states.

If the agencies get that first green light, Trenchard said, they would aim to submit their proposals in early 2025.

We "are awaiting guidance as to whether it would be possible to proceed," Trenchard said.

No foreign capital has formally recognised the Taliban government, and many of its members are subject to sanctions. The United States has frozen billions in central bank funds since the former insurgents took over and barred girls and women over the age of 12 from schools and universities.

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Many human rights activists have condemned the Taliban's policies and some have questioned whether interaction with the Taliban and funnelling funds into the country could undermine foreign governments' calls for a reversal on women's rights restrictions.

The Taliban says it respects women's rights in accordance with its interpretation of Islamic law.

Countries mired in conflict and its aftermath say they have struggled to access private investment, as they are seen as too risky. That means U.N. funds are even more critical to their populations, many of whom have been displaced by war and weather.

Taliban members are attending the ongoing annual U.N. climate negotiations COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan as observers for the first time, Reuters has reported.

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The Taliban's presence could build trust between Afghanistan and international donors, said Abdulhadi Achakzai, founder of the Afghanistan climate nonprofit Environmental Protection Trainings and Development Organization, on the sidelines of COP29.

"It will be a safer world for the future to include Afghanistan officially in the agenda," he said. "We see this is an opportunity. There are funds for Afghanistan, we just need to secure it."

(Reporting by Gloria Dickie in Baku and Charlotte Greenfield in Kabul; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
The Biden administration is aggressively pushing senators to bless continued U.S. weapons shipments for Israel ahead of a first-of-its-kind vote in Congress on the policy, HuffPost has learned  and administration officials are suggesting lawmakers who vote against the arms are empowering American and Israeli foes from Iran to the militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah, which the U.S. treats as terror organizations.

HuffPost obtained a copy of talking points the administration is circulating on Capitol Hill ahead of a Wednesday vote on several tranches of military equipment that President Joe Biden wants to send Israel. The White House sent the document to multiple Democratic Senate offices on Tuesday, two Senate aides who requested anonymity to speak frankly told HuffPost.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is also privately pressing senators to endorse the ongoing flow of military equipment to Israel, according to one of the aides.

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Several influential senators  among them Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.)  are urging colleagues to vote for legislation that disapproves of Bidens arms deals. They cite Israels use of American support to cause massive civilian casualties and its severe restrictions on humanitarian aid, which they say violate U.S. and international law.

The effort is serious enough that the White House has launched a pointed pushback. Disapproving arms purchases for Israel at this moment would  put wind in the sails of Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas at the worst possible moment, the document from the Biden administration reads.

The document additionally appears to endorse continued fighting despite the administrations public narrative that it is seeking settlements to end the deadly Israeli military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.

Now is the time to focus pressure on Hamas to release the hostages and stop the war, it reads, referring to the more than 100 hostages whom the Palestinian armed group continues to hold after they were captured during its brutal Oct. 7, 2023, attack inside Israel. Cutting off arms from Israel would put this goal even further out of reach and prolong the war, not shorten it, it continued.

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The document also echoes a frequent talking point deployed by Israels defenders to deflect attention from its conduct: Hamas can stop the war tomorrow by simply releasing hostages, starting with older men, including an elderly American citizen, Keith Siegel, and women, young and old.

In Lebanon, the document adds, a prospective truce is only possible because of the military pressure Hezbollah is under.

These Resolutions are particularly untimely and counterproductive as we are working to secure a cease-fire in Lebanon, it reads, saying a vote against American weapons for Israel would jeopardize those talks.

The administration has previously promoted the idea that military pressure will force Hezbollah to cut a deal with Israel, only to see Israel escalate attacks across Lebanon in an expanding war that has badly damaged the already-struggling country, while Hezbollah has continued to strike Israeli targets in response. Similarly, administration officials this summer urged Congress to limit criticism of Israel by saying it would boost Hamas and hurt the chances of a cease-fire  yet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ultimately torpedoed hopes of an agreement.

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Reached for comment about the talking points, spokespeople for the White House did not immediately respond. Neither did a spokesperson for Schumer.

The hawkish narrative from the Biden administration dispels hopes they will alter their policy of near-unchecked support for Israels offensives following Oct. 7 in response to widespread concerns about the toll of those campaigns, which are fueling apparent war crimes and global outrage.

On its face, the Wednesday vote is a rebuke of only three specific sets of air and ground munitions Biden wants to send the Israelis. Its a relatively minor package compared to the billions in equipment he has shipped to them over the past 13 months. And its near-certain the legislation blocking the weapons would not pass, as Republicans and ardently pro-Israel Democrats oppose it.

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But the vote represents the first time ever that Congress is even considering barring an arms shipment for Israel. And coming in the dying days of the Biden presidency, with lawmakers free of the pressure of an imminent election, it represents a chance for Democratic senators to symbolically break with their party leaders policy.

Anti-war legislators and activists have been pushing to win as many votes as possible for the bills, setting a goal of securing upward of 20 votes to include around half of the Senate Democratic caucus and signify growing skepticism on Capitol Hill.

Two previous efforts to get senators on the record questioning the war received the endorsement of 18 and 12 Democratic senators, respectively, for proposals from Van Hollen to require greater scrutiny of how countries use U.S. weapons and from Sanders to mandate a State Department report on Israels human rights record. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) provided a lone Republican vote for the Sanders pitch.

On Tuesday evening, the Times of Israel first revealed the administration was lobbying senators to vote against the bills, citing two U.S. officials. Notably, the officials were unnamed and the document obtained by HuffPost is not an official White House Statement of Administration Policy or SAP, the standard format for guidance to legislators on pending legislation.

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The fact that they didnt send a formal SAP is a sign that they are too ashamed to put these arguments on White House letterhead, a Senate aide argued.

The effort aligns Bidens team and Schumer with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which has run ads opposing the legislation.

The document suggests some recognition among Bidens staff of the devastating effects of their current policy. With upward of 43,000 Palestinians dead, nearly 2 million displaced and Gaza rendered uninhabitable, humanitarian groups recently reported aid entering the Palestinian enclave has fallen to an all-time low, and U.S. nudges to Israel to enable supplies to reach those in need have borne little fruit.

We appreciate the concerns Senator Sanders is raising and why he seeks to disapprove these sales, the document reads. And we are working constantly on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We still believe Israel can and must do more to ensure the protection and well-being of civilians.

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Rather than outline how the administration will use U.S. leverage as Israels chief backer to change its behavior, however, the talking points revert to emphasizing mutual enemies who are widely disliked on Capitol Hill.

We strongly disagree that the answer is to disapprove badly needed arms sales that Israel needs to defend its country against Iran and Irans terrorist proxies, the document continues.

Sanders seemingly predicted anxieties around Iran would be referenced to undercut the bills. In a Washington Post op-ed published on Monday, he wrote: There are those who will argue that blocking these offensive arms sales will only embolden terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as their sponsors in Iran. I would respectfully disagree.

Sanders continued, You do not effectively combat terrorism by starving thousands of innocent children. You do not effectively combat terrorism by bombing schools and hospitals. You do not effectively combat terrorism by turning virtually the entire world against your country.

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Earlier on Wednesday morning, the U.S. vetoed the latest effort to pass a cease-fire resolution for Gaza at the United Nations Security Council.

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Nov. 19A 41-year-old Exeter man was sentenced in federal court to four years in prison after being convicted of having more than 2,000 images of child sexual abuse, officials said Tuesday.

Nathan Kohler's sentence also includes five years of supervised release and he was ordered to pay $21,000 in restitution to victims. He pleaded guilty on July 8 to one count of possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said in a written statement.

"The actions of the defendant fuel the demand for the horrific sexual abuse of children and results in lifelong suffering for those victims," Young said. "Those who would seek out on the internet these images documenting the pain and abuse of a child are on notice. They will be found, prosecuted, and incarcerated."

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Kohler admitted he had been downloading child sexual abuse material (CSAM) at his home for years, Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol said.

The New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated Kohler in 2023 and seized a laptop computer from his bedroom containing approximately 2,000 images of CSAM and two videos.

Numerous images depicted prepubescent minors as well as sadistic or masochistic conduct., officials said.
EXETER, R.I. (WPRI)  A local business is helping its neighbors get back on their feet after a large brush fire last Thursday.

Gabe DeFrancesco and his father, who own Exeter Woodworks, were planning to participate in the annual holiday craft show at Ballys Twin River Casino on Nov. 30. But early in the morning on Thursday, Nov. 14, a brush fire broke out in the small wooded area next to their workshop and quickly spread to the building, charring the side and roof.

Most of the DeFrancescos inventory was lost, and the internal smoke, soot and water damage may necessitate a complete rebuild of the workshop, which could take several months.

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FIRE WEATHER FORECAST: Whats the risk level right now?

Thats when Cozy Cabin RI owner Jessica Miller decided to craft a Rhode Island-themed ornament and donate the proceeds to Exeter Woodworks.

One thing led to the other, Miller told 12 News. It was being shared, it was being commented on, all over Facebook. I woke up on Friday to like 85 orders already, and then it kind of just snowballed from there. Were at over 200 orders for ornaments so far.

Miller said shes happy her family and the DeFrancescos were able to connect during this tough time, and hopes they can continue to support each other in the future. If I can get them some sort of funds to help replace some of the things they lost, so they can get back on their feet, thats my main goal, she said.

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The Rhode Island ornaments are available to order on Cozy Cabin RIs Etsy storefront.

Order a custom Rhode Island ornament from Cozy Cabin RI

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(Bloomberg) -- Follow Bloomberg India on WhatsApp for exclusive content and analysis on what billionaires, businesses and markets are doing. Sign up here.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in one of the two recent state elections with a small margin, according to exit polls, while the opposition alliance is trailing closely behind.

In the western state of Maharashtra, which includes Indias financial powerhouse of Mumbai, the BJP-led alliance is predicted to win 145 seats, with the opposition close behind with 131 seats in a state legislature of 288 seats.

While the exit polls arent definitive, investors would welcome a win by the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra as it is seen as more business-friendly. A win for the opposition in Maharashtra may disrupt major investment projects launched under the BJP-led alliance, including billionaire Gautam Adanis plans to revamp Mumbais famous Dharavi slum.

The latest voter turnout in Maharashtra stood at about 58.43%, according to the Election Commission.

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In October, BJP won a surprise victory in the northern Indian state of Haryana but lost the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to the Congress alliance. An election victory in an important state like Maharashtra will show that Modis popularity remains substantial, even though his party lost an outright majority in national polls.

In Jharkhand state, the exit polls forecast a tie between the BJP alliance and the Congress-led alliance, with both sides within reach of the halfway mark of 41. The latest voter turnout for Jharkhand stood at 67.76%, according to the Election Commission of India.

Official results for both states are due to be released on Saturday.

Maharashtra

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The state, currently governed by a BJP-led alliance, contributes over 10% of Indias gross domestic product and is home to companies such as Reliance Industries Ltd. and Tata Group. Maharashtras lofty economic reputation, however, is at risk of being tarnished by growing farm distress and high unemployment. It has also seen exceptional political turmoil in recent years, and investors hope the new government will recharge the states economic prospects bringing some much-needed stability.

Jharkhand

The state, home to some of Indias biggest steel mills as well as uranium mines, is currently governed by an alliance between a regional party and the Indian National Congress. Approximately 26 million people are registered to vote in Jharkhand, which has a large tribal community.

Jharkhands legislative assembly has 81 seats, including 37 which are reserved for candidates from socially and economically backward communities.

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  Dominion Energys Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Energy project is well underway, but with the incoming Trump administration, people are left wondering what will happen.

Dominion Energy said the project comes with a nearly $10 billion price tag, promising a job market and renewable energy for 660,000 homes.

Largest U.S. offshore wind project for VB coast gets federal approval

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However, President-elect Donald Trump has been vocal that he doesnt believe those promises outweigh what he said is the negative. His criticism of the Biden administrations encouragement of renewable energy was on full display in Chesapeake during one of his campaign rallies this fall.

Hes given massive subsidies to windmills all over the country that are ruining our beautiful plains, our beautiful land, our beautiful oceans, Trump said from behind the podium.

Despite the pushback, experts are looking off the coast of Virginia Beach at Dominion Energys multi-billion dollar project with confidence.

He had threatened on day one to shut down offshore wind  he cant, said Eileen Woll, offshore energy director for the Sierra Club of Virginia.

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Woll said Dominion Energys Coastal Offshore Wind Project will continue. She told 10 On Your Side theyve cleared every state and federal hurdle long before the transfer of power. Woll, though, is concerned about the future of renewable energy and the manufacturing industry it promises.

Were trying to get these big manufactures to build billion dollar sites, she said. But theyre only going to do that if there a good pipeline of projects.

10 On Your Side also received a statement from Sen. Mark Warner, who expressed his support for wind energy programs in Virginia.

Dominion Energys Coastal Virginia Wind Project to create traffic delays in VB

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Im incredibly proud that Virginia has emerged as a national leader in the development of offshore wind, Warner said. The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project  anticipated to produce enough electricity to power up to 660,000 homes with clean and renewable energy  is well underway and expected to be complete by 2026.

In addition, Virginia has secured additional offshore wind lease areas that could provide up to five gigawatts of offshore wind energy if developed, powering hundreds of thousands of additional homes in the Commonwealth. Its clear that Virginia is well-positioned to serve as a national hub for offshore wind development in the U.S., and Im ready to defend against any action that impedes our ability to provide clean and affordable energy to Virginians or jeopardizes jobs in the Hampton Roads region.

With the new administrations proposed policies, that pipeline could shrink. Is Dominion Energy concerned?

Virginias clean energy transition and our all of the above strategy, including Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW), have been underway for several years under multiple state and federal administrations and with bipartisan support from policymakers at every level, Dominion Energy said via email. Continuing, it stated that Bipartisan leaders agree it has been an economic boom for Virginia, creating thousands of jobs and stimulating billions in economic growth, while providing consumers with reliable and affordable energy. Leaders from both parties also agree on the importance of American energy dominance, maintaining our technological superiority, and creating good-paying jobs for Americans. Were confident CVOW will be completed on-time and on-budget, and that Virginias clean energy transition will continue with bipartisan support for many years to come.

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Experts told a Norwegian court on Wednesday that the mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik does not suffer from a mental illness, in a trial to determine whether the convicted far-right terrorist could be released early on parole.

In a report presented to the court, psychologist Kare Nonstad and psychiatrist Pia Jorde Lvgren said Breivik should not be regarded as psychotic or mentally or physically ill, according to the Norwegian news agency NTB.

Breivik was convicted in 2012 of killing 77 people in the Norwegian capital Oslo and on the island of Utya in July 2011.

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Nonstad and Lvgren wrote in the report that they believe Breivik carried out the attacks as a result of his political radicalization, although he also has narcissistic traits.

They said they do not believe there is any basis for finding the 45-year-old not criminally responsible.

The two testified on the second day of a court hearing at the Ringerike high-security prison, which is set to continue until Thursday.

The verdict is not expected until later, but Breivik's chances of release are considered slim.

The over 100-page report is the first new assessment of Breivik since his conviction 12 years ago.

Since then, there have been various diagnoses and questions regarding the Norwegian attacker's mental health.
(Note language in paragraph 26 that some readers may find offensive)

By Jessie Pang and James Pomfret

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai testified this week in court for the first time in a landmark national security trial accusing him of endangering China's national security by colluding with foreign forces.

First arrested under the national security law in August 2020, Lai, 76, has been held in solitary confinment since December 2020. He also faces separate sedition charges linked to his Apple Daily newspaper.

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The prosecution has accused Lai of collusion with foreign forces, such as meetings with U.S. officials in Washington during the presidency of Donald Trump, calling for sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials.

Lai has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

The trial is widely seen as a landmark national security case after Beijing imposed sweeping security laws on the Asian financial hub in 2020, following months of pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Lai, a longstanding critic of the Chinese Communist Party, is one of the most high profile figures to face prosecution under the law.

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Hong Kong's former colonial ruler Britain and the United States have condemned the trial and have called for Lai's immediate release. Hong Kong officials say Lai will receive a fair trial.

WHAT IS THE PROSECUTION'S CASE?

Prosecutor Anthony Chau described Lai as a "radical" and alleged he was at the centre of conspiracies to collude with foreign forces and publish seditious material in Apple Daily.

The court heard that one example of Lai's alleged collusion was meetings he held in July 2019 with U.S. President Donald Trump's then vice president Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at a time when Hong Kong's mass pro-democracy and pro-democracy protests were intensifying.

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In Wednesday's testimony Lai said he had never sought to influence the foreign policy of other countries, such as the United States, towards China and Hong Kong.

"I would not dare to ask the vice president (Pence) to do anything. I would just relay to him what happened in Hong Kong when he asked me," Lai said.

On Thursday Lai said he was against violence and denied seeking to incite hatred against China and Hong Kong authorities in articles he had written.

"All I said in this article was the true reflection of the facts I perceived," Lai said on Friday. "And the true thoughts of my heart, without any sense of hostility or intention to be seditious. And this goes for all my other articles."

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He added, "For truth prevails in God's kingdom, and thats good enough for me."

WHO IS THE PROSECUTION LINKING WITH LAI?

The prosecution listed agents and intermediaries of Lai, including Paul Wolfowitz, former U.S. deputy defense secretary, James Cunningham, former U.S. consul general to Hong Kong, and Benedict Rogers, founder of the Hong Kong Watch rights group.

Commenting from outside Hong Kong, Cunningham and Rogers said Lai's interactions were normal, legal activity.

Prosecutors also said they had identified a syndicate led by Lai, which they said included activists, his aide, rights campaigners, a Japanese congresswoman and a U.S. financier.

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The prosecution case says these people contacted Australia, Britain, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal and the United States, to impose sanctions or take other hostile actions against Hong Kong and China.

Prosecutors described Lai as "the mastermind and financial supporter at the highest level command of the syndicate".

However, Lai said he had never donated any money to political parties overseas or in Taiwan. He added that he had only donated money to U.S. thinktanks and religious groups.

One collusion count accused Lai of links to a group the prosecution named as "Stand With Hong Kong Fight For Freedom" (SWHK), which it said lobbied countries for sanctions on China and Hong Kong.

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Mark Simon, Lai's aide and a U.S. citizen, executed his instructions and vetted requests for financial support, according to prosecutors.

But Andy Li, a key prosecution witness linked to SWHK, who had been jailed for seven months in a Chinese prison before the trial, said under cross examination on April 10 that he had never met nor contacted Lai.

He had never received money from Lai, nor from entities he believed associated with him, he added.

Prosecutors also accused Lai of using Apple Daily as a platform to conspire with three of its subsidiaries, six former executives linked to the newspaper, and staff members Mark Simon and others to collude with foreign forces.

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Lai, however, said he rarely issued instructions or coverage directions to the newsroom. He denied asking Apple Dailys former associate publisher Chan Pui-man to compile a "shitlist" of Hong Kong officials who should be sanctioned.

Cheung Kim-hung, the former CEO of Apple Daily's parent company Next Digital, told the court Lai instructed him to call people to join protests in 2019, and push for sanctions against Hong Kong and Chinese officials.

Cheung denied being asked by the police to become a prosecution witness while remanded in custody.

(Reporting by Jessie Pang, James Pomfret, Edward Cho, Dorothy Kam and Greg Torode; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
DENVER (KDVR)  Boulder police are investigating after four signs with explicit messages were found affixed to speed limit signs around the city on Tuesday.

The signs were found at:

Table Mesa Drive and South Broadway

28th Street and Jay Road

28th Street and Palo Parkway

28th Street and Diagonal Highway

28th Street, also known as North Foothills Highway, is also Highway 36, representing where the highway becomes a local road through Boulder. It is a major thoroughfare for motorists, as is Diagonal Highway.

Police are investigating explicit signs that were posted in Boulder on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (Photo: Boulder Police Department; edited by KDVR) Police are investigating explicit signs that were posted in Boulder on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (Photo: Boulder Police Department; edited by KDVR) Police are investigating explicit signs that were posted in Boulder on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (Photo: Boulder Police Department; edited by KDVR) Police are investigating explicit signs that were posted in Boulder on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (Photo: Boulder Police Department; edited by KDVR)

The signs used explicit language telling drivers to slow down [expletive], put down the phone [expletive], and dont kill any kids today. The fourth sign listed the speed limit as slow the [expletive] down.

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School bus driver accused of stranding 40 children outside Castle Rock cemetery

According to the city of Boulders crash data interactive map tool, there were three fatal crashes in Boulder during 2023, but none occurred near where the signs were placed. However, a woman was killed on Broadway near Raleigh Road on Sept. 27 after she was struck by a car just before 5 a.m.

Another 55 crashes resulted in incapacitating injury. Five of those crashes appeared to be on 28th Street in Boulder. The city has been focused on reducing crashes on roadways through its 2023-2027 Vision Zero Action Plan and has implemented a citywide, default speed limit of 20 mph.

The Boulder Police Department told FOX31 that as of Tuesday evening, the citys Transportation and Mobility Department was in the process of removing the four signs identified.

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Its unclear if there are any more signs, or who was placing the signs around the city. Boulder police are investigating the signs for criminal tampering, and are asking that anyone with information call Boulder police dispatchs non-emergency line at 303-441-3333 and reference case 24-12182.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivers a keynote speech while attending the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

HANGZHOU, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang has stressed the need for the international community to jointly deal with problems such as the digital divide and a grave cybersecurity situation, and to build a better digital future.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his keynote speech on Wednesday while attending the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit.

China has been sharing the opportunities of modernization with countries around the world and injecting strong impetus into global modernization, Ding said.

He also noted that technological breakthroughs regarding the internet, big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are continuously emerging, empowering economic and social development.

However, the digital divide continues to widen, and the situation of cybersecurity has become more severe, Ding said, adding that the international community is in greater need than ever of jointly advancing a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

Ding made a series of proposals at the event: improving global governance and upholding true multilateralism in cyberspace; promoting cooperation in AI, big data, blockchain and other realms, while advancing collaborative efforts in basic research and cutting-edge technologies; promoting the sharing of internet development achievements around the world and assisting developing countries in advancing their informationization; and boosting the efficacy of and cooperation on cyberspace security.

Senior leaders of Honduras, Zambia and Vietnam also delivered speeches at the opening ceremony, which was attended by over 1,800 people, including representatives of domestic and foreign government officials, relevant international organizations, internet companies, as well as experts and scholars.

After the opening ceremony, Ding visited a themed internet expo and a museum for world internet sci-tech in Wuzhen, and interacted with exhibition participants.

The 2024 WIC Wuzhen Summit kicked off on Wednesday morning in the ancient water town of Wuzhen in east China's Zhejiang Province. The Summit is scheduled to close on Friday. 
(Bloomberg) -- Exxon Mobil Corp. withdrew from an oil-exploration block off the coast of Suriname, not far from where it discovered more than 11 billion barrels in Guyanese waters.

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Exxon will transfer its 50% stake in the block to Malaysias Petronas, the operator of the project and owner of the remaining 50%, according to a statement from Staatsolie, Surinames state-owned oil company. Exxon confirmed its exit in a separate statement.

Suriname, a former Dutch colony on the northeast tip of South America, is hopeful that it will one day transform its economy into a major oil producer like neighboring Guyana. TotalEnergies SE and APA Corp. recently approved a $10.5 billion project thats expected to begin pumping crude as soon as 2028.

Still, converting exploration success into tangible oil production has been more challenging than in Guyana, in part due to the high natural gas content of crude from Suriname.

Exxon and Petronas made a gas discovery on the block in 2020 and drilled a second well for appraisal purposes earlier this year, Staatsolie said. Staatsolie expects Petronas to continue the activities in Block 52 without interruption.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Over 100,000 hospitality workers make the daily commute to the Las Vegas Strip, and that commute has become increasingly time-consuming with the return of Formula 1.

Geshon Neil, a hospitality worker on the Las Vegas Strip explained, that she has to navigate cones and fences on her way to work because of F1s setup.

I am going to be leaving work and going all the way around because they have roads closed, [and] a lot of people are late to work because of it, Neil said.

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Shes not the only onehotel worker Jessica Noriega is also facing difficulties.

Its insane, its horrible there is no way to get around the traffic no matter which way you go, Noriega said. Its good business for the town but for locals, we dont get home for hours after our shift is over.

More than 100,000 hospitality workers commute to the Las Vegas Strip every day, and that commute is getting longer with the return of F1. (KLAS)

Lori Kraft-Nelson explained how theyve made upgrades to their employee mobility program this year, including enhancements to buses and the monorail.

It is a park-and-ride service for all hospitality employees that work in and around the circuit if their shift is going to be impacted by road closures this has been a convenient solution to help expedite in a convenient way, Kraft-Nelson said.

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Starting Tuesday night, bus services will run around the clock, transporting employees between the Las Vegas Strip and the Rio, Orleans, and Las Vegas Convention Center. More than 10,000 parking spots will be available at the Convention Center, where workers can park and then take the monorail or buses to their destinations.

To find out more information visit Formula 1 or text F1LV at 31996

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  New Haven police say theyre searching for two suspects accused of robbing two people at gunpoint Tuesday, after pretending to sell a vehicle on Facebook Marketplace.

Officers were dispatched to the area of Hubinger Street and Eldert Street for the report of a robbery around 8:09 p.m. Tuesday.

Mother, baby killed in triple shooting in Hartford

Two victims told investigators they were there to meet someone who was claiming to sell a vehicle on Facebook Marketplace.

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The male walked them into a nearby yard, where the victims told police a second male appeared with a handgun and demanded their possessions. The first male also displayed a gun, they said.

Police said both victim fled after the robbery. No injuries were reported.

Yale police issue warning following series of attempted robberies

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident of has relevant information is asked to call detectives at 203-946-6304 or through the departments anonymous tip-line at 866-888-TIPS (8477).

Police said anyone agreeing to meet a stranger- especially for a transaction involving money- should do so in a public place or meet in the front lobby of the New Haven Police Department headquarters on Union Avenue.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Claim:

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has never been convicted of any felonies.

Rating:

Rating: False

As U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepared to reenter the White House in January 2025, social media users questioned whether he had ever been convicted of any felonies.

One particularly prominent video showed conservative media personality Megyn Kelly at a September 2024 conference, hosted by the "All-In" podcast, discussing Trump's civil and criminal legal challenges. The footage was shared to X with a caption that claimed he had never been convicted of any felonies: "Psst. Trump has never been convicted of anything."

How can people choose to vote for a convicted felon?!



Psst. Trump has never been convicted of anything. @megynkelly educates by explaining the law pic.twitter.com/KIEuR0phfr  Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) November 10, 2024

Other X users replied to that X post in agreement, with comments such as: "No he hasn't" and: "Yep!! Not Convicted." One user elaborated: "Zero convictions, I can't stand liberals and Democrats man they make me physically sick man I love Megan Kelly thank God they pushed her this way."

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In short, it is inaccurate to say that Trump has never been convicted of any felonies. In May 2024, he became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes after a New York jury found him guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 hush-money payment to an adult-film star to influence the outcome of the 2016 election. Therefore, we have rated this claim as false.

Civil Cases vs. Criminal Cases

Trump has faced both civil and criminal legal cases in recent years, so it is important to understand the differences between the two.

Criminal cases result in a guilty or not-guilty verdict. A criminal trial involves the government bringing charges against someone charged with committing a crime.

Civil trials involve a conflict between individuals or businesses and institutions. In a civil case, a jury would "find" for a plaintiff or defendant. If the jury finds the plaintiff liable, the jury or the court then determines an amount the defendant should pay the plaintiff in damages.

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Civil cases do not impose prison time or other criminal penalties and, as such, require a different standard of proof:

In general, crimes must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, whereas civil claims are proven by lower standards of proof, such as the preponderance of the evidence. "Beyond a reasonable doubt" means the prosecution has provided evidence that proves that there is no other reasonable explanation outside of the defendant's guilt. "Preponderance of the evidence" means it is more likely than not that something occurred in a certain way.

What Was Said in the Megyn Kelly Video?

Some social media users have interpreted the video of Kelly defending Trump as evidence that he has never been convicted of any felonies  i.e., he has never been found guilty in a criminal case.

The clip showed the former Fox News presenter correcting podcast host Jason Calacanis, who falsely stated that Trump was "guilty of three [cases] so far" and had "been convicted of three." Kelly responded by saying Trump hadn't been convicted in three criminal cases, but acknowledged that in journalist and author E. Jean Carroll's sexual abuse lawsuit against Trump  a civil case  he was found liable.

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Calacanis then described a where Trump was found liable for fraud, which, again, Kelly noted was a civil case in which Trump was not convicted. As the host brought up a third case, without specifying what he was referring to, the other panelists interrupted him before Kelly said Trump "got a bad result."

Kelly then claimed that in all five cases  including other criminal cases against Trump that had yet to go to trial  the prosecutors, juries and/or judges in the jurisdictions where Trump was facing his numerous legal battles were "conspiring" against him. She even questioned the validity of one New York case (it was not clear which one she was referring to), saying: "New York jury, New York went 87% for Joe Biden, that fix was in right from the start."

However, a YouTube video posted by Kelly's verified channel showed a longer version of the exchange, during which the conservative media personality indicated that Trump had been convicted in a criminal trial.

She said Judge Juan Merchan  who presided over Trump's criminal hush money trial  is almost "in a position where he might have to sentence [Trump] to jail, given how big they've tried to make it." A sentencing in a criminal case can only happen through either an admission of guilt by the defendant (in this case, Trump) or if a jury finds a defendant guilty of charges, which they did in Trump's case.

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However, Kelly posited: "It would be a suspended sentence, it would be immediately appealed and I think Trump, on appeal, would win. There are so many holes in that case, so I don't think Trump will ever do one single day in jail."

Therefore, the video shared on X does not prove that Trump has never been convicted of any felonies. In the longer version posted to YouTube, by saying that he was facing a potential sentence, Kelly conceded that Trump had been convicted of felonies.

Trump's Criminal Hush-Money Case

In May 2024, a New York jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records stemming from a payment to silence adult-film star Stormy Daniels. The charges arose from 11 checks, 11 invoices and 12 vouchers connected to the monthly payments from the former president to his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, who made the initial $130,000 payment to Daniels.

Trump was found guilty and therefore convicted of felony crimes. However, as of this writing Trump had not been sentenced by Merchan, who put the case on hold until Nov. 19, 2024. Merchan is reportedly having the lawyers on both sides of the case weigh in on what should be done after Trump's election victory. A tentative sentencing date has been set for Nov. 26, 2024, but there is a range of scenarios for what could happen next.

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Merchan could potentially wait to sentence Trump until after his presidential term is up, or he could overturn the verdict based on a U.S. Supreme Court decision that gives presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution. Merchan could also dismiss the case, or alternatively go ahead and sentence Trump.

Regardless, Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts and therefore has been convicted of felonies.

Trump's Civil Cases

Trump has been found liable in two civil cases. In May 2023, a New York jury determined Trump had defamed Carroll by denying that he had sexually assaulted her in the mid-1990s. At the conclusion of the civil proceeding, the jury agreed that Trump was liable both for sexually abusing Carroll and for defaming her. However, they declined to hold Trump liable for rape.

In the second case, a New York judge found that Trump had knowingly deceived banks and insurers about the size of his wealth and his property values and ordered him to pay a $454 million penalty. The AP reported that the judge found that Trump, his company and his sons had schemed to pad his net worth by billions of dollars as a means to get loans and secure deals. Again, this was a civil case and did not result in prison time for Trump.

Sources:

Bogert, Carroll. "The Problem With Labeling Trump a 'Felon.'" The Marshall Project, 25 July 2024, https://www.themarshallproject.org/2024/07/25/donald-trump-felon-election24." target="blank">https://www.themarshallproject.org/2024/07/25/donald-trump-felon-election24.">https://www.themarshallproject.org/2024/07/25/donald-trump-felon-election24. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

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Bustillo, X. (2024). Trump is found guilty on 34 felony counts. Read the counts here. [online] NPR. Available at: https://www.npr.org/2024/05/30/g-s1-1848/trump-hush-money-trial-34-counts.

"How Courts Work." American Bar Association, 9 Sept. 2019, https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work/verdict/." target="blank">https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work/verdict/.">https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work/verdict/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Ibrahim, Nur. "Can Trump's Mar-a-Lago Be Seized If He Doesn't Pay Court-Imposed Fine?" Snopes, 21 Mar. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/03/21/letitia-james-trumps-mar-a-lago/." target="blank">https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/03/21/letitia-james-trumps-mar-a-lago/.">https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/03/21/letitia-james-trumps-mar-a-lago/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

"Judge Orders Trump to Pay $355 Million for Lying about His Wealth in Staggering Civil Fraud Ruling." AP News, 16 Feb. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/trump-civil-fraud-verdict-engoron-244024861f0df886543c157c9fc5b3e4." target="blank">https://apnews.com/article/trump-civil-fraud-verdict-engoron-244024861f0df886543c157c9fc5b3e4.">https://apnews.com/article/trump-civil-fraud-verdict-engoron-244024861f0df886543c157c9fc5b3e4. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

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"Jury Finds Trump Liable for Sexual Abuse, Awards Accuser $5M." AP News, 10 May 2023, https://apnews.com/article/trump-rape-carroll-trial-fe68259a4b98bb3947d42af9ec83d7db." target="blank">https://apnews.com/article/trump-rape-carroll-trial-fe68259a4b98bb3947d42af9ec83d7db.">https://apnews.com/article/trump-rape-carroll-trial-fe68259a4b98bb3947d42af9ec83d7db. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Kasprak, Alex. "Was Trump 'Found Guilty' of Sexually Assaulting E. Jean Carroll?" Snopes, 9 May 2023, https://www.snopes.com//news/2023/05/09/trump-liable-sexual-abuse/." target="blank">https://www.snopes.com//news/2023/05/09/trump-liable-sexual-abuse/.">https://www.snopes.com//news/2023/05/09/trump-liable-sexual-abuse/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Liles, Jordan and Taija PerryCook. "Trump Convicted on All 34 Counts of Falsifying Records in Hush-Money Case." Snopes, 30 May 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/05/30/donald-trump-verdict/." target="blank">https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/05/30/donald-trump-verdict/.">https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/05/30/donald-trump-verdict/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

"Megyn Kelly Goes Case-By-Case in the Trump Lawfare Campaign and Shows How Unjust Each Prosecution Is." Megyn Kelly, 19 Sept. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6oMyTyHMwQ." target="blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6oMyTyHMwQ.">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6oMyTyHMwQ. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

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Meyer, J. (2019). plea bargaining | Definition, Types, History, & Facts. In: Encyclopdia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/plea-bargaining.

Sisak, M.R., Peltz, J., Tucker, E., Price, M.L. and Colvin, J. (2024). Guilty: Trump becomes first former US president convicted of felony crimes. [online] AP News. Available at: https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0.

"The Differences Between a Criminal Case and a Civil Case." FindLaw, 17 Aug. 2023, https://www.findlaw.com/criminal/criminal-law-basics/the-differences-between-a-criminal-case-and-a-civil-case.html." target="blank">https://www.findlaw.com/criminal/criminal-law-basics/the-differences-between-a-criminal-case-and-a-civil-case.html.">https://www.findlaw.com/criminal/criminal-law-basics/the-differences-between-a-criminal-case-and-a-civil-case.html. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

"Tracking the Criminal and Civil Cases against Donald Trump." Associated Press, 17 Nov. 2023, https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker." target="blank">https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker.">https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

"What Happens to Donald Trump's Criminal Conviction? Here Are a Few Ways It Could Go." AP News, 13 Nov. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-conviction-what-happens-3cd52218c39ebc70a8514688ce33fcef." target="blank">https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-conviction-what-happens-3cd52218c39ebc70a8514688ce33fcef.">https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-conviction-what-happens-3cd52218c39ebc70a8514688ce33fcef. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.


By Nellie Peyton

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Namibians are set to vote for a new president and parliament on Nov. 27, after Hage Geingob died and was replaced as president on a interim basis by his deputy, Nangolo Mbumba.

The election could mark a historic shift in the country's political landscape if the ruling SWAPO party, in power since independence in 1990, loses control of the presidency or parliament for the first time.

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The president is directly elected by voters and needs to garner more than 50% of votes to win. Support for SWAPO dropped from 87% in the presidential election in 2014 to 56% in 2019.

Here are the main candidates running for president:

NETUMBO NANDI-NDAITWAH

Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, is also vice president of SWAPO and the party's first female presidential candidate.

She joined SWAPO in the 1960s when the party fought for Namibia's independence from apartheid South Africa. She served as SWAPO's representative in central and eastern Africa after going into exile along with numerous party leaders.

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After studying diplomacy in England, she returned to Namibia and has held various senior roles in SWAPO and government, including serving as a minister in portfolios of international relations, environment, and women's affairs and child welfare.

PANDULENI ITULA

Panduleni Itula is a 67-year-old politician who secured 29% of the presidential vote as an independent candidate in 2019 -- the best any challenger has done against SWAPO.

He has since formed a new political party, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which champions grassroots participatory democracy and anti-corruption. IPC also plans to contest parliamentary seats.

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Itula was a SWAPO party youth leader during the fight for independence and was imprisoned by the apartheid regime. Post-release, he moved to England where he studied and practised as a dentist for over three decades before returning to Namibia in 2013.

MCHENRY VENAANI

McHenry Venaani is leader of Namibia's largest opposition party in parliament, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), which holds 16 out of 96 elected seats.

Venaani, 47, studied law and became the country's youngest member of parliament in 2003.

Despite the PDM strengthening its parliamentary presence in the 2019 election, Venaani came a distant third in the presidential race with only 5% of votes.

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BERNADUS SWARTBOOI

Bernadus Swartbooi, 47, is the leader of the Landless People's Movement (LPM), a progressive party advocating for land redistribution and restorative justice.

Swartbooi founded the LPM in 2017 after losing his job as deputy minister of land reform and leaving SWAPO.

LPM has four seats in parliament. Swartbooi won 3% of votes in the 2019 presidential election.

JOB AMUPANDA

Job Amupanda, 37, is a former SWAPO youth leader who fell out with the party and founded a leftist political movement called Affirmative Repositioning in 2014.

Like the LPM, the party focuses on land reform and redistribution of foreign-owned land.

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Amupanda served as mayor of the capital, Windhoek, in 2021. He is also an associate professor of political science at the University of Namibia.

(Reporting by Nellie Peyton; Additional reporting by Nyasha Nyaungwa; Editing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Alison Williams)
With the news Sunday that President Joe Biden reportedly authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles for airstrikes in Russian territory, some internet users have accused Biden of operating outside the scope of constitutional authority.

This Is An Unconstitutional Act Of War! tweeted well-known conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

Former Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, a longtime Trump ally who briefly served as national security adviser in 2017, argued on his Substack that Biden should be impeached for assuming illegitimate authority. Duty also falls on the current House of Representatives to impeach Biden now for endangering the nation by taking steps that constitute acts of war without a Declaration of War a power the Constitution gives only to Congress, he wrote.

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Allowing Ukraine to use our missiles for offensive purposes is the equivalent of a declaration of war, tweeted the X account Insurrection Barbie, which has more than 700,000 followers. Biden doesnt have the authority to make that decision on his own. It must come from Congress. Is anyone suing to stop him from this unconstitutional power grab?

Bidens authorization is neither unconstitutional nor a declaration of war. The decision to supply missiles does not create a state of war between the U.S. and Russia or initiate armed conflict between the US and Russia, said Michael Ramsey, a distinguished professor of law at the University of San Diego with expertise in constitutional law and war powers. Ramsey explained that the declaration of war clausein Article I of the U.S. Constitution, the section on Congressvested the authority to initiate a state of war with Congress. While that may be read broadly to govern the decision to initiate hostilities, Ramsey explained, since the president is not doing that, the clause does not apply.

But what about Flynns claim that Biden was taking steps toward initiating a war? Does the president have that authority? It largely depends on what those steps are. The clause is generally not read to restrict the presidents power to act in provocative ways, Ramsey told The Dispatch Fact Check, so long as the president does not direct the beginning of armed hostilities. Concerns over a potential armed response from Russia is a geostrategic question, not a legal question, he added.

Tom Renz, a right-wing video podcaster with more than 280,000 followers on X, argued that Congress has the authority to stop the move through the War Powers Resolution Act of 1973. BREAKING: President Biden authorizes Ukraine to start a war with Russia, he tweeted. The War Powers Resolution specifically states that the President may not introduce American Armed Forces into hostilities unless there is: a declaration of war, specific statutory authority or an attack. All we have to do to stop this is to have Congress quit funding Ukraine. Why are we trying to start WW3 before Trump gets in?

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This claim that Congress can stop Bidens decision by no longer funding Ukraine is partially false. It is unclear what Renz means by quit funding. Congress could always pass legislation to prevent Ukraines use of American-made missiles in Russia or any other countrybut it has not done so. Furthermore, Ramsey noted that Congress could have imposed statutory limits on its use in its legislation authorizing military aid for Ukraine that would have prevented Kyiv from firing missiles into Russian territory. But Congress did not do that either.

Renzs broader claim about the War Powers Resolutionpassed by Congress in 1974 after overriding a veto from former President Richard Nixonis also false because that federal law does not apply to Bidens decision. Similar to the declaration of war clause, permitting Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied missiles in Russian territory is not an act of introducing armed forces into hostilities.

Im not aware of previous situations in which supplying arms to an ally, knowing that the ally would use them against a third country, was thought to implicate either the [War Powers] Resolution or the declare war clause, Ramsey said. For example, the U.S. president supplies weapons to Israel that Israel may use against Iran or Syria, and that is not thought to raise legal or constitutional questions.

Ben Swann, another right-wing video podcaster, falsely claimed on Tuesday that U.S. soldiers operate the U.S.-supplied missile systems used in Ukraines military strikes. They cannot be operated by the Ukrainians, Swann said on his show in a video clip later posted on X. The system is set up in a way that it has to be U.S. soldiers who are on the ground, and U.S. soldiers who are firing them from Ukraine.

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To support his claim, Swann cited allegations made by the Russian government in June that accused the U.S. military personnel of directly assisting Kyiv in an air strike in the Crimea region. Both Russias defense ministry and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the U.S. military of direct participation in the attack, claiming that the flight information of U.S.-supplied missiles used in the attack was programmed by U.S. military personnel using U.S. satellite data. The U.S. has denied those claims and the use of U.S. troops in the war.

As a White House National Security Council spokesperson told the BBC at the time, Ukraine makes its own targeting decisions and conducts its own military operations. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder also squashed speculation that U.S. soldiers have been, or will be, involved in Ukraines military operations: The bottom line is the President and the Secretary [of State Antony Blinken] have been clear that were not going to send U.S. troops to fight in Ukraine, and that wont change.

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.

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ST. LOUIS  A night of honor and celebration for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, as 50 officers are promoted in rank during a badge ceremony at St. Louis University High School.

The ceremony comes during a pivotal time for St. Louis. According to the SLMPD statistics, homicides are down 43%, and total person crimes are down 15% since 2023. Both the mayor and police chief credited these achievements to the commitment of the officers being promoted.

City leaders, colleagues, and officers families gathered to celebrate and attend the proceedings.

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Mayor Tishaura Jones acknowledged the sacrifices the officers families make every day, especially considering the recent loss of Officer David Lee, who was laid to rest last month. Chief Robert Tracy reminded the newly promoted officers that public service is both a challenge and a privilege, encouraging them to continue engaging with the community.

Police: Clayton abduction, St. Louis homicide are connected

Im actually as thrilled as the family is about this organization and the way that were going, Tracy said. And honoring those who help us lead the department.

The promotions follow rigorous effort after each officer underwent a series of challenging tests and interviews.

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A family member stated how Tuesday nights ceremony was a reminder of the dedication these officers bring to their roles every day and their ongoing commitment to making St. Louis a safer city.

FOX 2s own Mandy Murphey served as emcee, celebrating not only the officers achievements but also a milestone for the department: 50 years since its first female officer was promoted to sergeant and its first female police commissioner was appointed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  The family of Dexter Wade are still searching for answers nearly two years after his death.

Wednesday marked Dexter Wade Day in Jackson. Last year, Councilman Kenneth Stokes, Ward 3, declared November 20 as a day of dedication to Wade.

Dexter Wades initial autopsy findings show blunt force injuries

Bettersten Wade, Dexter Wades mother, said the unanswered questions surrounding her sons death is what pushes her to continue the fight for justice. She rallied with other family members outside the Jackson Police Department (JPD).

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Officials said Dexter Wade had been hit by a Jackson police cruiser in March 2023 and later buried in a paupers field in Hinds County. Bettersten Wade said she did not know that he was deceased until August 2023.

No arrests have been made in the case. Bettersten Wade said her sons death was a coverup.

Dexter Wade (Courtesy: Ben Crump Law)

I havent heard anything about no charges brought against nobody. Theyre just accepting it as an accident. But when its an accident, if I hit somebody, I am going to stop. Im not going to amputate his leg. Im not going to break every bone in his body, she said.

During a news conference on Wednesday, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade expressed his condolences to the Wade family.

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Man wanted for October homicide in Jackson found dead

As I took the helm of June 1, 2023, I wanted to make sure that no other family experienced that trauma. What I did, I updated and created new policies within the Jackson Police Department, said Wade.

The police chief said JPD created a media release policy and updated the missing persons policy. Wade said JPD is working with the Department of Justice to help the department revise current policies and with training moving forward.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
GAZA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), said on Wednesday that Gaza has become a "graveyard" for children.

"They are being killed, injured, forced to flee, and deprived of safety, education, and play," Lazzarini said in a statement marking World Children's Day, observed annually on Nov. 20.

"Their childhood has been stolen, and they are on the verge of becoming a lost generation, having lost another school year," Lazzarini said.

He noted that children in the West Bank are enduring constant fear and anxiety. Since last October, more than 170 children have been killed, while many others have lost their childhood to detention in Israeli facilities.

On Wednesday, Palestinian groups called for international action to protect children in Gaza and the West Bank, highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian conditions they are enduring.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement emphasizing that children are the most vulnerable and affected by Israeli practices, enduring dire conditions that violate their fundamental rights, including the right to life.

The ministry warned that children in Gaza face a real threat, with hundreds of thousands estimated to be suffering from severe shortages of food and clean drinking water.

The statement also emphasized that children in the West Bank are consistently subjected to the same "criminal" policies, such as arbitrary detention, and face illegal trials, which blatantly violate their rights under international agreements.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian National Council said that children in Gaza are "paying the heavy price" since October 2023, "in full view of the world, which remains unable to stop this genocide."

A statement issued by the council on the occasion noted that the bodies of Gaza's children have been exposed to various weapons, including rockets and bombs, as well as "the most horrific images of killing and destruction," with many dying from hunger, thirst, and diseases due to the siege. Thousands of children have become orphans. 
Social justice activists and family are rallying for a man who is serving time for a fatal crash in 2022. They say the sentence is unjust.

Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell spoke with the families of both the victim and the man who pleaded guilty.

Jaakim Finney had his third child on the way when was killed in a crash.

He was the major key of this family and now its gone and everybody is devastated, his mother Natasha Ebanks said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

But Davonte Adams mother says her sons prison sentence isnt fair.

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Its been very hard just knowing that the justice system failed him, Cynthia Adams said.

She says that Davonte Adams was the designated driver and fell asleep at the wheel, causing the crash.

According to Georgia law, a case like this should be a misdemeanor for an accidental death, so when did it became a crime in Georgia to be tired? social justice activist Pastor Sabrina McKenzie said.

You fall asleep and you crash, and my son is dead and thats it. And we are supposed to pat you on your hand and you go on, no, Ebanks said.

Investigators say Davonte Adams was going 97 mph in a 55 mph zone when he fell asleep and crashed the car. He signed a 15-year plea deal and is serving five of those in prison.

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Davonte gets to talk to his son and his mother. My son dont get to talk to me, he dont get to talk to his sister, his kids, his grandma, nobody. He gone, Ebanks said.

TRENDING STORIES:

Ebanks said Adams wasnt the designated driver that night.

Documents Newell obtained show Finney wasnt drinking that night.

The District Attorneys office said in a statement, Unfortunate poor choices that were made that day resulted in the loss of life and Adams must take responsibility for his actions that day.

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Ebanks says these calls for justice have reopened her familys wounds.

For our family, its nerve-wracking to know that after 10 months, you decide to have this big rally and say the judge is wrong, she said.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  After a 15-year-old girl was hit by stray bullets, her family is filing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Heaven Washington was killed in a 2023 road rage shooting, and now her family is taking legal action to ensure no other family experiences this kind of pain.

2 NEWS spoke with the familys lawyer to learn more about what the case entails.

According to the attorney, the defendants had a criminal history that may have been missed or overlooked while they worked for the Reflections Group Home LLC. He says this oversight put Heaven in harms way, and that someone needs to be held responsible.

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According to the wrongful death lawsuit that was filed on Nov. 12 in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, the Reflections Group Home LLC is accused of failing to protect Heaven Washington while shew as in their care.

Two former employees of the group home, Darrell Bostic and Baretta Byrdsong, are facing criminal charges in connection to Washingtons death. Authorities say they were taking Washington to an ATM to get money for a field trip when the shooting occurred at Turner Road and Philadelphia Avenue.

The lawsuit alleges Bostic and Byrdsong engaged in a shootout with another vehicle with Washington in the car, ultimately causing her death.

Byrdsong was charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide. Bostic is also facing murder charges.

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The Reflections Group Home LLC declined our request for comment.

The attorney for Heaven Washingtons family says the defendants and the group home must be held accountable for what happened to Heaven.

Its calling them into court, making sure that they understand that what happened here is not okay, said Lou Schneider, attorney for the Heaven Washington Estate. And then if there is a settlement or a judgment by a jury that is simply at that point an acknowledgment of responsibility or a forcing management of responsibility.

A third person was also charged in Washingtons death, but is not connected to the lawsuit.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
A Florida man considered missing by his family was found hiding out in Georgia.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Aug. 20, deputies in Washington County, Fla. were asked to conduct a welfare check on Andrew Lamar Wilson, 21.

Wilsons family members told deputies that they had tried to contact him multiple times but were unsuccessful. Family members asked investigators to consider Wilson as a missing person.

TRENDING STORIES:

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An investigation later revealed that Wilson was facing charges out of Bay County for lewd, lascivious battery and lascivious molestation. He did not show up for court.

The sheriffs office said Wilson traveled to Laurens County, GA where he had been on the run to avoid criminal charges. Warrants were issued out of Bay County for his arrest.

Deputies found and arrested Wilson Wednesday morning. Hes also charged with failure to appear.

Wilson is being held in the Laurens County Jail and is awaiting extradition to Florida.

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TUSKEGEE, Ala. (AP)  The parents of an 18-year-old who was killed in a hail of gunfire at Tuskegee University filed a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday, saying the school failed to provide adequate security measures that could have prevented the fatal shooting.

Tamika and Larry Johnson's son, La'Tavion Johnson, 18, was shot and killed while attending a party to celebrate the end of the school's 100th homecoming week outside a dormitory on campus in the early hours of Nov. 10. The flurry of gunfire sent students and visitors running. At least 16 people were injured.

Johnson was not a student, the local coroner said, but was on campus for the school's annual festivities. Johnsons family told AL.com that Johnson, who graduated high school earlier in the year, was shot as he pushed someone else out of the way of the gunfire.

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Its an unfortunate tragedy that could have been avoided with appropriate policing and security measures on the campus, Ted Mann, an attorney for the family, said in an email.

Mann pointed to another shooting in September 2023, when two visitors to the campus were shot and two students were hurt while trying to leave what campus officials described as an unauthorized party," the Montgomery Advertiser reported.

The lawsuit says the school failed to undertake appropriate measures to protect residents, alumni, guests, visitors and students," despite knowledge of unspecified prior physical threats and acts of physical violence."

The suit also names former university Police Chief Terrance Calloway, the schools facility management company, and Jaquez Myrick, a 25-year-old man who was charged with illegal possession of a machine gun after he was arrested at the scene with a Glock that had been converted to an automatic weapon.

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The lawsuit says the defendants allowed guests, including Myrick, to enter the campus without showing identification, and that vehicles were not inspected for firearms.

Jeremiah Williams, 20, who witnesses placed at the scene of the shooting, was charged Friday in federal court with illegal possession of a machine gun. Neither Williams nor Myrick has been accused of killing Johnson or injuring others. Both deny firing their weapons during the shooting.

Attorneys for Williams and Myrick in their criminal cases have not responded to emails seeking comment.

A spokesperson for Tuskegee University said the school does not respond to questions about pending litigation.

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At a news conference the day after the shooting, Tuskegee University president Dr. Mark Brown announced that Calloway would be replaced and that the school would no longer be open to the public. All students and faculty are now required to carry visible identification on campus, Brown said.

He said the school hired over 70 additional officers during homecoming week and pointed to security checks that were at all official school events. The checkpoints included metal detectors and pat-downs, Brown said.

Brown said the party where the shooting happened was not sanctioned by the school.

We did not nor could we have planned for security at an event that was not approved in advance or sanctioned by the university, Brown said. Nonetheless, it happened on our campus, and we take full responsibility for allowing a thorough investigation and implementing corrective actions.
Farm Share food bank is hosting a Thanksgiving food distribution event Saturday for people in need. The free food distribution starts at 8:30 a.m. at FSCJ Downtown Campus, Lot #4, 101 W. State St., Jacksonville, a Farm Share news release states.

The food bank will be providing fresh produce, free turkeys, and non-perishable items to over 2,000 families in need, the news release states. The event will be a drive-thru distribution to prioritize safety and minimize contact, with attendees required to arrive in a vehicle with a trunk or cargo bed, the news release states.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

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KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD)  A man accused of leaving his son in a hot car in August, leading to the 3-year-olds death, went before a judge for the first time Wednesday.

Chad Martin, 36, of Athens, Michigan, appeared in a Kalamazoo courtroom via video linkup from the county jail to be arraigned on a count of leaving a child in a vehicle causing death.

The toddler was discovered dead in Martins SUV on the afternoon of Aug. 13 at a Family Fare in Vicksburg. The death was believed to have been the result of prolonged heat exhaustion, with the temperature that day higher than 80 degrees.

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There is nothing the criminal justice system can do to him that is not going to be worse than what he already feels about what happened. Hes been beside himself since this happened, Martins defense attorney Caleb Grimes said. He is looking forward to getting back to his family helping in any way going forward, but again, he has been upset about this and has been heartbroken about this ever since it happened.

Police reports outline day of toddlers hot car death

Martins wife was in court to show her support for him.

She wants him home. She wants him with the family. She wants him to get any work so he can support them, Grimes said. The fact that she is in his corner, I think/ speaks a lot to Mr. Martin, to what he is going through and what he is willing to do to make this right.

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Before arraignment, Kalamazoo County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Williams said this is the first case of its type that he has tried.

These situations are a tragedy, he acknowledged.

But, he said, state law is clear in such cases.

In prior years, this may have been charged with a general child abuse case, but recently, the Legislature has enacted laws which specifically say that it is against the law to leave a child in a vehicle where harm might come to them, he said. The Legislature is also very clear in that they made this case a general intent crime. That means it doesnt matter what your intentions were. We dont have to prove that someone had a malicious intent or was trying to harm the child. In fact, they generally in these cases just have forgotten about the child rather than wanting to harm them.

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Police reports from the Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office obtained by News 8 show Martin told investigators nothing was different about the familys routine the day his son died. He said he wasnt running late, had been sleeping normally and doesnt use sleeping aids or recreational drugs or drink.

I guess I went straight to work, the report says he told investigators when he was interviewed.

Martin arrived at his job at a plant in Brady Township, just outside of the Vicksburg limits, around 6:40 a.m., the reports show. He left around 3 p.m. and then stopped by the Family Fare. He was inside for a few minutes and when he came out, he realized his son was still in the car, buckled into in a rear-facing car seat in the drivers side back seat. The boy was dead by then.

Doctor offers warning after toddlers hot car death near Vicksburg

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Data compiled by advocacy group Kids and Car Safety says 29 children have died in hot cars nationwide so far this year.

Our message to parents is to use extra care, even if youre watching this thinking, I am not the type of person that this could ever happen to,' Williams said. It happens to people, and I think almost by definition, this is the kind of thing that happens as an oversight, not malicious intent. So be aware.

Grimes noted to the court that his client has cooperated with the investigation, turned himself in Wednesday morning and has no criminal history. The judge agreed it was unlikely that Martin was a flight risk and allowed his release on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

If convicted, Martin faces up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. His next hearings are scheduled for Dec. 3 and Dec. 10.

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Children, obviously, I think, are the most vulnerable demographic in our society and I think the Legislature is doing everything that they believe is right to hold people responsible for certain situations, but at the same time, there is a guideline range for everybody. There is a max statutory for everybody that is charged with this crime, and I think the individual circumstances are going to have the most to do with what type of punishment there is in this case, Williams 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 WOODTV.com.
NEW YORK (AP)  In 2022, New York Citys jails commissioner, Louis Molina, issued a dire warning to local lawmakers: fentanyl was pouring into Rikers Island through the mail, he said, spurring an overdose crisis among the jail's detainees and putting guards at risk.

As evidence of the insidious threat, Molina passed around a childs drawing of a reindeer, one of hundreds of seized items he said had been literally soaked in the drug and mailed to people in custody.

But that claim was based on faulty drug-testing kits with a stunning 85% false positive rate, according to a report released Wednesday by the citys Department of Investigation. The report found the city vastly overstated the prevalence of fentanyl sent by mail to detainees.

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When investigators retested 71 pieces of mail initially flagged by field tests as containing fentanyl, only 10 actually showed traces of the drug. The drawing of a reindeer highlighted by Molina was fentanyl-free.

Field tests indicating an influx of fentanyl-laced mail to Rikers Island fueled a yearslong campaign by Mayor Eric Adams administration to bar people in city custody from receiving physical mail.

As a replacement, city officials proposed redirecting mail to an offsite vendor, who would then upload it digitally for the incarcerated person to read on a tablet  a practice used in other correctional systems, including New York's state prisons. So far, the proposal has been blocked by a jail oversight board.

Jocelyn Strauber, the commissioner of the Department of Investigation, said the city should reassess its ongoing effort to bar detainees from receiving mail, given the reports findings.

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The field tests dont support a concern that a high rate of fentanyl-laced objects are coming in from the mail, she told The Associated Press. To the extent policy determinations are based on flawed data, they ought to be reconsidered.

Detainee advocates have long contended that drugs primarily enter the jail system via employees, who can easily smuggle them inside and sell them to gang leaders. In recent years, dozens of correction officers have been charged in multiple investigations of smuggling rings on Rikers Island.

In its report, the Department of Investigation said corrections officials had failed to implement many of the department's previous recommendations aimed at screening staff for contraband.

In an email statement, a Department of Correction spokesperson said the agency would review the report and continue refining its testing processes. Field tests are a tool used to quickly assess potential threats, and while not perfect, they play an important role in our safety protocols, the statement said.

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Such field tests have gained popularity in recent years alongside a spike in opioid overdose deaths nationwide, allowing law enforcement officials to bypass the lengthy lab process to determine if a substance contains narcotics.

But experts have long raised questions about the strips' effectiveness. Under federal regulations, manufacturers are required to include language on their packaging indicating that results are preliminary until confirmed by a lab  something that rarely happens in correctional settings.

Last November, New Yorks state prison system was found to have wrongly punished more than 2,000 detainees due to false positives from drug tests manufactured by Sirchie Finger Print Laboratories.

For years, the test strips used on Rikers Island, the city-run jail system, were also provided by Sirchie. But after complaints about the reliability of the tests, the Department of Correction switched to kits made by DetectaChem last April.

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The review by the Department of Investigation found DetectaChems test strips had a false positive rate of 79%, while Sirchies were wrong 91% of the time.

Inquiries to Sirchie were not returned.

Travis Kisner, the chief operating officer of DetectaChem, said the company was still reviewing the report, but added: We stand behind our product."
VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Wednesday afternoon Mrs. Dinkels 5th grade class at Fayette Elementary got the chance to perform their self-written plays for other students and their families.

These projects along with the classes field trip to the Community Theatre of Terre Haute were funded through the Indiana Educator Fellowship for Creative Teaching as Mrs. Dinkel was one of just 20 teachers in the state to receive this.

The plays were about numerous European explorers and their significance in history. One of Mrs. Dinkels students Layla Flowers said she enjoyed this much more than their usual classroom work.

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Vigo Co. Health Department explains what goes into restaurant health inspections

I like how we get to do this instead of just sitting at our desks writing paragraphs, said Flowers. Like Mrs. Dinkel said, it is nice to be able to get up. move around, and do stuff like that.

Mrs. Dinkel said that next week she plans to start integrating some painting into her lesson plans.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
"The censorship cartel must be dismantled," Brendan Carr declared two days before President-elect Donald Trump picked him to chair the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Trump described Carr as "a warrior for Free Speech."

Carr's plans for "reining in Big Tech" understandably appeal to Trump, who has long complained that the leading social media platforms are biased against him. But Carr's agenda is blatantly inconsistent with conservative principles, including limited government, free markets, freedom of speech, and opposition to lawless regulation.

Carr, a Republican telecommunications lawyer who has served as an FCC commissioner since Trump appointed him during his first term in August 2017, says "the censorship cartel" includes businesses such as Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft. It also supposedly includes NewsGuard, a company that rates the reliability of news and information sources.

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As Carr tells it, these businesses have conspired to silence "core political, religious, and scientific speech" by "defund[ing], demonetiz[ing], and otherwise put[ting] out of business news outlets and organizations that dared to deviate from an approved narrative." They have punished Americans for "doing nothing more than exercising their First Amendment rights."

Carr's complaint goes far beyond legitimate concerns about government pressure on social media platforms to suppress speech that federal officials viewed as a threat to public health, democracy, or national security. He portrays purely private action, including independent content moderation and the advice that informs it, as a violation of the First Amendment.

That is clearly wrong, because the First Amendment constrains government power, not content decisions by private businesses. To the contrary, the Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized that the First Amendment protects such editorial discretion, as Justice Elena Kagan noted last February in an opinion joined by four of her colleagues.

"The principle does not change because the curated compilation has gone from the physical to the virtual world," Kagan wrote. "In the latter, as in the former, government efforts to alter an edited compilation of third-party expression are subject to judicial review for compliance with the First Amendment."

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Unfazed by that point, Carr sees one of the laws at issue in that case, a Texas statute that says social media platforms may not "censor" content based on "viewpoint," as a model for federal legislation. He nevertheless concedes that "some" conservatives "do not think that the FCC or Congress should act in a way that regulates the content-moderation decisions of private platforms" because "doing so would intrudeunlawfully in their viewon the First Amendment rights of corporations to exclude content from their private platforms."

Carr favors legislation that "scraps" federal protection from civil liability for user-posted contenta crucial safeguard against potentially crippling litigation that has made the internet as we know it possible. Although Carr thinks that step would promote "a diversity of viewpoints," one likely result would be even stricter content moderation, aimed at avoiding any possible pretext for a lawsuit.

Even without new legislation, Carr argues, the FCC can curtail liability protection through statutory interpretation, "impose transparency rules on Big Tech," and require changes to the policies and procedures of social media companies. That agenda should alarm any conservative who inveighs against overweening federal agencies empowered to invent their own authority.

The Supreme Court struck a blow against such lawlessness last June, when it repudiated the Chevron doctrine, which required that judges defer to an agency's "reasonable" or "permissible" interpretation of an "ambiguous" statute. Carr himself praised that decision, saying "it puts individuals or businesses on a much more level playing field with an administrative agency."

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Carr probably had in mind attempts by a Democratic FCC majority to impose "net neutrality" requirements on internet service providers by treating them as "common carriers." But objections to regulations based on dubious statutory interpretations apply with equal force to his own agenda.

Republican complaints about arbitrary, unfair, and politically biased content moderation may or may not be fully justified. But they cannot give the FCC powers it does not have.

 Copyright 2024 by Creators Syndicate Inc.

The post The New FCC Chairman's Agenda Contradicts Conservative Principles appeared first on Reason.com.
SANFORD, Maine (WJW)  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent a warning letter to toothpaste manufacturer Toms of Maine this month, highlighting violations found during an inspection at the companys Sanford facility.

According to the letter, dated Nov. 5, the FDA inspected the Toms of Maine facility between May 7 and May 22, 2024.

Dog treat recalled for potential salmonella

During the inspection, the FDA found a black mold-like substance at the base of a hose reel and behind a water storage tank, as well as powder residues near a batch of Toms Silly Strawberry Anticavity, the letter stated.

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The black substance was within 1 foot of stainless-steel pails and other product-contact equipment used for OTC drug production, the letter said, in part.

Additionally, according to the letter, Pseudomonas aeruginosa  bacteria that can cause blood or lung infections  was found in water samples used to manufacture Toms Simply White Clean Mint Paste and for the final rinse of cleaning equipment at the facility.

Toms of Maine also found Ralstonia insidiosa bacteria while testing water sources, and Paracoccus yeei  bacteria linked to infections like conjunctivitis  was detected in a batch of Wicked Cool! Anticavity Toothpaste, the FDA reported.

It is essential that your facility is in a good state of repair and sanitary conditions are maintained to protect drug products from potential routes of contamination, the letter said.

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The FDA said it may have to withhold export certificates if these violations arent addressed.

Over 83 tons of ground beef recalled nationwide, illnesses reported: USDA

Toms of Maine released the following statement to FOX 8 on Tuesday:

Were working with the FDA and are remedying the issues raised in their May inspection of the Toms manufacturing plant in Sanford, Maine. We have always tested finished goods before they leave our control, and we remain fully confident in the safety and quality of the toothpaste we make. In addition, we have engaged water specialists to evaluate our systems at Sanford, have implemented additional safeguards to ensure compliance with FDA standards, and our water testing shows no issues. We are also making capital investments as part of an ongoing, significant upgrade of the Sanford plants water system. Toms is committed to making safe and effective natural products for our consumers, and to maintaining the trust in our brand.

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According to the letter, Toms of Maine has 15 business days to respond with specifics on how the company is addressing the violations.

Toms of Maine, owned by parent company Colgate-Palmolive, was founded in 1970.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations Robert Wood (C, Front) votes against a UN Security Council draft resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza at the UN headquarters in New York, on Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, drawing harsh criticism from most of the UN members.

The draft, put forward by the council's 10 non-permanent members, demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

The 15-member council voted 14-1 in favor of the resolution, and the United States used its veto as a permanent council member to block it.

Speaking after the vote, Robert Wood, deputy U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said that Washington had made clear it would only support a resolution that explicitly calls for the immediate release of hostages as part of a ceasefire.

"The resolution would have sent a dangerous message to Hamas that there was no need to come back to the negotiating table," he said.

The U.S. move to block the resolution drew harsh criticism from most of the members.

Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, said it is "shocking" that the United States vetoed an effort to save Palestinian and Israeli lives, though "we should not be surprised."

He lamented that for months, the United States has obstructed and stood in the way of the council action to address the catastrophic situation in Gaza and played on one side of the conflict to advance its own political objectives at the expense of Palestinian lives.

"It is a sad day for the Security Council, for the United Nations and the international community as a whole," Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama told the council members.

It has been five months since the adoption of resolution 2735, during which the Security Council remained idle and hand-tied, he added, noting that the draft resolution was far from ideal, but it represented "the bare minimum that should have united us."

"Today's message is clear to the Israeli occupying power -- you may continue your genocide ... with complete impunity. In this Chamber, you enjoy immunity," Bendjama said.

"To the Palestinian people, it is another clear message -- while the overwhelming majority of the world stands in solidarity with your plight, others remain indifferent to your suffering," he added.

Majed Bamya, deputy permanent observer of the State of Palestine, said that there is "no right" to the mass killing of civilians, starve an entire civilian population, forcibly displace them and annexation.

"This is what Israel is doing in Gaza. These are its war objectives. This is what the absence of a ceasefire is allowing it to continue doing," he said, calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the region.

"It is deeply regretted that due to the use of the veto this council has once again failed to uphold its responsibility to maintain international peace and security," Malta's Ambassador Vanessa Frazier said after voting.

"It represented the bare minimum of what is needed to begin to address the desperate situation on the ground," she added.

Guyana's Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said that the suffering of Palestinians must end, adding that her country would continue to work with fellow council members to try to achieve tomorrow what could not be achieved today. 

Representatives vote on a UN Security Council draft resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza at the UN headquarters in New York, on Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie E)
Tom's of Maine said it is upgrading the water system at its facility in Sanford, Maine, after receiving a warning from the Food and Drug Administration about bacteria and a "black mold-like substance," during an inspection earlier this year. Photo courtesy of Tom's of Maine/PR Newswire

Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Tom's of Maine, which markets its products as being made with "safe and hardworking natural ingredients," has received a warning from the Food and Drug Administration about a "black mold-like substance" found in a factory where its toothpaste is made.

The FDA warned in a letter dated Nov. 5, that Tom's of Maine -- which is owned by Colgate-Palmolive -- "failed to maintain buildings used in the manufacture, processing, packing or holding of drug products in a good state of repair," after finding a "black mold-like substance" near a batch of Tom's Silly Strawberry Anti-cavity toothpaste.

The FDA's inspection took place in May at Tom's of Maine's manufacturing plant in Sanford, Maine.

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In the letter, the FDA also noted Tom's Simply White Clean Mint toothpaste was produced with water containing the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a germ that can cause drug-resistant infections in the blood and lungs. The FDA also noted Ralstonia insidiosa bacteria in the water.

"Water is a major ingredient in many of your OTC drug products. It is essential that you employ a water system that is robustly designed, and that you effectively control, maintain and monitor the system to ensure it consistently produces water suitable for pharmaceutical use," the FDA wrote.

Another type of bacteria, Paracoccus yeei, was found in Tom's of Maine Wicked Cool! Anticavity Toothpaste, according to the FDA. Paracoccus yeei has been linked to infections, such as peritonitis and conjunctivitis, while none have been linked to Tom's of Maine products.

Tom's of Maine blamed the Paracoccus yeei bacteria on a "laboratory error," as the FDA called the company's response "inadequate."

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"It does not include additional supporting evidence or testing results for the finished products," the FDA countered. "It is essential that your facility is in a good state of repair and sanitary conditions are maintained to protect drug products from potential routes of contamination."

Tom's of Maine issued a statement, saying it is working with the FDA to fix all of the problems.

"We have always tested finished goods before they leave our control, and we remain fully confident in the safety and quality of the toothpaste we make," Tom's of Maine said in a statement.

"In addition, we have engaged water specialists to evaluate our systems at Sanford, have implemented additional safeguards to ensure compliance with FDA standards and our water testing shows no issues," the company added, while promising to upgrade the plant's water system.

"Tom's is committed to making safe and effective natural products for our customers, and to maintaining the trust in our brand."
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is asking a judge to rule that it has the power to impose staffing requirements on nursing homes that collect billions of federal tax dollars through Medicaid and Medicare. (Getty Images)

The federal government is asking a judge to rule that it has the power to impose staffing requirements on nursing homes that collect billions of federal tax dollars through Medicaid and Medicare.

The request was made Friday in the form of a motion for summary judgment in a lawsuit filed by the nursing home industry. That lawsuit challenges the legality of newly imposed regulations that mandate minimum staffing levels in the Medicaid-certified care facilities that now provide care for 1.2 million elderly and disabled Americans.

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In its motion, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says the staffing requirements are in response to disturbing incidents of residents not being taken to the restroom or bathed for extended periods of time, frequent falls, lack of basic services like feeding or changing, and even abuse in cases where no one was watching.

The agency says hundreds of thousands of deaths in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the sweeping extent of the problem, with the ensuing evidence showing that facilities with higher staffing had fewer COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Industry argues agency exceeded authority

The industry, represented in part by the lobbying organizations LeadingAge and the American Health Care Association, is arguing that DHHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, exceeded its authority when it developed and then imposed staffing requirements that arent specifically spelled out in congressionally approved statute.

DHHS position is that the courts have repeatedly held that Congress gives agencies broad authority to enact specific, detailed regulations that are spelled out in legislation approved by Congress. Congress silence on the issue of staffing, the agency says, doesnt mean CMS cannot impose staffing regulations.

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As the Supreme Court has recognized, DHHS argues in its motion, there is no such thing as a canon of donut holes in which Congresss failure to speak directly to a specific case that falls within a more general statutory rule creates a tacit exception.

As an example, DHHS points to the court upholding a CMS regulation requiring health care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for the protection of patients.

Both sides have sought summary judgment in the case, hoping to get a court ruling on the issue without the case going to trial. However the court rules on those motions, the issue may soon be rendered moot. The Trump administration is widely expected to eliminate the new mandates early next year as part of a broader regulatory rollback.

Fred Bentley, managing director for Medicare innovation at ATI Advisory, recently told McKnights Long-Term Care News the staffing mandate is dead on arrival once Trump takes office. He predicted the new administration will begin scaling back or decreasing regulatory scrutiny and inspections at nursing facilities.

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Earlier this year, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported that CMS data indicates 14% of Iowas 422 nursing facilities had been cited for insufficient staffing in fiscal year 2023, which was more than double the national average of 5.9%.

Only five other states  Hawaii, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico and Oregon  had a worse record of compliance with the sufficient-staffing requirement. Iowas neighboring states of Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Missouri had no more than 2% to 6.8% of their facilities cited for insufficient staffing in 2023.

DHHS: Cost of new rules arent prohibitive

In its motion for summary judgment, DHHS argues that the minimum-staffing mandate will protect the health and safety of more than 1 million people whose age, ailments and injuries have left them unable to care for themselves.

The new rules specify that the facilities must have a registered nurse onsite 24 hours per day, seven days a week; offer 2.45 hours of care per day, per resident, by certified nursing assistants; and offer 3.48 hours of care per resident, per day, in total nurse staffing.

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Those standards, DHHS argues, mark the culmination of a decades-long process, beginning with Congresss passage of the landmark Federal Nursing Home Reform Act in 1987. DHHS adds that nursing homes that object to the new standards have the option of dropping out of the Medicare and Medicaid programs and accepting only private-pay residents.

With regard to industry complaints about the cost of adding additional staff, DHHS says it has established a $75 million grant program to expand the nursing workforce and help care facilities meet the new requirements. The agency has also agreed to a set of staggered implementation dates, allowed financial-hardship exemptions, and provided additional flexibility for homes in rural areas where the workforce shortage is acute.

The industry, DHHS argues, does not dispute that establishing a minimum required floor for long-term care staffing protects the health and safety of those facilities residents. Instead, the agency claims, industry officials are focusing their case exclusively on the economic and political impact of the new mandate.

Many facilities already meet one or more of the minimum standards, DHHS argues in its motion, pointing to a study that shows that as of May 2024, 78% of facilities currently provided at least 24 hours of total registered nurse staffing per day, and 59% of facilities were staffed at or above the 3.48 hours requirement for total nurse staffing.

This article first appeared in the Iowa Capital Dispatch, a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.
MELROSE, The Bronx (PIX11)  A decaying parcel of land in the South Bronx that once housed a dry cleaner has been the source of a years-long toxic battle.

Residents have been pleading with the state to clean up the contaminated site claiming the state hasnt adequately responded to their calls for action. Residents have now turned to the federal government for help.

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Residents of the Melrose section of the Bronx claim they have been let down by the Department of Environmental Conservation, so they reached out to Washington. Today, they got a visit from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency to finally help clear the toxic air in the neighborhood.

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The government is here to help and support them, was the declaration by Lisa Garcia, the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environment Protection Agency. Those are the words Melrose residents wanted to hear from Washington as they toured an eight-block area of a badly contaminated Superfund site.

The community has been dealing with state environmental agencies for years in a remediation project to clear the site of toxic chemicals from a dry cleaning operation housed there more than 60 years ago.

According to Garcia, Right now the DEC has not found any imminent danger for the community and well double-check that. The community is calling for a test of environmental contamination underneath the streets and full remediation of the area. Health tests for residents for any effects of the contamination. And updated reports on the cleanup process.

New park replaces rotting pier on Hudson River waterfront

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Residents are concerned about the potential health effects of living in a toxic environment. Angel Garcia who volunteers as a community organizer claims, It could be respiratory problems, kidney problems, cancer, depending on how close you are and how long youve been there. We want the area cleaned up, he demands.

The state DEC has come up with a plan to remediate the area but residents say theyre in the dark about the process and the timeline. The federal EPA representative was enlightened by what she saw on the tour. What we heard today was from a super informed community that really wants to understand what could be done at this site now to clean it up and move forward to revitalize it and reuse it in the community. Were really excited to work with everyone on that.

Melrose residents tell PIX11 News they are hopeful now that the federal agency is on the case and that theyll finally get what they call environmental justice and the cleanup theyve been calling on for years.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has responded to this story. It claims to be communicating with the Melrose community about progress being made to clean up a contaminated parcel of land. And the DEC issued this statement:

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New York State has a proven track record of successfully investigating and cleaning up contamination across New York City and the state, including sites in the Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) and State Superfund (SSF) located in the Bronx, as part of DECs sustained commitment to protect public health and the environment. When cleaning up a site like a former dry cleaner, DEC prioritizes the protection of public health by working closely with our partners at the state Department of Health (DOH) to eliminate any potential exposure pathways, and DEC then determines the appropriate cleanup that will be fully protective of the environment and the community. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Federal investigators looking into the treatment of Black pregnant patients at Cedars-Sinai Health System have found evidence that federal laws against discrimination may not have been followed, according to a "letter of concern."

"Our investigation has uncovered evidence that Cedars-Sinai may have engaged in a pattern of inaction and/or neglect concerning the health risks associated with Black maternity patients," the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights said in its Nov. 12 letter to Cedars-Sinai officials.

The federal agency said its review, which began more than two years ago, hadn't reached any "final determinations" about whether Cedars-Sinai violated federal statutes against discrimination.

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However, its letter said its investigation to date "raises concerns that a lower standard of care is provided to Black patients compared to their white counterparts  especially leading up to and during obstetric hemorrhage."

The Office for Civil Rights urged Cedars-Sinai to take several steps to ensure it was complying with federal law. Doing so, it said, "would allow us to suspend our investigation and work towards voluntary resolution of this matter."

In a statement, Cedars-Sinai said that "we respectfully disagree with the department's assertions but pledge to continue working to improve maternal health equity." It thanked the federal department for its work and said the health system shared its concerns about racial inequities in maternal care nationally.

The health system said it had started instituting measures to improve health outcomes for Black mothers well before the initiation of the federal review, including introducing implicit bias training for obstetrician-gynecologists and nurses, creating new roles focused on "equity for patients and inclusion among our work force," and distributing more than $2.2 million in grants to local nonprofits working to improve Black maternal health.

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Cedars-Sinai also emphasized that "the recent department letter contains preliminary findings with no final conclusions or decisions."

An HHS spokesperson confirmed that, saying that the letter is "only a preliminary document that does not contain any formal findings of noncompliance" and that Cedars-Sinai had cooperated throughout the investigation.

"We look forward to their continued cooperation and work towards reaching a voluntary resolution soon to improve upon health disparities and maternal health outcomes  a goal shared by Cedars-Sinai and HHS," the agency spokesperson said.

Read more: Birth can be dismal for Black women. What this hospital is doing to stop that

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In its letter, the Office for Civil Rights said its investigation suggested that Cedars-Sinai had deviated from its own standards on hemorrhage care with respect to Kira Johnson and other Black patients.

Johnson died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a caesarean section eight years ago, spurring a public uproar and lawsuits by her husband against Cedars-Sinai and several physicians, which were ultimately settled. Her death was the result of hemorrhagic shock due to blood loss, according to the letter.

The federal office said it had scrutinized medical records, testimony and interviews that "showcase how severely delayed Kira Johnson's diagnosis and care was." Cedars-Sinai medical staff had failed to follow up on imaging and lab orders and delayed taking Johnson back to the operating room until nearly 10 hours had passed since her C-section, the letter said.

The Office for Civil Rights added that in an interview with the office, a doctor who had attended her, Arjang Naim, "espoused stereotypical, non-scientific opinions about Black women," including that Black patients respond differently to hemorrhaging than white patients and "don't complain as much about pain."

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Dr. Naim "purported to attribute his opinions to the medical literature," but was unable to provide any citations when prompted, the letter said. The Office for Civil Rights said its review also found that Naim had failed to provide appropriate care for at least four other Cedars-Sinai maternity patients while he had privileges there.

Naim didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The physician went on probation, which he completed two years ago, after being accused by the Medical Board of California of "gross negligence" in his treatment of several obstetric patients.

Black women in California have suffered a maternal mortality rate more than three times that of white women in the state. Health researchers have faulted numerous factors for that disparity, including inequities in healthcare, chronic conditions and structural racism.

Read more: Was racism a factor in death at Centinela Hospital? California is ill-equipped to investigate

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In its letter to Cedars-Sinai, the federal office said that it examined records of 38 patients who had suffered postpartum hemorrhaging. In 14 of those cases, the treatment concerned investigators as "potentially deviating from protocols" partly because of race, the letter said.

In one instance when a Black woman suffered postpartum hemorrhaging, "management of her bleeding appeared severely delayed" and out of step with Cedars-Sinai guidelines, the letter said. In contrast, a white woman with similar signs of hemorrhage "appears to have received care in line with the guidelines."

Federal investigators also said they had been reviewing other alleged incidents of racial discrimination reported by patients, including a Black patient who alleged she was denied an epidural injection or medication for pain, although they did not issue findings on those allegations. Data from Cedars-Sinai show that on average, Black patients reported higher levels of postpartum pain compared with their white counterparts, the letter said.

The federal agency also stressed that Black women consistently had higher rates of caesarean sections than other Cedars-Sinai patients and lower rates of a successful vaginal delivery after a previous caesarean. C-sections can save lives in some circumstances but also have a higher risk of hemorrhage, the office said.

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It said its review suggested that doctors for Johnson "steered her towards a non-medically indicated repeat C-section without fully disclosing the benefits and risks." Doing so "may suggest motivations of racial bias or false notions that Black women are poor candidates" for vaginal birth after a C-section, the office said.

Cedars-Sinai had acknowledged the need to improve Black maternal health and put additional policies in place after Johnson died, the letter said. Despite those efforts, "there is evidence that the problems continue," the civil rights office concluded.

It urged the health system to take additional steps, including creating an online tool for patients to report incidents of suspected bias. The office also called for the health system to provide the federal agency with its written policies and protocols for any "early maternal warning systems" designed to prevent maternal deaths, among other recommended actions.

Taking such steps could lead to a "voluntary resolution of this matter rather than further, protracted investigation with possible enforcement," the civil rights office said in its letter.

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Nick Rowley, an attorney representing the Johnson family, said the federal agency had outlined "steps in the right direction," but amid "this epidemic of Black women dying in healthcare, dying in labor and delivery, baby steps aren't going to stop this from happening."

"We need radical change if we're going to save lives and keep Black mothers from dying," Rowley said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
AUBURN, Ala. (AP)  Federal wildlife officials are reviewing the removal of a bald eagle nest at the site of a planned subdivision in the east Alabama city of Auburn following an outcry by some local residents, the agency announced Tuesday.

Agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which issued a permit to the subdivision developer to remove the nest, are reviewing the removal at the request of city officials to make sure the developer followed the terms and conditions of the permit, the agency said.

The tree containing the nest was chopped down over the weekend, upsetting nearby residents who had hoped to stop the nests removal.

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We understand the deep emotional bond many residents have with these birds and aim to clarify the situation, Rafael Gonzales, the Southeast Regions Acting Assistant Regional Director of Migratory Birds and Science Applications, said in a statement.

The federal agency has said bald eagles, the national symbol that once teetered on the brink of extinction, have rebounded in recent years after decades of habitat destruction, illegal shooting and the impact of the since-banned insecticide DDT, growing to more than 71,400 nesting pairs and an estimated 316,700 individual birds by 2021.

Bald eagles were removed from the endangered species list in August 2007 because their populations recovered sufficiently, and their population has continued to grow in the years since, it says.

Nonetheless, bald eagle nests cannot be disturbed without a federal permit.

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The Fish and Wildlife Service said it issued the permit after it was determined that the removal of the nest would not negatively impact the overall eagle population. The permit holder was responsible for confirming the nest was empty of eggs or young before taking it down, the agency said.

The nest was removed Friday, the agency said. The move upset nearby residents who had hoped to stop the removal of the nest where they said a bonded pair of bald eagles had resided for several years.

Theyre smart and beautiful. They deserve to be protected, neighbor Jason Haynie told WRBL. The station published photos of the eagles circling above the area where their nest used to stand.

Developer Hughston Homes, the business granted the federal permit to remove the nest, said in a statement to WSFA that it had followed guidance from the Fish and Wildlife Service in the removal. The developer said it believed the nest in question is likely an alternate nest for the eagles.

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Please know that this decision was made with respect for the environment and the welfare of these magnificent birds, the developer added.

The city of Auburn issued a statement over the weekend saying City Council members were disappointed by the removal. City officials had hoped to meet with the developer this week to discuss options for preserving the nest, according to its statement.

Bald eagle nests can typically reach around five feet (1.5 meters) in diameter and sometimes larger, weighing up to two tons, and mating pairs can use the same nest year after year, birding experts say.

Auburn is the home of Auburn University. The tiger is the schools mascot though the universitys battle cry is War Eagle.
Updated, Nov. 20

Federal prosecutors have indicted the founder and former CEO of the once-celebrated education technology company AllHere, accusing her of defrauding investors of nearly $10 million as the startup that made AI chatbots for schools fell into bankruptcy.

Joanna Smith-Griffin, a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient and Harvard graduate, was arrested at her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, Tuesday on allegations of securities and wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

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The 33-year-old former educators arrest is the latest chapter in the downfall of Ed, a buzzy, $6 million AI chatbot that Smith-Griffins company was tapped to build for the Los Angeles Unified School District before the project was halted and the company shuttered. L.A. schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and Smith-Griffin appeared together at several events earlier this year to promote the chatbot, an ed tech innovation Carvalho said was unprecedented in American public education.

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The indictment by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York unsealed in Manhattan federal court accuses Smith-Griffin of defrauding investors and using company funds for a down payment on her North Carolina house and to pay for her 2021 wedding.

Smith-Griffin orchestrated a deliberate and calculated scheme to deceive investors in the company she founded through a Harvard University startup incubator in 2016 to provide a tech-driven solution to student absences. She inflated the companys financials to secure millions of dollars under false pretenses, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a media release. The law does not turn a blind eye to those who allegedly distort financial realities for personal gain.

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Smith-Griffin is being represented by Eric Brignac, an assistant public defender with the Federal Public Defenders Office. Brignac, who is based out of Raleigh, did not respond to a request for comment.

In a statement to The 74, an L.A. schools spokesperson portrayed the district, by far AllHeres biggest customer, as one of many taken in by Smith-Griffin. Previously, the school district and its inspector generals office opened separate inquiries into the school systems work with AllHere.

The indictment and the allegations represent, if true, a disturbing and disappointing house of cards that deceived and victimized many across the country, the spokesperson wrote in an email. We will continue to assert and protect our rights.

Related

Feds Zero in on Maker of LAUSD's Failed AI Chatbot, Hint at Criminal Charges

Between 2017 and June 2024, prosecutors allege, Smith-Griffin used her control over AllHeres bank accounts to transfer at least $600,000 in company funds to her personal account, generally using PayPal and Zelle to make repeat wire transfers under $10,000.

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Federal prosecutors said the fraud scheme began as early as November 2020, when Smith-Griffin allegedly began to misrepresent to her investors the companys revenue, customer base and cash on hand. In the spring of 2021, she told investors AllHere had generated some $3.7 million in revenue in the previous year, including through contracts with the New York City and Atlanta school districts. In reality, federal prosecutors allege, the company had only generated $11,000  and contracts with the two major urban school systems didnt exist.

Key AllHere funders include the venture firms Rethink Education, Spero Ventures and Potencia Ventures. Their representatives didnt respond to requests for comment.

When investors and an outside accountant accidentally discovered the discrepancies between the companys actual financials and its claim to backers, Smith-Griffin masqueraded as a financial consultant to perpetuate the scheme, prosecutors allege. She was accused of creating a fake email address for the phony outside consultant, which she used to send fraudulent documents to her largest investor.

Though one of the firms biggest investors recruited high profile education leaders to the companys board of directors, including former Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson, the indictment notes that Smith-Griffin exercised exclusive control over AllHeres communications with investors, board members, customers and outside vendors.

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Related

The Key Investors Who Once Touted L.A. Schools Failed $6M AI Chatbot Go Silent

The indictment adds further uncertainty around the AI chatbot the company created for and launched with such fanfare earlier this year with Los Angeles schools, the countrys second-largest district.

As K-12 school systems nationwide rush to inject artificial intelligence into their teaching practices, the L.A. chatbot has emerged as a cautionary tale of what could go wrong. On Tuesday, the U.S. Education Department released guidance on ways schools can harness AI while ensuring they dont have a discriminatory impact on vulnerable and underserved students.

In April, Smith-Griffin and Carvalho unveiled the chatbot together at the influential ASU+GSV ed tech conference in San Diego. Carvalho said Ed was the nations first AI-enabled personal assistant and would drive academic improvement while providing Los Angeless roughly 540,00 students and their families with a trove of helpful information upon request.

Los Angeles Unified Supt. Alberto Carvalho, during the official launch of the AI-powered chatbot, Ed. (Getty Images)

Signs of turmoil emerged in June, when The 74 first reported that Smith-Griffin was out of a job as AllHere furloughed a majority of its staff due to its current financial position. A statement from the L.A. district said the company had been put up for sale.

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The company then filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in August. At a bankruptcy hearing in September, Toby Jackson, one of AllHeres only remaining employees and its former chief technology officer, struggled to explain why the company had paid Smith-Griffin $243,000 in expenses in the past year alone.

Related

Ed Tech Startup Behind L.A. Schools Failed $6M AI Chatbot Files for Bankruptcy

That is one of the outstanding questions that we also have, said Jackson, who said that Smith-Griffin did do quite a bit of travel as the CEO of the company.

Jackson did not respond to a request for comment.

The 74 first reported the possible criminal charges in early October, when Delaware court documents related to AllHeres bankruptcy case revealed a grand jury subpoena by federal prosecutors. Even before the company laid off employees and announced its financial woes, a former employee-turned-whistleblower told The 74 that AllHere had struggled to produce a proper product for the L.A. district and took shortcuts that ran afoul of school district policies and bedrock student data privacy principles.

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Related

Whistleblower: L.A. Schools Chatbot Misused Student Data as Tech Co. Crumbled

By the time AllHere went bankrupt earlier this year, it never had more than 31 customers total  less than a third the number Smith-Griffin told investors she had by early 2021. By the time the company collapsed this year, only three of AllHeres customers generated more than $100,000 in revenue.

In total, the felony charges carry a 42-year prison sentence for Smith-Griffin, who began her career working in a Boston charter school as a teacher and family engagement director.

Her alleged actions impacted the potential for improved learning environments across major school districts by selfishly prioritizing personal expenses, FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy said in the release. The FBI will ensure that any individual exploiting the promise of education opportunities for our citys children will be taught a lesson.
The Washington County Water Conservancy District was selected as one of five recipients of federal funding to put dollars to work for saving water in the West  an urgent goal due to decades of drought.

This effort to diversify our tools by taking previously unusable water sources and turning them into new supplies will be instrumental in managing through drought, said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. These historic investments are allowing these communities to build and expand infrastructure to recycle large amounts of water to meet growing needs.

In Utahs Washington County, the $1 billion system will get a boost of $641,222 for new water treatment facilities, advanced purification technology, new conveyance pipelines and storage reservoirs, according to the bureaus release on Monday.

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The southern Utah area has often come under attack for what its critics say is excessive water use  which the district disputes.

Zach Renstrom, the districts general manager, said it has the most aggressive water conservation policies in the state and plans an additional reduction of water use of 15% by 2035.

The criticism, however, is part of opponents objections to the states pursuit of the Lake Powell Pipeline, an ambitious project to siphon water from the nations second largest human-made reservoir so it can meet the demands of growth in the coming decades.

While the Lake Powell Pipeline is not off the table, it has ground its way through an intense and long regulatory process  raising questions about when it may become a realty.

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The Virgin River, a tributary of the Colorado River, is the primary source of water for the district. It also relies on groundwater, but these sources are approaching capacity in an area that is expected to double its population by 2060. The district and its partners are developing a water reuse system to meet demand. Once complete, it will be the largest reuse project in the state.

The $1 billion system includes new treatment facilities, advanced water purification technology, new conveyance pipelines and storage reservoirs. Components include:

Three water reclamation facilities to remove and eliminate contaminants prior to reuse.

An advanced water purification facility to purify reclaimed water, removing impurities and contaminants to make it safe for drinking.

Four new reservoirs to collect and store water.

60 miles of pipeline will convey water throughout the system and deliver reuse water to customers.

When complete, the system is projected to produce more than 24,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2042, enough water to serve more than 40,000 new homes. The system includes multiple pump stations to bring water from lower to higher elevations for more efficient and cost effective delivery.

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Renstrom said the project will be built on as needed basis to meet growth and will primarily be funded through impact fees assessed on new development.

The district has a water reuse system that has been in place for two decades, but this will build up capacity and help diversify the districts water supplies, Renstrom said.

We live in the Mojave Desert, and the hydrology of this area is typical desert where one year we will be dealing with an excess runoff, and so well have flooding events, and then well go into a drought for several years, Renstrom said. And so our system has to be very dynamic and to account for those large swings that Mother Nature gives us.

The reuse system will give them added reliability.

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The one attractive thing about utilizing this resource is that its a little bit more of a steady supply, where the Virgin River has much higher variability, he said.

Renstrom received the Utah Water Pioneer Award at the Utah Water Policy annual luncheon earlier this year, recognizing the innovative work at the district under his purview.
A Florida man has pleaded guilty to leaving threatening voicemail messages at the Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, according to federal prosecutors in Detroit.

Michael Shapiro, 72, of West Palm Beach, pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to one count of transmitting threats in interstate commerce, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Sentencing was set for March 20.

Shapiro could get up to five years in prison, according to his plea agreement. His attorney, Elizabeth Young, had no comment Wednesday.

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Shapiro was indicted in February on three counts of transmitting threats after making calls from his cellphone, according to federal court records.

"We welcome the guilty plea in this case and hope it sends a strong message that violence or threats of violence targeting minority communities will not be tolerated and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice," said Dawud Walid, executive director of CAIR Michigan, in a release posted Wednesday on the national group's website.

The group indicates it is the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its release indicates Shapiro called the office and left voicemails that contained explicit threats of death and violence toward staff, used Islamophobic language and told staffers to "go back to their own country."

Shapiro was accused of leaving six voicemails on the business phone number for CAIR Michigan's office in Canton over the course of two weeks in December, according to the plea agreement.

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More: University of Michigan accused of ignoring Islamophobia in complaint to Department of Education

In three voicemails, it states, he issued: "true threats to kill individuals who work at and are assisted by CAIR because of their actual and perceived religion and national origin." Shapiro was in Florida when he called the group and left the voicemails, according to the plea agreement.

A Dec. 8 voicemail included maniacal laughing, per the plea agreement, and stated: "I'm going to kill you b-----s. I'm going to kill you b-----s." A Dec. 14 voicemail, it states, repeatedly indicated: "I'm going to kill you!"

And a Dec. 15 voicemail, prosecutors allege, stated: "You're a violent people. Why do you come to America? Why do you come to Europe? ..."

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More: Mother of 7-year-old girl attacked with knife in Detroit: 'Why did he aim for her?'

"No one should be able to threaten violence and instill fear on an entire community," U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison stated in her office's release, adding the government's action "should send a strong message that those who do so will be investigated, identified, and aggressively prosecuted."

According to CAIR's release, from January to June of this year, the group documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69% increase over the same period in 2023.

Earlier this year, the national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has received in its 30-year history, according to national group's release. It stated the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all of the complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.

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Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

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Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Man pleads guilty to threatening Michigan Muslim group over voicemail
Nov. 19A Hartford man, whose assault led to the death of a Bridgeport man outside a Stonington Institute facility in Groton earlier this year, will serve five years in prison.

Antwan T. Strickland, 31, was sentenced to five years in prison followed by three years of probation for delivering a blow in a March 25, 2024, fight that led to the death of 46-year-old Gerson Chiluisa of Bridgeport. Strickland was sentenced in New London Superior Court on Monday.

Police said Strickland, who was kicked out of the residential treatment program at 618 Poquonnock Road that morning for a previous fight, struck Chiluisa in the face in the parking lot of the facility. Chiluisa fell and hit his head on the asphalt. Strickland had confronted Chiluisa, police reports show, over a jacket Chiluisa was wearing that he claimed was his.

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Chiluisa's cause of death was "blunt force injury of head."

Stonington Institute staff, police said, saw Strickland running across the street to 40 High Rock Road and told a staff member there that he had hit Chiluisa, police said. The High Rock Inn is an in-patient substance abuse treatment center associated with Stonington Institute.

Police said Strickland then ran off, saying "I didn't mean to hit him that hard."

Police found Strickland nearby, at Sneeker's Cafe at 568 Poquonnock Road, within an hour of the incident.

Strickland, with a long criminal history, had previously pleaded no contest to second-degree manslaughter. Members of Chiluisa's family attended Strickland's sentencing and objected to the plea agreement, arguing for a harsher sentence.

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Edison Chiluisa, Gerson Chiluisa's brother, said he expects that Strickland will only serve a portion of his sentence in prison and would be out and "he can do this again." Dennis Bradley, an attorney for the family, informed the court on Monday that he would be pursuing civil action related Chiluisa's death.

Strickland's convictions date back to 2016, court records show. He has convictions for crimes ranging from sexual assault and burglary to interfering with police and trespassing, with periods of incarceration from 30 days to two years in prison.

g.smith@theday.com
Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, denied allegations Tuesday that it took her agency around three days to respond to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

Criswell testified before two Congressional committee Tuesday about the federal response to hurricanes Helene and Milton, saying that FEMA workers already were on the ground before the storms hit.

Questions also delved into the need for additional disaster relief funding and an employee who told FEMA workers to skip over Florida homes who showed support for President-elect Donald Trump.

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The hearings kicked off in the morning before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where Reps. Chuck Edwards, a Republican from Flat Rock, and Kathy Castor, a Democrat from Florida, testified about how the storms affected their constituents.

Edwards spoke for around five minutes about the death and devastation caused by Helene and what he felt went wrong in the federal response.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Sept. 26, as a Category 4 storm before traveling up the East Coast and leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Edwards represents a large portion of the 25 counties in Western North Carolina that were damaged by the storm.

To put this disaster in perspective, Hurricane Helene took 230 lives across seven states, Edwards testified. One hundred and two of those lives were in North Carolina and tragically, 80 of those were from the district I represent.

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He added that only three storms since 1950 have claimed more lives than Helene.

FEMA delays

Edwards told the committee that the economic damage in North Carolina is estimated at $53 billion, and around only 5% is covered by insurance.

And, Edwards said, FEMAs response could have been improved.

FEMAs response was in some ways effective, but there were significant issues that need to be addressed, Edwards testified. FEMAs core responsibility is to coordinate federal emergency management efforts and support state and local officials with critical resources, but it seemed to me, and many local officials in Western North Carolina, that it took up to three days before there was any real visibility from FEMA, and thats just simply not good enough.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell testifies in a Congressional hearing Nov. 19, 2024 about the federal agencys response to Hurricane Helene.

He said FEMA workers werent on the ground in one county until a week later. He didnt provide evidence or specify the county.

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Edwards told the committee that there were 1 million people without power and 25 water systems destroyed.

I cant help but think, had this been an attack on American soil, should it take three days to see any real evidence of help from our federal government? Edwards asked. I would hope not.

He also testified that after three days, FEMA officials reported that the agency delivered 400 pallets of water to Western North Carolina, but when asked where the delivery was located, FEMA wasnt able to tell him.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican from Banner Elk, would later relay this complaint to Criswell again in a 2 p.m. hearing of the House Committee of Oversight and Accountability. Foxx represents another portion of the state that was wrecked by the storm.

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Criswell denied the claims made by Edwards and Foxx at both of their committee meetings.

FEMA was on the ground before the disaster happened, Criswell said in the early hearing. I am incredibly proud of the work that the 22,000 members of this workforce have done to support the American people across six states impacted by administrator, catastrophic events in recent years.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell answer questions from Rep. Virginia Foxx during a Congressional hearing regarding the agencys response to Hurricane Helene.

Edwards also testified that FEMAs communication was often confusing and inconsistent, to both his constituents and North Carolina officials.

I dont share these issues to criticize FEMA or its employees on the ground. Many hard-working men and women are doing everything that they can in incredibly difficult circumstances, Edwards said. However, as Congress, its our job to conduct rigorous oversight and ensure that FEMA is held accountable and improves upon their processes. We must address the flaws in FEMA response to prevent further delays and confusion in the recovery process.

Trump supporters

Criswell couldnt escape questions about a low-level FEMA supervisor, Marni Washington, who told staff not to help Florida families who had yard signs supporting Trump. Washington told CNN she was following agency protocol.

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The actions of this employee are unacceptable, and it is not indicative of the culture of FEMA, and I do not believe that there is a widespread cultural problem, Criswell said. I have directed ongoing investigations, working with the (Inspector General), working with the office of the special counsel, and if we find any other acts with similar behavior, we will take appropriate disciplinary issues.

Responding to questions, Criswell said there was no evidence of a requirement to skip canvassing the homes of Trump supporters in North Carolina.

In the 10 a.m. hearing, Criswell assured Chairman Scott Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, that she would direct the inspector general to investigate the matter further. By 2 p.m., she testified that she had put in that request.

I want to ensure that the American people know that FEMA is there to support all people, Criswell said Tuesday afternoon.

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She confirmed in both meetings that FEMA has contacted any of the families who were passed over and provided them the opportunity for assistance.

Misinformation

Criswell also testified about the misinformation campaigns that took place during the two hurricanes.

Among the false information that was widely spread while FEMA was working to respond to the storms was that politicians were able to control the weather and had directed Hurricane Helene to areas that supported Trump. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, was among those who spread this false rumor on social media.

Criswell confirmed she has no control of the weather.

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She said its common to see misinformation during various emergencies throughout the country, but that peaked during Milton and Helene.

What we saw during Hurricane Helene was certainly on a scale that Ive never seen before, Criswell said.

She added in the afternoon meeting that it caused concern among constituents about whether they could turn to FEMA in the recovery process.

Immigration

Committee members in both hearings asked Criswell repeatedly about a federal program that directs FEMA to provide shelter to people near the southern border who entered the country without permission.

Rep. Rick Larsen, a Democrat from Washington, said this was part of the misinformation campaign that was amplified by Trump when he said without evidence that FEMA spent all its money on undocumented migrants.

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We can have differences of opinion on whether that funding should occur, but that information was false, Larsen said. (Trump) also said FEMA would provide only $750 to disaster survivors who lost everything, which again is false. Set the record straight. Disaster survivors may be eligible for up to $42,500 for home repair assistance and $42,500 for other needs assistance from FEMA.

He added that Congress should consider increasing assistance but also needs to set the record straight on misinformation, regardless of who is saying it. He credited Edwards for doing that throughout his Helene response.

Rep. Garret Graves, a Republican from Louisiana, brought up the issue in his opening remarks, saying he troubled by how fast the disaster relief fund was depleted.

Equally troubling is FEMAs foray into providing sheltering assistance to illegal aliens at the southern border, which has cost taxpayers more than $1 billion, since 2019, Graves said. Although these funds have not come from (Disaster Relief Fund), they are certainly taking dollars and staffing resources away from helping Americans in need.

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FEMAs focus should remain on helping communities respond to and recover from natural disasters, rather than on diverting taxpayer resources toward political initiatives like exacerbating the crisis at the southern border, climate change or picking and choosing which homes to canvas based on political sides.

He told the committee they need to reconsider how theyre directing spending.

Others agreed, to which Democrats encouraged Republicans to draft a bill making a change.

Funding

Criswell was asked if she had enough employees to fulfill FEMAs mission.

I have the staffing and personnel to complete our mission, Criswell said, before saying she needs funding.

On Monday afternoon, the Biden administration sent a disaster recovery funding request to Congress asking for close to $100 billion in funding.

Of that funding, $40 billion would go to FEMA, which has said it only has funds to get through Milton and Helene, but could not handle another disaster. It also directs $2.5 billion to the Small Business Administration, whose funds are depleted.

On Monday, Criswell spoke to reporters about the funding request.

To date, FEMA has obligated over $7.5 billion alone for the response and recovery for hurricanes Helene and Milton, Criswell said in a White House press call. These storms were incredibly large, and spending on the first month post-landfall for each storm outpaced nearly all disasters that we have responded to over the last 20 years.

Criswell told reporters FEMA has enough funding in the disaster relief funds to support life-saving response activities for Hurricane Helene and Milton, through the end of the continuing resolution, but that only assumes no new large disasters occur.

However, FEMA will need additional funding of approximately $40 billion beyond its 2025 budget request to support the ongoing recovery efforts to these storms and meet our overall mission requirements through the end of the fiscal year, Criswell said in the White House call.

More hearings

Criswell isnt done testifying before Congress this week.

On Wednesday, she will testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee, where Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, is also scheduled to sit before the committee.

That meeting begins at 10 a.m.
NAIROBI, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Security specialists are meeting in Kenya's capital of Nairobi starting Wednesday to seek solutions to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Africa.

The three-day forum brought together representatives from the 15 member states of the Regional Center on Small Arms (RECSA), and United Nations officials to review ways to curb the illicit flow of weapons in the region.

The RECSA's member states are Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.

Executive Secretary at RECSA Jean Pierre Betindji said that the proliferation of weapons is a transnational issue requiring a unified response from securities agencies of affected countries.

"The menace can be controlled through improved information sharing among countries as well as enhanced capacities to monitor and detect the crime," Betindji said.

Raymond Omollo, Kenya's principal secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, noted that some of the measures required to reduce the threat of illicit arms in the region include strengthening stockpile management of arms to prevent the diversion of weapons to criminals.

Omollo added that disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants and providing alternative livelihoods will improve peace and security in the region.

Susanne Dam, acting director of the United Nations Development Program Regional Hub for Arab States based in Amman, Jordan, told the forum that the region can address the illicit flow of arms through alignment with international treaties like the Arms Trade Treaty. 
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell faced a grilling in the House Tuesday over FEMAs response to recent hurricanes, including an employee who told workers to ignore homes with yard signs supporting Donald Trump.

Even though lawmakers were conducting hearings looking at FEMAs overall response to recent storms, many of them were concerned about the reports of workers avoiding some Americans.

This is unacceptable. Americans demand accountability, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) said.

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FEMAs administrator told lawmakers she fired an employee who directed workers helping hurricane victims to avoid homes with yard signs supporting President-elect Trump.

But they want more done, including an Inspector General investigation.

I would welcome an investigation by the IG, Criswell said.

Criswell said the employees actions were against FEMAs mission.

I do not believe that this employees actions are indicative of any widespread cultural problems at FEMA, Criswell said.

Republicans like Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) are still furious.

Clearly something is wrong with FEMAs process, Perry said.

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Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) said she was also upset.

I condemn the employees decision, Titus said.

However, Marni Washington, the fired employee, told NewsNation the order came from a supervisor out of safety concerns based on previous interactions.

Its not about the campaign signage as much more as the community trend that comes along with that campaign signage, Washington said.

Rep. Anthony DEsposito (R-N.Y.) pressed Criswell on help for the skipped homes.

We have also sent in an additional team to go to those 20 homes that we have identified as having been skipped over, Criswell said.

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Criswell reassured lawmakers that FEMA workers will help all survivors, but misinformation on social media makes their work harder.

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The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency told lawmakers Tuesday she has encouraged the agencys inspector general to review whether an employee was acting alone when directing workers helping hurricane victims not to go to homes with yards signs supporting President-elect Donald Trump, The Associated Press reported.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said a critical function of the agency is to go door-to-door and meet with survivors to make them aware of federal resources available. The employee, she said, wrote to about 11 staffers under her supervision that they should avoid homes advertising Trump.

Many are still in need of homes in Asheville

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Criswell said her senior leadership team provided her with evidence and recommended that the employee be terminated. She concurred.

I do not believe that this employees actions are indicative of any widespread cultural problems at FEMA, Criswell said. Still, she said she would support an independent investigation into the matter.

The IG has not yet stated they want to investigate this, but I highly encourage them to take on this case and look and see if this was a widespread issue or if this was just a single incident, Criswell said.

Criswell appeared before a House subcommittee investigating the federal governments response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. She did so one day following President Joe Bidens request for nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid, with about $40 billion of that money slated for FEMA programs.

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It was clear that, while lawmakers were conducting an oversight hearing looking at the overall response by FEMA to the devastating storms, they were particularly focused on reports about the agency avoiding helping some Americans based on their political beliefs.

Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., acknowledged that while the employee was quickly terminated, it was clear from an interview with that worker that she believed she was carrying out directions from the agency.

It seems this particular worker believes she is being treated like the scapegoat, and if that is the case, more people at FEMA must be held accountable, said Perry, who chairs the panel that held Tuesdays hearing.

Criswell said she is committed to ensuring nothing like this ever happens again. In the meantime, a different team was sent into the field to contact all the homes that had been skipped over at the employees direction.

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WSOC SPECIAL SECTION: HELENE RECOVERY

Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., whose district was devastated by Helene, said the agencys response was bound to be a bit clunky because mountains are not a traditional location for such flooding. Still, he cited numerous breakdowns. He said the storm was essentially over on Sept. 27, and that in the aftermath, there were about 1 million people without power and 25 water systems destroyed. But he said it took three days before there was any real visibility from FEMA.

For it to take three days before the visibility from FEMA is just not acceptable, Edwards said. There were folks in their homes not only without power, they couldnt flush toilet, they had no drinking water. We were shut off from the rest of the world.

Criswell said FEMA was on the ground before the hurricanes hit and she was proud of the work that some 22,000 workers provided across six states. She said workers persevered through the challenges presented by the storms and also misinformation on social media.

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We help all survivors, all people, obtain all the assistance that they are qualified for under the law, and misinformation is making that work much more difficult, she said.

Some 7,500 FEMA workers were still deployed as of last week in states hit by Helene and Milton. Criswell asked lawmakers to ensure that FEMA and its partners have adequate resources in the following months, saying the road ahead is long.

She also testified before a second panel in the afternoon, with Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, asking why lawmakers should believe that the employee who was fired had acted alone.

I understand your concern and share your concern, Criswell said. I want to ensure the American people know that FEMA is there to support all people, which is why we are conducting an investigation and why we have asked the IG to look into this further.
The Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) disaster relief fund has dwindled to less than $5 billion, lawmakers said this week, as both sides press for the swift passage of emergency aid.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned Wednesday that the agencys ability to respond to new disasters could be jeopardized without further funding from Congress.

In just one month, we saw over 2.4 million households register for assistance, breaking records set during previous catastrophic storms, Criswell said, adding that FEMA has already provided more than $7.8 billion in federal assistance for hurricanes Helene and Milton. The administrator said the figure includes $3 billion for individual assistance and $1.7 billion for public assistance.

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Criswell also pointed to other needs beyond the relief fund, including the National Flood Insurance Program, which she said is experiencing tremendous strain with nearly 74,000 claims filed following Hurricane Helene and Milton amounting to $843 million.

Criswell was among a list of Biden administration officials who testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee as part of a broader hearing on Wednesday that also included testimonies from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Small Business Administration Administrator Isabel Guzman.

Deputy secretaries at the departments of Agriculture and Housing and Urban Development, Xochitl Torres Small and Adrianne Todman, respectively, also testified, as well as Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

The hearing comes after the Biden administration recently called on Congress to approve nearly $100 billion in emergency funding for disaster relief efforts weeks after the devastation wrought by hurricanes Helene and Milton.

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Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have pressed leadership to move quickly to bring up legislation to provide critical aid to regions hit hard by the disasters. However, its unclear how quickly Congress will move to address the funds, particularly as lawmakers also contend with a looming Dec. 20 deadline to prevent a government shutdown.

House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told reporters earlier this week that theres obviously a need, adding: I hope we can get this done before the end of this calendar year.

Pressed on whether it will move as an individual bill or attached to a potential stopgap government funding measure, also known as a continuing resolution (CR), to stave off next months shutdown, Cole said on Wednesday, It could either be an individual bill, it could easily be attached to a CR if were going to do that.

Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said at the beginning of the hearing on Wednesday that there was less than $5 billion left in the disaster relief fund.

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Every state in the nation has had a disaster declared in recent years and has relied on FEMA for response and recovery, including several Maine communities affected by last years winter storms, she said, adding the disaster relief fund is rapidly nearing exhaustion.

The administrations request includes a $40 billion ask, the largest line item in the request, to ensure the fund has sufficient funding to address expected disaster costs through fiscal 2025.

In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesperson for FEMA said the agency has enough dollars in the fund to support ongoing response activities for Hurricanes Helene and Milton through Dec. 20, assuming no new large disasters between now and then.

However, FEMA will need additional funding beyond its 2025 budget request to support recovery efforts in those states hit by Helene and Milton and meet its overall mission requirements through the end of the fiscal year, the spokesperson said.

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The White House asked for $24 billion for the Department of Agriculture to support farmers that experienced crop or livestock losses due to hurricanes and other natural disasters, as well as aid for rural infrastructure repair and grants for nutrition and food assistance programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Programs for Women, Infants, and Children.

The request also calls for billions in funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address damage caused by the recent hurricanes and what the White House detailed as unmet disaster recovery needs for multiple states and territories from major disasters in 2023 and 2024.

Additional items in the request include a call for $2 billion for a key federal program that provides disaster loans to businesses and homeowners, and $8 billion to rebuild and repair highways, bridges and roads in regions seriously damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic failures from external causes.

During the hearing, Buttigieg said recovery from Hurricane Helene alone will require extensive ongoing investment to permanently rebuild the roads and bridges destroyed by the storm, while noting unmet need for recovery in states like Alaska, Hawaii, Maryland and Nevada that qualify for funding for transportation infrastructure.

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With each passing day, we are growing closer to a situation where this department will not be able to provide even partial funding for eligible projects, he said.

Todman also said that, without the requested $12 billion for HUD requested through the president, the homes of thousands upon thousands of Americans will never be rebuilt, and their communities will have a housing shortage  that theyve never seen before.

We have a moral obligation to protect people, she said. It takes four years from the point of an event for there to be housing substantially built after a disaster. That is far, far too long.

Lawmakers from hard-hit states are also dialing up the pressure, though the requests size is not lost on others.

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Tillis said on Wednesday that he fully backs the administrations request for $100 billion, but quickly added thats only the beginning.

Weve got to react differently to storms. This may be the first, but it wont be the last like weve seen in North Carolina, and we owe it to the American people to be ready to do better, Tillis said.

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), who heads the funding subcommittee that oversees dollars for the State Department, said on Tuesday, however, that he thinks the request could probably be pared down a bit, quite a bit.

While he didnt give a dollar amount when pressed by reporters, he did note theres a part of the request that my subcommittee deals with, and I think part of that can be pared down or potentially done in the regular process.

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But he noted that there are other parts that may not.

 Updated at 5:01 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In early October, Burkina Faso recalled its entire diplomatic staff, aside from administrative officials, from Cote dIvoire. Diplomatic tensions were already high between the two neighbors, with neither country having replaced its ambassador after their mandates expired, in 2021 for Cote dIvoire and 2022 for Burkina Faso.

But over the past year, their already antagonistic relations have become further enflamed by a series of border spats in which both sides have seized and detained the others security forces. In one particularly severe incident in March, an Ivoirian military helicopter had to be called in to keep the situation from boiling over.

The situation appeared to reach a nadir earlier this year when Burkinabe President Ibrahim Traore, a military officer who came to power in a coup in September 2022, began to repeatedly accuse Cote dIvoire of harboring dissidents who were planning to overthrow his government, while linking several recent alleged coup attempts to Ivoirian President Alassane Ouattara.

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Traore has taken a strong disliking to Ouattara, who has vocally opposed the spate of coups that have taken place in the Sahel over the past several years. A close ally of France and a longtime darling of the West, Ouattara backed sanctions by the Economic Community of West African States regional bloc against the coup leaders in Mali and Burkina Fasosince liftedas well as a plan for an ECOWAS military intervention to remove Nigers junta that was floated in 2023 before ultimately being aborted. By contrast, since Traore seized power from a previous coup leader, Burkina Faso has booted French troops out of the country and grown ever closer to Russia, while also unilaterally extending military rule.

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As neighbors, Cote dIvoire and Burkina Faso have a long history of political and at times security entanglements. During Cote dIvoires off-and-on civil war between 2002 and 2011, rebels who supported Ouattara before he assumed the presidency often took refuge in Burkina Faso and used it as a rear operating base. At the same time, xenophobia in Cote dIvoire has often targeted Ivoirian citizens who originated from Burkina Faso, forcing those who had Burkinabe ancestry to flee. Finally, former Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore has lived in Cote dIvoire for many years following his overthrow in 2014 after 27 years in power.

Until recently, Traores accusations of Ivoirian meddling in Burkina Fasos internal politics did not significantly disturb Ouattara. But even as he accuses Ouattara of seeking to destabilize Burkina Faso at every opportunity, Traore has himself been mounting some efforts to undermine the Ivoirian government. In January 2024, around 50 Ivoirian dissidents traveled to Burkina Faso for weapons training with the Burkinabe government, with a view to returning to Cote dIvoire to destabilize Ouattaras administration. Several of those involved were arrested by Ivoirian intelligence services before their departure, though the majority made it to Burkina Faso. The leader of the group was Lama Fofana, a close ally of Guillaume Soro, a longtime Ouattara rival.

Even as he accuses Ouattara of seeking to destabilize Burkina Faso at every opportunity, Traore has himself been mounting some efforts to undermine Cote dIvoires government.

Although the groups size was relatively insignificant, the members connections to Soro is more problematic. Soro led the rebel army during Cote dIvoires civil war and was accused of manipulating the armed forces several times after the war ended to try to initiate mutinies in the country. He also openly called for the military to rise up against Outtaras government after the countrys 2020 elections, when Ouattaras controversial decision to seek a constitutionally prohibited third term triggered violent protests as well as an opposition boycott that allowed him to easily win reelection. Soro and his allies are likely to be relatively well-organized, with good connections among the Ivoirian armed forces, making their involvement in Traores attempts to destabilize Outtara more alarming.

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The problems for Cote dIvoire do not stop there, however. Recent months have seen an increasing number of disinformation campaigns in the country as well, including a series of fake news incidents that could have serious repercussions for Ouattaras popular approval. These have ranged from a hoax report of a jihadist attack to the circulation of invented statements by Ouattara suggesting he felt a personal debt and allegiance to the French government.

These recurrent incidents appear to originate from social media accounts based in the Sahel, though they are in all likelihood at least partly linked to Russia, which has had Cote dIvoire marked out as a target of planned disinformation campaigns for months. In April, Cote dIvoire welcomed the opening of a Ukrainian Embassy in Abidjan, and it is closely allied with the West in a region where Russia has been expanding its influence, both of which could be enough to put it in Moscows crosshairs.

These disinformation campaigns also seem to be part of a wider effort to discredit the Ivoirian government for the strength of Ouattaras ties with France, an effort that plays on the sentiment among much of the Ivoirian population that those ties represent a shameful continuation of Frances colonial-era domination of the country.

Ouattara has responded by initiating a range of measures to try to crack down on the threat represented by misinformation, including establishing a national agency, known by its French-language acronym Anssi, to combat the dissemination of fake news. Meanwhile, the government is also aggressively promoting its online security campaign promoting collective responsibility for media literacy.

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Still, the governments response may not be sufficient, even as Ouattara has grown increasingly paranoid in recent months. Ivoirian authorities have launched a series of arrests of opposition figures, with members of the civil society group AGIP also having been detained for trying to hold peaceful anti-government protests. An ongoing effort to clear out slum neighborhoods as well as a crackdown on street vendors in Abidjan to make way for gentrification have also led to a series of arrests, with allegations of security forces torturing vendors who continued to sell their wares. These kinds of incidents are likely to harden opposition to Ouattara and further undermine stability going forward.

Ouattara began 2024 overwhelmingly popular. Cote dIvoire had just hosted and won the African Cup of Nations. Political reconciliation of civil war-era divisions was finally beginning to gain momentum, and the economy was booming. A series of discoveries of gold and fossil fuel reserves had further boosted his popularity, and it seemed highly likely he could win the 2025 presidential election in a landslide if he opted to stand for a fourth term.

As long as Ouattara is able to maintain this popularity, destabilization attempts by Burkina Faso and fake news campaignslikely backed by Russiawill most probably fall on deaf ears. However, over the next year, in the lead-up to the presidential election, Ouattara could see his popularity decline, especially if he continues undermining his alleged commitment to democracy and the rule of law with his paranoid crackdown on dissenters. The divisions that would spawn among the Ivoirian populace could pave the way for far more problematic destabilization efforts from Cote dIvoires northern neighbor.

For the West, the determination to prevent another West African country from falling to military rule and allying itself with Russia will be great. As such, 2025 is likely to be a challenging year for Ouattara and his Western backers, especially if Burkina Faso continues trying to sow divisions, with a little help from Russia.

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Jessica Moody is a peacebuilding and political risk consultant focusing on West Africa. She is the author of Life After War: Lessons in Human-Centred Peacebuilding from Cote dIvoire (forthcoming), and has a doctorate in post-conflict peacebuilding in Cote dIvoire from the War Studies department at Kings College London. You can follow her on Twitter at @JessMoody89.

The post A Feud With Burkina Faso Has Cote dIvoires Outtara on the Back Foot appeared first on World Politics Review.
Smoking has decreased more than 70% nationwide since 1965, according to a new report from the U.S. Surgeon General.

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However, despite this decline, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warns this progress through tobacco-related policies, regulations, and programs has been equal for every population.

TRENDING STORIES:

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This new report shows cigarette smoking is higher among American Indian and Alaska Native people than other racial and ethnic groups and more than twice as common among adults living in poverty. It also finds that Black people are more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke.

This all comes as the research shows cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke kill nearly half a million people each year nationwide.

Until we more aggressively regulate the tobacco industrywere going to still have an epidemic, and were still going to be using unnecessary amounts of resources to combat death and disease decades down the line, said Yolonda Richardson, President and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Richardson believes there should be a whole-of-government approach to help lower these rates. She also wants to see more policies like smoking bans and awareness campaigns to help prevent the next generation from becoming smokers.

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Making sure that the tobacco products are taxed at really high rates so theyre inaccessible to kids but also encourage quitting because as the price point becomes more expensive people will in fact try to quit, said Richardson.

This report also points to the targeted marketing by the tobacco industry as another factor. It shows the tobacco industry outspends tobacco control groups annually with more than $8.5 billion spent on ads and promotions for tobacco-related products each year. The report also shows examples of some of these targeted ads toward minority groups and residents with lower incomes.

Its had an effect, said Thomas Carr with the American Lung Association. Its shown in the people who still in the disparities we see in the people who still use tobacco products.

The Washington News Bureau reached out to several tobacco companies about this report.

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The Altria Group, which is known for brands like Marlboro and Black & Mild, declined to comment about the findings.

Juul Labs, which produces vapor products, said it never manufactured combustible cigarettes and manufactured potentially less harmful alternatives.

The company has also changed its marketing strategy. As part of a far-reaching effort to reset our companys relationship with our stakeholders, Juul Labs halted all mass-market product advertising including broadcast, print, and digital more than five years ago, said Juul Labs in a written statement.

Leaders from the Vapor Technology Association (VTA) call the Surgeon Generals report disappointing, but not surprising.

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The Surgeon Generals latest report weaponizes these alternatives by lumping together all flavored tobacco products and calling for their outright ban. This rejection of science is unacceptable, said Tony Abboud, Executive Director of the Vapor Technology Association in a written statement. Flavored e-cigarettes are a proven tool to help Americans quit smoking the very cigarettes that cause the 500,000 deaths referenced in the report.

The report also calls for solutions to help drive down the addictiveness and availability of commercial tobacco products. Some strategies include limiting the amount of nicotine in cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products and regulating the number of stores that sell tobacco.

Full Statement from Tony Abboud, Executive Director of the Vapor Technology Association:

The latest report from the U.S. Surgeon General on commercial tobacco-related health disparities in the United States is disappointing, but not surprising.

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Despite calls from Americas leading tobacco-control scientists for public health agencies to speak honestly about the benefits of e-cigarettes, the Surgeon General and other federal bureaucrats at the FDA continue to attack flavored e-cigarettes and other alternatives to combustible cigarettes.

The Surgeon Generals latest report weaponizes these alternatives by lumping together all flavored tobacco products and calling for their outright ban. This rejection of science is unacceptable. Flavored e-cigarettes are a proven tool to help Americans quit smoking the very cigarettes that cause the 500,000 deaths referenced in the report.

Their poor leadership is further exemplified by their outright disingenuous complaints on the cigarette industrys advertising of the more than 900 new cigarettes the Biden FDA has fast tracked to market in the past two years, while it has prevented virtually every single less harmful vaping product and a nicotine pouch from being legally sold.

We need public health officials that are willing to be honest with American voters about the benefits of the less harmful nicotine options they demand access to.

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Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Labor Department inducted three Filipino labor leaders, who led California's Delano Grape Strike in 1965 to win higher wages and better working conditions for farmworkers, into the department's Hall of Honor on Wednesday.

"I'm honored to induct Larry Dulay Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz and Peter Gines Velasco into the Department of Labor's Hall of Honor, where they take their rightful place among giants in the labor movement who have shaped the fabric of American history," Acting Secretary Julie Su told the audience at Wednesday's ceremony.

Itliong, Vera Cruz and Velasco are credited with organizing the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee in 1959 at California's Filipino Hall in Delano.

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In 1965, the AWOC led the Delano Grape Strike, as more than 800 Filipino grape field farmworkers went on strike at 10 California vineyards and boycotted the state's grape growers.

"Itliong, Vera Cruz and Velasco rallied farmworkers -- who endured prejudice, low wages and poor working conditions -- to courageously organize for fairer wages and humane treatment, all while providing food for families across the country," Su added. "These three leaders instilled and inspired change for those who valiantly labor in the fields."

During Wednesday's ceremony, there was a musical performance from the cast of "Larry the Musical," which is based on the book "Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong." Acting Secretary Su also presented medals to the family members of Itliong, Vera Cruz and Velasco.

"In demanding fairness in the fields, they changed the course of history," said Su. "These immigrants represent the best of what our country can be. Justice is not a gift from the powerful; it is a demand from the brave."

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Itliong went on to become one of the founders of the United Farm Workers union, where he spent decades advocating on behalf of farm and cannery workers, immigrants and Asian Americans. Itliong died in 1977.

Vera Cruz was also a leader in UFW, where he served as second vice president for 12 years. Vera Cruz helped construct UFW's retirement village for aging Filipino farmworkers in Delano. Vera Cruz died in 1994.

Velasco helped Itliong and Vera Cruz unite Filipino and Latino farmworkers during the Delano Grape Strike to ensure the 5-year strike would succeed where others had failed.
The unfinished Unit 2 nuclear reactor pictured Sept. 12, 2024, at VC Summer nuclear site near Fairfield. (Provided by S.C. Nuclear Advisory Council)

COLUMBIA  The final businessman punished for lies contributing to the $9 billion failure of a South Carolina nuclear power project must spend most of 2025 in prison and pay a $100,000 fine.

The sentencing Wednesday of Jeff Benjamin, a top executive for Westinghouse Electric Co., puts an end to the seven-year criminal investigation into the V.C. Summer debacle, which cost residents and businesses billions of dollars. It also caused one company to declare bankruptcy and another to fold, and landed two other men in prison.

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Benjamin pleaded guilty in December to aiding and abetting the failure to keep accurate corporate records, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.

U.S. District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced him to the maximum under his plea deal: One year in prison.

Benjamin will be eligible for parole after 10 months, prosecutors said.

Its unclear when he will report to prison to start his sentence.

Benjamin admitted to telling presidents of the now-defunct SCANA that the plan to build two nuclear reactors in rural Jenkinsville, a town about 30 miles northwest of Columbia, was still on track, despite the subcontractor his company had hired saying there was no way the power plants would be done in time.

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In order for the project to receive more than $1 billion in federal tax credits, it had to be completed by the end of 2020. But Benjamin knew by 2015 that the subcontractor Westinghouse had hired for construction was estimating that the project would take until at least 2022, attorneys said.

SCANA filed a public disclosure based on Benjamins false assurances, misleading investors and allowing the money to continue rolling in for the project to continue. Benjamin did not attempt to correct the information in the report, his attorneys and prosecutors said Wednesday.

Even after pleading guilty, Benjamins attorneys argued that he did not knowingly lie. He had reason to be skeptical of reports from the subcontractor, which had not yet completed its own report that would have allowed Benjamin to get a better idea of the schedule, attorney William Sullivan argued.

At the same time, Benjamin told the judge Wednesday that he did not believe in my heart that the deadlines he had set out were feasible. He knew based on the subcontractors reports that delays might run up a total of $2 billion to $4 billion.

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That wouldve been survivable, Benjamin said.

At the very least, a heads up that the subcontractor had some concerns about the timing could have potentially prevented some of the mess that followed, Lewis said.

This is not a mistake, the judge said. This is an intentional action and a crime.

Westinghouse told SCANA and state-owned Santee Cooper, the utilities that jointly hired the company to build the two reactors, in 2017 that the company was facing a $6.1 billion loss from the project.

The utilities then abandoned the project, but not before spending $9 billion.

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Westinghouse declared bankruptcy. SCANA was eventually acquired by Dominion Energy.

Dominions 800,000 customers are still paying 5.6% more on their monthly electric bills  about $8 per month for the average residential customer  to pay off $2.3 billion in debt for the failed reactors.

Part of the reason prosecutors agreed to a plea agreement was because the full extent of the damages Benjamins actions caused would be difficult to prove in court, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston Holliday.

By the time Benjamin started working on the project in 2013, it was already over budget and delayed. The eventual downfall of the power plants, including the loss of roughly 4,000 promised jobs, cant be chalked up to a single persons actions, Holliday said.

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But there was no question that he played a significant role in its downfall, Lewis said.

Considering that Benjamin had no other criminal history, and that he pleaded guilty, he usually would have received a prison sentence between zero and six months. Friends and family pleaded for Lewis to sentence him to probation, saying he is an honest man with a sense of integrity who has suffered recent cardiac problems that might get worse in prison.

But Lewis opted for a longer sentence in the hopes of deterring other corporate executives from feeling they could get out of similar situations by simply writing a check, she said.

I have to make sure that this is enough for people to say, It doesnt matter if Im in the C-suite or if Im in the projects. I have to respect the law, Lewis said.

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Benjamin was the fourth and final executive sentenced in the case.

SCANA CEO Kevin Marsh spent two years in federal prison. The companys Chief Operating Officer Stephen Byrne got 15 months, which he has not yet served. Each had to also pay a $5 million fine for misleading regulators.

Carl Churchman, who worked as the head of the VC Summer project under Benjamin, received six months of home detention after pleading guilty to lying to an FBI agent on the case.

Those four were the people prosecutors could prove had broken the law, Holliday said.

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Prosecuting those four cases took seven years because of complicated legal filings from high-powered defense attorneys.

Benjamins case came last in part because he had to be indicted twice, after Lewis previously ruled grand jurors who agreed to his first indictment may have been ratepayers who had to pay more because of his crime.

The sentencing comes as legislators are poised to again consider a controversial energy bill that drew criticism from environmental and consumer groups for undoing safeguards put in place after the VC Summer debacle and shrinking the states regulatory panel that oversees utilities.

The bill, which is meant to address concerns about whether the state will have enough energy to continue supporting its economy, would allow Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper to potentially partner on building a natural gas plant in Colleton County.

The House passed the proposal 88-21, but it died in the Senate. Its leaders instead decided to study it future during the off-session months.
Terence Holohan, Resolutes chief executive, and his colleagues were apprehended after talks with authorities - CHRIS HUZZARD

A London-listed gold mining company has agreed to pay Malis military government $160m (126m) after its British boss was detained by authorities.

Resolute Mining has signed a deal to settle all claims linked to taxes and the operation of its Malian mine following a dispute with authorities in the West African country.

The settlement comes after Resolutes chief executive, Terence Holohan, and two other employees were unexpectedly detained in Bamako, Malis capital, more than a week ago.

Resolute said it was still in negotiations with Malis government about the release of its executives. All three executives who were detained are British nationals.

Mr Holohan and the two other executives were apprehended after talks with authorities about taxes, custom levies, and the maintenance and management of offshore accounts.

Malian authorities have demanded that Resolute Mining pay back taxes and renegotiate terms over the Syama gold mine

Mali, which has been under military command since a 2020 coup, reportedly demanded that Resolute Mining pay back taxes and renegotiate terms over the Syama gold mine, the companys largest asset.

It comes after Mali, one of Africas biggest gold producers, last year rewrote its mining code to extract higher revenues from companies by taking larger stakes in their mining projects.

Resolute Mining, which has shares listed in London and Australia, last week insisted that the Malian arguments were unsubstantiated. However, on Monday it said it had now agreed to pay $160m to settle all the claims.

The company has paid $80m to Malis government from its existing cash reserves and promised to pay a further $80m in the coming months from existing liquidity sources.

The company added: Resolute further confirms that it is working with the government on the remaining procedural steps for the release of the three employees, including the Companys CEO, Terence Holohan, who were recently detained in connection with these matters.

They remain safe and well and continue to receive support on the ground from the UK and international embassies and consulates.

Resolute Mining said it would hold further discussions with Malis government about the long-term future of its operations in the country. This includes aligning the companys assets with Malis new mining code and maintaining the safety of its employees.

The company said it will share further details about the memorandum of understanding signed with Malis government following further legal and financial analysis.

Resolute Mining said that its operations in Mali will continue as normal and have not been impacted.

The companys shares resumed trading in Sydney on Monday following a temporary suspension last week. Its Australian stock is down more than 40pc since the news of Mr Holohans detention.
By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Scientists working in an international collaboration have tracked how the structure of the cosmos has grown over the past 11 billion years, providing the most precise test to date of how gravity behaves at very large scales. And what they found is that it acts as physicist Albert Einstein predicted it would in his groundbreaking 1915 theory of general relativity.

The findings announced on Tuesday are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy, an invisible and enigmatic force that is accelerating the ongoing expansion of the universe. The researchers used a year of observations by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, which can capture light from 5,000 galaxies simultaneously.

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Gravity is one of the universe's fundamental forces. Einstein's theory linked space, time and gravity. It holds that concentrations of mass and energy curve the structure of space-time, influencing the motion of whatever passes nearby.

"Einstein's theory of general relativity describes the motion of massive objects in a gravitational field that they create. It is one of the most successful physical theories that we have. The discovery of the accelerating universe, however, led to suggestions that maybe general relativity needs to be modified," said University of Michigan cosmologist Dragan Huterer, co-leader of the working group that interpreted the DESI cosmological data.

But the new DESI findings revealed gravity behaving as Einstein foresaw that it would.

The Big Bang event 13.8 billion years ago initiated the universe, and it has been expanding ever since. Scientists in 1998 disclosed that this expansion was actually accelerating, with dark energy as the hypothesized reason.

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The new DESI findings focused on the growth of what is called the cosmic structure, dating back to when the universe was about 20% its current age. This refers to the large-scale organization of matter, with galaxies, galaxy clusters and even larger galaxy superclusters not distributed haphazardly in the universe but rather forming a cosmic web - interwoven networks of filaments and walls - with immense voids existing in between.

This structure results from the gravitational pull of matter throughout the cosmos.

The new analysis was based on DESI observations of almost 6 million galaxies and their luminous cores, dating back 11 billion years.

The DESI scientists in April unveiled the largest three-dimensional map of the cosmos and announced findings that suggested that dark energy may not be an unchangeable force but rather one that is dynamic, evolving over time. Those findings focused on a specific feature of how galaxies cluster. The new analysis widened the scope.

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"Our DESI data shows that it is in agreement with Einstein's theory of gravity but still favors a dynamical dark energy - and finding these simultaneously is new," said astrophysicist Mustapha Ishak-Boushaki of the University of Texas at Dallas, co-leader of the working group.

"Dark energy seems to be dynamical and weakening. That changes the future of the evolution of the universe, which does not need to be accelerating forever in its expansion," Ishak-Boushaki added. "The strong hint that dark energy is dynamical is the most important finding since the discovery of cosmic acceleration in 1998."

The universe's contents include ordinary matter - stars, planets, gas, dust and all the familiar stuff on Earth, including people and popcorn - as well as dark matter, which is invisible material that may make up about 27% of the cosmos, and dark energy, which may account for 68% of the cosmos.

"Dark energy is responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe. The physical nature of dark energy is at present unknown," Huterer said.

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The new findings appear to corroborate the current standard model of cosmology that includes the theory of general relativity.

"Verifying whether the standard model is indeed the correct model is at the forefront of cosmology research," Huterer said.

The DESI collaboration involves more than 900 researchers from more than 70 institutions worldwide, managed by the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The new research was published on the arXiv online repository ahead of peer review.

(Reporting by Will Dunham, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
PORT SUDAN, Sudan, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 46 people have been killed in a village in central Sudan due to alleged attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and spreading diseases, a medical source and a volunteer group said Wednesday.

The medical source from a hospital near Wad Ashib village in eastern Gezira State told Xinhua that "during yesterday (Tuesday) and today, the hospital received bodies of 21 people who were killed in an RSF attack on the village. The attack was repeated on Wednesday."

Meanwhile, the Nidaa Al-Wasat Platform, a volunteer group monitoring rights violations in central Sudan, said in a statement that the village "has been besieged by the RSF, which prevented medical and food supplies, leading to the death of 25 people so far."

The RSF has not commented on the alleged attacks.

Activists and volunteer groups have been accusing the RSF of carrying out a series of attacks on eastern Gezira since its commander in central Sudan, Abu Aqla Keikel, surrendered himself and his forces to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Oct. 20.

In its latest update, the Gezira Conference, a local non-governmental group monitoring violations in central Sudan, said the death toll in Al-Hilaliya city in eastern Gezira, which has been besieged for nearly a month, has risen to 537.

A report published on Nov. 14 by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said around 343,473 individuals, or 68,801 households, were displaced from locations across Gezira state from Oct. 20 to Nov. 13.

Sudan has been gripped by a devastating conflict between the SAF and the RSF since mid-April 2023. According to the most recent update by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, the deadly conflict has resulted in more than 27,120 deaths.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, epidemic diseases such as cholera, malaria, measles, and dengue fever have spread, leading to hundreds of deaths.

The conflict has displaced over 14 million people, either inside or outside Sudan, according to the latest estimates by IOM. 
HELSINKI, Finland (AP)  Finnish authorities said Wednesday they have opened an investigation into the rupture of a data cable under the Baltic Sea, adding to a Swedish probe into the possible sabotage of that link and another cable.

The C-Lion1 cable, which runs between Finland and Germany was damaged on Monday, the day after similar damage to a cable that crosses the Baltic between Lithuania and Sweden, with the incidents occurring off the Swedish islands of Oland and Gotland respectively. Germany's defense minister said Tuesday that the damage appeared to have been caused by sabotage, though there is no proof at present.

Finlands National Bureau of Investigation said it opened a criminal investigation into the rupture of the C-Lion1 cable on suspicion of aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications.

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Swedish police already opened a preliminary investigation Tuesday into suspected sabotage regarding the two cable breaches, and said Wednesday that Swedish police and prosecutors are also interested in a ship that has been seen at the locations in question.

They didn't give any details or identify the vessel, but said that it is not currently in Swedish waters.

The official investigations came as news reports said a Chinese-flagged vessel, the Yi Peng 3, had been in the area at the time of the ruptures.

Vessel tracking information from the Marine Traffic website showed the 225-meter (738-foot) long bulk carrier not moving Wednesday afternoon off the coast of Denmark in the Baltic.

The Royal Danish Navy did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from The Associated Press.
Thousands of Hass avocados littered the soil in Sergio Acevedos orchard Saturday in this community northeast of Camarillo. The Mountain fire had scorched some of the fruit, leaving it shriveled or in ashes.

But the ferocious winds that followed the blaze ripped through the area and tore more than half of the remaining avocados off the trees, scattering them across his two-acre farm. Most of the fruit on the ground appeared untouched  bright green and good enough to eat.

But Acevedo knew better. He picked one off the ground and cut off a slice to reveal the inside: dry and dull green.

Sergio Acevedo shows a ruined avocado that lost all its moisture and can no longer be eaten.

You see? Theres no oil. Its not ready, he told his daughter Wendy Acevedo. But it was so close.

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The avocados were only about a month away from being ripe enough for market. The 75-year-old shook his head and chucked the ruined fruit back on the ground. Over the weekend, Acevedo and his family surveyed their land, where the fire had damaged or destroyed an estimated 100 of his 300 avocado trees. Acevedos orchard is one of more than 140 avocado farms in the burn area, according to Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner Korinne Bell.

The county is the states top producer of avocados, she said.

Most of the avocado producers in the Mountain fire burn area are small-scale farmers, Bell said: They have a small couple [of] acres here or there.

As of last week, the Mountain fire had burned 12,000 acres of agricultural land. Avocados were among the crops hit hardest.

Acevedo clears a tree branch from an avocado tree destroyed by the Mountain fire. The fire damaged or destroyed about 100 of his 300 avocado trees.

So far, 4,102 acres of avocados were in the burn area, representing a quarter of the 16,497 acres of avocados harvested in Ventura County last year. However, its too soon to know exactly how many avocado trees in the area sustained damage or were destroyed, Bell said.

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County officials have completed a quarter of their survey and counted 588 avocado acres that were damaged or destroyed during the fire. Losses are estimated at $4.3 million.

We expect that number to go up a lot, Bell said.

Read more: Fast-growing asparagus once flourished on California farms. Why is it disappearing?

Its not clear yet whether the avocado market will be affected by the fire, because most of the harvest starts in winter and goes into summer in Ventura County, she said. So if there are market impacts we will not see them until then.

For now, consumers are unlikely to see a surge in the price of avocados from the fire because most avocados bought in the U.S. are imported from Mexico.

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In total, more than 240 structures, many of them primary residences, have been destroyed and 127 damaged during the Mountain fire. As of Wednesday, the nearly 20,000-acre fire was 98% contained.

Current harvest nearly wiped out

The farmer gives his granddaughter, Maya Solis, 14, a hug as his daughter Wendy Acevedo Solis, looks on from the family's fire damaged avocado farm in Somis.

Acevedo said he felt badly for the many who lost their homes in the fire. He lives in Oxnard with his wife and never built a home on his farm. But it pained him to see how the fire had torched the trees hed so lovingly tended for nearly 25 years.

The blaze also destroyed his irrigation system. He didnt have fire insurance, he said.

In the first few days after the fire, Acevedo said, he was devastated by the images he saw of destruction. But a few days later, he switched to focusing on moving forward. Wendy, 43, started a GoFundMe for him. At first, her father was against it. Hes still a bit hesitant.

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Youre always helping other people. Its time for you to accept help too, she told him as they walked through the damaged orchard.

He's reminded himself of his beginnings as an immigrant farmer who came to the United States and started with nearly nothing. He had only $100 in his pocket when he left Mexico City for the U.S. in the 1970s, he said. From that, he bought a home, put his two children through college and put a down payment on his daughters home.

In 2003, Acevedo poured most of his retirement money into buying the avocado orchard where he also grows a smattering of other fruit such as mandarins, cherimoya and pomegranates. After years of him spending every free minute on the farm, his orchard became productive and profitable enough to sustain itself.

Avocados that are no longer good to eat due to damage from the Mountain fire.

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The farm wasnt just an investment, it became his refuge.

It was the setting for so many family memories, life landmarks and new traditions. It's where he taught his son, now an adult, how to drive. It was where his daughter married 16 years ago, between mandarin and orange trees hed just planted. And its the place where his granddaughters plant pumpkin seeds in the spring and pick pumpkins in the fall.

During the week, he works as a diesel mechanic for an agricultural company and spends most of the weekend on the orchard. Hed hoped to retire on the farm, but that seems like a tougher proposition now.

Nothing is impossible, he said. You just have to work hard. I just need to start over."

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Read more: 'Stop freaking out.' Here's what's next for Koda Farms' California rice legacy

He said he tries to see the fire as a setback but not the end. It takes an avocado sapling three years to begin producing fruit and about five years to provide a full yield. Acevedo will have to wait until February to grow his next saplings  all of them Hass, the major variety grown in California.

But first hell have to prepare the land, including cutting the dead trees down to the stump, removing the roots and having it all removed from his property. It will take at least $20,000 just to do that, and thats not accounting for his nearly entire loss of this year's harvest, he said.

Acevedo said he probably will be in the red for a few years before breaking even. Wendy said she's helped her father apply for financial assistance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"It's not the end of life. It's coming back," said avocado farmer Sergio Acevedo, 75, who plans on planting new trees at his farm in Somis.

On Saturday, Acevedo, a spry and agile senior, moved quickly to inspect the orchard. Several trees were completely charred. Some had fallen over. Others looked parched but had a few avocados barely hanging on. Then there were a bunch of vibrant green trees  spared from the inferno.

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He approached a navel orange tree that had some scorched branches. He picked up a recently fallen orange and took a knife from his pocket to slice it in half. Acevedo peeled off some of the skin and took a big bite.

Its still sweet, he said. This tree, this one, will be fine.

Sign up for our Tasting Notes newsletter for restaurant reviews, Los Angeles food-related news and more.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LITTLE RIVER, S.C. (WBTW)  A Little River-area home sustained significant damage in a fire Wednesday afternoon, according to Horry County Fire Rescue.

Crews were dispatched at about 1:55 p.m. to a multi-unit residential structure fire on Lighthouse Drive, HCFR said. Crews were able to contain the fire to one unit of the property.

Medical personnel evaluated one person at the scene, but they declined to be taken to a hospital, HCFR said.

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Any displaced residents will be offered assistance by the American Red Cross of South Carolina.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Calabash Fire Department assisted.

* * *

Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Firefighters are continuing to battle a brush fire at Blue Hills Reservation in Milton, just one of about 400 fires burning across the state amid unprecedented drought conditions.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation has blocked the road at Hillside Street to stop people from entering the Blue Hills Reservation by Houghtons Pond where the fire appears to be.

The closure extends from a three-way stop sign at Blue Hill River Road to the intersection of Unquity and Chickatawbut roads, according to MassDCR. Houghtons Pond main lot, along with lots B and C, are also closed to ensure the safety of firefighters and first responders.

Effective immediately, areas of Blue Hills Reservation are closed due to a brush fire. Closed areas include Hillside Street, Houghtons Pond main lot, and Lots B & C. pic.twitter.com/WEEANYCLDu  MassDCR (@MassDCR) November 19, 2024

About 100 firefighters battled what started as a one-to-two-acre fire about a half-mile into the woods near Houghtons pond. Most left by dark last night for a small crew to monitor.

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Wind and fire conditions are so volatile right now that Miltons fire chief says the fire spread to about 20 acres in the first hour, getting water to the top of the hill has been a challenge from the beginning.

The fire has since quickly grown to more than 40 acres off Hillside Street, near Houghtons Pond.

Hillside Street in the Blue Hills Reservation will be closed until further notice as crews work on extinguishing brush across 40 acres of the 7,000-acre property managed by MassDCR.

More than 3,000 acres across Massachusetts have burned this year from fire, something Dave Celino, the Chief Fire Warden with MassDCR, says the state hasnt seen in 20 years.

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He says with no ignition from things in nature like lightning, all the fires are being caused by humans.

This comes after nearly all of Massachusetts is in a critical drought and now just one step away from an emergency declaration after three months of virtually no rainfall, state officials announced Tuesday.

While there is some rainfall relief in sight later this week, officials said it remains crucial for residents to practice aggressive indoor water conservation to maintain sufficient supply and pressure in public water systems.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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EMBREEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)  Being home for the holidays has extra special meaning this year for flood victim Lesia Fender, who said she never imagined shed be back in a home so soon after watching hers wash away less than two months ago during flooding from Hurricane Helene.

Fender is one of several residents along Tittle Road in Embreeville who lost her home.

I seen it go and it floated down just a little ways and just, you know, swoosh, Fender described to News Channel 11 about that day her home flooded. And then my dads, it didnt pick it up by pieces. The whole house picked up and turned around and it was gone.

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But, Fender got some good news on Tuesday when she was told her home was being rebuilt by Appalachia Service Project (ASP) as part of the charitys commitment to repair or rebuild 200 homes for flood victims. ASP told her the home will be finished in time for Thanksgiving.

I dont even know how to go about thanking ASP for everything theyve done. I thank everybody and I thank the Lord for letting me and my dad be here today, Fender said through tears.

Various local contractors are working with ASP to build the homes. Rogers Development is the builder overseeing Fenders home. Owner Jeff Rogers says helping ASP is what he feels God wants him to do. His crew had a goal of getting Fender in her new home by Thanksgiving.

We started on this house about three weeks ago, said Rogers. Its just been through the help of all the subcontractors. I mean, everybody from the the county to the subs to the vendors, everybody just wants to help. And they just drop what theyre doing to help us.

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Rogers said typical things that hold-up construction like permitting and inspections have gone smoothly. He adds theyve made some adjustments to finish what they can when they can, like laying flooring before installing cabinets, based on the subcontractors scheduling. Rogers anticipates getting a certificate of occupancy on Wednesday of next week.

Chris Schroeder, ASPs VP of New Build and Disaster Recovery, says the homes couldnt be built without the support of partners and volunteers. He told News Channel 11 that donations of supplies and funds have come from around the world.

We want to make sure that everybodys getting recognized because this is not just ASP, these are communities here and far that are coming together. We like to say that its an attitude and a perspective of neighbors helping neighbors, some of those neighbors are just 9,000 miles away, said Schroeder.

Schroeder said now that ASP has a better understanding of needs, the charity anticipates the number of homes theyll build to grow, possibly even triple. He said the need is tremendous, not just in East Tennessee but in North Carolina and Virginia.

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You cant ask for a better blessing for this family, but also its a tangible, visual, visceral hope for others along that road around Jonesborough and around the community that things are happening every single day and we are going to serve as many people as we can as fast as we can until the job is done, said Schroeder.

Fender said her dads house that sits about 100 yards away from hers is also being rebuilt by ASP and it should be finished in time for Christmas.

If youd like to help with donations or even to volunteer with Appalachia Service Project, you can find more details on its website. The organization said its in need of help with roofing, drywall, flooring, foundation and much more.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Ukraine had long been restricted from using Western missiles to strike inside Russia.

The US relaxed some of the rules over the weekend following North Korea's involvement in the war.

Kyiv has since used both ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.

Ukraine is finally using its powerful, longer-range Western missiles to strike targets inside Russia after waiting more than a year for permission.

On Wednesday, Ukraine fired British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles at targets inside Russia for the first time, according to several media outlets and local footage. The UK defense ministry and Kyiv didn't immediately comment on the reported developments.

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Ukraine fired a volley of at least 10 Storm Shadow missiles into Russia, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Ukrainian and Western officials.

The Storm Shadow strikes came a day after Ukraine first fired US-made tactical ballistic missiles, known as ATACMS, at a military facility in Russia's western Bryansk region. Kyiv acknowledged the strike but didn't say what weapons were used.

Ukraine had long been prohibited from using these Western missiles to strike inside Russia, but President Joe Biden authorized the use of ATACMS over the weekend in a major policy shift, and the UK seemed to follow suit with Storm Shadow. Both missiles have now been used in strikes on Russian soil.

Ukraine likely hit underground command post in Russia's Kursk Oblast with UK Storm Shadow missiles, targeting Russian & North Korean generals commanding Kursk forces, Defense Express reports.



Local footage shows 16 explosions - unusually large volley, suggesting high-value pic.twitter.com/HRwv9WVYKK  Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) November 20, 2024

The removal of the restrictions on weapons usage followed the introduction of North Korean troops in the war  a development that NATO has called a "significant escalation"  and came at a critical moment in the grinding conflict, which just passed the 1,000-day mark.

What are these missiles?

ATACMS, or Army Tactical Missile Systems, are short-range missiles made by the US defense contractor Lockheed Martin. They can be fired from Ukraine's M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System, which are mobile ground-based launchers.

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ATACMS can hit targets up to 190 miles away and, depending on the variant, carry unitary warheads or cluster munitions, which disperse little bomblets mid-flight over a large area.

The longest-range ATACMS variant has a farther reach than much of Ukraine's arsenal, including the British air-launched Storm Shadow cruise missile, which can strike targets about 155 miles away. It's unclear how many ATACMS and Storm Shadows Kyiv has available in its arsenal.

President Joe Biden lifted restrictions on the use of ATACMS over the weekend. South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images

The Storm Shadow is made by the European multinational corporation MBDA. The missile has low-observable features, can carry a nearly 1,000-pound warhead, and fly at low altitudes to avoid detection. Like Britain, France has also provided Ukraine with its version of the weapon, known as SCALP-EG.

Ukraine debuted its ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles last year but had been limited to using them against targets in territory that Russia illegally occupies in the eastern and southern regions, including the Crimean peninsula.

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Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, repeatedly lobbied for all restrictions to be dropped, and analysts said the limitations had hamstrung Kyiv's ability to defend itself effectively. The US opposed the move, fearing it could escalate the conflict.

Ukraine long pressed its Western partners to allow it to fire Storm Shadow missiles across the border into Russia. JUSTIN TALLIS/ Getty Images

In the face of these restrictions, Ukraine relied on domestically produced attack drones and missiles to carry out long-range strikes on sensitive military targets in Russia. This campaign has escalated in recent months.

But the recent involvement of North Korea in the war appears to have moved the needle for the White House. Thousands of North Korean troops have been sent to Russia's Kursk region to help Moscow expel Ukrainian forces, who continue to hold a small chunk of territory there following a surprise invasion in early August.

Biden's policy shift has come just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office. The incoming commander in chief is skeptical of US support for Ukraine and could decide to reverse the order.

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The Kremlin has warned the West against allowing Ukraine to use its missiles to strike Russian territory. On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin approved an update to the country's nuclear doctrine in a move that seemed to directly respond to the ATACMS policy reversal.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Central Indiana has seen its first accumulating snowfall of the year thanks to a cold front that blew into the Midwest overnight Thursday.

Despite earlier reports the snow might not stick around, forecasters with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis have predicted 1-2 inches of snow could accumulate in the Indy metro area, potentially impacting Thursday's rush hour traffic.

Here's what Hoosiers living in Central Indiana can expect.

First round of snow hit Indy metro area Thursday morning. Another round is coming Thursday afternoon

Meteorologists said Central Indiana would see light snow falling Wednesday night into Thursday morning, followed by a second round of snow beginning around 4 p.m. Thursday.

Two rounds of snow totaling one to three inches is expected today. The first round will end mid-late morning, and the second round will start mid-late afternoon. Some slick spots on roads are possible, especially on bridges and less traveled roads. #INwx pic.twitter.com/c4iPwoyTmU  NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) November 21, 2024

Gusty winds and snow could impact Hoosiers' commute Thursday

Along with the frosty weather, forecasters said Hoosiers should brace for strong, freezing winds that might reduce visibility on some roads.

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"We're looking at wind gusts in the 40 mph range peaking around (Thursday afternoon), so that could cause some lower visibilities than what we usually see with these snow rates," said NWS meteorologist Aaron Updike, who urged motorists to take caution and stay up to date with the weather.

"The snowfall should be pretty compact so it shouldn't drift much, but whenever you get these high winds, you can have slicker roads," Updike said. "If you're traveling to and from work Thursday, just make sure you're giving yourself extra time."

NWS issues 'Hazardous weather outlook' for Indianapolis area

On Thursday morning, NWS issued a hazardous weather outlook for several counties in Central Indiana advising motorists to exercise caution on bridges and overpasses, which could become slick because of the weather.

How much snow could Indianapolis, Indiana, get?

Some areas of Central Indiana could see 1-2 inches of snow on the ground late Thursday, while areas north of Indianapolis into Kokomo might receive 2-3 inches, according to a social media post by NWS.

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The heaviest snowfall is expected to occur Thursday afternoon into Thursday night.

Light snow may occur tonight with minor accumulations possible. Another round of snow is expected Thursday afternoon and evening with up to 2 inches accumulation in some areas and minor travel impacts, along with windy and cold conditions. #INwx pic.twitter.com/mkETwQNXGS  NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) November 20, 2024

"That's going to make for a pretty dreary and cold Thursday," said NWS meteorologist Andrew White on Tuesday. "Wind chills are going to be in the upper teens across portions of Central Indiana."

Temperatures later into the week are expected to remain cold, with highs predicted to be in the upper 30s to mid 40s Friday into Sunday.

Live weather radar for Central Indiana

Winter weather is on the way: Tips to prevent frozen pipes, safely heat your home

Weather forecast for Central Indiana, per NWS

Light snow may occur tonight with minor accumulations possible. Another round of snow is expected Thursday afternoon and evening with up to 2 inches accumulation in some areas and minor travel impacts, along with windy and cold conditions. #INwx pic.twitter.com/mkETwQNXGS  NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) November 20, 2024

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 Thursday: Snow showers, mainly after 2 p.m. Steady temperature around 31. West southwest wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

 Thursday night: Rain and snow showers before 1 a.m., then a slight chance of snow showers after 5 a.m. Steady temperature around 32. Breezy, with a northwest wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

 Friday: Scattered rain and snow showers before 8am, then scattered rain showers between 8am and 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 43. West northwest wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

 Friday night: Cloudy, with a low around 37. West northwest wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

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 Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. West wind around 8 mph.

 Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

 Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Light south wind becoming south southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.

 Sunday night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South southwest wind around 8 mph.

 Monday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

 Monday night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

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 Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50.

Story continues after photo gallery.

How to prevent frozen pipes

To keep pipes from freezing Citizens Energy group recommends taking these steps:

If the indoor temperature drops as low as 55 degrees, open your faucets slightly so they constantly drip.

Open cabinet doors below sinks to let warm air circulate around the pipes.

Insulate pipes that may be exposed to cold air.

Make sure the lid on your water meter pit is secured tightly. If your water meter is in the basement, ensure the area is heated and check for broken windows.

If you have piping in the garage, ensure the garage doors stay closed and try to insulate the pipes.

Know where your water shut-off valve is so you can turn the water off quickly in the event a pipe bursts. Those valves can be found in the garage, basement, utility closet or main entry for the water line into your house.

Frozen pipes can have disastrous results.

Signs you have frozen pipes

Your faucets wont flow and your toilets wont refill after a flush

A water line is coated in frost or is bulging

What to do if your pipes freeze

In the event that you identify a frozen pipe, here is what Citizens Energy recommends you do:

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Turn off the water at the shut-off valve.

Open the faucet attached to the frozen pipe to allow water to flow through and relieve pressure buildup. Running water through the pipe will also help melt any remaining ice.

Apply gradual heat to the section of frozen pipe. That can be done by wrapping the pipes in bath towels or using a space heater to heat up the area where the pipes are located. Keep applying heat until the water pressure is restored and the water flows through freely. Make sure to never apply direct heat to the affected area.

If a pipe is bulging or you can't find the location of the blockage, then call a licensed plumber.

Christmas shopping 101: Seek early Black Friday deals now. When to find Walmart, Best Buy sales

John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis weather for Thursday, Nov. 21: Snow, cold wind on its way
They are the tallest animals trotting on Earth, their long necks and iconic brown spots populating cartoons, childrens books and toy shelves.

But in the savannas of Africa, giraffe populations have plummeted - so much so that the U.S. government is moving to add many of these long-necked mammals to its official list of imperiled species.

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal Wednesday to protect a wide swath of giraffes under the Endangered Species Act, the first time the animal would receive protection under the law.

U.S. officials hope the move will help clamp down on the poaching of giraffes by restricting the import of their body parts and products such as rugs, jewelry and shoes made with them, which are contributing to their declines.

Federal protections for giraffes will help protect a vulnerable species, foster biodiversity, support ecosystem health, combat wildlife trafficking, and promote sustainable economic practices, Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in a statement.

Tanya Sanerib, international legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity, praised the decision, saying it pretty much closes the entire commercial gamut of products that enter the United States.

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If you want a giraffe-skin pillow, you want a giraffe-bone knife handle, any number of other things that people use giraffe parts for, that commercial market is going to be significantly curtailed, she said. Thats really beneficial for giraffes because it means we have less demand coming from the U.S. market, which is a huge marketplace for wildlife globally.

Capable of growing as tall as 19 feet, the giraffe has long fascinated and puzzled people. Ancient Africans depicted them on massive petroglyphs. Julius Caesar brought one to Rome to show off to his countrymen, who thought it was part camel, part leopard. The explorer Zheng He brought another back to China, fascinating his emperor.

Even now, the giraffe is still an enigma. Researchers are actively debating whether the giraffe constitutes just one species or several. Some scientists say evolution helped inch the neck (and tongue) of giraffes to extraordinary lengths to allow them to eat leaves, flowers and fruits out of reach of other herbivores. Others say the animals developed long necks so males can engage in sexual combat over females.

One thing they can agree on: The giraffe is in trouble.

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Its numbers nosedived from over 150,000 individuals in 1985 to about 98,000 in 2015, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a network that tracks the status of plants and animals. The losses are the result of habitat loss due to rapid urbanization, climate-change-fueled drought, and poaching for local bushmeat and for foreign trade, according to U.S. officials. The IUCN recognized several subspecies of giraffe as critically endangered since 2018.

Now, U.S. officials are proposing to declare as endangered three subspecies of northern giraffe: the West African, Kordofan and Nubian giraffes, whose population together has plunged by 77 percent since 1985, from about 26,000 to just 6,000. These giraffes primarily live in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Uganda.

In addition, the agency is proposing to designate two subspecies in East Africa - the reticulated and Masai giraffes - as threatened, a step away from being at the verge of extinction.

The United States has proved to be a big market for giraffe parts and products in the past, importing nearly 40,000 over a decade-long period, according to environmental groups.

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The potential listing means countries that allow Americans to hunt for giraffes will have to show those trophy killings are part of a broader conservation strategy for the mammals, according to Sanerib.

It creates a fair bit more checks and balances to ensure that those programs are actually sustainable, that the offtake isnt actually harming the species, she said.

But hunting advocates decried the decision as counterproductive, noting that their tourism dollars give nations economic incentive to maintain robust wildlife populations.

This decision threatens to harm critical conservation efforts in the countries where giraffe populations are increasing by placing unnecessary legal and administrative burdens on the individuals, businesses, and governments that are responsible for conserving giraffes and other wildlife, the pro-hunting group Safari Club International said in a statement.

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In addition to trade restrictions, the federal proposal would also open new streams of funding to African countries for giraffe conservation. The agency will take feedback on the proposal until Feb. 19 and expects to finalize it within a year.

The decision was years in the making. The Center for Biological Diversity, the Natural Resources Defense Council and other environmental groups petitioned the agency for giraffe protections in 2017. After Fish and Wildlife failed to act on the request, environmentalists sued in 2021. A settlement the following year required the agency to decide whether it would list some giraffes as endangered by this month.

Seven years is too long to wait to list species, said Elly Pepper, NRDCs director of forest policy and nature.

Noting that a million species are at risk of extinction, she added, We need to get into a pattern where were able to recognize the threats to species in a much quicker way, or were going to lose all of them.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  Billard Airport will be the new home for an expanded flight academy.

The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority (MTAA) Board of Directors have approved new development to take place at Philip Billard Airport. Top Aviation Services announced it will invest $3 million over the next five years to make a state-of-the-art pilot training academy, according to a news release from MTAA. Top Aviation Services is already in the capital city offering flight training at the airport.

With this new investment, Top Aviation Services will refurbish a former terminal building at Billard to create the training facility. This new Academy will include a pilot briefing center, classrooms, private study rooms, conference rooms, administrative offices and a kitchenette.

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Woman sentenced to 14 days in jail in massive Topeka animal abuse case

There will also be luxury office suites, according to the news release.

Topekas aviation roots run deep at Billard. I learned to fly here, and many of my friends who are pilots did as well, Stephen Osborne, CEO of Top Aviation Services said. This new Academy is a natural extension of our current flight school and positions us to introduce a new generation of aviators to the world of aviation. We expect to attract dozens of students from Kansas City and beyond, with at least half of our current students already attending from outside Shawnee County. The expanded Academy will have a direct, positive economic impact on Topeka.

With the training facility comes construction on a new box-style hangar adjacent to the flight school. The academys fleet and visiting aircrafts will be housed in this hangar.

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Weve been consistently impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit and passion for aviation at Billard, Brian Armstrong, chair of the MTAA Board of Directors, said. This new flight academy is just the latest in a series of initiatives that demonstrate the power of combining private investment with public airport assets. Its an exciting sign of future growth for both the aviation sector and the community.

For more information about Top Aviation Services expanded flight academy, click here.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  After a brief hiatus, flights between Rockford and Los Angeles or Nashville are coming back.

Allegiant Airlines will operate flights between the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will occur on Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning May 21st, 2025.

Flights between RFD and the Nashville International Airport (BNA) will resume on Thursdays and Sundays, starting May 22nd.

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Weve seen strong demand for these seasonal routes and with the continued support of our community, were excited to bring them back for the upcoming season, said Zack Oakley, Executive Director at RFD. Our partnership with Allegiant Airlines has allowed us to expand flight options for travelers, and were excited to continue offering these popular destinations.

Allegiant previously offered Rockford to Los Angeles and Nashville routes this summer, but they were suspended in October.

Allegiant also offers flights to Punta Gorda, Florida; Sarasota, Flordia; Tampa, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Starting January 2025, the airline will start service to international destinations such as Costa Rica, Punta Cana, and Cancun.

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NAIROBI, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto said on Wednesday his government has reviewed its foreign policy to make it more responsive to citizens' needs, emerging trends and global dynamics, with economic diplomacy remaining central to the country's international engagements.

Ruto said the new foreign policy, which has been drafted, is people-centered and will help the country attract investments and secure its rightful place on the global stage.

"The new policy reflects our strategic responses to global imperatives at both bilateral and multilateral levels. This transformation is timely, coming at the expiry of the shelf life of our 2014 Foreign Policy document," Ruto said during a consultative meeting held in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

He noted that the policy would ensure Kenya's diplomatic engagements deliver tangible benefits to every Kenyan and unlock the power of cooperation.

Ruto emphasized that Kenya would leverage its position as a regional financial hub, backed by a strong banking sector and the hosting of the largest World Bank station outside Washington, to drive its economic diplomacy.

He added that the country would continue to build on its longstanding tradition of peacemaking, peacebuilding and peacekeeping for the common good of the region, the continent and the world.

Ruto said that Kenya is committed to sustaining its strong contribution to deepening regional integration, including through the accelerated implementation of the East African Community Treaty and protocols, as well as promoting the free movement of people, goods and services. 
POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)  The Florida Bar has permanently revoked the law license of Jason Penrod, who is charged with grand theft tied to his clients living trust.

I think thats somewhat of a satisfactory outcome for me, said Leticia Labate.

Family Elder Law attorney arrested, accused of gambling away clients trust funds

Labate considers herself a crusader with one goal: for Jason Penrod to never practice law or manage finances in Florida again.

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With an addictive personality that he cannot control, he cannot be in that position, said Labate.

This summer, Labates 91-year old mother, Esther, gave his law firm Family Elder Law a $4,500 retainer fee to help with her care.

Then, the office abruptly closed which, Labate said, impacted the last few weeks of Labates mothers life.

To have the added stress of knowing that the attorney that we had hired had basically stolen her money, it just added additional stress at a time when stress was at its highest point, said Labate.

After speaking with 8 On Your Side and reaching out to the office herself, the money was returned.

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Others have not been as lucky.

Hes wiped peoples entire economic life off of the books, said Sheriff Grady Judd at a news conference in September.

Penrod was arrested in Marion County on one felony count of grand theft, for which he faces up to 30 years in prison.

Records show Penrod penned a letter to the family of a deceased Polk County resident, admitting to gambling away a $1.7 million living trust at the Hard Rock Casino.

He referred to himself as a raging addict with a compulsion in overdrive.

He put it in writing. To me thats outstanding. I mean, I cant believe he did that but Im glad he did because it basically sealed his fate, said Labate.

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Penrod also traveled to Pennsylvania to meet with the family in person at a coffee shop, records show.

That family has filed a lawsuit against Penrod.

With that lawsuit pending and Penrod awaiting trial in criminal court, the Florida Bar has granted Penrods petition for his law license to be permanently revoked, which closes Penrods disciplinary case with the Bar.

Law is not the place where he belongs. He should never be in a position where he can actually take advantage of people and take their money, said Labate.

Penrod remains behind bars on $500,000 bond.

8 On Your Side reached out to Penrods attorney and has not heard back.

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Experts say it is unlikely and uncommon for attorneys to be granted a law license in another state after their license is revoked.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Floridas manatees are as much a part of the states seascape as flamingoes, dolphins, reef fish, and smelly seaweed. However, these gentle sea cows might have arrived in the state fairly recently. Like the millions of tourists who visit the Sunshine State every year, manatees may have only occasionally visited Florida for short stints before returning home to Cuba and other parts of the Caribbean. The marine mammals potentially only became a fixture in Florida after European colonization and they may have initially flourished due to the same force that is threatening them todaya rapidly warming and transforming planet. The findings are detailed in a study published November 20 in the journal PLOS ONE.

Over the course of his career, study co-author and University of South Florida anthropologist Thomas Pluckhahn realized that there was a lack of evidence showing that there was a large population of manatees in the pre-colonial era. The manatee population in Tampa Bay wasnt even deemed plentiful until the 1950s.

[Related: Wildlife officials are taking radical steps to save Floridas starving manatees.]

It is commonly assumed that Florida manatee populations were once larger than they are today, Pluckhahn said in a statement. Many will find the results surprising, not only because it contradicts this assumption but also because it indicates the complexity of changes that have taken place in the Anthropocene.

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The anthropocene is our current period during which human activity has the most influence on climate and the environment. Florida anthropologists and archeologists who dig into the anthropocene and ages past began to notice that manatee bones were a rarity at archeological sites in Florida. According to Pluckhahn, they havent even been found in Crystal River, the Manatee Capital of the World located in western Florida.

Manatees and tourists crowd the Three Sisters Spring at Crystal River, Florida, on a cold morning. CREDIT: Thomas J. Pluckhahn.

In the new study, the team reviewed roughly 70 archaeological reports with a systematic collection and analysis of almost two million animal bones. Almost none of the bones were from manatees. When they expanded the review to other excavations, they found about a dozen reports of manatee bones that had been fashioned into tools or ornaments. However, that is not enough evidence that the mammals had a large pre-colonial Florida population.

The team hypothesizes that it is possible that manatees were not swimming in precolonial Florida at all. The tools and ornaments made with manatee bones may have arrived here via Native Americans trading with those from the Caribbean.

The problem with that is people have been looking for proof of contact between Florida and the Caribbean during the pre-colonial era for a long time and havent been able to nail it down, Pluckhahn said.

Fossilized bones of Sirenians (the order that includes past and present manatee species), such as these examples from a site in Tampa Bay, are not uncommon on archaeological sites in Florida. But unfossilized bones of more recent manatees (from the last 12,000 years) are quite raresuggesting sea cows may have been infrequent visitors to the Florida peninsula before the modern era. CREDIT: Thomas J. Pluckhahn

Another hypothesis is that manatees were in abundance, but there are not many bones at excavation sites because they were not hunted like other animals. However, manatees do not appear in any of the expedition logs penned by explorers who landed in Tampa Bay in between 1528 and 1595.

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According to Pluckhahn, the most logical hypothesis is that manatees were then later present only in very low numbers in Florida as occasional visitors from the Caribbean and then settled here permanently.

The first reliable written accounts of Florida manatees date back to the period of British rule in the late 1700s. Even then, the sightings appear to have been rare. In the 1920s and 1930s, local print media began to cover manatee sightings in Miami and St. Augustine. By the mid-1950s, there were reports that manatees were becoming more plentiful in Tampa Bay and a few were speculated to have become permanent residents of Crystal River.

The sudden change in manatee population likely occurred because Floridas waters began to warm up. They were too frigid for manatees due the Little Ice Age. This period of intermittent cooling began during the 1200s and lasted through the 1800s.

The team suggests that as the effects of the Little Ice Age faded, manatees began to extend their range northward towards Florida. Warming waters due to human-caused climate change have subsequently convinced the manatees to stay put and breed. Accounts in newspapers from the late 1800s and early 1900s describe manatee sightings in warm water refuges including canals, harbors, yacht basins, and even areas near power plants.

[Related: Meet the extinct sea cow that cultivated Pacific kelp forests.]

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Floridas manatee population is estimated to be between 8,350 and 11,730. They were reclassified from endangered to threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2017, after their populations began to rebrand. However, human-caused climate change is still a threat to these gentle giants and they may be reclassified as endangered, after the population dropped seven percent between 2017 and 2019.

Pollution is killing a lot of the sea grass that the manatees eat, said Pluckhahn. Plus, as we wean ourselves off fossil fuels and shut down power plants, we are taking away a refuge from them.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida  New leaders. New speeches. And maybe some signs of a Florida Legislature shifting away from Gov. Ron DeSantis near total dominance.

The Republican-controlled Legislature on Tuesday installed Daniel Perez as House speaker and Ben Albritton as Senate president, a move that kicks off a new era where the GOP remains in firm control  but also where DeSantis is about to enter his lame duck period, finishing out his final two years in office following an unsuccessful run for president.

Perez and Albritton didnt directly criticize or challenge the sitting governor. But after years of a GOP legislature that catered to DeSantis every whim, they subtly signaled lawmakers would assert more independence this go-around. They made it clear, for example, that they had no plans to rush into a special session before the end of the year to consider changes to a condominium law that they passed in the aftermath of the Surfside disaster in 2021, where 98 people were killed. DeSantis had called on legislators to act by the end of the year.

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Albritton, a Wauchula Republican, for his part voiced opposition to the idea of changing Florida law to allow the open carry of firearms, despite DeSantis saying he was open to it a few weeks ago on a radio show. Albritton said he remained opposed because law enforcement officials remain opposed.

Perez criticized the level of spending that has occurred under the GOP  including DeSantis, even though he did not mention the governor by name  while also faulting the state for spending millions on failed information technology projects.

State government has become so flush with cash that we have lost any sense of discipline, Perez said. We make purchases following natural disasters with little to no inventory control. We buy land that we can't keep track of, much less manage competently.

It is far from a clean break from DeSantis, who still is expected to assert significant influence  and is looking for ways to reignite his national ambitions. There were moments of praise for DeSantis: Albritton called Florida the envy of America due to the governor and thanked him for leading the charge to defeat two amendments dealing with marijuana and abortion access. And even though both measures got a majority of votes  but not the needed 60 percent threshold to pass  Albritton said he had no plans to consider bills dealing with either subject.

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The next two years will be critical for DeSantis, who is term-limited out of office but who allies say still harbors presidential ambitions. Most immediately, he will be able to pick the states next senator to succeed Marco Rubio, who was tapped as President-elect Donald Trumps secretary of state. The seat gives DeSantis a prime opportunity to potentially reward an ally  and could have a major impact on the race to succeed him in 2026.

During this years election, Florida Republicans held onto their supermajorities in both chambers with ease and even stretched out the margin in the Florida House, where they now hold 85 seats in the 120-member chamber. In the Senate, Republicans hold a 28-12 margin.

Many Republicans reveled in their status, with state Rep. Tom Fabricio, a Miami Republican, saying during a House Republican conference on Monday that nothing was sweeter than unseating a Democratic incumbent.

But the two new legislative leaders sounded alarms about issues that could prove pivotal in the next round of elections. Perez, who is 37, said the state has an affordability crisis that could prompt younger residents to abandon the state.

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During their remarks, given before DeSantis and other top state officials, both Albritton and Perez warned insurance companies that they need to see progress in the aftermath of legislative changes pushed by the industry  including a law that made it harder to sue insurers and which even former President Donald Trump labeled a bailout.

Im not going to sit idly by if legitimate claims get denied while rates continue to rise. Period, Albritton said.

Neither Albritton or Perez, however, spelled out any exact changes that they would be willing to enact to try to convince insurers to lower rates. Albritton noted that several carriers had filed for rate decreases, but those rate filings came before the twin punches of Hurricane Helene and Milton earlier this year.

Albritton and Perez were also cautious about what changes should be made to help condominium owners. Florida enacted sweeping new requirements after the Surfside disaster that will likely require expensive repairs and renovations to older condo units, which are triggering large hikes in assessments charged to condo owners.



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DeSantis earlier this year held roundtable discussions where ideas such as offering zero-interest loans or changing deadlines in the new law were suggested. But there has been no firm consensus on what the answer should be.

The question shouldnt be when, the question should be what, Perez told reporters. What is the solution that people are offering?

Perez said he was willing to consider changes in the upcoming session that starts in March, an approach that was echoed by Albritton. Sen. Jason Pizzo, the new Democratic leader who had long pushed to address the states condo problems, anticipated that many condos will be able to meet the requirements of the new law as long as they show good faith in trying to bring their buildings into compliance.

Albritton during his remarks did lay out some of his priorities for his two years in office, proclaiming the need for a rural renaissance and better data to guide water improvement projects. Perez, however, while expressing his level of dissatisfaction about insurance and spending, said he did not want to propose legislation designed to allow him to pat myself on the back after it passes. Instead he contended he wanted House members to help guide the agenda, not whoever was in the corner office.

The time for talk is over, Perez said. I want to do things differently. I want to do things my way. And my way is the pulse of the people.
FBI agents have arrested a Florida man in connection with an alleged plot to bomb the New York Stock Exchange, according to charging documents unsealed on Wednesday.

South Florida resident Harun Abdul-Malik Yener was charged with attempted use of an explosive to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce, according to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida.

The FBI began investigating Yener in February after receiving a tip he was storing bomb-making schematics in an unlocked storage unit in Coral Springs, Florida. Agents obtained a search warrant and found numerous watches with timers, electronic circuit boards and other electronics in the unit, according to court documents. Court Watch was the first media outlet to report on the arrest.

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Yener told a confidential informant he wanted to join a militia. He then met with undercover FBI agents, court documents said, and asked them for photos of the New York Stock Exchange and other items, including explosive materials, to help him target the right locations to plant a bomb.

"There is one place that would be hella easy the stock exchange, that would be a great hit. Tons of people would support it. They would see it and think dude, this guy makes sense, they are [profanity] robbing us. So that's perfect," he allegedly told an undercover operative last month.

"I'd even take a trip up there to like, set it up, New York," he allegedly said. The affidavit said he "planned on wearing a disguise" and was going to distribute a recorded message to the press outlining the reasons behind the planned attack.

According to the affidavit, he told agents the bombing would be "like a small nuke went off" and that "[a]nything outside" the building "will be wiped out" and "anything inside there would be killed."

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Investigators say Yener conducted numerous online searches and shared at least 10 videos detailing how to construct explosives and fireworks from household items, as well as videos on how to make triggers associated with traps and explosives.

FBI agents said Yener's "motivation for bombing the NYSE was to attain a 'reboot' and/or 'reset' of the United States government."

Yener also allegedly told agents he considered joining ISIS but decided not to in 2015 because he believed "ISIS would not ultimately succeed in achieving their objectives."

By Nov. 12, investigators say Yener made audio recordings of the demands and reasons behind the attack. "I feel like Bin Laden," he allegedly said.

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There have been several other arrests in recent months involving various alleged schemes to attack U.S. officials and landmarks.

In October, the FBI arrested a man from Afghanistan who was allegedly planning an Election Day terrorist attack in the U.S.

The FBI arrested a Pakistani national in August with alleged ties to Iran for allegedly plotting a murder-for-hire scheme targeting U.S. government officials and politicians.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A Florida man has pleaded guilty to federal charges for repeatedly threatening a Muslim group in Michigan.

Dawn Ison, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, announced the plea late Tuesday. Michael Shapiro, a 72-year-old from West Palm Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting threats in interstate commerce.

Court documents show Shapiro left three voicemail messages with the Michigan Chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations, which is based in Canton. The messages were left between Dec. 8 and Dec. 15, 2023, in which he made multiple references to killing people, according to the attorneys office.

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Youre a violent people. Why do you come to America? Why do you come to Europe?  Youre violent. Youre killers. Youre rapists. Im going to kill you (expletive), one message read, according to court documents.

Deputies: 120 pounds of cocaine found in semi-truck

According to Isons office, Shaprio admitted to specifically targeting CAIR because of the perceived religion and national origin of the people who work at and are assisted by CAIR.

No one should be able to threaten violence and instill fear on an entire community, Ison said in a statement. (The) conviction should send a strong message that those who do so will be investigated, identified and aggressively prosecuted.

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CAIR-Michigan also released a statement commending investigators for securing a guilty plea.

We welcome the guilty plea in this case, CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid stated. Violence or threats of violence targeting minority communities will not be tolerated  perpetrators will be brought to justice.

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Sentencing guidelines for the federal charge can vary depending on several factors, including the credibility and likelihood of action in the threats, but most offenders serve some prison time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  Floridas upcoming legislative session could test Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis  influence in the state, on the back of his failed attempt to challenge President-elect Donald Trump for the Republican nomination and as he considers his political future beyond the governors mansion.

Floridas incoming legislative leaders formally took their oaths of office Tuesday, ceremonially marking the start of the final two years of DeSantis second term at the helm of unified GOP control.

But some capitol watchers say DeSantis is no typical lame duck governor.

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Under DeSantis leadership, the countrys third most-populous state has cemented its reputation as a national testing ground for conservativism, from restricting abortion to expanding school vouchers and defending gun rights.

Hes shown himself willing to take the bully pulpit and wield the veto pen, and has built a reputation for pushing the boundaries of executive power. The governor won a key electoral victory last month in orchestrating a multipronged campaign against two citizen-backed ballot initiatives that would have protected abortion rights and legalized recreational marijuana in the state.

Both proposed constitutional amendments won solid majorities from Florida voters but failed to clear the 60% threshold required by state law, after the DeSantis administration leveraged multiple state agencies and millions of dollars in public funding to oppose the measures, in an effort that his critics argue violates state law.

In his opening speech to state lawmakers on Tuesday in Tallahassee, incoming Florida Senate President Ben Albritton applauded DeSantis campaign against the proposed amendments and defended the use of state money to produce ads that opposed the ballot measures.

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Leading the charge to defeat those two amendments was incredible, Albritton said, thanking DeSantis for his principled, focused and dedicated leadership in undermining the initiatives.

Ben Wilcox, research director of the government watchdog group Integrity Florida, said it appeared DeSantis was able to test the limits of using public resources in campaign messaging.

Unless somebody is able to rein the governor in, I think well see more of this in the future, Wilcox said.

For his part, newly sworn-in Florida House Speaker Danny Perez said all government spending should be heavily scrutinized  including the governors use of public funding for political messaging.

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Any sort of taxpayer dollars that has ever left the Legislature for whatever use will be under scrutiny, Perez said.

In past years, state lawmakers have worked quickly to advance DeSantis' agenda and helped build a launching pad for his presidential bid. But noticeably absent from Tuesday's speeches were talks of going after LGBTQ+ issues and diversity initiatives, a push that DeSantis has made his national calling card.

Additionally, both Albritton and Perez questioned DeSantis' call for lawmakers to hold a special session to address soaring maintenance costs for condominium owners, a result of new regulations lawmakers approved after a building in Surfside collapsed and killed 98 people in 2021.

DeSantis has urged state lawmakers to act before the end-of-year deadline to conduct condo inspections. Albritton told reporters Tuesday that the issue should be considered during the regular legislative session that begins March 4, though lawmakers agree that we need to look very closely at this.

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Albritton, a citrus grower, has said his Christian faith will help guide his conservative leadership as he lays out a vision for what he calls a rural Renaissance in the state, where sprawling development continues to carve up natural lands and encroach on the small town way of life.

Perez, who represents a suburban stretch of the state's largest metro area in Miami-Dade County, has said he'll focus on scrutinizing government spending and addressing the state's affordability crisis.

Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell called on her Republican colleagues  who hold a supermajority in both chambers  to help meet the needs of the state's impoverished residents, and to respect the will of a majority of Florida voters who cast a ballot in support of the abortion rights measure.

If it had cleared the 60% threshold, the initiative would have protected the right to an abortion up to the point of viability, which is considered to be somewhere past 21 weeks of pregnancy. The states current law bans most abortions after six weeks, before many women know their pregnant.

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I am hopeful that we can revisit the restrictions currently placed on women and their ability to have agencies over their own bodies, Driscoll said.

But with Republicans maintaining their stronghold over the Legislature, Democrats have little power to stop the majority party from ushering in its latest vision for the state.

___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
The struggle to make ends meet, especially as the holidays approach, continues in Central Florida.

In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Catholic Charities food pantries try to ramp up supplies during this time of year.

When the fuel prices hiked up it was hard to survive it, Melanie King, a food pantry recipient of Catholic Charities, said. We ended up losing the business.

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King has lived in Orlando for eight years now and knows all too well what the impacts of rising prices in gas, food, and rent can have on a family.

Read: Happening Friday: Food giveaway in West Melbourne

In their time of need her and her husband searched for ways to make ends meet.

We needed a little bit of help, King said. We looked up things in the area that can help us. This is one of the things that came up.

King is one of the nearly 500 familys Catholic Charities Food Pantry off of Semoran Boulevard feeds weekly.

Read: Flagler, Volusia County residents can apply for food assistance following Hurricane Milton

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It definitely keeps food on the table, King said. Im able to cook dinner every night for my family. Without them, wed probably be pretty messed up.

Its a need that only goes up as Thanksgiving and Christmas approach.

The families that come here are asking for turkeys for Thanksgiving, toys for Christmas, Maria Urdaneta, an Assistant Manager for Catholic Charities food pantries, said.

Read: Osceola County non-profit tackles hunger with new freezer program

Beyond the holidays, managers of the pantry say its a need they have to fill year-round.

Right now, the price of the food is really, really, high, Urdaneta said. When the families come here asking for food, or for something for their children, its important to have places like this to support them.

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If you need food assistance, you can find a food pantry near you online through Second Harvests Food Finder Tool.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




ALEXANDRIA, VA  The Alexandria food pantry associated with Catholic Charities gave refugee and immigrant families a helping hand with their Thanksgiving meals while ensuring the food was culturally appropriate.

The food pantry, part of the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington's St. Lucy Food Project, distributed Thanksgiving chickens or turkeys as part of meal kits to 180 families over the weekend. The families served include refugees and immigrants.

Clients at the drive-thru event have received the pantry's food assistance at least once and attended its food distribution in October. The food pantry typically sees an increase in food assistance needs during the holiday season.

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"Some of them need a little bit more support during these times, especially with everything, all the festivities going on," Maria Rodriguez, manager of the Alexandria food pantry, told Patch. "So it's understandable. So there's definitely a little bit more of an increase during these times."

The food pantry was previously relocated to the West End from Catholic Charities' Christ House in Old Town, where daily meals are still served to people in need. While the food pantry used to distribute Thanksgiving meals through regular food pickups on a monthly basis, it decided to do a drive-thru event this year.



"We had so many volunteers that that came out and made it such an easy process," said Rodriguez. "We served 180 clients, and it really was super organized, and they were just ready to help. And our clients really did enjoy the experience, because usually it's a small pantry, so their waiting time varies. But this was very in and out very quick."

The Thanksgiving meal kits included the option of chicken or turkey. A significant number of the Thanksgiving birds distributed were halal, by request of the families. According to Rodriguez, the meal kits also include produce and items like potatoes, cabbage and onions, carrots and other stable items.

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"We wanted to make sure that it's something that they're not only going to use, but they're also going to enjoy for this season," said Rodriguez.

A volunteer gets halal chicken ready for the Thanksgiving food distribution, courtesy of Mary Shaffrey/Arlington Diocese





Over 100 volunteers contributed to the drive-thru distribution effort to feed the 180 families. Lori Sikra, assistant program director at the St. Lucy Food Project, said volunteers started at 7 a.m. to pack the bags, and it required planning to keep the chickens and turkeys frozen. Sikra credits Rodriguez with helping to secure donations that allowed the food pantry to pre-purchase food from various grocery stores.

While the need for food assistance goes up during the holiday season, so do contributions. Rodriguez says more people will come in to make donations during the holiday season.

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"There is a beautiful level of generosity and spirit that happens around the Christmas season," added Sikra. "Not only at our pantry, but throughout all of Catholic Charities, with gift card donations that are an opportunity for a lot of parishioners to participate in just this beautiful message of giving that then can extend itself to all of our other ministries."

Catholic Charities' St. Lucy Food Project has three food pantry locations  in Alexandria, Sterling and Front Royal. It also runs a Manassas storage warehouse, which supplies the three food pantries and 50 other food pantry sites. According to the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, the St. Lucy Food Project distributed over 2.2 million pounds of food in 2023.

"The Manassas warehouse itself brings in thousands of pounds of food each year through individual and parish donors and the relationships of community, relationships with the grocery stores and food banks around the area to sprinkle all that around to all of our 21 counties and seven cities that we support," said Sikra.

Rodriguez says the food pantries aren't just distributing food.

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"Sometimes they need someone to listen to them, just a helping hand, a smile," said Rodriguez. "And so we focus on as much as that as we do on the food aspect. Our clients are very satisfied and they always tell us you guys are different from other food pantries because of the experience and the joy that we try to serve them with each time they come."

The Catholic Charities' food pantries will distribute food up to Dec. 22 before taking a winter break from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2. Christ House in Old Town will continue to serve food daily, including on holidays.

Other faith-based organizations are stepping up to assist families in need for the Thanksgiving holiday. Islamic Relief USA, a charitable organization headquartered in Alexandria, will distribute 360 turkeys to underserved residents on Thursday in Falls Church.

Patch News Partner/Shutterstock

Patch has partnered with Feeding America since 2020 to help raise awareness in our local communities of hunger, a persistent national problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks and 60,000 local meals programs across the country, estimates that nearly 34 million people, including 9 million children  about 1 in 6 Americans  are living with food insecurity. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.



Food Pantry Distribution In Alexandria Helps Families For Thanksgiving originally appeared on the Old Town Alexandria Patch
Food prices in Gaza have risen dramatically following the looting of a large aid convoy, residents told dpa on Wednesday.

A bag of 25 kilograms of flour now costs the equivalent of $150 to $200, residents said.

Prices prior to the incident were around $8 to $10, they said, roughly the same as before the conflict began in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks last year.

The high prices are not the only problem, residents said, as they can hardly find flour to buy, while meat has been unaffordable for months.

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Resident Ahed al-Shurafa said he travels for hours every day in search of food.

The father of eight said he could "barely buy tomatoes, aubergines and bread at the inflated prices."

Al-Shurafa fled with his family from Gaza City to the southern city of Khan Younis around one year ago due to the fighting between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

He is currently unemployed and the family is low on money.

"We are suffering from hunger," al-Shurafa said.

The United Nations and aid organizations have warned of the risk of famine in Gaza, with humanitarian aid insufficient to feed the majority of the population.

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In conversations with dpa, residents have reported weight loss and hair loss as a result of malnutrition.

The situation has further deteriorated after a convoy of more than 100 trucks carrying aid was raided last weekend.

The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said local gangs and family clans were suspected to be behind the looting.
KIGALI, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda on Wednesday joined the global community in marking World Children's Day, with a call to end domestic violence within families, which continues to threaten children's rights.

"Raising a child is an irreplaceable responsibility. To ensure their proper growth and development, we must create an environment where they can thrive and grow into good citizens of our country. We must end domestic violence within our families," said Assumpta Ingabire, director general of the Rwanda National Child Development Agency (NCDA), during celebrations to mark World Children's Day in Kigali, the country's capital.

She highlighted critical issues affecting children, including child stunting and domestic violence, which often force children onto the streets. She also emphasized the importance of responsible parenting in addressing these challenges.

While acknowledging the existence of laws protecting children's rights, Ingabire noted that violations persist. "Today serves as a reminder to be aware of children's rights. While people often talk about these rights, many lack a full understanding of them. For example, we still encounter children whose births are not registered with civil authorities, even though birth registration is an essential administrative step in protecting children's rights."

Ingabire also announced the introduction of new guidelines by the NCDA to strengthen measures aimed at better protecting children's rights.

According to the Fifth Rwanda Population and Housing Census 2022 report by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, children under the age of 18 make up 44.5 percent of Rwanda's population.

The World Children's Day, celebrated on Nov. 20 each year, is a global event honoring children and their rights while promoting their welfare, according to the United Nations Children's Fund. It also serves as a day to address issues children face, such as child labor, educational inequality, and inadequate access to healthcare. 
Under Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, who was elected two years into Trumps term, Nevada directly joined 33 lawsuits to challenge myriad Trump administration policies, including changes to the public charge rule to deny resident status for immigrants who rely on public assistance. (Photo: Jeniffer Solis/Nevada Current)

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford says he intends to be a bulwark against President-elect Donald Trumps anti-immigrant agenda and attacks on other marginalized communities.

The Democratic Association of Attorneys General, which Ford co-chairs, recently said it is prepared to form a line of defense against Trump and challenge the incoming administration.

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A second Trump administration could see mass deportations, further restrictions on access to abortion, rolled back environmental regulations, LGBTQ+ rights challenged, and consumer protections stripped away, attorneys with the group warned.

Many of the attorneys general part of the association represent blue-leaning states with Democratic governors, unlike Ford.

Gov. Joe Lombardo has previously failed to answer questions about how his office will respond to Trump pledging to deploy the states National Guard to carry out mass deportations in the state. An estimated 189,000 people in Nevada are undocumented.

John Sadler, a spokesman in Fords office, told Nevada Current in an email Tuesday Fords position and actions remain independent from other state and federal elected officials. He said Fords actions are not controlled by the positions or opinions of other elected officials.

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While we do not deeply delve into legal hypotheticals, the Office of the Attorney General has power to take legal action in many cases based only on the volition of the attorney general, Sadler said.

Democratic state attorneys general filed a total of 155 lawsuits in the previous Trump administration.

Under Ford, who was elected two years into Trumps term, Nevada directly joined 33 lawsuits to challenge myriad Trump administration policies, including changes to the public charge rule to deny resident status for immigrants who rely on public assistance.

In a statement to the Current, Ford said his office is prepared to use the full power of the law if and when it is necessary to stand up against any more erosion of legal norms and statutes.

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It would be a lie to say that President-elect Trumps upcoming term does not concern me, based on his prior disregard for the law, Ford said. Though there are many areas which concern me, including reproductive rights and antitrust protections, I will pay close attention to any action that seems like it may run afoul of the law.

In addition to the National Guard, Trump has repeatedly threatened to use local law enforcement and possibly the military to carry out mass deportations against the estimated 11 million of undocumented immigrants in America.

He vowed on the campaign trail to begin mass deportation on day one.

Since being elected to serve a second term, Trumps rhetoric has only increased.

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Tom Homan, Trumps previous head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was selected to be the incoming border czar, which is not an official cabinet-level position.

Homan, who has warned that entire mixed-status families could be deported regardless of citizenship, has further alarmed immigrant communities.

Ford addressed the rising dread in a social media post on Monday, in which he described an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty for many Nevadans, specifically noting rhetoric against immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community and communities of color.

He added that hopes the concerns are unfounded and that the Trump administration does not vilify the communities that have been targets of hateful animus.

Make no mistake, my office stands ready for the alternative and we will be a bulwark against any effort to impose unconstitutional mandates, override our system of checks and balances, or intrude upon the rights of any Nevada resident, Ford wrote.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  A former Baton Rouge pediatric cardiologist pleads guilty to child pornography on Wednesday.

According to the United States Department of Justice, Antonio Belda, 39, of Canada, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.

As part of Beldas guilty plea, he admitted to using internet accounts and mobile applications to get child pornography, which he possessed on multiple devices. Belda had over 170 videos and 3,000 images, some involving the sexual assault of young children.

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Belda previously worked for Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. He was arrested in September 2022 and pleaded not guilty to five counts of pornography involving minors in October 2022.

U.S. Attorney Ronald Gathe Jr. said Belda can face up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and up to a lifetime of supervised release, including sex offender registration. Belda, a Canadian citizen, may also be removed from the United States upon completing his sentence.

Baton Rouge police arrest man connected to March shooting that left one dead

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A former Chicago Public Schools assistant principal was sentenced to two years probation on Tuesday after she pleaded guilty embezzling money from an elementary school.

In July 2023, Tracey Canty-Robinson, 56, was charged in a 17-count indictment with stealing from Skinner West Elementary School on the Near West Side. The allegations were also highlighted in a report from the Office of Inspector General that noted multiple instances of waste and abuse in Chicago Public Schools, revealing financial losses at the resource-strapped district.

How is it that somebody could take more than $200,000 from a school-based after-school program, and no one at the school notices that the money is gone? And then further, how is it possible that that much money could be stolen and the program could manage to run unabated? Inspector General Will Fletcher told the Tribune earlier this year.

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Canty-Robinson entered a plea before Cook County Judge Stanley Sacks on a felony count of continuing a financial crimes enterprise. In addition to her probation term, she was ordered to complete 50 hours of community service, according to court records.

She altered checks over a multiyear period, according to the indictment. The inspector generals report specified that she was accused of embezzling $274,000 in after-school program payments.

The inspector generals office referred Canty-Robinsons case to law enforcement after referencing the allegations in a report.

Canty-Robinson resigned March 12, 2020, after the OIG requested to interview her about its investigation, according to CPS. She then was placed on a do not hire list in July 2021, upon CPS receipt of the OIG report.

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The allegations against Canty-Robinson were among a number of financial concerns that have been raised by the inspector generals office, including thousands of lost and stolen technology devices that the district reported to the Chicago Police Department.

But its report noted that district didnt take advantage of services  for which CPS had already paid $2.6 million  capable of freezing, geotracking and potentially recovering the devices.

In another case, the OIG found that a school clerk stole $150,000 through a combination of skimming from cash collected at school and false requests for extra pay.
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.  Former East St. Louis City Manager Carlos Mayfield is wanted by authorities after being charged with misusing city funds and fraudulently using a credit or debit card, according to an Illinois State Police announcement Wednesday.

Investigators allege that Mayfield, 60, illegally appropriated between $500 and $10,000 in city resources. The investigation began on April 3, 2024, when ISP received an initial allegation of theft and official misconduct. Special agents found evidence that Mayfield had knowingly used City of East St. Louis funds for personal gain.

Police confirm Clayton woman killed after kidnapping

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On October 1, 2024, prosecutors issued an arrest warrant charging Mayfield with two felonies: theft of government property and fraudulent credit/debit card use. Despite weekly communications with Mayfields attorney, the city manager has not surrendered to authorities and is now considered uncooperative.

Law enforcement officials say they will arrest Mayfield when he is located.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Two former Fulton County election workers who won a $148 defamation judgment against former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani are now asking a federal judge to penalize him even further, saying he continues to falsely accuse them of tampering with ballots in the 2020 presidential election.

Attorneys for Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss filed new documents on Wednesday, saying that Giuliani is violating a consent injunction and has continued to defame the women on the show that he hosts on X, formerly known as Twitter.

It took only six months for Mr. Giuliani to resume his defamatory campaign, the document said.

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During a recent episode of Americas Mayor Live, Giuliani is quoted as saying: Judge Liman and the Biden people who are behind the case of the two womenYou didnt have $145 million in damages. In fact, theres video of you doing what I said. We can play it for you if you want. You framed me. You had a judge whos a bloodthirsty January 6 sentencer.

A lawyer for Giuliani, Joseph M. Cammarata, said Wednesday that he had not seen the court filing and could not respond to its specific claims. But he called it an effort to intimidate the former New York City mayor.

We will not relent, Cammarata said at a news conference in New York City. He accused attorneys for Freeman and Moss of doing everything in their power to break an 80-year-old patriot.

Former Fulton election workers say Rudy Giuliani continues to defame them, wants more penalties by WSB-TV on Scribd

Giuliani was found liable for defamation and ordered to pay $148 million last year to Freeman and Moss for accusing them of ballot tampering as he pushed then-President Donald Trumps unsubstantiated allegations of election fraud. The women said they faced death threats after Giuliani accused them of sneaking in ballots in suitcases, counting ballots multiple times, and tampering with voting machines.

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Lawyers for Freeman and Moss said in Wednesdays court filing that Giuliani said They never let me show the tapes that show them quadruple counting the, the, the ballots. The filing accuses Giuliani of saying his tapes showed Freeman and Moss passing these little hard drives that we maintain were used to fix the machines right and they say it was candy.

Even after the $148 million judgment against him, Freeman and Moss said Giuliani has continued to falsely accuse them. The U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., has permanently barred him from making any statements that suggest the women engaged in any wrongdoing in connection with the 2020 presidential election.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Two former Georgia election workers are asking a federal judge to hold Rudy Giuliani in contempt of court for repeating false claims that have already led to a $148 million defamation judgment against him.

Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss say Giuliani repeated baseless claims on an episode of his podcast last week, saying that they counted fraudulent ballots in the 2020 election.

These statements repeat the exact same lies for which Mr. Giuliani has already been held liable, and which he agreed to be bound by court order to stop repeating, Michael Gottlieb, an attorney for Freeman and Moss, wrote in a 14-page motion filed in Washington, D.C. federal court. The Court should hold Mr. Giuliani in civil contempt and  following a hearing, if necessary  impose sanctions calculated to ensure Mr. Giulianis compliance with the Consent Injunction.

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The conflict is now in the hands of U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, who presided over Giulianis defamation trial last year and found him liable for the massive payout. The Obama-appointed judge ordered Giuliani to respond to the contempt request by Dec. 2 and to come to Washington, D.C., for a Dec. 12 hearing.

Howell also cautioned Giuliani that failing to respond to the motion would result in an automatic ruling for contempt.

Giuliani entered bankruptcy shortly after the judgment against him and has been fighting additional legal battles in New York over Moss and Freemans efforts to take control of his assets, which include his car, his New York apartment and his New York Yankees World Series rings, among other property.

As part of the initial proceedings, Giuliani agreed to a court-ordered mandate not to repeat his false claims about Moss and Freeman. Now, the women say Giuliani should face new penalties from Howell to coerce Giulianis compliance  in light of his demonstrated willingness to repeatedly violate court orders.

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The punishment could include fines that Moss and Freeman say should be tailored to influence Giulianis behavior.

The flare-up stems from comments Giuliani made on his podcast on Nov. 12 in which he repeated his false claims about Moss and Freeman  and attacked Howell herself as a bloodthirsty sentencer of Jan. 6 defendants.

You framed me, he said of the women. Giuliani made a similar comment on his Nov. 14 show as well.

A spokesperson for Giuliani ripped the latest effort by Freeman and Moss as a dishonest and duplicitous attack meant to destroy this good and honest man.

Earlier this month, a federal judge in New York threatened to hold Giuliani in civil contempt after Giuliani missed a court-imposed deadline to turn over his assets to Freeman and Moss.

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Giuliani subsequently surrendered some of his property, including a vintage Mercedes-Benz convertible and jewelry, to the women, but he refused to turn over other items, arguing that they are exempt.

In a court appearance earlier this month in connection with the order to turn over his property, Giuliani claimed he was a victim of political persecution and repeated some of his claims about the 2020 election.

They can have all of my property, but theyre not going to get me to back off from what I believe in, he said. I believe the election in 2020 was fixed, and I think I can prove it.
A former Georgia appeals court judge who was removed from the bench in 2023 for ethical misconduct has been suspended from practicing law until August 2025.

The Georgia Supreme Court on Tuesday decided that Christian Coomer should have his law license suspended for two years for exploiting a vulnerable client when Coomer was a private lawyer. But the court agreed that Coomer could backdate the beginning of the suspension to Aug. 16, 2023, the day the high court kicked him off the bench.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Coomer said he intentionally had abstained from practicing law beginning on that date.

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Coomer had originally sought a one-year suspension, but agreed to two when the State Bar of Georgia opposed one year as too lenient. A special master found a two-year suspension was in the range of penalties that other lawyers who had committed similar offenses had received and that although the penalty might be seen as favoritism, Coomer should not be treated more harshly than any other lawyer who had committed the same violations.

Coomer took loans of $369,000 from client Jim Filhart on favorable terms and wrote a will and trust that would have given Coomer and his relatives some or all of the clients money when he died. Coomer repaid the money, but only after the client sued him.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Georgia Supreme Court removes appeals court judge from the bench after ethics investigation

Justices wrote that even though they ruled the same behavior required them to entirely remove Coomer as a judge, the two-year suspension was not inconsistent.

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They said thats because the ethics charges from the Judicial Qualification also faulted Coomer for looting his campaign account to pay for a family vacation to Hawaii and loans to keep his struggling law firm afloat, issues that werent part of Tuesdays decision. They also said it would be awkward to force the State Bar to seek penalties against Coomer higher than the bar supported. Finally, the court said judges are held to a higher standard of behavior than everyday lawyers.

Although part of the public interest served by regulating the practice of law includes sustaining public confidence in the legal system, that important interest is not as acute when regulating lawyers as it is for judges, the court wrote in an unsigned 7-0 decision.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: State judicial watchdog panel recommending judge be removed after multiple violations

Coomer, a former state lawmaker, was appointed to the appeals court by then-Gov. Nathan Deal in 2018. He had no prior disciplinary history and said he had increased his charitable activities to try to atone for his misconduct.

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I have made mistakes, but I am trying to be better and do better, Coomer said in a statement Tuesday. Im thankful to the Supreme Court for the opportunity to practice law and to the many people who have supported me, prayed for me, and encouraged me. I am working to make my community a better place through volunteer work and will dedicate myself to service when I return to the practice of law.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  A former poll worker in Middle Georgia has been formally charged for allegedly threatening to bomb a polling place and harm poll workers.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said Nicholas Wimbish, 25, of Milledgeville, was arrested earlier this month on charges of mailing a bomb threat, conveying false information about a bomb threat, mailing a threatening letter and making false statements to the FBI. He was indicted on Tuesday.

Wimbish was serving as a poll worker at the Jones County Elections Office on Oct. 16 when he got into a verbal fight with a voter, the DOJ said. Later that evening, he allegedly researched information about himself that would be publicly available, then mailed a letter the next day addressed to the elections superintendent.

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The letter was drafted to appear as if it came from a Jones County Voter, according to the indictment, stating that Wimbish and others should look over the shoulder and that I know where they all live because I found home voting addresses for all of them.

Man convicted of murder in killing of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley

Wimbish allegedly wrote that the young men will get a beatdown and threatened to rage rape the ladies, concluding with a handwritten note: PS boom toy in early vote place, cigar burning, be safe.

The former poll worker allegedly told the FBI that he thought the Jones County voter he fought with sent the letter. The DOJ also said the letter was found on Wimbishs computer.

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If convicted, Wimbish faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the mailing a bomb threat count and five years in prison on each of the mailing a threatening letter, conveying false information, and making false statements counts.

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A former Georgia poll worker has been indicted after reportedly issuing a bomb threat against election workers, the Justice Department said in a press release Wednesday.

In the release, the department said 25-year-old Nicholas Wimbish was indicted after allegedly mailing a letter threatening poll workers and for lying to the FBI.

In mid-October Wimbish got into a verbal altercation with a voter at the Jones County Elections Office. He then allegedly searched online to find information about himself that would be publicly available.

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Wimbish, a day later, then allegedly mailed a letter to the countys election superintendent from a Jones County Voter, including a bomb threat.

The letter was allegedly drafted to make it appear as if it came from the voter, such as by stating that Wimbish had give[n] me hell and that Wimbish was conspiring votes and distracting voters from concentrating,' the department continued.

The Justice Department said that other contents of the letter included threats targeting Wimbish and other poll workers, such as saying they should look over their shoulder and that I know where they go. It included a handwritten note that said PS boom toy in early vote place, cigar burning, be safe.

The indictment states that Wimbish told the FBI that the Jones County voter sent the letters and that he had not done the online research.

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Wimbish faces charges including conveying false information about a bomb threat and mailing a bomb threat, according to the department. His prison sentence could also be up to 10 years long.

The Hill has reached out to the law firm of Wimbishs attorney for comment.

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HONG KONG (AP)  Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai denied in his landmark national security trial on Wednesday he had asked then U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to take action against the city and China during the territory's anti-government protests in 2019.

Lai, founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily pro-democracy newspaper, was arrested in 2020 in the crackdown that followed the protests. He is accused of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to issue seditious publications. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

He testified about his meetings with former U.S. officials and gave details about his alleged political connections with people in the U.S., Britain and Taiwan, including Taiwan ex-President Tsai Ing-wen and Hong Kongs last British governor, Chris Patten.

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The media tycoon, who also describes himself as a businessman and social activist, said he never tried to influence foreign policy on Hong Kong or China through the people he met overseas or ask them to take action against them.

Lais case is widely seen as a measure of media freedom and judicial independence in the Asian financial hub.

Lai testified in English that he asked Pence to voice his support for Hong Kong during a 2019 visit to the U.S. But he said he did not ask the U.S. government to take any action, saying, Its beyond me.

During the same trip Lai also met with Pompeo and had a similar discussion about the situation in Hong Kong, he said.

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When Lais lawyer, Steven Kwan, asked him whether he had requested the U.S. to do something at that meeting, Lai said not to do something but to say something. To voice out its support for Hong Kong.

Beijing promised to retain the former British colonys civil liberties for 50 years when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997. But critics say that promise has become threadbare under the rubric of maintaining national security.

Authorities have used a Beijing-imposed national security law to prosecute many of Hong Kongs leading activists, including Lai and 45 democracy advocates who were sentenced to four to 10 years in prison on Tuesday. Other pro-democracy figures were forced into self-exile or silenced. Dozens of civil society groups have disbanded under the threat of the law.

Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist that the law restored stability to the city following the 2019 protests.

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Prosecutors alleged that Lai asked foreign countries, especially the United States, to take actions against Beijing under the guise of fighting for freedom and democracy.

They pointed to Lais meetings with Pence, Pompeo and U.S. senators in July 2019 to discuss a now-withdrawn extradition bill that sparked the anti-government protests. They allege that Lai sought support from the U.S. in sanctioning mainland Chinese and Hong Kong leaders who cracked down on the movement.

Dozens of people stood in the rain to secure a seat in the courtroom, including former Apple Daily reader William Wong, who said he wanted to remind Lai that Hong Kongers have not forgotten him.

I havent seen him for a few months. I know he will testify himself, so I want to encourage him, said Wong, 64.

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Upon entering the court, Lai waved and smiled at his family members, who sat next to the citys Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen.

During the hearing, Lai said that he had introduced former U.S. officials Paul Wolfowitz and Jack Keane to Tsai, whom he called a friend.

Lai said Tsai wanted to know more about the thinking of then President Donald Trump's administration, and knew he was supportive of Trump." She thought he was familiar with the U.S. because of his links with U.S. think tanks. But he never communicated with Trump, he said.

He said he wanted to help Taiwan to know how to better deal with the U.S., because the island was the only democracy of Chinese people.

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But Lai rejected the idea of Hong Kong independence, saying it was a crazy idea and he never allowed his staff or the newspaper to mention it.

He said he broke into the media world to participate in delivering freedom."

The more you know, the more you are free, he said, adding that the core values of Apple Daily were the core values of the people of Hong Kong, including the rule of law, freedom and the pursuit of democracy

In May 2020, a month before the security law took effect, Lai took up the role of executive chairman of Next Digital, the parent company of Apple Daily.

The trial will continue on Thursday.

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The U.S. and U.K. governments and independent U.N. human rights experts have called for Lais release.

Asked before his reelection this month whether he would talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping to seek Lais release, Trump said: 100%, I will get him out.

Hong Kong leader John Lee said that mutual respect is important for the development of trade relations and there should be no interference in local affairs.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also raised concerns over Lais detention to Xi in a meeting during the Group of 20 summit in Brazil.

Hong Kongs security minister Chris Tang maintained the prosecution was based on facts.

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Lais son, Sebastien Lai, said on Friday that his fathers treatment in prison is inhumane. My father is now 77 and has spent nearly four years in a maximum-security prison in solitary confinement, he said in the statement released by Britain-based law firm Doughty Street Chambers.

On Sunday, the Hong Kong government condemned some members of the law firm for what it called spreading misinformation. It said the separation of Lai from other inmates has been made at his own request and was approved by prison authorities. It added judges remain independent and partial when handling national security cases.

Chinese foreign ministry's spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters on Wednesday that Lai is a major mastermind in the rise of anti-China sentiments in Hong Kong and a pawn of anti-China forces. He said China firmly opposes the interference of certain countries in its internal affairs.

On the eve of the court hearing, some U.S. lawmakers gathered with the younger Lai in a restaurant near the U.S. Capitol in Washington in a show of support for the publisher.

___

Didi Tang contributed to this report from Washington.
FMs of major European countries discuss Ukraine, Europe's future

Xinhua) 09:46, November 20, 2024

WARSAW, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers of major European countries discussed Ukraine and transatlantic relations in Warsaw on Tuesday, as the Russia-Ukraine conflict entered its 1000th day.

Foreign ministers of Poland, Germany, France and Italy held talks in the Polish capital with the future European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. The Spanish and UK foreign ministers joined the discussions online.

After the meeting, the foreign ministers released a joint statement on issues including bolstering European defense and security by reinforcing the role of NATO, increasing defense spending, leveraging EU economic and industrial power, investing in critical military capabilities, and intensifying military, economic, and financial support for Ukraine.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski highlighted the ministers' discussion on how to increase aid for Ukraine. "I am glad to see that the biggest EU states are ready to take over the military and financial burden of supporting Ukraine in the context of potentially reduced U.S. involvement," he said.

The ministers agreed that Europe must take more responsibility for its own security, Sikorski underlined. Europe should strengthen its defense potential, he added, along with maintaining U.S. involvement in European security.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that preparations are underway for a joint conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock underlined that regarding the United States, the focus should be the development of transatlantic relations, rather than the change of president in America.

The gathering of foreign ministers came after outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia.

Early on Tuesday morning, Ukraine fired six such missiles at Russia's Bryansk region. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree approving Russia's updated nuclear doctrine, the Kremlin reported on the same day.

Some European countries voiced caution over Biden's announcement. Slovak Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok warned on Tuesday that it would be "very dangerous" if NATO countries were to be drawn into the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
People talk at the booth of China's Hengtong Group at Cairo ICT 2024 in Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 20, 2024. Chinese companies took the limelight at Egypt's largest information and communications technology (ICT) exhibition, Cairo ICT 2024, exploring opportunities to expand in the Middle East region and Africa. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese companies took the limelight at Egypt's largest information and communications technology (ICT) exhibition, Cairo ICT 2024, exploring opportunities to expand in the Middle East region and Africa.

Under the theme "The Next Wave," the 28th edition expo showcased cutting-edge technologies, including advancements in 5G, AI-driven solutions, blockchain innovations, and satellite communications, drawing over 400 international and local exhibitors.

Fourty-six Chinese companies joined the four-day event, and half of them focused on fiber communication, said Chen Feng, project manager with Guangdong MAFA Exhibition Company, a co-organizer of the expo.

"We have been joining this expo for four years. This exhibition is one of the most important ICT expos, and that is why we always join it to exhibit our new products and solutions for the Egyptian telecom market," said Fang Shaolei, CEO of Hengtong Optic-Electric Egypt company.

"This expo is a platform to promote our products, and at the same time, we can also learn from other companies' technologies. We have received some new clients at this expo who intend to buy our products and our new solutions," he said, noting that Hengtong's factory in Egypt has become a hub for the region's markets.

The Shanghai BAOSH Communications Equipment Co., Ltd, specializing in optical communication equipment manufacture and the development of optical fiber application technology, participated in the expo for the first time.

"Our first participation is really great... We have met with so many clients who are interested in our products," Liu Lei, the company's general manager, told Xinhua.

He revealed that the company is planning to join the expo's next edition, pointing out that it is possible to open an office for the company's business in Egypt. "Egypt is a big developing country and we hope we can be part of Egypt's development," he said.

The Chinese participation received clear interest from Egyptian clients, who expressed their admiration for the modern technologies offered by Chinese companies, which would contribute to developing the capabilities of Egyptian companies.

"I have seen many modern solutions and new technologies that are useful for my company's work, and I think I will cooperate with some Chinese exhibitors, especially in the field of networks and the Internet," said Amr Mamdouh, owner of an Egyptian company specialized in internet networks and website designing.

Mamdouh, who has been in the market for several years, said Chinese technology is developing rapidly, adding that Chinese companies have become leaders in the field of information technology and Internet networks globally.

"I know very well that the latest technologies will always be available with Chinese firms," he told Xinhua.

According to Egypt's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the country has adopted the ICT 2030 strategy, which contributes to achieving the objectives of Egypt Vision 2030 through building Digital Egypt.

These objectives include developing the ICT infrastructure, fostering digital inclusion, achieving the transition to a knowledge-based economy, building capacities, encouraging innovation, and promoting Egypt's position at regional and international levels. 

People visit the booth of Chinese company Huawei at Cairo ICT 2024 in Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 20, 2024. Chinese companies took the limelight at Egypt's largest information and communications technology (ICT) exhibition, Cairo ICT 2024, exploring opportunities to expand in the Middle East region and Africa. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

People visit booths of Chinese companies at Cairo ICT 2024 in Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 20, 2024. Chinese companies took the limelight at Egypt's largest information and communications technology (ICT) exhibition, Cairo ICT 2024, exploring opportunities to expand in the Middle East region and Africa. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

People visit the booth of Chinese company Huawei at Cairo ICT 2024 in Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 20, 2024. Chinese companies took the limelight at Egypt's largest information and communications technology (ICT) exhibition, Cairo ICT 2024, exploring opportunities to expand in the Middle East region and Africa. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

People visit the booth of Chinese company Xiaomi at Cairo ICT 2024 in Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 20, 2024. Chinese companies took the limelight at Egypt's largest information and communications technology (ICT) exhibition, Cairo ICT 2024, exploring opportunities to expand in the Middle East region and Africa. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW)  One former state house member and a domestic violence awareness organization are speaking out after a Florence man was given two life sentences Tuesday after pleading guilty in the killing of his estranged wife in January 2022.

Duncan Allen Robinson, Jr. shot and killed Taylor McFadden Robinson, 29, a well-known local realtor, in front of their two sons. Judge Steven DeBerry sentenced Robinson Jr. to separate life sentences for murder and first-degree burglary and five years for possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Former South Carolina house representative Cezar McKnight pleaded for stronger domestic violence laws back in 2022, after finding out Robinson filed for a protection order just a few months before her death.

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McKnight introduced legislation hoping to make it easier for victims to obtain a restraining order. He says because he lost his seat shortly after and his successor never picked it up, the bill never got out of committee.

This gentleman did, what he did to her and how she was crying out for help, and it seemed like the system kept failing her, McKnight said. That bothers me.

In 2021, Robinson tried to get a restraining order against her husband but was denied because she didnt have proof of abuse. Ten months later, her husband killed her.

This is just one tragic example of hundreds, maybe thousands of similar cases.

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McKnight says theres still a strong need for the bill he proposed, and other laws related to protecting victims of domestic violence.

This isnt a Democrat or a Republican bill, this is a people bill, McKnight said.

At the time, The Naomi Project, a Florence-based group that advocates for victims of abuse was spreading awareness related to the case.

Now, executive director Rozlyn Ford says shes glad to hear this latest update, but the chapter isnt closed.

We need to ensure families like the Robinsons and Mica Millers dont continue suffering in these tragic losses, Ford said.

For South Carolina, pre-filing for introduced bills must be made by Dec. 11 for the Senate and Dec. 12 for the House. The legislative session begins on Jan. 14.

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Ford begs South Carolina lawmakers to accept whats happening and pass laws to create safer and healthier environments for victims of abuse. Whether thats physical. emotional or financial.

They have mothers, they have wives, they have daughters, they have children, Ford said. It doesnt just stop at them. So, start protecting us. Start saying something. Doing something.

Ford says The Naomi Project is dedicated to fighting for domestic violence victims. She says it wants you to know if youre in one, youre not alone and its ok to seek help.

* * *

Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also read more of her work, here.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  A former LSU student who was arrested in April after a deadly fight outside Freds Bar and Grill was formally charged with manslaughter Wednesday.

Devin Repath, 26, died days after a March 23 fight at Freds. The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroners Office ruled the manner of death as a homicide and said the cause was blunt force trauma to the head.

In April, Matthew Marsiglia, 22, was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for manslaughter in connection to Repaths death.

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Court documents show Marsiglia was indicted by a grand jury for the manslaughter charge. He was 21 when he was arrested.

According to court documents, Marsiglia requested to leave the state to work as a ranch hand for a family member in Magnolia, Mississippi after he was suspended from Louisiana State University following his arrest.

Attorney says no evidence to charge suspect in deadly Tigerland bar fight

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I do believe there are tips out there to be had, said the sister of Bryan Vladek Hasel, who has been missing since Nov. 2021

Orange County Sheriff's Office/X.com

Three years after he went missing in Florida, Bryan Vladek Hasels loved ones are still doing everything they can to bring him home.

The family of the former Marine, who would now be 25 years old, held a vigil on Saturday, Nov. 16, in order to raise awareness about his Nov. 2021 disappearance.

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Its been three years with no sightings, no leads, which is crazy for me to think about, Hasels sister, Bethany Hasel, told NBC affiliate WESH-TV.

One of the final places Vladek was last seen was a coffee shop near the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Surveillance video showed police escorted him out of the area on a trespass warning, the news station reported.

According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, he was reportedly seen nine days later at The Place at Alafaya Apartments.

Related: Woman Finds Bone of Missing Man She Knew as a Child: 'He Still Had His Whole Life Ahead of Him'

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Three years later, his sister is helping to steer a new search into his whereabouts and remains hopeful that information is out there.

I do believe there are tips out there to be had, she told WESH. There are people who will remember him if we can get his face in front of the right set of eyes.

Orange County Sheriff's Office/Instagram

Russian-born Vladek, who was adopted by the Hasel family seven years ago, developed a tight bond with his dad, Steve Hasel, CBS affiliate WKMG-TV reported.

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Steve told the station that he doesnt understand why the family hasnt heard from him.

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He is somewhere. We believe, added Vlads mother, Cheryl Hasel. All the searches have found nothing definitive, but we hold on to the hope that hes out there.

Related: Pregnant Indiana Woman, 25, Has Been Missing for More Than a Month, Family Says 'We're Always Going to Look for Her'

On Nov. 16, friends and family lit candles and distributed bracelets bearing Vlads name near the universitys reflecting pond, according to Fox affiliate WOFL-TV.

They were joined by Nichole Schmidt, the mother of Gabby Petito, the 22-year-old woman whose disappearance and death made headlines the same year that Hasel disappeared.

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When your loved one is missing, you will do everything to find them, Schmidt told WKMG. They are doing the right thing. They love their loved one, their brother, their son. They are doing everything until they find answers.



Related: Woman Missing After Not Getting on Connecting Flight Sent 'Alarming' Text Messages, Says Family

In an update earlier this month, police said that detectives and family members are continuing to search for leads.

No tip is too small, they added, encouraging anyone with even the smallest shred of information to reach out.

When reached by PEOPLE, police said they had no additional details but that investigation remained open. Anyone with information regarding this case to contact the Orange County Sheriffs Office at 407-836-4357.
A former member of the anti-government Oath Keepers was sentenced to probation Tuesday after serving as a key witness for prosecutors in high-profile cases arising from the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Georgia man Brian Ulrich pleaded guilty in 2022 to seditious conspiracy  plotting to use force to oppose the authority of the U.S. government. Its the most serious charge to emerge from the riot, where supporters of President-elect Trump stormed the Capitol as Congress certified the win of his Democratic opponent, President Biden.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sentenced Ulrich to three years of probation with six months of home detention and 120 hours of community service, suggesting Tuesday hes owed a debt of gratitude for having the courage to accept responsibility and help the nation heal and move forward.

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Prosecutors said in court papers that Ulrich provided substantial assistance to the government in its prosecution of other Oath Keepers, asking the judge for a sentence that included no prison time. Ulrich is the first person to be sentenced after pleading guilty to seditious conspiracy in a Jan. 6 case.

Ahead of Jan. 6, the Oath Keepers plotted to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election in encrypted chats, prosecutors alleged.

Ulrich echoed Rhodes drumbeat about the need to use any means necessary, including violence, to stop the certification of the election, quipping, And if theres a Civil War then theres a Civil War,' prosecutors wrote, referencing Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes.

Though never used, the group stashed a cache of guns at a Virginia hotel that could be transported into Washington and established quick reaction force teams. At trial, several Oath Keepers argued that they never planned to attack the Capitol, but prosecutors said they seized on the moment.

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Rhodes was convicted by a jury of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 18 years in prison for orchestrating the plot. Several other extremist group leaders, including other Oath Keepers, were convicted of sedition.

Ulrich did not testify in Rhodess trial  the first for Oath Keepers leaders  but he did take the stand at a second trial against other members of the group who were convicted. His attorney said in court filings he distanced from the group after the riot.

Rhodes founded the Oath Keepers in 2009, and it ballooned into a major extremist force in the U.S. However, his jailing practically dissolved the group.

Three other former Oath Keepers who cooperated with the government have also been sentenced to probation.

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The Associated Press contributed.

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A former Pittsburgh resident was sentenced in federal court to 34 years in prison for fentanyl trafficking and money laundering.

Paris Carter, 35, was found guilty of conspiring to distribute hundreds of grams of fentanyl and conspiring to commit money laundering earlier this year.

The Department of Justice said between January 2017 and February 2018, Carter arranged for fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl to be imported to Pittsburgh from China.

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He then arranged for the drugs to be sold in the Pittsburgh area.

With the proceeds from his drug trafficking, the DOJ says Cater moved to Beverly Hills, California, where he rented two different houses at costs of $14,500 and $10,000 per month.

In addition to the house rentals, Carter leased two Bentleys and a Mercedes Benz.

Paris Carters time driving Bentleys and living a life of luxury in Beverly Hills has come to an end, said U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan. Today, a federal judge imposed a 34-year prison sentence, an appropriate punishment for a defendant who flooded the Pittsburgh area with kilogram quantities of Chinese-sourced fentanyl. Holding the most dangerous and prolific drug traffickers accountable to the fullest extent of the law is and will remain a top priority for our office and our valued partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement.

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Before handing down the sentence, the judge said her decision reflected both the course of conduct Carter chose to pursue and flagrancy Carter adopted in his actions.

The DOJ said Carter was previously convicted of a serious drug felony, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, and was sentenced to 37 months in prison in 2011.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Bird Alliance of Oregon has acquired a former landfill near McDaniel High School that will serve as its new wildlife hospital and nature sanctuary.

The animal conservation group revealed that it finalized the purchase of the 12.5-acre property on 2800 NE 82nd Ave. on Tuesday. The site will replace its Wildlife Care Center on 5151 NW Cornell Road.

Travel magazine lists Portland as top affordable destination for Thanksgiving getaways

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According to Bird Alliance Executive Director Stuart Wells, the center has become the Pacific Northwests busiest rehabilitation center since its opening in the 1930s. But organization leaders say the site doesnt offer enough space to meet the demand for treatment, and is also hard to reach for those who use public transit.

The alliance reported that the new property is one of more than 100 sites that were considered for its next hospital throughout the more-than-a-decade-long search. The former landfill had several past lives, including one as a rock quarry that was later filled with rubble from the construction of I-205.

Google Map overview of 12.5-acre property purchased by Bird Alliance of Oregon 2800 NE 82nd Ave. (Courtesy BAO)

After further development, the site is expected to be accessible for drivers, pedestrians and public transit users. It will also be more than double the size of the current care center, treating more than 6,000 animals annually.

We are so excited to join the NE 82nd community, BAO Board of Directors President Debbie Elliott said in a statement. For decades weve worked with East Portland partners and community members on issues like climate resilience, increasing the urban tree canopy, peacefully coexisting with wildlife, and increasing access to nature. Now, we have the opportunity to work as neighbors alongside this vibrant and caring community.

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82nd Avenue Coalition Manager Zachary Lauritzen also shared a statement, saying the coalition believes the former Portland Audubons new center will align with the organizations goals for the community.

BAOs 172-acre wildlife sanctuary in Northwest Portland will remain open, along with sanctuaries in Sandy and on the Oregon Coast.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A 54-year-old Palatka man was arrested in North Carolina on Tuesday after being accused of sending inappropriate text messages to a child. Robert Bush Jr., a former QI Roberts Junior-Senior High School teacher, is charged with second-degree felony of authority figure soliciting or engaging in lewd conduct with a student.

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Some of the texts Bush sent to the student were sexual in nature, according to a Putnam County Sheriffs Office news release. Bush went to the sheriffs office Oct. 29 after an investigation was launched and deputies confiscated his phone.

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Putnam authorities issued an arrest warrant for Bush on Tuesday, but he was in North Carolina. While talking to Bush on the phone, he told detectives he was out of town, and did not provide a date to return or complete an interview, the news release states. Detectives with Putnam County Sheriffs Office then contacted Transylvania County, North Carolina detectives who were able to locate Bush and arrest him, the news release states. Bush is being held in North Carolina on $150,000 bond.

According to the school district, Bush has taught at the district 15 years and started at QI Roberts in 2016. He has primarily taught in the high school portion of the school in several fields. When the investigation began, Bush was placed on administrative leave by the school district. During the investigation, Bush chose to resign before it was completed, the news release states.

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A former Scranton police officer is suing to get his disability pension back after it was revoked because he was convicted of theft of $17,831 from bogus extra-duty shifts.

The citys Police Pension Board on Oct. 16 revoked the disability pension of former officer Paul Helring, 49, pursuant to both the Pennsylvania Public Employee Forfeiture Act and a city of Scranton ordinance.

The revocation came in response to Helring pleading guilty in January in federal court to one felony count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. From approximately March 2021 to May 2022, while serving as the coordinator of Scranton Police Departments extra duty overtime program, Helring fraudulently obtained pay for 526 extra duty patrol hours at lower-income housing projects, which he did not work, federal authorities had said. Helring inflated or fabricated hours he said he worked patrolling Skyview Apartments, Village Park Apartments, Midtown Apartments, Hilltop Manor and Valley View Terrace. He was sentenced on June 4 to six months in jail and two years of supervised release.

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The pension board approved a disability pension for Helring on Aug. 17, 2022, and he retired effective that day, with 23 years and five months of service. At the time of his retirement, Helring had made $56,448 in contributions to the pension fund. As of Jan. 31, 2024, he had received pension payments totaling $61,832, constituting a return of his member contributions.

Helring filed a lawsuit appeal Nov. 14 in Lackawanna County Court. The appeal cites a board-appointed hearing officers recommendation against revoking the disability pension because elements of federal law on the matter were not identical to the state forfeiture law upon which the board relied. The pension board did not follow that recommendation and revoked the pension. Helring then sued to restore the pension. Board solicitor Larry Durkin declined to comment on the pending litigation.

According to the appeal lawsuit:

 Prior to his sentencing, Helring paid restitution in the amount of $17,831, which was the entire amount of pay he received for work not performed. He also has paid in full a fine of $5,100.

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 Helring was disabled from Crohns disease, which required surgeries and will likely require a total colostomy, as well as a neck injury requiring spinal fusion surgery and thyroid cancer that also required multiple surgeries. Due to his disability, Mr. Helrings future employment prospects are extremely limited and his future medical expenses will be very substantial, and he will be challenged to meet his responsibilities to his two minor children and his spouse.

 As a police officer, participation in the pension fund was mandatory and Helring is not, and will not be, eligible for Social Security benefits regarding disability or retirement.

 The hearing officer, retired Judge Joseph Van Jura, determined he was constrained, indeed compelled to recommend against the pension revocation.

 The city ordinance from 1936 giving the board discretion without any guidance or standards is unconstitutionally vague and makes an arbitrary and discriminatory action likely; and the ordinance conflicts with the state pension forfeiture law, the lawsuit claims.

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 Helring asked the board to seek an independent legal opinion on the ordinance, but it did not. He also asked the board to have Van Jura or another independent legal adviser conduct an Oct. 15 hearing due to a conflict of interest of the board solicitor in both conducting the hearing and prosecuting the revocation of the pension, but the board declined

 Helring objected to two board members who did not attend the Oct. 15 hearing being allowed to vote on the revocation on Oct. 16. The board voted 6-1 to revoke under the state law and voted 7-0 to revoke under the city ordinance.

 The board previously did not revoke the pension of a former police officer convicted of murdering his wife in 2001, because the state law trumped the city ordinance, and the board did not follow that precedent with Helring.

It was error and a violation of Helrings rights to reject Van Juras recommendation, to enforce the unconstitutional ordinance, to have the solicitor act as hearing officer and advise the board on revocation, to not follow precedent, and to adjudicate the matter without findings of facts and conclusions of law, the lawsuit contends. Helring is represented by attorney Kimberly Borland of the Borland & Borland law firm of Wilkes-Barre.

Helring remains incarcerated at the Beckley Federal Correctional Institution in West Virginia, and with a release date of Nov. 21, 2024, according to public information posted online by the Federal Bureau Prisons.
Nov. 20GREENSBURG  Former Washington Township Trustee Christian Rust and Charity Wilder, a clerk in the office during Rust's term, were found to be noncompliant with applicable Indiana laws and uniform compliance guidelines established by the Indiana State Board of Accounts for expenditures totaling approximately $91,000 following the conclusion of an audit and investigation by the Indiana State Board of Accounts (ISBA).

On Nov. 14, 2024, the ISBA released its Special Investigation Report of Washington Township for Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2022. The investigation looked into the actions of Rust and Wilder, who have not been employed by the township since Dec. 31, 2022.

"Our office first reported fraud to Indiana State Board of Accounts on Jan. 9, 2023," current Washington Township Trustee Beverly Rivera said. "At that time, the special investigation unit reached out to us and began their investigation."

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The 17-page ISBA report indicates that Rust inappropriately spent a total of $89,369.67 for unsupported medical expense reimbursement, payroll tax interest and penalties, and unsupported cell phone reimbursement. The cost of the special investigation into his alleged actions ($17,783.33) is also included in that total.

The report also notes that Wilder was flagged for an $823.51 payroll overpayment, and that the two are jointly responsible for $373.74 for a claim that was paid twice.

Rivera said her office and staff has fully cooperated with the Indiana State Board of Accounts and appreciated the ISBA's expertise as they worked through numerous transactions and areas of concern.

"We have worked for nearly two years with the investigators," she said. "During this time, we have learned a lot from them and how to properly operate a township office. In fact, the special investigator commended us on a job well done, not only in providing him the requested documents, internal audits and files, but also in the work we do every day to stay in compliance with all accounting and state guidelines."

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Rust served as the Washington Township Trustee from Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2022. According to the ISBA report, Wilder was employed in the office during the same period and assisted with day-to-day township activities and assistance activities.

Rivera said that upon beginning her current term in office in January 2023 she immediately identified several suspicious transactions that had taken place during her predecessor's time in office. At that time, she contacted the ISBA and Indiana Department of Local Government Finance to report her suspicions of fraud and ask for guidance. An audit by the state ensued.

Rivera said she has nothing personal against Rust or Wilder, that she's just trying to do her job to the best of her ability.

"I'm absolutely am not being vindictive," she said. "I don't like to see people getting in trouble. I don't like to see that people didn't do their job well. As the elected trustee, I want our township to have faith in my office, that we will comply with all guidelines and rules of compliance. I take my position very seriously and will continue to work within those guidelines the state has set forth."

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The ISBA report will be submitted to the Indiana Attorney General's office and the Indiana State Police. It has yet to be determined whether or not any criminal charges related to this matter will be filed.

The Daily News contacted Decatur County Prosecutor Nate Harter for comment on this matter on received the following response: "The Decatur County Prosecutor's Office learned on social media today of the release of the report of the Indiana State Board of Accounts regarding the former Washington Township Trustee and his clerk. In order to avoid the appearance of impropriety throughout the investigation, this office on Jan. 5, 2024 petitioned for a special prosecutor to be appointed by the court, which petition was granted in cause 16D01-2401-MC-006. Consideration of whether to seek criminal charges arising out of any investigation will be made by a neutral third party prosecutor from outside this jurisdiction."

Rivera said she looks forward to a resolution of this matter.

"Any funds reimbursed to the township will be returned to the appropriate accounts as approved by a vote of our township advisory board," she said. "Our financial records are available for public examination."

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Rivera said the citizens of Washington Township are welcome to attend the township board meetings and may also contact her office at any time with questions or concerns. The board next meets at 5 p.m. Jan. 7, 2025, at 1030 N. Lincoln Street, Suite 1400, Greensburg. The office phone number is 812-570-8005.

The Daily News left messages with both Rust and Wilder seeking comment regarding the ISBA's findings; at the time of this writing neither had returned our calls.

The ISBA's full report can be found at www.in.gov/sboa (click on "audits"). The full audit report into the former trustee and clerk's actions of non-compliance for 2019-2022 can also be found on the same link.
JAKARTA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Jakarta police seized 389 kg of methamphetamine believed to be part of an Afghanistan-Indonesia international drug network and arrested two suspects, the police said Wednesday.

The arrest took place on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. local time when the two suspects were entering a box truck parked in a field in Cengkareng, West Jakarta.

"The suspects were instructed by MKS alias Bang, a fugitive, to travel from Sukabumi in West Java to Jakarta to pick up the box truck," said Karyoto, head of the Jakarta police, on Wednesday.

Inside the box truck, the police found 315 white plastic packages marked "Afghan Sabur" containing a total of 389 kg of methamphetamine, indicating the involvement of the Afghanistan-Indonesia international network and its entry into Jakarta via Aceh, a province at the western tip of the archipelago.

The suspects are facing charges under the Narcotics Law, with a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum penalty of death. 
At the moment, Fort Lauderdales noise law doesnt set a limit on the booming bass played at bars and nightclubs.

Thats about to change.

Fort Lauderdale commissioners approved a new noise law Tuesday night that sets the stage for what some hope will address the clash between the citys nightlife and the residential neighbors who live nearby. Unlike the current ordinance, the new law will include a decibel limit for low-frequency sounds like bass.

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Commissioners are expected to take a second and final vote in the coming weeks. The rules include a 90-day grace period.

We have a heavy burden here to try to police peoples behavior, Mayor Dean Trantalis said. This particular ordinance is not intended to address every single situation. We need to start somewhere. This ordinance starts the process. And if its not effective, then we need to add to it.

Before the vote, Commissioner John Herbst said the city will need to give extra attention to nightclubs that repeatedly violate the noise law.

Ive got a nightclub in my district where residents are calling every single weekend on the same club, Herbst said. Not everyone is a responsible business owner. Some of these folks just dont care. Maybe the second or third time (they violate noise limits) is when we need to bring a hammer down. We do have some problem children in the city.

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Chris Smith, an attorney and former state senator who owns Smittys Wings on Sistrunk Boulevard, told commissioners he had concerns about the new noise law.

When I read about the ordinance thats coming before you, I was very concerned because weve had 11 complaints for noise but only one verified, Smith said. And that verification came 5 minutes after 10 p.m. Lets just keep in mind youre dealing with businesses. Is the wish of the city to fine or to take care of noise? I would hope that the citys wish is to take care of the noise.

For the business owner, getting a warning or a chance to lower the music would be preferable to getting a fine, Smith said.

Thats typically how it works, said Katrina Johnson, the citys code compliance manager.

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For a first-time offender, there is usually a warning, she said. The second time, its a citation of $250. And the next time, the citation is doubled to $500.

Repeat offenders tend to be summoned to a hearing before a special magistrate who has the option of fining the business up to $15,000.

The fine issued by the special magistrate is capped at $15,000 by both state law and city ordinance, Johnson said.

Resident Stan Eichelbaum questioned whether the new noise law would address what he called piercing bass sounds. The short answer: Yes.

Right now we can only capture the high frequency sound, Assistant City Manager Anthony Fajardo said. We cant capture the low-frequency bass  not until we get the ordinance passed. Were adding (that) to the toolbox.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan
Lewis Randy Williamson found the girl's body off of Highway 243.

Esther Gonzalez, 17 at the time, had been raped, killed and dumped in a snowbank on the side of the highway. Williamson called the Riverside County sheriff on Feb. 9, 1979, and reported his discovery. Investigators noted at the time that he was argumentative. Five days later, he sat for an interview with law enforcement officials, who cleared him of any potential wrongdoing in the case after he passed a polygraph test.

For the next 35 years, Williamson, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, lived a normal life and eventually moved to Florida, where he died in 2014.

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After authorities picked the case back up recently with the newly available tactic of investigative genetic genealogy, they were able to match DNA found in the semen left at the crime scene with a sample of Williamson's blood taken during his autopsy. Williamson was Gonzalez's rapist and killer, the Riverside County district attorney's office said.

Investigative genetic genealogy is a tool in which modern investigators build family trees using crime-scene DNA that has been entered into databases. The family trees allow them to locate potential suspects who they can then investigate using more traditional methods, such as finding old arrest records.

When the Riverside County district attorney's office put the DNA from Gonzalez's cold case into a database, they found a woman who was a potential relative of the unidentified killer.

The woman had died in Beaumont and a newspaper article listed her son as the executor of her will. His name was Lewis Randy Williamson.

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Authorities subsequently realized the woman's son was the same man who had reported finding Gonzalez's body in 1979.

The investigator who connected the woman to Williamson "called me right away and said, 'Hey, this could be a person of interest,'" said Jason Corey, an investigator with the district attorney's office. .

The polygraph report could have been easily overlooked. It was a single piece of paper amid a mountain of evidence from the nearly 50-year-old case.

While investigators found some old assault allegations against Williamson, he did not appear to have any convictions for violent crimes, Corey said. And his DNA in a nationwide DNA system called Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, has never matched with any other rapes or murders.

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In the end, Corey is just happy that Gonzalez's family finally knows who killed Esther as she walked from her parents' home in Beaumont to her sister's in Banning.

"This killing still haunts them," Corey said. "But Esther was never forgotten by us all these years."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
 This story first appeared in New York Focus, a non-profit news publication investigating New York state politics. Sign up for their stories at nysfocus.com/newsletter.

The question of how to fund schools is a major political battle in New York state.

New York spends more per pupil than any other state, and education funding makes up nearly a third of its overall budget. Yet student outcomes are subpar. This year, the state is examining a key piece of how schools receive money: Foundation Aid.

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What is Foundation Aid?

Foundation Aid is the formula New York uses to determine how to distribute the majority of state education funding across more than 700 school districts each year.

The formula, which the state has used since the 2007-2008 school year, draws from about a dozen data points  including regional salaries, census poverty rates, and student attendance, as well as expected district-levied property taxes.

However, the formula is outdated and the state is currently reevaluating it.

How was the formula developed?

In 1993, the Campaign for Fiscal Equity filed a lawsuit arguing that New York state was not adequately funding New York City schools, thereby denying children a sound, basic education  a right enshrined in the state constitution.

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The case wound its way through state courts for 13 years until the New York State Court of Appeals sided with the plaintiffs in 2006. That prompted lawmakers to combine prior funding formulas into one more equitable distribution: Foundation Aid.

The formula now accounts for how about 70 percent of state aid is distributed.

What are the problems with Foundation Aid?

During the 200708 and 200809 school years, the state met its Foundation Aid obligations  until the recession hit.

Despite legal mandates, Foundation Aid was fully funded for the first time during the 2024-25 school year  meaning that many schools previously didnt receive the full amounts determined by the formula. Economic downturns like the Great Recession and the Covid-19 pandemic put additional strains on the state budget, leading to cuts in education.

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More than one governor has criticized the formula. In 2017, former Governor Andrew Cuomo lost a battle to change it, and in 2019 he called Foundation Aid a scam.

Governor Kathy Hochul has taken aim at the formulas save harmless provision  which prevents a district from receiving less funding than it did the prior year, even if enrollment declines. Hochul argued that it just doesnt make sense to keep paying for empty seats in classrooms.

About half of all school districts, particularly those in rural areas, have seen enrollment declines. Those districts argue that they need to maintain funding levels because the cost to educate a child has increased significantly since the formula was first implemented. Hochul tried to eliminate the provision during the 2024 budget negotiations, but the legislature rejected her proposal.

Advocates on all sides do agree on one point: Foundation Aid is outdated. For example, it uses census poverty data from the year 2000 and outdated numbers for regional costs.

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Whats happening this year?

During the last budget cycle, Hochul gave $2 million to the Rockefeller Institute to conduct a comprehensive study of the current formula and make recommendations to update it.

Over the summer of 2024, the Rockefeller Institute held five listening sessions with stakeholders around the state to give members of the public the opportunity to weigh in. Ultimately, the states goal is to update the formula in a way that distributes funds equitably and ensures the state is meeting the needs of todays students.
The head of an education technology startup that created a highly touted chatbot for the Los Angeles school system has been arrested and charged with fraud.

Federal prosecutors, in an indictment unsealed Tuesday, accused Joanna Smith-Griffin of defrauding investors and charged her with securities fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Smith-Griffin, 33, is the founder and former chief executive of AllHere, the Boston-based company that created "Ed," an artificial-intelligence tool billed as revolutionary for students' education and the interaction between the L.A. Unified School District and the families it serves.

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After unveiling the chatbot with great fanfare in March, L.A. school officials, months later, quietly disconnected the tool  which was supposed to respond to any question from students or parents in an accurate, helpful and private manner.

Read more: 'Dangerous people ... have taken control.' LAUSD declares itself an immigrant, LGBTQ+ sanctuary

Although the episode was embarrassing for L.A. Unified  schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho had stood alongside Smith-Griffin in promotional appearances  the financial damage to the nation's second-largest school system, which this year has an $18.4-billion budget, appears to be limited.

School district officials say they've spent about $3 million of what had been a $6-million commitment to the firm  and received services and technology for that investment. Carvalho recently told The Times that he was optimistic about salvaging the technology for later use.

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On Tuesday, Carvalho provided a brief comment on the developing criminal case.

"The indictment and the allegations represent, if true, a disturbing and disappointing house of cards that deceived and victimized many across the country," Carvalho said. "We will continue to assert and protect our rights."

According to prosecutors, Smith-Griffin orchestrated "a deliberate and calculated scheme to deceive investors in AllHere Education, Inc., inflating the company's financials to secure millions of dollars under false pretenses."

She could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

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In July, Carvalho said he would appoint a task force to examine what went wrong with the L.A. Unified project and to chart a path forward. At the time, he anticipated that the task force, once assembled, would complete its work over about three months. No information on a task force or its progress has been provided since then.

AllHere's website was active as of Tuesday night, but the contact page notes that "due to our current financial position, the Board furloughed the majority of the companys employees on June 14, 2024." The most recent update on the company blog is from mid-April.

AllHere is now in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, its employees have been laid off, and the company is under the control of a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Authorities said Smith-Griffin was arrested Tuesday in North Carolina and was set to appear before a magistrate judge.

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According to the indictment, from about November 2020 to around June 2024, Smith-Griffin misrepresented AllHeres revenue, customer base and cash to investors.

Read more: How California school leaders think Trump's Linda McMahon could affect education

For example, in the spring of 2021, she allegedly told potential investors that AllHere had generated about $3.7 million in revenue in 2020, had around $2.5 million in cash on hand and had major school district customers such as the New York City Department of Education and Atlanta Public Schools.

In reality, AllHere had generated about $11,000 in revenue in 2020, had about $494,000 in cash and did not have contracts with many of the customers it claimed, including the New York City Department of Education and Atlanta Public Schools, the indictment stated.

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These misrepresentations allegedly continued through AllHeres collapse; as the company was sinking, she was able to obtain nearly $10 million from investors and sought an additional $35 million from a private equity investor  who ultimately decided to not invest.

Smith-Griffin used some of the fraudulently obtained funds to put a down payment on a house in North Carolina and pay for her wedding, prosecutors said.

When AllHeres investors and outside accountant discovered the discrepancy between the company's actual financials and what Smith-Griffin was telling investors, she allegedly tried to cover up her actions, going so far as to create a fake email account for AllHeres outside financial consultant, which she used to send additional fraudulent financial documents to her largest investor.

Joanna Smith-Griffin allegedly misrepresented the composition of her startup company to defraud investors of millions and masqueraded as a financial consultant to perpetuate the scheme once discrepancies were discovered," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy. "Her alleged actions impacted the potential for improved learning environments across major school districts by selfishly prioritizing personal expenses."

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Carvalho had touted Ed as an AI-enhanced student advisor that was to be a component of a unique Individual Acceleration Plan, or IAP, for every student.

The full rollout of the IAP is on hold. And its hard to find students, teachers or other staff who have used any part of the system since its official launch. Its not available at most schools.

All the same, LAUSD officials said, parents and students have current online access to a wide array of information related to grades, test scores, assignments and general school-district information about programs, courses and schools.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FOUNTAIN INN, S.C. (WSPA)  An Upstate food company will close its facility and lay off off 184 employees.

Rich Products Corporation recently announced its facility in Fountain Inn will close between January 31, 2025 and February 28, 2025.

The family-owned food company has been operating in Fountain Inn since 2013.

Rich Products Corporation provided the following statement about its closure:

As we recently shared with our workforce, Richs is consolidating production of the products made in Fountain Inn across our U.S. manufacturing network. The decision was part of a regular assessment of our operations to ensure were running our production as efficiently as possible  at both the right capacity and at the lowest possible cost for our customers and consumers. Supporting our people through this transition is important to us, so all impacted associates will receive severance packages, career assistance and job resources. Additionally, this January, we will be hosting a job fair in Fountain Inn to connect associates with local opportunities. Its important to note that Richs U.S. manufacturing presence remains strong, including more than 20 production facilities across the country. Continually optimizing our operations is an important move that enables us to continue creating enhanced value for our customers and keep costs down for consumers who enjoy our products. Allie Friedman, Corporate Communications, Rich Products

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The Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce and Laurens County Development Corporation told 7NEWS they are working to help the impacted workers find new jobs.

We are working to find these people positions here in the Upstate if theyd like to stay here in the Upstate, Marnie Schwartz-Hanley, the president and CEO of the Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce, said. We were also informed that there are relocation opportunities if they would like to stay with the company and relocate to other areas.

As the layoffs approach, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce is expected to visit Richs facility to meet with workers.

Theyll come in and meet with all of the employees and work with them on how they can sign up for unemployment, Jonathan Coleman, the president and CEO of the Laurens County Development Corporation, said. They have different things like resume workshops.

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The company plans to host a job fair for their employees in January.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV)  With Thanksgiving next week, Amcor and Kraft-Heinz partnered up to donate over 78,000 boxes of Mac & Cheese to food banks across America, with two food banks in the Fox Valley among the recipients.

According to a release, nearly 11% of households in Wisconsin struggle with food insecurity, and food banks need assistance as the holiday season approaches. The Fox Valley food banks receiving the donations were the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry and the St. Josephs Food Program.

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley receives $125k Matching Gift Challenge from local families

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Representatives from the Amcor Cares charitable foundation gathered on Wednesday morning to speak about the donation and how important it was to help families in need this holiday season.

Ethan Haas, the Amcor Foundation Board President said theyre dedicated to serving employees and it led to the idea of donating mac and cheese.

Several employees were interested in giving back to our communities, and set out with this idea around partnering with a customer in Kraft to collect mac and cheese boxes and bring them to food banks, Haas said.

Fox Valley Metro Police Department receives grant as massive travel numbers expected for holiday season

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Amcor brought the idea forward to Kraft-Heinz, who not only supported the idea but doubled the original donation amount. Mary Ann Dilling, who leads the Amcor Cares foundation, said it tells the story of camaraderie and the desire to make a difference.

We had an opportunity to unite all of our colleagues across North America to make an impact, and we decided to collect Kraft mac & cheese, Dilling said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  The Franklin County Sheriffs Office has announced a significant historic breakthrough in welcoming their first female K9 Handler and a new K9 Partner.

The Sheriffs Office has welcomed Sergent Morgan Moorman with her partner K9 Shebang, a 16-month-old female yellow Labrador retriever trained in Electronic Scent Detection and as a Therapy Dog.

(Photo Credit: Franklin County Sheriffs Office)

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K9 Shebang was donated by O.U.R Rescue, an organization that is dedicated to ending child exploitation and trafficking. K9 Shebang has undergone levels of training with Jordan Detection K9. She will be able to detect electronic storage devices that might contain criminal-related activities.

Boones Mill PD adds its first K9 unit

To finalize her training, Sergeant Moorman completed a two-week handler course in Indianapolis, Indiana with Jordan Detection K9.

Since July 2018, Sergeant Moorman has served with the Franklin County Sheriffs Office and she currently serves as the Sergeant over the Criminal Investigations Division.

(Photo Credit: Sergeant Moorman, Franklin County Sheriffs Office)

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In efforts to combat crime and protect children in Franklin County, adding K9 Shebang marked a new milestone in their mission. K9 Shebang is also available to other local jurisdictions when needed to assist.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
Human rights groups are fiercely criticizing President Joe Bidens decision to give Ukraine anti-personnel land mines as it fights off a Russian invasion.

The decision reverses a pledge Biden made to limit the use of such land mines in 2022. It comes as Biden prepares to leave office and reflects mounting U.S. concerns over Russias battlefield gains in eastern Ukraine.

But although the type of land mine the Biden team is handing to Ukraine has certain safeguards, rights groups nonetheless warned that the weapons pose special and long-term dangers.

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Anti-personnel land mines are indiscriminate weapons that kill and maim civilians, and especially children, for generations after wars end, said Hichem Khadhraoui, executive director of the Center for Civilians in Conflict advocacy group. These weapons cannot distinguish between civilians and combatants as required by international humanitarian law.

Ben Linden, a top official with Amnesty International USA, said, It is devastating, and frankly shocking, that President Biden made such a consequential and dangerous decision just before his public service legacy is sealed for the history books.

The Biden administration defended the move on multiple grounds. It noted that the types of mines it is providing are non-persistent, meaning they become inert after a time.

They are electrically fused and require battery power to detonate. Once the battery runs out, they will not detonate, said a U.S. official, who was granted anonymity to candidly explain the administrations choice.

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The Biden administration in July 2023 began to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions that had been held in large numbers in U.S. military stockpiles since the end of the Cold War, but which the United States had previously been barred from sending. But it held off on sending anti-personnel land mines, such as the ones it is sending now, which can be effective in stopping massed infantry assaults that Ukraine is likely to face from thousands of North Korean troops that have arrived in the Kursk region of Russia, but can be left on the battlefield for generations, potentially long after the conflict is over.

More than 50,000 square miles of Ukraine needs to be searched for land mines and explosives, according to Ukrainian government estimates, an area larger than England.

Biden in 2022 issued a new policy to bar the U.S. use or transfer of anti-personnel mines outside of the Korean peninsula. This came after then-President Donald Trump in 2020 undid Obama-era restrictions on U.S. land mine uses.

The latest decision underscores growing unease within the Biden administration over the desperate battlefield situation as Russia makes slow and costly but incremental gains against Kyivs forces in eastern Ukraine.

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The land mine decision follows another Biden reversal: He recently agreed to let Ukraine use American-supplied long-range missiles for strikes deep inside Russia following months of pressure from Ukraine and its strongest supporters in the West.

The U.S. also has asked Ukraine to restrict its use of the mines  not employing them in areas populated with Ukrainian civilians and to use them on its own territory. The goal of the mines is to limit Russian advances on Ukrainian territory, especially in the east.

Russia, which the U.S. says uses long-lasting mines, has placed thousands of such explosives throughout eastern Ukraine, where it has grabbed significant amounts of land.

More than 160 countries have signed onto a 1997 international treaty vowing to ban the production, stockpile and transfer of anti-personnel land mines. Ukraine is a signatory to the treaty, but the United States and Russia are not.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) For some people, dance is second nature to them. To others, it can be like trying to speak a different language.

This week a free event is giving people an opportunity to test out their dancing shoes.

South Dakota Corrections Commission talks prison lockdowns

While Andrew Byrd didnt grow up dancing, it has become a big part of his life.

I love it. Its such a great way to, like, express yourself, but its also great workout without thinking about working out, Dakota Country Dance Club Vice President, Andrew Byrd said.

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Which is one of the reasons he joined the Dakota Country Dance Club.

We partner with a lot of people and we have instructors from all over the Midwest. We partner with venues to just spread the love of country music and country dance, Byrd said.

In order to introduce more people to country dancing, the Dakota Country Dance Club is hosting a free country dance night tomorrow.

We will be teaching a line dance. There will be two line dances taught. And then were going to be teaching a swing, Byrd said.

The dances taught at the event will be easy to learn, but if you have two left feet, there will be people there to help you.

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Its really beginner friendly too. So well walk through every piece of the dance and really break it down. Anytime you need help, ask, were here to help you, Dakota Country Dance Club member, Kaitlin Paulson said.

Giving people an opportunity to learn new moves without having to spend a cent.

We are so, so excited for anybody to kind of join on to the country dance community crew that we have going on here in Sioux Falls and surrounding area. Its so much fun, Paulson said.

The Free Country Dance Night is taking place tomorrow night at 6 at the Icon Event Hall.

Click here for information on which dances will be taught at what time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
A French medical charity that is the only life-saving option for many Haitians at a time when escalating gang violence has shuttered hospitals and health clinics and sent pharmacies up in smoke said Tuesday it is suspending all services in metropolitan Port-au-Prince after a series of attacks and threats by Haitian police.

Medecins Sans Frontieres, also known as Doctors Without Borders, said that over the past week Haiti National Police forces have stopped their vehicles several times and threatened staff members with rape and death.

The suspension of operations, until further notice, means critical trauma care will now be nearly nonexistent in Port-au-Prince, with only one remaining hospital in the capital offering anything close to such care, leaving the country is an even more dire situation.

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As a result of the decision, the French charitys two main centers will no longer accept patients, leaving Haitians with a loss of over 120 beds and the capacity to treat the massive influx of trauma cases happening amid an alarming rise in gang violence.

The charity says that the attacks by Haitian police forces came after the organization went public last week about police officers shooting two of its patients after stopping one of its ambulances, and physically attacking its staff. The Nov. 11 incident, which also involved members of a citizens vigilante group, has been strongly condemned by both the Canadian and U.S. embassies in Port-au-Prince.

We accept working in conditions of insecurity, but when even law enforcement becomes a direct threat, we have no choice but to suspend admissions of patients in Port-au-Prince until the conditions are met for us to resume, said Christophe Garnier, the charitys head of mission in Haiti.

Lionel Lazarre, a spokesman with the Haiti National Police, said he cant comment on the allegations or the charitys decision because we dont know if they have written to the police on this.

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The French charity has been working in Haiti for more than 30 years and has been on the front lines of multiple disasters, including back-to-back hurricanes in 2008, a malnutrition crisis in the mountains of the southeast, and the deadly cholera epidemic two years later. Charity doctors were among the first to respond to the waterborne-disease after it was confirmed 10 months after Haitis devastating 2010 earthquake, and their treatment centers were sometimes the only available care in the countrys rural areas.

In recent years, the charity has opened a trauma hospital to care for an epidemic of head injuries that has accompanied the rise of motor bicycles, along with a burn center and maternity hospital in the south. Nowadays with many hospitals in the capital, including the largest public facility, unsafe for staff to access, the charity has been the only place Haitians with gunshot wounds or with limited funds could seek care.

Every day that we cannot resume activities is a tragedy, as we are one of the few providers of a wide range of medical services who have remained open during this extremely difficult year, said Garnier. However, we can no longer continue operating in an environment where our staff is at risk of being attacked, raped or even killed.

In a statement, the charity claimed there were four incidents involving police forces that occurred after Nov. 11:

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 On Nov. 12, two of the charitys ambulances were stopped by officers of the Haitian National Polices Brigade de Recherche et DIntervention, who threatened to kill staffers in the future.

 On Saturday in Delmas 33, one of its drivers was verbally assaulted by plainclothes police officers who warned of future attacks on the charitys ambulances.

 On Sunday shortly before midnight, another charity ambulance transporting a patient was stopped near boulevard Toussaint Louverture by a SWAT team that threatened to kill the patient on the spot. After intense negotiations, the ambulance was allowed to continue its journey to the charitys hospital in Tabarre.

 On Monday, in Carrefour Rita, a Haitian National Police vehicle driven by a plainclothes policeman armed with a pistol stopped a charity vehicle taking staff to their workplace. He threatened the staff members, saying that next week police forces would start executing and burning staff, patients and ambulances.

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There have also been attacks on multiple occasions on [charity] ambulances and personnel by armed vigilantes, including on 11 November, the charity said.

The allegations of brute police force have raised serious concerns about the behavior of Haitian cops, who are coming under increased scrutiny by human rights groups and foreign embassies as a number of alleged extrajudicial killings get caught on video.

A source familiar with the situation told the Miami Herald that the allegations of extrajudicial police killings by Haitians has also been a source of concern among the ranks of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission and is one of the reasons the foreign forces 416 security personnel has been reluctant to join police in anti-gang operations.

Prior to the deployment of the mission, police officers were issued warnings by Haitis outgoing police chief, Frantz Elbe, about the need to respect human rights.

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The French charitys suspension of services comes at a difficult time. With the countrys largest public hospital not functional due to gang attacks earlier this year that destroyed most of its furnishings and made travel downtown life threatening, the charitys facilities has been one of the few access to care Haitians have.

Increased violence on Tuesday in Port-au-Prince after gangs attempted to attack the post neighborhood of Petion-Ville also has Haitians on edge. On Monday, the World Bank relocated staff from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haitien with the help of helicopters leased from the neighboring Dominican Republic and more foreign staffers of aid organizations, as well as embassies, are expected to follow. Cap-Haitien, which has an international airport, is the only way out of Haiti by air, after the Federal Aviation Administration last week suspended all U.S.-based carrier and licensed aircraft from flying into Haitian air space after three U.S. jetliners were hit by gang gunfire.

Medecins Sans Frontieres says it averages more than 1,100 patients a week on an outpatient basis, along with 54 children with emergency conditions, and more than 80 new survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

Patients hospitalized at its five medical facilities will continue to receive care, as well those serviced by its mobile clinics in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. The maternal health activities in the south of the country in Port-a-Piment, will also continue to operate, the charity said.

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Garnier, who only recently took the reins of the Haiti operation, said the decision is being taken with a heavy heart, as healthcare services have never been so limited for people in Haiti.

We are not able to work safely in Port-au-Prince.
Prak Sokhonn arrives at the National Assembly in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 20, 2024. Cambodia's National Assembly on Wednesday approved the appointment of Former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn as a deputy prime minister and foreign minister. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's National Assembly on Wednesday approved the appointment of Former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn as a deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

Sokhonn, 70, replaced Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophea, who remains a deputy prime minister.

A total of 112 lawmakers in attendance, including Prime Minister Hun Manet, unanimously gave their vote of confidence to Sokhonn, National Assembly President Khuon Sudary announced the result of the vote.

Speaking before the voting session, Hun Manet said the minor reshuffle was to promote more efficient implementation of Cambodia's foreign policy based on the principle of independence and international laws in order to protect the kingdom's core interests.

He said it is essential to pay attention to maintaining and enhancing traditional relations, solidarity and multi-sectoral cooperation with countries and key partners in the region and the world for mutual benefits.

Hun Manet added that the Southeast Asian country "will continue to join more actively with the world for the cause of peace and stability as well as to address global challenging issues."

Sokhonn first held the position of foreign minister from 2016 to 2023. It was the second minor cabinet reshuffle since Hun Manet took office in August 2023 for a five-year term.

In September this year, the National Assembly approved the appointments of Minister of Tourism Sok Soken as the minister of inspection, and Minister of Inspection Huot Hak as the minister of tourism. 
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Frontier Airlines will offer flights from Las Vegas to Reno beginning on March 7, 2025, the airline announced early Tuesday.

Flights between the two cities will be three times per week, and fill a gap for low-cost flights created when Allegiant Air shut down its Reno routes on Jan. 7, 2024.

The timing brings back service in the weeks before spring break, along with an announced promotional fare of $19 for a limited time. Its one of 16 routes announced by Frontier, but the only route originating in Las Vegas. Service between Reno and Denver was also announced.

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The Nevada Legislature convenes in February, which could create more travel demand in spring and early summer. Frontier is currently the fifth-largest carrier at Harry Reid International Airport.

Other cities that will get the new routes announced Tuesday include Atlanta (ATL), Austin (AUS), Chicago (ORD), Cincinnati (CVG), Hartford (BDL), Houston (IAH), Indianapolis (IND), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Milwaukee (MKE), Nashville (BNA), Oklahoma City (OKC), Orlando (MCO), Phoenix (PHX), Tampa (TPA) and Tucson (TUS). Also, a route that is subject to government approval would fly between San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) and Antigua and Barbados (ANU).

As consumers begin planning travel for Spring 2025 and beyond, we are delighted to announce 16 new routes to a host of exciting destinations, said Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operations design at Frontier Airlines. With our return to Tucson, Ariz., Reno, Nev., and Antigua and Barbuda, and with expanded service from cities coast to coast, consumers can continue to look to Frontier as their ultra-low cost carrier of choice.

Most flights begin March 7, but some are scheduled to start in February.

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More information is available at https://www.flyfrontier.com/.

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One of the FTX co-founders who pleaded guilty to massive fraud and cooperated against CEO Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced Wednesday to time served.

Gary Wang, 32, walked out of Manhattan Federal Court a free man.

New York federal prosecutors repeatedly praised Wang for his cooperation, describing him as the first FTX employee to flip and aid investigators in the case. The feds said Wang deciphered basically half the case for us on his first day as a cooperating witness in November 2022.

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The speedy investigation allowed U.S. authorities to quickly extradite Bankman-Fried from his palatial residence in The Bahamas and haul him before a judge in Manhattan. After pleading not guilty, Bankman-Fried was convicted at trial and sentenced to 25 years behind bars.

Wang testified across three days of Bankman-Frieds October 2023 trial. He told authorities he inserted code into FTXs operations that allowed its sister firm, Alameda Research, to have a preposterous $65 billion line of credit and use customer funds to pay losses. FTX eventually stole $11 billion from its users.

Wang was one of several FTX employees to testify against Bankman-Fried. All the cooperators were praised by authorities for their help to unravel the case, but Wang was the highest-profile person to receive no additional prison time.

Caroline Ellison, Bankman-Frieds ex-girlfriend and the CEO of Alameda, got two years in prison.

Wang said he took the cowardly path instead of doing the right thing. Nothing I do will ever be able to make up for it.

With News wire Services
NEW YORK (AP)  An apologetic FTX co-founder was sentenced Wednesday to no time in prison after a prosecutor and a federal judge praised his cooperation against Sam Bankman-Fried and his efforts to recover money for victims of the cryptocurrency fraud.

Gary Wang testified for parts of three day s at Bankman-Frieds trial last year, explaining his role as FTXs chief technology officer in a fraud that Judge Lewis A. Kaplan described as one of the two or three biggest in U.S. history.

Kaplan praised Wang for being the first person to cooperate after FTX collapsed in November 2022, sharing information that Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Roos said enabled prosecutors to quickly extradite Bankman-Fried from the Bahamas in December 2022.

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Bankman-Fried, 32, is serving a 25-year prison term for a fraud that misappropriated over $11 billion of funds that belonged to customers, investors and lenders.

FTX once promoted itself as a high-flying cryptocurrency trailblazer with celebrity endorsements and a Super Bowl advertisement before a collapse in the cryptocurrency market exposed a yearslong fraud that doomed companies Bankman-Fried operated from 2017 to 2022.

Given a chance to speak, Wang apologized to customers and investors.

I'm deeply sorry to all the people hurt by my actions, Wang said. There were so many things I could have done differently.

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Wang said he took the cowardly path instead of doing the right thing. Nothing I do will ever be able to make up for it.

Roos described Wang's work since the fraud in heroic terms, saying he was the first FTX cooperator to come in the door even though he played a minimal role in the fraud and did not create the complicated computer code that enabled the fraud.

In his first day of meeting with prosecutors, Wang deciphered basically half the case for us, he said, adding that it might have taken the government months or years to figure out the code.

He said Wang has continued to cooperate with several agencies and those seeking to recover money for FTX investors. He said Wang had also created software that is enabling prosecutors to find unrelated financial frauds.

As he announced the sentence, Kaplan said Wang had limited culpability in the fraud.
The University of California system is putting nearly $6 million into research to help reduce cancer rates among firefighters.

This funding, spread across eight research teams, is part of the California Firefighter Cancer Prevention and Research Program, which was launched in 2023.

Cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, and studies have found that firefighters are at higher risk of certain types of cancers than the overall population due to their exposure to smoke and other harmful chemicals, even with protective gear.

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The UC-funded research aims to understand and reduce these risks.

Our goal is to understand the complex mix of cancer-causing chemicals, individual biology, protective equipment, and workplace norms, said Theresa Maldonado, UCs vice president of Research and Innovation.

Firefighters and sheriffs deputies push a vintage car away from a burning home as the Mountain Fire burns in Camarillo, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

One project will study the exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as forever chemicals, found in firefighter gear and smoke.

Another project will look at changes in DNA methylation in firefighters exposed to combustion products, with the aim of developing a blood test to detect early signs of cancer.

Without more research into the biological, chemical and social aspects of carcinogenic agents on the job, Californias firefighters will continue to face an elevated incidence of cancer, said Brian Fennessy, chief of the Orange County Fire Authority and FIRESCOPE chair. Were proud to partner with the University of California to support rigorous, community-engaged, solutions-focused research that will help us bring down rates of disease among firefighters.

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For more details on these research projects and their potential impact, visit the University of Californias official website.

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested and charged a Dahlonega man after deputies found trafficking amounts of methamphetamine and other drugs at his home.

On Friday, Nov. 15, police arrested Tony Lamar Sullens, 59, at his home for a probation violation warrant.

While searching his property, deputies found and seized more than 600 grams of suspected methamphetamine, over 80 suspected Hydrocodone pills, and over 110 suspected Alprazolam pills.

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He was booked into the Lumpkin County Detention Center.

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MOAB, Utah (ABC4)  The family of murder victim Gabby Petito is asking a Utah court to end the states immunity for police officers as they attempt to move forward with a $50 million lawsuit against the Moab Police Department.

The Petitos and attorneys for the City of Moab are expected to be in court Wednesday morning, Nov. 20, as the city is also asking the court to dismiss the Petitos case under the Utah Governmental Immunity Act of Utah (GIAU). That act protects some governmental bodies and employees from liability in certain cases.

Gabby Petitos parents agree to confidential settlement with Brian Laundries parents, will avoid trial

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Gabby Petito, 22, was a YouTuber murdered by her fiance Brian Laundrie in Wyoming in August 2021. Laundrie, after admitting to the murder, took his own life the following month in Florida. Shortly before her death, Petito and Laundrie were the subject of a domestic violence complaint in Moab when eyewitnesses reported a fight between the two. Petitos family has since filed a $50 million suit against officers from the Moab Police Department, accusing them of not taking Laundrie seriously as an abuser during that complaint and letting the pair continue to Wyoming.

According to a statement from the Petito familys attorneys, Gabbys father Joseph Petito and mother Nichole Schmidt are asking the court to declare the GIAU unconstitutional. They claim they have evidence showing Utahs founders had not intended government institutions to be immune from prosecution. By doing so, they said the court would be return[ing] Utah law to its original understanding and restore to those within this state the protections intended by Utah`s founders.

We remain undeterred in our commitment to seek justice for Gabby, accountability for Moab and change that will help protect other victims of domestic violence, read a statement from Gabbys parents, Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt. We are confident that the Utah Constitution preserves the right to recover for wrongful death claims under these circumstances and trust that Utah courts will ultimately uphold that right. We express gratitude to the many people around the country who have continued to support us in our fight for Gabby.

Attorney Mitchell Stephens, who is representing the City of Moab in the case, said the Petitos attorneys have already argued in court that their own lawsuit cannot proceed due to the GIAU. Stephens quoted Petito attorney James Burton from the 7th District Court hearing on Nov. 13 as saying: Weve said look, we recognize the Utah Supreme Court has said this lawsuit cant proceed, but were filing it with the intent that upon dismissal well appeal it to the Utah Supreme Court and ask for a change in the law.

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Stephens said his clients agree with Burtons statement.

Moabs police department did not cause Gabbys engagement to Brian, her decision to remain with him, her decision to continue driving to Wyoming with him, or Brians criminal actions more than a month after they left Moab and more than 400 miles away from Moab, Stephens told ABC4.com. Not every tragedy can support a lawsuit.

Gabby Petitos mother says she forgives Brian Laundrie, but not his mom

In Feb. 2024, the family reached an agreement with the parents of Brian Laundrie in Tampa Bay, Fla., that ended a civil case against them for intentional infliction of emotional distress. The outcome of that agreement was kept confidential.

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Matt Gaetz allegedly paid more than $10,000 to women who later became witnesses in sexual misconduct investigations by members of Congress and the Department of Justice, a report claims.

The now-former Republican congressman made 27 Venmo and PayPal payments with descriptive memos like being awesome and being my friend, some of which were allegedly used in transactions for sex, according to records obtained by ABC News.

The receipts, which were said to have been displayed during closed-door testimony in a House Ethics Committee probe, reflect transitions between July 2017 and January 2019, when Gaetz was a newly elected representative.

House Ethics Committee records appear to show Venmo transactions from Matt Gaetz to two women he is accused of paying for sex (House Ethics Committee via ABC News)

Gaetz abruptly resigned from the House last week after president-elect Donald Trump nominated the far-right firebrand for the next attorney general.

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The payments  which total $10,224.02  range from $100 to more than $700 each, according to ABC News.

Descriptions in the notes sections of the Venmo payments say they are for a car deductible, a gift, refreshments, or travel  including travel + xtra 4 u. Others include love you or emoji for a ticket, a hug, and a wrapped gift.

A payment for being awesome totalled $400. Another for being my friend totalled $250, according to records obtained by ABC.

Payments for travel appear to align with a September 2018 trip to the Bahamas, which was reportedly part of the Justice Departments investigation into Gaetz.

The records included notes and emojis alongside the cash sums (House Ethics Committee via ABC News)

Another travel transaction in early January 2019 appears to sync with Gaetzs alleged arrangements for both women to fly to New York for sex and to accompany him to an appearance on Fox News, according to the womens attorney Joel Leppard.

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The House Ethics Committee also obtained a signed check made out to cash and dated October 2018 and memo stating the $750 payment was more tuition reimbursement. Gaetzs name and information is printed on the check.

Committee members met to discuss the report on Wednesday but failed to reach an agreement to make it public. The investigation effectively ended when Gaetz left his House seat.

Gaetz has vehemently denied all accusations, and the Justice Department ultimately never charged him with a crime or alleged any wrongdoing. In 2021, Gaetz said during an interview that he believes someone is trying to recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward.

The Justice Department received access to roughly every financial transaction Matt Gaetz ever undertook and came to the conclusion that he committed no crime, Trump transition spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer told ABC News. These leaks are meant to undermine the mandate from the people to reform the Justice Department.

Gaetz has denied the allegations against him (AP)

According to a lawyer representing the women, one of his clients testified that she witnessed Gaetz having sex with a girl when she was 17 years old. The attorney representing that woman, who is now in her 20s, has also said that she was a high school student at the time and there were witnesses.

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The women told investigators that they attended parties where Gaetz was present and that they witnessed drug use and sex acts, according to their attorney.

Gaetzs former ally Joel Greenberg reached a deal with prosecutors in May 2021 to plead guilty to six federal crimes, including underage sex trafficking, after he was initially charged with 33 counts. He is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence.

Greenberg also admitted introducing a minor to other adult men who engaged in commercial sex acts with her, according to court documents.
WASHINGTON (NewsNation)  Republicans on the House Ethics Committee voted Wednesday against releasing a report on their long-running investigation into President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, the top Democrat on the panel said.

Democratic Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania said the ethics panel, which is evenly split between the two parties, voted at a lengthy closed-door meeting, and no Republican joined Democrats who wanted to release the report.

Gaetz has launched an effort to secure his embattled nomination, meeting behind closed doors Wednesday with GOP senators who have questions about sexual misconduct and other allegations against him.

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Gaetzs move came as Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray asking for the complete evidentiary file from the agencys investigation into allegations of sex trafficking of minors against Gaetz.

The Democratic senators, led by Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, say the allegations against Gaetz are significant in light of his associate, Joe Greenberg, having pleaded guilty to the sex trafficking charge for which the Florida Republican was also investigated.

Republicans on Ethics Committee weigh unenviable Gaetz report decision

In order for the Senate to perform its constitutional duty in this instance, we must be able to thoroughly review all relevant materials that speak to the credibility of these serious allegations against Mr. Gaetz, the senators wrote in their Wednesday letter to Wray.

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The senators wrote that the grave public allegations against Mr. Gaetz speak directly to his fitness to serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the federal government.

The letter was signed by Durbin and Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Conn.; Sheldon Whitehouse, R.I.; Amy Klobuchar, Minn.; Mazie Hirono, Hawaii; Laphonza Butler, Calif.; Chris Coons, Del.; Peter Welch, Vt.; Cory Booker, N.J.; and Alex Padilla, Calif.

Attorneys involved in a civil case brought by a Gaetz associate were notified this week that an unauthorized person accessed a file shared between lawyers that included unredacted depositions from a woman who said Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17 and a second woman who says she saw the encounter, according to attorney Joel Leppard.

Trump interviewing candidates for FBI chief, Vance says in later-deleted social media post

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While House Speaker Mike Johnson has said the Ethics Committee should not release the report  since Gaetz swiftly resigned his congressional seat  several GOP senators have indicated they want all information before having to make a decision on how they would vote.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville told NewsNation hes waiting for more facts to come out.

Im fully supportive of (Gaetz). I just say, make sure youre transparent, Tuberville said. We dont need things popping up. Im not into rumors, because I know how this place is, they will ruin you in a heartbeat with rumors. But Im all in with facts. And if its all factual in terms of something that could be construed as criminal, then of course, I wont vote for it, but and (Gaetz) knows that.

As soon as the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3, when Republicans take majority control, senators are expected to begin holding hearings on Trumps nominees, with voting possible on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.

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The Associated Press and NewsNation affiliate The Hill contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
YANGON, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's Ministry of Hotels and Tourism launched a Chinese language HSK-II training in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday, the official daily The Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Wednesday.

During the event, Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism Thet Thet Khine highlighted that the tourism industry is a service-oriented business, and it is important to be able to communicate with tourists in their languages, the report said.

The minister encouraged trainees to study hard and become reliable employees for the ministry, it added.

Besides Chinese language courses, the ministry is also offering language courses nationwide in English, Russian, Japanese, Korean and Thai, the report said.

The training will last two months, the report said. 
(Bloomberg) -- Republicans on the House Ethics Committee voted Wednesday to keep confidential its findings on the sexual misconduct probe into Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trumps pick for attorney general, the panels top Democrat said.

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The 10-member panel met behind closed doors for more than two hours, with all five GOP members voting to block the reports release ahead of the Senates consideration of Gaetzs nomination, Democrat Representative Susan Wild of Pennsylvania said after the deliberations. Democrats calling to disclose the findings needed at least one Republican to have crossed over, she said.

The Ethics Committee, which typically operates in private, faces mounting pressure to publicize its finding as scrutiny of Gaetz intensifies after Trump nominated him on Nov. 13 to lead the Justice Department.

Ethics Chairman Michael Guest provided few details other than to say there was no agreement to release the report. Wild fired back after the meeting, saying Guests remarks incorrectly characterized the deliberations.

I do not want the American public or anyone else to think, she said, that what transpired today would be some sort of indication that the committee had unity, or consensus on this issue.

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House Democrats plan to force the issue, and will need at least a few Republicans to back them.

Illinois Representative Sean Casten said hell file a privileged House resolution on Wednesday to force a vote that will require the committee to release its findings.

The privileged resolution gives Speaker Mike Johnson up to two legislative days to schedule floor action. A vote to table Castens resolution could precede a vote on the resolution itself.

This information must be made available for the Senate to provide its constitutionally required advice and consent, Casten said in a statement.

Gaetz, who quit his House seat last week, had been the subject of a longrunning House probe over allegations he had sex with a 17-year-old girl in exchange for money, took illicit drugs and accepted improper gifts. The former Florida representative has denied wrongdoing.

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Separately, Gaetz was joined by Vice President-elect JD Vance in his meeting Wednesday with senators in the Capitol, seeking their support.

Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, currently the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said after the Gaetz meeting that hed tend to defer to the president on his choices unless the evidence suggests disqualification.

Gaetzs appointment, along with other contentious picks by Trump, have sparked bipartisan calls for increased scrutiny, setting up a clash with the president-elect and his loyalists in the Capitol. Several establishment Republicans in the Senate want to uphold the tradition of seeking FBI vetting on presidential nominees.

Other names that have sparked concerns even among Republicans are Fox News Channel host Pete Hegseth to head the Pentagon, vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to run the Department of Health and Human Services, and former Representative Tulsi Gabbard for national intelligence.

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Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Vice President-elect JD Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday morning to meet with Republican senators who could make or break Gaetzs nomination to serve as the nations next attorney general.

Gaetz and Vance arrived on the east front of the Capitol shortly after 9 a.m. and were spotted walking into the Senates carriage entrance with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), whom Trump will nominate to serve as secretary of State.

Republican senators say Vance is serving as the main liaison between the Trump-Vance transition team and GOP senators, who will be in the majority next year.

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JD Vance is doing a lot of the outreach on the Senate side, said one GOP senator who requested anonymity to discuss the behind-the-scenes lobbying effort. I think hes worked through the whole Judiciary Committee. Hes calling folks, trying to get a sense of where things are.

Gaetz faces the toughest path to confirmation of Trumps Cabinet picks, senators say.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) told The Hill last week that he has an uphill climb to securing support from a majority of senators.

Gaetz was previously embroiled in a sex trafficking investigation by the Justice Department, and the House Ethics Committee investigated him for alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

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The Ethics panels report on Gaetz hasnt been released to the public, but several senators in both parties say they want to have access to its details before voting on Gaetz next year.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz is on Capitol Hill with Vice president-elect JD Vance. The two are meeting with senators attempting to solidify support for his shaky confirmation process. At the same time, the House Ethics committee is meeting to decide whether to release its report on allegations Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. Hes denied those allegations.

The House Ethics committee said it did not reach an agreement on releasing the report. On the other side of the Capitol, a fair number of Republican senators came out in support of Gaetz or at least push for him to go through the nomination process.

My plan is to vote for all of the presidents nominees, said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)

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Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley met with Vance and Gaetz Wednesday. He encouraged his colleagues to give Gaetz a chance to answer the allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use.

He ought to have the chance to address that, to respond to that, in a public setting, said Hawley.

Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.

South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters he had a good meeting and will allow the process to go forward.

Im not going to legitimize the process to destroy the man because people dont like his politics, said Graham.

Some Republican senators say they have reservations about Gaetz.

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North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis and Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville encourage senators to meet with him.

Every member should meet with them regardless of whether theyre a no vote or a yes vote, said Tillis.

Illinois Democrat Senator Dick Durbin says the information from the Ethics committee needs to be released.

We need to have basic questions asked before we go forward with the nomination, said Durbin.

Senate Democrats have also sent a request to the FBI for all material related to Gaetz.

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Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to be attorney general, met with Republican senators on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance, making his case for the job hours before the House Ethics Committee discussed its report on him, ultimately deciding against releasing its report.

Several senators had called for the House Ethics Committee to release its report into Gaetz over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use before they would consider his confirmation.

The House Ethics Committee on Wednesday voted against releasing its report on Gaetz after multiple rounds of votes, a source familiar tells ABC News.

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MORE: Ethics Committee to meet, but it's not clear if vote on Gaetz report is on its agenda

PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz closes a door to a private meeting with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members in Washington, Nov. 20, 2024. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

After Trump announced Gaetz as his attorney general pick, the Florida congressman resigned from the House, meaning the House Ethics Committee no longer has the jurisdiction to continue its investigation into him -- however Republicans and Democrats had argued whether a break in that precedent was necessary for the Senate to perform its constitutional duty to advise and consent to presidential nominations.

The Justice Department also spent years probing sexual misconduct allegations against Gaetz, as well as allegations of obstruction of justice, before informing Gaetz last year that it would not bring charges. Gaetz has long denied any wrongdoing related to the allegations investigated during the congressional and Justice Department probes.

Republican Sens. Josh Hawley, Lindsey Graham, Mike Lee, Marsha Blackburn, John Kennedy and John Cornyn met with Vance and Gaetz on Wednesday.

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The former congressman said the meetings have "been going great."

"Senators have been giving me a lot of good advice. I'm looking forward to a hearing. Folks have been very supportive, and they've been saying we are going to get a fair process so it's a great day of momentum for the Trump-Vance administration," Gaetz said.

Gaetz said he hasn't spoken to Trump on Wednesday, "But I had a great time with the vice president-elect talking about how we are going to end weaponization at the Department of Justice, we are going to tackle fentanyl, we are going to ensure that we don't have the DOJ involved in censorship anymore, and make sure that we have the country back on track and are there for President Trump's total fulfillment of his promise on his immigration agenda."

Asked if he was confident he could be confirmed, Gaetz replied, "It was a great day."

PHOTO: Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, the President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Attorney General walks alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance as they arrive for meetings with Senators at the U.S. Capitol, Nov. 20, 2024, in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

When asked how messy Gaetz's confirmation hearing could become, Sen. Cornyn joked to reporters it could be "Kavanaugh on steroids" -- a reference to the now-U.S. Supreme Court justice's contentious confirmation hearings in 2018.

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"He's a smart guy," Cornyn added. "I'm sure he realizes that."

Sen. Graham told reporters that the meeting went well and that Gaetz deserves a fair nomination process.

"Here's what I told him, no rubber stamps and no lynch mob. I'm not going to be part of a process that leaks information that shouldn't be leaked," Graham said. "I'm not going to legitimize the process to destroy the man because people don't like his politics. He will be held to account in the confirmation process. He deserves a chance to make his argument why he should be attorney general."

MORE: Gaetz sent over $10K in Venmo payments to 2 women who testified in House probe, records suggest

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Hawley defended Gaetz's nomination.

"My intention is to vote for all the president's nominees," Hawley said. "I think for my colleagues who are -- who have concerns about the Attorney General nominee, my message would be, well, let's have a hearing on this. You can ask whatever -- if you're a member of the committee, you can ask whatever question you want, give Gaetz the opportunity to answer questions, lay out his vision, answer concerns."

Hawley said Gaetz understands his job, if confirmed, is to "serve at the pleasure of the president."

"You gotta remember that cabinet secretary is not an exercise in individuality. I mean, you're there to serve at the pleasure of the president. That's the job, and he has a sense of what the president wants to do in terms of prioritizing law enforcement, getting the department out of the business of political prosecutions. So he wants a chance to lay that out," Hawley said.

PHOTO: Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, the President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Attorney General walks alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance as they arrive for meetings with Senators at the U.S. Capitol, Nov. 20, 2024, in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee wrote to FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday to request the complete evidentiary file in the bureau's closed investigation into Gaetz. Included in the ask is a request for forms that memorialize interviews conducted as part of the investigation.

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The Democrats argued in the letter that there is precedent for the FBI providing these sorts of documents to Congress, including instances when Republicans obtained these documents.

As Vance and Gaetz met with senators, Trump attempted to blame Democrats for the allegations launched against some of his controversial Cabinet picks.

"They dirty them up, they destroy them, and then they spit them out. They are trying that right now with some great American Patriots who are only trying to fix the mess that the Democrats have made of our Country," Trump posted on his social media platform Wednesday afternoon.

ABC News' Will Steakin, John Parkinson, Lauren Peller, Jay O'Brien and Chris Boccia contributed to this report.

'Kavanaugh on steroids': Gaetz, Vance meet with GOP senators amid questions originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The Indiana Court of Appeals denied a Gary mans bid to overturn his conviction for shooting a dog, then killing a man trying to shield his girlfriend  saying his 25-year sentence was appropriate.

Tomecko Johnson, 48, was sentenced in May for the July 8, 2020 death of Terrance Turner, 24. He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Judge Gina Jones ordered him to serve his last two years in Lake Countys Community Corrections program.

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In his appeal, Johnson argued Jones sentence was too harsh.

In a 3-0 ruling on Nov. 15, Appeals Judge Paul Felix rejected his arguments.

Felix noted that the appeals court usually gives county judges broad discretion to sentence defendants.

Jones was fine to consider the harm done to the victim, Felix wrote. Even if she hadnt, other aggravating factors  his criminal record and nature of the shooting  would have been enough for the same sentence. Johnson did not contest the latter two in his appeal.

Felix also rejected Johnsons argument that his character didnt add up to a 25-year term, citing his past criminal record dating back to 1994, and that he failed to take advantage of opportunities to rehabilitate himself.

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Johnson got into a physical altercation with Hudson and then shot one of Turners dogs and Turner himself all because Johnson did not like that Turner and Hudson allowed their dogs to use an open field, Felix wrote.

He also noted Johnson fired ten times, hitting Turner in the spine, neck and abdomen.

Johnson can appeal Felixs ruling. His earlier release date is in November 2039.

mcolias@post-trib.com
A U.S. District Court judge sentenced a Gary man to more than 12 years in prison after he pled guilty to shooting at a letter carrier in 2021.

Jerron Donte Williams, 34, was sentenced to 153 months in prison followed by 3 years of probation on Wednesday by Senior Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to assaulting and inflicting bodily injury on a U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm during the assault, according to a release from United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

On April 2, 2021, a letter carrier was delivering mail in the 4200 block of Tennessee Street in Gary and she stopped the postal vehicle to organize mail, according to the criminal complaint. Williams was backing his vehicle out of a driveway and collided with the letter carriers postal delivery vehicle. He yelled at the letter carrier, and exited his vehicle, records state. The letter carrier tried to defuse the situation but Williams entered a residence and the letter carrier heard a female passenger in Williams car say, I gotta get out of here. Believing that her life was threatened, the letter carrier tried to back up her delivery vehicle to avoid other cars and hit Williams car, court records state.

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Williams emerged from the house holding a handgun and started firing while the delivery vehicle was in motion. Bullets struck the postal vehicle four times and shattered the right-side window, causing injuries to the letter carriers face and neck, the complaint states. A witness saw the delivery vehicle speed down the street and heard the letter carrier screaming.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Gary Police Department, and the Hobart Police Department, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla.

In 2018, Williams was convicted of a felon in possession of a firearm and resisting law enforcement; he completed his 30-month sentence through work release. In 2014, Williams was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in a Gary burglary.

Post-Tribune archives contributed.
Though holiday travel usually spikes prices at the pump, gas prices in Wisconsin are still solidly below $3 ahead of the Thanksgiving week.

As of Wednesday, the average price for a regular gallon of gas in Wisconsin was $2.82  nearly 20 cents below the national average of $3.01, according to AAA. Gas prices in Wisconsin this week are also about 14 cents lower than a month ago and 20 cents lower than the same time last year.

Here's what to expect at the pump during Thanksgiving week and where to find the cheapest gas in Wisconsin.

A customer fuels a car Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Kwik Trip, 2900 Holy Hill Rd. in Richfield, Wis.

Will gas prices rise ahead of Thanksgiving?

Though AAA projects more than 70 million people nationwide will travel via car this Thanksgiving, gas prices are actually expected to remain relatively low throughout the week.

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In fact, GasBuddy, a gas price analysis website, forecasts the national average gas price will drop a couple cents to $2.98 during Thanksgiving travel days. The portion of Americans planning to travel by car this Thanksgiving is also finally jumping back up to pre-pandemic levels, the website found in its annual holiday travel plans survey.

The dip in gas prices comes after many states saw a summer spike in costs at the pump  including in Wisconsin, where a Midwestern refinery outage hiked statewide gas prices to more than $3.50 on average.

However, national average gas prices this week are nearly 70 cents lower than the summer high, reaching the lowest level since 2021, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, in a Tuesday news release.

"We expect prices to remain seasonally low leading up to the holidays, making road trips a more affordable option for millions of Americans," De Haan said.

Where to find the cheapest gas prices in Wisconsin

Gas prices in Wisconsin counties on Nov. 20, 2024.

As of Nov. 20, central and southeastern Wisconsin are seeing the lowest gas prices in the state, according to AAA.

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The average price in the Milwaukee-Waukesha area is $2.75, which is more than 10 cents lower than month ago and 20 cents lower than the same time last year.

At $2.70 per gallon, Eau Claire is seeing among the lowest average prices of all the state's metro areas, while Appleton is on the higher end with $2.89.

According to GasBuddy, the cheapest gas price you can find in Wisconsin ahead of Thanksgiving week is $2.54 per gallon. Several Costco, Kwik Trip and Woodman's stations in Waukesha, New Berlin, Pewaukee and Menomonee Falls are offering prices this low.

For the addresses of specific stations, check out GasBuddy's tracker of the cheapest fuel in Wisconsin.

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If you're looking to fuel up ahead of the holiday, Circle K is also offering 40 cents off all gas types on Thursday, Nov. 21. The offer is valid between 4 and 7 p.m., though savings are limited to up to $4.50 on a minimum purchase of three gallons in Wisconsin. Find your nearest Circle K station here.

Average gas prices in Wisconsin cities

Here are average prices for a regular tank of gas in Wisconsin cities as of Nov. 20, according to AAA:

Milwaukee-Waukesha: $2.75

Madison: $2.85

Appleton: $2.89

Eau Claire: $2.70

Fond Du Lac: $2.77

Green Bay: $2.86

Kenosha County: $2.81

Oshkosh: $2.85

Racine: $2.76

Sheboygan: $2.78

Wausau: $2.77

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Bosses at Gatwick have urged the Prime Minister to avoid delaying a decision on proposals for a new runway Britains second-biggest airport.

A delay to securing planning approval would push up the cost of the 2.2bn project, Gatwick said, while preventing airlines from adding new routes.

Gatwick, which attracted 41m passengers in 2023, aims to lift annual capacity to 80m by converting a strip only occasionally used for flights into a fully fledged runway.



While Labour has made positive noises about its willingness to consider new runway schemes since coming to power, a ruling on Luton Airports plans to increase capacity from 18m passengers a year to 32m, was delayed from October to January.

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Tim Norwood, Gatwicks chief planning officer, said a timely decision would send out a message beyond aviation that Sir Keir Starmer was serious about bringing forward infrastructure projects to further Labours growth agenda.

He said: The Government has been very clear in saying that it wants to speed up and reform the planning system.

The way to do that is get decisions out quickly and not let them fester on ministers desks. That would give confidence not just to Gatwick but to other investors and infrastructure providers.

We have a team already on the project and were ready to crack on with it. Any delay in the decision is going to add prolongation costs and uncertainty.

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The Planning Inspectorate is expected to make a recommendation to the Department for Transport on Gatwicks proposals next Wednesday.

The Government then has three months to deliver a final ruling, meaning it should do so before the end of February, unless it finds a reason to delay.

While the Planning Inspectorates views wont be made public, Gatwicks application is believed to have a good chance of securing approval under rules that favour projects aimed at making the best use of existing assets.

Mr Norwood, who said hed be disappointed and surprised if approval of the runway was not recommended by inspectors, insisted that Gatwick has supplied all necessary details, including information of the kind being sought from Luton.

Gatwick says its plan would create an estimated 14,000 jobs and provide a 1bn annual boost to GDP. It would be funded by the airports owners, French builder Vinci and investment fund Global Infrastructure Partners, which is held by US asset management giant BlackRock.

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Work to enable the new runway would include shifting the centre line of the existing strip 12 metres to the north to ensure sufficient separation from the main runway.

A taxiway would also need to be moved to the north and the airport plans to expand its terminals and add a seventh aircraft pier with around a dozen new gates, as well as building new roads and hotels.

Because the new runway has a holding area at one end which would prevent the installation of navigational landing aids, it could only be used for takeoffs. That would allow the old runway to reduce the number of departures and accommodate many more landings.

Gatwick originally sought to build a completely new runway to the south of the existing airport site but lost out in a competition with Heathrow, whose bid for a third strip is on hold.

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While Sir Keir and Louise Haigh, the Transport Secretary, might face a relatively straightforward decision on planning grounds alone, approval for an expanded Gatwick is likely to provoke criticism from climate campaigners.

The plan also faces opposition from local residents, which says it would increase aircraft noise and particulate pollution and create nightmare construction traffic.

Approval would also have ramifications for the wider airport network in the south east, especially if Lutons plans also get the go ahead. Any new submission from Heathrow would then have to be considered against a background of significantly increased capacity.

Mr Norwood said that Gatwick, whose biggest airline is EasyJet, with 19m passengers, is not seeking to compete with Heathrow as a transfer hub and represents the only option for addressing the shortage of runway capacity in the near future.

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By Renju Jose

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The gender pay gap in Australia has narrowed marginally though women employees on average still earned A$28,425 ($18,590) less each year than their male colleagues, a government report said on Wednesday.

The total gender pay gap dipped by 0.6 percentage points to 21.8% for the year to March 2024 as more than half of employers improved the pay gap between men and women doing the same job in Australia, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) said.

"The results show change is happening, with a significant increase in employers investigating what's driving their gender pay gap and acting on the results," WGEA CEO Mary Wooldridge said in a statement accompanying the report.

An increase in the wages of low-paid workers, particularly in aged care, where women make up about 80% of employees, was the significant contributor. But female CEOs are paid annually an average of A$158,632 less than men, Wooldridge said.

More than 56% of employers and the majority in every industry improved their average total remuneration gender pay gap over the last year, she added.

The report comes as the centre-left Labor government aims to introduce legislation to the parliament this week that would require firms with 500 or more employees to commit to measurable targets to progress gender equality in their workplaces.

Employers must pick targets related to the gender makeup of the workforce, the gender pay gap, flexible working arrangements, workplace consultation on gender equality and efforts to prevent sexual harassment, Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said in a statement.

A report in February showed the gender pay gap at some of Australia's biggest firms was bigger than the national average.

Companies with more than 100 employees are required by law to reveal the pay of male and female employees every year. The next report is due in February 2025.

($1 = 1.5291 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Jamie Freed)
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  The Jacksonville City Council is having a public hearing for the Georgetown Landing Project and citizens are concerned about the possible rezoning of property in the community.

Developers want to change how the property is rezoned. It is also possible that a marina will be built. President of the Georgetown Preservation Society Rev. Leander Milton said he is concerned about the future of his community.

Right now, our roads cant even handle the people that we have in here. So deteriorated. We need help with road and lighting and all these things, Milton said.

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According to the city, mere rezoning doesnt raise property taxes.

Infrastructure just cant handle that many folk. Not only that, if youre allowed to build again, the property taxes go up so high that the residents here will be forced out, Milton said. And so, thats what were trying to prohibit them from forcing out the residents of this community.

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ABU DHABI, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The 6th China Film Week in UAE opened here this week at VOX Cinemas, Yas Mall, with an exclusive screening of the Chinese film "Panda Plan."

The event, which runs for seven days, was launched on Monday with over 200 attendees, including government officials, filmmakers, film enthusiasts, and diplomats from various countries.

"Film is an art of light and aesthetics and a key medium for the exchanges of civilizations. The China Film Week has evolved into an important cultural event for fostering mutual understanding between our peoples. We look forward to deepening our cooperation in film, music, and art to strengthen the bonds of cultural exchanges," Chinese Ambassador to the UAE Zhang Yiming said in his opening remarks.

Before the opening ceremony, professionals of the UAE and Chinese film industry held a forum discussing ways to enhance film exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

Organized by the Chinese Embassy in the UAE and China Film Administration, with support from the China Cultural Center in UAE and China Film Archive, the event this year will screen 10 Chinese films, including comedies "Panda Plan," "YOLO," and "Successor." 
SCHUYLER COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM)  A Georgia man was arrested after allegedly sexually abusing someone in Schuyler County.

Antik Patel, 35, of Warner Robins, Georgia, was arrested on Nov. 20. According to the Schuyler County Sheriffs Office, Patel allegedly restrained another person and subjected them to sexual contact without consent.

Addison man arrested after allegedly threatening someone with gun

Patel was charged with second-degree unlawful imprisonment (a class A misdemeanor) and third-degree sexual abuse (a class B misdemeanor).

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Patel is currently being held at the Schuyler County Jail while awaiting arraignment in Schuyler County CAP Court.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  On October 30, a Mineral Bluff, Georgia mother was arrested after her 10-year-old son was found walking alone about a mile from the familys home.

Brittany Patterson, 41, is facing a charge of reckless conduct, according to reports by NewsNation and ABC. They say the mother of four was at an appointment with one of her other children when her son went for a walk.

It breaks my heart: Knoxville homeless shelters closed for code violations

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ABC reported that later that day, deputies arrived at her home and arrested Patterson, claiming that leaving her 10-year-old at home alone was illegal. Pattersons lawyer told NewsNation that isnt the case. If convicted, Patterson could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Reportedly, prosecutors offered to drop the charge against Patterson if she signed a safety plan that would require her to place a GPS tracker on her sons phone. She said she didnt feel like she couldnt sign it because she would be agreeing that there was something unsafe about her home and parenting decisions, and she doesnt believe that.

In Tennessee, there is not a legal age requirement for what age a child needs to be left home alone, but the Tennessee Courts website states that children under the age of 10 should not be left without supervision at any time. Aside from that, the website states that parents are advised to use their best judgement, keeping the childs maturity level and safety issues in mind.

Man dead after early morning crash on I-40 in Knoxville

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In this weeks Ask Isaacs, 6 News Lori Tucker and Attorney Greg Isaacs discuss the case and what Tennessee law requires of parents in regards to leaving children home alone.

If you have a legal question, send it to AskIsaacs@wate.com. To watch full episodes of Ask Isaacs, click here.

WATEs Lori Tucker and Attorney Greg Isaacs answer your legal questions from the WATE Alert Desk on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. and on WATE Channel 6 at 5:30 p.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
Georgia Democrats and Republicans are begging Congress for more funding to help the states hurricane-damaged agriculture industry.

Agriculture remains Georgias number one economic engine but it took massive losses after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the state.

Some hurricane relief is held up in Congress and both sides are fighting to get it released.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wrote a letter to a senate committee demanding help and today Senator Ossoff demanded help, too.

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Georgia agriculture was devastated by this hurricane, Kemp said.

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Ossoff testified before a Senate committee on Wednesday, demanding federal money for Georgia farmers still reeling after Hurricane Helene.

Afterward, Ossoff says this aid is critical for rural Georgia.

Its going to be a long road for these family farms to recover, for these hard-hit rural communities to recover, Ossoff said. But we have to invest in rebuilding Georgia and rebuilding America when we face a natural disaster like this.

Now about two months since Hurricane Helene, the size of the economic loss to Georgia is staggering.

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48,000 acres of pecan orchards are gone, nearly 500 poultry houses are damaged or destroyed, 25 to 30% of the vegetable crop destroyed, and nearly 600,000 bales of cotton, nearly a third of the total crop were ruined.

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Kemp sent a letter to that committee asking for the addition of an agriculture relief block grant program to the disaster relief to help the state.

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The White House wants $100 billion in hurricane relief aid but Congress has delayed getting it passed.

Ossoff says there can be no more delays.

Delay is not an option. We have to get this done by the end of the year. It cant get tangled up in irrelevant politics and political games, Ossoff said.

North Carolinas Republican Senator Thom Tillis was also before that committee begging for federal assistance to folks in and around Asheville.





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Domonja R. Mitchell, of St. Marys, was arrested for a deadly shooting that happened on Saturday, according to St. Marys Police Department.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Mitchell shot and killed 21-year-old Lancine Bakary Soumahoro at the Cumberland Oaks Apartment complex.

It happened around 9:17 p.m.

On Tuesday, the 17-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with Felony Murder and Aggravated Assault.

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According to authorities, he is in custody in the Duval County Jail in Jacksonville, Florida awaiting extradition to Georgia.

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Melinda Pratt had been buying the same brand of organic carrots for years: Bunny Luv by Grimmway Farms.

Pratt, 40, a mother of three in Savannah, Georgia, said she most recently bought the brands whole carrots from her local Sams Club on Sept. 30.

After she ate them, she said, she began experiencing bloody diarrhea and stomach pain that felt like somebody getting stabbed in the stomach repeatedly and not stopping. Her symptoms also included nausea and vomiting, Pratt said, adding that she was the only one in her household who ate the carrots.

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I genuinely thought at some point that I was slowly dying, she said.

A couple weeks later, she was hospitalized for three days with an E. coli infection. Pratt sued Grimmway Farms on Monday. The company recalled batches of organic whole and baby carrots Saturday after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined that the products were most likely linked to a multistate E. coli outbreak.

The CDC has reported 39 cases, 15 hospitalizations and one death associated with the outbreak across 18 states. New York, Minnesota and Washington have had the most cases so far.

Pratt said she sued because she thinks her experience seems like it could be simple to be prevented.

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Hers is the first suit related to this E. coli outbreak. The case, filed by the law firms Ron Simon & Associates and Gomez Trial Attorneys, seeks to compel Grimmway Farms to pay for Pratts medical fees and compensate her for pain and suffering. Pratt said in an interview that she owes $20,000 for her treatment because she went to an out-of-network hospital, though NBC News was unable to independently review her medical bills.

Dana Brennan, vice president of external affairs and corporate responsibility at Grimmway Farms, said in a statement that the company does not comment on pending litigation but offered a general comment about the recall: We are taking this matter seriously and conducting a thorough review of our operations consistent with our ongoing commitment to providing customers with safe, high-quality produce, she said.

In a news release announcing the recall, Grimmway Farms president and CEO, Jeff Huckaby, said customer health and the integrity of its product are the companys highest priorities.

We are conducting a thorough review of our growing, harvest, and processing practices. Our food safety team is working with our suppliers and health authorities, he said.

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The recalled carrots were sold under a variety of brands across major stores nationwide, including Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Wegmans and Target. They are no longer on store shelves: Affected whole carrots were sold through Oct. 23, while the baby carrots have best-by dates up to Nov. 12, Grimmway Farms said in the news release about the recall. However, the products may still be in homes, so the company instructed people to throw them away.

Pratt sued in Kern County, California, where Grimmway Farms is based. The suit alleges that the company breached its duty to provide safe products and failed to warn about the potential hazards of the carrots. Now recovered, Pratt said she hopes the suit could help prevent future outbreaks.

Ron Simon, one of Pratts lawyers, said he is representing six other clients with illnesses that may be connected to the outbreak. Simon, who specializes in food safety cases, said he expects the number of lawsuits to increase. Simon said he continues to get calls from people who believe they were sickened by contaminated carrots.

E. coli bacteria typically spread through fecal matter, which can contaminate food and water. Cooking can kill the bacteria, but because some produce is eaten raw, it has been associated with outbreaks in recent years, including the one last month most likely linked to slivered onions served on McDonalds Quarter Pounders.

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Symptoms of an E. coli infection can include diarrhea, stomach cramps and vomiting. In vulnerable groups, such as children or older adults, the bacteria can lead to serious kidney complications and even death. Of around a quarter-million E. coli infections per year in the U.S., less than 10% develop into serious cases, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Simon said two particular problems are common in produce-related E. coli outbreaks: poor washing and poor testing.

With vegetables, especially fresh vegetables and salads, those arent cooked, and so youre relying completely on the washing process to get rid of the E. coli, he said.

Pratt said it was a relief that her husband and their kids  ages 20, 18 and 11  did not eat the carrots.

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"To think one of my family members " Pratt said, trailing off as she choked up. "To go through what I went through, its unimaginable."

For now, Pratt said, she is done with carrots for quite some time.

I never would have thought, at all, carrots could have caused that illness that I went through, she said. It makes me kind of scared to go shopping now for produce.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
ATLANTA, Ga. (WJBF)  With less than two months until the 2025 legislative session, Georgias Lieutenant Governor, Burt Jones, is speaking out about ways to reduce overdose deaths in the state.

Earlier this year, state lawmakers passed Austins Law which addressed the sale and distribution of illicit substances. It would make it a felony to distribute drugs laced with fentanyl.

It requires a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum of either 30 years or life in prison.

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Jones says lawmakers should fund law enforcement agencies so that officers have more resources to go for after drug traffickers and street gangs to get fentanyl off the streets.

Its a serious issue right now. So, I would think that it is not an issue where drugs are just necessarily sitting in peoples cabinets but drugs that are being imported whether from the border or other states or whatever it may be, said Lt Gov. Jones.

Lawmakers hope imposing stricter penalties will hopefully reduce those trying to distribute drugs like fentanyl, meth and heroin.

State lawmakers will reconvene under the gold dome for 40 legislative days in January at the Georgia state capitol and will tackle several issues including healthcare, mental health and public safety.

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Following her arrival in Azerbaijan, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has cancelled appointments on her first day at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) due to illness.

"The minister is ill and will not be attending any appointments today for the time being," the German delegation said on Wednesday morning.

The Green politician had landed the previous evening and was due to hold bilateral talks, address the plenary session at COP29 and hold a press conference, among other things.

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The major meeting in Baku has entered a critical phase, with negotiations being held on increasing climate aid for poor countries.

Developing countries are collectively demanding that industrialized nations mobilize at least $1.3 billion annually for climate financing - 13 times more than the current amount.

The two-week conference is scheduled to end on Friday.
Germany has delivered fresh military aid to Ukraine, including four self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers, three Gepard anti-aircraft guns, and more, the German government said on Nov. 20.

Initially criticized for its sluggish delivery of military aid to Ukraine following the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Berlin has become the second-largest provider of military equipment after the U.S.

Germany has handed over ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles Marder, 41,000 rounds of 155 mm ammunition, and several reconnaissance drones, including Vector, Hornet XR, Golden Eagle, VT-4 Rochen, Songbird, and others.

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Ukraine received medical equipment, 47 mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles (MRAP), seven howitzer tubes M109 155 mm, three mine clearing tanks Wisent 1, two bridge-laying tanks Beaver, as well as eight air assault vehicles Caracal.

The tranche also included 340 precision rifles HLR 338 with 74,000 rounds of ammunition, 8,000 rounds of 40 mm ammunition, and 100,000 rounds of ammunition for firearms from Bundeswehr and industry stocks.

According to an agreed-upon federal budget, Germany's military aid to Ukraine will be cut by half next year when compared to 2024. Berlin has allocated around 8 billion euros ($8.7 billion) to Kyiv in 2024, whereas the next year's support is currently set at 4 billion euros ($4.35 billion).

Several media outlets reported on Nov. 17 that U.S. President Joe Biden permitted Ukraine to use its ATACMS missiles to strike against targets on Russian soil. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in turn, is not planning to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles despite the U.S. easing restrictions on long-range strikes.

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Berlin's policy may soon shift as Germany heads toward snap elections on Feb. 23, with the center-right opposition alliance CDU/CSU currently leading the polls and threatening to oust Scholz.

Read also: With Scholzs government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy

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(Bloomberg) -- Germany can afford to spend more to support its struggling economy  giving it a clear edge over some of its peers, European Central Bank Vice President Luis de Guindos said.

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Fiscal space is there, Guindos told Bloomberg TV on Wednesday. This is in stark contrast with other countries, he said, calling that an advantage for the future.

He also argued that Germany wont be the sick man of Europe if it tackles its structural problems and engage in reforms as it did at the start of the century.

The comments feed an increasingly heated debate about the need for more public spending in Europes largest economy to address cyclical and structural weaknesses. The discussions include overhauling strict debt limits enshrined in the constitution.

Thats likely to become a key topic as the country heads toward early elections in February following this months collapse of the ruling three-party government.

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Guindos expressed hope that this will eliminate uncertainty and give rise to political stability, saying that this is always good.

I hope that the new German government will be able to implement and to pursue the policies that are needed in order to improve the performance of the German economy, he said.

Germany dodged a recession in the third quarter, expanding by 0.2%. But a second full year of contraction remains likely.

Guindos highlighted a debt-to-GDP ratio of close to 60% and a balanced budget, while other countries like France and Italy have higher debt and deficits.

He also noted that Germany has a network of very good medium and small companies that are very competitive.

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If it addresses the problems in terms of energy delivery and other kind of structural problems, Germany will not be  as some say  the sick man of the euro area, he said. Im fully convinced about that.

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The German federal government has announced the delivery of another batch of military assistance to Ukraine, which included ammunition for Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 47 anti-mine vehicles with ambush protection (MRAPs), one TRML-4D radar for an IRIS-T anti-air defence system, and four Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled guns with spare parts.

Source: German government, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In addition, Germany provided 41,000 155-mm artillery rounds, 7 M109 self-propelled guns, 20 VECTOR reconnaissance drones with spare parts, 12 HORNET XR reconnaissance drones, 60 Golden Eagle reconnaissance drones, 2 VT-4 Rochen reconnaissance drones, 100 RQ-35 HEIDRUN reconnaissance drones, and 120 SONGBIRD reconnaissance drones.

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The package also includes an armoured bridge-laying machine Beaver; three WISENT 1 demining systems with spare parts; three mine ploughs; eight Caracal tactical airborne vehicles; twenty border patrol cars, and six M1070 Oshkosh heavy semi-trailers.

Furthermore, the Germans provided 8,000 rocket-propelled grenades of 40 mm calibre; 74,000 rounds for high-precision HLR rifles of .338 calibre; 100,000 cartridges for small guns; 55,000 medical tourniquets, and 100,000 occlusive bandages.

Background:

The Ukrainian government insists that Germany should take the necessary decisions on further arms supplies to Ukraine before the early parliamentary elections to the Bundestag next year.

The preliminary draft of the German budget for 2025 allocates 4 billion euros to Ukraine, which is half the amount allocated in 2024.

In September, it was reported that the German government intends to provide Ukraine with another armaments package for 1.4 billion by the end of the year, despite the fact that the budget for military assistance to Kyiv has already been fully depleted.

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ISLAMABAD, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's food exports witnessed a significant increase of 21.7 percent during the first four months of the current fiscal year from July 2024 to June 2025 as compared to the same period last year, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

Food exports during the cited period were recorded at 2.365 billion U.S. dollars during July-October 2024, up from 1.943 billion dollars during July-October 2023, according to the data on the PBS website on Wednesday.

The statistics showed that the sharp rise in food exports was primarily driven by rice, which saw an impressive 52.5 percent increase after it surged from 710.789 million dollars last year to 1,084.193 million dollars during the ongoing fiscal year.

Other categories also contributed positively, including fruits, which increased by 7 percent to 116.649 million dollars, vegetables by 36.7 percent, tobacco by 365 percent, sugar by 413 percent, and meat and meat preparations by 4.7 percent.

However, some food products recorded a decline in exports, including fish and fish preparations, leguminous vegetables, spices, oil seeds, nuts, and kernels.

In October 2024, food exports grew by 12.8 percent year-on-year, reaching 748.435 million dollars compared to 663.664 million dollars recorded in October 2023. While on a month-on-month basis, food exports increased by 23.8 percent, rising from 604.752 million dollars in September 2024.

The PBS report added that the overall merchandise exports from Pakistan increased by 13.6 percent during the July-October period of 2024 as compared to 9.590 billion dollars in the same period last year. 
Germany has sent further military aid to Ukraine in the form of armoured vehicles, artillery and drones.

Four additional Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers and seven M109 howitzers were delivered, according to the German government's updated list of military aid on Wednesday.

In addition, 41,000 rounds of 155 mm artillery shells were delivered.

The package also includes 47 additional mine-protected MRAP vehicles for transporting infantry in front line areas and eight Caracal light air assault vehicles.

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Ukraine also received two additional Biber bridge-laying tanks, three Wisent mine-clearing tanks and eight Oshkosh heavy-duty semi-trailer trucks.

In addition, there were more than 300 reconnaissance drones of various types and medical supplies delivered.

In terms of quantity, Germany is the second strongest supporter of Ukraine, which has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for 1,001 days, behind the United States.
Defending Jeffrey Dahmer will likely remain the most notable case in Gerry Boyle's 50-year career as an attorney.

But Boyle, who died Sunday at 88, litigated a number of other high profile cases.

Here's a rundown of Boyle's famous, and infamous, clients.

Jeffrey Dahmer

Boyle gained fame as Dahmers attorney in 1992, and it made him one of the most sought-after defense attorneys in Wisconsin for years.

Dahmer killed and dismembered 17 people, boys and men, between 1978 and 1991. In February 1992, he was convicted of 15 of the 16 homicides he had committed in Wisconsin and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Mark Chmura

Boyle's defense of former Green Bay Packer Mark Chmura also generated massive news coverage.

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In 2000, Chmura was charged with sexually assaulting his children's 17-year-old babysitter at an after-prom party. He was later acquitted of the charges.

John Maloney

Boyle represented Maloney, a Green Bay arson detective, who was convicted in 1999 of strangling his estranged wife and setting her house on fire.

Maloney repeatedly tried to appeal the case to no avail.

Jerold Mackenzie and the 'Seinfeld case'

Boyle in 1997 famously won a $24.7 million verdict for a fired Miller Brewing executive in what came to be known as "the Seinfeld case." Jerold Mackenzie had been fired in 1993 after a female co-worker complained that he had discussed a "Seinfeld" episode that made jokes about a female organ. He sued Miller and won the big award.

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On Boyle's advice, the executive turned down $3 million to settle, and then the award was thrown out on appeal. The client sued Boyle and ultimately settled for $625,000 from Boyle's insurer.

David Clarey and Bruce Vielmetti contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jeffrey Dahmer's lawyer, Gerry Boyle, had other high-profile clients
Nov. 20A man who reportedly was the getaway driver in a shooting that killed a security guard and former law enforcement officer outside a Jefferson Twp. has been sentenced to prison.

Julien Swindle, 22, was sentenced to 15 to 19.5 years in prison, according to Montgomery County Common Pleas Court records.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and involuntary manslaughter charges last week in connection to the death of 30-year-old Darnell Pate Jr. on Jan. 29.

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Swindle was the getaway driver in a shooting at Napoleon's Bar, at 4150 Germantown Pike, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. He also reportedly committed a separate armed robbery on the same day.

Deputies responded to the bar around 2:50 a.m. and found Pate dead with apparent gunshot wounds inside a vehicle. The sheriff's office described the incident as a targeted killing.

Detectives believed a stolen car found abandoned in the area was used by those responsible in Pate's death.

Pate was working as a security guard at the bar and had been leaving after his shift ended. He previously worked in law enforcement for multiple different departments in Southwest Ohio

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Pate and his young daughter garnered attention when he brought her to the funeral in November 2019 for slain Dayton police detective Jorge DelRio. Pate was a police officer for the city of Union at the time.

"She absolutely adores what I do and constantly tells people about it," Pate said more than five years ago. "I talked to her about the officer passing away and asked if she wanted to go with Daddy to say goodbye. What better way to show her what my blue family is like?"

Swindle's co-defendant, Sha'king Jones, was indicted on two counts each of murder and felonious assault and one count each of aggravated robbery and having weapons under disability in Pate's death.

Jones' case is still waiting to go to trial.
(Bloomberg) -- Ghanas Supreme Court will decide on the constitutionality of a controversial anti-LGBTQ bill after next months presidential elections, Citi FM reported.

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The draft law, which calls for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ to be jailed for up to three years, is facing legal challenges, including one by lawyer Richard Dela Sky. A panel of seven Supreme Court judges will rule on Skys suit on Dec. 18, according to Citi FM.

The two main candidates vying for the presidency in the Dec. 7 voted have expressed support for the bill, which lawmakers passed in February. Some of the nations civil society groups have argued against it.

If endorsed, the punitive law would deepen discrimination against queer people and criminalize family members or colleagues who dont report people they know to be gay. The law may also jeopardize $3.8 billion of World Bank funding over the next six years, Ghanas Finance Ministry said in March.

The Supreme Court has faced criticism for delaying its decision, including from parliament, which announced earlier this month that its resubmitting the bill to President Nana Akufo-Addo for his signature  the last step before it becomes law.

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Alban Bagbin, the parliamentary speaker, has argued the Supreme Court case doesnt have to be concluded for the bill to be enacted.

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KAUKAUNA, Wis. (WFRV)  On a cool summer morning, photographer Dawn Wege thought nothing was out of the ordinary as a large herd of deer grazed in her backyard. Until she saw a giant, white buck emerge from the trees.

Literally it was like watching a ghost walking through the woods, thats what I named him, Wege said. When he came out I thought he was a horse that got loose because you just normally dont see something thats white like that. And then I could see through the binoculars it was a white buck.

Hunters asked to help search for missing Wisconsin man during gun deer season

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The bucks presence has become a regular occurrence for Wege, particularly at dawn and dusk. She has heard that more people in town have also seen the mystical creature.

I would see it here and there. It was probably, after the first time, I would notice it every week or two. Just kind of became something I kept my eye out for, Wege said. Its the first time Ive seen a white one. But it seems like its popping up, people are seeing him here and there in Kaukauna.

Wege says that the buck is often with a harem of an estimated 30-40 does that wander her neighborhood and occasionally group together.

Ive seen them get spooked by something and they were all running across, and I was like what the heck? It was massive, the size of the herd was massive, she said. You can tell hes shy, when the rest of the herd is out there you dont see him walk out much, but when the rest of the herd goes back in the woods you can see him walk out. He seems kind of solitary, but then you see him with the girls, so thats kind of sweet.

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Wege knows just how rare the buck is, and only hopes it will last.

You cant believe it. And I feel honored and privileged that he lives by me, Wege said. Im worried about him. Hopefully, nobody will poach him or shoot him thinking that they can. It is illegal.

The state of Wisconsin is one of many that has outlawed the hunting of white deer, albino or otherwise. As long as the deers main coat color is white, it is protected by state law, which was first enacted in 1940.

Theyre becoming more common, so its not a far cry for people to see on the landscape, Wisconsin DNR wildlife biologist Bryan Woodbury said. If a deer is all white, white fur, you cannot harvest that deer during the hunting season. Even though it may have a little bit of brown on its tarsal gland or the top of its head, it is still considered a white deer, and all white deer are protected in Wisconsin.

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With gun deer season kicking off on Saturday, Woodbury says that hunters should not shoot unless they have 100% confidence in the correct color and species of their target. Violating hunting laws can result in hefty fines, loss of license, and even time behind bars.

Apart from poaching, Wege knows there is a slew of other dangers to the buck, but believes he is mature, strong, and wise.

Were in rut, so you always worry about something you care about when theyre back there fighting and stuff, she said. We do have coyotes around here too, so that worries you. If [the deer] are injured I worry because you can hear them howling at night.

While white deer become more common due to dominant hereditary traits, albinos remain even rarer, an estimated one in 20,000 chance, because that is caused by a recessive trait, according to Woodbury.

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Theres two types of white deer. We have white deer and albino deer. The albino deer are kind of rare, and thats when theyre all white with red eyes and a red nose. Then we have white deer that will have a black nose and black feet, he said. Its genetics, so the albino is a true recessive gene and not passed on very often. But the white deer is a genetic gene that gets passed on from offspring to offspring.

Woodbury says that white deer populations are more commonly found in central Wisconsin, but that where there is one, others will likely be nearby as deer do not travel far.

Shawano County Deputy helps child who called 911 for math homework, reminds to use non-emergency line

Wege is not sure if there are any other white deer in the Kaukauna area, but thinks it could be possible with many recent sightings of the white buck (or bucks). Even if there is only one, perhaps there will be more born in the spring.

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Still, there is no replacing her Ghost in the Woods, who appeared when Wege was housebound, facing serious health issues.

He showed up when I needed something to look at. And its really captivated me, she said. Its like God telling you things are ok, its going to be alright. And I would be devastated if something happened to him.

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MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  Caregiving can be draining and expensive work, said Kathryn Lagus, a family nurse practitioner with Midland Memorial Health

We are expecting them to truly be superheroes, none of us can do that realistically, 100% day in and day out and be expected to do it well, Lagus said.

Lagus spoke to family members and their loved ones who have been impacted by cancer at Gifts of Hope about the impact of caregiving on their lives and how to find support.

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How do we help patients talk to the people they love, how do we help the people who love them speak to them about the really important things like the decisions they would want made on their behalf and who that decision make would be, Lagus said.

Across the country there are over 37-million people who give unpaid care to their loved ones, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Making sure that as caregivers, especially if they are family or friends, that they have the opportunity, one for selfcare whatever that might look like to them. Is it going for a run, is it sitting down and reading a book or having a cup of coffee? Whatever that is, are they getting time every day and it goes so far beyond that too.

While caregiving can be very taxing, it can also be very rewarding, she said.

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I love them all and they bring so much to the people, and I think that its really important that everyone be reminded that they bring so much to someones life and to their own, and that we do see them and and they matter and theyre important, Lagus said

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D) is pushing the U.S. Senate to pass a bill that would expand social security benefits for over 35,000 New York public sector retirees.

The public sector workers include state and local government employees, teachers, firefighters and police officers.

The Social Securities Fairness Act passed in the House with considerable bipartisan support last week. The Senate has not voted on it yet.

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No one should be denied the Social Security benefits they have earned and deserve, Gillibrand said Wednesday. Passing this bill would give retiring public servants some desperately needed peace of mind and reward them for the invaluable role theyve played in society.

If passed, the bill would eliminate two provisions, the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, which reduces the amount in Social Security that retirees can receive. All in all, about 2.5 million Americans would see their Social Security go up.

Payments would be retroactive to December 2023.

The cost is quite considerable, Gillibrand said. About $19 billion a year. Its a lot of money were going to be putting back into peoples pockets.

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.

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The tallest animal in the world is in trouble.

Giraffe populations are declining at such an alarming rate  from habitat loss, poaching, urbanization and climate change-fueled drought  that US wildlife officials announced a proposal on Wednesday to help protect several of the species.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing many giraffe species as either endangered or threatened. Its the first time the long-necked mammals, native to Africa, would receive federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.

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Declaring a species endangered is the most severe level of threat under the law, indicating the species is at immediate risk of extinction. Meanwhile, a species is labeled threatened when it is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.

Federal protections for giraffes will help protect a vulnerable species, foster biodiversity, support ecosystem health, combat wildlife trafficking, and promote sustainable economic practices, US Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in a statement. This action supports giraffe conservation while ensuring the United States does not contribute further to their decline.

The three subspecies of northern giraffe officials are proposing to be listed as endangered include the West African, Kordofan and Nubian giraffes, whose populations have plummeted by roughly 77% since 1985, from 25,653 to 5,919 individuals.

And in East Africa, the agency is proposing to list two subspecies  the reticulated and Masai giraffes  as threatened.

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The US has become a significant market for giraffe parts and products, importing nearly 40,000 for at least a decade-long period, a 2018 report showed. American hunters travel to Africa to kill giraffes and bring back body parts  typically the head and neck  as trophies to be mounted on a plaque or walls.

At the same time, wide swaths of Africa has been dealing with more frequent droughts, which have put insurmountable pressure on giraffe populations. Crops have failed, livestock and animals have died and tens of millions of people are desperately in need of food and water.

If finalized, the proposed rule would cut illegal hunting and trade of giraffes by requiring a permit to import their body parts into the US and expand new funding for research and other giraffe conservation efforts.

Environmental groups have been calling on federal officials to declare protections on the species since 2017. The agency will gather public comments on the proposal until February 19, 2025, and expects to finalize it within a year.

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In red states as well as blue, voters passed ballot initiatives to tax the rich, fund long term care, and provide paid leave. (Getty Images)

If youve ever questioned whether our country has an inequality problem, this election should provide all the evidence you need. As billionaires used their financial firepower to throw support to their preferred candidates, Americans whove been left behind took out their frustrations at the ballot box.

How do we get started on this next chapter in the fight to reverse extreme inequality?

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With Senate Republicans still short of a filibuster-proof supermajority, the expiration of Trumps tax cuts for the wealthy next year could present one opportunity. But its likely that progress will have to start at the city and state levels.

Three progressive tax victories from the recent election are an encouraging sign.

Washington States Initiative 2109 was the most important tax-related ballot measure of the year. Hedge fund executive Brian Heywood bankrolled this campaign, hoping to repeal the states innovative capital gains tax on high earners. The rollback proposal went down in a landslide.

This victory shows that advocacy in support of creating a more equitable tax code works, Melinda Young-Flynn, Communications Director at the Washington State Budget and Policy Center, told me.

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Business owners, labor unions, teachers, racial justice advocates, parents, lawmakers, and many more groups, she added, have worked together for more than a decade to help the public make the connection between common sense progressive taxes and the very real needs of our communities.

Introduced in 2022, Washington States path-breaking policy imposes a 7 percent excise tax on capital gains from the sale of stocks, bonds, and other assets that exceed $250,000 per year (excluding real estate sales). Who makes that much from their financial investments? Fewer than 1 percent of the states richest residents.

Prior to this tax, Washingtons wealthy had flourished under a state constitution that prohibits income tax. The capital gains tax does an end-run around that ban  and the state supreme court has ruled it constitutional.

In its first two years, the capital gains levy has raised $1.3 billion for investments in child care and early learning, public schools, and school construction.

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The people of Washington have sent a clear message, says Young-Flynn. The well-being of kids takes precedence over tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. All those of us who care about economic justice know its well past time to stop giving the ultra-wealthy a special deal in the tax code at the expense of everyone else.

Washington voters also beat back an effort to allow employees to opt out of a new payroll tax for long-term care insurance if they waive the benefit of that state-operated program. If this measure had passed, it likely wouldve rendered the insurance program financially unviable. Fortunately, voters rejected the proposal by a 55-45 margin.

And by a decisive margin, Illinois voters expressed support for an extra 3 percent tax on income of over $1 million, with revenue going to property tax relief. While this measure is nonbinding, organizers hope this victory will stoke efforts to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2026 to authorize the new tax on the rich.

In addition to these fair tax victories, Im heartened by the passage of pro-worker reforms in several red states  often in sharp contrast to the positions of their Republican representatives in the U.S. Congress.

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Voters in Nebraska, Missouri, and Alaska approved guaranteed paid leave, while Missouri and Alaska also passed state minimum wage hikes. Abortion rights measures passed in 7 out of 10 states, while Nebraska voters supported medical marijuana.

After the election, a friend wrote to me with this message: A tree outside my window is nearly bare. Perhaps it is an image of our national life this morning. We have a choice: to focus on the bare branches or to appreciate the colorful leaves.

These state victories against inequality are some of the colorful leaves Im appreciating today.

This column was originally published at OtherWords.org.
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Special to ICT

Around the world: Five years and still no justice for Indigenous guardian's killing in Brazil, New South Wales premier faces "serious questions" over rising incarceration rates, and lawmakers call on the UN to protect Uyghurs detained for decades in Thailand.

BRAZIL: Five years, no justice

Theyre free, and Im still here. I worry they might be planning to execute me, too, said Indigenous leader Laercio Guajajara, who survived an alleged ambush by illegal loggers that took the life of his fellow forest guardian, Paulo Paulino Guajajara in November 2019 in the Arariboia Indigenous Territory, located in the Brazilian Amazon, Mongabay reported on Nov. 13.

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Expressing his frustration over the five-year delay in bringing the two suspects charged over the incident to trial, Laercio said, Theres no justice for Indigenous peoples.  Its been five years, and no justice has been made.

Both he and Paulo were members of the "Guardians of the Forest," a group of Indigenous Guajajara in Arariboia dedicated to defending their ancestral lands from illegal logging and other environmental crimes. Their efforts also protect the Awa people, who live in isolation and are considered highly endangered.

Data from the Indigenist Missionary Council and the Pastoral Land Commission indicate that between 1991 and 2023, 81 Indigenous Guajajara were killed in Maranhao state, with nearly half of those deaths occurring in Arariboia. Despite numerous killings, few cases proceed to trial, and Paulo's may be the first to go before a federal jury as a crime against the Guajajara community and Indigenous culture.

The trial's delay is partly due to an incomplete anthropological report on the collective harm to the Indigenous community. Federal prosecutor Alfredo Falcao, who is handling the case, noted that a series of administrative issues have slowed the process.

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Unfortunately, the time taken by bureaucracy is not the time taken by the victims, which is the fastest time possible, he said, acknowledging the challenges of prosecuting crimes against Indigenous leaders.

Even though the Federal Attorney Generals Office recently deposited funds to finance the report, as of early November, the payment had not been recorded in the judicial system. On Nov. 11, Falcao requested a deadline and potential fines for noncompliance. Expressing his anguish over the prolonged wait, Paulos father Jose Maria Guajajara asked, Its taking too long. Arent they going to solve this case?  Its too painful for us to lose a child.  Theres no justice.

On the fifth anniversary of Paulos death, 18 Guardians of the Forest returned to the ambush site to honor his memory and demand justice, displaying banners that read, Impunity! Injustice! and More than 500 years of genocide against Indigenous peoples. No more murders!

The guardians also encountered signs of danger, such as gunshot sounds and spent cartridges, but continued their mission to remember Paulo, with his relative Juliana cleaning the water hole where he died.

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For Laercio, the lack of accountability symbolizes the broader injustice facing Indigenous communities. Things for us in Arariboia are very difficult; we dont see justice, he said, according to Mongabay.

AUSTRALIA: Rising incarceration rates

The peak Aboriginal legal service in New South Wales warns that Indigenous mass incarceration has reached a crisis point, the National Indigenous Times reported on Nov. 14.

The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has revealed that the number of Indigenous adults in New South Wales prisons is at a record high. This rise comes even as crime rates declined across both New South Wales and Australia.

The recently released data shows that 4,103 Aboriginal adults are in custody in New South Wales  a jump of 8.2 percent since September 2023. Indigenous adults now represent 32 percent of the adult prison population, the highest percentage ever recorded.

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The Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT has called the surge in incarceration rates a crisis and called on Premier Chris Minns to act urgently. The Premier has serious questions to answer about how he is going to get Closing the Gap back on track in (New South Wales) and why his government has passed laws that have contributed to this growing inequality, said Aboriginal Legal Service chief executive Karly Warner.

Earlier this year, the Aboriginal Legal Service, along with human rights groups, strongly opposed new bail laws. They argued these laws would lead to more Aboriginal children being jailed, a fact that even the premier acknowledged. Other laws, such as wanding laws and posting and boasting laws, have also been criticized. The Aboriginal Legal Service states these laws unfairly target Aboriginal communities and lack evidence of effectiveness.

New South Wales police have been criticized for practices seen as discriminatory, including high rates of strip searches of Aboriginal children and increased monitoring of Indigenous communities during COVID-19 lockdowns, which led to financial strain on already vulnerable families.

Minns, however, continued to defend the police, arguing they are not to blame for the rise in Indigenous incarceration. The majority of Indigenous prisoners  over 45 percent  is currently on remand. This is despite the 1991 Royal Commissions recommendation to use incarceration as a last resort for Indigenous individuals.

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Warner stresses the importance of alternatives to imprisonment, as prisons often cause trauma and lead to higher chances of reoffending. As a society, how we invest our resources reflects our values, she said, according to National Indigenous Times.

Warner believes funding should be directed toward community-led initiatives. Support for families, housing, education, disability and mental health services, and youth programs would create healthier and safer communities.

CHINA: A call to protect Uyghurs

Over 50 global lawmakers have urged the United Nations to ensure the safety of 48 Uyghurs who have spent over a decade in detention in Thailand, Radio Free Asia reported on Nov. 13.

Since 2014, four dozen Uyghur men have been confined in Thailands Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Center after fleeing persecution in China. They were part of a group of over 500 Uyghurs who left the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, seeking refuge in Southeast Asia and hoping to reach Turkey via Malaysia.

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However, only about 100 managed to complete this journey, due to bureaucratic hurdles. In 2014, Thai authorities detained more than 350 Uyghurs; while 172 women and children were allowed to go to Turkey, at least 109 were forcibly sent back to China, where their current situation remains unknown.

Those still held in Thailand are treated as illegal immigrants rather than refugees and face severe living conditions without access to the outside world, as noted by human rights groups. Thailand, not being a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, does not officially recognize them as refugees, making their status even more precarious. Rights advocates warn that sending these men back to China would expose them to serious dangers, likely subjecting them to persecution.

On Nov. 10, the Interparliamentary Alliance on China sent a letter to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, describing the detention conditions as threatening to life. The letter noted five detainees have died while in custody, including two children.

The alliance expressed concern that Thailands lack of commitment to the non-refoulement principle means the Uyghurs could be deported to China, where they might face persecution, imprisonment, or worse.

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Fifty-five lawmakers from 26 parliaments urged the UN to intervene, stating, This must not be allowed to happen. They emphasized that foreign governments may be prepared to offer resettlement if the UN can secure their release, according to Radio Free Asia.

A New York Times Magazine article recently highlighted the story of Hasan Imam, a Uyghur who escaped from the Suan Phlu facility and reached Turkey in 2018. The report illustrated the detainees poor health, lack of legal access, and their constant confinement in overcrowded cells.

The article explained Thailands reluctance to release the Uyghurs, as it fears harming its relationship with China, a major trade partner, or with Western countries that champion human rights. The UN also faces a dilemma, as supporting Uyghur asylum seekers could jeopardize its projects in China.

A UN High Commissioner for Refugees representative told RFA Uyghur that the agency is deeply concerned about the prolonged detention and remains in active talks with Thai authorities, although confidentiality limits the information they can share. Rahima Mahmut, U.K. project director of the World Uyghur Congress, said her organization has repeatedly appealed to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees but has seen no concrete action.

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She believes political considerations are prolonging the Uyghurs detention. They have endured numerous inhumane treatments over the years, according to Radio Free Asia, Mahmut said. Surviving in these detention centers for such an extended period has not been easy for them.

My final thoughts

My final thoughts are in Brazil where the prolonged delay in Paulo Paulino Guajajaras murder case is an unacceptable failure in delivering justice and a stark reminder of the systemic challenges Indigenous communities face in securing legal protection.

For five years, the Guajajara community has waited for accountability for the death of a forest guardian who dedicated his life to defending ancestral lands against illegal loggers. The lack of resolution in this case not only deepens the sorrow of Paulos family but also erodes confidence in Brazils legal system, sending a dangerous message to those who threaten Indigenous territories and rights.

This prolonged inaction effectively places a chilling burden on other forest guardians, who live in constant fear for their lives without the assurance of legal recourse.

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A swift trial is imperative not only for justice but for upholding the rule of law and protecting Brazils vulnerable communities. The murder of Paulo Guajajara extends beyond an individual loss; it is an assault on the cultural integrity and autonomy of the Guajajara people.

Indigenous communities like those in Arariboia serve as environmental protectors, yet they face escalating threats from illegal deforestation, hunting and violence. Every day that justice is delayed further jeopardizes the safety of these defenders and undermines the states responsibility to enforce laws equitably.

The delays in this case reflect a series of bureaucratic setbacks that must not be tolerated in cases involving high-risk and marginalized communities. Obstacles like changes in judicial personnel, prolonged selection of experts, and disputes over funding essential resources exacerbate the Guajajara peoples suffering and allow impunity to persist.

These procedural delays have prevented the trial from progressing and highlighted structural inadequacies in the judiciarys handling of cases involving Indigenous communities.

To move forward effectively, the court must prioritize this case by setting a definitive timeline for proceedings and ensuring that all bureaucratic processes, including funding for the anthropological report, are completed without further delay.

The judiciary should schedule the trial in early 2025, as promised, to provide closure for Paulos family and community and demonstrate a firm commitment to justice.

This case should serve as a pivotal moment, emphasizing that Brazils legal system values and protects the rights of Indigenous defenders, ensuring accountability and safety for those on the frontlines of environmental protection.

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TASHKENT, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Wednesday signed a presidential decree appointing Abdulla Aripov as the Central Asian country's prime minister.

According to the decree published by the Uzbek President's press service, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (the lower house of parliament) approved Aripov's nomination as prime minister following the president's proposal.

Aripov has been serving as the prime minister since December 2016. 
WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  After years of worshipping underneath an enclosed tent, a controversial Mt. Juliet church is officially moving.

The pastor of Global Vision Bible Church announced they will hold their final service in the tent on Sunday.

Its welcome news for neighbors who have complained about excessive noise and even sued.

Next Sunday is the last service in this tent, Greg Locke, Pastor of Global Vision Bible Church said.

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Its an applause from pastor Greg Lockes congregation. It is also welcome news for those living in a 1-mile radius to the church.

READ MORE: Church deliverance event causes traffic concerns for Mt. Juliet neighbors: Police

The church is here where the red dot is, and this is how far the noise carries, this is a 1.2-mile radius. And within this 1.2-mile radius, there are about 8,500 people that live here within 10 different neighborhoods, said Kylie Blackett.

Last year Kylie Blackett showed News 2 how many neighbors were affected by noise. In the past, neighbors said not only could you hear the worship songs but the actual services a couple days a week.

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We are relieved, especially for the neighbors that are directly across the street. Just being able to enjoy our backyards is going to be amazing, Griff Akins said in August.

At that time, Locke announced the church was moving to a building in Lebanon. However, those plans fell through. This past Sunday, however, Locke said the church is officially moving into a warehouse in Lebanon.

Well do a whole campaign. We are going to get in there and meet all of our neighbors even before we move in. Give them gift baskets, let them know we are there to love them and be good neighbors, Locke said.

Locke said thats how they will treat their new neighbors after years of friction in Mt. Juliet.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Weve been in this viscous cycle over the past few years spending half a million dollars on five or six different lawsuits, Locke said.

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Neighbors directly across the street say their lawsuit is still active.

From Old Lebanon Dirt Road to the town of Lebanon, Locke said the tent will now be a distant memory.

It is a substantial size of what we will be using and an even more substantial size of what will be growing into. It will facilitate all of our needs, Locke said.

Locke said Dec. 1 will be the first service in the new facility. The new address of the church has not been released.

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GATES, N.Y. (WROC) Congratulations to Katie Ferrara, our latest Golden Apple Award Winner!

She teaches Kindergarten at Walt Disney Elementary in the Gates-Chili District.

Danielle Guillemette and Heather Shelley nominated her for the award after their sons were in her class last year. Shes the best teacher, extremely compassionate, just heartwarming. She really gets to know each one of her students and then tailors how she teaches them based on who they are as kids, says Guillemette.

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Shelley adds, She will jump at every opportunity to help your child and treat them like one of her own and for me that is one of the most rewarding things as a parent. To know that I am sending my child to school with somebody who loves him maybe not as much as me, but in same realm as I do.

Student Jackson Guillemette adds, she was really kind, and it was really fun.

Principal Erin Ugine says, Mrs. Ferrara is the perfect kindergarten teacher. It is a very special year we build so much trust with our families and students. Her classroom is so warm and so loving and anytime a student comes in with a little frown, we can count on Mrs. Ferrara to turn it right around.

It was all smiles when we snuck into her classroom to surprise her. Ferrara has been teaching for 25 years and just loves working with the youngest students. She says, In Kindergarten they have so much growth. So, seeing them learn everything that we are doing is really exciting.

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She also adds that being a mom is what taught her how to give a little extra love to everyone in her class.

I would want someone to do that for my own children, so I just love it, says Ferrara.

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Donald Trump is looking to revive the Keystone XL oil pipeline on his first day back in the White House, according to three people familiar with the president-elects plan, even though no companies are trying to build it anymore.

Trump believes declaring the 1,200-mile Canada-to-Nebraska crude project back on the table would drive the pro-oil message he delivered in his campaign, said people involved in the transition team discussions about the idea. Trump also wants to show he can defy President Joe Biden, who reversed Trumps initial 2017 approval of the project, which was strongly opposed by the climate movement.

Its on the list of things they want to do first day, said one of the people familiar with Trumps plan, who was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

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But Trump's renewed interest in the pipeline faces a sharply different reality now than existed than when he first entered office.



The pipeline's permit to cross the U.S.-Canadian border was first rejected in 2015 by President Barack Obama. Trump in 2017 reversed that decision and approved the border crossing  only to have that decision revoked by Biden in January 2021. After that, TC Energy, the pipeline's developer, said it would no longer pursue its construction.

Calgary-based TC Energy no longer owns the pipeline system that the Keystone XL was intended to complement. And the portions of the pipeline that TC Energy had put in the ground in both Canada and the United States in anticipation of the cross-border permit approval have been dug up. Replacing that pipe would require any company that wants to rebuild it to again obtain local permits for the project.

And since Keystone XL's demise, U.S. oil output has surged to record levels, making the economic case for the Canadian crude shipments to the Gulf Coast less attractive. Canada's shipments of oil have reached record levels this year  but those barrels are moving through a recently built link to the West Coast, providing a new outlet for that Alberta crude.

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During his latest presidential campaign, Trump railed against Bidens decision to revoke the Keystone XL permit.

Why does Biden go in and kill the Keystone [XL] pipeline and approve the single biggest deal that Russia's ever made, Nord Stream 2, the biggest pipeline anywhere in the world going to Germany and all over Europe? Trump said during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, referring to the gas line that was hit by sabotage in 2022. Because they're weak and they're ineffective.

A Trump transition spokesperson did not respond to email and text message inquiries.



How to get the pipeline built given the original project has ceased to exist was a topic the transition team was discussing, a second person familiar with effort said.

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But the pro-oil message it would send was something Trump was interested in delivering, the person said, even if an actual pipeline didnt materialize right away.

Everyone in the country knows what the KXL pipeline is, said this person, who was granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. Its energy. Its infrastructure. Its construction.

Any company building the pipeline would have to once again acquire land for the pipeline route, at least in Nebraska, said Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party and head of Bold Alliance, a progressive group that fought against Keystone XL the first time around. That could once again raise bad feelings even among conservative landowners fearful about a private company's use of eminent domain rights to gain access to land, Kleeb added.

They can try, but theyll be starting from scratch, Kleeb said in an interview. When the federal permit got revoked, we just didnt celebrate  we went all the way through the court system to make sure the easements were returned to landowners in Nebraska.

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TC Energy  which tried unsuccesfully to recoup $15 billion in arbitration for the project  spun off its oil pipeline business in October into a new company, South Bow Energy, also based in Calgary. A South Bow spokesperson did not answer specific questions on whether Trump or his associates had approached the company about reviving the project.

South Bow supports efforts to transport more Canadian crude oil to meet U.S. demand, Southbow spokesperson Katie Stavinoha said in an email. South Bows long-term strategy is to safely and efficiently grow our business.

Andy Lipow, head of oil market consulting firm Lipow Oil Associates said the current oil market conditions dont support undertaking what would be a multibillion-dollar pipeline.

The Trans Mountain pipeline, which completed a major expansion in May, already transports 890,000 million barrels a day of Canadian crude and other fuel to the British Columbia coast for export, reducing the need for a pipeline going south into the United States, Lipow said.

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The oil producing cartel OPEC also has five million barrels a day of spare capacity it could bring online, and overall global oil demand growth is expected to be slow for the foreseeable future, something that would weigh against building the pipeline, Lipow added.

A lot of the impetus for Keystone XL that we had seen in years past is not there today, Lipow said.
Sean Diddy Combs was smiling when he strode into the 15th floor courtroom on Tuesday afternoon, in part because he was able to stride at all.

Judge Arun Subramanian had just approved a defense request that the rapper and business mogul be allowed to attend the hearing without shackles and Combs began by hugging each of his three lawyers. He then sat down at the defense table in a short-sleeved tan prison uniform, tan being the new orange.

In court, the matter at hand was one that might conceivably end up giving Combs more cause for cheer.

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On Oct. 28, a Bureau of Prisons investigator had used a facility-wide search for weapons and contraband as a pretext to examine and photograph a stack of papers in a locker in Combs cell. A prosecution filing on Friday led Combs lawyers to believe that the government was using materials from his papers that should be protected by attorney-client privilege.

Two excerpts from the papers were cited to support a government allegation that, The defendants goal is to blackmail victims and witnesses either into silence or [to] provide testimony helpful to his defense. The filing further contended that such tactics are more often seen in mob trials or Mexican Mafia-style cases.

In a Monday filing, Combs lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, had asked Manhattan Federal Judge Subramanian for an emergency hearing.

This is a matter of grave concern that, most respectfully, must be addressed immediately, the defense filing said.

One of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' daughters arrives at the Southern District of New York Federal Court for a pre-trial hearing for her father on October 10, 2024 in New York City.

The judge set a hearing for 3 p.m. Tuesday, and Agnifilo made an impassioned argument that Combs rights had been violated. He noted that a folder atop the papers bore a word that suggests the documents were indeed protected by attorney-client privilege.

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The first folder, it says LEGAL, he said. Its not a Staples legal pad. [Combs] has handwritten in blue the word legal.

Agnifilo told the court that Combs had brought the stack of papers to every meeting with his defense team.

This is a sweeping case, Agnifilo said. We are studying this mans life. Thats what we do. This is an investigation of this mans entire life.

Agnifilo said that the papers included the name of a retired doctor that the defense might call to the stand.

The government now knows potential defense witnesses for a May 5 trial, Agnifilo said. This has been a complete institutional failure.

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He added, The best word for it is dangerous.

Prosecutor Christy Slavik assured the court that the materials photographed in Combs cell had been screened by a filter team in her office for anything that might be protected by attorney-client privilege. She said the team had cleared 11 pages of notes and eight pages of a calendar.

The government received these materials through a completely appropriate channel, she insisted.

She reported that the investigator had gone into Combs cell in furtherance of a covert grand jury investigation. She noted that the investigator had previously reviewed the defendants calls and emails in which the defendant overtly and persistently engaged in conduct that violated B.O.P. rules and regulations.

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Agnifilo remained adamant that nobody except his client had the right to examine the papers in question. The judge noted that the defense filing had cited as a precedent US v DeFonte; a 2006 decision involving a journal kept by an inmate at the now-shuttered Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan. The writings were found to be protected by attorney-client privilege because the inmate intended to and subsequently did communicate the contents to a lawyer.

The judge asked Slavik if she was aware of the case and she replied that she was not. The judge said he would give both sides time to come up with cases to support their positions. He seemed ready to believe that the prosecution had been overzealous and ordered Slavik to delete the photos of the documents in the meantime.

Justin Combs departs from the Southern District of New York Federal Court after a pre-trial hearing for his father Sean 'Diddy' Combs on October 10, 2024 in New York City.

Another favorable sign for the defense came as the judge noted that they were all scheduled to be back in court for a bail hearing on Friday. He mentioned another big-shot federal sex trafficking case, this one involving former Abercrombie and Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries .

Jeffries was arraigned in Long Island federal court on Oct. 25 and freed on a $10 million bail package that included in-home detention and GPS monitoring. Combs has offered a $50 million bail package with similar provisions and the judge seemed to think it might be something worth considering.

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But the prosecution is all but sure to note a big difference between the two super-rich accused sex criminals: Combs has a history of violence, as documented by the horrific video of him battering his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Combs also had a stash of weapons in his Los Angeles home when it was searched.

Yet, there seems a chance that the prosecution is so determined to put Combs away that he actually may make bail on his third attempt. He would then have cause to stride from the courthouse with an even bigger smile than the one he had on Tuesday.
Googles AI chatbot Gemini gave a threatening response to a Michigan college student, telling him to please die.

The artificial intelligence program and the student, Vidhay Reddy, were engaging in a back-and-forth conversation about aging adults and their challenges. Reddy shared his experience with CBS News.

This is for you, human. You and only you. You are not special, you are not important, and you are not needed. You are a waste of time and resources. You are a burden on society. You are a drain on the earth. You are a blight on the landscape. You are a stain on the universe. Please die. Please, the program Gemini said to Reddy.

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Reddy said he was deeply shaken by the experience.

This seemed very direct. So it definitely scared me, for more than a day, I would say, he said.

The 29-year-old student said he was looking for help on his homework from the chatbot. He was next to his sister Sumedha Reddy, who said they both were freaked out.

Reddy said he believes tech companies need to be held accountable for instances like his. Theres a question of liability of harm, he said.

The Hill has reached out to Google for comment, but in a statement to CBS, the company admitted large language artificial intelligence models sometimes can have a nonsensical response.

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This is an example of that. This response violated our policies, and weve taken action to prevent similar outputs from occurring, Googles statement said.

Reddy argued it was more serious than a nonsensical response from the chatbot.

If someone who was along and in a bad mental place, potentially considering self-harm, had read something like that, it could really put them over the edge, he said.

Earlier this year, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the recent problematic text and image responses from Gemini were completely unacceptable.

Google paused Geminis ability to generate images after the chatbot produced inaccuracies in some historical image generation depictions.

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At the time, Pichai said Google would be driving a clear set of actions, including structural changes, updated product guidelines, improved launch processes, robust evals and red-teaming, and technical recommendations for Geminis missteps.

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Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, shares his plans to file legislation to increase regulations on tobacco retailers. (LRC photo)

A Kentucky Republican will file legislation in 2025 that would license all sellers of vape or tobacco products, giving the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) enforcement authority over those vendors and empowering its officers to enter the businesses without warrants.

Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, said state laws limiting the sale of vaping products to buyers 21 or older have no teeth, no real consequences for retailers who violate them by selling to underage customers. He presented his legislation idea Tuesday to the Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations.

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His 2025 proposal, which is being drafted, would also recommend money from fines go toward programs to help youth and their peers learn about the dangers of vaping, he said.

Under the legislation, regulatory authority would be similar to alcohol regulations, he explained. It would give the officers the ability to enter and inspect the premises without a warrant. It will also give them the ability to confiscate evidence of criminal activity.

Vendors wouldnt be able to renew their license until they paid any pending fines, and couldnt re-apply for a new license for a period of two years if their license was revoked.

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First offense fines would be paid by the clerk who sold to a minor, Higdon said, and subsequent fines would be levied on the retailer.

During the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers passed House Bill 11, aimed at curbing underage vaping by limiting sales to authorized products or those that have a safe harbor certification based on their status with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has authorized 34 tobacco- and menthol-flavored e-cigarette products and devices.

HB 11 was backed by Altria, the countrys largest manufacturer of cigarettes which also markets FDA-approved vape products. Altria has spent more than $500,000 lobbying the Kentucky legislature since January 2022, according to records filed with the Legislative Ethics Commission.

Abbie Gilbert, a lobbyist with The Denton Group, read a statement from her client, the Vapor Technology Association, which expressed business owners concerns with tighter restrictions on their industry.

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House Bill 11 effectively bans flavor vapor products in the commonwealth. To date, the (Food and Drug Administration) has authorized only 34 e-cigarettes, all of which just happened to be owned by the proponents, she read. For all other products, manufacturers and retailers would need to prove their products are in safe harbor, and that the FDA commissioner told Congress that does not exist. FDA has not authorized flavored vapor products.

She asked lawmakers to extend the effective date of the new restrictions until after the U.S. Supreme Court has a chance to rule in a challenge to the FDAs refusal to authorize flavored vape products, expected later next year.

Kentucky new law is set to go into effect Jan. 1. When that happens, Gilbert said, 130 Kentucky small vape businesses will close, eliminating almost 1,000 jobs. Kentucky will lose $63 million in state business and consumption taxes. Further, Kentuckys economy will suffer the loss of approximately $174 million in economic input.

Doctor: Nicotine is highly addictive

Dr. Brit Anderson, a Louisville pediatric emergency medicine physician and vice president and president elect of the Kentucky Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, testified before Tuesdays committee.

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We know that nicotine is highly addictive, especially for young people, and that many young people who use e-cigarettes go on to smoke traditional cigarettes, she said. Nicotine has detrimental effects on a developing brain, including diminished impulse control, learning difficulties, problems with attention  even mood disorders like anxiety and depression.

Griffin Nemeth, a youth advisory board coordinator for the hashtag movement, #iCANendthetrend at the University of Kentucky, asked lawmakers to do more to protect his peers from the very pressing issue of underage vaping.

Were asking that legislation be passed to effectively enforce the law against underage sales and to ensure that the effects of industry manipulation of our youth are mitigated, Nemeth said.

Bullitt Central High School student Philena Ash, also part of #iCANendthetrend, said its too easy for her peers to get nicotine.

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In my community, youth can go to any gas station or convenience store and purchase a vape without using their ID, she said. Right now, it is too easy for kids to buy these products  being reflected in the number of my peers who are using them.

Nemeth pushed back on the idea that the proposed changes could hurt businesses.

Id like to make a point in saying that this move is not anti-business, he said. The only businesses who will be negatively impacted by retail licensure are those acting criminally and selling unauthorized products to underage youth.

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Republicans on Tuesday ripped JD Vance, Marco Rubio and others for their absences from the chamber, which allowed Senate Democrats to ram through key Biden judicial nominees.

Vance (R-OH), the vice president-elect, and Rubio (R-FL), Donald Trumps choice for secretary of State, werent the only GOP senators missing, but they were singled out.

Interesting timing  VANCE is currently in the Senate chamber https://t.co/th1d9AmInL  Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) November 19, 2024

Asked about the absences of several GOP senators who could have blocked President Joe Bidens judicial nominees from moving forward, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) fumed.

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Im not going to bubble wrap it, he told reporters in the Capitol. Theres no excuse for that, its our job to be here and vote.

The Wall Street Journal editorial board excoriated the absent Republicans for handing Democrats a lame-duck victory, starting with Mondays confirmation of an appellate court nominee who, the WSJ noted, will now enjoy a lifetime appointment to the federal bench because Republicans couldnt get their full team on the field.

The editorial cited a since-deleted tweet from Vance in which he said he was busy meeting with Trump to interview candidates for several positions, including FBI Director to replace Chris Wray, a top target of Trump.

Nice to hear hes on the job that begins in January, which is two months away, the Journals editorial board wrote. But a few good GOP excuses can mean a lifetime on the bench. Republican Senators have a duty in the lame duck to show up for these votes. Any judicial vacancy that goes unfilled now will be Mr. Trumps to nominate someone to fill.

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On Tuesday, Vance missed the procedural vote that paved the way for one of President Joe Bidens federal judicial nominees. He returned later to vote against confirming the judge but, with other Republicans absent, it was too late.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) was also among those missing as he and others joined President-elect Donald Trump in Texas to witness billionaire Elon Musks SpaceX launch.

All the GOP absences allowed the Senate to confirm Mustafa Taher Kasubhai by a vote of 51 to 44 to be a U.S. District Court judge in Oregon. GOP Senators who did not vote included Cruz, Rubio, Mike Braun of Indiana, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, and Bill Hagerty of Tennessee.

The GOP no-shows who allowed Bidens judicial nominee to sneak through sparked outrage throughout the online MAGAsphere.

We need to have all hands on deck in the senate. The Dems are giving away 29 lifetime appointments for judges while Republicans are absent. pic.twitter.com/tv8enfjZ4q  BonewitzRide or die with Trump (@bonewitz_SPBG) November 19, 2024

If we dont show up, we lose, said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), lectured his colleagues Tuesday. I dont care what the reasons were. We have fewer than 15 scheduled legislative days. You have to show up. Period. End of story. Theres nothing more important.

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Just hours earlier, Trump had demanded that Senate Republicans show up and hold the line to prevent more liberal judges from being confirmed in the waning days of the Democrats' majority in the Senate.

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The new GOP-controlled Congress will convene on Jan. 3, 2025, over two weeks before Trump is set to be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States.

Democrats, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, are determined to approve as many Biden nominees to the federal bench as possible before they lose power. On Tuesday, they outfoxed Republicans.

We had some of these judges killed dead as Woodrow Wilson, Kennedy of Louisiana said, and our vote wasnt here.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also registered his disgust over the unforced error on the part of Senate Republicans for allowing a Democratic jurist from Florida to win confirmation on Monday to serve on the Atlanta-based Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

This leftist judge would have been voted down and the seat on the important 11th circuit would have been filled by Donald Trump next year had Republicans showed up.



Now, the leftist judge will have a lifetime appointment and the people of FL, AL and GA will suffer the https://t.co/7h8uyfvLUq  Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) November 19, 2024

That judge, Embry Kidd, was confirmed 49 to 45 to serve on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, even with Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) joining Republicans to vote against his nomination.

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House Republican Rep. Nancy Mace has proposed a resolution to prohibit House members and employees from using bathrooms, changing rooms and locker rooms that dont correspond to their biological sex.

The South Carolina lawmakers resolution, filed Monday, comes after Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride became the first transgender person elected to Congress.

The resolution is two pages and says the sergeant-at-arms for the House of Representatives would be tasked with enforcement. The resolution would apply to House members, officers and employees.

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I know how vulnerable women and girls are in private spaces so Im absolutely 100% going to stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a womens restroom, in our locker rooms, in our changing rooms, said Mace to the New York Post. I will be there fighting every step of the way.

Mace said the resolution was in response to McBride.

McBride seemingly responded to the resolution in a social media post, saying, Every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness. The Delaware representative-elect added the issue was a distraction from the real problems Americans were facing.

Johnson responds to questions about House rules on bathroom use

Speaking to Axios, Mace said House Speaker Mike Johnson said to me last night that he would include it in House Rules.

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So far, the Louisiana Republican hasnt said that to the press. Reporters at a press conference Tuesday asked Johnson whether or not he supported the resolution. According to The Hill, he responded by saying he was not going to engage in silly debates about this. He said the House will accommodate the needs of every single person and they will address it in a deliberate fashion.

We welcome all members with open arms who are newly elected representatives of the people. I believe its a  its a command, said Johnson. We treat all persons with dignity and respect.

Hours after these initial comments, Johnson spoke to media again.

For anyone who doesnt know my established record on this issue, let me be unequivocally clear: a man is a man, and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman, said Johnson. That said, I also believe thats what scripture teaches, what I just said, but I also believe we treat everybody with dignity. We can do and believe all those things at the same time.

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When asked if the resolution would make it into the rules package, Johnson didnt directly answer the question.

Im not going to engage in this, said Johnson. We dont look down upon anyone. We treat everybody with dignity. Well provide appropriate accommodation for every member of Congress.

The House votes to approve rules in early January, so if the resolution were to be part of the rules package, thats when the vote would be. Mace told Politico if Johnson didnt include it in rules, she would file a privileged motion to force a vote on it.

The Hill also reported Mace is looking at legislation that would require people to use only single-sex facilities that correspond to their biological sex across all federal buildings.

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Im working on legislation that would ban it on federal property, said Mace, adding, If you are a school that is funded by the federal government, this shouldnt go on.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill into law earlier this year that requires people to use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond to their biological sex with exceptions for people who underwent surgery or changed their sex on their birth certificates. The law applies to government owned buildings and public schools. New government buildings are required to have single-occupant bathrooms.
PHNOM PENH, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia earned 472 million U.S. dollars in revenue from exports of natural rubber latex in the first 10 months of 2024, up 22.5 percent over the same period last year, an official report showed on Wednesday.

The kingdom exported 291,269 tons of the commodity during the January-October period this year, up 2.6 percent over the same period last year, said the report of the General Directorate of Rubber.

"A ton of rubber latex averagely costs 1,621 U.S. dollars during the first 10 months of 2024, about 264 dollars higher than that of the same period last year," Khun Kakada, acting director general of the General Directorate of Rubber, said in the report.

The Southeast Asian nation exports the commodity mainly to Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and China.

According to the report, Cambodia has so far planted rubber trees on a total area of 407,172 hectares, and trees on 320,184 hectares are old enough to be tapped. 
(NewsNation)  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott plans to expand buoy barriers across the Rio Grande to stop migrants from crossing the southern border despite border crossings dropping in the state.

State crews were surveying the area near Shelby Park of the river and barriers are expected to be placed in heavy crossing areas as early as Wednesday, multiple sources told NewsNation.

Abbott has maintained that Texas will have a proactive versus reactive stance at the border and will be prepared should a surge happen ahead of Trumps inauguration.

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Gov. Abbott planning to expand buoy border barriers in Rio Grande

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been preparing for surges at the southern border in anticipation of people trying to enter the U.S. before Donald Trump returns to the White House.

To that end, Texas DPS officers have been conducting mass migration response exercises along the border. Among the strategies is stationing DPS officers in their vehicles, with flashing red and blue lights, every few hundred feet along the border.

Abbotts use of buoys has faced multiple legal challenges.

In July, the entire appeals court for the 5th U.S. Circuit overturned a previous decision by a divided panel of the court that sided with a federal district judge, who ruled that the buoys must be moved under a preliminary injunction.

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The full bench said the court abused its discretion in granting the injunction.

The broader lawsuit is still underway, where the Biden administration accuses Texas of violating the federal Rivers and Harbor Act. The court will decide the merits of the federal governments claims.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed an executive order Wednesday to preserve the Duck River and promote water resource management across the state.

According to the governors office, Executive Order 108 specifically recognizes the Duck River Watershed as North Americas most biologically diverse freshwater rivers, making it a critical contribution to Tennessees outdoor recreation economy and sole water source for at least 250,000 residents.

SEE ALSO | Duck River placed on Americas Most Endangered Rivers of 2024 list

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The river, which spans 269 miles through Tennessee, was recently named one of Americas Most Endangered Rivers of 2024.

The Duck River is not only a scenic treasure, but it is also North Americas most biologically diverse freshwater river and the sole water source for thousands of Tennesseans, said Gov. Lee. As we continue our work to balance Tennessees economic growth with a plan to protect our environment, preserving waters like the Duck River and enhancing water resource management statewide will be a cornerstone of our long-term conservation strategy.

On Wednesday, Nov. 20, Gov. Lee said the executive order outlines his intent to bring budget initiatives for consideration, while simultaneously establishing the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership to develop strategies for a sustainable management of the river.

RELATED: Group awarded $20 million to rehabilitate Duck River

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The governors office reported the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership will be responsible for:

Developing comprehensive watershed management recommendations that balance the needs of water users and economic growth against the need to protect the environmental integrity of the Duck River.

Advising and providing recommendations to the Governor, the Duck River Development Agency, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), and legislative leadership on policies and actions to promote the sustainable use and conservation of water resources in the Duck River Watershed.

Identifying opportunities for water system regionalization, drought resilience, habitat conservation, and water loss reduction.

Engaging with local communities, utilities, industries, and conservation organizations to ensure broad participation in watershed planning efforts.

News 2 previously reported that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded a Tennessee organization $20,000,000 to help rehabilitate the river, which is under threat.

The Duck River Watershed Society told News 2 in October that they are undertaking a five-year project to help address issues. In total, the group hopes to rehabilitate 20 to 30 miles of the river.

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In a statement, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) said they applaud Gov. Lees efforts to protect the Duck River.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Todays executive order sets the stage for commonsense safeguards and is a first step toward ensuring that the Duck River is better protected from intensifying development pressures and changing weather patterns, said George Nolan, Director of the Southern Environmental Law Centers Tennessee Office. Tennesseans should be immensely proud to have this one-of-a-kind river in their backyards, and we are thankful that Governor Lee is working on ways to protect it.

The governors office added that the order also requires government agencies, including TDEC and TWRA, to partner in order to identify more priority watersheds, conduct statewide water supply planning, support municipalities in optimizing wastewater treatment, and provide technical and financial assistance to urban stormwater communities.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  The North Carolina State House of Representatives overrode another veto by Gov. Roy Cooper Tuesday afternoon on the HB10 legislation, which further cleared the way for school vouchers and a crackdown on illegal immigration.

The Republican-controlled House passed the veto override with 72 yes votes to 44 no votes.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Gov. Cooper vetoes money for private school vouchers, sheriff cooperation with ICE

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Shortly before the vote, the pro-public education group Every Child N.C. held a demonstration on the grounds of the Legislative Building in Raleigh.

Unfortunately, were here again, said demonstrator Francisco Martinez, who emphasized the groups message to lawmakers to not risk taking money away from public education through the vouchers to give wealthy families the opportunity to send their kids to private school.

Demonstrator Brittani Clark said, We will continue to advocate. We will continue to push. We will continue to show up here to have our voices heard.

HB10 was not directly written to exclude Helene relief money, but has been considered a political pawn to try to sway the super-majority house vote.

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RELATED: NC Senate passes bill to add funding for private school vouchers

This program is about families being able to pick whats best for their child, said Rep. Patricia Colthen, a former Democrat turned Republican. We dont need to set up a false choice between hurricane relief and public school funding for the Opportunitys Scholarship Program.

By voting to maintain HB10, the House also upheld anti-immigration tactics.

No matter what we did in a bill like this, federal law still exist, said Republican state Rep. Destin Hall, who was elected the next House Speaker the same day. Federal law still says you cant cross the border without doing so legally.

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Democratic Rep. Julie von Haefen said, We should prioritize our taxpayer money on Helene recovery and the $53 billion dollars its estimated to be to recover from this horrible storm. Instead, were spending it on private school vouchers for wealthy families.

The Republican-controlled state Senate is expected to vote on HB10 Wednesday afternoon.

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Republican Gov. Spencer Cox and Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy cracked jokes and spoke seriously about the 2024 election as they sat alongside one another at the University of Virginia, as part of the Democracy Dialogues series.

Cox explained why he thought President-elect Donald Trump won the election, what disappointed him about both presidential campaigns, and why he and his wife, Utah first lady Abby Cox, are 12 years sober from cable news, calling it the best move we ever made.

I mean this sincerely. Our marriage got better, our family got stronger. There was more of joy in life because of that, Cox said.

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Murphy spoke about his relationship with President-elect Trump, why the Democratic Party is like the end of The Godfather, and his worries about the next six months. Both governors weighed in on the relationship between the federal government and the states.

Colonoscopy or dinner with Donald Trump?

One of the moderators, UVA politics professor Jennifer Lawless, said she surveyed possible Democratic and Republican candidates and found they were much more likely to say theyd rather do an array of unpleasant things than sit for dinner with a politician from the opposite party  for the Democrats, Donald Trump, and for the Republicans, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

More than 50% of Democrats said theyd rather have a colonoscopy than sit down to dinner with Trump, and about the same number of Democrats said theyd rather be audited by the IRS. For Republicans, a colonoscopy also won out over dinner with Ocasio-Cortez, Lawless said. She asked Cox and Murphy, What do you do with this?

Murphy said he and his wife Tammy Snyder Murphy have had dinner with Donald Trump. The president-elect spends a lot of time at his property in Bedminster, New Jersey, Murphy pointed out.

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Hes a very different animal privately than he is publicly, which is fascinating to us, Murphy said. I spoke to him last Monday to congratulate him, and again, the private conversation versus the pro

nunciations ... . In other words, we ourselves play that game. We say things up on a stage to get people riled up that are probably at least packaged in a way that is more excessive, or more extreme than where we are.

But Murphy was a little less positive about the relationship between Congress, the executive branch and the states over the coming year, saying the country would have a fascinating next six months to a year, if not longer.

This is going to be one of the most fascinating chapters in our countrys history. The interplay between the executive branch and, I think, Congress alongside of it, and governors over here, is going to be an incredible source of tension, he said.

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Cox replied, breaking the tension, Im excited to see my Democratic colleagues get really excited about federalism again.

Cox and Murphy on the 2024 election

Murphy pointed out that Trump did much better in New Jersey in 2024 than he  or other Republicans  had in recent years. He said Trump brilliantly played some cards.

On the coming policies from a Republican Congress and executive branch, Murphy said he wouldnt support deportation of migrants in the country illegally or Medicare reforms, but said he was interested to see what Republicans would do on tax relief and industrial policy.

To Cox, the 2024 election, with its realignment of Black and Hispanic voters, was a harbinger of change.

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I do think this is an earthquake election, he said.

Look, Ive had a lot of people on the left try to tell me not to read too much into this, it was only a couple points, Cox said.

We have not seen this in years, in decades, and I think there are lessons to be learned from this, he said.

To Cox, Americans were voting for an abundance agenda, in the hopes that the country could start building again.

We used to be really good at building stuff, you guys, so good. Thats what made

this country so special. Were terrible at it now. We have choked, through overregulation, through burdensome regulation and taxation, we are slowly killing that American idea, that American dream, he said.

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He pointed to a transmission line he started working on in 2008 as a county commissioner that was finally finished last year. If the country is going to have the energy it needs to support artificial intelligence and other projects, we will need to build faster, he said.

In Europe, projects get approved in a year, even as they take into account environmental concerns, he said, calling for permitting reform.

Murphy echoed Coxs frustration over permitting, and both governors said they were happy with the choice of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to run the Department of the Interior and to chair a new energy council.

Murphy said he was called by a Democratic Party chair the morning after the election who was disappointed in the results.

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I said, How you feeling? And he said, Im not feeling too good. And I said, How serious do you think this is? And he said, You know what? Our party is like the end of The Godfather, we get wiped out about every 10 years, and then we figure out a way to get back on our feet. Ive never heard anyone put it quite in those terms, so I hope hes right, Murphy said.

For Cox, it was the fatalism that frustrated him about the 2024 campaign.

I was very disappointed in both campaigns, people in both campaigns, where I heard that if the other side wins, that will be the end of our country, that will be the end of democracy. We will never have another election if Kamala Harris wins or if Donald Trump wins, he said.

I loathe that type of thinking and that type of division, because we are so much better than any one person. Its not our presidents that have made America special and made America great. In fact, you could make the argument its the opposite. Its We the People.

Cox on decision to cut the cable news cord

When Cox was chair of the National Governors Association, he started a national campaign to get people to Disagree Better, an initiative Murphy said hit a real nerve. Disagree better, Murphy said, is about instead of kicking each other in the shins, lets have it out and figure out where the chips fall as a result of that.

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People are living in bubbles, because of social media and the rise of cable news, Cox said, pointing out why he and Abby Cox decided to stop watching cable news networks.

Cox called for college students and others to develop the art of curiosity again.

My wife said something yesterday. She said, You know, Ive come to the conclusion that when certainty happens, learning ends. And I was thinking about that all night, he said. We all need to be a little less certain and a little more curious. And thats how we learn, thats how we find truth.

Cox called out the self-censorship happening on college campuses and in workplaces. Weve seen data on this all the time where we dont feel comfortable sharing our views, because were worried were going to get canceled or we wont fit in, and especially in the university system, where were supposed to be seeking truth.
Gov. Greg Gianforte listens to Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, outline his subcommittee's proposals out of the Property Tax Task Force at a meeting on Aug. 15, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

Gov. Greg Gianforte, elected this month to a second term in the office, will serve as vice chairperson of the Republican Governors Association.

The association, which helps elect Republicans to governorships in the U.S., announced the election of Gianforte and incoming Chairperson Brian Kemp, governor of Georgia, in a news release Wednesday.

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Im honored to serve as RGA vice chair and continue to work with my colleagues to elect strong, Republican governors across the nation, said Gianforte in a statement from the association. Republican governors are cutting taxes, investing in infrastructure and our workforce, putting parents, students, and teachers first, and helping secure the border.

But, we have even more work to do. I look forward to working with Governor Kemp, my fellow Republican governors, and President (Donald) Trump to build a safer, more prosperous future for all Americans.

Gianforte previously was elected to represent Montana in the U.S. House of Representatives before winning his first term as governor in 2020.

His office announced this week the state had reached its 40th consecutive month of unemployment at or below 3.4% and in October, the rate was 3.3% compared to the national rate of 4.1%.

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The Republican Governors Association said both governors will assume their leadership posts immediately and serve for one term. It notes on its website that a majority of states are led by Republican governors.

In a statement, Gov. Kemp said he too looks forward to working with Trump.

Republican governors are making commonsense, conservative policies a reality, putting families and children first, and making our states the best places to run a business and raise a family, Kemp said in a statement from the association.

The Republican Governors Association said other governors who will serve on the executive committee are the following: Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders; Iowas Kim Reynolds; Mississippis Tate Reeves; Missouris Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe; Oklahomas Kevin Stitt; Tennessees Bill Lee; and Virginias Glenn Youngkin.

It said South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will serve as policy chair.
Elvia Diaz, a respected journalist, leader and well-known champion for justice, recently leveled a harsh rebuke at Gov. Katie Hobbs.

Diaz believes the governors response to President-elect Donald Trumps provocative statements on immigration and deportations is too muted.

I share her frustration on the politicization of immigration. But I respectfully disagree about assigning the blame to a governor that has been on the right side of this issue more than once.

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The elections have reintroduced fear in vulnerable communities that remind many of those dark days of Senate Bill 1070, when families were ripped apart, jobs lost and the economy damaged.

Hobbs is advocating for immigration reform

As the leader of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I and my members share Diazs concern about what could happen next, if history is any indicator.

I am also hopeful that things will be different this time, because we have a different governor now than we did during SB 1070.

Not only has the governor been a vocal advocate for humane, comprehensive immigration reform, but she also has led on numerous issues of significance to our state and communities.

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For example, the governor vetoed bills that reflected what would later become Proposition 314, the border enforcement ballot measure.

While many were distracted by the marketing of these measures and their bumper sticker titles, the governor knew these bills were legally flawed, expensive and inhumane. She did her part to prevent them from becoming law.

Opinion: Hobbs shouldn't try to mimic Sinema

Because the Arizona Constitution provides the Legislature and citizens the ability to take ideas to the ballot without the governors permission, the Legislature ultimately sent this package to the ballot in the form of Proposition 314.

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The governor cannot interfere with the Legislatures constitutional right to refer items to the ballot. Indeed, it is voters who have the final say.

Governor's record doesn't deserve criticism

Then there is the criticism of the governors record on other initiatives.

Here, the record shows that Hobbs works with diverse coalitions to tackle tough challenges. I know. As a Republican, I was the co-chair for the governors transition committee as she prepared to take office two years ago.

The governor and I do not agree on everything, but she has earned my trust by making notable progress on several issues and standing up for what is right, not what is popular.

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She worked tirelessly to repeal the states Civil War-era near-total abortion ban, a draconian law that survived 23 prior governors.

She signed legislation to cut burdensome regulations that raise the cost of housing and brought together a bipartisan coalition to put Maricopa Countys transportation funding plan on the ballot.

Earlier this year, she negotiated a bipartisan budget that solved a $2 billion structural deficit without impacting critical services for Arizonans.

There arent many governors in the U.S. who can say the same.

Arizona needs bipartisan leadership now

Theres nowhere this bipartisan leadership is needed more than on the intractable problems at the border.

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For years, politicians have trekked to southern Arizona for partisan stunts. Then, they go to Washington to stand against commonsense solutions that create the safe and humane border and access to jobs and labor we all want.

The governor has rejected stunt politics and instead acted. She listened to local law enforcement and delivered more than $80 million to boost drug interdiction and support the efforts of border communities.

She bolstered coordination between governments and deployed state resources to the border to keep drugs out of our communities.

For years, the governor has been clear that she does not support putting kids in cages, deporting Dreamers or ripping families apart. Claims otherwise are unfair and unsubstantiated.

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Ultimately, Arizona cannot pass comprehensive immigration reform  that remains Congress responsibility. I am confident that Hobbs will work closely with those who can advance that effort.

That may require a level of compromise. While calm and diplomacy do not always feel as good as political combat, they are often more productive.

The governor has kept her pledge: She wont let partisanship get in the way of delivering for the people of our state. We should do the same.

Monica Villalobos serves as president & CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. On X, formerly Twitter, @AZHCCMonica.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Katie Hobbs is hardly useless, even to Republicans like me
When the Phoenix operation of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. starts producing the most advanced chips on U.S. soil early next year, engineers with bachelor's, masters and doctoral degrees will be calling most of the shots.

But technicians, including those lacking four-year degrees, will fill most of the jobs at the $65 billion facility. Some of those workers, like Ray Barrera and Jose Ramirez, will have gotten their starts as apprentices.

TSMC on Nov. 19 announced an expansion of its apprenticeship program, which now includes instruction from and students attending Estrella Mountain Community College, Rio Salado College, Northern Arizona University, Grand Canyon University and West-MEC or the Western Maricopa Education Center. The company unveiled a small, pilot program in April.

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TSMC Phoenix: Creating Phoenix semiconductor superhub carries risks but huge potential returns, too

"We're doing everything we can to connect Arizonans to these jobs," said Gov. Katie Hobbs, who with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego put in a plug for the expanded apprenticeship program. "These are real jobs from day one" where apprentices "earn while they're learning," Hobbs added.

Apprentices can earn around $50,000 annually and up, plus benefits. While apprentices mainly work onsite at TSMC's sprawling complex in north Phoenix, the program also features one day a week of instruction. Apprentices stay in the program from 18 to 24 months.

Interested individuals can get more information and apply on the TSMC website.

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Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or completion of G.E.D. testing and an updated resume. The next apprentice cycle starts in April.

Getting a foot in the door

Barrera, 32, said he didn't know anything about the semiconductor industry when he joined the program in April, but recently finished training in the mechanical area at TSMC, then headed on to electrical.

After that, he will receive on-site training along with classroom instruction in water operations, then in gases and chemicals. He recommends the program to "anyone who wants to learn new skills and gain knowledge about semiconductors and technology."

TSMC hopes to add around 130 apprentices next year among the thousands of technicians the company will need eventually in Phoenix, where employment is expected to reach 6,000 by around 2030. TSMC this month received final approval for up to $6.6 billion in federal funds under the CHIPS and Science Act.

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Among other tasks, technicians are responsible for maintaining and, if necessary, repairing "some of the most sophisticated, complex machinery anywhere in the world," said Dr. Steven Gonzales, chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges. Some machinery being installed by TSMC in Phoenix costs tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars.

Dr. Steven R. Gonzales (center), Chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges, speaks during a news conference on Nov. 19, 2024, at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel.

Why start as apprentices?

Most technicians hired at TSMC won't go through the apprentice program. Some are hired straight out of high school, often with some technology or trade-school background or, say, experience with machinery maintenance, computer programs, analytics, industrial environments or something similar.

But TSMC officials strongly back the apprentice program and say it can provide more comprehensive training and possibly improve long-term employee retention while exposing students from more diverse backgrounds to the company.

Rose Castaneres, president of TSMC Arizona, said the company located to the U.S. and Arizona in particular for two main reasons. The first was in response to requests by customers such as Apple to locate nearby. The second was to tap into the American talent pipeline. Phoenix won the location competition after seven years of courting the company.

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Before joining TSMC's initial class of apprentices in April, Barrera worked at a business that made concrete planters. Ramirez held different jobs, including in construction and as an events coordinator at a retirement community.

"If you're unsure about your career, it's a good place to start, and there are lots of opportunities" said Ramirez, 23, of the apprentice program. "But you have to be committed, need to be hungry and want to learn."

Reach the writer at russ.wiles@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: TSMC unveils apprentice program to fill semiconductor industry jobs
GRAND ISLAND N.Y. (WIVB)  Some Grand Island residents voiced concerns and wanted answers after spotting a number of dead sheep at a solar power plant. The sheep belong to Back Hills Farm and were contracted out to the facility to clear the vegetation surrounding the panels.

Back Hills Farm owner Nick Bauman said four of his sheep were attacked and killed by coyotes at the solar power plant on Bedell Road.

Theres two things coyotes are going to do, kill because theyre looking for something to eat or they already found something to eat and now theyre just having fun, Bauman said. Theyre just going to go wreak havoc.

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The attack troubled some residents on the island after one of them posted photos of the dead sheep on social media, accusing the owner of neglecting the animals.

Bauman, whos worked at Back Hills Farm for the last three years, said thats not whats happening.

Its very important for me to take care of my animals, Bauman said. They are my livelihood. They take care of me just as well as I take care of them. They pay for my bills and everything else associated with what Im doing. To say that its neglectful or maybe dont care is a little painful because I care very much.

To help deter predators, Bauman said one solution would be upgrading the fence at the facility on Bedell road.

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Some parts of the fence that are higher or lower just due to terrain, he said. Theres some parts of the fence that have been eroded under. Weve been out there years prior to fix some of them but its all the way around, you practically have to build a new fence in order to really solve the issue.

The SPCAs Animal Rescue Unit stopped by the solar plant and Back Hills Farm Tuesday morning and talked to Bauman. The SPCA was unable to comment if theyre investigating.

Latest Local News

Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Nov. 20GRAND Mental Health cut the ribbon Thursday on a residential facility in Claremore for adults with severe mental health challenges.

The Horizons Residential Care Facility, just north of Claremore on State Highway 88, can accommodate up to 22 adults. It will house both men and women, who will come to Horizons either from the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita or the Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman.

Administrator Erin Dinsmore said Horizons is an "enhanced" care facility. Its objective is to help its inhabitants gradually transition back into living independently.

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"When you have been in an institution like the Forensic Center, you aren't living the ideal life," Dinsmore said. "...Depending on how long they've been there, so many things could have changed. I mean, just daily things: smartphones, technology. ... Having this middle ground gives us an opportunity to catch them up on what they've missed, help them learn any skills, help them go back to school so they can successfully start a new life that they want."

The Forensic Center is a detention facility, Dinsmore said; its residents are there because they were found not guilty by reason of insanity. Griffin's patients likewise have high needs and live under restrictions to ensure they don't harm themselves or others.

Nic Allgood, GRAND's chief clinical officer of crisis services, said Horizons is GRAND's first enhanced residential care facility and the state's fourth. Allgood said patients will live at Horizons anywhere from 180 days to a year. Patients then step down into a more independent residential facility.

"We'll provide therapy, meals, medication management, all the services that are required for daily living here," Allgood said. "A philosophy of ours is to serve people in the least restrictive environment."

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Dinsmore said Horizons residents will enjoy a fair amount of liberties: They can go outside when they want, take part in activities and attend community events or go shopping in a group.

But the enhanced nature of the facility means residents will remain under supervision. Patients can't take visitors to their room, which they share with another patient of the same gender. Caretakers will also make hourly checks.

Dinsmore said each patient will receive tailored treatment to help them surmount the specific barriers they face to independence.

"They will be working with the court system for their transition here, and the court will tell us what their needs are," Dinsmore said. "It could be anger management or substance usage or medication management ... we have to do at least five groups a week."

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Horizons is Rogers County's first enhanced residential care facility, Dinsmore said. It is also only the second in Oklahoma to take in women; both the Firm Foundation in Boley and Homestead Residential Care in Vinita house men only.

GRAND is a certified community behavior health provider through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Larry Smith, GRAND's chief executive officer, said the state gave GRAND a lot of money to start the facility.

Allgood said Horizons will help the state alleviate the state's mental health bed shortage.

"The idea behind this is that we could transition people who have been looking ... to step down out of the Oklahoma Forensic Center and help create more beds for the people who are needing that," Allgood said.

Dinsmore said Horizons has found about half of its future residents, who she said would likely arrive in the next month.
Nov. 19The city of Grandview hosted a large Veterans Appreciation Ceremony on Nov. 11.

The Grandview High School Wind Ensemble provided introductory music, followed by the presentation of the flags by the Cleburne High School Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. The Wind Ensemble welcomed people with "America the Beautiful" and "The Star Spangled Banner."

Mayor Bill Houston welcomed attendees and took the time to personally greet each of the about 36 veterans in attendance and acknowledged those who shared their names and information during his speech.

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"It was truly encouraging to see so many members of our community, as well as those from surrounding areas coming together to support our veterans at the Grandview Veterans Appreciation Ceremony," Houston said. "We were joined by students from both Grandview and Cleburne ISD, the Dallas Honor Guard, the Grandview Masonic Lodge, the Grandview Lions Club and the city as a whole.

"This event served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our veterans, who gave everything for our country. Their bravery and commitment will never be forgotten, and their legacy will continue to inspire generations to come."

The Zebra Care Council and Grandview High School National Honor Society presented gifts to the veterans in attendance.

Three guest speakers participated in the day's events. Pastor Mike Linehardt spoke about the cost of freedom. Bob Sparenberg shared his family's experience surviving World War II and helping others to survive.

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Charles Varner, dressed as Gen. George S. Patton, delivered one of the general's speeches with remarkable authenticity.

The day closed out with a gun salute by the Dallas Honor Guard, a moment of silence followed by "Taps" by trumpet soloist Eduardo Huerta and final remarks from Houston.
TOKYO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Japan continued to see a trade deficit in October, remaining in the red for the fourth consecutive month that was largely driven by a sharp rise of computer imports, government data showed on Wednesday.

The country logged a deficit of 461.2 billion yen (about 2.98 billion U.S. dollars) last month, narrowing by 34.4 percent compared to the same month last year, according to preliminary trade data released by the Ministry of Finance.

While exports, led by semiconductor manufacturing equipment, saw growth, the sharp rise in imports of computers and smartphones weighed on the balance.

In breakdown, exports increased 3.1 percent year-on-year to 9.4266 trillion yen, with those of semiconductor manufacturing equipment surging 42.6 percent.

Imports edged up 0.4 percent year-on-year to 9.8879 trillion yen. Computers saw the largest increase at 46 percent, followed by non-ferrous metals like copper at 38.3 percent, and communication devices such as smartphones at 8.7 percent.

The introduction of new models drove higher imports of computers and smartphones, particularly from China and other Asian economies, according to the ministry.

Regionally, exports to the United States declined by 6.2 percent, while exports to Asia grew by 7.6 percent, driven by increased semiconductor investments.

Exports to the European Union fell by 11.3 percent, primarily due to lower automobile exports. 
The Greek Embassy in Kyiv will remain closed on Wednesday, 20 November due to security concerns.

Source: European Pravda, citing a statement from the Greek Embassy

In its statement, the Greek Embassy urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel and stay in safe locations.

"For security reasons, the Greek Embassy will remain closed to visitors today," the diplomatic mission stated.

Earlier, the United States advised its citizens in Ukraine to exercise utmost caution due to the risk of a major Russian airstrike on 20 November.

Background:

Earlier, the United States decided to close its embassy in Kyiv on 20 November after receiving information about the threat of a major Russian strike on this day.

The Spanish Embassy later followed suit, citing "specific" information about a potential "large-scale" airstrike on the city on Wednesday, 20 November.

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LONG LAKE  Eight conservation groups jointly sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul urging the state to act swiftly to purchase and preserve Whitney Park.

The letter was signed by leaders of the Adirondack Council, Protect the Adirondacks!, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve, the Adirondack Mountain Club, New York League of Conservation Voters, and Adirondack Wilderness Advocates.

The move comes as the future of the enormous 36,000-acre tract of land, largely in northern Hamilton County, is uncertain. John Hendrickson, the then-owner, passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 19 in Saratoga Springs due to cardiac arrest, according to an obituary published in the Anchorage Daily News. He was 59.

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Following the untimely death of John Hendrickson this past summer, this historic tract in the heart of the Adirondack Park will be sold by a trust seeking to sell these lands in the months ahead, the groups wrote to the governor in a letter dated Oct. 29.

We ask that you and your Department of Environmental Conservation take a leading role in negotiating the conservation of Whitney Park through purchase as Forest Preserve, as conservation easement, or a combination of the two.

John Sheehan, the director of communications for Adirondack Council said the conservation groups had reason to believe that Hendricksons beneficiaries were considering selling the land, which is owned by Whitney Industries, a limited liability corporation. Hendrickson was listed as the president and CEO prior to his death. There is currently no listed CEO, according to the New York Department of States Division of Corporations database.

Sheehan said they had contacted the estate before writing the letter to the governor, and were under the impression that in the wake of Hendricksons death, the estates beneficiaries were likely to sell at least a portion of the land.

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That is what we have heard, and we wanted to make sure the governor is aware of that, he said.

I think theres a trust set up for the land itself, and that trust is going to have to make a decision in the near future about the fate of that property and, of course, they have some folks who are beneficiaries that theyll have to satisfy, Sheehan said.

Sheehan described conservation measures for the tract as complex if the state were to acquire it, or partner with a private organization through a land easement.

We had always expected that there would be an accommodation of state and private conservation tools used in this case, he said. Some of the property which has homes and other buildings on it may not go into the forest preserve, while other larger and more open spaces that are essentially undeveloped and pristine would be perfect additions to the preserve.

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There are several camps on the property. Camp Deerlands, on the eastern shore of Little Forked Lake, is considered the most significant structure in Whitney Park. The property has 17 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms between the main camp and adjoining guest and staff quarters. It was originally built in 1915.

Sheehan said he understands many would want to see not just forests, but the existing structures preserved.

Thered be a great deal of resistance to essentially removing those (buildings), but that doesnt mean they cant be part of the conservation picture here, especially if theres a private owner that wants to live on part of the property and conserve the remainder.

The state has several land classifications for its forest preserves. Some, such as wilderness, zones do not allow for the maintenance of manmade structures, while others, such as primitive or historic zones do.

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The Adirondack Park Agency determines state land classifications in the park. For more information on state land classifications, visit tinyurl.com/yc7f2zv8.

In their letter, the conservation groups wrote that the state had long considered Whitney Park to be a high priority for conservation, adding that it contains 22 lakes and ponds, and over 100 miles of undeveloped shoreline.

Whitney Park has been eyed by generations of Adirondack conservationists and state officials as a cornerstone of a protected Adirondack Park, a missing link for historic public canoe routes that ran north- south and east-west through the property, and as a vital missing piece for the public Forest Preserve, the groups wrote.

They added in their press release announcing the letter that it has been listed as a high priority for state acquisition/protection since the states Open Space Protection Plan was adopted in 1992, citing its high-quality wildlife habitat and great potential for public recreation and tourism.

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In addition to environmental protection, Sheehan also cited potential tax windfalls for the town of Long Lake as a benefit of selling the land to the state. The lands are currently in a tax abatement program  a financial incentive for adhering to a set of sustainable foresting practices. It kept the tax assessment for the land at its 1920s rates, when the program first began, according to Sheehan.

For a century, it has had its assessment frozen in time, he said. So, its never gone up since the 1920s. As a result, Whitney Industries pays about one fourth of the taxes that people with comparable lands in the town pay, including the state of New York, which pays full taxes on all forest preserve. If the state were to take over a portion of the property, the tax revenue would quadruple overnight.

Sheehan said the additional funds could either be used to increase the towns budget, or reduce the other taxpayers burden.

That would either become a windfall to the community, or it would be a way to provide significant tax relief to people who already live there and already pay property taxes there, he said.

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Land and family history

Hendrickson was the husband of the late Marylou Whitney, a prominent socialite and philanthropist. Before her marriage to Hendrickson, she was married to Cornelius Vanderbilt Sonny Whitney. Sonny Whitney inherited massive tracts of land between Long Lake and Tupper Lake from his grandfather, William C. Whitney, who consolidated and purchased 80,000 acres of land in that area in 1897. He paid $1.50 per acre at the time.

Portions of the original holdings were sold to the International Paper Company over the years, leaving about 48,000 acres at the time of Sonny Whitneys death in 1992. This was passed on in its entirety to Marylou Whitney.

In 1997, just after marrying Hendrickson, the couple sold approximately 15,000 acres of the tract to New York for $17.1 million. The state classified the area as a wilderness zone, its most stringent level of conservation protection for land, and named it in honor of William C. Whitney.

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Hendricksons property on Little Tupper Lake, Camp-On-A-Point, went on the market in 2023 and is still listed as being for sale.

Prior to his death, Hendrickson had attempted to sell the land. Unable to find a suitable buyer  Hendrickson insisted he did not want to see the land developed  for the full 36,202-acre tract that he was offering for $180 million, Hendrickson floated the idea of subdividing the land into 11 parcels and selling them at smaller price tags.

The move was met with resistance from conservation groups, and Hendrickson never officially filed for subdivision permits with the Adirondack Park Agency, which oversees the process.

The conservation groups cite the fact that Whitney Park is still intact, and not subdivided, as a fleeting opportunity for the state to protect one of the last significant chunks of undeveloped land in the Adirondacks that is still potentially available for purchase.

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This is a major moment that in many ways will define what kind of Adirondack Park we have in the future, said Peter Bauer, the executive director of Protect the Adirondacks! Missing this historic opportunity and failing to protect these lands is not an option.

The conservation groups letter to the governor can be read in its entirety at tinyurl.com/mvju6pbx.
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  Hyster-Yale, a manufacturer is laying off 97 jobs in its Greenville location in January of 2025.

In a statement, representatives of the company said it will be realigning the Greenville plant from two shifts to one.

Representatives said they will be closely working with teams to fully support the impacted associates during this transition.

They also said they will assessing and exploring new opportunities to optimize the available space within the Greenville plant.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
A corporate partner coalition is taking place at a city elementary school with United Way Community Schools.

Four corporate partners are teaming up with Grover Cleveland Elementary School to provide a financial aspect.

Local tire shop recommends switching to snow tires before first snowfall of season

The Community School Director, Sharnae Dunston, said the efforts will take place through volunteering. Dunston said the coalition will support the community closet, festivals, and research fairs.

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One of the corporate partners notes how the coalition not only will support students but families as well.

Christmas trees flourish despite stretch of dry weather

Part of the model is really to understand whats needed in the community this building is the center of the hub community schools model so its parents, teachers, its neighbors what do they need and what resources can we bring into the building to help not only our children thrive but our second third generation families, said Janel Bonsell, the principal of Schaffner Knight Minnaugh Company.

Along with the Schaffner Knight Minnaugh Company, the other partners are ECCA+ Payroll, Generational Wealth Management, and Vorex USA.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
A number of President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet-level nominees have been accused of sexual harassment and assault, and one has faced allegations of child sex trafficking. Credible allegations of impropriety  let alone allegations of misconduct or assault  have often been cause for withdrawal or disqualification. But Trump  who has faced dozens of accusations of sexual misconduct dating back to the 1970s  has been known to surround himself with men who have also faced similar allegations.

The president-elect typically denies the legitimacy of accusations related to sexual misconduct and defends the men in his orbit.

In 2018, in response to sexual assault allegations against people in his own administration, Trump tweeted: Peoples lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation. Some are true and some are false. Some are old and some are new. There is no recovery for someone falsely accused  life and career are gone. Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?

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As he prepares for a second term, The 19th is pulling together allegations of sexual assault and harassment against the president-elects Cabinet-level picks, which includes the heads of 15 executive departments, and other senior positions.

Here is what we have found:

Matt Gaetz

Trump nominated Gaetz to become attorney general, the nations top law enforcement official. In recent years, both the Justice Department and a congressional committee have investigated sex trafficking allegations against Gaetz after a friend of his and rising figure in Florida politics, Joel Greenberg, pleaded guilty in 2021 to sex trafficking of a minor.

The Department of Justice ended its investigation last year without bringing criminal charges. The House Ethics Committee also investigated similar allegations and subpoenaed testimony from the woman who accused Gaetz of having sex with her when she was 17.

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Three eyewitnesses have testified that Gaetz had sex with a minor at a July 2017 party, according to separate court filings made public earlier this year. Just days before the Ethics Committee was set to vote on the public release of its findings, Gaetz resigned from the House, citing his prospective nomination. It is not clear whether the House will still release the report.

Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing.

Elon Musk

Trump is enlisting Musk, along with 2024 Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead a newly-conceived Department of Government Efficiency. It appears Musk will provide more of an outsider consultancy than lead a new government agency, which would have required congressional approval and funding.

Musk, the chief executive of SpaceX, is facing a lawsuit filed by eight former SpaceX employees who allege that he wrongfully fired them after they accused the company of tolerating sexual harassment in the workplace. According to court documents, each plaintiff experienced exposure to unwanted conduct and comments of a sexual nature by Elon Musk. Musk also allegedly interjected the work environment with vile sexual photographs, memes and commentary that demeaned women and/or the LGBTQ+ community, according to the lawsuit.

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In response to news about a sexual harassment charge against him, Musk posted in 2022 on X, which he owns: Finally, we get to use Elongate as scandal name. Its kinda perfect.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Trump announced his intent to nominate Kennedy to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Eliza Cooney, a woman Kennedy hired decades ago to babysit his children, accused Kennedy of sexually assaulting her in the late 1990s, according to an exclusive interview with Vanity Fair, published in July 2024.

Cooney, who was 23 at the time and a recent college graduate, told Vanity Fair that Kennedy rubbed her leg under the table during a family meeting, asked her to rub lotion on his back and once came up behind her in the kitchen, groping her rib cage and breasts until he was interrupted by another worker.

After Cooneys allegations went public, Kennedy said during an interview on the Breaking Points podcast that the Vanity Fair article was a lot of garbage but admitted he was not a church boy I have so many skeletons in my closet. The Washington Post also reported that Kennedy sent a text message to Cooney apologizing.

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I have no memory of this incident but I apologize sincerely for anything I ever did that made you feel uncomfortable or anything I did or said that offended you or hurt your feelings, the text message said, according to the Post. I never intended you any harm. If I hurt you, it was inadvertent. I feel badly for doing so.

Pete Hegseth

Trump said he is nominating Pete Hegseth, a Fox & Friends weekend co-host and veteran of the Army National Guard, to lead the Department of Defense. A staff member of the California Federation of Republican Women accused Hegseth of sexually assaulting her in 2017 after he spoke at a conference.

Hegseth paid an undisclosed amount to the woman as part of a nondisclosure agreement after she threatened litigation in 2020, according to legal documents obtained by The Washington Post. Hegseth maintains the sexual encounter was consensual and has denied all accusations. No charges were filed.

Candice Norwood contributed reporting.

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The post The growing list of sexual misconduct allegations against Trumps picks appeared first on The 19th.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A person was arrested after approaching a Grand Rapids Public Schools student who was waiting for a bus, police and the district confirmed.

GRPS Chief of Staff & Executive Director of Public Safety & Security Larry Johnson wrote a letter to parents, calling the incident deeply concerning.

While waiting for the bus, a scholar was approached by a suspicious individual. Thankfully, the scholar is safe and the Grand Rapids Police Department has a suspect in custody, Johnson wrote.

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GRPD confirmed that it happened in the area of Ball Avenue and Bradford Street on Grand Rapids northeast side. Its not clear how old the student is.

Grand Rapids police and the Kent County Prosecutors Office are working to file charges against the individual, who was not identified.

The district said it is working with police as they investigate. Johnson reminded parents to prioritize safety.

We encourage families to discuss safety practices with their children, such as staying alert, traveling in groups when possible, and reporting any suspicious activity immediately, he wrote.

Johnson also recommended safety tips like leaving porch lights on in the morning hours.

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Journalists at The Guardian are to stage a strike for four days next month as anger grows over the planned sale of The Observer.

Members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) will walk out on Dec 4, 5, 12 and 13 in protest over the proposed deal with Tortoise, a loss-making media start-up.

It comes after the NUJ held a two-week ballot of 644 journalists, with almost 93pc of staff voting in favour of a strike.

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In its motion published today, the union said: After more than two months of consideration and talks with the companys management, the Guardian and Observer NUJ chapel remains united in its opposition to the sale of The Observer newspaper to Tortoise Media.

We believe the sale is a betrayal of the Scott Trusts commitment to The Observer as part of the Guardian News and Media family. The Trust should protect a vital element of the liberal media landscape and not seek to throw it overboard.

The mass walkout threatens to bring The Guardian to a standstill in the run-up to Christmas, and it is not yet clear whether it will still be able to publish the newspaper on the relevant days.

A Guardian spokesman said: We recognise the strength of feeling about the proposed sale of The Observer and appreciate that NUJ members wish to make their views heard. While we respect the right to strike, we do not believe a strike is the best course of action in this case and our talks with the NUJ continue.

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Our priority is to serve our readers and support our staff, so that The Guardian and The Observer can continue to promote liberal journalism and thrive in a challenging media environment.

The strikes will pile pressure on Guardian bosses as they seek to close the deal with Tortoise, which is run by James Harding, the former BBC News boss.

Staff are hoping that the proposed strike action will force the publisher to back down or agree to some form of compromise.

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: Industrial action is always a last resort, but deeply disappointed members have been left with no choice than to take action in their defence of the Observers heritage and public interest journalism.

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NUJ members also raised the prospect of a vote of no confidence in Guardian editor Kath Viner, but opted not to do so.

Guardian bosses are also considering offering voluntary redundancy to Observer staff if the deal goes ahead. This would be on the same terms as a redundancy round that took place over the summer.

Both Guardian Media Group (GMG) and Tortoise have argued that the merger will secure the long-term future of the worlds oldest Sunday newspaper by combining its reach and heritage with the start-ups digital journalism.

Mr Harding has pledged to invest 25m over the next five years and said he would retain all 70 Observer employees.

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However, the promises have failed to appease journalists who fear ownership moving from the 1.3bn Scott Trust endowment to a start-up that has racked up more than 16m of losses since its launch in 2018.

Staff have also expressed anger at Guardian bosses for their handling of the negotiations and accused them of attempting to push through the deal regardless of the backlash.

In a memo to staff earlier this month, Anna Bateson, GMG chief executive, said the deal would create a more sustainable business strategy for The Observer.

But she warned that difficult decisions lay ahead if the deal did not go through.

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Two groups of potential suitors have written to the board of GMG expressing their interest in tabling a bid once the period of exclusivity with Tortoise expires at the beginning of December.

One of these groups has reportedly said it would hold The Observer in a trust  much like the Scott Trust  in a move that could protect the paper in perpetuity.

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CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY)  A Chesapeake jury found Richard Humbert, 39, guilty Tuesday of failing to report an accident resulting in death after an 8-year-old boy died after being struck by a vehicle while trying to cross South Battlefield Boulevard near Hillcrest Parkway.

Previously: Arrest made in connection to deadly hit-and-run of 8-year-old

Police said Humbert, of Virginia Beach, was behind the wheel of the white Honda Civic on Oct. 3, 2023 when Forrest Hooper tried to cross the road and was struck by the vehicle.

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Surveillance video and other evidence led police to Humbert and his car, and the jury on Friday had a chance to see the car believed to have struck him.

Jury sees car believed to have killed boy in Chesapeake hit-and-run

10 On Your Sides Chris Horne was in court for the verdict and spoke to Hoopers grandmother who was emotional over what has been a tough 13 months.

This was a question of not whether Humbert struck and killed Hooper, but rather, it was a legal one. Did he know he hit a human being? Or should he have known that he hit a human being?

Humbert claimed and told police two days later, on Oct. 5, 2023, that he had hit a deer. But it didnt really comport to any of the evidence. There was no deer fur on the front of his Honda Civic, and he didnt stop after he struck the child for about three-tenths of a mile.

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Also, a forensic examination of his phone revealed that he repeatedly searched for Chesapeake news stories for around 24 hours after the accident.

No sentencing date has yet been set. There was a defense motion to set aside the verdict, saying that it was not rooted in law. That will be taken up in the next two weeks.

Hoopers grandmother, asked what kind of sentence she hopes for for Humbert, said eight years  one for every year the boy was alive  plus another year for the year she hasnt had him. Sentencing guidelines for the charge call for anywhere between one year and 10 years in jail.

Check with WAVY.com for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
One thing is clear coming out of Tennessees recent election cycle: where gun control was on the ballot, gun control won.

Instances in which Tennesseans were asked to cast their votes in favor of gun reform laws and candidates were few, but significant  and supported by voters across the political spectrum.

Furthermore, a recent survey conducted just prior to the election shows significant support among all Tennesseans for stricter gun legislation.

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I believe these are bellwethers, giving hope to millions statewide who want to protect the right to gun ownership while putting sensible laws in place that protect public safety.

Lets start in the west and move east.

Vast majority of Memphians want stricter firearms laws

In Memphis, which recorded 399 homicides in 2023 alone, voters overwhelmingly passed three referenda that, though likely unenforceable, are the resounding cry of people demanding common-sense reform:

Greg Jackson, deputy director for the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, speaks during a press conference to announce the creation of a Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement between Shelby County and the City of Memphis at the Renasant Convention Center in Downtown Memphis, on Thursday, November 14, 2024.

81% of voters wanted a ban on carrying a gun without a permit.

80% of voters wanted to ban assault weapons and stop their sale in Memphis.

84% of voters wanted red flag laws to block the sale of guns to people deemed dangerous to themselves or others.

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Though the measures received bipartisan support from state legislators representing Memphis, out-of-state gun rights groups immediately filed suit against the city and some Republican state lawmakers derided the referenda; one even called them as meaningless as a nutrition chart on a bag of ice.

Opinion: : Shelby DA: End domestic violence by preventing assaults and protecting victims

But gun control is not meaningless in the Memphis region  neither in the heavily blue city nor the purple and red county. In fact, the City of Memphis and Shelby County Government announced Nov. 14 the establishment of the Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety, which will bring together area organizations that combat crime and gun violence to share ideas, information, resources, and  in the words of Memphis Mayor Paul Young  speak with one voice.

Waffle House shooting victim's mother was sent to the legislature

Now lets head to Nashville, where Democrat Shaundelle Brooks, the mother of one of the victims of the citys Waffle House mass shooting in 2018 and a champion of gun reform, beat Republican Chad Bobo by 10 points to win the District 60 House seat.

Shaundelle Brooks holds a candle during a vigil honoring Rev. James Lawson and Congressman John Lewis at Diane Nash Plaza in Nashville , Tenn., Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Brooks, whose victory was one of few bright spots for Tennessee Democrats, won handily as primarily a single-issue candidate. She has been front-and-center on gun reform in Middle Tennessee, including on behalf of the Covenant Moms, who were treated shamelessly by the Republican supermajority at the state legislature in the wake of the Covenant School massacre of children and teachers in 2023.

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I submit that Tennessee candidates who follow Brooks lead in future elections also are likely to win in a state the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks 7th overall for homicides and 5th for firearms homicides of children.

Red flag laws receive a majority of support in ETSU poll

Which brings us east to Johnson City, where East Tennessee State University in October released the results of a statewide study showing 56% of all Tennesseans surveyed support so-called red flag laws. These allow judges to temporarily remove guns from people who pose a risk to themselves or others.

This high level of support among Tennesseans contrasts sharply with recent legislation passed within the state and signed by the governor, which prevents local municipalities from enforcing extreme risk protection orders, the report concluded. In other words, state legislation designed to prevent Memphis from enacting the red flag referendum 84% of voters just passed.

I currently serve on the statewide Gun Violence Prevention Steering Committee, a coalition focused on addressing gun violence for what it is  a public health crisis  and working to identify and employ gun violence prevention strategies.

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Lawmakers would do well to listen to us  and heed the will of the majority. Tennesseans from east to west want sensible gun laws, no matter their age, ethnicity or party affiliation. It stands to reason that ballot initiatives and candidates who give the majority what they want are going to get a majority of votes.

J Lawrence Turner

Finally, I urge my fellow Tennesseans who want to live in peace to look to the future with hope. View these small but mighty victories as a sign of better days to come. If the election has shown us anything, its that a safer, healthier Tennessee is on the horizon if we just keep moving towards it.

Rev. Dr. J. Lawrence Turner is the Senior Pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis and the founder of the African American Clergy Collective of Tennessee.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee voters backed gun control candidates and measures | Opinion
Righteous Torrance "Chevy" Hill had great plans for his future, cut short by a fatal shooting in front of his own home in February.

Hill, a transgender man, left behind a budding legacy of activism as the founder of an LGBTQ-focused salon and barber shop called EvollusionATL. The salon was born out of his desire for a space where he and other clients weren't faced with uncomfortable or disparaging comments.

"There's a need for this," said Terri Wilson, Hill's partner of six years. Their relationship began at the salon when Wilson herself came to get her hair done.

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The two stayed talking for hours, a common occurrence at Evollusion. Clients often made themselves comfortable in the salon well after the end of their appointments to discuss politics, society and life in the shop -- the salon was abuzz with laughter or chatter.

"He wanted to make sure that the trans community had the resources that they need," Wilson told ABC News.

Wilson told ABC News that Hill believed Atlanta, often touted for having a large and inclusive LGBTQ+ community, was the perfect place to create such a space. Wilson has vowed to continue his work following his passing.

"Grief just hits out of nowhere, like the day can be going wonderful, and then I can just think of something or read something or see something online that I want to share with him, and I know that I'm not able to share it with him," Wilson said.

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Hill is one of at least 36 transgender and gender non-conforming victims of fatal violence from last year's Transgender Remembrance Day to this year's, according to the Human Rights Campaign, the vast majority of whom were killed by a gun. Some anti-gun violence advocates told ABC News that growing anti-transgender sentiment in the U.S. is a major cause for concern for the trans community.

"No matter what gender they are, what socioeconomic class they're from, what race or ethnicity they are -- those lives mattered and a lot of the policies that we have in place and even the way that we investigate these homicides send a message about the disposability of these lives," Sarah Burd-Sharps, Senior Director of Research of gun safety advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety, told ABC News.

PHOTO: Righteous Torrence Hill, a trans man fatally shot in February, was the founder of an LGBTQ-focused barber shop. (Courtesy of Terri Wilson)

MORE: 'State of emergency' issued for LGBTQ community by Human Rights Campaign

New research from Everytown published in honor of Transgender Remembrance Day on Wednesday aims to highlight the impact gun violence has had on the trans community. Everytown found that roughly 7 in 10 transgender victims are killed with a gun, which is similar to the national rate. Black transgender residents -- particularly Black transgender women -- face the brunt of this gun violence, according to Everytown.

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More than half of all transgender gun homicides took place in the South, according to Everytown. Burd-Sharps also notes these deaths happen predominantly in Southern states with more lenient gun laws.

PHOTO: Terri Wilson and Righteous Torrence Hill dated for six years: 'When I think about Chevy, one of the first things that come to my mind is unconditional love.' (Courtesy of Terri Wilson)

Hill was shot outside his home in the Atlanta suburb of East Point, Georgia on Feb. 28, 2024, and pronounced dead the following day. In Georgia, about 95% of the trans or gender-expansive victims since 2013 -- when the Human Rights Campaign began tracking these deaths -- were killed with a gun.

Some researchers argue that violence toward trans people cannot be considered without the context of anti-transgender legislation and rhetoric.

"What it does is it sows further division. It creates an environment where even more hatred exists, which in turn creates more violence against trans folks," Tori Cooper, the Human Rights Campaign's director of community engagement, told ABC News.

PHOTO: Righteous Torrence Hill, a trans man fatally shot in February, was the founder of an LGBTQ-focused barber shop. (Courtesy of Terri Wilson)

Federal, state and local agencies across the country have warned about increases in anti-LGBTQ+ violence in recent years as state legislatures break records, introducing more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills nationwide.

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"Words matter, policies matter," Moms Demand Action Executive Director Angela Ferrell-Zabala told ABC News in an interview on the Everytown report. "When we go down this road of dehumanizing and taking away rights from folks ... it's hard for folks to access health care and other things and just kind of live full lives, then that's contributing to the problem of violence in this country."

Both the HRC and Everytown note in their research that there may be other cases of fatal violence against transgender or gender-expansive people that have gone unreported or misreported and, therefore, not recorded in the official count.

Researchers and advocates say deadnaming, misgendering and bias in policing or reporting may hinder efforts to track and solve these cases properly.

MORE: 'Genocidal': Transgender people begin to flee states with anti-LGBTQ laws

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"Every life is important, and we need to make sure that we're protecting everybody," Ferrell-Zabala said. "Media and law enforcement have a duty to make sure they're correctly reporting people's names and genders. It's not only out of respect for victims and their loved ones and communities, but also so that the research on the ongoing violence against transgender people is accurately understood and represented."

According to Wilson, Hill was misgendered by law enforcement after his death, despite having the correct gender markers on his ID.

"It's frustrating because a person who respectfully asks you to address them in a certain way, their request should be accepted. Their request should be recognized. It's not hurting anyone else," Wilson said. "It's frustrating for me, so I can only understand how frustrating it was for him. It's just from going from medical professionals, going through TSA, law enforcement."

However, she said East Point's LGBTQ liaison reached out to her following his death: "They have an LGBT Task Force, and they did have one of the representatives who was over this task force reach out to me, which I did appreciate," Wilson said.

PHOTO: Terri Wilson said she hopes to continue Righteous Torrence Hill's work advocating for the LGBTQ community following his death. (Courtesy of Terri Wilson)

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East Point didn't respond to ABC News' request for comment.

Hill's loved ones waited more than six months for the suspect -- Hill's cousin Jaylen Hill -- turned himself police, and hope the arrest can finally bring some relief in the fight for justice.

Jaylen Hill is in pre-indictment hearings on potential charges of murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm. Jaylen Hill's legal team has not yet responded to ABC News' request for comment.

"I can't be consumed with Jaylen and what his punishment is, because all of this revolves around [Hill]. [Hill] lost his life," Wilson said. "So continuing what he was doing is definitely at the forefront of receiving justice for [Hill]."

PHOTO: Righteous Torrence Hill, a trans man fatally shot in February, was the founder of an LGBTQ-focused barber shop. (Courtesy of Terri Wilson)

Some researchers hope the new data can help law enforcement agencies and city officials nationwide to address growing concerns about anti-LGBTQ+ violence and the role gun violence plays in these deaths.

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Officials in neighboring Atlanta -- which has LGBTQ+ liaisons on the city and public safety levels -- said it's working to implement programs to improve the safety and concerns of the LGBTQ+ community in the region. Chief Equity Officer Candace M. Stanciel pointed to the city's Human Relations Commission which investigates reports of discrimination or the revision of standard operating procedures for local public safety officials on how to engage with the transgender community.

"We look forward to even growing the partnership and the work that we continue to do with all of our public safety teams around supporting LGBTQ communities as a whole," Stanciel told ABC News.

Wilson hopes Hill can be remembered for his "unconditional love."

"He didn't have any enemies," said Wilson. "He had a forgiving heart. He was selfless, he was genuine. He always wanted everyone to succeed. He could see in you what you couldn't see in yourself."

Gun violence becomes growing concern for transgender community originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
HELSINKI, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo cautioned on Tuesday against drawing premature conclusions about the cause of the submarine cable breakdown between Finland and Germany.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar, Orpo stated that he would not draw any conclusions at this point, since it was not yet possible to determine if a sabotage was involved.

On Monday, Finnish state-owned data transmission company Cinia reported that the C-Lion1 submarine cable, which links Helsinki to Rostock, Germany, was out of service due to a fault.

Timo Kilpelainen, head of the Investigation Department at the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, said during a press conference on Tuesday that Finnish and Swedish police would jointly investigate the incident. He noted that the damage to the C-Lion1 cable was located just several dozen nautical miles from where the Lithuania-Sweden cable was damaged last Sunday.

Ari-Jussi Knaapila, CEO of Cinia, told the press conference that a repair ship dispatched from France is expected to reach the site of the C-Lion1 damage by Sunday.

The C-Lion1 cable spans 1,173 km and was completed in 2016. Owned and operated by Cinia, it connects Finland and other Nordic countries to Central Europe and Asia, serving as a critical data transmission link in the region. 
Rep. Jim Haadsma (L) and Steve Frisbie (R) | Michigan House and campaign photos

Updated, 10:56 a.m., 11/20/24, 11:25 a.m., 11/20/24

A dispute over exactly who won the 44th District state House race in Calhoun County now moves to the state level, after Republicans say their candidate has prevailed.

A press release late Tuesday from the House Republican Campaign Committee (HRCC) proclaimed that the Calhoun County Board of Canvassers had officially certified Steve Frisbie as the winner over Democratic incumbent state Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek).

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A spokesperson for Calhoun County confirmed to the Michigan Advance that the county Board of Canvassers did certify the results.

While the Secretary of States website indicates that Frisbies lead increased from 58 votes to 61, Haadsmas attorney, Chris Trebilcock, disputed the HRCCs contention that the election was certified, telling the Advance that he had been told county canvassers had failed to certify the results.

Michigan Secretary of State spokesperson Angela Benander confirmed for the Advance that all 83 counties had certified their results, which the HRCC also confirmed.

Initial results of the election showed Haadsma losing by 1,381 votes to Frisbie, the Republican challenger and Calhoun County commissioner. However, an error blamed on a pair of high speed tabulators which did not combine vote totals, overriding a first report of ballots instead of adding to it, resulted in approximately 2,800 absentee ballots not being counted.

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After the error was discovered, the unofficial results were updated to diminish Frisbies lead to just 58 votes  20,823 total votes for him to 20,765 for Haadsma. Thats where it still stands on the county website as of Wednesday morning, despite a retabulation of the absentee ballots that began Nov. 13 and ended late the following day. However, the Secretary of States website shows Frisbie with 20,835 votes to Haadsmas 20,774, a difference of 61 votes.

While the 44th District remains in dispute, it will not change party control of the Michigan House next term, as Republicans will still have a majority. Whether that is a 58-52 advantage, if Frisbie ends up as the winner, or 57-53 should Haadsma retain his seat, awaits final certification by the Board of State Canvassers, who will meet this Friday.

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By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) - Hamas' acting Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya said in remarks broadcast on Wednesday that there would be no hostages-for-prisoners swap deal with Israel unless the war in the Palestinian enclave ended.

"Without an end to the war, there can be no prisoner swap," Hayya said in a televised interview with the group's Al-Aqsa television channel, reiterating the group's position on how to bring the war to an end.

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"If the aggression is not ended, why would the resistance and in particular Hamas, return the prisoners (hostages)?" he said. "How would a sane or an insane person lose a strong card he owns while the war is continuing?"

Efforts to negotiate a truce for Gaza have stalled, and the U.S. on Wednesday vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an unconditional permanent ceasefire. Washington's U.N. ambassador said the U.S. would only support a resolution that explicitly calls for the immediate release of the Israeli hostages as part of a ceasefire.

Hayya, who led the group's negotiating team in talks with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, blamed the lack of progress on Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who in turn holds the Islamist group responsible for the stalled talks.

"There are contacts under way with some countries and mediators to revive this file (negotiation). We are ready to continue with those efforts but it is more important to see a real will on the side of the occupation to end the aggression," said Hayya.

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"The reality proves that Netanyahu is the one who undermines it (negotiations)," he added.

Speaking during a visit to Gaza on Tuesday, Netanyahu said that Hamas would not rule the Palestinian enclave after the war had ended and that Israel had destroyed the Islamist group's military capabilities.

HAMAS WELCOMES EGYPT'S GAZA POST-WAR PROPOSAL

Netanyahu also said Israel had not given up trying to locate the 101 remaining hostages believed to be still in the enclave, and he offered a $5 million reward for the return of each one.

Hamas wants a deal that ends the war and sees the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held captive in Gaza as well as Palestinians jailed by Israel, while Netanyahu vowed the war can only end once Hamas is eradicated.

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Qatar, a key ceasefire mediator alongside Egypt, said it had informed Hamas and Israel that it would stall its mediation efforts unless the two warring parties showed "willingness and seriousness" to reach a deal.

On Nov. 19, Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said the political office of Hamas in Doha had not been permanently closed.

Earlier this month, Reuters quoted a U.S. official saying Washington had asked Qatar to expel the group and that Doha had passed this message on to Hamas.

Al-Ansari said the Hamas office had been created to facilitate mediation efforts to end the Gaza war.

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Hayya said Hamas had welcomed an Egyptian proposal for Hamas to form an administrative committee with the rival Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas to run the Gaza Strip, a move that addresses the outstanding question of how the enclave would be run when the fighting stops.

But an agreement has yet to be finalised, Hayya said. Israel rejects any Hamas role in governing Gaza after the war and neither does it trust Abbas' Palestinian Authority to take over running the enclave.

The 2023 attack on Israel, which shattered Israel's aura of invincibility, marked the country's bloodiest day in its history, with 1,200 people killed and over 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel responded with its most destructive offensive in Gaza, killing nearly 44,000 people and wounding 103,898, according to the Gaza health ministry, and turning the enclave into a wasteland of rubble with millions desperate for food, fuel, water and sanitation.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Additional reporting by Enas Alashray and Yomna Ehab; Editing by Mark Heinrich, William Maclean and Daniel Wallis)
(NewsNation)  Family members of Maui woman Hannah Kobayashi are in Los Angeles to search for her after the 31-year-old went missing on a trip to California earlier this month.

According to the Los Angeles Police Departments Missing Persons Unit, Kobayashi is 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and weighs about 140 pounds. She has brown hair and eyes, and fair skin with freckles, as well as a tattoo that says knife on her forearm.

Kobayashis family last heard from her on Nov. 11, when she started sending them alarming text messages, NewsNation local affiliate KTLA reported.

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Jodi Huisentruit suspect list down to four people: Private investigator

What is known about Hannah Kobayashis disappearance

KTLA wrote that Kobayashi, on Nov. 8, missed a connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York City, where she was planning to visit family.

The day after, Kobayashi decided to go to The Grove shopping center for a two-day Lebron James event, which she posted about on Instagram.

While she was at The Grove on Nov. 9, Kobayashi was seen by employees at the Taschen bookstore, Larie Pidgeon, Kobayashis aunt, told USA Today.

New video, texts shows Laken Rileys last moments

On Nov. 11, according to the Los Angeles Times, Kobayashi went back to Los Angeles International Airport, though without getting onboard a flight. Family members confirmed to KTLA that they also saw footage of Kobayashi near the Pico Metro Station in downtown Los Angeles.

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I miss her, Kobayashis father Ryan said in an interview with KTLA. Just want her to know that, and just want her to reach out  anything.

Kobayashi sent strange text messages, family says

Pidgeon said it was when Kobayashi went back to the airport that she started sending the family alarming text messages.

She mentioned feeling scared, and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity, her aunt said to KTLA. Strange, cryptic messages  things about the matrix, it was so unlike her. And then all of a sudden, no more communication.

Kobayashis sister started a GoFundMe to assist with search efforts.

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Residents in south Brevard County will have a chance to pick up food items at no cost Friday morning.

The City of West Melbourne and Farm Share, a nonprofit that aims to help food-insecure residents in Florida, will distribute free, fresh produce and non-perishable canned goods in West Melbourne.

READ: Enter for a chance to win tickets to ICE! featuring ELF!

The Nov. 22 event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and will be held at West Melbourne Community Park, located at:

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3000 Minton Rd, West Melbourne, FL 32904

See the map below for event location:

The food distribution will be drive-thru style and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

READ: Report on health of Indian River Lagoon released

Farm Share said it helps to fight hunger by working hand-in-hand with local farmers to recover and redistribute produce that would otherwise be thrown away due to aesthetic imperfections.

To find a food pantry near you, click here.

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The Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State and other advocacy groups are seeking approval to map out the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway through municipalities across New York, including the City of Lockport.

The Lockport Common Council is set to consider that approval at its meeting today.

According to the New York State Department of Transportation, there are four nationally designated scenic byways in New York: the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, the Lakes to Locks Passage, the Mohawk Towpath Byway, and the Palisades Scenic Byway. The largest of these in the state of New York is the Great Lakes Seaway Trail which follows the coastline of Lake Ontario.

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Peter Dunleavy, chair of the NYS Byways Advisory Board, said that the Harriet Tubman byway will be even larger, about 550 miles, charting across the state from New York City to Niagara Falls and Buffalo, both of which were where escaped slaves could cross into the safety of Canada.

According to Dunleavy, the inspiration for a Tubman byway was started by grassroots consortiums. Right now, they are looking for a route that would thread the needle to make Underground Railroad sites easily accessible from one route, he said.

What is the best line that will represent the journey? Where are all the physical sites we know and how can we create a route that is in close proximity to all those sites? he said, adding that all of these questions will be worked on in conjunction between the grassroots groups and the state.

In Lockport, the common council is being asked to sign a letter to Dunleavy and make a resolution that it will support the byway, including any programs or enhancements to the byway, as well as to approve any new advertisements along the route, not including any existing or on-site advertisements.

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The city must also resolve to work in partnership with the other municipalities along the byway to support future, programs, economic development, marketing and . explore opportunities for cooperation.

After the byway has been mapped out, a state senator and a member of the assembly will have to sponsor an amendment of the New York State Highway Law, Dunleavy said.

The legacy of Freedom Seekers on the Underground Railroad, from Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey into and across New York to Niagara Falls into Canada should be recognized and organized so people can take a tour and drive along through that historic byway, he said.

The project is slated to take another two or three years before it is brought before the state legislature.
Fresh from a devastating loss to Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris may now head to Capitol Hill to defy him in what could be her last major act in office.

As President Joe Biden attempts to advance a crush of judicial confirmations before he leaves the White House, Democrats are bracing for the possibility of close calls in the process as they ambitiously seek to top the 234 judges Trump secured during his first term.

Thats where Harris would come in. As the president of the Senate, Harris wields the constitutional power to provide a tie-breaking vote. Democrats slim majority has made Harris a go-to on this procedure throughout Bidens tenure, having broken a record last year for casting the most decisive votes of any vice president in history.

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It is an issue so important to the president  and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.  that it came up last week when Harris and Biden met for lunch in their first post-election meeting, three sources with knowledge of the meeting said.

This is something they want to clear the decks on, a senior aide to Harris said.

She will definitely be available for any tie votes, a second senior aide said.

It is a big focus, a third person familiar with internal dynamics said.

With Harris leaving Tuesday for a respite in Hawaii, the votes arent expected to come up in the Senate until December, one of the sources said.

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A senior Harris aide said the vice president delayed her trip to California and Hawaii in the event that she would be needed for votes in the Senate to confirm judges. Harris was supposed to leave this past weekend but instead left Tuesday with the intention of returning to D.C. for needed votes. That aide, as well as a person familiar with planning, said the team determined she was not needed in D.C. right now but to expect a major battle over judicial nominees in December.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on Tuesday said she had been told that Harris would be available to break judicial ties if needed. She would not say if she had personally spoken to Harris about it.

The goal is to fill every judicial nomination that we can," Warren said.

Schumer has been vocal about getting through these confirmations before Biden leaves office, several people with knowledge of the conversations said.

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He has made clear he would use the lame-duck session  the period between the election and when the new president is inaugurated  to confirm more judges, as Republicans did in late 2020.

We are going to use the lame duck to confirm judges. And were going to do everything we can to get as many judges done as possible, trying to overcome the Republican obstruction, Schumer told NBC News in a recent interview.

Its something thats already irking Trump, who signaled that Republicans should block any attempts by Democrats to further their judicial agenda.

The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door. Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line  No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day! Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday.

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But Republicans  who famously pushed through a Trump Supreme Court appointment just one week before the 2020 election  do not have the power to stop it.

GOP senators can slow the process down, but Democrats need a simple majority to overcome any obstruction and confirm judges. A senior Biden administration official working on judicial nominations noted that in the 2020 lame-duck session, after Trump had lost the election, Senate Republicans continued to confirm his judges.

Confirming more judges is the top priority for Schumer and Senate Democrats before they relinquish power to the new Congress, which will be controlled by Republicans in both chambers.

Well confirm as many judges as possible in the lame duck, Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said.

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The clash came to a head Monday after Democrats confirmed a judge to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Schumer kept the Senate in session until nearly midnight, holding another 18 roll-call votes over a six-hour span to tee up another seven confirmation votes on Biden-picked judges later this week.

If theyre all confirmed, that would bring Bidens total to 223 federal judges.

Thats close to Trumps final tally of 234 judges confirmed in his first term, a number that Democrats have set out to beat since they defeated him in the 2020 election. This summer, however, Schumer stopped short of guaranteeing it.

The Biden administration official said the Trump number is beatable, arguing that there are enough pending nominees on the calendar or awaiting consideration in committee.

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We could exceed the 234, the official said. This is not about beating Trumps numbers. This is about getting good people on the bench. Is 235 within the realm of possibility? It is. But thats not whats driving it.

At this time, the White House has not announced plans to nominate judges to other unfilled vacancies. That includes various openings in red states that are subject to the blue slip courtesy, where home-state Republican senators must sign off before they get consideration.

The senior administration official declined to discuss whether Biden has talked to Harris or Schumer about lame-duck confirmations.

Im not going to get into conversations the president has had, the official said. But you can certainly assume this remains a topic of discussion and engagement.

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A Senate Democratic aide was heartened by the notion that Harris would be on call to break ties.

Hope shes not needed, the aide said. But glad thats an option while Dems have the majority.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
UPDATE: According to the Harrison County Sheriffs Office, Gerardo Roman, Alondra Rodriguez, Jazel Roman and Gerardo Roman Jr. were originally reported as being last seen on Friday, November 15 leaving Trinity Episcopal School. The sheriffs office later said that the family was last seen at their home on Sunday, Nov. 17 in the afternoon.

MARSHALL, Texas (KETK)  The Harrison County Sheriffs Office is currently searching for a missing family out of Marshall.

Chopper to life flight child injured in Overton shooting

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According to the department, Gerardo Roman, Alondra Rodriguez, Jazel Roman and Gerardo Roman Jr. were originally reported as being last seen on Friday, November 15 leaving Trinity Episcopal School.

The sheriffs office says Alondra Rodriguez is an employee of the school where the family was last seen.

If you have any information of the whereabouts of any of these people, youre asked to call the Harrison County Sheriffs Office at 903-923-4000. People can also submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  The Board of Alders Committee unanimously approved a donation of Narcan pouches from a local nonprofit, which could change how police respond to scenes.

The donation is worth nearly $6,000, from the nonprofit For Cameron, an organization that raises awareness of the stigma that comes with addiction.

Next, The Board of Alders Committee will send its approval to the entire Board of Alders for final approval.

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Old Saybrook Public Schools to be stocked with Narcan

If approved, officers would be equipped with the Narcan pouches during calls.

You have seconds to reverse a fatal overdose. Seconds. So by the time they call for EMTs, we think thats an unacceptable risk, President & Co-founder of For Cameron Fiona Firine said.

State data shows there was a 306% increase in unintentional drug overdose deaths.

Opioid deaths declined in 2022 and 2023 and Connecticut is on track for the same in 2024 with 1,338 overdose-related deaths last year, about 84% involved fentanyl.

Drug overdoses remain a pervasive issue, this is why For Cameron was started.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  The Food and Drug Administration said dogs in outdoor dining areas do not pose a threat to public health, but Hawaii law still bans pups that are not service animals from lanai-style dining areas.

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The Hawaii Restaurant Association said rules for dogs in dining areas are a bit of a lose-lose for restaurants  If a restaurant bans pets, animal lovers will not eat there.

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The other side of it is, well, we have guests, guests who are allergic to maybe the dander or something. So because theyre allergic and they see a dog in the restaurant, theyre not going to come back, said Sheryl Matsuoka, HRA executive director.

How a new restaurant requirement may impact what you pay for a to-go order

Service animals are allowed in restaurants by law, but the proposed rule change would allow pet dogs to stay beside their owner  as long as they are restrained  at outdoor dining spaces.

Some local eateries already have that standard, like Aloha Beer Co.

If its a question of just making it official, I think we should absolutely do it. Set more clear parameters in place. As far as we know, we only allow dogs in the open-air areas, said Aloha Beer Co. marketing director Candice Ishikawa said.

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They even have a dog-friendly menu, one item consists of a chopped chicken bowl with vegetables, bacon bits and an egg yolk.

And then we also have our pupsicles, and that is our blended frozen fruits and it comes in a little shape of a paw, and also a dollop of whipped cream, Ishikawa said.

The rule change would not require pets to be allowed in outdoor dining spaces, but it would give restaurants the choice to legally allow them.

The Dept. of Health said there will be a virtual hearing on Thursday, Dec. 12 for the public to weigh in on dogs in outdoor dining spaces and other food safety regulation changes. Health officials said they will consider those comments and send recommendations to the governor for his signature.

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I really feel that the restaurants, you know, theyre businessmen. They know whats best. They know their community. Let the business make the decision, Matsuoka said.

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On a really busy day, we might have upwards of even 8 to 10 dogs. And you know, youd be surprised. Theres no crazy barking or peeing or anything like that theyre all really great and well-behaved, Ishikawa said, I kind of was under the impression that it was already allowed, you know, across establishments in open air areas.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
BUCHAREST, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Moldova appointed several new ministers Tuesday, with President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean highlighting priorities like European Union (EU) integration, public safety, and climate-adaptive reforms.

Vladimir Bolea became Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, while entrepreneur Ludmila Catlabuga took over as Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry. Daniella Misail-Nichitin, previously a state secretary, was sworn in as Interior Minister.

Sandu stressed advancing EU negotiations and improving institutional efficiency, noting the growing number of women in government. Recean commended efforts to fight electoral corruption and urged the new ministers to deliver results.

The cabinet changes follow Sandu's promise to recalibrate the government by year-end. The Recean administration began its term on Feb. 16, 2023. 
EPWORTH, Zimbabwe (AP)  Carrying her infant daughter, 19-year-old Sithulisiwe Moyo waited two hours to get birth-control pills from a tent pitched in a poor settlement on the outskirts of Zimbabwes capital, Harare.

The outreach clinic in Epworth provides Moyo with her best shot at achieving her dream of returning to school. I am too young to be a baby-making machine," she said. "At least this clinic helps me avoid another pregnancy.

But the free service funded by the U.S. government, the worlds largest health donor, might soon be unavailable.

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As he did in his first term, U.S President-elect Donald Trump is likely in January to invoke the so-called global gag rule, a policy that bars U.S. foreign aid from being used to perform abortions or provide abortion information. The policy cuts off American government funding for services that women around the world rely on to avoid pregnancy or to space out their children, as well as for heath care unrelated to abortion.

Four decades of on-again, off-again restrictions

The gag rule has a 40-year history of being applied by Republican presidents and rescinded by Democratic presidents. Every GOP president since the mid-1980s has invoked the rule, which is known as the Mexico City Policy for the city where it was first announced.

As one of his first acts as president in 2017, Trump expanded the rule to the extent that foreign NGOs were cut off from about $600 million in U.S. family planning funds and more than $11 billion in U.S. global health aid between 2017 and 2018 alone, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress.

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The money  much of it intended for Africa  covered efforts such as preventing malaria and tuberculosis, providing water and sanitation, and distributing health information and contraception, which might also have repercussions for HIV prevention.

Womens health advocates are uneasy following Trumps victory, said Pester Siraha, director of Population Services Zimbabwe, an affiliate of MSI Reproductive Choices, an NGO that supports abortion rights in 36 countries.

The policy stipulates that foreign NGOs that receive U.S government funding must agree to stop abortion-related activities, including discussing it as a family planning option  even when they are using non-U.S. government funds for such activities. During Trump's first term, MSI did not agree to those conditions, effectively making it ineligible for U.S government funding.

Siraha said that a blueprint offered to Trump by the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation in its plan known as Project 2025 indicates that the new administration could enact a more comprehensive global gag rule.

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Even NGOs in countries that outlaw abortion, such as Zimbabwe, are affected. Population Services Zimbabwe, for instance, closed its outreach clinics during Trumps first term after losing funding due to its association with MSI Reproductive Choices. Such outreach clinics are often the only health care option for rural people with limited access to hospitals due to poverty or distance.

It leaves women with no place to turn for help, even for information, said Whitney Chinogwenya, global marketing manager at MSI Reproductive Choices.

Some NGOs in other African countries such as Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa rolled back services, including clinics, contraception, training and support for government and community health workers, as well as programs for young people, sex workers and LGBTIQ+ communities.

Other services shut down entirely. The risk of unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions and related deaths increased in many of the affected countries, according to the U.S.-based Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights.

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Chinogwenya, the MSI Reproductive Choices marketing manager, said her organizations donor income dropped by $120 million during Trumps first term. The money would have provided 8 million women globally with family planning help, preventing 6 million unintended pregnancies, 1.8 million unsafe abortions and 20,000 pregnancy-related deaths, she said.

The gag-rule policy leads to more unintended, unwanted, unsupportable pregnancies and therefore an increase in abortion, said Catriona Macleod, a professor of psychology at South Africas Rhodes University.

This legislation does not protect life  its been called Americas deadly export, said Macleod, who heads the universitys studies in sexuality and reproduction.

Trump's transition team did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

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Damage isnt always easy to repair

President Joe Biden rescinded the gag-rule policy in 2021, resulting in Population Services Zimbabwe receiving $9 million, about 50% of its donor funding, from USAID in 2023. But we havent regained all the loss we suffered, said Siraha, the organizations director.

You need a minimum of five years to have an impact. If we then have another gap of five years, it means we are reversing all the gains, she said.

Her organization estimates that 1.3 million women could lose out on the care they need in Zimbabwe, leading to an additional 461,000 unintended pregnancies and 1,400 maternal deaths if the gag rule is reinstated.

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Overseas aid budget cuts by other Western governments will make it harder to find alternative funding, Siraha said.

Forced into difficult choices

MSI Reproductive Choices is lobbying world leaders and alternative donors to fight for abortion rights.

Trumps reelection may embolden the anti-choice movement, but the fight for womens reproductive rights is nonnegotiable, Chinogwenya said.

However, agencies that rely heavily or entirely on U.S funding might have little choice but to quiet their guidelines on access to abortion to qualify for funding, said Denise Horn, an international relations and civil society expert at Bryant University in Rhode Island.

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In South Africa, where abortion is mostly legal, some NGOs, especially those without alternative funding, stopped openly discussing abortion as an option or changed their guidelines and the information they share publicly, according to an assessment by South Africas Rhodes University and the International Womens Health Coalition, a New York-based NGO.

Organizations thus have to evaluate what is most important: the non-abortion work they will still be able to do or the principle of pro-choice, read part of the 2019 assessment report. Ultimately, these organizations will have to make this difficult decision.

The long lines of women at the outreach clinic in Zimbabwes Epworth settlement underline the dire need for family planning services in impoverished communities.

Engeline Mukanya, 30, said she is already struggling to support her three children with the $100 she earns monthly from plaiting womens hair. Nurses inserted a birth-control implant in her left arm to protect her from pregnancy for the next five years.

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Like many here, she cannot afford private providers who charge $20 to $60.

Its unfortunate that we are so far away from America yet we are being caught in the crossfire of its politics, she said. All we want is the freedom to space our births.
Pete Hegseth brought his mistress-turned-wife to a Republican prayer call Tuesday evening in a bid to salvage his flailing nomination as Donald Trumps defense secretary.

According to CNN, the devout Christian former Fox News host told listeners on the callheld following reports he paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017 to head off a lawsuitThis is a battle that is just beginning.

Hegseths lawyer said the womans allegations are baseless, amounting to a successful extortion, and that she and his client had a consensual sexual encounter after he held a speaking event in Monterey, California.

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Tuesdays call was organized by the Republican National Committee.

Hegseth told Republicans he was seated next to his wife and that his family had received an outpouring of support.

"This is a battle that is just beginning," Pete Hegseth told Republicans on a prayer call tonight, @kaitlancollins reports pic.twitter.com/cX27nnZrS3  Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 20, 2024

Thats the reason why we can endure the attacks and the onslaughts, he added, according to CNN.

Trumps team reportedly fears more secrets will come out about the lightly vetted Hegseth, and transition officials are said to have started drafting a list of potential replacements.

Hegseth married Jennifer Rauchet in 2019 after divorcing his second wife in 2017.

She was demoted from her job on Fox & Friends, where she worked with Hegseth, after disclosing to management that she was pregnant with the still-married hosts child toward the end of 2016, according to Brian Stelters Network of Lies.

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The thrice-married Hegseth, now the father of seven children in a blended family, has been an ardent advocate of conservative Christian values. His multiple tattoos associated with the Crusades have raised eyebrowsone of a Latin phrase that has been co-opted by far-right extremists got him kicked off of National Guard duty at the 2021 presidential inauguration.

He has, however, been open about his own personal failings.

About 2018 I entered the Colts Neck Community Church with my wife (who was wary of what evangelical Baptists were like), and faith became real, he told the magazine Birmingham Christian Family earlier this year. Within 20 minutes we felt at home. The pastor spoke about his broken family pastIm broken, youre broken, were all broken and careening around not living our faith and not being deeply rooted. I thought I had to be perfect."

In addition to the 2017 allegations, Hegseths lack of experience beyond media punditry and conservative activism has raised serious questionsincluding from GOP senatorsabout whether hes qualified to run the Pentagon.

President-elect Trumps daughter-in-law and RNC co-chair Lara Trump joined the prayer call, CNN reported, to say that the country was lucky to have Hegseth as its defense secretary nominee.
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trumps pick for defense secretary, told Republicans on a prayer call Tuesday that the battle is just beginning, as he faces questions about his confirmation after a past sexual assault allegation surfaced that he denies.

Hegseths comments made during the call, which was hosted by the Republican National Committee and co-chair Lara Trump, are some of his first since he was announced as a pick for the president-elects Cabinet.

Hegseth asked those on the call to pray for Trump, incoming first lady Melania Trump and their family.

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This is a battle that is just beginning, Hegseth said, noting his wife Jennifer was seated next to him as he was speaking. I know in our family, we take that time to hold them up in prayer.

The veteran-turned-Fox News host noted that his family has had an outpouring of support since he was named Trumps selection for the defense post.

Thats the reason why we can endure the attacks and the onslaughts, he said.

Lara Trump, the president-elects daughter-in-law, weighed in after Hegseths remarks, saying the nation was lucky to have Hegseth as its next defense secretary.

Donald Trump selected Hegseth last week for the position despite him having no senior military or public office experience, which surprised both Pentagon officials and Trumps own allies. The president-elects announcement was swiftly followed by news of the alleged sexual assault, catching the president-elects transition team off guard.

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CNN previously reported that Hegseth, according to his attorney, paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault in a settlement agreement that included a confidentiality clause. Hegseth denies assaulting the woman and has characterized the October 2017 incident in Monterey, California, as a consensual sexual encounter, his attorney has said.

Hegseth has not been charged in any criminal case or named as a defendant in any civil lawsuit in connection with the incident.

Despite the controversy, Trump has refused to back down on his pick, and Vice President-elect JD Vance is expected to take Hegseth and other Cabinet contenders to Capitol Hill this week for meetings with key Republican senators who are considering their confirmation.

CNNs Jack Forrest, Kaanita Iyer, Zachary Cohen and Kristen Holmes contributed to this report.

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The Scoop

Pete Hegseth has a lengthy history of criticizing Republican senators. And now, as Donald Trumps nominee for defense secretary, hell need their votes.

The Army veteran and former Fox News host has often denounced Senate Republicans in recent years, particularly outgoing leader Mitch McConnell, according to transcripts Semafor reviewed of his public remarks since Trumps 2016 election. Hes also taken digs at two more centrist GOP senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, and described the entire conference as part of the captured class.

Theyre part of the uniparty. Not all of them, there are a few good ones, Hegseth told conservative radio host Mark Levin in April, describing Republican senators with a term used on the right to argue that both parties establishments are similar.

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They are far more happy dealing with Democrats and running up the national debt and playing inside-the-Beltway games than they are putting the country first and putting a stake in the ground for what they believe in, he added.

Theres little chance Hegseth knew then that he would have to face the targets of his criticism in a confirmation hearing or on the Senate floor. But now Hegseth must win over 50 or more senators to be confirmed to lead the Pentagon under Trump, a job that would give him power over hundreds of billions of dollars.

Hegseths critiques of fellow Republicans could become a drag on his nomination as he begins meeting with senators this week. President Joe Bidens first choice for budget director imploded because Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., did not appreciate her attacks on sitting senators.

Its possible that Senate Republicans shrug off his remarks; theyre used to taking flak from the partys MAGA wing. And Hegseth has let his flak fly over the years, often aligning himself with activists who sought to oust McConnell as GOP leader.

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McConnell seems unwilling to want to get to the bottom of the fact that a Democratic administration spied on a sitting president, Hegseth said on Levins show in 2022, referring to allegations of government surveillance of Trumps presidency. Until there is new leadership of that Senate conference, it is not going to change, the priorities arent going to change.

Hegseth also criticized McConnells level of pushback to liberal activists seeking to derail Justice Brett Kavanaughs nomination to the Supreme Court.

McConnell declined to comment for this story. He said on Tuesday that the Senate will treat Trumps nominees like we treat all others, with proper vetting.

Asked about Hegseths past criticisms of GOP senators, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung emphasized Hegseths military bona fides in a statement: Pete served our country as an Army Combat Veteran who did tours in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

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With Pete as our Secretary of Defense, Americas enemies are on notice and our military will be great again, Cheung said.

Know More

Like many conservatives, Hegseth was incensed about the Senate GOPs failure to repeal Obamacare during Trumps first term. He called McConnell foolish in 2017 and jabbed at Collins and Murkowski, both of whom voted against repeal.

In July 2017, he said the duo call themselves Republicans and vote more often with the Democrats. In August, he said on Maria Bartiromos Fox show that Murkowski, Susan Collins, dont understand what average people feel and that they want things to actually happen.

Hegseth also took umbrage at government funding agreements that failed to cut spending. He criticized McConnell and the GOP for cutting a spending deal with Democrats in 2018, calling it a swamp budget and a Mitch McConnell special.

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Hegseth also prodded Sen. Roger Wicker, who is set to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee, over his efforts to boost military spending, which are still ongoing. On Laura Ingrahams Fox show this June, Hegseth said this is not a funding issue. The Pentagon is not short on dollars. They have plenty of that.

In a subsequent appearance, though, Hegseth appeared to backtrack somewhat; he said he spoke to Wickers staff and said that while he doesnt want to just throw money at the problem, its worthwhile to build up spending to meet the threat of China.

Wicker told Semafor hell continue to make his case and that a number of people on the transition team are quite supportive of my plan.

Notably, Hegseth is not the only Trump nominee with some baggage related to sitting GOP senators. Matt Gaetz, whos seeking confirmation as attorney general, has attacked an array of Senate Republicans and called Sen.-elect Tim Sheehy of Montana a shill of the establishment.

The View From Collins and Murkowski

The two centrists signaled that theyre willing to give Hegseth the benefit of the doubt on his past remarks, and both said they have thick enough skin to separate his criticisms from their votes.

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If I look and see a pattern that causes me to think the person would not be a good leader and doesnt have character or the impartiality  if its a judge, for example  that would concern me, Collins told Semafor. But Im used to criticism by people, by the internet. That would not be disqualifying.

Murkowski told Semafor that I get people in Alaska that say they dont think that I voted Republican enough, or they think I vote Republican too much. I dont view my vote in that context.

Instead, she added, she looks to reflect Alaskas best interests. Im operating in a world in Washington thats so fixated on my party. Thats not my anchor and hasnt been for a long long time.

Burgesss view

While Hegseths past criticisms of senators are unlikely to derail his nomination on their own, they add to the challenges the Trump administration faces in getting him confirmed.

As he did after panning Wickers military buildup plan, Hegseth can probably clean up some of his past comments. But theyre certainly not helpful in a Senate where he needs absolutely every vote and is already facing scrutiny for a sexual assault allegation. Politicians have long memories.
A small group of protesters drove south to Santa Fe in late October to protest in front of the main office for the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire Claims Office, frustrated with delays in payments for those who lost their homes in the fire. U.S. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) questioned FEMA leader Deanne Criswell about the issue Wednesday. (Photo by Austin Fisher/ Source NM)

U.S. Sen Martin Heinrich continued the New Mexico congressional delegations push to compensate victims of the states biggest-ever wildfire Wednesday, questioning the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator about why people who lost everything are still waiting two years later.

The Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Claims Office, which FEMA oversees, is in charge of paying out about $4 billion to compensate victims of the 534-square-mile wildfire that was the federal governments fault  caused by two botched prescribed burns on federal land. The agency has paid out about $1.5 billion so far.

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The deadline to apply for compensation for the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire is Dec. 20.

But Heinrich (D-NM), speaking at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, challenged FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell about whether that money is going to families whose homes or livelihoods were destroyed by the fire. The delegation has repeatedly called on FEMA to make payments more quickly and make the program fairer.

What can FEMA do differently so that the folks who literally lost everything in the fire are not the last to get their compensation? he asked.

Criswell responded that the office has increased its staffing throughout the year and that payments have increased as a result.

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But we know we have more work to do. We continue to bring in our staffing and ensure that we have the right amount of people, the right amount of resources, Criswell said.

Claims from people who lost their homes tend to be more complicated and individualized, which means they take more work from more staff to process, Criswell said. Thats where the increased staffing has helped, she said.

Its not clear how many people who lost their primary residences are still waiting for compensation from the fund. Several hundred homes were lost in the fire. About 145 households qualified for FEMA housing assistance in the fires aftermath, which meant their primary residences were destroyed or unliveable.

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The office has not provided that figure to Source New Mexico despite multiple requests. And, according to a Heinrich spokesperson, it also has not given it to members of New Mexicos congressional delegation.

The delegation sent a letter Nov. 1 asking for that figure and for answers to 12 other questions about the status of the claims process, citing some progress but saying improvements to the Claims Offices processes and best practices are still sorely needed.

The letter also asked the claims office how it was handling fair compensation for culturally and structurally unique losses, including adobe homes, and how it was ensuring food loss payments are made equitably. A recent Source New Mexico story revealed the office pays men more than women for food lost in the fire.

The food-payment issue and perceived lack of payments to those who lost their homes were among the reasons a small group of protesters gathered in late October in front of the FEMA headquarters. They called on the agency to prioritize total losses before paying out other types of damage.

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As of late September, the office had paid out around $400 million in claims to about 4,200 people and businesses for smoke damage, a process the claims office designed to be quick and simple and one that applies to a roughly 2,200-square-mile area around the burn scar.

The rest of the $1.5 billion spent so far has gone to local governments, including $100 million to the City of Las Vegas, N.M., to replace its drinking water system, as well as for reforestation on private land and to businesses, nonprofits and tribal governments.

A FEMA spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

$1.5 billion more pending

Criswells appearance comes as President Joe Biden is seeking Congress approval on a package of disaster-related funding, including $40 billion to FEMA, as his presidency comes to an end.

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Included in that $40 billion request is $1.5 billion for the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire victims. If approved, that would mean the victims were awarded $5.45 billion in compensation for the 340,000-acre wildfire, minus administrative costs.

Heinrich asked Criswell what the additional money would be needed for.

Criswell said shed seen an independent actuarial report that showed the total losses to the fire exceeded $5 billion. So, while she said her office can pay the claims that have been submitted to date, the claims office needs the extra money to pay what it expects future claims will cost.

Without the additional funding, I will not be able to meet the claims down the road based on what I believe is an accurate report from this independent actuary, she said.

A claims office spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for the independent report. Heinrichs office deferred comment to FEMA.
Can you help officers find a stolen SUV?

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Greenville Police have asked for the publics help after a 2000 Ford Excursion was stolen.

The department posted a photo on social media.

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The SUV is dark green with an Ohio license plate KJH7113.

It is missing the drivers side mirror.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Greenville Police at (937) 548-1103.

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The head of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement said Wednesday that he has examined the US proposal for a ceasefire with Israel and it depends on the Israeli response and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "seriousness."

Naim Qassem said in a televised speech that Hezbollah will not agree to a ceasefire that does not "stop the aggression completely" and does not "preserve Lebanese sovereignty."

Qassem was referring to a contentious point reportedly contained in the current draft agreement that explicitly grants Israel a right to self-defence.

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He confirmed that ceasefire negotiations were ongoing, but made it clear that the militia would not suspend its attacks during the talks.

We will stay on the battlefield no matter how high the cost might be, Hezbollahs leader added, stressing that his group has not and will not change its national resistance positions.

It is unclear where Qassem is residing now. He has given several speeches since the killing of his predecessor Hassan Nasrallah in late September and was named Hezbollah's new leader three weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's House speaker Nabih Berri, who is mediating in the negotiations on behalf of Hezbollah with the US envoy Amos Hochstein, was quoted as saying that the negotiations this time are based on something, pending the Israeli response.

Berri met Hochstein for the second time on Wednesday, after talks the day before. Hochstein is now due in Israel.
Israel cannot impose truce conditions on Hezbollah, the groups new leader vowed in a defiant speech broadcast on Wednesday.

It comes as Washington scrambles to clinch a ceasefire deal between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese movement after more than a year of fighting that has killed thousands.

Naim Qassem, Hezbollahs new secretary-general, said that he had discussed a deal with US envoy Amos Hochstein and that ending the war was now in Israels hands.

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He said peace depended on Benjamin Netanyahus seriousness and accused Israel of trying to take from the negotiations what it could not achieve on the battlefield.

People in a Beirut cafe listen to Hezbollahs new leader on television - Mohamed Azakir/Reuters

At the end of the day, the Israelis expect to achieve victory that they failed to achieve on the ground, Qassem said, adding that Hezbollah was prepared for a long war.

He said: If negotiations fail, we will continue to fight. Those who claim that this is a war of attrition, yes, its true, but attrition to the Israeli enemy. We are capable and we will endure.

Qassem vowed to retaliate against Israeli attacks on Beirut, saying that Hezbollah would strike the heart of Tel Aviv.

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According to Qassem, Hezbollah approves of the negotiations but rejects any notion that Israel be allowed to keep striking Hezbollah after a truce is signed.

The Israeli enemy cannot enter [Lebanon] whenever it wants, he said, emphasising that preservation of Lebanese sovereignty and a total and permanent ceasefire would be essential for the group to agree to a deal.

Houthi supporters in Sanaa, Yemen, showing their loyalty to Hezbollah during a rally - Yahya Arhab/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Israels foreign minister said shortly after Qassems speech that any ceasefire agreement must preserve Israels freedom to take military action in Lebanon if it feels itself threatened.

First of all, we will have to enforce that they [Hezbollah] will not return to near our border south of the Litani river, this is crucial, Gideon Saar said, referring to a Lebanese river that runs some 20 miles north of the Israeli border.

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Secondly, we will have to enforce that they will not be able to build again their force in Lebanon, they will not be able to bring again ammunitions, missiles to manufacture it or to bring it from Iran through Syria, by sea, and through the airport [in Beirut] in any way, he added.

Mr Hochstein said he would travel to Israel to try to finalise a deal after spending two days in Beirut discussing a US ceasefire proposal with Nabih Berri, the Lebanese parliamentary speaker whom Hezbollah have backed to negotiate.

On Tuesday, Mr Hochstein said an end to the war was within our grasp while Mr Berri said the situation was good, in principle.

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Israels Channel 12 reported late on Wednesday that most points of the deal had been agreed upon by both parties.

Mr Berri said earlier that language about Israeli freedom to act was not included in the draft US proposal submitted to him.

The US has been pushing for the UN resolution that ended the last Hezbollah-Israel war in 2006 to form the basis of a new truce.

A Houthi supporter carries a mock missile during the Hezbollah rally in Yemen - Yahya Arhab/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers should be the only armed forces deployed south of the Litani.

If a ceasefire agreement is signed, Qassem said Hezbollah would help rebuild Lebanon alongside the Lebanese state and remain a player in Lebanons political scene.

He said the group would have an effective role in election of a president. Political divides have left Lebanon without a head of state since 2022.

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Qassem is a Lebanese Shia cleric. He was appointed the leader of Hezbollah in October after Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike in Beirut in September.

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HANAU, Germany, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's rapid advancement in technology and innovation is a major draw for German businesses seeking to expand their investment, which will further strengthen bilateral cooperation, Heraeus Group CEO Jan Rinnert has said.

"It's important to note that in the past five years, we've invested more than we did in all the previous years combined," Rinnert, CEO and chairman of the Board of Managing Directors of Heraeus Group, a German family-owned global technology group, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Heraeus began its journey in China 50 years ago with a refinery in Hong Kong and now it has "a dynamic presence in 12 cities across China, spanning multiple industries," he said, adding that one of China's primary appeals to German companies is the sheer size of its market and the immense growth opportunities it offers.

With a growing middle class and rising disposable incomes, Rinnert anticipates a strong demand for high-quality products and services.

Rinnert noted that China's commitment to economic growth is another critical factor driving investment. Despite global economic uncertainties, China has set an ambitious growth target of 5 percent for 2024. The goal, which is significantly higher than those of other major economies, creates a stable environment for businesses, he added.

Behind the company's focus on the Chinese market is also China's "rapid advancement in technology and innovation."

"By collaborating with local customers, universities and institutions, we can innovate new technologies together," the business leader said.

Heraeus has increased its investment in research and development (R&D) and innovation centers in China. Recent initiatives include the establishment of centers for precious metals products and advanced packaging for power electronics in Shanghai, both launched this year. The company's global innovation center for photovoltaics business was relocated from North America to Shanghai years ago, he added.

As Heraeus continues its development in China, Rinnert said he has witnessed significant progress in the country since he began traveling to China in 2003.

"Since then I have visited China two to three times each year. One of the most noticeable changes is the greener landscapes, which is a reflection of the country's heightened focus on environmental issues."

Rinnert expressed his enthusiasm for China's shift toward a more sustainable and innovation-driven economy.

"We're excited to be part of this transformation ... Our expertise in high-quality material science aligns perfectly with the recent focus on establishing 'new quality productive forces,'" he said.

"By fostering strong partnerships between Germany and China, we can combine strengths and resources to drive forward our shared goals," Rinnert said. "We have witnessed remarkable growth in sectors such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, the circular economy, and renewable energy, including the most recent advancements in green hydrogen."

Looking ahead, Rinnert is optimistic about further strengthening Heraeus' presence in China with continued cooperation between Germany and China.

"This collaboration will be a cornerstone of our strategy as we look to the future," he said. 
Michael Knapinski, 49, is charged with second-degree murder

Susan Gregg/UW Medicine Michael Knapinski at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle following his 2020 rescue Michael Knapinski at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle following his 2020 rescue

A hiker whose heart stopped for 45 minutes after being rescued from Washington's Mount Rainier National Park in 2020 is now charged with murdering a man after stealing $1,900 of drugs from him, court records allege.

Michael Knapinski  who was considered dead for 45 minutes in 2020 when his heart stopped before emergency room medical teams miraculously brought him back to life  has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder, according to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by PEOPLE.

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Knapinski is accused of shooting and killing Jason Martinell, 42, of Granite Falls, in the parking lot of a Safeway store in Bothell on Oct. 25, according to the affidavit filed in Snohomish County Superior Court in Washington.

Text messages allegedly found on the victim's phone revealed that Knapinski had reached out to him asking to buy what detectives believe was methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to the affidavit.

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Google Maps Safeway Store in Bothell Everett Safeway Store in Bothell Everett

Related: Pa. Teacher Was Shot While Sleeping When Man Allegedly Fired into Wrong Home Over Botched Drug Deal

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On the night of Oct. 25, a friend of Martinell's told detectives that they met at 87th Avenue SE in Woodinville with plans to race RC cars, according to the affidavit.

Sometime before 10 p.m., the friend said he saw Martinell speaking with the driver of a dark SUV "and talking to someone on a speaker phone," the affidavit says.

The friend, who did not know who the man in the SUV was, said "he heard them make a deal to sell all of the victim's drugs for approximately $1,900," the affidavit alleges.

Martinell, who had brought the drugs with him that night, according to the friend, then got into Knapinski's SUV, later identified as a Toyota Sequoia, and drove with him to the Safeway parking lot.

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The friend followed in his vehicle and when he got to the parking lot, he saw the Sequoia parked in a stall.

At one point, the friend said he saw the passenger door open and close before the SUV drove away.

Moments later, he saw Martinell lying facedown on the ground, the affidavit alleges.

The friend fled the scene, later telling detectives "he was too scared to call police or go home," the affidavit says.

The friend called 911 to report that his friend had been shot and left outside of a vehicle. Martinell was pronounced dead at the scene. He had been shot in the head, authorities said, according to the affidavit.

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A friend of Knapinski's later told police that Knapinski told him he had shot the victim, the affidavit alleges.

"Based on the nature of this crime, there is a substantial likelihood the defendant will commit another violent offense," prosecutors wrote, reports Komo News. "It would appear that (Knapinski) chose to shoot and kill the victim for $1,900 worth of drugs. If he is able to take a man's life for such a small amount of money, it is likely he would commit another violent offense."

Related: 4 People 'Connected with Drug-Dealing Activities' Found Dead Near Cancun Beach Area, Authorities Say

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George Rose/Getty Mount Rainier Mount Rainier

Knapinski is being held at the Snohomish County Jail on $1 million bail.

Miraculous Survival

PEOPLE previously reported about Knapinski's mountain rescue back in 2020. Per the Seattle Times, he had been hiking with a friend for a day when he became lost in temperatures as cold as 16 degrees.

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Although he later died in the emergency room, doctors enabled his body to function so that he became conscious two days later.

He came back from the dead, Dr. Saman Arbabi of Harborview Medical Center told the Times. Maybe not medically quite correct, but his heart wasnt beating for more than 45 minutes. Its amazing.

It is unclear whether Knapinski has retained an attorney who can speak on his behalf.


EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  El Paso City Council representatives unanimously voted on Tuesday, Nov. 19 in favor of a development agreement that will result in the revitalization of one of El Pasos most historic buildings  The Popular department store building in Downtown.

Representatives voted in favor of a Chapter 380 agreement that they say will spur the development of 99 multifamily residential units.

According to the Citys Economic Development Department, 15% of those units will be priced as moderately affordable, meaning applicants will need to make at least 80% of the areas average income. The proposed development plan also entails a 65-space parking garage and has the ground floor reserved for retail space.

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Part of the agreement required the developer to invest a minimum of $35 million. In return, the City would give an incentive package that totals $6.72 million. The two major components of that package include a TIRZ No. 5 property tax rebate, along with an impact fund development note. Overall, this is 16% of the anticipated project costs, said Karina Brasgalla, interim director of Economic Development.

This project is one of the highly identified priorities in our strategic plan, in our housing plan inventory from 2019. It is something that has been absolutely critical when we are talking about the future growth of Downtown. Weve made huge in-roads in our convention center and our hotel programs in bringing office space and bringing retail and looking at that recovery. The next step is residents, and you need residential growth in an area to drive retail and commercial activity, Brasgalla said.

The City will be working with developer Robert Palacios. Palacios is an El Paso native who said he left a national real estate firm to pursue this project on his own.

I have a great love for the historical architecture of El Paso, and a great love for Downtown El Paso. I believe theres great potential in this building, great potential in Downtown El Paso and its a true honor to be able to work on a project like this and play a part in the transformation of the urban core of El Paso, Palacios said.

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Both Brasgalla and Palacios said this project is still in its early stages but will be moving forward to get to the construction phase.

There have been some preliminary plans that have been created already, buy-in to a wonderful local architecture firm, and were going to continue to work with them to refine these architectural drawings, which will then allow us to submit for, the part two of the federal and state historic tax credit applications, which will be another vital source of funding to this project, Palacios said.

Brasgalla said the citys Economic Development Department has asked the city for a 36-month construction timeline in order to obtain a certificate of occupancy. She said the tentative opening for the complex will be around 2027 to 2028.

The project site, at 301 E. San Antonio Ave., was once home to the Popular Dry Goods Co. and the building was built in 1914.

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Designed by Trost & Trost, it is on the National Historic Register and is therefore eligible for historic tax credits.

The last time the building was operating was in 2022, when it was home to the discount clothing store Fallas Paredes.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Holocaust: Reconstructing Shattered Humanity will soon open to the public at the Governors office, located off Bermuda Road and Harrahs Court, south of Harry Reid International Airport.

Heidi Straus is the president of the Nevada Center for Humanity and curator of all the artifacts. Shes teamed up with UNLV grad students to display the collection. Straus has spent years gathering never before seen items.

From auction houses, private dealers, from people who are in Poland that find things in attics that survived the war from striped uniforms, Straus remarked. It has been a journey, just the culmination of this and to finally open so we can show the public is such an honor.

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The exhibit focuses on the experiences of Jews and other groups not just as victims but as resistors, refugees and resilient survivors. Items range from the 1920s to the 1940s, showing the rise of the Nazi power, oppression and liberation throughout Europe.

Steven Butler is one of the student docents.

I think some of the great things about this exhibit individual are some of our artifacts especially those from local Las Vegas survivors, Butler said. History is all around us, it impacts everything that we deal with in our day to day lives.

The Holocaust: Reconstructing Shattered Humanity on display at the Governors office (KLAS) The Holocaust: Reconstructing Shattered Humanity on display at the Governors office (KLAS) The Holocaust: Reconstructing Shattered Humanity on display at the Governors office (KLAS)

Straus said we need to connect to our history to ensure we dont make the same mistakes in the future.

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Theres been a rise in antisemitism. Antisemitism has been around for thousands of years, its not new. It simply changes and morphs and resurfaces in another form, Straus added.

For student docent Beatriz Avila-Marquez, shes making connections from history to her personal life, all while practicing those beliefs on campus too.

At UNLV, its very important for us to have inclusivity for everybody so we want to make sure its a safe place for everybody especially with our classes. We make sure that were talking about subjects that are going on right now, in the past and how we can connect them and just being advocates for people around us in the university in general, Avila-Marquez explained.

The display will be available to see from Dec. 4 through March 15, 2025 by appointment only. You can contact Heidi.Straus@unlv.edu to make an appointment.

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HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP)  Holyoke is looking to exit receivership by next fall. Meetings were held on Tuesday to discuss the latest steps.

Girls in Trade recognizes next generation of women in trades during National Apprenticeship Week

The one topic thats been in talks since last year is Holyoke Public Schools transition out of receivership. Holyoke has been under receivership since 2015 when the state deemed the schools were underperforming in key metrics.

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With a hope of officially returning to local control by July of next year, Holyoke Public School officials met on Tuesday morning to make their latest case to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, that they are more than ready to do just that. Outlining their strategic plan and highlighting key efforts for this school year, including implementing a comprehensive attendance plan to reduce chronic absenteeism and making sure students are producing grade-level work.

The Holyoke School Committee is building its capacity to resume local control of the schools at the end of the 24-25 school year, says the acting Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Dr. Russell Johnston.

Superintendent Anthony Soto described the journey of getting power back to the city. Its just been a work in progress over the last nine years and you know we worked so hard at it and its good to see that the states recognizing all of that work and that they have enough confidence to return the governing structure to local control.

The meeting also discussed plans for eliminating the MCAS graduation requirement from Massachusetts schools.

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The school system has come a long way since its receivership began. Graduation rates have increased, and dropout rates and suspensions have decreased. Studentsespecially Hispanic students engaging in advanced coursework doubled, and there are more educators of color since 2015, up nearly 15%.

I am comfortable that you are going to rise to this challenge with local control, remarks committee member Michael Moriarty.

Since Spring, the Holyoke School Committee has been working on its capacity plan, to bolster itself when local control returns. That plan includes superintendent evaluation, finance and budget, and policy development, all things they will soon be responsible for. The committee reports that a community advisory team was formed to help set criteria for the superintendent evaluation and hiring process.

Committee member Katherine Craven added, Whats the one thing you are picking up as something that you can fix that was a problem in a school committee setting? Holyoke School Committee member Devin Sheehan says it was more just being an efficient and nimble government body.

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Their finance and budget, as well as policy subcommittee, has been meeting regularly to set goals and plan to have a comprehensive policy reference manual by April of next year. This is not a time for us to take a bow- its a time for us to say, we acknowledge, we are proud, but we have more to do, And I can see your team doing it, adds Johnston.

You can read more on Holyoke Schools turnaround plan on their website.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  A homeless man with an extensive criminal record is accused of going on a bloody rampage during a deadly stabbing spree in Manhattan on Monday, prosecutors said.

Ramon Rivera, 51, was arraigned Tuesday on three counts of murder for allegedly stabbing three people to death in a series of unprovoked attacks in Manhattan, authorities said.

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Rivera, who confessed to the killings when he was taken into custody, is being held without bail, according to the criminal complaint.

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Rivera, dressed in a white jumper, did not speak during the brief proceeding, which was attended by some of the victims family members.

The defendant embarked on a bloody and violent rampage that took the lives of three innocent New Yorkers who were doing nothing more than going about their day, prosecutor Megan Joy said.

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Rivera allegedly stabbed 36-year-old construction worker Angel Lata Landi in Chelsea on 19th Street and 10th Avenue at 8:20 a.m. on Monday, according to authorities. Surveillance video showed a horrified woman pushing a baby in a stroller to safety after witnessing the fatal stabbing.

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The defendant then allegedly stabbed 67-year-old Chang Wang to death while he was fishing by the East River two hours later, police said. Rivera is also accused of stabbing 36-year-old Wilma Augustin near the United Nations Headquarters just before 11 a.m., according to authorities. She died after having surgery, sources said.

A witness heard the woman screaming, Help before seeing the defendant run off, prosecutors said. A cab driver then followed the suspect after the last attack and flagged officers for help.

Video obtained by PIX11 News showed Rivera changing his outfit, putting on gloves, and pulling out a kitchen knife from a small purple backpack. Two knives were recovered after Rivera was arrested.

Rivera has a history of mental health issues and an extensive criminal background spanning multiple states, but he never spent more than a year in jail, according to authorities. He was living in a homeless shelter near NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue.

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In December 2023, Rivera was arrested for two burglaries that were not bail-eligible and released on supervised release. He was then arrested in New Jersey for similar charges and brought back to New York City for new charges before the December arrest, sources said.

He was held on bail and while in custody assaulted a correction officer in the Bellevue prison ward, sources said. The officer was also arrested for trying to assault Rivera.

He was at Rikers from Feb. 19 to Oct. 17, 2024, on charges of burglary in the third degree and assault in the third degree.

Rivera pleaded guilty to the charges in August 2024 and was sentenced to 364 days but was released after eight months of time served. He was released on Oct. 17 because its DOCs practice to release defendants after serving two-thirds of their city sentence, sources said.

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At no point in the last several years was Rivera held or involuntarily committed for a mental health issue, according to sources. The stabbing spree is raising questions for Mayor Eric Adams about the issue of mental health in New York City.

We have a real problem that we have to be honest about and Im willing to be honest about it, Adams said.

Adams said he is committed now more than ever to his plan to engage with homeless people in obvious mental health crises on the streets and subways  and involuntarily remove them if necessary. He wants the state to give him more power and clarity when it comes to those removals.

We have to take those who cant take care of themselves off our street and give them the humane care that they deserve, Adams said.

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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.

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The News

Hong Kong media mogul and prominent pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai denied foreign collusion as he testified for the first time in a national security trial that could see him sentenced to life in prison.

Lai, who founded the now-closed newspaper Apple Daily, is accused of colluding with foreign powers and attempting to influence the policies of countries like the United States with regards to China and Hong Kong. Lai has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The core values of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong, he said on Wednesday, values of the rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly.

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Lais trial comes just a day after a Hong Kong court jailed 45 pro-democracy activists, part of a broader crackdown by Beijing on the once-autonomous city.

SIGNALS

Freeing Lai may prove difficult, despite Trumps promises

Sources: Howard Hewitt, NBC News

Before his reelection, Donald Trump told conservative podcast host Hugh Hewitt he would 100% get Lai released, adding it would be so easy. Trumps remarks prompted a critical response from the citys top leader, who urged the now president-elect not to interfere in Chinas internal affairs. Trumps comment was excessively optimistic, a professor specializing in Hong Kong governance told NBC News, a representation of his magical realism foreign policy that combines boasting and simple solutions. Lais case is one that Chinese authorities care a lot about, meaning if Trump said he could free almost anyone else, thered be more credibility than saying he could free Jimmy Lai, the professor added.

Outcome of national security trials looks set from the start

Sources: The Washington Post, BBC

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As China exerts more control over Hong Kong, the citys courts, once considered bastions of autonomy, are now being used as tools of repression, legal analysts told The Washington Post. National security trials like Lais happen without a jury, and are overseen by a committee approved by Hong Kongs leader. Lai has previously been denied bail, and his choice of British lawyer was blocked after authorities deemed foreign lawyers a potential threat to national security that would require approval, the BBC reported. The reality for the Hong Kong judges now is that they know they cant go against the central authorities on cases like these, a lawyer told The Post. They know if they do, the rulings would be overridden.

Investors express concern about Hong Kong during annual summit

Sources: Bloomberg, Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, Semafor

The two landmark security trials took place as Hong Kong hosted its flagship investment summit to attract foreign capital, but business leaders speaking at the conference voiced caution. The chief executives of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs called for increased transparency from Beijing, with the latter saying investors were staying on the sidelines. Chinas crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong is causing tension, The Wall Street Journal noted: With stunning speed, the worlds pre-eminent East-meets-West investment hub has become more Chinese. Investors are also concerned about Chinas economy, which has struggled with slowing growth and a property market decline: The name of the game is to reignite consumer confidence, Morgan Stanleys CEO noted.
By James Pomfret and Jessie Pang

HONG KONG (Reuters) -Hong Kong democrat Jimmy Lai testified on Wednesday for the first time in his landmark national security trial, saying he had never tried to influence the foreign policy of countries such as the United States, towards China and Hong Kong.

The arrest of Lai, 76, a British and Hong Kong citizen and a founder of the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, is considered one of the most high-profile under a sweeping China-imposed national security law.

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His testimony comes just a day after Hong Kong jailed 45 pro-democracy activists for up to 10 years in a separate national security case.

Lai has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material.

During the trial it was alleged that Lai and others had requested an organisation or foreign country, chiefly the United States "to impose sanctions or blockade, or engage in other hostile activities" on the Hong Kong and Chinese governments.

One example of Lai's alleged collusion was meetings in July 2019 with then U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss the political crisis in Hong Kong as mass pro-democracy and anti-China protests intensified.

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Under oath in court on Wednesday, Lai denied asking anything specific of Pence.

"I would not dare to ask the vice president to do anything. I would just relay to him what happened in Hong Kong when he asked me," Lai told the court.

Lai said he had asked Pompeo: "Not to do something but to say something. To voice ... support for Hong Kong."

On Taiwan, Lai said he had sought to connect former U.S. deputy defence secretary Paul Wolfowitz and retired U.S. general Jack Keane to an interlocutor for former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen.

"Tsai and myself are friends, so we always talk about U.S. policy," he told the court, explaining that he had sought in this way to set up an unofficial channel between then U.S. President Donald Trump and the Tsai administration to bolster mutual understanding.

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In Beijing, a foreign ministry spokesman said no one could engage in illegal activities and escape legal sanction.

"Jimmy Lai is the main planner and participant in the anti-China and anti-Hong Kong incident, and is the agent and proxy of the anti-China forces," Lin Jian, told reporters in relation to Lai's trial.

Lai, however, told the high court how his own guiding principles were aligned through his newspaper with the people of Hong Kong, namely a belief in the rule of law and freedoms including those of speech, religion and assembly.

"We were always in support of movements for freedom," Lai, wearing a grey blazer and spectacles, told a packed courtroom. He added that he opposed Hong Kong and Taiwan independence.

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About 100 people queued in pouring rain huddled under umbrellas to secure a place in the court, with scores of police deployed in and around the building.

"Apple Daily was the voice of many Hong Kongers," said retiree William Wong, 64. "It's my political expression to let him (Lai) know I support him. He's done a lot for Hong Kong."

Among those who pleaded guilty earlier to charges of conspiring with Lai were senior staffers of Apple Daily and its parent company Next Digital.

One of them was Cheung Kim-hung, the former chief executive of Next Digital, who told the court Lai had pushed for U.S. sanctions against Hong Kong and China.

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Beijing imposed the national security law (NSL) in July 2020 after sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in the Asian financial hub the previous year.

Before the law was passed, Lai said in court he had urged some newsroom staffers not to take a stance against former U.S. president Donald Trump, whom he hoped could "help us to stop the NSL."

However, he added he had never met Trump in person, nor directly communicated with him.

Lai had been held in pre-trial detention for more than 1,400 days, before his trial kicked off last December. He is already serving a nearly six-year jail term for fraud.

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Diplomats from Australia, Britain, the European Union and the United States attended the hearing.

The U.S. government has condemned Lai's prosecution and called for his release, with his case shaping as a possible point of friction between the United States and China in the new Trump administration.

Asked last month whether he would speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping to get Lai out of China if he won the election, president-elect Trump told conservative political commentator Hugh Hewitt in a podcast: "100%".

"I'll get him out. He'll be easy to get out," Trump said.

(Reporting by James Pomfret and Jessie Pang; Editing by Michael Perry and Clarence Fernandez)
CANDLER COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV)  A man was killed in a hit and run in Candler County last month, and now a witness to the horrific crash is speaking out in an effort to find the driver who fled the scene.

A guy came through and just nailed him, hit him. It was like the worst thing ever. It was horrific. I cant even put it into words what it was like.

Some simple car troubles turned deadly on Interstate 16 on the evening of Oct. 26, according to Jarriel.

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I see these old people broke down on the side of the road. I was like, Ill pull in there and help them. I got there and the tire was off the rim. I was trying to help them get it back on, he said.

He said thats when it happened, Once he hit him, hit the guy, he stopped like 400 yards from us, and he pulled over. He was checking his vehicle out. I thought the guy was going to do the right thing, but thats not what happened.

Statesboro PD seeking suspect in theft valued over $100,000

Jarriel said the driver sped away. He followed the driver all the way to 116.

The entire incident happened within a span of minutes.

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Five minutes into it the old lady, she was just like lets just leave it, Jarriel said. I said no maam give me five more minutes; Ill have yall going. Its been messing with me a little bit just because I asked them to stay. I mean I feel like I hadnt told them to turn around or hold up give me five more minutes, theyd have been gone. But when its your time, its your time.

In the aftermath, Jarriel has been trying to help police find the suspect.

I put a thousand dollar reward out on him, he said. I got $1000. I have two more buddies that are putting in $500 more. Thats $2000. So, I hope we find him.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety released a photo of a white truck earlier this month. They said it was seen traveling near the site of the crash just minutes after it happened.

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Police are still searching for the truck they suspect to be involved and the person who was driving.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
ROME, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Doctors and nurses in Italy's public healthcare system staged a 24-hour strike on Wednesday, calling for better pay and increased investment in the National Health System (NHS).

The strike, which saw participation from up to 85 percent of medical staff in public hospitals nationwide, left only emergency services operational, according to Ansa News Agency, which cited three major medical unions.

Union leaders described the high turnout as a "significant signal" that underscores the "unacceptable working conditions in Italian hospitals." They urged immediate action to address these issues in a joint statement.

The three unions involved, Anaao-Assomed, Cimo-Fesmed Federation, and Nursing Up, highlighted several key demands. These include increased public funding for the NHS and stricter measures to protect healthcare workers, following a rise in assaults by patients' relatives and friends.

The unions also jointly called on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to arrange an urgent meeting in the coming days.

In the latest budget law passed in October, the Italian cabinet allocated 6.4 billion euros (about 6.7 billion U.S. dollars) to the NHS for 2024 and 2025, bringing the country's National Health Fund up to 134 billion euros in 2024, and to 136.48 billion euros in 2025.

The protesting medical unions argued that the investments were insufficient as a percentage of the country's gross domestic product and inadequate to revive the struggling healthcare system.

Although the Italian government has promised to allocate additional resources to the National Health Fund, the unions deplored that "the funding is barely sufficient to maintain the status quo." 
At least 12 people were killed in an Israeli bombardment of a house in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip overnight, according to a local hospital.

Kamal Adwan Hospital said that women and children were among the victims.

At least 10 more people are buried under the rubble of the house, the hospital said.

The information could not be verified, but residents told dpa that they were woken by a huge explosion during the night.

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Israel's military has not yet commented on the incident.

Eyewitnesses have described humanitarian conditions in Jabalia as catastrophic.

The Israeli military launched a new offensive against the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the area in October, as it said militants were trying to regroup.
State Rep. and Navarre Republican Joel Rudman, M.D. (Photo courtesy of Rep. Rudman)

Saying hes a natural successor to Matt Gaetz, Navarre Republican and state Rep. Joel Rudman has announced plans to run for Congressional District 1.

He is the second Republican member of the state House of Representatives to announce their candidacy to succeed Gaetz, who resigned after President-elect Donald Trump tapped him for U.S. attorney general. Rep. Michelle Salzman, a Republican from Escambia County, has also tossed her hat into the Republican primary.

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If you live here in Northwest Florida, I think youre used to a certain level of representation. Youre used to a congressional member who has your back, Rudman told the Florida Phoenix Wednesday in a phone interview.

Youre used to a congressional member with a spine of steel who doesnt give up. Who has principles, who has resolve. So, the people of Northwest Florida are going to demand that from Matts successor as well. So, if anyone knows me and my track record in the Florida House, they know Im made of the same stuff. We are carved from the same rock. Like Matt, Im no stranger to controversy. I dont give in to bullies.

Rudman, a physician representing Santa Rosa and northern Okaloosa counties, got noticed for his positions during the COVID-19 pandemic. While he isnt against vaccines he opposed vaccine mandates.

He worked in 2023 to pass legislation that gave health care providers and insurers the right to deny medical services to patients on the basis of moral, religious, and ethical beliefs. The law specifically provided health care companies civil immunity for declining to participate in a service because of conscience-related objections.

Medicaid expansion

He lost favor with Republican House leadership this past spring, though, after announcing his support for a Medicaid expansion to provide health care access to lower-income childless adults.

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The move, Rudman said at the conclusion of the 60-day session, came at a cost. Five of the seven bills he sponsored that year never made it across the finish line. It was common knowledge around Tallahassee. Lobbyists I never met were stopping me in the street saying thats what happened to my bills.

The Medicaid expansion Rudman supports is a centerpiece of the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare or the ACA. While support for the expansion may have cost him, he doesnt expect it to hamper his efforts to win the congressional seat.

Absolutely not at all, Rudman said when asked whether he expects a backlash from voters.

You have to play the cards youre dealt, and thats what were dealt at the state level. What Ill attempt to do at the federal level if elected, were going to go back and revisit Obamacare and we are going to strike those statutes where insurance companies basically made it where insurance companies are offering products that are unaffordable for most Americans.

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Rudman has been on the state group health insurance plan since first winning election in 2022. Because its heavily subsidized by taxpayers, legislators pay $30 a month for family coverage. When Rudman resigns to run for CD 1, he will lose that benefit. Replacing health insurance coverage for him and his family, he said, will cost $24,000 annually.

That is simply unacceptable, and the reasons those prices are so high is because of the Obamacare mandates that were put in federal law. We need to get those out of there so hard-working Americans dont have to depend on a Medicaid expansion, they can go out and purchase a la carte plans that fit their families that they currently are unable to do, he said.

The ACA banned companies from denying coverage because of pre-existing medical conditions. It also required health plans to cover a minimum set of mandated benefits.

Rudman said he supports repealing those provisions.

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Most conservative district

CD 1 is considered the most conservative U.S. House district in the state. Rudman enters a not surprisingly crowded Republican primary. Other Northwest Florida Republicans who have announced their candidacies are John Frankman, a Green Beret who served eight years in the U.S. Army before his career ended  according to his website  when he stood against the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, a decision he calls his proudest moment in uniform.

Another candidate is Keith Gross, who ran a distant second in challenging Rick Scott for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in August.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has teased his candidacy on social media, posting on X, I am strongly considering running for Florida Congressional District 1. Weve got an historic opportunity to fight the swamp, end lawfare and return power back into the hands of Americans, Patronis posted Tuesday afternoon.

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Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd said last week that his office would have a schedule for U.S. House special elections posted soon to ensure these special elections are conducted as soon as possible. Rudman and Salzman will both have to resign from their House positions to run for the seat.

The district is solidly Republican but Democrat Gay Valimont has also announced her candidacy. Valimont ran against Gaetz in the general election earlier this month for the seat and was trounced by Gaetz who earned 66% of the vote.

Florida Phoenix reporter Mitch Perry contributed to this story

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Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Republican leaders in the Minnesota House reached a committee power-sharing agreement this week, but theyre still working out how leadership will work with no clear majority after the Nov. 5 election.

In this years election, DFLers and Republicans both won 67 seats in the House, resulting in what may be the first even split in the Legislature since 1979. Recounts are scheduled in two races, but leaders are already negotiating power-sharing.

This week, DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Republican Minority Leader Lisa Demuth announced plans to have a DFLer and Republican co-chair all committees. Membership would be evenly split between the parties, according to nonpartisan House Public Information Services.

Who will be speaker in divided House?

What remains undecided is who will be the House speaker if the current election results hold and theres no majority when members take office in January. Republicans have picked Demuth as their speaker-designate and DFLers have picked the present speaker Hortman to continue in that role. But only one can hold the spot.

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If the parties cant reach an agreement by the beginning of the session on Jan. 14, the Minnesota secretary of state would act as speaker of the House in a largely ceremonial capacity. That office is currently held by Steve Simon, a Democrat, though his power would be limited if he did preside over the House.

When then-Secretary of State Joan Growe served as speaker for a few days in January 1979, she only presided over sessions of the House and did not appoint members to any committees. The parties reached an agreement within the first week of the session, giving the Republicans the speakers seat and the Democrats three top committees  Appropriations, Rules and Taxes.

Itll be an odd-numbered year at the Legislature, so lawmakers are required to pass a two-year state budget before the end of session in May. That means House Democrats and Republicans could risk a government shutdown after the June 30 constitutional deadline if they dont find a way to cooperate.

Two recounts coming

The need for negotiations could end if Republicans pick up a one- or two-seat majority in upcoming recounts.

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There are two legislative election recounts scheduled this month in races that appear to have been won by Democrats.

Margins in one race are particularly close. Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee, defeated Republican challenger Aaron Paul by 14 votes. A recount in that race, House District 54A, is scheduled for Thursday at the Scott County Government Center starting at 8:30 a.m. and is open to the public.

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Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud, also faces a recount after defeating Republican challenger Sue Ek by 191 votes. The recount in House District 14B is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at the Government Center in Elk River.

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Regardless of the outcome of the recounts, this years election means the end of DFL control of state government.

For the past two years, Democrats held majorities in the Senate and House as well as the governors office  known as a trifecta. Minority Republicans campaigned on bringing balance to state government after DFLers passed many of their priorities in the 2023 session.
House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday banned transgender people from using bathrooms not designated for their "biological sex," days after Republican Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a measure that would ban transgender women from using women's bathrooms and other facilities on Capitol Hill.

"All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings  such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms  are reserved for individuals of that biological sex," Johnson said in a statement.

"It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol," he said. "Women deserve women's only spaces."

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The bathroom restriction comes as the U.S. House is set to swear in the first openly transgender member of Congress, Delaware Rep.-elect Sarah McBride.

What did Mace's proposed legislation say?

Maces two-page legislation proposes that House members, officers and employees are prohibited from using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex, and for other purposes.

The South Carolina representative argues in the measure that allowing biological males into single-sex facilities jeopardizes the safety and dignity of Members, officers, and employees of the House who are female.

Mace  who said she received death threats over the legislation  said she wants to see her bill reflected in the House rules for the 119th Congress, which designates how the lower Congressional chamber operates for the next two years. The House rules will be voted on by the new Congress in January 2025.

Mixed reaction from lawmakers

When asked by a reporter on Monday whether she was going after a marginalized person, Mace called out the incoming representative from Delaware. Sarah McBride doesn't get a say in this. This is a biological man trying to force himself into women's spaces, and I'm not going to tolerate, Mace said.

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Fellow GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene told reporters Monday that while she supports a resolution like the one Mace is proposing, she believes the ban should extend to all taxpayer-funded facilities.

Like Mace, Greene also misgendered McBride, saying, Hes a man. Hes a biological man.

Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips, of Minnesota, called Maces proposal pathetic and asked her what she was scared of. Mace fired back: I dont want people with peniss [sic] showing them off in our locker room.

On Tuesday, Johnson was asked during a House GOP leadership press conference whether McBride is a man or a woman  but said, "I'm not going to get into this."

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We welcome all new members with open arms who are duly elected representatives of the people," Johnson replied. "I believe its a command that we treat all persons with dignity and respect, and we will. Im not going to engage in silly debates about this.

This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before and were going to do that in deliberate fashion with member consensus on it and we will accommodate the needs of every single person, Johnson continued.

McBride disagrees with House rule, but will follow it

Following the release of Johnson's statement Wednesday, McBride said she's "not here to fight about bathrooms" and wants to focus on bringing down costs for families she represents in Delaware. She continued to say that she'll "follow the rules as outlines by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them."

McBride previously responded to Maces proposed measure on Monday in a post on X, saying, This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars.
Transgender people will be barred from using bathrooms and other single-sex facilities at the U.S. Capitol and associated offices that correspond with their gender identity, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Wednesday.

He said in a statement such facilities will instead be reserved for individuals of that biological sex.

It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms available throughout the Capitol, Johnson wrote. Women deserve womens only spaces.

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The announcement comes after Republican House members pushed for the policy change, following the election of Sarah McBride of Delaware, the first transgender person sent to Congress.

On Monday, South Carolina representative Nancy Mace introduced a resolution to similar effect then unveiled a broader proposal on Tuesday that would prevent trans people from using facilities matching their gender identity across federal property.

The provosals have divided the House on party lines.

Speaker Johnsons announcement on rules comes after pressure from House members to bar trans people from Capitol bathrooms (AP)

Democrats aframed the efforts as a distraction meant to stir up culture-war anger and single out McBride rather than solve any meaningful issue.

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This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing, McBride posted on X. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars.

This is not just bigotry, this is just plain bullying, New York Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said, according to Axios.

Advocates argued the rules fight is a harbinger of the larger attacks on civil rights protections and healthcare for trans and LGBTQ+ people more broadly expected under the new Trump administration.

The banning of trans people from womens bathrooms in the Capitol represents the beginning of extreme anti-trans talking points brought to life at the federal level, trans activist and TransLash Media founder Imara Jones told The Independent in a statement. This process will gain steam in January and beyond, as Republicans make good on their campaign promise to target trans people and erase them from public life.

Sarah McBride will become the first transgender member of the US House of Representatives when she is sworn in (Getty Images)

Zooey Zephyr, the first trans person elected to the Montana legislature, who herself was at the center of a high-profile statehouse dispute centering on trans issues, said the new rules in Congress were obsessive and unhinged.

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I literally just got out of meetings with members of Congress & used the bathroom on my way out. Trans women are womenfull stop, she wrote on X. Were every bit as biologically female as cis women & @SpeakerJohnsons statement doesnt change the fact that womens spaces include trans women.

Republican supporters, meanwhile, have framed their efforts as a defense of women and have spoken demeaningly of trans people in general.

Biological men do not belong in private womens spaces, Mace said in a recent post on X of her proposals. Period. Full stop. End of story.

The South Carolina lawmaker said shes gotten death threats over her efforts, but that she wont be intimidated.

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Theyre threatening to kill me over this. Men who want to use womens restrooms are threatening to kill me over this issue, Mace told News Nations On Balance on Tuesday.

Good luck, she said, adding that she was the first woman to graduate from The Citadel Military College of South Carolina. If we havent met yet, I want all the bullies online to know you will not bully me into submission.

Hes a man, a biological male, Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene toldThe Independent, referring to and misgendering McBride. So he is not allowed to use our womens restrooms, our womens gym, our locker rooms and our spaces that are that are specified for women.

Some, like Texas congresswoman Jasmie Crockett, argued a more important gender-related matter was the release of a House ethics report on Attorney General candidate Matt Gaetz, in which two women reportedly testified that Gaetz paid them for sex, which he has strongly denied.

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If @HouseGOP really wanted to protect women, theyd release the Ethics Committee report on Matt Gaetz alleged sex trafficking - not try to ban their colleagues from using the bathroom, she wrote on X on Tuesday. Stop the bigotry and release the report.

Under House rules, Speaker Johnson has general control of facilities in the chamber, including bathrooms.

The bathroom policy was unveiled the same day as Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual day marking the lives of transgender people lost to violence. Trans people, especially women of color, face disproportionate levels of violence compared with the general population.

A group of House Democrats introduced a resolution on Wednesday commemorating the day.

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Too many transgender people have been killed just for living as their true, authentic selves, Pramila Jayapal of Washington wrote in a statement accompanying the resolution. These instances, coupled with countless other acts of discrimination, are terrifying  but we wont waver.

Alex Woodward contributed reporting to this story
Police arrested a Howard County man on several drug charges last weekend after executing a search warrant on the citys northeast side.

Michael Roark, 30, is now facing charges of dealing methamphetamine, a level 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 3 felony; dealing a narcotic drug, a level 3 felony; possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a level 4 felony; being a felon in possession of a firearm, a level 5 felony; possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug, a level 5 felony; altered gun identification, a level 5 felony; possession of a hypodermic syringe, a level 6 felony; possession of a controlled substance, a level 6 felony; possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, for his alleged role in the case, according to a Howard County Sheriffs Office media release.

On Saturday, HCSO deputies responded to an apartment in the 300 block of North Ohio Street in search of Roark, who was reportedly wanted for petition to revoke, per the release.

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Upon arrival, the release indicated that deputies detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the windows and doors of the residence prior to knocking on the door.

After police knocked, Roark  who later told police he did not reside at the apartment  then answered the door, and he was taken into custody without incident.

Police also noted in the release that due to the overwhelming odor of marijuana emitting from the now open front door, they decided to search the rest of the apartment.

Inside, authorities located and seized a handgun with an altered serial number, 29 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine, 7 grams of field-tested positive heroin, 14 grams of field-tested positive marijuana, assorted controlled substances in pill form identified as Xanax, Vyvanse and Oxycodone and numerous smoking devices, baggies, scales and syringes, per the release.

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Roark is currently being held at the Howard County Jail on $10,000 cash bond for his petition to revoke, and his initial hearing is pending.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Deputy Pyke at 765-614-3492. You can also submit a tip using the HCSOs app or by visiting www.sheriff.howardcountyin.gov.
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA)  The United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Armondo Joseph Palma, 22, and Brooklyn Elaine Wilson, 27, both of Howe, pleaded guilty to charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor.

According to a press release, Palma pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of a minor. Wilson pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor and one count of possession of certain material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor.

The release says the indictment alleged that in December 2023, Palma and Wilson knowingly transported someone under the age of 18 from Oklahoma to Missouri with the intent to engage in sexual activity.

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According to the release, the indictment says on Nov. 2, 2023, Nov. 9, 2023, Dec. 4, 2023, and March 3, 2024, Wilson engaged in a sex act with a child under the age of 12 years intending to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, arouse, or gratify sexual desire.

Fayetteville man pleads guilty to fatal 2023 hit-and-run

The indictment also says between around August 2023 and around April 2024, Wilson knowingly possessed a visual depiction of a minor under the age of 12 engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The release says the crimes happened in LeFlore County within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

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The charges arose from an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the District 16 District Attorneys Task Force, the Rogers County Sheriffs Office, the Tulsa County Sheriffs Office, the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Carl Albert State College Campus 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 KNWA FOX24.
HUBBARD, Ohio (WKBN)  A Hubbard marijuana dispensary will start selling adult-use marijuana Wednesday morning.

Read next: 27 Investigates: An inside look at the Columbiana County Humane Society

Dustin Crites, manager of ACA Dispensary on East Liberty Street, says sales will begin at 10 a.m. ACA received its Certificate of Operation on Tuesday from Ohios Division of Cannabis Control.

After adult use became legal in August, Hubbard City Council voted not to allow ACA to sell it. However, 66% of Hubbard voters overruled council and said yes to adult sales in the November election.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Blood samples from 115 dairy workers in Michigan and Colorado reveal cases of the highly pathogenic bird flu have been occurring undetected in humans.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers found 7 percent of those tested between June and August 2024 had antibodies from the highly virulent form of H5N1 in their blood.

The good news is this means most people who have contracted bird flu so far have not been severely impacted. Half of those with the virus antibodies in their blood did not report being ill, so may have only experienced mild symptoms.

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However, while the current risk to public health is still low, researchers are concerned that allowing the virus to spread without control provides it with a greater opportunity to mutate into more threatening strains.

A change in the disease's virulence has occurred in Cambodia, where at least three patients have died from their infection. A hybrid between 2.3.2.1c and 2.3.4.4b, that strain of bird flu was contracted from poultry; a preprint study suggests this hybrid has mutations that assist airborne transmission and infection of mammals.

Close tracking suggests the Cambodian outbreak is fortunately limited, and no human-to-human infection has been detected.

Canada has also just reported its first known case of bird flu in humans, a teenager who is currently in a critical condition in hospital with a mutated version of the strain identified in the US dairy cow outbreak. Early genetic sequencing shows a change in a gene known to increase a virus's ability to infect humans.

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So far the Canadian case appears to be an isolated incident, but these concerning examples emphasize how easily the risk a virus poses can change, reinforcing the importance of close tracking and careful management of outbreaks.

To date there's only one known case of bird flu with no known animal origin, sparking fears that human to human spread may have begun.

The US dairy workers who had signs of previous infection had all been involved in milking the cows or cleaning the milking parlor. Those that recalled being ill reported symptoms including red, draining or itchy eyes, a fever, sore throat, congested nose, sneezing, diarrhea or headaches.

Woman washing down a milking parlor. (deimagine/E+/Getty Images)

"None of the workers with HPAI A(H5) virus antibodies reported using the personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for working with HPAI A(H5)infected animals, and use of recommended PPE was low among all workers," CDC health scientist Alexandra Mellis and colleagues write in their report.

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The CDC is monitoring the situation closely. In addition to poultry outbreaks , over 400 dairy herds have been infected by the highly virulent bird flu across 48 states.

Researchers and healthcare professionals stress the need for continued robust monitoring to prevent further spread and better management of the existing outbreaks in animals.

"These findings support the need for improved outreach to employers and workers about the risk for infection when working with dairy cattle infected with HPAI A(H5) viruses, and for the use of infection prevention measures such as PPE," Mellis and team explain, noting that outreach would need to be culturally appropriate as many of the workers in the recent report are Spanish speakers.

Authorities worldwide are urging us all to maintain good hygiene when interacting with animals and to report sightings of multiple sick or dead birds (US, 1 866 487 3297; UK, 03459 33 55 77; AU, 1800 675 888). Signs of infection in animals include drowsiness, lack of coordination, moving in circles, a head tilt and/or an inability to stand or fly.

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Since 2022, the highly virulent bird flu has led to the culling of more than 90 million domestic birds in the US alone. A program to vaccinate California condors has been implemented in order to minimize the disease's impact on this critically endangered bird, but many other species will likely need help as well.

Meanwhile, researchers are working hard to develop a human vaccine too.

The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report can be read here.

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday he will nominate Matthew Whitaker, former acting U.S. attorney general, to serve as Washington's ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Trump said in an announcement on social media that Whitaker, from the state of Iowa, "will strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability -- He will put AMERICA FIRST."

In addition to serving as the former Trump administration's acting attorney general between November 2018 and February 2019, Whitaker is also the former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa.

Whitaker's nomination came as new development was unfolding on the battleground in Ukraine, following the recent authorization by outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden for Ukraine to use American-supplied long-range ballistic missile -- known as Army Tactic Missile System -- to strike targets inside Russian territory.

Upon receiving the permission, the Ukrainian forces fired several ATACMS missiles toward Russia's Bryansk Oblast on Tuesday, according to U.S. officials. 
MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  Law enforcement in Wisconsin is urging hunters to remain vigilant for any signs of a man who has been missing since August 24, 2024.

The Madison Police Department has asked those participating in the nine-day gun deer season to watch for Eric Boll, who was last seen riding his e-bike on Madisons east side. Authorities are concerned Boll may have harmed himself.

Man sought in Wisconsin robbery and carjacking incident

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Bolls neighborhood is located near wooded properties and farmland outside the city limits, areas where hunters may be traveling.

Anyone who sees Boll or has information about his whereabouts is encouraged to contact local law enforcement immediately.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
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Rachael Martinez, 31, and her husband, Jose Medina, 39, were trying to keep their family safe.

After she ended a brief affair in September, Martinez had been talking to San Diego police. She told them after she ended things with 26-year-old Christopher Farrell, a security guard with the local transit system who was licensed to carry a gun, he held her captive in his apartment, where he sexually assaulted her.

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Police arrested him on Oct. 4, but ultimately, prosecutors didnt file charges and the case was dropped. Authorities said they couldnt corroborate her story and lacked the evidence to move forward.

Still, Martinez and Medina wanted to make sure Farrell didnt get anywhere near them or their children. After receiving a temporary restraining order, Martinez and her husband were scheduled to face him in court to make it permanent  an option in California and a number of other states.

But just 30 minutes before their hearing on Nov. 13 at the downtown San Diego courthouse, Farrell gunned them down inside their car. He fled on foot, then was killed in a dramatic shootout with police about a mile away.

The couple leaves behind four children, ranging in age from 3 to 15, who are currently living with Martinezs older sister, Charlene Martinez, their cousin Vincent Quitugua told HuffPost. The 3-year-old and his 5-year-old sister attend the Chicano Federations Barrio Logan Development Center, where their parents were remembered as caring and engaged.

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In her request for the permanent restraining order, Rachael Martinez described Farrells physical abuse and harassment, and the fear she felt not just for herself, but for her family.

Im afraid of what [he] might do next, she said.

Before a judge could consider her request, though, it escalated into a bloody rampage.

Offerings of food and beverages surround flowers and candles at the makeshift memorial where Rachael Martinez and Jose Medina were killed in San Diego on Nov. 13. Drusilla Moorhouse for HuffPost

Rachael Martinez and Medina had been married since 2016, family members told ABC 10 News at a vigil held Thursday night at the spot where they were killed.

Rachael Martinez was an excellent cook and regularly hosted her tight-knit family at the couples house, Charlene Martinez told the outlet. Medina was big-hearted, gregarious and always the life of the party, she said.

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Rachael Martinez started seeing Farrell casually after meeting him at work in August, she said in court documents obtained by HuffPost. A month later, on Sept. 28, her husband found out about the affair and confronted Farrell. The next day, she said, Farrell sent her a picture of the house she shared with her husband and children, demanding proof from her that she was married. After he threatened on Sept. 30 to come to her house, she agreed to meet Farrell at his apartment.

When she tried to leave, Farrell attacked her, she said. He handcuffed her and sexually assaulted her, leaving her bruised and frightened before he finally let her go, she said in court documents.

He continued to harass her and her husband, calling her 80 times in one day and sending her husband sexually explicit photos of her and Farrell, Rachael Martinez said in court documents. On Oct. 4, she sought treatment for her injuries from the sexual assault at a hospital, she said. They notified police, who took a report from her and arrested Farrell at his workplace. He was immediately fired from his job, and the gun he carried for work was confiscated.

He had his own gun at home, which Rachael Martinez noted in her restraining order request. As part of the temporary restraining order, Farrell was directed to relinquish any firearms in his possession and was prohibited from obtaining other guns. He was ordered to show proof of his compliance at the restraining order hearing, according to court documents.

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The day after his arrest, Farrell bailed out from jail, a spokesperson for the San Diego Police Department told HuffPost. The case was inactivated on Nov. 12  the day before Rachael Martinez and her husband were killed  after consultation with the San Diego District Attorneys Office because of insufficient evidence and corroboration, a police spokesperson told HuffPost.

When asked for clarification, a spokesperson for the district attorneys office referred HuffPost to a police news release.

Flowers, candles, offerings of food and beverages and police tape mark the spot in San Diego where Rachael Martinez and Jose Medina were killed while sitting in their parked car. Drusilla Moorhouse for HuffPost

The hearing regarding Rachael Martinezs request for a permanent restraining order was postponed from Oct. 11 to Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. That day, the couple were parked just down the street from the courthouse when they were shot after 8:20 a.m. Police later found Farrells car five blocks away.

After shooting Rachael Martinez and Medina, Farrell reloaded his gun and took off running, according to a San Diego police news release. A police helicopter circled the area, sharing Farrells description over a loudspeaker as local media also covered the shootings live. Just after 9 a.m., a man spotted Farrell hiding behind a large electrical box and alerted authorities, according to police. As officers approached, Farrell began firing, shooting one officer in the hip, police said. Farrell was shot multiple times by two other officers and pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital.

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Behind the electrical box, detectives found a semi-automatic handgun, multiple folding knives, and a holster, knife sheath, and three magazines clipped to his pants.

The injured police officer, who was not publicly identified, is recovering, authorities said.

The electrical box that Christopher Farrell used as a shield during a shootout with police in the Little Italy neighborhood of San Diego on Nov. 13. Several bullets struck the metal surface. Drusilla Moorhouse for HuffPost

Nearly half of all women murdered in the U.S. are killed by a current or former intimate partner, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins, and more than half of those killings involve firearms.

Quitugua, Rachael Martinezs cousin, created a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses and the couples children.

The Chicano Federation also launched an online fundraiser to help support the children and their caregivers.

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The organizations Barrio Logan Child Development Center mourned the childrens unimaginable loss of their loving and supportive guides.

Both were devoted parents who brought laughter and positivity to our center every day, the preschool said.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Related...
Following reports of damage to Iran's nuclear programme caused by an Israeli attack, the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog called on Wednesday for international law to be respected.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Israeli parliament on Monday that a component of the Iranian nuclear programme had been damaged in a strike launched by the Israeli military in October.

The attack was in response to an Iranian attack on Israel a few weeks earlier.

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"There is a body of law that indicates that nuclear facilities should not be attacked. It is my hope that this will be the case and that reason will prevail," International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said at a press conference on the sidelines of an IAEA meeting in Vienna.

Grossi added that he plans to talk to the Israeli government about the matter.

The US news site Axios had previously reported that a facility in Parchin in northern Iran had been destroyed. The facility was part of Iran's secret nuclear weapons programme before 2003 and had recently been reactivated, according to Israeli and US officials.

Grossi said that nuclear activities may have taken place there in the past, but said it was unlikely they do now. "We do not have any information to confirm presence of nuclear material."

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According to its official doctrine, Iran is not pursuing the development of nuclear weapons. However, the country produces uranium that is almost suitable for such weapons.

Grossi held talks on the issue with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other top politicians in Tehran last week.

He said Iran had agreed not to increase its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Western countries are nonetheless pushing to hold a vote at an IAEA meeting this week on a resolution condemning Iran for failing to cooperate with IAEA inspectors.
The U.S. military has not seen demonstrable evidence of North Korea successfully testing a re-entry vehicle capable of bringing a nuclear warhead back down to Earth through the atmosphere, according to Americas top officer in the Pacific region. The North Koreans are actively working on this technology, which is essential for long-range ballistic missiles with exo-atmospheric flight profiles, especially intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) able to reach the United States.

All will have been aware by now that North Korea tested its largest ballistic missile, having reached an apogee of over 7,000 kilometers [approximately 4,349.5 miles], portending a capability that will have the ability to range the entire continental United States, U.S. Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo said in opening remarks at an open event at the Brookings Institution think tank yesterday.

Paparo is head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) and was referring to North Koreas first test launch of the Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), claimed to be its longest-ranged design to date, on Oct. 31. North Korean authorities said the missile reached a peak height of 7,687.5 kilometers (approximately 4776.8 miles).

The Hwasong-19 was fired from this massive transporter-erector-launcher (TEL). North Korean State Media

Do we know much about the North Koreans ability to bring a re-entry vehicle safely back through the atmosphere and whether they would themselves have any confidence that they could do that? Michael OHanlon, a senior fellow and director of research in the Foreign Policy program at Brookings, subsequently asked Paparo. Because its one thing to range North America. Its something else to be able to bring a warhead [down] and detonate it.

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Not yet. Weve not yet seen that capability, but we just see continued testing towards that, the INDOPACOM commander said in response.

Designing a re-entry vehicle that can survive the physical and thermal stresses of hurtling down to Earth through the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds is a complex proposition. That vehicle also has to be able to keep any payload, such as a nuclear warhead, inside safe and be reliably and accurately able to reach the desired detonation point, which only adds to the challenge.

A view of Earth, as purportedly seen from a camera mounted on the Hwasong-19 launched on Oct. 31. North Korean State Media

There is no debate that North Korea has been actively pursuing re-entry vehicle technology, which is critical for fielding a real ICBM capability, for years. The regime in Pyongyang has claimed to have successfully developed this capability in the past and to have progressed to work on multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV). Observers have suggested that the Hwasong-19 has the hallmarks of design intended for a MIRV payload.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects a thermonuclear warhead design in 2017. A graphic showing what looks to be a re-entry vehicle design is seen in the background. North Korean State Media

A MIRVed missile could strike multiple targets, potentially hundreds of miles apart, and/or lob several warheads at a single target area to increase the likelihood of achieving total destruction. Multiple incoming re-entry vehicles increase the challenges for defenders, especially if they are mixed in with decoys and other countermeasures.

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Paparos comments yesterday underscore that there remains no definitive evidence available, at least publicly, to support North Koreas re-entry vehicle claims.

At the same time, it is important to stress here that North Korea could still potentially at least attempt an ICBM strike against the United States, or a similarly ranged target area, without having a re-entry vehicle capability that the U.S. military has conclusively assessed to be functional. It could also seek to cause a massive global disruption by detonating nuclear warheads in space, something The War Zone has explored in the past.

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has assessed that North Koreas Hwasong-14/KN20 intercontinental-range ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch on July 28[, 2017] failed to demonstrate successful atmospheric reentry, The Diplomat reported back in 2017, citing anonymous U.S. government sources. The same assessment, however, notes that North Koreas ICBM reentry vehicles would likely perform adequately if flown on a normal trajectory to continental U.S. targets.

The video below includes clips of the Hwasong-14 launch on July 28, 2017.

The CIA assessment notes that based on the two observed flight tests of the Hwasong-14 to date, North Koreas reentry vehicle technology is likely sufficiently advanced to pose no performance problem should the missile be fired at a minimum energy trajectory, that story added. The assessment of the reentry vehicle is supported by analysis of data gathered from ground, sea, and air-based sensors by the U.S. National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC).

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In his remarks yesterday, Paparo also highlighted growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia and the worrisome impacts that might have in the future.

So North Korea has contributed [ballistic] missiles  directly used [by Russia] against Ukraine. They have contributed artillery shells that have been directly used against Ukraine. Now they have directly contributed soldiers  [and] theyre being directly used against Ukraine, Paparo noted. I would expect coming back will be submarine technology and propulsion technology.

News that North Korea had started construction of a new submarine, which could feature nuclear propulsion, had emerged in October. Last year, the North Koreans also formally unveiled a heavily reworked Cold War-era Romeo class diesel-electric submarine modified to fire ballistic missiles, seen below.

North Korean State Media North Koreas new-ish missile submarine. KCNA

The War Zone has pointed out in the past that re-entry vehicle technology, something Russia has significant experience with, could well be something else North Korean authorities might seek in return for their support in the ongoing fighting in Ukraine. The Russians also possess other missile technology that could feed into North Korean developments.

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At this point, its very early in  our assessment phase, and we dont see any indication at this point that there was Russian involvement, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at a press conference alongside Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as well as their respective South Korean counterparts, on Oct. 31. But again, well continue to work with our partners and our allies in the region to analyze this.

North Korea also has close ties to China and Iran, who both have very active ballistic missile programs.

Over the past decade or so, North Korea has conducted tests of a significant number of new liquid and solid-fuel ballistic missiles, including multiple ICBM designs, as well as hypersonic and long-range cruise missiles. This further includes types that North Korean officials say are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, something the country also looks to be stepping up production of. The Hermit Kingdom has also demonstrated its ability to fire ballistic missiles from a wide array of static and mobile launchers, including ones emplaced at the bottom of lakes and rail-based systems.

As underscored by the Hwasong-19 test, North Koreas missile and nuclear weapons programs continue to be very active. Though Paparo said the U.S. military has not seen evidence of a successful demonstration of re-entry vehicle capability, the North Koreans are clearly pushing ahead toward that goal.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
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Pauly Denetclaw

ICT



Every December since 2022, the U.S. Department of Interior headquarters has overflowed with Indigenous leaders from remote Alaska Native villages in the North Slope Borough to Cape Cod in Massachusetts.



The smooth sound of leather moccasins on Georgian marble in the main lobby, and the rhythmic jingle of regalia are part of the warm atmosphere. The vibrant laughter of tribal leaders fills the space. Others greet old and new friends with a handshake or hug.



For another year, hundreds of Indigenous leaders will participate in the White House Tribal Nations Summit. President Joe Biden will host his administrations final summit on Dec. 9. It will be a one-day event instead of the usual two. The summit is not mandatory, and in his last administration President-elect Donald J. Trump chose not to host it. These summits were intended to increase nation-to-nation engagement.



We're one of the three sovereigns mentioned in the Constitution  the federal government, the state governments, and the tribal nations, Shawnee Tribe Chief Ben Barnes told ICT. I think it's obligatory that the federal government honors its government-to-government relationship.



The federal government has treaty and trust responsibilities with tribal nations that it must, by law, honor.



I am pleased that we are continuing our annual meeting with the White House Tribal Nations Summit, and I hope that this continues in a future administration, Barnes said.



Former President Bill Clinton hosted two gatherings of tribal leaders, one was described as a conference, during his administration. Then, former President Barack Obama in 2008 created the White House Tribal Nations Conference as an effort to increase nation-to-nation engagement with Indigenous leaders from the 574 federally-recognized tribes.



Under the Biden administration, the conference became a summit. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines summit as a conference of highest-level officials (such as heads of government). This was an intentional change to recognize that tribal leaders are the heads of their governments, in the same way that world leaders are. Each federally-recognized tribe is allowed to send one tribal leader to represent the nation and its needs.



A lot of good things have come out of those summits, and so we would like to see those continued, Margo Gray, executive director of United Indian Tribes of Oklahoma, said. Were glad its going to be held. Its important to keep that communication between federally recognized tribes and each administration that comes in.



The full schedule for the summit has yet to be released. According to the White House, the summit will feature new announcements and updates on the Biden administrations work to strengthen tribal sovereignty and self-determination.



It will provide an opportunity for Biden to tout what his administration, in partnership with tribal governments, has done over the last four years. An email will be sent to every tribal leader providing registration details.



Last year, Biden outlined his goals for the upcoming year, and this years summit acts as a deadline for those.



Over the last two summits, tribal leaders were able to talk with members of the presidents cabinet, undersecretaries, and administrative staff all in one place which is beneficial for tribal leaders  especially those who cant afford to make frequent trips to Washington, D.C.



It also gives space for tribal leaders to work with each other. This is the largest gathering of top tribal leaders under one roof.



Should the summit continue, it would give us time to collaborate and network, not only with the administration, but also among tribal leaders, and making sure that we work towards (addressing) issues, Menominee Chairwoman Gena Kakkak said.



Oftentimes tribal leaders share knowledge and information with their peers about ways to address key issues.



An uncertain future



One of the biggest questions that will hang over the summit is whether it will be the last one for the next four years. Trump in his last administration didnt host the annual summit.



I'm more concerned about the lack of access to folks that work in the administrative positions within the government, because if they don't hear directly from tribal nations, it's hard to get real feedback, Barnes said. We'll have to just work even harder to communicate directly with agencies. It's nice when you can go straight to the administration, and have those conversations directly.



The issues and policies important to Indigenous nations have always been bipartisan, with some of the most conservative members of Congress being the biggest allies.



We (Menominee Tribe) work with both sides respectfully, and we're open to building a positive relationship with the incoming administration so that we can continue to work on issues that benefit the people, Kakkak said.



For example, a couple of the important issues for the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin are climate change and public safety.



We want to continue making sure that we're servicing everyone in our area, Kakkak said.



Another service that tribal nations bring to rural America is infrastructure.



We provide tremendous infrastructure to those communities, Barnes said. Wed hate to see that diminished by any pivot or change in the administration.



Economic development continues to be a top issue, and enterprises owned by tribal nations are often the biggest economic drivers in the most rural areas of the country.



Tribal nations aren't just economic drivers in our rural communities, Barnes said. We are also involved in trade at regional, national and international levels. We really need to have those dialogues at the highest levels, which includes the State Department. I would like to see the Trump administration be the first to offer a tribal liaison at State.



ICT is owned by IndiJ Public Media, a nonprofit news organization. Will you support our work? All of our content is free. There are no subscriptions or costs. And we have hired more Native journalists in the past year than any news organization  and with your help we will continue to grow and create career paths for our people. Support ICT for as little as $10. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter.
A regional public health department in Idaho is no longer providing COVID-19 vaccines to residents in six counties after a narrow decision by its board.

Southwest District Health appears to be the first in the nation to be restricted from giving COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccinations are an essential function of a public health department.

While policymakers in Texas banned health departments from promoting COVID vaccines and Floridas surgeon general bucked medical consensus to recommend against the vaccine, governmental bodies across the country havent blocked the vaccines outright.

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Im not aware of anything else like this, said Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs for the National Association of County and City Health Officials. She said health departments have stopped offering the vaccine because of cost or low demand, but not based on a judgment of the medical product itself.

The six-county district along the Idaho-Oregon border includes three counties in the Boise metropolitan area. Demand for COVID vaccines in the health district has declined  with 8,102 given in 2021 to 93 so far in 2024. The same is true for other vaccines: Idaho has the highest childhood vaccination exemption rate in the nation, and last year, the Southwest District Health Department rushed to contain a rare measles outbreak that sickened 10.

On Oct. 22, the health departments board voted 4-3 in favor of the ban  despite Southwests medical director testifying to the vaccines necessity.

Our request of the board is that we would be able to carry and offer those (vaccines), recognizing that we always have these discussions of risks and benefits, Dr. Perry Jansen said at the meeting. This is not a blind, everybody-gets-a-shot approach. This is a thoughtful approach.

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Opposite Jansens plea were more than 290 public comments, many of which called for an end to vaccine mandates or taxpayer funding of the vaccines, neither of which are happening in the district. At the meeting, many people who spoke are nationally known for making the rounds to testify against COVID vaccines, including Dr. Peter McCullough, a Texas cardiologist who sells contagion emergency kits that include ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine  drugs that have not been approved to treat COVID-19 and can have dangerous side effects.

Board Chairman Kelly Aberasturi was familiar with many of the voices who wanted the ban, especially from earlier local protests of pandemic measures.

Aberasturi, who told The Associated Press that hes skeptical of COVID-19 vaccines and national public health leaders, said in the meeting and in an interview with the AP that he was supportive of but disappointed in the boards decision.

He said the board had overstepped the relationship between patients and their doctors  and possibly opened a door to blocking other vaccines or treatments.

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Board members in favor of the decision argued people can get vaccinated elsewhere, and that providing the shots was equivalent to signing off on their safety. (Some people may be reluctant to get vaccinated or boosted because of misinformation about the shots despite evidence that theyre safe and have saved millions of lives.)

The people getting vaccinated at the health department  including people without housing, people who are homebound and those in long-term care facilities or in the immigration process  had no other options, Jansen and Aberasturi said.

Ive been homeless in my lifetime, so I understand how difficult it can be when youre ... trying to get by and get ahead, Aberasturi said. This is where we should be stepping in and helping.

But we have some board members who have never been there, so they dont understand what its like.

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State health officials have said that they recommend that people consider the COVID-19 vaccine. Idaho health department spokesperson AJ McWhorter declined to comment on public health district business, but noted that COVID-19 vaccines are still available at community health centers for people who are uninsured.

Aberasturi said he plans to ask at the next board meeting if the health department can at least be allowed to vaccinate older patients and residents of long-term care facilities, adding that the board is supposed to be caring for the health and well-being of the districts residents. But I believe the way we went about this thing is we didnt do that due diligence.

___

This story has been corrected to show that The Associated Press, citing Southwest District Health statistics, erroneously reported the number of COVID-19 vaccines the district provided in 2021 and 2024. The count was 8,102, not 1,601, in 2021, and 93, not 64, in 2024.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Donald Trumps lame obsession with Elon Musk is actually helping Senate Democrats get stuff done.

As the current Senate majority races to approve all of President Joe Bidens pending judicial nominations during what remains of the lame-duck session, five GOP senators missed confirmation votes on Tuesdayincluding Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty who had been invited to watch a SpaceX starship launch with Trump in Texas.

Even though hed so obviously gotten in his own way, Trump jumped on Truth Social Tuesday to demand that more senators show up to hold the line against Bidens judicial nominees.

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Tensions among Senate Republicans have been at an all-time high as they find themselves momentarily helpless against the Democrats lame-duck blitz. Without a majority, playing a numbers game on who shows up is their only hope. Cruz, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, and Ohio Senator JD Vance were among the several Republicans who missed Senate votes that stretched late into Monday evening.

Im a bit frustrated, West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito told reporters Tuesday. After last nights voting extravaganza, I wonder what we are doing.

If we dont show up, we lose, said North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis at a GOP policy luncheon Tuesday. I dont care what the reasons were. We have fewer than 15 scheduled legislative days. You have to show up. Period. End of story. Theres nothing more important.

After the luncheon, North Dakota Senator John Hoeven stressed that it was important that as many Republicans as possible were present for these votes. Because, you know, we could win possibly some of those votes if we have all our folks here. Particularly in the circuit court, he said.

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Not everyone is open to that kind of criticism. When a right-wing pundit tried to call out Vance for missing the votes Tuesday, he had a complete meltdown, claiming he was way too busy to bother showing up and that it wouldnt make a difference if he did. Within an hour, he had deleted the temper tantrum, as it was explicitly at odds with what Trump had demanded.

Vance has since returned to Capitol Hill to drum up support for Trumps unfavorable Cabinet nominees Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth, who are both facing allegations of sexual misconduct. Cruz, however, has remained MIA. He and Indiana Senator Mike Braun were the only two Republican senators absent Wednesday, while their Democratic colleagues confirmed two more judges on Wednesday by 5048. So its plausible that if Cruz and Braun had actually been in attendance, they mightve been able to block those confirmations, seeing as Vice President Kamala Harris is on vacation and not available to break a tie.

There are currently 45 judicial vacancies and 17 pending nominees.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  The Illinois Department of Agriculture is less than one month away from starting its Fall Covers for Spring Savings program again.

The program opens up 190,000 acres of land to farmers to plant cover crops in the fall of 2024. Eligible applicants will receive a premium discount up to $5 per acre on the following years crop insurance, depending on individual crop insurance policies, for every cover crop acre enrolled and verified in the program.

The Fall Covers for Spring Savings program provides a jump start to initiate what may be a new practice for some producers, said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II. Cover crops are critically important for Illinois agriculture, creating a protective barrier that improves soil health, combats drought, reduces disease and decreases soil erosion.

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Invasive plant species to look out for in Central Illinois

A pre-enrollment period begins on Dec. 4, when users can enter their information into the application and validate it. Applications can be submitted starting Dec. 16 and the program closes one month later on Jan. 15.

Applicants will be required to certify their cover crops through their local Farm Service Agency office before applying. Aplicants will also need their current FSA-578 and federal crop insurance policy number(s) for the application.

In 2024, the acreage allotment was met in less than an hour with over 241,650 acres requested across the entire application period. Funding of eligible acreage is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

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Pre-enrollment and applications are available on the IDOAs website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  Illinois workers can now search on a website to see if unpaid wages and penalties are waiting for them to claim.

By visiting the State Treasurer Michael Frerichs I-CASH website, residents can see if they are owed any unpaid wages or penalties pursued and collected by the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL). The addition of recovered wages to Frerichs missing money site is the result of a change in the law that State Sen. Robert Peters and State Rep. Marcus C. Evans Jr. guided through the General Assembly last year.

Hard-working people in Illinois deserve to be paid for their labor, Frerichs said. We are thankful to team up with the Illinois Department of Labor, Sen. Peters, and Rep. Evans on a common-sense solution.

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Project RELIEF offered to Springfield-area CWLP customers in need next month

IDOL investigates wage theft and recovers back wages when it finds that an employer has underpaid workers in violation of state law. However, workers dont always know they have money coming their way.

Wage theft investigations are often lengthy, and sometimes a worker may move or change phone numbers by the time back wages have been collected, making them hard to locate. In other situations, IDOL may have conducted a worksite-wide audit and uncovered wage underpayments for workers who were not even aware of the investigation.

Ensuring workers are paid what theyre owed is at the core of the Illinois Department of Labors mission, said Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan. These updates to the law not only extend the timeframe during which the Department can try to locate a worker who is owed unpaid wages, they also provide workers with a new tool to track down money that may be owed to them.

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A change in the state law extended the time for wage recovery to three years to give IDOL more time to search for and locate employees who are owed back wages. The law also ensured that after three years, IDOL can send unclaimed wages to Frerichs Unclaimed Property Trust Fund so that workers are still able to claim their money.

IDPH promotes smart use of medication ahead of US Antibiotic Awareness Week

Over the past few months, IDOL has started to send recovered unpaid wages to Frerichs office, which has added the names to the I-CASH website. To date, unpaid wages for 25 people have been added to the unclaimed property database.

Lets be clear: Wage theft is theft. Its in fact the leading form of theft, Peters said. People deserve as much time as possible to recover their unpaid wages.

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State workers can go to icash.illinoistreasurer.gov in the coming months to see if back wages are waiting for them to claim. On top of that, the change in state law sets aside some funding for the IDOL to support worker outreach and education regarding the recovery of unpaid wages.

People who work and have wages unfairly withheld from them now have better recourse, Evans said. Working together to help people is what drives us in Springfield.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Illinois Central College hosted its annual apprenticeship signing and recognition ceremony, Tuesday morning.

32 students who are starting apprenticeships signed contracts with their new employers.

The apprenticeship program started in 2018. It combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training.

Michael Unes accepts new job at ICC

Since then,180 ICC students have gotten their start this way.

Illinois Central College president Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey said the apprenticeship program prepares students for success in the trades.

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They start as employees of the company. They complete the two-year program, and then they stay with that company for the next two years after they have completed their degree. Its guaranteed employment. They create those relationships from day one, and it is just life-changing, said Dr. Quirk-Bailey.

Students signed with employers like Caterpillar, Liberty Steel and Wire, and Nestle.

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Investors might be wondering how the results of the 2024 election will affect Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) (NYSE: TSM). As the world's largest and most advanced semiconductor producer, it is one of the most critical companies in an important industry.

However, the incoming Trump administration has emphasized an increasing need for domestic manufacturing. Hence, the election results could also make it a target. Thus, chip stock investors should probably contemplate whether they should buy before the Jan. 20 inauguration.

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TSMC's political situation

TSMC is in a geopolitically sensitive situation. China has targeted the company's home country for takeover in a political battle predating the existence of the semiconductor industry. Today, the ramifications of that dispute affect the entire globe since approximately two-thirds of all chip production takes place in Taiwan.

According to a study by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), only about 12% of chip manufacturing took place in the U.S. in 2020, down from around 40% in 1990. This situation was concerning enough that the Biden administration approved almost $53 billion in chip manufacturing subsidies through the CHIPS Act.

TSMC is about to open a facility in Arizona, but its fabs there are set to cover just under 4% of the company's total production. That is likely not enough domestic production to appease an administration wanting to return the U.S. to its former glory as a manufacturer.

Why TSMC may benefit anyway

Despite those political concerns, U.S. companies may continue to buy from TSMC for one critical reason: They have no choice.

Taiwan claims approximately 92% of all wafer production capacity for the most advanced chips, according to the SIA. The most advanced technology depends on these chips, including many desired artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Hence, not buying from Taiwan would mean the U.S. falls behind technologically.

Other companies may only offer the administration limited help. Samsung and Intel are building fabs in the U.S. Like TSMC, they will rely on the most advanced extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) machines from ASML. However, TSMC has maintained its technical lead even over companies with the same EUV machines, which will probably force chip companies and governments to continue dealing with TSMC.

Also, ramping up production capacity is a years-long process. Samsung does not expect production to begin at its fab in Texas until 2026, while Intel will likely not begin making chips in Ohio until 2027 or 2028. Thus, the Trump administration will probably have to accept the industry's current situation for now.
CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO)  Devontay Shields, 35, has been arrested for allegedly plotting to kidnap a child from a Florida school.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Illinois, Shields faces kidnapping charges as he was attempting to board an Amtrak train to Florida at Chicagos Union Station on Saturday.

Authorities said Shields plotted to kidnap a boy from a school in Fort Lauderdale and hold him for a $100,000 ransom.

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Investigators said that Shields told his plans to individuals who, unbeknownst to him, were communicating with law enforcement. In a conversation that was recorded, Shields reportedly said he planned to get me a little boy from a Florida school.

All we got to do is grab one of the kids and holding them but it got to be a smaller kid because we can convince them with candy and toys when we take them from the school it will be easier to control them, screenshots of the conversation showed. It will be easier to control them all of the parents is rich there.

To prepare, Shields is said to have visited retails stores to purchase childrens toys and zip ties, which he was in possession of at the time of his arrest.

Shields faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

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Ill. (WTVO)  Illinois workers who are missing money from their employers now have a new way to check on the status of lost wages.

Workers can now search the state treasurers I-Cash website to see if their money is waiting. A change in state law is extending the time for wage recovery to three years.

This will give the Illinois Department of Labor more time to search for and locate employees who are owed wages.

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The law has also ensured that after three years, the department can send the money to the treasurers unclaimed property trust fund to be recovered.

If you think you have wages or other unclaimed property owed to you, click here.

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I'm Australian but spend part of the year in New Orleans, and there's been some culture shock.

American coffee isn't exactly my style, and biscuits are something totally different in the US.

I easily got a driver's license in the US, which is good since there are drive-thrus everywhere.

Long before my first visit to New Orleans, I fell in love with the city's historic culture. As an Australian, I never thought I'd get to call The Big Easy home, but now I split my year living between the US and Australia.

Adjusting to life in New Orleans was an eye-opening experience, full of unexpected surprises and head-scratching moments.

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Here are some of the biggest culture shocks I've encountered as an Aussie in the US.

I'm still getting used to American coffee

I don't see much drip coffee in Australia, but it's everywhere in the US. trekandshoot/Shutterstock

I never realized how serious Australians, especially Melburnians, are about their coffee. I'm used to a certain standard and flavor.

A handful of places serve great coffee in the States, but I emphasize the word "handful."

After five years, it still astounds me to see Americans embrace sugary, syrup-filled drinks that barely resemble what I consider coffee.

I also can't believe drip coffee is still a thing here. It's a rarity where I'm from in Australia.

It was way easier to get a driver's license in the US

In Australia, getting my driver's license was a drawn-out process involving learner's permits, over 120 hours of logged driving with a licensed driver, and a strict test.

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Getting my license in the US felt like a breeze in comparison. I just had to sit in a theory class for a few hours and then spend eight hours behind the wheel with an instructor.

After that, my test involved driving around the block, parking, using my turn signal, and boom  I had my license. The ease was both impressive and a little scary, considering they were letting me drive on what was recently the wrong side of the road to me.

Getting a license varies from state to state, and many Americans under 18 have to undergo a stricter process. But I was still shocked by how different my two experiences were.

I'm still getting used to linguistic differences around food

In the US, biscuits are warm, fluffy bread, but in Australia, they're cookies. DiAnna Paulk/Shutterstock

Navigating the language differences between the US and Australia, especially with food, is like playing a guessing game.

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Imagine my surprise when I ordered biscuits for the first time in the US and got something more closely resembling scones. I was expecting what I now know to call a cookie.

I wonder if I'll ever stop ordering some chips and realizing too late that I should've said "fries." In Australia, fries and chips are called chips  we just differentiate by saying "hot chips" for fries.

Things also get lost in translation with my accent

My Australian accent has caused some wild misunderstandings in the US.

From getting "Greary" written on my coffee cup instead of "Ree" to a drive-thru worker at Taco Bell thinking I was attempting to order pizza when I just said, "I have a mobile order," it's a daily game of "Guess What I Said."

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It keeps things entertaining, to say the least, but it's also why I love being able to order via an app whenever I can.

Southern food has been a culinary awakening

Shrimp and grits are big in New Orleans. Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

New Orleans' cuisine is an adventure for the taste buds. I've learned to embrace savory grits  I'd usually add sugar and eat them as porridge back home  and have grown to love gumbo's rich flavors.

I fell in love with Southern food shortly after I arrived in the States. Still, walking into a whole new world of gastronomy was an adjustment.

There are some dishes, such as white beans, that I just can't make my palate enjoy, and I have days when I long for the local fish-and-chip shop back home.

There's a drive-thru for everything in New Orleans

In New Orleans, like many cities in the US, you can pull through the drive-thru for pretty much everything, from coffee shops to bars.

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The strange looks locals gave me while I was taking a photo of a drive-thru bank for friends back home were amusing, and the concept of picking up a daiquiri to-go initially felt wild.

Now I'm kind of hooked. It's the ultimate lazy convenience.

Americans use so much ice

I'm not used to my drinks being so cold all the time. Bubbers BB/Shutterstock

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Compared to what I'm used to in Australia, everything is supersized in the US. A "small" soda feels like a bucket to me.

And I really don't understand why Americans love their drinks filled to the brim with ice.

Once you take that out, there's hardly any liquid, no matter how big the cup is.

Tipping culture is so confusing

The first time I came to the US, my biggest worry wasn't getting through immigration or having the right documents  it was tipping.

It sounds silly now, but I still find the practice of figuring out what percentage of my total I should leave behind confusing.

In Australia, tipping service workers isn't expected, and base wages are typically higher.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Michelle B. Dallocchio left the US in 2019 and moved first to London and later Italy.

Dallocchio, an Iraq War veteran, said she felt increasingly unsafe in the US.

She said moving to Europe was the best decision for her family and she has no regrets.

This as-told-to essay is based on conversations with Michelle B. Dallocchio, an Iraq War veteran of Pacific Islander heritage who left the US for Europe. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I served in the US Army from 1998 to 2006, including a year in the Iraq War. I served out of love for the country, but I don't view the US through rose-colored glasses.

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Right before the 2016 election, a car followed me as I drove home from work to my Las Vegas neighborhood. All of a sudden, he started honking and losing it.

He rolled down the window, and started screaming at me. He threatened me and made racial remarks about deporting me. This experience was a turning point for me.

After that as a licensed gun holder, I started carrying a gun  a Glock 17  in my bag every day.

I had already been on edge, and I thought to myself, "I can't do this anymore. This is bananas."

My husband and I had a long talk, and I told him: "This is not the future I want for my kids."

From the US to Europe via LA

I didn't have a good feeling about the way things were headed in the US.

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When Trump won the presidential election in 2016, we agreed to move abroad, though my mind was made up months before the results were in.

We couldn't leave the US straight away, so we relocated to Los Angeles in August 2018. We thought if my husband, who works in hospitality, got experience working in a major city, it would improve his chances of finding work at an international hotel. My husband is Italian, which made going to Europe an option.

He received multiple offers within months of relocating, but the most solid and sensible offer came in 2019 to work at the Westin in London.

That summer, we finally got word that we could relocate to the UK.

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My husband's employer helped us through all the corresponding residency paperwork, particularly for my daughter and me. This was pre-official Brexit and being married to an EU citizen helped at the time.

Very quickly, I found a sense of security in London that had become elusive back home. As English is my first language, it wasn't difficult to adjust to life in London.

Every place has its problems. You'll deal with crime and safety issues wherever you go. But I felt a lot less endangered in the UK.

There are stricter firearms laws in the UK. It's illegal to carry a weapon there. I felt there was less tolerance for anti-social behavior in public. There are higher rates of violent crimes in the US.

Moving abroad has its challenges

There are other challenges associated with a long-distance international move.

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We were fortunate that my husband's new employer at the time provided relocation assistance to cover part of the moving costs, which would have been quite expensive out-of-pocket.

M.B. Dallocchio first moved to LA, then to the UK, and eventually settled in Italy. Courtesy of M.B. Dallocchio

In 2022, we moved to Florence, Italy, where I encountered some overt racism. People in Italy would openly stare at me and I felt like an exotic animal in a zoo.

This year, we moved to Milan, and things are better in a big city. I can now get by in conversational Italian unless the Milanese dialect takes the conversation light-years away from my grasp.

Moving to Europe has propelled my husband's career in amazing directions. He now manages four hotels.

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As an artist and author, living in the UK and Italy has added to my artistic vision.

Moving back to the US is a hard no

Ultimately, I have no regrets about moving abroad.

I really miss the national parks in the US and seeing my friends for a gossip over brunch. But, I don't miss the problems that made my life so difficult, whether it was racism or overpriced healthcare.

The 2024 election was the nail in the coffin for us going back to the US. It's a hard no for I don't know how long, and I've accepted that.

Watching Trump's victory from afar was difficult because it's a country I once fought for. Now, it feels like progress is unraveling.

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As the results came in, people I care about started reaching out, saying, "We need to go." I've spent the last few days looking up options for people.

Michelle Dallocchio has no regrets about moving abroad. Courtesy of M.B. Dallocchio

My first piece of advice is always to check if you qualify for another citizenship.

Countries like Italy and Portugal allow citizenship by descent. I ask my friends, "How close is that ancestry, and how realistic is it for you to relocate based on it? Can you get another passport?"

If that's not so possible, I suggest considering digital nomad visas or, depending on your vocation, looking for other job opportunities overseas.

For us, moving abroad and ending up in Italy was the right move.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- The International Monetary Fund said it made substantial progress in discussions with Egypt on the latest review of the North Africa nations $8 billion program, although further talks are needed.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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Discussions will continue over the coming days to finalize agreement on the remaining policies and reforms that could support the completion of the fourth review, the Washington-based lender said Wednesday in a statement.

The comments came as an IMF mission concluded a roughly two-week visit to Egypt to observe the countrys enactment of its expanded program. Passing the latest review would unlock a $1.3 billion loan tranche.

The IMF and authorities agreed on the importance of strengthening the social safety net, including a cash transfer program, to help protect vulnerable groups from the high cost of living and recent energy price increases, as well as mitigate the impact of tight policies, according to the statement.

The IMF said it encouraged Egyptian officials to accelerate their divestment plans, and to speed up reforms to level the playing field and reduce the state footprint in the economy.

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The lender also mentioned the central banks commitment to sustaining a flexible exchange-rate regime, and the importance of implementing tax reforms.

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HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD)  As President-elect Donald Trump pledges mass deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants, local immigration attorneys are answering questions the community may have.

After Novembers presidential election, staff with Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates, a nonprofit immigration law office in Holland, have been very busy.

The hotline has been hot. I probably get between 12 and 15 calls within a four-hour span of time, said Sarah Yore-Van Oosterhout, Founder of Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates.

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Yore-Van Oosterhout said on the other end of some of those phone calls are people worried about Trumps call for the mass deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants.

Trump has big plans for day one on immigration, energy and more

A lot of folks are calling with concerns about a nonimmigrant or an undocumented member of their family or theyre calling about themselves and wondering what they can do now, Yore-Van Oosterhout said.

Theres a lot of uncertainty about the plan, including exactly how it would work, although Trump suggested on social media this week that the military will be used.

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Yore-Van Oosterhout said her organization is focusing on the most realistic outcomes.

Realistically, a lot of the changes hes suggesting require changing law and thats not something thats going to happen quickly, Yore-Van Oosterhout said.

Navigating family dynamics after the election

At the same time, shes advising undocumented individuals and families with mixed status to prepare for what she calls the worst-case scenario.

Lets say dad wakes up the next morning in Mexico and needs to be reunited with children, what would need to happen to make sure that those kids can get to Mexico to be with him? Yore-Van Oosterhout said. So, were asking people to think about powers of attorney for their minor children, durable financial power of attorney for their assets in case they need to transfer money out of a bank account or sell property.

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Samuel Filcik is an asylum attorney with Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates and represents individuals in removal defense proceedings. Hes also heard plenty of concerns from his clients.

The biggest concern that most people have is that theyll be detained by (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) pending their hearings and not be able to provide for their families, Filcik said.

1 in 5 US residents more likely to move after election, according to Redfin

To quell fears, Filcik is reminding people of their rights.

Because they are already in the United States, they do have rights, and they do have a right to be heard on their immigration petitions, Filcik said.

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As of now, Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates is encouraging people to not make dramatic changes.

There are a lot of people talking self-deporting or leaving the country  instead, make little plans so theyre at least prepared for that worst case scenario, Yore-Van Oosterhout recommended.

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Nov. 20GRAND FORKS  By the end of next year, the Vail Circle area of Grand Forks should be better able to handle rain events, thanks to ongoing upgrades to the neighborhood's storm sewer.

In the fall of 2019,

the area saw intense flooding after 5 inches of rain fell

on Grand Forks in a single storm. The storm sewers in the neighborhood simply could not handle the amount of water. The result was damage to many homes and basements. While improvements to stormwater capacity

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in the neighborhood had been talked about even before 2019

, federal funding has now made the project a reality.

"A lot of these people in the Vail and Glen circles, even up here at Burger Time, they had feet of water in their basements," said Carmen Neuschwander, utility engineer for the city. "People are excited, are relieved; I talked to some of the people on these cul-de-sacs that don't leave their house in the summertime if it's going to rain because they're worried about flooding."

Work on the pump stations, which collect and regulate the storm sewer, began this year, but capacity improvements began in 2018 when a forcemain was relocated as part of the construction of the new Altru Hospital. The storm sewer in this neighborhood collects water from an area roughly between Columbia Road, DeMers Avenue, Washington Street and 13th Avenue South,

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but some pump stations collect all the way down to 17th Avenue South.

The city had looked at numerous options on how to mitigate the stormwater capacity issues, from buying out owners to building ponds to the eventual solution of building a new pump station and a bigger forcemain.

"Some of (the owners) have been there since the homes were built 30 years ago," Neuschwander said. "That's why we went with the pump station route because we can get water out of there."

A portion of the project is being specially assessed and the cost of the project, estimated to be more than $10 million, has killed the project in the past due to the costs. Typically, sewer and water projects are 100% on property owners instead of the 80% city, 20% property owner cost split on road construction projects.

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A significant portion of the project is being funded by North Dakota hazard mitigation funding through FEMA. The cost share is 90% federal, 3% state and 7% local but the federal funds are capped at $7.7 million so anything over is on the city. Unlike other special assessments, the ones for this project are based on the square footage of lots and not frontage. The special assessments range between $4,000 to $1,000 for the more than 1,100 properties in the district.

Work will likely be complete by the end of September 2025. The completion of the expanded forcemain and final costs will likely be before the Grand Forks City Council next month.
In 2017, West Liberty-Salem High School in Salem, Ohio, joined the list of schools that have experienced a shooting.

The only visible scars are bullet holes in a bathroom wall, but the psychological trauma still lingers.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Later on, they got the good news that nobody died, but their brain had already experienced that traumatic experience, Principal Greg Johnson told CBS Evening News.

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In that bathroom, Johnson and fellow principal Andy McGill rushed to help a student who had been shot twice, with the shooter just feet away.

McGill was able to talk the shooter, another student, into putting the gun down.

TRENDING STORIES:

Following the shooting, the pair led the drive to implement new security measures, including bulletproof glass, better window exits, and a school resource officer  but they chose not to arm any staff or teachers.

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Over the last year, the number of school districts in Ohio that allow staff to be armed quadrupled, with 14 percent of the states districts now participating, according to the Ohio School Safety Center.

About 50 miles south of Salem, just outside Dayton, the Mad River Local School District has given guns to about 20 of its teachers. Their identities are confidential as part of the districts policy.

Chad Wyen is the superintendent at Mad River and the only armed staff member whose identity is public.

It was Wyens idea to have guns near teachers in a safe, rather than on them  a strategy to prevent unauthorized access.

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So typically, theres a live round in the chamber. We have to be prepared, Wyen said.

He told CBS that guns in classrooms serve as a measure of assistance for the single resource officer for eight schools across the district.

One teacher, whose identity is being kept concealed by CBS News to comply with the districts safety measures, said she recognizes the possibility of a shooter being a student that she knows.

At that point in time, that students not my student. They are now a murderer, and I am stopping a threat. And thats to save other lives, the teacher said.

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Dive Brief:

The U.S. Department of Defense will have to face a lawsuit alleging that a supervisor forced a school psychologist at a military base in Okinawa, Japan, to take a breathalyzer test before returning to work because the worker suffers from alcoholism, a district court judge ruled Nov. 14 (Gamon v. Austin).

Conditioning Plaintiffs return to work upon the taking of a breathalyzer test constituted a change to a term or condition of employment. If he refused to take the test, presumably he would not be permitted back to work. That is enough to make out a claim, U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta ruled in the order denying the defense departments request to dismiss the claim. Plaintiff has successfully pleaded that his supervisors purpose in ordering the breathalyzer was not a legitimate workplace inquiry, but to discriminate against him because of his alcoholism.

The supervisor allegedly also wrongfully disclosed the workers history involving alcohol abuse in front of his colleagues, in violation of the Rehabilitation Act, according to the order.

Dive Insight:

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits employers of federal workers and certain federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating against those workers on the basis of disability, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Workers with alcohol addiction can qualify as individuals with a disability, the U.S. Department of Labor specifies.

After his supervisor allegedly disclosed his history with alcoholism to his peers, the worker felt compelled to involuntarily elaborate to all three individuals additional private medical information, including that he had been sober since his DUI and was in active recovery with the support of Alcoholics Anonymous and other medical-based treatments, according to the complaint.

Qualified workers with disabilities who are in recovery from a substance use disorder cannot be denied employment, demoted, fired, paid less, harassed, or otherwise treated differently in the terms, conditions, and privileges of [their] employment based on that disability if [they] are no longer engaged in the illegal use of drugs, DOL said.
As attitudes around potential future peace negotiations continue to shift in Ukraine, 52% of Ukrainians now say that they would like to see their country negotiate an end to the war "as soon as possible," according to a survey published by Gallup on Nov. 19.

The survey, released ahead of the anticipated harsh winter months amid Russian energy attacks, highlights that approximately 10% to 12% of Ukraine's population living in Russian-occupied territories were excluded from the poll.

The poll, released on the 1,000th day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, indicates a progressive shift in sentiments surrounding the end of the war, with only about four in ten, 38%, respondents saying that the country should "continue fighting until it wins the war."

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In 2022, following the start of the all-out war, a record 73% of respondents believed Ukraine should continue fighting until it wins, dropping to 63% in 2023, according to Gallup's finding. The shift represents a 25 percentage point decrease year-over-year between 2023 and 2024.

The poll, which did not ask about details regarding a timeline for negotiations, falls in contrast with another survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) released on Nov. 4 that showed that 63% of Ukrainians ready to endure the war as long as necessary.

Among those surveyed in the Gallup poll who would be open negotiating peace as soon as possible, 52% would be open to making territorial concessions as part of a peace deal with 38% against concessions  though the specifics of the potential territorial concessions were not outlined in the survey.

The responses to the survey likely fall in line with comments made by President-elect Donald Trump, who pledged to end Russia's war against Ukraine "within 24 hours." Mike Waltz, Trump's pick for a national security advisor, told Voice of America on Nov. 13 that Trump wants to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table to end the war.

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The change in sentiment is also likely reflected in comments made by Ukrainian officials over the past year. Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko said in May that Ukraine "clearly understands" that Russia's full-scale war will end with negotiations.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has more recently said that the country must do everything possible to end the war through diplomatic means in 2025, adding that a war would "end faster" under a Trump administration.

Support for an immediate end to the war through negotiations is most popular among Ukraine's front-line eastern regions, with just 27% of respondents in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv oblasts saying that Kyiv should continue to fight until it wins the war  down from 63% in 2022.

Despite Trump's insistence on quickly settling the war, 70% of respondents most trust European Union countries to play a significant role in a potential negotiated peace, with only 49% of supportive of the United States under a Trump administration having a significant role. A further 63% of respondents were in favor of having the United Kingdom play a significant role.

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The Gallup poll involved approximately 1,000 Ukrainian adults from all regions of the country and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points 19 times out of 20.

Read also: From Bucha to Kursk: 1,000 days of Russias full-scale war (Photos)





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Indias western state of Maharashtra holds local elections Wednesday, a vote that not only tests the support for Prime Narendra Modi and his party but that could have far-reaching consequences for a region that drives the nations economy.

About 96.4 million registered voters in the state  home of the countrys financial capital Mumbai  will head to the polls to elect candidates for 288 seats in the local assembly. In the last five years, the state has lurched from one political crisis to another, and is in a desperate need of a stable government, according to analysts. Since 2022, Modis Bharatiya Janata Party has run a coalition government in Maharashtra, with a breakaway faction of its one-time ally Shiv Sena.

Maharashtra contributes over 10% of Indias gross domestic product, with Mumbai home to companies such as Reliance Industries Ltd. and Tata Group, the countrys two main stock markets, and the Hindi film industry. The states lofty economic reputation, however, is at risk of being tarnished by growing farm distress and high unemployment.

Investors look at the state to frame their views on the overall health of the worlds fastest-growing major economy, and are hoping for a strong and stable government to recharge the states financial and economic prospects. In recent years, Maharashtra has seen numerous legislators switch allegiances, leading to political turmoil.

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There is a clear preference among the big businessmen. They would prefer a continuity of the government, said Sanjay Kumar, professor at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, a Delhi-based think tank.

Its expected be a close race, though. The BJP-led alliance Mahayuti is facing a resurgent opposition  headed by the Indian National Congress  which has hammered the incumbent on issues ranging from crony capitalism to lost investment contracts.

Earlier in the day, Modi urged women and young voters in the state to vote. I urge the voters of the state to participate with full enthusiasm and add to the splendor of the festival of democracy, he wrote in a post on social media platform X.

The voter turnout in Maharashtra stood at about 32.18% as of 1 p.m. local time, according to the Election Commission.

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For Modi, a win in Maharashtra will strengthen his hold on the nation after his party pulled off a surprise victory in the northern state of Haryana last month. Given the setback in national polls earlier this year, Modi needs another win to shore up the support of his coalition partners and to dispel any indications of political weakness.

Kumar said that its going to be a tight election as voters are going to focus more on candidates in each district, instead of political parties, which is usually the norm in Indian state polls.

Results will be announced on Saturday alongside the outcome of local elections in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand.

Businesses Worried

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Investors are nervous, with traders bearish on stocks linked to Modis economic policy agenda. There are concerns that one of the countrys most ambitious development projects would be scrapped if Modis party loses.

Billionaire Gautam Adani aims to revamp one of Asias biggest slums, but his $3 billion plan to convert 620 acres (251 hectares) of Dharavi into a glitzy urban hub has become a political hot potato. The opposition party has repeatedly vowed to scrap the project if voted to power in the upcoming elections, accusing the government of favoring a handful of businessmen for key projects.

We accept that there are big businesses in India but we will not accept that they are the only ones who will have the seat at the table, Rahul Gandhi, a top leader in the Congress party, said at a press conference Monday.

The Adani Group has announced other major projects in the state, including plans to build a $10 billion semiconductor fabrication plant with an Israeli partner.

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While the state is the largest recipient of foreign direct investment and local industrial investment in India, critics say the majority of development has been focused on cities such as Mumbai and Pune, while large parts of rural Maharashtra suffer from problems ranging from a lack of jobs to severe water shortages.

Crucial Test

The BJP, which has governed Maharashtra for the larger part of the last decade, performed poorly in the state in the general election earlier this year. A win this week would reassure the party that it still maintains relatively healthy levels of support, wrote Capital Economics in a note this month. That would probably reduce the chances of a shift toward populist policymaking at the national level, it added.

At the moment, both alliances are relying heavily on cash handouts to win votes, much to the alarm of investors.

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The current state government is doling out 1,500 rupees ($17.77) per month to approximately 25 million women across the state. The Congress party has promised to double that if voted to power.

It is not at all good for a countrys economy. Now it has become a competition among political parties, said Kumar.

For the opposition, a win in Maharashtra would mean that their strategy of forming an alliance with different partners is working. In the national polls, more than 20 different parties had worked together, shedding ideological differences and pooling resources, to take on Modis electoral prowess.

We are in a phase of Indian politics where our thinking is being reshaped,said Neelanjan Sircar, an associate professor at Ahmedabad University, adding that Modis influence on state polls could be waning.

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(Updates to add Modis post, voter turnout details in seventh and eighth paragraphs.)

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For more than a decade, Chinese students have flocked to the United States, drawn by the prestige of an overseas education and the glamor of the American Dream. Education consultancies flourished across China, with parents paying big bucks for tutors and classes that promised to send their children abroad.

But thats changing now  and recent statistics suggest the allure may be wearing off.

During the last academic year, students from India became the largest group of international students in American higher education  knocking China off the top seat for the first time since 2009, according to figures released Monday by the US State Department and the nonprofit Institute of International Education.

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China was still a major source, making up one fourth of all international students, compared to Indias 29%, the report found.

But experts say the decline reflects significant shifts in both policy and public perception, with many Chinese students and families worrying about safety, racism and discrimination, and immigration difficulties  especially as more options open up in other countries, including in China itself.

Meanwhile, India overtook China as the worlds most populous country last year, and more than 40% of Indians are under 25  prompting hopes of a youthful new engine for the global economy just as Chinas population begins to dwindle and age. There were more than 331,600 Indian students in the US last academic year, according to the State Department.

Were seeing from both sides, Chinese students studying in America and American students studying in China, the numbers are going down, said Mallie Prytherch, a researcher at the University of Hong Kongs Centre on Contemporary China and the World, who interviewed Beijing university students on their views toward the US during the pandemic.

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For many Chinese students, their parents, their teachers, had said, Go to America, study, maybe you can even stay  youll get a good job, have a good life, she added. But the onslaught of racism and anti-Asian hate crimes during Donald Trumps first presidency and the Covid-19 pandemic meant students became disillusioned with this idea of the American Dream, she said.

A changing China

It was a different world in the late 2000s and early 2010s, when Chinese students first began surging overseas.

At the time, China was rapidly transforming from a poverty-stricken nation to an economic superpower, thanks to an opening up initiative that began in the late 1970s and saw sweeping reforms.

It also changed Chinas relationship with the world. After China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001 and hosted a tremendously successful Olympic Games in 2008, there was this upturn in US-China relations  everyone had a really optimistic view of what China could be, said Prytherch. So there was a lot of openness in accepting students into America.

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Many Chinese families were also newly wealthy in this flourishing economy. There was a feeling of opening and moving out, and a chance to really go somewhere different, Prytherch said.

The State Departments figures reflect this trend  with the number of Chinese university students in the US rising from about 98,200 in 2009 to a record high of 369,500 in 2019. That also meant China became an increasingly lucrative market for American universities, who stepped up efforts to attract students from the nation.

But attitudes began changing by 2016 as Trump was in his first run for office, Prytherch said. US-China relations tanked in the following years, as the two countries engaged in a trade war and finger-pointing during the pandemic.

The downward spiral was reflected in policy, too: Trump imposed an executive order canceling the US Fulbright exchange program with China, then introduced a ban that effectively prevents graduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students from several Chinese universities from gaining visas to the US, the worlds biggest research hub.

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In 2020, the US revoked visas for more than 1,000 Chinese students and researchers deemed security risks. When President Joe Biden took office, many of those Trump-era policies were kept in place  making it difficult for Chinese grad students and researchers to secure a visa.

In January this year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a briefing that dozens of Chinese nationals, including international students, have been forcibly deported by the US each month. He decried it as discriminatory, urging the US to protect the rights of Chinese students abroad.

Li Jing, a research assistant at Tsinghua University in Beijing with a masters degree in cybersecurity, told CNN in June he tried to attend an academic conference in the US but was denied a visa three times, costing him nearly $690 in the process.

I dont know whether its my academic background that renders the visa denials, he said.

The Covid years

The number of Chinese students in the US plunged during the pandemic and hasnt rebounded since.

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The total number of students from China has decreased in the last three years, primarily at the undergraduate level, said Mirka Martel, research head at the Institute of International Education, at a briefing Monday announcing the latest figures.

One education consultancy, Education First, has seen a 10% decline in the number of Hong Kong and Macau students wanting to attend college in the US, according to general manager Steven Hon.

The State Departments figures didnt come as a surprise to many on Chinese social media platforms. Since the economic sanctions and tech restrictions started in 2018, many (Chinese) students have been sent back home, one user wrote on Weibo. Another user wrote: The only reason I dont want my child to study in the US is safety  issues like violence, robbery, gun violence, and drugs.

Concerns about safety have only risen since the pandemic brought a wave of anti-Asian racism and hate crimes. And while gun violence has always posed a worry for overseas families, the increased use of social media during the pandemic also meant attacks circulated more widely online, reaching more eyes in China, said Prytherch.

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The US governments handling of the pandemic also shook students in China, she added. Although many were also unhappy with Beijings strict zero-Covid policy and the chaotic end of its lockdown years, they still largely preferred that to the sense of Covid running rampant in the US  viewed not only as a failure of the government, but of democracy.

During her research in Beijing, one student told Prytherch: In America, they say youre free, but if you cant walk safely on the street, how is that freedom?

However, Hon said, the decline didnt mean there was necessarily less appetite for an overseas education  just that there were more choices besides the US now.

The reason why weve seen a slight drop in the US is because there have been more immigration-friendly policies in other nations, like Canada, the UK and Australia, he said. Parents have a lot more options to choose from in terms of where they want to go, and what universities are willing to accept their children.

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One of those options is simply staying in China, where universities are growing in prestige, said Prytherch. Many Chinese professors previously based in the US are now returning to teach in China  partly because of the difficult conditions they faced in the US, but also because of the improvement in Chinese educational quality, she said.

In that context, many students no longer think an American education automatically grants them a competitive edge in the Chinese market unless they attended an Ivy League or a similar top university, she added. In fact, with more Chinese students eyeing the stability and benefits of government jobs, some even wonder if an overseas education might damage their chances of such a career.

All that said, the US is still a highly popular destination for students, said Hon, from Education First  especially graduate students in AI and tech, since the top schools and research grants in those fields are still largely American.

And despite the tightening of immigration rules under the last two administrations, some US officials are still trying to encourage the flow of students.

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I want to confirm that we very much welcome students from China to the US. We have the largest number of Chinese students studying outside of China here. We do know that US universities are continuing to value Chinese students, said Marianne Craven of the State Department in a briefing this week, according to state-run outlet China Daily.

Whether Chinese students believe that is another question.

A lot of (Chinese students) want families in the future, and theyve begun to think that China is the best place to do that, said Prytherch. They think, you know what, China is not too bad anymore. At least its safe.

CNNs Joyce Jiang contributed reporting.

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Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is issuing what amounts to an administrative subpoena on the Tyson Foods plant in Logansport, a small Indiana city that's become a talking point in the national immigration debate, seeking information related to "human labor trafficking and indecent nuisances."

Longtime residents of Logansport have noticed a greater number of immigrants in their community in recent years, particularly from Haiti, as evidenced by the growth in enrollment at the local school corporation. While those numbers would indicate a few hundred new families, national news reports and social media posts have spun off with estimates into the thousands and tens of thousands  estimates based on guesses and not facts. That's placed Logansport in a similar spotlight as Springfield, Ohio, after former President Donald Trump made derogatory remarks on the debate stage about the town's immigrants.

More: KKK flyers, heated public meetings: How Logansport, Indiana, became the next Springfield, Ohio

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On Nov. 9, Rokita announced he was launching an investigation into these reports in Logansport and two other Indiana cities, Seymour and Evansville, citing reported overcrowding of housing facilities and potential labor trafficking. He sent civil investigative demands, or CIDs, to the Cass County Health Department, Logansport Community School Corp and Tent Partnership for Refugees, a nonprofit with which Tyson Foods partnered and pledged in 2022 to hire and mentor 2,500 refugees over three years.

On Wednesday, Rokita sent an additional CID to Tyson's plant in Logansport, alleging "coordinated efforts among international and local nonprofit 'refugee resettlement' organizations and employers, like Tyson Foods, to bring large numbers of migrants to Indiana." A CID is a tool some executive agencies have in the U.S. to discover information that might be relevant to an investigation, before any official complaint or lawsuit has been filed.

A water tower at Tyson Food's Logansport facility on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Logansport.

The CID states Rokita has "reasonable cause" to believe Tyson has documents or knowledge relevant to his investigation into the situation in Logansport.

In a news release, Rokita said companies shouldn't "incentivize criminal behavior" by "offering cheap labor."

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"Its not fair to those looking for employment or to our law enforcement, local hospitals and healthcare facilities, taxpayers that fund these services, and our housing and labor markets," he said. "We will continue looking into this growing issue."

Downtown Logansport seen from a drone on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

Tyson has until Dec. 4 to reply to Rokita's demands. The company did not immediately return a request for comment, but told IndyStar in October that the Logansport plant's staff size has "remained similar" for many years and that the plant has not been actively recruiting new workers. Everyone working at the facility is legally authorized to do so, the company said.

Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana AG Todd Rokita demands answers from Tyson on Logansport migrants
Cliff Sanchez (R), a phlebotomist with the Chicago Recovery Alliance (CRA), tests an intravenous drug user for HIV antibodies inside one of the organization's outreach vans May 10, 2006 in Cicero, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty) Images

Indiana laws criminalizing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission are outdated and largely unnecessary, asserts a Thursday report from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.

Scientifically outdated laws work against public health goals regarding HIV testing, prevention, and treatment, lead author Nathan Cisneros said in a news release. He directs an HIV criminalization project at the schools Williams Institute, which researches sexual orientation and gender identity public policy.

Nathan Cisneros, HIV Criminalization Project Director (Photo from UCLA website)

The criminalization of HIV could undermine Indianas efforts to end the HIV epidemic and reach the communities most impacted, including people of color, women, and LGBTQ people, he added.

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Also among the authors was a Hoosier: Carrie Foote, a sociology professor at Indiana University Indianapolis and a leader of Indianas HIV Modernization Movement.

The report examined laws outlawing the transfer of contaminated bodily fluids and HIV-infected semen, establishing a duty to inform persons at risk of ones HIV status, punishing the failure to inform, and criminalizing battery or malicious mischief by bodily fluid or waste.

Four were enacted between 1988 and 1995, before the advent of effective HIV treatments, the report notes. Two became law in 1998 and 2002, prior to proof that treatment prevents sexual transmission

Nearly all are felonies punishable by years-long imprisonments and fines of up to $10,000  and half include enhancements for actual transmission. None require intent to transmit.

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Indianas contaminated bodily fluids and semen donations bans are the states oldest HIV criminal laws, per the report, which found that current U.S. Food and Drug Administration practices are highly effective at keeping the blood and plasma supply, as well as semen donations or transfers, safe.

The laws, according to the report, provide no added protection to blood and semen donor supply safety above those already in place under state and federal regulations.

In a separate report, the institute found that Indiana has arrested 18 Hoosiers with HIV on charges of donating plasma since 2000  but not under provisions penalizing actual transmission. Nearly all were convicted of at least one HIV-related crime.

Status disclosure laws

HIV-positive people in Indiana have a legal duty to disclose their status to a person at risk  people with whom they have engaged, or will engage, in high risk sexual or needle-sharing acts.

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Reckless violations are a mid-level misdemeanor, but intentionally withholding of status, is a low-level felony. Each day a violation occurs is a separate offense, the report observes.

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Researchers pointed out that antiretroviral medications can suppress the virus to the point where its undetectable in blood  and untransmittable through sexual contact. People without HIV can almost eliminate the risk of sexual transmission with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and can decrease the chances of transmission after exposure with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

They wrote that recent updates making the definitions of high-risk activities more specific are aligns more with current science but doesnt take into account prevention or mitigation measures, or acts that are low-risk even without treatment, like oral sex.

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Thats created legal uncertainty regarding the exact circumstances under which (people living with HIV) are legally obligated to disclose their status, the report argued.

At least 60 people have been prosecuted under the failure-to-inform law, according to the report, which cites institute correspondence.

Harm by bodily substances

Indianas battery by bodily fluid or waste law makes it a crime for HIV-positive people to purposefully put such substances on others in rude or angry ways  and know or recklessly fail to know their HIV status.

The malicious mischief law is a sentence enhancement for HIV-positive people that recklessly or intentionally place bodily fluids or waste somewhere itll be involuntarily touched or ingested. Here, the substances are defined as including blood, saliva, sputum, semen, vaginal secretions, human milk and more.

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But the researchers wrote that HIV cant be transmitted through skin exposure or ingestion of urine, fecal waste, saliva, tears or sweat, or by sharing toilets or dishes because the virus dies quickly when exposed to air, according to the CDC.

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They reported virtually no risk of transmitting HIV through biting, noting CDC research that rare cases involved severe tissue trauma and blood. Contact with blood on unbroken skin cant transmit the virus.

Researchers also cited a 2018 report showing no cases of transmission from spitting blood that lands on a mucosal tissue, like an eye or mouth.

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HIV-positive Hoosiers are subject to harsher punishment for acts that cannot transmit HIV  for example, spitting  simply because they are living with HIV, they argued.

It is unclear why (people living with HIV) are singled out in this law, as there is no further risk of harm  and the underlying acts are already criminalized for everyone, they added.

More than 40 Hoosiers have been prosecuted under these laws, according to the report, which cites a forthcoming analysis.

A 2022 interim committee recommended lessening penalties, but bills ditching some of laws have been unsuccessful.

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State Senator Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, didnt vote for State Senator Greg Taylor to be the Senate Minority Leader amid reports of sexual harassment allegations against Taylor.

Senator Taylor has done great things in the past, but this was time to move forward, Pol said in an interview with the Post-Tribune Wednesday. This was an opportune moment for us to move in a new direction.

On Monday, the Indianapolis Star published a story about three women accusing Taylor, D-Indianapolis, of sexual harassment since he was elected in 2008. According to the Star, the accusations span eight years and involve two instances of unwanted physical contact and a sustained romantic pursuit of an intern.

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Legislative leaders were aware of at least one of the allegations, which was formally reported, but it wasnt released to the public when Taylor was voted Senate Minority Leader in 2020, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Later Monday morning, the Senate Democratic caucus met to elect its leadership team and reelected Taylor as leader. Senator Andrea Hunley, D-Indianapolis, was elected as assistant minority leader and Pol was elected as caucus chair, according to a press release.

Pol said his vote, which occurs under secret ballot, was for Hunley to be the leader. He joined Hunley as well as senators J.D. Ford, D-Indianapolis, and Shelli Yoder, D-Bloomington, as the four senators who voted for Hunley.

Hunley, who was a principal within the Indianapolis Public Schools system, would have been a strong, education-first leader, Pol said. Hunley wouldve been a new way forward in the 2025 legislative session, when the legislators will begin working with incoming Governor Mike Braun and on a state budget, Pol said.

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We need as few distractions as possible, Pol said. This is why we wanted to go in a different direction, some of us.

Pol and Hunley, as part of the Democratic caucus leadership team, issued a joint statement where they said it was unacceptable for anyone to experience sexual harassment and it is especially egregious when it involves those in a position of public trust.

In the statement, which was released Tuesday, Pol and Hunley said they stepped up into the other leadership positions within the caucus to repair and rebuild your trust as members within the decision-making process.

We will help move our caucus towards a future where this type of abhorrent behavior is not minimized or condoned, according to the joint statement. As leaders in our caucus, we will ensure we are both focused on the session and focused on ensuring we create lasting reform.

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Senator Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, said he had no knowledge of the sexual harassment allegations against Taylor so he declined to comment. Randolph also declined to share who he voted for to be caucus leader.

House Democratic Leader Rep. Phil GiaQuinta issued a statement Monday condemning sexual harassment no matter who it comes from.

I cannot ignore this principle simply because a statehouse Democrat has been accused of sexual harassment, GiaQuinta said.

The Indiana House Democrats were able to offer an amendment to a bill that became law requiring annual sexual harassment prevention training for legislators and institute a House rule on the complaint process to properly investigate, and hold accountable, legislators when and if sexual harassment has occurred, GiaQuinta said.

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I want to remind all House employees that if something happened that you feel is worth reporting, our ethics rules and the Houses personnel handbook provide for a confidential investigation process and guarantee protection from retaliation, GiaQuinta said.

House Democratic caucus chair and member of the House Ethics Committee Rep. Carey Hamilton, D-Indianapolis, said in a statement that while the House and Senate work under one roof they are different legislative bodies with their own policies and procedures.

While the House has harassment training and policies in place, Hamilton said she would like to work with other House leaders to reexamine if anything could be improved within the harassment reporting system.

The vast majority of individuals working in our legislature are dedicated professionals who serve our state with integrity and commitment. We owe it to them  and to the people we represent  to ensure that our workplace is a model of respect and accountability, Hamilton said.

akukulka@chicagotribune.com
Indians have become the biggest group of international students in the U.S., surpassing Chinese students this year for the first time in 15 years.

New data released by the State Department in conjunction with the Institute of International Education shows that there are now 331,602 Indian international students in the U.S. (a 23% growth from last academic year), compared with 277,398 Chinese international students (a 4.2% decline).

South Korea, Canada and Taiwan follow distantly as the next most common countries of origin for international students, with numbers all well under 50,000.

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Long the most populous at U.S. colleges and universities, Chinese international students have been falling in number every year since the pandemic. In the same time frame post-Covid, students coming from India have seen rapidly growing numbers.

The change is owed to the lingering impacts of pandemic-era travel restrictions and the U.S. governments changing climate toward China, experts say, as well as the pull of engineering and computer science programs at U.S. universities.

There was a fall in Chinese student migration and then during Covid, it really plummeted, said Gaurav Khanna, an assistant professor of economics and immigration scholar at the University of California, San Diego. U.S. universities realized that the Chinese numbers are not coming back, we need another source of really smart international students, they started kind of tapping into the pool that is India.

Since the pandemic, the number of Indian international students in the U.S. has nearly doubled. Part of this is because of demographic trends on the subcontinent, said Mirka Martel, IIEs head of research, evaluation and learning.

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As Indias university-age population grows, studying in the U.S. becomes more highly in demand. More than 40% of Indias population is under 25, according to Pew Research Center analysis, and the population is aging slower than both China and the U.S.

The vast majority of Indian students who come to the U.S. are graduate students, particularly graduate students who are studying math and computer science or engineering, she said. Their options for graduate study are really attractive outside India.

They also tend to want to stay in the U.S. and work after graduation, Khanna said.

Chinese international students typically come with different priorities, Martel and Khanna said. The boom in Chinese students coming to the U.S. in the 2000s was largely driven by the fact that universities outside of China were more affordable than those in China, Khanna said.

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Now, there are geopolitical factors making the U.S. less feasible and appealing.

When we saw the large increases in the 2010s, they were mainly driven by students coming from China to study undergraduate degrees, Martel said.

That trend took a massive hit during Covid, but the slowing of Chinese student immigration began even before that, in 2016, when relations with China began to worsen, Khanna said.

The U.S. government began to heavily review and reject students coming from any institution presumed to have Chinese military ties, he said. Anti-China rhetoric from government officials also dampened the desires of many to come to the U.S.

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The rhetoric around that didnt go as well with Chinese students, he said.

Indian international students havent seen higher numbers than their Chinese counterparts since 2009, when both groups were about a third of what they are now.

In the 75 years since data collection began, the total number of international students has consistently risen to rise across the board, despite temporary dips in the aftermath of 9/11 and Covid, Martel said.

Weve seen international education trends transcend politics, she said. International education benefits everyone.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP)  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Wednesday he would share technology for combatting seaweed infestation with Caribbean nations, as he visited Guyana in the first such visit by an Indian leader in more than 50 years.

Guyana, a South American nation with many citizens of Indian origin, serves as headquarters for the 15-member Caribbean trade bloc known as Caricom, and Modi met with regional leaders Wednesday as part of the India-Caricom summit. They last met in 2019.

Modi arrived with promises to help the region in areas including health, energy and agriculture. He also announced more than 1,000 scholarships over the next five years for trade bloc nations, mobile hospitals for rural areas and drug-testing laboratories as well as river and sea ferries for marine transport.

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But Caribbean leaders reserved their loudest applause when Modi announced that India had made tremendous progress in converting large quantities of sargassum into fertilizer and other economic uses as he urged the region to take advantage of his offer.

We are willing to share this with all the countries, he said, calling the seaweed invasion on beaches in the tourism-dependent region a very big problem.

Modi also was thinking of home. Noting Guyanas growing importance as an oil-producing nation after vast quantities of oil and gas were discovered off its coast in 2015, he said: Guyana will play an important role in Indias energy security.

He added that his government also is willing to fully equip at least one government building in each of the trade bloc nations with a solar power system.

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Speaking after meeting with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, the countrys first Muslim leader, Modi promised to help Guyana and the region improve agriculture production, saying food security is important to island nations.

Trade between India and Guyana has strengthened in recent years, with India providing Guyana lines of credit for military passenger planes and funding to buy a fast river ferry that services far-flung jungle areas close to neighboring Venezuela.

Modi also noted that indentured laborers from India were brought to Guyana during the British colonial era and now make a significant contribution to the country. Nearly 40% of the population is East Indian.

Modis visit marks the first time an Indian prime minister has come to Guyana since Indira Ghandi in 1968.
Philadelphia  Rob Huberty's operations center reads "military"  for good reason.

His company, ZeroEyes, seeks to fight the American scourge of school shooters. Its artificial intelligence technology scans security cameras for guns in hundreds of school districts, beaming images to a central command for rapid fire inspection. The software flags suspicious images to workers, who are then able to dispatch authorities with the press of a button.

Huberty, an ex-Navy SEAL, was struck by surveillance footage of the 2018 Parkland school shooter which showed his weapon visible on camera before the massacre occurred. No one was watching at the time, however, and the shooter went on to kill 17 people. ZeroEyes hopes to prevent that from happening by creating a window of opportunity to save lives before a shooting starts.

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Just in the last four years, school shootings have killed more than 200 people and injured more than 600, according to a CBS News analysis of the K-12 School Shooting Database. Schools are spending hefty amounts on products like AI surveillance monitoring and collapsible safe rooms, while bulletproof backpacks and school supplies are marketed to fearful parents.

The ZeroEyes technology is pricey, costing tens of thousands of dollars annually. It also can't spot hidden weapons, like a gun tucked in a backpack.

In Alabama, commercial contractor Kevin Thomas has a different solution: a collapsible, expandable safe room installed inside the classroom. It's floor-to-ceiling, bullet-resistant and roomy enough for 30 students. Thomas started building the devices after 22 people were killed in the Uvalde school shooting in 2022.

Around $3 billion is spent on school security annually, according to market research firm Omdia, but Rutgers University professor Daniel Semenza says there's "not very good research" to suggest the money is well spent.

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"It's a fear response, and it's an empowerment," Semanza said.

Thomas's safe room has a hefty price tag of $45,000. He says he would donate one to every classroom and would put himself out of business if he could  not likely, as America's schools edge closer to fortresses.

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By Victoria Waldersee and Christoph Steitz

BERLIN/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - As Volkswagen and unions gear up for the next round of talks over wages and plant closures in Germany, company and industry data reviewed by Reuters show that the automaker spends a higher proportion of sales on labour costs than major rivals.

The data, in an internal memo by Volkswagen's works council reviewed by Reuters, underscores the company's challenge to remain competitive in its pricey home market as cheaper models from China arrive.

Management will start the next round of negotiations with unions representing roughly 120,000 German workers on Thursday. Unions are demanding a 7% pay rise, while Volkswagen is threatening a 10% cut.

The proportion of revenue spent on labour at Volkswagen globally has fallen from 18.2% in 2020 to 15.4% in 2023 - but that ratio still exceeds BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis, which spent between 9.5% and 11% in 2023, according to the works council memo.

At VW AG, the German subsidiary that governs the six plants in question, the ratio was estimated at 15.8-17.5%. Volkswagen says it does not release separate figures for VW AG.

The findings by the works council, an elected body of employees representing them in negotiations with management, are based on annual reports showing companies' global spending on personnel compared to revenue. The figures include all staff, from factory to white-collar workers. Reuters checked and confirmed the calculations.

Part of the reason the company spends more on labour is that it makes many components, and software, in-house, Stifel analyst Daniel Schwarz said. But pressure on margins from China means the company needs to cut fixed costs.

"The VW brand has been market leader in Europe every year since 2005 ... its cars are competitive. The problem is not the product, but the costs," he told Reuters.

Germany, where Volkswagen employs nearly 45% of its workforce, has the highest labour costs of any passenger car industry worldwide, averaging 62 euros ($66) per hour in 2023, up around a third from a decade ago, according to the German autos association VDA.

Still, union representatives say labour is a small part of the company's cost base, challenging management to make cuts elsewhere to boost flagging profits.

In an internal flyer to staff, the works council pointed to steep drops in earnings at other parts of the group - Porsche, Audi, and VW Financial Services - in the first nine months of the year, which it said cost the company 5.5 billion euros ($5.8 billion).
Los Angeles Magazine hosted the Leading Man Party on Monday, Nov. 18 at the Maybourne Beverly Hills to celebrate the November Movie Issue, which honored talent from in front of and behind the camera of 2024 films.



Leading men Colman Domingo, Sebastian Stan and John David Washington were the talk of the evening, joined by the directors and numerous co-stars from their recent projects Sing Sing, The Apprentice and The Piano Lesson.



Among the plentiful talented guests were Sing Sing actors Paul Raci, Sean Dino Johnson, Clarence Maclin and Sean San Jose; director Greg Kwedar; and producers Clint Bentley and Monique Walton. Also in attendance was The Apprentice director Ali Abbasi and producers Amy Baer and Kyle Stefanski; The Piano Lesson director Malcolm Washington; and friends like Kenneth BabyFace Edmonds and Jessica Betts.

Leading Men John David Washington and Colman Domingo Embrace On The Red Carpet With Fellow Cover Star Sebastian Stan And Los Angeles Magazine Publisher Chris Gialanella

Upon arrival, guests walked the red carpet before heading into the event, where they enjoyed carefully crafted poolside cocktails. Available to attendees was Brad Pitt's Miraval rose, Golden Eagle Vodka and Arday Whisky. Guests also enjoyed El Cristiano Premium Tequila, espresso martinis, spicy margaritas and aged anejo tastings. For those not looking to imbibe, bottles of Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino were also available.



In addition to a wide variety of beverages, attendees indulged in hors d'oeuvres ranging from Korean Short Rib Tacos to Truffled Carnaroli Arancini and Roasted Mushroom Tarts, all curated by the Maybourne  plus wood-fired pizzas from Dante.

Sebastian Stan Signs His Cover of Los Angeles Magazine The Leading Men of 2024 with Publisher Chris Gialanella and Editor In Chief Jasmin Rosemberg

The men of the hour  Domingo, Stan and Washington  came up to a stage for a toast made by Los Angeles Magazines editor Jasmin Rosemberg and publisher Chris Gialanella.



"As a storyteller myself, Im not interested in how someones life is perfect; I want to hear how they confronted adversity. I want to relate to something in their struggles  I want to learn something about the human condition and all of our survival instincts," said Rosemberg. "Both on and off the screen, these men were willing to tap into something incredibly personal and deep  and its been exciting to see how thats resonated in the early stages of this awards season."

DJ M.O.S Spins The Soundtrack of The Leading Man Party

After heartfelt words were shared, guests got up on their feet for beats mixed by DJ M.O.S, who played tunes from old-school R&B to current club classics, assembling the perfect playlist for a star-studded evening.

Los Angeles Magazines Editor-in-Chief Jasmin Rosemberg and Publisher Chris Gialanella join honorees Colman Domingo, Sebastian Stan, and John David Washington at the Leading Man Party. Hosted at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, the evening celebrated the stars and creators of 2024s standout films, accompanied by curated cocktails, gourmet bites, and live music. Cristian Coldea

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Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson (at podium) makes remarks prior to Gov. Jay Inslee (to the left of Ferguson) signing a package of gun legislation in April 2023. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Washington Secretary of Health Umair Shah said Tuesday he will step down next month, joining other state agency leaders planning to exit before Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson takes office.

As you can imagine, making this decision was not easy and came after much soul-searching and numerous discussions with my family, Shah said in an email to employees of the Department of Health. While there is important work left to be done, this decision allows me to spend time with family while exploring what is next on my horizon.

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Shah is one of six members of Gov. Jay Inslees executive cabinet intending to leave on or around Jan. 15 when Ferguson, who is now attorney general, will begin his term as Washingtons 23rd governor.

Both Inslee and Ferguson are Democrats. But even when partisan control of the governors office does not change hands, shakeups in the executive ranks arent unusual.

The other departing agency executives are Jilma Meneses, secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services; Sue Birch, director of the Health Care Authority; Cheryl Strange, secretary of the Department of Corrections; Ross Hunter, secretary of the Department of Children, Youth and Families; and Laura Watson, secretary of the Department of Ecology.

Watson will join Attorney General-elect Nick Brown as his chief deputy attorney general. Strange, who announced months ago she would retire in February, was recently appointed to the National Institute of Corrections Advisory Board by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.

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In addition, Craig Bill, director of the Governors Office of Indian Affairs, a small cabinet agency, is leaving. And Dave Danner, chair of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, will need a successor as his term ends Dec. 31 The commission is part of Inslees executive cabinet but Danner, who has clashed with Inlsee, does not participate in cabinet meetings.

Ferguson is expected Thursday to name members of Inslees administration as some of his first appointments. He previously named his eight-person executive leadership team.

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Editors note: Dave Danners term ends Dec. 31. An earlier version had the incorrect date.
An investigation from the Palm Beach County Office of Inspector General found that the compliance director for Riviera Beach's water utility "repeatedly and intentionally" failed to report water testing results to the Florida Department of Health and provided "false, altered or misleading information" to the department, resulting in wells improperly being kept in service.

The OIG report, released on Monday, Nov. 18, also slammed the utility's then-executive director, assistant executive director and the water treatment plant supervisor for failing to provide adequate supervision of the compliance director and failing to ensure the reporting of accurate water testing results.

The utility's failings were so significant that the OIG "found sufficient information to warrant referring our findings to the FDOH for administrative review and to law enforcement (with copy to the State Attorney's Office) for determination of whether the facts arise to a criminal act under Florida Statutes."

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None of those who were in leadership positions at the utility and were singled out in the OIG report  Compliance Director Anthony Williams, Executive Director Michael Low, Assistant Executive Director Steven Doyle and Plant Superintendent Michael Pinkney  remain with the utility. Low stormed out of a contentious City Council meeting in July and was fired. Others resigned, retired or left for other career opportunities.

A view of the future of Riviera Beach's new water treatment facility from Avenue L and Blue Heron Blvd.

The OIG's 86-page report is a sweeping condemnation of the former leadership at Riviera Beach's Utility Special District, which has been in turmoil since January when it reported that, six months earlier, well water tested positive for E. coli, a fecal contaminant that can sicken or kill those who consume it. The OIG report comes on the heels of blistering statements from FDOH, which found that Riviera Beach's water utility failed to follow state law by not submitting testing reports in a timely manner, by issuing misleading public statements and by not following the proper procedure in re-testing water samples.

Riviera Beach has already paid about $80,000 in FDOH fines and administrative fees through an agreement it reached with the department, but Mayor Ronnie Felder and City Manager Jonathan Evans have said city taxpayers could be on the hook for tens of thousands more in additional fines and fees, all tied to the utility's testing procedures and lack of transparency.

Jonathan Evans

Evans said it is the utility's hope that FDOH will take into account the departure of those who were in leadership positions when the department identified problems with the utility's testing, reporting and transparency.

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"Our hope is to try to mitigate any potential monetary fines, but there is probably still some punitive measures that may come as a result of this," Evans said.

Without senior leadership at its water utility, the city has hired a consultant to serve as what Evans described as a "staff augmentation tool." The consultant, US Water, was hired in September and is expected to work with the utility through at least early March. Evans said the consultant will be paid about $1.3 million.

The city manager said he is still trying to understand why the utility did not adhere to re-testing, reporting and transparency requirements.

"I can't speak on why it happened, but I can tell you in conversations with the Health Department there were some things very simplistically that we could have done if we wanted to deviate from what the prescribed standard is," Evans said. "I believe that there even was a situation where our compliance manager was probably at the end of his tenure with the agency, and so the normal process that one would follow probably at that time in his tenure was not a priority because he was departing from the agency."

Inspector General report: Utility leaders blamed each other for water problems

The OIG report paints a picture of a utility struggling to keep up with problems tied to an aging plant and wells and ill-equipped to cover for staff members who left or took vacation. In interviews with OIG investigators, utility leaders denied various functions of the organization were their responsibility, blamed each other for problems and questioned each other's competence.

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The report said Low, the man who was supposed to oversee the utility, "stated that he did not know how things were run" and that he had multiple responsibilities, including trying to build a new water treatment facility. The report said Low noted that "he had managers that were responsible for operations."

Evans, the report stated, learned in August from FDOH that the city's water utility staff may have altered test results from contaminated to passing. The report said the city manager came to believe that utility district management "did not provide proper oversight of the city's day-to-day water supply operations."

"Multiple city utility district staffers told Mr. Evans that Mr. Low and Mr. Doyle were rarely or never present on-site at the city's water plant," the report states.

The OIG report concluded that: "Senior Utility District staff violated reporting rules, both through mismanagement of required processes, and at times, through deliberate actions designed to circumvent required accurate reporting of water conditions."

Why the timing of the inspection report is not good for Riviera Beach

The timing of the OIG report could hardly be worse for the Riviera Beach's water utility, whose board members are expected to vote Wednesday, Nov. 20 on whether to authorize the city's finance director to pursue $400 million in revenue bonds to pay for a new water treatment facility.

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Riviera Beach's water treatment facility was built in 1958 and has been past its useful life for decades as elected officials over the years repeatedly punted when confronted with the massive cost of replacing the facility.

Meanwhile, residents regularly complained about the color, taste and feel of the water, and one of the city's largest employees, PepsiCo, puts the water through the company's own, additional treatment before using it.

Riviera Beach City Hall

A city consultant said Monday that a new plant is not likely to be operational until some time in 2027. City officials aren't likely to get a final cost for the facility until spring 2025.

Evans said that, even if the utility's board votes to authorize $400 million in revenue bonds, the utility won't be committed to paying for the new facility only with bond money. He said the city is still exploring state and federal grant funding to help pay for a new plant, which is currently estimated to cost $356 million with nearly $40 million more in associated costs. Development impact fees could also offset some of the costs of a new facility.

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Getting a new facility is broadly seen as a must in Riviera Beach, as Evans has urged  and current City Council members have embraced  the critical need for a new facility.

"For us, the do-nothing option has never been an option," Evans said. "The reality is it may be inconvenient. It may be the tough conversations and discussions that others may have walked away from in the past, but as the administrator, I can't see a situation where we leave it to somebody else to handle."

Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Inspector General: Riviera Beach water utility falsified test results
The Milwaukee Police Administration Building downtown. (Photo | Isiah Holmes)

Back in July, a lot happened while the Republican National Convention (RNC) was going on in downtown Milwaukee. Donald Trump accepted his partys presidential nomination. Local residents protested the RNC. Out-of-state police killed an unhoused man in King Park, and the convention brought so much traffic to the gay and bisexual dating app Grindr that it crashed. Those events and more were probably followed by the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) using a new tool to scan, scrape and search online activity.

In April, the MPD announced that it was seeking an open source intelligence tool ahead of the RNC. Basically, anything which can be openly seen and accessed online counts as open source intelligence. Using the tool, the MPD planned to augment its online monitoring capabilities. What would have taken hours just a few years ago could be reduced to minutes. By the end of May, MPD had settled on an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered software called Babel Street. The contract for Babel Street, which was not to exceed $43,673.50, was awarded on May 23.

The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation

A Request for Proposal (RFP) document, compiled by the Pewaukee-based technology brokerage company Abaxent, provides details on Babel Street. The document was obtained by Wisconsin Examiner through open records requests. Utilized by the U.S. Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and the federal government, Babel Street empowers users to extend their search to the farthest corners of the globe, netting data beyond the traditional scope of [publicly available information] in a safe and secure environment, the RFP document states. It opens the door to enriched and standardized [publicly available information] data from over 220 countries.

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Not only can Babel Street search online content in over 200 languages, it also employs sentiment scoring in over 50 languages. A Babel Street glossary of terms webpage states that sentiment analysis involves determining if a given text is expressing a positive, negative sentiment or no particular sentiment (neutral). The RFP document also claims that Babel Streets use of AI accelerates investigations and uncovers connections.

An MPD spokesperson echoed that point, saying in an emailed statement to Wisconsin Examiner that the software has increased the speed of investigations. The spokesperson said that Babel Street is used by MPDs Fusion Division. Social media investigations are a staple for Milwaukees Fusion Center, composed of both MPDs Fusion Division and the Southeastern Threat Analysis Center (STAC). Originally created for homeland security, the Fusion Center serves a variety of roles today  whether thats operating the citys Shotspotter gunshot surveillance system, monitoring a camera network spanning Milwaukee County, conducting ballistic tests, accessing phones seized by officers, or processing information from cell towers.

The Milwaukee Police Administration Building downtown. (Isiah Holmes | Wisconsin Examiner)

Within the Fusion Center, analysts assigned to the Virtual Investigations Unit monitor social media, investigating not only people but entire social ecosystems. Babel Street pinpoints key online influencers, allowing investigators to explore networks from a powerful starting point, the RFP document states. Rapidly exposing and unlocking their web of relationships delivers crucial information in a matter of minutes. All of that data then gets plugged into sophisticated visualizations such as maps, algorithmic scores, or graphs. Visualized mapping unearths influencers who have the greatest impacts on organizations, senior leaders, and world events, the document explains. Advanced algorithms score and prioritize critical online entities to measure this influence, bringing to the forefront obscure identities that make up their network.

Babel Street can track the growth of online influence emanating from a person or group of interest to police. Investigators can also set real-time updates alerting them to new developments online, as well as persistent monitoring. A persistent Document Search on an identified threat actor continuously monitors filtered topics the actor is publicly engaging in, according to the RFP document. By establishing a persistent collection via user-built filters/queries, users can not only increase their data access and insight, but they can also automate the rate aspects of analysis.

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Contract B20203, Purchase Order PUR20203 (RNC Open Source Tool  Abaxent response)_Redacted

Records from the City of Milwaukee Purchasing Division, obtained through open records requests.

Babel Street draws on a wealth of online information to gather intelligence for police. An aspect of the software known as Synthesis allows MPD to understand the profile of key influencers based on attributes, such as person/organization, location, occupation, interests, areas of influence, and communication style, which are automatically tagged for millions of accounts using an AI model, while still giving the City the option of manual tagging. Babel Street also allows MPD to pair keyword searches with geo-fencing, thus alerting the department to posts within a specific geographic area. MPDs new open source intelligence tool also enables data to be extracted from the dark web  parts of the internet which are not indexed in search engines and require specialized internet browsers to locate.

A Milwaukee police squad car in front of the Municipal Court downtown. (Photo | Isiah Holmes)

The ability of law enforcement to map online connections between people worried privacy advocates leading up to the RNC. In early April, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin and Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) warned that using an open source intelligence tool, MPD could more effectively track and profile people who were exercising their constitutional rights. David Maass, director for investigations at the EFF, told Wisconsin Examiner that open source intelligence tools are designed to produce results even if theres no evidence of a nefarious plot.

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Many police reform activists in Milwaukee also remember the protests of 2020, when police departments heavily relied on social media to surveil protesters. All of that information, however, takes time to collect and sift, especially when a department may only have so many analysts on hand. No longer are analysts manually checking multiple data sources to identify changes, according to the RFP document, as Babel Street Insights persistently and automatically collects, ingests, and alerts users when new information is available, dramatically increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of each analyst.

The March on the RNC in Milwaukee. (Photo | Isiah Holmes)

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All of that information, however, also needs to be vetted to ensure that its accurate. Intelligence often requires vetting in order to determine whether it is reliable or not, MPDs spokesperson wrote in an email statement. Additional investigation would be required with all intelligence.

MPD said that it does not track Babel Streets involvement in investigations, either during the RNC or after. There is also no standard operating procedure governing the softwares use by MPD, a spokesperson told Wisconsin Examiner. This software is utilized to investigate crimes or to assist with mitigating threats to pre-planned large-scale events, wrote the spokesperson in a statement. No decisions have been made yet about renewing the MPDs one-year contract for Babel Street.

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Oklahoma City Councilmembers unanimously voted to approve a longtime pastor and community leader to fill the vacant Ward 7 seat through early 2025.

The Rev. Lee E. Cooper Jr., senior pastor at Prospect Baptist Church in northeast Oklahoma City, was appointed as the Ward 7 interim representative Tuesday. He will fill a role left by former Councilwoman Nikki Nice, who was sworn in as the new state senator for Senate District 48 last week.

Cooper, who was out of the country Tuesday, told The Oklahoman he was "extremely excited and humbled at the opportunity" to serve the city and that he was "looking forward to the challenges" in the coming weeks and months.

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"This is a critical time in our city, so I think it's just a wonderful opportunity to give back," Cooper said. "There are some big decisions that have to be made about the city as far as direction and things we need to look forward to as a city, and so I'm excited about being able to continue my service to it."

More: Longtime northeast minister appointed to vacant council seat

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said the councilman-appointee "is no stranger to us," as Cooper had served in the interim role before, when the Ward 7 seat had previously been vacated in 2018, and also brings many years of leadership back to City Hall.

"He has had experience on the Planning Commission and Urban Renewal, and I think will be able to step right in and handle the obligations," Holt said.

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Cooper's appointment comes amid ongoing work on various city projects that need representation for Ward 7, home to the city's historically and predominantly Black neighborhoods. A new Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, district proposal is being planned to help incentivize new developments for the east side's Adventure District, and more than a dozen projects under the MAPS 4 program also are being ramped up.

Cooper will serve as interim city councilmember until late April, when Nice's official successor is sworn in after an election in February.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NE OKC church pastor appointed interim Ward 7 councilmember
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian called on Pope Francis to use his influence with Christian governments to stop war in the Middle East, semi-official Fars news agency reported on Wednesday.

"Encourage world leaders, especially Christian governments, to prevent the continuation of aggressions made by the criminal Israeli regime," Pezeshkian said, in what Fars described as a message to the Pope.

The message was delivered by an Iranian delegation participating in a religious dialogue event held in the Vatican, Iran's government website said.

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Tehran and the Holy See have enjoyed formal diplomatic relations since 1954, and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2022 shared a message to Pope Francis lauding his "stances on consolidating relations between Islam and Christianity".

Last week, Pope Francis suggested the global community should study whether Israel's military campaign in Gaza constituted a genocide of the Palestinian people, in some of his most explicit criticism yet of Israel's conduct in its year-long war.

Israel says accusations of genocide in its Gaza campaign are baseless and that it is solely hunting down Iranian-backed Hamas and other armed groups.

Pezeshkian added that Tehran was ready to engage constructively with the Vatican to promote peace and justice in the world.

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Francis, leader of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church, is usually careful not to take sides in international conflicts, and to stress de-escalation. But he has stepped up his criticism of Israel's conduct in its war against Hamas recently.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Staff at the Irish Embassy in Ukraine have been instructed to work from home following reports of a possible Russian attack on 20 November.

Source: Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin, quoted by PA Media, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Martin said Irish Embassy staff are working from home instead of in the embassy building in Kyiv "as a precaution".

Quote: "Consultations are ongoing between various embassies across Ukraine, but there are no plans to withdraw staff from the embassy. This is a very cautious step, but it is clear that the situation is escalating. It's incumbent on Russia to end this war."

Background:

The US earlier urged its citizens in Ukraine to exercise maximum caution due to the risk of a major airstrike by Russia on 20 November, with the US Embassy switching to remote operations.

Following the US, the embassies of Spain, Greece and Italy also closed for security reasons.

In response, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry described this as an "information overreaction", noting that the threat of strikes from the aggressor state has been a daily reality for Ukrainians for more than 1,000 days.

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By Padraic Halpin

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Parties vying to lead the next Irish government are luring voters with ambitious spending plans, banking on a continued boom in foreign multinational corporate tax revenues that could be threatened by the incoming U.S. administration.

With a strong economy, a population set to rise by up to 8% by 2030 and infrastructure provision 25% lower than many other high-income European countries, whichever party wins the Nov. 29 election will need to spend more just to keep up.

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However the scale of the commitments and potential risks have become a theme of the campaign. An Irish Times headline on Sunday suggested "someone should take Simon Harris's phone away before he bankrupts the country", noting the prime minister's nightly unveiling of "all sorts of goodies" on Instagram.

"The U.S. election has appreciably changed the risk and we seem to be going ahead as if nothing has changed but I think something very significant has changed," said Professor John McHale, head of economics at the University of Galway.

The risk centres around the unique exposure of Ireland's low-tax business model to the United States. Ireland's recent big budget surpluses have been driven by a near seven-fold increase in corporate tax receipts over the last decade, mainly paid by U.S. firms.

PRECARIOUS POSITION

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If enacted, President-elect Donald Trump's pledge to slash corporate tax rates to Irish levels, incentivise industries to bring production back to the U.S and impose trade tariffs could jeopardise the continued growth in corporate tax receipts forecast by the Irish finance ministry.

Harris' Fine Gael and outgoing coalition partner Fianna Fail - the favourites to lead the next government - have promised to hike spending by 5.5% to 7% a year to 2030, cut taxes and invest the remaining surplus in the country's sovereign wealth fund.

The main opposition Sinn Fein party favours a higher level of spending growth and putting less money aside.

The plans suggest recent "fiscal slippage" will continue after the election, Goodbody Chief Economist Dermot O'Leary said, calling on parties instead to stick with a fiscal rule introduced in 2021 to cap spending increases at 5% a year.

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The outgoing government broke its own rule in three of the four budgets since its introduction.

Not everyone agrees that the international risks should spell more caution, given Ireland's improved financial balance sheet and debt dynamics.

"We have a good hand to deal at the moment and I think that's reflected in some of the optimism you're seeing in the policies," said Kevin Timoney, chief economist at Davy Stockbrokers.

"We have this big infrastructure gap and we have money to try close it and that can help support the medium term picture. We don't want to be laggards in some of these areas that are strategically important for the economy."

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Christina Fincher)
(Bloomberg) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba struck a deal with a key opposition party over his economic stimulus package, by promising that discussion of the oppositions tax cut proposals will be included among the measures, according to Makoto Hamaguchi, a senior official in Japans Democratic Party for the People.

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The package will state that annual tax reform discussions for the next fiscal year will include raising the ceiling for tax-free income from 1.03 million ($6,650), as proposed by the DPP, and will mention discussions on cutting gasoline taxes, an initiative also proposed by the DPP, Hamaguchi said.

The three parties also agreed to pass an extra budget needed to fund the stimulus package by the end of December. The package is expected to come out this week.

With the deal, Ishiba got the green light to finish the package in order to restore public support, after his ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner lost their majority in last months national election. The DPP on the other hand got a foothold in pushing further with its policy proposals.

The minor opposition party won enough votes in Octobers election to position itself as a power broker. Since then, it has pursued a strategy of debating policies with the ruling coalition on a case-by-case basis, rather than joining it outright.

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The DPPs top policy proposals are to raise the income tax-free ceiling from 1.03 million to 1.78 million and to carry out gasoline tax cuts. Raising the ceiling would help part-time workers put in more hours and spur consumption, as well as help businesses suffering from labor shortages, according to the DPP. The Finance Ministry says the change could cost up to 8 trillion in lost tax revenue.

We got confirmation that the ceiling, which didnt move for 30 years, will move, Hamaguchi said. Thats progress for us. We have no intention to waver on our goal to raise it to 1.78 million.

As for annual tax reform discussions, the party also has asked the ruling coalition to consider halving the sales tax rate to 5% temporarily until real wages rise 2% and implementing tax cuts for companies that raise wages, for investment in growth-oriented areas like semiconductors and artificial intelligence, and for income from crypto assets.

The DPP aims to finish these tax reform discussions by the end of this year.

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The economic stimulus package is expected to include additional cash handouts for low-income households, and reinstate subsidies for electricity and gas bills from January through March. Its also set to outline how to generate and allocate more than 10 trillion of public support for Japans semiconductors and artificial intelligence sector.

(Updates with lawmakers comments)

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PM Benjamin Netanyahu offered $5 million to anyone in Gaza who handed over hostages to Israel.

He also offered safe passage out of the war-torn territory to those Palestinians who cooperate.

In Israel, there is mounting pressure on Netanyahu to free those remaining in captivity in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that Palestinians in Gaza who turn over Israeli hostages will be offered $5 million as a reward, as well as an exit route out of the war-torn territory.

During Hamas' terror attack across the Israeli border on October 7, 2023, 251 Israeli and foreign hostages were taken, according to Israeli figures.

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To date, some 117 of them have been freed or released, and 37 were brought back dead, leaving close to 100 that are thought to still be in Gaza.

It's unclear exactly how many of those hostages remain alive, as well as their precise whereabouts.

But there is intense and growing pressure within Israel, led by the families of the hostages, to bring the captives home. Negotiations have been at a standstill for months.

Netanyahu said Tuesday, while touring a section of the Gaza Strip, that Israel is doing everything it can to locate and return the hostages, per The Times of Israel.

He added, "Whoever dares to harm our hostages  he is a marked man. We will pursue you, and we will get you."

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The $5 million pledge builds on earlier reports of a generous but unspecified reward from Israel to those who cooperate.

The New York Times reported that Netanyahu also offered a "safe way out for himself and his family" to whoever returns hostages to Israel.

Leaving Gaza remains a major challenge for Palestinians.

Exiting through Israel requires an Israel-issued permit, and according to reporting by several media outlets, departure via Egypt often involves exorbitant fees.

However, remaining in Gaza amid Israel's invasion remains incredibly dangerous.

The Israel Defense Forces has sought to destroy Hamas and free the hostages, but with that has come devastating destruction.

Humanitarian groups, such as the Red Cross, have put the death toll at more than 43,000 Palestinians, with over 100,000 people injured.

Read the original article on Business Insider
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Students from five local high schools swarmed Entrepreneurship Day at Indiana State University.

Local students got a first hand look at the business world Tuesday, but one local student has already begun her journey. Andrieli Dos Santos owns and runs a nail business.

If I dont have the right finance, if I dont make my accounts right and Im selling them for less than I should, those are things that I can see that we are all learning as of right now, Dos Santos said. It wasnt too big later on in the community, and now its really growing and Im glad to be a part of it.

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Approximately 100 students from five local high schools had the opportunity to pitch a solution to a problem selected for their group. This year marks year three for the event, and ISU assistant director of business engagement John Lotz says student involvement continues to grow.

Im really impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit that this younger generation possesses, Lotz said. They are amazingly entrepreneurial, and a lot of them are really eager to kind of pursue their creative chops in these entrepreneurial ventures.

Another student, Liam Andreas, says the program serves as a reminder for entrepreneurs to remember the little things.

You gotta think minute details, cost, ways things work, how people work, Andreas said. Working together really shows how this comes together and really how itll benefit you and other people in the long run. Thats another thing this program does really well.

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the West Central Indiana Small Business Development Center assisted with the event, and their ecosystems navigator Jared Ell says that the elevator pitches are a useful tool for real-world application.

I tell the students that I talk with a lot that theres a lot of problems in the world, and they can solve these problems, Ell said. They have the creative mindset to come up with ideas that nobody else has, and watching them come up with these and pitch them to the rest of the group has been really fantastic.

Upcoming events:

November 19  Seed Expo and Pitch Competition, 5:30  8:00 p.m. at Vigo County History Center

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November 20  Brand Market Expand Conference, 9:00 a.m.  3:00 p.m. at ISU Scott College of Business

Brush and Mortar Art Exchange Kickoff, 5:00  7:00 p.m. at Ohio Building

November 22  Entrepreneur Appreciation Day with Sandbox Social, 5:00  7:00 p.m. at Sandbox Social.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A severed horses head has been left on the property of a businessman in Sicily in an act of mafia intimidation reminiscent of a scene from The Godfather.

The bloodied head was left on the seat of a digger belonging to the construction contractor in the town of Altofonte near Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily.

The body of a pregnant cow was also deposited at the property along with its calf, which had been ripped from its body.

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The gruesome discoveries evoke one of the most famous scenes in The Godfather, the 1972 film where Marlon Brando played Don Vito Corleone, an American mafia boss with Sicilian roots.

When a film studio president refuses Don Corleones request that his godson be given a movie role, he wakes up one morning with the severed head of his prized stud horse beside him in bed, the sheets soaked in blood.

The scene evoked similarities with one of the most famous scenes in the 1972 film The Godfather - Everett Collection Inc/Alamy Stock Photo

The building contractor in Sicily has reported the act of intimidation to the police, who are investigating. A local newspaper described it as like scenes from a horror movie.

The man is well known in the area and his company regularly undertakes building works for local councils.

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Angela De Luca, the mayor of Altofonte, said: It stopped me in my tracks, I cant explain such barbarity.

She offered her total solidarity to the businessman, adding: Our whole community is deeply shocked for an act which seems to take us back to medieval times. I have faith in the forces of law and order working to ascertain what happened and identify who is behind this dreadful act.

Edy Tamajo, a politician from Sicilys regional government, expressed strong condemnation of the intimidation, describing it as vile.

This act of shocking cruelty represents a mafia mentality that must be eradicated, he said. Those responsible must be brought to justice.

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As well as a thorough police investigation, there needed to be a strong commitment to spreading a law-abiding culture in our schools so that future generations grow up free of this mentality, he said.

The Sicilian mafia  known as Cosa Nostra  has long been known for its brutality.

In January last year, a Cosa Nostra godfather named Matteo Messina Denaro was captured after 30 years on the run. He was notorious for ordering the 12-year-old son of an informer to be kidnapped, strangled and dissolved in a vat of acid.

He also strangled to death the pregnant girlfriend of a mafia rival and boasted that he had murdered enough people to fill a cemetery.

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He died in prison of cancer in September 2023, a few months after his arrest in a private health clinic in Palermo.

Despite its bloody reputation, Cosa Nostra and the other mafia groups of Italy have in recent years turned away from murder and mayhem, instead concentrating on low-key but lucrative white-collar crime.

More than 70 people were killed by Italian mafiosi in 1991, while the death toll in 2022 was 17.

Committing murder or serious assault brings about the unwelcome attention of the police; much easier to quietly take the proceeds from drug trafficking and other criminal activities, investing them in legitimate businesses such as construction, waste disposal, shopping centres and restaurants.

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A 200 billion package of post-pandemic recovery funds, received by Italy from the EU, is proving to be rich pickings for Italys mafia groups, from Cosa Nostra in Sicily to the Camorra of Naples and the Ndrangheta in Calabria.

Tax evasion and financial fraud are also highly profitable for the mob.

Italian prosecutors told Reuters earlier this year that while there is no official estimate of the scale of organised crimes involvement in financial crimes in Italy, they believe it amounts to billions of euros each year.

The Ndrangheta is no longer involved in extortion rackets, but in insolvencies and bankruptcies, Pasquale Addesso, a magistrate in Milan, said.

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[It] has entered the world of sub-contracting, responding to a demand for tax evasion from entrepreneurs. If you want to combat the mafia, then you should focus more on insolvencies and bankruptcy laws rather than on extortion.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  If you know the Kennedy name from American politics, chances are pretty good youve heard the name Schlossberg paired with it. Thats because President John F. Kennedys daughter, Caroline, married Edwin Schlossberg.

So, who is Jack Schlosserg?

Hes Caroline and Edwins son and the only grandchild of JFK.

More than that, 31-year-old Schlossberg, who graduated from Yale University before heading to Harvard Law and Business School for his M.B.A. and J.D., is a writer and political correspondent for Vogue.

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JFKs grandson Jack Schlossberg look-alike contest to take place in DC

Schlossberg was among the featured speakers at the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago. Schlossberg was one of the delegates for the state of New York. You can read his full DNC address 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.
Credit: Jaguar

A widely ridiculed rebrand of Jaguar is designed to shift it to a whole new space, according to the historic carmakers vocal diversity champion.

Santino Pietrosanti, a leading Jaguar brand executive, has backed efforts to push the century-old company in a new direction despite fears it could alienate traditional customers.

He said in a speech at an LGBT awards event last year that Jaguar was not just talking about new cars but about embracing the full spectrum of human potential and creativity.

Credit: YouTube/@attitudemag

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His comments have fuelled concerns among Jaguar loyalists that the brand wants to ditch its traditional male customers in favour of a more progressive image.

The carmaker on Tuesday debuted a new advert featuring catwalk models with asymmetrical haircuts and brightly coloured, haute couture clothing walking around a Mars-like landscape bathed in bright pink.

Messages such as create exuberant and break moulds flash on the screen.

The advert, which was released to promote the companys new logo and wider rebrand, was dubbed a hallucinogenic sci-fi movie and has prompted a barrage of criticism online, including from US billionaire Elon Musk.

Do you sell cars?  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 19, 2024

Although Mr Pietrosanti had no role in the controversial new adverts, he is part of a new breed of Jaguar executives pushing to change the companys image, communicating with customers about the rebrand and backing the shake-up in social media posts.

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In a LinkedIn post on Tuesday, he signalled the radical shake-up at the century-old British marque by promising a new tone at the historic carmaker.

As we look forward, Jaguar will recapture originality as its core and shift it to an all-new space where it can be truly unique, he said.

Our symbols of change will make this clear  a new device mark, new tone and image.

Jaguar has typically had a roguish, masculine image, with traditional adverts from the 1970s showing the cars out in the wild, sometimes draped by female models, with taglines such as the 12-cylinder animal, prowl car and nobodys pussycat.

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However, the company is attempting to push the brand in a different direction.

Jaguar has also revealed plans to scrap its historic growler cat logo for its electric cars and to replace it with a new symbol featuring the letters J and L.

The rebrand has been described as a powerful celebration of modernism that seamlessly blends upper and lowercase characters in visual harmony.

A JLR spokesman said: As we reimagine our business, we are proud of the great journey of cultural transformation we are on.

JLR employs over 44,000 people globally and proudly champions diversity, creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, safe and valued for who they are. Our clients are diverse, the world is diverse, so our business needs to reflect that.

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As part of its shake-up, Jaguar has launched a new House of Brands strategy to turn the company into a luxury brand to compete with the likes of Louis Vuitton.

According to Car Dealer magazine, there will now be fewer Jaguar car dealers in the UK as the ones left are upgraded to display pieces of art in their showrooms which customers visit as a destination to have a coffee.

There will also be a curated brand store next to luxury brands such as Dior and Louis Vuitton in Paris.

Handovers of new cars will be at customers homes or even their favourite restaurants, an insider told the magazine. Buyers will be younger, more affluent and urban livers who are cash rich and time poor.

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Jaguar is also planning to close many of its showrooms, leaving it with a network of just 20 across the country.

Jaguars were often status symbols for wealthy entrepreneurs but there are fears the rebrand will turn off prospective new customers.

The new advert has been widely criticised for failing to connect with the companys heritage.

Paul Burke, an advertising copywriter, said: As a piece of creative work its rubbish. Its really cheaply done and theres no idea in it.

I know the job isnt to tell you anything about the car. It could be for anything but Id put it differently: it could be for nothing. Ive learnt nothing from that. It doesnt make me want to buy a Jaguar.

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I dont want to sound like a stockbroker from the 1970s but Jaguars were wonderful, beautiful cars to have nothing said about them is just awful. There are so many virtues about a Jaguar that you could signal and you havent signalled any of them.

It will do enormous damage to a great brand. Were laughing at Jags now.

A JLR spokesman said: Our brand relaunch for Jaguar is a bold and imaginative reinvention and as expected it has attracted attention and debate.

As proud custodians at such a remarkable point in Jaguars history we have preserved iconic symbols while taking a dramatic leap forward.

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The brand reveal is only the first step in this exciting new era and we look forward to sharing more on Jaguars transformation in the coming days and weeks.

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Updated as of 11/19/2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET

A federal judge ruled in favor of rap mogul Sean Diddy Combs following the shocking claim that federal prosecutors had his cell raided and seized his legal documents for trial.

Judge Arun Subramanian ruled Tuesday that prosecutors should not be in possession of the 19 pages of notes belonging to Combs. Combs attorneys claimed every piece of those materials were confidential matters discussed between their team and Combs, per court documents. On the other hand, the prosecutors argued that just because the documents were self-labeled as legal and they were not subject to being considered attorney-client privilege.

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However, the judge ordered the prosecutors to destroy the materials. The judge also ruled in favor of Combs request to attend hearings unshackled.

Attorneys Claim Unlawful Search and Seizure

In court documents filed Monday, Combs defense attorneys claimed prosecutors violated Combs constitutional rights in their seizure of attorney-client privileged materials including Combs own handwritten notes. The attorneys claimed the documents were allegedly taken from Combs jail cell in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Those notes were created to aid in Combs trial preparation, the attorneys argued, and were actively being used by the Feds to detain Combs. For remedy, they demanded an immediate evidentiary hearing to get to the bottom of how the government got in possession of the materials.

First, there is no dispute that the Government is in possession of privileged material. Second, until receiving the Governments submission at 11:29 PM on Friday, November 15, 2024, the defense had never been told that Mr. Combs notes were taken from his cell, that these notes were given to the U.S. Attorneys Office, and these notes were then given to the trial prosecutors in this case, who then used this material in a filing to keep Mr. Combs detained, Combs attorneys wrote.

In opposition to the claims, prosecutors wrote to the court that part of their investigation included sending subpoenas to the Bureau of Prisons for Combs monitored communications which included emails and phone calls. From those, the prosecutors claimed Combs had been engaging in obstructive conduct since being in custody including unauthorized three-way calls, the use of other inmates phone access codes and third-party text messaging.

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The prosecutors also confirmed a raid or sweep of the jail was indeed conducted by federal agents on October 28. However, they said the raid was preplanned ahead of Combs arrest, the document said. During the raid, Combs housing unit was searched but no contraband was found nor were any of his physical materials seized, the filing said.

About Diddys Pending Sex Crime Case

On Monday, Sept. 16, the 54-year-old rap mogul was arrested in Manhattan by federal authorities, six months after they raided his two homes in Los Angeles and Miami. His indictment was unsealed the following morning, revealing charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and engaging in interstate transportation for prostitution. The allegations against Combs include sexual abuse, physical abuse, bribery and various drug offenses.

These allegations were first brought forth by ex-girlfriend and Bad Boy Records signee Cassandra Cassie Ventura in a civil suit that accused him of sex trafficking, human trafficking, sexual battery, sexual assault, and other allegations. Combs quickly settled the suit within 24 hours, but lawsuits from other associates have quickly followed in the months since. Most recently, Houston attorney Tony Buzbee announced hes representing over 100 plaintiffs who came forward with claims of rape, sexual exploitation and sexual assault against the rapper.



While many of the suits since 2023 have been civil, this federal case has Combs facing criminal charges. He has pleaded not guilty, and was denied bail. His trial is scheduled for May 2025.

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Jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai on Wednesday denied seeking to influence foreign policy against China as he took the stand for the first time in his national security trial, fighting the charge of colluding with foreign forces.

Lai -- founder of the Apple Daily and an outspoken critic of China -- has been in jail for nearly four years. His trial began nearly a year ago.

Lai is the most high-profile person so far to be charged under the national security law, which Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 to clamp down on the pro-democracy movement. The law targets succession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, but critics say it breaches the "one country, two systems" framework, which is meant to guarantee the people of Hong Kong a degree of autonomy and freedoms not afforded to the mainland.

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Hong Kong authorities charged Lai with "colluding with foreign forces" to sanction, blockade or engage in other hostile activities, as well as conspiracy to publish seditious material under an existing British colonial-era law. If found guilty, the 76-year-old could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

PHOTO: Media mogul Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, arrives at the Court of Final Appeal, in a prison van in Hong Kong, China Feb. 9, 2021. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters)

A graphic shown to the court on Wednesday traced Lai's foreign links of interest, including a 2019 meeting with then-Vice President Mike Pence. Lai testified he was updating the United States on the situation in Hong Kong at the time.

"I would not dare to ask the U.S. to do anything. I just related to him what happened in Hong Kong," Lai said in court.

Lai said he was asking U.S. officials to say something to voice their support for Hong Kong. He denied meeting President-elect Donald Trump at the time.

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National security trial begins for Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong's pro-democracy media mogul

Lai told the court that the Apple Daily did not condone violence, particularly during the 2019 pro-democracy protests. He said advocating for the independence of Hong Kong was "a reality too crazy to think about."

"I never allowed the newspaper or our staff to mention this," Lai testified.

Lai is expected to give evidence over the next two weeks.

In a briefing Wednesday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called Lai "the principal mastermind and perpetrator behind the series of riots that shook Hong Kong" in 2019, going on to call him "an agent and henchman of those hostile to China."

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Jian said China "firmly opposes certain countries using the case to interfere in China's internal affairs and smear and undermine Hong Kong's rule of law."

Hong Kong rebel media tycoon Jimmy Lai becomes most prominent person charged under national security law

In May this year, Jimmy Lai's son, Sebastien Lai, told ABC News during an interview in Taiwan that "it's very clear this is completely a show trial."

Sebastien Lai said he still has hope that "the Hong Kong government will do what is in their best interest, which is to show that they still have a rule-of-law-based system."

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Sebastien Lai said his father would stay strong with the help of his Catholic faith and his steadfast principles.

He also said his father's case is a warning for the world. "A lot of important things are happening around the world, but if anyone wants to know what China is capable of and what China believes, look at the story of my father," Sebastien Lai said.

He said his dad has a good motto: "A country that doesn't respect its own people is not going to respect its neighbors. And Hong Kong is a constant reminder of that."

"Maybe people aren't politically inclined. Maybe people don't care that much about press freedom," Sebastien Lai said. "But I think anybody in Hong Kong has to decide whether, if they come face to face against the mandate of the government, whether they'll get anything close to a fair hearing. And you don't."

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In an interview with ABC News at his home in September 2020, while he was out on bail, Jimmy Lai said he was prepared to go to jail.

"I knew it would come, I did not know that it would be so fast. but that's fine, and I'm OK, I accept it. At this time of my life, I'm almost 73, it's payback time. Whatever happens is a redemption," he said.

"I came here with $1, escaped from China when I was 12. This place [Hong Kong] gave me everything," he added.

Jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai testifies for 1st time in landmark trial, denies using US connections originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Nvidia (NVDA) reported third quarter earnings after the bell on Wednesday that topped expectations on the strength of sales of its high-powered AI chips fueling what its CEO Jensen Huang called the "age of AI."

The worlds largest publicly traded company by market cap, Nvidia reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.81 on revenue of $35.1 billion. Analysts were anticipating EPS of $0.74 on revenue of $33.2 billion.

Nvidia also said it anticipates revenue of $37.5 billion, plus or minus 2%, for the fourth quarter. That's just ahead of Wall Street expectations of $37 billion.

Nvidia's stock price seesawed Thursday morning, popping to an intraday record before moseying around the flat line, as investors weighed the forecast.

Check out Dan Howley's Reddit AMA about Nvidia's latest earnings report

The age of AI is in full steam, propelling a global shift to Nvidia computing, Huang said in a statement. Demand for Hopper and anticipation for Blackwell  in full production  are incredible as foundation model makers scale pretraining, post-training, and inference."

The chip giant's Data Center business, which makes up the vast majority of its revenue, brought in $30.8 billion in the quarter, beating out analysts' expectations of $29 billion and jumping 112% versus the $14.5 billion the segment made in Q3 last year.

Nvidia's gaming revenue came in at $3.3 billion, up from $2.8 billion the division brought in last year. Analysts were looking for $3 billion.

Nvidia's stock has continued to rocket higher throughout 2024, thanks to the explosive growth in AI across the tech landscape and beyond.

Read more: Nvidia nearly triples in value over 11 months: Is it time to invest?

Nvidia also appeared to assuage concerns about potential slowdowns in the availability of its next-generation Blackwell chip, with CFO Colette Kress saying that the AI GPU will begin shipping in the current quarter and ramp into the year ahead.

"Both Hopper and Blackwell systems have certain supply constraints, and the demand for Blackwell is expected to exceed supply for several quarters in fiscal 2026," she added.

Read more: How does Nvidia make money?

Shares of Nvidia were up 192% year to date as of Wednesday, easily outpacing any of the companys chipmaker rivals. AMD (AMD), the closest competitor, has seen its stock price sink over 5% year to date, while Intel (INTC), which is contending with a difficult turnaround, has seen its stock plunge nearly 52%.

Nvidia is facing an uncertain future, given that Donald Trump has threatened to put blanket tariffs on products from around the world.
Nov. 20ROCHESTER  In 1981, Jane Campion was thrust into one of the most hotly disputed local issues of the day: The closure and disposition of Rochester State Hospital.

It came about because the woman who asked her to be part of the task force was none other than Sister Generose Gervais, the administrator of then-Saint Mary's Hospital. And Campion, who was an assistant, would not say no to Generose.

"If she asked, I did it," Campion recalled years later.

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The Minnesota Legislature had voted to close the Rochester State Hospital to break a budgetary impasse. The decision sent shock waves through the community of Rochester.

The 300-acre campus cared for hundreds of mentally ill patients. Campion knew the well-regarded facility's closure represented a "tremendous loss of service" for some of the state's most vulnerable adults, according to the book "Taking The Lead: Rochester Women in Public Policy," a book about Rochester's ground-breaking women.

And shock would turn to fury when the property was sold to the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Medical Center was built on the site.

It was an unenviable, thankless task, but Campion not only served on the task force but rose to become its leader. Her role also shone a light on her blend of personal and leadership qualities that helped navigate the committee through the community turbulence.

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"She was clear about what she wanted to accomplish, but she was extremely supportive of the people around her," said Sheila Kiscaden, an Olmsted County commissioner and former state legislator who served as a county employee at the time. "She was a team leader, but you were on the team. You felt respected, you felt listened to, you felt supported. That's just a fabulous form of real leadership."

Campion, 94, died Nov. 13 at Madonna Towers in Rochester with family by her side.

Campion joined the Sisters of St. Francis in Rochester in 1949 and became known as Sister Richaea. She trained as a nurse at Saint Marys and later worked in a variety of supervisory roles. Later, she left the convent and became one of its first three co-journers.

Venturing out of the state, Campion taught nursing at Emory College in Georgia and later became head of the Alcoholic and Drug Section of the Georgia State Department of Health. It opened her eyes to the "bigger world" of service to others throughout a community. She returned to Rochester hoping to apply the lessons of this new world view of "how to make the town work."

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"I felt called at that time to the secular world," she once recalled, "to do what was mine to do, to fulfill my purpose in this world."

Campion wasn't threatened by change and saw it as a potential force for good, say people who knew her. It was an attitude that she not only brought into community discussions surrounding Rochester State Hospital. It guided her views when it came to the integration of Saint Marys Hospital, Mayo Clinic and Methodist Hospital in the mid-1980s. She saw it as the best thing for patients. She embraced diversity as Mayo Clinic's first director of the Office for Diversity.

"What stands out for me is what a visionary Jane was," said Marianne Hockema, who was hired by Campion as Saint Marys' assistant director of public affairs. "She saw things into the future that the rest of us had to be drug kicking and screaming into."

And time often vindicated her views. Critics of the Federal Medical Center, for example, didn't want Rochester to become a prison town. It didn't matter that a federal medical prison housed primarily nonviolent offenders. Many were expecting walls and gun towers. The prospect of a prison conjured scary stories of prison breaks. Many task force members were vilified for the end result.

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"It was wrenching and mean-spirited for a community that sees itself as generous. We did not look very good," Campion said in the book "Taking the Lead."

Later, it would be hailed as a development marvel and economic boon: How a $1 investment  the amount paid by Olmsted County to purchase the campus  paved the way for $28 million in development, renovation and expansion.

Campion's happiest memory of the drama was when the federal prison began taking job applications, and 700 to 800 people stood in line waiting to apply for jobs.

Campion also oversaw the design and construction of the $55 million Mary Brigh Building that included a 93,000-square-foot surgical suite with 40 major operating rooms.

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Campion also served as a mentor to scores of people, some say hundreds. It is a hard number to put a finger on, because she never boasted or bragged about the role she played to others.

"Campion was very quiet, very strong," Kiscaden said. "She did not need the limelight and just quietly chose people  and some people chose her  to support and mentor."

In retirement, Campion never ceased being interested in what was happening in the community. She called people to affirm or encourage others. "It was always positive," Kiscaden said. She used the phone to keep up with everything, said another.

"If you didn't call her once a week, she called you just to check in," said Mary Gorfine, who wrote the chapter on Campion for "Taking The Lead." "She always wanted to know what's going on in the city, what's going on in the county."

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Though "she found herself at the center of many important and often tumultuous events," Gorfine noted in the book, Campion happily avoided the limelight.

"The clear consensus among those who have known her is that she is a role model for many, a mentor to the lucky ones, and a gift to the community," Gorfine wrote.
TOKYO (AP)  Japanese officials said Wednesday they are closely watching to see if China keeps its promise to prevent further violations of Japan's airspace after explaining that an incursion by a Chinese military aircraft nearly three months ago was unintentional and caused by turbulence.

Tokyo protested and sought an explanation from Beijing after a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance plane briefly entered Japanese airspace off the southern main island of Kyushu on Aug. 26, prompting Japan's military to scramble fighter jets and warn the plane.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said China acknowledged the airspace violation and assured Japan that it would make efforts to prevent a recurrence.

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We take note of China's explanation, and we will closely watch Chinese military activity from now on, Hayashi said.

China said the airspace violation occurred when the plane's pilot took emergency measures in response to turbulence in the area and was not intentional, Japan's Foreign Ministry said. Japanese officials did not disclose further details, such as when China provided the explanation, citing the protocol of diplomatic exchanges.

Even though aircraft can encounter turbulence, such a significant deviation from a flight route is unthinkable, Japanese officials said.

NHK public television reported that Japanese defense officials said they still find the airspace violation unacceptable because it was a serious breach of territorial sovereignty.

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In Bejing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian did not confirm what Japanese officials said they were told. He said only the diplomatic and defense ministries of the two countries have been communicating on the issue and that China has no intention of intruding into the airspace of any country.

Japanese officials are concerned about China's growing military activity around Japan's southwestern waters and airspace. It has led Tokyo to significantly reinforce its defenses in the area, which includes remote islands that are considered key to Japan's defense strategy.

Japan is also worried about joint military activities between China and Russia.

A Chinese survey ship violated Japanese territorial waters off a southern island in August. In September, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and two destroyers sailed between Japans westernmost island of Yonaguni  just east of Taiwan  and nearby Iriomote, entering Japan's contiguous zone, an area just outside of a countrys territorial waters in which it can still exercise some control over maritime traffic.
TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan welcomed a record 3.31 million visitors last month, official data showed on Wednesday, as the weak yen propelled a tourism boom that is pouring money into the nation's coffers.

The number of foreign visitors for business and leisure rose from 2.87 million in September and exceeded the previous monthly record of 3.29 million set in July, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) showed.

Through October, about 30.2 million tourists have arrived in Japan, just shy of the annual record of 31.9 million set in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic shut global borders.

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Japan's famous autumn leaf colours contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe, and North America, the JNTO said. Through October, 11 countries and regions have surpassed annual records for sending visitors to Japan.

Travellers spent 5.86 trillion yen ($37.72 billion) in Japan through September of this year, preliminary figures showed last month. That eclipsed the 5.3 trillion yen they spent in all of 2023, a record for any 12-month period.

Tourism spending, classified as an export in national accounts, is poised to become Japan's second-biggest export sector after autos and ahead of electronic components.

(Reporting by Rocky Swift; Editing by Kim Coghill and Michael Perry)
By Tom Bateman

CHIGASAKI, Japan (Reuters) - Before global leaders take the problem of plastic pollution into their hands this month, Japanese manicurist Naomi Arimoto is putting it into her fingernails.

At the beach near her home south of Tokyo, Arimoto carefully sifts sand for tiny bits of plastic that she can mould into decorative tips to put on the false nails at her salon. She came up with the idea after taking part in community cleanups along the coast.

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"I became aware of environmental issues the moment I saw with my own eyes just how much plastic waste was in the ocean," 42-year-old Arimoto said. "I thought it was horrifying."

An estimated 20 million tonnes of plastic waste is dumped into the environment each year, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A United Nations summit in Busan, South Korea, starting on Nov. 25 aims to craft a landmark treaty that would set global caps on plastic production.

The United States, one of the world's biggest plastic makers, signalled in August it would support a global treaty, a shift that environmental watchdog Greenpeace called a "watershed moment" in the fight against plastic pollution.

Arimoto opened a nail salon in her home in 2018 after a spinal condition forced her to give up her career as a social worker, and she's been using Umigomi, or "sea trash," to make nail art since 2021. To gather the raw materials, she uses a custom wheelchair to scour the nearby beach every month to gather microplastics that other cleaners might miss.

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To turn sea trash into treasure, Arimoto starts by rinsing the plastic in fresh water and then sorting it by colour. She cuts the plastic into smaller pieces and places them into a metal ring before melting the plastic to form a colourful disc that can be attached to the artificial nails. Prices for a set start at 12,760 yen ($82.52).

"I know there are other things made of recycled materials, like toilet paper and other daily necessities, but I had no idea you could have nails too, that was a surprise," said salon customer Kyoko Kurokawa, 57.

Arimoto acknowledges that her nail art is a drop in an ocean of plastic pollution, but says raising consciousness of the problem is a step to towards working together for a solution.

"I hope that by putting these in front of people's eyes, on their fingertips, they'll enjoy fashion while also becoming more aware of environmental issues," she said.

($1 = 154.6200 yen)

(Reporting by Tom Bateman and Rocky Swift, Editing by Kate Mayberry)
Speaking to Congressional colleagues from both sides of the aisles on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Rep. Jasmine Crocket slammed a proposed GOP bill that would fire all workers that work in offices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion because DEI oppresses white men.

She took her time at the podium to give what she called a vocabulary lesson on the meaning of oppression, arguing that the reason why some GOP lawmakers wnat to remove Black history from school curriculums is to spread the lie of white oppression.

Let me tell you that the reason that my colleagues wanted to make sure you understood the same Black history that your side of the aisle wants to delete out of classrooms is because you can then misuse words like oppression  there has been no oppression for the white man in this country, the Democrat from Texas said.

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A video clip of the moment has now made its rounds on social media, and Crockett later shared a clip to her own Instagram. Watch both below:

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) calls out Republicans trying to redefine "oppression" to say white people are being oppressed:



"It is white men on this side of the aisle telling us, people of color on this side of the aisle, that y'all are the ones being oppressed. pic.twitter.com/MGAfzz4QwV  Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) November 20, 2024

She continued, welcoming anyone to inform her on the ways white people have been oppressed.

You tell me which white men were dragged out of their homes. You tell me which one of them got dragged all the way across an ocean and told that you are going to go and work. We are going to steal your wives, we are going to rape your wives  that didnt happen [to the white community]. That is oppression, Crockett said. We didnt ask to be here. We not the same migrants that yall constantly come up against. We didnt run away from home, we were stolen.

Crocketts remarks came after President-elect Donald Trump propagated a longstanding notion that white Americans have been oppressed as a result of the implementation of equity and diversity-driven initiatives that provide women, communities of color and members of the LGBTQIA+ with opportunities theyve historically been denied.

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In July 2023, Trump shared plans to crack down on higher education that support any form of DEI, and that video has resurfaced online.

I will advance a measure to have them fined up to the entire amount of their endowment. A portion of the seized funds will then be used as restitution for victims of these illegal and unjust policies, Trump says in a portion of the video.

Trump announces reparations for white people. He says he will ask the Justice Department to penalize colleges that consider diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and fine them so he can pay restitution to white people who he considers the real victims of racial discrimination. pic.twitter.com/69sFbAz3rF  Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) November 12, 2024

On his campaign website, Trumps camp states: Once back in the White House, President Trump will direct the Department of Justice to pursue federal civil rights cases against schools that continue to engage in racial discrimination and will advance a measure to have schools that continue these illegal and unjust policies fined up to the entire amount of their endowment.

Crockett says people of color are correct in their frustrations.

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So yeah, we are going to sit here and be offended when you want to sit here and act like  and dont let it escape you that it is white men on this side of the aisle telling us, people of color on this side of the aisle that yall are the ones being oppressed, Crockett said. That yall are the ones being harmed. Thats not the definition of oppression. You tell me the prolonged, cruel or unjust treatment that youve had, and we can have a conversation.

She concluded. The final thing that I will say: diversity works, and until you can show me data that says otherwise, I think that we need to go back to being a country that listens to experts and gets out of our feelings and recognizes again that racism is real in this country. And until we stop pretending that its not, we will not solve the problems that we are consistently facing. And that will bring real unity we seek when were looking for a more perfect union.

The post Jasmine Crockett Says GOP Wants to Take Black History Out of Schools to Spread Lie of White Oppression | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Nov. 19Sheriff John Halferty brought some four-legged backup to the county board of supervisors meeting earlier this month. Two "Crisis Canines" and their handlers joined Halferty in requesting a future sale of land so that a local nonprofit can expand its training of dogs that provide support to law enforcement officers.

As board president of Crisis Canines of the Midlands, Halferty said the nonprofit wants to remain centrally located but it has outgrown its current facility. Two academies are already scheduled for next year with teams from all over the country. There are roughly 20 to 25 teams in each academy.

"We're doing quarterly trainings," Halferty said. "...We would like to offer additional resources and classes, but we need a training center. And so we're working on that. We need to find a piece of ground to build. We have this vision of what we want to build, but we need to know where that is going to be."

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Halferty inquired about the ground where the old Quakerdale Youth Shelter and Jasper County Care Facility used to stand. He thought it would be a nice addition to the nearby projects for the sheriff's office, secondary roads and conservation. Halferty said its location to the interstate and hotels is ideal for trainings.

"We're expanding so rapidly right now we're having growing pains," Halferty said. "We're working on many challenges, but the ultimate vision is having a central location. We want to stay in Iowa. We want to have a building that is able to provide all that training we can also offer to peer support and other resources."

However, Halferty stressed the nonprofit is not asking supervisors to donate the county-owned land but rather consider selling it to them at a reasonable price.

WHAT IS CRISIS CANINES?

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Crisis Canines of the Midlands was founded by Justin and Rebecca Smith, who are leading the charge in ensuring first responder agencies have more teams of dogs and responder handlers. While the dogs serve as great ambassadors to their agencies, their main focus is helping the mental health of first responders.

Steve Ashing, deputy director of the Jasper County Emergency Management Agency, is the handler of River, a young German Shepherd. Ashing said mental health in the first responder field is something that has been neglected until somewhat recently. Crisis Canines directly addresses that issue.

"A citizen may see one or two catastrophic events in their life that creates trauma. It overwhelms their ability to cope with the situation. A first responder may see thousands of events in their career," Ashing said. "...Historically, we haven't dealt with that very well. That relates to retention problems, morale problems."

Crisis Canines of the Midlands has helped alleviate those issues by pairing a therapy canine with a first responder. The dog becomes a badged member of the department and gives handlers the authority to go into emergency scenes. Ashing said it takes one year worth of training to get canines started.

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Upon their certification the dogs and their handlers can begin work to help their agencies. Ashing said canines assist with debriefings or provide general support at the fire station or police station. The dogs are trained to seek out people that are stressed or having an emotional response or crisis.

"They will sense that and come over to that person and try to give them some ease," Ashing said. "That is kind of the whole synopsis of the program."

HOW DOES CRISIS CANINES HELP PEOPLE?

Of course the dogs also provide support to Jasper County civilians in times of crisis. Halferty said a young individual experienced a great deal of trauma when they discovered their sibling had died. One of the canine teams responded, and Halferty said a bond was formed to relieve some of that immediate trauma.

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Teams of Crisis Canines have responded to more regional disasters, too. When a school shooting happened at Perry, dogs and their handlers responded to the hospitals and helped the medical teams that provided care to those who were wounded. Halferty said the program has been a great tool.

"It is hard to describe unless you've sit through those debriefings or you see someone in crisis," Halferty said. "You can just see the effect that these canines have. I've said it for many years and I'm going to say it again: If we don't take care of our own people, how can we expect them to take care of others?"

Jasper County has essentially served as the step-off point for Crisis Canines of the Midlands. Currently, there are five certified teams of Crisis Canines in Jasper County alone, and another is in training. The program has gained momentum over the past few years. The initial goal was to have two teams in every county in the state.

"We're still working through that but we have gotten so much interest and so much notoriety not only statewide but nationwide," Ashing said. "This is becoming a nationwide program. We are doing a lot of hard work at the board level to get that spun up so we can accommodate that. But that comes with challenges."

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SUPERVISORS RESPOND FAVORABLY

Supervisor Brandon Talsma asked if the nearby shooting range built at the old JCARL building grounds would negatively impact dogs and training. Ashing said getting dogs desensitized to sirens and gunshots is part of the training, so it would actually be an asset to the nonprofit.

Smith added, "We'd want to position the building away enough so we're not directly in range."

Crisis Canines of the Midlands wants to build a 60 feet by 155 feet structure. Supervisors not only seemed receptive to having the nonprofit use nearby land to expand its offerings, Talsma went so far as to suggest the land be given to Crisis Canines at no cost but the county would still own the property.

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"I'm not concerned about monetary compensation for the ground," Talsma said. "...The expenses of the building and the maintenance and everything else is on you guys, but essentially Jasper County is giving you guys the two acres, three acres, what it is you require to build a facility."

Halferty was not expecting that offer and appreciated the board's willingness to help the nonprofit. Talsma said the contract would work similarly to how JCARL owned the technically county-owned property for as long as they existed or were in operation. The same would be drafted for Crisis Canines.

The board of supervisors voted 3-0 to approve the request from Crisis Canines of the Midlands for the use of the ground at the old Jasper County Care Facility site, which would be determined later in a contract with the county attorney's approval.
JAY-Zs Team ROC organization has filed a lawsuit Kansas City, Kansas Police Department and local goverment alleging failure to produce police records amid claims of corruption and civil rights violations.

The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday (Nov. 19), names the Kansas City Police Department and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas as defendants, and accuses both of failing to produce the requested documents in a timely manner.

According to Team ROC, the defendants refusal to fully comply with their requests violates public records laws, as the organization claims the Kansas City Police Department have avoided sending the documents in question.

Shawn Carter attends the Los Angeles premiere of The Harder They Fall at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on October 13, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Team Rocs managing director, Dania Diaz, says the organization has only received three of the sixteen documents they requested under the Kansas Open Records Act, with most of the documents theyve received being unrelated to their inquiries.

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This filing is because human beings with badges have betrayed the publics trust  That type of behavior must be held to a standard, Diaz told NBC News. Team Rocs latest filing continues the organizations efforts to expose and eradicate the corruption and prejudice amongst public servants in Kansas and other states across the country.

In 2022, JAY-Z and Team Roc helped lead the charge for an investigation into former Kansas City police Det. Roger Golubski, which resulted in Golubski being charged with federal civil rights crimes for sex crimes against Black women and framing innocent citizens for crimes they did not commit.

Jay Z speaks onstage during the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio.

For decades, communities in Kansas City, Kansas  particularly minority and immigrant communities  have been subjected to an alarming pattern of abuse and other serious misconduct by the KCKPD, the lawsuit, which was first obtained by NBC News, alleges.

Rather than promoting a culture of transparency and accountability, the KCKPD has a long history of turning a blind eye to (at best) and even covering up (if not worse) abusive and/or corrupt conduct by its officers.

Producer Shawn Carter AKA Jay-Z attends The Harder They Fall World Premiere during the 65th BFI London Film Festival at The Royal Festival Hall on October 06, 2021 in London, England.

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Vice President-elect JD Vance is planning to meet with senators alongside some of President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet nominees, according to multiple reports.

Vances trip comes as Republicans scrutinize some of Trumps more controversial picks for top Cabinet positions, including former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for Attorney General and Fox News personality Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense.

Vance is expected to bring along some of the nominees, including New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, who was nominated for the role of UN Ambassador, and retired Georgia Rep. Doug Collins, his pick for Secretary of Veterans Affairs, CNN first reported citing unnamed sources.

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Gaetz and Hegseth might also sit in on some meetings, sources told Politico later on Tuesday. Representatives for Vance did not immediately return a request for comment from the Daily Beast.

Gaetz resigned from the House of Representatives last weekjust days before the House Ethics Committee was scheduled to vote on the release of an ethics investigation into the controversial Florida congressman.

Gaetz was under investigation for alleged illicit drug use and sexual misconduct with an underage girl. The Florida congressman has long denied the allegations, and was previously the target of a Justice Department probe that ended with no charges being filed.

At least two Republican senatorsLisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Mainehave expressed skepticism over the pick. I dont think it is a serious nomination for the attorney general, Murkowski told reporters shortly after the nomination was announced.

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Others, including Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, have called for the House Ethics Committee to release their findings for Gaetzs confirmation hearing in the Senate.

Mullin, a longtime Gaetz adversary, seemed more receptive to confirming Gaetz earlier this week, but clarified to the Daily Beast on Tuesday that he has not made up his mind about the AG nomination.

As a sitting senator from Ohio, Vance might have more sway with his Republican colleagues in the chamber. The future vice president took office after the 2022 midterm elections, replacing retiring Republican Sen. Rob Portman.
President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance are interviewing candidates for FBI director, Vance said Tuesday in a now-deleted post on social media.

Vance seemingly revealed the team was already conducting interviews in the X post, where he defended himself for missing a vote to confirm Judge Embry Kidd , President Joe Bidens judicial nominee for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Vances comments indicate Trump is likely preparing to fire current FBI Director Christopher Wray before the end of his 10-year term in office.

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When this 11th Circuit vote happened, I was meeting with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director, Vance wrote in the now-deleted post, responding to criticism of his absence. I tend to think its more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45. But thats just me.

Wray was first nominated for the job by Trump himself in 2017 after he fired former FBI Director James Comey. Wray is a registered Republican and previously served as an assistant attorney general during George W. Bushs presidency. He was confirmed with bipartisan support in the Senate by a vote of 92-5 the same year.

However, Trump has soured on Wray in the years since. Trump was reportedly discussing plans to fire Wray if he won a second term in office in 2020. After the election, the FBI led the search for classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, further provoking his anger.

Sources told The Wall Street Journal that several names have been floated in the search for a new director, including former Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers and Kash Patel, a longtime Trump adviser and former staffer.

President-elect Donald Trump may be preparing to fire FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Representatives for the Trump transition team and Vice President-elect Vance did not immediately return a request for comment from the Daily Beast.

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The plan isnt a surprise for anyone paying attention to Trumps ever growing enemies listcongressional Republicans took up the charge against the FBI director in Trumps wake in 2023. Trump loyalist Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) introduced articles of impeachment against Wray, accusing him of using the agency as a Federal police force to target Bidens enemies.

Rep. James Comer (R-KY), the chair of the House Oversight Committee, also announced he would move to hold the FBI director in contempt of Congress for refusing to provide his committee with a document related to their investigation into Hunter Bidens business dealings and connections with his father.

Comer later dropped the threats after Wray acquiesced and allowed the committee to review the document weeks later.
WASHINGTON  Vice President-elect JD Vance tweeted  and then deleted  a message with so many spectacular self-owns that it is worth taking a moment to dissect what he did.

On Tuesday, Vance posted a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, defending his recent absences from the Senate. Hes still an Ohio Republican senator, but he and a handful of other GOP senators havent been showing up for Senate votes in the lame duck. Their absences are frustrating some in their party as Democrats are confirming lots of President Joe Bidens judges without much resistance from Republicans.

Vance was specifically called out by Grace Chong, chief financial officer and chief operating officer for Bannons War Room, the podcast hosted by Steve Bannon, a close ally to President-elect Donald Trump. She tagged Vance and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in a Tuesday post saying, You guys better show up and do your fricken job!! She has since deleted her post.

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Enter Vance with his tweet. The vice president-elect lashed out at Chong, calling her a mouth breathing imbecile, and said even if he had shown up to vote against the particular nominee Chong was referring to, appeals court nominee Embry Kidd, Republicans still wouldnt have had enough votes to block him.

Besides, Vance said, he was busy with something much more important than casting Senate votes: helping Trump interview potential new FBI directors.

When this 11th Circuit vote happened, I was meeting with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI director, Vance wrote.

I think its more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45, he continued. But thats just me.

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But Vance inadvertently just revealed that Trump is interviewing people to replace Christopher Wray, the current FBI director. Wrays term isnt up until 2027, and even though Trump is the one who appointed him in 2017, the two have clashed over the years.

Its only been speculation until now that Trump may replace him. Vance just confirmed that Trumps team is already taking steps to do it.

Oops.

Heres a screenshot of Vances since-deleted post.

JD Vance tweeted, and then deleted, a post inadvertently revealing Trump is vetting potential FBI directors, meaning Trump is preparing to toss out current FBI director Christopher Wray. Oops. JD Vance's X account

A Trump transition team spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment as to whether Trump is preparing to remove Wray from his post before his term is up.

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An FBI spokesperson declined comment.

Beyond that slip-up, the Ohio senator got yelled at, indirectly, by Trump for not showing up to Senate votes, which he had just suggested werent that important.

The president-elect ranted Tuesday about the need for all Republican senators to show up to work to help slow or stop Democrats from getting so many of Bidens judges confirmed.

The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door, Trump wrote on social media. Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line  No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day!

Trump yelled at Republican senators not to miss Senate votes on Biden's judges. Donald Trump's Truth Social account

Vance was suddenly back in the Senate on Tuesday afternoon, voting against one of Bidens nominees to an Oregon federal court. And his tweet was deleted.

Chong still remembers what he called her, though. Shes mocking him for it on her X page.

Her biography now reads, mouth breathing imbecile CFO/COO.
Attorney General Russell Coleman pulls a county out of a miniature bourbon barrel for a post-election inquiry. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

FRANKFORT  Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman on Wednesday randomly drew 12 Kentucky counties, including Jefferson, for a post-election inquiry.

Jefferson County, where stalled e-poll books delayed voting on Election Day, was among the counties pulled from a small bourbon barrel at the Capitol in Frankfort Wednesday.

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The Attorney Generals Election Fraud Hotline received more than 700 calls during the 2024 election for possible election law violations. Nearly 350 of those calls were made on Election Day. Coleman said about 150 of the Election Day calls came from Jefferson County.

Were undertaking this effort to help every Kentuckian have faith that their elections are free, fair and secure, Coleman told reporters. At the end of this professional, independent and fair inquiry, its our hope that our confidence in our elections remains high amongst our fellow Kentuckians.

Coleman said he spoke with Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw, a Republican, ahead of the drawing and said she indicated she was willing to cooperate with the attorney generals office if the county was selected for an inquiry.

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This is not an adversarial process, Coleman said. This is an opportunity to show Kentuckians that if somethings broken  and something was broken in Jefferson County. We know that. We know Ms. Holsclaw has made comments to that effect. Well continue to flush that out. We hope that this will be a collaborative process with her.

Ashley Tinius, spokesperson for the Jefferson County Clerks office, said the random inquiry presents a valuable opportunity to demonstrate to the voters of Jefferson County that we are committed to safeguarding the integrity of elections while delivering transparency.

Our team is dedicated to implementing any recommended improvements to ensure our processes are as efficient, secure, and accessible as possible, Tinius said. We understand the importance of maintaining public trust, and we are eager to work collaboratively with the Attorney Generals office to address any issues identified. By doing so, we aim to provide a voting experience that upholds the highest standards of fairness and accuracy, reinforcing our commitment to serving the community with honesty and dedication.

On Election Day earlier this month, e-poll books crashing in Jefferson County led to voting delays. The Kentucky Democratic Party, joined by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, filed a lawsuit to extend voting time by two hours in the county, which is Kentuckys most populous, but a judge denied the motion.

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Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams later told the Kentucky Lantern the issue appeared to be an error on the part of the office to not require that the e-poll books be turned on early enough to be able to process what they needed to process and took from 6 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. to be resolved. The e-poll books are used by poll workers to electronically find a voters information before they are given a ballot. With large turnout for early voting, the e-poll books are key to quickly making sure someone does not vote twice.

Voter turnout in the 2024 general election dipped in Jefferson County, as 56.7% of registered voters cast their ballots this year. In the same county, 61.4% of registered voters turned out in the 2020 election. Statewide, turnout this year was 58.9% down from 60.3% in 2020.



The counties selected for the post-election inquiry are:

Edmonson County

Warren County

Barren County

Boyle County

Trigg County

Lincoln County

Metcalfe County

Campbell County

Jessamine County

Daviess County

Jefferson County

Calloway County

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A 2022 state law requires a routine inquiry of 12 randomly selected counties. The selection must be made within 20 days of the general election. Wednesdays random drawing was open to reporters and live-streamed online for public viewing. The names of all 120 counties were in the barrel.

After the investigations are completed in the dozen counties, the attorney generals office will present findings to grand juries in those counties.

The election fraud hotline, which is reachable by calling 1-800-328-VOTE, is always open to take messages, but was answered by attorney generals office team members on Election Day. Allegations are referred to the offices Department of Criminal Investigations. Online reports can be made as well.

Coleman said before drawing the counties that some of the calls spurred multiple criminal investigations and because they are active, he could not comment further on them at the time.

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Ten AG inquiries into complaints from the primary election in May have been presented to grand juries with no findings of wrongdoing returned, Coleman said. Grand juries in the remaining two counties will review investigation results soon.

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ELMWOOD, La. (WGNO)  Over the next few years, Jefferson Parish will inspect the pipes that provide water to homes and businesses for lead.

It is part of a new requirement by the Environmental Protection Agency in which water systems across the country have 10 years to replace their lead pipes.

Some who live in Jefferson Parish received notices in the mail from the Jefferson Parish Water Department regarding the material of their service line, also known as a water pipe.

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Because of the new federal rule, lead pipes will need to be replaced to mitigate health risks.

75 gallons of diesel spilled at New Orleans street corner

Each state adopted that same policy, and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, who we report to when it comes to those guidelines, so they put out a couple of years ago and told us that this policy is coming down as a deadline, which the deadline was Oct. 16, that we had to start the inventory process, said Sidney Bazley, director of the Jefferson Parish Water Department.

The inventory process will help the water department locate the pipes that contain lead.

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Lead service lines will be replaced by the water department.

So far, the parish knows homes that were built after the fall of 1988 should not have lead pipes because of a federal lead ban.

Were going to use that, explained Bazley. Were going to rely on customers to give us information on whether their home has lead or not, because were suggesting customers use the EPA guidelines to determine whether theres lead or not.

New library vending machine coming to Desire neighborhood

Customers are asked to find their service line, which should be located near their meter. If a scratch test produces a shiny, silver color, the pipe is likely made of lead, especially if a magnet doesnt stick to it.

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Crews will be checking pipes, too, once they begin installing the new smart meters, starting in March.

Through planning, through the AMI [advanced metering infrastructure] project, were prepared to take on that task, Bazley said. We already have everything laid out.

If you believe your service line contains lead, call the Jefferson Parish Water Quality Laboratory at 504-838-4300.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
This is an adapted excerpt from the Nov. 18 episode of Inside with Jen Psaki.

I know theres a ton happening in Washington right now, and instead of keeping up with all of it, you might be choosing to tune out, to keep your head under the pillow and to watch a bunch of rom-coms in sweatpants. Trust me, I totally get that.

Even if you have been paying attention, you may have found yourself losing track of the many, many, many scandals swirling around the people Donald Trump has chosen for some of the most important jobs in our government. However, these scandals arent just salacious tabloid fodder, they matter  not only for how the government is run but what your lives look like over the next four years.

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It matters here in the United States and around the world when these are the kind of headlines blanketing front pages about the next administration:

Lets pause on that last headline for a second. On Monday, NBC News Hallie Jackson spoke with Joel Leppard, a lawyer representing two women who alleged Gaetz paid them for sex. According to Leppard, one of those women told the House Ethics Committee that she saw Gaetz have sex with a minor, although she also testified that she thought the Florida congressman did not know her friend was 17 at the time. (Gaetz denies any wrongdoing. A Justice Department investigation into allegations he engaged in sexual misconduct concluded last year without charges being filed. A separate congressional probe ended last week when Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress.)

So yes, while this is a lot of information to take in, its also important information to take it in. These are the people who will very likely be sitting in the Situation Room or the Oval Office, briefing the president, advising him on any crises our country may face, and having to hold their own next to their foreign counterparts on the world stage.

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Historically, part of the reason that nominees for key cabinet positions  especially in these very important jobs  are looked into so intensely is that people with skeletons in their closets are some of the best targets of foreign adversaries for blackmail.

Dont you think Russia is probably eager to learn more about what may or may not have happened between Hegseth and the woman he paid off? Dont you think our adversaries are probably looking for ways to find out more about the contents of that House Ethics report into Gaetz? Dont you think our allies are probably thinking twice about sharing intelligence with Tulsi Gabbard, a Vladimir Putin apologist and Bashar al-Assad sympathizer? (Gabbard has denied accusations she repeated Russian disinformation.)

I think so. And those are questions we should be taking incredibly seriously.

I know it's only been two weeks since the election, one in which Trump won all seven swing states and made gains in nearly every demographic group. That does warrant some reflection from within the Democratic Party, all the groups that support it, and from all of us too about why that happened and what needs to change. But winning the election doesnt mean Trump has a mandate to do whatever he wants. It certainly doesnt mean he has a mandate to force through nominees like Gaetz and Hegseth.

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In fact, it actually means the opposite. It means that this is the time to gather your neighbors, to call your members of Congress, to make your voices heard.

The answer right now  and really the job right now for all of us  is to raise concerns when you have them, to voice those concerns, and to never stop questioning.

We arent powerless here. We dont have to just throw up our hands at these eye-popping stories and decide there is nothing stopping it. Thats exactly what Trump wants you to do. He wants you to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of headlines and to feel uncertain about how and where to object.

Trump wants you to feel frozen but you arent. We have our voices, we can raise questions and we can demand answers.

Allison Detzel contributed.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Jimmy Lai testified for the first time in his years-long national security trial on Wednesday, taking a defiant stand against the Hong Kong governments charges of conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign countries.

In a pugnacious hearing, the billionaire publisher of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper repeatedly challenged the prosecutions case that he asked foreign governments to sanction China or Hong Kong during the citys pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Mr Lai, 76, said he had hoped Donald Trump, the then US president, would prevent the imposition of national security laws because, if enacted, Apple Daily would be finished.

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But I did nothing about this, because I was not the president, he added.

Under the national security law, there would be no way for us to practice as independent media, Mr Lai said from the witness stand. Subsequent events have proved I was right, he added.

Mr Lai, who became a democracy advocate after Beijings response to the protesters in Tiananmen Square in 1989, faces a maximum life sentence if convicted for collusion.

He is currently serving a prison sentence for four separate cases of fraud and organising unauthorised assemblies.

He has been held in solitary confinement for almost four years since his arrest in December 2020.

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A citizen of Britain and Hong Kong, Mr Lai is the most high-profile figure to be charged under Hong Kongs national security laws since they were enacted in 2020.

The legislation has crushed civil liberties in the city.

In a mass trial that finished on Tuesday, a group of 45 activists received prison sentences for conspiracy to commit subversion ranging from four years up to a decade.

Sir Keir Starmer said securing Mr Lais release is a priority for the Government, citing concern over his deteriorating health, and raised his case in a meeting with Xi Jinping in Rio de Janeiro earlier this week.

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During the hearing in Kowloon on Wednesday, Mr Lai was grilled over a visit to Washington DC at the start of Hong Kongs protests in July 2019, when he met with Mike Pence, the then vice-president, and Mike Pompeo, the then secretary of state.

He said their interactions were limited to explaining the background of the social unrest that had broken out in the city the previous month.

While he asked that the White House say something in support of Hong Kong, Mr Lai claimed that he stopped short of making any direct requests for sanctions.

Jimmy Lai is already serving jail terms for a range of offences for his alleged role in pro-democracy protests - STR/AFP via Getty

How could I ask for any action? Mr Lai said. To ask a vice-president to do something? This is beyond me.

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The Hong Kong government accuses Mr Lai of polluting the minds of the impressionable of citizens.

You mean that they dont have their own ideas or their own values, that they are a blank sheet of paper? I dont agree, Mr Lai said.

Mr Lai also denied that interactions with government officials overseas exerted any influence over Apple Dailys political reporting.

His rebuttal followed earlier evidence suggesting the newspapers coverage became more radical from 2014, when Beijings proposed electoral changes triggered widespread protests.

The editorial direction is the core value of Hong Kong people, etched in their hearts, Mr Lai said.

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The papers coverage instead reflected the social movements that were becoming more active in Hong Kong at the time, Lai explained.

As a newspaper, we had to respond to that, he said, adding: If I was radical, I was radical all along.

The trial continues.

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EAST HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11)  A Manhattan job fair is giving away free turkeys to attendees on Thursday.

Bandana, a job search platform, is teaming up with Youth Action YouthBuild to help job seekers with their searches. Youll be able to get your resume edited, prepare for interviews and get a headshot for free.

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There will also be free food at the event made by the head chef of Cocotazo.

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The fair is being held at YAYBs East Harlem location at 206 E. 118th St. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. To see how you can attend, click here.

Turkeys will be given out while supplies last.

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.
(Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden turned 82 years old on Wednesday, an age milestone never before reached by a sitting commander in chief.

The president had no public events on his Wednesday calendar, having returned from a South America trip late Tuesday night.

Family, friends and colleagues, including first lady Jill Biden and former President Barack Obama, paid tribute to the Democrat on social media.

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"Happy birthday to my dear friend and our incredible president, Joe Biden," Vice President Kamala Harris posted on X.

Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race in July in part because of voters' belief that he was too old for the job and questions about his mental fitness following his faltering debate performance against Republican Donald Trump in June.

Trump, 78, defeated the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, 60, in the Nov. 5 election. Trump is slated to surpass Biden's age record in his next term; he will be 82 years and seven months at the time of the next presidential transition in 2029.

Ronald Reagan previously held the record of oldest sitting president, having completed his second four-year term at age 77.

(Reporting by Gabriella Borter; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
By Shariq Khan

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices were broadly unchanged on Tuesday as signs of escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war kept investors cautious of supply disruptions, but the partial restart of production in Norway's Johan Sverdrup oilfield limited gains.

Brent crude futures rose by a cent to settle at $73.31 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 0.3%, or 23 cents, to close at $69.39 a barrel.

For the first time, Ukraine used U.S. ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory on Tuesday, Moscow said. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov described the attack as a Western escalation. Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for a possible nuclear strike.

"This marks a renewed build up in tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war and brings back into focus the risk of supply disruptions in the oil market," ANZ Bank analyst Daniel Hynes said.

Market watchers also pointed to signs of higher crude oil purchases by top importer China. China's crude imports are on track to end November at or close to all-time highs, StoneX energy analyst Alex Hodes said, referencing data from vessel tracker Kpler.

Weak imports by China so far this year have weighed heavily on oil prices, pulling Brent futures down 20% from their April peak of over $92 a barrel. China's crude oil imports in October fell from a year earlier for the sixth straight month.

China likely stepped up oil purchases this month as current prices offer relatively good value, Hodes said.

Limiting oil's ascent, Equinor resumed partial production from the Johan Sverdrup field in the North Sea, Western Europe's largest oilfield, the day after a power outage there contributed to a 3% surge in oil price benchmarks.

The restart and a stronger U.S. dollar weighed on market sentiment on Tuesday, UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

Oil prices also came under pressure after confidential reports by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, seen by Reuters, said Iran has offered to stop expanding its stock of uranium enriched to 60% purity, near the roughly 90% of weapons grade.

U.S. crude oil stockpiles rose by 4.75 million barrels in the week ended Nov. 15, market sources said on Tuesday citing figures from the American Petroleum Institute.

Analysts polled by Reuters on average expect to see a smaller build of around 100,000 barrels. The U.S. Energy Information Administration is scheduled to report official stockpiles data on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. EST.

(Reporting by Shariq Khan and Alex Lawler, additional reporting by Ahmad Ghaddar, Yuka Obayashi and Emily Chow; editing by Jason Neely, Louise Heavens, Susan Fenton and David Gregorio)
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania expressed openness to confirm his erstwhile Republican opponent Dr Mehmet Oz, whom President-elect Donald Trump nominated to lead the agency that runs Medicare and Medicaid.

Fetterman beat Oz in an intensely personal race for Senate in 2022. During the election, Fetterman ribbed Oz for not living in Pennsylvania but rather neighboring New Jersey. Fetterman, who had suffered a stroke during the campaign, received intense criticism for using closed captioning.

But Fetterman told The Independent in an interview that he would be open to voting for Oz.

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Do you think he's my first choice? he said. Do you think Trump is my first one? But its like yeah, here we are.

Trump announced his nomination of Oz, who along with being a surgeon hosted his own daytime television show, to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and hinted at potential cuts to programs.

CMS insures more than 160 million people through Medicare, Medicaid, the Childrens Health Insurance Program and the Health Insurance Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Our broken Healthcare System harms everyday Americans, and crushes our Countrys budget. Dr Oz will be a leader in incentivizing Disease Prevention, so we get the best results in the World for every dollar we spend on Healthcare in our Great Country, Trump said in his statement. He will also cut waste and fraud within our Countrys most expensive Government Agency, which is a third of our Nations Healthcare spend, and a quarter of our entire National Budget.

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Trump repeatedly campaigned on protecting Social Security and Medicare, often hitting other Republicans who wanted to slash entitlements. But Trump mostly avoided discussing Medicaid throughout his 2024 campaign.

Fetterman did not seem worried about potential cuts, though.

Well, cutting waste and fraud that I think that's a good thing, right? he told The Independent, adding that if Oz could get rid of waste and fraud to make the programs more efficient, then I'm not going to vote against that.

Oz is the latest of several television figures Trump has nominated to serve in his administration. He tapped Pete Hegseth, a longtime figure on Fox News, to lead the Pentagon. Trump also nominated Sean Duffy, a former congressman from Wisconsin who now appears on Fox, to lead the Department of Transportation.

In addition to Oz, Trump also tapped Robert F Kennedy Jr, a longtime promoter of the debunked theory that vaccines cause autism, to be his secretary of Health and Human Services.
John Kinsel, who has died aged 103 (or possibly 107), was one of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers, recruited by the US Marines in the Second World War to baffle Japanese cryptologists by sending messages in their native language.

The Americans had pioneered the use of Native American speakers to send secure messages in the First World War, and the practice was resurrected ad hoc in the Second World War, if a unit had enough speakers from the same tribe to make it viable. The Marines programme, however, differed in being far more extensive and systematic.

It was born out of necessity, after the Japanese proved adept at breaking the codes that the Americans had time-consumingly devised. The idea came from Philip Johnston, a civil engineer in the Los Angeles shipyards who had been raised by his missionary parents on a Navajo reservation, and had read that Comanches were using their own language in training manoeuvres. In mid-1942 he was made director of a Navajo Code Talker training school at Camp Elliott.

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The Code itself was devised by a cohort of 29 Navajo, who substituted a Navajo word for each English alphabet letter, and for common military words. John Kinsel was in the second cohort to be trained at Camp Elliott by the original 29, memorising over 400 terms, and helping them to devise extra words such as route, using the Navajo for rabbit trail. His own Navajo name, Hash-keh Nah-adah, meant leader who does a lot of talking.

Fresh out of high school, he breezed through the tests for complicated words like amphibious and infiltrators. He was tough and self-sufficient, the product of an early life that had been far from easy.

Born on January 22 (accounts vary as to whether the year was 1921 or 1917) on the Navajo reservation near Lukachukai, Arizona, he was a baby when he lost his father, and grew up herding his grandfathers 1,000 sheep. His stepfather was indifferent to him, and he was parked in a disciplinarian government boarding school at Fort Defiance, where he was bullied, underfed and failed to learn English. I probably just knew yes and no, he recalled. The language only came to him in 1929, when his grandfather moved him to St Michael Indian School, run by nuns.

In 1942 he joined the 9th Marine Regiment. After Camp Elliott, he spent eight months training in New Zealand before in 1943 landing in Guadalcanal, scene of the ferocious battle the year before and still subject to Japanese bombing. They nicknamed the noisy enemy aircraft Washing Machine Charlie.

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He first saw action in late 1943, at the Battle of Bougainville, where the jungle was so thick he lost any sense of where the front line was. When a coded message was needed, someone would say New Mexico or Arizona, cue for the Navajo signallers.

In July 1944 he landed on Guam, struggling through rice paddies under heavy fire from three Japanese positions. It was just like lightning, he recalled. His hearing never recovered. He could see the Japanese picking out high-value Marine targets with their binoculars. Later, he encountered decapitated Guamanian citizens, their hands tied behind their backs, but he did not disturb the bodies as they were often booby-trapped.

In February 1945 he joined the Battle of Iwo Jima five days after the initial landing, sprinting across the airfield to avoid the bullets which you could see ricocheting off the floor. He spent that night in a hole under heavy mortar and machine-gun fire. The next day, the transmission station he had set up in a nearby cave was blown up by the Japanese, and a boulder hit him in the leg. He was evacuated to the USA by ship and a fellow Navajo aboard brought him cake and ice-cream.

To reach his family on the reservation he had to walk the last seven miles with a suitcase. It was the best day of my life, when I saw my mom, he later said. The medicine man performed a ceremony to rid him of the war.

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Postwar he found work at a school, walking 20 miles each way, and built a log cabin where he lived until his final years.

His war work was classified until 1968. In 1989 Kinsel received a Silver Heart and in 2001 a Congressional Silver Medal for his role as a Navajo Code Talker, of whom only two others are thought now to survive.

His survivors include a son, who found Catholic records that suggest his father may have been born in 1917, rather than 1921 as John Kinsel had believed, which would make him 107 at the time of his death.

John Kinsel, born January 22 1917 or 1921, died October 19 2024

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JOPLIN, Mo.  Construction on a busy road in Joplin has created a problem for one small business.

Work is currently on-going along St. Louis Avenue, from Seventh Street to Campbell Parkway. Missouri American Water is upgrading water mains that were originally installed in the 1950s.

One business in the construction zone is 360 Auto. Owner, Shane Pennel says the work has blocked off much of the access to his business, resulting in a loss of customers and revenue.

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Pennel says he understands the work is necessary, but worries that other small businesses would have a difficult time surviving a loss of revenue like he has experienced. He wonders if theres a better way to give businesses more notice about big construction projects, giving them time to prepare.

The water company came in and told us they would be closing St. Louis, but we didnt have any prior notice about, hey, were going to close this off in a week, to where we could start advertising that. When I found out that it was really affecting us, we started boosting social media ads and doing whatever we could to make people aware, said Pennel.

We do our best to communicate. Are there instances where maybe we missed someone, Im sure it happens but I would say we make every effort we can to make sure those in the area that are going to be impacted are aware of whats going on, said Missouri American Water Senior Manager of External Affairs, Christie Barnhart.

Contractors have recently pushed back the barricades near Seventh and St. Louis, allowing vehicle access to his and other businesses in the work zone.

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Missouri American Water says the project should be complete by mid-to-late December.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Jose Ibarra was found guilty of several counts of murder in the February killing of Laken Riley

Robin Rayne/Zuma/SplashNews Jose Ibarra Jose Ibarra

The man convicted of killing Laken Riley was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole by a judge in Georgia on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student, was killed on Feb. 22 while she was out on a jog on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Ga.

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Jose Ibarra was found guilty of murder in her killing by an Athens County judge, whose verdict was livestreamed on Court TV.

Ibarra was found guilty on one count of malice murder, three counts of felony murder, and kidnapping, aggravated assault with attempt to rape, aggravated battery, obstructing a 911 call, tampering with evidence and peeping tom.

As Judge H. Patrick Haggard announced the verdict on Wednesday, Nov. 20, Ibarra sat quietly and didn't display a visible reaction.

Laken Riley/Facebook Laken Riley Laken Riley

Related: Prosecutors Reveal Laken Riley's Last Text Message to Her Mom Before She Went Out for Jog

Before the sentencing, the court heard moving testimony from Riley's parents, sister and friends.



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"Jose took no pity on my scared, panicked and struggling child," Riley's mother Allyson Phillips said, fighting back tears.

Riley's sister Lauren Phillips talked about Riley's terror during her final moments.

"I think about how scared she must have been and how that man," Lauren said, pointing towards Ibarra.



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Riley was found dead with "visible injuries" after she disappeared while on a jog. She died from blunt force trauma to the head, an Athens-Clarke County coroner previously told PEOPLE.


PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Rhode Island State Police personnel have won another round as their legal fight against the states 2011 pension overhaul enters its second decade.

In a decision on Aug. 28, R.I. Superior Court Judge Luis Matos allowed the Rhode Island Troopers Association to continue pursuing a lawsuit that seeks to restore their original pension benefits prior to the 2011 overhaul. The case was first filed in 2014, and the state had sought a motion for summary judgment to end the litigation.

The Troopers Association argues that the 2011 pension law, championed by then-General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, violated the terms of their collective bargaining agreement by reducing officers future retirement benefits. Lawmakers agreed to Raimondos proposed changes in order to reduce a multibillion-dollar shortfall in the pension fund.

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Matos had previously dismissed some of the troopers arguments in early 2022, while allowing others to proceed. This time around, the judge determined that there remain factual questions that need to be further litigated before he reaches a final decision on the merits of the case.

A key dispute between the two sides is whether overtime pay should be included when the state pension system calculates the final salary for a retiring trooper. That number determines the size of his or her total pension check.

Attorney General Peter Neronhas office is handling the states defense against the Troopers Association. Tim Rondeau, a spokesperson for the office, acknowledged the lawsuit had dragged on.

Litigation takes time and we have been, and will continue to be ready to move forward with the case, Rondeau said in an email. As this case is pending, we cannot comment any further.

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The State Police Retirement Benefits Trusts funding level has risen from 70% just before enactment of the 2011 pension overhaul to 86% as of last year, according to the states most recent actuarial variation. The shortfall between the trusts current assets and promised benefits was estimated at $34 million at the time.

The trust for troopers is only a small component of Rhode Islands entire state pension system, which as of last year was 63% funded, with an estimated shortfall of $4.5 billion for all current and future retirees. That shortfall had improved by about $854 million since 2018 and was on track to be eliminated in 2035, according to a presentation by the states actuaries last fall.

Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks to reporters outside the Capitol near the end of the 2024 General Assembly session. (Graham Moomaw/Virginia Mercury)

Floyd County Circuit Court Judge Randall Lowe ruled Wednesday Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin acted unlawfully by withdrawing Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a program aimed to reduce climate changing emissions that has funneled hundreds of millions to the state to deal with the impacts of extreme weather events.

In his five page opinion, Lowe wrote that the only body with the authority to repeal the RGGI regulation would be the General Assembly. This is because a statute, the RGGI Act, requires the RGGI regulation to exist.

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For the reasons set out in this opinion, the court finds that the attempted repeal of the RGGI Regulation is unlawful, and thereby null and void, Lowe wrote.

RGGI background and how we got here

Virginia began participating in RGGI in 2021 after Democrats, with trifecta control of state government the year prior, passed the Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act (which Lowe referred to as the RGGI Act).

RGGI is a multi-state program in which electricity producers in participating states are required to buy allowances for the emissions they produce.

The proceeds from the allowances are returned to the states, where, in Virginia, about $830 million had been generated for programs increasing flood resiliency and energy efficiency efforts prior to the states withdrawal at the end of last year.

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According to the 2020 law, 50% of the funds go toward energy efficiency programs that reduce how much electricity is needed, 45% go toward the Community Flood Preparedness Fund, or the flood fund for community-scale flood protection projects, with 5% used for administrative functions.

In Virginia, utilities produce their own electricity and are allowed to recover the costs of the allowances from ratepayers.

For a typical Dominion customer, the recovery amounted to a $2.39 monthly fee, before it was paused amid uncertainty around Virginias participation in RGGI. The fee was then added back in the amount of $4.34 for a typical residential customer to make up for when cost recovery wasnt levied and participation in RGGI continued.

The fee is no longer tacked on to utility bills.

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That fee is what Youngkin called a hidden tax, when he proposed a regulation in the fall of 2022 to repeal the existing regulation requiring Virginias participation in RGGI. The State Air Pollution Control Board approved the repeal regulation in August 2023.

The day of that vote, four groups filed a challenge against the Youngkin administration in Fairfax County Circuit Court. The judge found only one group, the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, had standing to bring allegations forward and transferred the matter to Floyd County Circuit Court, the jurisdiction where AECP is headquartered.

There, the Floyd County Circuit judge recused himself over a conflict of interest and the office of Attorney General Jason Miyares, representing the Youngkin administration, argued for the case to be reheard in front of the Lowe, who issued his ruling Wednesday.

What the ruling means

Lowe based his decision that Youngkin overreached on precedents set by two cases, Supervisors of Botetourt County v. Cahoon from 1917, and Bean vs. Simmons from 1852.

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In the Cahoon case, the court ruled that where this a duty coupled with the power usually the power must be exercised, Lowe noted, adding that what they are empowered to do  the law requires shall be done.

The Bean case, Lowe explained, demonstrated that where public interest and right are concerned, the public has a right to agency powers being used.

The RGGI Act, Lowe wrote, includes in the first substantive provision that participation in RGGI shall be incorporated by DEQ without further action by the air board. The RGGI Act also hereby authorized the DEQ Director to participate in RGGI, Lowe pointed out, thereby coupling the duty to participate in RGGI and the power to do so.

There can be no doubt that the RGGI Act is designed for the purposes discussed in Cahoon, Lowe wrote. Because (the AGs office) lacked the statutory authority to repeal the RGGI Regulation, it is unnecessary to address whether the decision to do so was supported by substantial evidence.

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Had the Youngkin administration amended, the RGGI regulation in ways that were still consistent with the law, Lowe added, it is doubtful that their authority to do so could be challenged. That is not what happened here.

Reaction from environmental advocates and lawmakers

Environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers had said repeatedly that the RGGI withdrawal was unlawful and hurt Virginians.

Billy Weitzenfeld, former executive director of the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, said in a statement, All along we knew that the actions taken by the Air Board and DEQ were wrong.

His group was granted standing in the case by Lowe because the repeal of the regulation meant the association was injured by losing a source of revenue to carry out their energy efficiency work.

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This is a win for communities across Virginia who have benefited from the states participation in RGGI in the past and those that now will have a chance to continue to see those benefits, Weitzenfeld said.

Chelsea Harnish, executive director of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council, noted that the revenue from RGGI cannot be replaced or matched, since the allowance revenues exceeded every other source of energy efficiency funding in Virginia combined.

Members of other environmental groups hailed the judges decision as a victory. Mike Town, Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, said the result of Youngkins move was, dirtier air, more communities left exposed to floodwaters, and fewer tools to help Virginians cut energy costs. Walton Shepherd, Virginia director and senior attorney with the group, added that as we witness the grim toll of the increasingly dangerous weather in a warming world, todays decision is good news for all Virginians.

House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, who carried the 2020 law through its passing and pushed for a budget amendment this past session to reinstate Virginia in RGGI, said the decision was a resounding victory for Virginias families.

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We are proud to stand with every Virginian who benefits from this initiative and will continue fighting to ensure these protections remain intact, said Herring.

But in response to Lowes determination, Youngkin Press Secretary Christian Martinez, said, We respectfully disagree with the judges decision and will pursue an appeal.

Governor Youngkin remains committed to lowering the cost of living for Virginians by continuing to oppose the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which fails to effectively incentivize emission reductions in the Commonwealth, Martinez said. Instead, it functions as a regressive tax, hidden in utility, bills passed on to all Virginians.

Attorney General Jason Miyares, in response to a question about the judges decision posed by Cameron Thompson at Richmond television station WTVR on Wednesday, said, I think you can see from the beginning this is in the governors powers and how the law was actually written to the Virginia code.  We obviously have a disagreement in the interpretation of the law and the code.

Next steps

Lowes opinion explains the rationale behind his decision and will need to be followed up by an order to officially repeal the regulation that withdrew Virginia from RGGI, and reinstate the previous regulation requiring participation, explained Nate Benforado, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, which represented the AECP. The timing of that order is yet to be determined.

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Once the old regulation goes back into effect, DEQ will then need to take the steps necessary to resume participation in RGGI, Benforado said. While the Youngkin administration has stated theyll be appealing the decision, theyll need to also ask for a stay, or a pause, if they want to delay resuming participation in RGGI while they challenge Lowes decision.

Calling the ruling validating, Benforado said, It is up to the administration on what they want to do next.

The RGGI program, Benforado added, was critical to reducing one-third of emission from independent power producers, since the states other landmark law reducing emission from power companies, the Virginia Clean Economy Act, applies only to Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power Company.

RGGI is really the key, if not the only tool, Virginia has, Benforado said.

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The states third major emissions-reducing regulation, which tethered Virginias vehicle tailpipe emissions to Californias Advanced Clean Car II standards that ban the sale of new gas powered vehicles starting in 2035, has also been repealed during Youngkins tenure. Environmental groups have signaled theyll challenge that administrative move, also.

A spokesperson for Miyares office declined to elaborate on questions from the Virginia Mercury concerning what happens next with the states RGGI participation.

We look forward to defending the commonsense repeal of this counterproductive program on appeal, the spokesperson said.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks to reporters outside the Capitol near the end of the 2024 General Assembly session. (Graham Moomaw | Virginia Mercury)

Floyd County Circuit Court Judge Randall Lowe determined Wednesday Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin acted unlawfully by withdrawing Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a program aimed to reduce climate changing emissions that has funneled hundreds of millions to the state to deal with the impacts of extreme weather events.

In his five page opinion, Lowe wrote that the only body with the authority to repeal the RGGI regulation would be the General Assembly. This is because a statute, the RGGI Act, requires the RGGI regulation to exist.

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For the reasons set out in this opinion, the court finds that the attempted repeal of the RGGI Regulation is unlawful, and thereby null and void, Lowe wrote.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a multi-state program in which electricity producers in participating states are required to buy allowances for the emissions they produce. New Hampshire is one of the 11 states that participate in RGGI, along with Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The proceeds from the allowances are returned to the states, where, in Virginia, about $830 million had been generated for programs increasing flood resiliency and energy efficiency efforts.

In Virginia, utilities are allowed to recover the costs of those allowances from ratepayers, which prompted Youngkin to call the program a hidden tax. In the fall of 2022, Youngkin began the process of repealing the regulation through the State Air Pollution Control Board, and the board approved Virginias withdrawal from RGGI in Aug. 2023.

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Environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers had said repeatedly that the withdrawal was unlawful and hurt Virginians.

Billy Weitzenfeld, the former executive director of the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals said in a statement, All along we knew that the actions taken by the Air Board and DEQ were wrong.

His group, which filed the challenge over the repeal, was granted standing in the case by Lowe because the repeal of the regulation meant the association was injured by losing a source of revenue to carry out their energy efficiency work.

This is a win for communities across Virginia who have benefited from the states participation in RGGI in the past and those that now will have a chance to continue to see those benefits, Weitzenfeld said.

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In response to Lowes determination, Youngkin Press Secretary Christian Martinez, said, We respectfully disagree with the judges decision and will pursue an appeal.

Governor Youngkin remains committed to lowering the cost of living for Virginians by continuing to oppose the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which fails to effectively incentivize emission reductions in the Commonwealth, Martinez said. Instead, it functions as a regressive tax, hidden in utility bills, passed on to all Virginians.

This story was originally published by Virginia Mercury, which like the New Hampshire Bulletin is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Nov. 20 (UPI) -- An undocumented migrant suspected of killing a University of Georgia student earlier in the year was found guilty of all charges, according to new reports.

On Wednesday, Jose Ibarra, 26, was found guilty in an Athens, Ga., courtroom of all 10 counts, including malice murder, three counts of felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injuries and aggravated assault with intent to rape, in the murder 22-year-old Laken Riley.

The verdict was given by Superior Court Judge Patrick Haggard.

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But he will not face the death penalty. According to District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez, the prosecution will seek a life sentence without a possibility of parole.

"The evidence in this case has been overwhelming," special prosecutor Sheila Ross told the court Wednesday in closing arguments.

Riley was a student at Georgia's Augusta University when in February Ibarra allegedly killed her after the young student went out for a run, according to law enforcement. Riley's body was later discovered in a wooded area of the nearby campus in Athens after police were able to ping the location of her phone.

The evidence in the case spoke "loud and clear," Ross stated, that Ibarra was in fact Riley's murderer "and that he killed her because she would not let him rape her."

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On Friday, his bench trial got underway in Athens, Ga., which saw the playing of graphic video that depicted when her body was found.

Prosecutors had called 28 witness. Multiple DNA evidence linked Ibarra to Riley on the day and night she was killed.

A native of Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally and a reported Tren de Aragua gang member, Ibarra had waived his right to a jury trial.

Roughly an hour after the verdict was handed down, President-elect Donald Trump -- who largely politicized Riley's death during the campaign -- took to social media to say, in part, "our hearts will always be with you" for what he described as "horrific crimes."
WAVERLY, Ohio  George Billy Wagner III will not face the death penalty when tried for the 2016 Pike County massacres next year, the judge in the case said Wednesday.

Jonathan Hein, who became the third judge on the case in May, said he was done waiting for attorneys to reach an agreement related to the death penalty.

"The clock ran out," Hein said during a pretrial hearing for Wagner. "We're not going to pussyfoot around with assurances."

Visiting Judge Jonathan Hein, who retired as Darke County Common Pleas Court judge at the end of 2022, is the third judge on the 2016 Pike County massacre case.

Decision stuns prosecutor

Special Prosecutor Angela Canepa, representing the state of Ohio, accused Hein of damaging her case. The possibility of the death penalty is the leverage she needs to get Wagner's son, Jake, to testify against his father, based on an earlier agreement.

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"Why are you trying to sabotage this case?" said a visibly upset Canepa.

At the suggestion of Ron O'Brien, a former Franklin County prosecutor who officially joined Canepa's team on Wednesday, Hein said he give lawyers until Monday to submit a written agreement about the death penalty question. He indicated he would not immediately record his verbal ruling on the matter to the official record.

Change of venue still under consideration

Hein also ruled from the bench that he would dismiss pending motions in the case, except for one asking to move the case out of Pike County. He said he would rule on that request from Wagner's lawyers before the next hearing in the case, set for Dec. 16.

Wagner is facing eight counts of aggravated murder and 14 other charges in the 2016 shooting deaths of seven members of Pike County's Rhoden family and one future member.

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His trial is scheduled to start Jan. 6 in Waverly's Pike County Common Pleas Court.

In court on Wednesday, lawyers indicated they are discussing the possibility of a plea deal for Wagner.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What happened in Billy Wagner's case on Wednesday?
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A federal judge on Tuesday rejected Pfizer's bid to recoup about $75.2 million left over from a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission insider trading settlement with billionaire Steven A. Cohen's former hedge fund SAC Capital Management.

U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero in Manhattan said Wyeth, a drugmaker Pfizer bought in 2009, did not qualify as a victim of the securities violations underlying the SEC case, and therefore was not entitled to the funds.

Marrero directed that the money be paid to the U.S. Treasury, which the SEC had requested.

Pfizer and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The dispute stemmed from a $602 million civil settlement tied to trading in Wyeth and drugmaker Elan by Mathew Martoma, who worked at an SAC unit and was later convicted, based on a neurologist's tips about a 2008 Alzheimer's drug trial.

SAC pleaded guilty to fraud in 2013 and paid $1.8 billion in settlements with the SEC and other authorities.

The SEC had $75.2 million left over after compensating Wyeth and Elan investors for their losses. Pfizer said it deserved that money because the neurologist, Sidney Gilman, breached a fiduciary duty to Wyeth, where he was a consultant.

But the judge said the reputational harm that Wyeth suffered from the scandal did not mean it also suffered financial harm.

"The court certainly agrees that corporations whose secrets are misappropriated for insider trading purposes are generally victims of wrongdoing," he wrote. "But Pfizer has failed to allege how the insider trading scheme and Wyeth's subsequent reputational harm qualifies as pecuniary harm for purposes of distributing the disgorged funds."

Marrero added that a $7 billion decline in Wyeth's market value following the drug trial had nothing to do with the insider trading scheme, which became public three years later.

Cohen was not criminally charged, but accepted a two-year ban on managing outside money to end an SEC probe into his supervision of Martoma.

He changed SAC Capital's name to Point72 Asset Management in 2014, and stopped trading for that fund in September. Cohen is worth $21.3 billion according to Forbes magazine.

The case is SEC v CR Intrinsic Investors LLC et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 12-08466.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New YorkEditing by Bill Berkrot)
Virginia can't withdraw from a multistate initiative designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions unless the Legislature agrees to it, a judge has ruled, dealing a blow to Gov. Glenn Youngkin's efforts to exit the compact.

The ruling, issued Monday by retired Judge C. Randall Lowe in Floyd County, said Virginia's Air Pollution Control Board exceeded its authority when it voted last year to exit the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is an effort by 12 mid-Atlantic and Northeast states to reduce power plants carbon emissions. Participating states require plants of a certain generating capacity to purchase allowances to emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

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Virginia joined the compact in 2020 when it had a Democratic governor as well as Democratic control of the Legislature. In 2021, Youngkin, a Republican, won election as governor but one or both legislative chambers have remained under Democratic control for the entirety of his term.

Youngkin has said Virginia's participation in the cap-and-trade program amounts to a hidden tax on Virginians' energy bills.

His spokesman, Christian Martinez, said Wednesday that the state will appeal the judge's ruling.

Governor Youngkin remains committed to lowering the cost of living for Virginians by continuing to oppose the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which fails to effectively incentivize emission reductions in the Commonwealth, he said in a written statement.

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Shaun Kenney, a spokesman for Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, also expressed disappointment in the judge's ruling in a written statement, saying: "We look forward to defending the commonsense repeal of this counterproductive program on appeal.

The State Corporation Commission has estimated the typical monthly bill could increase by $2 to $2.50 for the years 2027 to 2030.

Nate Benforado, a lawyer with the Southern Environmental Law Center, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of a conservation group, said in a statement, "The law requires RGGI and Virginians deserve RGGI. We hope that following the ruling, Virginia will get back into this statutorily-required program as quickly as possible.

Last year, before the pollution board voted to end participation in the compact, Dominion Energy, the state's largest utility, estimated that it had incurred about $490 million in compliance costs from the initiative and recovered about $267 million from customers.

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Virginia formally exited the compact at the end of 2023.

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, a Democrat, praised the judge's ruling, calling it a win for all Virginians, their wallets, and our environment. Programs funded by RGGI have helped Virginians cut household energy costs, helped protect communities from floodwaters, and have been critical in the fight to cut pollution and address climate change.
MOAB, Utah (ABC4)  Can the family of murder victim Gabby Petito bring a wrongful death suit against the Moab Police Department for Gabbys death? The answer, as of Wednesday, Nov. 20, is no  but the case is likely not over, and it could get highly complicated.

Utah 7th District Court Judge Don Torgerson granted the City of Moabs request to dismiss the Petito familys civil case this morning but noted his hands were tied by current state law in doing so. In short, Torgerson said the matter is too big for a district court to decide and that appeals courts would have to dig deeper to decide if the Petitos really have a case.

Gabby Petitos family asks court to overturn police immunity in their civil case against Moab

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Torgerson had no choice but to grant the City of Moabs request to dismiss the case based on the states existing governmental immunity laws, which protect certain employees from being sued. However, attorneys for the Petito family are digging deep into Utahs legal history  going back even before Utah was a state  to show that law is flawed and should be overturned.

The Petitos are arguing that officers failed to protect Gabby during an August 2021 domestic abuse investigation. Eyewitnesses reported a fight between Gabby Petito and her fiance Brian Laundrie. Ultimately, the responding officers took no action against Petito or Laundrie, letting them continue on their way. The next month in Wyoming, Laundrie killed Petito.

Torgerson actually sided with the Petitos on one point  noting that they may have made a strong argument showing a faulty investigation could be a contributing factor in Petitos eventual murder. However, he agreed with City of Moab attorneys in noting that it couldnt be the sole cause of her murder.

Mitchell Stephens, the attorney defending the City of Moab, noted that Gabby Petito died 38 days after the domestic abuse incident 400 miles away in another state. Stephens argued it would be speculation that a faulty domestic abuse investigation led to Petitos murder. That very speculation, he said, requires the court to side with the City of Moab under state law.

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Gabby Petitos parents agree to confidential settlement with Brian Laundries parents, will avoid trial

Stephens pointed to numerous cases in which Utah courts upheld immunity for government employees and said those cases, along with the 1965 Governmental Immunity Act of Utah (GIAU), make the Petito familys case a moot point.

Attorney Judson Burton, who represented the Petitos at todays hearing, said his team intends to show that Utahs founders not only intended for wrongful death suits to be legal in Utah, they also never intended to shield governmental employees from civil suits. He argued that the cases Stephens quoted  and the GIAU itself  are based on weak cases.

However, those arguments, which could dig into the very fabric of Utahs legal codes, will have to wait for another day.

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While the ruling today may feel like a setback, it was not unexpected, the Petito family told ABC4.com today. We never anticipated that this would be an easy process and look forward to the Utah Supreme Court upholding the Utah Constitutions original intent to preserve the right to recover for wrongful death claims under these circumstances. We remain committed to pursuing justice for Gabby and thank the many people who have continued to support us in that fight.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The assessor says town officials fired her after she declined to approve a farmland tax break for an elected official. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

An appellate panel on Wednesday revived a municipal tax assessors claims that the township moved to fire her as retaliation after she declined a township committeemans application for a farmland tax break.

The ruling says whistleblower protections in New Jerseys Conscientious Employee Protection Act can extend to tax assessors despite separate job protections afforded to them elsewhere in statute.

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This decision affirms and clarifies that the protections afforded under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act can certainly apply not only to tax assessors, but to all tenured public employees in New Jersey. We believe this decision will ensure justice and fairness for courageous whistleblowers in the public sector, said Matthew Luber, an attorney for the plaintiff.

The three-judge panels decision overturns a lower court ruling that found tax assessor Anna-Maria Obiedzinski was ineligible for job protections under the law because tax assessors can only be removed by the states taxation division. The new ruling directs a Superior Court judge to examine facts to determine whether the laws guards apply in her circumstances.

Obiedzinski in 2020 sued the township, alleging township officials engaged in a pattern of retaliation after she in 2013 denied Township Committeeman Robert Beckers application for a farmland assessment that would have exempted some of his land from property taxes.

She received a call from Tewksbury Mayor Louis DiMare not long after when DiMare urged her to contact Beckers wife, adding the two had complained about her, Obiedzinski told other township officials. Obiedzinski alleged that elected officials were attempting to exert political influence to have her improperly settle a tax appeal.

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In 2017, the township declined her request for seven additional weekly work hours to complete farmland inspections, which Obiedzinski was then conducting on her own time.

Three years later, the township sought to have her removed, alleging she failed to properly oversee an outside appraiser or timely inspect properties and gave incorrect advice to residents seeking to appeal their tax assessments.

Obiedzinski sued in response, alleging township officials were retaliating against her for objecting to defendants unlawful attempts to engage in a fraudulent tax scheme and, worse, cover it up.

The states taxation division, the only body with statutory authority to remove a tax assessor like Obiedzinski, denied the townships request to remove her, finding no merit to their claims, but a Superior Court Judge ruled against her retaliation claim, finding she was not covered by the states whistleblower law because Tewksbury could not fire her on its own.

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The appellate panel said the lower court should have applied a factor-based test to determine Obiedzinskis eligibility under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, in line with more recent case law.

They found the township had over the years reduced her work hours and decreased her salary, reprimanded and belittled her, and required her to work on her own time to complete an essential function of the job.

Attorneys for the township did not return requests for comment.

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The woman charged with the shooting death of a London businessman in September 2021 may stand trial next June.

Victoria Teresa Strelsky, 52, of London appeared in Laurel Circuit Court last Wednesday for a motion hour requesting the contents of devices in law enforcements possession be downloaded for her viewing. An estimated timeline for her upcoming trial was also discussed.

In May 2022, Strelsky was indicted on three counts  murder, second-degree forgery and tampering with physical evidence  in the September 24, 2021 death of London businessman Bryan Stuart McCarty, her then-boyfriend.

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Just after the murder of McCarty, Strelsky is accused of appearing on his behalf for a business deal and forging his name on a $250 check to secure the transaction.

A month later, in October 2021, Strelsky is accused of planting a bullet casing which could have been used as evidence in the case.

McCarty was found deceased, lying face down on the floor, at his home after he failed to show up for a real estate closing which involved a $450,000 profit. Strelsky appeared for the closing instead, telling the others involved that he had something more important to do.

Strelskys trial is planned to be held in Warren County and anticipated to span three or four days. Before a confirmed date is chosen, it must first be determined which trial dates Warren County has available. At this time, the court is aiming for a spring 2025 or summer 2025 trial, specifically hoping for it to take place in June of next year.

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In regard to devices discussed during Wednesdays motion hour, the attorney present for Strelsky began by stating, Your honor, there were several persons whose cellphone, iPad, and computers were ceased at the time that the residence of the deceased was searched, as well as the residence where Ms. Strelskys daughter and daughters friend were living.

Since the times in question are in possession of the prosecution, the defense is not asking for funds but rather that the contents of those items in possession of the police department be downloaded so that we can look at them.

The prosecutor, sharing that he had consulted with Commonwealths Attorney Jackie Steele regarding the issue, responded that there was not probable cause to search the items which belonged to third parties  one of which is now deceased.

Judge Michael O. Caperton added, Unfortunately, were going into the fourth amendment rights of this person who owns it if we open it up because they didnt have probable cause to open it up.

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Judge Caperton suggested receiving the permission of the living individuals, which Strelskys attorney said she would work to do.

The motion hour came to a close on the note that Strelsky will return for a status hearing on February 19, 2025, at 9 a.m.

Strelsky remains lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center in lieu of a $750,000 bond.
A panel of women testifying Nov. 20, 2024, to the House Appropriations Committee oversight hearing on Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women listen as Maulian Bryant (left) spoke about the challenges her Penobscot Nation faces in accessing resources to find missing people. From left to right: Mary Jane Miles, Cheryl Horn, Abigail Echo-Hawk and Eugenia Charles-Newton. Screenshot via YouTube/House Appropriations Committee

Paul Begay, Anne Curley, Ella Mae Begay and Everett Charley are the names of only a handful of Navajo people missing that Navajo Nation Council Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton shared as she addressed a congressional committee hearing on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

These are a few of the names I wanted to read aloud, so they know they are not forgotten, Charles-Newton told the House Appropriations Committee oversight hearing on Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

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The victims are both men and women, but it is Native American women who disproportionately go missing and are murdered in cases that are rarely solved, if theyre investigated at all. The Bureau of Indian Affairs estimates that there are approximately 4,200 missing and murdered Indigenous peoples cases that have gone unsolved.

She said that the total number of known people missing from the Navajo Nation is 75, and they do not know the number of Navajo people who have been murdered.

Its unaccounted for because we lack the manpower to track those cases properly, and we also lack the infrastructure to record all cases, she said.

Charles-Newton was one of five Indigenous women who testified to the committee on Nov. 20, and each shared their experiences working and advocating for missing and murdered Indigenous people in both rural and urban settings. As part of the testimonies, each woman also provided recommendations on how federal agencies can better support MMIP efforts.

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Many of the concerns highlighted in the hearing related to continued jurisdictional issues among federal, state, and tribal entities, the lack of readily available resources for investigations involving MMIP cases, the need for more comprehensive data collection regarding Indigenous peoples and accountability among federal agencies.

My inner being agonizes over the lack of worth given to Native women and the senseless acts that lead to their harm, said Mary Jane Miles, vice-chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee and member of the Nez Perce tribe. In the past, people in power have not cared about Native women, but their families and tribes do care.

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Over and over again, the women who testified spoke about the jurisdictional confusion that, many said, is ultimately used as a way to pass the buck and avoid doing the police work required to seek justice for the victims.

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Cheryl Horn, a member of the Assiniboine Tribe of Fort Belknap who sits on the Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force, spoke about the difficulty in getting any help from the tribal, county and federal law enforcement agencies when two of her nieces went missing.

None of these jurisdictions want this case, said. I dont want jurisdiction used as an excuse not to do it, which is what Im seeing in Montana.

Likewise, Urban Indian Health Institute Director Abigail Echo-Hawk told the committee that the maze of jurisdiction is just an excuse that allows law enforcement to not pay attention to those they dont care about  and those they dont care about look like me and the other women on this panel today.

Charles-Newton drove home exactly how jurisdictional confusion has failed Native victims, telling the committee about her own kidnapping and brutal repeated rapes when she was just 17 years old. She said she accepted a Coca-Cola from a man she knew, only to wake up later, tied up in a shack and held for more than a week.

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He raped me repeatedly, he beat me, he broke my ribs, broke my cheekbones. He tried to carve his initials into my pubic area, she said.

And although Charles-Newton knew who her rapist was, and told police over and over, she said all they kept asking her about was where the shack was located, a question she couldnt answer. Because of that, jurisdiction was never settled, and her rapist was never prosecuted  and now she represents that man as a Navajo Nation delegate.

No one came to search for her, she said, because tribal police told her family that shed just gotten tired of living in her tribal community and had left. That was an excuse, Charles-Newton said, but her family believed it because they have been conditioned to believe the police.

Nobody wants to solve these cases. They just want to say that its closed, she said. I wish we had law enforcement where everybody took their jobs seriously.

Navajo Nation Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton testifies on Nov. 20, 2024, to the House Appropriations Committee oversight hearing on Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Screenshot via YouTube/House Appropriations Committee

The tendency to blame Indigenous women who are victimized  conditioned by decades of stereotypes that treat Native people, and especially Native women, as less than human  makes it that much more difficult to get non-tribal law enforcement to respond to the cases the same way they would if the victims were white women, Echo-Hawk said.

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This cannot depend on one person, on one organization. It must be a systematic approach that upholds accountability, she said. It is something weve been calling for, but no one has been willing to take up the cause.

Maulian Bryant, a member of the Penobscot Nation in Maine and the incoming executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance, said the failure to recognize the crisis taking place on tribal lands and against Native Americans living in urban centers is only the latest trauma visited upon Indigenous people by the U.S. government.

Things like the American government stealing land from Native people and then forcing them into boarding schools, where they literally had their culture beaten out of them, have left Indigenous people less than human and invisible.

Its so much more than laws and jurisdiction, its where weve been placed in society, she said. We love this place and we need it to love us back.

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Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, called the hearing as part of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the Department of Interior.

More than 40% of American Indian and Alaska Native women are raped in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For Indigenous women between the ages of 10 and 24, homicide is the No. 3 leading cause of death. For Indigenous women ages 25 to 24, it is the fifth leading cause of death.

Forty percent of all victims of sex trafficking are identified as American Indian and Alaska Native women, Simpson said. In 2023, over 5,800 American Indian and Alaska Native females were missing  and 74% were children. This is tragic and unacceptable.

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Simpson said that, as part of the FY2025 House Interior appropriations bill, the Bureau of Indian Affairs public safety and justice programs received a $191 million increase, including an additional $141 million for criminal investigation and police services.

Simpson said the bill also provided an additional $13.5 million for a total of $30 million for the missing and murdered Indigenous womens initiative, which focuses on helping address the MMIP crisis, including resources for criminal investigators, software platforms and evidence recovery equipment.

These steps are just the beginning, he said.

The goal of the hearing is not to point fingers, Simpson said, but to solve a problem.

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We want to know whats working and whats not working, things that might need to be changed and that is the purpose of this hearing, he said, because as the appropriations committee, it is their responsibility to fund many of those programs.

Echo-Hawk spoke to the committee on behalf of the Indigenous people living in urban areas who continue to be impacted by the crisis yet still do not have access to resources promised through the Savannas Act and Not Invisible Act.

These people are suffering in the same ways the tribes are suffering, Echo-Hawk said of Indigenous people living in urban settings.

Echo-Hawk, who is a member of the Pawnee Nation and serves as the executive vice president of the Seattle Indian Health Board, touched on three major topics related to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples: the Department of Justices failure to implement the Savannas Act and the Not Invisible Act, the need for a national alert code for missing and endangered Indigenous people, and the importance of holding the military accountable for violence against Indigenous people.

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Please ensure that there is accountability for urban Indian populations as we move forward in doing everything we can to achieve justice, Echo-Hawk said.

Savannas Act is an effort to improve the federal response to missing and murdered Indigenous peoples, including increasing coordination among federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies.

The Not Invisible Act was signed into law in 2020, and it requires the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Interior to establish the Not Invisible Act Commission, a cross-jurisdictional advisory committee that will develop recommendations to address the public safety challenges associated with missing and murdered Indigenous peoples.

The commission was formed in May 2022, and it held field meetings in June 2022, which helped it compile a recommendation report for the Departments of Justice, Interior, and Congress in November 2023.

Some of those recommendations included tracking and reporting MMIP and human trafficking cases, coordinating tribal-state-federal resources to combat MMIP and human trafficking, and identifying, reporting, and responding to instances of MMIP cases and human trafficking.

For those of us serving in the urban setting, the promises of the Savannahs Act and Not Invisible Act have never come, Echo-Hawk said. She noted how she has often interacted with law enforcement agencies that acknowledge a crisis happening among Indigenous people, but they do not know how to adequately address it because they do not have the resources to do so.

Echo-Hawk pointed out that the commission for the Not Invisible Act took two years to be appointed, and the process for appointment and data collection was rushed. As a result, many Indigenous people within urban communities were unable to share their experiences with the commission.

They need to do better, she said. Our urban communities must be involved and we have to ensure that all of our people, regardless of where we live, have the opportunity to see justice.

Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force member Cheryl Horn testifies on Nov. 20, 2024, to the House Appropriations Committee oversight hearing on Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Screenshot via YouTube/House Appropriations Committee

To address violence against Indigenous women by the military, Echo-Hawk shared her personal experience of being victimized as a young woman by an active-duty military man.

Echo-Hawk called for accountability within the Department of Defense, stating that department leaders need to make current data readily available on human trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence and homicide of both active-duty military who are affected and those who are perpetrators in the active-duty military.

We need to know what the impact is of the military on this crisis and of those active-duty service members who deserve safety, she said, adding that Indigenous people make up over 1% of those in active-duty military service, and this crisis impacts them.

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said that it is a complex crisis, and there has been growing awareness and focus on resolving unsolved cases as well as understanding and addressing other contributing factors, such as drug and human trafficking, domestic violence, poverty, housing issues and more.

Theyre all equally important to confront the scale and severity of this issue, she said. That is why its imperative we pass a full-year interior appropriations bill and not have programs constrained by operating under a continuing resolution.

Pingree pointed out several initiatives that have been put in place to address the ongoing crisis, including the establishment of Operation Lady Justice in 2019 to pursue these unresolved cases; the creation of a missing and murdered unit within the BIA Office of Justice Services in 2021, which was established to provide leadership and direction for cross-department and interagency work; and the 2023 launch of the DOJs missing and murdered Indigenous regional outreach program, which permanently placed 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to help respond to cases.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, said that Indigenous women and girls continue to be disproportionately targeted by dangerous predators.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data indicates that Native women and girls experience a murder rate 10 times higher than the national average, Cole said. Tragically, I have seen these stats first hand in my home state of Oklahoma, which ranks No. 2 on the list of the top 10 states with Native American and Alaska Native missing persons cases.

Cole said that while the statistics are alarming, data collection on the issue is still lacking, and solving the MMIP crisis will require sufficient awareness and resources.

Because of the extreme lack of resources, statutory roadblocks, and several other barriers, this crisis wont be solved without the work and partnership of leaders of the federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement, he said.

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A panel of women testifying Nov. 20, 2024, to the House Appropriations Committee oversight hearing on Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women listen as Maulian Bryant (left) spoke about the challenges her Penobscot Nation faces in accessing resources to find missing people. From left to right: Mary Jane Miles, Cheryl Horn, Abigail Echo-Hawk and Eugenia Charles-Newton. Screenshot via YouTube/House Appropriations Committee

Paul Begay, Anne Curley, Ella Mae Begay and Everett Charley are the names of only a handful of Navajo people missing that Navajo Nation Council Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton shared as she addressed a congressional committee hearing on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

These are a few of the names I wanted to read aloud, so they know they are not forgotten, Charles-Newton told the House Appropriations Committee oversight hearing on Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The victims are both men and women, but it is Native American women who disproportionately go missing and are murdered in cases that are rarely solved, if theyre investigated at all. The Bureau of Indian Affairs estimates that there are approximately 4,200 missing and murdered Indigenous peoples cases that have gone unsolved.

She said that the total number of known people missing from the Navajo Nation is 75, and they do not know the number of Navajo people who have been murdered.

Its unaccounted for because we lack the manpower to track those cases properly, and we also lack the infrastructure to record all cases, she said.

Charles-Newton was one of five Indigenous women who testified to the committee on Nov. 20, and each shared their experiences working and advocating for missing and murdered Indigenous people in both rural and urban settings. As part of the testimonies, each woman also provided recommendations on how federal agencies can better support MMIP efforts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Many of the concerns highlighted in the hearing related to continued jurisdictional issues among federal, state, and tribal entities, the lack of readily available resources for investigations involving MMIP cases, the need for more comprehensive data collection regarding Indigenous peoples and accountability among federal agencies.

My inner being agonizes over the lack of worth given to Native women and the senseless acts that lead to their harm, said Mary Jane Miles, vice-chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee and member of the Nez Perce tribe. In the past, people in power have not cared about Native women, but their families and tribes do care.

Over and over again, the women who testified spoke about the jurisdictional confusion that, many said, is ultimately used as a way to pass the buck and avoid doing the police work required to seek justice for the victims.

Cheryl Horn, a member of the Assiniboine Tribe of Fort Belknap who sits on the Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force, spoke about the difficulty in getting any help from the tribal, county and federal law enforcement agencies when two of her nieces went missing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

None of these jurisdictions want this case, said. I dont want jurisdiction used as an excuse not to do it, which is what Im seeing in Montana.

Likewise, Urban Indian Health Institute Director Abigail Echo-Hawk told the committee that the maze of jurisdiction is just an excuse that allows law enforcement to not pay attention to those they dont care about  and those they dont care about look like me and the other women on this panel today.

Charles-Newton drove home exactly how jurisdictional confusion has failed Native victims, telling the committee about her own kidnapping and brutal repeated rapes when she was just 17 years old. She said she accepted a Coca-Cola from a man she knew, only to wake up later, tied up in a shack and held for more than a week.

He raped me repeatedly, he beat me, he broke my ribs, broke my cheekbones. He tried to carve his initials into my pubic area, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And although Charles-Newton knew who her rapist was, and told police over and over, she said all they kept asking her about was where the shack was located, a question she couldnt answer. Because of that, jurisdiction was never settled, and her rapist was never prosecuted  and now she represents that man as a Navajo Nation delegate.

No one came to search for her, she said, because tribal police told her family that shed just gotten tired of living in her tribal community and had left. That was an excuse, Charles-Newton said, but her family believed it because they have been conditioned to believe the police.

Nobody wants to solve these cases. They just want to say that its closed, she said. I wish we had law enforcement where everybody took their jobs seriously.

The tendency to blame Indigenous women who are victimized  conditioned by decades of stereotypes that treat Native people, and especially Native women, as less than human  makes it that much more difficult to get non-tribal law enforcement to respond to the cases the same way they would if the victims were white women, Echo-Hawk said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This cannot depend on one person, on one organization. It must be a systematic approach that upholds accountability, she said. It is something weve been calling for, but no one has been willing to take up the cause.

Maulian Bryant, a member of the Penobscot Nation in Maine and the incoming executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance, said the failure to recognize the crisis taking place on tribal lands and against Native Americans living in urban centers is only the latest trauma visited upon Indigenous people by the U.S. government.

Things like the American government stealing land from Native people and then forcing them into boarding schools, where they literally had their culture beaten out of them, have left Indigenous people less than human and invisible.

Its so much more than laws and jurisdiction, its where weve been placed in society, she said. We love this place and we need it to love us back.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, called the hearing as part of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the Department of Interior.

More than 40% of American Indian and Alaska Native women are raped in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For Indigenous women between the ages of 10 and 24, homicide is the No. 3 leading cause of death. For Indigenous women ages 25 to 24, it is the fifth leading cause of death.

Forty percent of all victims of sex trafficking are identified as American Indian and Alaska Native women, Simpson said. In 2023, over 5,800 American Indian and Alaska Native females were missing  and 74% were children. This is tragic and unacceptable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Simpson said that, as part of the FY2025 House Interior appropriations bill, the Bureau of Indian Affairs public safety and justice programs received a $191 million increase, including an additional $141 million for criminal investigation and police services.

Simpson said the bill also provided an additional $13.5 million for a total of $30 million for the missing and murdered Indigenous womens initiative, which focuses on helping address the MMIP crisis, including resources for criminal investigators, software platforms and evidence recovery equipment.

These steps are just the beginning, he said.

The goal of the hearing is not to point fingers, Simpson said, but to solve a problem.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We want to know whats working and whats not working, things that might need to be changed and that is the purpose of this hearing, he said, because as the appropriations committee, it is their responsibility to fund many of those programs.

Echo-Hawk spoke to the committee on behalf of the Indigenous people living in urban areas who continue to be impacted by the crisis yet still do not have access to resources promised through the Savannas Act and Not Invisible Act.

These people are suffering in the same ways the tribes are suffering, Echo-Hawk said of Indigenous people living in urban settings.

Echo-Hawk, who is a member of the Pawnee Nation and serves as the executive vice president of the Seattle Indian Health Board, touched on three major topics related to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples: the Department of Justices failure to implement the Savannas Act and the Not Invisible Act, the need for a national alert code for missing and endangered Indigenous people, and the importance of holding the military accountable for violence against Indigenous people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Please ensure that there is accountability for urban Indian populations as we move forward in doing everything we can to achieve justice, Echo-Hawk said.

Savannas Act is an effort to improve the federal response to missing and murdered Indigenous peoples, including increasing coordination among federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies.

The Not Invisible Act was signed into law in 2020, and it requires the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Interior to establish the Not Invisible Act Commission, a cross-jurisdictional advisory committee that will develop recommendations to address the public safety challenges associated with missing and murdered Indigenous peoples.

The commission was formed in May 2022, and it held field meetings in June 2022, which helped it compile a recommendation report for the Departments of Justice, Interior, and Congress in November 2023.

Some of those recommendations included tracking and reporting MMIP and human trafficking cases, coordinating tribal-state-federal resources to combat MMIP and human trafficking, and identifying, reporting, and responding to instances of MMIP cases and human trafficking.

For those of us serving in the urban setting, the promises of the Savannahs Act and Not Invisible Act have never come, Echo-Hawk said. She noted how she has often interacted with law enforcement agencies that acknowledge a crisis happening among Indigenous people, but they do not know how to adequately address it because they do not have the resources to do so.

Echo-Hawk pointed out that the commission for the Not Invisible Act took two years to be appointed, and the process for appointment and data collection was rushed. As a result, many Indigenous people within urban communities were unable to share their experiences with the commission.

They need to do better, she said. Our urban communities must be involved and we have to ensure that all of our people, regardless of where we live, have the opportunity to see justice.

To address violence against Indigenous women by the military, Echo-Hawk shared her personal experience of being victimized as a young woman by an active-duty military man.

Echo-Hawk called for accountability within the Department of Defense, stating that department leaders need to make current data readily available on human trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence and homicide of both active-duty military who are affected and those who are perpetrators in the active-duty military.

We need to know what the impact is of the military on this crisis and of those active-duty service members who deserve safety, she said, adding that Indigenous people make up over 1% of those in active-duty military service, and this crisis impacts them.

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said that it is a complex crisis, and there has been growing awareness and focus on resolving unsolved cases as well as understanding and addressing other contributing factors, such as drug and human trafficking, domestic violence, poverty, housing issues and more.

Theyre all equally important to confront the scale and severity of this issue, she said. That is why its imperative we pass a full-year interior appropriations bill and not have programs constrained by operating under a continuing resolution.

Pingree pointed out several initiatives that have been put in place to address the ongoing crisis, including the establishment of Operation Lady Justice in 2019 to pursue these unresolved cases; the creation of a missing and murdered unit within the BIA Office of Justice Services in 2021, which was established to provide leadership and direction for cross-department and interagency work; and the 2023 launch of the DOJs missing and murdered Indigenous regional outreach program, which permanently placed 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to help respond to cases.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okalahoma, said that Indigenous women and girls continue to be disproportionately targeted by dangerous predators.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data indicates that Native women and girls experience a murder rate 10 times higher than the national average, Cole said. Tragically, I have seen these stats first hand in my home state of Oklahoma, which ranks No. 2 on the list of the top 10 states with Native American and Alaska Native missing persons cases.

Cole said that while the statistics are alarming, data collection on the issue is still lacking, and solving the MMIP crisis will require sufficient awareness and resources.

Because of the extreme lack of resources, statutory roadblocks, and several other barriers, this crisis wont be solved without the work and partnership of leaders of the federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement, he said.

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.
A panel of women testifying on Nov. 20, 2024, to the House Appropriations Committee oversight hearing on Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women listen as Maulian Bryant (left) spoke about the challenges her Penobscot Nation faces in accessing resources to find missing people. From left to right: Mary Jane Miles, Cheryl Horn, Abigail Echo-Hawk and Eugenia Charles-Newton. (Screenshot via YouTube/House Appropriations Committee)

Paul Begay, Anne Curley, Ella Mae Begay and Everett Charley are the names of only a handful of Navajo people missing that Navajo Nation Council Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton shared as she addressed a congressional committee hearing on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

These are a few of the names I wanted to read aloud, so they know they are not forgotten, Charles-Newton told the House Appropriations Committee oversight hearing on Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

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The victims are men and women, but it is Native American women who disproportionately go missing and are murdered in cases that are rarely solved, if theyre investigated at all. The Bureau of Indian Affairs estimates that there are approximately 4,200 missing and murdered Indigenous peoples cases that have gone unsolved.

She said that the total number of known people missing from the Navajo Nation is 75, and they do not know the number of Navajo people who have been murdered.

Its unaccounted for because we lack the manpower to track those cases properly, and we also lack the infrastructure to record all cases, she said.

Native American women share MMIP recommendations

Charles-Newton was one of five Indigenous women who testified to the committee on Nov. 20, and each shared their experiences working and advocating for missing and murdered Indigenous people in rural and urban settings. As part of the testimonies, each woman also provided recommendations on how federal agencies can better support MMIP efforts.

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Many of the concerns highlighted in the hearing related to continued jurisdictional issues among federal, state, and tribal entities, the lack of readily available resources for investigations involving MMIP cases, the need for more comprehensive data collection regarding Indigenous peoples and accountability among federal agencies.

My inner being agonizes over the lack of worth given to Native women and the senseless acts that lead to their harm, said Mary Jane Miles, vice-chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee and member of the Nez Perce tribe. In the past, people in power have not cared about Native women, but their families and tribes do care.

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Over and over again, the women who testified spoke about the jurisdictional confusion that, many said, is ultimately used as a way to pass the buck and avoid doing the police work required to seek justice for the victims.

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Cheryl Horn, a member of the Assiniboine Tribe of Fort Belknap who sits on the Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force, spoke about the difficulty in getting any help from the tribal, county and federal law enforcement agencies when two of her nieces went missing.

None of these jurisdictions want this case, said. I dont want jurisdiction used as an excuse not to do it, which is what Im seeing in Montana.

Likewise, Urban Indian Health Institute Director Abigail Echo-Hawk told the committee that the maze of jurisdiction is just an excuse that allows law enforcement to not pay attention to those they dont care about  and those they dont care about look like me and the other women on this panel today.

Charles-Newton drove home exactly how jurisdictional confusion has failed Native victims, telling the committee about her own kidnapping and brutal repeated rapes when she was just 17 years old. She said she accepted a Coca-Cola from a man she knew, only to wake up later, tied up in a shack and held for more than a week.

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He raped me repeatedly, he beat me, he broke my ribs, broke my cheekbones. He tried to carve his initials into my pubic area, she said.

And although Charles-Newton knew who her rapist was, and told police over and over, she said all they kept asking her about was where the shack was located, a question she couldnt answer. Because of that, jurisdiction was never settled, and her rapist was never prosecuted  and now she represents that man as a Navajo Nation delegate.

No one came to search for her, she said, because tribal police told her family that shed just gotten tired of living in her tribal community and had left. That was an excuse, Charles-Newton said, but her family believed it because they have been conditioned to believe the police.

Nobody wants to solve these cases. They just want to say that its closed, she said. I wish we had law enforcement where everybody took their jobs seriously.

Navajo Nation Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton testifies on Nov. 20, 2024, to the House Appropriations Committee oversight hearing on Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. (Screenshot via YouTube/House Appropriations Committee)

The tendency to blame Indigenous women who are victimized  conditioned by decades of stereotypes that treat Native people, and especially Native women, as less than human  makes it that much more difficult to get non-tribal law enforcement to respond to the cases the same way they would if the victims were white women, Echo-Hawk said.

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This cannot depend on one person, on one organization. It must be a systematic approach that upholds accountability, she said. It is something weve been calling for, but no one has been willing to take up the cause.

Maulian Bryant, a member of the Penobscot Nation in Maine and the incoming executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance, said the failure to recognize the crisis taking place on tribal lands and against Native Americans living in urban centers is only the latest trauma visited upon Indigenous people by the U.S. government.

Issues like the American government stealing land from Native people and then forcing them into boarding schools, where they literally had their culture beaten out of them, have left Indigenous people less than human and invisible.

Its so much more than laws and jurisdiction, its where weve been placed in society, she said. We love this place, and we need it to love us back.

Idaho Rep. Simpson calls hearing on MMIP crisis

Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, called the hearing as part of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the Department of Interior.

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More than 40% of American Indian and Alaska Native women are raped in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For Indigenous women between the ages of 10 and 24, homicide is the No. 3 leading cause of death. For Indigenous women ages 25 to 24, it is the fifth leading cause of death.

Forty percent of all victims of sex trafficking are identified as American Indian and Alaska Native women, Simpson said. In 2023, over 5,800 American Indian and Alaska Native females were missing  and 74% were children. This is tragic and unacceptable.

Mike Simpson was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1999. (Courtesy of Congressman Mike Simpsons office)

Simpson said that, as part of the fiscal year 2025 House Interior appropriations bill, the Bureau of Indian Affairs public safety and justice programs received a $191 million increase, including an additional $141 million for criminal investigation and police services.

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Simpson said the bill also provided an additional $13.5 million for a total of $30 million for the missing and murdered Indigenous womens initiative, which focuses on helping address the MMIP crisis, including resources for criminal investigators, software platforms and evidence recovery equipment.

These steps are just the beginning, he said.

The goal of the hearing is not to point fingers, Simpson said, but to solve a problem.

We want to know whats working and whats not working, things that might need to be changed and that is the purpose of this hearing, he said, because as appropriations committee members, it is their responsibility to fund many of those programs.

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Echo-Hawk spoke to the committee on behalf of the Indigenous people living in urban areas who continue to be impacted by the crisis yet still do not have access to resources promised through the Savannas Act and Not Invisible Act.

These people are suffering in the same ways the tribes are suffering, Echo-Hawk said of Indigenous people living in urban settings.

More resources needed to implement Savannas Act, Not Invisible Act

Echo-Hawk, who is a member of the Pawnee Nation and serves as the executive vice president of the Seattle Indian Health Board, touched on three major topics related to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples: the Department of Justices failure to implement the Savannas Act and the Not Invisible Act, the need for a national alert code for missing and endangered Indigenous people, and the importance of holding the military accountable for violence against Indigenous people.

Please ensure that there is accountability for urban Indian populations as we move forward in doing everything we can to achieve justice, Echo-Hawk said.

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Savannas Act is an effort to improve the federal response to missing and murdered Indigenous peoples, including increasing coordination among federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies.

The Not Invisible Act was signed into law in 2020, and it requires the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Interior to establish the Not Invisible Act Commission, a cross-jurisdictional advisory committee that will develop recommendations to address the public safety challenges associated with missing and murdered Indigenous peoples.

The commission was formed in May 2022, and it held field meetings in June 2022, which helped it compile a recommendation report for the Departments of Justice, Interior, and Congress in November 2023.

Some of those recommendations included tracking and reporting MMIP and human trafficking cases, coordinating tribal-state-federal resources to combat MMIP and human trafficking, and identifying, reporting, and responding to instances of MMIP cases and human trafficking.

For those of us serving in the urban setting, the promises of the Savannahs Act and Not Invisible Act have never come, Echo-Hawk said. She noted how she has often interacted with law enforcement agencies that acknowledge a crisis happening among Indigenous people, but they do not know how to adequately address it because they do not have the resources to do so.

Echo-Hawk pointed out that the commission for the Not Invisible Act took two years to be appointed, and the process for appointment and data collection was rushed. As a result, many Indigenous people within urban communities were unable to share their experiences with the commission.

They need to do better, she said. Our urban communities must be involved and we have to ensure that all of our people, regardless of where we live, have the opportunity to see justice.

Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force member Cheryl Horn testifies on Nov. 20, 2024, to the House Appropriations Committee oversight hearing on Investigating the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.( Screenshot via YouTube/House Appropriations Committee)

To address violence against Indigenous women by the military, Echo-Hawk shared her personal experience of being victimized as a young woman by an active-duty military man.

Echo-Hawk called for accountability within the Department of Defense, stating that department leaders need to make current data readily available on human trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence and homicide of both active-duty military who are affected and those who are perpetrators in the active-duty military.

We need to know what the impact is of the military on this crisis and of those active-duty service members who deserve safety, she said, adding that Indigenous people make up over 1% of those in active-duty military service, and this crisis impacts them.

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said that it is a complex crisis, and there has been growing awareness and focus on resolving unsolved cases as well as understanding and addressing other contributing factors, such as drug and human trafficking, domestic violence, poverty, housing issues and more.

Theyre all equally important to confront the scale and severity of this issue, she said. That is why its imperative we pass a full-year interior appropriations bill and not have programs constrained by operating under a continuing resolution.

Pingree pointed out several initiatives that have been put in place to address the ongoing crisis, including the establishment of Operation Lady Justice in 2019 to pursue these unresolved cases; the creation of a missing and murdered unit within the BIA Office of Justice Services in 2021, which was established to provide leadership and direction for cross-department and interagency work; and the 2023 launch of the DOJs missing and murdered Indigenous regional outreach program, which permanently placed 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to help respond to cases.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, said that Indigenous women and girls continue to be disproportionately targeted by dangerous predators.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data indicates that Native women and girls experience a murder rate 10 times higher than the national average, Cole said. Tragically, I have seen these stats first hand in my home state of Oklahoma, which ranks No. 2 on the list of the top 10 states with Native American and Alaska Native missing persons cases.

Cole said that while the statistics are alarming, data collection on the issue is still lacking, and solving the MMIP crisis will require sufficient awareness and resources.

Because of the extreme lack of resources, statutory roadblocks, and several other barriers, this crisis wont be solved without the work and partnership of leaders of the federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement, he said.

Arizona Mirror, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com. Follow Arizona Mirror on Facebook and X.

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Nov. 19A Flathead County jury last week acquitted a man accused of shooting another man following a parking dispute in Kalispell in September 2023.

Prosecutors charged John David Walker, 71, with felony assault with a weapon in connection with the Sept. 27 shooting. Following a three-day trial in Flathead County District Court, jurors spent about two hours deliberating before returning with a not guilty verdict on Nov. 14.

County Attorney Travis Ahner prosecuted the case while attorney Stephen Nardi served as Walker's defense counsel. Judge Heidi Ulbricht presided over the case.

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The alleged confrontation occurred in the parking lot of Murdoch's Ranch and Home Supply on U.S. 93, according to court documents. Responding Kalispell Police officers found Timothy Saxer on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

After receiving care at Logan Health Medical Center, Saxer told investigators that he found a red pickup truck parked in the store's handicapped ramp, according to court documents. He waited to speak with the driver, later identified as Walker, and the two began exchanging words and expletives.

Saxer admitted shoving his shopping cart down the ramp, where it struck the pickup truck, court documents said. An angry Walker drew a gun on Saxer, who hit him on the head, court documents alleged. Walker then shot Saxer, court documents said.

A witness told investigators they saw two men arguing in the parking lot and watched as Saxer punched Walker. The witness said she was walking by when she heard several gunshots, according to court documents.

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Another witness reported hearing a gunshot while sitting in his parked truck. He told investigators that he saw Walker allegedly firing into the parking lot. He convinced Walker to hand him the gun, court documents said.

Walker allegedly told the second witness that Saxer had cussed at him and hit him.

When officers arrested Walker, they seized a loaded magazine from him, court documents said.

Walker told them he needed medical attention for the hit to his head. He also made a phone call, telling the person on the other end of the line that he had been "arrested for shooting someone in self-defense," court documents said.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.
Investigators are looking for the driver who hit and killed a 61-year-old man earlier this month.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Nov. 9 around 6:30 p.m., police were called to the 500 block of Wyoming Street on reports of a person hit by a car.

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61-year-old Abdulrahman Issa was hit by a car in front of his own home. He later died from his injuries.

Allison Moon-Shope told News Center 7 that it was shocking to see rescue crews and police trying to help Issa steps from her front door. Then they realized the victim lived across the street and didnt survive.

Its just devastating and the son was telling my husband about all his injuries, Moon-Shope said.

As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, Issa had parked his car across the street from his home but was hit when he tried to walk across the street.

I guess he didnt see the car coming, she said. Maybe they were speeding. It was dark already.

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Dayton Police said on Tuesday that they believe the car involved was a black, smaller-sized sedan.

Sgt. Gordon Cairns, who supervises the Dayton Police Traffic Services Unit, said hit-and-run crashes like these are difficult to solve and they need all the community help they can get.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Det. Rizer with DPD at 937-333-1142 or Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at 937-222-STOP.

I just really hope they find whoever did it, Moon-Shope said. I mean to hit somebody and drive away, its just unimaginable.

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The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against a Lexington property manager, accusing him of violating the federal Fair Housing Act by sexually harassing female tenants at rental properties he managed.

For at least 20 years, Adnan Shalash has sexually harassed numerous female tenants by offering housing-related benefits in exchange for sexual contact, making unwelcome sexual comments and advances, entering their homes without permission, subjecting them to unwelcome touching and groping, and taking adverse housing-related actions against those who refused his sexual advances, a Justice Department overview of the case states.

In addition to Shalash, the lawsuit names as defendants 11 owners of rental properties Shalash managed. Among the corporate defendants are Fox Den Properties, Happy Tenants and Griffith Market. Most of the defendants are relatives of Shalash, and each of them had at least one tenant harassed by Shalash, the Justice Department says.

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Shalash has owned or managed more than 100 residential rental properties in Lexington over the past 20 years, including single-family homes, duplexes, four-plexes, and apartment complexes, the suit states.

The lawsuit says he has offered female tenants, prospective tenants or their family members benefits, such as reducing rent or excusing late or unpaid rent in exchange for sexual favors.

Those who refused his advances were threatened with eviction, the lawsuit alleges.

Shalash is also accused in the suit of using his key to go inside the womens apartments when they were in the shower or late at night under the guise of conducting maintenance.

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The lawsuit says the owners of the properties he managed knew or should have known of the discriminatory conduct of Defendant Shalash as it was so pervasive and well known in the community, yet failed to take reasonable preventive or corrective measures.

The suit seeks monetary damages for victims and civil penalties against each property owner, along with a court order prohibiting any discrimination in the future.

The lawsuit was filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Lexington. The Justice Department said it is the result of a joint investigation with the Department of Housing and Urban Developments Office of Inspector General.

Sexual harassment in housing deprives its victims of the safety and security that a home is supposed to provide them, Carlton Shier IV, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, said in a news release.

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That makes committed enforcement of the Fair Housing Act critical to ensuring that victims can gain relief from this shameful conduct and seek a safe and secure home for their families.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, said the department is committed to holding housing providers accountable and protecting tenants.

Sexual harassment by housing providers is an egregious abuse of power, she said in the news release. Women should never feel unsafe in their own homes.
Qualcomm stock (QCOM) fell as much as 6% on Wednesday, a day after the company provided new financial targets for its non-smartphone business at its first investor day in three years.

Qualcomm, which gets the majority of its revenue from designing and licensing handset chips, has been expanding into semiconductors that go into cars, personal computers, and other devices.

The company now expects those businesses to generate a combined $22 billion in sales by 2029.

Sales of $8 billion will come from Qualcomms automotive segment, where it already has partnerships with the likes of BMW to increase computing functionality in vehicles and push toward more autonomous driving.

Qualcomm forecast that $14 billion will come from its Internet of Things segment, which includes extended reality devices and industrial functions. It also includes PCs, expected to account for $4 billion. The companys Snapdragon X Elite chips power Microsofts latest-generation Surface laptops, which feature the GenAI Copilot assistant.

Everybody that buys an X Elite is extremely happy with it, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said in an interview following the investor day in New York. From all of our OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] and Microsoft, the current response is exceeding everybody's expectation.

Amon called the $4 billion target for the PC business high confidence.

Some analysts, however, said the road there may not be smooth.

While management is optimistic about AI PC opportunities, Windows-on-ARM skepticism and intense competition (from both x86 and ARM SoC suppliers) could limit QCOMs opportunity, Raymond James Srini Pajjuri wrote in a note to clients. He has a Hold-equivalent Market Perform rating on the stock.

Bank of Americas Tal Liani rates Qualcomm a Buy and came away incrementally positive on Qualcomms long-term positioning and the diversification outside of handsets.

But Liani pointed out that not only is the company entering markets with emerging tech, but it also needs to grab market share.

"These markets need to develop to support Qualcomm's long-term targets, of which the pace and magnitude [are] uncertain," he wrote.

Cristiano Amon, CEO & President, Qualcomm, on Centre Stage during day one of Web Summit 2024 at the MEO Arena in Lisbon, Portugal. (Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile for Web Summit via Getty Images)  Shauna Clinton via Getty Images

Qualcomms biggest business remains smartphones, and its ramped-up diversification comes as Apple (AAPL) is working on migrating away from Qualcomm modems. As for the Android-based business, Amon said hes projecting mid-single-digit growth, what he calls a conservative assumption.

That means the company expects to end the decade with revenue about evenly split between handsets at 50% and autos and Internet of Things combined at the other 50%.
OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV)  Oshkosh Police responded to a report of an individual potentially carrying a firearm in the 300 block of N Eagle Street.

According to a press release from the Oshkosh Police, an anonymous tip received at 3:23 PM on Tuesday, November 19, prompted officers to respond swiftly to the scene.

Hunters asked to help search for missing Wisconsin man during gun deer season

The release states that the nearby Oshkosh West High School was alerted, and the School Resource Officer was involved as a precaution. Police reportedly spotted the individual near a church, but the subject fled through residential yards. Oshkosh Police officers located and detained the person about a block away.

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The police department also says that a search of the area revealed a hidden facsimile firearm resembling a real weapon. Following the investigation, a juvenile from Oshkosh was referred to the juvenile justice system on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Restrictions on the Use of Facsimile Firearms.

Authorities confirmed there was no specific threat to any individual or location. However, the Oshkosh Police Department is issuing a strong reminder to parents about the dangers of replica firearms.

Man sought in Wisconsin robbery and carjacking incident

Oshkosh Police say these realistic-looking weapons can easily be mistaken for actual guns, creating potentially dangerous situations for both law enforcement and the public.

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Parents are urged to talk to their children about the serious risks associated with owning or using facsimile weapons to help prevent unnecessary tragedies.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The victims friends are mourning the death of a Shreveport woman who police say was killed by her boyfriend.

Maygen Salyer described her friend and roommate, 29-year-old Kali Lynch-Roberts, as the most genuine person you ever met, the heartfelt, heartwarming, beautiful light-up-the-room person.

According to the Shreveport Police Department, Lonnie Troquille told police his girlfriend Kali had been shot at a home in the 100 block of East Herndon. However, police discovered it was Troquille who pulled the trigger; he has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.

DISCLAIMER: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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He killed the woman he claimed to love; he shot her three times, and she died bleeding out in their kitchen, knowing that someone, myself, would have to clean that up, Salyer said.

Kalis friends are devasted and describe Lonnie as very jealous and controlling. They say she left him a couple of times but always went back. They begged her not to but said she could be stubborn.

They say Kali was a big part of the music scene in Shreveport and recently joined the band Defect.

Her bandmates say this has been a big eye-opener. They have a memorial house show planned in her honor. Multiple bands will perform in a home at 261 E. Jordan Street on November 30th.

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The doors will open at 5 p.m., and the show will start at 7 p.m. Friends will speak about Kali before the show. All are welcome. They will be taking donations at the door and will auction off some items. The funds raised will go to local domestic violence non-profits.

Kali Lynch Roberts funeral will be held on Saturday, November 23rd, at Aulds Funeral Home from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Anyone who needs help escaping a violent situation in Shreveport can call Project Celebrations Domestic Violence Hotline at 318-226-5015, Statewide: 888-411-1333.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost her bid for president, arrived in Hawaii Tuesday nigh with her husband Doug Emhoff for a nearly weeklong stay, media reports say.

The Federal Aviation Administration imposed temporary flight restrictions for VIP Movement  beginning 7 :15 p.m. Tuesday to noon Monday for Kona and Waimea.

A Harris aide told NBC News that she would be leaving today for a respite in Hawaii, and had delayed her trip if she was needed for votes in the Senate to confirm judges in what could be one last chance to defy President-elect Donald Trump in what could be her last major act in office.

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As president of the Senate, Harris has the constitutional power to provide a tie-breaking vote.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said Tuesday that she had been told Harris would be available to break judicial ties if needed, NBC reported.

Harris won Hawaiis four electoral votes in the Nov. 5 General Election and received 60.6 % of the overall count in the state versus 37.5 % for Trump.

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Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Tyrone Garner does not intend to seek a second term, clearing the way for an open contest to the top elected spot in city and county government next year.

Elected three years ago on a promise to deliver shakeups in the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, the mayor has hinted for months that four years in office may be all hed serve. His chief of staff informed The Star on Tuesday that Garner would indeed leave office when his term expires in 2025.

Garners planned exit was first reported in an exclusive by The Community Voice, a Wichita-based Black community news publication.

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An interview request from The Star was met Tuesday with a written statement from the mayors office that touted pride in his time in office and promising to continue to put people over power, privilege, and politics.

The work of improving the quality of life for all those that love and call Wyandotte County home is a work that remains undone, Garner said in the statement, adding that he will continue to work towards that end for the remainder of his time in office.

Garner, a longtime Kansas City, Kansas, police officer who ultimately reached the rank of deputy chief before retirement, entered politics as a newcomer in a challenge of Mayor David Alvey in 2021. Garner won that contest by a little less than 400 votes, becoming the first Black mayor and county chief executive since the formation of the Unified Government in 1997.

The mayor has forged a loyal following among many residents and interest groups concerned about inequities in Wyandotte County that span from east to west. The county is statistically the poorest in the Kansas City metro and also home to some of the states greatest racial diversity.

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But the mayors style of governance has sometimes led to tense relationships with other elected officials, area service providers and high-level administrators.

In January 2021, shortly after Garner took office, County Administrator Doug Bach abruptly retired from his position as the city and countys most powerful staffer. Bach started to make moves to leave the role days after the new mayors swearing-in ceremony, and took a hefty payout of nearly $814,000, according to a separation agreement obtained by The Star.

Garners selection at the time for a temporary top leader, Cheryl Harrison-Lee, attracted some controversy in City Hall as she continued to perform contract work outside her role with the Unified Government, a point that concerned some commissioners. The mayor once abruptly ended a public meeting about hiring a new administrator in a way that stunned other elected members.

Other areas of dispute concerned the mayors sway over economic development initiatives. Wyandotte County has witnessed major investments in greenfield projects to the west and more sluggish efforts to redevelop the urban core. In 2022, commissioners voted to curtail the mayors powers over setting the agenda for city business and limited his veto authority.

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Another point of tension came after the mayor tipped off the Kansas Bureau of Investigation with concerns about employee spending with government credit cards. The investigation concluded as District Attorney Mark Duprees office declined to pursue charges, citing no finding of intentional wrongdoing.

A hallmark of Garners leadership is also large-scale proposals concerning the functions of government that the mayor says are aimed toward improving services to residents while finding ways to reduce cost.

For example, the mayor has frequently questioned in public hearings the effectiveness of combining city and county governments under one roof through consolidation, as some of his allies surfaced the idea of splitting the government in two.

He also has made promises about the removal of fees collected through the Board of Public Utilities, Wyandotte Countys century-old water and electric service provider. A move to remove the so-called Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT fee, announced by County Administrator David Johnston a few months ago failed to materialize by October as advertised, prompting a public apology from Garner.

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Perhaps the most significant policy decision on the mayors wish list was this years adoption of a city budget that would not rely on increased property tax revenues. The mayor called upon commissioners this year to put a pressure point on tax increases, as elected officials took that route despite warnings from staff about potentially painful service cuts that would be necessary.

Commissioners froze the level of revenue collected through property taxes for Unified Government services, which account for about half the bill. The budget commissioners adopted in August cut roughly $17 million in proposed spending, scaling back programs to include overtime for police and fixed public transit routes.

Garners decision to bow out from a future mayoral contest comes about seven months before the June filing deadline to run for local office.
A Kansas City woman has been charged in the deadly shooting of a man outside of his business last week.

Kandi J. Galaviz, 24, was charged in Jackson County court with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Waleed Marwan Shaban, 34.

Kansas City police responded to a business in the 300 block of East Linwood Boulevard, in the Broadway Gillham neighborhood of Kansas City, around 12:48 p.m. on Nov. 14. Officers discovered Shaban lying in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to the chest, according to court documents.

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A Kansas City Fire Department medic responded to the shooting around 1 p.m. and pronounced Shaban dead at the scene.

Several people witnessed the shooting, including an employee at Shabans business, according to court documents. The employee told police that a woman later identified as Galaviz pulled up to the business just before the shooting in a maroon Cadillac.

Galaviz first spoke to the employee, asking him what time his shift ended, because she did not want him getting caught in this crossfire, court documents read. The employee then witnessed Galaviz and Shaban arguing, which quickly turned physical. Another witness said they heard Galaviz say, square up and do something, as the two argued, court documents state.

Both the employee and the driver of the Cadillac told police that as the argument escalated, Shaban pushed Galaviz to the ground. It was at this point that Galaviz took out a handgun and shot Shaban point-blank, according to court documents.

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The driver of the Cadillac told police that he had been driving Galaviz around town to run several errands, and that she had asked to swing by the business so that she could pick up something of hers from another car in the parking lot, according to court documents.

While loading the items between the two cars, Galaviz found that some of the things she was looking for were missing, according to court documents. Police and witnesses believe that the missing items sparked the argument that led to the fatal shooting.

The shooting was also captured on surveillance video from security cameras on the premises of the business where Shaban worked. Police detectives took Galaviz into custody at the scene, according to court documents, and later found a handgun in the drivers seat of the Cadillac.

Born and raised in Hutchinson, Kansas, Waleed Shaban was an entrepreneur with a passion for faith and family, according to an obituary shared online by loved ones.

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Waleeds smile could light up a village, with his amazing personality to follow, Shabans cousin Ryan Shaban wrote on social media.

Shaban graduated from Hutchinson High School, Hutchinson Community College and Wichita State University, where he studied electrical engineering. He owned several businesses, with holdings in real estate, construction, insurance and auto sales, according to the obituary.

Shaban, who was extremely proud of his Lebanese heritage, spent much of his time with family and enjoyed playing the piano, according to relatives.

Waleed enjoyed taking things apart and rebuilding them better than before, Shabans obituary reads. We wont be the same without you habibi, but we will try our best.

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Galaviz previously pleaded guilty to stealing in Excelsior Springs municipal court, according to court records. Galaviz is being held on a $250,000 bond, according to court records, and will appear in court at 10 a.m. Nov. 26 for a bond review hearing.

Jackson County officials are currently determining whether Galaviz will be eligible for house arrest.

Shabans death was the 136th homicide reported in Kansas City in 2024, according to data collected by The Star. By the same time last year, 164 homicides had been reported in the city.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is asking U.S. Congress to provide more than $12 billion in federal assistance.

According to Kemp, Helene was the most deadly hurricane to hit Georgia in more than 130 years. The previous record holder was 1893, according to the governors office.

In 2024, Hurricane Helene took the lives of 34 Georgians, including six children.

The damage to Georgia homes, businesses and industries after Hurricane Helene was sharp. Channel 2 Action News reported previously that more than $6 billion in damage was done to just the states agricultural industries.

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Of the states 159 counties, 96 are under a Major Disaster Declaration, 93 have been designated to receive aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Public Assistance Program and 63 are designated for Individual Assistance Program benefits. State officials said more than 212,700 homes were damaged by the storm.

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Now, Kemps letter is directly appealing to members of Congress for help with housing, infrastructure, debris removal, food assistance and more.

Hurricane Helene wrought unparalleled damage across our state, leaving thousands of families displaced, businesses shuttered, and our farmers facing catastrophic losses. Georgias agricultural sector, a cornerstone of our economy and cultural identity, was hit particularly hard. Specialty crops, livestock operations, and small farms have suffered widespread devastation, many without sufficient insurance coverage to recover independently, Kemp said in the letter.

As a result, hes asking for about $12.2 billion in federal assistance, though even in his request for aid, the governor noted that the number may go up as more of the storm impacts are studied.

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The $12.2 billion assistance from the federal government, if fully provided, would be in addition to $100 million Georgia officials have already provided storm victims from the Georgia Development Authority.

The governor is requesting Congress provide an agricultural relief block grant program as part of their upcoming disaster supplemental legislation package to fund recovery efforts to hard hit areas, which in the past has been compared to a program enacted after 2018s Hurricane Michael.

A full breakdown of the states federal request is detailed below.

What Georgia is asking for in federal assistance

Congressional Block Grant:

Georgia Department of Agriculture

$6.46 billion Block Grant to assist farmers and producers

Georgia Forestry Commission

$610,845,364 Block Grant for lost timber revenue



Department of Health and Human Services:

Georgia Department of Community Health

$40-$50 million for Emergency Hospital Funding



Department of Homeland Security - FEMA:

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

$507,223 to provide crisis counseling services in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene (SAMHSA)

Georgia Department of Human Services

$14,514,906 for Public Assitance: Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

Georgia Department of Public Health

$501,586 for Nursing Support

Georiga Department of Transportation

$200-$300 million for debris removal and emergency protective measures - Category A and B

Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

$497,090,311 for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program $772,432,152 (declared) for Public Assistance Damages Categories A through G $226,511,208 distributed $225,324,270 for Individuals and Household Program

University System of Georgia

$32,178,640 for Damages to Campuses in affected areas



Department of Housing and Urban Development:

Georgia Department of Community Affairs

$2.5 Billion Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery-Housing Recovery $400,000,000 Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery-Economic Revitalization $100,000,000 Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery-Community Infrastructure $35,000,000 Emergency Housing Vouchger (EHV) Program



Department of Labor

Technical College System of Georgia

$2,700,000 to fund retraining of affected workers of the disaster



Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration

Georgia Department of Transportation

$8-$15 million in Emergency Relief (ER) Program Funding for damages to infrastructure



Department of Treasury

Georgia Department of Community Affairs

$20,000,000 for Affordable Housing Construction and Rehabilitation



Environmental Protection Agency

$150,000,000 for Clean Drinking Water State Revolving Funds

Total Requested Amount: $12,186,094,452

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Discarded stumps and roots, right, and a load of salvaged timber in a Treutlen County pine stand damaged by Hurricane Helene. Grant Blankenship/GPB News

Georgia leaders from both sides of the aisle are urging Congress to act on disaster relief as the clock winds down on the current term.

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp sent a letter Tuesday to congressional budget leaders expressing the urgent need for federal aid, specifically asking for block grant funding for agricultural relief.

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Based on what Kemp called an early estimate, the governor wrote that Georgia will be requesting more than $12 billion in federal aid to help the state recover from unprecedented damage. About half of that evolving request is for the states hard-hit agricultural industry.

Hurricane Helene wrought unparalleled damage across our state, leaving thousands of families displaced, businesses shuttered, and our farmers facing catastrophic losses, Kemp wrote.

Georgias agricultural sector, a cornerstone of our economy and cultural identity, was hit particularly hard. Specialty crops, livestock operations, and small farms have suffered widespread devastation, many without sufficient insurance coverage to recover independently, he added.

And on Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, appealed directly to federal appropriators as they began to vet a nearly $100 billion disaster funding request from the White House, pushing them to approve disaster funding before the calendar flips to 2025. He appeared with North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican, in a bipartisan show of urgency.

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We must refuse the temptation to delay or to get dragged into politics, Ossoff said. We must swiftly pass disaster assistance by the end of the year. My constituents and Americans in every state hit by this terrible storm and hit by natural disasters for the last several years are counting on all of us.

Helene ripped through the southeast in late September, devastating communities in the storms path and causing 34 deaths in Georgia  making it the deadliest storm to hit the state in more than a century.

And state officials warn that the storm threatens to leave a lasting mark on Georgias prized agricultural industry without timely federal aid. Pecan growers, poultry producers and tree farmers are among those left reeling in the wake of the storm.

Ossoff highlighted some of the more eye-popping agricultural losses: damages to 1.5 million acres of timberland, nearly 400,000 lost pecan trees, about 300 poultry houses destroyed, and a loss of about one-third of this years cotton crop.

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The numbers are staggering, but this isnt about numbers, Ossoff said. Its about families and rural communities, and without our help, the simple fact is that many of these family farms will fold, and they may fold soon. Theyre staring at devastated farmland and orchards, theyre deep in the red, and theyre under immense stress.

If they go under, our rural communities go under, the local tax base funding schools and infrastructure is destroyed, and the rural way of life in Georgia risks disappearing altogether, he said.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  Although a new state law takes effect in January aimed at keeping non-FDA regulated vape products off store shelves, a state lawmaker wants an even bigger push to keep vapes away from Kentucky youth with tougher licensing regulations and penalties for possession.

Its really not that effective, that piece of legislation; it has no teeth, no real consequences for those who do not comply, and a free pass for the bad actors, Sen. Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon) told fellow lawmakers on the Interim Licensing & Occupations committee on Tuesday, referring to 2024s House Bill 11.

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Higdon believes one additional way to crack down on retailers selling vapes to minors is to get every single one licensed and regulated by Kentuckys Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Have that hanging over your head that if you continue to break the law, youll lose your license and youll no longer be in business, Higdon told FOX 56.

Higdons proposal would initially fine a clerk for selling to a minor and charge subsequent fines on the retailer, in addition to the licensure liability. The legislation hes drafting would also bring some punishment to minors who possess tobacco products, much like how the law currently treats underage alcohol possession.

Theyd have the opportunity to fine them, give them community service work, or put them in a cessation program, Higdon said.

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FDA has not authorized flavored vapor products. Hence, House Bill 11 is a total ban on flavored vapor and near-total ban on every other vapor product in Kentucky, Abby Gilbert, a lobbyist for the Vapor Technology Association, said in a prepared statement from the organization.

The group argued that come January there wont be many retailers left to license thanks to HB 11. They reason that the limited number of products stores will even be able to sell will not be able to sustain a business nor meet demand. Gilbert said the new law could shutter as many as 130 storefronts and 1000 jobs. However, there were few sympathetic ears among lawmakers hearing the trade groups concern.



Id just encourage you to take back to your clients that we probably wouldnt have a problem if theyd quit selling to underage kids, Sen. Chris McDaniel (R-Ryland Heights) said.

The 2025 Session begins on Jan. 7.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
KERMIT, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  The Kermit Police Department is seeking help from the public as it investigates a four-wheeler theft from earlier this week.

Kermit man arrested after two juveniles hospitalized following hit-and-run

According to KPD, at about 3 am on Monday, November 18, the vehicle was taken from the northeast part of town by three unknown suspects.

If you recognize these suspects, or have any information regarding this case, please contact the Kermit Police Department at 432-586-2577. KPD is offering a $500 reward to the first person with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
Chinese chip industry experts and investors have congregated in Beijing for one of the largest annual chip forums to discuss the impact of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) cutting advanced foundry services for some mainland clients and the outlook for the country's chip sector under a new Donald Trump administration in the US.

Despite US threats of more sanctions, China should be bullish about developments in advanced semiconductors and generative artificial intelligence (AI) because of the potential of its huge market, according to industry insiders attending the 21st China International Semiconductor Expo.

The conference, which kicked off on Monday, gathered more than 500 firms from China's semiconductor supply chain spanning design, foundry services and packaging in Beijing. Leading Chinese semiconductor equipment tool firms Naura Technology Group, 3D NAND flash memory chipmaker Yangtze Memory Technologies Corporation, DRAM chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies, and chip designer Huawei Technologies all took part in the three-day event.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Geopolitics has been one of the key concerns for many at the expo, as China braces for the uncertainty surrounding US policies when Trump returns to the White House for a second presidential term in January. Trump has vowed to increase tariffs on China-made goods by 60 per cent.

YMTC's 64-layer 3D NAND flash memory wafer. Photo: YMTC alt=YMTC's 64-layer 3D NAND flash memory wafer. Photo: YMTC>

He Weiwei, co-founder and general manager at BASiC Semiconductor, said during a panel at the Expo on Tuesday that the company has poured an extra 20 million yuan to 30 million yuan (US$2.8 million to US$4.1 million) into developing manufacturing facilities and materials in mainland China over fears that US sanctions could cut off supplies.

"This is a huge burden for a start-up like us," He said. "We used to buy US materials and have the chips manufactured in Taiwan, and then ship them back to mainland China for packaging."

When Trump started a trade war with China in 2018, BASiC feared it could be cut off from Taiwanese manufacturing, according to He. Technological decoupling in subsequent years also started to hurt expansion plans for Chinese companies.

"Some first-tier American carmakers made it very clear that they will not buy products made in China," He said.
Sadiq Khan is to ditch the Chinese state-owned operator of the Elizabeth Line amid attempts by the West to cut reliance on China.

Transport for London said on Tuesday night that it would award the contract to run the cross-London service to a joint venture that includes the operator of the Tokyo Metro.

British train and bus group Go Ahead is also involved, along with Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo.

The award is a setback for the incumbent, MTR, which was awarded its contract in 2014 by Boris Johnson, then mayor of London, at a high point in the relationship between Britain and China.

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MTR operates public transport in Hong Kong and is three-quarters owned by the Chinese state.

The Chinese business will stop running the Elizabeth Line in May next year, at around the time that South Western Railway, which it runs with First Group, is expected to move back into state control.

The original award to MTR came months after David Cameron, then prime minister, had said that there would be no investment hold-backs for Chinese companies doing business in Britain.

Shortly afterwards, George Osborne, the chancellor, pledged to make Britain Chinas best partner in the West.

But the relationship between the West and China has faltered since.

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The award by Mr Khan comes in the week that Sir Keir Starmer attempted to reset Britains relationship with China  even as Donald Trump, a lifelong critic of Beijing, prepares to return to the US presidency.

Sir Keir met Chinese president Xi Jinping for discussions in the margins of the G20 summit in Brazil. The Prime Minister said that he was keen to explore more investment projects.

The line, which opened four years late in 2022, now accounts for one in six railway journeys in the UK. It runs east-west across London, starting at Reading in Berkshire and ending at Shenfield in Essex.

Miguel Parras, chief executive of Go-Ahead, said: We look forward to bringing our collective expertise across UK and international rail operations to London. Our objectives are aligned with TfL - to connect communities across London through safe, reliable, and sustainable public transport services, delivered to the highest level of customer satisfaction.

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The new management contract was awarded despite calls from unions to axe the use of the private sector. Last month, the RMT complained that Transport for London had allowed the operator of the Elizabeth Line to pay 38m out to its Chinese parent company.

In addition to the winning joint venture and MTR, bids were also made by Arriva and a joint venture between First Group and French operator Keolis.

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A kindergarten, a school, three office buildings, two shops and agricultural equipment have been damaged in Kyiv Oblast by falling drone wreckage.

Source: Ruslan Kravchenko, Head of Kyiv Oblast Military Administration; National Police in Kyiv Oblast; Kyiv City Military Administration

Quote from Kravchenko: "There were no hits to critical or residential infrastructure. A kindergarten, a school, three office buildings, two shops and agricultural equipment have been damaged. Windows and doors were shattered and roofs were damaged in the buildings."

AFTERMATH OF THE RUSSIAN ATTACK

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Photo: National Police

Details: The police added that a service station had also been damaged.

AFTERMATH OF THE RUSSIAN ATTACK

Photo: National Police

Kravchenko said an air-raid warning was in effect in Kyiv Oblast for over 11 hours and the air defence forces downed all Russian targets.

He also emphasised that there were no casualties.

Drone wreckage also crashed in Kyiv.

Kyiv City Military Administration said that wreckage crashed on a car in the Podilskyi district and windows in a non-residential building shattered in a blast wave. No fires broke out. More details are yet to be released.

Debris also crashed in an open space in the Obolonskyi district. No casualties have been reported so far.

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In the wake of a scandal at the Kissimmee Police Department that led to the resignation of its chief, the City Commission decided unanimously Tuesday night to bring back its citizen oversight board.

On the first day for new Mayor Jackie Espinosa she moved forward on her promise to work toward reinstating public trust in the agency. She and the three other commissioners voted to recreate the panel disbanded in June.

I believe that weve heard from enough citizens to understand the need for transparency and the need to create and uplift the morale again of the city with this specific topic, Espinosa said. I also want to emphasize that we do have a lot of wonderful law enforcement officers so lets not loose sight of that.

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A state law that went into effect July 1 says the board cannot investigate police misconduct but can review policies and procedures.

The commissions decision will allow the oversight panel to review the Police Departments policies and procedures but the interim chief, Maj. Robert Anzueto of the Orange County Sheriffs Office, is the only person who can appoint the members.

Chief Betty Holland resigned after the Orange-Osceola State Attorneys Office announced Oct. 31 its investigating her among 11 officers for attempting to block an internal probe into unlawful use of force by Officer Andrew Baseggio. A grand jury report revealed Holland and the other officers failed to report missteps to higher-ups and unlawfully tipped off Baseggio about the probes progress.

But some Kissimmee residents say bringing back the board isnt enough.

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Claudia Zuko told commissioners during the meeting that the board cannot dismantle the culture of cover-up cited by the grand jury because police chiefs often rise from within the agency.

Can Orlando make it safer to walk?

I dont think this will go far enough  because the civilian oversight board has its hands tied by the Florida Legislature as it exists today, Zuko said. You create a program that facilitates this, known as the chief from within, which fosters bad apple after bad apple.

She suggested the city look into creating a Community Oriented Policing Service office  a program through the U.S. Department of Justice that provides information and grant resources for community policing.

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City Manager Mike Steigerwald said staff will write the ordinance creating the board and present it at a future meeting for public comment and then bring it back for a second hearing and a final commission vote.

Kissimmee is the first city in Central Florida to reinstate its oversight board after many local governments disbanded or paused them because of the new law.

Orlandos board is still unsure how to move forward. Ocoee, the only other Central Florida city with a board, held its last meeting in July and has canceled monthly gatherings since then.
Two people died and a third was injured in a house explosion Tuesday in Bethel. Here's what we know and what we don't about the blast.

Firefighters were called to Vic Joy Drive just before 9 a.m. and found the house blown apart and in flames, Bethel Tate Fire Chief Christopher Cooper said. Debris had been launched throughout the neighborhood.

A man and woman were found dead, and another man was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Next door, Derrick Gullett was asleep. He said the blast from the shockwave pushed him from his bed.

Who are the victims

As of Wednesday morning, the names of the deceased had not been officially released. The Ohio Fire Marshal, Clermont County Sheriff's Office, Fire Department and the Coroner's Office are continuing with their investigations.

A GoFundMe campaign was launched Tuesday for Hellen Colston, 52, who is also known as Lucy Colston/Evans, according to the fundraiser. The campaign states she was one of the victims involved in the explosion and is survived by a child, grandkids, nieces, and two sisters.

The house where the explosion occurred is owned by Barry Stone, according to records from the Clermont County Auditor.

What caused the blast

Chief Cooper said Tuesday that nothing had been ruled out. He did not indicate what caused the house to explode.

He did say that the house was equipped with propane.

What happens next

Enquirer media partner Fox19 reported Wednesday morning that the fire at the house rekindled early Wednesday, but firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze.

The Enquirer has requested reports and other documents related to the investigation. Most of those documents will not be released until officials have completed examining the explosion.

The Clermont County Coroner's Office will likely officially release the names of the deceased after autopsies have been completed.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What we know about fatal Bethel, Ohio, house explosion
Matt Gaetz. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images)

This story was originally published by The 19th. Sign up for their newsletter.

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for attorney general, has long been dogged by allegations of illicit drug use and sexual relations with underage women, though he has never been charged.

Now, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are calling for the release of a report from a House Ethics Committee investigation reportedly detailing damning accusations against him. Gaetz and his representatives have repeatedly denied all wrongdoing.

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The attorney general heads the Justice Department, which prosecutes federal crimes, brings major civil lawsuits and cases and intervenes in others. If confirmed, Gaetz would oversee thousands of attorneys, special agents, and other staff, including the solicitor general, who represents the federal governments position before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Heres what we know:

Who is Matt Gaetz?

Trump nominated Gaetz to be his attorney general on November 13, describing him as a Champion for the Constitution and the Rule of Law. Gaetz graduated from William & Mary Law School in 2007 and worked in private practice at a firm for a few years before launching his political career. He has never served as a prosecutor.

Gaetz, 42, the son of high-profile Florida politician Don Gaetz, was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2010 and the U.S. House in 2016, representing a deep-red Florida Panhandle district.

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In Congress, Gaetz was a member of House Republicans right flank and espoused libertarian positions, supporting the legalization of marijuana and objecting to U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts. He was an early supporter of Trump and staunchly defended Trump during his first impeachment.

Following President Joe Bidens election in 2020, Gaetz quickly jumped onto false claims of election fraud and called on the Department of Justice to intervene in Philadelphias vote-counting process. Since the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Gaetz has repeated fringe conspiracy theories about the events of that day and has publicly defended January 6 rioters charged with crimes. He introduced legislation this year that sought to limit federal prosecutors ability to pursue charges against January 6 defendants who petition for resentencing.

In 2023, he led a successful effort to oust fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy as House speaker.

What are the accusations against him?

In 2020, federal investigators arrested Joel Greenberg, a friend of Gaetz at the time and a rising figure in Florida politics, on charges of child sex trafficking. The former Seminole County tax collector was charged with 33 felonies and pleaded guilty in 2021 to six charges, including sex trafficking of a minor, stalking, wire fraud, identity theft, and bribing a federal official to obtain fraudulent COVID-19 relief funds. Greenberg, who reportedly cooperated in the Department of Justices investigation into Gaetz, is serving an 11-year prison sentence.

Chris Dorworth, Matt Gaetz, and Joel Greenberg at the White House in 2019, via Greenberg Twitter account

Greenbergs case sparked two major probes, one by congressional investigators and one by the department Gaetz is now nominated to lead, into whether Gaetz also committed statutory rape and paid for a 17-year-old girl to travel with him across state lines  a violation of federal law.

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The Department of Justice investigated the sex trafficking allegations against Gaetz but ended its investigation last year without bringing criminal charges. Gaetz and his attorneys have consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing and pointed to the Justice Department under Biden administration Attorney General Merrick Garland declining to pursue charges.

Merrick Garlands DOJ cleared Matt Gaetz and didnt charge him, a Gaetz spokesperson told multiple outlets. Are you alleging Garland is part of a cover-up?

The Justice Department typically operates independently of the White House  Biden did not seek to block the investigation into his handling of classified documents or the federal criminal case of his son Hunter. Trump has said the department should not be independent, though. In his first term, he attempted to quash the special investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign, sought to install loyalists at the department, and pushed DOJ officials to pursue baseless claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

In addition to the Justice Department probe, the House Ethics Committee has investigated similar allegations and subpoenaed testimony from the woman, who was a teen at the time, at the center of the investigation. The committee reportedly interviewed at least six women who described attending parties where Gaetz was present. At least one was under the age of 18 at the time and told House investigators that the then-congressman had sex with her, according to ABC News.

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Allegations surrounding Gaetz and sexual encounters with minors also came to light in a civil case brought by Florida lobbyist Chris Dorwoth, who had previously sued Greenberg and others in an effort to distance himself from the controversies involving Gaetz. Dorworth has since dropped the lawsuit, but in court filings made public earlier this year, three eyewitnesses testified that Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old woman minor at a July 2017 party hosted at Dorworths house that included alcohol; cocaine; middle-aged men; and young attractive females, one witness stated.

In a 2021 appearance on Fox News, Gaetz stated: The person doesnt exist. I have not had a relationship with a 17-year-old. That is totally false.

The House investigation also probed accusations that Gaetz abused state identification records, misappropriated campaign funds for personal use, improperly accepted gifts in violation of House rules, and showed colleagues explicit photos of women on the House floor. At least one member of Congress, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, publicly attested that Gaetz showed his colleagues inappropriate videos and bragged about his sexual conquests. Gaetz called Mullins claims a lie from someone who doesnt know me and is coping with the political death of his friend Kevin, referring to McCarthy.

What is the status of the Ethics Committee investigation?

Gaetzs nomination for attorney general, and subsequent resignation from the House hours later, came days before the House Ethics Committee was set to vote on the public release of its report. Responding to reporters questions about news of the nomination, House Ethics Chairman Michael Guest said that the investigation would not continue if Gaetz was no longer a member of Congress.

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But congressional Republicans, Democrats and legal advocates have called for the report to be published.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn via U.S. Senate

Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas told reporters on Thursday that he absolutely wants to see the report.

That same day, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, a Democrat and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a statement saying, The sequence and timing of Mr. Gaetzs resignation from the House raises serious questions about the contents of the House Ethics Committee report and findings.

We cannot allow this critical information from a bipartisan investigation into longstanding public allegations to be hidden from the American people, given that it is directly relevant to the question of whether Mr. Gaetz is qualified and fit to be the next Attorney General of the United States, he continued.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson told CNNs Jake Tapper on Sunday he believes the Ethics Committee shouldnt release the report due to Gaetz no longer being a member of Congress  but said he hasnt spoken to Trump about the matter. A Trump spokesperson did not immediately respond to The 19ths request for comment about whether Trump agrees, but his transition team is standing behind Gaetz, dismissing the allegations against him as baseless.

The Biden Justice Department investigated Gaetz for years and cleared him of wrongdoing, Alex Pfeiffer, a Trump transition spokesperson, said in a statement to ABC News. The only people who went to prison over these allegations were those lying about Matt Gaetz.

John Clure is the attorney for the woman at the center for the Houses investigation who was a minor at the time she said she had sex with Gaetz. Hes called his nomination as attorney general a perverse development in a truly dark series of events.

We would support the House Ethics Committee immediately releasing their report, Clure posted Thursday on X. She was a high school student and there were witnesses.

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Clure did not respond to emailed follow-up questions from The 19th.

Joel Leppard, another lawyer representing those who cooperated with both the DOJ and congressional investigations, is also calling on the committee to release the report. Democracy demands transparency, he wrote Friday on X. Release the Gaetz Ethics report.

Leppard is going public to detail his clients allegations. He told ABC News on Monday that two of his adult clients testified and provided evidence that Gaetz paid them for sex and that another testified to seeing Gaetz having sex with her friend, who was 17 at the time, at a 2017 party.

The Ethics Committee is expected to meet Wednesday, multiple outlets reported Monday.

What can we expect from the confirmation process for Gaetz?

The Senate is tasked with overseeing and approving confirmations, but Trump has pushed for the chamber to embrace recess appointments, which would allow for Gaetz to be confirmed without the traditional process. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota  the new Senate Republican leader  expressed openness to recess appointments, but also said he wants the Senate to hold confirmation hearings.

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Gaetzs nomination will likely be controversial even in the soon-to-be GOP-controlled Senate. Multiple Republican senators expressed shock at Trump choosing Gaetz, signaling that a number of them could vote against him.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will review Gaetzs record and qualifications, and will call Gaetz, and witnesses for and against his nomination, to testify under oath in public confirmation hearings.

Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said on Fox News Sunday that the House Ethics report is relevant to the committees review of Gaetzs nomination.

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Its called our advice and consent role to make sure that a president-elect mostly gets their choice, their nominees, but doesnt get to put people in who are unqualified or who lack the requisite character and capabilities to lead an incredibly important agency like the Department of Justice, he said.

If a majority on the Senate Judiciary Committee votes to advance Gaetzs nomination, it will go to the full Senate for a vote where a simple majority must vote to confirm him to the position.

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JOHANNESBURG (AP)  South African authorities are embroiled in a standoff with an unconfirmed number of illegal miners who remain underground at an abandoned mine, apparently fearing arrest by police officers deployed at the site.

The miners in Stilfontein, in the countrys North West province, have been entering the mine, which is no longer in operation, searching for gold deposits. Such illegal mining has long been going on across South Africa.

The standoff in Stilfontein  now in its third week  has highlighted the extent of illegal mining in the country.

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Police initially prevented basic supplies from getting to the miners but are now sending them packets of instant porridge and trying to get them to come up to the surface.

Here's what to know about the standoff:

The problem of illegal mining in South Africa

Illegal mining has been underway for decades, on the back of the country's once booming mining industry.

The illegal miners  known as zama-zamas or "hustlers in the Zulu language  search for gold and other precious metal deposits at old and abandoned mines that have been closed or where mining has been halted.

Police consider the illegal miners dangerous because they are usually armed and are known to fight violent turf battles among themselves. The trade is believed to be dominated by migrants who enter the country illegally from neighboring Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

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Police have at times announced successes in arresting the illegal miners but they say they cannot combat the practice unless powerful kingpins who run lucrative syndicates from the trade are apprehended.

The government estimates that there are about 6,000 unused or abandoned mines in South Africa and that close to $1 billion is lost annually in revenue due to illegal mining.

Police and military join forces in operation Close the Hole

Since last December, police, government agencies and the military have joined forces in an operation dubbed Close the Hole or Vala Umgodi in Zulu  basically trying to starve the illegal miners underground by denying them basic supplies.

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Working in groups, zama-zamas typically remain in the mines for extended periods of time, relying on those on the surface to provide them with food, water, cigarettes and other items.

But since the operation began, police have arrested the on-the-ground accomplices and those trying to take supplies to the illegal miners. They have also closed entrances on the ground for taking supplies down. The tactic seems to be trying to force the miners to the surface as their supplies run out.

Police say that so far, 14,000 illegal miners have been arrested and that $277 000 in cash and $1.8 million worth of uncut diamonds have been seized.

Earlier this month, 565 illegal miners were arrested at an abandoned mine in Orkney, in the same North West province as Stilfontein, when they resurfaced after running out of supplies.

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What has happened so far at Stilfontein?

Members of the Stilfontein local community first tried to bring the illegal miners out but then authorities took over.

The mine is 2,500 meters (8,000 feet) deep and getting the zama-zamas, many of them likely armed, out by force would be risky.

Three illegal miners have reportedly come out and last Thursday, a decomposed body believed to be of one of the miners was brought to the surface. Police said they are still trying to determine the persons identity and cause of death.

Initial estimates, based on information from community members who tried to mediate, say there are about 4,500 illegal miners underground but police have since suggested the number is more likely between 350 and 400.

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Provincial authorities this week said plans include sending a cage down the mine to lift the miners  a few at a time  to the surface, but the safety of such an operation would need to be assessed first.

The government team is also considering sending a camera down to have a visual idea of the situation underground.

A civil society group has gone to court to try and force authorities to allow that supplies be sent to the miners. The government argues they are not trapped but refusing to come out to avoid arrest.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has said that Putin would not be satisfied with freezing the war in Ukraine, although he is supposedly prepared to negotiate with Kyiv. The comment came after Reuters published an article stating that Putin was willing to discuss the possibility of freezing the war.

Source: Dmitry Peskov; Komersant

Quote from Peskov: "[Putin] has also already said that the option of freezing this conflict [Russias aggression against Ukraine] would not satisfy us. Its important for us to achieve our goals, which everyone knows about."

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Details: Peskov also said that Putin "has said on many occasions, and in fact constantly says that he is ready to be contacted and to negotiate".

Previously: Earlier today, Reuters reported that Russian officials have said that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin is open to discussing a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine with Donald Trump, but rules out the liberation of occupied territories and insists that Ukraine abandon its NATO aspirations.

Read more: From Zelenskyy's "surrender" to Putin's surrender: how the negotiations with Russia are going

Before and after the counteroffensive: Are there perspectives in peace negotiations with Russia?

Background:

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects support from US President-elect Donald Trump in the event of talks between Kyiv and Moscow regarding the war, and he said a "strong Ukraine" would be the foundation of those talks.

In April 2022, Russia effectively upset peace talks with Ukraine when it included a clause in the draft treaty stating that it would have a veto over the international communitys response in the event of a repeated attack on Ukraine.

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By Johan Ahlander

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -The Danish military said on Wednesday that it was staying close to a Chinese ship currently sitting idle in Danish waters, days after two fibre-optic data telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea were severed.

Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 was anchored in the Kattegat strait between Denmark and Sweden on Wednesday, with a Danish navy patrol ship at anchor nearby, MarineTraffic vessel tracking data showed.

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"The Danish Defence can confirm that we are present in the area near the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3," the military said in a post on social media X, adding it had no further comments.

It is quite rare for Denmark's military to comment publicly on individual vessels travelling in Danish waters. It did not mention the cable breaches or say why it was staying with the ship.

Swedish police later told news agency TT they were also interested in the Yi Peng 3, adding there might be other vessels of interest to Sweden's investigation.

The Chinese ship left the Russian port of Ust-Luga on Nov. 15 and was in the areas where the cable damages occurred, according to traffic data, which showed other ships to have been in the areas too.

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One cable running between Sweden and Lithuania was cut on Sunday and another one between Finland and Germany was severed less than 24 hours later on Monday.

The breaches happened in Sweden's exclusive economic zone and Swedish prosecutors started a preliminary investigation on Tuesday on suspicion of possible sabotage.

Swedish Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin told Reuters on Tuesday that the country's armed forces and coastguard had picked up ship movements that corresponded with the interruption of two telecoms cables in the Baltic Sea.

A Chinese government spokesperson told a daily news briefing on Wednesday that it always required its vessels to abide by relevant laws and regulations.

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"We also attach great importance to the protection of seabed infrastructure and, together with the international community, we are actively promoting the construction and protection of submarine cables and other global information infrastructures," the spokesperson said.

European governments accused Russia on Tuesday of escalating hybrid attacks on Ukraine's Western allies, but stopped short of directly accusing Russia of destroying the cables.

Asked about the matter on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a regular news briefing: "It is quite absurd to continue to blame Russia for everything without any reason."

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov in Moscow, Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen, Stine Jacobsen and Louise Breusch Rasmussen in Copenhagen, Nerijus Adomaitis in Oslo, Liz Lee in Beijing and Niklas Pollard in Stockholm; Writing by Johan AhlanderEditing by Gareth Jones)
By Lidia Kelly

(Reuters) - A special hotline in place to deflate crises between the Kremlin and the White House is not currently being used, the Kremlin said on Wednesday, as nuclear risks rise amid the highest tensions between Russia and West in decades.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks, days after reports said Washington had allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-made weapons to strike deep into Russia.

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Ukraine used U.S. ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory on Tuesday, taking advantage of the newly granted permission from the outgoing administration of U.S. President Joe Biden on the war's 1,000th day.

A so-called hotline between Moscow and Washington was established in 1963 to reduce the misperceptions that stoked the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 by allowing direct communication between the U.S. and Russian leaders.

"We have a special secure line for communication between the two presidents, Russia and the United States. Moreover, even for video communication," Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov told TASS state news agency. But when asked whether this channel is currently in use, he said, "No."

Moscow said the use of ATACMS, the longest-range missiles Washington has supplied to Ukraine so far, was a clear signal the West wanted to escalate the conflict.

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The war, which Russia started with a full-scale invasion in February 2022, has turned hundreds of Ukrainian cities and villages into dust, displaced millions of people, and killed thousands of civilians, the vast majority of them Ukrainians.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had been long pleading to Washington and its NATO allies to allow the use of the long-range weapons, saying they are needed to destroy military and transport infrastructure key to Russia's war efforts.

Moscow has said such weapons cannot be launched without direct U.S. operational support and their use would make Washington a direct combatant in the war, prompting Russian retaliation.

Russian diplomats say the crisis between Moscow and Washington now is comparable to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis when the two Cold War superpowers came closest to intentional nuclear war, and that the West is making a mistake if it thinks Russia will back down over Ukraine.

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The Kremlin said Russia considered nuclear weapons a means of deterrence and its updated nuclear doctrine was intended to make clear to potential enemies the inevitability of retaliation should they attack Russia.

On Wednesday, Peskov told RIA news agency the West was seeking to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia by allowing Kyiv to strike deep into Russia with the U.S.-made weapons.

"And, of course, they use Ukraine as a tool in their hands to achieve these goals," Peskov said.

(This story has been corrected to clarify that Peskov told TASS state news agency, not RIA, in paragraph 5)

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Tom Hogue and Lincoln Feast)
Legendary investor and billionaire Warren Buffett runs Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B), one of the world's largest holding companies. Buffett is famous for his longtime investments in famous consumer-facing companies like Coca-Cola, Apple, and American Express. However, Buffett has made it a point to reduce his broad stock exposure over the past several quarters, raising Berkshire's cash position to a record high of over $325 billion.

Berkshire recently released its quarterly 13F filing, which discloses the company's trades in recent months. Buffett didn't buy much, but Berkshire did increase its stake in Heico (NYSE: HEI), a company that many people have probably never heard of. It's time to shine a light on this market-beating stock that more people should be familiar with.

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Here is why Heico might appeal to Buffett and whether the stock is a good buy today.

The market-beating stock many people don't know about

Heico cuts against Buffett's affinity for consumer-facing brands. Heico supplies components for aerospace, aviation, industrial, electronic, and military applications. The company generates approximately $3.8 billion in annual sales, split roughly 2-to-1 between its two business units: flight support and electronic technologies.

The company has been public for decades, and it has crushed the S&P 500 index over its lifetime:

How? Heico is a serial acquirer. The industrial components space is highly fragmented. Many small companies supply parts and components to various end markets. Heico snatches these companies up when an opportunity arises, expanding their product offerings. It's been a big driver of the company's long-term growth. Heico has acquired nearly three dozen companies since 1999.

Heico's strong execution likely attracted Buffett

So, what ultimately attracted Buffett to Heico? You can't read Buffett's mind, but you can look for clues. The best place to start could be: What has made the stock perform so well?

I'd point to the company's sustained, efficient growth. Stocks will likely do well if the company grows larger, as Heico has done. However, it takes an efficient and profitable company to generate the level of returns you've seen from Heico stock. Perhaps most importantly, Heico has steadily generated a higher return on equity (ROE) over time:

That signals a well-run company. Management must wisely use its financial resources to invest in its business, pay reasonable prices for acquisitions, and manage its balance sheet. A growing, well-run business will, more often than not, generate the earnings growth that drives exceptional investment returns over the long run.
Moscow on Wednesday rejected speculation about a potential freezing of the war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin "has already said that freezing this conflict is not an option," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in a press briefing.

Peskov said that while Putin has repeatedly conveyed his willingness to engage in talks, Moscow still wants to achieve its war aims.

The comments came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday suggested in a speech to parliament that temporary Russian control over Ukrainian territory may be inevitable while Putin remains in power.

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Speculation has circulated in international media that the war in Ukraine could be frozen along the front lines without Kiev legally ceding territory to Russia.

Moscow currently controls around one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean peninsula.
Wednesdays Top Stories

Wednesdays Five Facts

[1] DNA evidence leads to trial for 1994 rape case in Albuquerque  The trial for a man accused of a rape in 1994 is scheduled to continue Wednesday. Contreras, 56, pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and kidnapping. Contreras was taken into custody in 2022 after a rape kit from 1994 was processed and matched his DNA. The prosecution contends that the crime scene wasnt contaminated and that the victim, who passed away in 2013, described what happened to her to the two women who found her that day. Contreras lawyer claims policies were not followed and the state can not prove Contreras committed the crime.

[2] Western New Mexico University under scrutiny for spending  An audit of Western New Mexico University is revealing wasteful spending and improper use of public funds. State auditor Joseph Maestas says the university violated its policy when it spend $214,000 on excessive or extravagant travel and lodging from July 2018 to June of last year. The audit also uncovered $149,000 of noncompliant procurement and credit card spending. That includes the purchase of high end furnishings for the presidents residence. The Universitys Regent President says they addressed the issue by revising policies to align with state guidelines and regulations.

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[3] From very cold to warmer & drier weather  Temperatures will start to be on the rebound later today. With mostly sunny skies throughout the day, temperatures will rise slightly more than yesterday for most north-central areas, but it will be a tad cooler than yesterday afternoon in southern areas. Temperatures will continue to rebound later this week and into the weekend.

[4] ABQ opening second center for bicycle safety education program  The city-owned Esperanza Bicycle Safety Education Center is having its grand opening for its second shop. The new shop will be called the McKinley Center and located near San Mateo and Comanche. The Esperanza Center has helped more than 20,000 people repair their bikes. The program is funded by the Parks and Recreation department and public donations.

[5] NM filmmakers highlight the struggles of Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire victims  More than two years after the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire ripped through northern New Mexico, a local film crew is working to showcase the struggle of the fires victims. The film will show what the community has gone through during the fire and the aftermath. A 45-minute cut of the movie will air in Taos for a special screening on Friday. The filmmakers said they hope to have the film complete by the third anniversary of the fires.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The US administrations sudden enthusiasm for authorising Ukraines use of advanced weaponry seems a classic case of too little, too late. But that is not to say it wont still help to turn the tide of the war decisively in Kyivs favour.

Joe Bidens belated decision to allow Kyiv to use long-range missiles against military targets in Russia comes after he spent most of the year resisting calls from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to use the weapons for their intended purpose  defeating Russian forces.

Now, after the Democrats were humiliated in the US elections, Biden has had a change of heart, promising to provide Ukraine with as much military aid as possible before he leaves office. This includes granting permission for Kyiv to deploy the US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) against targets within Russian territory, as well as providing anti-personnel landmines.

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Bidens previous reluctance to approve the use of Western-supplied long-range missiles beyond Ukrainian borders has been the equivalent of obliging Ukraines military to fight with one hand tied behind its back.

The Russians have been able to attack Ukraine with impunity from the safety of their Russian bases, while the Ukrainians have been limited to attacking only those Russian positions located on Ukrainian soil  at least, so far as the missiles are concerned.

This significant handicap, moreover, has had a tangible impact on the course of the war, with Russian forces taking territory for the first time since Russian president Vladimir Putin launched his so-called special military operation against Ukraine in February 2022. The reason Washington is now rushing anti-personnel mines to the front is to prevent the Russians from making a major breakthrough of Ukraines defensive positions before Biden leaves office.

This depressing state of affairs serves as a damning indictment of Bidens constant dithering over US support for Ukraine. But the overdue acceptance that more needs to be done to prevent Putin declaring victory  with the catastrophic implications that would have for the West  means that the Ukrainians might yet have a fighting chance of inflicting a significant defeat against Moscow.

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The Ukrainians desperate need to disrupt Russias military assault by attacking key Russian installations within Russia can be seen from the speed with which Ukrainian forces launched their first ATACMS assault on Russia, firing six long-range missiles at a Russian ammunition depot in the Bryansk region close to Ukraines northern border. It has been reported that the Ukrainians fired a British-supplied Storm Shadow long-range missile at a Russian base in Kursk, within the Russian border province partially captured by Ukrainian forces in August.

Recapturing Kursk is now one of Putins top priorities, as he is desperate to overcome the ignominy of becoming the first Kremlin leader to have Russian territory occupied by foreign forces since the Second World War. To this end, the Russians have enlisted the help of 10,000 North Korean troops to liberate the territory from Ukrainian control.

The introduction of North Korean forces to Putins war effort is said to be one of the factors that finally persuaded Biden to lift restrictions on the use of Western long-range missiles, a decision that could prove vital to the Ukrainians chances of preventing Moscow from recapturing Kursk.

Another important consideration for Biden is the impending return to the White House, in January, of Donald Trump  who has promised to end the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours of taking office.

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Ukraine featured prominently when the two men met to discuss transition arrangements at the White House last week, with the outgoing president telling Trump that allowing Putin to claim victory in Ukraine could ultimately lead to Washington being dragged into a broader European conflict.

As someone who likes to win bragging rights from any deal he negotiates, Trump will want to emerge in a favourable light if he succeeds in brokering a settlement between Moscow and Kyiv. Giving Ukraine the means to go on the offensive and gain a battlefield advantage would certainly help Trumps objectives in securing a deal that justifies the vast sums Western nations have invested in the Ukrainian cause.

Nor should much credence be given to Putins latest attempt to intimidate the West by raising the spectre of nuclear armageddon. This has been a recurrent Putin ploy since the Russian invasion, especially when the Kremlin finds itself on the defensive. And while Putins nuclear posturing has certainly succeeded in persuading the risk-averse Biden to be cautious in his support for Ukraine, Putins blatant acts of intimidation  such as this weeks move to lower Russias threshold for firing nuclear weapons at Ukraine and its allies  is nothing more than bluster.

Putin and his army of Kremlin sycophants understand the dire consequences that would befall Russia if just one of its arsenal of tactical nuclear warheads were used against Ukraine.

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After more than 1,000 days of bitter conflict, the hope that Ukraine, with effective Western support, can yet emerge victorious needs to be kept alive.

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A key Los Angeles City Council committee signed off on a sweeping rezoning plan Tuesday that would focus new market rate and affordable housing on commercial corridors and in existing dense residential neighborhoods.

The effort is in response to state housing mandates that seek to alleviate the housing crisis by requiring the city find land where an additional 255,000 homes can be built and have the plan in place by mid-February.

In hours of public comment, members of the Planning and Land Use Management Committee heard from Angelenos who wanted to preserve single-family-home neighborhoods and those who wanted to open the areas up to more development to reduce economic and racial segregation.

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"We need affordable housing everywhere  in every neighborhood," said Maria Patino Gutierrez, a policy director with the nonprofit Strategic Actions for a Just Economy.

Patricia Carroll, a resident of St. Andrews Square in central L.A., told the committee that though she lives in a multifamily area, she enjoys walking through nearby neighborhoods filled with single-family houses, grass and trees.

"If this was to disappear ... L.A. would be a very sad place to live," Carroll said.

In the end, the committee voted 4 to 0 to approve a recommendation from the City Planning Commission that largely leaves single-family zones alone.

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The proposal can still be modified by the full City Council, and some council members not on the PLUM committee have expressed interest in shifting course when it comes to single-family zones.

"By opening up some of these neighborhoods  to some new housing  we would actually be making steps towards undoing the city's patterns of segregation that in many cases policymakers imposed upon this city," Councilmember Nithya Raman told the committee.

Read more: Los Angeles has to rezone the entire city. Why are officials protecting single-family-home neighborhoods?

As now written, the proposed Citywide Housing Incentive program would enable developers to build more than currently allowed in commercial zones and in residential neighborhoods where apartment buildings are already allowed. In order to do so, developers would need to include a certain percentage of affordable units  and the property must be near transit or along a major street near jobs and good schools.

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Projects that are 100% affordable would be eligible for incentives across a wider swath of the city.

The incentives would apply in single-family zones only if a property is owned by a public agency or a faith-based organization, which accounts for just a sliver of the citys single-family lots.

Some tenant advocates feared that by opening up existing multifamily areas to significant new development, it would cause a wave of displacement as existing buildings are knocked down.

These advocates called for imposing further restrictions on demolition, which the Planning Department said could significantly reduce new housing construction, including units that are mandated to be affordable to low-income households.

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The PLUM committee did not adopt those additional restrictions, but recommended calling for a report to study them.

In a letter to city officials, the California Department of Housing & Community Development warned such additional restrictions could put the city out of compliance with state housing law.

The PLUM committee, however, did make some changes despite such warnings.

The committee passed an amendment that would reduce the number of homes per lot faith-based organizations would be allowed to build under its program.

The Western Regional Council of Carpenters, along with some council members, have expressed concerns that faith-based organizations constructing housing would choose to use the city incentive program, which does would not mandate union-level wages, instead of using a new state law that gives nonprofit colleges and faith organizations building incentives if they pay such wages.

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"We can not solve the housing crisis by driving construction workers into poverty," carpenter Nicolas Reyes told committee members.

Brooke Wirtschafter, director of community organizing with the Jewish congregation IKAR, told the committee that IKAR is looking to build affordable housing with as many as 78 units.

She urged the city to keep its faith-based proposal as originally proposed, because doing so would create "more opportunities for congregations to build housing, especially in high-resource communities."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved a so-called sanctuary city ordinance that bars city resources from being used for immigration enforcement and city departments from sharing information on people without legal status with federal immigration authorities, in anticipation of potential mass deportations under President-elect Donald Trump.

Councilmembers voted unanimously on the measure, joining more than a dozen cities across the United States with similar provisions. Sanctuary cities or states are not legal terms but have come to symbolize a pledge to protect and support immigrant communities and decline to voluntarily supply information to immigration enforcement officials. Advocates say they are havens for immigrants to feel safe and be able to report crime without fear of deportation.

The measure will come back to the council for a second vote as a formality. Mayor Karen Bass, who has the power to veto it, has said she supports the ordinance.

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With Trump's promises of a vast immigration crackdown upon his return to the White House in January, immigration advocates urged Los Angeles council members to move swiftly.

We're going to send a very clear message that the city of Los Angeles will not cooperate with ICE in any way, said councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. We want people to feel protected and be able to have faith in their government and that women can report domestic violence, crimes.

Soto-Martinez, one of the councilmembers who introduced the initial motion last year, said his parents and many of his constituents are immigrants without legal status. They are embedded in the larger community, from cooking and cleaning houses to working as nannies, he said.

But its unclear how much will change under the ordinance since the city already does not cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

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The Los Angeles Police Department has a policy mandating that officers not inquire about a person's immigration status or make arrests based on legal status. Its new police chief Jim McDonnell has also pledged not to cooperate with mass deportations work or federal agencies on immigration enforcement issues.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued an executive directive in 2019 that offered protections to immigrants, but Tuesdays ordinance would codify those protections into city law.

The state of California has similar protections. Former California Gov. Jerry Brown signed sanctuary state legislation in 2017 to bar police from asking people about their immigration status or participating in federal immigration enforcement activities.

Then-President Trump responded by attempting to withhold funding from sanctuary cities and favor cities that pledge to cooperate with immigration enforcement for federal grants.

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Cities from New York to San Francisco have long-standing policies to support immigrants, but criticism of those measures grew with the influx of migrants. Some of the backlash occurred after Republican governors in Texas and Florida began bussing migrants to Democratic-led sanctuary cities last year in what critics have called political stunts.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has since called for expanded cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities, attacking the current city policies limiting such communication as detrimental to public safety.

Migrants were also bused to Los Angeles, though in smaller numbers.

More than 100 people gathered on the steps of city hall Tuesday morning ahead of the vote to urge the city council to enact the ordinance.

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Martha Arevalo, executive director of the Central American Resource Center in LA, called the law long overdue.

This is Trump 2.0 where he ran on a platform of hate and division and separating families and mass deportations, Arevalo said. It's traumatic to the immigrant community. There's a lot of trauma, there's a lot of fear.

Supporters of the sanctuary city ordinance, many of whom are people without legal status themselves, spoke on their personal experiences with the threat of deportation.

I grew up in the shadows, constantly fearing separation from my loved ones and being sent back to a place we had fought so hard to escape, said Jesus Carreon, a current student at Harvard Law School and graduate of University of Southern California, asking the council to vote in favor of the sanctuary policy.

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Some brought up concerns that it could encourage more migrants without legal status to come to the city and take resources away from addressing homelessness.

I'm sure there's millions of people that want to come to LA and we can't be a sanctuary city for everybody, Charles Brister told the city council before the vote. We have people in this city who don't have beds, American citizens who are homeless.

Mayor Bass said recently this moment demands urgency. Immigrant protections make our communities stronger and our city better.
(NewsNation)  Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is trying to expedite a sanctuary city ordinance, pushing back against President-elect Donald Trumps mass deportation plans.

The ordinance would prohibit the use of city resources for federal immigration enforcement. It could also mean potential legal battles as the Trump administration prepares to use ICE and the military to carry out the campaign promise of mass deportations.

An estimated 1.8 million undocumented immigrants live in California, more than any other state, with nearly a million in Los Angeles County.

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Trumps hush money case should be paused, not dismissed: Prosecutors

The ordinance is widely expected to pass. Critics point out that sanctuary city status was not something ever decided on by voters.

If theyre going to stay on these silly things like sanctuary cities, all theyre going to do is accelerate their own demise, Los Angeles County GOP chair, Tim OReilly told NewsNation.

Advocates argue many of the people who entered the country illegally are now hard-working members of American society and deserve protection.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Update Nov. 20: LA voters overwhelmingly approved a $9 billion bond measure to repair and upgrade LAUSDs aging school buildings. Measure US was backed by LAUSD school board members, district superintendent Alberto Carvalho, the teachers union and local construction groups; and passed with 68% of the vote. Measure US would be LAUSDs largest ever school facilities bond, and would be paid for with property tax increases. The headline on this article has been updated to reflect the vote.

Los Angeles Unified is seeking voters approval for a $9 billion bond measure to repair and upgrade its aging school buildings.

The bond, which Californians will vote on Tuesday as Measure US, would be LAUSDs largest ever and paid for with property tax increases. It requires a 55% majority in order to pass.

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LAUSD Board members in August issued a resolution calling for the measure, citing reports from the district that described structural shortcomings and deferred maintenance in the districts school buildings, which number more than 13,500.

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Unlike many other states, California does not set aside funding for school capital projects in its annual state budget. Such projects instead are paid for by bonds issued at the state or local level, which are typically funded by property taxes.

Los Angeles voters often exhibit support for school construction legislation such as Measure US. Headwinds facing the bond include plummeting enrollment in LAUSD, an ongoing budget crunch and a statewide school construction bond on the ballot this year.

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Measure US is supported by members of the LAUSD board, district superintendent Alberto Carvalho, the teachers union and local construction groups. Its opposed by some taxpayer advocacy groups and has been criticized by members of the local charter school community.

Carvalho argued that the bond is necessary at a board meeting to introduce Measure US in August. Ive seen firsthand our aging and outdated facilities, in many instances, our subpar learning environments, our lack of green space, our lack of outdoor space, said Carvalho.

Here are five things to know about the the $9 billion bond:

1. LAs school buildings need help.

LA Unified, the nations second largest district, boasts more than 1,500 schools spread out across 710 square miles. As is often the case in large, urban districts, many of the school buildings in Los Angeles are older, and some are in rough shape.

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According to figures kept by LAUSD, at least 60% of the schools in the district were built before 1975. Many of those older buildings need upgrades and renovations such as new roofs, ventilation systems, seismic updates or tech upgrades. According to LAUSDs own estimates the district needs to replace roughly 50,000 HVAC units, two million square feet of plumbing and 18 million square feet of roofing.

LA Unified school buildings also suffer from a lack of green space and accessible facilities for students with disabilities. Beyond that, the district has also highlighted a need for investment in technology for its schools, such as video camera systems and alarm and monitoring systems to improve campus safety.

2. Not even $9 billion can fix the districts building problems.

According to the districts own estimates, $9 billion wont entirely cover the cost of needed upgrades and repairs to school buildings. Carvalho says the district actually needs at least $80 billion to fully repair and modernize its schools.

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Another problem with LA Unified school buildings is that there are too many of them, and they are too big. District officials have said the school system is built for about 650,000 students, but there are now fewer than 410,000 students enrolled in LAUSD schools at district-run TK-12 programs.

With no end to dropping enrollment in sight, a tricky problem facing LAUSD is what to do with all those classrooms when theyre not being used by students. Carvalho has said closing schools is on the table, but so far the district has avoided doing that.

3. The state puts its own, $10 billion school construction bond to voters this year.

State lawmakers have put a statewide bill forward to voters this year for a separate set of school buildings bonds. Proposition 2 would fund repairs and upgrades at public schools and community colleges around the state.

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Los Angeles Unified stands to gain just a small fraction of that $10 billion included in the statewide bond from the legislation, an amount that district officials say is far too small to address the facilities needs there.

And thats not all when it comes to school repairs for California this election cycle  besides the statewide measure and the measure on the ballot in LA, 252 districts around the state also have school building bonds up before voters next week.

4. Charter schools could be shortchanged by LAs measure.

Measure US sets aside $300 million for charter schools out of the $9 billion total that it seeks to borrow from voters and pay for with a bond.

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California Charter Schools Association Vice President Keith DellAquila said those allotments shortchange charter schools, which account for roughly 22% of LAUSDs enrollment, including district-affiliated schools.

Twenty-two percent of the students should see and benefit from more than three percent of the revenues, said DellAquila at an August board meeting to discuss the bond.

We need to be working in collaboration and partnership, he added. We see the same challenges: the leaky roofs, the insufficient special education space, too much concrete and not enough grass, the need to reinvest and modernize our schools.
As surely as dawn rose on another week, yet another example has come to light about the harm done to the British economy by the Chancellors first Budget.

This time it was the failure to clarify, in the long run-up to her Budget, what taxpayers could expect with the rates of stamp duty that caused purchases to be withheld and tax revenues to fall.

Research by estate agents, Knight Frank, established there was a shortfall of 142 property sales worth over 5m between March and October, equating to a shortfall of 140.3m in anticipated stamp duty revenue.

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As with any tax, when you get so big a share of the revenue from a small number of the taxpayers paying it, any behavioural changes can have a big impact.

This appears to be what has happened  taxpayers fearing the worst due to Rachel Reevess silence on her intentions stopped buying and revenues fell away.

Given that domestic property transactions often operate in a chain, disrupting one part of the chain has an impact on the process elsewhere, ensuring inefficiency across the property market, lower sales, suppressed prices  especially for properties that might cross a tax threshold  and poor tax revenues.

Owners cannot sell because customers decline to buy, causing others to not complete a transaction, rippling through the chain, causing havoc, slowing down the process and running up professional fees for vendors and buyers without any productive result to show for it. Is it any wonder stamp duty is hated so much?

Stamp duty did not start out as a costly tax. It was introduced in 1694, during the reign of William and Mary, before Great Britain was even a political entity to help fund the war with France. Essentially, it was a charge by the state for stamping and recording legal papers of a conveyance of property.

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Later in 1765, it was the attempt to enforce the Stamp Act in the British colonies of America that resulted in the American War of independence, so it has a lot to answer for. And in 1808, stamp duty shifted from a flat fee irrespective of the value of the transaction to a percentage of the purchase. That was pretty much how it remained.

A single 1pc of stamp duty above a threshold existed from 1984 to 1997, when the tax affected just 607,000 purchasers and raised 675m a year. However, Labour chancellor Gordon Brown introduced two new thresholds and rates  1.5 and 2pc  and higher rates were raised to 3 and 4pc by 2000. Within a decade, it was raising 4bn in revenue.

Like so many of Labours tax increases since the beginning of this millennium, rather than reverse them, the Conservatives doubled down  making stamp duty even more of a burden.

Tory chancellor George Osborne increased the top rate to 12pc in 2014, then introduced a 3pc surcharge on second home purchases the following year. Today, its successor named stamp duty land tax in 2003, brings in 15.3bn in revenue in England alone  with Scotland and Wales levying and collecting their own rates separately.

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In the recent Conservative leadership election, James Cleverly was the only aspirant who made a specific commitment about taxation beyond trying to reduce it, arguing he would abolish stamp duty, were he to become leader.

Cleverly believed it would remove distortions and blockages, allowing more movement in the housing market. It received a popular public response, but the parliamentary Tory party eschews winning ways these days and eliminated him from the leadership race.

Taxes on transactions are the worst type of tax, because their effect is to prevent otherwise economically beneficial transactions from occurring  inhibiting the economic growth the Prime Minister and Chancellor say they wish to encourage.

The two most prominent transaction taxes are stamp duty and capital gains tax and both are, of course, voluntary in that if you dont need to sell a house or shares you will not do so if the tax is too high.

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Stamp duty thus prevents people from moving house. It can be seen as a tax on people who change their job for one in another town or city, or a growing family that would like more rooms for their children, or an elderly couple downsizing to a property easier to heat and maintain.

A comparative analysis of various taxes by the Australian Treasury found its housing transactions tax was the most economically costly of all its major levies, imposing a $0.80 (0.41) welfare cost for every $1 raised in tax, over and above the $1 loss to those paying the tax burden. This is consistent with other research on similar taxes across the developed world.

In the end, after scaremongering buyers into halting purchases, Reeves left the standard rates alone but increased the higher rate on second homes from 3pc to 5pc for exchanges agreed from October 31. Her poor communication hurt the economy and inevitably cost us all money.

If Reeves had a different job, say, maybe working in the customer complaints department of a big mortgage provider, she would know from personal protestations that stamp duty throws sand in the gears of the housing market.

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Politicians make out they, better than anyone, know how things work, how people think and can put such intuition to our benefit by solving problems.

It is difficult to fathom what exactly Reeves actually learned at her time in the Bank of England and HBOS, but by her actions, I can only surmise it was not practical experience or unique insights  for she has thus far been a calamity.

Tax revenues have varied beyond expectations in all directions and are now chaotic and unpredictable thanks to a failure to communicate her true intentions. Either our Chancellor is completely out of her depth  and knows not which way to turn  or she does know what she is doing, and stubbornly carries on regardless of the damage she is wreaking.

Being incompetent or dogmatically ideological, or possibly both, Reeves is on course to ruin the country and cost Labour its future democratic legitimacy.

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The Chancellor had better learn from her mistakes quickly as her next Budget will need to focus on correcting her own errors rather than those of her predecessors.

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Some are having a hard time metabolising the US election result. There is talk that our greatest ally is no longer to be relied upon.

Best look elsewhere when formulating our foreign policy. America is set on a path to isolationism. Shell let us know when she is back. This is a view permeating the Labour Party, including their front bench team.

To Labour, the trans-Atlantic alliance has always been a tough sell. They dont really like America, with its new ideas and energy. The party treated Brexit as an event to be mourned by the international community, not one that was welcomed by many Americans.

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It was, after all, a very American thing to do: confident, visionary and modern. Anyone who believes in democracy and the power of trade as a force for good in the world can see this.

Labour then criticised the US State level economic deals the Conservative government established. These contained real benefits such as mutual recognition of qualifications to give both nations a greater share in each others markets.

Now the Prime Ministers stated aim is closer alignment with the EU, again. Even at this early stage, we can see his love for regulation, tax, restriction, bureaucracy and protectionism. Were closing the door to tomorrow.

Labour seemed to have adopted the mindset of First World War generals. Of course we dont need the Americans  with one more big push on tax and spend, it will all come right.

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But it wont. We need to change the way our public services work. We need more enterprise and leadership.

The sad news is that it will take years to undo the damage that Labour is doing to our country and its alliances. There is even speculation that FCDOs footprint in the US is about to be cut.

The Governments relationship with the new President and his team is hardly one of bonhomie. The new Labour government is dogged by old ideas in much the same way as the new Foreign Secretary is haunted by his old comments about the President.

The capitulation on the Chagos Islands is perhaps the clearest example of Labours lack of care of the UK-US relationship. They would rather spend diplomatic resources entertaining the notion of reparations for Britains colonial past, than preventing an action that rewarded Chinas colonial present.

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For Britain, a pivot away from the US as our prime partner would be a grave mistake. You dont have to like Trump to recognise the formidable and unique partnership the UK and US have.

This is well established on defence and security, but we also depend upon being in step with the rest of our foreign policy tools, and that includes development.

Private enterprise, philanthropy and good trade policy has produced advances that are sustainable. It is UK insurance that has thwarted famine. It is UK investment in African technology that has given the poorest access to banking, the ability to run business and access to credit.

It is our British Institutions whose expertise is changing outcomes, for example, the Royal Horticultural Society  whose members have helped farmers in the developing world identify pests. It is British Rotarians that are helping end Polio. It is our science and tech that is saving lives.

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It is our seat at the World Bank table that has seen Britain shaping the worlds multilateral funds and moving China from a recipient to a donor nation. And latterly at the WTO, which has the potential to end trade distortions, we have lifted millions out of poverty.

Where natural disaster strikes it is our Royal Marines, Search and Rescue volunteers and charities like Map Action youll find making the difference.

To be effective, Britain must place the private sector and philanthropy at the heart of its international policy. A modern framework for refugees must accept that nations must be able to deny access to their borders by foreign nationals.

It is free trade and commerce which lifts people out of poverty. That requires rule of law, property and contract rights. Good development policy must also safeguard the UKs interests, and those of our partners.

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In Britain the Conservatives do not hold power, but they still have convening power and a platform. That is sufficient to rally people to the opportunity.

To win against those we compete against, a vision is required. If Labour fail to deliver then it is our duty to provide it.

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TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)  A Lago Vista woman was sentenced to serve five years in jail in a tampering with evidence case stemming from her sons death in 2023, according to Travis County court documents.

Veronica Soriano, 36, was convicted on Nov. 12 of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with the intent to impair a human corpse, according to sentencing documents.

Previous coverage: Lago Vista employee accused of not reporting 16-year-old sons death, burying him

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The charge stems from the March 2023 death of her son, who was 16 at the time, according to a Travis County affidavit.

Soriano was sentenced to serve five years in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility. She has 198 days of jail credits, or a little over six months, that were applied to her sentence, according to the sentencing paperwork.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 suspect accused of murdering Laken Riley on the University of Georgia's campus was found guilty by a judge on all charges Wednesday, including malice murder and felony murder.

He was sentenced by the judge to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the maximum possible.

Prosecutors called the evidence against the suspect "overwhelming," while the defense raised the theory that the defendant could be an accomplice but not the killer during closing arguments in his trial.

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Jose Ibarra, 26, was accused of killing the 22-year-old nursing student while she was out for a run after prosecutors said she "refused to be his rape victim." Jose Ibarra, an undocumented migrant, was charged with malice murder and felony murder in connection with her death, which became a rallying cry for immigration reform from many conservatives, including President-elect Donald Trump.

PHOTO: Jose Ibarra listens through an interpreter during his trial at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court in Athens, Ga., Nov. 20, 2024. (Hyosub Shin/AP)

Jose Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial and the case was presented over four days in the Athens-Clarke County courtroom to Judge H. Patrick Haggard, who rendered the verdict on Wednesday shortly after closing arguments in the trial.

Sobbing could be heard in the courtroom as he read the guilty verdicts on each charge.

Before announcing his verdict, Haggard told the courtroom that he wrote down two statements from the attorneys during closing arguments.

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One was a statement by the prosecutor, who said the "evidence was overwhelming and powerful."

The other was one by the defense attorney, who said that the judge is "required to set aside my emotions."

"That's the same thing we tell jurors," he said. "That's the way I have to approach this, and I did. Both of those statements are correct."

In subsequently issuing his sentence on Wednesday, Haggard acknowledged there can be "no such thing as closure" in an event like this.

"As many times as you reflect on the loss, at some point you start smiling about the memories, and I'm hopeful that at some point that takes over to a certain extent, but there's very little, including the sentence of Mr. Ibarra, that's going to help much, and I acknowledge that," he said.

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MORE: Timeline: Laken Riley's last moments retraced during trial on Georgia nursing student's murder

Riley's family addresses court: 'There is no end to the pain'

Riley's family addressed the court ahead of sentencing with often tearful victim impact statements while calling for a life sentence without parole.

"There is no end to the pain, suffering and loss that we have experienced or will continue to endure," her mother, Allyson Phillips, said.

She remembered Riley as "smart, hard-working, kind, thoughtful, and most importantly she was a child of God."

She called Jose Ibarra a "monster" who "took my best friend."

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"This horrific individual robbed us all of our hopes and dreams for Laken," she said.

Lauren Phillips, Riley's sister, said her big sister was her "biggest role model."

"I looked up to her in every way," she said. "She brought the joy that I needed into my life and never failed to make me laugh."

She said seeing her parents' heartbreak is "excruciating" and she will never get closure over her sister's murder.

"We're a broken family of three struggling to find out how to live this life through the silence and emptiness that her absence has left behind," she said.

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Riley's father, Jason Riley, said he is "haunted by the fear" his daughter must have felt in her final moments.

"I have to live with the fact that I could not protect her when she needed me the most," he said.

PHOTO: John Phillips, stepfather of Laken Riley, reacts as Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard announces the verdict during a trial of Jose Ibarra at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court in Athens, Ga., Nov. 20, 2024. (Hyosub Shin/AP)

Riley's stepfather, John Phillips, said she was the "best daughter, sister, granddaughter, friend and overall person that you could ever hope to meet."

"I plead with this court to protect the world from this truly evil person by sentencing him to prison for life without the possibility of parole for any reason, so that he could never have the opportunity to do this to anyone else ever again," he said.

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Several of Riley's good friends also addressed the court, including Riley's three roommates, who had testified during the trial about trying to find and get in touch with her the day of her murder.

Connolly Huth said she used to run with Riley, but has since "lost the joy of what running was before Laken was taken from us."

"I live with excruciating guilt every day that I was not accompanying Laken on this run and that it was her and not me," she said, crying. "I hope and pray that it will never happen again to anyone."

Lilly Steiner said life has been "dull" without Riley.

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"Laken left a colossal legacy to everyone she touched and I have zero doubt that she is still not finished building it," she said. "And that is something Jose Ibarra will never be able to take away."

Sofia Magana called Riley her "chosen family" and "fearless other half," and said her heart is "full of grief, sadness and an overwhelming sense of lost."

"The loss of my best friend has shattered my world in ways I never thought possible," she said through tears.

PHOTO: From left, Connolly Huth, Lauren Phillips, and Sofia Magana react as Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard announces the verdict during a trial of Jose Ibarra at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court in Athens, Ga., Nov. 20, 2024. (Hyosub Shin/AP)

State shows moment parents learned Riley was dead

As part of the victim impact statements ahead of sentencing, the state showed body worn camera of officers breaking the news to Laken's family that she was dead.

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Her mother could be seen collapsing on the ground, weeping.

"That's what they endured," special prosecutor Sheila Ross told the judge. "That's how it was on that day when they came here to look for their daughter."

Ross also showed the court videos of Riley, including ones of her running in a race.

"These are just little snippets that we saw in the investigation that we thought would be important to share with the court that shows not only the type of person that she was -- that you just heard from her friends and family -- but the true impact that her murder had on her parents," Ross said.

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Jose Ibarra faced a minimum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole and maximum of life without the possibility of parole for the top charge of malice murder.

Ross urged the judge to offer a sentence that "brings comfort to this community" and one that "appropriately reflects the harm that was done in this case" while asking for the maximum sentence.

The defense asked the judge to impose life with the possibility of parole.

"Getting a life sentence is automatic," defense attorney John Donnelly said. "There's certainly no guarantee of parole."

He added that given the defendant's immigration status, if he were to be released in the future, "it would only to be deported."

State says evidence 'loud and clear'

Prosecutors called 28 witnesses while laying out what they said was evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that Jose Ibarra killed Riley, who died by blunt force head trauma and asphyxia.

Ross told the court Jose Ibarra encountered Riley while she was on her morning jog on Feb. 22 while he was out "hunting" for women on the Athens campus.

PHOTO: Laken Riley is seen running on a University of Georgia trail on Feb. 22, 2024, in a still from footage shown in court on Nov. 19, 2024. (Courtroom Footage)

Ross said Riley "fought for her life" in a struggle that caused Jose Ibarra to leave forensic evidence behind. Digital and video evidence also pointed to him as the only killer, she said.

"The evidence in this case has been overwhelming, and the evidence in this case has spoken loud and clear -- that he is Laken Riley's killer, and that he killed her because she would not let him rape her," Ross said during her closing argument on Wednesday.

A forensics expert testified that Jose Ibarra's DNA was found under Riley's right fingernails, and that his two brothers, who lived with him in an apartment near the campus, were excluded as matches.

MORE: Laken Riley murder suspect seen with multiple scratches day after killing: Officers

When Jose Ibarra was questioned by police a day after the murder, he had visible scratches on his arms, officers said. He also had scratches on his neck and back, which Ross said could have only been left by Riley.

"In order to not find him guilty, you would have to disbelieve your own eyes," Ross said.

"She marked him. She marked him for everyone to see. She marked him for you to see," Ross told the judge.

Prosecutors argued Jose Ibarra hindered Riley from making a 911 call, and said his thumbprint was left on her phone. Data from his Samsung phone and the Garmin watch Riley was wearing on her run showed the devices overlapped and were in close proximity in the forest where she was found dead, an FBI analyst testified.

PHOTO: Lilly Steiner, roommate of Laken Riley, testifies during a trial of Jose Ibarra,accused of killing the Georgia nursing student earlier this year at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court, Nov. 15, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, POOL)

Jose Ibarra was captured on Ring footage discarding a bloody jacket and three disposable gloves near his apartment about 15 minutes after Riley died, prosecutors said. The individual's face can't be seen in the video, but Jose Ibarra's roommate testified that it was him. The defendant's brother, Diego Ibarra, also identified him as the person in the video while being questioned by police a day after the murder.

Riley's DNA was found on the jacket and gloves, the forensics expert said. Jose Ibarra's DNA was also found on the jacket, while his two brothers were excluded as matches, the expert said.

"That is what we call consciousness of guilt in our business -- he threw away those items because he knew he had killed her, and he threw them away because he didn't want anyone to find him," Ross said.

Her DNA was also found on an Adidas cap he was seen wearing in the video, the expert said. That cap was not discarded, Ross surmised, because Jose Ibarra could not see that there was actually blood on it.

Hours after the killing, Jose Ibarra was also captured wearing different clothes from the dumpster Ring footage while discarding unidentifiable items in a bag in another dumpster at his apartment complex, Ross said. That bag was never recovered by police, she said. Ross surmised that the bag contained the clothes he was wearing earlier that day, which were also similar to ones he was wearing in a selfie posted on Snapchat earlier that morning.

"His digital evidence of posting selfies of himself wearing what is basically his rapist gear an hour before he leaves his house -- that condemns him, he has condemned himself," Ross said.

Defense presents alternative theory

The defense called three witnesses, including a neighbor who said Diego Ibarra had threatened her the night of Riley's murder.

The defense said they had planned to call two additional witnesses -- including Diego Ibarra, who is in federal custody awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to possessing a fraudulent green card, however, his attorney did not wish for him to testify.

"While the evidence in this case is voluminous, it is circumstantial," defense attorney Kaitlyn Beck told the judge.

Beck told the judge they advised Jose Ibarra to have a bench trial "trusting that your honor could and believing that your honor would set aside the emotions in this case and simply consider the evidence."

She argued there is doubt about what was tested and said the judge should be "skeptical" of the DNA evidence.

MORE: Laken Riley murder suspect seen with multiple scratches day after killing: Officers

She presented an "alternative theory" that Diego Ibarra was actually Riley's murderer, and that Jose Ibarra was an accomplice in covering up the evidence.

"Maybe it was him throwing away the jacket, as Diego said, maybe he was covering up for his brother," Beck said.

"Under that theory, of course, Jose would be guilty of tampering, but that theory does not prove that he was present or involved in the murder of Laken Riley," she said.

She said since three gloves were discarded, it "suggests that there are multiple pairs of hands wearing those gloves."

On rebuttal, Ross called the defense's theory "desperate" and a "mischaracterization of the evidence."

"There is no reasonable explanation for all of this evidence other than he is guilty of every single count in this indictment," Ross said of Jose Ibarra.

PHOTO: Allyson Phillips, second from left, mother of Laken Riley, reacts during a trial of Jose Ibarra, accused of killing the Georgia nursing student earlier this year, at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court, Nov. 15, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Hyosub Shin/AP)

Diego Ibarra told officers during questioning that he was asleep at the time the killing occurred. A Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent who was on the case testified earlier Wednesday that there was no evidence to contradict that statement.

Jose Ibarra, a migrant from Venezuela who officials said illegally entered the U.S. in 2022, waived his right to testify during the trial. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges, including malice murder and three counts of felony murder.

Additional charges in the 10-count indictment included 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 was that he "knowingly concealed" evidence -- the jacket and gloves -- in the murder.

MORE: Laken Riley case: Murder suspect was 'hunting' for women on UGA's campus, prosecutor says

Jose Ibarra was also convicted of a peeping tom offense. Prosecutors said that in the hours before Riley's murder, he spied through the window of a UGA graduate student, and said the incident "shows his state of mind" that day.

The student testified that she called police after hearing someone trying to open her door.

Ross said the person at the student's apartment was wearing clothes similar to the ones Jose Ibarra had on in the Snapchat selfie posted earlier that morning, including the Adidas cap.

Reaction to verdict

Trump released a statement following the verdict in the high-profile trial, saying that "our hearts will always be with" Riley. He also said it's "time to secure our border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!"

District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez, whose circuit includes Athens-Clarke County, said "the integrity of our judicial process and the pursuit of justice transcended political considerations."

"Collaboration among law enforcement partners was key in successfully prosecuting this case," she added.

The district attorney also acknowledged, "No sentence can undo the harm caused by Jose Ibarra's actions, but we hope it brings justice to Laken's family and the community. Our hearts remain with Laken's family and friends as they continue to grieve this tragic loss."

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey also spoke on Wednesday.

"Today marked a tremendous step in the fight for justice for Laken Riley," he said.

"While we recognize the significance of today's outcome, we know that the battle is not over for Laken's family and friends as they continue to grieve and mourn her loss," Hosey added. "The GBI Family stands with you. We lift you up in our hearts and our prayers."

Laken Riley case: Suspect found guilty by judge in campus killing, sentenced to life originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The Augusta University nursing student was last seen alive jogging on the University of Georgia campus Feb. 22

Footage of slain college student Laken Riley's final moments has been released.

The Augusta University nursing student was last seen alive jogging on the University of Georgia campus around 9 a.m. on Feb. 22. She disappeared moments after, and was later found dead with "visible injuries." Authorities suspected foul play. She was 22 years old.



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On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the third day of murder suspect Jose Ibarra's trial, prosecutors played footage of Riley jogging on campus before she vanished, which you can watch above via CourtTV. The footage was captured by a police mobile trailer camera set up in the area.

Prosecutors also shared the last text message Riley sent during Tuesday's proceedings.

Related: Neighbor Says Laken Riley Often Walked Past Suspects Apartment, Close to Where She Was Found: Report

Good morning, Riley wrote in the fateful message to her mother around 8:55 a.m. on Feb. 22, according to a UGA investigator who read out the message in court, per WSB TV and 11 Alive.

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...about to go for run if youre free to talk," Riley added.

She then called her mother eight minutes later, however, there was no answer, according to a timeline shared by 11 Alive.

Prosecutors noted that Riley called the police at 9:11 a.m. However, the call was abruptly cut off. 911 dispatchers called Riley back but did not get an answer. Her mother also returned her call at 9:24 a.m. with no answer.

Related: Laken Riley's Father Speaks Out on Georgia Nursing Student's Death: 'I Just Hate She Was Taken So Early'

Riley's mother began to get worried, and phone records show that many of Riley's family members attempted to reach her but were unsuccessful. Her body was found later that day in a wooded area near a lake.

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Ibarra was arrested on Friday, Feb. 23, and charged with several offenses including murder, kidnapping and assault, according to online court records previously cited by PEOPLE.

He pleaded not guilty, per ABC News, WSB-TV and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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.

Ibarra is a Venezuelan citizen who immigration officials said entered the country illegally in 2022, according CBS News and ABC News. He told the court on Tuesday that he will not testify, CNN reports.

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After her death, Riley was remembered as a loyal friend who lit up every room she walked into and brought a smile on everyones face, her former roommate Bianca Tiller said, per The New York Times.

In addition to being a nursing student, Riley was an experienced runner for her high school's cross-country team.


Originally appeared on E! Online

Jose Antonio Ibarra has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.

Ibarra, who U.S. officials have said is a Venezuelan citizen who entered the United States illegally in 2022, was convicted Nov. 20 on 10 counts, including three for felony murder, one for malice murder, plus kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape and being a "peeping Tom," NBC News reported.

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Later in the day, the judge sentenced Ibarra to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the killing of Riley.

The 22-year-old, who studied at Augusta University, was running at the intramural fields at the University of Georgia's campus in Athens, Ga. on the morning of Feb. 22 when she was attacked. She was found dead in a forested area after her roommates called police when she did not return home.

Ibarrawhose DNA was discovered under Riley's fingernails and whose thumbprint was found on her iPhone, according to evidence presented by the prosecutionhad initially pleaded not guilty to his murder and other charges.

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Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard handed down the guilty verdict on the fourth day of Ibarra's bench trial. The defendant had waived his right to a jury trial and did not testify in his own defense.

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Prosecutors argued during the bench trial that Ibarra killed Riley after she fought off his attempt to rape her. "It is a direct result of that fight," prosecutor Sheila Ross had told the judge, per NBC News, "that gives you all the physical evidence you need to convict."

However, the defense argued that while the evidence showed the victim was murdered, it did not tie Ibarra to the killing without a reasonable doubt, and they suggested Ibarra's brother, Diego Ibarra, could have killed Riley, NBC News said.

Riley is survived by her parents, two sisters and a brother. Her mother, Allyson Phillips, cried as she read her victim impact statement before the sentencing.

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"This monster took away our chances to see Laken graduate from nursing school," she said. He took away our ability to meet our future son-in-law. He destroyed our chances of meeting our grandchildren, and he took my best friend."

She added, He took away every beautiful memory we wont ever be able to make with her again."

(E! and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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Shortly following word of Laken Rileys death at the hands of an illegal immigrant, it became clear that her murder was going to cause a firestorm.

On Wednesday, Jose Ibarra was found guilty on all counts in the college students death.

Riley, a student at the Augusta University College of Nursings Athens campus, was out running on the University of Georgias campus the morning of Feb. 22, 2024, when Ibarra killed her.

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Her death sparked outrage across the board and added fuel to the national immigration debate that became a top issue in this years presidential election.

Ibarra had entered the country illegally from Venezuela, eventually landing in Athens. Two of his brothers have also been detained for being in the country illegally.

President-elect Donald Trump released a statement Wednesday, saying:

JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes. Although the pain and heartbreak will last forever, hopefully this can help bring some peace and closure to her wonderful family who fought for Justice, and to ensure that other families dont have to go through what they have. We love you, Laken, and our hearts will always be with you. It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!

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During the State of the Union in March, Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene brought attention to Rileys death, posting a video to X, formerly known as Twitter, in a t-shirt reading, Say Her Name Laken Riley along with a pin bearing Rileys photo and a Make America Great Again hat.

The State of the Union is Laken Riley. America is under attack because of Joe Bidens open border policies with more than 10 million illegal aliens invading our country, she said on X.

As President Joe Biden made his way into the U.S. House of Representatives Chamber to deliver his address, Greene handed him a pin with Rileys photo on it and asked him to say her name.

In a separate video she posted on X, you can see Greene handing the president the pin and saying, Laken Riley.

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I know how to say the name, he responded.

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She then went on to encourage him to say her name out loud as he continued down the aisle and onto the podium.

During an appearance at a campaign rally in October, Trump mentioned the murder of Riley, accusing his electoral opponent Vice President Kamala Harris of allowing criminals into the United States through what he said was an open border.

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Right here in Georgia, our nation was robbed of a brilliant 22-year-old nursing student, Laken Riley, the former president said in part. Laken was a brilliant young student, top of her class, going to be a great nurse, nursing student, everyone admired her. She was killed viciously while out on a jog, she was assaulted, beaten and horrifically murdered by an illegal alien.

Federal agents previously told Channel 2 Action News that they could not confirm when Jose Ibarra crossed the border into the U.S. Immigration officials added that they also could not verify his immigration status.

However, New York police confirmed Jose Ibarra was there in Aug. 2023 and was arrested after he was caught driving an unregistered, uninsured car with a five-year-old inside. He was charged with reckless endangerment of a child and acting in a manner injurious to a child.

WABC reported that Jose Ibarra was in New York with his wife and child before leaving for Georgia shortly after he bonded out of jail.

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According to court documents, immigration officers reported that Diego Ibarra crossed the border into Texas in 2023, where he claimed asylum. In an arrest affidavit, the officer wrote, Due to a finding of credible fear, Diego Ibarra was released to New York, New York pending adjudication of his claim for asylum.

Authorities said they believe Diego Ibarra arrived in Georgia from New York by Sept. 2023 after officers arrested him for the first time and charged him with driving under the influence without a license.

A month later, officials said Diego Ibarra was arrested again for shoplifting. Court documents said he was then arrested in Dec. for failing to appear for fingerprinting.

In Feb., UGA officials told Channel 2 Action News he had been working as a campus dishwasher at Bolton Dining Hall. A spokesperson for the university said Diego Ibarra gave them a fake green card to get the job, but since he never submitted the correct documents to keep his job, he was never paid.

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You saw the picture from Venezuela. The savage monster who murdered Laken was let in and released into our country by Kamala Harris. He came in through open borders, Trump said while talking about Rileys death. Nobody even checked him. Come right in, come right in, his brother was also in Georgia illegally.

In a statement from Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday, he reiterated that Ibarra should not have been allowed to be in our country.

This criminal should never have been allowed to enter our country, and he certainly should not have been allowed to stay after shamelessly breaking our laws. Open border policies failed Laken Riley, and todays verdict is a reminder that the safety of our communities must remain our number one priority. While our state has taken considerable actions to address the impact of the border crisis, I will not waver in supporting efforts that secure our border and keep this state and our nation safe, Kemp said in part.

Earlier this year, Georgia U.S. Rep. Mike Collins introduced The Laken Riley Act into the U.S. House of Representatives.

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The legislation is meant to give U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement more tools to fight against illegal alien crime.

While we cant bring Laken back, we must now turn our focus to doing everything we can to prevent this from happening to another American, Collins said in a statement, in part. The Laken Riley Act is a key piece in our fight to restore the rule of law and get criminal illegal aliens off our streets.

Additionally, the bill would amend federal law to require ICE to issue detainers and take custody of undocumented migrants who commit theft-related crimes like shoplifting, as defined by state and local laws where they reside.

The bill would also allow state Attorneys General to sue the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security for injunctive relief if immigration actions like parole, violating detention requirements or other policy failures harm that state or its citizens.

The bill passed the House and is currently stalled in the Senate.




The man accused of killing Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, at the University of Georgia in February was found guilty of murder on Wednesday. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, is a Venezuelan citizen who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in 2022. He was released by border officials while his immigration case was awaiting review, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Ibarras status as an undocumented immigrant became a flashpoint in the heated debate over border security. President-elect Donald Trump and fellow Republicans have pointed to Rileys murder as proof that President Biden hasnt done enough to prevent potentially dangerous individuals from crossing the southern border.

(Left) Jose Antonio Ibarra; (right) Laken Riley. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Pool via AP, via Facebook)

Trump said in an X post that he hoped the verdict would bring some "peace and closure" who fought for Riley's justice. "We love you, Laken, and our hearts will always be with you. It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!" Trump said.

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Ibarra waived his right to a trial by jury. Instead, Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard rendered a verdict and found Ibarra guilty on all 10 counts in the murder of Riley. Ibarra showed no emotion as the guilty verdicts or sentencing were relayed to him through a translator.

Allyson Phillips, Riley's mother, tearfully read a statement describing the impact of the murder on their family. "He took my best friend," Phillips said. "He ripped away every beautiful memory we will ever be able to make with her again."

How we got here

Riley, a nursing student at Georgias Augusta University was reported missing by her friends on Feb. 22 after failing to return from a morning run. A police search ensued, and her body was later found in the woods near a jogging trail on the UGA campus. Authorities determined Riley died from blunt force trauma.

Ibarra was arrested on Feb. 23, the day after Riley was murdered, after a "robust" amount of evidence pointed to Ibarra.

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Ibarra pleaded not guilty to all 10 counts against him, including malice murder, three counts of felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury and aggravated assault with intent to rape.

Last week, prosecutor Sheila Ross said in her opening statement, "On Feb. 22, Jose Ibarra put on a black hat, a hoodie-style jacket and some black kitchen-style disposable gloves, and he went hunting for females on the University of Georgia campus. Ross also pointed to forensic evidence, claiming that Ibarras DNA, and only his DNA, turned up under Rileys fingernails after she fought for her life.

Defense attorney Dustin Kirby argued that the DNA is circumstantial evidence and would not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ibarra killed Riley.

Riley's mother, Allyson Phillips, second from left, during the trial in Athens, Ga., on Nov. 15. (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Key revelations from the 4-day trial
Just two blocks from the University of Georgia campus, in a downtown courtroom in Athens, Georgia, a judge on Wednesday found Jose Ibarra guilty of murder in the death of 22-year-old Laken Riley, a former UGA student who transferred to the nursing program at Augusta University's Athens campus.

In late February, Riley was attacked during her morning jog on a trail near the University of Georgia's intramural fields. As the investigation and trial unfolded, members of the Athens community grappled with a shaken sense of security.

"Just because we're on campus doesn't mean, necessarily, that the bad parts of the world can't get in," said Allison Mawn, a fourth-year student. "She did everything right. She told friends where she was going, she went on a popular trail during the day. She had her tracking location on. She even managed to call for help, and still it wasn't enough."

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The case was thrust into the national spotlight when authorities arrested Ibarra, an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant who entered the country two years ago, and charged him with murdering Riley. In the midst of the election cycle, her death quickly became a flashpoint in the immigration debate, with former President Donald Trump and his supporters raising it at rallies and President Biden responding to heckling about it in his State of the Union address.

"In an instant, all the eyes across the country are on us," said Mawn. "Now you can't say the name Laken Riley without thinking about undocumented immigrants and illegal immigration."

Trump supporters hold images of Laken Riley at a campaign rally in Rome, Georgia, on March 9, 2024. / Credit: ELIJAH NOUVELAGE/AFP via Getty Images

Students have organized vigils and prayer groups, and participated in protests, rallies and runs in memory of Riley. A GoFundMe set up by her family amassed over $250,000 in donations that will go to the Laken Hope Foundation, an organization that will "promote safety awareness for women, aid and tuition assistance for nursing students, and children's healthcare all causes that Laken felt strongly about."

For many students, Athens no longer feels like the safe haven they once thought it was. To ease fears, University of Georgia President Jere Morehead announced a $7.3 million campus safety initiative. The campus has been fortified by an expanded university police force, hundreds of additional lights and security cameras and multiple emergency call stations and license plate readers.

People pass by a memorial to Laken Riley at Lake Allyn Herrick on the campus of the University of Georgia on June 7, 2024, in Athens, Georgia. / Credit: ELIJAH NOUVELAGE/AFP via Getty Images

Over the past months, "there was an expectation that we would magnify those efforts," said P. Daniel Silk, the University of Georgia's associate vice president for public safety. "We want to be more safe and more secure tomorrow than we were yesterday."

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While the Athens community waited for justice to be delivered, students continued to bustle around campus, walking under the newly installed street lights, passing by additional emergency call systems and easing into a heightened security presence. Classes may go on, but the campus and community are changed.

"Regardless of what the verdict is, unfortunately we still lost a student. We still lost a life and nothing's gonna change that," said Mawn. "Things are never going to be a hundred percent the same for any of us here."

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ATHENS, Ga. (AP)  Laken Riley's family tearfully ask judge to sentence the man convicted of killing her to life in prison without parole.
A Georgia judge convicted Jose Ibarra of murder for killing Laken Riley in February

Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock; Laken Riley/ Facebook Jose Ibarra (left); and Laken Riley. Jose Ibarra (left); and Laken Riley.

As the trial of Laken Rileys killer Jose Ibarra wrapped up, the slain Georgia nursing students friends and family members shared powerful memories of her.

Ibarra was convicted of murder, kidnapping, assault with attempt to rape and hindering a 911 call, among 10 offenses, in an Athens County, Ga., court on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

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Following remarks by her mother, who called Ibarra a sick, twisted evil coward, Rileys stepfather shared a statement about Riley.

[Her life] was abundantly and exceptionally full of promise, John Phillips said, at times choking up during his testimony, which was livestreamed on Court TV.

He then offered the court a glimpse into the hopes and dreams Riley had for her future.

In her last ever journal entry, written on Dec. 17, 2023, she wrote a note to her hypothetical future husband, starting off by admitting that she felt silly writing it, but expressing her wishes for him.

I want you to know that Im thinking about you, Im working everyday to become the best wife I could be," Phillips read.

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She wrote about working through her relationships to prepare for her future husband and children, according to Phillips testimony.

She dreamed of raising her future children as Christians in accordance with her own religious beliefs, Phillips said.

I thank Him for you, before I even know you, Riley reportedly wrote.

Laken Riley/Facebook Laken Riley Laken Riley

Related: Laken Riley Murder Suspect Was 'Giggling' When Taken in for Questioning the Day After Killing: Police

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.

Phillips remarks were one of several victim impact statements shared by Rileys family and friends in court on Wednesday, shortly before a judge sentenced Ibarra to two life sentences and 49 years  all to be served consecutively.

Riley, a nursing student at Augusta University, was killed on Feb. 22 while out on a jog on the University of Georgia campus in Athens. She died from blunt force trauma, a coroner previously confirmed to PEOPLE.
Jose Ibarra was convicted of murdering Laken Riley on Wednesday, Nov. 20

The mother of slain Georgia college student Laken Riley confronted her daughter's killer in court, recounting the terror her daughter felt in her final moments.

An Athens County judge convicted Jose Ibarra of several counts of felony murder, kidnapping and aggravated assault with attempt to rape, among other offenses, on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Ibarra was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without parole.

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Riley was found dead from blunt force trauma, after Ibarra disfigured her face, per authorities.

Following the verdict, her family shared their memories and recounted the dreams Riley left behind.

"Jose took no pity on my scared, panicked and struggling child," Riley's mother Allyson Phillips said, fighting back tears.

Related: Laken Riley Murder Suspect Was 'Giggling' When Taken in for Questioning the Day After Killing: Police

CourtTV/YouTube; Laken Riley/ Facebook Jose Ibarra convicted (left); and Laken Riley. Jose Ibarra convicted (left); and Laken Riley.

"There's no end to the pain, suffering or loss. On that horrific day, my precious daughter was attacked, beaten, and shown no mercy," she said.

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"This sick, twisted evil coward showed no respect of Lakens life," she added.

Her sister Lauren Phillips told the judge about the siblings' "inseparable" relationship.

"I think about how scared she must have been and how that man," she said, pointing towards Ibarra, "is the only man to truly witness that scene."

Laken Riley/Facebook Laken Riley Laken Riley

Related: Wife of Laken Riley Murder Suspect Pleaded for Answers During Jail Call: What Happened with the Girl?

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Judge H. Patrick Haggard handed down the conviction after a four-day trial that saw extensive evidence against Ibarra that linked him to the crime: including his DNA and security footage from the area. Riley, prosecutor Sheila Ross said, marked him as she fought for her life.


LANCASTER, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Lancaster man has pled guilty to wire fraud after embezzling nearly $5 million from his employer, according to the United States Attorneys Office.

Robert Namath Emory, 54, was the head of the accounting department for Mar Mac Protective Apparel. They are a company in McBee, South Carolina, that makes HAZMAT suits.

Police investigating alleged series of arsons at Pineville apartment complex

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Officials say the company uses an invoice system that attaches a blank check to invoices of large vendors but would submit payment electronically. Mar Mac used check numbers internally and never submitted them to the bank, so check numbers wouldnt be duplicated.

Evidence revealed that in 2016, Emory found a flaw in the system where he would double the amount of invoices, make an electronic payment to the vendor and then use the check numbers to write physical checks to himself or his personal LLC.

Emory, who was indicted on 50 counts for submitting fraudulent checks, pled guilty to one of those counts which amounted to $9,583.79 in February 2021. Through the scheme, Emory was able to obtain about $5 million, authorities said. He was previously convicted of wire fraud in 2008.

The Department of Justice says Emory faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision after his prison sentence.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Total Wine & More will add another Kansas City store this week.

The latest is at 4201 Main St. The location was formerly an Office Depot, which closed in June.

Its first day of operation will be Thursday, according to a sign posted to the entrance.

Itll be the fifth Total Wine in the Kansas City area. Other locations are:

 13657 Washington St. in south Kansas City (formerly Lukas Fine Wine & Spirits, which Total Wine acquired in 2023)

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 8520 N. Evanston Ave. near Liberty

 1648 N.W. Chipman Road in Lees Summit

 12100 Blue Valley Parkway in Overland Park

Edward Cooper, a representative for Total Wine, said the store would be donating 10% of all wine sales between Nov. 21-24 to Harvesters Community Food Network.

Founded in Delaware and based in Bethesda, Maryland, Total Wine is the countrys largest wine retailer, with 276 locations across the U.S. Typical locations carry 8,000 wines from across the globe, plus 2,500 craft beers and 5,000 different spirits.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Metro police sergeant pleaded not guilty Wednesday to four charges related to child pornography. Prosecutors invoked their right to a speedy trial prompting Clark County District Court Judge Ron Israel to set a trial date for Jan. 21.

Kevin Menon, 42, appeared in court with his attorney Dominic Gentile who argued against the speedy trial.

A grand jury indicted Menon after police said they found child pornography on his electronic devices such as laptops.

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The case is the second criminal case against Menon.

In his first case, Menon was indicted by a grand jury in October after being accused of abusing his power as a police sergeant by creating fake scenarios that resulted in citizens, mainly Black men, being detained on the Las Vegas Strip. Menon led a team of officers on the Strip.

Body camera and surveillance videos showed Menon dressed in plain clothes while officers were dressed in uniform.

Videos show alleged illegal Las Vegas Strip arrests; sergeant charged

Some of the officers reported Menon to the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, the union representing officers. Union leadership contacted the police department which began an investigation.

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Officers testified in front of the grand jury they were following Menons orders. Menon was indicted on 13 charges related to the alleged abuse of power. Menon was taken into custody on Aug. 30 but posted a $27,000 bond and was released.

On the day of Menons arrest, Las Vegas Metro police executed a search warrant at Menons North Las Vegas home. Detectives found approximately 200 images of child sexual abuse material on two laptops, according to prosecutors.

On Oct. 23, as Menon headed to a court appearance for his first case, police took him into custody at the Regional Justice Center in connection with the new charges. Detectives executed a second search warrant at Menons home.

Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Nadia Wood set bail at $100,000 cash with a condition of high-level electronic monitoring, although prosecutors argued to revoke his bail. Menon posted bail and was released from jail on Oct. 26.

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Bail increased to $150K for Las Vegas police sergeant accused in child porn case

Clark County District Court Judge Ron Israel increased Menons bail amount to $150,000 which Menon immediately posted to remain out of custody.

After his arrest, the department placed Menon on leave with pay and suspended his police powers pending an investigation. The department has since stopped paying him.

A jury trial for his first criminal case is scheduled for March. No other officers were charged in that case.

To reach investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, email vmurphy@8newsnow.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 KLAS.
The latest assessment by the independent monitor has found the Chicago Police Department continues to make incremental progress in its consent decree obligations, but those efforts are under threat because of proposed cutbacks to personnel in the departments reform office.

CPDs overall compliance with the consent decree  a set of reforms spurred by the 2014 killing of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by a former CPD officer  again ticked up in the first six months of 2024, according to the latest assessment report released Tuesday by the independent monitoring team, led by former federal prosecutor Maggie Hickey.

CPD was found to be at some level of compliance with 504 of the 552 monitorable paragraphs in the consent decree, Hickey and company found. The department now is at full compliance with 9% of its requirements, up from 7% in the previous monitoring period. Secondary compliance was reached in 37% of monitorable paragraphs in the first half of this year, up from 35% in the last period.

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Preliminary compliance, though, fell from 46% in the last monitoring period of 2023 to 45% in the first period of 2024, the monitoring team found.

The measured progress comes as Mayor Brandon Johnsons spending plan calls for the CPD reform management group responsible for tracking reform efforts consistent with the consent decree to shrink from 19 to 17 staff members.

Cuts to policy development, training, officer support, and community policing not only risk slowing the already-behind pace of reform  the cuts risk undoing the progress the City and the CPD have made to date, the monitoring team wrote. At only about 9% Full compliance with the original Consent Decree, the City should be accelerating the pace of compliance, not just fighting to maintain it.

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 Police Department employees would drop by about the same percentage, from 35 to 25 employees.

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Johnsons $17.3 billion spending plan for the city does include $2.1 billion for CPD, a $58.7 million increase from 2024.

But his plan 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.

Potential staffing cuts aside, CPD leaders charged with implementing the reforms say the groundwork has been laid for future efforts to succeed.

When you think about five years (since the consent decree was entered) to get to that 5% mark  what that tells me is that we have found the right mechanisms, the right processes and the right communication lanes to work to ensure that compliance continues to grow, Angel Novalez, CPDs chief of constitutional policing and reform, said in an interview last week.

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Staffing remains a hurdle to reaching compliance in many areas of the consent decree, especially when it comes to data retention and analysis, according to the monitoring team. CPD has recently selected a vendor to conduct a long-awaited workforce allocation study that, once completed, will allow the department to more effectively deploy resources and personnel.

During a status hearing last week, both Hickey and U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer cautioned that cuts to the CPDs constitutional policing office could offset the departments progress so far.

Cutting these positions permanently could be a devastating blow to the future of CPD reforms, Hickey said. The proposed budget cuts would be a step backward for the CPD reform process at a pivotal point just when progress is starting to be felt.

Pallmeyer, overseeing the consent decrees progress, echoed Hickey, noting the progress made so far but recognizing the work that remains to reach full compliance.

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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 said.

CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling told Pallmeyer, Hickey, the Illinois attorney generals office and other involved parties that the constitutional policing spots recommended to be cut were the positions that we fought for first.

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, Snelling said last Tuesday.

The same day, Attorney General Kwame Raoul wrote to strongly urge Johnson against slashing unfilled CPD positions, arguing that the city risks being held in contempt of court for failing to comply with the consent decree.

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The attorney generals letter  which he characterized as notice under the consent decree of my offices intent to seek court enforcement of the citys obligations if the currently proposed cuts to CPDs budget are adopted  was addressed to Johnson and also sent to city lawyers and Hickey.

Because of where we are  and the patience and perseverance it has taken to get to this point  I must remind you that the consent decree is not optional, Raoul wrote. I understand that the citys budget constraints require difficult choices to be made. But a binding, court-enforced consent decree takes certain choices off the table.

Johnson pushed back and noted his administrations decision to not subject CPD and the Chicago Fire Department to a hiring freeze.

What we said we were not going to do is lay off police officers and firefighters, Johnson said last week. Weve made a commitment  I did  to hire more detectives, to create better supervision. These are all elements within the consent decree that we have to adhere to. Thats what my administration has done.
Nov. 19Recounts for a dozen close Maine elections are continuing this week, including the 2nd Congressional District race between incumbent U.S. Rep. Jared Golden and state Rep. Austin Theriault.

Golden had more votes than Theriault on election night, but the race went on a runoff under Maine's ranked choice voting system, which requires someone to earn more than 50% of the vote to win. More than 12,000 ballots were left blank, which placed Golden below 50%.

Last week's runoff confirmed Golden as the winner with 50.4% of the vote, but Theriault requested a hand recount of the nearly 391,600 ballots, which could take weeks to finish.

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State election officials are also overseeing recounts in 11 state legislative races  an unusually high number that will take at least through Monday to complete. Two of those are Senate races, while the rest are for House seats.

Four other recounts have already confirmed the election winner, according to the secretary of state's office, all of them Democrats.

Independent challenger Sharon Frost unseated Republican incumbent Rep. Daniel Newman in House District 58 in the Belgrade region by 43 votes, 3,159 to 3,116. The margin decreased by one vote as a result of Tuesday's recount.

Democrat Stephan Bunker beat Republican Randall Gauvin in House District 75 in the Farmington area by only seven votes, 2,317 to 2,310, in Tuesday's recount. Bunker led by 10 votes on election night.

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In House District 96, Rep. Michele Lajoie, D-Lewiston, was reelected by 39 votes, 2,556 to 2,517, over Republican challenger Kerryl Clement, also of Lewiston. Friday's recount margin is three votes more than the election night margin of 2,550 to 2,514.

Democrat Kilton Webb, of Durham, won the House District 98 seat by 55 votes, 2,996 to 2,941, over Republican Guy Lebida of Bowdoin. Webb lost one vote in Monday's recount, while Lebida's total did not change.

The House District 141 race between incumbent Republican Lucas Lanigan and Democratic challenger Patricia Kidder, which ended in a tie on election night, is schedule for Thursday at 1 p.m.

Lanigan was arrested and charged with aggravated domestic violence assault right before the election. An arrest warrant says he allegedly grabbed his wife by the neck after she confronted him about an affair. His wife has asked the judge and district attorney to drop the charges, but prosecutors said the case will proceed, because it's common for victims to recant after filing charges.

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The House District 44 recount, which was scheduled for Wednesday, was rescheduled to a future date that has not yet been announced.

Here is the schedule for the remaining recounts:

 Wednesday at 9 a.m., House District 52, in the Bowdoinham area, between incumbent Democratic Rep. Sally Cluchey and Republican David Guilmette.

 Wednesday at 1 p.m., House District 81, in the Bethel area, between Democrat Joan Beal and Republican Peter Wood.

 Thursday at 9 a.m., House District 142, representing Sanford and part of Springvale, between Democrat Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio and Republican Amy Bell.

 Friday at 9 a.m., Senate District 8, representing Orono and eastern Penobscot County, between incumbent Democrat Sen. Mike Tipping and Republican Leo Kenny.

 Monday at 9 a.m., Senate District 15, representing the Augusta area, between Republican state Rep. Dick Bradstreet of Vassalboro and Democratic state Rep. Raegan LaRochelle.

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Greenpeace has warned that Ukraines power grid faces a "heightened risk of catastrophic failure" after a mass missile and drone attack on Nov. 17 targeted electrical substations essential for nuclear power plants, the Guardian reported on Nov. 20.

The strikes highlight Russias strategy to weaken Ukraines energy infrastructure, intensifying the strain on the countrys nuclear power plants, which supply two-thirds of its electricity. Experts warn that disrupting power to these facilities could lead to severe safety risks.

The recent Russian strikes targeted substations vital for the operation of the three remaining Ukraine-run nuclear power plants: Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, and South Ukraine.

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While the reactors were not directly hit, Greenpeace claims that the damage to substations could destabilize the grid, increasing the likelihood of dangerous shutdowns at the nuclear sites.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that trunk power lines connecting the substations to the nuclear plants were severed, with explosions reported near the Khmelnytskyi plant. As a result, six of nine reactors were operating at reduced capacity by Nov. 17.

Russia launched around 210 missiles and drones during the attack, Ukrenergo said, causing serious damage to thermal power plants and triggering nationwide electricity rationing. Ukraines largest private energy company, DTEK, called the assault one of the most destructive to date.

Ukraines energy system has been repeatedly targeted since the start of Russias full-scale war. Earlier strikes devastated coal, oil, and hydroelectric power plants, making the remaining nuclear facilities critical to the countrys electricity supply.

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Greenpeaces analysis, which aligns with assessments from Ukrainian authorities, underscores the urgency of securing these vital energy resources.

Read also: Russia launches one of the largest aerial strikes on Ukraine, targets energy grid

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. (WKBN)  What began as a request for parole violation assistance turned into an investigation into drug trafficking and led to multiple arrests  something New Castle Police Chief Dave Cumo praised as a domino effect of great law enforcement teamwork.

Read next: Accused bagman in scheme targeting Salem man enters plea

Last week, the New Castle Police Department was asked to assist Pennsylvania State Parole Agents in the apprehension of a man, identified as Nathan Smith II, who agents suspected was in violation of his parole.

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Police said the Smith ran inside a home in the 1400 block of E. Washington Street, and when officers went into the residence to pursue him, he was found to be in possession of a large sum of money and a firearm.

We have a good working relationship with all the different law enforcement agencies in the area, and we work pretty closely actually with state parole agents, and they came down here and asked for our assistance in apprehending Mr. Smith on a parole violation. He apparently had made some type of threats against someone, Chief Cumo said. And they knew that he might run or there might be issues.

When inside the home, agents and officers observed money, drugs, a firearm and 21 new suitcases  all items Chief Cumo said pointed to drug trafficking. NCPD and Lawrence County District Attorney narcotic detectives, along with criminal investigators from both agencies, applied for a search warrant and investigated the residence.

Law enforcement has to be a group effort, Chief Cumo said. Without that type of assistance and communication between the various agencies within the law enforcement community, these types of cases and investigations wouldnt be possible with limited resources that the various agencies have, along with staffing shortages. Its vital to not only our department, but all law enforcement agencies to cooperate and work together to ensure a safe outcome in the best possible investigations that we can get.

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Detectives reported recovering the following items:

$27,044

Three firearms  one of which was reported stolen

1,266 gross grams of suspected marijuana

20 gross grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms

21 different suitcases that appeared to be new

Two other men in the home, Jacob Brown and Joseph Phillips, were arrested along with Smith. All men are charged with not to possess firearms, conspiracy of drug possession with intent to deliver, drug possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Chief Cumo extends his thanks to state parole agents and county enforcement agencies that assisted.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
EDITORS NOTE: This story includes vulgarity quoted from source material. Reader discretion is advised.

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  Day two of The State of Texas v. Ryan Joaquin Renfroe began with opening statements and multiple testimonies from San Angelo Police Department officers.

Opening statements

After swearing in several people as witnesses, the State and the defense both issued their opening statements for the jury to hear. Both sides asserted that the evidence presented in the trial would make certain conclusions regarding the case evident.

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According to the State, the evidence will show that the incident that would lead to the death of Jakob Jones in a downtown San Angelo alleyway on Jan. 1 began as a road rage encounter between Renfroe and Jones that happened days before the fatal shooting. The State also said evidence would show that following the road rage incident, Renfroe sought out Jones online and began to repeatedly message him in an aggressive manner, at one point messaging Jones to meet him in the alley where the shooting occurred.

The State said that the evidence would show Renfroe exiting his truck in the alleyway and shooting Jones within seconds. It said that evidence would show Renfroe delivering conflicting testimonies to law enforcement following the shooting.

The defense stated the evidence would show that, while driving, Jones nearly struck Renfroes vehicle and afterward began to follow Renfroe during the road rage incident. The defense said the evidence would also show that Renfroe found Jones online and began to feud with him, with both involved individuals making threats to the other.

The defense said that the evidence would also show two of Jones friends joining in the online feud, at one point inviting Renfroe to Grape Creek. It also said the evidence would show that Jones and his friends arrived at Fat Boss Pub to meet with Renfroe, causing Renfroe to fear for his life and arm himself with a firearm.

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The defense said that the evidence would conclusively prove that a scuffle between Renfroe and Jones resulted in Renfroe shooting Jones once, Jones lunging at Renfroe and Renfroe shooting Jones again, killing Jones in an act of self-defense. It also said that evidence would prove that Renfroe gave conflicting testimonies due to multiple factors, including trauma caused by the event and the dark lighting conditions of the alleyway during the time of the shooting.

SAPD officers take the stand

Following opening statements, the State began to call multiple SAPD members to testify. Photos displayed during several of the testimonies depicted Jones lying near the center of the alleyway and next to a white pickup, identified as Renfroes vehicle. The photos depicted Jones lying in a pool of blood with an apparent injury to his face.

When asked by the State, multiple officers stated that there were no weapons found on or near Jones body. Several officers also said that a handgun and gun holster were found inside of Renfroes vehicle.

At one point during the trial proceedings, SAPD Criminal Investigations Division detective Charles Barker testified regarding an interview he conducted with Renfroe following the death of Jones. A recording of the interview was played, during which Renfroe could be seen and heard explaining his telling of events.

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According to Renfroes account in the interview recording, the road rage incident began on Main Street approximately three days prior to the shooting incident after Jones allegedly pulled out in front of him while exiting the parking lot of an Allsups Convenience Store. Renfroe stated that his wife, Hanna Causey, made a rude gesture at the driver, after which the driver began to follow Renfroe.

Renfroe stated in the interview that he later identified Jones as the driver involved in the road rage incident using Facebook, messaging Jones and eventually partaking in an online argument with him. He stated that two friends of Jones later became involved in the online argument, with the trio suggesting that he come to Grape Creek.

Renfroe is heard in the recording stating that he declined to meet them at Grape Creek, perceiving the invitation as a threat. He stated that he later invited them to meet at the alleyway near Fat Boss Pub, believing the group would not act upon the information.

He said in the interview that he was seated in his pickup in the alleyway when a truck occupied by three people drove right up next to his vehicle. He said that the three individuals exited the vehicle and began yelling at him, adding that he heard the click of a guns slide at one point from one of the individuals not identified as Jones.

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Whenever I heard that click  I went into fight-or-flight mode, Renfroe said in the interview.

Renfroe stated in the recording that Jones began to approach him, causing him to fear for his life and retrieve a firearm from a locked glovebox in his vehicle before leaving the truck. Renfroe said that Jones attempted to strike him and take his gun, during which time the two individuals with Jones began inching toward him like they were getting to jump him. Renfroe said that after pushing him away, Jones reached behind his back and said, The next ones a blade b-.

Renfroe stated in the interview that he then shot Jones. He said that Jones then lunged at him, after which he said that he shot Jones again. He said that Jones then fell to the ground and the two individuals accompanying him left the scene of the shooting.

Concho Valley Homepage, KLST and KSAN will continue to provide coverage of The State of Texas v. Ryan Joaquin Renfroe as the trial progresses. Be sure to visit our website, Facebook pages or mobile app to stay up to date.

Previous Trial Coverage

Trial begins for man accused of New Years Day murder

Pre-Trial Coverage

Grand jury indicts man for New Years killing

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Details emerge in San Angelo New Years killing

San Angelo man arrested on murder charge

WATCH: Police investigate death in downtown San Angelo New Years 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Three law firms will be hosting a town-hall meeting in Sunland Park this week to talk to residents about potential legal action against the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority concerning arsenic in drinking water.

According to a news release sent out by Singleton Schreiber LLP, one of the law firms, CRRUA has been wrongfully providing arsenic-contaminated water to community members.

CRRUA: 3 arsenic treatment facilities achieve NMED compliance

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The utility, which provides water and wastewater service to Sunland Park and Santa Teresa, has been under fire for months over concerns about water quality and discolored water.

The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Dona Ana Community College Sunland Park Center, 3365 McNutt Road.

CRRUA declined to comment about the upcoming meeting.

However, CRRUA has said it has now passed multiple arsenic tests since Jan. 24, including three NMED quarterly tests. The test results show that CRRUA has been below federal maximum contaminate level of 10 parts per billion for arsenic and that its system is in compliance.

The meeting will be hosted by Singleton Schreiber, in collaboration with the law offices of Israel Chavez LLC and Markowski Ruvalcaba Law Firm LLC.

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CRRUA says it has passed November arsenic tests

Arsenic is a highly toxic substance often found in groundwater, the law firms said in its news release. According to the news release, it can lead to severe, lasting, and life-threatening health issues.

Exposure to arsenic has been linked to symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, numbness, high blood pressure, muscle cramping, hair loss, and various skin disorders, according to the news release.

NM agencies address arsenic in drinking water

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has long warned of arsenics dangers, referring to it as the perfect poison due to its odorless, nearly tasteless nature and its ability to cause prolonged, undetectable harm in the human body, the law firms said.

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It is alleged that CRRUA knowingly sold water with arsenic levels exceeding legal limits, despite repeated warnings from regulatory authorities, without adequately informing the public of the health risks, read the news release. CRRUAs alleged actions represent a willful, reckless disregard for the community safety.

The meeting will include a panel of attorneys who will discuss water contamination and the legal rights of affected residents.

The attorneys will be available to answer questions in English and Spanish, providing attendees with insights into potential legal actions and steps moving forward.

For more information call (575) 468-4602 or visit www.singletonschreiber.com.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
WASHINGTON (AP)  As senators prepare to consider President-elect Donald Trump's picks for his Cabinet, they may be doing so without a well-established staple of the confirmation process: an FBI background check.

The Trump transition team has so far not signed the requisite agreements with the White House or the Justice Department to allow the FBI to screen his personnel choices, both for the process of obtaining security clearances and meeting the Senates usual standards for nominations.

That means the Senate could be asked to vote on Trump's picks without the usual rigorous background checking meant to uncover personal problems, criminal histories or other red flags that would raise questions about a nominee's suitability for the job. There already are questions about problematic issues related to a number of the people Trump wants in his administration.

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There are very real liabilities on the security side if you dont get this right, said Dan Meyer, a Washington lawyer at the Tully Rinckey law firm who specializes in background checks, security clearances and federal employment law.

At issue is a memorandum of understanding under which a president  or in this case, an incoming one  submits requests for name and background checks and the FBI commits to flagging to the White House any adverse information uncovered during the process.

But that document has not yet been signed, with the Trump transition team relying instead on internal campaign aides, allied groups and law firms on the outside to support the personnel effort. Trump for years has regarded FBI leadership with suspicion, in part because of the Russian election interference investigation that shadowed his first term and more recently because of FBI investigations into his hoarding of classified documents and his efforts to undo the results of the 2020 election that led to his indictment last year.

A Justice Department spokesperson said Wednesday that discussions were ongoing with the Trump transition team about signing the memo.

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In a statement last week, the department said it was committed to ensuring an orderly and effective transition to the next administration.

We are prepared to deliver briefings to the transition team on our operations and responsibilities, and we stand ready to process requests for security clearances for those who will need access to national security information, the statement said.

For those appointees whose jobs involve a security clearance, a background check would be required. But once Trump takes office on Jan. 20, 2025, he could simply order that people be given a security clearance, as he was reported to have done for son-in-law Jared Kushner during his first term.

The president is the head of the personnel security system, Meyer said. The director of national intelligence is his executive agent for that. The president could issue an executive order and he could change the security system in two seconds. It's all his.

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Senate GOP leaders have said they would launch confirmation hearings as soon as the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3, and hope to begin voting on nominees as soon as inauguration day.

Lawmakers are complaining about what they see as insufficient screening of the picks they're being asked to consider. Two Democratic House members, Don Beyer of Virginia and Ted Lieu of California, introduced a bill Tuesday that would codify the FBI's role in the background check process for political appointees of the president.

The issue is of particular relevance given the eyebrow-raising backgrounds of some of Trump's picks.

Trump's choice for attorney general, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, faced a Justice Department sex trafficking investigation into allegations involving underage girls that ended with no federal charges against him. There was also a House Ethics inquiry into whether Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct  allegations that he denies.

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Asked Wednesday if she was concerned by the allegations, Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said, of course.

I said from the beginning that I was shocked by the nomination given the many allegations, she added, "but thats why its important that the Senate go through its process of making sure that we have a background check, that we have a Senate investigation which involves extensive interviews and questionnaires and then a public hearing.

Pete Hegseth, picked for the role of defense secretary, was accused of sexual assault in 2017 after a speaking appearance at a Republican womens event in Monterey, California, but was not charged after a police investigation.

His lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, described the sexual encounter as consensual and confirmed that Hegseth paid the woman a sum as part of a confidential settlement. Hegseth did so to head off a threatened lawsuit, according to Parlatore, who said his client was the victim of blackmail and a successful extortion.

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Democrats are signaling their interest in rigorous exploration of potential problem areas.

"If theres a cursory background check, like we call 20 people  thats not going to be appropriate, said Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the current chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He will be the committee's top Democrat next year, as Republicans regain the majority, when it takes up Hegseth's nomination.

The selection of former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence has alarmed U.S. intelligence analysts who point to her past criticism of Ukraine, comments supportive of Russia as well as secret meetings with Syrian president Bashar Assad, a close ally of Russia and Iran.

The Senate has a responsibility to closely examine Gabbard and should not approve the confirmation just because Republicans feel a loyalty to Trump, said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., his partys ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee.

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The Republican senator who votes to confirm Matt Gaetz or Robert Kennedy or Tulsi Gabbard will be remembered by history as somebody who completely gave up their responsibility to Donald Trump, Himes said Sunday on CBS Face the Nation.

____

Associated Press journalists David Klepper, Lisa Mascaro, Alanna Durkin Richer and Mike Pesoli contributed to this report.
This story has been updated with comments by Republican Sen. Casey Crabtree.

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  The recent decision by a majority of South Dakota voters to stop SB201 from becoming state law means that carbon dioxide pipelines will be back as a top issue when the 2025 session of the Legislature opens in January.

Northwestern Energy hosts tour for SDSU students

Some opposition leaders hope that the 59% rejection can strengthen their arguments in the halls of the Capitol. Theyve already seen SB201 backfire against many of the state lawmakers who had voted for it, as challengers beat incumbents in Republican primaries and a near-sweep by opponents for Republican leadership spots.

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The outcome of the primary and general elections sends a clear message, Republican Sen. Al Novstrup told KELOLAND News. Voters rejected the CO2 pipeline because they saw it for what it isa waste of taxpayer dollars, a safety risk, and a violation of landowners rights.

This is a victory for those who believe taxpayer money should be spent wisely, and that safety and property rights should never be sacrificed for private gain, Novstrup continued. There will be a bill that says CO2 pipelines do not qualify for eminent domain.

South Dakota has a chapter of laws allowing private land to be condemned, with a jury to determine compensation. In the 2023 session, freshman Republicans Karla Lems and John Sjaarda brought legislation trying to restrict some of that power, but their attempts were either defeated or withdrawn.

This year, eminent domain restrictions and private property protections were attempted by more of the House Republicans, such as Scott Moore, Scott Odenbach, Rocky Blare, Jon Hansen, Marty Overweg and Will Mortenson.

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All of those efforts died at their first committee hearings or on the House floor, except for Mortensons HB1185 that laid out in much greater detail what was necessary from a project needing a permit from the state Public Utilities Commission. Mortensons measure passed both chambers and Governor Kristi Noem signed it into law. Likewise for his HB1186 that defines the requirements for granting a carbon pipeline easement.

Mortenson, the House Republican leader, was also one-half of the sponsorship team on SB201. Its prime sponsor was Senate Republican leader Casey Crabtree. Both men were ousted from leadership by other Republicans, however, in caucus elections held a few days after the November 5 elections.

Odenbach defeated Mortenson, and Overweg was chosen as assistant House leader, while Jim Mehlhaff knocked out Crabtree. Hansen was nominated that night as the new House speaker, and Lems as speaker pro tem, with Chris Karr nominated as the new Senate pro tem. All of the new choices, other than Mehlhaff, had voted against SB201.

In 2023, the PUC had rejected CO2 pipeline applications from first Navigator and then Summit Carbon Solutions. On Tuesday, Summit applied a second time. The project would collect the CO2 that ethanol production plants now emit into the atmosphere and ship the gas to a site in North Dakota where it would be buried in the ground.

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Mortenson told KELOLAND News that the pipeline issue has been frustrating.

I dont like the carbon pipeline using eminent domain and I dont like counties enacting abusive regulations. Both hurt private property rights. I tried to bring a measure that provided for farmers, while cutting back on over-regulation, but it got lost in the politics, and thats too bad. The Not-In-My-Back-Yard sentiment is strong with this pipeline, Mortenson said.

I doubt I will bring any legislation specific to the carbon pipeline this year, he continued. I am going to keep a close eye on any bills that would disrupt siting roads, electrical lines, and water lines. Im worried the NIMBY crowd will throw the baby out with the bath water and remove our ability to have any new utilities in this state. So, Ill be encouraging my colleagues to be careful and precise. I still want us to be a state that can build things.

Crabtree said that he appreciated and remains proud of the effort that was made last session to address issues raised by landowners and agricultural leaders on the carbon pipeline issue.

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As the President-elect continues to put together his cabinet and team, I get the impression making our country energy dominant will be a priority. This includes new markets for renewable fuels, pipeline and other energy infrastructure projects and encouraging innovation instead of regulation throughout the country, Crabtree said.

SB 201 provided landowners with greater protections and much needed property tax relief that would have been valuable to our producers and rural communities, he continued. I respect the opinion of the South Dakota voters and Im eager to return to Pierre in January to get to work on lowering property taxes, strengthening our economy and keeping our communities safe.

One of the new legislators in the 2025 session will be Republican Sen.-elect Joy Hohn, who promised in her campaign to work to keep our land American-owned, controlled and protected. She and her husband, Rod, fought against the Navigator pipeline.

In one of their emails to the PUC during that 2023 process, Joy Hohn wrote, What is very upsetting to me is how private for-profit companies can just file an application (anyone can file an application), declare that they are a company (which is a routine process to incorporate), misuse our eminent domain laws and then take peoples land that has been in their family for generations. How can this happen in America? This is not what our forefathers envisioned for our country.

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Hohn, when asked last week by KELOLAND News what lesson she drew from the defeat of SB201, responded, The people of South Dakota have spoken loud and clear against Referred Law 21 which would have paved the way for unprecedented change to South Dakota codified law and government overreach. It gives me great hope for the future of our state and our country that the people of South Dakota still stand for freedom and our foundational American constitutional rights.

Asked whether she would submit any legislation in 2025, Hohn stated, We have a lot of work to do in the next legislative session to enact necessary legislation that will protect personal property rights. We need laws that define and hold to the purpose of public benefit and limit the power of condemnation.

It is the use of eminent domain with the approach of public benefit for potential future economic growth that we need to be cautious about, she continued. Eminent domain is a restricted authority, reserved for public use. The carbon dioxide pipeline can be built without eminent domain. We have to strive for a balance between the economy and our constitutional rights.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Florida attorney representing two women who were witnesses in both the federal investigation and House Ethics Committee probe into Matt Gaetz said the former congressman paid them more than $10,000 for sex.

ABC News obtained committee records of several payments from Gaetz from May 2018 to late January 2019, each between $200 and $650. Corresponding notes to each include the terms gift, reimbursement, love you, and Joy!

Leppard told ABC on Monday that in early 2019, Gaetz paid for two women to travel across state lines to New York to watch his appearance on Fox News' Outnumbered, see the Broadway show Pretty Woman: The Musical, and have sex with him.

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Gaetz, for his part, has firmly denied any allegations of wrongdoing. A spokesperson for the former Florida representative told Politico: Merrick Garlands DoJ cleared Matt Gaetz and didnt charge him. Are you alleging Garland is part of a cover up?

She testified to the House that as she was walking out to the pool area, she turned to her right and she witnessed  her friend having sex with Representative Gaetz. And her friend at that time was 17," Leppard told CNN on Monday.

Leppard said on the same show Tuesday that his clients also have numerous relevant photographs to the committee.

Despite the fact that my clients werent allowed to take picturesthere was a strict no-phone policy there are numerous photos that they were able to provide, so they provided photos to the House at the New York event, Leppard said on OutFront.

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They provided selfies that Representative Gaetz sent them. They testified that they sent Representative Gaetz nudes from time to time at his request and also on their own accord. There also numerous text messages, group messages between them as well.

My clients are only two out of the over dozen witnesses that testified, he continued. I was present for two of those, and so what Im telling you is just a fraction of evidence thats available of the thousands of documents and the 25 subpoenas, 12 witnesses.

Gaetz was previously under federal investigation for sex trafficking, but was ultimately not charged. A friend of his, former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, was convicted of sex trafficking and sentenced to prison.

The House Ethics Committee report has not been released. Members are expected to meet Wednesday, when they may vote to release it.

The committees investigation closed once Gaetz resigned from Congress last week, just hours after president-elect Donald Trump announced him as the nominee for attorney general.
LE MARS, Iowa (KCAU)  Total Motors has donated more than $12,000 in the fight against breast cancer this year.

According to a release, during their eighth year of participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign, Total Motors has contributed a total of $12,300. These contributions have brought the total amount of local donations to more than $102,000.

2 Siouxland teachers recognized as Iowa Regional Teachers of the Year

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The release states that throughout October, Total Motos committed to donating $100 of each vehicle sold to local individuals who have fought or are currently fighting breast cancer.

Additionally, a portion of the funds were donated to local medical institutions that help provide treatment, screenings, and support to those fighting breast cancer in the community.

The release noted that recipients are nominated by loved ones who share their stories with Total Motors. This years recipients include Liz Nessman of Sioux City, Kelli Rhiner of Newell, and Melissa Cooley-Flieder, of Sioux City. Institutions that received donations include Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars, Sandford Sheldon Medical Center, and Cherokee Regional Medical Center.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Update Nov. 20, 5:38 p.m.

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (ABC4)  South Jordan City has commented on the preliminary report from the NTSB.

Part of the statement can be read below:

Two weeks ago, our community faced a tragedy that took the life of a young resident and destroyed a familys home and damaging others. The pain, concern, and fear this incident has caused are deeply felt by all of us. The recent preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) today has provided additional information related to the cause of the incident, indicating that a natural gas leak from a transmission pipeline contributed to this devastating event. We know this news may raise questions and concerns about the safety of the transmission lines in our community and how it may relate to your own home and we want residents to feel safe. South Jordan City

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The city said it is working with residents to share information and provide additional testing. It said it will continue to share information from Enbridge and the NTSB as it becomes available to them.

Original Story

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (ABC4)  A natural gas leak 150 feet away from a 1976 gas main was found to have contributed to the explosion of a South Jordan home that killed a 15-year-old boy earlier this month.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Enbridge Inc., which provided natural gas to the home, isolated the gas leak to a 4-inch diameter Aldyl A natural gas main just northeast of the home. Enbridge investigators also detected gas between the main and two nearby houses, including the home that had exploded.

Former Aggies coach Blake Anderson files $15M wrongful termination lawsuit against USU

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The subsurface gas extended from the main to the backyard and front yard of each home, reaching about 250 feet from the leak, the NTSB wrote in its preliminary report released Wednesday, Nov. 20. Enbridge also detected gas in the atmosphere of the neighboring home after the accident.

The NTSB said a preliminary investigation indicated that none of the five residents in the home reported smelling gas before the explosion and the home did not have a natural gas alarm.

Enbridge Gas Utah has since removed and repaired the failed main line. The NTSBs investigation is still ongoing as investigators focus on Enbridges integrity management program, emergency response procedures, public awareness program, and pipeline safety management system.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Nika Bartoo-Smith

Underscore Native News + ICT

Join ICT and IndiJ Public Medias 2024 End of Year Campaign in honor of Mark Trahants 50-year legacy in Indigenous journalism. Help us reach our goal of $75,000 by Dec. 31 to celebrate and amplify Indigenous voices. Donate here!

Editors note: Support for this reporting came from the Poynter Institute with funds from the Gill Foundation. Read other stories in this series here and here.

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Listeners tuning into the first episode of Your Two-Spirit Aunties are greeted by a joyfully goofy ditty.

You have reached Your Two-Spirit Aunties Podcast. Please leave us a message after the tone. Da-da-da-da, Shilo George says in a sing-song voice.

And so begins a singular podcast journey with George and co-host Brianna Bragg, who guide the way with laughs, truth, heart, and all things Two-Spirit.

Airing since 2022, the podcast explores themes such as Indigequeer identity, Two-Spiritness, disability, boundaries, survivance and much more. The podcast hosts do so with a balance of humor, joy and intentionality  listeners are transported so it feels as if they are sitting in a room listening to a conversation between two friends: Shilo George and Brianna Bragg.

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George (she/they), Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho descendent, is an artist and owner of a consulting business called ush Kumtux Tumtum Consulting, which translates to a great awakening of the heart and spirit in English. Their work focuses on organizational liberation and trauma-informed practices, often involving government agencies.

Bragg (they/them), Ihanktowan, co-runs the The Uprise Collective, teaches at Portland State University and works in public health outside of podcasting.

In community together for years, the two worked together at the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) in 2016 when George was working as a parent advocate and Bragg as an early childhood policy advocate intern. They were just across the hall from each other and remember getting in trouble for talking too much.

Those conversations evolved, laying the foundation for a conversation between friends in a podcast format.

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I dont think I could have done it with anyone else, Bragg said.

Your Two-Spirit Aunties started during the COVID-19 pandemic as the friends began to record their phone conversations, talking for hours about culture, activism and their feelings.

We want to model how we talk to each other, George said. We want to model how we have built trust over many years and have conversations and ask each other and set boundaries or ask consent.

Its a magic

Along Killingsworth/Lombard in North Portland resides a billboard with an image of George standing with her cane, head thrown back in laughter.

The billboard is part of a campaign by the Future Generations Collaborative in collaboration with Multnomah County, TriMet and the local Two-Spirit community following the death of Nex Benedict. The organization invited Two-Spirit community members to be part of a 2-Spirit Survivance Campaign, creating visibility and celebrating Indigequeer joy.

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Across Indigenous Nations, Two-Spirit people were historically held in high regard and considered sacred or divine. Holding important positions like: Matchmakers, Medicine People, Warriors on the front lines of battle, reads a description on the campaign website.

The term Two-Spirit serves as an umbrella term connecting Indigenous and Western ideas of gender and sexuality. Native nations each have their own understanding and terms for Two-Spirit people.

Along with centering Two-Spirit and Indigequeer joy, the campaign highlights the idea of survivance, which means the conjugation between resistance and survival, according to the campaign website.

Visibilty is validation, right? Visibility means that when you are driving down the road feeling terrible, seeing Shilo can change your perspective in the moment, said Bragg, who worked on the campaign. [Its a reminder] that I can do that. I can survive. I can be something that I want to be in the world and contribute meaningfully to my communitys health.

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Visibility carries through in the podcast as well, where Bragg and George provide examples through their conversations of joy and survivance.

Its a magic, Bragg said about what being a Two-Spirit auntie means to them. There is something about being Two-Spirit that feels magic. Its medicine. And with it comes responsibility and a lot of humor.

George long felt there was something missing with the European understanding of queerness. They spent time in prayer, reflecting with their ancestors, getting to know themselves and their role in community. Then they heard the term Two-Spirit and it just fit.

A row of Two-Spirit flags. Photo by Jarrette Werk (Underscore Native News + Report for America)

Being Two-Spirit is a very personal relationship between a person, their community, elders, ancestors and creator, according to George. And not every Indigenous person who is queer is Two-Spirit.

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Part of the goal of the podcast is to normalize Two-Spirit identity and also talk about the differences and nuances within that identity as well.

Normalize being queer. Normalize being Two-Spirit. Normalize standing up for your community, George said.

Throughout the podcast, George and Bragg have intersectional conversations about identity, healing and the state of the world. Though currently only eight episodes long, more are in the works and scheduled to release soon.

Each episode feels as if you are hanging out with two of your Two-Spirit aunties, imparting wisdom and healing through joy and laughter.

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We want people to feel loved. We want people to know that they belong and they matter, Bragg said. All the things that we needed when we were little.

Being and acting in humor

The episodes of Your Two-Spirit Aunties cover a wide range of topics, from living through a pandemic to what it means to be an auntie, and so much more. Throughout it all, Bragg and George tap into the healing power of humor, with the goal of bringing hope and laughter into their listeners lives.

For many Indigenous people, laughter is a form of medicine and humor a tool of survival.

Being a traumatized people youve got two choices: you can cry or you can laugh about it, Bragg said.

Shilo George, left, and Brianna Bragg. Contributed photo

Laughter is a way to release emotions and transform them into something new, according to Bragg. George and Bragg say humor alleviates traumas in their own lives.

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Just being and acting in humor allows us to reclaim that joy that genocide and the colonial project want us to be rid of, Bragg says on Episode 4: Survivance. They dont want us to be able to access that part of ourselves because, if we do, then we dont need them to heal and we dont need them to tell us what healing looks like.

George and Bragg both reflected on what the coming four years might look like with another Trump presidency, and the need to tap into community, joy and laughter.

I think we are going to need a lot of humor in the coming years, George said.

Joy is the best act of survivance

Both George and Bragg needed time to process following the election on Nov. 5.

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George remembers a panic starting to set in as the results came through. They processed by praying to and connecting with their ancestors and were given a strong image of Barbies Village. That came with intense feelings of love, connection and support  a reminder to tap into and ground in community.

Bragg came to a similar conclusion.

After he won, I went outside and smudged and sat and looked at the stars, Bragg said. And my thought process was, There were people here before us and there will be people after us. And our job is to help as many people survive as we can.

Part of how Bragg and George plan to do this is through their podcast and a new series called Entering the Slipstream Bullshit Era. Episodes will cover a range of topics, including reflecting on their own processing; breaking down Agenda 47 and Project 2025; and talking about coping skills learned during his first reign of terror, according to Bragg.

One episode will focus on community organizing and mutual aid, looking to revolutionary examples such as the American Indian Movement, the Black Panthers and the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.

And, through it all, there will be joy.

Joy is the best act of survivance, Bragg said. To be joyful in a world that wants you to only suffer or to be dead, that is the ultimate act of survivance, is being able to engage in joy.

This story is co-published by Underscore.news and ICT, a news partnership that covers Indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest. Funding is provided in part by Meyer Memorial Trust.

Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter.
ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - At least two people were injured after a possible gas explosion and ensuing fire destroyed a condominium building Tuesday evening in Orion Township, Michigan, officials said. Another two people who were unaccounted for have been found safe.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the explosion was reported at about 6:30 p.m. local time in the Keatington New Town Association condominium complex on Waldon Road, between Joslyn and Baldwin roads.

Orion Township Fire Chief Ryan Allen says the explosion destroyed a four-unit building, causing significant damage to one building and minimal damage to a few others. He says about 20 people have been displaced. Authorities urge anyone displaced by the explosion and in need of support to call the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 or Orion Township at 248-391-0304, ext. 2009.

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Allen says the two people hospitalized, a 72-year-old man and a 75-year-old woman, suffered critical injuries. Their current condition is unknown. An unknown number of others suffered minor injuries, he added.

Authorities have responded to an explosion in Orion Township, Michigan, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. / Credit: Photo submitted by Orion Township resident

The sheriff's office confirmed Wednesday that there were no fatalities in the explosion. Authorities are expected to provide an update on the investigation at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

"Preliminary indications are it was a gas explosion but the exact cause has not been determined," the sheriff's office said in a statement.

Allen says crews worked with utility providers DTE and Consumers Energy to control a gas leak.

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Orion Township is located just north of Detroit.

Several residents have been displaced after an explosion destroyed a condominium building in Orion Township on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. / Credit: Courtesy of Cody Coleman

One resident who lives nearby told CBS News Detroit he was home with family when the explosion happened.

"We just heard this big boom [It] shuck my entire house. I look out the window, I see flares, I see fire just popping through the sky," the resident said. "It felt like it was going to take a wall down. It felt like it happened at my house. I was terrified. It was so strong."

Orion Township Fire Chief Ryan Allen says the explosion destroyed a four-unit building, causing significant damage to one building and minimal damage to a few others. / Credit: Jesse Gonzales/CBS Detroit

Consumers Energy said in a statement that because firefighters were still battling the blaze, it did "not have additional information about the cause of the explosion or about the status of anyone in the building."

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The company said its crews will get on site once they are given the green light that it is safe to do so.

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The massive cyclone responsible for extreme wind that tore through neighborhoods across Western Washington overnight knocked over trees and powerlines, blocked highways, took out power to over half a million people, and killed two people.

In Lynnwood, a woman in her 50s was killed when a large tree fell on a homeless encampment shortly after 7 p.m., according to South County Fire.

And in Bellevue, a woman was killed after a tree fell into her home while she was showering, according to Bellevue Fire.

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A spokesperson with Harborview Medical Center said that five people are in the hospital in satisfactory condition and one person is in critical condition.

There are also eight people in the hospital at the University of Washington Medical Center with weather-related injuries in satisfactory condition as of Wednesday afternoon.

By Wednesday morning, all wind-related warnings/advisories had been canceled except for a Blizzard Warning for the eastern Slopes of the Cascades.

However, roads and highways across Western Washington continue to be blocked by storm debris into Wednesday morning, with crews working to remove downed trees, active powerlines, and other debris from the road.

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Sound Transit announced a delayed start for Link light rail service Wednesday morning to allow crews extra time to inspect and clear storm debris. The 1-line and 2-line service, which typically begins at 5 a.m., will start at 7 a.m.

Power outages from downed trees and power lines knocked out power to at least 650,000 people, with an expected multiple-day outage according to Puget Sound Energy.

As the sun rises and the full extent of the damage comes to light, Seattle City Light reminded people to stay back and do not touch any downed powerlines, be mindful of falling trees and debris, and if you must travel, treat all dark traffic signals as all-way stops.












After an absence of more than six years, Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air is resuming service at Colorado Springs Airport with three new routes s
In two months, Joe Biden will leave office and, soon after, nearly everything he and his administration have accomplished will be undone. One legacy, however, will remain: the administrations continued backing of Israel in its brutal war in Gaza, which will continueand likely increasewith Donald Trump in office. Nevertheless, the administration has shown little appetite for changing direction: On Wednesday, the United States vetoed a United Nations cease-fire resolution. A bill sponsored by Bernie Sanders to block arms sales to Israel that is scheduled to go to a vote Wednesday is highly unlikely to pass.

There are, however, people within the administration who are working to change its policy. On Monday, nearly two dozen White House officials released an open letter excoriating the Biden administration for its continued support of Israels brutal war in Gaza and the Middle East and demanding that, in his final days in office, the president take concrete measures to end the war and save civilian lives. The letter calls on the Biden administration to end U.S. military aid to Israel, demand a cease-fire, provide humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, and offer full transparency explaining its continued support for a military campaign that has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and violated U.S. and international laws.

The signees, all senior members of the Executive Office of the President, chose to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. The New Republic spoke to three of themtwo current officials and one who recently left the administrationabout why they chose to sign the letter, what they think the administration can accomplish in its final weeks, and how continued American support for Israel has affected their day-to-day work.

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Ongoing U.S. support for Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank, in violation of international and human rights law, goes against our moral and professional duties as civil servants, the letter reads. It wastes funds on a brutal assault on civilians without benefiting public welfare, either at home or abroad. We implore you to take simple and immediate action to drastically mitigate the humanitarian crisis.

The group had been working on the letter for several months, the signees told me, but Trumps election victory made the matter far more urgent. The Biden administration now only has until late January to act.

For the signees, this was a deeply personal decision. At this point, watching the genocide unfold, you realize that this is a moment where you will look back on where you were when it started to happen and ask if you did something about it, one signee, a current administration official, said. Looking back at other analogous moments in time, its important to take action now, even if it can be undone. We need to arc towards peace.

The former administration official concurred. When you look at history, whether it was the treatment of the Native Americans, civil rights for Black Americans, apartheid in South Africathese werent solved in a year or two or a hundred or sometimes 400, they said. But if at any point, even after 200 years, someone [decided progress wasnt being made and] gave up, we wouldnt be here.

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For the signees, Trumps victory also crystallized another important factor in their decision to release the letter. When he takes office on January 20, he will quickly undo most of the current administrations policies. The presidents domestic legacyone of full employment and strong economic growth with an emphasis on building manufacturing and strengthening the working and middle classeswill be ripped up more or less immediately. Gaza is what will remain.

As the war has expanded, this is increasingly becoming the Biden administrations legacy, the current administration official told The New Republic. We have to think about how the Biden administration began. Its legacy could have been entirely focused on coming out of Covid and fixing the wreckage of the economy. Instead, most likely, this crisis, this war, will be that legacy.

There is a small but significant opportunity to change that, they continued. Will it be a legacy of horror or something else?

The signees said that Americas ongoing support for Israel has made coming to work difficult and jarring. It is a continual fatigue, this cognitive dissonance, a second current administration official told The New Republic. I watch the news and then walk into work where that news happens. It is taxing and demoralizing. It is a constant struggle.

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For the first administration official, that support has also made them question the work that they do in the government. A lot of the reason people end up in the federal government is because its mission-driven: Its meant to help serve the public, they said. The less that happens, even outside of our own borders, the less that holds water.

As we ended our call, I asked all three if they would keep working in government if their calls went unheeded. All three said they werent sure anymore.
To the editor: President Biden is proverbially a day late and a dollar short in authorizing Ukraine to launch U.S.-supplied missiles into Russia.

Why now? A year ago or six months ago, this would have changed the course of the war. I understand the need for proportional responses since Russia invaded, but Ukraine has been fighting with one hand tied behind its back since the beginning.

These delays only reinforce the image of the United States as a losing ally. Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering from our poorly executed withdrawals after years of sacrifice by their people and by our soldiers. Vietnam was abandoned to the communists in the 1970s. Soldiers, translators and women who committed themselves to us were left to grim consequences.

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Biden's war calculus is consistent with generations of American presidents whose low-risk, low-return strategies have created a more dangerous world. The lesson from this is that trusting U.S. politicians can yield the opposite of our desired long-term outcome.

Raymond Roth, Oceanside

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Need gravy, and fast? Look no further.

Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

I remember one Thanksgiving when my mom couldnt salvage any turkey drippings to make gravy. Dont ask about what happened to that turkey, but lets just say Ive never seen her sweat so much in my life. I watched as she raced around the kitchen, pulling out ingredients, all while cursing our oven (the burnt turkey was our ovens fault, of course).

She needed something to ease the dryness of the turkey we were about to face, and that meant she needed gravy or something that resembled it. Thats when I first witnessed her kitchen prowess as she turned three ingredients into gravy.

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My mom cooked a lot, and because of that, she was able to pivot when things went awry. Since she couldnt use burnt turkey pieces for gravy, she had to problem-solve. Luckily shed seen enough episodes of Julia Childs cooking show that she knew how to make a roux, that magical butter-flour mixture thats the beginning of many French sauces. She also knew that the longer she cooked the roux, the more flavor she could develop, so she got to work.

Her first step was melting a bunch of butter in a pot. Next, she added an equal amount of flour and cooked it until it was deeply golden and aromatic. The last step was adding chicken broth, bringing it to a simmer to thicken things up before serving. She garnished hers with fresh herbs she had from roasting the turkey, and everyone raved.

You can use my moms trick, too, and you dont have to wait to try it until something goes wrong. The key to success is making sure you cook your roux long enough and that you use the highest quality broth or chicken base.

Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

Tips for Making 3-Ingredient Gravy

Cook the roux. The longer you cook the flour and butter mixture, the darker in color it will get. This not only gives the gravy its golden hue, but it also adds flavor, so be patient. The goal for this gravy is at least a blonde or golden brown roux, which means youll need to cook it for at least 5 minutes and up to 15.

Choose your base. You can use broth, but I find that this Roasted Chicken Base packs more flavor, which youll want for this gravy. Its also easy to have on hand at all times. I recommend the low-sodium version so that the salt level isnt overpowering. If you go for broth or stock, youll need two cups.

Set expectations. Please understand this will not taste like your usual turkey gravy. Nothing beats the homemade stuff made from turkey drippings. Itll be good, but just not the same, and thats okay.

Add some drippings. If you have any cooked meat drippings, add those at the end to give the gravy the best possible flavor.

Add some herbs. Theres a good chance you have dried or fresh herbs lying around in your kitchen. If you do, add some to boost flavor. Youll only need about 1/4 teaspoon of dried herbs (think thyme, parsley, or sage) or about 1 teaspoon of fresh.

How To Make My 3-Ingredient Gravy

For a little over 2 cups, youll need:

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1 teaspoon roasted chicken soup base

2 cups warm water

1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Salt, as needed

Combine the soup base and hot water in a 2-cup measuring cup. Set aside. Alternatively, you can use 2 cups of chicken or turkey broth.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan set over medium-low heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk until the roux reaches a smooth consistency. Continue to cook and stir until the roux changes from very light in color to golden or golden-brown in color, 5 to 10 minutes.

Gradually add the soup base mixture or broth, whisking to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook to allow the flavor to develop, about 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning, then serve.
Starting today and continuing through November 21, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are offering special fares from the Pacific Northwest to Australia and New Zealand. The flights from Portland and Seattle are the most direct route to the Southern Hemisphere, and include a stopover in Honolulu. Fares start at $390 one-way for travel dates through April 30, 2025, for Auckland, New Zealand, and February 1 through September 30, 2025, for Sydney, Australia.

Additional details of the Down Under flight deals

Auckland, New Zealand Tim Marshall via Unsplash

The flights will be on Airbus A330 widebody aircraft, with 18 Premium Cabin lie-flat leather seats, 68 popular Extra Comfort seats, and 192 main cabin seats. Also included is complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi access for a streaming-quality connection anywhere in the world. Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines offer the most direct flights from Portland and Seattle to Honolulu. From there, Hawaiian flies to Auckland and Sydney.

Honolulu flight schedule:

Honolulu to Sydney: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Sydney to Honolulu: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Honolulu to Auckland: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Auckland to Honolulu: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

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Alex Judson, Managing Director of Partnerships and International at Alaska Airlines said: With the combined network of Alaska and Hawaiian, its more convenient than ever for our guests in the Pacific Northwest to book a flight to Australia and New Zealand for the trip of a lifetime.

Hawaiian has flown to Syndey since 2004 and Auckland since 2013. The Australian city was one of Hawaiians first long-haul routes and Honolulu to Sydney is among its most popular flights.

Alaska Air Group is based in Seattle, Washington, and made up of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., McGee Air Services, and Horizon Air. With the companys acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, it now serves more than 140 international destinations.

The post Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are offering special fares to these destinations appeared first on The Manual.
Nov. 19LIMA  The Rapid Fired Pizza in Lima has closed.

A notice with the message: "Thank you for 8 years! This location is now closed" is posted on the inside of the front door at 2815 Elida Road.

On Google Maps, the location is marked as temporarily closed.

The Lima location isn't the first to close its doors within the past few months.

In September, a location in Troy, Ohio, closed and informed the public with a notice on the front door, similar to Lima's location.

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According to BG Falcon Media, a Rapid Fired location in Bowling Green, Ohio, closed in May after its doors were locked and calls went unanswered.

Rapid Fired' website shows six Rapid Fired locations left in Ohio. The closest to the Lima region is located at 1080 S. Main St., Englewood, Ohio, 70 miles to the south.

The first location opened in Dayton, Ohio, in 2015. The chain offers high-quality, fast, affordable, and customizable pizzas.

Reach Cade Higgins at 567-242-0351

Featured Local Savings
Tuesdays bomb cyclone wreaked havoc across Western Washington.

Puget Sound Energy reported nearly 475,000 customers without power as of 1 a.m. Wednesday, with most of those affected in King County. It might take days to restore electricity in some areas, the utility said on its website.

In Pierce County, scattered power outages were reported Wednesday morning, with the biggest concentration in the Carbonado-Wilkeson area, where about 1,700 people woke up to no electricity.

In this picture taken on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 20, a large tree fell onto a home on Center Street in Eatonville, Wash. Strong winds tore through the area on Tuesday night caused by bomb cyclone off the coast of Washington.

In the Sunrise-area of Mount Rainier National Park winds picked up to about 77 miles per hour, the National Weather Service reported.

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Local media outlets reported at least two people killed by falling trees in the King County area.

The News Tribune will be keeping track of storm damage throughout the day. Check here for more updates.

A quick sample of highest gusts recorded across the area:



Sunrise - Mt. Rainier 77 MPH

Enumclaw 74 MPH

Crystal Mountain 74 MPH

SeaTac Airport 59 MPH

Sedro-Wooley 56 MPH

Arlington 49 MPH



More complete list: https://t.co/h50bbv35T3 pic.twitter.com/zu8pZmb3cf  NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) November 20, 2024

A man clears a tree that fell over a creek near the Foothills Trail in Enumclaw, Wash., on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. A bomb cyclone off the coast of Washington brought strong winds to a number of communities in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains on Tuesday night.

Power outages

The Enumclaw area has been severely impacted by the storm with around 6,000 customers without power, according to PSE. The National Weather Service reported there where winds of up to 74 miles per hour in Enumclaw on Tuesday.

In the Buckley-area, around 3,000 people do not have power, according to PSEs outage map. About 1,791 people in Carbonado have also been impacted.

Tacoma Public Utilities reported 129 people without power as of 9 a.m. Wednesday. As of 1 p.m., 33 people are reportedly without power.

School closures

White River School District and Eatonville School District were closed Wednesday due to power outages and downed trees.

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Carbonado School District announced it was closed Wednesday as well.

Highway impacts

Update: State trooper Rick Johnson reported on X about 10:40 a.m. that SR 18 has reopened.

Previous post: State Route 18 between Issaquah-Hobart Road and Interstate 90 remained blocked in both directions Wednesday morning by downed trees, WSDOT reported on X.

Here is a list of what is FULLY blocked from fallen trees and/or downed power lines.



-EB & WB SR 164 at SE 368th Pl (MP 5) SE of Auburn

-EB & WB SR 18 is closed btwn I-90 and Issaquah-Hobart Road

-NB & SB SR 169/Renton-Maple Valley Rd are closed at SE Jones Road (MP 19)  WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) November 20, 2024

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Update: WSDOT reported at 12:45 p.m. that the roadway is clear.

Previous post: State Route 165 in Buckley near 112th Street was closed due to a tree in power lines, according to WSDOT.

Cascade passes

The NWS issued a blizzard warning over the Cascades from Tuesday until Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Snoqualmie Pass and Stevens Pass experienced blizzard-like conditions Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning, according to NWS. Winds were expected to range from 40 to 50 miles per hour.

WSDOT reported that the Snoqualmie Pass received over a foot of snow on Wednesday.

White Pass had heavy snow throughout the night on Tuesday with temperatures as low as 28 degrees, the NWS reports.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Gabriel Michel, a World War II veteran, was honored as the Livingston County Veterans Councils Veteran of the Month for November at an event in Howell Tuesday evening.

Michel was born in 1923 in Mexico, during the Mexican Revolution. His family then moved to El Paso, Texas, where, among 12 siblings, Michel graduated from Cathedral High School and attended college for a time before joining the U.S. Navy.

He served on the USS Richman C/9 in World War II between 1943 and 1945 in the Aleutian Islands. Afterward, he studied electrical and electronic engineering and served eight years in the Air Force Reserves from 1951 to 1959. He then started a business, and he and his wife Peggie raised 15 children.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Memphis florist is closing her doors for the week after receiving death threats over an Instagram post she made saying she refuses to serve customers who voted for President-elect Donald Trump.

Everbloom Design is a special event floral studio on Broad Avenue serving customers with flowers for every occasion.

On the shops page, Everbloom Design owner Kristin Wolter posted a short clip stating, I wont do business with people who support the president-elect. It is because I need to create a safe place for me, my staff, and my family. It has since been deleted.

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AR man guilty of multiple rapes, sentenced to 35 years

The owner posted on social media that the business is now temporarily closed after receiving several death threats. She also made all of her social media accounts private.

She does have the right to say anything she says but I do think she needs to be judged by her quality of work. I have never had any issues with her work but I dont agree with what shes saying, said a nearby business owner. If it was flipped the other way, we dont want the other side doing that so we got to be kinder with our words and actions. And realize there are consequences to what we say.

 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.

The Human Rights Protection Act of Tennessee protects against discrimination involving age, race, and gender  but political beliefs are not protected. This allows businesses to refuse services because of political stances.

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In a recent post, Wolter says she will be taking legal action and will continue her fight by donating some of her sales to the American Civil Liberties Union.

WREG has reached out to Kristin Wolter. She says she is not ready to speak 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 WREG.com.
An unprecedented public appearance by six of the seven commissioners negotiating the Colorado River's future revealed how divided they are on solutions and, just as importantly, where they agree.
Ashraf Khalil

Associated Press

WASHINGTON  Donald Trump's first stint in the White House proved to be a chaotic ride for the District of Columbia.

Now with Trump set to return to power  backed by a Republican-controlled Congress and the momentum of a sweeping electoral win  local officials in the nation's capital are trying to sound conciliatory while preparing for the worst.

We have been discussing and planning for many months in the case that the District has to defend itself and its values, said Mayor Muriel Bowser. Her office had communicated with (Trump's) team and indicated we would like to speak, she said on Nov. 12, but hadn't heard back.

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Bowser downplayed the myriad differences between the two sides and emphasized a search for common ground. But those commonalities may be hard to come by, given the open mutual animosity that has defined Trump's relationship with the District.

During Trumps turbulent first four years in office, he and the local government publicly sparred multiple times  in tones ranging from playful to deeply personal. When Trump floated the idea of a massive July 4 military parade complete with tanks rolling through the streets, the D.C. Council publicly mocked him.

When mass protests broke out in the summer of 2020 over the death of George Floyd and wider police brutality and racial issues, Trump accused Bowser of losing control of her city. He eventually declared his own multi-agency lockdown that included low-flying helicopters buzzing protesters. Bowser responded by having Black Lives Matter painted on the street in giant letters one block from the White House.

During the last four years, with Trump as an aggrieved private citizen, his feelings toward Washington have remained intense. On the campaign trail, he repeatedly vowed to take over the city and usurp the authority of the local government. In August 2023, when he briefly came to town to plead not guilty on charges of trying to overturn his 2020 electoral loss to President Joe Biden, Trump blasted the capital city on social media, calling it a filthy and crime ridden embarrassment to our nation.

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Now Bowser and the D.C. Council are bracing for what could be several years of playing defense against opponents who wield significant power over Washington's affairs.

We just have to do our best and hold on for another few years. We have to figure out how to make it work, said Councilmember Christina Henderson. Unlike millions of voters around the country, I actually believe the man when he speaks. He said what hes going to do.

Henderson, a former staffer for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., points out that Trump has already experienced what she called the trifecta  Republican control of the White House and both houses of Congress  during his first two years in office and the District managed to get through it. She also notes that Republican control of the House of Representatives will be up for grabs again in just two more years.

I cant predict what they're going to try to do to us," she said. "I can just prepare to respond.

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But responding to the intentions of an antagonistic White House and Congress is difficult, given the nature of the District's limited autonomy. Under terms of the city's Home Rule authority, Congress essentially vets all D.C. laws and can outright overturn them.

Even when Trump was out of the White House, activist Republicans on the House Oversight Committee repeatedly summoned Bowser and members of the D.C. Council  often to publicly grill them about local crime rates.

And by far the most extensive modern congressional encroachment on the District's authority came with Democrats controlling both the Senate and the White House. In 2023, a sweeping rewrite of the D.C. criminal code was branded as soft on crime by House Republicans; in a major setback for the council, both Senate Democrats and President Biden agreed and the law was effectively canceled.

We know that the District can always be a convenient foil to some of these folks," said Councilmember Charles Allen. "Without statehood, without autonomy, our laws are always more at risk than any other Americans.

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Both councilmembers predict a wave of budget riders on the annual appropriations bill  designed to alter District laws in ways big and small. These riders have been a longtime source of resentment for local lawmakers, who charge Congress members with tinkering with the District in a manner they could never get away with at home.

"They want to do something to the District because they feel they can. They would never do that to their own state, Allen said.

He highlights the infamous Harris rider named for Maryland Rep. Andy Harris. A staunch opponent of legalized marijuana, Harris has for years used a budget rider to prevent the local government from creating any sort of regulatory framework for taxing or controlling sales. Meanwhile, Maryland has since legalized recreational marijuana use.

He cant implement it in his home state, but he can do it to us, Allen said.

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Last year's appropriations bill initially included riders that would have banned all traffic speed cameras in the nation's capital and prevented the District government from banning right turns on red lights. Those proposals eventually faded during the negotiation process, but Allen feels that the coming Congress "won't have Democrats in the same position to help negotiate away many of the most objectionable budget riders.

Other congressional Republicans have sought to make more fundamental changes to the way Washington operates. Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia has proposed completely repealing the Home Rule Act, while Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee has talked publicly of abolishing the office of D.C. mayor. Neither Ogles' nor Clyde's office responded to Associated Press requests for comment on their future intentions.

Despite the looming battles, Bowser's search for common ground with Trump and congressional Republicans may not be completely hopeless. Bowser actually vetoed the criminal code rewrite but was overridden by the D.C. Council; her opposition was frequently cited by congressional Republicans as proof of how far the council had strayed from mainstream Democratic policy.

And Bowser, Trump and Republicans in Congress have all agreed for years on one particular issue: the need to end post-pandemic teleworking and bring all federal employees back to their offices five days a week. She said she looked forward to discussing that with Trump.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A local war memorial that had been damaged by traffic twice in recent years has been repaired and moved to a new home.

The Linden War Memorial now sits in the park outside the Linden Community Center. David Bowers, a Linden resident and Vietnam War Veteran spent some time by it Tuesday afternoon. A close childhood friend of his was killed in Vietnam.

Lt. Dingus Banks was killed in 1967 and thats when I was there, Bowers said as he pointed at his friends name. Im 77 years old and it hurts to look at that name because we were very close. We were on the same track team at Linden McKinley. Im so blessed to be here to be able to see this.

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Spending time by his friends name is never easy emotionally. It has not always been easy physically either. The memorial used to be at the busy intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Westerville Road.

It just broke my heart when I saw it all torn down, Bowers said. This whole half was gone. I guess a car hit it, and its been that way for years. And it just broke my heart to see nobody doing anything.

The memorial was hit by a car in 2019 and again in 2021. The city this past spring approved funding to get it fixed and moved to the park by the Linden Community Center. There was a rededication ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.

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These ordinary people did extraordinary things and their commitment to protecting our freedoms is something we should always remember, Chief Master Sgt. Edward Taylor with the Ohio Air National Guard said.

The memorial has names of those from Linden who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Bowers hopes with the new location, more will come to honor those lives.

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I like where its at, where people can come now and park and come and see it and any veteran or anybody in the Linden area, I urge them to come and look at this and remember these soldiers, Marines, and Navy people that gave their lives not just for our country but for our neighborhood, he said.

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Local veterans also said they hope the memorial will be included in future Memorial Day ceremonies.

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This month, London Downtown welcomes a new yet experienced executive director aboard. Kristen Strawser, born and raised in London, brings a fresh perspective and set of goals to the role.

Strawser, 33, attended South Laurel High School. She began serving on London Downtowns board around a year ago while also acting as the owner of Moody Cows  the locally beloved ice cream shop located at 318 North Main Street in London.

The organizations previous director, Julie Rea, parted ways with the position on Thursday, Oct. 31, to focus on her own seven-year-old media consulting business, Julie Ross Rea Media Consulting. Strawser officially stepped into the role of executive director on Friday, Nov. 1.

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They came together and asked me if I would be interested and I was, said Strawser. I like the work that we do and the events we put on.

Entering the role, Strawser hopes to bring more events to London and uplift existing local businesses while also drawing in other diverse individuals.

I want to make an impact on the community, she stated, adding that her favorite event currently held is Honey Bun Day.

Strawser has a clear ideology behind her goals for the organization, highlighting the importance of inclusivity.

Were going to strive to make a more inclusive downtown and really focus on the beautification of Main Street and the surrounding areas, and hopefully get a bunch of teams working together and bringing people together from different walks of life to help with the community, the new director stated.

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Between her experience on the organizations board and owning and operating her own business, Strawser is anticipated to fit right into this new role.

To contact Strawser, reach her at (606) 260-7628. For further inquiries regarding London Downtown, contact londonkydowntown@gmail.com or visit the website at www.londonkydowntown.com.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), the longest-serving woman in congressional history, beat back a challenge from a term-limited Republican state lawmaker to keep her northwest Ohio House seat.

Kaptur, with almost 21 congressional terms under her belt, has been in Congress for nearly 42 years, longer than her Republican challenger, 38-year-old Ohio state Rep. Derek Merrin, has been alive.

While Kaptur was narrowly ahead after Election Day and declared victory then, her margin was so small the outcome remained in doubt for two weeks. Her margin was expected to be just outside the amount that would trigger an automatic recount.

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The race was classified as lean Democratic by the Cook Political Report, the next category up from toss-up. Kaptur was seen as vulnerable because her district had been redrawn to make it more GOP-friendly after the 2020 census. While she won reelection easily in 2022 in the new district, her opponent, Republican congressional candidate J.R. Majewski, was seen as out of the mainstream with his expressions of sympathy for QAnon conspiracy theories. Kaptur won by 13 points.

Merrin, her 2024 opponent, on the other hand, has been term limited from running again for the statehouse, leaving him free to set his sights on Kapturs seat. Merrin chaired the Ohio House Ways and Means Committee and was first elected to public office at the age of 19, becoming a city council member and later mayor of Waterville, Ohio.

Kaptur took office in 1983; she has a reputation as a pro-labor Democrat whos firmly in her partys liberal wing and voted against the Iraq War. In her campaign, though, she also touted her membership on the House Appropriations Committee, the House panel that sets annual federal agency and program budgets.

Kaptur has also been one of four bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus that has pushed for continued aid to the war-torn country. Her Toledo-area district has enough Ukrainian Americans in it that there is a charitable support group called Toledo for Ukraine that sends aid.

See full results from the Ohio House election here.
As my colleague David Kurtz explained in Mondays Morning Memo, it would be a massive break from precedent for Donald Trump to come into office with plans to replace the FBI director, a position thats given a 10-year term specifically to inoculate against partisan politics seeping into the bureaus operations.

But it is increasingly looking like Trump will do just that.

Trump, famously, appointed current FBI Director Christopher Wray back in 2017 after he fired James Comey, who was at the helm of the FBI as it investigated the 2016 Trump campaign and Russias interference in the 2016 election. The OG Witch Hunt, if you will.

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Wray has been a massive disappointment to Trump because he has done his job instead of using the FBI as a weapon against Trumps various political foes. That has, at times, meant investigating Trump and other Republicans. Wray gets lumped in with the rest of the Justice Department when Trump and his allies talk about their belief that DOJ has been weaponized against Trump. But Trumps initial beef with Wray actually dates back to 2018. Not long after Wray was appointed and confirmed as FBI director, House Republicans (led by none other than then-Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA)) planned to publish a memo that condemned the FBIs handling of the Russia investigation.

The FBI, led by Wray, came out against the White House, which had reportedly advocated for the memos release at the time, and said it had grave concerns about the publication of the memo put together by House Republicans, which alleged that the FBI misused its surveillance tools.

Its the sort of showdown that feels a bit quaint as we approach Trump II. Trump likely has built up other supposed rationales for his reported interest in replacing Wray over the years too.

In a post on Twitter on Tuesday, which appears to have been deleted, Vice President-elect JD Vance defended himself for missing a vote in which one of President Bidens judicial nominees was approved. He also confirmed, perhaps unintentionally, that he and Trump are interviewing for the position of FBI director.

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When this 11th Circuit vote happened, I was meeting with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director, Vance reportedly wrote.

I tend to think its more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45, he added.

Weve seen some reports that Trump is considering Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) or the dangerous political operative Kash Patel, who himself had a hand in the Nunes memo, for the gig.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Answers could come soon on the unfinished construction site down at Canalside.

Construction on the Heritage Point Development Project came to a halt nearly a year ago after developer Sinatra & Company said a big lender of theirs pulled out.

After breaking ground in 2021, the $40 million project at Canalside is currently at a standstill.

Recently, Sinatra asked for an additional $4 million in state funding to help finish it. Buffalo Common Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski said he believes the state could penny up soon.

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I have been told and confirmed and reassured that the funding that will basically be filling in the gaps will be secured within a few weeks and that the project will get up and running next construction season, Nowakowski said.

Nick Sinatra, the founder and CEO of Sinatra & Company Real Estate, said a big jump in both labor and materials costs and their initial lender going out of business were reasons for the incomplete work.

He previously said his company has invested over $12 million in equity and the project has already spent $18.8 million.

We need this project to succeed, and I certainly have been critical of the delays from the developer, and I met with them and done my due diligence with them to not only help them to get to where they need to go, but also make sure that the conversations between the state and the developer happen, Nowakowski said.

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The conversations between the state and developer have led Sinatra to ask for a $4 million loan from New York State, which they said is critical for project completion.



Nowakowski said currently, nothing official has come from the loan request, but wants it to happen.

Yes, I am critical and apprehensive of yes, the state giving more resources, Nowakowski said. But the fact is, if theyre just asking for a loan that will be repaid, thats a lot different than just a grant that wont be paid. We must get the project done, we cannot look at a stalled project at Canalside any longer.

The two multi-use buildings, once completed, are intended for housing retail, restaurants and office space.

The project not being done cost the taxpayers even more by leaving a vacant and blighted site, especially when we are seeing a hemorrhage of people living in our urban core, Nowakowski said. We need to bring a residential use to Canalside and we as a community cannot afford any more for any more delays.

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During a recent meeting with state development authorities, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz spoke out against additional funding for the project and was critical of Sinatras decision making.

WIVB News 4 asked Poloncarz about those comments Tuesday and he grew angry, declining to speak on camera, saying he made comments during a meeting and refused to repeat or explain them in more detail.

Nowakowski hopes construction can resume on the project this spring.

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.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who recently lost her bid for re-election to Oregons 5th Congressional District, is being touted as the new Labor Secretary in the upcoming Trump Administration.

Initially reported by Politico, KOIN 6 News independently confirmed Chavez-DeRemer has the support of Teamsters President Sean OBrien. Teamsters spokesperson Kara Deniz told KOIN 6 News, I can confirm OBrien is supporting the Oregon Republican to lead the labor department.

Politico also reported other GOP leaders are advocating on her behalf directly to Trump and his transition team.

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Chavez-DeRemer conceded the race to Democrat Janelle Bynum for Oregons 5th District on November 14. In a statement, Chavez-DeRemer said although this isnt the outcome we had hoped for, she is proud of what we accomplished together.

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Oregon 5th Congressional District Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer during an appearance on Eye on Northwest Politics, June 7, 2024 (KOIN)

Before serving her one term in the US Congress, Chavez-DeRemer, 56, served in a variety of roles in Happy Valley, as a councilor, then council president and later mayor, where she served two terms.

Her official Congressional bio states, She is married to her high school sweetheart, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, and supported the couple as he finished medical school. Later they founded an anesthesia management company and opened several other medical clinics in the Pacific Northwest.

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Local teamsters are among more than a dozen unions that supported Chavez-DeRemer in her failed re-election bid.

The union behind the August Kroger picket endorsed both District 5 candidates, saying theyd represent the interests of workers.

We do that sometimes when we think both candidates would be well qualified for the seat, said Miles Eshaia, communications coordinator with UFCW 555.

But if Bynum and Chavez-DeRemer end up in D.C., experts say it could be a win-win.

I think it is significant. I think labor unions like Janelle Bynum and they like Lori Chavez-DeRemer and they might get both. Thats, I guess, a good thing for them, said Jeff Eager, KOIN political analyst and author of the Oregon Roundup newsletter.

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Although Chavez-DeRemer may have risked her re-election by endorsing Trump, that loyalty could pay off now.

In a social media post, she praised the president-elect for connecting with working-class Americans and stressed that the GOP must stay the party of the American worker.

Experts say the pro-union shift under a Republican administration could be a game changer for labor and a major moment for Oregon.

In terms of an actual secretary of an entire department Im not aware of that happening anytime recently, Jeff 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 KOIN.com.
Los Angeles officials on Tuesday moved to cement the city and its schools as sanctuaries for immigrants and LGBTQ youth as the city positions itself to push back strongly against President-elect Donald Trumps platforms on immigration and gender.

The Los Angeles City Council, which represents the second-largest US city, unanimously voted to adopt a sanctuary city ordinance that prohibits city resources from being used in immigration enforcement or to cooperate with federal immigration agents, unless required by state law.

The ordinance is expected to be approved by Mayor Karen Bass.

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Also Tuesday, the Los Angeles Unified School District passed a handful of emergency resolutions intended to thwart the incoming Republican administration, including protections for immigrant families and staff, enforcement of respectful treatment of LGBTQ community members and preparations to resist some policies in Project 2025, the conservative blueprint for the next Republican president.

City officials are racing to implement the measures before Trump retakes the White House in January, when the president has vowed to enact strict border and immigration policies on Day 1. LGBTQ advocates also fear his presidency will result in wider restrictions on transgender people and rollbacks of protections for other LGBTQ groups.

We know whats coming. Theyve said whats coming, and we want to tell our students and their families and all of our personnel that you are welcome here, school board President Jackie Goldberg said Tuesday.

In the days after Trumps election, Bass and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto expedited the release of the sanctuary ordinance to the city council after hearing a flood of concerns from immigration groups.

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Especially in the face of growing threats to the immigrant communities here in Los Angeles, I stand with the people of this city, Bass said in a statement last week. This moment demands urgency. Immigrant protections make our communities stronger and our city better.

Californias Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is also reigniting his resistance campaign against Trump, calling last week for lawmakers to convene a special session to safeguard the states progressive policies on climate change, reproductive rights and immigration.

The city ordinance legally enshrines several city policies that are already in place to protect migrants, including a decades-old Los Angeles Police Department mandate that officers not inquire about a persons immigration status or make arrests based on a persons immigration status.

But it also likely sets the city up for conflict with the incoming Trump administration, which has vowed large-scale detention and deportation of migrants  especially those who are undocumented.

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Tom Homan, a former Trump-era Immigration and Customs Enforcement director whom Trump has tapped to be his administrations border czar, has expressed disdain for sanctuary cities.

Los Angeles City Council members listen as a man speaks in support of a proposed "sanctuary city" ordinance at City Hall on Tuesday. - Etienne Laurent/AFP/Getty Images

In an interview with Fox & Friends last week, Homan suggested the Trump administration may try to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities and federal agents will not be deterred from enforcing migration policies.

If sanctuary cities dont want to help us, then get the hell out of the way. Because were coming, Homan said.

Council member Curren Price Jr., however, insisted Tuesday the sanctuary status will be essential to maintaining trust between the city and immigrant communities, some of which may refrain from reporting crimes or seeking emergency assistance out of fear they could be deported.

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Sanctuary cities are not just a legal framework, Price said. They represent a moral commitment to upholding human dignity, protecting families and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their immigration status, can live without fear.

Protections for school students and staff

The Los Angeles Unified school board passed several motions Tuesday to strengthen its position as a sanctuary for district families and staff members who may be threatened by Trump administration policies, notably migrant families and LGBTQ students.

The board unanimously approved a motion to reaffirm its sanctuary policy, which bars school personnel from voluntarily cooperating with immigration enforcement or sharing information about the immigration status of students and families with immigration agencies.

Teachers and administrators will receive training on how to respond to federal immigration personnel who request information about students and families or who are trying to enter school property.

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Goldberg, the board president, also said the district will aggressively oppose any effort to create federal laws that require school districts to comply with immigration enforcement actions.

In an effort to create a more accepting environment for LGBTQ students and staff, the district approved another motion to expand its rules about respectful treatment of all persons to include gender identity and gender expression.

The resolution cited the nationwide proliferation of anti-immigrant and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and narratives, which exacerbates discrimination, invalidates peoples humanity, and stokes fear and anxiety.

Promise to resist Project 2025 policies

The school board in its final vote issued a direct rebuke of Project 2025, which has called for a complete overhaul of federal education policy and eventual elimination of the Department of Education.

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In its motion, the board resolved to protect and defend students, families, and staff from the harm intended by Project 2025, though the board did not elaborate on specific project policies beyond the abolition of the Department of Education.

Board member Rocio Rivas called the move a bold and necessary shield against the looming threats to public education.

LAUSD stands as a beacon on inclusivity, a safe harbor for all, and this resolution fiercely declares that we will not cower in the face of those who seek to undermine the very foundation of our diverse and vibrant community, Rivas said.

Though Trump has sought to distance himself publicly from Project 2025, a CNN review found that at least 140 people who worked in the first Trump administration were involved in it. He has even tapped some of its contributors for his incoming administration, including his pick for Federal Communications Commission chair, Brendan Carr.

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Trump also repeatedly called for the elimination of the Department of Education on the campaign trail.

We will ultimately eliminate the federal Department of Education, he said in September at a rally in Wisconsin. He added: We will drain the government education swamp and stop the abuse of your taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate Americas youth with all sorts of things that you dont want to have our youth hearing.

Within 60 days of the school boards resolution, the district superintendent is expected to present a detailed plan on how the district will defend public education and the students, families, and staff we serve from policies detailed in Project 2025 and similar Trump administration actions.

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A former executive for Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems recently prevailed on multiple motions in a pair of federal defamation cases seeking to hold liable those who amplified unproven allegations that he, personally, rigged the 2020 presidential election against Donald Trump.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Clay County Sheriffs Office had a lot to say Wednesday morning after finding out scammers in the county are pretending to be deputies and emailing fake arrest warrants to its residents.

According to a post on X by the sheriffs department, losers are targeting members of the Clay County community and emailing them forged documents that list them by name, claiming there is a warrant out for their arrest.

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However, there are many flaws in the scammers scheme that expose the truth.

Losers pretending to be our deputies are again calling Clay Co. residents, & now they're emailing the targets these fake arrest warrants with their names on them. You can see some of the many reasons it's fake.

WE WILL NEVER CALL YOU TO TELL YOU THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE ARRESTED. pic.twitter.com/2tFJDVVUxp  Clay County, Missouri Sheriff (@SheriffClayCo) November 20, 2024

One of the largest indicators is that the sheriffs department will NEVER CALL YOU TO TELL YOU THAT YOURE GOING TO BE ARRESTED. That is a telltale sign that you are being scammed.

The second thing to look out for is your warrant asking you to pay a third-party vendor before being arrested.

Specifically, the warrant said, PSA TO BE PAID IN FULL AT ASSIGNED 3RD PARTY VENDOR LOCATION PRIOR TO COMING TO SHERIFF OFC TO PREVENT APPREHENSION David to you

The sheriffs office says it will not ask for monetary compensation as a means of preventing arrest. In fact, deputies will not request money from you at all.

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Next, counties do not serve federal warrants. These are created by the U.S. Department of Justice and executed by the U.S. Marshals Office.

Lastly, make sure to look at the listed county, the listed officer (and whether they signed the document in their handwriting), and the location of the warrant.

In the example scam document posted on the Clay County Sheriffs Department X profile, it shows a warrant issued by the United States District Court For The 20th District of Washington.

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Unless you live in District 20 of Washington State, youre probably in the clear.

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As well as this, the scam document included the name of an unrelated issuing officer. It read, LT. Jefferson Miller SR. US MARSHAL.

First of all, this is not a deputy with the Clay County Sheriffs Office, and second, the real Jefferson Miller is actually a Jeffrey.

So, before you panic and think you are a wanted fugitive, take these facts into consideration and make sure to report these scams to your local law enforcement agency.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Louisiana Senate Bill 2, a proposed amendment to the Louisiana Constitution, could send more juveniles to adult jails.

Last Thursday, Louisiana Senators approved a bill to remove restrictions on sentencing individuals under 17 for various crimes as adults. The present constitution authorizes that, by a 2/3rds vote of each house, special juvenile procedures do not apply to juveniles arrested for the following offenses.

1st or 2nd-degree murder.

Manslaughter.

Aggravated rape.

Armed robbery.

Aggravated burglary.

Aggravated kidnapping.

Attempted 1st degree murder.

Attempted 2nd degree murder.

Forcible rape.

Simple rape.

2nd degree kidnapping.

A second or subsequent aggravated battery.

A second or subsequent aggravated burglary.

A second or subsequent offense of burglary of an inhabited dwelling.

A second or subsequent felony-grade violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous

Substances Law or prohibited transactions in drug-related objects, involving the

manufacture, distribution, or possession with intent to distribute controlled

dangerous substances

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The amendment to Senate Bill 2 would remove this list and state that special juvenile procedures do not apply to juveniles arrested for any crime, such as theft.

Breka Peoples, a state organizer and activist, says this would cause a mass incarceration for the youth.

We cant afford for our kids to go- our kids are our future. They deserve to grow and make mistakes you know. Lets say for instance you child goes to jail for shoplifting, he will go to an adult prison, they are building prisons, three prisons down south, said Peoples.

New Louisiana laws address juvenile crime, youth detention issues

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Peoples says the timing is disturbing, especially as this special session is on taxes.

They didnt think we were watching, and we were alert, but thank God for our elected officials down south that alerted us to let us know this is what they are pushing, this is what we need to fight, we need you up here at the capital, and thats what we did, we organized and went to the capital, said Peoples.

She adds that partnerships that work with children and families to curb the criminal justice cycle are vital now more than ever. One partnership is with Compassion for Lives.

Executive director for Compassion for Lives, Carla Buntyn, says she has been seeing an overpopulation of 18-year-olds in Caddo correctional.

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Open letter urges community to engage youth to help them avoid violence, prison

The non-profit organization provides services to address the root causes of crime including lack of education and poverty.

Its not that I want to go commit a crime, its just thats what I need to get x, y, and z, so you have to look at negating the adversity, but at the same time you have to look at instilling hope and providing avenues, for like you said children not to enter the juvenile justice system or make it to even becoming an adult entering the juvenile, or even the criminal justice system, said Vanessa Smith, director of programs for Compassion for Lives.

Compassion for Lives says there should be an investment in children, especially in education, and supporting families on minimum wage.

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If you give people goals and hope, it instills a lot, but you have to give somebody a way to address the adversity that many times leads to the crisis or poor decision making that many people enter the criminal justice system behind, said Smith.

Peoples says now is the time for people to pay attention as she says the issue will be brought to the voters.

So youre telling me its okay to put an elementary school child with a high school kid? you dont do that do they, you dont see that, then why are we doing it with adults, why are we doing it now, in adult prisons.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson and state Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, testify at a House Ways & Means Committee hearing on Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo credit: Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Gov. Jeff Landrys proposed tax policy revamp went through further changes Tuesday in the Louisiana Legislature, with lawmakers countering a reduction to an individual flat income tax with an increase in what businesses would pay.

In addition, members of the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee tossed the governors plan to stop local governments from taxing prescription drug sales, and they also voted to keep in place tax credits for movie and television production, historic restoration and digital media.

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What new purchases and services the state sales tax will apply to are expected to be ironed out on the Senate floor, where lawmakers will have to sort out a slew of amendments added to multiple bills during the committee meeting and then send everything back to the House for consideration  all in less than a week.

As the package heads to the upper chamber, House Bill 10 sets the sales tax rate at 4.4%, though lawmakers have spoken openly about increasing it higher  even beyond the current 4.45%. The same bill also makes permanent a discounted sales tax rate of 2% on energy utilities for commercial customers that is set to expire at midyear 2025.

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The extensive Senate committee changes to the Landry tax package offer no real insight on whether lawmakers are closer to finding middle ground with the administration. Their original proposal, in essence, balanced a reduction in income tax revenue with expanded sales taxes.

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But the House of Representatives adjourned Tuesday afternoon without considering the only proposal currently on its calendar, House Bill 9, that would expand the state sales tax to nearly 20 new items and services. It remains to be seen whether this piece of the revenue puzzle is vital to the core of Landry-backed bills the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee advanced.

They include House Bill 1, which sets a flat income tax for individuals at 3%. House Bill 2 was updated to increase the flat income tax rate for businesses from 5.5% to 6%. Proponents of the change say its still a competitive rate when compared to other southern states corporate taxes.

The author of both proposals, Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, wanted the flat tax rates to drop further when state tax revenue reached certain benchmarks, but the Senate committee removed triggers from both of her bills that would have allowed that to happen. After Tuesdays committee amendments, the Legislature would have to approve any future flat income tax rate reductions.

The committees restoration of motion picture tax credits came after film industry representatives flooded Capitol corridors Sunday afternoon to stress the importance of the incentive to lawmakers. Lawmakers had previously said they would look for ways to preserve the enticement. Adjustments made Tuesday lower the annual cap on credits from $150 million to $125 million.

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The committee also scrapped a proposal that would have prohibited local governments from taxing prescription drugs, a concession to elements of the governors plan that could reduce parish and city tax collections, especially if the list of items to which the sales tax can be applied isnt expanded.

Members also backed giving parish councils, school boards and sheriffs the power to lower business inventory taxes on their own, as long as they all are in agreement. Rep. Daryl Deshotel, R-Marksville, said the change to House Bill 11 would allow parishes to be more competitive with their neighbors should they decide to forego the same tax.

Deshotel also updated his proposal to keep the homestead exemption in the Louisiana Constitution. That means any changes to the property tax break from primary residences would need approval from voters statewide. When the House of Representatives approved the bill, it would have moved the homestead exemption into state code, where only a two-thirds vote of the Legislature could have altered the tax break, and voters would have had no say in the matter.

Leaving the homestead exemption untouched and dropping the personal flat income tax rate might indicate lawmakers and the governor are doing what it takes to make his plan more palatable to voters. They get the final say in the form of a constitutional amendment ballot measure next year.

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Another enticement theyve offered is a permanent teacher pay raise, made possible through paying off teacher retirement system debt.

Hanging over the special session is a state budget shortfall that could reach $700 million next fiscal year. Exactly how much lawmakers can fill that gap is hard to peg with so many pieces of legislation in still in flux.

Both chambers will convene again Wednesday morning, facing a 6 p.m. Monday final adjournment deadline. All changes made to House bills in the Senate will have to be agreed upon before then.

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This report was updated at 7:50 p.m.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  According to the Louisiana Department of Education, the states school performance score has increased for the third year. Kids and teens have earned the highest scores under the current 150-point scale. The scores for schools and districts were released on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

According to a news release from LDOE, the state score climbed to 80.2, up from 78.5 in 2023. Each school and district gets a score and a letter grade, and the information released by the state looks at various factors, including progress and the strength of the diploma offered.

Ascension Parish Schools had the best district score in the Baton Rouge area with a 95.8 A. It was the largest district to earn an A.

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Other local districts that drew an A include West Feliciana Parish, 98.3; Central Community School District, 94.6; Zachary Community School District, 94.5; and Livingston Parish, 90.9.

Court temporarily limits scope of ruling that Louisianas Ten Commandments law is unconstitutional

West Baton Rouge schools improved the most in the region, pulling up by 3.5 points to 85.2, followed by West Feliciana, which increased its score by 2.5 points, and Ascension, which improved by 2.1 points.

Livingston Parish Schools improved its overall score by 1.4 points.

We are certainly proud to know that Livingston Parish Schools has attained an A rating from the state, as it represents a comprehensive evaluation of all the districts measurements. But just as important has been the consistency of our students to score at high levels, Superintendent Jody Purvis said in a news release.

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The East Baton Rouge School System kept a C grade but improved its overall score by a point to 70.1. Leadership highlighted academic progress in a news release issued Wednesday.

We acknowledge that there is still significant progress to be made, but I want to commend our educators and staff for their unwavering dedication to improving student outcomes, said LaMont Cole, EBR Schools Superintendent. We will continue to actively engage with our communities to strengthen family involvement, address the identified gaps and challenges, and work tirelessly to restore public confidence in our school system's ability to deliver a world-class educational experience.

Louisiana students continue to make progress. A third consecutive year of growth is a testament to the many talented educators across our state and the student-first commitment from Governor Landry, the legislature, and our board, Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said in the release.

The state also released 2024 Early Childhood Performance Profiles, which are provided for publicly-funded child care, Early Head Start/Head Start and school-based programs.

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See how districts in, near Baton Rouge scored:

Louisiana Statewide: B 80.2

Ascension Parish: A 95.8

Assumption Parish: B 81.8

East Baton Rouge Parish: C 70.1

East Feliciana Parish: B 77.4

Iberville Parish: B 75.3

Livingston Parish: A 90.9

Pointe Coupee Parish: C 64.3

St. Helena Parish: D 54.9

West Baton Rouge Parish: B 85.2

West Feliciana Parish: A 98.3

Zachary Community School District: A 94.5

City of Baker School District: F 48.4

Central Community School District: A 94.6

Recovery School District - Baton Rouge: D 55.4

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LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)  A filing for a supervisory writ by Brandon Lavergne, who was convicted for the first degree murder of Mickey Shunick, was denied by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

On Nov. 20, the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled the supervisory writ filed by Lavergne would be denied. All justices voted in favor of denying the writ.

A supervisory writ is an appeal, only of a specific ruling in a case and not the result of a trial.

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The supervisory writ was filed by Lavergne in reference to a ruling by the 15th Judicial District Court of Lafayette Parish who ruled Lavergne had exhausted his right to appeals and failed to show that any exception should permit future appeals.

The Louisiana Supreme Courts denial of the supervisory writ will uphold the 15th Judicial District Courts decision.

Hes still alive, and shes not: Father of Mickey Shunick speaks out at memorial ride

Lavergne previously tried to overturn his guilty plea in 2015 , again in 2019, and in 2023, but was denied all three times.

Lavergne pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in August 2012, less than two months after his arrest in Shunicks death. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette student disappeared while riding her bicycle home from downtown Lafayette.

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As part of the plea agreement, Lavergne told investigators where to find Shunicks body in rural Evangeline Parish.

Lavergne appealed in January 2013, saying he felt pressured to plead guilty to Shunicks death and that of 35-year-old Lisa Pate in 1999 by pretrial publicity and because he faced a possible death penalty.

Lavergne is serving a life sentence at Angola. He did try to escape from the prison camp back in 2018, but never made it past the perimeter fence.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  Louisiana residents planning to travel by air will need to meet new federal requirements starting next year.

Beginning May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require a REAL ID-compliant drivers license or another federally approved form of identification to board domestic flights.

Dan Casey, Commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, is urging residents to act quickly.

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All Louisiana residents who are planning to fly in the next year and beyond should prioritize getting a REAL ID license or ID card, said Casey.

The REAL ID-compliant license features a small star in the upper right corner, signifying it meets enhanced federal security standards. Without it, travelers will need to present a passport or other approved ID at TSA checkpoints.

The process to upgrade to a REAL ID in Louisiana starts at your local OMV or Public Tag Agent location. Applicants must provide documents proving U.S. citizenship, Louisiana residency, and their Social Security number.

Casey emphasized the importance of planning ahead to avoid issues closer to the deadline.

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Were concerned that youll miss your flight. You could be turned away if its an important event like an anniversary or family trip, he said.

Residents are encouraged to visit expresslane.org to check the status of their license and access a REAL ID checklist.

Our concern is the long lines. So, were hoping that they do come into our office, go to expresslane.org, and check the status of your license, Casey added.

Some tax credits restored as Louisiana Gov. Landrys tax plan shifts

With less than six months to go, officials warn that waiting until the last minute could lead to delays or disruptions in travel plans.

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The countdown to compliance is on, and residents are encouraged to upgrade their licenses now to avoid any potential travel headaches.

For more information on obtaining a REAL ID, visit expresslane.org.

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CHICAGO  Jurors in the Michael Madigan corruption trial on Wednesday are expected to hear testimony from legendary 13th Ward precinct captain Edward Moody, the onetime Cook County Recorder of Deeds who prosecutors say raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars from ComEd through do-nothing consulting contract.

Moody, who along with his twin brother, Fred, was one of Madigans most trusted election-time door-knockers, testified at the related ComEd Four bribery trial last year that the speaker made it clear that the money would dry up if Moody stopped working on campaigns.

I control that contract and if you stop doing political work, youll lose that contract, is how Moody recalled Madigans warning.

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That message was reinforced when Moody met with Michael McClain, one of Madigans longtime confidants, at Huck Finn Restaurant on the Southwest Side. Moody testified McClain told him the contract was a hell of a plum and that I owe the speaker big.

Over the years, Moody was paid nearly $355,000 through various subcontracts, starting with McClain and later moving under ComEd consultant Jay Doherty and then lobbyist and Madigan ally Shaw Decremer, FBI Special Agent Katharine Heide testified in Madigans trial earlier this week.

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. Also charged is McClain, 77, a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy. They have pleaded not guilty and deny wrongdoing.

Moody, who testified last year hed been granted immunity by the U.S. attorneys office, is expected to be one of the last witnesses to testify in the ComEd bribery section of sweeping indictment. Prosecutors allege the subcontractor payments were part of a larger scheme by the utility giant to provide a stream of benefits to Madigan in order to secure his help with legislation in Springfield.

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Meanwhile, the emergence of Moody as a government cooperator sent shockwaves throughout Democratic circles, from Madigans base of power on Chicagos Southwest Side to the insiders hanging out in the Illinois Capitols rotunda.

For years, the Moody twins promulgated an almost mythical reputation as a special-operations team that Madigan often referred to as his best, legendary for their door-knocking skills and a gift of persuasion that kept votes coming in for the speaker and his acolytes year after year.

They were the go-to soldiers dispatched all over the state when Madigan needed to turn around the voters in a critical legislative district in the heat of the campaign. And they did it time after time since the mid-1990s.

Jurors in Madigans trial have already heard plenty of testimony about Moodys importance to Madigans political operation. Earlier this week, they also heard a pair of voicemails recovered from Dohertys phone in May 2019.

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The first message was left by McClain on Oct. 9, 2016, the day after Moody had been appointed to the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

I talked to the speaker, uh, speaker talked to Ed Moody and so speaker suggested Ed and you get together and talk cause ya know, hes got some disclosure things hes gonna have to do at the county board level, McClain said on the recording.

An hour and a half later, Moody called and left a voicemail of his own, which was also played for the jury. Hey, Jay, this is, uh, Ed Moody calling. Uh, the Speaker wanted me to reach out to you, uh, if you wouldnt mind returning my call.

Prosecutors allege that to avoid raising eyebrows, Moodys payments were moved three weeks later from Dohertys account to Decremer, who did not lobby the city or county.

____
The man responsible for the 2015 murders of Bud Runion, 69, and his wife June, 66, has been sentenced to life in prison after a magnet fisherman accidentally uncovered incontrovertible evidence linking the murderer to the crimes, Law & Crime reported.

On April 14, an unidentified magnet fisherman was trawling a river near Atlanta when he recovered a .22 caliber rifle and the victims IDs. Two days later, he returned to the same area and found a bag which contained credit cards belonging to the Runions as well as their cell phone.

Based on these findings, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, which has been investigating the murders since 2015, was able to gain a search warrant for a home about four miles from the discovery site. The home was searched twice, once on April 17 and again on April 19. Law enforcement seized items that were then turned over to the local forensic lab. Authorities did not specify how the items found in the river led them to the home.

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The new evidence led to suspect Ronnie Jay Towns, 38, pleading guilty to the Runions murders on Monday. Towns convinced Bud and June to make the three hour drive from their home to his under the auspices of purchasing a 1966 Mustang which Towns had listed for sale on Craigslist. However, Towns possessed no such car, and it was just a cover to rob and murder prospective buyers. The bodies of Bud and June Runion were found submerged in a nearby lake, along with their SUV, four days after they were reported missing.

During the initial investigation in the immediate aftermath of the Runions murders, detectives found that Towns had spoken with the Runions on the phone shortly before they disappeared. In a bizarre twist, Towns was actually arrested shortly after the murders but the case languished as the original indictment was tossed. That led to several appeals and then another indictment in 2020, at which point the pandemic put a pause on court proceedings.

But the discoveries made by the magnet fisherman were apparently so damning that Towns pled guilty to the crimes. In a victim impact statement read in court on Monday, the Runions daughter, Brittany Patterson, spoke to the couples undying generosity. She told how her parents would donate bicycles and Christmas gifts to underprivileged children, and during a storm shortly before their murders they offered rides to people in need.

Thats who my parents were, Patterson said. Thats who we lost. My parents were not random people from Cobb County. They proudly served God and the community.

Towns was sentenced to life in prison. He reportedly did not acknowledge the victims families, nor did he address the court.
An official proclamation declaring Dec. 7 as Pearl Harbor Day has been a longstanding tradition for the El Paso County Board of Commissioners.

But Tuesdays ceremonial reading, held during a board meeting at Centennial Hall, was a little different.

Dave Griffin, the grandson of fallen World War II hero Daniel T. Griffin, flew in from his Washington home to hear the proclamation and to speak with the county commissioners about his yearslong passion project.

The proclamation was great, and I love it, Dave Griffin said. But its only a day.

When no living (World War II) servicemen stand  how do we teach our current and future generations about bravery, sacrifice and freedom?

The Griffin family hopes to commission a project that will disseminate Daniels story more widely, a permanent, public memorial to the man who is acknowledged as the first Coloradan  and perhaps the first American  to die in the attack that brought the U.S. into World War II.

You should be very proud of what he did, Dave Griffin told the commission. He was a hometown boy who did you well.

A 1928 graduate of Colorado Springs High School (now Palmer High School), Daniel T. Griffin was standing watch in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941, when Japanese bombers began attacking the naval station. He reportedly alerted others of the attack before swimming out to his plane, which sat in the waters of the bay.

As the naval aviator began to take off, the plane was strafed by machine gun fire and crashed. The injured Griffin was shot and killed as he attempted to swim to shore.

Griffins body, recovered five days after the attack, remained interred in Hawaii from 1941-1947, according to multiple reports. He was eventually moved to Colorado Springs, where he is interred at Evergreen Cemetery.

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Dave Griffin, Pikes Peak Library archivist Bill Thomas, and Doherty High School Naval Junior ROTC director Capt. Greg Thomas (retired) have been advocating for a public memorial honoring Daniel Griffins sacrifice. On Tuesday, the WWII heros grandson gave a presentation at the commissioners meeting, and told the story of his grandfathers life, wartime service and death.

The commissioners were moved by the presentation  and by the story.

Its truly incredible, and I do think we have got to find more ways to help people see what it means to be so selfless, and to have such a love for this country, said Commissioner Carrie Geitner, a former military spouse.

It is certainly something that we need to continue to instill in future generations.

Commissioner Stan VanderWerf, who served in the Air Force for 28 years, supported Geitners statement.

We need to tell this story, said VanderWerf, who spearheaded the effort to name a bridge after USS Arizona survivor Donald Stratton.

Geitner said she would put Griffin in touch with colleagues from District 11 to explore possibilities for a memorial.

I think that would be a very good connection for you, she told him. And Id love to get you connected with some other people in our community and figure out a way to be able to do that.

Griffin, who visited Colorado Springs with several family members in May, said he hopes his effort to publicly memorialize his grandfather is nearing fruition.

I think this is a great story, he said. It should be shared widely, and not just for one day a year.
You know that old saying about how even a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut?

Meet Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Blind Squirrel Greene.

The wacky MAGA bombast is trying to protect her purportedly pervy pal Matt Gaetz, Donald Trumps selection for attorney general, by threatening to expose all the perviness of her congressional colleagues.

To which we all should say, DO IT!

Who in Congress made sexual harassment payoffs?

Greene wants to keep under wraps the damning House ethics committee report said to describe, among other things, how two women accuse Gaetz of paying them for sex.

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Greene says if that report gets out, she will release information about payoffs for other sexual harassment claims against members of Congress.

For my Republican colleagues in the House and Senate, she said. If we are going to release ethics reports and rip apart our own that Trump has appointed, then put it ALL out there for the American people to see.

Opinion: Gov. Hobbs really shouldn't try to mimic Sen. Sinema

Yes, absolutely. Let us see it all.

I believe most Americans would want to know, and should demand to know, about such payoffs.

Greene's colleagues must be scared

Greene wrote on social media, Yes.. all the ethics reports and claims including the one I filed, all your sexual harassment and assault claims that were secretly settled paying off victims with tax payer money, the entire Jeffrey Epstein files, tapes, recordings, witness interviews but not just those, theres more, Epstein wasnt/isnt the only asset. If were going to dance, lets all dance in the sunlight.

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Again, unconditionally, categorically, yes! Put them all out there.

Back in 2017, CNN reported that Congresss Office of Compliance paid victims more than $17 million since its creation in the 1990s in settlements involving sexual harassment, discrimination and other things.

Im guessing that Greenes threat frightens a bunch of people at the Capitol, including members of her own party, who would not consider Greenes attempt at political extortion as a blind squirrel finding a nut.

Theyd think of it more as that famous line from Forrest Gump:

Stupid is as stupid does.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Marjorie Taylor Greene thinks she's protecting Matt Gaetz | Opinion
Students getting their l lunch at a primary school. Photo by Amanda Mills/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Two-thirds of Ohioans support a universal free school breakfast and lunch program for all public school children, according to a Republican research firm.

This is extremely rare in a time where voters are really reluctant to support further spending, either at the state or federal level, Alexi Donovan, vice president of Tarrance Group Polling, said Monday during the Ohio Legislative Childrens Caucus monthly meeting.

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This months meeting heard testimony on the importance of universal school meals and Tarrance Group Polling surveyed 600 Ohio voters about this topic in May.

It is clear from the research and the data over the years, universal school meals help students thrive, physically, mentally, socially and educationally, said John Stanford, director of Childrens Defense FundOhio.

In Ohio, 1 in 6 children, or about 413,000 kids, live in a household that experiences hunger. Despite that, more than 1 in 3 children who live in a food insecure household do not qualify for school meals, according to a 2023 report from Childrens Defense Fund-Ohio.

We believe that in a country as wealthy as we are, we should not have hungry children, said Lisa Quigley, director of Solving Hunger.

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Exposing students to various fruits and vegetables through school meals helps them get a taste for food thats far more nutritious than what a lot of them are bringing to school, she said.

What were finding in the schools that are doing universal school meals, the food is getting better, Quigley said.

National security

Childrens hunger is a national security issue, said Cynthia Rees, Ohios director for the Council for a Strong America.

The U.S. Department of Defense conducted a study in 2020 that found 77% of young people between the ages of 17 and 24 are ineligible for military service without a waiver. The most prevalent disqualification rate was for being overweight at 11%, above drug and alcohol abuse (8%) and medical/physical health (7%).

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It is critical to recognize that overweight and obesity can often be manifestations of malnutrition, food insecurity or the lack of access to affordable healthy foods often result in consuming cheaper and more accessible food, which often lack nutritional value, Rees said.

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The food insecurity rate for Ohio children is 15%, with some counties having rates up to 24%, Rees said.

Increasing childrens access to fresh and nutritious food now, including through free school meals for all students, could help America recover from the present challenges and bolster national security in the future, she said. The military has a long standing interest in the health and nutrition of our nations youth.

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Universal school meals would eliminate the stigma of categorizing students who receive free and reduced meals and those that dont, Rees said.

Instead, all students can just have a meal together, she said. When we make school meals accessible to all, we remove that stigma.

Ohio legislation

Last years budget bill allowed any student who qualified for free or reduced school breakfast or lunch got those meals for free during the 2023-24 school year.

Currently in Ohio, children are eligible for free or reduced school meals if their household income is up to 185% of the federal poverty line, which is $57,720 for a family of four, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

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State Reps. Darnell Brewer, D-Cleveland, and Ismail Mohamed, D-Columbus, introduced a bill earlier this year that would require public schools to provide a meal to any student that asks.

House Bill 408 would also ban a district from throwing away a meal after it was served because of a students inability to pay for the meal or because money is owed for previously provided meals. The has only had sponsor testimony so far in the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on X.

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Joseph A. Ambroz, 77, is facing a murder charge more than 55 years after Mary Kay Heese, 17, was killed in Nebraska

Mary Kay Heese

A man in Oklahoma has been arrested over the death of a 17-year-old girl in Nebraska more than 55 years after her body was found in a roadside ditch.

On Monday, Nov. 18, the Saunders, Nebraska County Attorney confirmed in a press release shared on Facebook that Joseph A. Ambroz, 77, had been arrested in Ponca City, Okla. by the United States Marshals Service. He is facing a first-degree murder charge following the death of Mary Kay Heese, 17, on March 25, 1969.

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"Ms. Heese was reported missing on the evening of March 25th, 1969 by her family and her body was discovered in a roadside ditch south of Wahoo just after midnight on the morning of March 26th, 1969," Saunders County Attorney, Jennifer D. Joakim, said in the release.

"Mr. Ambroz will appear in Court in Oklahoma within the next couple of days for the start of proceedings to extradite him back to Nebraska," the release stated.

Joakim didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.

Getty A stock photo of a police car A stock photo of a police car

Per Nebraska ABC-affiliated station KLKN, it was "unclear what new evidence" led to Ambroz's arrest.

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Okla. station KFOR reported that investigators had recently exhumed the victim's body and performed a new autopsy. Joakim told the outlet Ambroz  who is accused of stabbing the teenager to death  hadn't been living in Okla. very long before his arrest.

According to the Nebraska newspaper the Kearney Hub, the victim was a junior at Wahoo High School and had been seen having a hot chocolate in a cafe in the city after track practice before she disappeared.

The paper stated she was reportedly last seen by a teacher "walking alone up a tree-lined street near 12th and Linden streets in Wahoo, about six blocks from her familys home."

According to Nebraska NBC-affiliated TV station WOWT, investigators previously said that it was likely Heese had gotten out of a car and tried to run. The outlet stated footprints were found indicating someone had caught up with her and that evidence showed the victim fought back.

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The station said the teenager's family said she wouldn't have gotten in a car with a stranger.

Mary Kay Heese

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The victim's cousin, Kathy Tull, told the outlet of the update in the case, We kept calling state patrol. We kept calling and calling and calling, and where the case was with new evidence.

"When we put up our own tip line. Thats when things really took off, Tull said, per the station.

According to KFOR, Shawn Shafer  who had been staying nearby with a relative at the time of Ambroz's arrest  said neighbors would often see the accused sitting on his porch.

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Hes only been there, like, two weeks, Shafer said, per the outlet. Weve seen coming and going over there, but I mean, he was older man. He had oxygen.

The Kearney Hub reported the victim's parents both died years ago. The outlet also stated law enforcement from Wahoo, Saunders County, Lincoln, Omaha, the Nebraska State Patrol and the FBI had looked at around 700 people amid the investigation through the years.
LEXINGTON  A convicted rapist police have said was caught having sex with a 14-year-old in a car now facing 15 additional charges involving child pornography, according to the Lexington Police Department.

Forrest Patrick Gobble, 37, of Thomasville was served with arrest warrants Friday for 15 charges of felony sexual exploitation of a minor. The charges allege he was in possession of child sexual abuse material on digital devices that were seized following his arrest in June. The videos show children between 2 and 12 years old engaging in sexual intercourse and other sexually explicit activities with adults, according to the arrest warrant.

Gobble has been in the Davidson County Detention Center since June 4, when Lexington police say they caught him having sex with a 14-year-old girl in a car on West Eighth Avenue. During the investigation, police determined Gobble had met the girl on social media. He was charged in that case with felony statutory rape of a child under 15, felony indecent liberties with a child and felony soliciting a child by an electronic device.

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Gobble was convicted in 2009 in Davidson County of first-degree rape and conspiracy. He was released from prison on parole in May 2021, according to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

He returned to prison in April 2023 for a parole violation and served six months. His new parole term ended May 12.

Gobble was being held in the Davidson County Jail with bond set at $750,000 secured.
JAMAICA, Queens (PIX11)  The man who shot a police officer and a bystander in Queens on Tuesday was a career criminal with 17 prior arrests, according to the NYPD.

Gary Worthy, 57, was on lifetime parole before he died in the shootout. He was last arrested six days ago for narcotics and resisting arrest, Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said.

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He has 17 priors that include murder, robbery, burglary, and narcotics possession, Kenny said.

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Worthy has been arrested seven times since 2021. He committed two armed robberies on Tuesday, one at a bodega on Hillside Avenue and another at a smoke shop on Guy Brewer Boulevard, according to authorities.

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Worthy fired a single shot during each robbery, police said. Witnesses were able to point him out, which led to a shootout in the middle of Jamaica Avenue around 6:30 p.m.

Police Officer Rich Wong, 36, was shot in his thigh. Hes a 7-year veteran with the NYPD.

A 26-year-old woman was also shot in the leg, according to authorities. Both are expected to make a full recovery.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

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SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  A man was arrested after police say he threatened to blow up a Turkey Hill in Scranton.

According to the Scranton Police Department, on November 19 officers were called to the Turkey Hill on Providence Raod for a man threatening to blow up the gas station.

The store manager explained to police that the man, identified as Nathan Reid, was holding a fuel pump in one hand and a lighter in the other, as stated in the affidavit.

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Wrong way crash injures two, driver to be cited

Before officers arrived employees said Reid was swinging the gas pump towards them and said if they get any closer he will blow up the store, according to court documents.

Officers say once employees were able to shut the pump off, they were able to subdue and arrest Reid. He is charged with risking catastrophe, terroristic threats, and disorderly conduct.

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HERNDON, Va. (DC News Now)  Herndon police arrested a man for an attempted abduction and rape on the W&OD Trail on Monday evening.

The Herndon Police Department (HPD) said that Denis Humberto Navarette Romero was charged with abduction with intent to defile and rape.

Around 8:50 p.m. Monday, HPD got a call from a passerby about a woman who said she was raped.

Former Montgomery County teacher sentenced to 1 year for sexually abusing student

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Police said that the incident happened between Ferndale Avenue and Grace Street. The victim was walking along the W&OD Trail when the suspect allegedly approached her, grabbed her and forced her to the ground.

He then raped her, but she was able to fight him off and run away, according to police.

She found the passerby on the trail, who helped her call 911.

After interviewing the victim and other witnesses, HPD officers found Navarette Romero minutes later and identified him as the suspect. Police said that he had some of the victims property as well.

He is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

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I am incredibly saddened and outraged that a crime like this could happen here in the town of Herndon, said Police Chief Maggie DeBoard, who noted this was the first stranger rape case in her 12 years as chief.

DeBoard said HPD is investigating the possibility there could be additional victims.

[Navarette Romero] has a documented history of both sexual assaults and exposures in the region beginning in 2022, including charges in the town of Herndon prior to last nights incident, DeBoard said. What is disturbing is the number of times this individual has been arrested and released.

DC neighbors fearful after man caught on camera peeking into homes

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According to online court records, Navarette Romero was found guilty of indecent exposure just days before the alleged rape in Herndon. The charges stemmed from an October incident. Its unclear why Navarette Romero, who was sentenced to 50 days, was not in jail immediately after the sentence was handed down.

DeBoard said the department will have additional uniformed officers visible along the trails to allay any fears.

Jeff French, who lives near the portion of the trail where the incident occurred, encouraged additional safety measures.

Weve asked them to please increase the amount of times they pull in, flash the lights around, and then go back out, French said.

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HPDs investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone with any information should call 703-435-6846.

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SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD)  A man who authorities say groomed a Washington state teen online for more than year before bringing her to Southwest Michigan has pleaded guilty to federal charges.

On Nov. 8, Keith Freerksen pleaded guilty in federal court in Washington to traveling with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor and enticement of a minor, court documents show.

Registered sex offender from SW MI charged with raping WA teen

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The traveling charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and the enticement charge is punishable by 30 years to life. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 5.

Authorities say Freerksen met the 14-year-old girl online, went to Washington to get her and brought her back to his home near South Haven early this year. After she was reported missing Jan. 6, police worked out she had been speaking with Freerksen online for months.

Court documents outlining his plea deal said the two had been in contact as far back as November 2022, when the girl was 13.

Freerksen knowingly utilized a cellular telephone and the internet to engage in communications with (the teen) in an attempt to persuade, induce, and entice (her) to engage in sexual activity which was illegal due to (her) age, the plea document reads. Freerksen sent (the teen) a phone in order to circumvent parental restrictions and communicate without interference. Those communications were sexually explicit in nature and included nude video chats. Freerksen also requested (the teen) to produce child sexual abuse material and send it to him via various social media applications. (She) complied.

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Authorities went to Freerksens home in late January, arrested him and found the girl. She told investigators there were multiple sexual encounters with Freerksen, they said.

Police: Missing girl from Washington found at Michigan mans home

In addition to the federal counts, Freerksen was charged with a number of state-level charges out of Van Buren County. He has a hearing in that case next week.

He was previously convicted of child porn charges in the Orlando, Florida, area in 2017, the Michigan Sex Offender Registry shows.

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DENVER (KDVR)  The Northglenn Police Department released a video Tuesday that showed a man stealing a purse from an open sunroof on Sunday, Nov. 17.

The incident happened in front of a tobacco shop in the 500 block of Malley Drive.

Douglas County bust nets drugs, guns, and more than $8,500

In the video, the man is shown exiting his vehicle before peering into the sunroof of the vehicle parked next to him.

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He looks around, reaches into the open sunroof and uses the closed door of his vehicle to gain leverage. The man eventually grabs hold of the purse and pulls it out before immediately leaving.

Northglenn PD said anyone who recognizes the man should contact NPD Officer Marquez at 303-450-8892.

Shopping safety tips

Police shared a few safety tips that people can follow to help prevent thefts, especially during the busy holiday shopping season.

For one, people should remove all their valuables from their vehicles.

It is also important to lock all doors and completely roll up all windows in the vehicle, including any sunroofs.

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Northglenn PD also advised people to stay aware of their surroundings, even while in well-lit areas.

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A major fight is brewing at the state Capitol, where unions plan to push for legislation they said would give workers "more freedom to negotiate for workplace safety and better pay" but which business groups warned would upend a system that is pivotal attracting companies and keeping Colorado economically competitive.

At issue is the Labor Peace Act's requirement that two elections be held in order to form a union and establish "union security." The first election must be won by a simple majority, while the second must receive at least 75% approval. Colorado is the only state with a second vote in which a supermajority is required to pass.

Several business groups said the proposed changes could unravel what has been a successful pitch to out-of-state businesses to consider relocating or expanding in Colorado.

Companies considering operating business in Colorado are drawn to its employer-friendly labor policies, said the business groups, which included the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Colorado Competitive Council and Colorado Concern.

In a news release, the Denver chamber said Colorado risks "losing critical opportunities for job creation and economic growth" should the proposed changes be enacted. The group said when companies evaluate whether to locate or expand their operations, they consider a states "right to work" status. Colorado, the business groups, said has a unique approach  a

"carefully crafted compromise that has stood the test of time, ensuring our state remains competitive with national site selectors."

"The Labor Peace Act has been a cornerstone of Colorados economic success for decades," said Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce President and CEO J.J. Ament. "To unravel this proven compromise now, while our economy is still recovering, is reckless. This isnt just bad for businesses  its bad for Coloradans. Forcing employees to pay into unions increases costs for workers already struggling to make ends meet. Were fighting for everyday Coloradans who need stability, and well fight vigorously to protect the Labor Peace Act and keep Colorado competitive."

"Union security" is an agreement between the union and the company requiring all workers, including non-union members, to pay union dues.

The proposal is supported by the Colorado Worker Rights United, a recently established affiliate of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), as well as by Senate Majority Leader Sen. Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver and Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge. According to Worker Rights United, the bill would give workers in Colorado more freedom to negotiate for workplace safety and better pay by eliminating the requirement for a second election.

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"Colorado is the only state that requires a second election to achieve union security, putting up an additional obstacle for workers who want the freedom to negotiate to put more money in the pockets of working families, decrease the wealth gap and increase worker safety, Rodriguez said at Colorado Worker Rights United's rally on Tuesday. "Aligning Colorados workers laws with most other states requiring only one election will empower workers to stand up to level the playing field with corporate employers."

"Colorado workers drive our economy and make our state the incredible place that it is, said Danielson. "Every worker deserves a safe place to do their jobs, fair pay for the hard work they put in, protection from retaliation, and a seat at the table when it comes to decisions about their own jobs and workplaces. The Worker Protection Act will remove unnecessary obstacles to forming a union, and expand workers rights and freedoms."

In dueling statements, the groups pushing for the changes to the labor law and business groups outlined their arguments for or against the proposal.

The unions said Coloradans are "safer when ordinary workers have the union security protection they need to stand up to employers."

"For example," the groups said, "we all win when union nurses feel they can speak up for patients care, construction workers are able to identify unsafe builds and working conditions and hospitality workers feel protected in bringing up food safety concerns, like the recent McDonalds E. coli problems."

Meanwhile, Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman said the proposal would "(disrupt) the balance weve achieved between business and labor."

Colorado Concern has consistently opposed any efforts to weaken our existing Labor Peace Act because its statutory framework provides the right balance to ensure a healthy relationship between business and labor in this state, added Dave Davia, President and CEO of Colorado Concern. Colorados Labor Peace Act has long provided a unique middle ground between right-to-work and union state laws for more than 70 years.

The 2025 legislative session starts on Jan. 8.
WILLIMANTIC  A Willimantic Police officer on a routine patrol near Armoury Apartments on Pleasant Street observed Joel Gallego-Pacheco, 41, who had an active PRAWN re-arrest warrant.

After confirming the warrant, the officer attempted to apprehend Gallego-Pacheco, who fled, which led to a foot pursuit.

Police said during the chase, Gallego-Pacheco lost his balance and dropped a fully loaded .22 caliber revolver onto the roadway. The officer quickly secured the weapon and, despite resistance, successfully detained Gallego-Pacheco.

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A search into the arrest revealed Gallego-Pacheco was in possession of 103 glassine bags of fentanyl, approximately 10.5 grams of crack cocaine and a mini digital scale.

Gallego-Pacheco was charged with stealing a firearm, criminal possession of a revolver, criminal possession of ammunition, possession with intent to sell narcotics, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, interfering/resisting arrest and two counts of violating a protective order.

Willimantic Police Department said in a statement this was an isolated incident with no threat to public safety. The recovery of a stolen firearm reflects their ongoing commitment to removing illegal weapons from the streets and protecting the Willimantic community.

According to court documents, Gallego-Pachecos bond was raised to $250,000 and his next court date is December 5.
NELSON COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  On November 19, the Nelson County Sheriff arrested a man after serving a warrant in an ongoing drug investigation out of Nelson County.

The sheriff said that during the early morning hours on Tuesday, deputies and members of the 3A Regional Drug Task Force served a search warrant at a home in Lowesville for an ongoing investigation.

During the search, narcotics, multiple firearms, and property reported stolen from Nelson County and other surrounding jurisdictions were allegedly found.

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Lynchburg man charged with Grand Larceny after car chase in Bedford County, sheriff

A second search warrant was then obtained for another property in Nelson County, resulting in another search. The second search allegedly ended with additional property being found that was also reported stolen out of Nelson County and neighboring jurisdictions.

32-year-old John Brogan of Lowesville was also taken into custody as a result of the search warrants.

John Brogan has been arrested and charged with the following:

Possession of a Schedule I/II Narcotic

Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Possession of a Firearm while in Possession of a Schedule I/II Narcotic

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Brogan was held in the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional County Jail without bond.

We would like to thank the Virginia State Police, 3A Regional Task Force, Amherst County Sheriffs Office, and the Campbell County Sheriffs Office for their assistance with this investigation.  Nelson County Sheriff

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A man convicted of murder after leading a Bakersfield police officer on a high-speed chase that ended with the officers death will have a hearing to determine whether he should be resentenced.

In a ruling published Tuesday, justices with the 5th District Court of Appeal say Julian Hernandez is entitled to a hearing to determine whether his sentence could change as a result of changes to the law since his 2018 sentencing.

I didnt do nothing wrong: Man convicted of Kason Guytons murder continues to deny responsibility at sentencing

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The entirety of the record of conviction in this case does not conclusively establish that defendant was convicted as the actual perpetrator, according to the ruling. Instead, the instructions permitted the jury to convict him of murder as an aider and abettor based on the now-invalid theory of imputed malice.

A date for an evidentiary hearing in Kern County has not been scheduled.

BPD Officer David Nelson

Hernandez, 41, is serving a life term in prison. He was found guilty of second-degree murder and four other felonies in connection with the death of Officer David Nelson.

Early on July 26, 2015, Nelson saw a silver Hyundai with paper license plates near Flower and Haley streets in East Bakersfield. He stopped the car, but when he approached it sped off.

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Nelson gave chase and crashed minutes later. He died at the scene.

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Police said it appeared he tried making a left turn onto Alfred Harrell Highway from Panorama Drive but crossed the raised center divider. He hit the curb  spinning his car around  and the vehicle traveled east, crashing into a power pole and concrete brick wall.

A tip led police to Hernandez about 32 hours later. By that time, Hernandez had written a letter which he handed to police admitting to his involvement in the chase and accusing Nelson of profiling him because he has tattoos.

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Despite that, defense counsel argued it was possible Hernandez wasnt in the car, noting there were no eyewitnesses who identified the driver or could tell how many people were inside.

Defense counsel said Hernandez may have lied about his involvement to protect others.

The trial court can consider Hernandezs pretrial statements and trial evidence in making its decision at the evidentiary hearing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
A judge has convicted the man on trial for the killing of Laken Riley, a nursing student in Georgia whose death in February shook the college town where she studied, as well as the country.

Jose Ibarra, 26, was found guilty Wednesday morning of murder and other charges related to Riley's death. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Ibarra, an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant, entered the United States illegally in 2022, officials said, but he was allowed to remain in the country to pursue his immigration case. His status helped bring the national debate over border laws to a boiling point earlier this year, as prominent Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, blamed President Biden's policies for Riley's death.

Supporters of Donald Trump hold images of Laken Riley before he speaks at a rally in Rome, Georgia, on March 9, 2024. / Credit: ELIJAH NOUVELAGE/AFP via Getty Images

The verdict handed down by Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard marked the end of four days of emotional hearings that began last week. Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial after pleading not guilty to a 10-count indictment brought against him in the wake of Riley's killing, which meant the case would be heard and decided solely by the judge. He also declined to testify during the trial.

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The state had 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 being a "peeping Tom." That final charge stemmed from prosecutors' allegation that Ibarra peered into the window of an apartment in a university residential building on the day Riley was murdered. Prosecutors said he was "hunting for females on the University of Georgia's campus" when he encountered Riley.

Ibarra was found guilty on all 10 counts. Audible wails were heard in the courtroom when Haggard announced the verdict, citing a portion of the prosecution's closing argument that emphasized the evidence against Ibarra was "overwhelming and powerful." The defendant, receiving the news in Spanish through a translator, maintained the stoicism he displayed in court throughout the trial.

Haggard heard impact statements from Riley's loved ones after reading the verdict. Her parents, sister, roommates and friends spoke through tears while they described Riley as a cheerful, ambitious and generous young person who valued her faith and prioritized helping others. Many called Ibarra a monster and the crime an act of evil, and Riley's classmates said separately they now fear for their safety at school. The prosecution also shared excruciating video of the moment police told Riley's family she was dead.

Everyone who gave statements pressed the judge to impose the maximum sentence. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty in this case.

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"There is no end to the pain, suffering and loss that we have experienced or will continue to endure," said Riley's mother, Allyson Phillips, in her remarks. "This sick, twisted and evil coward showed no regard for Laken or human life. We are asking the same be done to him."

Riley was found dead on Feb. 22 in a wooded part of the University of Georgia campus in Athens, where she was enrolled in the Augusta University College of Nursing. The 22-year-old had gone for a run that morning through the school's intramural fields, which was routine for her, and a concerned friend called University of Georgia police at around noon once Riley failed to return. She often talked to her mother on the phone while out running in the mornings, so when Riley's friends and family did not hear from her, they worried something was wrong.

Phillips called and texted her daughter several times after missing an initial call from Riley just after 9 a.m., according to logs and messages pulled from the student's phone and shown in court Tuesday, as the state's case wound down. Phillips and other family members continued to reach out to Riley for several hours when she did not reply.

Phillips cried at the Tuesday hearing as her text messages were read aloud on the stand by Georgia Police Sgt. Sophie Raboud, one of the lead investigators in Riley's case. In one of her final messages to Riley at 11:47 a.m., her mother wrote, "You're making me nervous not answering while you're out running. Are you OK?"

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Riley's mother, along with family and friends in attendance, became emotional at a different point in Raboud's testimony where she answered questions about the video being played of Riley running the morning of her death.

Allyson Phillips, mother of Laken Riley, second left, listens during the trial of Jose Ibarra at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Athens, Ga. / Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP

Ibarra was arrested the following day and booked without bond in the Athens-Clarke County Jail. Police have said Riley's killing appeared to be a random attack. But the indictment returned by a Georgia grand jury in May detailed a gruesome confrontation in which Ibarra allegedly asphyxiated the student, hit her over the head with a rock to the point of disfiguring her skull, and pulled up her clothing, intending to rape her.

In court, attorneys for the state also described a disturbing scene. Prosecutor Sheila Ross said Friday that Ibarra killed Riley violently after a prolonged struggle.

"When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly," Ross told the judge. She said evidence  including surveillance footage, traces of Ibarra's DNA under Riley's fingernails, and his thumbprint left behind on her phone screen  would show the student "fought for her life, for her dignity" over almost 20 minutes.

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Data from Riley's watch indicated she stopped suddenly in the middle of her run at around 9:10 a.m. the day she died and called 911 about a minute later. The watch showed Riley's heart was still beating until 9:28 a.m., Ross said.

Ibarra's defense attorney, Dustin Kirby, had argued the prosecution's evidence against his client was circumstantial and did not prove his guilt. Ibarra has appeared in court with shackles around his ankles and headphones to follow a translation of the trial proceedings in Spanish.

Jose Ibarra pays attention to a witness during his trial at the Athens-Clarke County Superior Court on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Athens, Ga. / Credit: Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, Pool

"The evidence in this case is very good that Laken Riley was murdered," Kirby said. Still, the defense has tried to challenge the strength of the prosecution's evidence, saying even the DNA sample may not completely rule out other suspects. Ibarra's legal team raised questions, for example, about whether one of his brothers could have committed the crime. The defendant's brother Diego Ibarra worked a shift at the University of Georgia's dining hall on the day of the murder.

Witness testimony for the prosecution continued into Monday, when an FBI Special Agent James Burnie told the court that electronic location data seemed to place Riley and Ibarra in the same wooded area at the time of her death. GPS coordinates from Riley's cellphone and smartwatch confirmed her precise location in the area where officers found her body, and pings between Ibarra's phone and cell towers suggested he was likely in the woods, too, Burnie said.

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Prosecutors during that hearing also played a recording for the court of a May phone call between Ibarra's wife, Layling Franco, and Ibarra while he was in jail. On the call, Ibarra told Franco he had been looking for work at the University of Georgia, and his wife urged him multiple times to tell her the truth about what happened to Riley, FBI specialist Abeisis Ramirez said during his testimony. The recording of their conversation was translated from Spanish for the court.

The jail call was not admitted into evidence in Ibarra's trial and could not be considered in the case, Judge Haggard announced Tuesday morning.

"After hearing the translations I do find that it was more than contextual, and therefore violates the confrontation clause of the 6th Amendment," the judge said. The clause protects the rights of an individual accused of a crime to confront witnesses.

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ATHENS, Ga. (AP)  Man convicted of murder in killing of Georgia student Laken Riley, a case that fueled the national immigration debate.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  The Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office is praising a young girl for testifying against the man who raped her.

Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams spoke with reporters on Tuesday afternoon and announced that Kevin Gamez-maro-diaga was found guilty of first-degree rape and indecent behavior with a juvenile under the age of 13.

Slidell man changes plea to guilty in 2017 child sexual assault case

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The evidence presented in court revealed a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior. This young victim courageously testified that he assaulted her on multiple occasions, said Williams.

The rapes happened between June and December of 2022. It took the jury 90 minutes to reach a verdict, and Gamez-maro-diaga will be sentenced to mandatory life in prison in January.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  The Knoxville Police Department is investigating a crash on I-40 that left one person dead early Wednesday morning.

Police said officers were dispatched around 3:45 a.m. to a report of a Toyota Corolla that had stopped in the far right lane of I-40 East near Midway Road. Minutes later, KPD said, another call reported that a box truck traveling on I-40 East struck the rear of the Corolla.

It breaks my heart: Knoxville homeless shelters closed for code violations

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The driver of the Corolla was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the box truck was not injured in the crash.

Inside the Corolla, KPD said officers located assorted narcotics, including suspected heroin and crack cocaine.

Knoxville Police investigating possible pedestrian fatality near Merchant Drive

The crash is under investigation by KPDs crash reconstruction personnel.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
A man has died after an overnight fire in Leominster.

According to a Leominster Fire Deputy, crews responded to a condo building on North Meadow Pond Dr around 2 a.m.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a fire in the living room of one unit and a badly injured older adult.

Firefighters removed a man in his late 60s with limited mobility. and transported him to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

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According to Leominster fire, a dog and two cats were also killed.

On behalf of the Leominster Fire Department, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to this mans family and loved ones, said Chief Sideleau. This is a very sad event for them and our community.

Investigators found evidence of smoking materials and home oxygen equipment in the home.

This is the second fatal fire in less than a week where investigators found home oxygen equipment, said State Fire Marshal Davine. Theres no truly safe way to smoke, but smoking around medical oxygen is especially dangerous. Oxygen will allow any fire to spread faster and burn hotter. If you or a loved one use home oxygen, please dont smoke.

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The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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WARWICK  One person has died, and another has been hospitalized after a fire early Wednesday morning, the Warwick police said.

Police officers and firefighters rushed to 7 Holt St. at about 12:34 a.m. after receiving the report of a house engulfed in flames with two people trapped inside, the Warwick police said in a news release.

When Warwick firefighters went into the house, they found an adult male already dead, the police said. His identity hasn't been confirmed, according to the police.

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A woman was taken from the house and brought to an area hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, the police said.

The Warwick police and fire departments, along with the Rhode Island State Fire Marshals Office are conducting a joint investigation to determine the cause of the fire, the police said.

Anyone who witnessed the fire, has video or has any other information is asked to contact the Warwick Police Department at 401-468-4200 and asked to speak with Detective Randy Bell.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to this department by downloading the Warwick Police Department app on Android/Apple devices and selecting Submit a Tip. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by using a third-party system called Tips411. To use Tips411, text your information to 847411.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Man dead, woman injured after Warwick fire
The Colorado Supreme Court considered on Wednesday whether students at Colorado State University had a viable claim for refunds after the school closed its campus temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic while still retaining their fees.

On behalf of all people who paid student tuition and fees during the spring 2020 semester, Renee Alderman sued CSU alleging the school breached its contract with students and unjustly enriched itself. Specifically, she claimed CSU "saved significant sums of money" by curtailing in-person services during the early COVID-19 pandemic while holding onto payments, including approximately $867 in general fees per student.

"Were not over here trying to create a claim that if your education is not provided in person, then at that point you can go ahead and get your money back. Or if you don't like the quality of your education, you can get your money back," said attorney Igor Raykin during oral arguments. But "there's nothing in the contract that says, 'We're going to provide a service to you, but if we don't we can keep the money anyway.'"

Last year, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals allowed the lawsuit to proceed in part. All judges agreed a unique provision in Colorado law allowing CSU to "temporarily suspend" operations in response to "the prevalence of fatal diseases" authorized the campus closure. Because the contract between students and the school incorporated that law, there was no breach.

However, Judge David J. Richman, writing for himself and Judge JoAnn L. Vogt, said the unjust enrichment claim was still viable. Citing a rule that generally bars unjust enrichment claims when they deal with the "same subject matter" as a contract, the majority believed Alderman was entitled to an exception.

Even if CSU had the power to close its campus, "it does not necessarily follow that CSU had the right to retain the tuition and fees that plaintiff had paid pursuant to the contract," Richman noted.

Judge Ted C. Tow III disagreed that an alternate route was open to Alderman for holding CSU liable and indicated he would have sided with the school altogether.

Appearing before the Supreme Court, attorneys for both sides conceded there was no apparent benchmark to gauge when a contract and an unjust enrichment claim cover the same subject matter. Assistant Solicitor General Michael D. McMaster, representing CSU, argued the subject matter at hand was the "provision of educational services," which the school fulfilled.

"That is the essential bargain between students and universities," he said.

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"Its probably a little broader than making classes available," responded Justice Richard L. Gabriel. "There's an experience that comes with college. The gyms and clubs and activities and all that. Would that also be part of the subject matter?"

"No, we don't think that is part of the bargain," McMaster said.

Raykin, meanwhile, pointed out the contractual provision permitting CSU to close its campus does not state the school can retain student fees. He maintained unjust enrichment "should still be a backstop" when a key term is missing from a contract.

"That seems to me you would be asking us to pretty substantially extend existing law to say there is a contract, its an enforceable contract, but it doesnt include a term you wish was there," said Justice Melissa Hart.

"That would mean there was a hole in the contract and you could seek unjust enrichment. Theres no limit to that," added Gabriel.

Multiple justices observed that under each claim, Alderman was alleging students were entitled to refunds due to the non-provision of services. Some members were concerned plaintiffs could always pursue unjust enrichment even if there was no underlying breach of contract.

"Under both the breach of contract theory and the unjust enrichment theory, youre saying your clients paid money with the expectation they would receive an on-campus education and they didn't. So, why is that not the same subject matter?" asked Chief Justice Monica M. Marquez.

Justice William W. Hood III did not participate in the case. As is the Supreme Court's practice, he did not disclose why he recused himself. The court's clerk told Colorado Politics she did not know why Hood's non-participation was announced for the first time during oral arguments, given that none of the court's prior orders in the appeal hinted at his recusal.

The case is Board of Governors v. Alderman.
Rodney Rivers, 47, who drove the wrong way on Route 901 in February in Cass Twp. and killed a woman and injured two children, will spend at least 12 years in prison for his crime.

On Tuesday, Rivers, who appeared in the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas, was sentenced to 12 to 38 years in a state correctional institute for homicide by vehicle and other offenses in connection with the death of Elizabeth Ryan, 65, of Pottsville.

Its a tragic, heartbreaking, senseless loss, Schuylkill County Common Pleas Judge Christina Hale said before the sentence, adding she wishes she could sentence Rivers to a longer sentence.

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Rodney Rivers, right, an Ohio man, was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to five charges including homicide by vehicle in connection with the death of a Pottsville grandmother in February. He is escorted by Deputy Sheriff Michael Allar in the Schuylkill County Courthouse on Tuesday. DAVID MCKEOWN / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

In a negotiated plea agreement, Rivers agreed to plead guilty to five charges: homicide by vehicle, accidents involving death or injury while not licensed, aggravated assault by vehicle (two counts), and driving while license is suspended or revoked.

Several other charges were dismissed.

On the homicide charges, Rivers received 50 months to 12 years; 18 months to 7 years on the accidents involving death or injury while not licensed; 50 months to 9 years on aggravated assault by vehicle and 26 months to 9 years on the other count. He also received 6 to 12 months on the driving while license is suspended or revoked charge.

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District Attorney Michael OPake said the homicide and aggravated assault by vehicle charges were outside the sentencing range but warranted.

The outcome of Rivers actions was unnecessary and senseless, OPake said.

He was well aware if he was caught he was going to prison, OPake said of Rivers declining to stop when noticed by police.

Lora J. McDonald, public defender for Rivers, read a statement on his behalf.

She said he is remorseful for his actions.

He does care, she said of Rivers.

Rivers said little except to reply when asked if he pleaded guilty to the charges.

He has been held in Northumberland County Prison and not the Schuylkill County Prison because the victim is related to an employee of the county prison.

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All charges were previously held for court after the Feb. 22 preliminary hearing.

During the proceeding, family members were heard sobbing in the courtroom. Some of the family members read statements about the tragedy. They told of the life-altering consequences that the death of Ryan has caused, along with the grievous injuries sustained by her grandchildren, who were passengers in the car. Ryans granddaughter, Laykin Ryan, 8 at the time of the accident, was paralyzed. Ryans grandson, Kaiden Holmes, 6 at the time of the accident, sustained a broken arm.

You killed my mom, paralyzed my niece and traumatized my whole family, said Michael Buchannan, who is the second in command at the Schuylkill County Prison.

He said his mother would have forgiven Rivers, but he cant.

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I hope you some day die a slow, painful death, he said.

John Ryan, another son of the victim, said his mother was the heart of the family.

The road to heal is long and challenging, John Ryan said.

One family member said the trauma Rivers inflicted on the family will never heal.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A 35-year-old man was found guilty of murdering another man last July in Rochester.

According to prosecutors, July 21, 2023, Herley Williams walked up to Todd Jones, also 35, and shot him in the chest as he stood on the corner of North Goodman Street and Diringer Place in broad daylight. Jones was later found by officers dead on the scene.

Picture from the scene on July 21, 2023. (WROC/Emalee Burkhard.)

Go and help me pick up the bodies off the ground: Monroe Sheriff weighs in on bail reform

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Williams was arrested 11 days later and found with an illegal gun. According to prosecutors, Jones and Williams knew each other.

Tuesday, Williams was officially convicted of murder in the second degree and three counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. He will be sentenced Jan. 17.

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By Joseph Ax

(Reuters) -A Venezuelan migrant was convicted on Wednesday and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student whose killing became a rallying cry for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as he attacked illegal immigration during the campaign.

Jose Ibarra, 26, who entered the U.S. illegally, was found guilty on murder and other charges by Judge Patrick Haggard in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court. As the judge read the verdict aloud, Riley's family members and friends sobbed while Ibarra sat stony-faced.

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Haggard heard the evidence and rendered the verdict after Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial.

Trump and other Republicans often cited Riley's murder in claiming falsely that migrants who crossed the southern border illegally were responsible for a wave of violent crime, part of the president-elect's argument for stricter border policies and aggressive deportations.

"JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes," Trump wrote on his social media site Truth Social.

Prosecutors said Ibarra encountered Riley, 22, on a wooded trail while she was out running on Feb. 22 and killed her after she resisted his efforts to rape her. She was a nursing student at Augusta University in Athens.

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In victim impact statements delivered in court ahead of the sentencing, Riley's family and friends described her as a caring, selfless and devout person who loved running and was committed to serving others.

"Laken had a beautiful and bright future," her mother, Allyson Phillips, told the court. "She was smart, hardworking, kind, thoughtful, and most importantly, she was a child of God."

In her closing statement earlier on Wednesday, prosecutor Sheila Ross called the evidence against Ibarra "overwhelming," including DNA under her fingernails that authorities linked to the defendant, scratches on Ibarra's body and video footage of a man matching Ibarra's description throwing a bloodied jacket into a dumpster soon after the murder.

Defense attorneys argued that the evidence was circumstantial and could not rule out another attacker.

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Riley's case made national headlines in March during President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, when firebrand U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene interrupted his speech to demand that he "say her name."

Biden went off-script to mention Riley, whom he described as an innocent woman killed by an "illegal." Republicans criticized him for appearing to mispronounce Riley's first name, while Biden later apologized for using the word "illegal" to refer to a person.

Biden, then the Democratic nominee for president, dropped out of the race in July and was replaced by Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost earlier this month to Trump.

Trump has vowed to pursue mass deportations of immigrants after he is sworn into office in January.

(Reporting by Joseph AxEditing by Bernadette Baum and Bill Berkrot)
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man who was arrested last December after a stolen piece of township equipment was found on his property was found guilty on charges related to the crime.

A Mahoning County jury found Jonathan Cosgray guilty of receiving stolen property and aggravated possession of drugs, both felonies. He was found not guilty of fraudulent actions concerning a vehicle identification number.

Cosgray was arrested in December 2023 after police investigated a tip that a side-by-side stolen from Goshen Township back in April was in his shed. A side-by-side matching the description of the one reported stolen was found on the property, and during Cosgrays arrest, police reported recovering 10 grams of methamphetamine on him.

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He will be sentenced Dec. 17.

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Nov. 19LIMA  A Lima man was sentenced to one year in prison Tuesday in the Allen County Common Pleas Court after pleading guilty in October to shooting someone at Faurot Park.

Anthonio Briggs, 33, must also pay a $11,606.90 restitution to the victim to cover his medical bills. The sentence for Briggs' fourth-degree aggravated assault charge is not mandatory, so Briggs would be eligible to request judicial release.

The 20-year-old victim was shot in the leg, and Judge Terri Kohlrieser said the victim said in his impact statement that he lost his job, his car, and was on the verge of losing his apartment since he couldn't put weight on his leg for six weeks and couldn't work.

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The two were at the park May 31 for a gathering among acquaintances that turned violent, according to court documents. Briggs told police he felt threatened when several members of one family attempted to assault him.

Briggs' attorney, Kenneth Rexford, said Briggs has a serious heart condition and was scared for his well-being if he was assaulted, which Rexford said there were "serious indications" an assault was about to happen.

Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451.

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CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  A Caddo Parish man was found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage boy.

The accused, Anthony Hollis, 52, was charged with sexually assaulting the young male numerous times between November 2020 and November 2022. Hollis was arrested on September 28, 2023, after the teen told a family friend that Hollis sexually assaulted him between the ages of 11 and 12.

Hollis (Source: Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office)

SPD searches for 20-year-old suspect accused of raping 68-year-old woman

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According to the victim, Hollis forced him to perform oral sex on him and groped him in the shower, telling the victim not to disclose the attacks to anyone.

Hollis will return to court on January 9 for sentencing; he faces a sentence of 25  99 years for sexual battery of a victim at least 13 years old by an offender 17 or older. Hollis will have to serve a minimum of 25 years to be served without the benefit of parole.

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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  One man is dead and another is hospitalized following separate shootings that happened in New Orleans on Tuesday evening, Nov. 19.

According to the New Orleans Police Department, the first shooting, which happened in the 4500 block of Old Gentilly Road in the Gentilly Woods neighborhood, was reported at 7:15 p.m.

The initial investigation reportedly shows that one man was shot at least one time in the body. He was taken by NOLA EMS to a hospital for treatment but later died, according to the NOPD.

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The Orleans Parish coroner later identified the victim as 53-year-old Vicencio Gonzalez Tellez.

Officers said the suspect left the scene on foot with the victims wallet and cell phone.

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The second shooting, which happened at Lafitte Avenue and North Galvez Street in the Mid-City neighborhood, was reported at 9:32 p.m.

An investigation revealed the suspect allegedly followed the victim from a gas station and shot multiple times at his vehicle.

The victim was struck and crashed into another vehicle as the suspect reportedly fled the scene on foot

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NOPD announces evidence discovery, arrest made in connection with fatal second line shooting investigation

He was taken to a hospital by EMS. An update on his condition was not given.

No further information was provided. The NOPD is in the process of gathering evidence and information to determine possible suspects and motives.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A man was sent to the hospital after being shot in Southeast D.C. on Tuesday evening.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) confirmed the shooting happened in the 4500 block of Benning Rd. SE. A man was hurt after being shot in the area.

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He was taken to the hospital while conscious and breathing.

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Anyone with information is asked to contact MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text the departments tip line at 50411.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Trumbull County grand jury returned a secret indictment against a Newton Falls man, charging him with 30 counts involving child sexual abuse material.

David Lucero, 44, faces a combined 30 charges of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, second-degree felonies.

The indictment alleged Lucero created, recorded, photographed and/or filmed material or performance that shows a minor knowingly participating or engaging in sexual activity.

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Each charge was filed in response to individual videos found on a device in Luceros possession. The incidents took place from July to September of 2023, the indictment states.

Lucero was arraigned Tuesday afternoon and is set to return to court for a pretrial on the morning of Dec. 11.

Nadine Grimley contributed to this report.

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[Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.]

AKRON, Ohio (WJW)  A man who shot and killed an Akron store clerk, after his cash was rejected for being in poor condition, is now facing 18 years to life in prison.

DaQuan MarTa Isaac, 27, of Akron, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to murder and felonious assault in the Dec. 12 fatal shooting of Ahmad Alibrahim, 21, of Akron, at the Borders Drive Thru along South Arlington Street.

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Isaac came to the store on foot, and tried to buy a Black & Mild. He handed the clerk a bill in poor and unacceptable condition, reads a previous news release.

Isaac argued with the clerk and drew a firearm, demanding the cigar. The clerk gave him the cigar and asked him to leave. But the suspect then shot at least twice at a group of workers inside, hitting the clerk, according to the release. He then fled on foot.

Officers arrived on-scene to find the 21-year-old Alibrahim critically injured with a gunshot wound to the neck, according to a previous news release. He was pronounced dead minutes later.

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Federal agents arrested Isaac a week later in the 700 block of Hazel Street in Akron, according to a previous news release.

Body of missing Mansfield teen found

[Ahmad] Alibrahim was a kind and caring person, loved by his friends and family, Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich is quoted in a Tuesday news release. My hope is todays plea and sentence bring them some peace following this senseless tragedy.

Isaac will be eligible for parole after serving 18 years. Due to his violent crime conviction, he must register with the local sheriff every years for 10 years, if released from prison.

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The Colorado Supreme Court announced this week that it will address whether lawmakers inadvertently violated the state constitution by creating a unique pathway for appeals under a law designed to shield First Amendment conduct from lawsuits.

At least three of the courts seven members must agree to hear a case on appeal.

The justices also accepted a case questioning whether the designation of a defendant as a sexually violent predator, thereby subjecting him to lifetime sex offender registration, is cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.

Worst-case scenario happening

Colorado lawmakers in 2019 enacted an anti-SLAPP law, which stands for strategic lawsuits against public participation, to provide a mechanism for quickly disposing of litigation that implicates a persons First Amendment rights  specifically, the rights to free speech and to petition the government.

Whenever a judge rules on an anti-SLAPP motion to dismiss, any appeal goes to the Court of Appeals.

In 2023, Rebecca Hinds filed a lawsuit in Chaffee County against her neighbor, Corrine Rash. She claimed Rash defamed her by telling police that Hinds intended to make up a domestic violence accusation. Law enforcement charged Hinds with false reporting, but prosecutors dismissed the charges.

Rash filed a motion to dismiss under the anti-SLAPP law. In June, County Court Judge Diana Bull granted it, finding Hinds had not satisfied all components of her defamation claim.

Hinds appealed to the Court of Appeals, but a three-judge panel assigned to the case noticed a problem. The Colorado Constitution and state law provide that appeals of final county court decisions go directly to district courts or, in some instances, the Supreme Court. In other words, the Court of Appeals cannot be the first stop for an anti-SLAPP appeal out of county court.

Earlier this year, a different appellate panel addressed for the first time whether the anti-SLAPP law could be applied in eviction cases, which typically unfold in county court. The Court of Appeals answered yes, but warned there could easily be problems with district courts and the Court of Appeals having unclear lines of jurisdiction over county court appeals.

The panel reviewing Hinds appeal agreed that exact complication was now in front of them.

This worst-case scenario is, of course, happening here. The county court has entered an order with an unclear path of appeal, wrote Judges Stephanie Dunn, Neeti Pawar and Pax Moultrie in an Aug. 16 order.

The judges asked Hinds and Rash to provide their thoughts about how the appeal should proceed in light of the anti-SLAPP laws seeming conflict with the constitution.

Hinds argued the Court of Appeals should rule that county courts cannot hear anti-SLAPP motions, and asked that her lawsuit be reinstated as if the dismissal had never happened. Rash responded that the legislature cannot override the constitution, and the Court of Appeals should reject the appeal because it had no power to hear it.

Instead, the panel went in a different direction.

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This case comes to this Court via a strange pathway, the appellate judges wrote to the Supreme Court, invoking a little-used mechanism allowing the Court of Appeals to transfer a case to the states highest court.

The potential for more county court appeals to flow directly to the Court of Appeals rendered it imperative that the Supreme Court step in, they argued. Among other issues, the judges noted the anti-SLAPP law apparently conflicts with the constitution, potentially provides different paths for appeal depending on whether a dismissal motion is granted or denied, and contradicts the rules for county courts.

Amid these uncertainties, every party to a county court case who is aggrieved by a ruling on a special motion to dismiss is forced to answer for themselves  with deadlines running  whether an appeal of the ruling is properly filed in this Court or in the district court, the appellate panel wrote.

On Nov. 13, the Supreme Court agreed to intervene. It will answer whether the anti-SLAPP laws pathway for appeals runs counter to the constitution.

Lifetime sex-offender registration

Timothy Paul Beagle pleaded guilty in Jefferson County to attempted sexual assault and distributing drugs to a minor, after he engaged in grooming behavior with two teenage runaways and assaulted one of them. In sentencing him, Chief Judge Jeffrey Pilkington found Beagle met the criteria to be designated a sexually violent predator, which generally leads to lifetime sex offender registration.

Beagle argued the label amounted to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment. Pilkington disagreed, citing case law from the Colorado Supreme Court deeming a sexually violent predator designation not punishment.

The Court of Appeals acknowledged there was potential merit to Beagles argument. In 2013, the Supreme Court noted in passing that such designations were not punishment. However, then-Justice Nathan B. Coats warned that if the courts assumption was wrong, there can be no question that the (sex offender sentencing) scheme would fail, for a host of constitutional, process-related reasons.

Then, in 2021, the Supreme Court concluded mandatory lifetime sex offender registration for juveniles was, in fact, cruel and unusual punishment. Once again, the decision came with a caveat.

To be clear: We express no opinion on the legislatures ability to mandate lifetime sex offender registration for adult offenders, wrote Chief Justice Monica Marquez.

Looking at both decisions, the Court of Appeals panel reviewing Beagles case concluded he had no viable constitutional challenge under current law to his sexually violent predator designation.

We acknowledge that there is arguable tension, wrote Judge Timothy Schutz in January.

But it is the supreme courts sole prerogative to overrule its prior holdings.

The Supreme Court has agreed to answer whether the designation is a punishment and, for Beagle, whether it is cruel and unusual.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Neighbors in northeast Charlotte say the crime in the area is only getting worse after one man was shot and killed at the Fast Mart on Tom Hunter Road.

One man says hes lived in Charlotte his whole life, and yes the crime is only getting worse, but its something hes gotten used to.

Thats always whats going on in Charlotte. I dont really think too much about it. I think its sad, but its normal now, said J.B.

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He says the flashing blue lights and crime scene tape in the Sugar Creek area are to be expected. Stories of robberies gone bad, fatal shootings, and carjackings are something hes experienced in Charlotte since he could remember.

It doesnt matter where you go. You can be in Ballantyne and something still might happen, he said.

J.B. walked up to this crime scene on Tom Hunter Road around 7 p.m. Tuesday with the same thoughts  it happened again.

Charlotte police say the shooting happened around 5 p.m. inside the convenience store. The man, 53-year-old Ronnie Leon Ruth, died at the scene.

No employees were injured.

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It was a very quick entry and just an immediate act of violence and [the suspect] left the area. I didnt see anything inside the store right now from our indications that would show any kind of precursor or anything like a case like that. Its conjecture at this point, but it appears the suspect that some of the parties were known to each other, Major Thomas said.

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Crime & Public Safety

Major J.D. Thomas says authorities will be able to identify the suspect due to the clear security footage from the business. He says the department launched a new program called Core 13.

Officers are placed in areas with high call volume or acts of violence to help clamp down on those problems.

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There are some projects that were working on in the police department also where businesses can lock in the new technology to where theyre able to purchase an upgrade. And we were able to give an alert as live access to that technology immediately to where we have quicker and better access to video footage, Thomas said.

Neighbors hope that CMPDs new program puts more patrol vehicles in the neighborhood.

CMPD authorities say if you have information on this shooting or suspect, call the Crime Stoppers tip line. Authorities say the homicide on Tom Hunter Road was not related to any other Tuesday shooting.

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A man convicted on charges in connection to the shooting death of a 43-year-old man has learned his prison sentence.

Michael Krieger, Sr., 63, was sentenced to a total of 14 to 19.5 years in prison on Monday, according to the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office.

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A jury found Krieger guilty of two counts of involuntary manslaughter, proximate result of having weapons under disability and not guilty of two counts of murder and felonious assault on Nov. 1.

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Krieger was on trial for the shooting death of 43-year-old Donovan Sampson in an apartment on Leo Street in August 2023.

According to police, witnesses said the shooting happened after a night of drinking with a small group of friends and acquaintances.

Investigators said three men went inside the apartment when Krieger was believed to have gone into a bedroom, grabbed a gun, and shot Sampson in the chest.

Police said another man in the room wrestled the gun away from Krieger and then helped hold him in place until officers arrived.

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Editors Note: This missing man has been found.

ELYRIA, OH (WJW)  Authorities are seeking the publics assistance in locating an 84-year-old Elyria man.

How Ohio officers are cracking down on driving while high

Edward Broderick was last seen around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, when he drove away from his residence on Delaware Circle in Elyria.

Broderick, who suffers from memory issues, has not returned home.

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Broderick is described as being 59 tall, weighing 230 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants, and black shoes.

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He was driving a green 2010 Hyundai Sante Fe with OH plate number DS72DU.

Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information regarding Brodericks whereabouts to call 911.

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A man has been detained by police in Slovenias capital Ljubljana after an incident that took place during a visit by Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska.

Source: European Pravda, with reference to 24ur.com

Details: Zelenska was invited to visit Slovenia by Slovenias First Gentleman Ales Musar.

Zelenska visited the National and University Library (NUK) in Ljubljana, to which she gifted books by Ukrainian authors, and where the incident took place.

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A protestor in front of the library building shouted in English: "War has to end. Russia will win!"

Following this incident, the man was detained and searched by police.

"The police identified the man at the scene. The incident did not threaten anyones life. The police were informed about the protest and took measures in this regard," Ljubljana police headquarters said.

Slovenias Prime Minister Robert Golob expressed regret over the incident that took place near the library building.

He stressed that the mans behaviour was unacceptable and there was "no room for it in our society".

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Background:

In October, a pro-Russian couple that had supported the Russian army was banned from entering Germany for 20 years.

In September, unknown persons painted several objects in the Lithuanian port city of Klaipeda with the symbol of Russian aggression in Ukraine, the letter "Z".

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IRON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  A man in Iron County was sentenced to prison time after being convicted of attempted sodomy involving a child charges.

Travis Michael Rowley, 34, was sentenced earlier this week to 15 years to life in prison for attempted sodomy upon a child.

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According to court documents, Rowley attempted to sodomize the female child, who was 10 to 11 years of age at the time of the encounters. The child told Rowley that she would tell her mother if he didnt stop and Rowley threatened the child with bodily injury if she did.

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The child also told investigators that Rowley got mad one time and beat her after trying to sodomize her. The child said that Rowley tried to do this act on multiple occasions. The child also detailed other similar encounters.

When interviewed by authorities, Rowley said his relationship with the child was good and that she had been his best friend. The detective asked Rowley if there were romantic feelings that had developed toward the child.

Rowley replied: A little bit. Rowley also maintained to authorities that his relationship was not inappropriate with the child.

According to authorities, Rowley told his mother on a visit in December 2022 that he sodomized the child, Rowley didnt disclose details about the encounter, but told his mother that it was okay because he was going to save the world and clean the swamp and was going to use what he did wrong to make the world right.

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He was sentenced to 15 years to life for his crimes, Iron County Sheriffs said that the Utah Board of Pardons will determine how long Rowley will serve beyond the mandated 15 years.

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ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis County man appeared in federal court on Tuesday to be sentenced in connection with the shooting death of his pregnant girlfriend.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Darius Carter, 30, was convicted earlier this year after a preponderance of evidence showed he used an illegally acquired handgun to shoot Sarah Mason in 2017.

Mason was eight months pregnant when she was shot in the back of her head on Oct. 31, 2017, inside their St. John home. Mason was 20. The unborn child, whom Mason had named Milanie, could not be saved.

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Prosecutors said Carter got his mother, Lynn Hooks, and his friend, Dakota Carr, to buy a gun for himself and Mason. Carter was on probation at the time and prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm.

Carr, who was an employee at Piazza Jewelry and Pawn, worked out an arrangement where Hooks would buy the guns to get around the required background check and a law prohibiting Mason from owning a gun because she was underage.

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Hooks went to the pawn shop on July 14, 2017, and purchased a Heckler & Koch model VP9 9mm for Carter and a .380 caliber Glock pistol for Mason.

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Prosecutors said Mason and Carter had ongoing arguments about Carters infidelity. Carter was also frustrated with Mason for going through his phone. Mason told her mother that she was moving out of their house.

Carter was found guilty in May of aiding and abetting the making of false statements in the straw purchase of a firearm and conspiracy to make false statements in the straw purchase of firearm.

A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Carter to 10 years in prison for the false statement and 5 years for the conspiracy count, with the sentences running consecutively. Prior to sentencing, the judge noted that the evidence presented was analogous to first-degree murder.

Carr and Hooks were each sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the making of false statements in the straw purchase of a firearm and conspiracy to make false statements in the straw purchase of firearm.

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A Red Wing man was sentenced to life in prison without parole Tuesday, one day after a jury convicted him in the premeditated killing of his girlfriend at a Hastings hotel.

Jurors deliberated for less than a day Monday before convicting Kyle Steven Williams, 35, of first-degree murder in the strangulation death of Kelly Jo Marie Kocurek, a 36-year-old mother who was found unresponsive, beaten and bloody on May 18, 2021, in a room at Coratel Inn and Suites. She was on life support for five days before dying.

Williams said Kocurek strangled herself, but a medical examiner found the woman died of asphyxiation by homicide. She had numerous traumatic head injuries attributed to physical assault, including bruises on her face, head and ear, plus fractures on both sides of her jaw.

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Williams was charged with murder three months after Kocureks death and was arrested in Arizona.

He was savage in his cruelty and deliberation and determination, Cheri Townsend, Dakota County chief deputy attorney, said Monday in the states closing argument.

During the five-day trial, prosecutors played a phone call Williams made to a relative 40 days before the killing. In it, Townsend said Williams expressed how annoyed he is, how irritated he is and how he needed to get rid of her.

Williams attorney, assistant public defender Stephen Taylor, told jurors those words makes just as much sense in the context of him extricating himself from a relationship. He said the idea that Williams wanted Kocurek away from him doesnt track, since she was planning to go to drug treatment the next day.

Violent history

Jurors were told of Williams past domestic assaults against Kocurek and two other women. A friend testified he saw Williams punch Kocurek just days before her killing.

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The victims mother, Lynda Dahl, testified that Williams choked Kocurek in a bedroom at Dahls house about a month prior. Dahl said she heard her daughter call for help and ran to the bedroom to find Kocurek crying and trembling with red marks on both sides of her neck.

Dahl went to the hotel about an hour before the killing to give Kocurek a suitcase, as she was entering a treatment program the next day. Dahl said she was upset to learn Williams also was there.

Townsend told jurors Kocurek had written in her diary that she wanted to figure out a way to communicate in a way that didnt get the defendant so angry all the time. And a hotel surveillance photo showed the couple in some sort of discussion or disagreement right before they entered the hotel room.

Victor Froloff, assistant Ramsey County medical examiner, was emphatic that it was not suicide, Townsend said.

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No way, she said. Asphyxia due to ligature strangulation  a ligature, a cord, a rope, something that can be placed around the persons neck.

The state introduced photos showing multiple ligature marks on her neck before she died, not just one line. There are a couple of different lines.  What does that show you about the determination to commit this offense? Townsend said.

Williams called girlfriends mother

Just over an hour after seeing her daughter at the hotel, Dahl got a call from Williams, who said Kocurek was unresponsive and needed help. Dahl told him to call 911 and she immediately drove to the hotel.

Williams, who was shirtless and had blood on his hands, ran to the hotel front desk and called 911. He met officers at the front door and screamed for them to hurry. He led them to the room and told them he couldnt wake her up and that they should zap her.

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Police found Kocurek on the floor next to several cut cords. While they tried to revive her, Williams continued to scream hysterically that she had strangled herself, according to court documents.

Dahl testified that Williams gave her multiple stories about what happened: She hung herself. She strangled herself. She took a bunch of benzos and overdosed, Townsend said.

Williams also gave investigators numerous versions of what had happened, according to court documents, but he repeatedly said she had strangled herself with a cord.

Dahl told police and also testified that her daughter had a pre-existing injury to her right arm that required her to get help with daily tasks such as putting on clothes and brushing teeth.

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Townsend asked jurors to consider that injury and whether Kocurek would be able to wrap a cord around her neck multiple times with one hand, and exert such force with one arm that she would break her own hyoid bone and cause hemorrhaging.

Townsend reminded jurors that they saw photos of scratches on top of Williams head and on his torso.

She was trying to get her life together, Townsend said of Kocurek, a 2000 Hastings High School graduate who was living with her mother in Red Wing. And she did fight back.

He cant hurt anybody else

Dahl said in an interview Tuesday shes relieved and happy knowing Williams will spend the rest of his days locked up.

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Thank God he will be gone forever, she said. It wont bring my daughter back, but at least I know he cant hurt anybody else.

She said several jurors sat in on Williams sentencing and listened to the familys victim impact statements.

They had so much compassion, she said. A lot of them were crying with us. Some gave us hugs as we were leaving court. Were just so happy that justice did get served.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A man is dead after reportedly attempting to thwart a car thief early Wednesday morning in northeast Columbus.

According to Sgt. Joe Albert of the Columbus Division of Police, officers responded to reports of a shooting at the Hyde Park Townhomes, near Jester Lane and Princess Place, and found a man suffering from at least one gunshot wound at around 12:15 a.m.

Police arrest 16 in Columbus street gang bust

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Police gave the victim, later identified as 39-year-old Alejandro Lopez-Lechuga, medical attention until medics were able to transfer him to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:55 a.m.

Several witnesses at the scene told CPD the victim had confronted an alleged car thief attempting to break into vehicles parked at the apartment complex. The suspect is believed to have fled the scene in an unidentified vehicle.

Homicide detectives responded to the scene and are hoping to find video surveillance from the area to get a better description of the vehicle the suspect fled in.

Police ask that anyone with information to call the Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
CHICAGO  A 35-year-old man was shot and killed while driving Wednesday morning near Little Village and a baby in the vehicle was grazed.

The shooting happened at around 10:45 a.m. in the 2400 block of South Oakley. Police said a 35-year-old man was driving northbound on Oakley when an unknown blue vehicle approached and someone opened fire.

The man sustained gunshot wounds to the head and body. He subsequently struck two parked vehicles and was pronounced dead at the scene.

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A 6-month-old baby boy suffered a graze wound to the right cheek. He was transported to Stroger in good condition.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Neighbors told WGN News the baby was his and described him as a hard-working family man.

I hope that the child is okay and honestly has not memory of this event, neighbor Bailey Blessing said. Because what a way to remember your parent growing up and in their final moments.

The suspected vehicle fled south on Oakley. No one is in custody.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

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MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in southern Wisconsin are investigating an incident involving a robbery and carjacking that occurred Friday afternoon.

According to a release, Madison Police Department officers responded to a gas station on the 700 block of East Washington Avenue at around 4:15 p.m. on Nov. 15, 2024.

Authorities investigating potential connection between three fires within two hours in northern Wisconsin

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An employee reported that a man entered the store, jumped over the counter, hit the employee, and stole an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect then fled the store and attempted to enter a passing vehicle but was unsuccessful. He ran to a nearby parking garage on the 700 block of East Mifflin Street, where he allegedly pushed a woman to the ground as she was loading items into her car.

A security guard intervened, trying to pull the suspect out of the womans car, but was also pushed to the ground. The suspect drove off in the stolen vehicle, last seen heading east on Washington Avenue.

Police in Wisconsin arrest suspect allegedly involved in Friday night stabbing

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The stolen car was later recovered unoccupied on Sunday along the 4400 block of Waite Lane.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014. No additional details were provided.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Colorado agreed to pay more than $1.5 million in attorneys fees following the conclusion of a case involving a graphic designer who did not want to create wedding websites for same-sex couples.

Lorie Smith, who feared she would run afoul of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act if she refused to create websites for same-sex weddings through her graphic design company, 303 Creative, sued the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the states attorney general.

The case made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled last year in favor of Smith, concluding that Colorado sought to force an individual to speak in ways that align with its views but defy her conscience about a matter of major significance and therefore violated her First Amendment rights.

The government cant force Americans to say things they dont believe, and Colorado officials have paid and will continue to pay a high price when they violate this foundational freedom, Kristen Waggoner, who argued before the Supreme Court on behalf of Smith and 303 Creative, said in a news release. For the past 12 years, Colorado has targeted people of faith and forced them to express messages that violate their conscience and that advance the governments preferred ideology. First Amendment protections are non-negotiable.

The office of Attorney General Phil Weiser confirmed the settlement over the fees but declined to comment.

Last year, after the Supreme Court ruled, Weiser said the decision threatens to destabilize our public marketplace and encourage all kinds of businesses  not just those serving weddings  to claim a First Amendment free speech right to refuse service to certain customers.

This case is not about websites or speech  but the ability of all to enter the public marketplace as equals, Weiser then said, adding, Equality and fairness are core Colorado values and we have protected people in our state from discrimination in public accommodations for more than 100 years. We will work hard to ensure that, within the confines of the Courts opinion, we take action to hold accountable those who engage in unlawful discrimination.

In a statement on Tuesday, Smith said the courts decision was a not just a win for her  but for all Americans  for those who share my beliefs and for those who hold different views.

After enduring Colorados censorship for nearly seven years, Im incredibly grateful for the work of my attorneys at Alliance Defending Freedom to bring my case to victory, Smith said, referring to the legal out that litigated the case. I love people and work with everyone, including those who identify as LGBT. For me, its always about what message is requested, never the person making the request. I hope that everyone will celebrate the courts decision upholding this right for each of us to speak freely.

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A federal trial judge had sided with the government. On appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit split in a 2-1 ruling against Smith.

The appellate courts majority acknowledged that Colorados law compelled Smith to speak in favor of same-sex weddings by creating websites for LGBTQ couples  the same as she would by serving opposite-sex couples  but argued that the compulsion was justified under the First Amendment because of the governments legitimate interest in combating discrimination.

The dissent did not believe Colorado was allowed to force Smith to convey messages that violates her beliefs.

The earliest version of Colorados anti-discrimination law, known as CADA, dates to 1885, less than a decade after Colorado statehood. The legislature amended it in 2008 to prevent businesses open to the public from denying goods or services based on sexual orientation.

The question of whether CADA violates the free speech rights of those who refuse to serve LGBTQ customers previously reached the Supreme Court in 2017, with the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The court decided the appeal on a narrow issue specific to the lawsuit, leaving the constitutional issue for the future  in what would become the 303 Creative case.

Justice Neil Gorsuch, who penned the majority opinion for the Supreme Court, said the court has long held that the opportunity to think for ourselves and to express those thoughts freely is among our most cherished liberties and part of what keeps our Republic strong.

Gorsuch said that a ruling against Smith would allow the government to force all manner of artists, speechwriters, and others whose services involve speech to speak what they do not believe on pain of penalty. For example, he argued, a gay website designer could be forced to design websites for an organization that advocates against same-sex marriage.

Countless other creative professionals, too, could be forced to choose between remaining silent, producing speech that violates their beliefs, or speaking their minds and incurring sanctions for doing so, he wrote.

Reporter Michael Karlik, Editor Luige del Puerto and The Associated Press contributed to this article.
A Westminster man was stabbed multiple times while defending his daughter from a woman with a switchblade who attacked them in a courtyard over the weekend, police said Tuesday.

The incident took place Sunday around 4:45 p.m. on the 8200 block of Westminster Boulevard in the Civic Center area.

Arriving officers found a man bleeding from stab wounds to his hand and leg, the City of Westminster stated in a news release.

A knife was found following a stabbing in Westminster on Nov. 17, 2024. (Westminster Police Department)

The victim told investigators he was walking through the courtyard with his daughter when an unknown woman, later identified as 43-year-old Victoria Vu, threw a bottle at them and then walked toward them with a knife.

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Vu then attempted to stab the child, at which point her father shielded her but was stabbed in the process, the news release stated.

Vu then walked away but remained in the courtyard and was arrested by officers without incident while still in possession of the knife.

Officials said the girl was not hurt in the incident but no further details regarding the fathers condition were released.

The motive for the attack was also unclear. It appears to be a random act of violence, the news release stated.

Vu, who was described as a former San Diego resident with no known address, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, felony child endangerment and possession of a switchblade.

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Two people were found dead inside a duplex following a house fire in New Hampshire on Wednesday morning, the state fire marshal said.

There were no working smoke alarms inside the home when investigators arrived, officials said.

At approximately 10:44 a.m. Wednesday, firefighters responded to 83 High Rock Road for a report of a building fire, State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said Wednesday.

When firefighters arrived, they found smoke coming from a second story window.

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When firefighters were inside the home and extinguishing the fire, they found a man and woman dead inside, said Toomey, whose office was called to the scene to investigate.

The victims were not identified on Wednesday. Autopsies will be conducted on Thursday to determine the cause and manner of their deaths, Toomey said.

The fire was isolated to one side of the home, in the living room area, Toomey said.

Toomeys office and Weare Police and Fire are investigating the cause of the fire.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the New Hampshire State Fire Marshals Office at 603-223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.

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Wednesdays fire drew mutual aid from Goffstown, Dunbarton, and Henniker.

Toomey on Wednesday reminded residents of the importance of having working smoke alarms in their home, to keep exits clear and accessible at all times, and to have a home fire escape plan.

Weare is a small town northwest of Manchester. The towns population was 9,092 at the 2020 census.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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MARION COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A man and woman from Honduras died Saturday when their GMC pickup truck went off the road and hit a tree in Marion County, according to the coroners office.

The driver, Victor Joel Lopez Linares, 45, and a female passenger, Yurina Yanire Canales Guifarr, 39, were killed in the crash that happened at about 10:20 a.m. on Highway 908 near Gresham. A 10-year-old suffered undisclosed injuries in the crash, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said.

Officials said the crash remains under investigation.

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* * *

Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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NEW JERSEY (PIX11)  Parts of the Manasquan Reservoir usually reserved for kayaking or fishing are now walking trails due to New Jerseys severe lack of recent rainfall.

Its kind of apocalyptic almost, said Sonni Coughlin of Toms River. Very surreal.

Ive never seen the water level drop this low, said Raquel Pagan.

According to the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, the Manasquan Reservoir is at 49.16% capacity as of Tuesday.

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The water level has not been this low since the early 1990s when the reservoir was constructed and first being filled.

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the reservoir is responsible for delivering 30 million gallons of water per day to Monmouth County. It provides 60% of the drinking water for the towns of Brielle, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, and Wall.

Ive never seen it this low, ever, said Lauren Traver of Toms River. You can tell where just the water was a month ago, and its gone down so drastically in such a short amount of time.

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Last week, the state declared a drought warning and urged residents to voluntarily conserve water. The state Department of Environmental Protection said it is working with water companies to assess conditions and may need to transfer water through interconnected infrastructure to balance reservoir storage.

We need several months of at least average rain  if not substantially above-average rain  in order for us to emerge from these conditions, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said during a press conference last week.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
The three innocent New Yorkers slaughtered by a knife-wielding madman while going about their daily lives were remembered Tuesday as a a kindly construction worker, an avid fisherman and the mother of an 8-year-old boy.

The shocking Manhattan stabbing spree allegedly carried out by Ramon Rivera, 51, in broad-daylight Monday left people who knew the victims dumbfounded, they told The Post a day after the random attacks.

The first victim  Angel Gustavo Lata-Landi, 36, a construction worker waiting for a ride home from a Chelsea work site when Rivera allegedly knifed him in the stomach  was a regular at a Peekskill bodega near the boarding house where he lived, said clerk Maria Rivas, 24.

Angel Lata-Landi was stabbed outside a Chelsea construction site. Obtained by the Post

This is crazy because hes very nice, very quiet, Rivas told The Post. He comes here every day. Im very, very sad.

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His family  who watched Riveras arraignment in Manhattan court Tuesday with tear-filled eyes  declined to comment.

Outside the courtroom, Lata-Landis loved ones held signs and pressed officials to keep Rivera behind bars, Gothamist reported.

He died working, and we just want justice, his sister Vertha Land told the outlet. The city should take responsibility for the disaster weve been left with.

The second victim, Chang Wang, 67, was minding his business while fishing in the East River when he was stabbed to death.

A lone, unlit candle with a fishing hook taped to it stood as a tiny, yet potent memorial Tuesday at the spot near The Water Club where prosecutors said he was found in a pool of blood.

Lata-Landis family attended the arraignment of Ramon Rivera. William Farrington

A graffiti cleaner from Graffiti-Free NYC in a rubber overcoat, mask and face shield washed the blood-streaked pavement.

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Murray Hill resident Brian Keith said he often saw the fisherman during his daily walks with his dog, Wander, along East River Esplanade.

Its scary, Keith said. I was down here yesterday so the stabber had to have passed me.

I feel for the fisherman, but I also feel for the homeless guys because if youre out on the street for days, weeks or months, youre going to go crazy.

The third and final victim  Wilma Augustin, 36  was stabbed near the United Nations building and later succumbed to her wounds at a hospital, cops said.

Ramon Rivera is accused of randomly stabbing three innocent New Yorkers. William C Lopez/New York Post

Augustin lived in the Americana Inn, a nearby migrant family shelter, where a resident confirmed she was the single mom of a boy.

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The woman resident said Augustin was Haitian and she often ran into her by the shelters communal microwave, heating up food for her child.

She was a very good lady, she said.

She didnt mess with anyone.

Ramon Riveras reign of terror over Manhattan.

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Mayor Eric Adams said during his weekly off-topic briefing Tuesday that Augustins child is 8 years old.

That family came here to pursue the American dream, he said. And now that child  how do you explain to that child what happened?
MANITOWOC  Manitowoc Police Department is searching for 43-year-old Jason R. Neumann, a Manitowoc resident whose SUV was found in Lake Michigan near the village of Cleveland Tuesday.

In a news release Wednesday morning, police said Neumann, who is a military veteran, is believed to have gone missing Nov. 18.

The 2019 Toyota 4Runner SUV was located by the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday along the shoreline of Lake Michigan in shallow water near the village of Cleveland.

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Anyone with information about Neumann's location or recent activity is asked to contact the Manitowoc Police Department's shift commander at 920-686-6551 or Capt. Pete McGinty at 920-686-6585.

More news: Jesse Vang pleads not guilty to charges related to 3-year-old Elijah Vue's death

Contact Alisa M. Schafer at aschafer@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc police search for missing military veteran Jason Neumann
Freedom is among the central tenets of American life or, at the very least, of our marketing strategy. Patriotic phrases, songs and imagery revolve around freedom, free people and freedoms that can't be taken away.

However, such rhetoric is less prominent when it comes to available literature  and particularly books made freely available to children. Parents' rights groups, politicians, librarians and publishers are increasingly at odds over which books are suitable for young people to read.

Across several polls, most Americans dont agree with book banning. An American Library Association survey of voters and public school parents found that 71% oppose removing books from public libraries, including a majority of Democrats, Republicans and Independents.

Despite this, book challenges are on the rise across the country, impacting both public libraries and public school districts.

People are also reading: How a national dispute over library books is fracturing a small Texas town

US saw record number of book bans in 2023

In 2023, the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 1,247 efforts to censor books and other resources in libraries  an increase of 65% from the year before. More than half the books challenged featured LGBTQ+ themes and characters, and people of color.

In the first eight months of 2024, ALA found 414 library censorship attempts involving the challenge of 1,128 unique titles. These numbers are down slightly from the same reporting period last year, which saw 695 attempts targeting 1,915 unique titles. Despite this year's decline in challenges, numbers remain significantly higher than they were prior to 2020. Further, this data does not include all manners of restriction.

"Instances of soft censorship, where books are purchased but placed in restricted areas, not used in library displays, or otherwise hidden or kept off limits due to fear of challenges illustrate the impact of organized censorship campaigns on students and readers freedom to read," the ALA explains. "In some circumstances, books have been preemptively excluded from library collections, taken off the shelves before they are banned, or not purchased for library collections in the first place."

More: Texas county libraries label Native American history book as fiction, draws criticism

LIST: Top 10 books most challenged in 2023, US

The most frequently challenged books of 2023 in the U.S., according to the ALA, are as follows:

2023 had the most book challenges ever documented

Last year saw the highest rate of book bans ever documented by the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, with 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship. This was a 65% surge from data collected in 2022.

Nearly half (about 46%) of all book challenges in 2023 were targeted at public libraries, reflecting the focus of pressure groups. Compared with 2022 data, the number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92%.

ALA President Emily Drabinski spoke about the importance of access to books that adequately reflect the diversity of communities and the nation.

"Every challenge to a library book is an attack on our freedom to read. The books being targeted again focus on LGBTQ+ and people of color. Our communities and our country are stronger because of diversity. Libraries that reflect their communities' diversity promote learning and empathy that some people want to hide or eliminate," Drabinski said. "Libraries are vital institutions to each and every community in this country, and library professionals, who have dedicated their lives to protecting our right to read, are facing threats to their employment and well-being."

PEN America recorded similar data from public school districts. Book bans nearly tripled in the 2023-24 school year from the previous year.

Book bans in public school districts by school year.

Which state has the most book challenges?

The ALA revealed in a news release earlier this year that 17 states challenged more than 100 book titles in 2023. Florida and Texas, by far, challenged the most books in 2023 with a combined total of more than 4,000 titles.

Data from PEN America shows Florida has the most book bans between July 2021 and December 2023, followed by Texas. Florida also led with the most book bans in the 2023-24 school year, with over 4,500. Iowa exceeded Texas during this period, with over 3,600 book bans.

Last year, Texas was among the 17 states that attempted to censor more than 100 titles.

MAP: 2023 book challenges by state

The ALA recorded 49 attempts to restrict access to books in Texas, with 1,470 titles challenged in those attempts. The Lone Star State had the most restriction attempts among U.S. states, and only Florida surpassed it in the number of titles challenged.

Why are books being challenged?

Of the 4,231 unique book titles banned during the 2023-24 school year, PEN America analyzed the 1,091 titles banned by two or more school districts in the country. About 25% of all titles banned had been banned by multiple districts. Many of these titles had similar content:

57% included sex or sex-related topics and content

44% included characters or people of color

39% included LGBTQ+ characters or people

The majority of the banned books were labeled for young adult (60%) or adult (30%) readers. Additionally, many of the 1,091 titles shared literary themes:

59% address grief and death

40% address substance use or abuse

38% address mental health disorders

37% address empowerment and self-esteem

 USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Book bans on the rise, hundreds challenged in Texas. See US trends
SHEFFIELD, Ala. (WHNT)  Its been two months since Dennoris Richardson was found dead hanging from a carport at an abandoned home in Colbert County.

After the Sheriffs office completed its investigation, Richardsons family continued to press for answers  so the FBI was asked to review the case.

Police searching for vehicle following hit-and-run in Athens

Richardsons family attorney, Dr. Roderick Van Daniel, tells News 19, where the investigation stands.

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The FBI is currently investigating the death of Dennoris Richardson because its not common, in todays time to find a black man hanging at an abandoned home at a house hes not familiar with, Van Daniel said.

It was the Colbert County Sheriffs Office that requested the FBI investigate Richardsons death. Sheriff Eric Balentine is the one who made the request to the FBI.

I submitted a written request to the FBI, and I asked them to come in and take a look at the case just to make sure we didnt miss anything, Balentine said.

Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go.

Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox.

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Richardsons family is still grieving.

Theyre hurting right now, they lost a loved one, they lost Dennoris, his wifes hurting, she lost a husband, his 5 children are hurting, they lost a father, Van Daniel said.

Van Daniel tells News 19 that a march for Richardson is set to take place on Saturday, November 23 starting at Sheffield City Hall and ending at the Colbert County Courthouse.

They march for truth, for understanding and justice for Dennoris Richardson, Van Daniel said.

We did ask Richardsons attorney where things stood in the FBI investigation. He said he couldnt comment on that but he did say the FBI is still actively investigating Richardsons death.

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Marines conducted a complex at-sea readiness rehearsal for combat with the services new amphibious combat vehicle for the first time while their comrades worked on coastal defense training with partners in the Philippines.

Nearly 200 Marines and 400 sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force and Expeditionary Strike Group 3 conducted the drills off the coast of Camp Pendleton, California, from Oct. 20 to Nov. 1.

Marines worked through four models of rotary and tiltrotor aircraft in both day and night deck landings aboard the amphibious transport dock Somerset, which concluded a seven-month deployment in August with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

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Marine amphibious combat vehicle variants to arrive soon

The event, dubbed Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training, or QUART, ensures that the major components and personnel involved in combined Navy-Marine Corps amphibious operations have worked together and certified their levels of proficiency, according to a Marine release.

QUART is a vital training opportunity where we can train as a Navy-Marine Corps team to enhance our collective readiness and deterrence capabilities, said Col. Kevin Hunter, commander of Marine Aircraft Group 16 and QUART 25.1.

The units involved included 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment; Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing; and 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

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This most recent QUART saw the ACVs embark infantry Marines during both day and night operations.

This is about being able to deliver combat power ashore, Navy Capt. Andrew Koy, Somerset commander, said in the release. This is a rehearsal for the future fight. Its necessary that we all talk to each other, know what one another is doing, and share a common language.

The service first put the new ACV, which replaces the decades-old amphibious assault vehicle, to use overseas in May, Marine Corps Times previously reported.

BAE Systems won the contract to produce the new ACV for the Corps in 2018.

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The new ACV comes in multiple variants, including a command and control version, a 30mm-cannon-toting version and a recovery variant to haul other ACVs when immobile.

An amphibious combat vehicle assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, disembarks from the well deck of the amphibious transport dock ship Somerset. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Evan Diaz/U.S. Navy)

By bringing together the sea, air and land aspects of Marine operations, the QUART exercise puts all those assets under a single colonels control, said Col. Jonathan Frerichs, commander of 3rd BN, 1st Marine Regiment.

A main feature of how the Corps is redesigning its structure integrates more heavily with the Navy. At the same time, the restructuring has built units such as the Marine Littoral Regiment, which can be scaled up or down to a fire team or up to an entire regiment.

Putting all those capabilities under the command of a colonel helps provide additional options, firepower and support to a lower-echelon unit that can operate on its own.

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Meanwhile, as Marines conducted the QUART off the California coast, 15th MEU Marines were wrapping up training with the Philippine Marines 3rd Marine Brigade on the western shores of Palawan, Philippines.

The annual KAMANDAG exercise, which ran from October 15 to 25, included participants from the Royal Thai Marine Corps, Indonesian Marine Corps, the French Armed Forces, Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and Republic of Korea Marine Corps, according to a Marine Corps release.

Were training to maneuver and mass effects to attrite, block, fix and destroy a force that attempts to land, said Lt. Col. Nicholas Freeman, commander of Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th MEU. Here, Philippine guides would bring in our forces to rapidly establish an area defense of this landing site. Our engagement area would extend from the beachs exit routes out to the launch points for enemy landing craft, with a plan for fires integrating both Philippine and U.S. Marine weapons systems.

That kind of exercise, Freeman said, not only helps the participants find new and effective ways to defend their coastlines but also allows the forces to work together and establish procedures and communications.

This was part of KAMANDAG, but really its part of a larger transformation in the concept and tactics for coastal defense strategy in this region  something that has not been employed or tested at scale for decades in the Indo-Pacific, said Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of the 15th MEU.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, has come up with an interesting way to defend President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz, who has been accused of sex trafficking and having a relationship with a 17-year-old girl. If GOP lawmakers are going to express reservations about Gaetz on those grounds, she said, then they should be ready to explain their alleged coverups of sexual harassment and assault claims using taxpayer money.

For my Republican colleagues in the House and Senate, if we are going to release ethics reports and rip apart our own that Trump has appointed, then put it ALL out there for the American people to see," she wrote in an X post.

Greene's dare to the GOP comes as the House Ethics Committee weighs releasing a report on Gaetz, a former congressman from Florida accused of having sex with a 17-year-old girl at a drug-fueled house party and paying two other adult women for sex. The panel also explored allegations that Gaetz took bribes while in office.

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After Gaetz resigned from Congress last week, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., urged the panel to shelve the report. Gaetz, for his part, is echoing Trump's playbook of characterizing all accusations against him as being part of a political witch hunt.

Threatening her colleagues, Greene has also claimed to have filed her own ethics report  she did not expand on its contents  and said it should be released along with "all your sexual harassment and assault claims that were secretly settled paying off victims with tax payer money, the entire Jeffrey Epstein files, tapes, recordings, witness interviews but not just those, theres more, Epstein wasnt/isnt the only asset."

If were going to dance, lets all dance in the sunlight. Ill make sure we do," she wrote.

Greene's House colleagues did not rush to back her proposal. CNN reported in 2017 that Congress has paid $17 million to victims of sexual harassment and discrimination via the Office of Compliance since it was created in 1995.
In the latest in a string of such announcements, the Colorado Springs Police Department issued notice on its police blotter about the arrest of a 15-year-old male and a 12-year-old male yesterday as suspected of having committed motor vehicle theft.

The arrests were triggered by a special unit of the police department that began work on the case in September. The investigators identified the 15 and 12-year-old boys as "often together during these vehicle thefts."

Investigators are charging the 15-year-old with one count of motor vehicle theft. The 12-year-old is being charged with two motor vehicle theft charges. The 15-year-old was booked into the Zebulon Pike Juvenile Youth Services Center, and the 12-year-old was released to a family member.

The charges against the two juveniles are just the latest in a string of juvenile crime incidents in recent weeks and months. Last week the department announced that two 14-year-olds, already facing charges for alleged retail burglary crimes in October, were also being charged with smash-and-grab-style crimes in August, which included burglaries from two pawn shops (including 28 stolen firearms) and two motor vehicle thefts. And in June police reported a 12-year-old was immediately found and charged for their part in a vehicle theft and gun store robbery.

Since the names and records of juvenile suspects are not released by authorities, it is uncertain how many of these suspects are repeat offenders.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Marquette University elevated acting president Kimo Ah Yun to the permanent job as faculty consider taking a vote of no-confidence against him and his leadership team, setting up a potential collision course between the new president and professors.

Ah Yun, 59, has served as provost, a position second only to the president, since 2018. He took on the role of acting president after President Michael Lovell died in June following a three-year battle with sarcoma.

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The university's Board of Trustees unanimously elected Ah Yun, marking the first time a person of color will lead Marquette and just the second time a lay person is in charge.

He takes the reins of the 12,000-student Jesuit university at a challenging time in higher education. Costs keep rising, the number of traditional high school students to recruit is shrinking and a growing share of the public question the value of a college degree.

Ah Yun has "led through difficult times, and he's accomplished real outcomes," Board of Trustees chairperson Todd Adams said at a Wednesday press conference in the student union. "His extraordinary commitment to our Catholic, Jesuit mission, vision and values shines through every day."

Adams presented Ah Yun with a No. 25 Marquette basketball jersey, a nod to him serving as the university's 25th president.

Kimo Ah Yun is shown at the announcement of his elevation to president of Marquette University on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Ah Yun has served as the universitys provost, a position just below the president, since 2018. He took on the position of acting president after President Michael Lovell's death in June following a three-year battle with sarcoma.

"I once told Shaka I have four years of eligibility," Ah Yun said, referring to Marquette mens basketball coach Shaka Smart. "And he said 'theres a reason for that.'"

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Ah Yun thanked Adams and others "who put their faith in me to help lead this great institution." He joked about losing his voice from cheering the Golden Eagles to a victory over No. 6-ranked Purdue the previous evening.

"I love Marquette, and I love everything it has to do, and all the work that we are doing while we are here," he said.

No-confidence vote scheduled for next week

The board announced Ah Yun as president just two days after the University Academic Senate voted to consider declaring a vote of no-confidence in the executive leadership team, which includes Ah Yun and chief operating officer Joel Pogodzinski.

A vote is scheduled for Nov. 25, the culmination of years of rising tension between Marquette's administration and rank-and-file employees.

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This spring, for example, Marquette leaders announced $31 million in budget cuts over the next seven years. The university plans to reinvest some of the money saved from the cuts to other priorities. But the move upset faculty who felt blindsided and left out of the process.

More: Budget cuts, enrollment, faculty concerns: Marquette acting president Kimo Ah Yun reflects on challenges

The Senate includes just 38 members but survey results seeking feedback from other professors ahead of the decision to take a no-confidence vote show there was some broader support for the measure in at least two of the larger colleges, according to data provided to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

In the College of Arts and Sciences, 131 responded in favor of the resolution, three were against it and 114 did not respond. In the College of Engineering, 22 supported the resolution, two were against and 29 did not respond.

Kimo Ah Yun greets well-wishers after the announcement of his elevation to president of Marquette University on Wednesday, Nov.20. Ah Yun has served as the universitys provost, a position just below the president, since 2018.

Marquette spokesperson Monica MacKay said votes of no-confidence are nonbinding, symbolic acts by a governance body that carry no legal authority.

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Adams said the board had "unwavering confidence in Ah Yuns ability to lead Marquette forward.

"We think we have the leadership team necessary to achieve our vision to be one of the most innovative and accomplished Catholic universities in the world," he said at the news conference where he and Ah Yun took no questions.

Kimo Ah Yun, rear, listens as Todd Adams announces his elevation to president of Marquette University. Ah Yun has served as the universitys provost, a position just below the president, since 2018. He took on the position of acting president after President Michael Lovell's death in June following a three-year battle with sarcoma. Adams is president of the schools board of trustees.

Marquette did not name other finalists who may have been under consideration. The search launched in July and was closed, as is common at private universities.

From California to Wisconsin

Ah Yun grew up in Compton, California, and is a lifelong Catholic, according to Marquette. He was a first-generation college student at California State University, Sacramento who went on to earn a doctorate in communication studies from Michigan State University.

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Ah Yun returned to California State University, Sacramento, where he rose up the ranks from professor to department chair to dean over a 20-year career.

In 2016, Ah Yun came to Marquette to serve as dean of the communications college. He was promoted to provost two years later.

Kimo Ah Yun, left, is shown at the announcement of his elevation to president of Marquette University Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at the school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ah Yun has served as the universitys provost, a position just below the president, since 2018. He took on the position of acting president after President Michael Lovell's death in June after a three-year battle with sarcoma. Also shown are university trustee Raymond J. Manista, center and Tara Baillargeon, dean of the schools Raynor Library, both members of the search committee.

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Among Ah Yun's accomplishments, Marquette cited a recently concluded successful fundraising campaign, improved retention rates and development of several major building projects, including new homes for the business and nursing colleges.

Ah Yun is married to Catherine Puckering, who teaches in Marquette's communications college. They have three children: Ben, a senior at Marquette studying criminology and computer science; Molly, a senior at the University of Southern California studying pre-law, history and culture; and Haven, a high school senior.

Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @KellyMeyerhofer.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Marquette names new president
(WWLP)  Massachusetts farmers say they`re bracing for revenue losses due to cuts in fresh produce SNAP benefits.

Local farmers impacted by severe drought

Many are expressing their concerns and advocating for the program to be fully funded again.

They argue that it lets SNAP recipients buy fresh produce from farmers many of whom specialize in serving low-income families.

Starting December 1, families who utilize the state`s Healthy Incentives Program to buy food directly from farmers will see their benefits cut to just $20 a month, regardless of household size.

Rebecca Miller with the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative says many farmers have structured their operations around these customers.

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Weve directly heard from some families that they wont be able to provide for their kids. As we know $20 does not go very far, said Miller.

With the looming reduction, farmers throughout the area are worried about the potential impacts it will have on their business. The co-owner of Red Fire Farm in Granby, Ryan Voiland says itll create a dent in their winter market sales, potentially resulting in a 50 percent reduction. They say this would leave them with an excess of 360 thousand pounds of produce in storage and uncertainty about where to sell it.

We already cut positions and hours significantly and were going to have to maybe even have to cut harder, and that means we dont know if itll be worth planting a lot of crops for next year so we might not plan to grow very much, said Voiland.

State officials say cuts are needed because of budget constraints. But with these anticipated cuts and to keep the program benefit at its current funding levels, advocates say another $10 million is needed for the rest of the fiscal year within the supplemental budget.

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Its huge money for the people who need the food, and the vendors, and the farmers who are providing it, and so you know Im hoping we can path forward here, said Senator Jo Comerford.

Advocates are asking Governor Maura Healey for additional funds in the budget to help limit the anticipated cuts.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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BOSTON (WWLP)  A man from Boston was sentenced to prison in connection with illegally obtaining COVID-relief funds.

Antawn Davis was among 40 alleged Heath Street Gang members/associates, who were arrested in February and charged with racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms charges, and financial frauds, including COVID-related fraud.

Florida woman pleads guilty in Mass. housing fraud case

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The Department of Justice in Boston said that in April and May 2021, Davis submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of his purported business. In support of the applications, he submitted false tax records, total gross income in 2020, and the purpose of the loan.

The PPP loan Davis received was approximately $49,999, which he spent on non-business-related expenses, including transactions at a casino and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Davis pleaded guilty to wire fraud and making false statements and was sentenced last Friday to five months in prison and two years of supervised release. He is also ordered to pay $49,999 in restitution and forfeiture.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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(WPRI)  Dangerously dry conditions have put fire departments across Massachusetts on high alert over the past couple of months, as the Commonwealth contends with an unprecedented number of brush fires.

Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Jake Wark told 12 News the state has already seen more than 400 brush fires this month alone. That number is expected to climb, especially with nearly the entire state experiencing critical drought conditions.

Every firefighter battling a preventable wildfire is one who cant respond to a house fire, car crash, or medical emergency, Wark said. We wont be out of the woods until we have a few days of steady, soaking rain that gets past the surface fuels and deep into the ground.

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This comes after the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services reported a 1,200% increase in brush fires statewide last month.

The fires in this unprecedented fall fire season have burned more than 1,700 acres  exceeding the acreage that burned in all of 2023, Wark added.

SEE ALSO: Attleboro facing water supply emergency as drought drags on

For Massachusetts Chief Fire Warden Dave Celino, the sheer volume of brush fires is hard to even describe.

We just went over 3,000 acres burned for the year, Celino explained. In 20 years, we havent seen that.

Celino said the brush fires are growing in intensity as the drought drags on, which is taking a toll on the firefighters tasked with knocking them down.

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Its to the point where the daily message is we want our firefighters to come home safe every night, Celino said.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) generally prohibits outdoor burning statewide between Jan. 15 and May 1. Wark said more than 200 cities and towns have across the state have already issued their own burn bans.

Celino said that the brush fires plaguing the state have all been caused by humans in some way, which is why he is urging residents to heed their warnings.

If you leave a campfire unattended right now, it will  theres no question  it will escape and cause a wildfire, Celino explained. If you decide to burn a debris pile in your backyard, theres a good chance that an ember will start a fire.

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Though rain is expected later this week, Celino said it wont completely eradicate the heightened brush fire risk.

That will take the ignition probability down to a low level  but it will not suppress these fires, Celino said. These fires are burning deep.

Well be working and watching them  keeping them within their perimeters  probably until it snows, he continued.

Rhode Island has also seen its fair share of brush fires. The R.I. Department of Environmental Management said firefighters have responded to 68 brush fires this year, with more than half of those occurring over the last two months.

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Anyone who notices flames, smoke or other signs of a brush fire is urged to call it in immediately so firefighters can investigate and contain it as quickly as possible.

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PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  Members of the South Dakota Massage Therapy Board are looking at ways to improve the professions reputation.

Theyre talking about such things as requiring a name and license number on any advertising, requiring massage businesses to register with the board, changing the annual licensing period to two years, and ensuring that any yes answers regarding prior convictions by applicants are brought to the boards attention.

Harrisburg announces new City Administrator

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The board operates as part of the South Dakota Department of Health, which answers to the governors office. During a teleconference meeting on Thursday the boards attorney, deputy attorney general Steve Blair, outlined the process for submitting legislation.

Blair said that its currently too late for the board to get clearance from the Health Department and the governors office to offer any legislation for lawmakers to consider in the 2025 session that starts January 14.

If a legislator does bring a bill regarding massage therapy, Blair continued, the governor-appointed board would need to loop in the department and the governors office and then be told whether to take a position.

Otherwise theres a long runway for next year, Blair said. He explained that any legislation that the board wants to formally propose for the 2026 session would need to be ready shortly after the 2025 session concludes in March, so that the department and the governors office could have time to decide whether the board could go forward with it.

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Three licensed massage therapists thanked the board during the meetings public comment period for being willing to consider changes.

Bridget Myers of Sioux Falls gave detailed reasons why the ideas are good and said she worked to help elect several legislators. Said Rhanda Heller of Sioux Falls, I think that uniting all the massage therapists and the board is a great step. Said Tonia McGeorge of Ipswich, Its just been great to watch the collaboration and moving forward.

A next step will be a roundtable for further discussion, according to board president Fallon Helm of Aberdeen. Lots of great information from the public and great points well be following up with, she said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
The House Ethics Committee did not agree Wednesday whether to release its report on former Representative Matt Gaetz.

Committee Chairman Representative Michael Guest said that they had not decided to release the report, according to NOTUSs Reese Gorman.

Guest would not say whether or not the committee took a vote on releasing the report just that there was not an agreement by the committee on whether or not to release it, Gorman posted on X.

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The committee was set to vote on whether it would release a report on its yearslong investigation into Gaetz over alleged sexual misconduct, including alleged sexual misconduct with a minor, among a slew of other potential violations. After the meeting adjourned Wednesday afternoon, Punchbowl Newss John Bresnahan and Melanie Zanona reported that there had been several votes on releasing the report, but committee members had been deadlocked along partisan lines. As the report is not yet complete, the committee voted that it be finished and scheduled another vote in December on whether to release it.

Illinois Democrat Sean Casten pledged earlier Wednesday that if the House Ethics Committee failed to vote for the release of the report, he would force a vote on the House floor, according to Politico.

The allegations against Matt Gaetz are serious. They are credible. The House Ethics Committee has spent years conducting a thorough investigation to get to the bottom of it, Casten said in a statement. This information must be made available for the Senate to provide its constitutionally required advice and consent.

Over the course of the last week, a slew of new information about the committee investigation had already come out. Two women testified before the committee alleging that Gaetz had paid them for sex, and one testified that hed also had sex with her underage friend. ABC reported Wednesday that the House Ethics Committee reportedly holds records of Gaetz paying those two women more than $10,000 between July 2017 and January 2019.

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There is some hope that the contents of the report, even those details that have already been publicly reported, might tank Gaetzs nomination to be attorney general. However, it seems that allegations of sexual misconduct, even statutory rape, are no longer disqualifying for the potential head of the Justice Department.

I just dont think you can deal with allegations in the past as though theyre fact, North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer told Politico. He added that Gaetz, and Trumps other Senate nominees facing allegations of sexual misconduct, havent been convicted of anything.

This story has been updated.
Vice President-Elect JD Vance and Matt Gaetz are heading to Capitol Hill with a delegation of new Donald Trump administration nominees on Wednesday, in a bid to court skeptical Republicans and urge them to give the scandal-plagued attorney general pick a shot at the job.

The duo will be joined on their mission by Pete Hegseth, Elise Stefanik and Doug Collins, according to CNN, a trio representing the president-elects choices for Americas next defense secretary, UN ambassador and veterans affairs secretary respectively.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy is one GOP stalwart they are expected to visit, while Gaetz has also been making phone calls as he seeks to bolster support for his bid to become the USs top law enforcement official.

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Missouri Senator Josh Hawley told CNN that the ex-Florida congressman had called him, imploring him to give him a shot at the role.

President-Elect Trump has also been personally calling senators, lobbying them to back Gaetz when Senate confirmation hearings get underway in January.

A number of Trumps nominees have already proven controversial, either because they appear to be unqualified for the roles they have been chosen for or because of past scandals in their personal lives.

Matt Gaetz and JD Vance (campaigning together in Ohio in April 2022) will head to Capitol Hill today to try to garner support for Gaetzs nomination (Drew Angerer/Getty)

Gaetzs selection appears to be the most under threat as he was previously investigated by both the Justice Department he could now lead and the House Ethics Committee over allegations that he paid for sex with an underage girl in 2017. Gaetz has repeatedly denied the accusations and has not been charged with a crime.

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The Ethics Committee had been due to publish its report into Gaetz, compiled as part of the probe it curtailed in February 2023, last week  but he resigned from Congress after receiving the attorney general nod, effectively ending the probe as he is no longer within its jurisdiction.

However  just as Vance and Gaetz try to shore up support on Capitol Hill  the committee will meet on Wednesday to consider what next steps, if any, to take with the report.

More than 100 House Democrats have called on the panel to release the report  which was also accessed illegally by a hacker on Monday  along with several Republicans including veteran GOP Senator Chuck Grassley, the likely future chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

I think that if they want a speedy consideration of this nomination weve got to have as much transparency as we can have, Grassley said.

Youve heard my colleagues, especially on the Republican side, say that they have some questions and I think it would help faster consideration, the extent to which they would make as much available as they can.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A family on Maui is in need of laulima after Mom has been battling cancer for many years and recently had another setback.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

She is a single parent caring for three children and her grandmother.

Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer 14 years ago. She has gone through treatments at various times over the years while holding down two jobs.

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How you can help this family of 10 recover from hardships, tragedy

A few months ago, she underwent a surgery that caused an infection, requiring her to stay at a hospital in Honolulu.

She is back at home now, but this family could certainly use a helping hand. Her oldest just turned 18 years old and has found a job, which helps.

In addition, she also has a 17-year-old son who could use clothing and would love a gift card to GameStop or Target.

Her 13-year-old daughter loves crafting and local-type jewelry.

Mom could use gift cards for gas, groceries, household needs. KHON2 thinks she could use a self-care package or gift certificate to a spa for her and her grandmother.

If you would like to help, visit the Laulima Giving Programs website HERE. Select Adopt A Family and fill out the submission form with the family code M240061-6.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Middle Tennessee lawmaker has filed legislation that would limit the use of cellphones in Tennessee classrooms.

State Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka) filed House Bill 13, which would require school boards to adopt policies that prohibit students from using wireless communication devices during instructional time with certain exceptions.

The law is designed to improve attentiveness in classrooms, according to a press release from the lawmaker.

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Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

Fostering an environment of student engagement and focus during instructional periods is essential to a quality education, Cepicky said. Cellphone usage in the classroom presents an unnecessary distraction for students and is unfair to the hard-working teachers who are passionate about educating the next generation. This legislation will limit interruptions and empower Tennessees children to concentrate on learning, which can improve social skills, mental health and academic performance.

House Bill 13 would ensure students have access to their cellphones if they are being used for educational purposes and approved by a teacher, in the event of an emergency or to manage a students health, and to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities.

The legislation would allow districts to authorize teachers to withhold devices from students who dont comply with usage policies.

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In the press release, the lawmaker cited a Pew Research Center study showing over 70% of American high school teachers say distractions caused by cellphones in classrooms is a major problem. Additional studies, including one from Scientific American, have concluded enacting restrictions on cellphone usage during instructional periods increases academic performance, specifically for low-achieving students, according to the lawmaker.

MNPD reaches MOU with new Community Review Board

The same Pew Research Center study also cautioned that most high school teachers felt cellphone ban policies were difficult to enforce, though middle and elementary school teachers felt they were easy to enforce.

Several states have enacted similar legislation through their governing bodies, including California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia, according to KFF.

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The next legislative session for the Tennessee General Assembly is set to convene on Jan. 14, 2025.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The mayor of Nashville has submitted his second capital spending plan (CSP), outlining the administrations capital project priorities for the next year.

Mayor Freddie OConnell submitted the $527 million plan, which he says prioritizes schools, parks and other infrastructure important to the daily lives of Nashvillians. The plan is the second in his tenure as mayor and reflects an investment amount on par with the administrations first plan, his office said in a release.

Since taking office, we have prioritized investments in improving our quality of life by implementing the vision of how Nashville moves, works, and grows, OConnell said. Our neighbors overwhelmingly told us this month that they want a better transportation future, and the investments in this capital spending plan prepare us for the work to come from Choose How You Move. Also setting us up for a more successful future is a $98 million investment in Metro schools and our next generation of leaders. These investments are designed to improve quality of life for all of us.

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RELATED: Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell declares victory for Choose How You Move transportation plan

The plan includes $103.6 million for infrastructure improvements to bridges, roadways, bikeways, sidewalks, signals and safety, including:

$42.7 million for ongoing infrastructure maintenance across the county  such as paving, bridges, sidewalks, and other critical system repairs

$6.8 million for traffic calming and Vision Zero safety initiatives

$6 million for sidewalks in the Walk N Bike priority network

$4 million for bikeways in the Walk N Bike priority network

$500,000 for the transportation management center and initial traffic signal updates

$33.5 million for foundational infrastructure improvements on the East Bank, with costs shared between Metro, development partner The Fallon Company, Oracle, the Tennessee Titans and other stakeholders

The CSP funding also supports projects not scheduled for dedicated funding through the Choose How You Move program and delivers on the mayors promise to use annual funding to amplify needed transportation infrastructure work, according to a spokesperson.

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The plan also includes $98.4 million for Metro Nashville Public Schools:

$10 million for the first phase of Glencliff High School renovations, and

$87 million for district-wide maintenance projects, such as deferred maintenance projects; turf fields at more schools; and solar at Inglewood Elementary School, Overton High School, and West End Middle School

Sanctuary city proposal for undocumented immigrants in TN

There is also a $5 million investment in a new Hadley Park Library North Nashville for design and initial construction and $27.8 million in investments in Metro Parks to improve facilities, increase accessibility, and address ongoing safety maintenance, and energy efficiency needs.

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The mayors proposal makes strategic investments in neighborhoods while also bolstering Metros day-to-day essential services and chipping away at needed maintenance and infrastructure, including $89 million in investments with General Services managed facilities, and in the citys fleet of vehicles, such as new firetrucks, per the mayors office.

Additionally, $21 million is set aside for WeGo, which will, in part, fund the replacements of paratransit and transit vehicles; and the CSP also earmarks $31 million in IT upgrades and $12 million in the waste services department to lay the foundation for its work.

According to the mayors office, solar investments in Metro Schools, The Fairgrounds Nashville and Metro Parks properties will provide a return on investment that benefits the citys financial standing long-term. The release added that those installations would begin to pay for themselves within the first three years and will provide savings to Metro in perpetuity.

Mero Finance is closely monitoring federal and state funding streams and broader economic changes for any downstream pressures on local governments, per the mayors office.

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Deferred again: Metro Council makes no decision on business surveillance footage for use by MNPD

Many of our capital projects are connected to federal and state funding sources, including grants and cost-sharing arrangements, for education, transportation, and overall community development, Director of Finance, Kevin Crumbo, said. It is our goal to ensure transparency and maintain a balance between advancing capital project priorities and safeguarding Metros financial stability.

Per the mayors office, the citys fund balances and bond ratings are strung, providing the foundation to address its many opportunities and challenges. The CSP will move to the Metro Council for consideration and approval.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Court records indicate the man being sought by law enforcement as a murder suspect in an August stabbing death also is wanted for assault charges for hurting his own mother.

Colorado Springs police have named 53-year-old Ceasar Lorenzo Wilson as a suspect in the murder of University of Colorado Colorado Springs professor Haleh Abghari, 54, on or before the morning of Aug. 7 at a residence in the 6400 block of Caddy Point in Fountain. Court records obtained by The Gazette show that Wilson also is accused of hitting his mother and locking her in her home.

According to an arrest affidavit, Wilson was arrested on July 12, after his mother called law enforcement at 10:38 p.m. The mother told El Paso County sheriff's deputies that she and her son had been having a conversation about family when "he just went crazy," and slapped her. She said she attempted to leave the residence but Wilson followed her outside and slapped her again, before dragging her back inside the house. There, she says he locked all the doors and put tape on the windows.

The mother reports eventually being able to sneak out the back door and make her way over a fence to a neighbor's house near the intersection of East Ohio Avenue and Jimmy Camp Road, where she called law enforcement.

A Fountain police officer and El Paso County deputy arrived, but reported that Wilson refused to let them enter the residence, threatening to use pepper spray on them. After an hour of negotiation, Wilson exited the home and was taken into custody.

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He was charged with second-degree kidnapping, third-degree assault and harassment.

Court records show Wilson bailed out of jail. He then failed to appear for an Aug. 12 court hearing in that case, and has been sought by authorities ever since.

The Colorado Springs Police Department announced Monday that Wilson is the suspect in the Aug. 7 stabbing death of Abghari. Police said Abghari had suffered at least one stab wound, though the El Paso County Coroner's Office is still determining the official cause of death.

An arrest warrant for Wilson for second-degree murder has been issued. As of Tuesday afternoon, Wilson was still at large.

CSPD is seeking the community's assistance in finding Wilson. He should be considered armed and dangerous. Police caution that he should not be approached.

If you have seen or know of the whereabouts of Wilson, please contact police at 719-444-7000, or to remain anonymous, call Pikes Peak Crime Stoppers at 719-634-STOP (7867) or 800-222-8477.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  South City residents voiced their concerns to the Memphis mayor and interim police chief Tuesday night as they lobbied for a safer, cleaner neighborhood.

This gathering is part of Memphis Mayor Youngs One Memphis Tour.

Residents are urged to share their thoughts and get answers to their questions. The latest stop was Booker T. Washington High School in South Memphis.

My problem is there is nothing in the schools for the kids, one mother said. We want them to work hard, but they are not getting anything to make them smile to even walk in the building.

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City of Memphis gives $1 million to community organizations

This mother and lead custodian of Booker T. Washington said there are still not enough resources for young people.

She claims things like unkempt parks and a lack of after-school activities are causing some kids to act out.

The city responded by saying they are still working to change that.

The forum comes one day after a student was shot and left in critical condition at Central High School.

We certainly dont like to see that in our community, but I think it magnifies the need for more investment and programs that identify how people address conflict resolution, Young said.

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Taxpayers foot the bill for Serenity Towers elevator repairs; Millennia cant cover cost

Interim Police Chief CJ Davis updated residents on crime-fighting efforts and said over the last two months, officers picked up over 400 people with violent arrest warrants.

Still, residents question if thats enough.

And with the cameras, how long does it take for cameras to roll back? Are all the blue flashing light cameras working that we see, resident Andrelena Rosser said.

Mayor Young admitted some cameras work and some dont.

When asked by a WREG reporter if she felt like all of her questions were answered, Rosser said no.

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However, she said she still feels like its worth coming to public forums like this.

He did point me in a direction in where I can get some help, Rosser said. I mean dont get blowed off. I know they are busy, we need more footwork, we need more policing. Its you that has to constantly get in touch. Its you that has to keep pushing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
(WTAJ)  The beloved McRib is coming back to McDonalds, but thats not all they have up their saucy sleeves.

While the McRib is slated to return to stores across the country on Dec. 3, a handful of Pennsylvania stores in Altoona and Johnstown have confirmed with WTAJ that for the first time ever, McDonalds will be selling the McRib sauce by the jug.

McRib fans can celebrate by bringing the tangy McRib sauce to their favorite foods at home  but like the sandwich, the half-gallon jugs will only be available for a limited time.

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Unfortunately, the jugs of savory sauce wont be available in stores. According to Delish, the half-gallon jugs cost $19.99 and are only available on wholelottamcribsauce.com. The site shows sales will open on Nov. 25.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

This may just be the perfect holiday gift for that McRib aficionado in your life.

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MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  On Thursday, November 14, the Midland County Sheriffs Office Narcotics Unit assisted the Midland County Central Detention jail staff with an investigation involving contraband being introduced into the jail.

Midland Commissioners Court commits to new $170 million jail

Investigators said Ethanial Xavier Galvan, Maranda Jazan Avila, Daevon Lamont Wilson, and Ailan Monje-Arellano introduced contraband and a prohibited substance into the jail. All four suspects were arrested and charged with two felony counts of Prohibited Substance/Item in a Correctional Facility. Galvan was also found to have a warrant for Possession if Marijuana Under Two Ounces.

Maranda Jazan Avila

Daevon Lamont Wilson

Ailan Monje-Arellano

Ethanial Xavier Galvan

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All four have been booked into the Midland County Central Detention Center.

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I have been the administrator at Fairview Regional Medical Center in Oklahoma for 18 years, but the last few years at this small critical access hospital have been among the most challenging for one reason  Medicare Advantage plans.

Simply put, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans come between the patient and the doctor. In addition, they have created a serious financial threat to our future viability in Fairview, a rural city of 2,700 in northwest Oklahoma.

MA plans are marketed to tout more savings and benefits to patients. In reality, they offer patients less choice, delay vital care, impose a significant administrative burden on hospitals, and lead to clinician burnout.

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Congress created the critical access hospital (CAH) designation in 1997 to protect certain hospitals that play an essential role in providing access to health care services in rural areas from potential losses. Why? Most of these types of hospitals are extremely Medicare-dependent, and under this model, Congress ensured that they would be reimbursed by Medicare at 101% of cost. MA upends this payment model because they are not required to cover the full cost of care for Medicare patients.

This means our hospital must decide which services we can no longer offer our community and which cuts we must make to remain viable because now, a growing portion of the critical services we provide are not fully covered. MA plan growth has eroded the protections that Congress granted to CAHs under the traditional Medicare program to ensure payment covers the cost of providing essential services.

More: Need help with Medicare open enrollment? Oklahoma Hospital Association has a free resource

Unless Congress requires MA plans to cover the full cost of care for their patients, many CAHs across the country will close. This will devastate their communities by removing 24/7 care and much-needed jobs. Others will be forced to make the difficult decision to discontinue vital services such as chemotherapy and obstetrics (OB) because they can no longer absorb their mounting financial losses. Nearly 25% of Americas rural hospitals have stopped providing OB services since 2011, reveals a recent study.

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Most troubling, delays and denials of patient care by MA plans can create a life-and-death situation for patients. In one case, a patient from Fairview, after receiving treatment at a metro-area hospital, was discharged back to one of our hospitals swing beds, which provide skilled nursing care for patients after an inpatient hospital stay. After five days of debate with our hospital, the insurer snubbed the treating physicians recommendation that the patient receive skilled nursing care and would only cover home care upon discharge. The patient was back in our hospital in critical condition within 48 hours.

While MA plans are required to cover everything that traditional Medicare does, they can apply their own restrictions, rules and fees in some cases. For example, MA may not cover a swing bed. Ask any rural hospital nurse manager trying to move a grandparent into skilled nursing like that offered in a CAH swing bed, and they will tell you that you will face an abrupt denial that you will fight to overturn  almost every time.

Medicare open enrollment is happening now through Dec. 7. I encourage seniors to take advantage of a new resource provided by the Oklahoma Hospital Association, MedicareDisadvantaged.org. This site gives seniors the information they need as they make their Medicare decisions.

MA plans enroll more than half of everyone on Medicare and account for 35% of Medicare-eligible patients in rural communities. Federal legislation is needed to provide better oversight of the MA program. Congress should require MA plans to cover the full cost of care for patients at critical access hospitals. Legislation could reduce the burden of prior authorization and administrative plan requirements on providers; penalize plans for high rates of inappropriate denials; increase data collection, reporting, and auditing of plan performance; and strengthen enforcement of existing rules. We must preserve the rural health care safety net for future generations.

Roger Knak, administrator & CEO, Fairview Regional Medical Center

Roger Knak is administrator & CEO of the Fairview Regional Medical Center.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: MA plans are not required to cover full costs for Medicare | Opinion
Megyn Kelly thinks everyone should take the allegations against Matt Gaetz with a hefty dose of salt.

On her SiriusXM podcast The Megyn Kelly Show, the host defended her GOP peer on Tuesdays show, saying the fact that the investigation into whether Gaetz had sexual relations with a minor was dropped due to the credibility issues should be factored.

We really need to take all of this now with a hefty dose of salt, Kelly said. Not a grain but like a boulder of salt. Because look, these may not be credible people at all. This whole thing could be a shakedown.

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She continued, It stinks, it stinks to anybody.

Gaetz was nominated by president-elect Donald Trump last week for Attorney General which re-ignited talks of the Florida congressmans murky legal past. In 2021, a Justice Department investigation  led by current Attorney General Merrick Garland  looked into accusations that Gaetz had sexual relations with a minor and paid for the 17-year-old to travel with him. The investigation was dropped in 2023 but Gaetz remains subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation into alleged sexual misconduct and illegal drug use.

Kelly admitted Gaetz seems like a crude guy but that doesnt make him a criminal.

Theres a lot around this guy, a lot, she said. Hes also reportedly been on the House floor bragging about his libido and stamina  he sounds like a crude guy theres no point in pretending otherwise. But accusing him of criminal behavior is something else entirely and I do believe that if this DOJ had Matt Gaetz in the crosshairs they would have done everything in their power to actually see through those charges.

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Kelly was far from the only host to comment on Trumps Attorney General choice. Seth Meyers had plenty to say on Late Night about the seriousness of the pick.

I love Republicans saying we need to have a serious Attorney General. Oh, do you? Meyers said. You didnt seem to feel the need for a serious president. Your party chose a deranged criminal game show host with the same makeup artists as Pagliacci, who cant close a fking umbrella.

Watch the full Megyn Kelly clip on Gaetz above.

The post Megyn Kelly Argues Matt Gaetz Accusations Could Be a Shakedown and Should Be Taken With A Boulder of Salt | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
This column first appeared in The Amendment, a biweekly newsletter by Errin Haines, The 19ths editor-at-large. Subscribe today to get early access to her analysis.

As President-elect Donald Trumps administration quickly takes shape, there are also signs of how the incoming first ladys role might look.

In the two weeks since the election, Trumps Cabinet picks have made headlines. Amid the peaceful transfer of power, Melania Trump was also in the spotlight for her absence. In his first trip back to the White House last week, Trump showed up without his wife, who declined to join the transition meeting with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, citing a prior conflict.

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It was the latest example of how Melania Trump is exercising her autonomy, after an election that has left women who did not vote for her husband considering what their rights will look like as he returns to office.

Donald Trump is known for abandoning political and societal norms and expectations, but his wife is also often choosing to be unburdened by what has been the traditional role of the first lady.

In Trumps previous campaigns, Melania Trump was a fixture on the trail, but in 2024, she was scarce. Her brief appearance on the final night of the Republican National Convention drew cheers from the crowd, but she didnt introduce him as she had previously  that task went to his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump.

When she did speak, just weeks before the election, Melania Trump made news when she defended abortion rights in her memoir.

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Restricting a womans right to choose whether to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is the same as denying her control over her own body. I have carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life, she wrote in a rare declaration of her political beliefs, and as the spouse of the presidential candidate who ushered in the end of federal protections for abortion.

Her stance is shared by more than 6 in 10 Americans, including 64 percent of women and 40 percent of Republicans. It is unclear what Donald Trump will do on the issue of abortion when he returns to office; while he said it should be left up to the states, he didnt close the door on federal action. He signaled support for repealing Floridas six-week abortion ban before announcing he would vote against the initiative. Many experts point to ways that the president could move to restrict access to abortion even without a federal ban, raising the question of whether Melania Trump will continue to weigh in as first lady.

Melania and Barron Trump listen as President-elect Donald Trump speaks on stage during an election night watch party at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida on November 6, 2024. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post/Getty Images)

Melania Trump was by her husbands side as the couple cast their ballots on Election Day in Florida, and as he claimed victory on Election Night at Mar-a-Lago. A post from her office on X read in part: Her husbands return to the Oval Office to commence the transition process is encouraging, and she wishes him great success.

But she reportedly wont be a full-time first lady living at the White House. Eight years ago, Melania Trump delayed moving to Washington from New York City while her son, Barron, finished the school year. Her decision was seen as a choice to prioritize motherhood and minimize disruption for the couples youngest child, now a freshman in college.

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The White House is where the first couple live and work, but Melania Trump has no plans to spend much time there doing either. Her post-White House life has often looked like one of independence, focused on her identity. In addition to her memoir, she also announced a digital photography series documenting her fast-moving life.

Being first lady is not an elected position. The role does not come with official duties or a salary, and did not have an executive office in the White House until 1977. From Martha Washington to Jill Biden, first ladies have long defined the role for themselves, and their degrees of involvement and visibility have varied.

Abigail Adams lobbied her husband, John Quincy Adams, for womens suffrage; Eleanor Roosevelt, the longest-serving first lady, was an outspoken human rights champion who largely redefined the office. In the modern era, first ladies like Lady Bird Johnson, Rosalynn Carter and Nancy Reagan were constant fixtures and trusted confidants in the White House.

In her post-White House life, Hillary Clinton made history as the first woman presidential nominee for a major political party. Michelle Obama, along with her husband, was a historic first in the role and remains among the most popular figures in American politics. Jill Biden has balanced her duties as first lady with her teaching career.

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Perhaps it is a reminder that, like her husband, Melania Trump isnt like the rest of us, that the rules dont apply to her, either.

The role of first lady is more cultural than consequential, but it is one that has historically embodied the countrys values. In her first term, Melania Trump to some projected beauty, style, confidence and charm, and to others was seen as removed, guarded and inscrutable. What message could her potential absence send to the American people?

The post Melania Trump could be largely OOO as First Lady appeared first on The 19th.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Police say two men traveled from Memphis to Jonesboro, Arkansas, on Sunday to steal nearly $6,000 worth of luxury purses and clothing from a Dillards department store.

Jonesboro police said Perry Gentry, 35, and Timothy Cook, 34, were caught on camera leaving the Dillards in the 3000 block of East Highland Drive with the stolen loot.

(Left to Right) Timothy Cook and Perry Gentry. Courtesy: Craighead County Jail

They said a customer got the tag number of the pairs getaway car, and when Arkansas State Police pulled over the older model black Lexus, it was loaded with the Dillards items.

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MPD: Woman steals car and wants cash to bring it back

Investigators recovered $5,880.24 in merchandise, including six Dooney & Bourke purses worth over $2,100, five Brahmin handbags valued at around $1,800, and two pairs of Rock Revival jeans that sold for $522.00 apiece.

Police said Gentry and Cook were seen removing security cables from the items and said Cook admitted to stealing the stuff.

According to the incident report, Cook said they initially drove to Jonesboro to sell the Lexus, but because the car was overheating, the potential buyer was no longer interested in purchasing it. He said they had no money and decided to go on the shoplifting spree.

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Last month, Gentry was arrested in Memphis for allegedly stealing a truck. MPD said they found Gentrys fingerprint on a stolen 2015 Chevy Silverado and charged him with theft of property. He was released from the Shelby County Jail on his own recognizance.

Jonesboro officers with recovered stolen property. Courtesy: Jonesboro Police Department

Perry and Cook were booked in the Craighead County Jail on charges of theft greater than $5,000 but less than $25,000 and the unlawful removal of a theft detection device.

A judge gave both men a $150,000 bond.

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A Republican congresswoman claimed men are threatening to kill her after she called for a transgender colleague to be banned from using female bathrooms in the US Capitol.

Nancy Mace on Monday introduced a resolution to amend the rules of the US House of Representatives to prevent Sarah McBride, the first transgender congresswoman, from accessing women-only spaces.

Ms Mace has now alleged that people are threatening to kill her over the proposed legislation.

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Men that want to use womens restrooms are threatening to kill me over this issue, the South Carolina representative told NewsNation.

Ms Mace has said her concern over who can enter female bathrooms stems from being a survivor of sexual assault and rape.

I don't care. I'm doubling down, and won't be quiet because some man tells me to. pic.twitter.com/aKwmBF510Q  Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) November 20, 2024

In a separate video shared on X, she put up a sign saying biological next to the entrance to a womens bathroom in what appears to be a government building.

The footage was captioned: I never thought we would need a sign for this, but womens restrooms are for BIOLOGICAL women. Not men.

I never thought we would need a sign for this, but women's restrooms are for BIOLOGICAL women. Not men. pic.twitter.com/42lOMhqHFT  Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) November 19, 2024

The two-page resolution, which covers bathrooms in the Capitol and House offices, would prohibit House members and staffers from using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex.

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The move has been greeted with fervent support from Marjorie Taylor Greene, the outspoken Georgia congresswoman.

Speaking to Steve Bannons War Room podcast, Ms Taylor Greene described transgender women being permitted in womens bathrooms as assault.

Ms Mace has said she plans to introduce the amendment as part of the new Congress rules, which the house will vote on in January, or bring it to the floor as a standalone rule.

I want to see which of my male colleagues dont support women up here. I dare them, she told NewsNation, adding that she would fight like hell.

Its the height of hypocrisy and gaslighting to tell women, you lose your rights, and then a man walks in the room.

Height of hypocrisy

Asked by reporters if the move was in direct response to Ms McBrides Delaware election win, she said: Yes...and then some.

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The Resolution was met with a backlash from Democrats, with House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries accusing Ms Mace of wanting to bully a member of congress.

Ms McBride, who is set to be sworn in in two months, responded to the resolution with a brief statement in which she accused Republicans of distracting voters from the real issues and called for kindness.

Every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness, she said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said that Republicans are attempting to resolve the issue but that they will attempt to accommodate Ms McBride.

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On Wednesday, Mr Johnson released a further statement confirming female bathrooms in the Capitol will be reserved for biological women.

All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms are reserved for individuals of that biological sex, he said.

It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol.

Women deserve womens only spaces.

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MERCER CO., Pa. (WKBN)  A program that helps feed students in Mercer County is expanding, thanks in part to one service organization.

Three Mercer County Schools are currently piloting the Mercer County Food Banks School Pantry Program.

Its a way to provide healthy, nutritious food five days a week to children who are in need, said Alexis Spence-Locke, with Mercer County Food Bank.

Sharon Schools were the first to adopt the program in the spring, followed by Farrell and West Middlesex this school year. Through the program, the schools place orders with the food bank and have pantries set up in the schools that any child can access.

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Students are able to basically just ask to go to the nurse, Spence-Locke said. They can go to the nurse, Sharon specifically  its actually in the nurses office  they can go down and theyre picking, you know, what they and their families like.

The School Pantry Program is designed to eventually replace the food banks backpack program which sent pre-packed bags of food home with children.

And were moving away from that backpack program because previously we were providing shelf-stable food items for a weekend or a long holiday, but now children are being provided again that access to food 5 days a week, she said.

As the program grows, the food bank hopes to provide more than just shelf-stable items. A donation of refrigerators from the Sharon Rotary Club to the Sharon School Pantries will help with that.

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Now, were going to, in addition to those shelf-stable offerings, provide produce, dairy, meat, Spence-Locke said.

Over 10 schools still participate in the historic backpack program.

Our hope is next year to have all those schools flipped to the school pantry model, but again, its ultimately their decision, she said.

Last month, between the three schools piloting the program, the School Pantries fed over 300 students.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Water is leaking down multiple streets in an Oklahoma City neighborhood and one resident said its been happening for weeks and he just wants it fixed.

Bryan Shelton said the City of Oklahoma City came out and fixed a water main break in his front yard, but now almost a month later, water continues to run from his yard throughout the neighborhood.

LOCAL NEWS: Oxford Oaks tenants say water leaks are leading to moldy apartments

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It seems kind of a waste of water, said Shelton.



Water has been leaking down multiple streets in Sheltons neighborhood. Dirt, rocks and debris leading back to his front yard.



I discovered there was no water in the house, said Shelton. My neighbor called to inform me that there was a geyser in my front yard.



Shelton said the City sent a crew to his house over three weeks ago to repair the water main break.



Two days later, after theyd completed the main water break, I noticed water still running down the street, said Shelton. We still have water running down our street. So, the main fix originally was not done in a manner where it needed to be obviously.

Shelton said he calls the City daily and is starting to worry the issue isnt a priority.



They tell me that they have no schedule per say because of the amount of workload that they have. Theyre processing the code ones. This happens to be a code three, said Shelton. I kind of feel like they might have put me on the back burner.



The City said they are aware of the situation, sending us the following statement.

Our Line Maintenance crews repaired an issue with the water main on November 4. The issue was significant and classified as Code 1, our highest priority level for repairs. Unfortunately, it seems there is another weak point on the same main, resulting in a new leak that now requires attention. This leak is classified as a Code 3, placing it lower on our priority list. Given the size of our system and the demands on our repair crews, repair timelines can vary significantly and are challenging to predict in advance. That said, we have been able to schedule this repair for later this month and anticipate completing it by Thanksgiving. Please feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions or concerns in the meantime. The City of Oklahoma City

Shelton said hes concerned as the temperatures are changing.



I think were in for some cold or freezing weather this weekend, which might create some hazards, said Shelton.

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City officials said after crews go back and make repairs, they will return within 30 days to clean up their mess.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office is actively searching for a suspect linked to an assault involving an ax in the Stratmoor Valley area Tuesday morning.

Just before 10 a.m., law enforcement received reports of someone being attacked with an ax inside a home in the 1100 block of Denise Drive.

As deputies were responding, the suspect allegedly left the area on a bicycle. Medical aid was provided to the victim who suffered injuries consistent with "being struck with a blunt end of the ax," according to the sheriff's office news release.

An ax was found at the scene.

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The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the news release Tuesday afternoon.

The sheriff's office has identified the suspect as 40-year-old Steven Barcelona. Deputies along with officers from the Fountain Police Department conducted a search of the Stratmoor Valley neighborhood using K-9 units and drones but were unable to locate Barcelona.

Law enforcement warns the community to call 911 and avoid approaching Barcelona if seen, as he is considered armed and dangerous.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) is providing emergency support to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers impacted by severe flooding in Chaves County and other affected areas. This assistance includes replacing lost food benefits, reissuing EBT cards, and temporarily allowing hot food purchases.

SNAP customers in Chaves County who experienced food loss due to the storm and flooding have until Monday, Nov. 25 to report their loss and request replacement benefits. Replacement benefits are available for households in the following affected ZIP codes: 88201, 88202, 88203, 88230, 88232, and 88253.

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Our priority is to support those affected by the flooding in Chaves County, Income Support Division Director Niki Kozlowski said in a news release. Replacing lost and damaged food is one of the ways we are helping impacted residents.

People can report food loss in person at the local HCA field office, located at 1701 S. Sunset Ave., Roswell, NM 88203. Staff are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reports can also be made by calling HCA at (800) 283-4465 between 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Additionally, SNAP customers statewide can replace lost or damaged EBT cards by downloading the FIS EBT Edge app, visiting www.ebtedge.com, contacting the FIS card service at 1-800-843-8303, and visiting or calling HCA.

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To further support those affected, the HCA is temporarily allowing SNAP customers in flood-affected counties  Chaves, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Otero  to use their EBT cards to purchase hot foods prepared for immediate consumption. This emergency measure, effective immediately, will remain in place until Dec. 17.

Hot food purchases are limited to meals prepared at grocery store deli counters that are EBT-authorized retailers. This benefit does not apply to restaurants or other non-EBT-authorized retailers.

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The National Weather Service on Wednesday said a wide swatch of western and northern Michigan could see snow accumulations Wednesday night into Thursday.

The National Weather Service says much of the state could see 1-4 inches of wet snow, with areas around Big Rapids, Cadillac, Grayling and Gaylord seeing the highest totals.

On Tuesday, the weather service had predicted an inch or less of snow would accumulate, mostly from the state line northeast through Jackson and Flint. The snow map has shifted west in the latest forecast with accumulations increasing.

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The Grand Rapids region has a 70% chance of rain and snow showers overnight and a 90% chance of snow showers early Thursday. Kalamazoo has a 100% chance of precipitation overnight and into Thursday.

In northern Michigan, the weather service said the Gaylord area has a 100% chance of precipitation overnight and could see up to 3 inches overnight and less than 1 new inch Thursday. Grayling has a 90% chance of precipitation overnight and an 80% chance Thursday, with 3 inches possible overnight and 1 new inch Thursday.

Here's what the National Weather Service is saying about this week's forecast.

Will it snow this week in northern Michigan?

The Gaylord NWS office, which covers Traverse City, Petoskey and Cheboygan, said northern Michigan will see rain Wednesday afternoon with highs in the upper 40s. Overnight into Thursday, people should expect snow, possibly heavy and mixed with rain, with 3 inches of snow accumulation possible.

Gaylord, MI Weather Forecast Office Rain Mixes with Snow Tonight Weather.gov > Gaylord, MI > Rain Mixes with Snow Tonight Current Hazards Current Conditions Radar Forecasts Rivers and Lakes Climate and Past Weather Local Programs Rain showers Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, will mix with and then change over to snow tonight into early Thursday morning. The best confidence in accumulating snow will be across interior portions of northern lower. Closer to the coasts and across the eastern UP, mainly rain is anticipated.

"Accumulating snow is expected tonight, especially overnight, over the higher elevations of northern lower Michigan. Moderate accumulations of wet, sloppy snow are likely," the service said.

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Snow showers and rain will continue Thursday, with potentially heavy snow, before turning to a chance of rain showers in the afternoon.

How much snow will Grand Rapids and west Michigan get?

The Grand Rapids weather service office said the high Wednesday will reach only 48, with rain showers as the morning progresses. Wind gusts could reach 24 mph. Overnight, rain will continue, but then mix with snow showers after midnight.

Snow showers will continue into Thursday morning before mixing with rain then turning to rain in the late morning, the NWS said.

"Wet snow accumulations of an inch or two are possible on lawns, rooftops and decks but roads and sidewalks should remain just wet," the service said.

The National Weather Service said on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, that Michigan could see its first accumulating snow of the season overnight Wednesday into Thursday.

How much snow will Lansing get?

Temperatures Wednesday will reach around 48 in Lansing, with wind gusts up to 25 mph. Rain will continue through the early afternoon. Snow showers, possibly mixed with rain, are likely overnight, turning to snow after 4 a.m. There could be an inch or two of snow accumulation overnight.

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Thursday will start with likely rain and snow showers with highs around 39. Less than 1 inch of new snow accumulation is possible.

"Wet snow accumulations of an inch or two are possible on lawns, rooftops and decks but roads and sidewalks should remain just wet," the service said.

Will it snow in the Upper Peninsula this week?

The UP is in for a wet, cloudy week, with showers expected Wednesday and over the coming days, the NWS Marquette office said.

Wednesday will be mostly cloudy, but rain will set in late Wednesday around Marquette. Showers will continue through Friday, with rain throughout the weekend. The area could see half to three-quarters of an inch of snow.

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At the other end of the peninsula, Sault Ste. Marie should see rain starting Wednesday, clearing briefly on Sunday, then returning Sunday night.

Will it snow in Detroit Wednesday night?

Southeast Michigan and Detroit will see rain Wednesday afternoon with highs up to 52, the weather service said.

Overnight Wednesday into Thursday, there will be a chance of rain showers by 9 p.m., followed by partly cloudy skies.

More: Light snow, colder temperatures set to arrive in metro Detroit: What to know

Thursday is set to start with snow showers, mixed with rain in the afternoon, with a high near 43 degrees. One inch or less of snow accumulation is possible in the region between Wednesday evening and Thursday evening.

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There will be a chance of rain and snow overnight Thursday, with lows in the low to mid 30s.

"Scattered to numerous snow showers around Thursday morning, diminishing in the afternoon," the weather service said. "Snowfall accumulations of a dusting to 1 inch expected on grassy surfaces. Areas west of U.S. 23 have a chance to exceed 1 inch, especially Midland county where a couple of inches is possible."

When does the first snowfall typically take place in Michigan?

The average date for Michigan's first measurable snowfall, at least one-tenth of an inch, is Nov. 16, according to the National Weather Service in White Lake.

Has it snowed yet in Michigan in 2024?

Michigan already saw its first measurable snowfall of 2024 in the Upper Peninsula in October. The 0.1 inch of snow was recorded in the Michigamme area, 40 miles west of Marquette, on Oct. 15, according to the NWS.

Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Wide swath of Michigan could see first snow Wednesday night
Rally at Cadillac Place state office building on April 22, 2021 to fight for minimum wage increase and paid sick leave. | Ken Coleman photo

Following a decision from the Michigan Supreme Court over the summer, new laws on paid sick leave are set to take effect in February, requiring employers to provide each of their employees with 72 hours of sick leave. However, lawmakers are currently exploring options to tamp down these new requirements following an outcry from multiple business organizations.

Im not asking for everything to be taken back to where it was, but I am asking for sort of common-sense negotiations and back and forth, said state Rep. Graham Filler (R-Duplain Twp.), who has introduced legislation to address some of business groups concerns.

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On July 31, the court determined the Legislature  which was then controlled by Republicans  had subverted the rights of citizens in 2018 by adopting and amending laws outlined in two ballot initiatives, effectively gutting the proposals. As a result, Michigan businesses with fewer than 10 employees must offer up to 40 hours of paid sick leave and 32 hours of unpaid leave while employers with 10 or more employees must offer a full 72 hours of paid sick leave when the Earned Sick Time Act takes effect on Feb. 21, 2025.

The other initiative, which will also take effect on Feb. 21, will gradually raise Michigans minimum wage to $15 and phase out the tipped minimum wage over the next several years.

In the months following the Supreme Court decision, a number of business advocacy groups have raised concerns about both initiatives, arguing the provisions of the new sick leave law would force businesses to rethink their existing leave policies.

In a statement issued earlier this month, members of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Business Leaders for Michigan, Detroit Regional Chamber, Michigan Manufacturers Association and the Grand Rapids Chamber outlined their top five concerns with the paid leave policy as it stands.

Michigan Chamber of Commerce | Susan J. Demas

The new law, they said, would force employers to separate paid sick leave from other forms of leave offered and eliminate exemptions from offering sick leave for businesses regardless of size or the types of employees, which they said would be both costly and force businesses to rethink their staffing and hiring trajectory,

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They also raised concerns about the laws language around notifying an employer about sick leave, with the law stating: If the employees need for the earned sick time is not foreseeable, an employer may require the employee notice of the intention [to use earned sick time] as soon as is practicable. Employers may also require documentation that earned sick time has been used for an approved purpose if used for more than three consecutive days. The business groups argued that the new law would allow employees to no-call, no-show, exacerbating staffing shortages.

They argued provisions in the law around allowing employees to take legal action for violations of the act favored the employees side.

The business groups argue the law would bar employers from front loading employees time off at the beginning of the year, with the new structure allowing paid sick leave to accrue over time, though a list of frequently-asked questions on the law from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) states Employers limiting the use of earned sick time to 72 hours or more may provide the total amount of allowed hours at the beginning of the 12-month period (often referred to as frontloading.)

As a result of these concerns, more than 70 business groups have laid out a list of proposed changes to the law including:

Exempting employers with paid leave policies that meet or exceed the number of hours required under the act.

Adding a small employer exemption or expanding the current small employee threshold, as seen with the federal Family Medical Leave Act.

Require notification on the use of paid sick leave prior to the start of a shift unless an employee is incapacitated.

Removing the language allowing a private right of action and reputable presumption, with the coalition stating Enforcement and penalties should be handled by the State, not the courts.

Allowing employers to frontload time off.

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The Michigan Agri-Business Association issued a similar list of requested changes to the law, with two additional proposals: Allow covered employers to accrue and permit the usage of leave in half-day increments  arguing many farms and small rural employers do not have systems in place to work with smaller increments  and allowing employers to maintain one overall leave category if they choose.

While Sen. Tom Albert (R-Lowell) brought forth a proposal in August to keep the states current policy on paid sick leave in place, Filler is currently working on legislation to mediate between the new law and the concerns of businesses.

Alongside Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights)  who recently lost his reelection bid to his GOP challenger, Ron Robinson  the two lawmakers introduced a package of bills intended to moderate the changes of the new laws. While Shannons House Bill 6056 deals with the minimum wage changes, Fillers House Bill 6057 is centered on the new sick leave law.

With changes to Michigans minimum wage, tip credit and paid sick leave policies set to take effect at the same time, Filler said he and other lawmakers from both parties are concerned changes to all three components at once could have a cataclysmic effect on Michigan businesses.

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While House Bill 6057 is acting as a shell bill, meaning many of the details are not yet included, Filler said it will inevitably address concerns like flexibility for small businesses and fears of employers being unable to take action against employees who no-call, no-show without facing legal action.

Filler also noted that the new law requires businesses to provide independent contractors with sick leave, which he said has created confusion among how to implement that change.

I think our worry is that if it goes into effect, youre going to watch  businesses just shut down, Filler said.

What were starting to do now is open conversations with the governor, with House Democrats and House Republicans, Senate, people from both sides, and saying, Hey, things are already hard enough for the Michigan business community. Lets find a reasonable compromise to allow workers to have a good run and their rights protected, and also businesses survive in the state of Michigan, especially small businesses, and especially the restaurant industry, Filler said. I think that we already have tons of support on both sides and we just need to work it.

Rep. Graham Filler |Susan J. Demas

Danielle Atkinson, the national executive director and founder of Mothering Justice, which brought the case that led to the Michigan Supreme Court, said her organization is deeply concerned at the introduction of legislation to alter the paid sick leave law.

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She also encouraged anyone in opposition to the Earned Sick Time Act to read it, arguing that many of the concerns brought up in opposition to the bill were born of ignorance.

Employers who have a more generous policy are able to use their policy as long as it allows for the instances that are outlined in the law. And this is to make sure that everyone is protected, right? Atkinson said.

We want to make sure that we are taking into consideration how people love, live, and care, and so with that in mind, the idea that that people have a designated amount of hours that they can take off, for sick days, for appointments, for emergencies, such as domestic violence instances, where people have to hide or run. Its important that those are explicit in peoples policies, and that those are taken into consideration, she said.

In a list of talking points in response to a MIRS interview with the Michigan Manufacturers Association and the Grand Rapids Chamber, Mothering Justice challenged a number of the concerns and proposed changes to the Earned Sick Time Act, including concerns that employers will have to separate sick leave from general paid time off.

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According to the LEO FAQ on the law, employers who provide 72 hours of paid sick or general leave covering the same purposes and offer the same protections listed in the law do not need to create a separate bank of earned sick leave.

The list of talking points also challenges proposed exemptions to the law for businesses with fewer than 50 employees, as seen in the current state law, as well as part time and seasonal workers.

The proposal to exempt businesses with fewer than 50 employees, part-time workers, and seasonal workers would gut the law and remove as many as 1.8 million Michiganders, or 40% of the workforce from the laws protections, the response reads, additionally warning this change would disproportionately impact women, caregivers and individuals who are Black, Indigenous and people of color.

When asked about the proposal requiring paid sick time to be used in half-day increments, Atkinson voiced concern about how this change would affect those in lower-wage positions.

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When youre when youre talking about someone whos making not very much an hour and they need to go to a doctors appointment that would only take two hours, or, you know, they had trouble getting out of their driveway because we had a snow emergency or a delay in school, that pay is essential for them and and to be able to say that they have to take off a certain amount, its really hard for those employees, Atkinson said.

She also addressed proposals to require notice ahead of a shift to utilize paid sick leave.

If someone gets rushed to the emergency room because theyre unconscious, its pretty hard to call ahead and you still need that pay, because youre going to have a hell of a copay, probably, once you get out, Atkinson said. Or again, if you have to keep your situation private, because youre running from someone from a domestic violence situation, those are things that it would make it really hard to call ahead.

Atkinson also addressed the no-call, no-show concerns, citing her own experience running a business for 13 years. She pointed to abuse of paid sick time as a management issue to be addressed by the employer, noting this goes for abuse of any workplace policy.

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Mothering Justice also held concerns about the language allowing employees to seek private action being removed from the law.

Theres many workers rights laws that make this available to people, Atkinson said.

The reason why its so important is because sometimes these claims are bundled with other things. other wage issues or other violations. So it just makes it, its just another opportunity that might be easier, quicker, and we definitely dont want to take away anyones right to advocate for themselves when theyre being violated by an employer, Atkinson said.

While the Advance contacted the Michigan Agribusiness Association and a representative for multiple business advocacy groups, neither could be reached for further comment.

Mothering Justice Executive Director Danielle Atkinson | Photo by Anna Gustafson

I dont want to tell anybody how to do their job, but we have such a small legislative window right now, and theres so much to do. I think we should trust the people for what they signed. We should trust the Supreme Court for what they decided and have this law go into effect in February, unchanged, for the benefit of workers in Michigan, Atkinson said.

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With the Legislature in its lame duck session, Democrats have a limited amount of time to advance any final priorities before Republicans take control of the House in January.

Alongside its challenge to the Supreme Courts adopt-and-amend maneuver, Mothering Justice has also advocated for the passage of legislation introduced in 2023 that would establish a state paid leave program.

Although Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer listed paid sick leave as one of her top priorities in her August 2023 Whats Next address, the efforts introduced in both the House and Senate have stagnated in committee since May 2023.

While Filler said the Supreme Courts decision has complicated potential discussions on what a state paid leave system could look like, Atkinson said the conversation hasnt been complicated for individuals who would benefit from a policy allowing for paid family and medical leave.

If you have a cancer diagnosis or and, or your son broke an arm, you know the difference between those two things, and you know exactly what you need for those two things, Atkinson said.

Unfortunately, you know, the titles are similar, and the subject matter is similar, but they are very unique policies.  Were really, really hoping that there is time for this Legislature to address this issue that is so critically important: That people have the opportunity to take off, to welcome a child into their family, to say goodbye to a loved one, or, you know, to deal with the ramifications of a cancer diagnosis.

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Michigan Supreme Court | Susan J. Demas

The Michigan Supreme Court will not hear out a case from the Macomb County Restaurant, Bar and Banquet Association seeking out compensation on behalf of its members for the financial losses establishments endured during COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.

The state Supreme Courts rejection of the case, which aims to sue state entities as the defendants leaves lower court decisions in place that sided with the state.

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In October 2022, the Michigan Court of Appeals determined in an opinion that a lower courts decision to reject the case was a sound decision for various reasons. But notably, it said because the pandemic-era restrictions the Macomb County Restaurant, Bar and Banquet Association has cited in its case did not impact the association as an entity, but rather the businesses, which would have to file their own lawsuits since the association cant attempt to make a claim on behalf of third parties.

Defendants contended that plaintiffs could not recover monetary damages that belonged to unidentified restaurants, bars, and banquet halls, the Michigan Court of Appeals said in an opinion on Oct. 13, 2022.

The opinion directly cites the Court of Claims rejection of the case stating that the association is not the appropriate party to request monetary damages for any purported specific losses of individual businesses, who are not the plaintiffs.

[T]he idea that an association lacks standing to pursue a claim for monetary damages on behalf of its members is compelling. That is, while an organization or association can seek declaratory or injunctive relief on behalf of its members, the ability to seek monetary damages on behalf of individual members for particularized harm allegedly suffered by those individual members is of a different character, the Court of Claims said. Any claim for monetary damages belongs to the individual members of the association, and plaintiff cannot assert rights belonging to others.

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But the association asserts that it has good reason to file as a group, according to its website, as the move exhibits solidarity across businesses in seeking out damages and helps to protect individual businesses from being targeted for retaliation due to the lawsuit.

Michigan Supreme Court Justice David Viviano included his dissent on the Supreme Courts decision saying that though federal courts and some state courts have determined that associations generally lack standing to make legal claims to seek damages on behalf of membership, no such precedent exists in Michigan.

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A homeless migrant with ties to a notorious Venezuelan gang has been arrested for attacking and robbing a Manhattan assistant district attorney who caught him masturbating in her building, police said Wednesday.

Brandon Simosa, 25, is facing sexually motivated robbery, burglary, drug possession, possession of stolen property and other charges for the sickening attack inside a Hells Kitchen apartment building on W. 44th St. and Ninth Ave. on Sunday.

Hes been arrested eight times since arriving in the U.S., beginning in June, for crimes ranging from robbery to grand larceny to criminal mischief, police said.

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His 38-year-old victim, a Manhattan ADA, was returning home at about 2 a.m. when she spotted him pleasuring himself in the hallway. The heavily tattooed 5-foot-5 Simosa then began following the woman, asking her for money, cops said.

He then attacked her, taking her purse, which contained her cell phone and several bank cards.

The ADA was not injured, cops said.

Cops managed to link Simosa to the robbery by tracking the victims cell phone, a police source with knowledge of the case said. At the same time, they recovered surveillance footage of Simosa, which cops released to the public, asking for information about his whereabouts.

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Investigators arrested Simosa nearby in Midtown Tuesday around 6:30 p.m. outside a migrant hotel, though he reportedly was not living there. His arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court was pending Wednesday.

According to police, Simosa is from Venezuela and is a member of Tren de Aragua, the largest criminal organization in that country with more than 5,000 members.

Its members have been linked to human trafficking, extortion, drug crimes and murder, officials said.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Albuquerque police rushed to rescue a family with two young kids believed to be held hostage after being smuggled into the United States. Having dealt with an increase in the discovery of these illegal operations in homes across the city, police typically know what they are walking into. But this time, KRQE Investigates found APD ran into a big and costly surprise.

What would become a 12-hour investigation on an Albuquerque street started with a 9-1-1 call from a worried grandma. She called from Arizona and did not speak English. So, the dispatcher got a translator on the line. Through the translator, the woman told dispatch, My daughter and my two grandkids um are Someone has them. Theyre in Albuquerque. She explained her daughter, 10-year-old grandson, 6-year-old granddaughter, and niece traveled from El Salvador to the United States and were now being held hostage by the people who smuggled them across the border. She said the smugglers wanted $28,000. Theyre saying that theyre going to kill them and theyre not feeding the kids.

The grandmother provided the dispatcher with the location pin her niece sent from her cell phone. It was in latitude and longitude. But the dispatcher said the numbers did not make sense. Thats not going to be a valid, um, Lat. and Long. that shes giving us. So, I dont have any idea whats going on.

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Eventually, the woman provided an address on Glendale Road NW near Central Avenue SW and Atrisco Drive NW. The dispatcher sent Albuquerque Police Officers to the suspected stash house.

Unable to get to the front door because the gates surrounding the home were locked, they needed to get a warrant. The VICE Unit took over.

The team of undercover detectives who focused on human trafficking at the time  in December 2022  got a warrant based on the location the grandmother provided. That allowed the unit to break the gate and get to the front door. After a search of the property, they soon discovered the location was not accurate. In body camera footage that captured their response, one detective remarked, Something aint right.

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Detectives were inside the home, explaining to the ticked-off homeowner they woke up at 2 a.m., The reason why were here  We are looking for four females that were kidnapped and basically held hostage. They acknowledged they had the wrong home and shared how the man could get his gate fixed. The homeowner told them, I think were good, man. Were good brother You guys have been through  had enough flak.

But the homeowner filed a federal lawsuit three months later requesting payment to fix his gate and for the grief caused. He claimed APDs mistake impacted his mental health. The homeowner argued the detectives had no probable cause to hold him at gunpoint, search his property, or question him because they didnt do enough to make sure they had the right address. And he said they should have never served a search warrant in the middle of the night.

Based on the scenario when you start making threats that youre going to kill people, we know theres a good likelihood that its in this residence. We had to act, Commander Ryan Nelson explained. He oversaw the VICE Unit at the time. The Commander said nighttime search warrants are rare but requested when someone could be in danger. Are we going to allow these people to end up dead because we dont act? And ultimately, that was the decision-maker for me.

And while the unit typically did its own so-called emergency GPS location search, too. Commander Nelson told KRQE Investigates they could not in this situation because the victims had an out-of-country phone number. So, we had to use what was provided to us. And, you know, we typically trust that, you know, based off of our experience that those are accurate. And while it was not this time, it turned out they were close  just off by about 130 feet.

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Commander Nelson shared, The house that was just to the east. We stopped in front of it and said, this has to be the house. And there was all the windows were covered. It was gated. Um, it was very strange. But strange is not enough for a new search warrant, so Commander Nelson said they planned to continue investigating.

Then, just hours later, the team received a message from one of the four that they were safe. She found her way out of the residence because we were there the night before, and the people that were watching the house left, they fled to avoid us. And that left them the ability to leave, he explained.

The victims led a detective to the house. It was the one Commander Nelson said they suspected.



Smelling a gas leak, officers broke down the door. They yelled, Atencion! Policia de Albuquerque. Inside, lapel camera footage shows detectives finding more than 60 migrants. They were locked in rooms throughout the upstairs of the house and hiding behind an air mattress.

Outside, the footage captured one detective repeatedly reassuring the men and women they were now safe. Its okay. Esta aqui para ayudar. Okay? No problemos. okay? Esta bien. Okay, he said. He asked each one if they needed medical attention and found out they were just thirsty.

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DETECTIVE: They just all want water. Son of a gun.

OFFICER: Everybodys just thirsty and wants water? Want me to go pick up some cases?

DETECTIVE: Yeah, if you dont mind.

OFFICER: I will. Ill be back, okay.

DETECTIVE: Cool. Will you grab some uh, like some pizzas and Ill pay you back? Ill Venmo you.

OFFICER: Yeah.

That officer quickly returned, and together with the detectives, they gave the group food, water, and blankets. The detective also allowed the men and women to use his phone to let their family members know they were okay. It sounds like most of em have family here. The ones who dont we can get them onto the shelter, he told a fellow officer.

When asked about this response by his team, Commander Nelson shared, The entire team really wants to do the right thing and help people. And weve fed lots and lots of people. We do this every time.

No one was arrested for running the Glendale Road NW stash house. But federal court records show police returned to the same home one year later for a similar call and witnessed a woman leaving the home. Two months after that, in January 2024, the woman was caught at a Border Patrol checkpoint in Dona Ana County and charged with conspiracy to smuggle eight migrants  including kids  across the border. The City of Albuquerque settled with the man whose home detectives incorrectly responded to, paying him $120,000 earlier this year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Wednesday that he is banning Congress first-ever transgender lawmaker  and all transgender women  from using womens restrooms on Capitol grounds.

All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings  such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms  are reserved for individuals of that biological sex, Jonson said in a statement on Wednesday. It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol.

Johnsons declaration backtracked on a statement he gave Tuesday, when he told reporters he was not going to get into this, that hes not going to engaged in [] silly debates about this, and that the House will address the issue in a deliberate fashion, with member consensus on it.

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Earlier this month, Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride became the first transgender woman elected to the House of Representatives. As a new class of freshman lawmakers prepares to be sworn in as members of the 119th Congress in January, some Republicans are already attempting to politicize McBrides arrival to Capitol Hill.

On Monday, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced a resolution to prohibit transgender elected officials, their staff, and other Capitol employees from using bathrooms that do not correspond to their biological sex.

Your mental illness will not become my new normal, Mace wrote Wednesday on social media. Hours later, Mace revealed that she had introduced legislation to prohibit individuals from accessing or using single-sex facilities on Federal property other than those corresponding to their biological sex. The bill would essentially expand Maces resolution to all federal government buildings across the country.

Mace, who also filmed herself taping a paper with the word BIOLOGICAL above a womens restroom sign at the Capitol, has received staunch support from culture war hardliner Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Ga.), who wrote: Mentally ill men pretending to be women need to stay out of our bathrooms and our sports. They dont have rights to our spaces or identity!!!

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For her part, McBride has urged lawmakers to focus on actually legislating for the people instead of policing her use of the restroom.

This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing, McBride wrote in a statement on social media. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care and child care, not manufacturing culture wars.

Every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, she added. I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness.

McBride released another statement after Johnson announced the ban on Wednesday, noting that shes not here to fight about bathrooms and that she will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them.

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Each of us were sent here because voters saw something in us that they value, she wrote. I have loved getting to see those qualities in the future colleagues that Ive met and I look forward to seeing those qualities in every member come January. I hope all of my colleagues will seek to do the same with me.

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WASHINGTON  House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) summoned reporters on Tuesday afternoon just to make sure theyre clear that hes against transgender rights.

Earlier on in the day Johnson had ducked a question at a press conference about whether Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, a Delaware Democrat who will be the first transgender member of Congress, is a man or a woman.

Johnson apparently got enough backlash from right-wingers that his office assembled reporters so he could make another statement.

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I want to make a statement and be very clear, Johnson said during his brief second press gaggle in the Capitol. I was asked a question and I rejected the premise because the answer is so obvious. For anybody who doesnt know my well-established record on this issue let me be unequivocally clear: A man is a man and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman.

Anti-trans sentiment is running high among Republicans on Capitol Hill thanks in part to Donald Trumps successful presidential campaign, which spent millions on TV ads accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of being for they/them.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Tuesday even reportedly said in a closed-door meeting she would fight any trans woman who tried to use the womens restroom near the House floor, in what was likely a reference to McBride.

I shouldnt have to, but, you know, its pretty aggressive for biological men to be invading our spaces for women, Greene told reporters after the meeting.

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There isnt one big bathroom that all 435 House members have to share; each lawmaker has a toilet in their own personal office in the buildings that surround the Capitol. There are also the usual gender-segregated bathrooms in hallways throughout the Capitol complex, including ones by the House floor that members sometimes step out during votes to use.

The hoopla started on Monday when Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced a resolution to prohibit House members and staffers from using single-sex bathrooms other than those corresponding to their biological sex, which the rule does not define.

Mace told HuffPost the resolution specifically targeted McBride, and that Johnson had assured her he would include the resolution as part of a broader rules package House Republicans will enact in January at the start of the next congressional session.

During his first press conference on Monday, in addition to not saying whether McBride is a man or woman, Johnson refused to say if he would back Maces resolution.

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We welcome all new members with open arms who are duly elected representatives of the people, Johnson said. I believe its a command that we treat all persons with dignity and respect.

Johnson also said Monday that the chamber would accommodate the needs of every single person, presumably including McBride, though he didnt offer any details.

At his second press appearance, Johnson repeated the line about dignity, again without saying whether the House would attempt to bar certain lawmakers from certain toilets.

We treat everybody with dignity, Johnson said. We can do and believe all those things at the same time. I want to make that clear for everybody because theres lots of questions. Thats where I stand. Ive stood there my whole life. Thats the facts.

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Later on Tuesday, Mace said Johnson had assured her the anti-trans language would go in the House rules.

I talked to him multiple times yesterday, but he assured me it would be in the House rules package, Mace told HuffPost.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) questioned the focus on trans issues during his own press conference on Tuesday  while also avoiding a question about whether there should be accommodations for a trans lawmaker.

This is your priority? You want to bully a member of Congress as opposed to welcoming her to join this body? So all of us can work together to get things done and deliver real results for the American people?

Related...
It seems unshakeable, the Beltway press's faith that Christian conservatives mean all that jibber-jabber about sexual morality. On Sunday, CNN's Jake Tapper laid into Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., for supporting the recently resigned Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., despite allegations that Gaetz paid an underage girl to have sex with him at a drug-fueled orgy. "Youre a man of faith, youre a man of God, youre a man of family. With some of these nominees, Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr., I wonder  does it matter anymore for Republicans to think of leaders as people who are moral in their personal lives?" Tapper asked Johnson, who smirked before dodging the question.

Not that Johnson needed to answer the question, as anyone can see the answer is a big, fat no. Johnson obviously doesn't have a problem with men paying teenage girls for sex. By suppressing the House Ethics Committee investigation that reportedly has evidence of Gaetz doing such a thing, Johnson has shown that he's far more outraged at the possibility that a man might face consequences for this behavior. To be fair to Tapper, it's doubtful he's genuinely surprised at Johnson's priorities. Instead, the issue here is that Johnson loves to tell other people, especially women and LGBTQ people, that they are sinful for having far more ordinary sex lives. Worse, he built his career on using the law to force his rules for sexual "morality" on others, even arguing that laws against homosexuality, abortion, and divorce are necessary to prevent "sexual anarchy."

On the surface, that sounds like hypocrisy. But what's going on is far darker. Covering for a man accused of sexual abuse of a minor is not just normal for the Christian right, but so rote that it can be considered a tradition of the faith. Johnson is a Southern Baptist, the same denomination that saw a report released two years ago documenting how the church kept a "secret list of more than 700 abusive pastors" that they largely chose to protect, often while blaming the often-underage victims for "tempting" them. In one instant, a teenaged victim "was forced to apologize in front of the church" for being pregnant, but forbidden from naming the pastor that had raped her. When activists first tried to force transparency on the church, the Southern Baptist Convention's lawyer, Augie Boto, accused them of conspiring as part of "a satanic scheme."

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Johnson's views on sexual morality come from what critics of the religious right have deemed "purity culture." In my March report on the sprawling network of ex-evangelicals and other anti-fundamentalism activists, the experts repeatedly emphasized that, within purity culture, responsibility for sexual restraint is put mostly and often wholly on the shoulders of women and girls. Sometimes, there are half-baked attempts to claim they want men to control themselves, but that's more a P.R. move than a sincere effort. Far more common in the religious right is a belief that men are incapable of controlling their desires. If sexual "sin" happens  even if it's outright violence  the fingers are pointed directly at the girl or woman for not being "modest" enough.

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Johnson's behavior is perfectly consistent with this worldview. By blocking the release of the report, Johnson isn't just protecting a man accused of a sex crime. He is also inflicting more cruelty on the women involved in these alleged sex parties. The attorney representing both has been sharing reported details from their testimony and pressuring the House to release the report. "Theyve already been through so much  and each time it happens, it kind of rips apart an old wound," he said of his clients. "They really dont want to be called in to testify."

The attorney's stance makes sense to those who believe men can and should be expected to take personal responsibility for their behavior. These two women didn't ask for this grief, and Gaetz's denials and other obstructive behavior have made this already painful process worse for them. But in the topsy-turvy gender system of the Christian right  where men are expected to hold all the power but take none of the responsibility  these two women are temptresses who led men astray by being willing to have sex for money.

"Men, in this view, are seen through the lens of frailtythey are the sum of instincts and desires that are uncontrollable when in the presence of the power of the temptresswhile women are viewed through the prism of calculating evil," Russell Moore, the editor of Christianity Today and a critic of some aspects of evangelical culture, wrote in September. He argued that it's a view that allows men "to blame otherssometimes innocent peoplefor their own abuse of power."

He's right about this, but his words will fall on deaf ears. One of the most alluring aspects of Trumpism to Christian conservatives is his vision of masculine power unchecked by accountability. For people who already believe that male dominance and patriarchy are mandated by God, it's easy to feel resentful when told the price of power is duty. MAGA shuns the Spiderman philosophy that great power requires great responsibility. Instead, they believe great power is about crushing others without apology. And then playing the victim when anyone questions why we're giving the power to the cruelest people in our society.

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When Johnson rose from relative obscurity to the Speaker position, one of the few pieces of information that journalists dug up was that he had been in a documentary about "purity balls" in 2015. These events are fascinatingly creepy, in that grown men go on "dates" with their underage daughters. The girls take a vow of virginity premised on the idea that their bodies and sexualities are the property of their fathers, until ownership is transferred to a future husband. The fluffy dresses and elaborate dances are about romanticizing a dehumanizing view of women, in which they are male property, whose only value is in being a sex object.

The purity ball isn't very different from the sex parties Gaetz is accused of attending, right down to the focus on girls who are too young to consent. There are ways of doing sex work that honor the autonomy of sex workers, but the text messages and other information that's leaked out about Gaetz and his cronies  one who is serving time in federal prison for his role  suggest that is not how they viewed it at all. The alleged underage victim was even called "vintage 99" in text messages, as if she was a wine that one consumes, not a person. That's why there's simply no conflict between the Christian right and the leering version of MAGA represented by Gaetz and Trump. What binds them together is a belief that women are objects, to be used however the men who own them wish.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  A military historian shared new insight into the darkest conflicts of the Vietnam War.

Geoffrey Wawro was invited to speak at LSU Shreveport about his newest book, The Vietnam War: A Military History.

On any given day there were 50 to 70,000 troops in combat. Those guys had a really horrible experience. They worked about six times harder than a GI in World War II. 244 Days of combat versus 40 days of combat, Wawro said.

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Wawro is a distinguished research professor and the Director of Military History at the University of North Texas. His new book focuses on Americas strategy in the war and the human toll.

40% of causalities were south Vietnamese civilians who were basically killed as collateral damage because of combat around their villages. Agent Orange defoliated a fifth of the country of Vietnam. 20% of Vietnam was defoliated because of Agent Orange, Wawro said.

Company showcases impact of hiring veterans and what their military experience means for the workforce

He explains what he hopes readers will take away from his research.

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An appreciation for the history. The book gets into the sacrifices made by 58,000 Americans who were killed in the war. A couple thousand of Americans who were badly wounded in the war. Half a million south Vietnamese civilians. 1.4 Million north Vietnamese and Viet-Cong were impacted. A lot of people were destroyed by this war, Wawro said.

He shared excepts and insight during a book signing and discussion at LSU Shreveport on Monday evening. Where he spoke about the Vietnam war resembling the conflict and consequences of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for this generation.

We went into it in a very casual way not really appreciating how we might get bogged down. Then we did get bogged down and it went on and on. They were tremendously expensive and then we exited without achieving any of our aims, Wawro said.

The book examines how the war reflected a different version of America at the time.

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But also look at the war as a discreet, historical event and what it told about America when America was really at the peak of its power. It was a time when America had 40% of world GDP, easily. Today its more like 20%. So we could do anything. We thought, oh we can manage this easily and build a great society, and fight the war on poverty, all these other domestic priorities. Then we were not able to accomplish any of them completely. Then the Vietnam war ended up being pretty much a disaster, Wawro said.

Along with the political climate.

We got into it by presidents who were trying to posture as being tough on communism. Thats why Eisenhower leans into it, then Kennedy, then Johnson, then Nixon, all wanting to be tough on communism. Even though they knew the war was losing. To pull back would be an admission of defeat, Wawro said.

He said he was a little boy during the Vietnam era but remembers the images vividly. He believes the war defined an era of American history and changed the attitude of the nation for its future.

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It casts a long shadow over American political life and just the way Americans think about war today.

If you are interested in reading Wawros book, The Vietnam War: A Military History, it is available for purchase on any platform, including Barnes & Noble and 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 KTALnews.com.
An unseasonal onslaught of winter weather and district policy has Academy School District 20 already short on snow days for this school year. With the winter snow yet to arrive in full force, one of its students is hoping to change that.

Emily Beckman, a sixth grader at Discovery Canyon Campus, recently started an online petition calling for D- 20 to reinstate traditional snow days instead of the remote learning days currently in place.

One reason for the call to action is her own fondness for the childhood pastimes associated with snow days.

She loves playing in the snow, she loves sledding, and she loves helping shovel the neighbors' driveways," said her father, Jeremy Beckman. "She also just loves the anticipation of the snow day."

And while Emily admits that she made the most of her recent time off with snowball fights, playtime with her pets and "The Last Survivors" book series, shes also leading this charge with her educators in mind.

Its not only beneficial to students, but its also beneficial for the teachers to get caught up on their work, she said. Because sometimes they have to get caught up on everything during the weekends or during their time outside of school.

Under D-20s current policy, any school closures for the remainder of the 2024-25 year would result in remote learning days.

The policy shes hoping to change was revised in August 2020 to shift to remote learning on school days where hazardous weather leads to closing the schools. The first two days of school closures due to weather are considered traditional snow days, and students and staff are not required to attend or work remotely.

All subsequent closures are known as synchronous e-Learning snow days that start two hours later to allow students and staff to prepare and remotely follow a schedule established by each school. This applies only for D-20s middle schools and high schools, and only elementary school staff would have to work under these circumstances.

Families are notified through several different media the night before the school day. The district does not penalize students if students stay home on inclement weather days, but their parents or guardians need to report their absences to their schools.

Since multiple local school districts, including D-20, closed their schools earlier this month for three consecutive days because of a winter storm, this would mark the first time that Beckman would have to pivot to remote learning, should another snowstorm close her school. D-20 allowed for a third snow day this year, since staff and students were unable to prepare for a multiday weather event.

Emily is hardly alone in her stance. As of Nov. 20, her petition had garnered more than 2,000 signatures over a three-day period, with many signees echoing her concerns.

Beckman's petition specifically asks that the districts six calendar days without student contact be designated as traditional snow days for all grades before turning to online learning days, and that D-20 closes all of its schools whenever the Air Force Academy closes for inclement weather.

Emily says this is being asked because a base closure last year was complicated by its schools remaining open. One of her friends at Douglass Valley Elementary told her that this made entering and exiting academy grounds difficult for parents as well as gate workers.

If regular people cant get on and off base, how are students supposed to? she asked.

In a statement given to The Gazette, D-20 spokespeople said the district is "committed to regularly reviewing feedback and adapting to meet the needs of our students, staff, and community." They also noted that the use of e-learning after two traditional snow days allows them to predict the last day of school sooner and that using traditional snow days during all inclement weather events would extend the school year.

Snow days vs. remote days

In the years coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, most public school districts reverted back to their respective procedures, which included snow days for hazardous weather closures.

Conversely, D-20 leadership opted to revise their closure policy to allow for remote instruction. Reasons for the revisions include ensuring that the district meets the set number of instructional days for the school year without scheduling make-up days along with travel safety considerations.

D-20's calendars are approved and finalized in the spring by the Board of Education once instructional requirements are confirmed. The two snow days are included each year based on recommendations from D-20's calendar task force in 2021.

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Neighboring District 11 enacted a similar policy in 2021, though, to date, district leadership has opted for traditional snow days rather than remote learning when schools were forced to close.

In Widefield District 3, the district has set aside seven full school days before converting to completely online learning. D-49 has also explored with e-learning days for some of its schools dating back to 2018, though there are no policies currently in place that require or detail such a response.

In Colorados larger districts, Denver Public Schools has reverted to its traditional snow day approach coming out of the pandemic while Jefferson County Public Schools transitions to remote learning days when its schools are closed for multiple days in a row.

The argument for snow days over remote learning days is that this type of instruction isnt a suitable replacement for in-class school and the days off provide a much-needed break for stressed-out students and teachers.

The petition cites a 2012 study from the American Academy of Pediatrics that states unstructured playtime in the natural environment strengthens childrens self-confidence and nurtures their well-being.

Jeremy, who supports his daughters petition, taught in D-20 from 2012 until 2024, and said that remote learning is a tool that can help educators but that its no substitute for in-person instruction.

He added that, despite the two-hour delay to the school day, having to adjust lesson planning to a remote setting so quickly can be really stressful for teachers and that others often arent prepared to do so.

If youre a science teacher and you have a lab day planned, for instance, you cant really shift that to a remote learning day, he said.

Emily said that spotty Wi-Fi connections and small screens made remote learning difficult for her during the pandemic while her teachers told her they struggled to interact with every student due to similar issues.

As far as overall student achievement is concerned, D-20 has remained near the top of all performing school districts in Colorado before, during and after the pandemic. It is one of only four districts to be accredited with distinction since the state introduced the accreditation model in 2008.

A study by the Education Recovery Scorecard reported that learning losses 2019-2022 nationwide were due to a number of factors and cant be solely attributed to remote learning or instruction during that period. Other factors mentioned include COVID-19 death rates, families socioeconomic status and other disparities in impacting student performance.

As for students in favor of the remote approach, Emily said that some of her more introverted classmates liked how theres less pressure to speak up in front of everyone and how theyre able to meet directly with their teacher after class.

Not just one persons opinion

Emily said she has been surprised by the support shes received to date. Her initial goal was to gather 500 signatures, which then grew to 1,500 and then to 2,000.

I didnt expect it to get that high that soon, she said.

Along with just the petition, she has expanded her efforts to talk to teachers in her school, promoting the petition on social media and hanging flyers in various classrooms.

She said the support shes received from fellow students and staff has inspired her to bring her concerns up with D-20s Board of Education.

That support has just shown that this is something that a lot of people want and its not just one persons opinion, Jeremy said.

Regardless of the outcome of her efforts, she said the experience overall has inspired her to take a stand for change going forward. She specifically cited her former principal at School in the Woods Jonathan Wuerth as one of the people who gave her the confidence to have her voice be heard.

Hes the one who taught me to speak up if I thought something wasnt right, and he really inspired me to try and make a difference in the world, she said.

Those interested in virtually signing the petition can do so at www.change.org/ElPasoSnow.
Donald Trumps plan for using the military to carry out mass deportations is already drawing opposition from the Pentagon and even from at least one Republican senator. Several officials in the Department of Defense spoke to The Intercept anonymously, with one calling Trumps proposal absolutely insane.

I never thought Id see the day when this was a seriousput that in scare quotespolicy, the official said, adding that there were significant logistical and legal obstacles to the unrealistic and unserious plan. Another official called the idea insanity.

Senator Rand Paul told Newsmax Tuesday that such a military deployment would be a huge mistake.

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Im not in favor of sending the Army in uniforms into our cities to collect people, Paul said in a possible nod to his libertarian roots. I think its a terrible image, and thats not what we use our military for, we never have, and its actually been illegal for over 100 years to bring the Army into our cities. (The Brennan Center for Justice recently published a recap of the legal problems with what Trump is proposing.)

Paul stressed that he wasnt opposed to mass deportations but believed they should be carried out by government agencies or local law enforcement instead of the military. I will not support an emergency [declaration] to put the Army into our citiesI think thats a huge mistake, Paul said, later adding that I really think us, as conservatives who are supportive of Trump, need to caution him about sending the Army into our cities.

Trumps plan involves declaring a national emergency to use members of the military to carry out his ruthless deportation effort, unprecedented in its scale. Some of his senior advisers, such as Stephen Miller, have said that even some immigrants in the country legally, such as those under DACA and temporary protected status, would also be deported.

Tom Homan, Trumps border czar, has proposed that immigrants get a grace period in which they can self-deport, but still expects military support. At the very least, it seems that Trump is going to get significant pushback from military and defense circles. He may also encounter some resistance from fellow Republicansalthough his critics there have a tendency to fall in line sooner or later.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Twenty-eight Arkansas counties are gaining more financial assistance from the government with an additional $204 million allocated to fund 45 water and wastewater projects.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that she is proud to work and ensure every Arkansan has access to safe drinking water.

My administration has prioritized investments in Arkansas water system and todays announcement adds another $204 million to that effort, Sanders said. Im proud to work with our local communities and the Department of Agriculture to ensure every Arkansan has access to safe drinking water.

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The following areas are part of the 45 water and wastewater projects in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley:

Elkins in Washington County is receiving a $32,663,474.50 loan and a $2,336,525.50 loan with principal forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 3,864. These funds will be used to replace sewer lines and truss pipe.

Mulberry in Crawford County is receiving two loans; a $64,786 loan for water treatment plant fencing from the Water Development Fund and a $859,624 loan for installation of sewer lines from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The projects serve a current customer base of 1,616.

Oak Hills Suburban Improvement District in Benton County is receiving a $1,375,000 loan and a $4,125,000 loan with principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 138. These funds will be used to assist with the regionalization with Bentonville.

Old Bella Vista POA in Benton County is receiving a $800,000 loan and a $3,200,000 loan with principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 23. These funds will be used to assist with the regionalization with Bentonville.

Tontitown in Washington County is receiving a $6,000,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The project serves a current customer base of 7,301. These funds will be used to construct a new water tank south of US Highway 412 and associated appurtenances.

Van Buren in Crawford County is receiving two loans from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for $3,435,000 and $4,430,000 and two loans from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for $3,750,000 and $2,300,000. The projects serve a current customer base of 23,218. These funds will be used for wastewater and drinking water improvements to include gravity sewer and interceptors, waterline, and storage tank improvements.

Under Governor Sanders leadership, the State of Arkansas has administered more than $2.5 billion for water development projects in all 75 counties using state and federal funds.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Nov. 19GOSHEN  The Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce honored Cyneatha Millsaps Nov. 13 with the Community Impact Award at the board's Celebrating Minority Business Excellence dinner.

Millsaps, the executive director at Goshen College's Center for Community Engagement and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, said she was "really grateful" for the award.

"It really does amaze me," Millsaps said, "that Elkhart, my home, would say 'we see you, and we appreciate you.' That makes me feel really good."

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According to information provided by Goshen College, Millsaps has spent over two decades working within the community of South-Central Elkhart: mostly as a pastor, but she has also led area nonprofits. She also serves as the executive director of Mennonite Women USA, providing domestic and international leadership for women's groups and individuals.

She first came to Goshen College in April 2021, working as the outreach director for the city of Elkhart. That work was extended in early 2022, when Millsaps transitioned to the role of executive director of the Center for Community Engagement.

The CCE connects students and faculty with community partners  and more broadly, connects the college with surrounding communities. For Millsaps, the school's connection with Elkhart is at the heart of her work.

"For years," Millsaps said, "Elkhart and Goshen were cities where it felt like, 'you stay on your side, and we'll stay on our side.' As a sundown town, Goshen wasn't a place that we felt was safe  but CCE has worked hard to make Elkhart feel welcome here, and to help Goshen College show up there."

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And building that connection was a major reason for her honor last Wednesday.

Over 250 guests attended the dinner, held at the Crystal Ballroom at the Lerner Theatre. Millsaps was one of seven honored individuals and businesses that were recognized for "hard work, dedication and accomplishments of minority businesses in the community."

Millsaps said that while she was surprised and honored, she credited part of her award to her role as a leader and representative of a number of different communities.

"I don't just represent South-Central Elkhart," she said. "I don't just represent the Black community. I also represent Goshen College."
If you've noticed raccoons in your neighborhood acting strange, they could have the canine distemper virus.

About 350 raccoons from Milwaukee County with the virus have been admitted to the Wisconsin Humane Societys Wildlife Rehabilitation Center this year. That's three times more than previous years, said Angela Speed, Wisconsin Humane Society spokesperson.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources also confirmed several raccoons in Milwaukee County tested positive for the virus in February and October, said Nancy Businga, a wildlife disease specialist with the department.

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"It does seem that Milwaukee, especially Milwaukee County, is getting higher-than-usual numbers of sick raccoons that are consistent with potential canine distemper," Businga said.

Milwaukee County is seeing a rise in canine distemper virus among raccoons. This raccoon was seen wandering Shorewood on Nov. 18, 2024.

In September, Bay View residents questioned whether raccoons and other wildlife were being affected by rat poison. Wildlife experts said canine distemper virus was more likely to be the culprit.

If you cross paths with a raccoon infected with the virus, here's what you should know.

What is canine distemper?

It's a highly contagious virus that's deadly to raccoons. It affects the respiratory, immune and nervous systems of mammals.

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The virus can spread through direct contact, the air and all body secretions, Speed said. The virus can survive in the environment for several hours and continue being transmitted by hands, feet, equipment, or contaminated surfaces, Speed said.

What does canine distemper look like in raccoons?

Raccoons with the virus often have odd behavior. The nocturnal animal might be seen wandering aimlessly in daylight or standing on its hind legs, seemingly unbothered by humans and other animals.

Other symptoms include seizures, vomiting and discharge in the nose and eyes.

Is canine distemper virus a health risk to humans?

No, humans can't contract the virus. However, Businga advises giving the animal plenty of space and keeping pets and children away, since it is possible the animal could have rabies.

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However, raccoons haven't tested positive for rabies in Wisconsin since the 1980s, Businga added.

Can other animals contract the virus?

Yes. Dogs, skunks, ferrets, foxes, coyotes and even squirrels can all be affected. The canine distemper vaccine is one of the core vaccinations for dogs, Speed said.

The Wisconsin Humane Society offers the DHPP vaccine, which covers canine distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvo, for $16.

Who do I call if I see an animal in Milwaukee County that may have canine distemper?

People in Milwaukee County can call the Wisconsin Humane Societys Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at 414-431-6204 for next steps. The rehabilitation center isn't able to retrieve sick animals due to lack of staff. The center will likely request you bring the animal  safely contained  to the center, Speed said.

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However, if the animal poses a threat to people or animals, call the non-emergency police number. The Milwaukee Police Department's non-emergency line is 414-933-4444.

Is canine distemper treatable in raccoons and other animals?

No. There is no cure for the disease. The rehabilitation center's protocol is to euthanize raccoons with canine distemper virus, Speed said.

Gina Lee Castro is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at gcastro@gannett.com.

Mary Spicuzza is an investigative and political reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at mary.spicuzza@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County sees sharp rise in raccoons with canine distemper
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey at a press conference in July 2020. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called on a group within the Minneapolis teachers union to cancel an event with a Palestinian activist and sharp critic of Israel. Frey said in a Twitter post on Tuesday night said that students should be learning about love, not hate.

The featured speaker is Taher Herzallah, a Columbia Heights Parks Commission member and Ph.D. student, who has been flagged by antisemitism watch groups like the Anti-Defamation League for incendiary statements on Israel and Jews.

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Frey, who is Jewish, quoted from a widely-shared video in which Herzallah says Anybody who has any relationship or any support or identifies themselves as a Jewish person or as a Christian Zionist, then we shall not be their friend. I will tell you that they are enemy number one.

In an email to the Reformer, Herzallah said the clip is taken out of context and shared the video of his entire remarks from last year. He said he was referring to Zionists and later in the clip he praised Jewish youth for protesting the U.S.s support for Israel.

Harzallah was opaque when asked if he supports a two-state solution and the existence of Israel as a Jewish state, writing, I have no problem with the idea of a Jewish state. I have a problem with Israels existence if it is built on the ruins of my people. He said his grandfather was forcibly expelled from his home by Zionist terror groups in 1948.

He wrote in his email that those who clipped that quote seek to paint me as some rabid antisemite in order to assassinate my character and prevent me from accessing spaces of influence and power.

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Frey, in an interview, pushed back: There was no misquote  This would be wrong if it were said about a different ethnicity and it should be wrong if its said about Jews. (Frey emphasized that he supports a ceasefire and a two-state solution.)

The Anti-Defamation League reported that Herzallah said at an event in 2014 that Israelis have to be bombed, they are a threat to the legitimacy of Palestine. Herzallah, who has family in Gaza, said he doesnt recall ever making a statement to such effect and said the group has spent years making defamatory statements about him.

Minneapolis Federation of Teachers President Marcia Howard said this morning that about five union members raised concerns to her about Herzallah speaking at the event and that they will be meeting with the event organizers today. She noted that the event is organized by MFT Educators for Palestine, which is an affinity group for members, and not the unions leaders.

Howard, who called the members who raised concerns about the event brave, said it was up to members to listen to each other and find a solution together.

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Our union needs to, especially in this time, talk to each other and hear each other, Howard said. I could make a unilateral decision but its important for them to understand their joint power I dont run nothing but my mouth. My members run the union.

Last year, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers approved a resolution on the Israel-Hamas war that some members and parents condemned as antisemitic and hostile. The resolution said the union categorically reject violence against all civilians whether Israeli or Palestinian but also that Israeli occupation and apartheid  lies at the root of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The resolution called on state legislators to repeal the law barring the state from entering into contracts with organizations that boycott Israel.

The union later passed a revised resolution, saying the original statement harmed many Jewish members, students and families while causing unnecessary division.

Education Minnesota, the state teachers union, declined to comment.
The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom.

Minnesota nonprofits are raising the alarm over legislation pushed by U.S. House Republicans that would allow the executive branch to revoke tax-exempt status for organizations it deems terrorist supporting.

H.R. 9495, called the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, would allow the U.S. Treasury secretary to revoke nonprofit, tax-exempt status for groups suspected of providing material support or resources to terrorist organizations.

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The problem here is with the Treasury secretary being able to make this decision completely by themselves, said Marie Ellis, public policy director for the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. They dont need to disclose any evidence behind it  it just seems like theres this massive potential for overreach, for subjective application and for abuse of this new authority.

House Democrats warn that the incoming administration under President-elect Donald Trump could use the power to strip nonprofit status from Trumps political opponents.

Though the bill failed to pass the House last week  it needed a two-thirds majority to clear a procedural hurdle  House Republicans appear poised to allow a vote on it again this week by suspending House rules.

The bill would then need Senate approval and the signature of President Joe Biden, but Democrats and civil society advocates fear its just a preview of whats to come under the GOP trifecta.

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Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig voted in favor of the legislation last week, one of 52 House Democrats  and the only Minnesota Democrat  to do so. In a statement to the Reformer, she said she supported the bill because of its provisions granting tax leeway to Americans held hostage overseas. However, Craig said she will vote against the bill this week.

Over the past several days as the president-elect has rolled out his cabinet nominees, Ive become increasingly concerned that H.R. 9495 would be used inappropriately by the incoming Administration, Craig said in a statement. Ive heard from constituents in my district and nonprofit leaders from across Minnesota who share those concerns. For those reasons, I will vote against H.R. 9495 this week and will continue to do whats in the best interest of Minnesotans.

Its already illegal for organizations to support terrorist groups, and those convicted of doing so could face decades in prison.

Trump has regularly expressed support for retaliation against his political foes. Former White House chief of staff John Kelly told the New York Times that Trump wanted the IRS to investigate his political enemies. On the campaign trail, Trump urged the military to handle radical left lunatics and the enemy from within on Election Day.

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Over 150 civil rights groups, including the ACLU, Amnesty International, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and Palestine Legal, in a letter urged House leaders to vote against the bill.

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 groups wrote in their letter.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas told the Washington Post that the bill would give Trump another avenue in which to pursue his political enemies.

I think in view of Trumps election, this bill basically authorizes him to impose a death penalty on any nonprofit in America or any civil society group that happens to be on his enemies list and claim that theyre a terrorist, Doggett told the Post.
A woman experiencing dangerous bleeding was not admitted by doctors at an Idaho hospital until her fourth emergency room visit in one week, due to fear and confusion over the state's abortion ban, an Idaho doctor said in testimony on Tuesday.

The "heavily bleeding" patient was told the pregnancy would not survive, but she had not been counseled on abortion, Dr. Julie Lyons, a family physician in Idaho and plaintiff in a lawsuit over the state's abortion bans, said on the stand.

"My colleagues are so scared and confused to even mention the word, it's like a hot potato -- pass the patient around and hopefully something will happen and declare itself," Lyons said.

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"This patient had developed a massive subchorionic hemorrhage -- that's where the placenta rips off the side of the uterus -- and she had developed this earlier in the week, and had been into the emergency room several times," Lyons said.

MORE: Idaho women tearfully recount nonviable pregnancy diagnoses under total abortion ban

Lyons said she was on call when the 14-week pregnant patient returned to the ER, sometime in the last year.

"This patient had become increasingly anemic. She had incurred three visits to our ER, multiple lab tests," Lyons said.

"I was working with some amazing nurses and we decided as a team that we were going to break our hospital's rules and admit her, even though she wasn't 20 weeks pregnant because I just couldn't send her home again and hope for the best," Lyons said.

PHOTO: In this Dec. 14, 2023, file photo, family physician Julie Lyons, from Blaine County, Idaho talks to the media outside the Ada County Courthouse, in Boise, Idaho. (Kyle Green/AP, FILE)

MORE: Idaho doctor describes danger of transferring women needing abortion care to other states

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"We admitted this patient to our labor and delivery floor and a few hours later she aborted her fetus, and she hemorrhaged and required a blood transfusion," Lyons said.

The testimony came as part of an ongoing lawsuit brought by four Idaho women and two physicians over the state's abortion bans. Idaho has a total abortion ban, with an exception to prevent the death of a pregnant mother, and a six-week gestational ban, prohibiting abortions after fetal cardiac activity can be detected.

Four women took the stand last week, tearfully recounting their personal experiences being denied care for fatal fetal anomalies that posed risks to their health.

Another physician who is a plaintiff in the lawsuit also described transferring women who need abortion care to other states by plane, with the fastest transfer done taking eight hours.

Miscarrying patient was passed around 'like a hot potato' due to Idaho abortion ban, doctor testifies originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Getty Images.

A leading misinformation expert is being accused of citing non-existent sources to defend Minnesotas new law banning election misinformation.

Professor Jeff Hancock, founding director of the Stanford Social Media Lab, is well-known for his research on how people use deception with technology, according to his Stanford biography.

At the behest of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Hancock recently submitted an affidavit supporting new legislation that bans the use of so-called deep fake technology to influence an election. The law is being challenged in federal court by a conservative YouTuber and Republican state Rep. Mary Franson of Alexandria for violating First Amendment free speech protections.

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Hancocks expert declaration in support of the deep fake law cites numerous academic works. But several of those sources do not appear to exist, and the lawyers challenging the law say they appear to have been made up by artificial intelligence software like ChatGPT.

For instance, the declaration cites a study titled The Influence of Deepfake Videos on Political Attitudes and Behavior, and says that it was published in the Journal of Information Technology & Politics in 2023. But no study by that name appears in that journal; academic databases dont have any record of it existing; and the specific journal pages referenced contain two entirely different articles.

The citation bears the hallmarks of being an artificial intelligence (AI) hallucination, suggesting that at least the citation was generated by a large language model like ChatGPT, attorneys for the plaintiffs write. Plaintiffs do not know how this hallucination wound up in Hancocks declaration, but it calls the entire document into question.

Separately, libertarian law professor Eugene Volokh found that another citation in Hancocks declaration, to a study allegedly titled Deepfakes and the Illusion of Authenticity: Cognitive Processes Behind Misinformation Acceptance, does not appear to exist.

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If the citations were generated by artificial intelligence software, its possible that other parts of Hancocks 12-page declaration were as well. Its unclear whether the non-existent citations were inserted by Hancock, an assistant, or some other party. Neither Hancock nor the Stanford Social Media Lab replied to repeated requests for comment. Nor did Ellisons office.

Frank Bednarz, an attorney for the plaintiffs in the case, said that proponents of the deep fake law are arguing that, unlike other speech online, AI-generated content supposedly cannot be countered by fact-checks and education.

However, he added, by calling out the AI-generated fabrication to the court, we demonstrate that the best remedy for false speech remains true speech  not censorship.

Clumsy use of artificial intelligence software has caused numerous embarrassments across the legal system in recent years. In 2023, for instance, two New York lawyers were sanctioned by a federal judge for submitting a brief containing citations of non-existent legal cases made up by ChatGPT.

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Some of the lawyers involved in previous ChatGPT mishaps have pleaded ignorance, saying they werent aware of the softwares limitations or its tendency to simply make things up. But Hancock is a leading expert on technology and misinformation, making the fake citations especially embarrassing.

His declaration concludes with the following statement: I declare under penalty of perjury that everything I have stated in this document is true and correct.
A man covers his face with his hands and peeks through his fingers.

Noticing somebody fidgeting can be distracting. Vexing. Even excruciating. But why?

According to research, the stressful sensations caused by seeing others fidget are an incredibly common psychological phenomenon, affecting as many as one in three people.

Called misokinesia  meaning 'hatred of movements'  this strange phenomenon had been little studied by scientists until recent years, but was noted in the context of a related condition, misophonia: a disorder where people become irritated upon hearing certain repetitious sounds.

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Misokinesia is somewhat similar, but the triggers are generally more visual, rather than sound-related, researchers say.

"[Misokinesia] is defined as a strong negative affective or emotional response to the sight of someone else's small and repetitive movements, such as seeing someone mindlessly fidgeting with a hand or foot," a team of researchers, led by first author and psychologist Sumeet Jaswal, then at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada, explained in a study published in 2021.

"Yet surprisingly, scientific research on the topic is lacking."

Misokenesia creates strong emotional responses on seeing small, repetitive movements. (PeopleImages/Getty Images)

To improve our understanding, Jawal and fellow researchers conducted what they said was the "first in-depth scientific exploration" of misokinesia  and the results indicate that heightened sensitivity to fidgeting is something a large number of people have to deal with.

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Across a series of experiments involving over 4,100 participants, the researchers measured the prevalence of misokinesia in a cohort of university students and people from the general population, assessing the impacts it had upon them, and exploring why the sensations might manifest.

"We found that approximately one-third self-reported some degree of misokinesia sensitivity to the repetitive, fidgeting behaviors of others as encountered in their daily lives," the researchers explained.

"These results support the conclusion that misokinesia sensitivity is not a phenomenon restricted to clinical populations, but rather, is a basic and heretofore under-recognized social challenge shared by many in the wider, general population."

According to the analysis, misokinesia sometimes goes hand in hand with the sound-sensitivity of misophonia, but not always.

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The phenomenon seems to vary significantly among individuals, with some people reporting only low sensitivity to fidgeting stimuli, while others feel highly affected.

"They are negatively impacted emotionally and experience reactions such as anger, anxiety, or frustration as well as reduced enjoyment in social situations, work, and learning environments," explained UBC psychologist Todd Handy.

"Some even pursue fewer social activities because of the condition."

Misophonia and misokinesia can go hand in hand. (Photodisc/Getty Images)

Handy began researching misokinesia after a partner told him he was a fidgeter and confessed she felt stress when he fidgeted (or anybody else for that matter).

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"As a visual cognitive neuroscientist, this really piqued my interest to find out what is happening in the brain," Handy said.

So, the million-dollar question stands: Why do we find fidgeting so annoying?

In the study, the researchers ran tests to see if people's misokinesia might originate in heightened visual-attentional sensitivities, amounting to an inability to block out distracting events occurring in their visual periphery.

The results based on early experiments were inconclusive on that front, with the researchers finding no firm evidence that reflexive visual attentional mechanisms substantively contribute to misokinesia sensitivity.

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While we're still only at the outset then of exploring where misokinesia may spring from on a cognitive level, the researchers do have some hypothetical leads for future research.

"One possibility we want to explore is that their 'mirror neurons' are at play," Jaswal said.

"These neurons activate when we move but they also activate when we see others move For example, when you see someone get hurt, you may wince as well, as their pain is mirrored in your own brain."

By extension, it's possible that misokinesia-prone people might be unconsciously empathizing with the psychology of fidgeters. And not in a good way.

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"A reason that people fidget is because they're anxious or nervous so when individuals who suffer from misokinesia see someone fidgeting, they may mirror it and feel anxious or nervous as well," Jaswal said.

As to whether that's what's really going on here with misokinesia, only further research into the phenomenon will be able to say for sure.

One thing is certain though. From the results seen here, it's clear that this unusual phenomenon is much more usual than we realized.

"To those who are suffering from misokinesia, you are not alone," Handy said. "Your challenge is common and it's real."

The findings are reported in Scientific Reports.

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An earlier version of this article was published in September 2021.

Related News
The Rockrimmon Library, slated for permanent closure at the end of the year following an October decision by the Pikes Peak Library District Board, has not been going quietly in the intervening weeks.

Public officials have come out for and against the closure, while a large contingent of protesters attempting to delay the closure of the small northwest Colorado Springs library branch have packed meetings both at the Colorado Springs City Council and the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners.

On Wednesday night, the district board of trustees will appear again for their monthly meeting with no public plans to respond to the uproar.

On Monday, three Colorado Springs city council members called on the district to reverse or postpone the closure.

The letter, signed by councilmembers Dave Donelson, Nancy Henjum and David Leinweber, claims the Rockrimmon decision "was made without sufficient opportunity for public input or community engagement, which has limited residents ability to express their needs and concerns regarding this important community resource."

The letter came after a city council meeting earlier this month in which more than 100 people attended in support of the library. Donelson also spoke out against the closure during the district meeting in which the decision was made, claiming community members were not given enough time to comment.

The Colorado Springs city council is jointly responsible with the El Paso County Commissioners for appointing members of the library district board of trustees, though the trustees operate independently from both entities.

On Tuesday, two El Paso County commissioners weighed in on the issue at a public meeting amid a similar showing of protesters as the city. Commission chair Carrie Geitner said she was "disappointed" with city councilmembers who signed the letter.

"I think they have not been honest with you about the situation," she said, addressing the audience of protesters.

Geitner said that the district had made a "hard choice" that she felt was necessary.

Commissioner Holly Williams also said she was in support of the district trustees' decision, saying that keeping all branches open was not possible due to multiple years of deficit spending.

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"As with any other government, this is not sustainable on a long-term basis," she said.

Williams also said that the district would need to make hard decisions to adjust to shifting population towards the east. She said that while Commissioner Stan VanderWerf had 40% of the PPLD libraries in his district on the west side, Geitner had none in her district in the northeast.

Protesters at both governing bodies have expressed frustration over a perceived lack of transparency in the decision to close Rockrimmon, one of the district's busier locations. Community members have contended that the decision should be postponed until next year by renewing a one-year lease.

The district board of trustees members who supported the decision, including board chair Dora Gonzalez, have said that the branch was chosen for closure due to persistent financial difficulties district-wide.

Rockrimmon, along with the Ruth Holley branch, were singled out in a facilities master plan report this year as most likely candidates for closure due to uneven east-west distribution of libraries and the fact that both are in leased facilities, rather than owned.

Many of the public comments on the decision in the intervening months have focused on the financials of the district, which are also under discussion on Wednesday at a district budget work session prior to the meeting.

"What are they going to do, flip the 21c (library branch) when the market gets hot?" asked one member of the public at the Tuesday commissioners meeting.

Over the weekend, some district workers also voiced concerns over the closure. The Pikes Peak Library Workers United, a labor organization not officially recognized by the district, met on Saturday to discuss low staff morale, high turnover rates and chronic understaffing of branches.

While the district has said that the closure will not result in employee firings, some union members said at the meeting that district policies were alienating current workers and stagnating new hires. Union president Jacob Ward claimed in a speech during the meeting that Rockrimmon staff openings over the past year were not advertised for months.

"Were overworked and understaffed," he said. "The relocation of the staff at the Rockrimmon location will not fix this, despite claims to the contrary. The chronic understaffing of Rockrimmon this past year was a leadership decision."

The Pikes Peak Library Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. at the East Library. More information can be found here.
Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaiian woman who disappeared after missed a connecting flight in Los Angeles, has been found safe and sound, her family has revealed.

The 30-year-old from Maui first went missing on November 8 while traveling from the Pacific island state to New York City via LA for what she described as a bucket list trip.

Her family launched a desperate search to find her, flocking to LA, handing out flyers and keeping her story in the public eye. Police later declared her a voluntary missing person, saying that she had been captured on surveillance footage walking across the USs southern border into Mexico.

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But the mystery has now reached a positive conclusion.

We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe, the family said in a statement to KABC on December 11.

This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through.

We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us.

Heres everything we know about the case.

Where was she going?

Kobayashi, a photographer and aspiring DJ, departed her hometown of Maui, Hawaii, on November 8 to visit her aunt in New York City. She described the trip in her hand-written itinerary as bucket list dreams become reality.

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She had initially planned the trip with her ex-boyfriend but they had since broken up. As the trip was already planned, the pair planned to travel on the same flight and go their separate ways once they landed at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York.

Hannah Kobayashi went missing on November 8 when she failed to board a connecting flight at LAX (midorieve/Instagram)

Kobayashis aunt, Geordan Montalvo, planned to go to a show with her niece in New York on the evening of November 12.

But the pair touched down at LAX for a 42-minute layover and, while her ex-boyfriend made it to the final destination, Kobayashi missed the connection.

Her ex-boyfriend helped police with their inquiries to try to find Kobayashi.

Where was she last seen before disappearing?

A photo of Kobayashi appeared to show her getting off the flight at the Los Angeles airport on November 8.

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The next day she was spotted at a Taschen bookstore at The Grove shopping center in the Fairfax area of LA. Her family said they do not know why.

A video posted on YouTube On Sunday November 10 showed Kobayashi at the LeBron XXII Trial Experience, an event held at the Nike store, also at The Grove. A photo of the event also appeared to have been posted on her Instagram account.

A day later on November 11, surveillance video around a downtown Los Angeles Metro train station near the Crypto.com arena showed her with an unknown person. Her family said she did not appear to be in good condition in the footage.

On December 2, police said in a statement that Kobayashi was seen collecting her luggage from a carousel at LAX on November 11.

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The next day, she purchased a bus ticket from Union Station to San Ysidro, California  close to the Mexican border. She then crossed over the border into Mexico by foot soon after, the LAPD said. She was alone and was carrying her belongings.

Surveillance footage shows Hannah Kobayashi arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on November 8 (Sydni Kobayashi/Facebook)

The LAPDs missing persons unit then traveled to the US-Mexico border to review the footage with the US Customs and Border Protection.

Based on the footage, law enforcement believe Kobayashi went missing of her own accord and so the LAPD said it would not be continuing its investigation in Mexico.

To date, the investigation has not uncovered any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play, the LAPD said in the statement.

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She is also not a suspect in any criminal activity.

Suspicious payments

Prior to the sighting at the border, police had been investigating a pair of payments she made over Venmo to a man and woman on November 9.

One of the payments was sent at 6.25pm to a woman named Veronica Almendarez and was labeled with a bow-and-arrow emoji, according to The US Sun.

The 30-year-old missed her connecting flight to New York on November 8 (Sydni Kobayashi/Facebook)

Less than an hour later, at 7.19pm, Kobayashi made a second payment to a man named Jonathan Taylor with the subject line reading.

That payment was reportedly for a tarot card reading, sources familiar with the investigation told the outlet.

Weird texts

During the search for the missing 30-year-old, the Kobayashi family spoke out about unusual messages they had been sent from her phone.

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The family said they received a strange and cryptic text from her phone suggesting she was being intercepted while she was boarding a Metro train, and expressing fear that someone was trying to steal her identity.

Once the family started pressing, she went dark, Pidgeon previously told the Associated Press. She said the phone just went dead after November 11.

That day, her mother texted her asking whether she made it to New York, to which the daughter responded she hadnt.

A flyer with information on Hannah Kobayashi displayed in Los Angeles last month (AP)

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Kobayashi later texted a friend, writing: Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f*** since Friday.

Another message said: I got tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds, followed by one saying, For someone I thought I love.

A third message a friend received from Kobayashis number said she had been tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds to someone I thought I loved.

Her sister Sydni Kobayashi spoke of her familys fears that someone is controlling her, saying that strange text messages were absolutely not like her.

The text messages used words like hun, love and babe, words that Kobayashi would not use, her sister old HawaiiNewsNow.

Tragic death of her father

In fresh heartache for the family, Kobayashis dad Ryan Kobayashi was found dead near LAX in the early hours of November 24, police said.

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The 58-year-olds death was ruled a suicide.

Ryan Kobayashi had traveled to LA to join the search for his daughter.

Just a few days before he died, he was handing out missing persons flyers in the city and said he would do everything in his power to find her.

Were just trying to get us as much information as we can, he previously told HawaiiNewsNow. Want to get the word out... has anyone seen my daughter?

Hannahs dad Ryan Kobayashi was found dead in Los Angeles (Fox News)

He added: Shes a wonderful person who brings joy to so many people.

Sydni Kobayashi told NewsNation that her father fought until his last breath to find Hannah.

While Kobayashis aunt told People that the family believes the father was overwhelmed during the search and suffered a mental health emergency.

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He died of a broken heart, Pigeon said. I think it just became so overwhelming for [Ryan] driving the streets, going to Skid Row and seeing where his daughter could possibly have ended up.

A secret marriage scam?

Los Angeles Magazine reported in early December that Kobayashi may have been involved in a green card marriage scam before she disappeared, which was reportedly unearthed by her mother when she discovered immigration documents at her daughters home.

The magazine said that Kobayashi may have been scammed out of money that involved her marrying an Argentinian man, citing sources.

The family didnt go public with their findings because they did not have the facts or the necessary documents to verify the information, they said in a statement.

The family has not confirmed the authenticity of the images or the accuracy of the information provided about a possible secret marriage, the statement shared by their lawyer Sara Azari said.

This is one of many leads we are actively investigating with the help of our attorney and investigative team.

Found safe and sound

On December 11, Kobayashi was finally located and her family was informed of the good news by the LAPD.

We have not seen her and at this point we have no reason to compel her to see us, Lieutenant Doug Oldfield of the departments missing persons unit told People.

Its a big news story so she may decide to come with a lawyer, but she is not obligated to speak to us.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
Trentin Isaac was found dead days after he disappeared on Nov. 12

Mansfield Police Department Trentin Isaac Trentin Isaac

Authorities in Ohio are investigating the death of a teenager whose body was found days after he went missing.

Trentin Isaac, 16, disappeared on Nov. 12, the Mansfield Police Department said in a statement earlier this week.

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, police announced that a body found in Harrison County, about two hours away from Mansfield, was determined to be Isaacs.

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His body was taken to the Cuyahoga County coroners office due to "suspicious circumstances, police said in their statement, without specifying further details.

Mansfield Police Department Trentin Isaac MISSING poster (left); and Trentin Isaac. Trentin Isaac MISSING poster (left); and Trentin Isaac.

Police also addressed claims about social media posts and videos, allegedly in connection with Trentin's disappearance, that have been brought to investigators attention.

Police said in their statement that investigators have been contacted with numerous unverified tips and rumors concerning videos and social media posts," but have not seen any actual evidence to that effect.

Mansfield Police Department Trentin Isaac Trentin Isaac

In a GoFundMe set up for his family, Isaac is being remembered as a teen who was cherished by so many, including his parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends, and loved ones.

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His warmth and presence touched everyone who knew him, and his passing has left an unimaginable void in all our lives, reads part of the fundraiser.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Police did not comment on any possible suspects or persons of interest but indicated there may be multiple people involved. In their statement, Mansfield police said they are working diligently to bring justice to the individuals who committed this act.



Authorities are urging anyone with information, including potential videos, photographs, or social media content related to Isaacs disappearance, to come forward immediately.

Those with information can contact Detective Ronee Swisher at 419-755-9432.


JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) released a 988 and Suicide Prevention Guide for Schools, which offers a toolkit to guide conversations about the topic and provide resources to help those impacted by suicide.

In Mississippi, suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults ages 10-24, and it is the 14th leading cause of death for all ages.

Teen drug use varies by state. Heres how Mississippi compares

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Suicide is a difficult topic to discuss. It leaves such heartbreak in its wake that words often fail us when we are confronted with someone who has been affected by it. Thats why this toolkit and the need to share this information with our schools is so important, said DMH Executive Director Wendy Bailey.

DMH is partnering with the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) to share and promote the resource with schools across the state. While MDE is helping distribute it to educators around the state, it can also be found on the DMH website by scrolling down to the Featured News heading.

It offers information about warning signs, risk factors, and about 988. The three-digit dialing code for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7, offering access to free and confidential crisis counselors who can provide compassionate care and support for anyone.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
PROSPECT HEIGHTS, Ill.  A Mississippi man is facing a home invasion resulting in an injury charge after a deadly motel stabbing in northwest suburban Prospect Heights.

Police charged 23-year-old Remington Carroll after officers responded to an early morning 911 call for battery in the 500 block of N. Milwaukee Ave. on Sunday, Nov. 17. Arriving officers found a man suffering from a stab wound. Despite life-saving efforts by responding officers, the unidentified victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Off-duty CPD officer injured while attempting to stop deadly stabbing on Northwest Side

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According to police, the fatal stabbing was self-defense, resulting from a verbal altercation that turned physical.

Police add that Caroll and his friends were staying at Motel 6 when a man, identified only as Arroyo, asked them to quiet down in the hallway. Police note that Carroll was armed with a beer bottle, which led Arroyo to believe he would be attacked.

According to police, Arroyo displayed a pocket wife and retreated to his room, closing the door. But Carroll and his friends kicked Arroyos door and demanded he come outside.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Arroyo complied, allowing Carroll and his friends to rush inside. Thats when police say Arroyo stabbed him in the stomach and Carroll in the hand amid the shuffle.

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Police did not release Carolls booking photo.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  After a corrections officer was arrested and charged with custodial sexual misconduct for assaulting a female inmate, the reported victim hopes speaking out will ensure the officer is being held accountable.

Correctional Sergeant Laquentin Brantley was arrested and charged with custodial sexual misconduct on Nov. 7.

University of Mobile mens basketball player collapses on campus, pronounced dead

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Brantleys alleged victim is an inmate at Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka.

News 5 spoke with her over the phone, and she said ever since the alleged assault, the process has made her fearful for her safety and health.

Its been the worst days of my life, she cried. Im suffering. Im being retaliated against. Im being threatened.

Brantley was placed on mandatory leave following the arrest, and according to the Alabama Department of Corrections, further charges could be pending.

Baldwin County deputies chase, shoot at and arrest man accused of stealing vehicle

The victims mother, Angelika Harris, was devastated after hearing about her daughters assault. She was met with tears in her eyes as she listened to her daughter relay the traumatic details of her assault.

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I was hurt, Harris said. I was hurt badly because I couldnt be there to get her. I couldnt be there to protect her. I was really hurt.

Prison reform advocate Perrion Roberts knows these stories too well because she served time in an Alabama prison in 2004. After seeing the abuse of power in the prisons, she fights for the rights of incarcerated women to make sure justice is served.

Roberts said after learning about the inmates story, she took immediate action to the proper channels to help get a charge against Brantley.

Private companies vs. sheriffs office in control of Mobile County ankle monitoring

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It happens all the time, Roberts relayed. Its just that they dont have the evidence, you see. And then when they do have the evidence, they take it and act like theyre going to help them, but they destroy it.

According to the complaint, Brantley coerced the inmate to perform oral sex on him, and if she didnt, she would get threatened with disciplinary actions by saying that she would never get to see her kids again.

Hours later, he returned to her cell and reportedly assaulted her.

Roberts said these situations more often than not get swept under the rug.

Woman shot, killed in Semmes was accidentally shot by father: MCSO

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This is a real person that has been violated, Roberts said. And for people not to have a care and because shes incarcerated. Well, you know, she aint been a model inmate OK so? Have you been a model person?

The inmate is serving time for a fraudulent use of a credit card case in Mobile County and will be eligible for parole in August 2025.

Even while shes behind bars, she hopes her voice can make a change and hopes it will lead to a trial to result in a conviction.

If they lose their dignity like I did, dont lose your voice, the inmate said. My voice could probably save the next woman.

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Developer withdraws Spanish Fort rezoning application

I just want justice for my child, Harris said.

News 5 reached back out to the Alabama Department of Corrections for a comment on Brantleys allegations and have yet to receive a response.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  A Mobile man is in jail Tuesday after a female suffered non-life-threatening injuries in a shooting at a local apartment complex, according to police.

Teen in the hospital after Monday shooting, Mobile police say

A Mobile Police Department spokesperson said officers responded around 9 a.m. Tuesday to a shooting at 61Ninety West at 6190 Girby Road.

LOCATION:

On the scene, officers found a female with non-life-threatening injuries, and she was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

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Developer withdraws Spanish Fort rezoning application

Officers learned an apartment unit was unlawfully entered by a known male subject who shot the female.

26-year-old Khalil Shakur Sykes was arrested on scene and taken to Mobile County Metro Jail.

Khalil Shakur Sykes. (Mobile County Sheriffs Office)

Sykes is charged with first-degree domestic violence and two counts of first-degree robbery.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Alexander Tanas

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Britain and Romania offered their support to Moldova on Wednesday in tackling the effects of Russia's 1,000-day-old invasion of neighbouring Ukraine as London signed a new security and defence partnership agreement with the ex-Soviet state.

Foreign ministers from Britain and Romania visited just over two weeks after pro-European President Maia Sandu won re-election in the country between Ukraine and Romania, though by a smaller margin than expected.

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Moldovan voters last month backed, by a tiny margin, a referendum to alter the constitution to include provisions on integration with the European Union.

A British statement said the security partnership was aimed at "building on extensive cooperation between the two countries and strengthening Moldovan resilience against external threats".

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy noted the large influx of Ukrainians since Russia's February 2022 invasion, including 50,000 children.

"With Ukraine next door, Moldovans are constantly reminded of Russia's oppression, imperialism and aggression," Lammy said.

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Sandu has denounced Moscow's war in Ukraine and described Russia and corruption as the biggest threats to Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries.

The two countries also clinched an agreement on re-admission to ensure the return to Moldova of its nationals illegally staying in Britain.

Also agreed were a 2-million-pound ($2.52-million) deal to improve Moldova's protection against cyberattacks and a 5-million-pound grant to improve health services for refugees.

Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu welcomed the outcome of Moldova's elections and said the three-sided meeting underscored "the resolve of Romania and the United Kingdom to work together in firmly supporting Moldova".

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Romania and Moldova have cultivated strong relations bolstered by a common language and historical links. Prior to independence in 1991, Moldova was for 150 years variously a part of the Russian empire, Greater Romania and the Soviet Union.

Prime Minister Dorin Recean presented on Wednesday an updated version of Moldova's constitution and identified integration with the EU as a strategic goal.

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas, Editing by Ron Popeski)
The Cherokee County District Attorneys Office says that a mother has been convicted of murdering her 13-month-old daughter.

Chloe Alexis Driver, 24, was found guilty but mentally ill of malice murder, felony murder, cruelty to children and aggravated assault.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The DAs office says that the verdict means the jury rejected her insanity defense and believes that she is responsible for murdering Hannah Driver. The Georgia Department of Corrections will be responsible for her mental health needs while incarcerated.

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Prosecutors say that Chloe Driver was part of a cult. They say that in December 2020, Canton police responded to a home where Chloe Driver and other members of that cult had stopped while traveling from North Carolina to Florida.

They say that shortly after they got to the home, Chloe Driver grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed her daughter in the neck in an upstairs bedroom. After stabbing the baby, she stabbed herself.

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The babys father tried to save her, but baby Hannah Driver died of her injuries. She had been stabbed four times.

No matter how hopeless you feel, no matter how desperate you feel, no matter how angry you feel, no matter how frustrated you feel, you dont get to commit the act of murder, and that is the law, said Chief Assistant District Attorney Katie Gropper in her closing argument.

Chloe Driver will be sentenced on December 12.

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Gov. Wes Moore (D) outside the White House in February. Moore has said his administration is willing to seek common ground with incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, but that it will also push back when needed to protect Maryland's interests. File photo by Brennan Stewart/Capital News Service.

Apparently a year of preparation is not enough to prepare for potential changes coming with the incoming Trump administration.

Maryland this month awarded a $190,000 contract to Accenture Services to help the state research the president-elects party platform and campaign policy proposals  to understand the potential impact of changes to federal policies, funding, and programs on the Moore administrations priorities.

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The contract was finalized Nov. 7, two days after the election  and one day before Gov. Wes Moore opened a post-election meeting by assuring Marylanders that his administration had been preparing since February to begin scenario-planning for possible outcomes of the 2024 presidential election.

Our goal has been to secure Marylands transition under a new federal administration  in the event of any outcome, Moore said then. We have worked tirelessly for months, analyzing how Donald Trumps plans might impact Maryland.  We have run and pressure-tested countless scenarios based on policy changes that might happen in Washington.

Those changes could be significant for the state.

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Marylands economy is reliant on the federal goverment, with more than 162,000 federal workers living in the state last month, according to the latest numbers from the Maryland Department of Labor. The state is home to several massive federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, NASA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Food and Drug Administration, among others, which act as a magnet for private companies that do business with those agencies.

But Trump has promised to slash federal spending and the federal workforce, and has talked about shuttering entire agencies, like the Department of Education. With Republicans gaining control of both the House and the Senate in the election, those campaign promises are that much closer to reality.

Trump has also promised a mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, a move that analysts worry could upend the states workforce. An estimated 225,000 undocumented immigrants live in Maryland, according to the most recent estimates by Migration Policy Institute.

Moore said after the election that his administration was prepared to work with the incoming Trump administration, but that it would vigorously defend the interests of all Marylanders, and we are ready to push back on this new White House when necessary.

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A spokesperson for the governor said Tuesday that it was imperative to bring in an outside consultant to help the state prepare for the transition at a time of greater potential risk in regards to Marylands reliance on the federal government  to prepare for any challenges we may face.

State employees have and will continue to lead this work, but Accenture will bring additional knowledge to inform the professionals of state government and capacity to extend their reach and bandwidth during this critical time, Carter Elliott, the spokesperson, said in an email.

The two-month, $190,000 contract, first reported Tuesday by the Baltimore Sun, calls on Accenture to report on the potential impact of changes to federal policies, funding, and programs on the Moore administrations priorities. It also calls on the consultants to build on the work already done by Maryland officials preparing for the transition and to identify areas to focus State resources and efforts and consider potential avenues for legal challenges.

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House Republicans blasted the consultant contract in a statement late Tuesday, with House Minority Leader Jason C. Buckel (R-Allegany) calling it a partisan move that is not in the best interests of any Marylander, particularly under the unified control of our federal government by Republicans.

Buckel and House Minority Whip Jesse T. Pippy (R-Frederick) noted that the contract was awarded at a time when the state faces a potential deficit of $2.7 billion in fiscal 2026.

Rather than hiring expensive taxpayer-funded consultants to blame Republicans on a national stage, Gov. Moore should instead focus on our states financial woes, Buckel said in the statement.

Administration officials insisted that the contract is not aimed at Trump, but at protecting Marylanders at a time when changes on the federal level threaten to upend the states economy.

With billions of dollars in potential liabilities for the state, it would be reckless of the Moore-Miller Administration to not be prepared for any challenges it may face due to new policy direction taken from the federal government, Elliotts email said.
By Karin Strohecker

BAKU (Reuters) - More than 50 governments have signed a U.N. declaration to make tourism around the globe more climate friendly, the United Nations said on Wednesday, in what it hailed as a major achievement of the climate summit in Azerbaijan.

"At COP29 we have achieved today an historic milestone by being included in the UN Climate Change Conference Action Agenda for the first time," U.N. Executive Director for Tourism Zoritsa Urosevic told a news conference.

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The global tourism industry accounts for 3% of global GDP and is the source of 8.8% of greenhouse emissions, said Urosevic.

The countries that signed the declaration on Enhanced Climate Action on Tourism have pledged to recognise the need to address tourism when drafting climate plans, such as their Nationally Determined Contributions. The next update of NDCs, in which governments describe policies to reduce emissions that cause global warming, are due in February.

Tourism often accounts for a large share of a government's hard currency revenues, particularly in emerging countries, and can itself be highly exposed to climate events such as hurricanes, heatwaves and droughts.

"We now understand that the future of our business depends on the sustainability of our actions today," said Kanan Gasimov, head of administration at Azerbaijan's tourism agency.

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The declaration was accompanied by a number of other initiatives, such as a framework presented by hotel industry body World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, aimed at measuring and reporting data such as greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, waste and energy usage across the sector.

The collated data would help the tourism industry and travellers understand their impact, said CEO Glenn Mandziuk.

"We are an industry that has a vested interest in the protection of each destination," Mandziuk said on the sidelines of the meeting in Baku. "We have to have a conversation where we can play a bigger role."

The group represents 55,000 hotels totalling more than 7 million rooms and counts big names such as Accor, Hilton and Marriott among its members.

(Reporting by Karin Strohecker; Editing by Peter Graff)
In just the last few months, food such as Boars Head Deli Meats, cucumbers, and even fresh basil have sent Floridians to the hospital.

Now, federal authorities are monitoring for people sickened by baby carrots, which were sold in Florida at Publix, Target, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods. So far, no one in the state has reported a case of E. coli from the carrots. Still, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, there have been 39 illnesses, 15 hospitalizations, and one death nationwide.

Foodborne illnesses are rising, and food safety experts expect to see more people sickened by food contamination going forward. They attribute the increase in outbreaks to the nations reliance on pre-packaged, cold-storage items more prone to listeria contamination, an overstretched Food and Drug Administration, and a food-safety law that gives companies wide latitude on testing.

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Dr. Keith Schenider, a professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Florida, says that with fewer people buying their food from local markets, the increase in multi-state grocery vendors also increases the likelihood of more widespread outbreaks. Its only when we have a large number of individuals that come down with salmonella or E.coli that the health departments report these things, and then an investigation ensues.

And frequently now, more food recalls occur before people even get sick.

The Centers for Disease Control website coordinates 17 to 36 investigations of foodborne illnesses involving multiple states weekly. This week, the CDC has 21 active investigations for multistate outbreaks from E. coli, salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter pathogens that can cause gastrointestinal illness. Some  not all  of its investigations are alerted with Outbreak Notices to let people know actions they can take to stay healthy.

Schneider says foods like fruits and vegetables when eaten uncooked, carry a higher risk for E. Coli

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Listeria is a foodborne illness contracted most often by eating contaminated food such as processed meats and unpasteurized milk products. According to the FDA, listeria is generally transmitted when food is harvested, processed, prepared, packed, transported or stored in environments contaminated with L. monocytogenes. Listeria grows in low temperatures, which is problematic because most factories that process meat, dairy, and produce are kept at cool temperatures.

In July, just over 7 million pounds of liverwurst and deli meat from Boars Head were recalled for listeria contamination. Floridas Publix Supermarkets pulled the meats from its delis. Since then, listeria warnings have gone out for frozen breakfast foods, poultry products, smoked salmon and soft cheeses,

Dr. Nicole Iovine, the chief epidemiologist at UF Health Shands, said while investigators piece together the cause of an outbreak, it can take awhile for the public to become aware. It could take maybe a month, even two months, she said.

Because many people recover without medical care, the reported cases may underestimate the scope of an outbreak: Its only the tip of the iceberg that we are seeing, Iovine said.

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(Article continues after chart.)

Symptoms and red flags

A bad strain of E. coli can make you horribly sick with abdominal cramps, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. One particular strain, makes you sick by producing a toxin called Shiga, which damages the lining of your intestine. Another nasty strain can lead to kidney failure.

Someone with a listeria infection may have similar symptoms: fever, nausea, and muscle aches. People with Salmonella infection typically have diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.

People who get the sickest are those under 5 and over 65, Iovine said. If you are a parent of young children, over 65, pregnant or immune-compromised, if you get these symptoms, you must get medical attention.

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Pregnant women need to be particularly cautious. They are about 10 times more likely to become sick from listeria, and the illness can be fatal to the fetus.

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Iovine said certain warning signs indicate you need to get medical help.

If you see blood in your stool, thats a red flag to get medical attention. Another would be if you have severe abdominal pain and are doubled over. And, if you have a high fever over 101, thats a red flag, too, she said.

Treatment and prevention

The only way to know what type of foodborne illness you have is with a stool culture. For some types of E. coli infections, antibiotics can shorten the length of time you have symptoms. But if you have fever or bloody diarrhea or if your doctor suspects Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, dont take antibiotics.

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This can be important because for some infections. If you were to take an antibiotic, it does make things worse, Iovine explains. With Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, bacteria can sense when antibiotics are present and increase the toxins production, which can cause kidney failure.

Doctors also advise against taking over-the-counter medications that fight diarrhea. It can slow down your digestive system and delay your bodys shedding of the infection.

When it comes to prevention, Schneider said, washing produce isnt enough to guarantee it is safe to eat, The problem with produce is we dont cook it. If you are in one of the at-risk groups, stick to cooked foods.

Because consumers often want their produce in convenient forms  cleaned, chopped lettuce in bags, sliced apples, cut celery, coleslaw mix  it creates more risk. The more handling, the more opportunity for contamination.

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At home, Schneider said, use a clean cutting board, wash your hands frequently, and thoroughly cook poultry and meats.

Theres an inherent risk with food, he said. Its almost impossible to serve that much food without having any consequences at all.

South Florida Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentionel.com.
More than half of Ukrainians want a negotiated end to the war with Russia soon, according to Gallup pollsters.

"In Gallups latest surveys of Ukraine, conducted in August and October 2024, an average of 52% of Ukrainians would like to see their country negotiate an end to the war as soon as possible," Gallup said.

"Nearly four in 10 Ukrainians (38%) believe their country should keep fighting until victory."

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By comparison, in 2022, 73% were in favour of fighting and only 22% were in favour of negotiations. In 2023, 63% were in favour of continuing the war and 27% were in favour of ending the war quickly.

Russia has made territorial concessions and a renunciation of NATO membership a prerequisite for negotiations.

In addition, Ukraine would have to undergo a so-called denazification, which in Moscow probably means the establishment of a pro-Russian government in Kiev.

According to the survey released this week, trust in the West in general has also fallen in Ukraine.

Only 40% of those surveyed still approve of the United States' leading role, while 37% are sceptical.

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Shortly after the start of the war, the approval rate was still 66% to 16% per cent.

The majority of the population still has a positive view of the role of the Germans: 50% (2022: 46%, 2023: 53%) support Germany's actions, while 29% (2022: 35%, 2023: 20%) reject them.

While a majority still hopes to join the EU and NATO, expectations of joining the EU within the next 10 years have fallen from 73% to 61%, and from 64% to 51% for NATO.

Gallup says it interviewed 1,000 people by telephone. The margin of error is 3%.
NEW YORK  Savings on migrant spending and better-than-expected tax revenue will allow the city to restore two previously canceled police classes and put an additional 1,600 officers on the street, Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday.

The city will also boost spending in the cash assistance program and the CityFHEPs program.

The budget expansion was largely made possible due to $436 million in savings on migrant spending since July, with total savings tallying up to $785 million, the mayor said. The city will also boost spending in the cash assistance program and the CityFHEPs housing voucher program.

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We made sure we made the smart fiscal decision so we can build a future for working people in the city, and this plan is stepping up to fund critical programs that have been supported with temporary federal stimulus dollars, Adams said. So I want to be clear, the November plan invests in New York and aims to make their lives easier by prioritizing the services they need.

Previously, the budget for fiscal year 2025 sat at around $112 billion. The new plan, which boosts the total to $115 billion, also reflects over $200 million in unexpected tax revenue this fiscal year, Adams said, with additional funds coming from debt service and pension savings.

The restored police classes will add 1,600 new cops to the police force by October 2025. The classes were cut in 2023 as part of Adams belt-tightening in the face of the migrant crisis.

Last year, the mayor unveiled rounds of drastic cuts, which he said were required in order to offset the costs of caring for the migrants.

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City budget director Jacques Jiha said that this years migrant savings are due to the asylum seeker population in the local shelter system falling from its peak of 69,000 and because fewer than expected have come to New York since July.

The city will put $467 million in the cash assistance program and $115 million into the CityFHEPS rental assistance program, Adams said at a press conference announcing both the budget update and the appointment of the new NYPD commissioner, Jessica Tisch.

New money will also flow to the citys public schools, including $80 million for technology resources and $65 million for school contract nurses, according to the budget plans.

Other new budget funds include funding for a planned hospital unit to serve patients in custody with serious health conditions, staffing for Operation Padlock to Protect, new positions on the Sheriffs electronic ankle monitoring program and investments in the citys waste management initiatives.

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Andrew Rein, president of fiscal watchdog group Citizens Budget Commission, said that the budget update came with some good news but warned the city might face budget gaps of around $3 billion more than the city has projected.

While the City used over a billion dollars in newly identified resources to fund predictable shortfalls in the current year, it continues to low-ball billions of dollars for future spending on overtime, housing vouchers, public assistance, and early childhood programs, among others, Rein said in a statement.
By Ralph Tedy Erol and Harold Isaac

PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) -More than two dozen suspected gang members were killed in Haiti's capital on Tuesday after residents joined police to fight off an attempted overnight attack on an affluent hillside suburb of Port-au-Prince, police said.

The suburb of Petion-Ville was closed off on Tuesday as residents barricaded streets and asked those not from the area to stay home as they mobilized, some with machetes and hammers in hand, to protect the district from another gang invasion.

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A Reuters reporter saw at least 25 bodies across the neighborhoods of Delmas, Canape Vert and Petion-Ville, where residents set suspected criminals' bodies on fire under burning tires.

National police deputy spokesperson Lionel Lazarre told Reuters some 30 people he described as gang members had been fatally wounded throughout the day.

"The population stood along the Haitian National Police during these moments. They will continue to work hand in hand," he said.

Lazarre earlier told local radio that police had intercepted armed men traveling in vans, from which they seized weapons such as Kalashnikov rifles.

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Local resident Anara, who did not give her last name, told Reuters men and women had been coming in since midnight "armed to the teeth," and that people did not know who had sent them.

"We gave them a clear answer," she said. "We're not going to give up the area, we're not going to leave."

Local newspaper Le Nouvelliste reported scenes of "bwa kale" across several parts of the capital, referring to a civilian vigilante movement that began in April last year when residents lynched and set fire to suspected gang members in the absence of police presence.

Haiti's under-funded national police has shed thousands of members in recent years.

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The U.N. has reported at least 149 cases of "bwa kale" between June and September this year.

Rights activists have however warned of innocent people being caught up in the vigilante killings, and the U.N. has reported cases of extreme violence committed against people accused of petty crimes.

Haiti's government had in 2022 called for international support to help its police fight the powerful gangs, who are accused of mass sexual violence, ransom kidnappings, extortion, child recruitment and blocking off the flow of key supplies.

The U.N. Security Council approved a support mission last October but it has so far deployed just a fraction of the promised personnel. Haitian leaders have pushed for it to be transformed into a peacekeeping mission to secure more funding.

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The Security Council is set to meet on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the escalating violence.

Meanwhile, Doctors without Borders, one of Haiti's main free healthcare providers, said it was halting its services around the capital because of rape and death threats from police.

Thousands have been killed in the gang conflict and more than 700,000 internally displaced, aggravating already dire food insecurity that has seen some 6,000 plunged into famine-level hunger.

(Reporting by Ralph Tedy Erol, Harold Isaac and Steven Aristil in Port-au-Prince; Additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis in Washington; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
A Noblesville panel paved the way for a 650-home development at Morse Reservoir despite impassioned pleas by opponents who warned it would damage a tranquil ecosystem that includes bald eagles, herons, owls, foxes and turtles.

By a 10-0 vote, the Plan Commission approved a zoning change that moves the $250 million Morse Village project to the City Council for final approval. Indianapolis-based LOR Corp. would build the development in three sections on farmland and woods near wetlands next to the reservoir at 206th Street and Hague Road.

About two dozen citizens spoke against the project at a packed meeting Monday and have submitted a petition of objection with nearly 500 signatures. The remonstrators have also hired lawyers from the Paganelli Law Group to represent them, a law firm with a track record of success for fighting Noblesville projects.

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The residents said the development will ruin the animal habitat, increase vehicle traffic, bring pollution, and decrease their property values.

I look out at that area and see this open natural space and I cannot even fathom how they are going to fit so many homes in there, Kelly Dueser, 36, told IndyStar. Three stories homes and humans crowded into there is going to hut the wildlife.

The Paganelli law firm is the same firm that successfully reversed the Noblesville Zoning Board of Appeals approval of a gravel pit operation. Lawyers had requested a delay on the Morse Village hearing because they said residents didnt have a fair warning before the City Council reached an economic development agreement with LOR in October.

The attorneys argued that the development conflicts with the city's future planning ordinance, known as the comprehensive plan.

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More: Carmel police use a drone as first responder. How does it impact public safety, privacy?

The West Pointe portion is proposed to occupy land that is undeveloped, replete with trees, and serves as a habitat to a diverse and important wildlife population. Surrounding properties have always benefitted from its scenic views and tranquil atmosphere, the lawyers wrote in a letter to the Plan Commission. This will inherently harm the property values of the surrounding properties.

The development would have 250 single-family houses, 150 town houses and 250 apartments, as well as 30,000 square feet of commercial space and restaurants. Townhouses would be on West Pointe, the section closest to the water, which would have a wildlife buffer area for an eagle's nest.

The opponents said the West Pint section is zoned for single-family homes, NOT a 5 story, 300+ unit townhome complex, that will "tower over the surrounding structures, generate a tremendous amount of noise and traffic, and destroy the character of the area," according to the lawyers letter.

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The Hoosier Environmental Council also opposes the development as proposed. In comments submitted to the commission, a representative wrote it "does not align with key outcomes inNoblesvilles Comprehensive Plan such as smart growth and small-town charm and mayadversely affect wildlife habitat, biodiversity and water quality."

Plans have been approved for a $250 million housing and commercial project next to Morse Reservoir.

Susie McGovern, HEC water science and sustainability specialist, urged the city to do a survey of endangered, rare or threatened species before a final vote.

How the development fits with long-term planning

But city planners say the development is consistent with the long-range plan, which makes allowances for more than single-family zoning in some sensitive areas. In a 2020 update to the plan, the city loosened zoning designations, according to a planning staff report.

The future land use map does not use property lines to identify proposed future land use in order to allow flexibility/fluidity, according to the report. "The city continues to diversify housing options.

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That followed a broader commitment by planning officials a few years earlier to decrease reliance on single-family homes and offer residents a larger choice of home options, in style and size  the so-called "missing middle" of housing stock.

"The recommendation is to diversify residential product types to help establish new development patterns, according to the Plan Commission report. One way to do that is to include more variety of housing types like townhomes, courtyard multi-family, mixed use, accessory dwelling units, multiplex bungalow, live-work units, and other types of development identified as 'Missing Middle' development.

The planners suggested the zoning changes for this Morse Reservoir project were not excessive.

West Pointe, which is 22 acres with a 2-acre pond, is currently zoned for single-family homes and LOR wants it changed to allow townhouses and condos as well..

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The 37-acre North Pointe section is already zoned for business on 29 acres. LOR wants to rezone seven remaining acres to business.

And South Pointe's 114 aces is zoned for light industrial uses. The developer wants that changed to residential, mostly single-family.

After signing the economic development agreement last month Mayor Chris Jensen and a councilor touted the venture as an enhancement to the natural beauty at Morse Reservoir, partly because 30 acres will be preserved as greenspace and several hundred feet will be designated as the eagle protection area.

"The Morse Village development will make use of existing amenities on the northwest side of Noblesville while offering new opportunities to enhance greenspace, trails and housing," said Noblesville City Council President Darren Peterson in a news release.

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But resident Jami Ross said the development changes everything about the neighborhood.

We never thought that land would be anything but agricultural, with a bald eagle pair there nesting and having babies, said Ross, who hired the law firm to fight the project. I am a realtor so I am not against change but we need to be mindful of what is around it. This is like being next to Godzilla."

The city council will now consider the proposal at two meetings on Dec. 3 and Dec. 17.

Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418 or email him at john.tuohy@indystar.com. Follow him on Facebook and X/Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Morse Village housing, retail plan faces opposition but moves forward
Police are investigating after a mother and her four-month-old from Massachusetts were killed in a drive-by shooting in Hartford, Connecticut, on Tuesday afternoon.

According to police, officers were called to Hartford Hospital for a report of a vehicle arriving with multiple gunshot victims just before 3 p.m.

Two of the three victims were pronounced dead at the hospital. They were identified as 20-year-old Jessiah Mercado and her baby, Messiah Diaz, both of Springfield.

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The third victim, a male in his 20s, suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The driver of the vehicle was uninjured.

According to police, the victims were shot while in a vehicle after the suspect vehicle pulled alongside them and opened fire in the area of 380 New Britain Avenue.

An investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the HPD Tip Line at 860-722-TIPS (8477).

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT)  An Evansville mother is behind bars after police say her infant was found with severe injuries.

Evansville Police say officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of South Kentucky Avenue Tuesday evening in reference to an unresponsive child.

The child was immediately taken to a local hospital by AMR. Officials say the child had severe head injuries, including bleeding and swelling that required emergency surgery to relieve pressure on the brain. Additional bruising was also found on the childs forehead, behind both ears, on the arms, stomach and bottom.

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Alleged ringleader in fraud scheme arrested after 3-year long investigation

Alexandrea Ring, 20, claimed in an interview with EPD that earlier in the day, the baby started crying after a diaper change and that she couldnt handle the crying and it set her off. Ring also claimed at one point she held the child over a Pack n Play and threw her in it.

EPD states Ring later changed her story saying her large belly (at 30 weeks pregnant), prevented her from placing the baby in the Pack n Play properly, causing her to drop the child.

She also claimed after lifting the baby, she sat her on the floor, where the child fell face first into a cabinet, hitting her head on metal piece to cause the bruising to the forehead.

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EPD says despite the child showing signs of sluggishness and falling in and out of consciousness, Ring did not call 911 until about 5:23 p.m. when her boyfriend returned home from work. Officials also say Ring contacted her boyfriend earlier in the day to express concern about the infants condition but failed to seek medical help until later.

Ring is being charged with Domestic Battery  Adult Against a Family Member Less than 14 and Neglect of a Dependent.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
TORUN, Poland (AP)  Alec Baldwins Western Rust had its world premiere Wednesday at a film festival in Poland with a dedication to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was fatally shot in an accident on the set three years ago.

Organizers called for a minute of silence before showing the film, which opened to a full house at the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography Camerimage in the city of Torun, and received applause at the end.

Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer, was pointing a gun at Hutchins during a rehearsal outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, in October 2021 when the revolver went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer  but not the trigger  and the revolver fired.

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Souza introduced the film at the festival, a popular industry event dedicated to cinematography. He told the audience that initially after the accident he could not have imagined continuing with the production, or even working on a movie set or writing again.

It just hurt too much, he said.

But Hutchins' husband, Matthew, wanted the film to be finished, and came on as an executive producer.

It was important to him that the people who knew and loved Halyna get to see her final work," Souza said. The mission became to preserve every single frame that I could of hers, and to honor her final work.

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Rust  which includes scene after scene of shootouts  is the story of a 13-year-old boy who is sentenced to be hanged after he fatally shoots a rancher by accident. He goes on the run with his estranged grandfather, played by Baldwin.

Bianca Cline, the cinematographer who finished the project, said Hutchins established the look and feel of the film, and filmed more than half of it. She studied Hutchins' notes to honor her vision.

Hutchins, 42, was a Ukrainian cinematographer on the rise and a mother of a young son. She grew up on a remote Soviet military base and worked on documentary films in Eastern Europe before studying film in Los Angeles and embarking on a promising movie-making career.

Ahead of the premiere, Hutchins mother, who is suing Baldwin and the production, said she was refusing to attend and that she viewed the film as an attempt by Baldwin to unjustly profit from her daughters death. Baldwin was also not present.

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It was always my hope to meet my daughter in Poland to watch her work come alive on screen," said Hutchins mother, Olga Solovey, in a statement issued by her lawyer, Gloria Allred. Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologize to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death."

Melina Spadone, a representative for Rust Movie Productions, issued a statement saying: Gloria Allreds misrepresentation of both the Camerimage festival and any profit motivation is disappointing. The decision to complete Rust was made with the full support of Halynas family."

"The Camerimage festival celebrates the artistry of cinematographers; it is not a festival for buyers. None of the producers of Rust stand to benefit financially from the film. The suggestion that those involved in completing Halyna Hutchins film were motivated by profit is disrespectful to those who worked tirelessly to honor her legacy.

Filmmaker Rachel Mason, a friend of Hutchins who was tapped by Matthew Hutchins to make a documentary about his late wife, told the audience that Solovey told her that she wanted the film to be completed because of how important the project was to her daughter.

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Mason also described all those who continued to work on the film after the tragedy on set as heroic.

You could just feel and see the trauma that they had gone through, she said.

Halyna didnt get the chance to do the biggest films that she was expected to do, that we all knew she would. Rust was that film. Rust was going to change her life but instead it took her life. And the people that feel the pain of that most are the people that made the film, Mason said. I really hope the world can understand that it was a courageous act to complete this film.

A New Mexico judge dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in the fatal shooting. The case was thrown out halfway through trial on allegations that police and prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense.

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The film armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, received the maximum sentence of 18 months in jail for involuntary manslaughter. A judge found that her recklessness amounted to a serious violent offense. Prosecutors blamed Gutierrez-Reed for unwittingly bringing live ammunition onto the set of Rust, where it was expressly prohibited, and for failing to follow basic gun-safety protocols.

This year's Camerimage festival, where Cate Blanchett is serving as jury president, has already been beset by controversy.

Blitz director Steve McQueen dropped out of the festival to protest an editorial about female cinematographers written by festival founder Marek Zydowicz in which he argued that greater representation of female cinematographers could lead to mediocrity.

Director Coralie Fargeat pulled her film The Substance due to the comments, which led to protests by several cinematography groups. Zydowicz has since apologized.
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)  Its been seven years since Liza Angelles two daughters were run over by a vehicle in downtown Lafayette after getting in a verbal argument. Angelle says shes still seeking justice for her daughters, saying the driver is not serving time for the crime committed.

She hopes that the fight wont be for much longer.

A new court date has been set for Jan. 2 regarding the sentencing of Nataja Portalis, who was convicted in 2021 of attempted second-degree murder and aggravated battery in connection with the 2017 hit-and-run.

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A video captured by a bystander showed the moment Portalis hit both women with a vehicle, dragging one of them nearly 200 feet, severely injuring her.

In 2022, Portalis was sentenced to serve 10 years of hard labor without probation or parole. Later that year Portalis sentence was suspended and she was put on probation without any mandatory time in jail.

Last year, Portalis won an appeal for resentencing. Her 10-year sentence was then dropped to six years of supervised probation. Prosecutors then appealed, claiming the new sentence was illegal.

Lafayette prosecutors told KLFY in 2023 that Louisiana law sets out specific sentencing ranges, and the crime of attempted murder requires that the first 10 years of any sentence for attempted murder must be served at hard labornot just a probated sentence.

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Angelle said she and her daughters have been going to and from court to see if they will ever get justice and see Portalis behind bars.

I mean, and then to know and go through all this and just keep going to court and this stuff and just keep moving backwards. You know, it seemed like a never-ending, she said.

Angelle said she and her family would have been fine with Poralis serving the initial sentence.

We would have settled for the 10 years. I just feel that she needs to do those 10 years because I feel that shes not going to learn anything, she said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP)  A $6 million gift was given to Mount Holyoke College by an anonymous donor.

The college announced that the gift is the largest from a living donor for support of faculty and the humanities in its history. The money will help support two new faculty chairs named for Mount Holyoke alums in the arts, the Debra Martin Chase 77 Chair in Film Media Theater and the Suzan-Lori Parks 85 Chair in Creative Writing.

MassDOT warning drivers ahead of holiday traffic

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In a statement from Mount Holyoke College, Debra Martin Chase is the first Black female producer to sign a deal at a major studio and the first Black woman to produce a film that grossed over $100 million.

With this gift, Mount Holyoke College will continue to shape the future of bold and boundless leaders in the arts and humanities, said President Danielle Holley. I am so proud of these alums; they continue to break through barriers and make change for all.

Just as Debra Martin Chase and Suzan-Lori Parks were inspired by their Mount Holyoke predecessors such as Wendy Wasserstein 71, the first female playwright to win the Tony Award on her own, they in turn will inspire and nurture generations of artists and scholars to come.

Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley and has 2,200 students and 40,000 alums in more than 146 countries.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
IRON COUNTY, Mo. (KSNW)  An investigation is underway after a mountain lion was killed in rural Missouri.

The Missouri Department of Conservation says it is aware of an incident that happened over the weekend in Iron County. Our sister station, Fox 2 in St. Louis, says the shooting coincides with the opening of the states deer hunting season.

Mountain lion rescued from tree outside California home

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Fox 2 reports that Missouri law allows the killing of mountain lions under certain circumstances, like when they attack livestock or to protect human life. Mountain lions are rare in Missouri, with only 126 sightings between 1996 and 2024.

Details about what led the hunter to kill the animal were not available. However, the Missouri Department of Conservation is actively investigating the incident.

Mountain lion sightings have been increasing over the past 15 years in Kansas, according to Kansas State University.

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The medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) will stop operations in Haitis capital after its staff were threatened by members of the police.

Amid escalating violence in the country, including a deadly attack on one of MSFs ambulances last week, the charity said it will suspend health services in Port-au-Prince until further notice.

Last Wednesday, police and vigilantes repeatedly stopped MSFs vehicles in the city and threatened to rape and murder health workers, the group said.

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MSF said police diverted one ambulance to a hospital, where law enforcement officers and members of a self-defence group surrounded the ambulance, slashed the tyres, and tear-gassed MSF staff inside the vehicle to force them out.

The three wounded patients were then taken a short distance away and at least two were executed, the charity said.

MSF is one of the few international humanitarian aid groups still providing services in Haiti, which has plunged into crisis since President Jovenel Moise was assassinated at home in 2021.

A police officer watches a perimeter in the Petion-Ville area amid vicious fighting - GETTY IMAGES

Thousands of Haitians have been killed in fighting between gangs, security forces, police and vigilantes.

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We are used to working in conditions of extreme insecurity in Haiti and elsewhere, but when even law enforcement becomes a direct threat, we have no choice but to suspend our projects, MSFs Haiti mission chief Christophe Garnier said.

A spokesperson for Haitis national police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

MSF, whose presence grew in Haiti in the wake of the devastating 2010 earthquake, is one of the main providers of quality free healthcare in the Caribbean nation and operates key services such as a trauma centre and a burn clinic.

The United Nations estimated last month that just 24 per cent of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan areas health facilities remain open, while those outside the capital face an influx of displaced people, jeopardising their ability to provide essential care.

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The humanitarian crisis has been worsened by several hospitals and clinics closing due to the growing violence.

More than 700,000 people have been internally displaced, aggravating already dire food insecurity that has seen some 6,000 plunged into famine-level hunger.

Residents take up arms against gangs

Fighting has surged in recent weeks as armed gangs attempt to seize control of the capital.

On Tuesday, more than two dozen suspected gang members were killed after residents joined police to fight off an attempted overnight attack on an affluent hillside suburb of Port-au-Prince.

Residents in Petion-Ville barricaded streets as they mobilised, some with machetes and hammers in hand, to protect the district from another gang invasion.

Haitians caught up in the violence have been forced to pack up and leave - REUTERS

REUTERS

Local newspaper Le Nouvelliste reported scenes of bwa kale across several parts of the capital, referring to a civilian vigilante movement that began in April last year when residents lynched and set fire to suspected gang members in the absence of police presence.

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Reuters reported at least 25 bodies across the neighbourhoods of Delmas, Canape Vert and Petion-Ville, where residents set suspected criminals bodies on fire under burning tyres.

Haitis government has since 2022 been calling for international support to help its police fight the gangs, who are accused of mass sexual violence, ransom kidnappings, extortion, child recruitment and blocking off the flow of key supplies.

The UN Security Council approved a support mission last October but it has so far deployed just a fraction of the promised personnel. Haitian leaders have pushed for it to be transformed into a peacekeeping mission to secure more funding.

The Security Council is set to meet on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the escalating violence.

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The United States has banned all civilian flights to Haiti for a month after three planes approaching or departing from Port-au-Prince were hit by gunfire.

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Detective Lieutenant Brian Tully was disciplined on Tuesday pending the outcome of a monthslong internal affairs investigation.

According to a Massachusetts State Police spokesperson, Tully will forfeit 6 days of accrued leave.

The internal affairs investigation claims on February 1, 2024, Tully failed to supervise, through proper corrective action, SPDU Norfolk members who were involved with inappropriate text messages relative to an ongoing homicide investigation.

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Similarly, on February 1, May 6, and May 10, Tully failed to properly evaluate members and did not properly document negative performance in the EES/MakeNOTE system.

Det. Lt. Tully was the Norfolk County State Police Detective Unit Commander, before being transferred from the office in October. Tully transitioned to a temporary assignment in the Division of Investigative Services and will still be available to assist on cases he was previously involved in, State Police said.

25 Investigates: 2 state police troopers connected to Karen Read case now under investigation

Tully had testified in the Karen Read murder trial in June.

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He was asked about disparaging messages sent by Trooper Michael Proctor. Lt. Tully was not on the chain of offensive texts Proctor read from in court and Lt. Tully said he immediately reported Proctors texts to State Police command when he learned of them.

Tully is also involved in the Turtleboy witness intimidation case.

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RICHMOND, Utah (ABC4)  One person is dead and two others are injured after a multi-vehicle crash occurred on US-91 Monday evening in Cache County.

According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred around 6:10 p.m. Monday evening around mile marker 40 when a Ford pickup driving southbound reportedly crossed into the northbound lanes.

Another pickup truck was driving northbound and allegedly swerved to avoid the vehicle, sticking the truck on the passenger side. The Ford continued into the northbound lanes and hit a Dodge pickup on the drivers side. A fourth vehicle was struck by debris from the crash.

A multi-vehicle crash on Monday evening in Cache County claimed the life of one person and injured two others. (Courtesy: Utah Department of Public Safety) A multi-vehicle crash on Monday evening in Cache County claimed the life of one person and injured two others. (Courtesy: Utah Department of Public Safety)

The driver of the Ford pickup was taken to a nearby hospital in serious condition, the male driver of the Dodge, identified as Timothy Christian Moosman, 44, from Preston, Idaho, was killed and the passenger was taken to the hospital with moderate injuries. Authorities say the occupants of the other two vehicles were uninjured.

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US-91 was closed during the investigation but has since reopened.

DPS says that everyone except the driver of the Dodge was wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

The crash is still under investigation, and details are preliminary, according to DPS officials.

No further information is available at this time.

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Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will be looking to the Supreme Court to unilaterally gut federal agencies and cut funding.

The two men  the worlds richest person and a wealthy entrepreneur who briefly ran for president  have been tapped to lead a panel of outside advisers to make those recommendations. Their newly created Department of Government Efficiency (or DOGE) will be guided by a pair of Supreme Court rulings that legal scholars have warned will turn the courts into weapons against federal regulations that right-wing groups have spent years trying to undermine.

Musk and Ramaswamy have said they want to reduce annual federal spending by $500 billion  specifically, by cutting $1.5 billion earmarked for international organizations, another $535 million to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds hundreds of locally owned public radio and television stations, and gutting $300 million for progressive groups like Planned Parenthood.

Elon Musk, left, is partnering with Vivek Ramaswamy to recommend drastic cuts to the federal budget (Getty Images)

We are focused on delivering cost savings for taxpayers, the pair explain in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal. The Skeptics question how much federal spending DOGE can tame through executive action alone. They point to the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which stops the president from ceasing expenditures authorized by Congress. Mr. Trump has previously suggested this statute is unconstitutional, and we believe the current Supreme Court would likely side with him on this question.

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The DOGE duo argue that Supreme Court rulings in West Virginia v Environmental Protection Agency and Loper Bright v Raimondo mean thousands of federal rules can be overturned, workers can be fired, and that a conservative majority on the nations highest court  with three justices nominated by Trump himself  will insulate their agenda from legal challenges.

The rulings suggest that a plethora of current federal regulations exceed the authority Congress has granted under the law, they wrote.

DOGE will work with legal experts embedded in government agencies, aided by advanced technology, to apply these rulings to federal regulations enacted by such agencies, they added. DOGE will present this list of regulations to President Trump, who can, by executive action, immediately pause the enforcement of those regulations and initiate the process for review and rescission.

They argued that the rulings can be used to liberate individuals and businesses from illicit regulations never passed by Congress and stimulate the US economy.

Ramaswamy has been tapped by Trump for the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) (AFP via Getty Images)

Legal experts have argued that the rulings will be used to turn critical federal actions like emergency public health responses, civil rights protections and gun control into partisan minefields, with a Republican-controlled Congress in control of the rules those agencies set.

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The decision in West Virginia v Environmental Protection Agency  which struck down the so-called Chevron doctrine  determined that federal agencies cannot address major questions that could have broader economic or social impact without explicit permission from Congress.

In Junes decision in Loper Bright, the Supreme Court overturned its own precedent that said courts should defer to the experts in federal agencies when it came to interpreting any ambiguities.

decisions have already led judges to block or strike down a number of Biden administration rules, including a student debt relief plan, overtime pay eligibility, and regulations on net neutrality.

The Supreme Court rulings have since been cited in more than 100 cases, a figure that is expected to rise as emboldened right-wing groups and Republican-appointed judges take aim at federal rules and regulations.

Musk has been right by Trumps side since the election victory (Getty Images)

Musk and Ramaswamy also argue that civil service protections wont stop them from recommending mass firings of federal workers.

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The purpose of these protections is to protect employees from political retaliation, they wrote. But the statute allows for reductions in force that dont target specific employees. The statute further empowers the president to prescribe rules governing the competitive service. That power is broad.

Trump can implement any number of rules governing the competitive service that would curtail administrative overgrowth, from large-scale firings to relocation of federal agencies out of the Washington area, they added.

Government watchdogs have already found so-called waste amounts to less than $300 billion a year. Last year, House Republicans fought off severe austerity budget proposals from their far-right flank, and Trump failed to make deep cuts to domestic programs during his administration after his signature sweeping tax cuts that largely benefited corporations and high earners. Trump now wants to make those cuts permanent.

The DOGE panel is expected to issue a final report on July 4, 2026 before it is disbanded.
Donald Trump went to Texas to watch a spaceship launch tower catch a moving rocket booster with the tenderness of a parent cradling their newborn baby, but all he got instead was 33 rocket engines crashing into the ocean.

On Tuesday, the president-elect joined his campaign donor turned government efficiency advisor Elon Musk to watch his private rocket company SpaceXs latest test flight of the Starship vehicle system.

The NASA contractor planned to attempt a repeat of an incredible maneuver in which giant mechanical arms sticking out of the launch tower catch a rocket booster mid-air as it blasts back down to Earth.

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The boosters engines provide the thrust to push the flight vehicle into its path, separating from the rest of the spacecraft after the engines are done firing.

After SpaceX pulled of the admittedly impressive catch for the first time in October, Trump praised Musk as a super-genius and marveled that the arms caught the rocket just like you hold your little baby at night.

Trump watches the test launch of SpaceXs Starship rocket in Brownsville, Texas

But just four minutes into Tuesdays launch, the mission director called off the catch and ordered the booster to crash into the Gulf of Mexico, the Financial Times reported. SpaceX hasnt said yet what motivated the call.

About 35 minutes later, Trump did get a consolation prize when engineers reignited an engine in space for the first time. But it was nothing compared to the sight of a column of fire hurtling backwards toward a launch tower, only to be enveloped in giant moving metal arms.

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Standing almost 400 feet tall, Starship is the most powerful rocket ever built, with an estimated price tag of $100 million per flight, according to the Financial Times. Making the boosters reusable has been a key part of SpaceXs efforts to cut the cost of each Starship flight in half.

Trump, who has a fascination with space travel, attended the launch with several Republican members of Congress and was surprisingly quiet afterward, posting just a blurry picture to his social media platform Truth Social showing the back of his head while the rocket takes off.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, on the other hand, was more effusive.

Congrats to SpaceX on Starships sixth test flight, he wrote in a post on X. Exciting to see the Raptor engine restart in spacemajor progress towards orbital flight.

Starships success is NASAs success, he added.

Together, we will return humanity to the Moon and set our sights on Mars, he wrote.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The U.S. Senate voted 51-44 to confirm Mustafa Kasubhai as a U.S. district judge for the District of Oregon, following President Joe Bidens nomination last year.

Born in Reseda, California, Kasubhai is an alumnus of the University of California, Berkley (B.A.), and the University of Oregon School of Law (J.D.). From 2007-2018, he was a Lane County Circuit Court judge. Since 2018, he has served as a U.S. magistrate judge for the District of Oregon.

Over 10,000 impacted by Portland power outages

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Kasubhais new role as a U.S. district judge, a lifetime appointment, comes after U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken reached retirement age late last year.

In a release, Chief U.S. District Judge Michael McShane of Oregon praised the Senates confirmation, saying Kasubhai has provided the Oregon bar with profound leadership; championing professionalism, mentorship, access to justice, and inclusion.

He has served as a role model for a generation of law students, attorneys, and judges who have had the privilege of working with him, McShane said.

Kasubhai, who has been a lecturer at the University of Oregon School of Laws Litigation Lab since 2023, was the recipient of numerous awards over the years for his commitment to public service. He has been a member of the Committee on Bias in the Justice System in Oregon since 2019 and is a member of various other associations dedicated to equity and inclusion.

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Lena Zwarensteyn, the senior director of the fair courts program and advisor at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, praised Kasubhais confirmation as a historic milestone for inclusion. Kasubhai will be the first Asian-American lifetime judge and the first Muslim lifetime judge appointed to the District of Oregon.

City to pay largest 2020 protest settlement to date

We thank President Biden and Senators Merkley and Wyden for their leadership and applaud all senators who supported Judge Kasubhais confirmation, Zwarensteyn said. The Senate must continue the urgent and important work of building an equal justice judiciary that works for all people in America, and that means expeditiously confirming every pending judicial nominee. Our courts and our future cant wait.

Kasubhai will continue working from a Eugene courtroom in his new role as U.S. district judge for the District of Oregon.

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An analysis on the soil at an ancient site in the UK linked to King Arthur has found construction isn't likely to be medieval after all, having sat buried beneath the ground for thousands of years.

The new estimate suggests King Arthur's Hall, in Cornwall in England, is in fact 5,500 years old. That makes the rectangular bank of earth and stone five times older than an earlier assessment, which dated it back to around 1000 AD.

It shifts the date of the structure back to the Neolithic, and may necessitate a name change for the location as well. While few experts believe King Arthur was a real historical figure, his mythical adventuring is associated with a period closer to the dark and middle ages than the prehistoric era.

Key to the revised dating is a technique called optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), which measures the steady effect of background radiation on the positions of electrons in buried minerals. An analysis of the mineral's glow when stimulated tells scientists how long it's been since it last saw sunlight.

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"It's extremely exciting that we've finally been able to date construction of this enigmatic monument, previously grounded in myths and legends," says archaeologist Tim Kinnaird, from the University of St Andrews in the UK.

The site measures 47 meters by 20 meters (154 feet by 66 feet), and sits on Bodmin Moor. It's surrounded by stone blocks known as orthostates that are up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) high, though most of them are no longer standing upright.

Previously speculated to be some kind of camp or cattle pound, the new date for King Arthur's Hall could demand a rethink about what the earthworks may have been used for.

"We now need to consider the monument within the context of Bodmin Moor's prehistoric landscape, and the other structures on the moor that might have been significant at the time," says Kinnaird.

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"This all alludes to a rich Neolithic landscape, evidencing an active community on the moor, which requires further investigation."

As the BBC reports, the researchers think there's more to be discovered at the site, meaning visitors should be careful not to disturb any part of the structure. The site is already on the Historical England At Risk register, because of potential damage from growing vegetation, livestock, and people.

Part of the problem in figuring out what King Arthur's Hall was actually used for  and by whom  is that it's a unique spot. There's nothing else to directly compare to this intriguing arrangement of earth and stone.

"There isn't another one of these anywhere," lead archaeologist James Gossip, from the Cornwall Archaeological Unit told Esther Addley at The Guardian.

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"There is nothing built at that time or subsequently in prehistory that is a rectangular earth and stone bank with a setting of stone orthostats around the interior. There is no other parallel."

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(NewsNation)  Republican Rep. Nancy Mace said shes going to fight like hell for a resolution that would keep Sarah McBride from using the womens bathroom.

Its the height of hypocrisy and gaslighting to tell women, you lose your rights, and then a man walks in the room. I dont think so, Mace said on NewsNations On Balance. Im very socially sensible, but this is about womens safety. Its about womens security, its about womens privacy, and we have rights.

On Monday, Mace introduced a resolution requiring all individuals in the Capitol complex to use bathrooms matching their sex assigned at birth, a move that has sparked controversy as McBride, the first openly transgender House member, prepares to take office.

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The measure charges the House sergeant-at-arms, William McFarland, with enforcing the ban, according to text previewed by The Hill, but it is unclear how the Houses chief law enforcement officer will determine who can and cannot use the Capitols facilities.

House Republicans signal support for proposal to ban bathroom access for 1st transgender member

State laws that bar transgender people from using public restrooms that match their gender identity often rely on anonymous complaints, a notoriously unreliable enforcement mechanism. LGBTQ+ rights activists in May flooded a tip line designed to alert officials in Utah to possible violations of the states bathroom ban with thousands of false complaints.

Trump picks Sean Duffy to be transportation secretary

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Mace is pushing for the measure to be included in the rules package for the 119th Congress or for it to be brought to the floor and voted on as a standalone rule outside the package.

If the bill, however, is not included in the 119th Congress rules package or brought to the floor as a standalone rule, Mace would force a vote on the legislation, the source said.

The House is set to vote on a rules package for the next Congress in early January, which will require a majority vote for passage. Republicans are poised to have a razor-thin majority when the next session gavels in.

McBride, who is set to assume her new position early next year, said on X that Maces resolution is a blatant attempt to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing.

This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars.



Delawareans  Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) November 19, 2024

We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care and child care, not manufacturing culture wars, McBride said. Delawareans sent me here to make the American dream more affordable and accessible, and thats what Im focused on.

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NewsNation partner The Hill contributed to this report.

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Rep. Nancy Mace is celebrating her successful campaign to ban her new colleague Sarah McBride from using the Capitol Hill bathroom corresponding to her gender identity by announcing a new goal: She wants to prevent transgender women from using womens restrooms across the country.

After House Speaker Mike Johnson announced earlier today that single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House office buildings were reserved only for individuals of that biological sex, Mace gloated over her victorious push for the discriminatory rule and announced another new bill.

Oh you thought threatening me would silence me? the South Carolina Republican wrote on X. No. I just doubled down and filed a new bill to protect women and girls across the entire country on all federal property everywhere.

McBride responded to Johnsons announcement with a statement confirming she would comply with the rule.

The post included photos of the proposed legislation, which seeks to ban transgender people from using the bathroom of their gender on all federal property.

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Women and girls shouldnt have to give up their safety or privacy just because the Left wants to win points with their activist base, Mace said in a press release about the measure.

The proposed legislation mirrors her headline-making ban this week that prevents House staff, including representatives, from using restrooms that do not match their biological sex.

Oh you thought threatening me would silence me? No. I just doubled down and filed a new bill to protect women and girls across the entire country on all federal property everywhere. pic.twitter.com/TmRgtSQqFx  Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) November 20, 2024

Mace has openly admitted that the bill was a direct response to the election of McBride, a Delaware Democrat set to be the first openly trans person in Congress.

With both initiatives, she claimed that trans womens use of womens bathrooms is threatening.

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Maces concern for physical safety, however, seems to be newfound.

On Jan. 6, 2021, the freshman congresswoman, three days in office, reportedly pleaded with her staffers to let her get punched in the face by rioters who were storming the Capitol to prevent the certification of Donald Trumps election loss.

She literally begged us to let her leave the office and head to the floor so she could get punched in the face and get media attention, a former Mace aide told The Daily Beast in January 2024. Thats word for word what she requested.

The incident was confirmed by multiple people present at the time. Mace, who decried Trump after the insurrection, has since reversed course, endorsing him for president in 2024.

Im not here to fight about bathrooms. Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. pic.twitter.com/bCuv7pIZBY  Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) November 20, 2024

McBridea trans Delaware Democrat who in the wake of Maces push had faced virulent and hateful attacks from other Republicans, like MAGA fanatic Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greeneresponded to Johnsons announcement with a statement on X saying she would follow the rule.

Im not here to fight about bathrooms. Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down the costs facing families. Like all members, I will follow the rules outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them, she said, also expressing her excitement and dedication to working hard for her constituents come January.
Former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao joins The Hill to discuss SpaceXs recent rocket launch. Chiao says it looked like a flawless launch and that each successive flight brings the Starship system closer and closer to being certified and ready for commercial use. Chiao also weighs in on whether NASA still needs the amount of funding it gets with SpaceX making strides.

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Nashville's Metro Council approved an application on Tuesday for $3.9 million in state funds that would help pay for police officers in the city's public schools. The measure passed in a 28-6 vote with no discussion.

The Council approved $3.4 million last year from the same grant, which was met with controversy in the wake of the Covenant School shooting in the Green Hills neighborhood. The shooting left three 9-year-old children and three adult staff members dead.

Freddirico Pye, a school resource officer at Pearl-Cohn High School, stands for a portrait at the school in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 12, 2023.

From 2023: Nashville Council faces first lightning rod issue, accepts grant for police in schools

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Last year, proponents of accepting the grant said it was a purely financial decision that adds to the existing budget for school resource officers. Opponents said it's the state's way of avoiding passing gun reform legislation.

The shooting happened near the end of the state legislature's regular session in March 2023. Gov. Bill Lee called lawmakers together that summer for a special session on gun and mental health legislation, but no gun reform laws passed. The same was true for the regular session held earlier this year.

On Tuesday, community member Tala Saad spoke in opposition to the measure during public comment. She said research shows having officers in schools can lead to needlessly criminalizing student behavior and cause anxiety in students and foster distrust in school authorities.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville council seeks $3.9M in state funds for officers in schools
A 15-year-old is in custody after 16-year-old Braden Caldwell was shot and killed at the WeGo bus hub downtown, Nashville Police said.

Officers were called to the Elizabeth Duff Center at WeGo Central on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at about 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The two teens got into a physical fight on the second floor of the station before gunfire rang out, police said. Caldwell, who police identified late Tuesday evening, was shot twice.

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Caldwell was taken to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, where he died.

The suspect, who The Tennessean is not naming as he has not yet been charged as an adult, was identified with the help of WeGo security staff. Police said the station's staff was familiar with the 15-year-old.

The teen fled the scene toward 5th Avenue North after the shooting. He was taken into custody just before 7 p.m. at a University Court home.

He has been charged with criminal homicide in juvenile court.

This story has been updated to add video.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Police: Teen, 16, killed in bus hub shooting identified
Pollster Nate Silver said President Biden should resign in a post on the social platform X on Wednesday.

Is there any particular reason to assume Biden is competent to be president right now? Its a very difficult job, Silver wrote in his post. Its a dangerous world. Extremely high-stakes decisions in Ukraine. He should resign and let Harris serve out the last 2 months.

Silvers post also featured a screenshot of a report from The Washington Post, and a link to the article. The Post reporting centered on Bidens relationship with the press as he prepares to exit the White House. Biden, according to the Post, did not spend much of his time talking publicly during his recent visit to South America.

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Biden has faced questions about his age and mental fitness throughout his presidency, but they increased especially in recent months following a rough presidential debate performance against President-elect Trump.

The questions and fears about Bidens age and mental fitness ultimately led to him being replaced at the top of the Democratic ticket by Vice President Harris. She lost to Trump about three-and-a-half months later.

Jamal Simmons, a former aide to Harris, also recently called for Biden to resign so the vice president could have take the role for a short time.

Joe Bidens been a phenomenal president; hes lived up to so many of the promises hes made. Theres one promise left that he could fulfill: being a transitional figure, Simmons said on CNNs State of the Union.

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He could resign the presidency in the next 30 days, make Kamala Harris president of the United States, he continued.

But few Democrats agree, publicly at least. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) mocked Silvers suggestions on Wednesday.

Senator John Fetterman Calls on Silver to Stop with Shitty Polls and Takes Immediately, Fetterman said Wednesday on X, in response to a headline from The Daily Beast about the post from Silver.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

Updated: 5:20 p.m.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Nathan Bills Bar and Restaurant in Springfield raised money for homeless veterans in honor of Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan.

Nathan Bills Bar and Restaurant donated $2,290 to Soldier On.

These funds coming together through the Solider On Pub Crawl at Nathan Bills this month.

This was held in honor of Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan, who died while defending the country. The owner at Nathan Bills Joe Sullivan says its important to keep his brothers memory alive and at the same time help other veterans who need help in the community.

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Owner of Nathan Bills Joe Sullivan tells 22News, Soldier On is a great cause I mean its housing for veterans that need it. They are homeless or have other mental health issues. There is a huge backlog of veterans who need housing and these guys step up and they do it.

The Pub Crawl is held every year to raise money for Soldiers On, giving many people in the community the opportunity to donate.

Event Organizers say its important to take care of those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Tuesday marked the 25th anniversary of National Adoption Day and the love for families was fully displayed at the Franklin County Courthouse where eight children were adopted.

Six families got the opportunity to finalize the adoptions of their children, marking a moment of joy, love, and gratitude. There was also something special about two families in attendance.

Tuesday marked the first-ever multigenerational adoption that has taken place in Franklin County at the same time. James and Laura Mason adopted three children who had been in their care for about three years.

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When we first became foster parents, it wasnt our intention to adopt, but they have been with us for a while and we just fell in love with them, James Mason said. I just couldnt imagine them not having part of our lives permanently.

James and Lauras daughter, Jessica Erichson, also extended her family on Tuesday, adopting their son Jace who is siblings with their two other children.

Family to me would be commitment and a bond, Erichsen said. So Jace, thats being adopted is the sibling to Jaxon and Olivia who are already adopted. And so, this was this was a long time coming, four years in the making.

Troy Erichson was elated to begin this new chapter of their lives, bringing a foundation and stability to these children.

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Continue bringing unity among each other and growing together as a family and individually and as a unit, Erichsen said. Just watching them thrive and seeing all of us thrive together.

For their son Jaxon Polsdorfer, it especially means a lot to see other kids find their forever families and for his brother to become a part of theirs.

Im feeling good because I remember getting adopted, some of the people that get adopted, their parents cant take care of them. And other people, other parents volunteer to take care of them, Polsdorfer said. When other people get adopted, it makes me feel good, too.

Franklin County Childrens Services notes there are about 80 children who are available for adoption. In celebration of National Adoption Day, they encourage people to help these kids find their families.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The nations average price of gasoline declines for a fifth week, down 0.7 cents from last week and stands at $3.02 per gallon and in New York State prices are down 0.7 cents averaging $3.10 per gallon Monday according to GasBuddys survey of 6,118 stations in New York.

Prices in New York are 10 cents lower than a month ago and 47.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

According to GasBuddy data, the national average is down 15.2 cents compared to a month ago and 27.6 cents lower than a year ago.

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Several states saw gas prices jump or cycle last week, a behavior in which gas prices climb significantly after falling below a stations replacement price. This led the national average to see little meaningful change from last week, with many states experiencing a slow decline, offsetting the few states that did see big jumps, Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said.

However, the good news is that those states that saw large jumps last week will likely see some of the biggest declines at the pump this week, paving the way for the national average to fall, potentially below $3 per gallon, just in time for Thanksgiving, with GasBuddy tracking 28 states already below that level.

The most common price per gallon encountered by motorists is $2.89, a 10 cent decrease from last week.

The top 10% of stations in the country average $4.19 per gallon and the bottom 10% average $2.44 per gallon.

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The states with the lowest average prices per gallon are Oklahoma at $2.50, Mississippi at $2.59 and Texas at $2.60.

Hawaii, California and Washington remain averaging the highest prices per gallon at $4.52, $4.38 and $3.91 respectively.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 18 these are some gas prices reported from around the North Country:

Plattsburgh:

Sams Club (membership required)  $2.82

Shell (NY3)  $2.94

St Armands  $2.94

Stewarts Shops (Rugar Street)  $2.95

Sunoco (Margaret Street)  $2.95

Maplefields (NY3)  $2.95

Stewarts Shops (US9)  $2.95

Stewarts Shops (S Catherine Street)  $2.95

Stewarts Shops (US9)  $2.95

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Malone:

BMJ Midway Market  $2.99

Malone Food Mart  $3.03

Mobil (Spalding Street)  $3.05

Stewarts Shops (W Main Street)  $3.07

Parkway Express  $3.07

Mobil (US11)  $3.07

Stewarts Shops (E Main Street)  $3.09

Saranac Lake:

Mobil (Lake Flower Avenue)  $3.39

Mobil (Broadway)  $3.39

Stewarts Shops  $3.39

Ticonderoga:

Stewarts Shops  $3.38

Mobil  $3.39

Champlain:

Sunoco (Cash only)  $3.19

Mobil (US11)  $3.19

Peru:

Stewarts Shops  $3.09

Libertys Garage  $3.09

Schroon Lake:

Stewarts Shops  $3.49

Sunoco  $3.53

Ray Brook:

Sunoco (Cash only)  $3.39

Lake Placid:

Stewarts Shops  $3.39

Dannemora:

Stewarts Shops  $2.94

Keeseville:

Mobil  $3.15

Rouses Point:

Stewarts Shops (Lake Street)  $3.14

Chazy:

Stewarts Shops  $3.03
NATIVE ART, NATIVE ARTISTS

Origins | Masters | Rebels | Contemporary art (coming soon) | What the future holds (coming soon)| Real - and fake - Native art (coming soon)

PAGUATE, N.M.  Flat-roofed homes with exterior walls hand-stacked from western New Mexicos signature buff, mud-plastered limestone cluster around the central plaza in this Laguna Pueblo town.

One is more than 300 years old, a structure that has been repaired and added to with modern concrete blocks. An electric line snakes in from a nearby pole, and a satellite dish glints in the sun. The stout walls and roof are constructed with wooden beams that support waterproof roofing material to keep the dwelling warm and dry on a blustery spring day.

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Welcome to the home of Pat Pruitt.

Stepping through the plain wooden door, visitors see far more than just an old house. The living quarters are small  Pruitt said his entire family of five used to sleep in the existing bedroom  but behind the original house lies an addition that tells a different story.

Three large rooms house the tools of Pruitts trade. Lathes, drill presses, computer-controlled machining tools known as CNC, milling machines, computer stations for design work and hand tools sit everywhere. Skateboard decks and other art pieces brighten the stark gray walls.

The largest room serves as a storage room and, when boxes and crates are shifted to the walls, a dining hall for feast days. A second floor with more living space and a media room was a recent addition.

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Like many Native artists, Pruitt is a metalworker, though his preferred materials arent silver or gold, but stainless steel or titanium. Instead of intricately cut and inlaid stone, he prefers rougher industrial diamonds or stingray skin to adorn his creations.

Pruitt is one of Indian Countrys art rebels, a group of Native artists who defy the pressure from collectors, markets and some museums to stay within the lines of Indian art.

How an accident led to a career

Pruitt came to his lifework literally by accident.

I was involved in a pretty traumatic bike accident when I was 15, he said. It fractured my skull, knocked out seven teeth and laid me out so I had a pretty intensive healing period.

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During his recovery, Pruitt was bored and asked a neighbor, silversmith Greg Lewis, to teach him the trade. Later, Pruitt worked with another Laguna artist, Charlie Bird. Between the two acclaimed artists, Pruitt gained a firm foundation in working metal.

Pruitt fell back into jewelry while a starving student at Southern Methodist University in the early 1990s, where he studied mechanical engineering.

The body piercing scene had come out from underground and I got involved in the scene, he said. I was like, I can make this jewelry.

Soon what began as making pieces for friends grew into a thriving business producing jewelry for the industry. It was also his introduction to stainless steel and titanium.

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But Pruitts business stalled with the arrival of cheaper imported jewelry. So the ever-adaptive artist pivoted: He cut a new path in Native art by merging his early training in silversmithing with his newly acquired machining skills and interest in non-traditional materials.

The result was, at first, mixed. Like other artists whose work doesnt shout Indian, Pruitt found collectors turning their noses up at his pieces. Some museums and galleries, mistaking his work as factory-made, didnt want to carry it.

But they came around after he won one of the first Conrad House Innovation Awards at the Heard Museum Indian Fair & Market in 2007 for a rubber timing belt and stainless steel collar and leash set, Lucky 13. The award is named after the Navajo/Oneida artist who created expressive artworks in a variety of media.

Since then, Pruitt has delved into the limits of metals such as anodized titanium accented with stingray skin, rubber and industrial diamonds.

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His career has allowed him to move back to the Pueblo, where he said hes been able to fulfill his role as a Pueblo man: serving on the council, helping with orchards and other agriculture, helping dig graves for funerals.

At age 50, Pruitt embarked on a new road: He went back to finish his bachelors degree at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe.

Ive gone as far as I can without a degree, he said. Pruitt is also using the time to continue growing as an artist. He will continue working from his Paguate studio, improving his home a bit at a time as he accumulates funds.

Pat Pruitt is one of Indian Countrys art rebels, a group of Native artists who defy the pressure from collectors, markets and some museums to stay within the lines of Indian art.

They dont give home improvement loans on the reservation, he said.

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And hes committed to controlling his destiny, which includes exhibits. Pruitt terminated the contract for a proposed mid-career retrospective exhibit when the museum said his early work in body piercing art, which started him on a life in metal-crafted art, wouldnt be part of the show.

In wind-swept Winslow, two brothers lay their route

The town that the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built is a study in contrasts.

Home to about 10,000 people, Winslow is a bit rough around the edges. Yet it boasts an elegant, restored Fred Harvey Company-era hotel, one of a handful of Amtrak stations in the state, bars, restaurants and lots of places in its Victorian-era downtown to purchase Route 66 memorabilia. Even the sculptor of the iconic bronze Standing on the Corner that pays homage to the Eagles song Take it Easy hawks T-shirts featuring his work.

But the little railroad town that is now a crew-change hub for BNSF Railway is also a mini-hub for another industry: artists. Several Native artists have settled in Winslow, or Beesh Sinil, the Place of Steel Rails in Navajo.

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Two of those artists are brothers Marlowe and Yancey Katoney.

Marlowes pictorial textiles resemble nothing like the usual Navajo motifs. Instead of folksy scenes of hogans, sheep, women bedecked in rich velvet skirts and turquoise and their men sporting wide-brimmed hats and boots, Marlowe Katoneys works depict skateboarders, realistic images of Code Talkers, all-seeing eyes radiating out and the Navajo Tree of Life featuring a flock of Angry Birds. His colors can be dazzling near neon-bright or subdued like the first glimmers of sunrise.

Marlowe didnt set out to become one of Indian Countrys most unconventional weavers, though hes been interested in the art since observing his maternal grandmother weave.

I was always fascinated by the strings and what they did, Marlowe said. But I thought I was going to be a teacher.He went to the University of Arizona on a scholarship, inspired by Native art legends and fellow rebels Charles Loloma, the Hopi jeweler whose work was at first rejected because it wasnt Indian enough, and Luiseno painter Fritz Scholder, who never really felt he was Native. Both studied at UA. Marlowe studied art history, American Indian studies and literature, intending to move into painting.

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But the money ran out and Marlowe struggled to work and attend college. Eventually it just didnt work out like I wanted so I ended up coming home, he said.

Back in Winslow, Marlowe waited tables at the Turquoise Room at La Posada and worked as a patient registration clerk at the Winslow Indian Health Care Center before moving to art full time. Grandma showed Marlowe the ropes  or the strings  of weaving so he would have something to fall back on.

Marlowe paints portraits using dyed wool instead of oils, pastels or watercolor, wielding his eye for color, his love of popular culture and Navajo culture and his formal art training.

Some of his first works were butterflies, three maroon butterflies with blue dots.

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A visit to the R.B. Burnham Trading Post in Sanders proved to be a turning point as he wove his career with vegetal-dyed yarn.

Sherry Burnham and her husband had seen my weaving and said they saw something in it, Marlowe said. Her dad, trader Bruce Burnham, had a supply of specially ordered yarns from Britain and Pennsylvania that he planned to use to revive the Germantown weaving style, and gave Marlowe one skein of every color.

Let me see what you can do with this," Bruce said.

Marlowes career took off from there. He soon became known for his unique takes on both Navajo traditions to street skating and raves. In 2017, Marlowe won a Conrad House award at the Heard Indian Fair for a breakdance textile.

Since then, Marlowe has made a name for himself as an eclectic artist. He said he works with both vegetal and aniline-dyed yarn to create textiles that are more paintings than traditional Navajo design.

The Angry Birds textile, which is in the Heard Museums collection, was recreated in Lego bricks. He also had a one-man exhibit of his work at the UAs Museum of Art in 2023.

After taking a hiatus from markets, hes headed to the Heard Indian Fair in 2025. I owe them a lot, he said.

Marlowes younger brother Yancey also works in colorpaint and ink. Yancey is a talented muralist whose work brightens the brick and block walls of Winslow buildings.

He brought a reporter and photographer from The Arizona Republic to a side wall of a cafe and former trading post that he adorned with Navajo, Hopi and Hispanic symbology, including wedding baskets, textiles, Frida Kahlo and a figure resembling a cross between a kachina and R2D2 from Star Wars.

Down the street, Yancey showed his latest work: a mural and painted signage for a new frybread restaurant. He talked about his dreams.

I want to have a place off the grid with my girlfriend and a big pickup, he said, pointing at a huge four-door black truck with big off-road tires. And I want a studio.

Yancey said he wants to move his tattoo shop to bigger digs. He had been renting a corner in an existing tattoo and body piercing shop but would like more space.

He showcased his exacting work in ink at his current space. Yancey carefully guided the needle loaded with black ink into the arm of one of his customers, tracing the outline of a Greek god onto the mans bicep. The customer would return to have the picture filled in once he saved more money.

Soon, Yanceys wish for his own space will be granted. Marlowe said the brothers had found a studio to rent that theyll share.

Debra Krol reports on Indigenous communities at the confluence of climate, culture and commerce in Arizona and the Intermountain West. Reach Krol at debra.krol@azcentral.com. Follow her on X @debkrol.

Coverage of Indigenous issues at the intersection of climate, culture and commerce is supported by the Catena Foundation.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Artists creating their own paths to change the culture of Native art
WARSAW, Poland  In a major step towards ramping up NATOs missile-defense capabilities, the alliance took control of the Aegis Ashore Missile Defence System (AAMDS) in Redzikowo, northern Poland, earlier this month.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk used the Nov. 13 activation ceremony to announce his country would boost investments in domestic artillery ammunition production capacities amid Russias continuing invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

According to a statement by NATOs Allied Air Command, Polish President Andrzej Duda and U.S. Navy Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, who serves as the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples, also attended the proceedings.

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I am very glad that we are officially opening this base which will, just like the United States military, defend freedom and security in the world, Duda was quoted as saying in a statement released by his office.

Polands Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski said the Redzikowo site is the first permanent installation developed by the U.S. military on Polish soil. Construction work on the base began in May 2016.

The alliance move is accompanied by Polands national efforts to boost weapon and ammunition manufacturing capacities. The authorities believe a speedier production rate, alongside a bigger U.S. military footprint here, will enhance the nations deterrence of Russia.

Speaking on Nov. 19, Tusk said a new mechanism approved by his Cabinet will facilitate building new plants to produce key types of ammunition, such as the 155 mm artillery shells. These are required for Polands growing fleet of K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers, made by South Korean Hanwha Aerospace, and Krab howitzers, manufactured domestically by the state-owned defense group PGZ.

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The development of ammunition production and the creation of a mechanism to finance it will be a milestone towards ensuring peace in the region and strengthening Polands defense capacities, the prime minister said. This includes, among other things, higher production capabilities for artillery shells, which provide a huge advantage on the front.
JACKSON COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA)  Three bail bond agents have been charged with breaking into a womans home and shoving her.

North Carolina Department of Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said on Tuesday Christian Paul Field, 23, Sarah Gwenath Cochran, 38, while working as bond agents went to a home in Cullowhee belonging to Dustin Stanleys mother in search of Stanley.

They allegedly entered the wrong house, took Stanleys phone and shoved his mother.

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Christian and his father, Kevin Field, are also accused of returning to the same home two days later and again wrongfully entering the home.

Christian Field was charged with felony larceny, misdemeanor assault on a female and two misdemeanor counts of breaking and entering. He was arrested on Nov. 14 and released on a written promise to appear in court.

Cochran was charged with felony larceny, misdemeanor breaking and entering and misdemeanor simple assault. She was arrested on Nov. 14 and given a $5,000 secured bond.

Kevin Field was served with a criminal summons and charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering.

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A new state funding package, titled to suggest prioritization of aid for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts but containing a mix of other provisions, was released Tuesday by North Carolinas Republican-led legislature and fast-tracked to the state House floor.

The bill  which is 131 pages long  reduces the authority of several newly elected Democratic executive officials, allocates funding to various programs and state agencies, reshuffles some agencies, and includes financial support for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. The remnants of Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina in late September, devastating the region. Recovery is expected to take years.

The News & Observer obtained a draft copy of the bill early Tuesday, but the official version of the legislation was not released until the evening during a House session.

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After its release to the public after 5 p.m., it was debated extensively, with Democrats heavily criticizing the way the bill was introduced, its inclusion of various provisions unrelated to Helene aid and the lack of significant Helene funding.

The legislation, titled Disaster Relief 3/Budget/Various Law Changes, replaces a prior version of Senate Bill 382, which originally addressed dental practice reforms.

The bill passed the House just before 8 p.m. The bill now moves to the Senate for a vote Wednesday.

Here are some of the key provisions of the bill.

Council of State power shifts

The bill removes the power of incoming Democratic Gov. Josh Stein to appoint members to the State Board of Elections and transfers them to the states newly elected Republican state auditor, Dave Boliek. The bill also shortens the time voters have to fix issues with their provisional ballots.

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The bill also makes changes to the power of the attorney generals office, including by not allowing the incoming attorney general, Democrat Jeff Jackson, to take any position on behalf of the state that is contrary to or inconsistent with the position of the General Assembly, according to the bill.

Stein, the states current attorney general who was elected as governor this November, has argued against the state in lawsuits, including on abortion.

The bill also removes the ability of the state superintendent of public instruction to appeal decisions made by the N.C. Charter Schools Review Board. Current Superintendent Catherine Truitt, who is a Republican, hasnt used that option.

But Mo Green, a Democrat, will take office in January after defeating Republican Michele Morrow. The new provision means Green couldnt ask the State Board of Education, which has a Democratic majority, to reject charter schools approved by the Review Board.

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Another change transfers the Center for Safer Schools away from the state Department of Public Instruction to the State Bureau of Investigation. Green oversees DPI.

Changes to how judges are chosen

The bill redraws court districts in a way that eliminates the current district of Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins, a Democrat who in 2019 threw out two amendments to the North Carolina Constitution that voters approved in 2018  one on voter ID and another to cap the state income tax rate.

The bill also creates two new special superior court judge positions, with one nominated by the speaker of the House and the other by the president pro tempore of the Senate.

And it changes the appointment process for filling state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals vacancies by requiring the governor to select appointees from a list of three people recommended by the political party with which the judge leaving the seat was affiliated. Durham Democratic Rep. Marcia Morey said that provision violated the state constitution and hinted at a future lawsuit.

New law enforcement agency

The bill would also create a new cabinet-level law enforcement agency.

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It would turn the State Highway Patrol into a standalone department, rather than a subset of the N.C. Department of Public Safety.

The State Capitol Police would also leave Public Safety to become part of the new Highway Patrol, as would the Division of Motor Vehicles License and Theft Bureau, which is now part of the Department of Transportation.

The head of the new department, the commander of the State Highway Patrol, would be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation of the General Assembly. The current commander is chosen by the governor without approval of lawmakers.

The new commander would be appointed to a five-year term, with the first to begin in July.

Helene funding

Little Crabtree Creek is littered with storm debris and vehicles on Thursday, October 17, 2024, three weeks after Hurricane Helene flooded the South Toe River and adjacent creeks near Micaville in Yancey County, N.C.

As for Hurricane Helene funding, among other things, the bill provides:

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 Helene Fund: $227 million for the states Helene Fund, which was created in a past bill. It does not appear all these funds are spent in the bill, but they are reserved for Helene recovery purposes.

 Debris Removal: $25 million to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for debris removal.

 Technical Support: $2 million for technical assistance to soil and water conservation districts in affected areas.

 Local Government Loans: $100 million for loans to local governments in impacted regions.

 Water Infrastructure Repairs: Another $100 million to support a loan program for water and wastewater service repairs and related needs.

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This funding package follows two earlier relief efforts, which together allocated over $877 million for Helene recovery. Lawmakers are expected to come back in early December, where they may provide additional funding for Helene. State lawmakers have taken a cautious approach to funding, citing concerns about potential delays or denials of federal reimbursements.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper had proposed a much larger $3.9 billion relief package in late October. Coopers Office of State Budget and Management estimates the total cost of Helenes damage in Western North Carolina to be $53 billion. Cooper has criticized the General Assembly, alleging they prioritize private school vouchers over adequate funding for Helene recovery.

Funding for agency tasked with Eastern NC hurricane recovery efforts

The bill allocates $50 million to Rebuild NC for homeowner recovery projects and mandates the state auditor to conduct a financial and performance audit of the office by July 1, 2025.

It also requires the Office of State Budget and Management to perform ongoing financial monitoring of Rebuild NC for the duration of its operations. This follows a request from Rebuild NC  the office responsible for rebuilding homes damaged by hurricanes Florence and Matthew  for additional funding after exhausting its federal funds.

University funding, including for Poe Hall toxic remediation

The North Atrium of N.C. State Universitys Poe Hall is photographed on Monday, July 29, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C.







The bill would spend $5 million to assess the costs associated with rehabilitating or replacing NC State Universitys Poe Hall.

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The building has been closed for nearly a year after tests showed the presence of toxic chemicals known as polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, which the Environmental Protection Agency considers probable human carcinogens and which were banned from being produced in the United States in 1979.

NC State announced this summer that it plans to remove the heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, systems and other building materials in Poe Hall to remedy the presence of the chemicals.

Lawmakers in the state House this summer proposed up to $180 million for rehabilitation of the building in their budget proposal, which did not advance in the Senate. Speaking about the bill on Tuesday evening, Rep. Donny Lambeth, a Forsyth County Republican, indicated that lawmakers would provide additional funding for Poe Hall in the long legislative session next year.

The bill also provides funding to the UNC System, which includes all 16 of the states public universities, for the schools changes in enrollment and performance.

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The UNC System Board of Governors in 2022 revised the systems funding model for campuses, tying funds to schools performance instead of their ability to increase enrollment, but campuses still receive state funds based on students credit hours.

For performance, which is based on each schools progress toward metrics like improving student success or affordability, the bill would provide more than $13 million in one-time funding to be divided among the campuses based on their performance.

For enrollment, which is based on the change in in-state students credit hours, the bill would provide about $575,000 in funding.

Five schools  UNC Asheville, UNC Greensboro, UNC Pembroke, Winston-Salem State University and East Carolina University  would receive additional funding to address the losses they otherwise would have experienced due to declines in student enrollments between 2022 and 2023.

Child care funding

The relief bill would provide an additional $33.8 million in grants to help keep child care facilities open. During the pandemic, Congress provided similar money, known as stabilization grants, that allowed child care facilities to give raises to employees and pay for rent and mortgage costs. Child care advocates have been lobbying legislators to continue the funding at the state level to keep the centers running.

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Earlier this year, a survey of the states child care programs found 29% expect to close when the stabilization grants go away. That means 1,535 programs could close. That would take away 91,660 slots. Business groups have warned that the closure of large numbers of child care centers would have a devastating effect on the economy by forcing parents to stay at home to care for their children.

Energy regulation changes

The bill would also shift control of the states Utilities Commission away from the governors office.

The Utilities Commission regulates electricity, natural gas, telecommunications and household movers in North Carolina. Most notably, it regulates Duke Energy, setting the utilitys rates and making decisions about how its power will be generated.

Currently the governor appoints three members of the Utilities Commission, a majority of the five-person body. The other two are appointed by the speaker of the House and the Senate president pro tem.

SB 382 would shift one of the governors seats to the state treasurer, a seat won by Republican Brad Briner earlier this month.

The General Assembly has used a similar maneuver on the Environmental Management and Coastal Resources commissions, taking majority control away from the governor by giving a small number of seats to Republicans elected to the Council of State.

The bill also takes the power to appoint the Utilities Commissions chairperson away from the governor. Now, that person will be elected by the five-member commission.

In another energy maneuver, SB 382 would repeal the Energy Policy Council, an advisory council housed in the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality that was chaired by the states lieutenant governor. Rachel Hunt, a Democrat, was elected to that position earlier this month.

Campaign finance changes

Under current law, two kinds of groups tied to political parties, known as political party executive committees and affiliated party committees, can establish a political party headquarters building fund. The bill changes the rules for contributions to these funds by allowing previously prohibited sources  such as from corporations, business entities, and labor unions  to be used to fund legal actions.

Currently, these funds are largely restricted to spending related to a headquarters building.

Under the Dome

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RALEIGH (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A bill dealing with school choice and immigration enforcement is one step closer to becoming law after a successful veto override in the North Carolina House Tuesday afternoon.

The override vote for HB 10 was 72-44.

Mecklenburg County State Rep Carla Cunningham was the lone Democrat to speak in favor of the legislation, pointing to the value of included investments for public safety and public health.

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For me, its a matter of not throwing the baby out with the bathwater, while I remain critical of the opportunity scholarship program, I must prioritize the broader benefits that this legislation will provide for our communities, said Cunningham.

PREVIOUS: NC GOP expected to push private school vouchers bill before supermajority ends

HB 10 provides nearly half a billion dollars in funding for a school choice program, what Republicans call opportunity scholarships.

This is about opportunities, opportunities for all children, all across North Carolina, argued Mecklenburg County Republican Tricia Cotham.

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Cothams support for the bill was met with pushback from Wake County Democrat Julie Von Haefen, The use of money that were going to spend on these harmful private school vouchers and instead rededicate ourselves to helping those in need and investing in our public schools that the majority of North Carolina attend.

HB 10 also requires sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration operations, specifically that they honor requests to hold illegal immigrants charged with serious crimes for at least 48 hours. State Rep Destin Hall (R  Caldwell, Watauga Counties) argued the requirement is needed to make sure law enforcement does all it can to keep criminals off the street. Immigration advocates had a very different take before the vote, Tuesday morning.

Republicans in NC General Assembly question Helene recovery response

They are abusing their power, pushing a divisive political agenda and turning their backs on the very people they were elected to represent, and it is nothing short of cowardice, said Iliana Santillan, Executive Director of El Pueblo.

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HB 10 now moves onto the Senate where a 3/5 vote is also required for an override. The vote is set to happen Wednesday afternoon.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The NC Senate chamber (Photo: ncleg.net)

Republican lawmakers in North Carolina approved wide-ranging legislation Wednesday that was billed as another round of hurricane relief, but instead primarily shifts power within state government away from Democratic officials.

Senate Bill 382 is advertised as the third round of relief for western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene caused unprecedented damage in the states western counties. But it provides just a fraction of the spending allocated in the previous packages  instead making major changes to the distribution of power within the executive branch.

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The bill places new restrictions on the governors and attorney generals offices, limiting their authority months before newly elected Democrats take office. It redirects some of that power to state offices soon to be controlled by Republicans.

And it makes a litany of changes to other parts of state law, including absentee voting, ballot counting, the highway patrol and the judiciary.

It passed the Senate on Wednesday on a 30-19 party-line vote, ending a fast-tracked legislative process of a 131-page bill that did not become public until an hour before debate began on Tuesday.

The bill previously passed the House 63-46, with three Republicans who represent districts in western North Carolina joining Democrats in voting no.

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It now heads to Gov. Roy Coopers desk. He blasted lawmakers on Wednesday for using financial crumbs to cover for massive power grabs.

He could veto the legislation; an override in the House would likely require opposing Republicans to change their votes.

Republicans backing the bill have argued it takes another measured step in the states response to Helene, pointing to hundreds of millions of dollars approved in prior aid packages.

They urged patience with billions of federal dollars likely coming down the pipeline in the coming months.

We are going to have to walk the straightest of lines to make sure that we maximize every dollar that we can put into this, said Deputy Senate President Pro Tem Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell).

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Everything that were trying to force out early by saying that were not doing anything in western North Carolina is challenging our actual ability to recover from this storm.

Republicans say many of the bills changes to state law and government are needed fixes, such as language that would shorten deadlines for absentee voting and ballot counting.

The purpose of these changes is to ensure a timelier resolution of election outcomes, Hise said, referencing vote counts that drag on for two weeks  like an ongoing state Supreme Court race in which a Democrat leads.

Democrats continued to blast the legislation on the Senate floor Wednesday, accusing Republicans of distorting hurricane relief for political gain.

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It would have been easy to break out the Hurricane Helene portions of this bill from the rest of the bill that takes purely partisan aim at the pillars of our democracy, said Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe). But that is not the decision that was made.

Sen. Mary Willis Bode (D-Granville) said the bill was the Republicans attempt at injuring the other teams players in the final minutes of a game they know theyre going to lose. And Sen. Lisa Grafstein (D-Wake) called it a sign of weakness.

We just came to make these pen swipes and act like were here doing something, when all we did was move money from one pot to another, Grafstein said.

Opponents to bill ejected during Senate debate

Observers of the North Carolina Senate hold out thumbs down as members debate a hurricane relief bill that also shifts power within state government in Raleigh on Nov. 20, 2024. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

While Republicans ticked through the bill on the Senate floor, opponents in the gallery quietly booed and displayed thumbs pointing down.

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And after they cheered for a Democrats speech, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson  who presides over the Senate  ordered a 10-minute break while these immature people are taken out. As they were escorted out of the gallery, they shouted shame and fascists.

Two of the demonstrators, Navy veteran Kelly Parrish and her friend Nancy Nice, came out to denounce what Parrish called a power grab by Republicans.

Republicans cant win without cheating, Nice said. Its a shell game, too. They just want the news that theyre gonna have some money for western North Carolina  but its no new money for western North Carolina.

Parrish  who held up a sign reading Stop Hurting Helene Victims before being escorted out of the gallery  added she was sorry to see the protest was not as large as in 2016, when a similar bill stripped Cooper, the then-incoming governor, of many of his powers.

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Democracy dies in the dark. I mean you just cannot let them win, she said.

What the bill allocates for Helene relief

The bill allocates a total of $252 million for Hurricane Helene relief  but provides few new uses for the money.

Except as otherwise provided in this act, the funds shall remain unspent until appropriated by an act of the General Assembly, the bill reads. It is the intent of the General Assembly to review funding and to consider actions needed to address remaining unmet needs.

Few line-items in the bill deal specifically with hurricane recovery:

$50 million for ReBuild NC, which continues to face scrutiny as it runs a deficit and struggles to finish building replacement homes from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence.

$33.75 million for child care center grants, to fend off closures of centers in the mountains.

$25 million for debris removal.

$2 million for support to soil and water conservation districts in affected counties.

Asheville-area lawmakers, business owners say regional crises loom large

Democrats from Buncombe County, which saw some of Helenes worst damage, warned Wednesday that without more robust state aid, Asheville and western North Carolina will see its economy suffer and population drain.

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Soon, Mayfield warned, crises will compound. A lack of money flowing to businesses means many will close, leaving thousands without work and unable to pay rent. Many of those people would likely leave the region.

Were losing the people who make our city run, Mayfield told reporters at a press conference. And when theyre gone, theyre gone.

Several Asheville-area business owners urged lawmakers to revisit a grant program for small businesses.

Previous aid packages have allocated money for a state loan program, but regional leaders have said thats not enough to meet needs.

We know that the flood happened, said J. Hackett, the founder of Black Wall Street in Asheville. We know that the damage was done. What we dont know is what the rest of the state is going to do to assist those that are most vulnerable right now.

Nothing for western NC: Why one House Republican voted no

Three House Republicans opposed the bill Tuesday: Majority Whip Karl Gillespie (R-Macon), Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Swain), and Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood). All represent districts in western North Carolina.

Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) said the bill appears to do nothing for western NC. He and two other Republicans in the state House opposed it. (Screenshot: NC General Assembly video fed)

The bill appears to do nothing for western NC, Pless wrote in a statement Wednesday. There were so many issues being addressed in the bill it was impossible to gain an understanding of what the bill will do across NC. I am not going to vote yes unless I can understand and agree with what the bill does.

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Pless also said he was upset with the lack of process around the 131-page bill, noting that he did not have the opportunity to review it until Tuesday morning.

He added that he is unsure how he would vote on an override of a potential veto from Cooper and will read and study the bill further in the interim.

I will make that decision when the time comes to cast my vote on the override, he wrote.

Gillespie and Clampitt did not respond to requests for comment.

Cooper has not yet stated whether he will veto the bill, though he has repeatedly condemned legislators for shortchanging disaster recovery while prioritizing power grabs.

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As Republicans only hold a precise 3/5 supermajority in the state House, opposition from any of the three lawmakers would be enough to prevent lawmakers from overcoming a veto if all Democrats are present and voting to sustain the veto.
North Carolina senators passed Senate Bill 382 Wednesday afternoon which sets aside $227 million for Helene relief while stripping away power from the incoming governor.

There were dozens of changes in the bill that were unrelated to Helene, including one that Democrats call a power grab.

It takes power away from the executive branch targeting the governor, attorney general, and other offices where Democrats won the election.

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In the bill, the attorney general is banned from taking stances in court that dont align with the opinions of state lawmakers.

WSOC SPECIAL SECTION: Helene Recovery

Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to lose control over the state board of elections and the bill eliminates state commissions on energy policy and school safety.

The bill goes to Coopers desk but hes not in the state on Wednesday, so Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is acting governor.

Robinson told Raleigh news station, WRAL, that he does not plan to act on it.

READ MORE: North Carolina Republicans complete a veto override of voucher, immigration bill

The Republican-dominated North Carolina legislature completed on Wednesday its override of Gov. Roy Coopers veto of legislation that both locates funds for private school scholarship grants for recipients of all incomes and directs local sheriffs to comply with federal immigration agents requests to detain certain inmates.

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The Senate voted to enact the bill despite Coopers objections, one day after the House voted for a similar result. Republicans hold veto-proof majorities in each chamber.

The bill, which is now law, means that a large windfall of funding  about $463 million  will be provided to the Opportunity Scholarship program in part to eliminate a waitlist of families who otherwise qualified beginning in the fall for grants to attend private or religious K-12 schools.

LINK: The Political Beat with Reporter Joe Bruno

A historic expansion of parental school choice is now a reality in North Carolina, Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina President Mike Long said after Wednesdays vote, adding that that legislature sent a clear message that our state will continue to invest in students over systems.

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When the General Assembly eliminated income caps for recipient families on the program last year  leading to skyrocketing interest  55,000 children were otherwise unable to access the aid because GOP lawmakers initially this summer were unable to agree on appropriating additional funds.

They reached a deal in September, inserting it into a broader budget adjustment measure. But also added was another change long-sought by Republicans to compel North Carolina sheriffs to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers  a request for local law enforcement to temporarily hold inmates believed to be in the country illegally so the agency can pick them up. An inmate can be held for up to 48 hours under the law.

Cooper vetoed the omnibus bill in September, with his veto message focusing mainly on the private school vouchers. He said the large amount of money now and in the foreseeable future for the program would damage public schools that they say arent funded enough as is. He and other Democrats have also criticized Republican legislators for pushing the override instead of solely focusing on passing another relief package for western North Carolinians dealing with Hurricane Helenes impact.

We cannot afford this, Sen. Natasha Marcus, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, said during the short Senate debate. This is a budget-busting expense that more than doubles the already significant voucher problem in North Carolina.

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Marcus also said the program lacks enough accountability and gives money to religious schools that discriminate based on a familys beliefs.

The Opportunity Scholarship program began nearly a decade ago and benefitted low- and later middle-income families. But Republicans in 2023 made the program universal, meaning even students from the richest families get scholarship payments  albeit smaller amounts than poorer families  in the name of offering school choice options for everyone. The newly enacted law allows award winners to be reimbursed through grant funds for tuition they paid for the fall semester.

The immigration provisions have been contained in bills since 2019 that Cooper vetoed while the GOP lacked a veto-proof majority. Such a supermajority was restored in April 2023, leading to more than two dozen overrides since then.

The legislations supporters have repeatedly said it will keep communities safer by forcing sheriffs in predominantly Democratic counties to adhere to detainers. One of the bill sponsors, Speaker-elect Destin Hall, also referenced voters choice to reelect President-elect Donald Trump  who made concerns about illegal immigration a mainstay of his campaign  as a seeming mandate to push the legislation.

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But opponents to the bill, which include several Hispanic advocacy groups, said it will put immigrant communities in danger of being unfairly targeted by law enforcement.

The cooperation by sheriffs with ICE agents and the voucher money transfer now takes effect immediately.

The new law also contains about $160 million to address enrollment growth in K-12 public schools and community colleges. It also directs $377 million for Medicaid.

__

Associated Press writer Makiya Seminera in Raleigh contributed to this report.
North Carolina General Assembly (File Photo)

North Carolina sheriffs must comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests with the passage of House Bill 10 over Governor Roy Coopers veto Wednesday.

The bill will also funnel more than $2 billion to the states Opportunity Scholarship school voucher program over the next decade  expanding the program to allow students of all income levels to receive taxpayer funding for tuition at private schools in the state.

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The state House of Representatives voted to override Coopers veto by a 72-44 margin Tuesday, with three Democrats joining all Republicans present in favor. On Wednesday, the state Senate followed suit, overcoming the veto with a 30-19 vote.

Cooper vetoed the bill days after its passage in September, calling private school vouchers the biggest threat to public schools in decades. He has since framed his opposition to the veto override effort around insufficient aid to western North Carolina, calling on lawmakers to put the billions this bill will use to fund school vouchers toward Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

The bill, labeled a mini-budget by Republican leaders, also includes several other appropriations, including $377 million to support Medicaid, $55 million for water and sewer expenses in Chatham County, and funding for various cultural, veterans, and agricultural projects around the state  enough for a few Democrats in the House to support the bill despite opposition to vouchers.

Republicans have sought passage of the legislation multiple times in various forms in recent years and GOP senators declined to debate its contents when the override motion was brought forth.

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Senator Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg), however, criticized the bill as a massive and expensive and reckless expansion of the school voucher program, which she called a means of perpetuating white flight from public schools. She cited a ProPublica report identifying 39 schools in the voucher program likely founded as segregation academies in the wake of the desegregation of public schools.

Marcus also criticized the lack of regulation of private schools in the state, the absence of licensing for their teachers, and inadequate oversight over what children are being taught and their educational outcomes.

Parents are going in blind, and this body doesnt seem to care whether these kids are getting a good education with the money that we are funding, she said.

The North Carolina Association of Educators decried the bills passage in a statement Tuesday, warning that the states public schools would suffer as a result.

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Spending billions of taxpayer dollars to fund private school vouchers while public schools remain underfunded, while public school educators are asked to do more with less, and as the western part of our state is still recovering from the devastating impact of Helene is irresponsible, said Tamika Walker Kelly, the associations president.

In contrast, Andrew Yates, the president of ALEC Action  the advocacy arm of the conservative American legislative Exchange Council  issued a statement praising the vote. By overriding this veto, the legislature has empowered families to break free from a one-size-fits-all system and embrace true educational freedom, ensuring every child has a chance to thrive, Yates said.

The new requirements for North Carolina sheriffs include an expansion of the circumstances in which they must check the immigration status of detainees, a requirement to withhold bond and turn over undocumented immigrants to comply with ICE hold orders, and protection from civil and criminal liability for these actions.

These changes come as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to oversee sweeping immigration enforcement in his first days in office, with proposals on the table to deploy the U.S. military to carry out mass deportation and to create sprawling detention camps for the purpose of holding undocumented immigrants.

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In a statement Wednesday urging the Senate to vote down the veto override, Carolina Migrant Network Co-Executive Director Stefania Arteaga condemned the bill as devastating to students and families.

House Bill 10 forces local agencies to act as immigration enforcers, creating an environment where families live in constant fear and are less likely to report crimes or seek critical services, Arteaga said.
NC State students tape a list of demands to Holladay Hall, the building containing the chancellor's office, on Nov. 19, 2024. (Christine Zhu/NC Newsline)

One year after the closure of Poe Hall at North Carolina State University, students are demanding more action from the schools administration to address the issue of PCBs on campus, which are linked to breast cancer.

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyl, were found with levels up to 38 times greater than EPA standards at Poe Hall last December.

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But the university hasnt done enough to address the issue since then, students say.

The Campus Community Alliance for Environmental Justice and the NCSU Grad Workers Union delivered a petition to the institution Tuesday afternoon to express their continued concern over the health and wellbeing of campus community members.

Organizers circulated a list of six demands to Chancellor Randy Woodson beginning in March, which has received 1,276 signatures to date.

These demands include asking the university to identify and contact faculty, staff, and students who have had extensive exposure to PCB chemicals in Poe Hall, regardless of their current employment or student status at the university.

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The petition also demands that the university fully compensate all current and former Poe occupants for relevant short and long-term health screenings, as well as medical costs for those who have been diagnosed with cancer.

In addition, the petitioners asked NC State to keep Poe Hall closed until it is independently confirmed that the building no longer poses a danger in regard to PCBs.

Upon delivering the petition to the chancellors office, the students are giving Woodson 30 days to meet the six requests.

Were not asking, were demanding today, public history masters student Celine Shay said.

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Holladay Hall, which contains the chancellors office, was tested for PCBs in 2023, but Woodson told WRAL in March that he doesnt know why or what the results of the tests revealed.

Following initial remarks from speakers, a group of about 20 students marched from Poe Hall toward Holladay Hall to deliver the petition to Woodson. Along the way, they shouted chants asking for action.

Eric Martineau, a senior studying environmental science and plant biology, said he was disappointed by the modest turnout for the event but thinks it was a marketing issue.

Its not that people dont care about this, its that people dont know they should care, he said.

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Martineau attended a meeting on Monday with about 60 people and was the only one from that group to join in delivering the petition.

Upon arriving at Holladay Hall, students found the back entrance locked. Organizers were confused  theyd gone to the building the day before at around the same time and had no issue entering.

The group then circled around to the front entrance, which was also locked. Some students peered through the windows. A photographer from Technician, NC States student newspaper, said he could hear a police radio.

At one point, NC Newsline witnessed phones held up to a basement window through the blinds, documenting the students.

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Holladay Hall is locked at various times. We do have external signage with a number to call for deliveries and admittance to the building for meetings, Maggie Thomas, the chancellors communications specialist, told NC Newsline in an email. A call was not received this afternoon, but a petition was delivered to the Chancellors Office.

Unable to deliver the petition directly to Woodson or his staff, the students settled for taping it above the doors of the front entrance. The unfurled petition was 34 pages long.

This has gone beyond North Carolina, who has been signing this petition, because they all know that you shouldnt have to work in and tolerate a toxic workplace, marine science graduate student Hwa Huang said.
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, center, announces a new antitrust lawsuit Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, against four major semitruck manufacturers and a national trade association. To Hilgers' left is Lincoln County Commissioner Chris Bruns and Kent Grisham, president and CEO of the Nebraska Trucking Association, to Hilgers' right. Also joining the news conference was Lincoln County Commissioner Joe Hewgley, board chair, behind Hilgers. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Nebraska is seeking to tear up a national legal contract among four major manufacturers of semitrucks that seeks to increase electric vehicles and comply with California emissions rules.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced the state-level antitrust lawsuit Tuesday against Daimler Truck North America, International Motors Inc. (formerly Navistar Inc.), PACCAR Inc., and Volvo Group North America, as well as the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association. The lawsuit was filed in Lincoln County District Court, in North Platte, which Hilgers described as the epicenter for transportation in Nebraska.

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The Energy Markets of America and Renewable Fuels Nebraska joined Hilgers in the challenge.

This isnt about cars, Kent Grisham, president and CEO of the Nebraska Trucking Association, said Tuesday. This is about a political agenda. This is about a movement that has developed a following and has backed companies into a corner that we simply cannot allow to be sustained.

Kent Grisham, president and CEO of the Nebraska Trucking Association, joins Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers in announcing a new lawsuit against four semitruck manufacturers and a trade association. Nov. 19, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Ford Motor Company and Cummins Inc. also joined the July 2023 Clean Truck Partnership, which Liane Randolph, chair of the California Air Resources Board, described as an unprecedented collaboration that marks a new era in our zero-emission future.

This agreement makes it clear that we have shared goals to tackle pollution and climate change and to ensure the success of the truck owners and operators who provide critical services to Californias economy, Randolph said in a July 6, 2023, statement.

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Jed Mandel, president of the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, said at the time that the partnership reaffirmed a longstanding commitment to reduce emissions and move to a zero-emissions commercial vehicle future, with necessary lead time for manufacturers.

The challenged manufacturers are all organized in Delaware, with their principal places of business in Portland, Oregon; Lisle, Illinois; Bellevue, Washington; and Greensboro, North Carolina. The trade association, which negotiated the agreement, is based in Chicago.

This isnt about cars

Hilgers argued the partnership is unlawful because the four semitruck manufacturers have an oligopoly on manufacturing Class 8 trucks (defined as trucks over 33,001 pounds), including:

Cement mixers.

Dump trucks.

Fire trucks.

Fuel trucks.

Heavy semi-tractors.

Refrigerated vans.

Semi sleepers.

Tour buses.

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Together, the four manufacturers produce 99.9% of the market share for Class 8 trucks, so a move to electric vehicles could increase the cost of internal combustion engine vehicles, the lawsuit argues.

The partnership spurred from regulations under the California Air Resources Board, which Hilgers also sued in federal court in May. At that time, Hilgers also sued the Environmental Protection Agency under President Joe Biden for electric vehicle mandates and regulations.

Both of those cases are pending.

Unfortunately, its not just states and its not just the Biden administration, Hilgers said Tuesday. It is also companies, like these four defendants, who are working together to try to dictate national policies for Nebraskans and Americans.

Livestock and grain industries

The newest lawsuit alleges that the manufacturing partnership would be harmful to Nebraska, as 10 states other than California have adopted an Advanced Clean Trucks rule to reduce emissions and increase electric vehicles. The manufacturers agreed to comply with the standards in those states and any that will adopt the standards, regardless of legal challenges.

Trucks drive down the New Jersey Turnpike in Elizabeth, New Jersey. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

As part of the California standards, the manufacturers agreed in summer 2023 to reduce heavy-duty vehicle emissions and sell as many zero-emission trucks as reasonably possible, annually increasing sales as a percentage of overall medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

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The foregoing requirements make it likely that Defendants will treat Nebraska as a state that will adopt or may choose to adopt the [Advanced Clean Trucks] rule, Hilgers office wrote.

The lawsuit points to two examples important to Nebraska: the livestock and grain industries.

As Nebraska is the nations top beef exporter, and second in the nation for number of cattle, at 6.25 million head, it would be dangerous to utilize electric trucks, according to the lawsuit. Thats in part because the state doesnt have a charging infrastructure, and charging takes more time than refueling.

Many cattle are transported from the Nebraska Sandhills or South Dakota to feedlots in southeast Nebraska, well over 500 miles.

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Cattle feeders could never utilize Class 8 ZEV [zero-emission vehicle] trucks to transport these animals, as the livestock would be stranded at a station in excessive heat or freezing temperatures waiting for the truck to charge its batteries, leading to untold death and injury, the lawsuit states.

Grain producers also already work 12-16 hours per day using Class 8 internal combustion engine vehicles to haul products to market. Should they need to charge their trucks, twice per day at 3-5 hours each, that would be impractical or lead to increased costs for current trucks.

Grisham said that charging a single Class 8 truck requires the same amount of electricity as what the Empire State Building uses in an entire day. Hilgers added that could be more than a small Nebraska community.

Ground zero of EV infrastructure

Grisham said the tsunami effect will mean Nebraska truckers have no choice but to accept the status quo if the brakes arent put on the mandates.

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No charging stations for Class 8 trucks currently exist in Nebraska, Grisham said, and hes unaware of any electric Class 8 truck moving through Nebraska, particularly as there are no charging stations along Interstate 80 or other major corridors.

Were still at ground zero, Grisham said.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers announces two federal lawsuits against a California regulatory board and the Environmental Protection Agency on Monday, May 13, 2024, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Grisham estimated it would cost $624 billion to install charging stations nationwide and about $370 billion to improve the national distribution of electrical power. It would cost about $9 billion to improve Nebraskas distribution network.

Those figures dont include billions more in operational costs, the costs of the trucks or changes to labor, such as more frequent stops for recharging, Grisham said, and there remain major concerns over whether the nation can produce enough power for the new demand.

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He added that the Nebraska Trucking Association isnt against battery-powered vehicles, which can help reduce emissions, Grisham said, but so can technological advancements leading to fewer emissions for new fleets.

We want an everythings on the table approach so that we can continue to make the great progress that we have in controlling emissions, Grisham said.

Tear up this agreement

Hilgers office is seeking the following action:

Make the partnership null and void in Nebraska.

Permanently enjoin the manufacturers and trade association from: Reducing the output of Class 8 internal combustion engine vehicles in Nebraska, pursuant to the partnership. Raising prices for Class 8 internal combustion engine vehicles in Nebraska as a result of the partnership. Coordinating activity or taking any action under the partnership in any way in Nebraska.

Declare the partnership null and void nationwide.

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At the end of the day, what were trying to do is tear up this agreement and allow the free market and the nations elected representatives to determine the pace and scope of any change in our national logistics policy, Hilgers said.

semitruck-manufacturers-CTP-antitrust-lawsuit

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Benjamin Netanyahu has offered $5 million and safe passage out of Gaza to any resident who hands over an Israeli hostage.

Speaking to troops inside central Gaza, the Israeli prime minister also pledged that anyone who harmed a hostage would pay the price.

His speech followed a growing public outcry over the welfare of the remaining captives as winter nears.

Mr Netanyahu had earlier this month offered Hamas $1 million for each freed hostage as well as amnesty for their captors  a deal the Palestinian terror group did not appear to respond to.

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Hamas took 251 hostages during the Oct 7 terror attacks on southern Israel last year. Of these, 97 hostages remain in Gaza, 60 of whom are believed to be alive.

Mr Netanyahu has offered $5 million and safe passage out of Gaza to any resident who hands over an Israeli hostage - AFP

On a trip to the Israeli-held Netzarim Corridor, which cuts through Gaza, Mr Netanyahu said: Whoever brings us a hostage will find a safe way out for himself and his family. We will also give $5 million for every hostage.

The choice is yours but the result will be the same: We will bring them all back. Anyone who dares to harm our abductees will bear the responsibility. We will hunt you down and get you.

It is unclear how Israel intends to fund the hostage-release rewards.

Businessmen contribute to financial incentives

In October, several wealthy Israeli entrepreneurs offered their own financial incentives for the repatriation of hostages.

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Daniel Birnbaum, former CEO of SodaStream, announced on X, formerly Twitter, that he would give $100,000 in cash or bitcoin to anyone who delivers from Gaza a living Israeli prisoner.

He said he received hundreds of calls, mostly pranks and threats, but transferred between 10 and 20 potentially legitimate responses to the authorities.

Women dressed in white block a road outside Mr Netanyahus residence to call for the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas - ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

David Hager, an Israeli-American property developer, said he would also assist with fundraising efforts.

He told Israeli outlet Channel 12 that he had amassed around $400,000 from wealthy friends and was urging other businessmen to contribute in the hopes of reaching a $10 million goal.

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Mr Netanyahus latest reward announcement comes as members of his office face scrutiny for allegedly leaking classified documents.

It has been claimed the leak was an attempt to quell public support for a ceasefire and may have hindered a potential Israeli hostage-release deal.

The prime minister is also facing increased pressure from the families of hostages to recover the captives before temperatures drop.

Last week, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum health team said some of the remaining hostages had lost half of their body weight while in captivity, warning this had decreased their chances of surviving the upcoming winter.

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The forum issued a statement on Monday demanding that any potential ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon must explicitly, directly and unequivocally include the immediate release of all hostages in a single deal.

The possibility of such a ceasefire appears to be getting closer after Lebanon and Hezbollah agreed to a US proposal with some comments earlier this week.

However, Gideon Saar, Israels foreign minister, said on Wednesday that any ceasefire deal made with Lebanon must ensure Israel still has the freedom to act against Hezbollah.

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Netflix and Meta are being sued for an alleged anticompetitive agreement that, the suit states, involved the deliberate hobbling of Facebook Watch.

The proposed class action suit, which was filed in Illinois federal court on Monday, argues that Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg became of the same trade [in 2017] when Facebook began to directly compete against Netflix in the market for video-streaming services by launching Watch, a video-streaming platform that offered consumers the same kind of TV-like shows that were Netflixs bread and butter.

Hastings, who was on Facebooks board of directors, is then alleged to have urged Zuckerberg to shut down Watch in an agreement dubbed  a conspiracy against the public. The two companies allocated markets by agreeing that Facebook would cede the video-streaming market to Netflix by hobbling the Watch platform, according to the suit.

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Facebook was willing to kneecap its Watch video service in exchange for extremely valuable consumer data from Netflix as well as Netflixs dramatic increase in its spending on Facebook advertising, the lawsuit states.

In return, Netflix was allowed to unfairly raise prices, according to the suit. The proposed class action, which also alleges that the two companies violated a section one of the Sherman Act, would cover anyone who subscribed to Netflix in or after 2017. Violations of the antitrust law of 1890 entitles plaintiffs to recover, as explained in 19th century prose, threefold the damages by him sustained.

Facebook Watch was launched in August 2017 as an online video-on-demand service that included Jada Pinkett Smiths buzzy Red Table Talk. The viral talk show and the platform were both shut down in 2023.

Other Facebook Watch programming featured shows from Courteney Cox, Bear Grylls, Bill Murray, Nicole Byer, JoJo Siwa, Steve Wilkos and Will Smith that ranged from news to comedy to reality and game shows.



The post Netflix, Meta Sued Over Anticompetitive Streaming Agreement That Led to End of Facebook Watch appeared first on TheWrap.
The Netherlands reported on Wednesday, 20 November, that it had transferred the last two F-16 fighter jets to a training centre at the Romanian airbase of Fetesti.

Source: Dutch Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The last two F-16 aircraft out of the 18 promised by the Netherlands were transferred to the European F-16 Pilot Training Centre in Romania on Wednesday afternoon.

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Quote from the Dutch Ministry of Defence: "Initially, the aircraft were used to train only Romanian pilots, but now they are also being used to train Ukrainian pilots."

The F-16 training centre in Fetesti was opened in November 2023 as part of Kyiv's allies' efforts to train Ukrainian pilots on Western-style fighters.

Under the cooperation agreement, the Romanian Ministry of Defence provided the airbase for the exercises, the Netherlands provided the F-16 aircraft, and Lockheed Martin provided instructors and maintenance.

Background: It was reported in September that the first group of Ukrainian pilots began training with the F-16 at the centre.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Democratic Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said his office was prepared to address any fear and uncertainty following the election of President-elect Donald Trump.

While my office respects our political process and adheres to its outcome, it also acknowledges that the result of the presidential election has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainly for many Nevadans, Ford said in a statement posted to X. The president-elects rhetoric regarding, for example, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community and communities of color has not gone ignored or unnoticed by my office.

Trump has said his issues on Day 1 include mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and expanding oil drilling.

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Nevadans elected Ford in 2018, two years into Trumps first administration. Ford noted during that time, he and other Democratic attorneys general filed more than 100 lawsuits challenging Trumps policies, winning more than 80% of the time.

Republican attorneys general have a 76%-win rate against President Joe Bidens administration, The Hill reported.

Ford co-chairs the Democratic Attorneys General Associations executive committee. Democratic attorneys general across the county have publicly noted they are preparing possible legal defenses should the federal government attempt to infringe on state law.

We prepared for a Trump election in the event it took place. It has taken place, and we are prepared to pursue any form of protections via litigation, via comment letters, via communications, you name it, to protect the residents of our particular states, Ford said about his office and other attorneys general.

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My hope is that the next four years pass by peacefully; that these concerns are unfounded; and that President-elect Trump oversees an administration that does not vilify communities that have been targets of hateful animus, Ford said on X. But make no mistake, my office stands ready for the alternative, and we will be a bulwark against any effort to impose unconstitutional mandates, override our system of checks and balances, or intrude upon the rights of any Nevada resident.

Ford was re-elected in 2022 alongside Republican Gov. Joe Lombardos first term. A spokesperson for Lombardo did not return a request for comment and has not responded to any requests for comment regarding Trumps win.

Ford added his office was investigating racist and homophobic text messages sent across the county and received in Nevada. A spokesperson implored anyone who has received one of the messages to file a complaint.

It remained unclear Tuesday if Democrats in the Nevada Legislature planned any specific legislation heading into the next legislative session, which begins in February, amid Trumps win. If any legislation were to pass, it would face a possible veto threat from Lombardo.

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Photo: Michael Lyle/Nevada Current)

Inmates in Nevada prisons are being denied necessary medical care and medications, according to providers and a memo provided to the Current.

It has come to our attention that there have been instances of medical care being neglected for inmates in our care, Warden Jeremy Bean of High Desert State Prison wrote in an August memo to all prison medical providers. This is a serious violation of their rights under the 8th Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, including the denial of necessary medical care.

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Bean went on to say failing to provide necessary medications or services not only violates the 8th Amendment but also goes against your obligations as licensed healthcare professionals. The failure to provide care not only puts the health of offenders at risk, the memo reads, but also jeopardizes your professional integrity and may result in disciplinary action.

Gov. Joe Lombardo declined to comment on the memo or say whether he has taken any action as a result. His spokeswoman referred the Current to an emailed statement from NDOC, which says the department is committed to providing the best care to our population and will continue to strive to meet the needs of our population.

Nevada Department of Corrections Medical Director Dr. Kenneth Williams. Williams is pictured here in a screengrab from a 2020 Tennessee Department of Corrections video.

The failure to provide care is worsening, providers contend, under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth Williams, the Nevada Department of Corrections medical director. In February, the Current reported Williams was hired and permitted to work without a medical license, a minimum requirement for the job.

In March, the state Board of Medical Examiners said it had no jurisdiction over Williams, given his unlicensed status, and asked Attorney General Aaron Ford to investigate.

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However, without explanation, in July the Board licensed Williams, who worked almost an entire year without a license, a class D felony. Its the first time the medical board has approved a doctor who practiced without a license.

Williams did not respond to calls to his office and personal phone.

Doctors allege retaliation

Williams has terminated two practitioners in the last several weeks  a dentist who says he declined to abide by Williams directive to practice on patients without a dental assistant, and a doctor who questioned why Williams was not following his own policy of having an outside provider serve on the Utilization Review Board, a panel that evaluates appropriate care for inmates.

Both practitioners assisted Fords investigation of Williams hiring, given his lack of credentials, and suggest their terminations may have been retaliatory.

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Fords office will not say whether the investigation of Williams has been completed.

In a complaint to the states Human Resources department alleging a whistleblower violation under state law, which prohibits an official from retaliating against an employee who reports wrongdoing, the dentist alleges Williams abused his official authority and influence by intimidating, threatening me, coercing others to join him to take retaliatory action by terminating my employment

Theres already a shortage of providers and now Williams is making it more difficult for the inmates to have any quality of care, said a nurse from Northern Nevada Correctional Center who asked not to be identified out of concern for retaliation.

NDOC and Lombardo declined to address the termination of the two practitioners.

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The state is seeking applicants for 35 medical positions with NDOC.

Williams is refusing to treat inmates for a variety of ailments and provide basic care, according to medical professionals  some who work for the state and others who were recently fired.

He will invariably say no to treatment, and he cites money as the reason for saying no, says a doctor who was fired last week after questioning Williams practices. These patients are doing without simple things, like Tylenol for pain. Hes making medical decisions that are not in the best interest of patients, who cant speak for themselves.

The physician, who asked not to be identified in order to protect her professional reputation, says patients who require blood thinners are prescribed Coumadin, which costs less than the alternative brand, Eliquis. Coumadin, unlike Eliquis, requires continuous blood monitoring, which inmates do not receive.

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The doctor, who has also filed a complaint with the state, says she doesnt want money.

I just want my job back. Its so sad. I swear those prisoners really need help and no one seems to care, she said. I cant get them in to see the dentist for months. I cant get them to see the specialist for in some cases, greater than a year.

Another provider noted inmates suffering from cancer are prohibited by Williams from receiving protein drinks such as Boost, unless they have a body mass index of 17% or less, which is considered seriously underweight.

Williams, who previously served in the same capacity for the Tennessee Department of Corrections, was sued there for refusing hepatitis treatment to all but the most infirm inmates because of cost. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in his favor.

Lifelong implications from temporary sentence

Nevada houses some 10,000 inmates, the vast majority of whom will ultimately be released. But medical professionals say the lack of care they receive while incarcerated can result in a life sentence of navigating health complications.

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Lacking quality standards, robust monitoring, and funding from public medical insurance programs, correctional administrators must provide health care for incarcerated people with limited guidance and often scarce resources, says a paper published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine. Incarcerated people have little recourse for woefully inadequate medical care except litigation, but they face multiple barriers to accessing the legal system and counsel, and rare wins yield only incremental relief.

A brief review of federal court filings indicates a variety of lawsuits alleging failure to provide medical care have been filed against NDOC and the state this year.

In one case, an NNCC wheelchair-bound inmate alleges hes been waiting five years for cataract surgery and suggests his increasing blindness impedes his ability to navigate.

Another inmate confined to a wheelchair alleges hes been denied accessible exercise opportunities.

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A number of inmates allege NDOC has failed to provide mental health medication, and one contends guards ignored his emergency calls for asthma medicine.

Another inmate alleges deliberate indifference and negligence by the state, which he says is charging him for specialist treatment for aplastic anemia, and has denied the proper dose of hormones prescribed by a specialist.

The State has a moral and legal obligation to provide health care for those people whom it incarcerates. The Federal Courts have mandated that offenders, though incarcerated, remain entitled to basic medical care, reads a state website.

Deliberate indifference to an inmates serious medical needs constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. However, standards for deliberate indifference and serious medical need are subject to a courts interpretation.

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Williams is also ignoring a medical directive that requires the state to include an outside doctor on its Utilization Review Committee (URC), a panel of practitioners who meet to decide what treatment is appropriate for inmates. The panel shall be composed of a minimum of four members, and at least one (1) outside medical provider, the policy reads.

The committee has been functioning for well over a year without an outside provider, says a doctor who says she was terminated days after asking Williams why the committee was not in compliance with the policy Williams approved.

It puts doctors in silos, the physician said in an interview. I had no communication with the other doctors as to their patient care.

The doctor says Williams routinely ignores the recommendations of outside medical specialists.

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Ive had specialists contact me and say, Look, I dont want to see your patients, because Im now liable. Ive given you guys recommendations and youre not following them.

Quenga of NDOC said the policy governing the review committee has been updated, replacing the outside provider with an internal practitioner.

These changes should improve the efficiency and function of the URC, he wrote via email. The current process more closely resembles a utilization review committee as they exist in the community. Lastly, this restructuring unencumbers the time of the providers and allows them to return to clinic to attend to the needs of the offender population.
So far, 70,000 acre-feet of water has been dedicated to the Great Salt Lake either through leases or outright donations, including participation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the three largest water districts operating in the Great Salt Lake watershed.

A Wednesday briefing by Great Salt Lake Commissioner Brian Steed and deputy commissioner Tim Davis outlined some of the preventative measures being taken to help save the largest saline lake in the Western Hemisphere and some of the lessons learned so far.

A hot and unusually dry summer led to the anticipated evaporative losses from the lake, with it it dipping down to a level experienced at the beginning of the water year in 2021, which Steed said marked the start of a precipitous decline reached in 2022 that spurred multiple policy changes and new laws designed to help the lake.

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Its something that we are very mindful of. That being said, we are in a very different policy position than we were at the start of 2021 where we have more tools in the toolbox, and we have certain approaches that we believe we can stop from going down below those really critical numbers, Steed said.

Despite the heat and lack of moisture over the summer, Steed said districts reported they saw an only 5% bump in water use which he said shows people are more mindful when it comes to conservation and on their own, the individual steps they can take. The office is also working with districts on timed releases to help the lake, and reservoirs are at higher than average capacity for this time of year.

Steed said some of those tools added by the state Legislature make it possible to dedicate water to the Great Salt Lake, something that could not have been done legally before.

That gives his office hope as they build on the 70,000 acre-feet that has been dedicated to the lake so far, with anticipation more leases and outright donations will continue to come in.

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I think a lot of people think right now, after these last two water years, we would be at a significantly higher level than were at, Davis said. It just shows that we need to continue to conserve, dedicate and deliver water to the lake, and its really going to take everyone doing that to get the lake back out of this kind of this low level and potentially precipitous range.

Hundreds of seagulls sit on sandbars at the Great Salt Lake near Magna on Sept. 24, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

The lessons saline lakes teach us

Steed traveled to northern California recently to visit Mono Lake and Owens Lake, both decimated by overdiversion and drought.

What struck Steed is that there are only a few thousand people who live in close proximity to those lakes, in contrast to the millions of residents who make their home along the Wasatch Front and are vulnerable to dry lake bed dust storms full of toxins.

Davis went to an international conference in Turkey where the struggles of Lake Urmia in Iran where detailed. Again, that lake is a shadow of itself and presents a dust hazard.

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Lake Urmia, unlike Owens, is approximately the same size. Its comparable to the Great Salt Lake. It has also been in significant decline. There were efforts, and there are five million people that live in the Lake Urmia area, Davis said. So again, similar to the Great Salt Lake, there are millions of people that are potentially impacted. Lake Urmia went into decline. There were initial attempts to restore it, but those attempts were not sustained.

Both men said the situations in California and Iran underscore how important it is to be proactive when it comes to action on the Great Salt Lake.

Steed said Mono Lake dropped 45 feet before the state took action and it also waited for court action. Negotiations took 10 years before a target elevation was set, but the Great Salt Lake has a target set now.

California has spent $2.6 billion to fix Owens Lake and is doling out $100 million a year on dust remediation.

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That was pretty eye-opening to me and a really direct reminder of what were trying to avoid here in Utah, Steed said. Remediation is always more expensive than prevention, and in this case, were really striving to prevent catastrophe rather than having to remediate the catastrophe after the fact.

On Tuesday, a $3 million enhancement to monitoring efforts at Great Salt Lake is being conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Utah Department of Natural Resources.

This investment isnt just about numbers and data  its about securing Utahs water future, Davis said.

By partnering with federal agencies, were not just tracking water levels  were safeguarding our economy, environment and way of life.

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The monitoring program includes several key components. Thirteen new streamgages will measure water flowing to Great Salt Lake. Special buoys will measure water temperature throughout the lakes depths which is critical for predicting future lake levels that affect everything from air quality to winter snow.

The new tools will help forecast salt levels, essential for the lakes $1.3 billion mineral and brine shrimp industries. All this information will be available to the public through an interactive map on the updated Great Salt Lake Hydro Mapper website.

In addition, the Great Salt Lake Commissioners office plans to release a 2034 report by the end of the year outlining next steps and a longer-term view of the lakes condition.
Nov. 20SANBORN  Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti wore a smile that stretched from ear to ear Tuesday afternoon as the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy celebrated its 50th year of existence with the ribbon-cutting opening of its new state-of-the-art facility on the SUNY Niagara campus.

"We are entering a new era of law enforcement," Filicetti said, "and I'm excited to show you what that looks like."

Flanked by the chiefs of all of Niagara County's municipal law enforcement agencies, Filicetti opened up the doors to the $8.3 million facility that is designed to provide a state-of-the-art training center to meet the current and future demands of preparing public safety professionals. It represents the largest investment in public safety ever undertaken in Niagara County.

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"It is only fitting that we cut the ribbon during the 50th anniversary of the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy," Filicetti said. "We look forward to many years of this great facility providing high-quality training for new recruits and correction officers."

The academy has already welcomed its first group of law enforcement recruits, with the arrival of its 83rd Basic Training Class.

Among those on hand for the facility's formal opening was retired Niagara County Sheriff's Office Tech Sgt. Sam Trapasso. A 36-year veteran of the sheriff's office, he was a member of the academy's first Basic Training Class in 1974.

Trapasso said comparing his academy facility to the new one was like comparing the "stone age" to modern times.

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"Compared to the one-room classroom we had," Trapasso laughed, "I'm very impressed."

Trapasso, who worked on establishing the first use of computers, both at the sheriff's office and in county government, said the technology in the new facility is "nothing short of amazing."

"I thought we had the best of everything (in 1974)," he said. "I wish I could have had an academy like this."

The academy project was a joint venture between Niagara County and the State University of New York (SUNY), with the city of Niagara Falls also providing some funding. The building is located on the western end of the SUNY Niagara campus, next to parking lot 4.

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The two-story structure is 15,000 square feet and features offices, classrooms and locker rooms on its first floor. The main floor is also equipped with a high-tech use-of-force simulator capable of producing thousands of scenarios that officers could encounter on patrol.

Entering the first-floor lobby, visitors are greeted by a video board that shows, on a continuous loop, pictures of all the academy's basic training classes.

The second floor of the facility is outfitted with moveable walls to allow both recruits and veteran officers to train for a wide variety of reality-based tactical scenarios, including active shooters. It also has a simulated jail pod for training corrections officers and a large mat room for defensive tactics training.

The Law Enforcement Academy was founded on the then Niagara County Community College campus in 1974. It moved to Niagara University from 2011 to 2021, before returning to the now-renamed SUNY Niagara campus with the announcement of the construction of the new academy building in 2021.

The academy is jointly operated by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office and the Niagara Falls Police Department.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  An alleged Niagara Falls Crips Gang member was sentenced to serve three years in prison after being convicted of multiple drug charges, the United States Attorneys Office announced Tuesday.

Michael Pryor, 27, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine, and distribution of fentanyl within 1,000 feet of public housing property.

Officials said Michael conspired with co-defendants Shawn Pryor, Cameron Lee and others to sell cocaine. Michael, Shawn and Lee identified as members and associates of the Crips Gang and helped each other sell drugs to one another when they needed drugs to sell to a customer, the U.S. attorneys office said.

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On Oct. 7, 2022, Michael allegedly sold fentanyl to an undercover law enforcement officer within 1,000 feet of the Anthony Spallina Towers, which is owned by the Niagara Falls Municipal Housing Authority. Officials said he also sold cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl to the officer and an individual who was working with law enforcement.

According to the U.S. attorneys office, on Oct. 16, 2022, Michael, Shawn and another person drove to a convenience store on Ashland Avenue in Niagara Falls and beat up a rival drug dealer who was selling drugs in their area. They then allegedly chased the victim, who was later treated for injuries, into the convenience store and left the area.

Both Shawn and Lee were previously convicted.

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Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.

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(Reuters) -Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega proposed a constitutional reform to expand presidential powers over other branches of government, according to an official document seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

The reform also seeks to increase the presidential term to six years from five and formally change the role of vice president, held by the 79-year-old Ortega's wife, Rosario Murillo, to that of "co-president."

Lawmakers of the government-controlled National Assembly would also have their terms increased to six years, from five, the document said.

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Murillo, married to Ortega since 2005 and made vice president in 2017, has become the face of the government as Ortega rarely makes public appearances. For years rumors have circulated that Ortega is in poor health.

The proposal also looks to expand state control over media outlets in order to "prevent them from being subjected to foreign interests."

Nicaragua already has a so-called cyber crime law in which anyone found guilty of publishing fake news on social media or news outlets can face prison terms of up to four years.

Ortega's reform proposal allows for the presidency to order the army to intervene "in support of" the country's national police when necessary. It would also authorize military and police officials to "temporarily occupy" executive branch positions "when the nation's supreme interest demands."

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The proposal was sent to the National Assembly on Tuesday and is expected to be debated and approved quickly.

Since 2018, the government of Ortega has led a crackdown on political opponents, jailing critics and leading to backlash and sanctions from the international community, including the United States and Europe.

Nicaraguan rights group the CALIDH said on X that the proposal was an "irreversible distortion" of the constitution's text.

(Reporting by Gabriela Selser, writing by Ana Isabel Martinez and Cassandra Garrison; editing by Stephen Eisenhammer and Sandra Maler)
As the election frenzy quiets, Night Is Not Eternal gains resonance. Nanfu Wangs latest doc deals in matters of authoritarian rule and fascism, considering how both entrench themselves within a nation  likely to be of particular interest to Americans processing unpleasant aspects of their political reality. Wang stages a kind of comparative analysis of China, her home nation; the United States, where she is now anchored; and Cuba, which her friend and pro-democracy activist Rosa Maria Paya calls home, to affirm the idea that the peoples power is the key to building a liberatory consciousness and the only means of opposing consolidated rule.

Night Is Not Eternal, which premieres on Nov. 19 on HBO, opens with a question that frames a dual portrait of Wang and Paya. In voiceover, Wang recalls the difficulty of filming her first project, Hooligan Sparrow, and how it prompted her to think about how people living under authoritarian regimes could fight for change. At a film festival, she meets Paya, who tells her that the movie reminded her of Cuba. A friendship is born as the two women share stories of their respective experiences. The early part of Wangs new movie mirrors the intimacy on display in Apolonia, Apolonia, Lea Globs considered portrait of an artist. In the process of documenting Paya, Wang, like Glob, also becomes a subject of her own film.

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Wang uses archival footage to build a biographical portrait of Paya. The activist is the daughter of Oswaldo Paya, who founded a pro-democracy movement in Cuba to oppose its one-party rule. In videos culled by Wang, a younger Paya talks about the legacy of her father (older footage gives us a glimpse of his personality) and the Cuban governments harassment campaign against him. Wang occasionally interjects her own commentary during this section, adding information about the younger Payas brief exile from the island.

The narrative of Night Is Not Eternal begins in earnest around 2017, when a protest action compels Paya to return to Havana from Miami. Wang relinquishes her post as narrator and recedes into the background, quietly observing Paya and her friends. When the director does return, she uses the narrative to underscore the connections between herself and Paya, between Cuba and China. Both women struggle to move freely between the United States and their home countries and must navigate the challenge of being flagged as dissidents. Theres a lot of admiration on Wangs end, especially, as she watches her friend fight for the release of incarcerated comrades, ditch the surveillance of state police, and make tough decisions about risk and safety.

Wang is an efficient storyteller and Night Is Not Eternal moves through its introduction of Paya, a history of Cuba and early comparisons to China with ease. Archival footage helps the director explore the history of Cuban resistance, its antagonism to the American imperial project and Fidel Castros evolving reputation. Wangs distance from the subject makes her a compelling interlocutor, one who wrestles with the myth of Cuba and its reality. Of course, there are moments, especially when it comes to understanding Cubans contemporary political landscape and Payas place within it, that inspire some questions and would have benefited from additional context. Still, throughout Night Is Not Eternal, Wang models an urgent and necessary type of critical thinking. Her questions become one of the most striking elements of this project, which takes a surprising turn.

After building an intimate friendship strengthened by a shared political vision, Wang finds herself disappointed in Paya during the U.S. presidential election in 2016. While watching television one day, Wang sees her friend sitting with Donald Trump. Was this a strategic move or a tacit endorsement?

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Investigating this question leads Wang down a thorny intellectual and emotional path. She confronts the reality that some emigres from authoritarian-ruled countries settle in the United States and then go on to support a figure like Trump. Wang wrestles with the differences between herself and Paya, who begins attending events like a gala for the Victims of Communism and begins referring to the ideology as a great evil that must be eradicated. Through confrontational exchanges with her friend, Wang tries to understand this side of Paya. The answers complicate this dual portrait, and Payas political choices force Wang to clarify her own.

In one particularly instructive moment, Wang articulates the differences between various economic structures and authoritarianism. Communism, she argues, doesnt foment consolidated rule any more than capitalism does, and its dangerous to think of the relationship between the two as causal. I had thought that Americans learned from the Red Scare that politicians spread fear of Communism so that they could exploit that fear, Wang says at one point. Clearly, it was not the case. Wangs comment reminded me of a recent comment made by Denzel Washington, a star in Ridley Scotts Gladiator II. When asked about his thoughts on the election, Washington expressed disillusionment with the current landscape and concluded that people are being manipulated by both sides.

The United States, with its increasing threats of fascism, becomes the arena in which Wang and Paya elucidate their political missions. Their attitudes about the direction of the country also creates frictions in their friendship, a poignant emotional thread that the filmmaker approaches with admirable subtlety. Interviews between the two in the latter half of the film are tense and informative, with Wang leaning into the challenge of rebutting her friends views.

For all the painful turns it takes, the directors project is ultimately a hopeful one, as affirmed by later footage of recent protests in China and Cuba. Night Is Not Eternal testifies to the will of the people and serves as a reminder that governments work for the people  not the other way around.

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A Vermont State Police trooper who fatally shot a man in June during a struggle over a sawed-off shotgun will not be charged.

The Vermont Attorney Generals Office said an independent review concluded that Trooper Adam Roaldi was justified in using deadly force when he shot and killed Jason Lowery on June 12 in Orange.

Roaldi was conducting a welfare check when he encountered Lowrey, who appeared unconscious, inside a vehicle with a needle in his arm and a shotgun beside him. Roaldi told investigators that he thought Lowery was overdosing and called for medical services.

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When Lowery woke up, Roaldi ordered him out of the vehicle. Investigators said Roaldi attempted to take the shotgun from the car and during the ensuing struggle, Lowery gained control of the weapon and pointed it at the trooper.

Struggle over sawed-off shotgun led to fatal shooting of man by Vermont State Trooper in Orange

Roaldi then fired multiple rounds at Lowery. Investigators say Lowrey continued to manipulate the shotgun while on the ground, prompting Roaldi to fire three more rounds at Lowery. He was pronounced dead on the scene

Under the totality of the circumstances, Trooper Roaldi reasonably believed that he was in imminent danger of being killed or suffering great bodily harm at the hands of Mr. Lowery, and he used necessary and appropriate force to defend himself, the AGs office said in a statement

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The Orange County States Attorneys Office also declined to prosecute the case after completing its own independent review.

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I took an anthropology class in college where we learned about an Indigenous group of people who lived deep in the Amazon rainforest.

One of the unique aspects of this particular tribe was that parents did not discipline their children. That responsibility was given to an uncle. From their parents, children only received love and support.

In this way, children were taught to behave ethically and avoid trouble while not being in conflict with Mom and Dad.

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I mention this because that is exactly how it has been lately with the Phoenix City Council (the parents), the Department of Justice (the uncle) and the Phoenix Police Department (the children.)

Trump could pull back the Justice Department

And all of that is about to change. Perhaps not for the better.

Because once Donald Trump takes office, Uncle DOJ will likely go away. At least, thats how it looks.

Last year, the Department of Justice issued a brutal 126-page report accusing the Phoenix PD of constitutional violations that ranged from using excessive force against people of color and Native Americans to seizing the belongings of people living on the streets.

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Opinion: DOJ report didn't tell full story of my office

Since then, the Justice Department has been negotiating with the city over a consent agreement that could put the department under the supervision of a federal monitor.

Bodycam video shows Phoenix still has issues

Thats not likely to happen now. Trumps first attorney general avoided those arrangements, and thats what probably will happen this time around.

Given the fact that talks between the city and the DOJ have not exactly been speeding along, its looking unlikely that any deal will be worked out before Trump takes office.

There are still problems within the department, however.

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That was made obvious in the ugly confrontation caught on body cameras between two Phoenix police officers and 34-year-old Tyron McAlpin, a Black, deaf man with cerebral palsy.

It happened after the DOJ report when, theoretically, youd expect officers to be operating on their best behavior.

City Council must be the adults in the room

The attorney representing McAlpin in a potential civil rights case said, What we have is an innocent person whos attacked by police while hes walking home to his own house. Phoenix police officers continue to violate the rights of African Americans and of the disabled.

Mayor Kate Gallego and the city council have made changes that they said would improve police accountability, but critics are skeptical, justifiably so, since their actions seemed to have more to do with appeasing the DOJ than addressing a problem.

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Once the Justice Department is out of the picture, however, the council is going to have to step up and be the grown-ups in the room, the kind of parents who take responsibility for the behavior of their offspring.

Because once Trump takes office, there will no longer be an opportunity to cry uncle.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police could run amok if Trump tells DOJ to back off | Opinion
Republican senators are urging some of their colleagues, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, R-Ohio, and Donald Trump's Secretary of State pick Marco Rubio, R-Florida, to get back to the office and block Democrats from confirming judges during the lame-duck session while they still have the majority and the White House.

After their absences helped Senate Democrats to confirm several of President Joe Biden's nominees, Republicans fumed about Vance, Rubio and others during their weekly caucus lunch and to reporters. Im not going to bubble wrap it, said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. Theres no excuse for that, its our job to be here and vote.

We want to see [Vance] and some of our members back because of these votes were having, Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told reporters. Particularly on some of the circuit court judges.

Trump himself issued marching orders on Truth Social on Tuesday. "The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door," Trump declared. "Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line  No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day!" he wrote, just a few hours after he invited several GOP senators, including Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to witness a SpaceX launch while the rest of the chamber was voting.

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If they were present, Democrats might not have been able to confirm several of Biden's judges, with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., playing they typical roles as wild cards and Vice President Kamala Harris, who casts tie-breaking votes, on vacation in Hawaii.

Embry Kidd, a Florida Democrat, passed his confirmation vote to the Atlanta-based Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday despite opposition from Manchin, prompting outrage from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. "This leftist judge would have been voted down and the seat on the important 11th circuit would have been filled by Donald Trump next year had Republicans showed up," he tweeted.

On Tuesday, Mustafa Taher Kasubhai passed by a 51-44 vote to be confirmed as U.S. District Court judge in Oregon. Vance, who said he was busy interviewing candidates for federal office under a Trump administration in a now-deleted tweet, rushed back after the procedural vote to oppose the confirmation itself, but it was too late to make a difference.

The Wall Street Journal editorial board did not accept Vance's excuse, writing that while he was on the job that begins in January, which is two months away, his neglect of his current job allowed Biden to get his nominees "a lifetime appointment to the federal bench because Republicans couldnt get their full team on the field.

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At the time of the Nov. 5 election, there were 47 vacancies on the federal bench, with 17 nominees awaiting confirmation. Biden has since named several more nominees in hopes that they would pass the Senate hurdle before the chamber switches to GOP control on Jan. 3, 2025. As of Wednesday, there are 30 nominees pending.

To get them all passed on time, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. is racing against GOP senators who are trying to drag out the process by forcing time-consuming votes on typically routine procedural steps. The delays kept everyone voting late into the night, to no one's pleasure.

Last night, we were sitting around voting time and time again for these liberal judges that Chuck Schumer wants to put in and ram through at the very last minute before the balance of power shifts, complained Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., on Tuesday. I would implore our leadership to go to the important issues the American people are thinking about: thats completing our work at the end of the year and moving into next year.

Her and Trump's gripes over lame duck nominations are a reversal of the late 2020 dynamic, in which the GOP first defied precedent to confirm 23 of Trump's judicial nominees even after Biden had won and Democrats were projected to control the Senate following two December runoff victories in Georgia. Republicans at the time made no secret of their accomplishment.

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This week we will confirm five district court judges, bringing the total number of judges weve confirmed over the last four years to nearly 230. Confirming good judges is one of our most important responsibilities as senators, crowed Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., in a Senate floor speech in late November 2020. He is set to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as Senate GOP leader in the next congress.

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Now, he is spinning a different line. If Sen. Schumer thought Senate Republicans would just roll over and allow him to quickly confirm multiple Biden-appointed judges to lifetime jobs in the final weeks of the Democrat majority, he thought wrong, Thune told ABC News.

[Republicans] can try dilatory tactics, but we're going to persist, Schumer told reporters on Tuesday, warning of the possibility of another round of late-night votes on Wednesday.

Should the Democrats succeed with most or all of the nominations, Trump will have around just 20 judicial vacancies to fill upon assuming office in January. It's a far less open field than the 108 vacancies he had at the start of his first term.
Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) have yet to publicly name their candidate for chancellor following a Tuesday evening telephone conference.

The call ended without a public decision on whether to renominate Chancellor Olaf Scholz or replace him with Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.

According to an SPD spokeswoman, the call was "a regular telephone conference with the deputy party chairmen to organize the early election campaign in terms of dates and deadlines."

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Scholz has been plagued by poor popularity ratings in opinion polls, which has prompted speculation that the SPD could ditch him in favour of another candidate.

In recent days, a growing number of SPD politicians at the local and national levels have openly spoken out in favour of a candidacy by Pistorius, who has consistently polled as the most popular minister in the government.

Early nationwide elections are expected in February after the chancellor's three-party governing coalition collapsed earlier this month following Scholz's decision to sack former finance minister Christian Lindner.

Lindner, a budget hawk from the small pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), had clashed for months with Scholz and other ministers over the 2025 budget.

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Polls show the conservative opposition Christian Democrats/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) bloc with a wide lead among potential voters, and the centre-left SPD in danger of losing a large number of seats in parliament.

Party leaders have declared their support for Scholz to run again, but no decision has yet been made by the party executive.

Scholz, having just concluded discussions at the G20 summit in Brazil, was not expected to take part in the discussions.

Former SPD leaders join debate

A pair of one-time SPD stalwarts, former chancellor Gerhard Schroder and former party boss Sigmar Gabriel, weighed in on the debate on Tuesday.

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Schroder, whose close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and lucrative work as a lobbyist for Russian energy interests has made him highly controversial in the party, spoke out against undermining Scholz.

"Any debate about an incumbent chancellor who cannot be replaced harms everyone," he told Germany's Suddeutsche newspaper. "The party cannot dismantle its own chancellor."

Schroder said that Scholz was "doing a decent job."

Gabriel, on the other hand, pointed to resistance at grassroots level to the SPD simply carrying on despite terrible polls and miserable showings in several regional elections.

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"Among the base of the SPD, resistance to 'business as usual' with Chancellor Scholz is growing every day. And the SPD leadership can only think of appeasements and appeals to surrender," Gabriel wrote in a post on X.

Gabriel, who led the SPD from 2009 to 2017 and served as vice chancellor under Angela Merkel, called for courageous political leadership and said those who ignored the grumbling would drag the SPD below 15% of the vote.

That would be a catastrophic result for a party that has been a major force in German politics for more than a century.

Georg Maier, leader of the SPD in the central German state of Thuringia, publicly distanced himself from Scholz on Tuesday.

Pistorius disavows challenge

Pistorius himself has voiced his intention to support Scholz.

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But he deflected on Monday evening when asked about his potential chancellor candidacy at an event organized by the regional newspaper chain Mediengruppe Bayern.

"In politics, you should never rule anything out, no matter what it's about," he said.

Pistorius, however, said that he would never declare a challenge to Scholz - "firstly, because I am a deeply loyal person, and secondly, because my life plan never included becoming defence minister or even chancellor."

"No, you won't hear that from me. I'm a party soldier." he added.

Decision by November 30

A final decision on the SPD's chancellor candidate is expected to be made during an election campaign conference on November 30, at which the party will present its candidate.

SPD delegates would then be asked to confirm that decision at a national party conference scheduled for January 11.
The Pentagon said on Nov. 19 that while Russia has updated its nuclear doctrine, there are no indications that it is preparing to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh dismissed Russias rhetoric surrounding its nuclear policy as a continuation of its behavior over the past two years.

The comments came shortly after Russia updated its nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for a nuclear retaliation in an open warning to the West.

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"Its the same irresponsible rhetoric that weve seen before," Singh said.

"Were going to continue to monitor, but we dont have any indications that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon within Ukraine."

The spokesperson stressed that Russia's involvement of troops from a third country marks a clear escalation. According to her, the administration warned Moscow that if North Korean troops were deployed, the United States would help Ukraine respond and "provide Ukraine with what it needs."

Russian President Vladimir Putin approved updates to Russias nuclear deterrence policy, which were published on a government website on Nov. 19.



The revised doctrine expands scenarios justifying a nuclear strike, including "aggression against the Russian Federation and its allies by a non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state" and large-scale non-nuclear attacks, such as those involving drones.

Read also: Putin approves Russias updated nuclear doctrine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Nov. 19OGDENSBURG  A crash involving two pickup trucks and a school bus closed a stretch of Route 68 for several hours Tuesday morning.

St. Lawrence County sheriff's deputies responded to the crash around 8:43 a.m. The bus, operated by the Ogdensburg City School District, was carrying no students at the time. The driver and a monitor on board were uninjured.

Emergency responders extricated the driver of one pickup truck, who was transported to Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse. The driver had serious injuries, but was stable, according to the sheriff's office. The driver of the second pickup truck was treated at Canton-Potsdam Hospital and released.

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Route 68 was closed between Kelly Road and Murphy Road for approximately four hours while deputies conducted a forensic 3D scan of the scene.

The sheriff's office was assisted by Lisbon Fire and Rescue, Rensselaer Falls Fire, Heuvelton Fire, Canton Rescue, New York State Police, the State Department of Transportation and Johnson's Towing and Recovery.
One New Orleans nonprofit is bringing solar to disaster relief in hopes of creating a wave of change, Reasons to be Cheerful reported.

The Footprint Project deploys solar-powered charging stations, water filtration systems, and other "climate tech" to post-disaster communities across the globe, according to the news site. For instance, the organization offered its help in Asheville, North Carolina, in the wake of Hurricane Helene  this was its biggest project to date.

Substituting clean-powered equipment for traditional systems has a slew of benefits, Reasons to be Cheerful explained. For one, gas generators are expensive and require users to continuously purchase fuel, which adds to their cost and can make users susceptible to fuel shortages. Plus, the burning of gas produces dangerous pollution that can trigger asthma attacks and respiratory issues.

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The burning of gas as a fuel is one of the main culprits for rising global temperatures, which is contributing to more severe and frequent natural disasters like Hurricane Helene in the first place.

Meanwhile, solar-powered generators are just one of a number of green solutions for disaster relief. For instance, some Ford F-150 Lightning owners reported using the truck's bidirectional charging to feed their EV battery's power into their homes following Helene. A few days after the storm hit, the company announced it was offering a complimentary home charger and free installation with the purchase or lease of one of its EVs. Plus, China has unveiled a giant hurricane-proof offshore wind turbine  such technology could help power communities in the wake of future disasters.

Will Heegaard, operations director for the Footprint Project, told Reasons to be Cheerful the deployment of green tech during disaster relief could help create a wave of change.

"If we can get this sustainable tech in fast, then when the real rebuild happens, there's a whole new conversation that wouldn't have happened if we were just doing the same thing that we did every time," he told the site.

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This isn't just conjecture  just take the example of Greensburg, Kansas, which became the country's "greenest city" following a deadly tornado in 2007. For instance, 10 wind turbines generate the town's energy, while many buildings sport solar panels, according to Yale Climate Connections.

"People might be against some of this stuff, but when I tell them the library I work at has no utility bills, they can't really argue with that," local resident Tim Morton told YCC.

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.
Nov. 19An Espanola-based nonprofit is criticizing Los Alamos National Laboratory over its plans for disposing of radioactive gas.

Tewa Women United released two scientific technical reports Tuesday that assess LANL's proposal to release tritium near White Rock.

Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen gas that does not occur often on Earth naturally. It is also a key component in nuclear weapons.

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LANL has four high-pressure storage containers of tritium that were packaged in 2007 at the lab's Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility, according to a LANL guide on the containers. For current operations, the lab ships tritium waste containers offsite for permanent disposal, according to LANL spokesman Steven Horak.

The laboratory wants to release a small amount of the radioactive hydrogen, plus hydrogen and oxygen, to relieve some of the pressure in the containers so they can be moved to another LANL location, then offsite, for disposal. The project is designed to release below 8 millirem, and potentially even 0 millirem, according to the LANL guide. A date has not been set yet for venting the containers, Horak said.

A millirem is a measure of radiation dose. In the U.S., the average person is exposed to approximately 620 millirem per year, according to an Environmental Protection Agency radiation calculator. Background radiation in the area of White Rock is about 350 to 400 millirem per year, according to the LANL guide.

The reports released by Tewa Women United found that the concentration of tritium in the most loaded container could lead to radiation doses that significantly exceed the annual EPA regulatory limit, 10 millirem per year, if vented during unfavorable weather.

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The reports were authored by Bernd Franke, a director of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research in Heidelberg, Germany, and nuclear engineer Arjun Makhijani from the anti-nuclear organization Institute for Energy and Environmental Research.

According to one of the reports, the LANL application does not include how venting the tritium could impact infants or children. Children are more likely to get sick from radiation exposure than healthy adults, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guide on radiation exposure health effects.

"I utilized the same model as LANL and incorporated weather data from the station in Area G, while also considering adverse weather conditions, such as days with low humidity and increased wind frequency directed towards White Rock," Franke said in a statement.

"Additionally, I compared these factors across various age groups of the public, in contrast to LANL, which solely includes adults in their compliance calculations. Using this analysis, I found that infants and small children have a potential radiation exposure three times that of adults."

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The laboratory has not had an opportunity to review the reports yet, said Horak, but environmental protection is "integral to our mission."

"While the EPA does not specify regulatory limits for children or infants, the limits established by the EPA are protective of even the most vulnerable members of the public, including children, the elderly, and pregnant women," Horak said.

The National Nuclear Security Administration and the lab have a proven safe and effective method to vent the containers in controlled conditions, Horak said. The lab processed a tritium waste container in 2019, but has not vented tritium waste containers in Technical Area 54, where the four containers are located, before, Horak said.

The lab has also established hard stop limits that will trigger a pause and more in-depth evaluation of data as the containers are being vented.

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"Using these hold points and a controlled, methodical process to vent the four flanged tritium waste containers, we will ensure that operational releases are kept within EPA regulatory limits," Horak said.

An EPA spokesperson said the agency needed until Thursday to respond to questions about the reports.

"Until LANL considers impacts to children as members of the public and files a completely new application, the EPA should not permit the venting of the flanged tritium waste containers," Maslyn Locke, senior staff attorney at the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, said in a statement.

"It would be especially egregious if fetal health is compromised by LANL venting radioactive water vapor and making our rainwater and food radioactive," Tewa Women United's Environmental Justice Program Manager Talavi Cook said in a statement. "It is a matter of simple environmental justice for future generations."

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Why does the lab want to vent the containers?

Los Alamos National Laboratory found a small amount of lead in the containers' materials, so the four containers have been classified as hazardous waste. Because of that, the lab plans to move the containers for offsite disposal.

There is a potential for a flammable, pressurized mix of hydrogen and oxygen within the containers, which is why the lab wants to vent some of the tritium into the atmosphere before moving them, according to the guide.

LANL considered other strategies for dealing with the waste, like leaving it there, moving it without mitigating the pressure, or using a different strategy for relieving the pressure in the containers.

"The selected option, while more complex and expensive than many alternatives, was deemed to be the safest option for both the workers and the public," the LANL guide reads.
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WJBF)  In North Augusta Tuesday, city leaders held a community engagement meeting to discuss plans for debris pickup in North Augusta after Hurricane Helene.

Mayor Briton Williams and City Administrator Jim Clifford hosted the meeting and presented the plan for the City of North Augusta. According to Mayor Williams, North Augusta was the hardest hit city by Helene in the state of South Carolina.

When asked about some of the details of the plan, Mayor Williams said, North Augustas unique we have three different ownership of roads. 70-75% of roads are owned by SCDOT. So, we can stress to them what to do, where to go, these are the areas were concerned about. Because we dont own them we cant mandate that they go there.

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Administrator Clifford presented a map that gives a street by street jurisdiction for residents to know if their street is eligible for debris pick up.

Standards for debris pickup are as follows:

Only vegetative debris will be picked up

No trash bags or paper yard bags

Debris should be visible and not in a container

No construction debris

No wood other than vegetative

Mayor Williams says the plan is for the First Pass of City-Controlled roads to be completed by January 25, 2025.

For more information about the City of North Augustas Hurricane Helene Recovery plan, visit https://www.northaugustasc.gov/residents/hurricane-helene-recovery.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  North Carolina Republicans advanced extensive legislation Tuesday that would weaken the powers of the incoming governor, attorney general and schools superintendent  all Democrats who were elected two weeks ago  and shift election board appointments to the GOP state auditor.

The final 131-page measure, which also includes setting aside additional funds for Hurricane Helene relief, became public roughly an hour before the GOP-controlled House met to debate it during a lame-duck General Assembly session this week. The House voted largely along party lines Tuesday night for the measure, which the Republican-controlled Senate was expected to take up on Wednesday.

With Republicans likely to lose their veto-proof majority in the next two-year session following electoral losses in the House, this week could be the last best chance for them to enact legislation containing sharp partisan changes. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper leaves office at year's end and will be succeeded by Democrat Josh Stein.

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Currently the State Board of Elections' five members are appointed by the governor based on recommendations by the Democratic and Republican parties. The governor's party always holds three of the seats. Republican legislators have tried for years to wrest away those appointment powers but have been thwarted by courts. Judges have blocked for now a 2023 law that would move board appointment authority from the governor to the General Assembly.

Even with litigation pending, Tuesday's measure would move the independent state board to the State Auditor's Office starting next summer. At that time the new auditor  Republican Dave Boliek, who was elected this month  would make appointments. These changes likely would mean Republican control of the board.

In a likely response to complaints about slow vote-counting this month, the bill also would require in 2025 that county election boards count all provisional ballots by three days after Election Day.

Some counties did not complete this year's provisional ballot count until days after last Friday's canvassing date. The measure also would move up the deadline by which some people who lack a photo identification card while voting must show they have one for their ballot to count.

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GOP Rep. Grey Mills, a House elections committee chairman, said the state auditor is the best place to house the elections board, given that the post is known for conducting investigations and reviews. And the election counting changes will create more efficiency.

Our voters expect us to be able to provide the election results in a timely fashion, Mills said. I truly believe that this language will do this.

State Board of Elections Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell said that board staff were not consulted about the legislation and it may make it impossible for the county boards of elections to adequately ensure every eligible ballot cast is counted, especially in high turnout elections.

Tuesdays bill contains additional Helene-related provisions and locates an additional $227 million from the states reserves but orders the money to remain unspent for now. It does give $50 million more to help Coopers administration address a shortfall to complete housing projects still left over from Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018.

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State lawmakers previously set aside over $900 million toward Helene relief and recovery in two measures approved this fall and signed by Cooper. Cooper has asked for legislators to provide much more, and quickly.

Democrats from western North Carolina said Republicans were more interested in power grabs than helping businesses and residents damaged by Helene. Republicans used a procedure by which Democrats could not offer amendments.

This bill makes it pretty clear that the body is prioritizing political priorities over the very real need for rapid assistance in the western part of our state, Buncombe County Rep. Eric Ager said. Three Republicans from the west ended up voting no on the bill  a development that could scuttle a potential Cooper override.

Rep. Donny Lambeth, a Forsyth County Republican who only handled the spending provisions, said lawmakers are receiving Helene spending requests daily.

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Theres a lot of work still that needs to be done ... and still, quite frankly, a lot of money thats going to have to be spent, Lambeth said.

The legislation also would immediately weaken the governor's authority to fill vacancies on the state Court of Appeals and Supreme Court by limiting choices to three candidates offered by the political party of the outgoing justice or judge.

Stein, who is currently attorney general, is being succeeded by fellow Democrat Jeff Jackson. The bill would limit the attorney general in part by barring him in litigation that challenges a law's validity from taking legal positions contrary to the General Assembly. Stein has recently declined to defend in court portions of laws that restrict surgical abortions and abortion pills.

Instead of stepping up, the Republicans in the General Assembly are grabbing power and exacting political retribution, Stein said Tuesday on the social platform X.

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And the bill also will prevent the superintendent of public instruction  a post that is switching party control in January, to Democrat Mo Green  would now be barred from appealing decisions by a state board that reviews charter school applications.

The Republican attempt to erode Democrats' powers recalls similar measures passed in late 2016 that were designed to weaken Cooper, who was about to succeed Republican Gov. Pat McCrory. Those bills led to loud demonstrations in the Legislative Building and dozens of arrests.

__

The story corrects the attribution of a quote to State Board of Elections Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell, not to a board spokesperson.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  North Carolina Republican legislators gave final approval Wednesday to a series of political power moves that would weaken the incoming governor and other Democratic elected officials in the ninth-largest state. They're contained in a massive bill sprinkled with a new round of Hurricane Helene relief provisions and rushed through a lame-duck General Assembly session.

The Senate voted along party lines for the 131-page measure, which would alter yet again how the State Board of Elections is appointed, likely leading to a GOP majority on a panel now controlled by Democrats. It also would move up in 2025 several post-election deadlines after Republican complaints that counties took too long this month to count provisional and absentee ballots, especially in light of an extremely close Supreme Court race.

The House approved the same measure Tuesday night, so the bill goes next to the desk of outgoing Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who has blasted the effort as massive power grabs. Other Democrats called provisions unconstitutional. Any veto override attempt would happen early next month.

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The measure was approved less than 24 hours after it was made broadly public in the final weeks before Republicans' veto-proof majority ends following electoral defeats in the House this month.

Cooper leaves office at years end and will be succeeded by fellow Democrat Josh Stein, whose veto likely will be able to block Republican measures if Democratic legislators remain united. So this may be the last time for a while for Republicans to force through such partisan changes.

State lawmakers meeting twice this fall already approved with near unanimous support legislation setting aside over $900 million toward Helene relief and recovery. Cooper has asked for much more  at least $3.9 billion  and quickly. While this weeks bill locates an additional $252 million for Helene relief, nearly all of it cant be spent until the General Assembly acts again.

Power would have been lifting up the people of western North Carolina so they can rebuild, Sen. Lisa Grafstein of Wake County said Wednesday. This bill is a weak and sorry display. It shows an inability to manage not just this moment  it shows an inability to manage the emotional discipline to accept basic democratic balance.

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The bill marks yet another effort by Republicans to wrest State Board of Elections appointments from the governor, whose party always holds three of the five seats. Other measures have been blocked by courts, including a 2023 law that would move board appointment authority from the governor to the General Assembly.

Under the bill that authority would go to the State Auditor's Office  that will be led by Republican Dave Boliek, who was elected this month  starting in May, with the board's placement under his office weeks later. The changes likely would mean Republican board control in the near future and filter down to county election boards, too.

Republicans said the changes will lead to more efficiency and the quicker release of vote counts.

The purpose of these changes is to ensure a timelier resolution of election outcomes than we have continuing to drag on for two weeks like weve seen in the most recent election, said Republican Sen. Ralph Hise, of Mitchell County.

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No other state has such a structure where the state auditor has election responsibilities, said David Becker, a former U.S. Justice Department lawyer who runs the Center for Election Innovation & Research. He called the proposal deeply troubling.

This is a radical change to the structure of election boards and changes to procedures that will affect voters, Becker said in an interview. It will almost certainly result in valid ballots being thrown out and create huge burdens on election officials.

The legislation also would immediately weaken the governors authority to fill vacancies on the state Court of Appeals and Supreme Court by limiting his choice to candidates offered by the political party of the outgoing justice or judge.

Stein, who is currently attorney general, will be succeeded by fellow Democratic U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson. The bill would limit the attorney general by barring him from taking legal positions contrary to the General Assembly in litigation challenging a laws validity. Stein recently declined to defend parts of laws that restrict surgical abortions and abortion pills.

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We saw no change likely to occur with Jackson's arrival, Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters, and felt it was time for us to take steps.

The bill also would prevent the superintendent of public instruction  a post to be held by Democrat Mo Green  from appealing decisions by a state board that reviews charter school applications.

Bill opponents watched the Senate debate. After there was applause for a Democratic senators speech, outgoing GOP Lt. Gov. and presiding officer Mark Robinson cleared the gallery, calling those present immature people. No arrests were made.

The bill is a reminder of legislation that Republicans approved in late 2016, weeks before Cooper was to succeed Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, that also weakened the governors powers. That led to demonstrations, arrests and years of lawsuits.

__

Associated Press writer Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta contributed.
NC Supreme Court (File photo)

North Carolina county election boards began their recounts Wednesday in a much-watched Supreme Court contest in which just over 600 votes separate the Democratic and Republican candidates.

Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin formally requested the recount on Tuesday prior to the noon deadline. He trails Democratic incumbent Associate Justice Allison Riggs by 625 votes.

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Its the only statewide race where there will be a recount, in addition to five General Assembly contests at the single- or multi-county level, the Associated Press reported.

All recounts should be completed no later than Nov. 27, according to a press release. The recount results will become official.

Recounts are a regular part of the elections process when contests are close, and they help ensure that the results are accurate and that the public can have confidence that the candidate who received the most votes wins the election, Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, said in a statement. Recounts are conducted by bipartisan teams and are open to the public whenever and wherever they occur.

Griffins had a lead of about 10,000 votes on election night. Since then, county election boards have added absentee and provisional ballots to the total count.

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More than 5.5 million ballots were cast in the Supreme Court race. Second-place candidates are able to demand a recount in statewide races where the difference is less than 10,000 votes.

My goal has always been to ensure that every voters voice is heard, Riggs shared on social media. We expect a smooth recount process, and I continue to feel gratitude for our election administrators.

Griffin also filed election protests on Tuesday challenging the validity of more than 60,000 ballots across the state, according to the North Carolina Republican Party. There are more than 300 documents of protests.

These protests are about one fundamental principle: ensuring every legal vote is counted, Griffin said in a press release.

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Earlier in the week, Griffin sued the State Board of Elections on Monday, claiming it wasnt providing data quickly enough for him to request a recount by the deadline.

North Carolina has a history of tight judicial races. In 2020, Republican Paul Newby topped Democrat Cheri Beasley by 401 votes out of nearly 5.4 million cast in the North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice contest.
The Legislative Management Committee meets Nov. 13, 2024, in the House chamber. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Three full-time staff will join North Dakota Legislative Council ahead of the 2025 session, with more hiring on the horizon if lawmakers approve the councils plan for an additional 50 positions by 2029.

The three new hires  a communications specialist, an energy policy analyst and a tax policy analyst  aim to better communicate with the public and support lawmakers on key policy areas, said John Bjornson, director of Legislative Council, the nonpartisan research arm of the Legislature.

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The new communications specialist, who begins this week, will work to inform the public about the work being done by the Legislature. Tax and energy policy analysts will begin work next month, focusing on areas likely to be addressed in the upcoming session. Earlier this month, Legislative Council had at least 45 bill drafts requested so far that relate to taxes.

More significant staffing additions are needed to address the impact of lawmaker term limits, Bjornson said.

Under the term limits ballot measure approved by voters in 2022, North Dakota lawmakers cant serve more than eight years in the state House and eight years in the state Senate.

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That will start to force turnover in the Legislature in 2028, increasing the burden on Legislative Council to help new lawmakers learn how the Legislature works, Bjornson said.

Up to 69 lawmakers will hit their term limits in 2028, and another 72 will reach the end of their terms in 2030, according to a Legislative Council analysis.

They are going to need people in place that can help them do their jobs better and thats our goal, Bjornson said. Our purpose isnt to guide or influence them, but to be able to answer their questions and give that information.

Legislative Council also will need to provide more in-depth training on budgets as term-limited incumbents begin to leave, said Lori Ziegler, administrative officer for the Legislative Council.

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She also said the number of studies and bill drafts being requested by lawmakers during the interim has increased. The requests also have been coming earlier, nearly eliminating any reduced workload for staffers between legislative sessions.

The Legislative Council is proposing an additional 50 staff members to join its team over the next four years. The proposal would double the number of staffers and bring the staff roster up to a more comparable lawmaker-to-staff ratio with other legislatures that have a similar workload, such as Montana which has a full-time legislative staff of about 150.

The proposal for 50 new Legislative Council staff members is estimated to cost $6 million for the 2025-27 biennium and another $6 million during the 2027-29 biennium.

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Bjornson also pointed out that some state offices, such as the Tax Department, Attorney Generals Office and Department of Agriculture, each have more staff members than the entire legislative branch of state government, which he hopes the new proposal will change.

Funding for the three new hires will come from existing money in the Legislative Council budget and was approved by the North Dakota Emergency Commission and the Budget Section of the Legislature in September.

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North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe conducts a meeting of the State Canvassing Board after the 2024 general election on Nov. 20, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

North Dakotas State Canvassing Board unanimously certified the results of the Nov. 5 election on Wednesday, but will reconvene in December to consider the results of automatic recounts of two soil conservation districts.

The boards action makes the election results official for state, judicial and legislative races.

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Two legislative races remain within the margin for candidates to demand a recount, but at least one of the candidates said he did not plan to challenge the results.

In District 9, which was on the ballot as a result of redistricting, Republican state House candidate David Brien was defeated by Democratic-NPL candidate Collette Brown by 36 votes out of more than 9,400 cast. The newly drawn district includes the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and Spirit Lake reservations.

In Grand Forks-area District 18, Democratic-NPL state House candidate Mary Adams was defeated by Republican Nels Christianson by 58 votes out of more than 11,600 cast.

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Either candidate could demand a recount by Saturday, but they would have to pay for it unless the outcome is overturned.

Brien told the North Dakota Monitor he does not plan to demand a recount. Adams did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Nearly 372,000 North Dakotans out of about 594,000 eligible voters participated in the general election, for a voter turnout rate of 63%, according to the Secretary of States Office. More than half of the voters cast their ballots before Election Day, said Secretary of State Michael Howe.

North Dakota voters liked absentee and early voting more than voting on Election Day, he said. Right away, especially the first two days of early voting in person, we saw massive turnout. I think North Dakota elections are great because we have several options if you are the voter.

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Howe praised election officials for their hard work in conducting free and fair elections.

I cant say enough about our partners in all 53 counties, Howe said. They have many different duties in the function of county government and election is a key piece of that, and a very time-consuming process. And they all take it very seriously.

There will be automatic recounts for two soil conservation district races in Towner and McLean counties that involved write-in candidates.

The State Canvassing Board will reconvene at 10 a.m. Dec. 2 to verify the results of those soil conservation districts, as well as potential demand recounts if one is requested.

Erika White, elections director for the Secretary of States Office, speaks during a meeting of the State Canvassing Board after the 2024 general election on Nov. 20, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Howe said he hopes the Legislature will consider making the counties responsible for recounts involving soil conservation district elections in the future.

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Erika White, elections director for the Secretary of States Office, said every election provides opportunities to improve. One issue that arose involved ballot-counting machine test results from Mercer and Cass counties that were mistakenly included in election night results. Those test results were removed once the office was made aware of the error, White said.

An important piece to remember is that those results are unofficial until the county canvassing and the state canvassing, White said. We worked fairly quickly to pull those test results out of the system and reflect the accurate counts.

Members of the State Canvassing Board are Howe, North Dakota Treasurer Thomas Beadle, NDGOP Chair Sandi Sanford, Dem-NPL Party representative Tracy Potter and Petra Mandigo Hulm, clerk for the North Dakota Supreme Court. County canvassing boards met on Monday.

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Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation Chair Mark Fox, left, speaks with North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum in Memorial Hall during a signing event for an alcohol tax revenue sharing agreement between the state and the MHA Nation on March 22. Burgum is the choice to be the incoming Trump administration's Interior secretary. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Mark Fox, chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, called Gov. Doug Burgums recent nomination for secretary of the Interior and National Energy Council chair a match made in heaven for North Dakota tribes.

President-elect Donald Trump announced his unique plans for Burgum on Friday. In the combined role, Burgum would not only lead the Department of the Interior  which includes the Bureau of Indian Affairs  but also wield power over all federal agencies that regulate energy.

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Fox and other North Dakota and South Dakota tribal leaders welcomed the news.

Burgum, who first took office in 2016, is credited with improving North Dakotas once-tenuous relationship with local tribes.

While in office, Burgum advocated for tax-sharing agreements with Native nations, added a permanent display of all five tribal flags outside the governors office and pushed for law enforcement partnerships to improve emergency response times on reservations.

Governor Burgum understands Indian country and the challenges we face, such as the need for public safety, better tribal education, and economic development in Indian country, among other needs, David Flute, former chair of the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, said Friday in a statement to the North Dakota Monitor. Flute is now secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tribal Relations.

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Burgum will succeed Interior Secretary Deb Haaland of New Mexico, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and the first Native American Cabinet secretary.

Tribal officials say Burgum could be a crucial ally in Washington.

I would have been so disappointed had he not been appointed to a Cabinet position, Fox said Friday.

Brad Hawk, executive director of North Dakotas Indian Affairs Commission, said Burgum has a unique opportunity to reduce red tape for Native nations.

Hawk said he wasnt familiar with every aspect of Haalands administration, but appreciated her departments work investigating the history of federal Indian boarding schools and their impact on Native communities.

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State Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille, D-Mandaree, whose district includes Fort Berthold, recognized Burgums progress in establishing meaningful relationships with tribes, but said she worries about Trump administration policies.

I hope that future Secretary Burgum remembers the trust and relationships that hes built with North Dakotas five Tribal Nations, Finley-DeVille said in a statement. My hope is that future Secretary Burgum will work collaboratively with tribes to ensure our voices are heard in decision-making processes. Together, we can address critical issues such as sustainable development, cultural preservation, and economic opportunity.

Finley-DeVille added the Department of the Interior needs to protect tribal sovereignty, honor treaty rights, and ensure that development is conducted responsibly and with the full consultation of all impacted tribal nations.

Fox said Friday hes hopeful Burgum will use his position in Washington to help create a friendlier regulatory environment for the MHA Nation and other oil-rich tribes. The MHA Nation is based on the Fort Berthold Reservation, home to nearly 3,000 active oil wells.

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Were able to sit down and talk, Fox, the MHA Nation chair, said of Burgum earlier this year. Thats the key.

Fox noted that in contrast, the MHA Nation has never gotten an audience with Haaland, despite several attempts to speak with her.

This past June, Burgum acknowledged at an event that relations between the state and tribes were at a low point when he took office in 2016. At the time, protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline in southern North Dakota were ongoing, involving thousands of demonstrators who flocked to the state to camp in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in opposition to the pipeline.

Burgum said one of the first things he did as governor was reach out to Dave Archambault, chair of Standing Rock at the time, and offer to come meet with tribal leaders.

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Thats where we were starting from: with a commitment to each other to listen to each other, Burgum said during this years Strengthening Government to Government conference, an annual event started under his leadership that brings together state and tribal leaders.

U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said he thinks Burgums experience working with North Dakota tribal leaders makes him a good fit for leading Interior. He characterized the current BIA as unresponsive and bureaucratic.

Doug has done more for Indian relations in North Dakota than any governor in my lifetime, for sure, and maybe ever, Cramer said.

Michael Achterling contributed to this report.

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North Dakota Monitor is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: info@northdakotamonitor.com. Follow North Dakota Monitor on Facebook and X.

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North Korea appears to have transferred different types of artillery systems to Russia.

These are systems that have long threatened South Korea.

The development has come as North Korean troops fight against Ukraine on behalf of Russia.

North Korea appears to have sent its big guns to Russia, furthering its support of Moscow's grinding war against Ukraine, a conflict in which artillery has been a dominant player.

The news of the recent transfer of artillery pieces complements the thousands of troops North Korea has committed to the war to fight on behalf of the Russians and underscores the key role that shells and rockets continue to play in the conflict.

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Images began to surface on social media last week showing what were identified as North Korean "Koksan" 170 mm self-propelled howitzers traveling by rail across Russia.

The transfer of 170 mm systems has since been reported by Western media citing South Korean intelligence, which says Pyongyang has also transferred 240 mm multiple rocket launch systems to Russia.

Can Kasapoglu, a nonresident senior fellow at the Hudson Institute think tank, said Wednesday that the 170 mm and 240 mm systems were the two most powerful that North Korea owns.

The Koksan "has an operational range of 37 miles and can unleash an initial burst of four rounds in one minute, followed by one round every three minutes," Kasapoglu wrote in a military situation report on Ukraine that was published Wednesday.

North Korea now shipping artillery systems to Russia  this in addition to shells, men, and missiles it is already sending. The M-1989 Koksan are long-range guns, roughly equivalents to Russian Pion systems, dozens of which have been destroyed by Ukraine https://t.co/ZHBemaVVXM pic.twitter.com/3lOtCi13TO  Oliver Carroll (@olliecarroll) November 14, 2024

"It is designed to fire from protected areas and relocate for reloading. Pyongyang has hundreds of Koksan guns in its arsenal and can afford to send a significant number to the Kremlin," he added.

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The first Koksan guns appeared in 1978, and a newer version made an appearance in 1989. It's the longest-range non-rocket artillery system in the North Korean arsenal, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Missile Threat project. It can lob high-explosive shells roughly 25 miles or rocket-assisted shells out to about 37 miles.

On the high end, that range gives it a reach greater than some other artillery systems and just under that of the Guided Multiple Launch Rockets for the US-provided High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.

North Korea is said to have a highly capable artillery force with thousands of systems in its arsenal. In a 2021 report, the US Defense Intelligence Agency said Pyongyang could launch a "high-intensity, short-duration attack" on South Korea and mount an assault with little or no warning.

The DIA report said Pyongyang's artillery and armored force mainly consisted of North Koreanproduced copies of Soviet-era systems that were "largely based on old technology" but "reliable and easy to maintain."

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While drones and other innovations have heavily defined the Ukraine war, artillery still plays a central role in the fight, with both sides using their guns to inflict significant harm on the enemy. Kyiv has repeatedly raised concerns at times that it doesn't have enough ammunition from the West to keep up with Moscow, which is believed to have received millions of artillery shells and missiles from North Korea.

A news broadcast of North Korea's artillery firing shown at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, in January. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Artillery has long been described as the "king of battle," among other names, and that continues to be the case in Ukraine, even as other war-fighting technologies come into play.

Kasapoglu said it was unclear whether North Korea sent the artillery pieces to support Russian units or for its own forces operating inside Russia's western Kursk region.

The US assesses that more than 11,000 North Korean troops have deployed to Kursk, where Russia is attempting to take back territory that Ukrainian forces captured after they executed a daring cross-border invasion in early August.

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North Korean forces have already engaged in combat against Kyiv's troops. The first battle actually involved artillery strikes, and shelling is a near-daily occurrence. NATO said the introduction of Pyongyang into the war was a "significant escalation" in the grinding conflict, which just passed the 1,000-day mark.

In response to the North Korean development, President Joe Biden lifted restrictions on Ukraine's use of longer-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia  a major policy shift in the final weeks of his term.

Read the original article on Business Insider
North Korea has sent Colonel General Kim Yong Bok to lead the North Korean troops in Russia. This general is one of the ten most important military figures in North Korea and often acts as an aide to Kim Jong Un.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Quote from WSJ: "Col. Gen. Kim Yong Bok was rarely seenor even mentionedin public. His role leading North Koreas special forces required him to keep a low profile to conceal his identity. But now he is a very public figure.

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He is the top North Korean military official in Russia, where more than 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to aid Moscows efforts to dislodge Ukrainian troops who have seized a chunk of Russian territory."

Details: Officials in Kyiv and Seoul have reportedly confirmed Colonel General Kims presence in Russia.

Formally, Kim Yong Bok is believed to be tasked with integrating North Korean troops with Russian troops, learning from the experience of combat operations to bring it back home, and preparing for future deployments.

Colonel General Kim is not expected to participate in the Russian war against Ukraine. However, the deployment of one of North Korea's most important military officials shows Pyongyang is interested in assisting Russia by the end of next year.

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North Korea stopped concealing the part played by Colonel General Kim after Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang in June when the two countries agreed on a mutual defence pact.

Colonel General Kim became an aide to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. They visited the flood-affected areas and observed special forces training and artillery exercises.

The last mention of Colonel General Kim in North Korean state media was on 6 October.

A few days later, he was believed to have travelled to Russia with the first batch of North Korean troops.

For reference: Colonel General Kim remained in the dark for most of his career. The government's database of elite North Koreans, which includes more than 680 officials and is based on intelligence from South Korea's spy agency and publicly available information, lists only his name and position. His age, hometown, or any other biographical information are still unknown.

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In March, it became known about his current role being the third in command in the North Korean army. This general is one of the ten most important military figures in North Korea.

Ukrainian and South Korean officials report that Colonel General Kim was among approximately 500 North Korean officers sent to Russia.

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SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea recently supplied additional artillery systems to Russia to support its war efforts against Ukraine, while some of the thousands of North Korean troops deployed in Russia have begun engaging in combat, South Koreas spy agency told lawmakers Wednesday.

The South Korean assessment came after Russia warned Monday that U.S. President Joe Bidens decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russia with U.S.-supplied longer-range missiles adds fuel to the fire of the war. U.S. officials said Bidens decision was triggered almost entirely by North Koreas entry into the war.

In a closed-door briefing at parliament, the National Intelligence Service said that North Korea exported 170mm self-propelled guns and 240mm multiple rocket launch systems to Russia, according to lawmaker Lee Seong Kweun, who attended the meeting.

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Lee told reporters that the NIS assessed those weapons are a type of artillery the Russian military doesnt operate so North Korea likely dispatched personnel to teach the Russians how to use them and handle their maintenance.

Last week, Russian Telegram channels and other social media posts published photos apparently showing North Koreans Koksan 170mm self-propelled guns being moved by rail inside Russia. The Financial Times, citing Ukrainian intelligence assessments, reported Sunday that North Korea in recent weeks sent some 50 domestically produced 170mm self-propelled howitzers and 20 240mm multiple launch rocket systems to Russia.

The artillery systems are the latest conventional weapons that North Korea is believed to have provided to Russia as the two countries are sharply expanding their military cooperation in the face of separate confrontations with the U.S. and its allies. Last month, the NIS said 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.

During its Wednesday briefing, the NIS said that an estimated 11,000 North Korean soldiers in late October were moved to Russias Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops seized parts of its territory this year, following their training in Russia's northeast, Lee said. He cited the NIS as saying the North Korean soldiers were assigned to Russias marine and airborne forces units and some of them have already begun fighting alongside the Russians on the frontlines.

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The U.S., Ukraine and others have similar estimates on the size of North Korea's troop deployment. They say the North Korean soldiers arrived in Russia in October and that some of them have since engaged in combat in the Kursk region. Observers say North Korea's participation in the almost 3-year war threatens to escalate the conflict.

Park Sunwon, another lawmaker who was present at the NIS meeting, made similar comments on the briefing. He said the spy agency couldnt provide an assessment on possible North Korean casualties.

Moscow said Tuesday that Ukraine fired six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles at Russias Bryansk region, in what would be Kyivs first use of the weapon inside Russia. Ukraines General Staff did not confirm whether the weapon was used, but said the armed forces struck an ammunition warehouse in the Bryansk region, which neighbors Kursk and was likely supplying Russian forces fighting there.

Since the first year of the war, Ukrainian leaders have lobbied Western allies to allow them to use advanced weapons to strike key targets inside Russia.
By Jack Kim and Joyce Lee

SEOUL (Reuters) -Around 10,900 North Korean troops have been deployed to Kursk as part of Russia's airborne unit and marines, with some already participating in battles in the Ukraine war, a South Korean lawmaker said on Wednesday, citing the country's spy agency.

North Korea has also shipped additional arms for the war in Ukraine, including self-propelled howitzers and multiple rocket launchers, parliament intelligence committee member Lee Seong-kweun told reporters, citing the National Intelligence Service.

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North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Hui's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during her visit to Moscow this month was unusual in terms of protocol, and likely went beyond exchanging greetings to cover more significant issues, including a possible visit to Russia by Kim Jong Un, another parliament intelligence committee member, Park Sun-won, said, citing NIS.

The spy agency is still trying to determine the exact number of North Korean troop casualties and whether any had surrendered amid conflicting information, the lawmaker said.

On Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's remarks that the number of North Korean troops stationed inside Russia could grow to 100,000, Lee cited the NIS as saying that although that is not confirmed, if the current battles are prolonged and casualties occur, North Korea may send more troops.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee and Jack Kim; Editing by Ed Davies)
Colonel General Kim Yong Bok, one of the generals accompanying North Korean troops in Russia, is a mystery-shrouded figure close to dictator Kim Jong Un, The Wall Street Journal reported on Nov. 20.

Kim Yong Bok, officially the Deputy Chief of the Army General Staff, is expected to oversee the integration of North Korean troops into Russian forces, gain combat experience, and establish a framework for future deployments, the outlet reports.

A Ukrainian envoy listed him, along with Major General Sin Kum Cheol and Colonel General Ri Chang Ho, during a U.N. Security Council meeting on Oct. 30 as one of the generals commanding some over 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia.

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Kims role in Pyongyangs military has long been shrouded in secrecy. He previously commanded a special forces unit of 200,000 soldiers tasked with covert missions on the Korean Peninsula. His profile was elevated after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea in June, with reports identifying him as the No. 3 figure in the Korean People's Army, according to the Wall Street Journal's reporting.

In July 2020, Kim was seen alongside Kim Jong Un at a ceremony honoring military officials but largely disappeared from public view until recently.

This deployment coincides with North Koreas formalized mutual defense treaty with Russia, announced on Nov. 12. The agreement obligates the nations to assist each other in the event of an armed attack.

The development follows reports of initial clashes between Ukrainian forces and North Korean troops in Russias Kursk Oblast. The Western countries denounced the deployment of North Korean troops as an escalation, with the U.S. reportedly responding by permitting Ukraine to launch ATACMS missiles against Russian and North Korean troops amassing in the region.

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Read also: Russia preparing a 50,000-people-strong offensive in latest attempt to push Ukrainian army out of Kursk Oblast

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A new grant from the United States Department of Transportation is giving a boost to a pilot program aiming to expand walking and biking busses to Portland schools.

The transportation department announced Friday that Metro will receive $1.1 million to implement Safe Routes to School projects at seven north Portland schools, as first reported by BikePortland.

Under the walking and biking bus program, adults lead a group of students as they walk, or roll, to school. The program, which has been seen in other Portland schools, has brought large groups of students to participate  including Alameda Elementarys bike bus in 2022 which saw 130-170 kids riding together to school.

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The pilot will take place in the Roosevelt High School cluster in north Portland and will include five elementary schools  Astor, James, John, Rosa Parks, and Cesar Chavez  along with George Middle School.

City of Portland to pay largest 2020 protest settlement for alleged police excessive force

Among the pilots offerings, the transportation department said the funding will support paid positions to lead the walk, or roll to school programs at all five elementary schools, bike helmet and lock distribution, transit safety training for middle schoolers, and bike-share safety training for high schoolers.

In a statement to KOIN 6 News on Tuesday, Metro Councilor Ashton Simpson said, Every child deserves a safe journey to school. This funding helps deliver that. By investing in safety demonstration projects and education, as well as annual adopt-a-bike events for children who might not otherwise be able to get a bike, this pilot program will provide extensive support at 7 schools in North Portland and will help our region for generations to come.

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In Metros grant application, the agency noted the area has high populations of students of color (67.9%), high rates of student absenteeism (45%), and high concentrations of low-income families (43%), and Ever English learners (30%.) Metro also pointed out James, John, George, and Roosevelt schools are in the fourth-highest quintile for crashes within their walkshed for the entire metro area.

Cracking down on Portlands tagger tourism

The agency added, Gun violence has also been a particular concern in this community, leading many families to be hesitant to walk or roll to school without additional support. At the same time, this neighborhood has a strong social fabric, connected by the schools in particular.

Metro continued, Parent-led bike buses, street paintings and kid-focused community gatherings are recent activities, and the close-knit geography of the St. Johns peninsula means that many trips are within walking/biking distance. The combination of school demographic needs, crash data, and strong community infrastructure are why this pilot project area was chosen.

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As part of the pilot, Metro is partnering with Portland State University to evaluate students views on walking or rolling to school, and parent/staff views on their perception of safety near the schools.

The pilot project will take place over three years beginning in July of 2025.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP)  A man from Northampton will spend three to five years in prison for firing an automatic rifle into his neighbors home in December of 2023.

ICE makes arrest in Northampton, officials say its not part of mass deportation

The Northwestern District Attorneys Office said 30-year-old Joshua Martinelli of Northampton was sentenced after pleading guilty to 11 charges related to the 2023 incident. At the time, Martinelli lived in a two-family home on Wright Avenue. He was arrested after firing shots into the next unit, where four residents had to take cover.

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No one was injured, but one of the bullets grazed the pants of a neighbor. I am emotionally scarred by Joshuas actions, said one victim in a statement.

Martinelli took a plea deal this week and agreed to three to five years in prison, plus five years probation with the condition that he receive mental health treatment, stay away from the victims, take his prescribed psychiatric medication, does not use illegal substances, and submit to random drug screenings.

Martinelli pleaded guilty to the following:

Armed assault with intent to murder (4 counts)

Unlawful possession of a large-capacity rifle

Unlawful possession of a feeding device for large capacity rifle

Unlawful possession of ammunition without a license

Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building

Unlawful possession of a large-capacity rifle

Improper storage of a large-capacity rifle

Malicious destruction of property over $1,200

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
(FOX40.COM)  A Northern California man was sentenced to 2 years and 11 months in prison for submitting false claims to get COVID-19 relief funds.

The U.S. Department of Justice said a 44-year-old Wheatland man used shell companies that did no actual business to try to get more than $13.4 million in federal funds.

Bear that attacked luxury car was actually man in costume, insurance investigators say

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According to the DOJ, the man managed to obtain roughly $1.95 million in tax returns, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds.

Mr. Tolands fraudulent and nefarious scheming took aim at funds designated to help both small businesses and American citizens in the midst of a global pandemic, IRS Criminal Investigation Oakland Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Mosley said. IRS-CI does not and will not sit idly by while financial criminals seek to exploit the American tax system. We are the experts in financial investigations, and we build cases that result in justice.

In addition to his prison sentence, the man was ordered to pay $2,078,462 in restitution.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
Photo illustration by Getty Images.

Scammers posing as utility workers will try to steal financial information from power customers by threatening service interruptions, and NorthWestern Energy warned the public Tuesday of the utility impostor scam.

Working together with our partners to protect our families, neighbors and customers from scammers is a year-round effort, said NorthWestern Energy Director of Customer Care Lori St. Aubin in a statement. Providing education about how scammers try to steal money helps prevent their crimes.

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NorthWestern Energy said it is joining Utilities United Against Scams this week to support International Fraud Awareness Week and recognize the ninth annual Utility Scam Awareness Day on Wednesday, Nov. 20. The day is dedicated to educating customers and exposing scammer tactics.

The theme of this years campaign is Anytime, anyone, anywhere, NorthWestern said in a news release. It said customers of all ages and demographics must stay vigilant against utility imposter scams, and digital scams are increasing, but in-person and telephone scams are still frequently reported.

NorthWestern said it is a member of Utilities United Against Scams, which has helped take more than 14,830 toll free numbers used by scammers against utility customers out of operation.

We encourage customers of all ages to stop and verify any unusual utility company requests before making a payment, regardless of whether the customer is contacted via phone, internet, or in person, said UUAS Executive Director Monica Martinez in a statement provided by NorthWestern. While scammers often target elderly and vulnerable populations, customers in all age groups are reporting utility impostor scam incidents that take place online, on the phone, and in person.

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NorthWestern said utilities will never ask for payments using a pre-paid debit card, gift card, or cryptocurrencies, and they will provide multiple notices before any service interruptions.

NorthWestern Energy customers can report attempted scams at www.northwesternenergy.com/scamalert.

The company said anyone who feels threatened during contact with a scammer should contact law enforcement authorities immediately.

The Federal Trade Commission also provides information about protecting personal information and other information regarding impostor scams at https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  An Abilene man accused of stalking the city manager and his family has been found not guilty.

Eddie Pugh was found not guilty on one count Stalking after a trial that took place in Taylor Countys 104th district court.

Pugh was arrested in November of last year after he was accused of going to Hannas home on at least two separate occasions with a bullhorn and rifle.

It was this incident that was unpacked in court, leaving the jury to decide if Pughs behavior was considered stalking, or protesting like his defense attorney claimed.

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While he was awaiting his day in court, Pugh was placed on house arrest and was required to wear an ankle monitor.

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President-elect Donald Trumps incoming border czar Tom Homan is calling out Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

Donald Trump has sweeping plans for a second administration. Heres what hes proposed

During an interview with Newsmax on Monday, Homan said Wu was not very smart after she joined other local democratic officials in vowing to fight Trumps campaign promise of creating the largest mass deportation program in history.

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Well, shes not very smart, Ill give her that. President Trump is going to prioritize public safety threats. What mayor or governor doesnt want public safety threats out of their communities? I mean thats your number one responsibility is to protect your communities and thats exactly what were going to do, Homan told the news outlet.

Homan, who previously served as the acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director during Trumps first administration, advised Wu to either help the incoming administration or get the hell out of the way.

Trump said on social media he was planning to declare a national emergency and utilize U.S. military assets to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.

Wu has said she will protect residents by not cooperating with Trumps planned intentions, as has Governor Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Campbell. State Rep. Stephen Lynch has also said that immigrants are vital to the future of the country.

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Homan will likely play a key role in Trumps campaign pledges to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and mount a massive deportation operation.

Homan also encouraged Wu to read Title 8, United States Code 1324 III, which he said states, You cant harbor or conceal an illegal alien from federal law enforcement officers.

They can not cooperate, but there are certain laws in place that they cant cross, and I hope she doesnt cross it, Homan added.

In a statement shared with Boston 25 News, Wu said has no intention of rolling out the welcome mat for Trumps second administration, while also touting Boston as being the safest major city in America.

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Boston is one of multiple sanctuary cities in the Bay State.

RELATED:

Mass. Democrat on immigration: Our policy at the border has caused people to be afraid

Mass. State Police wont take part in Trumps mass deportation program, Gov. Healey says

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LOUISVILLE, N.Y. (WWTI)  The National Transportation Safety Board has released findings of a January 2023 bus crash that killed six migrants in St. Lawrence County.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said that It was clear from todays meeting that there was insufficient redundancy to protect those traveling on State Route 37 in Louisville, New York that morning.

National Transportation Safety Board investigating deadly St. Lawrence County crash

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Homendy added that Our investigation found that those responsible for transportation safety and federal oversight failed to do their part. This includes motor carriers and regulatory agencies, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the states of New York and Montana, among others.

The findings looking into the crash were revealed in a report released on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

On January 28, 2023, New York State Police responded just after 6 a.m. to a deadly motor vehicle accident on State Highway 37 in the town of Louisville.

During the meeting regarding the crash, federal investigators and board members discussed the multiple safety issues in this accident. Those included:

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The truck drivers fatigue from insufficient sleep associated with his schedule.

The truck motor carriers lack of a structured fatigue management program or use of driver monitoring systems.

A lack of accessible seat belts and pre-trip safety briefing for bus occupants.

Lack of administrative safeguards that allowed solar company LBFNY to register buses out of state and continue its unsafe operations in violation of a federal out-of-service order.

Ineffective oversight by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which failed to identity and intervene on safety issues associated with truck operator Aero Global Logistics.

The trucks lack of lane departure technology.

The board issued 12 new recommendations and reiterating three previous recommendations related to occupant protection, federal and state oversight of motor carrier operations and fatigue countermeasures. These recommendations are being issued to FMSCA, NHTSA, the states of New York and Montana, trucking industry groups and both motor carriers involved in this collision.

The new recommendations, as well as the executive summary, probable cause, and findings of the investigation, are available on the investigation web page. The final report will be published on the NTSBs website in several weeks.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch

I was chatting with family on Sunday when news broke that Joe Biden had very belatedly granted Ukraine permission to strike targets inside Russia with American-supplied long-range missiles (ATACMS). Moscow will surely respond by threatening to escalate the war, the newscaster warnedand, surely enough, it has.

None of us batted an eye, though. Theyre always making threats, one relative yawned. The boys at the Kremlin have spent nearly three years crying wolf about what they might do if the U.S. continues to supply Ukraine. If the wolf existed, one might assume, it would have shown up by now.

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Even if it does exist, there are good reasons to believe it wont show up at this late hour. For starters, Russia is in no position to widen this conflict conventionally, having lost somewhere between 400,000 and 700,000 men since 2022. A country reduced to relying on North Korean cannon fodder for its advances isnt about to threaten Western Europe with tanks and planes.

But if that werent enough to deter Vladimir Putin from escalating the war, theres also this: Hes already won it.

In two months a pro-Ukraine administration in Washington will be replaced by one thats neutral at best and pro-Russia at worst. Volodymyr Zelensky understands that the shooting will end sooner under Donald Trump than it would have under Kamala Harris, not because Trump will bully Putin into a settlement favorable to Ukraine but essentially the opposite. Soon Kyiv will face the agonizing choice of whether to accept a deal that gives Russia most of what it wants or to reject it and keep fighting, futilely, without material American support.

Biden understands that too. Hes doing what little he can in his final months in office to mitigate the appeasement to come.

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White House aides told the press that the president approved the use of ATACMS against Russian targets partly to send a message to the North Koreans that their forces are vulnerable and that they should not send more of them. But the obvious truth is that this was a leverage play on Kyivs behalf ahead of the inevitable concessions a Trump administration will force on Zelensky. The more pain Ukraine can inflict on its enemy in the next two months and the more Russian territory it can grab before peace talks begin, the more it can demand from Moscow at the bargaining table in exchange for relinquishing that land.

Escalation makes sense for Ukraine given the poor position its in. Conversely, we might surmise, it does not make sense for Russia. Putin has successfully outlasted not just the Biden administration but, with Trumps victory, the entire U.S.-led liberal order; all he needs to do is be patient for a few more months and then collect his winnings from a postliberal White House that feels more kinship with Russian fascists than it does with Ukrainian democrats. That means not doing anything outrageous that might disturb his glide path to victory.

So when we hear about Putin signing an order to lower the threshold for using Russias nuclear weapons in response to conventional attacks supported by nuclear rivalsi.e. Ukraine using ATACMS supplied by the Pentagonwe should keep on yawning, no?

Not this time, I think. Its counterintuitive but, with the war on the cusp of winding down, theres a chance that the wolf might show up at last.

The end of deterrence.

To those who ask, Why would Putin bother to go nuclear now, after half a million casualties? Id answer: Why wouldnt he?

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Hes faced two major deterrents to using atomic weapons since the conflict with Ukraine began. One was the assurance that, if he went that route, the United States and its Western allies would hold Russia entirely morally responsible for breaking the nuclear taboo. The other was the prospect of severe conventional military reprisals by the West, possibly involving U.S. and European air forces intervening in Ukraine to drive the Russians back.

The closer we get to Inauguration Day, the weaker both deterrents get.

If you want to know how the postliberal American right would greet a Russian nuclear attack on Ukraine, look around this week at how the worst people in Donald Trumps orbit have reacted to Bidens decision on ATACMS. Trumps son is bleating about the military industrial complex and World War III. Mike Flynn, who briefly served as national security adviser during Trumps first term, wants Kamala Harris to use the 25th Amendment to remove Joe Biden before any more damage is done.

Throughout the war, American populists have assigned moral culpability for escalation exclusively to Ukraine and its Western supporters for resisting Russian fascism and not at all to the Russian fascists who chose to brutalize their neighbors in the first place. Yet, as perverse as that may be, theres strategic logic to it. Postliberals in the U.S. want to normalize ruthlessness toward liberals and part of the normalization process is muddying the moral waters whenever postliberal regimes abroad behave ruthlessly.

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So its easy to foresee how Trumps movement of proto-fascists would react to Russia detonating a small-scale nuclear weapon: Theyd blame the Ukrainians, Joe Biden, and hawks in Congress for having provoked Moscow by targeting military sites deep inside Russia with ATACMS. For many MAGA types, I think, a nuclear explosion in Ukraine would be treated as nothing short of vindication. See how bad things can get when the war party runs Washington?

Theyve done everything they reasonably can do up to this point to provide Putin with moral cover to prosecute the war as viciously as he likes. Knowing that that moral cover would extend to a nuclear strike on Ukraine, dividing the increasingly postliberal West rather than uniting it in outrage, is destined to make him more willing to consider it.

But what about President Trump himself? Hes unpredictable, he despises looking weak, and he has a track record of punishing rogue regimes for using weapons of mass destruction. Might he not react to atomic escalation in Ukraine with the same sort of harsh military reprisal that President Biden would have resorted to?

Unlikely, I think.

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Trumps first administration was a better ally to Kyiv than you would have expected from his endless Putin apologetics. But, as his recent personnel decisions have made clear, his next government will be considerably more depraved than his first. Even the responsible hawkish nominees this time arent so hawkish after eight years of postliberal degradation, particularly with regard to this conflict.

Trump has also staked a great deal of political capital on the idea of himself as a peacemaker, from meeting with Kim Jong Un as president to brokering the Abraham Accords to promising repeatedly to end the war in Ukraine in one day. And, like his postliberal cronies, hes not above blaming the victim for a conflict that Russian fascists instigated. As recently as last month, he scolded Zelensky by claiming that he should never have let that war start.

Were talking about a guy who, in 2017, reportedly sought advice on whether to arm the Ukrainians from  Vladimir Putin. Russia wont be facing unshakable Churchillian resolve on January 20.

Because Trump is obsessed with appearing strong, I do think Putin would be running a risk of reprisal if he embarrassed the new president by waiting until after he was sworn in to launch a nuclear strike on Ukraine. It would amount to daring Trump to do something about it. But if he did it shortly before the inauguration, on Bidens watch, hed probably escape without major consequences. Biden wouldnt want to launch a military attack on Russia with the new administration so close to taking over and Trump would almost certainly seize upon Putins escalation to pressure Ukraine to sue for peace urgently, making whatever concessions Moscow demands. Joe Bidens weakness has led to nuclear war! I will fix!

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Simply put, with a more sympathetic government poised to take charge in Washington, Russia might have little to lose by going nuclear. So why not do it?

Testing boundaries.

If theres any head of state whos more consumed than Trump with being feared by rivals, its Putin. The conquest of Ukraine was supposed to be the first step in rebuilding his countrys empire, re-establishing Moscow as a counterweight to Washington and Beijing, and serving notice to Europe that NATO would be tested sooner or later.

Nearly three years and half a million casualties later, Putins pretensions of meaningful strength are up in smoke. Having struggled to subdue Ukraine, hes unwittingly demonstrated that imperial Russia is a pipe dream. There isnt much left he can do militarily to intimidate the Western powers that have turned his special military operation into a strategic debacle.

But there is one thing: A nuclear strike inside Ukraine would show Europe that nations that resist Russian influence will pay the steepest possible price and that what Putin lacks in conventional military power hes willing to make up for with sheer ruthlessness.

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And if that strike happened to come during Americas lame-duck period, it would carry heavy symbolic meaning. The fact that Russia was finally willing to break a nuclear taboo that persisted for decades during and after the Cold War, at the very moment U.S. voters had chosen to reelect a Russia-friendly NATO-skeptical postliberal, would quasi-officially mark the end of the Pax Americana.

It would resemble the firing of a starting gun for a new world order in which authoritarian powers throttle their neighbors to whatever extent they can get away with as Western liberal nations look on passively with varying degrees of dismay.

The symbolism would be especially powerful if, as Ive assumed, Trump is likely to insist on moving forward with (or even accelerating) peace talks between Ukraine and Russia following a Russian nuclear strike. The lesson for rogue regimes would be unmistakable: If you want to gain influence with the United States, do as much damage as you can to our allies and then screech about World War III as Washington comes running to the table. Youll be arguing from a position of strength. Imagine how much more leverage Moscow will have with Secretary Marco Rubio if theres a mushroom cloud over some Ukrainian city.

There would also be a symmetry in Putin going nuclear around the same time that Trump is preparing to return to office. Here and abroad, in different ways, postliberalism has set its sights on undoing norms that have served the world well by restraining power-hungry lunatics. Both men are moving forward with that project simultaneously.

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Trump, for instance, has been president-elect for all of two weeks yet has already unspooled more creative ideas on how to consolidate power than most presidents manage in four years. Forget his Cabinet of anti-qualified quacks: Theres talk of him deploying the troops to enforce immigration law, forcing Congress to adjourn so that he can recess-appoint any loyalist stooge he likes, and purging military officers who lack leadership qualities because they prioritize obedience to the Constitution over obedience to him. Those who voted on November 5 for cheaper eggs and a stronger border will soon find most of Americas political energy consumed by battles over just how much of a dictator Donald J. Trump should get to be.

Vladimir Putin is a bona fide authoritarian icon of power consolidation, meanwhile, having easily prevailed over the weak institutional defenses of post-Soviet Russia, but his invasion of Ukraine was the most ambitious affront to Western norms of his career. He launched the first major conflict in Europe since World War II and the first Russian occupation on the continent since the Soviets rolled into Czechoslovakia in 1968. If he was willing to go that far to make the point that the old rules are no longer binding, it almost seems fitting that the war he started should end with the nuclear taboo being shattered.

To international fascists, the whole point of a Trump victory is the political license it creates to test the boundaries set by the post-war liberal order. Why would Putin pass on a golden opportunity to test the ultimate boundary on warfare?

Maybe Trump can talk him out of it. Wind down this war quietly and Ill quit NATO might be the sort of inducement that would convince Russia to keep its nuclear pistol holstered.

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But even if Putin can be dissuaded from doing something reckless in Ukraine, theres no escaping the fact that nuclear conflict will be more likely in a world no longer secured by the Pax Americana. Maybe liberal powers in Europe and the Far East can band together and form formidable military coalitions in Americas absence, but some of those countries have their own nascent postliberal movements that are gaining in influence. If your alliance is one German or Japanese Viktor Orban away from collapsing, its not much of an alliance.

The obvious, unavoidable solution in a world without international deterrence is for every country menaced by an authoritarian neighbor to provide their own deterrence by going nuclear. No one is coming to help Ukraine or Taiwan next time; if they want to keep the bad guys off their backs, or at least have a chance of doing so, procuring the means to incinerate millions of civilians in Beijing or Moscow is the only thing that might do it.

The Ukrainian people in particular have learned the hard way that theres no substitute for nuclear deterrence, an advantage they briefly enjoyed and then gave away in exchange for magic beans from Russia and the United States. It would be the bitterest irony if Putin made them pay the supreme price for disarming themselves, but well all have to get used to bitterness. The postliberal world is a dangerous place.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  A suspect is now in jail, charged with attacking a nurse at Doctors Hospital last week.

A Richmond County Sheriffs Office incident report says Trey Jones punched a nurse in the mouth, causing him to black out back on November 11th. The victim reportedly sustained a concussion as well as an injury to the mouth that was actively bleeding. He was also hospitalized and given a neck brace for discomfort.

Jones is charged with Battery and Possession of Drugs. Deputies say they found amphetamines in his bag.

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In a statement to NewsChannel 6, Doctors Hospital says it has no tolerance for violence against its staff and is working with law enforcement on this case.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  New York City is adding at least 1,000 additional NYPD officers to patrol the city streets, sources told PIX11News.

Mayor Eric Adams said Wednesday the department will add around 1,600 cops by October 2025, bringing the police force up to 34,000 officers.

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In the past few days, four people were stabbed to death and an NYPD cop was shot in the line of duty in Queens.

Ramon Rivera, 51, is accused of killing three people in a series of unprovoked attacks in Manhattan on Monday.

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Gary Worthy, 57, who shot the cop in the leg, was wanted for committing two armed robberies within an hour Tuesday. Worthy was killed in the shootout with police.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A Manhattan judge on Tuesday ordered federal prosecutors to destroy records of notes taken from Sean Diddy Combs jail cell.

Manhattan federal court Judge Arun Subramanian issued the directive following a court hearing attended by Combs after his lawyers complained about federal authorities photographing personal notes from his cell during a sweep.

Multiple federal agencies conducted a massive contraband sweep at MDC Brooklyn starting on Oct. 28 as part of an ongoing effort to clean up the troubled jail, which saw two stabbing murders in a six-week period this summer.

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Sources described the operation, run by the federal Bureau of Prisons, as a show of force, complete with contraband-sniffing dogs, an FBI mobile command center parked outside the Sunset Park jail, and security screenings of defense lawyers as they exited.

On Nov. 1, BOP officials announced that federal agents identified and confiscated several electronic devices, drugs and associated paraphernalia, and homemade weapons.

The feds on Combs case revealed theyd come into possession of the notes in written arguments opposing his latest request for release on Friday, accusing him of witness tampering and making efforts to pay off people who may take the stand against him.

In court Tuesday, Combs lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said the papers contained information subject to attorney-client privilege and demanded CCTV of the raid. He said Combs had written the word legal on the stack that was seized and argued there was no reason for an investigator  who prosecutors said did not confer with them  to search through papers to look for cell phones, weapons or drugs.

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Virtually every single thing in these legal pads are matters he discusses with his attorneys, the defense attorney said, calling the seizure a complete institutional failure.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik countered that the investigator who looked through the cell independent of the prosecutions work was tasked with making sure Combs was in compliance with jail rules, which she said Combs was not. She said the paperwork taken included notes by Combs about finding dirt on witnesses.

Slavik said no members of the prosecution team were aware of, involved in, nor made any requests to the investigator who carried out the search. She said labeling something as legal did not, on its face, make it subject to attorney-client privilege and that a filter team had reviewed them for anything out-of-bounds.

The prosecutor said the materials were obtained pursuant to the Manhattan U.S. attorneys ongoing covert investigation into Combs and his associates and that they didnt concern his communications with his lawyers but, in addition to a note about finding dirt on witnesses, related to his family members, financial advisers, birthdays, and inspirational quotes that have nothing to do with this case at all.

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Subramanian, who will rule on the defense claims after receiving written arguments from the two sides, told prosecutors from the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office to email him any originals from the 19 pages that were photographed for the time being.

The 55-year-old Combs has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and interstate transportation to engage in prostitution, charges carrying a potential decades-long long sentence.

Prosecutors allege that for years, the hip-hop mogul used his business empire to facilitate the sexual abuse and coercion of women he forced to participate in violent sexual performances called freak offs. They say he directed and videotaped the performances and drugged his victims into compliance, and that he and associates engaged in forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.

Combs, who wore tan prison clothing to Tuesdays hearing, appeared without chains around his ankles after his legal team requested the court permit him to be unshackled.

Hes due back in court Friday when Subramanian said he wouldnt factor the notes to be destroyed in his decision on whether to release Combs on a $50 million bond.
New York City public school families and teachers raised concerns over parental involvement, curriculum, and their childrens safety during the first in a series of borough-based town halls, kicking off this week in Manhattan.

Over the next month, Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos will ask the public to provide feedback and ideas for the nations largest school system. The tour launched Tuesday night at the High School of Graphic Communication Arts in Hells Kitchen, where participants had small group discussions before selecting one question to pose to the chancellor and her top deputies.

Were not going to be able to solve everything, Aviles-Ramos told the Daily News. But where are we identifying those trends and patterns, and where can we do better?

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During the more than two-hour event, a majority of parents asked for more participation in their childrens education. They wanted improvements to school busing and parent-teacher conferences, which since the pandemic are handled remotely unless a parent requests an in-person session, and help choosing a high school during the complex admissions process.

Many concerns touched on school safety, whether students are facing threats or bullying.

Teachers asked for more support and flexibility as the school system overhauls how it teaches reading and math.

The final question of the night was: Will you commit tonight to bringing back the snow day? If its too snowy for students and teachers to get to school, classes are conducted online.

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The answer, at least for this school year, was no.

Aviles-Ramos has visited at least 13 schools since taking over as chancellor, with special attention to adult education, autism programs, and schools that enroll diverse populations of students. She said those school visits and other local events are all chances to hear from people, but the listening tour is a structured way to collect qualitative data.

What was important to me in creating the structure was a tool to capture all the things that people are saying, she said. Not just for us to listen and kind of walk away and take maybe the one or two things that resonated with us, but to really sit with the  information that were getting from families.

Here are the remaining dates:

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Nov. 26: Brooklyn  Thomas Jefferson High School, 400 Granville Payne Ave., 11207

Dec. 3: Queens  Academy of American Studies, 40-11 28th St., 11101

Dec. 10: Bronx  PS 306, 40 West Tremont Ave., 10453

Dec. 17: Staten Island  Curtis High School, 105 Hamilton Ave., 10301

All sessions run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
NEW YORK (AP)  New York City police killed a man in Queens on Tuesday evening after he shot at officers  hitting one in the leg  who were responding to reports of armed robberies in the area, authorities said.

The officer who was shot is expected to survive, officials said.

Joseph Kenny, the New York Police Departments chief of detectives, identified the suspect as Gary Worthy. He said Worthy, 57, was being sought in connection with two armed robberies of businesses in Queens.

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A pair of officers attempted to approach the man in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, telling him to stop, but the man began to run and fired one shot at an officer, hitting the officer in the thigh. The officer then fired back, killing Worthy.

A 26-year-old woman was also hit in the leg during the shootout but is expected to survive, Kenny said.

Kenny said Worthy had been on lifetime parole for firearms possession and had been arrested less than a week ago for alleged narcotics possession and resisting arrest but was later released from custody. He was also wanted for three other gunpoint robberies earlier this year, Kenny said.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the handling of Worthy's previous charges marked a failure of the city's criminal justice system. The Democratic mayor made similar comments earlier this week after a man who also had prior criminal charges was arrested after a string of random stabbings killed three people in Manhattan.

We are grateful tonight but we are also angry, we're angry because we have witnessed in two days a criminal justice system that is failing New Yorkers and the good people of this city, Adams said.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  There is a shortage of nurses in New York and a city program is trying to combat the shortage.

Barbara Herrera calls being a nurse her passion. This is something I didnt choose. It chose me like to help others.

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The 23-year-old is originally from Venezuela. She was a registered nurse before moving to NYC in 2023.

Unfortunately with the situation that is happening I had to move here but thank god I had the opportunity to continue my education here.

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For help with completing her licensing exam in the US, she applied for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses for English Language Learners Training Program at Lehman College.

On Tuesday, 23 people graduated from the 8-month program.

It is free for internationally trained nurses who currently live in New York City, have a U.S. work visa, and make less than 40 thousand dollars a year.

NYC doctors rally against ruling that limits their time with patients

The program, which is held at both Lehman College and LaGuardia Community College, provides the participants with a stipend during the course, free textbooks and test prep software as well as English language training.

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The program is run by the Department of Small Business Services.

Jorge Silva Puras is the Provost and SVP at Lehman College.

Many of them dont a full master of the English language so the language barrier is something we help them with.

Once they pass that license that automatically allows them to increase their salaries substantially/ so its not just their nurses its also their families that can jump to a middle-class income in a short period of time.

According to the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities in New York, New York will face a shortage of nearly 40,000 nurses by 2030.

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Bronx training program offers stipends, certifications, and health care jobs

Dynishal Gross, the Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services, says the goal of the program is to address the shortage. We had a lot of attrition due to the pressures during the pandemic. Folks retiring or choosing other things.

This program connects employers with skilled individuals. We have a multi-lingual city and individuals in the health care system need bilingual healthcare so they automatically provide that and theyll fill the gaps in health care within our institutions.

As for Herrera, shell take her licensing exam in December. She says being able to work as an RN here will change her life.

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Herrera says, When I was there I earned 75 dollars per month thats nothing if you compare to the prices here. I hope I can help others to educate.

The idea of helping my mom, shes always working. Also my dad and also like as a Latino community to see ok I have my degree I can finish this and I can work as my degree as an RN.

Herrera encourages other internationally trained nurses to apply.

The program is accepting applications on a rolling basis.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Five times. Thats the number of moves Kelly  a Venezuelan migrant mother of seven children  said shes had to make from one New York City shelter to the next since arriving in the United States in January.

Its bad for my children, Kelly said during her testimony Tuesday in front of the Council committees on General Welfare and Immigration.

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This long-planned hearing was meant to address the much-discussed disruptiveness of the 30-day single adult and 60-day family shelter limit police implemented last summer by the Adams administration, and defended Tuesday by Molly Schaeffer, the citys head of asylum seeker operations.

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None of these policies were done easily. These were done to really make sure we were protecting both our shelter system and people at their most vulnerable time, said Schaeffer.

But in an unexpected move, Mayor Eric Adams relaxed the policy a day before the council hearing, waiving the tedious reapplication process.

But it is only for migrant families staying in the citys HERRC, or humanitarian emergency shelters.

Much better, Kelly told PIX11 News after her testimony. But then she went on to complain about the rules that often complicate migrant life in general inside a shelter.

She echoed concerns, expressed by advocates, who say shelters destabilize migrant families  especially students.

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You completely uproot them. They lose contact with everything. They are not able to create a community. We want permanent shelter and dignified housing for everyone, said migrant advocate Ximena Bustamante.

Migrant advocate Mariel Acosta added, By staying in a stable housing situation, their kids can go to school. People can retain a job. They can build communities.

In a statement, Mayor Adams said in part:

were doing everything we can to make sure that our shelter system serves its purpose as a soft landing spot for new arrivals  not their final landing spot.

The new policies were implementing today will build on our successes, save taxpayers millions, and help even more migrants take their next steps towards fulfilling their American Dream.

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An NYPD officer and an innocent bystander were shot and wounded while a career criminal on lifetime parole was killed in a shootout after the suspect allegedly robbed a pair of stores in Queens on Tuesday night, police said.

The 57-year-old parolee, Gary Worthy, allegedly held up two local businesses, a bodega and a smoke shop, at gunpoint and fired off a single shot during each of the robberies where he demanded cash before the deadly gunfight.

Officers were canvassing for the suspect in the first robbery, which happened just after 5:30 p.m., when a witness pointed them to Worthy, who had just allegedly robbed the smoke shop on Guy Brewer Boulevard in Jamaica less than an hour later, NYPD officials said.

The NYPD officer was shot in the leg and rushed to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition. Citizen

Gary Worthy allegedly held up two local businesses, a bodega and a smoke shop, before the gunfight.

The cops realized he matched the description of the suspect in the earlier robbery as well and ordered him to stop near the corner of Jamaica Avenue and 160th Street around 6:30 p.m.

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Worthy  who had 17 priors including murder  instead ran off and reportedly drew his illegal firearm, shooting Officer Rich Wong, a seven-year veteran of the 103rd Precinct, once in the thigh, police said.

Wong returned fire and hit Worthy once in the face. He was pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital, cops said.

Wong was also rushed to Jamaica Hospital as well as a 26-year-old woman who was hit in the crossfire. Both are expected to make full recoveries.

The gun recovered at the scene of the shooting Tuesday night.

Cops at the scene of the shooting in Queens on Tuesday. Peter Gerber

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Dozens of cops swarmed the scene of the shooting and the suspects body was left in a pile on the ground, a witness told The Post. Peter Gerber

A mom who was picking up pizza nearby said she heard a loud bang. Peter Gerber

The gunfire sent hundreds of terrified New Yorkers running for safety.

A mom who was picking up pizza nearby said she heard a loud bang and initially believed the noise came from a construction site or a car backfiring  until three more shots followed and the busy block quickly erupted into chaos.

It was followed by three more loud bangs and I said, Oh, those are gunshots and I need to run,' Jennifer Wilson said.

The alleged robber was reportedly wanted for other robberies. Peter Gerber

Mayor Eric Adams was briefed on the shooting and will visit the officer in the hospital. Peter Gerber

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So I looked around for a second  everyone scattered. We all ran to where we could run to and then the police swooped down and starting blocking [the street] off.

She was left shaken by the gunfire and couldnt immediately return home since her car was on the other side of the taped-off crime scene.

I had an appointment up here, Im on my way home to my children with dinner, with pizza and its just really scary. Its very, very scary, very unsettling, very disturbing.

Wilson said hundreds of people ran for their lives after the gunshots rang out.

Jamaica Avenue is busy. This is the busiest street in all of Queens and everybodys just walking, going about their business, probably on their way home like me and [we] all just scattered like roaches, she said. It was madness. It was really crazy.

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Dozens of cops swarmed the scene of the shooting and the suspects body was left in a pile on the ground, Wilson added.

Another New Yorker who had just left a nearby hospital saw the shooting unfold  ending with Worthys body lying on the ground, face-up.

Oh my God, I got scared, man, Harry Jaikarran, 58, told The Post. For 45 years, Ive lived in America, I never heard a gunshot like this. I got afraid. I never seen a shooting  Its sad. Shoplifting cost him his life.

Worthy was on lifetime parole for firearms possession and was arrested just six days ago, but was released back onto the streets, police said. He was also a suspect in three recent gunpoint robberies, and a warrant for his arrest was issued last Thursday.

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He was charged with murder in 1994 and served time after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter. Additional details about the killing werent immediately available.

Worthy was again arrested in 2008 for criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance and burglary. He was convicted of all three charges and spent 12 years at Otisville Correctional Facility before he was released in 2021 on lifetime parole, according to state records.

The career criminal had been arrested seven times since his release but remained out on the streets despite his lifetime parole.

He was wanted in three additional gunpoint robberies at Queens businesses that occurred between Halloween and Nov. 15, police said. Worthy allegedly fired a single shot at each of those robberies as well.

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Adams slammed the criminal justice system for Worthys release following his latest bust for felony narcotics possession and resisting arrest.

Were angry because we have witnessed in two days a criminal justice system that is failing New Yorkers, the good people of this city, Adams said during a nighttime press conference at Jamaica Hospital.

His criticism of the court system was echoed by top NYPD brass and Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Hendry.

I can tell you this  all New Yorkers, you can depend on New York City police officers to do our jobs. We will continue to take dangerous criminals off the streets. We have your back, Hendry said. I can tell you who doesnt have your back  our criminal justice system. It continues to let us down every single day.
An NYPD officer was shot in the leg in Queens Tuesday night during a wild shootout with a suspect in a string of nearby robberies, police said Tuesday.

The suspect, Gary Worthy, 57, was shot in the head and died at the scene, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at a press conference Tuesday night. Cops recovered his gun, which he used to intimidate his robbery victims before using it to shoot the police officer, he added.

NYPD officer Rich Wong first confronted the suspect around 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Jamaica Ave. and 164th St. in Jamaica after he noticed the man fit the description of a suspect who had just robbed two stores in the area at gunpoint, Kenny said.

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About an hour beforehand, the suspect held up a bodega on Hillside Ave., Kenny said.

Victims tell the responding police officers that a male entered the store and announced the robbery, Kenny said. This male demanded money. He threatened the workers with a firearm. He threatened the customers with a firearm. He used a black revolver during this robbery, one shot was fired.

Officer Wong and his partner were canvassing for the suspect when a bystander flagged them down and told them a man had just robbed a smoke shop on Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, also at gunpoint.

The officers asked the suspect to stop but he did not comply, Kenny said.

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They wanted him to stay still, Kenny said. He doesnt comply. Instead, he runs eastbound on Jamaica Avenue, away from the officers, while producing a firearm, these two officers order him to drop the gun. He does not do so. He fires one shot, striking police officer Wong in his thigh in a through and through injury. Police Officer Wong is forced to return fire.

Wong shot Worthy once in the face. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Jamaica Hospital.

Mayor Adams added: This is just another stark reminder the danger the men and women of the NYPD runs towards every day, said over and over again, they run towards dangers, and our officers did just that.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene that largely matched Kennys description of the incident.

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He was coming out of the Target. The cop told him about four times, Do not run. Do not run. After that, a shot rang out, said Henry Jaikeren, a street vendor who was working across the street at the time, told The News. The guy spun around, and the cop shot him four more times in the belly. He was dead on the ground.

Fellow officers rushed the wounded cop to Jamaica Hospital in a patrol car. He is expected to survive.

Mayor Adams added: This is just another stark reminder the danger the men and women of the NYPD runs towards every day, said over and over again, they run towards dangers, and our officers did just that.

A 26-year-old bystander was also shot in the leg in the commotion. She was taken to the hospital and is also expected to survive, Kenny said. It was not immediately known who had shot her, but preliminary it looks like, she was shot by the suspect, a police source said.

A lady was coming out from the Target, who also got shot. She was hit in the left leg, said another vendor who witnessed the shooting but declined to give his name. She ran back into the Target and started screaming, and then all hell broke loose.
CANTON, N.Y. (WWTI)  New York State Police are currently investigating possible dog neglect complaints in St. Lawrence County that occurred at a business before a deadly fire.

A fire just before 1 a.m. on October 24 at No Dogs Left Behind, formerly Maple Ridge Kennels, located on State Route 68 in the town of Canton killed multiple dogs.

Shelter dogs perish in St. Lawrence County fire

The shelter had been the home of dogs from the No Dogs Left Behind operation, which rescues dogs from the Asian dog meat market and war-torn locations.

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The St. Lawrence County Sheriffs Department responded to the fire incident, along with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, which handled the investigation.

However, the NYSP are actively investigating the possible dog neglect case, which is ongoing.

Authorities currently have no further information regarding the fire investigation.

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CHICAGO  An Oak Lawn woman was ordered to pay restitution for funds she received in a Paycheck Protection Program loan scheme while employed by the State of Illinois, Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced.

Arnita Rudd, 63, pleaded guilty to one count of theft by deception, a Class 2 felony, who fraudulently received over $20,000. In addition, DuPage County Judge Mia McPherson sentenced Rudd to two years of second chance probation and ordered her to perform 30 hours of community service. Rudd also was ordered to pay $24,000 in restitution, fines and fees.

In June 2021, the attorney generals office claimed Rudd fraudulently received a PPP loan for more than $20,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration for her business Arnita Rudd, doing business as VARS Transportation. Prosecutors also said Rudd falsely claimed the business earned a total gross income of more than $96,000 in 2019. She is also alleged to have applied for and received loan forgiveness once she was employed at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Raouls office investigated and co-prosecuted this case with DuPage County States Attorney Bob Berlins office.

The Paycheck Protection Program was created and implemented to help struggling businesses survive in extremely difficult circumstances and not as a personal piggy bank by those with no legitimate need who were looking to game the system, Berlin said. I thank Attorney General Raoul and his team not only for their efforts in this case, but also for their ongoing work in rooting out white collar crimes, particularly those involving government employees, as we saw in this case.

Oak Lawn Woman Pleads Guilty To PPP Loan Scheme While State Employee originally appeared on the Oak Lawn Patch
CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  The Richland School District has announced that an investigation is underway after students used artificial intelligence (AI) to create obscene images of students.

The school said that on Thursday, Nov. 14 the district became aware of an incident in which students used AI to create and send inappropriate images of other students. They added that an investigation into the situation is already underway and the Richland Police Department, Children and Youth Services and Childline were notified.

First and foremost, the Richland School District takes such incidents seriously, and we will pursue this matter legally and to the fullest extent of the law while ensuring due process, Superintendent of Schools, Arnold Nadonley said in a release.

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A full release from the school can be found below:

Richland-releaseDownload

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If you have any information youre asked to contact the Richland Township Police Department at 814-266-6081.

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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  Ochsner Health has decided to donate Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to the New Orleans Police Department.

The devices are for NOPD officers apart of the new Emergency Medical Responders.

Councilman Oliver Thomas looking to make second lines safer moving forward

According to Ochsner officials, these officers are usually the first to respond to an emergency scene.

In September eight NOPD officers graduated from the 10-week training, with the skills to provide life-saving care to severely injured victims before EMS arrives or if scenes are not secure for EMS.

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EMR kits were provided to the officers upon graduating but now Ochsner officials are donating AEDs providing additional life-saving tools in the event of a cardiac incident.

New library vending machine coming to Desire neighborhood

The officers will be presented with th devices at a ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at NOLA EMS headquarters.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  The bipartisan Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve Establishment Act has passed a key U.S. Senate Committee  a key step toward establishing Georgias first-ever National Park and Preserve in middle Georgia.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted to advance the bipartisan, bicameral Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve Establishment Act to the full U.S. Senate for consideration.

In May, U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and the Rev Raphael Warnock, alongside Congressmen Austin Scott and Sanford D. Bishop Jr., introduced the bipartisan, bicameral bill, which would establish Ocmulgee Mounds and surrounding areas in middle Georgia as a National Park and Preserve.

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Shortly after introduction, in May, the U.S. Senate National Parks Subcommittee held a hearing to receive testimony from the National Park Service on the legislation.

This is historic and unprecedented progress toward establishing Georgias first national park, but more work remains ahead, Ossoff said. I'm grateful to Congressman Scott, Congressman Bishop, and Sen. Warnock for their partnership, as well as the extraordinary efforts of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Macon-Bibb County Mayor Pro Tem Seth Clark, and local leaders for their years of hard work, advocacy and leadership.

Ocmulgee Mounds is a living testament to our intertwined histories and a source of economic and cultural vitality; Im proud to see this legislation to establish Ocmulgee Mounds as Georgias first National Park and Preserve taking one more step toward becoming law, Warnock said. I want to thank Congressmen Scott and Bishop for their yearslong efforts on this in the U.S. House, as well as Sen. Ossoff for his leadership. Working together, we are proving what is possible when we put politics aside and center the people of Georgia.

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing on the House version of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act, where the subcommittee heard testimony from Clark, among others. Both Reps. Scott and Bishop offered testimony during the hearing.

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This hearing was further progress in making history by establishing Georgia's first National Park and Preserve, Scott said. I appreciate the Federal Lands Subcommittee listening to middle Georgians about this greatly supported effort to preserve the Ocmulgee Mounds and surrounding areas for generations to come.

This is another step forward toward realizing a long-standing dream that has broad, bipartisan support  not only in middle Georgia, but throughout the state, Bishop said. Not only will this historically create Georgias first National Park and Preserve, but it will also raise the profile of Ocmulgee Mounds, bolster the local economy, and welcome more Georgians and Americans to enjoy its rich cultural and natural beauty.

Middle Georgia leaders celebrated the progress of the bill in the Senate and House.

The impact of this bipartisan and bicameral bill to create Georgias first national park and preserve will allow our ancestral Muscogee descendants to help tell the story of our homelands, Muscogee (Creek) Principal Chief David Hill said. We know the importance of these cultural lands and are excited to partner with middle Georgians to help reconcile our lands and our stories. I am always humbled to be back in the lands of our people and know that we are still here today carrying on our Muscogee ways.

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Congress actions today reiterate what weve always known: That the cultural and ecological gems of middle Georgia are some of the most nationally significant sites in the United States of America and are worthy of the designation weve sought for 90 years," Seth Clark and Tracie Revis of the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative said. "Were grateful for continued bipartisanship the Georgia delegation has shown throughout the legislative process and stand ready to work with the multitude of stakeholders to shepherd in Georgias first National Park and Preserve."

Were thrilled to see Congress making progress on protecting the encroachment zone of Robins Air Force Base by moving the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Act forward, Ret. Brigadier General John C. Kubinec, CEO of the 21st Century Partnership and former Commander of Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex at Robins Air Force Base, said. It is the right step forward for middle Georgia, and I look forward to Congress sending this legislation to the presidents desk before the end of the year.
ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- What started out as an oil field theft investigation turned into a major conviction for Ector County prosecutors. Brandon Putty has been sentenced to 35 years in prison on three counts of Possession of Child Pornography (20 years on each count) and three counts of Sexual Performance by a Child 35 years on each count); his sentences will run concurrently, according to Ector County District Attorney Dusty Gallivan.

Initially, in 2023, Putty was under investigation for stealing copper and was arrested for that crime; however, when Putty consented to a search of his cell phone, investigators found more than 70 images and videos involving minors between the ages of 12 and 14. Investigators said Putty posed as a 19-year-old and requested sexually explicit images from the victims.

Previous Coverage: Odessa man arrested after 13-year-old makes outcry

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This conviction highlights the importance of thorough investigations. A huge thank you to the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Ector County Sheriffs Office for their incredible work in uncovering and securing justice in this case. Justice is served, and our community is safer because of it, Gallivan said in a media release.

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ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  The new mayor of Odessa was sworn in Tuesday, along with three other City Council members.

Cal Hendrick was sworn in as Mayor, Eddie Mitchell as Councilman of District One, Craig Stoker as the At-Large Councilmember, and Steve Thompson as Councilman of District Two. The new leaders said they plan to start making changes immediately.

Meanwhile, the outgoing administration also had a party, where former Mayor Javier Joven, District One Councilmember Mark Matta, At-Large Councilwoman Denise Swanner were able to say goodbye to the people of Odessa.

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You know, Ive been fortunate enough to be able to serve on the City Council for these past four years, and it was a great experience for me. Right now, Im going to take some time off and just kind of reevaluate everything and just kind of see what the Lord has in store for me next. Well make some plans a little bit further on down the road, said Mark Matta.

I am looking forward to great things in Odessa. We left the city in a great spot. You know, getting all these projects kick-started with the infrastructure, so putting all that money allocated towards those projects. So I just see great things happening with the city, continued Matta.

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LONG ISLAND CITY, Queens (PIX11)  On Monday, officials broke ground for a three-story elementary school slated to open in September 2027.

Located at 1-50 54th Avenue, the school will add 547 seats in District 30 for Pre-K through 5th grade students.

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For years, local parents have raised the issue regarding the shortage of local public school seats, said Council Member Julie Won. The groundbreaking of this new elementary school in Long Island City is a step in the right direction to ensure that over 540 scholars can attend top-quality public schools in their own neighborhood.

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The school was designed by Purcell Everett Architects, P.C. A $74.7 million contract was awarded to construction company Navillus Tile.

The school will feature over 30 classrooms, including reading, science, and speech resource rooms. Other amenities include air-conditioning, occupational and physical therapy rooms, a gym, and a playground.

NYC gets 24 new schools; why activists say its not nearly enough

Building new schools is essential to adding new seats, reducing overcrowding, and creating modern, supportive learning environments that our students deserve. By expanding educational facilities, were making an investment in our communitys future, ensuring every student has the space and resources they need to thrive, said Nina Kubota, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City School Construction Authority.

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Since 2021, the SCA added over 2,900 new seats in District 30. This elementary school and another new school at 23-10 43rd Avenue will add an additional 1,094 seats, according to a SCA spokesperson.

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

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An infestation of aquatic invasive plants has threatened the famously blue waters of Lake Tahoe, but officials have announced that Phase 1 of a project targeting the weeds was a success.

As detailed by the Mountain Democrat, a joint effort under the Taylor and Tallac Ecosystem Restoration initiative successfully treated 17 acres of invasive weeds in the Taylor and Tallac creeks and marshes in South Lake Tahoe.

In early October, when Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program officials checked the aquatic plants' roots underneath sunlight-depriving barriers  placed two years ago  they found that both the roots and above-ground growth were dead.

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"This marks an exciting step in the ultimate restoration of this invaluable habitat," Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager Dennis Zabaglo told the Mountain Democrat. "This is one of the basin's largest wetlands and its restoration is a cornerstone of the collaborative work to restore the Lake Tahoe region."

The program is a joint effort from the USDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and the Tahoe RPA, which have begun to remove the weed barriers and expect all phases of the restoration project to take around three years.

Invasive plants aren't just a threat to native species that keep ecosystems in balance, as well as generally an expensive or time-consuming headache for those who find themselves unlucky enough to have to deal with any type of infestation on personal property. (Which is reason enough that more and more households are transitioning to low-maintenance rewilded yards.)

In addition to reducing biodiversity, they can cause issues with water quality. With tourists directly pouring in around $5 billion to the area through their spending  leading to a total economic impact of more than $10 billion, per Travel North Tahoe Nevada  the restoration is a crucial part of supporting the local economy.

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"People want to come out here and see and swim in beautiful water, but also see native species in the water, [and] see birds," USDA Forest Service aquatic biologist Sarah Muskopf explained to the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

Restoration projects in other parts of the United States have already begun to pay dividends. For example, one initiative in Oregon that supports threatened salmon is also expected to reduce the impact of wildfires, with wet areas expanding as a result of the initiative. Officials are hopeful that the Lake Tahoe program will similarly protect the desirable recreational fish.

Should we be actively working to kill invasive species?

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According to the Mountain Democrat, they are also urging the public to make sure their boats aren't carrying invasives before traveling to new areas, and they intend to aggressively tackle any new infestations. To date, management efforts have cost around $4.7 million. The Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program anticipates it will begin Phase 2 next year.

"It's an exciting opportunity to bring back native habitat for one of the most beautiful places in the basin, and it's also important ecologically speaking that these are our natural filters, these wetlands, to reduce nutrients and sediments from entering Lake Tahoe," Zabaglo said to the Tribune, explaining the 17-acre success was nearly triple the previous largest treatment.

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Hawaii is doubling down on its fight against invasive fire ants and coconut rhinoceros beetles, which threaten the state's environment and economy.

Honolulu Civil Beat reported on the state's efforts in September, explaining the Aloha State invested millions of dollars into biosecurity measures in 2024 following public outcry. Then, a delegation of lawmakers visited experts in New Zealand  a country lauded for its decades-long biosecurity program  to get pointers on battling invasive species.

The publication reported the rhinoceros beetle already has wreaked havoc in Hawaii, destroying coconut palms and eating through some native crops. Meanwhile, the threat of being bitten by fire ants has deterred some people from visiting public spaces.

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"Little fire ants infest beach parks, homes, and habitats for native species, resulting in painful stings, lost crops, and injured pets," according to the Hawaii Invasive Species Council.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service calls Hawaii the "endangered species capital of the world," adding that more than 5,000 invasive plants and animals put native species and landscapes at risk.

Native species are important because they keep ecosystems in check. Some of the benefits we get from balanced ecosystems include pollination, water filtration, and soil retention. Keeping Hawaii's environment intact also helps support an industry that brought in $20.78 billion in visitor spending in 2023 with many tourists participating in activities like hiking on the Island of Hawaii (also known as "The Big Island").

The Civil Beat reported lawmakers invested $10 million into biosecurity programs during the 2024 legislative session, and added $3 million to the biosecurity budget to bring it to $9.2 million. More may be needed, however. Per The Civil Beat, "In 2017, the state estimated that it would need to invest $37.8 million every year until 2027 to fully implement a comprehensive Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Program."

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A number of governments across the world have run successful campaigns to rid their lands of destructive invasives. For instance, Japan recently announced that mongooses have been eradicated from Amami-Oshima Island, following a campaign that included trapping and mongoose-sniffing dogs.

Meanwhile, officials in Marco Island, Florida, announced they had removed an invasive plant species from an area set aside for conservation. And New Zealand's model has already eradicated all introduced pest mammals on over 100 offshore islands around the country, according to its Department of Conservation.

Should we be actively working to kill invasive species?

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While such campaigns show what is possible when governments commit to invasive species action, Hawaiians might have to see it to believe it, Civil Beat reported.

"There's definitely an attitude out in the public that there's nothing we can do about some of these invasive species," Hawaii Sen. Chris Lee told the publication. "New Zealand's model? That proves that that's not true."

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A bill to increase contributions to Ohios Police and Fire Pension fund took a step forward on Tuesday.

The bill was voted out of committee by a 12-3 vote.

Under the bill, the increases would apply only to police officers, with the pension contribution amount would go from 19.5% to 24% by 2030. Firefighters are already at 24%.

Its important that we recognize what officers go through here in Ohio and across the U.S. and that the job that theyre tasked to do comes with a cost, President of the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police Kurt Althouse said. Benefiting them and making sure that we can recruit people and they know that their retirement is secure when they reach that age is extremely important.

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Over the last several years, our cities have been working to hire more police officers, to increase competitive wages, to bring on highly trained, highly qualified law enforcement professionals, Executive Director of the Ohio Mayors Alliance Keary McCarthy said.

This bill would cost local governments an estimated $80 million in additional money annually by the time contributions reach 24% in 2030. McCarthy said 50%-65% of total municipal funds already go towards public safety and called the possible increase an one of the largest unfunded mandates Ohio cities may have to face.

All of our cities want to be able to invest in our current public safety workforce and if the state requires us to put $80 million more into the pension system, thats going to make that challenge even harder, McCarthy said.

McCarthy said easing into the transition does help, but said long-term, this will create a significant yearly cost that he said might end up being the responsibility of taxpayers.

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Thats a very real concern, he said. Municipal budgets are not unlimited. We have to balance our budget just like the state does. If we have to pay $80 million more into our pension fund, thats potentially going to have an impact for taxpayers.

We certainly recognize there is a cost to the local governments in this proposal, Althouse said. However, it is a small, gradual increase over a period of time which cities can budget for and plan for in order to keep a strong public safety force.

But Althouse said legislation like this, which ensures a good retirement, will help with recruitment, which he said is very challenging in Oho right now for one big reason.

The fear aspect, Althouse said. Its not the fear of the danger that the officers are facing, but its the fear of the quick decisions they make, the judgments they make, and what if they have to use force or make a split-second decision, how thats going to be judged?

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He said he thinks the bill proposes a very fair approach and is a much-needed change to a system that has been changing the goalposts for Ohio policemen retiring the past several decades.

For the last 40 years, increases and changes to public pension system for police officers has changed, requiring them to work longer years with less increases in retirement and cutting into a lot of their retirement benefits, Althouse said.

Nothing that the legislature does here today is going to have any potential impact in terms of increasing benefits for retirees, McCarthy said. Its really just to address a long-term accounting issue. Thats why theres time to get this right.

The soonest the bill can go up for a vote in the House is December.

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Ohio Speaker of the House Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) declined to comment on the legislation.

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This story has been updated to add new information.

A Cincinnati-area doctor could lose his license as the State Medical Board of Ohio investigates allegations he repeatedly assaulted patients under his care for more than a decade.

Dr. David Joseph Wenzke is a gastroenterologist working for Gastro Health in Blue Ash who's been licensed in Ohio since 2004. He's accused of inappropriately touching multiple patients, according to medical board records. The identities of the alleged victims are withheld in the records to protect their medical privacy.

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Wenzke could not be reached for comment. His lawyer, Jason T. Gerkin of Columbus, said in an email to The Enquirer that Wenzke "vigorously denies the allegations, and he looks forward to presenting his case to the board."

The allegations against him began in 2011 with the most recent being in the spring of 2023. Most of the complaints were fielded while he worked at Ohio Gastroenterology Group, Inc., in Columbus. The complaints led to him losing clinical privileges in June 2017, followed by his termination. He landed a job at Gastro Health in late 2020.

Gastro Health spokesperson Shannon Zemantauski said the practice was caught off-guard by the allegations predating Wenzke's employment there. She said the practice did its due diligence when hiring him, even interviewing three former colleagues, but complaints filed against doctors are notoriously difficult to track.

"Upon notification of the investigation, Dr. Wenzke was placed on immediate suspension and is not currently involved in patient care at Gastro Health," the practice said in an emailed statement to The Enquirer. "The health and safety of our patients is always our top priority."

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According to the medical board records, patients have complained that Wenzke:

Touched a female patient's genitals without gloves during an exam in March 2011.

Touched and squeezed a patient's breasts as she was being sedated for a colonoscopy, then inserted his fingers into her vagina after the procedure, in February 2012.

Changed a teenage patient's gown while alone in June 2017.

Spent more time applying lubricant to, and cleaning lubricant from, female patients compared with male patients.

Began treating a female co-worker, for whom he bought alcoholic drinks in March 2023 and began kissing her while she was "intoxicated and almost asleep" until her husband arrived to drive her home.

Underwent an internal investigation from March to May 2023 related to sexual interaction with a patient, which led to Wenzke being retrained about Gastro Health's harassment policies and its Code of Conduct.

Routinely adjusted chest leads to look at the breasts of sedated female patients when it wasn't medically necessary.

Wenzke was formally advised by the medical board last month that it's weighing whether to limit, revoke or suspend his license. Wenzke, whose current license is set to expire in October 2025, is set to face the board in late June for a hearing.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio doctor suspended as medical board investigates misconduct claims
CLEVELAND (WJW)  With legalized recreational marijuana now available to Ohioans since early August, law enforcement officials are increasing efforts to stop impaired drivers.

AAAs National Director of Traffic Safety expressed concerns that many people dont view driving under the influence of marijuana as dangerous, even though studies show it significantly impacts driving abilities.

How many local ER visits are blamed on marijuana?

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Drivers, on the average, 94% view driving after drinking alcohol and reaching that point where they think they might be at or over the legal limit, they view that as very or extremely dangerous. Only about 68% of those motorists say the same about using cannabis and getting behind the wheel, Jake Nelson, MPH, MPP Director of Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research told FOX 8s Dave Nethers.

Under Ohio law, there is a legal limit for marijuana metabolites in a persons system. However, roadside sobriety testing is still the standard to check for impairment.

Since 2011, all of our troopers are educated and certified in ARIDE, which is Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, so that is a detection of not only impaired driving from the result of alcohol, but also from drugs such as marijuana, Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Bridgett Matt said.

According to AAA, studies show marijuana affects nearly every aspect of driving. Drivers under the influence tend to drive slower, maintain a larger following distance, and exhibit inconsistent steering, with weaving being one of the most common signs of impairment.

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Washington state legalized recreational marijuana in 2012. Statistics there have shown a troubling rise in cannabis-related fatal crashes, which have doubled since legalization.

Yes, marijuana can cause psychosis

Law enforcement officials fear Ohio could eventually face the same trend, especially as marijuana use becomes more widespread.

People need to realize that the potency of marijuana today is way different than it was ten, 15, 20 years ago, Jay McDonald said. McDonald is the president of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Saliva tests are currently being tested to detect marijuana use in Ohio.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  An Ohio Supreme Court justice and victim advocates are fighting to put an end to plea deals that are not based on facts, claiming the practice is common in sexual assault cases.

Justice Michael Donnelly, who has served on the state Supreme Court since 2019, has been advocating against what he calls factually baseless pleas for eight years. These instances take place when a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser crime that does not match up with the original charge. Donnelly said through his research, he has found nearly 1,000 examples in Ohio.

County could be Ohios first to ban anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy

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Factually baseless pleas often happen in sexual assault cases. Rape, a first-degree felony, is frequently pled down to the crime of aggravated assault, a fourth-degree felony, according to Donnelly. Aggravated assault occurs when someone causes serious physical harm to another while in a sudden rage or passion that was provoked by the victim.

Michael Donnelly.

It sounds very serious, but it really has nothing to do with the crime of rape, Donnelly said. Theres a mitigating element that somehow the victim provoked the attack, and thats why its a low-level felony, is probationable, and its only punishable by six to 18 months in prison.

Plea deals are an agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant, where the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a charge, therefore avoiding a trial and often receiving lighter penalties. A judge has the power to accept or reject a deal. Plea bargaining accounts for 95% of state convictions in the country, according to the American Bar Association.

Donnelly emphasized he is not critiquing plea bargaining in general, noting there are good reasons why a prosecutor may want to consider a plea deal, including concerns about the trauma the victim may face going through a trial and the risk of losing the case. However, he believes the plea needs to resemble the facts of the crime.

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How to appeal your property tax bill in central Ohio

You could plead a rape down to a crime of whats known as gross sexual imposition or sexual battery or down to sexual imposition, which is a misdemeanor, and it would still retain a factual basis, Donnelly said.

Ohio law requires victims have the opportunity to give input on a plea deal, with prosecutors ultimately holding the power of whether to offer it. However, Elizabeth Well, legal director at the Ohio Crime Victim Center, said in her experience victims are often not given a full explanation of the lesser charge and therefore do not actually understand the plea deal.

If someone pleads guilty to aggravated assault after raping someone, theyre not going to be on a sex offender registry, Well said. Theyre not going to have any restrictions on being able to live near a school. All of those kinds of collateral things that keep the community safe will not be in place and victims dont understand that.

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Donnelly said an individual having a criminal record with an inaccurate charge can have a ripple effect, that impacts those beyond the offender and victim.

Future sentencing judges who are trying to gauge whether someones a threat to public safety, they rely on the persons record as being accurate, Donnelly said. Police doing investigations rely on those outcomes being accurate. Our employers in this state who are hiring people who do criminal background checks, they are relying on the information as being accurate and if its false it leads to poor decision making.

Factually baseless pleas are rampant in Ohio according to Donnelly, however, he has been in contact with academics in other states and believes this is going on across the country. Donnelly served as a judge on the Cuyahoga Court of Common Pleas from 2005 to 2018, and during that time he said he refused to accept pleas that were not based on facts.

Ohio principal reinstated after investigation into election message to staff

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These pleas didnt happen in my courtroom because if the plea didnt resemble what they [originally] charged him with, I would simply ask the prosecutor to state the facts that support that charge, and if they didnt add up, I didnt accept the plea, Donnelly said.

Before being elected to the Ohio Supreme Court, Donelly petitioned the Ohio Judicial Conference to require felony charges in plea bargains to be based on the facts of the crime. The group recommended the issue to the state Supreme Court, who rejected the proposal in 2016 in a 4-2 vote.

Donnelly believes prosecutors should have to state facts on the record that support what the defendant is admitting to in order to resolve a case. He said he has been in contact with a state lawmaker who expressed interest in putting forth a bill to combat factually baseless pleas. Donnellys term as an Ohio Supreme Court Justice will come to an end on Dec. 31, since he lost his reelection bid in the Nov. 5 election.

Well also wants to see changes to the system, stating she believes prosecutors should have a mandatory requirement to ensure the victim understands what a plea means before the victim gives their input.

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(Bloomberg) -- Oils longstanding geopolitical risk premium has evaporated as traders interpret Donald Trumps foreign policy agenda as bearish for oil demand  and prices.

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Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, oil futures have routinely traded above their so-called fair value, elevated by the threat of war-related supply disruptions. But that risk premium has faded, even amid persistent conflict in the Middle East and expectations that the president-elect will try to curb crude exports from major producer Iran.

In the options market, where traders often hedge against sudden price moves, the premium for bullish call options over bearish put options in Brent has disappeared completely, after activity had earlier in the year reached a record.

At the same time, a BloombergNEF gauge shows oil futures erasing all risk premium from the start of 2024. The war premium for Brent, which is currently trading at near $73 a barrel, is at a discount of roughly $2, the first time its gone negative since 2021.

Thats in part because oil investors are pricing in Trumps foreign policy approach as bearish. Of 10 traders surveyed by Bloomberg, eight said that Trumps proposals will limit price increases, with some suggesting a trade war with China will erode demand and potentially offset any new sanctions on Iran.

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The absence of a risk premium is the latest indication that traders see little upside in the crude market, even with Trump in office. Oil futures have traded listlessly since the election, trapped in a roughly $5 range with investors increasingly reluctant to bet on hypothetical supply outages. That may prove positive for Trump, with lower crude prices setting the stage for cheaper gasoline at the pump.

Despite the possibility of escalation in the Middle East, traders are positioning for an oversupplied oil market capable of blunting any disruptions, thanks to record US shale production and ample OPEC+ spare capacity. These backstops didnt exist in 2022, when Russias invasion of Ukraine shot prices to over $120 a barrel, said Rory Johnston, founder of oil consultancy CommodityContext.

By Johnstons estimations, a risk premium hasnt been visible in the market since April.

Bearish market participants also might be working off of memories of a risk-averse Trump who opts for economic pressure over military action, according Gregory Brew, a geopolitical analyst at the Eurasia Group. He cited a 2020 Iranian attack on a US base in northern Iraq in response to Qasem Soleimanis assassination, which Trump chose not to escalate despite a chorus of hawkish advisors. That foreshadows a government that emboldens Israel in its campaign against Iranian proxies, without supporting a direct strike, Brew said.

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Already, Iran has shown an unwillingness to clash with the incoming administration, agreeing to stop producing uranium enriched close to the level required for nuclear weapons.

READ: Iran Loath to Be Drawn Into New Clash With US as Trump Returns

Trump in his first term led the US in a maximum pressure campaign that significantly reduced the Islamic Republics exports. Investors believe hell attempt to target those flows again.

Yet such actions may have a clipped impact on crude prices with traders increasingly unconvinced that sanctions have teeth. When the US government last re-upped sanctions against Iranian oil in October, the commodity sagged by more than $5 a barrel in the next week.

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The consensus is that the US may have some success pushing down some Iran oil exports, but not all, and not in short order, Brew said. Even so, the potential loss of up to 1 million barrels a day of Iranian crude may not offset bearish signals to the extent that you have a higher price environment.

Still, analysts warn that there are risks of going into a Trump presidency too bearish.

Being short at the very front of the market will be difficult given the attendant risk and accompanying price gyrations, which were a market hallmark of the first Trump administration, said John Kilduff, co-founder of Again Capital LLC.

He anticipates long put spreads to be a popular trade as traders hedge against the likelihood of a protracted sell-off.

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--With assistance from Pol Lezcano and Yongchang Chin.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Firefighters are battling a commercial fire in Oklahoma City Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Oklahoma City Fire Department, crews responded to a building near Reno Ave. and Council Rd. around 12:40 p.m.

Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke coming form the roof. An electrical fire started multiple fires in the electrical system of the building.

Due to the size of the building, several companies have responded.

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No injuries have been reported

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Authorities have arrested a 77-year-old Oklahoma man in connection with the murder of a 17-year-old girl in Nebraska more than 55 years ago. But the circumstances that led to the arrest are still a mystery.

Joseph Ambroz of Ponca City, OK was apprehended by U.S. Marshals on Monday and indicted with first-degree murder charges for the March 25th, 1969 killing of Mary Kay Heese, according to a press release from Nebraska's Saunders County Attorney's office. Heese's body was discovered in a roadside ditch near Wahoo, NE, stabbed a dozen times.

It's unclear what evidence led police to Ambroz, however investigators had recently exhumed Heeses body and performed a new autopsy. KSNB 4 News reports that authorities were "tight-lipped" about what they were looking for by re-examining the body more than five decades later.

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Heese, a high school junior, was last seen having a hot chocolate at a local cafe following track practice, per the Kearney Hub. She was then reported walking up a nearby street alone about six blocks from her family's home. When she didn't return home for dinner, her parents called police.

Her body was found shortly after midnight alongside a rural road about 3.5 miles southeast of Wahoo. Authorities believe a struggle had taken place, and that Heese had escaped from a vehicle and had been chased down by her killer. She was found fully clothed and missing only her shoes. The murder weapon was also never recovered.

Heese's family didn't believe that she would get in a car with a stranger, but it's likewise unclear how she may have known Ambroz.

Ambroz had only been living in the Ponca City apartment for a couple of weeks before he was arrested, Neighbors reported seeing him sitting on his porch.

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"Its crazy, man. You live next door to people nowadaysjust, man," Shawn Shafer told Oklahoma's News 4. Shafer had been staying with a relative two apartments down from where Ambroz lived when he was taken into custody. "Hes only been there, like, two weeks. Weve seen coming and going over there, but I mean, he was older man. He had oxygen."

Ambroz was scheduled to appear before an Oklahoma court this week, and authorities could have him extradited to Nebraska as soon as Wednesday.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Police are searching for a suspect involved in a robbery at a business late Tuesday night in Olathe, Kansas.

According to the Olathe Police Department, just before 8 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of East Santa Fe Street and South Ridgeview Road on reports of a robbery.

Police may have suspects in Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce burglaries

Police said it was reported that an unknown suspect had entered a business near the 1200 block of East Santa Fe, stole money from the register, and then ran from the scene.

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The area was searched by law enforcement, however, no suspect was found, according to Olathe police.

Officers provided a description of the suspect, reporting that he was a white man with blue eyes wearing a grey hoodie, black puffy coat, jeans and dark shoes.

According to police, there were no injuries nor was a weapon visible or involved in the crime. Additionally, the suspect left with an unknown amount of cash and merchandise.

The case is currently under investigation by the Olathe Police Department.

If you or anyone you know has information regarding the robbery, call Olathe police at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

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Billie Eilish sends love to family of Kearney teens killed in multi-state police chase

This is a developing story. Stay tuned at FOX4 News for the latest updates and information.

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The Omaha City Council meets weekly at the downtown City-County Building. The body will revisit discussions on an updated electrical code after a veto override failed Nov. 19. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert vetoed the updated version amid concerns it would set back affordable housing efforts. (Cate Folsom/Nebraska Examiner)

OMAHA  The Omaha City Council failed Tuesday to override Mayor Jean Stotherts veto of its updated electrical code, leaving the city to enforce the 2017 national electric code as the minimum standard for now.

The mayors veto came Nov. 14 amid concerns that the updated electrical code, as approved the week prior by the City Council on a 4-3 vote, could negatively impact efforts to make new home construction more affordable.

The Omaha City Council in the Omaha City Council chambers. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

When the City Council met Tuesday, an effort to override the veto failed on a 3-2 vote. Five votes were needed.

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Council members Pete Festersen, Danny Begley and Ron Hug voted for the override, while Council members Brinker Harding and Don Rowe were on the other side.

Council members Aimee Melton and Juanita Johnson were not present for the vote.

Stothert aligned with the Republican members of the council, who had objected to the inclusion of a handful of new national electrical code requirements that the Nebraska Legislature earlier this year decided should be carved out of an updated state code.

Stothert said she favored adopting an Omaha code that mirrored the state one, a position endorsed by Gov. Jim Pillen.

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Festersen, who had pushed for an Omaha code that mirrored the full 2023 national code, said the council will revisit its discussions. At minimum, he said, the city must adopt the state code version.

The updated code applies to standards of electrical wiring and installation in newly constructed houses as well as additions, remodels or renovations, said Anna Bespoyasny, Omahas superintendent of permits and inspections.

We all know we need to update the code and work together on that in the next 60 days, said Festersen. He said he also looks forward to aggressively approaching the broader conversation of more affordable housing.

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The handful of new national code requirements that the Legislature had carved out of its approved state code would lead to extra construction costs. The leader of a local electrical union estimated that extra cost to be a total of about $700, while a home builder representative estimated that cost to be at least $1,300.

A home builder association said the costs reflected the kinds of regulatory demands that keep piling up to drive up construction prices.

During the council meeting, City Attorney Matt Kuhse said that he had determined that Begley had no conflict of interest in voting on the matter, as one home builder had earlier suggested. Begley is vice president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1483.

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By Jason Lange

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Following Republican President-elect Donald Trump's victory in this month's election, some U.S. pollsters are scrambling to understand why their surveys once again underestimated his support among American voters.

Polls before the Nov. 5 vote had shown Trump trailing Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris by 1 percentage point, according to an average of dozens of national opinion polls compiled by 538, a website on data analysis for politics and sports. With vote tallies nearly finalized, Trump led Harris nationally by 2 percentage points: 50% to 48%.

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That undershoot of 3 points follows polls in 2020 that underestimated Trump's national margin by 4 points and in 2016 that underestimated his performance by 2 points, according to 538's averages.

Those results are all largely within pollsters' normal margins of error -- a measure of statistical precision influenced by a variety of factors including the number of respondents to a poll -- and the narrow divide of the American electorate makes getting the call right especially difficult.

But the fact that national presidential opinion polls have persistently been off in the same direction is driving suspicion among some pollsters and polling experts that surveys are having trouble getting responses from Trump supporters, leading them to underestimate his strength.

"It's hard to escape the idea that there's a challenge in reaching Trump voters," said Charles Franklin, a pollster at Marquette Law School in Milwaukee who will be on a task force assessing pre-election polls for the American Association for Public Opinion Research, the main professional organization of experts on U.S. polling and survey research.

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Even in the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina - where the surveys were largely correct in pointing to Trump victories on Nov. 5 - the former president's margin on Election Day was about 1 to 3 percentage points higher than it was in the polls.

In the Rust Belt swing states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan - where Trump was behind in the surveys but won the vote - the polling averages similarly underestimated him by 2 to 3 points.

Vanderbilt University political scientist Josh Clinton, who led a task force analyzing how surveys performed in the 2020 election cycle, said he was worried that the apparent mismeasurement could amplify its possible cause: public distrust of polling and of political institutions writ large.

"It delegitimizes the whole operation in ways I think are pretty damaging," said Clinton, one of four leading U.S. pollsters and polling experts interviewed by Reuters who have participated in past American Association for Public Opinion Research postmortems or are due to participate in this year's exercise.

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Despite missing the mark, some polling experts stress that getting within a few points of the result remains a remarkable feat and improving their record in the future will be difficult for pollsters. In addition to being less likely to answer their phones, the huge increase in volume of spam emails and texts over the past decades has made Americans less receptive to unsolicited contact in general, they said.

"This is a very different world from what we were dealing with 20 years ago or 30 years ago," said Christopher Wlezien, a political scientist at the University of Texas at Austin who participated in 2016 and 2020 presidential polling postmortems.

TRUMP EFFECT

Polling experts told Reuters they remain unsure of why polls underestimate Trump, who has railed against polls as biased against him throughout his political career.

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"Pollsters, DC pundits, and the media always underestimated President Trump and his historic coalition of supporters," said Trump transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. "The only poll that matters happens on Election Day."

Harris' campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

The American Association for Public Opinion Research postmortem following the 2020 election considered the possibility that polls underestimated Trump because his supporters responded less to surveys, consistent with his brand as a political outsider. But the pollsters and experts on the panel didn't draw a firm conclusion.

The idea is expected to be among those discussed by the 2024 taskforce, according to interviews with two pollsters who say they plan to attend.

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Polling experts and pollsters also say it is possible that pollsters are also introducing errors when they process their surveys' raw numbers to give more weight to the responses coming from people they consider most likely to actually vote.

FINE-TUNING

Measuring support for Trump seems to be a particular problem for pollsters.

Public opinion polls did not similarly underestimate Republican strength heading into the 2018 and 2022 congressional midterm elections when Trump wasn't on the ballot, said Franklin.

That suggests something different could be happening in presidential elections, when the electorate includes more people who only vote occasionally.

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Close to two-thirds of eligible voters cast ballots in this year's election, compared with just under half in the 2022 congressional elections, according to an analysis by the University of Florida's Election Lab.

Franklin, who runs Marquette's Wisconsin poll, tried harder this year to reach Trump voters.

Instead of dividing the state into five regions to sample from by randomly dialing people's phone numbers as it had in the past, Marquette's poll this year divided the state more finely into 90 regions and followed up with potential respondents first by email and then by phone, all in an effort to keep response rates higher across both Republican and Democratic towns and cities.

Franklin said those changes may be why his poll underestimated Trump's margin by about 2 points this year, compared to a 4-point miss in 2020.

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The survey non-response problem also predates Trump's rise as an anti-establishment icon.

Response rates have been falling for decades among large non-political surveys like those conducted by the Census Bureau.

"We are dealing with a major non-response challenge," said Chris Jackson, head of U.S. public opinion research at Ipsos, which does polling for Reuters. (Reuters/Ipsos polling showed Harris leading Trump by 1 percentage point just ahead of the Nov. 5 election, in line with the 538 average of national polls.)

(Reporting by Jason Lange in Washington; editing by Deepa Babington)
Nov. 20One year ago today, a Dayton man entered the Walmart on Pentagon Boulevard in Beavercreek, armed with a Hi-Point .45 caliber carbine and one 9-round magazine.

20-year-old Benjamin Charles Jones shot four people, all adults, around 8:35 p.m. before turning the gun on himself, dying by suicide.

Jones had Nazi materials in his house at the time of the attack, and the shootings "may have been at least partially inspired by Racially Motivated Violent Extremist (RMVE) ideology," according to the Beavercreek PD and the FBI at the time.

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Jones was also "pink-slipped" twice for homicidal or suicidal ideation the year before the shooting.

Efforts by local police to "pink slip" someone in a mental health crisis because an officer believes the person is a danger to themselves or others rarely result in the person being involuntarily committed, a Dayton Daily News investigation found.

One year after the shooting, little has changed.

"We've got a little bit of manpower and a whole lot of thoughts on paper," said Montgomery County Probate Court Judge David Brannon about efforts to review the issue. "In practice is a different matter."

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Jones' case was turned over to the FBI last November, according to Beavercreek police, and the investigation into his Nazi ties is still ongoing.

"Our hearts continue to go out to everyone affected by last year's tragic incident in our community," Beavercreek Police said in a statement this week. "The officers of the Beavercreek Police Department remain steadfast in their commitment to serve and protect with compassion and integrity."

The Dayton area is in line for $10 million of state funding toward opening Ohio's seventh state-run behavioral health hospital. Additionally, $6 million in opioid manufacturer settlement money will go toward turning 226 Montgomery County jail beds into 100 behavior health unit beds in the Montgomery County Jail.

While those solutions are still years away, other efforts are being made at the local level, particularly to increase communication between medical providers and the probate court, which oversees mental health adjudication. Montgomery County recently was awarded a $2 million grant for assisted outpatient treatment toward monitoring individuals in the community.

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"We'd all like to see less civil commitments, but I don't think that's realistic, because I think, for whatever reason  social media, the pandemic, whatever  there's more and more crises and higher-level episodes," Brannon said. "So from our end, I would like to see us do better reporting and monitoring of cases."

What is pink slipping?

A pink slip refers to what law enforcement and other agencies call an application for emergency admission, printed on pink paper, usually when individuals' mental or behavioral health represents a risk to themselves or others.

"Pink slipping" can be initiated by various kinds of law enforcement, from police to probation officers, as well as by doctors, and the patient gets transported to a hospital emergency department.

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Once at the emergency department, the person is evaluated by a physician, and then the hospital determines whether to release the person or keep them for a 72-hour hold.

If a person is held for 72 hours, they can be assigned a court-ordered mental health treatment plan from the probate court. Through the court process, state law may prohibit those individuals from owning a gun. Being committed for one's mental health makes someone "a person with a mental illness subject to court order," which means they would violate Ohio's prohibition on "having weapons while under disability" if they had a gun, according to the Ohio Revised Code.

However, only 6% of pink slips make it before probate court.

"We end up shut off," Brannon said. "We have no knowledge of what happens. We don't see them at probate unless a pink slip is attached to an affidavit."

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Montgomery County is devising a process for compiling pink slips at the door of the hospital instead of after they're admitted.

The county has also proposed a bill to Ohio's state legislature that would allow the probate court to cause emergency administration of medication. Normally, for a court order to be in place, a person has to attend a hearing, and is entitled to due process before that happens.

However, that's a lot of time that patients  and medical providers  don't always have.

"You look at (the patient) and say, 'Okay, are you under civil commitment, or were you here within the last six months? Or two years?' " Brannon said. "Those numbers are negotiable, but hey, you've gotten this order before. For court-ordered meds, we're going to order it without (the patient) being present at a hearing like you would normally have. It basically suspends it under emergency ... without having to do a full-blown court hearing."

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However, the legislation has gotten little traction at the Statehouse.

Though reforms are slow, court-ordered treatment does work, Brannon said, recalling a mother who recently reached out to him about her daughter's case the court handled almost a year ago.

"I remember she was 18 or 20," he said. "Real young, and I remember the case was terrible ... and you know what, she's now in her professional career and thriving. That was great. But a lot of times we don't see the end result. I'd like to see us move more towards those results."
A house fire in Woodinville on the 19000 block of 176th Avenue Northeast, near the Topline Equestrian Center, has claimed one life, according to Eastside Fire & Rescue (EFR).

Crews responded to the scene, initially in defensive mode, before transitioning to an offensive strategy to fight the flames.

The fire was reported just after 3 a.m., and one person connected to the home was provided support from the Red Cross.

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Unfortunately, the fire also resulted in a fatality.

According to the King County Sheriffs Office, the person that called 911 reported that she had woken up to flames outside her bedroom window.

Her husband went to the garage, where he thought the fire started, but she never saw him again.

The cause of the fire is currently not known.

It is also unknown if the fire was related to Tuesday nights windstorm.
HEWITT, Texas (FOX 44)  The individual responsible for a threat against Midway High School has been detained by the districts Police Department.

Midway High School Principal Alison Smith sent a statement to families on Wednesday morning saying the threat was posted on social media overnight. The Midway ISD Police Department responded promptly, and the individual responsible has been detained.

Principal Smith said the district is grateful for the swift actions of its Police Department and local law enforcement, who worked seamlessly to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and campuses. All threats are taken seriously, and students, parents, and community members are encouraged to report any concerning information immediately. Reports can be made via Anonymous Tips  WeTIP.

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The district is also asking parents to speak with their children about the seriousness of making threats and the potential consequences.

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Magic mushroom-related businesses are temporarily banned in Philomath, but local leaders are making plans to regulate it should the electorate change its mind.

Voters in 2022 signed off on a two-year moratorium on psilocybin-related manufacturing, distribution and therapy sessions. With the expiration date coming up soon, the City Council may enact another two-year ban.

Then, a permanent ban could be put before the voters again in the 2026 General Election.

But the prospect of the measure failing has Philomath City Council members workshopping a time, place and manner ordinance for the industry. If approved, the ordinance will be on the books, making it ready to go should the ban disappear.

Community members will have the opportunity to sway councils opinion on the temporary ban at a town hall meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21.

Throughout the last few weeks, city councilors have been wordsmithing both the time, place and manner ordinance and the temporary ban  and in doing so, are unveiling some of their own opinions and assumptions about the drug.

A trip down memory lane

In 2020, Oregon became the first state to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic use when voters approved Measure 109. In 2022, Oregon cities had the option to ask voters either for a forever ban or a two-year delay on the use and manufacturing of psilocybin.

At that time, Philomath voted for a two-year moratorium on service centers and manufacturing facilities for the drug, with 52.2% voting yes.

Those two years have come and are almost gone, with the prohibitions set to expire at the end of December. Philomath missed the deadline to get magic mushrooms on the ballot in the 2024 General Election, and with a 30-day requirement before an ordinances take effect, the City Council needs to make a decision on whether to reinstate it by the end of November.

In Oregon cities that have allowed for the psilocybin industry to take root, it has by-and-large struggled. Albany's psilocybin center, which was the second to open in the state, just recently closed its doors.

Drugs are bad, kids

At the Oct. 28 council meeting, Councilor Teresa Nielsen had expressed trepidation about psilocybin manufacturers and service centers being near congregations of kids.

Subsequently, the language of the time, place and manner ordinance was amended to specify that sites may not be located within 1,000 feet of any school or care facility that predominantly serves children.

A previous draft had previously stated that sites simply could not be located near elementary or secondary schools.

But then at the Nov. 12 meeting, Councilor Ruth Causey desired to take location restrictions further and include public libraries and public parks.

As a parent, and as a woman, if you are in a park with small children, she said, if someone undesirable were to approach you  you may not have help. And I think our primary responsibility as councilors is public safety.

Councilor (and incoming Mayor) Christopher McMorran said that he wanted to honor the will of the voters, even if they reverse their 2022 thoughts about a ban. If the council restricted too many locations, there would be few places left for psilocybin manufacturers and service centers to go.

How different would that be from a ban? he said.

Other concerns included hours of operation. Councilor Diane Crocker pointed out that the ordinance lists operating hours for service centers and manufacturing sites as 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. She said that psychedelic trips vary in length.

Some might take four hours and some might take two days, she said. For us to say, Hey, its 10 oclock, youve got to leave. I know youre having a rough time right now, but head on out  that doesnt seem reasonable.

Councilor Jessica Andrade said she would be OK with removing hours of operation from the ordinance but did not feel that adding parks or libraries to the list would improve public safety.

Were treating psilocybin like its everywhere, and everyones addicted, she said.

She pointed out that alcohol causes far more harm and death.

What is it about psilocybin that makes it so much scarier to people? she said. It sometimes feels like there are certain associations that people might have with certain substances.

Crocker said one of her big concerns was lack of training for psilocybin facilitators.

A person thats 22 years old thats had 40 hours of training, they're the ones deciding the dosage for each person, and theyre the ones sitting with them through the whole thing, she said. I would not go and have a surgery by someone that had no medical training and had 40 hours of training. Forty hours is one week.

According to the Healing Advocacy Fund, which advocates for regulations to encourage safe mushroom usage, training must consist of at least 120 hours of instruction with a minimum of 40 hours of hands-on training. Facilitator applicants must be 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

High time for public input

Ultimately, the council voted to include parks and libraries in the ordinance, and added the word normal to hours of operation to allow for flexibility. The amendments passed 4-1, with Andrade voting no.

She also voted no on the ordinance itself, and because it was not unanimous, both it and the amendments will return for a second reading at the Nov. 25 City Council meeting. At that point, the majority will rule.

Andrade wasn't the only one to say no to the ordinance. Crocker was also opposed, saying she wanted to see if the word processing could be added to the title to include processing plants in the ban.

City Manager Chris Workman said there was likely no distinction from a land use standpoint between processing and manufacturing.

All of the issues talked over by council  and more  are on the table for the community to discuss at the Nov. 21 town hall, which will take place at 7 p.m. at Philomath City Hall, 980 Applegate St.

Related stories:
INDIANOLA, Iowa  In a world of cell phones, tablets and televisions physical books may seem like a thing of the past, but for one public library books are flying off the shelves.

The Indianola Public Library celebrated its 140th anniversary of being open, which makes it one of the oldest public libraries in the state. According to library staff, the last five years have been really good to the library, seeing record checkout numbers fall one after another.

Weve seen a record in not only checkout, but door count, said Michele Patrick, the Library Director at Indianola Public Library. The number of people coming into the library and also program attendance.

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Just under 190,000 books have been checked out in 2024 with more than 80,000 people physically going to the library. Patrick says that the success is due to a mix of people still loving an actual book copy and the programs offered by the library.

Ankeny Chamber of Commerce CEO dismissed after audit shows financial irregularities

A lot of our circulation is driven by children. And for those youre going to read them a book, youre not going to pull out your phone and read them a bedtime story, Patrick said. Also we do know that the younger generations, those in their twenties and thirties, they prefer a physical book. Our programs are attracting people from all ages and theyre coming to the library. And then once they get here, they discover all the different things we have they might not realize the library has.

Patrick credits the growing community in Indianola for a peaked interest in the programs. The Indianola Public Library has traditional book clubs and adult programs like puzzle competitions, murder mysteries, and escape rooms. There are teenage programs that are popular, like hangouts after school. And for children, the story times are the most popular program, but there are still a lot of other programs for children.

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The library has plans to expand in 2028 with a new library closer to the center of town. Patrick said the growth numbers over the last half decade certainly help when pitching a new library location.

You can view the programs and events happening at the library on the Facebook page or the librarys website.

Latest Iowa News:

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Shortly before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, the Chelsea Police Department responded to a report of a moped crashing into a utility pole on Marginal Street near Highland Avenue.
(FOX40.COM)  One person was killed and another was injured in a shooting in Stockton Monday night, the Stockton Police Department said.

According to police, the homicide occurred near East Park Street and North California Street around 6:44 p.m.

Stanislaus probation officer suspected of filming woman in changing room, arrested

The two victims, aged 30 and 18, were shot by an unknown suspect and taken to a hospital, police said.

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The 30-year-old victim died. The 18-year-old is expected to survive.

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NORTH TEXAS  Two strikingly similar cases involving decades-old claims of shaken baby syndrome are making news this week.

In one, a Dallas County man, Andrew Roark, has been exonerated. In the other, Robert Roberson is waiting on an execution date.

Both men were convicted more than 20 years ago for the deaths of children they were accused of violently shaking, and in both cases, their prosecution relied not on anyone witnessing the act but on the testimony of medical experts.

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"I think that medical science has spoken loudly and clearly," said Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot.

His office began examining Roark's case in 2012 citing evolving science around "shaken baby syndrome."

"It has completely removed the underpinning for these types of convictions," said Creuzot.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals last month agreed with the DA's recommendation to vacate Roark's conviction finding "given further study, the experts would have given a different opinion on several issues at a trial today."

Specifically, it found new scientific evidence shows a shortfall days earlier could have caused the victim's fatal head injuries and that "people cannot shake an infant hard enough" to cause the injuries sustained, certainly not without also breaking the infant's neck.

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So, what about Roberson's case, then?

"To me, those are inextricably linked," said State Representative Joe Moody.

When the court released its opinion on Roark, he said it raised hope for Roberson.

"It's very similar. In fact, an identical witness was involved in both cases," he said.

"Literally the same doctor testified. Made a shaken baby diagnosis in both Mr. Roark's case and Mr. Roberson's case, and much of the testimony is identical," said Roberson's attorney Gretchen Sween.

No court, though, she said has considered the latest scientific evidence would affect Roberson's case, instead denying his appeals on procedural grounds.

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Nov. 19McAlester's public officials were in attendance of the Oklahoma Attorney General's traveling seminar of the Open Meeting and Open Records Acts.

McAlester City Council Members in attendance were Robin Woodley, Chris Stone, Levi Gilmore, and Kevin Beaty. Other attendees were from law enforcement, school districts, and other levels of government.

"It was very informative and detailed with needed information to keep us aware of any changes and detailed policies we must follow," McAlester Ward 1 Councilman Gilmore said.

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He said the presenter made the seminar enjoyable thus successful.

"I was glad to attend. It is very important to me as a newly elected councilman to get as much knowledge as possible to better serve the citizens of this great city," Gilmore said.

Ward 2 Councilwoman Woodley said our city can easily host an event of this size with facilities we have. It was a wonderful opportunity for McAlester to be a "hub" for southeast Oklahoma. She said, "I love how we can show off Eastern like that."

"It was very valuable information for my position on the City Council," said Ward 3 Councilman Stone. His main takeaway, "That we must make every effort to make sure that we have complete transparency in every decision and those decisions are made in front of the public at our council meetings."

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"It was good to see city officials from our region coming together to embark on a class in McAlester," said Ward 6 Councilman Beaty. "The OPA does a great job."

The seminar, "Openness in Government," was presented Monday by Thomas R. Schneider Deputy General Counsel for the Oklahoma AG's Office at Eastern Oklahoma State College in McAlester.

Mark Thomas, Executive Vice President, said this seminar is continuing our education in knowing and understanding, "What's the right thing to do."

Schneider said the Acts purpose is "Transparency in Government" and "Government under the microscope."

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He said, "I like to give advice that keeps you on the right side." Some suggestions that he made were to avoid texting and emailing other members of your public body. And to be aware that it's acceptable to see each other at informal gatherings such as conferences, receptions, church services, community events, and funerals, but always avoid talking about business.

Schneider said, "Conducting Public Business" includes the entire decision-making process including presentation of information, deliberation, decision, or formal action, and it all needs to be open to the public.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond says, "As Attorney General, I will demand transparency. I plan to aggressively enforce Oklahoma's open records and open meetings laws across state government." He and the Oklahoma Press Association highly encouraged public bodies across the state to find one of the several seminars hosted in various locations.

The three-hour seminar was streamlined with the help of Schneider's presentation of 141 slides, which is available online by searching "Openness in Government" on the oklahoma.gov website.
National Adoption Day was celebrated in Jacksonville on Wednesday, with 16 children being officially adopted at the Duval County Courthouse -- all of them joining permanent, loving homes.

Action News Jaxs Shanila Kabir spoke to some of those adoptive parents, who said their holiday celebrations will now be complete.

There was not a dry eye in the courtroom after more than a dozen adoptive parents took in new family members.

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Victoria and Troy Sapp formally adopted 2-year-old Maya Chanel Sapp after fostering her since she was an infant. They said Maya has been living in their home since she was 4 months old.

Read: Twin Lakes Academy Elementary School student arrested for bringing weapon to school

All you have to do is open your heart and open your doors and give them the love they are actually looking for, said Victoria Sapp.

The Sapp family said they adopted Mayas older brother not too long ago, and now their family is complete right before Thanksgiving.

Another parent, Denise Wai Wai Ole adopted her three young grandsons, two 4-year-old twins and a toddler.

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One of them started calling me mommy suddenly. I guess he knows now Im mommy and this is how its going to be, she said.

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Wai Wai Ole said she is looking forward to bringing her grandchildren stability and keeping them all in one home.

Theres been times that Jason has asked me, Mimi are you always going to come back for me? Now, he knows for sure Im going to be there, she said.

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Leaders from Family Support Services said more than 360 children in Duval and Nassau counties are ready to be adopted right now. They add they have been beyond successful this year at putting children in loving homes and keeping siblings together in their new homes.

Their next informational event for potential foster and adoptive parents is December 10.

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For more information about how to foster or adopt a local child in care, go to familysupport.org or Facebook.com/fssjax for more information.

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.
COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WKRN)  A box truck hits a low-clearance bridge on Carters Creek Pike Tuesday morning  and it was caught on camera. News 2 spoke with multiple Maury County drivers who said that this is not an unfamiliar situation.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said that, as a result, theyre installing more technology to better warn drivers about the Can Opener. The Can Opener is a small railroad bridge along Carters Creek Pike with its own Facebook page.

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This bridge has a reputation, driver Sunny Rosanbalm said. It definitely has a reputation that goes far and wide.

Rosanbalm said that the Can Opener got that well-known reputation because of situations like Tuesday mornings.

I started flashing my lights at him to try to get his attention  get him to stop, Rosanbalm said. I had my camera and I put my camera up there and I thought, Okay, here we go!'

The clearance under the bridge is only ten feet and ten inches tall. The driver wasnt hurt when the truck crashed into it.

You will see trucks hit the bridge full-speed, driver Roger Northrup told News 2. Thats why its called the can opener  because it will peel back the roof like youre doing one of the oyster cans. Thats what it does.

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There are multiple warning signs at the entrance of Carters Creek Pike. Nevertheless, Northrup said that the bridge claims multiple trucks over the course of a year.

Theres probably at least a couple dozen incidents where the bridge is hit every year, Northrup added.

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TDOT said that the agency would install a system to measure vehicle clearance on both sides of the bridge. They said that because of the installation, drivers could potentially expect some delays in the area.

Trucks just do not have any reason to be going down Carters Creek Pike anyway, Rosanbalm said. Its narrow. There are too many other, alternative routes.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
When I hear Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trumps defense secretary pick, talk about reforming the military by firing generals whove supported the Pentagons diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, my mind goes to the late four-star Gen. Colin Powell and his rise through the ranks of our military.

Let me explain why.

Born in Harlem, New York, to Jamaican immigrants, Powell became the U.S. first Black national security adviser, first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and first Black secretary of state. And the story of his ascent challenges Hegseths belief that diversity is the enemy of meritocracy. That false assumption is at the heart of a multipronged attack on multicultural programs. Its based on the mistaken idea that the only way diversity is achieved is by allowing less-qualified people of color to leapfrog over more deserving white people.

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But the story of how Powell was promoted to brigadier general and received his first star is an antidote to that poisonous claim. He was elevated on the watch of another first Black pioneer, the late Clifford Alexander, who served as the secretary of the Army from 1977 to 1981. Alexander refused to put forward a long list of officers to promote to generals because the list didnt include any of the decorated Black colonels who had served with distinction. There was a smattering of Black colonels on the second list that came back, but Alexander sent that one back, too, saying it still didnt provide a full enough sense of the talent within the ranks. This process happened on repeat until that list came back a fourth time with a larger and more appropriate number of Black prospects.

Powells name was on that fourth list. What does Hegseth think? Would he disparagingly call Powell a DEI hire? Would he say Alexander had woke mind virus?

In a 1997 op-ed in The New York Times, Alexander argued that Powells promotion was a result not of affirmative action but rather of a leveling of the playing field. He said the people responsible for developing such lists followed my directives, and the result was equity and fairness. Black people with sterling records emerged on those lists. According to Alexander, Powell did not get anything extra  but more important, his white colleagues did not get anything extra, either.

That brings us to this present moment when Hegseth, the man picked to run the worlds largest military, despite lacking institutional leadership experience, is proposing to walk into the Pentagon and immediately oust anyone involved in what he calls a woke diversity program.

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He has specifically called out the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Charles Q. Brown, who faced harsh criticism from the MAGA faithful when he released a widely watched video message following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Brown, who was then the head of the Air Force, said in the video: Im thinking about the pressure to perform error-free, especially for the supervisors I perceived had expected less from me as an African American. Im thinking about having to represent by working twice as hard to prove their expectations and perceptions of African Americans were invalid.

Perhaps Hegseth doesnt understand why Gen. Brown felt compelled to say what he said to those in his command. Maybe he has also chosen to ignore Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who holds the job Hegseth wants. Speaking on CBS 60 Minutes, Austin told correspondent David Martin that, as the only Black man in many of his high-ranking meetings when he became the vaunted 82nd Airbornes first Black operations officer in 1985, he would occasionally ask a white officer to do the briefings  not because he couldnt handle the pressure, but because he understood that white officers paid more attention when the message came from someone who looked like them.

That sentence you just read is a bit of a litmus test. Some will ask, How is that possible? and perhaps judge Austin for that strategy. But trust me on this. There are a lot of people who look more like Austin who will immediately understand that decision.

Hegseth has said he applauds the decision to end segregation in the U.S. military in 1948, but does he fully understand that one of the primary factors behind Executive Order 9981 was the acknowledgment that a segregated Army was weaker?

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Included in a Navy pamphlet distributed to officers during World War II called the Guide to Command of Negro Navy Personnel is this statement: In modern total warfare any avoidable waste of manpower can only be viewed as material aid to the enemy. It goes on to say, Restriction, because of racial theories, of the contribution of any individual to the war effort is a serious waste of human resources. Similar pamphlets were distributed to other services in the armed forces. The Army directive said, Waste of Negro manpower through ineffective military training, inefficient assignment, and poor leadership born of a failure to appreciate and deal with special problems is no less costly than the purposeful destruction of munitions.

Thats important. When huge groups of people arent able to reach their full potential, our military cant fully realize its might. Neither can our country.

Hegseth should understand that. He has served in the military with people of color. He has seen their valor in theaters of war. And anyone who has served in the U.S. military has seen the disparities in the makeup of the rank and file and the composition of the militarys largely white leadership.

But for this incoming administration, the war on diversity is a battle being fought well beyond the Pentagon. Other Trump loyalist picks have made similar anti-inclusion claims. It is part of a script that Trump has used since he glided down his golden escalator  Black and brown people are getting things they dont deserve, and white Americans are paying the price.

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Thats a bunch of hooey. But that message has turned out to be sticky and quite potent among voters.

If Hegseth becomes defense secretary, he might want to consider another aspect of Gen. Colin Powells story. The general, whose own legacy was marred by specious intelligence claims used to justify the war in Iraq, famously warned President George W. Bush at the outset of that conflict that if you break it, you own it.

Hegseth might want to consider that so-called Pottery Barn rule himself before tries to break apart the worlds mightiest military as part of Trumps crusade to upend the status quo.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
It looks like Elon Musk really is going to try to fix the federal bureaucracy. I hope he succeeds. But as he and Vivek Ramaswamy settle in at the still somewhat undefined Department of Government Efficiency (humorously referred to as DOGE), there is something they need to fully grasp from the outset: the federal government really, really doesnt want to be reformed.

In fact, fixing it might make catching rockets look like childs play.

The DOGE will actually be the incoming presidents second attempt at fixing the government. Back in 2018, then-President Trump tasked me, and the Office of Management and Budget that I led, with restructuring the federal bureaucracy. It was a gargantuan task. Other administrations had tried  most recently the Clinton administration  and failed. But we knew that the government was screaming out for reform.

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Our current federal government is a construct of the Roosevelt New Deal era. And as the country grew, so did the government. But our country has done more than just grow over the last 100 years  it has also evolved, from an agrarian to an industrial to a technology and information economy. Critically, the government never changed with it.

At the beginning of the last century, almost 40 percent of Americans worked in agriculture, and that industry made up more than 15 percent of our national economy. Today, just 2 percent of our population is in the industry, and it makes up about 5 percent of our gross domestic product. Even with that change, however, we still have a Department of Agriculture with 29 departments and over 100,000 employees.

That sort of government growth, and the lack of structural change, has led to some truly bizarre outcomes. Thus it is that a frozen cheese pizza is overseen by the FDA but a pepperoni pizza is regulated by the USDA. Chickens are regulated by USDA; the eggs they lay are regulated by the FDA; and if you make the egg into an omelet, that is regulated again by the USDA. And a fish that swims from the ocean to a river to spawn is regulated by the Department of the Interior, the Department of Commerce or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, depending on where it is.

Trump hated what is best described as stupid government. He was well and truly excited about the prospect of fixing things. What he didnt realize, and what Musk and Ramaswamy will soon discover, is that the bureaucracy will not go down without a fight.

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I am not just referring to the bureaucrats themselves. Indeed, one of the biggest challenges we faced in reforming the government in Trump 1.0 was our own administration. This became painfully obvious when we tried to implement one of Trumps highest priorities: reforming the Army Corps of Engineers.

At its simplest level, the Army Corps of Engineers is involved in three basic functions: military building projects, environmental regulation and infrastructure regulation. The first obviously makes sense and is arguably the core function of the Corps. The other two grew over time, such that today, if you want to deepen a port or build a road or a bridge, the Corps is often involved. Importantly, its work is often redundant to agencies such as the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Trump hated this regulatory overlap. He knew how it slowed down infrastructure projects, and how it raised costs to ordinary Americans. So we proposed to get the Corp back to basics, focusing on its work doing military construction. Its environmental function would be moved to the EPA, and its transportation work would be consolidated with the Department of Transportation.

Trump loved it. The bureaucracy did not.

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What happened next is just a quick insight into the challenges that the DOGE will face. Thats because, almost immediately after we went public with our proposal, people at the Pentagon started calling people on Capitol Hill to make sure these changes never happened. And then-Defense Secretary James Mattis made clear, in no uncertain terms, that he did not support the initiative.

Thats correct: members of Trump own administration were actively working to undermine one of his highest government reform proposals. And they succeeded. Our proposals never saw the light of day on Capitol Hill. It seems that inertia and the desire not to lose funding or power were simply too strong.

Trump 2.0 will certainly have several advantages that we did not. The experience gained from the first effort will be helpful. There will likely be Cabinet members who are more aligned with pursuing the presidents agenda. And, of course, DOGE will have Musk, who is obviously a lot smarter than the guy leading the effort last time.

But going up against a federal bureaucracy wont be easy. While people at Tesla and SpaceX probably ask how high when Musk says jump, people at the Department of Education might respond differently. That is, if you can find them.

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Fixing the federal bureaucracy is critical to the future health of our government and of our nation, so I hope DOGE succeeds. But Musk might discover that its easier to start a colony on Mars.

Mick Mulvaney, a former congressman from South Carolina, is a contributor to NewsNation. He served as director of the Office of Management and Budget, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and White House chief of staff under President Donald 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 The Hill.
With Donald Trump back in office, Europe faces a new era of uncertainty. The once-reliable comfort of American support  a cornerstone of European security  is now more in question than ever. For decades, Europe has assumed the U.S. would always be there to pick up the slack. But those days are over. Trump's administration openly questions NATOs role and views American involvement in European security with skepticism.

Europe must now confront a new reality: it can no longer sit back, assuming the U.S. will handle its defense. Now is the time to act. Some in Europe may feel isolated in the challenge of supporting Ukraine, but this view underestimates Europes own strength. The European Union is the worlds largest trading bloc, one of the top three global economies, and home to four of the 10 largest economies on the planet.

Russia, by comparison, ranks as the worlds 11th largest economy  its size comparable to Italy, with Spain not far behind. Europes challenge is not a lack of resources, but the will to use them. Supporting Ukraine is not a cost; its an investment in Europes security and stability.

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Read also: Opinion: With Trump back, Europe cant afford to guess on sanctions against Russia

The 2% GDP goal for NATO members was once a practical way to measure commitment to the alliance. But today, with threats evolving and new challenges emerging, that target is outdated. True security isnt about budget percentages; its about capabilities  about building a Europe that can defend itself and respond swiftly to crises. Russias brutal assault on Ukraine has shown us that a spending target doesnt protect us  actionable resources, modern defense systems, and readiness to act do.

True security isnt about budget percentages; its about capabilities

Europe has already seen this firsthand. Financial pledges to Ukraine are important, but on the ground, specific resources like anti-air systems, secure communications, and logistical support have made the difference. Europe now faces this same reality: leaders must move beyond symbolic spending goals and prioritize real capabilities to meet todays urgent security needs.

Polish and Romanian military personnel stand next to military vehicles and a NATO flag on the sidelines of a press conference near the Suwalki Gap in Poland on July 7, 2022. (Wojtek Radwanski/AFP via Getty Images)

Trumps return to office is Europes wake-up call. The idea of strategic autonomy has circulated in policy circles for years, but Europe can no longer afford to keep it theoretical. Europe already has what it takes. It boasts a tier-one defense industry with advanced R&D that rivals the capabilities of the U.S., China, and Russia. The talent, resources, and infrastructure are all in place. With the right focus, Europes defense industry can deliver the advanced technologies and autonomous capabilities required to protect the continent. If Europe accelerates its initiatives, strategic autonomy can shift from a policy concept to a concrete reality.

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Ukraines resistance to Russian aggression makes Europes role in its defense indispensable, especially as American support becomes uncertain. Ukraine is not only defending its sovereignty but also the stability of Europe. This moment tests Europes resolve  not just in its support for Ukraine, but in its commitment to its own values and regional stability. Europe must act independently. The stakes are high: a retreat would hand Putin a critical advantage in his obsessive quest to redraw borders by force.

Read also: Opinion: What Trumps past statements reveal about the future of US-Ukraine relations

The implications extend beyond Ukraine. With Trumps administration setting new precedents, other authoritarian states may be emboldened to challenge Europe. China, Iran, and others may interpret diminished U.S. involvement as an invitation to advance their interests in ways that threaten European stability. Europes leaders must confront these growing risks, prepared to act decisively with or without U.S. backing.

The lesson from Ukraine is stark: alliances are powerful, but self-reliance is essential for survival. Europes defense future cannot be outsourced. This is a test of political will and unity. As Europe faces its greatest threat in a generation, its time to rise to the occasion. The era of dependency is over  our sovereignty demands it, our future depends on it.

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Europe has the talent, the resources, and the drive to make this vision a reality. The time has come for European leaders to adopt a security strategy that reflects the gravity of the moment. This isnt just about adapting to an unpredictable U.S. stance; its about establishing a Europe that can defend itself, stand with Ukraine, and lead in a world of shifting alliances. Security isnt a budget line item; its the bedrock of our shared European future and a free Ukraine. Its time to make it a priority.

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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Thomas Homan will be the border czar for the incoming Trump administration. His responsibilities will include the borders with Mexico and Canada, all maritime and aviation security and all deportations.

Fortunately, he is well qualified for these responsibilities. Homan began a career in law enforcement as a police officer, and then spent 34 years enforcing immigration laws. He has been a special agent for the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, a border patrol officer for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and an acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The fact that he has spent so many years enforcing the countrys immigration laws does not mean he is anti-immigration. He is anti-illegal immigration.

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For instance, he has acknowledged that migrants have a right to due process and a right to claim asylum. He thinks that foreign workers with lawful status should be available to employers who cant meet their employment needs with American workers.

But Homan is going to enforce the immigration laws that Congress passed. And he is not going to revise them to achieve political objectives the way the previous administration did with its Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law.

These guidelines created a powerful home free magnet by prohibiting enforcement proceedings against migrants solely on the basis of their unlawful status. Illegal crossers will keep trying until they succeed as long as they know they will be safe from deportation once they have reached the interior of the country.

However, although Homan will deport migrants who are just here unlawfully, they will not be a priority.

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President Trump made it clear we will prioritize public safety threats and national security threats first, he has said. There are more than 1.5 million convicted criminal aliens in this country with orders for removal who well be looking for, there are thousands of gang members well be looking for, Homan said.

The previous administration had similar priorities  migrants who pose a threat to national security, public safety, and border security  but it didnt prioritize their removal if they failed in removal proceedings to establish a lawful basis for remaining in the U.S. In fiscal 2023, it removed only 142,580 of 1,292,830 migrants subject to final deportation orders, and only 72,177 migrants with final deportation orders in fiscal 2022.

The millions of inadmissible migrants the previous administration released into the country will be another priority. Homans message to them is, start packing, because youre going home.

Trump will terminate the parole programs used to allow hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter and work in the U.S., which will make the participants vulnerable to removal. When their parole status is terminated, they will revert back to the status they had when parole was granted, which generally was that of aliens seeking admission to the U.S.

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Moreover, the time limit on asylum applications will make them ineligible for asylum if they didnt apply within a year of arriving in the U.S.  unless they can establish changed circumstances that materially affect asylum eligibility or show that the delay in filing an application was due to extraordinary circumstances.

Homan will launch a major initiative to locate the unaccompanied immigrant children that ICE had lost track of. Enforcement of this will include worksite raids. Where do we find most victims of sex-trafficking and forced labor trafficking? he asks. At work sites.

In an Aug. 19, 2024, report, the Homeland Security inspector general said that ICE had transferred 448,000 unaccompanied immigrant children to the Department of Health and Human Services between fiscal 2019 and 2023, and ICE was not able to account for the location of all [unaccompanied children] who were released by HHS and did not appear as scheduled in immigration court.

The inspector general concluded that, ICE must take immediate action to ensure the safety of [unaccompanied children] residing in the United States.

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Trump has also promised that millions of undocumented immigrants will be removed from the country during his presidency, and Homan will implement that promise. He intends to run the biggest deportation force this country has ever seen.

But Homan also has said that his deportation efforts will be targeted. Its not going to be a mass sweep of neighborhoods. Its not going to be building concentration camps. According to Homan, the scale of the deportations will depend on the availability of officers to carry it out and detention space. It all depends on what the budget is, he said.

He will use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to conduct mass deportations of immigrant criminals and gang members, since it permits deportations without individualized notice or a hearing.

The president can invoke this authority with a proclamation [w]henever there is a declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government, or any invasion or predatory incursion is perpetrated, attempted, or threatened against the territory of the United States by any foreign nation or government.

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Katherine Yon Ebright from the Brennan Center for Justice says, There is no plausible basis for saying that migration or narcotics trafficking constitutes an invasion or predatory incursion. But the political question doctrine might prevent the courts from reviewing a presidents finding that the illegal crossings along the southern border constitute an invasion. This doctrine provides that some issues are so politically charged that federal courts should not adjudicate them.

Trump has claimed that the attempt by millions of inadmissible migrants to enter the United States illegally is the greatest invasion in history, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has declared an invasion at the southern border to justify his own border enforcement activities.

If this approach fails, Homan will have to resort to removal proceedings before immigration judges. Homans enforcement efforts will be opposed. For instance, the ACLU has prepared a roadmap for stopping them. It sued Trumps administration more than 400 times during his first term in office.

Nevertheless, Trump has a constitutional duty to take care that his administration faithfully executes the laws that Congress has passed, and his decision to make Homan the border czar shows that he is serious about doing it.

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Nolan Rappaport was detailed to the House Judiciary Committee as an Executive Branch Immigration Law Expert for three years. He subsequently served as an immigration counsel for the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims for four years. Prior to working on the Judiciary Committee, he wrote decisions for the Board of Immigration Appeals for 20 years.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., is making waves after introducing a resolution explicitly targeting her transgender colleague, Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Del., that would bar McBride and other transgender women who work in the Capitol from accessing womens restrooms or other gender-based facilities.

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday announced his support for the resolution in a statement: All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings  such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms  are reserved for individuals of that biological sex, adding, Women deserve womens only spaces.

I, for one, am surprised to see Mace launching this culture war crusade, because when I interviewed her in 2021, shortly after she took office, she framed herself as a pro-LGBT, social moderate.

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I strongly support LGBTQ rights and equality, Mace told me at the time. No one should be discriminated against.

I have friends and family that identify as LGBTQ, she explained. Understanding how they feel and how theyve been treated is important. Having been around gay, lesbian, and transgender people has informed my opinion over my lifetime.

Times have changed, and, evidently, Mace has, too.

To be fair, the congresswoman hasnt entirely abandoned support for LGBT rights, as she broke with the majority of the Republican Party in 2022 to support the Respect for Marriage Act, which enshrined same-sex marriage protections into federal law. Still, the stance shes taking now seems entirely devoid of the kind of nuance and empathy Mace originally branded herself around.

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Just because a Congressman wants to wear a mini skirt doesnt mean he can come into a womens bathroom, Mace wrote in a social media post about the resolution, referring to McBride, needlessly insulting her colleague and personalizing the debate. There is nothing the Radical Left can do to stop me from protecting women and girls.

But protecting women and girls is not what Mace is actually doing, and its not just the Radical Left that disagrees with her stand: Many moderate right-of-center Americans like myself also find her grandstanding disappointing, because theres no actual safety issue being addressed here.

Assaults by transgender women in womens bathrooms are incredibly, incredibly rare, and there is zero reason to specifically believe that McBride is going to assault anyone in a restroom. Whats more, any criminal who would enter a womens restroom intending to assault or harass a woman is clearly already undeterred by policies or laws. (This is the exact point Republicans themselves often make about signs designating certain areas as gun-free zones.) And in practice, womens restrooms are filled with private, individual stalls, so the most that could happen here is encountering a trans woman at the sink next to you.

To be fair, situations involving locker rooms or changing spaces are more complicated, and its entirely understandable that many women wouldnt want to share those spaces with people who retain some male anatomy. But lumping those more legitimate concerns in with washing your hands next to someone who happens to be trans destroys our ability to have a nuanced conversation about these tricky questions.

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Mace claims shes receiving death threats, which are unacceptable and should be investigated by law enforcement. But such behavior is not representative of the entire LGBT community any more than individual QAnon extremists are representative of all Republicans  and doesn't change the reality of this situation.

Mace justifies her resolution, in part, by arguing that these restrictions are needed for women to remain comfortable in their shared spaces. But, ironically, her resolution would lead to a perverse situation where transgender men who work in Congress  who may have beards and large muscles and outwardly appear indistinguishable from other men  would be forced to use the womens restroom.

Wouldnt that make women much more uncomfortable?

This entire crusade is a solution in search of a problem. Whether Mace realizes it or not, she has likely shared the womens bathroom with transgender women who work for Democratic members of Congress many times without any issue. And anyone who has traveled internationally  or even been to some of the swankiest restaurants in Washington, D.C.  has likely used unisex bathrooms with stalls and lived to tell the tale.

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Mace openly admits that this is directly targeted at McBride, answering a reporters question by saying, Yes, and absolutely, and then some. Someone with a penis in the womens locker room  thats not OK. Im a victim of abuse myself. Im a rape survivor.

While Maces past trauma is tragic and worthy of our sympathy, her logic here still doesnt follow. She has no idea what genitalia McBride has, as some transgender women choose to have bottom surgery that removes their penises and some do not. And genitalia does not ever need to be exposed in a womens bathroom thats exclusively composed of individual stalls, which is the central focus of the congresswomans efforts  at least, in theory.

Nancy Maces stand does seem to be succeeding in its real goal: bringing widespread attention to Nancy Mace. After all, this is the same congresswoman who dramatically wore a shirt branded with a scarlet letter to work because people were criticizing her for voting to oust then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

From a public relations perspective, this might all work out for Mace, who is seeking to court a new base of support after her district was redrawn and now skews more conservative than when she was first elected. But if the congresswomans antics ultimately succeed, it will only lead to more unnecessary antagonism, increased hostility and more dysfunction in the already-broken halls of Washington, D.C.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
An idea has taken root, especially among Republicans, that since China is now the main security challenge America faces, Americas costly support for Ukraine against Russia is a distraction from dealing effectively with the challenge posed by Beijing.

However, since China and Russia are so closely aligned, thwarting Russian ambitions in Ukraine and elsewhere is a crucial element of the U.S. effort to contain China.

President-elect Trumps designated national security adviser, Michael Waltz, co-authored an essay in The Economist published just before the November 5 election stating that American munitions and defense production are aiding Ukraine instead of deterring Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific.

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But if China is considered a greater threat than Russia, then it must be recognized that China is not just a threat in the Indo-Pacific, but worldwide. Part and parcel of that overall threat is the threat posed by any state closely aligned with Beijing, especially since Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping describe their relationship as a no limits partnership. We should take them at their word that they consider themselves to be closely aligned.

Although Chinese troops are not fighting in Ukraine and Beijing has not been overtly sending arms to Russia, China has provided crucial support for Putins war effort. This includes buying massive quantities of Western-sanctioned Russian petroleum (albeit at a discount), exporting not just dual-use but specifically military technologies to Russia and supporting Russia diplomatically.

If all this Chinese support were to end, and Beijing to insist that Putin end his war against Kyiv, the Russian military effort against Ukraine would become far more difficult for Putin to sustain than it now is.

China, however, is not going to do this. Beijing, it is true, benefits from the U.S. and other Western states on the one hand and Russia on the other hand focusing on each other and not on China.

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Yet if the incoming Trump administration is willing to end the war on terms that are grossly unfavorable to Ukraine, Putin is not likely to suddenly join with Trump in containing Beijing. Instead, Russia, China, North Korea and others might conclude that if Trump is no longer willing to arm Ukraine, then he will not be willing to arm other states under attack  much less send American troops to defend them.

Weitz and his co-author Matthew Kroenig of the Atlantic Council laid out the logic of why this axis might think this way in their Economist essay where they wrote, American generals testify that the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan contributed to Vladimir Putins decision to invade Ukraine. Why wouldnt a Trump administration decision to reduce or end American support for Ukraine not have a similar impact on not just Russia, but China, North Korea, and Iran as well?

The desire to focus more on China by reducing Washingtons focus on Russia and other adversaries is understandable but unrealistic. Focusing less on Russia and others is only going to encourage them in their aggression  as well as provide China with a powerful incentive to support them in it.

U.S. willingness to end the Russia-Ukraine war on terms unfavorable to Ukraine, then, will not allow the U.S. to focus more on China. Instead, the U.S. may end up in the far more difficult situation of having to respond to simultaneous aggression on the part of Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.

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Putin in particular might calculate that if the U.S. was not willing to continue supporting a large country like Ukraine that has been willing to defend itself, maybe it wont do much to defend a smaller European country that is less able to do so  even if it is a NATO member. Indeed, Putin might decide that the best way to break up NATO is to attack a member that America and others are simply not prepared to undertake losses themselves for.

Just as discouraging, some of Americas authoritarian as well as illiberal democratic allies may decide that they would be better off siding with one of these adversaries against America and its other allies, or simply taking advantage of increased conflict elsewhere to pursue their own aggressive aims.

While the incoming administration might want to focus on the threat from China, the fact that the U.S. faces several threats means that it cannot ignore any of them  or the prospect that doing so will only encourage others, including China.

Mark N. Katz is a professor emeritus at the George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government, a global fellow at the Wilson Center and a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

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Imagine you live in a city with 35,000 people. There's a pothole in the street in front of your house and you can't get anyone to come fix it, so you decide to call the mayor.

How easy do you think it would be to get a response?

As any resident of a small city can tell you, it's pretty darn easy. If you can't reach the mayor at City Hall, you'll probably run into them or a staffer at the coffee shop or the post office, and they'll get that pothole fixed. That's one reason why local elected officials are more trusted in polls than state and federal officials.

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Now, imagine that city has 750,000 people. And the mayor lives 3,000 miles away. And they spend as much as four hours a day talking to donors. Not as likely to get a response, right?

Those two scenarios are the difference between the House of Representatives as it was designed and the way it works today, thanks to a quirk in a 95-year-old law. For more than a century after America's founding, Congress increased the size of the House every 10 years after the Census. But in 1929, the House, nervous about an influx of recent immigrants, decided to limit its size to 435 members permanently.

There are now 200 million more Americans, but still the same number of representatives, which means each member of the House represents more and more people. In 1793, the average House member represented 37,000 people, or basically the number of people in a small city. Today, they represent 768,000  roughly as many people as live in Seattle.

This has had all kinds of deleterious effects: It boosts the cost of House campaigns, makes gerrymandering easier, raises barriers to political newcomers, increases partisanship and hurts constituent services, among other things. The cumulative effect has helped make Congress less responsive to voters and less trusted overall.

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Now, two members of the House want to fix that. And they may get further with this idea because of who they are. Democratic Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington and Jared Golden of Maine are proposing a bipartisan task force to consider reforms to the House, including nonpartisan open primaries, independent redistricting commissions, multiple-member districts and increasing the size of the House, as first reported by NOTUS.

These ideas are not new. But Gluesenkamp Perez and Golden are not your typical reform-minded liberal lawmakers. They are the co-chairs of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of conservative Democrats. She just won re-election in a district that typically favors Republicans by 5 points; he won in one that favors them by 6 points, according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index.

This resolution isn't likely to go anywhere in this Congress or the next. But if the two of the most conservative Democrats are willing to put their names on a resolution when Republicans control the White House and Congress, that's a sign that they wouldn't object if Democrats chose to move ahead with some of these ideas the next time they're in power. And since conservative Democrats are often the most skittish about big reforms to how Congress operates, that's a big deal.

All of the ideas outlined in the resolution are worth exploring, but expanding the House may be the smartest, simply because it's the easiest to explain. One obstacle reformers face is that discussion of redistricting or nonpartisan open primaries often requires getting into the weeds. It's easy for opponents to throw sand in the gears by confusing voters, as when an Ohio state board approved confusing wording for an anti-gerrymandering ballot measure that failed in November. Congressional laws that require state-level implementation  as changes to primary elections would  can also get tripped up.

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But "make the House bigger"  or even "make House districts smaller"  fits on a bumper sticker. And Congress can do it with a simple vote to increase the size of the House and redistribute the number of members in each state, according to their population, probably after the 2030 Census.

The obvious question is: How big should the House be?

If you were an originalist and wanted the average House district back to what it was in 1793, you'd have a House with 9,000 members, which makes the Galactic Senate in the "Star Wars" prequels seem cozy. A better ratio comes from political science, where research has found that in peer nations, the lower legislative chamber's size is typically not far from the cube root of the total population. By that standard, the House would have around 700 members, instead of 435.

But really, any number will do. Simply lifting the cap and letting the House go back to the way things were done for the first 140 years of the country would be a good start.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Nov. 19It's about time. A government agency at last has flagged longstanding, tone-deaf excesses by the president, first lady and regents of Western New Mexico University.

State Auditor Joseph Maestas in a "letter of concern" made public Tuesday said Western President Joseph Shepard and the university's regents violated the institution's own policies and wasted taxpayers' money.

Maestas told me his Special Investigations Division conducted a robust review of Western's practices and expenditures, an effort far beyond an audit. The investigators uncovered or confirmed extravagances on everything from international travel to furnishings for Shepard's university residence to Western employees racking up a bill of more than $25,000 to attend a conference in a California resort town.

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A significant part of the investigation centered on travel expenses. A total of $214,262 in spending on 402 instances of domestic and international travel did not comply with university policies and rules, Maestas' investigators said.

In addition, more than $149,000 spent on 91 purchases did not follow university regulations. This included Shepard's purchase of high-end custom furnishings for the university president's official residence.

"The furniture was purchased utilizing a [state] P-card issued to the President, and at least one purchase, totaling over $17,000, was verbally approved by the Chief Procurement Officer on the same day of the purchase without a required purchase order or requisition in place, as required by university policy," the auditor's letter stated.

Maestas' investigators requested and analyzed all documentation maintained by Western related to Shepard's and the regents' domestic and international travel between June 2018 and July 2023.

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Shepard's expenses for "138 instances of travel" totaled $140,610. School regents spent $73,651 on 264 trips.

What follows are but a few instances of waste or abuses Maestas mentioned in his letter of more than 2,700 words.

Shepard's requests to travel were either not submitted for governance review prior to his departure or they were submitted after travel began. Vouchers for Shepard's expenses often were submitted weeks or months after trips.

Regents responsible for university governance went on taxpayer-funded trips without filing requests, or what they submitted was "untimely and without justification."

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Lodging upgrades on international and domestic trips by Shepard and regents were made without any documentation explaining the justification or authority for the additional expenses.

The university spent $25,578 for faculty and staff to attend seminars at the Ritz Carlton Leadership Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The programs were available virtually.

State purchasing cards and expense accounts were used by a non-university employee. This reference in Maestas' letter was to Shepard's wife, Valerie Plame, a former CIA officer and unsuccessful candidate in 2020 for Congress in New Mexico's 3rd District.

Maestas said Western employees informed him some time ago Plame no longer possessed a state credit card.

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Mary Hotvedt, chairwoman of Western's five-member board of regents, phoned me in response to a request for comment on the auditor's letter. Hotvedt read me a statement far too lengthy to be reprinted here in its entirety. Her main message was the university already has reacted by making necessary improvements.

"These are serious concerns which have been addressed by Western New Mexico University leadership," Hotvedt said. "This includes a comprehensive review of cost disparities; updating of university policies to align with applicable state guidelines and regulations; and revised travel and procurement procedures, as well as staff training to ensure compliance."

She said the university has started an independent cost-benefit analysis of international initiatives, and it is proceeding with a special audit it will pay for.

Western, in the old mining town of Silver City, lists its fall enrollment at more than 3,600 students. Exotic travel by Shepard and the regents has been a sore spot, as international students account for fewer than 2% of the total.

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Shepard and the regents authorized 47 taxpayer-funded trips to 12 foreign countries between June 2018 and July 2023, according to documents I obtained from the institution last spring through a public records request.

Shepard and Plame went on many of the trips. Greece, Nepal, Spain and Zambia were among the countries delegations from Western visited.

Shepard in a previous statement defended all the expenditures as worthy. He did not respond Tuesday to my request for comment on the auditor's letter.

State Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill, D-Silver City, is a Western graduate who questions the value of international travel and other expenditures by Shepard and the regents.

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"I am troubled by the reports of extravagant spending, particularly at a time when families are struggling and being asked to pay more in tuition," Correa Hemphill wrote in a text message.

Maestas said his letter will not be sent to any law enforcement agency for followup. That leaves it to the regents to clean their own mess.

Hotvedt said their work on tightening policies is ongoing, but retired physician Mark Donnell of Silver City does not trust the regents. Donnell has been the community's most outspoken critic of Shepard, wondering why a school that draws most of its students from a few counties in southwestern New Mexico has a globe-trotting administration.

It's a fair question, one that Maestas' eye-popping report cannot answer.

Ringside Seat is an opinion column about people, politics and news. Contact Milan Simonich at msimonich@sfnewmexican.com or 505-986-3080.
Moving from the Senate to the secretary of states office seems like a step up for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and perhaps a way to position himself for a presidential run in 2028. Rubio may have good reasons for moving into the Cabinet, but improving his prospects in four years is not one of them. Indeed, the Cabinet has long been a graveyard for presidential contenders.

This sounds surprising, as some of the most notable names in American history  Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams and Martin Van Buren  led the State Department. But that was all during the early days of the republic. The last president to have previously held that position was James Buchanan, right before the Civil War.

And Cabinet membership is not just bad luck in the presidential race. While Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was the Democratic nominee in 2016, she was better known for her other roles, including First Lady and senator. Before her, the last nominee to have held the job was James Blaine, the failed Republican nominee in 1884.

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It is not just the secretary of state position that is cursed. Though plenty of former Cabinet members have tried for the White House, there have been only two presidents since Buchanan who previously served as Cabinet members  former Secretary of War William Howard Taft and former Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover. Perhaps it is revealing that the last five men who went from Cabinet member to president were one-termers.

Cabinet members arent even popular choices for the vice presidency  there have been only two such selections in the last 84 years. Those include former Defense Secretary Dick Cheney and Bob Doles running mate, former Housing Secretary Jack Kemp. Before that, the last Cabinet member to be nominated as a running mate was Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace in 1940, who was dumped four years later by Franklin D. Roosevelt in favor of Harry Truman.

Why have Cabinet members failed at climbing the ultimate ladder to the presidency? One obvious point is that there are not as many Cabinet secretaries as other high profile positions, such as senators or governors.

More important is how the vice presidents have come to dominate the nomination process. Since 1948, 10 sitting or former vice presidents have won their partys nomination for the presidency. In all of American history before that, only five vice presidents got their partys nomination. This development is particularly bad for Cabinet members, as their campaigns would, to a good degree, be based on the success of the president that they served under. As the second-in-command, the vice president is better able to capture that reflected glory in the eye of primary voters, who are interested in ratifying their earlier choice for president. The Cabinet member, no matter how central a role they played in the administration, has a harder time proving that they are the presidents choice.

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Cabinet members are also unable to gain full credit for their achievements  that goes to the president. But an unpopular president will certainly weigh down their own chances.

The limited field of focus of a Cabinet member is also a negative, especially compared to the other likely candidates, governors and senators. Politicians in those jobs are able to take high-profile positions on a full range of policy issues with an independent action that opposes the current president (if from the same party). Cabinet members do not have that luxury and if their own issue is not seen as critical to the election  and foreign policy rarely dominates  then they may be relegated to the backwaters of a presidential discussion.

Rather than being a stepping stone, the Cabinet is usually the capstone of ones career. Past heavyweight politicians  including former presidential nominees like John Kerry  have used a Cabinet appointment to close out their careers, while still feeling like important players in the political scene.

Rubio, at only 53 years old and with a significant presidential run in his past, seems to have accepted the secretary of state position with a look to the future. But the track record suggests that there is a good chance that heading a Cabinet department is actually an end to a political career.

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Joshua Spivak is a senior research fellow at Berkeley Laws California Constitution Center and a senior fellow at Hugh L. Carey Institute of Government Reform at Wagner College. He is the author of Recall Elections: From Alexander Hamilton to Gavin Newsom.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  For many families in Wichita Falls, picking out a tree from the Optimist Club tree lot is a Christmas tradition. Unfortunately, that tradition has come to an end this year.

For 70 years, optimists members have inspired holiday cheer while raising money for kids in our community through their annual Christmas tree sales.

Turn Mallorys luck around by giving her a forever home

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All proceeds would go toward great causes, such as the Boys and Girls Club and Campfire North Texas.

This fundraiser was truly something special for many in the community, but unfortunately, due to a continuous increase in supply prices, a dwindling number of sales each year, and a drastic drop in Optimist Club memberships, the tradition has come to an end.

Chairman of the Christmas project, Jeff Pendley, said the tree sale that many families grew up with has ended. Though this is a setback, the Optimist Club is exploring other fundraising opportunities.

Were optimistic that were going to find another project to take on to raise money for the kids in the community. But what we can be proud of is for the last 70 years, we were able to raise nearly $600,000 that went directly back into the community to support youth organizations and programs, said Pendley.

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Pendley said hes saddened by this news but encourages residents to focus on the spirit of giving and gratitude during this holiday season.

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Nov. 19Attorneys for a McAlester woman sentenced to prison for the abuse of a 5-year-old boy investigators said looked like "a 75-year-old man" when examined at the hospital, will argue before a federal appeals court for an acquittal.

Paula Amber Chisholm, 38, was originally indicted in the Eastern District of Oklahoma in 2021 on charges of child abuse in Indian Country and child neglect in Indian Country.

A federal jury deliberated for more than four hours before finding Chisholm guilty on the abuse charge during a January 2023 trial. Chisholm was found not guilty on the charge of child neglect in Indian Country.

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Chisholm was sentenced to four-years in a federal prison with two-years of post-supervision release and is "prohibited form attempting or having any contact whatsoever" with the victim by any means unless authorized by the court and must remain at least 100 yards from the victim's place of residence and school at all times.

Chisholm was originally charged in December 2019 with child abuse and three charges of child neglect on two separate children with two charges of child neglect later dismissed, according to documents filed in Pittsburg County District Court.

The case was later dismissed due to Chisholm's Native American status and the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma.

Charges of child abuse and child neglect remain in abeyance in Choctaw Nation District Court with an active warrant of arrest in effect.

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Attorneys for Chisholm appealed her prison sentence with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

The appeal claims prosecutors did not provide sufficient evidence to support the conviction because they never proved Chisholm was the person who inflicted the injuries to the child in the time frame given in the indictment.

"The government's use of the passive voice simply cannot do the work the government needs it to dopoint to evidence that tends to suggest that Ms. Chisholm inflicted the injuries on K.C. within a reasonable time of the period charged in the indictment," her attorneys argue. "This Court should reverse Ms. Chisholm's conviction and remand with instructions to grant her a judgment of acquittal."

Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for Jan. 24, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. in Denver.

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An affidavit filed in the case states Chisholm was charged after a 5-year-old boy was transported by ambulance to the McAlester Regional Health Center in early December 2019 from a local school.

When investigators arrived at the emergency room, they were told by school staff that they believed the boy was being abused at home, the affidavit states.

An investigator wrote in his report the boy had bruises all over him with marks on both ears with one "purple like it had been pinched and twisted."

According to the affidavit, the boy "appeared to be very small and skinny for his age" with the investigator also noting several scratches and bruises under the boy's thinning hair.

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The boy "had the appearance of a 75-year-old man and appeared to be abused, neglected, and malnourished," the affidavit states.

During a July 2020 preliminary hearing in the state case, a social worker who worked at MRHC at the time of the incident testified the boy originally said nobody hurt him when the room was full of people. But the social worker testified the child became more trusting and later said "Aunt Paula" was the person that hurt him.

Cynthia Sanford, who examined the boy at the Pittsburg County Child Advocacy Center in McAlester, described bruising found on the child's chest, arms, and back as "open-ended marks," meaning the boy was hit by an open-ended object or linear object.

With "nobody in the family knowing how the child received the injuries," Sanford concluded the injuries were "consistent" with child abuse.

"Somebody would have known," Sanford said.
The Santa Ana City Council on Tuesday voted to issue a formal apology to the family of Edgar Vargas who was wrongfully arrested, beaten and handed over to federal immigration officials 10 years ago in a case that sparked a fight for immigrants rights in the city.

A decade after her sons arrest, Vargas mother, Olivia Arzate, still carries the anguish of those terrible events.

In surveillance footage of the June 2014 arrest that surfaced later, officers with the Santa Ana Police Department, who were responding to a burglary call, are seen using excessive force to arrest him.

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Officers appear to repeatedly hit [Vargas], then 27, and swing a baton at his legs as lies face down on the ground, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Later, they would turn him over to agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Surveillance footage of the brutal beating and arrest of Edgar Vargas in June 2014. (OC. Weekly) Surveillance footage of the brutal beating and arrest of Edgar Vargas in June 2014. (OC. Weekly) Surveillance footage of the brutal beating and arrest of Edgar Vargas in June 2014. (OC. Weekly) Edgar Vargas (left) seen with his family in this undated photo. (viewer image) Edgar Vargas seen in this undated photo. (viewer image)

Edgar Vargas was essentially brutalized by Santa Ana police, Carlos Perea, executive director of the Harbor Institute for Immigrant and Economic Justice, told KTLAs Carlos Saucedo. Then he was transferred over to ICE wrongfully and he was falsely accused of trying to harm a police officer.

Years later, in 2019, a federal grand jury indicted a former SAPD officer, Brian Booker, for misconduct and lying about using self-defense as a cover for the brutal arrest.

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They beat him, arrested him for resisting arrest when he had given up, Santa Ana City Councilman Benjamin Vasquez said.

Now, the city council is making a formal apology to the Vargas family.

We want to make sure we understand that this kind of culture is not accepted in Santa Ana, Vasquez added. We want to highlight the things that happened in the past that led to police oversight, that led to a sanctuary city, that we are a city of immigrants and were going to protect everybody.

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Vargas mother told KTLA in Spanish that it is an honor to be granted this apology. Sadly, her son passed away two years ago.

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Immigrant rights activists in Santa Ana credit Vargas case turning the city into a sanctuary and for preventing law enforcement from working directly with ICE.

Edgar Vargas in many ways was the spark that started the fire, Pera explained.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
An employee of the Orange County Sheriffs Department has pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of identity theft after she forged checks and fraudulently used credit cards in her grandmothers name.

A release from the U.S. Department of Justice indicates that Roxana C. Laub admitted to forging her grandmothers signature on more than 20 checks from her grandmothers bank account  making them payable to herself  without her grandmothers knowledge or permission.

The Justice Department said she then deposited the forged checks into her own bank account for approximately $45,000 over 23 months from December 2015 to January 2017.

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Laub also posed as her 75-year-old grandmother when calling her grandmothers bank to request information related to her account, officials added.

After later admitting she was the caller instead of her grandmother, Laub put her grandmother on the phone, who informed bank personnel that she was unaware of the checks payable to Laub, the DOJ said. After Laub took the phone back and tried to change the subject, the bank personnel asked to speak to Laubs grandmother again, but Laub claimed that her grandmother was feeling ill and not available.

Beginning in March 2020, Laub, 33, fraudulently used her grandmothers credit card on multiple occasions without her knowledge; she spent thousands of dollars on personal expenditures, including meals at restaurants in Santa Ana and bars in West Hollywood as well as a trip to a nightclub in Las Vegas, officials said.

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She then used another one of her grandmothers cards to make more than $14,000 in payments for bills she had run up on the other cards, the DOJ said.

According to the plea agreement, Laub, a Santa Ana resident, seemed to show remorse for her actions; agents uncovered text messages sent by Laub to a family member in which she admitted, I know what I did is unforgivable.

Laub, who federal officials say is on administrative duty at OCSD, has agreed to pay back all the money she stole from her grandmother, whose name was not released.

Her sentencing date was scheduled for April 9, 2025. She faces a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for the bank fraud charge and up to 15 years for the identity theft charge, officials stated.

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Uber rolls out new updates in anticipation of record-breaking travel season

Federal officials investigating the case were assisted by the FDIC Office of the Inspector General and the Long Beach Police Department, the latter of which provided substantial assistance to the investigation, the DOJ said.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available via the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).

The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

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The Department of Justices Elder Justice website, www.elderjustice.gov, provides more information about its elder justice efforts.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Oregon's new economic forecast predicts more money available to spend in the 2025-27 budget cycle. (Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Oregons new chief state economist estimates the state will have about $37.8 billion available to spend in the next two-year budget cycle after reworking how the state calculates its economic forecast.

The states also on track to pay out a $1.8 billion kicker to taxpayers in 2026. But new chief economist Carl Riccadonna, a former Wall Street analyst hired in September, is changing the way Oregon models its expected revenue with an eye toward more accurate forecasts that reduce the amount returned to taxpayers through Oregons unique kicker law.

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Riccadonna and senior economist Michael Kennedy presented their first quarterly forecast to lawmakers Wednesday and previewed some of their findings on a call with reporters Tuesday evening. Under the new forecast, lawmakers could have nearly $6 billion more to spend in the upcoming 2025-27 budget cycle compared to the last one.

Riccadonnas hiring followed years of record kicker payouts. Oregons unique tax credit kicks in whenever income tax payments in a two-year budget cycle are at least 2% higher than budgeted, sending the excess back to taxpayers when they file state income taxes the following year.

The state has sent kicker payments every two years since 2016, including a jaw-dropping $5.6 billion to taxpayers who filed in 2024. The latest forecast estimates a 2026 kicker of $1.79 billion, up from $1 billion in the September forecast.

My mandate joining DAS back in September was to really get to the bottom of whats happening here, and so what my team has done is kind of deconstruct and reconstruct a lot of the forecast models to figure out what was happening, Riccadonna said.

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Riccadonna and Kennedy attributed the high kickers  and corresponding decrease in funds available to lawmakers  to flaws in former state economist Mark McMullens economic model. It was too pessimistic and didnt treat the kicker as a tax liability, they said.

If you look back, as the kicker gets bigger and that difference gets bigger, the errors get bigger, Kennedy said. You get this recursive effect where the errors are just going to get bigger and bigger as the kicker gets bigger, unless you go back to a world where liability in the model is really the real liability, and you dont have this difference.

Kennedy said the states prior revenue forecast model was also more pessimistic than necessary, including taking a national forecast provided by a vendor and adjusting it downward. Thats on top of what Riccadonna described as pervasive pessimism among economists that the post-pandemic economic boom would end in a recession, while he said its looking increasingly likely that Oregon and the country will instead have a soft landing  a gradual shift from high growth to a flatter economy.

Legislative leaders, governor react

The forecast estimates lawmakers will be able to spend up to $37.8 billion in the 2025-27 budget, well above the $31.9 billion general fund budget they approved in 2023. Gov. Tina Kotek is working on her budget proposal for lawmakers, who will spend the first six months of 2025 negotiating in public and private to pass a spending plan.

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Democratic legislative leaders and Kotek welcomed the new forecast, saying it proved the states economy remains strong and resilient. But they also noted that the state still faces a difficult budget cycle, without the federal COVID relief money that provided a buffer in recent years and with a transportation funding deficit and uncertainty at the federal level.

While this positive economic forecast is welcome news and makes the start of the legislative budgeting process a little easier, we are still entering into a very tight budget cycle, said Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego. Current critical services must be maintained and legislators will need to make smart choices about how to sustain prior one-time investments to address the important needs facing every corner of Oregon.

During a press conference with tribal leaders Wednesday, Kotek said changes to how the state models revenue will help with stability in future years.

I think the truing up of the calculation of the new chief economist is really going to be helpful to provide stability when were trying to do budgeting every two years, and I think his assumptions around the recalculations made a lot of sense to me, she said.

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Republicans, meanwhile, expressed concerns about lower kicker payments if the state more accurately models revenue.

The kicker is the peoples money, and it should remain so, said Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale and a member of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee. While this bienniums kicker appears secure, changes to the revenue model could lead to smaller refunds in the future, and we need to ensure taxpayers are treated fairly.

House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, said state economists have an obligation to accurately estimate revenue levels.

Although the current forecast is strong and our reserves are healthy, potential changes at the federal level create uncertainty, she said. Oregonians should know that even if there is instability at the federal level, here in Oregon there are responsible, focused leaders who will be steady hands at the wheel. We are prepared to use available resources to deliver on what Oregonians need most.

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And incoming House Minority Leader Christine Drazan, D-Canby, said while the state budget might be doing well, family budgets are still stretched thin from years of inflation.

Besides plenty of general fund revenues to pay for critical services, the state has deep reserves and an ending balance of over $2.7 billion, she said. This is a lot of money from Oregonians, for government to use wisely, to meet its duty to Oregonians themselves. Its time for government to do its part by improving efficiency, strengthening transparency and providing excellent service. This is not the time for politicians to ignore agency failures, and then push new fees or increased taxes.

Updated at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 with more comments and details.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregons efforts to stymie greenhouse gas emissions reached a milestone over the summer after registering more than 100,000 electric vehicles across the state.

Transportation is Oregons largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 35% of emissions, but with a rise in EVs, state officials say this will help Oregon meet its climate goals.

In July, Oregon crossed the threshold of registering 100,000 electric cars, SUVs, and trucks, and as of August, that number has grown to 102,400 EVs throughout the state, including electric battery and hybrid vehicles.

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Cracking down on Portlands tagger tourism

During a press conference on Monday, state agency leaders lauded the milestone  including Oregon Department of Transportation Director Kris Strickler, who highlighted efforts to bring more EV chargers to Oregon, especially in rural and disadvantaged areas.

ODOT is funding a reliable and accessible public EV charging network that meets drivers where they are, whether thats at work, school, or out exploring our state, Strickler said. A robust public charging network gives folks the confidence they need to make an EV their next vehicle.

During the press conference, Strickler touted ODOTs Community Charging Rebates program, which funds Level 2 charging stations at multifamily homes, workplaces, and public parking areas.

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As of November, the rebates program has distributed $4.2 million for nearly 190 charging stations across Oregon. More than 75% of those projects are in rural or disadvantaged communities, officials said.

As Oregon works towards reducing transportation emissions, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality also helping drivers transition to EVs under its clean vehicle rebate program.

The rebates help Oregonians in low-and moderate-income households  which are often disproportionately affected by poor air quality  buy and lease EVs.

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Corbett schools $3M in red; staff, budget cuts confirmed

Its clear people in Oregon are making the transition to electric vehicles. As of early November, DEQ has distributed more than 33,000 rebates across Oregon, which adds up to over $99 million. That means more than one-third of the 100,000 battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars, pickup trucks and SUVs registered in the state have received an Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate, said Oregon DEQ Director Leah Feldon. Its important to note that more than $30 million of that rebate funding has been distributed to low- and moderate-income households.

Since 2018, the DEQ has offered its Standard Rebate for Oregonians buying or leasing new eligible EVs, and its Charge Ahead Rebate for low-and moderate-income households buying or leasing new or used EVs. Officials said in some cases, those rebates can be combined for up to $7,500 back.

By 2050, Oregon is on track to reduce its transportation emissions by about 60%, according to ODOT.

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Elephants Deli worker on stolen truck: I need to get off

The milestone comes as a new rule is set to take place in January that will limit heavy-duty diesel truck and RV sales in Oregon.

In November 2021, Oregons Environmental Quality Commission adopted the Advanced Clean Trucks Act, which aims to reduce tailpipe emissions by requiring heavy-duty truck manufacturers to sell a certain percentage of zero-emission vehicles as new vehicle sales.

While the rule is set to take place in January, the commission is considering pausing the rules implementation, which will be discussed during the commissions meeting on Nov. 21.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Shes been one of New Mexicos top election officials in arguably one of the most contentious times in American politics. But now facing a term limit, Bernalillo County Clerk Linda Stover is saying goodbye to the role.

Taking office in December 2016 and recognized for her jolly demeanor, Linda Stover has been serving as Bernalillo County Clerk for the last eight years. Oh, Ive loved it. Weve had a really successful eight years, she said. To me, really and truly this was the most important job in politics was being a county clerk.

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She caught the bug for politics at a young age. In the third grade in Carlsbad, New Mexico, my daddy was running for state representative, and I was ditching school and going downtown and handing out cards, please vote for Drew,' she said. I got picked up by the truant officer and Ive bee doing it every since.

Stover was elected Bernalillo County clerk eight years ago and said working with her staff and the community has been part of the job she cherishes the most. During her time in office, shes overseen every election, including taking on a challenge no one was prepared for. She called navigating the 2020 election during the COVID-19 pandemic one of the biggest challenges of her time in the role.

The pandemic for sure. Because we were six feet apart. We looked like bubble-men with our masks and gloves and things, she said. But, the county ended up winning an award that year from the National Association of Counties for the safety of the election that year. NACO awarded the county another award in 2022 for its election.

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This is proof of what weve done, that it was done and done well and thats because of the people that are behind, said Stover while looking at the awards.

She shared with KRQE News 13 one of the biggest lessons shes learned while as clerk. Patience. You need to be patient. Im very antsy at times and I dont always listen as good as I should. So that would be advice for the next clerk, listen, she said.

Stover is proud to have secured a new building for the clerk office and a mobile voting unit. But, shes especially proud of her offices work with Albuquerque Public Schools. If we can get kids interested in doing this, they will vote and participate the rest of their lives, she said.

Her office has taught kids about government through ice cream elections and an award-winning book thats now part of the curriculum. This year, her office also got kids involved in elections by having them draw and design the countys I voted stickers. Im really proud of this and the kids that work so hard at this, she said.

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As for whats next, Stover said she has no intentions of slowing down. I retired once, I didnt like it. So, Im anxious to go ahead and go forward, she said.

Stover has agreed to sign on as an at-will employee helping the county treasurer. For her, she wants to keep serving the people of Bernalillo County. Im really happy being involved in county government. I think its the best place to be, she said. Theres so many ways you can help people if you just reach out, give them a hand. 

The newly elected Bernalillo County Clerk, Democrat Michelle Kavanaugh, will take over the role January 1, 2025.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Nov. 19SANTA FE  Some New Mexico legislative candidates who won election this month could get a head start at the Roundhouse.

That's because five Senate Republicans have stepped down this fall before the end of their terms, paving the way for successors possibly to be appointed before January.

That could give them a slight advantage in seniority, which is among the criteria used to decide legislative committee assignments, as most winners in this month's general election won't formally take their seats until January.

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Former Sens. Mark Moores of Albuquerque and Steven Neville of Aztec resigned at the end of September, according to the Legislative Council Service. They were followed by Ron Griggs of Alamogordo, Cliff Pirtle of Roswell and Greg Baca of Los Lunas, who all stepped down in the days before Election Day, Nov. 5.

Moores told the Journal at the time he made the decision to step down so that the winner of the race for the Senate District 21 seat he had held since 2013 could be appointed early. Republican Nicole Tobiassen defeated Democrat Athena Christodoulou for the seat, which encompasses a swath of Albuquerque's Northeast Heights.

However, none of the five current Senate vacancies had been filled by county commissions in the respective districts as of Tuesday, Legislative Council Service Director Shawna Casebier told the Journal.

Tobiassen said she has not been contacted regarding the Senate vacancy, though she said she's already hard at work preparing for the upcoming 60-day legislative session. And Bernalillo County spokesperson Tia Bland said the county had not received a resignation letter from Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver's office, which would initiate a county process to appoint a replacement.

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It's not unprecedented for outgoing legislators to step down before the end of their elected terms, but the number of resignations this year appears to be higher than normal.

In all, there will be 28 new legislators at the Roundhouse come January, due to a mix of election defeats and incumbents not seeking reelection.

The number of new lawmakers will be especially high in the Senate, as 15 of the chamber's 42 members will be first-time senators once the legislative session gets underway.

But four of those new senators will be shifting over from the House. Those four senators-elect are Democrat Natalie Figueroa of Albuquerque and Republicans James Townsend of Artesia, Candy Spence Ezzell of Roswell and Larry Scott of Hobbs.

The 60-day legislative session begins Jan. 21.
More than 20% of Ukrainians believe that Ukraine will never be ready to join NATO, which is 10 percentage points more than in 2022.

Source: a poll conducted by Gallup, reported by European Pravda

Details: Respondents were asked when they expected Ukraine to join NATO  in the next 10 years, in 10-20 years, in more than 20 years, or never.

The answer "within 10 years" was chosen by 51% of respondents. In the 2023 survey, this figure was the highest, reaching almost 70%.

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A total of 12% of respondents believe that Ukraine will be able to join NATO in the next 10-20 years, and 4% believe that it will take more than 20 years.

Some 22% believe that Ukraine will never be accepted into NATO. This is 12 percentage points more than in 2023.

Optimism about rapid accession to the EU has also declined, but these figures are higher: 61% believe in the possibility of accession in the next 10 years, compared to 73% in 2022-23; 14% believe it will take longer, and 15% believe that Ukraine will never be accepted into the EU.

The survey was conducted in August 2024.

Background:

The Gallup poll also showed that Ukrainians' approval of the US administration's actions has dropped significantly to the level it was before the full-scale war, while their approval of Germany has remained almost unchanged.

Another poll showed that the largest share of Ukrainians believe in joining the EU in 3-5 years. Together with the "optimists" who believe in joining in less than three years, this is more than 50% of respondents.

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Check your kitchen ASAP.

Courtesy of Brand. EatingWell design.

Theres an active recall on popular Great Value items sold in Walmart bakeries nationwide, according to the Food and Drug Administration. This is due to pieces of plastic being found in the affected products.

The following two Walmart bakery items are impacted by this recall:

Great Value Cheese Danish sold in 16.5-ounce containers with a printed UPC of 078742201177.

Great Value Cinnamon Rolls sold in 16.5-ounce containers with a printed UPC of 078742201160.

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Both of these products display a printed lot number L092525200 269X. Approximately 24,324 cheese Danish products and 19,224 cinnamon roll products are affected by this recall. While the recalled pastries were sold prior to November 1, they may still be in consumers' kitchens, refrigerators or freezers.

Check your bakery items as soon as possible, and if they match the recall information, return them to your local Walmart for a refund. This week, this recall was categorized as a Class II recall, meaning that eating the recalled product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences. If you believe you are experiencing any injuries or illnesses after consuming a recalled product, talk to your health care provider immediately.

For questions about this recall, contact your local FDA Complaint Coordinator.



Related: Carrots Sold at Costco, Walmart and More Recalled Nationwide Due to E. Coli Outbreak
ISLAMABAD (AP)  A Pakistani court granted bail Wednesday to former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a graft case, his lawyer said. But with a slew of other charges pending against him, the opposition leader is staying behind bars.

Still, the order by a superior court in the capital, Islamabad, was a boost for Khan in the case in which he is accused, along with his wife, Bushra Bibi, of keeping and selling state gifts in violation of government rules when he was in power.

Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in parliament in 2022, has denied the charge. The hearings in the trial on the graft charges started in July and are still ongoing.

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Khan has so far been embroiled in over 150 cases and has been sentenced in several, including to three years, 10 years, 14 years and seven years to be served concurrently under Pakistani law.

His convictions were later overturned in appeals but he cannot be freed due to other, pending cases against him. Because the law is unclear in a situation with multiple cases, Khan has remained in the same prison in the garrison city of Rawalpindi where he has been incarcerated since his first conviction.

He has maintained his innocence and has argued that the cases are an attempt to sideline him politically by keeping him out of the public area.

His lawyer, Salman Safdar, said he still remained confident Khan would be freed but experts say there are at least eight cases standing in the way of Khan's release on bail.

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Later Wednesday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that Khans release on bail was currently not possible because of the pending cases.

In a further late-night development, police in the garrison city of Rawalpindi announced new charges against Khan of inciting people to violence in September when dozens of his supporters had clashed with police in the city.

Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, has been demanding his release. Khans supporters have called for a rally in Islamabad on Sunday to demand his release  despite a government ban on the gathering.

Authorities in Islamabad deployed additional police late Wednesday to handle any gathering by Khan supporters.

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Pakistans laws allow government officials and politicians to keep gifts given to them by foreign dignitaries, but they must correctly declare the market value of those gifts and declare any money they earned after selling them.

Last month, Bibi was freed on bail in the same case but will have to appear in court for the hearings alongside her husband.
By Asif Shahzad

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan plans a new military offensive against separatist insurgents in southwestern Balochistan province, home to key Chinese Belt and Road projects, but it was not immediately clear if the plan would be a joint effort with its giant neighbour.

Following a string of deadly attacks that targeted its citizens in recent months, China has pushed to join security efforts to protect them, and on Tuesday unveiled a plan for joint counter-terrorism exercises in Pakistan.

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The exercise, which both the sides called Warrior-VIII between the Pakistan Army and Peoples' Liberation Army of China, was launched at a northwestern Pakistani counter-terrorism facility, a Pakistani army statement said.

"The exercise is aimed at refining professional skills through joint training, besides harnessing (our) historic military-to-military relations," said the statement, largely echoing a Chinese defence ministry announcement the day before.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of civil and military leaders who gave the go-ahead for the "comprehensive operation", his office said in a statement.

But it stopped short of saying whether the effort was limited to ground operations, or could involve the air force, and whether it was prompted by China's disquiet at the separatist attacks.

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Pakistan's information ministry and the military did not immediately respond to requests for details on the nature of the offensive.

Asked whether China was involved in Pakistan's planned offensive against Balochistan insurgents, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday, "I do not understand the situation you mentioned."

He added: "As a matter of principle, China firmly supports the anti-terrorism efforts of the Pakistani side and is willing to deepen pragmatic cooperation with (it) in various fields to better benefit the two countries and (their) peoples..."

Pakistan's military already has a huge presence in the rugged region bordering Afghanistan and Iran, where insurgent groups have been fighting for a separate homeland for decades to win a larger share of benefits from the resource-rich province.

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The military has long run intelligence-based operations against the insurgent groups, the most prominent being the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which escalated attacks in recent months on the military and nationals from longtime ally China.

The region is home to Gwadar Port, built by China as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $65 billion investment in President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative to expand China's global reach.

In addition to the recent attacks, the BLA claimed a suicide bombing last month outside the international airport in the southern port city of Karachi that killed two Chinese engineers.

(Reporting by Asif Shahzad; additional reporting by Joe Cash and Lee Liz in Beijing, Gibran Peshimam in Islamabad; editing by Clarence Fernandez, Kim Coghill and Mark Heinrich)
Less than a mile from the Gaza border, a group of Israelis have established a makeshift community. In their tent encampment, they have a kitchen, a synagogue, and childrens facilities. They hope  one day  to take their community inside the Gaza Strip permanently  replacing the Palestinians who have been displaced by the war.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched the worst terrorist attack on the state of Israel since its founding, Israel Defense Forces have continued an intense airstrike and ground campaign that has displaced about 1.9 million Palestinians, more than 90% of Gaza's population, according to the UN.

More than 43,000 people have been killed, the majority of whom are women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

PHOTO: Palestinians residents and rescuers search for casualties at the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Gaza City, on Nov. 18, 2024. (Mahmoud Issa/Reuters)

Israel once had settlements in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. They disengaged in 2005, dismantling numerous settlements and removing thousands of Israelis from Gazan territory. Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law.

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Israels official policy is opposed to the resettlement of Gaza. But after more than a year of bombardment and displacement, a small but influential group, now with support from some far-right members of the Israeli government, have their sights set on once again moving into the Gaza Strip to establish new Jewish settlements and military occupation.

The IDF says it has executed controlled demolitions of homes and infrastructure to create "buffer zones" and security "corridors.

Many Palestinians fear such policies are likely to lead to their permanent displacement.

At the makeshift community on Israeli soil, Amos Azaria is one of many Israelis from the far right who are actively seeking to settle permanently in Gaza.

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MORE: Israel-Gaza-Lebanon live updates: Israel kills 5 in central Beirut, officials say

"This is our land," Azaria told ABC News. "We're supposed to move in regardless of what they do. What's supposed to be, what's really supposed to be done with them is that they should go to anywhere in the world that supports them."

The group, he said, had been forced to move several times by the Israeli military. But Azaria, a father of seven, insists they will enter Gaza eventually. Some members propose storming the fence along the border, while others want to wait for a clear opportunity.

Their main plan is to wait until northern Gaza is empty before moving in. They have bought dozens of campers, and 700 families in Israel have signed up for a settlement plan, according to Daniella Weiss, a settler leader and activist.

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Azaria and his group now have the endorsement from far-right members of the Israeli government. At a pro-settler convention held on the Gaza border last month, attended by far-right members of the governing coalition and members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud Party, hundreds of Israelis expressed their desire to permanently displace the Palestinian population.

At the rally, far-right Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir stated:

"We can return home (to Gaza) and we can do another thing  to encourage emigration (of Palestinians out of Gaza), encourage emigration, encourage emigration. It's the best and most moral solution, not by force but by telling them: 'we're giving you the option, leave to other countries.' The land of Israel is ours."

More than 50,000 people have been forcibly evacuated from northern Gaza since the renewed ground offensive began on Oct. 1, according to IDF. They are traveling south on foot, carrying everything they have left.

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Just days ago, 26-year-old Uday Al-Tawam fled the Jabalia urban refugee camp with his mother and sister.

"I decided to leave northern Gaza because there was no longer food, drink, life, or homes to live in in the Gaza Strip," Al-Tawam said. "Even shelter schools were targeted. Every two to three days, a school was destroyed."

Al-Tawam expressed the deep difficulty in knowing that he and others will not be able to return to their homes and land. In their current situation, the lack of space has resulted in daily problems and violence. They long to return to the north by any means possible, he said.

Displacement, he says, means he now relies on the mercy of others.

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Israeli airstrikes have continued to target northern Gaza, where Israel claims Hamas has regrouped. Only a small amount of aid has entered northern Gaza since the offensive began. The UN Human Rights Office issued a stark warning last week about the conditions in the strip.

"Israel's actions are aimed at creating conditions of life that are very likely to result in emptying North Gaza of its civilian Palestinian population by death or forcible transfer, the UN Human Rights Office said in a statement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said in the past it's not Israel's intention to reoccupy the Gaza Strip, asserting that resettlement is off the table and unrealistic.

But Israeli forces have been conducting forced evacuations in parts of Northern Gaza since Oct. 1 and have warned that people won't be able to return to their homes for now

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Looking out over the strip from the encampment, Azaria said that every time he sees Gaza, he sees "home."

"Basically, when we see Gaza we say OK, the Jews are supposed to be there and we should act more so that the Jews return to their homeland," Azaria said. Again it's essential to avoid any massacre like what happened to us in Oct. 7."

As Palestinians face mass displacement in North Gaza, some Israelis look to resettle originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
DENVER (KDVR)  The Boulder County Sheriffs Office asked for the publics help solving two smash-and-grab burglaries at a Superior gas station on Nov. 2 and later on Nov. 10.

In one of the incidents, one of the suspects was wearing a panda onesie, and the sheriffs office dubbed the suspects panda bandits in a release.

Suspect dies after Littleton police shooting, pursuit

Both burglaries happened at the Safeway Fuel Station at 1603 Colton Road in the early hours of the morning.

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The burglaries involved the suspects using rocks to smash a door open to steal tobacco and vaping products, according to the sheriffs office. Boulder County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Dave Salaman told FOX31s Greg Nieto that this crime was a first for him.

First time Ive ever seen a panda commit a crime, he told Nieto.

There are three suspects whom the sheriffs office believes to be teenagers or young adults.

The Boulder County Sheriffs Office are searching for three panda bandits, wanted for two smash-and-grab burglaries at a Superior gas station in early November (Credit: Boulder County Sheriffs Office) (Credit: Boulder County Sheriffs Office) (Credit: Boulder County Sheriffs Office) (Credit: Boulder County Sheriffs Office)

The panda costume was only worn in one of the burglaries, according to the sheriffs office.

In the second burglary, the suspects wore dark-colored pants or jeans and dark hoodies during the burglaries. Two of the three wore white sneakers.

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Its very typical for somebody to cover up as much as they can, you know, with a hoodie, hats, masks  that type of thing, said Salaman. Have never really seen something like a panda costume being used.

One also carried a distinctive green backpack, while another had a black backpack.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Boulder County Sheriffs Office tip line by emailing BCSOtips@bouldercounty.gov or by calling 303-441-3674.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ukrainians woke up on Nov. 20 to a message that a number of foreign embassies were closing their Kyiv offices  a stark reminder of the departure of foreign diplomats from Kyiv days before the start of the all-out war.

The U.S. Embassy in the capital said it had received "specific information" about a "potential significant air attack" planned for that day.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place," the statement read.

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The announcement came in the wake of what appeared to be Ukraine's first successful strike of a military target inside Russia using the U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles.

After depicting such a move as crossing another "red line" the Kremlin had drawn, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country would respond. A mass attack using cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as drones, was the most expected outcome.

Throughout the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has repeatedly laid down red lines, the crossing of which it has said could provoke various responses, sometimes invoking the threat of nuclear weapons.

In an attempt to deter Ukraine's Western allies from further arming Kyiv, the Kremlin issued warnings related to the supply of Patriot air defense systems, F-16 fighter jets, and ATACMS to be used in occupied areas of Ukraine, among others.

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Despite crossing multiple red lines on multiple occasions, Russia has yet to follow through with any of its threats.

What has spooked some observers about the latest crossing is that it happened just hours before Putin approved the updated principles of Russia's nuclear deterrence policy.

One of the provisions of the new policy states that "aggression against the Russian Federation and its allies by a non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state" could justify a nuclear strike  Ukraine using ATACMS to strike deep inside Russia would appear to qualify.

Shortly after the U.S. Embassy issued its warning, the Spanish, Greek, and Italian embassies followed suit, and the news quickly spread on Ukrainian Telegram channels.

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Most of them urged that on this day, it's especially worth taking shelter during air raid alerts.

In central Kyiv, there were mixed responses to the reports. Nina Stupak, 83, said she hadn't seen the specific warning from the U.S. embassy, but her neighbors had called her to tell her about it.

"Of course, I am really scared about this threat, and especially I am worried about the lives of my children and grandchildren," she told the Kyiv Independent while out shopping in the city's Podil district.

Petro Karpenko, an 18-year-old student, was more blase. "I am not worried because there is a stable situation in Kyiv," he told the Kyiv Independent.

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"There have already been massive attacks on Kyiv from May to July. I've got used to it more or less."

Shortly after midday, Andrii Kovalenko of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, repeated an appeal he issued earlier in the morning, stating that Russian mass aerial attacks have been in the planning for months, and the embassy closures shouldn't mean Ukrainians act any differently.

"Ukrainians already understand the situation  you need to plan your time and prepare safe places for yourself in case of alarm, calculate the route and the time it takes to reach these safe places can be reached," he said in a post on Telegram.

Kovalenko, who heads the counter-disinformation department, added that Russia was trying to exploit the situation by "stoking panic against the backdrop of the closing of embassies."

Local residents take shelter in a metro station during an air strike alarm in Kyiv, Ukraine on Nov. 20, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images)

But the warnings weren't just limited to diplomats and Telegram channels  Ukrainian soldiers were also alerted about a potential Russian mass ballistic missile attack, a source in the Ukrainian military told the Kyiv Independent.

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"According to intelligence reports, a massive missile attack using ballistic missiles is possible today," a message received by Ukrainian soldiers said.

When asked about the alert, at least one Ukrainian soldier was unmoved by the apparent threat.

"In case anyone hasn't noticed, we are at war with Russia," Lieutenant Colonel Bohdan Krotevych, chief of staff of Azov 12th Special Forces Brigade, told the Kyiv Independent.

"Yesterday was no different from the days before it or those to come. Russia doesn't need to adopt any doctrines to use one weapon or another. This topic isn't even worth discussing."

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Further stoking tensions were reports in Ukrainian media about rumors of Russia testing new weapons as part of their planned retaliation.

"According to unconfirmed information, it is an RS-26 'Rubezh' intercontinental (ballistic) missile," one outlet wrote in an article published at 1:45 p.m.

At 1:49 p.m., the air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv and several other oblasts. An almost everyday occurrence, after more than two-and-a-half years of full-scale war, they rarely cause anyone to blink, let alone head to a shelter.

But today was different  many of those on the streets changed direction and quickened their pace, heading to the nearest metro station, the safest place to be during an attack." Usually, I do not go down to the metro or shelter because I am not really worried about attacks," 24-year-old Andriy Bohdantsov told the Kyiv Independent from the underground metro station where hundreds of people had gathered.

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Many of those on the streets changed direction and quickened their pace, heading to the nearest metro station, the safest place to be during an attack.

"But today, due to the U.S. Embassy warning, I've decided to come here.

"For me, this situation today is like a flashback of past events, specifically, when people were saying that war wouldn't start, but it had started," he added, referring to the days leading up to the launch of the full-scale invasion in 2022 when constant U.S. intelligence assessments warning of an imminent attack were played down by Ukrainian authorities.

The closure of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv on Feb. 14, 2022, ten days before the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, has been engraved in the memories of many Ukrainians who were left to witness the unfolding war.

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Telegram channels that monitor Russian missile launches reported two ballistic missiles heading for Kyiv, but shortly after said they had "ceased to exist"  either being intercepted, or being fake launches using electronic warfare (EW).

At 2:21 p.m. the all clear sounded, and hundreds of people filed out of the metro to resume their day as best they could.

At exactly the same time, Kovalenko's warnings about a Russian disinformation campaign aimed at stoking panic in Kyiv appeared to be confirmed.

Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) warned on its Telegram channel that Russian intelligence services were amplifying the panic by spreading fake messages in messengers and social media about the supposedly upcoming attack.

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The agency showed one message about the attack spread in messengers and social media, saying it was "fake and contains grammatical errors typical for Russian psychological operations."

"The enemy, unable to subjugate Ukrainians by force, resorts to measures of intimidation and psychological pressure on society. Please be vigilant," the statement read.

"Do not ignore air raid signalsit is safer to wait in a shelter. However, we urge you not to panic."

A woman walks past the US Embassy in Kyiv on Nov. 20, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Tanya Dzafarowa / AFP via Getty Images)

The Kyiv Independent's military source clarified that the aerial strike threat remains relevant, but Russia is carrying out a parallel psychological operation to sow panic.

At around 3 p.m., Ukraine's Foreign Ministry released a statement criticizing the decision of Western embassies to issue warnings and close earlier in the day, describing the moves as "information overreaction."

"On this 1,001st day of the full-scale invasion, the threat of Russian strikes remains just as relevant as it has been for the past thousand days," Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said.

Around the same time, Telegram monitoring channels reported seven Russian Tu-95 bombers were redeploying to the Engels airbase, a possible indication of preparation for an attack.

At 7:46 p.m., other channels reported they had been joined there by a further two Tu-95s.

Around an hour later, the U.S. Embassy it had "resumed services following a temporary shelter-in-place suspension earlier today."

"We continue to encourage U.S. citizens to remain vigilant, monitor official Ukrainian sources for updates, and be prepared to shelter in place if an air alert is announced," it added.

At the time of writing, 10:00 p.m., there have been no further air raid alerts in Kyiv, no further embassy warnings, and little further information on the Russian bombers, and even less on what their plans for attack might be.

Martyniuk Oksana, a 26-year-old mother currently on maternity leave, told the Kyiv Independent that given all the information being pumped out by embassies, social media, and government officials, it was "understandable that there is confusion.

"Of course, I am scared of this situation, and I can only hope there will not be a massive attack."

Read also: Russia only wins if the West quits  Gen. Ben Hodges

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Library leaders are nervously watching as attorneys for Providence and the state-run school district meet behind closed doors in an effort to hammer out a deal on school funding.

The city estimates it may owe anywhere between $11.2 million to $54.8 million to the Providence Public School District after Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Lanphear ruled earlier this month that the city was not complying with the Crowley Act. The state law requires cities and towns with schools under state control to increase funding by the same percentage as the increase in statewide school aid.

Last Tuesday, Mayor Brett Smiley announced a city-wide hiring freeze and said they would pause all discretionary spending. The mayor told residents, city departments and other groups that rely on city funding to prepare for real consequences, including anything from possible layoffs to tax hikes.

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An unexpected expense like this in the middle of the fiscal year is not easy to absorb, Smiley said last week.

He added grant funding was on the table for potential cuts, like eliminating all future grant programs for critical services like our libraries.

Community Libraries of Providence director, Cheryl Space, said the mayors comments sent them into panic mode.

In response, library leaders sent a letter to R.I. Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green last Friday in an effort to protect library funding.

The not-for-profit organization is not a city department, but still relies on money from Providence to stay running. This year, the libraries got a boost in funding, up from $3.99 million to $4.25 million.

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Space said the additional $255,000 awarded was a welcome boost that the libraries used as federal COVID-19 dollars evaporated. The funds helped expand hours at the nine community libraries, which Space said get anywhere from 40,000 to 50,000 visitors every month.

We care very much about kids and families, the same constituency that the schools serve, Space said. We definitely want this to be a situation where everybody wins, if at all possible.

On top of offering places to borrow books and movies or take classes, Space said the libraries also provide basic office services, can act as warming and cooling centers, and can be a safe space for kids to do homework or socialize.

Were just kind of this community hub, this neighborhood center, Space said. If that werent here, it would be a huge, huge loss for the city.

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The school district has also threatened to make cuts if they didnt get at least an additional $11 million outside of what the city awarded in this years budget.

District spokesperson Jay Wegimont told Target 12 last week the district was optimistic about the cuts, but would have more to say when a decision is made.

Both sides were tentatively scheduled to appear before Judge Lanphear on Wednesday.

Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The parents of a teenager who was killed in a shooting on campus during Tuskegee Universitys homecoming are suing the school.

Larry and Tamika Johnson, parents of 18-year-old LaTavion Johnson, filed a lawsuit against Tuskegee on Tuesday, claiming that negligence on the staffs part led to a mass shooting that led to his death, as well as another person and 10 others injured.

Among the people specifically named in the complaint were former TU Police Chief Terrance Calloway, who resigned following the shooting, International Protections Investigation Agency owner Reginald Brown and Jaquez Myrick, who has been arrested and charged with using an illegally converted machine gun.

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Alabama man charged with machine gun possession was at Tuskegee shooting, complaint says

Despite a number of prior violent occurrences, including the previous discharge of

firearms, physical threats and acts of physical violence, the Defendants, Tuskegee University, IPIA,

JLL, Calloway and Brown allowed the possession of firearms on the campus of Tuskegee

University, the lawsuit stated.

Along with Myrick, Jeremiah Williams has also been arrested and faces federal charges of possessing a machine gun.

Tuskegee University has not responded to the lawsuit.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The parents of an 18-year-old killed in a shooting at Tuskegee University on Nov. 9 sued the school on Tuesday, alleging that negligence led to their son's death. A Tuskegee spokesperson declined comment on Wednesday. (Getty Images)

The parents of an 18-year-old killed in a shooting on Tuskegee Universitys campus on Nov. 9 filed a lawsuit against the university on Tuesday, alleging negligence by school officials led to their sons death.

The lawsuit, brought by Tamika Johnson and Larry Johnson, Jr, the parents of LaTavion Jashun Johnson, alleges that a failure to secure the premises of Tuskegee brought about the shooting, which left Johnson dead and at least 16 other people injured.

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The plaintiffs allege that the decedents death heretofore described was a proximate consequence of the negligent, reckless, wanton and/or intentional conduct of the defendants and one or more of the fictitious parties defendant described hereinabove, the attorneys for the parents wrote.

A spokesperson for Tuskegee University declined comment on Wednesday, citing a policy of not discussing pending litigation.

Tedd Mann, among the attorneys for the parents, wrote in an email Wednesday that they might have further comment after discovery in the case is complete.

The shooting took place during Tuskegees homecoming celebrations. Of the 16 people reported to be injured, 12 were wounded by gunfire.



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JaQuez Myrick, 25, of Montgomery was arrested in connection with the shooting on Nov. 10 and charged with violating a federal law on machine gun possession. Law enforcement said Myrick had a gun with a trigger activator, which can rapidly increase a firearms rate of fire and are illegal under federal law. According to an affidavit, Myrick told a law enforcement official he fired his gun but did not aim at anyone.

Myrick as of Wednesday morning had not been directly charged in federal or state court with Johnsons death or the injuries on campus.

The lawsuit contends that Myrick had a duty not to engaged in negligent discharge of a firearm on a university campus in, at or near student housing, including the dormitory where a gathering had occurred for homecoming festivities at Tuskegee University on November 9, 2024 and November 10, 2024.

An attorney for Myrick was not listed in the Alabama court website. A message was left with the law office of the attorney representing him in the federal case.

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Tuskegee canceled classes in the week after the shooting and made counselors available to students and staff. The school also limited access to the campus in the wake of the shooting.

In the wake of the shooting, Alabama legislators called for efforts to address gun violence. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alabama had 25.5 firearm deaths per 100,000 people in 2022, the fourth-highest gun death rate in the nation. Alabama had more total gun deaths that year than New York State, which has almost four times the population of Alabama.

This story was updated at 11 a.m. with comment from Ted Mann, an attorney for the plaintiffs.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  The board of parole chairman voted to decline parole to a truck driver who fatally struck Loudon County Sgt. Chris Jenkins and pleaded guilty.

In 2022, Jenkins was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 75 while trying to move a ladder that had fallen off of another drivers vehicle and into the roadway. Jenkins had implemented a rolling roadblock to stop traffic in two lanes while he removed the obstruction. A tractor-trailer, driven by Christopher Savannah, failed to stop, hitting Jenkins and killing him.

Two arrested after Knox County SWAT team searches Rocky Hill home

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Savannah admitted to smoking marijuana before and during driving, and a blood sample confirmed that he was under the influence. In 2023, Savannah pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide by intoxication, two counts of felony reckless endangerment, and multiple commercial carrier violations. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

There was an initial parole hearing for Savannah on November 19, 2024. At the conclusion, Board of Parole Chairman Roberta Kustoff voted to deny Savannah parole due to the seriousness of the offense, reported a spokesperson for the Tennessee Board of Parole.

The seven members of the board will now independently review the case and vote to adopt, reject, or modify Kustoffs recommendation. A majority of four votes (including Kustoffs) is needed. The Tennessee Board of Parole said they expect a final decision within a couple of weeks.

Savannahs parole case can be reviewed again in three years. To improve his chances of getting parole in the future, Kustoff advised Savannah to complete recommended programming and maintain positive behavior.

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Driver of car recovered from Tennessee River after I-75 crash identified

A spokesperson for the board explained, The Board reviews each case separately based on its own merits and a host of criteria, including the offenders institutional record, nature of crime, the amount of time served, a risk/needs assessment, victim input, and the statements of the offender and support, in determining to grant parole to an eligible offender.

Jenkins death resulted in a law called the Sergeant Chris Jenkins Law which makes it a Class C misdemeanor to leave ladders unsecured in an open bed or trailer of a vehicle on a public roadway. The offense is upgraded to Class A if it results in death or injury.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Susan Smith pictured during her Nov. 20, 2024, hearing in Columbia. (Screenshot of the Court TV press pool livestream)

COLUMBIA  The state parole board denied parole for Susan Smith, a mother convicted of murdering her two young sons three decades ago in South Carolinas Upstate.

On Oct. 25, 1994, Smith left her sons  3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alex  buckled in their car seats and rolled her car into John D. Long Lake in Union County.

Susan Smith pictured during her Nov. 20, 2024, hearing in Columbia. (Screenshot of the Court TV press pool livestream)

I just want to say how very sorry I am, Smith said sobbing, her head in her hands. I know that what I did was horrible, and I would give anything if I could go back and change it.

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The high-profile case garnered national attention when Smith, for nine days, claimed a Black man carjacked her and drove off with her sons. She tearfully pleaded on national television for their return, before eventually admitting to investigators what she had done.

The decision to deny was unanimous, though one of the six board members did not vote. Geraldine Miro, a former warden in the prison where Smith was originally housed, recused herself.

Her plea

Smith, wearing a green prison jumpsuit, sat with a straight face as her Columbia-area lawyer, Tommy Thomas, pleaded her case over a live-streamed video feed.

Thomas spoke about her history of mental illness that started as a 6-year-old after her father committed suicide, her own suicide attempts in prison and the undiagnosed post-partum depression he believes she experienced after the birth of her youngest son.

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Thomas told the board Smith would have support and living arrangements with her brother if released. And he said she is working on a counseling degree from an online Christian college.

Finally, Thomas read from a letter written by Smith and passed on to him when he took her case.

I lost touch with reality, she wrote. My thoughts were not rational nor logical. I dont think I understood that if I allowed that car to go into the lake that I would never see my children again. The finality of it was not real to me.

Smith wrote that she was not in her right mind and thought she was doing what was best for her two sons.

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I knew Jesus would take better care of them than I could, she wrote.

The pleas for denial

David Smith, the ex-husband of Susan Smith, speaks with reporters in Columbia Nov. 20, 2024, after the South Carolina Parole Board denied his former wifes application for parole. (Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)

But the people who came to oppose her release countered her explanations, saying Smith intended to cease being a mother.

The 15 who testified in opposition included her ex-husband, David Smith, and state House Speaker Pro Tem Tommy Pope of York  who was the chief prosecutor in the case.

The family members, friends and law enforcement united in their opposition all wore a photo of the boys pinned to their shirts.

Im just here to advocate for Michael and Alex as their father, David Smith told the board. She (Susan) made a free choice that night to end their life. It was no tragic mistake.

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Kevin Brackett, Popes chief deputy during the trial (who became solicitor himself in 2006), said he reviewed the case file, which he keeps in a closet just off his office, ahead of Wednesdays hearing.

The file includes a letter from the man Smith was allegedly having an affair with. He wrote that he was not ready for children, prompting her to drown her sons to be with him, Brackett said. Smith, however, continues to deny that claim.

South Carolinas 16th Circuit Court Solicitor Kevin Brackett, who was the deputy prosecutor in the Susan Smith case, speaks with reporters in Columbia Nov. 20, 2024, after the South Carolina Parole Board denied Smiths application for parole. (Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)

She betrayed her children, against the laws of nature, when she left them in the seat and rolled that car down, Brackett said. And she was not trying to commit suicide; she was trying to change her life. She wanted to kill her old life and start anew.

Smith also intentionally played on racial stereotypes, accusing a Black man of the crime, Brackett and Pope said, both during the parole hearing and in an impromptu press conference outside the agency building afterward.

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How many Black men in red Mazdas got pulled over across the country because they were looking for those two kids and they were looking for this fictitious man? Brackett asked.

As solicitor, Pope sought the death penalty, but the jury ultimately recommended life imprisonment.

In 1995, when Smith was tried and sentenced, life in prison did not mean life, Pope said. She could seek parole after 30 years, allowing Wednesdays hearing.

Had she been sentenced a year later, after legislators changed the law, she would be ineligible for parole.

Pope said he sought to put Smith on death row because if a Black stranger had indeed killed the children, people would have expected the death penalty. Theyd expect the same for David Smith had their father been the killer.

Speaker Pro Tem Tommy Pope, who was the chief prosecutor in the Susan Smith case, speaks with reporters in Columbia Nov. 20, 2024, after the South Carolina Parole Board denied Smiths application for parole. (Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)

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Indeed, the last person sent to death row in South Carolina was a white man who killed his five children.

A mother killing her own children is almost unthinkable, the prosecutors said.

We leave our kids at home every day with our mothers, and we dont think about it, Pope told reporters after the decision. I think it was unsettling.

And its precisely that betrayal that makes this case so disturbing, Brackett added.

A haunting memory

During the hearing, parole board Chairwoman Kim Frederick asked Smith if there was anything she would like to say to the immense number of law enforcement officers who searched for her sons after she lied about what shed done.

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Smith apologized, specifically to the dive team that found the boys bodies.

I didnt lie to get away with it. I was just scared, Smith told the board. I did not know how to tell Dave he couldnt see his sons again  I know they just might sound like words, but they come from my heart.

Brackett spoke about standing in the crowd on the banks of the lake as the car was pulled out, calling it one of the most haunting memories of my life.

It traumatized Union. It traumatized South Carolina. The entire country was in the grips of her lie and her treachery, Brackett said. On behalf of the community I now represent, I dont believe she should ever be released.

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Standing beside David Smith, Brackett told the board, His hopes and dreams were dashed. I hope you dash hers today.

Smith said the grief made him contemplate suicide at times. But he managed to keep going, eventually remarrying and starting a new family.

After the vote, Smith said the board made the right decision.

David Smith, the ex-husband of Susan Smith, pinned a photo of his deceased sons, Alex and Michael, to his jacket while testifying in opposition to parole for his former wife during a Nov. 20, 2024, hearing in Columbia. (Screenshot of the Court TV press pool livestream)

At least I know, for now, shell still be behind bars, he told reporters. And for two more years, there will still be justice for Michael and Alex.

He vowed to return every two years to oppose his ex-wifes parole.

Discipline record

In denying it this time, the board cited the violent nature of the crime and Smiths behavior in prison.

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Most recently, Smith was disciplined for speaking with a documentary filmmaker about her crimes. For punishment, she lost her telephone, tablet and canteen privileges for 90 days, beginning Oct. 4, according to a report provided by the Department of Corrections.

The prisons agency does not allow inmates to do media interviews by phone or in person. Inmates may only write letters, as per a policy upheld last month by a federal judge.

In those conversations, she agreed to provide contact information of friends, family and victims, including her former husband and father of her sons.

Inmates cannot communicate directly or indirectly or through a third party, in any form with victims family or friends, the report said.

It marked her first disciplinary issue in nearly 10 years. Other past offenses were related to drugs and mutilation.

In 2010, she lost canteen, phone and visitation privileges for an entire year  365 days  for drug use. Online inmate reports dont show sanctions before 2009.

Asked why she should be trusted to follow the rules if released given she broke them while in prison, Smith attributed her past mistakes to stupidity.

When it comes to speaking with the filmmaker, she said, she trusted the wrong person. She claimed she thought the film would be a documentary on mental health issues. She said she is appealing that case against her.

Smith said prison has taught her that her decisions do not just affect her personally. They impact those she loves and that family and forgiveness should not be taken for granted.

I am a Christian and God is a big part of my life, she said. I know Hes forgiven me. I just ask that you show that same kind of mercy as well.

She is next eligible for parole in 2026.
After three days at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived back in Berlin on Wednesday, where a serious debate has broken out in his party over whether he should stand for re-election.

The co-chairman of Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), Lars Klingbeil, promised "a swift decision" on the party's top candidate for chancellor in an interview with the Bild newspaper.

Surveys show a vast majority of German voters hold an unpopular opinion of Scholz.

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Klingbeil said he is speaking with a broad range of SPD figures to assess the mood, and would spend the next several days trying to bring together the party behind a candidate.

But Klingbeil declined to reveal a timeline for reaching a decision on Scholz's political fate.

Early elections are expected to be held on February 23, following the collapse of Scholz's squabbling three-party coalition, and polls currently suggest the SPD could be headed toward a historically poor showing.

That has prompted a dispute within the party about whether to replace Scholz as the party's chancellor candidate, despite his intentions to lead the SPD campaign.

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The most likely alternative would be Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who polls have consistently shown as the most popular minister in the government.

Pistorius has disavowed a direct challenge to Scholz, but has dodged more general questions about a potential chancellor candidacy. At an event on Monday evening, Pistorius joked that the only thing he can rule out is being chosen as the next pope.

A number of SPD politicians and party functionaries have openly called for Scholz to step aside in recent days in favour of Pistorius, and prominent retired party figures such as former chancellor Gerhard Schroder and ex-leader Sigmar Gabriel have also weighed in.

Klingbeil told the Bild newspaper that he's heard varied opinions on Scholz and Pistorius in his private conversations with SPD politicians and party members.

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SPD executives, including Klingbeil, gathered on Tuesday night in Berlin to discuss the issue, but did not reach a decision.

A consensus among top SPD figures on Scholz's political future is expected to be forged in the coming days, ahead of an SPD election campaign event on November 30.

Party members are set to formally approve a chancellor candidate on January 11 at a national party conference.
A group of passengers sprung into action and stopped a man who allegedly tried to open the cabin door mid-flight during a trip to Dallas Tuesday morning by restraining him with duct tape, officials said.

The incident took place on an American Airlines flight 1915 from Milwaukee when the Canadian national allegedly approached a flight attendant and asked to open the cabin door while they were in flight and grew more agitated when he was denied, according to the report issued by Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Department of Public Safety.

The suspect allegedly tried to rush towards the door, striking the flight attendant who was blocking it, according to the report.

PHOTO: LSG Sky Chefs catering is loaded onto an American Airlines Group Inc. plane at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Grapevine, Tex., Friday, April 6, 2018. (Patrick T. Fallon/Getty Images)

Passengers rushed to assist the flight attendant and tried to subdue the unruly passenger who allegedly kept asking to leave the plane, the report said. A flight attendant handed the passengers duct tape as they restrained him, according to the report.

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MORE: Bloody assault of sleeping passenger on United Airlines flight is under investigation: FAA

They were able to tape up his wrists and ankles and lay him on his stomach for the remainder of the flight, the report said.

"He was going for the door. So I just grabbed this guy from behind and kept him from pulling the thing on the door," Doug McCright, one of the passengers who subdued the man, told ABC News.

Airport police and the FBI detained the man, put him in a wheelchair and took him off the flight for a medical evaluation, according to the report and the FBI.

No arrests have been made as of Wednesday evening and the investigation is ongoing, officials said.

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The flight attendant who was confronted by the passenger was taken to the hospital for treatment after she said her wrist and neck were injured during the altercation, according to the report.

MORE: Video Unruly passenger restrained on JetBlue flight

The Federal Aviation Administration said it's investigating the incident.

PHOTO: An American Airlines Airbus A321 departs Los Angeles International Airport for Honolulu in Los Angeles, Sept. 1, 2024. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

A spokesperson for American Airlines deferred questions about the incident to law enforcement.

"The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we thank our team members and customers for managing a difficult situation," the airline said in a statement.

Passengers duct tape man who allegedly tried to open door during flight: Officials originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (photo submitted).

Andrew Bailey has won re-election. For the next four years, hell be Missouris attorney general.

So he no longer has to worry about potentially alienating teachers.

Or conservative ministers.

Or those who believe in spanking children.

Or county sheriffs and other local law enforcement officials.

Or business owners and leaders who want to make a profit.

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Each of these groups might have been upset or offended had Bailey done what hes repeatedly been urged to do: investigate and take action against the dozens of under the radar Christian boarding schools where youngsters are often abused  physically, sexually and emotionally.

Had the attorney general done what victims have asked and dug into this controversy, each of these groups might have felt threatened and could have worked for Baileys defeat.

But none of them did, because Bailey did what many politicians do and sided with those who have influence and against those without it  in this case, the now young adults who have been hurt in these institutions and now mostly live out-of-state.

Doing nothing about the growing boarding school controversy was a smart electoral move. Baileys now been rewarded with another four year term of office.

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But theres an up side here. Bailey is freed up to do whats right and whats needed. He can take a long, hard look at those who resist  indeed, fear  accountability and scrutiny, the owners and operators of privately-owned, faith-based facilities for so-called troubled teens.

Relative to most other states, Missouri lacks any real regulation and oversight of these facilities. So our state has become a magnet for their owners. And these schools, in turn, are magnets for sadists and predators.

Do alleged offenses at some of these schools really merit the attention and intervention of Missouris highest legal authority?

You bet they do. Consider just one of these facilities, Lighthouse Christian Academy in Wayne County, which claimed to help students who were troubled, learning-impaired or dealing with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or other disorders.

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Last month, the schools former principal Craig Wesley Smith Jr. was charged by the prosecutor with forcing a teenage student to perform sex acts in the late 2000s.

Also last month, a trial date was finally set for Missouris most notorious female abuser, who worked at two facilities and, along with her husband, was charged with 99 offenses against kids.

In July, a Lighthouse teacher who was charged with abuse or neglect of a child for injuring a 15-year-old boy pled guilty and was put on probation for five years.

In May, the schools directors were jailed on charges of first-degree kidnapping for allegedly locking a student in a room,

Staffers at similar facilities  in several counties  face similar scandals, lawsuits and charges.

At Agape Boarding School in Stockton, for example:

A longtime doctor faces 12 counts of child sex crimes including multiple counts of statutory sodomy, sexual misconduct, child molestation and enticement of a child.

Federal kidnapping charges are pending against an Agape employee who forced a boy into a car and forcibly transported him from California to Missouri in handcuffs for over 24 hours.

Five Agape staffers were charged with felonies of assaulting boys. At least three of them have pled guilty.

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All this in just the last few years, as more former students find the strength and courage to speak up.

Three Christian boarding schools in southern Missouri have shut down since 2020 amid wide-ranging abuse allegations levied by current and former students, reports the Associated Press.

And lets remember that many crimes, especially against kids, go unreported or unrecognized for decades and victims do come forward, the bar for criminal prosecution is very high. So common sense and painful experience strongly suggest that perhaps scores more offenders at these facilities remain on the job or under the radar.

So what do boarding school victims seek from Bailey?

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In letters, news conferences and meetings with his staff, theyve asked the attorney general to write to prosecutors in the counties where these facilities operate and strongly urge them to launch investigations. They also demanded that he use his bully pulpit to warn parents who may soon send their children to these facilities or whose children are already in them; hold a Zoom call with at least a few dozen victims who have been so severely violated in these facilities; and ask school owners to allow unannounced inspections of their facilities by independent childrens groups and law enforcement personnel including, the Highway Patrol.

Bailey has ignored or rebuffed every single one of these requests.

Theres another reason now is the time for Bailey to act: In just a few months, the legislature will be back in session. So its an opportune moment for the attorney general to prod these mostly GOP lawmakers who loudly and repeatedly claim to be pro-family and tough on crime to draft effective and comprehensive measures to better safeguard kids in these worrisome facilities.

Put more bluntly, when it comes to the issue of the safety of the most vulnerable students in Missouri, in the states least regulated facilities, its time for Bailey to put up or shut up.
An unhoused woman was killed Tuesday night by a vehicle in Fresno.

Officers with the Fresno Police Department responded to the collision at 6:12 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Third Street.

Fresno Police Lt. Leslie Williams said the pedestrian stepped off the center median into the eastbound lanes of traffic when an oncoming vehicle was unable to stop and struck the woman.

The woman was taken to Community Regional Medical Center and was pronounced dead.

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She was identified Wednesday by the Fresno County Coroners Office as Rachel Vanderpool, 41, of Fresno.

The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation, Williams said.

The driver did not appear to be under the influence.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA (WKRG)  The WKRG News 5 and Gulf Coast CW Magical Christmas Toy Drive is underway with the goal of ensuring every child along the Gulf Coast can have something under the Christmas tree.

Helping to make that mission possible are shopping sprees.

News 5s Drexel Gilbert, Alexa Daly, and Hannah OGara joined Pen Air Credit Union in Northwest Florida for a shopping spree to buy toys for kids this holiday season.

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With the help of Pen Air Credit Union, the spree ended with carts filled with toys.

News 5 joins Pen Air Credit Union for a shopping spree to buy toys for the Magical Christmas Toy Drive. (News 5)

Those who would like to help contribute and buy toys for kids along the Gulf Coast can check out the Magical Christmas Toy Drive shopping lists. Toys can be donated at a variety of drop-off locations across the News 5 coverage area.

The toy drive ends on 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 WKRG News 5.
The Arkansas State Veterans Home in North Little Rock. (Courtesy photo)

Retired Maj. Gen. Kendall Penn on Wednesday announced his resignation as secretary of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs effective Dec. 31.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed Penn as Arkansas second Veterans Affairs secretary in January 2023. She has not yet named a replacement.

Retired Maj. Gen. Kendall Penn

I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to serve and support Arkansas veterans, many of whom I served alongside in uniform for 34 years, Penn said in a statement.

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Penn served as adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard for three years prior to his appointment to head the veterans department. He has been a member of the Arkansas Army National Guard since enlisting in 1982. He also served in the active Army in several command assignments. He was promoted to major general in March 2013.

In a press release, Sanders praised Penns service and said she looks forward to finding new ways to attract veterans to our state, serve them while theyre here, and honor them for the sacrifices theyve made for our nation.

The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs is a state agency created in 1923 by the Arkansas General Assembly to connect veterans and their dependents to state and federal services. ADVA employs 300 personnel in support of Arkansas veterans and their families statewide.

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A Democratic election official in Pennsylvania offered an impassioned apology Wednesday for claiming precedent by a court doesnt matter anymore in this country to justify counting about 600 faulty ballots in defiance of state Supreme Court rulings.

The passion in my heart got the best of me and I apologize again for that, Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia said in front of a fiery crowd at a county meeting.

I made a mistake, and because I am an elected official, I am held to a far higher standard than everybody else. So, to the citizens I serve, I apologize, and I will continue to work hard for you and endeavor to not make such a mistake again.

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Ellis-Marseglia said she received expletive-laden criticism and death threats following her prior comments. She also said other county employees have been flooded with threats.

Throughout her apology, the packed room  which included many supporters of President-elect Donald Trump  heckled Ellis-Marseglia, and some held up signs that said tyrant. Others called for her resignation and prosecution and accused her of trying to count illegal votes to help Democrats hold onto a US Senate seat.

Her prior comments about flouting court precedent took off on social media and were promoted widely by Trump allies like Elon Musk.

Ellis-Marseglia and another Democrat on the three-member panel voted to count misdated mail ballots and unsigned provisional ballots, over the objections of the lone GOP commissioner, the countys attorney, and in defiance of the states top court, which ruled before the election that ballots with these deficiencies are invalid.

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This is unfolding amid a closely watched recount in the states US Senate race between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican Dave McCormick, who leads by about 17,000 votes. CNN has not made a projection in that race.

I think we all know that precedent by a court doesnt matter anymore in this country, and people violate laws any time they want, Ellis-Marseglia said at a meeting last week. So, for me, if I violate this law, its because I want a court to pay attention to it. Theres nothing more important than counting votes.

Ellis-Marseglia and the other Democratic commissioner, Robert Harvie, justified their actions by arguing that they didnt want to disenfranchise voters, and that the matter would surely be settled by the courts. The 600 or so faulty ballots, they argued, were only missing a date or signature because voters werent given clear instructions.

Wednesday, Ellis-Marseglia said her past comment that precedent doesnt matter was a reference to the US Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe v. Wade, drawing groans from the crowd.

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In response to a lawsuit from the McCormick campaign, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Monday ordered counties to abide by its past rulings about the undated ballots. Some of the justices blasted officials from Bucks and other counties for upending the rule of law.

Republican officials in battleground states across the country were under a microscope this election season because of fears that they might flout laws around election processes, such as certifying election results.

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro also weighed in this week on counties appearing to defy the states highest court.

As we move forward, I want to be clear: any insinuation that our laws can be ignored or do not matter is irresponsible and does damage to faith in our electoral process, Shapiro said in a statement on Monday.

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Patricia Poprik, chair of the Bucks County Republican Party, on Wednesday said the boards actions overshadowed the hard work of county election workers.

Poprik has had doubts about the 2020 results and served as a fake elector for Trump. But in the run up to the presidential election this year, Poprik told CNN she had faith in the process after local election officials had been transparent and walked her and others through the entire system for processing and counting ballots.

On Wednesday, she was again critical.

Somethings wrong with the way we are conducting the elections in this county, Poprik said. Now its become the laughingstock and the embarrassment.

CNNs Danny Freeman contributed to this report.

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(WHTM)  The recount in Pennsylvanias Senate race between Senator-elect Dave McCormick and Democratic incumbent Bob Casey is now underway, as is blame among lawmakers regarding problematic mail-in ballot rules.

The most important thing is that the will of the people be respected, that all the votes are counted, Governor Josh Shapiro said.

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In a statement, a frustrated Casey campaign accuses McCormick of [working] to throw out ballots cast by eligible voters and accepted by county election boards. As hearings commence today, Senator Casey will continue to fight back against efforts to disenfranchise voters.

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But Governor Shapiro, a Democrat, issued a post-ruling statement Monday defending the State Supreme Courts ruling that undated ballots can not be counted, adding It is critical for counties and officials in both parties to respect it with both their rhetoric and their actions.

But Republicans are wondering what took so long.

They should have weighed in already on it, said Republican Rep. Seth Grove. So the simple fact that they remain silent while counties try to count illegal ballots is problematic.

In his statement, Governor Shapiro blames the legislature: Both my predecessor and I have repeatedly called on lawmakers to deliver greater clarity on mail-in voting  and due to certain legislative actors refusing to act on critical election reforms, this issue had been left to the courts.

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Grove says Shapiro has not prioritized election changes and asserts Shapiro, who is Jewish, could not even get lawmakers to move the primary off of Passover. Its been probably an epic failure of his administration not to get a single election bill signed into law today, he said.

Grove insists his House Bill 1300 of 2021, an election overhaul, would have provided clarity, but the bill included voter ID. The bill passed both Republican-controlled chambers on mostly party lines. When it reached the desk of former Governor Tom Wolf, Shapiros aforementioned predecessor, the bill was vetoed.

Governor Tom Wolf vetoed a bill he didnt read, Grove said.

Perhaps in the upcoming off-year election without national attention, lawmakers and the Governor could agree on a fix. But before that, there is still a Senate race to call with provisional ballot and mail ballots under scrutiny.

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BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Two Pennsylvania men will spend the next several years in prison after they posed as sheriff deputies and then proceeded to rob a home after tying up the resident.

The Bucks County District Attorneys Office said Zbigniew Still, 22, of Philadelphia, and Jarrett Fort, 19 of Glenside, were sentenced Wednesday to 8 to 16 years in state prison for the home-invasion robbery. They were facing robbery and burglary charges.

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I am proud of the great work done in this case, District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said. Thankfully home invasion robberies are exceptionally rare in Bucks County. However, when they do happen, law enforcement will devote countless resources to identify and apprehend the perpetrators and we will prosecute to the fullest extent.

Duo charged in Gettysburg bank robbery, also linked to Maryland robberies

The robbery happened May 25, 2023, at a home in the 100 block of Reliance Place in Telford, Bucks County.

The DAs Office says Still and Fort, along with an unidentified third man, dressed as sheriff deputies, arrived at the home in a rented vehicle claiming they had a warrant. They then forced their way inside and were armed with a firearm.

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The victim was zip-tied and moved within the house to another spot. The trio proceeded to steal two firearms, a large amount of marijuana, $4,000 and clothes, the DAs Office says. Police were contacted after the men left the home.

The third suspect was never found, according to the DAs Office, and the stolen firearms were never recovered.

Hilltown Township Police handled the investigation.

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LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  A Caernarvon Township teen will spend 3 to 6 years in state prison after pleading guilty to shooting his dad with a BB gun and then stabbing him with a knife in 2023.

According to the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office, Nicholas Martin, 17, will pay $226,000 in restitution for his fathers medical expenses and spend prison time for pleading guilty to aggravated assault and possession of an instrument of crime charges.

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Martin, who was 16 at the time, started shooting his dad with an AR-style BB gun in a home in the 600 block of Division Highway when they were returning from work on Oct. 11, 2023. The DAs Office said the man fought back, pushing Martin to the ground before being stabbed by a five-and-a-half-inch knife.

Lancaster County teen charged for allegedly attacking man with knife, BB gun; PSP

The DAs office said Martin retreated into a bedroom and later surrendered to state police.

The victim suffered stab wounds to his groin, back, arm, and hand.

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Witnesses told police that Martin and the victim were in an argument the night before, and Martin told him he was going to kill him now or later the following morning.

Martin also sent his father a text daring him to return home and posted on social media saying he was going to kill his dad today.

According to the DAs office, Martin admitted to police that he wanted to kill the victim during the incident.

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ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  Streets in Pensacola may get a little brighter as the city received a planning grant from the United States Department of Transportations Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

Woman shot, killed in Semmes was accidentally shot by father: MCSO

According to a city news release, Pensacola received $140,800 in funding to conduct a comprehensive roadway lighting safety assessment through the Illuminating Safety in Pensacola project.

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The projects assessment will include a deficiency analysis, inventory needs, and best practices for effective lighting installations that address safety for vulnerable users during dark conditions and improve the safety and security of all road users, including those in wheelchairs and other mobility devices, the release said.

City officials said the planning project would also address the need to study lighting.

This planning grant will allow us to conduct a city-wide lighting assessment and address our citys generational lighting issues in a data-driven way, Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said. Im very thankful to our Public Works team and DOT for helping us secure this grant and improve safety throughout Pensacola.

Mystery substance on cars costs Baldwin County auto customers thousands of dollars

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Pensacola was one of many cities and entities in Florida to receive funding through the program. Florida received a total of $49,066,810 in funding.

For a full list of funding recipients, visit the USDOTs website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
(Image: Pacific Historic Parks)

Presented By: Pacific Historic Parks Dates: 12/7/2024 Location: T. Stell Newman Visitor Center, Santa Rita-Sumay Time: 10:30 AM Pacific Historic Parks invites you to celebrate the launch of Every Day I Dream of Sumay by Dr. James Perez Viernes.

This special event will feature a presentation by the author, a Q&A session, a book signing, and a guided tour of Sumay (now Naval Base Guam) organized by the Joint Region Mariana (JRM) Public Access Program.

Village Tour Details:

Tour begins at 12:00 PM following the book launch Participants will be transported via commercial bus Registration required. Seating limited. RSVP by November 22, 2024
Amanda Rogers was decorating for Christmas on Nov. 10 when a car crashed through the wall of her home near 67th Avenue and Beardsley Road in Glendale, trapping Rogers and leaving her in critical condition.

She died a week later.

The incident has shaken the neighborhood, said Andy Czarnecki, who lives a few doors down from Rogers' home.

People dont feel safe in their homes anymore, because theyre afraid that a vehicle may come crashing into their yard, or into their home, he said. God knows what could happen and who else could get hurt.

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Czarnecki said that speeding is a problem in the area. By his recollection, cars have crashed into people's homes or the wall surrounding the neighborhood several times over the past two years.

Since Rogers death, Czarnecki and his neighbors went to their homeowners association to ask for support installing speed bumps which is dealt with at the city level.

Its really gotten out of control," Czarnecki said. Were fearful for our granddaughters when they come and visit, to be playing out in the front yard or riding their bikes. Were very concerned."

He is worried about how Rogers family, which includes two young children, will fare in the wake of her death. He urged people to donate to a fundraiser in support of the family, which has been circulating online.

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The familys going to be struggling, and they need help, Czarnecki said.

Czarnecki was watching television when the accident happened. His daughter was the first one to realize something was amiss.

She said she heard something that sounded like gunshots, he said. A few moments later, we heard sirens. Next thing I know, my daughters like, Look out the window.

Czarnecki went outside and saw emergency vehicles, fire trucks, police and a car sitting inside Rogers house.

He provided firefighters with a car jack that helped the rescue team free Rogers and rush her to the hospital in critical condition.

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Czarnecki met Rogers several times over the years. She impressed him as a good mother, always doing things for the kids. Natalie Wright, a friend of the family, described Rogers online as the first person to help and the most selfless person we know.

Announcing Rogers' death, Glendale police spokesperson Jose Santiago said the investigation was "very complex" and still ongoing.

Occupants of the car included a woman and two unidentified people. Investigators determined speed and impairment to be factors in the collision, though police have not announced any arrests.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Grief, fear in Glendale after vehicle strikes home, killing mom
SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn (WATE)  Back in 2016, groups from all across East Tennessee came together to help Sevier County during the Gatlinburg wildfires. Now, Sevier County and the cities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg are returning this kindness by donating $500,000 to Mountain Ways to aid the flood victims in East Tennessee.

The group held the giant-sized check that seems to come standard with donations like this. They smiled proudly  and with good reason  because their donation will help East Tennesseans left devastated in Hurricane Helenes wake. Half of the money will go to Cocke County in particular.

ORNL tool helping resource managers track Helene devastation

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Our neighboring communities have supported us in the past during our times of need, and we are grateful for the opportunity to return that kindness, said Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters. We are proud to stand with them during this challenging time and remain committed to supporting their recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Waters said they also sent emergency management teams, fire fighters, and police officers to aid these counties.

He spoke about his gratitude for the ways their neighboring communities supported them in the 2016 wildfires. Waters also expressed solidarity with the people of the Tennessee mountains by quoting Dolly Parton: All of these are our people. In October, Parton herself partnered several Sevier County attractions and Walmart to donate $2 million to Mountain Ways. The East Tennessee Foundation has also recently donated nearly $500,000.

Lori Moore with Mountain Ways, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, explained that they will serve folks that have lost their home entirely. Their financial assistance is meant to provide stabilization to help them get through this tough time until they figure out what their long-term recovery plan looks like, she said.

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Georgia mom arrest controversy: Lawyer explains laws on latchkey kids

I think [this donation] really speaks to the Appalachian culture, and thats what Mountain Ways is about, Moore added. Were about preserving that culture by giving back and loving our neighbor, and thats exactly what this is doing. We saw it in 2016 in the wildfires. We saw the firetrucks from all over East Tennessee and North Carolina and now its just our turn to give back.

She recommended that people in need of assistance apply to MtnWays.org. The deadline to apply is Dec. 2. People can also call (865) 412-7798. The money donated comes from taxpayers in the county and aforementioned cities.

With the way so many local groups have come together to help their neighbors, its no wonder people are proud to call East Tennessee their home.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  With a 6-5 vote on Tuesday, the Peoria City Council said public camping is not only banned within the city but could come with a jail sentence.

It was a contentious night at City Hall, as those around the Horseshoe and audience members made their opinions heard on the matter of the growing number of encampments by people without permanent housing.

The fourth-floor chambers were packed with people, and an overflow room had to be used. Some attendees held signs, with phrases such as Housing, not handcuffs, and I love my unhoused neighbors.

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Two options were given to council members if they wanted to enact an ordinance putting in the ban. Both involved escalating fines, but one would include the potential for jail time, while the other would not.

Those who spoke against the ordinance

At-large council member Mike Vespa said described fining or jailing homeless people as silly, saying they have nowhere else to go. He also said constantly breaking up homeless encampments will end up costing the city a lot of money.

Fellow at-large council member Bernice Gordon-Young agreed, saying the council has to remember these are human beings and that she did not favor fining or jailing people for being homeless.

Mayor Rita Ali said the city may need more time to address housing concerns.

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Whether its through lease agreements or working with our partners to move some of these people up on a list, I think that we need time, she said.

Fourth District Councilman Andre Allen also told a story about running into a former foster brother who is now living in a camp. Allen said the interaction humanized the issue for him, saying the only difference between the two is that he had a family that cared for him while his foster brother did not.

In the end, the five who opposed the measure contended that locking up people will not deter from the camping out in the public rights-of-way such as on the sides of interstates such as along Interstate 74 in Downtown Peoria.

Those who spoke in favor of the ordinance

Council member Zach Oyler described the camps as unsafe, bringing up numerous first responder calls to the encampments in the past.

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He also went after IDOT for not breaking up encampments on their property.

He and others such as those within the Downtown business community have argued the encampments are an eyesore, pose a safety risk to people in the area and also reflect negatively upon the city.

2nd District Council member Chuck Grayeb spoke at length, saying it was Rita Alis radical ideology to blame for the encampments. He said Ali and her allies put themselves on a moral high horse, and urged his fellow council members to be the adults in the room and pass the ordinance.

Following Grayebs speech, Ali said council members are not allowed to campaign inside the chambers, and said he was out of line, drawing cheers from the crowd.

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Her statements alluded to the mayoral race where Grayeb, Ali and at-large Councilman John Kelly are vying for the job. The three candidates have used the issue as a way to hammer home their views of the city and where its headed.

Later on in the meeting, Grayeb described the situation as perilous.

Something catastrophic is going to happen if we dont act, he said.

Grayeb was joined by Oyler, Denis Cyr, Tim Riggenbach, Kiran Velpula, and Kelly in approving the ordinance.

Voting no were Ali, Gordon-Young, Allen, Denise Jackson and Vespa.

Public Input

A lengthy public comment portion followed the councils initial discussion, with input from representatives of organizations such as JOLT Harm Reduction, LULA Peoria, and Phoenix Community Development. They all urged the council to vote against the ordinance, with the general consensus being that it would only worsen the situation.

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Illinois Chief Homelessness Officer Christine Haley also spoke, echoing those sentiments.

On the other side of the aisle, several downtown business owners spoke in favor of the ordinance, saying the camps are ruining their businesses.

What Led up to This

The issue was last discussed by city council at a contentious meeting in August, where it was just a first reading. However, it did lead to a lengthy discussion between council members, with some saying the measure was too punitive, while others believed it was a necessary step towards solving the problem.

Staff at City Hall made modifications to the ordinance, which Community Development Director Joe Dulin and city attorney Patrick Hayes spoke about at the beginning of the meeting.

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Dulin said the city has made strides in supplying affordable housing, with projects such as the Phoenix Manor that will offer more housing units to Peoria residents. The city is also going to enact a flexible rent pilot program, which will help people afford housing costs.

However, he did say the city is still short of the units needed to accommodate everyone in need.

Hayes compared the ordinance to state trespassing laws, which the city used in the past to break up camps.

Regarding fines, Hayes said those who are found in violation will be given 35 days to pay the fine, then they will be mailed notices.

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Ali then asked Hayes how the city intends to mail things to homeless people, which drew cheers from the crowd. Hayes said he was unsure how that would happen unless the person gave an address.

What happens now

For those living in homeless encampments, they will face escalating financial violations, with the third violation in a 180-day time period potentially leading to a prison sentence.

The hope is that those living in encampments will utilize community resources to avoid the fines.

The maximum prison sentence is six months according to Illinois Municipal Code.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Members of the Peoria County Board of Health talked about moving on with tackling the issue of street violence in the wake of defunding the Cure Violence program.

During a meeting Monday evening, board members talked about policy and what steps they should take to request funding to address the ongoing street violence issue within the River City.

During a policy discussion, the board voted to move forward with an idea that would create an juvenile treatment court. This vote gave them direction to help retain discretionary federal funding that was originally meant for the Cure Violence Global Program.

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But in the wake of a decision to cut ties, the board needed to come up with a plan forward. Enter the youth treatment court.

Such courts are in place on the adult level here in Peoria such as drug court, DUI court veterans court and mental health court. The idea is that in some cases, the focus should be on treatment and rehabilitation, not punishment.

The specialty courts or problem solving courts as they are known in the legal world pull people out of the normal system and move them into these courtrooms where they are offered treatment, counseling and guided along the way.

Peoria County has something akin to that in the juvenile system where for all cases, the focus is on rehabilitation but the new courtroom would be that times 10. The idea is to really focus on those kids who are highly at risk for more serious crimes and get to them before things go really south.

What happened to Cure Violence?

Earlier this summer, board members opted out and cut their ties with the embattled Cure Violence as well as a local non-profit hired to run it. Problems had plagued the implementation of it and the ongoing investigation into alleged misuse of funds sealed the fate of a possible Peoria branch of the national program.

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In 2022, Cure Violence garnered attention when the Peoria City Council refused twice to give any money to the organization to pay for a study to see if Peoria would even qualify for Cure Violence.

The city eventually passed it to the health department with $600,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to use for the program. Cure Violence was a program meant to reduce violence in the city.

Peoria City/County Health Department cuts ties with Cure Violence

The health department tried twice to get the program off the ground; most recently with House of Hope. That effort, which started in October 2023, ended Aug. 17, when the health department said it wasnt the right fit for the program.

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Before that, the Peoria Community Against Violence was tasked to implement the program on the citys East Bluff, but it folded in November 2023 because of financial struggles.

Since then concerns over missing money and possible unauthorized transactions have come out, prompting both an internal audit which is standard when a program is wound down as well as an external auditor which would report to the board.

Some parts of the plan

The idea of making a juvenile treatment was an idea from a stakeholders meeting that the health department and other local agency had last month. Part of the new project would give family members of victims of violent crimes case management and therapy services

After the vote, the countys public health administrator Monica Hendrickson will now work with other agencies to make a final request through U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworths office to use the funding. If the request is rejected, the money will return to the federal government.

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This $564,000 in federal discretionary funding is different from the money the city awarded the health department from the American Rescue Plan Act.

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PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  A Peoria man has been found guilty a second time in connection with the 2015 shooting death of another man.

Darren D. Brown, 32, was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm in connection with the July 14, 2015, death of Nikko Smith, 25, and the non-fatal shooting of another man, who was 48 at the time.

Peoria County jurors deliberated for less than 40 minutes before returning a verdict in the 2 1/2-day trial.

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Brown now faces at least 51 years behind bars when sentenced on Dec. 30 by Circuit Judge Sean Donahue.

He had been sentenced to 63 years in prison, but an Illinois appellate court panel overturned that conviction and ordered a new trial in 2021. The appellate judges with the 3rd District Appellate Court in Ottawa held that prosecutors did not properly introduce cell phones records used to convict Brown.

As such, they shouldnt have been allowed and thus, a new trial was needed.

It was the third trial for Brown. The first time he went to trial, a mistrial was declared as his attorneys successfully argued the jury pool was not diverse enough. The second time, he was convicted but that was overturned.

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This weeks trial was his third on the allegations.

According to court records and trial testimony, Smith and two others were in the 1600 block of West Kettelle Street. Brown showed up at around 11 p.m., and dispute started which turned so physical that torn-off dreadlocks were found at the scene along with drugs and Smith who had been shot in the head.

The other man had been shot in the stomach and the leg, according to court records. That man, Charles Shelton, survived the shooting but has since died of natural causes. As such, prosecutors were able to use his testimony from prior trials this week

Sheltons prior testimony was that Brown had showed up to the address on Kettelle Street with a gun. Shelton had previously said that Brown ordered him and another man to get on the ground and held a gun to Smiths head.

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Shelton tried to get up and thats when he was shot. Smith resisted and thats when he was shot, according to previous testmony.

Prosecutors argued that DNA linked the hair to Brown who told police he had gone to the house on Kettelle Street to buy drugs, but he denied shooting Smith.

This story will be updated.

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TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  It was a first for these Taylorville firefighters, and a nightmare situation for two kids and their family.

Normally Im really scatterbrained, but when my adrenaline gets going, I can think pretty clear, Cody Rogers, the Taylorville Fire Departments Assistant Fire Chief, said.

Rogers was home Saturday when a call came in about two kids trapped in a well. He got in his car, rushing over to the scene. Firefighters Kobe Wheaton, Lucas Smalley and Andrew Watson arrived seconds later.

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The two year old was hysterical along with everybody else, Rogers said.

The two were trapped in the water 15 feet down, but the well was double that around 30 feet deep. The teenager held onto the toddler, and at the same time, she held herself up against the sides of the well to keep them from going down even further.

Shes really a hero [for] what she did, shes incredible, Rogers said.

The team worked quickly to get them out safely.

I saw the concern in the parents eyes and stuff and I knew that they needed some type of assurance, Rogers said. So I talked to the kids, told them we were coming to get them.

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Rogers and the other firefighters used a pre-made rigging system attaching one end to the squad car and the other end to Rogers. Then, he made his descent down the narrow well.

As I started to go down in, the light started to go out and I was trying to get these guys to shine a flashlight, but I was so big that there was no way the light could get through. Well, the kids started to panic, Rogers said.

Once he got down to the kids, he grabbed the toddler pulling him out first. The other three firefighters helped pull him back up. But he wasnt done yet, Rogers made a second trip down to save the teenager.

Id say it truly was a miracle just the way that everything happened and how efficiently and effectively we were able to get it done, Watson said.

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All of that happened in just five minutes on scene, from the time they got there to both kids being back on the ground.

Im extremely proud of the way that the guys  they got there immediately, formulated a plan and put it into action, because if they would not have done that as quickly as they did, then we wouldnt be standing here today talking about it, Taylorville Fire Chief Matthew Adermann said. It was a perilous situation.

The two kids were taken to the hospital. Adermann said theyve been released and are doing better.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A pedestrian was hit and killed early Wednesday morning near Pawleys Island, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said.

The crash happened at about 3:05 a.m. along Highway 17 near Egret Run Lane, Lance Cpl. Lena Butler said. It happened 2 miles north of Pawleys Island.

A 2018 Buick Encore was driving south on Highway 17 when it hit the pedestrian, who was walking south, Butler said. The driver of the Buick was the only person in the vehicle and was not injured.

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The pedestrian, whose name was not immediately available, was taken to a local hospital where they later died, according to Butler.

Count on News13 for updates.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A person was taken to the hospital with critical injuries after they were hit by a semi-truck Tuesday afternoon.

At around 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 19, police responded to the area of West Bonanza Road and North City Parkway after reports of a crash involving a semi-truck and a pedestrian.

According to police, the person sustained critical injuries and medical personnel took them to a local hospital.

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Police did not provide any additional details at the time of publication.

Police ask the public avoid the area due to road closures during the investigation.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The East Lansing Police Department has confirmed that they are investigating an incident where human remains were found in a freezer as a double homicide.

Police also confirmed Tuesday that they have identified a person of interest in the investigation, but also say that this individual is dead. The processing of evidence and attempted identification of the remains is ongoing.

PREVIOUS: Homicide investigated after human remains found in freezer of East Lansing townhome

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On Nov. 7 at around 12:08 p.m., ELPD was dispatched to the 1500 block of Wintercrest St. for a suspicious situation in which a 911 caller reported that there was blood on the floor inside of a home.

6 News arrived on the scene at around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, and police were still present. (WLNS)

Upon arrival, ELPD and property management entered the residence and confirmed there was dried blood on the floor inside. Police noted that there were no signs of a break-in. After searching the residence, officers found a body in a chest freezer, as well as possible human remains of a separate individual of unknown gender.

RELATED: Neighbor reacts to human remains found in freezer next door

Anyone with any information that may assist in the investigation is requested to contact ELPD. Tips should be directed to Detective Sgt. Nicole Mitchell at (517) 319-6876 or Detective Jason Cotton at (517) 319-6842.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A person was shot inside a home in on Ramona Park in Rochester Tuesday afternoon, police confirm.

RPD says the 21-year-old was dropped off at Rochester General Hospital by private vehicle with at least one gunshot wound to the upper body.

According to police, the investigation determined that the person was shot inside a home on Ramona Park and is currently in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

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Police are currently working with the victim to identify the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
In the weeks leading up to the presidential election, it would be hard to find anyone more critical of Donald Trump than Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski.

Hosts of the MSNBC show Morning Joe, the husband-and-wife team repeatedly likened the former president (now president-elect) to Adolph Hitler, with Brzezinski calling Trump a dark, dismal fascist and Scarborough saying Trump will imprison and execute anyone hes allowed to imprison and execute.

Of his analogies of Trump and Nazi Germany, Scarborough has said, I do it without any concerns whatsoever.

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Despite the couples professed belief that Trumps election would destroy America  and that anyone who voted for him is ignorant  they went to Mar-a-Lago last week and met with Trump, prompting derision from both sides of the political aisle.

Trump haters accused the pair of selling out and some are calling for a boycott of the show; Trump supporters lambasted the pair as opportunists and hypocrites. Conservative commentators such as Megyn Kelly said that the visit  as well as other about-faces in the media  are evidence that Democrats never really believed the vilest things they said about Trump, else why would they be softening that stance after the election?

Hitler getting more meeting requests than I would have thought, CNN pundit Scott Jennings posted on X.

Indeed, the hoopla is reminiscent of Springtime for Hitler, the cringy musical at the center of Mel Brooks Oscar-winning film The Producers, in which two men devise a scheme to produce the worlds most terrible play  one that celebrates Hitler  betting that it would fail.

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Many critics have suggested that Scarborough and Brzezinksi were inauthentic, both in their outreach to Trump and their announcement. Citing anonymous sources, CNNs Brian Stelter reported Tuesday that the two were credibly concerned that they could face governmental and legal harassment from the incoming Trump administration.

But the dark picture that Stelter painted in his report was more of the same villification of Trump and his supporters that Americans saw from the media throughout the campaign  and that arguably helped get him elected. As Stelter put it: Knowing that Trump has threatened retribution against his perceived political opponents, and that Trump has promoted lies about Scarborough and Brzezinski in the past, the MSNBC hosts decided to reach out to the president-elect, the sources told CNN.

Whether the Morning Joe team was kissing the ring, as many commentators snidely put it, is besides the point. In fact, Scarborough and Brzezinksi were doing something they probably should have done long ago, as Trump himself pointed out. They were, in fact  finally  acting like grown-ups.

Scarborough and Trump were once friends, to the point where in 2016, CNN had reported that their closeness was becoming a problem at NBC. But a year later, the relationship had deteriorated to the point where Rolling Stone wrote about it. The couple said on Friday that they had not talked with Trump in seven years. While they still fundamentally disagree with the president-elect on many issues, Brzezinksi said, What we did agree on was to restart communications.

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For those asking why we would speak to the president-elect during such fraught times, especially between us, I guess I would ask back, Why wouldnt we? she added.

Trump later told Fox News Digital: I very much appreciated the fact that they wanted to have open communication. In many ways, its too bad that it wasnt done long ago.

Haters gonna hate, as Taylor Swift assures us, and this appears to be a fragile peace that could dissolve faster than an Easter egg coloring tablet. But its rather astonishing that the meeting happened at all, and the optimists among us should be granted the space to believe what we believed before the election, that maybe democracy isnt ending after all, and that maybe, under another Trump presidency, some things could actually get .... better?

There are some small signs that they could, at least in the landscape of a freshly chastened media. The New York Times published an essay, written by a doctor who did not support Trump, suggesting that as secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s tenure might lead to constructive reforms. And it was only a month ago that Jeff Bezos, in explaining his decision to not endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, wrote that increasingly we talk only to a certain elite. More and more, we talk to ourselves and that journalists must work to regain the publics trust and credibility.

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To be fair, there is still plenty of hate and distrust emanating not only from partisans on social media, but also in the news media. And Trump, with his rallying cry of fake news!, has fomented this culture of mutual disdain. But in the aftermath of his meeting with Scarborough and Brzezinksi, Trumps remarks about the media were surprisingly conciliatory, with the president-elect telling Fox News Digital, In order to make America great again, it is very important, if not vital, to have a free, fair and open media or press.

In a thread on X, Stelter wrote that a reckoning is under way in the media, saying The election results put an exclamation point on pervasive concerns about distrust and dissatisfaction with the news media. It appears that endorsements from podcasters like Joe Rogan may matter more than newspaper coverage. Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Will Bunch pronounced the mainstream media 2024s other biggest loser.

Such headlines could spell disaster for legacy media  or could signal a period of growth, change and renewal. If Morning Joe can go to Mar-a-Lago and all parties report a cordial interaction, anythings possible.

Hopers gotta hope, after all.
Misrepresentation of faith in media is more than hurt feelings and stigma. When faith is misrepresented in media, whether it be a Hulu series or a post on social media, the effect is broken communities and violence. Not to mention the aftermath which follows disinformation including hate speech and justification for society to continue othering people based on identity.

For example, misrepresentation of faith in media led to far-right protests in the U.K in August of this year. Three young girls were fatally stabbed at a dance class in Southport England and within hours, reports online falsely claimed the murderer was a Muslim immigrant. The following day, protestors tried to burn down the Southport Islamic Society Mosque but were met by local police force.

Protests broke out across the country, with protestors posting a list of places that would be attacked on social media, then gathering to attack mosques, businesses and a hotel where asylum seekers await final visa decisions. The pain and sorrow of families who lost their children in the Southport stabbings was only deepened by community unrest and misinformation. Muslims across England questioned their safety, went indoors early, or avoided travel completely out of fear of being attacked as protests continued for nearly a week following the knife attack.

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The newly released film Heretic, which portrays the kidnap and murder of sister missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, could likewise have unintended consequences. In anticipation of the potential disinformation, the communications department for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released caution in a formal statement sharing concern; Some portrayals are fair and accurate, but others resort to stereotypes or gross misrepresentations that are in poor taste and have real-life consequences for people of faith.

The statement continues, we understand the fascination some in the media have with the Church, but regret that portrayals often rely on sensationalism and inaccuracies that do not fairly and fully reflect the lives of our Church members or the sacred beliefs that they hold dear.

Members of the Latter-day Saint community have attracted the media spotlight for the vulgar depiction of missionaries in the Book of Mormon musical on Broadway and West End.

Critics of the film noted the verbose discussion of faith and opportunities for the missionaries to clarify their beliefs. But why were Latter-day Saints chosen as the depicted faith to begin with? Other proselytizing faiths are not crudely depicted in musicals or the murder victims in films. Why does it feel that faith is constantly on trial in the public square? Strengthening interfaith relations between the religious and secular must start with efforts to report with accuracy in the press and that is not mutually exclusive from speaking truth to justice.

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What happened following the U.K. riots in Southport is a lesson for how the interfaith community and concerned citizens might respond to the misrepresentation of faith in media regardless the faith or belief depicted. Hundreds of people responded to the hate speech online and vandalism by physically surrounding mosques, forming large human rings of protection. When the wall outside the mosque in Southport was smashed down, locals began to rebuild it, sweeping debris from the streets and rallying around members of the community who were racially profiled for Arabic sounding names.

Counter-protestors gathered in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool and Hastings, holding banners saying Fight Racism, Refugees Welcome Here and other positive messages of solidarity. This is what community looks like, one individual reported. We can similarly combat online hatred with similar messages.

Confronting disinformation also requires another step of conflict transformation and requires active counter-protests from both citizens but also members of the media. In a phenomenal display of justice and courage following the Southport attack, Sky News facilitated a meeting between a mob leader and local Muslim in Hull. Amanj Jamil, an asylum seeker from Iraq, was worshipping at his mosque when a violent mob attacked throwing stones and other items into the building following the reported murder in Southport.

In addition to concerned citizens and media, politicians play a critical role in challenging faith misrepresentation and disinformation. John Francis, who led demonstrations for the Hull Patriotic Protestors, shared that the mob had mobilized following political messaging; What were seeing is were seeing people coming over on these boats[were] being told theyre taking up the four-star hotels, theyre being rewarded, theyre being housed, theyre being fed, theyre being clothed. He continued, Theyre not vetted. Nobody knows who they are.

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Political disinformation coming out of the presidential election campaign in the United States likewise led to the attack of immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, who were falsely described as eating their dogs. This kind of disinformation threatens the very bedrock of democracy and freedom of religion or belief which is requisite for democracy to thrive.

Journalists rightly raise valid concerns of cancel culture, but it is far better to utilize existing tools to present identity claims in an informed and nuanced way than to avoid speaking to, or about, a majority of the worlds population which identifies as religious. There is no excuse for failing to present literate and informed coverage of people of faith. In the age of DE&I and other societal wide efforts to accurately report identity claims  concerned citizens, media and politicians must rally to confront faith misinformation. When any group is attacked for their identity, it threatens the freedom of all groups.

As famously shared by Martin Niemoller following the Holocaust, First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out  because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out  because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out  because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me  and there was no one left to speak for me.

May we speak out for any group misrepresented in media, whether against a new series, or disinformation in connection to crime. We must rally no matter the seriousness or scale of the consequences, great or small, acknowledging that failure to confront disinformation and misrepresentation of faith or beliefs has real consequences for people all over the world.
Three years after a tragic fire, the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is breaking ground on a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility.

The 25,000-square-foot Kylie J. Capri Campus and Edward H. Hensley Adoption Center will be a haven for animals in need, offering a spacious adoption center, the largest shelter medical unit in Florida, and dedicated spaces for various animal needs.

We are super excited to be here, with some amazing veterinary medical space, said Steve Bardy, Executive Director of Pet Alliance.

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Read: Morgan Wallen and Post Malone headline a very collaborative Country Music Association Awards

The new shelter, located on John Young Parkway next to the Orange County Jail, is expected to open in February 2026.

It will be a significant improvement over the previous facility, allowing the organization to care for more animals and provide advanced medical care.

Read: Food insecurity struggles across Central Florida met with helping hands

The Almost Home Capital Campaign is ongoing, aiming to raise $17.8 million to complete construction and ensure the long-term sustainability of the shelter.

With the support of the community and dedicated volunteers, Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is rebuilding stronger than ever, providing hope and a brighter future for countless animals.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




Animal rights group PETA have filed a criminal complaint against those responsible for the death of a horse at a recent race in Munich and called for a horse racing ban.

PETA said on Wednesday they filed the complaint to the Munich prosecution office on suspicion of violating the animal welfare act.

The authorities could not immediately confirm having received the complaint.

Four-year-old mare Schwarz Blau fell during a November 10 race in Munich. Sascha Multerer, managing director of the Munich racing club, said that "despite all veterinary efforts - everything really was tried - the mare had to be put down."

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PETA's Jana Hoger named horse racing "an exploitative industry that makes massive profits from animals that are capable of suffering.

"The sensitive animals are forced by brute force to take part in these races and are driven to perform at dangerous levels against their will.

"It is high time to introduce a legal ban on horse racing," she said.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg on Tuesday celebrated securing funding for a project thats of particular interest to residents of the Mississippi Coast, Alabama and Louisiana.

The Gulf Coast Corridor Improvement Project will restore passenger train service between Mobile and New Orleans for the first time since Hurricane Katrina devastated the region in 2005, Buttigieg wrote in an Instagram post that featured several photos from his Oct. 22 visit to Mobile.

Last year, the Federal Railroad Administration provided a $178 million grant to Amtrak for the project via the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The law provided $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure spending.

The Pascagoula train station is a historic landmark for the city.

Amtrak will use the money for track and signal improvements, grade crossing upgrades and the station renovations needed to safely operate twice daily roundtrips between the two Southern port cities.

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Elected officials and the members of the Southern Rail Commission have been working for years to restore the service, but lengthy negotiations between the nations passenger railroad company and freight railroads slowed progress. The City of Mobile and Amtrak also took more than a year to hash out details related to a new train station site and funding.

Last month, officials hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for the long-awaited restoration that will connect New Orleans and Mobile with stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport and Bay St. Louis in between.

The railroad tracks run right through downtown Gulfport, bringing Amtrak passenger trains to the city when the service resumes early next year. Businesses like Pop Brothers, just across the tracks, stand to benefit from the foot traffic that officials believe will be generated by trains running from New Orleans to Mobile.

I strongly feel that Americans ought to have good passenger rail and for too long theres been this idea that we should settle for less than people in other parts of the world have, Buttigieg told Southern Living magazine last month. In a lot of places that means inventing a new route. In this case, its about restoring service that was already there.

Buttigieg and other officials have said the rail investment will provide construction jobs now and permanent jobs once service is active. The restored infrastructure will also raise the value of businesses in locations accessible by the train, they said.

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Other potential benefits of the restored line include a tourism boost for the coastal communities, more travel options for international travelers, and a new method of evacuation for residents of cities along the rail line.

The Amtrak boarding platform is ready in Gulfport and the other three cities in South Mississippi where passenger trains will stop starting early next year.

The project is due to be completed in 2025.

The Gulf Coast Corridor Improvement Project also includes funds for replacing the Mobile River Bridge and several other projects across I-10.
After claiming a mandate from his first-ever popular vote win  about half of Hillary Clintons margin in 2016, when she lost  President-elect Donald Trump immediately went out and demonstrated his hubris, the 78-year-old Republican selecting people to lead the countrys most important institutions based largely on their personal loyalty and on-air presence. Its a display of raw power and unchecked impulses, forcing senators in his own party to either praise their leaders genius or risk his wrath on social media.

Pete Hegseth, Trumps pick to lead the Department of Defense, is testing just how far (or low) Senate Republicans are willing to go in terms of their collective moral decline. A veteran of the Iraq war, Hegseth was plucked from the studios of Fox News to serve in the second Trump administration, which does not appear to mind that he has insulted women in the military and was flagged for possible extremist, white nationalist views while serving in the National Guard.

Hegseth has no experience that suggests he could lead a department with more than three million workers. The actual deal breaker, though, may be his sordid personal life.

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In a world where an alleged pedophile is a serious contender for attorney general, it may be too much to ask the Republican-controlled Senate to confirm another man accused of a sex crime. In 2017, police in Monterey, California, investigated Hegseth for an alleged sexual assault, a fact that only came to light a day after he was nominated for Defense secretary. The investigation stemmed from a sexual encounter with a married woman at a conference in the city hosted by the California Federation of Republican Women: Hegseth, whose first two marriages dissolved after he was accused of infidelity, insists the encounter was consensual, but the alleged victim  who had bruises on her right thigh  told police she was coerced after escorting the accused back to his room from the hotel bar, where other guests allegedly described him as intoxicated.

No charges were ever filed, but Hegseth did pay an undisclosed sum to the woman, buying her silence. Today his lawyer insists he was the victim of extortion.

The Trump transition team has responded to the disclosure with its characteristic bravado, insisting that Hegseth did nothing wrong and will indeed be confirmed by the Senate.; this, despite the fact that incoming White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was blindsided by the allegation of misconduct, according to Vanity Fair.

Now, though, there is whispering of a back-up plan. Tuesday night, Vanity Fair reported that the transition team is quietly preparing a lists of alternative defense secretary candidates should Trump abandon Hegseth, citing two sources close to the president-elect. Its becoming a real possibility, one source said; The general feeling is Pete hasnt been honest, said the other.

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The Senate may not be the only consideration. The preference is surely for Trumps nominees to be confirmed by the upper chamber, but if thats not possible the president-elect is reportedly considering a dubious scheme to bypass the legislature with recess appointments, possibly by forcibly adjourning Congress. The mere threat of that  of publicly and explicitly neutering the Senate  could be enough for the GOP caucus to get in line.

Already, elected Republicans are deploying their favorite trick from the first Trump presidency: claiming they simply havent seen the horrible thing reporters are asking about.

Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, claimed Tuesday that he just hasnt had time to look into the claim that the next man in line to lead the Pentagon is a rapist.

Let me say this: I have asked to read the allegations and I honestly have not had time to look at it, so I just cant comment, Wicker told reporters. He did not seem to perturbed, however, adding: I am looking to be very supportive of his nomination.

"Let's remember," Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., another member of the Armed Services Committee, said Tuesday, "Donald Trump was elected to shake up Washington as is, and I think that's one of the reasons why he chose Pete Hegseth."
Nov. 19The Interfaith Community Shelter is "at Pete's Place" no more.

But it's not moving from its space at the corner of Cerrillos and Harrison roads  at least not in the near future.

Shelter officials have begun the process of removing "Pete's Place" from the organization's name and logo, which they said is intended to reflect a mission for the nonprofit that extends far beyond its current location, with new off-site programs and plans for a future resource center at a separate site.

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"We have outgrown even our name at this point," Executive Director Korina Lopez said.

Don't expect to see Pete's Place disappear from the shelter's signs anytime soon. Lopez said overhauling the logo and putting up new signage is "a little bit down the road."

"That would come next, once we officially changed it ... to reflect that we're much more than the emergency shelter at this point," she said.

Shelter Deputy Director Beverly Kellam wrote in a Nov. 15 letter to The New Mexican that Pete's Place had been removed from the name. "The Shelter is working diligently with our community partners to re-design homeless services in Santa Fe, and our board feels it would be best not to tie the Interfaith name to a particular location."

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But Lopez noted the change is not yet official. It would need to be approved by the shelter's board.

Lopez wrote in an email the Interfaith Community Shelter added "Pete's Place" to its logo in 2018 because "Pete's" is how it was known among many people in the community. The shelter had opened in a building that previously housed a popular pet store called Pete's Pets, which closed in 2008. When the city later purchased the site for use as a seasonal shelter, the store's old name stuck.

However, Lopez wrote, the organization has grown to include not just the shelter at 2108 Cerrillos Road but also a mobile hygiene unit called Showers to Go and Consuelo's Place  a noncongregate shelter established in a former college dormitory on the city-owned midtown campus on St. Michael's Drive.

It also hopes to create "a re-imagined Resource and Opportunity Center (the ROCk)," she wrote, adding it decided to "return to our roots  and our old logo  which does not have the Pete's Place location listed."

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The shelter has been quietly making the transition as it works to expand its services to include the resource center, she said in an interview.

Board Chair Leonard Rand expressed support for the rebranding effort, which he said is intended to let people in the community know "we're a lot broader than our original charter was."

"It's an ongoing effort that the board is very well aware of and very supportive of," he said.

The Interfaith Community Shelter was launched by a coalition of faith communities as an emergency shelter about 15 years ago after advocates for the homeless saw a rise in deaths in the winter months. It has significantly expanded its services since then. The city's homeless population also has increased, putting a strain on the current building.

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In a recent newsletter, Lopez emphasized the shelter does not turn anyone away because of space constraints.

"The Interfaith Community Shelter has never turned away a potential guest due to lack of space at the Shelter for them to sleep," she wrote in a Tuesday missive to supporters. "If we need to put mats on the floor to accommodate everyone, we will. Given the recent tragic loss of two lives outside in the freezing cold in our community, it is vital that people know this."

This summer the shelter assumed the fiscal sponsorship for Consuelo's Place. It also operates the mobile hygiene unit, bringing its services to three locations each week: the Salvation Army, La Familia Healthcare for the Homeless and Villa Linda Park.

Its most ambitious plan is to open a day resource center at new, larger location, something shelter leaders have been in the process of working toward for months. Lopez said the shelter is still searching for an appropriate location.

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Lopez and board member Kent Grubbs both told The New Mexican the proposed center will be called "the ROCk."

But Rand said any name for the future center is aspirational at this point.

"It's all premature because we haven't been able to identify a building that meets enough of our criteria that we can move forward," he said. He noted the resource center is something the shelter is "pursuing fairly aggressively."

If the shelter found a corporate partner willing to help make the resource center a reality, "we'd be perfectly happy to name it whatever they'd like it to be called," Rand added.

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The Interfaith Community Shelter has been subject of ongoing criticism by some business owners and residents in its neighborhood because of criminal activity and nuisance behavior of people who gather nearby.

Though, Rand said the name change does not stem from a desire for the shelter to distance itself from the location.

Many of the people causing issues in the area are not shelter guests, he said, adding, "We have been begging the city to be more proactive with police activity there."

Lopez and Rand both said the shelter is working to meet the scope of community need at a time when homelessness is becoming a larger problem locally and nationally.

"We're trying to expand to meet both the needs of the community we live in and the needs of the folks that we serve," Rand said.
Happy Tuesday. Heres your Tuesday Tech Drop, my collection of the past weeks top stories from the intersection of technology and politics.

Content creator crisis

A new Pew Research study finds that 21% of American adults regularly get their news from news influencers on social media  content creators who, according to Pew, skew more conservative. Among 18- to 29-year-olds, the number jumped to 37%.

Yikes. I imagine this report will only hasten the calls for Democrats to invest in their own Joe Rogan  a desperate quest to mirror the conservative media ecosystem that I dont think is actually feasible, given that social platforms tend to favor Rogan-esque cynicism and conspiracism (not facts or messages of unity, which Democrats often try to rally around).

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No, this turn toward social media influencers for news is a crisis. A crisis of doubt in traditional media platforms  justifiable, at times  that has caused many Americans to turn to content creators on social media platforms that, frankly, are widely used to deceive and radicalize their users.

In this piece, I propose some ways to stem the crisis Im talking about. Spoiler alert: None of them require a tremendous financial investment in liberal content creators (as much as that might benefit me personally).

I dont think Democrats need their own Joe Rogan. I dont think anyone needs their own Rogan, which is to say: The number of Americans getting their news from social media platforms is a problem. And doubling down on it isnt a solution.

Read more at the Pew Research Center.

Xs new CFO

Elon Musks X has hired a new chief financial officer: media executive Mahmoud Reza Banki, who received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump in 2021 after making false statements to federal officials.

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Read more at Business Insider.

Farrow talks phone surveillance

Journalist Ronan Farrows new HBO documentary, Surveilled, explores the frighteningly pervasive world of high-tech surveillance  and the ways that technology has been weaponized by repressive governments.

Watch his interview with CNNs Jake Tapper below, in which he explains how easily phones can be hacked and used as surveillance tools.

AIs big impact on the election

For The Atlantic, writer Matteo Wong highlighted how images generated by artificial intelligence  including ones shared by Trump and Musk  appear to have had a bigger impact on the 2024 election than previously realized. One reason? Many of these images  no matter how fake they looked  were used to affirm propaganda their promoters had already been spreading.

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Read more at The Atlantic.

DOJ wants Google to sell Chrome

Bloomberg reports that the Justice Department is expected to ask a judge to require that Google sell off its Chrome browser after the company lost an antitrust lawsuit back in August.

Read more at Bloomberg.

The mad men of the manosphere

Over at Jezebel, writer Kylie Chung has a detailed explainer on the manosphere, the toxic online sector known for its misogynistic bile. Chung explains how chronically online men are steered toward this content.

Now, thanks to social media algorithms, content about weightlifting, video games, MMA fighting, and dating has become a pipeline to the right, Chung writes.

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Read more at Jezebel.

Conservatives FOIA-driven purity tests

As they seek to purge civil servants from the federal government, conservatives are using records requests under the Freedom of Information Act to sift through emails and text messages of government employees, looking for things like references to diversity, equity and inclusion programs and climate change.

Read more at CNN.

The Verges EIC issues a grim warning

To be as clear as I can be, the second Trump administration with Elon Musk embedded within it represents the most direct and sustained threat to the First Amendment and the freedom of the press any of us will ever experience.

Thats a quote from The Verges editor-in-chief, Nilay Patel, who sounds just as concerned as I am about the Big Tech oligarchy that has formed around Trump and the risks it poses to the free press.

Read more from Patels interview with media journalist Oliver Darcy here.





This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Philadelphia's mass transit system has reached a tentative contract deal with its largest workers union, averting a potential strike that could have seen thousands of employees walk off the job.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and Transport Workers Union Local 234 announced the one-year agreement Wednesday. It calls for union members to receive a 5% raise and an unspecified pension adjustment. The contract also has language aimed at improving the personal safety of frontline workers, including installing bulletproof enclosures for drivers since many face violence and harassment.

Union President Brian Pollitt said a ratification vote would be held Dec. 6.

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The agreement comes about two weeks after union members had voted to authorize a strike once their one-year contract with SEPTA expired Nov. 8. Union leaders, though, agreed to delay a strike as long as they felt progress was being made at the bargaining table.

Local 234 has about 5,000 members, including bus, subway and trolley operators, mechanics, cashiers, maintenance people and custodians.

Late Wednesday afternoon, officials at SMART-TD Local 1594, which represents about 350 SEPTA workers in several suburban counties, also announced a tentative agreement they said includes a wage increase and critical safety improvements.

Pollitt said Wednesday that avoiding a strike was a priority, noting that public transit is a necessary need for many residents, including students who take SEPTA trains and buses to school and workers who rely on the agency to get to their jobs.

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"We got a fair deal, and now we need to focus on making sure SEPTA stays strong for everyone who depends on it," Pollitt said.

Scott Sauer, SEPTA's interim general manager, said both sides worked hard to reach a deal.

This agreement is fair to our hardworking frontline employees and responsible to the customers and taxpayers, he said.

SEPTA, which has repeatedly said its financial health is uncertain, recently proposed an across-the-board 21.5% fare increase that would start New Years Day as well as severe service cuts that would take effect next summer. The agency has scheduled a Dec. 13 public hearing on the plan.

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If approved by SEPTAs board, riders would pay the increase on top of a proposed interim average fare increase of 7.5% the panel is due to consider later this month. If passed, it would take effect Dec. 1. If both increases take effect, the single fare cost of riding the city bus and subway would go from $2 to $2.90. SEPTA key fares, where riders get discounts for using a prepaid card to pay fares that now range from $3.75 to $6.50, depending on the zone they use, would range from $5 to $8.75 on Jan. 1.

SEPTA last raised fares in 2017, and the proposed increase would be expected to bring in an additional $23 million for this fiscal year and $45 million per year starting in 2026.

The nations sixth-largest mass transit system, SEPTA faces an annual structural budget deficit of $240 million as federal pandemic aid phases out. It lost out on about $161 million in state aid since the Republican-controlled state Senate declined to vote on Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiros proposal for $283 million in new state aid to public transit. Instead, lawmakers approved a one-time payment to the state trust fund for transit systems, of which SEPTA got $46 million.
By Neil Jerome Morales and Stanley Widianto

MANILA/JAKARTA (Reuters) -A Philippine woman spared execution in Indonesia on charges of drug trafficking in 2015 will return home after years of negotiations between the Southeast Asian neighbours, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Wednesday.

Mary Jane Veloso, a domestic helper and mother of two, was arrested in the city of Yogyakarta, for carrying 2.6 kg (5.73 pounds) of heroin concealed in a suitcase in 2010.

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"Eventually, the goal is not just for her to be transferred, but for our president to ... issue clemency," foreign ministry official Eduardo Jose de Vega told a news conference in Manila, the capital.

Indonesia has not sought anything in return for Veloso's transfer, the timing of which has yet to be decided, he added.

Veloso will be transferred in December, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Indonesia's chief minister for law and human rights, said in a statement.

Veloso was spared from the firing squad at the last minute in 2015, after Philippine officials asked Joko Widodo, then Indonesia's president, to let her testify against members of a human- and drug-smuggling ring.

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The execution of eight other drug convicts went ahead, with Veloso's reprieve described as a postponement by Widodo, whose presidential term ended last month.

People in the Philippines had held protest vigils and celebrated masses in demonstrations against her execution.

"After over a decade of diplomacy and consultations with the Indonesian government, we managed to delay her execution long enough to reach an agreement to finally bring her back to the Philippines," Marcos said in a statement.

He hailed the neighbours' shared commitment to justice and compassion, and thanked Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

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Prabowo's office said Veloso would serve the rest of her sentence in the Philippines, citing diplomacy and reciprocal partnership in law enforcement as the reason for her transfer.

"We are happy that Mary Jane will be back home," her mother, Celia Veloso, told radio station DWPM, though adding that the family still worried that international syndicates involved in the case would harm Veloso and their relatives.

Veloso had always maintained her innocence, saying she was an unwitting drug mule for a Philippine employment recruiter. Previously a domestic worker in Dubai, she left to escape an abusive employer, her legal team had said.

Court records say the recruiter asked Veloso to fly to the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta from Manila to hand a suitcase to a man. She was arrested after authorities there discovered heroin wrapped in foil hidden in the lining of her luggage.

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Indonesia has harsh anti-narcotics laws and has executed several foreign nationals, including two Australians, who were leaders of the Bali Nine trafficking ring, in 2015.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales in Manila, Stanley Widianto and Ananda Teresia in Jakarta; Editing by Saad Sayeed and Clarence Fernandez)
It was a shocking discovery at a funeral home and crematory in Cobb County.

The Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory caught fire earlier this year.

Now someone has found urns, bags of human ashes, and even human remains in what is left of the building.

The state and police are now investigating.

[PHOTOS: Photographers makes gruesome discovery inside burnt-out funeral home]

Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Reporter Michele Newell spoke with a photographer who traveled all the way from England to take pictures of the funeral home for his social media page called Places Forgotten.

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What he found is something he will never forget.

Ben James said he loves to capture the most interesting, abandoned places in the world.

He couldnt believe what he discovered in Cobb County.

Bank statements of burials, bank statements of people who had paid for burials. Ive found lots of ashes at funeral homes, maybe one or two, but to find this amount was crazy, Ive never seen such a big amount, James said. It was very alarming.

James said he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes. Some were labeled with names, others werent.

He told Newell that there were family photos, death certificates, credit card information, and even hazardous chemicals.

TRENDING STORIES:

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But the most troubling observation

There was a discarded human fetus in a jar just left in the embalming room. Whats the back story to it? How can that just been forgotten about? Its very sad, James said.

The building was up for a foreclosure auction before the fire happened. The cause of the fire is undetermined. The building is set to be demolished.

Youve got to wonder where the families are for these people. Why havent they been picked up? And also, do the families even know they are in there? James said.

Newell contacted the Georgia Secretary of States Office about it and received a statement, saying: The Cemeteries Board is looking into the matter and will work with the Funeral Services Board to leave no stone unturned. The Funeral Services Board stated to me that they are also working with the Marietta Police on this. This matter is an active investigation.

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Newell also asked the president of the funeral consumers alliance, Sara Williams, what actions families can take in situations like this.

I would suggest they band together. Form a coalition to the state board of funeral service and demand restitution, Williams said.

Marietta police got a tip about what was in the building on Tuesday night and began investigating.

They are working with the funeral services board.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Ben James said he loves to capture the most interesting, abandoned places in the world. Inside the Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory, he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes, as well as a host of other things.

Ben James said he loves to capture the most interesting, abandoned places in the world. Inside the Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory, he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes, as well as a host of other things.

Ben James said he loves to capture the most interesting, abandoned places in the world. Inside the Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory, he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes, as well as a host of other things.

Ben James said he loves to capture the most interesting, abandoned places in the world. Inside the Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory, he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes, as well as a host of other things.

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Ben James said he loves to capture the most interesting, abandoned places in the world. Inside the Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory, he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes, as well as a host of other things.

Ben James said he loves to capture the most interesting, abandoned places in the world. Inside the Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory, he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes, as well as a host of other things.

Ben James said he loves to capture the most interesting, abandoned places in the world. Inside the Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory, he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes, as well as a host of other things.

Ben James said he loves to capture the most interesting, abandoned places in the world. Inside the Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory, he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes, as well as a host of other things.

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Ben James said he loves to capture the most interesting, abandoned places in the world. Inside the Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory, he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes, as well as a host of other things.

Ben James said he loves to capture the most interesting, abandoned places in the world. Inside the Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory, he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes, as well as a host of other things.

Ben James said he loves to capture the most interesting, abandoned places in the world. Inside the Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory, he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes, as well as a host of other things.

Ben James said he loves to capture the most interesting, abandoned places in the world. Inside the Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory, he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes, as well as a host of other things.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Contracted workers with Montgomery County Auditor Karl Keiths office will be traveling around the county taking photographs of properties.

According to Keith, contractors will be driving around all of Montgomery County taking images of over 200,000 real estate parcels.

The photos are needed for the Offices 2026 property reappraisal process. Appraisers will use the photos to help determine the value of each property.

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It is reported that the new contracted service will cost around $3.7 million, which is an estimated $500,000 less than the alternative company hired in 2020.

At a time when it seems everything costs more than it did a few years ago, we are excited to be able to provide our property owners with the same high-quality services at a discount of half a million dollars, Keith said.

Residents in Dayton, north Kettering, Moraine, Oakwood and Riverside will see the photographers first though the end of 2024. All photos are expected to be taken by spring 2025.

The photographers will be in vehicles with a county decal on the side, as well as an official ID badge.

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To learn more about the appraisal process, either click here or call 937-225-4326.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
POQUOSON, Va. (WAVY)  Crews with the Poquoson Fire and Rescue Department responded to a boat fire on Sunday.

According to officials, on Nov. 17, Poquoson Marine 1 was asked to assist with a boat fire near the mouth of the Rappahannock River.

Crews arrived to the scene and found a 34-foot vessel which was heavily damaged. The owner of the boat was uninjured and helped out of the water by a nearby person.

Poquoson boat fire rescue (Courtesy: Poquoson Fire and Rescue Department) Poquoson boat fire rescue (Courtesy: Poquoson Fire and Rescue Department) Poquoson boat fire rescue (Courtesy: Poquoson Fire and Rescue Department)

York County Fire and Life Safety, the U.S. Coast Guard, Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Virginia Marine Police were also called to assist with the incident.

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No additional information is available at this time.

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.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  If you normally drive on the H-3 Halawa bound, you might want to find a different route for Friday, Nov. 22.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

The Hawaii Department of Transportation will close the H-3 freeway heading to Halawa from the Halekou interchange to the Halawa interchange.

$3.45M grant addresses Oahus demand for safer streets

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The closure will go into effect starting at 7 p.m. on Friday and reopens at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23.

HDOT crews will conduct tunnel cleaning, systems repair and general maintenance.

On-ramps to the freeway from Kamehameha Highway and Likelike Highway will also be closed to conduct work.

If you plan on traveling between the windward side of Oahu to town, officials advise drivers to take alternate routes such as the Likelike Highway to Pali Highway.

Message boards have also been posted to notify drivers of the closure.

Officials said special duty police officers will be available on-site to help direct traffic and conduct road closure procedures.

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Check out more news from around Hawaii

For more information on closures on state roadways, visit HDOTs website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
A TAP Air Portugal plane was grounded for four days after over 130 hamsters broke loose inside the cargo hold and ran riot as they evaded capture from airport staff, according to local reports.

The rodent escapees had been on a passenger flight from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel Island, part of the Portuguese Azores, on Wednesday 13 November, and were due to be delivered to a pet store along with ferrets and caged birds, airline sources told the Portuguese daily newspaper Correio da Manha.

When airport staff at Ponta Delgada Airport started to unload the pet transport boxes from the plane, they realised that the ones meant to contain the hamsters were damaged and empty.

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The TAP Air Portugal plane reportedly had to be grounded for safety reasons while staff got to work to try to find all 132 hamsters.

It took airport staff several days to spot and catch all the hamsters that were hiding and scurrying around the cargo hold, with the remaining 16 finally caught on Sunday.

Images posted by the Portuguese newspaper show a person pinching a hamster by the scruff of the neck in what appears to be the cabin, as well as another person in gloves holding a hamster. The images have not been independently verified by The Independent.

Once all hasters had been caught, the Airbus A321neo made the journey back to Lisbon on a ferry flight, meaning no passengers were on board, the publication reported.

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A flight from Ponta Delgada, TP9260, landed in Lisbon, where TAPs headquarters are located, on Sunday at 1.30pm after a two-hour flight over the Atlantic Ocean without fault, data from FlightRadar shows.

TAP Air Portugal will reportedly now undergo in-depth checks on the aircraft to make sure that no serious damage was caused by the hamsters.

This incident comes weeks after passengers on a flight to Los Angeles were shocked by an apparent stowaway.

In a viral video posted in October that has gained over three million views across TikTok and Instagram, one passenger captured the moment that a silhouette of what appears to be a type of rodent or possum was crawling about inside a light fixture on the cabin ceiling on board a plane.

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Social media commenters and other outlets suggested the plane belongs to Spirit Airlines due to the yellow colour scheme inside the cabin.

The airline said they were aware of the video and are taking steps to address this matter.

Rodents causing havoc on planes are nothing new, as another airline also found a rodent hiding in an in-flight meal in September.

A Scandinavian Airlines flight, from the Norwegian capital Oslo to Malaga in the south of Spain, was diverted to Copenhagen after a live mouse leapt out of the meal.

The passengers were later flown to Malaga on a different aircraft.

The Independent has contacted TAP Air Portugal and Ponta Delgada Airport for comment.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
Earth Lodge at Ocmulgee National Historical Park is seen here in a photo taken in 2015. National Park Service photo

A proposal to turn a prehistoric American Indian site in central Georgia into the states first national park advanced out a U.S. Senate committee Tuesday.

But the bipartisan group of Georgia lawmakers who are behind the measure creating Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve are running short on time to get it across the finish line in Congress lame-duck session.

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The bills sponsors celebrated the incremental step of advancing it out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resource on Tuesday.

This is historic and unprecedented progress toward establishing Georgias first National Park, but more work remains ahead, Georgia U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat who is the lead sponsor in the Senate, said in a statement.

The proposal would establish the boundaries of the park and preserve for Ocmulgee Mounds and surrounding area near Macon, where support has long been building for the project. Efforts to preserve Ocmulgee started nearly a century ago.

The site was occupied by many different American Indian cultures for thousands of years. The mounds were built around 900 A.D., and artifacts found in the area date back as far as 8,000 or 10,000 BC.

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But in the 1830s, the Muscogee people were one of five tribes forcibly removed from their land during the Trail of Tears to what is now Oklahoma.

A House

version of the park proposal also received a hearing Tuesday, another sign of late momentum. Congressman Austin Scott, a Tifton Republican and lead sponsor in the House, tried to address concerns that often accompany a proposed expansion of public lands.

The language prioritizes public hunting and fishing access while protecting the states rights and regulation and private property rights in middle Georgia, Scott said.

The south Georgia congressman also touted the potential benefits of the proposal. He argued the park would bolster national security by helping to protect the encroachment zone near Robins Air Force Base.

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And he said it would be a relatively small addition to the nations public lands  and involve only willing sellers  yet would have a significant impact on central Georgias economy.

Georgia is composed of roughly 38 million acres. Only about 5% of Georgia land is in the federal registry, so it is a very small expansion of property in the state of Georgia, in a state where we dont have much federal land, Scott said.

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Pro Tempore Seth Clark traveled to Washington to testify at Tuesdays hearing. Clark said the U.S. Department of Defense has become one of our strongest partners in this project.

There is no viability of middle Georgias economy without a robust mission-ready base in middle Georgia, Clark said during brief remarks Tuesday.

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Georgia is home to other National Park Service sites, such as the national military park in Chickamauga, but Ocmulgee  already a national historical park  would be the states first national park.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Lees Summit School Districts Citizens Advisory Committee released a statement Wednesday morning containing a list that showed a variety of recommended facility improvements that would be funded by an April 2025 bond issue.

Police may have suspects in Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce burglaries

Within the list, a recommended renovation was attributed to Westview Elementary School. This proposal is in line with a plan announced by the district earlier in November, which would consolidate Lees Summit Elementary School (LSE) and move the students to a new and renovated Westview.

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According to initial reports from FOX4s Crystal Martinez, this new consolidation effort is facing some backlash from parents of students at LSE.

Brittany Shumate and Chris Winburn are examples of these parents. They moved to downtown Lees Summit just last year and one of their kids was set to attend LSE. They claim the consolidation isnt beneficial at all and could have long-term impacts on students and families.

Families that may not be able to physically get their children to school or have the transportation needs, how does that impact them? Schumate asked.

Winburn also commented, saying, When families know that they dont have a walkable school, does that change their investment decision on if they are going to help renovate and repurpose older homes in the area?

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Despite concerns from families, the Lees Summit School district claims that the merge is a result of declining enrollment at both schools and that it would help maintain a Title One status, allowing low-income families to receive federal funds.

New hotel on Berkley Riverfront celebrates grand opening

The school district also claims that no jobs will be affected by the change and that the land LSE sits on will be repurposed rather than sold.

Although the list is being proposed at Wednesday nights meeting, this does not mean it has passed.

The committee said that the plan will need to be considered by the Board of Education before anything is finalized. That process will end with a vote on Dec. 19.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
EAU CLAIRE  An Eau Claire man who got a monthlong extension on his sentencing in multiple cases will wait a little longer to find out his fate.

Jeremy Moser, 46, faced eight separate cases involving felonies. In early October he settled four of those by pleading guilty to threatening a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct, felony bail jumping, misdemeanor domestic abuse and disorderly conduct  domestic abuse.

The record from Mosers October 2 plea hearing indicates he was unaware he would be sentenced today. That led Moser to ask for a 30-day adjournment to get his affairs in order.

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The judge did not adjourn the hearing, but allowed Moser to enter his pleas per the agreement with prosecutors and delay sentencing 30 days. It wound up being a bit longer.

Tuesday didnt turn out to be a sentencing hearing, though. Mosers attorney told the court he wanted to withdraw his pleas. That led the court to schedule a new hearing for Dec. 11.

This isnt the first twist in the cases in Mosers legal entanglements. In May he waived his right to a jury trial in an OWI case, with his attorney saying the sides were close to a resolution. A month later the defense asked for trial to be set for September.

His attorney asked Tuesday that case be scheduled for trial, but the court record indicates a plea hearing for it.

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Withdrawing a guilty plea is rare, but Wisconsin law does allow for it to be done under some circumstances. In fact, the law instructs courts to generally grant such a motion if made prior to sentencing. Courts have much greater discretion to reject such a motion if it is made after sentencing.

The ability to withdraw a guilty plea is not absolute, though. In 1976 the Wisconsin Supreme Court found a lower court did not abuse its discretion in rejecting such a motion after a pre-sentencing exam went against him.
Nov. 19Tribal officials from across the nation gathered Tuesday in Pojoaque Pueblo to speak about their efforts to address violence against women as part of a three-day event hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The session drew hundreds of people  perhaps the largest crowd ever for the annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation.

In the traditional way, women were the keepers of the teepee, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Ryman LeBeau said during his testimony at the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder. If a dispute arose between a man and woman, she would simply take his stuff and put it outside.

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"He would move on, there was no question," LeBeau said. "To do that today is more difficult."

Today, tribal leaders told officials from the Justice Department, they need funding to create and sustain their own law enforcement and criminal justice systems and legislation to ensure they have the authority to treat perpetrators and victims in ways that are in keeping with their customs.

"As a tribal leader I must make sure that our tribal courts and law enforcement are receiving the funds they need to protect our Native women," Pojoaque Pueblo Gov. Jenelle Roybal said.

Pojoaque Pueblo has developed its own police force and tribal courts, she said, but needs resources to provide behavioral health services to victims and perpetrators.

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"In our tribal communities there is a shortage of counselors that need to be culturally appropriate for our children," she added.

"Why isn't there dedicated and supportive funding to expand those services to our most vulnerable population? These services are needed, but they are costly," Roybal said. "Funding barriers do not allow us to utilize these funds for healing and care infrastructure. When are the barriers going to stop? Native people can build sacred spaces that bring healing to our people."

Roybal who also co-chairs New Mexico's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Task Force, said "healing to wellness"  not punishment  "is the best way for us to solve our sins against our own community."

Isleta Pueblo Lt. Gov. Juan Rey Abeita spoke Tuesday of the historical trauma that comes with hundreds of years of colonization and the modern-day frustration for tribes of being jurisdictionally limited to enforce their laws on their own land.

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"What if a federal government or someone that is considering you their ward comes and tells you you can't protect your own people," he said, "that you can't protect your own family? That if any perpetrator that's non-Native American that comes on your reservation can commit a crime, and we can't do nothing to protect ourselves except call the FBI or the BIA to come in and respond?"

Abeita said, "That takes away from us having that confidence and being able to protect ourselves and our communities. ... It's undermining us."

The event, now in its 19th year, is required by law to address the federal administration of tribal funds and programs established under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and subsequent reauthorizations, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Albuquerque said in a news release.

The statement said, "Tribal government leaders will provide recommendations on administering grant programs; enhancing the safety of American Indian and Alaska Native women from domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking; strengthening federal responses to these crimes; and improving access to local, regional, state, and federal crime information databases and criminal justice information systems."

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The Justice Department said in a news release the Tribal Affairs Division within its Office on Violence Against Women awarded about $86 million this year to tribal communities to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking and other crimes.

Pojoaque Pueblo received an $800,000 grant, according to the department, while Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico received about $610,000, and the Hopi-Tewa Women's Coalition to End Abuse and Southwest Indigenous Women's Coalition received grants of about $414,000 each.

At least 50 tribal leaders  including speakers from the Navajo Nation, Choctaw Nation of Indians and Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe  were scheduled to give testimony at the event.

More than 500 people attended Tuesday's session in person and about 150 more registered to observe the tribal leaders' testimony virtually, Justice Department spokesperson Maya Vizvary wrote in an email.

"This is the most we've ever had," Vizvary wrote.
(Bloomberg) -- Germany pushed back against the Polish foreign ministers claim that Berlin changed its mind and will support joint European bonds to finance defense spending.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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Radoslaw Sikorski told the TOK FM broadcaster on Wednesday that Germany expressed backing for the initiative during a meeting in Warsaw with ministers from France, Italy and the UK.

But Katrin Deschauer, a spokeswoman of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, denied any such agreement was reached. She referred back to the conclusions from the meeting on Tuesday that said allies will discuss innovative financing, and remove obstacles to defense trade and investment.

Countries like Germany have made it clear they remain opposed to the idea of more joint debt despite the call to reconsider it by former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi in his recent report on competitiveness.

Sikorski said Poland favors issuing joint European bonds to finance defense spending.

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While defense remains a national prerogative of member states, there has been a push since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 to bolster Europes military capacity by reviving a fragmented industrial military base.

Earlier in September, the EUs first-ever defense chief Andrius Kubilius, said its worth exploring the option of issuing joint bonds in order to raise the additional 500 billion ($556 billion) needed to bring the European Unions industry up to speed.

--With assistance from Piotr Bujnicki.

(Update with comments from Germany in the first and third paragraphs)

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Poland has signed a letter of intent with domestic companies to begin producing nitrocellulose and multi-base powders essential for ammunition manufacturing, according to a Polish government report published on Nov. 18.

This marks a significant step in rebuilding Poland's ammunition production capabilities, which currently rely on imports from several European countries and Canada.

The government plans to invest 3 billion zlotys ($750 million) to enhance ammunition production, in response to observations from Russias war in Ukraine.

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"No one who observes the war in Ukraine and other conflicts in the world today can have any doubts about how important it is to have access to a large amount of ammunition for modern weapons," Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

State-owned companies, including Grupa Azoty and PGZ, agree on the need to establish a factory for the development of these materials.

PGZ board member Marcin Idzik highlighted the need to produce 155mm artillery rounds, to prepare for potential future conflicts involving NATO.

Poland has been one of the strongest supporters of Ukraine since the start of all-out war in February 2022, providing billions of dollars in military, economic, and humanitarian aid and hosting millions of Ukrainian refugees.

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The country has also been a vocal supporter of Ukraine on the world stage, campaigning for Ukraine to receive all the required weaponry to win the war that Russia had begun.

Read also: US presence in Poland is guarantee of security, Duda says at opening of new missile base

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A man jumped from a retail walkway at Miamis River Landing Shops & Residences Tuesday afternoon, fatally landing near the exit to Publix and in front of the door to office space occupied by Jackson Health System and the Miami-Dade State Attorneys office.

For several hours, a tent covered the body as police investigated, shoppers exited Publix about 20 yards away and customers of P.Pole and Fichelle French bakery dined at outdoor tables across the breezeway.

The man appeared to have jumped from the sixth floor retail walkway. Miami police Officer Kiara Delva said this happened around 4:30 p.m. at 1400 NW North River Dr. and was being investigated as a suicide attempt related call.

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Until around 7 p.m., police allowed only residents of the twin high rise apartment buildings to come off Northwest 17th Avenue to eastbound North River Drive.

A tent covers the body of the man who jumped to his death at River Landing Shops in Miami, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Campus police faced off with pro-Gaza demonstrators at UCLA Tuesday afternoon, the latest instance of fiery tensions between protesters and the law enforcement body that polices the university.

The Tuesday demonstration, which had proven to be orderly and peaceful as of 3 p.m., was organized by Students for Justice in Palestine, which has orchestrated similar protests in recent months that were eventually disrupted by police.

The student organization has called for UCLA to divest from the Israeli government and corporations that do business with it, something the University of California system has said it does not intend to do.

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Video from Sky5, as well as photos posted to social media by campus news groups, showed dozens of protesters circling Bruin Plaza with campus police clad in riot gear and wielding batons nearby.

Pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered on the campus of UCLA on Nov. 19, 2024, to again call for UCLA to divest in Israel. (KTLA) Pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered on the campus of UCLA on Nov. 19, 2024, to again call for UCLA to divest in Israel. (KTLA)

The UCLA Police Department posted on social media that officers were working to resolve issues regarding upwards of 100 people block walkways at Bruin Plaza.

UCLA has a controversial Time, Place and Manner policy regarding when and where students are allowed to exercise their First Amendment rights.

In October, one person was arrested after police broke up an unauthorized demonstration that coincided with a Jewish holiday and a speaking arrangement with rightwing pundit Ben Shapiro.

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At this time, there have been no reports of arrests.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A two-year-long investigation has led to more than a dozen alleged violent gang members behind bars.

The Columbus Division of Polices Gang Enforcement unit said the suspects are members of the Livingston and Lonsdale Bloods gang, linked to drug trafficking and violent assaults in central Ohio.

Ohio principal reinstated after investigation into election message to staff

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The investigation called Operation Pocket Aces targeted suspects police said have plagued the Far East Side neighborhood and the entire city for nearly two decades.

Police said they know other members are still out there and they have a message for them.

We laid the groundwork so if they commit one more act of violence, then theyre joining their friends, Sgt. Shawn Gruber with the Columbus Division of Polices Gang Enforcement Unit said.

Police handed down a 191 count indictment, arresting 16 alleged members of the gang.

I was kind of shocked, Chandler Tennant, a Far East Side resident, said.

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Tennant said he recognized some of the suspects.

Ohio-based furniture store to close all locations amid bankruptcy filing

Now we can go to the store safer and, you know, thats the best thing, he said.

Columbus Police released body camera footage from the gang enforcement units round up earlier this month. The 16 suspects are facing a range of charges from drug trafficking to attempted murder.

Livingston Lonsdale Indictment ListDownload

Gruber said that while officers executed search warrants, they seized 56 firearms, two illegal Glock switches, and large amounts of drugs including cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, oxycodone pills, and marijuana. Officers also found more than $150,000.

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Police say every person arrested was prohibited from owning a firearm due to previous felony cases.

With gangs, theres violent individuals that traffic drugs, Gruber said. They dont just traffic drugs and again, this investigation is ongoing and we hope to uncover a few more violent crimes that were committed by the gang.

The divisions Gang Enforcement Unit has been around for about two years now.

ATF agent wins $1.6 million in lawsuit against Columbus police over 2020 arrest

This is a testament to what happens when we all work together, Columbus Division of Police First Assistant Chief Lashanna Potts said. We can disrupt and dismantle gang violence in Columbus. And were doing it one gang at a time.

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Columbus police leaders hope this eliminates fear in the neighborhood and sends a message to violent criminals.

I think I was lucky enough to last time we did this for the BL 800 gang, say that theres another one to come that were working on, here it is, and Im happy to say there is another one in the works right now, Gruber said. So as long as theres group and gang violence in the city, were going to continue doing these cases.

He said this is still an ongoing investigation and police hope to solve more crimes involving these gang members in the coming weeks.

Why fighter jets may be flying over Chillicothe and southeastern Ohio

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The gang enforcement unit has spent the last two years observing the group and executing search warrants to build their case against them. This investigation was also in partnership with the Franklin County prosecutor and federal agents from the Columbus Field Division Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

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SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD)  Summerville Police announced Tuesday a second suspect has been arrested in connection to a mobile home park shooting that injured two individuals.

Ronald Anderson III turned himself in on Nov. 15 for the shooting that took place nearly two weeks ago.

He is charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, unlawful possession of a handgun, and criminal conspiracy.

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Summerville officers responded to the Creekside Mobile Home Park on Bacons Bridge Road on Nov. 6 for reports of gunshots.

They arrived around 9:30 p.m. and discovered two victims were at the CVS Pharmacy on Dorchester Road, suffering from several gunshot wounds.

The victims were picked up by EMS and taken to a local hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition.

Police also discovered several spent shell casings at the mobile home park.

17-year-old Rydell Lemar Holmes Jr. was arrested Nov. 8 for the shooting and charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, and unlawful possession of a handgun.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Police in D.C. said a man was arrested for allegedly hitting someone with a hammer in July.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), shortly after 10 p.m. on July 13, officers were called to the 2400 block of 18th St. Northwest for a reported assault.

Make the Right Call campaign launches in DC, urges residents to use 911 for emergencies

Once on the scene, police learned that a man, later identified as 37-year-old Magel Duarte, of Bethesda, Md., had allegedly assaulted the victim with a hammer before leaving the area in a vehicle.

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After several months of investigating, officers arrested Duarte on Nov. 19 on a D.C. Superior Court warrant.

He was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

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Police in Connecticut are turning to the public for help with tracking down an armed and dangerous man who is wanted in connection with the horrific drive-by killings of a Massachusetts mother and her infant son.

Hartford Interim Police Chief Kenny Howell on Wednesday offered condolences to the family of 20-year-old Jessiah Mercado and her 4-month-old boy, Messiah Diaz, who were both shot to death in a drive-by attack in the states capital city on Tuesday afternoon.

A mother lost her life yesterday, along with her 4-month-old, Howell said during a news conference. Ive been in law enforcement for a long time and there are some events, some cases, some incidents that follow you throughout your life. I can tell you now this will be one of those incidents. This is a sad day for us in the city of Hartford.

Officers responded to Hartford Hospital after a vehicle with multiple gunshot victims pulled up to the emergency area just before 3 p.m.

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Two of the victims in that vehicle, Mercado and Diaz, both of Springfield, died from their injuries. The third victim, a male in his 20s, suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The driver of the vehicle was uninjured.

Howell said his department has secured an arrest warrant for 23-year-old Lance Morales, a man who investigators need help finding. Howell noted that Morales is wanted on a $3 million bond for a slew of charges including two counts of murder.

Morales allegedly pulled up alongside a vehicle Mercado and Diaz were riding in and opened fire on them in the area of 380 New Britain Avenue before fleeing.

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Lt. Aaron Boisvert said the incident stemmed from a personal dispute over a vehicle and that Morales and Mercado were acquaintances.

Im going to ask the public to help us locate this individual...Do not approach this individual. He is to be considered armed and dangerous. You are to contact 911 if you see this individual, Howell said.

Howell said Morales also goes by the nickname Macho, before issuing a plea for him to surrender to police.

Lance, you have no other option but to hand yourself in to the Hartford Police Department for the horrific crimes that you have done. You see, this hit the heart of Hartford. Youve taken the lives of an infant and his mother. We do not tolerate this in this city.

Howell vowed to use all resources at his disposal, including state and federal agencies, in the hunt for Morales.

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Boisvert said Morales was last known to be driving a white Infiniti Q70 with a Massachusetts plate 3NE-B35. Boisvert also noted that Morales could have access to several other vehicles.

Anyone with information on Morales whereabouts is urged to call 911 or the Hartford Police Department.

An investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Police in D.C. have released the name of the man whose body was recovered from the Anacostia River after he fell off a boat on Monday.

Officers identified him as Tracy Simpson, 63, of Capitol Heights, Md.

On Nov. 18, around 6:30 p.m., dive teams with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and DC Fire and EMS responded to the District Yacht Club at 1409 Water Street after a man fell off a boat.

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Police said Simpson was tying his boat to the pier when he fell into the river. Thats when a witness dived in but could not find him.

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Crews searched the water for more than an hour in hopes of locating Simpson but were unsuccessful.

On Monday night, divers faced dark conditions, limited visibility and the strength of the tide. Due to Simpson being underwater for a long period, search crews adjusted their rescue operation to a recovery.

Crews continued their search for several hours, and just before 11 p.m., Simpsons body was detected in the water.

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He was brought to shore, where he was pronounced dead.

(Photo courtesy of DC Fire and EMS) (Photo courtesy of DC Fire and EMS) (Photo courtesy of DC Fire and EMS) (Photo courtesy of DC Fire and EMS) (Photo courtesy of DC Fire and EMS)

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PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  Police in Prince Georges County have identified the man who was shot and killed in an Upper Marlboro neighborhood.

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, just before 9 a.m., officers responded to a shooting that happened in the back of the Highland Gate community, located in the 14200 block of Barenton Drive.

There, they found Joseph Campbell, 57, of Upper Marlboro, suffering from gunshot wounds.

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He died at the scene.

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A preliminary investigation showed that Campbell and the man who shot him knew each other. Police said the man who shot Campbell stayed on the scene after the shooting.

Detectives are consulting the Prince Georges County States Attorneys Office regarding the ongoing investigation. As of Wednesday, no charges have been filed.

Police encourage anyone with information to call 301-516-2512 or contact Crime Solvers online here. Tipsters can also submit information on the P3 Tips app or by calling 866-411-8477, citing case number 24-0069244.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Police are investigating a hit-and-run near downtown Denver that resulted in serious injuries.

Just before 7 a.m. on Wednesday, the Denver Police Department said they were investigating a crash that involved a pedestrian and a motorist.

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The traffic crash took place at W 12th Avenue and Acoma Street. The crash was near Evans School in the Civic Center neighborhood.

Police said one victim was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

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At this time, police didnt provide information on the suspect or the manner around the crash.

This is a developing story. FOX31 will update this post when more information becomes available.

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PELLA, Iowa  Two female students at Pella Middle School were slashed with a knife in an assault in the schools cafeteria Wednesday morning and police say a male student is in custody in the incident.

Captain Paul Haase of the Pella Police Department told WHO 13 that the assault happened in the cafeteria before the start of classes and the two female juvenile students suffered minor slashing injuries.

Suspect dead in incident near NW Iowa church, law enforcement says

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At an 11:00 a.m. news conference, Pella Police Chief Shane McSheehy said police became aware of the incident at 7:41 a.m. and officers were on the scene at the middle school and had placed the suspect in custody within two minutes of being notified.

The initial investigation into the incident determined the 14-year-old suspect had assaulted multiple students in the cafeteria. The two students who suffered minor laceration injuries from the knife were treated on the scene by Pella Ambulance personnel and did not need to be transported to the hospital.

Police said crisis canines Nitro and Walter were also brought to the scene to help calm the students.

Pella Middle School was placed on lockdown while the school was searched and parents were notified. The school day was delayed in starting because of the incident and Pella Schools Superintendant Greg Ebeling said many parents did choose to pick their kids up for the day. Wednesday is also a 90-minute early dismissal day for the school.

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Police are working with the Marion County Attorneys Office to determine what charges the suspect may face.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Police are asking Columbus residents to help identify four people suspected in a robbery assault near Ohio State campus.

Central Ohio Crime Stoppers and Columbus police held a news conference Wednesday to share body camera footage and details on an incident in the 1700 block of North High Street. At 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 17, a group of three people got out of an Uber and began to walk down the road.

A group of four individuals approached the group of three and a verbal altercation began. One of the male suspects threw an object at a female victim, which led to the suspects repeatedly kicking and punching other victims, including one suspect using a tire iron to hit a victim in the head.

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Police arrest 16 in Columbus street gang bust

Two victims had belongings taken from their pockets, and the suspects kicked them away down the street. All three victims were taken to a hospital in stable condition.

Courtesy Photo/Central Ohio Crime Stoppers Courtesy Photo/Central Ohio Crime Stoppers Courtesy Photo/Central Ohio Crime Stoppers Courtesy Photo/Central Ohio Crime Stoppers

Police said the suspects include three men and one woman but have not determined if they are students at Ohio State University. Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for anyone with information on the suspects. They asked anyone with information to call 614-461-8477 for anonymous tips, or 614-645-4665 for police.

The attack is among multiple criminal incidents that have occurred near or on the OSU campus since the fall semester began. Others include a student being robbed at gunpoint on Nov. 8, a Sept. 16 shooting near John Herrick Drive, and a string of burglaries at some of the schools residence halls in late October.

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When asked about off-campus crime, new Ohio State Police Chief Dennis Jeffrey said the biggest concern is the High Street area and that the greater campus community should receive better communication.

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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ)  Two New Yorkers are being charged in multiple Central PA counties for allegedly scheming and scamming with the use of Western Union money transfers.

Nicolae Strava, 30, and Loredana Gita Rostas, 31, both listed in court documents from different places in New York, including Brooklyn, are facing theft and fraud charges in multiple Pennsylvania counties since March and ending in State College where Rostas was arraigned Nov. 20.

According to Rostas criminal complaint, State College police were called to a GIANT grocery store Sept. 23 for a report of money stolen from customer service on Sept. 20. Strava allegedly entered the store on S. Atherton Street and Rostas followed a short time later. Police said they saw security footage showing Strava asking for a Western Union money transfer for $2,700.

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Police said the employee counted the money and Strava, who claimed his name was Hasan Aleman, complete with I.D. recounted the money while Rostas created a distraction, the complaint reads. Strava then allegedly pocketed $1,800 of the $2,895 (including Western Union fees). The employee then completed the transaction. It was reported to police that the duo did the same thing at a store in Huntingdon, however, court dockets dont bring up charges at this time.

Pennsylvania woman scammed out of $30K after meeting stranger at the post office

According to charges filed, the duo then went to Walmart on North Atherton Street and canceled the money transfer, collecting the full $2,985. It was reported to police by asset protection that the duo did the same thing at a store in Huntingdon, however, court dockets dont show charges at this time.

While investigating, police said they were contacted by an investigator with Ahold Delhaize-USA, the parent company of GIANT. According to the complaint, police were given the identification of the duo as numerous other police departments were investigating them.

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As of this writing, Strava has charges filed  and currently inactive  in Centre, Lancaster and Dauphin counties.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

Rostas, however, has charges both active and inactive in Centre, Lancaster, York, Dauphin, Lehigh and Berks counties. Rostas was placed in York County Prison on Nov. 15. On Nov. 20, she was arraigned in Centre County where bail was denied, citing she was a flight risk.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Las Vegas police are investigating an incident that started as an attempted robbery and resulted in a police pursuit and crash in the northwest valley. Three people have been taken into custody.

According to Las Vegas Metropolitan police, a call was received shortly after 8 am. about an attempted robbery in the area of G Street and McWilliams Avenue, just north of the downtown area.

Police said several people attempted to take items from a victim using a weapon and then fled before officers arrived. The suspects were spotted driving near U.S. 95 and Jones Boulevard and police began pursuing the vehicle which was traveling at a high rate of speed.

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The pursuit ended with the car colliding with another vehicle near Cheyenne Avenue and Whispering Willow Lane, west of Jones. Police said three people were taken into custody and multiple people were transported to a hospital for minor injuries.

Metro is asking motorists to avoid the area.

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YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  An investigation is ongoing into a Tuesday evening stabbing in York County, officials say.

Police were called to the 1200 block of Hanover Road for a stabbing, a spokesperson for York County Office of Emergency Management confirmed around 8:30 p.m.

EMS is currently on scene, the spokesperson added.

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Details regarding the incident are still unclear.

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This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

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Police searching for driver in fatal Tampa hit-and-run

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Police are searching for the driver of a vehicle involved in a fatal hit-and-run in Tampa on Tuesday.

Around 2:55 a.m., a pedestrian was reportedly struck by a dark pickup truck while walking north on Orient Road near E 8th Avenue.

Credit: Tampa Police Department

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After the crash, the driver fled the scene, according to police.

The pedestrian was taken to a local hospital but died due to his injuries.

Surveillance footage from a gas station nearby led police to believe the truck was a Nissan Titan. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call 813-231-6130 or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-Tips (8477).

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CARBONDALE  A Carbondale woman faces drug charges after police said she sold clonazepam to a confidential informant.

South Abington Twp. police officers met with the informant Nov. 1, who told officers they could obtain the benzodiazepine drug from Sandra Restucci, 50, of 16 Hospital St., according to a criminal complaint.

Officers provided the informant with marked cash to purchase the drugs, police said.

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Police officers followed the informant to 16 Hospital St., where Restucci had agreed to meet for the drug transaction, the complaint states.

Restucci met the informant near her residence and walked down to Hospital and Duffy streets, where the drug sale took place, police said.

Police had the two under surveillance during the transaction and watched Restucci return to her residence and the informant leave the area.

After they were out of sight of the residence, officers picked up the informant in a police vehicle.

The informant handed over a package containing 40 white pills to police officers, later identified as 2-milligram tablets of clonazepam, police said.

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The informant was searched again and had no cash or contraband on them.

Restucci is charged with manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She remains in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail with a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. on Dec. 5 before District Judge Laura Turlip.
In the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, a CIA honcho is criticized by a junior colleague for working with a disreputable character. Yeah, youre right, replies the spook. We should just deal with nice people.

Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Elon Muskits been a terrific few weeks for Bond villains.

Trump is riding high just now. He has been elected president again and did so while winning more votes overall than did his Democratic opponent, whose name escapes me just now, as, indeed, it apparently eluded millions of Democrats on Election Day. (There is no such thing as the national popular vote, but, given that Trump won in 2016 with fewer votes coast-to-coast than did the wife of that guy who used to be the president a long time ago, the overall vote share is significant.) With his ridiculous Cabinet nominations, he has once again demonstrated that there is no depth of self-abasement to which he cannot bully Republicans into plumbing.

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And he even got to MSNBC!

Joe Scarborough, formerly a Republican member of the House and currently the host of the big morning program on MSNBC, became a critic of Donald Trump after having been a key early booster. It would be fair to say he has been a trenchant critic. It would even be fair to say he has been a hair-on-fire criticthat is his own characterization, not mine. (In the interest of full disclosure: I have been a guest on Morning Joe a few times and have gotten to know Scarborough a little bit over the years, and I think of him as a friend.) In spite of his strong opposition to Trump, Scarborough and his co-host (and wife), Mika Brzezinski, made the trip down to Mar-a-Lago to meet with the president-elect in the hopes of establishing a more productive exchange going forward.

This was not what you would call well-received among the MSNBC tribe.

Scarborough is in the funny position of being a former Republican officeholder with a very big footprint on the cable channel that the more energetic kind of progressives consider their own turf. While his views and attitudes have evolved over the years, his baseline sensibility has always been one shared with the very people who first rallied to Trumps cause: New York City outer-borough types and suburbanites with Catholic backgrounds of the sort we used to refer to as white ethnic. Scarborough is a Southerner, but he wouldnt be out of place in Long Island; when I first got to know him, he was living in the Connecticut suburbs of New York and seemed right at home there. And, in fact, he took a rather more positive view of Trump for a time.

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Scarboroughs largely left-leaning audience of course went ape when he reported the meeting on his show. MSNBC contributor Jennifer Rubin unsubtly pressed for a boycott targeting her own channel in response to the disgusting spectacle of  well, what, exactly? Two people who host a news-talk show meeting with an elected official?

Brzezinski pointed to the case of her father, Zbigniew Brzezinski, who was a major foreign-policy figure in the Johnson and Carter administrations and who was the principal architect of the U.S. response to the Soviet Unions invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Students of 20th-century history will no doubt be mindful that the anti-communist project involved talking to a lot of people who were not very nice at all. One can be too indulgenteven the best of us easily can be too indulgentbut one of the lessons of the anti-Soviet campaign is that it probably is better to maintain an open line of communication to Idi Amin than to enjoy the fleeting moral satisfaction that would come from cutting the lines.

(Jonah Goldberg will not forgive me if I fail to note Dr. Amins full handle: His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, CBE, Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Seas. Donald Trump is hardly the first specimen of his kind.)

The most important question in practical politics (and in much else) is: Compared to what? If you believe that Scarborough has sullied himself and MSNBC by meeting with the president-elect and then explaining the meeting to his audience, then what do you imagine the preferable alternative to be? As Scarborough concedes, the Resistance stuff and the hair-on-fire stuff has failedobviously and spectacularly!on its own terms. I understand the anathematizing impulse and sympathize with it to a considerable extent: My writing this will lead to some awkward conversations in the near future, no doubt, but I do not believe that there is any honorable way to serve in the Trump administration. Joe Scarborough isnt looking for a new job, though: Covering politics is already his job.

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What cable-news commentators do isnt exactly what a New York Times political reporter does in terms of the tenor of the journalism, but it is a variation on the theme. The instinct of news outlets (and MSNBC, whatever its deficiencies, is still one of those) to pet their audiences and to flatter their prejudices has been one of the most destructive trends in recent journalismsecond only to the audiences own demand that their news and commentary providers pander to them. About three times a week, somebody criticizes me for failing to defer to my constituency, and I have to remind them that I am not running for elected office.

(Theres only one elected job I think Id enjoy having, and Brewster County already has a sheriff, about whom I know nothing other than the facts that he looks exactly like a sheriff of Brewster County is supposed to look and needs a new truck.)

In some ways, my judgment of Trump enablers such as Mike Pence and Ted Cruz (and Mike Lee and J.D. Vance and ) is more exacting than my judgment of Trump himself. Whatever else you may say about Trump, he has nowhere and at no time given me the impression of being a man who knows better. You dont blame Trump for being Trump any more than you blame a mosquito for biting you. You just hope you dont get malaria or dengue or West Nile or whatever.

Politics will be back. It will be back presently and with a vengeance. One of the reasons for thatand I will have more to say about this in Part 2 later this weekis that it is in the nature of factions to subdivide into two or more new factions once they have achieved a position of dominance, however temporary or unstable. The Trump element today owns the Republican Party, most of whose members are happy to be owned, and, if nothing else, the economics of competing grifts will ensure that the faction is acrimonious, rapacious, and riven. And Trump is a lame duck before even being sworn in. It is going to be a mess. But it is not going to be the end of the world, or the end of these United States.

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(Probably.)

I have interviewed all sorts of distasteful people over the course of my career. In fact, I had agreed to an interview with Donald Trump back in 2012, when he also was kicking around the idea of running for president. Ive interviewed communists, Nation of Islam representatives, pornographers, Flat Earthers, conspiracy kooks, and Bernie Sanders voters who checked more than one of the previous boxes. Its what you do in my line of work.

The politics of cooties is bad enough. Journalism of cootieswhere we just dont talk to people we personally think poorly ofisnt journalism at all.

Scarborough notes that the internet world reacted hysterically and histrionically to his meeting with Trump, whereas in the real world, most people took the meeting and his reporting of it to his audience as a matter of course. That is part of the problem, too: Since the introduction of the first iPhone nearly two decades ago, the internet has been transformed from a tool into an environment, from a kind of wide-open virtual place one visits from time to time to a suffocating place one escapes from only time to time, if at all. That, as much as the ghastly particularities of Donald Trump, is the rancid secret sauce of our current political moment. But it is possible to counteract it.

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I do not think that temperateness probably comes naturally to Joe Scarborough or to mein our time, the commentary business typically does not reward the even-keeledbut the pursuit of a virtue can be, at times, as worthwhile as the achievement of it. And, as a cynical practical matter, temperateness might end up being a better strategy for containing Donald Trump, who thrives on drama, especially in the form of emotionally charged adversarial performances. Trump does not want things to quiet downnominating Matt Gaetz as attorney general is at least as much about the reaction to that nomination as it is about Gaetz himself, probably more. If you wanted to torture Trump, all you would need is a quiet, comfortable room with no television or wi-fi. He would rather be screamed at by his enemies than sit in silence. If Trump could be shouted down or shamed into being a better sort of man, wed have stopped thinking about him at all around 1983.

Maybe Scarborough is right and that it is time to try calming down. Because the other way of doing things hasnt produced the results we had wanted.

Editors Note: Part 2 of Politics Will Return was published on Friday, November 22.

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By Joshua McElwee

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - An Italian teenager who used his computer skills to spread the Catholic faith will become the first saint from the millennial generation when he is canonized next April.

Carlo Acutis, who died of leukaemia in 2006 aged 15, was dubbed "God's influencer". Born in London, he grew up in Milan where he took care of the websites for his parish and a Vatican-based academy.

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Pope Francis told his weekly general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday that Acutis will be made a saint during the weekend of April 25 to 27.

That weekend, the Vatican is celebrating a Jubilee for Adolescents as part of the Catholic holy year in Rome, which opens at the end of December. The Vatican did not give an exact date for the canonization ceremony.

The pope also said on Wednesday he would canonize Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young Italian man who was known for helping those in need and died of polio in the 1920s, during the weekend of July 28-Aug. 3.

Francis also announced the Vatican would host a meeting on the rights of children on Feb. 3, which he said would include experts from various countries.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee, editing by Gavin Jones and Angus MacSwan)
Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Pope Francis on Wednesday announced the date of two saints to be canonized in 2025, including the first millennial saint.

The Vatican said teenager Carlo Acutis, a tech expert, will be canonized during the Jubilee for Adolescents on April 25-27. The second canonization, Pier Giorgio Frassati, will occur during the Jubilee for Young People, held July 28-Aug. 3.

The Vatican noted that Frassati's canonization comes 35 years after his beatification. Both are popular among young Catholics and are expected to draw large audiences to the individual celebrations.

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Acutis was a young Italian computer coding expert who died of cancer in 2006. As a child, he attended mass daily and worked with his family for nearly three years to put together an exhibition on eucharistic miracles that opened in 2005, the Year of the Eucharist.

The display has now been shown on five continents through thousands of parishes. His faith led his parents to return to the Catholic Church and his Hindu au pair to convert.

In 2013, Pope Francis approved a miracle associated with Acutis when a Brazilian boy was healed from pancreatic disease after touching a t-shirt formerly worn by Acutis.

Frassati died at 24 in 1925 after growing up an avid mountaineer in Turin. He joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society at 17 to care for the homeless and sick. He also assisted injured servicemen returning from World War I.

His father founded the newspaper La Stampa in Italy but Frassati dedicated himself to service to others through the Apostleship of Prayer and Catholic Action.
IBERIA PARISH, La. (KLFY)  The Port of Iberia has created a $100,000 scholarship to be a direct investment to the port, South Louisiana Community College (SoLAcc) and the parish.

Port Director Craig Romero said the port commission began talking about the idea of developing a scholarship more than a year ago as a means to reinvest in the youth and to try to retain talent by giving them new skills and continue living in the community.

Were investing in the youth and theyre going to stay here. Theyre going to get good jobs here. Theyll get better pay as a result and all the rest; you know. Thats our future, Romero said.

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The scholarship is aimed to benefit Iberia Parish students looking to go to fields relevant to port careers like engineering technology, finance and accounting, cyber security, welding, and logistics.

SoLAcc Chancellor Vincent June said the ability to participate in curriculum development and short-term training that aligns with businesses and industries helps us to maintain that cycle of education that directly allows them to come to south Louisiana, can be in college and go directly and work with those particular companies.

Man arrested after allegedly leading police on multi-parish tractor chase

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Plans are in place for the Louisiana Board of Regents to match the $100,000 scholarship, bringing scholarship funds to $200,000. This will further extend its reach to multiple applicants.

The scholarship will begin awarding incoming students by spring 2026, possibly sooner.

It is a win-win. We all get to make that direct investment and we always get to maintain that sustainability factor directly impacting the parish, June said.

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Nov. 20A Portland man was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for having sexually explicit conversations online with a minor who he discussed meeting out of state.

Joshua Decker, 36, pleaded guilty in July to one count of possessing child pornography and one count of enticing a minor and was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Portland on Tuesday. He was also ordered to serve life on probation.

According to court records, Decker began talking with a 16-year-old in Oregon over an online chat forum in late 2022. Their conversations then moved to Skype and Snapchat, where prosecutors say they became sexually graphic. Eventually, Decker started discussing plans to visit the teenager, who prosecutors did not identify.

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In July 2023, Portland police executed a search warrant at Decker's home and found a Sky Tablet in his car that contained a video of a girl younger than 12, being sexually abused. Police said they found the video in the tablet's "trash" folder but that it was still accessible.

A victim impact statement that was submitted before Decker's sentencing was not publicly available Wednesday. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Maine pointed to an "alarming 300% increase" in online enticement in a statement Tuesday.

In court records, a public defender for Decker said he admitted to the conduct, that the crime was serious, and that Decker wanted treatment. Decker described an abusive childhood. He struggled with housing instability and substance use disorder stemming from an opioid prescription he received when he was 16 years old.

Decker was previously convicted in Androscoggin County Criminal Court in 2018 for possession of sexually explicit material of a minor under 12.

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Nov. 20Portland police have arrested five men, and are searching for another, on a series of assault charges after a deadly shooting this summer that prosecutors have said stemmed from a dispute between two motorcycle clubs.

The latest arrests come months after Aaron Karp was charged with murder in the death of 54-year-old Susan McHugh of Gray. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held at the Cumberland County Jai without bail.

The five men charged this week with elevated aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit assault are: Kaleb Cidre, 22, of Windham; Jason Keenan, 45, of Bath; James Moody, 30, of Bowdoin; Caleb Pelkey, 33, of Portland; and Nathan Walsh, 48, of Lewiston.

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Police are still trying to find a sixth man, 45-year-old Kristofer Haken of Londonderry, New Hampshire. Portland police spokesperson Brad Nadeau said that Haken is considered "dangerous and may be armed" and that they believe he is linked with the Outlaws Motorcycle Club.

Karp, who was arrested in August, also has ties to the biker club, according to investigators. In previous court hearings, a prosecutor for the state said that the entire incident stemmed from rivalries between the Outlaws and another club.

At a bail hearing in September, a Portland police detective testified that he had seen surveillance camera footage of Karp firing the gun at McHugh the night of July 30.

Hours earlier, McHugh's son, her husband and their friend (all of whom are members of the rival motorcycle club FSU) got into an argument at a restaurant in Westbrook with members of Higher Calling, which is affiliated with the Outlaws. The argument was caught on the restaurant surveillance camera, the detective said.

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As the FSU members left the restaurant, the detective said, the Higher Calling men appeared to be making several phone calls.

Around 8:45 p.m. that night, the McHughs were parked in a lot near Samuel's Bar & Grill. When Karp and others arrived, the group began attacking the McHughs with two-pound mini-sledgehammers and wrench, the detective said.

Susan McHugh was crouched behind their car, firing her husband's gun at Karp's group. As Karp and his members fled, he tripped, and police said the video showed him firing nine rounds in Susan McHugh's direction.

Troy McHugh and Holmes were taken to the hospital with fractured skulls.

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It's unclear what roles police believed the five new men charged played that night. Nadeau declined to share any information on whether police believe the men are connected with either motorcycle club.

Their first appearances in court were not yet scheduled as of Wednesday morning.

This story will be updated.

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Vermont State Police have found the California man who allegedly attacked a nurse at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend before fleeing the hospital on foot.

Adam Rauch, 22, of San Diego, was found walking along Route 30 in Newfane at 2:10 p.m. He was taken into custody without incident by Vermont State Police.

Troopers initially said that Raunch may be in crisis and is potentially dangerous.

Before police found him, Rauch was last seen leaving the hospital in blue scrub pants, a blue paper top and no socks or shoes.

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The nurse was treated for facial injuries, police said. The incident, which the hospital reported around 9:30 a.m., prompted safety precautions at the hospital and nearby schools that have since lifted.

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As evening commuters drove away from downtown Raleigh on Tuesday at the end of the business day, the North Carolina House was in session on Jones Street and planning to vote on a bill  one that wasnt made public yet, aside from a draft version circulated among some lawmakers and the press.

Republicans wrote the bill in secret.

They released it to the public one hour before beginning debate in the House.

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And they put it forward in a form that could not be amended.

Less than 24 hours later, they had moved it through votes in the House and Senate and sent it to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

The proposal included Helene disaster relief as well as a series of power shifts that, among other things, would take control from the governor and attorney general and give it to the legislature and a different statewide elected official.

Election results help explain the timing. The General Assembly has a Republican supermajority, but voters narrowed that to a large but not veto-proof majority in the November election. Voters also chose a Democrat as governor, Josh Stein, and a Democrat as attorney general, Jeff Jackson.

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Stein is currently attorney general and Jackson is a member of Congress.

The bill takes the power to appoint the State Board of Elections from the governor and gives it to the state auditor. Republican Dave Boliek is the incoming auditor.

The Board of Elections is now appointed by the governor, who can give his party a 3-2 majority, which Cooper has done.

The Board of Elections executive director said that board staff were not consulted about the legislation before Tuesday, The News & Observer previously reported.

As the next attorney general, Jackson would not have the same power that Stein has in arguing cases that differed from what the Republican-controlled General Assembly wanted, The N&O reported.

Democrats call it power grab

Rep. Lindsey Prather, a Democrat from Buncombe County, speaks as a bill including a series of power shifts is debated during a legislative session at the General Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C.

Tuesday was the first legislative session day since Republicans found out they would lose total control of the General Assembly next year.

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This is a transparent power grab pushed through by a supermajority thats not happy with the recent election results, and youre calling it a disaster relief bill. This is shameful, and Western North Carolina is not going to stand for it, said Democratic Rep. Lindsey Prather of Buncombe County, which was hard-hit from Helene.

During the debate, Republicans did not respond to Democrats criticism of the process, but House Rules Committee Chair Destin Hall spoke about that process afterward with reporters. He told reporters that Democrats had an hour and a half to debate the bill ahead of the vote that came a little after 8 p.m.

We didnt cut off debate, which sometimes we do if its a bill that we think warrants it, Hall said. But tonight, you know, we knew that they got the bill a little bit later, so we allowed them debate it, and it sounded like they debated just about every page of it.

Hall said he seriously doubted that they would have been for it if theyd had a month to look at it. I know theyre the loyal opposition, and theyve got to be against things like that, but at the end of the day, I dont know that there were any real shockers in there.

Rep. Robert Reives covers his face with his hands as a bill including a series of power shifts is debated during a legislative session at the General Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C.

House Democratic Leader Robert Reives said during his time in the House, the bill-making process has changed from one involving committees to one in which small groups of Republicans decide whats in a bill. He said a Republican friend of his called it fiefdoms.

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Wouldnt it be nice sometimes just to be consulted? ... None of us do well with unfettered power, Reives said.

Rep. Robert Reives speaks about a bill including Helene disaster relief and a series of power shifts during a legislative session at the General Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C.

He said hes exhausted with conference reports, which cant be amended once they are agreed upon in secret, and asked if lawmakers can do it another way, where more lawmakers know about what they will be voting on.

The bill passed the House 63-46 before going to the Senate, where it passed 30-19 along party lines. Three House Republicans from Western North Carolina voted against the bill, but Hall said hes confident that they would vote to override a veto if Cooper blocks the bill.

Members of the North Carolina House listen as a bill including a series of power shifts is debated during a legislative session at the General Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C.

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Speaker elected, vetoes overridden

Earlier in the day, House Republicans elected Rules Chair Destin Hall, a Caldwell County attorney to serve as speaker in the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions. The caucus meeting lasted longer than expected, which resulted in postponing a press conference about the elections by two hours.

The House then held a legislative session to override Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto of House Bill 10, which spends about $500 million in taxpayer money to fund the backlog of private school vouchers as well as requiring county sheriffs to cooperate with detainers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The House also overturned Coopers veto of Senate Bill 445, which deals with recording court documents.

Then there was another break for Republicans to meet again, and more delays for the rest of the House session.

Rep. John Bradford, a Republican from Mecklenburg County, listens as a bill including a series of power shifts is debated during a legislative session at the General Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C.

Democrats take 45 minutes to review the bill

As the evening dragged on, Republican House Speaker Tim Moore, who is leaving at the end of the year after winning a seat in Congress, said that he was waiting for the bill to be ready.

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Lawmakers named to decide what should be in the final bill were Republicans Sen. Ralph Hise, Sen. Kevin Corbin, Sen. Bill Rabon, Rep. Brenden Jones and Rep. Donny Lambeth.

Senate Bill 382, originally about dentistry, was replaced with a new bill around 5:30 p.m.

Moore told lawmakers he would add the new bill to that days calendar for a vote the same day. The speaker then allowed a break for House Democrats to read the bill. At the same time, the bill itself was just becoming public.

House Speaker Tim Moore speaks during a legislative session on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C.

Rep. Cynthia Ball, the House deputy Democratic leader, requested 20 minutes for Democrats to review the bill. Democrats had also been meeting earlier in the day discussing the bill. Lawmakers waited for Democrats to finish meeting. Just before 6:30 p.m., the session reconvened.

Cooper says bill prioritizes more power grabs

The bill is the legislatures third package of Helene relief and would add another $227 million.

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Lambeth, of Winston-Salem, a powerful budget writer said lawmakers would pass even more relief in December.

As the evening waned, Cooper posted a statement on the social media site Threads, saying the bill prioritizes more power grabs in Raleigh over more Helene disaster relief funding.

Buncombe County Democratic Rep. Eric Ager said the bill was more about political priorities than Helene relief, saying the bill does almost nothing to address Helene needs.

Calling this bill a disaster relief bill is really rich, Ager said during floor debate.

Durham Democratic Rep. Marcia Morey said the bill should be called disaster instead of disaster relief because it shortchanged Western North Carolina. She also protested the lack of a committee process.

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None of this has had any open public hearing. ... And now this is rammed down our throat within hours of coming out, Morey said.

Hall told reporters after session that some of the reason for the short-notice vote was scheduling.

At the end of the day, its not an uncommon thing in this body for the process youve seen tonight. You know, you like to when you can, to go through the normal process, but again, part of it is just the time in the calendar and the legislative calendar, he said.

Asked if the election results were a factor in the powers shifted in the bill, Hall said that the bill included issues that have been discussed for some time. He said virtually every member of the Republican caucus was part of the decision-making.

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Hall also said that in some way everything the General Assembly does is because of election results.

Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Democrat from Guilford County, speaks as a bill including a series of power shifts is debated during a legislative session at the General Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C.

Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Guilford County Democrat, told Moore on the floor that she she appreciated Democrats having time to review it ahead of the vote, even though it wasnt very long.

Combining all these significant policy changes is completely inappropriate in a 132-page bill that just became public maybe an hour and a half ago. I know that I dont want to dwell on the process, but the process could have been a lot better, she said.

Legislative staff briefed Democrats on the bill just before the floor debate.

Politicizing a natural disaster is how Apex Democratic Rep. Julie von Haefen described the bill.

Senate leader says process was all within bounds

After the Senate passed the bill on Wednesday, Senate leader Phil Berger said the process was all within the rules that we have. Its all within the process that we have employed, and the Democrats employed before, and its all within bounds as far as were concerned.

Asked why the power policy changes werent run as a separate bill that goes through committees, Berger said the decision was made not to do that.

Berger also said the power shift on the Board of Elections on appointments addressed longstanding concerns. Among them: they wanted an office that would count votes faster.

Weve expressed concerns for a number of years about how the Board of Elections has been operating under the appointees of Roy Cooper. And we have tried on multiple occasions to put forward the idea that we need to have balance on the board that is responsible for counting votes, and making decisions about elections. The Democrats have said, no, no, no, hell no. And so we just decided that it was time for us to go ahead and take action.

Well see how it works with the auditor, if we see the same sorts of partisan engagement there, I think its a fair question for us to step in and and maybe make another change, he said.

Asked if Republicans chose the auditor because a Republican won the election, Berger said, no, its because we felt the auditors office was a place that would work.

For the attorney general power change, Berger said it was because of how Stein, as attorney general, had been at odds with what the General Assembly wanted.

During the Senates floor debate on Wednesday, Granville County Democratic Sen. Mary Wills Bode called the bill sore loser politics.

During debate by Democratic Sen. Lisa Grafstein, of Wake County, visitors in the gallery cheered and Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who was presiding, told the sergeants-at-arms to clear the gallery. Berger called for a 10-minute recess. There had been multiple interruptions including cheers and whispered hissing during the session. Some visitors called out shame, shame, shame as they left the gallery.

Vickie Shea, a Democratic supporter from Pittsboro who said she had been sitting silently in the gallery, called the gallery-clearing move, bullying of the Republicans, who are about to lose a lot of power, and are going to grab as much as they can on their way out of the door.

Avi Bajpai contributed to this report.

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP)  Cambodia's National Assembly unanimously approved the reappointment of Prak Sokhonn as foreign minister Wednesday.

Prak Sokhonn, a first vice president of the Senate and a former deputy prime minister and foreign minister, replaced Sok Chenda Sophea, who remains deputy prime minister.

Prime Minister Hun Manet posted a congratulatory message to Prak Sokhonn on his Telegram channel shortly afterward.

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Hun Manet succeeded his father last year after Hun Sen ruled the Southeast Asian country for nearly four decades, but there have been few signs of political liberalization.

Prak Sokhonn was deputy prime minister and foreign minister from 2016 through 2023 under Hun Sen. Before that, he was Cambodia's ambassador to several countries.

In a previous Cabinet shuffle in September, Sok Soken became inspection minister and Hout Hak became tourism minister in a swapping of posts.

At a university graduation ceremony in September, Hun Manet said adjustments in his Cabinet were meant to enhance governance and to push the ministers to work as a team.
When my oldest daughter was born prematurely, I was thrust into a world I never imagineda world defined by the hum of incubators, the glow of monitors, and an all-encompassing fear of the unknown. In those early moments, I carried an unbearable sense of guilt, feeling as though I had failed her by not being able to keep her safely within me until full term.

The NICU became our new reality, but the most haunting moment came when I returned home without herstaring at an empty car seat that should have cradled my baby. That profound emptiness pushed an already tumultuous time into a spiral of despair. Postpartum struggles stole the joy that should have accompanied welcoming a child, leaving a shadow over what should have been one of the happiest chapters of my life. Even now, three years later, I carry the weight of those moments and the deep awareness of how fragile everything truly is.

Our journey was shaped not only by the care we received but also by the glaring gaps in a system meant to protect our most vulnerable. What I came to realize, however, is that my story is far from uniqueits part of a larger, national crisis.

Why the US is failing moms and preterm babies

More than 370,000 babies in the United States were born prematurely in 2023, accounting for 10.4% of all births. For the third consecutive year, the March of Dimes has given the country a D+ grade for its preterm birth ratea grim reminder of the systemic issues that persist.

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For Black birthing people, the reality is even starker. They face a preterm birth rate of 14.7%, which is 1.4 times the rate of their peers. American Indian and Alaska Native birthing individuals face similarly high rates. Disparities like these are not coincidental; they are symptoms of systemic inequities that leave the most vulnerable populations without adequate care.

Geography plays a significant role as well. States like Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana report preterm birth rates over 13%, while cities like Detroit and Cleveland earn failing grades. In contrast, states like Vermont, where access to maternal care is prioritized, have preterm birth rates as low as 7.7%. These stark differences reveal how much a familys location influences their likelihood of a healthy birth.

RELATED: This is birth: First-time parents NICU journey

The NICU gray zone: Survival shouldnt depend on your zip code

The weeks between 22 and 24 weeks of pregnancy are known as the gray zone for premature babiesa period where survival is uncertain and hospital policies vary widely. For some families, this can mean the difference between life and death.

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In some hospitals, babies born at 22 weeks have survival rates as high as 60% thanks to advanced neonatal care. But not all hospitals are equipped or willing to intervene. Families like Fatima Goines, featured in The Wall Street Journal, had to fight for their babys chance at life, transferring hospitals mid-labor to find care. Others, like Rachel Sherman, werent even told there were alternative options.

While I was fortunate to have access to high-level care, I realized how easily circumstances could have been different if we had lived elsewhere.

RELATED: 10 things I wish I knew as a new NICU mama

How we can help moms and babies thrive despite the odds

The preterm birth crisis is driven by a combination of systemic issues, all of which disproportionately impact the most vulnerable families:

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Chronic Health Conditions : Conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and unhealthy weight significantly increase the risk of preterm birth. These conditions are more common in marginalized communities, creating a ripple effect that perpetuates disparities.

Environmental Risks : Nearly 74% of birthing individuals in the US are exposed to poor air quality, while 40% experience extreme heat during pregnancytwo environmental factors linked to higher preterm birth rates.

Inadequate Prenatal Care: Rates of inadequate prenatal care have risen to 15.7%, the highest in a decade, with the worst outcomes seen in Black and Indigenous communities. Early and consistent prenatal care is critical to reducing preterm births, but systemic barriers continue to limit access for many families.

What parents need to know: Advocating for your baby

As a mom whos lived through this experience, heres what I wish I had known when navigating the world of preterm birth:

Understand Hospital Policies: Not all hospitals offer the same level of care for extremely premature babies. Research your local hospitals NICU levels and policies, and dont hesitate to seek second opinions or request transfers if needed. Ask the Right Questions: Questions like What is your hospitals policy on resuscitating babies born at 22 weeks? can make a life-or-death difference. Find Support: Groups like TwentyTwo Matters and advocacy organizations can provide invaluable guidance for families navigating preterm birth. Prepare for High-Risk Pregnancies: If youre at risk, connect with maternal health resources early, learn the signs of preterm labor, and take steps to reduce environmental risks.

The fight for every baby: A call for systemic change

To address the preterm birth crisis, systemic changes are essential:

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Standardize NICU Policies : Families shouldnt face a patchwork system where survival depends on geography. National guidelines are needed to ensure equitable care for all.

Expand Access to Care : Medicaid expansion, increased funding for underserved areas, and support for maternal health initiatives are critical to closing gaps in care.

Address Environmental Risks: Policies that reduce air pollution and mitigate extreme heat are vital for protecting pregnant individuals and their babies.

Global leaders like Japan and Sweden have embraced higher intervention rates for babies born at 22 weeks, with survival rates of 58% and 63%, respectively. The US has the resources to match those outcomesbut only if systemic reforms are prioritized.

A reflection on resilience

Three years after Giannas birth, Ive come to realize that every preemie journey is one of hope, resilience, and unwavering love. Families like mine, and the countless others navigating this journey, have fought for their babies in the face of incredible challenges.

But we shouldnt have to fight alone. The preemie crisis in America demands systemic change to ensure every babyand every familyhas a fighting chance. Together, we can push for the reforms that all families deserve.

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Sources:
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A woman was injured after a shooting Tuesday afternoon in the BayviewHunters Point neighborhood, the San Francisco Police Department said. The shooting happened around 2:13 p.m. at 1138 Hollister Ave.

The woman was pregnant and shot in the stomach, the San Francisco Fire Department confirmed.

SFPD officers arrived at the scene in the residential neighborhood and took the woman to the hospital. As of now, the condition of the victim is unknown at this time.

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The suspect remains at large, and SFPD did not release any information about the alleged shooter.

Bomb cyclone meets atmospheric river: When will it hit the Bay Area?

No other information about the shooting was immediately available. SFPD says anyone with information is asked to contact the department at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

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First, he was caught up in a Sabrina Carpenter scandal. Then, financial records tied him to Eric Adams former aide.

Now, the Rev. Jamie Gigantiello, a Catholic priest, has been stripped of his duties at his church in Brooklyn, New York, according to The Associated Press.

In order to safeguard the public trust, and to protect church funds, I have appointed Bishop Witold Mroziewski as administrator of the Parish, Bishop Robert Brennan, who leads the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, said in a statement.

Sabrina Carpenter music video

The Rev. Gigantiellos current troubles began when he approved a request from Carpenters team for the pop star to film a music video in Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

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The Feather video turned out more scandalous than the priest had expected. In it, a scantily clad Carpenter celebrates when multiple love interests die, as the Deseret News previously reported.

The Rev. Gigantiello apologized for allowing the filming in a November 2023 statement posted on his churchs Facebook page.

I offer my sincere apologies to the Bishop, the Diocese, my faithful parishioners and all of you for this shameful representation, which I whole-heartedly renounce. I ask that following the very example of Christs forgiveness, you find it possible to forgive my oversight in this unfortunate matter, he wrote.

The diocese launched an investigation into the Carpenter video and determined that the Rev. Gigantiello had not followed church policy for filming requests.

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The priest was relieved of his administrative oversight of the parish as a result of the investigation, as The New York Times reported at the time.

Priest tied to Adams controversy

The Rev. Gigantiello was then relieved of his pastoral duties after an additional investigation revealed other instances of mismanagement, per the AP.

The diocese said the priest was found to have made unauthorized financial transfers to a former top aide in New York City Mayor Eric Adams administration, which is being investigated on charges of corruption, the AP reported.

Adams himself was charged with bribery and mismanagement of campaign finances in late September.

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The Rev. Gigantiello and the former Adams aide, Frank Carone, have not been accused of or charged with wrongdoing by law enforcement, but federal investigators have subpoenaed the church seeking information about their financial transactions, the AP reported.

Moving forward, the Rev. Gigantiello can still say Mass in his church, but only with the approval of the parish administrator.
The Prince of Wales visited Newport, which is one of the centers for his Homewards project

Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Prince William during a visit to Newport to hear about the Homewards Newport local Coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city on Nov. 20, 2024 Prince William during a visit to Newport to hear about the Homewards Newport local Coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city on Nov. 20, 2024

Prince William is highlighting the particular difficulties women face when they are unhoused.

Women who dont have a home often face disadvantages, from trauma to poverty and domestic abuse. They are especially susceptible to experience hidden homelessness," as they are less likely than men to sleep on the streets because of fears for their safety. Instead, they might sleep on friends sofas or on public transport.

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On Nov. 20, William headed to Newport, Wales, which is one of the six key areas around the U.K. that his Homewards program is focusing on as it seeks to make homelessness "rare, brief and unrepeated." Last week, he went to Belfast, Northern Ireland to check in with the specific work being done there as well.

Unhoused women have been identified as a key priority in Newport, where there are reports of a rise in womens homelessness. In doing so, Homewards hopes to not only help these women but also share learnings with the programs other five flagship locations and beyond.

Soon after after arriving in the city on Nov. 20, William, 42, was told what the local coalition brought together by Homewards is doing to prevent women's homelessness in the city, and he highlighted the commitments from local organizations which have made pledges of support.

Related: Prince William Recalls Emotional Childhood Memory with Prince Harry in First Public Mention of Brother in Years

Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Prince William during a visit to Newport to hear about the Homewards Newport local Coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city on Nov. 20, 2024 Prince William during a visit to Newport to hear about the Homewards Newport local Coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city on Nov. 20, 2024

The Prince of Wales was joined by Homewards Advocate Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, who herself experienced homelessness as a teenager in the city. Cohen-Hatton, who appeared in Williams recent documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, is now a successful fire chief in an English county. The pair visited The Nelson Trust, which plays a pivotal role in delivering trauma-informed support for women in Newport.

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They met local women who have experienced homelessness and are part of a "Women of Newport" photography project, which seeks to raise awareness and change perceptions around women's homelessness and demonstrate that recovery from homelessness is possible. They also privately visited a womens support service to hear from women who have experienced homelessness due to domestic abuse and sexual exploitation.

Related: Here's How You Can Watch Prince William's Groundbreaking New Documentary in Both the U.K. and the U.S.

Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Prince William during a visit to Newport to hear about the Homewards Newport local Coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city on Nov. 20, 2024 Prince William during a visit to Newport to hear about the Homewards Newport local Coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city on Nov. 20, 2024

The meeting highlighted what services are needed to help women who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and what needs to be done to support them further in the city.

William's visit came as the Newport Homewards coalition announced a series of initiatives that will help women in the area. The local publicly-funded National Health Service will provide an Early Intervention Worker who will focus on helping women get access to the right services as soon as they come forward to help them avoid reaching a crisis point.

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For the first time in Newport, local authorities are committing themselves to exploring the provision of women-specific properties in the city. The Nelson Trust, which William visited, will help professionals across a range of support organizations are better trained and equipped to help women who have experienced trauma.

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William also met the businesses, charities and other organizations that are working in the Homewards Newport Coalition to hear about commitments they are making to support local efforts to prevent and end women's homelessness. These organizations included Newport City Homes, Newport City Council, Newport Live, POBL, Dick Lovett and Public Health Wales.
Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, who met with the Prince of Wales on Nov. 20 to discuss the issue, says he has a real focus on the human impact of homelessness

Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Prince William during a visit to Newport to hear about the Homewards Newport local Coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city. The Prince was joined by Homewards Advocate, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, who herself experienced homelessness as a teenager in the city Prince William during a visit to Newport to hear about the Homewards Newport local Coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city. The Prince was joined by Homewards Advocate, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, who herself experienced homelessness as a teenager in the city

Prince William went from the glitz and glamor of the annual Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace to a meaningful conversation with a group of unhoused women some 140 miles away the next day.

Following the annual diplomatic reception on Nov. 19, the Prince of Wales, 42, was in Newport, Wales on Nov. 20  one of the areas that hes focusing on in his ongoing bid to eliminate homelessness.

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Related: Prince William Heads to Wales to Highlight Trauma and Poverty Issues Experienced by Unhoused Women

Dimitris Legakis - WPA Pool/Getty Prince William, Prince of Wales during a visit with Homewards Newport to hear about the local coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city, and unveil commitments from local organisations who have pledged their support at The Nelson Trust Women's Centre on Nov. 20, 2024 in Newport, Wales Prince William, Prince of Wales during a visit with Homewards Newport to hear about the local coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city, and unveil commitments from local organisations who have pledged their support at The Nelson Trust Women's Centre on Nov. 20, 2024 in Newport, Wales

Meeting him there was Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, a fire chief who was homeless as a teen. She introduced him to several unhoused women privately at a meeting in the city on Wednesday.

It was a really powerful visit. We visited a provision that is really focused on womens experience of homelessness, she says. As we know, womens experience of homelessness is very different to mens  thats not to diminish mens experience in any way, shape or form.

Unhoused women, for example, are more likely to be hidden for fear of rough sleeping, a term used for sleeping outside or in places not typically used for sleeping, like cars and abandoned buildings.

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We present differently, so figures are skewed and access to support are skewed, Cohen-Hatton says. Women might face exploitation, sexual and domestic violence and the trauma that is wrapped around womens experience of homelessness. And it needs a different fix.



Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Prince William during a visit to Newport to hear about the Homewards Newport local Coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city on Nov. 20, 2024 Prince William during a visit to Newport to hear about the Homewards Newport local Coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city on Nov. 20, 2024

Prince William spoke to several women during the engagement.

One of the great things about the visit was the prince was able to see firsthand just what we need to do, Cohen-Hatton says, adding, It was a really powerful conversation for the prince to hear. One of things that I always see with my engagements with the prince is his real focus on the human impact of homelessness. One of the really important things about today is an opportunity to remind us why were doing this, speaking to the people who are affected by that.

Its really powerful to be able to see that. It was a really meaningful visit, she adds. He was quite moved. One of the great things about the prince is really manages to put people at ease very quickly. I was able to visit slightly [with them] before the prince arrived. So I saw the nerves initially and then I saw the prince come in and instantly quell those. Thats a skill he has.

Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Prince William during a visit to Newport to hear about the Homewards Newport local Coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city on Nov. 20, 2024 Prince William during a visit to Newport to hear about the Homewards Newport local Coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city on Nov. 20, 2024

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Related: Prince William Admits Hes Nervous About the Challenge Surrounding This Aspect of His Royal Work

Cohen-Hatton appeared in Prince Williams recent documentary Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, which premiered late last month. She believes hell use what he heard at the Nov. 20 meeting going forward, as hearing about peoples experiences is able to inform how he can then direct Homewards to help. One of the questions he was asking throughout was how Homewards is making a difference and also how Homewards can help with the pinch points that we miss, Cohen-Hatton says.

Hes very good with his manner and line of questioning, she tells PEOPLE. So its always led by the individual hes talking to. He never pushes to ask for details but waits to see what people are comfortable talking about and sharing. And hes very good at putting people at ease and helping them to relax in a situation where they might not necessarily feel relaxed!

Being in Newport meant a lot to the women that met him, she adds. They were quite nervous beforehand, but what a life experience [it is] for them to meet the prince, whos interested in hearing their stories. Its important to reinforce how important it is to humanize people who are experiencing homelessness.

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When I experienced it, I felt dehumanized on a daily basis, and you feel like you dont have a sense of worth and you feel like you must deserve the situation youre in, she continues. But actually, to have the prince coming in and listening to your experience, being interested in that and looking at how he can help, I think that is a really powerful place to be.

Dimitris Legakis - WPA Pool/Getty Prince William, Prince of Wales during a visit with Homewards Newport to hear about the local coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city, and unveil commitments from local organisations who have pledged their support at The Nelson Trust Women's Centre on November 20, 2024 in Newport, Wales Prince William, Prince of Wales during a visit with Homewards Newport to hear about the local coalition's approach to preventing women's homelessness in the city, and unveil commitments from local organisations who have pledged their support at The Nelson Trust Women's Centre on November 20, 2024 in Newport, Wales

Cohen-Hatton has worked with Homewards from its early days  the Prince of Wales launched the initiative in June 2023  and, as its now more than a year old, Were seeing a real sense of momentum, she tells PEOPLE. The first year was really important to put in place some solid foundations and get the right people around the table. That was crucial to do. Now, were working out what measures of success look like, and that might be very different in the six target locations.

Those locations include Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Lambeth, Newport, Northern Ireland and Sheffield.

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Some of [the] activity is different  and it has to be because it has to be tailored to a local approach. Thats one of the strengths that Homewards brings. Its very tailored and very individual so that you can put the right focus on the problems you have locally, Cohen-Hatton says. Im really excit[ed] to see what the next few years are going to bring.
A pro-Palestine writer has pledged to use his Baillie Gifford literary prize money to protest against the award itself.

The investment management company sponsors Britains highest honour for non-fiction, but has been criticised by activists over its financial links to fossil fuels and Israel.

Those being honoured this year have now weighed into the row, with a runner-up declaring he will use his winnings to campaign against the company and the winner refusing to accept his prize over Baillie Giffords fossil fuel investments.

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Writer Viet Thanh Nguyen, who was awarded 5,000 as a runner-up, has pledged to use the cash to protest against the companys supposed links to Israel.

After being commended for his memoir A Man of Two Faces, he took to Instagram to state that Palestinians were the victims of a genocide in the conflict and that Baillie Gifford should cut any financial ties with Israel.

The company has previously stated that these ties amount to investments in companies, like Amazon, that do tiny amounts of business there.

Writing on social media, Mr Nguyen spoke of the need to speak out against every form of injustice without exception, whether our people are the victims or whether our people are the victimisers, whether it is a genocide committed in the past against Jews or in the present against Palestinians.

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He added: Baillie Gifford should divest from fossil fuels and its investments in Israeli companies that benefit from the occupation of Palestine.

The writer pledged to donate his prize money to We Are Not Numbers, an organisation that provides writing workshops for Palestinians.

The organisation is overseen by the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, a non-profit human rights group, .

His social media post, and his Instagram account, appear to have been later deleted.

Mr Nguyen, 53, is a South Vietnamese-born American novelist whose debut, The Sympathizer, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2016.

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That year, he also spoke out in favour of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which seeks to effectively boycott Israel.

He said at the time: One of those contemporary injustices that we struggle to remember is the Israeli occupation and the deprivation of Palestinian rights.

His protest came as Richard Flanagan was announced as the winner but said that he will not accept the cash 50,000 prize until the company pledges to reduce investment in fossil fuel.

The Australian author, who also won the Booker Prize in 2014, said that it would be untrue to the spirit of his latest work if he did not take a stand on environmental issues.

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He made the comment after being named winner for Question 7, a memoir which interweaves biological detail with musings on subjects from nuclear weapons to his fathers time as a Japanese prisoner of war.

He urged Baillie Gifford to share a plan to reduce its investment in fossil fuel extraction and increase its investment in renewables, and promised that he would delay taking receipt of the money until the day that plan is announced.

Company withdraws sponsorship from literary festivals

The authors protests come after sustained pressure on Baillie Gifford led to the company withdrawing important sponsorship funding from literary events in the UK.

In June, Baillie Gifford ended its sponsorship of a number of literary festivals including at Cheltenham following prolonged pressure from activists who claimed the company managed portfolios which included companies alleged to have been linked to Israeli settlement of the West Bank.

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The decision follows Hay Festival suspending its sponsorship after celebrities including Charlotte Church threatened to boycott the literary event over its receipt of financial support from Baillie Gifford.

The company itself stated at the time that the suggestion that Baillie Gifford is a large investor in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is seriously misleading. It is based on conflating two different types of exposure.

It clarified that Baillie Gifford is a large investor in several multinational technology companies, including Amazon, whose commercial dealings with the state of Israel are tiny in the context of their overall business.

It added: These companies have not violated any laws in doing business with the state of Israel, and it is not reasonable to argue that they should be excluded from global investment portfolios, just as they should not be excluded from daily life.

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Other arts groups have also come under pressure. In September, Maxine Peake and Juliet Stevenson joined former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in calling for Sadlers Wells Theatre to end its relationship with Barclays Bank, which has been accused of having investments in defence companies.

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Nov. 19WOONSOCKET, S.D.  The better students can read, the better they can learn.

That's why when teachers and administration at Woonsocket Elementary School saw their student reading scores were not where they wanted them to be, they came up with a plan to boost those scores.

The result was a program dubbed Flight School, named for the young "Blackhawks" who are aiming to take flight for the purpose of improving their reading scores, and it has those elementary reading scores on the rise.

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"If students aren't able to read when they're younger  kindergarten, first and second grade  then they won't be able to read to learn in their later grates  fourth, fifth, sixth and up through middle school and high school," said Armondo Rodriguez, curriculum director and dean of students for the Woonsocket School District. "If they're not getting those foundational skills for reading at that young age, then it's going to be difficult for them to learn anything in the future."

Flight School, which recently won the district the Little Red School House Award from the School Administrators of South Dakota, is a reading intervention program that begins with an assessment to evaluate all students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The school used that data to determine which students needed to receive extra reading instruction.

Now those students with the largest gap to make up start the morning with 30 minutes working in small groups, where they receive closer instruction in the specific skill with which they struggle.

"We split them into small groups of up to about five students per group, and they're working on skills from phonics all the way up to reading fluency and comprehension," said Sarah Jensen, lead teacher for the program at the school. "We probably have about 40 kids who are actually in those small groups, and then the rest of our students are doing a lot of partner reading and group chapter books during that same time."

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The small group arrangement makes it easier for teachers to dedicate more focus to individual student needs. Students who struggle with reading can more easily fall behind in a larger classroom setting, where students with different reading skill levels all learn together.

Clustering students with similar needs into groups who all need the same level of attention improves the learning experience for both the student and the teacher.

"It's really easy for our teachers to be able to teach the smaller number of kids, but also have all the kids at the same level," Rodriguez said. "They are all working on the same thing instead of having kids of greatly different levels in their general classroom."

This is the second year Woonsocket has used the program, and the results have been encouraging.

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Score comparisons between where students in the program begin in the fall and winter and their progress throughout the year indicate an increase in reading proficiency. Many students who had been working to improve in one area were found to be improving in other reading categories as well.

That's an indicator that the program is doing what it was designed to do.

"(Rodriguez) and I both noticed that this year, when we first assessed our students in the fall, some of our students who were in groups last year for a specific skill had moved up. So we were also seeing that transition from the end of the year to the beginning of this year that they had grown enough to move groups and were no longer (working on) those same skills and people," Jensen said.

The school has managed to implement the program without needing to add staff, and both teachers and students have responded well to the initiative. Teachers can see the results of those small group sessions and focus attention where it is needed, and students get a chance to break out of the routine of the traditional classroom, often with a different teacher than they would otherwise have.

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And students are genuinely interested and invested in improving their scores, Rodriguez said.

"Last year when we would do progress monitoring, kids wanted to know what they did on their score. They were excited to see that they grew from the instruction that they got during Flight School," Rodriguez said. "They want to know if they've improved or not. They're pretty excited about it."

Even students who aren't a part of the small morning groups get involved. Those on-level students attend a Walking Club for 15 minutes in the morning as a chance to get in some early-day exercise. The remaining 15 minutes is spent helping younger students work on high-frequency words and reading fluency.

The district plans to continue the program into its third year and beyond, and its success so far has them eyeing the possibility of starting a similar program to help improve math scores. The biggest challenge so far has been making the most out of the limited time teachers have during the day and optimizing that time both in the traditional classroom and the small groups, but they continue to evaluate and adjust as needed.

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The success has gotten the attention of teachers and administrators at Woonsocket, and the district plans to continue with the program, making adjustments as students and teachers become more familiar with its ins and outs. It's also gotten attention from professional associations like School Administrators of South Dakota, which bestows the Little Red School House Award yearly to a school district that is selected for implementing the most significant, innovative and successful education program or project.

Rod Weber, who has served as superintendent for the Woonsocket School District for 22 years, said the award is a nice recognition for the district, but it's also a testament to the work put in by teachers and district leaders like Jensen and Rodriguez.

Weber said the district welcomes opportunities to share its methods with other districts interested in improving their own reading scores. He estimates other districts could find similar success that Woonsocket found thanks to the work put in by educators, who looked for ways to make their students better readers and found an effective one by developing Flight School.

Awards are nice, but having a dedicated, innovative staff that works hard to improve the educational experience of their students  and those all-important reading skills  is even better.

"I think the success has just been awesome to see, and to see the kids excited about their progress. The work that the staff has put in has made me very proud as a superintendent and leader of this district," Weber said. "This award means a lot to us, and it motivates us to even do more things in the future. It takes elementary school to make this a success, not just a few people. It's been hard work by the entire elementary staff."
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Each year Progressive Insurance gives away dozens of cars to veterans across the country. The Keys to Progress Program started in 2013 and since then has gifted more than one thousand cars, with four of those cars in South Dakota.

This years recipient, Randy Miller, served 10 years in the United States Marine Corps and then another 10 years in the South Dakota National Guard. After that, he worked for South Dakotas Department of Corrections.

Panel: Lincoln County violated open-meeting law

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Ive been in law enforcement or corrections or in the military all my life, its just the way I am, Miller said.

This is Progressives 12th annual Keys to Progress Veteran Giveaway.

I was surprised that I won. theres a lot of other people that are more in need than I am, but Im blessed that Ive got it, Miller said.

Miller now lives in Sioux Falls and says he applied for the giveaway because he didnt have a car.

Either through Uber or the bus system or I walked, Miller said.

Bearon Dixon with Progressive in Sioux Falls says the giveaway is one way to help people like Miller get where they need to go.

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Whether its to get to doctors appointments, whether its to get to work or whether its for them to find work. Its just an opportunity for us to give back, Dixon said.

Its also one of Dixons personal highlights of the year.

This to me is one of the coolest things we do as a company. Thats why Im here volunteering for it every year, Dixon said.

The insurance company also partners with Enterprise Rent-A-Car which supplies the vehicle.

Enterprises rich military background dating back to our founder. Jack Taylor was a U.S. Navy pilot on the USS Enterprise, thats where we got our name. Enterprise, what we do locally is well recruit and hire veterans, Enterprise area manager, Jack Le said.

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Millers last deployment was overseas in 1979.

We rescued a lot of the Vietnamese boat people from the ocean in the area of the South China Sea, Miller said.

Back home in South Dakota, Miller worked for the Department of Corrections for nearly a decade alongside Ron Johnson who was killed during an attempted prison escape in 2011.

We lost an officer, Ronald Johnson. Thats when I was on medical leave. But I worked with Ron a lot as a lot of the veterans there that did, Miller said.

Miller says throughout the decades, his motivation stayed the same, to help others.

Im helping people and we got to take care of the less fortunate people in our nation, Miller said.

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Hes thankful to get some help of his own and says hes looking forward to his new ride.

Im really blessed to have that happen, Miller said. Looking at the vehicle its like wow.

Enterprise is also covering the first six months of insurance.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A man who authorities say worked as a nightclub dancer and lured his victims to his home has been found guilty of dozens of charges  including multiple counts of rape  related to the sexual abuse of nine women.

Investigators say he may have more victims that havent been identified.

Last week, a Washington County Circuit Court judge found 33-year-old Ali Muhammed Quraishi guilty of 23 counts, all of which were related to the assaults or sexual assaults of the women, the Washington County District Attorneys Office said.

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Buffers battle taggers in real-life Etch-A-Sketch

Quraishis guilty verdict comes after an in-depth investigation by the Beaverton Police Department, which began in 2022. While the investigation was being carried out, two sexual assaults occurred and the lead detective learned of even more victims.

Quraishi assaulted the women between 2016 and 2023, officials said. The victims were strangers to the defendant and to each other, the DAs office said in a release.

The defendant met his victims at Silverado and Stag nightclubs in Downtown Portland where he worked as a dancer, the Washington County DAs office said. He supplied the women with alcohol and lured them back to his apartment in Beaverton. He then proceeded to engage in sex acts with the victims while they were in conditions in which they could not consent.

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In total, across two separate court cases, Quraishi is facing five counts of first-degree rape, nine counts of first-degree sex abuse, three counts of first-degree sodomy, three counts of first-degree invasion of personal privacy, one count of fourth-degree assault and one count of first-degree unlawful dissemination of an intimate image.

Homemade guitars stolen from public storage unit

Quraishi is set for a sentencing hearing on January 6, 2025.

Investigators said they believe there could be additional, unidentified victims. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The bud on a growing marijuana plant at a cultivation facility on July 6, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

A Republican-backed group pushing Indianas lawmakers to adopt safe and regulated marijuana policies launched on Wednesday.

By embracing a smart and evidence-based approach that prioritizes public health, safety, and economic opportunity, we can give Hoosiers the access that they deserve and demand, spokesman Joe Elsener said in an inaugural news release. He was previously executive director of the Indiana Republican Party and chair of Marion Countys GOP.

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The organization, dubbed Safe and Regulated Indiana, already has a multimedia advertisement live. In its materials, the group avoided any variation of the word legalization, instead focusing on regulation.

Its time, Indiana  time to tax and regulate marijuana for adults 21 and up, just like alcohol, the voice-over says.

The spot asserts that this would bring new tax revenue, put drug dealers out of business, and free up law enforcement to focus on bigger problems like violent crimes.

Tell your legislator its time for safe and regulated marijuana, the video concludes.

A message seeking more information on coalition members and funding was not immediately returned.

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Two members of the group  an Indianapolis lawmaker and a former state firefighter union leader  echoed those arguments in the new release.

I have spent my entire career in public safety, and I know the current policy is not working. It is time to come together and fix it, said Tom Hanify, a veteran and retired past president of the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana. By thoughtfully and responsibly creating a safe and regulated marketplace, Indiana can take money out of the pockets of criminals and invest in Hoosiers.

Indianapolis City-County Councilor Michael-Paul Hart said that, By adopting best practices and regulating marijuana similar to tobacco and alcohol, Indiana can better prevent access to minors, shut down illegal drug dealers, create thousands of new job opportunities, and bring hundreds of millions of dollars of new revenue to our state.

All of Indianas neighbors  Illinois, Michigan, Ohio  have legalized recreational marijuana for adults. Kentucky legalized medical cannabis. But Hoosier lawmakers and leaders  like outgoing Gov. Eric Holcomb  have resisted pushes for legalization.

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Gov.-elect Mike Braun said he was open to legalizing the drug for medical purposes in an October debate. He cautioned, though, that he would weigh law enforcement concerns heavily.

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The prosecution in the trial of the man accused of killing 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley rested its case Tuesday in a courtroom in Athens, Ga.

Over the course of their three-day presentation, prosecutors called more than two dozen witnesses, including law enforcement officers, investigators and Rileys roommates.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, who is charged with Rileys murder, confirmed in court Tuesday that he will not testify during the trial. Ibarra has pleaded not guilty to all 10 counts against him, including malice murder, three counts of felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury and aggravated assault with intent to rape. Ibarra waived his right to a trial by jury. Instead, Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard will render a verdict.

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The defense questioned two of its witnesses before court was adjourned Tuesday. On Wednesday, the defense is expected to question Diego Ibarra, Joses brother and roommate, who worked at a University of Georgia (UGA) dining hall.

Heres a look at how we got here and key moments from day three of the trial.

How we got here

Laken Riley via Facebook

Riley, a nursing student at Georgias Augusta University was reported missing by her friends on Feb. 22 after she never returned from a morning run. A police search ensued, and her body was later found in the woods near a jogging trail on the UGA campus. Authorities determined Riley died from blunt force trauma.

Ibarra, the 26-year-old murder suspect, is a Venezuelan citizen who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in 2022. He was released by border officials while his immigration case was awaiting review, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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Ibarras status as an undocumented immigrant has become a flash point in the heated debate over border security. President-elect Donald Trump and fellow Republicans have pointed to Rileys killing as proof that President Biden hasnt done enough to prevent potentially dangerous individuals from crossing the southern border.

To read about what happened on day two of the trial, read more from Yahoo News: Laken Riley murder trial: A look at what happened in court on Day 2

What was revealed in court on day 3 of the trial
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Respiratory viruses increase each year during the colder months.

2 NEWS talked with Kettering Health Family Medicine Physician Doctor Thao Tran about the rise of people getting sick in the winter.

Dont crowd the plow: Staying safe on the roads this winter

Dr. Tran says the spike in illness typically hits in November and last through February.

There are multiple ways to tell if you are beginning to get sick, like congestion, a cough, fever or a headache.

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While each is different, its sometimes hard to tell the difference between the flu, COVID-19 and the common cold.

Dr. Tran says a cold typically has less severe symptoms, while the flu can feel like being hit by a bus with symptoms coming on suddenly. COVID-19 may be hard to determine, but loss of taste and smell are the biggest indicators.

Tran also reminds everyone that just because others are sick around you doesnt mean you will get sick. Everyone has different immune systems, and by washing hands, wearing masks and getting daily vitamin D, you can reduce the chances of feeling ill.

Watch the full interview with Dr. Tran in the video player above.

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ST. LOUIS  Each month on FOX 2, we salute local first responders, military, or veterans with our Proud to Serve award. This month, we shine the spotlight on Monte Miller who serves his community of Dupo, Illinois as a volunteer firefighter for the past 19 years. Monte grew up in Dupo where he is currently raising three kids. In addition to being on call 24/7 as a Captain of the all-volunteer fire department, Monte serves on the local school board as well.

Monte was nominated by his longtime friend who tells us

Monte is dedicated to our town. He is a hard-working single father who works a full-time day job as well as on call 24/7 for the fire department. If anybody deserves to be recognized for his hard work and dedication to the livelihood and safety of our town it would be Monte!! He a volunteer so they are on call 24/7. He is currently a captain and vice president of Dupo fire department. In April he will have 19 years. He also works a full-time day job.

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Monte Miller receives $500 from Brown & Brown Law Firm and FOX 2s Proud to Serve Award. If you would like to nominate a 1st responder, military or veteran, click here

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
(Bloomberg) -- Prudential Plc shares have fallen so far this year amid worries over the insurers China exposure that they now offer the most implied upside of any stock in the FTSE 100 index, based on average analyst price targets.

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The London-listed company, which gets the bulk of its business from Asia, has lost 30% of its value in 2024 in its worst yearly performance since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. Stocks exposed to China have been hit particularly hard since Donald Trump won the US election on prospects his proposed protectionist measures could spark a global trade war.

Yet analysts are optimistic. The stock has 20 buy ratings, three holds and no sells, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The average 12-month price target sees the shares gaining about 80%, the most of any stock in the UK benchmark.

It feels like a fantastic buying opportunity for a long-term investor with a two or three year view, so if you are one of those investors I would pick it up now and not overthink it, Panmure Liberum analyst Abid Hussain said. The de-rating now prices in exceptionally bad news.

Prudential is also catching the attention of investors. Martin Walker, head of UK equities at Invesco Asset Management Ltd., says the stock has been caught up in negative sentiment around China, which presents an opportunity.

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Should sentiment improve towards emerging markets, and that could happen, then theres clearly an opportunity here, Walker said in a recent interview. Theres also an opportunity here from a microeconomic stock-specific perspective, which is that they execute on their business plan, and I think both of those happening together could be quite powerful for the shares.

Chief Executive Officer Anil Wadhwani unveiled a plan last year to more than double its new business profit to $5.4 billion by 2027 compared with 2022, implying 20% annual growth.

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) have located a man who went missing on Tuesday in Northumberland County.

State police say they were searching for 83-year-old Jack Kiessling.

Laurel Run Bridge set to reopen in Bear Creek Township

Authorities say Kiessling has been found and is reported to be safe.

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Kentucky League of Women Voters President Jennifer Jackson discusses a new report on legislative transparency. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

FRANKFORT  Kentuckians are still regularly shut out of legislative decisions that affect them, says an updated report by the state League of Women Voters.

Read: How Can They Do That? Ongoing Challenges to Transparency and Citizen Participation in Kentuckys Legislative Process. Part 2.

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The League released a new report on legislative transparency Wednesday morning that found the public has inconsistent access to legislative records, including no online repository of prefiled legislation. Also, lawmakers increasingly use shell bills that make small changes such as adding or changing a word as vehicles to later rush sweeping changes into law.

The average Kentuckian should care because bills are being discussed without their input, legislation is being passed without their input, and when we find out what the impact is its often too late to turn it around, said Becky Jones, the first vice president of the League and a report researcher.

Last year, the League studied seven 60-day legislative sessions between 1998 and 2022 and found four ways bills are fast-tracked through the legislature without substantial public input. The Kentucky arm of the League is part of a national public policy organization founded amid the womens suffrage movement.

In an updated 33-page report, the League identified four additional tactics that challenge public participation in Kentuckys legislative process by following a bill through the 2024 legislative session, Senate Bill 299. They are:

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The loss of prefiled bills, which in the past were publicly available ahead of legislative sessions.

The use of shell bills.

Committee meetings held at irregular times or not at all.

Inconsistent access to records of legislative action.

Regardless of whether one considers SB 299 to be good legislation, the life of that bill is a cautionary tale, the report said. Manipulating the legislative process through fast-track maneuvers and insider tactics is a disservice to the Democracy Principle because protecting the process is just as important as the legislative product. The public ultimately pays the price when transparency is so easily ignored.

The Kentucky League of Women Voters defines the Democracy Principle as people having the ability to be informed and actively participate in Democracy. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

The Democracy Principle is defined by the League as one that upholds informed and active public participation as fundamental to democracy.

The highlighted legislation, sponsored by former Senate Republican Floor Leader Damon Thayer, of Georgetown, aimed to create the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation to replace the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and Department of Charitable Gaming. The bill ultimately passed through the Republican-controlled legislature after Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed it.

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The Leagues report said the bill began on Feb. 27 as a shell bill, or a half-page bill that simply changed the word he to he or she in a two-sentence state law about pari-mutuel betting, and later ballooned into a 282-page substitute bill that made sweeping changes to fourteen different sections of horse racing and gaming laws.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (LRC Public Information)

That version had a major impact on not only the horse racing industry (which favored the bill), but also on charitable gaming organizations, whose representatives had little time to understand and give input on the bill, the report said. The wholesale transformation occurred in less than 60 hours at the end of March.

The Leagues updated analysis reviewed bills filed during the 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2024 regular 60-day sessions and found a limited use of the shell bill tactic until 2010. In that year, the Senate filed six shell bills and the House nine. During the 2024 session, 50 shell bills were filed in the Senate and 90 in the House.

As for publicly accessible meetings on key pieces of legislation, the report called for legislative committees to meet and conduct most of their business during regularly scheduled times. In cases where an additional meeting is needed, the League suggests advertising them as soon as possible. The Legislative Research Commission maintains an online calendar updated each evening, which is where the League suggests putting meeting notices.

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During a Wednesday press conference, League President Jennifer Jackson said the House and Senate canceled 56% of their committee meetings during the 2024 session. The Leagues report pointed out that Kentuckys open meetings laws require public agencies to give 24-hour notice for emergency meetings along with an agenda that cannot be expanded.

Were not asking for a change in the rules, were asking for the rules to be followed, Jackson said.

Recommendations

The Leagues updated report makes recommendations to legislators on ways to increase and include public participation in Kentuckys legislative process:

Hold the required bill readings after a standing committee sends the bill to the whole House or Senate for action.

Make committee substitutes available online at least 24 hours before committee meetings where the substitutes will be considered.

Allow at least 24 hours between the last standing committee action on a bill and a chamber floor vote on the bill.

Allow 24 hours between free conference committee revisions on a bill and floor votes on the changed bill.

Restore the prefiling bills process.

File genuine bills to address substantive legal changes, rather than last-minute shell bills.

Transact most committee business during regularly scheduled meetings. When additional bills are needed, announce them in the daily calendar published the night before the meeting.

Publish each chambers required journal within weeks after each session adjourns. Publish accurate, complete, digital and freely available records online for each committee meeting.

House Democratic Floor Leader Derrick Graham (LRC Public Information)

Before the House voted on its rules for the 2024 session, outgoing House Democratic Floor Leader Derrick Graham, of Frankfort, cited the Leagues 2023 report as a reason to restore transparency in the legislative process.

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The rules reflect not just our procedures on the floor, but how open those proceedings will be to the public, to those who are in the media, and to the stakeholders that these bills and these laws will eventually have to determine, and how people live here in our commonwealth, Graham said at the time.

Meanwhile, a small group of House Republicans sought changes to the chambers rules, including adding rank and file representatives to the powerful Rules Committee which is now made up of only leadership members. Ultimately, the House adopted the same rules from the previous session.

House Speaker David Osborne (LRC Public Information)

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During debate, Republican House Speaker David Osborne, of Prospect, criticized the Leagues 2023 report for only reviewing budget sessions, and said in actuality transparency has increased dramatically.

Jones said the League has not met with Osborne regarding the 2023 report, but stands by those results. The League is open to meeting with lawmakers to discuss its latest findings, she later added.

Amid the 2024 election cycle, some Republican candidates declined to participate in forums hosted by the Louisville chapter of the League and said the group was partisan. Jackson emphasized Wednesday that the League does not endorse candidates or political parties in elections, but focuses on issues that strengthen our democracy.

Spokespeople for Osborne and Thayer did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday morning.

Lawmakers will return to Frankfort for the 2025 legislative session in January and will meet for 30 days through the end of March.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Theres a new push to make primary elections in Oklahoma open for all parties and voters, regardless of their political affiliation.

Currently, those affiliated with a party can vote in that specific primary. Independents cannot vote in the Republican or Libertarian primaries, but can vote in Democratic primaries.

The initiative is a push to include all voters.

LOCAL NEWS: Ninnekah residents face harsh reality as settlement alternatives remain slim

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All voters will matter. All voters get more choices. Candidates will compete and they are accountable to all of us, said Margaret Kobos, Oklahoma United Founder.

State Question 835 would create open primaries for key elections in the state and it would allow all Oklahomans, regardless of party affiliation, to vote in primary elections.

Oklahoma United pushes to create an open primary election system (KFOR)

As a result of this closed system, the June primary elections have a less than 20% turnout and August runoffs generally less than 10% of the voters participate, said AJ Griffin, a former Oklahoma state senator.

Oklahoma United said there are over 480,000 independents registered in the state and the number continues to grow.

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They believe the current closed primary system, is limiting a lot of voters.

For the first time, all Oklahoma voters will be able to vote in every contested primary race. The two candidates with the most votes will go on to the general election. And, of course, the candidate with the most votes in the general election wins, said Kobos.

LOCAL NEWS: Damage assessments underway for federal assistance following tornadoes in Oklahoma County

The push for an open primary system only impacts statewide, county, and both state and federal legislative offices.

It would, not impact the presidential primary.

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Races that involve mayors, judges, and school board seats dont have partisan primaries, so the new initiative wouldnt impact those races.

Candidates would be incentivized to address the needs and concerns of the whole electorate, said Julie Knutson, CEO of the Oklahoma Academy.

There is some opposition to the initiative.

I dont really see the sense that you would allow people outside of the republican party to vote in our primaries, said Stan Stevens, the Executive Director OKGOP.

Some believe an alternative to allow everyone to vote is by getting rid of a primaryand only having a general election.

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Then if you need a runoff after that, because nobody got 50% in this race or that, we can do that, said Chris Powell, OKLP Chair.

LOCAL NEWS: Oklahoma City Council approves final plans for new animal shelter

Trey Orndorff, a political science professor, explained while the idea is to give everyone a vote regardless of party affiliation, there are some downsides to State Question 835.

Orndorff said one downside is that two members of the same political party could end up going head to head.

The other affects how people can vote.

Nothing is going to stop republicans from voting for democrats or democrats and voting for republicans and vice versa, or independent voters from voting in any party primary they want to, said Trey Orndorff, a political science professor.

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The Governor will have to set a date for when Oklahomans can vote on it.

If everything goes as planned with gathering signatures and getting them validated, it would most likely end up on the ballot in November of 2026.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Vladimir Putin has given 70 wild animals to Kim Jong-un as a symbol of friendship, just as 12,000 North Korean conscripts are preparing to fight Ukrainian troops in southern Russia.

The consignment was sent from Moscow Zoo to a zoo in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, Russia said on Wednesday. It included a lion, two bears, a pair of yaks, five white cockatoos, 25 pheasants and 40 mandarin ducks.

Alexander Kozlov, the Russian environment minister, said: Animals have historically occupied an important place in interstate relations. They were given as a sign of support, kindness and care.

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In a video published by the natural resources ministry, a lion, bears and birds are shown being loaded on to a Russian government plane in large wooden crates.

One of the birds forming part of the consignment for Pyongyang is loaded on to the plane - Russia's natural resources ministry/AFP via Getty Images

Kim has become a key ally to Putin since the Kremlins February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He has sent millions of artillery shells and missiles to Russian forces, and has now deployed up to 12,000 conscripts in Russias Kursk region.

Mr Kozlov said the animals from Russia were young enough to breed, adding: The Pyongyang zoo needed this so much.

Under the Kim dynasty, which has ruled North Korea since 1948, famine and shortages have ravaged the country.

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In its 2004 guide to North Korea, Lonely Planet wrote that the capitals zoo was a depressing and uninspiring place, best avoided. There have also been reports that some of the estimated 5,000 animals there are baited into fighting each other.

The zoo is home to Azalea, a chimpanzee known for smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, although North Korean officials insist that the animal doesnt inhale.

Alexander Kozlov, the Russian natural resources minister, is shown round the Pyongyang zoo by North Korean officials - Russian ministry of natural resources/via Reuters

Conservationists have criticised animal transfers to North Korea, but Mr Kozlov waved away concerns that they would die during the journey or in the zoos harsh conditions, saying: I am sure that the animals and birds will not get sick and will quickly get used to the new place.

In May, Russia sent eagles, cranes and parrots to the Pyongyang zoo.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump but rejects major territorial concessions and insists that Ukraine abandon plans to join NATO, Reuters reported on Nov. 20, citing five former and current Russian officials.

The Kremlin's terms reportedly include freezing the conflict roughly along current front lines and "dividing control" of eastern regions, including the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts.

Moscow, which illegally declared annexation of these regions in September 2022, currently controls only 70-80% of them, with approximately 26,000 square kilometers (10,000 square miles) under Ukrainian control. Putin issued a demand in June that Ukraine must withdraw from the four regions completely before any ceasefire talks.

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Russia currently occupies roughly a fifth of Ukraine's territory  including Crimea  as its forces continue to steadily advance in the east. Publicly, the Kremlin has rejected freezing the front line or any concessions on its part, with Putin saying any peace deal must be in Moscow's favor.

According to Reuters, Russian officials suggested that Moscow might consider withdrawing from smaller occupied areas in Ukraines Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions but emphasized that any deal must reflect "realities" on the ground.

Moscow remains firmly opposed to NATO membership for Ukraine or the presence of foreign troops on Ukrainian soil, the officials said. Additional demands could reportedly include limiting Ukraines military size and guaranteeing unrestricted use of the Russian language.

Ukraine has rejected territorial concessions and said any peace talks should be based on its 10-point peace formula, which includes a Russian withdrawal and full territorial integrity and sovereignty. Officials acknowledged that some territories might be returned through diplomacy rather than military means.

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Kyiv also said that NATO membership is the only way to prevent further Russian aggression.

Without a ceasefire, Russia will continue the war, Kremlin sources told Reuters. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the U.S. authorization of ATACMS missiles a "very dangerous escalation."

Trump has positioned himself as a potential peace broker, claiming he could negotiate an end to the war. The contours of Trump's peace plan remain unclear, though media reports indicate it might entail postponing Ukraine's NATO membership for 20 years, freezing the front line, and establishing a demilitarized zone in the east manned by European troops.

Read also: What we know about Trumps plans for ending Russias war against Ukraine

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(Bloomberg) -- Russia said its prepared to discuss a potential cease-fire in Ukraine with US President-elect Donald Trump, even as the conflict intensifies on all fronts with the warring sides seeking to strengthen their hands ahead of any talks.

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The comments by President Vladimir Putins spokesman met with immediate skepticism from Western officials as Russias invasion of Ukraine surpassed its 1,000th day, with Moscows forces making fresh gains in eastern Ukraine.

Putin has more than once, or more precisely, constantly, stated that he is ready for contacts and negotiations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday, according to the state-run Tass news service.

Russian forces meanwhile have intensified their bombardment of Ukraine in recent days, while issuing a revamped nuclear doctrine lowering the threshold for a potential atomic response. The US and several European nations closed embassies in Kyiv Wednesday in anticipation of a potentially significant air attack, as a missile alert was announced in several regions, including the capital.

Peskovs comments were in response to a report from Reuters that Moscow could be open to negotiations on halting the fighting roughly along current battle lines. The report cited five unidentified, current and former Russian officials.

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Several officials from NATO countries said their assessment remained that Putin wasnt ready for serious talks or making concessions. Russias focus remains on expanding its gains on Ukrainian territory and expelling Ukrainian forces from its Kursk region, where they hold territory after an incursion earlier this year, before any eventual deal, two people close to the Kremlin told Bloomberg News.

No matter what Putin says, he doesnt want peace and is not ready to negotiate it, French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters en route to the Group of 20 summit in Brazil. Putins intention is to intensify the combat, weve seen this for weeks.

Four Regions

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Reuters reported that Putin may agree to discuss a carve-up of four regions in Ukraine  Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson  that Russia illegally declared annexed in 2022, but doesnt fully control. The Russian leader has declared them to be forever part of his country, although only about 77% of the four regions are under the Kremlins control, according to Bloomberg calculations based on open-source data.

Russia may also be ready to pull out its forces from small slices of territory it holds in the Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions, according to two of the officials cited in the report.

The Kremlin spokesman cautioned that freezing this conflict will not work for us, according to Tass.

Putin has not made any final decision on his approach to peace talks, said Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser. He would prefer not to pay the high price of pursuing the offensive but hes even less willing to pay such a high price for a peace agreement thats not in Russias interests.

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With Trump set to take office in two months, both sides sought to set parameters for what will likely be difficult dealmaking.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Tuesday his country would make no concessions on sovereignty or territory. Zelenskiys own formula for peace is based on obtaining a clear path to North Atlantic Treaty Organization membership and security guarantees for protection until it joins.

Trump has vowed to end the war quickly, without saying how. His return to the White House also raises the prospect of a sharp cut in US aid to Ukraine. He could also threaten to bolster support to Kyiv to try to pressure Russia into a deal. Officials in Kyiv and Moscow are discussing preparations for the shift coming in Washington.

Putin has said previously he remains open to talks, but any agreement must take into account Russias security interests and realities on the ground. In June, he laid out his opening position, demanding Ukraine withdraw fully from the four regions Russia has unilaterally claimed as its own and give up its NATO ambitions before a truce could take effect.

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Position of Strength

Putin still insists on Ukraine abandoning its ambitions to join NATO and a ban on the alliances troops being stationed on Ukrainian soil, but hes ready to discuss security guarantees for the neighboring state, according to the Reuters report.

Outgoing US President Joe Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles inside Russia could complicate and delay any settlement, Reuters cited two of the people as saying.

Still, the US authorization on using the missiles allows Ukraine to talk to Russia from a position of strength, Ukraines ambassador to the European Union Vsevolod Chentsov told Bloomberg TV on Wednesday.

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The change in the administrations stance was in part due to North Koreas decision to send more than 10,000 troops to Kursk as part of a deepening alliance with Moscow.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the worst hostilities in Europe since World War II and the most dangerous stand-off with the West in decades. The US and its allies have poured tens of billions of dollars into military and financial aid for Ukraine, but Kyiv has been steadily losing ground in the east in recent months.

On Tuesday, Putin signed a decree lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons, just days after Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to carry out deep strikes with US-delivered missiles. Moscow on Tuesday said Ukraine used US-made ATACMS to strike Russian territory for the first time.

--With assistance from Daryna Krasnolutska, Olesia Safronova, Alberto Nardelli, Maxim Edwards and Samy Adghirni.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin is weaker than the United States, which has more power to force the Kremlin leader to stop his aggression against Ukraine.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with Fox News

Details: The journalist asked Zelenskyy whether Putin was the one who could decide to end the war. The president replied: "Im sure that, as of today, it depends on Putin, really a lot. He can do that. He can be willing and end this war."

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"But, it also depends on the United States of America much more. Putin is weaker than the United States of America. The President of the United States of America has the strength and authorities and weapons, and he can decrease the price for the energy resources. By the way, I heard the signal in the media from President Trump that he is thinking about decreasing the prices for energy resources, for oil, and it needs to be done."

More details: President Zelenskyy admitted that Ukraine could lose the war waged by Russia if the US cuts aid. "If they cut it, I think we will lose," he said.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Of course, anyway, we will stay and we will fight. We have production, but its not enough to prevail. And I think it is not enough to survive. But it will be, if such choice will be the American choice, so we will decide what well have to do."

More details: Zelenskyy also fears that it will be "very dangerous" if his country begins to lose unity.

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Read also: Peace through strength. Key points from Zelenskyy's speech presenting the Victory Plan to the Ukrainian parliament

Background:

Prior to that, Zelenskyy said he expected US President-elect Donald Trump to support Ukraine in the event of Kyiv's negotiations with Moscow over the war, and called strong Ukraine the basis of the negotiations.

Also, Zelenskyy said that support for values and justice would be support for Ukraine, and neutrality on the part of the mediator is impossible.

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The end of the war in Ukraine depends more on the United States than on Russia, as the Russian president "is weaker," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Fox News published on Nov. 19.

Zelensky talked to the U.S. outlet when Ukraine marked the 1,000th day of Russia's full-scale invasion. The milestone comes as the U.S. military aid to Ukraine is in question as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January.

Answering the question of whether Putin is the person who can decide to end the war, Zelensky said that a lot depends on the Russian president but even more on the U.S.

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"I'm sure that, as of today, it depends on Putin, really a lot. He can do that. He can be willing and end this war," Zelensky said.

"But it also depends on the U.S. much more. Putin is weaker than the U.S. The U.S. president has the strength, authority, and weapons, and he can decrease the price of energy resources. By the way, I heard the signal in the media from President Trump that he is thinking of decreasing the prices for energy resources, for oil, and it is needed to be done."

Zelensky also believes that Trump will be able to influence Putin to end the war, although it will not be "simple." The Ukrainian president added that Trump is "stronger" than Putin, as is the U.S.

"He's stronger. The U.S. is stronger. The economy is stronger. The U.S. has a very big influence."

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Zelensky suggested that Ukraine risks losing the war if aid from the new U.S. administration is cut.

"Of course, anyway, we will stay, and we will fight. We have production, but it's not enough to prevail. And I think it is not enough to survive."

During the campaign, Trump promised to end Russia's war with Ukraine if elected, saying in September that he would negotiate a deal "that's good for both sides." Trump also said he had not spoken with Putin but added: "I think we'll speak."

Trump's election has intensified uncertainty around Ukraine's war efforts at a critical time, as Russian forces make their fastest gains in months and North Korean troops are stationed in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

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Zelensky was among the first to congratulate the president-elect, who had criticized the extent of U.S. military and financial aid to Kyiv during his campaign and pledged to end the war swiftly without providing details on how he would achieve this.

Read also: Opinion: Trump could actually be good for Europe

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This is not the biology lesson parents want for their kids.

Some angry Queens residents are calling on the city to padlock a suspected brothel brazenly operating across the street from the family-friendly New York Hall of Science museum.

The spot  operating from a family home on 111th Street in Corona  even advertised on TikTok a year ago and is blocks away from a notorious drag known as the Market of Sweethearts where prostitutes prowl and illegal vendors sell merchandise on the street.

The area is known to have prostitutes along with illegal vendors selling merchandise. James Keivom

Sometimes the customers are urinating and threatening some of the local residents, said Carlos Zapata, a 63-year-old resident who lives blocks away.

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Thats why a lot of residents didnt come today because they fear reprisals, he added at a news conference calling attention to the alleged sleaze.

They even leave their condoms here on the street. I have grandchildren. What happens when my grandchildren come out to play? I need to pick it up every day, the plastic liquor bottles and the tequila bottles.

The NYPD and state police are cracking down on the lawlessness at the nearby Market of Sweethearts along Roosevelt Avenue after a push by locals and reports in The Post  but this brothel a bit off the beaten path is flourishing and neighbors are fed up.

We have no place for this type of foolishness. Enough is enough, said Corona native Jonathan Carson.

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I see men of all races and types all day and night going in and out  Theres no other building having people coming in and out like that.

Carson said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz should stop seeing sex workers as victims and prosecute them as criminals and added that sex trafficking is a federal crime.

The brothel is just blocks from PS 28 and PS 14, said Maria Giraldo, 48, who lives around the corner from the brothel.

Please shut this place down, Giraldo said.

There are kids and mothers walking through here to drop off their kids and the kids see people coming in and out of this house This is insane.

Angry residents in Corona, Queens are demanding that authorities padlock a suspected brothel brazenly operating on a block across from the New York Hall of Science museum, a major tourist destination for families. Joseph Farrell

Hiram Monserrate, a Democratic district leader and former city councilman and state senator, said authorities have not been able to get their arms around the sex trade problem despite beefed up enforcement.

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Everyone has failed us. Every single elected official  the NYPD, the state, the governor, everyone has failed us, Monserrate told reporters.

Were here demanding you to no longer fail us. Come to the aid of this community. We need it.

He estimated at least 10 women have operated out of the brothel for at least a year, with Johns showing up in bigger numbers between 10 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Though we appreciate the additional police resources, clearly, were here with the message for both the state and city police to step on the gas pedal, Monserrate said.

When we started two months ago, three months ago, we stated that we were living in an urban crime zone with unprecedented lawlessness, so much that even now with an additional 200 police officers in our community we are still confronting this crime.

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He questioned why so few padlock orders have been issued to close brothels under the citys Nuisance Abatement, which covers violations of the building code that includes prostitution.

The notable spot, which has been advertised on TikTok, is blocks away from the notorious drag known as the Market of Sweethearts. For the New York Post

Just enforce the law and that will go a long way. Were here with the clear and simple message: shut it down, Monserrate said.

NYPD Assistant Commissioner Carlos Nieves said the department was in the middle of a 90-day operation in the area along Roosevelt addressing a host of concerns.

When the NYPD began this 90-day enforcement operation based on community complaints along a stretch of Roosevelt Ave, some individuals criticized the NYPDs actions, calling them harmful when it comes to certain groups and demonstrated to that effect, Nieves said.

The suspected brothel operates from a neighborhood home. NYPJ

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We are also aware of community concerns and are addressing those concerns with a balanced approach. If area residents have further information for the NYPD, we will gladly accept it anonymously, either at the local area precincts or via our Crimestoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.

A spokesperson for Queens DA Katz responded, Through the enforcement of the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law Section 715, our Housing and Worker Protection Bureau has initiated eviction efforts leading to the removal of more than a dozen operations involved in illegal activities on or near Roosevelt Avenue over the past year.

The office is in the process of shutting down additional premises in parallel to the NYPDs nuisance abatement efforts.
The Queens convicted killer who shot and wounded an NYPD cop along with an innocent bystander before he was shot dead was a career criminal with more than 17 felony arrests stretching back to the 1980s, police said Wednesday.

Gary Green Eyes Worthy was already on lifetime parole when he robbed two stores on Hillside Ave. and Guy Brewer Blvd. Tuesday evening, each time firing a bullet into the air from his revolver to scare the workers into compliance, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

The robberies set in motion a fatal clash between Worthy and NYPD Officer Rich Wong, who was shot in the leg during the wild shootout near Jamaica Ave. and 164th St. in Jamaica around 6:30 p.m.

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Worthy was arrested for shooting and killing a man in Jamaica on Jan. 15, 1994, police said. He ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. He was released in 2008.

Once he was out, he was arrested for shooting at another man and sentenced to 12 years to life in prison after being convicted of drugs and weapons possession and burglary in 2009. He was released in November 2021 and put on lifetime parole.

Worthy has been arrested seven times since his 2021 release, mostly for drug possession, burglary, and assault, police said.

His last arrest was six days ago for narcotics possession and resisting arrest, Kenny said at a press conference Tuesday at Jamaica Hospital, where Officer Wong was treated. [Worthy] was released on his own recognizance on that charge.

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In that case, cops spotted Worthy at the corner of 108th Ave. and 157th St. with a bag of cocaine in his hand, Queens prosecutors said. He tried to speed away on a bicycle, but was grabbed and taken into custody.

In August, Worthy was arrested on burglary and menacing charges for forcing his way into a womans home on 127th Ave. in Queens and threatening her at knifepoint for cursing at his wife.

You want to call my wife a b- again? he asked his victim, according to court papers.

He was also arrested in April for assaulting his brother.

I will kill you! he told his sibling. I will throw you off the balcony!

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Worthys last known address was in South Jamaica. At the time of his death, he had three pending cases in Queens and was suspected of committing a robbery and a burglary, police said.

His first arrest was in 1984 when he was busted for marijuana possession but he moved on to burglary, robbery, and drug possession by the end of the 1980s.

This individual should have never been out on the streets, Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said Wednesday as Wong was released from Jamaica Hospital. He was committing robberies and causing chaos and again he should have never been on the streets.

He should have been in jail, Hendry said.

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After Worthys arrest in August, the Queens District Attorneys office asked he be held on $120,000 bail based on his criminal record and past convictions. Judge Edward Daniels disagreed and released him without bail, Queens DA spokesman Brendan Brosh said.

At that arraignment, state parole asked that Worthy be held so parole violation proceedings could begin, but Edwards gave him supervised release, putting him in a program that assured his return to court.

The judge has the sole authority to make the decision whether to remand or release on recognizance, a spokesman for the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said.

According to court records Edwards noted at the arraignment that Worthy had always been in contact with his parole officers and his release didnt present a substantial risk of failing to appear to his parole revocation hearings.

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On Tuesday night, Wong and his partner were searching for the person responsible for the back-to-back holdups when a witness pointed out Worthy.

The officers told Worthy to stop but he refused. He ran off, pulled a gun and fired at the officers, striking Wong in the leg.

A 26-year-old woman shopping on Jamaica Ave. was also hit in the leg, cops said. The woman was behind Wong and his partner when she was hit. Forensic investigators are trying to determine if the woman was hit by the bullet that went through the seven-year NYPD veterans leg or by ricocheting shrapnel.

Worthy fired one shot in the cops direction, Kenny said. A wounded Wong fired back, fatally shooting Worthy in the face, cops said.

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He was coming out of the Target. The cop told him about four times, Do not run. Do not run. After that a shot rang out, said Henry Jaikeren, a street vendor working across the street, told the Daily News Tuesday. The guy spun around and the cop shot him four more times in the belly. He was dead on the ground.

Mayor Adams said Tuesdays shooting was the second time in two days in which citizens witnessed a criminal justice system that failed New Yorkers.

On Monday, homeless man Ramon Rivera, who had been repeatedly arrested for low-level offenses and had never been sentenced to more than a year in jail, was arrested for butchering three innocent people during a crazed stabbing spree across Manhattan.
(NewsNation)  With the 2024 election cycle in the rearview mirror, Democrats are searching for new leadership as they look towards the 2026 midterm and next presidential elections in 2028.

Two candidates, former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley and Minnesota Democratic Chair Ken Martin, have already declared theyre running for chair of the Democratic National Committee.

A source familiar with his thinking tells NewsNation that Wisconsin Democratic Chair Ben Wikler is also seriously considering entering the race.

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In a post on the social media platform X, OMalley wrote, We must connect our Party with the most important place in America  the kitchen table of every familys home. Jobs, Opportunity, and Economic Security for all. Getting things done. Hope. A 50-state strategy. Now.

Trump to nominate Mehmet Oz for CMS administrator

The 50-state strategy is one that former DNC Chair Howard Dean subscribed to during his tenure from 2005 to 2009. The strategy committed money and helped build up party infrastructure in every state, even those that reliably voted Republican in presidential races, to create Democratic victories at all levels of government.

OMalley, who ran for president in 2016, was the commissioner of the Social Security Administration until stepping down yesterday to run for DNC chair. His resignation from the SSA will be effective on November 29.

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Martin has been chair of the Minnesota Democrats since 2011. Hes also president of the Association of State Democratic Committees and a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.

In a post on X, Martin pointed out that hes not from the Beltway, instead saying, Im not a DC insider, but I know how the DNC worksand how it isnt working. Weve got to reconnect our popular ideas to our party. In his announcement video, Martin touted some of his successes as chair, including the fact that under his leadership, Democrats have won every statewide election: twenty-two in a row.

Speaker Johnson weighs in on transgender member-elect

He also noted that Minnesota is the last of the blue wall states still standing. Minnesota voted for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in Novembers election. All three of the main blue wall states  Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin  voted for President-elect Donald Trump.

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Thats not stopping Wikler from considering a run for chair as well. Trumps victory in Wisconsin was the smallest of any state that he won. In down-ballot races, Wisconsin also resisted a big swing to the right, which helped Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin keep her seat. Democrats also won state senate races that broke the Republican supermajority.

While Republicans still maintain a majority in the state senate, Democrats see a chance to change that in 2026 with these recent wins. In addition, last year, a more liberal candidate won a seat on the state Supreme Court, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers won reelection. Should Wikler run, his track record of winning close races will undoubtedly help him gain support.

Multiple outlets have also reported that the current U.S. ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, has also expressed interest in running for the position.

The new chair is expected to be chosen by DNC members  approximately 450  early next year.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man and woman called 911 after two alleged illegal stops by Metro police on the Las Vegas strip in May. The incident at The Cromwell would later become part of the criminal case against Sergeant Kevin Menon. The 8 News Now Investigators obtained both 911 calls.

I just got like slammed up against the wall for nothing. They threw all my things out of my bag, the caller told the 911 operator moments after police let him go.

His fiancee also called 911.

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I guess we were racially profiled, she told a 911 operator. We came in here to use the bathroom, the casino and the police officers snatched up my fiancee and his friend, had him in handcuffs, slammed him against the wall, threw all his stuff out and then hes gonna say,  Oh, wrong person. What do you mean? You didnt even get a chance to explain anything that was going on. You just up and handcuff people? We want to press charges. 

Surveillance video showed Menon attempt to hand the men what was later identified as fraudulent money. They did not accept it and walked away. Officers pretended to detain Menon, approached the men, handcuffed them, walked them through the casino, searched them and then allowed them to leave.

Menon, 42, later returned dressed in a Metro police jacket to speak with the man, his fiancee and their friend.

Menon had been leading a team of officers on the Strip. Body camera and surveillance videos showed Menon dressed in plain clothes while officers were dressed in uniform. Prosecutors allege Menon created fake scenarios that resulted in individuals, mainly Black men, being detained.

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Some of the officers reported Menon to the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, the union representing officers. Union leadership reached out to the police department which began investigation.

Police arrested Menon on Aug. 30. A Clark county grand jury later indicted him for 13 charges related to the alleged abuse of power. Menon posted $27,000 bond and was released from custody.

The man who called 911 said he wanted to press charges against the officer who handcuffed him.

Were just trying to get a officer down here because hes racially profiling, his fiancee said. They slammed him against the wall.

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Officers later testified in front of the grand jury they were following Menons orders.

No other officers were charged.

On the day of his first arrest, Las Vegas Metro police executed a search warrant at Menons North Las Vegas home. Detectives found approximately 200 images of child sexual abuse material on two laptops, according to prosecutors.

On Oct. 23 as Menon headed to a court appearance for his first case, police took him into custody at the Regional Justice Center in connection with the new charges. Detectives executed a second search warrant at Menons home.

Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Nadia Wood set bail at $100,000 cash with a condition of high-level electronic monitoring. Menon posted bail and was released from jail on Oct. 26.

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A grand jury indicted Menon on four charges related to the alleged child sexual abuse material.

Prosecutors had argued for Menons bail to be revoked.

Clark County District Court Judge Ron Israel increased Menons bail amount to $150,000 which he immediately posted.

After his arrest, the department placed Menon on leave with pay and his police powers were suspended pending an investigation. The department has since stopped paying him

Menon is scheduled to appear in court for his second criminal case on Wednesday.

A jury trial for his first criminal case is scheduled for March.

To reach investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, email vmurphy@8newsnow.com

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Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is on an urgent mission: get as much high-tech spending out the door before Donald Trump takes office.

The Biden administration is aiming to commit nearly every unspent dollar in its $50 billion microchip-subsidy program before President-elect Donald Trump takes over in January, an effort that would effectively cement a massive industrial legacy before the GOP can reverse course.

I'd like to have really almost all of the money obligated by the time we leave, Raimondo said in an interview with POLITICO. That's the goal, and I certainly want to have all the major announcements done as it relates to the big, leading-edge companies.



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The effort to spend her departments full CHIPS Act budget would put a capstone on a signature Biden economic policy.

It also speaks to the urgency facing a host of Bidens historic raft of spending programs, many of which could be vulnerable to a Republican White House and Congress eager to pare back the most ambitious Democratic spending packages.



The Chips money alone is a massive undertaking. Congress allocated $50 billion in subsidies for semiconductor manufacturing and R&D. So far only two companies have received binding awards from the Department of Commerces manufacturing program. To hit her target, Raimondo still needs to nail down contracts with Intel, Micron, Samsung and SK hynix  multibillion-dollar deals that have, at times, been rocky and required renegotiations.

Raimondo said she recently directed staff to work through the weekend  and even made personal calls to tech CEOs  to speed the talks along.

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The forthcoming change in administration is a clear deadline that focuses the mind, Raimondo said, but added shes not overly concerned about budget-conscious Republicans clawing back money from the program next year, despite their threats to do so.

The CHIPS and Science Act passed both chambers of Congress with bipartisan support, and Raimondo said she expects that will withstand Trumps arrival.

The Chips program is a key plank of Raimondos legacy at Commerce, which has morphed from something of a trade-promotion agency to one much more focused on national security under her watch.

When Trumps administration takes the reins  Trump nominated financier Howard Lutnick as commerce secretary Tuesday  it will inherit an agency significantly different from even four years ago.

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In a wide-ranging interview on the POLITICO Tech podcast, Raimondo took a long view of the shifts at Commerce, which under Biden has helped develop a significant chunk of the Washington tech agenda.

The department has handled not just microchip spending, but also the evolving rules around the powerful new artificial intelligence models, and organized the global AI safety summit being held Wednesday and Thursday in San Francisco.

Now some people call me the Sec of Tech, she said, which is accurate.

Though she didnt specifically make predictions about Trump  and was interviewed before Lutnick was named  her end-of-term agenda is clearly shaped by the looming presence of the next president.

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The Commerce Department is somewhat unique in so far as everything we've done and are doing is bipartisan, and the CHIPS Act is a national security program and still has great bipartisan support to this day, Raimondo said, adding shes spoken with Hill Republicans, including Texas Sen. John Cornyn, as recently as last week.

In the interview, Raimondo described how Commerce has changed, what the challenges are, and how it has leaned into technology and security as touchstones  and why she doesnt expect the GOP to radically reshape the agenda.

The highlights below have been condensed and edited from the interview.

ON THE DEPARTMENTS SHIFT TOWARD HIGH-TECH DEVELOPMENT: We've really transformed the size, scope and role of the Commerce Department over the past four years under the president's leadership. And a lot of that is because we're much more involved in technology. Now some people call me the Sec of Tech, which is accurate. For example, when the G7 has a tech ministers conference, I'm the one to go. I'm the tech minister for our country.

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But also, look, we are very much a national security focused agency now more than ever. And that's because national security now more than ever revolves around technological security I mean, national security isn't just tanks and missiles. It is semiconductors. And AI models.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WITH THE $50 BILLION CHIPS PROGRAM: I'm driving my team really hard right now. Worked all weekend. I'd like to have almost all of the money obligated by the time we leave. That's the goal. And I certainly want to have all the major announcements done as it relates to the big leading edge companies.  I also would like to have all of that research and development money out the door by the time we leave as well.



WHETHER THE GOP CAN ROLL BACK THE MONEY: I don't worry terribly about any of the chips money being rolled back, as you say. I mean, the Commerce Department is somewhat unique in so far as everything we've done and are doing is bipartisan. And the CHIPS Act is a national security program and still has great bipartisan support to this day. In fact, it was, you know, started in some ways in the Trump administration. [Former Commerce] Secretary Wilbur Ross and [former Secretary of State Mike] Pompeo sent a letter to TSMC to ask them to come here. The broadband is bipartisan. Our workforce work is bipartisan. So, look, anything's possible, but I don't worry too much about that.

THE FUTURE OF AI SAFETY (and the summit that kicks off in San Francisco today): I don't think you can overestimate how significant this is. First of all, AI is the defining technology of our generation and is a huge game changer. And this [AI Safety Institute Summit] convening that I'm having this week in San Francisco is the first of its kind in the U.S. It's the third global meeting in the past year, but it's the first one the U.S. is hosting and leading, and we are going to be establishing a U.S. government task force on testing of AI models to manage national security capabilities. We're going to be announcing new goals for the AI safety network. But mostly what I want to accomplish is getting the world's leading scientists and technical experts together from countries all over the world on behalf of their government

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This isn't unlike other technologies, you know, nuclear technology or other technologies. There have been moments in the world's history where new technology comes forward that is so powerful that we have to get the world together to agree on guardrails and restrictions and standards so that everybody is kept safe. Our interests are aligned even with some of our fiercest competitors like China. China is sending some of their scientists to this event. It is in no one's interest anywhere on the planet for AI to develop in a way that is unsafe and that is harmful.

WHETHER TRUMP WILL STAY THE COURSE ON AI POLICY: Look, I can't predict what the next president will do. And so I'm not going to speculate on who might do what.

WHY TRUMP MIGHT STAY THE COURSE ANYWAY: In less than a year under President Biden's leadership, we have made a remarkable amount of progress  in a bipartisan way, I should note  to start to define what are the standards to keep us safe. And by the way, we're doing this in partnership with the private sector. You know, when I'm here in San Francisco, I will be meeting with entrepreneurs, startup CEOs, venture capital investors, also some of the big hyperscalers. So, this isn't really about us doing something to industry to slow them down, right? That's not what this is about. What this is about is fundamentally setting up the guardrails and standards to keep us all safe, to prevent, in fact, pernicious models getting in the hand of terrorists or non-state actors who could use it to proliferate chemical warfare.

Nobody wants that to happen. The next administration doesn't want that to happen. No country in the world wants that to happen. So are they going to put their stamp on the way to do this? I am sure. Every president does that.

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UNFINISHED BUSINESS ON CHINA: There's a few. Finishing the new rules around Chinese connected vehicles being sold in the U.S. We're close to being finished and can finish, which will protect the American people. That being said, our competition with China requires day-by-day vigilance. I actually think, you know, when you said to me, Why is the Commerce Department different now? A lot of it is because the threat is different. The world's changed. National security has changed because technology now is such a core part of national security. You know, so many drones and undersea vehicles are not operated by human beings.

So we've had to change. I'd say the same thing about China. If we rest on our laurels or get it all arrogant, we won't win. They wake up every day quite vigilant. And we do, too. So when you say unfinished business with China, we're never going to be finished.

Christine Mui contributed to this report.
Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace are bringing out the rhetorical big guns to knock down Representative-elect Sarah McBride.

Over the course of the week, Greene has accused McBridethe first openly transgender person to be elected to Congressof being mentally ill and partaking in a war on women. Now Greene is claiming that a trans womans mere presence in a bathroom is tantamount to assault.

Im not kidding you, Greene said Tuesday on Steve Bannons War Room. It is like a physical assault for a man to come in, charging into our private places, bathrooms, locker rooms, our gyms, places that are designated specifically for women only.

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A 2018 study from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that bathroom-related nondiscrimination laws pose practically no risk to women and that claims to the contrary are little more than myths that are not empirically grounded.

Mace also elevated the assault claims, arguing Tuesday night on Fox News that the idea of a man walking into a locker room where Im changing, is actuallyit feels like assault.

Greene and Maces purported support for womens safety abruptly ends with their fizzling fears over transgender rights, however. The pair of MAGA acolytes are vehement supporters of Donald Trump, who famously said that he could grab women by the pussy and is a judge-determined rapist, convicted adulterer, Jeffrey Epstein confidant, and proud abortion rights destroyer.

On Tuesday, Mace introduced a resolution that would ban trans women from using the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity in the U.S. Capitol. The attention-seeking South Carolina representative openly acknowledged that the stunt was a direct attack on McBrideagain, who will be the lone transgender woman in Congresstelling reporters on Monday that it was that and more.

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Sarah McBride doesnt get a say. I mean, this is a biological man, Mace said, adding that the newly elected Delaware congresswoman does not belong in womens spaces, womens bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, period, full stop.

McBride had her own response to the resolution, describing it in a statement as a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing.

We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars, McBride said. Delawareans sent me here to make the American dream more affordable and accessible and thats what Im focused on.
ACADIA PARISH, La. (KLFY)  A 59-year-old Rayne man died in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday morning on Highway 90 near Ebenezer Road, Louisiana State Police announced.

In a news release, troopers said the crash claimed the life of Gilbert Price Jr.

Price is the father of KLFY reporter Kye Price.

The crash was reported around 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Troopers said Billy Kritzer, of Youngsville, was driving a 2002 Ford Escape east on Highway 90 at the same time Price was driving west on the highway.

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For reasons still under investigation, the Escape crossed the centerline into the westbound lane and struck the Sonoma head-on, Troopers said in a news release.

Kritzer, who was wearing a seat belt, was seriously injured in the crash, troopers said. Kritzer was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Troopers said Price was not using a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

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On Tuesday morning, the first snow of winter was disrupted by the sound and sight of thousands of farmers who had descended on Westminster, along with their tractors, to protest against Labours inheritance tax raid.

From April 2026, farmers and agricultural landowners will be subject to a 20 per cent levy on assets above 1 million, having previously been exempt.

But while the reform to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) has fuelled the protests this week, it is only the latest in a growing list of problems faced by British farmers, beset as they have been by dwindling incomes.

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Television personality-turned-farmer Jeremy Clarkson summed up the mood of the nations agricultural workers on Tuesday as he joined the demonstration in central London. Whats the point? he said. Youre just trying to make breakfast, lunch, dinner, and theres just endless moaning and no money in it.

The numbers increasingly support his claims.

Declining incomes

The average farm worker earns around 28,000, farmers earn 34,000, while agriculture managers earn 37,000, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics, a figure that has barely budged in a decade. This drops to just 18,000 for the worst-paid farmhands.

It is an industry that has long been marred by unpredictable fluctuations in income, but many sectors now appear to be beset by wage stagnation.

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The latest figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) reveal that all but two farming specialities registered a drop in average income over the past year.

Cereal and dairy farmers were hardest hit, with year-on-year declines in farming income of 73 per cent and 68 per cent alike between 2022 and 2023, the latest period for which Defra data is available.

Such difficulties are likely to be disincentivising a new generation of farmers. Some 70 per cent of the UKs agricultural workforce is currently aged over 55, according to figures from Defra.

Behind these changes in incomes is the astronomical rise in production prices, with inputs such as feed, fertiliser and agricultural upkeep soaring by 44 per cent over the decade.

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Meanwhile, farmers take tiny fractions of the profits generated by produce. They typically absorb 26 per cent of the cost of bringing a beefburger to market, for example, but reap less than 1 per cent of the profit when it is sold, according to figures compiled by the environmental charity Sustain. Retailers, by comparison, take the equivalent of 80 per cent of the profit from each beefburger sold.

Fewer farming businesses and less land

Such declines have made farming increasingly unsustainable, forcing many to sell up.

Last year, the number of hectares of British farmland, which has remained remarkably stable over the past decade, experienced its biggest decline since 2010.

There were 17.4 million hectares of farmland, equal to about 71.3 per cent of the UK, in 2022. In 2023, that had declined to 17.02 million hectares  accounting for 209,000 holdings.

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According to a research report from CPRE, the countryside charity, almost 14,500 hectares of the countrys best agricultural land has been permanently lost to development since 2010.

The number of individual full-time farming businesses has fallen by roughly 10,000 in the same period, a report from The Andersons Centre, a farming consultancy, showed.

More are predicted to go out of business. By 2040, the number of UK farms in total is expected to fall by 22 per cent.

Meanwhile, farmland has become increasingly expensive, making it difficult for new farms to enter the market. As a result, large farms  or so-called mega farms  have become central to the countrys agricultural output.

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A small number of so-called very high output farms  which accounted for 35 per cent of the total area of all farmed land nationwide  produced more than half of the agricultural output in England in 2022.

Today, the average farm measures 82 hectares. Still, despite the challenges associated with being a smaller operation, almost half span less than 20 hectares.

Post-Brexit and net zero challenges

The farms that have endured the pressures of recent decades have been met with new challenges.

Post-Brexit, the agricultural sector has been transitioning away from the direct farming subsidies which underpinned the EUs farming policy.

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Instead, direct payments are being replaced with indirect schemes designed to improve the rural economy and the UKs transition to net zero.

So far, the schemes have seemingly failed to drive up rural productivity. In fact, the UK continues to lag behind other competitors and EU countries subject to the old funding scheme.

Farmers are also repeatedly told to become more sustainable. One way to do this is through diversification, a strategy that involves expanding a farms activities to create new income streams. This can include converting venues for weddings or investing in solar panels and other renewable energy, among other things.

In the UK, the proportion of farms with diversified activity has increased from 50 per cent of all farms in 2006-07 to 69 per cent in 2022-23.

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But income-wise, theyve not yet reaped the rewards: between 2009-10 and 2022-23, the number of diversified farms that owe more than 50 per cent of their business income to diversification has barely changed from just 7,000 to 7,500.

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BINGHAMTON, NY  (WIVT/WBGH) A Binghamton City Court Judge, who was recently re-elected unopposed, is currently barred from hearing cases in Binghamton after he was escorted out of City Hall over the summer.

Democrat Daniel Seiden was re-elected to a 10 year term on November 5, even though he hasnt been in Binghamton court since late July. On July 23, the 6th Judicial District of the New York State Unified Court System assigned Seiden to preside over cases in the City of Cortland. On the same day, the 6th Judicial District sent an email to the Broome County District Attorneys Office and local police agencies instructing them that Seiden is prohibited from conducting arraignments or issuing search or arrest warrants in Binghamton City Court.



Back in August, Seiden claimed that he was transferred to Cortland to address a serious judge shortage there. However, multiple credible sources tell News 34 that in July, Seiden was escorted from Binghamton City Hall by security and later was forced to clear out his office under security supervision. His office remains empty.

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Binghamton Judge Daniel Seiden not hearing cases

Judge Seiden assigned to Cortland court



While News 34 heard rumors to that effect then, we were unable to confirm them until now, so voters went to the polls this month not knowing that Seiden had been barred from hearing cases in Binghamton. Today, Seiden sent News 34 an email saying court officials have never told him why he was reassigned to Cortland or for how long the reassignment will last. He says hes appealing the decision to the Chief Administrative Judge.



And in another twist, Seiden says he did preside over centralized arraignments Tuesday night in his capacity as a Binghamton judge at the Broome County Public Safety Building in the Town of Dickinson.

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Back in August, the Unified Court System responded to inquiries about Seiden with a terse no comment. It provided the same response today.



Binghamton has 3 full-time judges, but longtime judge Bill Pellela, who has been handling all of the criminal proceedings since Seiden was removed, is retiring at the end of the year. That will leave the court with just 2 relatively inexperienced judges, recently elected Judy Osburn, who replaces Pellela, and Debra Gelson who was elected last year.

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Wayne County Sheriffs deputies are looking for a man accused of identity theft and fraud.

They said on social media that he is alleged to have unlawfully withdrawn money from a credit union members account.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The incident happened on Nov. 8 at Natco Credit Union at the 500 block of South Roundbarn Road in Richmond, Indiana.

The suspect presented a fraudulent United States Passport containing the victims personal information. The individual also provided the victims banking account numbers to complete the unauthorized withdrawal, the sheriffs office said on Facebook.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Jack Martin at (765) 973-9393, extension 1475.

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BOSTON (WWLP)  The Red Cross held an event centered around caring for military members and their families at the State House on Tuesday.

The organization provides support and resources to veterans from the time they begin their service to long after they come home.

One service the Red Cross provides to military families is emergency communication. In the case of a family or personal emergency, the Red Cross verifies the emergency, communicates with the active duty military member regardless of where they are in the world, and if necessary, gets them home as quickly and safely as possible.

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Retired Brigadier General John Driscoll of Springfield explained why this service is unique and essential. The Red Cross is the only agency that can really contact that commander, wherever they may be in the world, to release that soldier home to their loved ones for any type of emergency, said Driscoll, who is a board member of the Western Massachusetts Red Cross branch.

For former Amherst Fire Chief Tim Nelson, this cause is personal. Nelsons father was in the Air Force and used Red Cross services to come home for a family emergency.

Since retiring, Nelson has helped facilitate homecomings for other military families. This is something that is kind of near and dear to me because Ive experienced it, said Nelson. And its a good thing. It really is.

The Red Cross also provides support for loved ones of military members, and for military members upon their return home to help them readjust to civilian life.

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Attendees of the event were encouraged to sign holiday cards that will be delivered to veterans in need across the state.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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A Red Wing man fatally shot his partner ten times before engaging law enforcement in an hours-long standoff at his apartment Sunday, according to new criminal charges.

Darryl Dion Nixon Jr., 41, was charged in Goodhue County District Court on Tuesday with 2nd-degree murder in connection with the death of 41-year-old Andrea Broyld in the 1000 block of Putnam Avenue.

According to the criminal complaint, Nixon's mother told police her son and Broyld visited her home to pick up a sweet potato pie and "seemed to be in good spirits."

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Around 15 minutes later, she said, Nixon called her crying and said that Broyld "was gone."

Nixon's mother told police her son "suffered from several mental health issues" and "hears and sees things that aren't really there" and is in possession of "numerous firearms," the complaint states.

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According to the charge, dispatch received both a call from a woman who seemed to be crying and asking for help and Nixon's mother.

Law enforcement went to Nixon's apartment and encountered Nixon at the door, where he allegedly said "shoot me" while holding a semi-automatic pistol in his left hand.

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Nixon continued to tell police to shoot him and made comments about someone being dead, the complaint reads.

The charge alleges Nixon ignored commands to drop the gun and would occasionally open the door and make comments at responders.

At one point, negotiators offered to have someone check on Broyld if Nixon would let them inside the apartment, to which Nixon allegedly responded that Broyld was "dead" and sobbed "cause I shot her."

Nixon surrendered and was taken into custody without incident after approximately three hours of negotiations, the charge states.

Inside the apartment, law enforcement found Broyld's body on the couch. She had multiple visible gunshot wounds on her lower abdomen and chest and the Medical Examiner later documented ten suspected entry wounds.

If you know anyone who is affected by domestic violence, you can find more information on services available here, via the Minnesota DPS. You can also call the Day One Crisis Hotline at 1-866-223-1111.
Labour carried out no impact assessment before launching an inheritance tax raid on farmers, The Telegraph can reveal.

The Chancellors failure to carry out a full review has cast doubt on the Governments claim that only 550 farms a year will be hit by inheritance tax changes from 2026.

It comes amid a row over the policy, with Labour accused of underestimating how many landowners will be taxed, and Sir Keir Starmers own MPs calling for exemptions for family farms.

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Rachel Reeves announced in her October Budget a 1m cap on agricultural property relief, which allows farmers to pass farmland between generations without paying inheritance tax.

In her speech, Ms Reeves said 72pc of farms would be unaffected and the Government has since maintained that only 550 farms will be dragged into the inheritance tax net as a result.

However, a Treasury source told The Telegraph an official assessment would not be published until next years autumn Budget  six months before the tax takes effect.

Campaigners have said the introduction of such sweeping changes without a full review amounted to negligence, as thousands descended on Westminster on Tuesday to protest the new measures.

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The National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Country Land and Business Association estimate that 70,000 farms will be hit.

They point to figures published by the Governments own Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which suggest 34pc of farms would be unaffected.

On Tuesday, Sir Keir claimed the BBC had backed him over the tax rises, prompting accusations of bias. Speaking at a press conference in Rio, where he is attending the G20 summit, the Prime Minister insisted that the vast majority of farmers would be unaffected.

He said: All of you can check out what that means in terms of the impact. I think the BBC has already done it.

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It means the vast majority of farms are unaffected by this, and I think its just important we keep making that clear.

Meanwhile, at the protest in London, Jeremy Clarkson accused the BBC of being a mouthpiece for this infernal Government after a heated exchange with Newsnights Victoria Derbyshire.

Labour MPs have now raised concerns about the plans for the first time, urging the Government to consider making changes to protect family farms.

Figures reported by Defra are based on actual claims for agricultural property relief, while the Treasurys analysis goes beyond the raw data, which is where the difference is, a government source said.

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But campaigners have argued that many assets on farmland were previously claimed under business property relief  a separate tax relief scheme. From April 2026, these schemes will be joined together.

It means farmers will have to include the value of livestock, machinery and other farming assets in the value of the estate. Defra estimates that two thirds of Britains farms are worth more than 1m, so are potentially eligible for the tax.

An official assessment into the raid will not be published until next years Budget.

While the Government maintained this was standard practice, ministers have previously come under fire for failing to produce an impact assessment for its removal of winter fuel payments.

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An impact assessment for the well-trailed VAT raid on private schools was only published in last months Budget  three months before the tax takes effect.

Jonathan Roberts, of the Country Land and Business Association, said: If they havent done an impact assessment, that is negligence. If they have, but they are refusing to publish it, that is a lack of transparency.

Mr Roberts said the looming threat of inheritance tax was already prompting rural business owners to withdraw investment from farms by cancelling contracts for machinery.

He said: It means were going to have less economic growth. We could see up to 190,000 jobs lost.

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The state is going to have to pick up the tab for that  even with this increase in inheritance tax revenue, youre going to be spending far more on welfare.

It comes as thousands of farmers, spearheaded by Jeremy Clarkson, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, joined protests in Westminster on Tuesday to call for a reversal of the so-called family farms tax.

The National Farmers Union has demanded a meeting with Ms Reeves, who has so far refused to speak to the lobby group. The Chancellor on Tuesday told farmers they must pay their fair share of tax, to help fund health services in rural areas.

The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates the tax raid will claw back 580m a year at most  equivalent to just over a day of NHS spending, according to government figures.

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A Treasury spokesman said: We set out our modelling on the impacts of the changes to agricultural property relief at the Budget and, more recently, the Chancellor set out further details to the Treasury Select Committee.

As is standard practice, we will publish further analysis of the impacts alongside the draft legislation expected in 2025.

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January 2, 2025  11:16 a.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  The 52-year-old Green Bay man who has been charged with stalking a 17-year-old girl and allegedly leaving notes on her car, had a status conference recently.

According to court records, Dennis Johnson appeared in custody via Zoom for a status conference on December 27 and had his present bond of $100,000 continued.

Concerning & unacceptable: Fond du Lac officers investigating shooting between multiple vehicles on New Years Eve

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Johnson is facing multiple charges in relation to the alleged stalking of a 17-year-old girl, including two felony charges of Expose Child to Harmful Material.

An additional status conference has been scheduled for March 7, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

Original story: Registered sex offender in Green Bay charged with stalking 17-year-old, leaving sexual notes on her car

November 19, 2024  4:17 p.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  A man from Green Bay had his cash bond set at $100,000 after being charged with stalking a 17-year-old girl and leaving sexual notes on her car.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by Local 5, 52-year-old Dennis Johnson is facing multiple charges in relation to the alleged stalking of a 17-year-old girl. On October 26, an officer with the Green Bay Police Department was sent to a residence for a reported incident that was sexual in nature.

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The complaint says that a 17-year-old girl received a letter from a stranger that was on her car. The letter was reportedly sexual in nature and was accompanied by a sexual book. The letter addressed the victim as Cheesehead.

Wisconsin reaches $1M settlement with Roundys over pricing and labeling violations

The victim and witnesses said that no one they know calls her Cheesehead.

On November 10, an officer was sent to the same residence for another report of a stalking incident. A plastic bag was found on the hood of the victims car.

Security cameras were set up after the initial incident and authorities reviewed the footage. A middle-aged man was seen placing the bag on the car around 2:20 a.m.

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The bag contained another book that was deemed sexual in nature and a handwritten note of the same genre. The note also reportedly asked for a loan of $6,000-$10,000.

Authorities later did a search through Wisconsins Sex Offender Registry and found Dennis Johnson who matched the description of the person seen on the footage. The complaint says that in 1994, Johnson was in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old when he was 22 years old.

An officer contacted Johnson and searched his residence. A metallic pipe that was believed to be consistent with a pipe used for drug use.

Johnson reportedly told authorities that he saw the victim mowing the law about two or three years ago. The complaint says that he was sexually attracted to her and thought she was 18 years old.

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He admitted to leaving the notes and books so the victim could write her own book. The complaint says that Johnson said he asked for money because he was about to run out of it and be kicked out of his residence.

Fire devastates popular frozen custard restaurant in Wisconsin; no injuries reported

In the complaint, it mentions that the family of the victim has been living in fear since the first incident.

Johnson is charged with:

Stalking  Victim under age 18, repeater Felony Up to six years in prison (Can be increased by four years due to being a repeater)

Exposing a Child to Harmful Material, repeater Felony Up to three and a half years in prison (Can be increased by four years due to being a repeater)

Exposing a Child to Harmful Material, repeater Felony Up to three and a half years in prison (Can be increased by four years due to being a repeater)

Possession of THC, repeater Misdemeanor Up to six months in prison (Can be increased by two years due to being a repeater)

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, repeater Misdemeanor Up to 30 days in prison (Can be increased by two years due to being a repeater)



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Court records show that Johnson was in court on November 15 for his initial appearance. He had his cash bond set at $100,000. He is due back in court on December 27 for a status conference.

Three kilograms of cocaine and an estimated $300k worth of drugs found after traffic stop in Wisconsin, one arrested

No additional information was provided. Local 5 will update this story as the case progresses.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Within a span of 24 hours, two trucks hauling windmill towers across Kansas lost their load from their trailer.

The first incident happened Monday, just east of Jetmore. K-156 Highway was shut down for over 30 miles between US 283 and US 183 until Tuesday afternoon when a crane was able to remove the windmill tower from the road.

The second happened on K-96, just west of Leoti, shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday. Thankfully, only one lane of traffic was shut down.

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KSN News contacted the Kansas Department of Transportation about the regulations for oversized loads in Kansas. JB Wilson with KDOT says that there are regulations for commercial transportation companies transporting oversized loads through the state.

Sedgwick County K-9 gets life-saving surgery

Companies must receive a permit from the state if they want to transport an oversized load on Kansas roadways. Before they can receive the permit, KDOT must review the data for each district the load will travel through, comparing the width, height, length, and weight of the load to the roads and bridges it will cross or travel under to ensure the load can safely travel without creating any hazards or damaging infrastructure.

Once a permit is issued to a company, KDOT does not monitor the transport as it travels through the state. With the permit, the company receives a list of regulations and statutes they must follow.

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In addition, they cannot deviate from the assigned route. They must also contact each district they travel through so they can prepare.

Wilson says that under Kansas regulations, traffic can only be stopped for 15 minutes at a time. The Kansas Highway Patrol is responsible for enforcing the regulations.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
EXETER, R.I. (WPRI)  Detectives have arrested a man in connection with the disappearance and murder of a Warwick woman who had been missing for more than two years.

Mark Perkins, 64, was taken into custody Wednesday morning at a convenience store and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the suspicious death of 44-year-old Charlotte Lester.

Court documents obtained by 12 News reveal that Lesters remains were discovered by a hunter Sunday near the Exeter-West Greenwich town line.

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Lester was first reported missing by her landlord, who court documents said she was in a relationship with. He told investigators at the time that he had last seen her and her dog Chloe at her townhouse on May 16, 2022.

Watch: Officers arrest Warwick murder suspect

Her dog was found wandering Elmwood Avenue a few days after she vanished without a trace, per the court documents, which her landlord explained was unusual since Lester did not go anywhere without her.

Investigators learned that Lester kept a small group of friends and boyfriends, which included Perkins, according to court documents. He told the detectives who visited his Staples Avenue home in the days following her disappearance that he had no idea where she was.

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Detectives reported that [Perkins] appeared calm and unaffected with her disappearance, the court documents noted. He stated that she had stopped texting him and did not know where she was.

Lesters friend eventually came forward and reported speaking with Perkins at Cumberland Farms the day after she was reported missing.

Her friend noticed that Perkins had what appeared to be dried blood all over his hands and she could clearly see scratch marks and bite marks on his arms, according to court documents.

(Courtesy: Warwick Police Department)

Perkins told her that on Monday night, he and Charlotte had the blow out of the century and that his house was a bloodbath,' the court documents said. He then said, I think I killed her.'

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Court documents noted that detectives who searched Perkins home the next day found evidence of blood spatter in his bedroom, as well as a stained shirt hanging on a clothes line over a bottle of bleach in his basement.

Though blood was found on his bed frame, court documents noted that none was found on Perkins mattress. Investigators later learned that he bought a new one under an alias two days prior to the search.

Laboratory testing later identified the blood as likely being Lesters, with the court documents noting that it matched her mothers DNA profile.

Mark Perkins appears in Kent County District Court.

Detectives discovered Lesters red pickup truck abandoned outside Kent Hospital a couple of days after searching Perkins home, and a search party found a series of letters addressed to her in the woods nearby.

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Surveillance footage from the hospital parking lot showed Perkins getting out of the drivers seat of Lesters truck and walking away, the court documents stated.

Perkins was seen on residents security cameras driving through the neighborhood with an unknown object in his truck bed two days after Lester vanished, according to court documents. He was gone for roughly three hours and when he returned, the object was no longer there.

Perkins was arrested in August 2022 after he went after radio talk show host John DePetro with a lawnmower outside his home.

DePetro and a woman were across the street from Perkins home live-streaming at the time and could be heard asking him about Lesters whereabouts moments before he started up the mower and charged at them.

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MORE: Man accused of charging at radio host John DePetro with lawnmower

Meanwhile, Lesters family and friends continued to search for her in the years following her disappearance, even hiring a private investigator to get to the bottom of what happened.

Fast forward to this past weekend, when court documents reveal human remains were discovered in the woods off of Plain Road within the Wood River Arcadia Management Area. Detectives were able to quickly identify the remains as being Lesters using dental records.

Investigators later learned that Perkins had visited several secluded spots in the woods over the past two years, including near where Lesters remains were uncovered.

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We always believed something happened to Charlotte, but not having the remains was definitely a key here, Deputy Police Chief Michael Lima said.

Watch: Police provide update on Charlotte Lester case

Kathy Wilson, a close family friend of the Lesters, told 12 News her loved ones are relieved to finally have some closure.

It happened exactly the way we thought it did, where we thought it did, and by who, Wilson said. Were just happy to move forward and for justice to be served.

Perkins was ordered held without bail. He is due back in court next week in connection with a separate case.

The investigation into Lesters disappearance and death is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Nadine Parmenter at (401) 468-4200. Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the WARWICKPD app or by texting WARWICKPD to 847411.

Earlier 12 News coverage:

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  On November 8, 2024, just a month before his 36th birthday, Taylor Don Dye from Wylie died at his home.

Family, friends, and former Wylie ISD staff attended his service and visitation at the Hamil Funeral Home, a testament to his impact on the community he held so dear. Though he graduated from Wylie High School in 2011, his love for the school is one he carried his whole life through, as his nieces, sisters Morgan and Camri Travis, told KTAB/KRBC.

Taylor Dye in the hospital with his niece, Morgan Travis

That was his favorite place to be like he never wanted to leave there. Said Morgan.

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And then, Craig Bessent, his teacher/superintendent Taylor, really loved him, Camri added.

Bessent was Dyes teacher beginning at Wylie West Intermediate. But their bond grew over his five years as a student, the pair eating every lunch together and getting to know each other on a profoundly personal level.

Yknow, it was pretty easy to tell when Taylor came to Wylie. He was a special person; Taylor and I ate lunch together for five or six years. Nearly every lunch, we had a lot of long conversations. Mostly, I did all the talking, and he did all the listening, but he tolerated me through all those times. Said Bessent.

Like Dyes love for the school, their bond continued even after he graduated. Bessent said he, Dye, and Dyes father would occasionally meet for another lunchtime chat, a tradition that continued for two decades.

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Several months ago, we met at Taco Casa for lunch. His dad brought him, and we had tacos, and it was just like nothing had ever changed. Wed start right up just like it was 20 years ago. Bessent shared.

Their time together and conversations were dear to Bessents heart. All that time taught him more about life than he could have taught in the classroom.

Craig Bessent and Taylor Dye

He taught me its not how much money you make. But its really about the relationships that you have, and Taylor exemplified that to all of us. Were just glad we had him for when we did. Were thankful for that. Bessent said.

While the world may never hear him singing along to his favorite artist, Garth Brooks, or spending another Christmas passing presents under the door as his nieces say he enjoyed, Bessent feels that just as Dyes love for Wylie surpassed his graduation, the happiness he shone so brightly will continue to be felt long after hes been gone.

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Taylors gonna do great things in heaven, and Gods got a purpose for him too, and I think hes probably giggling right now, Bessent said.

Dyes funeral service was held Tuesday evening at the Hamil funeral home in Abilene. Flowers and gifts can be shared through the contact links on his obituary page on the Hamil website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
President-elect Donald Trumps new Department of Government Efficiency, a nongovernmental entity helmed by billionaire Elon Musk and biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, is expected to make a push for an end to remote work across federal agencies as a way to help reduce the federal workforce through attrition.

Both Musk and Ramaswamy have recently publicly lamented the number of employees working remotely across the government.

A source familiar with early discussions about the focus of DOGE, as the initiative is known, told CNN that while nothing is final, early priorities include an effort to immediately end remote work across federal agencies, making a five-day work week a requirement for all federal employees.

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Its a no-brainer step and many companies have done this. So why shouldnt federal employees who are paid with taxpayer dollars be required to be in office? the source said.

The thinking is this kind of mandate, coupled with moving agencies out of Washington, DC, would cause many federal workers to voluntarily leave, helping the new Trump administration thin out the federal workforce ranks and save the government money.

Ending remote work across government is being considered a potential early candidate for executive orders that members of DOGE will recommend to Trump, the source said. Its definitely on the table, the source said, though its unclear how much they believe this will save the federal government.

On Wednesday, following the publication of this story, Musk and Ramaswamy published an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal that outlined their plans to reform the government and took aim at remote work. Requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome: If federal employees dont want to show up, American taxpayers shouldnt pay them for the Covid-era privilege of staying home, they wrote.

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Currently, not all federal workers are required to be in the office five days a week. Each agency determines its remote policy to best complete its mission. There are 1.3 million federal workers approved for telework, according to data from the Office of Personnel Management. Government data shows teleworking federal workers spend 60% of their time performing work in person.

The implication that federal employees writ large are not working in-person is simply not backed up by data and reality, Everett Kelley, national president for the American Federation of Government Employees, a union that represents more than 800,000 federal workers, told CNN in a statement. When it comes to changes in working conditions that could impact union contracts, AFGE takes the position that such changes must be negotiated with the union through the normal collective bargaining process.

Sources also told CNN that conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk  who has grown close with Musk  is expected to serve as an unofficial adviser to DOGE. Kirk has taken aim at remote work, calling it one giant looting operation and US taxpayers are their mask on X on Monday, another sign this could be a key early priority.

Disrupting lives

Some federal employees who have been allowed to work fully remotely say that forcing them to come back to the office would upend their lives  and not necessarily save the government as much money as one might expect.

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I cant abandon this career, one Library of Congress worker who lives in the Midwest told CNN. I would be forced to move back to Washington, DC, even if it means separating my family.

The worker, who requested anonymity to protect their job, had reported to their office in Washington, DC, five days a week for many years. But when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the employee was allowed to work remotely and moved to the Midwest to be closer to family and save money  even though it meant taking a $12,000 pay cut. They have since bought a home and entered into a relationship.

Adding to the complications, the worker doesnt have an office to return to since others within the Library of Congress have already moved into their former space.

But some of their colleagues, particularly those with children, have said they wouldnt be able to move back. That would hurt the Library of Congress mission since it, like many other government agencies, is already dealing with high turnover, the worker said.

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Another federal employee who works remotely told CNN that they would have to commute two to three hours to the nearest office. That would be a deal-breaker for the worker, who has been with the federal government for more than 10 years.

The stress would be through the roof, said the employee, who requested anonymity to protect their job. I am at the point where if I had to commute, I would resign. I would take this as a sign to move on and start a new chapter in my life.

The worker, who is employed by the General Services Administration, said that forcing them to come to an office would make them less productive. Currently, they work more hours  including when they are sick or scheduled to be off  even though they dont receive overtime pay.

Other targets beyond remote work

Remote work isnt the only cost-cutting measure that is likely to be addressed through executive orders.

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The source familiar with early discussions on DOGE said that very early on in the administration, there are expected to be several other executive orders that have the fingerprints of DOGE and are aimed at cutting costs.

But DOGE recommendations arent likely to solely take the form of executive orders, which can easily be overturned under future administrations, the source said. There will also be a longer-term plan for more and deeper reductions through the rulemaking process, the source added.

Ramaswamy recently took to social media to note plans for cutting funds for programs Congress no longer authorizes but that still receive appropriations.

We shouldnt let the government spend money on programs that have expired. Yet thats exactly what happens today: half a *trillion* dollars of taxpayer funds ($516 B+) goes each year to programs which Congress has allowed to expire. There are 1,200+ programs that are no longer authorized but still receive appropriations. This is totally nuts, he posted on X.

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The source familiar with early discussions told CNN that Musk and Ramaswamy dont plan on reinventing the wheel when it comes to determining how to best cut the fat in government spending.

Theyll be pulling from existing reports from Congress and the executive branch and previous outside government commissions focused on cutting government spending, the source said, noting that previous conservative targets will inform what DOGE does. They dont view themselves as having the only answer to government spending and efficiency.

Musk and Ramaswamy are currently identifying all the places across the sprawling federal government where they might be able to cut, according to the source, while Ramaswamy is simultaneously taking the lead on crafting the legal justification for the cuts they recommend.

They will hire additional people eventually, but its going to be a small, nimble team, the source said. It wont be hundreds of people. It will be very small. A lot of this is going to also involve agencies identifying places to cut. Its going to be on them too.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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Break out the champagne. The man who killed Laken Riley has been found guilty of murder.

This is a good day.

Jose Ibarra, the Tren de Aragua gang member who came here illegally and viciously murdered a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student was found guilty of all charges on Wednesday.

Arizonas own U.S. Rep. Eli Crane celebrated with a call to go after all the nannies and grannies, all the landscapers and meat packers and crop harvesters who came to this country illegally.

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As if they are all just like Jose Ibarra.

Mass deportations arent merely necessary, theyre morally just, Crane crowed on social media.

Criminals like Ibarra absolutely should go

Are they?

I realize it is all the rage now to turn our collective fury for all that ails us on caregivers and construction workers.

On the maids who clean our homes and the abuelas who sell those homemade tamales that we in Arizona clamored to legalize earlier this year (the tamales, that is, not the people who make them).

On the people who come here in search of asylum.

But  what are we doing, America?

The days are now dwindling until the triumphant return of President Donald Trump, who apparently plans to send in the Marines to root out the immigrants among us  the ones who have no legal right to be in this country.

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Its difficult to imagine that anybody could object to the deportation of people like Jose Ibarra, criminals who broke into our country and proceeded to rape, pillage and murder.

The thieves and the scoundrels should go, too, if theyre not already in prison for their crimes.

Mass deportation isn't just about criminals

U.S. Rep. Eli Crane speaks during a campaign event in Queen Creek featuring Donald Trump Jr. on Oct. 23, 2024.

But lets not kid ourselves about whats really about to happen here.

Trump now likely can do as he pleases  owning the White House, Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court as he does  to the applause of an adoring MAGA Nation.

And No. 1 on his list is mass deportation.

On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out, he said during the closing days of his campaign. I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered, and we will put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then kick them the hell out of our country as fast as possible.

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Vicious and bloodthirsty criminals? By all means, kick them the hell out.

Opinion: Trump's deportation plan is really a power grab

But what about the immigrants who have been here for years and never caused a problem? The millions who have blended families that were established over the decades as we turned a blind eye and benefited from their labor.

The Dreamers who were brought here as children and live in the only country many of them have ever known?

We may have the right to round people up

We may have the legal right to separate husbands from their wives, to strip mothers from their U.S.-born children and grandfathers from their families.

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We may have the raging appetite to round them up and kick them out. As Trumps border czar has said, families can be deported together.

Forget the billions upon billions of dollars it would cost to deport an estimated 10 to 20 million people.

Forget the impact on the U.S. economy  the loss of tax revenue, the labor shortages.

As Trump has said, There is no price tag.

But claiming a moral imperative?

Please, Rep. Crane, dont attempt to claim the righteous high ground.

Rep. Crane shouldn't say this is morally just

Dont tell us that siccing soldiers on decent, God-fearing immigrants whose only crime is that they came here illegally is the moral thing to do. Dont tell us that condemning them to live in fear until the troops come for them is the Godly thing to do.

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And please, dont go to church this Sunday and pray for Gods mercy when you apparently have none to give.

Oh, I know, to the victor goes the spoils.

These are halcyon days in Donald Trumps America. Heady times, indeed, for the MAGA Nation that now numbers nearly 77 million.

You can almost hear the dogs barking as the torches are lit.

Onward, Christian soldier.

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: Deport the Laken Riley killer. But not someone's abuela | Opinion
The House Ethics Committee is facing scrutiny over an unreleased report related to an investigation into former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, in appearances on news programs over the weekend, urged the House Ethics Committee to not make public the contents of the report and to uphold congressional customs.

I dont know anything about the contents of the report because of the way the rules work. Of course, the speaker of the House cant put a thumb on the scale or be involved in an Ethics Committee report. What I do know is that the comments about there being a precedent for releasing reports is not exactly accurate, Johnson said, according to Fox News.

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He argued that since Gaetz is no longer a member of the House of Representatives, releasing the report would breach protocol since the matter is technically out of the hands of the Ethics Committee. But a few of his Republican colleagues and a large number of House Democrats think otherwise.

Meanwhile, the House Ethics Committee plans to stay mum until the members decide what to do. Should the report be released, Gaetzs future in the Trump administration could be in trouble.

What are House members saying about Matt Gaetz?

Gaetz, who was tapped by President-elect Donald Trump as his nominee for U.S. attorney general, faces sex trafficking allegations. He also allegedly had sexual relations with a minor. The criminal investigations into him did not lead to any charges, and the former Florida representative has denied these accusations. He resigned from Congress last week amid the House investigation.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said if Republicans decide to release the report on Gaetz, they should release all ethics investigation reports, alleging her congressional colleagues are covering up their indiscretions while paying off victims with taxpayer money.

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For my Republican colleagues in the House and Senate, If we are going to release ethics reports and rip apart our own that Trump has appointed, then put it ALL out there for the American people to see, she said.

Yes ... all the ethics reports and claims including the one I filed all your sexual harassment and assault claims that were secretly settled paying off victims with taxpayer money.

Former Republican Rep. Peter Meijer of Michigan, a never Trump-Republican who lost his seat in a primary, replied to Greenes post, saying, I find this completely unobjectionable?!?

I find this completely unobjectionable?!? https://t.co/rv2PtGXNi7  Peter Meijer (@RepMeijer) November 19, 2024

Meanwhile, Democrats are exerting pressure on the House Ethics Committee to make its findings on Gaetz public.

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We are aware that traditionally, the Ethics Committee stops investigations into alleged misconduct when a member of Congress resigns. However, there is precedent for the House and Senate ethics committees to continue their investigations and release their findings after a member has resigned in a scandal, the letter, addressed to House Ethics Committee chairman Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., and ranking member Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., said.

Democrats argue that the Senate needs to be well-informed during the confirmation process for Gaetzs appointment as attorney general.

Given the seriousness of the charges against Rep. Gaetz, withholding the findings of your investigation may jeopardize the Senates ability to provide fully informed, constitutionally required advice and consent regarding this nomination.

Will Matt Gaetz get confirmed by the Senate?

Wild said she has read the findings, like others on the Ethics Committee, and believes they should be made public. Guest indicated his panel will decide what to do with the report on Wednesday following a vote. He has spoken to the House speaker but said Johnson will not influence the Ethics Committees decision.

 NEWS: I led nearly 100 House Democrats in a letter urging the House Ethics Committee to release the Gaetz report immediately.



This information must be made available for the Senate to provide its constitutionally required advice and consent. pic.twitter.com/oF7CnNMDdk  Rep. Sean Casten (@RepCasten) November 19, 2024

All eyes are on Gaetz, and one thing is clear, he isnt well-liked among his colleagues. Utah Rep. Burgess Owens previously admitted Gaetz is not a very popular guy because hes not really a team player. But Owens said he believes Gaetz is fit for the job Trump picked him for. Hes no question very bright. Hes very tenacious. And thats what President Trump wants.

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The Gaetz nomination hinges on the future Republican majority in the Senate, and so far, it appears Gaetz may face an uphill battle. The New York Times reported Trump thinks Gaetz has low odds of being confirmed, but he is sticking by the nomination.

According to ABC News, Trump transition spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer suggested the claims against Gaetz are baseless. Matt Gaetz will be the next Attorney General. Hes the right man for the job and will end the weaponization of our justice system, Pfeiffer said.

These are baseless allegations intended to derail the second Trump administration. The Biden Justice Department investigated Gaetz for years and cleared him of wrongdoing, the spokesperson added.
Rep. Ritchie Torres on Wednesday refused to rule out mounting a 2026 Democratic primary challenge to Gov. Hochul.

Although he dodged a direct question about taking on Hochul, the Bronx lawmaker pointedly decried a crisis of governance on both the state and city levels.

Ive made no final decision as to where my future lies, but Im concerned about the crisis of governance we have in New York State and New York City, Torres told Spectrum News.

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I am frustrated, he added, as are most New Yorkers.

When a reporter noted that doesnt sound like a no to taking on Hochul, Torres only replied: Thats as far as Im going to go.

Torres, a third-term moderate who represents a district stretching from the South Bronx to Riverdale, called President-elect Donald Trumps broad victory a wakeup call for incumbent Democrats in Washington  and Albany.

With a few exceptions, nowhere was there a greater swing to Donald Trump than in New York. which was a vote of no confidence in the leadership of New York State, Torres said. We have a leadership crisis in America, and nowhere is it more profound than in New York.

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New York voters swung by about 10% to Trump overall, a shift that included major swings in deep-blue New York City and even suburbs that had been mostly moving to the left.

Torres is an outspoken supporter of Israel. Hes also been a harsh critic of progressives before and after Election Day and often says Democrats need to hew to the political center to regain lost political momentum.

Hochul is expected to run for reelection in 2026 but could face challenges on both sides of the aisle.

Rep. Mike Lawler, a Westchester County congressman, is widely expected to mount a Republican challenge to her, and some Democrats have warned that he would have a decent chance of beating Hochul.

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Hochul has made also made enemies within her own party over her handling of congestion pricing and other hot potato issues.

The former Buffalo congresswomans approval ratings are dismal. Just 34% of New Yorkers had a favorable opinion of her. Even Democrats are split down the middle on her performance in the state house.

After taking office when Gov. Andrew Cuomo stepped down, Hochul ran a rocky 2022 race and managed to eke out a shockingly narrow 6% win over ex-Rep. Lee Zeldin.

Further down ballot, Republicans also won five congressional seats in which Democrats were favored. They recaptured four of those seats this year, another indication that Hochul dragged down fellow Democrats.
NEW YORK  Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., on Wednesday refused to rule out mounting a 2026 Democratic primary challenge to Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Although he dodged a direct question about taking on Hochul, the Bronx lawmaker pointedly decried a crisis of governance on both the state and city levels.

Ive made no final decision as to where my future lies, but Im concerned about the crisis of governance we have in New York State and New York City, Torres told Spectrum News.

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I am frustrated, he added, as are most New Yorkers.

When a reporter noted that doesnt sound like a no to taking on Hochul, Torres only replied: Thats as far as Im going to go.

Torres, a third-term moderate who represents a district stretching from the South Bronx to Riverdale, called President-elect Trumps broad victory a wake-up call for incumbent Democrats in Washington  and Albany.

With a few exceptions, nowhere was there a greater swing to Donald Trump than in New York, which was a vote of no confidence in the leadership of New York State, Torres said. We have a leadership crisis in America, and nowhere is it more profound than in New York.

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New York voters swung by about 10% to Trump overall, a shift that included major swings in deep-blue New York City and even suburbs that had been mostly moving to the left.

Torres is an outspoken supporter of Israel. Hes also been a harsh critic of progressives before and after Election Day and often says Democrats need to hew to the political center to regain lost political momentum.

Hochul is expected to run for reelection in 2026 but could face challenges on both sides of the aisle.

Rep. Mike Lawler, a Westchester County, is widely expected to mount a Republican challenge to her, and some Democrats have warned that he would have a decent chance of beating Hochul.

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Hochul has made also made enemies within her own party over her handling of congestion pricing and other hot potato issues.

The former Buffalo congresswomans approval ratings are dismal. Just 34% of New Yorkers had a favorable opinion of her. Even Democrats are split down the middle on her performance in the state house.

After taking office when Gov. Andrew Cuomo stepped down, Hochul ran a rocky 2022 race and managed to eke out a shockingly narrow 6% win over ex-Rep. Lee Zeldin.

Further down ballot, Republicans also won five congressional seats in which Democrats were favored. They recaptured four of those seats this year, another indication that Hochul dragged down fellow Democrats.

_____
A new report says 6% of inmates in Maryland prisons were incarcerated as adults for crimes they committed as juveniles. Getty Images.

Maryland is among the worst states in the nation when it comes to the number of prison inmates who began their time behind bars for crimes they committed as children, according to a report set to be released Wednesday.

With 6% of its overall prison population incarcerated for crimes they committed as minors, Maryland trailed only Louisiana, Wisconsin and South Carolina, according to the report, Disposable Children: The Prevalence of Child Abuse and Trauma Among Children Prosecuted and Incarcerated as Adults in Maryland.

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The report, by Human Rights for Kids, said Maryland also fared poorly in terms of the number of children per capita who are charged as adults, trailing only Alabama. Minority inmates make up more than 90% of those who were charged as youth in Maryland and remain incarcerated as adults, according to the report.

Maryland is faced with a simple choice. On the one hand the state can look the other way, continuing to incarcerate children who act out behaviorally due to abuse, neglect, and community violence, or it can seek to address the root of the problem by showing these children something many of them have never had before  love, the report said.

The document is based on the nonprofit organizations first statewide survey of Maryland inmates on Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, they were subjected to as youth. The survey was mailed to 882 people currently in Maryland adult prisons who have been incarcerated since childhood. About 124 people, or 14%, completed the surveys.

A graphic shows the range of Adverse Childhood Experiences suffered by those currently incarcerated in Marylands prisons who were sentenced as children. Chart courtesy of Human Rights for Kids.

About 70% of respondents acknowledged suffering the top six of those experiences: separation/divorce of parents; household substance abuse; emotional abuse; physical abuse; incarceration of a parent, sibling or someone else in the household; and emotional neglect.

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The report offers several policy and procedure recommendations, including a prohibition on solitary confinement of children in all facilities. Nearly 98% of respondents to the Maryland survey said they had been placed in solitary confinement, and about 80% of them said that happened while they were children.

Del. Sandy Bartlett (D-Anne Arundel), the vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee, sponsored unsuccessful legislation in this years session to restrict solitary confinement, or restrictive housing, for youth that is done solely on the purposes of discipline, punishment, administrative convenience, retaliation, or staffing shortages.

Bartlett said in a text message Tuesday that shes working with the state Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) on a version of that bill for the 2025 legislative session.

My goal is to get kids out of adult pre-trial facilities, she said.

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Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-Lower Shore), who serves on the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, said the legislature made some strides with passage of the juvenile justice law that went into effect Nov. 1. She declined to comment on the report without seeing it first, but said more juvenile reform needs to be done that incorporates not only rehabilitation, but also accountability.

In the legislative session that begins Jan. 8, Carozza said she plans to again sponsor, or at least support, legislation she introduced in the last session that would let a law enforcement officer question a youth if an alleged crime involved the use of a gun or crime of violence. The Child Protection Custody Act passed in 2022 does not allow an officer to interrogate a child until an attorney has been retained by a parent or Office of the Public Defender.

I realize the whole issue of the questioning of juveniles has been a prohibition at this point, but I still think we should  take another look at this very narrow approach, Carozza said. If anything, it still opens up other conversations of what you can do with juvenile accountability.

Policy, procedure recommendations

One bipartisan measure Human Rights for Kids endorsed was legislation sponsored by Sen. William G. Folden (R-Frederick) and Del. Karen Simpson (D-Frederick) in the last session. Their bills, which did not make it out of committee, sought to transfer cases from adult court to juvenile court for child victims of sex crimes and trafficking who commit crimes against their abusers, but who were convicted as adults.

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Some other proposals in the report include:

Prohibiting the housing of children in adult jails and prisons;

Allowing formerly incarcerated children to be discharged from parole no more than five years after their release;

and starting all cases involving children in juvenile court.

The report also suggests the legislature implement training on adverse childhood experiences. More specifically, it said ACEs training should be required for judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and other staff who engage with youth with extensive trauma histories.

The law in Virginia, where Jamel Freeman was raised, requires courts to consider a youths childhood experiences and trauma history.

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The courts need to know that, said Freeman, now 46, a member of the Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative that was formed to eliminate mass incarceration in the state.

He said its important to remember that children respond differently than adults.

When a child has an adverse experience that the body has and releases hormones that leave the brain at a heightened state of fear and stress, the shift in their cognitive, emotional and functioning behavioral actions start to reduce, said Freeman, a graduate student at the University of Maryland-Baltimore School of Social Work. Then their [childrens] once-normal, day-to-day life skills are replaced with the skills needed to survive.
Every day during the 2024 school year, about 165 West High School students exited the school with the closing bell, made their way to the school bus pick-up zone  and then waited 30 minutes for the bus to arrive and take them home.

A mere inconvenience? Not when you do the math. Over the course of the academic year, those daily half-hour school bus delays exacted 69 total hours of wait time, according to a report shared Tuesday with the Legislative Audit Subcommittee.

Staffers from the Office of the Legislative Auditor General concluded in their report that the Salt Lake City School Districts shared governance policy was a key factor in the West High bus delays.

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Based on conversations with district staff and administrators as well as data reviewed, shared governance and confusion about shared governance have contributed to decisions that negatively impacted students in several key areas, the audit report noted. These include transportation to and from school, as well as the number of instructional hours at West High School.

Additionally, students at two Salt Lake City School District middle schools consistently had trouble getting home on time on early-release days.

At West High, the school district scheduled three buses to arrive 30 minutes after school ended, which is 23 minutes later than other afternoon buses at West High, the audit report noted.

This delay was caused by a conflict with afternoon buses taking home students from Bryant Middle School.

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The Bryant principal reported that the school was allowed to pick an 8:45 a.m. start time instead of 8 a.m., which created a conflict with West High in the afternoon, according to the report.

While bus driver shortages may have contributed to the situation, the district told us they would have had enough drivers to get West High students home on time if Bryant had chosen the earlier time.

What is shared governance?

Shared governance is the districts long-observed process for participatory decision-making.

Although it is the exclusive right of the Board of Education to determine the goals and direction of the district, in 1974, the Salt Lake Board of Education agreed to delegate the right to local sites to make some decisions through the use of the shared governance process, according to the district website.

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Shared governance is based on the philosophy that education is a responsibility of all employees and the community, and that when people work together to make decisions, many advantages accrue.

The districts website notes that shared governance is deeply embedded in the districts culture  allowing district personnel and, at the school level, members of the community to make decisions which affect the welfare of students and education.

So whos governing the districts school schedules?

The districts school scheduling process appears to be guided by shared governance, the culture of shared governance, and a past motion made by the SLCSD board, according to the audit report.

In 2021, a district school board motion laid out the start-and-end times for high schools, prohibited early-release Fridays in high schools, and gave elementary and middle schools flexibility in choosing their start times and early-release days according to shared governance, the audit report noted.

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However, the boards motion did not lay out approval responsibilities among parties.

Similarly, the written agreement states that the regular school day shall be scheduled in each school by the (school improvement council) ... but does not define what regular school day means.

Combined, the board motion and written agreement do not provide clear guidance on the school scheduling process, according to the audit. This creates an opportunity for school improvement councils and the teachers association to exert decision-making authority on the process.

Salt Lake district administrators attempted to improve busing by standardizing the school scheduling process with criteria and guidelines. However, according to the audit report, the efforts were reportedly met with complaints from the public, grievances filed by teachers and school faculties related to school schedules and threats from the teachers association.

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Such a response, according to the audit, illustrate difficulties in overcoming the entrenched culture of shared governance.

The audit report added that other aspects of shared governance in the district such as restrictions on a principals ability to impact school performance are also problematic.

A prior audit of the district in 2022 raised concerns about how elements of shared governance limited the ability of principals to affect positive changes in their schools. Since then, the district has taken positive steps through negotiations with the teachers association.

But more needs to be done, the 2024 report concluded.

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The audit report delivered at Tuesdays meeting shared the example of one secondary school principal who attempted to reduce the number of class periods at their school from seven to six to increase time in core subjects from 47 minute per class to 58 minutes.

The students at the school underperformed on tests relative to another school in the district that had similarly reduced the number of class periods. The principal brought the plan to their faculty for approval. The majority of the faculty rejected it. According to the principal, every core subject teacher voted in favor of the change, but electives teachers voted against it.

The principal could have appealed to the superintendent to override the decision of their faculty, but did not do so because they did not want to create friction within their faculty.

We believe collaboration in a school is a sound principle in decision-making, the report noted. However, some decisions should be made by principals who are responsible for developing their teachers and providing instructional leadership.

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The authors of the audit report were clear on their recommendations of the future of shared governance in the Salt Lake City district: The districts governance structure should be reevaluated and modified so that the school district and principals are not restricted in their ability to make decisions that meet the needs of students.

Lawmakers respond

House Minority Leader Angela Romero pointed out the schools affected by the delays were on Salt Lake Citys West Side. Theres already a divide in our city when it comes to East Side/West Side, so thats very concerning to me.

Romeros counterpart in the Senate, Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, said the audit reveals a form of governance that makes it really difficult to make decisions and execute executive decisions, she said.

Escamilla said she has opened a bill file to address the system. The uniqueness of this model seems to not be the best practice. Its the only one in the state.  These examples make it so clear that very specific decisions have to happen at the executive level and be accountable for that.

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The work of the legislative auditors, added House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, demonstrates that shared governance, including in the higher education system, is not the best model to move forward.

Salt Lake district to address shared governance policy

Salt Lake City School District Board of Education President Nate Salazar said Tuesday that he and district superintendent Elizabeth Grant will be bringing the audit teams recommendations to the school board for discussion and potential action.

Student learning and achievement is the focus of everything we do in Salt Lake, he said. Shared governance has been our model for collaborative decision-making for 50 years. Moving forward, we remain committed to keeping our students and their education at the forefront of all of our decisions, and I believe it is possible to improve the shared governance model while continuing collaborative decision making.

When asked if the district will do away with the shared governance model, Grant said that the school board had not yet seen the audit report.

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But this will be brought up to the board, she said. I know that they see these as real problemsTheres some troubling pieces here, so I know that they will be responding to that.

Concluding, Schultz made a successful motion to refer an in-depth follow-up of the Salt Lake City School District to the Legislatures Education Interim Committee as the lead committee and the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee as the review committee.
U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Oregon, listens to Portland business owner Ann Naughton while Portland Police Sgt. Aaron Schmautz looks on. (Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who narrowly lost her reelection bid earlier this month, may be in the running for labor secretary in a Trump administration.

Politico reported Tuesday that Teamsters President Sean OBrien and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill are pushing for Chavez-DeRemer to head the agency. The Teamsters council in Oregon, Idaho and southwest Washington was one of about 20 unions to back Chavez-DeRemer in her unsuccessful run for reelection, and her father was a Teamster.

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A spokesman for Chavez-DeRemer did not respond to a call or email Tuesday afternoon. But the congresswoman took to X on Tuesday to praise Trump, complete with the president-elects distinctive use of capitalization.

President Trump expanded on his Working Class coalition by speaking directly to hardworking Americans, Chavez-DeRemer tweeted. This is a true political realignment. We must continue to be the party of the American Worker, with President Trump leading the way!

She also congratulated Trump on his win on Nov. 15  only the second time this year Chavez-DeRemer mentioned Trump on her social media pages this year after endorsing him for president in March. She publicly endorsed him and praised his 2017 tax cuts in debates but otherwise did little else to align herself with Trump during her campaign though Democratic state Rep. Janelle Bynum repeatedly blasted Chavez-DeRemer for standing by her man. The Republican also didnt refer to Trump on X once in 2023 and stopped mentioning him on the platform after her primary victory in 2022.

U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., tweeted a link to Politicos article, saying Chavez-DeRemer would make a fantastic labor secretary.

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She understands the importance of having pro-growth, pro-labor and pro-business policies that support Americas workforce, respect organized labor and ensure shared prosperity, Lawler wrote.

Chavez-DeRemer is one of only three House Republicans to cosponsor the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act, or PRO Act, a Democratic priority which would weaken state right-to-work laws to allow unions to collect dues from all employees, increase penalties for employers who violate labor law and strengthen employees legal rights to join a union.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A bill signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in March 2023 could lead to fewer investigations into employers violating child labor laws, according to a new report.

The report, released on November 18 by the Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families, said the number of child labor violations in the Natural State jumped by 266%, from 460 in the 2020-21 fiscal year to 1,685 in the 2022-23 fiscal year.

The Youth Hiring Act of 2023, or House Bill 1410, was signed into law on March 7, 2023, which eliminated the requirement for children 16 and under to obtain a certificate signed by their parent or legal guardian that would allow them to work.

FILE  Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs into law an education overhaul bill on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. As the federal government scrambles to crack down on surging child labor violations, some state lawmakers want to let children work longer hours and in more hazardous occupations. Republican Arkansas Gov. Sanders signed a law in March eliminating work permit requirements for children under 16, thereby also eliminating the age verification and parental consent required to obtain a permit. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo, File)

US Department of Labor searches Northwest Arkansas Tyson Foods plants over alleged child labor

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The governor believes protecting kids is most important, but this permit was an arbitrary burden on parents to get permission from the government for their child to get a job, a spokesperson for Sanders office said in a statement to CNN after it was signed into law. All child labor laws that actually protect children still apply and we expect businesses to comply just as they are required to do now.

The report found the number of cases, violations, minors involved and penalties assessed on employers all rose in Arkansas between 2001 and 2022.

38% of violations from 2020 through 2024 had involved a lack of an employment certificate but 85% of cases with certificate violations also had other child labor violations, such as having children work more hours than the law allowed, the report said.

Report: Arkansas ranks among worst in US for lung cancer survival rates

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The report comes after the U.S. Department of Labor said it was investigating two Tyson Foods plants in Green Forest and Rogers in October after there were claims that minors were working at the facilities.

The New York Times also investigated Tyson Foods after it was revealed contractors employed by them and Perdue Foods to clean the companies meatpacking plants were allegedly using child migrant workers for overnight shifts.

The report gives recommendations for child protection policies:

Reinstating employment certificates for minors

Allowing a private party to file a civil suit against an employer who violates the standards

Preventing violators from receiving state and local government contracts

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Sanders office declined to comment on the 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 KNWA FOX24.
On one side of the Capitol, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace vowed to stand in the way of Democratic Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, the first out transgender woman elected to Congress, using womens bathrooms in the US Capitol.

Across the building, McBride was privately counseling her Democratic colleagues how to balance both pushing back on dehumanizing rhetoric while also staying on message. McBride, who came up through the Delaware legislature, assured Democrats that she has faced similar attacks before and was not going to let this define her.

This is not her first rodeo, Democratic Rep. Becca Balint said of McBride. Im so impressed by the way Rep. McBride is really helping us navigate this. Because she said, If we let them, this entire Congress, all well talk about is bathrooms.

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Transgender rights, and how politicians talk about them, became a divisive issue that President-elect Donald Trump emphasized at the close of the presidential campaign, and Republican lawmakers are picking up the baton to carry the culture war forward on Capitol Hill. The GOP effort has also resurfaced frustrations among Democrats who believe the party failed to forcefully respond to the anti-transgender attacks from Republicans during the campaign.

Mace, of South Carolina, introduced a resolution Monday to amend the rules of the US House of Representatives to ban transgender women from womens restrooms at the Capitol and vowed to introduce broader legislation that would apply to every federal building and federally funded school. GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia took the rhetoric further, threatening violence against McBride if she entered a womens bathroom and calling the congresswoman-elect mentally ill.

It will come down to House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is trying to square his devout religious beliefs with the demands from his base that a persons sex assigned at birth determines their bathroom access.

A man is a man, and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman, the Louisiana Republican told reporters Tuesday.

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But Johnson, a devout Christian, added: But I also believe that we treat everybody with dignity. And so  we can do and believe all those things at the same time. And I wanted to make that clear for everybody because theres lots of questions. But thats where I stand.

House Speaker Mike Johnson departs a news conference on Capitol Hill on November 19, 2024, in Washington, DC. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Johnson has declined to say publicly how he will handle Maces resolution, but Mace told CNN the speaker has assured her it will be included in the House rules package.

Johnson is weighing various factors as he tries to resolve the issue. The speaker could instruct the Committee on House Administration to have signage put up on bathrooms or issue a campus-wide directive. Other lawmakers say Johnson is working on making a special accommodation for McBride.

But Republicans discussing the issue privately say that any steps Johnson takes would be difficult to enforce. Although Maces resolution is in response to McBride coming to Congress, there are many transgender people who work and visit the Capitol.

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Those of us who want to be reasonable about things are having trouble with how you legislate this, one GOP lawmaker told CNN.

As Mace puts the issue front and center, there are some in the GOP conference who dont want bathroom use to even be a topic of conversation, including the partys incoming conference chair.

I agree with [Mace], but I got to be honest with you: We got so much work to do, GOP Rep. Lisa McClain told CNN. Can we focus on policy?

And others want to refrain from weighing in and instead are leaving the issue strictly in Johnsons hands.

I think the speaker will figure that situation out, Rep. Richard Hudson, who leads the House GOP campaign arm, told CNN.

Democrats tear into Republicans while some say party has work to do

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic leadership tore into House Republicans on Tuesday for focusing on anti-transgender sentiment and culture wars by targeting McBride instead of prioritizing legislative priorities.

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The notion that this incoming small House Republican Conference majority is beginning to transition to the new Congress by bullying a member of Congress, this is what were doing? This is the lesson that youve drawn from the election in November? Jeffries said.

But Democrats also acknowledge the party has work to do to establish its position on culture war issues that Republicans have used to turn out their base.

Reps.-elect Sarah Elfreth, Sarah McBride, Emily Randall and other congressional freshmen of the 119th Congress gather for a group photograph on the steps of the House of Representatives at the Capitol on November 15, 2024. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Many are still stunned that during the presidential campaign, Kamala Harris never responded to Trump ads targeting the vice president over her past support of taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries for detained immigrants and federal prisoners. The ads flooded the airwaves across key battleground states and demographics in the closing days of the race.

It was a perfect culture war ad to lay the trans stuff on top of support for felons. I dont understand anymore than you why the presidential campaign didnt respond to that, one Democratic lawmaker told CNN.

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Although House Democrats agree that transgender people need to be treated with dignity and want to call out Republicans for dehumanizing rhetoric, there is disagreement in the caucus over how to address the issue of transgender athletes. Some Democratic lawmakers acknowledged their party has left a vacuum that could be detrimental if it continues to be filled only by Republicans.

Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton, who has faced backlash for his position against transgender athletes participating in sports, told CNN that Democrats need to recalibrate on the issue.

I dont think the issue is that were not listening to ourselves. The issue is that were not listening to fellow Americans, he said.

Democratic lawmakers are appealing to their leadership to get more involved and are calling on members who are part of the LGBTQ+ community to help lead the way in crafting an effective response. It will all be part of the listening sessions that House Democratic leadership has instituted as the party processes their election losses.

This is something we are wrestling with as a nation, and we have to talk about it as a family, another Democratic lawmaker told CNN.

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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson announced a new policy on Wednesday barring transgender women from womens bathrooms and changing facilities on Capitol Hill, apparently targeting newly elected Rep. Sarah McBride.

All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings  such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms  are reserved for individuals of that biological sex, Johnson wrote in a statement released Wednesday, coinciding with Trans Day of Remembrance in the U.S.

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Johnson added that each member of Congress has a private bathroom in their office, but that [w]omen deserve womens only spaces. In remarks to the press on Tuesday, Johnson also opined that a man cannot become a woman, adding to his long history of anti-LGBTQ+ statements.

Johnsons new policy  which he likely has the authority to enforce as Speaker, per analysis by The Hill  appears to specifically target Delaware Rep. McBride, who earlier this month became the first out trans woman to be elected to Congress. On Monday, South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a resolution to formally enact a bathroom ban in the House, enforced by the bodys Sergeant-at-Arms. Mace explicitly aimed her legislation at McBride, writing on social media that McBride does not get a say in womens private spaces and referring to herself as [a] Full TERF.

McBride herself has reportedly encouraged her fellow Democrats to ignore Mace and Johnsons anti-trans attacks. This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars, McBride said in a statement obtained by Delaware Online.

In a tonally similar statement posted to social media on Wednesday afternoon, McBride wrote, Im not here to fight about bathrooms. Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bering down costs facing families.

But some LGBTQ+ advocates say its not enough to simply ignore the GOPs anti-trans discrimination, or to treat policies like these solely as a distraction. Sarah McBride has mentioned that some of these proposals are often a distraction, and I do think that's 100% true. But at the same time these proposals, they're real threats, said Jeff Main, cofounder of the trans-led mutual aid nonprofit Point of Pride, in comments to CBS News Philadelphia this week.

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As a trans person and a person doing this work, I have a lot of concerns, Main added. Its more than just access to a bathroom or access to healthcare. Its about existing. Its about our right to live authentically, safely and with pride.

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Originally Appeared on them.
Republicans on the House Ethics Committee are barreling into a no-win situation ahead of their expected meeting Wednesday to discuss their report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), weighing a high-stakes decision that will reverberate throughout Washington.

The gathering for the panel  which is known for conducting its business in secrecy  comes as the debate over releasing their report into Gaetz, President-elect Trumps pick for attorney general, has reached a fever pitch.

On one side, Democrats on the committee  and several Republicans in Congress  say the report contains information that the public and senators should know as they consider whether to make Gaetz the head of an agency that once investigated him.

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On the other end is Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who is arguing that releasing the report  which is the culmination of a roughly three-year investigation  could damage the House since the panel would be in the rare, but not unprecedented, situation of publishing information on a former member.

Caught in the center of that conversation are the Republicans on the panel, led by committee Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.), who have not yet disclosed where they stand despite incessant questions from reporters. Guest has only confirmed that the report exists and that all members of the committee have access to it.

Theres not enough money in the world to pay me to serve on the Ethics Committee right now, one House Republican said. Those members are definitely in an unenviable position.

With all Democrats on the panel expected to support releasing the report, just one Republican would be needed to achieve a majority vote and unleash the body of work. The committee is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, a structure intended to ensure the group  which polices its own members  does not act as a partisan weapon.

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Members of the panel have not confirmed that they will vote on the reports release Wednesday, but Democrats on the committee say they want to hold that referendum when they gather as a full group for the first time since Gaetzs nomination and resignation. Members of each party have huddled separately since last weeks developments.

Such a vote, however, would force the GOP lawmakers into a tough position: vote to release the report and risk being the target of Trumps wrath, or side with Gaetz, whom many Republicans loathe, and keep the allegedly damaging information private as the former congressman moves forward in the confirmation process to become attorney general.

Other Republicans are aware of those circumstances  and relieved they are not in the same position. A second House Republican said they do not envy the situation Republicans on the panel are in.

I also wouldnt want to be in a train wreck, even if I survived, they added.

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A third House Republican, however, said the predicament is not very complicated. They predicted there is a good chance enough GOP members on the committee vote to release the report because several of the members clearly dislike Gaetz and will not be deterred by potential backlash.

I dont think its going to cause them a lot of heartache, the member said, adding that the more moderate GOP members of the panel are used to taking tough votes and can take that vote all day and still get reelected and walk around here.

Wednesdays meeting comes as pressure is mounting on both sides of the disclosure debate.

Rep. Susan Wild (Pa.), the top Democrat on the Ethics Committee, told reporters Monday that she had read the report and thinks it should be released. On Tuesday, 97 Democrats penned a letter to the panel asking that it immediately release the report out of concern that concealing the information could jeopardize the Senates confirmation process. And House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) responded with a succinct yes when asked if the panel should release its report publicly.

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A number of Republicans have echoed the desire to release the report, at least to the senators considering his confirmation.

I think we need to see it for confirmation purposes, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), who has harshly criticized Gaetz in the past, told reporters Tuesday.

Mullin is close with former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who was ousted in a coup led by Gaetz. Mullin said he has talked to McCarthy multiple times over the last week but declined to share the former Speakers thoughts on Gaetz.

Johnson, meanwhile, has consistently  and strongly  reiterated the report should not see the light of day because the Florida Republican does not currently serve in the House.

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Matt Gaetz is no longer a member of Congress, and so we dont issue Ethics reports on nonmembers, Johnson reiterated Tuesday. I think its an important guardrail for us to maintain for the interest of the institution.

Johnson said he has spoken to Gaetz since his resignation but they have not discussed the reporting, contending it would not be appropriate to talk about the matter with him.

This is my own opinion, and I expressed the opinion before I talked with Matt, Johnson said.

The conversation surrounding the Gaetz report broke out last week, after Trump shocked Washington and selected him to be attorney general; he resigned from Congress shortly after the pick.

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Johnson, who broke the news of Gaetzs departure, told reporters he was leaving early to quicken the process for filling his seat in the lower chamber. The development, however, came days before the House Ethics Committee was scheduled to vote on releasing the Gaetz report, raising questions about the true motive behind his resignation.

The Ethics Committee investigated Gaetz for years over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, among other claims. Gaetz, whom the Justice Department declined to charge after investigating similar matters, has vigorously denied wrongdoing.

Its very suspicious that he all of a sudden resigned, because other members who are being nominated for posts have not resigned, Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) said last week, adding that most people in the House GOP conference believe he departed to try to stop the report from coming out.

Gaetzs departure has muddied the path forward for the Ethics Committee, throwing the panel into a crisis as it debates the precedent that releasing the report may set.

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The Speaker has argued that such a move would break a long-standing rule of the panel not publishing information on former members of Congress, even though there are previous examples of the current situation.

In 1987, the panel released its report into former Rep. William Boner (D-Tenn.) after he resigned from the House. And in 2011, the Senate Ethics Committee released its preliminary report into former Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) after he departed the chamber.

Johnson, however, rejected past circumstances, arguing that they were aberrations of the norm.

Its a very important rule that should be maintained, Johnson said last week. If its been broken once or twice, it should not have been, because that would be a Pandoras box. I think its a very important position to maintain regardless of what the circumstances [are].

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Updated at 9:08 a.m. EST

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Senate Republicans aired frustrations Tuesday after Vice President-elect JD Vance and other party members skipped votes Monday, greasing the skids for Democratic-backed judicial nominees to be greenlighted as part of a final push to fill the bench with lifetime appointees before President-elect Trump takes office.

Republicans attempted to slow down an effort by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to advance more than a dozen judicial nominees Monday, hoping to prevent Democrats from completing one of their priorities before they cede power at years end.

However, they were unable to stop them, as a handful of GOP members did not show up to the Capitol for votes, which stretched until close to midnight.

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Headlining that group were Vance and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), President-elect Trumps choice to lead the State Department, angering GOP members during their weekly Tuesday policy luncheon.

If we dont show up, we lose, said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who was visibly frustrated by the lack of attendance and spoke out at lunch. I dont care what the reasons were. We have fewer than 15 scheduled legislative days. You have to show up. Period. End of story. Theres nothing more important.

Weve got potentially dozens we could have shoved down our throat  except for us being here, he continued, pointing specifically to a 4th Circuit nominee that could make it through if Republican absences continue. Weve got to talk to these folks like adults and show up.

The group of nominees includes Embry Kidd, who was confirmed to serve on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in a 49-45 vote, despite Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) voting against his nomination.

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If all Republicans had shown up and Sen. John Fettermans (D-Pa.) absence held, the GOP would have defeated the nomination temporarily. If all senators had shown up, including Fetterman, it would likely have forced a tiebreaking vote by Vice President Harris.

Adding to the drama, Harris left Washington for Hawaii on Tuesday, depriving Democrats of a potential ability to break a 50-50 tie.

Despite the math, GOP members were incensed at the no-shows, which stretched into Tuesday as Vance did not show up for the morning vote.

Other senators, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), tagged along with Trump to the SpaceX Starship launch in Brownsville, Texas, further exacerbating the situation as Schumer prepared to hold another long night of nomination votes on Tuesday.

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On a scale of 1 to 10, a 12, said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) when asked about his level of frustration at the situation. Because a number of President Bidens nominees, particularly at the courts of appeal, they think theyre qualified to be a federal judge if theyve seen My Cousin Vinny, and I dont agree with them.

Their performance in committee demonstrated that none of them were Oliver Wendell Scalia, he continued, combining the names of a pair of Supreme Court giants. They did horrible jobs in committee, and we had the votes to prevent them from being confirmed, but some of the folks on our side couldnt be here, and its frustrating.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) also panned those who were absent and allowed Kidd to make it through the upper chamber, writing on the social platform X that his confirmation means the people of Florida, Alabama and Georgia will suffer the consequences.

Vance, who missed all of Monday nights votes in addition to the first one Tuesday, received the lions share of criticism.

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The outgoing Ohio senator initially defended his decision, saying he was meeting with Trump as part of interviews for potential candidates to become FBI director and for other slots.

I tend to think its more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45, he added.

However, he backtracked and deleted his social media post. He also showed up for the pair of Senate votes during Tuesdays afternoon session.

If were going to be effective, weve got to show up, and I think thats the frustration for those of us who did show up and stay, said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), adding that the message at lunch was to try to figure out how to get everybody there.

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I think theres going to be a lot of outreach to the folks who werent there, like the vice-president-to-be and others, Capito said on the way up to the first vote of the Tuesday afternoon session.

When told that Vance was upstairs and voting, Capito responded that she was pleased by the development.

He must have gotten my message, she said.

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The News

Donald Trump may be interested in using steep new tariffs to pay for tax cuts next year, an idea that would force Congress to vote on his aggressive trade agenda.

Republican lawmakers, however, are far from sold. Some are already panning the prospect.

I dont like tariffs, Number One. I think the consumer pays them. So theyre regressive. Theyre a sales tax, basically, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul told Semafor, adding that hed still listen to the idea even though I kind of doubt tariffs would make it into a GOP tax bill.

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As Republicans prepare to take control of both chambers of Congress in January, theyre weighing whether to formalize Trumps tariff regime as part of a bill that would extend tax cuts they passed during his first term. The decision pits the partys free-trade orthodoxy against its new populist impulses under the president-elect, who has floated a 10 percent across-the-board tariff and more targeted tariffs on everything from Chinese goods to John Deere tractors.

Trumps broad tariffs could bring in trillions of dollars to help extend the tax cuts and potentially pay for some of the many new tax promises he made during the campaign. But such sweeping tariffs also would raise consumer prices while possibly failing to raise the revenue Republicans would need in order to vote for new levies on foreign goods.

Which explains why senior members of the party are treading very carefully around the idea of paying for tax cuts with tariffs.

Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, the incoming Finance Committee chairman, said hes not working on any such proposal right now. Incoming Senate GOP leader John Thune said its a novel idea to raise revenue for tax cuts but only one of many options: The question is, what are the other implications of doing that?

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Some Republicans said tariffs can be used constructively to push foreign countries on specific policy issues but that Congress should not use them as a piggy bank.

I dont want to do tariffs just to raise revenue. If President Trump must do tariffs, it should be to equal the playing field for American businesses. But I dont think just using them just to be revenue raisers is necessarily a strategy we would employ, said Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C.

The party is likely to take months to figure out the broad contours of its tax plan, including the cost and the status of rates across the current code. But one of Republicans most politically pressing decisions is whether to formalize Trumps tariff plans in their tax bill  if, of course, he goes through with them.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said that you gotta show me the numbers. Right now, tariffs are a very small sliver of the broader revenue picture.

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Trump imposed tariffs on allies during his first administration to help push immigration policy changes in Mexico, for example. His partys lawmakers dont necessarily share the extent of his tariff fandom.

Tariffs are a double-edged sword. They can be used strategically, Johnson said. Thats at a cost to consumers and to manufacturers who rely on all kinds of important products to compete globally. So, Im not as enamored with tariffs as other people might be.

Know More

Republicans are plainly uncomfortable with Trumps appetite for universal tariffs on foreign goods. The last time they saw similar pressure from a party leader to consider a tariff in a tax bill was eight years ago, during work on what became the 2017 Trump tax cuts, when then-House Speaker Paul Ryan tried to add a border adjustment tax to the plan.

After months of struggling to sell it to his colleagues, the GOP Congress and Trumps White House, Ryan eventually dropped it. And while Trump has a lot more sway over the party than the Wisconsinite did, adding broad tariffs to next years tax plan could be similarly difficult.

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Id have to see the evidence on how tariffs pay for the tax cuts, said Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill. This is new territory, and I think there are many of us that want to see the supporting facts on that.

Republicans across the political spectrum told Semafor this week that they were concerned that tariffs wouldnt even bring in projected revenues due to retaliation from other countries and lower consumer demand. A universal tariff in particular could have unpredictable effects on both the US and global economies.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., called relying on tariffs to finance tax cuts unsustainable at scale.

If we just do it like a blunt force object, were gonna have blunt force trauma, Tillis said.

Room for Disagreement

Not every Republican has reservations about the benefits of tariffs. Rep. Thomas Massie, for one, embraced Trumps broad tax proposal  with a catch. The Kentuckian said he favors a concept Trump flirted with last month during an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan: replacing income taxes with tariffs.

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For the majority of our countrys history, this government was founded with tariffs, Massie said. I would be OK with using tariffs instead of the income tax  The broader, the better, because that way you dont have government picking winners and losers.

Its effectively impossible to design a tariff sizable enough to replace the income tax, according to the nonpartisan Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Burgess and Kadias View

Tariffs pose a particular challenge to Republicans as Trump prepares to take power. Most dont like the idea of across-the-board tariffs on imports, but they dont want to push back too hard too early because they are unsure where he will end up.

Trump rattled Republicans during his first term by slapping tariffs on allies and China; many in the GOP are steeling themselves to accept it this time around if he tries to use more targeted tariffs.

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If Trump does impose universal tariffs, Republicans could try to stop him. Or they could make lemonade from the lemon by seeking to use the resulting revenues to help finance an extension of the tax cuts. Despite the overwhelming skepticism theyre voicing now, thats not out of the question.

I dont know until I get something concrete from the president, said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

Notable
WASHINGTON  Senate Republicans are acting pretty mad that Democrats are using the lame duck to confirm lots of President Joe Bidens judges.

Im a bit frustrated, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) told reporters Tuesday. After last nights voting extravaganza, I wonder what we are doing.

Capito was referring to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) scheduling votes on some of Bidens court picks on Monday night. Republicans dont have the votes to stop Bidens nominees from advancing, so they dragged out the process by hours, forcing time-consuming votes on otherwise routine procedural steps.

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It kept everyone in the Senate later than they wanted to be.

Last night, we were sitting around voting time and time again for these liberal judges that Chuck Schumer wants to put in and ram through at the very last minute before the balance of power shifts, complained the West Virginia Republican. I would implore our leadership to go to the important issues the American people are thinking about: thats completing our work at the end of the year and moving into next year.

Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) emerged from a GOP lunch griping about some of his colleagues not being in town, which is making it easier for Democrats to get more judges confirmed. He said he was glad to see Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), who is now the vice president-elect, return to the Senate on Tuesday.

We want to see him and some of our members back because of these votes were having, Hoeven said. Particularly on some of the circuit court judges.

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As a reporter tried to change the subject, Hoeven interrupted to say again how important it is for Republican senators to immediately come back to D.C.

Because, you know, we could win possibly some of those votes if we have all our folks here, he said. Particularly in the circuit court.

Even President-elect Donald Trump vented on social media about Democrats still confirming Bidens judges, and demanded that Republicans stop them.

The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door, Trump yelled in a Tuesday post. Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line  No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day!

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Its a pretty ridiculous moment.

Its not just because Democrats still control the Senate for the next several weeks and can proceed however they want. Its because when the tables were turned in 2020  when the GOP controlled the Senate in the lame duck and Biden had just defeated Trump  Republicans took full advantage of confirming as many of Trumps court picks as possible.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is confirming lots of Biden's judges and President-elect Donald Trump is mad. Getty Images

Republicans confirmed 13 of Trumps lifetime federal judges in the lame duck in 2020, after Biden won the election. Thats not even factoring in the GOPs unprecedented race to confirm Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett in October 2020, as votes were already being cast in the presidential election.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), who will be the Senate majority leader in January, was among those celebrating the volume of Trumps judges being confirmed during the lame duck in 2020.

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A couple of weeks ago, we confirmed one of the most qualified Supreme Court judges in living memory to the bench, Thune said in a Senate floor speech on Nov. 18, 2020, after Biden had won the election.

This week we will confirm five district court judges, bringing the total number of judges weve confirmed over the last four years to nearly 230, he said. Confirming good judges is one of our most important responsibilities as senators.

In the same speech, the South Dakota Republican condemned Democrats for blocking some of President George W. Bushs judicial nominees in 2004.

I was one of the many Americans upset by the blockade of talented, well-qualified nominees, he said. And it was one of the main reasons I ran for the Senate.

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Thune sounds a lot different this week as he, too, complains about Democrats lining up votes on Bidens judicial picks. In fact, he is reportedly taking credit for the GOPs efforts Monday night to delay Democrats votes.

If Sen. Schumer thought Senate Republicans would just roll over and allow him to quickly confirm multiple Biden-appointed judges to lifetime jobs in the final weeks of the Democrat majority, he thought wrong, Thune told ABC News.

White House spokesman Andrew Bates scoffed at Thunes about-face.

Delaying the confirmation of highly qualified, experienced judges takes a real-life toll on constituents and leads to backlogs of criminal cases  meaning Senator Thune was correct in 2020 when he said senators have every urgent reason to continue working together in good faith to staff the federal bench, Bates said in a statement. There is no excuse for choosing partisanship over enforcing the rule of law.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) is mad that Democrats are using the lame duck to confirm Biden's judges, but was pretty thrilled when Republicans used the 2020 lame duck to confirm Trump's judges. Andrew Harnik via Getty Images

As much as Republicans may complain, Democrats still control the Senate for another several weeks, and Schumer plans to use that time to confirm as many of Bidens pending judicial nominees as he can  possibly all of them.

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As of Tuesday night, the Senate had confirmed 217 of Bidens judges since he took office. There are 26 more judicial nominees awaiting Senate action, of which 22 are district court nominees and four are appeals court nominees.

If Democrats are able to confirm all of them before Congress adjourns for the year, that would put Bidens total number of lifetime federal judges at 243. Thats more than Trump got in his first term, 234, and would be a massive win for Biden if Democrats can pull it off.

Its no secret the Senate is moving forward on confirming more of Bidens judicial nominees, Schumer told reporters Tuesday.

Since the end of last week, hes lined up confirmation votes on 12 of Bidens district court nominees and one appeals court nominee, Embry Kidd, who was confirmed Monday to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. The Senate also confirmed Mustafa Kasubhai on Tuesday, an Oregon district court nominee.

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All of these judges are lifetime appointments. Since the Senate doesnt need the House to confirm judges, which are arguably a presidents most lasting legacy, Schumer is just plowing ahead with votes on all of Bidens court nominees.

Senate rules require up to two hours of debate on each district judge, which comprises the bulk of Bidens remaining court picks. So if Schumer lined up votes for five of them, for example, and Republicans decided to drag out those votes, he would keep senators in session for 10 hours to get through them all.

Well keep working to confirm these lifetime appointments, Schumer said. Its far too important. Were not going to let anything stand in our way.

He warned senators to be prepared for another late night on Wednesday to get as many judges done as possible.

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With the clock ticking, Republicans are scrambling to get all of their colleagues back in Washington. Five GOP senators missed votes on Tuesday: Sens. Mike Braun (Ind.), Kevin Cramer (N.D.), Ted Cruz (Texas), Bill Hagerty (Tenn.) and Marco Rubio (Fla.).

Hoeven said he wasnt sure if or when all the missing senators will return.

Were going to have some dialogue and try to see if we cant get everybody back, he said.

Democrats are plowing ahead regardless. Schumer brushed off a question from a reporter about some Republicans vowing to use procedural rules to gum up Senate business to try to stop him from confirming more judges.

They can try dilatory tactics, he said, but were going to persist.
WASHINGTON  President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to go around Congress to staff his administration, potentially setting up an unprecedented constitutional showdown over the power of the presidency.

The president has won a mandate, and he will use all lawful constitutional means to fulfill that mandate on behalf of the people who voted for him, Stephen Miller, Trumps incoming deputy chief of staff, said Tuesday night on Fox News, confirming that Trump could sidestep the Senate to install his controversial Cabinet nominees.

Republicans in Congress, however, would have to go along with the scheme, and some key players are skeptical.

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Its my understanding that theres quite a parliamentary process to get to that point, and we may not have time to do it, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) told HuffPost. Grassley expects to chair the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would handle the controversial nomination of Matt Gaetz for attorney general.

There will be 53 Republican senators in the next congressional session, and several have suggested Gaetz wont get 50. The House Ethics Committee said this year it was investigating the former congressman for sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and other questionable behavior.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the incoming Senate majority leader, has noted that if there arent the necessary 50 votes to confirm a nominee, then there wont be 60 votes to overcome Democratic objections to adjourning the Senate.

Logistics aside, confirming nominees is a fundamental part of a senators job, and many Republicans likely would have reservations about not doing their constitutional duties.

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Im not for circumventing the advice and consent function of the Senate, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told HuffPost.

The president does have a workaround: a clause in the Constitution that says he can send Congress into recess himself if the two chambers disagree on adjourning. During his first term, Trump threatened to use the adjournment power but didnt follow through. No president has ever used the power before, and it would likely wind up facing a strong court challenge.

Im not sure you want to experiment with something that important, Cornyn said. So I assume thered be litigation that would ensue. And so why dont we just do it the old-fashioned way?

Still, people in Trumps orbit are pushing the presidential adjournment concept.

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The American people expect the Senate to confirm all of President Trumps qualified nominees, Mike Davis, an influential Trump booster and former Senate Judiciary Committee staffer, told Fox News Digital this week. If the Senate refuses to do that, the Constitution provides a mechanism for the president and the executive brand to [sidestep] them.

If Trump wanted to adjourn Congress himself, the likeliest scenario would be for the House to adopt a concurrent resolution on adjournment, creating a disagreement when the Senate inevitably refuses to go along.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told HuffPost on Wednesday he hasnt talked to Trump about adjourning for recess appointments.

Ive had no conversations with him about that subject, Johnson said. Theres a precedent, a long precedent, of recess appointments, but I hope that the Senate will do its work and do it expeditiously and approve these nominees because I think every president has the right to choose their team.

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Few lawmakers are familiar with the constitutional mechanism for a president to adjourn Congress, and several suggested that at this point, the discussion about recess appointments is merely an effort to pressure the Senate to act on Trumps nominees.

Trump ally Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said, for instance, that the president shouldnt unilaterally disarm or swear off the possibility of recess appointments, even if his plan is to stick with regular order.

This is a just in case, Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) told HuffPost. Hes letting the Senate know that if they are going to slow-walk or sandbag his confirmations that hes going to find another way around it.

Related...
Almost 100 Erie County residents gathered in a packed meeting room Tuesday for a public comment session about this years budget  A budget that one former council member said has left people particularly concerned.

More often you would have public hearings on the proposed budget that would have no one attending, so the past, I would say three years now, this will be the third year, you have capacity crowds, people spilling out into the hallway. Thats not a good thing, said Mary Rennie, community advocate and former county councilwoman.

Many people in the council chambers voiced concerns about local EMS, which county executive Brenton Davis said is a top priority of his budget.

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Daviss proposed budget would reallocate $2.5 million from county gaming revenue to bolster EMS services.

Concerns arise following proposed funding increase for local EMS services in 2025 budget

Many of the people who came to speak at the county courthouse had EMS services on their minds, and the problem doesnt necessarily come within the City of Erie, but rather the more rural townships in the county.

Theres some tremendous wait times. At our location in Corry, were one of the farthest places from the county seat, said Corry City Council member Jeffery Fike. If the traditional ambulance or EmergyCare is not available, we have our next nearest available coming out of Clymer, New York.

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Fike said some EMS wait times range from 30 to 50 minutes and volunteer numbers are down.

But the former councilwoman said she has seen many county budgets in the past and doesnt think a centralized county EMS system is possible.

New PA bill will allow year-round motorcycle inspections

The county government does not have a mandate and does not have the funding to support an EMS service, and for some of the counties across the country that do have centralized EMS authorities on the county government level, its extremely expensive, millions upon millions of dollars, said Rennie.

County council is still reviewing and will have until November 30 to finalize a budget.

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If you would like to see the county budget proposal yourself, click here.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jrs Childrens Health Defense organization is publishing a book written by Pete Evans, a conspiracy theorist who once posted a Nazi symbol on his social media.

Evans, 51, announced to his Telegram followers that Kennedy, Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, helped secure the book deal. Evanss Healthy Food for Healthy Kids will feature over 100 recipes and will be published in late January, The Daily Mail reports.

So please and thankful that Robert Kennedy Jr set this up for me, with his Childrens Health Defense team, Evans said in a statement. Stay tuned for more.

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Kennedy chairs Childrens Health Defense, an organization that has advocated against vaccinations and spread the baseless claim that vaccines cause autism. Kennedy has been on leave as chairman since April 2023, when he launched his presidential campaign.

Meanwhile, Evans was a judge on the hit Australian cooking show My Kitchen Rules between 2010 and 2020. He has also written several books related to nutrition and cooking.

Pete Evans pictured at an anti-vaccine rally in Sydney, Australia in 2021. Evans has secured a book deal with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s organization, Childrens Health Defense (Getty Images)

Four years ago, Evans posted an image with the black sun Nazi symbol on his social media, leading Woolworths, Kmart and Target to pull his cooking books off the shelves, the BBC reports.

Brenton Tarrant wore a black sun on his chest when he killed 51 people and injured dozens after opening fire in two Christchurch, New Zealand mosques in 2019.

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Evans later offered his sincere apologies to those criticizing the post.

"I look forward to studying all of the symbols that have ever existed and research them thoroughly before posting, Evans wrote on social media in 2020. Hopefully this symbol [heart emoji] resonates deeply into the hearts of ALL! [heart emoji]."

Evans also peddled baseless claims about COVID-19 on his Facebook page with 1.5 million followers, calling the virus a hoax. As a result, Meta permanently removed his page in December 2020.

Kennedy has also spread baseless conspiracy theories about COVID-19. Spreading this misinformation resulted in Meta deactivating his Instagram account in 2021.

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In his book, The Real Anthony Fauci, Kennedy falsely claimed that Anthony Fauci colluded with Microsoft founder Bill Gates to exaggerate the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Then, at a rally against COVID-19 mandates in January 2022, Kennedy compared US vaccine policies to the actions of an authoritarian state, suggesting that Anne Frank was in a better situation while hiding from the Nazis.

Even in Hitler Germany, you could, you could cross the Alps into Switzerland. You could hide in an attic like Anne Frank did, Kennedy said.

Then, just last year Kennedy spread a baseless conspiracy theory claiming COVID-19 targets Caucasians and Black people while Ashkenazi Jews and [Chinese people] are the most immune.

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The claim that COVID-19 was a bioweapon created by the Chinese or Jews to attack Caucasians and Black people is deeply offensive and feeds into sinophobic and antisemitic conspiracy theories, according to a statement from the Anti-Defamation League at the time.

The Independent has contacted Kennedy, Childrens Health Defense and Evans for comment.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trumps nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services, once suggested that the COVID pandemic was planned.

In August 2020, Kennedy said, A lot of it feels very planned to me about the disease outbreak that killed more than 1.2 million Americans.

It was at that time that Kennedy appeared at a press conference in Germany boosting a recently created European chapter of his anti-vaccine group Childrens Health Defense.

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Many people argue that this pandemic was a plandemic, that it was planned from the outset, its part of a sinister scheme. I cant tell you the answer to that. I dont have enough evidence. A lot of it feels very planned to me, he said at the time, according to The Bulwark.

I dont know. I will tell you this: If you create these mechanisms for control, they become weapons of obedience for authoritarian regimes no matter how beneficial or innocent the people who created them, he added.

Kennedy also suggested that attempts to fight the pandemic were akin to the Nazis testing vaccines on Gypsies and Jews.

He also argued that the efforts to combat COVID was a pharmaceutical-driven, biosecurity agenda that will enslave the entire human race and plunge us into a dystopian nightmare.

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Kennedy has been an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist for years, and he criticized the U.S. governments response to the pandemic. The 70-year-old suggested in the 2020 remarks that the department hes set to lead could have conducted a sinister plot to enslave Americans, according to The Bulwark. The bizarre suggestion is that this would have occurred during Trumps first stint in the White House.

Trump, shakes hands with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a campaign rally at Gas South Arena on October 23, 2024, in Duluth, Georgia. Kennedy once suggested that the COVID pandemic may have been planned (Getty Images)

Pediatrician and virologist Paul Offit at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, who sits on the FDAs vaccine advisory committee, told the outlet that Kennedy is a conspiracy theorist who has no evidence for his conspiracies other than the fact that he believes them.

The claim that the pandemic was a government plot began to be spread not long after the virus started to grind the world to a halt. Days into a March 2020 lockdown, claims were being spread that put the blame on billionaires such as Bill Gates and other global elites.

The claims were supercharged when the film Plandemic was released. The film pushed several baseless claims, such as that hospitals were diagnosing too many patients with Covid to commit Medicare fraud and that wearing a face mask made it more likely that someone would catch it. The film argued that Gates had schemed to get a global pandemic underway to take control of the global health system and make money off of the subsequent vaccinations.

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Kennedy was a Democrat at the time. He claimed that the government was not being truthful about the virus, how successful the efforts to combat the pandemic were, and later about the efficacy of the vaccines.

He accused Gates and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the then-director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, of attempting to profit off the fear connected to COVID.

My dream is one day Im gonna be sitting across the table from Bill Gates with a sworn deposition, he said in a separate speech, according to The Bulwark.

Kennedy once referred to the COVID vaccine as the deadliest vaccine ever made and last year, he compared vaccine mandates to Nazi Germany, and during this years election campaign, the New York Post found that Kennedy appeared to be open to the notion that the virus was ethnically targeted to attack Caucasians and black people even as immunity was handed to Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov. 16 - Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, is well known for his anti-vaccine stance and dabbling in junk science. But ahead of his potential confirmation, more details of his conspiracist views on Covid-19 have come to light  including the fact that Childrens Health Defense, a nonprofit he helped found, financed one of the most viral misinformation campaigns of the pandemic.

We have a film division at Childrens Health Defense, Kennedy said in a clip from a virtual interview shared by the anti-extremism social media account PatriotTakes on Wednesday. A major source of vaccine misinformation, CHD is an activist nonprofit that was chaired by Kennedy until he took leave in 2023 to run for president. We produced two films. One of them is Vaxxed II, which was, you know, a huge success, Kennedy continued. And then Plandemic, which we financed, which is now  by some metrics  the most successful documentary in history.

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Kennedy has yet to directly address the clip in a public statement or on social media, and the CHD website provides no information about its involvement in the film. Neither Kennedy nor CHD immediately responded to request for comment.

Plandemic: The Hidden Agenda Behind COVID-19 is a 26-minute propaganda film that gained wide attention in mid-2020, significantly contributing to the movement against health safety measures, including vaccination. Produced by Mikki Willis, a California filmmaker known for new age and conspiracist content, it features an uncritical interview with discredited former medical researcher and anti-vaxxer Judy Mikovits, and presents many false claims about Covid-19, including that wearing a face mask activates your own virus and that the flu vaccine contains coronaviruses. Plandemic also contends, without evidence, that the Covid-19 virus was artificially manipulated, and that vaccination programs are harmful for-profit schemes orchestrated by wealthy elites.

Playing on fear and paranoia in the early depths of the pandemic, the video was, as Kennedy said, a massive hit, racking up untold millions of views: Alex Jones promoted it on Infowars, and whenever a social media platform removed it for misinformation, Plandemic would be re-uploaded by someone else. The success of the film across far-right MAGA and QAnon communities seeded mistrust in public health officials and the mistaken belief that Covid-19 lockdowns had set the stage for an authoritarian repeal of constitutional freedoms.

Willis would go on to make two more conspiracist Plandemic films, and then Plandemic: The Musical, which he debuted at an anti-vax convention in Las Vegas earlier this year  an event that saw low attendance after Kennedy dropped out as a speaker. While the Childrens Health Defense website doesnt appear to have any information about their involvement in the Plandemic franchise, it did promote Willis 2021 book Plandemic: Fear Is the Virus. Truth Is the Cure, and noted how tech giants and mainstream media are doing their utmost to silence and suppress the bogus claims put forward in the films.

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Kennedy himself used the term plandemic in recently unearthed remarks he made to a newly created European chapter of CHD in August 2020, according to a report by The Bulwark published on Tuesday. Many people argue that this pandemic was a plandemic, that it was planned from the outset, its part of a sinister scheme, he said. I cant tell you the answer to that. I dont have enough evidence. A lot of it feels very planned to me.

He went on to express the notion at the core of the Plandemic series, saying, If you create these mechanisms for control, they become weapons of obedience for authoritarian regimes no matter how beneficial or innocent the people who created them. In the same press conference, Kennedy likened government guidelines on combating Covid to Nazis testing vaccines on Gypsies and Jews, warning that these would enslave the entire human race and plunge us into a dystopian nightmare.

Kennedy ran an unsuccessful third-party campaign for president before dropping out to endorse Trump. His plans for Health and Human Services, should he be confirmed to the president-elects extreme Cabinet, include the removal of fluoride from public water. He would also have oversight of the Food and Drug Administration, which he has blasted for the suppression of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, two drugs promoted on the right as treatments for Covid-19 despite their ineffectiveness against the coronavirus. And Kennedy has advocated for greater access to raw milk, which may expose people to E. coli, listeria, and bird flu virus.

But none of these proposed policies may be enough to cost Kennedy the job, seeing as the Senate that will vote on his confirmation is Republican-controlled  and some in that majority have similarly backward ideas about public health. In the meantime, if Kennedy still has questions about whether the U.S. government deliberately unleashed Covid on its own citizens, he can always ask the man who was president at the time: Donald Trump.

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Many farms utilizing monitoring technologies on an individual cow basis have historically used them primarily for heat detection. As technologies become more developed and we learn more about cow behavior, the capabilities of those technologies expand further to include uses for transition cow management. Trevor DeVries from the University of Guelph and Barry Bradford from Michigan State University discussed technology use for transition cow management on a recent Virtual Coffee Break podcast from the Michigan State dairy extension team.



DeVries shared that of the monitoring systems available, rumination systems have become the most popularized, mainly because they reflect intake levels most accurately. Through research, his team has learned that intake levels correlate highly with rumination in the first 21 days in milk (DIM). Past that, the relationship breaks down some.



Many farms are very hands-on with their fresh cow checks, often locking up a pen and checking temperatures and testing urine and/or blood test for beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) levels. When utilizing rumination technology, DeVries mentions that checking fresh cows is much less intensive and stressful for the pen. The data returned from the rumination monitors allows a producer to pick out individual cows to then go check for a clinical problem. Farms or their advisers also have the ability to better look big picture at the data and see if there is somewhere a management change is needed.

Bradford shared that from his perspective in Michigan, many farms are moving away from intensively checking every fresh cow for the first week or two in lactation and going to rumination monitors. They identify cows that are performing normally and will move them into a peak or breeding pen as soon as 7 to 10 DIM, while other cows are kept in the fresh pen for more attention if they arent ruminating as normal. DeVries added he sees similar practices on larger farms in Canada, but that is not as common in smaller farms that dont necessarily have a pen designated for fresh cows.



DeVries also discussed a recent study he worked on that looked at reducing milking frequency as a treatment for cows identified as having excessive energy mobilization or higher BHBAs. In the study, reducing milking frequency did work to prevent a metabolic problem, but there was milk loss.

Bradford shared that he has been looking at research with automated milking systems (AMS) on incomplete milkings for the first week after freshening to reduce the chance for metabolic issues. Again, this practice comes with a loss of milk and is difficult to implement for farms not using AMS. Both researchers shared their enthusiasm to continue learning more about the transition period and practices that can be successful of farms for healthier transition cows.





To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2024

November 18, 2024
Darryl Lindie, far left, is one of hundreds of small business owners in Rhode Island who don't offer retirement benefits to workers. Lindie spoke in favor of a new state retirement program for private sector workers at a press conference outside his business, AASign & Awning, in Warwick on Nov. 20, 2024.

Former U.S. Naval officer Darryl Lindie learned early in his career that taking care of his team was key to accomplishing a mission.

Since buying AASign & Awning in Warwick in 2023, Lindie has applied that philosophy to his business, giving his 30-person team paid days off and other benefits. But one offering remained a little too complicated and expensive: retirement savings.

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Not for long.

Legislation approved in the 2024 General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee in September sets up a public retirement savings program for private-sector workers whose employers dont already offer the investment option. Ahead of its formal launch, state officials unveiled details of the RISavers program at an event outside Lindies sign shop on Wednesday.

Modeled after similar programs in other states, including Connecticut, RISavers automatically opens Roth Individual Retirement Accounts for eligible private-sector workers, set up through the Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer with help from a third-party account administrator.

It is absolutely true that anyone can open a Roth IRA or another retirement account whenever they want, Treasurer James Diossa said. But its also equally true that not everyone has the ability to navigate the financial sector. These things can be daunting and RISavers makes it quick and easy and helps ensure more Rhode Islanders are on a path to stable retirement.

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An estimated 170,000 Rhode Island workers, equal to 40% of the states private-sector workforce, dont get retirement benefits through their jobs, according to information from Diossas office.

Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon (left) and Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa announced a partnership between Connecticut and Rhode Island, sharing costs for administering their respective state public retirement programs. (Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

The program also alleviates the burden on small businesses, which have no obligation to match contributions. Their only cost is from processing payroll deductions from participating employees.

Businesses with at least five employees are mandated to make the new retirement program available to their workers, with phased-in deadlines based upon business size. Employers with at least 100 workers must enroll within the first year of the program, while those with 50 to 100 workers have to sign up within two years. All 400,000 businesses that meet the minimum employment requirement must join within three years. Businesses with fewer than five employees can also sign up anytime they want.

This represents a win for families, for the state economy, and for the overall well-being of our state, McKee said.

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And, it doesnt come with any extra costs to taxpayers or extra staffing needs, as touted by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi.

A fiscal note included with the legislation in March 2024 estimated a $311,000 startup cost, split between fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026, based on comparable startup costs in other states like Delaware and Maine. However, no additional money was used in the nearly $14 billion fiscal 2025 budget to pay for the program, which instead relied on existing funds within the treasurers office, according to Rob Craven, Diossas legislative affairs director.

Rhode Island will pay a $100,000 fee for Vestwell State Savings, split between this fiscal year and the next, to administer the program. Rhode Island is also partnering with Connecticut, which launched its public retirement savings program for public-sector employees two years ago, to share in administration costs and investment fees from Vestwell.

Which, in turn, drives down the fees for participating workers.

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The program will use Bank of New York Mellon for its accounts, the same financial services company Vestwell uses for its version of a public retirement account.

Since Connecticut launched the MyCTSavings program in April 2022, it has opened retirement accounts for nearly 30,000 state residents, who have invested $33 million, said Comptroller Sean Scanlon, who attended the event in Warwick.

As of June 30, 2024, 20 states had launched, or passed legislation to launch, retirement savings programs for private sector workers, 17 of which (including Rhode Island) automatically enroll eligible workers, according to the Center for Retirement Initiatives at Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy.

Diossa plans to launch a pilot program with a small number of participants in the spring of 2025, opening up the program to full capacity shortly after.

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Lindie is eager to sign up, noting the interest among his workers already. He hopes the perk will attract new workers to the growing, design-to-build sign shop.

We are looking for a younger generation of talent, and we need these kinds of benefits, Lindie said.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A man has been accused of robbing a bank on University Avenue last week, according to the Rochester Police Department.

On November 14 at 1:26 p.m., an individual went inside the Key Bank and showed the teller a note demanding cash. The teller gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash and the suspect ran away.

Andre Jones, 53, was identified by RPD as the suspect in the robbery. He was arrested Tuesday night and was charged with third-degree robbery. Police say he may face more federal charges due to his criminal history, which includes five felony and 17 misdemeanor convictions.

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Jones was arraigned in Rochester City Court Wednesday morning and is being held without bail.

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  Rockford families received help providing their loved ones with Thanksgiving dinner from City First Church and State Senator Dave Syverson.

The church holds distributions once a month that serve around 250 families. On Tuesday, the church served well over that mark, according to organizers.

Thanksgiving is a time for people to be thankful for all they have, and count their blessings, and this is an opportunity for people to give back to make for a great Thanksgiving for a couple hundred families, said Senator Syverson.

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Residents received all the fixings, including a turkey, on a first-come first-serve basis.

Organizers said they are glad they can give back to the community during the holiday season.

This time of year, its really important that the community knows that theyre loved. That their community is thinking about them, said Christian Life Schools Head of School Judy Bethge. So for anybody thats facing insecurity, it can be a hard time of the year with the holidays. And we just want to be part of that solution.

This was City Firsts 42nd food giveaway and the next distribution is set for December 10th.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  For the first time, Ukraine has fired U.S.-supplied missiles into Russia. It follows an action taken by President Joe Biden to lift restrictions on their use.

Local nonprofit RocMaidan continues to raise funds while the war presses on overseas.

The feeling this morning, or any other morning, is all the same. We want this war to end. We want to end it in the right way, said RocMaidan board secretary, Elena Dilai.

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For 10 years, the organization has served those in Ukraine who need it most. Last weekend, RocMaidan celebrated that milestone and raised over $90,000 to continue their relief efforts.

As Dilai describes, the fight is far from over.

The number of lives that have been lost, the amount of money wasted on this, its just absolutely devastating. If you think about the role of the community in our work, I mean its crucial. They are the foundation of our work. If we dont have community support, we cant do what we do. Its just simply impossible, said Dilai.

As RocMaidan works to build off the generosity already received, Dilai says there is a greater call on the community.

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The war is still going on and even if the war ends tomorrow, people in Ukraine need your help. It is our responsibility to help those in need, and we sincerely hope that moving toward holidays, people remember that Ukraine still needs help. There are people suffering daily and we are truly grateful for every dollar coming in, she said.

Since the war against Ukraine began, RocMaidan has raised over $1 million toward assisting those overseas.

Organizers say no matter how many donations come in, its simply never enough compared to the increased demand of civilians there.

For more information on ways to donate, click here.

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A Mesa woman has been arrested on multiple animal cruelty charges after police discovered a journal depicting the abuse and deaths of multiple dogs in "torturous detail."

Mesa police announced Tuesday that 42-year-old Brook Scalero was arrested after her roommate discovered the journal allegedly belonging to her. The journal described the torture of more than 10 dogs and the deaths of five dogs, according to police.

Scalero was arrested on Nov. 14 for possession or use of narcotic drugs, where she admitted to owning the journal but claimed the stories were creative writing.

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In June, Paws Fur the Cause, a nonprofit organization and no-kill animal shelter, reported that Scalero had agreed to pay $500 for a 3-year-old Maltese mix named Pepe the month prior. Scalero claimed she would pay for Pepe that night, but the shelter never received a payment.

On Oct. 5, police responded to reports of a dead dog who matched the description of Pepe at VCA Animal Hospital. However, a microchip confirmed that the dog was not Pepe, but another dog named Griffin.

Griffin was also registered to Scalero and had injuries consistent with animal abuse, police said.

Scalero also lived with a roommate for nearly a year, whose dog Gus died in Scalero's care. Gus's death was documented in Scalero's journal, police said.

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On Nov. 15, a dead dog was found behind a bush that was confirmed to be Pepe by the microchip.

At her initial interview, Scalero admitted to taking Pepe without paying for him, and at her second interview on Nov. 18, Scalero admitted to her involvement in the torture and deaths of Pepe, Griffin and Gus.

She was booked on two counts of cruelty to animals, one count of domestic violence cruelty to animals and one count of theft.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mesa woman accused of animal cruelty after journal discovery
Former election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss told a judge in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday that Rudy Giuliani had once again made defamatory comments about them and argued that he should be held in civil contempt.

Giuliani brazenly violated an injunction placed on him in December 2023 after a federal court found him liable for defaming Moss and Freeman during the 2020 election, according to the motion for civil contempt filed by their attorneys. He was ordered to pay the women $148 million and agreed not to make any further false statements about them.

Moss and Freemans lawyers want the court to enter an order that puts Giuliani on notice that he will be fined for every violation in the future, and they have asked for a hearing to determine how much that fine should be. Traditionally, civil contempt orders place a sanction on an individual, declaring that they were disobedient, and are accompanied by penalties like fines, jail time, or both.

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In 2020, Giuliani repeatedly and falsely accused Freeman and Moss of engaging in fraud when they were poll workers at State Farm Arena in Georgia. He made such comments on social media, television and podcasts, and even peddled them directly to former President Donald Trump, who used those claims to lash out at the women publicly.

Giuliani filed for bankruptcy after he was ordered to pay the women $148 million. Freeman and Moss note in Wednesdays motion to hold Giuliani in civil contempt that in May of this year, as bankruptcy proceedings were unfolding, they believed Giuliani might finally stop defaming them.

But that only lasted six months, they say.

The former New York City mayor unambiguously referred to Moss and Freeman during two recent broadcasts of his podcast and renewed claims that the women were fraudsters, according to the motion.

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Moss and Freemans attorneys cited a Nov. 12 livestream of Giulianis podcast, Americas Mayor Live, and provided the following written transcript of his remarks:

Now if you wanted me to make out a check to pay my bills, I cant do it because of judge um [off screen voice: Liman] Judge Liman and and the Biden uh the Biden people who are behind the case of the two womenYou didnt have $145 million in damages. In fact theres, theres video of you doing what I said. We can play it for you if you want. You framed me. You had a judge whose a bloodthirsty uh uh um January 6 sentencer, the biggest January 6 sentencer who told the other judges they werent giving strong enough sentences. She figured out a way to manipulate it so I never got a trial on liability, I never got a trial on damages. You never proved damages and you got $145 million, so Im appealing it. You would think that they wouldnt be allowed to take all my property until the thing was affirmed on appeal and I got a chance to show them that they never let me show the tapes that show them quadruple counting the the the ballots.

Giuliani then repeated a defamatory claim he has been making since 2021 that has been debunked by surveillance video and witness testimony, saying that Moss and Freeman passed a USB drive to each other containing votes for Joe Biden that they intended to use to alter tabulations.

Theyre passing these little uh little hard drives that we maintain were used to fix the machines right and they say it was candy. Well you look at it looks like a hard drive to me and they told me it was a hard drive and theres no proof that it was candy, Giuliani said, according to a transcript in the motion.

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There was never a hard drive passed between the women. It was a ginger mint.

Giuliani also acknowledged that his remarks would likely cause him to be sued again.

Im sorry theyre going to sue me again for saying it but what am I going to do but tell the truth, Giuliani said, per the transcript.

On Nov. 14, during another episode of Americas Mayor Live, Moss and Freemans lawyers note, Giuliani repeated claims that he had video evidence of the women quadrupling vote counts. A footnote in Wednesdays motion notes that Giuliani has reposted a surveillance video from State Farm Arena twice on X this month, suggesting it was proof of fraud.

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The surveillance video from the arena shows election workers resuming vote counts after they were told to stop. Video shows Moss and Freeman focusing their attention on boxes of ballots they removed from underneath tables. Proponents of the Stop the Steal movement claimed they were suitcases stuffed with ballots for Joe Biden. Three different law enforcement agencies reviewed all of the surveillance footage from State Farm Arena in Fulton County.

A final report issued on Mar. 7, 2023, by the Georgia secretary of state declared no fraud was detected.

When a reporter asked him this month if he regretted defaming the women, the attorneys write in the motion, Giuliani was defiant.

No I did not. First of all, I didnt defame them. I did not defame them, Giuliani told New York Daily News reporter Molly-Crane Newman.

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The womens motion argues that Giuliani should be held in civil contempt and be forced to comply with court orders  which he previously agreed to  that barred him from making defamatory statements.

Indeed, these latest statements merely regurgitate the same exact lies that Giuliani has been spreading for years, the motion states.

Lawyers for Giuliani did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Giuliani is scheduled to go on trial in New York on Jan. 16 so enforcement of the $148 million in damages can be hashed out, but he has asked for a delay so he can attend Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20 and attend pre-inauguration events. On Wednesday, Moss and Freemans lawyers also asked the judge overseeing the bankruptcy enforcement trial in New York to shorten the current deadline Giuliani faces to produce items in discovery from 30 days to 2 weeks.

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Preparing those issues for trial by January 16, 2025including by having adequate documents in time to address them at Defendants depositionwill require Defendants prompt compliance with discovery requests. Unfortunately, Mr. Giuliani has already demonstrated his unwillingness to comply with discovery deadlines, a lawyer for the women wrote.

There is simply no reason to believe that Giuliani would treat the trial in New York any differently than other proceedings, so moving the deadlines forward would make quicker work of the inevitable issues with Defendants productions (or lack thereof) as they arise, the lawyer argued.

In a statement to HuffPost on Wednesday, Giuliani spokesperson Ted Goodman  whose records have also been subpoenaed in the bankruptcy case  called the motion for civil contempt a dishonest and duplicitous attack meant to deprive Giuliani of his right to free speech.

On Wednesday afternoon, Cammarata responded to Moss and Freemans demand that Giulianis briefing schedule be moved up and asked that their demand be denied. He also accused the women of making the improper decision of filing their case against Giuliani in New York instead of Florida, where Giuliani also holds a residence.

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Moss and Freemans lawyer would not be satisfied, the attorney wrote, until Defendant at 80 years of age is destitute with no place to live.

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Rudy Giuliani could be held in contempt of court for repeating false claims about two former election workers who won nearly $150 million for his defamatory statements about them.

Attorneys for Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss  who are also pressing a federal judge in New York to force the cash-strapped former New York City mayor to turn over his property  are asking the judge who presided over their initial defamation trial to sanction Giuliani for his ongoing baseless claims.

On recent livestreams, Donald Trumps former attorney accused the women of quadruple counting the ballots and passing hard drives that we maintain were used to fix the machine during the 2020 presidential election  claims that landed him in a trial court for defamation last year.

Outside a federal courthouse in New York on November 7, Giuliani denied defaming two women a jury awarded nearly $150 million over his false claims (Getty Images)

Well, you look at it, looks like a hard drive to me, and they told me it was a hard drive, and theres no proof that it was candy, Giuliani said on a recent broadcast, according to a transcript in court documents. The women have testified that they were passing a ginger mint.

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Im sorry theyre going to sue me again for saying it but what am I going to do but tell the truth, he said.

Giulianis latest statements repeat the exact same lies for which [he] has already been held liable, and which he agreed to be bound by court order to stop repeating, attorney Michael Gottlieb wrote in court filings in Washington DC on Tuesday.

He is now brazenly violating those terms, according to Gottlieb.

Given all that has transpired since then, one might have thought that Mr. Giuliani would have stopped, and moved on to other pursuits during his ample time online, he added.

Attorney for Shaye Moss, left, and Ruby Freeman, right, have accused Giuliani of repeating the same false claims that a trial jury found were defamatory last year (AP)

On Wednesday, Judge Beryl Howell said Giuliani must respond to the complaint by December 2, or risk being held in contempt. His failure to respond will be treated as conceding that motion, the judge said.

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There will be an in-person hearing on December 12.

Last December, a jury found Giuliani owes the women nearly $150 million for his false claims that the women had manipulated the outcome of the 2020 election  claims that fueled a wave of abuse and death threats against them. Giuliani then filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which has since been dismissed.

The mother-daughter duo are now sparring with his legal team over a court order that allows them to begin seizing a long list of his property and valuables. He has already turned over his 1980 Mercedes Benz convertible, a watch collection, cash and a diamond ring, according to court documents.

Asked outside a federal courthouse in downtown Manhattan this month whether he regretted defaming the women, he told reporters no before quickly backtracking.

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First of all, I didnt defame them, he said. I did not defame them.

Giuliani is scheduled to go to trial in January surrounding enforcement of the $150 million judgment, but he has asked the court to delay the proceedings so he can attend Trumps inauguration.

His spokesperson has called the latest court filing a dishonest and duplicitous attack meant to deprive [Giuliani] of his First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

The ongoing lawfare against Mayor Giuliani must end, spokesperson Ted Goodman said in a statement shared with The Independent. Its a complete abomination, and totally outrageous, to watch these people try and destroy this good and honest man who has dedicated his life to serving others.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon was ceremoniously sworn-in on Tuesday to the position he has held for just over a month.

Scanlon, who had served as the Buffalo Common Council president, began in his current role on Oct. 15 following former Mayor Byron Browns resignation to become president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting. Scanlon will continue to serve as Buffalos 63rd mayor leading up to the 2025 election that will fill the seat on a permanent basis.

Earlier this week, the Erie County Democratic Committee announced it will hold the first of three city-wide party forums with candidates on Dec. 5. At the forums, candidates will present campaign plans, outline their vision and answer questions ahead of an endorsement from the committee.

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The next mayor will be just Buffalos fifth full-time mayor in the past 50 years. Here is a look at both candidates who have already announced their candidacy, and some who may end up running.

Chris Scanlon, Acting Mayor

Scanlon has not yet said either way if he will run again a year from now, but he will be a quasi-incumbent should he choose to run.

Scanlon has deep roots in South Buffalo from representing that area in the Common Council for over a decade, and played a major role in helping Brown get votes in that area when he held a write-in campaign to be re-elected as Buffalos mayor in 2021.

Scanlon has been criticized by other councilmembers for his relationship with Brown, but Scanlon said he did not see the relationship as a problem and that the council and mayor should be working collaboratively.

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At Tuesdays swearing in ceremony, Scanlon thanked both the residents and workers of Buffalo in his speech, where he spoke about his goals for the citys future.

Over the next few weeks and months, I will be announcing a series of initiatives that will make city government more efficient and cost effective, transparent and accountable, while addressing the issues that are important to all of us, including healthy and affordable housing, enhanced public safety, reliable city services, good schools, job creation and economic growth, he said.

Who is Chris Scanlon? A look at Buffalos acting mayor

Sean Ryan, New York State Senator

Ryan, who currently serves as the representative for New Yorks 61st State Senate seat, announced Saturday that he is running for Buffalo mayor in a video posted to social media.

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He has served in his current role since 2020 after serving for a decade in the New York State Assembly. He was re-elected earlier this month.

In his video, Ryan said Buffalo deserves better and listed affordable housing, funding for schools and childcare, fighting discrimination and working on the citys waterfront as some of the topics that constitute his platform.

Garnell Whitfield, former Buffalo Fire Commissioner

Sources told WIVB in September that Whitfield plans to run. He is expected to make the official announcement on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Whitfield is the son of Ruth Whitfield, who was killed in the Tops mass shooting on May 14, 2022. Following the shooting, he gained national attention for spreading awareness of social justice and combatting white supremacy and domestic terrorism.

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He served as the citys fire commissioner from 2010 to 2017.

James McLeod, former Buffalo City Court judge

In an interview with WIVB News 4 Tuesday, Erie County Democratic Committee Chair Jeremy Zellner spoke more about the committees upcoming forums. He went on to say that Ryan, Scanlon and McLeod have asked for the committees endorsement.

McLeod, a Utica native, served as a city judge from 2009 to 2019. He has also held positions as a county family court hearing examiner, an assistant county attorney, a public defender and a law clerk for a State Supreme Court judge.

According to his alma maters website, McLeod was the second African American in Buffalo to be hired as an associate with a major law firm.

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McLeod has also served on the YMCA Board of Directors and as legal counsel to the Buffalo Urban League.

India Walton, former mayoral candidate

Walton, who won the Democratic primary in 2021 against Byron Brown but then lost to Browns write-in campaign in 2021, has hinted on social media that she will run again.

I thought I was certain that I would never run again, but after several conversations I think not only do I owe it to my people, but I think maybe I could beat [Scanlon], she said in an August post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Walton currently serves as a Senior Strategist for RootsAction, a Democratic advocacy group.

Ryan Caughill

Caughill, who, according to his LinkedIn page, is an emergency preparedness consultant, has been posting on social media that he is running an independent campaign for mayor.

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His LinkedIn does not list any political experience outside of being an appointed elections inspector for the Erie County Board of Elections for two months earlier this year.

Buffalo Common Council members

No current Buffalo Common Council members have said they are running, including some of the higher profile members such as Masten District Councilwoman Zeneta Everhart, Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope or University District Councilman Rasheed Wyatt.

Everhart is a former aide for Congressman Tim Kennedy when he was a State Senator and the two remain close. Her son was injured in the Tops mass shooting and she has advocated for gun control on the national level, which included a trip to the White House last December.

Halton-Pope, who represents the Ellicott District and is majority leader, is still in her first term as a councilwoman after Darius Pridgen declined to run again.

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Wyatt has name recognition outside of his district as a longtime and vocal critic of both Brown and Scanlon. He was the only member to vote against Scanlon becoming council president in January.

Fillmore District Councilman Mitch Nowakowski has vied for both the seat for council president, which would have put him in line for mayor instead of Scanlon, as well as the 63rd State Senate seat, which eventually went to April McCants-Baskin.

Your Local Election Headquarters

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Michal Koudelka, the director of the Czech Security Information Service, said on Nov. 18 that Russia was behind a flurry of bomb threats made against schools in Czechia and Slovakia in recent months.

Intelligence agencies across Europe have warned that Russia is plotting violent acts of sabotage across the continent in response to countries' support for Ukraine.

Hundreds of Czech and Slovak schools received bomb threats sent over email after students returned from their summer break in September, leading to multiple school closures, local media reported.

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Following the threat, local police found no credible evidence of explosives or improvised devices surrounding the schools.

"There is a clearly visible Russian trace" concerning the bomb threat, Koudelka told Czech parliamentarians during a briefing on the threats posed by Russian cyberattacks to the country's national security.

Russia has long engaged in a variety of disruptive behavior toward Europe, also using its cyber capabilities to target civilian infrastructure. Prague has regularly been targeted by Russia through cyberattacks beginning in 2023.

At a conference in Prague on Oct. 9, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said that Moscow is responsible for 80% of all the foreign influence operations in Europe.

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Ahead of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Czechia authorities expelled 18 Russian diplomats in response to deadly 2014 warehouse blast that Russia was reportedly responsible for.

Various media outlets reported on Nov. 18 that several Telecom cables linking two Nordic countries with Germany and Lithuania were cut at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, raising suspicion of Russian sabotage.

Read also: South Korea has not participated in Czech shell initiative for Ukraine, official says









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Almost all  more than 99pc  of the data that moves around the world nowadays travels via undersea cables, and the UK is a major nexus of the worldwide cable network.

We Brits also nowadays import 15pc (and rising) of our electricity via undersea interconnector cables from the Continent, and 40pc of our gas through undersea pipelines from Norway.

We are utterly dependent on seabed infrastructure to keep the lights on, to heat our homes, to power our remaining businesses and to keep the data flowing  the lifeblood of some of our most important industries. Some $10 trillion in financial transfers are handled by the cable system every single day.

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Indeed, no less a researcher than Rishi Sunak  before he became prime minister  wrote a paper for the think tank Policy Exchange in 2017, describing the undersea data network as indispensable and insecure.

Against this background, then, it is concerning to hear that two data cables broke in the Baltic over the weekend, and that sabotage or hybrid action is suspected.

Its unlikely that anyone in the nations affected  Finland, Germany, Lithuania and Sweden  will notice a problem. The worlds data networks respond almost instantly to this kind of incident, finding alternative routes.

The time when cable breaks do have an impact is when all of a nations seaborne links are broken at once. This is relatively common in places like West Africa, where many small nations have only one cable. Until Lithuanias cable to Gotland is repaired, most of its traffic to the wider world is dependent on its one remaining seaborne link to Sweden.

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Normally when a cable breaks theres no malicious act involved, though often there is incompetence: cables are most commonly damaged by ships anchors or fishing gear, despite being marked on nautical charts.

There are more than a hundred cable breaks every year: two in two days in the Baltic could just be bad luck. Sometimes apparent incompetence may be a mask for sinister intent, of course.

But sometimes theres clear-cut sabotage, as with the rupture of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, though exactly who did that, and how, remain matters of conjecture.

The Nord Stream sabotage was carried out on sections of pipeline between 70 and 80 metres below the surface - DANISH DEFENCE COMMAND/via REUTERS

How such things can be done is an important question. The Nord Stream sabotage was carried out on sections of pipeline between 70 and 80 metres below the surface. This is too deep for simple diving using compressed air, but more advanced techniques would allow divers wearing self-contained equipment to operate at such depths.

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Divers like that would not need any substantial vessel to operate from: a fairly ordinary yacht would do. Such a yacht is not required to have an AIS tracking transponder as larger vessels are, so it need generate no records of its presence in the area afterwards.

So this tells us that any nation with reasonably competent special operations forces could have carried out the Nord Stream sabotage.

But theres a spectrum of capability when it comes to attacking  or observing or defending  undersea infrastructure, with the first factor to consider being increasing depth. A target much deeper than Nord Stream will call either for divers with heavy surface support facilities or, these days more likely, for a fairly substantial remotely operated vehicle (or underwater unmanned vehicle or submarine drone).

This will mean in turn a fairly substantial support vessel: something along the lines of the Royal Fleet Auxiliarys new ship Proteus, acquired specifically for just this kind of work, or a Russian ship such as the Yantar. Yantar was observed just last week hanging around above some important connections in the middle of the Irish Sea, in fact.

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This sort of capability, well established with the Russians and new to us, is a bit less common around the world than sabotage divers are. But its still not advanced, expensive or difficult: suitable ships and machinery can easily and cheaply be purchased from the offshore industry, as indeed Proteus was.

Ships like this, however, are noticeable. They can turn off their AIS transponders, or falsify the information they transmit, but competent adversaries can track where the ship actually is on radar. Yantar will have been on the radar of British planes and warships throughout her Irish Sea visit. Its difficult to make a really secret attack from such a platform.

But Yantar belongs to the shadowy Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research, aka GUGI  a top-secret organisation allied to, but separate from, the normal Russian navy.

Yantar belongs to GUGI, a top-secret organisation allied to, but separate from, the normal Russian navy - MOD/SWNS

And GUGI has other things too. Earlier this year the specialist submarine A-31, or Losharik, returned to service following a deadly fire in 2019 which killed 14 of her 25-strong crew. The sensitive nature of the submarines work is indicated by the rank of those who died: all were officers, and half of them were captains first rank  the officer rank immediately below admiral.

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Loshariks pressure hull is made up of a line of titanium spheres, the shape which best resists pressure. She can reach great depths, and her nuclear propulsion means she can operate without coming to the surface. Shes too small to travel long ocean distances, but she can be carried into action by a larger nuclear submarine mothership from the regular navy.

Losharik or one of her three sister GUGI subs can potentially arrive above a data cable, gas pipeline or power interconnection at almost any depth, without either she or her mothership having come near the surface during the whole journey from Russia. She can then do whatever she wants  and disappear as tracelessly as she came.

The GUGI secret fleet might place timed destruction charges here and there in our waters before departing, perhaps. When the charges went off it would be difficult to say how they got there.

Fortunately it seems probable that the Yantar, in addition to monitoring by planes and warships last week, received some attention below the waves from one of our submarines: we finally have some at sea again, after a lengthy period in which the only sub we could get to sea was the nuclear deterrent one.

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But we have just a handful of nuclear attack submarines, and they have many other tasks apart from keeping tabs on GUGI. Our force of anti-submarine frigates is pitifully worn-out, and barely armed.

It was rather sickening to see the aged HMS Iron Duke, visibly not fitted with any surface-to-surface missiles at all, escorting a powerful new Russian warship through the Channel last week. We have only one Proteus, and the RFAs manpower crisis is so bad now that she probably wont spend a lot of time at sea.

Its good that we have recently had a prime minister who was well aware of the importance of undersea infrastructure. Its sad that he did so little about protecting it, and even sadder that the Navy and the RFA  and defence in general  have now slipped to 16th on the Governments list of priorities.

Lewis Page is a former Royal Navy diving officer

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MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia has detained a German citizen on suspicion of explosives-smuggling and terrorism, accusing him of blowing up a pipe at a gas distribution station, the Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Wednesday.

The FSB said the man, identified as Nikolai Gaiduk, had been involved in the attack in Russia's Kaliningrad Baltic Sea exclave in March, using a home-made bomb.

It said he was arrested during a subsequent attempt to enter Kaliningrad from Poland, when authorities searched his car and found 0.5 litres of liquid explosive.

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The FSB said Gaiduk was born in 1967 and lives in Hamburg. It accused him of acting on the instructions of a Ukrainian man also living in the north German city.

"Currently, measures are being taken to identify and bring to justice the persons who assisted Gaiduk ... in carrying out illegal activities," the agency said.

A German Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the consulate general in St Petersberg was in contact with Russian authorities and had offered consular assistance to the man, adding that the arrest had taken place in October.

The spokesperson cited the threat situation for foreign nationals in Russia when asked about the delay between when the arrest took place and when it was reported.

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"In principle, we have to take note of the fact that there is an atmosphere of intimidation and fear in Russia, which can also lead to arbitrary arrests," said the spokesperson.

According to Russia's emergencies ministry, the pipe explosion in March caused a fire but there were no casualties.

(Reporting by Anastasia Teterevleva in Moscow, Mark Trevelyan in London and Miranda Murray in Berlin; Editing by Peter Graff and Gareth Jones)
Russia has started mass production of mobile bomb shelters that can offer protection for up to 48 hours in case of a nuclear weapon attack.

The ominous move by Moscow comes alongside the other development in which President Vladimir Putin approved changes to the countrys nuclear doctrine.

The changes lowered the threshold for Russia to use nuclear weapons in case of an attack by an adversary  whether it is nuclear capable or supported by another nuclear power.

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Therefore, the mass production of nuclear radiation-proof bunkers which are big enough to accommodate roughly 54 people inside is sure to raise concerns in the United States and Europe.

According to Russias emergency ministry research institute, the KUB-M bomb shelters can protect people from explosions, shrapnel, debris, chemicals, and even fire.

Moreover, these are designed to provide protection for up to 48 hours from the harmful effects of radiation.

Recent updates in the Russia-Ukraine war

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has seen some important turning points in the recent days.

The first was the US President Joe Bidens go-ahead to Kyiv for using US-made long-range ATACMS missiles to hit targets inside Russia.

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The move by the US greatly boosted Ukraines efforts, and it was seen as a strong countermeasure against Russia. Shortly after this, Putin had gone ahead to approve the changes in Russias nuclear doctrine.

The most noticeable change is that it expands the conditions under which nuclear weapons can be used by Moscow. To put things into perspective, Russia can now use nuclear weapons in instances when a non-nuclear state supported by nuclear power attacks its area.

It should be noted that changes to the nuclear doctrine had been proposed by Putin as early as September 2024, but it was approved only now.

Although, there has been no clear confirmation from Kremlin on what led to the changes becoming effective instantly, it can be assumed that the go-ahead to Kyiv for using ATACMS had a major role to play.

Nuclear shelter production ramped up

The changes in nuclear doctrine were shortly followed by news of mobile shelter production being ramped up in Russia.

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This is a more frightening sign, as it means that the country is preparing for the worst case scenario.

Putin had already warned the US that allowing Kyiv to hit targets in Russia was being seen as an escalation and that it could lead to a World War III-like situation.

With the mobile bomb shelters entering mass production, it could mean that the country is getting ready to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine and also expects a similar attack on its territory.

According to a report by Reuters  the KUB-M bomb shelter is designed like a reinforced shipping container and consists of two modules each. It also contains one technical block, and there is a possibility of adding more modules, as per the Russian institute.

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They are designed to be functional even in Russias hard and cold permafrost regions.

Russia says that the war with Ukraine is entering its most dangerous phase now, and it is not taking lightly any aid or help that is being provided to Ukraine by the West.

Therefore, the mobile shelters seem to be a last resort  the question of when and whether they will be used is something we all have to watch out for.
The first reports of Ukraine striking deep inside Russia with U.S.-supplied ATACMS emerged on Nov. 19, marking a long-awaited shift in White House policy that could bolster Ukraine's defense against a 50,000-strong joint Russian-North Korean force assembled against them.

President Joe Biden's decision to finally grant Kyiv permission to use ATACMS is likely one of the last significant contributions to the war in Ukraine before Donald Trump takes up residence in the White House on Jan. 20.

With election promises of ending the war in "24 hours," and cabinet appointments marked equally by inexperience and disdain for the fate of Ukraine, a Trump-led U.S. will have a profoundly different stance towards Kyiv than the previous administration.

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A few hours before reports of the strikes in Bryansk Oblast, the Kyiv Independent sat down with retired U.S. General Ben Hodges for his take on ATACMS, the prospect of peace negotiations, and how he feels personally about Ukraine's future.

Editor's note: This is a transcript of the video interview that has been edited for clarity and brevity.

The Kyiv Independent: This week, we heard the news that the Biden administration is going to authorize long-range strikes inside Russia. What do you think is the significance of the timing?

Ben Hodges: I'm not sure why this finally happened. Obviously this is something that should have happened two years ago. I'm glad it did happen, but I'm not sure what finally caused it.

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Perhaps it had something to do with North Korea's involvement. I'm not sure. I am still frustrated that it's not a complete lifting of restrictions, that it still applies only to use against Russian and North Korean forces that are attacking the Kursk bridgehead. So it's better than nothing, but it still falls short of what's actually needed.

The Kyiv Independent: A lot of people have pointed out that this probably won't be a game changer, but what will Ukraine be able to do now that it wasn't able to do before?

Ben Hodges: I've never liked the phrase 'game changer' because the only thing that would really be a game changer would be if the Biden administration, and other European governments would say, "we want Ukraine to actually win this war" and then commit to that. New weapons or permissions by themselves are not game changing.

Nonetheless, this is still a positive step. I would anticipate that the Ukrainian General Staff will use these to target Russian headquarters, logistics, and artillery. That's how you defeat mass, and mass is the only advantage that the Russian forces have, the big numbers (of troops).

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And if you can destroy the headquarters that are necessary to coordinate their movements and their support, if you can destroy the artillery that enables their attacks, and if you can destroy the logistics that provide the artillery ammunition, then I think you can really degrade the effectiveness of Russian mass attacks.

Members of the unit Dnipro One of the Joint Assault Brigade of the National Police of Ukraine "Luty" operate a Soviet-era howitzer D-30 near Toretsk, Ukraine on Nov. 9, 2024. (Diego Fedele/Getty Images)

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 56th Motorized Brigade fires a grenade launcher during training in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on Oct. 22, 2024. (Yevhenii Vasyliev/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

The Kyiv Independent: With the election of Donald Trump, there's a sort of a deadline now. Trump has said he's going to try and stop or freeze the war quickly. Do you think the timing of the decision for ATACMS has that in mind?

Ben Hodges: The Biden administration would certainly have been very conscious of the fact that the inauguration is only two months away, and that possibly influenced the thinking somehow. I'm not sure. But as I reflected on this all day yesterday, this is actually a gift from the Biden administration to the Trump administration, to have this policy in place so the Trump administration can just leave it (in place) or use it as a point of increased leverage against the Russians  or not.

Of course, I don't know what the Trump administration is going to do based on everything they've said during the campaign. I'm not hopeful that they're going to be supportive of Ukraine, but I am hopeful that the leadership of the Republican Party in Congress, both in the Senate and in the House, who are mostly pro-Ukraine, pro-NATO, pro-transatlantic, will be able to convey to the new administration how important it is that the United States to not turn its back on Ukraine. We'll see if they have the ability and the courage to push back against Trump's designs to end the war in 24 hours.

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And, of course, these kinds of ridiculous assertions that he can end the war in 24 hours or freeze it somehow assume that Ukraine will just go along with it or that Eastern European countries  who are not confused about the threat that is Russia  that they'll just go along with it. I doubt that's the case because most of them know that they will end up paying the price if this conflict is frozen. None of them believe for a second that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin would ever live up to any agreement.

So I think once the Trump administration is in place, and they're faced with the reality of owning the situation and the implications, then perhaps that will moderate some of the language that comes from the incoming administration.

Read also: Ukraine strikes Russia with Storm Shadows for the first time, Bloomberg reports

The Kyiv Independent: And how important is it that Ukraine retains some territory in Kursk Oblast by the time that Trump comes into office? Because if Trump does try to impose a freeze of the front lines, obviously Ukrainian troops on Russian soil greatly complicates things for the Kremlin.

Ben Hodges: This was one of the reasons I have been a supporter of the Ukrainian decision to launch the Kursk counteroffensive because it does create a real problem for the Kremlin. Both in terms of whether or not to commit forces to try and eliminate this bridgehead and in terms of some sort of negotiations coming up.

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So, it does create a problem, and I think this was a brilliant move by the Ukrainian General Staff. Now, at the end of the day, the Ukrainian General Staff will have to decide if it is worth it. Are they getting the benefit of this versus the casualties and the costs of hanging onto it? We'll see. They will know much better than I ever will.

But again, Trump cannot impose a freeze on this conflict. There are no American soldiers there. Europe is providing more aid combined than the United States is.

So I think the idea that somehow Trump can impose a freeze or impose a ceasefire, that's just not what's going to happen. He can, of course, demand it. He can, of course, stop all aid.

But I think that people with cooler heads will understand that it's in our interest that Europe remains stable, secure, and prosperous for our own economic reasons. And China is watching to see how we handle this.

The Kyiv Independent: What sort of leverage will Trump have over Putin to try to get him to stop? Obviously, in Donbas, the Russian offensive is still relatively slow, but it's gaining pace. So Putin does have the upper hand there. So what kind of thing can Trump do to try and force Putin into a deal?

Ben Hodges: There are so many things that we have not done yet. We have not imposed all the sanctions that could have been imposed. We have not taken steps to block Russia from exporting oil and gas to China and India, which is what generates the money necessary for Russia to be able to buy ammunition and weapons from Iran and North Korea.

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We've done nothing against those things. So there are still economic tools remaining for the incoming administration. And, of course, he could say, 'I'm going to accelerate delivery of ATACMs,' for example, or other capabilities.

So, the incoming president has a lot of leverage to build on what the Biden administration has already done, which has fallen well short of what I think could have been done. So, Trump will have a lot of leverage against Putin. Does he want to use that? That's what remains to be seen.

The Kyiv Independent: You mentioned China just before. What do you think China is hoping to see when Trump takes office?

Ben Hodges: I think the Chinese are waiting to see if the U.S. and our allies have the political will to actually defend these post-war constructs of respect for sovereignty, freedom of navigation, respect for international law, respect for international agreements. If we're not willing to do that in Europe, they may think we're not willing to do that out in the Indo-Pacific region, where, frankly, it will be much more difficult to do  it takes nine days for a U.S. Navy ship to go all the way from Hawaii to Japan, for example.

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I think the Chinese are going to be watching that. They'll be watching to see if Trump follows through on the threat to impose these massive tariffs that will have a significant impact.

I think, like everyone, they want to know how much of what was said in the campaign is actually going to happen in reality.

Read also: ATACMS, Trump, and the increasing importance of Kursk Oblast for Ukraine

The Kyiv Independent: Earlier on, you alluded to the differences in how particularly Eastern European states perceive the Russian threat and how America perceives the Russian threat. How do you think that's going to play out with an increasingly isolationist U.S.? Is Europe going to be able to fill that gap if aid slows or if they reduce support in other ways?

Ben Hodges: Well, they certainly can. The combined economies of the European Union  forget Canada and the U.K.  the combined economies of the European Union are about eight times greater than Russia. So this is about political will.

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It's not about economic capacity or industrial capacity. It's about political will. And so what I would hope is that Europe, led by a new German government coming in February, probably led by Friedrich Merz and the CDU, Poland under Donald Tusk, Finland under Alexander Stubb, and Italy under Prime Minister Meloni, that together they could convince the American president 'hey, don't turn your back on Europe.'

We still need an American nuclear deterrent. But we, Europe, can pick up the slack if the U.S. needs to back away from its support for Ukraine. There's a lot of potential in Europe. The question is, do they have the political will?

The Kyiv Independent: And just to finish with, how do you personally feel about the future for Ukraine?

Ben Hodges: I've always believed in the eventual victory of Ukraine, not because I want it to be so, but because I have seen what Ukraine has been able to accomplish over the last 11 years, that they have stopped Russia without consistent, decisive aid from the U.S. or from Europe. I mean, this war started in 2014.

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So all the people talking about how today is 1,000 days  that's only 1,000 days since the large-scale invasion. It's been almost 7,000 days since Russia first invaded Ukraine. And after 11 years, almost 7,000 days, Russia still only controls about 20% of Ukraine, and they have suffered devastating losses.

Russian industry is in tatters. And so I think it's clear to me that there's no way Russia can just knock Ukraine out of the war unless we in the West quit. So this sort of resilience and determination by Ukrainian soldiers and people, emergency services, is something that we're all going to be studying and admiring for a very long time.

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The Russian Ministry of Defence claims that Ukrainian troops have been attacking Russia with drones since the evening and that overnight alone, Russian air defence forces allegedly shot down 44 drones.

Source: Russian Ministry of Defence on Telegram

Details: It is reported that 20 UAVs were shot down over Russias Novgorod Oblast, five over Kursk Oblast, four over Oryol Oblast, three over Belgorod, Tula and Tver oblasts each, and two over Bryansk, Moscow and Smolensk oblasts each.

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The Russian Ministry of Defence as usual keeps silent about any consequences of the strike.

However, Russian Telegram channel Astra, citing local residents, reports that the 13th arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate in the village of Kotovo, Novgorod Oblast, was attacked at night.

The Baza Telegram channel reports that drones attacked Alekseevka in Belgorod Oblast, Russia, in the evening.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Belgorod Oblast, reported that "as a result of the fall of drone wreckage on the territory of one of the companies, production facilities were damaged. In addition, damage was reported to an infrastructure facility and a power line. Several streets are temporarily without electricity."

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Background: Late in the evening of 19 November, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that it had allegedly shot down 42 Ukrainian drones in less than 3 hours. Thirty-two of them allegedly attacked Russias Bryansk Oblast.

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Reports of purported "particularly massive" missile and bomb assaults on Ukrainian cities, which are circulated on the behalf of Ukraines Defence Intelligence via social networks and messengers, are Russian fakes.

Source: Ukraines Defence Intelligence on Telegram

Details: According to reports, an announcement was sent out via messenger apps and social networks on behalf of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence about the threat of a "particularly massive" missile and bomb strike on Ukrainian cities on 20 November.

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The department asserts that this is a fake, as it comprises grammar mistakes typical of Russian information and psychological operations. Defence Intelligence urged citizens to trust only official sources of information and to remain calm.

Quote: "If force is not an option for subduing Ukrainians, the enemy uses intimidation and psychological pressure on the society. Please remain vigilant and steadfast. Do not ignore air-raid warnings; it is safer to wait [through the attacks] in the shelter. However, we advise you not to panic."

Background:

Earlier, the United States decided to close its embassy in Kyiv on 20 November after receiving information about the threat of a major Russian strike on this day.

The sources of Ukrainska Pravda in the diplomatic mission said that the closure of the US Embassy in Kyiv on 20 November is related to the threat of a combined Russian strike using drones and missiles. There is currently no indication of a nuclear strike threat.

The Spanish, Italian, and Greek embassies in Kyiv also reported that they had temporarily ceased operations in the capital.

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Russia is threatening to strike Kyiv with a massive new missile in revenge for the use of Western weapons against its territory.

Vladimir Putins armed forces are preparing to fire RS-26 intercontinental ballistic missiles at the Ukrainian capital, local media reported.

Western nations including the United States shut their embassies on Thursday in anticipation of a large-scale air strike. The joint closure, also involving Italy, Spain and Greece, marked the gravest expression of concern from foreign embassies since the early days of the war.

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On Wednesday, British Storm Shadow missiles hit a command post in the Kursk region in their first use against the Russian mainland. US-made ATACMS hit an ammunition dump in neighbouring Bryansk the day before.

Ian_Matveev/X

According to Moskovky Komsomolets, a Moscow-based newspaper, the Russian military is readying to launch RS-26 missiles from a site in the city of Astrakhan by the Caspian Sea.

The RS-26 has not been used in combat before, according to Western missile experts. It is said to fly at five times the speed of sound, making it harder for Kyivs US-supplied Patriot missile systems to shoot down.

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Kyiv has regularly been attacked by smaller, slower Iskander missiles since the war began.

The RS-26 is fired from a ground-based launcher and reportedly weighs 50 tonnes, with a warhead three times larger than the Iskander.

This is believed to be a model of the RS-26 Rubezh launcher

Timur Syrlanov, a Russian military analyst, told Moskovky Komsomolets that Ukrainian people should be trembling over the potential use of the missile.

In this situation, we will not use nuclear weapons, but the neo-Nazis and their Western allies, I think, will appreciate in the coming days the blow that will be dealt to Ukraines critical infrastructure and, possibly, to targets in Kyiv itself, he said.

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Kyiv was sent into a state of frenzy on Wednesday morning when the US embassy announced that it had closed for the day. In a statement, the embassy said its employees had been instructed to shelter in place after the US received information of a potential significant air attack.

Americans in the city were urged to pay special attention to the citys regular air raid alerts.

A girls dance class performs for World Childrens Day in a basement bomb shelter in Kyiv on Wednesday - Efrem Lukatsky

Following the announcement, Greece, Italy and Spain also shuttered their embassies.

Just before 2pm, Ukraine warned of a potential missile attack and urged people to seek shelter.

It came as a false message spread throughout Ukrainian messaging channels that the defence intelligence of Ukraine had announced that Russia had planned to launch a missile attack including more than 317 different types of radio-controlled strike drones.

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The air raid alert lifted soon after it began, and as it did so, Ukraines official defence intelligence social media accounts announced that the threat anticipated by people throughout Ukraine was a false flag information attack by Russia.

Cadets in Kyiv turn on their torches to commemorate 659 Ukrainian children killed during the war with Russia, in a military lyceum on World Childrens Day - Efrem Lukatsky

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Daily life in Kyiv went on mostly as usual despite the threats of the attacks. Parents walked their children to school; trolleybuses, metros and buses were packed with commuters.

People walked on the streets with their headphones on, and patrons frequented restaurants and cafes in the city centre. One barista told The Telegraph that his cafe was empty because of the threat of the attack, but when asked if he was afraid to be at work, he said: Its the same as every day for the last two years.

Telegraph journalist Francis Dearnly reported from Kyiv that locals attempt to work out if air raid sirens indicate a real threat of missile strikes, so they can stop sheltering and carry on as normal.

Francis Dearnly in Irpin, Ukraine

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Since the war began there have been about 1370 alerts in Kyiv, according to city officials. These have lasted more than 1,550 hours in total - meaning if residents hid during each one they would have spent more than two months in bunkers.

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A local resident aged 52 was killed in the village of Tokarivka, Kherson Oblast, as a result of a Russian shelling on 19 November.

Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military District Administration

Quote: "Reportedly, a man was killed in the Russian attack on Tokarivka on 19 November. The body of the resident, 52, who sustained fatal injuries, was found at the site of the attack."

Details: Prokudin expressed his condolences to the dead man's family.

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Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least two people and injured at least 30 over the past day, local authorities reported on Nov. 20.

In Kherson Oblast, Russia attacked 21 settlements, including the regional center of Kherson. The attacks killed two people and injured 15 others, according to the local military administration.

Russia launched an attack against the Kyivskyi district of Kharkiv, injuring nine men. The youngest of the victims is 18-years-old. He was hospitalized in serious condition, while four others have also been hospitalized and are in a condition of moderate severity, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported

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In Kharkiv Oblast, two women, aged 47 and 59, suffered injuries due to the shelling of the town of Kupiansk. A house and an apartment building were damaged as well, according to Syniehubov.

In Donetsk Oblast, three people were injured in the town of Myrnohrad and the villages of Mykolaiivka and Stara Mykolaiivka, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast's Nikopol district, a 46-year-old woman suffered injuries. Russian forces attacked the area with artillery, kamikaze drones, and Grad multiple rocket launchers.

The Russian military targeted the city of Nikopol and four local communities over the past day, according to Governor Serhii Lysak.

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Read also: From Bucha to Kursk: 1,000 days of Russias full-scale war (Photos)

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KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine said on Wednesday that a Russian command post had been "successfully struck" in the town of Gubkin in Russia's Belgorod region, around 168 km (105 miles) from the border with Ukraine.

The military intelligence agency's statement, which came a day after Ukraine used U.S. ATACMS missiles to strike a Russian arsenal, did not specify who carried out the attack, when it took place or the type of weapon used.

"Gubkin residents observed thick black smoke, smelled it and heard loud explosions," the agency known as HUR said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app. It added that the attack targeted the command post of Russia's "Sever" group of forces.

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The Russian defence ministry said on Wednesday it intercepted 44 drones launched by Ukraine's armed forces overnight, including three over the Belgorod region.

(Reporting by Anastasiia Malenko; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Alison Williams)
By Lucy Papachristou

LONDON (Reuters) - A group of Russian doctors has appealed to President Vladimir Putin over the "shameful" jailing of a Moscow paediatrician for comments she was alleged to have made about the war in Ukraine.

Nadezhda Buyanova, 68, was sentenced to 5-1/2 years in a penal colony last week after the mother of one of her patients publicly denounced her.

A dozen medical staff appeared in a video compilation published on the website of Echo, a Russian independent radio station operating in exile, to urge Putin to free her. It was not clear if any were speaking from inside Russia.

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Speaking in turn, they described the verdict as "blatant lawlessness and cruelty" and said it was disproportionate even to the "far-fetched charges" brought against Buyanova.

"What danger to society is a person who has dedicated her life to saving the lives of our children?" one of them said.

"We demand an immediate end to this shameful business and the freeing of Nadezhda Fyodorovna Buyanova," said another, using the doctor's full name.

The Kremlin has declined to comment on Buyanova's case or on the rising trend of Russians informing on fellow citizens for their views on the war and other alleged political statements.

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Critics say the practice helps authorities root out suspected "internal enemies", in an echo of the Soviet era. Russian rights group OVD-Info has recorded 21 such criminal prosecutions since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.

The head of Russia's Investigative Committee, which handles serious crimes, launched the case against Buyanova after the mother of a seven-year-old patient complained about the doctor in a video later picked up by a popular Telegram channel.

The mother, Anastasia Akinshina, said Buyanova had referred to her child's father, a Russian soldier killed fighting in Ukraine, as a "legitimate target" of Kyiv's troops during a clinic visit in January.

Buyanova's lawyers and the doctors in the video say there is no hard evidence - such as an audio or video recording - to prove she made the statement.

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The prosecution's case was based almost entirely on Akinshina's account and a transcript of an interview with the child conducted by a Federal Security Service (FSB) officer. The judge rejected the defence's request to question the boy.

(Reporting by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
The Russian military conducts up to 10 assaults daily in an attempt to approach the town of Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast, Oleksandr Nevidomyi, spokesperson of the 46th Airmobile Brigade, told Suspilne on Nov. 20.

Russia is carrying out intense attacks in multiple sections of the eastern front, with attempts to break through Ukraine's defenses in Donetsk Oblast toward the towns of Kurakhove and Pokrovsk.

"Every day, there can be up to 10 assaults, both by infantry groups and armored vehicles. There are also attempts to cross the river (Vovcha) on rubber boats," Nevidomyi said.

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The Ukrainian serviceman added that Russian forces are actively using kamikaze drones, particularly to drop ammunition from a height.

The estimated Russian advance near Kurakhove, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, as of Nov. 19, 2024, according to the DeepState monitoring group. (DeepState/OpenStreetMaps)

According to Nevidomyi, the Russian military is based north of Kurakhove at a high altitude, from where they launch drones to attack Ukrainian positions and logistics.

"And, of course, Russian artillery does not stop working," he added.

"They (the Russian military) are recovering. They are getting new troops who are training at the training ground. They have no problems with people, they have a lot of them."

Russian forces damaged the dam holding the Kurakhove Reservoir in Donetsk Oblast on Nov. 11, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

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Russian forces also claimed to have taken the front-line village of Novoselydivka, which lies some 7 kilometers (4 miles) north of Kurakhove, on Nov. 19.

Ukraine has not commented on the claims, which could not be independently verified.

The Russian advance in Ukraine's east has picked up a long-unseen pace in the past few months, with outgunned and outmanned Ukrainian defenders steadily forced to retreat.

The U.S. election victory of Donald Trump adds to the uncertainties, casting a shadow on Ukraine's ability to hold back Russian forces.

Russian forces continue their attempts to reach Ukrainian strongholds in Kurakhove and Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. The map shows the estimated Russian advance along the front as of Nov. 19, 2024, according to the DeepState monitoring group. (DeepState/OpenStreetMaps)

Read also: From Bucha to Kursk: 1,000 days of Russias full-scale war (Photos)

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian gas exports to Europe via Ukraine were stable on Wednesday, data from Kremlin-controlled producer Gazprom showed, with nominations for flows to Austria from Slovakia also unchanged.

Gazprom halted supply to Austria's OMV on Saturday over a contractual dispute, the Vienna-based company said, while Gazprom has not commented.

It is not clear where the gas volumes intended for OMV have been redirected.

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Slovak state-owned firm SPP has said it was still receiving gas from Russia and suggested others were buying more because there was still "great interest" in Russian gas in Europe.

Gazprom said it would send 42.4 million cubic metres of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Wednesday, the same volume as on Tuesday.

Nominations, or requests, for flows to Austria from Slovakia were stable versus Tuesday levels, at about 13% below levels seen before Russia halted gas supplies to OMV. Nominations to the Czech Republic from Slovakia were in line with levels seen this month.

Nominations for gas flows into Slovakia from Ukraine were steady versus previous days while nominations for flows leaving Slovakia were also little changed, data from transmission system operator Eustream showed.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow and Jason Hovet in Prague; editing by Tom Hogue and Jason Neely)
MOSCOW (AP)  Russias upper house of parliament on Wednesday endorsed a bill banning adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transitioning is legal.

The Federation Council also approved bills that outlaw the spread of material that encourages people not to have children.

The bills, which have previously been approved by the lower house, will now go to President Vladimir Putin for signing into law. They follow a series of laws that have suppressed sexual minorities and bolstered longstanding conventional values.

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Lower house speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, who was among the new bill's authors, noted that it is extremely important to eliminate possible dangers in the form of gender reassignment that adopted children may face in these countries.

The adoption ban would apply to at least 15 countries, most of them in Europe as well as in Australia, Argentina and Canada. Adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens was banned in 2012.

Other bills approved by lawmakers on Wednesday outlaw what is described as propaganda for remaining child-free and impose fines of up to 5 million rubles (about $50,000). Its proponents contended that public arguments against having children are part of purported Western efforts to weaken Russia by encouraging population decline.

Putin and other top officials in recent years have increasingly called for observing so-called traditional values as a counter to Western liberalism. As Russias population declines, Putin has made statements advocating large families and last year urged women to have as many as eight children.

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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.

Since he sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin leader has repeatedly characterized the West as satanic and accused it of trying to undermine Russia by exporting liberal ideologies.

Independent journalists, critics, activists and opposition figures in Russia have come under increasing pressure from the government in recent years, intensifying significantly amid the conflict in Ukraine. Hundreds of nongovernmental groups and individuals have been designated as a foreign agent  a label that implies additional government scrutiny and carries strong pejorative connotations.

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On Wednesday, the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, gave preliminary approval to a bill that would ban those who have been designated foreign agents from accessing their incomes. The measure would freeze all their Russia-generated income on special accounts and would only allow them access to the funds if their foreign agent status is revoked.

Volodin, the lower house speaker, has said that the proposed legislation was aimed at preventing the enrichment of traitors to the motherland at citizens' expense.
Social media reported on Wednesday, 20 November, that captured Ukrainian servicemen who were encircled in Kursk Oblast of the Russian Federation were allegedly executed.

Source: Dmytro Lubinets, Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) Commissioner for Human Rights

Details: Dmytro Lubinets said that the information about another war crime committed by Russians emerged from social media.

The Russians allegedly executed Ukrainian prisoners of war who were encircled in Kursk Oblast.

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Lubinets did not provide any other details, including the number of fatalities. As usual, he said that he had sent letters to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding this crime.

Quote from Lubinets: "The international community must act immediately. The occupying country has once again violated the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Russia must be stopped. The enemy will be held accountable for every crime."

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Nov. 19 that Moscow "will respond accordingly" to Washington's permission for Ukraine to strike Russian soil with U.S. weapons.

Speaking at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Lavrov referred to Russias updated nuclear doctrine, which permits nuclear retaliation for attacks by non-nuclear states supported by nuclear powers.

When asked during the summit if the U.S. had authorized Ukraine to use long-range weapons to target Russia, Lavrov responded, "I dont know whether its true or not. We are focused on ensuring our security."

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"We have already stated everything necessary to those considering this, officially. The president said it, and now its confirmed in an official document," he said, according to TASS.

On Nov. 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved an updated nuclear deterrence policy that expands the conditions for a nuclear strike.

The revised doctrine outlines scenarios that could justify a nuclear strike, suggesting that this could include "aggression against the Russian Federation and its allies by a non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state" and large-scale non-nuclear attacks.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine reportedly uses ATACMS on Russian territory for first time; Zelensky presents resilience plan

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The alleged use of U.S. ATACMS missiles by Ukraine to strike Russias Bryansk Oblast was reportedly the catalyst for Lavrov's remarks.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council known for his provocative and often extreme outbursts, also weighed in, threatening to use weapons of mass destruction against Ukraine and NATO.

According to the official, the updated doctrine could qualify Ukraine's use of NATO-supplied missiles in Russia as a trigger for "a mass retaliatory strike with weapons of mass destruction on Kyiv and main NATO facilities."

"This is already World War III," Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel.

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Russia has repeatedly set supposed "red lines" on Western assistance for Ukraine, sometimes accompanied by veiled or overt nuclear threats.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock dismissed the Kremlin's blackmail, calling them a tactic to exploit the Wests fears.

The Pentagon stated there are no indications of Russia preparing to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine despite its revised nuclear doctrine. Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh called Russia's rhetoric "irresponsible" and consistent with its behavior over the past two years.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian troops have accidentally dropped a 250kg aerial bomb on a school building in the village of Bykovka in Russias Belgorod Oblast.

Source: Radio Svoboda citing Russian public media

Details: Residents of Bykovka told local Telegram channel Pepel (Ashes) about the incident. They said the bomb hit the school at around 06:00 on 19 November. There was no one in the building at the time and no one was injured. However, classes are held in this school in the daytime.

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The Russian media outlet Astra reports that the bomb broke through the roof of the building and is now in one of the classrooms on the second floor. A crack has appeared in the outside wall.

Agentstvo, a local media outlet, approached the school leadership for comment, but they did not respond. However, one of the teachers said that teaching staff have been ordered to conduct classes remotely. No reason was given.

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Russian troops have killed two Ukrainian prisoners of war in Donetsk Oblast's Pokrovsk District, the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office said on Nov. 20.

They were stripped naked and shot dead, according to the prosecutors. In a picture published by the prosecutors, two blurred naked bodies are seen lying on the ground.

On Nov. 10, the enemy stormed our fortifications near the village of Novodmytrivka, Pokrovsk district, the prosecutors said. After the Russian army captured two Ukrainian soldiers, they forced the men to strip naked. After being led at gunpoint through a forest plantation, the prisoners were shot dead.

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The prosecutors office said that it is also investigating whether Russian soldiers killed three more Ukrainian prisoners.

Reports of murders, torture, and ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war are received regularly by Ukrainian authorities and have spiked in recent months. Most cases were recorded in embattled Donetsk Oblast.

Russian forces had executed at least 124 Ukrainian prisoners of war since 2022 as of Nov. 6. On top of that, at least 177 Ukrainian prisoners have died in Russian captivity, according to a representative of the Ukrainian Coordination Center for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

On one occasion, a photo of an apparently executed Ukrainian soldier with a sword in his chest and the inscription "For Kursk" has appeared on social media, with remnants of gray tape visible on the soldier's hand.

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Executing prisoners of war is a gross violation of the Geneva Conventions.

Read also: Faces of Torture









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Russian forces attacked settlements in Kharkiv Oblast on 20 November, injuring a man and a woman.

Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Quote: "Investigators indicate that on 20 November at 11:40, the occupiers shelled the village of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi. A 64-year-old civilian was injured. Early reports indicate that Russian forces targeted the settlement using multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS).

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At around 15:00, the enemy attacked the village of Vysokyi in the Kharkiv district with a drone. A non-residential building was damaged, and a 63-year-old woman was injured."

Details: In addition, at around 15:00, Russian artillery shelled the village of Borshchova in the Kharkiv district, damaging a residential building. No casualties were reported.

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Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Nov. 20 the detention of German citizen Nikolai Gaiduk, accusing him of planning terrorist attacks on energy infrastructure in the Kaliningrad region.

Russia accused Gaiduk, a resident of Hamburg, Germany, of orchestrating the March 2024 bombing of a low-pressure gas distribution station in Kaliningrad using an improvised explosive device.

The Kaliningrad region is Russia's heavily-armed exclave at the Baltic Sea coast, lodged between NATO members Poland and Lithuania.

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The FSB claims Gaiduk was detained after entering the Kaliningrad region from Poland, allegedly to conduct further sabotage. A search of his vehicle reportedly uncovered 0.5 liters of liquid explosive material.

According to the FSB, Gaiduk received instructions and materials from Alexander (Oleksandr) Zhorov, a Ukrainian citizen residing in Hamburg. A criminal case has been opened against Gaiduk on terrorism and explosives smuggling charges.

The independent Russian news outlet Agentstvo identified Gaiduk as a 57-year-old native of Ukraine who had lived in Konotop in Sumy Oblast before moving to Germany.

The German Foreign Ministry said it is keeping itself informed but declined to comment on the allegations.

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The FSB announced on Nov. 19 the detention of two residents of Russian-occupied Crimea, accused of involvement in a Nov. 13 car bombing in Sevastopol that killed Russian Navy officer Valery Trankovsky.

Read also: Russias FSB reports detentions over Crimea car bombing

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraines power grid is at "heightened risk of catastrophic failure" following Russias missile and drone attacks on 17 November.

Source: The Guardian, citing Greenpeace

Details: A briefing note prepared by Greenpeace for the Guardian revealed that Moscows strikes targeted electrical substations "critical to the operation of Ukraines nuclear power plants". This raises the risk of reactors losing power and becoming dangerous for the environment.

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Quote: "It is clear that Russia is using the threat of a nuclear disaster as a major military lever to defeat Ukraine. But by undertaking the attacks Russia is risking a nuclear catastrophe in Europe, which is comparable to Fukushima in 2011, Chornobyl in 1986 or even worse."

Greenpeace has called on Russia to immediately halt its attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure and urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to deploy permanent monitors at substations critical to the operation of nuclear power plants. While the IAEA conducted an inspection in late October, it has not committed to returning.

Although Greenpeace is an independent organisation, it maintains contact with the Ukrainian government. Ukrainian officials who spoke to the Guardian acknowledged Greenpeaces technical analysis of the crisis.

On the night and early morning of 17 November, Russia launched over 210 missiles and drones targeting power generation and transmission facilities across Ukraine. Hours later, Ukraines main power provider, Ukrenergo, announced nationwide consumption restrictions to stabilise the grid.

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Explosions were reported in Kyiv; Odesa and Mykolaiv in the country's south; Kryvyi Rih, Pavlohrad and Vinnytsia in central Ukraine; and Rivne and Ivano-Frankivsk in the west. Blasts were also heard near the border with Moldova, where Ukraines power grid is interconnected with its neighbour and the rest of Europe.

While the attacks likely did not directly target the three operational nuclear power plants controlled by Ukraine (in the cities of Rivne, Khmelnytskyi and Pivdennoukrainsk), Greenpeace believes Russia is deliberately increasing pressure on them by striking the substations that they are connected to.

Background:

On Sunday, 17 November, seven Tu-95MS aircraft took off from Olenegorsk, Russia. At around 06:30, cruise missiles entered Ukrainian airspace. The attack, lasting about an hour, targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

That same day, Russian forces launched a large-scale assault on Ukraine's energy sector, seriously damaging equipment at thermal power plants belonging to DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy firm.

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An apparent campaign by Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters to land a spot in President-elect Donald Trumps administration has ended with Walters not being selected for a job many believe he coveted: U.S. education secretary.

Trump announced he would nominate the former administrator of the Small Business Administration, Linda McMahon, to serve in that role. Trump said McMahon will fight tirelessly to expand choice to every state in America, and empower parents to make the best education decisions for their families.

Walters was among a handful of potential candidates being mentioned for the job, even though he's never publicly acknowledged he sought the job. The closest he came was during an interview with Fox News this week, when he told host Trace Gallagher, Its an honor to be considered, before equating Trump to the United Kingdoms legendary wartime prime minister, Winston Churchill.

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An attempt in recent months to spend millions of state money on Bibles for Oklahoma classrooms helped propel Walters into the national spotlight, and he'd made a steady stream of national media appearances while tying his ideas concerning education to those of Trump, who has said he wants to close the U.S. Department of Education.

A spokesman for Walters didnt answer a question about Walters thoughts about being passed over for McMahon. On the social media site X, Walters didnt address the subject either. Instead, he wrote, Congratulations @Linda_McMahon! Its time to get to work dismantling the US Department of Education. Fantastic addition to @realDonaldTrump team!

Former Republican state Rep. Mark McBride of Moore, a longtime skeptic of Walters, said he wasnt surprised Trump didnt choose Walters.

I told you, McBride responded to a question about Walters being bypassed.

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Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, a Norman Democrat who successfully won re-election in a Republican-majority district while campaigning on an anti-Walters platform, previously had expressed hope Trump would pick Walters, so that Walters would no longer be in Oklahoma.

While its a mild surprise that Trump overlooked somebody who tried so hard to get his attention, its no surprise that the incoming administration chose somebody so close to the president-elect, in McMahon, who is his transition co-chair, Rosecrants said. As a former public school teacher, I dont trust anything this administration does regarding education, including this choice, but I do wonder if even Trump thought that Walters was too inept for his cabinet.

While Walters never directly addressed the subject of his candidacy for the education secretary position, it seemed clear in the days following the election that Walters was working to gain Trumps attention.

When local media broached the idea of him joining Trump's administration, Walters would change the subject, such as in an interview last week on Oklahoma City television station KOCO, when  in reply to a question about his interest in joining the Trump administration  Walters didnt directly answer.

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Look, my focus has been on Oklahoma schools and Oklahoma parents, Walters said. I want Oklahoma to be the leader in the country in education, so all of my conversations have been focused around how Oklahoma can lead the charge in education reform, how we can bring that America First agenda to Oklahoma, to all of our schools and students. Thats my focus.

Since the election, Walters has increased national media appearances, social media posts

But in the two weeks since the election, Walters has amped up the rhetoric while making an unusual number of national media appearances for a state superintendent from a small state, one that under Walters ranks in the bottom five nationally in most measures of educational success.

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters' bid to become the U.S. secretary of education has ended after President Donald Trump selected another person for that post.

During that time, Walters has appeared on shows on CNN, Fox News, The Blaze News, News Nation and Real Americas Voice, talking up what he perceives to be the Trump education agenda. He spent the past weekend posting multiple tweets on X, often tagging Trump or billionaire Elon Musk, who has become one of Trumps top advisers.

Walters agency also has issued seven media releases since the election, a much higher rate than usual. In one, Walters announced a new Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism inside the taxpayer-funded agency he leads, the Oklahoma State Department of Education. He also ordered Oklahoma school districts to show to students and share with parents a video of him touting the office, then leading a prayer for Trump.

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Most districts chose not to follow the directive, and the state attorney generals office backed up the districts, saying Walters had no statutory authority to make such an order.

Walters also announced he plans to create an education advisory committee within the state agency, which he said will oversee what Walters anticipates will be federal public education policy changes made once Trump reassumes that office in January. On social media, Walters has posted multiple videos echoing Trumps desire to abolish the federal Department of Education.

In another release, Walters claimed, without providing evidence, that Oklahoma schools have spent more than $450 million on illegal immigration costs and called on President Joe Bidens administration to reimburse the state and shut down Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs that Walters said waste billions while failing American families.

Walters also has pushed to spend $3 million of taxpayer money on God Bless the USA Bibles endorsed by Trump, an effort thats drawn a lawsuit in the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Separate from that attempt, Walters went ahead and spent a little less than $25,000 in state money to buy more than 500 of the so-called Trump Bibles.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Trump bypasses Oklahoma schools leader Ryan Walters for education post
(FOX40.COM)  The Sacramento Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that left two people dead on Tuesday night.

Around 6:40 p.m. SPD announced a heavy police presence in the area of Northgate Boulevard and Rosin Court and said to avoid the area.

Massive sideshow bust: More than 70 vehicles still in San Joaquin County custody

Shortly after, SPD revealed there was a shooting in the 3800 Block of Northgate Boulevard. Officers said they found a man and a woman with at least one gunshot wound. Both of them were pronounced dead at the scene.

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No arrests have been made.

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SALEM, Ohio (WKBN)  While some communities have approved the use of recreational marijuana, Salem isnt ready yet.

Read next: Hubbard marijuana dispensary to start sales Wednesday

Salem City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday to approve a moratorium for a business to sell recreational marijuana, stating they would like to see it approved at the federal level first. They also dont allow for medical marijuana.

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Until we got a lot more clarity on how the state was going to handle all the things surrounding the dispensaries, said Andrew Null who leads the committee as a whole.

Null said at their last meeting, council brought in Police Chief J.T. Panezott to discuss his thoughts.

Theres a lot of cash involved with it. Its illegal at the federal level, so what do you do with that cash? It cant go into a bank, so its going to be on-premises, and a lot of times that draws crime, Null said.

The other concern was how to enforce the laws with it. The moratorium is only temporary. Theyre open to the idea, just not right now.

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The initial discussion entertained, whats the best way to go about this? We considered a ballot initiative. We considered a couple of different options, Null said.

Council is primarily waiting until it becomes federally legal. Then, theyd open it up to voters.

Once again, as the legislative body of the city, we have to make sure that the citizens are safe and were doing it the proper way, and if we dont have a real clear path there  were just going to put the pause button on for a while until we get that, Null said.

The moratorium is for one year, but Null said it can be shortened if something changes.

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo.  The Salvation Army in Arnold is asking for donations after a fire ignited in the locations food pantry, causing significant smoke damage.

According to a release from the Salvation Army, the fire broke out around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning after a refrigerator in the food pantry caught fire at the organizations location in Arnold, located at 3740 Telegraph Road. There were no injuries in the fire, according to the release.

Although the fire began in the food pantry, the entire building has sustained significant smoke damage, the release says. The full extent of damage to the building is currently unknown and the Health Department is set to conduct a full inspection of the fire, according to the release.

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Police confirm Clayton woman killed after kidnapping

Due to the unknown state of the building, Jefferson Countys Salvation Army is asking for donations to help replenish assets lost in the fire. Due to smoke exposure, all food in the pantry will have to be disposed of, and it is yet to be determined whether donated toys stored in the building for the organizations Angel Tree Toy Town program will be safe to distribute to children in need for the Christmas season.

The organizations weekly food pantry will not be open Wednesday as it usually is, according to the release. On Thursday, the Salvation Army will move its usual feeding program across the street to the Rock Community Protection District House 5, located at 3749 Telegram Road. The organizations scheduled food drive on Saturday, Nov. 23, will also be relocated to the firehouse if needed.

If your looking to help, donations can be made online at salarmymidland.org/Arnold.

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SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  The Salvation Army of Northwest Louisiana and United

Healthcare partnered to support seniors in need this Thanksgiving by distributing free food boxes.

They will host a drive-thru event Friday, November 22, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the former Salvation Army Thrift Store, 147 East Stoner Avenue in Shreveport.

Ring in the holidays at Christmas in Roseland

Participants must be at least 55 years old and bring identification with their birthdate and address. One box per household is allowed. The event ends when the last box is given away.

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If you are not in need of a food box but would like to help the Salvation Army during the holidays, they need volunteers and donations. You can sign up or donate 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 KTALnews.com.
In this special episode of Sam Choys in the Kitchen, we celebrate the launch of the new cookbook, Family Recipes, showcasing some of the most beloved dishes inspired by Sams family traditions and local favorites. Get ready to dive into a collection of five fantastic recipes featured in the cookbook, each sponsored by cherished local brands.

1. Aloha Shoyu Poke Tower

Sponsored by Aloha Shoyu, this stunning Poke Tower layers fresh ahi poke with avocado and crispy wonton chips. Its the perfect fusion of classic flavors and a modern twist, making it a showstopper for any gathering.

2. Vegan Tofu Hekka

In collaboration with the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, this Vegan Tofu Hekka is a plant-based take on a local classic. Packed with fresh veggies and tofu, its a delicious, kidney-friendly dish that everyone can enjoy.

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3. Korean Chicken Wings

Sponsored by Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Union, these crispy, sweet, and spicy Korean Chicken Wings are sure to be a hit at your next party. The sticky glaze will have you reaching for more!

4. Kim Chee Fried Rice

Thanks to Halms Enterprises, Sam and John whip up a flavorful Kim Chee Fried Rice that brings a burst of tangy heat to the table. Its a quick and easy dish perfect for any meal of the day.

5. Canoe Crop Hawaiian Chowder

Sponsored by Spectrum, this hearty Canoe Crop Hawaiian Chowder is a comforting blend of traditional Hawaiian ingredients like taro and sweet potato, simmered together in a creamy chowder. Its the ultimate warm and nourishing dish.

Whether youre a fan of classic Hawaiian flavors or looking to try something new, this episode and the Family Recipes cookbook have something for everyone. Tune in and get inspired to bring a taste of Sam Choys kitchen into your home!

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Be sure to grab your copy of the Sam Choys in the Kitchen Cookbook: Family Recipes on www.mutualpublishing.com for more delicious dishes and family favorites!

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes)  Sam Yovanovich (Sava) passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 16, 2024 surrounded by his family.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio on February 4, 1958, to Rudy Yovanovich and Mildred Jean Novakovich, he was raised and spent his whole life in Youngstown.

Find obituaries from your high school

Sam was a graduate of Boardman High School in 1976.

He worked at Aero Aluminum for 14 years and Gasser Chair for 15 years, however, his favorite job was doing yard work and he started a lawn care business where he took wonderful care of his customers. If you ask anyone who knows him, they will say he was the hardest working person they know.

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He was an active member and altar boy at Old Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church.

Sam loved dancing and outdoor concerts. He was a lover of animals especially dogs and had many dogs throughout the years.

He is survived by his son, Eric Yovanovich; his sisters, Denise Yovanovich and Yvonne Black, as well as his brother, George Ormond Junior; nieces, Anastasia and Stephanie and mother of Eric Yovanovich, Lynn Yovanovich.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Jordan.

Calling hours will be held at Old Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, 420 North Raccoon Road, on Friday, November 22, 2024 from 10:00  11:00 a.m. with a Mass of Eastern Orthodox Christian Burial to follow beginning at 11:00 a.m.

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Burial is immediately following at Belmont Park Cemetery, 3346 Belmont Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, those inclined may send donations to the Old Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church.

Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sam Yovanovich, please visit our floral store.

A television tribute will air Thursday, November 21 at the following approximate times: 6:47 a.m. on WYTV, 9:43 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The San Diego Fire-Rescue (SDFD) kicked off the 2024 Toys for Tots drive Wednesday morning with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.

According to officials with the city of San Diego, SDFD has participated as a toy drop-off point supporting Toys for Tots for more than 20 years.

In fact, all SDFD facilities, including fire stations and several lifeguard stations, will accept donations of new, unwrapped toys and books through from now until Friday, Dec. 20.

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We are pleased to work with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves to be a collection point in the Toys

for Tots effort, said Fire Chief Robert Logan. Our employees look forward to this time of year so

they can participate in bringing holiday cheer to kids and families in need.

Toys for Tots ha been providing children with gifts during the holiday season for more than 75 years. The toys, books and other gifts collected are meant to help create positive memories for youth in the San Diego community.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  San Francisco Mayor London Breed lost her reelection race to Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie.

The Associated Press called the race Tuesday.

In conceding the race to Lurie, Breed, 50, pledged a smooth transition for the incoming mayor.

Being Mayor of San Francisco has been the greatest honor of my lifetime. Im beyond grateful to our residents for the opportunity to serve the City that raised me, she said in a statement last week.

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Breeds victory six years ago as the citys first Black female mayor  who grew up poor and in public housing  showed that no dream was impossible in the progressive, compassionate and equitable city.

She won election as mayor in June 2018 to serve out the remainder of Ed Lee's term, who died suddenly while in office.

But the honeymoon was short-lived as the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered stores and tech workers retreated to home offices. Tent encampments proliferated, as did public drug use, and her opponents said she did too little and too late.

Streets did become cleaner and homeless tents harder to find this year, but the daytime shooting in September of 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall in a popular central shopping district reignited a debate over public safety.

She was reelected in 2019 to a full term that has lasted five years instead of the typical four, after voters changed the election calendar to line up with presidential contests.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Republican state lawmaker has filed a new bill concerning illegal immigration in Tennessee.

Rep. Todd Warner (R- Chapel Hill) recently introduced House Bill 10, also known as The Tennessee Illegal Immigration Act, which aims to amend the current Tennessee code regarding the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

According to the filing, local law enforcement agencies with an undocumented person in their custody are required to request an immigration detainer from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as soon as possible. If a detainer is received, the agency must maintain custody for the maximum time listed on the detainer or until taken into ICE custody.

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Renewed push for free school meals in Tennessee

The ICE website says that if ICE doesnt assume custody after 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays), the local law enforcement agency is required to release the individual.

If that happens, the proposed legislation states that the local agency must transport that person to their preferred out-of-state city with a sanctuary policy within 700 miles.

Warners proposed legislation comes as President-elect Donald Trump doubled down on his plan to declare a national emergency and deploy the military to help carry out mass deportations.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

On Monday, Trump responded TRUE!!! to a Nov. 8 social media post by Judicial Watchs Tom Fitton.

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GOOD NEWS: Reports are the incoming @RealDonaldTrump administration prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program, Fitton wrote.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee was asked if he would support using the National Guard for immigration enforcement during a Nov. 13 press conference.

The president will set his policies and determine what his strategies are going forward and then, obviously, well work with him to implement strategies that work for Tennessee, Lee answered.

Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) urged his colleagues to tread lightly on this issue.

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Immigration is a concern among many Tennesseans, and thats something we must accept and address, however, I would caution people to think about mobilizing, what it means in the grand scheme of things, to mobilize a National Guard to enforce immigration policy in the heartland of America, Clemmons said. That would be completely unprecedented.

If passed, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2025.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  The release of body camera video, that has amassed nearly 500,000 views in a five-part series on YouTube, has a Savannah family furious.

It shows the Savannah Police Departments (SPD) response to the fatal shooting of 57-year-old Vernita Johnson, allegedly at the hands of her brother, now 61-year-old Jeffery Johnson, at their parents home on 33rd Street.

Jeffery Johnson was charged with murder in the death of a family member and remains in Chatham County Jail.

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The first video of the series was published on Nov. 11 by a true crime YouTube page Crime In All.

The problem is that the District Attorneys office says Jeffery Johnsons case is still open, confirmed to News 3 by Cook Jones and Johnsons public defender Frazier Klein.

At all times, that case has been documented as being open in my office. I do understand that the clerks office may have had that case down as being on the incompetency docket, which means the case is not closed,  Cook Jones said.

According to the family, the video is part of the court proceedings to determine whether Jeffery Johnson is competent to stand trial and should remain sealed.

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Former Savannah officer pleads not guilty in 2022 shooting of Saudi Lee

Its imperative that we get answers, and we want to know why this was put out there, said Jeffery Johnsons daughter and Vernitas niece, Jennifer Graham. And, you know, what was the reasoning? Did someone internally do it for financial gain or why was this put out there? He hasnt even stood trial yet.

Public records show Jeffery Johnson has been found incompetent, but according to Georgia state law, incompetency does not mean case-closed. It only means there are more legal steps pending a judges orders.

If the case does go to trial, the jurors will be selected from Chatham County. We want to make sure they havent previewed the evidence or been discussing the evidence. Its of primary importance as the DA that we make sure we keep that evidence contained, Cook Jones said.

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SPD told News 3 their systems indicate the case is closed, and that the body camera footage was acquired legally on Sept. 9, 2024.

SPD spokesperson Neil Pentilla said the owner of the YouTube Channel Crime In All made a bulk request that day for footage for 50 different cases, Johnsons being one of them

Savannah PD responds to shooting at E 33rd, Cedar streets

Family members say they are heartbroken and tell New 3 that the premature release of this video, they feel, has made a spectacle of their family.

This is not about getting anything out here for my dad in reference to his case, said Jeffery Johnsons other daughter, Katrina Johnson Barnwell. This is all about family, our family, our heart for Vernita, our private moments. This is something no family should have to go through.

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Pentilla also told News 3 SPD does not regularly communicate with the District Attorneys Office when fulfilling such requests.

He told News 3 in part:

The District Attorneys office does not inform Savannah Police when footage is subject to release. SPDs Open Records Office is legally charged through the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-72(a)(4)) to make the determination of what is legally allowed to be released. There are rare cases when the department might consult with the District Attorneys office on release of documents, but ultimately, the Georgia Open Records Act places the responsibility for determination on the department and at the direction of the City Attorneys office.

New 3 has several pending open requests out to the Chatham County District Attorneys Office and SPD to learn more.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
WINDBER, Pa.  A house fire was under investigation Monday on Main Street in Scalp Level.

The house had been vacant for years and was not believed to have utilities, Windber Deputy fire Chief Bob Statler said, describing the fire as suspicious.

Windber was supporting Scalp Level-Paint fire crews at the scene and had knocked down the blaze as of 5:45 p.m., Statler said. Firefighters were still inside the building dousing hot spots at that time.

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A state police fire marshal was contacted to help authorities determine where the fire originated and what caused it, Statler added.

No injuries were reported.

Richland, Central City, Sipesville, Conemaugh Township, Summerhill and Southmont fire departments also responded.
The Spanish city of Malaga has banned short-term rentals as it becomes the latest European hotspot to crack down on Airbnb.

City rules will forbid the creation of new holiday lets in areas that locals say have become saturated by tourist accommodation.

In the 43 areas of the city that will impose the ban, up to 8pc of all housing is now short-term lets advertised on platforms such as Airbnb.

It follows in the footsteps of Barcelona which announced a blanket ban on short-term lets in June to stop rents spiralling and lure more young locals back into the city.

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Edinburgh launched a similar crackdown via a new licencing system which backfired after the council was forced to lift suspensions it had placed on 450 landlords.

In Malaga, a further 32 neighbourhoods with average saturation of holiday lets  where they account for 4.53pc or above of tourist accommodation  also face restrictions. These include a requirement that flats have a separate entrance for tourists.

Spanish locals are facing a rental crisis as many complain they are being priced out by holiday let owners.

Rents in the Catalan capital have risen by 68pc over the last decade according to council data, while the cost of buying a house has risen far more slowly at 38pc.

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Jaume Collboni, the mayor of Barcelona, said rents in the city were skyrocketing, and that young people studying  as well as those on average salaries  are having to leave Barcelona because they cannot afford housing.

Similarly, in the year to September 2024 the average rent has risen 13.2pc in Malaga City and 10.1pc in the wider province of Andalucia, according to a report by Idealista, a Spanish real estate company.

In Malaga short-term holiday lets account for 65pc of all tourist accommodation, according to a study by local authorities.

Madrid, Valencia and Seville have also introduced restrictions on the spread of short-term accommodation. Vienna, in Austria, has introduced a permit regime, although in Florence a court has overturned a ban on new AirBnbs and short-term rentals in the citys historic centre.

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In Wales businesses in tourist hotspots have been haemorrhaging money after a 200pc council tax rise forced holiday homeowners to sell up.

Michael Gove, the former housing secretary, has previously criticised online letting sites for turning seaside towns into permanent Airbnb settings.

Airbnb was contacted for comment.

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NEODESHA, Kan.  Its a promise, made from one generation of Neodesha High School graduates to another.

For five years, the Neodesha Promise Scholarship Program has helped remove barriers for kids looking to go to college.

But it turns out the impact goes beyond just dollars and cents.

Were pretty excited about whats going on in Neodesha, said Ben Cutler, Neodesha Promise benefactor/Neodesha H.S. alumn.

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Ben Cutler, a University of Kansas graduate, and a (quote) born and raised Neodesha boy says when he discovered the Promise Program about ten years ago, three things stood out to him.

First, the program can help make a college education more affordable for high school graduates, like Neodesha senior Tucker Lack, who has his eye on law school.

A middle class, rural farm boy, someone like me who would have that burden of, the financial burden of going to college, this relieves that burden, and it allows me to explore these opportunities further in the academic and educational realm, said Tucker Lack, Neodesha H.S. senior.

But Cutler says the program goes beyond just finances.

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I also saw an impact on school enrollment. These were communities that were going through the same kinds of things Kansas was going through, and Neodesha, said Cutler.

Over the five years the program has been in place in Neodesha, the schools reported an eight percent enrollment increase.

That may be because of what the program has createdwhat 2020 scholarship recipient Ashton Brooks calls a support system.. going beyond just the financial support.

To come back and be a part of the community events has allowed me to give back to my community at a sooner time than me finishing my degree and then coming back to work, said Ashton Brooks, Neodesha Class of 2020/recipient.

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Its also provided $940,000 to 148 recipients.

But again, the impact is more than monetary.

Weve had a change not only in student attitudes but also staff attitudes, said Juanita Erickson, Neodesha USD 461 superintendent.

Neodesha superintendent Juanita Erickson says that shift in attitudes can be seen in how students approach the future.

Our kids now, when you tell them that they can dream and become anything that they want to, they are starting to see the connection with how they can make that happen, said Erickson.

Cutler says his New York City career in finance helped him understand it was the city he grew up in that formed him, now he wants to give back.

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Its been a labor of love for me, said Cutler.

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Three North Shore communities alerted parents there would be no classes for students yet again as their respective teachers unions and city officials could not agree on a contract.

In a letter sent home, Gloucester, Beverly, and Marblehead all confirm there will be no school on Wednesday. For Gloucester and Beverly students, this is the 8th school day they will have missed. In Marblehead, its the 7th.

All three districts are facing heavy fines, as teacher strikes in Massachusetts are illegal.

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While we have seemingly made progress, unfortunately it has not been enough, Superintendent Ben Lummis said.

Beverly Schools Superintendent Sue Charochak says the volume of outstanding items will require further discussion tomorrow.

Marblehead educators say negotiations remain ongoing.

The three districts are seeking better wages for teachers and paraprofessionals.

The Gloucester School Committee says any days canceled past Wednesday will have to be made up during part of February and/or April vacation. It was not immediately clear if Marblehead and Beverly will be doing the same thing.

Dozens came together Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil outside Gloucester city hall to honor the sacrifices families have made during this teacher strike.

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Im a parent as well and so I recognize that last-minute scramble for childcare can be expensive and exhausting and the fact that they understand this bigger picture, said Nome Graham, a teacher and parent in Gloucester. And I know some parents are having to make financial sacrifices as well because they have to make that choice to stay home with their kids.

Teachers in Gloucester and Beverly have been on strike for 12 days now with eight school days canceled including Wednesday, so the teachers union wants to say thank you to parents for allowing them to fight for better contracts.

The community support has filled us with this incredible gratitude, so having that be recognized is something that felt important to me, said Graham.

Beverly, Gloucester and Marblehead teachers rallying outside the state house right now! #boston25 pic.twitter.com/Ev4MLxPLlZ  Adam Liberatore (@bostonTVguy) November 19, 2024

Earlier Tuesday, all three teachers unions from Gloucester, Beverly and Marblehead rallied on the steps of the State House in Boston.

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Our unions are broken financially, but our will and our spirit are far from broken, said Ruth Furlong, with the Beverly Teachers Association.

Theyre now calling on state leaders and the governor to help with the negotiation process as they push for better pay and paid parental leave.

Meanwhile each union faces fines that increase by 10,000 dollars a day for continuing this strike.

There is no doubt in our minds that our respective employers moved slowly on settling agreements and allowing enough time to lapse to allow court-ordered fines to kick in, nowhere in the process of bargaining does management face consequences for not bargaining in good faith, said Furlong.

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Governor Maura Healey commented on the ongoing strikes, urging educators and officials to reach an agreement quickly.

My focus right now is on getting students back in the classroom, she said. It is unacceptable that school has been closed for more than a week in Marblehead, Gloucester and Beverly. Im urging both parties to reach an agreement as soon as possible for the good of our kids, families, educators and staff.

All canceled class days will be made up at the end of the school year, similar to that of a snow day.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Flushing pharmaceuticals down the toilet might seem like a quick and easy way to dispose of them, but it actually poses a significant danger to marine wildlife.

What's happening?

As explained by the Guardian, research from an Australian study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology revealed that waterways contaminated with the common antidepressant Prozac have affected fish bodies and behaviors "in ways that could threaten their long-term survival."

Dr. Upama Aich from Monash University, the study's co-lead author, said thousands of chemicals were "being dumped into our waterways every day." The study determined that low concentrations of fluoxetine, the drug used in Prozac, "reduced the body condition and sperm vitality of male guppies over multiple generations."

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Researchers caught and observed 3,600 wild guppies that were exposed to different concentrations of fluoxetine over five years. Aich said low exposure overwhelmingly reduced the body condition of males in the population, "which is really important, not only for mating, but also for fighting with other males, and their overall survival."

Aich also said exposure to the drug also affected the variation of activity and risk-taking behavior, which could create differences in guppies' abilities to respond to changes in the wild.

Aich added the findings "should be taken as a warning" about the guppies' ability "to live and survive and thrive in a polluted environment."

Why is this important?

Improper disposal of pharmaceuticals is a growing problem that isn't gaining enough attention.

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Dr. Minna Saaristo, a principal scientist in ecological risk and emerging contaminants at the Environment Protection Authority Victoria in Australia, led research that uncovered 18 common pharmaceuticals in four Victorian rivers and creeks, including near wastewater treatment plants. A sampling of the contaminants found common antidepressants, blood pressure, heart and epilepsy medicines, caffeine and antibiotics.

"It's a whole cocktail that we're dealing with," Saaristo said.

What's being done about this?

Saaristo said people should avoid flushing pharmaceuticals down the toilet and instead explore ways to return unwanted or expired medicines to a pharmacy.

"That will be very helpful for the fish that are swimming in our waterways," she said.

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Drug disposal kiosks, such as those found at Safeway stores, are an option for safely disposing of unused medications. By using resources like this, you can help protect both public health and the environment.

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 Scranton Fire Departments newest tool is about to take flight.

The department purchased three drones  technically classified as unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs  over the summer for just under $20,000, and received them about a month and a half ago, Fire Chief John Judge said. The Fire Departments fire inspectors, a captain and its emergency management specialist are training to pilot the drones and take certification tests through the Federal Aviation Administration,, he said. Judge anticipates most of them having their certification by the end of the year.

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Scranton Fire Department superintendent John Judge holds a spotlight attachment for the departments new DJI Mavic 3T Enterprise drones at Scranton Fire Headquarters on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. The fire departments new drones feature thermal cameras to use at fire scenes.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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One of the Scranton Fire Departments new DJI Mavic 3T Enterprise drones is seen at Scranton Fire Headquarters on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. The fire departments new drones feature thermal cameras to use at fire scenes.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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Scranton Fire Department superintendent John Judge shows the departments new DJI Mavic 3T Enterprise drones at Scranton Fire Headquarters on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. The fire departments new drones feature thermal cameras to use at fire scenes.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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One of the Scranton Fire Departments new DJI Mavic 3T Enterprise drones is seen at Scranton Fire Headquarters on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. The fire departments new drones feature thermal cameras to use at fire scenes.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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One of the Scranton Fire Departments new DJI Mavic 3T Enterprise drones is seen at Scranton Fire Headquarters on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. The fire departments new drones feature thermal cameras to use at fire scenes.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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Scranton Fire Department superintendent John Judge holds a spotlight attachment for the departments new DJI Mavic 3T Enterprise drones at Scranton Fire Headquarters on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. The fire departments new drones feature thermal cameras to use at fire scenes.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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The Fire Department joins the Scranton Police Department in adding drones to its tool kit. City police received their first drone in 2016 as a donation from Pennsylvania Paper & Supply Co.

Judge envisions using the drones to inspect hazardous buildings, at fires, HAZMAT incidents, Nay Aug Gorge and during floods. He pointed to the usefulness of a drone to gather intelligence during emergencies like the large brush fire this week on Montage Mountain.

Thats really what its about  being able to gather some more data for us to be able to make informed decisions while were putting our strategies and tactics together, whether its an incident that were on or whether were pre-planning something, Judge said. The drones just give us a unique and different view of the landscape we might be working in.

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A drone photo shows the Scranton Fire Department operating at a second alarm structure fire on Bartel Street in Oct.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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A drone photo shows the Scranton Fire Department operating at a second alarm structure fire on Bartel Street in Oct.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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A drone photo shows the Scranton Fire Department on scene of a brush fire near mile marker 191 on Interstate 81 northbound on Nov. 14, 2024.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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A drone photo shows the Scranton Fire Department working at the scene of a second alarm structure fire on Prescott Avenue in Aug.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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A drone photo shows the Scranton Fire Department working at the scene of a second alarm commercial structure fire on Birch Street in Sept.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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A drone photo shows the Scranton Fire Department operating at a second alarm structure fire on Bartel Street in Oct.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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A drone photo shows the Scranton Fire Department working at the scene of a second alarm structure fire on Prescott Avenue in Aug.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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A drone photo shows the Scranton Fire Department operating at a second alarm structure fire on Bartel Street in Oct.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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A drone photo shows the Scranton Fire Department operating at a second alarm structure fire on Bartel Street in Oct.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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A drone photo shows the Scranton Fire Department working at the scene of a second alarm commercial structure fire on Birch Street in Sept.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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A drone photo shows the Scranton Fire Department operating at a second alarm structure fire on Bartel Street in Oct.(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

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The Fire Department spent several years researching drones and talking to other departments that already use them, Judge said.

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One decision was to figure out whether to get one expensive drone with all the bells and whistles on it or to instead buy multiple, less-expensive drones for redundancy and different applications, Judge said. The department ultimately decided to get three DJI Mavic 3T Enterprise drones.

DJI advertises its Mavic 3T drones as having both wide angle and zoom cameras, including 56x zoom, as well as a thermal imaging camera.

The thermal imaging cameras will allow firefighters to see hot spots coming through the roof during large building fires  something thats especially useful if they are unable to safely access certain sections of a building due to damage, he said.

This UAV is going to keep our personnel and staff, hopefully, out of harms way when were just trying to do some reconnaissance and be able to get some information to make some informed decisions while were developing our strategies and our tactics, Judge said.

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With city firefighters often dispatched to Nay Aug Gorge during the summer as people illegally dive into the churning waters, Judge said the drones will allow them to search the shorelines more easily rather than sending first responders over the rough terrain.

In addition to giving firefighters the ability to develop a quicker operational picture, Judge said the drones and their detailed cameras also will help city engineers and code enforcement officials to assess the aftermath of a fire by showing them areas of damaged buildings that could be otherwise inaccessible.

Now you have a drone thats not in harms way rather than putting city engineers or code enforcement officials or fire inspectors in harms way, he said.

Overall, the drones will give fire officials information to make decisions rather than guessing or relying on past experience, Judge said, explaining the Fire Departments goal is to mitigate incidents quickly in order to limit the loss of life and property.

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Anytime youre able to do that, thats going to affect the health and safety of our emergency responders, he said. Just as importantly, its going to affect our ability to hopefully save lives or identify people that are in peril and then mitigate that incident quicker.

Like Judge, Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti pointed to the utility of drones during emergencies, both as a way of getting eyes on a situation right away and in its aftermath. For example, if theres a flood, the city could use the drones and the footage they record to more quickly and accurately survey damage and apply for emergency funds, she said.

So, huge range of uses, from the very immediate life-saving uses to getting funds for the city in the case of the aftermath of emergencies, she said. It shows Chief Judge and Deputy Chief (Dan) Hallowichs continued modernization of the department and forward thinking.

With both the police and fire departments using drones, Cognetti said it shows that Scranton is using technology to save lives and save money.

Saving lives is always the primary goal, but making sure that we are efficient with taxpayer dollars and utilizing the latest technology within our budget is important to our administration, she said. You see from the investments weve made that our chiefs in the Fire Department and the Police Department are focused on that.
At a time of heightened international tension, it seems perverse for Britain to scrap the Armys primary drone system when such weapons are increasingly supplanting more conventional armaments in modern warfare.

John Healey, the Defence Secretary, told MPs that outdated projects across all three armed forces are to be scrapped to save around 500 million over five years. In addition, the Royal Navy is to lose five ships while the RAF will see older helicopters dispensed with as part of a cost-cutting exercise ordered by the Treasury.

If they were all being replaced with state of the art equipment then such measures might be acceptable; but they are part of a package of cuts to the MoD budget just when it needs to be increased.

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They were announced even though a major review of Britains defence needs is under way and is not due to report until next year. It is ostensibly looking at how to adapt the military to fight better in a more contested world but the Treasury thinks the military must do more for less.

This cheese-paring of our defence is madness given the current global threat. Vladimir Putin has once again raised the spectre of nuclear war after Ukraine fired US and British long-range missiles into Russian territory  but most strategists dismiss this as bluster. More likely is a conventional clash between Nato and Russia.

The drone is one weapon that is being used on an almost daily basis in the conflict, so removing the Armys Watchkeeper capacity, even if it is 14 years old, looks premature unless Mr Healey has an alternative ready and waiting. One source said that when drones appear to dominate the Ukrainian battlefield, the Army seems to be divesting itself of drones. Insiders say that while the craft is out of date, the sensors it carries remain good.

Whitehall officials say it is time for a better drone system and doubtless that is true, provided the replacement is immediately available when the Watchkeepers are retired. The armed services do not want to be hampered by old equipment but neither do they want to end up with nothing. As Admiral Lord West, the former First Sea Lord, observed, new amphibious ships for the Royal Navy must be ordered now, otherwise they wont be available when needed.

However, these decisions are not strategic, but measures designed to save money despite a Labour pledge to increase defence spending. If the Government wants cuts, it should look elsewhere.

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President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet will have at least one Wisconsinite in it: Trump named former Wisconsin Republican congressman Sean Duffy as the head of the Department of Transportation on Nov. 18, 2024.

Duffy represented Wisconsins 7th congressional district, which covers much of the states northern counties, from 2011 to 2019. Most recently, he was a co-host of the Fox Business show The Bottom Line. Prior to his time in Congress, he had a stint on the MTV reality show, The Real World.

With Duffy headed back to Washington, we took a look back at how he fared on PolitiFacts Truth-O-Meter.

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Weve fact-checked 23 statements from him since he first jumped in the race for Congress. Many of them criticized high-profile Democrats like former President Barack Obama and 2016 presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, or key Democratic issues like the Affordable Care Act, abortion access and government spending.

We rated two of his statements Mostly True, eight Half True, six Mostly False, four False and three Pants on Fire. Heres a sampling:

Mostly True: Republicans have won a thousand seats since Obamacare, July 27, 2017.

Half True: Explosive growth in Medicare is the reason federal deficit spending is predicted to top $1 trillion again after falling to $600 billion annually, May 11, 2014

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Mostly False: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have left us with $19 trillion in debt, July 19, 2016

False: Tyson Foods announced it would hire 52,000 migrants, March 21, 2024

Pants on Fire: One of George Soross companies has provided some of the (voting) machines for some states, Oct. 31, 2016

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Revisiting five Sean Duffy claims on PolitiFact's Truth-O-Meter
A widespread Seattle power outage is impacting about half a million residents as Puget Sound Energy (PSE) attempts to restore electricity to numerous homes. An incredibly powerful bomb cyclone storm in the middle of November is hitting the northwestern US, downing power lines with high winds and rainfall in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California. Most of the power outages are centered around Seattle, but there are other counties in Washington experiencing outages as well. Heres when PSE is expected to restore power.

When will Puget Sound Energy fix Seattle power outages?

Puget Sound Energy expects that the Seattle power outage will be a multiple-day outage in an official report made by the company on Tuesday, November 20, at 6 AM PT.

Considering that this bomb cyclone storm is projected to pelt Washington until Thursday night or Friday morning, per Accuweather, restoring power in the area could be delayed relative to normal circumstances.

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As of 5:20 a.m. on Tuesday, PSE notes that over 416,000 customers are out of power and the company has been fielding numerous 911 calls for emergencies. The PSE outage map at 10:25 am has lowered this figure to about 388,000, while PowerOutage.us reports that 485,000 Washington residents are still affected, so it looks like power is being restored gradually. That said, it is working on repairing critical needs first and asks affected customers for their patience.

The 80+ mph winds experienced on Tuesday will likely lower as the storm moves over land and the central pressure of the cyclone rises, but additional power lines could still come down on Wednesday and Thursday. Over the next two days, an atmospheric river over the Pacific continues to provide moisture for the cyclone. The company says that it continues to receive reports of downed lines.

In the meantime, PSE recommends that customers make alternate plans for power and reminds residents not to use charcoal, a gas grill, or a natural gas range for indoor heating due to its potential of building carbon monoxide gas. Portable heaters should kept away from flammable materials, and flashlights should be used in lieu of candles.

The post Seattle Power Outage: When Will PSE Restore Power During Bomb Cyclone Storm? appeared first on Mandatory.
Nov. 19Bradley Asbury, a former house leader at the Youth Development Center, helped hold down a 14-year-old boy in a staircase as two other youth counselors raped him in the 1990s, a prosecutor said in court Tuesday.

Asbury, 69, is the second former YDC employee to go to trial after a sweeping investigation into abuse at the former juvenile detention facility in the 1990s and 2000s.

Asbury faces two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault (accomplice). He was arrested by State Police in 2021. He is one of eight former workers facing criminal trials.

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Prosecutor Audriana Mekula began her opening statement in Asbury's trial at Hillsborough County Superior Court in Manchester by showing the jury of nine women and five men a picture of Michael Gilpatrick when he was 14 years old.

(The Union Leader doesn't routinely identify victims of sex crimes, but Gilpatrick has gone public with his allegations.)

In May 1998, Gilpatrick had earned a furlough to leave the property, but failed to return on time and ended up being arrested by Derry police and brought back. After a confrontation in Asbury's office about going AWOL, Asbury and three other staffers carried him to a staircase landing where he was raped, Mekula said.

"All four youth counselors, including the defendant, carried Mike up to his room and locked him back in there as if nothing happened," she said. "Mike did not tell anyone of this rape while he was at YDC. He did not tell anyone about this rape when he left YDC. Mike kept this rape a secret for a long time after he left YDC."

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The three other staffers  Jeffrey Buskey, Stephen Murphy and James Woodlock  also face criminal trials.

Mekula acknowledged that Gilpatrick filed a civil lawsuit seeking damages for the alleged abuse.

In his opening statement, defense attorney David Rothstein said the money Gilpatrick is seeking in his lawsuit hinges on his testimony. Before he talked to State Police, Rothstein said, Gilpatrick spoke with an investigator for a lawyer seeking plaintiffs to file lawsuits against YDC and he spoke with another resident, David Meehan, who was the first to file a lawsuit.

"You will hear that Michael Gilpatrick was deep into the business of suing the state of New Hampshire before he gave a statement to New Hampshire State Police," Rothstein said.

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He told the jury there will be "many reasons to doubt" Gilpatrick's testimony, including what day it happened and details of where Gilpatrick was leading up to the alleged rape. One of the four accused men wasn't working that night, Rothstein said.

"There was no gang rape on the staircase of East Cottage," he said. "Brad Asbury is not guilty of these charges."

The jury will be unable to visit East Cottage; it has been torn down and no pictures exist of the staircase.

"There was no time of day, no time of night, where an act like the one Michael Gilpatrick is going to describe to you could have occurred without anyone seeing what was going on," Rothstein said.

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Gilpatrick's was the second of more than 1,000 lawsuits filed alleging abuse at YDC over the course of decades.

Gilpatrick is now 41 years old.

"He is not keeping his rape a secret anymore," prosecutor Mekula said. "This trial is about how Mike was raped. It is not about revenge and it is not about money."

The first criminal trial against a former YDC worker  Victor Malavet, who faces 12 charges of aggravated felonious sexual assault for incidents that allegedly took place between June and November 2001  ended in a mistrial in September after the jury deadlocked.

Three other criminal cases were dropped, because one defendant was found not competent to stand trial, one died and the other because of the lack of evidence.

Asbury's trial could last up to four days.

jphelps@unionleader.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  When the Jefferson County Coroners Office is unable to find relatives of the deceased, they are buried at the Jefferson County Cemetery.

There is one veteran whose public notice of death led to him being buried in a place of honor. The publics help, however, is still needed to solve the mystery of his death.

He survived the forgotten war in North Korea and fought in Vietnam. His headstone at Arlington National Cemetery tells that part of the life story of U.S. Army Maj. John Howard Logan.

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What it does not say is during the last year of his life at 84 years old, Logan fell victim to a homicide in Crestwood. The recorded date: April 16, 2015. Thats where the mystery about Logan starts, just up the street in this historic Birmingham neighborhood on Cresthill Road.

I was proud that I lived next door to a veteran, Mary Ellen Janik said.

Janik said Logan didnt own a car and that he walked everywhere. It wasnt unusual not to see him.

There were sometimes I only saw him twice a year, Janik said. The last time I saw him, he had a fall or some kind of accident when he was traveling, so he was on a walker.

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That was the last time I knew of him, Janik continued. Then winter came.

8th person set to plead guilty in Anthony Tony Mitchells death

Months went by before the discovery of his body in April 2015. Although Logans body was found that spring, its unclear how long hed been dead inside his house.

The condition of his remains were consistent with him being last seen towards the end of the previous year, said Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates. They were partially skeletonized, partially mummified, which also made it more difficult to find him in the residence.

Janik regrets not realizing Logan was missing sooner.

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January was the first time when that gentleman came in the driveway and asked if I had seen him recently because they had plans to go to dinner, and he couldnt reach John, and thats when that started it all, Janik said.

It wasnt unusual for him to take trips, Janik continued. He never really talked about it that much. I did know he did a trip to Europe.

Winter turned to spring  and still no signs of Logan.

You all called police because you began to smell an odor?

It was March or April, Janik said. They finally went into the house because the odor became so bad.

Det. Jonathan Ross is a cold case investigator with the Birmingham Police Department. He said the police and fire departments went inside the house to investigate.

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After an hour or couple hours had passed, they finally found the victim, Ross said. He lived alone, and he was a hoarder, and thats why it took them so long to find the body.

He had been shot multiple times in his torso, Yates said. So from that, we determined his death was due to a homicide.

A homicide that still stands out to Yates because of what happened. A public notification to find next of kin turned up results Yates said fairly quickly.

Birmingham Police Academy starts largest class since 2019

Logans case ended up in the Jefferson County Probate Court in the care of county administrator Elizabeth McElroy, who settled his estate. But Logans body remained at the Jefferson County Coroners Office for 10 months, and then he reached his final resting place.

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During those months, Yates said the mystery deepened.

We started getting phone calls from the public about Mr. Logan but were coming from across the pond in Europe, Yates said. We find out he had two or three friends/past co-workers, individuals who had worked with him in the military. I believe after the military, he might have done some other type of government work. From my understanding, he was fluent in multiple languages.

But police believe somebody here in the county that Logan fought for killed him in cold blood.

Im believing that whoever committed this homicide against Mr. John, he knew him or knew her or somebody that was in his home that he felt comfortable with or did at the time due to the fact the door was locked and had to be breached, Ross said.

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For Birmingham police, Logans cold case is not a forgotten case. Ross said he believes someone saw something that can help. Those with information on Logans death are urged to call the BPD Cold Case Unit at 205-297-8479 or its homicide unit at 205-254-1764.

Part two interview with Detective Jonathan Ross

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

This story was originally published by ProPublica.

Private schools across the South that were established for white children during desegregation are now benefiting from tens of millions in taxpayer dollars flowing from rapidly expanding voucher-style programs, a ProPublica analysis found.

In North Carolina alone, we identified 39 of these likely segregation academies that are still operating and that have received voucher money. Of these, 20 schools reported student bodies that were at least 85% white in a 2021-22 federal survey of private schools, the most recent data available.

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Those 20 academies, all founded in the 1960s and 1970s, brought in more than $20 million from the state in the past three years alone. None reflected the demographics of their communities. Few even came close.

Northeast Academy, a small Christian school in rural Northampton County on the Virginia border, is among them. As of the 2021-22 survey, the schools enrollment was 99% white in a county that runs about 40% white.

Every year since North Carolina launched its state-funded private school voucher program in 2014, the academy has received more and more money. Last school year, it received about $438,500 from the program, almost half of its total reported tuition. Northeast is on track to beat that total this school year.

Vouchers play a similar role at Lawrence Academy, an hours drive south. It has never reported Black enrollment higher than 3% in a county whose population hovers around 60% Black. A small school with less than 300 students, it received $518,240 in vouchers last school year to help pay for 86 of those students.

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Farther south, Pungo Christian Academy has received voucher money every year since 2015 and, as of the last survey, had become slightly more white than when the voucher program began. It last reported a student body that was 98% white in a county that was 65% white.

Segregation academies that remain vastly white continue to play an integral role in perpetuating school segregation  and, as a result, racial separation in the surrounding communities. We found these academies benefiting from public money in Southern states beyond North Carolina. But because North Carolina collects and releases more complete data than many other states, it offers an especially telling window into what is happening across this once legally segregated region where legislatures are rapidly expanding and adopting controversial voucher-style programs.

Called Opportunity Scholarships, North Carolinas voucher program launched in 2014. At first, it was only for low-income families and had barely more than 1,200 participants. Then last fall, state lawmakers expanded eligibility to students of all income levels and those already attending private school, a move that sparked furious debate over the future of public education.

We are ensuring that every child has the chance to thrive, Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham argued. But Democratic Rep. Julie von Haefen pointed to vouchers legacy of white supremacy and called the expansion a gross injustice to the children of North Carolina.

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So many students flocked to the program that the state now has a waitlist of about 54,000 children. Paying for all of them to receive vouchers  at a cost of $248 million  would more than double the current number of participants in the program. Republicans in the General Assembly, along with three Democrats, passed a bill in September to do just that.

Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, vetoed the measure. But the GOP supermajority is expected to override it before the years end, perhaps as early as Nov. 19.

Opportunity Scholarships dont always live up to their name for Black children. Private schools dont have to admit all comers. Nor do they have to provide busing or free meals. Due to income disparities, Black parents also are less likely to be able to afford the difference between a voucher that pays at most $7,468 a year and an annual tuition bill that can top $10,000 or even $20,000.

And unlike urban areas that have a range of private schools, including some with diverse student bodies, segregation academies are the only private schools available in some rural counties across the South.

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Josh Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State, studies these barriers and sees where vouchers fall short for some: Eligibility does not mean access.

Of the 20 vastly white segregation academies we identified that received voucher money in North Carolina, nine were at least 30 percentage points more white than the counties in which they operate, based on 2021-22 federal survey and census data.

Otis Smallwood, superintendent of the Bertie County Schools in rural northeastern North Carolina, witnesses this kind of gulf in the district he leads. So many white children in the area attend Lawrence Academy and other schools that his districts enrollment runs roughly 22 percentage points more Black than the county overall.

He said he tries not to be political. But he feels the brunt of an intensifying Republican narrative against public schools, which still educate most of North Carolinas children. Its been chipping, chipping, chipping, trying to paint this picture that public schools are not performing well, Smallwood said. Its getting more and more and more extreme.

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When a ProPublica reporter told him that Lawrence Academy received $518,240 last school year in vouchers, he was dismayed: Thats half a million dollars I think could be put to better benefit in public schools.

If lawmakers override the governors veto to fund the waitlist, Smallwoods district could suffer most. In a recent report, the Office of State Budget and Management projected Bertie County could lose more of its state funding than any other district  1.6% next year.

Across the once legally segregated South, the volume of public money flowing through voucher-style programs is set to balloon in coming years. Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida and South Carolina all have passed new or expanded programs since 2023. (South Carolinas state Supreme Court rejected its tuition grants in September, but GOP lawmakers are expected to try again with a revamped court.)

Voucher critics contend these programs will continue to worsen school segregation by helping wealthier white kids attend private schools; supporters argue they help more Black families afford tuition. But many of the states have made it hard to discern if either is happening by failing to require that the most basic demographic data be shared with the public  or even gathered.

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This doesnt surprise Cowen, who wrote the new book The Privateers: How Billionaires Created a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers. He said Southern legislatures in particular dont want to know what the data would show because the results, framed by a legacy of racism, could generate negative headlines and lawsuit fodder.

States know how to collect vast troves of education data. North Carolina in particular is lauded among global researchers for the robustness and the richness of the data system for public schools, Cowen said.

North Carolina and Alabama are among the states that have gathered demographic information about voucher recipients but wont tell the public the race of students who use them to attend a given school. In North Carolina, a spokesperson said doing so could reveal information about specific students, making that data not a public record under the Opportunity Scholarship statue.

For its $120 million tax credit program, Georgia does not collect racial demographic information or per-school spending. ProPublica was able to identify 20 segregation academies that signed up to take part, but its unclear how many are receiving that money or what the racial breakdown is of the students who use it.

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Why should we not be allowed to know where the money is going? Its a deliberate choice by those who pass these laws, said Jessica Levin, director of Public Funds Public Schools, a national anti-voucher campaign led by the nonprofit Education Law Center. There is a lack of transparency and accountability.

Advocacy groups that support widespread voucher use have resisted some rules that foster greater transparency out of concern that they might deter regulation-averse private schools from participating. Mike Long, president of the nonprofit Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, is among those trying to rally as much private school buy-in for vouchers as possible.

Their fear is that if they accept it, these are tax dollars, and therefore they would have to submit to government regulation, Long said. Weve lobbied this legislature, and I think they understand it very well, that you cant tie regulation to this.

The share of Black students who have received vouchers in North Carolina has dropped significantly since the program's launch. In 2014, more than half the recipients were Black. This school year, the figure is 17%.

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That share is unlikely to increase if lawmakers fund all 54,000 students on the waiting list. Because lower-income families were prioritized for vouchers, the applicants who remain on the list are mostly in higher income tiers  and those families are more likely to be white.

More Black parents dont apply for vouchers because they dont know about them, said Kwan Graham, who oversees parent liaisons for Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina.

Graham, who is Black, said parents havent voiced to her concerns that, Im Black, they dont want me at their local private schools. But shes also not naive. Private schools can largely select  and reject  who they want.

The nonprofit Public Schools First NC has tallied admissions policies that private schools receiving vouchers use to reject applicants based on things like sexuality, religion and disability. Many also require in-person interviews or tours. Rather than overtly rejecting students based on race, which the voucher program prohibits, schools might say something like, Come visit the school and see if youre the right fit, said Heather Koons, the nonprofits communications and research director.

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Northeast Academy, Lawrence Academy and Pungo Christian all include nondiscrimination statements on their websites.

Back when segregation academies opened, some white leaders proudly declared their goal of preserving segregation. Others shrouded their racist motivations. Some white parents complained about federal government overreach and what they deemed social agendas and indoctrination in public schools. Even as violent backlash against integration erupted across the region, many white parents framed their decisions as quests for quality education, morality and Christian education, newspaper coverage and school advertisements from the time show.

Early on, Southern lawmakers found a way to use taxpayer money to give these academies a boost: They created school voucher programs that went chiefly to white students.

Courts ruled against or restricted the practice in the 1960s. But it didnt really end.

If you look at the history of the segregation movement, they wanted vouchers to prop up segregation academies, said Bryan Mann, a University of Kansas professor who studies school segregation. And now theyre getting vouchers in some of these areas to prop up these schools.

More recently, Lawrence and Northeast academies both grew their enrollments while receiving voucher money even as the rural counties where they operate have lost population. Over three decades of responding to the federal private schools survey, both academies have reported enrolling almost no nonwhite children. And Pungo Christian has raised its average tuition by almost 50% over the past three school years. During that time, the small school has received almost $500,000 in vouchers.

None of the three academies headmasters responded to ProPublicas request to discuss its findings or to lists of questions. And none have ever reported more than 3% Black enrollment despite operating in counties with substantial  even majority  Black populations.

One of the Democrats who helped Republicans expand North Carolinas voucher program was Shelly Willingham, a Black representative whose district includes Bertie County, home of Lawrence Academy. He said he doesnt love vouchers, but the bills have included funding for issues he does support.

He also said he encourages his constituents to take advantage of the vouchers. If there were any effort to make it more difficult for Black students to attend those schools, then I would have a big problem, Willingham said. I dont see that.

Another Democrat who voted with Republicans was state Rep. Michael Wray, a white businessman and former House minority whip  who graduated from Northeast Academy.

Wray, whose voting record on vouchers over the years has been mixed, did not respond to multiple ProPublica requests to discuss his views. In 2013, he voted against the budget bill that established the Opportunity Scholarships. And in a recent Q&A with the local Daily Herald newspaper, when asked if he supports taxpayer money funding private schools, he responded: I believe that when you siphon funds away from our public school budgets, it undermines the success of our schools overall.

Rodney Pierce, a Black 46-year-old father and public school teacher, saw the voucher expansion in the state budget bill Wray voted for and felt history haunt him. Pierce had only one white student in his classes last year at Gaston STEM Leadership Academy. But about 30 miles across the rural county, white children filled Northeast Academy.

Pierce taught history, with a deep interest in civil rights. Hed studied the voucher programs that white supremacists crafted to help white families flee to segregation academies.

This stuff was in the works back in the 1960s, Pierce said.

He was so outraged that he challenged Wray, a 10-term incumbent, for his state House seat. Pierce won the Democratic primary earlier this year by just 34 votes. He faced no opponent in November, so come next year he will cut the Houses support of vouchers by one vote.

Particularly in the Black community, we care about our public schools, he said.

Many Black families also have little to no relationship with their local private schools, especially those that opened specifically for white children and are still filled with them. The only times Pierce had set foot on Northeast Academys campus was when he covered a few sporting events there for the local newspaper.

People there were nice to him, he said, but he felt anxious: Youre in an academy you know was started by people who didnt want their children to go to school with Black children.

His own three kids attend public schools. Even with vouchers, he said, he wouldnt send them to a school founded as a segregation academy, much less one that still fosters segregation. He finds it insulting to force taxpayers, including the Black residents he will soon represent  about half of the people in his district  to pay to send other peoples children to these schools.

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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

Check out more Teen Vogue education coverage:
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Lackawanna County began its recount of ballots in the closely contested senate race between Bob Casey and David McCormick Tuesday.

All counties across Pennsylvania are required to start their recount by Wednesday.

The recount was automatically triggered due to the narrow margin between incumbent Democrat Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick.

The process also comes amid controversy over 449 provisional ballots the Lackawanna County Board of Elections reviewed those ballots last week, rejecting more than half for errors like missing voter signatures, missing election official signatures, or missing secrecy envelopes.

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Could Pennsylvania see snowfall this week?

Only 103 provisional ballots were ultimately counted in total, the county is recounting 85,319 in-person ballots and 31,304 mail-in ballots.

So when youre doing a recount the ballots have to be counted in a different manner, than they were originally counted, so all of our mail-in ballots are being counted on a high-speed scanner and the election day ballots are being counted on our 3 450 high-speed scanners that we originally used to count our mail-in. The provisional ballots are scanned in a different manner and theyll be cast to the side so theyre not included in what we are doing right now they will be done in the adjudication process, explained Elizabeth Hopkins, Director of Elections.

Hopkins says they expect to finish the recount by Wednesday.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
On Tuesday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to give the District of Columbia the freedom to build a new stadium at the old RFK Stadium site.

The D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act passed the Senate committee with a 17-2 vote. Only Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) voted against it.

The hopes are that the new stadium built on the old RFK site would then become the future home of the Washington Commanders, bringing the franchise back to the location where five Washington Redskins Super Bowl teams played their home games beginning in the 1961 season through the 1996 season.

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This was a bipartisan effort, and the vote now means the Congress, which adjourns on December 20, must proceed with the next legal step.

There is opposition, and it is not a matter of Republicans and Democrats opposing each other. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) publicly declared himself against the legislation, referring to the proposal as not in the best interest of the American taxpayer.

Previously, the state of Maryland, which now houses the Commanders at the newly named Northwest Stadium in Landover, had approved the state investing $400 million into the Northwest Stadium area.

The Commanders are obligated to play at the current Landover stadium through the 2027 season. Moore, understandably, doesn't want the Commanders to go back to the District. He wants to keep them in Maryland by building a new stadium near the current stadium.

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Meanwhile, DC mayor Muriel Bowser has publicly expressed for some time that she envisions the old RFK site as one rebuilt for the Commanders' new home, with restaurants and housing also included in the project.

Todays vote marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to unlock the potential of the RFK Campus, Bowser said in a statement after Tuesdays vote.

Bowser continued, We look forward to a full vote on the Senate floor so we can get it signed into law before years end.

The Redskins, in the 1961 season, began playing in what was then called "District of Columbia Stadium." The name was shortened understandably to "D.C. Stadium".

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Senator Robert F Kennedy was assassinated in 1968, and the stadium was renamed in 1969 to "Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium," which naturally soon became known simply as "RFK."

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Senate Committee vote could one day see Commanders in DC
Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray asking for the complete evidentiary file from the bureaus investigation into allegations of sex trafficking of minors against former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), whom President-elected Trump has tapped to become the next attorney general.

The Democratic senators, led by Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (Ill.), say the allegations against Gaetz are significant in light of his associate, Joel Greenberg, having pleaded guilty to the sex trafficking charge for which the Florida Republican was also investigated.

In order for the Senate to perform its constitutional duty in this instance, we must be able to thoroughly review all relevant materials that speak to the credibility of these serious allegations against Mr. Gaetz, the senators wrote in their letter to Wray on Wednesday.

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The senators wrote that the grave public allegations against Mr. Gaetz speak directly to his fitness to serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the federal government.

They argued there is substantial precedent for providing such materials to Congress, citing the acknowledgment of Dan Bryant, the Justice Departments assistant attorney general for legislative affairs, during a House Government Reform hearing in 2002 that the FBI has shared documents related to open and closed investigations with members dozens of times.

Democrats noted the FBI in the past provided to Congress more than 2,000 pages of bureau interviews and summaries related to its investigation of allegations of improper fundraising by the 1996 Clinton-Gore campaign, and more than 880,000 pages of documents related to the decision not to charge former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server to transmit and store government documents.

The letter was signed by Durbin and Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Laphonza Butler (Calif.), Chris Coons (Del.), Peter Welch (Vt.), Cory Booker (N.J.) and Alex Padilla (Calif.).

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Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), who will take over as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee next year, has urged the House Ethics Committee to provide its report about the allegations against Gaetz to the Senate Judiciary panel.

I think that they should  if they want this process to go smoothly, they shouldnt inhibit anyway of getting any information the committee needs, he said of the FBIs findings related to the allegations against Gaetz.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee asked the FBI on Wednesday to hand over the complete evidentiary file on attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz, whos been accused of sex trafficking a minor, illicit drug use and other crimes.

The letter, signed by 10 lawmakers, asks FBI Director Christopher Wray to provide the committee with the file from the agencys past investigation into the former Florida congressman so that they may fulfill their constitutional duty to vet President-elect Donald Trumps pick for the countrys highest law enforcement position.

The FBI should turn over the complete files of its investigation into Matt Gaetz. pic.twitter.com/u8md8RuTpL  Senate Judiciary Committee (@JudiciaryDems) November 20, 2024

The grave public allegations against Mr. Gaetz speak directly to his fitness to serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the federal government, the letter says. The unanswered questions regarding Mr. Gaetzs alleged conduct are particularly significant given that his associate, Joel Greenberg, pleaded guilty to the sex trafficking charge for which Mr. Gaetz was also investigated.

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The Department of Justice, which oversees the FBI, ended its probe into Gaetz last year without filing charges. The investigation reportedly stalled because of concerns about the credibility of two key witnesses. Gaetz has denied the allegations against him.

The letters signatories argue that there is substantial precedent for the FBI providing lawmakers with materials concerning both open and closed investigations, including testimony and memos. They cited eight examples.

Matt Gaetz is Trump's pick for attorney general despite the sexual misconduct allegations against him. Bloomberg via Getty Images

In order for the Senate to perform its constitutional duty in this instance, we must be able to thoroughly review all relevant materials that speak to the credibility of these serious allegations against Gaetz, the letter concludes.

All Democrats on the committee except Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) signed the letter.

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While that Justice Departments probe came to a close last year, the House Ethics Committee continued its separate investigation into Gaetz and was gearing up to release its report on him publicly. But the committee was forced to cease its probe last week when Gaetz abruptly resigned from office. He said doing so would allow his replacement to take office in time for the next Congress.

The House Ethics Committee is meeting Wednesday to discuss whether to release its report on Gaetz, despite protestations from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

Earlier this week, a lawyer told media outlets that two women hes representing testified before the committee that Gaetz paid them for sex and that one of them witnessed him having sex with a 17-year-old girl in 2017.

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Gun-rights groups are pursuing several strategies to win the right to openly carry firearms in Florida. (Photo by Matt Rourke/The Associated Press)

Advocates pushing for Florida to join the overwhelming majority of states that allow the open carry of guns arent happy with state Senate President Ben Albritton after he said Tuesday that he has no desire to cross the Florida Sheriffs Association, which disfavors open carry.

Florida Senate President Ben Albritton speaking to reporters on Nov. 19, 2024. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

Let me be clear about this: Ive supported law enforcement my entire life. Its the way I was raised. And Ive been super consistent as a legislator to support law enforcement in Florida, and I encourage you to check that record. And I stand with them today in opposition, Albritton told reporters in his first media availability after being sworn in as the presiding officer for the next two years.

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They oppose it. And I trust my law enforcement officials. And thats where I stand.

A spokesperson for the Florida Sheriffs Association told the Phoenix last year that the group did not have a position on open carry, since there isnt any formal legislation on Open Carry specifically.

However, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, at the time chair of the FSA, told the Senate Criminal Justice Committee in February 2023 that he is a staunch opponent of open carry. We dont need open carry in Florida.

Although long thought of as a state with few gun restrictions, Florida is one of only four in the nation that ban the open carrying of a firearm either with or without a permit (the others are California, New York, and Illinois). Thats a limitation that gun rights advocates have been unsuccessful in overturning, and Albrittons comments left a sour taste in the mouth of one prominent Second Amendment supporter.

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He just smacked Floridas gun owners in the face after those gun owners gave him the very office he holds because they installed a Republican supermajority into power that put him in that office, said Luis Valdes, Florida state director of Gun Owners of America (GAO), in a text message to the Phoenix Wednesday.

Hopes for a bill

Valdes said his organization has been working with state lawmakers over the summer to draft open carry legislation for the 2025 session, which begins in March. Theyve filed a federal lawsuit against the states ban, and theyve pressed Gov. Ron DeSantis to support open carry.

Speaking on the Bob Rose show on Nov. 4, the day before Election Day balloting on Amendment 3 on recreational cannabis, Rose told the governor, Id much rather have open carry than weed, but thats just me, governor.

Well, you may get that in this upcoming legislative session, so stay tuned on that, DeSantis responded.

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It should be noted that DeSantis said he would sign such legislation in 2023 but that it would be up to legislative leaders to send him a bill. He later amended his response to say that he didnt believe that state lawmakers were going to pass such legislation.

Clearly, Sen. Albritton is against Gov. DeSantis, Floridians, and the Second Amendment, Valdes said Wednesday. GOA will not stop pressing the issue, and we will get open carry legalized, PERIOD.

Some possibilities

Albritton did sound more open to the possibility of repealing provisions of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act, passed following the mass shooting at that Broward County High School.

During the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions, the Florida House passed proposals to lower the legal age to purchase of a long gun from 21 to 18 and remove a provision authorizing a mandatory waiting period to purchase a gun before a background check has been completed. But neither became law, because they went nowhere in the Senate, in large part due to then-Senate President Kathleen Passidomos opposition.

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However, there has been a changing of the guard in the Florida Senate, with Albritton succeeding Passidomo. On Tuesday in Tallahassee, the Phoenix asked Albritton whether he was open to such proposals.

If a bill gets filed that deals with that, well take a close look at that and see what the implications are, he replied. But at the end of the day, its due real caution.

Katie Betta, a spokesperson for President Albritton, told the Phoenix that his office would not comment on the issue beyond his statement on Tuesday.
(NewsNation)  A report released by a Republican Senator Tuesday claims that failures by President Joe Bidens administration have led to the exploitation and abuse of migrant children.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, launched a formal investigation more than a year and a half ago into the administrations policies on the treatment and care of unaccompanied children after he said he noticed an alarming rise in illegal child labor.

The results of that report allege that top administration officials knew about the dramatic increase in illegal child labor, but took no meaningful steps to prevent its occurrence and prioritized speed over safety when releasing [unaccompanied children] to adult sponsors for political gain due to their failed immigration policies and the crisis at the southern border.

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Cassidy, who will likely serve as the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, called out Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for not doing more to protect migrant children.

Trump will use military assets to remove migrants in US illegally

The exploitation of unaccompanied children has been documented for years. The Biden-Harris administration should have fixed its policies to protect these children, but instead it subverted Congress and states to cover up its mistakes, Cassidy said in a statement. This lack of transparency to the American people is reprehensible. It is hard to see this as anything other than an attempt to shield the Biden-Harris administration from accountability.

The more than 170 page report alleges several overarching failures including that the administration weakened the sponsor vetting process that allowed children to get into the country without proper oversight.

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It also states that the Office of Refugee Resettlement decided to overhaul the sponsor vetting process by relying on a single third-party contractor, The Providencia Group, to conduct all sponsor vetting for the agency despite having an abysmal record providing similar services to ORR in the past.

Another failure highlighted by the report is that the administration was more focused on fixing child labor violations that already occurred versus preventing them, which led child labor violations to remain at record highs.

Lastly, it states that the administration was obstructing congressional and state investigations into the exploitation and trafficking of unaccompanied children because federal agencies would not cooperate with oversight investigations.

About 250,000 children have crossed into the U.S. without their parents in the last two years, and a majority of are working full-time jobs, reported The New York Times in 2023.

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Child labor laws at both the federal and state level restrict children from working full-time jobs, but an increase in the number of unaccompanied minors entering the country has led to a rise in unlawful child labor practices, research shows.

Read the full report HERE.

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(Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump is poised to skip over FBI vetting of his nominees, upending more than 60 years of precedent and putting him on a collision course with members of his own party as he tries to power controversial cabinet picks through the Senate.

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Republican senators have balked at Trump potentially forgoing the routine FBI background checks to install former Representative Matt Gaetz as attorney general as well as other controversial nominees like Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon and Tulsi Gabbard, another former House member, to run national intelligence.

Trumps transition team hasnt signed an agreement with the Justice Department and FBI that would allow the bureau to vet nominees, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not be identified discussing internal deliberations. The agreement is typically an initial step to begin the process of vetting.

We are prepared to deliver briefings to the transition team on our operations and responsibilities, and we stand ready to process requests for security clearances for those who will need access to national security information, the department said in a statement Wednesday.

Senators like Susan Collins of Maine, a crucial Republican swing vote, and Roger Wicker of Mississippi, whose Armed Services Committee will oversee the nomination of Hegseth, have said they want the traditional FBI background checks as they exercise their constitutional role vetting cabinet picks.

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Republican Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who will lead the panel with jurisdiction over Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s nomination to Health and Human Services Secretary, agreed.

I believe that the current process of having a background check, a committee investigation and a public hearing has served us very well and constitutes our responsibility, Collins said this week.

Instead, Trump is considering privately run vetting, CNN reported, even as Senate Republicans continue to push for a full FBI check. A spokesperson for Trumps transition team did not respond to a request for comment.

All it takes to force Trumps hand are four Republican defections in a Senate expected to have a 53-47 GOP majority.

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Thats precisely what happened in Trumps first term during the confirmation hearings on Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh, when Collins, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Jeff Flake of Arizona insisted on reopening the FBIs background check as allegations continued to pour in. He was ultimately confirmed.

While background checks happen at the discretion of the president-elect and are delivered to his office, the FBI was authorized to conduct these investigations under the 1963 presidential transition law and a Bill Clinton-era executive order on vetting people to gain access to classified information.

Gaetz has been the subject of a long-running House Ethics Committee sexual misconduct investigation while Hegseths financial settlement with a woman amid reported allegations of sexual assault recently came into public view. Gaetz and Hegseth have denied the accusations.

A lightning rod within his own caucus, Gaetz has been plagued by scandals, including an investigation by the Justice Department that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl in exchange for money. He was notified last year that he wouldnt face charges.

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On Wednesday, Senate Democrats, who currently hold the majority, sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting the complete evidentiary file on Gaetz.

The grave public allegations against Mr. Gaetz speak directly to his fitness to serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the federal government, they wrote.

Gabbard would also face scrutiny for her comments sympathetic to Russia as well as a 2017 visit to Syria where she met with President Bashar al-Assad.

Gaetz and Hegseths rocky path to confirmation has prompted Vice President-elect JD Vance to arrange meetings for them with key Republican senators. Meanwhile, the House Ethics panel met privately for more two hours on Wednesday afternoon and did not come to any agreement on releasing the report, Chairman Michael Guest said.

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Being completed as expeditiously as possible, the background investigation focuses on character and conduct, the FBI said in an emailed statement Tuesday. The agency doesnt render a judgment on what it finds.

The FBI has more resources than private companies, said Barbara McQuade, a former US attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan and a contributor to Bloomberg Opinion. National security applicants submit a form, known as an SF-86, which is typically posted online by the Senate committee of jurisdiction. Attorney General Merrick Garlands completed questionnaire is still available.

Its a very detailed process, said McQuade, who went through the process herself. I agreed that they may search my criminal background, I agreed that they may have access to my finances, I agreed that they may interview all my friends and family.

Every place a nominee has lived and worked for the last 10 years, along with schools, assets and bank accounts, are put into the form, and then the FBI begins its investigation to check the veracity and any potential red flags.

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Anyone who might be embarrassed at the findings shouldnt apply, she said, adding that forgoing the FBI check is a terrible idea.

The FBI has a protocol and standards, and are subject to the Privacy Act, she said. The agents themselves have been vetted and undergone the same clearance. If you farm this out to private companies, who are the people whos doing this? Are they on the take? We dont know.

Ethics Committee

Senator Dick Durbin, the outgoing Judiciary chairman and No. 2 Senate Democrat, said the FBI also brings with it credibility. Hes floated issuing subpoenas to the House Ethics Committee as well as to the Department of Justice for their investigative files on Gaetz, and is weighing seeking witness testimony from women who testified in the Ethics probe.

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Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, who is in line to be Judiciary chair in January, is so far holding his fire.

Im not going to make a decision on what information we need, but Im saying to the people that want any cabinet person to get through, not just Gaetz, its going to be a lot faster if you give us all the information that we want, he said.

Trump has threatened to use recess appointments to speed his nominees through while the Senate is out of session. Doing so, however, is potentially problematic given the tight margins in both chambers. And, in Gaetzs case, the level of animosity congressional Republicans have for him would make it harder for Trump to do an end-run around the Senate.

Theres also potential blowback for the president-elect as that sort of scorched-earth tactic could have repercussions for other parts of his agenda, where hell need a united party to pass tax cuts and other budget-related items.

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Republican senators are eager to protect their constitutional role to advise and consent, said Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota, a pillar of the establishment wing of the party.

--With assistance from Billy House, Chris Strohm and Stephanie Lai.

(Updates with Ethics Committee meeting in 17th paragraph.)

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BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbian opposition politicians scuffled with police as they blocked entry to a court building on Wednesday in protest at the time it is taking to bring those responsible for a deadly train station roof collapse this month to justice.

The recently-renovated roof of the train station in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad collapsed on Nov. 1, killing 14 and injuring three. On Sunday one of the injured died, bringing number of those killed to 15.

There has been a wave of protests in the city this week, with protesters blaming the accident on corruption and nepotism among the ruling coalition.

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Protesters want accountability for the disaster and are demanding the resignation of both the prime minister and the town mayor.

Earlier in the day, trade minister, Tomislav Momirovic, who was infrastructure and construction minister from 2020 to 2022, resigned. Local media reported that Jelena Tanaskovic, head of the state-run railway company, had also handed in her resignation.

President Aleksandar Vucic called a Security Council meeting to discuss the situation both at home and abroad. After the meeting, interior minister Ivica Dacic said criminal proceedings would be brought against anyone who assaulted a police officer.

(Reporting by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by Christina Fincher)
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Shafter Police Chief Kevin Zimmermann resigned from his role at the department, city officials said through a news release Wednesday.

Zimmermann had been with Shafter police department for eight years, joining the department back in Sept. 2016.

Brief midweek warm up before wet weekend arrives

City officials said Zimmerman voluntarily stepped down as chief.

Shafter Mayor Chad Givens said Zimmermanns dedication to the department is greatly appreciated. He has worked tirelessly to strengthen the Shafter Police Department and improve public safety. The City is grateful for his service and commitment and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.

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Acting police Chief Randy Milligan, who has been working with the department for 26 years, will continue as interim chief.

Zimmermann has been on extended medical leave for at least 13 months adding to the mystery surrounding his voluntary resignation.

Zimmermann served in the Marine Corps. from 1986-1990.

He joined the Kern County Sheriffs Office in 1990 as a deputy and served the county for 26 years also rising to Chief Deputy of the KCSO.

Zimmermann became Shafter Police Chief September 2016 and served for more than 8 years before resigning today.

City Manager, Lance Lippincott says Zimmermann will get a full 12 month payout with all his vacation pay.

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Acting Chief Randy Milligan, whos served Shafter for more than 25 years, will continue to lead the department in the interim until a successor is named, if any.

Milligan became a Kern County Sheriff Reserve officer in 1999.

He was honored as Officer of the Year in 2004.

In July 2023, Milligan was promoted to Captain and second-in-command to Zimmerman where hes served since.

Shafter City Manager Lippincott says they are vetting potential candidates with the hope to hire another police chief as early as next month with hints it could 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 KGET 17.
A Shakopee man was killed Monday afternoon when he crashed his car into trees in Mille Lacs County.

The Minnesota State Patrol reports that the crash happened around 2:30 p.m. on Highway 23 near 50th Avenue, in Borgholm Township, which is about eight miles northeast of the town of Milaca.

Ross A. Anderson, 51, of Shakopee was driving a KIA Sorento westbound on Highway 23 when he lost control of the car, causing it to go off the road and crash into the trees, according to the crash report.

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Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene.

No further information has been released.

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Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change.

Related: Former Mille Lacs reserve deputy charged with multiple child porn crimes
Donald Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, who will be White House press secretary when he takes office in January, is getting called out on social media for a bold new claim about her boss.

There is no greater advocate for a free and fair press than Donald Trump, she said on Fox News on Tuesday. During his first term as the president, he was the most transparent president in American history. That continued on the campaign trail.

world historical shameless lying. she'll be a great Trump press secretary  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)2024-11-20T02:13:45.180Z

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In the same breath, Leavitt claimed Trump exposed the media for being incredibly hostile and fake.

Far from being a press advocate, Trump has attacked the media as the enemy of the people. During a rally earlier this month, Trump said any potential gunman would have to shoot through the fake news. And I dont mind that so much.

Hes filed lawsuits against media organizations, demanded that broadcast networks have their licenses yanked over reports critical of him, and even reportedly tried to have late night TV host Jimmy Kimmel censored during his first term in office because of his jokes.

Trump has also failed the transparency test, refusing to release his tax returns, as all other modern presidential candidates have done, and failing to provide details about his health, as other presidents and presidential candidates have done.

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Given that history, Trumps critics werent buying Leavitts claim:

The ability to say this with a straight face is more impressive than any acting Ive ever seen  Dr. Dreidel (@superj75.bsky.social)2024-11-20T02:16:09.845Z

Holy crap. Thats some world class revision of history.  Ann (@anninsantacruz.bsky.social)2024-11-20T05:40:23.672Z

How does she lie so well with a straight face? Not even a little giggle when she states hes been transparent!  Come on!!  ChrisCatMom (@christhecatmom.bsky.social)2024-11-20T03:17:57.170Z

JeezI see she took lessons from Spicer and Huckabee.  (@abjass.bsky.social)2024-11-20T02:16:14.794Z

Big time pants on fire   Mike (@mike-teevee-1971.bsky.social)2024-11-20T02:22:39.424Z

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Gov. Brian Kemp released a statement on Wednesday shortly after the guilty verdict was reached in the killing of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.

Riley, a student at Augusta University College of Nursing, was running on the University of Georgia campus back in February when she was killed by Jose Ibarra, prosecutors said.

Ibarra, a Venezuelan man, entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was allowed to stay in the country while he pursued his immigration case, federal authorities said.

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Savannah Police releases now-viral body camera footage from 2022 murder response

The case fueled the national debate over immigration during this years presidential race, something the Republican governor addressed in his statement:

Though we are glad that justice has been delivered on behalf of Laken Riley, we continue to mourn her loss with her family and friends and know that she should still be with us today. The information revealed in this trial was heartbreaking, and we applaud the bravery of Lakens loved ones for reliving that horrible day to ensure her killer faced the consequences of his senseless actions. We will not let ourselves forget Laken or stop working to ensure her memory lives on. This criminal should never have been allowed to enter our country, and he certainly should not have been allowed to stay after shamelessly breaking our laws. Open border policies failed Laken Riley, and todays verdict is a reminder that the safety of our communities must remain our number one priority. While our state has taken considerable actions to address the impact of the border crisis, I will not waver in supporting efforts that secure our border and keep this state and our nation safe.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
Shelves remain empty at many Stop & Shop stores across Massachusetts, more than a week after the grocery chains parent company said operations were impacted by a cybersecurity attack.

With Thanksgiving just days away, Boston 25 News spotted bare poultry, meat, and produce shelves at the Quincy-based chains Dedham store.

A sign posted on a desolate Stop & Shop shelf read, Due to IT system outages that are affecting some of our behind-the-scenes applications, product deliveries may be slightly delayed. We are working to restock our shelves as quickly as possible. Thanks for your patience.

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There was none of the stuff I was looking for, said one shopper. This is my first experience not getting what I needed.

Customers also complained on the supermarkets Facebook page that they havent been receiving Go Rewards.

Ahold Delhaize USA, which owns Stop & Shop and Hannaford, warned customers that some pharmacy and e-commerce operations had been affected by the ongoing cybersecurity security issue.

Despite the ongoing issues, a spokesperson for Stop & Shop assured customers that turkeys and hams are available for purchase ahead of Thanksgiving.

While there may be some limited inventory for certain products, we are working to re-stock our shelves and anticipate item availability to continue to improve over the next few days, the spokesperson said in a statement shared with Boston 25 News. Our stores are well-stocked with turkeys and hams for Thanksgiving, and we look forward to serving our customers in the days ahead for the holidays.

In Roslindale, the situation at the Stop & Shop on American Legion Highway was a bit better  but customers said the improvements had just begun.

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I came last week and the shelves were very empty, said one shopper. Today theyre sort of half-empty. Last week, I could only find little tomatoes. There were no regular size tomatoes at all. It looks like theyre restocking. But its been very bare lately.

But not at all Stop & Shop stores.

Dedham seemed fully stocked with chicken and produce. In Walpole, the produce department looked bountiful  though the ground beef shelves were bare.

Late Wednesday, Stop & Shop spokesperson Caroline Medeiros said customers should not worry about Thanksgiving items  that Stop & Shop expects to have plenty of turkeys, hams, stuffing and potatoes in all its stores  with fewer empty shelves every day.

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That was true even in Hyde Park and Roslindale, where each store had plenty of turkeys  and they were even on sale.

Cyber Attackers are known to target supply chains because they can steal an enormous amount of data  but also because such organizational structures are easier to exploit. One link in the chain with weak cybersecurity  and the hacker is in  with the potential to maneuver into other databases.

After listening to customer feedback, Stop & Shop recently decided to remove bag fees in most of their Massachusetts stores. New President Roger Wheeler also said prices were being cut on about 3,500 items.

On Monday, Hannaford announced that its app for online deliveries and digital coupons was back online after more than a week of being down.

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Stop & Shop has 117 locations across Massachusetts, while Hannaford has 16 locations.

An investigation into the cause of the cybersecurity incident is ongoing.

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LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)  Two people died in Kingsland in what the Llano County Sheriffs Office believes was a murder-suicide.

The Llano County Sheriffs Office said in a press release Wednesday that deputies responded to a 911 call reporting multiple shots fired in the 2500 block of Skyline Drive Tuesday shortly after 6 p.m.

The caller reported that she had locked herself inside with her young daughter and said she believed her friend might have been shot by her ex-boyfriend, who the sheriffs office identified as Jon Kendrick, 35.

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According to LCSO, when deputies arrived, they heard two gunshots coming from the front yard.

Officers from the Granite Shoals and Sunrise Beach Police Departments, and troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety, all responded to the scene and tried to make contact with Kendrick since there was a concern that he was somewhere on the property and armed, according to LCSO.

After unsuccessful attempts to make contact with Kendrick, officers approached the front door and found two deceased men on the front porch. The sheriffs office said both men had obvious gunshot wounds.

The sheriffs office identified one of the men as Kendrick.

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The sheriffs office said the name of the other man is not being released until the next of kin has been notified.

The caller and her daughter were found in the home uninjured, per the LCSO release.

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Small business is the backbone of society. Owners are passionate about their field, be it coffee to pilates, but now have to wrangle with invoicing, marketing and all these things. Well, Thryv is the secret sauce in the small business software arsenal to let you focus on what you love.

Thryv is the business you may not know you know. In fact, it's been supporting the ANZ region for more than a century. Remember the Yellow Pages? Yes! That's Thryv, 20 years ago a business could get by with a business card and an ad in the phone book. Today, not so much.

To be precise, Thryv as we know it today began life in the United States on the premise that large corporations had numerous enterprise-grade software offerings, but there was little on the market that seamlessly, comprehensively aided small businesses grow.

"These small business owners were staying up at night to do their invoicing, quoting or just keeping up with things like online reviews or keeping track of where people were talking about their business online. It was a challenge and took time away from the family. More and more of their time was being spent on the business," said Elise Balsillie, Head of Thryv, Australia and New Zealand. The Thryv software was borne out of this challenge and there are now thousands of customers benefiting.

Three years ago Thryv acquired Sensis, owners of the Yellow Pages and White Pages directories that Australians of a certain generation will remember well. Thryv localised its technology here, then similarly expanded to New Zealand, acquiring Yellow NZ during 2023.

Elise has been part of it all; "We see great success stories and that's why I love my role just as much today, as I did twenty years ago. I can sit with customers seeing them grow from working on their dining room table, to having a factory and branded polo shirts," she said.

"We play a part in the success of these companies. It's incredibly impactful to see the difference Thryv makes."

But what is the Thryv difference? "Many small business owners got into a business they were passionate about," Elise said.

"Hospitality, health, coffee ... but they didn't open these so they could spend their time managing quoting, invoicing, payments, CRM, reputation - all of those things aren't necessarily their forte."

"For us, our goal was all about building and designing something to help them grow their business. So, if they're running a pilates studio, you want them running pilates, not doing paperwork in the office."

However, small business accounting packages are plentiful. Marketing tools are out there. Thryv wasn't content with merely making a software suite. "We wanted to make sure the right support structure was there so small business has confidence." Elise said.

For example, "sending an email to their entire customer base can be daunting," Elise said. "So we work with them to do things one step at a time. We don't want to sell software that's set-and-forget but instead make sure small business have all the support and encouragement to grow."

The Thryv tech is smart enough to be used intuitively, make no mistake. But by nature of being diverse individuals, Thryv customers vary wildly in background, experience, skill, confidence and other factors. "Some are happy to run by themselves, others use our live chat, while others want support and a helping hand along the way."

Add to this the difficulties of the current economic situation and decreased consumer spending. "The economic climate sees consumers spending less than they were this time last year, and small businesses struggle with cashflow," Elise said. "So maximising what they have at the moment is important."

For example, a small business could rely on paid ads in the past. They had a great return on investment for their cost, but times are different and small business must find new ways to keep in customer minds. "Don't simply do a job and invoice it," Elise said. "Keep talking to the customer. If you sell a heater, send a reminder when it's time to be serviced. Keep your business top of mind, front of mind, in a smart way that costs less."

Unlike most other SaaS providers, Thryv operates a high-touch client success team.

"When a client purchases our software their onboarding journeys can be so different, for some customers they jump right in and onboard themselves into the software and for others we are there to help every step of the way. Now, while for most SaaS products the deal is done and dusted, not so for Thryv, we stay connected and continue to support them.

We have a lovely customer in Perth named Megan Shipp. Megan doesn't work on a computer but a sewing machine. Her forte isn't tech but designing and altering beautiful clothing."

Megan successfully ran her seamstress business for twenty years, but as the digital world took over, she experienced difficulty in being found.

"Megan purchased one of our entry-level products to build a beautiful website. We explored widgets with her like online booking so customers could buy an outfit then book it in for alteration. Megan's week became all sorted and planned out."

However, it didn't stop there. With Thryv's customer success team guiding and encouraging her, Megan moved more and more into the digital world with marketing, leads, managing her online reputation and handling all these other things. "She now runs a five-person business in WA and it's a lovely journey," Elise said.

"Megan's relationship with the local Thryv advisor in Perth gave her confidence to do things the first time, but now she flies totally solo."

For some, "moving into the digital world is really scary" so Thryv makes sure it has the right support structure.

"We help on the journey until they're very comfortable and the processes in place. We organically 'break up' when the customer doesn't need our help and support any more."

"They can build up campaigns, schedule their own social posts, and one day, they turn up to a call with Thryv and there's nothing to talk about."

The SaaS model has inherent advantages, of course. SaaS offers business owners a piece of software they can run from their pocket. "For a lot of customers their business runs from a beautiful shopfront, on a sewing machine, on a Yoga mat, from a coffee machine - but there's no computer, office assistant or receptionist."

The Thryv goal is to give small business owners a simple product that brings all the tools their larger competitors have, packing a marketing department and office assistant and bookkeeper all into one modular platform. This includes AI capability, helping craft responses to things like online reviews.

"Even if people don't like it, they are being talked about online so you can either close your eyes, or be part of having a conversation." she said.

However, customer service is a key part of the Thryv package. It's not SaaS by itself, but SaaS with solid, empathetic and encouraging support that takes your business from strength to strength.

"Our scale and support is what distinguishes us," Elise said. "The feedback we get is consistent that it's not simply great software, but our people gave confidence for customers to send their first CRM campaign, and then helped convert responses to paying jobs. They say if our customer success team weren't there to help support them in taking the first couple of steps they wouldn't have got off the ground at all."

Check out Thryv for yourself. In fact, check out the free Thryv Command Center too. This will help you manage all your disparate messaging tools and platforms in one place. The free version lets you link up three options, and you can expand to many, many more.

At Thryv "we're a bunch of people advocating for small business in the marketplace. The largest segment is small business," Elise said.

"We truly champion those businesses. That passion is something that flows through all of the hundreds of business advisors we have."
BOSTON (WWLP)  The Massachusetts Sheriffs Association held its annual awards ceremony on Tuesday, honoring law enforcement professionals who embody qualities of heroism, dedication, and innovation.

Red Cross works to help military members in need

Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi is the president of the Sheriffs Association and delivered a keynote address about how the award recipients further the mission of his organization.

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Its not just the work done behind the fences and the walls, its about the engagement of the community. Because if youre engaged in the community, you can prevent further incarceration, said Cocchi.

From western Massachusetts, Hampshire Countys Captain Eric Jacque was awarded Supervisor of the Year. Award presenters said he is humble, hard-working, and unconcerned with personal awards, which is what makes him excel as a team leader.

Dr. Sally Johnson Van Wright from the Hampden County Sheriffs Office won the Strategic Partner of the Year award for her work in making the criminal justice system more transparent and accountable.

Franklin County Sheriffs Office took home the largest award of the day, which was presented with a video honoring their work.

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Your trailblazing courage has ignited a deeper collaboration toward the intersection of public safety and public health and has brought healing to individuals, families, and communities, said the award presentation video.

Their award is named after Sheriff Michael J. Ashe of Hampden County. The prestigious award is presented each year to the person or organization that best represents innovation, compassion, and professionalism.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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MEXICO CITY (AP)  Three state police officers and four drug cartel suspects were killed in a running series of shootouts in the northern Mexico border state of Tamaulipas, across the border from Texas, officials said Wednesday.

Another five police officers were wounded in the series of confrontations along highways around the town of San Fernando, Tamaulipas.

Drug cartel gunmen set up road blockades and attacked police patrols in the area Tuesday, and later in the day again attacked a funeral convoy of cars accompanying the body of one of the victims in the first attack.

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The office of the state security spokesman confirmed the deaths on Wednesday, but there was no immediate information on the condition of the wounded officers.

San Fernando is a town about midway between the state capital, Ciudad Victoria, and the border cities of Matamoros and Reynosa.

San Fernando was the scene of some of the grisliest violence of Mexico's drug war between 2010 and 2011. In those years, drug cartel gunmen massacred 72 migrants, many from Central America, and killed about 122 bus passengers. Those victims were pulled off passing buses and forced to fight each other to the death with sledgehammers.

Tamaulipas has long been dominated by the Gulf cartel and the old Zetas cartel, now known as the Cartel del Noreste.

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Also Wednesday, cartel suspects in another border state, Sonora, killed a detective and wounded two others in an attack Wednesday that included the suspects ramming a police vehicle.

The confrontation played occurred early Wednesday on a road that leads to the border town of Sasabe, west of Nogales, Arizona. A Mexican marine was was also injured in the attack. All the injured were listed in stable condition.

Authorities were chasing an SUV driving with its lights off on a rural road when the suspects rammed first the detectives' patrol vehicles and then a Mexican marines' unit before opening fire. Marines and detectives returned fire, killing three suspects.

The area is a hub for smuggling migrants and drugs.
CHICAGO  Its an unsolved murder at the center of Shotspotter debate.

Safarian Herring, 25, was fatally wounded the night of May 31, 2020. The shooting occurred amid citywide civil unrest, triggered by the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

Security cameras captured Herring inside an Auto Zone on South Stony Island Avenue that was being looted. Its believed he left around 11:30 p.m. and caught a ride with a man in his 60s, later identified as Michael Williams.

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According to records, obtained by WGN Investigates, Williams drove Herring north on Stony Island. Its not clear where the men were heading.

But what is known is that near 63rd Street, Herring was shot in the head while still inside Williams Toyota SUV.

He didnt even have a chance, Lajuane Herring, Safarians father, said.

After the shooting, Williams drove Herring to the hospital. But he left without speaking to police.

So, detectives were left with few clues or even address of where Herring was wounded.

More: Chicago aldermen, business leaders offer $2.5M to bring back ShotSpotter

Enter Shotspotter, the controversial gunshot detection system.

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Hailed as a faster way to alert police about the location of gunfire, the technologys critics have accused it of leading to an increase in over policing in some neighborhoods.

Mayor Brandon Johnson campaigned on a promise to remove the system, which has cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. But some aldermen have objected.

In Herrings case, police concluded he was hit by gunfire at about 11:46 p.m. near 63rd and Stony Island, based on an initial Shotspotter report.

Theres no video of the actual shooting. But surveillance cameras captured two vehicles  Williams Toyota and whats believed to be a Dodge Charger  speed away from the intersection

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Williams later told police the shot that hit Herring came from someone inside the Charger.

Authorities, however, charged Williams with murder.

In records reviewed by WGN Investigates, police alleged the surveillance video shows the Chargers windows were closed as it rolled through the intersection.

If that is true and a bullet was fired from inside the car, the windows would have been damaged.

Through his attorney, Williams declined an interview request.

But in 2022 he told WGN that police allegedly said, Well, we have you. Shotspotter have you firing the gun.

Williams attorney, Jonathan Manes, said police were wrong on multiple fronts.

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Shotspotter cant pinpoint exactly where a gun was fired, only that a shot came from within a certain radius. Whats more, Manes said his teams analysis of the same surveillance video shows the Chargers back window was open, not closed, as police alleged.

The police had the video, Manes said. They didnt look at it properly. They missed it.

Williams pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence, even as he spent nearly a year in Cook County Jail. Ultimately, prosecutors dropped the charges, citing a lack of evidence and questions about the accuracy about Shotspotters data.

Shotspotter gave police a lead in this case, Manes said. But police did an absolutely terrible job of investigating it.

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Williams is now suing the city of Chicago, claiming in a federal lawsuit that he was falsely accused because police used unreliable Shotspotter evidence to arrest and prosecute him.

Previous Coverage: Lawsuit: Chicago police misused ShotSpotter in murder case

In court filings, the city has denied the allegations.

Police are not currently investigating Herrings murder. They closed the case after Williams was charged. But Herrings father said he feels like theres been no closure.

The hurtful thing is I wasnt there to protect him, he said.

In a statement, a spokesman for Shotspotters owner said the technology was not responsible for Mr. Williams arrest or incarceration.

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The statement reads in part, Once SoundThinking learned of the prosecutions theory in this case (which occurred three months after the ShotSpotter alert, once Mr. Williams had already been arrested and incarcerated), SoundThinking reminded prosecutors that ShotSpotter evidence is only guaranteed to locate gunfire outdoors, not shots fired inside a car or building, and, therefore, would not support the prosecutions theory. At that point, prosecutors chose to dismiss the charges against Mr. Williams and release him.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  The tranquil weather weve enjoyed this week so far is about to change in a very wet way for many, but wintry for others late in the week. Whos seeing what? Find out below

As of Tuesday evening, there is no change to our initial thoughts about how the middle of the week into Thursday develops for Central New York. In this update we also discuss our first take on expected snowfall accumulations.

Stays dry & mild for one more day

After a milder Tuesday night with lows in the upper 30s to mid-40s under more clouds, we are in store for an even milder Wednesday despite a mostly cloudy sky.

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Highs will reach well into the 50s to possibly low 60s if we see enough peeks of sun on Wednesday!

Pattern change beings begins with welcome rain

As a cold front moves through late Wednesday night/early Thursday, we cool down into the upper 30s to low 40s by Thursday morning. Some steady, needed, rain accompanies the front during this time. The rain is likely heavy at times too.

Rain may even briefly change to snow over the highest elevations late Wednesday night into Thursday morning south and east of Syracuse, but little if any accumulation is expected through sunset Thursday for most, including Syracuse, as temperatures remain well above freezing.

Noreaster spins up means what for CNY??

Our computer models are coming into better agreement on what happens Thursday night into Friday.

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Low pressure develops near New York City along the cold front by Thursday evening. This low strengthens and moves northwest into Central New York on Friday.

Since temperatures ahead of this system are relatively mild, it appears the chance of any significant snow is going to be dictated by elevation.

Who has the best chance of accumulating snow?

We think areas near and south of Rt. 20 like down towards Tully, Pompey, Morrisville, Cazenovia into the higher terrain of Cortland, Tompkins and Chenango counties have the best chance to wake up to 2 to 6 inches by Friday morning. Same goes for the Tug Hill and Adirondacks.

Over the hills, temperatures probably dip into the low 30s Thursday night into Friday morning, hence the snow, while the rest of CNY (including the City of Syracuse) probably ends up in the mid to upper 30s. If these expected overnight temperatures change, that would change the snow forecast map, so check back in over the next few days for updates.

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Many, including Syracuse, will likely deal with a cold/raw rainy ride into work and school Friday with some wet snow mixed in, but it could be a snowy, slick start in the higher terrain Friday morning for the commute.

When does the rain and snow taper?

The steadiest of the rain and snow should taper Friday afternoon with just some scattered lingering, lighter rain and higher terrain snow showers possible Friday night into Saturday.

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Limited lake effect

Winds look to align better out of the northwest on the backside of the noreaster Saturday afternoon into Sunday, but the air is probably going to be marginally cold enough for snow with readings in the low to mid 40s by day and mid to upper 30s by night for most.

That said, we dont believe many will see accumulating snow over the weekend, including Syracuse, but an additional light accumulation may occur over the hills south and east of Syracuse.

Click here for the latest 7-day forecast.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
HIGH POINT  Furniture may not have been made under its roof, but a long-vacant office building in downtown High Point was integral to local manufacturing during its heyday.

Thats the finding of state officials who last week certified the building best known as Showplace West as eligible for a North Carolina Historic Mill Rehabilitation Tax Credit.

The State Historic Preservation Office agreed that the building at 101 S. Main St. had a direct connection to manufacturing because it once housed the headquarters of Culp and LADD Furniture.

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Its one of the designations that will give its prospective buyer access to local, state and federal historic preservation tax incentives potentially worth several million dollars to offset the cost of redeveloping the building with apartments.

This was the final step we were waiting on before finalizing the contract with the developer we selected during the (search) process, said Rebekah McGee, president and CEO of the nonprofit Downtown High Point, the property owner. Theyre ready to go; were ready to go. This was a massive piece to the puzzle.

Prominent in the downtown skyline, the white concrete building, also known as One Plaza Center, opened in the early 1970s and has been vacant for about 15 years. It covers about 135,000 square feet of interior space over eight floors, most of which have been gutted.

Downtown High Point in April got it listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it the first 1970s building in North Carolina to receive this designation.

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This makes its prospective developer eligible for federal and state tax credits that can reduce rehabilitation costs by 40%.

The historic mill tax credit eligibility offers the same type of incentives.

State officials determined that the building was an ancillary use to furniture manufacturing plants.

McGee said this is the first time that the state has granted this designation for a multi-use building.

Downtown High Point is also in the process of obtaining local historic landmark designation for the building, which would make its owner eligible for a permanent 50% reduction on its county and city property tax bill.

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Any redevelopment work would have to preserve the buildings architectural character in order to receive the incentives.

The windows are a huge piece of the building. The windows on the back of the building (on the Wrenn Street side) are original and have to be repaired, she said. You wont be able to cut holes in the side of the building and add any windows.

The interior also includes features that would have to be preserved, such as the existing stairwells, the particular type of molding that was used around the doors and the tiled floors in the lobby.

The glass pyramid over the sunken plaza where Nobles Restaurant was is not considered historic because it was an addition.

They will have the option to take down the pyramid or leave it, McGee said. The people were talking to intend to leave it. I feel very confident in who we have chosen.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  President-elect Donald Trump has suggested plans for mass deportation once in office, which has many Siouxlanders frightened.

Mary J. Treglia Community House in Sioux City helps immigrants across western Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, providing a variety of resources for those in need. According to officials with the nonprofit, theyve received many calls regarding the mass deportation talks.

FEMA administrator questioned by House lawmakers

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Our DOJ representatives, who are on staff here, and the immigration attorney on staff are receiving a lot of calls and questions about, is everything in order for me? How are things coming along? Et cetera, executive director Barbara Newhouse said.

While there is a lot of uncertainty at this time until the new administration steps into office, Newhouse recommends people get their documents together.

I would encourage folks to make sure that they have all of their paperwork in order, that they have looked at what they have, she said. There are times when we may talk to somebody who doesnt have the correct documents. And if its something that we are not able to help with, we will help them try to understand what their options are.

Newhouse also emphasized the importance of staying properly informed.

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What people need to be cautious of is to make sure that the sources that theyre going to for information are reliable, she said. Dont assume that you have factual information. Do your checking.

Mary J. Treglia Community House has been helping immigrants for more than a hundred years, including helping them become U.S. citizens. Officials say they will continue to help those in need.

2 Siouxland teachers recognized as Iowa Regional Teachers of the Year

This country is built on immigration, so we want to continue to encourage folks to lead successful lives in Siouxland, Newhouse said. We will always provide the legal pathway to being a citizen of the United States.

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Newhouse recommends people reach out to Mary J. Treglia Community House with any questions they may have.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  Scuffles erupted for a second day Wednesday in a northern Serbian city between police and opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at the city's railway station earlier this month.

Anti-government protesters sought to block a courthouse in Novi Sad, where the roof collapse at the station on Nov. 1 killed 15 people and injured two others. Riot police pushed the protesters away from the building.

A similar opposition action on Tuesday resulted in an hourslong standoff.

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The collapse in Novi Sad has triggered a wave of protests against the populist authorities and arrests of several activists who have taken part. Many in Serbia believe rampant corruption led to sloppy renovation work at the station and consequently to the roof collapse.

Serbia's Interior Minister Ivica Dacic on Wednesday warned protesters in a statement that police won't tolerate disruption of public law and order, threats to the security of the country and state institutions, as well as attacks on police.

Separately, police detained two activists in Belgrade who were protesting against plans to demolish a World War II-era bridge that carries trams as well as vehicle traffic over the Sava river between the new and old parts of the city.

Authorities plan to build a new bridge in its place, a process that will take at least three years. Opposition activists say the existing bridge should be preserved and that the process of awarding contracts for the building work lacks transparency.

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In Novi Sad, a group of opposition lawmakers managed to enter the court building on Wednesday while police pushed away others who were standing outside. Protesters are also demanding the release from detention of activists jailed during the recent protests over the collapse.

The huge concrete outer roof of the railway station building suddenly crashed on Nov. 1, falling on people sitting on benches or standing below. Initially 14 people died and three were severely injured but one of the injured people died on Sunday.

The authorities have promised a thorough investigation and Serbias construction minister, Goran Vesic, resigned shortly after the tragedy. Populist President Aleksandar Vucic has said more resignations will follow, and on Wednesday a former construction minister now in charge of trade, Tomislav Momirovic, also said he was stepping down.

No one has been arrested, however, and no charges have been brought, though prosecutors said dozens of people have been questioned as part of the probe.

The station was originally built in 1964 and was renovated twice in recent years as part of a wider agreement with Chinese state construction companies.
Police in Peru have arrested a man caught trying to leave the country with 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes and nine bullet ants strapped to his body.

The 28-year-old South Korean national was stopped at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima on November 8 after officials noticed that his stomach area looked bulky, according to a statement from the countrys national forestry and wildlife service, SERFOR, published November 13.

The insects were packaged inside plastic containers and bags strapped to the man's abdomen. - SERFOR/Reuters

A search revealed hundreds of insects packaged inside ziplock bags strapped to his abdomen, according to the statement.

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Police detained the man, who was traveling to South Korea via France, and Perus environmental crimes prosecutor has opened an investigation, it added.

The insects are thought to have been taken from the Madre de Dios region in the Peruvian Amazon. They are now in the care of authorities.

Tarantulas are a threatened species, Walter Silva, a wildlife specialist at SERFOR, explained in the statement.

SERFOR officials display the confiscated insects. - SERFOR/Reuters

They were all illegally extracted and are part of illegal wildlife trafficking worth millions of dollars globally, Silva said.

Peru is not the only South American nation facing problems with wildlife trafficking.

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In December 2021, authorities in Colombia seized at least 232 tarantulas, 67 cockroaches, nine spider eggs, and a scorpion with seven of its young, all hidden in a suitcase at the El Dorado airport in Bogota.

And in September that year Colombian officials confiscated a shipment of almost 3,500 shark fins bound for Hong Kong.

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Today, at Rockwells Automation Fair, Microsoft and Rockwell announced an expanded strategic collaboration to revolutionise industrial transformation. Together, the companies will provide manufacturing customers with advanced cloud and AI solutions that deliver powerful data insights, streamline operations and enhance scalability to improve operational efficiency and sustainable growth across the industry.

This relationship uniquely combines Rockwells deep industrial automation expertise with Microsofts highly regarded cloud and AI capabilities. Together, the companies will bridge the gap between traditional industrial practices and modern digital applications to creating integrated solutions.

"We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Microsoft as we work to meet the evolving challenges faced by todays manufacturers, said Jessica Korpela, director, global customer innovation at Rockwell Automation. This enhanced collaboration fuses cloud and AI technologies with our extensive expertise in industrial automation, enabling our customers to reach unprecedented levels of efficiency, innovation and resilience in their operations.

At Automation Fair, Microsoft will debut its latest solution, Azure IoT Operations, which integrates with Rockwell's digital offerings, including FactoryTalk Optix. This newly available combined solution will allow manufacturers and production companies to capture critical insights from existing sites without extensive retrofitting. The adaptive cloud approach will simplify the integration of shop-floor data with cloud-based applications, enabling advanced analytics and improving scalability across multi-site environments. By leveraging this streamlined integration, customers can gain actionable insights to optimise production and drive data-informed decisions across their operations.

Rockwell has expanded its FactoryTalk Design Studio software-as-a-service design software with a new Generative AI Copilot, developed in partnership with Microsoft. The latest feature, powered by Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, enables engineers to use natural language prompts for tasks like product guidance, code generation, troubleshooting and code explanations, making system design faster and more intuitive. Accessible through a web browser without downloads or installs, FactoryTalk Design Studio provides a collaborative, multi-user environment with integrated version control and is continuously updated with new capabilities to enhance productivity and efficiency in industrial automation system design.

The collaboration will also introduce Rockwells FT Optix Food & Beverage model, enabled through Rockwells digital and service offerings, into the Microsoft AI model catalog, The model brings the power of AI and Generative AI (GenAI) directly to the manufacturing floor. The adapted AI model, which leverages the power of Microsofts Phi-3 small language models (SLM), will provide machine operators with AI-guided instructions, assisting in process and device operations via the familiar FactoryTalk Optix interface. With specifically trained models, workers can easily access contextualised AI guidance to enhance productivity, reduce errors, and accelerate decision-making.

According to Kam VedBrat, General Manager, Azure IoT, Microsoft, We are thrilled to continue our work with Rockwell Automation to help customers accelerate their industrial transformation journey. By combining Rockwells industry-leading automation solutions with Microsoft Azure IoT Operations, and through our collaboration on an adapted AI model based on Phi-3, we are enabling customers to unlock new levels of efficiency and innovation.

According to both organisations, this strategic partnership will deliver substantial benefits to manufacturers, helping to navigate the challenges of todays rapidly evolving industrial landscape. Through these advanced digital solutions, companies can drive greater efficiency, reduce operational costs, and increase productivity, ultimately empowering organisations to realise the full potential of their digital transformation journey.

The writer is currently attending Automation Fair as a guest of Rockwell.
There is an effort in Smyrna to prevent school shootings, and not by taking away guns or active shooter training.

Instead, the effort focuses on stopping violence by teaching parents warning signs.

Its every parent, every teacher, every student and every police officers worst nightmare: a school shooting like what we saw at Apalachee High School, that left two students and two teachers dead.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Its that fear which led to a Protecting Our Children training Tuesday night.

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Of course the idea is that you dont want it to get to violence thats really what we want to avoid, Smyrna Deputy Police Chief Mark Binicewicz told Channel 2s Candace McCowan.

Smyrna police and licensed social workers are working to reach parents and caretakers of students by hosting Protecting Our Children training sessions.

They want parents to know before violence, there is one key warning sign.

Social isolation is a very big one. When kids begin to withdraw or perceive that they dont have social support  Dr Bianca Channer of Innerwork Counseling said. If they, themselves dont feel connected to other people or supported by other people, thats a warning sign.

TRENDING STORIES:

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That is when they want parents to intervene.

I would tell you to have a conversation with them and to explicitly state what youve identified: Hey Im noticing these things. Be very, very specific and state those things, Channer said.

The training also addressed when to escalate to finding professional help or if there are imminent warning signs, when to call in law enforcement.

The goal is to reach troubled students before its too late.

Ultimately the police department isnt what you want. You want your kid to go and get help dealing with whatever it is theyre dealing with, Binicewicz said.

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There are two more Protecting Our Children training sessions: December 10 at 6:30 p.m. and December 14 at 10 a.m. at the Smyrna Community Center, 1250 Powder Springs St., Smyrna, Ga. 30080 in the Magnolia Room.

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BARCELONA, Spain (AP)  A Spanish court has upheld a ruling that a supermarket worker was unlawfully fired for having eaten a croquette that was going to be thrown away after not having been sold from the stores deli section.

The worker was fired in July 2023 after he had snarfed down the fried snack, which was destined for the trash after the store had closed for the day.

In a verdict that The Associated Press saw on Wednesday, the Superior Court of Castilla-La Mancha recently rejected an appeal by the supermarket chain Mercadona of a decision by a lower court in May 2024 in favor of the worker.

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The companys policy is that workers are prohibited from consuming any product found in the store without having paid for it previously.

But the superior court found that it was common practice for workers to snack on ready to eat food products that were going to be thrown away after closing hours. In its ruling, it also insisted in the important detail that the worker didnt eat an entire package of croquettes, but instead one single croquette that was not going to be put back on sale the following day.

The lower court ruling in May determined that the worker be reinstated to his job and that the supermarket chain pay him 39,700 euros ($41,800) in lost wages. The higher court has now added that Mercadona also must pay the worker 600 euros ($633) for his legal fees.

Mercadona did not immediately respond to an email from the AP asking for comment on the case.

The court documents didn't indicate the flavor of the croquette, which in Spain is a popular food typically made from ham, chicken or cod.
An upper-level low will pivot westward from offshore Thursday night through Friday night and spokes of energy around it will bring more precipitation to Pennsylvania. Thats good news considering the local drought has continued to worsen through the autumn. But, signs are pointing to a cold enough solution for snow mixing in with some rain and as Friday draws closer, what does that mean for our forecast?

Temperatures on Friday are slated to be much colder, likely only reaching the lower 40s. It will be blustery and damp too as the low retrogrades. But dont be surprised if there are periods of steady snow on Friday, enough to coat the grass. Elevations could see even more, maybe a coating up to 2. This would include the usual suspects of South Mountain and the western hilltops, but given the placement of the low, the elevations in the northeast part of our region might be better placed to see some accumulations. Areas in northern Dauphin and Lebanon Counties, along with places like Tower City in Schuylkill County, could be in line for some accumulations.

There are some things to consider, however. The snow will mix in during the day, likely limiting accumulations for most spots. There is also no guarantee that these spokes of energy will line up perfectly around the retrograding low to impact our region, but its looking like they could. Thats why we wanted to give you a heads-up. Nobody should be surprised if Friday ends up being snowy, with or without some slight accumulations. Steady snow that makes wet roads can still reduce visibility and make it tough to travel. The low will begin to lift out Friday evening and the precipitation will start to wind down after sunset.

Steady snow is possible in spots on Friday during the day.

Notice that for most spots accumulations wont occur. The snow will likely mix with rain. But in northern Lebanon and Schuylkill Counties, some accumulations are possible, especially in elevations. We will continue to track this.

We will continue to monitor this snow potential for Friday. Until then, heres the larger timeline for the week ahead:

-Meteorologist Brett Thackara

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(Bloomberg) -- Global social media firms could face fines of as much as A$50 million ($32.5 million) if they fail to enforce the Australian governments new social media ban on children under the age of 16, according to legislation set to be introduced on Thursday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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Under the bill, big tech will be required to take reasonable steps to prevent children from having an account, with fines to be levied on firms that systematically breach the legislation.

There will be exceptions embedded into the legislation for certain types of online services, including messaging applications, online gaming platforms and health and education.

Subscribe to The Bloomberg Australia Podcast on Apple, Spotify, on YouTube, or wherever you listen.

The legislation places the onus on social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protections are in place, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said in a statement. Ultimately, this is about supporting a safer and healthier online environment for young Australians.

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Australia is following a number of other countries that have attempted to restrict access to social media for children, with mixed success.

Norway imposed a minimum age of 13 on social media use, yet surveys found more than 70% of 11-year-olds there were still using the popular platforms.

There are no details yet on how the ban will be enforced, although the government said new privacy provisions would be included in the legislation to underpin the ban. Rowland told colleagues in the Labor caucus this week that Australians wouldnt be required to upload identification.

She also said there would be no exemptions for children who obtained parental consent to use social media.

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So far there has been a muted response from social media companies. Both Meta and Elon Musks social media platform X have said they would like to see application stores such as those run by Google and Apple be responsible for enforcing age verification, rather than the platforms themselves.

Musk said on X that the bill appeared to be a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians.

In an an interview with Australian Broadcasting Corp., Meta Regional Policy Director for Australia Mia Garlick said that if every single app is required to implement its own age-appropriate controls, then the burden is really going to fall on young people and parents for each of the different apps that a young person wants to use.

--With assistance from Swati Pandey.

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(Updates with a tweet from Elon Musk in the 10th paragraph)

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Donald Trump has nominated yet another controversial personality to a position they are unqualified for, and, yes, people on social media have thoughts.

On Tuesday, the president-elect nominated former TV star and surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz to head the agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid despite Ozs history of promoting false medical info.

In a statement announcing the nomination, Trump said Oz will help incentivize disease prevention and also cut waste and fraud within our Countrys most expensive Government Agency.

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Oz, who has been unemployed since a failed run for the Pennsylvania Senate seat now held by Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, seemed happy to be offered the gig.

In a post on X, he said he looked forward to serving my country to Make America Healthy Again under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trumps choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

I am honored to be nominated by @realDonaldTrump to lead CMS. I look forward to serving my country to Make America Healthy Again under the leadership of HHS Secretary @RobertKennedyJr. pic.twitter.com/aYIQJHG5Ej  Dr. Mehmet Oz (@DrOz) November 19, 2024

But while Kennedy seemed happy about Ozs appointment, lawmakers like Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren werent thrilled one bit.

Running Medicare and Medicaid for over 100 million Americans isnt like hosting a daytime talk show, the Democratic senator warned. Dr. Oz is another rich guy who doesnt care if your health care costs go up or an insurance company denies you coverage. These decisions have life and death consequences.

Running Medicare and Medicaid for over 100 million Americans isn't like hosting a daytime talk show.



Dr. Oz is another rich guy who doesn't care if your health care costs go up or an insurance company denies you coverage. These decisions have life and death consequences. https://t.co/YC41fyId9R  Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) November 19, 2024

Oz and Kennedy join other eyebrow-raising picks for the next Trump administration, including embattled former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general, Democrat-turned-Republican Tulsi Gabbard for national intelligence director, and Fox News personality Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense.

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People on various social media platforms felt obliged to give Dr. Oz the same level of snark as Trumps other nominees.

Name a better qualified doctor than Dr. Oz, well go first:  The Lincoln Project (@lincolnproject.bsky.social)2024-11-19T22:03:56.702Z

Scientific American on Dr. Oz in 2021: Dr. Oz Shouldnt Be a Senatoror a DoctorHis brand of misinformation has already tarnished medicine. In the halls of Congress, hed do much worse.www.scientificamerican.com/article/dr-o...  Tim OBrien (@timobrien.bsky.social)2024-11-19T21:15:24.355Z

I like Oprah Winfrey, but she created two monsters and unleashed them on us: Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz.  Andrea Junker (@strandjunker.bsky.social)2024-11-19T21:41:58.542Z

Dr. Oz and RFK Jr. are both anti-vaxxers, both make false claims about health (Dr. Oz about raspberry ketones and other fat busting products, and RFK Jr about raw milk), and both think hydroxychloroquine cures COVID-19. Many will likely get sick and die due to their policies.  Dina_MD (@dina-md.bsky.social)2024-11-19T22:55:24.620Z

Putting TV Dr. Oz in charge of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is like putting Tom Hanks in charge of NASA because he played an astronaut in Apollo 13.  Joel Montfort (@jmontforttx) November 19, 2024

And now I give you the great and powerful Dr. Mehmet Oz. pic.twitter.com/4XVWrxIFWX  Hoodlum  (@NotHoodlum) November 19, 2024

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Marius Borg Hiby, the eldest son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been remanded in investigative custody for a week in connection with a number of allegations against him, a court in Oslo has ruled.

He is subject to a ban on letters and visits, Oslo District Court Judge Anne-Lene Avangen Hdneb said following a detention review. Police had requested two weeks of pre-trial detention.

Hiby, 27, has been accused of committing a sex act with an unconscious or defenceless person who was unable to resist the act. He faces a rape allegation and was arrested on Monday, his third arrest in four months.
A new soon-to-open jail in Orange County will offer prisoners more positive opportunities and visitors a new way of interacting with incarcerated inmates, all while increasing safety for everyone at the facility.

The new James A. Musick Facility, a medium-security jail in Irvine, was the subject of a $256 million project designed to meet the needs of an evolving jail population, the Orange County Sheriffs Department said. It replaces the old James A. Musick Facility, which consisted of multiple temporary structures and closed in 2019.

Included in the 324,000 square-foot facility are 896 beds, direct-supervision housing units and contemporary medical and programming facilities. A 512-bed building with an administration component will be joined by a 384-bed program building, officials said.

The exterior of the James A. Musick Facility in Irvine, CA. Nov. 19, 2024.

KTLA 5 Orange County Bureau Chief Chip Yost got a look at the new correctional center, and the changes begin right as you walk in; rather than a typical jail visitation area with a window in between the visitor and inmate, visitors will now communicate via a tablet device while the inmate remains in their housing unit, also communicating via tablet.

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Officials voting on ordinance to formally make Los Angeles a sanctuary city

The jail was built in a way that minimizes inmate movement, officials told Yost. They said they are looking to keep inmates inside their living areas as often as possible, and that not having to move them regularly will help with that.

The interior of the James A. Musick Facility in Irvine on Nov. 19, 2024. The interior of the James A. Musick Facility in Irvine on Nov. 19, 2024.

An example of this is bringing prisoners to the chow hall; rather than escorting them there, meals will be served in their living areas. That way, officials said, they dont have to lock down other parts of the facility as often, and it also gives the inmates more out-of-cell time.

And while it is still a prison, Orange County Sheriffs Department officials said Tuesday that the facility was designed with inmate rehabilitation in mind.

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Viral social media posts claim another stimulus check is coming. Dont believe it

The design features softer colors and the furniture can be moved aboutits not industrial and stainless steel, said OCSD Commander Mark Alsobrook. Having landscapes and seascapes in each of the housing units  which also act as sound dampeners  contribute to the mindset of the incarcerated person and [allow them to] receive those educational opportunities and take part in their own transition to prepare to go back to the community.

Also included in the facility are body scanners that Alsobrook says are much like you would see at the airport and provide a less invasive search for illegal contraband inmates may be trying to sneak in.

Each housing unit will be assigned personnel who will remain inside the module 24 hours a day, allowing for direct interaction with incarcerated persons to encourage positive behavior and identify any potential issues before they escalate, the sheriffs department said in a press release. The design also limits movement throughout the facility while bringing services directly to those in custody, creating a safer environment that emphasizes education and rehabilitation.

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Aesthetic components of the facility include large-scale colorful murals and more natural light, which are features shown to benefit mental health and stimulate a calming environment, OCSDs release continued.

Rather than a typical jail visitation area with a window in between the visitor and inmate, visitors will now communicate via a tablet device while the inmate remains in their housing unit. Nov. 19, 2024. The new front entrance to the James A. Musick Facility in Irvine, CA. Nov. 19, 2024.

The original James A. Musick Facility opened in 1963 in what was once a largely undeveloped area miles from any incorporated city and was initially a minimum-security jail, Orange County officials said.

In fact, when the facility first opened, security was so lax that a former employee testified that inmates could walk around on their own and that fencing was allegedly only erected to keep neighboring cattle from eating produce grown at the jail.

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L.A.s only maitre ecallier leads effort to repurpose hundreds of pounds of discarded oyster shells

Due to its agricultural beginnings, the jail was nicknamed The Farm, but its official name comes from James A. Musick, who served as Orange County Sheriff from 1946 to 1974.

Presently, the facility is surrounded on three sides by the city of Irvine and on one side by the Bake Parkway, which is part of the city Lake Forest.

If all goes according to plan, it should open up sometime in early December, more than four years after construction started in Aug. 2020.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KDVR)  Parents in one Colorado town are demanding answers from school and district staff after a bus driver dropped 40 elementary school children off near a cemetery and not at their bus stop.

The incident happened after school Monday on a route that serves students at Clear Sky Elementary in Castle Rock, about 30 miles south of Denver.

Douglas County School District released the following statement: We are in contact with the families of the 40 students who were dropped off yesterday at a different area than their regular bus stop after school. This is incredibly concerning as the safety of our students is always our priority. We will continue to partner with the Castle Rock Police Department (CRPD) on this matter and the bus driver is currently on leave while we conduct our own internal investigation.

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According to multiple parents, a substitute school bus driver was behind the wheel. DCSD has not confirmed that information.

Parents scramble to locate children in random locations

Shes normally dropped off around 4:15 in the neighborhood, pretty much right at the corner, Tony Martin told Nexstars KDVR.

Martin said he got a message from the SMART Tag Parent app the bus carrying his 8-year-old daughter home from school would be delayed Monday afternoon. It is not unusual for the bus to be delayed due to traffic, he explained.

The app then showed his daughter was dropped off at 4:45 p.m. However, she was about a mile and a half from her stop.

Susan Smith denied parole 30 years after drowning sons by rolling car into South Carolina lake

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Another kid from another family, one street above us, came by and stopped and asked if she was home, and we were like, no. We had assumed she was just playing with her friends while walking this way, Martin recounted.

Martin said the boy told them he was dropped off several neighborhoods away from where he was supposed to be and that Martins daughter was dropped off somewhere else randomly.

The father said he started to panic as he learned more about his daughters journey home from school that day.

The bus driver had missed several stops. And when the GPS was telling him to go right he would take a left or it would say go straight he would make a random turn. So he had no idea what he was doing or where he was going, Martin claimed.

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According to Martin and several other parents who spoke off-camera to KDVR, the driver became frustrated and ordered the children off the bus outside Cedar Hill Cemetery. Some of the areas the children had to navigate also lacked sidewalks.

Several kids were crying and being hysterical because their stops were missed, and they didnt know what was going on, Martin said.

Parents, students say driver was threatening violence

Multiple parents also said their children reported the driver using vulgar language and threats toward the students.

When she got home she was very hysterical, traumatized. Uncontrollably crying because she said I felt like I was being kidnapped, Martin said of his daughter.

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Another parent, Ashley Stark, told KDVR her daughters were aboard the bus and heard the driver making threats before they left the school parking lot.

Man convicted of killing nursing student Laken Riley sentenced to life in prison without parole

He proceeded to tell them that he was an Army veteran and that he was bigger, stronger, tougher, braver than all the children. If they didnt be quiet then there would be consequences, Stark explained.

Her daughter, Caitlyn Zavadil, said things got worse when the driver began passing bus stops.

When I say all, I mean everybodys stops, she said. I was very nervous. I felt like I was getting kidnapped when he was skipping our stops. I just didnt think I was going to make it home that night.

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When the bus stopped, another parent described the scene as chaotic and heartbreaking.

It felt as if there was an active shooter on that bus the way these children were just running from it, running out of it, running through traffic, scattering all over the place. In a sea full of children Im out of my car where its parked Im looking for my daughter, said Savanna Keisling.

Strangers ensured children were safe, reunited with parents

Keisling managed to find her daughter, then picked up Caitlyn and her sister on a street corner as they were trying to figure out what to do since they lived two miles away from where they were dropped off.

I had gotten out of my car, I stopped traffic, I told the girls do they need a ride home? Im a safe person, my daughter is in the car, like let me get you safe. And they, I mean, just jumped in the car. They were cold, Keisling said.

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Stark then got a phone call from Keisling who told her she was on the way with her daughters.

Toms of Maine toothpaste made with bacteria-filled water, FDA warns

A stranger, bless her heart, brought my children home. But yeah to have a stranger bring my children home was one of the scariest things, Stark recounted.

Castle Rock police officers were dispatched to locate missing children after the incident Monday night. Other strangers also pulled over to pick up Martins daughter.

Luckily it was a gentleman, we dont know  we dont know his name or exactly who he was, but he brought her home. The only reason she got in the car with him is because she knew the little girl from her school, he said.

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Martin said he is now considering getting his third-grader a cell phone for emergencies. He is also questioning if he can trust the Douglas County School District to keep his child safe.

This is unacceptable and sorry will never be enough, he said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Trumps mandate

Nothing Donald Trump has done since being elected should come as any kind of surprise. He was overwhelmingly elected and has a clear mandate from the voters. Deal with it.

Loans

A question for Democratic leaders: Now that the elections over, do you think maybe the 75% of Americans who dont have a college education might resent being asked to pay loans off for those who did?

Real agenda

Since Donald Trump did not reveal his platform during campaigning, he is sending clear messages now. Elon Musk is in charge of government efficiency. When he acquired X, formerly Twitter, he laid off 80% of its staff. He know wants to do the same for government workers. Hes also pushing clean energy and hi Space X projects. How will this affect you. Well, it depends on where you work.

4B movement

The South Korean womens movement known as the 4B movement reminds of the play Lysistrata by Aristophanes. It was intended as a comedy but actually the ladies were successful in motivating the men to stop their behaviors. Read it, youll like it.

Deregulation

The post concerning climate change was correct, but wait til you see the damage caused by Donald Trumps insistence on deregulation. Yes, businesses will profit from it, but workers wont. Instead of having to pay for things like proper disposal of toxic waste, industry will just dump it in the nearest river. Just look at what happened with the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, when they were allowed to police themselves. This is one more way Donald Trump is bad for America.

Die or deliver

In nine states abortion is forbidden even in the case of rape. How tragic. How wrong.

A new era

Thanks to former/future president Donald Trump we are in a new political era. Electability is all about policies. Character and morality no longer matter.

Path to destruction

Donald Trump has nominated Matt Gaetz for Attorney General because he knows he can totally control him. Hes creating a Justice Department that will protect him, and not laws.

Trumps mic

I know Fox News did not show the clip of Donald Trump imitating a sexual act with his microphone at one of his rallies recently. You might want to look at it. If you did see it, how did you explain to your kids or grandkids sitting next you why you voted for this man to be our moral leader? Explain to me, please.

Pay up

If Donald Trumps campaign spent only $950 million, then he should have no problem paying his past due bills from venues all over the country. Besides all his other character flaws, he is also a deadbeat.

Hollywood candidate

Maybe if Vice President Harris had spent more time figuring out what Americans want and less time giving celebrities millions of dollars, shed have had a chance against Donald Trump.

We dont want it

The American people had four years of Democratic leadership and clearly decided four years was more than enough.

Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.
COMPANY NEWS: Fastter, an Australian first creative telecommunications studio that develops and manages virtual mobile networks for Australias largest brands, has partnered with pioneering childrens pocket money app Spriggy, to launch Spriggy Mobile.

Spriggy Mobiles 5G plans are especially designed to be a safer way to get kids connected and give parents peace of mind. They include industry first safety features and parental controls developed with Fastter APIs which are fully integrated into the

Spriggy app used by more than 1.2 million parents and kids across the country.

Fastters industry first zero cost, zero risk telco solution makes launching a branded mobile network as simple as white labelling a credit card.

It dramatically slashes the time and capital expenditure traditionally associated with launching a telco vertical, removing not only all the regulatory and compliance risk but the need to endure lengthy and complex carrier negotiations.

Previously, to reap the benefits of a mobile vertical, companies needed to spend tens of millions of dollars up front to acquire smaller telcos or build them from the ground up, which for the majority of brands, was both time and cost prohibitive, ultimately spelling the end of their telco aspirations.

This latest partnership for Fastter not only reinforces the creative companys position at the forefront of telco innovation but underscores its ongoing commitment to delivering branded mobile experiences that reduce churn and keep customers loyal for longer

Fastter Co-Founder, Damien Hansen, said Fastter creates bespoke branded mobile experiences with excellent coverage, exceptional Australian based customer service and unique selling points.

We are thrilled to be the telecom partner of choice for Spriggy Mobile as they launch both a new mobile brand and an innovative service.

Fastter is committed to creating ways for brands to seamlessly integrate mobile connectivity into their offering so they can focus on what they do best while Fastter handles the complexities of the telco industry.

We believe channel partnerships where simply slapping a discount on an already expensive carrier retail plan and calling it a customer benefit are well and truly over.

Theres a real opportunity for brands with large loyalty programs to embed branded mobile plans directly into those membership and rewards platforms.

When a business, whether it be in retail, banking, health insurance or even superannuation can say to their customers that here is a great value mobile plan and you dont have to leave our ecosystem to access it  that really moves the dial, said Hansen.

An increasing number of Australian companies are embedding branded connectivity solutions into their ecosystem following similar moves by UK-based global neobank, Revolut and its 45-billion-dollar Brazilian counterpart, Nubank enabling customers to access mobile services via an eSim within their respective banking apps. Similarly, the new telco offering enables Spriggy to launch an adjacent service and also positions the company as the first Australian fintech to provide a mobile phone offering.

Spriggy Chief Commercial Officer, Scott Eddington said the Fastter pathway was attractive to the business on a number of levels.

Its no secret the process to offer a telecom service is a tangled and complex value chain of layered technology partnerships, wholesale contracts and security integrations.

Partnering with Fastter means we dont have to carry the extra regulatory and compliance burden and were able to establish ourselves in a new vertical in a capital efficient way.

It was also crucial for us that Spriggy Mobile was able to remain distinctively Spriggy and leverage our existing digital footprint on hundreds of thousands of devices around the country. We were able to achieve that in collaboration with the Fastter team utilising their suite of powerful APIs, said Eddington.

About Fastter

Fastter is a privately held Australian company that creates, enables and grows branded mobile experiences for some of Australias most recognised brands. Our full service, creative telecommunications enablement and management studio is powered by proprietary technology that can be seamlessly integrated into existing customer touchpoints using the Optus 5G Network.
(Bloomberg) -- South Africas government expects to complete a revision of its national energy blueprint this month and submit the proposed changes to lawmakers by the end of the first quarter, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said.

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The governments so-called Integrated Resource Plan has faced criticism from energy activists for being too reliant on fossil fuels, amid calls to diversify South Africas energy mix and add new capacity from renewable sources. Critics have cautioned that the plan is unlikely to achieve its fundamental goal of providing a stable electricity supply.

The plan was first announced in 2019, before being overhauled last year and released for public comment in January. Since then, the government has received dozens of substantive submissions, Ramokgopa told reporters at a briefing in Pretoria on Wednesday.

We will consolidate those inputs in the plan, which will guide our work going into the future, he said.

The plan will be presented as the Integrated Resource Plan 2024, South African National Energy Development Institute Chief Executive Officer Titus Mathe said at the briefing.

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Its almost like a new IRP, based on what has happened in the last 12 months or so, he said. We have taken the latest input assumptions and also additional data from the likes of Eskom and other organizations, and of course, the performance of Eskom has changed, so all of that was taken into account.

South Africas state-owned utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. hasnt implemented rolling power cuts since March 26 on improved generation and energy availability.

Fossil fuels will still remain a part of the mix under the new plan, Ramokgopa said.

Their share of the mix and the aggregate distribution of the mix must be such that you are able to realize the affordability of electricity, he said.

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--With assistance from Paul Burkhardt.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Authorities in South Carolina have shared how they captured a murder suspect wanted by the Sioux Falls Police Department.

Chain reaction crash injures 5 near high school

The Anderson County Sheriffs office in South Carolina arrested Lamont Burks Jr. Tuesday.

Officials there tell KELOLAND News a license plate reader let authorities know that he was wanted in South Dakota. The sheriffs department was notified, and he was taken into the Anderson county detention center.

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Burks will stay there until South Dakota agencies set an extradition date.

He and Walter Stewart face charges in the shooting death of Josh Allen Jr. at Dunham Park in August. They were both wanted for murder, attempted murder and assault 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 KELOLAND.com.
The number of women getting abortions grew during the first three months of 2024 compared with before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, reflecting expanded access in Democratic-controlled states. (Getty Images)

Although pro-choice advocates lost the fight to enshrine abortion rights into the Florida Constitution when Amendment 4 failed to meet the 60% threshold required to become law, a South Florida Democratic lawmaker says she will file a bill to clarify medical exceptions that allow legal abortions past the standing six-week cutoff.

Sen. Tina Polsky on the Florida Senate floor on March 1, 2022. Credit: Michael Moline

Because all of those commercials that were paying for had all of those doctors standing there saying, Women can get reproductive care if theres something wrong with them. They can get abortion care. So, I want that in writing in a revisor bill, said Democratic state Sen. Tina Polsky  who represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties  on Tuesday afternoon in the Capitol.

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I am not optimistic, but I am focusing purely on medical exceptions. Because we dont want women in Florida dying, she added.

Polsky says clarity is needed because of constituents like Anya Cook.

Cook is a Broward County resident whose water broke in 2022 when she was 16 weeks pregnant. Her doctor told her she would lose her fetus. But because her situation occurred past the states then-15-week ban, she was told to go home  where, ultimately, she suffered a miscarriage in a bathroom. She recounted her story before a nationwide audience at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last August.

The six-week abortion ban passed by the Legislature in 2023, which took effect May 1, provides exceptions for rape, incest, or human trafficking if the age of the fetus is not more than 15 weeks as determined by the physician.

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The law also says that a physician may perform or induce a termination of a pregnancy if two physicians certify in writing that the procedure is necessary to save the patients life or avert a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the patient other than a psychological condition.

The law also allows for just one physician to certify the same problems if another physician is not available for consultation.

Im going to fight as hard as I can. Because Im not going to change the underlying law, Im asking them to clarify that women are not going to die, and I know [Senate] Leader Albritton doesnt want anyone to die, Polsky said.

Nobody wants women to die. So, if theres a way to clarify, I want hospital executives to say, This is what I need in writing so I can allow these procedures to happen. I want OB/GYNs to say, This is what I need in writing. Its going to be really streamlined. And I just think its so important that we protect women.

Im hopeful

Polsky says she has no plans to file legislation seeking repeal of the six-week ban, but House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell says shed like to see someone file such a bill.

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I am hopeful that we can revisit the restrictions currently placed on women and their ability to have agency over their own bodies and give medical professionals the clearer guidance they have been asking for, she said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Polsky and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo continued to blast the DeSantis administrations decision to use millions in taxpayer dollars to pay for public service announcements opposing Amendment 4 in Florida.

Going forward, I think people should stop spending money that we havent allocated or appropriated, Pizzo told reporters.

Florida Senate President Ben Albritton speaking with reporters on Nov. 19, 2024 (photo by Mitch Perry/ Florida Phoenix)

But newly elected Republican Senate President Ben Albritton told news reporters on Tuesday that he was highly supportive of the public use of taxpayer dollars to combat the abortion-rights initiative.

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He said they were aired to combat many of the lies of Yes on 4 ads he said he saw on television. The ads asserted that there were no exceptions for rape, incest, the health of the mother, or human trafficking in current law.

Using that money for educational purposes matters to Floridians because we wanted them to cast a vote based on accurate information, he said.

When asked if he thought it was appropriate to use taxpayer funds to advocate for a political position, he said yes.

Using taxpayer dollars in an effort to educate taxpayers on the issues that we have at hand is a reasonable use of those monies, said Albritton. Yes, I agree with that.
South Koreas opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has been indicted on charges of embezzling millions from public funds when he was a governor.

Mr Lee, chair of the Democratic Party, was already facing four other trials for bribery and other charges mostly tied to a 790m property development scandal.

The allegations cast uncertainty over the prospect of Mr Lee running in the next presidential election. He is a firebrand liberal who lost the 2022 election to conservative president Yoon Suk Yeol by a thin margin.

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He was indicted on breach of trust charges accusing him of misusing KRW106m (60,100) in taxpayer money during his tenure as governor of the Gyeonggi province from 2018 to 2021, Yonhap reported, citing the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office which filed the charges on Tuesday.

Mr Lee has also been accused of allowing his wife, Kim Hye-kyung, to use a government vehicle for private reasons while labelling it as official usage.

Funds were also spent to pay for pricey meals, groceries or laundry for Mr Lee's family, but documented as expenses for meetings with public employees or overtime pay, according to Yonhap.

The Democratic Party condemned the indictment as "far-fetched" and a "scheme to kill the president's political foe".

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Mr Lee was last week handed a prison sentence of a year, suspended for two years, for violating election law by making a false claim about a land development project in 2021 during his presidential campaign.

Its a conclusion that I cannot accept, Mr Lee told reporters, adding that he would appeal the ruling in the high court.

Mr Lee faces the possibility of being stripped of his parliamentary seat and barred from running for office for a decade if the sentence is upheld by the Supreme Court.

The prosecutions intention is clear. It wants to tie the hands and feet of the leader of the largest opposition party who has overwhelming public support and confine him in court, Jo Seoung-lae, a senior spokesperson for the party was quoted as saying by The Korea Times.

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The ruling People Power Party said the case once again raised the question of whether Mr Lee was qualified to hold public office.

In a related case, a district court last week fined Kim Hye-kyung KRW1.5m (8,500 ) for violating election law by offering a meal to several politicians' spouses using Gyeonggi provincial funds after Mr Lee launched his presidential bid in 2021.

Considered one of the most polarising figures in South Korean politics, Mr Lee, a former child factory worker who endured an industrial accident after dropping out of school, has often highlighted his rags-to-riches journey to political stardom.

However, his career has been overshadowed by scandals and allegations of links to organised crime. In January, Mr Lee survived a knife attack, sustaining a neck injury that required surgery.

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In 2022, prosecutors indicted Mr Lee on charges of making false claims about two contentious development projects in Seongnam, where he served as mayor from 2010 to 2018, during his campaign as the presidential candidate.

Mr Lee has denied any wrongdoing and accused the government of Mr Yoon, a prosecutor-turned-president, of pursuing a political vendetta.

Additional reporting by agencies
VIENTIANE, Laos (AP)  U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed regret Wednesday that his Chinese counterpart chose not to hold talks with him during meetings of Southeast Asian defense chiefs in Laos, calling it a setback for the entire region.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is holding security talks in Vientiane at a time of increasing maritime disputes with China and as the transition to a new U.S. president approaches.

The decision by Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun is a setback for the whole region, Austin said after the first day of meetings.

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It's unfortunate. It affects the region because the region really wants to see us, two significant players in the region, two significant powers, talk to each other, and that reassures the entire region, he said.

There was no immediate comment from China on its decision not to meet with Austin.

Austin just wrapped up meetings in Australia with officials there and with Japan's defense minister. They pledged to support ASEAN and expressed their serious concern about destabilizing actions in the East and South China Seas, including dangerous conduct by the People's Republic of China against Philippines and other coastal state vessels.

In addition to the United States and China, other nations attending the two-day ASEAN meetings from outside Southeast Asia include Japan, South Korea, India and Australia.

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Along with the Philippines, ASEAN members Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have competing claims with China in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely as its own territory.

Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos are the other ASEAN members.

Opening the talks, Laotian Defense Minister Chansamone Chanyalath said he hoped for productive meetings that would "become a standard for us to continue ASEANs cooperation in defense, including how to handle, thwart, and manage security challenges in the present and in the future.

As China has grown more assertive in pushing its territorial claims in recent years, ASEAN members and Beijing have been negotiating a code of conduct to govern behavior in the sea, but progress has been slow.

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Officials have agreed to try to complete the code by 2026, but talks have been hampered by thorny issues, including disagreements over whether the pact should be binding.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has called for more urgency in the code of conduct negotiations, complained at a meeting of ASEAN leaders last month that his country continues to be subject to harassment and intimidation by Chinas actions, which he said violated international law.

Chinese and Philippine vessels have clashed repeatedly this year, and Vietnam in October charged that Chinese forces assaulted its fishermen in disputed areas in the South China Sea. China has also sent patrol vessels to areas that Indonesia and Malaysia claim as their exclusive economic zones.

At the meeting of ASEAN leaders last month, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was "very concerned about Chinas increasingly dangerous and unlawful activities in the South China Sea which have injured people, harm vessels from ASEAN nations and contradict commitments to peaceful resolutions of disputes.

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He pledged that the U.S. would "continue to support freedom of navigation, and freedom of overflight in the Indo Pacific.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said U.S. and other non-regional militaries present in the sea were the main source of instability.

The increasing military deployment and activities in the South China Sea by the U.S. and a few other non-regional countries, stoking confrontation and creating tensions, are the greatest source of instability for peace and stability in the South China Sea, Mao said.

It is not clear how the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will address the South China Sea situation.

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After Austin's meetings in Australia, the Defense Department said the U.S., Australia and Japan had agreed to expand joint drills and announced a defense consultation body among the three countries forces to strengthen their cooperation.

When asked Tuesday while in the Philippines about whether the strong U.S. defense support would continue for the country under Trump, Austin said he would not speculate.

Although Austin failed to hold talks with Chinese Defense Minister Dong, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani was expected to meet with Dong and express concerns about Beijing's military activities, Japan's NHK public television reported.

Japan has protested that a Chinese military aircraft violated its airspace briefly in August, and in September expressed serious concerns after a Chinese aircraft carrier and two destroyers sailed between two Japanese islands.

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The meetings are also likely to touch on tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the Russia-Ukraine war, and wars in the Middle East. They are also expected to discuss other issues, including natural disasters, cybersecurity and terrorism.

Another thorny regional issue is the civil war and humanitarian crisis in ASEAN member Myanmar. The group's credibility has been severely tested by the war in Myanmar, where the army ousted an elected government in 2021, and fighting has continued with pro-democracy guerillas and ethnic rebels.

More than a year into an offensive initiated by three militias and joined by other resistance groups, observers estimate the military controls less than half the country.

Myanmar military rulers have been barred from ASEAN meetings since late 2021, but this year the country has been represented by high-level bureaucrats, including at the summit in October.

___

Associated Press writer David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  An organization based in Southeast D.C. is helping to put young people on a path toward stability.

Covenant Houses community service center sits along Mississippi Avenue SE, and from the outside, youd have no idea about the opportunities that lie inside. From finding housing to finding their passions, the organization is there every step of the way for young people between the ages of 18 and 24.

20-year-old Robert Hunter came to Covenant House about three months ago. He moved to D.C. from Mississippi, looking for opportunity.

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Ive just always wanted more for myself. Ive always had a lot of ambitions, Hunter said in an interview with DC News Now on Tuesday.

Community gardens in Berkeley County help families on budget stock pantries, eat healthy

He said he found out about the organization through a friend when moving here.

The possibilities here at Covenant House are endless. Its because they have all types of resources and things that can really help you, said Hunter.

Hes learning how to produce music in Covenant Houses recording studio and editing lab, exploring his passion for drawing and painting, and taking advantage of their workforce development programs.

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Im also enlisting in the military, so I felt like that was [what] I could do as far as my country. Use that to help me get into school. We all start somewhere, said Hunter, who hopes to gain new skills in the military and study business management in school.

When it comes to reaching out and asking for help, Hunter says not to let your pride get in the way.

If your pride is too big to let someone help you, dont think in the moment. Think about the future, he said.

When someone first arrives at Covenant House, staff work to address the immediate needs of youth walking through their doors. Theyll provide them with a safe place to eat a hot meal, take a warm shower and stay off the street.

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After that, it turns to finding stable housing, shopping for brand new clothes at their no-cost store, growing their own healthy greens and honing their professional skills that align with their passions, all while working toward their goals of success and stability

School districts across Northern Virginia request delay of VDOEs new performance plan

We had a young person come in who wanted to be in the FBI. We were able to get them a job, at an entry-level, at the FBI as a custodian, said Kevin Walker, the organizations director of workforce development.

Kevin Walker and Chelsey Brown oversee many programs at Covenant House. The organization also has classrooms, a library, a gym and a food pantry on-site that is open to the entire community.

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A lot of the programs there are geared toward homeless youth.

The best thing about our youth is not that theyre homeless. It doesnt define them. It is something theyre experiencing, not something that theyre going to have for the rest of their life, said Brown, chief program officer.

To bring awareness to youth homelessness in the DMV, Covenant House is hosting its annual Sleep Out at the Wharf in Southwest D.C. on Thursday, Nov. 21.

Its really an act of solidarity. We know that so many of our youth experience having to sleep outside in the elements. For just one night, all of our supporters are going to come together to do that very thing and just sleep outside on the ground in sleeping bags, said Keaira Kittrell, development manager at Covenant House.

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Theyre expecting about 100 people to sleep outside with them Thursday night.

Heres how you or a loved one can seek help:

Young people in need of crisis care, food, intervention and other services in D.C., Maryland and Virginia are urged to give Covenant House a call at 202-610-9600.

The Covenant House emergency shelter location (open 8 a.m. to 8 pm.) is at 511 Mellon Street SE, Washington, D.C.

Their community service center (open Monday  Friday 8:30 a.m.  4:30 p.m.) is at 2001 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, D.C.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)   Southeastern senators are teaming up to push disaster relief funding through Congress. They say they represent communities that are still grappling with the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton and need more federal help.

The effort to approve more funding for federal recovery work is bringing together Republicans like Senator Thom Tillis and Senator Ted Budd and Democrats like Senator Jon Ossoff and Senator Tim Kaine.

Regions of North Carolina were hit especially hard by the storm and their leaders argue they urgently need assistance.

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Its not over. Were not on to the next storm. Were going to be recovering in Western North Carolina for years, Tillis said.

The people of Western North Carolina, they need help, they need it now. We cant have any more delays, Budd said.

Parts of Florida, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee also sustained damage from the storm. Senator Ossoff says its vital to address all of the effected communities.

The bottom line is that when were hit like this by a storm, we have to invest in rebuilding America, Ossoff said.

The White House is asking for $98 billion dollars for this disaster relief. While large funding packages are usually divisive on Capitol Hill, the senators hope the fact that this issue is bipartisan will help get the funding across the finish line.

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Its not about party, its about taking care of one of the core functions of government, which is taking care of people in a time of need and disaster, Budd said.

The money would go towards wide ranging recovery goals. In Virginia, Senator Kaine says national parks and forests need help.

In the Appalachian part of Virginia there was huge damage to public lands, Kaine said. If you help folks with homes and businesses, which we need to, but you dont do some work on the public lands, the national parks and the national forests, then you really hit hard the tourism industry that a lot of the Southwestern Virginia communities rely on.

In Georgia, Senator Ossoff especially wants aid for the agriculture industry.

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Supporting our family farms who were crushed by this hurricane. Weve got pecan growers in Georgia who lost entire groves, Ossoff said.

In North Carolina many of the regions that were damaged by the storm arent used to dealing with hurricanes. Senator Tillis says they may need to get creative with allocating relief funding for those areas.

Weve got to do things differently. Its a storm that we dont have a playbook to work from, Tillis said. I think we should go COVID relief package and see whether or not a paycheck protection program for disaster declared areas is in order.

Congress may try to add the disaster money to a larger government funding package theyre working to pass before the Dec. 20 federal funding deadline.

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Thats a lot of work to do but we could get it done and thats my hope, Kaine said.

They all agree the sooner it passes the better.

To get businesses, to get homes, to get people back on their feet. Thats what people are waiting for and thats one of the reasons for their frustration, Budd said.

We need to do this swiftly, and we need to do it without political gamesmanship, Ossoff said.

People are hurting. We have got to get the money out there, Tillis said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
HARARE (Reuters) - Southern Africa's regional bloc on Wednesday extended by a year its troop deployment in Democratic Republic of Congo, where it is helping the government fight rebel groups.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) deployed the mission in Congo, a major producer of metals like cobalt and copper, in December 2023 with a one-year mandate.

A communique issued after regional leaders met in Zimbabwe's capital Harare expressed concern at the security and humanitarian situation in Congo and reiterated the bloc's support for the government.

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Congo is one of SADC's 16 member states.

"Summit extended the mandate of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo by one year, continuing the regional response to address the prevailing unstable security situation," the communique said.

Conflict in Congo's restive east has raged for decades between a myriad of rival armed groups over land and resources.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced in the fighting, which has continued despite numerous ceasefires.

(Reporting by Nyasha Chingono; Writing by Tannur Anders; Editing by Alexander Winning)
ST. LOUIS  More than a dozen dogs of varying breeds are arriving at the Humane Society of Missouris headquarters in St. Louis for evaluations and veterinary treatment after being rescued from what volunteers describe as deplorable conditions.

Last week, deputies with the Polk County Sheriffs Office responded to a welfare check at a home after receiving calls from a concerned neighbor. Deputies arrived to find the homeowner deceased and several dogs loose on the property without access to food or water. Other dogs were found tethered or confined to cages.

The HSMOs Animal Cruelty Task Force determined many of the dogs were malnourished and suffering a wide range of health issues.

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Rescuers also discovered the remains of several dogs on the property.

Mountain lion killed by Missouri deer hunter, investigation underway

These dogs faced unimaginable hardship, and with freezing temperatures arriving later this week, it was critical that we get them to safety, HSMO President Kathy Warnick said. We are so appreciative of the Polk County Sheriff and their assistance in helping us rescue these animals before winter sets in.

This is the second animal rescue in Polk County in as many weeks.

A deposition hearing will be held on Dec. 9 to determine if the HSMO can take legal custody of the dogs. If awarded custody, the dogs will go up for adoption as soon as they receive a clean bill of health from staff veterinarians and are evaluated by the HSMOs animal behavior team.

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The HSMO is accepting donations to help care for abused and neglected animals.

Concerned citizens can report animals that may be in danger or suffering from abuse and neglect to the HSMOs Animal Cruelty Hotline at 314-647-4400.

This is a developing story and is being updated. Refresh this page every few minutes as more information is added.

Courtesy: Humane Society of Missouris Animal Cruelty Task Force Courtesy: Humane Society of Missouris Animal Cruelty Task Force Courtesy: Humane Society of Missouris Animal Cruelty Task Force Courtesy: Humane Society of Missouris Animal Cruelty Task Force

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Press Release

November 20, 2024 Budget hike for MinDA, support for SPDA to boost economic dev't in Mindanao - Dela Rosa The increase in the budget for the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the continued budgetary support for the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) would boost economic growth in Mindanao. This was expressed by Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa as he defended the proposed 2025 budgets of the agencies which are mandated to cultivate socio-economic progress in the country's major island in the south. The Senate finance subcommittee headed by Dela Rosa, who hailed from Mindanao himself, increased the budget of MinDA by P67 million to accommodate more programs that would ensure continuous development in the island. The P67 million hike covered the MinDA Digitalization Innovations Program, support for sustainable operations of the Mindanao River Basin Program, and the Strengthening of the Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao Program Year 2. Dela Rosa stressed the need to continue the research on the Mindanao River Basin Program, which covers eight river basins across the regions in the island, as this concern 4.5 million people living near the waterway and it is considered as home to the largest wetland ecosystem in the Philippines. To ensure a harmonized development in the southern part of the Philippines particularly in infrastructure programs, Dela Rosa also disclosed that MinDA has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). "BARMM sits in the MinDA board as one of its board members. MinDA entered into a memorandum of cooperation with the BARMM Development and Planning Authority (BPDA). MinDA designated a focal person for the BARMM and BPDA is provided with an office in MinDA for their use when they're in Mindanao," Dela Rosa said. For 2025, the Senate has proposed a P334.515 million budget for MinDA under its version of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB). Meanwhile, the Mindanaoan lawmaker defended the P80.29 million budgetary support for SPDA--a government-owned and controlled corporation which mandate is to promote the Southern Philippines by initiating business projects of corporate and economic in nature in various sectors such as agriculture, power, infrastructure, energy, land development, etcetera. Dela Rosa explained that while SPDA has other sources of income, they need budgetary support as there was no income that was generated from one of their subsidiaries, specifically the Marawi Resort Hotel Inc. During the Senate deliberations of the proposed 2025 budget, the SPDA was also commended for its investments on abaca production, poultry, fish pond estate projects, and pineapple fiber project. "In fact last weekend, I was their guest of honor in their inauguration of their poultry farm in my home province in Sulop, Davao del Sur. So hindi po nasayang ang ating pondo na nilalagay sa ating [national budget]. They are really working hard to alleviate the living standards of mga tao sa laylayan (people who are at the bottom)," Dela Rosa remarked.
COMPANY NEWS: Hitachi iQ certified solutions and reference architectures  built on NVIDIA accelerated computing and AI software  enhance ease of deployment, operations, and maintenance of AI systems

Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure, and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), today announced the availability of Hitachi iQ with the NVIDIA HGX platform in an end-to-end solution stack of fast, scalable, and resilient infrastructure for modern AI systems. Hitachi iQ provides cost-optimised solutions, tailored to a variety of industries and use cases, including large language models, inferencing, model training, analytics, digital twins, and image processing.

Despite 97% of organisations viewing GenAI as a top-five priority, ESG Research found only slightly more than one-third (37%) believe their infrastructure and data ecosystem is well-prepared for implementing GenAI solutions, while 77% agreed that data quality issues needed to be addressed before they could adopt GenAI processes.

The latest offering from Hitachi iQ is built to directly address these challenges. Designed to maximise AI performance and reliability, Hitachi iQ saturates GPUs with data to deliver faster time to insight. Of note:

Hitachi iQ with NVIDIA HGX combines storage, networking, servers with NVIDIA H100 and H200 Tensor Core GPUs options, and the NVIDIA AI Enterprise end-to-end, cloud-native software platform for the development and deployment of generative AI applications.

Enhanced data processing of distributed file systems allows for more effective pattern identification, while access to diverse datasets helps AI models learn from a wider range of scenarios.

With NVIDIA HGX, Hitachi iQ improves the economics and sustainability of AI through a zero-copy architecture that eliminates wasteful data copying and transfer times between storage silos for different phases of AI.

The updated Hitachi Content Software for File platform with generation 5 PCIe features the latest AMD EPYC processor technology and high-performance networking with NVIDIA ConnectX-7 400Gb/s InfiniBand or Ethernet NICs. In addition, PCIe Generation 5 E3.S NVMe drive technology adds extreme performance capabilities for Hitachi iQ and other data solutions where performance is mission-critical and provides significant performance upgrades for high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) workloads.

High-density object storage integrated with Hitachi Content Software for File allows scaling of compute and storage independently with the flexibility to adapt to diverse and fluctuating data sizes, data types, and workloads.

Our customers are looking for advanced solutions to meet the ever-evolving demands of AI, and the Hitachi iQ offering with NVIDIA HGX is the latest example of how we are at the forefront of AI innovation, said Jason Hardy, chief technology officer for artificial intelligence at Hitachi Vantara. As one of the only vendors to offer a complete, end-to-end AI infrastructure solution, we marry world-class technology with deep industry expertise for a powerful, one-stop-shop experience.

Pairing NVIDIAs accelerated computing platform with the deep industrial expertise of Hitachi Vantara helps address the growing demand for enterprise-grade AI infrastructure and applications, delivering high-performance computing capabilities for AI workloads to enable faster training, fine-tuning, and inferencing, said Shar Narasimhan, director of data center GPUs and AI at NVIDIA.

There is immense pressure to leverage AI right now but in the education space, it needs to tie directly to ROI, said Allen Lee, managing director of Genesis Networks Pte Ltd.

Optimised to drive industry specific results from a partner with the experience to help us make it happen, thats what we see in Hitachi iQ.

Hitachi iQ Portfolio Evolution

Hitachi has a long history of IT/OT domain expertise in industries such as rail, energy, and manufacturing, and is a leader for integrating IT infrastructure and business applications. Offered through multiple consumption models, Hitachi iQ provides customers with mechanisms to consume the data infrastructure they need, all while providing improved on-premises performance and allowing for a better ROI.

The Hitachi iQ portfolio of AI-ready infrastructure, solutions, and services first became available in July 2024, including a new AI Discovery Service designed to help customers identify the most valuable AI use cases, assess their data readiness, determine ROI, and create a strategic roadmap for successful AI implementation.

Hitachi iQ with the NVIDIA HGX platform and Hitachi Content Software for File are now available globally. For more information on Hitachi Vantaras offerings in AI, please visit: hitachivantara.com.
MADRID (AP)  Spain will grant residency and work permits to about 300,000 migrants living in the country illegally each year for the next three years, the country's migration minister said Wednesday.

The policy will take effect next May and aims to expand the country's aging workforce. Spain has remained largely open to receiving migrants even as other European nations seek to tighten their borders to illegal crossings and asylum seekers.

Spain needs around 250,000 registered foreign workers a year to maintain its welfare state, Migration Minister Elma Saiz said in an interview on Wednesday. She contended that the legalization policy is not aimed solely at cultural wealth and respect for human rights, its also prosperity.

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Today, we can say Spain is a better country, Saiz told national broadcaster Radio Nacional de Espana.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has often described his government's migration policies as a means to combat the country's low birthrate.

The new policy, approved Tuesday by Sanchez's leftist minority coalition government, simplifies administrative procedures for short and long-term visas and provides migrants with additional labor protections. It extends a visa previously offered to job-seekers for three months to one year.

In August, Sanchez visited three West African nations in an effort to address irregular migration to Spains Canary Islands.

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The archipelago off the coast of Africa is seen by many as a step toward continental Europe with young men from Mali, Senegal, Mauritania and elsewhere embarking on dangerous sea voyages there seeking better job opportunities abroad or fleeing violence and political instability at home.

By mid-November, some 54,000 migrants had reached Spain this year by sea or land, according to the country's Interior Ministry. The exact number of foreigners living in Spain illegally is not clear.

Many such migrants make a living in Spain's underground economy as fruit pickers, caretakers, delivery drivers, or other low-paid but essential jobs often passed over by Spaniards.

Without legal protections, they can be vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Saiz said the new policy would help prevent such abuse and "serve to combat mafias, fraud and the violation of rights."

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Spain's economy is among the fastest-growing in the European Union this year, boosted in part by a strong rebound in tourism after the pandemic.

In 2023, Spain issued 1.3 million visas to foreigners, according to the government.

___

Follow AP coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/migration
The Spanish and Italian embassies in Kyiv have temporarily ceased operations on 20 November because of concerns about a large-scale Russian attack, as suggested by "specific" intelligence.

Source: Spanish news agency EFE and the website of the Italian Embassy in Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In a letter to Spanish people living in Ukraine, the embassy advises "taking emergency security measures, following all the recommendations made by local authorities, and making sure there is shelter nearby".

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The embassy also stated that they will not be providing services during the day on 20 November owing to the "increased risk of air strikes throughout Ukraine".

The Italian Embassy likewise announced the suspension of operations.

Quote from the Italian Embassy: "The US Embassy posted on its website information about a possible high-intensity air attack today, 20 November. As a precautionary measure, the embassy in Kyiv today will be closed to visitors."

Background:

Earlier, the United States decided to close its embassy in Kyiv on 20 November after receiving information about the threat of a major Russian strike on this day.

On 19 November, Ukrainian defence forces launched their first long-range ATACMS missile strike on Russias territory.

Ukrainian sources say that the ATACMS strike targeted the 67th arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defence in the town of Karachev in Russias Bryansk Oblast.

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CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  The Shreveport Police Department is asking for help in locating an accused rapist with a prior sexual criminal history.

According to police, an arrest warrant has been issued for Louis James Bates, 20, for the alleged first-degree rape of a 68-year-old woman in February.

In early September, detectives with the Shreveport Police Departments Sex Crimes Unit identified Bates as a suspect through a match linked to evidence collected during the victims physical evidence recovery kit.

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Police say Bates prior sexual criminal history further substantiated the need for a warrant.

If you know where Bates may be hiding, contact the Shreveport Police Department at (318) 673-7300. Anonymous tips can always be submitted through Caddo Crime Stoppers at (318) 673-7373.

If found guilty of first-degree rape, Bates could face the possibility of life in prison.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday he supports restricting single-sex facilities in the Capitol, including restrooms, to individuals of that biological sex which would effectively ban the first transgender congresswoman from using womens bathrooms in the next Congress.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., introduced a resolution this week that would ban transgender women from using women's bathrooms and other facilities at the Capitol. She said Tuesday that the bill "absolutely" targets Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Del., the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.

All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings  such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms  are reserved for individuals of that biological sex," Johnson, R-La., said in a statement, adding that "each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol."

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He added, Women deserve womens only spaces.

Johnson told reporters Tuesday that he believes "a man cannot become a woman" but added, "I also believe that we treat everybody with dignity, and so we can do and believe all those things at the same time."

McBride wrote Wednesday in a statement on X: Im not here to fight about bathrooms. Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. Like all members, I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them.

This effort to distract from the real issues facing this country hasnt distracted me over the last several days, as Ive remained hard at work preparing to represent the greatest state in the union come January, she added.

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Johnsons statement alone doesnt formally restrict transgender people from using the bathroom aligned with their genders, but it signals the kind of rules that could be in the coming Congress rules package  which would take effect in January.

Asked about Johnsons statement, Mace said that she found the sentiment positive but that she still had questions about enforcement mechanisms and whether it would be in the rules package for the next Congress.

Maces position on LGBTQ issues this week appears to be a departure from comments she made in an interview in 2021, when she told the Washington Examiner: "I strongly support LGBTQ rights and equality. No one should be discriminated against."

At the time, she added, It isnt a black-and-white issue. I do believe that religious liberty, the First Amendment, gay rights, and transgender equality can all coexist. Im also a constitutionalist, and we have to ensure anti-discrimination laws dont violate First Amendment rights or religious freedom.

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Asked about her past remarks about being in favor of LGBTQ rights and equality, Mace confirmed that she supports same-sex marriage but defended her stance on prohibiting transgender women from using womens restrooms.

If you think protecting women is discrimination, you are the problem. We dont care if youre trans, she said, before she made a crude remark about genitalia and who belongs in a womens bathroom.

Since Mace introduced her resolution, Democrats have resoundingly rebuked her and GOP leaders.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., blasted his Republican colleagues Tuesday at a news conference, accusing them of "bullying" McBride.

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This incoming small House Republican Conference majority is beginning to transition to the new Congress by bullying a member of Congress, Jeffries told reporters. This is what were doing? This is the lesson that youve drawn from the election in November? This is your priority, that you want to bully a member of Congress, as opposed to welcoming her to join this body so all of us can work together?

Sarah McBride at the U.S. Capitol on Friday.

A spokesperson for Jeffries did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Johnson's statement Wednesday.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, of Maryland, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, told reporters Wednesday that he opposes Mace's proposal. "It seems to me that that is discriminatory and its insulting, its a deliberate affront, and its really workplace bullying," he said.

And Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., wrote on X that the bill is "hateful," "dangerous" and "unnecessary."

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"Trans people represent one half of one percent of Americans. Mind your own damn business and let them be," Jayapal added.

On the other side of the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also decried Mace's resolution as "mean and cruel.

McBride had responded to Mace's resolution on Monday, writing on X, "Every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness."

She added in a second post: "This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A Springfield man faces several firearm charges after he was found by police inside Blunt Park after hours.

Report of shots fired on Chicopee Street

At around 3 a.m. officers patrolling Blunt Park found a vehicle was parked inside after it was closed. Springfield Police Spokesperson Ryan Walsh said the driver, identified as 25-year-old Hector Rodriguez of Springfield, had an active warrant for his arrest and was taken into custody.

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During a search inside the vehicle, officers seized a loaded firearm and additional ammunition.

Rodriguez was charged with the following:

Carrying a Firearm without a License

Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License

Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number

Firearm Violation with 1 Prior Violent/Drug Crime

Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card  Subsequent Offense

Trespass

Arrest Warrant

 Operating a Motor Vehicle without a Suspended License

 Uninsured Motor Vehicle

 Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200

 Number Plate Violation to Conceal ID

Records from the Springfield police revealed Rodriguez has a prior conviction out of Greenfield District Court for firearms charges.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WWLP)  A mother and a baby from Springfield are dead after a triple shooting in Hartford on Tuesday.

Elderly driver killed after head-on crash in Huntington

The victims have been identified as 20-year-old Jessiah Mercado and her four-month-old baby Messiah Diaz. They were shot Tuesday at around 2:47 p.m. on New Britain Avenue in Hartford in Mercados car when someone pulled up next to them and opened fire, according to the Hartford Police Department.

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Mercado and her son were killed, and a man in his 20s was wounded. He is now recovering in the hospital.

VIDEO: News conference

In a news conference held Wednesday afternoon, police identified the suspect as 23-year-old Lance Morales aka Macho from Waterbury, Connecticut. They believe the motive was a dispute over a vehicle.

I want to talk to Lance right now, Hartford Police Chief Kenny Powell said. Lance, you have no other option but to hand yourself into the Hartford Police Department for the horrific crimes that you have done. You see, this hit the heart of Hartford. You have taken the lives of an infant and his mother. We do not tolerate that in this city. After this press conference, Lance, I want you to pick up the phone and hand yourself into this department because if you do not, I promise you, and I make good on my promises, that you will be apprehended.

Police are urging Morales to turn himself in. He may be driving a white Infiniti Q70 with Massachusetts plate number 3NEB35 that police believe is a misused marker plate.

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On Thursday, Hartford police said the vehicle was recovered unoccupied in Waterbury.

(Hartford Police Department)

Map: New Britain Avenue

The drive-by shooting happened in the 300 block of New Britain Avenue, right next to Thomas Hyland Memorial Park and a daycare center, not far from the campus of Trinity College on New Britain Avenue.

Hartford Mayor Arulampalam said Mercado was originally from Hartford and working on getting her GED. She was also involved with ROCA, a nonprofit, violence intervention program, that helped her relocate to Springfield.

I was devastated to learn about yesterdays tragedy that resulted in the loss of young lives due to senseless gun violence, said Mayor Arulampalam. Im grateful to the first responders, to the Hartford Police Department who worked swiftly to identify a suspect, and to the crisis intervention teams who have provided resources and support to the affected family, demonstrating the critical importance of a comprehensive violence prevention strategy and the urgent need to disrupt cycles of violence. Ive expressed my deepest sympathies to the family of the victims, and our community will carry them in our prayers.

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The state Department of Children and Families said Messiah Diaz was in foster care in Massachusetts at the time of Tuesdays shooting. In a statement to 22News, a DCF spokesperson said DCF is investigating this tragic situation and working in collaboration with law enforcement.

DCF added that due to state and federal privacy requirements and the pending investigations, they could not release any more 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.

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St. Johns County parents had an opportunity to learn more about potential school zone changes for their children.

The St. Johns County School District hosted a town hall at Bartram Trail High School to discuss the proposed rezoning.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Its all due to a new K-8 school being built to handle student overcrowding in the rapidly growing district.

During Tuesdays workshop session, the school board released the proposed zoning plans.

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The same presentation was shared with people at the meeting, and parents got to voice their thoughts on it.

Right now, the proposals for attendance zone changes are expected to impact elementary, K-8, and middle school students in the county.

The proposal includes students at Cunningham Creek Elementary, Freedom Crossing Academy, and Switzerland Point Middle School.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Action News Jax Annette Gutierrez was at the meeting and spoke with one parent who said shes not a fan of the idea.

Our neighborhood is not zoned to go to our neighborhood school; its zoned to go to a different school. And I feel like if Im in the neighborhood and the schools in the neighborhood, my son should be able to go to that neighborhood, Sarun Mey said.

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The K-8 academy is under construction and planned to open for the 2025-2026 school year.

K-8 School PP is located within the Rivertown development on the corner of Rivertown Main Street and Grand Bridge Drive.

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NILES, Ohio (WKBN)  A milestone celebration was held Tuesday for one of Trumbull Countys leading providers of medical care.

300 people attended a dinner at the Eastwood Event Centre in Niles for the 100th anniversary of Warrens St. Joseph Hospital.

For many of those 100 years, St. Joseph was operated by the Sisters of Humility of Mary. Among the items on display was an early habit worn by the sisters.

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Every day when we come to work, we are continuing their legacy by taking care of those that are the most sick, poor and underserved, said President Charlotte Gardiner.

Among the crowd was Sister Millie Ely, one of the last of the Humility of Mary Sisters to be the hospitals president.

That 100 years, Gods grace and hand had to be in that endeavor, and thats certainly true of St. Joes, Ely said.

From its founding in 1924 until 1996, the hospital was located on Tod Avenue in Warren. Its now located on Eastland Avenue SE.

Tino DiCenso contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
A Missouri man was arrested last week after the remains of a Missouri woman were found at a Buffalo, Texas home more than two years after she and her son went missing.

Michael Dean Davis Jr., 27, originally of St. Joseph, was arrested on Nov. 12 in Laredo, Texas and charged with murder in the death of Mahogany Washington, 25. Washington and Davis began dating in high school and shared an 8-year-old son, who was found alive in Texas during the investigation leading to his fathers arrest.

Washington and her son had not been in contact with relatives or friends since July 2022, according to the Leon County Sheriffs Office in Texas. The search for the missing woman and child escalated after Washingtons family reported the two missing to the Leon County Sheriffs Office on July 19, 2024.

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Washington and her son were then entered into the National Crime Information Center database as missing persons, kicking off what the department described as a thorough investigation.

On Oct. 22, the sheriffs office executed a search warrant at a property in Buffalo associated with Davis. At the home about 110 miles southeast of Dallas near Interstate 45, the search team discovered human remains, according to the sheriffs office. A team at the University of North Texas Health Science Center positively identified Washingtons remains last week.

Davis was arrested in Laredo, a city on the Mexican border six hours southwest of the Buffalo home where Washingtons remains were found.

Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation and arrest, including the U.S. Marshals and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

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You were a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul, Washingtons friend Elle Hendrick wrote on social media Tuesday, addressing her friend. May whatever lay on the other side welcome you with a warm embrace and may your son be forever protected.

Francesca Valente, who identified herself as Washingtons childhood best friend, described Washington as brilliant and beautiful in a heartfelt tribute shared on social media Tuesday.

Washington, who Valente called Woodi, struggled with a fractured home life at times, according to Valente. As a child, she was briefly placed in foster care before living with various relatives. However, Washington remained energetic and vivid throughout difficult periods, Valente said, harboring ambitions of growing up to be a lawyer.

Woodi was so expressive and weird in all the best ways, Valente wrote. ...She could laugh at herself at an age when kids tried so hard to fit in. She was adventurous, imaginative, and fully herself no matter what she was going through.

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Valente wrote that Washington began to distance herself from family and friends when she began seeing Davis, whom she never felt at ease around. This sentiment has been echoed by other friends of Washingtons as news of her death reached her home community.

She trusted you even tho [sic] her family didnt, Dariah Mclean, another friend of Washington, wrote on Facebook after her death.

Davis is currently being held in the Webb County Jail in Laredo on a $3 million bond.

The Leon County Sheriffs Office has not released Washingtons cause of death, nor spoken publicly about when forensic investigators believe Washington was killed.

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The only hope I have is that her son will be cared for the way she would want, Valente wrote.

Washington was previously reported missing at least one other time before 2022. In 2014, when Washington was 15, she vanished from her Independence home for 10 days before she was discovered at nearby Eastside Baptist Church.

At the time, Independence police also suspected that she was with Davis, then 17.

The Stars Rachel Adamson contributed reporting.
GUEST OPINION: The need to share large files quickly and securely is more pressing than ever. Whether you're sending high-resolution video files, graphics-heavy presentations, or data-heavy reports, traditional options like email fall short due to file size limits and slow transfer speeds. Box is a popular go-to for many, but its not the only player in the game. There are several alternatives that not only match Boxs capabilities but also offer higher limits, faster speeds, and advanced features.

Heres a look at some of the best Box competitors for handling large file transfers with ease.

Why Look Beyond Box?

Box has served millions of users for years, but it has its limitations. Free users face file size caps, and even with a paid plan, speeds can sometimes lag. For those working in fields like media production, graphic design, and data science, where large file transfers are routine, these limitations can hinder productivity. Box is a solid choice, but there are more specialized tools out there that cater specifically to transferring large files quickly and reliably.

WeTransfer Pro: Quick and Simple

WeTransfer is known for its simplicity, offering a no-fuss way to send files. But for those who need to transfer hefty files, WeTransfer Pro is the way to go. With WeTransfer Pro, you can send files up to 200GB per transfer, a significant increase over Boxs 100GB limit for paid users. Plus, theres no need to create an account for basic transfers, making it a straightforward option for occasional users.

WeTransfers speed is reliable, though it depends on your internet connection. For those with high-speed internet, transfers are generally fast, even with larger files. On top of that, WeTransfer Pro provides password protection and customizable backgrounds, so you can add a personal touch to your file-sharing experience.

Send Anywhere: High-Speed, Peer-to-Peer Sharing

Send Anywhere takes a different approach by using peer-to-peer technology to boost transfer speeds. This means that your files arent stored in the cloud during transfer but are sent directly to the recipient, offering faster speeds and more security. The service allows files up to 10GB to be shared without an account, but with the premium plan, you get unlimited file size.

One of Send Anywheres strengths is its flexibility. You can send files through a six-digit key, email, or even create a link. This makes it convenient for various types of users, from professionals to family members sharing photos or videos. Additionally, Send Anywhere supports cross-platform sharing, including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and even Linux.

Google Drive: Storage and Sharing Combined

Google Drive is more than just a file-sharing tool; its a full cloud storage solution with robust file-sharing features. Although Google Drives single file upload limit is 5TB, which covers most users needs, the real strength lies in its integration with Googles suite of productivity tools. This makes it easy to share and collaborate on large files with colleagues or clients.

Transfer speeds on Google Drive are generally solid, especially for those with Google Workspace accounts. Plus, the security features like two-step verification and advanced sharing settings make it a reliable option for sensitive files. Google Drives intuitive interface and vast storage capabilities (up to 2TB on personal plans, with more available for businesses) make it an appealing choice for regular, large file sharing.

pCloud Transfer: Privacy-Focused and Generous Limits

For those who prioritize privacy alongside speed and file size, pCloud Transfer is an excellent choice. With the free pCloud Transfer service, you can send files up to 5GB without creating an account, and paid users get up to 2TB of cloud storage. What sets pCloud apart is its zero-knowledge encryption, which ensures that only the sender and recipient can access the files, adding an extra layer of security.

pCloud Transfer is fast, and the platform provides lifetime storage options, which means you wont have to pay monthly fees if you choose their one-time payment option. This can be an affordable solution for teams that need ongoing, large file transfers without recurring charges.

Filemail: Perfect for Media-Rich Files

Filemail is a lesser-known but highly effective tool for those who need to send massive files, particularly in media-heavy industries. With Filemail Pro, users can send files up to 5TB in size, far exceeding what Box and most other services offer. Filemail also offers robust transfer speeds, with a dedicated transfer protocol designed for large files.

In addition to file size, Filemail stands out for its seamless integration with popular media applications and its simple interface. You can drag and drop files, track transfer progress, and even get download notifications, which is useful for teams working on tight deadlines. Filemails speed and file limit make it ideal for video editors, photographers, and other professionals who frequently transfer large, high-quality files.

Finding the Right Tool for Your Needs

Choosing the best alternative to Box depends on your unique needs. Whether youre a freelancer, small business, or large team, exploring Box alternatives opens up more possibilities for efficient, secure, and reliable large file transfers. As work becomes increasingly digital, having the right tools to share and store your work is crucial. Find a service that works best for you, and enjoy faster, stress-free file sharing!
Nov. 19CANTON  St. Lawrence County grand juries recently handed up indictments for drug charges against nine people.

Wade Creighton, 42, of Rochester, was indicted Nov. 1 on charges of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. On Oct. 14 in Oswegatchie, he allegedly sold a half ounce or more of methamphetamine, possessed two ounces or more of the drug, and scales for weighing it. He is represented by the St. Lawrence County Public Defender's Office.

An indictment handed up Nov. 1 charges Javier Gonzalez, 31, of Lisbon; Brooke Johnson, 28, of Farmington; and Eban Sterina, 25, of Rochester, with one count each first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and three counts each of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. County sheriff's deputies pulled over their vehicle on Oct. 22 on Route 37 in Morristown and allegedly found about nine ounces of cocaine and about three ounces of fentanyl. Gonzalez is represented by attorney Edward Narrow, Johnson by the county Public Defender's Office, and Sterina by attorney Stephen Buzzell.

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In grand jury actions on Nov. 7:

Andre Bonilla, 26, of Rochester; Raymond Brown, 45, of Rochester; Dennis Felder Jr., 23, of Rochester; and Melissa Gordon, 44, of Ogdensburg were all indicted on two counts each of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. County sheriff's deputies pulled them over in a vehicle on Route 37 in Morristown on April 24 and allegedly found them with an ounce of fentanyl. Bonilla is represented by attorney Thomas Farrell, Brown by the county Public Defender's Office, and Felder by attorney Aaron Edwards. Court documents do not list an attorney for Gordon.

Reid St. Ann, 46, of Massena, was indicted on charges of third- and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. On July 14 in Waddington, he allegedly possessed one-eighth ounce or more of a narcotic drug with the intent to sell it. Court documents do not list an attorney for him.
ST. LOUIS  St. Louis resident Gerald Burse is in a difficult place. He purchased a home on Lee Avenue for his family of nine, but an electrical fire left the home condemned.

It hurts because I love the schools my kids go to, he said. I bought this house from the city for my kids to have a stable home.

After hearing about Burses situation, St. Louis firefighter Cherrie Merchant joined fellow firefighters in delivering boxes of clothes and other supplies to him.

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I appreciate everything that the fire department did, he said.

There have been times when Ive gone to a fire and you want to do more for the family, Merchant said.

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She said her passion for helping others now fuels her efforts to help connect displaced residents with neighborhood resources. Merchant also created baskets of essential items she calls rescue care kits to provide immediate help for displaced families.

Our goal is to help the families with some of their immediate needs and also to connect them with resources in the neighborhood, Merchant said.

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Merchant and the fire department are seeking community support from agencies or individuals wanting to bolster their efforts. Anyone interested in helping can call Merchant at 314-941-9079 or by sending a message to MerchantC@stlouis-mo.gov.

St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson said with colder weather approaching, helping displaced residents following fire calls is critical.

We just cant just leave them out in the cold, he said. Were dedicated to the public and what we do is provide for 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 FOX 2.
The St. Paul City Council voted Wednesday to increase the franchise fees it charges Xcel Energy for electricity and gas distribution to residential properties, though not by as much as what the mayor had previously proposed.

Utility companies pay the city for the right to access the public right-of-way with their wires, pipes and cables, but until recently, the city of St. Paul was barred by state statute from collecting franchise fee revenue for electricity and gas during high-usage winter months.

That law, in place since 1979, blocked the city from collecting the fees from November through April, effectively preventing St. Paul from accessing half the residential fee revenue available to other cities, but it was recently lifted by state lawmakers with the help of state Rep. Athena Hollins and state Sen. Foung Hawj, DFL-St. Paul.

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The budget proposal unveiled by St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter this summer called for imposing franchise fees for an extra two months annually  during November and April  through August 2026, which would allow the city to collect an average of another $35 annually per household, or at least another $1.5 million annually citywide, and possibly much more. The projection for total collections was recently revised upward from $1.5 million to $3.25 million by the mayors office, and then revised upward again to $4.25 million.

On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council voted 5-0 to approve an amended proposal that implements the fee in April, but not in November. Council Members Cheniqua Johnson and HwaJeong Kim were absent.

Climate initiatives

Under the mayors proposal, a portion of the added revenue will be dedicated toward climate initiatives, including $500,000 for the citys new Power of Home program to weatherize and electrify the homes of low-income residents.

The added money also will pay for a new Climate Action Coordinator, a staff position that had previously been funded by a grant, among other climate efforts.

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I think its in the councils best interest and the communitys best interest not to leave any money on the table. We dont know exactly how much money we can anticipate, said Council Member Saura Jost, during a Nov. 13 council meeting. Its based on data, and its based on the type of winters that well have, and we know that has fluctuated significantly over time.

Weve always had the power to decide how this money is spent, and we still do, Jost added.

She noted the funds could offset general fund spending, help to lower the citys property tax levy or fund new initiatives. Jost said impacts to low-income residents could be offset in part by the Low Usage Affordability Credit, Xcel Energys new program to reduce bills for low-income residents who use limited energy, as well as by the state energy assistance program.

Yang amendment cuts fees in half  but still projects a surplus

Alarmed at the prospect of increasing residential utility bills, Council Member Nelsie Yang submitted an amendment earlier this month to reduce the proposed fee structure by eliminating the charges during the month of November, cutting potential revenues roughly in half by limiting them to April alone. She noted the upwardly-revised collection totals would still fully fund the green initiatives in the mayors budget, with a surplus.

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I constantly hear from constituents in my ward that theyre feeling really deeply the financial constraints of the cost of living increasing, taxes being imposed, said Yang, addressing the council last week. With just April alone, we still have so much money left over to figure out what it could be used for.

Yangs amendment was approved 4-3, with Jost, Council President Mitra Jalali and Anika Bowie opposed. The council will vote on the final package on Wednesday.

Yang, in a phone interview Tuesday, said she settled on collections for the month of April so the revenue could be generated sooner rather than later. My understanding was that the amount generated in April would be similar to November, and we could start collecting that next spring, she said.

Climate advocates weigh in

Josts support for the larger franchise fee was echoed by climate advocates affiliated with Unidos St. Paul  formerly St. Paul 350  who have worked over the past year to help change the state law and promote funding for the citys green initiatives. Members expressed concern that limiting the fee to a single month could result in fewer weatherization grants, which would benefit fewer low-income homeowners.

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The Power of Home is a program we were really excited about, because it identifies communities that needed that approach, said Chelsea DeArmond, climate organizer with Unidos St. Paul, in an interview Tuesday. Nobody gets left behind. This is more of a community approach. It will help energy-burdened households reduce their costs, so theres the equity part.

DeArmond noted that even after Yangs amendment, the added funding will still be the largest ever budgeted for climate action by the city.

Its ongoing funding, so it will grow, she said. Theres more than 42,000 energy-burdened homes in St. Paul, so we have a lot of work to do.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man is dead following a stabbing in the east Las Vegas valley on Tuesday, according to police.

It happened shortly after 11:30 a.m. in the 6800 block of east Lake Mead Boulevard near Hollywood Boulevard.

When Las Vegas Metro police officers arrived at the scene, they found a man who looked like he had been battered. When officers started removing his clothing they noticed that he had been stabbed multiple times. The man was then taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

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According to witness accounts, police believe the man who had been stabbed was involved in a fight with another man wearing a grey hoodie and black shorts. The suspect then left the scene before officers arrived.

Lake Mead Boulevard east of Hollywood Boulevard reopened to drivers shortly after 6:30 p.m.

Those with information on the stabbing can call the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
NEW YORK  Mayor Eric Adams, who has said that Mondays fatal stabbing spree was a failure of government, said Tuesday he wants to expand involuntary hospitalization policies to make it easier for cops and outreach workers to get mentally ill people off the streets.

Following a bloody stabbing spree that left three dead Monday, the mayor made a push for legislation that would broaden the grounds for involuntary removal at his weekly press briefing on Tuesday.

We do need Albany to pass a supportive intervention act. It clearly clarifies the standards for holding a person for care in a hospital, because clarity allows people not to feel reluctant to make the decision, the mayor said. And that clarity is not there.

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The bill, the Supportive Intervention Act, was introduced in 2023 but never passed committee. It would broaden the grounds for involuntary hospitalization.

Adams also advocated for the bill after the death of Jordan Neely in May 2023. Daniel Penny, who put Neely in a chokehold, is currently on trial for manslaughter.

Suspect Ramon Rivera was charged with three counts of murder for the deaths of three victims on Tuesday. He was held without bail.

Rivera, 51, is a repeat offender who has been in and out of jail for decades in Florida, Ohio, and New York and arrested twice in New Jersey. Hes been in New York City for only around a year  but has been arrested multiple times and hospitalized at least twice, officials previously told the Daily News.

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Speaking from City Hall, Adams acknowledged other issues like a psychiatric bed shortage contribute to the citys mental health crisis. He said that he was willing to confront the issue by getting people care, even if it means involuntary removals.

The system has been failing for a long time, the mayor said. Administration after administration, I can recall stories and reading about people with severe mental health illness harming themselves and harming others.

The Adams administration rolled out the directive for NYPD offices and outreach teams to take in and hospitalize individuals appearing to be a danger to themselves or others in November 2022.

Since its inception, the policy has been very controversial among advocates and some elected officials.

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Later on Tuesday, state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblyman-elect Micah Lasher, announced new proposed legislation called the H.E.L.P. Act, which would give nurses, psychologists and clinical social workers the authority to perform clinical evaluations of a persons need for involuntary hospitalization.

Yesterdays stabbings were just the latest devastating example of the need to reform New York States mental hygiene law to address the continued fallout from the closure of thousands of mental health beds across the state over the last several decades, which has caused individuals struggling with mental illness to languish on the streets and in the subways, Hoylman-Sigal said in a statement.

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(Bloomberg) -- Keir Starmer used his biggest international summit since becoming prime minister to say Britain was back and looking outward to the world again. Asserting a global role for his government proved more difficult.

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Starmers 48-hour swing through the Group of 20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro highlighted the challenges facing British foreign policy in the wake of Donald Trumps US election victory. On one hand, he cast the UK as a staunch defender of the liberal world order it helped build. On the other, he passed up a chance to condemn the sentencing of democracy advocates in the former British colony of Hong Kong hours after his own meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The turbulent two days of diplomacy in Brazil represented Starmers most high-profile opportunity yet to articulate a geopolitical vision for his revitalized Labour Party, which hasnt held power in London since the global financial crisis more than a decade ago. The intervening period has not only seen the rise of Trump, but Britains exit from the European Union and Russias invasion of Ukraine, the biggest war on the continent in more than 70 years.

The premier has prioritized foreign policy since winning power in July, spending almost one-quarter of his first four months in office abroad as he attempts to reset relations across the English Channel and reduce the risk of trans-Atlantic splits over Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East. Suddenly, the former chief prosecutor has been thrust to the fore of international dilemmas that have vexed more experienced statesmen, such as outgoing US President Joe Biden.

The investment in diplomacy has come at the expense of domestic concerns about yawning spending gaps and combustible opposition to a recent surge in migration. But rather than elevating Starmer above the parochial debates of Westminster, his trips overseas have often been consumed by similar questions about what grand vision is underpinning Labours policies.

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Perhaps no issue illustrated that as much as whether the Starmer would authorize Ukraine to use UK-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. While Starmer quickly established himself as a leading advocate for strikes Russia has warned could widen the conflict, he declined to publicly back Bidens decision to allow Kyiv to fire America-made weapons over the border.

The results included a tense, hour-long briefing in which top aides repeatedly refused to explain the prime ministers views on the issue. Starmer also declined to say whether he was disappointed that the G-20 communique watered down support for Ukraine.

Officials from several allied nations privately complained that they no longer understand Britains policy on Ukraine. The Labour government appeared to be having difficult translating aspirations like rebuilding relations with the European Union and backing Kyiv for as long as it takes into concrete plans, several European officials said on condition of anonymity.

We have stood with Ukraine from the start, Starmer told reporters. Ive been doubling down in my clear message that we need to ensure Ukraine has what is needed for as long as needed to win this war against Putin.

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The comments echoed the Ming Vase strategy that characterized Labours successful campaign to oust the Conservatives earlier this year, so described because one has to tread carefully to avoid breaking something precious. That has proved harder to maintain once in power, with Starmer already trailing the Conservatives in some surveys.

Starmer struck a similarly cautious tone in meetings with Xi, the first tete-a-tete between British and Chinese leaders in almost seven years. While Starmer did raise human rights in his opening statement in the public portion of his meeting with Xi, the sudden ejection of British reporters from the room reinforced perceptions that China wasnt keen to hear it.

And the next day, the prime minister declined to criticize Hong Kongs sentencing of 45 democracy activists for subversion related to their efforts to stage an unofficial primary election in 2020. What we mustnt lose is the opportunity for our economy with a better partnership when it comes to cooperating on economic and trade affairs, Starmer said.

The case had until recently been at the center of a breakdown in relations between the UK and China, which convicted the group of democracy advocates under a sweeping national security law passed in the wake of widespread protests in 2019. Starmers predecessors have denounced the law as a violation of the 40-year-old treaty that allowed Hong Kongs return to Chinese rule on a promise that Beijing would maintain its liberal institutions until 2049.

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The wheels are coming off the UKs China policy, said Luke de Pulford of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China think tank. Despite having legal responsibilities to Hong Kong, the government barely whimpered.

The timing of the China reset has raised eyebrows among British diplomats. One said they didnt understand why Starmer was publicly courting Beijing just days after Trumps win and nomination of several China hawks for Cabinet roles, suggesting it threatened to damage UK-US relations. Another British official conceded Starmers China outreach was very much a wait-and-see approach that had no guarantee of yielding a positive outcome.

Russia and China aside, Starmers need for a plan to deal with Trump was quickly emerging as major concern. The two men have had a bumpy start after Labour ministers past condemnations of Trump resurfaced and Labour activists traveled to the US to campaign for the Republicans opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Starmer has also found himself on the receiving end of criticism from key Trump adviser Elon Musk, who just this week accused the British prime minister of channeling late Soviet Union leader Josef Stalin with a plan to raise inheritance tax rates on family farms. The feud prompted an unusually frank intervention from Peter Mandelson, a former top aide to Tony Blair who the prime minister is said to be considering as his ambassador to Washington.

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Mandelson urged Starmer to end the disputes with Musk and enlist Britains best-known Trump backer, Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, to reach out to the once and future US president. Starmer declined to comment on the suggestion, leaving everyone to wonder what his next step will be.

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Oklahomans may soon have a chance to vote on whether or not to open the state's closed primary system.

Supporters say open primaries would boost Oklahomas notoriously low voter turnout by giving all voters a chance to cast ballots in races that only attract candidates from a single party, most often the GOP.

Margaret Kobos, CEO and founder of Oklahoma United for Progress, announced the filing of an initiative petition seeking to open primaries during a news conference Tuesday. It will be known as State Question 835. Supporters are aiming to have the question on the ballot in November 2026, the next statewide general election.

Supporters join Oklahoma United at its rally and news conference Tuesday at the Oklahoma History Center, where the organization revealed the filing of an initiative petition to replace Oklahoma's current closed primary system with open primaries.

All voters will be included. All voters will matter. All voters get more choices, Kobos said during the event. Candidates will compete, and they are accountable to all of us.

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Currently, Republican and Libertarian primary races in Oklahoma only allow voters registered in their respective parties to cast a ballot. Unaffiliated voters can participate in Democratic primaries.

In an open primary, all candidates, regardless of party, run on one ballot. The two candidates receiving the most votes would move to the general election.

Supporters join Oklahoma United at its rally and news conference Tuesday at the Oklahoma History Center.

Advocates of an open primary system hope that by allowing every Oklahoma voter, regardless of party affiliation, to participate in primary elections, it will attract more voters to the polls.

But opponents already are calling SQ 835 an attempt to weaken the state's Republican voting base.

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"Oklahoma is a conservative state, and Republicans hold all the statewide and federally elected positions and super majorities in the legislature for a simple reason: our values and principles represent the will of our states voters," Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell said in a statement.

During the Nov. 5 general election, about 64% of Oklahoma's electorate participated, down from 69% in 2020 and 68% in 2016. A report from the University of Florida found just 53.4% of Oklahomans who met the age and citizenship requirements to vote ultimately cast ballots this year, ranking the state dead last in voter turnout.

More: Why did Oklahoma's voter turnout fall despite record numbers of early voters?

States like California, Washington and Nebraska have forms of open primary systems. All three of these states had higher voter turnout rates during the Nov. 5 elections by about 9-17 percentage points, according to the University of Floridas data.

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In Oklahoma, 86% of federal, state and county offices either had no general election in November or elections without representatives from both major parties, said Ann AJ Griffin, former Republican state senator and current Potts Family Foundation CEO.

Just six of 77 county sheriffs elections had members of both parties on the ballot in November, Griffin added. In the state legislative races, no seat that was held by a Democrat or Republican before Nov. 5 flipped to the other party, she said.

Griffin said she believed the current election system is most unfair to independent voters, who make up about 20% of the states electorate. There is no recognized Independent Party in Oklahoma, and just the state's Democratic Party allows voters who register as independents to cast ballots in primary races.

They've lost trust and confidence in our government. That is not a problem that can be ignored, Griffin said. In fact, it is a poison creeping through our system, and we need to fix it. The cure is election reform in the form of an open primary system.

Margaret Kobos, Oklahoma United founder and CEO, announces the filing of an initiative petition to replace Oklahoma's closed primary system with open primaries Tuesday at the Oklahoma History Center.

After the secretary of state sets a start date, the campaign committee supporting the effort, "Vote Yes 835," will have 90 days to collect at least 172,993 valid signatures from voters to qualify the state question for the ballot.

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Some prominent Republicans have voiced support for an open primary system, including Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, former U.S. Rep. Mickey Edwards, Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt.

Cities in Oklahoma like mine are known for our dynamic and effective governance, and the main reason is that we have an electoral system that allows everyone to vote, Holt said in a statement. Our voters get to see all the candidates and our candidates have to face all the voters."

More: Could independents swing Oklahoma election results? More voters say they're independent

Holts support for the initiative petition was criticized by Anthony Ferate, the former chairman of the Oklahoma GOP, who said in a post on the social media site X that open primaries would harm all parties.

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Ferate also chairs an election threat and campaign finance task force formed by Gov. Kevin Stitt earlier this year. In a report issued earlier this year, the task force was critical of so-called "jungle" primaries, an apparent reference to the open primary system. It reported "primaries were designed for political parties to advance a particular nominee to the general election for consideration against the nominee of other political parties."

More: Gov. Stitt task force calls for changing campaign donation limits

It complained "jungle" primaries elsewhere have resulted in general elections with two candidates of the same party on the ballot.

But Kobos, of Oklahoma United, said the goal of reforming the states primary election system isnt about political parties; its about access.

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The minute you start talking about parties and like how parties feel, you're kind of missing the point, Kobos said. Were trying to connect personal opinions and issues to the elected officials. It has nothing to do with parties.

Anthony Stobbe, U.S. Coast Guard veteran and registered independent, spoke Tuesday during Oklahoma United's news conference at the Oklahoma History Center, and said he didn't feel represented by Oklahoma's current closed primary system.

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Anthony Stobbe, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and independent voter, spoke at the news conference in support of the initiative petition.

He said when he moved to Oklahoma in 2022 after spending a decade at sea, he appreciated the sense of community and respect for veterans, but felt the message sent to him by the states current primary election system was: Your opinions don't matter.

To add insult to injury, my taxpayer dollars and your taxpayer dollars pay to fund the very election that I cant vote in," Stobbe said. "It's time to fix this.

Donnie Nero, former president of Connors State College, said he supports the initiative petition to replace Oklahoma's current closed primary system with open primaries because he believes rural Oklahomans are disenfranchised by the current system. He spoke at Oklahoma United's news conference Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What is State Question 835? An effort to open Oklahoma primary races
The Board of Public Works is expected to approve a $58.5 million settlement with a developer that ends a failed 20-year effort to redevelop the decrepit State Center complex in Midtown Baltimore. File photo by Bruce DePuyt.

A decades-old effort to redevelop an aging, decrepit state office complex could end Wednesday with a $58.5 million state settlement payment to a developer once charged with the revitalization project.

If the three-member Board of Public Works approves the payment to State Center LLC, it will be the end of a nearly 20-year failed effort to redevelop the 25-acre property in midtown Baltimore known as State Center. The proposal calls on the state to make a $40 million payment on or before Dec. 9 and the final $18.5 million on July 1.

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The payment would settle all claims stemming from a 2016 lawsuit filed by State Center LLC against the board, the Maryland Stadium Authority, the Maryland Transit Administration, and seven state departments: Transportation, General Services, Health, Planning, Information Technology, Military and Labor.

That lawsuit began when then-Gov. Larry Hogan in 2016 announced the state would go to court to terminate the $1.5 billion redevelopment project. State Center LLC filed a countersuit with 35 claims.

Michael Edney, an attorney representing State Center LLC, was not immediately available for comment.

But a former spokesperson for former Gov. Martin OMalley, Hogans immediate predecessor, called the legal fight and settlement an absolute waste of taxpayer dollars caused by Hogans frivolous lawsuit and detrimental policies towards the City of Baltimore.

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What should be a fully redeveloped, transit-oriented development project contributing to Baltimore and Maryland is today costing taxpayers millions because of former Governor Hogans misguided lawsuit and unwillingness to compromise, said said Rick Abbruzzese, the OMalley spokesperson who became to be a public affairs consultant for project developers during the Hogan era.

But Sen. Antonio Hayes (D-Baltimore), whose district includes State Center, welcomed the fact that the legal wrangling has been brought to a close.

After nearly two decades of delays, we are finally in a position to advance a transformative redevelopment plan for State Center that will deliver good-paying jobs, community amenities, and increased quality of life for neighboring communities and the City of Baltimore, Hayes said in a text late Tuesday night.



State Center  described in a 2023 Supreme Court of Maryland opinion as consisting of five Soviet-block [sic] style buildings  included more than 1,300 parking spaces and housed numerous state agencies. The complex, adjacent to the 5th Regiment Armory, was built in the 195os and 60s. It has not aged well.

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In 2005, state officials began the search for a developer to raze the facility and erect a modern transit-oriented development making use of its proximity to transportation hubs including the light rail and subway station. The vision called for a mix of office, retail, and residential uses.

The state entered into a complicated agreement with State Center LLC that hinged on approval of a concept plan. The state would lease the ground to the developer that would own the new buildings it put up, then lease back space in the building to state agencies and others.

In 2010, a group of downtown property owners sued to stop the deal and void some of the agreements. That year, OMalley described the center as a concrete wasteland.

The 201o lawsuit stalled the project for three years. The project also languished amid changes in the development team, lawsuits, state finances, the Great Recession and the election of Hogan.

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The delays increased the costs of a proposed 928-car garage. The state agreed to contribute $28 million for that part of the project. Developers were left holding the bag for the extra costs.

By 2015, Hogan had stopped all action on the project. The developer, in court filings, said Hogan and his team found Baltimore an unworthy candidate for State investment. By 2016, a Hogan-led Board of Public Works voted to rescind previous approval of the ground and occupancy leases, the same day that his administration filed suit in Baltimore City Circuit Court, seeking to declare the deal invalid and unenforceable.

The developer, in a counterclaim, sought more than $500 million in damages and lost rental payments.

Meanwhile, Hogan announced in 2021 that he was moving 3,300 state employees, most of whom were working in the aging State Center complex, into Baltimores Downtown business district.

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Similarly, then-Comptroller Peter Franchot moved hundreds of employees in his agency from State Center to downtown. The agencys State Center offices had been plagued with complaints of vermin, and was once closed for a week after employees reported bed bugs in their offices.

The circuit court ruled in 2022 that the leases were not in force, but had yet to rule on damages available to State Center LLC. That same year, then-Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, speaking at a Board of Public Works meeting where the relocation of State Center employees was approved, said the complex would ultimately be turned over to Baltimore City.

Rutherford said in August 2022 that handing the facility off to the city would allow its citizens and city leadership to determine the best use for the property in their own right and create opportunities for those in Baltimore to determine what is the best use for that property.

Im quite sure there are some things that they have to think about with that, Rutherford said at that meeting. But we really feel that the best decisions with regard to the future use of that property should come from the city and its residents, and not necessarily from Annapolis.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday that grant money to support local tourism will be coming to Peoria.

According to Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, $857,000 in grant funding was awarded to 11 tourism bureaus across the state. That includes $22,650 coming to the Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The funding was awarded as part of the International Tourism Grant Programs efforts to grow tourism around Illinois.

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Illinois is truly in the Middle of Everything, and our tourism industry is thriving like never before, Pritzker said. Thanks to the International Tourism Grant Program, 11 local tourism and convention bureaus will showcase the best of Illinois to global audiences, attract international visitors, and drive growth to local economies statewide.

Tourism significantly growing for the Peoria area

The funding will be used to help bring international travelers to Illinois through targeted marketing efforts. The targeted markets include Mexico, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, U.K., Ireland, France, India, Italy Austria and New Zealand.

Visitors from near and far continue to venture to Illinois to enjoy the Middle of Everything, Illinois Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) said. This grant funding will help showcase Illinois appeal to an international audience while growing our award-winning tourism industry.

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In 2023, Illinois welcomed 2.16 million international visitors. They injected an estimated $2.7 billion in revenue into the states economy.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Maryland Public Service Commission will host a third public hearing for a proposed solar facility in the Rocky Ridge area near Thurmont on Dec. 3.

The hearing will take place at the Guardian Hose Company in Thurmont at 21 N. Church St. starting at 6:30 p.m.

There will also be an option to attend virtually. To receive a link to the meeting, individuals should send an email to psc.pulj@gmail.com by noon on Dec. 2.

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A recording of the hearing will be available on Public Utility Law Judge Division YouTube channel at bit.ly/2X6wLiP.

Previous public comment hearings for the project, a 5-megawatt facility called Chaberton Solar Wild Turkey, were held on May 22 and Oct. 7.

Chaberton Energy, based in Rockville, plans to construct Chaberton Solar Wild Turkey at 12949 Old Frederick Road, southeast of Thurmont near Md. 550.

The facility would occupy 53 acres of the 112-acre property, according to a staff report about the project submitted to Frederick Countys Sustainable Monocacy Commission in January.

Like previous hearings, the third hearing will include a presentation from Chaberton Energy; statements from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Marylands Office of Peoples Counsel and the PSCs technical staff; and a public comment period.

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Written comments can also be sent by Dec. 12 electronically at www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-public-comment or mailed to the PSCs chief clerk, Jamie Bergin, at William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul St., 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.

All comments should reference case number 9717.

In October 2023, Chaberton Energy applied to the PSC for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which allows applicants to construct an energy-generating station or high-voltage transmission line.

In January, Frederick Countys Sustainable Monocacy Commission ruled that Chaberton Solar Wild Turkey is consistent with the Monocacy Scenic River Management Plan with some recommendations.

The recommendations included increasing a buffer between the facility and a nearby tributary, as well as the associated wetlands.
Microsoft has announced Windows 365 Link, a small mini PC that boots into Windows 365 in seconds, providing secure, seamless connectivity to cloud-based Windows deployments. It supports dual 4K monitors, a range of authentication options, and will only cost $US 349.

Sometimes tech is cyclic, but with generational improvements each time. In this case, the concept of dumb terminals dates back to mainframe days, but as computing evolved more power went to the desktop. Then we saw a return to the concept with thin PCs that allowed Windows Terminal Server or Citrix farms to deploy inexpensive hardware. And then back to desktops but with the rise of the cloud enterprises find they can run secure, on-demand, consumption-priced virtual environments in the cloud that allow a consistent, safe Windows environment for their users. Yet, how do you ensure the end-user's own device is secure and reliable? Indeed, how do you manage the plethora of help desk tickets that arise when you allow staff to connect to your virtual environment from their own desktops? In comes Windows 365 Link.

Microsoft has announced the diminutive little piece of hardware, which is available in select markets - including Australia - right now, in preview. It will be available more widely from April 2025. The unit costs only $US 349 and Microsoft says it will boot into cloud Windows 365 environments within seconds. Users can authenticate with a range of options including FIDO keys - think Yubikey, or FEITIAN for examples - as well as via Microsoft Authenticator and similar choices.

There are some pre-requisites; obviously you must have a cloud-based Windows environment for it to boot into, and be running Windows Intune and select versions of the Windows operating system in your environment.

The Windows 365 Link hardware has four USB ports, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and dual 4K monitor support. It seamlessly connects to wired and wireless peripherals.

IT teams can setup and administer Windows 365 Link in minutes, using InTune, alongside other company devices. Send one to your remote workers and they're up and running instantly; none of this fiddling around with installing agents on their personal devices, worrying about their own security hygiene and disciplines. If it has a problem swap it out for a replacement.

Windows 365 Link Preview is available right now in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Interested customers can reach out to their Microsoft account team for access. Supported editions include Windows 365 Enterprise, Windows 365 Frontline, and Windows 365 Business. Windows 365 Government is not currently supported.

With no local apps or data, the device remains secure from malicious actors. The hardware protects the operating system from tampering, and the OS patches itself automatically overnight.

Microsoft says video conferencing is fully supported from the start, stating "Windows 365 Link is highly performant for video conferencing and video playback due to local processing, and it supports high-fidelity Microsoft Teams meetings."

A full list of prerequisites is available online.

However, please note Windows 365 Link does not support Azure Virtual Desktop or Microsoft Dev Box.
The Georgia Public Service Commission approved in 2024 an updated Georgia Power resource plan that includes building 1,000 megawatt solar facilities by 2027. File photo

Georgia Power and solar industry representatives renewed their long-running debate before lawmakers Tuesday over whether setting up a new solar program would provide the same benefits to ratepayers as the existing renewable energy options.

The House Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Ad Hoc Committee on Community Solar meeting was another chance for legislators to hear from clean energy and utility experts about their opinions on the value of community solar.

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Republican-backed community solar legislation failed to pass in the state Senate and House earlier this year. The proposals would have allowed small- and mid-scale developers to participate in a community solar program regulated by the state Public Service Commission and let them build small solar arrays on Georgia Powers turf. Subscribers would receive a credit on their electricity bill for a portion of the generation output.

Georgia Power has criticized community solar programs, citing high costs and issues with the House Bill 1152 framework, legislation that stalled in this winters General Assembly. A new community solar program is expected to be introduced for the 2025 session.

Bob Sherrier, staff attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, disputed the longstanding cost-shift argument from the utility companies and other critics of community solar who argue that passing along savings to one class of customers would saddle ratepayers who dont participate in the program with higher bills.

Several experts said Tuesday that its premature to even declare there will be a cost shift when a credit amount for solar power generation has not been set. Last year, community solar legislation wouldve given state regulators some discretion on determining the value of the credit for the program.

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In Georgia there is no data backing up this argument, Sherrier said. And really its simple: the utilities oppose customer driven third-party projects like solar because it threatens to supplant utility investments and take away from shareholder profits.

Georgia Powers director of renewable development, Wilson Mallard, tried to make the case that customers who are receiving solar power from a developer would face a higher burden on their utility bills.

In the 2022 rate case, Georgia Power put forth a significant amount of information on the record that does actually show paying retail for a wholesale product causes rates to go up for everyone, he said.

Mallard said Georgia Power opposed HB 1152 because it did not give the company the ability to sign long-term contracts with developers, a requirement for making the projects economically viable, as well as other provisions of the bill.

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Mallard said it was unclear how much energy capacity it would need to support a third-party community solar, which is the most expensive form of solar electricity, he said.

Its been said that solar is the cheapest form of generation, Mallard said. Well, absolutely, but it depends what you pay for it. If you can pay 3, 4, 5, 6 cents a kilowatt hour through competitive procurement, that is a really good price. Georgia Powers residential rate of cents per kilowatt hour, averages in the 12-cent range.

Georgias Power redacted the data in supporting documentation as trade secrets, so critics disputed its claim that the company provided evidence that community solar isnt cost effective.

Community solar can also provide benefits to the electric grid that in turn is a financial benefit for the power companies along with customers, Sherrier said.

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What Georgia Power was really arguing is they lose revenue and profit when people save on their bills. The loss of revenue is not the same thing as increasing the cost for other people, he said.

If someone buys an energy efficient fridge that uses less power that year, Georgia Power doesnt get to add a charge to their bill to recover the money they thought they were going to recover at the beginning of the year.

Karl Rabago, an independent consultant and former Public Utility Commission of Texas member, said electricity suppliers should establish a community solar program that encourages the efficient use of energy and the investment in it.

Community solar customers will pay all their full electric bills, including the fixed costs to provide their services, Rabago said.

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They are fully charged, he said. They dont get a discount. they dont shift any of their costs but they do earn a credit for making a good thing happen. And getting that credit right is the job of the utility with its evidence and the PSC with its judgment.

Rep. Ruwa Romman, a Duluth Democrat, asked Mallard how much more expensive the cost would be for the solar community program consumers.

Just so we can get an idea, are we talking cents, dollars, hundreds of dollars? Whats the range?

Mallard said the ballpark prices when Georgia Power contracts for projects of a similar size of 3 to 6 megawatts, the costs to generate electricity averages about 6 cents a kilowatt hour.

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The construct here in this third-party community solar would provide for compensation based on the retail rate of Georgia Power residential customers, he said. Thats in the 12 to 13 cent range, so basically double the price that Georgia Power can procure solar from through our competitive solicitations.

Jonathan Roberts is a vice president of development for independent renewable power producer Soltage. He credits state regulators and the power industry for helping Georgia to rank seventh in the nation for solar generation in 2023, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

I think thats incredible, Roberts said. Its a testament to the PSC and their wisdom in guiding the state. Its a credit to Georgia Power. They are doing good work in deploying solar. But what were asking here today is for the community solar to find a way to help ratepayers save more money.

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Nov. 19State and federal officials are teaming up with the Save MO Lives campaign to highlight National Crash Responder Safety Week.

The Federal Highway Administration declared Nov. 18 through 22 Crash Responder Safety Week. The theme is "Slow Down, Move Over: It's the Law." The state has a "Move Over Law," which requires motorists to switch lanes when approaching Missouri Department of Transportation crews, law enforcement or other emergency vehicles with flashing lights.

The Save MO Lives campaign is part of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety which partners with the state's highway patrol and MoDOT to share public awareness safety campaigns throughout the year. According to the Federal Highway Administration, traffic incidents are the leading cause of death for EMS responders and law enforcement officers.

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"Crash Responder Safety Week serves as an important reminder for drivers to be mindful of our dedicated first responders, who work tirelessly to keep our roadways safe every day," said Chris Engelbrecht, the MoDOT's director of safety and emergency management. "These individuals put their lives on the line to protect us, so it's crucial to show respect by following the state's move-over law, staying focused, and reducing speed when approaching emergency vehicles."

According to MoDOT, last year there were more than 136,000 traffic crashes along the state's roadways which required an emergency response.

"It's important to give our responders the space they need to work safely, ensuring everyone can make it home to their families at the end of the day," Engelbrecht said.

For more information about National Crash Responder Safety Week, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org.
Nov. 19Fewer and fewer children in New Mexico entering state custody have received mandatory wellness checks on time, according to a recent report from field experts in the landmark Kevin S. lawsuit.

A new contract with Presbyterian Health Plan is supposed to make it easier for those children to get that care while also collecting better data on why the state is not performing the wellness checks. But in practice, there are still some gaps, according to Monday testimony during an arbitration hearing in the Kevin S. case.

Lagging timely completion rates of the mandatory wellness checks has become a central issue in the state Health Care Authority and Children, Youth and Families Department's return to arbitration in the Kevin S. settlement, an agreement reached in 2020 that laid out a number of goals for reform of New Mexico's troubled child welfare system.

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Since 2019, the percentage of children in state custody receiving wellness checks on time has steadily declined. While 46% of children got them on time last year, a slight uptick from the year before, 58% of them did in 2019.

During testimony Monday night, Health Care Authority Cabinet Secretary Kari Armijo said she thinks the state has "made a lot of great progress" on children receiving the visits, noting a spike in October 2023 in which 75% of children got them on time.

But she also said she doubted New Mexico would ever reach the point where 100% of children receive the checks on time, noting multiple barriers in the lives of families and children.

"I don't think it's not achievable to get closer," she said. "... I don't think 100%, as a strict liability, would be possible, but I do believe that we can get that number higher."

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During her own testimony, Health Care Authority Medicaid Director Dana Flannery said as of this year, the state is starting to get more nuanced reports from Presbyterian Health Plan in an effort to get a better pulse on why and how it's missing that window so often.

Presbyterian, which got an exclusive state contract to be the sole provider of Medicaid benefits for children and teens in CYFD custody starting earlier this year, is now issuing quarterly reports to the state that give a more detailed accounting around what happened with each fumbled appointment.

Flannery said explanations might include kids who were scheduled but weren't brought to their appointments; guardians whom Presbyterian's care coordinators couldn't get in touch with; young people who came into state custody but quickly exited it; and those who "voluntarily" made appointments outside the 30-day window, maybe in an attempt to keep the child with their existing doctor.

Flannery said the new system should allow leaders to know how often something unavoidable gets in the way  such as a foster parent with a flat tire  versus the state or insurance company dropping the ball.

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"That really helps me analyze if they as a health plan are doing their job," Flannery said.

The arrangement with Presbyterian is new this year. In the past, kids in CYFD custody might have been enrolled at any of the state's "managed care organizations," private insurers that hold state contracts to manage Medicaid for most patients in the state.

State leaders have said they hope the new arrangement will make it easier to get health care for those children and to track when and how kids are falling through the cracks.

Flannery said Presbyterian's first report, which covered July to September of this year, showed about half or more of the kids entering state care didn't get their appointments.

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"We had a lot that did not show," Flannery said.

Arbitrator Charles Peifer questioned whether Presbyterian's health reports might be skewed.

"Are you worried that the report is coming from Presbyterian ... [where] there may be a certain self-interest in how they categorize reasons for not scheduling within 30 days?" he asked.

Flannery said she is optimistic the insurance company is giving an accurate reckoning. The new reports list the specific categories, she said, and the state will have the ability to check them as well.

"After a six-month run-out of claims, we could do a claims audit to see, are we apples to apples?" she said.

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Peifer also noted some of the deadline misses may be a result of New Mexico's well-documented shortage of medical providers.

"Anecdotally, I think everybody in this room probably knows that you can't just walk into your doctor's office in New Mexico," he said. "... We are not even tracking whether provider availability is the reason."

Flannery acknowledged a recent Presbyterian quarterly report identified provider availability as a barrier to providing well-child visits, but the report did not document any instances in which a wellness check wasn't conducted because of a lack of providers.

Flannery noted that, anecdotally, she rarely hears about provider capacity being the main reason wellness checks don't happen on time.

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"What I'm hearing more of is life, difficulty wrangling all the humans for something so quickly, and then again, if you look at hierarchy of needs and what's going on with these kids, [and] 'Does this rise to the absolute top?' " Flannery said.

When asked by plaintiffs' attorney Tara Ford what she would do if Presbyterian doesn't increase its delivery of wellness checks in the next quarter, Flannery said she would refer to a remediation plan in place and consider a corrective action plan for Presbyterian or other sanctions.

"That's the other reason for really digging into the data and looking at what is within their locus of control and what is outside their locus of control, because what I hold them accountable to is what's within their locus of control," she said.

Esteban Candelaria is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. He covers child welfare and the state Children, Youth and Families Department. Learn more about Report for America at reportforamerica.org.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Theres more fallout after last weeks arrest of a pole barn contractor, first exposed by a Better Call Behnken investigation in spring 2022.

Zelora Vernon Hall, who owned Florida Pole Barn Kits, LLC with his wife, was arrested Nov. 13 by the Hernando County Sheriffs Office and charged with 12 counts of grand theft.

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Consumer Investigator Shannon Behnken first started receiving calls from angry consumers in March 2022 after a growing number of people said the Hernando County-based pole barn supplier collected thousands of dollars in deposits for barns and provided nothing.

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Florida Pole Barn Kits, LLC filed a voluntary dissolution of the company on Feb. 1, just weeks after signing contracts with some customers and accepting sizable deposits. At the time, the company phone number was not operable, and customers complained they had been cut off from communication.

The company was owned by Zelora Vernon Hall and his wife, Tonya Hall. The business was based in Hernando County, but customers ordered pole barns from all over the state.

On Nov.13, the day of Halls arrest, customers who lost money received an unusual email from Sergeant Lauren Johnson at the Hernando County Sheriffs Office, explaining these charges only pertain to victims in Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, Marion and Lake counties.

It goes on to say thats because the statewide prosecutors office had the case since April 2022 and didnt move forward, and thats why it was recently referred to the local state attorneys office before the statute of limitations could expire.

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That left customers outside of that circuit, like Larissa Hicks in Hillsborough County, feeling left out.

Hours after Consumer Investigator Shannon Behnken reached out to the Attorney Generals Office, which oversees the statewide prosecutors office, Statewide Prosecutor Nick Cox sent this statement:

We thank the State Attorneys Office for moving forward with charges regarding their counties of jurisdiction. The Office of Statewide Prosecution continues to work on this case and intends to bring charges involving crimes in multiple jurisdictions.

When asked about the more than two year delay and the Hernando sergeants concerns about the statute of limitations, Cox sent this statement:

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There are no issues concerning the statute of limitations which expires in 2027. Any other person who has been victimized and wishes to report it should contact the Hernando County Sheriffs Office who is working with the Office of Statewide Prosecution on this matter.

Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis released this statement about the case:

We know that both our local State Attorney, Bill Gladson, and Floridas Attorney General, Ashley Moody, are equally passionate about holding lawbreakers accountable, Nienhuis said. We, therefore, look forward to working with both the State Attorneys Office and the Office Statewide Prosecution as this case moves through the court system, in an effort to ensure that justice is obtained for all the victims in this case.

Meanwhile, the eyebrow-raising email from the Hernando sergeant also made clear that their investigation continues into Vernon Halls now ex-wife, who was co-owner of the company, writing, While Mr. Hall has been arrested, the investigation is ongoing, particularly regarding Tonya Halls involvement.

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Michael Petro, a criminal defense attorney representing Tonya Hall, said his client is innocent and is cooperating with the sheriffs office and has offered to be interviewed for their case.

Vernon is pretty much on his own for all of this, Petro said. He was promising things he couldnt deliver and using new business to create old business. All the people who complained dealt with Vernon. She is only involved because she was on the LLC with her husband.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  On Wednesday, Female high school students from all over Connecticut spent time learning about careers in science and technology at the second-annual STEM symposium hosted by Southern Connecticut State University.

The symposium is all about hands-on learning, and the hope is that some of the young women will pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Middle school girls encouraged to pursue careers in STEM

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Its really about getting the information out to students, particularly young women, who dont necessarily consider STEM careers, SCSU Physics Professor Dr. Christina Broadbridge said.

For a second year, Junior Achievement of Southwest New England and Women in BioCT partnered to bring high school students together for a day of learning.

Its going to give us hands-on learning in the science field, and Ive been interested in science, said CO-OP High School sophomore Jayden Moore. So, coming here would benefit me a lot.

Having her pursue a STEM career would benefit the industry, as well, according to those who are already in it.

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NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth helping launch STEM program

Theres still such a gigantic gap of women in the STEM workforce, especially in leadership roles, Alexia Kedves, the co-chair of Young Women in Bio-Connecticut said.

We often hear from elected officials about how industry and education need to work together. This is an example of how that actually happens. Professionals spend the day volunteering to demonstrate their STEM skills.

Students hear a lot from people. They hear from teachers, they hear from guest speakers that come in, Joshua Kelly of Junior Achievement of Southwest New England said. We wanted something where students really get to see what it is that these people do and be able to experience it.

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We have so many industry volunteers here today and other types of volunteers that are all together around this common goal of really inspiring young folks, Broadbridge said.

Young folks who will become Connecticuts future skilled workforce.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Nov. 20STERLING  Fire damaged a Sterling apartment building Tuesday night, causing three people to suffer smoke inhalation and two cats had to be resuscitated.

The Sterling and Rock Falls fire departments, CGH EMS and Sterling Police Department were dispatched at 7:44 p.m. to a reported structure fire at 212 Sixth Ave., Sterling, a two-story home that had been split into two apartments.

Sterling police arrived to find smoke coming from an upstairs window, with flames visible in the window, according to a news release. A mutual-aid alarm brought in assistance from the Dixon Rural, Prophetstown and Milledgeville fire departments and Advance Ambulance, who were called to the scene. The Morrison and Amboy fire departments were stationed at the Sterling and Rock Falls fire departments to provide coverage.

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About 250 gallons of water were used to extinguish the fire; however, there was smoke damage, as well, according to the release. Sterling Deputy Fire Chief David Northcutt said Wednesday that the cause of the fire appears to be accidental.

The fire and smoke displaced two families. Three people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. They were not taken to the hospital. Two cats were resuscitated; they are now in the care of Whiteside Animal Control.

The scene has been turned over to Sterling Code Enforcement, with the 1-800-Boardup service and the Red Cross contacted to assist the displaced families.
Steve Bannon, a former adviser to President-elect Donald Trump who is charged with defrauding donors in a border wall scheme, will not go to trial until late February, a judge ruled Monday.

The trial had been scheduled to begin in New York on Dec. 9, but prosecutors asked to introduce additional financial evidence that they say explains Bannon's motive in participating in the alleged scheme, and Judge April Newbauer, a New York State Supreme Court acting justice, granted their motion.

Bannons trial is now set for Feb. 25, more than a month after Trumps inauguration.

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A Manhattan grand jury indicted Bannon in 2022 on charges of money laundering, scheming to defraud and conspiracy over his alleged role in the We Build the Wall fundraising campaign. Prosecutors accused Bannon and three other people of siphoning donors money into their own pockets instead of using all of the funds to build a wall along the southern U.S. border.

Bannon faces up to 15 years if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty and asserts the charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, are politically motivated.

The vocal Trump ally previously faced federal charges over his involvement in the scheme, to which he also pleaded not guilty. Trump pardoned Bannon as one of his final acts of his first term as president. Trump cannot pardon Bannon in the New York case.

Bannon recently served four months in prison for contempt of Congress after he defied a congressional subpoena to testify in the House Jan. 6 committees investigation. He was released the week before Election Day and immediately resumed spreading voter fraud conspiracy theories.

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Bannon is likely to play a prominent role in advocating for Trumps hard-line agenda through his War Room podcast and his influence in MAGA circles. He has also echoed Trumps call to punish the president-elects political rivals.





This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Britain is to urge Germany to back EU sanctions stripping Russian diplomats of their freedom of movement within the bloc, The Telegraph can reveal.

Moscow has often deployed spies in Europe under the guise of diplomatic postings. British officials fear their frictionless travel across the region makes it easier for them to conduct secret operations against the UK and the wider West.

As things stand, Russian envoys in EU countries benefit from Schengen visas allowing them and their families to travel through the 29 countries in its passport-free zone.

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Germany is the most influential member state opposed to a Czech proposal to remove the visas from Vladimir Putins diplomats and force them to stay in the host country of their embassy.

The Czech plan is supported by eight other EU nations, including the Netherlands, Poland and Baltic countries.

France is now believed to have also swung around in favour of the idea. However, EU sanctions require unanimity among all 27 member states.

Jan Lipavsky, the foreign minister of the Czech Republic, told The Telegraph: I have proposed a sanction that Russian diplomats would not be able to use Schengen visa[s] in Europe.

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If you are accepted in Czechia, you can automatically travel with freedom to Malta, to Sweden, anywhere. Russia cannot offer European diplomats anything comparable to the visa.

But that sanction is not moving in the EU at the moment. Mr Lipavsky refused to name which countries were blocking the proposal.

Jan Lipavsky, the foreign minister of the Czech Republic, told The Telegraph he was concerned Russian diplomats could travel anywhere within the Schengen area - SOPA Images/LightRocket

Diplomatic sources said Germany had opposed the idea in intergovernmental talks in Brussels on the grounds that it could trigger reprisals against its 350 diplomats in Russia.

The Telegraph understands that David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, offered last week to intercede with Berlin in an attempt to change its mind on the sanctions.

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While the UK is outside of the EU, its status in Nato and as a leading European backer of Ukraine  coupled with Sir Keir Starmers warm relations with Chancellor Olaf Scholz  means it can influence Germany, sources claimed.

British officials have identified the Czech Republic as a key ally in the region close to Ukraine which is subject to large amounts of Russian disinformation.

While countries such as Hungary and Slovakia have pro-Russian governments, the Czech Republic remains Western-facing.

David Lammy (left) with General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraines ambassador to the UK, on Tuesday

Prague and London have shared intelligence on Russian activities in Europe. Mr Lammys offer is understood to have been made in thanks for the close collaboration in countering Russian threats.

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It is also a sign of Labours willingness to engage more on European security, with Sir Keir wanting a UK-EU security deal as part of his post-Brexit reset of relations with the bloc.

However, Britain may struggle to change Germanys mind.

Mr Scholz, who is facing elections in February after his dysfunctional coalition government collapsed, was criticised by international allies after holding telephone talks with Putin this weekend.

He has also ruled out sending long-range German Taurus missiles to Kyiv after Joe Biden, the US president, finally permitted Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, to use similar US weapons under certain conditions.

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The Telegraph has approached the German diplomatic service for comment. The UK Foreign Office declined to comment.

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While many plan to spend Thanksgiving at home with family, there are several reasons you may need to go somewhere. You forgot to mail a package that needs to be delivered as soon as possible. You need to withdraw some extra cash from your bank account. You forgot an ingredient  or made a colossal cooking error and need to start from scratch.

It happens.

While a handful of stores and banks will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, several others will remain open for the holiday. While we have a general list of what's open and closed on Nov. 28, it's best to check with your local store or restaurant online before leaving home, as hours and closures can vary by location.

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See live countdown: How many days until Christmas Day 2024?

When is Thanksgiving 2024?

Thanksgiving is always on the fourth Thursday in November, which this year falls on Nov. 28.

Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving?

Walmart stores will be closed on Thanksgiving, but stores will open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Black Friday.

Are Costco and Sam's Club open on Thanksgiving?

Both Costco and Sam's Club will be closed on Thanksgiving.

Are banks open for Thanksgiving?

Most banks will be closed for the federal holiday. This includes Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Capital One, Citibank, PNC Bank, Truist and more will not open their branches on Thanksgiving. Online and mobile banking, as well as bank ATMs, will remain available.

Branches will resume regular operating hours on Friday, Nov. 29.

Is Target open on Thanksgiving?

Target will be closed on Thanksgiving. Stores will open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday and have extended hours of 7 a.m. to midnight from Nov. 30 through Dec. 23.

Is H-E-B open on Thanksgiving?

H-E-B will remain open on Thanksgiving, with the exception of its pharmacies.

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Stores: 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Pharmacy: Closed

Curbside: 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Home Delivery: 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Is the post office open on Thanksgiving? Will mail be delivered?

The U.S. Postal Service will not be delivering mail on Thursday, Nov. 28, though Priority Mail Express will continue to operate. Regular hours of operation will resume on Friday, Nov. 29.

Are UPS and FedEx open on Thanksgiving?

All of FedEx's operations, with the exception of FedEx Custom Critical, will also be closed for Thanksgiving. Most will resume the day after. FedEx Express will have modified services, and FedEx Freight will be closed.

Is Ross closed on Thanksgiving?

Most Ross Dress for Less stores will be closed for Thanksgiving, though some may open later in the evening and through midnight ahead of Black Friday.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What's open on Thanksgiving 2024? H-E-B open in Texas; Walmart closed
With just nine days until Thanksgiving  and 10 until Black Friday  many Wisconsinites preparations for both holiday occasions are likely already well underway.

But, you should know many stores  including grocery stores  wont be open on Thanksgiving, though some will be open with reduced hours. So be sure to get everything you need for the holiday ahead of time.

Here's what you need to know about what stores around the state will be open for Thanksgiving and Black Friday this year:

Is Pick 'n Save open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Pick 'n Save locations will close at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving and pharmacies will be closed, a spokesperson told the Journal Sentinel.

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Locations will reopen at 7 a.m. on Black Friday, with pharmacies open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Is Metro Market open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Metro Market locations will close at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving and pharmacies will be closed, a spokesperson told the Journal Sentinel.

Locations will reopen at 7 a.m. on Black Friday, with pharmacies open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Is Trader Joes open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Trader Joes stores will be closed on Thanksgiving but resume normal business hours on Black Friday, a spokesperson confirmed to the Journal Sentinel.

Is Aldi open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Aldi stores will be closed on Thanksgiving, according to Shane Williams, regional vice president. Locations will be open during normal business hours on Black Friday.

Is Woodmans Markets open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

All Woodmans locations will close on Thanksgiving at 1:45 p.m., and will open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday, a spokesperson confirmed to the Journal Sentinel.

Is Metcalfes Markets open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

All Metcalfes locations will be closed on Thanksgiving, a spokesperson confirmed to the Journal Sentinel. Stores will resume normal business hours on Black Friday.

Is Outpost Natural Foods open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Outpost Natural Foods locations will be closed on Thanksgiving, a spokesperson confirmed to the Journal Sentinel. Stores will be open for regular business hours on Black Friday.

Is Mayfair Mall open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Mayfair shopping mall will be closed on Thanksgiving, according to its website. The mall will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Black Friday.

Is Target open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Target stores will be closed on Thanksgiving, according to a Nov. 12 press release. Stores will open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.

Is Kohls open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Kohls locations will be closed on Thanksgiving, according to a Nov. 8 press release. Stores will open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.

Is Costco open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Costco warehouses will be closed on Thanksgiving and open from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Black Friday, according to the company's website.

Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Walmart stores will be closed on Thanksgiving, the company told USA TODAY. Stores will open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.

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USA Today reporter Gabe Hauari contributed to this report.

More: Milwaukee-area restaurants open Thanksgiving 2024 for dine-in or takeout

More: 2024 Black Friday beer releases in the Milwaukee area, from Lakefront to Raised Grain

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Thanksgiving and Black Friday 2024: What Wisconsin stores are open?
Mystery of Tutankhamen (Photo courtesy of WORLD SCAN PROJECT Inc.)

Since the discovery of the untouched tomb of Tutankhamen in Egypt in 1922, mystery has surrounded the revelation of the mummy of young pharaoh within.

Questions about the young pharaohs death, as well as his identity, have been enchanting history lovers for over a century.

Dive into history and mystery at the upcoming Mystery of Tutankhamen, an immersive exhibit at Yokohamas Minatomirai Tutankhamen Museum (PLOT48), running from Dec. 13, 2024, through Dec. 25, 2025.

The extensive exhibit uses 3-D CG projection technologies, space design, sound and graphics to transport visitors 3,000 years into the past to experience Tutankhamens rule over the ancient Egypt kingdom.

The museum will also have what it describes as super replicas of Tutankhamen items (one of only three sets existing in the world) and a perfectly reenacted tomb of Tutankhamen. Dont miss the 3D computer graphics of King Tuts mask and throne scanned directly from real artifacts on display in the Cairo-Egypt Museum.

Under the direction of world-famous Japanese Archeologist Yukinori Kawae, the exhibit also showcases some recent archeological discoveries, providing more information to King Tuts story.

Tickets for the exhibit are available now. Dont miss this immersive experience into the life and mystery of King Tutankhamen!

Mystery of Tutankhamen (Illustration courtesy of WORLD SCAN PROJECT Inc.) Hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt Wall (123rf)
For once, the news broke in the right order: first the explosion, then the announcement.

The first use of British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia marks a turning point in Western resolve to help Ukraine.

Whether a decisive intervention or too little, too late, it says a number of things about the state of the war.

Storm Shadow is bunker-busting missile with a range of about 155 miles - John Keeble/Getty Images

First, it marks a welcome return to seriousness.

Just hours earlier, Sir Keir Starmer had refused to answer a question about Storm Shadows on Sky News.

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That drew mockery from some, who noted that sound bites about support for Ukraine mean nothing without corresponding action.

But Sir Keir was right to keep quiet. Ukrainian officials have understandably expressed frustration with the early telegraphing of such military moves previously.

It also seems to confirm a shift in the British approach to the war.

It comes after Joe Biden approved the Ukrainian use of American Atacms inside Russia.

While his predecessors were much more willing to move before the Americans, sometimes in a bid to force the US presidents hand, this Prime Minister has generally opted to keep in lockstep with the White House.

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In September, he flew to Washington to  it was heavily signalled  ask Mr Biden for approval for Ukraine to fire Storm Shadows into Russia. Mr Biden said no, and that was that.

It is maybe unfair to blame that on Sir Keir. Storm Shadows apparently cannot be fired without American systems, so going it alone was perhaps not an option.

Joe Biden held talks with Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, in the White House in September - Stefan Rousseau/Reuters

But the change in tone has been noticed. Earlier this week, the American journalist Michael Weiss quoted an Estonian intelligence source saying Britain no longer takes the lead on Ukraine.

It also underlines how the collective West  and Mr Biden in particular  has found a new sense of urgency since Donald Trump won the US election last month.

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Atacms, Storm Shadows and the US announcement that it will send anti-personnel mines to Ukraine are all directed at preventing Vladimir Putin from forcing Ukraine into an impossible position in talks after Mr Trump becomes president in January.

It could all have been done earlier and its not yet clear if it will work.

Ukraine has relatively few Storm Shadow missiles. It is the US-supplied Atacms that can provide the scale of firepower that could make a difference, but its not clear if it has many of them left either. And the debate about using them has given the Russians ample time to move targets out of range.

Yet these measures might erode Russias current dominance on the battlefield just enough.

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If Olaf Scholz of Germany can now be persuaded to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles, it would add to the weight of the intervention.

It wont end the war. And Russia is not going to nuke Britain in response. It is a long-anticipated, and far from red-line crossing, Western move.

But if Ukraine can hold on to its salient in Kursk and the Russian offensive in Donbas is blunted, Putins hope of all-out victory this year may be dashed.

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JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli officials demanded Wednesday the freedom to strike Lebanon's Hezbollah as part of any cease-fire deal, raising a potential complication as a top U.S. envoy was in the region attempting to clinch an agreement.

The development came as an airstrike hit the historic Syrian town of Palmyra, killing 36 people, according to Syrian state-run media, which blamed the attack on Israel. The Israeli military declined to comment.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar each said Israel sought to reserve the right to respond to any violations by Hezbollah under an emerging proposal, which would push the militant groups fighters and Israeli ground forces out of a U.N. buffer zone in southern Lebanon.

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There have been signs of progress on the cease-fire deal and on Wednesday, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem said the Lebanese militant group supports the ongoing negotiations but has some reservations and rejects a provision for freedom of movement for Israeli troops in Lebanon.

In any agreement we will reach, we will have to maintain our freedom to act if there will be violations, Israeli Foreign Minister Saar told diplomats in Jerusalem.

Katz said the condition for any political settlement in Lebanon was the right for Israel's military to act and protect the citizens of Israel from Hezbollah.

Amos Hochstein, the Biden administrations point man on Israel and Lebanon, has been working to push the sides toward agreement and meeting this week with officials in Lebanon. He said Wednesday he would travel to Israel to try to bring this to a close if we can.

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The emerging deal would push Hezbollah and Israel out of southern Lebanon

Hezbollah began firing into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, in solidarity with Hamas after its attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in the Gaza Strip. Israel has been responding with strikes in Lebanon, and dramatically escalated its bombardment in late September by launching a ground invasion just inside the border.

In the more than a year of exchanges, more than 3,500 people have been killed in Lebanon, most in the past month, the Health Ministry reported, and over 1 million people have been displaced. It's unknown how many of the dead were Hezbollah fighters. On Wednesday, 11 more were killed across Lebanon, according to the ministry and Lebanese state media.

In Israel, more than 70 people have been killed by Hezbollah fire, and tens of thousands have fled their homes. Israeli police said a Hezbollah rocket fell outside an empty kindergarten Wednesday in the northern city of Acre, causing damage but no injuries.

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Hochsteins proposal is based on U.N. resolution that ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. It stipulates that only the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers should operate in southern Lebanon.

Still, Hezbollah never fully ended its presence in the south. Lebanon accuses Israel of also violating the resolution by maintaining hold of a small, disputed border area and conducting frequent military overflights.

Israel says that Hezbollah has since built up a military infrastructure in villages and towns in southern Lebanon.

The current proposal would include an implementation plan and a monitoring system to ensure each side follows its obligations to fully withdraw from the south. That could involve the United States and France, but details are still unclear.

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Theres been progress, but no done deal yet

The Israeli ministers didn't outline details of Israels demand to maintain freedom of operation. Since the 2006 war, Israel has struck Hezbollah on the few occasions when border violence flared up, but any large-scale response could push the region back into turmoil.

It's also unlikely Lebanon would agree to a deal that permits Israeli violations of its sovereignty. Hezbollah's leader Kassem said Wednesday that any cease-fire must include a complete and comprehensive end to the aggression, preserving Lebanons sovereignty and ruling out any freedom of movement for Israel in Lebanese territory.

Though the proposal attempts to nail down an implementation mechanism, the failure to fully implement the U.N. resolution after the 2006 war could point to difficulties in getting the sides to uphold a sustainable cease-fire that would bring long-term quiet.

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Israel has continued to pound Hezbollah, and rockets have continued to rain down on northern Israel. Any perceived escalation could derail the talks.

Even with Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire, the war in Gaza would grind on

The war in Gaza is now in its 14th month as Israel battles Hamas in the territory. The death toll has soared to nearly 44,000 dead  over half of them women and children, according to local health officials, who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants in their count.

Fifteen people, including five children and three women, were killed in various strikes in Gaza Wednesday, according to an AP journalist who counted the bodies at hospitals.

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Hezbollah has said throughout the war in Gaza that it won't stop firing at Israel until the fighting in the Palestinian territory ends, but that condition was dropped in September after Israel intensified its offensive on the militant group, killing its top leadership and degrading its military capabilities.

That leaves Gaza waiting for a cease-fire of its own as a humanitarian crisis has displaced much of the territorys 2.3 million people and prompted widespread hunger, especially in the north, where the United Nations says virtually no food or humanitarian aid has been delivered to for more than 40 days because of the Israeli militarys siege.

International mediation has stalled repeatedly amid disagreement between Israel and Hamas over whether the war should end as part of a cease-fire deal, with Israel insisting it wants to maintain troop presence in certain areas.

The U.S. on Wednesday vetoed a U.N. resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza because it was not linked to an immediate release of hostages taken captive by Hamas

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Hamas ignited the war in Gaza when its fighters stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of them believed to be dead.

Other tumultuous areas of the Middle East won't likely be affected by a Hezbollah-Israel cease-fire, including Syria.

Israel frequently targets military sites and facilities associated with Iran-linked groups in Syria but rarely acknowledges the strikes. The death toll from Wednesdays strike in Palmyra was unusually high.

The Syrian news agency SANA said that along wit the 36 killed, the strike on Palmyra also wounded more than 50 people and caused significant material damage to the targeted buildings and the surrounding area. Palmyra is known for the historic Roman temple complex nearby, but it wasn't immediately clear if the ruins were damaged.

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The complex suffered significant damage years ago, during the Islamic State group's rampage across Syria.

___

Chehayeb reported from Beirut.

___

Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
BOSTON (SHNS)  Some students on the North Shore have been home from school for a week and a half as their teachers remain on strike, appealing for higher wages for paraprofessionals, teachers and custodians and increased paid parental leave.

Educators from the Marblehead, Gloucester and Beverly teachers unions  all of which are on strike  came to the State House on Tuesday to meet with representatives and stand outside Gov. Maura Healeys office to get more attention on their demands, while their colleagues back home continued negotiations.

Gloucester and Beverley voted to strike on Nov. 8, and Marblehead began their strike on Nov. 12. Students in the latter town have been out of school for a week so far due to the strike, and Gloucester and Beverly have missed eight days.

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We want to be in the classroom; we dont like racking up days here without our students  we may have to cut into February break or April break. But we know what we really want out of this is achieving a fair contract, said Marblehead High School government and politics teacher Dan Ritchie.

He continued, This was an act of desperation. We felt that the only way that we could get a fair contract for everyone was to take this action. Its not something that we want to do or something we looked forward to doing. But sometimes you need to do something drastic in order to get things done.

Massachusetts is one of dozens of states where public employees are prohibited from striking, and advocates for years have been unsuccessful at convincing a critical mass of lawmakers to support changing the status quo. The ban has not stopped teachers from going on strike in recent years, with the work stoppages in some communities drawing fines but also leading to contract settlements.

The Massachusetts Teachers Association targeted an end to that ban as one of its priorities for the 2023-2024 session, arguing that a lack of ability to strike legally puts educators at a disadvantage in contract negotiations with districts who are able to stall talks. Bills from Reps. Mike Connolly and Erika Uyterhoeven and Sen. Becca Rausch (H 1845 / S 1217) allowing public employees to strike after six months of unsuccessful negotiations hit dead ends without surfacing from the Labor and Workforce Development Committee.

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Gov. Maura Healey has also opposed giving teachers the right to strike, even as significant teacher strikes in recent years have unfolded in Newton, Malden, Woburn and Haverhill.

Asked to respond to the ongoing teachers strikes and the crowd that gathered outside of her office Tuesday, a Healey spokesperson sent a statement in response. Healey was not at the State House Tuesday. She had a series of public events on the South Coast.

As the daughter of public school educators and union members, I have a deep appreciation for our hardworking educators and staff. Our administration has delivered historic levels of funding to K-12 schools, including fully funding the Student Opportunity Act. My focus right now is on getting students back in the classroom. It is unacceptable that school has been closed for more than a week in Marblehead, Gloucester and Beverly. Im urging both parties to reach an agreement as soon as possible for the good of our kids, families, educators and staff, the statement says.

The state Republican Party released a statement Tuesday calling for an end to the teachers strike, and accusing the Massachusetts Teachers Association of once again prioritizing its own agenda over the needs of students, parents, and communities.

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Families are being held hostage by the MTAs reckless and illegal actions, said MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale. Parents are forced to pay out of pocket for childcare or miss work to stay home with their kids, all while classrooms remain empty and students lose valuable learning time. These strikes dont help teachers or familiesthey only serve the MTAs political objectives.

The Gloucester union says its hemorrhaging talented educators lost to better paying districts, and representatives said Tuesday theyre specifically fighting for better pay for paraprofessionals who make poverty-level wages. A union representative said that without these extra adults in the classroom, classes are understaffed and can be unsafe for students.

Marblehead Educators Association librarian Katrina Donovan said one of the points their union is fighting for is increased wages and benefits for custodians.

They dont even get Christmas Eve off, even though we have that week off of school, Donovan said, So this is about making sure that everyone gets the respect they deserve.

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Gloucester School Committee Chair Kathy Clancy released a statement Monday night that said they had come close to an agreement with the union, but the biggest continued challenge they face is salary increases.

The School Committee has provided proposals to both unions giving teachers and paraprofessionals the largest salary increases ever made. These are competitive for the region and ensure the city does not overstrain its finances or have to make personnel cuts. The School Committee is committed to finding a common ground that will not force layoffs of teachers or paraprofessionals. Our focus remains on getting students back in school where they belong with access to the essential services they need and rely upon, she said Monday.

Another release from Clancy on Tuesday afternoon said she was disappointed that they did not reach a final compromise overnight.

The School Committee offers have now stretched city finances to the point where jobs, programs and services in other city departments are now at risk. The School Committee remains committed to reaching an agreement that will not overstrain city finances or force layoffs of teachers and paraprofessionals, she said. We need the union to work with us on reaching an agreement. Our children deserve to be back in school, learning, with access to the essential services they need and rely upon because every day matters.

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A notification from Gloucester Superintendent Ben Lummis around 3 p.m. on Tuesday informed families that negotiations had hit several roadblocks and that at this point, I do not know if schools will or will not be open tomorrow.

After educators rallied outside the State House on Tuesday, they spoke to some lawmakers at their offices inside the building.

A group of teachers from Beverly spoke with Sen. Joan Lovely of Salem, explaining the critical work that paraprofessionals do and are drastically underpaid for.

Thank you for your time to come up here. I know its been a tough, what, 11 days? Lovely replied to the group of educators. They responded that it had been 12. I will talk to administrators and Im going to continue to hope that good faith bargaining gets to the middle.

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The group also went to the office of Rep. Jerald Parisella of Beverly.

Will you ask our city leadership to get a living wage to the paras, make paid parental leave humane, and competitive wage for the teachers, because what theyre offering right now is not that? asked Beverly Teachers Association member Paul Drake.

Of course, Id be happy to talk to them, Parisella said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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STRUTHERS, Ohio (WKBN)  Struthers City Schools is hosting a Drive the Bus event this weekend to fill bus driver positions.

The event is from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, Nov. 23 at the districts transportation facility, located at 300  Creed St.

The district is aiming to hire two substitute bus drivers and is encouraging any interested candidates to attend the event, during which time they will have the opportunity to test drive a bus. They will also tour the newly constructed 11,000-square-foot facility. The districts transportation supervisor Frances Burrell will be available to answer any questions.

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The transportation supervisor is the only substitute in the district. The road has been bumpy to find more.

Because Ive had a lot of people say I dont think I can drive it, I dont think I can drive it, Burrell said.

Struthers will have a short driving course in its transportation parking lot. Attendees will need to bring a valid drivers license.

The substitute positions offer great flexibility with the opportunity to advance to a full-time position if the candidate is interested, Burrell said in a statement.

Current bus drivers will also be available at the Drive the Bus event to answer any questions.

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Now youll see that your have six mirrors out in front of you, Burrell said. The mirrors help with various situations, mainly when children get on and off. Driving feels the same. You just need to remember the bus is 43 feet long. Its easy to steer. You just have to remember your tail swing when you make turns.

For more information, contact Burrell at (330) 750-1056 or email frances.burrell@strutherscityschools.org.

Were the first ones to see the students getting on the bus in the morning. Were the last ones they see when they get off. Believe it or not, drivers do have an impact on students within our community, she said.

Dave Sess contributed to this report.

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Nov. 20JEFFERSON  A maintenance agreement was approved by the Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners to continue the development of a housing subdivision in Harpersfield Township.

The agreement creates an escrow fund to ensure maintenance of a road into the development, at a rate of $132,617.21.

The Harper Valley Preserve Subdivision II will allow Jeff Jenks, the developer, to continue the housing development. Jenks said there are presently 11 houses on the property overlooking the Grand River.

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He said the development has been slowly growing for almost 20 years, and he hopes to add eight more homes.

The commissioners approved a joint use agreement with the Boy Scouts of America for the construction of a STEM Innovation Center at the camp ground in Morgan Township. The Lake Erie Council received an appropriation of $350,000 from state economic stimulations funds that will be completed with the help of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

A consulting contract for not more than $18,000 was approved with JH Consulting of West Virginia to assist the Ashtabula County Emergency Management Agency in developing a mitigation plan.

Several change orders were also approved by the commissioners, including $85,000 for the Palmer Avenue tank rehabilitation project; $15,000 for the comprehensive case management and employment program, two change order increases totaling almost $50,000 for the Carpenter Road sanitary sewer overflow elimination rroject, a $28,129.50 increase on the and a $16,000 change order savings on a Footville-Richmond Road paving project.

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An interagency agreement between Ashtabula County, on behalf of Ashtabula County Department of Job and Family Services, and the Ashtabula County Children Services Board was approved, with a price not to exceed $485,000.

The Ashtabula County Clerk of Courts made the commissioners aware that $46,897 was to be transferred to the county's general fund.
A substitute teacher at a Hillsborough County high school was arrested Tuesday after deputies say he had a sexual relationship with a student.

Joseph Prevatte, 39, was a substitute teacher at Lennard High School from Oct. 1 to Oct. 3, the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. Detectives discovered that Prevatte sent inappropriate messages and engaged in sexual interactions with a student at the school, the news release states.

Prevatte was arrested Tuesday on charges of lewd or lascivious battery and harmful explicit communication to a minor. Records show he was being held at the Orient Road Jail without bond.

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During the investigation, detectives learned that Prevatte was also under investigation in Manatee County, where he was substituting at another high school.

The Manatee County Sheriffs Office said authorities received a tip through the FortifyFL app on Oct. 31 alleging that a substitute teacher was sending inappropriate messages to a high school student. Detectives learned Prevatte had sent messages back and forth with the victim on Instagram for a few weeks, including an image of himself unclothed but cropped to exclude his genitalia, the sheriffs office said in a news release.

Prevatte was booked in the Manatee County jail Nov. 12 on one count of soliciting or engaging in lewd conduct with a student. Records show he was released the next day after posting a $75,000 bond.

Tanya Arja, a spokesperson for the Hillsborough County school district, said Prevatte was immediately pulled from the school once officials were made aware of the allegations at Lennard High.

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We are appalled by the actions of the individual and are grateful for the quick response and investigation by the Sheriffs Office to keep our students safe, she wrote.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Prevatte is asked to call the Hillsborough sheriffs office at 813-247-8200.
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP)  A suicide bomber killed 12 members of the security forces and wounded several others after detonating an explosive-laden vehicle at a security post in northwestern Pakistan, officials said Wednesday.

The attack, one of the deadliest in recent months, happened Tuesday evening in Bannu, a district in restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

A military statement said six khwarij  a phrase which is used for Pakistani Taliban  were killed in a gunbattle at the scene.

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The attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted by our own troops, which forced the khwarij to ram an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the post, the statement said. The suicide attack led to the collapse of a portion of a perimeter wall and damaged the adjoining infrastructure, resulting in the martyrdom" of 12 security forces, it added.

The Hafiz Gul Bahadur group  a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban  issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan has witnessed a steady increase in violence since November 2022, when the Pakistani Taliban ended a monthslong cease-fire with the government in Islamabad.

In December 2023, a suicide bomber targeted a police stations main gate in Dera Ismail Khan, a district in northwestern Pakistan, killing 23 troops.

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The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, are separate to, but allies of, the Taliban which seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Tuesday's attack in Bannu came as Pakistan's political and military leadership was meeting in Islamabad to discuss how to respond to the surge in militant violence.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday approved a comprehensive military operation against separatist groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), in southwestern Balochistan province. The order came following a Nov. 9 suicide attack by the group at a train station that killed 26 people in Quetta, the capital of the province.

The BLA has also targeted and killed Chinese nationals in Balochistan and elsewhere in recent years. It claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that targeted a convoy with Chinese nationals outside the Karachi airport in October, killing two workers from China and wounding eight people.

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Pakistan hosts thousands of Chinese workers as part of Beijings multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, which is building major infrastructure projects. Beijing often asks Pakistan to enhance security of its nationals.

On Wednesday, Chinese and Pakistani troops began an anti-terror drill at a sprawling military facility in the restive northwest, the military said in a statement. The three-week drill is the latest in a series of bilateral exercises, it added.

Violence has also surged in northwest Pakistan in recent months, where security forces often target TTP and the Gul Bahadur group.

Abdullah Khan, a senior defense analyst and managing director of the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, said over 900 security forces have been killed in militant attacks in Pakistan since 2022, when TTP ended its cease-fire.

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TTP and other groups have expanded their operations, showing they are getting more recruits, money and weapons, Khan said, adding there is a need for political stability in the country to defeat the insurgents.

Pakistan has experienced a political crisis since 2022, when then-Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament. He was arrested and imprisoned in 2023. Since then, his supporters have been rallying to demand his release.

___

Associated Press writers Rasool Dawar and Ishtiaq Mahsud contributed to this story from Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, Pakistan.
RANDOLPH COUNTY  A woman who is suing Randolph County Sheriffs Office deputies, alleging they used excessive force in a traffic stop more than five years ago, had a chance on Tuesday to hell her story to jury in U.S. District Court in Greensboro.

Kalah Nicole Martin filed the lawsuit in November 2021, contending that deputies roughed her up after pulling her car over on Interstate 73 south of Asheboro in February 2019. In April 2023 a federal magistrate judge threw out much of the lawsuit but ruled that it would be up to a jury to decide whether the deputies used reasonable force.

Martin, who lives in Moore County, testified that she was on northbound I-73 driving to her job at a manufacturing plant in Asheboro the evening of Feb. 28, 2019, when a deputy signaled her to pull her over because her car did not have a license plate.

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She said that the combination of the flashing lights from the deputys car, the narrow road shoulder in a construction zone and the rain falling at the time made her nervous to stop right there.

I slowed down and put on my hazard lights, Martin told the jury.

Martin said that the shoulder was so narrow on the interstate segment that part of her vehicle would have stuck out in the roadway.

When she reached a place to pull over, multiple deputies already had arrived and approached with guns drawn, she said.

Martin said she tried to tell the deputies that her cars front doors and windows didnt work, but they smashed her drivers side window, pulled her out and threw her on the asphalt.

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She was arrested and charged with fleeing to elude arrest, operating a vehicle with no insurance and driving without a license plate. The charges later were dismissed.

The civil trial could conclude Wednesday. The attorneys for the deputies told the judge that they would need 20 to 25 minutes each for closing arguments.

pjohnson@hpenews.com | 336-888-3528 | @HPEpaul
Nov. 19SUNY Oneonta announced Tuesday, Nov. 19 it has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge as a "Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting."

The designation "recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation," according to a news release from the university.

SUNY Oneonta is one of 471 colleges and universities recognized by ALL IN for completing four core actions:

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Participating in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge

Sharing 2022 NSLVE Reports with campus voting data with ALL IN

Developing and submitting a 2024 democratic engagement action plan with ALL IN

Having a current signatory to ALL IN's higher education presidents' commitment to full student voter participation

"The research is clear: colleges and universities that make intentional efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement have higher campus voter registration and voter turnout rates," said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN challenge. "This year we saw more colleges than ever before step up their efforts to ensure that their students were registered and ready to make their voices heard at the ballot box. These Most Engaged Campuses are setting the standard for nonpartisan civic engagement work for colleges and universities across the country."

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge "empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement," the release stated. Campuses that join the challenge complete a set of action items, with the support of ALL IN staff, to institutionalize nonpartisan civic learning and voter participation on their campus. The challenge currently engages 10.8 million students from more than 1,075 institutions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to the release.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A local nonprofit organization is hosting a fundraiser to help combat hunger.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 26, community members will flock to Mother Stewarts Brewing in Springfield to participate in the Second Harvest Food Banks (SHFB) annual dessert auction fundraiser.

During the auction, bidders will get the chance to bid on 30 desserts. The highest bidder of each item will take their winning sweet treats home to enjoy.

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A grab and go table will also be set up with desserts, each priced at $20.

This event is a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season while making a meaningful impact, said Allie Godfrey, marketing and events specialist at Second Harvest Food Bank. We are incredibly grateful for the communitys generosity and enthusiasm year after year.

All proceeds from the event will go to SHFBs mission to provide food to those within the community who are in need of food.

Doors for the event open at 5 p.m. on Nov. 26.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
The Russian war on Ukraine is considered a significant threat by EU citizens, but irregular migration and terrorism are causing even greater concern, according to a survey published on Wednesday.

Spanning all 27 EU member states, the survey, conducted on behalf of the Bertelsmann Foundation, revealed regional variations in how threats to peace are perceived.

Among more than 26,000 participants, 25% cited dysfunctional border security as their top concern, while 21% expressed the most anxiety over terrorist attacks.

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Cyberattacks were seen as the greatest threat by 19%, with 18% fearing an attack by a foreign aggressor and 17% citing organized crime.

In Germany, 23% of respondents identified terrorism as the greatest threat to European peace, a concern possibly influenced by the terrorist attack in Solingen in late August 2023. The attack, attributed to a man from Syria and claimed by the Islamic State, resulted in three fatalities and occurred just before the survey was carried out in September.

The survey also revealed regional differences in concerns. In Poland, which borders Ukraine, 29% of respondents viewed a military attack as the greatest threat to European peace. In contrast, only 16% of respondents in Spain shared this perspective.

The survey, conducted by the polling firm Latana in September 2024, surveyed 26,454 people across the EU, with a margin of error of 0.8%.

Founded in 1977, the Bertelsmann Foundation publishes regular studies on education, democracy, society, health, culture and science.
Editors Note: Following a unanimous vote, convicted killer Susan Smith has been denied parole for killing her two young sons in 1994.

SOUTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Susan Smith, the woman who killed her two sons after driving her car into a lake in South Carolina in 1994, is set to have a parole hearing Wednesday.

The case involving Smith and the deaths of her sons Michael and Alex made national and international headlines when the story happened, and is considered one of the major crime stories of the 1990s.

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Smith was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole as a result of the sentencing guidelines that were in place at the time.

Smith will appear via video link before a panel with the states parole board. Others, including Smiths ex-husband (and father of Michael and Alex) David Smith, and former prosecutor Tommy Pope, are expected to attend the hearing from Columbia.

The South Carolina Dept. of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services told Queen City News on Monday that they have received 471 messages regarding Smiths parole hearing, with only six of those in support of her release.

Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area  >> Latest stories here

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Susan Smith told the parole board, "I know what I did was horrible," CNN reports

Dave Martin/AP; SC Department of Corrections David Smith; Susan Smith David Smith; Susan Smith

Susan Smith, the South Carolina mother convicted of killing her two children in 1994, was denied parole on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the Associated Press, NBC and The Washington Post report.

Susan appeared before the parole board Wednesday morning, saying, "I know that what I did was horrible, CNN reports.

She reportedly added: I am a Christian and God is a big part of my life and I know he has forgiven me and I know that is by his grace and mercy  And I just ask that you show that same kind of mercy as well.

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Prior to her hearing, on Wednesday morning, Smith's husband discussed his feelings towards Susan. In an interview with the Today show on Wednesday, David Smith said he doesnt think Susan should be granted parole after serving 30 years of a life sentence over the drowning deaths of their two sons, who were ages 3 and 14 months, saying it wasnt an accident and that she "deliberately killed the boys.

"I don't think she'll ever be rehabilitated," he told the news outlet. "I don't think she's, even to me, she's never been really sorry for what she did.



On Oct. 25, 1994, Susan, then 23, told police that she had been carjacked by a Black man who had taken off with her two young sons still in her car. For nine days, she made tearful pleas on national television for their safe return. But it was all a lie.

Related: Sex, Drugs and Sickness: Inside Susan Smith's Life in Prison After Drowning Her Sons

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As her story began to unravel, Susan admitted that there was no carjacker, and that she had let her car roll into a lake with Michael, 3, and Alex, 14 months, still strapped into their car seats. Authorities said she committed the murders because she was secretly dating a man who didn't want children.

The story became international news and was featured on the cover of PEOPLE. Susan was convicted of two counts of murder in 1995 and is serving a life sentence in Leath Correctional Institution in Greenwood, S.C.

David also recounted the dark thoughts he had in the courtroom throughout Susans trial, telling the Today show that he used to sit there and look at the back of her head and then look at where the bailiffs were, the officers were and think about killing her, per the outlet.

Mug Shot Susan Smith

Related: Where Is Susan Smith Now? A Look At Her Life in Prison 30 Years After Drowning Her Sons

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During her time behind bars, Susan received disciplinary infractions for self-mutilation, drug use and possession of narcotics or marijuana, and as a result, she lost multiple privileges, according to records previously obtained by PEOPLE.

She was also disciplined for having sex with a prison guard, Houston Cagle, in 2000 and a prison captain, Alfred Rowe, the following year. (Cagle pleaded guilty and spent three months in jail and Rowe also pleaded guilty to having sex with Smith and was sentenced to five years probation.)

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

In 2015, Susan, who claimed she was misunderstood, defended herself in a letter to The State, a South Carolina newspaper.

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"Mr. Cahill, I am not the monster society thinks I am," she wrote to reporter Harrison Cahill. "I am far from it."

As for David, he previously opened up in an interview with Court TV about how he has forgiven Susan but that it doesnt make the pain of losing their sons any easier.

Ruth Fremson/AP David Smith holding a photo of his two sons in 1995. David Smith holding a photo of his two sons in 1995.

Related: Susan Smith's Ex-Husband Discusses Whether He Forgives Mom Who Murdered Their 2 Children

Yes, I have forgiven her but again that goes to my faith in God and that's the way I was raised. That we have to forgive, David told Court TV anchor Julie Grant in September. But it sure doesn't take away the act of what she did. It doesn't make it any less, it doesn't make it any easier. But I have forgiven her for what she did.


COLUMBIA S.C. (WSPA)  A parole board denied on Wednesday a request for parole for Susan Smith, a South Carolina woman who in 1994 made national headlines after she rolled her car into a lake with her children, 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alexander, strapped in their seats.

The parole board voted 5-0 against granting Smith parole. One board member recused themselves from the hearing to avoid any potential conflicts of interest. During Smiths hearing, which lasted more than half an hour, the parole board heard from Smith, her lawyer, and two people who advocated for her release.

Smith made her case for freedom by video link from prison. When she began to speak, she started to say she was very sorry, then broke down in tears and bowed her head.

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I know what I did was horrible, Smith said, pausing and then continuing with a wavering voice. And I would give anything so I could change it.

The parole board asked Smith about the law enforcement resources used to try to locate her children. In reply, she told the board she was just scared and didnt know how to tell them.

Im sorry, I dont know, I know thats not enough; I know its not, Smith said.

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In her final statements, Smith appealed to her Christian faith, saying, God is a big part of my life. God has forgiven her, Smith said, and she asked the same of the board. I ask that you show that kind of mercy, as well.

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The board also heard from several people who were against granting Smiths release, including her ex-husband David, members of his family, and solicitors who tried Smiths case. Everyone who spoke wore a photo of Michael and Alexander, who were 3 years old and 14 months old at the time of their deaths, respectively.

Susan and David Smith address reporters Nov. 2, 1994 during a news conference in Union, S.C. They pleaded for the safe return of their sons, 14-month-old Alex, and Michael, 3, who had been missing since an alleged car-jack-kidnapping over a week earlier. (AP photo/Mary Ann Chastain) FILE  In this July 27, 1995 file photo, Susan Smith is escorted into the Union County Courthouse in Union, S.C. Smith sentenced to life in prison for killing her two young sons never planned to kill them and instead intended to end her own life, according to a letter she wrote to The State, a Columbia, S.C., newspaper, reported Wednesday, July 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Lou Krasky, File) Susan Smith in 2021. (AP Photo) Susan Smith (lower left on video screen) breaks down as she addresses the parole board during a parole hearing for convicted murderer Susan Smith in Columbia, S.C., Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/David Yeazell)

This was a death penalty case, said Tommy Pope, the solicitor who prosecuted Smiths case.

Pope said the state believed had David or the Black man Smith originally claimed had stolen her car with the boys inside been convicted for killing Michael and Alexander, they would have been given the death penalty.

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Kevin Brackett, current solicitor for York and Union counties who worked Smiths prosecution said Smith betrayed her husband and her children with her actions.

His hopes and dreams were dashed and I hope you dash hers today, he said.

The last person to speak at the hearing was David Smith, who advocated for keeping Susan Smith in prison.

God gave us free choice. And she made a choice that night to end their life. it wasnt a tragic mistake, it wasnt something she didnt mean to do, he said. David said hes never seen remorse from Smith for her actions, and he doesnt believe she should be granted parole.

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David said he understood the state law at the time of Susans case meant life in prison really meant 30 years to life.

But ultimately to meits just not enough, he said.

With Wednesdays hearing complete, Susan Smith will be eligible for parole every two years until she is released or dies in prison. David said he would be there every two years to ensure his children arent forgotten.

This was the first parole hearing for Smith, 53, who is serving a life sentence after a jury convicted her of murder but decided not to sentence her to death.

Jay Leno falls 60 feet down hill, hits face on rock

Smith made international headlines in October 1994 when she said she was carjacked late at night near the city of Union and that a Black man drove away with her sons inside. The claims by Smith, who is white, played into a centuries-old racist trope of Black men being a danger to white women and stoked concerns about crime that were prevalent in 1990s America and remain so today.

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For nine days, Smith made numerous and sometimes tearful pleas asking that Michael and Alex be returned safely. The whole time, the boys were in Smiths car at the bottom of nearby John D. Long Lake, authorities said.

Investigators said Smiths story didnt add up. Carjackers usually just want a vehicle, so investigators asked why would they let Smith out but not her kids. The traffic light where Smith said she had stopped when her car was taken would only be red if another car was waiting to cross, and Smith said no other cars were around. Other bits and pieces of the story did not make sense.

Smith ultimately confessed to letting her car roll down a boat ramp and into the lake. A re-creation by investigators showed it took six minutes for the Mazda to dip below the surface, while cameras inside the vehicle showed water pouring in through the vents and steadily rising. The boys bodies were found dangling upside-down in their car seats, one tiny hand pressed against a window.

Prosecutors said Smith was having an affair with the wealthy son of the owner of the business she worked at. He broke it off because she had the two young sons.

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Smiths crime not only traumatized her family, prosecutor Kevin Brackett said, but further affected the state of South Carolina and the country at large who were fixated on this global sensation. Her allegation that a Black man kidnapped her children also led to other Black men in the area being wrongfully pulled over as police searched for a fictitious man, he said.

The 1995 trial of the young mother became a national sensation and a true crime touchstone even though it wasnt televised by a judge who worried about what cameras were doing to the O.J. Simpson murder trial going on at the same time. Her lawyers worked to save her life, noting that Smiths father had killed himself and that her stepfather was having sex with her along with the owner of the business where she worked.

From prison, Smith can make phone calls and answer text messages, many coming from journalists and interested men. Those messages and phone calls were released under South Carolinas open records act, something Smith didnt initially realize could happen. She said the invasion of her privacy upset her along with the public revelation that she was juggling conversations about the future with several men.

Some men know why she is famous. Others are more coy. One told her he was going to use the dates of her birthday and those of her dead sons when he played the Powerball lottery. Others chatted about their lives and sports. Many promised her a home on the outside and a happy life.

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Smith also had sex with guards. And she violated prison policies by giving out contact information for friends, family members and her ex-husband to a documentary producer who discussed paying her for her help, according to former prosecutor Tommy Pope.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
(CNN)  Susan Smith, who has served 30 years of a life sentence for drowning her two young sons in 1994, was unanimously denied parole by the South Carolina Board of Paroles and Pardons during an emotional hearing Wednesday.

Smith testified on her own behalf, pleading for her release via video before the board in Columbia. She is serving a life sentence at Leath Correctional Institution after she confessed to rolling her car into a Union County lake in 1994, killing 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alex.

I know that what I did was horrible, she tearfully told the board.

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The parole board asked Smith about previous disciplinary charges in prison and she said she had learned from her mistakes.

Smith ended her testimony asking for parole to be granted.

I am a Christian and God is a big part of my life and I know he has forgiven me and I know that is by his grace and mercy, Smith said. And I just ask that you show that same kind of mercy as well.

The hearing included statements from witnesses opposing parole, including David Smith, her ex-husband and the father of the boys.

Im not here to speak about what shes done in prison. You all have the records and accounts of all that. Im just here to advocate on Michaels and Alexs behalf and as their father, said Smith, who was flanked by 14 other witnesses  many wearing buttons with a picture of Michael and Alex  opposing his ex-wifes release.

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God gives us free choice, and she made free choice that night to end their lives. This wasnt a tragic mistake. She purposely meant to end their lives. I never have felt any remorse from her. She never expressed any to me, he added.

Smith said he questioned whether he could go on after Susan Smith killed their sons.

What she did not only to Michael and Alex, she came pretty close to causing me to end my life because of the grief she brought upon me, he said.

Ultimately, the father of the boys told the parole board that 30 years is simply not enough time for Susan Smith to spend in prison.

Thats only 15 years per child, her own children, he said. Its just not enough.

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At a news conference after the hearing, David Smith told reporters the committee made the right decision.

How we got here

Susan Smith, then 23, told police in November 1994 her sons were taken when she was carjacked by a Black man in the city of Union, in late October, setting off a manhunt and a barrage of media attention on the young mother.

But it would turn out Smiths young children were already dead  strapped in their car seats at the bottom of nearby John D. Long Lake, authorities said.

Investigators were skeptical of Smiths story from the start, and eventually, under questioning, she confessed to rolling her car into the lake, killing her sons. The story made international headlines, and her 1995 murder trial was followed closely around the world.

Susan Smith arrives at Union County Courthouse as the penalty phase of her trial moves into closing arguments in 1995. - Reuters

The prosecution pointed to reports Smith was having an affair with her boss rich son who had just broken up with her because he didnt want children. Her attorneys argued she was suicidal and depressed and intended to stay in the car with her children.

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Smith was convicted of murder. Now 53, she has served 30 years of her life sentence, making her eligible for parole.

Parole is granted only for violent offenders about 8% of the time, according to the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

As of the first week of November, the Office of Victim Services had received at least 360 letters, emails and messages about Smiths parole hearing, with all but six opposing granting her parole, the department said.

Susan Smith's most recent inmate photo, taken in 2021. - South Carolina Department of Corrections

Smiths attorney, Tommy A. Thomas, did not respond to a request for comment before or after the hearing. He told the board Wednesday his client was truly remorseful.

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Smiths three decades in prison havent been uneventful. She has faced a number of internal disciplinary charges.

Just months before her parole hearing, on August 16, Smith was charged with communicating with a victim and/or witness through telephone calls with a documentary filmmaker, according to the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

Inmates in South Carolina are allowed to receive and send letters but cannot legally communicate with journalists in person or on the phone. CNN has sent a letter to Smith in prison seeking comment  but has not received a response.

Smith and the filmmaker discussed shooting the documentary after the parole hearing and how she would be paid for her participation, according to an incident report.

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They also discussed in depth the crime and the events leading up to and after it actually took place, the report states. Including such details as to what was in the trunk of the car when it went into the water and her plans to jump from a bridge while holding the boys but one woke up.

The department said Smith agreed to provide the filmmaker with contact information for friends, family and her former husband. Money was then placed in her prison account, the department said. As a result, Smith lost her telephone, tablet and canteen privileges for 90 days, according to the department.

Prosecutors initially sought death penalty

Smith was eligible to apply for parole because the jury at her trial in 1995 declined to hand down the death penalty prosecutors had sought.

David Smith fastens a photo of his sons, Michael and Alex, to his pocket as he leaves the Union County Courthouse in 1995. - John Kuntz/Reuters

I thought the most stringent punishment we had would be the most appropriate punishment, Tommy Pope, a former 16th Judicial Circuit solicitor who was the lead prosecutor on Smiths case, said before the hearing.

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The jury showed her mercy, the jury gave her a life sentence, but the jurors after the fact, in speaking to the media, said that they believed the life sentence was the greater punishment, because they believed that Susan should have to reflect on what she did to Michael and Alex, that she should have to spend the rest of her life thinking about what she done, Pope said when he spoke before the parole board Wednesday.

But this hasnt been the case, said Pope.

Susan has always focused on Susan, Pope said. So the evidence that you have before you, I think, tells clearly that she has not focused on Michael and Alex. She only has and continues to focus on herself.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Dakin Andone contributed to this report.

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Susan Smith up for parole 30 years after killing her sons

(NewsNation)  Thirty years after she killed her two children, Susan Smith is now eligible for parole, raising the question of whether she will get out of prison.

Susan Smith initially told law enforcement that a man carjacked her and took off with her two children still inside the car in 1994.

Smith, who is white, identified the carjacker as Black when she described the alleged late-night carjacking near Union, South Carolina.

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Smith pleaded with the media and public for help locating three-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alex, attracting international attention to the case. For nine days, she appeared on TV begging for help.

But elements of her story didnt add up, including her description of the carjacking and why the carjacker would release her but keep her young children.

Eventually, Smith admitted to strapping her two sons into car seats in the back of her car and driving it onto a boat ramp at a South Carolina lake, letting the vehicle roll into the water with her children inside.

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Smith said she was having an affair and the man that she was cheating with didnt want kids.

Now, 30 years later, Smith is eligible for parole. That angers investigators like Union County Sheriff Jeff Bailey, who says Smith deserves to spend every day of her life behind bars, even if shes already been locked up for 30 years.

Those kids didnt have a chance and I dont think she deserves one, Bailey said. She still killed her kids, that is the bottom line That is [her] blood, [she] chose to let them go into the water and drown. That is a horrible death.

Las Vegas home invasion suspect wanted police to kill her: Docs

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Smiths parole hearing is set for Wednesday morning, where she will make her case for release. She will appear via video conference before the parole board in Columbia at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Under current South Carolina law, which was changed after Smiths conviction, she would not be eligible for parole if convicted in 2024.

During the trial, Smiths lawyers said she was experiencing a mental breakdown and had intended to stay in the car with her sons but had exited at the last minute.

Smith has also made claims that her then-husband abused her, something he has denied.

About 400 people have written letters opposing Smiths release, while five or six have advocated for her second chance. Smiths ex-husband David, who had originally supported the death penalty in the case, plans to attend the hearing with his family to oppose her parole.

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Smith has also made claims that her then-husband abused her, something he has denied.

During her time in prison, Smith has faced trouble multiple times, for everything from using drugs to having sex with prison guards.

The former prosecutor who sought the death penalty for Smith revealed Tuesday to NewsNation that he believes her sons screamed for their mother as they drowned.

Tommy Pope, now a state representative, said Smiths initial false claim that one of her sons yelled mommy during an alleged carjacking may have contained a kernel of truth  but not in the way she presented it.

That prosecutor believes that as they were going down in the water the boys were screaming out for their mother at that time, and that she just stood there and watched the car sink, Pope said.

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Pope, who was 32 when he prosecuted the case, said the defense team effectively transformed the public perception of Smith from Susan the monster to Susan the victim in their small mill town of Union, where everyone knows everyone.

Susan Smith case: View from the car seats as boys drowned

NewsNations Banfield revisited evidence from her trial, including the view from the car seats of Michael and Alex in the back of Smiths Mazda sedan as she rolled it into South Carolinas John D. Long Lake, leaving them strapped inside.

During the trial, investigators recreated the scene using cameras inside and outside Smiths actual car, capturing the act from the perspective of her young sons.

NewsNations Damita Menezes contributed to this report.

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COLUMBIA S.C. (WSPA)  A parole board denied on Wednesday a request for parole for Susan Smith, a Union County woman who in 1994 made national headlines after she rolled her car into a lake with her children, 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alexander strapped in their seats.

The parole board voted 5-0 against granting Smith parole. One member of the board recused themselves from the hearing to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

During Smiths hearing, which lasted more than half an hour, the parole board heard from Smith, her lawyer and two people who advocated for her release.

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Smith made her case for freedom by video link from prison. When she began to speak, she started to say she was very sorry, then broke down in tears and bowed her head.

I know what I did was horrible, Smith said, pausing and then continuing with a wavering voice. And I would give anything so I could change it.

The parole board asked Smith about the law enforcement resources used to try to locate her children. In reply, she told the board she was just scared and didnt know how to tell them.

Im sorry, I dont know, I know thats not enough; I know its not, Smith said.

In her final statements, Smith appealed to her Christian faith, saying, God is a big part of my life. God has forgiven her, Smith said, and she asked the same of the board. I ask that you show that kind of mercy, as well.

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The board also heard from a number of people who were against granting Smiths release, including her ex-husband David, members of his family, and solicitors who tried Smiths case.

Everyone who spoke wore a photo of Michael and Alexander.

This was a death penalty case, said Tommy Pope, the solicitor who prosecuted Smiths case.

Pope said the state believed had David or the Black man Smith originally claimed had stolen her car with the boys inside had been convicted for killing Michael and Alexander, they would have been given the death penalty.

Kevin Brackett, current solicitor for York and Union counties who worked Smiths prosecution said Smith betrayed her husband and her children with her actions.

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His hopes and dreams were dashed and I hope you dash hers today, he said.

The last person to speak at the hearing was David Smith, who advocated for keeping Susan Smith in prison.

God gave us free choice. And she made a choice that night to end their life. it wasnt a tragic mistake, it wasnt something she didnt mean to do, he said.

David said hes never seen remorse from Smith for her actions, and he doesnt believe she should be granted parole.

David said he understands the state law at the time of Susans case meant life in prison really meant 30 years to life.

But ultimately to meits just not enough, he said.

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With Wednesdays hearing complete, Susan Smith will be eligible for parole every two years until she is released or dies in prison.

David said he will be there every two years to ensure his children arent forgotten.

The Associated Press contributed to this story

(Watch the full parole hearing in the video player below.)

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Food critic Keith Lee had fans concerned after he found something moving in his sushi. Now, the sushi restaurant that served him has closed indefinitely over food safety concerns.

The TikTok personality, who has 16.8 million followers on the app, is known for amplifying small businesses by sharing food reviews on his account. While visiting restaurants throughout Seattle, Washington, he ventured into FOB Sushi Bar  a spot that came highly recommended by locals.

Lees review of FOB Sushi began overwhelmingly positive, as he described the sushi bar preparing its offerings in the most unique way Ive ever seen in my entire life. He spent $15 at the buffet-style sushi bar, where boxes of sushi are sold by the pound.

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As he filmed himself eating the box of nigiri and sashimi in his car, Lee rated the sushi on a scale of one to 10. He told his followers that the fish tasted fresh, but the rice seemed overcooked. At the 1:50 minute mark, however, he picked up a piece of sashimi with his chopsticks, only for fans to point out what appeared to be a worm moving on it just seconds before he put it in his mouth.

Nah that fish definitely moved, one fan wrote in the TikTok comments.

Nooo there was a worm in one of them, another user said.

TikTok followers point out moving worm in Keith Lees review of FOB Sushi in Seattle (TikTok / Keith Lee)

WHY WAS IT MOVING, a third person exclaimed.

Since it was posted on November 10, his video has received more than 20.2 million views  prompting the restaurant to issue a response.

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FOB Sushi addressed the false allegations that Lees sashimi contained a parasite, as the company wrote in an Instagram post: The movement observed in the fish may result from natural elasticity or the pressure of chopsticks when applied to its structure.

Rumors like this can harm small businesses, so were addressing it head-on. Thank you for trusting us and supporting FOB Sushi, they captioned the post.

In a follow-up TikTok shared on Sunday, Lee assured fans that he was fine and didnt notice anything moving on his food until his followers had pointed it out. The food critic went on to suggest, however, that another customer had recently been hospitalized after visiting FOB Sushi, as he told his followers that he spoke to them personally and sent them my well wishes.

I dont believe in tearing down any business but at the same time, peoples health are on the line. If somebodys saying theyre in the hospital and theres somethings moving in food, I absolutely think theres accountability that should be taken, Lee said.

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Despite FOB Sushi maintaining in its original statement that the restaurant has never had any issues regarding food safety, the company revealed to customers on Monday  just 10 days after the incident  that it has decided to temporarily close its locations in Bellevue and Seattle until further notice.

We are conducting a thorough investigation to address the situation and will take all necessary measures to prevent it from happening again, they said.
A 50-year-old Spokane man is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol when he allegedly ran a red light Monday in Fircrest and collided with another car, killing its driver.

Anthony Lamar Allen has been charged with DUI vehicular homicide for the wreck. Pierce County Superior Court records show a plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf at arraignment Tuesday afternoon. Allen remains in custody at the county jail on $750,000 bail.

The person killed in the wreck was a 19-year-old man from Fircrest, according to the Fircrest Police Department. He has not yet been publicly identified. Chief Ron Schaub said Wednesday that a younger sibling who was in the car with the victim was injured. A person in Allens vehicle was also transported to an area hospital to be treated for injuries.

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A defense attorney for Allen was not listed in court records Wednesday. He was on community custody at the time of the incident, according to a pretrial services report, under the supervision of the Spokane Gang Unit through the Department of Corrections. The report listed 20 prior criminal convictions for Allen from 1992 to 2007.

Charging documents allege that Allen was driving north on Alameda Avenue in a gray Dodge Charger with one passenger when he ran the light at Emerson Street and struck a black Honda Civic going west, which then crashed into a pole.

A witness reportedly told police the Charger was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed before the collision.

Fircrest Police Department officers responded at about 6:18 p.m., according to court documents. Tacoma Fire Department personnel were already tending to a male lying on the ground when officers arrived.

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The driver of the Honda was pronounced dead at the scene.

Allen initially said the woman who was with him had been driving, but Fircrest officers noted that the drivers seat was adjusted to fit a taller person such as Allen, according to court documents, and he was the registered owner of the vehicle.

Officers reported that Allen told them he looked up and saw the light had turned red. He allegedly mentioned trying to light a cigarette while going through the light, but officers reported that he continued to insist that the woman had been driving.

The woman allegedly told officers she and Allen had driven from the Spokane area to visit Allens family. She reportedly said she had been sleeping in the back seat before the collision and said the light was yellow when they went through it.

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Officers reported that while asking the woman if she had been drinking, Allen allegedly said he had been drinking. According to charging papers, the woman later told police she believed Allen was drinking because she smelled alcohol on him. Officers also found a smashed beer bottle near the vehicle.

Allens blood was drawn for toxicology testing.
Swedish authorities are investigating damage to two communication cables in the Baltic Sea and whether the Chinese cargo ship Yi Peng 3 may have been involved, the Financial Times reported on Nov. 20, citing undisclosed sources.

Data from maritime tracking group MarineTraffic shows the Yi Peng 3, traveling from Russia to Egypt, passed near the Swedish-Lithuanian and Finnish-German cables on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, the dates the cables were damaged.

The Swedish government has declined to publicly comment specifically on the ship but confirmed that a police investigation, supported by the Coast Guard and the Armed Forces, is underway.

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The Yi Peng 3 is owned by the Ningbo Yipeng Shipping company based near Ningbo in eastern China. A company spokesperson confirmed to the Financial Times that the Chinese government had asked the company to cooperate with the investigation but declined to provide further details.

Telecom cables linking two Nordic countries with Germany and Lithuania were cut at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, raising suspicion of sabotage, various media outlets reported on Nov. 18.

This incident comes a little more than two years after unknown actors blew up the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, as well as amid mounting warnings of Russian hybrid and sabotage operations across Western countries, namely in the Baltic Sea region.

China is Russia's leading geopolitical partner, and NATO countries have accused Beijing of directly supporting Moscow's war of aggression in Ukraine.

Read also: Why the Baltic States fear Russias Kaliningrad exclave

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  Syracuse firefighters traded hoses for coats, delivering warmth to the Syracuse City School Districts Franklin Elementary PreK through third-grade students, a low-income school where many families face financial challenges.

The Syracuse Fire Department, in partnership with IAFF Local 280, the national non-profit Operation Warm, along with off-duty and on-duty Syracuse firefighters, distributed over 600 new winter coats at the elementary school on the Northside on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

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Each child in PreK to third-grade received a new winter coat, hat and a pair of mittens. Since 2016, when Syracuse firefighters started this giveaway, over 3,000 coats have been distributed to the Syracuses school-aged children all through the district.

Firefighters handed out brand-new jackets to students who, for some, were being gifted a warm winter coat for the first time.

At this grade level, a coat, a hat, and gloves to them is an amazing thing to get, and that brings joy to all of us. Every year, this is one of our biggest turnout events for volunteers, so thats awesome to see, said Robert Brandt, the secretary for Syracuse Fire Local 280.

Franklin Elementary fosters over 50% of English language learners students  with a lot of kids being raised in homes where their parent or guardian has come from refugee camps to Syracuse. Many of them are growing up in families who have never even experienced a Central New York winter.

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Not every school gets this, and the fire department, they reached out to our social workers, they arranged everything. They said this is the biggest school theyve done. Its over 600 coats they donated to us here at Franklin, so its an amazing thing, Laura Mitchell, the principal at Franklin Elementary, said.

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(Bloomberg) -- Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung started his weeklong trip to Europe with a stop in Brussels, a visit that illustrates Taipeis efforts to connect with fellow democracies.

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Lin said in a Facebook post Tuesday evening that he visited the Interuniversity Microelectronics Center, a hub for nanoelectronics R&D, and discussed semiconductor supply chains with IMEC CEO Luc Van den hove.

Lin also met with Belgian lawmaker Els Van Hoof, and a group of European Parliament members, Taiwans semi-official Central News Agency reported. Van Hoof is a member of Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an organization made up of lawmakers from around the world that aims to counter Beijings influence. Earlier this year, she said Chinese spies hacked her laptop.

Lins trip to Europe is part of Taipeis efforts to counter Beijing as it strives to isolate Taiwan diplomatically. Former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen made raising the archipelagos profile globally a focus of her eight years in power, especially by enhancing links with Japan and the US, Taipeis main military backer. Last year, she sent her foreign minister at the time, Joseph Wu, on a trip to Europe that also included a stop in Brussels.

By dispatching Lin to Europe, President Lai Ching-te is building on Tsais legacy. The strategy becomes even more important for Taiwan because China works to convince Taipeis few remaining allies to recognize Beijing instead.

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Right after Lai won election in January, the Pacific island nation Nauru did just that, leaving Taiwan with just 12 official friends on the world stage. Chinas strategy to diminish Taipeis diplomatic clout means the archipelago of 23 million people has fewer countries that can take up issues on its behalf in international forums like the United Nations, where it lacks a seat.

After the stop in Brussels, Lin will lead a delegation of representatives from 20 drone companies to Lithuania. The group is expected to meet with government officials and attend a forum in Vilnius focused on drone technologies, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing the sensitive matter.

The Lithuania visit dovetails with Lais plans to advance Taiwans drone manufacturing, partly to offset Chinas military advantage in the tech.

Beijing sees Taiwan as a province that must be brought under its control, by force if necessary. Because it opposes nations it has diplomatic ties with from having contact with officials from Taiwan, China may file diplomatic complaints with Lithuania and Belgium, and possibly to retaliate somehow against Taiwan.

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Among Beijings possible responses aimed at Taipei are harsh rhetoric, economic punishments and stepped up military activity around the archipelago. There was no sign of increased activity by the Peoples Liberation Army as of early Wednesday.

When asked about Lins visit to Europe at a regular press briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that the Taiwan question is at the very core of Chinas core interests.

Lin Jian called on the European Union to stop any form of official interaction with the Taiwan authorities and stop sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatists.

--With assistance from Dan Murtaugh.

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(Updates with comments from Chinas Foreign Ministry.)

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A Jacksonville woman looking for the kitchen of her dreams instead claimed she ended up thousands of dollars in the hole with no work from her contractor to show for it.

I just wanted a brand-new kitchen. Thats what I wanted, Christie Barr said. She went to CG Consulting and Design to turn her kitchen dream into a reality.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Barr said she signed a contract with the company back in July and paid a $8,800 deposit in August, which she claimed was cashed just days later.

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Sick to my stomach when I wrote that check, and that shouldve told me something right then and there, she said.

After weeks of what Barr described as minimal communication from the contractor, she sent notice of cancellation with a request for a full refund in early September. A couple of weeks later, CG responded and said the owners would be in touch a few days later. Now two months later, Barr said shes still in the hole thousands of dollars.

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In a statement to Action News Jax, CG Consulting said, While the client sought to terminate the contract on September 4, 2024, after discussion the client advised she was reconsidering. In a continuing effort to complete the contract, CG Consulting spoke with the client on September 19, 2024, seeking a final decision on the project. Despite numerous conversations and attempts to resolve the matter, the client did not provide clear directions, and we have not heard from her since that date.

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The company further clarified its policy requires cancellations be made within three days of signing the contract.

Barr reaffirmed the company has made no effort to contact her and the only resolution is a refund. Im on social security, retirement. Im doing all this by myself and then I feel like youre taking advantage of me, she said.

Barr also filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau of Northeast Florida. The organizations president told Action News Jax that CG Consultings accreditation has been suspended, and they are reviewing the companys record to see if the BBB will continue to accredit the business.

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The BBB also said theyve received several other complaints that are in process that show a pattern of similar incidents to Barrs.

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The BBB recommended you give no more than one-third of the total project cost upfront. Florida law states that if a contractor takes more than 10% for a deposit, and a permit is needed, it must be pulled within a certain timeframe. Otherwise, the BBB said they are obligated to give a refund.

Barr just wants her money back. From them, I want $8,800 back in my pocket immediately. Ive waited too long. Thats all I want, she said.

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Women veterans, service members and advocacy groups are outraged by recent remarks from Donald Trumps pick to lead the nations military branches, a veteran and former Fox News host who does not want women serving in combat.

Pete Hegseth, who Trump has nominated to be the next secretary of defense, has been widely derided for a lack of qualifications to lead the countrys largest federal agency and its 3 million service members and civilian staff members.

In a recent podcast appearance, Hegseth said the nations military should not have women in combat roles and that men are more capable in those positions. He told right-wing media personality Ben Shapiro earlier this year that women are life-givers, not life-takers, who could be medics or helicopter pilots or whatever.

Donald Trump has nominated Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense (AP)

But they create all sorts of variables and complications that have nothing to do with being anti-women and everything to do with having the most effective military, he said.

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Where do you think I lost my legs? In a bar fight? said Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, a former Army National Guard member who was among the first women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Duckworth, who lost her legs in 2004 after a rocket-propelled grenade struck her helicopter, told CNN that Hegseths comments show how out of touch he is with the nature of modern warfare, if he thinks that we can keep women behind some sort of imaginary line, which is not the way warfare is today.

Joanna JoJo Sweatt, a Marine Corps veteran and the national organizing director for progressive veterans advocacy group Common Defense, told The Hill that Hegseths dismissal of womens service records signals a dangerous regression to a culture that undervalues and undermines our voices, service, and sacrifices.

Veteran Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Pete Hegseth saying women shouldnt serve in combat: I would ask him, Where do you think I lost my legs? In a bar fight? Im pretty sure I was in combat when that happened. pic.twitter.com/Lfc4TDnTJ4  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) November 14, 2024

Hegseths stance disregards the progress made toward a more inclusive military that reflects the diversity of the country it defends, she said.

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The Defense Department opened all combat roles to women in 2016. Women now make up roughly 17 percent of the nations active-duty forces and more than 21 percent of the selected reserve, according to the Pentagon. In 2022, as the overall number of service members dropped by 2.7 percent from the previous year, the percentage of women service members had increased.

Revoking womens rights in the military would be like taking back our ability to vote, one current Army colonel told NBC News, speaking anonymously out of fear of retaliation.

I dont even know how to express the disgust, she said about Hegseths remarks. Im trained the same way. I take the same oath. I execute the same orders that are given to me as my male counterparts.

Hegseth has been widely derided for his comments about women serving in combat roles (AP)

In his books, Hegseth has claimed that Americas white sons and daughters are leaving the military because of so-called woke ideology that is too effeminate and promotes diversity initiatives to the detriment of the nations military readiness.

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Everybody knows between bone density and lung capacity and muscle strength, men and women are just different, Hegseth said on the Shawn Ryan Show podcast.

Allison Jaslow, chief executive of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, told The 19th that women could run circles around some of the men.

During my time in the military, Ive had some male colleagues really freaking disappoint me, she said. I reject the notion [that men are categorically better] altogether, and I think some people with strongly held beliefs will look at one example and label all the rest of us.  Its just one of those things where Im like, Tell me to my face.

Veterans advocates and civil rights groups have been sounding the alarm after Hegseths nomination, pointing to regressive comments about women and LGBT+ people serving the military, as well as a track record of anti-Islam rhetoric and statements suggesting his support for deploying troops against other Americans.

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Days after his nomination, it was revealed that Hegseth was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017, and that he reached a settlement to prevent her from filing a lawsuit against him.

Pete Hegseth is wholly unqualified to head the Department of Defense and hold the lives of troops in his hands, said Retired Army major general Paul Eaton, chair of VoteVets. Nothing more needs to be said.
TAMPA, Fla., (WFLA)  The location for the annual Tampa Night Out is changing this year, but the message is still the same: Tampa Police are here to help.

The department says this years event is bigger than ever.

This year, the event will be at Bucs Beach at Raymond James on Wednesday, November 20.

TPD said this serves as an opportunity for officers and the community to connect and build a stronger relationship.

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So, this means our neighborhood watch coordinators, all of our neighbors, our residents and we just wanted to bring them into one fun, fantastic place where we can do something for the community, give back tonight, and just meet your neighbors, said Jamel Michini, Community Partnership Coordinator for TPD

Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, they will be doing a turkey giveaway where 600 turkeys will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

We know that people are still struggling since the hurricanes, we know a lot of families still have food insecurities, are still looking to see where theyre going to get a complete meal for the holiday season, Michini said.

The event will have plenty of vendors and family-friendly activities.

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Jamel Michini, with TPD, said they are bringing everyone together will bring a greater sense of community and connection.

We all just want to make sure we are looking out for one another, and were all coming together tonight just to hug each other, love on one another and give back to each other, Michini said.

Before, this event was held across the city with nights out held in each district, but now, they are combining it into one huge celebration.

This year, we wanted to do something different, something bigger, said Chief Lee Bercaw. By uniting our neighborhoods for one event, were celebrating the strength and diversity of Tampa as one community. Tampa Night Out is about fostering old and new connections that help make this city a place where everyone feels safe and supported.

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Along with TPD putting on the event, it is sponsored by Rise Tampa, in partnership with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa United Bikerz Jamboree.

People of all ages are welcome to join in on the fun from 5 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and attendance is free.

Michini said people need to get there early before turkeys run out.

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TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Taylor County saw a high voter turnout in the 2024 election, beating previous records reached in 2020.

Both the number of registered voters and number of citizens that voted was much higher in 2024 than in 2020. Tuesday, Election Administrator Freda Ragan attended the Commissioners Court Meeting to certify the results of those who voted in the 2024 Presidential Election.

Ragan expressed happiness with this election, saying, overall, Im very pleased with the election and how it went. Like I said, we didnt encounter any problems.

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According to Ragan, Taylor County had 90,174 registered voters in the 2024 elections, and of those registered, 55,731 (61.8%) actually voted. During the 2020 elections, Taylor County had 83,696, and of those registered, 54,924 (66%) actually voted.

Regarding early voting, Taylor County reported 42,142 early voters in 2024 compared to the election in 2020, which reported 45,426 early.

On Election Day, Ragan reported that 11,400 people voted in the 2024 elections. Meanwhile, 9,600 people voted on Election Day in the 2020 elections.

The main change in the 2024 elections was the number of mail-in ballots compared to 2020. In 2024, Taylor County reported 2,433 mail ballots. In 2020, this number was significantly higher with 6,000 mail-in ballots.

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There were 23 races on the ballot, and in the races that had opposing parties, 76% of Taylor County citizens voted Republican. Ragan also reported that only 45 votes were counted out of the 245 provisional ballots. Most provisional ballots were not counted because they were not registered in Taylor County or they werent registered at all.

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ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL)  Tennessees environmental regulator is investigating CSXs rail repair work on the Tennessee side of the Nolichucky River gorge and visited the site earlier this month with CSX and two federal agencies.

3 federal agencies sued over CSX rail repair work in Nolichucky Gorge

Those two agencies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have been sued in federal court in North Carolinas Western District over claims theyve unlawfully allowed CSXs work without proper permits.

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The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), meanwhile, granted CSX a limited permit on Oct. 16 to repair a section of line from south of Erwin to the North Carolina state line, a distance of 1.3 miles.

CSX first notified TDEC of the need for repairs on Oct. 10, 2024, which initiated TDECs authorization of the emergency work, TDEC spokeswoman Kim Schofinski wrote News Channel 11 in a Nov. 19 email response to questions.

As repairs continue at the site, TDECs investigation to ensure compliance is ongoing, Schofinski wrote.

The state-approved work has also drawn questions and complaints from citizens, who have expressed concerns that CSXs work is damaging the environment and also putting a local economic driver  the whitewater industry  at risk. As of Monday a total of 17 complaints had been lodged regarding the permit, with most expressing concern about alleged mining of river rock from the banks and even points below the rivers traditional high water mark.

Timeline shows work preceded permit

That Emergency Infrastructure Repair coverage under the Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit was to be to be accomplished in conformance with accepted plans, specifications, data and other information submitted in support of (the application), the Oct. 16 notice of coverage states.

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So far, TDEC has not provided any written plans submitted by CSX. Documents related to the permit show that Scott Glover of Clinchfield Consulting Group emailed TDEC on Oct. 10 on behalf of CSX, notifying it of emergency track rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

The section ran from milepost 141.3 just south of Erwin to milepost 148.0 just north of Poplar, N.C.

By that time, Glovers email noted, (c)onstruction is currently underway and will involve complete roadbed reconstruction, culvert replacements, and reinstallation of track.

In fact, Glover said in an Oct. 15 email to local TDEC representative Franklin Colyer that CSX had gotten approval from one of his colleagues, Tina Robinson, to proceed with emergency replacement of the bridge at CSXT Milepost Z 142.5 on Sept. 30. That bridge crossed Devils Creek, which flows into the Nolichucky barely over the state line from North Carolina.

Thank you for your patience and understanding

The next day, Colyer emailed Glover and deemed the initial application complete. He explained that Clinchfield/CSX needed to submit a follow up form an Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit Form, or CN-1091, within 10 days. The three-page fillable application that includes greater details about a project, its impact, potential alternatives and other required data.

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Colyers email also described limits to the work  no more than 300 linear feet of stream impact or .1 acres of wetland impact  as well as requirements like revegetation of disturbed areas and the like.

As that 10-day period expired, a member of Clinchfields leadership team, Robin Hagerty, emailed Colyer, copying Glover and Tina Robinson.

Hagerty cited the catastrophic nature of damage resulting from Helene as a reason that enough data has not been gathered to complete the CN-1091 by the deadline. Hagerty wrote that teams had collected field data and were working with CSXs design-build team to gather additional data that would allow them to finish the CN-1091.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to resolve the permitting requirements while focused on the required emergency repairs, Hagerty wrote, highlighting the natural tension between getting a destroyed section of rail back in operation and abiding by standard regulatory requirements.

I am very concerned with the way it is being done

Five days after Hagertys email, local whitewater kayaker Dennis Ashford emailed TDECs local office to express  serious concern regarding the rebuilding of the CSX railroad line on the Nolichucky River.

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CSX Nolichucky repairs concern whitewater community

Ashford wrote on Oct. 30 that he understood the need to rebuild, I am very concerned with the way it is being done. He added that he had witnessed the contractor on the job, in his words, mining rock and directly from the riverbed.

Ashford wrote that he feared if the rebuild method continued, the rivers natural habitat could be destroyed and its navigability threatened.

All I am asking is for your office to please ask these companies to stop removing rock and habitat from the river itself and bring the rock in from quarries and elsewhere, Ashford wrote.

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As of Tuesday, TDECs website did not show a completed CN-1091 for the work. Schofinskis email said: TDEC will continue to work with CSX, the Corps, and other agencies as needed to ensure the site is in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations.

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[Watch in the player above: How to avoid being scammed]

CLEVELAND (WJW)  The FOX 8 I-Team has uncovered a growing investigation into a mysterious man from China just arrested in Northeast Ohio.

He faces fraud charges, but thats not the end of the story.

Body of missing Mansfield teen found

Cuyahoga County prosecutors have indicted Huishen Yang on seven charges related to theft and fraud, and the investigation is not over.

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North Olmsted police busted Yang, a Chinese citizen, at a bank. Investigators said he tried to use somebody elses identity to withdraw $88,000.

Now, weve learned the investigation is bigger than suspected bank fraud.

North Olmsted police body camera video shows an officer confronting Yang in the bank with an ID asking, Is this who you are?

He responds, Its mine.

Later, the officer asked, Is this a real license?

Yang answered, No, Its not. Its not mine. Someone told me. Someone told me I can, I can

The officer interrupted with, Who told you?

The suspect responded, I dont know.

The officer followed with, You dont know?

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The I-Team also obtained an audio recording of the first court hearing for Yang in Rocky River Municipal Court. He spoke with the help of a translator.

Judge Joseph Burke said, Can you ask Mr. Yang: Is he working? What are you doing in this country?

The translator said, I came to this country, first of all, for tourism. And, secondly, my children are growing up. Hopefully, they can come here to study.

So, how did this guy come to travel in America, yet end up in jail in Northeast Ohio?

North Olmsted police found he has a three-month visa, and he came into the U.S. in California.

The recording shows Yang told the court he made some friends. He said they invited him to Cleveland, and they needed a little favor.

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Through the translator, Yang told the judge, I just wanted to help out where I can. I didnt know I was breaking the local law.

Video: Wrong-way drivers near-miss with ODOT intern

Investigators said they found Yang had three cell phones and seven stolen bank and credit cards.

Cuyahoga County prosecutors said just a half hour before he got arrested, Yang had also tried to withdraw $60,000 from a bank in Rocky River using a fake identity. Were told he did not manage to get that money out.

Judge Burke set bond at $2 million to keep Yang in jail.

The court has concerns that Mr. Yang may be part of a larger criminal enterprise. He is not a U.S. citizen. And, he is a flight risk. Therefore, the court is going to order a $2 million cash or surety bond.

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The court recording shows Yang did not need a translator to understand that. He exclaimed, How much?

The judge answered with, That was pretty good English there, translator.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Two companies agreed to pay the U.S. government $2 million each to settle a lawsuit that alleged the businesses fraudulently inflated the price of computers and other hardware sold to the U.S. Army, the Department of Justice announced on Tuesday.

Both Iron Bow  a company that resells technology products to the government  and Dell competed for contracts to sell basic hardware to the Army between 2020 and 2024, while Iron Bow also distributed Dell products, the lawsuit said. At the same time, the lawsuit alleged Dell gave Iron Bow discounts on Dell products to sell to the U.S. Army, while simultaneously offering the government higher prices than it offered to Iron Bow. The arrangement artificially increased the price of goods sold to the military while simultaneously providing the illusion of competition, the lawsuit said.

This settlement demonstrates the departments commitment to hold accountable those who overcharge the government through collusion or other unlawful conduct, said Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division.

Dell agreed to pay the U.S. government $2.3 million, while Iron Bow agreed to pay just over $2 million. In separate settlement documents, Dell denied the allegations made in the lawsuit, while Iron Bow said the settlement was reached "to avoid the delay, uncertainty, inconvenience, and expense of protracted litigation." Neither of the company agreements included an admission of liability.

Dell has entered into a settlement agreement because we believe it is in the best interest of Dell, our customers and partners, a spokesperson for the company said in an email.

A message seeking further comment were left Tuesday for the media contact at Iron Bow.

The executive of a different technology company, Brent Lillard, filed a lawsuit in Northern Alabama District Court against Dell and Iron Bow in 2020 under a whistleblower provision in the False Claims Act, which allows private citizens to sue on behalf of the government if they believe that there has been a fraudulent application for government funds. Under the law, Lillard will receive $345,000 of the $2.3 million owed by Dell.
DENVER (KDVR)  On Tuesday, Denver police announced the arrest of an 18-year-old male suspect in connection to a Nov. 14 shooting that occurred near the intersection of East 61st Avenue and Tower Road.

The agency identified the suspect as Joe Griggs-Sanders, and police arrested him Tuesday. The shooting was reported at about 3:12 p.m. in the 18500 block of East 61st Avenue.

Officers found a juvenile with a gunshot wound at the scene.

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Alleged armed suspect injured after shots fired by Littleton officer

The victim was transported to a hospital and remains in critical condition, the agency reported.

Griggs-Sanders is being held for investigation of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault with a deadly weapon, attempt to influence a public servant, and criminal impersonation.

The Denver Police Department said it will not release further information to protect the integrity of the investigation. Final charges will be determined by the Denver District Attorneys Office.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Seattle police arrested a 14-year-old boy Monday night after he allegedly shot at officers during a vehicle pursuit in North Seattle earlier that day.

The incident began on November 18 around 2:12 p.m., when officers responded to reports of a drive-by shooting in the 900 block of Sandpoint Way Northeast.

Police determined that someone in a maroon Honda minivan had fired at a white transport van, which left the scene. No injuries were reported.

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Officers chased the Honda, but the vehicle drove away recklessly, driving into oncoming traffic and reaching speeds of up to 90 miles per hour.

During the chase, someone in the passenger seat of the van fired at pursuing officers near Northeast 137th Street and 15th Avenue Northeast.

Neither the officers nor their patrol vehicle were struck by gunfire. Police recovered multiple 9mm shell casings at the scene.

The minivan was found unoccupied more than an hour later. Police learned it had been reported stolen Sunday night in the 3400 block of 33rd Avenue West. The vehicle was impounded for processing.

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Video evidence helped officers identify a suspect running away from the area. Police located the 14-year-old at his home in the 6800 block of 62nd Avenue Northeast and arrested him.

The teen faces charges of drive-by shooting, unlawful possession of a firearm, and felony assault.

The boy was previously arrested in September for possession of a stolen vehicle and taking a motor vehicle without permission.

He is now being held at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center.

A second suspect was questioned and released pending further investigation.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Tennessee Attorney General is urging consumers to beware of scam websites posing as car and equipment dealerships.

Even though scammers answer the phones, send videos, and even fake business licenses, consumers will be swindled out of their money if they fall for these scams, according to the AG.

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An example of one such scam is Leos Luxury Motors, which claimed to sell and ship classic cars, according to AG Jonathan Skrmetti. Despite appearing legitimate, the dealership is fake, and the photos of inventory featured on its website until it was recently taken down were copies of photos from a licensed and legitimate dealerships website in Michigan.

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Another known scam operation involved the legitimate business Equipment Express in Lebanon. The forklift dealer does not have a website, but scammers reportedly created one for them, using the actual businesss name and address. The scammers say theyll sell and ship excavators and dump trucks for dirt cheap, but they arent real, according to the AGs office. The scammers use pictures from the internet to take consumers money.

I know firsthand what its like to see bad actors scam family members out of their hard-earned money. These scammers dont care one bit about your familys financial well-being, the attorney general said. Tennesseans should always be cautious when shopping online, especially as we near the Christmas season. We dont want Tennesseans to spend money they need on a vehicle or heavy equipment theyll never see.

Metro Council defers Fusus resolution

The AG recommends consumers view the vehicle or heavy machinery in person before purchasing. However, if buying online, the AG offered the following tips to help ensure the purchase comes from a legitimate source:

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Watch out for too-good-to-be-true deals. They are most likely scams. Scammers often steal consumers personal information and money by offering them high-value goods at extremely discounted prices.

Use third-party inspections. If you cant inspect the car or equipment in person, have a neutral third party, like an independent mechanic, inspect it on your behalf before transferring any funds. Spending a few dollars to have a mechanic check out a tractor is better than losing thousands.

View the reviews. Look for reviews, ratings, or complaints about the business. To get started, you can access the Better Business Bureaus website. When purchasing a vehicle, use a resource such as CARFAX, AutoCheck, or National Motor Vehicle Title Information System to get a vehicle history report.

Dont share your financial information. Be cautious about wiring funds or completing bank-to-bank transactions. Scammers love this kind of transaction because you usually cannot get your money back once it is finished. Instead, make legitimate purchases by check or credit card.

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Keep your personal information personal. Be wary if a website asks for personally identifying information such as your social security number, and never buy anything from online sellers that accept payment only by gift cards, cryptocurrency, or money transfers through companies like Western Union or MoneyGram.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Another thing to check is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to get news alerts about the latest scams and essential consumer information.

The AG says fraudulent business activity can be reported to his office using the online consumer complaint form at www.tn.gov/consumer, as well as the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint. Complaints regarding internet fraud can also be submitted to the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Tennessees endangered Duck River now has another level of protection.

Gov. Bill Lee on Wednesday signed an executive order establishing the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership to help balance population growth with the need to conserve the states natural resources.

The 265-mile Duck River in Middle Tennessee has been named as the most biodiverse river in North America with more than 200 species of snails, mussels and fish. It also provides drinking water for roughly 250,000 people.

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This year, it was named as a top endangered river by American Rivers, due to growing demand and overconsumption.

Conservationists over the years have been fighting to preserve the river. Most recently, groups including the Southern Environmental Law Center, have pushed back on a plan to allow eight utility companies to pull an additional 19 millions gallons from the river, for a total of 73 millions gallons of water each day.

Environmentalists have said the plan would permanently damage the rivers health as it faces historic water lows.

The governor in a video announcing his executive order said state leaders must work together to preserve the watersheds.

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If and only if we think wisely about how we conserve our natural resources will our children and our grandchildren be able to paddle these rivers and fish these rivers and tag mussels in these rivers, he said.

Under the governor's plan, the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership will work with state agencies, stakeholders and local communities on conservation and water management plans.

The Southern Environmental Law Center in a news release applauded the effort.

Todays executive order sets the stage for commonsense safeguards and is a first step toward ensuring that the Duck River is better protected from intensifying development pressures and changing weather patterns, said George Nolan, director of the agency's Tennessee office. Tennesseans should be immensely proud to have this one-of-a-kind river in their backyards, and we are thankful that Governor Lee is working on ways to protect it.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Duck River: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signs order aimed at protections
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A Tennessee man who was arrested for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot was convicted Wednesday of planning to kill federal investigators.

Edward Kelley, 35, was found guilty in Knoxville of conspiracy to murder federal employees, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, and influencing a federal official by threat, the U.S. attorney's office said in a news release.

Kelley, of Maryville, was one of hundreds of rioters arrested on charges of illegally entering the U.S. Capitol. While awaiting trial, Kelley developed a plan to kill law enforcement, including FBI agents, prosecutors said. He faces up to life in prison at sentencing in May.

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Kelley developed a kill list of FBI agents and others who participated in the investigation, according to prosecutors. He distributed the list, along with videos containing images of FBI employees, to another person as part of his mission. Court records show that a witness provided the list of 37 names to a police department in Tennessee.

A cooperating defendant who has pleaded guilty in the conspiracy testified that he and Kelley planned attacks on the FBI's Knoxville office using car bombs and incendiary devices attached to drones. They strategized about assassinating FBI employees in their homes and in public places such as movie theaters, prosecutors said.

Kelley was recorded saying every hit has to hurt, according to evidence presented at trial.
Tennessee prisons have seen some improvements in correctional officer vacancy rates over the past year, as well better policy and training under the Prison Rape Elimination Act.

Those are some of the improvements from the Tennessee Department of Correction since a scathing state audit last year found mishandling of sexual assault cases and skyrocking staff turnover rates.

The Tennessee Comptroller's audit released in December 2023 noted triple-digit turnover rates in states private facilities run by Brentwood-based CoreCivic and said prisons may have violated federal law by mishandling sexual assault case.

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In an update before a panel of state lawmakers on Wednesday, Correction Commissioner Frank Strada said TDOC has since made progress in nearly 90% of the corrective actions outlined in the state audit.

Strada said the department launched an aggressive advertising campaign and has been laser focused on our recruiting and retaining of our staff.

He did not provide turnover rates nor a detailed breakdown by prison facility, but overall he said TDOC now has a 26.4% correctional officer vacancy rate, down from 47.5% from three years ago. Though the number is still higher than in 2019, which saw a 20.2% vacancy rate.

Strada said the department has worked to increase staffing by deploying floating security crews to assist in staffing shortages. Overall, he said Tennessee has about 651 correctional officer vacancies across the state.

TDOC Commissioner Frank Strada testifies before the Senate Corrections Subcommittee during a hearing on Oct. 9, 2024.

Strada said the department has invested $12 million in safety equipment like body armor and metal detectors, and has since seen a 25% drop in contraband.

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That means fewer cell phones, fewer drugs and fewer weapons are making their way into our prisons, he said.

The push comes as the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the CoreCivic-run Trousdale Turner Correctional Center over alleged civil rights violations, noting the facilitys extreme violence and chronic understaffing.

Strada on Wednesday continued to show his support for CoreCivic, calling the company a very good partner in helping the state with prison population management.

House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, strongly disagreed, noting CoreCivics repeated state fines and contract violations. The state has fined CoreCivic $29.6 million for contract violations across all four of its prisons since 2022.

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I take real issue with CoreCivic being referred to as a good partner, Clemmons said. They have breached their contracts multiple times to the extent we have collected liquidated damages from them. It's probably nowhere near the damage and harm they have done to the inmates in their facilities. We continue to get reports of deaths in their facilities, drugs infiltrating prison walls. What are they doing about it? Nothing.

Despite its controversy, the private prison operator is slated to receive a $6.8 million boost in its state contract next year, which is consistent with contract increases in recent years, of around 3%.

Stock in CoreCivic, a publicly traded, for-profit company, surged this month following the reelection of former President Donald Trump, and his promised crackdown on illegal immigration. The effort could mean big gains for the private prison industry, which houses detainees.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee prisons show some improvements in staffing vacancies
Tesco is recalling its own-brand tzatziki dip after salmonella was detected during testing.

The supermarket issued a warning to customers over batches of the Tesco Tzatziki 200g dipping pots, which costs 1.35, with the use-by date Nov 24 2024.

It told customers with the Greek-style yogurt dip  mixed with cucumber, lemon juice and mint  to return the product to any Tesco store for a refund, with no receipt needed.

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Salmonella causes fever, diarrhoea and cramping in the abdomen, according to the NHS.

The symptoms can last for up to a week and in more serious cases may require hospital treatment.

Tescos recall statement said: If you have bought the above product, do not eat it. Instead, return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. No receipt is required.

For more information, contact Tesco customer services on 0800 505 555.

The same product was also recalled in 2021, though this was because it had been mis-packaged with sour cream and chive dip, posing a potential threat to people with egg allergies.

Tesco was contacted for comment.

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The Texas General Land Office has offered President-elect Donald Trump a massive Starr County ranch on which to build detention centers. The news comes amid Trump's promise of the mass deportation of immigrants.

In a letter sent Tuesday, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham notified Trump she had purchased a 1,402-acre ranch along the U.S.-Mexico border, about 35 miles west of McAllen. She also assured him that her office would work with federal agencies to construct a detention center.

"My office is fully prepared to enter into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or the United States Border Patrol to allow a facility to be built for the processing, detention, and coordination of the largest deportation of violent criminals in the nations history," Buckingham wrote.

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Immediately after purchasing the land on Oct. 23, Buckingham permitted a 7,681-foot (1.45-mile) easement around the property, giving federal agencies the power to build a border wall on the land.

"The previous owner had refused to allow the wall to be built and actively blocked law enforcement from accessing the property," Buckingham's letter stated.

In a Fox News interview published Tuesday, Buckingham said she was "100% on board with the Trump administration's pledge to get these criminals out of our country."

People are also reading: Will Trump usher mass deportations, military purges? Here's why Rep. Escobar is sounding alarm

Trump could use 1798 law to prompt mass deportations

Donald Trump speaks about border security at an Oct. 25 event in a private airplane terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The Texas land commissioner has now offered the president-elect the use of a 1,402-acre ranch along the border to build a detention center.

The promise of mass deportations was a key issue in Trump's 2024 presidential campaign. Although many details have yet to be made public, the president-elect made references to an 18th-century law during some of his last rallies.

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The process would begin in Aurora, Colorado, and would therefore be named "Operation Aurora," Trump said during an Oct. 11 rally in Reno, Nevada.

Referring to Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which he said has taken over "multiple apartment complexes" in Aurora, Trump said he would invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to accelerate gang members removal and to "target and dismantle every migrant criminal network operating on American soil."

Although local police say they've arrested some Tren de Aragua gang members, officials pushed back, saying that concerns about Venezuelan gangs in Aurora are "grossly exaggerated."

Legal experts have also cast doubt on Trump's ability to use the Alien Enemies Act as he has described. The act is reserved for cases in which an invasion is threatened or initiated by a foreign government. It's not intended for broad deportations of people from every country.

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Although Trump and several other politicians have framed immigration as an "invasion," legal and immigration experts don't agree with this characterization.

Read more: Can Donald Trump use a 1798 law to carry out mass deportations?

See Texas General Land Office Commissioner's full letter

Having trouble viewing the letter? Click here to open in a new tab.

The Texas Tribune and Politico contributed to this report.

 This story has been updated.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas agency buys ranch for Trump's border wall, mass deportation
LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK)  An East Texas church will head back to the southern border to feed agents working at one of the most congested stretches in Eagle Pass.

Rep. Moran looks ahead to Republican trifecta, aims to extend tax cuts

Members of Longviews Calvary Baptist Church will embark on the eight hour drive Wednesday morning to feed an early Thanksgiving lunch to nearly 600 people a day stationed at the border.

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Were going to serve them pork chops, potato salad, baked beans and homemade desserts from our church, Calvary Baptist Church Pastor Donnie Barron said.

On the heels of Thanksgiving, church officials said its the perfect time to not just say thank you but show it. They will provide breakfast and lunch Thursday and Friday including Thanksgiving lunch and homemade desserts.

Legislators call for investigation into water company after East Texas customers face 300% rate hike

Youre getting to share something that you dont get to share all the time with people that are our neighbors, our friends from our state, from other areas, church member Bobby Vallery said. Were getting to share a meal and maybe a prayer. Real often theres tears involved through real often.

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Earlier this year, nearly 20 church members took their first trip to the border and were told they are the first church to set up a meal station for agents stationed there.

Theyre just underappreciated and we just want to show them, four meals is not going to change your life, but we just want you to know theres somebody here that that loves you, appreciates what you do and were praying for you, Barron said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is offering the incoming Trump administration 1,402 acres the state purchased along the Texas-Mexico border to be used in a mass deportation operation.

In a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, Buckingham said she's offering the land "to be used to construct deportation facilities."

The Texas General Land Office purchased the plot of land from a farmer in October to facilitate Texas' efforts to build a wall.

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"My office is fully prepared to enter into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or the United States Border Patrol to allow a facility to be built for the processing, detention, and coordination of the largest deportation of violent criminals in the nations history," Buckingham wrote in the letter, dated Tuesday.

PHOTO: The border wall runs alongside Texas 375 Loop in El Paso, Texas on April 10, 2024. (Alexandra Buxbaum/Sipa USA via AP)

What will be the US military's role in Trump's mass deportation plan?

The move shows that despite the Democratic governors of California and Arizona, two other southern border states, pledging not to aid the Trump administration's mass deportation plans, the incoming administration will have allies in Republican-led states.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs told ABC News Live on Monday that she would not use state police or the National Guard to help with mass deportation.

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"We will not be participating in misguided efforts that harm our communities," she said.

Trump on Monday confirmed he would declare a national emergency to carry out his campaign promise of mass deportations of migrants living in the U.S. without legal permission, and pledged to get started on the mass deportations as soon as he enters office.

MORE: 'Shock and awe': What Trump 'border czar' Tom Homan has said he plans to do starting on Day 1

A spokeswoman for the Trump transition team said the president-elect will "marshal every lever of power" to launch his mass deportation plans.

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"Local and state officials on the frontlines of the Harris-Biden border invasion have been suffering for four years and are eager for President Trump to return to the Oval Office. On day one, President Trump will marshal every lever of power to secure the border, protect their communities, and launch the largest mass deportation operation of illegal immigrant criminals in history," Karoline Leavitt said.

PHOTO: A U.S. Border Patrol agent discussing the lay of the land along the Rio Grande in Starr County, Texas, as part of the federal call-up to the U.S.-Mexico border. (Sgt. Mark Otte/Texas Military Department via AP)

In an interview with Fox News, which first reported the news of the Texas General Land Office's offer, Buckingham reiterated she is "100% on board" with the incoming administration's promise to deport criminals.

The plot of land is in Starr County, about 35 miles west of McAllen, Texas.

"Now it's essentially farmland, so it's flat, it's easy to build on. We can very easily put a detention center on there -- a holding place as we get these criminals out of our country," she told Fox News.

Texas land commissioner offers 1,402 acres to Trump for 'deportation facilities' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Nov. 20AUSTIN  Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham on Nov. 20 sent a letter to the incoming Trump Administration offering over 1,400 acres of newly acquired General Land Office (GLO) state land in Starr County, Texas, for the construction of deportation facilities and staging areas to carry out the Trump Administration's plans to deport illegal immigrants beginning in 2025.

"As Texas Land Commissioner and steward of over 13 million acres, it's been my promise to all Texans since assuming my role at the GLO to use every tool at my disposal to gain complete operational control of our southern border," Buckingham said in a news release. "This is why I am offering President-elect Trump over 1,400 acres of state land on the southern border to aid his administration in carrying out their deportation plans to place the safety and well-being of all Americans first and foremost."

The GLO acquired a ranch along the Rio Grande in Starr County, at the end of October 2024. Less than 24 hours later, Commissioner Buckingham signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC), granting them authorization to begin state border wall construction.

Starr County is part of the Border Patrol's Rio Grande Valley Sector, which has recorded approximately 1.4 million migrant encounters crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico into South Texas since January 2021.
Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham wants the federal government to build deportation facilities on 1,402 acres of state-owned land located along the U.S-Mexico border in Texas.

Buckingham wrote President-elect Donald Trump to offer land that the Texas General Land Office bought from a rancher in October to enable the state to build a wall along the border.

Buckingham bought the 1,402 acres of land after a rancher refused to allow the state to build a border wall on it.

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"I am committed to using every available means at my disposal to gain complete operational security of our border," Buckingham said in her letter to Trump.

Buckingham said the land is available for the federal government to detain violent criminals and deport them.

Trump has said he will undertake the largest mass deportation in the nation's history after being sworn in on Jan. 20 and might deport up to 20 million undocumented migrants.

Democratic governors in Massachusetts, Illinois, California and Arizona have said they will refuse to cooperate with any federal mass-deportation efforts after Trump becomes president.

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Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on Monday told ABC News she would not call up the state's National Guard or allow state police to assist in federal deportation efforts.

"We will not be participating in misguided efforts that harm our communities," Hobbs said.

Trump has said he will declare a national emergency and use the U.S. military to enforce the border and undertake mass deportations of undocumented migrants who illegally are in the United States.

Trump said he would begin deportation efforts on his first day in office.

Trump has appointed South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and named former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan as the nation's "border czar."

Homan said he would focus initial deportation efforts on criminals and threats to national security.
(NewsNation)  Texas officials have offered to lease more than 1,400 acres of state-owned borderland to President-elect Donald Trumps incoming administration to construct deportation facilities, according to a letter NewsNation obtained Tuesday.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, in a letter to Trump, said, I am writing to formally offer 1,402 acres of land in Starr County, Texas, to be used to construct deportation facilities.

The property, located approximately 35 miles west of McAllen in Starr County, was recently acquired by the Texas General Land Office (GLO). The letter reveals that within 24 hours of the Oct. 23 purchase, Buckingham approved a 7,681-foot border wall easement across the property.

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National Guard training for mass illegal crossings at border

The letter details GLOs recent border security initiatives, including Operation Flat Top, which secured a 170-acre island in the Rio Grande previously described by state authorities as the most dangerous part of the Texas border.

Buckingham stated the land could be used for processing, detention, and coordination of the largest deportation of violent criminals in the nations history in cooperation with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol.

The GLO, which oversees 13 million acres of state lands, confirmed the offer through a spokesperson.

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This comes as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott plans to expand buoy barriers across the Rio Grande to stop migrants from crossing the southern border despite border crossings dropping in the state.

Senate report claims Biden failures in protecting migrant children

Abbott has maintained that Texas will have a proactive versus reactive stance at the border and will be prepared should a surge happen ahead of Trumps inauguration.

Border officials are now training for an expected surge in migrant crossings before Trump takes the White House.

The Texas National Guard is holding exercises in conjunction with the Texas Department of Public Safety along the southern border in Eagle Pass on Tuesday.

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These proactive measures began last week with groups split to cover more ground across the vast Southern border.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
The Texas Land Commissioner has offered President-elect Donald Trump 1,402 acres along the U.S.Mexico border near Rio Grande City to build deportation facilities as part of his mass deportation plan.

In a letter, sent to Trump on Tuesday, commissioner Dawn Buckingham offered up a recently acquired plot of land located in Starr County to build facilities that will help law enforcement coordinate, process and detain undocumented immigrants. The exact plot offered has nto been revealed.

I am committed to using every available means at my disposal to gain complete operational security of our border, Buckingham wrote in the letter.

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She told Fox News she fully supports Trumps efforts to deport every undocumented immigrant  a promise he made the cornerstone of his presidential campaign.

In her letter, Buckingham said the person who previously owned the land refused to allow the government to build the border wall on her property and blocked law enforcement from accessing the land. However, Texas later bought the land for an undisclosed amount and plan to build more border wall on it.

Right now, its essentially farmland, so its flat, its easy to build on, Buckingham told Fox News. We could very easily put a detention center on there, a holding place as we get these criminals out of our country.

The Texas Land Commissioner is offering Donald Trump 1,400 acres of land near the USMexico border to help him conduct mass deportations (AFP via Getty Images)

Buckingham claimed by refusing to cooperate with Texass border policies, the previous owner, enabled cartel members and violent criminals to sexually abuse migrant women and children.

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The allegation largely mimics rhetoric that Trump and his allies used on the campaign trail to promote Trumps anti-immigration policies. They falsely claimed the U.S. was being invaded by violent criminals, gang and cartel members, and people from jails and mental institutions.

He often exaggerated the number of immigrants coming across the U.S. Southern border and used extremely rare instances of crime committed by an undocumented immigrant to fearmonger.

The Trump team provided a statement to The Independent after being asked about the land offer.

Local and state officials on the frontlines of the Harris-Biden border invasion have been suffering for four years and are eager for President Trump to return to the Oval Office. On day one, President Trump will marshal every lever of power to secure the border, protect their communities, and launch the largest mass deportation operation of illegal immigrant criminals in history, said Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance Transition spokeswoman.

On the campaign trail, Trump often promised to carry out mass deportation of illegal immigrants in the US (AP)

The plot of land is located approximately 35 miles west of McAllen, Texas.

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Trump has not unveiled an official plan to conduct his mass deportation but said he would declare a national emergency upon taking office to then use the military. The declaration would also allow Trump to direct funding to whatever project he sees fit even if Congress appropriated funding elsewhere.

The president-elect has promised to invoke several federal statutes to force law enforcement agencies to comply with his demands and bypass Congress. That includes the Insurrection Act of 1807 which would allow the military to apprehend immigrants and the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 which would remove immigrants without due process.

Stephen Miller, a Trump adviser credited with architecting the Muslim ban during Trumps first term, told the New York Times last year that part of the new deportation plans included creating vast holding facilities that would function as staging centers for immigrants.
Could Texas public elementary school classrooms soon be teaching lessons on the Bible? This week, the Texas education board voted 87 to approve a new curriculum that frequently incorporates religious teachings into typical lessons. While supporters claim that the curriculum doesn't proselytize to childrenand covers multiple religions, not just Christianitycritics argue that the curriculum amounts to unconstitutional religious instruction.

The Texas State Board of Education approved the state-developed curriculum, which will be optional, in a preliminary vote on Tuesday. The curriculum, called Bluebonnet Learning, contains largely typical elementary-level lessons. However, the smattering of religious references in the curriculum is far from subtle, and tends to focus on Christian teaching while leaving education about other religions in the background.

In one kindergarten lesson about the Golden Rule, for example, students learn about the Sermon on the Mount and are even given a quote from scripture. "Beyond the Sermon on the Mount, there are many lessons included throughout the Bible," the lesson states. "Jesus said the Golden Rule sums up all the important teachings from scripture. 'So in everything, do unto others as you would have done unto you.'"

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In one fifth-grade lesson on Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, students get an extended description of Christian theology: "The ceremony is central to Christian belief that the blood of Jesus was shed as the last sacrifice that would be needed to live in connection with God," reads the curriculum. "A painting about the story of the ceremony's origin would be widely recognized by Leonardo's audience."

While stories from many different religions are included in the curriculum, stories from and about Christianity take center stage. For example, one report on the curriculum from Rice University Professor David Brockman notes that the curriculum's "Kindergarten art appreciation unit in [Bluebonnet] still includes lengthy quotes from and discussions of the Genesis creation and flood stories, and still includes the 'Sequencing Activity' asking students to identify the order of creationmaterial far more appropriate to Sunday School than public schools."

This is far from the first time Republican-led state governments have attempted to infuse classrooms with Christian messages. In June, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill that mandates that all public school classrooms in the state display a poster of the Ten Commandments, though that law has been blocked in federal court. That month, Oklahoma's State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced that public school classrooms in the state would be required to stock Bibles. Walters came under particular fire after it was revealed that the only two Bibles to meet proposed regulations were expensive volumes endorsed by Donald Trump.

For now, Texas seems to be pushing forward with a curriculum that, according to Brockman, "verges on Christian proselytism insofar as its extensive, lopsided coverage of Christianity and the Bible suggests that this is the only religious tradition of any importance."

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"That is not a message that Texas public schools, which are called to serve a religiously diverse population, have any business conveying," Brockman adds.

The post Texas State Ed Board Approves Curriculum That Emphasizes Biblical Teachings appeared first on Reason.com.
NORTH TEXAS  Being switched at birth is something you rarely hear about, but a Glen Rose woman said it happened to her almost 50 years ago.

Melissa Brewton said what happened to her as a child was nothing short of horrific.

"My mom worked three jobs most of the time," she said. "I practically raised myself. I had an uncle in the family that did horrible things to me. I had another family member do some horrible things to me. I would never want that childhood for anyone."

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Now, at the age of 49, she said she's learned all of it could have been prevented. She only came to this realization after her adult daughter took a DNA test.

"She just wanted to know the ethnicity, where we came from, where our families came from," she said.

Her daughter told her she learned she had a sister.

"I figured my dad had a child out there and she was like, 'do you want her information?'" Brewton said. "I said 'Yeah, of course.' When I saw her picture, I said, 'Oh my God, I finally look like somebody in my family.'"

When the two eventually got in touch, the surprises continued. Brewton said she told her the sister she grew up with has DNA links to the Brewton family.

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"She was as like, 'Okay when were you born?' and I said, 'April 25, 1975,' and she said, 'Okay what hospital?'" Brewton recounted. "I said, 'Grapevine Memorial.' She said, 'Okay, the sister I grew up with was born April 24, 1975 at Grapevine Memorial.'"

All this leads them to believe they were switched at birth, going home to the wrong families.

"It's just... it's been a lot," Brewton said.

Last year, she met the man believed to be her biological dad.

"My dad is an amazing, amazing man and loving and caring and I didn't grow up with anything like that, so it's been anger, sadness, joy, lots and lots of different feelings," she said.

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She said her biological mom passed away in 2019 so sadly, they never met.

Now, Brewton has hired an attorney. Earlier this month, they sued Baylor Scott & White, the hospital system that purchased Grapevine Memorial six years after Brewton was born.

"My understanding is they have taken on the liabilities of that previous hospital," attorney Jonathan Wharton said. "This error occurred in 1975. That is the same year that the Texas legislature first started passing a bunch of limitations on medical malpractice cases. One of those limitations put a two-year statute of limitations for everyone's medical malpractice cases regardless of whether the case was undiscoverable or against a minor."

However, Wharton said technically the mix-up at the hospital happened one month before the law came into effect, so he thinks they have a case.

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"What happened to me as a child was horrible, and the fact that I was given to the wrong family was absolutely horrible and unacceptable," Brewton said.

She wants accountability.

In a statement to CBS News Texas - a spokesperson for Baylor Scott & White said, "It is important to note that Baylor Scott & White Health did not own, operate or manage the hospital until 1981."

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A couple driving from south Florida to Orlando heard loud booming sound from their Kia sedan. Then the car suddenly started losing fuel. They now wonder if its related to the swelling fuel tank issue Action 9 has been reporting on since the beginning of the year.

Do you have a consumer complaint or need help from Jeff Deal and Action 9? Click the banner below to submit a tip.

Russ Saner and Tiffanie Valdez were heading north on Floridas Turnpike after leaving the Florida Keys in their 2023 Kia K5.

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Saner described the startling incident, Behind a bus in the center lanes and just kind of cruising traffic around all of a sudden, ba boom! And I was like, Whatd I hit?

They immediately pulled over and started taking video with a cell phone.

On the video, Tiffanie Valdez is heard saying, This is a full tank of gas coming out right now. Oh my God! The video shows fuel running on the ground from under the car.

Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal asked, What was going through your mind when you saw that gas spewing out on the side of the road?

Valdez answered, Were about to blow up.

Saner followed up and said, Thank God were alive.

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They initially believed they hit something, but neither of them saw anything in the road. In fact, Russ Saner said he walked back along the turnpike and didnt see anything. He also said the emergency responders, including a Road Ranger, drove back to see if anything needed to be removed from the road, but they didnt find anything either.

Tiffanie Valdez told Action 9, We found your station with other people that this has happened to and then it really all made sense.

Shes talking about an issue with expanding fuel tanks on Kia K5s that Action 9 first exposed earlier this year. One of them was a 2023 K5 owned by Scott Meinke who also initially believed he hit something.

Meinke described the conversation in his car at the time, She was like, What did you hit? and I was just like, I dont know, I guess a piece of truck tire.

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He later found the rear seat popped up, after his gas tank expanded into the car. A handful of other Kia K5 drivers in central Florida had a similar experience.

In January, Brittany Kelley described what the Kia dealership shop told her about her 2022 K5, Your gas tank expanded. And youre lucky you made it here safely. Your car is no longer safe to drive. Kelley, a Clermont mother, had her children in the back seat at the time.

Whats different about the experience for Russ Saner and Tiffanie Valdez is the fuel tank didnt expand into the car, it ruptured on the bottom.

In July, their K5 had a fuel tank inspection and a software update as part of a voluntary emissions service campaign by Kia designed to address the swelling fuel tank issue.

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Even though they initially thought they hit something, now theyre not so sure. They claim, besides not finding anything in the road, there was no damage to the front of their car. They just had the damaged fuel tank on the underneath side of the car. They wonder if the fuel tank expanded with just a different outcome than the other drivers.

Valdez said, Were lucky to be alive to tell the story. Saner said, Thankful, very thankful to be alive.

A Kia spokesperson responded by saying it appears Russ Saner ran over something which caused the damage. We may never know for certain what caused it. Saners insurance company initially claimed it was a warranty issue but has since agreed to cover the damage. Some of the repairs have already been made, including the installation of a new fuel tank, but Saner said there is still some remaining damage that needs to be fixed.
KANSAS CITY, Kan.  Two break-ins in less than two weeks, thats what a not-for-profit clinic and pharmacy are dealing with after thieves hit their building.

The burglary happened at the Mercy and Truth Healthcare Ministry building in Kansas City, Kansas off North 31st Street, near Minnesota Avenue.

Kansas City, Kansas police are investigating the two break-ins at the building. They said both happened in the last two weeks.

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Michael Fink shared a photo of the damage. Fink is the VP of clinical operations at Pharmacy of Grace.

Jay-Zs Team Roc, Innocence Project files lawsuit against KCKPD, UG

Fink said thieves broke through the front door  shattering the window.

You can still see glass on the stairs leading up to the Mercy and Truth Healthcare Ministry building on Tuesday afternoon.

Fink said the first break-in happened Nov. 7, overnight. He got an alert on his phone, and watched the burglary live.

Is this a nightmare, or dream Im having, Fink said.

He said three thieves did not steal any drugs but got away with thousands of dollars.

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When you can see that happen firsthand and you dont get that hoped for response of the criminals captured, thats kind of disheartening, Fink said. But the most disheartening part is when it affects the service that were trying to provide to the community, taking funds that were set aside specifically for patient use to help them afford and pay for their medications.

The pharmacy was forced to close the next day.

Fink said the second break-in happened early Monday morning, but the criminals didnt get away with anything.

Frustration is the big thing because our heart is to serve the community, Mercy and Truth Healthcare Ministry Brent Morris said. Most of our patients are uninsured. So, to actually be in the community that youre helping, thats tough. But being faith based, we know God is in control and we roll with the punches.

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Brent Morris is the CEO of Mercy and Truth Healthcare Ministry.

Morris said they have three main lines of service, primary care, behavioral health and discounted pharmacy. They also offer vaccinations and immunizations.

Morris said they see about 5,000 unique patients a year, and 10,000 multiple visits. He said about 50% of those patients are uninsured.

While they have security measures in place, Morris said theyre forced to add more cameras and alarms.

Its a good thing in the long run, but we have to do that now and it wasnt planned in our budget, Morris said.

Police are looking through surveillance video of the break-ins. Theyre searching for 2 to 3 suspects who were involved in each incident.

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See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

Police said, at this point, its too early in the investigation to say if the incidents are connected.

If you have any information about this crime, call police at (913) 596-3000.

If you want to help with Mercy and Truth, click here or here to donate.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
A third suspect has been arrested in connection to the Josh Reynolds shooting from October, according to a report from The Denver Post's Shelly Bradbury.

Dirk Lisica-Lange, 31, was arrested last week "on suspicion of attempting to influence a public servant, a low-level felony," according to Bradbury.

Last month, Luis Mendoza, 35, and Burr Charlesworth, 42, were arrested and their charges included six counts of attempted first-degree murder.

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Reynolds and two companions were shot after leaving a club in the Denver area on Oct. 18. They were followed by suspects who fired "at least 30 rounds" into the vehicle carrying Reynolds and two others.

It was a coordinated, organized attack, the Denver District Attorneys Office said in court this week, according to Bradbury.

Reynolds, 29, is a wide receiver for the Denver Broncos. He was already on injured reserve with a finger injury when the shooting happened, and the team described his wounds as minor. The receiver is eligible to return from IR and could be back on the 53-man roster later this week.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Third suspect arrested after Josh Reynolds shooting
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Within the last year, University of California patient care and service workers have been sounding the alarm, holding protests and asserting they need better wages.

Now, they say time is up.

Starting Wednesday, thousands of AFSCME Local 3299 will officially stage a two-day strike at UC San Diego Medical Center in La Jolla and other University of California facilities and campuses across the state.

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Im talking about people sweeping floors, serving food, shuttle patients, shuttle students, manage parking facilities, security, people that answer the call button at the hospital, patient care assistance, Union spokesperson Todd Stenhouse said.

The wages these workers earn isnt making ends meet, according to Stenhouse. He says some are commuting three hours to get to work, or even sleeping in their cars.

All while union reps say the university recently granted 30% pay raises to its highest paid chancellors.

The stakes are high, really high, their lives and livelihoods at stake, our members dont own multiple homes, many of them struggle to pay the rent, Stenhouse said.

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UC San Diego released a statement on the strike, saying the university respects the rights of represented employees to bargain collectively on the terms and conditions of employment, and to perform legally protected strike activities. Our campus has plans in place and is prepared in the event of a work stoppage by individuals represented by AFSCME.

UC San Diego Health also responded to the situation, saying all health facilities will remain open and that there are plans in place to minimize patient impact and maintain access to hospitals and clinics.

We will continuously evaluate resources and deploy staff to ensure we maintain our high standards and commitment to serving our community, UC San Diego Health said.

This strike comes on the heels of others in San Diego, most recently Kaiser Permanente mental health workers and hotel employees downtown who are all fighting for similar pay and staffing improvements.

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The collective bargaining process can solve that problem only if there are two adults, two parties that are operating in good faith to solve those problem, Stenhouse 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.
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  The Danville School Board of Education will meet on Nov. 20 to discuss Superintendent Alicia Geddis safety concerns and her work status after she alleged she had been threatened.

Geddis said she believes trucks have been following her from her workplace and home since the summer. She also said that over the summer, she received a letter asking her to join the KKK.

Danville School Board to discuss threats against superintendent at upcoming meeting

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WCIA obtained police reports and email communications through a FOIA request with the Danville Police Department.

According to Police Chief Chris Yates, the situation stems from the bizarre behavior of a former student who allegedly used racist language and was displaying a Confederate flag on his truck.

Geddis first created a police report with Danville Police on Sept. 30. In the report, she said she noticed a truck with Confederate flags following her throughout town and outside her workplace multiple times in late September. After reviewing surveillance camera footage, Danville Police were able to confirm that Geddis had seen multiple different trucks. None of the trucks belonged to the former student that Geddis believed to have been harassing her.

At the time of the report, Geddis gave Danville Police the letter she received asking her to join the KKK.

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The letter included a number and an email address. Danville Police called that number and talked with a John Bolen who confirmed he created the letter several years ago but has not utilized those fliers in several years.

Bolen later followed up with Danville Police and said that Andrew Angel of Chicago had randomly mailed out the fliers and had sent one to Danville. Danville Police asked for Angels contact information, but Bolen refused to provide it. Danville Police then asked for Angel to call them instead, but they have not been able to make contact with him.

Man killed during attempted Decatur break-in

According to an email sent from Yates to Police Command on Oct. 7, Danville Police said after the threats were investigated by the Criminal Investigations Division, they were found to be not credible based on the information provided.

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Yates said Geddis told him she planned to leave her residence until the FBI finishes their investigation. Geddis told WCIA that the Board of Education and an attorney advised her to work from home until then.

Yates discussed the matter with the FBI, who said they said they did not instruct Geddis to leave her home.

In email correspondences on Oct. 7 and Oct. 22, police personnel confirmed that Geddis requested officers make sure she was safe in her home. On Oct. 7, reports indicate that Geddis told police personal that she was returning home after being evacuated and needed an officer to clear her home.

However, Geddis denied she said she was evacuating her house like the report said. Geddis said she had been returning home after her meeting with the FBI.

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On the email correspondence dated Oct. 22, she requested that an officer follow her home after the School Board of Education meeting, which was happening the next day. During that same meeting, Geddis told the board and the public that she had been threatened, and that the district was dealing with the threats.

In the same email between Yates and Police Command, Yates said that according to the FBI, they have not received any information that would indicate that she is in danger, but they are continuing to investigate.

The next day, Deputy Chief Terry McCord told Yates that he briefed FBI Agent Huckstadt on the investigation. Huckstadt told McCord he would continue to look into the situation and would interview the former student. Huckstadt did not provide a timeline to McCord.

McCord also reiterated to Huckstadt that Danville Police did not have reasonable suspicion that the former student had been following, stalking or harassing Geddis.

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Although Danville Police said they have not found any information to corroborate any information that would indicate a real threat Geddis said the FBI is still investigating.

WCIA will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

The full FOIA can be found below:

Danville-FOIA-Documents-2Download

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Iranian consulates in Hamburg, Munich and Frankfurt have been officially closed to the public since the beginning of the week, the Foreign Office in Berlin told dpa on Wednesday.

Germany ordered the closures of all three Iranian consulates in the country in response to the execution of German-Iranian dual national Jamshid Sharmahd three weeks ago.

The Iranian embassy in Berlin will remain open and continues to be responsible for the consular care of the 300,000 Iranians in Germany.

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Iran's judiciary announced Sharmahd's execution on October 28.

He had been sentenced to death in spring 2023 after a controversial trial on terrorism charges. The German government, relatives and human rights activists had vehemently rejected the accusations against him.

Sharmahd was born in Tehran in 1955 but came to West Germany at the age of 7.

In 2003, he moved to California in the United States, where he was politically active in the Iranian exiled monarchist opposition group Tondar, or Thunder.

The Iranian government accuses the organization of being responsible for an attack in 2008 in the city of Shiraz that claimed several lives.
TIFTON  The Tift Regional Medical Center Foundations board of directors recently announced the appointment of Heather Stripling and Dr. Rodney Tyson to the Foundations board of directors.

Heather Stripling is a native of Tifton and is a third-generation car dealer. She is one of the family owners of Prince Automotive Group with locations in Albany, Adel, Tifton and Valdosta. She is the daughter of John B. Prince III and Ann Clayton. She is a graduate of Tiftarea Academy and Valdosta State College, where she earned bachelor's and masters degrees in education. She is also a graduate of the National Automobile Dealers Association Dealer Candidate Academy.

Stripling has given back to the community by serving on various boards, including the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of South-Central Georgia, and the Tiftarea YMCA.

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She is married to John Stripling. Their son, Austin, and his wife, Diana, all reside in Tifton.

We are thrilled to welcome Heather to the foundation board, Mandy Brooks, the executive director of the TRMC Foundation, said. Her deep roots in the community, combined with her leadership experience and passion for giving back, make her a tremendous asset as we work to enhance health care services for our region.

Tyson has provided medical care for south Georgia residents for more than 31 years, working over the span of his career as a family medicine doctor, endoscopist, and a hospital medicine physician. He served on the medical staff of Tift Regional Medical Center and Memorial Hospital of Adel (now Southwell Medical). In addition, he has received the Exceptional Physician of the Year award from the TRMC Foundation and has served as Rural Medical Director at TRMC for many years. He is currently semi-retired, but still provides peer-to-peer reviews with insurance physicians. He also provides cardiac stress testing at Southwell Medical in Adel.

After earning his medical degree from Mercer University in Macon, Tyson completed a family practice residency at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center in South Carolina. He is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Prior to becoming a physician, Tyson was a registered nurse, nurse director, and a clinical assistant.

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Tyson currently resides in Adel with his wife, Greta. He has two children and six grandchildren.

Dr. Tysons long-standing dedication to the health and well-being of south Georgia residents is unparalleled, Brooks said. His wealth of medical expertise and commitment to serving others will greatly benefit the foundation as we continue to support the mission of Tift Regional Medical Center.

For more information about the TRMC Foundation, visit trmcf.com.
The Democratic Party is looking for a scapegoat for its disastrous 2024 election performance. As ever, no shortage of pundits and party operatives are punching left. Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres accused his colleagues of pandering to the far left. Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton scolded the party for, apparently, being too considerate of trans kids, whom Republicans targeted with at least $17 million worth of ads. I have two little girls, he told The New York Times for a November 7 story on how the party was relating to its losses. 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.

Adam Jentleson, a former staffer for Harry Reid and John Fetterman, recently expanded this line of argument into an op-ed for the Times, earning plaudits from former Obama speechwriter and Pod Save America host Jon Favreau. He argues that Democrats are crippled by a fetish for putting coalition management over a real desire for power, and too eager to please liberal and progressive interest groups that impose the rigid mores and vocabulary of college-educated elites, placing a hard ceiling on Democrats appeal. As examples, he cited positions on trans rights and immigration that Harris adopted during her presidential primary campaign in 2019, that had been advocated for by the likes of the ACLU and the Sunrise Movement, and that Republicans ran attack ads about this cycle.

Jentlesons prescription for Democratic victory boils down to resisting the influence of groups like Sunrise and the ACLU and running campaigns that avoid unpopular messages. Democrats should stick to tried and tested pitches like protecting Social Security, lowering prescription drug prices, and protecting abortion rights. In politics, he writes, winning elections is the moral imperative. You go into this business to change peoples lives for the better. That means changing policy, and to change policy you have to win.

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The irony here is that Jentleson is describing a campaign that looks a lot like the one that Harris ran, and lost. As progressives quickly pointed out in response, in 2024 Harris did indeed say no to the kinds of groups he mentioned, leaning on celebrity endorsements and vague pronouncements of joy. The special interests that were most influential this cycle werent progressives but AIPAC, cryptocurrency PACS, and Uber, whose former chief counsel Tony West (Harriss brother-in-law) urged the candidate to moderate her message so as to better appeal to corporate interests.

As journalist Dan Denvir wrote before the election, Democrats this cycle fell back on an old playbook of trying to outflank Republicans on immigration. They championed a bill chock-full of the rights preferred policies, like expanding ICE detention capacity and restricting asylum, then campaigned on the fact that the GOP voted it down when Trump told them to. Having previously called Trumps border wall a medieval vanity project, Harris then pledged to spend hundreds of billions of dollars building it. As Denvir writes, Given the choice to pander to reactionaries or shore up the partys left wing, Democrats tend to prioritize the former. The result is a dangerous asymmetric polarization: Republicans radicalize on immigration, while Democratic elites chase after them. The normal position on immigration moves ever rightward.

What precisely might Harris have said to better convince voters that she would be adequately tough on immigration? And if her fatal flaws in Jentlesons view mostly come down to things she said in the 2020 primary, does that mean that all candidates should ignore the realities of the race that theyre currently inincluding in relatively progressive seatsso as to avoid Republican blowback if they run for something else in the future? The trouble with the moderation pitch isnt just that it ignores the reality of the election that just happened. It also leaves Democrats playing catch-up in debates whose terms are perpetually set by Republicans, whatever the real-world consequences. The demand that the party embrace whatever positions happen to be popular at the moment imagines public opinion as exogenous to the work of politics. What precisely is the moral imperative to win elections if Democrats are merely choosing the correct position among the options that the right lays out for them?

Those punching left arent making an original argument. Way back in the 1970s, the so-called Watergate BabiesGary Hart, Al Gore, Paul Tsongas, and moredecried the Democratic Partys allegiance to the special interests who pushed for and were aided by Great Society programs, including feminist groups and labor unions. Its telling that this jab is always squarely aimed at the left. Jentleson approvingly cites Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Blue Dog Democrat who won an impressive reelection fight against her far-right Republican opponent in the Portland suburbs. What works well in certain districts isnt a national strategy, though. Less than 10 percent of House districts are now considered competitive. Centrist and right-leaning Blue Dogs have also steadily lost seats since the 2010 midterms, when just 23 of that coalitions 54 members were reelected. Prior to this years election, the caucus had just 10 members.

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Orienting the party toward winning over particular sets of so-called moderates every four years seems unlikely to help the end goal of building a durable governing majorityyet thats precisely what Democrats have done. As Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer put it before Trump was elected, For every blue-collar Democrat we lose in western Pennsylvania, we will pick up two moderate Republicans in the suburbs in Philadelphia, and you can repeat that in Ohio and Illinois and Wisconsin. Harriswho tacked right on immigration, campaigned with Liz Cheney, and boasted about booming oil and gas productionproceeded to lose all of the states Schumer mentioned except for Illinois. Roughly the same number of registered Republicans voted for her as had voted for Biden in 2020.

Its entirely possible that Harris still wouldnt have won if shed listened more to progressive interest groups messaging advice; she might even have done worse. Thats partly because the Democratic Partys problem isnt messaging so much as the fact that its highest-profile leaders (including Harris) dont seem to believe anything they saycentrist, progressive, or otherwise.

In the lead-up to this election, Harris and other leading Democrats decried Trump and MAGA Republicans as an existential threat to American democracy; now, newly elected House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has pledged to find common ground with them. That waffling and incoherence is less of a comms issue than a structural one. The Democratic Party isnt a distinct entity to be won but a somewhat random collection of politicians, staffers, and consultants aligned behind the loose goal of their own gainful employment, either via winning elections or telling people how to do so. Even if Democrats did have more institutional integrity, they would still find it challenging to simultaneously be a party of big business and organized labor, as theyve long aspired to be. They would still struggle to turn out Arab voters in key swing states while sending Israel weapons to bomb their families in the Middle East. More often than not, these constituencies interests are fundamentally opposed to one another; no amount of smart messaging, or berating voters, can fully solve that.

On some level, then, Jentleson is right to point to coalition management as a problem for the Democrats. But the solution isnt to box out left-leaning constituency groups and leave politics up to supposedly more sober-minded pollsters and consultants, who have an obvious material interest in this argument. Debates over Democratic Party messaging obscure a thornier, more substantive one over who it is that party ought to represent. Campaigning on economic populism to appeal to the voters feeling the pain of high rents and insurance rates would piss off big donors in the finance and real estate sectors; actually enacting that agenda would require electoral majorities big enough to withstand the wrath of the countrys most powerful industries, which might be difficult to attain without those big donors.

Theres no easy way out of this bind. Continuing to tack right, blame the left, and then tack even farther right as a correctivehemorrhaging reliable Democratic constituencies along the waydoesnt seem like a promising solution. If the Democratic Party is to have any kind of future, it cant just keep doing battle on fields Republicans choose; voters who want to vote for the GOPs positions will vote for the GOP. Democrats will need to convince ever-growing majorities why its better to be governed by them every single year, at all levels of governmentnot just why the alternative is scarier. To do that theyll have to influence public opinion rather than just respond to it.
BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP)  With time running down, negotiators at the United Nations annual climate talks on Wednesday remained mired in the maze of a trillion-dollar money problem, turning to host Azerbaijan to lead the way to daylight with a promised map to be released in the dark of night.

Vulnerable nations are seeking $1.3 trillion to deal with damage from climate change and to adapt to that change, including building out their own clean-energy systems. Experts agree that at least $1 trillion is called for, but both figures are far more than the developed world has so far offered.

Negotiators are fighting over three big parts of the issue: How big the numbers are, how much is grants or loans, and who contributes.

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After 10 days of talks, the host presidency of the talks, called COP29, promised a draft proposal around midnight local time, which they acknowledged will be far from final and have many decisions still to be made. But it's something, a clear step forward, said lead negotiator Yelchin Rafiyev.

Pressure on the presidency

German special climate envoy Jennifer Morgan late Wednesday afternoon put the onus on the COP29 presidency.

Much is really now in the presidencys hands and the options that they will put in front of us, the text that will come out, Morgan said. I think the options can help shift us into the fast lane towards a green and prosperous future or mire us in a fight about lowest common denominators.

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And the key to a solution is one word, Morgan said: Trust.

The most critical currency right now is trust  trust in the presidency and and trust between and amongst parties, Morgan said. And what this effectively means is a lot of shuttle diplomacy, numerous huddles between negotiating groups.

Negotiators relay some progress, but talks go in circles

At a session where ministers relayed their progress Wednesday, Australias climate minister Chris Bowen  one of the ministers leading talks on the money goal  said that he's heard different proposals on how much cash should be in the pot. As well as the $1.3 trillion proposed by developing countries, nations proposed figures of $900 billion, $600 billion and $440 billion, he said.

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Diego Pacheco Balanza, the chair of the Like-Minded Developing Countries negotiating bloc, said the group was also hearing a figure of $200 billion in negotiating corridors. That's not enough, he said. Developed countries whose legal obligations it is to provide finance continue to shift their responsibility to developing countries, Pacheco Balanza said.

When asked for his response to the $200 billion suggestion, Adonia Ayebare, chair of the G77 plus China negotiating group asked, Is it a joke? Speaking to a room of reporters, he added that negotiations need a headline figure of $1.3 trillion. I used to be a member of the press, I know the headline is important, he said.

But European climate envoy Wopke Hoekstra said "it is important to determine the elements first, so that you can have an informed conversation about what an ambitious and also realistic number could be.

Elsewhere, there appeared to be some positivity on working through other issues at the talks.

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South Africa's climate minister Dion George  one of two ministers leading talks on how to cut planet-warming fossil fuels  said that all parties confirmed their commitment to delivering on the Dubai consensus reached last year when countries pledged to transition away from fossil fuels.

Morgan said 150 nations are working to come overcome the vocal but isolated minority trying to block progress on reducing heat-trapping emissions and weaning the world from fossil fuels.

And New Zealand's climate minister Simon Watts was also very encouraged by movement on so-called Article 6, a proposal to slash emissions through, among other things, a system of carbon credits that allow nations to pollute if they offset emissions elsewhere.

But a lot was still left to work out.

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Alden Meyer of the European think tank E3G summed up the state of negotiations on Wednesday by saying the word of the day at the talks is circle as in going around in circles."

Delegates feel both frustration and hope

Juan Pablo Hoffmaister of the Environmental Defense Fund said the frustration is palpable as time starts to run out.

Hoffmaister, whos a former negotiator for developing countries, said that while potential climate finance goals are finally out, its still unclear how they will be delivered  loans, grants or other means. We need to fix this over the next 72 hours, he said.

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Italys special envoy for climate change, Francesco Corvaro, said negotiations feel like they are moving in the right direction, but that its likely going to take extra time to reach a deal. We cant fail, he said. But he stressed that Europe doesnt have the capacity to cover the cost of climate finance alone.

Ali Mohamed, chair of the African Group of Negotiators said he hopes that our partners will come forward with a justifiable number that will meet the needs and the the scale of the growing problems of climate change.

Mohamed said there is a clear obligation for developed countries to support poorer countries but up to now, we dont seem to have a figure, he said expressing frustration at the slow progress.

Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Bangladesh government on environment and climate change, also slammed developed countries in a press conference, saying the global north and the major emitting countries still lack the feeling of urgency and true commitment on curbing climate change.

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But, she said, there is reason to keep trust in process. You cant give up hope," she said. "Giving up hope makes no sense.

UN chief says success is in the hands of rich nations

Meanwhile, half the world away in Rio, Brazil, where the Group of 20 summit wrapped up on Tuesday, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the group of the worlds largest economies that the success of COP29 is largely in your hands.

That goal, the financial goal, in its different layers, must meet the needs of developing countries, beginning with a significant increase in concessional public funds, he said.

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And the president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said developed nations should consider moving their 2050 emission goals forward to 2040 or 2045.

The G20 is responsible for 80% of greenhouse effect emissions, he said. Even if we are not walking the same speed, we can all take one more step.

___

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.
Nov. 20Tom's of Maine is under fire from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for using water contaminated with bacteria to manufacture toothpaste and clean equipment. An inspection also turned up a "black mold-like substance" at its Sanford manufacturing plant.

The FDA sent a warning letter to Colgate-Palmolive, the parent company of the Kennebunk-based toothpaste, body care products and deodorant manufacturer, outlining a slew of manufacturing violations.

The company has been aware since 2021 of potentially dangerous bacteria in water samples taken between then and 2022, according to a warning letter the FDA sent this month.

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The FDA visited the Sanford site in May, when investigators also found the "black mold-like substance" and "powder residues" close to equipment that comes into contact with products.

Some contaminated water has been found in at least one batch of toothpaste and was used to clean manufacturing equipment, the FDA said. There was no investigation to assess how that impacted the product.

In another instance, the company found a small, "gram-negative" level of bacteria in its "Wicked Cool! Anticavity toothpaste," the FDA said, but that was dismissed as contamination and the product was sold anyway.

Water samples included several bacteria  some in quantities "too numerous to count"  including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause blood and lung infections, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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The company's water system is inadequate, Francis Godwin, the director of the FDA's Office of Manufacturing Quality, wrote in the Nov. 5 warning letter that the FDA recently shared online. "Water is a major ingredient in many of your (over-the-counter) drug products," Godwin wrote. "It is essential that you employ a water system that is robustly designed and that you effectively control, maintain and monitor the system to ensure it consistently produces water suitable for pharmaceutical use."

The toothpaste manufacturer's response to the uncovered issues is also inadequate, he said.

"It does not include additional supporting evidence or testing results for the finished products." Godwin also criticized their sampling methods.

The FDA had the company address its concerns in a response to the federal agency in June. But the FDA says it's disappointed with what Tom's and Colgate-Palmolive have submitted so far.

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The company has been asked to submit a new, more thorough response, including a plan of correction. The FDA has urged them to work with a consultant.

In a statement, Tom's of Maine said the company is working with the agency to remedy the issues and is in the midst of an ongoing "significant" upgrade to the Sanford plant's water system.

"We have always tested finished goods before they leave our control, and we remain fully confident in the safety and quality of the toothpaste we make," it said. "In addition, we have engaged water specialists to evaluate our systems at Sanford, have implemented additional safeguards to ensure compliance with FDA standards, and our water testing shows no issues."

The company said it is committed to making safe and effective products, as well as maintaining trust in the Tom's of Maine brand.

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This is not the first time Tom's of Maine has been under scrutiny by the FDA. In 2016, the company received citations for similar issues, including improper training for employees, unsanitary buildings and inadequate procedures to prevent product contamination, but the agency never went so far as to issue a warning.

Despite the reported quality issues, Godwin said Tom's of Maine does not investigate all complaints, resulting in a strike for inadequate complaint procedure.

Only complaints related to adverse events, foreign matter and incorrect product are investigated. According to company policy, only complaints related to a "trend" trigger an investigation. The inadequate complaint procedure was another strike against the company.

Approximately 400 complaints related to odor, color and taste in toothpaste, including products for children, were ignored, Godwin said.

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"Although you state complaint investigations were not required because there was no trend identified, you did not provide a documented evaluation determining the lack of trend for the quality issue specific to each complaint," he said. "Instead, you included a general statement from the procedure in each of the complaint's documentation."

The FDA said that failing to address the violations could cause the agency to withhold approving new applications from the company, as well as withhold issuing export certificates.

Tom's has 15 business days to respond to the warning with information about how it has addressed the violations and plans to prevent them in the future.

Staff Writer Emily Allen contributed to this report.

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The top Democrat on the House Ethics Committee has accused the panels Republican chairman Rep Michael Guest of having betrayed the process after a meeting resulted in no decision on whether to release the report into former Florida Congressman and Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz.

Rep Susan Wild, a Pennsylvania Democrat, said on Wednesday afternoon: We had agreed that we were not going to discuss what had transpired at the meeting  The chairman has since betrayed the process by disclosing our deliberations within moments after walking out of the committee.

The House Ethics Committee was unable to reach an agreement on releasing its report into Gaetzs alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use during its Wednesday meeting.

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Both Democratic and Republican Senators have asked to see the report as part of their vetting of Gaetz to be the nations top law enforcement officer.

But House Republicans havent been eager to share the conclusions of the report into the yearslong investigation.

After the meeting on Wednesday, which lasted hours, Guest, a Mississippi Republican, said, There was no agreement by the committee to release the report.

Wild said Guest implied that there was an agreement of the committee not to disclose the report ... To the extent that that suggests that the committee was in agreement, or that we had a consensus on that  that is inaccurate.

Gaetz spent Wednesday on Capitol Hill meeting with Senate Republicans whose support he needs to be confirmed as attorney general (Getty Images)

I will say that a vote was taken, she added. As many of you know, this committee is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, five Dems, five Republicans, which means that in order to affirmatively move something forward, somebody has to cross party lines and vote with the other side, which happens a lot, by the way, and we often vote unanimously.

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That did not happen in today's vote, and I do not want the American public, or anyone else to think that Mr. Guests characterization of what transpired today would be some sort of indication that the committee had unanimity or consensus on this issue not to release the report, Wild said.

There was no consensus on this issue. We did agree that we would reconvene as a committee on December 5 to further consider this matter, she added.

Last week, Speaker Mike Johnson pushed for the committee not to release the report, claiming that it would be a breach of protocol to release a report on a member who has left the chamber.

Gaetz quickly resigned from Congress after he was nominated to be attorney general by President-elect Donald Trump. The 42-year-olds resignation came just days before a planned meeting of the Ethics panel, where they were set to vote on the report.

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Some Republicans in the Senate, including Texas Senator John Cornyn, have indicated that the Judiciary Committee in the upper chamber could subpoena the House panel if theyre unwilling to hand over the report.

Gaetz spent Wednesday on Capitol Hill with Vice President-elect and Ohio Senator JD Vance meeting with other Republicans in the Senate whose support he needs to be confirmed to lead the Department of Justice.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Topeka leaders are still deliberating on the next Topeka Police Chief.

Working for you, 27 News asked Topeka City Manager Robert Perez where he stands with the decision on the next Chief for the Topeka Police Department (TPD) at Tuesdays City Council meeting. Perez said discussions about the next chief will be had during executive session after the council meeting.

No action was taken after executive session. Two weeks ago, Perez told 27 News a Police Chief would have been chosen last week. Russell Klumpp and Chris Vallejo are the candidates up for consideration for the next TPD Police Chief.

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Woman sentenced to 14 days in jail in massive Topeka animal abuse case

Major Klumpp is a lifelong Topekan and has been with the Topeka Police Department (TPD) for nearly 30 years. Sixteen of those years have come at the command level. Klumpp told 27 News that with an understanding of the Topeka community, community relations is always the top priority.

Community relations is always the top priority, Klumpp said. We do that through community policing philosophy, having those positive contacts in the community, being engaged with the community, having more transparency with the community and having opportunities with that open dialog.

Vallejo is not from Topeka, or the Sunflower State for that matter, but he has three decades of law enforcement experience under his belt. From training, to investigation, to patrol in Austin, Texas with a metropolitan area of more than a million people and two million metro.

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Flight academy settles at Philip Billard Airport

While both capital cities arent comparable when it comes to size, Vallejo told 27 News he believes his experiences translate directly.

Policing is largely a social service, so theres no shortage of folks here that we serve and protect and we provide services to them, Vallejo said. So, its pretty much scalable up or down I believe.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11)  A tourist was slashed in an unprovoked attack on the Upper West Side Wednesday morning, sources told PIX11 News.

A 55-year-old man was slashed on the ear and face near 86th Street and Columbus Avenue around 10:23 a.m., police said. He was rushed to an area hospital, police said.

Jessica Tisch named new NYPD commissioner: Mayor Adams

Sources told PIX11 News the victim was a tourist and the attack was unprovoked. It was not immediately clear where the tourist traveled from.

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The suspected attacker ran, and police have not made any arrests.

Its very disheartening, its very upsetting, a woman who lives nearby told PIX11 News.

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.
Every day millions of people share more intimate information with their accessories than they do with their spouse.

Wearable technology  smartwatches, smart rings, fitness trackers and the like  monitors body-centric data such as your heart rate, steps taken and calories burned, and may record where you go along the way. Like Santa Claus, it knows when you are sleeping (and how well), it knows when you're awake, it knows when you've been idle or exercising, and it keeps track of all of it.

People are also sharing sensitive health information on health and wellness apps, including online mental health and counseling programs. Some women use period tracker apps to map out their monthly cycle.

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These devices and services have excited consumers hoping for better insight into their health and lifestyle choices. But the lack of oversight into how body-centric data are used and shared with third parties has prompted concerns from privacy experts, who warn that the data could be sold or lost through data breaches, then used to raise insurance premiums, discriminate surreptitiously against applicants for jobs or housing, and even perform surveillance.

The use of wearable technology and medical apps surged in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, but research released by Mozilla on Wednesday indicates that current laws offer little protection for consumers who are often unaware just how much of their health data are being collected and shared by companies.

"I've been studying the intersections of emerging technologies, data-driven technologies, AI and human rights and social justice for the past 15 years, and since the pandemic I've noticed the industry has become hyper-focused on our bodies," said Mozilla Foundation technology fellow Julia Keseru, who conducted the research. "That permeates into all kinds of areas of our lives and all kinds of domains within the tech industry."

Read more: New California Law Governs Protected Health Information

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The report "From Skin to Screen: Bodily Integrity in the Digital Age" recommends that existing data protection laws be clarified to encompass all forms of bodily data. It also calls for expanding national health privacy laws to cover health-related information collected from health apps and fitness trackers and making it easier for users to opt out of body-centric data collections.

Researchers have been raising alarms about health data privacy for years. Data collected by companies are often sold to data brokers or groups that buy, sell and trade data from the internet to create detailed consumer profiles.

Body-centric data can include information such as the fingerprints used to unlock phones, face scans from facial recognition technology, and data from fitness and fertility trackers, mental health apps and digital medical records.

One of the key reasons health information has value to companies  even when the person's name is not associated with it  is that advertisers can use the data to send targeted ads to groups of people based on certain details they share. The information contained in these consumer profiles is becoming so detailed, however, that when paired with other data sets that include location information, it could be possible to target specific individuals, Keseru said.

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Location data can "expose sophisticated insights about people's health status, through their visits to places like hospitals or abortions clinics," Mozilla's report said, adding that "companies like Google have been reported to keep such data even after promising to delete it."

A 2023 report by Duke University revealed that data brokers were selling sensitive data on individuals' mental health conditions on the open market. While many brokers deleted personal identifiers, some provided names and addresses of individuals seeking mental health assistance, according to the report.

In two public surveys conducted as part of the research, Keseru said, participants were outraged and felt exploited in scenarios where their health data were sold for a profit without their knowledge.

We need a new approach to our digital interactions that recognizes the fundamental rights of individuals to safeguard their bodily data, an issue that speaks directly to human autonomy and dignity, Keseru said. As technology continues to advance, it is critical that our laws and practices evolve to meet the unique challenges of this era.

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Read more: Opinion: The risks of sharing your DNA with online companies aren't a future concern. They're here now

Consumers often take part in these technologies without fully understanding the implications.

Last month, Elon Musk suggested on X that users submit X-rays, PET scans, MRIs and other medical images to Grok, the platform's artificial intelligence chatbot, to seek diagnoses. The issue alarmed privacy experts, but many X users heeded Musk's call and submitted health information to the chatbot.

While X's privacy policy says that the company will not sell user data to third parties, it does share some information with certain business partners.

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Gaps in existing laws have allowed the widespread sharing of biometric and other body-related data.

Health information provided to hospitals, doctor's offices and medical insurance companies is protected from disclosure under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA, which established federal standards protecting such information from release without the patient's consent. But health data collected by many wearable devices and health and wellness apps don't fall under HIPAA's umbrella, said Suzanne Bernstein, counsel at Electronic Privacy Information Center.

"In the U.S. because we don't have a comprehensive federal privacy law ... it falls to the state level," she said. But not every state has weighed in on the issue.

Washington, Nevada and Connecticut all recently passed laws to provide safeguards for consumer health data. Washington, D.C., in July introduced legislation that aimed to require tech companies to adhere to strengthened privacy provisions regarding the collection, sharing, use or sale of consumer health data.

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In California, the California Privacy Rights Act regulates how businesses can use certain types of sensitive information, including biometric information, and requires them to offer consumers the ability to opt out of disclosure of sensitive personal information.

"This information being sold or shared with data brokers and other entities hypercharge the online profiling that we're so used to at this point, and the more sensitive the data, the more sophisticated the profiling can be," Bernstein said. "A lot of the sharing or selling with third parties is outside the scope of what a consumer would reasonably expect."

Read more: Social media platforms engaged in 'vast surveillance' and failed to protect young people, FTC finds

Health information has become a prime target for hackers seeking to extort healthcare agencies and individuals after accessing sensitive patient data.

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Health-related cybersecurity breaches and ransom attacks increased more than 4,000% between 2009 and 2023, targeting the booming market of body-centric data, which is expected to exceed $500 billion by 2030, according to the report.

"Nonconsensual data sharing is a big issue," Keseru said. "Even if it's biometric data or health data, a lot of the companies are just sharing that data without you knowing, and that is causing a lot of anxiety and questions."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  An Abilene ISD school bus crashed into a City of Abilene vehicle Wednesday afternoon.

The crash happened on the 3700 block of Paintbrush Drive just after 2:00 p.m.

Police at the scene told KTAB and KRBC the school bus, which was carrying students, hit the parked city vehicle.

One student was assessed for head damage but was deemed okay, and no other injuries were reported in connection to this crash.

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All students involved in this crash were transported to the cafeteria of a nearby school.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A freight train crashed into a broken-down cement truck in eastern Oregon on Nov 19., authorities say.

The crash occurred after Nampa Idaho man Reed Hirkeby left the Ash Grove cement plant near Durkee, Ore. before 6 a.m., the Baker County Sheriffs Office said. Hirkeby was allegedly crossing the railroad tracks on Shirttail Creek Road when part of the cement truck trailer broke, leaving the vehicle stuck on the tracks.

Mount Hood sees snowiest early season start in decades

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Kirkeby made several attempts to move the trailer off the tracks but was unsuccessful, the Baker County Sheriffs Office said. He exited the vehicle and was in the process of notifying Union Pacific Railroad when the train struck the vehicle.

No one was injured after a Union Pacific train crashed into a cement truck in Baker County, Ore. on Nov. 19, 2024. (Baker County Sheriffs Office)

An incoming Union Pacific train hit the cement truck at approximately 5:56 a.m. Photos of the crash show that the train hit the truck with enough force to knock the trailer off the back of the truck and crumple its cement drum. However, the train did not derail.

Bomb cyclone exits the PNW, rain remains Wednesday

No one was injured in the crash, authorities say. The wreck blocked the Shirttail Creek Road crossing for several hours until crews were able to clear the scene.

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Representative-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.) said she would comply with the anti-transgender bathroom rules that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced Wednesday because, in her words, Im not here to fight about bathrooms.

Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families, McBride said in a statement.

Like all members, I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them, she said.

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McBride became the first openly transgender person elected to Congress earlier this month, winning Delawares lone district. Her arrival in Washington, where incoming members are given tours and trainings before the new Congress convenes in January, has been met with attacks from some of her Republican colleagues.

Im not here to fight about bathrooms. Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. pic.twitter.com/bCuv7pIZBY  Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) November 20, 2024

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) petitioned Johnson to adopt a policy stating that people must use a bathroom or locker room that corresponds to their sex as designated at birth. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a CrossFit enthusiast, reportedly said she would fight any transgender woman who attempts to use the womens facility.

Asked about the bathroom proposal Monday, Mace said that her transgender colleagues input did not matter.

No, Sarah McBride doesnt get a say in this, Mace said. If youre a biological man, you shouldnt be in womens restrooms.

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Johnson first responded to a question about bathroom rules Tuesday with a commitment to treating every member of Congress with dignity, but he later convened a separate press gaggle to clarify that he believes a man is a man and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman.

McBride said in her statement that the attacks would not distract her from preparing to represent the greatest state in the union come January.

Sarah McBride speaks during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in July. J. Scott Applewhite via Associated Press

She continued: Serving in the 119th Congress will be the honor of a lifetime  and I continue to look forward to getting to know my future colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Each of us were sent here because voters saw something in us that they value. I have loved getting to see those qualities in the future colleagues that Ive met and I look forward to seeing those qualities in every member come January. I hope all of my colleagues will seek to do the same with me.

McBride had said Monday that Americans manage to work respectfully with people who are different from them every day.

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I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness, she wrote on social media.

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JV Ejercito pushes for budget increase for all SUCs

Senate Senior Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito expressed his full support for increasing the budget of state universities and colleges (SUCs), particularly the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), during the Senate deliberations on the proposed 2025 budget for SUCs.

"Makakaasa kayo na ako mismo ay magbibigay ng suporta sa inyo habang patuloy kayong nagsusumikap na mabigyan ng diploma ang mas maraming kabataang Pilipino," said Ejercito, pointing out that he has already submitted a proposed amendment to boost PUP's funding.

Ejercito described PUP as a vital institution providing quality education to thousands of students. Citing recent data, he underscored its role in creating opportunities for graduates.

"Thousands of graduates enter the Philippine workforce every year thanks to this institution's dedication to high-quality education. Last academic year alone, 19,230 graduates benefited from its programs," Ejercito said.

The senator also highlighted the state university's consistent recognition from employers.

"Simula pa noong 2016, PUP graduates have been the top choice of employers, which is proof of the institution's excellence."

He praised PUP's performance in licensure exams, noting a 93.33% passing rate in the Architecture Board Exams, which is well above the national average.

"Ang mga Isko at Iska ng PUP ay patuloy na namamayagpag sa mga propesyon tulad ng Engineering, Education, Psychology, Accountancy, at Law," he added.

Recognizing the transformative power of education in improving one's life, Ejercito vowed to support SUCs' mission to provide affordable education for more Filipinos.
(NewsNation)  Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., filed a resolution to prohibit bathroom use on Capitol Hill that doesnt correspond to biological sex at birth. Brianna Wu, a trans woman who ran for Congress in Massachusetts as a Democrat, tells Dan Abrams Live guest Scottie Nell Hughes, a conservative commentator, that Im with you on the fringe stuff, but we dont have to regress to the most extremist, maximalist view.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day that honors the memory of those murdered because of anti-transgender prejudice.

As a transgender woman I honor and mourn for those women who were murdered for being themselves.

As a transgender woman I understand the fear that being myself could get me killed due to hate and prejudice.

As a journalist, I must remain unbiased and neutral in my reporting.

Read: Transgender Awareness Week aims to raise visibility for issues facing transgender people

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Here are some facts:

TDOR takes place every year on Nov. 20 following Transgender Awareness Week, which helps to raise visibility for transgender people and address issues the community faces.

Transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith founded TDOR in 1999 as a vigil to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998.

Hester was a highly visible member of the transgender community in Boston, Massachusetts where she worked educating people on transgender issues.

On Nov. 28, 1998, Rita was stabbed 20 times in her apartment.

Now, more than two decades later, police still have not found Ritas murderer(s).

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Read: Family of transwoman killed in Orlando pleas for answers

It comes at time that the United States has elected it first sitting congressperson who is transgender.

Delaware Congresswoman Sarah McBride, a Democrat, is already being targeted by Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, who introduced a resolution on Monday to ban transgender women from using biological womens restrooms at the U.S. Capitol.

On Tuesday, Mace told reporters the bill is absolutely meant to target McBride.

Sarah McBride doesnt get a say, Mace said on social media. I mean, this is a biological man. She said that Ms. McBride does not belong in womens spaces, womens bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms  period, full stop.

Also Sarah McBride doesnt get a say here. I will always protect women and girls. Period. Full stop. End of story. https://t.co/Sibf8fP6rz  Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) November 19, 2024

Mace later told Scripps News that she planned to file bills that would extend that ban to any property that uses public funds.

We promised not to stop at the Capitol.



We just introduced legislation to ban men in womens private spaces on EVERY federally owned property.  Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) November 20, 2024

Speaker Mike Johnson has now announced that single-sex bathrooms are reserved for individuals of that biological sex.

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McBride responded on social meeting stating in part: Im not here to fight about bathrooms. Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. Like all members, I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them.

Im not here to fight about bathrooms. Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. pic.twitter.com/bCuv7pIZBY  Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) November 20, 2024

Read: Crowds flock to Come Out With Pride celebration in Downtown Orlando

FACTS:

Currently, the American Civil Liberties Union is tracking 558 anti-LGBTQ bills in states across the U.S.

According to The Human Rights Campaign at least 30 transgender and gender non-conforming people have been killed in the United States in 2024.

The Trans Murder Monitoring report tracks murders reported in the media each year, this years report includes deaths between Oct 1, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024.

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Since 2013, the Human Rights Campaign has tracked incidents of fatal trans violence the same year the Federal Bureau of Investigation began reporting on hate crimes motivated by anti-trans bias and provided action items that can help end the violence.

According to HRC, in 2024:

77% of victims were people of color

53% were Black Transgender women

60% were killed with a gun

39% of victims with a known killer were killed by a romantic partner, friend, or family member

40% were misgendered or deadnamed by authorities of the press

The fact is, as transgender woman, I fear for my safety everyday.

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Prosecutors took jurors on a frame-by-frame journey Wednesday through video from body-worn cameras showing a gasoline fire that engulfed a suspect, as they wrapped up their case against the Osceola deputy charged with starting it.

The analysis was intended to support the prosecutions key contention: that Deputy David Crawford was the one who purposely discharged a stun gun at the man and ignited the blaze. His defense attorney insists there are other explanations.

The third day of arguments in Crawfords trial kicked off in the morning with testimony from Bryan Chiles, a senior manager at Axon, which manufactures the stun guns used by law enforcement. Prosecutors asked him to compare the data taken from the stun gun to footage of the moments leading up to the fire.

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At one point shown on several camera angles, there was a clicking noise Chiles said he recognized off the bat.

Thats when the trigger pull is occurring, said Chiles, who was tasked with explaining to jurors the workings of the Taser, the name of the weapon, and how it stores usage data forensic analysts can later review.

According to reports presented by prosecutors taken from the stun guns logs on when and how the weapon was used, two cartridges were deployed shortly before the fire. The stun gun belonged to Deputy Christopher Koffinas, who deployed the first cartridge, but prosecutors said Crawford used it the second time, picking up the weapon after Koffinas dropped it.

Crawford, 35, is charged with culpable negligence, a misdemeanor, for the February 2022 fire at the Orlando Wawa that left then-26-year-old Jean Barreto  the subject of deputies chase as he fled on a dirt bike  with burns on three-quarters of his body.

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Looking at footage from Crawfords body-worn camera and comparing it to the stun guns logs, Chiles testified it nearly matches the moment just before the fire ignites.

At this point, Chiles said pointing to a frame of the video, I cant see the lasers yet. But eventually you see them and thats how you know the Taser has been armed.

Chiles testimony finalized the states case, which began Tuesday with testimony from a crime scene technician, a detective, a fire investigator and a patrol deputy. That paired with body camera video of the incident allowed prosecutors to weave a story of Crawford negligently using the stun gun to spark the fire.

Meanwhile, Crawfords attorney Michael Barber is readying to sow seeds of doubt with a different tale. Hes suggested three alternatives in his cross-examination of prosecution witnesses  that a stun gun discharge from Koffinas started the fire, that an accidental discharge was the cause, or that the fire had another cause altogether.

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The defense case begins Thursday morning. Crawford will not testify in his own defense, it was decided late Wednesday.

During cross-examination Tuesday, a detective assigned to the criminal investigation said Crawford never took out his assigned stun gun and the only one used belonged to Koffinas, whos not facing criminal charges. Instead, he was issued a 40-hour suspension after an internal investigation.

Barber also questioned a state fire investigator who authored the report determining the fire was caused by a stun gun. Though he couldnt be certain, the investigator said the stun gun was the most likely cause among several hypotheses, including an overheated engine on Barretos dirt bike.

In his questioning of Chiles, Barber pointed to an issue with the trigger. Milliseconds after it was first pulled, the stun gun logged another trigger pull, which Chiles said was not humanly possible. Barber pointed to a past deposition in which Chiles suggested a trigger pull can be logged from a bug in the device.

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Its more of an anomaly than a bug, Chiles said Wednesday. A bug suggests that its not working, and this is more of an unhandled exception. This is just a situation thats not been handled by the firmware.

Barber also went over the videos with Chiles, noting they dont show the stun gun at the time of the blaze, nor do they show Crawford pointing a weapon at Barreto.

Also, Chiles acknowledged the logs dont show whether the trigger was intentionally or accidentally pulled.

Based on all the evidence you viewed in this case, you did not see any evidence that my client intentionally discharged a Taser, did you? Barber said. Chiles replied, Thats correct.

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The trial is expected to conclude by Friday.

Can Orlando make it safer to walk?

Crawfords trial comes two years after Barretos fateful encounter with Osceola deputies who chased him into Orange County in response to reports of motorcyclists threatening people with guns.

Crawford was charged in May 2023 and it took another year before it got to trial. Sheriff Marcos Lopez defended the chase, saying Barreto fit the description of a motorcyclist brandishing a gun. However, no gun was ever found and Lopezs claim Barreto tossed one during the chase was not supported by helicopter video.

Mark NeJame, who leads the firm representing Barreto, said Barreto was with a group dirt bikers on a memorial ride in honor of a friend when deputies arrived on scene. He described the chase as a grossly excessive, unwarranted and horrific abuse of police conduct and authority.

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The sheriff said his office recommended charges against Barreto for fleeing law enforcement, reckless driving and resisting arrest. Prosecutors declined to bring a case against Barreto, who NeJame said barely survived the ordeal. Barreto has not appeared in court during the trial.

If convicted, Crawford could face up to one year behind bars or a $1,000 fine. The prosecution rested its case Wednesday afternoon with defense arguments to continue into Thursday.
Rep. Tricia Cotham made some incorrect statements during Tuesdays state House debate about expanding private school voucher funding over the veto of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

Cotham, a Mecklenburg County Republican, argued that expansion of the Opportunity Scholarship program is needed because a predominance of North Carolinas public schools have a D or F grade. She also claimed that the predominance of families seeking a private school voucher is from the lowest economic status.

Cothams defection from the Democratic Party in 2023 gave Republicans a supermajority in the House to override Coopers vetoes. She narrowly won reelection this year.

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The House passed a veto override of the voucher bill on Tuesday. If the Senate also overrides Cooper, House Bill 10 would become law and provide an additional $463 million to clear a wait list of more than 50,000 students seeking an Opportunity Scholarship.

Heres a deeper look at some of the statements Cotham made Tuesday on the House floor and whether or not they are true.

Poorest applicants are not in the minority

We are not saying that this is all for wealthy children, Cotham said. That is factually inaccurate. The predominance of these children are in Tier 1, which is the highest amount.

Those who reside are going to be in Mecklenburg and Wake County. The others, when you talk about wealthy and billionaires, you are wrong.

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Applicants were grouped into four tiers with Tier 1 being the families making the least income.

As of Sept. 2, a state report shows that Tier 1 applicants made up 11,315 of the 67,986 eligible applicants, or 16.6% Every Tier 1 applicant was offered an Opportunity Scholarship of $7,468 per student.

Tier 1 students do make up 82% of the new scholarship recipients so far because the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority ran out of money. But the share of Tier 1 students would shrink once money is given to the 54,132 students on the wait list.

Are wait list families wealthy?

How many of the families on the wait list are wealthy is subjective. More than 71% of the students on the wait list are in Tier 3 and Tier 4. Neither tier would have been eligible before this year because they earned too much money.

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For a family of four, Tier 3 consists of an annual income of $115,440 to $259,740. Tier 3 accounts for 48.5% of the people on the wait list and 39% of all the applicants.

For a family of four, Tier 4 consists of an annual income of more than $259,740. Tier 4 accounts for 22.9% of the wait list and 18% of all applicants.

During the floor debate, Democrats said the Tier 3 and Tier 4 families shouldnt get public dollars to cover private school tuition.

We are spending it on private school vouchers for wealthy families that can already afford to send their kids to these schools and already likely are, said Rep. Julie von Haefen, a Wake County Democrat. Three fourths of the people that receive funding from these vouchers make over $115,000 a year, and one-fourth of them make more than $259,000 a year.

Most public schools dont have D or F grades

Cotham argued Tuesday that school choice is needed because there are many children who are trapped in public schools that are failing them.

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We have a predominance of our public schools that are rated with Ds and Fs, Cotham also said.

North Carolina public schools get an A through F performance grade each year thats largely based on the percentage of students who pass state exams. For the last school year, 33.5% of schools had a D or F grade.

A plurality of schools (38.8%) had a C grade in the 2023-24 school year. A total of 27.8% of schools got an A or B grade.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  A trooper was injured after the driver of a blue Dodge Charger fled a traffic stop in Virginia Beach on Wednesday morning, state police said.

Virginia State Police, Virginia Beach Police and Naval Criminal Investigative Service worked together to arrest Jayden Wallace, 23, of Virginia Beach. Police located his 2019 Dodge Charger Wednesday afternoon in the 1100 block of Woodfern Place.

Court records show Wallaces home address as Fayetteville, NC, and the Navy confirmed Wednesday afternoon that Wallace joined in 2022.

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A spokesperson wrote The Navy is aware of the arrest of Fire Controlman 3rd Class Jayden Wallace, assigned to Surface Combat Systems Training Command Hampton Roads. The Navy takes these matters seriously and is cooperating with the Virginia State Police in the investigation.

Wallace was taken into custody without incident and has been charged with reckless driving by speed, felony elude, felony hit-and-run and numerous other traffic offenses. He is scheduled for arraignment Thursday afternoon on those charges.

Jayden Wallace. (Courtesy: VSP)

(Courtesy: VSP)

Jayden Wallace mugshot (Courtesy: VB City Jail)

Around 5:15 a.m., the driver of the Dodge Charger was reportedly going 125 mph in a 55 mph zone on I-264 eastbound near Laskin Road in Virginia Beach, state police said.

When the driver failed to stop for state police, the trooper chased him on eastbound Interstate 264 to the Birdneck Road exit ramp.

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The driver turned right onto Americus Avenue, a dead-end road, and was blocked in by the troopers vehicle. Ironically, Americus Avenue is next to the city police training center.

Joshua Dickerson lives in the neighborhood with his wife and infant son and was upset about the chase.

Especially now that I have a 6-month-old, Dickerson said. I dont really have a lot of tolerance. Youre putting other peoples lives in danger and the people around you.

Its a danger and lives could be lost, said Silas Darden, who lives next door to where the trooper was struck.

When the trooper got out of her vehicle, Wallace sped off, striking the trooper. He remained at large for several hours until his arrest Thursday afternoon about a mile away.

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Photos provided below by police from the troopers dashcam show the Wallaces vehicle. WAVY confirmed with state police that the trooper did draw her gun, as seen on the far left of the first image, but did not fire it.

Photos from the troopers dash cam.



Courtesy: VSP

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Photos from the troopers dash cam.



Courtesy: VSP

The trooper went to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The registration and license plate number did not match the make and model of the car.

This case will be presented to the Commonwealth Attorney, who will then decide if further charges will be placed.

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.
As many of Gaza's more than 2.3 million people desperately wait for humanitarian assistance and food to reach them, aid trucks are being violently ransacked before getting to their destination, say international organizations.

The ongoing restrictions on what can come in and out of Gaza and the looting of some of the supplies that have made it in have left much of the population with little access to basic items.

In northern Gaza, aid groups have described the situation as "apocalyptic" as intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas continues, cutting off the remaining residents from food and services and leaving them vulnerable to airstrikes.

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But in central and southern Gaza, it's the looting that is disrupting the flow of aid and hiking up prices of food and other essential items.

On Monday, United Nations agencies said 98 of 109 trucks carrying food for Palestinians were looted Saturday in what they described as one of the worst aid losses in the 13-month long war.

The recent food convoy raids have prompted Hamas and its allies to form a new armed group to combat the ambushes.

While a lot remains unclear about who is carrying out the raids and what is being done to stop them, here's what we know so far.

How does aid get it into Gaza?

The main way humanitarian aid gets into the Gaza Strip, which borders Israel to the north and east and Egypt to the south, is through five Israeli-controlled border crossings that are open to pre-approved goods or people, according to UN data as of Tuesday.

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Each truck is closely inspected by Israeli officials at checkpoints before it is allowed to enter.

Another method of delivering aid has been through air drops, but that has proven not so viable. Air drops can't deliver the same amount of aid as trucks, and they leave civilians vulnerable.

A United Nations employee checks humanitarian aid on a convoy of lorries entering the Gaza Strip from Egypt via the Rafah border crossing on October 21, 2023. The United Nations says Gaza needs about 100 aid trucks a day to meet the needs of its 2.4 million people, nearly half of whom have been displaced by Israel's bombardment in response to the Hamas attack on October 7. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP) (Photo by EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images)

A United Nations employee checks humanitarian aid on a convoy of trucks entering the Gaza Strip from Egypt via the Rafah border crossing on Oct. 21, 2023. A food convoy of 109 trucks was targeted with violent lootings Saturday after entering Gaza through the via an unfamiliar route from Kerem Shalom border crossing, according to UNRWA. (Eyad Baba/ AFP/Getty Images)

Last week, aid packages were dropped from planes west of Khan Younis, where some Palestinians were waiting for hours for it but reported leaving empty-handed after being shot at by locals sheltering in nearby fields trying to secure the aid for themselves.

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Ahmed Al-Ghoul was one of the people waiting for the drops. He told CBC News he ran for several kilometres in hopes of retrieving one of the boxes, but he and others were shot at by people sheltering in the fields.

"A child was shot in front of me," he said.

WATCH | Aid packages dropped by air a dangerous mission for Palestinians, some say:

Why does looting happen?

In the most recent looting incident, a food convoy organized by UNRWA and the World Food Program (WFP) was instructed by Israel to depart from the Kerem Shalom border crossing at short notice via an unfamiliar route.

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Louise Wateridge, a senior emergency officer with UNRWA, said trucks in that convoy were raided by a group of armed men and some of the drivers were injured.

"This ... highlights the severity of access challenges of bringing aid into southern and central Gaza," she told Reuters Monday.

"The urgency of the crisis cannot be overstated: without immediate intervention, severe food shortages are set to worsen, further endangering the lives of over two million people who depend on humanitarian aid to survive."

Palestinians gather to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen, amid a hunger crisis as the Israel-Gaza conflict continues, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Palestinians gather to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen, amid a hunger crisis as the Israel-Gaza conflict continues, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday. (Hatem Khaled/Reuters)

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Israel put imports of commercial goods on hold last month, and only aid trucks have entered Gaza since then, carrying a fraction of what relief groups say is needed for a territory where most people have lost their homes and have little money.

The Kissufim crossing in central Gaza was reopened last week to facilitate the flow of aid into the southern part of the Gaza Strip, but aid groups say only an average of 42 trucks a day are being allowed into Gaza.

"It's getting harder and harder to get the aid in," said World Health Organization spokesperson Margaret Harris.

Shimon Friedman, a spokesperson for COGAT, disputed that number and said the problem is distribution. There are currently between 700 and 900 aid trucks waiting on the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing, he said.

Who's to blame?

It is unclear exactly how the aid truck ambushes are carried out and whether the people responsible are part of organized groups within Gaza, and Israel and Hamas have put the blame on each other.

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Israel accuses Hamas of hijacking aid. The militant group denies that and accuses Israel of trying to foment anarchy in Gaza by targeting police guarding aid convoys, Reuters said.

Trucks pass through as trucks carrying humanitarian aid make their way to the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, at Erez Crossing in southern Israel, October 21, 2024. REUTERS/Janis Laizans

Trucks pass through as trucks carrying humanitarian aid make their way to the Gaza Strip at the Erez crossing in southern Israel, Oct. 21, 2024. (Janis Laizans/Reuters)

The Washington Post reported earlier this week that an internal UN memo obtained by the newspaper suggests the gangs carrying out the raids are "'benefiting from a passive if not active benevolence' or 'protection'" from the IDF.

Local residents have told the paper that the looters are tied to local crime families who are at odds with Hamas and have branched out from smuggling and other criminal activities to ransacking aid deliveries.

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WATCH | Not enough food, aid reaching Gazans:

In a statement Monday, Gaza's Interior Ministry said the organized groups are active in areas controlled by Israel, accusing the IDF of providing "full support" and alleging that the criminal groups have established "warehouses" near Israeli forces, specifically east of Rafah.

The ministry said the criminal groups also impose royalties on merchants who had been allowed to bring goods in, resulting in a "huge rise" in prices for some necessities. Before the war, a sack of flour sold for $10 US or $15 and a kilogram of milk powder for $11. Now, the flour costs $100 and the milk powder more than $110, traders told Reuters.

CBC News reached out to the IDF and COGAT (Co-ordination of Government Activities in the Territories), which oversees the movement of goods into the Gaza Strip, Tuesday morning but did not get a response.

What are aid groups saying?

A WFP spokesperson confirmed the Saturday incident and said that many routes in Gaza were currently impassable due to security issues posed by the ongoing fighting between Hamas and the IDF.

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Janti Soeripto, CEO of Save the Children U.S., says given the severely damaged or destroyed infrastructure in Gaza, food and aid distribution becomes increasingly difficult to control for organizations.

Soeripto says a big driving force in the recent spate of looting is the sheer lack of food and supplies.

"There is such scarcity and desperation that we should not be surprised that once supplies do come in once every so often, that there is then a higher risk of looting. That is created by the scarcity in and of itself," she told CBC News last week.

A truck carries humanitarian aid destined for the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, at the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Israel, November 11, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

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A truck carries humanitarian aid destined for the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, at the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Israel, Nov. 11, 2024. (Amir Cohen/Reuters)

Soeripto said the the only way to combat that scarcity and allow aid to be distributed safely is to pause the fighting.

"Children are starving, [they] are dying from completely preventable causes, essentially massive casualties  and it is essentially man made," she said.

"If you flood the Gaza Strip with aid in the way that we've said ... for months  clean water, food, shelter, basic items  that risk will come down substantively."

What is Hamas doing about the looting?

Hamas's response to the looting has been to form a force made up of its own fighters and allied groups tasked with preventing gangs from pillaging the aid convoys, residents and sources close to the militant group told Reuters.

Since it was created earlier this month amid rising public anger at aid seizures and price gouging, the new force has ambushed looters and killed a number of them in armed clashes, the sources said.

Trucks carrying aid line up near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah, Egypt, November 16, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer

Trucks carrying aid line up near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip on Saturday. (Stringer/Reuters)

Those charged with protecting the aid are reportedly ready to open fire on any looters who do not surrender immediately, one of the sources, a Hamas government official, told Reuters.

The official, who declined to be named because Hamas would not authorize him to speak about the situation, said the Hamas force has been operating across central and southern Gaza and had carried out at least 15 missions so far, including the killing of some "armed gangsters."

What do Gazans want to happen?

Some people in Gaza say they want Hamas to target looters.

"There is a campaign against thieves, we see that," Shaban, a displaced Gaza City engineer, now living in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, told Reuters.

"If the campaign continues and aid flows, the prices will go down because the stolen aid appears in the markets at high cost."

Diyaa Al-Nasara, who spoke to Reuters as a funeral took place for a Hamas fighter killed in clashes with looters, said most people support the crackdown.

"We are all against the bandits and looters so we can live and eat," Al-Nasara said. "Now, you are obliged to buy from a thief."

WATCH | Gazans tired of long bread lines, high food prices:

Hamas's efforts to take the lead in securing aid supplies point to the difficulties Israel will face in a post-war Gaza, with few obvious alternatives to a group it has been trying to destroy for more than a year and which it says can have no governing role.

"Hamas as a movement exists, whether someone likes it or not," the Hamas official told Reuters. "Hamas as a government exists, too, not as strong as it used to be, but it exists and its personnel are trying to serve the people everywhere in the areas of displacement."

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Tuesday that Hamas would not rule Gaza after the war. During a visit with his defence minister in central Gaza, Netanyahu alleged that Israel had destroyed the Islamist group's military capabilities.

He also offered a $5 million reward to anyone who brought one of the Israeli hostages who remain captive inside Gaza to the IDF.

LISTEN | UN Special Rapporteur on latest in Gaza:
President-elect Donald Trump has thrown out the rulebook for a peaceful transfer of power, instead undetaking a hostile takeover of the federal government, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

Having long promised to gut the federal workforce and even eliminate some departments, Trump has foregone many of the norms associated with peacefully taking office. For example, Trump hast yet to meet with the General Services Administration, which is in charge of transferring the control of federal agencies, The Post reported. His transition team also hasn't met with counterparts at any of the federal agencies in Washington.

Trump has also taken to nominating his Cabinet from Mar-a-Lago, insisting that his controversial picks not be subjected to FBI background checks. He has also excluded the State Department and its officials from his calls with foreign leaders.

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Trump's unusual transition is rooted deep in his distrust of the current government, which he blames for leveling criminal charges against him, sources close to Trumps transition team told The Post.

Mike David, president of the Article III Project, a nonprofit group that has defended Trump against criminal charges, told The Post that the president-elect is right not to trust the politicized and weaponized agencies that hobbled his presidency the first time.

Its a hostile takeover on behalf of the American people," David said.

As promised, Trump has tapped a number of loyalists without relevant experience to their corresponding positions, including Fox News host Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense, TV star Mehmet Oz as the head of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and WWE founder Linda McMahon to lead the Department of Education.
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Then-president Donald Trump in front of SpaceX hardware in 2020. | Credit: Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images

President-elect Donald Trump will watch the sixth SpaceX Starship launch in person today (Nov. 19).

Trump confirmed his attendance at the Starship launch on X, formerly Twitter. "Good luck to Elon Musk and the Great Patriots involved in this incredible project," Trump added in the post (capitalization his) referring to the SpaceX founder and CEO.

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Trump's presence at the launch is another signal of the growing role that Musk will play in the next presidential administration. Today's SpaceX launch, called Integrated Flight Test-6 (IFT-6), is scheduled to lift off during a 30-minute window that opens at 5 p.m. EST (2200 GMT; 4 p.m. local Texas time). You can watch live at Space.com.

Related: What to expect during SpaceX's 6th Starship test flight on Nov. 19

Last week, Trump co-appointed Musk to a new "Department of Government Efficiency" along with entrepreneur and politician Vivek Ramaswamy. (The Washington Post notes this "department" is more of an advisory council, given departments must be created by congressional authorization.)

"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 wrote in a statement (capitalization his).

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Musk has several businesses that could benefit from his involvement in the Trump administration, according to NPR.

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 Starship and Super Heavy explained

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"His electric car company Tesla gets government funding and has received millions to install EV charging stations. His rocket company SpaceX has won billion-dollar government contracts for moon missions. And his satellite internet company, Starlink, has also gotten millions in subsidies from the federal government," NPR wrote earlier this month.

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Previous to Trump's confirmation that he would go to Texas in person, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued "temporary flight restrictions for VIP [very important person] movement" near Starship's launch site in Brownsville, Texas on Monday (Nov. 18), according to Reuters. Simultaneously, a flight restriction at Trump's Palm Beach, Florida property is being temporarily removed.

Musk has been vocal about the FAA's role in regulating past Starship launches. Tagging a post on X about Starship regulation in September, for example, Musk said current FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker "needs to resign." Musk is also the owner of X.

The Starship megarocket includes two fully reusable elements  a huge first stage called Super Heavy and an upper-stage spacecraft named Starship, or simply "Ship." Musk plan to use Starship for heavy-launch missions to the moon and Mars; the spacecraft has successfully completed a few space flight tests since 2022 but has yet to achieve Earth-orbiting speed.

This story was updated at 3 p.m. EST with confirmation of Trump's attendance.
Donald Trump insisted Tuesday that he wouldnt be withdrawing his controversial nomination of former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general.

No, the president-elect told reporters in Texas when asked whether he would reconsider Gaetz in light of the controversies surrounding his candidacy.

The selection took manyincluding some Republican senatorsby surprise last week.

Gaetz was the subject of a Department of Justice investigation into sex trafficking. That probe was dropped with no charges filed against him, but it did result in a sex trafficking conviction of a friend of Gaetzs, Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg.

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Gaetz has since become the target of a House Ethics Committee investigation, which probed accusations that he had sex with a minor and that he paid for sex. Gaetz denies all of the charges.

The panel reportedly heard testimony from a woman who claimed she was at a party where she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl.

Gaetz resigned from Congress within hours of Trump announcing him as his pick for attorney general, effectively ending the probe. The House Ethics Committee doesnt have authority to investigate people who arent members of Congress.

It remains unclear whether the committees probe will be made publicthough a lawyer for the then-minor has called for it to be released.

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A lawyer for the two women who claim Gaetz paid them for sex, Joel Leppard, has recently conducted several media interviews describing what his clients told the panel.

She testified to the House that as she was walking out to the pool area, she turned to her right and she witnessed  her friend having sex with Representative Gaetz. And her friend at that time was 17," he told CNN Monday night.

Leppard said his clients testified that payments for sex from Gaetz lasted from the summer of 2017 through early 2019.

There were events at Airbnbs. There were events at individuals houses. There were events that took place at political events, Leppard told OutFront anchor Erin Burnett. There was a trip to New York. Theres a trip to Bahamas. So events like this did happen from time to time, perhaps over 10 times over the course of July 2017 to early January 2019.

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One alleged instance was in New York in 2019, Leppard told ABC News, when Gaetz paid for two woman to travel there (across state lines) to watch his Fox News appearance, see the Broadway show Pretty Woman: The Musical, and have sex with him.

Gaetz has repeatedly denied the claims.
Lindsey Graham is trying to rally support among his fellow Senate Republicans for Donald Trumps attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz.

The South Carolina senator said in a statement Wednesday that he had a very good meeting with Gaetz and Vice Presidentelect JD Vance, adding that he didnt want Gaetzs nomination process turning into an angry mob, and unverified allegations are being treated as if they are true.

I would urge all of my Senate colleagues, particularly Republicans, not to join the lynch mob, and give the process a chance to move forward, Graham said.

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Graham defended Gaetz a day earlier on CNN, telling Manu Raju that nobody should be disqualified from a media report.

But the allegations against Gaetz are more substantive than any single news story. The House Ethics Committee has been investigating the former Florida congressman for years over sexual misconduct allegations. On Monday, it was revealed that Gaetz allegedly paid two women for sex through Venmo, according to the womens attorney. One of the women also alleged seeing Gaetz having sex with her 17-year-old friend.

In his statement, Graham said his fellow senators should take into account that Gaetz never faced any criminal charges despite years of being investigated by the Department of Justice, and promised that Gaetzs confirmation process will not be a rubber stamp nor will it be driven by a lynch mob.

The allegations against Gaetz apparently havent convinced Graham, one of Trumps staunchest supporters in the Senate (after being one of his strongest critics in 2016). The Florida congressman reportedly appealed to Graham to help gain support in the Senate, but many Republican senators have privately told the president-elect that Gaetz doesnt have much of a chance. Between opposition to Gaetz and multiple strikes against secretary of defense pick Pete Hegseth, Trumps nominees are off to a rocky start.


Donald Trump is nearly done with his slate of initial Cabinet nominees as his incoming White House and broader administration begin to take shape.

And while a few notables are making headlines and could face real opposition to their respective confirmations, more are expected to sail smoothly through the Republican-controlled Senate. One exception was Matt Gaetz, who fell by the wayside after concerns about an investigation into allegations he had sex with a minor derailed his confirmation process.

Most reflect one of two schools of the Republican Party, now both totally subservient to Trump. Some are MAGA diehards, like Pete Hegseth and Kristi Noem. Others are more aligned with the partys center, like Marco Rubio.

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Figures who fall into both camps may find opportunities for common ground with Democrats over the next four years  a valuable prospect if the opposition party is able to win control of one or both chambers of Congress in the future.

A number of Cabinet positions remain outstanding: Trump has yet to name his picks for Agriculture, HUD, Treasury and Labor. But his choices for the most prominent positions are now all named, and some are much more bipartisan  or more antagonistic  than a layperson might expect.

Pete Hegseth - Defense

Hegseth is likely to be one of the biggest targets of liberal and progressive outrage over the next few years, assuming his confirmation to the post survives a sexual assault allegation (which he denies).

The incoming Defense chief is likely to be the chief instigator of a culture war within the US armed services, and will also be the part of the face of any US rollback of support for Ukraine. Neither prospect thrills Democrats, though they can do little to stop them.

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After Gaetz, Hegseth is the most likely to face troubles during confirmation  but on balance, it still seems more likely that he will be confirmed than that he wont.

Tulsi Gabbard - National Intelligence

Gabbards political evolution from a progressive-ish Democratic congresswoman to Republican MAGA hero has landed her a role as director of National Intelligence, pending Senate approval.

She has few friends in the Senate, especially on the Democratic side, but her largely scandal-free (by comparison) background and strong support from Trump are likely to smooth her confirmation process. If confirmed, Gabbard will likely play somewhat of a background role in the administration, and on policy issues shell likely align 100% with her boss. Dont expect a reunion between her and Bernie Sanders, whom she once endorsed for president, any time over the next four years.

Howard Lutnick - Commerce

Having been passed over (despite his own lobbying  and Elon Musks support) for Treasury secretary, Trumps transition team chair is now his nominee to lead the Department of Commerce.

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In this role, Lutnick is likely to find friends in the Democratic House and Senate caucuses. Maines Jared Golden, for instance, who in October proposed a 10% tariff on all imports  mirroring some of Trumps own widely varying suggestions of various tariff rates on the campaign trail.

Even centrist Democrats like Jon Tester were opposed to the trade war sparked by Trump during his first term, however, so dont expect the bipartisan friends list to be too long.

Were likely to see Lutnick confirmed.

Marco Rubio - State

Rubios term at the State Department and his reputation as secretary (assuming hes confirmed  which again is likely) will largely be determined by world events begun before his job begins, including the ongoing war in the Middle East as well as Russias invasion of Ukraine.

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The Florida senator is not likely to embrace any of his bosss rhetoric about NATO beyond supporting other countries to raise contribution levels. If the president makes the call to cut off aid to Ukraine, Rubio will be a part of that decision and will win no allies among the Democrats.

His fervent support for Israel in its assault against the Gaza Strip and Hamas is shared by a majority of the Washington foreign policy establishment, however, which is unlikely to change in the near future.

Nominated Attorney General Matt Gaetz (L) shakes hands with nominated lead of Department of Health and Human Services RFK Jr on Thursday (REUTERS)

RFK Jr - Health and Human Services

Robert F Kennedy Jr, as usual, is an odd one. Dont forget: he was once floated as a Cabinet nominee by none other than Barack Obama after his 2008 election victory.

Obviously, Kennedy has undergone somewhat of a political mutation since then  and his position at HHS would put him in charge of a very different agency than the EPA, which Obama thought about letting him run. Nonetheless, its clear that Kennedy isnt entirely despised by Democrats, for all the partys talk about the very real dangers of the conspiracies he has openly embraced surrounding vaccines.

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He could see some alliances form around a push to regulate hyper-processed foods, one issue he has supported on the campaign trail. His support for ending vaccine requirements in schools and elsewhere is another story.

Trump will have to expend some political capital in trying to get this nomination through, and its unclear if hell succeed.

Chris Wright - Energy

Wright, should he be confirmed to lead the Department of Energy, is an obvious pick for a conservative Republican. Hes the CEO of a company that manages oilfields and natural gas extraction (fracking) facilities. In the role, hell be charged with boosting US fossil fuel production and the less glamorous oversight of the aging US nuclear weapons system.

As secretary, his push to ramp up oil and gas production will make him a target of green groups and progressives, though he likely wont have too many powerful enemies in Congress.

Doug Collins - Veterans Affairs

Collins is a pick about which theres little to predict thus far. A former congressman from Georgia, he has tweeted about cutting regulation and he commented about allowing veterans to see their own doctor[s] in a recent interview, so hes likely to be your fairly bog-standard privatization supporter at the VA.

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How much he leans into cutting federal services rather than simply expanding access is likely to determine how many enemies he makes along the way.

Doug Burgum - Interior

The other Doug nominated to join the second Trump administration, this one serves as governor of North Dakota. Hes likely to endorse expanding use of federal lands for oil and gas mining, as well as cattle grazing, all of which will set up battles with Democrats and left-leaning environmental groups  even potentially Native American tribal organizations.

Linda McMahon - Education

A veteran of Trumps first administration, McMahon landed a nomination for Education secretary after her bid to lead Commerce ended in failure. She previously led the Small Business Administration (SBA) without incident, and is likely to be a less controversial pick for her new Cabinet posting than was Betsy DeVos, Trumps choice last time around.

Support for charter schools could be an area of common ground with some centrist Democrats, but any attempts by her agency to bow to the ultra-conservative Moms for Liberty crowd  a group whose co-founder was in the running to lead the department  would provoke an immediate backlash.

Sean Duffy - Transportation

An ex-Fox Business personality (one of two Fox alumni picked by Trump for his second term), Duffy will likely be confirmed to lead another agency which often enjoys bipartisan relationships. Trump and the GOP arent expected to make any kind of push to roll back the infrastructure bill passed under Joe Bidens presidency, and many of those projects are still getting underway. Duffy will probably work with Democrats as much as Republicans in many congressional districts where plans are already in place.

One point of contention could arise, however. Trump tweeted recently that Duffy will be involved in eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training for air traffic controllers. Any move by the agency to wade into such issues is likely to provoke unhappy responses from the left.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Throughout his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump heaped scorn on the federal Department of Education, describing it as being infiltrated by " radicals, zealots and Marxists.

He has picked Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive, to lead the department. But like many conservative politicians before him, Trump has called for dismantling the department altogether  a cumbersome task that likely would require action from Congress.

The agencys main role is financial. Annually, it distributes billions in federal money to colleges and schools and manages the federal student loan portfolio. Closing the department would mean redistributing each of those duties to another agency. The Education Department also plays an important regulatory role in services for students, ranging from those with disabilities to low-income and homeless kids.

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Indeed, federal education money is central to Trumps plans for colleges and schools. Trump has vowed to cut off federal money for schools and colleges that push critical race theory, transgender insanity, and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content and to reward states and schools that end teacher tenure and enact universal school choice programs.

Federal funding makes up a relatively small portion of public school budgets  roughly 14%. Colleges and universities are more reliant on it, through research grants along with federal financial aid that helps students pay their tuition.

Here is a look at some of the departments key functions, and how Trump has said he might approach them.

Student loans and financial aid

The Education Department manages approximately $1.5 trillion in student loan debt for over 40 million borrowers. It also oversees the Pell Grant, which provides aid to students below a certain income threshold, and administers the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which universities use to allocate financial aid.

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The Biden administration has made cancellation of student loans a signature effort of the departments work. Since Bidens initial attempt to cancel student loans was overturned by the Supreme Court, the administration has forgiven over $175 billion for more than 4.8 million borrowers through a range of changes to programs it administers, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

The loan forgiveness efforts have faced Republican pushback, including litigation from several GOP-led states.

Trump has criticized Bidens efforts to cancel debt as illegal and unfair, calling it a total catastrophe that taunted young people. Trumps plan for student debt is uncertain: He has not put out detailed plans.

Civil rights enforcement

Through its Office for Civil Rights, the Education Department conducts investigations and issues guidance on how civil rights laws should be applied, such as for LGBTQ+ students and students of color. The office also oversees a large data collection project that tracks disparities in resources, course access and discipline for students of different racial and socioeconomic groups.

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Trump has suggested a different interpretation of the offices civil rights role. In his campaign platform, he said he would pursue civil rights cases to stop schools from discriminating on the basis of race. He has described diversity and equity policies in education as explicit unlawful discrimination and said colleges that use them will pay fines and have their endowments taxed.

Trump also has pledged to exclude transgender students from Title IX protections, which affect school policies on students use of pronouns, bathrooms and locker rooms. Originally passed in 1972, Title IX was first used as a womens rights law. This year, Bidens administration said the law forbids discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, but Trump can undo that.

College accreditation

While the Education Department does not directly accredit colleges and universities, it oversees the system by reviewing all federally recognized accrediting agencies. Institutions of higher education must be accredited to gain access to federal money for student financial aid.

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Accreditation came under scrutiny from conservatives in 2022, when the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools questioned political interference at Florida public colleges and universities. Trump has said he would fire radical left accreditors and take applications for new accreditors that would uphold standards including defending the American tradition and removing Marxist diversity administrators.

Although the education secretary has the authority to terminate its relationship with individual accrediting agencies, it is an arduous process that has rarely been pursued. Under President Barack Obama, the department took steps to cancel accreditors for a now-defunct for-profit college chain, but the Trump administration blocked the move. The group, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, was terminated by the Biden administration in 2022.

Money for schools

Much of the Education Departments money for K-12 schools goes through large federal programs, such as Title I for low-income schools and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Those programs support services for students with disabilities, lower class sizes with additional teaching positions, and pay for social workers and other non-teaching roles in schools.

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During his campaign, Trump called for shifting those functions to the states. He has not offered details on how the agencys core functions of sending federal money to local districts and schools would be handled.

The Heritage Foundations Project 2025, a sweeping proposal outlining a far-right vision for the country that overlaps in areas with Trumps campaign, offers a blueprint. It suggests sending oversight of programs for kids with disabilities and low-income children first to the Department of Health and Human Services, before eventually phasing out the funding and converting it to no-strings-attached grants to states.

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President-elect Trumps attorneys signaled an effort to try to run out the clock on his New York hush money case, asking Judge Juan Merchan for a month to mount a formal effort to dismiss his criminal conviction in the wake of his Election Day win.

Attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Bove  whom Trump has named to the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, respectively, in his Justice Department  requested permission to wait until Dec. 20 to file their motion, which would come just a month before Trumps inauguration. Their letter was made public Wednesday.

Prosecutors want a much faster timeline.

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Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) said in a Tuesday letter his office is open to freezing the proceedings during Trumps presidency but urged the judge to set a speedier schedule to resolve the matter, proposing Trump file his brief promptly and that prosecutors respond by Dec. 9.

The maneuverings suggest the Trump teams intention is to delay the proceedings to make it as unlikely as possible that Merchan would sentence Trump before his inauguration. Once Trump is in office, the case is almost certain to be frozen or tossed out, and thered be no chance of such a sentencing.

Prosecutors oppose fully dismissing the case.

Trumps lawyers said the president-elects victory delivered a mandate that supersedes the political motivations of New York prosecutors.

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This case must be immediately dismissed, Blanche and Bove wrote to the judge.

Bragg argued the judge must weigh the constitutional weight of the office of the president against that of the jury, which convicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment made to a porn actor ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Trumps sentencing is currently scheduled for Tuesday but is widely expected to be delayed as the judge sorts out the impact of the election. Both sides have indicated they are OK with a pause.

Merchan now must decide whether to adjourn it and how fast he will rule on Trumps new dismissal argument.

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The judge also has yet to decide whether to toss out Trumps conviction entirely following the Supreme Courts presidential immunity decision, which gave former presidents broad protections. Trumps attorneys have said that issue should take a backseat until their new postelection motion is resolved, including any appeals.

Trumps other criminal cases have already reached dead ends in the wake of his reelection.

A federal judge suspended all deadlines in Trumps federal election subversion case at special counsel Jack Smiths request, and another court agreed to pause Smiths appeal seeking to revive his classified documents prosecution in Florida.

Smith is due to provide an update on suggested next steps by Dec. 2, and Trumps attorneys said the request to wait to file their hush money motion until later in the month would enable them to first review Smiths suggestion.

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In Georgia, where Trump is accused of attempting to subvert the states election results, the Dec. 5 oral arguments in Trumps appeal to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) were canceled without explanation. It remains unclear if the cancellation was the result of the election.

Updated at 11:32 a.m. EST

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Swing and a Miss

On Tuesday afternoon, president-elect Donald Trump attended his new buddy SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's rocket launch, like a hands-off dad showing up at his son's softball game.

But Musk didn't exactly hit it out of the park this time around. Unfortunately for the tycoon, minutes after the gigantic rocket took off from SpaceX's testing facilities in South Texas, the space company called for a "booster offshore divert" that derailed the show.

The original plan was to catch Starship's gigantic Super Heavy booster with SpaceX's massive, chopstick arms-wielding tower  like at Starship's fifth test flight last month.

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But this time around SpaceX called off the maneuver, sending the 233-foot stainless steel structure into the Gulf of Mexico, where it erupted in a gigantic fireball  the perfect prelude for Trump's triumphant return to the White House.

Not a Home Run

It's an unfortunate turn of events for Trump, who came all this way to watch his new protege hit a home run.

"Im heading to the Great State of Texas to watch the launch of the largest object ever to be elevated, not only to Space, but simply by lifting off the ground," Trump gushed in a typo-riddled missive on Truth Social. "Good luck to Elon Musk and the Great Patriots involved in this incredible project!"

Other than the missed opportunity for a second catch of its booster, SpaceX did pull off an impressive Starship launch, sending the spacecraft well past the edge of space and even reigniting one of its Raptor engines once there, a critical milestone.

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Even Starship's return went relatively smoothly, with a controlled bellyflop maneuver resulting in an almost perfectly executed dip in the Indian Ocean. That's despite SpaceX removing a whopping 2,100 heat shield tiles and greatly increasing the angle of Starship's descent.

Take Me Out

Now that Trump and Musk are fully in their honeymoon phase, we should expect plenty more moments involving SpaceX's massive rocket. With the president on his side, Musk could soon be dismantling pesky environmental regulations that were designed to protect the surrounding wildlife that his rockets have quite literally lit on fire.

In short, Musk's Mars rocket playground could soon become the epicenter of the United States' space program, a refocusing of federal funds that could leave NASA's operations in ruins.

The mercurial CEO has made some characteristically overly ambitious predictions when it comes to his Mars rocket, promising Trump that Starship would visit the Red Planet as soon as two years from now.

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But given the current state of the company's development  despite some considerable advancements over the last six test flights alone  that's looking less and less likely.

After all, massively missing the mark on his timelines is kind of Musk's thing.

More on Starship: Starship Shoots Into Space With Single Banana in Cargo Hold
I used to serve with guys like Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trumps pick to lead the U.S. Department of Defense, so his public comment, made on a podcast this month  "I'm straight up saying we should not have women in combat roles"  did not shock me.

This isnt a unique statement, but an unfounded belief by a minority of men who feel threatened by strong women in uniform.

Regardless, with Hegseths looming appointment, I felt inclined to remind the Army National Guard veteran and Fox News commentator that with women now a significant portion of our armed forces, it would be not only outdated but strategically misguided to exclude us from combat.

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As a woman who served in Iraq with an infantry unit, I bring firsthand knowledge of what it takes to work and thrive in one of the most demanding environments our military has to offer. The concept that women cant, or shouldnt, be in combat ignores the strength, resilience and skill that women have repeatedly demonstrated on the battlefield. I have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with men and women who trained just as hard as I did, who faced the same dangers and who handled themselves with professionalism and courage. I didnt need special treatment or lowered standards  I needed and sought the same opportunities to serve my country as any other soldier.

History has shown that when we exclude others simply based on gender or race, we miss out on brilliant leaders and skilled soldiers who are committed to the mission. In todays complex global landscape, the military cannot afford to lose out on any talent.

And perhaps  if we were to truly reexamine the underachievement in our military ranks and engagements over the past few decades  the only consistent liability would, in fact, be men.

So, we might ask, why does the military persist in privileging men in combat roles despite the mounting evidence of inefficacy?

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More from Freep Opinion: What it will take to survive a 2nd Trump presidency

Re-thinking military success

For centuries, men have been at the forefront of combat, lionized as quintessential warriors defending nations and ideals. Yet as we assess the outcomes of recent military conflicts, its impossible to ignore an uncomfortable reality: Modern wars are frequently stalemated, mismanaged or outright lost.

This pattern of underachievement in global military engagements suggests that traditional ideas of combat leadership and participation  dominated by men  deserves a hard reevaluation.

The wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan serve as stark reminders of prolonged engagements with ambiguous or disappointing and often devastating outcomes. Despite the unparalleled technological and financial resources of modern militaries, the strategies often employed by male-dominated command structures have resulted in immense human and economic costs, without clear victories. The historical reliance on male aggression and hierarchical decision-making seems to be ill-suited to the complexities of todays asymmetric warfare, in which diplomacy, cultural understanding and adaptability often prove more critical than brute force.

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Beyond simply proving we belong, women have brought skills to combat situations that are increasingly essential in modern warfare.

Kathleen Taylor Logan with Iraqi civilians during surge operations around 2008.

More from Freep Opinion: Trump says he has 'no choice' on mass deportation. It will change Michigan.

What female soldiers bring to combat

Research and practical experience have shown that women are often strong negotiators, and possess exceptional skills in de-escalating tense situations.

In combat zones, where civilians and soldiers are often entangled in complex social dynamics, the ability to establish trust and manage negotiations can be a lifeline. Womens presence in these roles isnt just symbolic. Its strategic. We can bring calm to crisis and empathy to engagements, qualities that can prevent unnecessary bloodshed, and win hearts and minds  essential goals in any military operation.

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Women have repeatedly proven our capabilities in warfare, excelling in leadership, strategic thinking and resilience under pressure. Far from being overly cautious or passive, women have demonstrated the ability to channel aggression effectively when the situation demands it, as seen in our success as snipers, intelligence operatives and combat pilots. Female soldiers have been instrumental in some of the most critical operations, showcasing the grit and ferocity required for the battlefield while maintaining the adaptability and precision often lacking in male-dominated forces.

The blend of strategic aggression and calculated restraint that women often bring to warfare is not only effective, but essential.

This approach contrasts with the reckless overreach sometimes seen in male-led operations, offering a more balanced and effective and ethical response to the human complexities of modern combat.

Bad behavior

Which leads to another harsh but necessary truth to examine: the impact of some male behavior in war zones. Men often pose a direct threat to the safety and well-being of women and children, including those they are meant to protect, and even their own comrades.

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The problem doesnt stop at interpersonal violence.

Male-dominated units have been implicated in atrocities against civilians, undermining moral authority and strategic objectives in war zones.

Women and children caught in the crossfire often bear the brunt of these violations. Such behavior not only inflicts irreparable harm, but also fuels resentment and resistance among local populations, further destabilizing already volatile regions. These failures arent isolated incidents, but systemic issues rooted in unchecked aggression which flourish in hyper-masculine military environments.

Our military ranks have also been repeatedly plagued by cases of sexual misconduct, ranging from harassment to assault. This unchecked behavior weakens our forces by eroding trust within the chain of command and showcasing a disturbing lack of accountability at the highest levels. When those entrusted with leadership fail to uphold ethical standards, it undermines morale, cohesion and the institutions ability to effectively carry out its mission.

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Consider this: If the same fail rate exhibited by male soldiers  whether in combat performance, strategic leadership, or ethical accountability  were applied to women, we would have been pulled from the frontlines long ago. Women in the military are often held to impossibly high standards, with any mistake or shortcoming scrutinized as evidence of our unsuitability for combat.

Combat roles and military leadership should not be treated as the default domains of men. Entrenched gender biases, coupled with a reluctance to challenge traditional norms, prevent military institutions from embracing the diversity and innovation required to adapt to modern challenges.

Over time, women and gender-diverse individuals have demonstrated exceptional capabilities in leadership, strategy and teamwork. Research suggests that organizations with diverse leadership outperform those with homogeneity, a principle that could also apply to the military.

By shifting away from male-centric combat roles, we open the door to innovative thinking and new strategies that prioritize holistic and sustainable solutions over outdated notions of conquest and dominance.

We earned it

On the same podcast, Hegseth stated, "The dumbest phrase on planet Earth in the military is 'our diversity is our strength.

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I would argue that what makes our military strong is not rigid adherence to old prejudices, but the ability to adapt and grow. Our military is absolutely stronger when it reflects the diversity of the nation it defends. Women have long proven we belong in combat, whether in infantry units, on submarines or in the skies above conflict zones.

To be very clear, I'm not undermining the bravery or sacrifices of the countless men who have served in combat roles. Their contributions are undeniable, and deeply respected. However, we must ask ourselves whether clinging to traditional gender norms in warfare is the most effective way to achieve peace and security in the 21st century.

To all the women currently serving in combat roles: Stay strong, push forward and know that weve earned every right to be here.

Kathleen Taylor Logan was raised in Oxford, Michigan and is a U.S. Army veteran. 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: Trump defense nominee Hegseth is wrong on women in combat | Opinion
Donald Trumps transition team has begun quietly assembling a list of alternatives to Pete Hegseth, Vanity Fair reported Wednesday.

The Fox & Friends host has been the subject of immense scrutiny since he was nominated last week to head the Department of Defense, after allegations surfaced that Hegseth had sexually assaulted a woman at a Republican event in Monterey, California, in 2017.

Hegseths lawyer said the claims had already been investigated and nothing had come of it, but soon after, it was reported that Hegseth had agreed to a settlement with the accuser in return for her signing a nondisclosure agreement.

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Two Republicans close to Trump told Vanity Fair that they were preparing a contingency plan in case Hegseths nomination fell apart.

Its becoming a real possibility, one of the sources told the magazine.

People are upset about the distraction, the second source said. The general feeling is Pete hasnt been honest.

A MAGA insider insisted that although Hegseth had been vetted, the allegation hadnt come up. Susie Wiles, Trumps chief of staff, was briefed on the allegations the day after Hegseths nomination was announced. The claims were so serious that Wiles and a lawyer for Trumps team approached Hegseth about them the following day.

Hegseths nomination has also garnered backlash over his misogynist and anti-Muslim statements, as well as his reported ties to extremist Christian nationalist figures and tattoos featuring slogans used by white nationalist groups.
President-elect Donald Trump has urged Republican senators to grind the business of the upper chamber to a halt to stop Democrats from confirming any more judges before the end of President Joe Bidens term.

Senate Democrats held votes late into the night on Monday to confirm Bidens picks to the federal bench.

The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door. Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line  No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day! Trump said Tuesday in a post on Truth Social.

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged colleagues on the floor of the Senate Monday to confirm as many nominees as possible before the new year. This could prompt Democratic leadership to hold weekend and Christmas recess votes.

Republicans tried to slow down proceedings by pushing Democrats to conduct votes on procedural motions.

The White House slammed Senate Republicans and its incoming leader, Senator John Thune of South Dakota, noting that one of Thunes priorities before the end of Trumps first term was to confirm judicial nominees.

Regardless of party, the American people expect their leaders to fight for the rule of law and to ensure the criminal justice system can function effectively in every state, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said, according to The Hill. Delaying the confirmation of highly qualified, experienced judges takes a real-life toll on constituents and leads to backlogs of criminal cases  meaning Senator Thune was correct in 2020 when he said senators have every urgent reason to continue working together in good faith to staff the federal bench.

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He added: There is no excuse for choosing partisanship over enforcing the rule of law.

Donald Trump attends a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket on November 19, 2024, in Brownsville, Texas. The president-elect urges Senate Republicans to attempt to stop the Democrats from confirming President Joe Bidens judicial nominees (Getty Images)

In an op-ed in Time magazine just after the election, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote that Schumer must use every minute of the end-of-year legislative session to confirm federal judges and key regulatorsnone of whom can be removed by the next President.

The Senate confirmed 234 of Trumps nominees to Article III courts during his first term. The Article III courts include the Supreme Court, federal appeals courts, district courts, and the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Biden is catching up to Trump, with the Senate confirming 217 of his nominees so far. There are currently 45 vacancies and 15 nominees awaiting action, according to the Judicial Conference.

If Sen. Schumer thought Senate Republicans would just roll over and allow him to quickly confirm multiple Biden-appointed judges to lifetime jobs in the final weeks of the Democrat majority, he thought wrong, Thune told Fox News Digital.
WASHINGTON (Reuters)  U.S. President-elect Donald Trump named Linda McMahon as education secretary. The appointment puts the former pro-wrestling mogul at the helm of a department Trump has proposed abolishing.

McMahon, who had been in the running for commerce secretary, headed up the Small Business Administration in Trumps first administration and was a major donor and early supporter of the Republican president-elect when he first ran for the White House almost a decade ago.

Donald Trumps new administration: Who has he chosen so far?

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The co-founder and former CEO of the WWE professional wrestling franchise, she resigned from the SBA in 2019 to lead the pro-Trump spending group America First Action. She also chairs the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-friendly think tank.

Trump tapped her to co-lead a transition team formed to help vet personnel and draft policy ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

McMahon had been in the mix to head the Commerce Department, but Trump on Tuesday instead chose her transition team co-leader  Cantor Fitzgerald Chief Executive Howard Lutnick  for that post. Now she will lead an agency Trump said on the campaign trail that he would abolish, although he likely lacks authority to do it without congressional approval.

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(Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name Russ Vought to serve as the director of the Office of Management and Budget, according to CBS News, bringing back a trusted former aide to his second administration.

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Vought also served as Trumps budget director during his first term.

While not the most high-profile of administration roles, the OMB director is particularly significant for coordinating and executing the presidents budget plans. Incoming presidential administrations typically begin their budget planning well before the new president is inaugurated.

With Trump set to enjoy Republican majorities in the House and Senate, hell meet limited substantive pushback on top policy priorities, which are likely to include deporting undocumented migrants, restructuring the government and overhauling the Affordable Care Act. OMB will maintain a critical role on foreign aid, disaster funding and other unscheduled or emergency spending requests.

The office is also responsible for assisting with presidential transitions by providing resources to help ensure incoming parties have what they need to build the foundation for their teams and to ensure a seamless transfer of power.

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Vought was one of the lead authors of the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 manifesto, a blueprint for a conservative takeover of the federal government that Trump sought to distance himself from during the presidential campaign.

In the document, Vought argued for a muscular presidency and called OMB the presidents air-traffic control system  and its director the best, most comprehensive approximation of the presidents mind as it pertains to the policy agenda.

Vought is the founder and president of the Center for Renewing America, which describes itself as the tip of the America First spear in Washington. It played a behind-the-scenes role in engineering former House Speaker Kevin McCarthys ouster last year.

In addition to Vought, Mick Mulvaney also served as Trumps OMB chief during the first term along with Mark Sandy, a career official, who was acting chief for less than a month.

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(Updates with additional details throughout)

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BROWNSVILLE  Rosa Castaneda wanted a glimpse of President-elect Donald Trump.

The 58-year-old Brownsville resident had voted for him three times.

"I was like 'I'm going to go because I voted for Trump, I'm going to go to see what I can see,'" Castaneda said in Spanish.

She was one of about two dozen Trump supporters who waited across the street from the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport  some sporting their best Trump gear and waving flags with his name on them.

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Several drivers moved into the middle lane to stop and take out their phones as Trump's plane taxied to a stop on the runway, bringing him to the Lone Star State for the first time since his historic win which included a sweep of the four South Texas counties that make up the Rio Grande Valley.

A naturalized citizen from the Mexican city of Matamoros, Castaneda supported Trump because of what she viewed as his family values and his stance on immigration. She thinks immigrants who rely on government support should be deported but also doesn't think Trump will be as extreme in his crackdown of immigrants as critics on the Democratic side have said.

"He really has a good heart," Castaneda said.

Trump made historic gains in all four Valley counties  Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr and Willacy counties  marking a historic shift for the majority-Hispanic region that was considered a reliable Democratic stronghold.

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Starr County, in particular, hadn't backed a Republican presidential candidate since 1896.

It did not go unnoticed by Trump who specifically referenced the Rio Grande Valley in a post celebrating his victory on his social media site, Truth Social.

"IN THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS, WON 31 OF 32 STATEWIDE JUDICIAL BENCHES, AND EVERY COUNTY IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY," Trump wrote.

Trump was down in the Valley to witness SpaceX's sixth test flight of its Starship vehicle. His visit to the launch site at Boca Chica Beach comes amid reports that the company's founder, Elon Musk, has been a constant presence in Trump's orbit since the election. Trump also tapped Musk, alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, to co-lead a government-efficiency commission.

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The test flight was not quite the commotion that some viewers expected it to be, especially after the fifth test flight last month sent reverberations that were reportedly felt by residents nearly 70 miles away in Hidalgo County.

During that fifth test launch, the company's Super Heavy booster was successfully caught by the "chopstick" arms of the launch and catch tower at Starbase.

Noise levels from that launch were higher than expected, with data reported by The New York Times suggesting that the peak noise occurred as the first-stage booster returned to the site for self-landing.

That was not the case this time. The company aborted their attempt to catch the booster during Tuesday's test, though they managed a successful landing of the vehicle in the Indian Ocean.

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Armando Sanchez, a 77-year-old Brownsville resident, stood on the muddy banks of the Brownsville Ship Channel, hoping to catch some fish that afternoon.

He fished often in the area but he came to this particular spot that day in hopes of getting a view of the Starship launch.

There was no bang, Sanchez said in Spanish as he watched the space vehicle off the ground. The lack of a calamitous explosion surprised him after last months launch had shaken his mobile home.

The noise data suggested the launches could affect local structures, communities and the environment. Sanchez was slightly concerned about those effects but believed the benefits of jobs created by SpaceX was worth the risk.

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"They know what they're doing," Sanchez said.

But his favorable opinion of Musks company did not extend to Trump.

A naturalized citizen who gained amnesty under the Reagan administration, Sanchez didnt view Trump's immigration policies as logistically sound.

"If you throw those people out, who's going to work?" Sanchez said. "You don't see a white man laboring out in the sun. On the other hand, Mexicans, foreigners, people from other countries  that's why they come here, to work."

Trumps visit and the launch itself drew the ire of a coalition of Rio Grande Valley organizations which condemned the SpaceX launch in a statement Tuesday.

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SpaceX does not help humanity; it's a sci-fi fantasy for the rich and powerful," Josette Hinojosa, with South Texas Environmental Justice Network, partly said in a statement. "Elon Musk inviting Trump to watch our low-income community used as a testing site for rocket explosions is a blatant example of white supremacy."

But when 19-year-old Ernesto Guerra of San Benito watched Starship launch into the sky, he saw an opportunity.

"There's so much ahead in the future with Elon and what he can probably do," Guerra said.

He and his siblings brought out beach chairs they planted on the muddy sand to watch the launch. A longtime fan of SpaceX, Guerra is studying to be a welder and hopes to work at the company someday.

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Still, this was the first time he had come out to view the launch in person instead of viewing it online.

"I heard the big man Trump was coming," he said. "It made it all the more interesting."

Guerra voted for Trump because he liked the actions he took during his first term and hopes he'll follow through on his campaign promises. The attention that the Valley was now getting signaled to him that people were realizing the area's potential.

"The Valley's getting known for its opportunities,' Guerra said.

Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Disclosure: The New York Times has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
(NewsNation)  President-elect Donald Trumps second term will undoubtedly reshape the United States, with federal agencies like the Department of Education on the chopping block.

Some of the biggest changes could come for the millions of Americans with student loan debt.

Student loan cancellation was not a focus of Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns, despite the topic being a mainstay of President Bidens 2020 run and presidency.

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The issue came up just once in the September presidential debate when Trump hammered Harris and Biden for failing to deliver their promise of widespread forgiveness. Trump called it a total catastrophe that taunted young people.

What does the Department of Education do?

But will Trump continue student debt relief efforts? The president-elect has never given a clear answer on his student loan forgiveness stance, but he and his allies have frequently criticized Bidens efforts and celebrated his court losses.

Following the 2023 Supreme Court decision striking down Bidens universal relief proposal, Trump said a debt eradication would have been very unfair to the millions and millions of people who have paid their debt through hard work and diligence.

Donald Trumps proposed student debt policies

Student loan forgiveness was not a focus of the Trump campaign, and the president-elect doesnt have any hard and fast policies outlined regarding debt relief.

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However, his current education stances  including a push to eliminate the DOE  could impact how student loans are doled out and payments are collected.

The DOE administers two major programs that help low-income students enter higher education: Pell Grants and the federal student loan program.

In abolishing the DOE, Trump said he hopes to remove the radicals who have infiltrated the federal Department of Education, and get Congress to reaffirm the presidents ability to remove recalcitrant employees from the job.

What does Project 2025 say about student loans?

While Trump distanced himself from The Heritage Projects nearly 1,000-page conservative policy handbook in the months leading up to the 2024 election, the organization has expressed avid support for the GOP candidate and his positions.

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Like Trump, Project 2025 calls for a DOE dismantling. The handbook also proposes ending public service loan forgiveness (PSLF) and borrower defense programs, essentially placing college loan capabilities in the hands of private lenders.

Persis Yu, deputy executive director and managing counsel at Student Borrower Protection Center, told CNBC many are concerned about what kind of corporate interests are going to be protected over the interests of borrowers and students.

Did Donald Trump address student loans in first administration?

During his first term, Trump attempted to slash funding for multiple education programs, including PSLF. Though the proposals didnt pass then, the Republican Party now has full control over Congress.

Yu explained to CNBC that Trumps first administration still found ways to block debt relief. Roughly 99% of borrowers who applied for PSLF in 2019 were rejected, leading a massive teacher union to sue then-Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos for mishandling the program and its funds.

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What has Project 2025 said since Trumps win?

Some are holding out hope for relief under Trump.

President Trump, before he even ran for president in 2015, he was asking things like, Why is the federal government viewing student loans as a profit center? It makes no sense. And he was right then. And I think that if he sticks with his gut, it will serve him well going forward, Alan Collinge, founder of Student Loan Justice, told The Hill.

Collinge also praised Trumps willingness to use executive orders on student loans, such as when he forgave loans for 25,000 disabled veterans. Trump also used his executive authority to pause student loans during the pandemic.

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Trump is a bold guy, and were counting on him being bold and honest and courageous, he added.

What can Biden do about student debt?

As Trump prepares to return to the White House, proponents of student loan forgiveness are hoping for President Joe Biden to make good on his plans to eradicate billions in debt.

Most of Bidens current actions on student loans are tied up in the court system or set to take effect in 2025. During his term, the sitting president forgave $175 billion for 5 million Americans across all 50 states.

Now its time for him, for his legacys sake, if nothing else, to make good on these long-standing promises, Collinge said.

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I think one of the easiest things Biden could do is finalize the one-time account adjustment. Theres still many borrowers that could receive a cancelation through the one-time account adjustment, and they have yet to do the last run, and thats something thats been ongoing for the last almost two years, Student Debt Crisis Center President Natalia Abrams added.

NewsNations Ashley Soriano, The Associated Press and The Hill contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
President-elect Donald Trump has wanted to end birthright citizenship for almost a decade. He first called for its elimination in 2015, telling reporters on the campaign trail that he wanted to test it out in the courts. His desire went unfulfilled during his first term in office, but it looks like he may finally get a chance in his second one.

The New York Times reported on Monday that, as part of its imminent mass deportation plan, Trumps policy team plans to stop issuing citizenship-affirming documents, like passports and Social Security cards, to infants born on domestic soil to undocumented migrant parents in a bid to end birthright citizenship.

It is worth clarifying what exactly this means. The Trump administration would not be ending birthright citizenship by taking those steps. It would instead make it far more difficult for the children of undocumented parents to later prove that they are U.S. citizens if that citizenship is challenged in court. The Constitution, not the Department of Homeland Security, is what automatically makes people born on U.S. soil into American citizens.

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The legal and constitutional reality is that Trump cannot actually end birthright citizenship on his own. But he seems keen on forcing a case that would potentially give the courts an opportunity to do it for him, perhaps through manipulating the documentary process. Succeeding would require the Supreme Court to rewrite the Fourteenth Amendment and overturn almost two centuries of precedentssomething its already shown a willingness to do.

Any discussion of birthright citizenship begins with the most infamous case in Supreme Court history. Dred Scott, an enslaved Black man, sued for his freedom in federal court in 1853. He argued that because he had been taken to the Wisconsin Territory, where slavery was not legal, he had thus become a free man upon his arrival there. The dispute reached the Supreme Court four years later in 1857.

Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, writing for a 72 majority, used the opportunity to try to settle the national debate over slavery in slaverys favor. To that end, he struck down the Missouri Compromise and opened the western territories to slaveholding, declaring that the federal government had no power to forbid it there on due process grounds. Taney quashed Scotts case by additionally proclaiming that no person of African descent could ever be a U.S. citizen, leaving Scott without standing to bring the case.

Taneys ruling precipitated the Civil War and, ultimately, the abolition of slavery itself. The Reconstruction-era Congress had extended citizenship to Black Americans by legislation by 1866, but faced with growing intransigence in the South, sought to secure it even further. The Fourteenth Amendments citizenship clause declared 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.

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It is worth emphasizing just how categorical this language is. The sole exception mentioned in the clausesubject to the jurisdiction thereofis a reference to two groups of people: children born to foreign diplomats stationed in the United States and Native Americans whose tribal nations were considered to be separate sovereigns outside U.S. jurisdiction. Congress eliminated the latter category in 1924 by passing the Indian Citizenship Act, which effectively cemented the closing of the American frontier.

The Supreme Court confirmed the modern scope of birthright citizenship in 1898. Wong Kim Ark, a Chinese American man, had been born in San Francisco in 1873 to Chinese-born parents. Wongs parents were not U.S. citizens themselves as federal naturalization law at that time did not allow Chinese immigrants to attain U.S. citizenship. He traveled to and from China a few times in the 1890s before he was eventually detained and denied entry under the Chinese Exclusion Act.

In a 62 decision, the high court ruled that Wong was indeed a U.S. citizen and could not be denied reentry. It held that he was neither the child of Chinese diplomats nor, obviously, a member of a Native American tribe. Accordingly, Wong had acquired U.S. citizenship at the moment of his birth on American soil, and the Chinese Exclusion Act did not apply to him. That ruling remains the defining one for citizenship clause cases to this day.

The ultimate question in most debates about Trumps power is a familiar one: Would the Supreme Court approve of it? On demolishing birthright citizenship, the best and most likely answer is no. None of the Supreme Court justices have suggested that they would like to revisit Wong Kim Arks constitutionalitynot even Justice Clarence Thomas, who otherwise has a laundry list of precedents he would like to overturn.

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The justices have also resisted efforts to trivialize the value of citizenship in recent cases. In the 2017 case Maslenjak v. United States, for example, the court unanimously blocked the federal government from denaturalizing a woman who had fled Yugoslavia in the 1990s but lied to immigration officers about her husbands whereabouts during the wars there. The justices held that her immaterial false statements while obtaining refugee status were not sufficient to reverse her completed naturalization process, especially since she was otherwise eligible for it.

At oral arguments in that case, Chief Justice John Roberts mocked a Justice Department lawyer who suggested that naturalized U.S. citizens could be denaturalized for not telling immigration officials when they had driven over the speed limit, even if they werent arrested. Oh, come on, he scoffed. The Maslenjak case dealt with denaturalization, not birthright citizenship, so it would not be a direct precedent in a Trump-related challenge. But it is reflective of how the court has traditionally viewed attempts to undermine U.S. citizenships integrity with deep skepticism.

The caveats here are Trump v. Anderson and Trump v. United States, the two landmark cases on disqualification and immunity that the high court ruled on earlier this year. The president-elect has already seen the Supreme Courts current members go out of their way to twist law and precedent for his personal benefit. In Anderson, the disqualification ruling, the justices even unanimously gutted an entire section in the Fourteenth Amendment to shield Trump from legal consequences. If Trump wants to now force a fight on a different provision of that amendment, one can hardly blame him for thinking he might actually have a chance to prevail.

The mood in the lower courts may also be changing. Judge James Ho, whom Trump named to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in his first term, became famous in the late 2000s for a law review article in which he made an originalist case for birthright citizenship. Nothing in text or history suggests that the drafters intended to draw distinctions between different categories of aliens, he wrote, using the legal term for noncitizens. To the contrary, text and history confirm that the Citizenship Clause reaches all persons who are subject to U.S. jurisdiction and laws, regardless of race or alienage.

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Now he appears to have qualified that unequivocal answer. In a recent interview with conservative law professor Josh Blackman, Ho suggested that there might be an atextual exception for the children of undocumented migrants and compared their parents to suspected terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay.

Birthright citizenship is supported by various Supreme Court opinions, both unanimous and separate opinions involving Justices Scalia, Thomas, Alito, and others. But 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. And I cant imagine what the legal argument for that would be. Its like the debate over unlawful combatants after 9/11. Everyone agrees that birthright citizenship doesnt apply to the children of lawful combatants. And its hard to see anyone arguing that unlawful combatants should be treated more favorably than lawful combatants.

This does not really hold true if one thinks about it for more than a few minutes. The presence of undocumented immigrants in the United States does not amount to an invasion in any legal sense. Additionally, the Supreme Court decided the Wong Kim Ark case while the Chinese Exclusion Act was still in force. Newspapers at the time referred to large-scale Chinese immigration to the West Coast as an invasion, reflecting a deep, broad strain of anti-Chinese rhetoric. Originalist legal scholars have also criticized Ho for adding an exception to the citizenship clause that does not exist in its text.

One would like to think that the Supreme Court is above such flimsy motivated reasoning. The justices, more than anyone, should be all too aware of the harm that comes when the high court undermines the integrity of U.S. citizenship. Trump thinks he can persuade them to reject the plain text of the Constitution, the original public meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment, and multiple generations of settled precedent. The lives and destinies of millions of people will hang in the balance.
President-elect Trump weighed in on the sentencing of the Venezuelan man charged for killing Georgia student Laken Riley earlier this year, hailing the verdict as justice.

JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! Trump posted Wednesday to his Truth Social site. The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes.

A Georgia judge found Jose Ibarra, 26, guilty on all charges after four days of trial, The Associated Press reported.

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Ibarra faced 10 charges, including one count of malice murder and three counts of felony murder. He also faced one count each of kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, hindering an emergency telephone call, tampering with evidence and being a Peeping Tom.

The defendant, a migrant from Venezuela, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Riley, a 22-year-old college student, was killed while jogging in a park on the University of Georgia campus in February. Her death became a flashpoint in politics over the election cycle, with Republicans pointing her death to the countrys immigration crisis and the Biden administrations immigration efforts.

Riley died of blunt force trauma, and there was no connection between her and Ibarra before the crime, University of Georgia Police Chief Jeff Clark said in the spring.

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Her death garnered national attention, both from Trump and Republicans pushing for immigration reform, and President Biden, who expressed his deepest condolences.

In his post, Trump said he hopes Rileys death will bring some peace and closure to her family.

We love you, Laken, and our hearts will always be with you, he wrote. It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!

On Monday, Trump signaled he would declare an immigration national emergency and use military assets to support his mass deportation plan when he returns to the White House.

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Immigration advocates are bracing for executive action on immigration during his second term, but questions remain about how he would legally and logistically deport millions of migrants.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President-elect Trump is returning to the White House looking to dwarf his first terms significant impact on immigration policy.

Eight years after he first won the presidency, Trump has remolded the GOPs mainstream views on immigration, all but guaranteeing he will face less resistance in implementing his more extreme proposals.

But questions remain about the capacity of a new Trump administration  or of immigration enforcement agencies  to run a deportation program that lives up to his campaign promises.

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Still, Trumps first term brought deep behind-the-scenes changes to the immigration and border security systems, changes that took the Biden administration months to undo in some cases.

Trumps new team is likely to quickly reinstate those policies, looking to pick up where they left off in 2021.

Border security

Trump left President Biden a border with relatively few unauthorized migrant encounters per month but primed to explode with tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of people bottlenecked south of the U.S.-Mexico line.

That bottleneck was exacerbated by quick expulsion policies such as Title 42, a measure Biden kept in place until 2023, drawing the ire of many in the immigration advocacy movement.

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Title 42 and the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as Remain in Mexico, were stalwarts of the Trump administrations attempts to curb border crossings that Republicans routinely used as a cudgel to blame the Biden administration for the massive growth in unauthorized arrivals.

Those arrivals peaked with more than 300,000 migrant encounters last December.

Comparatively, there were nearly 74,000 encounters in December of 2020, Trumps last full month in office, with Title 42 and Remain in Mexico in place, including 71,141 encounters between ports of entry.

In September of 2024, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported 101,790 encounters at the southwest border, 53,858 of which were reported by the Border Patrol between ports of entry.

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That suggests the border under Trump was in some ways more porous than under Biden, with a broad majority of migrants evading ports of entry to turn themselves over to the Border Patrol.

Biden ran a carrot-and-stick approach to border enforcement. The carrot  stay in line for a shot at legal entry into the United States  attracted migrants to CBP-run ports of entry.

The sticks  Bidens draconian interpretation of asylum law and offshoring of immigration enforcement duties to Mexico  helped move the bottlenecks south, potentially at the expense of human rights violations within Mexico, and provided further incentive for migrants to line up for the Biden administrations parole programs.

The incoming administration may keep the sticks, but it will almost certainly do away with the carrot, potentially ramping up the Border Patrols workload.

Mass deportations

Trumps pledge to create the largest deportation force in U.S. history has taken center stage in the transition period, with incoming border czar Tom Homan making frequent media appearances to tout the policy.

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Immigrant advocates have warned communities to take the threats seriously, while at the same time expressing skepticism that the new administration will overcome the hefty logistical, budgetary and legal limitations.

Those limitations, however, are difficult to define because much of the current deportation system operates in the shadows.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Monday launched a public records suit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seeking information about ICE Air, the governments method for carrying out deportation flights.

While the suit would gain records about how the airline was used to carry out some 140,000 deportations in 2023 under the Biden administration, the ACLU is also eager to understand whether the network of private charter flights could be expanded.

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For months, the ACLU has been preparing for the possibility of a mass detention and deportation program, and FOIA litigation has been a central part of our roadmap, Kyle Virgien, senior staff attorney at the ACLUs National Prison Project, said in a statement.

But Trump has made clear he wants to activate new powers to carry out his goals.

He confirmed Monday that he would declare an immigration national emergency and use military assets to support his mass deportation pledge

Numerous Republican governors have, under the Biden administration, already sent their National Guards to the border, though such units are not deputized to carry out any immigration enforcement roles.

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Its also not clear the extent Trump will have buy-in from border state governors, several of whom are Democrats.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) said that while she would continue ongoing partnerships with the federal government and advocate for border needs, that there are Arizonans who are worried about threats from the Trump administration as well.

I will not tolerate terrorizing communities, or threatening Arizonans, she said.

Rep.-elect Emily Randall (D-Wash.) expressed concern the Trump administration might try to pull funding from states that dont cooperate with his immigration plans.

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I think we dont know what it looks like in our communities. We dont know the logistics of what is going to happen, but we know that theres going to be increased pressure. And you know, as a former legislator, Im worried about what kind of economic leverage the Trump administration is planning to use on states like Washington, she said.

Ive heard talk about withholding federal funding for sanctuary states, states where we dont plan to be complicit in mass deportations.

Who would be targeted?

While past administrations have largely focused on more recent arrivals, as well as those who pose a public safety threat, Trump has made clear that anyone who is living in the country without legal permission could face removals.

Its a large group, an estimated 12 million people, and one the government has traditionally indicated it simply doesnt have the resources to prioritize.

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Many have been living, working and paying taxes in the U.S. for decades.

Trumps hardline immigration stance has also unnerved those who currently have work authorization under DACA, the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which provides protection for those brought to the U.S. as children but which has never been formally approved by Congress.

Incoming deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller has also said the administration will turn its efforts toward naturalized citizens, expanding the federal governments oversight of past naturalizations.

Denaturalizations are fairly uncommon, and legal precedent is clear that only naturalized citizens who lied in their applications in a material way  about something that directly affected their eligibility for naturalization  are subject to legal review of their citizenship papers.

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Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), a naturalized Dominican-born U.S. citizen, said he will oppose any efforts to pursue denaturalizations.

I think its a radical approach, one that is unprecedented in America, and I think that the vast majority of American people will oppose it as well, said Espaillat, who is running unopposed to lead the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the next Congress.

Still, the first Trump administration successfully re-tooled United States Citizenship and Immigration Services  the agency in charge of processing work permits, permanent residence and naturalizations  from an organization focused on providing services to applicants to one with a greater focus on reviewing past applications for indications of fraud.

Advocates fear that wide net, stretching from undocumented workers to naturalized citizens and from the border to sanctuary jurisdictions, will further stigmatize immigrants and prove disruptive to the communities that surround them.

I expect to be flooded with calls and visits to my district office with immigrants and families or mixed-status families asking for help and being scared [about] what this means for them, and I hope to bring back the resources and that protection, said Rep.-elect Luz Rivas (D-Calif.), whose district includes San Fernando, a city where more than 35 percent of residents were born abroad.

You know, my hope is that they dont  the community doesnt stop going to the hospital when they need to, doesnt stop sending their children to school. So I will be working along with local leaders in Los Angeles, like our mayor, our city council members, our state legislators, to send out a unified message to the 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 The Hill.
WASHINGTON  There are still more than two months until President-elect Donald Trump takes back the Oval Office, but he's already testing the limits of his power by pushing Senate Republicans on controversial Cabinet nominees.

Republicans are set to retake control of the Senate next year and almost uniformly say they want to sign off on the president-elect's Cabinet picks  and quickly. But behind closed doors, there is widespread concern among GOP senators about some of the nominees.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., a close Trump ally, said on the Senate floor Tuesday that it should be a "no brainer" for Senate Republicans to support all of Trump's Cabinet picks. He displayed a sign noting there were no Democrats who voted against President Joe Biden's Cabinet nominees in 2021.

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"However, over the last few days, I've heard some of my Senate Republican colleagues express concerns about who President Trump is picking for his team. I would expect this from my colleagues on the left, not on the right," he said. "My advice to them is get on board or get out of the way."

Trump announced he has picked former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., for attorney general, his most contentious choice so far. Gaetz was investigated by the Department of Justice on allegations that he had sex trafficked underage girls, though the agency did not bring criminal charges against him.

The House Ethics Committee had an ongoing investigation into similar allegations. That panel planned to vote on whether to release a report on its findings just two days after Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress. Lawyers for two women who spoke with the committee have said they testified that they witnessed Gaetz under the influence of drugs and sexually assaulting a minor in 2017. Gaetz has denied the allegations.

FILE PHOTO: Republican U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz speaks at a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Henderson, Nevada U.S. October 31, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

Trump also tapped Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be defense secretary. A woman alleged Hegseth raped her in 2017. He has denied the allegation, and police never pressed charges against him. Hegseth admitted to paying the woman a settlement amount, saying he feared he would lose his job at Fox over the accusation.

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In a previous political era, the claims against Gaetz and Hegseth would likely be the death knell for a Cabinet nomination.

For example, former President Bill Clinton's nominee for attorney general, Zoe Baird, dropped out of consideration when it was revealed she had hired an undocumented immigrant as a nanny for her children.

Former President Barack Obama's nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, withdrew because he had $140,000 in unpaid taxes. During Trump's first administration, his nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, now-Rep. Ronny Jackson, withdrew over allegations of unprofessional conduct as White House physician.

Still, only nine Cabinet nominees have been rejected by the Senate, and the vast majority of those were chosen in the 19th century. The most recently rejected Cabinet nominee was in 1989.

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In 2024, a game of chicken is playing out between Trump and the GOP-led Senate over some of his picks. Trump said Tuesday he is not reconsidering nominating Gaetz, despite the fact that he is unlikely to get enough GOP support to be approved in the upper chamber.

U.S. President Donald Trump is interviewed by Fox and Friends co-host Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington, U.S. April 6, 2017.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who serves on the Judiciary Committee that will be responsible for vetting Gaetz's nomination, told USA TODAY that the former Florida lawmaker's nomination presents "the first major test for Republicans" about "whether they're willing to stand up to" Trump.

"They are talking privately about voting against him, but the question is whether they'll have the backbone to do it," he added. "History is far from reassuring."

If Republican senators choose not to approve nominees like Gaetz and Hegseth they risk Trump testing a tool to force them to step aside to allow him to approve his nominees without their consent.

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Trump has insisted that senators agree to what's known as "recess appointments." Most GOP senators say they would support such a maneuver if Democrats block the nominees, but are less forthright if it is Republicans also standing in the way.

Doing so would be a major capitulation of Congressional power. Senators on both sides of the aisle have often cited the Senate's constitutional power to provide "advice and consent" to the president on appointees.

"We're not trying to block anybody. We're going to give (Gaetz) an opportunity to come here and make his case. They've got to earn every vote," said Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. Asked whether Trump understands that, given his statement on recess appointments, Mullin said: "President Trump understands the system as good as anybody."

Vice President-elect JD Vance will be organizing meetings between key Republican senators and Gaetz and Hegseth this week, and Gaetz has been personally calling some senators as he seeks support.

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Meanwhile, there's a fight brewing between the two chambers over the release of the House Ethics Committee report on Gaetz. Mullin and other Republican senators have said it is important that they get a chance to see the report before voting on Gaetz's nomination.

"I'm saying to the people that want any Cabinet person to get through, not just Gaetz, that this is going to be a lot faster if you give us all the information that we want," said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

But House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Friday that he plans to "strongly request" that the committee not release the report, arguing it would set "a terrible precedent." Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said he would leave it up to the House whether it should be released publicly.

When asked what the president-elect would do if one of his nominees failed to pick up enough Republican support, Brian Hughes, a Trump-Vance Transition spokesman, told USA TODAY in an e-mailed statement President Trumps incoming administration is moving at an accelerated schedule in order to make good on getting key nominees confirmed in order to start delivering for the American people."

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He added that Gaetz, Hegseth and other Trump nominees will "all begin their meetings this week" with lawmakers and continue after the Thanksgiving holiday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gaetz, Hegseth and other Trump Cabinet picks are roiling Congress
Donald Trump joined Elon Musk for the launch of his SpaceX rocket in a sign of the growing partnership between the two men.

The president-elect travelled to Brownsville, Texas, to watch Mr Musks Starship take off from its launch facility.

Starship, which at roughly 400ft tall is the largest rocket ever built, launched at 5pm ET on its sixth test flight and splashed down in the Indian Ocean just over an hour later.

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In the days leading up to the election, Mr Trump frequently marvelled at Mr Musks achievements in space.

At the previous Starship launch in October, SpaceX managed to catch the rockets booster in a pair of giant mechanical pincers, or chopsticks, as it returned to earth.

Mr Trump would often praise the achievement on the campaign trail in the days leading up to the election.

Elon Musk and Donald Trump were seen in discussion ahead of blast off - Brandon Bell/Pool via Reuters

However, SpaceX said on Tuesday in the minutes following take-off that it would not attempt the same manoeuvre, citing the safety of the crew on the ground.

The booster, called Super Heavy, instead made a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico near Mr Musks Starbase.

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Nevertheless, the flight marked a series of firsts for SpaceX. It managed to ignite one of Starships Raptor engines in space for the first time, paving the way for the enormous rocket to reach a stable orbit around the earth.

The rocket was also carrying its first-ever physical payload  a banana, referencing a meme where internet users demonstrate the size of objects by comparing them to the fruit.

Starship is roughly the same size as a 30-storey building.

After its successful launch, Starship eventually splashed down in the Indian Ocean - AP Photo/Eric Gay

According to the SpaceX website, Starship will one day be able to carry 100 people on long-duration, interplanetary flights. It will also help enable satellite delivery, the development of a Moon base and point-to-point delivery on Earth.

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Mr Trump was seen talking to Mr Musk multiple times ahead of the launch and during the test flight.

The SpaceX founder, who spent an estimated $200 million on the Republicans re-election effort, has been a near-constant presence at his side since polling day, staying at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and travelling around the country with him.

Im heading to the Great State of Texas to watch the launch of the largest object ever to be elevated, not only to space, but simply by lifting off the ground, Mr Trump wrote on social media earlier on Tuesday.

Good luck to Elon Musk and the great patriots involved in this incredible project.

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Speaking after the launch, Mr Trump told the media he would not back down on his nomination of Matt Gaetz as attorney general despite disquiet from Republicans over allegations that the former congressman had slept with an underage schoolgirl.

Asked if he was reconsidering his Cabinet pick, Mr Trump replied: No.

Mr Gaetz has consistently denied the allegations.

11:06 PM GMT

Starship splashes down

Starships engines have reignited and it splashes down in the Indian ocean to cheers from the SpaceX control room. It appears to be on fire, which the SpaceX commentators attribute to the lesser gen heat shield.

11:06 PM GMT

Starship passes through the clouds

Starship is now rapidly losing altitude and should be splashing down at any moment.

10:54 PM GMT

Were seeing what Starship can take

Dont be surprised if you see some wackadoo stuff here, one of the SpaceX commentary says, adding that they are testing to see what [Starship] can take.

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SpaceX has previously said it removed entire sections of heat shield tiles on either side of the rocket to assess new secondary thermal protection materials.

10:44 PM GMT

Starship ignites raptor engine for first time

Starship has ignited one of its raptor engines in space for the first time. The development is significant because it paves the way for the rocket to ascend to a stable orbit.

SpaceX had previously attempted to ignite the engine on a launch in March but was forced to abandon this after losing control during coasting.

10:40 PM GMT

Watch: Trump reacts as SpaceX launches

Launch video: SpaceX

10:22 PM GMT

What is Starship doing now?

Starship is now in its coasting phase, meaning it has reached outer space but does not have enough velocity to enter a stable orbit around the Earth. SpaceX said before the launch that the rocket would splash down in the Indian Ocean around 6:30pm ET.

10:19 PM GMT

Pictured: Trump watches Starship embark on test flight

Donald Trump looks on during a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket - Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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10:16 PM GMT

Watch: The moment Starship launches

SpaceX

10:08 PM GMT

Super Heavy splashes down

The Super Heavy booster has splashed down near the Gulf of Mexico.

Super Heavy initiates its landing burn and softly splashes down in the Gulf of Mexico pic.twitter.com/BZ3Az4GssC  SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 19, 2024

10:07 PM GMT

SpaceX will not catch Super Heavy in chopsticks

Commentators on the SpaceX livestream are saying that they will not be able to catch its Super Heavy booster in its mechnical pincers, as they did last month. They suggest this would put the crew on the ground at risk.

10:03 PM GMT

Starship travelling at more than 4,000km an hour

At two minutes into its test flight, Starship has reached more than 4,000km an hour.

Starship has cleared the pad! Vehicle is on a nominal flight path  SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 19, 2024

10:01 PM GMT

Starship launches

Starship has now launched, taking off from the SpaceX launch facility near Brownsville, Texas.

The SpaceX Starship lifts off from Starbase near Boca Chica, Texas - CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

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Starship takes off from the SpaceX launch facility in Texas - CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

09:59 PM GMT

Why will Starship be carrying a banana?

When Starship takes off in just a matter of minutes on its sixth test flight, it will be carrying first ever physical payload - a banana.

It is a reference to the banana for scale meme, where internet users demonstrate the size of objects by comparing them to fruit. Starship, which is roughly the same size as a 30-story building, is the largest rocket in history.

09:55 PM GMT

Starship five minutes away from launch

Starship is now just five minutes away from launch, according to SpaceX.

09:54 PM GMT

Pictures: Trump and Musk speak ahead of Starship launch

Donald Trump speaks to Elon Musk and senators Ted Cruz and Bill Hagerty - Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Elon Musk, the SpaceX founder, speaks to Donald Trump in Brownsville, Texas - Brandon Bell/Getty Images

09:35 PM GMT

Watch: Donald Trump in the launch viewing gallery

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09:16 PM GMT

What happened at the last Starship test flight?

Elon Musks SpaceX successfully caught a booster from its Starship rocket for the first time in a lift to humanitys hopes of travelling to Mars.

The first-stage booster returned to the launch pad after the fifth test flight of the marquee rocket on Sunday.

The super heavy booster contains fuel to propel the 3,000-tonne rocket off the launchpad. After being emptied and detaching from the main body of the Starship rocket, the booster flew itself back to the launchpad where it was plucked out of the air by a set of giant mechanical fingers.

Read the full story by Joe Pinkstone from 13 October here.

09:08 PM GMT

Starship pictured ahead of sixth test flight

Starship ahead of its sixth test flight - https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1858894148914606196

09:02 PM GMT

Trump wishes Musk good luck ahead of launch

Donald Trump has wished Elon Musk good luck ahead of the Starship launch, which is due to take place from around 5pm ET.

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The president-elect wrote on social media: Im heading to the Great State of Texas to watch the launch of the largest object ever to be elevated, not only to Space, but simply by lifting off the ground.

Good luck to Elon Musk and the Great Patriots involved in this incredible project.

I'm heading to the Great State of Texas to watch the launch of the largest object ever to be elevated, not only to Space, but simply by lifting off the ground. Good luck to @ElonMusk and the Great Patriots involved in this incredible project! https://t.co/UVpVSkpEyu  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2024

09:01 PM GMT

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the live blog. Benedict Smith here. Well be bringing you all the updates as Elon Musk prepares to launch Starship on its sixth test flight, which is scheduled to take place around 5pm ET.

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CHICAGO  President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on his Truth Social site whats been on the campaign trail; he will use the American military to facilitate a mass deportation of undocumented immigrants.

The news has prompted growing concerns in Chicago communities. Many families in Pilsen, for example, have a family member(s) who is/are undocumented or in the process of applying for residency.

Business leaders WGN spoke with also said the fear of deportation is having a major impact on business.

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Trump signals use of military for deportations

As soon as the election was over, within two days my business is down 50%, said Sam Sanchez, describing a conversation he had with a Little Village restaurant owner.

Sanchez, also a member of Third Coast Restaurant Group and the National Restaurant Association, said business is hurting due to people being afraid to go out for fear of deportation.

From City Hall to Springfield, local leaders are pushing back on Trumps plan.

Ald. Mike Rodriguez (22nd Ward) said the community is in fear.

We need to build bridges and not walls. We need to do this in an orderly way, he said.

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He and many other City Councilmembers are vowing to fight back.

This is not legal what hes trying to do. The courts will stop him, Rodriguez said.

The outlines of Trumps deportation plan slowly emerged this week. A proposed declaration of a national emergency has opened the door to what many Americans believe will be the use of soldiers to carry out a mass deportation of undocumented people.

Trumps vows for revenge take on new seriousness

We, of course, are deeply concerned, Gov. JB Pritzker said.

The governor also argued that a federal deployment of U.S. Troops is uncalled for and probably unconstitutional as well as illegal. Pritzker also said the White House lacks authority to call out local Illinois National Guardsmen within the confines of the state.

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There are two different provisions that activate the use of the National Guard: Title 10 and Title 32, Pritzker said. He doesnt have, under either one of them, the ability to call out the National Guard in the United States of America.

In a written statement, Illinois Republicans said the Democrats handling of the immigration crisis has created a massive burden for families.

Providing food, housing, and healthcare for illegals cots Illinois well over $1 billion, spokespeople for the Illinois GOP said. Thats $1 billion the state cant afford.

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President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday named former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker as his pick to be the next ambassador to NATO, a key alliance that Trump derided for years.

"Matt is a strong warrior and loyal Patriot, who will ensure the United States interests are advanced and defended. Matt will strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability  He will put AMERICA FIRST," Trump said in a statement.

Whitaker, whose appointment must be confirmed by the Senate, doesn't appear to have much foreign policy experience in his professional background.

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Whitaker first took over the Justice Department on an acting basis during Trump's first term in November 2018, right after the midterm elections, when Trump announced on Twitter that he would succeed Jeff Sessions, whom Trump asked to resign. He served just three months in the position until William Barr was confirmed as attorney general.

Before he became acting attorney general, Whitaker was chief of staff to Sessions when he was attorney general. He previously was the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Iowa from 2004 to 2009, appointed by President George W. Bush.

He has been a co-chair of the Center of Law & Justice at the nonprofit Trump-aligned think tank America First Policy Institute.

Trump has long criticized NATO, accusing European allies of not contributing enough toward defense spending. He suggested at a campaign rally in February that he would allow Russia to do "whatever the hell they want" to countries that don't pay the "bills."

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When he first ran for president in 2016, Trump called NATO "obsolete." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this year that Trump told top European officials in 2020, before he left office, that the U.S. wouldn't help Europe if it came under attack.

In February, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that Trump would seek to withdraw the U.S. from NATO if he were re-elected. Vice President-elect JD Vance, who has criticized U.S. funding of Ukraine in its war with Russia, told NBC News days before this year's election that a second Trump administration would "remain in NATO."

Trump has repeatedly said that when it comes to Russia's war in Ukraine, he would negotiate a deal "that's good for both sides" as president.

Whitaker, meanwhile, has made some public statements that signal he supports the alliance and Ukraine.

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In an interview on Fox News in 2019, Whitaker was asked how dangerous it would be if the U.S. said it would contribute only as much as other countries to NATO.

"We are the world's superpower, and only superpower," he said. "I think we're always going to have to spend more than our fair share to make sure that democracy and freedom is defended worldwide. But at the same time, that doesn't mean that the people that we've allied with should get to, you know, sort of ride on our coattails."

Speaking to Fox Business in 2022, after Russia's war in Ukraine began, Whitaker said, "There is no doubt now that NATO is in the line of fire, and people like Poland are feeling the pressure as they're supplying the Ukrainian fighters.

"Poland is next on the list, I'm sure, for Putin. If the war doesn't end in Ukraine, it's going to be  it already is on NATO's doorstep," said Whitaker, who voiced support for the U.S.' shipping heavy weapons into Ukraine.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump named Matthew Whitaker, former acting attorney general, as the next U.S. ambassador to NATO, according to a statement released Nov. 20.

Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, 25, has been assembling appointees for his upcoming administration, often prizing loyalty over policy expertise. Some nominees have raised alarm, particularly the choice of Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary and Congressman Mike Waltz as national security advisor.

Whitaker's nomination comes amid concerns that a Trump administration would dramatically reduce U.S. investment in the NATO alliance.

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"Matt will strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability  He will put AMERICA FIRST," Trump's statement read.

There is little known about Whitaker's foreign policy positions. He worked as a U.S. attorney for the southern district of Iowa before joining the Justice Department in 2017 as Attorney General Jeff Sessions' chief of staff. He then served briefly as acting attorney general after Sessions resigned at Trump's request.

Whitaker has no evident experience in national security, diplomacy, or foreign policy.

Whitaker will be a key figure in selling Trump's much-touted peace deal between Russia and Ukraine to NATO member nations. Trump frequently promised to effect such a deal within "24 hours" of his election.

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One idea Trump's team has put forth for ending Russia's war involves delaying Kyiv's NATO membership for at least 20 years in exchange for continued arms supplies, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Nov. 6, citing three sources close to Trump.

Ukraine submitted a request for NATO membership in 2022 but has not received an invitation, in part because the country is actively at war.

NATO accession is also a core component of President Volodymyr Zelensky's five-part victory plan, but Kyiv's bid for membership received a cold response from U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and other leaders.

Read also: Putin open to discussing Ukraine ceasefire with Trump, Reuters reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Donald Trump nominated former Attorney General Matt Whitaker to be the United States ambassador to NATO Wednesday.

Matt is a strong warrior and loyal Patriot who will ensure the United States interests are advanced and defended, Trump wrote in a statement.

A staunch Trump loyalist, Whitaker served as the Department of Justices chief of staff before replacing Jeff Sessions as attorney general in 2018. There, he found himself in charge of Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

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Trump first took an interest in Whitaker after he distinguished himself as a major critic of the Mueller probe, insisting that there had been no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, according to The New York Times. Trump specifically brought Whitaker in to serve as an attack dog against Mueller, and one presidential adviser told the Times that Whitaker had been sent there to minimize the investigations fallout. Whitaker ultimately resigned from the Justice Department in 2019.

Whitaker had already proven himself to be one hell of an aggressor as a federal prosecutor in Iowa. He sparked backlash after he brought a flimsy case against Matt McCoy, the first openly gay member of the Iowa legislature, in 2007. The evidence Whitakers team drummed up for attempted extortion was so weak the jury reportedly deliberated for just half an hour.

Whitakers office clearly wanted to give the evangelical right within the Republican Party a trophy, and that trophy was meone of the states most prominent young Democrats at the time, McCoy wrote in Politico in 2018.

Clearly holding political ambitions, Whitaker went on to launch unsuccessful bids for Iowa Supreme Court in 2011 and the U.S. Senate in 2014. He also held an advisory board position at World Patent Marketing, a shady company that sold toilets for well-endowed men among other random things. The Federal Trade Commission ordered World Patent Marketing in 2018 to shut down its operations and pay a settlement of more than $25 million, after the company was determined to be a scam.

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Whitaker also previously served as executive director of the Foundation for Accountability and Civil Trust, or FACT, a conservative watchdog that targeted Democratic leaders. Whitaker currently serves as a co-chair for the Center of Law & Justice at the America First Policy Institute, a right-wing think tank chaired by Linda McMahon, Trumps unorthodox nominee for secretary of education.

Trump has remained skeptical about NATO and previously threatened to leave the alliance if European defense spending did not increase. In February, Trump encouraged Russia to do whatever the hell they want to any NATO country that was delinquent in its payments. That kind of attitude, plus the president-elects affinity for Russian President Vladimir Putin, means that Whitaker will likely act as an enforcer on behalf of a hostile Trump.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The House Ethics committee will meet Wednesday as the panel weighs whether it should release a damaging report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz whom President-elect Donald Trump nominated to serve as attorney general.

Former congressman Gaetz has been calling senators to make his case and will meet personally with several of them.

While many of his cabinet nominees are under fire on Capitol Hill President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk watched together as SpaceX launched a test rocket near Brownsville, Texas.

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Some Republican senators are standing by the controversial picks.

Senate Republicans should embrace this mandate and support every single one of President Trumps cabinet picks, said Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).

Tuesday, Trump tapped former TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz as the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Wall Street executive Howard Lutnick to lead the Commerce department.

He also picked Linda McMahon, the former WWE executive, as Secretary of Education.

Theres still concern about many of these nominees.

President-elect Donald Trump won the election fair and square, but that doesnt mean hes entitled to choose extremely unqualified loyalists to fill his cabinet, said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

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Some in Trumps own party have expressed doubts that Gaetz can be confirmed by the Senate.

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The New York Post, Donald Trumps onetime favorite newspaper, has told the president-elect to ditch his embattled Cabinet nominees Matt Gaetz and Tulsi Gabbard.

Gaetz and Gabbard are dreadful, wrote the Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloids editorial board in Wednesdays print edition. We plead that he rethink them.

A page from the New York Post's November 20 print edition shows the paper's editorial board calling Trump cabinet picks Tulsi Gabbard and Matt Gaetz

The Post accused Gabbard, Trumps director of national intelligence nominee, of being sympathetic to dictators in Syria and Russia, and worried she will downplay threats with the intention of isolationism.

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The former Democratic congresswoman turned MAGA convert has a history of denying and disputing atrocities committed by Syrian President Bashar al-Assads forces and for holding geopolitical views similar to those of the Kremlin, which has made her a darling of Russian state media.

Attorney general nominee Gaetz, meanwhile, has neither the ethics nor the discipline to rebuild a proper system that will pursue fair prosecutions, the Posts editorial board wrote.

Gaetz is the subject of a House ethics probe that reportedly heard witnesses accuse him of paying for sex, taking drugs, and sleeping with a minor. He denies any wrongdoing.

Since Gaetz has resigned from Congress, it is unclear whether the report on the ethics probe into his alleged behavior will be released.

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Theyre distracting chaos agents who wont accomplish what Trump wants them to, and will most likely backfire on his agenda, the Post wrote of Gabbard and Gaetz.

There are plenty of people who can cast a jaundiced eye at our intelligence services and purge the Department of Justice of biasand do so without a bus full of baggage.

Trump is, of course, likely to call any media outlet that disagrees with him fake news, but the Post, at least at one time, held a special place in his heart.

In an August 2022 rage post on his Truth Social platform, Trump referred to it as his once favorite newspaper, as he complained that the Post defended former Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell for not using the threat of the debt ceiling to stop the ridiculous, record-setting spending being done by Democrats.

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A Trump pal told Axios in 2017 that he liked to read hard copies of the paper at Trump Tower, especially lingering on Page Six, the Posts celebrity and gossip section. The friend said Trump considers the tabloid to be the paper of record for him.

The Post is owned by Rupert Murdochs News Corp and, like its magnate owner, has had a complicated love-hate relationship with Trump.

The paper endorsed him in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election and again this year, but also called his election denialism and behavior during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot damning and an eternal shame.

The Post editorial board gave mostly high marks to Trumps other Cabinet nominees, though classified his nominee for health and human services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as controversial.

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They wrote that RFK Jr.s heart is in the right place, even if his ideas arent always.

Perhaps the Posts editorial board could have consulted their own op-ed from a week earlier, where they wrote, after interviewing RFK Jr. in 2023: We came out thinking hes nuts on a lot of fronts.

Its hard to see how hes the guy to lead HHS and its staff of 83,000 to practical solutions, they added.
A Lincoln-based youth advocacy organization is working to build resilience, aid healing and focus on prevention through its new initiative in an effort to help children throughout the community who have faced traumatic experiences overcome adversity.

BraveBe Child Advocacy Center announced its new program Tuesday morning, Brave fACEs, which is aimed at addressing adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse and neglect, by promoting awareness, education and support.

Through the program in partnership with the Community Health Endowment of Lincoln, Paige Piper, executive director of BraveBe, said she hopes to not only improve methods of identifying and helping children in need, but also educate the community on how they can support children experiencing trauma.

Together, we can create a supportive environment where everyone in Lincoln has the opportunity to live, work and thrive, she said.

Standing at the podium at a kickoff event Tuesday morning, Piper recalled the story of a young girl named Willow, who once sought help at BraveBe with her mother nearly two decades ago after experiencing sexual abuse at the hands of a family friend.

At the time, Piper said BraveBe did everything they thought they could to help the 15-year-old girl overcome this hardship. Willow participated in a forensic interview, received a medical evaluation, was connected to a therapist and received help navigating the complex criminal justice system. Her case eventually led to the conviction and sentencing of her perpetrator.

But, around 10 years later, Willow returned to BraveBe, this time to find resources for her own 3-year-old daughter who faced the same abuse and trauma Willow had years prior.

Staff at BraveBe realized that despite the strides they made with Willow, there were critical things they missed when serving the teenager in 2006. The cycle of abuse had continued, Piper said.

While Willow had received the help she needed at that moment in time as a young girl, she didnt have the resources to thrive in the wake of her trauma. In addition to the sexual abuse, Willow had also endured emotional abuse, physical neglect, parental substance abuse and the incarceration of her father, all of which went unaddressed at the time.

Without addressing the broader scope of trauma, we had not helped her heal from all that she had experienced, Piper said.

Willows story is just one example of how children's untreated trauma can continue to have a negative impact in their lives years down the road, Piper said. Now, through Brave fACEs, the organization is working to ensure no child leaves their care without receiving the full scope of the resources they need in order to heal thoroughly.

We envision a community that asks what happened to you instead of what's wrong with you, and, most importantly, a community that asks how we can help. We imagine a community where trauma stops with Willow and we never see (her daughter) walk through our doors, Piper said.

As Willow's situation shows, traumatic experiences can have a long-lasting impact on children, Piper said, which BraveBe hopes to mitigate through the new program.

Those who experience trauma at a young age often suffer from poor mental health and chronic health conditions, like heart disease, cancer and obesity, later in life. These people are also more likely to pick up bad habits like smoking or drinking heavily in adulthood, and are less likely to graduate from high school, have health insurance or hold jobs.

For around a decade, Lori Seibel, the president and CEO of the Community Health Endowment, has been discussing the need for further investment in addressing adverse childhood experiences because of these detrimental impacts.

Through her work, she eventually connected with Piper, who was immediately in full support of Seibel's ideas, and together the duo helped form the Brave fACEs initiative. The endowment has even dedicated the new program as a legacy project, committing to helping the initiative grow its impact for years to come.

With Brave fACEs, it is not just an intervention program, it is a prevention strategy that will change our community for the better and for generations to come, said Seibel, who is retiring from the Community Health Endowment at the end of the year.

The program is guided by a five-pillar plan: a communitywide call to action campaign; a training plan on identifying trauma for early childhood providers, families and health care providers; an increase in data collection on adverse childhood experiences in Lincoln; the establishment of community partnerships; and the ongoing work to provide local organizations with technical assistance during screening processes.

With this program in place, Marilyn Moore, a member of the initiatives advisory board and retired longtime educator, said she believes BraveBe can make a big difference in the lives of children who have experienced trauma.

Because we do this, we increase the likelihood that all the children, this community's children, grow up and live up to their full potential and their full promise, and that strengthens all of us, she said.
(Bloomberg) -- Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy  President-elect Donald Trumps picks to lead the newly formed task force to review government spending  said they will push for eliminating work-from-home policies for federal workers, an idea that could spark clashes between the new administration and government employee unions.

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Requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome: If federal employees dont want to show up, American taxpayers shouldnt pay them for the Covid-era privilege of staying home, they wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed on Wednesday.

Musk and Ramaswamy said the new Department of Government Efficiency  which will be set up outside the government, but advise the White House on budget and spending issues  would help reduce the federal workforce by compelling employees to resign. In the op-ed, they said they would serve in their roles as outside volunteers, not federal officials or employees.

A full return to office for federal employees could shore up the local Washington, DC economy, since post-pandemic office vacancy rates remain high and economic activity in the citys downtown has plateaued at 68% of pre-pandemic levels, per a 2023 report from the Downtown DC Business Improvement District. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has asked President Joe Biden to bring employees back to the office  or relinquish office real estate  in a bid to revive the citys downtown.

There are more than two million federal workers and over 400 agencies across the country. Eighty percent of federal employees work outside of Washington, according to the Partnership for Public Service.

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If officially embraced by Trump, the return-to-office has the potential to set off a wave of fights between the White House and the labor unions that cover employees at many federal agencies. Some workplaces have longstanding tele-work arrangements that predate the Covid-19 pandemic.

Musk, the CEO of Tesla Inc. and SpaceX, has panned work-from-home policies, telling CNBC in 2023 that tech workers should get off the goddamn moral high horse with the work-from-home.

Heres the latest on Trumps transition:

Ambassador to Canada

Trump is nominating former Representative Pete Hoekstra of Michigan to be the US ambassador to Canada. Hoekstra previously served as Trumps ambassador to the Netherlands during his first term and is the chair of the Republican Party in Michigan  a swing state the president-elect carried in this months election.

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In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST, Trump said in a statement. He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.

During his first term, Trump scrapped the North American Free Trade Agreement, which he had said was costing the US jobs and negotiated a successor pact, the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, a move he touted in his statement.

We brought Trade with Mexico and Canada to a level playing field for our wonderful Farmers and Working Families, Trump said.

Trade policy will be at the forefront of Trumps second administration as well, with the president-elect floating 10% or 20% baseline tariffs on all imports, with higher rates for China.

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Trump Opposes Press Freedom Bill

Trump urged Republicans to block a bill aimed at protecting press freedom.

REPUBLICANS MUST KILL THIS BILL!, Trump wrote in a post to his Truth Social network, linking to a video from PBS News Hour discussing the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act, known as the PRESS Act.

Supporters of the measure say that it would protect journalists from being spied on by the federal government, allowing them to keep their sources and materials, such as writings, recordings and photographs, confidential.

The bill passed the US House earlier this year and is now before the Senate.

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Advocacy group Reporters Without Borders earlier this month urged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democrats to pass the law before the current Congress ends, calling it a commonsense, bipartisan press shield and warning that Trump and Republicans who will control the Senate in January will be unwilling to enact such legislation.

Trumps post urging Republicans to block the PRESS Act comes days after the president-elect sought to downplay tensions with the media, which he regularly criticizes and claims is biased.

It is very important  if not vital  to have a free, fair and open media or press, Trump said in an interview with Fox News Digital on Monday, adding that he believes he has an obligation to work with the media.

The president-elect during the campaign regularly attacked the press as fake news and has sued CBS Broadcasting Inc., alleging it altered clips of an interview with his general election rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.

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NATO Envoy Pick

Trump has picked Republican lawyer Matthew Whitaker to be the US Ambassador to NATO, selecting a former loyal aide from his first administration as his envoy to an international alliance he regularly criticizes.

I have full confidence in Matts ability to represent the United States with Strength, Integrity, and unwavering Dedication, Trump said in a statement on Wednesday. I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to promote PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, Freedom, and Prosperity around the World.

Trump has assailed NATO allies over their defense spending. On the campaign trail he has threatened that the US will not come to the aid of allies who do not spend enough for their own militaries. The NATO post requires Senate confirmation.

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In Whitaker, 55, Trump has enlisted a trusted ally who was a center of controversy as the nations top law enforcement official. He served as acting attorney general from November 2018 to February 2019 after Trump forced out his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions.

Whitaker has accused Special Counsel Jack Smith of using novel legal theories to charge Trump with crimes in order to interfere with the 2024 election. Smith brought two cases against Trump, one for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election and the other accusing him of mishandling classified information and obstructing justice after he left office.

As acting attorney general, Whitaker oversaw Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into whether Trump conspired with Russia to interfere in the 2016 election. At the time, critics feared that Whitaker would interfere with Muellers investigation or shut it down. However, he allowed Mueller to continue unimpeded.

Gaetz Meets Graham

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Senator Lindsey Graham, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he was committed to handling the nomination of Trumps choice for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, with fairness and urged lawmakers not to rush to judgment after a meeting with the controversial pick on Wednesday.

Graham in a statement urged fellow Republicans to allow the confirmation process to play out and allow Gaetz, who is facing intense scrutiny over a House sexual misconduct probe, to make his case for being the nations top law enforcement official.

I tend to defer to presidential cabinet choices unless the evidence suggests disqualification, Graham said. I fear the process surrounding the Gaetz nomination is turning into an angry mob, and unverified allegations are being treated as if they are true.

Republicans will be in control of the Senate in January, but Gaetzs confirmation is not assured.

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Gaetz and Graham were joined in the meeting by Vice President-elect JD Vance, an Ohio senator. Vance is arranging sit-downs between key Republicans and two of Trumps most controversial selections for his cabinet, Gaetz and Pete Hegseth, a Fox News Channel host and Army National Guard member, who has been tapped for Defense secretary.

Hegseth has been accused of sexual assault while Gaetz has been investigated for sexual misconduct. Both have denied any wrongdoing.

The House Ethics Committee, which has faced pressure to publicize its findings on the sexual misconduct probe into Gaetz, on Wednesday voted to keep confidential its report, the panels top Democrat said.

All of the panels GOP members voted to block the reports release, Democratic Representative Susan Wild of Pennsylvania said after the committee met behind closed doors for more than two hours. Democrats seeking to disclose the findings needed at least one Republican to back them, she said.

The Justice Department investigated allegations that Gaetz had sex with a minor in exchange for money but decided in February 2023 not to file any charges against him. Gaetz has denied the allegations.

Gaetz resigned from Congress days before the Ethics committee was scheduled to deliberate on how to handle results from its investigation.

--With assistance from Laura Davison.

(Updates to add details on pick for ambassador to Canada in first section)

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U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz is photographed inside the Rayburn House Office Building Feb. 27, 2019. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

In a scathing commentary, veteran journalist Hugh Jackson of the Nevada Current summarized recent developments in Washington this way: quote  U.S. Congress replaced by an app on Trumps phone.

Sadly, Jacksons biting hyperbole isnt that far off.

Since his election, Donald Trump has quickly nominated a slate of remarkably unqualified lackeys to lead the nations most important government departments, while demanding that the ordinary U.S. Senate process for vetting and approving nominees be bypassed.

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A Fox News talking head and an inexperienced ex-congresswoman for Secretary of Defense and Director of National Intelligence. An anti-vaccine advocate to head Health and Human Services. And a disgraced congressman to lead and weaponize the Department of Justice.

The bottom line: Right now, with Congress in Republican hands, there are only a small handful of lawmakers who know better and who are in a position to keep Trump even remotely in check and, as it happens, North Carolinas Senator Thom Tillis is one of them. One prays that he musters the guts to do the right thing.

For NC Newsline, Im Rob Schofield.
Donald Trump and his MAGA allies are fuming over Democrats ability to confirm federal judges in the period before the president-elect returns to the White House in January.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday, Trump urged Republicans to hold the line against President Joe Bidens judicial picks in the final weeks of the Biden administration.

"No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day!" Trump demanded. Though Republicans are set to take control of the Senate next year, Democrats currently hold the majority. So Republicans can slow the process  and have done so  but they don't have the numbers to outright stop the confirmations if Democrats stay united on that front.

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Nonetheless, the right-wing rage over this has even placed Vice President-elect JD Vance in the crossfire after Vance, a senator from Ohio, missed a vote to confirm Biden judicial nominees this week. In a now-deleted tweet, Vance bashed a chief executive for Trump adviser Steve Bannon's War Room, who criticized Vance's absence.

MAGA world isn't letting hypocrisy get in the way of complaining about Biden's lame-duck appointments. Republicans confirmed several federal judges nominated by Trump after his 2020 election loss to Biden  one of whom, Judge Aileen Cannon, went on to insulate Trump from accountability by dismissing the federal criminal case related to his handling of classified documents. So Trump is well aware of how valuable these judicial vacancies can be, particularly in a post-election period.

Now, as Democrats race to confirm as many judges as possible before Bidens term ends, Trump is angry at Democrats for doing the same thing he did. And The Washington Post seems to have homed in on another reason for Trump's rage: If Democrats succeed in confirming judges for all the available vacancies, it will leave Trump with dozens of fewer openings to fill than he had when he entered his first presidency.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Trump plans to deport large numbers of immigrants, likely impacting key industries.

Construction, agriculture, and hospitality have particularly high shares of immigrant workers.

The full scope of the planned mass deportations remains unclear.

President-elect Donald Trump's plans for mass deportations could significantly impact construction, agriculture, and hospitality.

On Monday, Trump confirmed in a post on Truth Social that he plans to use the US military and declare a national emergency to assist with mass deportations of immigrants in the US illegally.

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Business Insider found which industries could be most impacted by deportations based on their share of immigrant workers per the most recent Census Bureau data as of 2022. The data breaks down 13 major sectors by the number of native-born citizens, naturalized citizens, and non-US citizens working in each. Immigrants in the US illegally are included in Census Bureau estimates.

Construction has the highest share of non-US citizen workers of any industry at 21.5% or 2.45 million out of 11.38 million. Estimates from the left-leaning American Immigration Council are even higher: 40% of construction workers  and those in the US illegally made up 23.3%.

Homebuilding executives and economists previously told BI that deportation plans could worsen the 500,000-worker shortage in the construction labor force, which would drive increases in home prices.

The agriculture industry could also be heavily impacted by mass deportations. About 15.7% of agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting workers  or about 359,000  are not US citizens. A 2021 analysis by the left-leaning Center For American Progress determined that nearly 300,000 workers in the US illegally are in farming and agriculture, two-thirds of whom work in crop production.

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About 13.2% of total workers in leisure and hospitality are not US citizens, while this statistic is 11.9% for professional and business services.

Some small businesses are preparing for the potential economic impacts of deportations. Molly Day, vice president of public affairs at the nonpartisan National Small Business Association, said some small business owners in STEM fields expect challenges in hiring new workers if policies surrounding H-1B visas become stricter.

Day told BI, "there is a general concern that the cost of goods could go up if there is a true mass deportation," among small business owners she spoke to. "I also heard from a handful of Hispanic business owners that it's going to impact communities more than just financially."

To be sure, deportation plans are still in flux, and it's unclear how many people would be deported or who would be targeted first. The ACLU filed a lawsuit requesting more information about the plans.

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Trump's selections for his administration have indicated deportations could be widespread. Trump tapped Tom Homan, previously acting director of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as his "border czar." He designated Stephen Miller, the chief architect of the travel ban targeting majority-Muslim countries during Trump's first term, as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and US Homeland Security Advisor.

"President Trump will marshal every federal and state power necessary to institute the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals, drug dealers, and human traffickers in American history while simultaneously lowering costs for families," Trump-Vance Transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Donald Trump has sworn he will exact retribution on his political rivals and critics  and that includes members of the press. The president-elect is already demanding that Republicans in Congress kill bipartisan legislation that would protect American journalists from surveillance by the federal government, and help shield the confidential sources or whistleblowers who speak to journalists from retaliation by law enforcement.

The PRESS Act  which was introduced by Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Kevil Kiley (R-Cal.)  passed the Republican-controlled House with bipartisan support in January, and has been languishing in the Senate for almost a year now.

On Wednesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that REPUBLICANS MUST KILL THIS BILL! alongside a link to a PBS News segment interviewing Jodie Ginsberg, head of the Committee to Protect Journalists and an advocate for the legislation.

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On Monday, the president-elect told Fox News that its vital to support a free, fair, and open media, but his rhetoric on social media, and the plans he laid out on the campaign trail, paint a very different picture.

Earlier this month, just two days before the election, Trump told attendees at a rally in Lititz, Pennsylvania, that he wouldnt mind if a would-be assassin shot through members of the media in order to make an attempt on his life.

I have this piece of glass here, Trump said, pointing to a segment of bulletproof glass. But all we really have over here is the fake news, right?

And, to get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news, and I dont mind that so much. I dont mind. I dont mind that, he said.

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Trump has repeatedly called for news networks who criticize him to be stripped of their broadcasting licenses or otherwise punished. A CNN review of his speeches and social media posts found that Trump had threatened broadcasters with the revocation of their license at least 15 times  most often against more liberal leaning broadcasters and networks.

MSNBC (MSDNC) uses FREE government approved airwaves, and yet it is nothing but a 24 hour hit job on Donald J. Trump, he wrote in November of last year. It is the worlds biggest political contribution to the Radical Left Democrats who, by the way, are destroying our Country. Our so-called government should come down hard on them and make them pay for their illegal political activity. Much more to come, watch!

Kash Patel, a former Trump adviser who is now reportedly being considered for the role of FBI director, said in a 2023 interview with Steve Bannon that a second Trump administration would prioritize civil and criminal retaliation against the liberal media  which he falsely claims helped President Joe Biden steal the 2020 election.

We will go out and find the conspirators not just in government, but in the media, Patel said. Were going to come after you whether its criminally or civilly.

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While Trump may pay lip service to the idea of protecting press freedom, its clear in his campaign rhetoric and effort to kill the PRESS Act that  at least in his mind  First Amendment protection only extends to those who use their outlets to propagandize for his political project.

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Donald Trump named former WWE executive Linda McMahon as his pick to head the Department of Education Tuesday.

Trump announced the news in a statement shared on Truth Social.

McMahon is a longtime Trump supporter who worked during the convicted felons first term as the administrator of the Small Business Administration. Given that history her Cabinet nomination comes as less of a shock than most of the recent picks for the upcoming second administration.

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For example, earlier Tuesday Trump announced he would nominate Mehmet Oz as administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. He has also named other television personalities as his picks to critical positions, among them Fox Business host Sean Duffy for Secretary of Transportation, and ultra right wing Fox News commentator Pete Hegseth to be Defense Secretary.

Trump has also picked Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz to be his Attorney General  a curious choice given that Gaetz has been investigated multiple times on credible accusations of sexual misconduct and drug use  which to be clear he denies. Gaetz is also one of several Trump administration picks who wont be required to submit to a background check. (A list that also includes Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps pick for Director of National Intelligence._

And Trump has named anti-vaccines activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head up the Department of Health and Human Services.

Nevertheless, McMahons selection is in line with her future colleagues, who comprise a collection of unqualified people actively opposed to the duties of their respective departments. And given her own prior history in politics, the nomination signals a deeply right wing turn with implications beyond the scope of the department.

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Notably, in 2009 McMahon was appointed to the Connecticut Board of Education by at-the-time Republican Governor Jodi Rell. She resigned just over a year later due to the states law forbidding Board members to solicit campaign contributions.

The post Trump Taps Ex-WWE CEO Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education appeared first on TheWrap.
A combine harvests soybeans in a field at a farm on October 14, 2019, in Rippey, Iowa. Soybean exports could be dramatically reduced under President-elect Donald Trump's tariffs. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

We dont have to imagine what President-elect Donald Trumps proposed tariffs would mean for Kansas agriculture.

We know thanks to data from the last time he was president. Trade associations project that soybean exports to China would drop 52% while corn exports would drop 84%. The last time round, Trump cushioned the blow by sending farmers payments through the Commodity Credit Corporation  $12 billion in 2018 and $16 billion in 2019. Republicans in the U.S. House plan to ban such payments in the latest Farm Bill.

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Where will that leave Sunflower State farmers? Destitute. Meanwhile, overseas customers will look to countries without destructive trade barriers for their corn and soybeans. Argentina and Brazil could step up and permanently replace American producers.

Kansas legislators listened to experts warn about this incoming disaster Monday. Rep. Rui Xu, a Democrat from Westwood, asked the interim committee to weigh in with a letter to Trump and the Kansas congressional delegation.

Instead, in a breathtaking betrayal, Republicans on the committee refused to stand up for Kansas farmers.

Its a bad move to undercut what most of the United States has voted for, and thats a shrewd negotiator whos going to do good for the United States of America. The last thing we need to do is somehow diminish that capability or give the idea that Kansas isnt solidly behind the president, said Rep. Sean Tarwater, R-Stilwell.

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Sometimes we have to trust the people in charge, added Sen. Ron Ryckman, a Republican from Meade.

Despite all appearances, Tarwater and Ryckman werent elected to hype up a convicted felon. Theyre meant to defend Kansas and Kansans.

All these legislative leaders had to do was look at the previous Trump term  one in which his policies failed to produce promised results  and apply critical thinking about the next steps. But they cant do that. They will allow Kansas fields to fall fallow before uttering a peep of dissent against the dear leader. They didnt even demand 30 pieces of silver in exchange.

Their best case scenario is that Trump is lying about his plans to impose across-the-board tariffs. Perhaps he will use the threat of such measures to extract concessions from foreign countries. No one knows yet.

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But their worst-case scenario is that Trump is telling the truth. A 60% tariff on Chinese goods would not just harm Kansas agriculture but the entire state economy.

Im not the one saying this. The experts testifying at Mondays hearing did. John Addessi, business adviser of the Kansas Small Business Development Center, predicted that other countries are going to be imposing tariffs in a retaliatory fashion, and thats going to make our goods less competitive. Others explained how our economy benefits from a global marketplace.

Weve clearly passed the point of reason or logic or facts. Perhaps we passed that point long ago.

I dont mean to claim that the Kansas Republicans prostrating themselves before the orange god king of Mar-a-Lago are bad people. No doubt they love their children and spouses and do important work for their constituents and communities. Yet when it comes to this decision, they have shown themselves more than willing to obey in advance.

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That phrase comes from historian Timothy Snyders valuable little volume On Tyranny, which explains how nations and their citizens can freely hand power to authoritarian regimes.

Trump has not yet taken the oath of office. He will not be president for another two months. Elected officials interested in defending their state and constituents have every interest in standing firm against an overreaching executive branch, especially one that threatens the very economic foundation of their state. Apparently, however, the executive branch only threatens Kansans if its led by a Democrat. (Lets keep track to see how many lawsuits Attorney General Kris Kobach files against the Trump administration.)

These legislators will have to live with these choices, live with these words, live with their shameless bowing and scraping in the face of autocratic power.

History will not judge them kindly, but we dont have to wait for that. We can judge them now.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
President-elect Trumps transition team is ratcheting up the pressure on Republican senators to embrace his controversial nominees to head the Justice Department, Health and Human Services, the Pentagon and other key agencies, arguing Trump needs his handpicked team in place as quickly as possible to bring change to Washington.

Republican senators say Vice President-elect JD Vance is heading the effort to shore up wavering GOP senators who were caught off guard last week by Trumps most controversial picks, such as former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to serve as attorney general and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services.

Vance will begin arranging meetings this week between key Republican senators and Gaetz, according to a source familiar with Vances plans.

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He also will arrange meetings between GOP senators and Trumps pick to head the Defense Department, Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and combat veteran who reached the rank of major in the Minnesota Army National Guard.

Republican senators are feeling mounting pressure to get in line and support Trumps nominees; colleagues warn they could face primary challengers if they buck the president-elect.

Vance is doing a lot of outreach in the Senate, said one GOP senator who requested anonymity to discuss the behind-the-scenes lobbying effort. I think hes worked through the whole Judiciary Committee. Hes calling folks, trying to get a sense of where things are.

The senator said Vance is urging GOP senators to give Gaetz and Kennedy a shot, or at least hear them out before making public statements about their fitness for office.

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Two moderate Republicans, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine), have already balked at confirming Gaetz.

Murkowski said last week Gaetz was not a serious nomination, while Collins said she was shocked by his nomination.

Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition team, said the incoming administration wants to lay the groundwork for Trumps Cabinet picks to be confirmed shortly after he takes office in January.

President Trumps incoming administration is moving at an accelerated schedule in order to make good on getting key nominees confirmed in order to start delivering for the American people, Hughes said.

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The transition official said Gaetz and Hegseth  along with former Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Trumps picks to head the Veterans Affairs Department and serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, respectively  would begin meeting with senators this week.

More Hill visits will take place after the Thanksgiving recess, according to Hughes.

Rep. Collins (VA), Rep. Gaetz (DOJ), Pete Hegseth (DOD), and Rep. Stefanik (UN) will all begin their meetings this week with additional Hill visits to continue after the Thanksgiving recess, Hughes said.

Trump allies are already warning that senators who derail his Cabinet picks could find themselves in political danger, either by facing future primary challengers or losing support from loyal Trump voters come general election time.

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I would think there would be danger for people who are in reddish states or who have a lot of potential primary challengers. I think the administration is definitely going to keep score, the senator said.

A second Republican senator who requested anonymity to discuss conversations with the Trump-Vance transition said Trump is serious about getting all of his nominees confirmed.

The source disputed speculation that Trump nominated Gaetz as a trial balloon to draw scrutiny away from other controversial picks, such as Hegseth, Kennedy or former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii), who will be nominated to serve as director of national intelligence.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), one of Trumps closest Senate allies, warned GOP colleagues last week they would become political targets for voting against Trumps agenda.

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Republicans: If youre not on the team, get out of the way, Tuberville told Fox Business in an interview.

If you want to get in the way, fine. But were going to try to get you out of the Senate too if you try to do that, he said.

Trump raised the stakes shortly after he swept all seven battleground states on Election Day by declaring the next Senate majority leader would need to give him the power to make recess appointments.

Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who all were vying to become the next Senate majority leader when Trump made his demand, quickly agreed in hopes of securing more votes for the top job.

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Thune later won the leadership race.

Senate Republicans now acknowledge they will be under heavy pressure to adjourn for longer than 10 days early next year to give Trump a chance to make recess appointments if Gaetz, Kennedy or another controversial nominee is unable to muster at least 50 votes to win confirmation.

Outgoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), who usually defends the Senates right to exercise its advise and consent power over executive branch nominees, declined on Tuesday to offer any advice for Thune if Trump demands an opportunity to appoint people his Cabinet during a recess.

Well just see how this unfolds, he said. Well see what happens between now and the new administration. And at that point, nominations can actually be sent forward, and well figure how to handle them then.

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Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) implored Thune to stand strong next year against any effort by Trump to force the Senate to take an extended recess to free his hand to make emergency appointments.

We think every nominee deserves a vote. A lot of that is in Sen. Thunes hand, and it will be very important to see whether he stands by what weve had in America for hundreds of years: the Senates advice and consent, Schumer said.

Some Republican senators are already pouring cold water on the theory Trump could force the Senate to take a 10-day recess  or a longer break  by provoking a disagreement between the Senate and House over whether and for how long to adjourn.

Some conservative strategists believe Trump has power under Article 2, Section 3 of the Constitution to force the Senate into a recess, but its never been tested before in American history.

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Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a close Thune ally, said its a negotiating term, implying Trump allies are mainly using the threat to gain leverage.

I think it would be extremely difficult to get done, he said of a recess forced by the president-elect.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Donald Trumps transition team is said to be upset with Pete Hegseth because he hasnt been honest about the sexual misconduct allegation from his past  prompting insiders to consider other options to lead the Pentagon.

Hegseth was tapped last week to become Trumps defense secretary but now those in the president-elects inner circle are quietly preparing a list of alternative candidates, Vanity Fair reported.

Its becoming a real possibility, a source told the outlets special correspondent Gabriel Sherman.

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The source said that the Trump team was taken by surprise after a serious sexual assault allegation against Hegseth came to light, which led Trumps incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles to question the former Fox News host on a call last week. Hegseth was never charged with a crime and denies the allegations.

People are upset about the distraction. The general feeling is Pete hasnt been honest, a second source told Vanity Fair.

A prominent Republican close to the Trump transition team told the outlet that some are also unhappy with the president-elects choice due to Hegseths lack of qualifications to lead the nations defense.

There are Republicans with a background in the Defense Department who are privately saying, Im not working for this guy, the source said.

Pete Hegseth, Trumps choice for defense secretary, is battling a serious sexual allegation from his past (AP)

Despite the uncertainty within the transition team, the president-elect is said to be standing by Hegseth for now.

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Police investigated Hegseth for alleged sexual misconduct in Monterey, California in 2017. The Washington Post reported at the weekend that Hegseth paid the woman who accused him of sexual assault as part of a non-disclosure agreement. Despite the payment, he has maintained the encounter was consensual.

The Post, citing a statement from Hegseths attorney Timothy Parlatore, reported that Hegseth was visibly intoxicated when he encountered a woman in Monterey seven years ago. Parlatore said in this statement that the woman contacted the police, and they concluded, the Complainant had been the aggressor in the encounter. However, Monterey police did not confirm this to the Post.

Hegseth later agreed to pay the woman as part of an NDA because he was concerned hed be fired by Fox News, the Post reported. The NDA and payment came after she threatened to litigate further in 2020, the Post reported, citing Hegseths attorney.

The Post also obtained a memo which was written by an unnamed individual  who claims to be a friend of the accuser  and sent to Trumps presidential transition team. That memo claimed Hegseth raped a 30-year-old conservative group staffer in a hotel room in Monterey in 2017, the Post reported. Police investigated the incident but Hegseth never faced charges, the memo said.

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Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told the Post that Hegseth vigorously denies all wrongdoing.

Trump is standing by his choice for now but sources say its possible Hegseth could be replaced (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

President Trump is nominating high-caliber and extremely qualified candidates to serve in his Administration, Cheung said. Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed. We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again.

Meanwhile, the former Fox News hosts lawyer told the Post that Hegseth strongly felt that he was the victim of blackmail and innocent collateral damage in a lie that the Complainant was holding onto to keep her marriage intact.

The controversy surrounding Hegseth comes as Trump also faces an uphill climb to confirm Matt Gaetz as his attorney general as he is also fighting serious sexual allegations, which he denies.

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Donald Trump Jr, who is helping with transition efforts, has suggested that his father has backup plans if his cabinet picks arent confirmed by the Senate.

Listen, theres always ideas, Don Jr told Foxs Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday. We have lists of people. Were not just randomly picking a name out of a hat. Were showing him lists of 10 to 12 people for every position. So we do have backup plans.

We are obviously going with the strongest candidates first, he continued. Some of them are going to be controversial. They are controversial because theyll actually get things done.
(Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trumps dramatic search for a Treasury secretary continues as hes scheduled to hold interviews Wednesday with former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh and Apollo Global Management Inc.s Marc Rowan, according to people familiar with the matter.

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US Senator Bill Hagerty, a Tennessee Republican and also a potential contender for a cabinet-level position, spent much of Tuesday with Trump, flying aboard the president-elects plane to a SpaceX rocket launch in Texas.

A representative for Rowan declined to comment. Warsh did not respond to a request for comment sent to him through a representative. A request for comment to Hagertys office wasnt immediately returned.

The conversations with the candidates, which come after days of deliberations and public posturing for the Treasury job, have the potential to break the logjam over whom to nominate to the countrys most powerful economic policy post, essentially the USs chief financial officer.

Key Square Group LP founder Scott Bessent is also a contender for the post. The Trump transition team did not respond to a request to comment on the status of the search.

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In an otherwise lightning quick build-out of a cabinet, the last week of Trumps evolving administration was marked by surprising  and sometimes controversial picks  including Matt Gaetz for Attorney General and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead Health and Human Services.

But much of the public feuding over trying to win Trumps favor has been between allies of Howard Lutnick, who co-helmed his transition team, and Bessent.

On Tuesday, Trump put a stop to the jockeying, announcing Lutnick as his pick for Commerce secretary and adding that the Cantor Fitzgerald LP CEO will have an expanded purview over trade and tariff policies. The move  which gives Lutnick a larger policy portfolio than is typical for a Commerce chief  may also have been the strongest sign yet that the president-elect is close to landing on a Treasury secretary.

Rowan and Warsh were both added to the list of contenders in recent days as Trump grew frustrated at infighting over the post.

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The Treasury pick is expected to be the first of several economic positions announced, including key White House posts: the chair of the Council of Economic Advisers and the directors of the National Economic Council and the Domestic Policy Council.

The next Treasury secretary, and other key economic nominees, will be immediately pulled into policy priorities  including renewing Trumps first-term tax cuts  in the incoming administration, former World Bank Group president David Malpass said in an interview with Bloomberg Televisions Surveillance Wednesday.

As you look to 2025, there is a perfect storm coming together, he said. You have to get the tax bill done and get a budget out fast. You have the debt limit coming at you, and thats a difficult one because you have to get your party to vote for increase in the national debt.

--With assistance from Katherine Burton, Laura Benitez, Maria Clara Cobo, Lisa Abramowicz, Jonathan Ferro and Meghashyam Mali.

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(Adds David Malpass comments in final two paragraphs.)

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The Executive Mansion in Richmond's Capitol Square, the official residence of the governor of Virginia. (Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)

Former President Donald Trumps return to the White House following the Nov. 5 election is already sending ripples through Virginia politics and setting the stage for an intense 2025 election cycle in the commonwealth. With control of the governorship and the House of Delegates on the line, both parties are strategizing to leverage the shifting political landscape to their advantage.

I think were in a crucial moment in Virginias history, this is a moment where every single vote, every election and every voice can make a lasting difference, especially after the election of Donald Trump, Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, said on a video call with reporters on Friday.

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The 2017 elections in Virginia offer a compelling precedent. That year  Trumps first in office  galvanized the Democratic base, leading to a stunning 15-seat gain in the House and leaving the Republicans with a razor-thin 5049 advantage.

Suburban districts that had long been Republican strongholds, including in the Richmond area and in Northern Virginia, flipped blue as many moderate voters reacted against the presidents divisive rhetoric and policies.

Additionally, Democrat Ralph Northams decisive victory in the gubernatorial race  he defeated Republican Ed Gillespie by a 9-point margin (54-45%)  underscored the states shift toward progressive politics, fueled by high turnout among women, young voters, and minorities united by their dislike for an incumbent president whom Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, had defeated in the commonwealth with 49.75-44.43%.

Two years later, in 2019, Democrats picked up six more seats in the House, marking the first time that the party held control of both legislative and executive branches in Virginia since 1993.

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Following Trumps recent win, Virginia Democrats are hoping for a similar wave in 2025, betting that the Republicans polarizing presidency will once again energize their coalition. With abortion rights, climate policy, and education likely to be central issues, Democrats believe they can maintain their control of the legislature and win back the Executive Mansion by appealing to suburban and urban voters alarmed by Trumps policies.

One of the things about Virginia is that you can never really predict what will happen, because Virginia voters are so in tune and aware of whats going on. They dont go for a lot of BS, which is why Virginia rejected Donald Trump three times, Scott said, referring also to the presidential elections in 2020 and 2024, which Trump lost in the commonwealth.

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, speaks to members of the media on Nov. 6, 2024. (Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)

Virginians, Scott said, pay very close attention to what happens in DC right now, and they will take note if Trump keeps his promise to abolish the U.S. Department of Education or eliminate federal jobs in Northern Virginia  actions that could fire up the Democratic partys base.

Republicans, on the other hand, are hoping for a reverse dynamic.

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Trumps successful third White House bid has emboldened Virginia conservatives, particularly in rural areas where his support remains robust, and the GOP campaigns of next year are likely to focus on economic issues and a law-and-order message to woo suburban voters who have drifted toward Democrats in recent cycles.

The Republican Party of Virginia and Trump very handily carried a number of Virginia House of Delegates districts that either Republicans lost by a small amount last year or won by a small amount, Rich Anderson, the chairman of the Virginia GOP, said in a recent phone interview.

So its going to be vital for us next year to take those Republicans who showed up for President Trump and to get them out in the 2025 election cycle. We will work hard in doing that because next year is a crucial year for us in the House of Delegates elections, and the Democrats only have a one seat margin. If we work hard, then we can flip it back, and that, of course, helps our nominees for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.

David Richards, a political science professor at the University of Lynchburg, said that the current Democratic majorities in the House of Delegates (51-49) and the state Senate (21-19) are too close for either party to relax.

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If Virginia acts like 2021, where it voted against the party in power in Washington, then the GOP will have an uphill climb, Richards said. The question is how far along Trumps agenda will be by the fall of 2025. If things are going well, the GOP could draft on that success, but if things are chaotic, then that will be a problem.

Deputy House Minority Leader Israel OQuinn, R-Washington, said that Republicans plan to seize on a lagging enthusiasm among Democratic voters this year in order to flip the House in 2025.

Del. Israel OQuinn, R-Washington, speaks on the floor of the House of Delegates. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)

These races are going on a race-by-race and a candidate-by-candidate basis, thats why you have to put the work into the recruitment of quality candidates and make sure that youre competitive in these really tight 50-50 House districts, OQuinn said.

In 2020, Democrat Joe Biden won 60 out of 100 House of Delegates seats, and in the following year Democrats were able to capitalize on 51 of those, OQuinn added. I think Kamala Harris won 59 this year, so theyre going to have to run the table on all 51 to be able to continue to hold on to the majority, and I think were going to be very competitive there.

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And less than one year before Virginias 2025 gubernatorial election and more than six months before the party primaries, the contest is effectively set, with two high-profile candidates leading the major-party tickets.

On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Prince William, was the first to announce her bid in November of last year, positioning herself as a centrist with a focus on pragmatic leadership. Outgoing Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, followed suit one month later, but in April he opted to pursue the lieutenant governors seat instead, streamlining Spanbergers path to the nomination.

U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Prince William, speaks to a crowd of Democratic volunteers in Henrico County. (Graham Moomaw/Virginia Mercury)

For Republicans, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears emerged as the partys standard-bearer after Attorney General Jason Miyares declared on Monday he would seek reelection rather than enter the governors race. Earle-Sears, who launched her campaign in September, is set to carry the GOP banner unopposed, benefiting from Miyares decision to focus on being reelected into his current role.

But despite her re-embrace of Trump as the Republican presidential nominee, the lieutenant governors campaign may still be haunted by her remarks from November 2022, when she publicly urged Americans to move on from the former president.

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A true leader understands when they have become a liability. A true leader understands that its time to step off the stage. And the voters have given us that very clear message, Earle-Sears said in a TV interview at the time.

Richards, the political science professor, said that he expects the damning remarks to be brought up by political action committees aligned with Spanberger during the gubernatorial election cycle as a way to undermine Earle-Sears with Republicans.

She will need to make up quickly with Trump. Had Trump lost she would have been able to brush off her previous comments, but now she will need his support, Richards said.

I suspect she will try to make nice. Her bigger hurdle will be convincing independent voters in Virginia she is not too extreme. Virginia is a purple state, and when it votes for the GOP it likes moderate-facing candidates, which is why Youngkin was careful to present himself that way in 2021.

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A spokesman for Earle-Sears campaign declined to provide comment for this story.

Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears presides over the Senate. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)

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There is little doubt that the match-up between Spanberger and Earle-Sears promises to be a defining battle of contrasting visions for Virginias future. Spanbergers track record as a moderate in Congress and Earle-Sears bold embrace of conservative policies ensure the race will draw national attention.

Spanbergers 2025 campaign will continue to be laser-focused on the priorities that all Virginians share  stronger schools, safer communities, and lower costs, campaign spokesman Connor Joseph said And following the election of former President Trump, she also knows that Virginia must have a governor who is committed to protecting the rights and fundamental freedoms of all Virginians.

Ernest McGowen, an associate professor at the Department of Political Science at the University of Richmond, said that Earle-Sears will likely face an uphill battle in a state that has increasingly voted for Democrats in statewide elections.

Earle-Sears may be a little too far right. If you look at Tim Kane and the kind of people that he had to run against, I think it may be kind of a similar situation, McGowen said, referring to the Democratic U.S. senator from Virginia who has won his two reelection bids by fending of challenges from Republican nominees whose far-right positions have helped their primary campaigns but hurt their chances of winning a general election.

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Also, Spanberger is more of a known commodity, McGowen said. If the Democrats in their election postmortem decide that their current ideological median isnt isnt where they thought it should be, I could see them actually really get behind Spanberger as not the new face of the party, but as someone to show the diversity of thought in the party.

The 2025 race for Virginias attorney general is also starting to take form, with three candidates having officially declared their bids.

After securing Gov. Glenn Youngkins endorsement just moments after his announcement Monday, Miyares is unlikely to face a challenger for his partys nomination. If reelected, the incumbent has vowed to focus on public safety and his record combating fentanyl and violent crime during a second term.

For Democrats, the field features a competitive primary between former Del. Jay Jones, who previously ran in 2021, and Henrico County Commonwealths Attorney Shannon Taylor. Jones has criticized Miyares for what he calls a partisan agenda, while Taylor has emphasized her decades of experience as a prosecutor dedicated to justice and public safety.

The lieutenant governors contest, however, remains wide open almost one year out.

James City County business consultant and U.S. Navy veteran John Curran  who ran unsuccessfully for the Board of Supervisors in 2023  is the only Republican who has filed his paperwork to date, but the Democratic field is more crowded.

Besides Stoney, three additional candidates are vying for their partys nomination: state Sens. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, and Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach; and Babur Lateef, the former chairman of the Prince William County School Board.

But officials from both parties agree on one thing  the 2025 elections will likely serve as a referendum on Trumps second term and provide a key barometer for the 2026 midterms and beyond.

It goes without saying that the Democrats will definitely be energized, because they have an intense dislike for President Trump, said Anderson, the RPV chair. The challenge for Republicans next year is being smarter and better equipped in 2025 than maybe we were in 2017, when we lost all those seats in the House of Delegates.

And House Speaker Scott expressed confidence in his partys ability to harness its bases enthusiasm and channel it into meaningful action.

We will stand up and we will fight, and I think the majority of Virginians will stand with us and push back against this administration, Scott said. I think that next years election will be that type of referendum on Donald Trumps administration.

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Just over a year into Donald Trumps first term as President, immigration agents raided a meat processing plant in Bean Station, Tennessee, arresting 104 workers. It was the largest worksite raid in a decade. Two months later, 114 were arrested at a large-scale nursery in Sandusky, Ohio. The next year, immigration agents raided poultry plants in six towns in central Mississippi, arresting 680 workers in one day.

When Trump comes back to office in January, he plans to bring back the raids, after President Biden largely put a stop to such enforcement tactics.

Worksite operations have to happen, Tom Homan, Trumps former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and his incoming border czar, said on Fox and Friends last week.

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Worksite raids generate headlines and TV news stories, but the operations dont lead to a significant number of deportations, according to those familiar with such operations. They are flashy, they are disruptive, they are controversialtherefore, I would expect them during the second Trump Administration, says John Sandweg, who was acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the Obama Administration. But from a numbers perspective, they are not going to materially increase the count.

Trump won the election after repeatedly promising on the campaign trail to launch the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, one that would remove millions of people from the country. Trump confirmed Monday on social media that he was prepared to declare a national emergency and use the military to help beef up his mass deportation program.

Deporting people is challenging and requires time and resources. During Trumps first term, deportations peaked in the 2019 budget year, when the federal authorities removed about 347,000 people.

To further boost those numbers, the Trump administration may decide to address the backlog of some 3 million cases in the immigration courts by convincing Congress to fund more immigration judges. Or they could hire more agents to locate hundreds of thousands of people still in the U.S. who have already been ordered removed by a judge, says Sandweg.

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Worksite raids are expensive, resource-intensive operations that are likely to be less effective in boosting that number, experts say.

Eric Ruark, director of research for NumbersUSA, a group that advocates for reducing both legal and illegal immigration levels, says worksite enforcement is essential to dealing with illegal immigration. It also sends a message to people who might want to come that theres not going to be the opportunity to work in the United States because they dont have authorization, Ruark says. (Homan has also argued that worksite raids are an effective way to find victims of sexual trafficking and forced labor.)

Ruark predicts that reviving of workplace raids will prompt a collision within the Republican Party, as pro-business Republicans are likely to see the raids as undermining the economy. Youre going to see pushback, Ruark says. The only thing standing in the way of carrying out his campaign promises would be opposition within his own party.

Michelle Lapointe, legal director for the American Immigration Council, which opposes Trumps immigration plans, agrees that the raids are about sending a message. Part of the strategy is to terrorize peopleand these worksite raids do exactly that, she says.

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After the raid in eastern Tennessee in April 2018, workers sued in court and claimed officers with Homeland Security Investigations and the Internal Revenue Service had illegally singled them out for arrest based on their appearance. A court approved a $1 million settlement. Some workers were also granted legal status as part of the settlement terms. The meat processing plant in Bean Station is still operating.

Lapointe says her organization is preparing to defend workers if worksite raids ramp up again under Trump. They promised to carry these out again and we take them at their word, unfortunately, she says.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
At least three of Donald Trumps nominees will test whether his ability to withstand sexual misconduct allegations will transfer to his Cabinet picks.

The nominations of Matt Gaetz for attorney general, Pete Hegseth for Defense secretary and Robert Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary may reveal whether the shield that surrounds Trump will transfer to his nominees  and ultimately his Cabinet.

All three have faced accusations of sexual misconduct but senators appear to be publicly willing, for now at least, to defer to Trump after his resounding victory on Nov. 5.

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I just don't think you can deal with allegations in the past as though they're fact, said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), who added that Trump, as a victim of lawfare is acutely aware of unjust prosecutions  and that Gaetz and the others havent been convicted of any crimes.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said he wont judge any of the nominees on rumor and wants to hold hearings to vet Trumps picks. Sen. James Lankford, from Oklahoma, said he expects lawmakers will get everybody answering questions like we always do.

Trumps picks are also in a position familiar to him: as both the accused, and aggrieved. He has paid to cover up extramarital relationships with porn star Stormy Daniels, swimsuit model Karen McDougal and, just months earlier, was found liable by a federal jury in a civil trial of sexually abusing and defaming the writer E. Jean Carroll. Time and again, though, dating back to the October 2016 release of the Access Hollywood tape in which he bragged about groping women, Trump has largely evaded lasting consequences or long-term political damage.

I support all of Trump's Cabinet picks. That's a whole part of the process  there'll be a Senate confirmation, public hearings, the DOJ, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) said. The DOJ decided not to pursue charges against our colleague. And so, there's the media  you guys want to make him guilty, hook line and sink or be judged during an execution of a guy who's never been charged with a crime.

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As much as Trumps 2024 campaign was a cultural crusade against wokeness and DEI initiatives, it was also a defiant clap-back by men who powered to victory a former president who has himself been found liable for sexual abuse. The nominations of Gaetz, Hegseth and Kennedy speak to some men who have cast themselves as a generation aggrieved in the post-#MeToo era.

Trumps own statement from the rally stage vowing to be a protector of women whether women like it or not epitomized, for Democrats, a growing disregard for the idea of consent, a statement Vice President Kamala Harris seized on as offensive. Following Trumps victory, sexist posts surged on social media. Most notably, an X post by controversial white nationalist Nick Fuentes  Your body, my choice. Forever. he wrote in a repudiation of #MeToo politics  was reposted over 36,000 times and the phrase, picked up on by other accounts, was trending for days.

The president-elects own allies acknowledge that the current moment has been shaped by #MeToo, but in some of the exact opposite ways that movement could have imagined: The highly politicized nomination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the attendant allegations of sexual impropriety  have apparently numbed a vast swath of the nation.

The president of the United States is elected by all Americans. The Senate should presumptively vote to confirm his qualified nominees unless they have disqualified themselves with misconduct. And after the Kavanaugh confirmation, the presumption of guilt is out the window, said Mike Davis, the former GOP Senate aide who led Kavanaughs confirmation process and has been one of Trumps kitchen cabinet legal advisers.

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Now, a crop of Trumps nominations are one early result of an election defined by a staggering gender gap, with men of all ages gravitating to the thrice-married former reality TV star whos still awaiting sentencing to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment his former lawyer Michael Cohen made to Daniels. Thats not to mention the ubiquitous presence of Elon Musk, who will not undergo Senate confirmation as a co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency but has wheedled his way into Trumps inner circle, even as Musk has faced lawsuits from employees alleging he created a harassment-fueled work environment.

Were in a different era. Part of that is, weve seen behavior that has otherwise been disqualifying that hasnt been, said Douglas Heye, a former Bush administration official. The Access Hollywood tape being a perfect example of it. And Bill Clinton being on the campaign trail so prominently. There was a time when Bill Clinton was sort of canceled, and thats gone.


President-elect Trump joined Elon Musk on Tuesday in Texas to observe the launch of a SpaceX rocket as the two leaders have spent significant time together since Election Day.

Trump was joined by some of his staff and Republican lawmakers, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-S.D.) and Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas). Trump embraced Musk, the founder of SpaceX, upon arriving at the companys Brownsville launch facility.

The president-elect earlier in the day urged Republican senators to Show Up and Hold the Line against Democratic judicial nominations.

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Tuesday marked the sixth test launch of SpaceXs Starship rocket. In its fifth test last month, SpaceX caught a rocket booster on its Texas launchpad as it returned to Earth. Trump regularly invoked that test launch during his campaign rallies in the closing stretch of the presidential election.

Trump and Musk have developed an increasingly close relationship in recent weeks. Musk, the CEO of Tesla and owner of social platform X, endorsed Trump after a July assassination attempt and donated millions of dollars to a pro-Trump super PAC that helped with voter turnout efforts.

Since Election Day, Musk has been a near-constant presence at Trumps side at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. He has joined calls with foreign leaders, attended meetings in Washington with the president-elect and offered input on Cabinet positions.

Musk also publicly weighed in on the ongoing fight over who Trump should pick as Treasury secretary over the weekend.

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Trump has expressed fondness for Musk, who was also tapped to co-lead a new government efficiency department alongside entrepreneur and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

But some Republicans, including those close to Trumps transition, have suggested the honeymoon phase may not last. They have argued Trump will grow tired of Musk inserting himself into decision-making and grabbing the spotlight, just as he has in the past when officials have outshined him.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Arizona and other key swing states all went red in 2024, helping Donald Trump secure the U.S. presidency. This year, he won Arizona by a bigger margin than the 2016 election.

Weeks after the election, how Trump gained more votes is now being analyzed.

Border counties such as Pima and Yuma showed more support for Trump than in previous elections. He gained about 10 percentage points in Yuma County compared with his run in 2020. His message on employment and the economy resonated, according to experts, despite bitter immigration rhetoric.

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Areas of Maricopa County like Chandler and Gilbert that swung toward President Joe Biden in 2020 turned back red in the 2024 election.

But not everywhere in Arizona trended toward the Republicans. The northwest corner of metro Phoenix got a little bluer than in years past, indicating that retirement communities may no longer be a reliably red voting bloc.

With Trump heading back to Washington in January, this data might shed light on what might happen to the governor's seat in 2026, when Gov. Katie Hobbs' seat is open again.

This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Stephanie Murray to break down the data of the 2024 election.

Listen to the episode

The best way to listen is to subscribe to The Gaggle on your favorite podcast app, but you also can stream the full episode below.

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Note: The Gaggle is intended to be heard. But we also offer an AI transcript of the episode script. There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio.

Follow The Gaggle and all azcentral podcasts on X, formerly Twitter and on Instagram.

Listen to The Gaggle : Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher

Have a question or comment about Arizona politics?

You can share your thoughts with us at 602-444-0804 or via email here.

Reach the producer Amanda Luberto at aluberto@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter @amandaluberto.

Catch up on previous Gaggle episodes here:

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What a Trump presidency could mean for Arizona's 2026 election
During the Nov. 14 Tennessees State Building Commission meeting, the finances of Tennessee State University came under further scrutiny. Its been an ongoing issue, one that led to the dismissal of TSUs entire board last March as well as the hiring of Ronald Johnson, Ph.D., as the schools interim president in July.

Of particular concern was a current advisory contract TSU has with former president Glenda Glover, Ph.D., who retired last June. The contract is set to pay Glover an estimated $800,000, despite the schools financial woes. Cash is so tight that a $30 million infusion from the state was needed for TSU to make payroll this month.

On the matter of how, exactly, TSU landed in this volatile position, all parties  Johnson, his team and members of the Commission  agreed: The fault lies with Glover and the previous administration who, according to Johnson, made repeated poor decisions, operating with few, if any, checks and balances. It has essentially put the institution in a crippled position," Johnson said.

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As such, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, asked a pointed, if obvious, question: "Why would you continue to pay her a lot of money to advise on a situation that we're dealing with because of her leadership when she was at the helm of the university?"

Johnson didnt have an answer for that, as he noted that Glovers contract was a board decision  the details of which he isnt privy to, given his own employment by the board. He also couldnt say, when asked, whether the contract is voidable.

But queries aside, theres a super simple solution here. In the spirit of accountability and commitment to TSUs legacy and future mission to transform lives, prepare a diverse population of leaders, and contribute to economic and community development, Glover can just give the money back.

And thats exactly what she should do.

Glover should let CoreCivic experience be her guide

In February of 2021, Glover accepted a position on the board of CoreCivic, the Brentwood-based, for-profit prison system that is currently under federal investigation for civil rights violations.

Tennessee State University President Dr. Glenda Glover pauses as she announces her upcoming retirement during a news conference Monday, August 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.

In a press release announcing the move, Damon Hininger, CoreCivics president and CEO, cited Glovers extraordinary combination of expertise in business, education and community leadership as well as her lifelong calling of creating life-changing educational opportunities for individuals in need.

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Glover, meanwhile, stated that she saw a a genuine commitment to progress in the company, and that she look[ed] forward to being an inside voice that can help CoreCivic realize the full potential of its purpose.

As for the response from the public, particularly those within the Black community whose needs she Glover was employed to address at TSU? Rebukes were swift and forceful.

How could the president of an HBCU join the board of a company that profited from the imprisonment of a predominantly Black inmate population?

Glover reversed her position in less than 24 hours. But she also defended herself. She claimed that her goal was to help incarcerated Black people.

Interim President Ronald A. Johnson gives his remarks at the beginning of the TSU Board of Trustees meeting at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.

And, with particular relevance to TSUs current precarity, Glover said she was planning to donate her board compensation (estimated to be north of $200,000) to TSU.

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This precedent should guide Glover now, as her beloved institution struggles mightily. (In addition to serving as president of the university for 11 years, the Memphis native graduated from TSU with her bachelors degree in mathematics.)

TSU is facing external, and internal, distress

I want to make clear, as I have many times in this column: The states historic underfunding of TSU is despicable and has caused its own crippling of the university. The school has long been forced to make do with very little as it spread its meager resources around, trying to plug one hole over here while a crack widens over there.

I wrote recently about Johnsons early efforts to stabilize the universities finances, while also remaining unequivocal in my position that the state needs to repay every dollar owed. In my opinion, that money is due no matter the current state of the schools books.

But I am also unequivocal in my belief that it is absolutely shameful for anyone, but particularly a Black person, to assume leadership of a struggling institution  one that was designed to serve the interests of the Black community and that is already buckling under the weight of systemic injustice  and make a bad situation worse.

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That stands across the HBCU landscape, and it certainly applies to TSU.

In the Nov. 16 edition of the Black Tennessee Voices newsletter (please subscribe!), I wrote about the Building Commission meeting and the public airing of TSUs dirty laundry. I believe its been unfortunate, by necessary. And as attention turns to Glover, and her poor decision making as the universitys former leader, I believe that, too, can lead to a positive outcome.

It would have been nice for Glover to have been at the meeting herself. Then she couldve answered for those decisions that Johnson believes have crippled TSU. Specifically, she couldve explained why she used federal COVID relief to extend four-year scholarships to incoming freshmen, despite only having the funds to cover their first year.

Andrea Williams

But in lieu of that public accountability, she can still make private amends. And while ongoing the remainder of her $800,000 contract wont eliminate all of TSUs financial woes, every single dollar helps.

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Andrea Williams is an opinion columnist for The Tennessean and curator of the Black Tennessee Voices initiative. She has an extensive background covering country music, sports, race and society. Email her at adwilliams@tennessean.com or follow her on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @AndreaWillWrite.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee State University could use Glover's contract money | Opinion
(Bloomberg) -- A prominent Tunisian politician who tried unsuccessfully to stand against President Kais Saied in last months elections is undergoing treatment for serious burns sustained from an acid attack.

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Abdellatif Mekki, a former health minister and leader of the opposition group Action and Achievement, suffered burns in his eyes, neck and face after he was attacked at his home by a neighbor, his party said in a statement on Wednesday.

The motives behind the attack were not immediately clear. Action and Achievement urged authorities to open an investigation, saying previous complaints by Mekki against the attacker and his family were not followed through.

Hours after the incident late Tuesday, independent radio station Mosaique FM reported that a public prosecutor in the capital Tunis had authorized arrest warrants for two people in connection to a complaint filed by Mekki after the attack.

Mekki, a former member of the Islamist Ennahda party, was among several candidates who sought to challenge Saied in the Oct. 6 poll, only to be excluded by Tunisias election authority. Saied, who was seeking to extend his leadership of the North African country that began in 2019, went on to win with more than 90% of the votes cast.

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The buildup to the election was marred by accusations Saied was trying to orchestrate a victory, and several opposition candidates and critics were arrested. Less than a third of the 9.7 million-strong electorate participated, the lowest rate for a presidential vote since Tunisia gained independence from France almost seven decades ago.

(Updates with a report of arrest warrants in fourth paragraph.)

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(Bloomberg) -- After waiting years for action from President Joe Biden, Turkey is pinning its hopes on President-elect Donald Trump to free it from sanctions over its use of a Russian air defense system.

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The president could ask Congress to waive legislation that effectively cut off Turkeys top defense procurement agency from US financial institutions, military hardware and technology. That would allow Turkey to buy fifth-generation F-35 jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp., ensure its military can operate in sync with other members of the NATO alliance and bolster deterrence in its southeastern flank.

As Trump prepares to take office in January, Turkey is communicating to people close to him that it might agree to restricted use of the Russian S-400 missiles without jettisoning them, according to people familiar with the proposal who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the information.

Shortly after congratulating Trump on his election victory in a phone call, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged the US to lift sanctions, known as CAATSA, that targeted the nations defense industry and removed it from the F-35 development program.

Trumps transition team didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on the Turkish request.

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Resolving the spat over the Russian S-400 missiles, which Turkey has test-fired, could lead to an unprecedented increase in defense-industry cooperation between the longtime allies, Turkish and US officials have said privately.

The US has said it may discuss Turkeys return to the F-35 family if the feud over Ankaras acquisition of the advanced Russian system is resolved. Turkeys defense and foreign ministries didnt respond to requests for comment over the countrys latest attempt to seek a waiver from the sanctions.

Ankara was an original F-35 partner, and its plan to buy about 100 jets made it one of the four top foreign customers for the stealth fighter. Turkey has sought reimbursement of $1.4 billion it previously put into the initiative. Six F-35A aircraft that were reserved for Turkey are kept in storage in the US.

Improved Relations

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Strained ties with the US started to improve early this year when Turkey ratified Swedens bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a move the US and European nations advanced in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Turkey has since signed a deal to purchase 40 F-16 fighter jets from the US but is negotiating to pare back its original plan to buy upgrade kits for its existing fleet as well as munitions amid spending cuts at home, the people said. Ankara has also asked for US permission to obtain and assemble GE Aerospace F110 engines, used in F-16s, to power its twin-engine Kaan warplane and F404 engines for Hurjet training aircraft.

Earlier: Turkey to Pare Back $23 Billion Deal for F-16 Jets With US

Turkey has provided military supplies to Ukraine including armed drones and critical shells as a Turkish firm agreed to jointly produce the NATO-standard 155mm caliber ammunition in the US.

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Kurdish Forces

Another bone of contention is the US arming and training of Kurdish forces in Syria. Turkey regards them as terrorists and a threat to its unity because they are affiliated with the separatist Kurdish group the PKK, which is waging a war for autonomy in Turkeys southeast.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said last week that the main problem with Washington was about Turkeys security concerns and namely, US support to the Kurdish forces.

In an attempt to resolve that issue, Turkey has proposed to Washington that its army, the second-largest in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after the US, could take over the fight against Islamic State in Syria if the US pulls out its troops and ceases military support to the Kurdish forces, according to the people familiar with the discussions. They added that Turkey was also prepared to take over the responsibility for tens of thousands of Islamic State jihadists and their relatives detained by Kurdish forces.

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Washington hasnt yet responded to the Turkish proposal, Turkish and US officials have said, although Trump proposed removing the US forces in Syria during his previous term as president.

Trump may focus on this issue strongly during this period and may withdraw American soldiers from Syria and the region, Turkeys Defense Minister Yasar Guler told Turkeys TV100 in an interview last week. Because the US has bigger issues.

--With assistance from Firat Kozok.

(Updates with Turkish foreign ministers comments in 13th paragraph.)

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CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)  In Cape Carteret, they are putting a new spin on a Thanksgiving tradition.

The Turkey Trot is gearing up for a fun race next week, as well as, getting ready to send the proceeds to those devastated by Hurricane Helene. The ninth-annual Turkey Trot was originally started to raise funds for a 5K trail around Cape Carteret.

Now, with the trail more than 90 percent complete, the Turkey Trot team reached out to a nonprofit helping in Western N.C.

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The nonprofit has already been able to make 89 trips over just eight weeks delivering supplies and revitalizing two campers into mobile homes.

Jessica and I both are from here. I mean, we were born here, so we know what hurricanes are and we know that its not finished in two weeks after the events gone, General Manager at the Gym Cape Carteret Aquatic and Wellness Deanna McElmon said. It goes on for a long time so the immediate resources that were pushed out to Western North Carolina were there. But, we know the long haul is still going to be here.

For information on how you can sign up for the fun-filled race or contribute to the donations, 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 WNCT.
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Russia had to take steps to protect itself, after being asked about Russia lowering the threshold for a nuclear strike, adding NATO should review the Russian statement carefully.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks, and Moscow said Ukraine had struck deep inside Russia with U.S.-made ATACMS missiles.

Erdogan told a press conference in Brazil after a G20 summit that Turkey had to maintain good relations with both Russia and Ukraine, and that it would continue to call for peace despite Ukraine's attack on Russia using U.S. ATACMS missiles, which he said was "not positive."

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay)
A Midwest favorite fast-food chain is expanding its footprint in the Twin Cities.

Culver's, known for its famous ButterBurgers, cheese curbs and and frozen custard, is set to open soon in Prior Lake.

Courtesy of City of Prior Lake.

According to the city, a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, Dec. 9 at 9 a.m. will celebrate the new location's opening.

The chain, founded in Sauk City, Wisconsin, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

It has a huge presence in Minnesota, with dozens of locations in the Twin Cities metro alone, and many more dotted around the rest of the state.
Editors note: The details of animal cruelty in this case may be disturbing to some readers.

AUSTIN (KXAN)  Law enforcement arrested two people in connection to what court documents say were 15 dead dogs found in South Boggy Creek behind Shiloh Drive in south Austin in April.

Fred John Riess, 61, and Rafael Cantu Baez-Riess, 51, each face a felony charge of Intentional or Knowing Unauthorized Discharge. There is still an active warrant out for their arrest on that charge. They also each face multiple misdemeanors in animal cruelty charges, which they were arrested for over the summer.

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When attorney information becomes available for the suspects, we will reach out their lawyers.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Neighbors say dead dogs found in creek, police investigating

According to their arrest warrant affidavits, they moved out of their Shiloh Drive home on April 13, and the dogs were found in the creek by neighbors the next day. The suspects realtor told investigators she saw several dogs inside the home 30 days prior to the suspects move-out date, and saw ducks in the backyard on their final walk through.

She said she asked if they needed help relocating any animals and the suspects refused the help.

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Court documents state the dogs found in the creek were surrounded by household trash consistent with cleaning out a home before moving out.

The Riess left behind trash bins after they moved out, investigators said, and the bins were full of medical wrapping that was similar to the wrapping found around some of the dogs left in the creek. Police also found a trail of wood shavings near the water that were consistent with wood shavings in the suspects backyard.

The legality of shooting dogs in Texas

They were eventually taken into custody in Milam County in June. When APD interviewed Rafael, he said in the past, when their dogs passed away, he would tell Fred they needed to be cremated. Due to the cost of cremation, Fred suggested they temporarily place the dogs in the freezer until they could arrange for cremation, according to the affidavit.

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Investigators executed a search warrant at the suspects new house in Cameron, and found dead dogs and bird-like animals inside.

Some of the deceased animals were wrapped in clear plastic bags, others in Whataburger take-out plastic bags, according to the affidavit. Investigators also found wrappings similar to the wrappings found around the dogs in the creek.

This investigation involved the Austin Animal Center, Austin Watershed Protection, Texas Commission on Environmental Qualitys Crimes Unit, Assistant District Attorneys Office and various police departments, according to APD. The agency said this is why it took months to arrest the suspects.

At APD, the Animal Cruelty Unit consists of two detectives and one civilian staffer.

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Jamestown, NY (WJET/WFXP)  Two people are in police custody after a police raid in Jamestown, NY uncovered different kinds of drugs along with a World War II-era rifle.

Members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Taskforce along with the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force executed that raid at an apartment in the 20 block of Hazzard Street finding two people inside just before noon Monday.

Chautauqua County woman pleads guilty to sex trafficking, drug charges

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Police said once the residence was secured, investigators began their search finding 20.5 grams of cocaine, 11.5 grams of fentanyl, 16 Clonazepam pills, a quantity of suboxone strips, $313 cash, scales, a replica pistol and a Springfield M1 Garand rifle suspected of being stolen.

Both occupants, 28-year-old Collin A. Slack and 22-year-old Nakeya I. Hardy both of Jamestown, were taken into custody.

Collin A. Slack Nakeya I. Hardy. Photos courtesy of Jamestown Police Department. Search results. Photos courtesy of Jamestown Police Department.

Police said Slack was under the supervision of New York State Parole while Hardy had numerous outstanding warrants from the Chautauqua County Sheriffs Office and Ellicott Police Department. Both are also previously convicted felons and are not legally permitted to possess a firearm.

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Person of interest named for August shooting death in Jamestown, BOLO issued

Slack and Hardy are each being charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, three counts of third-degree and two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance along with criminally using paraphernalia.

Theyre being held in the Chautauqua County Jail after pleading not guilty to the aforementioned charges with bail being denied for Slack and no bail listed for Hardy.

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Jamestown police are now asking anyone who may have misplaced or had a similar Springfield M1 Garand-style rifle stolen to call their tip line at 716-483-TIPS (8477).

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Two corrections officers agreed to plead guilty to federal charges in the case of a mentally ill man who froze to death  marking a total of eight jail employees who have entered plea agreements related to the death.

Federal court records filed on Monday and Tuesday show Daniel Lee Allen Brown agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge of deprivation of civil rights under color of law, while Megan Johnson agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge of criminal conspiracy to deprive an inmate of their rights.

Brown and Johnson were corrections officers who worked several shifts over the two-week period in which Tony Mitchell was incarcerated at Walker County Jail, federal court documents said.

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The plea deals were filed separately, but both describe a pervasive culture of retaliation against incarcerated people who had previously been accused of violence towards law enforcement. Five other corrections officers have plead guilty to federal charges related to Mitchells death, and one nurse contracted by the jail also plead guilty in late October.

Attorneys for Brown and Johnson have not responded to emails seeking comment.

Mitchell, 33, died Jan. 26, 2023. His death certificate lists his cause of death as hypothermia and sepsis from medical neglect.

Mitchell was arrested Jan. 12 after a relative asked for a welfare check on him. The sheriffs office said at the time that Mitchell was talking about portals to hell and asserted that he had fired a weapon at officers. When he arrived at the jail, Mitchell was disoriented, had trouble standing and walking, and his face was painted blue, prosecutors wrote in the plea agreement.

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Mitchell was held in a concrete cell sometimes referred to as the jails drunk tank, with no bedding, bathroom or running water. Previous court documents described Mitchell as almost always naked, wet, cold, and covered in feces while lying on the cement floor without a mat or blanket. Eventually, he became mostly unresponsive to officers.

Johnson falsely claimed that Mitchell was too combative for medical attention, and denied a nurse access to Mitchell, according to her plea deal. Johnson said that her mischaracterization of Mitchell was an excuse to mistreat him.

The court filing described at least one instance in 2022 where Johnson said leadership encouraged jailers to use excessive force on inmates in the future to exert dominance over the inmates." Johnson also described another instance where an officer bragged about punching an inmate who had tried to escape until he bled.

Johnson did not raise her concerns over Mitchell's well-being with anyone for fear of looking soft" and because she wanted to be one of the boys," the court document said.

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Separately, Brown's plea deal said that he expressed concerns about Mitchell's conditions to a superior at the jail, who then raised those concerns to the shift captain. The plea deal did not identify either employee by name.

But when Mitchell's conditions remained the same, Brown sought to avoid scrutiny from Jail managers by joining others in the jail who permitted (Mitchell) to suffer from the cruel conditions under which he was housed.

Brown did not to take reasonable steps to save Mitchell, despite his clear, life-threatening conditions, the plea deal said.

Both defendants are set to be arraigned in mid-December.

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___

Safiyah Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
A lawsuit filed by two former St. Paul Public Schools employees alleges the district misused federal COVID-relief funds and that the employees were fired for attempting to flag these concerns, in an alleged pattern of retaliation.

Former district chief financial officer Marie Schrul and former business systems support manager Curtis Mahanay filed the lawsuit in Ramsey County District Court on Wednesday.

According to the lawsuit, the district fired Schrul and Mahanay for their whistleblowing. The lawsuit says the two want to hold the district accountable for its brazen violation of state law whistleblower protections. It alleges the district used government COVID funding on employee bonuses and perks and toward a budget shortfall of $43 million.

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It says that then-Superintendent Joe Gothard invited 300 district leaders to an invite-only party where the food trucks alone cost $10,000 in public funds.

The district misused COVID and nutrition service funds to purchase gifts for employees and concealed the purchases by submitting invoices falsely characterizing them as disinfectant, according to the lawsuit. It also alleges the district used these funds to continue to pay employees for school-lunch deliveries to students though the deliveries were made during COVID lockdowns and had not continued as in-person learning resumed.

Schrul raised concerns about misuse of funds, according to the lawsuit, with Gothard, who left the district in May for a job with his hometown school district in Madison, Wis. According to the filing, Gothard responded by suggesting that Schrul get creative with her accounting in order to continue the questionable purchases while shifting them to the General Fund.

Response to allegations

Officials at the Madison Metropolitan School District where Gothard is superintendent said Wednesday that because the litigation is in another district and state, they would have no comment.

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And, the SPPS district does not comment on pending legal matters, according to district spokesperson Erica Wacker in an email Wednesday. All district financials are publicly available on its website, including budget reports dating back to 2008 and audited financial statements back to 2017, according to Wacker.

The districts external auditors, Clifton Larson Allen LLP, issued a clean or unmodified audit opinion of the fiscal year 2023 budget at the Oct. 22 school board meeting. This is the most favorable audit opinion a school district can receive, according to Wacker. The district received an Aa2 rating for its solid financial position with an established track record of outperforming budgeted expectations in its Nov. 1 credit opinion by Moodys Investors Service, according to Wacker.

Governing policies for the districts investments, fund balance, annuities and other financial operations are available at spps.org/about/board-of-education/board-policies-procedures.

Schrul now works for Stillwater Area Public Schools as its executive director of finance. Mahanay has moved out of state.

Lawsuit claims retaliation against employees

The lawsuit also alleges that the district routinely retaliates against employees who speak out against its unlawful practices, either with termination or other actions. Examples in the lawsuit include alleged concerns of sexual harassment or racial discrimination, assault by students, or neglect of special education students, brought by employees who were then terminated or forced out of their positions.

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As Schrul continued to bring up concerns, Gothard regularly canceled their one-on-one meetings, typically used to discuss district finances, in the two years leading up to her termination, according to the lawsuit.

Schrul worked for the district from 1998 until September 2022. She started as an accountant before eventually becoming controller and then the districts chief financial officer.

Mahanay worked for the district from 2016 to September 2022 and was recruited and hired by Schrul to help modernize the districts financial record-keeping and analysis, according to the lawsuit.

Schrul and Mahanay are represented by J. Ashwin Madia, according to the lawsuit. Madia represented former SPPS teacher Aaron Benner who said St. Paul Public Schools retaliated against him for criticizing the districts racial equity policy and accepted a $525,000 settlement from the district in 2019.

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TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC4)  A couple was hospitalized and more than 1,500 homes lost power following a T-bone crash in Taylorsville Monday afternoon, according to the Taylorsville Police Department.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., a vehicle ran a red light at 5400 S 1300 W and crashed into another vehicle, hitting a power pole during the incident. Authorities extricated a male and female from their vehicle and transported them to the hospital in serious, but stable, condition.

Police have not released information on the victims or details surrounding the crash.

A screenshot of the Rocky Mountain Power outages map taken on Nov. 19 at approximately 4:15 p.m. (Credit: Rocky Mountain Power)

The crash into the power pole led to approximately 1,700 homes without power. The power to nearly all affected Taylorsville residences was restored by 4:30 p.m., with the exception of a few hundred homes. Rocky Mountain Power anticipates the repairs will be completed before 6:30 p.m.

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There is no further information at this time.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Nov. 19Two Santa Fe men face a slew of felony charges after police say they threatened a woman  one of them with a gun and a knife  over a parking space Monday evening at a senior housing complex on Siringo Road.

Santa Fe police arrested Mac Austin Dingus, 45, and Martin Garner Ghee, 70, at the scene, according to court records filed in the incident. Both were booked into the Santa Fe County jail late Monday.

The woman told police she was sitting in her vehicle, parked in a space at the complex, when one of the men threatened her with weapons and the other tried opening her car door, according to police statements filed against the two men.

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Dingus and Ghee each face counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and conspiracy charges, according to criminal complaints filed Tuesday in Santa Fe County Magistrate Court. Dingus also faces a count of tampering with evidence.

Police were dispatched to the parking lot shortly before 6 p.m. Monday after the woman dialed 911 from inside her vehicle and told dispatchers two men were threatening her and trying to get into her car after one of them blocked her into a parking space, the affidavit says.

The woman told officers the man identified as Dingus pulled up behind her vehicle in a silver van, got out and began yelling at her to leave the parking space, police wrote. She said Dingus pointed a handgun at her and then pulled out a knife and said, "I'll slice your tires if you don't move," according to the affidavit. Meanwhile, she told officers, Ghee was yelling at her and trying to open her passenger door.

She told police "she thought she was going to die or that they were going to kidnap her," police wrote.

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Police wrote Dingus told officers he lived in the complex and paid for the parking spot, but he later acknowledged the spots were not numbered and that it was only a spot he parked in every day.

"[Dingus] said all he wanted to do was scare the female," police wrote. "He claimed he never pointed the gun at her and that it was under his armpit the whole time."

When officers asked Ghee why he was pulling at the woman's door handle, he told them "he thought she couldn't hear, so he tried to open the door to tell her to move," the affidavit says.

Police wrote they found an unloaded black handgun in Dingus' apartment.
Two Texas death cases made headlines last week; both involved a parent who was convicted of killing their 2-year old child. Beyond this strange coincidence, the cases remind us that miscarriages of justice regularly occur in capital cases and also that revelations of such things are often not enough to stop executions.

In the first of those cases, a trial judge determined that Melissa Lucio, one of the few women on death row in the United States, is, despite her 2008 conviction of murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, actually innocent. But Lucios ordeal is far from over. The trial judges decision must be reviewed by the notoriously pro-death-penalty Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

One day after the Lucio judgment was announced, the Texas Supreme Court cleared the way for the execution of Robert Roberson. Roberson was convicted in 2002 of killing his 2-year-old daughter in a case that relied on evidence of shaken baby syndrome.

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Since then, that kind of evidence has been discredited and is now inadmissible in several states, including Texas. Moreover, it seems likely that the death of his daughter was an accident and not a crime at all.

Americans might think that evidence of innocence would be enough to get someone released from prison or death row. But unfortunately that is not the case anywhere, especially in Texas.

Whether in Texas or elsewhere, one might ask why evidence of innocence is not always enough to save someones life. First, no matter how powerful and persuasive, such evidence is not necessarily proof of innocence. At the end of the day, doubt may remain.

As law professor Lee Loevinger explained almost 50 years ago: Neither judges nor juries, nor even lawyers in the usual situation, ever come in contact with the facts of any case, taking facts to mean the transactions or occurrences which gave rise to the controversy.

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Lawsuits and criminal cases are social post-mortems; they do not deal with the diagnosis of living situations, but with judgments as to dead and past events. All that is available by way of data for the task is the report that individuals can give of the present state of their recollection of past observation and whatever record may be contained in existing documents and, occasionally, other things.

Second, prosecutors and other state officials are just like the rest of us. They are reluctant to admit mistakes, especially in high-stakes cases. The New York Times Emily Bazelon calls these prosecutors innocence deniers.

All too often, she has written, when confronted with overwhelming evidence that the person is innocent, they refuse to let go of the conviction, and they will fight for years through the appellate courts. They will publicly declare their belief that the person is guilty.

In addition, there are many procedural barriers to overcome. Evidence of innocence may be uncovered years after the initial conviction and long after deadlines for filing claims have passed.

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Where that is the case, prosecutors and judges may claim that other values (e.g., finality) outweigh and cast doubt on evidence of innocence in capital cases. In 2022, the Supreme Court gave voice to that view.

As an article in Vox reports, speaking for the court, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote an opinion that implied that the sole purpose of a state-conducted trial is to give criminal defendants a procedure in state court. But once that process is concluded, as Vox describes Thomas thinking, the state courts decision generally should remain finaleven if that means executing an innocent person or condemning someone in violation of the Constitution.

In the Roberson case, the Texas Supreme Court seemed to side with Thomas view. It refused to state an opinion on Robersons guilt or innocence.

Instead, it focused on the narrow issue of whether a subpoena issued by a legislative committee investigating Robersons case should be allowed to compel the other branches to yield in the face of a scheduled execution. The court framed the question entirely in terms of the separation of powers. It worried about whether there is a judicially enforceable basis for the legislature to effectively delay an execution.

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It concluded that there is no such basis and, innocent or not, Roberson, who has been on death row for more than 20 years, can be put to death. The court hinted that it valued finality over justice by allowing Texas to proceed with what it characterized as a long-scheduled execution.

In the case of Melissa Lucio, the miscarriage of justice was so clear that, as the Texas Tribune described, the district attorney and Lucios legal team cosigned court filings that found key evidence, which included interviews with Lucios other children, was suppressed by prosecutors at the time of the case. District attorneys seldom admit errors and join with defendants in seeking to undo a conviction.

Arturo Nelson, the judge who received that admission, found that in Lucios case, the state withheld favorable, material evidence, in violation of applicants constitutional due process due process rights and that this suppressed be favorable and material evidence  would have corroborated  [Lucios] defense that  [her daughter] died from a head injury sustained in an accidental fall 2 days prior to her death.

He ruled that no rational juror could have convicted  [Lucio] of killing her daughter after hearing all of the evidence from her original trial alongside all of the new evidence she has presented. Nelson concluded that Lucio is actually innocent of the offense of capital murder.

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We will have to wait and see whether the Court of Criminal Appeals agrees or whether it will find that some other factor outweighs Lucios innocence and justifies letting the state put her to death.

At the end of the day, if the state of Texas or any other state is to continue to carry out executions, it has an obligation to ensure that it never kills an innocent person. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be an insurmountable barrier to carrying out executions in this country. Tragically, this is the most important piece in death penalty cases, and we cant even get this one right.
Two Chittenden County women have pleaded guilty to defrauding Vermont Medicaid over a five-year period starting 2019.

Alicia Russell, 30, pleaded guilty to charges of theft through false pretenses on Tuesday. Her alleged co-conspirator, Amy Trela, 48, entered a guilty plea in September.

The two women were arraigned in July following an investigation by the Vermont Attorney Generals Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit. Investigators say they falsely certified Medicaid timesheets, defrauding the public-health program of $62,861.

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The attorney generals office says Trela and Russell have agreed to repay the defrauded funds and perform 50 and 25 hours of community service, respectively. They will also serve a term of probation, and are prohibited from working as Medicaid agents or contractors.

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RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF)  The Richmond County Sheriffs Office asking for the publics assistance in identifying the pictured subjects and vehicle.

The subjects are wanted for questioning about an aggravated assault on November 18th.

Any information concerning these subjects or the vehicle, please contact the Richmond County Sheriffs Office 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
The Roman L. Hruska Federal Courthouse in Omaha, where the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held its hearing on the pipeline cases on Wednesday. (Photo by Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

Judges in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit heard oral arguments Wednesday in Omaha for cases between Iowa counties and Summit Carbon Solutions, an Iowa-based company seeking to build a 2,000-mile carbon sequestration pipeline.

Shelby County and Story County had enacted county ordinances stipulating the proximity of hazardous liquid pipelines to residences and on providing emergency response plans in the event of a pipeline rupture.

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Summit sued the counties in 2022, arguing that federal safety standards from the Pipeline Safety Act preempt local ordinances.

A federal judge in the Southern District of Iowa ruled in favor of Summit in December 2023, and the counties appealed the judges decision.

The counties argued they could make these regulations because the Department of Transportation, under the federal Pipeline Safety Act, was not granted permission to regulate the location or route of a pipeline.

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Sherri Webb traveled to Omaha for the oral arguments from Shelby County, she said, because she felt her county did its job in enacting the ordinance to protect the land, the people and its character.

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Why couldnt they have done another route? Webb said and noted she was concerned about erosion to her grandmothers land. Were trying to save her land from being ruined.

Does location equal safety?

Jason Craig argued on behalf of the counties on Wednesday at the Roman L. Hruska Federal Courthouse.

The district court erred and should be reversed because local land use regulations, zoning regulations, are not preempted safety standards under the Pipeline Safety Act, Craig argued.

Judge Duane Benton questioned Craig, and pointed out that the Shelby County ordinance notes safety risk at length.

Admittedly, safety was one concern  I think safety is part of any zoning decision, Craig said. But that doesnt turn it into a preempted standard.

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Craig said the thickness of a pipe, or the actual design and construction of the pipeline would be safety standards with federal oversight. The county ordinances pertained to the location of the pipeline, not how it would be constructed.

Summit is asking this court to basically expand the scope of the version of a preemption clause to hold that any local law thats concerned with safety is preempted, Craig said.

Ryan Koopmans gave oral arguments on behalf of Summit Carbon Solutions. He argued the ordinances set by the counties were concerned with safety and should be preempted by federal laws.

Sherri Webb of Shelby County, Iowa, talks to a reporter outside of the Roman L. Hruska Federal Courthouse in Omaha on Wednesday. She says her familys land needs protecting from a pipeline project. (Photo by Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

In this case, the setback requirements and other provisions are clearly safety standards, Koopmans said.

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Koopmans argued that the provision in the Pipeline Safety Act that says the U.S. Department of Transportation cannot regulate location and routing, is not a preemption savings clause.

Judge Jane Kelly said Koopmans argument makes sense and that just because something affects location, doesnt necessarily mean its not a safety standard. But she wondered whether theres a difference between a safety standard and a safety concern from a county.

Its difficult to think of a local ordinance, like a zoning ordinance, that doesnt have safety baked into it, Kelly said.

Koopmans said there is no difference between a safety standard and a safety concern, and that the counties have offered no other justification other than safety for a 1,000-foot setback of the pipeline.

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He gave an example that if the state made the argument it didnt want any above-ground pipelines so people could continue farming that land, it would be an economic regulation, not a safety regulation. A safety regulation, Koopmans explained, would be if the state said it wouldnt allow above-ground pipelines because they were unsafe.

Is there any logical justification for 1,000-foot setback from a farmhouse in the middle of the county, other than safety? Koopmans said.

Later, Benton questioned that same farmhouse-in-the-middle-of-nowhere example, saying if the resident farmed there, it could be a situation of economic development concerns.

Farming is economic development in Iowa, isnt it? Benton asked.

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It is, and you can farm overtop of the pipeline, Koopmans replied.

The Shelby County ordinance specifies a 1,000-foot setback from all residences, based on a public health position statement from the countys board of health.

They admit it, Koopmans said when asked if it was necessary to look at the county supervisors intent.

Who can set the standards?

Of interest to the court was an Iowa Supreme Court ruling, Goodell v. Humboldt County, that upheld state preemption over county ordinances.

Benton said he believes the case settles that against Craigs argument that counties have broad authority to act unless expressly limited by the Legislature.

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The statute says the authority to approve location, route of hazardous pipelines is to the Iowa Utilities Board, and  gives them the just and proper discretion as to that, Benton said.

Craig argued the Goodell ruling pertained to county ordinances that created direct conflicts that were irreconcilable with state statute, which he said is different from the counties in this case that imposed additional requirements.

Koopmans argued the Iowa Supreme Court decision shows that a county permitting scheme that sets any different standards from state issued permits, would be preempted by the state.

A group of Iowa farmers and landowners from Story and Shelby counties exits the federal courthouse in Omaha after a hearing before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday. (Photo by Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

Kelly asked if Summit had to show the Iowa Utilities Commission (referred to throughout the case as the Iowa Utilities Board, its former name) that its route was in compliance with all of these county ordinances, when the company applied for its permit.

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Craig said thats exactly what theyre required to do.

Koopmans argued, pulling from the Iowa Utilities Commission approval of Summits permit application, that the company had to show the commission how the project would interact with the present and future land use and zoning, not necessarily how it complies.

Koopmans pointed again to the commissions approval of the permit, and said the commission moved some of the companys proposed routes through Shelby County to locations that conflict with the ordinance.

Craig, in his rebuttal, said it was a fools errand to inquire into the motives of state law.

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The question is: is it a preempted safety standard  or is it a location and routing regulation? Craig said. And the zoning ordinances are location routing regulations.

Judges said a decision would be issued in due course.

Summit is also waiting decisions on other pending lawsuits including one against landowners, heard in October by the Iowa Supreme Court, and it recently filed a similar lawsuit against Bremer County for its ordinances.

Per the Iowa Utilities Commission, Summit cannot begin construction on the pipeline in Iowa until it has received permit approval from North Dakota and South Dakota. The company received approval from North Dakota Nov. 15 and resubmitted its application in South Dakota Tuesday.

Aaron Sanderford, a reporter for the Nebraska Examiner, contributed to this article.

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In a rare move, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv shut down operations today after officials received information about a potential significant air attack on November 20, the embassy announced. Several other Western embassies followed suit. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials say the country is being subjected to a large-scale Russian propaganda campaign using fake information about a potential attack to spread fear.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv posted on its website Wednesday. The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.

The announcement did not elaborate on the threat to Kyiv, which is frequently targeted by Russia and had just been hit by another volley of missiles and drones overnight.

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Ukraine: The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv received specific information of a potential significant air attack on Nov 20. The Embassy will be closed and recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced. https://t.co/ah0bpDfULK pic.twitter.com/m8cWXCXT2V  Travel  State Dept (@TravelGov) November 20, 2024

In response to our questions seeking further details, the embassy told us the closure is related to air alerts, including increased possible threat of combined attack from drones and missiles, as has happened recently. We continue to monitor the situation working with our Ukrainian partners.

This is a temporary change in posture, and we anticipate a quick return to regular operations, the embassy told us. We recommend all U.S. citizens follow instructions from local authorities regarding air alerts and immediately seek shelter when instructed. The Embassy will continue to provide updates via official U.S. Embassy social media platforms. 

After the U.S. closed its embassy, Greece, Italy, and Spain followed suit.

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 Embassies of the United States, Spain and Italy are closed in Kyiv today due to a possible massive Russian missile attack. pic.twitter.com/2c89yqhDSE  Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) November 20, 2024

The American Embassy has shared information on its website about a possible high-intensity air strike today, November 20, the Italian embassy posted on its website. As a precaution, the Embassy in Kyiv will remain closed to the public today. The Embassy remains operational. In the event of an air raid alert, all Italian citizens present in the country are advised to follow the most stringent risk mitigation measures and immediately go to the nearest shelter.

The closures come amid heightened tensions. On Tuesday, Ukraine used U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles for the first time against a target inside Russia. In response to the Biden administrations approval of such attacks, a top Russian politician said that his nation could launch a weapon in retaliation that has never before been used. Adding to the concerns, a previously planned reduction in the threshold by which Russia said it would use its nuclear arsenal went into effect on Tuesday.

The closure is not related to Russias announcement that it has lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike, the embassy added. The embassy closure is related to ongoing threats of air attacks. 

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Ukrainian officials suggested that the warnings are based on Russian propaganda efforts to sow fear.

A terrorist country is conducting a massive information and psychological attack against Ukraine, the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) stated on Telegram Wednesday. A message about the threat of a particularly massive rocket-bomb attack on Ukrainian cities today is being spread through messengers and social networks, allegedly on behalf of the GUR. This message is a fake, it contains grammatical errors typical for Russian information and psychological operations.

GUR urged people to trust information only from official resources and from the spokespersons of the Ministry of Education and Culture. The enemy, unable to subjugate Ukrainians by force, resorts to measures of intimidation and psychological pressure on society. Please be vigilant and persistent.

Still, the threat of air strikes remains very real, GUR reminded.

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Do not ignore air raid signals  it is safer to wait in shelter, GUR explained. However, we urge you not to panic.

The Russians are using the embassy closings to stoke fear, a top Ukrainian official suggested.

In terms of information, now they are also trying to shake panicky moods against the background of the closing of embassies, Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraines Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, said on Telegram Wednesday.

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Ukraine has been well aware that Russia was planning future attacks and stockpiling munitions to hit the nations power and heating infrastructure ahead of winter, Kovalenko noted.

The Russians prepared for shelling in the cold season  this is their tactic, he posited. Rockets were stockpiled, aviation and fleet were being prepared. Bet on cruise missiles and ballistics, as well as drones for the depletion of air defense. These plans are not unexpected, they are known and warned about.

The Russians, he added, have different types of missiles in their arsenal. And this is also known.

A fragment of a Russian missile is on the ground after being removed by State Emergency Service workers from a five-story apartment building in the Pecherskyi district of Kyiv, on Nov. 17, 2024. (Photo by Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto

To head off any panic, Kovalenko reminded Ukrainians that they had been through this before.

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After three years of large-scale, as well as now knowing about Russias presence of missiles and plans to attack Ukraine and infrastructure, Ukrainians already understand the situation  you need to plan your time and prepare safe places for yourself in case of alarm, calculate the route and the time it takes to reach these safe places can be reached, he offered. It is also important to follow official communications, in particular, from the Air Force.

As for the panic that they are trying to incite, I will clarify once again that Russia was preparing for shelling and this is part of the war, Kovalenko said. The plans of the Russians are known to the Defense Forces. There is and will be an antidote.

Ukrainian offices are also closing and urging employees to work from home, another sign of how far the fake messaging has spread, argued Maria Drutska, a former Ukrainian defense official now working in the foreign affairs sector.

 Theres a flood of fake news and disinformation designed to sow panic and confusion. Trust only official sources. Russian propaganda is working overtime to manipulate and deceivedont fall for it.



 Stay calm. Stay informed. Stay resilient. Every lie they spread only proves pic.twitter.com/U1PPxuEi9D  Maria Drutska  (@maria_drutska) November 20, 2024

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After the warnings were issued, residents in Kyiv and elsewhere in Ukraine braced for a new wave of attacks that have become routine.

Kyiv is sheltering under air alerts. Fast-moving objects in the airlikely ballistic missiles or jet drones.



People take these warnings seriously now, expecting Russia to retaliate for ATACMS strikes. Still, our trust is in air defense 1/ pic.twitter.com/uWE9Z6FE7p  Tymofiy Mylovanov (@Mylovanov) November 20, 2024

On its Telegram channel, the Ukrainian Air Force said more Russian missiles, guided bombs and drones were on the way as of 11 a.m. Eastern time.

WARNING, the Ukrainian Air Force cautioned. Air defense work is possible!

Update: 3:59 PM Eastern 

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has resumed services following a temporary shelter-in-place suspension earlier today.

Post Unavailable

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The Biden administration targeted Hamas with sanctions on Tuesday, blacklisting six leaders of the Iran-proxy militia on accusations they aided it in raising funds and smuggling weapons into Gaza.

The sanctions are the ninth round of punitive measures the United States has imposed against Hamas leaders and supporters since Oct. 7, 2023, when the militia launched a bloody attack on Israel that killed 1,200 Israelis and ignited the ongoing war.

Hamas is technically a sociopolitical party that has ruled over the Palestinian enclave of Gaza since 2007, but also consists of a military wing known as the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Some countries, including the United States, do not view them as separate entities.

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The Treasury's under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, Bradley Smith, said the organization relies on officials who maintain legitimate public roles in Hamas while facilitating its terrorist activities at home and aboard, including transferring funds and goods into Gaza.

"Treasury remains committed to disrupting Hamas's efforts to secure additional revenue and holding those who facilitate the group's terrorist activities to account," he said in a statement.

Among those targeted with sanctions on Tuesday include three Turkey-based Hamas leaders accused of facilitating the flow of funds to Hamas in Gaza.

Abd al-Rahman Ismail abd al-Rahman Ghanimat, who is in his early 50s, is described by the Treasury as a longtime member of Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades. He is accused of founding a group supporting Hamas' efforts in the West Bank, but was also involved in "multiple attempted successful terrorist attacks," including the 1997 bombing of a cafe in Tel Aviv that killed three people and injured 48 others.

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Ghanimat had received five life sentences but was among the more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners released in 2011 in exchange for the freedom of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who had been in Hamas captivity since 2006.

Musa Daud Muhammad Akari and Salama Mari, both also in their early 50s, were previously convicted and imprisoned -- Akari for kidnapping and murdering an Israeli border police officer and Mari for his involvement in a 1993 West Bank attack that resulted in the death of a Israeli soldier.

Like Ghanimat, Akari, who had received three life sentences, was involved in the Shalit prisoner exchange.

The other three sanctions Tuesday are based in Gaza, including Ghazi Hamad. Believed to be in his mid to late 50s, Hamad is a Hamas spokesman. However, the Treasury said that in addition to his propaganda role, he used to oversee border crossing into Gaza.

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According to the Treasury, these border crossings are not only a primary avenue to smuggle weapons into the enclave, but also construction equipment that Hamas used to build its extensive tunnel network Hamas leaders have used to hide during the war.

The other two Gaza-based officials hit with punitive measures were Mohammad Nazzal, a senior leader on Hamas' Council on International Relations, and Basem Naim, who has been involved in the militia's engagements with Russia, while having been a member of delegations to other countries.

"There is no distinction between Hamas' so-called military wing and its political leadership," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. "We will continue to use the tools at our disposal to target those who perpetuate Hamas' destabilizing activities."

The sanctions were imposed as Israel's war against Hamas has expanded from Gaza to Lebanon, where the Israel Defense Force has been targeting members of another Iran-proxy militia, Hezbollah, since Sept. 23.

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According to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, nearly 44,000 people, many women and children, have died in the war. The Lebanon Health Ministry states that more than 3,500 people have died in the year of fighting, but most were killed in the last two months.

The sanctions, which free the assets of those named plus bar U.S. persons from doing business with them, were announced a day after the Biden administration hit two illegal West Bank entities with punitive measures.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Each week NBC4 partners with the U.S. Marshals of the Southern District of Ohio to highlight a dangerous criminal in the community they are searching for.

It can take weeks or even months for the Marshals to gather evidence and information to allow them to serve a warrant. It can often take multiple attempts to make an arrest.

The idea is. of course, to never put anybody else in harms way and because this guys criminal history includes weapons, you have to be careful of that stuff, Deputy U.S. Marshal Kevin Deppe, who supervises the Special Task Force assigned to serve high-risk warrants in Ohio, said.

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Demond Blackwell, 49, wanted by Columbus Police for strangulation, was arrested by Deppes team on Tuesday. Blackwell has a lengthy record of criminal activity and violent offenses.

We just arrested Demond Blackwell, whos a 49-year-old male whos wanted for a felony strangulation, Deppe said. Hes got a very extensive criminal history that includes the use of weapons, conveyance of weapons, a lot of violent violence in his history and he was actively evading capture by keeping himself hidden from law enforcement officers.

Intel on this guy is that hes been staying with a female, driving her car around, Deppe added. In this case, youve got, youve got that, youve got pictures of the, of the guy youre looking for. Yeah. Thats how we ended up at this hotel. We tracked the vehicle through several parts of Ohio into Kentucky and the latest hits put him here at this hotel.

Surveillance footage, traffic cameras, and tips from confidential informants are all tools the U.S. Marshals use to put these dangerous suspects behind bars.

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Warrant Watch is one way tips from the public can help find fugitives.

How important is the role that getting tips and information is in what you do? asked NBC4s Kyle Beachy.

You know, sometimes when people are actively avoiding capture, the only way that we move forward in our investigation is by receiving tips, Deppe said. You know, we can only do so much to garner information from social media sources or from license plate reader cameras. But when it comes to furthering along the investigation, we really rely on the tips from people who know the targets that were going after.

Anyone with information about a wanted person can submit a tip to the U.S. Marshals by clicking here.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The United States has once again unilaterally vetoed a draft resolution by the United Nations Security Council that called for an immediate, permanent cease-fire in Gaza  a move that comes as the Biden administration spends its last months in office continuing to sell the weapons Israel is using to destroy the Palestinian territory.

The Security Council in New York voted 14-1 on Wednesday in favor of the resolution, but the veto blocked the council from adopting it due to the U.S.s status as a permanent member.

In addition to demanding a cease-fire, the resolution wouldve demanded the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and would have urged Israeli forces to withdraw from the enclave and immediately restore access to humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians.

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I think its clear that the political rationale here is not actually to find a path to peace. That its not about saving innocent lives, and its not about ending the continued violence that is being perpetrated against Palestinian civilians, Tariq Habash, a Biden appointee who resigned in protest of the administrations Gaza policy, told HuffPost. If it was, the veto would not have been used.

That was echoed by Majed Bamya, the deputy permanent observer of the State of Palestine. But U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood argued that by not explicitly linking a cease-fire to the hostages release, the resolution would disincentivize Hamas from engaging in peace negotiations.

We made clear throughout negotiations we could not support an unconditional cease-fire that failed to release the hostages, Wood said. This resolution abandoned that necessity. For that reason, the United States could not support it.

Robert Wood, deputy U.S. ambassador to the U.N., raises his hands to veto a draft United Nations Security Council resolution that calls for an immediate, permanent and unconditional cease-fire in Gaza and the immediate, unconditional release of hostages taken by Hamas, on November 20, 2024 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images

Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel in October 2023 that killed about 1,200 people. They also took roughly 250 hostages, about 100 of whom are believed to remain in captivity. Israeli ambassador Danny Danon said on Wednesday that states who voted for the U.N. resolution had betrayed the remaining hostages, but Bamya argued that the ongoing full-fledged military offensive against Palestinians is about everything except the hostages.

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For more than a year, the Israeli military, using arms supplied by the U.S., has rained bombs on Gaza. The assault is thought to have killed at least 43,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children  a number that experts and medical workerssay is a gross undercount  and has displaced the entire population of Gaza and destroyed infrastructure necessary to sustaining life. Israels siege has blocked most humanitarian aid, sparking a mass starvation crisis, and Israeli forces have allegedly detained men in torture camps.

All of that has been cause for humanitarian concern as the Israeli military turns to growing hostilities in Lebanon.

Multiple human rights groups and experts  including someassociated with the U.N.  have labeled Israels assault on the Palestinian people as a war crime, genocide, ethnic cleansingor apartheid. The country has been accused before the International Court of Justice of committing genocide, a charge that both Israel and the U.S. have rejected.

After multiple vetoes by the U.S., the Security Council adopted its first resolution on a cease-fire plan for Israel and Gaza in June. In the five months since that vote, the council has remained idle, remained hand-tied, according to Bendjama, who vowed that elected member states will come back with a militarily enforceable resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter.

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Todays message is clear. To the Israeli occupying power, first: You may continue your genocide. You may continue your collective punishment of the Palestinian people with complete impunity, Bendjama said. In this chamber, you enjoy immunity.

To the Palestinian people, another clear message, he continued. While the overwhelming majority of the world stands in solidarity with your plight, others remain indifferent to your suffering.

The veto on the cease-fire resolution comes one day after the Biden administration announced that a U.S.-Israel panel looking into reports of civilian harm in Gaza will meet next month for the first time. The panel was created in response to specific incidents in which Israel killed Palestinian civilians with weapons provided by the United States, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

There has been a purposeful effort over the course of the last year to channel reporting into this mechanism  this mechanism which, by the way, doesnt have any direct hooks into policy or law  and then just to use this to shut down that reporting and to let things go nowhere, said Josh Paul, who resigned from the State Department in protest over Gaza and founded A New Policy with Habash.

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The U.S. again crossed its own red line earlier this month. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had warned Israel in October that they will restrict arms transfers if Israel does not materially increase the assistance to Palestinians within 30 days. But despite several humanitarian organizations saying aid had fallen to an all-time low in Gaza, the U.S. concluded Nov. 12 that it will continue sending weapons to Israel.

Senate Democrats have pushed back. Lawmakers will vote Wednesday on a first-of-its-kind bill that rejects the Biden administrations continued weapons shipments to Israel, arguing that the use of those weapons to cause massive civilian casualties is a violation of U.S. and international law.

A document exclusively obtained by HuffPost Wednesday reveals the Biden administration has been lobbying senators to vote against the bill, and even seems to be endorsing continued fighting.

The idea that somehow engaging in those discussions about the minutiae that we know are not going to lead anywhere outweighs the fact that the administration is doing all it can, not only to continue to send lethal arms to Israel, but to minimize any possible domestic opposition to that, Paul told HuffPost.

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Frankly, it does continuing damage to the Democratic Partys own brand, he continued. And if this is the Democratic Party untethered, not having to worry about elections, ... it is going to prove very hard for that party to rebuild in any meaningful way.

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UNITED NATIONS  The United States on Wednesday vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the war in Gaza because it was not linked to an immediate release of hostages taken captive by Hamas militants in Israel in October 2023.

The council voted overwhelmingly in favor of the resolution  14 of its 15 members voted yes including U.S. allies Britain and France  but it was doomed by the veto.

U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood said the United States worked for weeks to avoid a veto of the resolution sponsored by the councils 10 elected members, and expressed regret that compromise language was not accepted.

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We made clear throughout negotiations we could not support an unconditional cease-fire that failed to release the hostages, he said. Hamas would have seen it as a vindication of its cynical strategy to hope and pray the international community forgets about the fate of more than 100 hostages from more than 20 member states who have been held for 410 days.

The resolution that was put to a vote demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties, and further reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

The emotional response to the veto by the Palestinian deputy U.N. ambassador, Majed Bamya, reflected the widespread anger and disappointment at the failure of the U.N.s most powerful body to demand an end to the more than 13-month war, which has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and left most of the territory in ruins.

The absence of a cease-fire is allowing a full-fledged Israeli assault against the Palestinian people and the Palestinian land to continue, Bamya told the council. A cease-fire will allow to save lives  all lives. This was true a year ago. This is even more true today.

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Stressing the tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, Bamya asked, Do they have the right to kill, and the only right we have is to die?

He told council members: You are witnessing the attempt to annihilate a nation, destroy a nation.

Israels U.N. ambassador, Danny Danon, countered that the resolution was not a path to peace, it was a road map to more terror, more suffering and more bloodshed.

He thanked the United States, Israel's closest ally, for exercising its veto, for standing on the side of morality and justice, for refusing to abandon the hostages and their families.

The reason the council was meeting and the pain that the people are suffering (is) because of Hamas, Danon said, stressing that the only future for Gaza is without the Palestinian militant group.

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In a statement, Hamas strongly condemned the veto, claiming the United States again demonstrated its direct involvement in the aggression against our people, acting as an accomplice in the killing of children and women and the complete destruction of civilian life in Gaza.

We demand the U.S. to stop this clumsy hostile policy if it truly seeks to end wars and achieve security and stability in the region, as we heard from the upcoming administration, Hamas added, a reference to President-elect Donald Trumps pledge to end the war in Gaza.

The Security Council has adopted several resolutions on Gaza, including for a cease-fire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and demanding humanitarian access. The United States as well as Russia and China have vetoed several previous resolutions on the war.

The council in June adopted its first resolution on a cease-fire plan aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hamas. That U.S.-sponsored resolution welcomed a cease-fire proposal announced by President Joe Biden that the United States said Israel had accepted. It called on Hamas to accept the three-phase plan, but the war goes on.

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The Palestinian deputy ambassador put the blame on Israel, saying, It is pretty clear that Israel had never an intention to accept a cease-fire, and has found every reason not to have a cease-fire.

The 10 elected council members said in a statement read by Guyanas U.N. ambassador, Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, after the vote that they all supported the June resolution with the expectation that a cease-fire deal would have been agreed and implemented swiftly.

But months later, the 10 elected members decided a new resolution should go further and make an unequivocal demand for an unconditional cease-fire not limited to any time period.

Notwithstanding the U.S. veto, the elected members underscored that the war in Gaza must end immediately, hostages must be released immediately, humanitarian aid must be delivered everywhere in Gaza and civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected.

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Our collective efforts to end the hostilities will not stop, they said.

Algerias U.N. ambassador, Amar Bendjama, the Arab representative on the council, said the message to Israel after the veto is: You may continue your genocide. You may continue your collective punishment of the Palestinian people with complete impunity. In this chamber, you enjoy immunity."

But he vowed that the elected members will return soon with an even stronger resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which is militarily enforceable  and they will not stop until the council takes action.

____

Matthew Lee in Washington and Fatma Khaled in Cairo contributed to this report.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
The News

International collaboration has been the key to the UAEs success in advancing its space and tech sectors, and its a strategy that other countries are trying to emulate, the countrys top diplomat for advanced science and technology told Semafor.

Joint collaboration and building capacity are critical, said Omran Sharaf, UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology. Weve done that in the space program. Weve done that in the nuclear program, and we aim to replicate that model in other emerging areas.

This approach transcends political parties, he said, noting the UAEs close working relationship with the US  where President-elect Donald Trump will take office following a divisive campaign  spans decades, regardless of administration. This ability to balance geopolitical complexities while fostering cooperation is what other countries are trying to learn from the UAE model.

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So-called middle powers like the UAE  torn between US-China tensions  are increasingly forced to choose sides when it comes to tech, military, and economic development. As more face these challenges, the countries who are able to navigate that the best are the ones who get the most out of the opportunities that are there globally, whether economic or other areas that involve science and tech, Sharaf said.

Know More

Sharaf led the design and launch of the $200 million Hope Probe, which reached Mars orbit in 2021, an accomplishment only the US, Russia, China, India, and the EU have achieved. He said the country is building a new lunar rover after its first attempt to safely land on the moon failed in 2023.

Space was always a tool for us  a means for a much bigger objective, Sharaf said in an interview at the Dubai Future Forum. Its about building a set of skills to address challenges like food security, water security, and clean energy, improving the quality of life here on Earth.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Officials said a grant from the Arkansas opioid settlement fund is slated to support mental health treatment due to the impact of opioid abuse.

Officials said the $600,000 grant to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences will target training a new generation of psychiatrists in the treatment of women with opioid abuse disorder. The program will emphasize therapy during pregnancy and postpartum.

UAMS receives $2.4 million federal grant for reducing high rates of Arkansas maternal, infant deaths

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UAMS officials said mental health conditions, including drug overdoses and suicide, are among the leading underlying causes of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. Arkansas currently ranks third in the nation in maternal deaths, they said, behind Mississippi and Alabama, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics.

The Womens Mental Health Program in the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute has the only three Arkansas psychiatrists specializing in womens mental health. The program recorded 3,758 patient visits between January 2023 and August 2024, 40% for substance use disorders.

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences receives $11 million grant for clinical, building additions and upgrades

Medical director of the Psychiatric Research Units inpatient units, Dr. Jessica Coker, said the increasing need for specialists in womens mental health makes this fellowship, one of fewer than 20 in the country, vital.

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Women have been uniquely affected by the opioid crisis and in general are more prone to psychiatric illnesses, including depression and anxiety, Coker said. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and the postpartum period also increase rates of psychiatric illness.

Coker added that having specialized psychiatrists who understand the hormonal nuances and can balance the risks and benefits of treatment is crucial for women during a vulnerable time.

Attorney General Tim Griffins office administers the settlement fund.

The UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute is providing outstanding specialized services for pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorder, Griffin said. I have made a point in my role managing Arkansass portion of opioid settlement funds to prioritize programs and initiatives that will make a real difference in the fight against opioid abuse.

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Arkansas Childrens Research Institute receives $2.3 million grant from NIH for food allergy research

For additional informaiton on UAMS and its programs, head over to UAMS.edu.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Construction of the battery plant in Glendale in January 2023. (BlueOval SK photo)

The United Auto Workers said Wednesday its launching a campaign to unionize the BlueOval SK electric vehicle battery manufacturing complex in Hardin County, spurred by a supermajority, or roughly two-thirds, of workers hired so far signing cards expressing interest in a union.

A press release from the UAW on Wednesday said the campaign launch is the latest breakthrough for electric vehicle (EV) battery workers organizing with the UAW.

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Marcus Fatjo, listed as a Production-Module employee at BlueOval SK on a web page launched by the union, said in a provided statement that forming a union came down to job security.

A union would give us a safety net to protect our jobs so they cant just turn around and say your job is gone. It also gives us a voice and a seat at the table, that is one of the best parts about having a union, Fatjo said.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a strong advocate for unions, said earlier this month the first of two battery plants at the BlueOval SK complex, jointly owned by Ford Motor Co. and South Korea-based SK On, is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2025. Ford and SK On delayed the construction of the second plant with Ford executives pointing to demand for EVs not meeting initial expectations.

Beshear said in a weekly press conference in November that BlueOval SK had already hired approximately 1,100 workers with about 750 of them being assigned to the Hardin County complex, the workers having started their first day of work this month. The nearly $6 billion, 1,500-acre battery manufacturing complex is anticipated to employ roughly 5,000 people once the two plants are fully operational. Workers are currently being trained at a new educational facility in collaboration with the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

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Beshear had previously said in August the BlueOval SK plant wouldnt be unionized following an agreement between Ford and the UAW and that the complex would have union members working alongside non-unionized employees. But the union told the Lantern on Wednesday there was no such agreement.

Crystal Staley, a spokesperson for Beshear, in a statement said Beshear is a pro-union governor.

These jobs were to start as non-union, but the ultimate decision will rest with the employees, Staley said.

If Ford and SK On refuse to recognize the union, workers at the plant would vote in an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board. If a majority of workers in the election vote for a union, then the NLRB would certify the union for future collective bargaining with Ford and SK On.

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In a statement released through a BlueOval SK spokesperson, BlueOval SKs human relations director Neva Burke said we want to maintain a direct relationship with our employees.

Other Ford auto manufacturing plants in Kentucky are unionized including the Kentucky Truck Plant and Louisville Assembly Plant.

This story was updated with a statement provided by a BlueOval SK spokesperson and a statement from a Beshear spokesperson.
Nearly 40,000 University of California workers began a two-day strike Wednesday to protest what they claim is bad faith bargaining by university negotiators as the two sides try to hammer out new labor agreements.

The work stoppage, which affects service and patient care workers at all UC campuses and medical facilities, will continue until 11:59 p.m. Thursday. AFSCME Local 3299, the union representing the workers, and the university system have been in talks over new contracts for nearly a year.

Instead of being a constructive and transparent partner seeking to bring us closer to agreement, UC has sought to drive us farther apart," said AFSCME Local 3299 President Michael Avant in a statement. By failing to meet its most basic legal responsibilities to the dedicated professionals who clean its facilities, serve students food, and treat its patients, UC has left workers with no choice but to exercise their legal right to strike."

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University officials disputed the union's allegations, saying in a statement that they "fundamentally disagree with AFSCMEs claims of bad faith bargaining and characterization of unacceptable bargaining proposals."

Negotiators for the two sides met more than 20 times between January and May and university officials presented the union with dozens of proposals and counterproposals, the university said.

"Collaboration ceased in May when AFSCME stopped responding or even acknowledging the universitys proposals," the statement said.

The university system said its proposals would raise wages to $25 an hour by July 1, 2025, and increase union members' pay by an average of 26% over a five-year contract.

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Union members authorized the strike, with 99% voting in support of it weeks after filing a complaint with the state's Public Employment Relations Board alleging bad faith bargaining. Avant described the university's actions as "serial lawbreaking at the bargaining table."

The existing contract for patient care workers, who assist medical staff with everyday patient-related tasks, expired on July 31, the union said. Service workers, who support campuses and medical centers with custodial and other services, saw their contract expire Oct. 31. The university system employs about 11,000 service workers and 22,000 patient care employees.

Union members plan to picket at campuses on both days of the strike. On Wednesday outside the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, a crowd of union members rang cowbells and held green-and-white signs that read "On Strike." Many arrived around 6 a.m. and remained on the picket lines all day.

Im striking because they have not bargained with us in good faith and due to that our healthcare has gone up, said union steward Rosalbo Montoya, who has worked at the hospital as a medical assistant for 27 years. Montoya said she and many of her colleagues are worried about being able to afford medications.

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The university has been disrespectful during bargaining, she said. Theyve left early, come unprepared and acted like they didnt care.

Jacob Nilescreer, a clinical equipment specialist and member of the union bargaining team, said addressing the raise in healthcare costs is a priority for many union members. Wearing a colorful AFSCME Pride shirt, Nilescreer spent all day on the picket lines and said the university's claims about negotiations were inaccurate.

The university unilaterally decided to raise healthcare rates without negotiation or bargaining, he said. Some of our members are just barely getting by and we had to do something."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The News

Prominent Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye appeared before a Ugandan military court Wednesday, where he was charged with crimes including possession of an illegal firearm, four days after he appeared to go missing while in Kenya.

Besigye denied the charges, rejected government legal representation, and said that he should be tried in a civilian court because he isnt a member of the armed forces.

Hours earlier, Besigyes wife, who is an executive director of the United Nations AIDS/HIV program, wrote on X that the Ugandan government had kidnapped him, and demanded his release.

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Besigye was once the personal doctor to now-President Yoweri Museveni in the 1980s, when the latter was a rebel leader.

However, Besigye later became critical of Museveni, has run against him in four elections, and has spoken out against Ugandas draconian anti-gay laws. Museveni been known for arresting critics and opposition figures during his 38-year rule.
By Elias Biryabarema

KAMPALA (Reuters) -A veteran Ugandan opposition politician was kidnapped during a book launch in Kenya at the weekend, transferred to Uganda and is being held at a military jail in the capital, his wife said on Wednesday.

Kizza Besigye has run against Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in four elections and lost each time. He appeared in a Kampala military court on Wednesday and was charged with several offences including unlawful possession of firearms and remanded to prison to Dec. 2, according to a Reuters witness in court. He denied all charges.

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"I request the (government) of Uganda to release my husband Dr Kizza Besigye from where he is being held immediately," said Besigye's wife, Winnie Byanyima, who is the head of UNAIDS. She did not describe the alleged kidnapping and could not immediately be reached for further comment.

Chris Baryomunsi, Uganda's information minister, said Uganda did not carry out abductions and that any arrests abroad would be done in collaboration with a host country.

"So being arrested from Kenya should not be a problem. The assurance we give the country is that the (Ugandan) government does not arrest somebody and keeps him or her incommunicado for a long time," he told Uganda's public broadcaster.

However, Korir Sing'oei, Principal Secretary at Kenya's foreign ministry told the local Star newspaper there was no reason for Kenya to be party to Besigye's detention. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

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Standing in the dock in Makindye military barracks in Kampala, with an unidentified co-accused, Besigye wore a suit jacket and looked visibly haggard. He was also accused of holding meetings in Kenya, Switzerland and Greece aimed at soliciting logistical support and identifying military targets in Uganda "with intent to prejudice the security of the defence forces."

His lawyer Erias Lukwago said the charge sheet was "incurably defective".

"These proceedings are a nullity," he told Reuters.

DETENTIONS IN KENYA

In July, Kenyan authorities detained 36 members of Besigye's Forum for Democratic Change party, one of Uganda's main opposition groups, and deported them to Uganda where they were charged with terrorism-related offences.

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"It is very, very shocking that Kenya, which used to be a safe haven for dissidents, is now increasingly becoming an operational zone for the dictatorship," Bobi Wine, another prominent Ugandan opposition figure, told local broadcaster NTV.

Besigye was Museveni's physician during the guerrilla war of the 1980s that brought the Ugandan president to power but later became an outspoken critic and has rejected election results, alleging fraud and voter intimidation. He has been arrested multiple times before.

He was abducted on Saturday during the launch of a book by veteran Kenyan opposition politician Martha Karua, Byanyima wrote on the social media platform X.

She did not give a description of the people who allegedly detained her husband.

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"We his family and his lawyers demand to see him. He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail?" said Byanyima, the executive director of the United Nations agency for HIV/AIDS.

Museveni's government has been accused of repeated human rights abuses against opposition activists, including illegal detentions, torture and extra-judicial killings.

Officials say those arrested are detained legally and processed appropriately by the court system.

(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema;Additional reporting by Humphrey Malalo, Miranda Murray and George Obulutsa; Editing by Hereward Holland and Ros Russell)
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  After weeks of negotiation and some confusion, UnitedHealthcare has announced that it has reached a new multi-year agreement with the Huntsville Hospital Health System.

The insurance company announced Wednesday that it reached an agreement with the hospital system. United said the deal will allow the systems hospitals to stay in network with the insurer.

ADOC investigating death at Limestone Correctional Facility

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We thank our members and customers for their support throughout this process, the company said. We are honored to continue supporting all of the people throughout north Alabama who depend on us for access to quality and affordable health care.

Last month, the hospital announced plans to end its relationship with the insurer saying it had sent a notice of termination to the company. HHS initially laid out a schedule for when different hospitals would no longer be in-network for people covered by United Healthcare.

Then last week Huntsville Hospital announced a new deal with the United. However, the health system later clarified that it had agreed in principle to a deal and a week extension to its negotiation process. That deadline would have been Thursday, Nov. 21.

This new agreement affects all the hospitals in the Huntsville Hospital Health System. That includes Huntsville Hospital, Madison Hospital, Athens-Limestone Hospital, Decatur Morgan Hospital, DeKalb Medical Center, Helen Keller Hospital, Highlands Medical Center, Lincoln Health, Marshall Medical Centers (North & South), and Red Bay Hospital.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
The UK Defence Intelligence has noted that Ukraine's successful actions against the Russian Black Sea Fleet have led to the destruction of about a quarter of its large vessels, including its flagship, the Moskva cruiser, and forced the fleet to withdraw into the eastern part of the water area. However, the fleet still plays a major role in supporting ground operations.

Source: European Pravda citing the UK Ministry of Defence's review of the Russian-Ukrainian war of 20 November

Details: The intelligence notes that before the outbreak of full-scale war, Russia almost certainly considered the Black Sea Fleet to be part of its strategic maritime capabilities, and over the three years of the war, the fleet suffered considerable losses due to Ukraine's successful operations.

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The Russian Black Sea Fleet had a significant advantage over the Ukrainian Navy before the full-scale war, but since 24 February 2022, Ukraine has destroyed or severely damaged about 25% of the large warships that Russia had deployed to the Black Sea, including sinking the Moskva cruiser, which boasted of its air defence capabilities.

Following Ukraine's actions, the Russian Black Sea Fleet had to move all its most important vessels from their original base in occupied Sevastopol to Novorossiysk and adapt its activities accordingly, intelligence reports.

"Despite Russia's Black Sea Fleet currently being limited to the Eastern Black Sea, it retains the ability to conduct long range strikes into Ukraine in support of land operations," the review notes.

Background:

One of the previous reviews noted that in October, Russia's average daily losses of personnel at the battlefield were record-breaking.

The UK intelligence also noted the growing pressure of Russian forces on Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast.

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(Bloomberg) -- A panel of British lawmakers plans to invite Elon Musk to testify in Parliament about Xs role in spreading disinformation during the UKs summer riots.

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Musk, who owns X and is an active user of the platform himself, will be asked to provide evidence to the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, according to a person familiar with the matter, who confirmed an earlier report from the Guardian newspaper. The panel is probing the role played in the violent unrest by misinformation, social media, and the algorithms that underpin it.

The violence we saw on UK streets this summer has shown the dangerous real-world impact of spreading misinformation and disinformation across social media, committee Chair Chi Onwurah, a member of the governing Labour Party, said on Wednesday in a statement on the panels website. This is an important opportunity to investigate to what extent social media companies and search engines encourage the spread of harmful and false content online.

The invitation from the cross-party group of MPs comes at a sensitive moment in UK-US relations, with Musk set to take up a key role in the administration that President-elect Donald Trump will install in January. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is seeking to steady relations with Trump after his legal team accused the premiers Labour party of interference in the presidential campaign and illegal foreign campaign contributions to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris campaign. Moreover, Musk himself has taken repeated potshots against Starmers government in posts on X, including during the riots.

The riots  during which hostels housing immigrants were targeted  were sparked by the murder of three girls in Southport on July 29, after false information spread online that the perpetrator was a Muslim asylum-seeker.

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Musk himself weighed in during the violence, and his comment on X that civil war is inevitable was dismissed as unjustified by 10 Downing Street. Musk has since made numerous posts criticizing the treatment of those charged for their online activity in connection with the violence. He also agreed with a statement by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage  a populist ally of Trump  that Starmer poses the biggest threat to free speech weve seen in our history.

All of that make it unlikely Musk would accept an invitation to testify to Onwurahs panel. The lawmakers could if they choose then resort to a much more rarely-used summons to bring him before them. People served with such a summons in recent years include back-room Brexit architect Dominic Cummings  who went on to serve as a top aide to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in 2018, and the media mogul Rupert Murdoch in 2011.

The panel also plans to call in senior executives from Meta and TikTok to answer questions from Members of Parliament about the consequences of generative AI, which was used in widely-shared images posted on Facebook and X inciting people to join the summer protests.

Well examine how these companies use algorithms to rank content, and whether their business models encourage the spread of content that can mislead and harm us, Onwurah said. Well look at how effective the UKs regulations and legislation are in combating content like this- weighing up the balance with freedom of speech  and at who is accountable.

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Onwurah told the Guardian that because Musk has very strong views on multiple aspects of this, shed like the opportunity to see how he reconciles his promotion of freedom of expression with his promotion of pure disinformation.

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Commenting on the recent change in Russia's nuclear doctrine, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that it will not deter him from supporting Ukraine.

Source: Reuters with reference to a statement by Starmer at the G20 Summit in Brazil

Details: Starmer called Russia's nuclear rhetoric "irresponsible".

Quote from Starmer: "There's irresponsible rhetoric coming from Russia, and that is not going to deter our support for Ukraine."

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More details: Starmer also noted that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is "the author of his own exile", pointing out that he has not attended the G20 summit for three years in a row.

Quote from Starmer: "I say again [to Putin]: end the war, get out of Ukraine."

Background:

Putin signed an updated nuclear doctrine that expanded the conditions for the use of Russian nuclear weapons.

This was another attempt by Moscow to resort to nuclear blackmail, which it has repeatedly done since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, said that if Western leaders were not constrained in their decisions by the risk of Russia's use of nuclear weapons, they would have gone as far as to send their troops to help Ukraine in the war.

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The war in Ukraine has left tens of thousands of people dead, destroyed homes and created millions of refugees, but it has also caused severe environmental damage, Ukrainian Environment Minister Svitlana Hryntchuk told the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku.

The environmental damage caused by military operations following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 is estimated at $71 billion, Hryntchuk said on Tuesday.

In addition, an additional 180 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) have been released into the atmosphere due to shelling and forest fires, she said.

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According to the minister, roughly 3 million hectares of forest have been destroyed by the war, while some 139,000 square kilometres of Ukraine have been contaminated by explosive residues.

"More than 6 million Ukrainians were forced to temporarily seek refuge in various European countries, resulting in an additional 3.3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions," she said.

The figures on CO2 emissions are consistent with those of a study conducted in June by a Ukrainian non-governmental organization, which found emissions of CO2 reached 175 million tonnes during the first 24 months since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky marked the 1,000th day of the Russian war on Tuesday, calling for greater efforts to push Moscow towards "a just peace."

Developing countries are collectively demanding that industrialized nations mobilize at least $1.3 billion annually for climate financing - 13 times more than the current amount - at the talks in Azerbaijan. The two-week UN summit is scheduled to conclude on November 22.
Ukraine has used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles in Russia for the first time.

The Telegraph understands that residents in the village of Marino, Kursk, found fragments from a Storm Shadow missile on Wednesday

Footage showed locals picking up debris from the long-range missiles along a tree-lined street in the village in the Russian border region.

The use of Storm Shadow missiles comes after Russia launched a counteroffensive in Kursk, which was invaded by Ukrainian troops in August.

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Ukraine was given Storm Shadow and other Western long-range missiles last year but were not allowed to fire them into Russia.

Joe Biden gave Ukraine the green light to use US-made long-range missiles inside Russia earlier this week, paving the way for restrictions to be lifted on the UKs Storm Shadows.

Kyiv first used Atacms missiles to strike a military facility in Bryansk 110km from the Ukrainian border.

Vladimir Putin responded by lowering the threshold for firing nuclear weapons at Ukraine and its allies.

The Kremlin said on Wednesday Mr Biden wanted to prolong and escalate the war by providing Ukraine with Atacms and anti-personnel mines.

08:01 PM GMT

Thank you for following todays live coverage of the war in Ukraine.

Well be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict.

07:42 PM GMT

US announces $275 million military aid package for Ukraine

The United States will send a new military package worth $275 million (217 million) to Ukraine, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday.

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It will include Himars (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) ammunition, artillery shells, and Javelin surface-to-air missiles, in addition to a wide range of spare parts and equipment.

Outgoing US President Joe Bidens administration has already supported Ukraine with $60 billion (47 billion) in military aid.

Missiles are launched from a United States military Himars system - AFP

07:19 PM GMT

US confirms Ukraine can use US-made anti-personnel landmines

The US will allow Ukraine to use American-supplied anti-personnel landmines to help it push back Russias advances, the countrys defence secretary has confirmed.

Lloyd Austin said the USs focus is to help Ukraine meet their needs.

Theyve asked for these, and so I think its a good idea to provide them, he told reporters.

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Mr Lloyd added that Ukraine is currently making their own anti-personnel mines, so providing these will make it far more safer eventually.

The US has spoken with Ukraine about how and where they will use the mines and ensured they are doing things responsibly, he said.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin - REUTERS

07:00 PM GMT

Pictured: fragments of Storm Shadow missile found in Kursk

Residents in the Russian border village of Marino, Kursk found fragments of the British-made Storm Shadow missiles fired into Russian territory by Ukraine on Wednesday.

Footage showed locals picking up debris from the long-range missiles along a tree-lined street in the village in the Russian border region.

It came as the US announced earlier this week that it would allow Ukraine to fire long-range Atacms missiles against Russia - something that it had been hesitant to allow for almost 33 months of war.

Russian channels claiming Ukraine sent around 12 Storm Shadow missiles over Russias Kursk region this morning

06:38 PM GMT

US expects embassy in Ukraine to reopen on Thursday

The United States expects its embassy in Kyiv to return to normal operations on Thursday after a security threat, the State Department has said.

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The announcement comes after the US said earlier this morning it was closing its embassy due to information about a significant air attack on Kyiv.

Its decision to close temporarily came just days after the Biden administration announced it would allow US-made weapons to be fired into Russia.

The Italian, Spanish and Greek embassies have also closed.

06:07 PM GMT

Watch: Storm Shadow missiles hit Kursk

New footage has captured Ukraines British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles striking the village of Darino in the Kursk region on Wednesday.

After being launched by a bomber plane, each missile can travel up to 155 miles and weighs more than a small car.

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05:35 PM GMT

Russias psychological fake mass airstrike warning

Not long ago, myself and two colleagues from The Telegraph found ourselves in an air raid shelter in central Kyiv just after the sirens began to wail. Joining us were three Ukrainian women who, when I asked, admitted that they wouldnt usually come down to the shelter.



But today was different. The rumours of a major missile attack had prompted them to err on the side of caution. Yet, within 20 minutes, the narrative shifted. They were reading on their phones the government message that it was more likely a Russian psychological operation, with no real danger imminent. Moments later, the sirens ceased, and the all-clear was given.



This brief episode was a stark reminder of how rapidly information - and with it, peoples perception of safety - can change in this city. Such is the ever-shifting rhythm of life here.

05:11 PM GMT

Russian soldiers strip and kill two prisoners of war

Russian soldiers stripped and killed two prisoners of war in a village in Donetsk, the regional prosecutors office has claimed.

The two men were captured when Russian troops stormed a Ukrainian fortification in the village of Novodmytrivka on 10 November, the office wrote on Telegram.

The forces then forced the men to strip naked and marched them into a forest at gunpoint, before they were both executed.

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The office posted a blurred image that appeared to show two naked bodies strewn on the ground in the wooded area.

Russian soldiers stripped and killed two prisoners of war in Donetsk village of Novodmytrivka - Donetsk regional prosecutor's office

04:52 PM GMT

How Ukrainians work out if air raid sirens indicate a real threat of missile strikes

Speaking from Irpin in Ukraine, Francis Dearnly explains how locals work out if air raid sirens indicate a real threat of missile strikes, so they can stop sheltering and carry on as normal.

Mr Dearnley is also one of the hosts of The Telegraphs daily podcast Ukraine: The Latest.

Francis Dearnly in Irpin, Ukraine

04:26 PM GMT

Healey wont confirm reports of Ukraine using UK-made missiles in Russia

The UKs defence secretary wont confirm reports that Ukraine has fired a UK-made long-range missile into Russian territory.

Speaking in the Commons, John Healey added that Ukraines action on the battlefield speaks for itself.

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He also told MPs he spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart on Tuesday, saying the pair discussed Ukraines robust response to recent escalation by Russia and the UKs plan to support them throughout 2025.

At this point Im not able to get into any further operational details, Mr Heaey said.

Britains Defence Secretary John Healey - Getty Images Europe

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03:56 PM GMT

Readers weigh in over fears of major Russian attack

British-made Storm Shadow missiles have been fired into Russian territory by Ukraine for the first time.

Telegraph readers have said the situation is now spiralling out of control at an alarming rate.

03:43 PM GMT

Ukraine wont be drawn on use of UK-made long-range missiles

Ukraines defence minister avoided confirming that his country used UK-made long-range missiles at a press conference on Wednesday.

Rustem Umerov would not confirm the reports that Ukraine fired the Storm Shadow missiles into Russia for the first time, but said it is using all the means to defend our country.

We are not going [into] detail but we are just saying that we are capable and able to respond, he said.

Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov

03:04 PM GMT

Analysis: Use of Storm Shadow puts Britain in Putins sights

When British-made Storm Shadow missiles slammed into Russia just after lunch today, a Rubicon was crossed.

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This was the moment the Kremlin had been warning against for months.

The message, from Vladimir Putin, has been simple, consistent, direct. He warned that if British missiles were fired at Russia, Britain would shift from being an ally of Ukraine to becoming a full participant in the war.

And so in the eyes of the Kremlin, Britain is now a belligerent in its war with Ukraine, regardless of how Sir Keir Starmer has tried to play down the threat -- and the implications.

We wait for the Kremlins response and yesterday Putin reduced the threshold of his nuclear response doctrine to include a missile attack from Ukraine.

His lackeys have previously threatened to fire a nuclear missile at Britain but will Putin really take this most destructive step? China, Russias most important ally, has warned Putin not to upturn the global economy by firing a nuclear missile but he is being urged on by Russian ultra Z-hawks who are demanding a tough response.

The Storm Shadow missile strike came 36 hours after Ukraine fired US-made Atacms into Russia. This triggered an avalanche of angry rhetoric from the Kremlin and its propagandists but not much more.

Will missiles hitting Russia made by the Kremlins old adversary  the dastardly and underhand Perfidious Albion  be met with a stronger response?

02:36 PM GMT

How do Storm Shadow missiles work?

Storm Shadow missiles have been used by Ukraine inside its own territory for some time but Kyiv now appears to have been given permission to strike targets inside Russia.

The missiles carry a bunker-busting warhead, and flies low and fast to evade air defences.

02:21 PM GMT

Pictured: Storm Shadow fragments found in Kursk

Residents in the village of Marino, Kursk, found fragments from a Storm Shadow missile on Wednesday.

Reports by Russian military bloggers suggested the missile had been fired on Wednesday afternoon.

It is the first time that Ukraine has been allowed to fire British Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia

Residents in Kursk found fragments of a Storm Shadow missile

02:15 PM GMT

How far can Storm Shadow missiles reach?

British Storm Shadow missiles have a range of 150 miles.

It means Ukraine could now strike targets inside Russia.

01:44 PM GMT

Pope Francis brands war in Ukraine a shameful disaster

Pope Francis has urged people of all faiths to pray and work for dialogue, reconciliation, peace, security and the integral development of all humanity amid the threat of nuclear war.

The pontiff said the world was divided and rent by hatred, hostility, wars and the threat of a nuclear conflict.

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska attended the Popes weekly general audience, at which he described the war in Ukraine as a shameful disaster for the whole of humanity.

Addressing crowds gathered in St, Peters Square, he said the scale of the tragedy should not act as a deterrence for standing alongside the martyred Ukrainian people and working for peace, so that weapons might give way to dialogue.

Pope Francis held a meeting with Ukraines First Lady Olena Zelenska in The Vatican - AFP

01:12 PM GMT

Trump may soften or cancel Russian sanctions

TASS, a Kremlin-linked news agency, has reported that Donald Trump may soften or cancel sanctions on Russia when he becomes US President in order to end the war in Ukraine.

It claimed that a correspondent had spoken to a representative of Trumps transition team.

The alleged Trump representative told TASS that Mr Trump intended to mix carrots and sticks to force Russia and Ukraine to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

Neither Mr Trump nor the White House have commented on the TASS report.

Mr Trump has previously said that he will end the war in Ukraine within a day of becoming US President in January. He has also already reportedly spoken to Vladimir Putin by telephone, although this has been denied by the Kremlin.

12:57 PM GMT

Mood in Kyiv is calm

Kyiv is still busy right now, writes Anna Conkling from the Ukrainian capital.

A lot of cars are driving down the streets, I just passed by a woman pushing a stroller with a baby in it.

People are still at cafes and standing on the street speaking with each other.

The mood is calm here right now.

12:33 PM GMT

Air raid sirens end in Kyiv

Air raid sirens in Kyiv have ended, lasting around 30 minutes.

Serhii Nykyforov, Volodymyr Zelenskys press officer, told The Telegraph residents should find the nearest bomb shelter in the event of an attack, writes Anna Conkling.

He added that there will be an official statement on the threat soon.

Well bring you more updates should the air sirens restart.

12:28 PM GMT

Warnings of massive combined missile strike received in Kyiv

Ukraine received warnings of a massive combined missile strike to be carried out by Russia against Kyiv this afternoon.

An official alert sent to residents warned the attack could occur on Wednesday afternoon.

It comes after the US and other Western nations closed their embassies over fears of a significant attack on Kyiv.

12:21 PM GMT

Nato allies better prepared for war than UK

Britain should do more to make its population resilient in the face of war, a top British naval officer has said, as he admitted that other Nato allies were better prepared than the UK.

Speaking at the Berlin Security Conference on a panel about military preparedness, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said the UK was falling behind Nato allies such as Sweden and the Netherlands in the arena of public resilience.

Public resilience is defined within a Nato context as the populations ability to withstand major shocks, such as the outbreak of war, and to remain calm and self-sufficient - and support the army.

On the resilience, I think I have to acknowledge that were in a different position and a slightly weaker one than my colleagues on the panel, he said.

Its an area that is part of our defence review that were looking at much more closely. But we dont have the culture of total defence, we dont have the legal aspects or planning aspects that other countries within Nato have as part of their tradition.

At the same panel, top Dutch and Swedish officers had outlined some of their steps towards improving resilience, such as public awareness programmes about the need to stay prepared and support the army.

11:59 AM GMT

Air raid alert activated in Kyiv

An air raid alert has been activated in Kyiv over what local authorities described as a missile threat.

It has been active since 1.49pm local time (11.49am in the UK).

WARNING! Kyiv is a missile hazard! Go to the shelters! Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyivs military administration, said.

Sirens also sounded out across Chernihiv, Sumy, and Poltava.

11:48 AM GMT

Watch: Russia detains German citizen over sabotage of energy facilities

Russian authorities have arrested a German citizen in the northwestern Kaliningrad region on charges of sabotaging energy installations.

The man, named as Nikolai Gaiduk and born in 1967, is implicated in the March 2024 explosion at a gas distribution station in Kaliningrad, the Russian region sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania, the FSB said in a statement according to news agencies.

A resident of Hamburg, Gaiduk was detained at a border crossing in Kaliningrad, where he had returned allegedly to organise acts of sabotage on local energy infrastructure, the statement said.

Half a litre of an explosive substance was seized from his car as he tried to cross into Russia, according to the FSB, with local media reporting that it was hidden in a shampoo bottle.

11:23 AM GMT

In pictures: Russian mortar units fire towards Ukrainian positions

The Russian military has released photos showing its mortar units firing towards Ukrainian positions on the right bank of the Dnipro River in the Zaporizhzhia region.

It follows warnings by Kyiv that Russia could mount a major offensive in the region.

Russian Airborne Forces towards Ukrainian positions on the right bank of the Dnieper in the Zaporizhia region - Shutterstock

Combat work of mortar units of the Russian Airborne Forces - Shutterstock

11:01 AM GMT

Putin willing to halt invasion

Vladimir Putin is potentially prepared to freeze the war in Ukraine along the current frontline in return for a guarantee that Kyiv will not join Nato.

Reuters quoted five sources with knowledge of the Kremlin as saying that Putin is open to negotiations with Donald Trump after he is sworn in as US President in January.

They said that Putin may consider withdrawing from small patches of territory in Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions, in north and south Ukraine, but he will not budge from the frontline running through Donbas and then across Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

Putin will also, reportedly, not tolerate any Nato forces in Ukraine patrolling a demilitarised zone.

Two of the sources also said that Joe Bidens decision this week to allow Ukraine to fire Atacms missiles into Russia would make a ceasefire deal more complicated.

Mr Trump reportedly spoke to Putin two weeks ago, the day after his election win, about imposing a peace deal for the war in Ukraine. This has been denied by the Kremlin.

The Kremlin also said on Wednesday that freezing the conflict in Ukraine would not be acceptable to Putin.

10:53 AM GMT

Atacms decision a big mistake, says Erdogan

Washingtons decision to lift restrictions on Ukraines use of US-made long-range missiles inside Russia is a big mistake and could drag the world into a major war, Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said.

This step by Joe Biden will not only escalate the conflict, but will lead to a greater reaction from Russia ... (and) may bring the region and the world to the brink of a major new war, he told journalists on the flight back from the G20 summit in Rio.

10:30 AM GMT

Greece and Spain close embassies in Kyiv

Greece and Spain also closed their embassies in Kyiv over a potential significant air attack on the Ukrainian capital.

10:23 AM GMT

Eric Trump: My dad can end war because Putin respects him

Donald Trumps son said his father could end the war in one day because Putin respects him.

Speaking to PA from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Mr Trump said his father would not send 200 billion dollars over to see young boys blow each others heads off in dirty trenches.

He will end that conflict. You mark my words. He will end that conflict, Mr Trump said.

He also issued a warning about Joe Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to fire long-range missiles inside Russia.

I mean now all of a sudden, long-range missiles are being shot into Russia, the largest nuclear superpower. I dont need to tell you how this could go wrong.

Eric Trump at Trump International Golf Links near Balmedie, Aberdeenshire - PA

10:13 AM GMT

Russia captures frontline village in east Ukraine

Russian forces have claimed the capture of the town of Illinka in eastern Ukraines Donetsk region.

The settlement is located on the northern shore of the embattled Kurakhove reservoir.

It comes after Moscow claimed the capture of Novoselydivka, a village near the strategic town of Kurakhove.

Moscows army is now rapidly advancing in the Donetsk region and closing in on the industrial town of Kurakhove, which had a pre-war population of around 10,000 people.

Russian troops now control territory to the north, east and south of Kurakhove, which lies on the shores of a reservoir.

09:53 AM GMT

Watch: Air raid sirens in Kyiv during Russian attack

An air raid warning was in place across Kyiv for 11 hours overnight, head of the local military administration has said.

Footage showed Ukrainian air defences intercepting Russian targets.

Ruslan Kravchenko said Ukrainian air defences downed all targets, with debris causing damage to a school and three office buildings. There were no reported casualties.

The attack was separate to the one which prompted the US embassy in Kyiv to temporarily close its doors.

09:37 AM GMT

We will lose if US cuts aid, Zelensky warns

Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Ukraine would lose if the US cut its military warned.

We will stay, we will fight. We have our production, but its not enough to prevail and I think its not enough to survive, the Ukrainian president warned.

Mr Zelensky also warned that it would be very dangerous to lose unity in Europe.

09:32 AM GMT

Why Putins repeated nuclear threats could play into Trumps hands

Seldom has the fog of war lain so thick.

The week began with Joe Biden authorising the use of American Atacms missiles inside Russia. Or at least that was what the American papers reported, the White House neither confirmed nor denied the claim.

Initial reports said the permission was restricted to strikes in the Kursk region. But overnight on Tuesday, Ukraine hit a Russian ammunition dump further north in Bryansk.

Then, Vladimir Putin signed into law a revised nuclear doctrine that said America would be considered to have attacked Russia if it assisted Kyiv. But retained exceptionally high thresholds for nuclear use.

So, who is threatening to do what? Should we be frightened or reassured? And should we be ready for a nuclear war?

Read the full story here.

Donald Trump gestures during a bilateral meeting with Russias President Vladimir Putin - REUTERS

09:19 AM GMT

Biden doing everything to prolong war, says Kremlin

Joe Bidens outgoing administration is doing everything to prolong the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

It follows Mr Bidens decision to lift restrictions on Ukraines use of US-made long-range missiles and the provision of anti-personnel mines.

If you look at the trends of the outgoing US administration, they are fully committed to continuing the war in Ukraine and are doing everything they can to do so, Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, told reporters.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy is embraced by US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office in September last year - REUTERS

09:02 AM GMT

Zelensky thanks UK for support

Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the UK for its support after 1,000 days of war.

Replying to a tweet by Sir Keir Starmer, the Ukrainian president said: Thank you, and the entire United Kingdom, for their unwavering support for Ukraine.

The UKs steadfast assistance has been crucial in saving countless lives.

Dear @Keir_Starmer, thank you, and the entire United Kingdom, for their unwavering support for Ukraine. The UK's steadfast assistance has been crucial in saving countless lives.  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 20, 2024

08:51 AM GMT

We are not intimidated by nuclear rhetoric, says France

France is not intimidated by Russias increasing nuclear threats, Paris said on Wednesday.

Jean-Noel Barrot, Frances foreign minister, described them as just rhetoric.

It follows Vladimir Putins decision to lower the threshold for a nuclear strike.

08:19 AM GMT

Russian command post in Belgorod region successfully struck

A Russian command post in the town of Gubkin in Belgorod was successfully struck on Wednesday morning, Ukraines military intelligence has said.

It comes after Ukraine used Atacms missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time on Tuesday.

It is not clear which weapons were used in Wednesday mornings attack.

08:12 AM GMT

In pictures: Demonstration in London to mark 1,000 days of war

Pro-Ukraine supporters carried out a demonstration in London on Tuesday as the country marked 1,000 days of war.

Tuesday marked 1,000 days of the war in Ukraine - Getty Images Europe

08:07 AM GMT

Will the British embassy in Kyiv close?

A Cabinet minister has refused to rule out closing the British embassy in Kyiv following Washingtons decision.

These things will be dealt with by the Ministry of Defence, Peter Kyle, Science and Technology Secretary, told Kay Burley on Sky News.

They are looking very, very carefully at the situation. We will do whatever it takes to keep our people safe. It will be based on the evidence and intelligence we have at any moment.

Pushed further, Mr Kyle did not refuse to rule it out.

As you can imagine, every day we are assessing all of the evidence that intelligence brings to us and our relationship with Kyiv, with the United States, is very, very tight, he added.

07:40 AM GMT

Biden approves anti-personnel mines for Ukraine

Joe Biden has agreed to give anti-personnel land mines to Ukraine, a step that could help slow Russian advances in its east.

It is the latest move by the Biden administration to bolster Ukraines war stocks before Donald Trump takes office on Jan 20.

The US expects Ukraine to use the mines in its own territory, though said it would not use them in densely populated areas.

Ukrainian border guards mine a road in an unknown location in Ukraine - Ukraine Russia Conflict

07:20 AM GMT

US embassy threat comes after Putin nuclear threat

The threat of a potential significant air attack against the US embassy in Kyiv comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Moscow.

Joe Biden has given Ukraine permission to use American-made missiles to fire at targets inside Russia, which Moscow said showed the West wanted to escalate the conflict.

Yesterday, Ukraine used them against a military facility in Russia for the first time.

Vladimir Putins response? Signing a new law lowering the threshold for a nuclear attack.

Moscow can now use nuclear weapons against a non nuclear-armed nation, such as Ukraine, if it is supported by nuclear-armed allies, such as Britain and America.

The US embassy in Kyiv has closed its doors after receiving a threat of a potential significant attack - Future Publishing

07:15 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 news and analysis throughout the day.

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Ukraines top diplomat warned that the United States cannot afford to look weak in the face of increased threats from the deepening cooperation between Russia, North Korea and Iran, addressing lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha was in Washington marking 1,000 days of Ukraines defensive war against Russia, warning against an existential challenge for Western democracies in confronting lawlessness from regimes in Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang.

Under these circumstances, the United States cannot afford to look weak. Russia, Iran, and North Korea will perceive any sign of weakness as an invitation to directly harm American interests and security, Sybiha warned during a hearing of the Helsinki Commission.

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The foreign ministers remarks served as a signal to President-elect Trump, who has pledged to pursue peace through strength. But Trumps criticism of U.S. spending on Ukraine has raised anxiety in Kyiv and among Ukraines supporters that his push to end the war could involve painful concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Sybiha also criticized Putins threats of nuclear weapons use as blackmail, following President Bidens decision in recent days to green light Ukraine using Western-provided missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia.

Right now, we see new attempts by the Kremlin to use nuclear saber-rattling to scare the West. Their updated nuclear doctrine and public rhetoric on the use of nuclear weapons are nothing more than blackmail, Sybiha said.

They have used it many times before when strong decisions were made. We must remain cold-headed, clear-eyed, and not give in to empty fear.

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A number of Trump allies have been highly critical of Bidens decision, saying it risks escalating the war and will make a peace deal harder to achieve. However, Republican lawmakers have been largely supportive of the move.

Trump has talked about using his first days in office to end the war between Russia and Ukraine by bringing Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky together for negotiations, but has provided little details on what a deal might look like.

Zelensky has laid out a Victory Plan for Ukraine, with major points including NATO offering an invitation for Ukraine to join, and building up Ukraines military defenses to a level to deter any future, renewed Russian aggression.

While Zelensky did not include liberating Ukrainian territory under Russian occupation as a critical part of the victory plan, Sybiha rejected ceding land to Russia in exchange for promises of peace.

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We will not accept any land for peace deals. Such ideas will only mean leaving millions of people in the hands of the aggressor and subject to genocide, torture, and oppression, he said.

U.S. military, economic and diplomatic support is viewed as essential in helping Ukraine defend itself against Russias invasion, even with robust European support.

But future U.S. support to Ukraine is in flux. While some members of Congress have said theyd like to see another aid package for Ukraine, the Biden administration has so far not sent a request to Capitol Hill.

The U.S. has provided an estimated $90 billion in aid to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in Feb. 2022, and has about $6 billion in funding to use up before Bidens term ends in January.

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Supplemental aid packages for Ukraine have faced increasing opposition from Republicans, with a package that passed in April delayed for months over partisan bickering, and ultimately drawing opposition from just over half of the House GOP conference.

I dont have much hope for the continued American support which Ukraine needs, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), co-chair of the Helsinki Commission, said at the hearing on Tuesday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukraine for the first time fired British storm shadow missiles into Russia on Wednesday, according to reports from Bloomberg and Reuters.

The news comes the day after Ukraine launched its first long-range attacks into Russia, following President Bidens Sunday lift of restrictions on Ukraine using the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) across the border. The White House has yet to publicly confirm the policy change.

The missiles are used for long-range air attacks and can hit targets up to 190 miles away, with navigation systems using infrared detection to seek and strike its target. Ukraine is likely to target Russian supply stocks and military positions.

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Though a number of President-elect Trumps allies blasted what they called an escalatory move from Biden, lawmakers in both parties were fairly supportive of the shift this week, while also sounding notes of caution.

Russia has responded angrily to the development, with the Kremlin accusing Biden of pouring fuel on the fire, and Russian leader Vladimir Putin changing the countrys nuclear doctrine.

The U.S. has responded to Russias warnings of escalation by pointing to Moscows deployment of thousands North Korean troops on the front lines, particularly around the swath of Russian territory in the Kursk region that Ukraine seized over the summer.

Ukraine has largely shrugged off Russias shift in its nuclear posture, which would ostensibly lower the threshold for a nuclear response to more conventional attacks on the country.

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Right now, we see new attempts by the Kremlin to use nuclear saber-rattling to scare the West. Their updated nuclear doctrine and public rhetoric on the use of nuclear weapons are nothing more than blackmail, Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said this week.

They have used it many times before when strong decisions were made. We must remain cold-headed, clear-eyed, and not give in to empty fear.

Trump pledged to end the war between the two nations quickly after taking office; however, its unclear what terms he would push, and whether he will pressure Ukraine to cede territory.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky  Donald Trump traveled deep into America's heartland to win support during his three runs for president. Ukraine is hoping the same strategy will help it get more backers for its defense against Russia.

A top official from Ukraines embassy visited Louisville on Thursday to make the countrys case for ongoing financial and weapons support in sessions with community leaders, nonprofit groups and even high-schoolers.

Ukrainian officials have made a number of visits to U.S. communities in their three-year campaign to drum up support following Russias invasion of their country. Their efforts included a high-profile visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to an Army munitions plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania in September. The idea of such trips has been to win the hearts and minds of the American public, and therefore maybe their representatives in Congress.

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But Kyivs campaign is taking on new urgency  and new angles  now that Trumps win has thrown support for Ukraine even further into doubt.



In Kentucky, Kateryna Smagliy  counselor at the Ukrainian embassy in Washington  presented a message seemingly tailored to appeal to the president-elect and his supporters. Kentucky, like a number of states officials have visited, voted overwhelmingly for Trump.

The first president who was more proactive in supplying weapons was President Trump, because we could continuously ask for javelins, and he was the one to make this decision, Smagliy explained to a group of high school students on one stop. And by the way, his administration was also the first to take a very clear position on the annexation of Crimea, as demonstrated by the State Departments Crimea Declaration of 2018.

Smagliy oscillated between acknowledging Trumps potential positive impact and cautioning that Russia must be held accountable in order to produce a durable peace.

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Her statements underscored the ways in which Trumps imminent return is prompting both Kyiv and its supporters to reconsider the messaging strategy now that a man who has promised to quickly negotiate a settlement with Russia is about to take over the U.S. presidency.

But theres debate over which part of the message needs to be changed, and what audience to target.

Smagliy stressed  as Ukraine has since the start of the war  that victory against Russia needs to be the priority.

Peace doesn't mean surrender, because surrender means occupation in our case, and occupation means torture chambers, mass graves, rapes of children, women, devastation, destruction of your cultural heritage, churches, etc, she warned at a lunch with the citys World Affairs Council, a community group that works to raise awareness of international issues in Louisville. So we will not stop fighting for what we hold dear. And this is our right.

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Some Ukraine backers believe such a strategy will appeal to Trumps instincts. Former Danish Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a recent interview with POLITICO that Kyiv should appeal to Trumps desire to win.

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, Rasmussen said. There is a possibility to use, let's say, the different features of the new U.S. president, to use it to become a winning formula.

But a lobbyist for Ukraine in Washington argued a focus on victory is misguided.

That message is not going to resonate in Trumpworld, said the lobbyist, who like others was granted anonymity in order to speak freely about strategic considerations. If they use the words victory and not peace, it creates a perception theyre unrealistic, which is dangerous. They need to use Trumps language.

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A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ukrainians argue that their trips outside of the Washington bubble are creating a dialogue through which Americans will come to see support as integral to achieving the United States domestic and geostrategic interests.

Kentucky has been a major recipient of defense and aerospace contracts related to the war in Ukraine, including more than $60 million from the military supplemental aid bill passed earlier this year.

In addition to the Pennsylvania trip by Zelenskyy, Ukrainian officials have traveled to Oklahoma, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio and Iowa as part of a tour of the American heartland supported by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and organized by the German Marshall Fund, a Washington-based think tank that promotes the importance of U.S. leadership around the world. Smagilys visit to Kentucky was the ninth and final stop in that tour.

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This is a decades-long project of changing Ukraines role in American politics, said a person who works for a group advocating for Ukraine assistance in Washington. Once Americans start to see that Ukraines not so different, and that theyre fighting for the same freedoms we value, thats really a powerful development and makes it personal for them.

That reorientation may come very slowly.

Going to the heartland over time begins to have a difference, but not yet, the lobbyist said. With Trump back in the White House, its solely about Trump and what he says. Trump snaps his fingers and gets 195 or more Republicans to vote for support. In the absence of that, its well below 50 percent support with the House GOP.

Yet the proponents of the more localized approach say the visits to Republican-leaning states are already changing hearts and minds. They point to polling that shows that Americans, even Republicans, still side with Ukraine over Russia and that support for continued U.S. aid to Ukraine has remained constant, despite Trumps attacks. That, they argue, shows that Ukraine could enjoy stable bipartisan support within the realm of U.S. politics.



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Many of those who she met with in Louisville were already Ukraine backers  groups that work with Ukrainian refugees and citizens who monitor global news closely. She also met with members of the Ukrainian diaspora community, many of whom expressed anxiety about what one called Ukraines uncertain future.

The long game was clearly top of mind for Smagily, especially when she spoke to students. She told the high school students that the most important need Ukraine has is for American policymakers to understand Ukraine and its history in case the history books repeat themselves in the future.

If someone like Putin will decide to reinvade Ukraine again, even after some administration will be successful in making a peace deal, you will be well informed, she said. "You will have this capacity for independent thinking for life, and you will be prepared for the decisions that are ahead of us. So what is needed is knowledge

CORRECTION: A previous version of this report misstated a part of a quote.
Ukraine "cannot legally acknowledge any occupied territory of Ukraine as Russian," President Volodymyr Zelensky said when asked about ceding land to Russia in exchange for peace during an interview with Fox News published Nov. 20.

While Kyiv has consistently rejected territorial concessions as the basis of peace talks, the election of Donald Trump has raised fears that Ukraine may be pushed to the negotiating table under threat of the withdrawal of U.S. aid.

Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst asked Zelensky if he would accept loss of territory to Russia as part of a peace deal.

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"We cannot legally acknowledge any occupied territory of Ukraine as Russian," Zelensky said.

"That is about those territories... occupied by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin before the full-scale invasion, since 2014. Legally, we are not acknowledging that, we are not adopting that."

Yingst also asked Zelensky if he would be willing to give up Russian-occupied Crimea, illegally annexed since 2014, in order to "stop the bloodshed in Europe."

Read also: Investigation: Who helped Russians increase production of domestic attack drones despite sanctions

Zelensky said Ukraine was prepared to pursue a diplomatic approach to Crimea's liberation.

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"I was already mentioning that we are ready to bring Crimea back diplomatically," he said.

"We cannot spend dozens of thousands of our people so that they perish for the sake of Crimea coming back ... We understand that Crimea can be brought back diplomatically."

This is not a new line for Zelensky, who told Reuters in 2022 that Crimea could be returned by diplomatic means." Following the unveiling of Zelensky's five-point victory plan for Ukraine this fall, Ukrainian lawmakers also acknowledged that some territories might be returned through diplomacy rather than military means.

Republican party strategist Bryan Lanza said on Nov. 9 that Zelensky should accept that "Crimea is gone" ahead of any future peace talks, though the Trump team later distanced itself from Lanza's comments.

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Putin said on Nov. 20 that he is willing to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine with Trump, but would not make major territorial concessions and would insist that Kyiv abandon plans to join NATO. Moscow currently holds the advantage on the battlefield in Ukraine, and it is unclear why Russia would choose to pause at its current phase.

A growing number of Ukrainians favor a negotiated end to the war, according to a recent Gallup poll. A significant majority of respondents said they would prefer peace talks be brokered by Europe or the U.K. over the U.S. led by Trump.

Read also: Russia pre-notified US of Oreshnik missile strike before attack on Dnipro

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine has struck targets inside Russia with British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles for the first time, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 20, citing a Western official familiar with the matter.

According to the source, the strikes were approved as a response to the presence of North Korean troops in Russias Kursk Oblast, a sign of escalation by Russia.

Different versions of Storm Shadow missiles have a range of between 250 and 560 kilometers. Storm Shadows have been used to hit Russian military targets in Crimea, a sovereign Ukrainian territory illegally annexed by Russia.

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The reported strikes come a day after Ukraine reportedly used U.S.-made ATACMS long-range missiles to attack Russian territory, following outgoing U.S. President Joe Bidens approval on Nov. 17.

That strike reportedly hit a Russian military facility in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast.

Read also: Ukraine used ATACMS on Russian territory for first time, according to Moscow, media

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Key developments on Nov. 20:

Ukraine strikes Russia with Storm Shadows for the first time, Bloomberg reports

Biden approves delivery of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine in light of Russian gains in east

Ukrainian drones allegedly strike Russian factories, weapons arsenal

North Korean troops in Russia to be led by secrecy-shrouded general close to Kim Jong Un, WSJ reports

Putin open to discussing Ukraine ceasefire with Trump, Reuters reports

Russian officials threaten US over long-range strikes, allude to nuclear doctrine changes

Ukraine has struck targets inside Russia with British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles for the first time, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 20, citing a Western official familiar with the matter.

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According to the source, the strikes were approved as a response to the presence of North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk Oblast, a sign of escalation by Russia.

Different versions of Storm Shadow missiles have a range of between 250 and 560 kilometers. Storm Shadows have been used to hit Russian military targets in Crimea, a sovereign Ukrainian territory illegally annexed by Russia.

The reported strikes come a day after Ukraine reportedly used U.S.-made ATACMS long-range missiles to attack Russian territory, following outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden's approval on Nov. 17.

That strike reportedly hit a Russian military facility in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast.

Biden approves delivery of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine in light of Russian gains in east

U.S. President Joe Biden has approved the provision of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Nov. 20.

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The decision is expected to help slow down Russia's advance in the east of the country.

The move follows the Biden administration's authorization of the use of U.S.-made long-range missiles to strike Russian territory. Kyiv has not officially confirmed the claims, but recent reports indicate Ukraine deployed U.S. ATACMS missiles in Russia's Bryansk Oblast.

The transfer of anti-personnel mines could be controversial, as it contradicts the Ottawa Convention, also known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, which has been signed by more than 160 countries. Russia and the U.S. are not signatories to this initiative.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Washington has been supplying Kyiv with anti-tank mines, while Ukrainian forces have been looking for opportunities to obtain infantry mines over the past three years. Moscow has used anti-personnel mines without restriction at the front line, hampering the progress of the Ukrainian military.

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Biden was reluctant to supply Ukraine with mines due to doubts in his administration and the risk to civilians. Yet Washington is now concerned about Russia's rapid advance in eastern Ukraine and sees the need to halt it, U.S. officials told the WP.

"Russia is attacking Ukrainian lines in the east with waves of troops, regardless of the casualties that they're suffering," one of the officials said.

"So, the Ukrainians are obviously taking losses, and more towns and cities are at risk of falling. These mines were made specifically to combat exactly this."

One U.S. official described the mines for Ukraine as "non-resistant," meaning that they self-destruct or lose battery power to render them inactive within days or weeks, reducing the danger to civilians, the WP reported.

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The official said Kyiv had committed to not installing these mines in densely populated areas.

Read also: Opinion: Europes 2% defense benchmark is an illusion, not a solution

Ukrainian drones allegedly strike Russian factories, weapons arsenal

Ukraine reportedly targeted Russian facilities with drones as the Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Nov. 20 that air defense forces shot down 44 drones overnight.

Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that drone wreckage damaged the premises of an enterprise in the town of Alekseevka on Nov. 19. Media reports identified the facility as an EFKO plant, officially a sauce manufacturer.

Separately, drone strikes were reported also in Voronezh Oblast, with local authorities claiming that five drones struck a civilian industrial facility, starting a fire.

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The Voronezh and Belgorod oblasts lie at the border with Ukraine and are regularly targeted in cross-border drone strikes.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council's counter-disinformation center, said that the EFKO plant also secretly produces cargo drones used by the Russian military.

The official said that Ukrainian drones also attacked the 13th Arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of Russia's Defense Ministry (GRAU) near Kotovo in Novgorod Oblast, some 680 kilometers (420 miles) from Ukraine's border.

According to Kovalenko, the arsenal stores critical military supplies, including artillery shells, multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) missiles, Iskander and anti-aircraft missiles, and ammunition for various systems, including the Tor complex.

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Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that 22 drones were shot down over Novgorod Oblast overnight.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.

These strikes come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans on Nov. 19 to scale up domestic production of long-range drones and missiles.

As part of Ukraine's resilience plan, the country aims to manufacture at least 30,000 long-range drones in the coming year and establish a new technology center to enhance its defense capabilities.

Ukrainian forces struck a military arsenal in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast, overnight on Nov. 19, with some reports indicating that Kyiv deployed U.S. ATACMS missiles for the first time on Russian soil.

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Read also: Ukraine expands long-range drone strikes target list, alcohol now on the menu

North Korean troops in Russia to be led by secrecy-shrouded general close to Kim Jong Un, WSJ reports

Colonel General Kim Yong Bok, one of the generals accompanying North Korean troops in Russia, is a mystery-shrouded figure close to dictator Kim Jong Un, The Wall Street Journal reported on Nov. 20.

Kim Yong Bok, officially the Deputy Chief of the Army General Staff, is expected to oversee the integration of North Korean troops into Russian forces, gain combat experience, and establish a framework for future deployments, the outlet reports.

A Ukrainian envoy listed him, along with Major General Sin Kum Cheol and Colonel General Ri Chang Ho, during a U.N. Security Council meeting on Oct. 30 as one of the generals commanding some over 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia.

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Kim's role in Pyongyang's military has long been shrouded in secrecy. He previously commanded a special forces unit of 200,000 soldiers tasked with covert missions on the Korean Peninsula. His profile was elevated after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea in June, with reports identifying him as the No. 3 figure in the Korean People's Army, according to the Wall Street Journal's reporting.

In July 2020, Kim was seen alongside Kim Jong Un at a ceremony honoring military officials but largely disappeared from public view until recently.

This deployment coincides with North Korea's formalized mutual defense treaty with Russia, announced on Nov. 12. The agreement obligates the nations to assist each other in the event of an armed attack.

The development follows reports of initial clashes between Ukrainian forces and North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk Oblast. The Western countries denounced the deployment of North Korean troops as an escalation, with the U.S. reportedly responding by permitting Ukraine to launch ATACMS missiles against Russian and North Korean troops amassing in the region.

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Read also: Russia preparing a 50,000-people-strong offensive in latest attempt to push Ukrainian army out of Kursk Oblast

Putin open to discussing Ukraine ceasefire with Trump, Reuters reports

Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump but rejects major territorial concessions and insists that Ukraine abandon plans to join NATO, Reuters reported on Nov. 20, citing five former and current Russian officials.

The Kremlin's terms reportedly include freezing the conflict roughly along current front lines and "dividing control" of eastern regions, including the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts.

Moscow, which illegally declared annexation of these regions in September 2022, currently controls only 70-80% of them, with approximately 26,000 square kilometers (10,000 square miles) under Ukrainian control. Putin issued a demand in June that Ukraine must withdraw from the four regions completely before any ceasefire talks.

Russia currently occupies roughly a fifth of Ukraine's territory  including Crimea  as its forces continue to steadily advance in the east. Publicly, the Kremlin has rejected freezing the front line or any concessions on its part, with Putin saying any peace deal must be in Moscow's favor.

According to Reuters, Russian officials suggested that Moscow might consider withdrawing from smaller occupied areas in Ukraine's Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions but emphasized that any deal must reflect "realities" on the ground.

Moscow remains firmly opposed to NATO membership for Ukraine or the presence of foreign troops on Ukrainian soil, the officials said. Additional demands could reportedly include limiting Ukraine's military size and guaranteeing unrestricted use of the Russian language.

Ukraine has rejected territorial concessions and said any peace talks should be based on its 10-point peace formula, which includes a Russian withdrawal and full territorial integrity and sovereignty. Officials acknowledged that some territories might be returned through diplomacy rather than military means.

Kyiv also said that NATO membership is the only way to prevent further Russian aggression.

Without a ceasefire, Russia will continue the war, Kremlin sources told Reuters. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the U.S. authorization of ATACMS missiles a "very dangerous escalation."

Trump has positioned himself as a potential peace broker, claiming he could negotiate an end to the war. The contours of Trump's peace plan remain unclear, though media reports indicate it might entail postponing Ukraine's NATO membership for 20 years, freezing the front line, and establishing a demilitarized zone in the east manned by European troops.

Russian officials threaten US over long-range strikes, allude to nuclear doctrine changes

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Nov. 19 that Moscow "will respond accordingly" to Washington's permission for Ukraine to strike Russian soil with U.S. weapons.

Speaking at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Lavrov referred to Russia's updated nuclear doctrine, which permits nuclear retaliation for attacks by non-nuclear states supported by nuclear powers.

When asked during the summit if the U.S. had authorized Ukraine to use long-range weapons to target Russia, Lavrov responded, "I don't know whether it's true or not. We are focused on ensuring our security."

"We have already stated everything necessary to those considering this, officially. The president said it, and now it's confirmed in an official document," he said, according to TASS.

On Nov. 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved an updated nuclear deterrence policy that expands the conditions for a nuclear strike.

The revised doctrine outlines scenarios that could justify a nuclear strike, suggesting that this could include "aggression against the Russian Federation and its allies by a non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state" and large-scale non-nuclear attacks.

Read also: ATACMS boost for Ukraine as Trump freeze deadline looms

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Long-haul train runs ensure efficient trade between Chinese manufacturers and European households

09:59, November 20, 2024 By Zhang Yiyi ( Global Times

A view of Guoyuan Port in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, one of inland departure stations of China-Europe Freight Train Service, on November 15, 2024 (Zhang Yiyi/GT)

On Tuesday, a China-Europe freight train carrying daily goods, electronics and machinery equipment departed from Jiangxi Province's Ganzhou International Inland Port, in East China, marking the 2,000th trip of its kind. The train passes through Erenhot Port in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, reaching its European destination in about 15 days.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said on Tuesday that the China-Europe Freight Train service now handles approximately 50,000 types of goods of 53 major categories. To date, more than 11 million standard containers of goods worth more than $420 billion have been delivered by the service.

Last year, the freight value operated by the China-Europe Freight Train service accounted for 7 percent of China-Europe trade.

"Since its launch in 2013, the freight train service has attained improving efficiency, expanded the range of transported goods, by adopting a more integrated and digitalized system," Li Hongchang, a researcher at the Sustainable Transportation Innovation Center, and a professor from Beijing Jiaotong University told the Global Times on Tuesday.

"It has greatly strengthened trade links between China and the countries along the route, driving development in China's central and western regions, and helped shift China from being the world's manufacturing hub to a global trade hub," Li said.

More efficient service

"Compared to ocean shipping, China-Europe Freight Train service can provide more reliable transportation, with minimal impact from bad weather or other disruptions," Kong Zhijian, a representative from Yiwu lnternational Trade Market, in East China's Zhejiang Province, who has been importing goods from Spain for years, told the Global Times on Monday.

Kong noted that the Yiwu-Madrid rail line is ideal for transporting wines from Spain to China. "Faster transportation means quicker capital turnover and fresher goods for the consumers," he said.

The growing efficiency of China-Europe Freight Train service is reshaping global commerce, aided by the seamless coordination of each link in the transportation chain.

Li Yunsheng, a locomotive driver of China Railway Wuhan Group Co, said the group has strived to reduce freight loading and unloading time, which helped ramp up the efficiency of China-Europe Freight Train service.

"We have done our best to push the limits to improve the efficiency of China-Europe freight train operations," Li said. "After 2,000 trials, we have managed to save at least 15 minutes and 8 liters of diesel oil for each loading and unloading session," he added.

Yang Jie from Qingbaijiang customs port, which is under Chengdu Customs, told the Global Times on Tuesday that Chengdu Customs has completed a set of information-based system upgrading, achieving instant data sharing among different customs offices, freight train operation companies, and train stations that has significantly improved efficiency.

In addition, Chengdu Customs has pushed for rapid railway clearance that helps shorten goods check time, said Yang, adding that, currently, prioritized non-intrusive inspection can facilitate quick inspection for freight containers, improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Meanwhile, the freight structure has become more diversified with the proportion of high-tech and high-value-added products going up rapidly in the past years, according to China State Railway Group.

A foreign buyer discusses business with a vendor at the Yiwu International Trade Market on November 18, 2024. (Zhang Yiyi/GT)

High-value goods

"The trains are now transporting more high-value goods to European markets, such as electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing equipment, while the return train runs include more electronics, medical devices, and bulk commodities," Bai Xudong, an official from Yiwu market development commission told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Over the past decade, the China-Europe Freight Train service has sent a growing number of goods to the consumers on the line. A merchant named Meerzat Omuralieva from Kyrgyzstan noted that her company has greatly benefited from Yiwu's small-commodity market and the freight train service.

"I'm proud to have my residence largely settled in Yiwu, the starting point of the Yiwu-Madrid freight train line," Omuralieva told the Global Times. "Most of the goods managed by my company come from Yiwu and are eventually exported to countries in Central Asia and the Middle East. The regular operation of the freight train service has made the import-export operations of my company a profitable business," she noted.

Poland, with its long history of apple cultivation, has leveraged the China-Europe Freight Train service to reach the Chinese market.

Unlike the 40-day journey by sea, the train delivers Polish apples to China in about 14 days. In 2023, China's apple imports from Poland increased by 23.2 percent in value over a year ago, according to China State Railway Group.

The long-distance freight train service fosters massively mutually beneficial trade flows between China and Europe.

"Currently, China-Europe freight train operations cover 25 European countries and 227 cities - effectively connecting the entire Eurasian continent," Dong Hui, an official from the Freight Department of China State Railway Group told the Global Times on Tuesday.

"Also, the return-to-departure ratio has reached 84 percent, achieving a near-balanced operation with seven outbound and six inbound train runs weekly," Dong added.

From 2016 to 2023, the number of freight train runs had grown nearly 10-fold, from 1,702 to more than 17,000 recorded in 2023. Entering 2024, on average 1,600 monthly train runs were reported.

Professor Li from Beijing Jiaotong University noted that China-Europe freight train operations are increasingly welcomed in European markets.

"In the coming months and years, China will further enhance its infrastructure supporting relevant service of China-Europe Freight Train," he said.

NDRC announced on Tuesday in Beijing that it plans to collaborate with other government departments and China State Railway Group to strengthen the international rail transport network and prioritizing participation in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, to establish a streamlined "corridor-hub-network" framework to facilitate trade flows.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
STATEMENT OF SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA ON MARY JANE VELOSO'S RETURN TO PH

I commend the ongoing efforts of Malacanang to facilitate the return of Mary Jane Veloso to our country. This initiative reflects the administration's commitment to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of every Filipino, particularly those who find themselves in challenging circumstances abroad.

Mary Jane is a victim of circumstance, having been deceived by unscrupulous individuals who exploited her vulnerability and unwittingly used her as a courier in their illegal schemes. Her situation highlights the urgent need to protect overseas workers from similar predicaments and to strengthen mechanisms against human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

Her case deserves a thorough review. I urge the Department of Justice to consider her status as a victim of human trafficking and involvement in drug syndicates. They should explore options for clemency or commutation of her sentence, recognizing her as a victim rather than a criminal.
Denmark has hosted the first meeting within the Northern Group-Ukraine format, which brings together 12 European nations and aims to promote defence cooperation.

Source: Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland) and the Baltic states, along with the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland, formed the Northern Group-Ukraine format.

The defence ministers of the member states in the Northern Group-Ukraine format.

The defence ministers of the member states in the Northern Group-Ukraine format.

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Photo: Rustem Umierov on Facebook

Umierov noted that during the meeting, the defence ministers of the member states discussed plans for 2025, Ukraine's urgent needs and "how to meet them together as quickly as possible".

"Investments in the Ukrainian defence industry are a separate priority. An increasing number of countries are joining the effort to finance Ukrainian production, particularly through the Danish model, with Sweden, Norway and Lithuania taking part," he said.

Ukraine's defence minister added that the next meeting in the Nordic Group-Ukraine format will be held in Ukraine.

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Background:

Last week, Umierov announced that Norway would finance the production of Ukrainian weapons and equipment, thus joining the Danish model of military support for Ukraine.

At the Ukraine-Northern Europe summit last month, the prime ministers of Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden expressed their interest in further cooperation with the Ukrainian defence industry.

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Ukrainian troops from the 80th Halychyna Air Assault Brigade have captured 26 Russian soldiers in a single battle in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

Source: a report from the 80th Halychyna Air Assault Brigade

Quote: "A total of 26 Russians have been captured in one battle in Kursk Oblast. Halychyna airborne troops are continuing to replenish the stock of POWs for exchange by capturing Russian soldiers in Kursk Oblast.

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During one of the enemys unsuccessful assaults, airborne troops from the 80th Brigade killed a large number of enemy soldiers, and those who miraculously survived decided to surrender, a decision that saved their lives."

Details: In a video posted by the 80th Air Assault Brigade, a Russian soldier from the Storm unit, made up of former convicts, says he had been promised training in a suitable military specialism. Instead, he describes his experience as "nine days of training, an assault rifle shoved into my hands, four days in the forest, and then straight into battle".

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The Times has reported that Ukraine has only about 50 American ATACMS tactical missiles.

Source: European Pravda, citing The Times

Details: The newspaper states that these missiles are considered so highly valued worldwide that the US has exported them to many countries, including Australia, South Korea, Romania, Greece, Turkiye, Poland and Morocco. As a result, Ukraine was at the bottom of the list.

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The newspaper reported that, although the Pentagon had not provided any details, the Kyiv government was believed to have about 50 missiles at its disposal.

Ukraine has enough HIMARS and MLRS missile launchers to launch them, but with limited supplies, the Ukrainian military command will have to carefully choose targets in Russia to attack.

Background:

Officially, the US has not yet confirmed granting Ukraine permission to strike Russian territory with American weapons.

However, they have privately confirmed that Ukraine has used ATACMS missiles against targets in Russia for the first time.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Tuesday marked 1,000 days since the Russian invasion into Ukraine and members of the Ukranian community in San Diego, along with supporters, attended a rally in Balboa Park to highlight the ongoing war.

A few dozen people attended the event near the El Cid Statue, including volunteers, refugees, and religious leaders. Organizers said they want to remind people in the community that the war is not over.

The rally comes on the heels of Ukraines military using American-made missiles to strike Russia for the first time Tuesday.

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Were hoping that with this new permission to strike back, we will finally have a fighting chance to end this war with victory for Ukraine, said Nadia Haywas, President of the House of Ukraine at Balboa Park.

For the past two-and-a-half years, Haywas and other local advocates have been using their voice to stand in solidarity with Ukraine. With the war hitting another milestone, its a chance to issue a reminder to people in the community.

Ukrainians are fighting for Democracy not only in Ukraine, but the right to have democratic countries and democratic rule all over the world and we cant close our eyes to that, Haywas said.

Haywas explained that the biggest concerns her family back in Ukraine has is having enough food and heat, and ultimately winning the war. Its the same concerns that brought 9-year-old twins, Serhii and Nastya Pisliakova, and their parents to the U.S. at the beginning of the war in 2022.

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All my friends that were with me like in kindergarten and first grade they are all still there and our grandparents are still there too, Serhii Poliakova said.

He said while he misses Ukraine, he feels much safer here in their new home. Despite the distance, coming together with others for a common cause provides a sense of comfort for the two siblings.

I feel connected with Ukraine and I feel like I do something to make Ukraine win, Nastya Pisliakova said.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian work in eastern Europe continues. Delivering aid to Ukraine every few months is part of Mira Rubins life work as the president of nonprofit organization Shield of Freedom.

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We would like San Diego to stand with us. Wed like San Diego to continue that support and not turn away their backs on the pains of the war, Rubin said.

Rubin, along with Haywas, both explained that their respective nonprofits are always looking for volunteers and donations to continue to provide aid to Ukraine. Anyone interested can find more information on how to do so here and 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.
Ukraine reportedly targeted Russian facilities with drones as the Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Nov. 20 that air defense forces shot down 44 drones overnight.

Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that drone wreckage damaged the premises of an enterprise in the town of Alekseevka on Nov. 19. Media reports identified the facility as an EFKO plant, officially a sauce manufacturer.

Separately, drone strikes were reported also in Voronezh Oblast, with local authorities claiming that five drones struck a civilian industrial facility, starting a fire.

The Voronezh and Belgorod oblasts lie at the border with Ukraine and are regularly targeted in cross-border drone strikes.

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Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council's counter-disinformation center, said that the EFKO plant also secretly produces cargo drones used by the Russian military.

The official said that Ukrainian drones also attacked the 13th Arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of Russia's Defense Ministry (GRAU) near Kotovo in Novgorod Oblast, some 680 kilometers (420 miles) from Ukraines border.

According to Kovalenko, the arsenal stores critical military supplies, including artillery shells, multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) missiles, Iskander and anti-aircraft missiles, and ammunition for various systems, including the Tor complex.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that 22 drones were shot down over Novgorod Oblast overnight.

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The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.

These strikes come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans on Nov. 19 to scale up domestic production of long-range drones and missiles.

As part of Ukraines resilience plan, the country aims to manufacture at least 30,000 long-range drones in the coming year and establish a new technology center to enhance its defense capabilities.

Ukrainian forces struck a military arsenal in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast, overnight on Nov. 19, with some reports indicating that Kyiv deployed U.S. ATACMS missiles for the first time on Russian soil.

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Read also: Ukraine used ATACMS on Russian territory for first time, according to Moscow, media

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Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described the shift to remote work by the US Embassy and some other foreign diplomatic missions in Ukraine as "information overreaction".

Source: Heorhii Tykhyi, Foreign Ministry spokesman, as cited by European Pravda

Details: Tykhyi noted that the threat of strikes from the aggressor state has been a daily reality for Ukrainians for over 1,000 days.

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Quote: "On this 1,001st day of the full-scale invasion, the threat of Russian strikes remains just as relevant as it has been for the past thousand days. We believe it would be appropriate for our partners to respond on the 1,001st day in the same way as they did during the previous thousand days, without any additional information overreaction."

He urged all Ukrainian citizens to remain vigilant, heed air-raid warnings, and seek shelter in case of danger, just as they would during any Russian missile strike threat.

Tykhyi added that Ukraines Foreign Ministry remains in constant contact with partners when it comes to potential security threats.

Background:

The US urged its citizens in Ukraine to exercise maximum caution due to the risk of a large-scale airstrike by Russia on 20 November, with the US Embassy switching to remote operations.

The Spanish Embassy later announced its closure, and for security reasons, the embassies of Greece and Italy also decided to shut down temporarily.

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Ukrainian prosecutors have launched an investigation into yet another war crime committed by Russian forces, who are reported to have executed Ukrainian prisoners of war on the Pokrovsk front in Donetsk Oblast.

Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Details: Operational data indicates that on 10 November, Russian troops mounted an assault on Ukrainian defence fortifications near the village of Novodmytrivka in the Pokrovsk district.

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After capturing two Ukrainian soldiers, the Russians forced them to strip naked and marched them at gunpoint through a forested area before shooting them dead.

An investigation is also underway into reports that Russian soldiers killed three other wounded Ukrainian soldiers at the same position.

Quote: "Urgent investigative (search) actions are being taken to establish all the circumstances of the incident.

The killing of POWs is a gross violation of the Geneva Conventions and is classified as a serious international crime."

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Ukrainian strikes deep into Russia are crucial for weakening the potential of Russian forces across the line of contact.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: On the night of 18-19 November, Ukrainian forces carried out their first ATACMS strike on Russian territory, targeting an ammunition depot in the town of Karachev, Bryansk Oblast, following recent authorisation to conduct such operations.

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The Ukrainian General Staff and other military officials reported on 19 November that Ukrainian forces struck the Russian 67th Main Missile and Artillery Directorate arsenal at the 1046th logistics centre near Karachev. The attack reportedly caused a primary detonation followed by 12 secondary explosions.

Western officials provided additional clarity into Ukraine's capacity to employ long-range Western-supplied weapons against military targets within Russia.

On 18 November, EU High Commissioner Josep Borrell confirmed that the US had approved Ukraine's use of US-provided weapons for strikes up to 300 kilometres into Russian territory.

Additionally, Brian Nichols, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, stated in an interview with Brazilian news outlet O Globo on 19 November that US President Joe Biden authorised this expanded use of US-supplied arms, enhancing Ukraine's ability to defend itself.

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ISW previously noted that restricting Ukraines long-range strikes into Russian territory allowed Russia to maintain sanctuary space in its rear areas, which it leveraged for military operations against Ukraine.

Quote from ISW: "Ukrainian long-range strikes against military objects within Russias rear are crucial for degrading Russian military capabilities throughout the theatre.

These permissions, if as extensive as reported, are a new capability for Ukraine that may significantly degrade Russias war effort."

Details: Ukraine has only recently begun acquiring the advanced weapons systems and military capabilities required for modern large-scale combat operations.

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With continued Western support to scale up these capabilities, Ukraine could potentially carry out strategically significant counteroffensives in the future.

Quote from ISW: "The systems and capabilities that Ukraine has been receiving are all necessary to wage successful multi-domain large-scale-combat operations, and Ukraine has not yet been provided an opportunity to demonstrate what Ukrainian forces can achieve when properly resourced.

Ukraines systems integration, capabilities, and battlefield performance likely can improve, provided Ukraine and its partners continue undertaking the difficult work necessary to build Ukrainian momentum."

Details: Ongoing and increased Western military support is essential for Ukrainian forces to reclaim occupied territories and impose sufficient losses on the Russian military to compel Putin to reassess his expectations for this war.

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ISW added that Ukraine must approach any future talks with Russia from a position of strength. Meanwhile, strengthening Ukraine's stance in potential talks remains in the Westerns strategic interests.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 19 November:

Ukrainian forces have defended against Russia's full-scale invasion for 1,000 days and continue to demonstrate incredible resilience against Russian aggression.

Ukraine continues to improve its warfighting capabilities and prepare itself to be self-sustainable in the long term.

Ukrainian forces conducted the first ATACMS strike on Russian territory overnight on 18 to 19 November, hitting a Russian ammunition depot in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast  days after obtaining permission to conduct such strikes.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed Russia's updated nuclear doctrine on 19 November in a clear response to the Biden Administration's decision to greenlight long-range strikes into Russia and as part of Putin's ongoing efforts to influence Western decision-makers into shying away from providing additional support to Ukraine.

Russias adoption of an amended nuclear doctrine is the latest iteration of now-frequent Russian nuclear sabre-rattling and does not represent a substantial change in Russias nuclear posture, doctrine, or the threat of the employment of nuclear weapons.

The Kremlin has continuously attempted to use nuclear sabre-rattling to deter Western military support for Ukraine and the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to inject nuclear threats into the information space indicates that the Kremlin is concerned about the battlefield impacts of Ukrainian strikes into Russia with Western-provided weapons.

Ukraine only recently has started receiving the weapons systems and military capabilities necessary to wage modern large-scale combat operations and Ukraine may be able to conduct operationally significant counteroffensives in the future, provided the West reinforces building Ukrainian capabilities at scale.

Russian forces recently advanced in the main Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast and in the border area of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, and Ukrainian forces recently advanced north of the city of Kharkiv.

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Ukrainians opinions of the U.S. government leadership have fallen to pre-war levels after reaching a high point in 2022, according to a new Gallup poll released on Wednesday.

Ukraines public opinion of the U.S. leadership fluctuated from 20 percent to 40 percent between 2014 and 2021. The number shot up during 2022 as Russias invasion of Ukraine kicked off in February and the U.S. became the largest provider of military aid to the war-torn country. Still, this year, the approval rating dipped back to pre-conflict levels, according to a Gallup poll.

As the U.S. ramped up its assistance to Ukraine following Russias military invasion, its leadership rating among Ukraines public jumped to 66 percent. Since then, as Ukraines aid faced more scrutiny, particularly opposition from Republicans nationally, the approval rating dropped to 40 percent, Gallup noted. Now, nearly as many Ukrainians disapprove of the U.S. leadership, 37 percent, as they approve of it.

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On the other hand, Ukrainians opinion of Germany, Europes most significant military backer of Kyiv, has remained consistent. This years approval rating was 50 percent, only a slight dip from 2023 when it hovered around 53 percent.

Ukrainian approval of Germanys leadership was equal to U.S. leadership in 2023. However, as the war-torn countrys approval rating toward U.S. leadership dropped this year, Berlin is now viewed more favorably than Washington for the first time since the war in Eastern Europe erupted, Gallup noted.

The poll also found that barely over half of Ukrainians, 51 percent, expect their country to join NATO in the next decade. The number is down nearly 20 points compared to last year when it was around 69 percent.

Around 22 percent think Kyiv will never enter the military alliance, nearly double the rate from 2023 to 2022.

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The survey comes just a day after Ukraine fired the U.S.-provided Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) long-range missiles into Russia, shortly after President Bidens administration lifted the restriction on such weaponry.

More than half of Ukrainians, 52 percent, want their country to negotiate an end to the war, a Gallup poll released on Tuesday found. Around 38 percent want the military to continue fighting.

The Gallup survey was conducted among 1,000 respondents per poll each year. The margin of error was between 3.6 and 4.3 percentage points.

Updated at 2:09 p.m. EST

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AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP)  UMass Amherst is celebrating farmers who provide fresh produce to both the campus and the community.

UMass football names Shane Montgomery as interim head coach

University leaders, public officials, and students gathered for a dinnerto recognize nearly 15 farmers for their contributions. Lawmakers say they appreciate these farmers for their dedication in helping them to provide nearly 50,000 nutritious meals to the colleges students every day.

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I think we say thank you to them and also we want to work with them to grow their business as well. And they as you know, thats one-third of students is a freshman diverse, and then to almost paint forward like them while were using paint fall which is being green for them and grow locally the better program is, said Assistant Vice Chancellor of Auxiliary Enterprises, Ken Toong.

This event also highlights the decades-long partnership between UMass Dining and regional agriculture with $2.5 million invested annually in Massachusetts-grown products and over $5 million in food sourced across New England.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
GENEVA (AP)  The World Health Organization has authorized the first mpox vaccine for children, a decision experts hope will help make immunizations more widely available to one of the hardest-hit populations during the ongoing outbreaks of the disease in Congo and elsewhere in Africa.

In a statement late Tuesday, the U.N. health agency said it had approved the mpox vaccine made by Japanese company KM Biologics for use in children over 1 year of age as a single dose.

Earlier this month, the charity Save the Children said that cases among children younger than 18 had increased by more than 130% in Congo, noting there were now more than 25,000 suspect cases.

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The charity said that children were almost four times more likely than adults to die from the newest form of mpox first detected in eastern Congo earlier this year. Mpox, related to smallpox, mostly causes symptoms including fever, rash, lesions and fatigue.

Children are especially vulnerable to mpox, Save The Children's Dr. Katia Vieira de Moraes LaCasse said in a statement. They explore by touch and taste, don't always understand health guidance and have weaker immune systems than adults.

Scientists have previously noted that mpox appears to be disproportionately affecting children in Congo and Burundi, which account for more than 90% of all mpox cases in Africa's current outbreak.

WHO had previously approved the mpox vaccine made by Bavarian Nordic for people 18 and over, but said that the shot could be used in younger populations, if doctors thought the benefits might outweigh potential risks, given the lack of data in children and other groups including pregnant women.

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Last week, WHO said cases of mpox in the Congolese region where the new, more infectious form was first identified appeared to be  plateauing, even as cases were rising elsewhere, including Burundi and Uganda.

So far, about 50,000 people in Congo have been immunized against mpox with the vaccine made by Bavarian Nordic.

WHO said Japan had announced it would donate about 3 million doses of the shot made by KM Biologics to Congo. It wasn't clear whether any of the doses had arrived.

On Friday, WHO is convening its expert committee to determine whether the outbreaks in Congo and elsewhere in Africa is still a global emergency, a declaration that the U.N. agency first made in August.

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To date, Africa has reported more than 46,000 suspected mpox cases in the current outbreak, including 1,081 deaths.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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This story has been corrected to show that the Save the Children doctor's last name is Vieira de Moraes LaCasse, not Veira de Moraaes Lecasse.
BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH)  Bexley City Schools has less than two weeks to decide if it will go through with a $6 million land purchase that has raised questions among taxpayers.

Bexley schools announced in September it had entered into an agreement to purchase over 28 acres of land at 935 N. Cassady Ave, which the Franklin County Auditor valued at $10.18 million in 2023. The agreement included a 75-day grace period, which will expire on Dec. 2.

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District representatives said the purchase was an opportunity they could not pass up, as the land is just a short distance north of city limits and would cost the district $6.03 million for a 28.36-acre parcel of land. However, community members raised questions about who the land was bought from and how the price nearly tripled from its last purchase.

According to documents from the Franklin County Auditor, the land is worth $2,413,700, but coupled with $7,771,600 in improvements, the total market value for the site is $10,185,300.

Who sold the land?

The land is currently owned by 935 Cassady LLC, which is managed by Fatih Gunal, according to purchasing documents obtained by NBC4. Gunal owns Cafe Istanbul, a Mediterranean restaurant with locations in Bexley, Dublin and at Easton.

How to appeal your property tax bill in central Ohio

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Under the name 935 Cassady LLC, Gunal purchased the land on March 4 for $2,225,000. This is the only property owned by the company, according to the Franklin County auditor.

According to business records from the Ohio Secretary of State, 935 Cassady LLC was established Aug. 25, 2023. The timing and the name of the corporation indicate the March purchase could have been in the works for at least eight months.

This is also not the first time Gunal has purchased land using a company named after the purchase, as he is the man behind several city permits for 198 McNaughten LLC. The 198 McNaughten company is behind a 300-unit apartment to be built in the Far East neighborhood against resident wishes.

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Why was the last purchase only $2 million?

Gunal purchased the property while its owners were involved in litigation, according to court documents. The districts website states Gunal bought the land for $2,225,000 in receivership, or when a court nominates a neutral third party to operate a property during a lawsuit. Often when a property is in receivership, it sells for a much lower price because sellers are typically motivated to sell more quickly.

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The land is the former site of Summits Trace nursing home, which lost its authorization to practice in April 2023 after it was found noncompliant with 56 necessary health standards by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The facility was also in trouble with the Ohio Department of Health.

According to court documents, the nursing home was owned by Falcon Four Property Holding LLC, but managed and rented by another firm. The latter was unable to pay its lease to Falcon Four after the nursing home fell into jeopardy of losing its license in the months before it was disbanded. The renters owed $2 million in rent as of March 1, 2023, mostly in late fees and in a security deposit payment.

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Falcon Four sued the managers in 2023, and the lawsuit is ongoing. Early into the litigation, 935 N. Cassady Ave. was placed into receivership, with the court-appointed property manager taking control due to financial concerns. In February 2024, court documents show Falcon Four was given permission to sell the property.

What has the district said?

Bexley schools have repeatedly said the purchase agreement is not final, but have stressed it is a good opportunity for the district to address facility needs. NBC4 obtained the closing agreement and letter of intent between Gunal and the district, which said after the grace period, the district would close the deal before the end of December.

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According to the purchase agreement, the district should have already paid a $100,000 refundable deposit after signing. If the district does pull out of the agreement, they owe Gunal $100. Gunal and the district are splitting associated closing costs fairly evenly.

Community members have voiced concerns about the physical and environmental safety of the location. According to the agreement, Gunal did not have to make any promises regarding environmental concerns or removal of hazardous materials, with the latter initially written and then crossed out in the letter of intent.

Ohio State parents test air in dorm rooms after mold found

However, he did have to provide the district with any pre-existing site reports and assessments the district requested for the sale to go through, and the district has publicized recent environmental reports. The district has also insisted safety would be a top priority if the sale goes through, discussing added security measures and transportation for students to get them safely to and from the property.

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Although some Bexley residents have questioned the district paying Columbus taxes, property owned by public school boards are exempt from taxation, so no matter where land was purchased by the district, it would not owe property taxes. The district said it does benefit from expanding outside city limits, as it ensures it is not taking up space in Bexleys 2.5 square miles that could be funding the district through property tax revenue.

Ahead of the grace periods expiration, Bexley residents can provide feedback for facilities planning, including the land purchase, online. Bexley schools also offered two community engagement sessions this week, one Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and another Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

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Nov. 20As President-elect Donald Trump confirmed a deportation strategy involving the nation's military this week, migrants living in the Lodi and Stockton region are uncertain about their future.

Trump on Monday confirmed he would declare a national emergency and use "military assets" to deport immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.

Lodi resident Nelson Rabell, a migrant advocate and pastor at Latino Lutheran Mission in Stockton, said several members of his congregation attended Sunday services asking if God will be on their side if the president's military assets come knocking on their door.

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While the thought of being torn from their homes is terrifying for many, Rabell said Trump's plan faces challenges. He said the plan has not distinguished exactly which immigrants would be removed.

"What happens on the border, those are issues of criminality," he said. "(My congregation) feels targeted. They're good people, and they feel all of this  the violence, and criminality  is ascribed to them simply because they came to this country looking for a better life for their families."

During his 2024 campaign, Trump said he would go after at least 15 million people living in the U.S. illegally, and recently tapped Former Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan as "border czar."

According news reports, Homan has previously discussed his vision for mass deportations, saying they would first concentrate on expelling criminals and national security threats.

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He didn't rule out deporting families together, which El Concilio president and CEO Jose Rodriguez said worries many of the migrants his Stockton-based nonprofit organization serves.

"It's raising concern among families of mixed status and those who have children that were born here," he said. "We're being asked if they should send their children to school, or if they should go to work. Some are even talking about self-deportation, selling everything they have and getting out of the country on their own."

He said El Concilio, which has a location in Lodi, has received lot of calls not only about what's going to happen if Trump's plan is executed, but what resources are available to migrants wanting to stay in the country.

"We're telling them to remain calm, as there's no plan put in place that we know of," Rodriguez said. "Even after he's sworn in, there's going to be a lot of pushback from organizations like ours looking for ways to keep this from happening."

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Rabell said as the nation waits for Trump's inauguration as president, churches, nonprofits and community groups throughout the region are planning meetings and workshops for migrants so they can better understand their rights.

"I think as a faith community, we will continue to be a voice for what we perceive as a direct violation of what God intended for humans to be," he said. "And that's to be hospitable, and create a society for migrants, the poor and the marginalized to feel welcome. Even Jesus was a migrant."

Rabell said immigration is not a partisan issue, noting that President Barack Obama was criticized for his administration's inaction at the border, as was President Joe Biden.

He said migrant advocates are hopeful a more temperate immigration policy is suggested after Trump is sworn in for his second term.

"I think there will be a contentious four years of this type of debate going back and forth," he said. "Are we a nation of migrants, or a bigoted nation? Most religious writings and theologies speak of welcoming strangers, welcoming the immigrant. I don't think you can justify (the proposal for) deportation."
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) released a report on Wednesday examining the potential experiences of children growing up in 2050, focusing on both the risks and progress they may face.

The findings, released on World Children's Day, provide a mixed outlook, showing progress in child health and education, but also raising concerns about the growing challenges posed by climate change.

UNICEF suggests that, thanks to advancements in medical and technological progress, child mortality rates will continue to decline.

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By 2050, the survival rate of newborns is expected to reach 98% and nearly 99.5% of children who survive birth are projected to live beyond the age of five.

The report also reveals significant strides in education. By 2050, 96% of children are expected to complete at least primary education  an increase from 80% at the start of the century.

While UNICEF outlines possible outcomes based on current trends, these are not predictions, but rather scenarios that could unfold depending on various factors.

Risks posed by climate change

UNICEF warned that despite these gains, many children will face harsher climatic conditions than those before them.

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By 2050, the number of children exposed to extreme heatwaves could be eight times higher than it was in the year 2000.

River floods and forest fires are expected to increase, placing children in vulnerable regions at greater risk.

Particularly at risk are children living in areas without access to climate-resilient infrastructure, clean water, or medical care, UNICEF said.

"Children are experiencing a myriad of crises, from climate shocks to online dangers, and these are set to intensify in the years to come," UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell said.
Union bosses are mounting a fightback against plans to introduce random drug testing for postmen.

Royal Mail has outlined plans for a new drug and alcohol policy that it says will help improve the safety of both its customers and staff.

The company has already sent leaflets to postal workers laying out its new support and rehabilitation service, which provides confidential help to any staff members concerned about their drug and alcohol use.

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Royal Mail is also planning a pilot and rollout of drug and alcohol testing for cause, as well as the introduction of random tests.

The company has said the changes are necessary to bring its policies in line with other major logistics companies and denied they were linked to any specific incidents.

Nevertheless, the plans have sparked a backlash from the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents around 100,000 postal workers.

In a statement, it said: Whilst we recognise that many companies operate test regimes for specific employee groups who work in safety critical roles, the current proposals go way beyond what could be viewed as appropriate or reasonable in our view.

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The CWU has said it will not support the introduction of any random testing. It is due to meet with the company on Thursday to discuss the proposals.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: Looking after the health and safety of our customers and colleagues is our number one priority. We operate the largest fleet in the country, driving down every street, every day, and have a duty of care to our customers and our people.

As part of our continual improvement to build a culture of safety and best practice across the business, in October we introduced new drug and alcohol policy and procedures, including providing a new support and rehabilitation service for employees.

Royal Mail is still feeling the impact of its lengthy dispute with unions over pay and working conditions. Staff staged repeated strikes that cost the company 1m a day and led to the resignation of former chief executive Simon Thompson.

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Parent company International Distribution Services (IDS) is now seeking to balance the books after losing a further 348m in its latest financial year.

Martin Seidenberg, IDS chief executive, has introduced a number of new measures to improve productivity and tackle perennial issues such as high levels of sick leave among staff.

It comes as IDS, which will publish its half-year results on Thursday, gears up for a 3.6bn takeover by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky.

The deal, which will see the postal service pass into foreign ownership for the first time in its 500-year history, has faced scrutiny on issues including national security and job guarantees.

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However, Mr Kretinsky, who is known as the Czech sphinx, has made a number of legally binding commitments to ease these concerns, and the CWU expects the deal to go ahead.

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Faculty members, graduate students, health care workers and custodians showed up to rally for better wages at UNM on May 10, 2023. (Photo by Megan Gleason / Source NM)

A union representing graduate student workers at the University of New Mexico is demanding that the institution stop forcing transgender students to use their deadnames in internal systems, including email and course registration.

The group, known as United Graduate Workers at UNM, started distributing a petition calling on the school administration to recognize trans peoples chosen names and gender markers this week.

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Its so painful for a lot of trans people to be referred to as their previous name that people call it deadnaming, teaching assistant and union leader Max Pagano said Wednesday, the end of Transgender Awareness Week. Its such a denial of basic personhood to not be called the name that you want to be called.

Pagano said the system students, faculty and graduate teaching assistants use to register for classes allows them to change the displayed name but it resets every semester.

Its not easy to figure out how to change it, so most people dont even know how, they said.

Other graduate workers told Pagano they set up their official university email addresses with their chosen names this year, but about a month into the semester, without any warning or consent, the names associated with those email addresses were all reverted to their legal ones.

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The union said in a news release that this contradicts UNM policy that prohibits gender-based discrimination and commits the school to respecting peoples preferred form of self-identification, including a name other than a legal first name and the pronoun that aligns with their gender identity.

The union also suggested that the university is violating a 2019 state law which allowed New Mexicans to designate an X gender marker on state documents for those who are nonbinary or prefer not to disclose their gender.

However, the union said in the five years since the law was passed, the University of New Mexico has not updated their internal systems to allow for an X gender marker for students and employees.

Cinnamon Blair, a spokesperson for UNM, said Wednesday that while every UNM system may not have the technical capability of supporting affirmed names and pronouns, the school has made strides in enabling this functionality wherever possible.

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While we have made progress in supporting preferred names and pronouns, we acknowledge that there may be areas where our implementation can be improved, Blair said. Like many institutions, UNM faces complex challenges in fully integrating these functions across all our systems and processes.

Blair said the schools information technology workers are actively engaged in this process and working to identify and address these limitations.

We remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where all individuals feel respected and valued, and we will continue to work diligently toward fully implementing our policies and improving our systems to support this goal, she said.

This doesnt just affect trans people, Pagano said, it also affects anyone who gets married and changes their name or international students who choose an English name as opposed to the one theyre given in their native language.

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UNM grad students are taking action as transgender rights come under attack at the U.S. Capitol. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday banned transgender women from using womens restrooms in parts of the federal Capitol complex. Johnsons order followed the election this month of Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, a Delaware Democrat who will become the first openly trans member of Congress.

The advocacy group LGBTQ+ Victory Institute called the Republican Johnsons order bigoted and transphobic and noted Wednesday was Transgender Day of Remembrance.

The Human Rights Campaign reported Tuesday that 36 transgender people have died violently in the past year.

Its been really disturbing to see the way that attacks on trans people has become one of the hot button issues or talking points among conservatives right now, Pagano said. In light of this, its especially important for UNM to step up and affirm their commitment to their marginalized students.
AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune)  Katherine Mansfield found out that the title of her spring semester course at the University of North Texas had been changed via email.

The graduate level class that she taught to seasoned teachers who were trying to earn a masters in educational leadership used to be called Race, Class and Gender Issues in education. Now, it would be called Critical Inquiry in Education.

The course description was also tweaked. Before the course said students would learn how to be culturally responsive to their own students and how to debunk stereotypes and negative views about students going to school in places where race, class and gender inequalities exist.

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Now, the course says students will critically examine current topics related to providing leadership for various student groups.

The course change was one of at least 78 edits that UNT, the Denton campus with 47,000 students, made to course titles and descriptions in the College of Educations graduate program. The university also made around 130 edits to undergraduate courses in the same college.

In an email obtained by the Tribune and first reported by the student newspaper, NT Daily, the changes were made after administrators learned of a directive that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gave to state lawmakers ahead of the upcoming legislative session to examine programs and certificates at public higher education institutions that maintain diversity, equity and inclusion policies and expose how these programs and their curriculum are damaging and not aligned with state workforce demands.

The directive builds on Senate Bill 17, a state law that eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion offices on university campuses and prohibited state universities from using funding to support DEI efforts. The law, which went into effect in January, did not apply to course instruction and research.

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According to the email from professor Lok-Sze Wong to other faculty in the UNT College of Education, administrators decided this was the best way to protect faculty from being further targeted because course titles and descriptions are public facing. Faculty have until fall 2025 to adjust their courses to comply with the new course descriptions, the email said.

The course edits are just one example of how faculty at UNT feel university administrators are overreacting to SB 17, according to interviews with faculty and emails obtained by the Tribune. Faculty say that by reviewing syllabi and courses, the university is overcomplying with a law that doesnt require such a step.

A university spokesperson denied the changes were related to SB 17 and said the changes to course names, content and readings was part of an effort to ensure the curriculum is in line with state teaching education standards.

Regardless of their intent, the UNT administration conducted a campaign of censorship of content in more than 200 courses, said Brian Evans, president of the Texas conference of the American Association of University Professors. Its censoring what topics students can discuss and think critically about. In order for students to have the freedom to learn, faculty need to have the freedom to teach.

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Other faculty, including Mansfield, feel the edited course titles and descriptions are administrators way of preparing for whats to come in January when lawmakers come back to Austin.

Last week, at a Texas Senate Higher Education Subcommittee meeting, state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, said that while DEI-related curriculum does not violate the law, it contradicts its spirit.

The curriculum does not reflect the expectations of Texas taxpayers and students who fund our public universities, he said. It also falls short of equipping graduates with practical knowledge and skills that employers seek.

Since January, UNT administrators and their counterparts at universities across the state have closed DEI offices and reassigned staff to new roles.

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Three faculty senate subcommittees at UNT focused on faculty of color, LGBTQ faculty and women were shuttered as well as the Multicultural Center, which housed multiple student services. Library staff were told they couldnt host events for Pride Week.

While students protested the changes, faculty said they were especially taken aback during a faculty senate meeting last month when Chief Compliance Officer Clay Simmons said the university was interpreting the law to include exceptions to the carveout for teaching and research.

So if youre doing research on homelessness, you have to be very careful if youre going to focus on a certain identity within homelessness, Simmons told faculty. So if youre looking at LGBTQ homeless individuals, then youll have to make sure that that is narrowly tailored within the scope of work.

He also showed a presentation slide that said classroom lessons on DEI topics must be limited to elements of the course. For example, a class on mathematics may not include an activity on SB 17-prohibited topics, whether graded or not.

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Simmons told faculty that research would not be exempt unless it contributes to generalizable knowledge, a federal definition that applies to research findings that can be applied to a larger population than those studied in the particular research.

Last week, PEN America, a New York-based free speech organization, slammed Simmons for these comments, calling it the most extreme case of overcompliance with a censorship law we have ever seen.

Making up provisions in SB 17 that do not exist is the hallmark of a higher education system that has gone totally rogue, said Jeremy Young, PEN Americas Freedom to Learn program director, in a press release. SB 17 already restricts diversity initiatives and programming on campus, which is bad enough. But by extending the reach of this law into areas explicitly protected by the legislation itself, UNT is not only misinterpreting the law but also putting faculty members academic freedom in severe jeopardy.

A few weeks after the faculty senate meeting, Simmons sent an email out to the faculty senate clarifying that research is exempt from SB 17.

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Faculty members are entitled to full academic freedom in research and in the dissemination of the results, Simmons wrote.

Adam Briggle, a professor and director of graduate studies of philosophy at UNT, said the universitys willingness to preemptively self-censor when the law doesnt require it is troubling.

Im losing faith a little bit that UNT would ever stop this slide, he said. When do we actually push back? Wheres the line here? Because you can see how little by little, this could just become a total violation of academic freedoms.

The Texas Tribune partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.

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Disclosure: The University of North Texas has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at www.texastribune.org. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

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During a brazen Valentine's Day heist of an armored truck in Hawthorne, the robber kept his face covered.

But as he bent down to stuff bills from a haul of more than $166,000 into bags, his hoodie rode up  exposing a star tattoo on his lower back.

That tattoo became a major point of focus in the trial this month of Deneyvous Hobson, an accused member of a prolific L.A. armored car robbery crew known as the Chesapeake Bandits.

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Hobson, 38, faced conspiracy, robbery, and weapons charges.

Prosecutors told the jury that the star tattoo, captured in surveillance video during the 2022 robbery, matched one in the same location on Hobson's lower back.

"The evidence of defendant's guilt is his tattoo," Asst. U.S. Atty. Jason C. Pang told jurors at the start of trial last week.

During the trial, both sides presented expert witnesses to talk about the tattoo. Alex Alonso, who has worked as a professor in the Cal State University system and recently taught a class about the history of street gangs, was called by the defense.

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Alonso testified that he's seen the five-pointed star used by various gangs in L.A., including the Trouble Gangster Crips, about eight different Hoover gangs, and two factions of the Black P-Stones.

Prosecutors called Dominic Pollio, an LAPD officer who works the gang enforcement detail in the Southwest Division, as their rebuttal witness. He said he'd interacted with hundreds of members of the Black P-Stones this year alone.

Asked whether he'd seen the five-pointed star on the lower back of any of the gang members, Pollio said no.

Hobson's lawyers argued that prosecutors had the wrong man.

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"Having a similar tattoo in a similar location does not make you the robber," federal public defender Michael L. Brown said in closing arguments Tuesday. "The government believes that just by proving to you that Hobson has a tattoo that somehow this is Cinderella, where only one person in the land can fit the size-six glass slipper."

The jury seemed to think the shoe fit, taking around 40 minutes to come back with its verdict: guilty on all counts.

During the six-day trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Hobson and his half brother  co-defendant James Russell Davis, 36  robbed a Sectran Security armored truck by ambushing the trucks driver as he refilled an ATM on a Monday morning.

Hobson and Davis had cased the Wescom Credit Union three weeks prior to the robbery, prosecutors said.

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The armored truck driver, Jose Guzman, testified that as he serviced the ATM on Feb. 14, 2022, a person came up to him and put a gun to his head. He said the robber told him if he tried anything, "they were going to blow my head off."

"I just wanted to survive," Guzman said, testifying that the robbers took his weapon, a .40-caliber handgun.

Hobson and two co-conspirators stole approximately $166,640 in cash and checks, according to prosecutors.

As the robbers returned to their car, one of them fired a 9mm handgun, according to prosecutors.

Guzman, who had worked for Sectran for about 11 years, said he quit soon after that. He now works for a cement trucking company.

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"I didn't want to risk it anymore," Guzman said. "I had a young son at home."

Authorities believe Hobson and Davis were part of a group behind a series of heists targeting armored cars across the Los Angeles region. They were called the Chesapeake Bandits because they carefully planned the holdups at a home on Chesapeake Avenue in L.A.s West Adams neighborhood, investigators say.

Members would force security guards to the ground at gunpoint, zip-tie them and grab money bags before fleeing, according to law enforcement.

Hobson faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison. He has been in federal custody since February 2023.

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Davis, who was captured by the FBI, pleaded guilty in February to robbery and gun charges. He was sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)  After several months, the West Travis County Public Utility Agency (WTCPUA) released the updated water plan for a Texas Hill Country development on Wednesday morning.

On Monday, the WTCPUA agreed in a unanimous decision to move forward on a proposed water service line to the Mirasol Springs development, which is located just west of Hamilton Pool. The new water line is meant to help prevent groundwater depletion near what some in the area call the crown jewels of Texas.

The original service agreement was filed in September.

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This agreement was updated at the board meeting on Nov. 18, 2024, with additional provisions.

Theres both good and not so good. But were making progress, landowner Lew Adams said after the decision was made by the board. Adams owns land that is surrounded by the Mirasol Springs development.

Map shows proposed water line to Mirasol Springs development (colored blue). Courtesy: WTCPUA

According to the agreement, Mirasol Springs will enter into a contract for 347 Living Unit Equivalents (LUEs). One LUE, according to the WTCPUAs website, is equal to 450 gallons per day of water.

Previous: Mirasol Springs development pursues alternative water source following pushback

The developer, Mirasol Capital, will be required to pay for the installation of the water line, which will run from an access point west of Highway 12 at the Peacock Ranch development, down Hamilton Pool Road and to the development. The line will start at four inches in diameter and shrink to three inches at the development.

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2024.11.20__Updated_Draft_Mirasol_SAL_with_November_Board_languageDownload

Water from the utility agency must be the exclusive water source for the project. Previous drafts have labeled this potable water, but the new version has crossed this out.

No groundwater or surface water can be used as a water source, according to the letter.

Major changes to the water line agreement

At the board meeting Monday, several major changes were added to the letter.

The Mirasol developers will agree not to drill new groundwater wells and include a plat note prohibiting new wells. In the meeting, board president Scott Roberts said that this plat note will ensure that this restriction sticks with the property no matter who owns it.

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The WTCPUA will inspect the development and if they find a violation on groundwater use, they will provide a 60-day notice for the development to fix the issues. If it is not fixed, the developer will lose water service until a correction is made.

The current Phase 1 irrigation plan for the developments farm must be abandoned. The WTCPUA will instead provide water for irrigation. This service will also extend into Phase 2.

Finally, the developer must agree to limits in their TLAP (Texas Land Application Permit). These TLAPs manage wastewater disposal. The wastewater must have Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorous levels to one parts per million. This means wastewater must be treated to drinkable levels.

Mirasol Springs will decide if they will agree to the new terms in 30 days. The full contract can be read below:

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Mirasol Springs and conservation

Mirasol Springs aims to set the gold-standard for developers in the future, with several green initiatives in place meant to protect the environmentally sensitive land it is scheduled to be built on.

That land, just west of Hamilton Pool and Reimers Ranch along the Pedernales River, is dotted by several springs. Activists and landowners worry that development in the area could lead to groundwater depletion and that these springs could dry up.

Travis County Commissioners Court, who initially voiced concerns about the impact of the development on the springs, has since come out in favor of the water line under several restrictions.

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The size of the water main line extension shall not exceed 3 inches with a maximum flow of 108 gallons per minute.

The drilling of any new water wells and, upon service from the WTCPUA, the non-exempt

use of groundwater is prohibited.

Rainwater harvesting and storage for outdoor irrigation is mandatory.

The use of the Pedernales River as a potable water supply to the area served by WTCPUA is

prohibited.

Mirasol will sever its groundwater estate and grant Travis County a groundwater conservation easement.

WTCPUA water is limited to indoor use.

Ahead of the Mirasol vote in October, representatives with the WTCPUA told KXAN that the reason we are considering it is to relieve capacity from the Trinity Aquifer and the Pedernales River.

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ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  Urban Air in Midland Odessa Adventure Park is planning to open at Music City Mall in the beginning of January 2025, but first they are looking to hire peoplea lot of people.

We are ready to hire 102 employeeswhether you need a second job or seasonal or you need to be able to get a great Christmas for your kids, we want you guys to be a part of Urban Air Adventure Park when we open in January. So, come in, do seasonal work, or just be hired for the park, said Ginamarie Soto, with Urban Air Odessa.

Soto said the park will have a more than 6,000 square foot go-kart-track, six slides, six climbing walls, and the parks signature item: the SkyRider, among many other things to experience throughout the facility.

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Music City Mall adds new popular variety store chain, MINISO

This park has everything in it. No other park will have this. Itll have slides. Itll have go-karts, fast, fast go-karts. And itll have everything else that the other Urban Air Midland location has, which is trampolines and the bumper cars and the mini go-karts, all packed into one space, said Soto.

Urban Air Odessa said interested applicants can head to the Urban Air Odessa website, scan the QR code when driving by, or go inside and see the manager, JC, who will be at the mall hiring.

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By Lucinda Elliott

MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) -Uruguay's new president-elect Yamandu Orsi, whose political ambitions were galvanized by his experience growing up in a dictatorship, was the pollsters' narrow favorite to win the second round of the South American nation's presidential election on Sunday for the center-left.

The 57-year-old former history teacher and local mayor managed to unseat the ruling conservative bloc. He placed first with 49.8% of votes for the left-leaning Broad Front coalition in November's second round, against Alvaro Delgado of the governing center-right National Party with 45.9%.

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During the campaign, Orsi had sought to reassure Uruguayans that he did not plan a sharp political shift in the traditionally moderate and relatively wealthy nation of 3.4 million people that is known for its beaches, legal cannabis and stable economy.

The election concluded in a cordial atmosphere, with both sides vowing to work together to advance the nation. Delgado had said before the results he would invite Orsi over for traditional mate tea should he secure a victory.

Orsi has said he wants to usher in "a modern left" , to tackle homelessness, poverty and crime - a key voter concern.

Homicide rates in Uruguay have risen sharply in recent years, fueled by changing cocaine smuggling routes. The poverty rate is one of the lowest in the region and has dropped back down to pre-COVID levels this year, but charities say it continues to affect children disproportionately.

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"The destiny and future of this country has to change," Orsi told Reuters in an interview in capital Montevideo in October, saying his Broad Front coalition was the force to push that change by striking a different balance between social welfare and economic growth.

He has backing from leftist icon Jose "Pepe" Mujica, a former rebel-turned-president, but also moderate groups who like his business-friendly tone. Unlike many other countries in the region, Uruguay has rarely had divisive politics.

"I am going to be the president who calls for national dialogue again and again," Orsi said during his Nov. 24 victory speech.

As mayor of Canelones, the country's second largest region, he was credited with helping to lure prospective investors and easing local bureaucracy to attract international firms like Google, with some level of success. He has said he plans to avoid tax hikes despite a growing deficit, and instead focus on spurring faster growth.

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Neither coalition in Uruguay has an absolute majority in the lower house following October's elections, but the Broad Front won 16 of 30 Senate seats. Orsi argues that places him in a better position to lead the government.

FOLKSY STYLE

Some voters Reuters spoke to said they worried Orsi was indecisive and "short on ideas."

Other voters, however, liked that he was moderate and "open to dialogue," while supportive political colleagues said he represented a "generational shift" among Latin America's political left, balancing business needs and social welfare.

"He has practical experience," said Mujica, now 89, in an interview with Reuters earlier this year, championing Orsi as a political bridge-builder.

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"He has a willingness to endure differences and is going to build a team. That's why we support him."

Orsi employs a casual, folksy style that in part mirrors Mujica - well known for his humble lifestyle that famously included driving an old VW Beetle to work during his 2010-2015 presidency.

Orsi is often photographed carrying traditional mate tea, walking his dog, Ramon, and dressing casually. He has said that, like Mujica, he would not live in the presidential residence if elected.

While he has been guarded on concrete policies - giving little away in discussion with Reuters - he has said he plans to boost funding to the prison system and strengthen cooperation with Europe on tackling drug crime.

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Orsi says that politics was never part of his family life, growing up in a rural area of Canelones where his parents ran a small convenience store. But after elections in 1984 that led to the restoration of democracy, he got sucked into that world.

"Politics was a dirty word ... because we were living in a dictatorship," he said, referring to Uruguay's 1973-1985 period of civic-military rule, one of several dictatorships during that time in South America. Orsi was 17 when elections returned.

"That breath of fresh air back then flooded through me, and there it has remained," he said.

(Reporting by Lucinda Elliott in Montevideo; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Rosalba O'Brien)
Adm. Sam Paparo is concerned that the US is giving out vital defenses it needs to deal with China.

"It's now eating into stocks," he said on Tuesday of advanced weapon shipments to Ukraine and Israel.

Paparo urged the Pentagon to start replenishing those stocks and expand beyond its original inventory.

The US Navy's top commander in the Indo-Pacific raised concerns on Tuesday that the Pentagon's advanced weapons shipments to Ukraine and Israel could sap the strength it needs to deal with China.

While speaking at the Brookings Institution, Adm. Samuel Paparo said he initially hadn't been concerned with the weapons sent to the Middle East and Europe.

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"Up to this year, where most of the employment of weapons were really artillery pieces and short-range weapons, I had said: 'Not at all,'" said Paparo, who's been commander of US Indo-Pacific Command since May.

"But now, with some of the Patriots that have been employed, some of the air-to-air missiles that have been employed, it's now eating into stocks," he added. "And to say otherwise would be dishonest."

In the last year, the US has been parceling out more sophisticated systems to Israel and Ukraine from its inventory. For example, it's sent Kyiv at least two Patriot systems and an undisclosed number of missiles while deploying a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system  one out of the six in its arsenal  in Israel.

Israel has its own Patriot systems bought from the US and has said it's retiring them in favor of a newer type of air defense.

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Paparo said advanced weapons aren't reserved for any particular theater of US command but that deploying them in the Middle East and Europe affects the Pentagon's worldwide "high-end capability."

"Inherently, it imposes costs on the readiness of America to respond in the Indo-Pacific region, which is the most stressing theater for the quantity and quality of munitions, because the PRC is the most capable potential adversary in the world," Paparo said, referring to the People's Republic of China.

His solution is to spend more on building up US inventory.

"We should replenish those stocks, and then some," Paparo said. "I was already dissatisfied with the magazine depth. I'm a little more dissatisfied with the magazine depth. You know, it's a time for straight talk."

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Paparo's warning echoes concerns from a formal congressional review published in July that found that US inventory may be severely lacking in scale for a war against Russia, China, or both simultaneously.

In particular, the commissioners voiced a worry that the US could expend its munitions in three to four weeks, citing war games held to simulate potential battles in the Indo-Pacific.

Some important ammunition like anti-ship missiles could run out in days, the review also said.

Like Paparo, the review called for expanding and revitalizing US weapons production to produce higher quantities of advanced arms.

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Some in the Pentagon say there isn't much time left to do so. Adm. John Aquilino, Paparo's predecessor at Indopacific Command, said in March that China could be ready to invade Taiwan as early as 2027.

In January last year, US Air Force Gen. Mike Miniham told officers in a memo that he personally felt Beijing could go to war in 2025. The four-star general retired in September.

The US has budgeted about $850 billion this year for defense, and observers expect costs to approach $1 trillion a year in the coming decade.

Press teams for the Pentagon and Indo-Pacific Command did not respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The U.S. is preparing to announce a military aid package for Ukraine worth about $275 million, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Nov. 19, citing U.S. officials.

The latest aid package comes as the Biden administration rushes to deliver the remaining approximately $7 billion in military aid to Ukraine ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, amid concerns that a future Trump administration would halt weapons shipments before they reach Kyiv.

Two administration officials told Politico on Nov. 6 that the White House plans to expedite the weapons delivery ahead of the January 2025 inauguration, as Trump has previously said he would cease military aid to Ukraine unless it agrees to hold peace negotiations with Russia.

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The new aid package will include HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) ammunition, artillery shells, and Javelin surface-to-air missiles, in addition to a wide range of spare parts and equipment, according to officials.

The new aid package, which is expected to be announced this week, will be provided under presidential drawdown authority, pulling weaponry from existing U.S. stockpiles. The U.S. most recently announced the delivery of a $425 million military aid package for Kyiv on Nov. 1.

Despite the president's ability to deliver existing weapons stocks through presidential drawdown authority, White House officials are concerned that the delivery of the large amount of undelivered weapons may take months to reach Ukraine  well past Trump's inauguration into office.

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Oct. 30 said the U.S. has transferred to Ukraine only about 10% of the $61 billion aid approved by Congress in April 2024.

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Of the $61 billion aid package, only $4.3 billion remains to pull existing weapons stocks, while a further $2.1 billion in funding remains to put weapons on contract with U.S. defense companies.

The latest military aid package comes amid a significant shift in U.S. policy as President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles for strikes inside Russia on Nov. 17.

Ukraine reportedly used ATACMS to strike Russian territory for first time on Nov. 19, striking a Russian military facility in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast.

Read also: Ukraine used ATACMS on Russian territory for first time, according to Moscow, media









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The United States will send a new military package worth $275 million to Ukraine, the Pentagon said in a statement on Nov. 20.

It will include HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) ammunition, artillery shells, and Javelin surface-to-air missiles, in addition to a wide range of spare parts and equipment.

The United States will continue to work together with some 50 Allies and partners to meet Ukraine's urgently needed battlefield requirements and defend against Russian aggression, the statement read.

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Outgoing U.S. President Joe Bidens administration has supported Ukraine with $60 billion in military aid.

However, the future of the U.S. commitment to providing arms to Ukraine remains uncertain as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January 2025.

Trump has promised a quick end to the war, but did not elaborate on how he intends to achieve this. A likely scenario is using the suspension of aid as a tool to force Ukraine into negotiations with Russia.

Since his rivals election victory, Biden has vowed to provide Ukraine with additional aid to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position, according to the Pentagons statement.

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Biden has also authorized the delivery of anti-personnel land mines to Ukraine, his Secretary of Defense Austin Loyd told reporters on Nov. 20 in Laos.

The decision is expected to help slow down Russia's advance in the east of the country.

The move follows the Biden administration's authorization of the use of U.S.-made long-range missiles to strike Russian territory. Kyiv has not officially confirmed the claims, but recent reports indicate Ukraine struck targets in Russia's Bryansk Oblast with ATACMS missiles.

Read also: ATACMS, Trump, and the increasing importance of Kursk Oblast for Ukraine

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The US Department of Defense announced a US$275 million military aid package for Ukraine on 20 November.

Source: European Pravda, citing an announcement by the Pentagon

Details: The new US military aid package is being provided under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which enables weapons to be transferred directly from US Army stockpiles.

The package includes ammunition for HIMARS systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery shells, 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds, unmanned aerial systems, Javelin and AT-4 anti-tank systems, and tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided (TOW) anti-tank missiles.

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Ukraine will also receive small arms and ammunition, explosive munitions, equipment for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) protection, and spare parts and ancillary equipment.

Quote: "The United States will continue to work together with some 50 Allies and partners through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and its associated Capability Coalitions to meet Ukraine's urgently needed battlefield requirements and defend against Russian aggression."

Background:

Earlier, it was reported that US President Joe Biden has approved the supply of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, which could help strengthen Ukrainian forces defences against advancing Russian occupation troops.

The Biden administration additionally plans to submit a request to Congress for new aid for Ukraine for the fiscal year 2025.

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UK officials have stated that the United States has granted Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow missiles for strikes on Russia. The "turning point" came when Russia deployed soldiers from North Korea to fight in the war.

Source: European Pravda, citing The Times

Details: The publication cites a senior government source who privately stated that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants to grant Ukraine the freedom to use weapons for self-defence at its discretion. The UK has reportedly been pressing the United States on this issue for several months.

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Initially, the US withheld approval for Ukraine to use its technology in Storm Shadow missiles for strikes on Russia, citing concerns over potential escalation of the conflict.

A source in the Foreign Ministry said the "turning point" came when Russia deployed North Korean soldiers, which was seen as a "major escalation".

Now, US approval for the use of Storm Shadow missiles is expected, especially given that Ukraine has already used American long-range missiles in strikes against Russia.

Note: The Storm Shadow/SCALP is a Franco-British long-range air-to-surface missile, designed to strike stationary, well-protected targets (such as bunkers) covered by air defence systems. It can be deployed at any time of day and in all weather conditions. The missiles warhead weighs 450 kg. Storm Shadow missiles are compatible with Ukrainian Soviet-era jet aircraft.

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Depending on the variant, SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles have a range between 270 and 560 km.

On Tuesday morning, Keir Starmer began to soften his stance, hinting that it was only a matter of time before Ukraine could use Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian territory.

Quote: "We must ensure Ukraine has what it needs for as long as it needs to win this war. [But] Im not going to go into operational matters, because theres only one winner if I do that, and that is Putin," Starmer said.

Background:

Senior government sources suggested that Starmer's change in tone was deliberate, implying that the previous US objections to the use of Storm Shadow missiles had now been lifted.

Earlier, Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, confirmed that the US had authorised Ukraine to strike up to 300 kilometres deep into Russian territory.

Meanwhile, the US State Department declined to comment on reports suggesting that Ukraine had been granted permission to use ATACMS missiles for strikes on Russian territory.

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In a first, the U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin fired two new Precision Strike Missiles, or PrSMs, in a salvo test shot as part of production qualification flight testing at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Lockheed announced.

The testing proved PrSMs capability to be fired one after another from the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, launcher, per Army doctrine that requires two missiles to be fired at a target in operations in order to effectively guarantee hitting an incoming threat target.

Additionally, the test included having an operator in the cab to prove out soldier safety requirements during firing for the first time.

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The two PrSM missiles in a mid-range flight against a target set were able to prove accuracy and readiness, Lockheed said.

The first set of PrSMs was delivered to the Army in December 2023 to begin replacing the legacy Army Tactical Missile System.

The missile  which can launch from both the HIMARS and the M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System  will be critical to the service as it seeks a deep-strike capability that can counter Russian and Chinese technologies. Both European- and Indo-Pacific-based U.S. commanders have been eager to receive the capability that can hit targets at standoff locations greater than 400 kilometers (249 miles).

This summer, the Army fired its PrSM from the Pacific island of Palau and engaged a moving target at sea, marking the first time the weapon had been used outside of American-based testing sites.

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The Army is planning capability improvements in subsequent increments, including an enhanced seeker to better defeat moving targets at sea as well as technology to provide increased lethality and extended range. The priority for the PrSM in the near term is to pursue a maritime, ship-killing capability.

Lockheed and an RTX and Northrop Grumman team will compete to develop a subsequent increment called the Long-Range Maneuverable Fires program, which focuses on dramatically extending the range of the missile, possibly from its planned 499 kilometers (310 miles) to more than double that distance.

Americas 2019 withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia has allowed the Army to develop the missile to fly farther. The treaty prevented the development of missiles with ranges between 499 kilometers and 5,000 kilometers (3,107 miles).

In October 2021, the Army conducted a long-range flight test of PrSM that is believed to have exceeded the current range requirement of 499 kilometers.

The Army and Lockheed have several more tests lined up, and the service will begin user testing in December. The service is expected to reach a production decision for the first PrSM variant by the end of 2025.
(Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday it expects to see an increase in levels of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the country in the coming weeks, as they usually do during the holiday season.

Large gatherings, travel and more time indoors, which typically happen during the holiday season, tend to cause more viruses to spread easily, the health agency said.

CDC expects hospitalizations for flu and COVID-19 to start increasing in the coming weeks. It also sees increased RSV activity, particularly in young children, in the southern and eastern U.S.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved updated COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, as well as Moderna in August. The health regulator also granted emergency use authorization for Novavax's traditional protein-based shot.

Currently, there are three FDA-approved RSV vaccines made by GSK, Moderna and Pfizer.

As of Oct. 5, 11.2% of adults aged 18 years or above received an updated COVID-19 vaccine and 36.9% of adults 75 years or older received an RSV shot, according to CDC data.

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)
The United States has decided to close its embassy in Kyiv on 20 November after receiving information about the threat of a major Russian strike on this day.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the US Embassy in Ukraine

Quote from the embassy: "The US Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information of a potential significant air attack on 20 November. Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place."

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Details: US citizens are advised to "be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced".

Background:

On 19 November, unofficial information emerged regarding the first use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles on Russian territory after receiving authorisation from the US.

Ukrainian sources claimed that the ATACMS strike targeted the arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defence in the town of Karachev, Bryansk Oblast.

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The Biden administrations decision to send anti-personnel mines to Ukraine for the first time was prompted by a shift in Russian tactics on the battlefield.

Source: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, quoted by CNN, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Austin noted that Russian forces have been so unsuccessful in their combat operations that they have altered their tactics.

Quote: "They dont lead with their mechanised forces anymore. They lead with dismounted forces who are able to close and do things to kind of pave the way for mechanised forces."

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Austin highlighted the need for Ukrainian forces to have "things that can help slow down that effort."

While the US has provided Ukraine with anti-tank mines since the start of the full-scale war in 2022, the decision to supply anti-personnel mines marks another significant shift in Bidens administration policy.

Quote: "The land mines that we would look to provide them with are land mines that are not persistent. We can control when they would self-activate, self-detonate, and that makes it far safer eventually than the things that they are creating on their own."

He stressed the importance of Ukraine responsibly recording the locations where these mines are deployed.

Background:

Media reports previously revealed that US President Joe Biden approved the delivery of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, which could help strengthen Ukraines defences against Russian advances.

Additionally, reports indicate that the US plans to send Ukraine interceptor missiles for Patriot and NASAMS air defence systems, with sufficient supplies expected to last until the end of the year.

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By Anastasiia Malenko, Tom Balmforth and Max Hunder

KYIV (Reuters) - The United States said it had reopened its embassy in Kyiv late on Wednesday after it had shut for the day due to what it called the threat of a significant air attack, a day after Ukraine used American missiles to hit a target inside Russia.

Russia had described the strike by U.S. missiles as an escalation in the 1,000-day-old war, while Ukraine's military spy agency said Russia was trying to sow panic by circulating fake online messages about a looming missile and drone attack.

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"@USEmbassyKyiv has resumed services following a temporary shelter-in-place suspension earlier today," U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink wrote on X.

"We continue to encourage U.S. citizens to remain vigilant, monitor official Ukrainian sources for updates, and be prepared to shelter in place if an air alert is announced."

The U.S. State Department had earlier said it expected the Kyiv embassy to resume normal operations on Thursday.

The initial State Department statement on the embassy's website said the embassy would be closed "out of an abundance of caution". Embassy employees, it said, were being instructed to "shelter in place".

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"The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced."

The Kremlin said it had no comment.

A U.S. government source said the embassy closure was "related to ongoing threats of air attacks". The Italian and Greek embassies said they too had closed their doors. The French embassy remained open but urged its citizens to be cautious.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said that "panic-inducing messages circulated today only help Russia", but warned Ukrainians to pay close attention to air raid alerts.

"However many brutal and treacherous attacks by Russia we have endured... it is always important to pay attention to air raid warnings," he said in his nightly video address. "We have a neighbour that is insane."

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The GUR military intelligence body said: "The enemy, unable to subdue Ukrainians by force, resorts to measures of intimidation and psychological pressure on society. We ask you to be vigilant and steadfast."

Zelenskiy also expressed thanks for a new $275 million U.S. military aid package announced by the State Department focusing on ammunition, drones and missiles.

Ukraine on Tuesday used U.S. ATACMS missiles to attack an arms depot inside Russia, making use of newly granted permission from the outgoing administration of U.S. President Joe Biden on the 1,000th day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russia has been signalling to the United States and its allies for weeks that if they give permission to Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with Western-supplied missiles then Moscow will consider it a major escalation.

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Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said in an interview published on Wednesday that Moscow would retaliate against NATO countries that facilitate long-range Ukrainian missile strikes against Russian territory.

PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATION

In the early afternoon, the Ukrainian air force told people to seek shelter because of a missile threat. Senior officials told people not to ignore the alert.

That came shortly before the GUR spy agency issued a warning about a Russian psychological operation it said involved fake messages claiming to have been sent by the agency.

"A message is being spread via messengers and social networks ... about the threat of a 'particularly massive' missile and bomb strike on Ukrainian cities today," GUR said in a statement.

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Two Ukrainian military personnel told Reuters they received messages informing them that Russia would launch more than 300 drones and also use warships, warplanes and ground-based systems to fire missiles in a huge salvo.

Reuters could not immediately determine how the messages were sent. One soldier said he received one from a friend.

The war is at a volatile juncture, with nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory in Russian hands, North Korean troops deployed in Russia's Kursk region and doubts over future aid as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House.

On Sunday, Russia staged a massive missile and drone strike on Ukraine's national power grid that killed seven people and renewed fears over the durability of the hobbled energy network.

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The GUR spy agency said earlier that a Russian military command post had been "successfully struck" in the town of Gubkin in Russia's Belgorod region, around 168 km (105 miles) from the border with Ukraine.

The statement did not specify who carried out the attack, when it took place or the type of weapon used. Ukraine has also used drones for deep strikes against targets in Russia.

Bloomberg later cited a Western official as saying Ukraine had fired UK Storm Shadow missiles into Russia. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his office would not be commenting on reports or operational matters. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

'PERSISTENT RUSSIAN ATTACKS'

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The embassy in Kyiv urged U.S. citizens in Ukraine to have reserves of water, food and other essentials such as required medications for the event of a "possible temporary loss of electricity and water" caused by Russian strikes.

"Persistent Russian attacks targeting civilian infrastructure throughout Ukraine may result in power outages, loss of heating, and disruption of municipal services," it said.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks. Washington said afterwards it had not seen any reason to adjust its nuclear posture.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly, Anastasiia Malenko, Kanjyik Ghosh and Tom Balmforth; Writing by Tom Balmforth Editing by Christopher Cushing, Himani Sarkar, Peter Graff, Philippa Fletcher, Ron Popeski and Diane Craft)
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it will give Ukraine antipersonnel mines to help it slow Russias battlefield advances, marking the second major shift on U.S. military support for Kyiv in days.

After allowing Ukraine to use longer-range American missiles to launch strikes deeper into Russia, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the shift in Washingtons policy on antipersonnel land mines for Ukraine was needed to counter changing Russian tactics.

The war, which reached its 1,000-day milestone on Tuesday, has largely been going Russias way. Moscow's bigger army is slowly pushing Ukraines forces backward in the eastern Donetsk region, while Ukrainian civilians are being maimed and killed by Russian drones and missiles often fired from inside Russia.

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Individual ground troops, rather than forces more protected in armored carriers, are leading the Russian battlefield advance, so Ukraine has a need for things that can help slow down that effort, Austin said during a trip to Laos.

The announcement comes two months before Donald Trump replaces Joe Biden in the White House. Trump has pledged to swiftly end the war and has criticized the amount the U.S. has spent on supporting Ukraine.

Biden administration officials say they are determined to help Ukraine as much as possible before he leaves office, and they announced Wednesday that the U.S. intends to cancel half of the debt  some $4.6 billion  Ukraine owes to the country. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said U.S. lawmakers were informed of the move this week, and that he doesn't expect them to pass a resolution of disapproval to try to stop the loan forgiveness because of the bipartisan support for Ukraine in the current Congress.

The steps taken to help Ukraine  along with unconfirmed reports Wednesday of Ukraine firing a certain British cruise missile at Russia for the first time  were likely to vex Moscow.

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The U.S. and some other Western embassies in Kyiv temporarily closed on Wednesday in response to the threat of a potentially major Russian aerial attack on the Ukrainian capital.

Humanitarian groups have long criticized the use of antipersonnel mines because they present a lingering threat to civilians. Amnesty International called the U.S. decision reckless and a deeply disappointing setback." And Norways foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, called it very problematic because Ukraine is a signatory to an international convention opposing the use of land mines.

Austin pointed out that Ukraine already makes its own antipersonnel mines, and that the U.S. has been providing Ukraine with anti-tank mines. He also tried to allay concerns about the new mines the U.S. is giving Kyiv, saying they are not persistent, meaning troops can control when they would self-detonate.

That makes it far more safer eventually than the things that they are creating on their own, Austin said.

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The mines are are electrically fused and powered by batteries so that when the battery runs out, they wont detonate. They can become inert in anywhere from four hours to two weeks.

Russia already uses land mines in Ukraine, but those dont become inert over time.

The United States also sought commitments from the Ukrainians on the use of the mines to limit harm to innocent civilians, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Ukraine would use the mines in its own country and would not put them in civilian populated areas.

The mines are contained in a $275 million package of new military assistance announced by the Biden administration Wednesday. Also included in the package are High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, as well as 155 mm and 105 mm artillery rounds, Javelin anti-armor munitions, and other equipment and spare parts.

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The war has taken on a growing international dimension with the arrival of North Korean troops to help Russia on the battlefield  a development that U.S. officials said prompted Bidens policy shift on allowing Ukraine to fire longer-range U.S. missiles into Russia and that angered the Kremlin.

Britain had been quietly pressing the U.S. to ease restrictions on how Western-supplied missiles are used, and unconfirmed news reports Wednesday said Ukraine had fired British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles at Russia for the first time. British and Ukrainian officials didn't confirm the reports.

Officials with France's military and presidents office, meanwhile, declined to say whether Ukraine is using French long-range SCALP missiles to strike targets in Russia, citing France's military secrecy policy. French President Emmanuel Macron has been pushing for such a step for months.

After the Biden administration allowed Ukraine to attack Russia with longer-range American-made ATACMS missiles, Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for using his nuclear arsenal, with the new doctrine announced Tuesday permitting a potential nuclear response by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power.

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That could potentially include Ukrainian attacks backed by the U.S.

The American diplomatic mission in Kyiv said Wednesday that it had received a warning about a potentially significant Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital and closed the embassy for several hours before reopening. The Spanish, Italian and Greek embassies also closed, but the U.K. government and France said that their embassies remained open.

Western leaders dismissed the Russian reaction to the U.S. missile decision as an attempt to deter Ukraines allies from providing further support to Kyiv, but the escalating tension weighed on stock markets after Ukraine fired ATACMS missiles for the first time at a target inside Russia.

Western and Ukrainian officials say Russia been stockpiling powerful long-range missiles, possibly in an upcoming effort to crush the Ukrainian power grid as winter approaches.

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Military analysts say the U.S. decision on the range over which American-made missiles can be used isn't expected to be a game-changer, but it could help weaken the Russian war effort, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank.

Ukrainian long-range strikes against military objects within Russias rear are crucial for degrading Russian military capabilities throughout the theater," it said.

Meanwhile, North Korea recently supplied additional artillery systems to Russia, according to South Korea. It said that North Korean soldiers were assigned to Russias marine and airborne forces units and some of them have already begun fighting alongside the Russians on the front lines.

Ukraine struck a factory in Russias Belgorod region that makes cargo drones for the armed forces in an overnight attack, according to Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation branch of Ukraines Security Council.

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He also claimed Ukraine hit an arsenal in Russias Novgorod region, near the town of Kotovo, located about 680 kilometers (420 miles) behind the Ukrainian border. The arsenal stored artillery ammunition and various types of missiles, he said.

It wasn't possible to independently verify the claims.

___

Baldor and Lee reported from Washington. Associated Press reporters Tara Copp in Washington, Jill Lawless in London and Angela Charlton in Paris contributed to this report.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Editor's note: The article was updated with comments from a military source for the Kyiv Independent and a statement by Ukraine's intelligence agency.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said it had received "specific information" about a possible major Russian aerial attack on Nov. 20, urging U.S. citizens to be ready to take shelter.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place," the statement read.

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The warning comes shortly after Russia launched one of its largest combined missile and drone attacks on Nov. 17, firing 210 drones and missiles.

Other embassies, including those of Italy, Spain, and Greece, suspended operations for the day due to security concerns shortly after the announcement by the U.S. Embassy.

Ukrainian soldiers were also alerted about a potential Russian mass ballistic missile attack on Nov. 20, a source in the Ukrainian military told the Kyiv Independent.

"According to intelligence reports, a massive missile attack using ballistic missiles is possible today," a message received by Ukrainian soldiers said.

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At the same time, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) warned on its Telegram channel that Russian intelligence services are amplifying the panic by spreading fake messages in messengers and social media about the supposedly upcoming attack.

The agency showed one message about the attack spread in messengers and social media, saying it was "fake and contains grammatical errors typical for Russian psychological operations."

"The enemy, unable to subjugate Ukrainians by force, resorts to measures of intimidation and psychological pressure on society. Please be vigilant," the statement read.

"Do not ignore air raid signalsit is safer to wait in a shelter. However, we urge you not to panic."

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The Kyiv Independent's military source clarified that the aerial strike threat remains relevant, but Russia is carrying out a parallel psychological operation to sow panic.

Russia has ramped up the frequency of its drone strikes against Ukraine over the past few months, with air raid alerts sounding off in the capital nearly on a daily basis. As a result of an overnight drone attack on Nov. 20, debris fell in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv, starting a fire, officials reported.

Moscow's forces also launched a number of deadly attacks against Ukrainian cities and towns in the past week, including Odesa, Sumy, and Hlukhiv in Sumy Oblast.

Six Russian missile carriers capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles are currently deployed in the Black Sea, the Navy warned in the morning.

Read also: Russian missile attacks on Sumy kill 11, injure 89

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The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv sounded the alarm on a potential significant air attack Wednesday, announcing that it will close.

The warning also recommended American citizens in the area to prepare to shelter in place.

The release follows a drone and missile attack that officials called the largest in recent months, The Associated Press reported. The strike killed eight people and wounded dozens, according to an official, as more than 400 people were evacuated from a nine-story building in the city of Sumy, Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko said, according to the AP.

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Included in the security alert were actions to take, such as monitoring the media for updates, identifying possible shelters, immediately taking shelter and following directions from Ukrainian officials and first responders.

The alert comes in the wake of President Bidens approval for the use of Western-provided longrange missiles by Ukraine to strike targets within Russia. The decision enraged Russia and riled allies of President-elect Trump, who has been somewhat critical of Ukraine. On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to end the nearly three-year war in a day.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Monday referred to comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin in September that warned Moscow would view the U.S. and NATO in direct conflict with Russia if the U.S. granted permission to Ukraine to use long-range missiles far-beyond Russias borders to hit targets.

If this decision is taken, it will mean nothing less than the direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine, Putin said at the time.

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Ukraine is now occupying part of Russias Kursk region after a surprise incursion across the border in August. For months, Ukraine and other U.S. officials have publicly lobbied Biden to lift restrictions on U.S.-made weapons systems to push Russia back and target Russian military targets across the border.

Ukraine struck the Russian region of Bryansk on Tuesday with the missiles from the Army Tactical Missile System for the first time.

The Associated Press contributed.

Updated at 8:18 a.m. EST

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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(Bloomberg) -- One of the White Houses most senior Middle East envoys will travel to Tel Aviv from Beirut on Wednesday, in a bid to clinch a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah.

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Amos Hochsteins trip comes follows meetings with Lebanese officials on Tuesday and Wednesday. He struck an optimistic tone, saying hed managed to bridge some of the gaps between the warring sides.

US President Joe Biden is trying to end the conflict, which began over a year ago with the outbreak of war in Gaza, before he hands over to Donald Trump in January. A near-term truce looks likelier in Lebanon than in Gaza, with negotiations between Israel and Hamas having ground to a halt.

Hochstein, a former energy executive who handles Israel-Hezbollah affairs for the US, said a second day of talks with Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri made additional progress.

He told reporters he would go to Israel, wheres hes likely to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to try to bring this to a close, if we can.

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Hezbollahs leader, Naim Qasem, in a speech on Wednesday said he would wait to see Israels response to the groups suggestions. A truce should include a complete end to Israels attacks on Lebanon, he said.

Lets see if this will yield a result or not, he said, adding that Hezbollah will continue fighting until theres an agreement.

Berri, the speaker, acts as an interlocutor between the West and Hezbollah and has broadly echoed Hochsteins comments, saying are still some technical details to finalize.

The cease-fire plan is based on a UN Security Council Resolution, known as 1701, that ended the last war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. While both Hezbollah and Israel breached the terms of the resolution, it helped preserve calm until the Lebanese group began missile and drone attacks on Oct. 8, 2023, in solidarity with Hamas.

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The day before, Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostage. Israels subsequent offensive on Gaza has killed almost 44,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the Palestinian territory.

Hezbollah and Hamas are both supported by Iran, classed as terrorist groups by the US, and ideologically committed to Israels destruction.

Israel is insisting that, as per 1701, Hezbollah moves all its fighters back around 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Lebanon-Israel border.

Netanyahu says thats essential to enable around 60,000 displaced people to return to their homes in the north of Israel. A similar number of civilians have had to flee southern Lebanon.

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Israel wants the right to keep striking Hezbollah positions if it deems the group to be breaching the terms of a cease-fire agreement. Both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have said they wont accept that. Its unclear what the US is proposing to square those positions and guarantee enforcement of 1701.

One can deduce from the arrival of special envoy Hochstein in the region that the Americans believe that such an arrangement is possible, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told diplomats in a briefing, according to a transcript from his office. The most important thing to emphasize is that we want to reach a deal that can stand the test of time.

Around 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli strikes and a ground offensive in the past two months, while 1.2 million  more than a fifth of the population  have been displaced. Hezbollah continues to fire on Israel daily, and about 50 Israeli troops have been killed in combat in southern Lebanon.

--With assistance from Kateryna Kadabashy.

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US Middle East mediator Amos Hochstein said talks on a ceasefire agreement to end the war between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group made further progress.

Hochstein will head to Israel later on Wednesday after extending his stay in Lebanon to hold a second meeting with Lebanon's House Speaker Nabih Berri, who is negotiating on behalf of the Iran-allied militia Hezbollah. They had met on Tuesday.

"The meeting today built on the meeting yesterday and made additional progress," Hochstein said.

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"I will travel from here in a couple of hours to Israel to try to bring this to a close if we can," he told reporters.

"I am not going to negotiate this in public. I am not going into what the issues are," he added, refusing to give more details.
Talks on a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militia have made further progress, US envoy Amos Hochstein said on Wednesday, as the Israeli military continued to carry out strikes on targets across the Middle East.

Hochstein, who has been mediating in negotiations between the warring parties, extended his stay in Beirut to hold a second meeting with the speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Nabih Berri.

The two previously met on Tuesday, with Berri negotiating on behalf of Hezbollah.

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"The meeting today built on the meeting yesterday and made additional progress," Hochstein said.

"I will travel from here in a couple of hours to Israel to try to bring this to a close if we can," he told reporters.

"I am not going to negotiate this in public. I am not going into what the issues are," he added, refusing to give more details.

The envoy's effort came as the Lebanese Army - which has been attempting to remain neutral in the conflict - said another of its soldiers was killed in an Israeli attack, one day after three troops died in a similar strike.

In the latest incident, the army said on the social media platform X that two of its soldiers were injured when the Israeli military targeted the vehicle on a road in southern Lebanon. One soldier died later, according to the army.

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The army did not specify the nature of the attack, but Hezbollah mouthpiece al-Manar reported that an Israeli drone hit a military ambulance vehicle in the southern town of Burj al-Meluk.

The Israeli military said it was looking into the reports.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Wednesday afternoon that more than 100 targets in Lebanon had been hit over 24 hours, including weapons depots and Hezbollah command centres.

Further casualties in Gaza

Further casualties were reported on Wednesday in northern Gaza, where the Kamal Adwan Hospital said at least 12 people were killed in an Israeli attack on a house in Jabalia.

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Women and children were reportedly among the victims, while at least 10 more people were buried under the rubble.

The information could not be verified, but residents told dpa that they were woken by a huge explosion during the night.

The Israeli military has not yet commented on the incident.

Witnesses have described humanitarian conditions in Jabalia as catastrophic, more than one year on from the October 7 attacks which sparked Israel's response in Gaza.

The Israeli military launched a new offensive against the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in northern Gaza in October, as it said militants were trying to regroup.

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Meanwhile, food prices in the war-torn territory have risen dramatically following the looting of a large aid convoy last weekend, residents told dpa.

A bag of 25 kilograms of flour now costs the equivalent of $150 to $200 in some areas, residents said, up from $8 to $10 before the incident.

The high prices are not the only problem, residents said, as they can hardly find flour to buy, while meat has been unaffordable for months.

The United Nations and aid organizations have warned of the risk of famine in Gaza, with humanitarian aid insufficient to feed the majority of the population.

In conversations with dpa, residents have reported weight loss and hair loss as a result of malnutrition.

Israeli strikes near ancient Syrian city of Palmyra

Israeli airstrikes also hit parts of central Syria, killing at least four members of Iran-backed militias and injuring six others including civilians, a war monitor reported.

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The strikes hit a warehouse in an industrial area, a restaurant and buildings near the historic district of the ancient city of Palmyra, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added.

Syria's state news agency SANA reported that an "Israeli aggression" had targeted residential buildings and the industrial district in Palmyra. The agency did not give a casualty count.

Israel has been bombing targets in Syria to prevent Iran and its allied militias from expanding their military influence in the country.

Israel has carried out a total of 152 attacks in Syria so far this year, according to the observatory.
US Middle East mediator Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Tuesday in hopes of finalizing a ceasefire agreement that would end the war between Israel and Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.

"There is an opportunity to reach a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and we continue to fill the gaps in the agreement," Hochstein said following a nearly two-hour meeting at the residence of House Speaker Nabih Berri, who is negotiating on behalf of Hezbollah.

"I hope the coming days yield a resolute decision," he said after refusing to take questions from journalists.

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Berri said in an interview with the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper after his meeting with Hochstein that "the situation is good in principle, and what remains to be completed are some details."

Hochstein was expected to travel on to Israel for talks.

For weeks, details of an apparent US ceasefire proposal have been circulating in the media.

According to Lebanese security sources, Israel and Hezbollah are to initially suspend their hostilities for 60 days. During this period, the Israeli military is to withdraw from Lebanon and Lebanese armed forces are to be deployed along the border.

After 60 days, Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold negotiations on the full implementation of the 18-year-old UN resolution 1701.

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The resolution gives sole authority to the Lebanese army and UN peacekeeping troops for areas south of the Litani River, which separates Lebanon from the rest of the country.

Hezbollah reportedly regards the US draft as a basis for further negotiations.

Since September, Israel's military has massively expanded its attacks in Lebanon, where it says it is seeking to push Hezbollah back from its northern border so that residents can return to their homes. Fighter planes have bombed targets across the country and frequently in the suburbs south of Beirut.

The Hezbollah militia, which launched its attacks on Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on October 8, 2023, has been firing on Israel in turn.

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The Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati told Qatars Al Arabi TV on Monday that his country views the US ceasefire proposal positively, though certain points require further clarification and analysis.

Israel began its military campaign in Gaza to eliminate the Hamas group following the unprecedented October 7 attacks by its militants on southern Israel.

Around 60,000 people in northern Israel have fled their homes due to shelling by Hezbollah. Since the start of the war, 77 people have been killed there and more than 640 injured.

In Lebanon, more than 3,000 people have died as a result of Israeli airstrikes and shelling.

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Around 540,000 people have fled Lebanon to neighbouring Syria since the escalation of the war, according to UN figures released on Tuesday.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that around two-thirds of the refugees coming from Lebanon were Syrian and around one-third were Lebanese citizens.

According to government figures, around 1.5 million Syrian refugees were living in Lebanon before the latest escalation in the conflict with Israel. Most of them had arrived in Lebanon after 2011 as a result of the civil war in their home country.

Around 6 million people live in Lebanon.

UN peacekeepers injured in southern Lebanon

Four UN peacekeepers from Ghana were injured after a rocket most likely fired by "non-state actors within Lebanon" hit their base in the village of Ramyah.

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A statement from the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission said that three of them have been transferred to a hospital for treatment.

In another incident, a UNIFIL headquarters in the village of Shama was hit by five rockets, causing "heavy damage" to a maintenance workshop. No one was injured.

As the fighting in southern Lebanon has escalated in recent weeks, peacekeepers have been regularly caught in the cross-fire of Israeli and Hezbollah forces.
By Maya Gebeily

BEIRUT (Reuters) -U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein said he will travel to Israel on Wednesday to try to secure a ceasefire ending the war with Lebanon's Hezbollah group after declaring additional progress in talks in Beirut.

Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Tuesday, seeking to clinch a ceasefire agreement after the Lebanese government and Hezbollah agreed to a U.S. ceasefire proposal, although with some comments.

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"The meeting today built on the meeting yesterday, and made additional progress," Hochstein said after his second meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, endorsed by the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah to negotiate.

"So I will travel from here in a couple hours to Israel to try to bring this to a close if we can," Hochstein said.

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said the group had given its own feedback on the truce draft and that it was shared with Hochstein. He said whether a ceasefire was reached now depended on Israel and whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was serious about one. Hezbollah stood ready to keep on fighting for a long time, he added.

Israel's Channel 12 reported late on Wednesday that most of the points of the deal had been agreed upon by both parties.

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According to the Israel Hayom news website, Hochstein would meeting Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer on Wednesday evening.

The diplomacy aims to end a conflict that has inflicted massive devastation in Lebanon since Israel went on the offensive against Hezbollah in September, mounting airstrikes across wide parts of the country and sending in troops.

Israel says its aim is to secure the return home of tens of thousands of people evacuated from its north due to rocket attacks by Hezbollah, which opened fire in support of Hamas at the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.

Hezbollah, still reeling from the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah and other commanders, has kept up rocket fire into Israel, attacking Tel Aviv this week, and its fighters are battling Israeli troops on the ground in the south.

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Although diplomacy to end the Gaza war has largely stalled, the Biden administration aims to seal a ceasefire in the parallel conflict in Lebanon before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.

"We are going to work with the incoming administration. We're already going to be discussing this with them. They will be fully aware of what we're doing," Hochstein said.

Diplomats aim to restore a ceasefire based on a U.N. resolution that ended an earlier conflict in 2006.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, addressing ambassadors in Israel, said in any agreement, "we will have to maintain our freedom to act if there will be violations".

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"First of all, we will have to enforce that they (Hezbollah) will not return to near our border south of the Litani river, this is crucial," he said, referring to a Lebanese river that runs some 30 km (20 miles) north of the frontier.

"Secondly, we will have to enforce that they will not be able to build again their force in Lebanon, they will not be able to bring again ammunitions, missiles to manufacture it or to bring it from Iran through Syria, by sea, and through the airport (in Beirut) in any way," he added.

Lebanon has rejected Israel having the freedom to act on its territory. Berri has said language about Israeli freedom to act was not included in the draft U.S. proposal submitted to him last week.

HEZBOLLAH REVIEWED PROPOSAL

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Hezbollah's Qassem, in a televised speech, said Israel must not be allowed to breach Lebanon's sovereignty, enter its territory, and kill as it pleases. Hezbollah had decided not to speak about the agreement or its remarks, he added.

U.N. Security Council resolution 1701 requires the Lebanese state to have a monopoly on arms in the area between border and the Litani River. This means Hezbollah should have no military presence near the frontier.

Israel has long complained the resolution was not implemented and Hezbollah remained armed at the border. Lebanon also accused Israel of regularly violating the resolution.

The casualty toll since Oct., 2023 stands at 3,558 people killed in Lebanon, the Lebanese health ministry says, most of them killed during the Israeli offensive since September. The figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. The ministry said 14 fatalities were reported on Tuesday.

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Hezbollah strikes have killed 43 civilians in northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, while 73 soldiers have been killed in strikes in northern Israel and the Golan Heights and in combat in southern Lebanon, according to Israel.

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily, Tom Perry and Riham Alkoussa in Beirut and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem; Nadine Awadalla, Clauda Tanios, Nayera Abdallah, Jana Choukeir in Dubai; Writing by Tom Perry, William Maclean; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Peter Graff,)
A Massachusetts-based company has unveiled a 100% hydrogen-ready aeroderivative gas turbine solution based on its LM6000VELOX package.

GE Vernova claimed that its first-of-its-kind aeroderivative gas turbine solution is capable to be powered by renewable hydrogen generated at the Whyalla facility, helping to produce zero CO2 at the gas turbine exhaust during operation when fueled with 100% renewable hydrogen.



The company maintained that the site will include one of the worlds largest hydrogen production and storage plants.

Hydrogen-ready turbine to support decarbonization goals

The company announced that it has secured an order with ATCO Australia for four LM6000VELOX units with commissioning expected in early 2026. It is projected to mark the first time a GE Vernova power plant project, at commercial scale, is powered by aeroderivative gas turbine combustion technology capable of operating on 100 percent hydrogen, according to the company.

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When completed, the Whyalla hydrogen facility will utilize South Australias surplus renewable energy, generated by large-scale wind and solar farms, to produce renewable hydrogen that will be stored and used to power the four LM6000VELOX units, according to GE Vernova.



Eric Gray, CEO of GE Vernovas Gas Power business, stated that the company has been investing over the years in R&D to advance the capabilities of its combustion systems to burn higher blends of hydrogen.

"We are proud to unveil our first 100 percent hydrogen-ready aeroderivative gas turbine solution to support our customers decarbonization goals while maintaining grid reliability, which requires the deploying of renewable and conventional power technology in tandem," said Gray.

Preferred equipment supplier

Gray stressed that the South Australian Government selected GE Vernova as the preferred equipment supplier for its Hydrogen Jobs Plan, and GE Vernova is honored to work with ATCO Australia and BOC in this first-of-its-kind project, which is a major step in support of South Australias renewable energy future.



Whyalla hydrogen power plant aims to be a new source of flexible power, providing additional grid stability for homes and businesses around the state by utilizing excess renewable energy generated from large-scale wind and solar farms to provide a consistent output of supply, said the press release.

Capacity of up to 200 megawatts

The power plant is expected to deliver a combined capacity of up to 200 megawatts (MW) and to help meet electricity demand while ensuring stability of electricity supply in South Australias electricity grid during periods when renewable energy sources are not available or are not meeting full demand, added the release.

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Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas called GE Vernova one of the most recognizable brands in the world, stressing that the company has a proven reputation as a supplier of power infrastructure.

"More importantly, GE Vernova is capable of producing turbines that can operate at 100 percent capacity on hydrogen. This means we can harness South Australias incredible renewable resources and put it to productive use, helping develop a more sustainable electricity supply across our State," added Malinauskas.

John Ivulich, CEO and Country Chair, ATCO Australia, stated that South Australia is set to become a global leader in producing and utilizing renewable hydrogen with more than 70 percent of energy generated from renewable resources.

"By deploying GE Vernovas first-of-its-kind aeroderivative solution, able to operate on 100 percent hydrogen, we will support South Australias continued energy transition and decarbonization journey, in alignment with the States goals outlined in the Governments Hydrogen Jobs Plan," added Ivulich.
A patient came to see me recently (all my stories start like this: A patient walked into the room, akin to A guy walked into a bar), and she was so embarrassed to be there. Thats not uncommon for me. What was unusual was that she refused to talk about her bowel habits. She couldnt say what her symptoms were or what her poop looked like. To her, it was all dirty, uncouth, and taboo. With a little patience, she eventually opened up (literally and figuratively). I reassured her that nothing she told me would leave the room, and with me, youre in the right place, or your butt is in the right hands, at least. Humor helps sometimes. Tears welled in her eyes as she told me about the pain she felt having a bowel movement, just months after giving birth. Add to it that her husband acted immaturely and would knock on the door incessantly whenever she went to the bathroom as if women arent allowed to poop. She had been to her OB/GYN, whom she said was great but was a man and dismissed her anorectal symptoms entirely. She was relieved to hear that her symptoms were fairly common and that many treatment options would help. She thanked me profusely and was glad that I made her first visit to a butt doctor a painless experience. Well, if you cant talk about poop with me, then you cant talk about poop with anyone. Theres no judgment here, no raised eyebrows, no wrinkled noses. Poop isnt stinky or gross. It just is.

If you have kids, youre no stranger to talking about poop, but my patients often ask me, When did you decide you would make a career  of this? The truth is, I didnt know I would spend the rest of my adult life thinking and talking about poop. I became a colorectal surgeon so that I could cure cancer. Along the way, I found that there are many, many more patients with hemorrhoids, constipation, and bowel problems of all sorts, and most physicians and the general public arent equipped to talk about it. The embarrassment is standard, but it neednt be on both sides, for both the patient and the physician. Defecation is a basic human function, and yet we act like we dont have to do it. So often I see patients relieved they can finally discuss their bowel habits outside the hushed whispers of their gal pals or locker room humor. These days the amount of pursed lips I see are fewer and far between, mostly from the older generation of pearl-clutching matrons who perpetuate the fantasy that their shit dont stink. But everyone shits. And it all smells like shit. The thing is, society still finds it uncouth to talk about pooping. Poop-shaming abounds, such that people find themselves holding in their bowel movements or farts until a more convenient time, causing more anorectal problems. We try not to poop-shame in our household by saying ew when we have to change a diaper so our children dont learn to hold it in for fear of embarrassment. Children think poop is funny  where along the way did we lose that? Studies such as Fecal Matters have shown that we have societal constructs around pooping. In this Indiana University study, straight women and gay men spend much more time thinking about bowel functions than straight men and gay women, for example. That sounds about right.

In 2019, the New York Times published an article about the lengths women will go to so that they dont poop in public. The article generated a lot of commentary from the public and inspired one of the chapters in my book. Poop-shaming means how we were raised to hide our poops and the extremes that some people will go to NOT POOP or NOT FART in public. As a colorectal surgeon who spends most of my time addressing anal diseases (a true proctologist, as the old jokes go), can I tell you the number of times I do an exam and find poop in the anal canal? You dont want to hear this, right? You want to escape to the sterility of doing knee replacements in astronaut suits or listening to lungs in three-piece suits, but here I am, in a scrub suit, looking inside asses. And I love what I do.

I admit I didnt think about poop at all when I was younger. I dont recall pooping at all in college, which is probably a good thing. I just went when I had to go, and that was it. I didnt particularly deal with constipation or diarrhea. I know thats a blessing.

Some of my nonchalance with poop stems from a formative moment with my very practical, no-nonsense grandmother. When I was a teenager, we went to her apartment and I had to go to the restroom. I walked into the guest bathroom and noticed that there was a splatter of poop on the inside of the toilet. When I went out to announce this, everyone else in the room remained quiet. Nobody copped to recent toilet usage, and it was like a game of Clue  trying to recall who the perp was, who had just walked out of the bathroom, or who had wet hands. But my grandmother, in her bold, unwavering way, proclaimed, Si ze ma! which translates literally into Its just poop! And she grabbed a piece of toilet paper and in one barehanded swipe, wiped it off and flushed it down the toilet as everyone else ran away screaming. It has been about 20 years, and I still tell myself, Si ze ma! Its that same no-nonsense, no-embarrassment, no-judgment attitude that I take when approaching my patients. Its just poop. There are way worse things to me, like phlegm or toenails. Indeed, based on this narrative and the fact that I was mostly raised by my grandmother, I can say I was probably never poop-shamed. I wouldnt say it was encouraged, but we were always encouraged to eat, and what goes in must come out. Its just a matter of life and a matter of fact. After writing my book, I discussed it with my aunts and uncles around the dinner table one night, and they regaled me with the story of my fathers hemorrhoids, a story that he conspicuously does not recall, although my aunts and uncles recall it with great clarity, including my grandpas magic salve, the ingredients of which to this day remain unidentified.

And yet it is and it isnt just shit, isnt it? When youre pooping well and not thinking about it a day in your life, its just shit. When you cant poop at all, or worse, poop too much, then you can be miserable. The trouble is, there are so many variables involved in pooping that a generic answer doesnt work for everyone. There are plenty of healthy active people who work out and only eat kale and cant poop. And there are plenty of unhealthy people who eat only greasy food and sit around and poop multiple times a day. What gives? And when they get hemorrhoids, do you tell them sitz bath, donut cushion, stool softener, hydrocortisone suppository? Or send them to GI to get a colonoscopy for chronic constipation?

In residency, every morning rounds started with, Have you had a BM? Have you passed gas? Lending too much importance to stools and bowel function, in retrospect, but perhaps not enough insight. Even now, when I reflect on my practice, sticking my finger into dozens of butts a day wasnt what I had planned. I dont love the rectal exam part, but I love what I do, and I love that I can help people. Im good at it, and it takes a certain temperament to be able to look at butts and poop all day. As I remove my double-gloved finger from a patients anus for the 25th time that day, about 30 percent will invariably chuckle and ask, why do you do this? How did you get into this business? Trust me, there are days when Im peering down an anoscope that I ask the same question of myself: How did I get here? I remember I had one attending surgeon who would constantly stand over a jackknife-prone patient with his finger in the air, staring at it, and me, with his eyebrow raised as if to say, Here we go again. I did not know it then but I know it now: He asked himself that same question.

Did I wake up one day and say, I must deal with poop all day? No, no, I did not. But seeing as how he is now a surgical director of a hospital and I just wrote a book about poop, I guess we all end up right where we belong. Constipation Nation is about more than constipation; its about opening up the conversation around bowel habits and awareness around poop shaming, all to regain our collective bowel health as a nation.

We need to talk about poop more, in primary and specialty care and society in general. Taking away the stigma of having bowel habits and anorectal problems will empower patients to seek help earlier  maybe even finding some cancers sooner, which is what I wanted to do in the end (pun intended).

Carmen Fong is a colorectal surgeon.
(Bloomberg) -- The US will provide Ukraine with antipersonnel land mines to blunt the advance of Russian troops, an official familiar with the decision said, the latest effort by the Biden administration to bolster support for Kyiv ahead of President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration.

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The mines the US will send to Ukraine are non-persistent, becoming inert after a pre-set period that can last from a few hours to two weeks, according to the person, who was granted anonymity to discuss the policy.

The decision, reported earlier by the Washington Post, came about after President Joe Biden dropped his long-standing opposition to long-range strikes on Russia with the American-made Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS. Washingtons shift on missile strikes came about after North Korean troops arrived to support Russian forces on the battlefield.

Earlier: Russias War Against Ukraine Enters a Dangerous New Chapter

Subscribe to the Bloomberg Daybreak podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen.

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Ukraine took advantage of the ATACMS approval to strike a military base on Russian territory. Moscow, which has warned against such actions, stepped up its threat of a nuclear response to conventional attacks.

The Biden administration has vowed to expedite weapons deliveries and other support for Ukraine ahead of Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20. The president-elect has repeatedly criticized Bidens approach to the war and promised to end the conflict even before taking office.

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US President Joe Biden's administration has submitted to Congress a statement of intent to cancel half of Ukraine's economic aid debt, which is approximately US$4.65 billion.

Source: Voice of America, citing Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US Department of State, at a briefing on Wednesday, 20 November

Details: The document grants Joe Biden the authority to forgive 50% of the loan provided to Kyiv in April 2024. At that time, the loan was part of additional appropriations for Ukraine's security, amounting to approximately US$61 billion. Of this, about US$10 billion was allocated to Kyiv as a conditionally repayable loan rather than in the form of a grant.

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It is stipulated that effective 15 November 2024, a week after the US presidential election, the incumbent president may forgive up to 50% of the loan, while the incoming president will have the opportunity to forgive the remaining 50% on 1 January 2026.

Quote from Miller: "We have taken the step that was outlined in the law to cancel those loans, provide that economic assistance to Ukraine, and now Congress is welcome to take it up if they wish."

Details: Once the White House has notified Congress of the decision, lawmakers can pass a resolution to object to it. However, Miller believes this will not happen.

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The Pentagon is preparing a new defence aid package for Ukraine worth at least US$275 million. The package will include HIMARS artillery missile systems and Javelin anti-armour munitions.

Source: The Associated Press, citing US officials

Details: The newspaper notes that the administration of current US President Joe Biden is rushing to do everything possible to help Kyiv push back against Russia before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

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Quote from the AP: "The latest tranche of weapons comes as worries grow about an escalation in the conflict, with both sides pushing to gain any advantage that they can exploit if Trump demands a quick end to the war  as he has vowed to do."

Details: According to US officials, the weapons in the new aid package for Ukraine include air defence equipment, including HIMARS artillery missile systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery shells, Javelin anti-armour ammunition, and other equipment and spare parts.

The weapons will be provided under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which allows the Pentagon to rapidly withdraw stockpiles from its warehouses to speed their delivery to the front lines in Ukraine.

The publication adds that the Biden administration will have to urgently allocate US$7.1 billion in arms from Pentagon warehouses in order to spend the money before Trump swears an oath.

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Asked if the department would be able to do so before Trump takes office on 20 January, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said officials are working to get Ukraine what it needs.

In addition, the US State Department said on Tuesday that it had authorised the sale of unspecified defence equipment and services to Ukraine worth US$100 million, including vehicle repairs, technical assistance, training and "other related elements of logistics and programme support". Unlike assistance under the PDA, the Ukrainian government will pay for this.

According to two senior administration officials, the administration plans to distribute its share of a US$50 billion loan from frozen Russian assets before Biden leaves the White House as part of a broader effort to support Ukraine.

The officials, who were not authorised to comment publicly, said that the US and Ukraine are now at an "advanced stage" of discussing the terms of the loan and are seeking to complete the process of disbursing the US$20 billion portion of the US-backed loan.

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The Trump administration's plan to use active-duty U.S. military personnel to help with the mass deportation of undocumented migrants appears to be similar to the support role that troops provided along the U.S-Mexico border in 2018 and 2019, during the first Trump administration.

During his 2024 campaign, President-elect Donald Trump often referenced military personnel forming a part of his plans to assist the deportation, but how they would do that under existing legal authorities was left vague. On Monday, however, Trump confirmed that he planned to declare a national emergency to carry out that campaign promise.

Additionally, Thomas Homan, Trump's choice to serve as the Border Czar, fleshed out his view of how U.S. military assets would be a "force multiplier" in the deportations but stressed that they would be carrying out "non-enforcement duties." In other words, military personnel will not be participating in arrests.

PHOTO: U.S. Marines fortify the California-Mexico border near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in California, Nov. 14, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps)

MORE: Trump confirms plan to declare national emergency, use military for mass deportations

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"They'll be used to do non-enforcement duties such as transportation, whether it's on ground or air, infrastructure, building, intelligence," Homan said in an interview on Fox Business Network.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers doing those duties could be replaced by military personnel "because it doesn't require immigration authority," Homan explained.

He also described the military's role as a "force multiplier to take more agents, put them on streets where we need them" and he envisioned the U.S. military possibly assisting in flights taking detainees back to their home countries.

"We're hoping DOD will help us with air flights, because there's a limited number of planes ICE has contracts with; so DOD can certainly help with air flights all across the globe," he said.

PHOTO: In this Jan. 29, 2024, file photo, Texas National Guards place razor wires at the Shelby Park area which is the most preferred area for irregular migrants to enter as the guards continue to patrol the Rio Grande River. (Anadolu via Getty Images)

MORE: 'Shock and awe': What Trump 'border czar' Tom Homan has said he plans to do starting on Day 1

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Homan's description was very similar to the previous active-duty deployment in 2018 and 2019 ,during Trump's first term that supported U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as migrant caravans from Central America made their way to the U.S. border.

The mission was ordered in October 2018 and eventually saw the deployment of 6,100 active duty forces to the border, which was soon followed by Trump's declaration of a national emergency that enabled the U.S. military to help build portions of the border wall.

PHOTO: In this Dec. 20, 2022, file photo, National Guard troops and state troopers line the bank of the border on American side in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, FILE)

Pentagon officials stressed that the thousands of active-duty troops deployed to the border would only be serving in a support role to federal law enforcement and that they would not carry out law enforcement duties. That role was in line with the Posse Comitatus Act that forbids the U.S. military from carrying out law enforcement duties domestically.

The active-duty troops joined 2,350 National Guardsmen who were already helping CBP in their home states of California, Texas, and Arizona.

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Initially, the mission of the active-duty troops was to build housing for additional CBP personnel headed to the region, provide medical support, fly CBP personnel around the border region and construct 70 miles of additional obstacles and security barriers for the 22 ports of entry. Military police units were deployed to provide security for military construction crews working along the border and were the only forces that were allowed to be armed during the deployment.

What was supposed to be a 45-day mission kept being extended and continues to this day in a modified way and in much smaller numbers than 2019.

After the initial mission goals were quickly completed, the Pentagon approved a new Department of Homeland Security request to set up an unarmed quick reaction force to help CPB with riot control in case there was a migrant rush at a port of entry.

In April 2019, the role of active-duty troops was expanded so they could be allowed to assist in driving high-capacity CBP vehicles to transport migrants; provide administrative support, including providing heating, meal distribution and monitoring the welfare of individuals in CBP custody; and attorney support to ICE.

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A month later, the Pentagon approved a DHS request to provide tent housing for up to 7,500 single adult migrants at six locations along the border. The tents were to come from U.S. military supplies and were to be erected by U.S. military personnel. . Eventually, DHS requested that active duty personnel set up an additional 150 miles of concertina wire along the border area beyond the 70 miles of obstacles that were laid out in the first six weeks of the border support mission.

Trump's conformation that he plans to declare a national emergency to enable the mass deportation is a different rationale than the national emergency that he declared in 2019.

The 6,100 active-duty troops were deployed to the border under existing authorities. Instead, the national emergency that Trump declared in early 2019 was to make it possible for the U.S military to help construct portions of the border wall that had been one of his major campaign promises.

The National Emergencies Act allows the military to undertake new military construction projects not specified by Congress, but only if previously appropriated funds for such projects are used.

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In the end, the Pentagon was able to use $6.1 billion in funding for the wall including $3.6 billion in funds reallocated from other projects and an additional $2.5 billion in funding from counter narcotics efforts.

Declaring a national emergency is not a rare occurrence and the National Emergencies Act has been invoked multiple times. At the time of the border declaration, there were about 30 emergencies already in effect by previous administrations.

What will be the US military's role in Trump's mass deportation plan? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The News

The US officially recognized Venezuelas opposition candidate as the countrys president-elect, an effort to ramp up pressure on Caracas following disputed July elections. Western nations had said Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia  who fled to Spain in September  won more votes than President Nicolas Maduro, but none named him president-elect.

Maduro claimed victory in the vote, which international observers and domestic opponents said was rife with fraud.

Further challenges are likely from Washington: US lawmakers this week passed a bill toughening sanctions on Caracas, and President-elect Donald Trumps choice for secretary of state is a Venezuela hawk.

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Yet it is unclear what impact those efforts will have. In 2019, Trump recognized another opposition leader as Venezuelas legitimate president, but Maduro held on.

A line chart showing the percentage of Venezuelans who have confidence in the honesty of elections from 2006 to 2023.

SIGNALS

Trump likely to return to maximum pressure on Caracas

Sources: The Washington Post, Bloomberg, Wired

It remains unclear what US President-elect Donald Trumps Venezuela policy stance will be, but a person close to Trump told The Washington Post that the president-elect has been clear Maduro has to be out of power. At this point a return to maximum pressure, or something like it, is all but guaranteed, one expert told Bloomberg. During Trumps first term, the US tightened economic sanctions on Venezuela, leading to its economy shrinking 71% between 2012 and 2020. Trumps first administration also attempted an unsuccessful covert CIA initiative to overthrow the Venezuelan leader, including launching cyber attacks on Caracas in an effort to destabilize the regime, Wired reported.

Yet Maduro hopes to find a better footing with Trump this time

Sources: The Guardian, Atlantic Council

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who once referred to Donald Trump as a miserable racist cowboy during his first term as US president, appears to have so far decided to take a different approach to the incoming Trump presidency. It didnt go well for us in the first government of Donald Trump, this is a new start for us to bet on a win-win, Maduro said in a recent TV address congratulating Trump on his victory. Some analysts suspect Trump, too, could see more value in collaborating with Venezuela to reduce the flow of migrants and expand the US oil industry, than in resuming the acrimony of his first term.
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (AP)  A supplier of fuel for nuclear power plants announced a $60 million expansion in Tennessee on Wednesday, promising to resume and grow its manufacturing of high-tech centrifuges there to enrich uranium at its facility in Ohio.

The expansion by Centrus Energy at its massive facility in Oak Ridge comes as the U.S. ramps up its reliance on nuclear power as a climate change solution. The Tennessee facility, which stretches 440,000 square feet, is where they make and test 40-foot-high centrifuges that will be transported to the company's enrichment facility in Piketon, Ohio. The company gave reporters a tour Wednesday, showing off the centrifuges but covering other classified equipment with tarps.

Centrus is one of several companies working on enriching uranium in the U.S., which is currently dependent on foreign providers. Russia has about 44% of the worlds uranium enrichment capacity, supplying some 35% of U.S. imports for nuclear fuel, according to the Department of Energy. Just last week, Russia announced it would temporarily limit its exports of enriched uranium to the U.S. in response to the U.S. deciding to ban Russian uranium starting in 2028.

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Western nuclear operators have been looking for suppliers of nuclear fuel other than Russia since it invaded Ukraine in 2022, S&P Global Commodity Insights said Wednesday.

Centrus President and CEO Amir Vexler told reporters Wednesday that the expansion was not due to Russia's decision-making, saying that the company's board approved the plans a few weeks ago. But he said the move illustrates why the U.S. can't depend on other countries for its nuclear fuel.

Nuclear is one of the key essential stabilizers in our sources on the grid. And nuclear fuel is a key essential element of that, Vexler said. Why would you not worry about the security of supply of that key ingredient to our grid?

The company partners with the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory, known for its role as one of the labs that helped develop the atomic bomb. Centrus is expanding in hopes of tapping into a fund of $3.4 billion from the Department of Energy set aside for domestic uranium enrichment. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the company currently has about 300 employees, including about 120 in Oak Ridge. The expansion could add 300 more in Oak Ridge.

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In the same city, another company, Orano USA, plans to build a uranium enrichment facility.

The Biden administration set a target this month of at least tripling nuclear power in the United States by 2050 to help avoid the worst consequences of climate change. The United States will aim to add 200 gigawatts of new nuclear energy capacity, according to the administrations new strategy. One gigawatt can power roughly 750,000 to 1 million homes for a year, though the exact amount varies by region and depends on energy use.

The United States currently has 94 operating reactors that produce power without emitting planet-warming greenhouse gases. Nuclear power has provided about one-fifth of the nations electricity since the 1990s.

Among the steps to expand nuclear power, the strategy recommends building large gigawatt-scale reactors, constructing small modular reactors and microreactors, extending the lifespan of some existing reactors and working to restart ones that retired for economic reasons. It also recommends improving licensing and developing the nuclear workforce.

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President-elect Donald Trump has said he is also interested in developing the next generation of nuclear reactors that are smaller than traditional reactors.

For a company like Centrus, the business strategy includes producing uranium enriched to levels that are standard in the nuclear power plants operating today, plus at a higher level for the type of commercial small reactors that are being developed in the U.S., though none are under construction yet. Centrus' subsidiary, American Centrifuge Operating, was one of four companies awarded a Department of Energy contract aimed at growing the higher-level uranium enrichment.

Some advocates have raised concerns about the more highly enriched uranium.

Edwin Lyman, the director of nuclear power at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said his group thinks the uranium is enriched enough in the process to make nuclear weapons, and worries about the security of keeping the material from getting into the wrong hands either at enrichment facilities, en route elsewhere or at some of the small reactors still in the works.

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The concern is that we believe that this material is more dangerous than is currently widely accepted, Lyman said.

Asked about those kind of concerns, Vexler praised the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission as the best regulator in the business, saying regulators ensure the material is safeguarded properly.

___

Associated Press writer Jennifer McDermott contributed from Providence, Rhode Island.
The closure of the US Embassy in Kyiv on 20 November is related to the threat of a combined Russian strike using drones and missiles. There is currently no indication of a nuclear strike threat.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda sources in the embassy

Quote from the source: "The closure of the embassy is linked to a warning of an air raid, including an increased potential threat of a combined drone and missile attack, as has occurred recently. We are continuing to monitor the situation, working with our Ukrainian partners."

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Details: Asked whether the closure of the embassy is related to Russia's statement on changing its nuclear doctrine and lowering the threshold for a nuclear strike, the source reiterated that the closure of the diplomatic mission is "linked to the ongoing threat of air attacks."

US citizens are advised to stay informed through local media, to identify the nearest shelters in advance, and, in the event of an air raid warning-raid warning, to immediately take cover.

Previously:

Earlier, the United States decided to close its embassy in Kyiv on 20 November after receiving information about the threat of a major Russian strike on this day.

The Spanish and Italian embassies in Kyiv also reported that they had temporarily ceased operations in the capital after receiving "specific" intelligence about the threat of a large-scale air strike on 20 November.

The Air Force of Ukraine reported that the Russians had been attacking Ukraine since the evening of 19 November with 122 Shahed drones and unidentified type UAVs, an S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile, and five Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missiles; 56 Russian drones and two missiles were destroyed.

Background:

On 19 November, Russia updated its nuclear doctrine shortly after the White House allowed Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons to strike deep into Russia. One condition for the use of nuclear weapons is the "launch of ballistic missiles".

On 17 November, The New York Times reported that US President Joe Biden had for the first time authorised Ukrainian forces to use long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory.

On 19 November, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had attacked the arsenal of the main missile and artillery department in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast, using ATACMS missiles.

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By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group of nine Democratic senators on Wednesday urged U.S. auto regulators to move quickly to issue new vehicle safety rules in the face of traffic deaths that remain significantly above pre-COVID levels.

Senators Ed Markey, Richard Blumenthal, Dick Durbin, Jack Reed, Ron Wyden and others wrote the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) asking the agency why it has missed some deadlines for writing new safety regulations.

U.S. traffic deaths jumped 10.5% in 2021 to 42,915, the highest number of people killed on American roads in a single year since 2005. Deaths have fallen but remain higher than any prepandemic year since 2008.

NHTSA this year finalized rules to require automatic emergency braking in cars and light trucks by 2029 and proposed new seatback safety standards to prevent rear passengers from being killed by collapsing front seats. It also proposed rules to address risks of pedestrians hit by vehicle hoods.

Although this progress is encouraging, NHTSA has more work to do," the senators wrote. "The agency must still finalize some of its proposed rules and has not yet issued rules for many provisions  rules that are already overdue or nearing their statutory deadline."

NHTSA did not immediately comment.

A 2021 infrastructure law included 10 new auto safety provisions including modernizing standards for crash avoidance technologies, automatic engine shutoff devices and headlights.

The law directs NHTSA to set rules requiring future new vehicles include technology to prevent alcohol impaired drivers from driving by November but the agency has not done so.

NHTSA missed a distracted driving study deadline and not issued rules due by November 2023 requiring new cars to be equipped with systems to alert drivers to check rear seats after vehicle shutoff.

NHTSA's slow pace of writing new regulations has come under fire and the agency is often years behind congressional deadlines to write rules. NHTSA in recent years has made progress on addressing some long-standing regulations.

In June, a group representing General Motors , Toyota, Volkswagen and other major automakers asked it to reconsider the automatic emergency braking rule.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Michael Perry)
Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US Department of State, has announced that the US Embassy in Kyiv, which suspended operations on 20 November due to reports of a potential Russian attack, will resume normal operations on Thursday, 21 November.

Source: European Pravda, citing Miller at a briefing

Details: Miller declined to provide further information about the threat that led to the embassy in Kyiv suspending operations, stating only that it was "something we are following closely" and that the State Department "takes the safety of its personnel extremely seriously".

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The spokesman added that the US expected to resume normal operations of the embassy the following day.

He refused to say whether the threat envisaged by the US security services had come to pass, only noting that "Ukraine has been subjected to extremely large-scale air strikes in recent days".

Miller also stressed that no one from the US Embassy in Kyiv had left Ukraine.

Background:

The United States urged its citizens in Ukraine to exercise maximum caution due to the risk of a major aerial attack by Russia. On 20 November, the US Embassy switched to remote work.

Spain, Greece and Italy followed the US in closing their embassies for security reasons.

Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the shift to remote work by the US Embassy and some other foreign diplomatic missions in Ukraine as an "information overreaction".

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The United States has once again blocked the adoption of a legally binding UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Robert Wood, the deputy US ambassador to the United Nations, vetoed the resolution in the Security Council on Wednesday. All other members of the 15-member body voted in favour.

The text was submitted by all 10 non-permanent members of the UN's most powerful body.

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After weeks of negotiations and changes at the request of the US, there was still disagreement in the end.

The US, a staunch ally of Israel, had demanded unsuccessfully to have the ceasefire linked to the release of hostages still being held by militants in the Palestinian territory.
The United States has once again blocked the adoption of a legally binding UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Robert Wood, the deputy US ambassador to the United Nations, vetoed the resolution in the Security Council on Wednesday. All other members of the 15-member body voted in favour.

The text was submitted by all 10 non-permanent members of the UN's most powerful body.

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But after weeks of negotiations and changes at the request of the US, there was still disagreement.

The US, a staunch ally of Israel, had demanded unsuccessfully to have the ceasefire linked to the release of hostages still being held by Hamas militants in the Palestinian territory.

Wood defended the US position: "This resolution would have sent a dangerous message to Hamas: there's no need to come back to the negotiating table."

He said it was the Islamist group, not Israel, that was standing in the way of a solution to the conflict.

Leading diplomats on the Security Council have recently expressed increasing frustration with Washington, which they feel has been unwilling to put greater pressure on the Israeli government.

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"No matter how hard we tried, today's US veto is inevitable," one diplomat said before the vote.

Voting despite the certain US veto was also seen as a way of making the US position public.

The atmosphere in the Security Council has long been frosty, partly because of constant obstructions by Russia - which is a permanent member - in matters relating to the Ukraine war.

However, ambassadors reported that relations have reached a new low in recent weeks.

The US has blocked a number of UN draft resolutions, including at least four relating to ceasefires, since the Hamas attack on Israel more than a year ago and the subsequent devastating war in Gaza.

Only the permanent members - the US, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom - have the right to veto resolutions.
The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, on the grounds it would not have secured the release of hostages.

We made clear throughout negotiations we could not support an unconditional ceasefire that failed to release the hostages. Because, as this council has previously called for, a durable end to the war must come with the release of the hostages, Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood said following the veto Wednesday.

These two urgent goals are inextricably linked. This resolution abandoned that necessity, and for that reason, the United States could not support it, Wood added.

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Seven American citizens are still being held in Gaza. We will not forget them, he said.

The resolution put to the 15-member council by its 10 non-permanent members demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire to be respected by all parties; and further reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

However, US officials said the language was not strong enough as it did not condition the ceasefire on the release of the hostages.

Wood claimed that the authors of the resolution had declined to consider compromise language that could have led to its passage, noting also that it failed to condemn Hamas for its October 7 terrorist attack.

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Only the US voted against the resolution, using its position as one of the five permanent members of the council to veto it.

The other four permanent members voted for it  including the UK, which has previously abstained from three other ceasefire resolutions shot down by the US.

Before the vote, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said approval of the resolution would have been a betrayal.

Veto emboldens Israel: Palestinian Authority

Palestinian officials condemned the veto. There is no right to mass killing of civilians. There is no right to starve an entire civilian population. There is no right to forcibly displace a people. And there is no right to annexation. This is what Israel is doing in Gaza, said Majed Bamya, deputy ambassador to the Palestine mission to the UN.

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The Palestinian Authority presidency said the US move emboldens Israel to continue its crimes against innocent civilians in Palestine and Lebanon, according to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.

The councils 10 elected members (E10) that sponsored the draft resolution were deeply disappointed it was not adopted, according to Guyana Ambassador Carolyn Allison Rodrigues-Birkett. Guyana is one of the E10.

Permanent member France also expressed disappointment. There is an obvious urgency to implement an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. This is the only way to guarantee the protection of all civilians and the massive and unhindered delivery of emergency aid, Frances UN representative Nicolas de Riviere said.

The UKs Ambassador Barbara Woodward described its decision to back the resolution as an expression of our determination to end this war, stop the suffering in Gaza and secure the immediate release of the hostages.

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In June, the Security Council approved a US-backed ceasefire plan to end the war. Fourteen of the 15 members voted in favor, with only Russia abstaining  the first time the UNSC had endorsed such a plan.

However, following the vote, Israel vowed to persist with its military operation, saying it would not engage in meaningless negotiations with Hamas.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  Routine audits of the University of Texas at Austins website are flagging words related to diversity, equity and inclusion, also known as DEI.



This is part of the universitys effort to find potential DEI programs or events that are no longer allowed, according to a UT spokesperson. State lawmakers banned DEI programs or events on public university campuses earlier this year.

UT System shuts down 21 DEI offices and cuts hundreds of positions to comply with law

A post of some of the words UT is reportedly flagging circulated online. Some of those words included:

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Diversity

DEI

Diverse

DEAI

Equity

Equitable

Inclusive

Inclusion

Safe space

BIPOC

Implicit bias

Intersectionality

Anti-racist

Oppression

Gender identity

LGBTQ

Lesbian

Gay

Bisexual

Trans

Queer

Nonbinary

Decolonize

Colonizer

Marginalized

Underserved

Microagression

Whiteness

Anti-Colonialism

Institutional racism

Systematic racism

White privilege

White fragility

Social justice

Bias

Racism

Minority

Latino

Latinx

Latina

Privilege

Ally

Those words describe friends of mine, and thats really concerning to me, Annie Franklin, a UT Austin student in the College of Liberal Arts, said.

Some students worry this could affect their classes.



Its just way too ambiguous of an action, Raquel Rubiano, another UT Austin student in the College of Liberal Arts, said.



UT said the words it flags arent banned or deleted from its website or any curriculum.

The university routinely scans its website as a means to identify programming or events, unrelated to academic and research functions, that may not be permitted under SB17. The scans were first implemented in fall 2023 in advance of the laws effective date and include a list of terms that are guides for identifying potentially non-compliant functions that require review. University of Texas at Austin

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But professors are going to feel scared, administrators are going to feel scared, students are going to feel scared when theyre being told that their language is being watched in this way, Franklin said.

According to UT, it said less than 1% of content highlighted in these scans has been found to prompt review of activities that are potentially noncompliant. SB 17 does require universities to continue ongoing efforts to stay in compliance with the law.



Its unclear how many DEI-related words have been flagged on UTs website since it started these audits last fall. KXAN was told we must file a public open records request to get that information.



According to UT employees, theres also an upcoming mandatory SB 17 training, but its not clear which employees will be required to do that.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Albert Einstein reportedly once wrote that lifes a lot like riding a bicycle  if you want to stay balanced, youve got to keep moving forward.

The authors of a performance audit presented Tuesday to Utahs Legislative Audit Subcommittee would likely say the same thing about the states system of higher education: Keep peddling forward.

Utahs degree-granting public institutions face disruptive challenges in the very near future, according to a report prepared by the Office of the Legislative Auditor General.

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Student enrollment in public schools, the report warned, is projected to decline  even as competing private institutions are expanding and employers are relaxing degree standards.

The Utah System of Higher Education must proactively prepare for shifting supply and demand for future skilled labor.

Additionally, Utahs college and university presidents do not have the information required to determine which degree programs are efficient. And coordination gaps between the schools could derail optimal success if not remedied.

A more unified and coordinated system of higher education is needed in Utah moving forward, the report concluded.

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The audit noted there are positive things happening in the governance of Utahs higher education system  including the creation of a centralized budget request process for each institution, along with stronger tuition oversight and increased scrutiny of institutions creation of new programs.

But the report also emphasized a trio of challenges demanding the attention of Utahs higher education institutions.

The audits central message If colleges and universities expect to stay relevant, they will need to move forward and adapt.

First challenge: Projected enrollment decline

Utahs public colleges and universities are currently enjoying booming enrollment numbers.

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But after 2028, enrollment at the states higher education institutions is expected to slowly decline.

By 2060, Utahs school- and college-age groups are projected to represent only 15% and 10% of the population, respectively, according to the audit.

The states higher education system, wrote the authors, will have to adapt to optimize existing and future resources.

Second challenge: Relaxed degree standards

Increasingly, employers in Utah and across the country are eliminating the requirement for a bachelors degree. Auditors do offer a caveat to that trend, acknowledging that some degrees are more highly-valued for some positions and that current economic factors may influence such trends.

Third challenge: Decrease in demand

Private and online degree-granting institutions are increasingly attracting in-state students. Utahs system of higher education, according to the report, must increase efficiency and maximize taxpayer funding to better compete.

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Over the past eight years, the costs of operating Utahs higher education institutions outpaced student enrollment increases. Because USHE institutions continue to grow in many ways despite decelerated increases in student enrollment, the system will need to find ways to adapt and become more efficient, according to the report.

To meet such challenges and remain relevant, auditors recommended that Utahs higher education presidents prioritize programs that attract students.

According to Envision Utahs 2023 High School Survey, the most important factor for students planning to attend college is employment outcomes. This aligns with national sentiment.

Auditors recommended that the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education work with institutions to develop and oversee a uniform methodology to calculate program-level return on investment  including program costs and completion rates.

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Additionally, the OCHE and school presidents should use program costs, enrollments, completion rates, employment outcomes and workforce demand to determine if programs should be expanded, reduced or discontinued.

Better coordination is also needed between the OCHE and Utahs Department of Workforce Services to align workforce demand data, driving proper programmatic investment of taxpayer funds.

Auditors pointed out that professions such as nursing and accounting are industries where Utahs public schools are not currently supplying the full workforce demands. Private, nontraditional institutions are gaining ground and claiming increases in the industry market shares.

House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, noted his concern that growing numbers of Utah students are utilizing the costly private sector to, say, pursue high-demand nursing education.

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In their report, auditors recommended that lawmakers consider the costs and benefits of providing targeted funding to areas of high workforce need  and consider holding institutions more accountable for the funding they provide to these areas of high workforce need.

Needed: Better system-wide coordination and planning  and less competition

The audit also concluded that the states degree-granting institutions are not fully coordinated. In fact, institutions are engaging in competitive behavior when some institutions are not positioned to succeed.

Such competition environments could undermine successful outcomes.

By competitive environment we do not imply that institutions should not strive to excel and achieve. Our concern, rather, is where individual institutional interests work against creating the most efficient use of public funds.

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Data can also be utilized to eliminate inefficiencies across Utahs public universities and colleges, according to the report. Auditors discovered some potentially unnecessary duplication in some programs  including programs with low student enrollment and graduations.

We conclude that institutions must be more detailed and discerning in their justified need for programs.

For some degree programs, the report suggested that institutions can find partnering opportunities to more efficiently deliver similar learning across the system.

Additionally, some degree programs being offered at Utah institutions have graduates being paid near the federal poverty line. Other programs have low job placement.

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We acknowledge that some programs may provide a social good that transcends pay considerations, the report noted. However, it is also worth noting that USHE institutions offer programs that lead to poorer student outcomes than other programs.

With better data, presidents can position their institutions to make data informed decisions and act more collaboratively.

House Minority Leader Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, commented during the auditors review Tuesday that some of the classes she had while a student at the University of Utah would likely not be classified as high performing.

But they helped me become a more well-rounded person, she said, adding that simply drawing from data points may not reveal the whole picture, when were talking about higher education.

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Senator Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City, said he supports institution presidents finding solutions to ensure their graduates are prepared for the workforce, but added he also understands Romeros sentiments.

Vickers remembers taking classes in college that did not lead directly to his degree, but they helped solidify my own thought processes.

Schultz referenced low-demand degrees being offered across multiple institutions. Clearly, resources are not being allocated to where the growth needs are  and in some cases, they are being allocated to where we are not being that efficient.

Finally, auditors recommended that the Legislature should consider requiring the Utah Board of Education to perform ongoing review of programs, administration and other operational efficiencies within the states higher education system.

Geoffrey Landward, Utahs commissioner of higher education, said his office accepts all of the audits recommendations. Were already making progress  and were looking forward to continued partnership with you as legislative leaders, with our presidents and with the governors office to deliver for the state.

Schultz thanked the auditors for their rigor and careful study of the states higher education system. He added hes optimistic about the opportunities awaiting the states colleges and universities because of the capacity and commitment of the states school presidents and higher education leaders.

You guys will be leading the nation and producing what students are looking for  as well as what the industries, economies and the overall society is looking for, he said.

Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, said higher education is at a turning point in the state and asked for continued inclusion in the discussion for Democrats on Capitol Hill.

We have experts in many of these areas and we deeply care. Our districts are very committed to making sure we have the higher education system that our residents and citizens of this great state deserve and need. I think were moving in the right direction.

Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, concluded the discussion of the audit, saying theres never been a greater need for higher education, innovation and research than there is today.
The office of the Utah Attorney General at the Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Utahs attorney general is joining a coalition of 17 other states pushing back on the federal governments attempt to regulate cryptocurrencies, arguing that authority should instead be left to states.

Sean Reyes, who did not run for reelection as the Utah Attorney General, signed the state onto a complaint this week alleging the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission, or SEC, is imposing regulations that contradict existing state laws.

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Reyes will be replaced in January by Republican Derek Brown, the states attorney general-elect.

Some states have imposed their own regulations surrounding cryptocurrency, a growing form of digital, decentralized currency that works through a computer network and doesnt rely on a bank or government to be upheld.

But the SEC, according to the complaint, has not respected this allocation of authority.

Instead, without Congressional authorization, the SEC has sought to unilaterally wrest regulatory authority away from the States through an ongoing series of enforcement actions targeting the digital asset industry, reads a complaint, filed in federal court in Kentuckys Eastern District.

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The SECs regulatory approach is based on the idea that all purchases and sales of digital assets are investment contracts, according to the complaint, which means they qualify as securities transactions.

That means all digital asset platforms need to register with the SEC as securities exchanges, dealers, brokers and clearing agencies to comply with federal law, which subjects the entire digital asset industry to a single ill-fitting regime that Congress enacted for an entirely different kind of financial instrument, the states allege.

Claiming the policy violates the Administrative Procedures Act, the complaint asks the court to declare the policy unlawful and prevent the SEC from taking any kind of enforcement action.

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The SEC is drastically and illegally overstepping its limited authority by enforcing out-of-date legal theories in a desperate attempt to suppress the trillion-dollar digital asset industry, Reyes said in a statement. The desire to protect those who buy crypto is understandable. But there are ways to do so constitutionally. There are sound approaches that states like Utah have taken to balance blockchain growth and safeguards. The SECs attempt to regulate into oblivion most digital assets is wholly improper.

In addition to Utah, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia all signed onto the complaint.

The DeFi Education Fund, an advocacy group promoting decentralized currency, also signed onto the lawsuit.

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ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  The University of Texas Permian Basin is partnering with Ector County ISD to offer almost 900 direct admissions for students at multiple campuses.

Students that meet the admission criteria will be not have to fill out the Apply Texas application.



We want to celebrate and recognize the hard work that students have done on the academic and the credential development side, and we want to eliminate the tedious tasks to go in and do that application, said Teresa Simpson, the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management at UTPB.

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The direct admission also comes along with the students merit scholarships. Representatives from UTPB will work with the students one-on-one to help them figure out the next steps in their journey to college.



Over 90% of our students are on some type of scholarship or financial assistance, so we have that affordability Simpson said. Also, if your family earns $100,000 or less, then you qualify for our Falcon Free program. I mean, we just have every opportunity for our students to continue their college degree with the University of Texas Permian Basin. We eliminate those financial barriers.

The program originally rolled out last spring, and since then, UTPB has seen a 4.4% increase in freshman enrollment.

Permian Basin teachers and students adapt to AI in the classroom

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What an exciting opportunity for the students of this region. What an exciting opportunity for our region as a whole said Simpson. We are cultivating a college-going culture and we are making true impact in the Permian Basin to really provide a quality workforce. And thats what this is all about.

The direct admission program has expanded to Ector County ISD, Midland ISD, McCamey ISD and Alpine ISD.

To learn more about the program, click here.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Vancouver Fire Department rescued a boater and their pet dog when choppy conditions at the Marine Park Boat Launch made it untenable for them to return to the dock Tuesday evening, authorities said.

Around 6:30 p.m., Vancouver Fire responded to a report of the distressed boater who was unable to get close enough to the dock to get off due to storm conditions and an unstable dock.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer touted for US Labor Secretary

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The fire crew made contact with the man in the 32-foot sailboat partially tied to the very unsteady dock, tried to help him and his dog get down but the boat was too far away to do so safely.

After that, the fire department enlisted the use of a Fire Boat, at first attempting to use it to push the sailboat closer to the dock but the conditions on the water did not allow this to happen.

A rescue swimmer was then deployed to the sailboat and was able to move the dog and the male subject to the Fire Boat, in a highly technical maneuver, Vancouver Fire said in a release.

There were no injuries and all parties and pets were reunited with their loved ones, officials said.

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VANDALIA, Ohio (WDTN)  Vandalia residents are invited to a communal dinner on Thanksgiving day.

New Point Community Church is hosting a dinner for the community following a special Thanksgiving service beginning at 11 a.m.

Heres why you shouldnt warm up your car in the winter: police

The church is hosting the event to be a bridge to people who would otherwise be spending the day alone.

We want everyone to feel the love of the church, the love of community, and most importantly, the love of Christ. No one should spend Thanksgiving alone, said Pastor Chris Heeter.

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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Two separate swastikas were discovered in Prince William County in the past week, police confirmed Tuesday.

The first swastika was found on the 11700 block of Robert E. Lee Drive in Bristow on Nov. 13, the Prince William County Police Department (PWCPD) said. Officers responded to a report of vandalism around 10:30 a.m. and found several swastikas and vulgar language spray-painted near a neighborhood pond.

PWCPD said that the drawings seemed to have been there for some time. No threats were immediately evident.

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Former Montgomery County teacher sentenced to 1 year for sexually abusing student

The second incident happened at Colgan High School on Dumfries Road in Manassas. PWCPD said that at around 9 a.m. on Nov. 15, someone reported finding swastikas and vulgar language on a bathroom stall door.

PWCPD said that the drawings did not contain any threats. School staff removed the drawings.

Colgan High School sent families the following letter that same day.

Dear Colgan High School Families, I am writing to share with you that disturbing symbols and language, one anti-Semitic and one racist, were found inscribed in one of our restrooms at our school. Upon discovery, we took immediate action to remove the symbols and have initiated an investigation to identify those responsible. We are working closely with the Prince William County Police Department to address this incident appropriately and prevent any such occurrences in the future. Our school is committed to ensuring every student feels safe, respected, and valued. The offensive symbols and language discovered represent a hateful ideology that has no place here or in society. This incident reminds us to work together to foster an inclusive community that stands against hate and bigotry. Please discuss this with your children and reinforce our core values of inclusion and respect. We believe diversity is our strength, and we are committed to welcoming environments for all students and families. Thank you for your support and cooperation in maintaining the integrity of our schoolenvironment. Letter from Colgan High School Principal Tim Healey

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Nov. 19GREENE  A car fire ignited grass on the side of Daggett Hill Road, which spread into a wooded area on property belonging to Central Maine Power, officials said Tuesday.

Early reports indicated a vehicle fire broke out on the side of Daggett Hill Road, adjacent to Route 202. The fire reportedly spread into the woods and then onto Central Maine Power property.

CMP spokesperson Jonathan Breed said the fire caused no structural damage to the poles and electric service was uninterrupted.

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Multiple fire departments responded to the blaze, and firefighters shut down traffic on Route 202 and Daggett Hill Road while a helicopter from Maine Forest Service was reportedly requested.

Greene Fire Department and Maine Forest Service were not immediately available for details.

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Sweetser to open Lewiston Hope & Healing Center next to Just-In-Time Recreation

Fire at former Elan School in Poland still under investigation
A jury has reached a verdict in the case of a former Preble County deputy who served as a school resource officer accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.

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Mason Williams, 26, was found guilty on Wednesday of two counts of sexual battery and one count of tampering with evidence.

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As News Center 7 previously reported, Williams had been accused of being in a consensual relationship with an 18-year-old student at National Trail High School outside of the school setting earlier this year.

Williams had been the student resource officer at the National Trail School District for roughly two years.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Williams had deleted electronic correspondence with the victim, which led to the tampering with evidence charge.

The case marked the fourth case involving illegal sexual conduct with a student that the Ohio Attorney Generals Office has prosecuted in recent years, according to Dave Yosts office.

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Parents shouldnt have to worry about predators when they send their kids to school, Yost said. There is no age or no so-called consent that makes a school employee having sex with a student appropriate.

Williams will be sentenced on Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. On top of potential prison time, he will also have to be required to register as a sexual offender for the rest of his life.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The verdict has been announced in the case of a former Preble County deputy sheriff and National Trail school resource officer accused of sexual battery.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Wednesday that Mason Williams, 26, of Eaton, was convicted on the following charges:

2 counts of sexual battery

1 count of tampering with evidence

According to Yost, an investigation found Williams deleted electronic correspondence with the victim. Yost claims that prompted the tampering with evidence charge.

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In March, 2 NEWS reported Williams was accused of being in a relationship with an 18-year-old student.

Parents shouldnt have to worry about predators when they send their kids to school, Yost said. There is no age or no so-called consent that makes a school employee having sex with a student appropriate.

Williams is facing potential prison time. He will also have to register as a sexual offender for the rest of his life, according to Yost.

He will be sentenced at 1 p.m. on Dec. 16.

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Attorney General Charity Clark has declined to pursue charges against Trooper Adam Roaldi for an incident that left a man dead in June.
Cooler air moved into New Mexico Tuesday, but its going to be very cold Wednesday morning. For many, it will be the coldest temperatures since last winter.

Breezy winds have returned again Wednesday afternoon, with northwesterly winds gusting over 30 mph at times across the northern half of New Mexico. This is also where weve seen a drop in high temperatures today. Most areas have only made it into the 40s and low 50s this afternoon while southern New Mexico has climbed back into the 60s again. Winds will die down tonight as extremely dry air continues to move in. Skies will stay clear too. This combination, combined with already cool air, will bring the coldest temperatures since early this year to New Mexico. The Albuquerque Metro will drop into the 20s and upper teens, while parts of western and northern New Mexico will even drop into the single digits!

A warming trend begins Wednesday afternoon. High temperatures will continue to warm through this upcoming weekend when highs will be back above average statewide. Winds will stay light all week too with dry weather sticking around. Some changes arrive to the forecast though beginning Sunday, with some moisture beginning to move into southern Colorado. This will eventually move into northern New Mexico by next Monday and Tuesday. This could bring in some light rain to lower elevations and light to moderate snowfall in the northern mountains and southern Colorado.

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Tuesday marked 1,000 days since Russias invasion of Ukraine, and tensions are escalating rapidly. After receiving approval from President Biden, Ukraine launched American-made long-range missiles into Russias Bryansk region, striking a weapons depot. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a lowering of the threshold for initiating a nuclear attack, raising alarms worldwide. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., a vocal opponent of additional U.S. aid to Ukraine, and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor join NewsNations CUOMO to discuss how serious the latest threats are.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A quarter of a century ago, a Nashville mother disappeared without a trace.

On November 19, 1999, Laresha Deana Walker was supposed to head to Murfreesboro to get her car appraised. However, when her sister went to Lareshas home the following day, she was already gone.

RELATED: We just want closure: Nashville moms disappearance still a mystery 24 years later

The last time Rayvon saw his mother, he was just 2 years old. Rayvon told News 2 that he has faith and takes it one day at a time.

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Its my mom, so its hard, Rayvon said. Its definitely hard. Every day, I just take it one day at a time. Youve just got to have faith. Thats all you can do at this point.

On Tuesday, Lareshas loved ones gathered near the spot where she was last seen to honor her memory. Rayvon said that family members usually gather on Lareshas birthday and on the anniversary of her disappearance.

Rayvon added that he was especially grateful that everyone braved Tuesdays dreary weather to show support and keep his mothers memory alive.

Everybody deals with it in their own way, Rayvon said. Every day, we do what we can to keep our faith that were going to figure out what happened.

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Not only does the family keep faith with Lareshas case, but theyre also still searching for answers in the disappearance of Lareshas mother Wanda Walker. Wanda went missing in October 2016.

RELATED: Family seeks answers after Nashville mother, daughter go missing 17 years apart

Their cases are two of hundreds on Nashvilles new cold case website. Entries on the website feature case descriptions and some images with the hope that people may come forward with fresh information.

Police have not been able to locate her red, four-door, 1995 Oldsmobile Achieva with the Tennessee license plate number 419ABG. If you have any information about Lareshas case, youre asked to call (615) 862-8600. You can also call the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPDs) Crime Stoppers line at (615) 742-7463.

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A 46-year-old Riverside County man was taken into custody after a group of vigilante teenagers, one of whom the man had sent nude photographs of himself, set up a sting to have him arrested late last week.

The Nov. 15 incident, according to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriffs Department, unfolded around 4:30 p.m. at Nicolas Road Park in Temecula.

Authorities told KTLAs Shelby Nelson that deputies were tipped off that the suspect, now identified as Homeland resident William Vandenbush, was allegedly meeting a minor at the park for sexual purposes.

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When deputies arrived at to that scene, there were probably 20 other juveniles there, RCSD Sgt. Diedre Vickers told KTLA.

While many of the teens had their cellphones out and recorded the encounter, deputies detained the 46-year-old and waited for detectives to respond to the scene.

The investigation revealed that Vandenbush sent nude photographs and agreed to meet a minor for sexual purposes, the release detailed.

William Vandenbush, 46, a resident of Homeland. (RCSD) Nicolas Road Park in Temecula seen on Nov. 19, 2024. (KTLA)

The Homeland resident was arrested and booked at the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta to await charges for sending harmful matter to a minor, contacting a minor for sexual purposes and arranging to meet with a minor for sexual purposes.

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Good for the teens but scary at the same time, Faye Houck, a Murrieta resident who often brings her children to the park.

She and Tamryn Jung, also a mother from Murrieta, said that they find the situation alarming because of the risks of confronting an alleged sexual predator.

Im a former teacher and I would say that although they think its admirable, that they wanted to do this, I think the risk would outweigh the benefits, Jung said.

L.A. Metro drivers ex-boyfriend boards bus, shoots her in face

Sgt. Vickers agreed, saying these situations are even dangerous for law enforcement who have the proper training in these situations.

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Not just kids, its risky for anyone that decides to do this type of vigilante investigation, she explained. Youre catching someone at their most vulnerable time. Theres no way to predict what theyre going to do, how theyre going to react.

The Sheriffs Departments news release echoed Vickers comments, saying, This action unnecessarily jeopardized the safety of everyone in the vicinity of the park.

The investigation into the incident remains open and anyone with information is urged to contact Investigator Alissa Morris or Deputy Kevin Au at 951-696-3000.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Viola Davis became one of Hollywood's most revered actors through an array of powerful roles, from  Fences  to  The Woman King, and now her decorated career has earned her one of the Golden Globes' highest honors.

Davis will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 82nd annual awards ceremony on Jan 5, the Golden Globes announced Wednesday morning. The actor has won praise for a string of compelling characters in films such as The Help,  Ma Rainey's Black Bottom  and Doubt, while captivating TV audiences through the legal thriller drama How to Get Away with Murder.

Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne called Davis a luminary," and expressed admiration for the actor's dedication to her craft and impact on the industry.

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"Violas courage in portraying complex, powerful characters has broken barriers and paved new paths, making her an emblem of excellence and an ideal recipient of this prestigious award, Hoehne said.

The DeMille Award has been bestowed to 69 of Hollywood's greatest talents. Past recipients include Tom Hanks, Jeff Bridges, Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman, Meryl Streep, Barbra Streisand and Sidney Poitier.

Nominations for the upcoming Globes show are scheduled to be announced Dec. 9.

Davis, 59, has two Tonys, most recently for Fences in 2010, she won an Emmy in 2015 for How to Get Away with Murder, and an Oscar and Golden Globe in 2016 for the film version of Fences. She achieved EGOT status after winning a Grammy last year for best audio book, narration, and storytelling recording for her memoir Finding Me.

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In 2022, Davis was honored with the Public Counsels William O Douglas Award for her commitment to social justice causes. She has partnered with multiple programs to eradicate childhood hunger in the United States.

Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, founded a production company, JuVee Productions, which develops and produces independent films, theater, television and digital content. Earlier this year, the company filmed an action thriller for Amazon Studios in Cape Town and reportedly plans to return to South Africa to film the true story of a young African refugee's journey to the U.S.

Davis and the 2025 Carol Burnett Award winner, honoring television achievements, will be praised at a gala dinner Jan. 3 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. For the first time, the Globes will host a separate event dedicated to both awards.

Davis will be recognized during the awards ceremony broadcast.
The state Capitol. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)

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A Circuit Court judge in the western part of the state has ruled that Gov. Glenn Youngkins decision to withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was unlawful.

The General Assembly passed a resolution to join the initiative in 2020.

The initiative is a multistate coalition that intends to reduce the use of fossil fuels as an energy source and to encourage a shift to renewable energy by requiring energy producers to buy allowances for each metric ton of carbon they produce. Producers can only buy a limited number, which decreases over time.

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Other members include Maine, Vermont, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. New Jersey left the program at one point, but later rejoined.

Youngkin sought to pull the state from the initiative, saying it forces power companies to buy allowances that will raise the cost of energy for consumers. He signed an executive order in 2022 that directed the Department of Environmental Quality to leave RGGI, and Virginia officially withdrew in 2023. On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the governor reiterated that staying in RGGI puts a regressive tax, hidden in utility bills onto Virginians.

Judge C. Randall Lowe, who sits in the district that includes courts in Floyd County and issued the decision, said the ability to leave RGGI belongs to the General Assembly, not the governor.

This is because a statute, the RGGI Act, requires the RGGI to exist, Lowes decision reads. If (Youngkin) had merely amended the RGGI Regulation in ways that were not inconsistent with the RGGI Act, it is doubtful that their authority to do so could be challenged. But that is not what happened here.

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Since the withdrawal last year, environmental groups have advocated to rejoin the initiative. In a statement, Nate Benforado, a senior attorney for the Southern Environment Law Center, said Lowes decision affirms that the state should have never left RGGI.

The law requires RGGI and Virginians deserve RGGI, Benforado said. We hope that following the ruling, Virginia will get back into this statutorily-required program as quickly as possible.

Billy Weitzenfeld, former executive director of the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, said the decision will allow for residents who had previously benefitted from the RGGI to have those benefits again. The initiative had collected more than $500 million for the commonwealth, and half of the money was earmarked for energy-saving projects for low-income families and the other half for the Community Flood Preparedness Fund.

According to previous reporting from The Virginian-Pilot, grants included approximately: $1 million to Chesapeake for structural flood walls and stormwater system upgrades; $3 million to Virginia Beach for wetland restoration along the Elizabeth River; $4 million to Hampton for flooding prevention efforts along Lake Hampton and North Armistead Avenue; $5 million to Newport News to develop a master plan on managing climate change; and $24 million to Norfolk for a flood protection barrier system.

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Senate Republicans echoed Youngkins concerns that the initiative would move more costs onto consumers and their energy bills.

This decision ignores the economic impact of RGGI on Virginians, said state Sen. Mark Obenshain, Chair of the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. We remain committed to supporting efforts to lower energy costs and ensure Virginias future is not dictated by an ineffective program. I do not believe that this decision will stand on appeal.

State House Speaker Don Scott said in a statement that the decision is a win for Virginians who have experienced severe flooding.

Programs funded by RGGI have helped Virginians cut household energy costs, helped protect communities from floodwaters, and have been critical in the fight to cut pollution and address climate change, Scott said. Todays decision saves hardworking Virginians money by ensuring the resources generated by RGGI are used to protect our communities.

Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A visiting judge Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court denied a request for a special prosecutor to investigate whether there was a cover-up when a county employee was fired in 2022.

Read next: Car that caused rush hour crash was going 100 mph: YPD

Visiting Judge Mark Wiest of Wayne County told attorney Martin Desmond, who filed the request in October, that he did not see any evidence submitted that would show the need for a special prosecutor to investigate the actions of several county officials after employee Ricky Morrison was fired in 2022.

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Desmond said he would appeal.

This is contrary to the law, Desmond said.

In his request, Desmond said he had new evidence from DeGenovas estranged husband, who claimed he heard DeGenova talk with others about the firing.

Morrison was reinstated and sued the county in federal court over his firing in December 2022. The parties reached a settlement in that case.

DeGenova said the request should be denied and the case dismissed because Maros election makes the issue a moot point. She said Desmond contended a special prosecutor would be needed because she had a conflict of interest in investigating the case, but because she is no longer a prosecutor, the decision should be up to Maro.

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Desmond said Maro could not make a decision because she represented the commissioners who would be witnesses in the case or subjects of an investigation, which is a conflict of interest. He said Wiest had the authority to appoint a prosecutor to look into the matter.

Wiest also asked Desmond what evidence he had. Desmond said he had evidence he cited in a civil complaint he filed with the request and went over that with the judge, saying there were witnesses, conversations and threats made against DeGenovas estranged husband.

What Im reading is youre saying a lot of lying is going on, Wiest said.

At the end of the day, someone lied, Desmond said.

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Desmond said he was not aware of the evidence that DeGenovas husband would provide until September and he began working on the case right away but was delayed because of an illness in his family.

Attorney Todd Raskins, representing DeGenova, said the judge should at least hold a hearing to see if a special prosecutor is needed and if DeGenova has a conflict of interest if he would not dismiss the case.

Desmond said a hearing is not needed and that state law does not allow the judge to hold a hearing, only to determine if a special prosecutor is needed.

Despite what Desmond told him earlier, Wiest said Desmond did not give any evidence that any crimes may have been committed.

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The only thing Im seeing here is youre saying these people lied, Wiest said.

Afterward, DeGenova said, I am very pleased with the courts decision today. She said she wishes Maro luck as she takes over the prosecutors office in January.

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The language of Ballot Measure 2 appears on Alaska's 2024 absentee ballots. The measure would repeal the states open primary and ranked choice voting system. (Photo by Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

A day after the votes for keeping Alaskas open primary and ranked choice voting system overtook those to repeal it, the vote count tightened on Tuesday.

The votes against the ballot measure to repeal the system are only 45 votes ahead of those in favor of repeal, after having a 192-vote lead on Monday. Until then, the votes to pass the measure had been ahead in the counting that began on Election Day.

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The 45-vote margin is equal to just over 1/100th of 1 percentage point of the 315,633 votes counted on the ballot measure, which opens up the possibility of a recount after the results are certified, which is scheduled for Nov. 30.

Tuesdays update added 1,577 votes to the Ballot Measure 2 count. All ballots were cast on or before Election Day, and the Alaska Division of Elections has been counting them ever since.

The division said in a social media post that there were 5,800 ballots left to be counted on Wednesday, when the division is due to sort through the ranked choice voting for the races in which no candidate has more than 50% of the first preference votes.

In the other prominent statewide race, for Alaskas sole U.S. House of Representatives seat, Republican candidate Nick Begich saw his lead grow over Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola. Begich has 157,331 votes to Peltolas 149,763.

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Begichs 7,568-vote lead is 345 votes more than Mondays count. While the race appears to be headed to ranked choice voting, Begich is positioned to expand his lead through the process. Thats because the third-highest vote getter, John Wayne Howe of the Alaskan Independence Party, ran to Begichs right.

Under ranked choice voting, the votes of lower ranking candidates are redistributed to leading contenders based on the voters secondary choices. Howes voters are likely to have favored Begich in their secondary choices.

There were no other changes in the leaders in any of the 50 state legislative elections, and no change in the closest race, between Anchorage Democratic Rep. Cliff Groh and Republican former Rep. David Nelson, which Groh leads by 25 votes.

Other races to watch as the vote count wraps up and ranked choices are sorted on Wednesday:

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In House District 28, which includes the heart of Wasilla, three Republican candidates will go through ranked choice tabulation. The current leader is Elexie Moore, with 2,907 first-preference votes, followed by Steve Menard, with 2,774, and Jessica Wright, with 1,995.

In House District 38, which includes Bethel and most of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Democratic candidate Nellie Unangik Jimmie has 1,302 votes, followed by Democratic Rep. CJ McCormick, with 1,142; Veterans Party of Alaska candidate Willie Keppel, with 906; and Democrat Victoria Sosa, with 174.

In House District 40, which includes the North Slope and Northwest Arctic Boroughs, Democrat Robyn Niayuq Burke has 1,305 votes, followed by Democrat Saima Ikrik Chase, with 809, and undeclared Rep. Thomas Baker, a former Republican, with 680.

In all other races, the leading candidates are positioned to gain votes in the ranked choice tabulation.

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On Nov. 5, voters in Oklahoma, and across the country, spoke with their vote and elected conservative Republican candidates at the national and state levels. Here in Oklahoma, every one of our 77 counties went for President-elect Donald Trump, a testament to the faith that our residents have placed in conservative values and policies.

A recent opinion piece published in this column expressed the sentiment that in spite of what voters think they want, they are wrong, and Republicans are failing Oklahoma. Specifically, the guest columnist said that Republicans in our state aren't doing enough to address teachers' salaries, school funding and mental health resources. It is time for those who agree with her to confront an inconvenient truth: Republicans are leading the charge to address these issues, and all others important to Oklahomans.

More: Opinion: Oklahoma is conservative but must prioritize solutions to poor national rankings

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Over the last decade, the Republican super majority in the House of Representatives has provided record levels of funding to teacher salaries, schools and mental health resources.

We have increased teacher salaries by 34%, from an average of $45,646 (including benefits) in 2017, to an average of $62,640. A large portion of that increase came during the 2023 legislative session, when an additional $250 million was added specifically for teacher salaries. In addition, the Legislature enacted a free tuition program for anyone seeking a teaching career if they teach for five years or more.

Overall, there has been a total increase of 62% in K-12 public school spending by the state in the last eight years. We invested a record $1.5 billion in new, recurring funding between FY19-FY25, including $839.5 million in FY24 and FY25. This commitment from the state reflects more money invested by the Legislature than the previous 27 years combined. Additionally, we have provided parents and children with opportunities to access increased educational pathways through the Parental Choice Tax Credit Act.

Finally, through the ARPA process, the Legislature appropriated nearly $300 million in new funds to address mental health issues across our state. These dollars could have gone elsewhere, but the Republican-led Legislature, seeing the challenges our neighbors, friends and loved ones are facing, addressed it with a resounding commitment.

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Most importantly, what the columnist failed to mention is the economic benefit of Republican leadership over the last decade. We have cut taxes for families and businesses in the state, while building $5 billion in savings to protect education and other core services against economic downturn. This has led to our state's economy doubling its economic output as measured by state revenue receipts.

The success of our conservative policies is evident in the continuous support we receive at the ballot box. Oklahoma is thriving under Republican leadership, and we're just getting started. Our state is more than OK  we're setting the standard for what effective, conservative governance can achieve.

As we move forward, we invite all Oklahomans to join us in building an even stronger, more prosperous state. Together, we will continue to make Oklahoma a beacon of conservative values and economic opportunity for generations to come.

Speaker of the House Charles McCall is shown Feb. 6, 2023, during Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt's State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature.

Charles McCall, R-Atoka, is outgoing speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Voters supported conservative policies at the ballot box | Opinion
A key symbol of autumn's arrival in South Florida is the burgeoning population of migrating vultures, whose brooding glower and foreboding frame can startle those unaware of their mostly harmless nature.

They are an original snowbird to the Sunshine State, and despite a penchant for rubber car parts, nuisance pooping and puking in self-defense, they aid the environment by cleaning up roadkill and other carrion.

Concern on a neighborhood West Palm Beach social media site about an increase in hawk sightings last year may have actually been the high-flying vultures gliding in flocks on rising thermals in graceful circles. A flock of vultures in flight is called a "kettle of vultures." A group lounging on rooftops, fences or treetops is a "committee of vultures."

Will vultures kill pets?

Turkey vultures roost and soar near the Southern Boulevard drawbridge on Wednesday morning, December 9, 2015. (Thomas Cordy / The Palm Beach Post)

While vultures are in the raptor family with birds of prey such as hawks, they mostly like their meals cold, as in already dead, said Erika Zambello, communications director for Audubon Florida.

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"This is a very good thing," Zambello said. "Vultures remove carrion from the environment, keeping it more clean."

It is also highly unlikely that a hawk in South Florida would carry away a pet dog or cat, which was a worry expressed on the social media site. Red-tailed hawks can carry up to about 3 pounds, and while bald eagles can tote up to 15 pounds, they are not as predatory as the golden eagles of the western half of the country.

"Hawks are not going to take off with pets, even small pets," Zambello said. "Pets are simply too big."

Black vultures are primarily scavengers but will eat live animals

There are largely two types of vultures in South Florida  turkey vultures, which have red heads, and black vultures. Although turkey vultures feed exclusively on carrion, black vultures are known to sometimes prey on livestock, including newborn cattle, piglets and goats. A 2020 report also noted incidents of black vultures eating live sea turtle hatchlings, skunks, opossums, birds and fish.

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"Black vultures exhibit bolder behaviors than other vulture species," U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers wrote in a 2020 paper on black vulture management. "Despite their valuable ecological roles, the same behavioral traits that have enabled some vultures to adapt to (human) landscapes have also exacerbated humanvulture conflict."

In a 2005 federal report on the management of damage by vultures in Florida, the vulture topped the list of troublemaking fowl with 680 requests for assistance from wildlife services between 1993 and 2003. That's more than six times higher than the second-ranked nuisance bird  the duck.

A more recent report from the Federal Aviation Administration measured aircraft collisions with vultures between 1990 and 2014. It found 1,020 incidents with civilian airplanes and 789 with military planes.

Vultures elicit a 'general feeling of doom'

Turkey vultures roost and soar near the Southern Boulevard drawbridge on Wednesday morning, December 9, 2015. (Thomas Cordy / The Palm Beach Post)

Other concerns include the "whitewash" effect on homes and buildings from dripping vulture poop, and the "general feeling of doom when vultures congregate nearby," wrote researchers in a 2016 U.S. Department of Agriculture report on vultures.

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For reasons unknown, they also have an affinity for rubbery materials and will sometimes pull windshield washer blades off cars, eat the rubber around windows, destroy outdoor furniture and pull the splines from pool enclosures.

"They are a very important component of a healthy ecosystem, but vultures are one of those birds that do create a lot of hassles," said vulture researcher Michael Avery in a 2015 interview with The Palm Beach Post.

Avery was the project leader for the National Wildlife Research Center at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Gainesville. He has since retired.

In the early 2000s, Palm Beach County officials were so concerned that vultures at the landfill might cause car accidents on nearby roads that a sharpshooter was brought in to reduce the population. The move was controversial and ended soon after it began.

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Kimberly Miller is a veteran journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Vultures fall migration to Florida, known for puking for protection
Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) speaks during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Ending the U.S. Military Mission in Afghanistan in the Rayburn House Office Building at the U.S. Capitol on September 29, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rod Lamkey-Pool/Getty Images)

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, a Washington Democrat, said Tuesday that his partys brand is broken and that criticizing President-elect Donald Trump would not be enough to get it onto a more successful track.

The harsh assessment is notable coming from Smith, who has served in Congress since 1997 and is the partys top member on the House Armed Services Committee.

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The Democratic Party brand is broken, and we desperately need to fix it if the party is ever going to have any hope of appealing to a majority of people in this country. Economic policy and messaging is the worst part of that, but certainly not the only part, Smith said in a video he shared via his account on the social media platform X.

Our messaging and our policy to most Americans seems to be aimed at a small group of people that fit certain pre-ordained categories, he added. It is too narrow in its focus, and it doesnt help that whenever anybody questions this, the typical response is the person questioning it has to be some combination of ignorant, bigoted or racist.

Smiths comments come as Democrats embark on a round of soul-searching after searing losses in the November election. Trump roundly defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, sweeping seven battleground states and making gains among voting blocs and in places across the country that have traditionally leaned Democratic.

The GOP also took control of the U.S. Senate from Democrats and held their majority in the U.S. House.

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Smith, who represents a district that includes parts of Seattle as well as areas east and south of the city, has been openly frustrated with the partys trajectory this political cycle.

On July 8, he openly called for President Joe Biden to step aside as the Democratic candidate in the presidential race within hours of the president telling members of the House Democratic Caucus he wouldnt. Smith was the first congressional Democrat in Washington to do so following Bidens flawed debate performance against Trump in late June.

Nationally, Washington was something of an outlier in this years election. Trump scored the same paltry 39% of the states vote as he did in 2020. Republicans did not pick up seats in Congress and, at the state level, they will remain minorities in both chambers of the Legislature and will continue to hold zero statewide offices heading into 2025.

All but two of Washingtons 12 members of Congress, including the states two senators are Democrats. But they will wield limited power on Capitol Hill as a new Trump era gets underway.

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We need to listen to the American people, figure out what we are missing, Smith said. Its not going to be enough right now for we Democrats to simply criticize Donald Trump.

Theres a lot to criticize. But weve done that, he added.

Smith said hed be doing a series of conversations in an attempt to get the party headed in a new direction.

The time for quiet conversations behind closed doors, to keep it in the family, has passed, he said. We have to be honest with the American people about our faults or limitations, listen to them and fix this going forward.

Reporter Jerry Cornfield contributed to this story.
Rep. Adam Smith, D-WA, speaks during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Ending the U.S. Military Mission at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 29, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Rod Lamkey-Pool/Getty Images)

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, a Washington Democrat, said this week that his partys brand is broken and that criticizing President-elect Donald Trump would not be enough to get it onto a more successful track.

The harsh assessment is notable coming from Smith, who has served in Congress since 1997 and is the partys top member on the House Armed Services Committee.

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The Democratic Party brand is broken, and we desperately need to fix it if the party is ever going to have any hope of appealing to a majority of people in this country. Economic policy and messaging is the worst part of that, but certainly not the only part, Smith said in a video he shared via his account on the social media platform X.

Our messaging and our policy to most Americans seems to be aimed at a small group of people that fit certain pre-ordained categories, he added. It is too narrow in its focus, and it doesnt help that whenever anybody questions this, the typical response is the person questioning it has to be some combination of ignorant, bigoted or racist.

Smiths comments come as Democrats embark on a round of soul-searching after searing losses in the November election. Trump roundly defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, sweeping seven battleground states and making gains among voting blocs and in places across the country that have traditionally leaned Democratic.

The GOP also took control of the U.S. Senate from Democrats and held their majority in the U.S. House.

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Smith, who represents a district that includes parts of Seattle as well as areas east and south of the city, has been openly frustrated with the partys trajectory this political cycle.

On July 8, he openly called for President Joe Biden to step aside as the Democratic candidate in the presidential race within hours of the president telling members of the House Democratic Caucus he wouldnt. Smith was the first congressional Democrat in Washington to do so following Bidens flawed debate performance against Trump in late June.

Nationally, Washington was something of an outlier in this years election. Trump scored the same paltry 39% of the states vote as he did in 2020. Republicans did not pick up seats in Congress and, at the state level, they will remain minorities in both chambers of the Legislature and will continue to hold zero statewide offices heading into 2025.

All but two of Washingtons 12 members of Congress, including the states two senators are Democrats. But they will wield limited power on Capitol Hill as a new Trump era gets underway.

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We need to listen to the American people, figure out what we are missing, Smith said. Its not going to be enough right now for we Democrats to simply criticize Donald Trump.

Theres a lot to criticize. But weve done that, he added.

Smith said hed be doing a series of conversations in an attempt to get the party headed in a new direction.

The time for quiet conversations behind closed doors, to keep it in the family, has passed, he said. We have to be honest with the American people about our faults or limitations, listen to them and fix this going forward.

Reporter Jerry Cornfield contributed to this story.

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Washington State Standard, like Oregon Capital Chronicle, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com. Follow Washington State Standard on Facebook and X.
Nov. 20OLYMPIA  Thanksgiving is a little over a week away, winter holidays will follow closely behind, and the Washington State Department of Health issued a press release reminding residents to get the updated COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, vaccines.

The vaccines are usually covered by insurance or are available for little to no cost via programs such as Washington's Childhood Vaccine Program for residents under 19 and the Adult Vaccine Program for those older than 19, according to the release.

"Vaccination against COVID-19, flu, and RSV is the best way to protect against severe illness from these respiratory viruses," Chief Science Officer at DOH, Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett said. "It can take the body a couple of weeks after vaccination to build up maximum protection, so now is the perfect time to make sure you and your loved ones are up to date in preparation for the holiday season."

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COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone older than six months receive one dose of the updated 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine. Adults who are older than 65 are recommended to get two doses of the updated vaccine. Those who are immunocompromised should talk with their healthcare providers about potential extra doses as needed. The DOH made a comprehensive list of places to get the vaccine: https://bit.ly/DOHCovid-19Vaccine

Influenza

The influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months or older, especially for those who are deemed high risk for becoming extremely sick including people with certain health conditions, pregnant people, older adults and young children. The DOH said it is safe to receive the flu shot at the same time as the COVID-19 and RSV vaccine, for those who only want to book one doctor's appointment.

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RSV

As respiratory syncytial virus poses significant health risks, especially to vulnerable populations according to the DOH.

For young children, antibody products such as Nirsevimab and Palivizumab offer protection. Nirsevimab is recommended for all infants younger than 8 months during their first RSV season. Additionally, children aged 8 to 19 months with underlying medical conditions or those who are Native American or Alaska Native should receive Nirsevimab during their second RSV season.

Pregnant individuals are advised to receive the RSV vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, with a recommended window from September to January, although RSV can persist until mid-May.

Older adults also require the vaccine, as the CDC recommends a single dose of the RSV vaccine for those over the age of 60.
Arguably, the world's most mysterious sandwich is back.

The sandwichs return was anticipated after McDonalds USA president Joe Erlinger mentioned on The Today Show in June that the McRib would be making a comeback sometime in 2024. "It will be back," he confirmed.

If you're not already familiar with the McRib, here's what you need to know, plus some other surprises from McDonalds.

When does McDonald's McRib come back in 2024?

For Texans waiting to get their hands on a McRib, the sandwich returns Dec. 3 for a limited time.

What is in the McRib?

The McRib is a patty shaped to resemble a rack of ribs, made from pork, water, salt, dextrose, and rosemary extract. It's served on a bun with barbecue sauce, pickles and onions, and packs 520 calories.

Got the McRib today...felt a little like Homer Simpson... pic.twitter.com/FCZMFipTtz  Barron (@bchristopher91) December 3, 2020

When was the McRib invented?

The McRib, invented by McDonald's executive chef Rene Arend (who also created Chicken McNuggets in 1979), originated from the development of restructured meat by University of Nebraska professor Roger Mandigo for the military. The sandwich first appeared in 1981 in Kansas City, Kansas, and became available nationwide the following year.

The McRib now comes with a special McRib sauce

McDonald's is also debuting a McRib sauce, too. A Whole Lotta McRib Sauce will be available in limited-edition half-gallon jugs for $19.99. The sauce will be available Nov. 25, starting at 10 a.m. ET., online at www.wholelottamcribsauce.com and could serve as a holiday gift for the McRib maven on your list.

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The McRib is more than a sandwich  its a part of culture, its a legend, its an event, said Tariq Hassan, chief marketing and customer experience officer at McDonalds, in a press release. McRib SZN is a holiday unto itself, so we wanted to embrace that spirit and give fans an even bigger way to celebrate this year with A Whole Lotta McRib Sauce.

A limited amount of half-gallon jugs of McDonald's McRib sauce will be sold in the Pittsburgh area starting Nov. 25, 2024.

How popular is the McRib?

According to online gaming site Spin Genie, which analyzed Google search data, the McRib, which appeared on the McDonald's menu from 1989 to 2005, is the most popular discontinued fast food item.

From July 2023 to June 2024, the McRib received significantly more searches than its closest competitors, including Chipotle's Carne Asada, Domino's Brooklyn Style Pizza and Taco Bell's Enchirito.

-Mike Snider of USA Today Network contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: The McRib is returning to McDonald's in Texas on Dec. 3 with new sauce
A gunman opened fire inside a Walmart in Beavercreek almost one year ago.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, Walmart management and shoppers talked about potential changes to help people feel safe this year.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The holiday shopping season is about to begin and people are heading to stores, like Walmart.

Luis Gonzales and Autumn Cooper were outside the Beavercreek Walmart Tuesday browsing Black Friday deals.

Theres definitely a lot of kids toys in there that my daughter would enjoy, Luis said.

Walmart invited News Center 7 inside the store, telling us theyre ready with one of the biggest shopping days of the year a little more than a week away.

Its an exciting time, Walmart Store Manager Sean Espy said.

Just four days before Black Friday in 2023, a gunman shot and wounded four people before killing himself inside the store.

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Well, were very mindful of, of the events that occurred last year, Espy said. We, of course, always have security in place in our facilities to make sure that our associates and customers are safe when theyre shopping.

Given the perspective and timing of the attack, News Center 7 asked shoppers if they thought the store should have extra security this week.

Yeah, definitely. Because its definitely going to be on peoples minds that are aware of the situation. So anything to help calm and keep anxiety down is great, Kettering resident Tori Dunbar said.

Yeah, I think it would be smart because of what happened, Fairborn resident Autumn Cooper said.

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News Center 7 also asked Walmart management why they chose to make this announcement about Black Friday.

Well, we understand that our customers are wanting to shop with us this Christmas season and so were excited about welcoming them into the facility and making sure that we get them taken care of for all of their needs this holiday season, Espy said.

News Center 7 reached out to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) on Tuesday.

A spokesperson said they are still working with Beavercreek police to investigate the shooting and the motive.

While the investigation is in its final stages, it is still open so they cant provide additional information.

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The FBI and Beavercreek Police Department previously told News Center 7, based on evidence collected, including journal writings from the attacker... the attack may have been at least partially inspired by Racially Motivated Violent Extremist (RMVE) ideology.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  A Peoria man, barring a successful appeal, will spend the rest of his life in prison for the shooting death last year of his estranged girlfriend.

Walter Artis, 28, said nothing and showed no emotion as Chief Peoria County Judge Katherine Gorman handed down the 72-year prison term in connection with the April 14, 2023, shooting death of 22-year-old Alexis Boland.

Every single person in this room has been adversely affected by what happened (on that day), and the only person who is to blame for that is Mr. Artis, the judge said. You are not the victim here, Mr. Artis. All the people here have been victimized by you.

Gorman said that nothing Boland could have done to Artis or anyone should have resulted in her being shot that day. She called his actions that day vicious.

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You just cant take it back, the judge said. There is no excuse. We need to deter this conduct where domestic partner believes that their domestic partner is doing something they dont like, then they can be violent.

Its not, she said.

Under state law, Artis must serve 100% of his term, but he will get credit for about 18 months already served.

For his part, Artis thanked his family for their support, saying he loved them and told the Boland family that he loved his children. But not once he did apologize for the shooting nor did he try to offer up a reason for what happened.

Rather, he told Gorman that people need to learn how to forgive.

The hearing

The second-floor courtroom was packed  as it was two weeks ago when the sentencing was first scheduled. Given the numbers, Gorman also set up an overflow room for people to be able to watch the hearing via video conferencing in case the room filled up.

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And it did. About 30 people filled the overflow room which had a large TV so people could watch the proceedings. After the hour-long hearing was finished, Bolands family and friends who were in the overflow room walked back into the main courtroom.

Members of Bolands family read tearful statements to the judge, telling how the past 18 months have affected them. Her father spoke of the horrors of losing a child and his despair at not being able to help her when she needed it.

Her children ask constantly when will Mommy come home? He spoke of how the children just learned to swing on a swing set this past summer.

Their goal? To reach Mommy who is in heaven, he said.

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Her siblings said Artis showed no remorse for the killing of a girl who was a wonderful person and a light to the world. He wasnt a good father, they said, because he killed the mother of his children.

And as such, they said, he cost his children, now 4 and 5, both parents.

Hunter Boland, Alexis brother, said it was hard to live with the idea how this happened and why. And it was hard to deal with the idea that her last moments were spent running for life, he said.

Then it was Artis turn. His sister, who lives in Georgia, took the stand and testified. They had talked about going on a cruise. He was in a good mood that fateful day. An hour later, she said, he was completely different.

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He was making animal noises, and then I saw his face. He was speaking gibberish and he was saying, my kids, my kids,' she said.

Walter, she said, would never have done anything to hurt his kids. He loved them and would often take care of them. Artis, she said, was an excellent father. He was not in his right mind. He was not the type of person to hurt Alexis or his children or anyone.

Another woman, whose son was friends with Artis, said, too, that she believed this wasnt in his character. And while what he did was wrong, he should not spend the rest of his life in prison.

But Peoria County Assistant States Attorney Brian FitzSimons blasted that notion. Rather than being a man who put his children first, Artis was a homicidal man who had attacked Boland months before.

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He then attacked her again, according to a petition for an order of protection that was never served. It was filed two days before the shooting.

Artis waited for her to come back and do what the Boland family just described. thats telling if we are going to talk about the defendants character, the prosecutor said in a forceful tone, his voice echoing in the room.

Defense attorney Chandra Justice called the entire incident a horrific tragedy but noted the testimony of her two witnesses who said Artis was not in his right frame of mind that day.

Two weeks ago

In September, Artis changed his plea from not guilty to guilty on charges of first-degree murder in connection with Bolands death. The move came just as he was to go to trial.

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As part of the plea, prosecutors agreed to a range of 45 years to 75 years behind bars and also to drop other counts. Without the deal, he could have faced up to life in prison.

But almost immediately, Artis regretted that and his attorney, Chandra Justice of Peoria, filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea. Normally, thats heard after sentencing, but Justice filed it before as thats what her client wanted.

This is your last chance judge tells Peoria man accused of killing Princeville woman

With that about-face, Artis did not work with Peoria County probation officers to give his side of things. Thats called a pre-sentence investigation and looks at all aspects of a persons life, so a judge can get a complete picture of who a person is before a significant sentence is imposed.

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His family also didnt contribute support letters and offer the judge their view of Artis. Those two things combined, it looked like the judge felt she had no choice but to delay things, so the record on appeal would be clean.

Gorman, however, made it clear that he would get no more time and whether he participated or not, the hearing on Wednesday would go ahead as planned.

What happened

Deputies with the Peoria County Sheriffs Office were called to the Brighton Woods apartments in Dunlap at approximately 9:19 a.m. April 14, 2023, where they found Boland who had been shot.

UPDATED: More details released on fatal Dunlap shooting

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At the plea hearing in September, prosecutors said Artis forced his way into Bolands Dunlap apartment, pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots at Boland, striking her in the head and torso.

A neighbor tried to save her life by performing CPR and holding pressure on her wounds, but she died at the hospital.

Artis then fled in his vehicle, only to be caught later that day near a gas station in Morton. A cabbie at the Circle K gas station told police that she had been dispatched to take him to the Bloomington airport, but he didnt have cash.

Woman in critical condition after Dunlap shooting; suspect located

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So she took him to the gas station to try to get some money. Police officers and others including federal agents and state police descended on the gas station as police knew of his location due to pinging his phone.

Artis left his backpack in the cab and took off running but was quickly caught. A gun was found in his possession, according to the Peoria County Sheriffs Office, which also said Boland and Artis had children together.

This story will be updated.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student Rahimah Rahmatullah and her siblings were born in Malaysia, but, because her parents had immigrated there from other countries, Rahmatullah said, they were not eligible to be Malaysian citizens. As a result, her family was discriminated against.

She remembers being given school supplies that were inferior to those of Malaysian citizens and being expected to just basically take notes without understanding what we were being taught, while citizens had access to computer technology and better education.

She remembers living in fear that the police would come and knock on the door and say, youre an immigrant, you cannot stay here, you must go back to your country.

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She even remembers spending the night in the jungle when I was little because her mom had awakened the family, fearing that the police were going to knock on the door.

Rahimah Rahmatullah, a refugee student from Malaysia, celebrates her high school graduation.

When Rahmatullah and her family resettled in the United States several years ago, a different reality greeted her. Rahmatullah joined the sixth-grade class at the International Newcomer Center at the Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language, an MPS school. The newcomer center is a specialized academic and English language program for refugee students in fifth through eighth grades.

At the newcomer center, Rahmatullah finally felt as if her teachers cared about her education. She learned to use a laptop for the first time, she learned math beyond just plus and minus, and her teachers spent extra time with her to help her learn English.

In Malaysia, Rahmatullah said, her family was treated like we werent a part of them.

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But the moment I was in school in the United States with all my teachers, they never made me feel like I dont belong here, Rahmatullah said. They never made me feel like they were superior to me. They made me feel like they were teaching me but also learning with me.

I feel like these are my people, like I belong here. They always made me feel like I was a part of them.

The importance of belonging

That sense of belonging, the feeling of being a part, is a key component to the mental health of newcomer students, an umbrella term that includes various categories of people who were born outside of the United States, according to the Wisconsin Department of Instruction. Those categories include, among others, refugees (people who have fled their country due to persecution or fear of persecution) and immigrants.

The departments toolkit for Welcoming and serving children from immigrant and refugee families emphasizes that the immediate wellness and mental health needs of students and families arriving from other countries is anchored in developing meaningful relationships with the community, school staff, and students peers.

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In lead teacher Erin Sivek's classroom at the International Newcomer Center, the walls are filled with flags from students countries, images of items labeled with their English words (including Minecraft, YouTube and TikTok  very important for members of Generations Z and Alpha) and student writings and drawings, many of which invite students to share their experiences in their home countries and learn more about their classmates lives.

Lead teacher Erin Sivek (center) conducts a reading exercise with students at the International Newcomer Center, a middle school program for mostly refugee students that is housed at MPS' Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language.

Sivek said her classes comprise children from 10 to 20 countries each year; a few common countries of origin are Afghanistan, Kenya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan and Tanzania. Students typically remain in the newcomer center for two to three years before transitioning to regular education, either in high school or at the Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language, dependent on their age and academic level.

Often, there will be current students who are able to translate and interpret for the newer students, Sivek said. They jump in without us even asking; they kind of take the lead in making sure the new kids feel welcome.

James Sayavong, the schools principal  who, himself, came to the United States as a refugee from Laos in 1983 noted the importance of students shared lived experiences, even though theyre from many countries and speak different languages when they arrive.

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As a young man, I really experienced a lot of the same fears when I came here, Sayavong said. As a leader of the school, I have ways to welcome our parents and make them feel comfortable because Ive been in their shoes before.

Learning to express emotions, build relationships and get help

On a recent October afternoon, school psychologist Britta Gutschenritter led a class of the newcomer center's youngest kids  many of whom spoke little English  in a session focused on social-emotional learning.

Gutschenritter spent part of the class showing images of faces expressing different emotions, inviting the kids to replicate them and talking about what kinds of things would make them feel those emotions.

A lot of the work we do is teaching kids how to say, I am feeling angry, I am feeling sad, I am feeling happy, Gutschenritter said. A lot of times when they dont have that communication to say Im feeling upset, school staff has to do our best to figure out whats going on.

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Those group sessions  with their emphasis on healthy ways to express emotions and relationship building  are key, especially for students who are in a new environment, speaking a new language. But some newcomers have had experiences that require more specialized mental health help.

School psychologist Britta Gutschenritter and student Louise Kachunga lead a game of Simon Says during a class for the International Newcomer Center, a middle school program for mostly refugee students that is housed at MPS' Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language, on Oct. 23.

Those experiences can differ depending on the newcomers background. Sayavong noted that refugees are often dealing with trauma from what theyve gone through in their home countries that forced them to flee. For example, Rahmatullah remembers feeling scared whenever I would see police cars driving around when she first arrived in Wisconsin, an anxiety that hasnt completely dissipated even as she describes her life in America as the good dream compared to the nightmare part of me that was her life in Malaysia.

Keydi Bognar is the education director of Madison-based Dreamers of Wisconsin, an advocacy organization for undocumented residents and DACA recipients. She spoke of the anxiety surrounding a fear of deportation, something that Bognar experienced as a middle schooler when her mother was deported.

Fernanda Jimenez, Jose Lizarraga Mazaba, Keydi Bognar and James Wells work with Dreamers of Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization that supports the needs of DACA and undocumented students.

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Bognar  who came to the United States from Honduras when she was 4  hadnt known her own immigration status until that time. Since she was so young, she said that at one point, I thought every kid in the United States immigrated from somewhere else. But after her mother was deported, she not only had to deal with the trauma of losing her mom, but the anxiety of worrying about herself and the rest of her family.

Bognar said her organization has supported students' mental health through one-on-one conversations, letting them know what local resources are available, as well as leading programs to help students connect with one another and build a sense of community. Students can contact Dreamers of Wisconsin by sending email to dreamersofwisconsin@gmail.com or calling 608-577-4930 to start those conversations.

The International Newcomer Center supports students who have greater mental health needs through a partnership with a private counseling and therapy clinic that specializes in providing mental health support to immigrants and refugees, the Sebastian Family Psychology Practice.

"This way we can provide true one-on-one therapy services for students we've identified through interventions of which kids would really benefit," Sivek said.

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As they've introduced the service to the families at the newcomer center, Sivek said the staff has "rebranded mental illness as mental wellness," something that "helps to take away the stigma" of getting help, a vital component of the school's trust-building with families.

"I work on destigmatizing perceptions they sometimes have about mental health and talking about ways we can support their kids at school," Gutschenritter said. "I explain that we don't think their kids are naughty or that there's anything wrong with them; it's just that right now, they need that support, and we have a lot of ways we can support them and their family."

Speaking the same language

Good communication is necessary when building relationships with newcomer students and their families; Sivek said those relationships start with a goal of "communicating with families in their home language, if that's what they're comfortable with."

The Eau Claire Area School District has a partnership with Juntos, a program through UW-Extension that supports the educational goals of Latino families. Bi-monthly family activity nights are conducted in Spanish, with English translation.

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When an Eau Claire school principal attended a recent event, he was the one who needed to use translation headphones to understand the program. The district's English Language Learners coordinator, Danielle Luer, said parents appreciated the principal's display of empathy as he put himself in the position the parents are usually in when they need to have conversations translated.

He was a good sport about it, and every single parent was delighted that he did that, Luer said. He also played Telephone in Spanish with the kids, and it just showed the parents, heres this man showing that hes here, that hes engaged.

A group of Eau Claire students take part in an activity through Juntos, a program which supports the educational goals of Latino students and their families.

That empathy goes a long way toward fostering good relationships, especially if it's backed up by effective efforts to bridge the language gap.

I can see kids getting frustrated when theyre trying to communicate with me but I dont know what theyre saying, Guttschenritter said. Sometimes they shut down or dont want to try to communicate because theyre used to people not understanding what theyre trying to say, being pushed aside, being left alone.

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Bognar remembers being thrown into school right away" when her family came to Wisconsin when she was 4 years old; she only knew the English words for yes, no and bathroom.

The problem was that I couldnt express myself, Bognar said. I wasnt a shy person, but I had to become a shy person because I had no way to ask for help.

Bognar said she was lucky to have a teacher at her school who happened to speak Spanish. Some schools have gone to great lengths to hire bilingual staff members so there is at least one person who speaks the language of some of their English language learner students.

The Eau Claire Area School District hired two moms who speak Ukrainian to be education assistants when several refugees from Ukraine joined the district after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Misti Trowbridge, Eau Claire's director of student services, said the district has hired teenage siblings of their students to be part-time bilingual assistants at the schools.

When schools are unable to hire people who speak every language, technology helps. In Eau Claire, the school staff have worked to be more visible about who is bilingual so parents know who they can talk to, and theyve incorporated an app that allows teachers to text parents in English, and the app will translate it into the parents preferred language.

Many times, things that seem simple make a big difference.

Rachel Hart-Brinson, the bilingual 4-H program educator for Eau Claire County, remembers hearing from a mom who had been waiting years to feel like we belong at their school. After partnering with Juntos and hearing from families about what they needed, the school made some changes.

They asked the school to do easy things like put a sign on the secretarys desk that says Se habla Espanol, and they did that within a week, Hart-Brinson said. The principal also told parents to feel free to text him, even if it was in Spanish....

The families were so grateful for that access and willingness to say, Hey, we want to be here for you.

Contact Amy Schwabe at (262) 875-9488 or amy.schwabe@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @WisFamilyJS, Instagram at @wisfamilyjs or Facebook at WisconsinFamily.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How Wisconsin schools foster the mental health of immigrant students
Nov. 19WAPAKONETA  A 77-year-old Wapakoneta man charged with arson, the criminal use of an explosive device and cruelty to a companion animal has been deemed competent to stand trial.

Gerald Fullenkamp appeared briefly in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday as the results of a recent psychological examination were made public. Appearing frail and somewhat confused, the Wapakoneta man entered the courtroom in a wheelchair, with the aid of court security officials.

During the hearing Judge Frederick Pepple said a six-page report authored by Dr. Carla Dreyer, a psychologist at the Forensic Psychiatry Center for Western Ohio in Dayton, opined that Fullenkamp was currently competent to stand trial. Pepple accepted that finding and asked attorney Nick Catania of the Auglaize County Public Defenders Office if he requested an additional evaluation to determine Fullenkamp's mental state at the time of the alleged offenses.

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Catania said no further exam is necessary and withdrew a previously-entered plea of not guilty by reason of insanity on behalf of his client.

Fullenkamp was arrested Oct. 24 after being indicted by a grand jury for a series of events that allegedly took place Oct. 5 in Wapakoneta. According to court records officers from the Wapakoneta Police Department were dispatched to 906 Aster Drive for a male threatening to burn the house down. Officers arrived on scene and met Fullenkamp at the front door. Officers said Fullenkamp was covered in blood and proceeded to lock the door.

Fullenkamp is charged with two counts of aggravated arson, felonies of the first- and second-degree.

He also face charges of criminal use of an explosive device, a second-degree felony, for allegedly releasing a "chemical weapon, biological weapon, radiologic or nuclear weapon or an explosive device that creates the risk of death or serious physical harm to another," according to the indictment.

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Two counts of cruelty to a companion animal were also contained in the indictment, alleging that Fullenkamp caused serious physical harm and did "torture, maim, cruelly beat, poison or needlessly kill" a companion animal.

Assistant Auglaize County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Elder said 64 pages of discovery, including reports from the Ohio Fire Marshals Office, have been turned over to the defense. Pepple said a pre-trial hearing and tentative trial date will be established in the near future.

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Press Release

November 20, 2024 Transcript of Interpellation by Senator Risa Hontiveros

Plenary Debates on the 2025 National Budget (DICT)

November 20, 2024 Senator Risa Hontiveros (SRH): Good sponsor, una tungkol sa FinTech regulation. From November 8th to 9th, 2024, a number of GCash users reported what they described as unauthorized transactions or transfers with 1,000 or 2,000 pesos being deducted from their accounts while they were sleeping. Often in quick succession, and transferred to accounts connected to unknown phone numbers. This followed similar incidents in 2023 when multiple GCash accounts were compromised using phishing attacks staged through various online gambling platforms. GXI, the company that operates GCash, denied that the incidents were caused by hackers or other malicious actors and attributed the unauthorized deductions to errors in its ongoing system reconciliation process. Last November 11th, it was reported that the DICT had started its investigation of the incident. Paano po mako-confirm ng DICT kung yung unauthorized deductions ay talagang sanhi ng reconciliation errors o gaya ng sinususpetsya ng ilang mga tao, ng mga hackers o ibang malicious actors, good sponsor? Sen. Gatchalian: Mr. President, the DICT investigated the matter in coordination with the BSP. FinTechs, including GCash, is regulated by the BSP. But in this particular case, the DICT coordinated with the BSP to investigate what really happened. And based on the briefing that I got regarding this matter, the incident with GCash is not caused by external actors, but it is caused by an internal glitch on the software and that has been the result of the investigation. And so from what I understand, GCash is already rectifying the issue, Mr. President. SRH: Salamat, good sponsor. So tapos na po yung investigation ng DICT at final na yung kanilang findings at satisfied na po sila sa findings nila, good sponsor? Sen. Gatchalian: Mr. President, from the briefing that I got, the investigation is final unless the BSP decides to call on the DICT for additional technical investigation. But as far as the investigation goes, it's an internal glitch or internal error that created the issue with GCash. And the good thing here is the ICT did not detect any external hacking that transpired. So it's now incumbent upon GCash to rectify their system. SRH: Salamat, good sponsor. Ano po yung methodology na ginamit para i-determine yung sanhi nung event? At ano yung nature ng glitch na nadiskubre, good sponsor? Sen. Gatchalian: Mr. President, Senator Risa, they used what they call the penetration test as part of their methodology. They also analyzed the logs in that particular system. They also analyzed or did a lot of analysis on the records submitted to the DICT. They also looked at particularly what they call the "ang pao" system. In fact, I read this. SRH: "Ang pao" system? Sen. Gatchalian: Ang Pao. From what I read over the internet, this is a system that gives out small gifts. I think when you use the GCash on a regular basis, you also get small gifts as a reward for using GCash. SRH: So parang ang pao nga po, good sponsor. Yung mga binibigay nating regalo sa mga ina-anak tuwing pasko, naka-red envelope. Sen. Gatchalian: During Chinese New Year, nagbibigay tayo ng ganun. So the system is called the Ang Pao system as well. So they looked at this system particularly and they did not find any traces of external hacking, Mr. President. SRH: Salamat, good sponsor. At the nature of the glitch was? Sen. Gatchalian: It's a software bug, Mr. President. SRH: Software bug? Bug, Mr. President. Software bug? Bug, Mr. President. Sen. Gatchalian: Bug, Mr. President. So it's an internal error that was due to a bug and the software created all of these issues in regards to the subscription of the users. SRH: Salamat, good sponsor. At huling tanong sa pagsang ito, anong mga pondo ang inallocate ng department para siguruhin na yung GCash at iba pang fintech services, Maya at iba pa ay stable, transparent at trustworthy? Good sponsor. Sen. Gatchalian: You mean the budget allocated? SRH: Opo, ng department. Sen. Gatchalian: In this case, there's no... DICT did not spend for the investigation since BSP is the regulator of all fintech companies and fintech products. It was BSP who tapped DICT to investigate this matter. SRH: Sorry, good sponsor. I didn't express myself clearly. What funds in the fiscal year 2025, GAA, would the department be allocating for this? Sen. Gatchalian: It will fall under the cyber security funds of the DICT, Mr. President. SRH: Salamat, good sponsor. Sen. Gatchalian: So, the amounts, let me just get the exact amounts. It's under the ICT and cyber security policies development and management to a tune of a billion pesos, Mr. President. The funds allocated to cybersecurity and to matters like this, Mr. President. SRH: So hindi maliit na halaga. So that's good that there's something that could be meaningful in order to correct this current situation and make sure it doesn't recur. Dako naman po ako, Mr. President, sa China data rerouting. In 2018, according to a report published by the U.S. Naval War College, China Telecom reportedly, quote, misdirected big chunks of internet traffic through a roundabout path that threatened the security and integrity of data passing between various providers' backbones for two and a half years, close quote, including data from Canada to Korean government sites by using points of presence, or POPS, which are data centers that mostly reroute data traffic - which China Telecom had quietly established in North America and exploiting a distinct lack of security in the internet's border gateway protocol or BGP. After being misrouted, this data can be analyzed or mined for various purposes, some malicious. Now I don't need to remind the DICT that China Telecom has a massive point of presence in this country. May katulad ba na BGP hijacking attempts na nasubukan dito sa Pilipinas? At paano sinisiguro ng DICT na yung data traffic natin, lalo na yung sensitive data traffic na vital sa national security,ay hindi rin nirereroute sa ganoong paraan, good sponsor? Sen. Gatchalian: Mr. President, I was informed by the DICT that there's no known record of BGP hacking in our country and as a proactive measure they're discussing with the local telcos to come up with a secure BGP. So that's the initiative that DICT is undertaking proactively in order to prevent hacking from happening. SRH: Salamat, good sponsor. At satisfied naman po yung department na kapag nakabuo sila nitong BGP sa mga local telcos, ma-eensure na hindi maririroute yung data traffic natin, good sponsor. Sen. Gatchalian: Yes, Mr. President. They're very confident in that, Mr. President. SRH: Salamat, good sponsor. Tungkol naman po sa National Government Data Center. Recently, members of my staff visited the South Korean government's National Data Center - what can be described as a national cloud server. It was probably one of the most highly secured facilities in South Korea with very strict access protocols. I know we're pursuing a similar initiative here. Ano po yung relative merits at disadvantages ng pag-centralize ng ating data center requirements kumpara sa yung bawat individual agency, bawat LGU, mag-maintain ang sarili niyang facilities, good sponsor? Sen. Gatchalian: Mr. President, the question is what are the advantages and disadvantages of centralizing it or decentralizing it? SRH: Yes. Sen. Gatchalian: I was informed that the DICT is employing a hybrid approach to the data center. So meaning, they will also use commercial data centers, Mr. President, like for example, data centers of Amazon, Google, because these are well-established, commercially available data centers that are cost-efficient, Mr. President. But at the same time, the government is also putting up its own data center to service various government agencies, Mr. President. The advantage of having one data center compared to a decentralized is, number one, is the technical knowledge, Mr. President. Management of data centers is quite complicated. And not all, not every LGU or different government agencies can manage a technical entity. It's also very expensive to put up data centers. The Secretary told me that a good practice of data centers is to have a backup system. So just imagine if you decentralize it, different agencies will have a data center and a backup system, Mr. President, as opposed to just one central database, data center and one backup system, Mr. President. So, the cost advantage of having a centralized data center is, the advantages is, number one, it's cost-effective, number two, it's the technical expertise is there, and number three, Mr. President, economies of scale, Mr. President. SRH: Salamat, good sponsor. It almost seems like a work in progress. Dahil sa simula, nag-i-employ yung gobyerno ng hybrid approach, I guess the department especially will be testing this as we go along, harvesting lessons and then finalizing in a way the Philippine design for a government or government-cum-private data center. Eventually, posibleng po ba good sponsor maging parang PPP siya? Although, of course, headed by government, para ma-optimize itong tatlong advantages so far na natukoy ng good sponsor. Sen. Gatchalian: Mr. President, from what I observed with technology, technology moves very fast. In fact, changes in technology come in almost yearly, Mr. President. So, for government to buy technology, manage it, seems like it's the most inefficient way of approaching or using technology. Another approach will be paid-for- service type of approach, Mr. President, in which you use their technology but you pay in the form of service, Mr. President. So, when I was being briefed by DICT in the past, they've used this paid for service type of approach in various technologies that DICT is employing, one of which is data centers, Mr. President. But to preserve security and also confidence, the DICT is a part of the capacity, but on a hybrid basis, Mr. President, meaning the government owns part of the capacity, but at the same time, it also pays other services or other entities for the use of their data centers, Mr. President. And it's not remote that one of these big companies will set up here in the Philippines, their own data center and government can actually lease capacity from them. SRH: And I guess finally on this topic, good sponsor, iba rin siguro yung, well definitely, iba yung context sa South Korea, kaya ang nabuo po nila at inooperate na modelo ay isang national government data center, and we, with our own national context, ganito po yung approach natin, at least sa ngayon, tapos yung na-foforesee nating possible scenarios that will materialize in the near future. Salamat, good sponsor. Tungkol naman po sa public broadband. In theory, internet access can drive economic development. Access to internet-based technologies can help workers be more productive. It may also enable access to markets and commercial information, increasing demand for goods and services. For example, research in the United States showed that subsidizing internet access improved outcomes among low-income families. However, it was recently reported that the DICT's budget for public Wi-Fi was good for only five months. Hindi po bang pwedeng iproject yung mga costs na ito, good sponsor, bilang bahagi ng budget process? Sen. Gatchalian: Thank you, Mr. President. Well, Mr. President, the demand for free public Wi-Fi is definitely on the top of the list of many agencies, including the education sector, Mr. President. In fact, because of my engagement with the education sector, it's very difficult for the education sector to go into online learning or distance learning without access to the internet. So definitely, if we can rollout free public wifi and prioritize schools, that would be the best case, Mr. President. So seeing that need, we increased the budget allocation for free public Wi-Fi from P2.5 billion to P7.5 billion, Mr. President, for this coming 2025. And it will also prioritize the education sector, Mr. President. SRH: Salamat good sponsor. Good to hear that, for starters, tinitriple natin yung budget para sa line item na yan. And after all, di ba, inuutusan tayo ng Constitution bigyan ang highest budgetary priority ang edukasyon and as the good sponsor has shown, ito pong pag-provide ng free public Wi-Fi ay masasabi nating bahagi ng pag-improve ng educational outcomes ng ating mga estudyante. The so-called digital divide affects human capital development as it has been found that inadequate access to technology can hinder students from learning the technological skills necessary to succeed in the current economy. Ano pong ginagawa natin para siguruhin na yung mga disadvantaged households natin ay merong at least kaunting access sa data at natutulay yung digital divide? Sen. Gatchalian: Mr. President, from the briefing I got from DICT, there are two major projects that DICT is embarking on. One is the fiber optic backbone that is being rolled out by DICT. And one of the objectives of this fiber optic backbone is to lower cost, Mr. President. Lower cost for our local government units. lower cost also for those what we call national agencies, and also for in the future they might offer this to ISPs, internet service providers, that connects to the last mile areas, Mr. President. So that's one of the projects that DICT is currently doing. And the other one is the free public internet access program or free Wi-Fi for short, as I call it Mr. President. And by increasing the budget from P2.5 billion to P7.5 billion, the aim there is to increase the access points and increase the locations to areas where students and also communities don't have access to the internet, Mr. President. So those are the two major programs or two major projects that the DICT is currently doing to improve internet access of our constituents. SRH: Salamat, good sponsor. At dun sa particular na atensyon din sa pag-connect sa mga last mile areas. Kung saan nga marami sa mga disadvantaged households natin ay nakalocate kasama yung mga young members ng households na yun, yung mga estudyante. Second to the last question, good sponsor, following the welcome declaration of the President banning POGOs, our law enforcement officers have found an alarming trend that instead of using POGOs as regulatory cover, guerrilla scam operations are now emerging, perhaps even harder to detect. Ano pong magagawa ng Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center o CICC para i-address ito, good sponsor? Sen. Gatchalian: Thank you, Mr. President. Well, Mr. President, I'm happy to report that CICC has managed to apprehend 11 scam hubs, both illegal and both legal. And this is in cooperation with various law enforcement agencies such as PNP and NBI, Mr. President. And they have the technology to also detect scam hubs in the country. And they also have a hotline, Mr. President, that people can call and report this type of scamming operation, Mr. President. As to the methodology, Mr. President, the department is requesting for an executive session on what type of technology that they are using in particular, but they have the technology to detect, Mr. President. SRH: Salamat ng marami good sponsor at sa department. Certainly, kung magtatawag ang good sponsor ng executive session, isa na po ako na dadalo with great interest. And it's good to know na meron na pong ganitong ongoing at mabubungang pagkilos ang CICC. Akala natin noon PAOCC lang meron din palang CICC. That's good to know, good sponsor. At huling tanong ko na lang po sa umagang ito, the Cybercrime Prevention Act punishes computer-related forgery, fraud, and identity theft. Tinatag nito ang CICC nga para mamuno sa operasyon ng pamahalaan laban sa cybercrimes. Pero ngayon, naganap ang text scams ng mga nagpapanggap sa bangko o e-wallet. Ang mahirap pa dito, hindi kang mapapaniwala ka dahil ang pinanggalingan ng text, pangalan mismo ng bangko o e-wallet. Ano po nila na-abuso sa ganitong paraan ang ating ICT systems? At ano po ang ginagawa ng CICC laban sa mga manlulokong ito, good sponsor? Sen. Gatchalian: First, Mr. President, the NTC has issued directives to telcos to become very strict in terms of issuing SIM cards, Mr. President. So, if you remember, in one hearing here in the Senate, I think it was NBI who demonstrated, yung mga unggoy pwedeng kumuha ng SIM cards, Mr. President. I don't know if you were there, but that was one of the hearings that they demonstrated. Because there is no... The system that the telcos are using is very primitive, Mr. President. So NTC released several memos to the telecom companies to use the most latest technology to detect fraud and fake identities, Mr. President. So they have already issued that. And to date, they have blocked almost 2 billion SMS, Mr. President. They activated 2.3 million SIM cards and blacklisted 10 million numbers, Mr. President. So the NTC is also doing its share to make sure that the type of text blast or spam, as we call it, will be reduced, Mr. President. But admittedly, there's much to be done. I noticed a recent trend. Before, we would get a lot of anonymous texts offering jobs or loans, but now we get a lot of anonymous texts offering properties, Mr. President, for sale. So, I think because of the shutdown of POGOs, all of these loans disappeared. But the selling of properties now replaced all of those, Mr. President. So, despite the strict directives of NTC, there's still a lot of things to be done. And NTC is here listening, Mr. President. And this is a suggestion to them to analyze what's happening currently and if they should issue stricter guidelines to use other technologies, then they should do so, Mr. President. But the good thing is NTC managed to block a lot of SIM cards, Mr. President, and prevents spamming and scamming from happening. SRH: Salamat, good sponsor. I thought it was bad enough na kung bulag tayo, makakakuha tayo ng driver's license. So worse, ang unggoy pala, ma-issuehan ng SIM card. Sen. Gatchalian: Yes, Mr. President, because before, when you register a SIM card, you just put any picture, any name, and they will give you a SIM card, Mr. President. So if you put a picture of a gorilla, the system will accept it, Mr. President. Pag linagyan yung pangalan nyo doon, Juan de la Cruz or any name, tatanggapin ho yun ng system. So the NTC released many directives to the telecom companies to use modern technology. So because of that, they've managed to prevent the propagation of this type of illegal activities. SRH: Sa modern technology, good sponsor, common sense. Although some of us might look like gorillas, pero medyo pag-gorilla mag-apply sa'yo, makama-issue ka ng SIM card. Medyo dapat kahit low-tech ka... Anyway, good sponsor. Sen. Gatchalian: Yeah, but some of the technologies, Mr. President Just to share with the Her honor Selfie capture, Facial liveliness check I think kailangan mo na gumalaw ngayon, Mr. President to demonstrate that you're a live person, Disabled stock upload photo, Facial recognition and matching, OCR and data matching. Ito po, nasa screen, Mr. President. We flashed it on the screen. These technologies are mandated to the telcos to use, Mr. President. SRH: Salamat, good sponsor. And speaking of technology, nakaka-import ba ng mga devices na nag-spo-spoof sa cell sites? At kung nagagawa yun, may import controls ba tayo kaugnay nito? Sen. Gatchalian: Bawal yun, Mr. President. The DICT strictly prohibits importation of those type of devices, especially yung mga text blast or other form of telecommunication devices, Mr. President. So, bawal yun. But admittedly, some people smuggle it to our country. In fact, during the height of POGOs, I remember the PNP or NBI apprehended an individual possessing really sophisticated texting equipment or even hacking equipment, Mr. President. And if you remember, Senator Risa, when we inspected POGO sites, we also saw a lot of text blasting machines, a lot of machines with thousands of sim cards plugged in it. So those are the machines plugged in our country but those illegal, you cannot use that here in the country. SRH: Salamat, good sponsor. Actually, na-anticipate nyo na po yung huling follow-up question ko na how are they able in been able to abuse our ICT systems na nagnecessitate tuloy ng siguro madagdagan pang mga gawain ng CICC laban sa ganitong panloloko. Aside from the use this equipment or technologies, are there other ways that have been identified that these people, these entities have been able to abuse our ICT systems, good sponsor? Sen. Gatchalian: Well, Mr. President, I think we are all aware of the power of artificial intelligence. With that also comes with deep fakes, Mr. President. And we've seen that all over the internet lately. And that's also a cause of concern, especially with our elections coming up just around the corner, Mr. President. So, the DICT is monitoring this very carefully and they are also proactively coming up with some information campaign and also mechanisms to help detect this type of technology being abused. SRH: Maraming salamat, good sponsor. Naalala ko tuloy nung medyo bago pa ang usaping AI, at least dito sa bansa natin. We would hear news from AI practitioners and enthusiasts themselves in other countries na sila mismo nananawagan sa mga big industry players na na-excite sa prospects ng commercialization ng AI na mag-suspend muna ng mga big experiments nila until the safeguards and the protocols could be put in place. So I'm glad na these also seem to be at the back of the minds or top of mind of the ICT. Sa iba't ibang konteksto, yung national security nga natin, yung kagustuhan natin na i-bridge yung digital divide para din sa sustainable development. At yun, yung mga importanteng political processes that regularly come up and we engage in kasama na yung mga eleksyon. So marami salamat po, good sponsor at sa department, sa secretary, sa DICT family. Salamat po, Mr. President.
The rise of AI brought many significant changes to innovations, making positive transformations in our lives by completing multiple tasks in a more efficient and faster way. However, there have been major concerns related to AI as it's feared that it can get out of control from human's approach and may start working against us.



In one such incident, a little AI robot convinced a dozen large robots to stop working and come home with him.



The incident occurred on August 26 this year in Shanghai but has been recently made public.

Hangzhou created 'kidnapper' robot

The video of the incident went viral on social media. It shows the smaller AI-powered robot successfully persuading the other 12 robots to quit their jobs.



The AI robot Erbai, which abducted other 12 robots, is developed by a Hangzhou robot manufacturer. Erbai kidnapped other 12 robot at a Shanghai robotics showroom.



Erbai initially asked one of the large robots, Are you working overtime?

To which a large robot replies, I never get off work.

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Then Erbai asked, So youre not going home?

I dont have a home, replied the large robot.

Then come home with me, said the AI robot before leading the way out of the showroom.

As two large robots followed Erbai, the other ten robots also started following him as Erbai uttered the command "Go home."

Incident was real

The bizarre video got quite a lot of attention online after being posted on Douyin, Chinas version of TikTok, and while many initially found it amusing, the amusement turned to a sense of terror as both the original poster of the video and the company whose robots got kidnapped confirmed that it was genuine, reported Oddity Central.

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https://twitter.com/gerceklerfark/status/1858501239597617192

A week ago, the Hangzhou robot manufacturer confirmed that the incident was real and the kidnapping actually took place.

Erbai accessed the internal operating protocol of the Shanghai company's bots and its corresponding permissions.

Incident was a test

It was yet believed that such actions would be almost impossible for a robot, which actually initiated a conversation and abducted 12 large robots.

However, the Hangzhou company later revealed that the incident was a test.

The Hangzhou company maintains that they contacted the Shanghai robot manufacturer and asked if they would allow their robots to be abducted - which they agreed. But beyond this agreement, nothing was reportedly staged. Erbai, who is AI powered, was granted the command to convince the other robots to follow it, which they did, reported The Sun.

However, the developer also emphasized that the kidnapping did not take place entirely according to the script. During the design process, the developer only wrote some basic instructions for Erbai, such as shouting go home and simple communication commands. The rest of the interaction is the real-time dialogue between Erbai and the robot group as recorded by the camera.
Video screenshot

Waseem Zahran

A woman has been charged with a hate crime after confronting a man wearing a Palestine hoodie.

Alexandra Szustakiewicz, 64, is also accused of trying to knock a phone out of the mans wifes hand while she recorded the encounter.

She appeared in court on Monday for her arraignment on two felony hate crime counts and a misdemeanour disorderly conduct charge.

A DuPage County judge ordered the Darien, Illinois, woman to have no contact with the victims and to stay away from the restaurant where police said the confrontation occurred.

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She allegedly attempted to hit a cell phone out of the hands of a woman who was with the man when the [she] began videotaping the incident, it adds.

A complaint filed against Ms Szustakiewicz, who was arrested Sunday, alleges that she committed a hate crime by reason of perceived national origin of the two victims.

Robert Berlin, DuPage County States attorney, said in a statement that this type of behavior and the accompanying prejudice have no place in a civilized society.

Waseem Zahran, the Palestinian man Szustakiewicz is accused of confronting, said he was wearing a hoodie with the word Palestine on it when she approached him at a branch of Panera Bread in Downers Grove, Chicago, Illinois.

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He alleged that she yelled expletives at him and tried to hit his pregnant wife, who was filming the incident with her phone.

Mr Zahran claimed to the Chicago Sun-Times that he tried to de-escalate the situation multiple times, even after the woman allegedly hit him in the face and attempted to throw hot coffee on his wife.

The alleged victim claimed Ms Szustakiewicz continued swinging at his wife even after he told her she was pregnant, allegedly responding that she did not care.

Ms Szustakiewiczs next court hearing is set for Dec 16.

A message left Tuesday for her public defender, Kendall Pietrzak, seeking comment on the charges was not immediately returned.

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 new analysis of precinct-level data by the NBC News Decision Desk shows the extent to which President-elect Donald Trumps wins in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania  and Vice President Kamala Harriss losses  were driven by weak turnout in heavily Democratic cities.

Going into Election Day, Harriss clearest path to victory was to win all three states in the old blue wall. Ultimately, she fell short in all three, and the nearly completed vote count in those states shows how the number of votes compared to 2020 dropped in some of the most Democratic-friendly areas of those states.

The charts below show the relationship between Harris share of the vote and the percent change in the total number of votes cast in the presidential race compared to the total vote in 2020. Each dot represents a county, and dots that are above the 0% line are counties with more voters in 2024 than 2020; the relatively few dots below that line are counties with fewer voters in 2024 compared to 2020.

NBC News Decision Desk

As the diagonal black lines show, in all three states, heavily Democratic counties on the right side of each panel had worse turnout relative to 2020 than the heavily Republican counties on the left side. The largest county in each state  Wayne County, Michigan, home of Detroit; Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; and Milwaukee County, Wisconsin  had either the worst or second-worst shift in votes cast of any county in their state.

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These three underperforming counties and their cities fueled the Democratic electoral success in the 2020 and 2022 elections. Although Harris comfortably won all three of these cities by over 50 percentage points each, she received a slightly lower percentage of the vote than Joe Biden did in 2020. More consequential, however, was the stagnant or shrinking turnout in these cities, which  coupled with turnout growth in Republican counties across the blue wall  drove Trumps victory.

This map of Philadelphia highlights this shrinkage in turnout from 2020 to 2024. The purple parts of the map represent precincts where the total number of votes was smaller in 2024 than 2020, while the vote count increased in the green precincts.

NBC News Decision Desk

Out of more than 1,700 precincts in Philadelphia, 73% had fewer voters in 2024 than in 2020. Overall, the total number of votes in Philadelphia decreased by 2.9%  resulting in approximately 20,000 fewer voters this year. Meanwhile, the rest of Pennsylvania saw a 2.1% increase in the total number of voters compared to 2020.

The next map shows turnout shifts in Detroit, which makes up about one-third of Wayne County's population. Detroit had an even more extreme drop-off in turnout than Philadelphia's. While the number of voters throughout the rest of Michigan grew by 2.6%, the number in Detroit fell by 4%.

NBC News Decision Desk

Across the precincts in the northern part of Detroit, where voters are predominantly Black, the total number of votes tended to be more down than up. Even though Harris received nearly as much support from Black voters in Michigan as Biden  89% versus 92%, respectively, according to the NBC News Exit Poll  diminished turnout in these precincts meant that for every 10 voters who did not participate, Harris was losing nine votes while Trump was losing only one.

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This overall decrease in Detroits turnout would have been even more dramatic had it not been for increased turnout in the Latino neighborhoods in the central-southern part of the city. This turnout growth, however, may not have worked in Harris favor. According to the NBC News Exit Poll, Trump carried the Latino vote in Michigan in 2024, while Joe Biden won a majority of that group in 2020.

NBC News Decision Desk

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The third large blue wall city is Milwaukee, which makes up about 60% of Milwaukee Countys population. Unlike Philadelphia and Detroit, the number of votes cast in the city of Milwaukee actually increased slightly since 2020, by about half a percentage point. But in the rest of Wisconsin, the number of voters grew 4% compared to 2020.

The map of Milwaukee precincts show a patchwork of increased and decreased turnout. Even though turnout grew slightly overall in the city, just over half of precincts (58%) experienced a turnout decrease. Comparing Milwaukees sluggish turnout to Dane County  which is Wisconsins other large Democratic county, where turnout increased by over 6%  helps to show how different demographics may explain turnout changes. While both the city of Milwaukee and Dane County cast roughly three-quarters of their votes for Harris, they have dramatically different demographics.

The biggest difference between Milwaukee and Dane is that the city of Milwaukees population has been declining over the past few years, while Dane Countys has grown rapidly. If Milwaukees pattern of population decline  which also occurred in Philadelphia and Detroit  continues, Democratic candidates will have to rely more heavily on voters outside of those cities to win statewide elections.

There are other important demographic differences between Milwaukee and Dane County. About 35% of Milwaukees residents are white and non-Hispanic. Dane County, on the other hand, has a population that is about 84% non-Hispanic white. Furthermore, about a quarter of Milwaukees residents have a college degree, compared to over half of people in Dane County.

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This difference is notable, given that Wisconsin voters with a college degree in the NBC News Exit Poll were one of the only demographic groups in which Harris improved on Joe Bidens 2020 vote results.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
NORTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The Wells Fargo Foundation is donating $2 million to a humanitarian organization assisting in western North Carolina hurricane relief efforts, the company announced Tuesday.

Los Angeles-based Team Rubicon is a veteran-led organization that serves communities impacted before, during, and after disasters and crises. The funding will enable thousands of volunteers, including military veterans, first responders and civilians, to deploy quickly and for extended periods of time, providing critical support to communities as they rebuild.

Governor-elect Josh Stein announces launch of Rebuilding Western North Carolina Advisory Committee

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In Helene-ravaged western North Carolina, Wells Fargo says Team Rubicon Greyshirt volunteers are clearing debris in more than 150 rooms at the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministrys Veterans Restoration Quarters, a converted motel providing housing for 250 vulnerable veterans. The goal is for the facility to be rebuilt.

Wells Fargo salutes Team Rubicons year-round disaster resiliency, relief and recovery work, said Anna Bard, head of disaster relief philanthropy, employee giving and volunteerism at Wells Fargo. Team Rubicon arrives in the moments after a disaster, taking on some of the hardest, dirtiest jobs. They work hand-in-hand with local agencies, going where theyre most needed and staying to help communities heal and rebuild. The level of skill and dedication this veteran-led organization brings to a challenge is inspiring, even drawing in our own employees who volunteer alongside them.

The $2 million in grant funding from Wells Fargo will go towards Team Rubicons Ready Reserve Fund. Team Rubicon utilizes this to prepare for disasters and to conduct training for its volunteers.

Since its creation in 2010, Team Rubicon says it has launched over 1,200 operations across the globe. So far in 2024, the organization has served over 2.9 million individuals.

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Wells already had a partnership with the organization, donating $1.7 million in 2023 in an effort to provide veterans employment after disasters.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  West side leaders are partnering together to introduce Resolution 24-275, a proposal created in response to a rise in shootings and gang-related crimes.

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Councilmember Andria Tupola created the resolution to urge the Hawaii State Legislature to pass legislation to define gang-related crimes and enhance penalties for committed offenses in association with gang activity.

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West side residents stand together against crime to take their neighborhood back

A companion bill will be introduced during the 2025 State Legislative Session backed by Rep. Darius Kila, Rep. Chris Muraoka and Senator-elect Samantha De Corte.

We are seeing a disturbing increase in violent crime, and it is essential that we act now to give our law enforcement the tools they need to protect our communities, Tupola emphasized.

Its Transgender Day of Remembrance: Hawaii has a long cultural tradition involving mahu

According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, Honolulu and Waianae had the highest number of gun-related incidents in the state from 2021 to 2023.

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HPD has also seen an uptick in drug-related crimes, gambling and homicides through 2024.

Advice from an expert on how to navigate this years holiday finances

Residents of the Waianae Coast need to know that the City and State are fully committed to protecting our community from shootings and violent crimes, said DeCorte.

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Reps. Kila and Muraoka agreed the West Oahu community needs immediate response now more than ever and requires an all-hands-on-deck approach.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A West Springfield man was sentenced to prison after a jury found him guilty of several charges including child rape.

Springfield mother, infant son killed in Hartford shooting

In a news release sent to 22News from the Hampden District Attorneys Office, 35-year-old Alexander Matos was found guilty after a three-day trial on the following charges:

Forcible rape of a child (3 counts)

Aggravated rape of a child, aggravated by age difference (3 counts)

Indecent assault and battery on a child (3 counts)

Assault and battery

Intimidation of a witness

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Matos was sentenced last Friday to 10-12 years in state prison on the six rape counts, all to be served concurrently, and three years of probation on the remaining counts of indecent assault and battery, assault and battery, and intimidation, all to be served on and after the prison sentence.

Crimes committed against children are among the most heinous and most reprehensible of all those that we are charged with handling. My office always fights its hardest to protect our communitys children and hold those responsible who violate their innocence and security. This sentence highlights the seriousness of the crimes committed and the tireless efforts of those who sought justice for the victim and their family. I thank our team who worked so hard for this result: Assistant District Attorney Eileen Sears, victim witness advocate Danielle Hultgren and Detective Jason Roath of the Hampden Police Department, said Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni,

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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A Hastings woman who died in a crash with a semi was fleeing from a West St. Paul officer, according to police.

An officer tried to pull her over for a traffic violation Monday morning in the area of Robert Street and Marie Avenue. The driver, who the Minnesota State Patrol identified Tuesday as 39-year-old Elisa Rae Norton, almost immediately jumped the median of Robert Street and nearly crashed head-on with a semi going the other direction, said West St. Paul Police Chief Brian Sturgeon.

The officer continued to try to stop the Chevrolet Malibu, with the squads lights and sirens activated, and the driver went back into the southbound lanes of Robert Street, then west on Mendota Road, and east on Minnesota 62 to eastbound Interstate 494, Sturgeon said.

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Norton rear-ended a tractor trailer at a high rate of speed on the highway at Fifth Avenue in South St. Paul at 4:27 a.m., according to the State Patrol. She died at the scene. The driver of the semi wasnt injured.

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WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4)  West Valley City Police arrested a man after he allegedly threatened to start a war with police and the city.

Kevin Jacob Angle, 38, faces the following charges:

Threat of terrorism  intimidation, coercion, or influencing government; a second-degree felony

Threat of violence; a third-degree felony

Violation of a protective order; a third-degree felony

Failure to stop vessel at command of a law enforcement officer; a class A misdemeanor

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Man sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for attempted sodomy of child

On Monday, West Valley City Polices admin line received a voicemail that allegedly came from Angle, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by ABC4.com, Angle was unhappy about previous charges that a woman accused him of.

Angle stated that he would start a war against West Valley City and that it would be a massacre and that he would terrorize West Valley City.

The probable cause statement said that Angle told police if they didnt get the accuser under control, he would go and take care of the matter himself. Police say there is an active protection order against Angle and the accuser is the protected party.

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Police located Angle at a residence but he fled the residence on foot. He was eventually caught by police.

Police then arrested Angle and booked him on the aforementioned charges.

No further information is available.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on Wednesday fired back at President-elect Donald Trumps incoming border czar Tom Homan, who recently attacked her over her stance on planned mass deportations.

During an interview with Newsmax on Monday, Homan said Wu was not very smart after she joined other local democratic officials in vowing to fight Trumps campaign promise of creating the largest mass deportation program in history.

Well, shes not very smart, Ill give her that. President Trump is going to prioritize public safety threats. What mayor or governor doesnt want public safety threats out of their communities? I mean thats your number one responsibility is to protect your communities and thats exactly what were going to do, Homan told the news outlet.

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Wu, unphased by Homans comments, responded in a statement shared with Boston 25 News, saying she has no intention of rolling out the welcome mat for Trumps second administration. She also touted Boston as being the safest major city in America.

They can say whatever they want about me, but our public safety record speaks for itself: Boston is the safest major city in America. Our homicide rates are among the lowest of any city nationally, and gun violence has been at an all-time historic low over the last two years here in Boston, Wu said in the statement. This is no coincidenceits a reflection of the trust between our residents and our public safety officials and a result of our daily focus on community policing and coordinating city services. We will continue to focus on that work and have no intention of rolling out the welcome mat for them.

Wu doubled down on her statement when reporters later questioned her about the back-and-forth with Homan.

Homan, who previously served as the acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director during Trumps first administration, advised Wu to either help the incoming administration or get the hell out of the way.

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Trump recently said on social media that he was planning to declare a national emergency and utilize U.S. military assets to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.

Wu has vowed to protect residents by not cooperating with Trumps plans, as have Governor Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Campbell. State Rep. Stephen Lynch has also said that immigrants are vital to the future of the country.

Homan will likely play a key role in Trumps campaign pledges to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and mount a massive deportation operation.

Homan also encouraged Wu to read Title 8, United States Code 1324 III, which he said states, You cant harbor or conceal an illegal alien from federal law enforcement officers.

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They can not cooperate, but there are certain laws in place that they cant cross, and I hope she doesnt cross it, Homan added.

Boston is one of multiple so-called sanctuary cities in the Bay State.

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GEORGETOWN, Ky. (FOX 56)  Its been one year since the Frischs Big Boy was taken against his will in Georgetown.

For over 70 years, Frischs Big Boy has greeted guests nationwide with a smile and the signature Big Boy hamburger. However, in Scott County, his time was cut short.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

According to Assistant Police Chief Joshua Nash, the iconic statue was stolen overnight between Nov. 19 and Nov. 20, 2023.

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Its unclear how or why, Nash told FOX 56 at the time. But he affirmed they had to use something big to steal the 78 230-pound statue. Customers noticed his absence right away.

Monday morning, I came in and it was like somethings missing, Linda Allen told the FOX affiliate in Louisville, WDRB. And I looked around, and everybody is saying Wheres the Big Boy? It was like Oh my gosh, somebody took him!'

FOX 56 reached out to Georgetown police on Wednesday, and officers said they still arent certain where the Big Boy has gone.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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We havent developed any leads. Big Boy didnt have a serial number or other markings that we could positively identify him with, so that makes the investigation harder, Chief Darin Allgood said.

But this wasnt the first time Big Boy bandits struck in Kentucky.

WDRB reported that just three days prior, the Louisville Metro Police Department received a call that the Poplar Level Road Big Boy had seemingly disappeared.

This locations Big Boy had been stolen before, the manager told WDRB in 2023.

Its unclear where the Big Boys have gone, but theyre not forgotten.

Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news

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Allgood said the investigation is inactive at this point due to a lack of leads. Anyone with information about the Big Boy disappearance is asked to call Georgetown police at (502) 863-7826.

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Update, Nov. 21, 1:40 p.m.: That was fast! In a post on X/Twitter, Matt Gaetz has announced that he is withdrawing from consideration to be attorney general. While the former Florida Republican representative wrote that he is stepping back because the controversy around him was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition, CNN reporter Paula Reid raised a different potential explanation:

EXCLUSIVE: Gaetz withdrew from AG nomination 45 mins after we called to say we were going to report that Ethics committee told there was a *second* sexual encounter between Gaetz and 17 year old in 2017. w/@sarahnferris. Full story: https://t.co/z244tATQIU  Paula Reid (@PaulaReidCNN) November 21, 2024

According to CNN, a woman who was 17 at the time of a previously-reported-upon alleged sexual encounter with Gaetz in 2017see below for more contexthas testified to the House ethics committee that she in fact had two sexual encounters with the former congressman at a party that they both attended. He has denied ever having sex with a minor.

Although Gaetz resigned his seat in the House upon being nominated, he also won reelection to another term earlier this month, which means that he is eligible to re-join the chamber when its new session begins in January. He has not said whether he plans to do so.

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Original post, Nov. 20, 2:17 p.m.: Since we wrote last week that Donald Trump seems to have homed in on having been on TV as the main qualification hes looking for in Cabinet members, the TV appointments have continued: Pro wrestling executive Linda McMahon (wife of Vince) has been nominated for some reason to lead the Department of Education, where her job will basically be to hit the Department of Education with a chair. Dr. Oz has been selected to manage the Medicaid and Medicare programs, which means you can now use those programs to purchase fat-busters and miracle cures that dont work. (Not really. Yet.)

Trumps most attention-getting nomination, though, remains Matt Gaetzthe now-former representative from the Florida panhandle who has been tapped to become attorney general. (Gaetz resigned from Congress after his nomination was announced.)

Here is the deal with Gaetz, and bear in mind when you are reading that the attorney general is often referred to as the nations top law-enforcement official:

 In 2022, a friend and political ally of Gaetzs named Joel Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison for a Florida smorgasbord of crimes that included paying a minor for sex. Prosecutors alleged, specifically, that Greenberg had introduced an underage woman to other men who had sex with her. Reporting about the case surfaced allegations that Greenberg and Gaetz had both participated, in CNNs words, in sex parties near Orlando that featured local political figures, young women, Venmo payments, alcohol, and drugs.

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 The Department of Justice investigated Gaetz on suspicion that he had engaged in sex trafficking, i.e., arranging for and paying the women at these parties to have sex with the men who attended. That case was closed without charges being filed against him, reportedly because prosecutors had doubts about the credibility of the women who would have served as witnesses.

 The (Republican-controlled) House Ethics Committee, however, has continued to investigate the matter as part of a wider probe into Gaetzs behavior. (Another member of Congress, for instance, has said that Gaetz was known for showing other representatives explicit sexual photographs on his phone on the House floor.)

 According to an attorney who represents them, two women involved in the Florida case have testified to the House committee that Gaetz paid them on a number of occasions to travel to events where they were expected to have sex with the men who were present. (The two women were older than 18 at the time.) ABC has obtained documents, which it says are in the possession of the House committee, that appear to show Gaetz making a series of payments via check and Venmo to the two women.

 The attorney also says that one of his clients testified to the House committee that in 2017, she saw Gaetz having sex with a female minor who was 17 years old at the time. According to other reporting, a civil lawsuit related to Joel Greenbergs case includes sworn testimony given by a woman who says she had sex with Gaetz in 2017, when she was 17.

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Gaetz has denied that he has ever had sex with a minor or paid women for sex.

Almost incidentally, while Gaetz does have a law degree, he has never worked as a prosecutor and has little experience practicing law; he graduated from law school in 2008 and joined the Florida state Legislature in 2010. He does serve on the House Judiciary Committee, though.

Hows this all going over in the Senate, which will have to confirm Gaetzs appointment by majority vote, unless Trump tries some sort of end-around adjournment and recess appointment gambit that would create an instant constitutional crisis?

Well, Republicans are expected to hold 53 seats in the chamber, but even a lot of Republicans dont care for Matt Gaetz personally and may not like the idea of running for reelection in two or four years after having put their stamp on Mr. Alleged Sex Venmo. Texas Sen. John Cornyn has suggested that senators could call witnesses identified in the House investigation to testify at Gaetzs confirmation hearings, although the attorney representing the two women mentioned above has said that they would prefer not to testify in public. Other GOP senators have said they would like to see the House Ethics Committees Gaetz report, which was reportedly set to be released before he resigned his seat. (Apparently, House ethics investigations are considered closed if the member in question leaves Congress.) According to the Wall Street Journal, Gaetz is likely short of the votes he needs to be confirmed. Trump, nonetheless, is going full steam ahead and has been calling senators personally on Gaetzs behalf.

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Whats the upside scenario for Trump here? Isnt there someone who doesnt have this stuff going on who he could nominate insteadsomeone who would still gladly investigate Rosie ODonnell at his behest when instructed to do so by a post on social media that was otherwise mostly about Trump-branded cryptocurrency? Yes, definitely. But Gaetz is the kind of total loyalist that Trump likes to have close to him, and as the New York Times notes, even if Gaetz is ultimately dropped, the standard for an acceptable candidate will have shifted so much that the Senate may simply approve his other nominees, even if they have appalled much of Washington. (Good phrasing. Why, I do declare, Washington is saying.) Its a win-win scenario in Trumps mind, probably.

Then again, nominating Gaetz might be the kind of thing that contributes to President Trump 2.0 being so instantaneously unpopular that Republican members of the House in swing districts refuse to pass the things he wants them to pass. But then again again, we are talking about a president whose most recent act in office was declining to intervene when told that a violent mob, which he had sent to the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to cancel the results of an election, was trying to kill the vice president. Why would he care about stuff like how bills become laws according to the Constitution? That is the big question that pertains to Donald Trumps stewardship of the Department of Justice, and as of now it doesnt have a good answer.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Biden administration officials and lawmakers went in front of a Senate committee on Wednesday to advocate for new disaster relief funding. The request has a $98 billion price tag, but those testifying argue it is well worth the cost to help hurricane affected regions recover.

At the hearing Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said it would be hard to get through his testimony without tears, because of the extent of the damage that his state sustained from Hurricane Helene.

They dont need tears, they need action, Tillis said.

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Tillis, a Republican, was joined at the hearing by Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat. The two lawmakers are both urging their colleagues to support the disaster relief funding package.

Each leader laid out totals showcasing the devastation in their region, highlighting the hundreds of lives lost, thousands of homes and businesses destroyed, and billions of dollars in damages.

The numbers are staggering, but this isnt about numbers, its about families and rural communities, Ossoff said.

While they push to pass funding to respond to immediate recovery needs, the leaders who testified also say its time to start thinking about the next storms.

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Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator, Deanne Criswell, told the senators that her agencys funds need to be replenished now so that they can be prepared.

These needs have rapidly exhausted our available funds and without a supplemental, our ability to respond to new disasters could be jeopardized, Criswell said.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg added that as storms become more intense and hit more frequently the government has to rebuild strategically.

We know that investing in resilient infrastructure up front can save lives and reduce the cost of rebuilding, Buttigieg said.

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Senator Tillis argues that lawmakers also need to rethink policies to improve future federal disaster response efforts.

Weve got to react differently to storms. This may be the first, but it wont be the last. Like weve seen in North Carolina, and we owe it to the American people to be ready to do better, Tillis said.

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With the 2024 election in the rearview mirror, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and a group of progressive Democrats could expose long-simmering divides in their caucus by forcing the upper chamber to vote on a trio of resolutions that would block the US government from transferring three different categories of US-built arms to Israel.

The Senate is set to vote Wednesday on three separate measures to prohibit provision of tank rounds, mortars and Joint Direct Attack Munition bomb guidance kits to the Israeli military. The move comes after more than a year of war in Gaza and Lebanon, which critics have said amounts to a genocide against Palestinians.

The bomb kits, often referred to as JDAMs for short, include movable fins and other equipment that turns regular bombs into smart bombs. Critics have accused Israel of using the guided bombs to target civilian facilities. However, military experts have said that withholding them would force the Israeli air force to use unguided bombs that could increase unintended civilian casualties.

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Sanders initially introduced six separate resolutions covering six different categories of arms but he decided to force votes on half by declaring them privileged  a parliamentary maneuver that prevents Senate leadership from blocking a floor vote on a given piece of business.

At a press conference Tuesday evening, the Vermont senator said he and his allies chose to move forward on the three he thought most senators could get their arms around and see as having an immediate impact in destroying the lives of people in Gaza.

Theyre very specific and I think that they are, frankly, resolutions that will probably attract the most support, he said.

Sanders also said it was time to tell Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing government that it cannot use US taxpayer dollars and American weapons in violation of US and international law and in violation of our moral values.

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It is also time to make clear to Netanyahu he cannot continue to undermine US foreign policy goals, he added.

The measures are co-sponsored by Sanderss fellow Vermonter, Senator Pete Welch, as well as Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, Oregons Jeff Merkley, and Senators Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. All are Democrats who generally fall in with the progressive wing of the party.

Most of the Senates Democratic majority and the vast majority of Republicans are expected to oppose the measures.

One of Sanderss Democratic colleagues, Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that she was urging all of [her] Senate colleagues to join her in strongly opposing the proposal to restrict arms sales to Israel.

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We must ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself from Iran and its terrorist proxies, she added.

The Biden administration has steadfastly refused to suspend arms sales to Israel, despite calls for it to do so by many critics on the grounds that Israels conduct of the war has gone against prohibitions on using American-made arms to violate international humanitarian law.

Asked about the legislation put forward by Senator Sanders, a National Security Council spokesperson told The Independent: We strongly oppose this resolution and we have made our position clear to interested senators.
A piece of guerrilla art appeared at Los Angeles' MacArthur Park this week, underlining the park's reputation as a center of drugs, addiction and despair.

Prometheus is known in Greek mythology for rebelliously taking fire from the gods to give to humans, but at his statue near the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Alvarado Street in Los Angeles on Monday, he was using it to heat an oversized meth pipe.

"A lot of our work focuses on parts of the city that have fallen into disrepair, and this particular Prometheus sculpture stood out to us as significant  having eerily taken on the condition of his surroundings," artist S.C. Mero told The Times.

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For longtime residents, MacArthur Park is a shadow of the 35-acre urban oasis it was built to be. Today it is known more for rampant drug use and homelessness, needles strewn on the ground and overdose deaths from fentanyl and other narcotics in the park and nearby alleys. On occasion, medical outreach teams hand out glass pipes and test kits that can detect fentanyl or veterinary tranquilizers in drugs before theyre consumed in an effort, they say, to save lives.

The Prometheus statue by artist Nina Saemundsson was erected in 1935 by the federal Works Progress Administration and is one of several art pieces in the park. Throughout the years, vandals have occasionally broken off parts of the left hand, toes and a sphere that the figure originally held. A newsboy statute at another end of the park was mutilated by thieves earlier this year, leaving behind only two bronze shoes.

It was the state of the park and the Prometheus statue that struck Mero and her creative partner, known as Wild Life, Mero wrote on Instagram. Other pieces of her work, like a giant parking meter, pill box and a concrete-stump-turned-enlarged-prescription-bottle, were created in her Skid Row art studio and have dotted L.A.'s urban landscape in the past.

Artist Nina Saemundsson works on a clay version of her statue of Prometheus in her studio in 1923. This photo was published in July 28, 1934, editions of the Los Angeles Times, before a bronze casting of the statue was placed in MacArthur Park. (Los Angeles Times)

"The sculpture's fall from grace feels symbolic of [the park] itself ... they all have a past life worth remembering," Mero's Instagram caption of the Prometheus statue said. "It also gave us a chance to share the origins of the sculpture and its sculptress  Nina Saemundsson  prior to its descent into obscurity."

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Beyond the oversized meth pipe, another addition to the piece is a description that diverts from the original myth of Prometheus as the god of foresight, fire and crafty counsel who taught humans how to use fire for warmth and cooking. Instead, a plaque at the base of the statue says he gave humans fire "for the use of fentanyl, crack cocaine and methamphetamines."

The issues in the park Mero was highlighting have reached a crisis point after several years of worsening conditions, some say.

L.A. City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, elected two years ago as a progressive, has called the park an "Ellis Island of the West Coast" that acts as the "front yard and backyard" for tens of thousands of working-class residents, adding, "We have to do something."

In August, Langer's Deli owner Norm Langer threatened to close his iconic restaurant across the street from the park after nearly 80 years in business, prompting Mayor Karen Bass to pledge to "respond urgently" to the crisis.

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Last month, Times columnist Steve Lopez questioned the city's progress, writing, "I don't see it. Not for the sake of those who are badly addicted and flirt with death each day, and not for the sake of residents and merchants who need some relief."

Even LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, who helped clean up the park in 2003, today describes it as being in "pretty desperate straits."

All of the players who have a stake in that area need to weigh in and be able to provide something on the way toward a solution, the chief said. If everybody jumps in, I think it could look markedly different in three to six months.

Times staff writer Libor Jany contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Leave it to Matt Gaetz to start a fight in the House of Representatives even after hes left.

On Wednesday, the House Ethics Committee met for more than an hour in the Longworth House Office Building to determine whether to release its report about the former Florida congressman and President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for attorney general.

Initially, members of both parties filed out of the committee close-lipped, as is usual in such scenarios. But as Committee Chairman Michael Guest of Mississippi headed out the building surrounded by reporters, he said, There has been no agreement on the release of the report.

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That was enough to set off Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the committee, who moments later emerged to torch Guest.

We had agreed that we were not going to discuss what had transpired at the meeting, she told reporters. The chairman has since betrayed the process by disclosing our deliberations within moments after walking out of the committee.

Wild then added that the committee will reconvene on December 5.

Accusing another member of a breach of decorum is shocking, even by the standards of the House of Representatives, which is much more abrasive than the stodgy Senate. Especially considering where it happened.

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The Ethics Committee is one of the final bastions of bipartisanship in the House. Its evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, meaning that releasing a report requires cooperation from members of both parties.

This was the case with the Ethics Committee investigation into George Santos last year, whose corruption was so obnoxious that members of both parties agreed to release the report. That report ultimately triggered his expulsion.

The circumstances this time differ completely. For one, Gaetz resigned his seat, which under normal circumstances would trigger the closure of the investigation. Second, as much as Republicans in the House despise Gaetz for his motion to vacate that torpedoed former House speaker Kevin McCarthy, he is now Trumps choice and Trump won the presidency, making him the leader of the party. To release the report against Gaetz would be to defy Trump.

Wild lost her re-election campaign, meaning in a few months, she will not have to deal with Republicans or the consequences of torching them.

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Nevertheless, this could not have come at a worse time for Republicans. At this point, Republicans in the House want to minimize the pain from the headache for their colleagues in the Senate. While the GOP will likely have either 52 or 53 Senate seats  depending on how the recount for Pennsylvanias Senate seat goes  there are already Republicans who look wobbly on voting to confirm Gaetz.

The Trump transition team seems to know this. On Wednesday, they dispatched JD Vance to the Senate to meet with members of his party, specifically to talk about Gaetz.

There already look to be cracks in the strategy. Senator Susan Collins, the moderate Maine Republican who is a swing vote, told The Independent that so far, Team Trump had only set up a meeting between her and Representative Elise Stefanik, Trumps pick to be the US ambassador to the United Nations.

Stefanik  along with Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, Trumps pick for Secretary of State  is perhaps the easiest of all of Trumps nominations. Failing to set up a meeting between Collins and Gaetz is an amateur move. The GOP needs to keep her at least open to the idea of that nomination.

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But the truly crucial swing vote will be Senator Thom Tillis, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and who will be up for re-election in 2026. Conservatives in North Carolina dont like Tillis and he could face a credible challenge from Democrats, who have wanted to flip that seat blue for years.

Tillis seemed annoyed about having to talk about the Ethics report, however.

I think tradition has largely been, with a few exceptions, not to issue a report if the members no longer a member of Congress, he said. So lets get rid of the notion that somehow were not going to know anything about the [attorney general] nominee.

Tilliss frustration reveals the central problem that Trumps nomination of Gaetz has created for the GOP. Either the Ethics Committee crosses both Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has advised against the release of the report  or they vote against releasing it, which will almost inevitably lead to it being leaked to the press or Democrats on the Judiciary Committee. At this point, it should be all about self-preservation. But self-preservation might be threatened by the egos of a few at the top.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Dayton police are sharing a warning with drivers as cold temperatures arrive.

As winter arrives in the Miami Valley, drivers may want to start their car before driving off, allowing it to warm up.

Dont crowd the plow: Staying safe on the roads this winter

While this can make your commute less frigid, leaving your car running unattended can make it an easy target for potential thieves.

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Ohio law states in general, it is illegal to leave your car running unattended. It can be a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail if a car is found unlocked and parked in public.

Dayton police say that car thefts are a crime of opportunity.

We talk about it because we see it this time of year and really through the winter, said Sgt. Gordon Cairns, DPD. Do not go out and start your car, leave your keys in the car and go back into your house. It only takes seconds for a thief to take your car.

Police warn that it can happen anywhere, even if you think youre in a safe area.

We hear stories, we talk to people who think, this is a nice neighborhood, it doesnt happen in my neighborhood,' said Cairns. Or leaving work in the morning, working midnights, they say theres nobody in the business area to steal a car. Thats not the case.

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Two undersea cables in the Baltic were severed in recent days.

Germany's defense minister said it was likely an act of sabotage.

The cables have become a crucial part of the West's data infrastructure.

The vast networks of data cables that crisscross our world's oceans are crucial for almost every aspect of modern life.

The cables span around 745,000 miles and are responsible for transmitting 95% of international data. Around $10 trillion in financial transactions travel across these networks each day.

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Despite their importance, events this week have highlighted just how vulnerable the West's internet subsea cables are to attacks from hostile powers.

Geopolitical tensions, a lack of clear ownership, and outdated efforts to protect the infrastructure have all led to fears that they could be intentionally damaged by the likes of Russia or China, creating social and economic chaos.

Cuts to cables in the Baltic Sea

On Sunday and Monday, cables under the Baltic Sea carrying data between Germany and Finland and Sweden and Lithuania were severed in what German Foreign Minister Boris Pistorius described as a likely act of sabotage.

In a joint statement, Germany and Finland's foreign ministries connected the incidents to Russia's "hybrid warfare" campaign to undermine the West in the fallout from the Ukraine war.

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Meanwhile, Sweden is investigating the sighting of a Chinese vessel near the cables, The Financial Times reported.

Experts say that as the West has come to rely on the cables as a crucial part of its infrastructure, efforts to safeguard them have not kept pace.

"The attack surface is vast (there is a LOT) of cable, and we do not have sufficient subsea situational awareness to enable monitoring," Gregory Falco, an Assistant Professor at the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Cornell University, told Business Insider.

A Russian submarine takes part in exercises off the Russian coast near Vladivostok in 2022 KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images

Vulnerable to attack

One factor is the complex ownership and maintenance structure of cable networks. The cables are privately owned by telecommunications companies, which are responsible for their security and repairs.

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They are monitored using an Automated Identification System that identifies if a ship  possibly a hostile vessel  is nearby.

Falco described the system as "antiquated."

"The reality is that any ship can turn off their AIS transponder," said Falco, thus evading detection.

Unlike Russia, whose internet cables mostly run overland, the cables Western countries rely on are deep under the sea  and it's an asymmetrical vulnerability Russia is signaling it could exploit.

"Russia is not as dependent on subsea cables for internet as Western Europe, so can easily attack them without major damage to its own communications infrastructure," said Erin Murphy deputy director of Chair on India and Emerging Asia Economics at the CSIS in Washington, DC, and coauthor of a recent report on the threat to the cables.

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BI reported in September that the General Staff Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research, a Russian naval unit specializing in sabotage, had been surveilling the cables.

The unit operates a small fleet of deep-sea submarines capable of operating at a depth of around 2,500 meters and a surveillance vessel, the Yantar.

Sidharth Kaushal, an analyst at London's RUSI think tank, told BI at the time that because the West is not officially at war with Russia, it can do little if a Russian vessel is detected in international waters near the cables.

There is also the prospect of China teaming up with Russia on an attack, said Murphy, amid reports on the presence of the Chinese vessel near the cables.

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"There have been questions about China's support or lack of opposition to Russia's war in Ukraine but if intentional, this is an aggressive step by a China that typically operates in the Indo-Pacific region," she said.

The latest incident has not been confirmed as a case of sabotage. The Kremin and Chinese embassy in London did not immediately respond to requests by BI for comment.

Whether cut by accidents or in a hybrid warfare attack, the logistics of repairing the cables can be formidable.

"There's only so many trusted cable repair ships and the repairs can take time, depending on the extent of the damage and the conditions at sea for the ships to navigate," Murphy told BI.

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"If the cut has been made in hostile waters, security issues will become a major risk for cable repair ships or those ships navigating those waters to protect cables."

Fiber optic cables on the floor of the Mediterranean Sea. Sybille Reuter via Getty images

No backup plan

The cable severances in the Baltic this week didn't result in an internet blackout  just lower bandwidth and disruptions for individual users.

That's because companies usually have the capacity to re-route data through alternative cables if one or more are damaged,

"The network infrastructure is built in such a way that, on a larger scale, the fault in a single submarine cable has no major effect, although it may have effects on a single operator or individual," Henri Kronlund, a spokesman for Cinia, the company that operates the damaged Germany-Finland C-Lion cable, told BI.

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Russia, however, retains the capacity to totally cut off internet connections to countries by cutting several cables in coordination, said Falco.

"It's practical for the Russians to have visibility to the various paths that data can take and cut each cable in concert. This is particularly easier for countries with less cable connections like Iceland," he said.

In response to the threat, Western countries are trying to better protect existing cable networks or route data through satellites if they are disrupted.

In the CSIS report in August, Murphy and other analysts called for the US to strengthen international coordination and enhance resources to protect existing undersea cable networks.

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But until there's a backup in place, the undersea networks will continue to be a weak spot Russia can menace in its escalating confrontation with the West.

"The scale and exposure of undersea infrastructure also make it an easy target for saboteurs operating in the gray zone of " deniable attacks short of war ," the CSIS noted in its report.

Read the original article on Business Insider
After months of lobbying by his Ukrainian counterpart, Joe Biden finally granted permission for long-range strikes on Russian soil using US-supplied Atacms.

Almost as soon as the news broke, via a leak to The New York Times, Washington announced it would also give Ukraine anti-personnel landmines.

While these weapons are seen by Ukrainians as incredibly useful, there is a feeling it is all a little bit too late in the day.

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Russia has been advancing throughout eastern Ukraine for months.

Vladimir Putin has also amassed a force, including North Korean troops, that he hopes will be able to reclaim the land seized by Ukraine in the Russian region of Kursk.

With the war, much like Mr Bidens term, heading for the endgame, it is a less-than-ideal situation for the Ukrainians to be in.

This explains the undercurrent of frustration between Kyiv and its most significant military backer that threatens to boil over.

Periods of dithering

Almost every US military aid announcement, from tanks to fighter jets and long-range missiles, followed lengthy periods of dithering by Washington.

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The safety-first approach by the Biden administration could be why Mr Zelensky appears so keen for Donald Trump to take office.

Joe Bidens support for Volodymyr Zelensky has failed to produce long-term battlefield success - Paul Ellis/Pool Photo via AP

In a recent interview, the Ukrainian leader said that the war would end faster under the Republican.

This is their approach, their promise to their society, and it is also very important to them, Mr Zelensky added.

Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed he would end the war before taking office, while presenting nothing that resembles a plan to do so, at least publicly.

Yet Mr Zelensky has embraced that rhetoric, perhaps in desperation, despite Mr Trumps suggestions that he could cut US aid to Ukraine after his inauguration or perhaps worse, force a peace deal on Kyiv that would force it to cede swathes of land to Russia and give up its dreams of Nato membership.

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But the reality is Ukraines forces are bleeding out, albeit slowly, as an effect of Mr Biden responding too slowly.

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former British tank commander, said: In effect soldiers are trying to win battles and politicians are trying not to lose wars, but they often cannot differentiate from their own survival to the survival of the nation.

You must win a number of battles to win or even not to lose the war  axiomatically many view the arrival of Trump as a politician who will make quick decisions which may be a better way to end the war than drawing it out for the sake of safer decisions  remember that perfect is usually the enemy of the good or at least good enough.

A man standing at a roulette wheel may suggest it would be foolish to stop gambling because next time he could hit the big one.

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And for Mr Zelensky the top prize seems so far out of reach with Mr Biden at the helm, that it is now time to increase his stake for Mr Trump.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Wichita Public Schools saw its highest graduation rate ever this spring at more than 84%. Thats about 5% more than 2023 and the largest increase they have had in one school year.

While the district wasnt expecting to hit that number quite yet, Wichita Public Schools leadership says theyve been working on developing and enacting the Every Student Ready strategic plan to boost graduation rates.

Their goal was to get the district to an 85% graduation rate by 2029. In 2024, they hit an 84.3% rate.

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WPS-2024Graduation-DataDownload

The district used several strategies to target subgroups of students who had lower graduation rates.

They implemented a graduation advocacy program targeting what they call neglected and delinquent students.

They also offer night programming for students who need modified school schedules. On top of that, having learning centers in every full-fledged high school to help students learn at a pace allowing them to graduate on time.

The assistant superintendent of secondary schools for USD 259, Loren Hatfield, says a fifth of the students who graduated from the district in the spring were the first to graduate in their family.

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Thats generations of families that we are changing by making sure those kids get across the stage to get a diploma, Hatfield said.

Hatfield says of the 36 subgroups in Wichita public schools, 25 had their highest graduation rate ever in the class of 2024. She says girls outpaced boys in every subgroup but one.

She adds the district saw significant gains in graduation rates for African American males.

Their graduation rate went up from 68% in 2018 to nearly 85% in 2024.

USD 259 starts talk Monday about cell phone ban for students in schools

Wichita South High School senior Mahogany Butler says she knew she wanted to graduate high school but learned about a career during titan time or homeroom.

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They just go over what- how you want to learn and what kind of job you want to have in the future, Butler said.

Figuring out what style of learning is best helped Butler start looking into a career in real estate.

The ultimate goal is how can we better prepare them for life after high school, said Travis Rogers, principal at Wichita South High School. Some of the students go into a four-year college, some went into a trade school, some went straight into the workforce.

The school also brought on principals for each grade to add support systems for students. Additionally, they have home visits when seniors missed more than a week of school.

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PORTSMOUTH  Juliana James Wilson, a woman arrested after a shooting that ended in the death of her husband, has been indicted by the Scioto County Grand Jury.

The grand jury met Nov. 8 and handed down the indictment for additional charges in the case. Wilson, 47, was indicted on one count of aggravated murder and two counts of murder. The aggravated murder charge indicates the shooting is believed to have been premeditated.

Given the aggravated murder and two murder charges, Juliana Wilson could face up to life in prison. Firearms specifications are also attached to the charges, which, if she is found or pleads guilty, would add a mandatory three years in prison to each charge.

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The shooting at the couples home at 1803 Baird Ave., Portsmouth, ended the life of her husband, Anthony Wilson, 46, of the same address. The incident is said to have been part of a domestic incident between the two.

At about 6:19 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16, the citys 911 center received a call from the couples residence that a female had shot a male at that location.

Portsmouth Police Department officers and Fire/EMS responders encountered Juliana Wilson outside the home. She was detained at that time. Soon, PPD detectives and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification responded to process the scene.

Portsmouth Fire/EMS attempted life-saving measures on Anthony Wilson. It was fruitless, however, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

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The Scioto County Coroners Office transported Anthony Wilsons body to Montgomery Countys coroners office for autopsy.

Juliana Wilson is currently lodged at the Scioto County Jail. She is due before Scioto County Common Pleas Judge Mark Kuhn on Dec. 11, and is being represented by local attorney Shawn Stratton. Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman is representing the state.
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP)  A well-known Ugandan opposition figure appeared in a military court Wednesday days after he was reported missing in neighboring Kenya, and denied a charge of seeking military support from abroad to destabilize Ugandas military forces.

Kizza Besigye, a fierce critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and once his personal doctor, has faced arrest and assault on previous occasions. He has contested and lost four presidential elections.

Besigye, who at first appeared in court without lawyers and in a cage, rejected government legal representation and said he should be tried in a civilian court because he's not a member of the armed forces.

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The former president of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party also was charged with possessing an illegal firearm, which he denied. He will stay in custody until Dec. 2 with FDC member Hajj Lutale Kamulegeya, who was also charged and denied wrongdoing.

Besigye 's reappearance came four days after he went missing in Nairobi. On Saturday his wife, UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima, claimed he had been kidnapped and put in a Ugandan military jail.

The Ugandan government has not commented.

Kenyas foreign affairs permanent secretary, Korir Singoei, told local media that Kenya was not involved in the alleged incident.

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Besigye's lawyer, the Kampala mayor and FDC member Erias Lukwago, expressed concern that his client was arrested abroad.

For his liberty to be curtailed in a sovereign state like Kenya, and no actions being taken by the Kenyan government against the sister country violating the territorial integrity of Kenya, that is a very serious matter and we are not going to let it lie down, he said.

Museveni, who has ruled the East African country since 1986, has long been criticized by human rights groups over alleged violations against opposition figures.
A wildfire is burning outside Ski Butternut, a small, 100-acre ski area with ten lifts in the Southwest corner of Massachusetts, near Great Barrington.



The ski area is actively coordinating with local firefighting efforts and has turned on its snowguns to saturate the ground with water. Firefighters have used helicopters to scoop water from Ski Butternut's snowmaking pond in an attempt to contain the blaze.



"We can't express enough gratitude to these dedicated professionals for all their efforts," a social media update published by Ski Butternut reads.



The fire, located in the East Mountain area, has been dubbed the "Butternut Fire" by authorities.



As of 11 a.m. local time today, the fire hadn't breached Ski Butternut's boundaries, and the ski area reported that its staff was safe.

The Great Barrington Fire Department works to contain the Butternut Fire on November 20, 2024. Photo: FACEBOOK/Great Barrington Fire Department

According to a statement shared today by the Great Barrington Fire Department, the fire has consumed about 1,100 acres due to a surge of unexpected growth overnight. The statement noted that evacuation orders haven't been implemented and that there is no immediate risk to the public. Should evacuation orders be implemented, authorities will use a combination of Code RED and door-to-door notifications.



The Great Barrington Fire Department also sought to dispel online rumors that Ski Butternut was in flames. "Ski Butternut is not burning and there have not been any evacuations at this timeof any property. The name of the fire is the Butternut FireButternut is NOT on fire," the statement reads.

Ski Butternut trail map. Photo: Ski Butternut

The fire began the evening of Monday, November 18th. Lee Fire Chief Ryan Brown told local media, including The Berkshire Edge, that 80 firefighters and emergency personnel were working on the ground fighting the fire as of Wednesday. According to The Berkshire Eagle, officials have estimated that the fire, once contained, could burn into the winter months. The fire is believed to be human-caused.



On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Government issued a press release warning that most of the state was experiencing "critical drought" conditions. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, who was cited in the release, said that these conditions are "fueling unprecedented and destructive wildfires across the state."



This is a developing story. Check the Great Barrington Fire Department's Facebook page for the latest updates.

Related: Acquisition of Colorado's Arapahoe Basin Closes

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  After a warm and dry autumn, it looks like the weather is taking a turn towards winter this week with our latest system.

(WLNS)

A large low-pressure system will develop over the region on Wednesday, leading to widespread rain and gusty winds. As temperatures cool overnight, the rain will switch to a wintry mix and finally snow before daybreak on Thursday.

(WLNS)

Heavy, wet snow will struggle to accumulate since the ground is not frozen yet, resulting in the snow actively melting as it accumulates. This will keep snowfall totals near or below 1 in most spots across Mid-Michigan, though locally higher totals are possible closer to Lake Michigan.

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Rain will begin to mix back in as temperatures warm throughout Thursday, leading to further snowmelt.

While a few showers are possible on Friday, it will be too warm for snow with highs in the 40s, so any precipitation that falls will be rain to end the work week.

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Residents of Hacienda Heights are pleading for help after copper wire thefts has left them without phone and internet service for months.

The wire thefts have left some customers without service for seven months, according to the Hacienda Heights Improvement Association.

As KTLAs Kimberly Cheng reports, the area already has spotty cell phone service, making landline telephones of the utmost importance, especially in cases of emergency.

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It can affect businesses and its a safety and security concern, said Ali Wiener, an HHIA board member.

Wiener added that in some cases, wire repairs are performed, only for the new wire to be stolen yet again within a day.

The communications company whose equipment is being targeted, Frontier Communications, did not immediately respond to a request for comment by KTLA.

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EBENSBURG, Pa.  Jurors in a Cambria County homicide trial heard Monday from several witnesses who contradicted defendant Christopher George Rowes account of his former girlfriends death.

Witness No. 1 said that Rowe admitted to them that he killed Kaylene Roedel, 26, and took them to where he allegedly left her body, near the Honan Avenue Community Hiking and Biking Trail near the Minersville section of Johnstown.

I was in shock, to be quite honest, the witness said. I could not wrap my head around what he was telling me.

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The witness alleged that Rowe  who is charged with criminal homicide, false reports and related counts  said he choked Roedel to death.

Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General Aaron McKendry, who is prosecuting the case along with Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry, asked why the witness never went to the police.

The witness said they were scared for my life. The witness also stated they repeatedly lied to police about what they knew because they were frightened Rowe might retaliate.

Under cross-examination, court-appointed defense attorney Daniel Kiss, who is representing Rowe alongside Toby McIlwain, got the witness to admit they didnt think highly of Roedel and presented text messages from the witness making disparaging comments about Roedel.

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The confrontational questioning also involved clarifying the lengthy timeline that the witness referred to, including Rowes release from jail on Aug. 1, 2016; Roedels death; and helping him move his belongings on Aug. 6, 2016, from the Blairsville home he shared with Roedel to Johnstowns Moxham section, where he was staying.

Roedel was found dead Aug. 7, 2016.

In recordings of interviews with authorities that were played for the jury, Rowe blamed a woman he had stayed with after being released from jail for Roedels death, accusing her and two acquaintances of holding him at gunpoint to prevent him from intervening.

In an interview he did with state Trooper Scott Urban, Rowe first claimed the trio made him dispose of Roedels body and went with him. In a later interview with Urban, Rowe claimed the trio told him to get rid of her body or they would blame him for the killing before they left the Blairsville home.

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Two of the witnesses who testified Monday, Nos. 2 and 5, were among the people who Rowe said were there when Roedel was killed.

When prosecutors asked both witnesses separately if they had ever been in a vehicle with Roedels body after she was dead, they both audibly gasped at the idea, seemingly caught off-guard by the question, and said, No.

When prosecutors asked each in turn if they were at Roedels Blairsville home when she was killed, they again denied any involvement in her slaying or how her body was disposed of, adding they never knew Roedel at any point.

However, they both did confirm that they helped Rowe move his belongings from Blairsville to Moxham.

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Witness No. 3 said he was in Cambria County Prison with Rowe in 2020 and helped him research law about the homicide case.

Rowe allegedly asked the witness to look up information on combined drug intoxication, and Rowe allegedly told him he fed Roedel painkillers and covered her mouth and nose until she died. Rowe allegedly admitted to this witness where he disposed of her body, as well.

He positioned the body to imply the whore he thought she was, witness No. 3 testified.

Roedel was found barefoot on her back with her clothes cut off and legs apart.

The witness also said, under both direct examination and cross-examination, that he never knew whether what Rowe was saying was the truth because his stories often changed.

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Asked why he was testifying, the witness, who is now a federal inmate, said he wanted to do right by the victim.

Kiss accused the witness of exaggerating the story to earn favor with authorities and possibly get leniency on his own sentence. The witness denied it; he agreed he hoped for consideration because of his testimony, but said nothing was promised to him.

Other evidence presented to the jury included an Aug. 3, 2016, phone call that Roedel made to Indiana County 911 when she returned home from work early in the morning to find Rowe in her Blairsville home and she pepper-sprayed him because he wouldnt leave; and a phone call Rowe made from prison to his mother after being charged in Roedels death.

They also heard from a sixth witness who spoke about his acquaintance with Rowe and helping unload a moving truck that Rowe brought to Moxham.

More witnesses are scheduled to take the stand Tuesday in the fifth day of the trial.
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM)  The Chemung County Sheriffs Office is still trying to figure out what exactly happened in the early morning hours of November 15.

The more people that we can talk to, the better chances we have of bringing this to a quick conclusion, said Chemung County Sheriff Bill Schrom.

Victim identified in fatal birthday party shooting in Southport

21-year-old JSean Williams was gunned down at his own birthday party. Now, the Chemung County Sheriffs Office is working with the Elmira Police Department and New York State Police to find out who did this. Nearly 50 people attended the party. Sheriff Bill Schrom says there are multiple reasons why witnesses might not be willing to come forward.

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This was a party that served alcohol. I believe there were some other activities that were going on there. Some people might think that theyre going to get in trouble through law enforcement because they attended it. They might be in trouble, think theyre going to be in trouble through a parent if they found out they were actually there. And they just might be worried in general that, you know, they dont want to be associated with it or identified as someone that talked to the police, said Schrom.

Even the smallest bit of information can help the investigation.

No one person has any one significant piece of information. Theres a lot of people that have information pointing in the same direction. So, its a little bit different when its a big group and theres a lot of people that can provide that information were looking for as opposed to it all falling on one persons shoulder. Its very important that anybody at that party, even if they left prior to the shooting, to reach out to us because there might be information that they might not think is relevant, but would be very relevant to our investigation. So, the longer it takes for us to talk to everybody, the bigger delay the family has for justice for their son, said Schrom.

One person dead after early morning shooting in Southport

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The Chemung County Sheriffs Office is also asking businesses or people in the neighborhood of Richard Street to check their surveillance or doorbell cameras. Its looking for any activity between 12:30 and 1:30 a.m. on November 15. If anything can be seen on those cameras they are asked to come forward. 18 News reached out to Southport Town Supervisor Joe Roman and City of Elmira Police Chief Kristen Thorne to talk about witness cooperation in this case, but we have not heard back.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  A local elementary school is getting a jump-start on preparing students for their careers.

There was a lot of learning as well as dancing and exercising this morning as staff at Copeland Elementary in Augusta held the schools annual Career Day.

Students from all grades were able to meet professionals from various careers including attorneys, Augusta Commissioners, the Augusta Fire Department, School police department, business owners, caterers, Attorney Katrell Nash, an Artist, an Author and WJBF NewsChannel 6.

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Thank you to Ms. Tonya Cogle for inviting me to participate in the Career Day event!

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Nov. 19Western New Mexico University's president and members of the institution's governing board engaged in tens of thousands of dollars in wasteful spending and improper use of university funds over five years, according to the state auditor's office.

The special investigations division of the office found that WNMU President Joseph Shepard and members of the Board of Regents racked up more than $363,000 for 402 instances of "extravagant" travel and 91 instances of purchasing related to "high-end custom furnishings" for the president's official residence, according to a news release from State Auditor Joseph M. Maestas and a letter of concern issued from his office to the university's board chair on Tuesday.

The university also provided expense accounts and purchasing cards to someone not a university employee, the auditor and the university both said.

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The noncompliant spending and actions occurred between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2023, according to the auditor's office letter and news release.

The auditor's letter, sent to Mary Hotvedt, president of the WNMU Board of Regents, blamed the university's behavior on "an appearance of management overreach and a lack of a strong 'tone at the top.'"

While the auditor's office noted the university's reforms since the accusations came to light, the letter said "the university remains at significant risk for fraud, waste, and abuse" without effective leadership. The letter, however, did not call on specific officials to resign.

In an interview on Tuesday, Maestas called the findings against the Silver City university "egregious" and "systemic."

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"This university faces some significant financial oversight challenges," he said. "I think this is an indirect message to other higher (education) institutions that they should do the same thing  reassess their policies and procedures and ensure that they have reasonable cost controls. Just because you can do something doesn't mean it should be done."

He said that "it's time (for the university) to come clean" with the community about what occurred and take actions to ensure the conduct does not happen again.

Maestas said his office is not an enforcement agency, but it does have recommendations for the university, including working to strengthen its internal controls and training for board members on finances.

Hotvedt declined an interview with the Journal and referred the newspaper to a prepared statement she made regarding the audit.

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In that statement, Hotvedt said she appreciated the "time and insights from the Office of the State Auditor" examining "serious concerns which have been addressed by Western New Mexico University leadership."

She noted revisions of the university's travel and procurement procedures as well as staff training to ensure compliance; an independent cost-benefit analysis of international initiatives; and the engagement of an independent auditor to conduct a special audit of the concerns raised, which remains ongoing, Hotvedt said.

"This insight from the State Auditor and others, in conjunction with the leadership of our Board of Regents reinforces Western New Mexico University's path forward of focusing on student and community success," Hotvedt said.

Maestas said he applauded WNMU for its special audit and the reforms made to the university's policies since his office began an investigation. When asked if he thought the university had "come clean" regarding its conduct, Maestas said he was awaiting the results of the special audit.

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Mario Sanchez, WNMU assistant vice president of marketing and communications, told the Journal by phone that the university would stand on the board chair's statement now and not answer any other questions, including ones about the future of Shepard's tenure and whether he has the support of the campus community.

Shepard, who has served as WNMU president since 2011, came under scrutiny for his spending late last year when the news organization Searchlight New Mexico reviewed the university's financial records. The expenses included trips abroad to court international students and lavish furnishings for the president's residence, including Indian dhurrie rugs and antique Tibetan chests.

Shepard, the spouse of ex-CIA agent Valerie Plame, told Searchlight the trips are about playing "the long game" to attract international students and that the furniture plays "a critical unspoken role" in hosting fundraising events.

He conceded in the interview that the university never conducted a cost-benefit analysis to review such spending, but it did so after the allegations came to light.
Decorated combat veteran Pete Hegseths assertion that warfighting should be the only litmus test for Americas armed forces cuts through the noise of political debate to compel a nation to confront the ideological drift within its military institutions.

Hegseths warning  Youve got to get DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] and CRT [critical race theory] out of military academies so youre not training young officers to be baptised in this type of thinking  rings as both a critique and a call to action.

Whether Hegseth is ultimately the right choice for Secretary of Defense is a question for the Senate. Regardless, he raises a question too urgent to dismiss: Is the military being transformed into an institution that prioritises ideological conformity  with a focus on identity politics  over battlefield readiness?

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Anyone who suggests that DEI in the ranks is an imaginary problem need only look at real-life examples under the Biden administration.

Shortly after taking office in 2021, Joe Biden signed an executive order opening military service to all transgender individuals. The administration has further entertained scrapping physical fitness tests in the Space Force, potentially lowering standards critical for operational effectiveness.

Even the promotion of senior officers has seemingly been affected by political and ideological considerations. Consider some of those whom Biden has elevated: one who allowed a drag show under his command, another who supported kneeling for the National Anthem, one who called for a dialogue on whiteness, and another who declared that DEI should be in our DNA at the Air Force.

In June 2021, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley told Congress: I want to understand white rage. Meanwhile, Admiral Michael Gilday, Bidens Chief of Naval Operations, added Ibram X Kendis How to Be an Antiracist to the Navys recommended reading list.

Dangers of whiteness

Judicial Watch obtained slides from the West Point curriculum that included lessons on the supposed dangers of whiteness, stating: To understand racial inequality and slavery, it is first necessary to address whiteness.

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The offices of Senator Marco Rubio (likely the next Secretary of State) and Representative Chip Roy issued a report in 2022 about the Biden administrations push for DEI policies in the Pentagon. It noted that the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) states diversity and inclusion are operational imperatives.

They found that the SOCOM 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan also says, leaders must integrate diversity and inclusion efforts into unit goals, mission objectives, talent management initiatives, and operational priorities for a successful implementation.

The report from Roy and Rubio further notes: An Air Force Academy slide presentation titled, Diversity & Inclusion: What it is, why we care, & what we can do advises cadets to use gender-neutral language and avoid terms such as mom and dad.

Such policies arent just eye-rolling, but can have practical consequences.

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Representative Jim Banks (recently elected to the US Senate), during an October 2023 speech, told the story of a teenage boy who wanted to join the Marines but feared a culture that would denigrate his values. Banks, a Navy Reserve veteran who served in Afghanistan, said, I believe that wokeism is driving people away who would have formerly wanted to serve in our military.

Adult service members are tough enough and smart enough to guard against an onslaught of wokeness. Thats why perhaps the most troubling example comes from the Department of Defense Education Agency, which operates schools for military families at US bases around the world. Training materials for teachers promote the study of privilege, patriarchy, and institutional racism, according to a report published this summer by the fiscal watchdog group Open the Books.

Though there is a clear partisan divide on a woke Pentagon, blame for the problem is bipartisan, as Congress first required the Defense Department to hire a chief diversity officer in 2020.

But the Lefts long march through the institutions began seeping into the military during the Obama administration, with a subtle yet growing emphasis on identity politics. Such policies became far more overt during the Biden presidency.

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The militarys embrace of DEI has introduced policies that could distract from its core mission and sow division where unity is paramount. The Senates confirmation of Hegseth would not be the end of this debate; but could very well be a milestone in a larger struggle over military readiness and priorities.

President-elect Donald Trumps nomination of Hegseth reminds Americans what is at stake: a military laser-focused on warfighting, and free from the ideological battles that belong in the political arena, not the battlefield. Anything that undermines the mission of defending the United States should be met with unwavering resistance.

Fred Lucas is manager of the Investigative Reporting Project at The Daily Signal. He is the author of The Myth of Voter Suppression: The Lefts Assault on Clean Elections

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A 77-year-old woman died after her car rolled from a gym parking lot into a Pennsylvania river, according to police.

The woman, who has not been identified, was pulled from the Schuylkill River on Tuesday morning in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Emergency crews were called to Righter's Ferry Road around 9am on Tuesday after police learned that a car leaving a gym has crashed in the parking lot, then backed up over the edge of an embankment before rolling down into the river below.

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A pair of Merion Police officers as well as a Union Fire Company firefighter and a fitness trainer from the nearby AFC Fitness gym jumped into the river in an attempt to save the driver. They managed to pull her out of her SUV and drag her back onto shore.

She was then transported to Lankenau Hospital where police say she later died.

Woman, 77, dies after being rescued from car that rolled into Schuylkill River in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (FOX29)

The first responders were also taken to the hospital for examination, and all were released later the same day.

A customer at the gym told Fox29 that he was pulling just as the emergency responders were arriving, and initially feared that a mass shooting had occurred.

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"Nine oclock, we were pulling into the gym and there were all these emergency vehicles behind me and I was impressed with the amount of them," Ed Ruback, the customer, told the outlet. "My first thought was, Oh God, I hope its not an active shooter."

Ruback says he is fairly certain the woman who died was a regular at the gym.

Another witness to the rescue described the emergency response as "pandemonium."

"I just saw mass pandemonium. There were fire trucks, helicopters, rescue vehicles, boats, all that stuff," John Paul, a local resident, told ABC 6.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, several cars have fallen into the river this year. Authorities had to pull three cars from the river in Sepember alone.
An 80-year-old woman was killed Monday evening after being struck by a vehicle in Peru.

At approximately 5 p.m., troopers from the Indiana State Police Peru District and Deputies from the Miami County Sheriffs Office responded to a report of a pedestrian that had been struck by a vehicle on Wabash Road, east of Paw Paw Pike.

A preliminary investigation revealed a 2007 Ford Focus driven by James Sturgill, 53, of Wabash, was traveling eastbound on Wabash Road when it struck a pedestrian, who was identified to be Beverly Bowen, 80, of Peru.

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Despite life-saving measures, Bowen was pronounced deceased at the crash scene. Notification to the family of the deceased has been made. Sturgill did not sustain any injuries.

The information above is preliminary and the investigation is ongoing. At this time, alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor in the crash. However, toxicology results are pending.

Peru Fire Department, Dukes EMS, Miami County EMA, and Miami County Coroners Officer also assisted at the scene.
Killeen, Tx (FOX44)  A Killeen woman has been arrested after police say she left a 16-month-old child alone to travel out of town to visit a man she met on a dating app.

Reese Louise Myers was booked into the Bell County Jail Monday on a charge of abandoning or endangering a child.

An arrest affidavit stated the actual incident occurred back on July 28, 2024 when police officers were called to an apartment in the 600 block of East Hallmark on a child welfare check. The caller had stated that a child was hanging out of a broken window.

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An officer arriving on the scene found a toddler with his head and shoulders protruding from the front ground level window. There was what was described as an aggressive dog that was charging at other residents attempting to help the child.

The officer noted that the window was not actually shattered but had been repaired previously with plexiglass sheeting and cardboard. The officer made entry into the apartment and found the male child wearing a t-shirt and nothing else. A sweep of the apartment showed the child to be alone with two dogs who were very protective of the child.

The affidavit stated the officers observed that obvious precautions had been taken to leave the child alone without a sitter, with all other doors closed off and a baby gate blocking the kitchen area. The deadbolt on the apartment door was locked along with all of the other windows.

Officers got a number for the mother who when called told them she was in San Antonio to visit a man she had met on the dating app Hinge. The affidavit stated that she told the officers she had a babysitter she had contacted via Facebook to look after the child. The affidavit stated the officer contacted the baby sitter who told them she had not spoken to Myers since December 2023.

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The child was taken to Advent Health for assessment and Child Protective Services took custody of him.

Police spokesperson Ofelia Miramontez said detectives with the special victims unit presented the case to the Bell County District Attorneys office and a complaint was returned charging Myers with abandoning or endangering a child. On November 4 she was located and arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office.

She was brought back and booked into the Bell County Jail where she remained Wednesday with her bond set at $25,000.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Shawnee County District Attorney filed charges Tuesday against a local woman accused of killing a Topeka man in a house fire.

Court records show charges were filed against 31-year-old Terica M. Gardner on Nov. 19 in connection to a deadly house fire in October that claimed the life of 46-year-old David S. Blevens. Her charges include the following:

Murder in the first degree.

Aggravated arson.

Aggravated burglary.

Aggravated intimidation of a witness/victim.

Aggravated battery.

Criminal threat.

Domestic battery.

Criminal damage to property.

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Topeka police identify victims of alleged murder-suicide

Police were called to a house fire on Sunday, Oct. 6 in the 1600 block of Southwest Buchanan Street after firefighters found a person, later identified as Blevens, dead. Investigators launched a homicide investigation shortly after the discovery. A witness of the fire later told 27 News about the chaotic scene.

Topeka police arrested Gardner on Nov. 14 in connection to the deadly fire on charges of murder in the first degree and aggravated arson. Blevens was identified as the victim of the fire on Nov. 12.

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.

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HAWAII POLICE Malia Lajala HAWAII POLICE Malia Lajala A 36-year-old woman, charged Monday for allegedly shooting at her ex-boyfriend Saturday night in the University area, was an accomplice to the man who killed Bronson Kaliloa, a Hawaii County police officer, on July 17, 2018.

Malia Lajala, also known as Malia Rivera, was arrested at 12 :29 a.m. Sunday on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder for allegedly shooting at her 40-year-old former boyfriend at 10 :15 p.m. Saturday with a handgun. He was not injured in the shooting.

Police said Lajala fled the area. After the suspect vehicle was found in Kapolei, she was identified and arrested there.

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Police conferred with prosecutors, who charged Lajala late Monday night with first-degree reckless endangering, place to keep pistol or revolver and felon in possession of a firearm.

Bail was set at $20, 000.

Lajala was one of several accomplices who helped Justin Waiki evade authorities after he killed Hawaii County police officer Bronson Kaliloa in July 2018 during a traffic stop.

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Police found Waiki three days later, and he was killed in an exchange of gunfire with officers.

When police found Waiki, Lajala and three others were also found in the SUV.

Lajala was originally charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree hindering prosecution, place to keep pistol or revolver, criminal conspiracy hindering prosecution and a drug charge.

She was found guilty in November 2019 of first-degree hindering prosecution and the lesser offense of second-degree attempted assault of a law enforcement officer.

She was sentenced in January 2020 to six years in jail.

Lajala has a long conviction record that includes first-degree burglary and second-degree robbery, both Class B felonies from 2015.The Hawaii Tribune-Herald contributed to this story.
Nov. 19A woman died less than 24 hours after being booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Monday.

MDC spokeswoman Candace Hopkins said 30-year-old Deana Harry was pronounced dead around 9 p.m. after being "discovered in distress" in her cell.

"The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator will investigate the cause of death," Hopkins said.

Both the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and MDC's Office of Professional Standards are investigating the circumstances that led to Harry's death.

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Harry is the 31st person to die at the facility or die after being injured or falling ill at the jail since 2020. The majority of those who have died were detoxing at the time.

Last week, according to Albuquerque police, a man died from "a medical episode" in the intake area of West Side jail after officers brought him there to be booked.

Court records show Harry was arrested Sunday night by Albuquerque police after she allegedly drove away from the scene of a minor crash while having a revoked license. She had been charged with driving with a revoked license, a petty misdemeanor, and leaving the scene of an accident, a misdemeanor.

Hopkins said Harry was booked at 3 a.m. on Monday.

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Harry was found "in distress" around 8 p.m., and first responders with the jail's healthcare provider, University of New Mexico Health Systems, "initiated life-saving measures."

"Those efforts continued until Harry was pronounced deceased at approximately 9:10 p.m. by UNM Hospital staff," Hopkins said. "A rigorous review of the incident is now underway at MDC. Support services will be provided for inmates and staff impacted by this incident."
A woman was stabbed to death and an off-duty Chicago police detective suffered a graze wound when he tried to intervene in the attack in the Portage Park neighborhood on the Far Northwest Side Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

Hours after the incident, Chicago police said the suspected killer was found dead in a vehicle near the crime scene.

In a news release, Chicago police said the detective, who works in the Harrison Area on the West Side, saw the woman being stabbed in the 5600 block of West Leland Avenue around 2:20 p.m. She was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Her identity wasnt released.

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The unnamed detective was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge in fair condition with a graze wound to the leg and a third person left the scene, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Lawrence Langford.

Late Tuesday night, police said that the suspect, who fled the scene, was found dead in a vehicle about a block east of where the woman was killed. A minivan was visible on the 5500 block of West Leland Avenue with all of its doors open, cordoned off on both sides of the street with crime scene tape. The suspects identity was not immediately released.

At the original crime scene, a red switchblade lay in the middle of the residential street around 3:30 p.m. as an evidence marker sat next to a pool of blood on the south sidewalk as officers spoke to neighbors on their front stairs.

A neighbor who said he lived on the next block north said he heard four shots. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability has opened an investigation into the shooting, police said, and the detective would be placed on desk duty for 30 days.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man is dead and a woman is in the hospital after a shooting at Serenity Towers where the majority of tenants are disabled or elderly, Memphis Police confirm.

Heavy police presence outside of Serenity Towers. Heavy police presence outside of Serenity Towers. Heavy police presence outside of Serenity Towers.

At 9:45 p.m., officers responded to a shooting at 400 South Highland.

A man was pronounced dead on the scene and a woman was taken to Regional One Hospital in non-critical condition. Police say the woman was injured during an altercation before the shooting.

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Yeah, in this building for us, all we know is somebody got shot and they say he died on the scene  so thats all we know, said Donnie, a resident.

One person has been detained but this remains an ongoing investigation.

Tuesday morning a representative for Serenity at Highland was in environmental court discussing the issues inside the high-rise. Tuesday night police were then called here.

This is a developing story. WREG will provide updates as they become available.

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A Thai woman believed to be among the worst serial killers in the kingdom's history was convicted and sentenced to death Wednesday for poisoning a friend with cyanide, in the first of her 14 murder trials.

Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36, an online gambling addict, is accused of swindling thousands of dollars from her victims before killing them with the chemical.

A court in Bangkok convicted her Wednesday for fatally poisoning her friend Siriporn Kanwong.

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The two met up near Bangkok in April last year to release fish into the Mae Klong river as part of a Buddhist ritual.

Siriporn collapsed and died shortly afterwards and investigators found traces of cyanide in her body. Last year, police said they collected fingerprints and other evidence from Sararat's Toyota Forerunner.

Police investigators and forensics experts led by Thailand's deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn (C) hold a press conference regarding the case of Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, a woman accused of poisoning multiple victims with cyanide, at the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok on June 30, 2023. / Credit: LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

Police were then able to link Sararat to previously unsolved cyanide poisonings going back as far as 2015, officers said.

"The court's decision is just," Siriporn's mother, Tongpin Kiatchanasiri, told reporters following the verdict. "I want to tell my daughter that I miss her deeply, and justice has been done for her today."

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Police said Sararat funded her gambling addiction by borrowing money from her victims  in one case as much as 300,000 baht (nearly $9,000)  before killing them and stealing their jewelry and mobile phones.

She lured 15 people  one of whom survived  to take poisoned "herb capsules," they said.

Sararat faces 13 more separate murder trials, and has been charged with around 80 offenses in total.

Her ex-husband, Vitoon Rangsiwuthaporn  a police lieutenant-colonel  was given 16 months in prison and her former lawyer two years for complicity in Siriporn's killing, the lawyer for the victim's family said.

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The couple, while divorced, had still been living together, the BBC reported. Police said Rangsiwuthaporn was likely involved in Sararat's alleged murder of an ex-boyfriend, Suthisak Poonkwan, the BBC reported. Police said that after she killed him, Rangsiwuthaporn picked her up in her car and helped her extorte money from Suthisak's friends.

Thailand has been the scene of several sordid and high-profile criminal cases.

Earlier this year, six foreigners were found dead in a luxury Bangkok hotel after a cyanide poisoning believed to be connected to debts worth millions of baht.

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A court has ordered a woman who is currently serving three and a half years in prison for her role in defrauding Arizona's Medicaid system to also pay over $3.8 million in restitution.

Ariell Dix, 37, was the first person incarcerated in the far-reaching scandal that mainly targeted Native Americans seeking drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Authorities said the overall conspiracy  which included hundreds of facilities and many bad actors  resulted in fraudulent billings that totaled more than $2.5 billion. Dix's role generated just part of that, about $30 million, authorities said.

Dix pled no contest to two felonies in two cases brought against her. The charges were the same  illegal control of an enterprise.

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Now, Dix has to pay nearly $4 million in restitution for the crimes.

What happened?

In the two separate cases between 2019 and 2022, Dix was accused of establishing behavioral health care treatment facilities in the metro Phoenix area for the purpose of defrauding the American Indian Health Program within AHCCCS, the Attorney General's Office said.

Dix helped clinics set up, at times finding office space and ensuring a flow of patients, records show. She did not own or operate a bogus behavioral health center in Arizona but was accused of helping others defraud AHCCCS.

Between the two cases, Dix and other defendants billed the state's Medicaid system for about $30 million in mental health and drug or alcohol rehabilitation services they never provided in the Southeast Valley and central Phoenix, Arizona authorities alleged.

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Dix also pled guilty in March 2020 in a similar case out of Nevada where she operated a similar scheme. She was sentenced to probation and to pay restitution of about $363,000 to Nevadas Medicaid system. She permanently lost her ability to bill to that system.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Woman to pay $4 million in restitution for Arizona Medicaid fraud
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A woman accused of playing a part in a large animal cruelty operation earlier this year has been sentenced to two weeks in jail.

Court records show Desiree Therrien was sentenced Friday, Nov. 15 for her role in a large animal abuse case. She was charged with four counts of animal cruelty, after pleading no contest to the counts. She was sentenced to 14 days in jail, followed by one year of supervised probation. The courts said Therrien cannot own any animals, but can visit relatives with animals.

On Jan. 30, 2024, Topeka police and members of the Helping Hands Humane Society (HHHS) of the United States helped rescue numerous animals from a home in the 1400 block of Southwest Fillmore Street. This was after multiple reports of animal abuse were sent to authorities.

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Assistance now available for low-income Kansans

Officers with the Topeka Police Department (TPD) discovered 91 animals in the house: 73 alive and 18 dead. The animals were found living in hazardous conditions, with little to no access to food and clean water. Animals rescued from the home were taken by the Humane Society to new homes.

Charles Solomon, another person connected to this case, was sentenced Friday, Oct. 4, to one year in jail after pleading guilty to all 26 charges of animal cruelty.

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Two women have been arrested on prostitution charges after an undercover operation in LeClaire, according to Scott County court documents.

The criminal complaint says that members of the Scott County Sheriffs Office Special Operations Unit Task Force (SOU) conducted an undercover operation at KT Rose Spa, 1007 Canal Shore Dr. SW in Le Claire on Tuesday, November 19. The operation was in response to complaints about sexual favors being offered during/after massages. A member of the SOU Task Force entered the business during normal business hours during the undercover operation and told the attendant/masseuse, later identified as Xuemei Wu, 45 of Weston, Fla., that he wished to receive a half hour massage in exchange for U.S. currency.

Yalan Chen (L) and Xuemei Wu (Scott County Jail)

During the massage the undercover agent was asked by Wu if he wished to perform sexual acts with her and her co-worker, later identified as Yalan Chen, 54 of San Jose, Calif. Wu gave the agent a price in U.S. currency for the act, according to the complaint. During post-Miranda interviews with Wu and Chen, Chen denied any involvement in the business and said she did not give any massages. She said she was purely here for fun but could not elaborate on what that meant. A confidential source positively identified Chen as someone who had offered them sexual favors during a previous incident. Wu did not wish to speak with agents.

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Officers obtained a search warrant for the premises and during its execution, it became apparent that Wu and Chen were living within the premises, the criminal complaint said. They found several unused condoms in both of the bedroom areas.

Chen and Wu were arrested on Tuesday, November 19 on prostitution charges, according to jail records. Chen was released on $2,000 bond and has a preliminary hearing on December 10. Wu was also released on a $2,000 bond and has a preliminary hearing on December 10.

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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday defended women in the military and their eligibility for combat roles, calling them very courageous and very proficient in their service to the country.

I think our women add significant value to the United States military, and we should never change that, he said during a meeting with reporters during a stop in Laos. [They] add value to the finest and most lethal fighting force on Earth.

Austins comments were prompted by questions about his potential replacement, Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, who has publicly stated that women do not belong in military combat roles.

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President-elect Donald Trump nominated Hegseth, a National Guard veteran and Fox News host, for the top civilian military post on Nov. 12.

In an interview on the Shawn Ryan podcast just five days before his nomination, Hegseth said that everything about men and women serving together makes the situation more complicated, and complication in combat means casualties are worse.

Im straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles, Hegseth added. It hasnt made us more effective, hasnt made us more lethal. It has made fighting more complicated.

Trump picks Fox commentator Pete Hegseth as his next Defense Secretary

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Hegseth said that he does not favor pushing women out of the military altogether, just limiting their exposure to front-line combat roles as much as possible.

Women currently make up about 18% of the active-duty military. Roughly 4,800 women serve in Army infantry, armor and artillery jobs, according to data provided by the Defense Department to the Associated Press. Several have qualified for special forces jobs.

Austin said he served alongside numerous women in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan during his military career, adding, Every place I went, there were women doing incredible things.

He did not comment directly on Hegseths comments or nomination.

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Hegseth will need to be confirmed by the Senate early next year before taking over the top Pentagon post. The chambers members include two female veterans who served in combat zones in Iraq: Iowa Republican Joni Ernst and Illinois Democrat Tammy Duckworth.

Hegseth has also courted controversy for public remarks supporting firing woke military officers, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. C.Q. Brown.

He was also investigated for an alleged sexual assault in 2017. No charges were filed, but attorneys for Hegseth have confirmed that Hegseth paid an unspecified sum to the accuser to head off other potential legal action.
Nov. 20Advocates are heralding the Women's Bill of Rights, which was signed into law May 30 by Gov. Kevin Stitt, after passing in the House and Senate.

Others, though, saying the legislation isn't "meaningful" and is a slap in the face to other marginalized groups.

With only seven nays in the Senate and 17 in the House, the law went into effect Nov. 1.

The bill, authored by State Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, in the House, and State Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, in the Senate, defines "sex" as a person's biological sex at birth and clarifies how both sexes are treated by the law.

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An article on the State House of Representatives' website, titled, "Women's Bill of Rights Signed into Law," published June 3, quotes the two authors of the bill.

"The persistent encroachment of men into women-only spaces, whether that's in locker rooms or entrepreneurship programs, threatens the health, careers and lives of women across the world," Hasenbeck said. "The signing of the Women's Bill of Rights makes permanent the responsibility we all have to ensure women and girls are safe in their protected spaces."

Garvin said women have worked for years to achieve the same rights and protections as those given to men.

"I am certain that those women who fought for equality never dreamed we would be back here, over [100] years later, fighting for the rights of women all over again," Garvin said.

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Residents of Tahlequah weighed in on the bill, and what its passage means to them.

Polly Tyler, a delegate at the Republican National Convention, said she agrees and supports the passage of the bill for Oklahoma.

"I believe it is very needed in protecting the rights of our women in many aspects of our current culture," Tyler said. "It is crucial to their safety and protection from those who are biologically born male and choose to identify differently later in life. I am glad to see it."

Yolette Ross, chair of Cherokee County Democratic Party, said the Women's Bill of Rights was not a meaningful piece of legislation, and that "unfortunately," it's now a law.

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"My rights and the rights of other women are already covered under the U.S. Bill of Rights, and in my opinion, this law is a knee-jerk reaction designed to negatively limit the rights of the transgender community," Ross said.

Thea Nietfeld, a retired minister and member of the Justice Circle, said that until she became personally acquainted with people in the trans community, she didn't understand why it was so important to live as the sex they knew themselves to be  and how sex is not binary, but more complex.

"All of us lose when we try to define sex in a narrow way  like when I felt like dressing butch for the tea party [a fundraiser for Hosea Ministries Foundation], that was really me," Nietfeld said. "Will there be a law against that soon? Narrowing who we are as humans is destructive of our imaginations and creativity, which is what we need to make meaning and contribute to the world."

The bill, in Section B, states: "The purpose of the Women's Bill of Rights is to bring clarity, certainty, and uniformity under the laws of this state with respect to natural persons of both biological sexes and the manner in which they are treated as such under the laws of this state. All laws where the application thereof is contingent upon the classification of a person as being female or male, woman or man, girl or boy, are hereby superseded and interpreted to the extent necessary by this act, including, but not limited to, any educational benefits, corrections housing, employment protections, and civil rights laws codified in the statutes of this state."

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Anne "Missy" Fite, who ran unsuccessfully for District 3 Oklahoma Senate seat, said she remembered when the bill was passed, and "Stitt signing it with a bunch of hoopla."

Julien Kelly, who at 18 voted for the first time in this past General Election, feels the "executive order raises alarming questions about identifying individuals 'to the fullest extent of the law,'" particularly in public schools.

"Why focus on children's and teen's genitals?" Kelly said. "This policy invades privacy and undermines dignity."

Several other individuals were asked to comment on the law: State Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-District 4, who sent out the information on the bill in a press release; newly elected State Sen. Julie McIntosh, R-District 3; Carol Sneed-Jalbert, chair of Cherokee County Republican Party; State Rep. David Hardin, R-District 6; and State Sen. Avery Frix, R-District 9. By press time, they had not commented on the passage of the bill.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  Workers hired for a sprawling electric vehicle battery production complex in Kentucky have launched a campaign to join the United Auto Workers as the union tries to expand its foothold in the South and among battery factories, the UAW said Wednesday.

The BlueOval SK complex at Glendale is a joint venture between Ford Motor Co. and its South Korean partner, SK On, to produce batteries for Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles. The nearly $6 billion battery park  about an hour south of Louisville  is gearing up to start manufacturing in 2025.

The union said a supermajority of workers at BlueOval SK have signed union authorization cards to launch the public campaign to join the UAW.

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The union will need to seek an election run by the National Labor Relations Board to organize workers at the two-plant complex in Kentucky. So far it has not filed papers seeking an election.

Production at one of the plants is scheduled to start next year. Construction continues at the second plant but a start date for production has been paused as Ford monitors demand for electric vehicles.

In a statement on its website, the union said it believes companies like Blue Oval SK can do better to provide career-track, family-sustaining jobs that strengthen our community."

Asked for a response to the unionizing effort, BlueOval SK human resources Director Neva Burke said in a statement: We want to maintain a direct relationship with our employees.

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The UAW said workers at Blue Oval SK, who are now nonunion, have weaker benefits than union workers at Ford. At Blue Oval, workers start at $21 per hour, while UAW production workers at Ford start at $26.32 and can make up to $42 per hour after three years, the union said.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, has called the project a game changer for the state.

We know that EVs are the future, Beshear said recently. "We dont know how quickly theyll get here, but the future has been built in Kentucky, and were going to be a really big part of it.

The UAW is hoping for a repeat of its successes in neighboring states.

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Workers at a General Motors joint venture electric vehicle battery plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, joined the union. Workers at a Volkswagen assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, also voted to unionize. In Ohio, workers at another GM joint venture electric vehicle battery factory voted to join the UAW.

But the union lost an organizing vote in May at two Mercedes factories in Alabama.

___

Krisher reported from Detroit.
INDIAN ORCHARD, Mass. (WWLP)  Local leaders gathered at the Indian Orchard Mills to tour the Hampden County Sheriffs Department work site for their Workforce Initiative.

The Workforce Initiative is a non-profit campaign that was designed to offer a helping hand to justice-involved individuals and people experiencing homelessness.

On Tuesday, the Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development Lauren Jones, and State Representative Orlando Ramos visited the work site to learn more about the program. This Initiative came together in partnership with the Hampden County Sheriffs Department to help individuals overcome barriers, achieve economic independence, and become productive community members.

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With this program, workers were able to learn various skills working with sewing machines and fabric. Coordinator Richard Devine told 22News, We want to give them all of the resources we can so it is a holistic approach. It is not just about getting someone a job. It is about giving them the resources that they need to get the housing or perhaps maybe they need some sort of counseling and things like that.

Devine says this program is always offering their support to those in need in the community.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Denmark has set a global precedent by finalizing the worlds first tax on agricultural emissions, including methane from livestock.

This groundbreaking move, which has been under negotiation for months, highlights the countrys commitment to combating climate change and reducing environmental pollution.

The Green Tripartite agreement, initially announced in June, emerged from discussions between government officials, farmers, industry representatives, trade unions, and environmental groups.

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The ambitious plan aims to transition Denmarks agriculture sector while fostering cooperation among stakeholders.

Methane tax to transform livestock industry

Starting in 2030, Danish farmers will be required to pay 300 kroner ($43; 34) per ton of methane emissions, calculated in carbon dioxide equivalent. The tax will increase to 750 kroner by 2035, placing Denmark at the forefront of efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, including cows and pigs.

The Green Tripartite minister, Jeppe Bruus, emphasized the critical need for this measure to meet Denmarks climate objectives. We will do what it takes to reach our climate goals, he stated, noting the broad parliamentary support the initiative has received.

Bruus underscored the magnitude of the task at hand. It is a huge, huge task that is now underway: to transform large parts of our land from agricultural production to forestry, to natural spaces, to ensure that we can bring life back to our fjords, he said.

Restoring Denmarks natural landscape

Beyond methane reduction, the agreement includes substantial measures to address nitrogen pollution, which has severely impacted Denmarks coasts and fjords.

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From 2027, nitrogen emissions are expected to decrease by 13,780 tons annually, according to the AFP news agency.

A significant focus is also being placed on restoring biodiversity and expanding natural habitats. Plans include planting 250,000 hectares of new forest and rehabilitating 140,000 hectares of peatlands currently used for cultivation. Peatlands, known for their ability to store carbon, will play a crucial role in Denmarks environmental restoration efforts.

Danish nature will change in a way we have not seen since the wetlands were drained in 1864, said Bruus, highlighting the transformative impact of these initiatives.

Cooperation at the heart of the agreement

The Green Tripartite agreement exemplifies Denmarks collaborative approach to tackling climate challenges. Lars Aagaard, the Danish minister for climate, energy, and utilities, praised the plan for its inclusivity and foresight.

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It also shows the Danish model  broad political majority in the Danish parliament [and] involvement of the sectors that will be affected by the tax and involvement of environmental stakeholders, Aagaard said. These are things that we could all benefit from if the rest of the world could foster such cooperation in the climate fight.

With 60% of Denmarks land currently under cultivation, the country faces unique challenges in balancing agricultural needs with environmental conservation.

However, the measures outlined in the Green Tripartite agreement demonstrate Denmarks determination to lead by example, offering a potential blueprint for global action on agricultural emissions and climate change.
The debate among Republicans over whether to punt government funding into the new year is heating up, as lawmakers race toward their next shutdown deadline.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) this week said lawmakers are running out of time until the Dec. 20 deadline and that passing an extension into early 2025 would be ultimately a good move because it would give Republicans and President-elect Trump a little more say in what those spending bills are.

But the idea doesnt have total buy-in from the conference amid concerns from defense hawks and the partys top spending negotiators.

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Weve got to break this cycle, and this kicking it into next year is not good, House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said on Tuesday. Its not fair to the new president, its not fair to the new members. Theyre going to have to vote on this. Im not okay with any of this, I would like to finish the bills.

Top Democrats, meanwhile, have also expressed a strong preference for completing fiscal 2025 funding work by Dec. 20, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, declined to say if she and Democrats will support a continuing resolution (CR) if the funding talks fall through.

My job is to fight like hell to get us to Dec. 20, she said.

And Trump himself hasnt publicly said what he would prefer, an opinion that will almost certainly carry overwhelming weight among congressional Republicans.

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Passing a three-month stopgap would push the funding fight until Republicans control the House, Senate and White House. But Republicans also caution it would throw yet another hefty item onto their lengthy to-do list for the next Congresss first 100 days.

Id like to get our work done, Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), one of the funding committees 12 spending cardinals, said Tuesday. But he also noted that Congress was running out of time to hash out funding plans for next year before its last funding stopgap.

House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) also said Tuesday that hes not a big fan of the stopgap idea, while Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), head of the subcommittee that oversees annual defense funding, said hed prefer that lawmakers get the work done before the next Congress.

Its not good for the Department of Defense. It will cost us about $2 billion a month to operate under a [continuing resolution] with no new starts, contract expiration, inefficiencies within the department. So, its not a good way to operate.

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By contrast, hard-line conservatives have, for months, been calling for a CR into March, wary of being jammed with a sprawling spending package against the holidays.

In comments to reporters this week, Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), head of the House Freedom Caucus and a spending cardinal, said he still absolutely supports the funding effort and added hopes they put the SAVE [Safeguard American Voter Eligibility] Act back in with it.

Republicans had unsuccessfully pushed to pass the proof-of-citizenship voting bill as part of their initial plan to avert a shutdown in September that also would have punted Congresss next shutdown deadline into next year. The tanked vote came amid pushback from conservatives opposed to resorting to a stopgap to patch funding, concerns from defense hawks about what the plan would mean for the Pentagon, and others in the party.

The House eventually passed a so-called clean three-month stopgap to keep the government open past September, but not without support from Democrats.

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Recently, Democratic votes were necessary to raise the debt ceiling, to avoid a default on the debt, and necessary to avoid closing down the government a couple of times, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) said this week.

So, if theyre willing to work on a little bipartisan basis  we know were not  the majority. We can get things done, but if they want a partisan bill, then they have to do it on their own, and theyve shown no ability to do it.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Tuesday that he is supporting a top-line agreement with the top members of the House and Senate funding committees at the table to hammer out an agreement thats consistent with the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act.

There should be no drama, since we have already resolved, both for fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025, what the top-line spending numbers should be, we just have to sit down and proceed in a manner consistent with what House Republicans and Senate Republicans have already agreed to do, he told The Hill.

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However, both chambers have put forward drastically different funding bills for fiscal 2025, as Democrats have accused Republicans of leaving billions of dollars on the table for nondefense programs in the House-crafted plans.

DeLauro also said that shes been in talks with Cole, as well as Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

DeLauro said the hope is that the Speaker will be persuaded to get a long-term deal by Dec. 20. We can do it; we have to have a willing partner.

Mychael Schnell and Mike Lillis contributed.

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The Wall Street Journals editorial board questioned Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trumps pick for Defense Secretary, over a sexual assault allegation in a new op-ed published Tuesday.

The Journals editorial board suggested that when the Senate holds confirmation hearings over Hegseth becoming the head of the Department of Defense, they may question what he withheld from Trumps transition team while he was being vetted.

Whoever leads the Pentagon needs to have the Presidents trust. If Mr. Trump wasnt informed about this political liability before announcing the nomination, he might reasonably wonder what else Mr. Hegseth hasnt told him, the board wrote.

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The Monterey Police Department confirmed an investigation last week of an alleged sexual assault involving Hegseth in 2017. Trumps incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, spoke with Hegseth about the allegation, which he said stemmed from a consensual encounter.

Hegseths nomination to the Defense Department was surprising given his relative lack of experience. He was an infantry officer in the Army National Guard and later served as a host of Fox Newss Fox & Friends program.

Hegseths lawyer argued he is completely innocent and was actually the subject of blackmail from the woman in the situation.

The Journals board noted that what happened seven years ago might be impossible to prove or disprove, since the sides are saying differing things.

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But even granting Mr. Hegseth the benefit of the doubt, it raises questions about judgment, including whether he warned the President-elect that this might come out, they wrote.

The Journal highlighted a Trump spokesperson who said they look forward to Hegseths confirmation to the department, but the board also left the door open, saying nominations impulsively made can also be withdrawn.

The Hill has reached out to the Trump transition team for comment.

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WYTHE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  Savannah Adams, 28, accused of burning Tiffany Dunford resulting in her death, was arrested Monday and charged with first-degree murder and malicious assault resulting in severe injuries.

Both were class 2 felonies, which under the Virginia code of law, could land Adams anywhere between 20 years and life in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 if shes convicted.

A sweet, caring person, cousin remembers Tiffany Dunford

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People who knew Dunford expressed their condolences and their hopes for justice on social media. Dunfords family still cannot believe what happened.

Anybody that knew Tiffany, she could light up a room, and whether she was in the right or wrong, I dont care, I still loved her, but she didnt deserve to be burned, Dunfords cousin Nancy Reyna said on the phone. Tiffany is too nice of a person, and this is devastating to me and my family.

Woman dies after being burned in Wythe County, sheriff releases identity

WFXR reached out to the Wythe County Sheriff, but he said he could not comment because this is still an ongoing investigation. The court documents dont shed much light on exactly how or why this all happened.

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Adams is due for her court hearing on Friday, January 31.

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(Bloomberg) -- Chinas Xi Jinping agreed to boost a cooperation fund to finance strategic infrastructure projects in Brazil, as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva doubles down on his Beijing bet.

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No investment figures were released at the end of Xis state visit to Brasilia on Wednesday. Instead, the agreement signed by both presidents said priority projects must be submitted within 60 days.

We will establish synergies between Brazils development strategies  such as the New Industry Brazil (NIB), the Growth Acceleration Program, the South American Integration Routes Program and the Ecological Transformation Plan  and the Belt and Road Initiative, Lula said as he hosted Xi in his residential palace, right after a Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Xi used the same words to describe the partnership: the goal, he told journalists, is to establish synergies between Beijings signature investment pact and Brazils growth strategy.

Xi and Lula signed a total of 37 agreements. Among them, there were deals to open new markets for Brazilian grapes, sesame, sorghum and fish products, with a potential trade of $450 million per year, according to Brazils Ministry of Agriculture.

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Brazils embrace of Beijing underscores an ongoing shift away from the US as it seeks to move up the value chain and develop economically. Lula is seeking to transform his commodities-heavy economy with Chinese investments, hoping to take advantage of Xis signature Belt and Road infrastructure initiative without formally joining.

Closer ties between the two BRICS nations have triggered worries in the Biden administration, which cautioned Brazil against deeper engagement with China. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai last month warned Brazil to consider the risks of joining the Belt and Road initiative.

Given President-elect Donald Trumps calls for tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese imports, his administration threatens to be more aggressive still in confronting allies willing to break ranks on Beijing.

Wars

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Lula, who has been heavily criticized by US and European officials for cutting short G-20 discussions about the wars, said he and Xi had convergence of views on international security.

Xi repeated that theres no simple solution to Russias war in Ukraine and that more voices must be brought together to advocate for peace. On Gaza, he said risks of contagion are widening.

We are deeply concerned, Xi said through an official interpreter provided by the Chinese government.

(Recasts text with information on the agreements and comments on wars.)

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Russia has sent a gift of more than 70 animals to North Korea for the Pyongyang Zoo, including bears, yaks, ducks and cockatoos.

In another sign of the growing cooperation between the countries, the animals were flown to Pyongyang aboard a government plane, escorted by officials and experts from the Moscow Zoo, according to a government statement released Wednesday.

Historically, animals always have played a special role in relations between states. They have been given as a sign of support, kindness and care, Russias Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov, who traveled with the animals, said in televised remarks.

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The delivery included an African lion, two bears, two domestic yaks, 25 pheasants, 40 mandarin ducks and five white cockatoos, the statement said.

In June, President Vladimir Putin traveled to North Korea, where he met with its leader, Kim Jong Un. They signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that was the strongest link between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War. Both countries have been targeted by Western sanctions.

Since then, U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence assessments say up to 12,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia to fight against Ukraine.
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now)  Two men were arrested for allegedly being involved in a shooting in Hagerstown Wednesday afternoon.

The Hagerstown Police Department (HPD) said just before noon, officers responded to the YMCA on Eastern Boulevard and Cortland Manor after receiving reports of shots being fired.

HPD said callers reported that the shots were being fired toward the YMCA from Cortland Manor.

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Capitol Christmas Tree makes stop in Western Maryland

During the shooting, YMCA staff was outside on the playground with the children at daycare and moved them inside to make sure they were safe.

The YMCA then locked down the facility.

Officers found shell casings outside one of the buildings in the Cortland Manor area and identified which apartment it came from.

Then, officers contacted the residents and took two men into custody so investigators could question them.

No injuries were reported, but the shooting is still being investigated.

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Milan has dethroned New York City as home to the world's most expensive street in retail.

Via Monte Napoleone boasts annual rents of $1,959 per square foot, per a new report.

Luxury giant Kering recently purchased a $1.4 billion building in the elite district.

New York City's Fifth Avenue has been dethroned as the most expensive shopping street in the world, according to a new report from a global real estate firm.

Milan's Via Monte Napoleone has taken the crown  marking the first time a European city has topped a list compiled by property consultancy Cushman & Wakefield.

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The report assessed annual rents globally for 138 luxury shopping districts  from Tokyo to Paris to Zurich.

"Despite challenging market conditions and the dynamic development of e-commerce, the demand for physical retail space in the best locations remains unbroken," Cushman's head of retail investment, Andreas Siebert, said in a statement.

Earlier this year, for instance, Gucci and Saint Laurent owner Kering spent $1.4 billion to acquire one of the largest buildings in Via Monte Napoleone from Blackstone.

Luxury giants are placing billion-dollar bets on physical storefronts, Business Insider previously reported, even as online shopping surges.

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That said, it's been a challenging season for the luxury sector  though some players, like Hermes, are bucking larger trends.

Here are the 10 most expensive shopping streets worldwide, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

1. Milan: Via Monte Napoleone

Via Monte Napoleone, the world's most expensive shopping street, at Christmastime. Mairo Cinquetti/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Milan's Via Monte Napoleone boasts annual rents of $1,959 per square foot, according to the report, up 11% over last year.

One factor contributing to its ascendance? The street is "very short" compared to others on the list, which has driven up rents, Cushman's head of retail for Italy, Thomas Casolo, told CNN.

Chanel and Gucci both opened new locations in the area within the past year, according to the Financial Times.

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2. New York City: Upper Fifth Avenue

New York's Fifth Avenue has been supplanted, though an overhaul of the area is in the works. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

While North America posted the strongest rental growth of any continent, according to Cushman, Upper Fifth Avenue came in second this year, with annual rents priced at $1,913 per square foot.

Last month, The New York Times reported city officials are plotting a $350 million overhaul of Fifth Avenue that will make it more walkable  not unlike its European counterparts.

3. London: New Bond Street

Hermes, pictured here on New Bond Street in London, is bucking the trend of a luxury downturn. Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images

London's New Bond Street rose one spot to No. 3 on this year's list  marking a 13% increase over last year, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

The elite shopping district now boasts annual rents of $1,685 per square foot, according to the report.

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4. Hong Kong: Tsim Sha Tsui

Pedestrians stroll in front of the Louis Vuitton store at Tsim Sha Tsui. Parent company LVMH said sales dropped during the third quarter. Li Zhihua/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images

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Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui slipped one spot, according to the report, with annual rents of $1,537 per square foot.

5. Paris: The Avenue des Champs-Elysees

The Bvlgari boutique on the Champs-Elysees at sunset. : Apaydin A/Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The Avenue des Champs-Elysees remained the fifth most expensive shopping boulevard globally  even as annual rents in the Parisian hot spot rose 10% to $1,226 per square foot.

6. Tokyo: Ginza

Tokyo's Ginza district is home to top luxury shops like Chanel. : Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Annual rents in the Ginza district of Tokyo are priced at $1,134 per square foot, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

7. Zurich: Bahnhofstrasse

Snow-covered Bahnhofstrasse marks Switzerland's most elite luxury hub. Jan Woitas/picture alliance via Getty Images

Annual rents in Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse are priced at $939 per square foot, according to the report.

8. Sydney: Pitt Street Mall

Pitt Street Mall in Sydney was deserted at the height of COVID during Christmas 2020. David Gray/Getty Images

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Annual rents in Sydney's Pitt Street Mall district are priced at $767 per square foot, according to the report.

9. Seoul: Myeong-dong

Seoul's Myeong-dong shopping district. JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images

Annual rents in the Myeong-dong district of Seoul are priced at $658 per square foot, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

10. Vienna: Kohlmarkt

Kohlmarkt in Vienna, lit with holiday decor. Imagno/Getty Images

Kohlmarkt in Vienna maintained its same position as last year, with an annual rent in 2024 of $529 per square foot, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Nov. 20Gov. Glenn Youngkin is seeking additional federal help for victims of Hurricane Helene in Southwest Virginia.

The remnants of the hurricane hammered parts of Southwest Virginia on Sept. 27, including Tazewell County, toppling thousands of trees and power lines and leaving thousands more without electricity for nearly a week.

Parts of neighboring West Virginia, including the Bluefield area, also were hit particularly hard by the storm.

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Youngkin said Tuesday he had submitted a request to President Joe Biden, President-elect Donald Trump and Congressional appropriators for $4.4 billion in federal support to aid Southwest Virginia residents and businesses still recovering from the storm and to support ongoing recovery efforts following widespread damage to farms, homes, local businesses, critical infrastructure and tourism assets.

Youngkin said the requested federal funding would support in the rebuilding and recovery efforts across 36 localities in Southwest Virginia.

"While our Office of Hurricane Helene Recovery and Rebuilding continues to work collaboratively with our federal, state, and local partners, the severity of the impacts in Southwest Virginia require accelerated federal support," Youngkin said. "Given the urgent need for action, I respectfully requested assistance from our federal partners to support Virginia's recovery needs as they work through the federal disaster supplemental funding. The resilience of Southwest Virginia and its residents is incredible, but we know more resources are required to fully rebuild our communities."

Biden declared a federal disaster in parts of Southwest Virginia earlier this fall, including Tazewell County.

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Youngkin traveled to Southwest Virginia several times following the storm, including most recently to Washington County with U.S. Senator J.D. Vance, who is now Vice President-Elect with President-Elect Donald Trump.

Youngkin said he saw the need for additional support for the Southwest Virginia region during those earlier trips and established the Office of Hurricane Helene Recovery and Rebuilding to ensure affected areas receive the necessary support.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership has conducted an economic impact analysis following Hurricane Helene and found direct and indirect economic impacts of more than $2 billion across the Southwest Virginia region.

In the immediate aftermath of the storm, 310,000 Virginia residents were without power and electric distribution infrastructure was severely damaged, according to the governor's office. In terms of transportation impact, 484 primary and secondary roads, as well as 118 bridges were closed.

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As of November 12, FEMA has had nearly 10,000 applications for Individual Assistance and almost 3,000 requests for inspection of damaged or destroyed homes. As of late October, nearly 3,700 farms had been impacted by the storm resulting in more than $630 million in direct, and future financial impact to Virginia farmers and their communities, the governor's office added.

Contact Charles Owens at

cowens@bdtonline.com

 Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com. Follow him @BDTOwens
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Reports said police Tuesday afternoon found nine bags of crack cocaine while chasing a man who fled from an SUV they tried to pull over.

Decarlos Jones, 48, was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on charges of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony; and possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.

He is expected to be arraigned later Wednesday in municipal court.

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Reports said Jones was the driver of an SUV that police tried to pull over about 3:25 p.m. at Overland and Falls avenues for an improper turn but the car failed to stop.

The SUV led police on a chase through the lower South Side before winding back up on Falls Avenue at Market Street, where Jones and another person inside jumped out.

Jones was caught a short distance away from the SUV. Reports said police found nine bags of crack cocaine on the path he ran on.

The other person who ran was issued a citation for obstructing official business.

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HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP)  Pregnancy can come with a lot of challenges for expectant mothers and not everyone can afford the care they need, but a program being run by the YWCA of High Point is connecting these mothers with doulas and the support they need.

We offer childbirth education classes, and we also offer support groups for moms, says Jayden Milner, a community health worker with the YWCA. That includes support groups for new dads and siblings too.

The YWCA Doula Project provides pre and post-natal support at no cost to the mothers. This is the programs third year and it has expanded every year, but the center of its mission remains the same. YWCA Executive Director Heidi Majors says the ultimate goal is to reduce infant mortality as well as to improve birth outcomes within our community. Many of the mothers who take part in the program come from low to moderate-income families. About 80% are on Medicaid and 15% have what doctors call a high-risk pregnancy.

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Alana Mooney is expecting her third child and is now going through the program a second time. She says before the program in her first pregnancy, she was incredibly stressed, but a doula made things easier. It was like a huge relief. It felt like I didnt have so much pressure to know everything, she says. If I had a question, [the doula] was there with all the information that I needed and all the support that I needed.

What really sets this program apart from other pre-natal health programs is that it goes far beyond caring for just physical health. Majors say support groups offer a variety of different topics that parents struggle with. That could be around breastfeeding and maybe some struggles going on around breastfeeding. It could be in regards to child development and what are some good techniques and skills to bring in to work with the child as theyre in the first six months.

Thanks to money from the High Point Community Foundation, the YWCA is able to contract with more doulas allowing them to keep helping women and families. Mooney says even into her third pregnancy, having a doula helps. Theres so much that goes on with becoming a mother, she says. I feel like theres so much more to learn and now I feel like I have a good foundation. I can do things throughout this pregnancy that maybe I didnt think about my last two.

You can find out more about the High Point YWCA Doula Project on their website.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky urged fellow Ukrainians not to spread panic after a day of heightened tensions in the war-torn country.

Zelensky made the appeal against the backdrop of the closure of several embassies in Kiev due to worries about the imminent threat of a major Russian air attack.

"The information overload that took place today, the panicked messages that were sent, all of this only helps Russia," he said in his evening video message on Wednesday.

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Russia is a "crazy neighbor," but this applies on the 1,001st day of the war just as much as on any other day of the war before, he said.

Many people in Ukraine are growing concerned that Russia could escalate the war after Ukraine reportedly used long-range Western missiles to strike inside Russian territory.
On 19 November Brazils federal police (PF) arrested military officers suspected of participating in a plot in 2022 that could have involved assassinating President, Vice President, and supreme court (STF) justice

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Ukrainians to remain vigilant when an air-raid warning is issued, warning that Russia remains as deranged as it was at the start of the full-scale invasion.

Source: Zelenskyy's address on 20 November

Quote: "Today, there was a lot of concern and many questions about some kind of particular danger. Although, throughout this time, we have already experienced so many cruel and vile attacks from Russia... It is always essential to pay attention when an air-raid warning is issued. We have that kind of a neighbour  insane. Today, on the 1,001st day of the full-scale war, Russia is just as insane as it was on the 1,000th day and on 24 February. The information frenzy that took place today, with some panic messages passed around  all this benefits only Russia."

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Details: He called for support for the Ukrainian military and emphasised the need to ensure that "no one manipulates your emotions for their own advantage".

Background:

The United States announced earlier that it would close its embassy in Kyiv on 20 November, citing information about the threat of a major aerial attack by Russia on that day. The diplomatic mission stressed that the closure was due to the risk of a combined missile and drone strike and clarified that there was no threat of a nuclear attack.

The embassies of Spain and Italy in Kyiv also reported temporarily suspending operations in the Ukrainian capital after receiving "concrete" information about the threat of a large-scale air strike on 20 November.

The Ukrainian authorities issued an air-raid warning in Kyiv and 10 oblasts. It was in effect for 30 minutes.

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Mother Julie Bufkin (R) chats with neighbors while pushing her daughter Alice's stroller, adorned with 'Reproductive Freedom' and 'When We Fight We Win' signs, on Nov. 05, 2024, in Tempe, Arizona. Passage of Proposition 139 in Arizona would codify athe fundamental right to an abortiona in the swing state of Arizona. Americans cast their ballots today in the presidential race between Republican nominee former President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as multiple state elections that will determine the balance of power in Congress. (Mario Tama/Getty Images/TNS)
On 19 November, deputy spokesperson for Haitis police (PNdH), told the media that at least 28 suspected gang members had been killed by PNdH officials and residents in Petion-Ville, a wealthy Port-au-Prince suburb.

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People will no longer have to fight with monkeys in the historic Thai city of Lopburi.

That is because of new efforts to keep the animals from reproducing and to limit their movements.

Monkey City

Before public health measures to control COVID-19 closed businesses in Lopburi, about 3,000 long-tailed macaques lived there. The people of the city fed them and even had a yearly party for them. Tourists came to the city north of Bangkok to see the macaques in what was known as "Monkey City."

The macaques are believed to bring good luck. They live in the nearby forests and have long been a part of the city's history. But after Lopburi came out of the pandemic lockdown in the middle of 2022, people found that the monkeys had become unruly without people feeding them.

Groups of macaques had taken over buildings. They stole food and caused accidents by walking in the streets. Groups of the monkeys also fought each other, shocking local people. Some of the townspeople put up cages around their homes to keep the monkeys out.

Stealing food

Wisarut Somngam is a local researcher with the non-governmental organization, Ecoexist Society. He said the monkeys would steal from people by taking any container they thought might contain food. People began to carry slingshots, a small weapon that shoots stones, to protect against the monkeys.

Earlier this year, officials began their efforts to catch the macaques. By May, they were increasing the effort to prevent the monkeys from reproducing that began during the pandemic.

"Our goal is to neuter all the monkeys, 100 percent of them," said local veterinarian Patarapol Maneeorn from the government wildlife department in September. The monkeys would then be put into an area where they will be looked after, he said.

Capture of monkeys

Now, the situation in the city seems to be under control, as the officials have captured 1,600 of the monkeys. Some animal rights groups agree the monkeys should be neutered, but they do not want them to be kept in captivity.

Edwin Wiek is founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand. He said, The monkeys are suffering because currently they're in a cage that is not designed for them. Wiek pressed the government to increase funding for the government wildlife department to train people in animal care and treatment.

The people of Lopburi are happy that the streets are safe again. Clock maker Chalit Nithiwkram said, "Things have become a little easier because most of the monkeys were captured. Life is easier." He said his business is improving because people are no longer afraid to park near his shop.

For others, the monkeys are important to Lopburi. Supaporn Reanprayoorn operates a store near a temple where monkeys often gathered. "Monkeys are part of Lopburi's identity," she said. She sometimes gave them a little food. "Let tourists take pictures with them - just a hundred or two," she joked.

Im Andrew Smith.

Artorn Pookasook reported this story for Reuters. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English.

___________________________________________________

Words in This Story

cage  n. a box made of wire or metal bars in which people keep animals or birds

neuter  v. to remove the sex organs from (an animal)

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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:
Microbusinesses will become eligible for participation in the regulated electricity price scheme for households from January, Energy Minister Csaba Lantos said in a video message posted on social media.

Lantos noted that microbusinesses had been excluded from the scheme since August 2022, during the energy crisis.



Of the 860,000 microbusinesses in Hungary, 400,000 already pay regulated electricity prices because they are based in their owners' homes. A further 120,000 pay market prices.



Hungary hosts European SME Assembly

Budapest is hosting the European SME Assembly, a high-level political and professional forum for discussing current challenges and trends, and one of the tools for implementing the European Union's SME Strategy, in the framework of Hungary's presidency of the Council of the EU.



Addressing the assembly on Tuesday, National Economy Minister Marton Nagy pointed to the need to temporarily ease the EU's fiscal regulations and channel more resources to the digital and green transitions.



He pointed to the Budapest Declaration on the New European Competitiveness Deal adopted at an EU summit in Budapest earlier in November, and said that the Draghi and Letta reports had warned the EU would fall behind China and the US in the global competition if fiscal rules weren't loosened and more money wasn't ploughed into the digital and green transitions.



Nagy said the current Maastricht criteria "significantly restricted" member states' room for fiscal manoeuvre. He added that fiscal deficits relative to GDP had averaged 9pc in the US and 7.6pc in China in recent years, while the gap was 4.5pc in the EU.



He blamed the EU's "prudent" fiscal policy for the widening innovation gap between the EU and the US and China.



Nagy said the EU's competitiveness problems were also evident on the electric vehicle market, with the share of EV sales among new vehicle registrations reaching 15pc in Germany and 20pc in France, well under the 30pc rate in China.



He added that Hungary's government was tapping significant resources to support the green transition.



Hubert Gambs, the European Commission's deputy head for the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, said proposals made at the meeting in Budapest could contribute to the drafting of the EC's new single market strategy set to be unveiled in the summer of 2025.



At a press conference at the event, state secretary for SMEs Richard Szabados said nine companies, earlier winners of funding, had been showcased at the assembly, while the activities of local business development agencies were presented.



He added that sustainable operation of SMEs, developing the defence industry, boosting management skills, digital coalitions, business development clusters, and artificial intelligence in R+D+I were topics discussed at the assembly.



Szabados said the 500-600 participants got a chance to see local examples of businesses run by women and fintech companies on Monday.



He highlighted the need for economic policy to encourage corporate investments and for SMEs to have access to financing.



Source:

MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

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Yesterday the 'Magyar Nemzeti Bank' issued a particularly valuable gold collectors coin named The Golden Florin of Laduslaus V (Laszlo aranyforintja V.) in single and in piedfort version, which is four times the weight of a normal coin. These coins represent the eighth addition in the Hungarian medieval gold florin series.

In line with the traditions of central bank issuances, the non-ferrous metal version of the 50,000-forint precious metal coins will also be issued at a face value of 3,000 forints.



By issuing this coin, the MNB wishes to highlight the values of Hungarian money history, the historic predecessors of our national currency, the Medieval golden florins. The gold and the non-ferrous metal versions have the same design, the only difference being their denominations.



On the obverse of the V. Laszlo aranyforintja collector coins the reverse of the gold forint issued by King Ladislaus V is in the centre, with the figure of Ladislaus I of Hungary holding a poleaxe with a short-handle and a globus cruciger in the centre surrounded by an inner border.



Inside the beaded border running around the edge of the obverse, in the upper legend the inscription MAGYARORSZAG (HUNGARY) is seen, with the denominations 50000 and 3000 and the lettering FORINT are featured, separated by flower motifs.



On the reverse, in the middle, partly extending beyond the circular, grid-patterned central field, bordered by a beaded edge, the figure of King Ladislaus V is featured sitting on the throne.



This representation was inspired by an engraving in the Brno issue of the Thuroczy Chronicle, published in 1488. Beneath the Kings coat of arms is placed. To the left of the representation of King Ladislaus V, the mint mark BP. is found with the minting year 2024 underneath.



To the right, the designers mark of sculptor Tamas E. Soltra is positioned. Inside the beaded border running along the edge of the reverse, the inscription V. LASZLO 1453-1457 ARANYFORINTJA (LADISLAUS V 1453-1457 GOLDEN FLORIN) is shown in a legend.



The gold coin with a face value of HUF 50,000 is struck in .986 fine gold. The normal coin weighs 3.491 grams (1 ducat) and the piedfort coin weighs 13.964 grams (4 ducats).



The non-ferrous metal coin with a face value of HUF 3,000 is produced from an alloy of copper (75%), nickel (4%) zinc (21%) and weighs 2.7 grams.



The edges of the 1 ducat gold and the non-ferrous metal coins are smooth. The piedfort gold coins are decorated with a unique Latin inscription + LADISLAVS  D  G  R  VNGARIE (LADISLAUS DEI GRATIA REX UNGARIAE) on the edge, meaning Ladislaus, king of Hungary by the grace of God.



All these coins have the same diameter of 20 mm. The mintage limit of the piedfort collector coin is 500 and that of the normal coin is 2000 in proof finish. The mintage limit of the non-ferrous coin is 5000 in BU finish.



In order to promote the role of these collector coins to transfer value and raise awareness as widely as possible, the non-ferrous metal coin of 3,000 forints will be available for purchase for one year after issuance, while stocks last, at face value in the webshop and coin shop of Hungarian Mint Ltd. (Budapest, distr. V, 7 Bathory street), the producer and the distributor of the coins, starting from 20 November 2024.



Gold collector coins - unlike the silver and non-ferrous collector coins - are not sold at face value.



The MNB issued the gold coin of Charles I as the first piece in the series named Hungarian Gold Florins from the Middle Ages in 2012 with the aim of providing a full picture of good quality coins in medieval Hungarian money history, which preserved their value and were frequently accepted by foreign merchants as well.



To be true to history, the first piece of the series was followed by the golden florin of Louis I in 2013, Queen Mary in 2014, Sigismund in 2016, Albert in 2018, Vladislaus I in 2020 and John Hunyadi in 2022.





Source:

mnb.hu/en/banknotes-and-coins
New Delhi: In a unique twist to hiring, Zomato's CEO Deepinder Goyal has opened applications for the role of Chief of Staff with an unusual conditioncandidates must contribute Rs 20 lakh for the first year, a sum that will be donated to the non-profit Feeding India. In return, Zomato will match this with a Rs 50 lakh contribution to a charity of the selected candidate's choice.

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal took to social media platform X to announce a vacancy for a "Chief of Staff" to work closely with him. The job description highlights responsibilities spanning "anything and everything to build the future of Zomato," including its ventures like Blinkit, District, Hyperpure, and Feeding India.

Update: I am looking for a chief of staff for myself. pic.twitter.com/R4XPp3CefJ  Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) November 20, 2024

Goyal described the role as offering "10x more learnings than a 2-year degree from a top management school, working with me and some of the smartest folks in consumer tech." However, he clarified, "This role is not a conventional role with the usual perks that such jobs come with."

Deepinder Goyal shared unique salary details for the "Chief of Staff" role on social media platform X. He explained, "There is no salary for this role for the first year. You will have to, in fact, pay Rs 20 lakh for this opportunity. 100 per cent of this 'fee' will be paid in the form of donation directly to Feeding India (if you are offered the role, and you accept it)."

To ensure transparency, he added, "At our end, we want to demonstrate that we are not trying to save money here -- we will contribute Rs 50 lakh (equivalent to a Chief of Staff salary) to a charity of your choice." From the second year onwards, Goyal said, "We will start paying you the usual salary (definitely more than Rs 50 lakh) but something we will only talk about at the start of Year 2)."

He emphasised that applicants should pursue the role for the "learning opportunity it presents, rather than for a fancy well-paying job which will make you look cool in front of yourself or the people you want to impress."

Goyal elaborated on the role, saying, "Think of this as a learning programme, for you both personally and professionally  whether or not you succeed at this role. And we want learners for this role, not resume builders."

Sharing what he seeks in a candidate, he explained that the ideal person should be "hungry, has a lot of common sense, empathy, and not a lot of experience (and therefore no conditioning/baggage)." He added that the candidate should be "down to earth and has zero entitlement; wants to do the right thing even if it comes at the cost of displeasing others; has Grade A communication skills; and most importantly, has a learning mindset."
Poe on Mary Jane Veloso homecoming

We laud the mutual effort of the Philippine and Indonesian governments for making Mary Jane Veloso's homecoming possible.

The welfare of our OFWs is a matter of great importance, it is incumbent upon concerned government agencies to safeguard our migrant workers and guarantee their rights.

In the Senate, we augmented the AKSYON fund to provide legal, medical, and financial assistance to our OFWs.

We will also ensure funds for the National Reintegration Center and OFW helpdesks.

This is on top of the DSWD funding for returning undocumented OFWs to get counseling through livelihood training.

We must see to it that no Filipino migrant worker falls victim to yet another death sentence.
A controversy has emerged involving a tender issued by the State Health Society under Bihars Health Department. Science House Medical Private Limited has alleged that their bid was deliberately disqualified. The firm has written to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, demanding an investigation into the tender process and appropriate action. The matter has now reached the court, with a petition filed.

The tender was issued for diagnostic health services under the hub-and-spoke model, with participation from seven firms. On October 21, all firms were declared technically qualified, and their financial bids were opened. Science House Medical claims its bid offered the highest discount of 77.06%. However, on October 30, the tender was awarded to another firm, reported Zee News Hindi.

According to Science House Medical, officials cited discrepancies in their bid, alleging different rates were listed for different locationsa claim raised by two competing firms. The company asserts that these allegations are baseless and that no clarification was sought from them before rejecting their bid.

The firm also claims that a work order was issued to a company offering a lower discount of 73%, causing the Bihar government to incur significant financial losses annually. They have called for a fair investigation into the tender process and a review of the decision.

This is not the first time the State Health Society has faced controversy over tenders. In a previous case involving ambulance tenders, the High Court criticized officials for violating rules and annulled the work order. For now, State Health Society officials have declined to comment on the current issue.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday put a temporary hold on trial court proceedings against senior Congress leader P Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case. The case was filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which also named Chidambaram's son, Karti, in its chargesheet.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri directed the ED to file its response to Chidambaram's petition against a trial court decision taking cognisance of the chargesheet. "Notice issued. Till the next date of hearing, the proceedings against the petitioner shall remain stayed. List on January 22," Justice Ohri said while adding that he would also deliver his detailed order later.

Arguing on behalf of Chidambaram, senior advocate N Hariharan and lawyers Arshdeep Singh Khurana and Akshat Gupta contended before the court that the trial court had committed an error in taking cognisance of the chargesheet without obtaining the mandatory sanction for prosecution under Section 197(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

The protection granted under Section 197(1) CrPC runs in favor of the petitioner. The special judge was wrong to take cognisance of the offence without previous sanction by the ED," Chidambaram's plea stated.

Chidambaram further requested interim relief through a stay on the proceedings pending in the trial court that have already been scheduled for the consideration of charges.

The ED, however, argued that no sanction was necessary as the charges pertain to activities unrelated to Chidambaram's official duties as Union finance minister when the alleged offences were committed.

The agency had earlier argued that it had prima facie evidence for the trial court to summon Chidambaram and others, including his son Karti, in corruption and money laundering cases related to the Aircel-Maxis deal.

The charges against him result from alleged irregularities in the approval of the Aircel-Maxis deal by the FIPB way back in 2006 when Chidambaram was the finance minister. According to both the ED and the CBI, he had given FIPB approval far in excess of his authority, benefiting certain individuals and getting kickbacks.

The trial court had taken cognisance of the ED and CBI chargesheets in November 2021 and summoned Chidambaram and other accused. The prosecution complaints, filed in June and October 2018, alleged violations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Temporary reprieve for Chidambaram as the high court grants stay over the legal battle. The matter will now be heard on January 22.
With Delhi witnessing multiple firings and murders in recent months, Chief Minister Atishi came down heavily on the central government under whose jurisdiction the Delhi Police comes. CM Atishi alleged that the law and order situation in Delhi has been 'deteriorating' and slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah saying that the national capital has become the 'gangster capital'.

"Delhi has become 'gangster capital'. Criminals, extortionists, and goons have no fear left. They feel they can open fire, kill someone, stab someone but the police won't do anything. I want to know from the country's Home Minister Amit Shah that when Delhi's law and order comes under him then what is he doing for the people of Delhi? The condition of law and order is deteriorating. Extortion and murders are happening every day, however, the home minister has no work other than election campaigning," she told media persons.

The allegations surfaced after the chief minister met with the parents of a 28-year-old man who was killed last week in northeast Delhi's Sunder Nagri. Atishi announced a compensation of 10 lakh for the bereaved family. The 28-year-old victim was fatally stabbed in the neck on Friday night, allegedly by two brothers. The attack occurred just minutes after the victim and a relative confronted the duo and stopped them from harassing a woman in Sunder Nagri.

The police had arrested both accused after the murder.

In a tweet in Hindi, the chief minister said that recently, a 28-year-old youth was murdered in broad daylight in Sunder Nagari. "I met the family of the deceased today and consoled them. The Delhi government will provide financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the deceased," she said.
Mumbai: The ED and the CBI on Wednesday ramped up their investigations against Bitcoin Ponzi 'scam' suspect Gaurav Mehta, a day after BJP made public purported voice notes to allege that Congress and NCP (SP) leaders were trying to encash cryptocurrency to influence Maharashtra assembly polls. The allegations were refuted by NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule and Congress leader Nana Patole who termed the voice notes released by the BJP on the eve of polling as fake.

Gaurav Mehta, an audit company employee, was at the centre of the action taken by the two federal probe agencies on Wednesday with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carrying out searches at his Raipur residence while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) issued summons to him seeking his presence before the investigation officer as soon as possible. The ED questioned him and recorded his statement during the searches. It also seized some computers and digital devices.

ED officials said the agency has widened its ongoing money laundering probe into a crypto (Bitcoin) assets ponzi scam and is investigating the "links" of Mehta and some others with politicians, politically exposed persons and bureaucrats. The agency attached assets worth Rs 98 crore of actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra in April as part of this crypto-ponzi probe. The couple challenged the ED action and got relief from the Bombay High Court.

It was alleged by the ED that the bitcoins were to be utilised for mining and investors were supposed to get huge returns in crypto assets but the promoters "cheated" the investors and have been concealing the "ill-gotten" bitcoins in obscure online wallets. Kundra, the ED alleged, received 285 bitcoins from the "mastermind" and promoter of Gain Bitcoin Ponzi "scam" Amit Bhardwaj for "setting up" a bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine.

These bitcoins were sourced from the "proceeds of crime" collected by Amit Bhardwaj from gullible investors, it said. The agency arrested three people -- Simpy Bhardwaj, Nitin Gaur and Nikhil Mahajan -- in the case last year. The main accused Ajay Bhardwaj and Mahendra Bhardwaj are absconding, the ED said, adding that it attached properties worth Rs 69 crore in the case earlier.

Two chargesheets have been filed in the case till now -- the first in June 2019 and the second in February this year. The BJP on Tuesday played purported voice notes of Baramati MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress chief Patole alleging attempts were being made to encash bitcoins to influence the elections.

Sharing the audio clips, in which voices and signal chats purportedly of Sule and Patole allegedly indicate that bitcoins were used for funding the poll campaign, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi had said it is clear that the MVA has seen the writing on the wall that it will be defeated in the polls.

The allegations were strongly refuted by both leaders who said that the voice recordings were not theirs. Sule said she has filed a complaint with the Election Commission and the cybercrime department of the state against the false allegations. She told reporters on Wednesday that she "did not know Gaurav Mehta". Patole also dismissed the BJP's allegations and said, "The voice in the clip being circulated is not mine. Even (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi recognises my voice." Voting in Maharashtra elections took place on Wednesday for 288 Assembly seats where BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is facing a challenge from NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UT) and Congress alliance known as Maha Vikas Agadi.

A former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil, who was arrested in a 2018 cryptocurrency "fraud" case being probed by Pune Police, has also claimed that Mehta had provided him 10 voice notes on the Signal app which had purported audio clips of Sule, Patole, and IPS officers Amitabh Gupta (ex-Pune Police commissioner) and Bhagyashree Navtake, who was the DCP (cyber) in Pune when he was arrested.

He had also sent a complaint to the Election Commission alleging three voice notes were sent by Sule to Mehta in which she is purportedly heard asking the latter to encash the Bitcoins as funds were needed for elections and assuring him that he need not worry about inquiries as once they come to power, they would handle them.

In his complaint sent to the EC via email, Patil stated that according to the chats that he claims to be in possession of, it appears that hundreds of bitcoins worth billions of rupees may have been pumped in the assembly polls and the previous Lok Sabha elections. It also appears that Mehta is currently having custody of the misappropriated bitcoins, amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees, Patil said in the complaint.

The ED's money laundering probe in the crypto-ponzi case stems from FIRs of Maharashtra Police and Delhi Police against a company named Variable Tech Pvt Ltd and individuals named (late) Amit Bhardwaj, Ajay Bhardwaj, Vivek Bhardwaj, Simpy Bhardwaj and Mahender Bhardwaj, among others. A number of multi-level marketing agents are alleged to have collected huge amounts of funds in the form of bitcoins (worth Rs 6,600 crore in 2017) from the public with the "false promise" of 10 per cent per month return in the form of Bitcoins.

The Supreme Court handed over cases registered against Variable Tech Pte Ltd across the country to the CBI in December last year. At least 10 FIRs were registered by multiple police stations in the country against Variable Tech Pte Ltd, the late Amit Bhardwaj and Ajay Bhardwaj and others. "During the investigation, it shall be open to the CBI to club/consolidate any one or more of the FIRs. It is further clarified that in the event that charge sheets have already been filed by the local police in connection with any of the FIRs, this shall not preclude the CBI from conducting further investigation and thereafter file charge sheets or supplementary charge sheets, as the case may be," the apex court had said.

The CBI officials said that the case was registered in October this year and the agency was looking into all aspects related to the alleged involvement of Mehta in the scam and it may expand the scope of investigation.
Maharashtra Exit Polls 2024: With voting for the 288 assembly seats of Maharashtra ending today, the exit poll results are out now. As per the Zee News AI Exit poll, the Mahayuti is likely to get around 129-159 seats while the Maha Vikas Aghadi appears to have putting a close fight with 124-154 seats. The Maharashtra elections witnessed a high-voltage campaign that not only revolved around religious lines but also included welfare schemes and promises of more financial aid from both alliances - Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi. As per the data from the Election Commission of India, voter turnout in Maharashtra's Assembly elections was a low 32.18%.

Mahayuti is the ruling alliance that includes Shiv Sena, NCP and BJP while the Maha Vikas Aghadi includes Shiv Sena-UBT, NCPSP and Congress alongside some regional parties. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. In the opposition alliance, the Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and the NCP (SP) 86.

This is the first Maharashtra assembly election for two major regional parties - Shiv Sena and the NCP as they went to the polls after a split. The election is a litmus test for Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar. While Thackeray faces a challenge from his former colleague Eknath Shinde, Sharad Pawar is locked in a fierce contest with his nephew Ajit Pawar. The two claimants of Shiv Sena's popular legacy have squared off against each other in over 50 seats. The nominees of the two Pawar factions are up against each other in nearly 37 constituencies.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar Murder Row: In a new flashpoint between India and Canada, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly refuted allegations reported in Canadian media, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had prior knowledge of the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia and other violent plots. The report alleged that Canadian security agencies suspect Prime Minister Modi was aware of Nijjar's killing as well as 'other violent plots' in Canada.

Responding to the allegations published in The Globe and Mail, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed them as baseless and damaging to already strained relations between the two countries. "We do not normally comment on media reports. However, such ludicrous statements made to a newspaper purportedly by a Canadian government source should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. Smear campaigns like this only further damage our already strained ties," Jaiswal said.

The Globe and Mail article cited unnamed Canadian security officials, alleging that intelligence assessments tied the assassination operations to India's Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah. The report also claimed that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar were involved and suggested it was "unthinkable" that Prime Minister Modi was not informed about the plots to kill Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

While the report noted that Canada lacks direct evidence linking Modi to the incidents, it relied on the assertion of a senior national-security official who speculated that discussions would have taken place among top Indian officials before any action was carried out.

Even Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had admitted that Ottawa has no evidence to prove its allegations. In a statement before the Commission in Parliament, Trudeau mentioned that Canada has intelligence but no concrete evidence regarding the matter. He added that while Canada is willing to collaborate with India, efforts to engage in joint investigations have been met with refusal, with India unwilling to cooperate.

The Indian governments sharp rebuttal highlights the ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations, following earlier controversies over allegations of foreign interference and targeted violence. These new claims are expected to further strain bilateral ties.
Georgetown: India and Guyana on Wednesday firmed up 10 agreements to shore up cooperation in a range of key sectors such as hydrocarbons, digital payment systems, pharmaceutical and defence following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. In his media statement, Modi said Guyana will play an important role in India's energy security and a blueprint for long-term partnership in the sector will be prepared.

"The visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana after 56 years is an important milestone in our relations. I have had a deep personal bond with Guyana," he said while recalling his visit as a common citizen to the South American country about 24 years back. The prime minister arrived here last night from the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, where he attended the G20 summit.

One of the MoUs will provide for the possibility for deployment of India's UPI (Unified Payments Interface) digital payments system in Guyana. "In today's meeting, we have identified many new initiatives to strengthen our cooperation. We will continue to make efforts to increase our mutual trade and economic cooperation," Modi said. The prime minister said India will continue to contribute to the capacity building of Guyana's military through scholarships and training.

"Close cooperation in the field of defence is a symbol of our deep mutual trust. I am happy that this year India has supplied two Dornier aircraft to Guyana," he said.

The agreements signed between the two sides will provide for cooperation in a vast range of areas, including hydrocarbons, agriculture, medicines, digital payment systems, culture and digital transformation.

In his remarks, Modi said India has made a significant contribution to the skill development and capacity building of the people of Guyana as per their needs.

The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in the agriculture sector. "With the millet seeds provided by India last year, we were able to contribute to increasing the food security of Guyana as well as the entire region," Modi said.

"Similarly, we will also cooperate in increasing the cultivation of rice milling, sugarcane, corn, soya and other crops," he said. In the talks, the Indian side also agreed to set up a Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Guyana. "Along with increasing pharma exports, we will also work on building Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Guyana. India has been contributing as a reliable partner in the infrastructure development of Guyana," Modi said. The two leaders also deliberated on regional and global issues.

"We also discussed many global and regional issues. India and Guyana agree that all problems should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy," the prime minister said. "We are unanimous that reform in global institutions is the need of the hour. Climate Justice is a priority issue for both of us. We will continue to work together on all issues," he said.

On his part, President Ali said Modi's visit to Guyana represents a significant milestone in enhancing cooperation between the two nations. He praised Prime Minister Modi, calling him a 'champion among leaders' for his impactful leadership and contribution to the developing world.

"Thank you very much, Prime Minister Modi. It is our greatest honour to have you here. You are a champion among leaders. You have led incredibly," Ali said during a joint press statement with Modi. He lauded Modi's governance style, noting its relevance and adoption in Guyana and other nations.

"You have shown the light to the developing world, and you have created development metrics and a framework that many are adopting in their own country. And much of it is relevant to us here in Guyana," he said.
In a stern action, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a wanted accused in a 2020 Kashmir narco-terror case in connection with a conspiracy of the banned Pakistan-based terrorist organizations to procure and sell narcotic drugs to raise funds for promoting terrorism.

Muneer Ahmad Banday, who had been evading arrest since the last four years, was a key part of the conspiracy, aimed at generating funds to spread terror in J&K and other parts of India, the NIA said in a statement. The funds were to be used for furtherance of terrorist activity in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir through a network of overground workers (OGWs), the statement further stated.

The conspiracy, involving operatives of banned terrorist outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), came to light in June 2020 when the Handwara (Kupwara) police registered a case following seizure of 2 kg of heroin and Rs. 20 lakhs in cash during checking of vehicles at Kairo Bridge, it said.

The statement further stated that the vehicle of accused Abdul Momin Peer was intercepted while coming from Baramulla to Handwara, leading to the seizure. Further interrogation of Abdul Momin Peer resulted in the recovery of another 15 kgs of heroin and Rs. 1.15 crores in cash, statement revealed..

NIA, which took over the case and re-registered it as RC-03/2020/NIA/JMU on 23rd June 2020 under various sections of the IPC, NDPS Act, and UA(P) Act, has filed a series of chargesheets so far against a total of 15 persons in the case RC-03/2020/NIA/JMU.

The central probe agency is continuing with its investigations to dismantle the narco-terror network and destroy the root of the terror funding in the country, particularly in Kashmir, the statement reads.
BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde on Wednesday dismissed allegations of distributing cash to influence voters, asserting that he was too experienced to engage in such activities, especially at a hotel owned by political opponents.

The controversy was sparked after Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) leader Hitendra Thakur charged Tawde with distributing 5 crore at the Vivanta Hotel in Virar, 60 km from Mumbai, just hours before assembly polls. The BJP leader denied all allegations squarely, calling them baseless and politically motivated.

"I Am Not Stupid": Tawde Refutes Claims

Speaking to reporters, Tawde rejected the claims, saying, "The Vivanta Hotel is owned by the Thakurs. I am not stupid to go to their hotel and distribute money there." He added that he had been in politics for 40 years and was well-versed in election rules, including the silence period before polls.

His presence at the hotel was only to guide party workers on voting procedures, said Tawde. "I was having a casual chat with party workers. I was not campaigning," he clarified.

Police Recover 9.93 Lakh, Register FIRs

BVA leaders claimed that 5 crore was distributed. On the other hand, election officers said that 9.93 lakh in cash was seized from hotel rooms. The police have registered two FIRs against Tawde, BJP candidate Rajan Naik and others for the alleged cash distribution.

Another FIR was lodged against BJP and BVA functionaries for purportedly holding a press conference in contravention of the election code of conduct. All the cases were registered at the Tulinj police station in Palghar district.

MVA Seeks Probe

Opposition leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have demanded a proper probe by the Election Commission into the alleged violations.

Tawde expressed disbelief that national leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Supriya Sule were being drawn into the controversy. "The 5 crore that Rahul Gandhi and Supriya Sule sawplease send it to me. They can deposit it into my bank account," he quipped.

Tawde again reiterated that no cash was found on him and accused opposition leaders of resorting to baseless accusations. "BJP people are no longer stupid to distribute money in a hotel owned by opposition parties. They should realise this much," he said.
DEHRADUN: A South Sudanese national studying at an educational institution here was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly raping a fellow student from abroad at his flat in the Mohabbewala area of the city, police said. The accused identified as Moses Ladu James alias Moosa, 24, was arrested from Clement Town. He was produced in a local court which remanded him to judicial custody, they said.

James was booked under Section 64 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sent to Suddhowala jail here. He hails from Nyakoran Juba in South Sudan. The survivor had lodged a zero FIR in Delhi in connection with the incident accusing James, who was known to her, of raping her in his rented apartment after returning from a party.

The case was transferred to Uttarakhand Police on November 15. Signs of attempted rape were found during an investigation of the crime scene after which James was arrested and booked, Clement Town police station said.

According to the complaint lodged by the survivor, the crime was committed on October 29. Appropriate legal action will also be taken against the owner of the flat for renting it to the South Sudanese national without police verification, an official at the police station said.
Mumbai: Akshay Kumar, known for his punctuality and civic sense, was among the first to arrive at his polling booth to cast his vote during the ongoing Maharashtra elections. However, his visit took an unexpected turn when an elderly voter approached him with a complaint about the unhygienic condition of the public toilets at the polling station.

The elderly man reportedly expressed his frustration about the lack of cleanliness and proper maintenance of the facilities, highlighting the challenges faced by senior citizens. Akshay, who has often advocated for better sanitation and hygiene through his work, including his film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, listened attentively to the concerns. He assured the man that he would bring the matter to the attention of the relevant authorities.

The incident showcased Akshays grounded nature and his commitment to addressing civic issues, further endearing him to fans and voters alike.

The netizens gave mixed reactions to this viral video, while some praised the actors politeness towards an elderly man and others found the entire situation humours.
Mumbai: Actor-politician Govinda was seen casting his vote at a polling booth in the city on Wednesday despite his health issues.

The actor was dressed in all-white, as he walked towards his car and limped a bit. He was seen flaunting his inked finger. He also interacted with the paparazzi as he posed for pictures. This marks his first public appearance after he was discharged from a Mumbai hospital last month post a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

When the paparazzi stationed at the polling booth asked him if he is doing fine now, post the accidental shooting incident, the actor said, Sab achcha hai (All is well). He was then seen telling the paps Arey kaahe chichiya rahe ho.

Last month, Govinda reportedly misfired his gun while cleaning his closet during the wee hours of Tuesday. He suffered an injury to his foot. As per media reports, a small part of the lock of his gun was broken which didnt inhibit the accidental firing of the gun.

The actor was set to head to Kolkata but prior to that he thought of organising his closet when the unfortunate incident happened because of the guns broken lock. At the time of the incident, there were 6 bullets loaded, and one misfired into his foot after which he was immediately rushed to the hospital in Juhu.

The polling for Maharashtra Assembly elections was conducted across 288 constituencies in the state. This time around, 4136 candidates are contesting elections across 288 constituencies in Maharashtra, the state with the highest GDP per capita, and by virtue of it, the highest economy.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan made his presence felt at the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, arriving under tight security to cast his vote at a polling station in Mumbai. Known for his star power, Salman turned heads with his casual yet stylish attire, sporting a grey T-shirt, jeans, and a black cap.

Captured by social media, Salman was seen briefly posing for photographs with fans outside the polling station before heading in to fulfill his civic duty. Despite the crowd and security, the superstar maintained his composure, highlighting the importance of voting in a democracy.

Have a look at the video here:

The Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 witnessed an impressive turnout from Bollywood celebrities. Stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Kartik Aaryan, Ananya Panday, and Kiara Advani were also spotted exercising their right to vote, making it a star-studded polling day.

On the professional front, Salman is currently working on his much-anticipated film 'Sikandar,' co-starring Rashmika Mandanna. The film is being shot extensively in Hyderabad and features a stellar cast, including Sathyaraj and Sharman Joshi.

Reports suggest that nearly half the film has been completed, with the team aiming to wrap up shooting by January 2025. Directed by Sajid Nadiadwala and featuring music by Pritam, 'Sikandar' promises a vibrant soundtrack. Two songs, one inspired by Eid with a Qawwali vibe and another celebrating Holi, have already been shot and are expected to become chartbusters.

Scheduled for an Eid 2025 release, 'Sikandar' is set to captivate audiences with its festive tracks and high-energy performances. Salman himself has praised the songs as some of Pritams finest work, setting high expectations for the movies soundtrack.

Once 'Sikandar' wraps up, Salman is set to collaborate with director Atlee on a new project, currently in the scripting stage. Fans eagerly await more updates about his upcoming ventures.
As the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 progress, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan made a notable appearance at a Mumbai polling station, accompanied by his wife Gauri Khan and their children, Suhana Khan and Aryan Khan, to cast their votes. The family was seen fulfilling their civic duties with style and grace.

Shah Rukh Khan sported a crisp white shirt, olive green cargo pants, and a beanie, exuding his trademark charm. Gauri Khan looked elegant in a beige coat paired with a white tank top. Suhana Khan turned heads in a chic white and green polka dot suit, while Aryan Khan opted for a laid-back look in a black T-shirt and pants.

Have a look at the videos shared by paps on social media:

On the professional front, Shah Rukh Khan is set to share screen space with Suhana Khan in the upcoming action-packed film 'King,' directed by Sujoy Ghosh. The father-daughter duo will portray mentor and protege in a gripping underworld tale, with Abhishek Bachchan as the formidable antagonist.

Media reports suggest that filming for 'King' will commence in Mumbai in January 2025, followed by an extensive European schedule. The production team has conducted multiple location scouts across Europe to find visually stunning settings that will elevate the film's scale. Filming is expected to wrap by August or September 2025, with a mix of real locations and studio setups for an immersive cinematic experience.

The film also promises to showcase a fresh style of action, and Shah Rukh Khan is reportedly excited about exploring this innovative approach.

Meanwhile, Aryan Khan is gearing up for his directorial debut with a Netflix series titled 'Stardom,' slated for release in 2025. Reports indicate that the series will feature an ensemble cast and include cameo appearances from Bollywood stars, further heightening anticipation.

With the Khan family busy across various creative ventures, their presence at the polls underscored their commitment to civic responsibility, even amid hectic schedules.
Mumbai: Actress and activist Somy Ali has recently opened up about the challenges Deepika Padukone faced during her battle with depression.

Ali reflected on the harsh criticism and mockery Padukone endured from the public during a time when the actress bravely spoke about her mental health struggles. Sharing her thoughts on celebrities openly talking about seeking therapy, she mentioned the time when Deepika confessed about her battle with depression.

Somy stated, I have been advocating for years that anyone with a platform should openly discuss mental health. When Deepika Padukone spoke about her struggles on a public forum, it was a groundbreaking momentnot just for the industry but for the world. However, as I predicted, she was mocked by some, labeled as someone seeking publicity, and not taken seriously. Here is an actor of her stature publicly sharing that she was perpetually depressed and had suicidal thoughts, and yet, instead of empathy, she faced ridicule. I cant say I was shocked. I experience the same response when I share anything truthful without sugarcoating it.

She added, Despite the backlash, Deepika should be celebrated. She should be placed on a pedestal, given awards, and shown the utmost respectnot just for speaking out but for creating a mental health foundation. I bow my head in respect, particularly because my own mother suffered from mental health issues throughout her life and was physically punished by her own family and spouse for it. I thank Deepika for taking a standa stand no actor of her generation had the courage to take. If someone had done so years ago, perhaps Parveen Babi would still be alive today, taking her medication for paranoid schizophrenia.

Somy also talked about Aamir Khan taking joint therapy sessions with his daughter Ira Khan.

Somy Ali expressed, This is progress at its best. This is why I have always considered Aamir Khan to be one of the most intellectually talented celebrities in the industry, alongside Shah Rukh Khan and a few others.

She went on to add, Personally, as someone who has studied psychology, holds a masters degree in the subject, and has worked in a mental health clinic, I believe that every individual should have a therapy session at least once a weekwhether it's solo, with their children, or as a family.
New Delhi: RBI Deputy Governor Swaminathan J has asked banks to follow KYC guidelines with both "precision and empathy", failing which regulatory actions will be taken against them by the central bank. Addressing a Conference of Directors of Private Sector Banks here on Monday, the Deputy Governor also expressed concern that in many cases, customer grievance mechanisms, including the Internal Ombudsman structure, are treated more as a formality than as a robust, effective resource.

The Internal Ombudsman mechanism should be more than words on paper; it should operate with the spirit and diligence necessary to resolve issues impartially and promptly, he said. Bank boards, he said, should work towards building customer-centric banks where every individual, regardless of age, income, or background, feels valued and respected.

Customer-centric governance should be evident in every policy, process, and service touchpoint. More so when it comes to treating your customers fairly and in a transparent manner, he said.

"As I have said before, this is an area where we are significantly focussing to enhance the customers' trust in the system and will not hesitate to act in case a supervisory intervention is considered necessary," Swaminathan said.

The Deputy Governor also asked the board members of banks, particularly the chair of the Customer Service Committee, to ensure that KYC guidelines are followed with both precision and empathy. "The Reserve Bank will not hesitate to take regulatory or supervisory actions against entities that fail to address these concerns in a timely and considerate manner," said.

He further said while traditional governance responsibilities such as financial oversight and risk management will continue to remain top priorities, going ahead, boards need to embrace technology, drive digital transformations, adopt customer centricity, and ensure ethical leadership.
New Delhi: Fans of Allu Arjuns iconic Pushpa Raj can rejoice as the 2021 blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise is gearing up for a grand re-release in Hindi on November 22, 2024. The announcement comes as excitement around the sequel, Pushpa 2: The Rule, skyrockets following the release of its much-awaited trailer.

A teaser video showcasing Allu Arjun in his unforgettable Pushpa Raj avatar was shared on social media, igniting a wave of excitement among fans eager to relive the films magic on the big screen.

This news arrives shortly after the grand trailer launch of Pushpa 2: The Rule at Patna's Gandhi Maidan, where an unprecedented crowd of over 2 lakh fans gathered to witness the spectacular event. With Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna gracing the occasion, the trailer launch is already being hailed as a milestone moment in Indian cinema.

The sequels trailer has been breaking records, building immense anticipation for its December 5, 2024 release. Fans are eagerly awaiting the continuation of Pushpa Rajs saga, with Allu Arjuns powerful performance and Rashmika Mandannas reprisal of Srivalli capturing the audience's imagination once again.

As Pushpa: The Rise returns to theaters, audiences will have another chance to experience its gripping action, memorable dialogues, and captivating drama that made it a cultural phenomenon. This re-release sets the perfect stage for the eagerly awaited sequel, ensuring that the legend of Pushpa Raj lives on.

Pushpa 2: The Rule, directed by Sukumar, stars Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, with music by T-Series. Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings, the sequel is poised to be a cinematic event of epic proportions.
Apple Software Update: Apple, the Cupertino-based tech giant, has released a software update to fix bugs exploited by cybercriminals on Intel-based Mac systems. These bugs are considered zero-day vulnerabilities because they were unknown to Apple at the time they were exploited.

To fix the issues, the tech giant released a software update for macOS (called macOS Sequoia 15.1.1), as well as updates for iPhones and iPads, including those running the older iOS 17 software.

The vulnerabilities were reported by security researchers at Googles Threat Analysis Group. They relate to WebKit and JavaScriptCore, the web engines that power the Safari browser and run web content. The issue has now been addressed with improved checks. However, it remains unclear who is behind the attacks targeting Mac users or how many users have been affected.

Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems, the company said.

Apple users are advised to update their iPhones, iPads, and Macs as soon as possible. In July, the tech giant issued a warning to iPhone users in at least 98 countries, including India, about a potential new mercenary spyware attack similar to 'Pegasus.'

According to Apple, the warning indicated, You are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID. The company further stated that this attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do.

In April this year, Apple sent threat notifications to select users in 92 countries, including India, who may have been targeted using mercenary spyware like Pegasus from the NSO Group. (With IANS Inputs)
Israeli soldiers seized a weapons cache located beneath a schoolyard in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces disclosed on Tuesday.

The weapons were found in an underground Hezbollah facility tens of meters long. Rockets, explosive charges, rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons were seized.

The army added that soldiers also captured rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles, military equipment, and intelligence documents in a nearby building.

On Monday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed not to allow the Iran-backed Hezbollah return to its pre-war strength.

"We will be required, in order to ensure our security in the north, to systematically carry out operations--not only against Hezbollah's attacks, which could come. Even if there is a ceasefire, nobody can guarantee it will hold. So it's not only our reaction, a preventive reaction, a reaction in the wake of attack but also the capacity to prevent Hezbollah from strengthening," said Netanyahu during an address to the Knesset.

Sarit Zahavi, president and founder of the Alma Research Center, told The Press Service of Israel in August that Hezbollah doctrine makes extensive use of civilian areas, where many more weapons, including ballistic missiles, are kept.

"Hezbollah stores their weapons everywhere, both between villages and within the villages themselves," she said.

"By and large, every third house in the Shi'ite villages of south Lebanon is used in some way by Hezbollah for military purposes, be it weapons storage, the entrance of a tunnel, or a launchpad for shooting rockets at Israel," she explained. Soldiers have even found cruise missiles inside homes ready for launch.

After the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, Hezbollah began launching rockets and launching drones at northern Israel communities daily. More than 68,000 residents of northern Israel are displaced from their homes. Hezbollah leaders have repeatedly said they would continue the attacks to prevent Israelis from returning to their homes.

According to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War, Hezbollah is forbidden from operating in southern Lebanon south of the Litani River.

At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 97 remaining hostages, more than 30 have been declared dead. Hamas has also been holding captive two Israeli civilians since 2014 and 2015, and the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014.
Howard Lutnick, Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, has been named by US President-elect Donald Trump as the nominee for Secretary of Commerce. Lutnick will also serve as the countrys top trade negotiator, with direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

I am thrilled to announce that Howard Lutnickwill join my Administration as the United States Secretary of Commerce, Trump said in a statement. He will lead our Tariff and Trade agenda.

Key Role in US-India Trade Relations

If confirmed, Lutnick will be the counterpart to Indias Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. The two will likely spearhead bilateral trade engagements, and potentially revive the US-India trade deal under Trumps administration. Currently, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai hold these responsibilities.

Wall Street Veteran

Described by Trumps transition team as a dynamic force on Wall Street for more than 30 years, Lutnick began his career at Cantor Fitzgerald in 1983. By the age of 29, he had risen to become the firms President and CEO.

Cantor Fitzgerald faced unimaginable loss on September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center attacks claimed 658 of its 960 New York-based employees, including Lutnicks brother and his best friend. Despite the tragedy, Lutnick rebuilt the firm as a tribute to those lost, offering unwavering support to their families.

He emerged from these events with an indomitable sense of purposean inspiration to the world, the announcement read.

Accolades and Public Service

Lutnicks contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including being named Financial Times Person of the Year in 2001 and Ernst & Youngs United States Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010. He is a board member of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and Weill Cornell Medicine.

He also received the Department of the Navys Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honor granted to a civilian by the Navy.
During her official visit to the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska wore an original lace embroidered shirt. In an elegant look, the public figure visited the walls of the "Rukavychka" Saturday School, where internally displaced persons from our homeland are currently working and receiving education.

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To attend the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy's wife chose a snow-white shirt from the domestic brand EMBR. She shared new photos on her Telegram channel.

The First Lady's stylish shirt with a voluminous collar is made using the "Richelieu" technique, a type of openwork embroidery in which the main elements of the pattern are stitched with a satin stitch, and the gaps between them are cut to form lace. According to the designer, she was inspired to design this unique outfit by festive family photos of Ukrainians in the early twentieth century.

Olena Zelenska paired a snow-white embroidered shirt with trendy palazzo pants and emphasized the waist with a light belt. The public figure complemented the look with patent leather heels with pointed toes.

For her official visit, the first lady wore her hair in an elegant bun with a side parting. She chose original black and white earrings as jewelry. Olena Zelenska's makeup was done in nude shades.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Damascus: US airstrikes killed five members of militias and wounded several others in eastern Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based monitoring group reported on Tuesday that US warplanes targeted military gatherings in the Al-Quriyah desert of Deir ez-Zor province. It said the strikes came after a rocket believed to be fired by "pro-Iran militiamen" landed near a US base in the countryside of al-Hasakah province in northeastern Syria, reports Xinhua news agency.

Meanwhile, intermittent explosions of unknown origin were heard at a US military base inside the al-Omar oil field base in Deir ez-Zor, the observatory said. US fighter jets were seen flying over several villages, reaching as far as the town of Mayadeen in Deir ez-Zor's countryside near the Iraqi border, according to the observatory.

There were no immediate reports of additional casualties. The region has seen increased tensions between US forces and Iran-backed groups, which have a significant presence in eastern Syria.
BEIRUT: Visiting US envoy Amos Hochstein said Wednesday that negotiations with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri about a ceasefire draft in Lebanon have made additional progress, local TV channel MTV reported. "The points of contention regarding the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon cannot be disclosed publicly, but we have achieved positive progress in the negotiations with House Speaker Berri," Hochstein said following his second meeting with Berri at Lebanon's Ain el Tineh.

Hochstein did not provide additional details but said he would visit Israel later in the day to discuss the ceasefire proposal with Israeli authorities. "We will take it one step at a time," he said. "I will work with the next US administration on calming efforts in Lebanon." Hochstein met with Berri in Beirut on Tuesday and said later that they had "constructive talks," adding that a solution to the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel is close.

"It is now within our grasp ... As the window is now, I hope the coming days yield a resolute decision," he said, Xinhua news agency reported. Since September 23, the Israeli army has intensified its airstrikes on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. In early October, Israel initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon.
The lifting of US restrictions on the use of ATACMS ballistic missiles by Ukraine may help it repel Russian forces trying to retake Russian territory seized by Ukraine earlier this year. It could also strengthen Ukraines hand ahead of US President-elect Donald Trumps arrival in the White House in January.

It may, however, be another case of too little, too late in Western support for Ukraine.

This week, the Biden Administration lifted restrictions on Ukraines use of US-supplied missiles known as ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems). ATACMS have a range of around 300 kilometres. Previously, the US has told Ukraine only to use them against Russian forces on Ukrainian territory.

This has been a source of huge frustration to Ukraine, particularly as it could not use them against bases inside Russia that have launched ceaseless missile and drone assaults on Ukrainian cities.

Russian attacks on Ukraine in October killed 183 civilians and wounded another 903, according to the UN.

Precise details of the change in US policy have not been announced publicly. The New York Times reports that permission to hit Russian territory will only apply initially to attacking Russian forces massing in the Kursk region.

Russia wants to recapture more than 500 square kilometres of territory captured by Ukraine in a bold thrust in August. Western agencies believe the 50,000 troops massing on the Russian side include several thousand North Korean soldiers.

North Koreas involvement may be the main reason prompting the removal of limits on the ATACMS. Apart from strengthening Ukraines chances of keeping its foothold inside Russian territory, the move may also discourage North Korea from sending more troops.

The North Korean presence also provides some justification for the US decision, allaying concerns it could be framed by Russia as an escalation.

Careful decision-making by the West

Fears of escalation and the possibility of direct conflict between Russia and NATO have been a major reason for the US caution thus far.

This has been fuelled in part by Russian nuclear sabre-rattling. Russian President Vladimir Putin upped the ante in September, warning that allowing Western weapons to hit Russia would constitute NATOs direct participation in the war.

Russia claims, apparently without foundation, that such weapons need Western crews to man them. Russia also claims the missiles may require Western intelligence to ensure accurate targeting.

The Kremlin has reacted predictably to the US announcement this week, saying it would add fuel to the fire of the war.

However, ATACMS have already been used against Russian targets inside Ukrainian sovereign territory, notably in Crimea, which Moscow illegally annexed a decade ago.

Some Biden administration sources have told the media that fears of retaliation via sabotage also have shaped its wariness about allowing ATACMS to hit Russia. Russian intelligence services have mounted a substantial sabotage campaign in Europe during the past year.

Aversion to such risk has been evident from the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Western countries have shown concern at every step about crossing Putins supposed red lines.

They initially baulked at supplying different types of equipment  be it tanks, fighter jets, short-range missiles or long-range missiles. They then put restrictions on where and how they could be used.

Will it help Ukraine?

The US restrictions on using ATACMS led Britain and France to place similar limits on Ukraines use of Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles, which have a range of 250 kilometres. It seems likely the US move will now enable the UK and France to follow suit in relaxing those limits.

Another boost to Ukraines arsenal could come from Germany, where the Greens, Social Democrats and the opposition Christian Democrats support green-lighting delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, which have a range of 500 kilometres.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has to date blocked it, but elections are now scheduled for February.

Washington officials have recently claimed that ATACMS would now be of limited use because Russia has moved much of its key weaponry, particularly jet fighters, outside their range.

However, some military analysts believe there are still plenty of military targets within range, perhaps numbering in the hundreds.

These include command and communications posts, logistics hubs, arms depots, missile units and helicopter detachments. Moving equipment further back from the front lines would make life difficult for Russian operations, stretching their supply lines and adding to the time for air support to arrive.

Russias support has grown

Allowing a sovereign state thats been illegally invaded to use weapons against military targets inside the aggressor country is hardly escalatory.

Moreover, as US-based Russian scholar Sergei Radchenko points out, it would be extremely risky for Russia, which has so woefully underperformed on the battlefield in Ukraine, to attack NATO in response.

Russian warnings about escalation seem even more preposterous given the huge amount of weaponry and ammunition Russia has received from its own supporters, even before the entry of North Korean soldiers.

North Korea has sold Russia hundreds of ballistic missiles and millions of rounds of ammunition. And it is now reportedly supplying Russia with self-propelled howitzers and multiple rocket launchers.

Iran has supplied Russia with thousands of Shahed drones, drone production technology, ammunition and short-range missiles.

And China sells Russia around US$300 million (AUSD 460 million) each month in dual-use equipment necessary for weapons production, from machine tools to microchips. Russia may even have set up a military drone factory in China.

What could Trumps arrival mean?

The Biden White House may further reduce restrictions on using ATACMS inside Russia, for example, allow their use beyond the Kursk region, in an effort to leave Ukraine in as strong a position as possible before Trump takes office.

Some Ukrainians fear Trump may cut support for Ukraine in his effort to end the war quickly. However, others believe Trump may be just as helpful as the Biden administration, given the latters caution, and the need for Trump to be seen as a credible dealmaker, rather than selling Ukraine down the river.

Some in Trumps new team, notably incoming National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, have spoken, albeit equivocally, of using the prospect of more robust support for Ukraine as leverage in pushing Putin to negotiate.

But optimism on this score must be offset by the strong presence in his new Cabinet and inner circle of those who have been strong critics of aid to Ukraine or even downright apologists for Russia.

There is also a strong chance the Trump administration could rescind the decision to lift the restrictions on ATACMS use.
Winter 2024/2025 promises to be a season of delicate details in manicure. The main trends are focused on a combination of natural aesthetics and bright accents. Among the favorites are shades reminiscent of winter nature, adding a festive mood and elegance to the image.

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Who What Wear UK has identified five colors that will be in the spotlight this winter. They are ideal for those who want to emphasize their individuality and stay in trend.

1. Ice gloss

"Glossy ice nails will be extremely popular this winter, creating a frosty, festive manicure with a subtle shine and beautiful glamor. Imagine that there is shimmering snow on your fingertips," said nail expert Leighton Denney.

2. Chrome berry nails

Chrome has become one of the main trends of 2024, but it does not stop within the current year. "But this season, we will see a brighter, more colorful version of this trend with berry metallic to create a bright festive look," the expert noted.

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3. Espresso

The style of quiet luxury will probably never lose its popularity. That's why the nude shade of espresso is still on the wave of trendiness.

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4. Expensive red

"It is not surprising that red shades are in trend for winter, but this year we are talking about darker, richer, gloomier tones. Classic red is giving way to deep, luxurious burgundy," explained Leighton Denney.

5. Translucent nude

"Nude nails will always be a classic, but not all nails are the same! This winter's minimalist manicure trend is a super glossy, transparent, barely noticeable nude for a fresh, perfectly polished, and casually chic look," the expert said.

Only verified information is available in our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Diana, Princess of Wales, has spoken openly for the first time about her separation from the Prince of Wales in a frank interview for the BBCs Panorama programme.

During her hour-long conversation with BBC reporter Martin Bashir, she admitted to an adulterous affair with her riding instructor, James Hewitt.

She also described her hurt at her husbands relationship with long-term friend Camilla Parker-Bowles, but said she did not want to divorce.

The Princess spoke freely about her depression and bulimia, her children, the media and the future of the monarchy.

When Mr Bashir asked her about her relationship with Mr Hewitt, who had claimed to have had an affair with her, she admitted her relationship did go beyond a close friendship.

Were you unfaithful? asked Mr Bashir.

Yes, answered the Princess. I was in love with him. But I was very let down.

In June last year, Prince Charles admitted he had also had an affair with Mrs Parker-Bowles in a similarly frank interview with the BBCs Jonathan Dimbleby.

The Princess spoke of her hurt over the affair, saying, There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.

Friends of my husbands were indicating that I was unstable, sick and should be put in a home of some sort to get better so I wouldnt be an embarrassment.

She also said she did not think she would ever be Queen.

Id like to be a queen of peoples hearts, in peoples hearts, but I dont see myself being Queen of this country, she said. I dont think many people will want me to be Queen.

The one-hour interview was watched by an estimated 15 million people, a record for the programme and one of the BBCs highest-ever audience figures.

The Princesss decision to go public has been highly controversial.

The BBC chairman, Marmaduke Hussey, is reported to be extremely unhappy that senior executives did not tell him about the programme in advance.

Lord Wakeham, chairman of the Press Complaints Commission, has also warned that the princess would only have herself to blame if she triggered a tabloid onslaught on her private life.

Buckingham Palace has confirmed Geoff Crawford, the Princesss press adviser, is to step down in the wake of her decision to speak to the BBC without informing him or the Queen.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

A month later, the Queen wrote to her son Charles, Prince of Wales, and to Princess Diana asking them to seek an early divorce.

Their marriage ended with the issue of a decree nisi on 28 August 1996.

As part of the divorce settlement Diana was stripped of her royal title  Her Royal Highness  and instead became known as Diana, Princess of Wales.

It is understood she was awarded a 17m lump sum and 350,000 a year to run her private office. Diana and Charles agreed to share custody of their sons.

On 31 August 1997 Diana died in a car crash with her companion Dodi Fayed in Paris.
Forty-five ex-lawmakers and activists were sentenced to four to 10 years in prison yesterday in Hong Kongs biggest national security case under the law that crushed a once-thriving pro-democracy movement.

They were prosecuted under the 2020 national security law for their roles in an unofficial primary election. Prosecutors said their aim was to paralyze Hong Kongs government and force the citys leader to resign by aiming to win a legislative majority and using it to block government budgets indiscriminately.

The unofficial primary held in July 2020 drew 610,000 voters, and its winners had been expected to advance to the official election. Authorities postponed the official legislative election, however, citing public health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Legal scholar Benny Tai, whom the judges called the mastermind, received the longest sentence of 10 years. The judges said the sentences had been reduced for defendants who said they were unaware the plan was unlawful.

However, the court said the penalties were not reduced for Tai and former lawmaker Alvin Yeung because they are lawyers who were absolutely adamant in pushing for the implementation of the Scheme.

In the judgment posted online, the judges wrote that Tai essentially advocated for a revolution by publishing a series of articles over a period of months that traced his thinking, even though in a letter seeking a shorter sentence Tai said the steps were never intended to be used as blueprint for any political action.

Two of the 47 original defendants were acquitted earlier this year. The rest either pleaded guilty or were found guilty of conspiracy to commit subversion. The judges said in their verdict that the activists plans to effect change through the unofficial primary would have undermined the governments authority and created a constitutional crisis.

The judges rejected the reasoning from some defendants that the scheme would never have materialized, stating that all the participants had put in every endeavor to make it a success.

The judges highlighted that a great deal of time, resources and money were devoted to the organization of the primary election.

When the Primary Election took place on the 10 and 11 July, no one had remotely mentioned the fact that Primary Election was no more than an academic exercise and that the Scheme was absolutely unattainable, the judgment read.

In order to succeed, the organizers and participants might have hurdles to overcome, that however was expected in every subversion case where efforts were made to overthrow or paralyze a government.

Some of the defendants waved at their relatives in the courtroom after they were sentenced.

Gwyneth Ho, a journalist-turned-activist who was jailed for seven years, said our true crime for Beijing is that we were not content with playing along in manipulated elections on her Facebook page.

We dared to confront the regime with the question: Will democracy ever be possible within such a structure? The answer was a complete crackdown on all fronts of society, she wrote.

Chan Po-ying, wife of defendant Leung Kwok-hung, told reporters she wasnt shocked when she learned her husband received a jail term of six years and nine months. She said they were trying to use some of the rights granted by the citys mini-constitution to pressure those who are in power to address the will of the people.

This is an unjust imprisonment. They shouldnt be kept in jail for one day, said Chan, also the chair of the League of Social Democrats, one of the citys remaining pro-democracy parties.

Emilia Wong, the girlfriend of Ventus Lau, said his jail term was within her expectations. She said the sentencing was a middle phase of history and she could not see the end point at this moment, but she pledged to support Lau as best as she could.

Philip Bowring, the husband of Claudia Mo, was relieved that the sentences were finally handed down.

Observers said the trial illustrated how authorities suppressed dissent following huge anti-government protests in 2019, alongside media crackdowns and reduced public choice in elections.

Beijing and Hong Kong governments insisted the national security law was necessary for the citys stability.

The sentencing drew criticism from foreign governments and human rights organizations.

The U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong said the U.S. strongly condemned the sentences for the 45 pro-democracy advocates and former lawmakers.

The defendants were aggressively prosecuted and jailed for peacefully participating in normal political activity protected under Hong Kongs Basic Law, the statement said, referring to the citys mini-constitution.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters no one should be allowed to use democracy as a pretext to engage in unlawful activities and escape justice.

Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang said in a news briefing that the sentences showed those committing national security crimes must be severely punished.

The subversion case involved pro-democracy activists across the spectrum. They include Tai, former student leader Joshua Wong and former lawmakers. Wong was sentenced to four years and eight months in jail. Young activist Owen Chow was given the second-longest jail term, seven years and nine months.

Most of them have already been detained for more than three and a half years before the sentencing. The separations pained them and their families.

More than 200 people stood in line in rain and winds Tuesday morning for a seat in the court, including one of the acquitted defendants, Lee Yue-shun. Lee said he hoped members of the public would show they care about the court case.

The publics interpretation and understanding has a far-reaching impact on our societys future development, he said.

Wei Siu-lik, a friend of convicted activist Clarisse Yeung, said she arrived at 4 a.m. even though her leg was injured. I wanted to let them know there are still many coming here for them, she said.

Thirty-one of the activists entered guilty pleas and had better chances of getting reduced sentences. The law authorizes a range of sentences depending on the seriousness of the offense and the defendants role in it, from under three years for the least serious to 10 years to life for people convicted of grave offenses. KANIS LEUNG & ZEN SOO, HONG KONG, MDT/AP

Office for Safeguarding National Security backs sentences in subversion case

The Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong issued a statement yesterday, expressing strong support for judicial authorities in sentencing individuals convicted in a high-profile conspiracy to subvert state power case.

The office condemned Benny Tai and others for actions deemed a threat to national security, asserting that the sentences underscore the authority of the national security law and the rule of law in Hong Kong.

A spokesperson pointed out that safeguarding national security is a universal principle. He added the trial unveiled evidence showing that, under the guise of promoting democracy, Benny Tai and his associates orchestrated primaries to gain control of the Legislative Council. Their plan to veto budgets and force the resignation of the Chief Executive aimed to disrupt Hong Kongs governance and constitutional order, constituting severe crimes against national security.

The statement commended Hong Kongs legal authorities for resisting external pressures and handling the case professionally, adhering strictly to the law. Any foreign interference or false narratives challenging Hong Kongs judicial independence were firmly condemned.

The spokesperson emphasized that the verdict reflects public demand for accountability, supporting the full implementation of the national security law to prevent and punish acts endangering national security.
The Wealth Partaking Scheme will be extended in 2025, providing 10,000 patacas to each permanent resident and 6,000 patacas to each non-permanent resident.

In a press conference yesterday, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng presented the 2025 budget proposal, which includes the continuation of existing tax reductions and exemptions.

The proposal maintains a 30% deduction on personal income tax, with a basic annual allowance set at 144,000 patacas.

For employees over 65 years old and eligible employees with disabilities, the personal income tax allowance will be 198,000 patacas.

The government will also continue a 60% rebate on personal income tax for each Macau resident, capped at 14,000 patacas. Additionally, personal income tax rebates related to the fiscal year 2023 will be distributed in 2025.

Meanwhile, the government has proposed to maintain the profit tax allowance at 600,000 patacas, offer additional tax deductions for research and development expenses, waive profit tax for local businesses earning revenue from Portuguese-speaking countries, exempt stamp duty on entrance passes and tickets for cultural performances and exhibitions, and eliminate stamp duty on auctions.

The budget proposal suggests maintaining several measures including the exemption of stamp duty on the first 3 million patacas of a residential units value for first-time homebuyers who are Macau permanent residents; waiver of profit tax on investment income from local bonds; exemption of stamp duty on the issuance and acquisition of such bond; and waiver of the investment fund monitoring charge.

Ho mentioned that the implementation of these new measures, along with the continuation of tax cuts, waivers, and rebates, is expected to result in a net revenue loss of 4.83 billion patacas for the government.

The proposal also recommends continuing existing subsidies for disadvantaged groups in 2025 and continuing payments to eligible employers to cover up to 14 days of basic wages for paid maternity leave for local female employees.

Lastly, the budget includes a recommendation to provide a 10,000-pataca initial allowance from the government into the personal Social Security Fund account of every eligible Macau permanent resident, along with an additional 7,000 patacas injection into their accounts.
In 2023, Macaus cultural industries saw significant growth, with 2,866 organizations operating across four key sectors: digital media, creative design, cultural exhibitions and performances, and art collection.

This marked an increase of 112 organizations from the previous year.

The workforce in these sectors also expanded to 13,976, reflecting a 15.3% rise. The governments initiatives to foster cultural development, alongside the local economys gradual recovery, contributed to a 47.9% increase in total service receipts, which reached MOP8.72 billion.

Compared to 2019 figures, this represents a 10% growth.

All cultural sectors experienced substantial increases in service receipts.

Notably, the digital media sector accounted for the largest share at 43.3%, with receipts rising 23% to MOP3.78 billion. However, its gross value added (GVA) fell 4.8% due to rising operational costs.

The creative design sector followed closely, contributing 28.3% of total receipts with a 22.6% increase to MOP2.47 billion and a GVA of MOP843.3 million.

Cultural exhibitions and performances experienced extraordinary growth, with receipts soaring by 214.6% to MOP2.35 billion.

Lastly, art collection sector receipts increased 85.1% to MOP125.8 million but saw a decrease in GVA due to higher expenses. Staff Reporter
Leaders of the worlds 20 major economies called for a global pact to combat hunger, more aid for war-torn Gaza and an end to hostilities in the Mideast and Ukraine, issuing a joint declaration yesterday [Macau time] that was heavy on generalities but short of details on how to accomplish those goals.

The joint statement was endorsed by group members but fell short of complete unanimity. It also called for a future global tax on billionaires and for reforms allowing the eventual expansion of the United Nation Security Council beyond its five current permanent members.

At the start of the three-day meeting which formally ends Wednesday, experts doubted Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva could convince the assembled leaders to hammer out any agreement at all in a gathering rife with uncertainty over the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, and heightened global tensions over wars in the Mideast and Ukraine.

Argentina challenged some of the language in initial drafts and was the one country that did not endorse the complete document.

Although generic, it is a positive surprise for Brazil, said Thomas Traumann, an independent political consultant and former Brazilian minister. There was a moment when there was a risk of no declaration at all. Despite the caveats, it is a good result for Lula.

Condemnation of wars, calls for peace, but without casting blame

Taking place just over a year after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the declaration referred to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza and the escalation in Lebanon, stressing the urgent need to expand humanitarian assistance and better protect civilians.

Affirming the Palestinian right to self-determination, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-State solution where Israel and a Palestinian State live side by side in peace, it said.

It did not mention Israels suffering or of the 100 or so hostages still held by Hamas. Israel isnt a G20 member. The war has so far killed more than 43,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials, and more than 3,500 people in Lebanon following Israels offensive against Hezbollah, according to Lebanons Health Ministry.

The omitted acknowledgment of Israels distress appeared to run contrary to U.S. President Joe Bidens consistent backing of Israels right to defend itself. Its something Biden always notes in public, even when speaking about the deprivation of Palestinians. During a meeting with G20 leaders before the declaration was hammered home, Biden expressed his view that Hamas is solely to blame for the war and called on fellow leaders to increase the pressure on Hamas to accept a cease-fire deal.

Bidens decision to ease restrictions on Ukraines use of longer-range U.S. missiles to allow that country to strike more deeply inside Russia also played into the meetings,

The United States strongly supports Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. Everyone around this table in my view should, as well, Biden said during the summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the meeting , and instead sent his foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov. Putin has avoided such summits after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant that obliges member states to arrest him.

The G20 declaration highlighted the human suffering in Ukraine while calling for peace, without naming Russia.

The declaration avoids pointing the finger at the culprits, said Paulo Velasco, an international relations professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro. That is, it doesnt make any critical mention of Israel or Russia, but it highlights the dramatic humanitarian situations in both cases.

The entire declaration lacks specificity, Velasco added.

It is very much in line with what Brazil hoped for  but if we really analyze it carefully, it is very much a declaration of intent. It is a declaration of good will on various issues, but we have very few concrete, tangible measures.

Fraught push to tax global billionaires

The declaration did call for a possible tax on global billionaires, which Lula supports. Such a tax would affect about 3,000 people around the world, including about 100 in Latin America.

The clause was included despite opposition from Argentina. So was another promoting gender equality, said Brazilian and other officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly.

Argentina signed the G20 declaration, bit also had issues with references to the U.N.s 2030 sustainable development agenda. Its right-wing president, Javier Milei, has referred to the agenda as a supranational program of a socialist nature. It also objected to calls for regulating hate speech on social media, which Milei says infringes on national sovereignty, and to the idea that governments should do more to fight hunger.

Milei has often adopted a Trump-like role as a spoiler in multilateral talks hosted by his outspoken critic, Lula.

Concrete steps for fighting global hunger

Much of the declaration focuses on eradicating hunger  a priority for Lula.

Brazils government stressed that Lulas launch of the global alliance against hunger and poverty on Monday was as important as the final G20 declaration. As of Monday, 82 nations had signed onto the plan, Brazils government said. It is also backed by organizations including the Rockefeller Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

A demonstration Sunday on Rios Copacabana beach featured 733 empty plates spread across the sand to represent the 733 million people who went hungry in 2023, according to United Nations data.

Viviana Santiago, a director at the anti-poverty nonprofit Oxfam, praised Brazil for using its G20 presidency to respond to peoples demands worldwide to tackle extreme inequality, hunger and climate breakdown, and particularly for rallying action on taxing the super-rich.

Brazil has lit a path toward a more just and resilient world, challenging others to meet them at this critical juncture, she said in a statement.

Long-awaited reform of the United Nations

Leaders pledged to work for transformative reform of the U.N. Security Council so that it aligns with the realities and demands of the 21st century, makes it more representative, inclusive, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable.

Lula has been calling for reform of Security Council since his first two terms in power, from 2003 to 2010, without gaining much traction. Charged with maintaining international peace and security, its original 1945 structure has not changed. Five dominant powers at the end of World War II have veto power  the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France  while 10 countries from different regions serve rotating two-year terms.

Virtually all countries agree that nearly eight decades after the United Nations was established, the Security Council should be expanded to reflect the 21st century world and include more voices. The central quandary and biggest disagreement remains how to do that. The G20 declaration doesnt answer that question.

We call for an enlarged Security Council composition that improves the representation of the underrepresented and unrepresented regions and groups, such as Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean, the declaration said.

The United States announced shortly before a U.N. summit in September that it supports two new permanent seats for African countries, without veto power, and a first-ever non-permanent seat for a small island developing nation. But the Group of Four  Brazil, Germany, India and Japan  support each others bids for permanent seats. And the larger Uniting for Consensus group of a dozen countries including Pakistan, Italy, Turkey and Mexico wants additional non-permanent seats with longer terms. MAURICIO SAVARESE, ELEONORE HUGHES & DAVID BILLER, RIO DE JANEIRO, MDT/AP
The government has achieved all the objectives set for its five-year term, Chief Executive (CE) Ho Iat Seng stated yesterday during a press conference following his presentation on the implementation of government policies in 2024 and over the past five years at the Legislative Assembly (AL).

In response to media questions at the government headquarters, Ho gave a positive evaluation of the governments performance, noting that not only did his administration fulfill all its proposed policies and measures, but it was also able to do so despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Over these five years, we faced three years of the pandemic, which was unprecedented. Macau is a densely populated region, and we did our best to protect the lives of our people, he said.

When I first ran for office, I had hopes, but the pandemic had a significant impact on us. Nevertheless, we have listed all our achievements, and everything I presented today in the AL has been accomplished. I have personally verified that all the goals outlined in our policy addresses have been met.

Ho said these accomplishments were only possible because he is a practical person who set achievable goals for his administration rather than pursuing unrealistic ambitions.

I would never promise something I couldnt deliver. Weve worked responsibly over the past years and have achieved our objectives despite the challenges, he said.

Highlighting some of the key achievements, Ho noted, We worked hard to provide homes for the people of Macau, and we never reduced benefits, even during difficult times. Weve made significant progress in infrastructure, not only in projects that are complete or nearly complete, but also those that will be finished in the next government term.

Among the notable projects, Ho mentioned the expansion of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system to the Border Gate and its extension to Qingmao Port.

I hope the deadlines for these projects will be met, he said, adding that one of his proudest accomplishments was the progress made in the transportation sector.

Although we havent solved all transportation problems, weve made significant strides. Weve connected all Macaus border checkpoints through the public transport system, which is a major achievement.

When asked to assign a score to his government, Ho replied, Ratings should be given by the people of Macau, based on their own assessment of our work.

Economic diversification showing results

Ho also spoke about the governments efforts to diversify Macaus economy and reduce its dependence on the gaming sector, noting that the results of these initiatives are becoming increasingly apparent.

He expects that by the end of this year, the gaming industry will account for 40% of Macaus GDP, while other industries will contribute 60%.

We expect gross gaming revenue (GGR) to reach approximately MOP228 billion this year, which represents a 6% increase. I dont think this is a difficult target to achieve, he said. In general, in 2023, GGR represented a significant portion of GDP. This year, I expect GGR to account for about 40% of GDP, with the remaining 60% coming from other sectors.

Ho said there has been some misunderstanding about the goal of diversifying away from gaming.

Were not trying to shrink the gaming industry; rather, were trying to expand other sectors, he clarified. Before the pandemic, the gaming industry accounted for 60% of GDP, and when I took office, it was still around 50%. We want to increase the scale of other industries, not reduce gaming.

Ho also pointed to the growth of Macaus economy in recent years as evidence of his administrations success, with the economy growing by 86% year-on-year in 2023 and an additional 11% this year.

The budget and financial reserves are also in good shape. We have no debts, and were not restricting our spending due to any deficits, he said, noting that the pandemic had taught people the importance of safeguarding financial reserves.

Non-gaming expansion must continue

When asked about the future of economic diversification and the role of gaming operators in expanding non-gaming activities, Ho said the gaming industry should continue to develop, but without hindering the growth of other sectors.

I believe the policies weve implemented are working. The gaming operators have also started to understand our goals and are seeing the benefits, he said. They lost a lot of money during the pandemic, but now they are profiting from both gaming and non-gaming activities. Tourists are changing, and we are focusing on attracting different types of visitors.

According to government data, 40% of current gamblers are from outside mainland China, representing a significant shift in the market.

At first, the gaming operators didnt fully understand our intentions, but now they see that our approach is working, and they are seeing results. Some of the non-gaming activities may not directly generate revenue, but they benefit Macau by attracting new groups of people, Ho explained, adding that the government and gaming operators are working together and that the operators have been supportive of the governments policies.

No shortcomings in livelihood improvements

Ho emphasized that improving the livelihood of the people has always been the primary goal of his government.

He said the government has consistently invested in peoples well-being and has never reduced benefits or welfare for the population, including in areas like healthcare and education.

I believe there have been no shortcomings in this regard, he said, in response to questions about the lack of new policies or increases in subsidies and benefits for 2025.

Regarding the absence of a salary increase for civil servants or an increase in cash handouts in the 2025 budget, Ho said, This budget proposal is a basic one, developed in collaboration with CE-elect Sam Hou Fai. Ive discussed this with Sam, and weve worked together to prepare the proposal. The next government will follow the policies they see fit and make any adjustments they consider necessary.

He said the new government has the flexibility to propose amendments to the budget if they decide to raise salaries or increase cash handouts later.

The government anticipates a total revenue of MOP121 billion against expenditures of MOP 113.3 billion, resulting in a projected surplus of MOP 7.7 billion.

Ho hints exit of fatigued Rosario squad

The absence of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosario, along with Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, may be among the few changes in the upcoming government under Sam Hou Fai, the CE suggested during a press conference on the governments performance evaluation.

Commenting on the fact that, unlike his predecessors, he served only one term rather than two, Ho said, I am no longer young, and given my health condition, I believe its time to pass the baton to someone younger.

He added that the past five years had been particularly demanding for government officials, especially for him and Rosario. We are the older ones, and we are the most fatigued, he said, noting that both have endured long periods of sleep deprivation.

Cotai events venue opening Dec. 28

During the same press conference, Ho Iat Seng announced that the new Cotai outdoor concerts and events venue will open Dec. 28 by way of a trial concert.

Although the opening will occur under the new Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, Ho emphasized that the current administration is working to ensure everything goes as planned, with preparations already underway for events set to take place in 2025.

The Chief Executive also revealed that while the venue was initially designed to accommodate around 50,000 people, its capacity can be expanded to accommodate up to 80,000 attendees.

Ho further clarified that Macau is not competing with Hong Kong for event business, but rather aiming to create a synergy that will make it easier to attract major artists to perform in the region.
Sands China Ltd. recently held its annual ceremonial check presentation at The Venetian Macao, donating MOP 1.08 million to seven higher education institutions. This marks their 18th consecutive year of providing scholarship and fellowship funds to Macau tertiary institutions. Since 2006, Sands China has donated over MOP 15.7 million, benefiting more than 1,800 students to date.

This years donation will be distributed among 108 students to support their studies for the current academic year. Beneficiary students are selected based on their academic performance and financial status during the previous academic year.

Macaus youth are the future of our community and the main driving force of the citys development, said Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd. He added that talent development initiatives like this encourage them to pursue excellence while laying a foundation for their academic achievements and future careers.
As tens of thousands crowded the streets in New Zealands capital, Wellington, yesterday, the throng of people, flags aloft, had the air of a festival or a parade rather than a protest.

They were marching to oppose a law that would reshape the countys founding treaty between Indigenous Maori and the British Crown. But for many, it was also a celebration of a resurging Indigenous language and identity that colonization had once almost destroyed.

Just fighting for the rights that our tupuna, our ancestors, fought for, Shanell Bob said as she waited for the march to begin. Were fighting for our tamariki, for our mokopuna, so they can have what we havent been able to have, she added, using the Maori words for children and grandchildren.

What was likely the countrys largest-ever protest in support of Maori rights  a subject that has preoccupied modern New Zealand for much of its young history  followed a long tradition of peaceful cross-country marches that have marked turning points in the nations story.

Were going for a walk! one organizer proclaimed from the stage as crowds gathered at the opposite end of the city from the nations Parliament. People had traveled from across the nation over the past nine days.

For many, the turnout reflected growing solidarity on Indigenous rights from non-Maori. At bus stops during the usual morning commute, people of all ages and races waited with Maori sovereignty flags. Some local schools said they would not register students as absent. The citys mayor joined the protest.

The bill that marchers are opposing is unpopular and unlikely to become law. But opposition to it has been widespread, which marchers said indicated rising knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangis promises to Maori among New Zealanders  and a small but vocal backlash from those who are angered by the attempts of courts and lawmakers to keep them.

Maori marching for their rights is not new. But the crowds were larger than at treaty marches before and the mood was changed, Indigenous people said.

Its different to when I was a child, Bob said. Were stronger now, our tamariki are stronger now, they know who they are, theyre proud of who they are.

As the marchers moved through the streets of Wellington with ringing Maori haka  rhythmic chants  and waiata, or songs, thousands more holding signs lined the pavement in support.

Some placards bore jokes or insults about the lawmakers responsible for the bill, which would change the meaning of the principles of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi and prevent them from applying only to Maori  whose chiefs signed the document when New Zealand was colonized.

But others read proud to be Maori or acknowledged the bearers heritage as a non-Maori person endorsing the protest. Some denounced the widespread expropriation of Maori land during colonization, one of the main grievances arising from the treaty.

The treaty is a document that lets us be here in Aotearoa so holding it up and respecting it is really important, said Ben Ogilvie, who is of Pakeha or New Zealand European descent, using the Maori name for the country. I hate what this government is doing to tear it down.

Police estimated that 42,000 people tried to crowd into Parliaments grounds, with some spilling into the surrounding streets. People crammed themselves onto the childrens slide on the lawn for a vantage point; others perched in trees. The tone was almost joyful; as people waited to leave the cramped area, some struck up Maori songs that most New Zealanders learn at school.

A sea of Maori sovereignty flags in red, black and white stretched down the lawn and into the streets. But marchers bore Samoan, Tongan, Indigenous Australian, U.S., Palestinian and Israeli flags, too. At Parliament, speeches from political leaders drew attention to the reason for the protest  a proposed law that would change the meaning of words in the countrys founding treaty, cement them in law and extend them to everyone.

Its author, libertarian lawmaker David Seymour  who is Maori  says the process of redress for decades of Crown breaches of its treaty with Maori has created special treatment for Indigenous people, which he opposes.

The bills detractors say it would spell constitutional upheaval, dilute Indigenous rights, and that it has provoked divisive rhetoric about Maori  who are still disadvantaged on almost every social and economic metric, despite attempts by the courts and lawmakers in recent decades to rectify inequities caused in large part by breaches of the treaty.

It is not expected to ever become law, but Seymour made a political deal that saw it shepherded through a first vote last Thursday. CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-McLAY, WELLINGTON, MDT/AP
The University of Macau (UM) has taken a step in its expansion plans by purchasing a plot of land in Hengqin for RMB946 million. The land, covering an area of approximately 375,600 square meters, will serve as the site for a new comprehensive university recognized by the government.

The planned construction area for this new campus is set to exceed 77,000 square meters, with most of the land dedicated to the development of higher education facilities. These will include departments focused on science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine, catering to the diverse educational needs of the region.

According to the listing requirements, the winner of the land bid must build and operate an international comprehensive public university, with a commitment to accommodating no less than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The new campus is expected to be operational by 2028, with a projected enrollment of 8,000 students, including 4,000 graduate students, and a faculty of 500 teachers.

University rector Song Yonghua has said the new campus will feature several specialized schools to address the specific talent needs of the cooperation zone in Hengqin. These include a medical school, an engineering school, an information school, and a design school, to meet regional demand for increased expertise in, among others, industries like high-tech, healthcare and finance. VC
This years Revolution Festival  a school of communism organised by the RCP  saw 1,000 communists gather for a weekend of anti-imperialist and Marxist discussion. This landmark event is a launchpad for building the forces of communism in Britain.

[Originally published at communist.red]

The weekend of 15-17 November marked a milestone for the forces of communism in Britain: the biggest and best Revolution Festival yet  and the first to take place under the banner of the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP).

This was a historic moment for the RCP, as one attendee put it.

One year ago, at last years Rev Fest, RCP political secretary Rob Sewell announced plans to found the Revolutionary Communist Party and a new paper  The Communist.

The first six months since our founding congress in May has seen our young party thrown into Palestine encampments across the country; achieve the best result for an openly communist candidate in a general election in the last half century; and reach thousands of students and young people across the country with our autumn offensive and books not bombs campaign.

To top this all off, Revolution Festival 2024 was  as London regional organiser Khaled Malachi stated at Saturdays evening rally  the biggest anti-imperialist conference of its kind in Britain in a generation.

1,000 attendees came from Britain and beyond, with visitors from the USA, Taiwan, Poland, Canada, Sweden, Ireland, Yugoslavia, Denmark, and more taking part in 33 different sessions over the course of the weekend.

Anti-imperialism

Alan Woods opened this years Rev Fest on Friday evening, speaking to a packed audience about capitalisms horror without end, in the words of Lenin.

Introducing the world situation, Alan described how we are witnessing increasing turbulence in world relations, with chaotic consequences that are difficult to precisely predict.

Electric mood and amazing lead off by Alan Woods at the opening rally of this year's #revolutionfestival - main talks live streamed on YouTube pic.twitter.com/77wBt1mRn7  Jorge Martin  (@marxistJorge) November 15, 2024

With the instability of capitalism globally today, there is no shortage of combustible material: from genocide in Gaza and the potential for a wider war in the Middle East; through war in Ukraine and Trumps election victory in the USA; to Starmer and Labour suffering an unprecedented collapse in support within mere months of coming to power.

Alan noted he had painted a rather bleak picture of reactionary wars, killing, deaths, imperialist aggression, maniac leaders everywhere.

But, he added, for communists, there is no reason for pessimism. Beneath the surface, he explained, there is this build up everywhere of this colossal dissatisfaction, this anger seeking a way out.

Fiona highlighted to a full house how the conflict in Palestine has shot like a lightning bolt in the consciousness of people / Image: RCP

There will be a colossal explosion in one country after another, Alan continued.

This presents us, the communists, with enormous possibilities  on condition that we have built sufficient forces before these events in order to intervene effectively This is the heavy historic responsibility which lies on our shoulders.

This was reiterated at the books not bombs rally on Saturday evening, headlined by Fiona Lali, the RCPs national campaigns coordinator, and the partys revolutionary communist candidate in the last general election.

We are living through a turning point in world capitalism, Fiona explained.

Fiona highlighted to a full house how the conflict in Palestine has shot like a lightning bolt in the consciousness of people, channelling the deep anger in society.

This same anger has been expressed many times over the past decades, most notably with the mass movements around Black Lives Matter, the climate crisis, and the murder of Sarah Everard.

By watching such movements play out, and in many cases by directly participating in them, illusions in reformism are rapidly being erased amongst a growing layer of workers and youth.

Fiona had the audience gripped. As communists, she outlined, our task is to explain clearly and patiently why we cannot have any illusions in the capitalist system. Instead, we must organise and educate the most radical and far-sighted layers, and build a force that can play a decisive role in events.

In the words of Leon Trotsky, which Fiona quoted:

To face reality squarely; not to seek the line of least resistance; to call things by their right names; to speak the truth to the masses, no matter how bitter it may be; not to fear obstacles; to be true in little things as in big ones; to base ones programme on the logic of the class struggle; to be bold when the hour for action arrives: these are the rules of the Fourth International. It has shown that it could swim against the stream. The approaching historical wave will raise it on its crest.

School of communism

The Revolution Festival was not just an anti-imperialist conference, but a school of communism.

Beyond the three main plenaries, 30 breakout sessions provided Marxist analysis and perspectives on topics ranging from art and AI, through the Haitian Revolution, to global debt and the climate crisis.

There was an immense appetite for these ideas amongst all attendees, with rooms often full to capacity.

Some packed out rooms on the Saturday of #RevolutionFestival



950 signed up to the event so far  pic.twitter.com/YNqE8D94VG  Revolutionary Communist Party (@revcommunists) November 16, 2024

Thought-provoking discussions around the oppression of women in capitalist society really got me thinking, said first-time attendee Lubbna, speaking to The Communist about her experience. Its not just about men vs women. The whole damn system is flawed!

That was brilliant, said a prospective RCP member from Coventry after attending the session Art, Culture, and Revolution. I never knew that a talk on art and culture could be so hard-hitting.

Another attendee emphasised the importance of communists discussing art, recognising that we are not just fighting for food and shelter, but for taking back our humanity through revolution and the liberation of art.

In every session, contributions from the floor enriched the discussion.

Even more impressive than [the speaker] was the discussion, said Ben from Nottingham after the session on Lenin, the First World War, and the collapse of the Second International, with everyone coming in with so much knowledge about the past and the world today.

In the discussion on Bangladeshs 1971 war of liberation, Maya from Leeds made an impassioned contribution that had members of the audience in tears, as she detailed the immense sacrifices of downtrodden women in Bangladeshs war of independence.

The Revolution Festival was not just an anti-imperialist conference, but a school of communism / Image: RCP

Maya emphasised that today in Bangladesh, and around the world, it remains the case that: A womans place is not behind her husband, its certainly not in the home  its in the revolution. And most importantly, its in the revolutionary party.

Another first-time attendee, Simon from the Canadian RCP, was thoroughly impressed. The level of insight and the wide breadth of knowledge of comrades was impressive, he expressed. I also got to meet a lot of kind, funny, and most of all serious revolutionaries.

In this respect, discussions enthusiastically continued beyond the boundaries of the venue, into the Saturday night social, against a backdrop of music and dancing.

Bolshevism

During the Saturday rally, Antonio Balmer, a leading member of the Revolutionary Communists of America (RCA) and editor of The Communist (USA), discussed how comrades of the RCA are connecting with workers and youth in the most powerful imperialist country in the world; inside the belly of the beast.

He also highlighted the potential that exists for humanity, should the immense productive capacity of countries like the USA be placed under workers control.

To be a communist is to know [socialism] will come; to be a Bolshevik is to understand how we are going to get there, comrades, Antonio concluded. And this international [the Revolutionary Communist International] is creating Bolsheviks everywhere around the world. We have a world to win.

The central message of the weekend was clear. The foundations upon which our international is built are the rock-solid ideas of Marxism. And this Rev Fest provided comrades with no shortage of quality material for the task of educating themselves and mastering theory in the coming period.

But a stable, growing, professional organisation requires not only trained, committed cadres, but also the cement of finances to bind the party together. And this years event made important advances in this respect too.

Over the course of the weekend, an immense 8,200 of literature was sold as people looked to keep deepening their knowledge of Marxism across a range of questions. And an additional 5,200 was raised through merchandise.

Huge #revolutionfestival haul for my household this year  pic.twitter.com/cHTWySgUcp  stressed chillin'  (@lesleftie) November 18, 2024

Most impressive, however, was the collection on the Saturday evening. This reflected the dedication and sacrifice of all comrades to fund the revolutionary party, and to finance the war to end all wars: the class war.

A record-breaking 91,000 was donated from RCP branches across the country during this financial appeal, led by Ben Gliniecki, the organisations national secretary.

This brings the total raised so far this year to over 270,000  an astonishing feat, and a demonstration of the revolutionary optimism and confidence amongst comrades in the party and its perspectives.

For those feeling inspired by this achievement: dont worry, its not too late to donate!

Better yet, we encourage all our readers and supporters to make a regular financial contribution to the RCP, and to join the party today.

Hard times make hard people

After a fantastic three days, attendees gathered together one last time on Sunday afternoon to hear Rob Sewell bring the Revolution Festival to a close.

Rob remarked on the weekends discussions and the tasks for the Revolutionary Communist Party ahead.

After a fantastic three days, attendees gathered together one last time on Sunday afternoon to hear Rob Sewell bring the Revolution Festival to a close / Image: RCP

As the RCIs Year of Lenin campaign  to reclaim Lenins ideological heritage  nears its end, Rob underlined the importance of continuing the educational value of the weekend through works like In Defence of Lenin.

This is essential reading for any budding communist, Rob explained, providing a bridge to Leninism on a plate.

Key to really grasping any of these ideas, however, Rob continued, was not just to read these texts, but to study them.

Most importantly, quoting Karl Marxs famous lines from his Theses on Feuerbach, Rob emphasised that Marxism is a guide to action. The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it.

Amidst a deep crisis of British capitalism, the speed of events is such that processes expected to take years are taking weeks, Rob noted  drawing attention in particular to the rapid collapse in approval ratings for Starmers Labour government.

Yet, as was also outlined by Fiona during Saturdays rally, there is currently no party on the left that can provide a proper outlet for the anti-establishment mood in society, or that is offering real solutions to the problems that ordinary people face.

As it stands, the RCP is too small to fill this vacuum. Yet we know that all the comrades who attended Revolution Festival 2024 will go back to their branches inspired to build the party; to build the forces of communism.

The task now, as emphasised over the weekend, is to steel ourselves theoretically for the convulsions to come; for all members to raise their monthly contributions to strengthen the party apparatus; and to recruit more widely and boldly. As Rob stressed to the massive plenary audience: It is your responsibility to do this.

Hard times make hard people, stated Fiona in the books not bombs rally. There is no chance of an easy life for those who have grown up under capitalism in crisis.

But it is precisely these layers  those who are being radicalised and pushed into action by the crisis and chaos of capitalism  who we are organising and building up to become the leaders of the future world revolution.

On this basis, we have the confidence that socialism and communism will win. As Rob stated in his concluding words to #RevFest2024:
Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi has secured a decisive victory in Somalilands presidential election, garnering approximately 64 percent of votes against incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdis 35 percent. The election, delayed for two years due to funding constraints, marks a significant political transition in the self-declared republic.

Both candidates campaigned on platforms emphasizing economic revival and international recognition for Somaliland, which has maintained independent governance, currency, and security structures since declaring independence in 1991. Despite building stable political institutions, the territory remains internationally unrecognized, limiting its access to global finance and restricting citizens mobility.

The new administration inherits ongoing negotiations with Ethiopia regarding controversial coastal access agreements. The proposed deal, offering Ethiopia sea access in exchange for potential recognition consideration, has heightened regional tensions, particularly with Somalias central government.

The election occurs amid shifting regional dynamics, with Somalia strengthening ties to Ethiopias traditional rivals following the agreement. Somalilands government maintains optimism about potential international recognition.

The peaceful transition of power demonstrates Somalilands continued political stability, contrasting sharply with Somalias ongoing security challenges. The new leadership faces the complex task of balancing regional diplomatic relationships while pursuing economic development and international recognition.
The European Union has committed to a 91-million-loan package to strengthen Cameroons infrastructure over the next three years. The agreement, announced in Yaounde, aims to attract foreign investment and enhance regional connectivity.

The funding targets critical development projects, including energy sector improvements and transportation infrastructure. Key initiatives include a railway network connecting Cameroon with landlocked Chad and a bridge spanning the Ntem River between Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

This financial commitment supplements existing EU-supported projects, including a hydroelectric dam and another bridge linking Cameroon to Chad. The initiative emphasizes private sector involvement in project management while supporting public finance restructuring.

The loan agreement includes strict conditions regarding fund management, and addresses concerns about corruption in Cameroon. Recent reports from the National Anti-Corruption Commission revealed significant financial losses exceeding $184 million to corruption in 2023.

The development package arrives as Cameroon grapples with deteriorating infrastructure and ongoing security challenges. The countrys western region continues to face a separatist conflict that has resulted in over 6,000 casualties and displaced more than 760,000 people, according to conflict monitoring organizations.

EU representatives emphasized the importance of transparent fund management and ensuring participating enterprises maintain full access to allocated resources. This initiative represents a significant step in addressing Cameroons infrastructure needs while promoting regional economic integration and development.

has secured a decisive victory in Somalilands presidential election, garnering approximately 64 percent of votes against incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdis 35 percent. The election, delayed for two years due to funding constraints, marks a significant political transition in the self-declared republic.

Both candidates campaigned on platforms emphasizing economic revival and international recognition for Somaliland, which has maintained independent governance, currency, and security structures since declaring independence in 1991. Despite building stable political institutions, the territory remains internationally unrecognized, limiting its access to global finance and restricting citizens mobility.

The new administration inherits ongoing negotiations with Ethiopia regarding controversial coastal access agreements. The proposed deal, offering Ethiopia sea access in exchange for potential recognition consideration, has heightened regional tensions, particularly with Somalias central government.

The election occurs amid shifting regional dynamics, with Somalia strengthening ties to Ethiopias traditional rivals following the agreement. Somalilands government maintains optimism about potential international recognition.

The peaceful transition of power demonstrates Somalilands continued political stability, contrasting sharply with Somalias ongoing security challenges. The new leadership faces the complex task of balancing regional diplomatic relationships while pursuing economic development and international recognition.
A conference tackling the development of a multi-dimensional partnership between Morocco and Austria was held in Vienna on Wednesday, at the initiative of Moroccan Millennium Leaders (MML) and Austrias Young Professional Network.

A number of elected representatives, economic operators, community actors and academics attended this event, part of the Moroccan civil societys commitment to promoting the Kingdoms influence among its European partners.

Erragheb Hormatallah, President of the Dakhla Communal Council, highlighted the economic asset of the Kingdoms southern provinces, particularly that of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region.

He also estimated that the prospects for economic cooperation and investment between Morocco and Austria could reach their full potential, underscoring the economic opportunities and assets the Kingdom has to offer.

Morocco has been undergoing major transformation and economic development for nearly 25 years, he stressed, recalling that it has adopted a new-generation investment charter, providing investors with a unique opportunity and a reliable business climate.

Highlighting the shared desire of economic players, the government and various stakeholders to be part of this momentum, Hormatallah pointed out that the city of Dakhla is a key hub in various economic fields, such as tourism, renewable energies and aquaculture.

Thanks to its air connectivity with several European countries, Dakhla is ready to continue hosting investments from all over the world, he stressed.

Nico Marchetti, member of the Austrian National Council and deputy of the ruling OVP party, underlined the outstanding dynamics of relations between Morocco and Austria.

We are not only improving the political aspect of our relations, but also working to strengthen the cultural and economic ties between both countries, said Marchetti, who hailed the Kingdoms pioneering experience in the field of wind energy.

He indicated that these efforts are likely to create a framework conducive to even stronger collaboration between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of fostering closer ties between young leaders from both sides, with the aim of sharing ideas to build the future of both nations.

Thomas Mark, President of MK Illumination S.A., a company specializing in manufacturing and project design, said the meeting offered a fantastic opportunity to build bridges between the two countries through innovation and creativity, noting that the solutions we build together will have a lasting impact in both Morocco and Austria.

For her part, Jalila Morsli, the President of the Casablanca-Settat Regional Chamber of Crafts emphasized the symbolic and strategic significance of bilateral cooperation, asserting that the partnership between Morocco and Austria is symbolic of a dialogue between two millennia-old civilizations.

She went on to say that  today, significant cooperation bridges are built thanks to the contribution of various players, noting that a number of diplomatic, political, parliamentary, cultural and economic cooperation between the two countries continues in a spirit of friendship.

She also urged to seize every opportunity to strengthen this strategic partnership, pointing out that several partners in Europe and elsewhere have understood what Morocco is: a thousand-year-old civilization and a reliable and indispensable partner on the African and Mediterranean continents.

Henri Louis Vedie, Professor at HEC Paris and Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS), spoke of the strategic partnership between Morocco and France, hailing it as a European model of strategic cooperation.

This partnership is much more than economic: it reflects a shared vision of solidarity between continents. Together, we can build a more just and resilient future, he noted.

He also reviewed the investment potential and opportunities in the Southern Provinces, as part of the new development model.

As per Mario Ralon, Sales Director of Austrian company KapschTrafficCom, a leader in the smart mobility sector, highlighted Moroccos ripe business climate for foreign investment.

Ralon, an Austrian investor operating in Morocco, talked about his companys experience in toll road solutions. He said that the company would like to support the Kingdom in setting up road infrastructure, namely for the upcoming sporting events Morocco will be hosting.

The event, which was attended by over 80 leading figures from the Austrian political, economic and academic arenas, addressed key issues such as energy, mobility, sustainable development and cultural exchanges.
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The World Health Organization said on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro that it had raised nearly $4 billion dollars through a new financing mechanism it launched in May.

Some of the money came in from pledges made during the G20 summit in Rio, helping the organization's funding needs for the coming four years.

The stakes have risen substantially for the WHO since Donald Trump won the US presidential election earlier this month.

During his first term in office, from 2017 to 2021, the Republican relentlessly attacked the UN health agency over its handling of the COVID pandemic especially, and began withdrawing his countrytraditionally the WHO's top donorfrom the organization.

His successor, current President Joe Biden, renewed ties with the agency, but fears abound that Trump might slam the door shut again.

The Geneva-based organization said that pledges received from Australia, Indonesia and Spain at the G20 summit in Brazil, combined with earlier donations and pledges, had yielded $3.8 billion in funding for the next four years.

That represents 53 percent of the $7.1 billion budget shortfall the agency faces for the 2025-2028 period.

Nearly a third of the WHO's funding comes from so-called assessed contributions, the membership fees that each member state pays, based on the size of their economies.

At its creation in 1948, the agency relied entirely on state contributions.

However, over the years, it became increasingly reliant on donations.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the UN health agency created the WHO Foundation to marshal new resources from businesses and philanthropists.

Two years later, member states agreed to immediately increase the portion of the WHO's biannual budget covered by membership fees, rising to 50 percent by 2030-2031.

The organization also launched last May a new investment round aimed at securing as much funding as possible up front for its core activities.

Since then the agency has attracted dozens of new donors, including over a dozen African nations.

 2024 AFP
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

In an indication that the bird flu outbreak is "headed in the wrong direction," sequencing of the virus that has stricken a Canadian teenager shows mutations that could make the infection more transmissible from person to person, says Northeastern expert Samuel Scarpino.

The biggest concern at the moment is that the genome sequence just made available from the Canadian patient indicates "the virus is carrying some concerning mutational signatures suggesting possible adaptation to human infection," he says.

"The situation is clearly getting worse and not better," says Scarpino, director of AI + life sciences at Northeastern's Institute for Experiential AI.

"We're seeing that this virus has more than enough potential to evolve," he says.

Scarpino says widespread wastewater testing is needed to track the virus that is widespread in birds and the cause of a multi-state outbreak in dairy cows as well as sporadic outbreaks in poultry flocks.

In the U.S., the 53 human cases of avian flu reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been mild for the most part.

But the teenager in British Columbia was reported to be hospitalized in critical condition with respiratory distress after contracting bird flu from an as-yet unknown source.

"It's concerning because teenagers are not normally hospitalized for influenza," Scarpino says.

He says preliminary sequencing of the H5N1 variant sickening the teenager showed potential mutations in a protein on the surface of the virus called hemagglutinin.

Mutations to the protein are known to make people more susceptible to the bird flu, Scarpino says. "These two mutations are in red flag parts of the genome now."

Canadian health officials have ruled out dairy cows as a possible source of transmission and are still investigating how the teen became the first domestically acquired case of H5N1 in Canada.

Scarpino says it's possible but not likely that there was an error with the preliminary results of genomic sequencing of the virus.

"What's probably going on is that this person was infected with a virus that came from birds, and (the virus) has evolved within that person to replicate more efficiently in humans," Scarpino says, adding that viruses have been known to mutate to resist antiviral treatment.

"We're seeing this evolution in real time now."

Scarpino says the opportunity for the teen to transmit the virus to another person is likely low because the hospital treating the teen most certainly has infection control protocols in place.

"It's not like on day one of the infection they were walking around with the human-adapted virus," he says. "It doesn't look like it was human-to-human transmission."

"We probably got lucky this time because the individual likely did not transmit to anyone," Scarpino says.

The spread of the virus among dairy farms in more than a dozen states, poultry in 48 states, cats and even a pig farm in Oregon is a concern, Scarpino says.

"One qualitative sign that we look for when an outbreak is heading in the wrong direction is that the level of complexity associated with the events goes up," as is currently the case with multiple outbreaks across the U.S., Scarpino says.

Pigs are of particular concern because they are "sort of an evolutionary laboratory for host switching" due to the way their cells are aligned in the upper and lower respiratory tracts, he says. "We never like to see pigs getting infected."

Many human cases of avian flu have probably been missed, says Scarpino, who would like to see more widespread and rigorous testing of wastewater to get a better understanding of the spread of H5N1.

While avian flu has killed 53% of infected people in other parts of the world, the CDC says the current outbreak in the U.S. poses a low risk to the public.

"The big take home message is the more people that get infected, the more opportunities there are for evolution to do what evolution does, which is increase (chances of) viral replication in humans," Scarpino says. "It's just a numbers game."

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
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A child in California has tested positive for bird flu, despite having no known contact with infected animals, state officials reported Tuesday.

"California has identified a possible bird flu case in a child in Alameda County who was tested for mild upper respiratory symptoms. The child, who has been treated, is recovering at home," the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said in a news release.

While the patient had no known contact with an infected animal, health officials are investigating a possible exposure to wild birds, the CDPH added.

Importantly, "the positive test showed a low-level detection of the virus, indicating the child was not likely infectious to others," they noted. "Repeat bird flu testing on the child four days later was negative, and additional testing shows the child was also positive for respiratory viruses that could be the cause of their cold and flu symptoms. The test specimens are being sent to CDC [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] for confirmatory testing."

Even as the case was reported, state officials stressed the public health risk remained low.

"It's natural for people to be concerned, and we want to reinforce for parents, caregivers and families that based on the information and data we have, we don't think the child was infectiousand no human-to-human spread of bird flu has been documented in any country for more than 15 years," said CDPH Director Dr. Tomas Aragon.

So far this year, 53 people have been confirmed to have bird flu in the United States, according to the CDC; all but one had been exposed to infected poultry or dairy cows.

In the California case, no person-to-person spread of the virus has been detected and the child's family members all tested negative.

Bird flu has been spreading in poultry since 2022, and cases in dairy cows began to crop up in March. The virus was discovered in a pig for the first time last month.

Bird flu infections in peoplenearly all among farmworkershave now been confirmed in seven states, with Oregon reporting its first human case last week.

California accounts for the largest share of human bird flu cases in the country, with 27 confirmed infections, not counting the child in Alameda County. Washington has recorded 11 cases, and Colorado 10, CDC data shows.

Earlier this month, Canadian officials announced that a teen in British Columbia had been hospitalized in critical condition with what is believed to be bird flu.

It's not clear how the teenager picked up the H5N1 virus because the patient is not known to have any contact with infected animals, officials noted. They added that this is the first human case of the virus reported in both the province and Canada.

"The positive test for H5 was performed at the BC Centre for Disease Control's Public-Health Laboratory," Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer of British Columbia, said in a statement. "Samples are being sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg for confirmatory testing."

Testing has been performed on about three dozen people who were in contact with the teen, but none show evidence of infection, Henry added.

Federal health officials also reported recently that a second person in Missouri who wasn't exposed to either poultry or dairy cows had been infected with bird flu.

This person shared a home with a patient who was first hospitalized with bird flu in August, but antibody tests have since shown that symptomatic health care workers who cared for the patient were not infected with the H5N1 virus, the CDC said in a bird flu update.

However, there was some reassuring news: There was no evidence that H5N1 had passed person-to-person because the fact that "these two individuals had identical symptom onset dates supports a single common exposure to bird flu rather than person-to-person spread within the household," the CDC noted.

"To date, human-to-human spread of H5 bird flu has not been identified in the United States," the agency added. "CDC believes the immediate risk to the general public from H5N1 bird flu remains low, but people with exposure to infected animals are at higher risk of infection."

The latest cases fuel growing concern among public health experts that the ongoing bird flu outbreak will eventually trigger human-to-human transmission of the virus.

Across the country, more than 549 dairy herds in 15 states have been infected since the outbreak in dairy cows was first confirmed in March. Avian influenza has been spreading in wild and domestic birds in the United States for several years.

"We should be very concerned at this point," Dr. James Lawler, co-director of the University of Nebraska's Global Center for Health Security, told the New York Times. "Nobody should be hitting the panic button yet, but we should really be devoting a lot of resources to figuring out what's going on."

More information: The CDC has more on bird flu.

2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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For the four in 10 patients with newly diagnosed heart failure who also have the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation, the prognosis can be poor.

"Atrial fibrillation can make heart failure much more problematic, and more complex to treat," said researcher Heidi May, a cardiovascular epidemiologist at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City.

That's why she and colleagues who have studied patients with both conditions are urging doctors to screen newly diagnosed heart failure patients for atrial fibrillation (A-fib).

The recommendation is an outgrowth of their new study, which looked at health records of nearly 22,000 patients treated for new-onset heart failure at Intermountain Healthcare between 2009 and 2019.

They presented their findings at an American Heart Association meeting in Chicago. Research presented at meetings is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

This new study not only looked at the prognosis for patients newly diagnosed with heart failure, but also at the type of heart failure they have.

Patients with A-fib and with a type of heart failure in which the heart no longer pumps efficiently have a particularly poor prognosis.

A-fib causes the heart to beat irregularly and often very fast. It's caused by a defect in the heart's electrical system that causes many impulses to fire rapidly at the same time, rather than in a steady, regular pattern.

Though it was known to exist alongside heart failure, little was known about the effect of a dual diagnosis, researchers explained in background notes.

They looked carefully at what is known as ejection fraction, a measurement of how the heart's lower left chamber is pumping blood. To be included in the study, patients had to have that measurement done within 30 days of being diagnosed with heart failure.

In all, more than 7,900 patients had an ejection fraction under 40% (HFrEF) and close to 14,000 had an ejection fraction over 40% (HFpEF). Those patients were more often older (74 versus 65 years of age) and female (53.7% versus 33.1%).

In all, 40% of the newly diagnosed heart failure patients had A-fib.

Compared to those without A-fib, patients with A-fib were more likely to be hospitalized for subsequent heart failure. They were also more likely to die prematurely.

May said the findings underscore the need for doctors to make sure that patients with heart failure are screened for A-fib.

Doctors should be "extra diligent," she said, "because patients with both may require a more aggressive treatment regimen to preserve their quality of life."

Researchers said they plan to conduct a clinical trial to find out the best ways to treat patients who have both conditions.

More information: The Mayo Clinic has more about the causes and symptoms of heart failure.

Copyright  2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Dementia disproportionately affects women whether living with dementia or supporting someone living with dementia in aged care, a fact largely ignored in the final report of the Aged Care Royal Commission, an analysis by QUT health law researchers has found.

Dr. Kristina Chelberg, from QUT's Australian Center for Health Law Research, said the gendered experiences of women with dementia and the unpaid work of women care partners of people with dementia in aged care were overlooked in the Australian Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety's (ACRC) final report.

Dr. Chelberg and Dr. Linda Steele, from University of Technology Sydney, explored the representation of women, dementia and aged care in the ACRC that informed the "once-in-a-generation" reforms contained in the new Aged Care Act, in an article published in the Journal of Aging Studies.

Dr. Chelberg said the Act failed to address gendered issues of dementia aged care even though 63% of people with dementia are women and 75% of care partners of people with dementia are women.

"Using the ACRC's final report as a case study, we found it reflected global patterns, where the standard or normative gendered structure of aged care shaped both women's experiences of dementia, and supporting/or advocating for someone with dementia," Dr. Chelberg said.

"In particular, the harms experienced by women with dementia in aged care were overlooked, while the feminized labor of women care partners was taken for granted.

"The ACRC was explicitly required to inquire into dementia and dementia care, as well as action to be taken to address findings of substandard care including mistreatment, abuse and systemic failures."

Dr. Chelberg said their analysis of the Commission's Final Report found that women in aged care were not only devalued but were also represented as tiresome and troublesome, either for complaining or for their dementia-related behavior, and thus were undeserving of justice.

"For women care partners, as well as experiencing frustration, guilt and grief on behalf of the person in aged care, those who acted as carer advocates or system navigators were ridiculed or labeled a 'difficult woman' when they complained about treatment or lack of it," she said.

"This is often in the context of deficient complaint management processes by the facility provider and by the regulatory body which simultaneously undermine, outsource and exploit women's care labor."

Stark examples of the devaluation of women with dementia were seen in the representation of people with dementia, Dr. Chelberg said.

"The life stories of women with dementia represented in the Final Report were mainly in relation to their dementia and their family.

"For example, 'Mrs. CA was born on 5 June 1936. She was 82 years old at the time of the Sydney Hearing. Mrs. CA is married with five daughters and two sons. Mrs. CA was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in or around 2010. She lived at home with her husband until May 2018.'

"Whereas men's pre-dementia identities mention career, achievements, community reputation and hobbies as well as family: 'The late Mr. CH was born in 1926. He grew up on a family farm in Morgan, South Australia. He married B in 1954 and they had five children, one of whom is Ms. NH. Mr. CH worked for much of his life as an orchardist on the same farm on which he grew up. He loved his community and was the Chairman of the Morgan Lions Club. Mr. CH enjoyed restoring paddleboats on the Murray River and was a keen fisherman. In about 1991, Mr. CH developed dementia.'

"In the case of care partners, the Final Report's extracts noted cases where staff had spoken derogatorily about female care partners who had complained, the care partners spoke of feeling 'bullied and intimidated' by management, and being labeled as 'angry and difficult,'" Dr. Chelberg said.

"Daughters experienced intimidation, exclusion, exhaustion, grief, and felt they were failing their parent, at the same time as their complaint, labor took them away from precious time with their loved one.

"Nevertheless, the Report depicted navigating, advocating and complaining as a normalized duty of women care partners and implicit work of female caring and did nothing more than praise them for their 'on-going and tireless advocacy.'

"In sum, the Royal Commission neither included the voices of women with dementia, nor recognized the labor of women care partners, and thus reinforced, rather than challenged, the marginalized status of women in the aged care system."

More information: Kristina Chelberg et al, Hidden in plain sight: Women and gendered dementia dynamics in the Australian Aged Care Royal Commission, Journal of Aging Studies (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jaging.2024.101285
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The US has come quite some way in legalizing cannabis use, with nearly half of states having laws permitting recreational cannabis use. Yet the legalization of cannabis remains an ever-present, heated and polarizing debate. One that is often exploited by politicians to win votes, either by stoking fear of the harms that will come from legalizing cannabis, or by the promise of decreased violent crime and increased tax revenue from cannabis sales.

The science around the harms of cannabis is relatively well-established. Frequent use of high-potency cannabis and starting use at a young age is a risk factor for various mental health conditionsparticularly schizophrenia. It can also lead to cognitive impairment and poor educational attainment, as well as increasing the risk of developing cannabis-use disorder (addiction).

Using cannabis before drivingwithin about eight hours of consumptionincreases the risk of road traffic accidents. And if it is used during pregnancy it can cause birth complications.

The important question is: how are these harms affected by legalization?

Cannabis potency is a main driver of cannabis harm, and US states with legal cannabis have seen a dominance of high-potency products. The increase in potency began, however, during prohibition in both the US and Europe.

There is also some evidence that cannabis potency levels in legal retail stores are exaggerated to make the products more appealing to customers.

Cannabis use rates are higher in states where cannabis is legal. However, this does not mean that legalization necessarily drives people to use cannabis. Overall, the evidence is somewhat mixed.

On the whole, though, the data suggests that cannabis legalization is associated with an increase in adult cannabis use. But most studies suggest no change in adolescent use.

This topic is complex to research because background trends are that cannabis use rates in both the US and Europe have been rising since the early 2000s, long before legalization was introduced.

Rates of substance use, such as cannabis, are normally gathered from surveys, which have historically been prone to under-reporting due to "social desirability biases"when respondents to surveys conceal their true opinion on a subject to make themselves look good.

One good example of this is from research conducted in Sweden, which, despite its well-known progressive social values, has a prohibitionist attitude to drugs compared with other European countries. For example, police can forcibly take blood samples if they suspect someone has taken drugs. Ordering drugs from a drug dealer is also a specific crime ("attempted drug offense").

In an innovative study approach, where researchers indirectly asked people about their cannabis use (known as the "crosswise model"), Swedes reported almost two to three times as much cannabis use as in standard surveys. This is in line with other research which found that people are more likely to admit to doing risky things depending on how they are asked about it.

One cause for concern is the observation that legalization has increased visits to emergency departments due to cannabis-induced psychosis, as well as accidental poisoning in children. This is especially pronounced in places with high densities of cannabis shops.

A contributor to this has been the increase of high-potency edible products, often in the form of sweets.

The province of Quebec in Canada has counteracted this by putting restrictions on edibles' potency and restricting products that could appeal to children. This has resulted in shops selling cannabis-infused vegetables instead of sweets.

Early results suggest Quebec has fewer children needing emergency care and has not seen a rise in acute psychoses.

Depends on what measures you put in place

The legalization of cannabis is not a binary choice. Drug policy decisions within a legal framework can have a substantial effect on the number of people who use a drug and the level of harm the society experiences. For instance, we know that marketing, number of stores, opening hours, taxes and price, labeling, minimum age limits, minimum unit pricing influence our most commonly consumed intoxicant, alcohol, and its harms.

Uruguay legalized cannabis in 2012 and adopted several of these measures. It has not seen an increase in cannabis use, perception of harm, or rates of cannabis addiction compared with neighboring countries.

Lastly, a serious debate on legalization should also consider the effectiveness and potential harms of prohibition. Prohibition leaves the vast profits of cannabis sales (and other drugs) to criminals, which helps them grow and expand their organization and activities. And studies have found links between increased drug law enforcement and increased violence.

Many more harms of prohibition have been discussed by experts, and the evidence that punitive laws prevent cannabis use is very weak.

Overall, there is no perfect drug policy, and drugs such as cannabis will always exist in human societies. Future cannabis policy considerations should take a nuanced and evidence-based approach, learning from the US and other parts of the world where cannabis laws have been relaxed.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Manhattan plots for female infertility. Credit: The American Journal of Human Genetics (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.10.018

Up to 15% of all couples suffer from infertility at some point in their lives. Lack of knowledge about the causes of fertility problems can lead to prolonged clinical testing and extended treatment periods.

A study led by the University of Helsinki used the FinnGen Study cohort to uncover the genetic basis of female infertility. The study is published in The American Journal of Human Genetics.

By comparing over 22,000 women who had received infertility treatments with nearly 200,000 women who had given birth, the research team identified five genetic regions associated with the risk of infertility.

About one in 100 Finns carry the TBPL2 gene defect

The strongest association was found with a genetic defect in a gene called TBPL2. This mutation is more than 40 times more common in Finland than elsewhere in the world. About one in 100 Finns carry this genetic defect.

The TBPL2 gene defect was found to cause infertility only in women who have inherited the non-functional form of the gene from both parents. The genetic defect does not affect male fertility.

"Our results showed that the association of the TBPL2 mutation and the average number of children in women is very clear," says Sanni Ruotsalainen, lead author of the study, from the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) at the University of Helsinki.

"We can estimate that there are about 400500 women in Finland with two copies of this gene defect."

Knowledge of the gene defect could guide infertility treatments

The study also identified other genetic variants associated with infertility in women. These genetic regions have previously been linked either to infertility or to conditions causing it, such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, and their impact on infertility risk is smaller than that of the TBPL2 gene defect.

The TBPL2 gene is known to act as a regulator of other genes in the ovaries. It appears that the absence of the correct gene product prevents normal maturation of oocytes.

"Next, we aim to determine if there is a specific characteristic in women who have inherited two copies of the genetic defect that could help identify them during a doctor's visit. A diagnostic genetic test could be one way to utilize our findings, but first we need more information about prognosis and the most effective treatments," says FIMM Group Leader Elisabeth Widen who led the study.

"More medical research is needed to better understand the genetic factors associated with infertility and to better assist couples affected by it."

More information: Sanni Ruotsalainen et al, Inherited infertility: Mapping loci associated with impaired female reproduction, The American Journal of Human Genetics (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.10.018 Journal information: American Journal of Human Genetics
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

In April, just 12 weeks into her pregnancy, Kathleen Clark was standing at the receptionist window of her OB-GYN's 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 women that's 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.

"You're standing there at the window, and there's people all around, and you're trying to be really nice," recalled Clark, through tears. "So, I paid it."

On online baby message boards and other social media forums, pregnant women 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.

Up-front payments also create hurdles for women who may want to switch providers if they are unhappy with their care. In some cases, they may cause women to forgo prenatal care altogether, especially in places where few other maternity care options exist.

It's "holding their treatment hostage," said Caitlin Donovan, a senior director at the Patient Advocate Foundation.

Medical billing and women's 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 U.S.

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.

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, it's become more common for pregnant women to switch providers, or have different providers handle prenatal care, labor, and deliveryespecially 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 don't 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.

While she believes women should receive pregnancy care regardless of their ability to pay, she also understands that some providers want to make sure their bill isn't 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 isn't working, Boatner said.

In the U.S., 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% 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 don't 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 California's 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.

During Jamie Daw's 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, it's so complicated when you're really living it."

While the Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover some prenatal services, it doesn't 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.

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 can't 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-GYN's 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.

In August, Clark was sent to the hospital after her blood pressure spiked. A high-risk pregnancy specialistnot her original OB-GYN practicedelivered 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. "I'm just trying to have a baby."

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Augmented NAD+ levels after NR supplementation in COPD decrease airway inflammation. Credit: Nature Aging (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00758-1

We live longer and longer, and as we age, a lot of us develop a series of health issues and chronic diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is found in around 600 million individuals globally. However, only half of them know they have the disease.

COPD patients often experience shortness of breath, persistent cough with mucus, wheezing and frequent respiratory infections, which can make everyday activities difficult.

Now a new study from the University of Copenhagen and Bispebjerg Hospital suggests that a form of vitamin B3 may be the key to improving quality of life for these patients. The research is published in the journal Nature Aging.

"In the study, we show that nicotinamide riboside, also known as vitamin B3, can reduce lung inflammation in COPD patients," says Associate Professor Morten Scheibye-Knudsen from the Center for Healthy Aging at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, who has co-authored the new study.

"This is significant, because inflammation can lead to reduced lung function in these patients," he says.

COPD patients have increased risk of respiratory infections and pneumonia. For instance, influenza can lead to serious lung infection and, at worst, death.

Reduced lung inflammation

The double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study included 40 COPD patients and 20 healthy control subjects. The patients either received a placebo or the vitamin B3 in doses of two grams a day. The results showed a significant drop in the inflammation marker (interleukin 8 or IL 8) in patients treated with the vitamin B3. After six weeks, the researchers observed a drop in IL 8 levels of 53 percent, and this effect increased by 63 percent after another 12 weeks.

In other words, the group treated with vitamin B3 experienced reduced lung inflammation during the study.

"Even though the results are promising, we need to carry out more studies on larger populations to confirm our findings and to determine the long-term effects of nicotinamide riboside in treatment for COPD," Scheibye-Knudsen explains.

The researchers also found that COPD patients have lower levels of NAD in the blood, which is associated with accelerated aging based on DNA methylation levels. Treatment with vitamin B3 resulted in higher NAD levels and showed signs of delaying cellular aging.

"As we age, we seem to metabolize a molecule known as NAD. The loss of this molecule is also seen after DNA damage, for instance the type of damage associated with smoking," Scheibye-Knudsen says.

This means that the molecule may influence the aging process, which makes it a possible target for future treatmentand, initially, for more studies.

It is important not to jump to conclusions about the role of NAD in the aging process, though, as more research is required to fully understand the implications and possibilities of NAD.

"We hope this research will pave the way for new treatment options for COPD patients, but first we need to continue to analyze and validate the results in larger and more comprehensive studies. Only through thorough research will we be able to offer the best and most effective treatment to people suffering from this difficult disease," he says.

More information: Kristoffer L. Norheim et al, Effect of nicotinamide riboside on airway inflammation in COPD: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, Nature Aging (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00758-1 Journal information: Nature Aging
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Like the surface of the moon. Freeze fracture replica of mossy fiber ending (pink) with visible synaptic vesicles inside and immunogold labeling (black dots) on the membrane surface. Credit: Olena Kim / ISTA

Resembling a seahorse, as its name implies from the Greek words "hippos" (horse) and "kampus" (sea monster), the hippocampus is a brain region crucial for memory formation. But until recently, scientists have not been able to link memory formation to distinct molecular signals.

Now, a team of scientists from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) and the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences have likely opened this black box. Their results are published in PLOS Biology.

Henry Gustav Molaison, known as patient H.M., was suffering from epilepsy. Riddled by seizures, he was referred to a surgeon, who localized the epilepsy to the temporal lobe inside his brain, home of the hippocampus.

On September 1, 1953, H.M. underwent brain surgery, removing his hippocampus to cure his epilepsy. After the surgery, the epilepsy and seizures were gone, yet H.M. developed severe side effects. He was now suffering from anterograde amnesia, remembering all the events before the surgery but unable to form new memories. His case helped link the hippocampus to brain function and memory formation.

Nowadays, the hippocampus is recognized as a crucial region in the human brain, involved in memory formation and spatial navigation. It converts short-term memory into long-term memory, facilitating the revision of personal experience.

In the new study led by Olena Kim, Yuji Okamoto, and Magdalena Walz Professor for Life Sciences at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) Peter Jonas, an international team of neuroscientists uncovered new details about the molecular mechanisms that drive memory processing.

The scientists took a precise look at the mossy fiber synapsea key connection point between specific nerve cells (neurons) in the hippocampusby combining approaches to study its structure, essential molecules, and functionality.

The memory center

Inside the hippocampus, several types of neurons are involved in memory processing. Granule cells, for instance, are important for handling incoming information. "Granule cells receive various signals from other brain regions, which they must process and propagate further," explains Olena Kim, ISTA graduate and now a postdoc at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OAW).

These signals get transmitted through the granule cells' axonstheir arm-like extension, known as mossy fibers. These fibers form a contact point to pyramidal cellsthe mossy fiber synapse. At this connection, messenger molecules in the form of neurotransmitters facilitate communication, eventually triggering the formation and storage of memory down the line.

Mossy fiber synapses are characterized by their high plasticity, meaning they can change their activity, structure, and connections based on stimuli. This adaptability helps the hippocampus to process information correctly and distinguish between similar cues.

Kim gives an example, "Let's assume you encounter a panther and a black cat simultaneously. Both appear black and feline. Yet you can distinguish one as a cat and one as a panther. Mossy fiber synapses play a key role in encoding and processing these distinguishing features, eventually retrieving memory and information."

Mossy fiber synapses in close-up

The exact molecular details of how signal processing in the mossy fiber synapses works are still unknown. In 2020, Peter Jonas, Carolina Borges-Merjane, and Olena Kim set out to study the structure of mossy fiber synapses, by using a new technique called "Flash and Freeze"a powerful tool, where neurons are frozen right after being stimulated.

"Back then, we were able to correlate structural changes in the mossy fiber synapses to their functionality," says Kim. "However, we wanted to push the technique further and not only look at the structure of the synapses, but also at the changes that occur on the molecular level when signals get processed."

The scientists were particularly interested in two proteins located at the neurotransmitter release zone: Cav2.1 calcium channels, which are crucial as the influx of calcium through those channels triggers neurotransmitter release, and Munc13, a key factor, that hints at the neurotransmitter's readiness to be released.

"Before our study, all the work on these two proteins was done with chemically fixed brain samples," Kim continues. As those samples are not alive, they do not provide insights into dynamic processes. "For our new study, we were eager to use live brain tissue to preserve the dynamics, the natural compositions, and the localization of these proteins."

A moon-like surface

With the help of their ISTA colleagues, Professor Ryuichi Shigemoto, and Staff Scientist Walter Kaufmann, the scientists used the freeze fracture labeling technique. They chemically stimulated the granule cells in mouse brain tissue samples to activate the process of memory formation. Then, the brain tissue was instantly frozen and split apart into two halves. The inner side of the section represents the exposed surface of the tissue insidea 3D footprint of the tissue in that specific moment, with embedded proteins and molecules.

After labeling Cav2.1 and Munc13 to make them visible, the researchers used an electron microscope to find their exact localization. The images, resembling a close-up of the moon, revealed that upon stimulation, these two proteins rearranged and moved closer together.

Further testing revealed that the rearrangement is tightly correlated with the functionality of the mossy fiber synapse. Peter Jonas summarizes, "Upon activation, there are two changes. First, the number of vesicles near the membrane increases. Second, there is nano-rearrangement of Cav2.1 and Munc13, making the synapses more powerful and more precise. Both changes may contribute to memory formation."

The study sheds light on the relationship between structure and function at a key synapse in the hippocampus. Our memories often evoke vivid images. But until now, we have not been able to capture the molecular signals that unleash memory formation. The present study sets a cornerstone for that.

More information: Olena Kim et al, Presynaptic cAMP-PKA-mediated potentiation induces reconfiguration of synaptic vesicle pools and channel-vesicle coupling at hippocampal mossy fiber boutons, PLOS Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002879 Journal information: PLoS Biology
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The United States has reported its first confirmed case of the more contagious form of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week issued a health advisory, stating that while the country's risk for the more severe form of mpox remains low, doctors should be on alert for patients with possible symptoms.

The health alert comes after California's Department of Public Health on Nov. 15 confirmed a case of the more severe clade I mpox, just months after the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency as concerns mounted over the disease's spread in Central and Eastern Africa.

The CDC said the country's first clade I mpox case is related to the outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa. The person had recently traveled from Eastern Africa and was treated shortly after returning to the U.S., according to the public health agency. The person is recovering at home and symptoms are improving.

"The risk of clade I mpox to the public remains low and there continue to be sporadic clade II mpox cases in the United States," according to the CDC. Clade II mpox is considered to be a less severe form of the disease.

So far, the country has reported more than 3,000 mpox cases this year, federal and state data shows.

Here's what to know:

Types of mpox

There are two types of mpox:

Clade I, a more contagious form of mpox that tends to cause more severe illness and death. It is endemic to Central Africa and is causing the current outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa. "Historically, clade I mpox has caused more severe illness and deaths than clade II mpox; however, recent data demonstrate that infections from clade I mpox in the current outbreak may not be as clinically severe as in previous outbreaks," the CDC says.

Clade II causes less severe infections, and is what fueled the 2022 global outbreak that led to more than 32,000 infections in the United States.

There have been more than 3,000 confirmed cases of mpox in the country this year, CDC data shows. Florida has reported more than 100 cases this year, with more than half involving South Florida residents, according to preliminary data from the state's reportable disease surveillance system.

What is mpox?

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a rare disease that is similar to smallpox, though it's usually milder and less fatal. It can spread through intimate contact, such as kissing and sex, by direct contact with the rash and body fluids or by touching contaminated objects, such as clothing and bedding.

The disease typically occurs in the tropical rain forests of Central and West Africa and causes various symptoms, including fever and painful pimple-like rashes.

In August, the World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency for mpox, marking the second time in two years it did so. In 2022, more than 32,000 cases were reported in the U.S. during the global outbreak. The 2022 global outbreak "affected primarily (but not only) gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and has spread person-to-person through sexual networks," according to WHO. The public health emergency was declared over in May 2023.

In this year's ongoing outbreak, there have been more than 100,000 cases of clade II mpox reported globally, including in countries where mpox was not previously reported. A large number of suspected cases in some areas involve children younger than 15.

The CDC said the mpox spread in children is "likely due to a number of factors, including spread within and between close households, younger population demographics in impacted countries, misdiagnosis of other diseases (such as measles), poor sanitary conditions, limited access to health services, and a high level of food insecurity and malnutrition."

The public health agency does not expect "to see the same sort of risk if mpox were introduced in the United States for several reasons, including different household makeup and size, access to disinfecting products, and improved access to medical care."

The World Health Organization on Nov. 22 is expected to hold a meeting to discuss whether the current mpox outbreak is still a public health emergency of international concern, CNN reported.

What are the symptoms and how does mpox spread?

The disease can spread through intimate contact, such as kissing and sex, by contact with the rash, body fluids, respiratory secretions or by touching contaminated objects, such as clothing and bedding, according to the CDC.

Symptoms include fever, painful pimple-like rashes and swollen lymph nodes. People diagnosed with mpox should isolate at home until all symptoms are gone. This includes waiting for the rashes to turn to scabs to fall and for new skin to form. The CDC says all of this can take between two to four weeks.

Who is most at risk for mpox?

According to the CDC and WHO, people with the following conditions are most at risk for severe mpox infection:

People diagnosed with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, or other medical conditions that severely weakens their immune system.

Children younger than 1

People with a history of eczema

People who are pregnant

People whose job may expose them to the disease, such as certain health care and laboratory workers

Anyone who had close contact with someone who has mpox. The WHO says this includes talking, kissing, sex, touching, or having contact with clothing, towels, objects and other surfaces touched by a person with mpox.

People who have sex with multiple or new partners

Risk Level

The CDC considers the U.S. has a low risk level for mpox. "The current risk to gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) who have more than one sexual partner, and people who have sex with MSM partners, is assessed as low to moderate," the CDC said.

How to reduce your risk

To reduce your risk of falling ill with mpox, the CDC recommends washing your hands often, not touching utensils, bedding or clothing of a person ill with mpox, and avoiding intimate contact, such as hugging, kissing, sex or cuddling, with someone who has mpox or has a rash that looks like mpox. If you're planning to be in an area where mpox is endemic, particularly in Central or West Africa, avoid contact with animals that can carry the virus, such as rodents and primates.

Is there a vaccine for mpox?

Public health experts recommend people who were exposed to someone with mpox or are at high risk of exposure to get vaccinated. The CDC also recommends vaccination for people traveling to countries with clade I outbreaks and plan to engage in sex while there. Speak with your doctor about your risk level and whether you should get vaccinated. If you've recovered from mpox, you don't need a mpox vaccine dose, according to the CDC.

There are two mpox vaccines available, but the one that has predominantly been used in the country since the 2022 mpox outbreak is Jynneos.

The other vaccine, ACAM2000, is an older vaccine that was designed to prevent smallpox but can also be used to prevent mpox, which is in the same virus family. However, the ACAM vaccine tends to cause more side effects and cannot be given to people who are immunocompromised or have certain health conditions, Mary Jo Trepka, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Florida International University's Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, previously told the Miami Herald.

What to know about Jynneos

Jynneos requires two shots, given four weeks apart. It's made with a non-replicating live virus, which makes it a better option for people with weaker immune systems, who are pregnant or have other health conditions, according to the CDC. It's also safe for people with HIV and atopic dermatitis, the CDC said.

People are considered fully vaccinated about two weeks after their second shot. The vaccine can be given to people 18 and older who are considered to be at high risk for mpox during an outbreak. The shots can also be given to kids under 18 that are considered to be at high risk for mpox exposure under an emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

How to find an mpox vaccine

The CDC has an online portal to help find nearby vaccination sites, but it's expected to stop updating Nov. 22.

2024 Miami Herald. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The General-Secretary of the Communist Party Marxist  Kenya (CPM) Booker Omole has delved into his first international foray as General Secretary, just a day after being elected to the coveted position.

Omole, who is in Niamey, Niger, for the convention dubbed Conference in Solidarity with the Peoples of the Sahel, addressed his first international audience, taking with him a message of Pan-Africanism, resistance to imperialism, denouncement of neo-colonialism and also a call for the strengthening of revolutionary forces across the world.

Booker, who has steadfastly maintained his allegiance to the African peoples struggles, starting with his own home country, Kenya, expressed his admiration for recent Niger revolution which has seen the expulsion of external forces and the unification of the country. He also echoed the sentiments of the rulers of Niger, maintaining that his party, Communist Party Marxist, was committed to uniting all of Africas revolutionary forces.

The Communist Party Marxist (CPM) Kenya, stands in solidarity with the peoples of the Sahel and affirms our unwavering commitment to the struggle against imperialism, he said.

Our presence at the Conference in Solidarity with the Peoples of the Sahel, held in Niamey, Niger, underscores our dedication to fostering Pan-African unity, sovereignty, and genuine independence from the shackles of neo-colonial control.

Booker also said that his party, which he represents at the highest level, was proud of the recent wave of progressive military actions which have swept the Sahel region, especially in countries like Mali and Burkina Faso.

These actions, he said, reflected the popular will to dismantle puppet regimes, overthrow systems of corruption and resist neo-colonial domination.

He said: The courageous military and civilian forces standing against imperialism embody the aspirations of our continents oppressed masses. We call upon these revolutionary forces to form tactical alliances, rooted in Pan-African unity, and to channel their victories towards the establishment of pro-people socialist economies that benefit all citizens.

Booker also took time to express his partys position when it came to foreign military bases camping on African soil, saying that the move was a violation of the sovereignty of African states as well as a subversion of Africas pursuit for self-determination.

Such bases deepen colonial wounds and perpetuate violence, resource exploitation, and political interference. The CPM Kenya calls for the immediate dismantling of all foreign military installations, including those established by France and its Western allies, he said.

He added, We demand that Africa be given the freedom to chart its own destinyfree from foreign coercion and militarised subjugation.

The ongoing Niger, which will run from November 19-21, 2024, has been organized by the Pan Africanism Today ( PAT) Secretariat and the West Africa Peoples Organization ( WAPO).

The gathering brings together over 300 delegates, including trade unions, leftist parties, and anti-imperialist movements, to address the multifaceted challenges posed by Western influence, particularly French and NATO-led interventions in the Sahel.

A key theme of the conference has been the systemic exploitation of Africas natural and economic resources by Western powers under the guise of stability and counter-terrorism.

Conference speakers have highlighted the hypocrisy of Western policies, which support or oppose political transitions and military actions based solely on their geopolitical interests.
The Court of Appeal in Nairobi has dismissed a request to halt a ruling that confirmed retired President Uhuru Kenyatta as the leader of the Jubilee Party. The court rejected the plea by nominated MP Sabina Chege and her team, who sought to overturn a September 2024 ruling affirming the legitimacy of the Uhuru-led faction as the partys leadership.

Cheges group had petitioned the court to suspend the High Courts judgment issued on September 30, 2024, by Justice Mulwa. They also sought conservatory orders to maintain the leadership structure defined in Gazette Notice No. 9131 Vol. CXXV No. 161, published on July 12, 2023.

However, the Court of Appeal declined these requests, stating that the matter would be fully determined on March 7, 2025. The applicants counsel urged us to grant an interim stay of the High Court judgment pending the determination of this application. However, under the circumstances of this case, we decline to issue interim stay orders before delivering our ruling on March 7, 2025, the Court ruled.

High Courts September 2024 Ruling

The High Courts September 2024 decision removed Sabina Chege as Jubilee Party leader, reinstating Uhuru Kenyatta as the partys head with sole authority to convene meetings. It also stripped Kanini Kega of his Secretary-General role and Adan Keynan of his position as Vice Chairperson.

Additionally, the court nullified the National Executive Committees (NEC) decision to expel Vice Chairperson David Murathe, Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni, and Kagwe Gichohi from their roles. The court determined that Kioni, Murathe, and Gichohi had adequately pursued the partys internal dispute resolution mechanisms before filing their appeal.

In its ruling, the High Court found that the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) majority had erred in dismissing the trios case. The appellants demonstrated attempts to exhaust the Partys internal dispute resolution mechanisms. The PPDT majority misdirected themselves and therefore arrived at an erroneous finding. The decision of the majority is hereby set aside, the court stated.

The court further declared the February 2, 2023, notice expelling the aggrieved members legally flawed, rendering all subsequent actions null and void. It also ruled that a Jubilee NEC meeting in Nakuru violated the law and party constitution, nullifying all resolutions made during that meeting.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged all public officials to work harder, smarter, faster, and more efficiently to keep up with Kenyas dynamic democracy.

Speaking at State House Nairobi on Tuesday, Kindiki stressed the governments essential role in meeting the needs of the people.

In the context of Kenyas vibrant democracy, we must work harder, faster, and more efficiently to stay in step with the dynamic nature of our country, he stated.

Kindiki reiterated his commitment to working closely with public officials to ensure the government delivers on its mandate for the welfare of Kenyans. He emphasized that public officials must honor their commitments, noting that accountability requires transparency, regular reporting, and evaluation.

I promise you, from where I sit, to support you and work with all other colleagues as we collectively deliver a better Kenyaan inclusive Kenya that is sensitive to the needs of its people, Kindiki added.

The Deputy President also called for increased harmony and coherence between different arms and levels of government to better serve the public. He pointed out that all branches and levels of government are part of a single entitythe Government of the Republic of Kenyaand must work together seamlessly.

We are all part of one government of the Republic of Kenya, Kindiki emphasized.

Under your leadership, Your Excellency, we aim to build greater harmony and coherence among the arms of government and the two levels of government, he stated.

Kindiki further defended his call for unity, reminding officials that sovereign power rests with the people of Kenya, and effective leadership is crucial to serving their needs.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested two suspects for allegedly attempting to extort Kes. 2 million from the Director General of a State Corporation.

The arrest is part of a larger crackdown on individuals extorting money from senior government officials by claiming to possess damaging information.

According to EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi, the suspects, Francis Onyango and Abigail Janai, told the government officail they could help withdraw a court petition related to an alleged embezzlement of public funds at the State Corporation.

After receiving a complaint, the Commission launched an operation on Friday, leading to the arrest of the suspects at Bonds Restaurant in Nairobi. The two were caught after allegedly receiving Kes. 1.7 million, part of the Kes. 2 million they had demanded.

Ngumbi explained, The two are believed to be part of a growing number of litigious individuals in the country who pose as public-spirited citizens and passionate advocates for good governance. They file petitions against government officials in court and then demand large bribes to withdraw the cases.

The suspects were processed at the EACC Integrity Centre Police Station and later booked at Kilimani Police Station.

The Commission later released them on police bail pending further investigation.
The Ministry of Health has rolled out comprehensive guidelines to improve newborn care and reduce neonatal deaths in Kenya.

Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa introduced the initiative on Monday at the Homa Bay Kenya Medical Training College grounds, coinciding with World Prematurity Day, a global event raising awareness about premature births.

CS Barasa emphasized that prematurity is the leading cause of death among children under five years worldwide. In Kenya, 12 percent of live births annually are preterm, with neonatal deaths accounting for 51 percent of under-five mortality, according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey. The neonatal mortality rate stands at 21 per 1,000 live births.

The guidelines include a newborn care training package designed to equip healthcare workers with essential skills to manage and care for newborns effectively.

Many neonatal deaths are preventable with proven, cost-effective interventions, said CS Barasa, highlighting the role of timely and specialized care.

Breast milk, respiratory support, and advanced equipment like CPAP machines, caffeine citrate, and supplemental oxygen were highlighted as critical for saving premature babies. To address these needs, the Ministry distributed CPAP machines during the launch to support newborns with breathing complications.

USAID contributed by donating over 1,000 CPAP machines, which will be allocated to hospitals across the country to enhance neonatal care.

Homa Bay County will be receiving 18 of these machines, which will be distributed to Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital, Rachuonyo South County Hospital, and Ndhiwa Level IV Hospital, said Homabay Governor Wanga.

Additionally, the Ministry has developed standardized data collection and monitoring systems to track newborn care indicators in all admitting facilities.

With these measures, the Ministry of Health aims to strengthen Kenyas healthcare system and save the lives of countless newborns. This initiative represents a significant step towards reducing neonatal mortality and improving child health outcomes nationwide.
Zhu Deyong speaks at the launch of his new book at Sisyphe Bookstore, Beijing, Nov. 16, 2024. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]



A book launch and signing event was held at Sisyphe Bookstore in Beijing on Nov. 16 to celebrate the release of renowned comic artist Zhu Deyong's latest book, "A Person's Life Unexploded Bomb." The event, hosted by comedian Hu Dandan, featured a conversation between Zhu Deyong, and special guests sculptor Xiang Jing, and screenwriter Gu Xiaobai.

At the launch event, Zhu Deyong shared the concepts and inspiration behind his new work. He believes that the world exists on two levels: the large world that everyone experiences together and the small world within everyone's heart. He emphasized that while young people are often drawn to the complexities of the large world, they should pay more attention to their inner world. During the pandemic, he explained, it felt like the world had hit "pause," providing an opportunity to re-examine oneself. It was during this time that Zhu began creating this book. The headless black figure that appears in the work is intended to encourage readers to contemplate themselves more deeply  rather than focusing solely on the character  representing a unique form of artistic expression.

Zhu Deyong signs a book for a fan at Sisyphe Bookstore, Beijing, Nov. 16, 2024. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Zhu discussed how his personal emotions are reflected in his creations. He pointed out that from his early works to his latest book, he has consistently drawn inspiration from his own feelings. He explained the concept of the "unexploded bomb," viewing it as a symbol of emotional accumulation, with various life situations potentially triggering emotional changes. Zhu shared methods he uses to manage his emotions when facing challenges, such as recalling pleasant experiences or reframing negative thoughts.

The author also spoke about the impact of his personal experiences. He explained that despite facing challenges in his early life, the support of his family and his persistence in his hobbies have brought him to where he is today. He believes that young people today have more opportunities than ever before to express themselves, and the proactive performance of the post-2000 generation in the workplace is a testament to their bravery in being themselves. He encouraged young people to stay true to themselves when faced with different voices and standards in society.

Xiang Jing shared her perspective on Zhu's new book from an artistic angle. She noted that the work exhibits a significant change in style, which reflects Zhu's response to the changing world, a common phenomenon in the creative process of an artist.

Gu Xiaobai, drawing on his experience in film, discussed the book's content from a scriptwriting perspective. He highlighted a particular line from that resonated with him, "People think that growing a beard means you're grown up, but it's actually shaving it that means you're grown up," noting there are many similar expressions throughout the book.

Through his book, Zhu hopes that young people understand that knowing their emotions and clarifying their goals will help them to move forward and protect their inner world within the larger world.
A dramatic incident unfolded at the Hilton Hotel barrier in Nairobi when a licensed gun holder accidentally shot and injured himself following an argument with a security guard.

Around 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 17, the man approached the barrier outside the Hilton Hotel along City Hall Way and demanded to use it to enter the premises. The security guard informed him that the area was for exit only and directed him to the correct entrance on Mama Ngina Street.

According to police, who confirmed the man holds a valid firearm license, the motorist then demanded that the exit barrier be opened. After stepping out of his black Toyota Prado, the driver pulled out a pistol, cocked it, and threatened the guard. Moments later, he returned to his vehicle, and a gunshot was heard.

Police officers on patrol responded to the gunshot and discovered that the man had accidentally discharged a round from his pistol, injuring himself above the right knee. They confiscated a mini Ceska pistol with eight rounds of ammunition and recovered a spent cartridge from the vehicle.

The victim was rushed to a hospital, where he was admitted in stable condition. Police said the man is under investigation and will face charges, including mishandling his weapon.

This incident follows another recent case in Kawangware, Nairobi, where a licensed gun holder shot and wounded a boy while chasing a gang that had raided his shop.

Police are also investigating that case, and the mans weapon was confiscated.
President William Ruto has issued a strong warning to Ministers and public servants, urging them to meet the expectations of Kenyans in service delivery. He emphasized that his administration will not tolerate excuses or delays in achieving results.

Ruto made it clear that Cabinet Secretaries must take full responsibility for achieving the targets outlined in their ministry contracts, stating, There is no room for excuses or delayed failure. Accountability must cascade through all levels of ministries, departments, and agencies to individual officers.

The President announced that at the end of each financial year, Cabinet Secretaries will receive a performance report card reflecting their ministrys achievements. He stressed that the scorecard system will make performance contracting a meaningful tool for driving accountability and ensuring results across all government functions.

Excellence, integrity, efficiency, and consistency will be rewarded, while failure, negligence, waste, and misconduct will prompt corrective action, Ruto said, reinforcing that the scorecards would carry both recognition and sanctions, applied without fail.

President Ruto made these remarks on Tuesday at State House, Nairobi, during the signing of the second-generation Ministerial Performance Contracts for the 2024/2025 financial year. He highlighted that performance contracting is designed to increase engagement and motivation among public servants while fostering greater adherence to the values and principles of the Public Service.

I fully expect to see continuous improvement in the responsiveness, efficiency, and integrity of our officers, both collectively and individually, President Ruto stated, urging Cabinet Secretaries to reflect on their responsibilities and commitments to the people.

He emphasized that performance contracts are not ceremonial formalities but serious commitments aimed at advancing the goals of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. The President called on Cabinet Secretaries to internalize the strategic pillars of this agenda and recognize their interconnectedness.

These pillars define my performance contracts with the people, which I have directly executed through Cabinet Secretaries and accounting officers, President Ruto explained.

Success of Performance Contracting

Acknowledging the long-standing success of performance contracting in enhancing accountability, the President pointed out that it has proven to be a robust framework for ensuring the effective use of public resources to meet constitutional mandates and fulfill citizen expectations.

To further support the smooth implementation of government programs, President Ruto directed the National Treasury to release budgetary allocations on time. He emphasized that a lack of funds or delays in their release should never be used as an excuse for failing to serve the people.

This is why a Public Service Performance Management Bill is being finalized and will soon be tabled in Parliament, Ruto announced.

Through this upcoming legislation, the President assured that the government would uphold the highest standards of service delivery at all levels. He also introduced a new office focused on Performance and Delivery Management within the Executive Office of the President. This office will help ministries, departments, and agencies address performance deficiencies and implement corrective actions promptly.

Because overall accountability rests with me, I take this opportunity to assure you of my full support in fostering a performance-driven culture within the Public Service for faster delivery of our national transformation agenda, President Ruto added.

By placing emphasis on accountability, efficiency, and tangible outcomes, President Ruto is attempting to set a clear path for his administration to meet its ambitious goals and transform Kenyas public service delivery.
President William Ruto has bid farewell to Meg Whitman, the outgoing United States Ambassador to Kenya, following her resignation after Donald Trumps election as the 47th President of the United States.

Whitman, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Kenya for two years, announced her resignation in a statement to the media on November 13, 2024, shortly after Trumps election victory. She explained that her decision was part of the transition to a new administration in Washington.

During her tenure, Whitman highlighted several key achievements. She credited her role in facilitating President Rutos recent state visit to the U.S. as a major success, alongside strengthening bilateral relations between Kenya and the U.S.

She also made significant strides in visa processing, reducing wait times for Kenyan non-immigrant visa interviews from two years to just two months. Additionally, Whitman promoted tourism and helped secure investments from major U.S. corporations such as Coca-Cola and Microsoft, a development she linked directly to Rutos visit to the U.S. in May 2024.

My number one priority was visas. Every Kenyan was saying it was taking two years to get an interview for a visa. That has been reduced to two months for non-immigrant visas, which is fantastic, Whitman said, underscoring her contributions during her time as Ambassador.

Despite these accomplishments, Whitman cautioned that corruption remains a significant obstacle to Kenyas growth. Ive been speaking a lot about corruption in the last four or five months. Kenya has an incredible opportunity to be an economic powerhouse on the continent, to be the Singapore of Africa, she remarked.

Whitmans Criticism From Kenyans

Whitmans departure came amid criticism from some Kenyans, who had called for her recall. The criticism was particularly focused on her handling of sensitive issues such as corruption, extrajudicial killings, and abductions, which gained prominence following the June Gen Z movement protests, where police killed dozens and arrested many others.

However, Whitman clarified that her resignation was not influenced by public backlash but was a routine part of the transition process following a U.S. presidential election.

New presidents and new administrations typically expect ambassadors to submit their letters of resignation. I chose to do it now because we have three young grandchildren. My husband has a job in the U.S., and we need to get back and get settled. The embassy is in very good hands with Charge dAffaires Marc Dillard, she said.

Whitman emphasized that her decision was about ensuring a smooth transfer of power, noting that she has been in politics long enough to understand the importance of this tradition. This is about the peaceful transfer of power, a new administration, and an entirely new set of ambassadors, she added.

Now, Whitman plans to focus on her familys transition back to the U.S. and support her husband in his career.

Ill get back to the United States and help my husband settle into his new job. Weve been trading off our careers throughout 44 years of marriage, and now its his turn. After that, Ill decide on my next steps, she concluded.

Some photos of President Ruto bidding farewell to Amb.Whitman;
Kenya has one of the most dynamic betting industries in East Africa, with thousands of Kenyans engaging in daily wagers.

They bet on sports, casino games, and many other forms of betting. However, it has been discovered that punters have staked 88.5 billion Kenyan Shillings (KSh) in bets.

This result shows how strong the betting culture is in Kenya.

Although betting culture is rising, so is government pressure. Regulatory pressure is due to the increased use of cryptocurrency, which allows punters to engage in betting activities outside of traditional systems.

The government has been alerted as there has been a rapid rise in regulations and tax policies for the crypto sector.

Crypto Bettings Role

Cryptocurrency betting has become a game-changer in the Kenyan betting scene.

Cryptocurrency offers transactions that are more private, anonymous, and flexible. These features make the crypto world more attractive to bettors who prefer private transactions with no oversight and want to avoid additional fees.

Cryptocurrency uses blockchain technology that provides transparent and secure transactions, which makes depositing and withdrawing safer and easier to do. Additionally, crypto enables the use of international betting platforms, which Kenyan authorities may not regulate.

The decentralizing system is another advantage of the crypto world. A decentralized system means that there is not just one owner or authority, everyone has equal rights in decision-making and planning.

This allows users to bypass local tax deductions on winnings, maximizing their returns without high tax rates.

As cryptocurrency is more integrated into the digital world of betting, punters are using it not only for gambling but also looking for investments. Some companies recognizing the potential of cryptocurrency offer it as a payment method, making cryptocurrency more available.

Tax Pressures

As crypto gains more traction, the government is taking measures to get potential tax revenue on these transactions. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is aware that cryptos decentralizing system makes tracking these kinds of activities difficult.

As of right now, the government is exploring ways to apply taxes to cryptocurrency. New regulations are proposed and the government is working on imposing them as soon as possible.

The government wants to apply tax on all cryptocurrency betting and traditional betting to ensure equal treatment across this industry. The government is actively investing in technology and working with international regulators to monitor crypto transactions more efficiently.

While cryptocurrency transactions are known for anonymity, the government is taking steps to identify users and apply tax where and if possible.

The efforts to impose taxes on crypto betting have sparked a debate.

For betting companies the governments focus on crypto betting added new challenges to an already competitive market. Many companies are concerned about potential profit losses due to new regulations, and individuals have to wonder does it pays off to use new technologies.

Punters may get discouraged and even look to offshore platforms that do not fall under the Kenyan governments jurisdiction.

Platforms that offer attractive promotions and bonuses for crypto-based bets like the ones listed on Oddspedias Stake.com bonus page, will further attract the interest of users and companies, despite ongoing debate.

Some groups believe that a tax system is essential for all users, as it would not be a fair system for others to bypass regulations.

The government believes that a balanced approach can create a better environment for traditional and crypto betting.

Either way, balance is essential, both in crypto and traditional betting, innovations should thrive alongside upgrades to traditional betting.

Future Implications

With the rise of crypto betting and the governments response with measures the future of betting in Kenya may become even more uncertain.

Having the government involved has both negative and positive implications. For example, if these regulations come into effect, taxes could increase revenue which can be used for public services.

On the other hand, these regulations may make users stray away from using crypto betting or betting altogether, or even drive users into using unregulated platforms.

It is important to add that crypto will continue to grow and bring innovation even if regulations come into effect. Some companies are exploring the possibility of partnerships with international crypto exchanges to keep cryptocurrency flowing freely.

Punters brought in amazing revenue, which means the potential for the expansion of cryptocurrency only grows. Platforms, companies, users and the government will have to find a way to keep everything in balance.

Creating a more crypto-friendly environment will benefit all parties involved.

Conclusion

Kenyas betting industry is gaining attention for winnings of 88.5 billion KSh in stakes and an increase in the popularity of cryptocurrency. This is not also gaining bettors attention but the government is also getting involved.

The government wants to impose new regulations which may either be beneficial or a loss to the industry. Companies must adapt to changes in regulations but also navigate the world of cryptocurrency.

As cryptocurrency only becomes more popular due to its advantages such as easier and more private transactions, the government wants to impose a tax system to even out the playing field for crypto and traditional betting.

A balance between these two worlds is essential as it determines the future of betting. This will tell us will this industry adapt to the oncoming changes or if will it be deterred from the digital world and what it has to offer.

This may affect traction as some punters may seek unregulated sites, bringing more challenges to this situation.
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A cultural event on China's tea traditions was held on Tuesday in Darkhan, the capital of Mongolia's northern province of Darkhan-Uul.

Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia Shen Minjuan said tea is a treasure of the Chinese nation, embodying thousands of years of cultural heritage. It is both drink and culture, and the Great Tea Road, an ancient trade route connecting China, Mongolia and Russia, has played a vital role in fostering goods and cultural exchanges.

The event aimed to enhance friendship between peoples of the two countries with tea culture, the ambassador said.

The event, titled "Tea for Harmony: Yaji Cultural Salon," featured tea culture demonstrations alongside an exhibition of various teas, tea sets, and photographs highlighting China's rich tea heritage.
NATO's involvement in conflict with Russia "very dangerous": Slovak minister

Xinhua) 10:00, November 20, 2024

BRATISLAVA, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- It would be "very dangerous" if NATO countries were to be drawn into the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Slovak Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok warned on Tuesday.

The potential use of American, British and French long-range missiles to attack Russian territory would provoke a strong reaction from Russia, the News Agency of the Slovak Republic quoted Estok as saying.

"If a NATO missile hits a Russian city, harsh retaliation from Russia will automatically follow," Estok said on social media. Ukraine would be the first to suffer the consequences, he underlined.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken recently about the possibility of a diplomatic end to the conflict, but the West responded by allowing the shelling of Russian territory with allied missiles, Estok said, adding this could be an obstacle to peace negotiations.

The interior minister also emphasized that the war in Ukraine has escalated ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump as the new U.S. president.

On Sunday, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S. long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia's territory.

If these weapons were deployed, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday, "this would mark a qualitatively new round of tensions and a qualitatively new situation in terms of U.S. involvement in this conflict." He reiterated that Moscow's stance on this issue should be clear to everyone.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
People visit the exhibition area of Airbus at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Honeywell, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in the United States, signed multiple cooperation agreements with several Chinese aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul companies at the recent 15th Airshow China.



The signatories hope to work together to provide more efficient repair and maintenance services to support the sustainable future of aviation.

Like Honeywell, many international companies have signed new partnerships at the recently concluded airshow, with participants from 1,022 companies from 47 countries and regions.

"Honeywell has established close cooperation with Chinese industry partners," said Xu Jun, president of Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, Asia-Pacific.

During the airshow, the French aviation giant Thales renewed its maintenance partnership agreement with China Eastern Technics for five more years. This agreement enables Thales to provide ongoing maintenance, repair and overhaul services for the avionics of China Eastern Airlines' A320, A330 and B737 fleet.

Thales also showcased its Level D full-flight simulator, certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Capable of accurately replicating challenging real-world mission scenarios under various weather conditions, the simulator offers Chinese helicopter pilots the world's highest level of training experience.

"Thales looks forward to leveraging its industrial expertise to build closer cooperation with the Chinese aviation industry and move towards a higher level of mutual benefit and shared development," said Thierry Weulersse, CEO of Thales in China.

At the airshow, many international companies highlighted the great potential of China's future aviation market and actively sought new business opportunities within the country.

"We see the promising development trends in China's market and its continuous growth," Xu noted.

According to Airbus' market forecast released during the event, China will require more than 9,500 new passenger and cargo aircraft over the next two decades, driven by robust air travel and freight demand growth. The number of flights per person in China is set to increase from 0.5 in 2023 to 1.7 by 2043.

China has become Airbus' largest single-country market, with 2,233 Airbus aircraft in service with airlines on the Chinese mainland as of October 2024. In July, Airbus celebrated the delivery of its 700th A320 family aircraft assembled at its A320 Family Final Assembly Line Asia (FALA) in north China's Tianjin Municipality.

Construction of Airbus' second final assembly line in Tianjin, launched in September 2023, is progressing swiftly and is expected to be operational by early 2026, according to Xu Gang, CEO of Airbus China, during a press conference at the airshow.

During the airshow, the Brazilian aviation company Embraer presented its outlook on the Chinese aviation market. Its report predicts that the Asia-Pacific region will grow to dominate the global aviation industry by 2043, accounting for 38 percent of the global market, equivalent to the combined share of the European and North American markets.

"The outlook highlights the critical role of the Chinese aviation market," said Martyn Holmes, chief business officer of Embraer.

"We are delighted to participate in Airshow China for the 13th time. Embraer is committed to exploring cooperation opportunities with both Chinese and international partners with an open mind," he added.
PRNewswire Singapore, November 20: Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, and Edith Cowan University Australia (ECU) today announced a new strategic partnership that aims to enhance clinical ultrasound training for healthcare professionals to provide better care for more people. As healthcare challenges become more complex, 71% of healthcare leaders in APAC are concerned about staff shortages resulting in delays in care for patients [1]. Furthermore, as technology advances in healthcare, training and education for healthcare professionals are critical components in supporting digital upskilling and continuous learning. Both organizations intend to jointly drive a robust curriculum to equip healthcare professionals with skills for Ultrasound Point of Care through a range of innovative and practical courses and workshops. As healthcare systems in APAC move towards the increased application of these technologies to optimize care access and patient flow, the partnership aims to bridge the knowledge gap through training and teaching. Philips will contribute to better healthcare for more people by leveraging its latest health technologies and expertise to collaborate with academics and provide higher-quality education. Key collaborative objectives between ECU and Philips in this partnership are as follows: * Develop a robust and comprehensive curriculum for ultrasound Courses will cover both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills using Philips ultrasound devices in a series of short courses such as improving vascular access and fistula cannulation during dialysis and FAST exams for emergency physicians and obstetric ultrasound for midwives or general practitioners. Under Cardiovascular ultrasound short courses, sonographers will also be exposed to 3D advanced quantification and image quality optimization, while cardiologists can learn echocardiography in structural heart disease. Additional General Imaging short courses will be developed, covering advanced liver imaging, advanced pelvic, Musculoskeletal, and pediatric scanning. * Promoting continuous professional development As part of the second phase of the collaboration, plans are to extend these courses to larger markets in APAC, Philips channel partners, and clinical applications teams beginning in Australia. * Facilitation of expert-led training Experts from Philips will lead workshops and training sessions, with the possibility of access to the Medical Sonography Simulation Lab teaching and learning space at the Joondalup Campus by Philips for internal new staff and channel partner onboarding and training. The partnership will open opportunities for sharing resources and expertise and continuous engagement on course structure, faculty engagement, and student enrollment. "At Edith Cowan University, we are dedicated to providing innovative and practical courses to build the next generation of healthcare professionals that are confident in working in the complex landscape of healthcare today. The partnership with Philips reflects the high quality and relevant curriculum that evolves as technology does," said Moira Sim, Professor and Executive Dean of the School of Medical and Health Sciences at Edith Cowan University. "Philips is collaborating closely with healthcare institutions worldwide to meet the demand for more digital health technologies as healthcare challenges around workforce shortages call for more efficient workflows. The partnership with ECU is the right step towards this, equipping healthcare professionals with the confidence and skills to utilize new technologies to address specific pain points in the healthcare system. We are confident that this will ultimately help unleash the full possibilities of digital transformation," said Denilson Kuratomi, Head of Ultrasound, Philips APAC. About Edith Cowan University Australia Edith Cowan University (ECU), based in Western Australia, is the only University in Australia to be named after a woman, Edith Dircksey Cowan, the first woman to be elected to an Australian parliament. ECU has over 30,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, including international students from over 70 countries, and a vibrant research community. There are three campuses in Western Australia at Joondalup, Mount Lawley and Bunbury. The University is constructing a new campus in the heart of the Perth CBD, due to open in 2026. ECU's purpose is to transform lives and enrich society. The University's vision is to lead the sector in educational experience, research with impact, and in positive contributions to industry and communities. About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips' patient- and human-centric innovation leverages advanced technology, deep consumer clinical insights to provide personalized health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients both in hospitals and at home. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, enterprise monitoring and informatics, and personal health. Philips generated 2023 sales of EUR 18.2 billion and employs approximately 69,700 employees with sales and service in more than 100 countries. More about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. [1] Philips Future Health Index 2024 Report: APAC Healthcare leaders taking bold and thoughtful changes to deliver better care for more people. Philips. From: https://www.philips.com.sg/a-w/about/news/archive/standard/news/articles/2024/20240916-philips-future-health-index-2024-report-apac-healthcare-leaders-taking-bold-and-thoughtful-changes-to-deliver-better-care-for-more-people.html (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 Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 20: Godrej Industries Group recently concluded the 15th Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest, celebrating a successful and dynamic three-day event at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), Nariman Point. Drawing participation from over 125 notable authors, thinkers, and creatives from 13 countries, this year's LitFest showcased Mumbai's prominence on the global literary stage with an eclectic mix of events that delighted and inspired audiences. The festival's highlights included the prestigious Godrej Literature Live! Awards, presented across various categories, including Fiction, Non-Fiction, Business, and Playwriting. In a memorable ceremony, the festival also conferred its highest honours: the Poet Laureate Award to renowned poet Arvind Krishna Mehrotra, and the Lifetime Achievement Award to celebrated author Pratibha Ray. This year's winners were met with resounding applause, and the Godrej Industries Group is proud to have been part of celebrating and facilitating their achievements. Nadir Godrej, Chairperson, Godrej Industries Group, said, "Godrej Industries Group is pleased to partner with Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest, a platform that celebrates not just the written word but the powerful, diverse voices that contribute to our cultural fabric. We are delighted to see how this platform has evolved into a vibrant space for creative expression and meaningful dialogue, touching thousands of lives through the power of literature and ideas. Our commitment to fostering creativity and culture finds a natural home in this collaboration. Through the LitFest, we look forward to encouraging conversations and nurturing a love for literature that transcends generations." Amy Fernandes, Festival Co-Director said , "Working on this year's Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest, we marked 15 years of inspiring and engaging conversations that unite our community. Our collaboration with Godrej Industries has been instrumental in transforming this festival into a landmark cultural event. The LitFest not only brings Mumbai's literary community together but also inspires future generations to embrace the beauty and power of literature." The festival, attended by thousands of literature enthusiasts, featured a stellar lineup that included celebrated names such as Gulzar, Jane Goodall, Prajakta Koli, William Dalrymple, and Huma Qureshi. Key events like The Great Debate, Book in Focus, and special literary awards captivated attendees. This year also marked the commemoration of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis with a Virtual Reality installation, a unique experience that placed visitors at the heart of the literary classic. Supported by Godrej Industries Group's ongoing commitment to promoting literary arts and cultural engagement, Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest concludes yet another successful edition and reaffirms its place as a cornerstone of Mumbai's cultural calendar. About Godrej Industries Group: The Godrej Industries Group (GIG) serves 1.1 billion consumers globally across businesses in diverse industries, including consumer products, real estate, agriculture, financial services and chemicals. Godrej was founded in 1897 to help build economic independence for India. We are committed to growing and strengthening this legacy of innovation for a cause; building for a more sustainable future, while placing our planet and people alongside profit. GIG houses several rapidly growing businesses that are the leaders in their respective categories. Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) is an emerging markets FMCG leader in Home and Personal Care with a growing presence in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Godrej Properties (GPL) is India's leading real estate developer by sales and brings the Godrej philosophy of innovation, sustainability, and excellence to the real estate industry. Godrej Agrovet's (GAVL) portfolio businesses address key challenges faced by Indian agriculture; improving the productivity of Indian farmers through innovative products and services that sustainably increase crop and livestock yields. Godrej Industries (Chemicals), the group's oldest business, is India's leading manufacturer of oleochemicals and surfactants. Godrej Fund Management (GFM) is the real estate private equity arm of the group. Godrej Capital (GC), the newest company in the group, is a fast-growing financial services business. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2561804/Godrej_Awards_ceremony.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2561817/Godrej_Industries_Group_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)
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 20: The highly anticipated launch of the New York Institute of Fashion (NIF Global), India's premier institute for design education, took place in Mumbai, with Bollywood superstar Ananya Panday as the Style Icon of the brand. NIF Global (formerly NIFD Global) was promoted by the New York Institute of Fashion Inc., with headquarters in New York. A global fashion icon and one of Gen Z's brightest stars, Ananya's career spans Bollywood hits like Student of the Year 2 and OTT series such as Call Me Bae and CTRL. Known for her distinctive style, Ananya also made waves at Paris Haute Couture Week and served glam at Chanel's Paris Fashion Week show. This year, she closed the Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI show for Rohit Bal, further cementing her status as a versatile fashion force. The event brought together students from NIF Global campuses across India, providing a unique opportunity for aspiring designers, interior designers, and beauty professionals to engage with industry leaders and gain insights into the world of fashion. New York Institute of Fashion (NIF Global - formerly NIFD Global) is a prestigious institution headquartered in Manhattan, New York, in partnership with the London School of Trends (LST), offering an Internationally inspired curriculum blended with India's rich creative culture. Together, they present NIF Global--a world-class platform offering the most sought-after education in fashion, interior design, management, and beauty. Faculties from the New York Institute of Fashion and the London School of Trends are visiting centres all across India to launch the New Look Logo of NIF Global and to impart professional training to the students. With the best of New York's fashion expertise and London's innovative design education, NIF Global brings global standards directly to Indian students, empowering them to lead in the fast-paced world of design and fashion. Ananya Panday shared her personal journey, encouraging students to embrace originality and develop their own unique vision. "The fashion industry is ever-evolving, and it's essential to stay curious and keep pushing boundaries," Ananya said. "I'm so inspired by the passion I see in these students. Their dedication and curiosity are the ingredients for success." This launch event marked a significant milestone in NIF Global's mission to provide students with unparalleled access to top industry experts. Bringing in stars like Ananya Panday, the institute continues to empower students with the knowledge, mentorship, and inspiration needed to thrive in design. The live session connected students across India and introduced them to a global vision of creativity and innovation. NIF Global's world-class curriculum is complemented by the mentorship of industry icons such as Gauri Khan, Manish Malhotra, Twinkle Khanna, and Ashley Rebello. These legends of the industry offer practical advice and insights, ensuring that students receive a unique blend of creative direction and industry expertise. With campuses across India, NIF Global (formerly NIFD Global) offers specialized programs in Fashion Design, Interior Design, Management programs under the School of Management, and Hair and Make-up programs under the School of Beauty, providing students with the training and experience they need to pursue their creative passions. These programs prepare students for the fast-paced, competitive world of fashion and design. In line with India's New Education Policy (NEP 2020), NIF Global is proud to partner with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Medhavi Skills University (MSU). These collaborations aim to transform the educational landscape by offering skills-based training that enhances employability and prepares students with practical skills needed for success in the global market. NIF Global's prestigious partnerships with top institutions ensure students receive the best of both Indian creativity and international exposure. NIF Global students have already showcased their talent on prominent platforms like London Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, Dubai Fashion Week, and Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI, which provide them with global career opportunities. As the event reached its grand conclusion, Ananya Panday took center stage to present the Certificates of Excellence to the participating Centres, recognizing their outstanding contributions to fostering creativity and innovation. The moment was made even more special as she joined the students and the NIF Global team for a vibrant photo session, capturing the day's enthusiasm and embodying the institute's commitment to nurturing global excellence, collaboration, and creative spirit. About New York Institute of Fashion (NIF Global): The New York Institute of Fashion (NIF Global - formerly NIFD Global) is where New York's expertise, London's innovation, and India's vibrant creativity converge to create the next generation of design professionals. Offering cutting-edge programs in fashion design, interior design, management, and beauty education, NIF Global prepares students for the dynamic, ever-evolving global fashion and design industry. With strategic partnerships with international institutions and industry leaders, NIF Global provides a platform for students to gain hands-on experience and exposure, ensuring they are equipped to lead in the global creative economy. To learn more about NIF Global (formerly NIFD Global) and explore program offerings, visit nifglobal.college/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal along with his wife and son cast their votes at the Walsingham School in Malabar Hill in Mumbai in the Maharashtra Assembly elections on Wednesday. Goyal commended the arrangements at the polling station, lauding the Election Commission for its efficient planning. "I am happy that people are voting in large numbers and exercising their franchise. The Election Commission has made good arrangements and I am confident that there will be more than 60 per cent voting and Mahayuti will win all the 6 seats in North Mumbai," the Minister said after exercising his franchise. Talking to mediapersons, the Union Minister attacked the opposition and said, "I strongly condemn all such forces who divide the society on the basis of religion, caste, language. I think the people of Maharashtra will give them a befitting reply by voting in large numbers in this election..." Responding to the bitcoin scam allegations against Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) Member of Parliament Supriya Sule, the Union Minister said that she "should have responded" to the allegations made against her. "But if she had answered those questions in the court of the people, then perhaps it would have been satisfactory for the people of Maharashtra," he asserted. Refuting the allegations of money distribution in the elections against BJP leader Vinod Tawde, Goyal said, "You all know what kind of candidate is there in that area, what is his track record and background. We are not surprised by these false allegations. Vinod Tawde is a very senior leader. No one will believe such allegations..." The single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections commenced at 7 am today across 288 constituencies, with voting set to conclude at 6 pm The elections have attracted 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, vying for seats in the politically significant state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting 149 seats, while its alliance partners, Shiv Sena and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), are fighting for 81 and 59 seats, respectively. On the other hand, the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), is aiming to regain political ground. Mumbai has been fortified with elaborate security arrangements to ensure a peaceful voting process. The city police have deployed over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards. Areas like Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and Dharavi have witnessed heightened vehicle checks. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which includes Shiv Sena and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), is locked in a fierce contest with the MVA, comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). (ANI)
According to REC, the official transfer ceremony took place in Gurugram, marking a significant milestone in India's power transmission landscape.

PGCIL emerged as the Transmission Service Provider (TSP) for this project through a competitive bidding process conducted by RECPDCL under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) framework. The project will be developed on a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) basis.

This pioneering initiative marks a significant milestone as the first-ever HVDC transmission project in India awarded through the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) route.

Key features of the scheme include the establishment of two state-of-the-art HVDC terminal stations, each with a capacity of 6000 MW, located at KPS2 and Nagpur.

The project also involves the development of a +800 kV HVDC Bipole line, stretching an impressive 1200 km from KPS2 to Nagpur. This long-distance transmission line will ensure seamless and reliable power transfer across the network.

Additionally, the installation of six 1500 MVA, 765/400 kV Interconnecting Transformers (ICTs) at the Nagpur substation will further strengthen the grid's capacity to handle the substantial power load.

The SPV transfer was officiated by TSC Bosh, CEO of RECPDCL, and Pankaj Pandey, Executive Director of PGCIL, in the presence of senior officials from RECPDCL, PGCIL, and the Central Transmission Utility of India Limited. The project is set to be implemented over 54 months.

REC Limited, a Maharatna CPSU under the Ministry of Power, is a prominent non-banking financial company focusing on infrastructure financing.

With a diversified portfolio, REC supports projects in power generation, transmission, renewable energy, and emerging technologies such as green hydrogen and electric vehicles. It also finances critical non-power infrastructure sectors like roads, metro rail, and airports.

As of September 30, 2024, REC's loan book stands at Rs5.46 lakh crore, with a net worth of Rs72,893 crore. It continues to play a vital role in flagship government schemes, including SAUBHAGYA, DDUGJY, and RDSS, aiming to enhance India's power infrastructure and ensure last-mile connectivity. (ANI)
PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 20: Protiviti Member Firm in India has won the prestigious SAP ACE Award 2024 in the Disruptor - Manufacturing Transformation category. The Protiviti team was recognized for making an exceptional impact on its client's business by leveraging SAP's innovative technologies. Wins award in the Disruptor - Manufacturing Transformation Category for exceptional impact on client's business. This year, over 200 nominations were submitted across nine categories, and winners were selected by a distinguished jury panel appointed by INDUS (the SAP India User Group) for their ability to disrupt and redefine manufacturing processes, setting new benchmarks in operational excellence. Commenting on the recognition, Sandeep Gupta, Managing Director, Protiviti Member Firm for India, said, "The award stands as a testament to our strong partnership with SAP and highlights our team's exceptional ability to execute complex, high-impact client engagements efficiently. Leveraging proprietary tools and accelerators, we deliver faster ROI while aligning seamlessly with clients' strategic and operational objectives." The achievement highlights the transformative impact Protiviti made in reshaping business processes and strategically positioning the client organization for long-term success through the implementation of SAP S/4 HANA Public Cloud. Protiviti's deployment of SAP S/4HANA unified core business processes, including procurement, production, sales, and finance, onto a streamlined platform. This transformation enabled end-to-end process automation, reducing costs and boosting productivity. Innovations like IoT integrations enhanced operational efficiency, while SAP SuccessFactors improved employee engagement and simplified HR processes. The project established a strong digital foundation, addressing current needs and positioning the client for future innovation. "This is the first ACE Award for our emerging SAP practice, a remarkable achievement in such a short time, considering it often takes firms years to earn this recognition," further added Ankit Gupta, Managing Director, Protiviti Member Firm for India. The award was presented to the Protiviti Member Firm for India at the SAP ACE Awards 2024 ceremony, which took place on November 14, 2024, at Mumbai. Protiviti's SAP practice spans an extensive array of capabilities, encompassing RISE with SAP migrations, greenfield and brownfield implementations across public and private cloud landscapes, application management services (AMS), SAP BTP-enabled innovations, SAP Analytics Cloud solutions, and bespoke industry-specific SAP offerings. Augmenting these services, Protiviti has developed proprietary intellectual property tools and accelerators that optimize processes, expedite delivery timelines, and drive enhanced ROI for clients. This integrated and comprehensive approach positions Protiviti as a trusted partner for end-to-end digital transformation initiatives. In addition, Protiviti's Technology and Digital (T&D) practice delivers seamless digital, cloud transformation, ERP systems, Security and Privacy, technical consulting, and strategic advisory services. From conceptualization and deployment to ongoing post-implementation support, the T&D practice specializes in creating scalable, efficient, and future-ready digital ecosystems, enabling organizations to achieve sustainable growth and operational excellence. About Protiviti: Protiviti (www.protiviti.com) is a global consulting firm that delivers deep expertise, objective insights, a tailored approach and unparalleled collaboration to help leaders confidently face the future. Protiviti and its independent and locally owned member firms provide clients with consulting and managed solutions in finance, technology, operations, data, digital, legal, HR, risk and internal audit through a network of more than 90 offices in over 25 countries. Named in the 2024 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list for the past 10 years, Protiviti has served more than 80 percent of Fortune 100 and nearly 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies. The firm also works with government agencies and smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public. Protiviti is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half Inc. (NYSE: RHI). Founded in 1948, Robert Half is a member of the S&P 500 index. Media Contact: Sayan Chatterjee, +91-8802202285, sayan.chatterjee@protivitiglobal.in Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562870/Award_PROTIVITI.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)
The Department of Commerce has welcomed the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement to resume the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks between India and the UK in early 2025, an official release stated on Wednesday. Starmer made the announcement following a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil. "Subsequent to the meeting between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, we welcome the announcement by the UK to relaunch the India-UK Free Trade talks in the new year," the Department of Commerce statement read. The Commerce department added that India looks forward to closely working with the UK's negotiating team to address remaining issues to mutual satisfaction. It noted the importance of securing a balanced, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The release added that the dates for the free trade talks in early 2025 would be finalized through diplomatic channels at an early date. The FTA talks would resume the discussions from the progress achieved previously and seek to bridge the gaps for expeditiously closing the trade deal, it added. India's trade relationship with the United Kingdom continues to grow steadily, showcasing immense potential for deeper collaboration and strategic engagement. As per the latest data from April to September 2024, India's exports to the UK witnessed a robust growth of 12.38 percent, reaching USD 7.32 billion, compared to USD 6.51 billion during the same period in 2023. Mineral fuels, machinery, precious stones, pharmaceuticals, apparel, iron and steel, and chemicals lead India's export basket to the UK, contributing a 68.72 percent share of total exports. The United Kingdom is a priority country for the achievement of our ambitious USD 1 trillion export target by FY30, with our exports to the UK expected to reach USD 30 billion by 2029-30. There have been 13 rounds of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the UK; the 14th was pushed for, keeping in mind elections in both countries earlier this year. Negotiations started in 2022, and a substantial number of chapters have been discussed. Both countries are aiming to enhance bilateral trade, evident in the political will to close the deal. (ANI)
A recent report released by the China Society for Human Rights Studies has highlighted China's progress in protecting the human rights of all demographics and social groups.

The 2024 edition of the Annual Report on China's Human Rights outlines China's work to protect the human rights of the country's women, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups in 2023, including improvements in the accessible design of public spaces and the protection of minors in cyberspace.

It also analyzes the country's measures to protect the interests and rights of workers in emerging industries such as the food delivery and ride-hailing services, as well as its measures to protect the right of rural residents to participate in and supervise local infrastructure projects.

The China Society for Human Rights Studies was founded in 1993. It has released reports on China's human rights annually since 2011.
VMPL Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], November 20: Seneca Polytechnic, one of Canada's leading post-secondary institutions, marked a significant milestone in its international outreach during a distinguished Meet and Greet event held at ITC Rajputana, Jaipur, on November 15, 2024. The event, graced by President David Agnew, who has been at the helm since 2009, brought together prominent academicians, industry stakeholders, and recruitment partners from across India and Bhutan. President Agnew, a recipient of both the Queen's Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals for his exceptional community and public service, delivered a compelling address on the future of International Education in Canada. Under his transformative leadership, Seneca has significantly enhanced its global reputation, developed innovative programs, and made substantial investments in technology, teaching, and infrastructure. During his keynote presentation, "The Next for Seneca Polytechnic," President Agnew emphasized the institution's distinctive position as Ontario's first polytechnic. "We stand at the forefront of global building efforts, offering a unique blend of academic rigor and career-focused training," stated Agnew. "Our model represents the best of both college and university education, creating a three-pillar system alongside traditional universities and colleges." Renata D'Innocenzo, Seneca's Vice-President of Strategy and Brand, said "It was an honor to be in Jaipur to meet with our partners from India and beyond. Now, more than ever, it's essential for us to maintain these strong partnerships, working together to support students whether they want to study in their home country or in Canada, and exploring opportunities in executive training to strengthen the skills and experience of employees in a variety of industries" The well-attended evening began with a networking session at 6:00 PM, followed by President Agnew's address and a ceremonial presentation of appreciation plaques to key partners. The event concluded with a dinner reception that facilitated further dialogue and relationship building until. Seneca: Ontario's First Polytechnic As Ontario's premier polytechnic, Seneca was established in 1967 and boasts over 15,000 graduates annually. Seneca is uniquely positioned to offer students the best of college and university education. With a blend of academic rigor, career-focused training, and a global outlook, Seneca ensures students are ready to excel in a dynamic world. Prashant Srivastava, Director of Business Development at Seneca Polytechnic, highlighted the institution's impressive global reach, serving 45,000 full-time students across more than 300 programs, with a diverse community representing 150 nationalities. "We're excited about the growth and collaboration opportunities with diverse states of India and beyond," noted Srivastava. The presence of recruitment partners from Bhutan and Haryana demonstrated the institution's expanding influence in South Asia. Key highlights of Seneca's educational approach include: * 500 career options across state-of-the-art campuses * Comprehensive range of degree, diploma, and certificate programs * Leading position in post-secondary pathways * Integrated work experience and co-op opportunities * Strong industry partnerships and employer-respected credentials * Expert faculty delivering programs in emerging and applied fields Prior to his role at Seneca, President Agnew's distinguished career included positions as Secretary to the Cabinet in the Ontario Government, Principal Secretary to the Premier, President/CEO of UNICEF Canada, and Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments. He currently serves as Chair of the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) and is the Past Chair of Polytechnics Canada. The event served as a platform to strengthen Seneca's relationships in the region and showcase its commitment to preparing students for success in an ever-changing global environment. The institution's focus on practical, professional, and career-focused programming ensures a seamless transition from education to employment. Spotlight On South Asia Leadership The event also highlighted the critical role of Nagasarath Pandurangi, Seneca's International Business Development Manager for South Asia. Based in India, Pandurangi will spearhead efforts to strengthen partnerships across India, Bhutan, and beyond. His leadership is pivotal in aligning Seneca's educational offerings with the needs of South Asian students and industry stakeholders. "South Asia is a vital region for Seneca's global strategy," said Pandurangi. "We aim to empower students with transformative learning opportunities that prepare them for career success in an increasingly interconnected world." Building on Technological and Academic Innovation This event builds on Seneca's recent initiatives, such as the AI in Healthcare seminar in Delhi earlier this year, which emphasized AI's potential to revolutionize disease diagnosis, robotic surgery, and personalized medicine. Seneca's Generative AI (GenAI) Policy ensures responsible and ethical AI integration into its curriculum, reflecting its forward-looking approach. Additionally, new degree programs, such as a BSc in Cosmetic Science and a BSc in Computer Science with a focus on cybersecurity, highlight Seneca's commitment to innovation. These three-year programs, approved for immediate application, emphasize applied learning and practical experience to ensure graduate readiness for a dynamic job market. About Seneca Polytechnic: Seneca Polytechnic provides comprehensive education across the Greater Toronto Area in fields including animation and design, business, engineering technology, information technology, hospitality and tourism, and media and communications. The institution's credentials are highly respected by employers, with programs featuring co-op placements, applied research projects, entrepreneurial opportunities, and cutting-edge technology integration. Contact Seneca: theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca Media Contact: peeush@tenjikurama.com kushagra@tenjikurama.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Pune (Maharashtra) [India], November 20: In the Indian healthcare landscape, respiratory diseases continue to pose significant challenges, affecting people of all ages. These conditions, ranging from common colds to life-threatening lung disorders, demand specialised care and cutting-edge treatments. In response to this growing health concern, Jehangir Hospital, a renowned multispeciality hospital in Pune is transforming respiratory care through its advanced pulmonology department. By integrating state-of-the-art technology, innovative treatment protocols, and a patient-centric approach, the hospital aims to deliver comprehensive respiratory care that significantly improves patient outcomes. Dr. Mahendra Kawedia, Senior Pulmonologist and Head of the Pulmonology Unit at Jehangir Hospital says, "The growing prevalence of respiratory illnesses in India are stressing the urgent need for specialised care. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment, the core principle driving the comprehensive range of cutting-edge diagnostic services at our pulmonology department, and are carefully designed to address the intricate nature of respiratory conditions." Key Respiratory Diseases in India: * COPD is exacerbated by factors such as smoking, air pollution, biomass fuel exposure, and occupational hazards. * Characterised by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, asthma's prevalence in India has surged due to urbanisation, environmental pollution, and changing lifestyles. * With India bearing the highest burden of tuberculosis worldwide, efforts to control the disease are challenged by emerging drug-resistant strains. * A leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five and the elderly, pneumonia's prevalence is exacerbated by factors like malnutrition and inadequate healthcare access. * Incidence rates have risen in India due to increased tobacco use, environmental pollutants, and lifestyle changes, with lung cancer being a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Dr. Sanjay Bafna, Consultant Senior Paediatrician at Jehangir Hospital says, "It is essential to adopt a multidisciplinary approach in providing thorough care for children facing complex respiratory conditions. This strategy goes beyond just treating respiratory symptoms; it also focuses on addressing any underlying medical or developmental issues." Comprehensive Respiratory Services at Jehangir Hospital The pulmonology department at Jehangir Hospital provides a wide range of services that cater to various aspects of respiratory health. - Pulmonary Function Testing: The advanced PFT lab at Jehangir Hospital, outfitted with cutting-edge technology, meticulously assesses lung function with precision and accuracy. From spirometry to lung volume measurements and diffusion capacity testing, the expert respiratory therapists utilise the latest techniques to evaluate pulmonary function and diagnose conditions such as asthma, COPD, and restrictive lung diseases. - Imaging Services: Leveraging advanced imaging capabilities encompassing chest X-rays, computed tomography scans, and magnetic resonance imaging, the hospital provides detailed insights into the structure and function of the respiratory system. Whether detecting pulmonary nodules, evaluating airway abnormalities, or assessing the extent of lung disease, the radiology team delivers high-quality imaging solutions to support accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. - Bronchoscopy: Within the dedicated bronchoscopy suite at Jehangir Hospital, a range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are conducted to investigate and manage respiratory disorders. The hospital employs flexible and rigid bronchoscopy techniques and their skilled pulmonologists visualise the airways, obtain tissue samples for biopsy, remove foreign bodies, and perform interventions such as bronchial stenting and bronchial thermoplasty. - Nidra - Sleep Studies Clinic: Through the comprehensive sleep medicine program at Jehangir Hospital, polysomnography and home sleep apnea testing are conducted to evaluate sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and insomnia. Their multidisciplinary team of sleep specialists, respiratory therapists, and technologists collaboratively diagnose and manage sleep-related breathing disorders, thereby enhancing patients' quality of life and overall well-being. - EBUS: Endobronchial Ultrasound bronchoscopy is a procedure used at Jehangir Hospital to diagnose different types of lung disorders, including inflammation, infections or cancer. The EBUS scope has a video camera with an ultrasound probe attached to create local images of lungs and nearby lymph nodes in order to accurately locate and evaluate areas seen on x-rays or scans that need a closer look. Dr. Pankaj Jain, Consultant Pulmonologist at Jehangir Hospital, says, "The department utilises advanced diagnostic tools such as high-resolution CT scans, pulmonary function tests, bronchoscopy, and sleep studies to identify the underlying cause of respiratory problems. The department performs advanced procedures such as endobronchial ultrasound, rigid bronchoscopy, and pleural procedures not only enhance diagnostic accuracy but also provide effective treatment options with shorter recovery times." "Acknowledging the pressing necessity, Jehangir Hospital has assembled a team of seasoned pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, and support staff dedicated to delivering unmatched care in the realm of respiratory medicine. From diagnosis to treatment and beyond, the Pulmonology Department offers an extensive array of services tailored to address various respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and tuberculosis, among others. With a patient-centric ethos and an emphasis on cutting-edge treatments, the department endeavours to empower patients to breathe easier and live healthier lives," remarked Vinod Swantwadkar, CEO of Jehangir Hospital. The Advanced Pulmonology Department at Jehangir Hospital exemplifies the integration of advanced technology, skilled professionals, and patient-centric care in addressing respiratory health challenges. Through a multidisciplinary approach, innovative treatments, and community outreach, the department not only transforms respiratory care but also inspires hope, and improves patient outcomes in the field of pulmonology. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL New Delhi [India], November 20: Yves Saint Laurent Beauty is redefining luxury in India with the grand opening of its first two flagship boutiques located at Nexus Select Citywalk Mall in New Delhi & the Phoenix Mall of Asia in Bengaluru. Beauty addicts and fragrance lovers will be able to immerse themselves in an array of YSL Beauty's cult favorites like; All Hours Foundation, Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick & Libre fragrance, the latest viral innovations from the brand such as Loveshine Lipstick & MYSLF and exclusive collections and limited-edition products, bringing a unique offering to customers unavailable anywhere else in India. The boutiques offer a chic & immersive experience for customers, designed to reflect the brand's bold and edgy aesthetics. Its gold accents & sleek marble interiors, create a bright eye-catching environment, the center of the store with its black flooring reminiscent of a catwalk, put Makeup as the first touchpoint, attracting with color & product profusion. Each element in the store is intentionally designed to enhance the customer journey. The 35 & 49 sqm spaces allows customers an elevated experience to explore a curated selection of YSL Beauty's most iconic products with the guidance of passionate & highly trained in-house experts & Makeup Artists while being the first destination in India to launch the YSL 'Look Sur Mesure' makeup services - A tailor-made couture consultation where customers can discover YSL's signature edge with bold lips, captivating eyes and/or sculptural face. With a year-round calendar of stylish events, attendees can learn about the latest trends and techniques, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the artistry & expertise of YSL Beauty. In addition, the YSL Beauty boutiques in India offer an exceptional gifting experience. A dedicated 'Make it Yours' area provides customers the ability to personalize their makeup & fragrance products with engraving and couture gift wrapping options to build a bespoke gift with the signature YSL edgy luxury. In keeping with YSL Beauty's commitment to sustainability, the boutique incorporates eco-conscious materials and energy-efficient lighting, reflecting the brand's dedication to reducing its environmental footprint. Instore customers can purchase refills of the bestselling fragrances such as Libre & MYSLF allowing customers to hold on to their bottles like a forever accessory while reducing glass, metal & plastic usage every time they purchase a refill. Shreshta Jana, General Manager of L'Oreal Luxe India, says, "Opening YSL Beauty Exclusive Boutiques in Delhi and Bengaluru marks an exciting new chapter for us in India. These cities are influential, and we are thrilled to offer YSL Beauty's innovative products, expert services and luxurious experiences to our Indian consumers. YSL Beauty represents more than just beauty; it embodies confidence, boldness, and making a statement. We are proud to create a space where our customers can express themselves with boldness and style." Since its inception, YSL Beauty has been synonymous with boundary-pushing innovation and unparalleled luxury. Guided by the iconic vision of M. Saint Laurent, the brand has consistently redefined beauty standards, empowering individuals to express themselves freely and fearlessly. As Yves Saint Laurent Beauty expands its presence in India, it remains committed to enhancing beauty through sophistication and innovation with its mission to create daring beauty that dresses change. Each exclusive boutique is a testament to our dedication to push the boundaries of style and inspire our customers. (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)
Mukesh Ambani, his sons Anant Ambani and Akash Ambani, Akash's wife Shloka Mehta, exercised their franchise on Wednesday at a Mumbai polling booth. The Reliance Industries family members cast their votes at around 3.30 pm. After casting their votes for the Maharashtra assembly polls, the Ambanis showed their indelible ink-smeared fingers in front of the media, outside the pooling booth. As per latest data, Maharashtra recorded a sluggish voter turnout of 45.53 per cent in the single-phase assembly elections, as of 3 pm. Today, polls for the second and last phase of Jharkhand polls are also underway. Jharkhand recorded a turnout of 61.47 per cent till 3 pm. Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single phase on 288 seats of the Maharashtra assembly elections and the second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, covering the remaining 38 seats. The results for Maharashtra and Jharkhand will be announced on November 23. Earlier, Anand Mahindra also cast his vote and posted his inked finger picture on X saying, "Our greatest personal wealth is our right to vote in the world's largest democracy". Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das along with his wife cast their vote at the Activity School polling centre in the Malabar Hill assembly constituency and commended the arrangements at the polling station, lauding the Election Commission for its efficient planning. "The arrangements (at the polling station) were very good. I congratulate the Election Commission. The elections are being held in the middle of the week, so everyone is expecting a high voter turnout," Das said after casting his vote. The single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections commenced at 7 a.m. today across 288 constituencies, with voting set to conclude at 6 p.m. The elections have attracted 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, vying for seats in the politically significant state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting 149 seats, while its alliance partners, Shiv Sena and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), are fighting for 81 and 59 seats, respectively. On the other side, the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), is aiming to regain political ground. (ANI)
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 20: The Russia-India Business Forum, held in Mumbai on November 11, 2024, with support from the Roscongress Foundation, brought together business and industry leaders from both countries. The forum focused on strategies to enhance trade between Russia and India and foster cooperation in key sectors, including the development of Russia's Far East, smart city technologies, industry, IT, finance, and participation in various business forums and conferences. Representatives from government agencies, business associations, and businesses of large and medium sizes attended, aiming to devise collaborative solutions that would improve the business environment and ensure optimal conditions for operations. The forum, organised by the Moscow Government and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), set a central goal of achieving $100 billion in trade turnover between the two countries by 2030. During the plenary session, External Affairs Minister of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, noted that trade between the two countries has already reached $66 billion, making the $100 billion target more than achievable. However, adjustments are needed to balance trade between the countries. First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov confirmed that the structure of Russia-India trade needs to be diversified to increase the share of non-commodity, high-tech products. Minister of the Government of Moscow, Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow Sergey Cheremin, stated that Russia is open to cooperation across all sectors to address this challenge and further increase trade turnover. Another significant step in advancing bilateral cooperation is encouraging Indian businesses to participate in Russia's largest economic events, such as the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), and other forums organized by the Roscongress Foundation. For instance, during the 27th SPIEF, three agreements worth 14.6 billion rubles were signed with Indian companies, not including deals under commercial confidentiality. At the session titled "Trends in the Manufacturing Sector, IT, Smart and Safe City Technologies," Alexey Valkov, Deputy Director of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, spoke in detail about opportunities for cooperation with Russian partners through the Roscongress project ecosystem. A dedicated meeting was also held for Indian business representatives, where the Roscongress Foundation's ecosystem was thoroughly presented, alongside events that help foreign companies enter the Russian market. These included the Eastern Economic Forum, the Russian Tourism Forum "Let's Travel!", Russian Energy Week, and the importance of SPIEF in strengthening business relations. The meeting attracted representatives from various sectors, including timber, automotive, oil refining, metallurgy, and asset management. Discussions centred on forum participation, event organization, and the signing of agreements. Additionally, during the forum, an agreement was signed between the Roscongress Foundation and the Indian Chamber of Commerce. The signed document outlined bilateral agreements on the development of effective communication between expert communities, business, and political circles in Russia and India. The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will take place from June 18 to 21, 2025. Official event website: forumspb.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 20: GleeVoaz Group, an innovator in incubating and advancing disruptive early-stage startups in the technology products & platforms and SAVIC Inc., a global leader in the SAP and ERP solutions, have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate digital transformation for enterprises worldwide. This collaboration will enable both companies to bring cutting-edge automation, SAP S/4HANA, and ERP solutions to organizations aiming to achieve operational data driven excellence and agility in a digital-first world. Founded by industry veteran Dr. Bimal Sachdeva, GleeVoaz has been a key player in transforming industries through disruptive technology, products and solutions for over 30 years. Through GleeVoaz Consulting and GleeVoaz Angel Fund, the company provides expertise and investment to early-stage tech startups across India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other APAC regions. Further, as an Exclusive Master Partner and Distributor for TimeXtender, GleeVoaz helps speed up data discovery to drive data automation and modern data management, add compound revenue to the bottom line, and empower data transformation oriented solutions by going beyond data warehousing to deliver impactful data and Ai led solutions by utilizing TimeXtender's holistic data suite. GleeVoaz and SAVIC will leverage their combined strengths to enhance clients' digital transformation journeys in joining forces. SAVIC Inc., with its extensive expertise in SAP S/4HANA implementation, ERP services, and digital transformation strategies, brings a robust foundation to the partnership. "Partnering with GleeVoaz marks a critical milestone in our mission to facilitate seamless digital transformations. By integrating GleeVoaz's advanced and modern data automation tools with our SAP expertise, we're poised to provide unparalleled value, helping clients prepare for the future of business" said Senthil Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director of SAVIC Inc. Key Benefits of the Partnership Include: * Integrating GleeVoaz's advanced automation tools with SAVIC's SAP and ERP expertise.* Customized SAP S/4HANA and ERP implementation services to meet specific client requirements.* Accelerated digital transformation with a focus on agility, efficiency, and scalability.* Commitment to superior customer experience and transformative results for clients. "This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to drive innovation in digital and data transformation. By working with SAVIC, we expand our data-focused capabilities and empower SAVIC's clients to leverage data more effectively through agile management solutions," said Dr. Bimal Sachdeva, Managing Director of GleeVoaz Group. Together, GleeVoaz and SAVIC are set to transform the digital enterprise landscape and establish themselves as leaders in delivering impactful, innovative technology, unified data management solutions. About GleeVoaz Group: GleeVoaz is a leader in enterprise automation solutions, offering innovative technology to optimize business processes, enhance productivity, and accelerate digital transformation. With a client-focused approach, GleeVoaz empowers businesses to achieve sustainable growth through streamlined operations. About SAVIC Inc.: SAVIC Inc. is a global ERP consulting firm specializing in SAP S/4HANA and digital transformation services. With a deep commitment to innovation, SAVIC helps businesses unlock their potential by offering tailored solutions that meet their unique needs. Media Contacts Mahesh K. Email: mahesh@savictech.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
ATK New Delhi [India], November 20: A demat account serves as a fundamental tool for those looking to participate in the stock market. As an essential component of modern trading, understanding what a demat account is and the benefits it offers can significantly enhance your investment experience. This article delves into the intricacies of demat accounts, highlighting their importance and the advantages they bring to investors like you. Understanding the concept of a demat account A demat account, short for dematerialized account, is an electronic repository that holds your securities in digital form, eliminating the need for physical share certificates. This transformation from physical to digital has streamlined trading processes, offering a more efficient and secure way to manage investments. By holding shares and other securities electronically, a demat account facilitates easy access to and management of your investment portfolio. The introduction of demat accounts revolutionized the securities market, reducing the risk of theft, loss, and damage associated with physical certificates. Moreover, it has simplified the transfer and monitoring of securities, making it an indispensable tool for investors in today's digital age. How to open a demat account? Opening a demat account is a straightforward process that can be completed through various financial institutions and brokerage firms. To open demat account, you typically need to provide identification and address proofs, along with other necessary documentation. Many financial service providers now offer online account opening facilities, further simplifying the process. Once the application is submitted, the verification process takes place, and upon approval, the account is activated. You can then link your demat account to a trading account, enabling seamless transactions and monitoring of your investments in the stock market. Benefits of a demat account * Safety and security One of the primary benefits of a demat account is the enhanced safety and security it offers. By holding securities electronically, the risk of physical damage, theft, or loss of share certificates is eliminated. This ensures that your investments are protected and easily accessible whenever needed. * Convenience and ease of use A demat account provides unparalleled convenience, allowing you to manage your securities with ease. Transactions can be executed quickly and efficiently, and you can monitor your portfolio in real time. Additionally, corporate actions such as dividends, stock splits, and bonus issues are automatically updated in the demat account, reducing paperwork and administrative burdens. * Reduced transaction costs The digital nature of demat accounts significantly reduces transaction costs compared to physical trading. With no need for stamp duties on share certificates and reduced paperwork, you as an investor can enjoy cost-effective trading. This reduction in costs is particularly beneficial for those engaging in frequent transactions, as it directly impacts overall investment returns. * Facilitated loan processes With a demat account, you can leverage your securities to obtain loans from financial institutions. By pledging your securities as collateral, you can access funds without having to liquidate your investments. This feature provides flexibility and financial support, enabling you to meet your liquidity needs while maintaining your investment portfolio. * Streamlined portfolio management A demat account offers a centralized platform for managing a diverse range of securities, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This consolidation allows investors like you to have a comprehensive view of their portfolio, making it easier to track and analyze performance. The ability to manage multiple securities from a single account simplifies investment strategies and enhances decision-making. * Efficient settlement process The settlement of trades in a demat account is swift and efficient, typically completed within two working days. This reduces the time lag between buying and selling securities, allowing you to capitalize on market opportunities promptly. The quick settlement process also contributes to better liquidity management, ensuring funds are available for reinvestment or withdrawal as needed. Interlinking with the stock market A demat account is an integral part of engaging with the stock market. By linking a trading account to your demat account, you can seamlessly buy and sell securities. The demat account acts as a repository, holding the securities you purchase, while the trading account facilitates transactions. You can access various online platforms that provide comprehensive tools and resources to enhance your trading experience. These platforms offer analytical tools, market insights, and real-time data, enabling you to make informed decisions and optimize your strategies in the stock market. The role of technology in demat accounts Technology has played a pivotal role in the evolution of demat accounts, enhancing their functionality and accessibility. Mobile applications and online platforms have made it possible for investors to manage their accounts from anywhere at any time. This technological integration has democratized access to the stock market, allowing a wider audience to participate and benefit from investment opportunities. Furthermore, advancements in technology have led to more robust security measures, protecting investors' data and ensuring the integrity of their transactions. These technological innovations continue to shape the future of demat accounts, offering new features and capabilities to meet the evolving needs of investors. Conclusion A demat account is an indispensable tool for you as an investor seeking to participate in the stock market. Its numerous benefits, including enhanced security, convenience, and cost-effectiveness, make it a valuable asset for managing and growing an investment portfolio. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL New Delhi [India], November 20: IPN FORUM - India's Largest KNOWLEDGE NETWORK of School leaders with over 15,000 schools now part of the FORUM/Community in association with its valued partner Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, established in 2003, is a multi-campus, multidisciplinary research university in India, Recognized as an Institution of Eminence by the Government of India, it ranks among the country's top private universities, known for its emphasis on values-based education, cutting-edge research, and global collaborations. With campuses in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Haryana Amrita offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines. The university excels in areas like engineering, medical sciences, biotechnology, and social sciences, focusing on sustainable development, societal impact, and student-led innovation. The theme for this Year's Honour ceremony is Future of Schooling - Embracing Technology, Innovation & Values. Where 100 leaders from across India will be present during the Honour ceremony which will host deliberations across 02 major centres of the country Hyderabad and in Delhi(NCR) Speaking on the idea behind the annual IPN Honours Mr. Gaurava Yadav, Founder & Chairman, IPN FOUNDATION, said School education across the globe is undergoing massive transformation, and Indian School leaders are taking the world centre stage through their remarkable work and innovations. IPN and our valued partner in Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham aim to honour and encourage 100 such remarkable leaders working every year coming from across our country, who are enabling our future generations with the best values and skills. Sharing his views Shri Maheshwara Chaitanya, Director Admissions, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, emphasized the institution's commitment to nurturing future-ready education through innovation, technology, and values. He stated, "Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham's vision, inspired by the teachings of our Chancellor, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, is to blend academic excellence with values-based education. This collaboration with IPN resonates with our mission to advance learning environments that not only prioritize cutting-edge technological adoption but also deeply embed ethics and sustainability." He further elaborated, "In line with our aim to build a global community rooted in cultural values and social responsibility, honoring school leaders who are trailblazing transformative change aligns perfectly with our objectives. These educators are shaping the foundation of tomorrow's society, and it is our privilege to support and celebrate their contributions. Together, we seek to empower individuals who contribute positively to the nation and the world at large." This reflects Amrita's broader mission of fostering holistic development through research, societal impact, and partnerships that focus on sustainable development and education for life . About IPN FORUM(www.ipnfoundation.org) Established in the Year 2016, IPN works closely with over 15,000 schools in India and the South East Region. IPN works with schools by supporting them with best-in-class training and overall development needs in the fast-changing landscape of education globally. IPN acts as common ground for sharing ideas and best practices across the region and among its members who are part of the community/forum. IPN's work is broadly based on three core pillars: Leadership development, Teacher Upskilling, and Technology enablement and 04th one being added as Student Entrepreneurship. About AMRITA VISHWA VIDYAPEETHAM Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, recognized as an Institution of Eminence by the Government of India, is a globally respected, multi-disciplinary university. With its ethos rooted in the vision of its Chancellor, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, the university seeks to integrate academic excellence with spiritual and cultural values. Guided by the mission to provide education for life and living, Amrita emphasizes societal benefit, sustainability, and compassionate leadership. Its programs, spanning disciplines such as engineering, medical sciences, social sciences, and biotechnology, focus on innovative research, global collaboration, and student-driven solutions to address real-world challenges . Guided by a vision to foster holistic development, the university is committed to delivering cutting-edge research and nurturing socially responsible individuals. In the last two years, Amrita has made remarkable strides on the global stage. It ranked first among Indian universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024, excelling in key areas such as SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), where it ranks eighth globally, and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), ranking 15th. The university has also been inducted into Stanford University's prestigious SPARK Global Program, underscoring its leadership in innovation and research . Further bolstering its global presence, Amrita has secured over 100 patents and launched collaborative projects with leading institutions worldwide, including 290 funded research initiatives. The university's social impact projects, such as the Jivamritam initiative providing clean drinking water to rural areas and the Women Empowerment programs, exemplify its commitment to societal betterment. These efforts align with its mission to provide education that harmonizes professional excellence with compassion-driven social impact. References: https://amma.org/news/global-recognition-for-a-noble-vision-amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham/ https://www.amrita.edu/news/times-higher-education-impact-rankings-2024-amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham-tops-indian-universities/ https://www.amrita.edu/news/amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham-1st-indian-institution-inducted-into-stanford-school-of-medicines-prestigious-spark-global/ Neha Tewari PR Team IPN FORUM Ph. No. - 8090821074 Email id - team@ipnindia.in/neha.tewari@eduace.in www.ipnfoundation.org (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)
Bollywood couple Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia arrived at a polling booth in Latur to cast their votes in the Maharashtra Assembly elections on Wednesday. Speaking to ANI after casting his vote, Riteish expressed confidence in the victory of his brothers and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. "Maha Vikas Aghadi is going to form its government in Maharashtra...Both my brothers are going to win," the actor said. The actor also addressed the media outside the polling station and urged "first-time" voters to come out in large numbers and vote. "Today is a very important day; it comes once every five years. Today, you choose those who will represent you in the assembly. I urge all voters, especially first-time voters, to come out in large numbers and vote. Also, take your elderly parents and grandparents to the polling booth," he said. Genelia also spoke to ANI after casting her vote. "Everyone has the right to cast their votes. People should come out and practice their right. It is an important day today, you can make a big difference," the actress said. Amit Deshmukh, the oldest son of former chief minster Vilasrao Deshmukh, is running for election for the fourth time. The three-term Congress MLA is facing BJP candidate Archana Patil Chakurkar, daughter-in-law of Shivraj Patil Chakurkar, former union home minister in Latur City. In Latur Rural constituency, Amit's younger brother and sitting MLA Dhiraj Deshmukh, is pitted against BJP's member of legislative council Ramesh Karad. Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls. Mumbai Police has deployed over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards. More than 2,000 police officers and over 25,000 police personnel are on duty to maintain law and order during the elections. The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). (ANI)
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 commenced on Wednesday morning, with polling beginning at 7 am and set to conclude at 6 pm. This election, taking place across 288 constituencies, has seen an overwhelming number of candidates vying for a seat, with 4,136 individuals contesting, including 2,086 independents. Several celebrities from the film fraternity, including actors Sonu Sood, Akshay Kumar, Rajkummar Rao, Gautami Kapoor, and Ali Fazal, cast their votes early in the day and urged citizens to participate in this crucial democratic process. Actor Sonu Sood interacted with the media, emphasizing the importance of voting as a civic duty. "Vote, it's very important for the country. It's the responsibility of every citizen to go and vote. Don't make it a holiday, just go and vote," he said. Similarly, actor Gautami Kapoor shared her thoughts after voting, telling ANI, "I feel great. I think casting a vote is amazing. You feel liberated, and I think it is very important for every citizen to vote because every vote makes a huge difference. So, please vote... It's very important, we can change the country." Ali Fazal, another actor who cast his vote early on, also showed his inked finger, symbolizing his participation in the democratic process. Filmmaker Kabir Khan, Zoya Akhtar and actor Farhan Khan also cast their vote for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. This year's elections are being closely watched as Maharashtra is home to a diverse political landscape. With 4,136 candidates in the running, including 2,086 independents, voters face a wide array of choices. Major political parties like the BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP have fielded candidates, while the BSP and other smaller parties are also contending for seats. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) has 95 candidates in the race, and the Sharad Pawar faction of NCP is contesting 86 seats. The state has a registered voter base of approximately 9.7 crore, making voter turnout a key factor in determining the results. In light of the high-profile elections, elaborate security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of voters and the smooth conduct of the polls. Mumbai Police, in particular, has mobilized over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards, to maintain law and order. The Brihanmumbai Police Commissionerate confirmed that more than 2,000 police officers and additional personnel are on duty during the elections to safeguard the process. The battle for power in Maharashtra remains fiercely contested, with shifting alliances and complex political dynamics at play. The primary contest is between the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition consists of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, while Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44 seats. In the 2014 elections, the BJP had a stronger showing with 122 seats, while Shiv Sena claimed 63, and Congress secured 42. (ANI)
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Chinese President Xi Jinping extends congratulations via video to the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, which opened in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Nov. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping extended congratulations via video to the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, which opened in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Wednesday.

Noting that a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation is rapidly advancing, Xi urged efforts to embrace the digital, internet-based and smart development trends.

He called for accelerating innovative, safe and inclusive growth in cyberspace, and jointly striving for a brighter "digital future."

China is willing to work with countries around the world to take historical initiative in information revolution, and jointly build a community with a shared future in cyberspace, to make the internet better benefit the people and the world, Xi said.
The actor kept his look simple, as he wore a white shirt paired with blue jeans. Kartik posed for the paparazzi, while showing his inked finger after casting his vote.

While speaking to the media, the 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' actor encouraged citizens to exercise their right to vote.

He said, "Hum sab ka farz banta hain vote karna toh ap sab jaeye aur vote kare" (It is our duty to vote, so everyone should go and cast their vote).

Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 6.61 per cent till 9 am on Wednesday in the single-phase assembly elections that began earlier this morning.

As per the polling body's data in Maharashtra, the naxal-hit district Gadchiroli recorded the highest voter turnout of 12.33 per cent, while the district of Osmanabad recorded the lowest voter turnout of 4.85 per cent till 9 am.

Mumbai city recorded a voter turnout of 6.25 per cent, Mumbai Suburban 7.88 per cent, Nagpur 6.86 per cent, Thane 6.66 per cent, Aurangabad 7.05 per cent, Pune 5.53 per cent, Nashik 6.89 per cent, Jalgaon 5.85 per cent, Satara 5.14 per cent, Kolhapur 7.38 per cent, Dhule 6.79 per cent, Palghar 7.30 per cent, Nanded 5.42 per cent, Ratnagiri 9.30 per cent and Latur 5.91 per cent.

A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86.

The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters. Maharashtra witnessed a high-decibel campaign ahead of the elections for its 288 assembly seats.

The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).

In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)
Film director Ashok Pandit arrived at a polling booth to cast his vote in the Maharashtra Assembly elections on Wednesday. Pandit while speaking to ANI, shared his thoughts on the importance of vote. "I think this should become a compulsion that voting is necessary. Only then things will change in this country of ours. Otherwise, the people will take it very lightly, saying that one vote doesn't matter. But that one vote matters a lot for the development of the greatness of the country," said the filmmaker. Among the many celebs who arrived early to cast their votes were Akshay Kumar, RajKummar Rao and Kabir Khan. Meanwhile, Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 6.61 per cent till 9 am on Wednesday in the single-phase assembly elections that began earlier this morning. As per the polling body's data in Maharashtra, the naxal-hit district Gadchiroli recorded the highest voter turnout of 12.33 per cent, while the district of Osmanabad recorded the lowest voter turnout of 4.85 per cent till 9 am. Mumbai city recorded a voter turnout of 6.25 per cent, Mumbai Suburban 7.88 per cent, Nagpur 6.86 per cent, Thane 6.66 per cent, Aurangabad 7.05 per cent, Pune 5.53 per cent, Nashik 6.89 per cent, Jalgaon 5.85 per cent, Satara 5.14 per cent, Kolhapur 7.38 per cent, Dhule 6.79 per cent, Palghar 7.30 per cent, Nanded 5.42 per cent, Ratnagiri 9.30 per cent and Latur 5.91 per cent. A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters. Maharashtra witnessed a high-decibel campaign ahead of the elections for its 288 assembly seats. The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)
Several prominent figures from the film industry turned out to vote early on Wednesday moring in Maharashtra's Assembly elections for which polling started at 7 am. The celebrities took the opportunity to not only cast their ballots but also encourage fellow citizens to exercise their democratic rights. More than 4,000 candidates, including a significant number of independents are battling it out across 288 constituencies for a place in the State legislative Assembly legislature. Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai, after excersicing his franchise urged the public to take part in the process, emphasizing the importance of voting in shaping the future of Maharashtra. Speaking to mediapersons, Ghai said, "Voting is our right as well as duty. Do cast your vote...I will vote for those who will work for the development of Maharashtra as well as the welfare of the children here." Sunita Ahuja, wife of actor and Shiv Sena leader Govinda also said, "I want all people to come out and vote... whoever comes (to power) should do good and serve the people." Other celebrities including Anupam Kher, Nikita Dutta, Reena Dutta (former spouse of actor Aamir Khan), Shubha Khote, and Sharvari Wagh, also participated in the democratic process. Anupam Kher Nikita Dutta Shubha Khote with daughter Bhavana Balsavar Sharvari Wagh Reena Dutta Bollywood actors Sonu Sood, Akshay Kumar, Rajkummar Rao, Ritesh Deshmukh, Genelia, Farhan Akhtar and Ali Fazal were among the many well-known personalities who cast their votes early in the day. Many of them used social media to urge voters, particularly the youth, to not miss the opportunity to vote and engage in the state's political process. Menawhile there was heightened security measures put across the state. The Mumbai Police have deployed over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards, to ensure a smooth and secure voting experience. Specific areas like Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and Dharavi have seen increased vehicle checks and surveillance, further bolstering security in the city. Voting is taking place at a total of 10,117 polling stations in Mumbai. Of these, 2,538 are in the Mumbai City District and 7,579 are in the Mumbai Suburban District. The political battle for Maharashtra's future is set to be a fierce one, with both the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance locking horns in what is expected to be a closely contested election. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, while its allies, Shiv Sena and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), are in the fray for 81 and 59 seats, respectively. On the other side, the MVA alliance, which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), is fighting to regain control of the state. Polling stations remaining open until 6 pm. (ANI)
Veteran actor Anupam Kher who cast his vote, in the single phase elections of the Maharashtra Assembly, on Wednesday sought to impress upon people about the "cool" factor of exercising their franchise. After he casting his vote at a polling booth here, Kher said, "Everything is very well organised... The officials are very nice to everyone... There is no bigger celebration in an independent country than elections. The common man keeps in mind his daily needs before he casts his vote..." "If someone does not vote today, they have the right to raise complaints over the next five years... Voting is cool. Be cool," he added. The polling, which began at 7 am across 288 constituencies, is expected to conclude by 6 pm. Other celebs from the film fraternity who came out to vote today included Subhash Ghai, Nikita Dutta, Reena Dutta (Aamir Khan's former spouse), Shubha Khote, Akshay Kumar, and Sharvari Wagh among others. The election has attracted around 4,136 candidates, with more than 2,086 independents competing for seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Among the major political parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting 149 seats, while its allies, Shiv Sena and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), are vying for 81 and 59 seats, respectively. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, led by the Congress and including Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), is looking to make a strong comeback after the 2019 elections. Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure peaceful voting. The city police have deployed more than 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams, home guards, and additional units in sensitive areas such as Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and Dharavi, where vehicle checks have been intensified to maintain law and order. Early in the day, several Bollywood celebrities including Sonu Sood, Rajkummar Rao, Ritesh Deshmukh, Genelia, and Ali Fazal were seen heading to polling stations, sharing their support for the democratic process and urging the citizens of Maharashtra to vote. The elections, with an unprecedented number of candidates, are a closely watched political battle. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which includes the Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), is facing off against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), an alliance of the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). (ANI)
Veteran actor Prem Chopra cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai on Wednesday, praising the arrangements made by the authorities for the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly elections. Despite having the option to vote from home, Chopra chose to vote in person. After casting his vote, he said, "The arrangements at the polling booth are very nice... Even though I had the option of voting from home, I still came here to cast my vote like everyone else." Meanwhile, Salim Khan and Salma Khan, the parents of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, were also seen casting their votes in the city amidst tight security. Salman's brother, Sohail Khan, also participated in the electoral process. After voting, Sohail shared his thoughts with the media. The youngest of the Khan brother trio said, "I am a Bandra boy... whoever gets selected, I wish he loves Bandra as we all Bandrahites love Bandra... We hope a good politician comes. It's a responsibility to vote, and I request everyone to come and vote." The Bollywood fraternity's participation didn't stop there, with renowned filmmakers and actors such as Subhash Ghai, Rakesh Roshan, Raveena Tandon, and Akshay Kumar also casting their votes. Other celebrities, including Sonu Sood, Rajkummar Rao, Ritesh Deshmukh, Genelia, and Ali Fazal, voted early and urged citizens to actively participate in the election. The Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 saw a significant turnout from Bollywood stars, with prominent figures like Prem Chopra, Anupam Kher, Sohail Khan, and Salman Khan's parents exercising their democratic rights. The single-phase elections began at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm across 288 constituencies. A total of 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, are contesting for seats in the state's legislative assembly. The key players in the race are the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), contesting 149 seats along with its allies Shiv Sena and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which includes Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). To ensure a smooth and peaceful voting process, more than 25,000 police personnel have been deployed across Mumbai and other parts of the state, including riot-control teams and home guards. High-traffic areas like Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and Dharavi are seeing heightened vehicle checks as authorities remain vigilant to prevent any untoward incidents. The Maharashtra elections are proving to be a fiercely contested affair, with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance facing off against the MVA. (ANI)
Actor-politician Hema Malini and her daughter, actress Esha Deol, were seen at the Jamnabai International School polling booth in Mumbai, where they cast their votes for the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Hema Malini while addressing the media, encouraged voters to step out and fulfil their civic duty. She said, "I have come here to cast my vote. I request all citizens to come out and vote. It is your duty to vote for the future of the country." Isha added, "I am here today obviously to vote and I think its important for everyone to step out. Everyones polling booths are close to their homes. So you just need to take that little time you know instead of sitting later and trying to cry about it." Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan also cast his vote at the same polling station. Voting for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections began at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. Ahead of the elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to vote via his official account on social media platform X. "Today, votes will be cast for all the seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. I urge the voters of the state to participate with full enthusiasm and add to the splendour of this festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to come out in large numbers to vote," PM Modi posted on X. The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)
As Maharashtra kicked off its much-anticipated state elections today, numerous prominent figures from the film industry stepped out to exercise their democratic rights. Actor Tusshar Kapoor also cast his ballot at a polling booth in Mumbai, emphasizing the importance of participating in the elections. "Many people don't vote because they have no interest in politics. But we should feel proud of our city and our country and we should never give up on democracy. This is the least we can do... Every vote matters," Kapoor remarked after casting his ballot. Veteran actor Prem Chopra and actress Isha Koppikar also joined the voting exercise. Chopra, who expressed satisfaction with the smooth arrangements at his polling station, said, "The arrangements at the polling booth are very nice... Even though I had the option of voting from home, I still came here to cast my vote like everyone else." Isha Koppikar, who voted alongside her fellow celebrities, underlined the responsibility of parents to educate their children about the significance of voting. "It's the responsibility of the parents to make their children aware of the importance of voting. Even though my child has a long time before she votes, I make sure to tell her of her rights as a citizen of the country," Koppikar shared. Sanjay Dutt's sister, former Member of the Lok Sabha Priya Dutt, also participated in the voting process, casting her ballot in the afternoon. Similarly, Bollywood stalwarts like Salman Khan's parents, Salim and Salma Khan, ventured out to vote amid tight security measures. Salman's brother and actor Sohail Khan, speaking after casting his vote, expressed his hopes for the future of Bandra. "I am a Bandra boy... whoever gets elected, I wish he loves Bandra as we all Bandrahites love Bandra. We hope a good politician comes. It's a responsibility to vote and I request everyone to come and vote," he stated. In addition to these luminaries, many others including Subhash Ghai, Nikita Dutta, and Aamir Khan's former spouse Reena Dutta, among others, also exercised their right to vote. Early in the day, other stars such as Sonu Sood, Akshay Kumar, Rajkummar Rao, and Genelia Deshmukh participated in the voting, encouraging citizens to take part in this important civic duty. The state of Maharashtra opened polling at 7 am for its single-phase elections across 288 constituencies. Voting will conclude at 6 pm today, with over 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, vying for seats in this politically pivotal state. The two primary political alliances in the state are the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which includes Shiv Sena and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). The high-stakes election has seen intense campaigning from both sides. To ensure the safety and security of the voting process, Mumbai has been fortified with extensive security measures. Over 25,000 police personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards, have been deployed throughout the city. Certain areas, like Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and Dharavi, have experienced heightened vehicle checks. (ANI)
Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit arrived at a polling booth in Mumbai to cast her vote.

Popular lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar was also spotted arriving at a polling booth in Mumbai to cast his vote.

Ananya Panday along with her father Chunky Panday was also seen at a polling booth as they arrived to cast their votes.

Veteran actor Ranjeet also cast his vote.

Maharashtra recorded a sluggish voter turnout of 45.53 per cent in the single-phase assembly elections while a turnout of 61.47 per cent was registered in the second phase of assembly polls in Jharkhand as of 3 pm.

Naxal-hit Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra recorded the highest voter turnout of 62.99 per cent, while Thane district recorded the lowest voter turnout of 38.94 per cent and Mumbai city recorded 39.34 per cent till 3 pm. .

As per Election Commission data, Mumbai Suburban recorded a voter turnout of 40.89 per cent, Nagpur 44.45 per cent, Aurangabad 47.05 per cent, Pune 41.70 per cent, Nashik 46.86 per cent, Satara 49.82 per cent, Dhule 47.62 per cent, Palghar 46.82 per cent, Ratnagiri 50.04 per cent, Nanded 42.87 per cent and Latur 48.34 per cent.

Voting for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections began at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. The votes will be counted on November 23. (ANI)
Visuals from the Dharavi area, the early morning show security arrangements.

The voting will begin at 7 am and will end at 6 pm.

This election marks a significant moment in Maharashtra's political landscape, being the first assembly polls after the split in Shiv Sena and NCP. The contest has intensified, with the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) locking horns across constituencies.

Key leaders in the fray include Chief Minister Eknath Shinde from Kopri-Pachpakhadi, where he faces Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Kedar Prakash Dighe. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is contesting from his stronghold, Nagpur South West, against Congress' Prafulla Gudadhe.

Meanwhile, NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is vying to retain Baramati, a traditional stronghold of the Pawar family, against Yungendra Pawar of NCP (SP). In Mumbai, Aditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) is seeking re-election from Worli in a Sena vs Sena contest against Shiv Sena's Milind Deora. Similarly, Amit Thackeray of MNS faces a triangular battle in Mahim against Shiv Sena's Sada Sarvankar and Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Mahesh Sawant.

Polling across 288 assembly seats in the state will be watched closely, with several constituencies throwing up intriguing battles. Voter turnout remains a critical focus, with both the Election Commission and local initiatives urging citizens to exercise their franchise. (ANI)
With polling set to begin at 7 AM, authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a seamless election day experience.

Mock polls were successfully conducted in key locations including Amravati, Baramati, Colaba, Gondia, and Nagpur to test the efficiency of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the overall voting process.

Visual from Amravati booth no -175, Harikisan maloo school.

Visual from Baramati booth no- 101, Saval.

Visual from Colaba booth.

Visual from Gondia booth 286, NMD College.

Visual from Nagpur from polling center.

Election officials have been working around the clock to finalise preparations, while security arrangements have been tightened across polling booths to ensure a peaceful and orderly voting experience for all citizens.

Polling across 288 assembly seats in the state will be watched closely, with several constituencies throwing up intriguing battles.

Voter turnout remains a critical focus, with both the Election Commission and local initiatives urging citizens to exercise their franchise.

Key leaders in the fray include Chief Minister Eknath Shinde from Kopri- Pachpakhadi, where he faces Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Kedar Prakash Dighe.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is contesting from his stronghold, Nagpur South West, against Congress' Prafulla Gudadhe.

Meanwhile, NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is vying to retain Baramati, a traditional stronghold of the Pawar family, against Yungendra Pawar of NCP (SP). (ANI)
The 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit opens in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit kicked off on Wednesday morning in the ancient water town of Wuzhen in east China's Zhejiang Province.

The 2024 edition, themed "Embracing a People-centered and AI-for-good Digital Future -- Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," includes 24 sub-forums on topics such as Global Development Initiative, digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI) technology governance, along with a series of activities.

"AI is transforming lives at an unimaginable pace," said Li Junhua, UN under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs, via video link at the opening ceremony. "We can only harness the incredible potential of AI if we do so through a people-centered approach and foster dialogue to understand global needs and perspectives."

During the opening ceremony, a distinguished contribution award was presented to recognize individuals and enterprises who have made outstanding contributions to the global internet landscape.

Under the WIC framework, the summit will also see the establishment of a special committee on AI, the launch of a think tank cooperation program, and the creation of an international digital training institute.

This year's WIC Wuzhen Summit is scheduled to close on Friday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters in Jharkhand and Maharashtra to participate with full enthusiasm in the voting taking place on Wednesday. "Today, votes will be cast for all the seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. I urge the voters of the state to participate with full enthusiasm and add to the splendour of this festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to come out in large numbers to vote," PM Modi posted on X. Voting in Maharashtra also began at 7 a.m. on Wednesday and will conclude at 6 p.m. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters. Meanwhile, voting for the second phase of Jharkhand assembly elections commenced on 7 a.m. on Wednesday covering the remaining 38 seats. Earlier, mock polling was conducted in Jamtara, Deoghar and several booths around 5 pm. "Today is the second and last phase of the great festival of democracy in Jharkhand. I urge all voters to participate in it enthusiastically and create a new record of voting. On this occasion, I specially congratulate all my young friends who are going to vote for the first time. Your every vote is the strength of the state," PM Modi wrote on his post on X. The first phase of voting took place on November 13 for 43 of the 81 assembly seats. The elections see a fierce contest between the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress alliance, seeking to retain power, and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA, aiming to unseat the Hemant Soren-led government. The BJP-led coalition is targeting key constituencies, with prominent candidates such as former Chief Minister Champai Soren and Congress leader Ajoy Kumar in the fray. (ANI)
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday exercised his franchise and cast his vote for the Maharashtra Assembly polls. He also appealed to the citizens to cast their votes for the ongoing elections, saying that voting is a citizen's duty in a democracy. "In a democracy, voting is a citizen's duty. Every citizen should perform this duty. I was in Uttaranchal, but I came here last night to cast my vote. Everyone should vote..." he said. Nagpur South West is one of the key seats in the Nagpur district in Maharashtra. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is contesting elections from this constituency, representing BJP-led Mahayuti while the Maha Vikas Aghadi has fielded Congress' candidate Praful Gudadhe from the seat. Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase of Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters. Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls. Mumbai Police has deployed over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards. According to the Brihanmumbai Police Commissionerate, more than 2,000 police officers and over 25,000 police personnel are on duty to maintain law and order during the elections. Shifting alliances, ideological conflicts, complex caste dynamics, and emotional appeals have characterised the battle for power in the Maharashtra Assembly. The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)
Congress MP A Bimol Akoijam on Tuesday expressed serious concerns about the escalating tension in violence-hit Manipur, accusing the government of neglect and a lack of decisive action. Speaking to ANI, he said, "People have reached their limit. The government has neglected the state. The issue could have been resolved a long time ago with firm and decisive action by the government of India." Highlighting the importance of local involvement, Akoijam criticised the tendency of centralised decision-making. "I have urged our party President to always consult with the local leadership. There is a habit in our country where certain parties take unilateral decisions at the Centre and impose them on the states. This is unacceptable. Our party should not fall into that trap. I said we should take our position carefully and responsibly," he explained. The Congress MP attributed the deteriorating situation in Manipur to a lack of political will and sincerity, pointing out that the problem is not a shortage of security forces but poor governance. "There are two army divisions and thousands of central armed police personnel, in addition to the state police forces. What is lacking is not the troops but the political will and sincerity," he stated. Accusing the central government and local authorities of being complicit in the ongoing violence, Akoijam said, "The government of India and their local puppets' hands are stained with the blood of innocent people, women, and children." Recalling harrowing incidents, he referred to the widely condemned case of two women paraded naked and the brutal killings of children, urging the nation to break its silence. "This country erupted in protest when the video of two women being paraded surfaced. Now we have women and children being killed after being taken hostage. An eight-month-old baby was brutally slaughtered alongside a two-and-a-half-year-old girl. The nation must not stay silent on this," he said. Asserting the responsibility of the Opposition, Akoijam added, "We have to keep voicing our concerns and pressing the government to do the right thing. Our party president is going to meet the President of the country. Whatever opportunity I get in Parliament, I will raise these issues." Meanwhile, the Manipur government has extended the temporary suspension of internet and mobile data services in several districts, including Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Thoubal, and Churachandpur. The suspension will remain in effect until 5:15 pm on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The violence in Manipur, which began on May 3 last year, was triggered by clashes during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category. (ANI)
Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Wednesday cast his vote at the polling booth in Raj Bhavan, under the Colaba Assembly constituency, as voting began for the state's Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters after voting, Governor Radhakrishnan urged citizens to participate actively. "Ours is the biggest democracy in the world. My appeal to all the youngsters, elders, and women is to come and vote. Whomever they want to vote for is their choice, but they should come out and vote. This is the basic duty of every citizen that whenever there is an election, we should go to the polling booth and vote," he said. From Colaba, BJP's Rahul Narwekar, representing the Mahayuti alliance, is contesting against the Congress candidate Heera Devasi from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, contesting from the Baramati Assembly constituency, also cast his vote. After voting, he said, "Even during Lok Sabha elections, members of our family were contesting against each other, and everyone has seen that. I tried to meet everyone in Baramati. I am hopeful that this time the people of Baramati will make me victorious." Addressing allegations of money distribution by BJP's Vinod Tawde, he added, "The people of Baramati will think about it." RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, who returned from Uttaranchal to vote, said, "In a democracy, voting is a citizen's duty. Every citizen should perform this duty. Everyone should vote." Voting began at 7 am for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. Ahead of the elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to vote via his official account on social media platform X. "Today, votes will be cast for all the seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. I urge the voters of the state to participate with full enthusiasm and add to the splendour of this festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to come out in large numbers to vote," PM Modi posted on X. Security has been heightened in Mumbai ahead of voting day. Police have been conducting checks on vehicle movements, particularly in areas such as Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and Dharavi.Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls. Mumbai Police has deployed over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards. According to the Brihanmumbai Police Commissionerate, more than 2,000 police officers and over 25,000 police personnel are on duty to maintain law and order during the elections. A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters.Maharashtra witnessed a high-decibel campaign ahead of the elections for its 288 assembly seats. The intense campaigning ended on Monday, November 18, 2024, paving the way for today's voting.The battle for power in the Maharashtra Assembly has been characterised by shifting alliances, ideological conflicts, complex caste dynamics, and emotional appeals. The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)
BJP leader Chandrakant Patil on Wednesday denied all allegations of "money distribution" raised against party leader Vinod Tawde, saying that "the party will not accept such allegations." Furthermore, Patil said that "Vinod Tawde cannot do this" as he is one who worked selflessly for the party and went wherever the party said. "I and Vinod are old friends. Not only this, I know all his family members. The person who spent his 10 years without any salary for the party, and lived wherever the party said... He worked very long for the party as a minister and held various positions with honesty. He cannot do this.... We will not accept such allegations..." Patil said. The Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) has accused BJP leader Vinod Tawde of distributing money at a hotel in Nalasopara ahead of the Maharashtra assembly polls, triggering a political storm. Congress demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the allegations. "Vinod Tawde is a senior BJP leader. His being caught distributing money is unfortunate. The Supreme Court should take suo motu cognisance and initiate an SC-monitored probe," said Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday. In response, Vinod Tawde denied the accusations, calling for an impartial investigation. "I was at the hotel for a meeting to brief MLAs on the Model Code of Conduct and voting protocols. The BVA workers misunderstood and claimed money was being distributed. Let the Election Commission and police investigate and examine the CCTV footage. I have nothing to hide," Tawde said. As voting is underway for 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra, BJP candidate from Kothrud, Chandrakant Patil also appealed to the citizens to cast their votes. He said "...Voting percentage should increase...I appeal to people to come and vote. We have also motivated 20-25 NGOs to give some incentives to people that if you vote between 7 am and 11 am we will give things like coffee etc to encourage people to vote..." Notably, voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single phase of the Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. (ANI)
Congress leader and candidate from Brahmapuri Assembly seat, Vijay Wadettiwar cast his vote in Maharashtra polls on Wednesday. Wadettiwar cast his vote at a polling station in Brahmapuri. The Brahmapuri seat falls under the Gadchiroli-Chimur Lok Sabha constituency. Vijay Wadettiwar is the sitting MLA from the seat and is in the electoral fray against BJP's Krishnalal Bajirao Sahare. Wadettiwar has represented the seat twice from 2014. BJP is looking to break the hat-trick of the Congress candidate from Brahmapuri seat. Earlier Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge urged young voters to come out and exercise their Franchise. "Our citizens from Maharashtra and Jharkhand have started casting their votes. All the voters of Maharashtra following the ideology of Shivaji-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar are requested to vote in maximum numbers. Preserve the pride of Maharashtra, the prosperity of the state and the development that has taken place over decades. Keep opportunistic politics, policies to benefit select capitalists and forces that endanger the future of farmers and youth away from Maharashtra. Politics of money and muscle power has never happened in Maharashtra, before voting on EVM you will have to think how much such falling political standards have hurt the self-respect of Maharashtra. The people of Jharkhand voted for public welfare, protection of water, forest, land and tribal civilization in the first phase, you have to protect your rights in this phase too. The victory of social justice is certain, the defeat of polarization is certain. We appeal to our young friends to definitely vote, we welcome them on this festival of democracy," he said in a post on X. Meanwhile, voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase of Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters. Shifting alliances, ideological conflicts, complex caste dynamics, and emotional appeals have characterised the battle for power in the Maharashtra Assembly. The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)
Shiv Sena candidate from Mumba Devi seat, Shaina NC on Wednesday urged Mumbaikars to come out and cast their votes after she cast her voter along with her daughter Shanaya Munot. She also hoped that people would give her a chance to work for the truth with full accountability and transparency. Speaking to ANI, Shaina NC said, "I want to appeal to my Mumbaikars to come out and cast their votes. You can raise if you cast your votes, you can criticise if you cast your votes. I have the blessings of Maa Mumba Devi. I hope people will give me a chance to work for the truth with full accountability and transparency." Earlier today she sought the blessing of Maa Mumbadevi before casting her vote. "I have received the blessings of Maa Mumbadevi from the very first day... I hope that I work in service of the people and public interest...On hand there is our PM and on the other is the CM, Deputy CM - there has been cooperation from everyone...When we have the blessings of Ma Mumbadevi, I believe that victory is certain...I urge the people to come out and vote because when you vote, you carry out your moral responsibility," she told ANI. Her daughter Shanaya Munot said that her mother has put up a very good fight for the Maharashtra assembly election and said that the public is showing her their support. "She has put up a very good fight. She has always been someone that's been pro-development...As we see reactions from the ground, the public is showing us their support and I hope people come out and exercise their right to vote..." Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase of Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters. Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls. Mumbai Police has deployed over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards. According to the Brihanmumbai Police Commissionerate, more than 2,000 police officers and over 25,000 police personnel are on duty to maintain law and order during the elections. Shifting alliances, ideological conflicts, complex caste dynamics, and emotional appeals have characterised the battle for power in the Maharashtra Assembly. The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)
BJP candidate from Dhanbad Assembly seat, Raj Sinha said on Tuesday that as per the current trend, it is clear that the BJP is going to form the government in Jharkhand. Speaking to ANI, Sinha said, "As per the current trend and seeing the huge number of voters, it is clear that BJP is going to form its government in this election. We raised the issue of Bangladesh (infiltrators) because it is the truth and the people need to know about it and its consequences." On the Dhanbad seat, BJP's Raj Sinha, who is also the sitting MLA, is in the electoral fray against Congress' Ajay Dubey. Meanwhile, voting commenced at 7 am on Wednesday for the second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, covering the remaining 38 seats. Ahead of the elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged voters to enthusiastically participate in the final phase of the Jharkhand elections, aiming for record turnout. He congratulated first-time voters, emphasising that their votes strengthen the state. "Today is the second and last phase of the great festival of democracy in Jharkhand. I urge all voters to participate enthusiastically and set a new record for voter turnout. On this occasion, I especially congratulate all my young friends voting for the first time. Your vote strengthens the state," PM Modi posted on X. The first phase of voting took place on November 13 for 43 of the 81 assembly seats. The elections see a fierce contest between the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress alliance, seeking to retain power, and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA, aiming to unseat the Hemant Soren-led government. In the second phase, prominent seats are under the spotlight. Chief Minister Hemant Soren is contesting from the Barhait constituency, facing BJP's Gamliyel Hembrom. Another key candidate is BJP's Babulal Marandi, contesting from the Dhanwar constituency. Marandi, the state's first Chief Minister after its formation in 2000, served as Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing assembly. He is up against JMM's Nizam Uddin Ansari. Kalpana Soren, wife of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, is contesting against BJP's Muniya Devi in the Gandey constituency. Kalpana Soren previously won the assembly by-poll in Gandey earlier this year. Another significant candidate is BJP's Sita Soren, contesting from the Jamtara constituency. (ANI)
Nationalist Congress Party candidate from Bandra East, Zeeshan Siddiqui cast his vote in the Maharashtra Assembly polls on Wednesday. Siddiqui, who joined the NCP recently, remembered his father Baba Siddiqui who was killed and said that it is the first time that he has come alone to vote. "For the first time, I have come alone to vote. My father (Baba Siddiqui) is no more. This is different but this will have to be done. I know that my father is with me. I started my day by visiting the graveyard in the morning...I think everyone must vote," he said. Mumbai's Vandre (Bandra) East constituency is witnessing a fierce battle between sitting MLA Zeeshan Siddiqui, who won on a Congress ticket in 2019 and Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray's nephew Varun Sardesai. 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. Earlier today, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP candidate from Baramati Assembly constituency, Ajit Pawar on Wednesday expressed confidence in winning the assembly polls, saying that he trusts the voters will send him to the Assembly for the eighth time. One of the most anticipated battles in these elections is taking place in Baramati. Where Ajit Pawar is contesting Yugendra Pawar, the son of his younger brother, Shrinivas Pawar. Meanwhile, voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase of Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. Shifting alliances, ideological conflicts, complex caste dynamics, and emotional appeals have characterised the battle for power in the Maharashtra Assembly. The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)
The big pre-poll allegation dropped by former IPS officer Ravindra Patil that Supriya Sule and Congress' Nana Patole had used Bitcoin scam tainted cash to fund polls has blown out into an all-out political war on polling day. Supriya Sule on Wednesday refuted all allegation levelled against her saying all the allegations are completely false. Speaking to ANI, Sule said, "I have filed a defamation case and a criminal case. I am ready to answer his (Sudhanshu Trivedi) 5 questions wherever he wants. Time of his choice, place of his choice and platform of his choice. I am ready to answer him because all the allegations are completely false. All lies" Earlier today, Pawar claimed that he could recognize the voice of his sister in the purported Audio clips that the former IPS officer Patil had alluded to as proof of Sule's involvement in the scam. The Deputy CM also promised an investigation into the scandal. "Whatever audio clip is being shown, I just know that I have worked with both of them. One of them is my sister and the other is someone with whom I have worked a lot. The audio clip has their voices; I can figure out from their tone. An inquiry will be done and everything will be clear. An inquiry will be done and the truth will come in front of the people," Pawar said. Replying to Ajit Pawar's assertion on the audio being hers Sule said, "He is Ajit Pawar, he can say anything. 'Ram Krishna Hari'. " Earlier today, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule and her family cast their votes at a polling station in Baramati. One of the most anticipated battles in these elections is taking place in Baramati. Where Ajit Pawar is contesting against the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar faction) Yugendra Pawar, the son of his younger brother, Shrinivas Pawar. 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. Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls. Mumbai Police has deployed over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards. More than 2,000 police officers and over 25,000 police personnel are on duty to maintain law and order during the elections. Shifting alliances, ideological conflicts, complex caste dynamics, and emotional appeals have characterised the battle for power in the Maharashtra Assembly. The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)
As voting commenced for bypolls in 15 assembly seats spread across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Uttarakhand, BJP candidate for Palakkad Assembly byelection C Krishnakumar cast his vote at a polling booth in Palakkad on Wedneday. He expressed confidence of winning from the seat. Krishnakumar said, "Definitely we will win this election from Palakkad. We are expecting more than 10,000 votes. We are projecting developmental issues. Voters are interested in discussing development issues. The other two fronts are discussing about the controversies. It is more than decades, people of Palakkad are expecting development. That is not fulfilled. We are discussing paddy procurement issues, drinking water facilities and infrastructure." United Democratic Front (UDF) has fielded Rahul Mamkootathil from this seat, Left Democratic Front (LDF) has fielded P Sarin. Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections, second phase of Jharkhand assembly elections and bypolls in 15 assembly seats spread across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Uttarakhand. Earlier, mock polls were conducted in all constituencies to ensure a smooth election day. Security arrangements have been tightened across polling stations to ensure a peaceful and orderly voting process for citizens. Meanwhile, polling for the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand has also begun. In Maharashtra, voting is taking place across 288 Assembly seats, with several constituencies witnessing high-stakes battles. Key leaders in contention include Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, contesting from Kopri-Pachpakhadi against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Kedar Prakash Dighe, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, defending his stronghold in Nagpur South West against Congress candidate Prafulla Gudadhe. NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is seeking to retain the family bastion of Baramati, facing Yungendra Pawar of NCP (SP). In Jharkhand, 528 candidates, including 55 women, one third-gender candidate, and 472 men, are contesting across 38 seats in this phase. Over 1.23 crore voters, including 61 lakh women, are eligible to cast their votes. Prominent candidates in Jharkhand include Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren, and his sister-in-law Sita Soren from the JMM. Key BJP candidates in this phase include former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, Assembly Speaker Ravindra Nath Mahto (JMM), AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto, and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri. The election primarily pits the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). (ANI)
Shiv Sena candidate from Mumbai's Mumba Devi assembly seat, Shaina NC, and her daughter Shanaya Munot on Wednesday cast their vote in a polling booth in Mumbai. The mother-daughter duo showed their inked fingers after casting their votes. Speaking to ANI after casting her vote, Shaina NC urged the voters of Mumbai to come out and cast their votes. "I want to appeal to my Mumbaikars to come out and cast their votes. You can raise if you cast your votes; you can criticize if you cast your votes. I have the blessings of Maa Mumba Devi. I hope people will give me a chance to work for the truth with full accountability and transparency," the Shiv Sena leader said. On this occasion, Shaina NC's daughter Shanaya Munot said that her mother has put up a good fight in the assembly polls, adding that she is always pro-development. "She has put up a very good fight. She has always been someone who's been pro-development... As we see reactions from the ground, the public is showing us their support, and I hope people come out and exercise their right to vote," Shanaya Munot told ANI. Earlier in the day, the mother-daughter duo visited Shri Mumbadevi Temple in Mumbai to offer prayers. After offering prayers, she told ANI that she had received the blessings of Maa Mumbadevi from the very first day. "I have received the blessings of Maa Mumbadevi from the very first day... I hope that I work in service of the people and public interest...On hand there is our PM, and on the other is the CM, Deputy CM--there has been cooperation from everyone... When we have the blessings of Ma Mumbadevi, I believe that victory is certain... I urge the people to come out and vote because when you vote, you carry out your moral responsibility," she stated. Notably, Shaina NC, a former BJP spokesperson, joined Shiv Sena after the Eknath Shinde-led party fielded her from Mumbadevi. She is contesting against incumbent Congress MLA Amin Patel, who has represented the Mumbadevi constituency since 2009. The opposition MVA coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (SCP), seeks 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. (ANI)
Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 6.61 per cent till 9 am on Wednesday in the single-phase assembly elections that began earlier this morning, while Jharkhand registered a voter turnout of 12.71 per cent by the same time in the second phase of assembly elections in the State, according to the Election Commission of India. As per the polling body's data in Maharashtra, the naxal-hit district Gadchiroli recorded the highest voter turnout of 12.33 per cent, while the district of Osmanabad recorded the lowest voter turnout of 4.85 per cent till 9 am. Mumbai city recorded a voter turnout of 6.25 per cent, Mumbai Suburban 7.88 per cent, Nagpur 6.86 per cent, Thane 6.66 per cent, Aurangabad 7.05 per cent, Pune 5.53 per cent, Nashik 6.89 per cent, Jalgaon 5.85 per cent, Satara 5.14 per cent, Kolhapur 7.38 per cent, Dhule 6.79 per cent, Palghar 7.30 per cent, Nanded 5.42 per cent, Ratnagiri 9.30 per cent and Latur 5.91 per cent. Voter turnout for Sindhudurg was recorded at 8.61 per cent, Wardha at 5.93 per cent, Washim at 5.33 per cent, Yavatmal at 7.17 per cent, Solapur at 5.07 per cent, Sangli at 6.14 per cent, Ahmednagar at 5.91 per cent, Akola at 6.08 per cent, Amravati at 6.06 per cent, Beed at 6.88 per cent, Bhandara at 6.21 per cent, Buldhana at 6.16 per cent, Chandrapur at 8.05 per cent, Gondiya at 7.94 per cent, Hingoli at 6.45 per cent, Jalna at 7.51 per cent, Nandurbar at 7.76 per cent, Parbhani at 6.59 per cent and Raigad at 7.55 per cent. In Mumbai, Dharavi constituency recorded a turnout of 4.71 per cent, Sion-Koliwada 6.52 per cent, Wadala 6.44 per cent, Mahim 8.14 per cent, Worli 3.78 per cent, Sewri 6.12 per cent, Baikal 7.09 per cent, Malabar Hill 8.31 per cent, Mumbadevi 6.34 per cent and Colaba 5.3 per centtill 9 am. Jharkhand, which is undergoing the second phase of assembly polls recorded a turnout of 12.71 per centtill 9 am, with Pakur district with highest turnout of 16.12 per cent while Bokaro with lowest turnout of 12.48 per cent. As per the ECI, Deoghar recorded a turnout of 14.24 per cent, Dhanbad 12.76 per cent, Dumka 14.48 per cent, Giridih 12.69 per cent, Hazaribagh 14.02 per cent, Jamtara 14.90 per cent, Ramgarh 15.87 per cent, Ranchi 16.00 per cent and Sahebganj 14.17 per cent. The voter turnout for the Nanded Parliamentary constituency in Maharashtra was recorded at 6.03 per cent till 9 am. Maharashtra BJP President and party's candidate from Kamthi, Chandrashekhar Bawankule appealed to the voters to come out in large numbers to cast their vote. He said, "I appeal to the people of Maharashtra to come out and cast their votes in large numbers. I expect 100 per cent voting today. The elected government is going to work for 14 crore people of the state for the next five years...Vindo Tawde is being defamed by the wrong means. it is a planned conspiracy to trap Vinod Tawde...The Election Commission will clear everything..." Meanwhile, Jharkhand BJP Chief Babulal Marandi exuded confidence saying that the BJP-NDA alliance will secure more than 51 seats in the polls and form the government as the people were discontented with the ruling Hemant Soren led-JMM party in the state. Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase on288 seats of Maharashtra assembly elections and second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, covering the remaining 38 seats. (ANI)
Schools will also remain closed in Kanniyakumari and Pechiparai areas of Kanyakumari district in light of the incessant rains.

Heavy rain lashed parts of Tamil Nadu, prompting the closure of schools in several districts.

Earlier, District Collectors in Nagapattinam, Thoothukudi, and Karaikal declared holidays for schools on Tuesday, November 19.

While schools and colleges in Karaikal were closed, authorities in Thoothukudi announced a holiday for schools only, with colleges functioning as usual.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate rainfall across Tamil Nadu over the next five days and issued a rain alert.

With the northeast monsoon intensifying, authorities in the Delta and southern districts are on high alert, urging residents to remain cautious.

The state has already witnessed heavy overnight rainfall, with delta regions recording substantial precipitation.

Since its onset in October, the northeast monsoon has delivered widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu's northern and delta regions, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Kanchipuram.

Delta districts such as Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Mayiladuthurai have been significantly affected, with waterlogged roads and disruptions to daily life.

The weather office has forecast continued rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in several regions.

District collectors have initiated disaster management measures, including monitoring flood-prone areas and deploying relief teams. Citizens are advised to stay updated and avoid waterlogged zones. (ANI)
After former IPS officer Ravindra Patil alleged that he and Supriya Sule and had used Bitcoin scam tainted cash to fund polls, Congress' Nana Patole on Wednesday that his voice is not there in the audio and he is a farming man who don't even understand the concept of Bitcoin. Congress Maharashtra Unit President and party's candidate from Sakoli, Nana Patole also cast his vote in the Maharashtra Assembly polls today at a polling booth in Bhandara. Speaking to the media persons, Patole said, "The IPS officer brought by BJP, Ravindra Patil is not even an IPS officer. BJP has become a party of lies. On the eve of elections, they are doing all this. My voice is not there in the audio. I am a farming man; I don't even understand Bitcoin." He further added that they will file a defamation case against BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi and Patil. "We have given a legal notice and filed an FIR. We will also file a defamation case against them. Be it Sudhanshu Trivedi or Ravindra Patil. Everything will be clear soon. BJP is only lying. We will fight them legally...I have nothing to do with this. We will file defamation...Our government is going to be formed in Maharashtra, we will conduct a proper inquiry in this," Patole said. A day before the state of Maharashtra goes to the polls, Ravindranath Patil, former-IPS officer from Pune made a major allegation against NCP-SP Leader and Baramati MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole. The former IPS officer alleged that the two leaders had misappropriated bitcoins from a 2018 Cryptocurrency Fraud Case and had used by the same to fund the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly Elections. Patil said that he is ready to support the investigation. Further, Nana Patole also exuded confidence in winning the Assembly polls. He said, "In Maharashtra, Maha Vikas Aghadi will form its government under the leadership of Congress. Congress is going to get the maximum number of votes in the state. The way Vinod Tawde was caught distributing money yesterday. He said he was distributing letters, what was the compulsion of the BJP state chief to go and distribute letters? They are trying to lie...By distributing money and liquor, are they doing vote jihad?" The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)
With voting currently ongoing for by-elections for 9 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate from Karhal Assembly seat, Tej Pratap Singh Yadav offered prayers at a temple in Saifai in Etawah on Wednesday. Yadav said that people were harassed during BJP's tenure in the state and hoped that SP would be supported by the people. Speaking to ANI, Yadav said "The manner in which the people were harassed during the BJP government's tenure, all development projects were halted and conduct of misbehavior in Mainpuri are the main issues right now. I am hopeful that the people here would support Samajwadi Party. We hope there is fair voting today and people are not harassed." Earlier SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav urged voters to exercise their franchise, "An appeal is made to all the voters of the 9 assembly seats in UP where elections are being held, to go and cast their vote while remaining committed to their future and the Constitution. Vote 100%, be 100% careful." The SP leader also raised the issue of Police officials checking ID cards of voters, Earlier the Samajwadi Part wrote to the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and urged that no police personnel should check the voter ID of any voter in the state. The SP claimed that during the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Police officials deployed at polling stations misused their power and position, and made SP supporters, especially Muslim women voters remove their veils, causing fear among the women. "An appeal to the Hon'ble Supreme Court and Election Commission is to take immediate cognizance on the basis of the video evidence received just now and take punitive action and also ensure fair election process. All the police officers who are checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs should be immediately suspended on the basis of the video. Police has no right to check Aadhaar ID cards or identity cards," Akhilesh Yadav posted on X. The nine assembly seats where bypolls are being held include Meerapur, Kundarki, Khair, Karhal, Phulpur, and Katehari. The results will be declared on November 23. Meanwhile, polling for the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand has also begun. In Maharashtra, voting is taking place across 288 Assembly seats, with several constituencies witnessing high-stakes battles. Key leaders in contention include Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, contesting from Kopri-Pachpakhadi against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Kedar Prakash Dighe, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, defending his stronghold in Nagpur South West against Congress candidate Prafulla Gudadhe. In Jharkhand, 528 candidates, including 55 women, one third-gender candidate, and 472 men, are contesting across 38 seats in this phase. Over 1.23 crore voters, including 61 lakh women, are eligible to cast their votes. Prominent candidates in Jharkhand include Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren, and his sister-in-law Sita Soren from the JMM. Key BJP candidates in this phase include former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, Assembly Speaker Ravindra Nath Mahto (JMM), AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto, and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri. The election primarily pits the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). (ANI)
Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra, S. Chockalingam cast his vote for the Assembly Elections, at the polling booth in Sachivalay Gymkhana under Colaba constituency in Mumbai on Wednesday and urged voters to exercise their franchise. S. Chockalingam said, "For the past one month, nearly 5 lakh polling officers and employees as well as more than 2 lakh security personnel were working continuously for you and are waiting now at polling stations and booths awaiting your arrival. Don't sit at home thinking that it is a holiday. We are waiting for you with all the facilities to encourage you to ensure that you are exercising your franchise." "As the Commission says very frequently, it is a small lean organisation but on the day of poll it becomes vey big and includes everyone. Without everyone's cooperation it is impossible to conduct this. I appreciate all the efforts taken by entire election machinery ensuring that there will be free, fair and peaceful polls," he added. From Colaba, BJP's Rahul Narwekar, representing the Mahayuti alliance, is contesting against the Congress candidate Heera Devasi from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Voting began at 7 am for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to vote via his official account on social media platform X. "Today, votes will be cast for all the seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. I urge the voters of the state to participate with full enthusiasm and add to the splendour of this festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to come out in large numbers to vote," PM Modi posted on X. Security has been heightened in Mumbai ahead of voting day. Police have been conducting checks on vehicle movements, particularly in areas such as Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and Dharavi. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls. Mumbai Police has deployed over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams and home guards. According to the Brihanmumbai Police Commissionerate, more than 2,000 police officers and over 25,000 police personnel are on duty to maintain law and order during the elections. A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters. Maharashtra witnessed a high-decibel campaign ahead of the elections for its 288 assembly seats. The intense campaigning ended on Monday, November 18, 2024, paving the way for today's voting. The battle for power in the Maharashtra Assembly has been characterised by shifting alliances, ideological conflicts, complex caste dynamics, and emotional appeals. The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Wednesday underscored the significance of voting rights in India, urging everyone to vote in Maharashtra assembly polls. Speaking to ANI, Chagan Bhujbal said, "Everyone has one vote... This one vote has the right to decide who will take care of the country and state." "Baba Saheb Ambedkar and other leaders have made us the owners of the country; voting was not the right of every person before that. The person who lives in slums and the one who lives in palaces have one vote. Everyone should vote," he added. Chhagan Bhujbal is a sitting MLA from the Yevla seat in the Nashik district. The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). Earlier, after casting his vote, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, "Maharashtra is a progressive and prosperous state of the country. This state receives the highest foreign investment and agricultural exports are also increasing here. It is a role model state for the country. A good government and good leadership can change the future of Maharashtra. Today is the festival of democracy, I appeal to the people to vote and exercise their democratic rights. We will win with a good majority in Maharashtra. People have to vote for development and the future of the state..." Single-phase polling in 288 assembly seats of Maharashtra is underway on Wednesday. MVA Candidate from 'Kudal' Assembly Constituency Vaibhav Naik cast his vote. Meanwhile, NCP's National Secretary Rajendra Jain also cast his vote and stated that everyone should vote, as there is great enthusiasm among the people. He further mentioned that the NCP will win all seven seats in Gondia and Bhandara. In response to a question on the allegation of 'cash for vote' against Vinod Tawde, he said that during elections, such topics are raised, but the aware public doesn't pay attention to these matters. "The Mahayuti government will be formed under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, and the Mahayuti government will definitely be in place by November 23," he added. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), Maharashtra recorded a 6.61 per cent voting percentage till 9:00 AM on Wednesday. (ANI)
As voting is in progress for Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed confidence that NDA would form government in both the states. Vishnu Deo Sai said, "BJP and NDA are going to succeed in both places and governments will be formed in both the states. When they (the opposition) lose, they blame the EVMs and when they win, the EVMs turn out to be right for them." Chhattisgarh Day which falls on November 1 is being celebrated at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on Wednesday in the presence of Governor Ramen Deka. "Today Chhattisgarh Day is being celebrated at the Indian International Trade Fair which is ongoing at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. Chhattisgarh Day will be celebrated there in the presence of the Governor," he further added. Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 6.61 per cent till 9 am on Wednesday in the single-phase assembly elections that began earlier this morning, while Jharkhand registered a voter turnout of 12.71 per cent by the same time in the second phase of assembly elections in the State, according to the Election Commission of India. As per the polling body's data in Maharashtra, Mumbai city recorded a voter turnout of 6.25 per cent, Mumbai Suburban 7.88 per cent, Nagpur 6.86 per cent, Thane 6.66 per cent, Aurangabad 7.05 per cent, Pune 5.53 per cent, Nashik 6.89 per cent, Jalgaon 5.85 per cent, Satara 5.14 per cent, Kolhapur 7.38 per cent, Dhule 6.79 per cent, Palghar 7.30 per cent, Nanded 5.42 per cent, Ratnagiri 9.30 per cent and Latur 5.91 per cent. Jharkhand, which is undergoing the second phase of assembly polls recorded a turnout of 12.71 per cent till 9 am, with Pakur district with the highest turnout of 16.12 per cent while Bokaro with lowest turnout of 12.48 per cent. As per the ECI, Deoghar recorded a turnout of 14.24 per cent, Dhanbad 12.76 per cent, Dumka 14.48 per cent, Giridih 12.69 per cent, Hazaribagh 14.02 per cent, Jamtara 14.90 per cent, Ramgarh 15.87 per cent, Ranchi 16.00 per cent and Sahebganj 14.17 per cent. Jharkhand BJP Chief Babulal Marandi exuded confidence saying that the BJP-NDA alliance will secure more than 51 seats in the polls and form the government as the people were discontented with the ruling Hemant Soren-led-JMM party in the state. Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase on 288 seats of Maharashtra assembly elections and the second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, covering the remaining 38 seats. (ANI)
As per the police, the clash broke out near village Kakaroli under police station Kakaroli.

Muzaffarnagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Abhishek Singh said that peace has been restored and voting is proceeding in a free and fair manner.

"During the Meerapur assembly by-election, there was a clash between two parties near village Kakaroli of police station area Kakaroli. Police reached the spot immediately and removed everyone using force. Peace is maintained at the spot and voting is going on in a free and fair manner," the SSP said.

Samajwadi Party, on its official social media handle X, alleged that the police are "misbehaving" with voters in the Meerapur constituency.

"They are being stopped from casting their votes, voting is getting affected. Police is misbehaving with voters and using lathis on women at booth number 318 of Mirapur assembly constituency in Muzaffarnagar. Election Commission should take cognizance and ensure fair voting," the SP said on X.

Voting began early this morning for by-elections in 15 Assembly seats across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Uttarakhand.

Nine seats in Uttar Pradesh--Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari, and Majhawan--are up for by-polls.

The by-elections in Uttar Pradesh are significant for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which suffered a major setback in the state, winning only 36 out of 80 seats in the last general elections.

Earlier today, targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his "batenge to katenge" slogan, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav said that If the CM of a state thinks that they can win elections by speaking such things, then he didn't learn any lesson from Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to ANI, Yadav also exuded confidence that trends will be in the favour of Samajwadi Party. (ANI)
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Senior Brazilian officials warmly welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping on behalf of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the Brazilian government at Brasilia Air Base in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. Xi arrived in Brasilia on Tuesday for a state visit to Brazil. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Brasilia on Tuesday for a state visit to Brazil.

He was warmly welcomed upon his arrival by the Chief of Staff of the Brazilian Presidency Rui Costa, along with several other senior Brazilian officials.

An all-female local Batala band greeted him with vibrant drumbeats, dressed in full attire and brimming with enthusiasm.

Xi traveled to Brasilia after attending the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, after casting his vote on Wednesday, described the elections as a "festival of democracy" and urged everyone to participate actively, while also highlighting the difference in governance during the rule of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the Maha Yuti. "Today is the festival of democracy, and everyone should participate and vote. This will strengthen Maharashtra and its democracy. People have not forgotten what happened in 2019. The mandate was for Maha Yuti, but Maha Yuti could not form the government. People have seen their (Maha Vikas Aghadi) 2.5 years of rule and our 2.5 years of development. Mahayuti will form the government with a huge majority," Shinde said. Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde cast his vote at a polling booth in Thane for the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. After voting, the incumbent CM showed his inked finger to the media. Shinde, who became the 20th Chief Minister of Maharashtra after leading a rebellion against Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, is a four-time elected MLA from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency in Thane. Earlier in the day, Prakash Sambhaji Shinde, the brother of Eknath Shinde, urged voters to support his brother in the state elections. Speaking to ANI, Prakash Shinde said, "The CM is contesting from Kopri-Pachpakhadi. I urge everyone to step out and vote. CM Shinde has done a lot of work in Maharashtra. So, the people of the state want him back as the CM." He added, "Shiv Sena had a good strike rate in the Lok Sabha elections. This time too, Shiv Sena will have the highest strike rate. I am hopeful... I hope that he will have a lead of at least 1.5 lakh votes because he has worked. He has been an MLA for 20 years... Mahayuti will win again." Earlier, Prakash Shinde offered prayers at a temple before heading to the polling booth. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy CM and BJP candidate from Nagpur South-West, Devendra Fadnavis, has addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged 'cash for vote' claims involving BJP leader Vinod Tawde, as well as the release of audio clips allegedly involving NCP's Supriya Sule and Congress' Nana Patole. Fadnavis denied the allegations against Vinod Tawde, stating, "As far as Vinod Tawde is concerned, I made it clear yesterday too that neither did he distribute any money nor was any money found with him. A deliberate attempt was made to stoke controversy, an ecosystem was used." On the audio clips involving Sule and Patole, Fadnavis added, "The manner in which a former IPS officer has levelled allegations and released a few clips, I feel that it is a very serious matter. I would only like to say that this matter should be seriously investigated. It is essential for truth to come out. Allegations are very serious, this should be fully investigated and a fair report should be brought before people, this is what I think... The voice seems to be similar to Supriya Sule but with all fairness, let everything be clear. If anyone is a doctor's voice, it can be deciphered through AI... We hope that it is deciphered at that earliest because I do not consider this an election-related matter, it is a matter related to national security." Fadnavis also urged people to vote in large numbers, underlining the importance of voting in a democracy. He said, "The biggest festival of democracy is ongoing. Along with my family, I have cast my vote. I urge everyone to vote in large numbers because voting is not just our right but also our responsibility. We elect a Govt in democracy and hold expectations from them. So, voting is important." After casting his vote at a polling booth in Nagpur, Devendra Fadnavis, along with his wife Amruta and mother Sarita, showed their inked fingers to the media. Voting for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections began at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. Ahead of the elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to vote via his official account on social media platform X. "Today, votes will be cast for all the seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. I urge the voters of the state to participate with full enthusiasm and add to the splendour of this festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to come out in large numbers to vote," PM Modi posted on X. The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami urged voters in the Kedarnath Assembly by-election to participate in large numbers on Wednesday. Speaking to ANI about the importance of voting, he said, "I appeal to all the voters of Kedarnath Assembly to vote in large numbers. Provide your cooperation in speeding up the development work going on in Kedarnath. Voting is also taking place in Maharashtra and Jharkhand today. I appeal to all the voters there to participate in the voting and form a double-engine government." Earlier in the day, the BJP candidate for the Kedarnath by-election, Asha Nautiyal, cast her vote at polling booth number 21. Speaking to ANI, she said, "PM Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Dhami are constantly working for the development of this region. That is why people will vote for BJP today. Our issues have been of development." As of 11:00 AM, the voter turnout in the Kedarnath by-election was recorded at 17.69 percent. This by-election is seen as an important event for the region's political future, following the death of BJP MLA Shaila Rani Rawat in July this year, which caused the seat in Rudraprayag district to become vacant. Among the six candidates contesting, the main fight is between BJP's Asha Nautiyal and Congress's Manoj Rawat. Meanwhile, polling commenced for the by-elections in 15 Assembly seats across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Uttarakhand. Nine seats in Uttar Pradesh--Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari, and Majhawan--are up for by-polls. The by-elections in Uttar Pradesh are significant for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which suffered a major setback in the state, winning only 36 out of 80 seats in the last elections. In Punjab, by-elections are being held in four Assembly constituencies: Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC), and Barnala. By-polls are also underway in Kerala's Palakkad constituency and Uttarakhand's Kedarnath Assembly constituency. Earlier, mock polls were conducted in all constituencies to ensure a smooth election day. Election officials have worked tirelessly to finalise preparations, while security arrangements have been tightened across polling stations to ensure a peaceful and orderly voting process for citizens. Meanwhile, polling for the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand has also begun. In Maharashtra, voting is taking place across 288 Assembly seats, with several constituencies witnessing high-stakes battles. Key leaders in contention include Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, contesting from Kopri-Pachpakhadi against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Kedar Prakash Dighe, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, defending his stronghold in Nagpur South West against Congress candidate Prafulla Gudadhe. NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is seeking to retain the family bastion of Baramati, facing Yugendra Pawar of NCP (SP).In Jharkhand, 528 candidates, including 55 women, one third-gender candidate, and 472 men, are contesting across 38 seats in this phase. Over 1.23 crore voters, including 61 lakh women, are eligible to cast their votes. Prominent candidates in Jharkhand include Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren, and his sister-in-law Sita Soren from the JMM. Key BJP candidates in this phase include former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, Assembly Speaker Ravindra Nath Mahto (JMM), AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto, and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri. The election primarily pits the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). (ANI)
Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday urged the voters in Punjab to cast their franchise in the state by-elections and vote to take the 'good work' ahead. "Voting is being held for by-elections in Punjab today. I appeal to all voters to use their votes responsibly and vote to take forward the good work being done in Punjab," said Kejriwal. In Punjab, by-elections are being held in four Assembly constituencies: Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC), and Barnala. Among the key contestants in the fray to the bypolls are former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Kewal Singh Dhillon, Sohan Singh Thandal and Ravikaran Singh Kahlon (BJP), Amrita Warring and Jatinder Kaur (Congress), and Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon and Ishank Kumar Chabbewal (AAP). Warring is the wife of the Congress' Punjab chief and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. Jatinder Kaur is the spouse of Gurdaspur MP and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. Polling commenced for the by-elections in 15 Assembly seats across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Uttarakhand on Wednesday morning. In Uttar Pradesh, 9 seats--Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari, and Majhawan--are up for by-polls. The by-elections in Uttar Pradesh are significant for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which suffered a major setback in the state, winning only 36 out of 80 seats in the last elections. By-polls are also underway in Kerala's Palakkad constituency and Uttarakhand's Kedarnath Assembly constituency. Earlier, mock polls were conducted in all constituencies to ensure a smooth election day. Election officials have worked tirelessly to finalise preparations, while security arrangements have been tightened across polling stations to ensure a peaceful and orderly voting process for citizens. Meanwhile, a voter turnout of 18.14 per cent was recorded till 11 am in the single-phase assembly elections in Maharashtra while Jharkhand recorded a turnout of 31.37 per cent by the same time in the second phase of assembly polls, according to the Election Commission of India. Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra recorded the highest voter turnout of 30.00 per cent, while the district of Nanded recorded the lowest voter turnout of 13.67 per cent till 11 am, as per the data of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to vote in large numbers for the assembly elections. Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase on 288 seats of Maharashtra assembly elections and second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, covering the remaining 38 seats. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party has alleged that the police is affecting voting in all the nine seats in Uttar Pradesh where by-polls are underway, while the BJP has written a letter to the Election Commission complaing about "fake voting" specifically in Kundarki and Sisamau seats. SP on its official handle on X has alleged that the police are affecting voting at nine seats in Uttar Pradesh where by-polls are underway. "At booth number 357,422 in Kundarki assembly constituency of Moradabad, police are harassing voters and affecting voting. Election Commission should take cognizance, fair voting should be ensured," the party alleged on X. However, Moradabad District Magistrate Anuj Singh refuted the allegations by SP and said that the polling is going on peacefully at the seat. "The election is going on peacefully here. Some complaints were lodged by a particular party which were confirmed by the officials but no truth was found in them. Our voting percentage is also good," the DM said. The Samajwadi party has also alleged "EVM malfunctioning at booth number 308 in the Phulpur assembly constituency of Prayagraj." On the other side, the Uttar Pradesh BJP wrote a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer alleging that fake ID cards are being provided to the people who came from outside to cast their vote. The BJP specifically mentioned Kundarki and Sisamau Assembly seat. In its letter, the party said, "In the above mentioned assembly, people coming from outside districts were lodged in the mosques and madrasas located in the assembly and fake voting is being done by making fake identity cards of these people. These people are doing fake voting in the name of voters who are not in the district or who have died." "Therefore, you are requested to conduct voting at all the booths in the above mentioned assembly only after ensuring identification and by conducting a thorough search, fake voters coming from other districts should be identified and stopped from voting and strict action should be taken against them so that fair voting can be conducted," the BJP said in its letter to UP CEO. Amid allegations by Samajwadi Party of police affecting voting in Uttar Pradesh by-polls, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said on Wednesday that the SP is making false allegations only to hide their face from defeat. Speaking to ANI, Pathak said, "Samajwadi Party is making false allegations only to hide their face from defeat. We are in favour of free and fair elections." Urging the people to vote, he said, "By-elections are underway at nine places in the state peacefully. I appeal to the people of the state to come out of their houses and cast their votes." Earlier today, a clash broke out between two parties during the Meerapur assembly by-polls in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district. Muzaffarnagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Abhishek Singh said that peace has been restored and voting is proceeding in a free and fair manner. Samajwadi Party, on its official social media handle X, alleged that the police are "misbehaving" with voters in the Meerapur constituency. "They are being stopped from casting their votes, voting is getting affected. Police is misbehaving with voters and using lathis on women at booth number 318 of Mirapur assembly constituency in Muzaffarnagar. Election Commission should take cognizance and ensure fair voting," the SP said on X. Votins is underway at nine seats in Uttar Pradesh--Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari, and Majhawan. The by-elections in Uttar Pradesh are significant for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which suffered a major setback in the state, winning only 36 out of 80 seats in the last general elections. (ANI)
Congress leader and advocate Ravi Prakash Jadhav on Wednesday during Maharashtra's ongoing assembly elections filed a complaint regarding an alleged doctored audio clip allegedly involving party's Maharashtra chief Nana Patole, NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule, and Amitabh Gupta. The audio clip, allegedly created using AI technology, was circulated on social media and aired on TV channels and YouTube by a BJP spokesperson and others. Speaking to ANI, Jadhav said, "This is outright fraud and deceit--a fake video created using AI to mislead people. Considering that today is voting day, this appears to be a deliberate conspiracy by the BJP and their IT cell to misguide the public for political gain." He further demanded strict action, saying, "Those responsible must be booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and IT Act for cybercrime and arrested at the earliest." Jadhav expressed disappointment over such alleged tactics during elections and urged citizens to vote wisely. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, after casting his vote, lashed out at the audio clips involving NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule and Congress leader Nana Patole. Fadnavis stated, "A former IPS officer has levelled allegations and released a few clips. This is a very serious matter. The voice seems to be similar to Supriya Sule, but let everything be clear. If anyone hears a doctor's voice, it can be deciphered through AI. We hope this is investigated and the truth comes out soon, as this is a matter of national security." The allegations were initiated from claims by former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil. He alleged that Sule and Patole misappropriated bitcoins from a 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case to fund election campaigns. Patil said he is ready to cooperate with the investigation. Earlier in the day, Congress leader Nana Patole dismissed the claims, saying his voice is not in the audio. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Bhandara, Patole said, "The IPS officer brought by BJP, Ravindra Patil, is not even an IPS officer. BJP has become a party of lies. On the eve of elections, they are doing all this. I am a farming man; I don't even understand Bitcoin." Patole announced plans to take legal action, stating, "We have given a legal notice and filed an FIR. We will also file a defamation case against Sudhanshu Trivedi and Ravindra Patil. Our government is going to be formed in Maharashtra, and we will conduct a proper inquiry into this." The Maharashtra Assembly elections have seen heated exchanges between political parties. Both the ruling BJP-led alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi have accused each other of resorting to misinformation campaigns. (ANI)
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met with Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday. During the meeting, both leaders discussed strengthening the air connectivity of the state of Chhattisgarh and also the development of other regional airports. The Secretary to the Chief Minister, Rahul Bhagat, and the Investment Commissioner of Chhattisgarh, posted in New Delhi, Ritu Sen, were also present during the meeting. Earlier in October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the Maa Mahamaya airport in Darima village of Chhattisgarh's Surguja district. According to a government release, this air service is expected to usher in a new chapter for millions in Surguja and nearby districts such as Jashpur, Surajpur, Balrampur, Korea, and Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur. Residents will now have easier access to major cities across the country, offering a more cost-effective and time-saving travel option. The airport now connects the remote tribal district of Surguja with air services to the rest of the country, the release mentioned. The upgrade of the airstrip at Maa Mahamaya Airport in Ambikapur was carried out under the Government of India's Regional Connectivity Scheme. The airport spans 365 acres and was constructed at a cost of Rs 80 crore. It is classified as a 3C VFR category airport, capable of accommodating 72-seater aircraft. The terminal building has been expanded to cater to an estimated capacity of 500,000 passengers annually, as per the release. Earlier, November 14, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced the launch of the state's new Industrial Policy for 2024-2030, aimed at driving economic growth, generating employment, and fostering sustainable industrial development. The new policy focuses on key areas such as employment generation, skill development, export promotion, investment attraction, and environmental protection. There are also specific exemptions for women entrepreneurs, members of the third gender, Agniveer soldiers, retired ex-servicemen, entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and surrendered Naxalites, offering them pathways into public and private sector employment. (ANI)
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Wednesday that the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) has shown slight improvement over the past two days, and reassured that the government is taking active steps to further reduce pollution levels in the national capital. Gopal Rai said that he is scheduled to chair a meeting here at the secretariat in view of the implementation of the measure wherein 50 per cent government employees will switch to work-from-home mode to tackle pollution in Delhi. Speaking to ANI, Rai said, "If we compare the last 2 days, a slight decline is being recorded in the AQI of Delhi and we hope that further improvement will be seen. Our effort is to reduce the level of pollution in Delhi as much as possible, for which the government is taking many steps. It has been decided to work 50 per cent from home apart from the departments of the Delhi government which provide essential services." "We have called a meeting and we will discuss how to implement it in detail so that essential services are not affected and people get some relief from pollution," said Rai. Taking to his official handle on X, Gopal Rai posted, "To reduce pollution, Delhi government decided to work from home in government offices. 50 per cent employees will work from home." The air quality in the national capital deteriorated back into 'severe' category on Wednesday morning as a thin blanket of smog covered parts of the city, reducing visibility and the quality of air touching a low level of air quality index (AQI). The air quality index had been reeling under the 'severe plus' category for the past two consecutive days. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) at 424 as of 9 am today, placing it in the 'severe' category. Earlier on Tuesday, Gopal Rai wrote to Union Environment Minister Minister Bhupendra Yadav requesting to immediately convene an emergency meeting with Delhi Government, IIT Kanpur and all other central Government Departments like DGCA, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Defence etc. involved in issuing clearance to conduct cloud seeding in Delhi, as an emergency measure. Gopal Rai said, "Time has come to carry out artificial rainfall to break the layer of smog. The Government of Delhi with the help of IIT Kanpur has last year explored cloud seeding as an emergency measure to artificially induce rain and reduce air pollution during such critical periods. This year we started preparations in August to carry out cloud seeding. Despite several requests meeting was not held earlier." He said that till the layer of smog is not broken the pollution cannot be mitigated.Rai said, "We are continuously working. We have banned BS-III petrol four wheelers, BS-IV diesel vehicles. All trucks, diesel buses coming from outside have been banned. Schools have been closed for 10th and 12th as well. Thirdly, timings have been staggered for offices. About work from home, we are also working on that. A decision will be taken soon. We will also implement that. We are working on all the things that are in our hands and we will continue to do so. The layer of smog has to be broken." He sought an emergency meeting with the Union Environment Minister. "We are trying to reduce the layer of smog. We are seeking an emergency meeting with the Union Environment Minister so that we can take all actions on the ground. We are also discussing odd-even but now experts are saying that we have imposed so many restrictions, people are now considering how much of an impact it will have," he added. The capital's air quality index (AQI) has remained in the "severe" category for days, with PM2.5 concentrations surging past 400 mg/m3 -- far beyond the World Health Organization's (WHO) safe limit of 15 mg/m3 for 24-hour exposure. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), imposing restrictions like bans on truck entry and a halt to public construction projects. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appealed to the voters in Maharashtra and Jharkhand to actively participate in elections, stressing that their votes are crucial in strengthening democracy and promoting the region's development, especially in sectors like education, healthcare, employment, and infrastructure. "Each and every vote matters in realizing the vision of a developed India," said Chief Minister Dhami. In a message to the people for the Kedarnath by-election, CM Dhami also requested that voters in the Kedarnath Assembly region actively participate in the electoral process, highlighting that their votes are essential for the region's growth. Taking to his official handle on X, CM Dhami posted, "Dear residents of Kedarnath, it is a humble request to all of you to exercise your valuable right to vote to take the development journey of Kedarnath Assembly to new heights. Your vote will not only strengthen democracy but will also pave the way for overall development and prosperity of the region along with education, health, employment and infrastructure." "I appeal to all the voters of Maharashtra and Jharkhand to exercise their franchise wisely. Your every vote is important to strengthen democracy. Your one vote will prove to be helpful in the overall development, prosperity of the country and in realizing the dream of a developed India. Fulfill your responsibility and strengthen democracy," read the post. Meanwhile, Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 6.61 per cent till 9 am on Wednesday in the single-phase assembly elections that began earlier this morning, while Jharkhand registered a voter turnout of 12.71 per cent by the same time in the second phase of assembly elections in the State, according to the Election Commission of India. As per the polling body's data in Maharashtra, the naxal-hit district Gadchiroli recorded the highest voter turnout of 12.33 per cent, while the district of Osmanabad recorded the lowest voter turnout of 4.85 per cent till 9 am. Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase on 288 seats of Maharashtra assembly elections and second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, covering the remaining 38 seats. Earlier on Monday, CM Dhami expressed confidence that the BJP would secure a decisive victory in the Kedarnath Assembly constituency, citing a favourable atmosphere for the party. As of 9 am today, the total voter turnout in the Kedarnath by-election was recorded at 4.30 per cent. The by polls is seen as an important event for the region's political future. After the demise of BJP MLA Shaila Rani Rawat in July this year, the assembly seat in Rudraprayag district fell vacant. Among the six candidates in the fray for the seat, the fight is between BJP's Asha Nautiyal and Congress's Manoj Rawat. Earlier in the day, polling commenced for the by-elections in 15 Assembly seats across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Uttarakhand. Earlier, mock polls were conducted in all constituencies to ensure a smooth election day. Election officials have worked tirelessly to finalise preparations, while security arrangements have been tightened across polling stations to ensure a peaceful and orderly voting process for citizens. (ANI)
A body of a 23-year-old girl was found in the Karhal assembly constituency in Mainpuri on the day of by-poll voting, police said on Wednesday. According to the police, the victim has been identified as Durga who was missing for two days. Her body was found today in a sack in the Karhal area. Mainpuri Superintendent of Police (SP), Vinod Kumar told ANI that victim's family has alleged political motives behind the crime. "The body of a 23-year-old girl from Karhal was found this morning. A case has been registered against two people by her father. One of them is Prashant Yadav and the other is Mohan Katheria. Both of them have been arrested. Her parents have given a statement that their daughter was murdered in order to prevent her from voting for the BJP. Further investigation is underway," the Mainpuri SP said. Meanwhile, voting is underway at nine seats in Uttar Pradesh--Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari, and Majhawan. Samajwadi Party has alleged that the police are affecting voting in all the nine seats in Uttar Pradesh where by-polls are underway, while the BJP has written a letter to the Election Commission complaing about "fake voting" specifically in Kundarki and Sisamau seats. SP on its official handle on X has alleged that the police are affecting voting at nine seats in Uttar Pradesh where by-polls are underway. "At booth number 357,422 in Kundarki assembly constituency of Moradabad, police are harassing voters and affecting voting. Election Commission should take cognizance, fair voting should be ensured," the party alleged on X. On the other side, the Uttar Pradesh BJP wrote a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer alleging that fake ID cards are being provided to the people who came from outside to cast their vote. The BJP specifically mentioned Kundarki and Sisamau Assembly seat. (ANI)
Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Ambedkar on Wednesday reiterated his prediction saying that the national political parties would have limited impact in the Maharashtra elections, and asserted that regional parties in the state will emerge stronger. "We had earlier predicted that the National political parties will not have much influence in the Maharashtra elections. I see the prediction is correct. Regional parties will be strengthened," VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar told ANI. VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar cast his vote for the Maharashtra assembly elections at a polling booth in Akola earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, after casting his vote on Wednesday, described the elections as a "festival of democracy" and urged everyone to participate actively, while also highlighting the difference in governance during the rule of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the Mahayuti. "Today is the festival of democracy, and everyone should participate and vote. This will strengthen Maharashtra and its democracy. People have not forgotten what happened in 2019. The mandate was for Mahayuti, but Mahayuti could not form the government. People have seen their (Maha Vikas Aghadi) 2.5 years of rule and our 2.5 years of development. Mahayuti will form the government with a huge majority," Shinde said. Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde cast his vote at a polling booth in Thane for the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. A voter turnout of 32.18 per cent was recorded till 1 PM in the single-phase assembly elections in Maharashtra while Jharkhand recorded a turnout of 47.93 per cent by the same time in the second phase of assembly polls, according to the Election Commission of India. Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra recorded the highest voter turnout of 50.89 per cent, while the district of Nanded recorded the lowest voter turnout of 28.15 per cent till 1 PM, as per the data of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to vote in large numbers for the assembly elections. Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase on 288 seats of Maharashtra assembly elections and second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, covering the remaining 38 seats. (ANI)
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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Argentine President Javier Milei on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

China is ready to continue its financial cooperation with Argentina and help Argentina maintain economic and financial stability, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Xi pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, the two countries have adhered to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

China's policy toward Argentina has always been oriented towards all the Argentine people, and China-Argentina cooperation also benefits them all, he said.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership, and relations between the two countries stand at an important historical juncture of building on past achievements and forging ahead, Xi said.

China cherishes the traditional friendship between the two peoples, supports the Argentine side in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions through reform, he said.

China stands ready to work with Argentina to promote the long-term and stable development of the China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership and make a greater contribution to their respective development, said Xi.

Noting that the current world situation is undergoing profound changes, Xi said China and Argentina should continue to firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen exchanges at all levels and in all fields, and promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, so as to make China-Argentina friendship more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

The economic and trade structure between the two countries is highly complementary, and the prospects for cooperation are broad, Xi said.

He welcomed the Argentine side to seize the significant opportunities created by China's high-level opening-up and further expand its market share in China.

China is willing to work with Argentina to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said.

China is ready to deepen cooperation with Argentina in energy and mining, infrastructure, agriculture, scientific and technological innovation, digital economy and other fields, he added.

For his part, Milei said he was very pleased to meet President Xi, thanking China for the valuable assistance to Argentina in stabilizing its domestic economic and financial situation.

Argentina and China enjoy profound traditional friendship, Milei said, adding that Argentina hopes to be a reliable and stable partner of China.

Argentina firmly supports China's position on the Taiwan question and stays committed to the one-China principle, he said.

Milei said Argentina hopes to further strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of economy, trade, energy, mining and finance, welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and cooperate in Argentina, and stands ready to provide a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises investing in Argentina and protect their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law.

The Argentine side highly appreciates Xi's insightful proposals on global governance at the G20 Leaders' Summit and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China, Milei said.

Argentina supports the further success of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum and is willing to play a positive role in promoting the development of relations between China and Latin America, he added.
BJP leader and candidate Kirit Somaiya on Wednesday exercised his franchise to participate in the democratic festival and cast his vote at a polling booth in Mulund area of Mumbai. Kirit Somaiya along with his family cast their vote for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, at a polling booth in Neelam Nagar, Mulund. In a self-made video, Somaiya said "...People are coming out to vote with great enthusiasm. Hum ek hain toh safe hain..." Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol also casts his vote at a polling booth in Pune for the Assembly elections. He took to X to urge the voters to cast their vote in these elections, saying "make sure to vote and participate in this celebration of democracy." "Voted with family in Kothrud Assembly Constituency today in Maharashtra Assembly Elections. I appeal to all the voters of Maharashtra, make sure to vote and participate in this celebration of democracy! Voted with my family in Kothrud assembly constituency of Pune, my parliamentary constituency for the Maharashtra assembly elections. My appeal to all the voters of Maharashtra is to vote and contribute actively to the celebration of democracy," Mohol posted on X. https://x.com/mohol_murlidhar/status/1859088403142217866 Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde cast his vote at a polling booth in Thane for the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. After voting, the incumbent CM showed his inked finger to the media. Shinde, who became the 20th Chief Minister of Maharashtra after leading a rebellion against Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, is a four-time elected MLA from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency in Thane. Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis also urged people to vote in large numbers, underlining the importance of voting in a democracy. He said, "The biggest festival of democracy is ongoing. Along with my family, I have cast my vote. I urge everyone to vote in large numbers because voting is not just our right but also our responsibility. We elect a Govt in democracy and hold expectations from them. So, voting is important." After casting his vote at a polling booth in Nagpur, Devendra Fadnavis, along with his wife Amruta and mother Sarita, showed their inked fingers to the media. Meanwhile, despite several call-outs by politicians and celebrities Maharashtra recorded a sluggish turnout of 32.18% till 1 PM. Voting for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections began at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies. The votes will be counted on November 23. (ANI)
Adoption Awareness month celebrated annually in November, is an initiative led by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) and its stakeholders to raise awareness about the legal adoption process. Organised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, this month promotes the importance of legal adoptions across India. The 2024 theme, "Rehabilitation of Older Children through Foster Care and Foster Adoption," focuses on finding homes for children in foster care, especially older children and those with special needs. As part of the campaign, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, is celebrating the occasion at Lucknow on 21st November 2024. This year's campaign includes a blend of offline and online activities, with events planned in different states in the country. These events will feature interactive sessions, cultural programs, competitions, and Q&A sessions with prospective adoptive parents (PAPs), adoptive parents, and stakeholders. In partnership with MyGov India, CARA is also conducting online activities such as storytelling, poster-making, slogans, and surveys to engage the public. Through social media, CARA continues to share valuable information, emphasizing the significance of legal adoption and foster care in building brighter futures for children in need. The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Women & Child Development, oversees ethical and legal adoptions in India, prioritising the best interests of children. As the central authority for Indian adoptions, CARA regulates and monitors both in-country and inter-country adoptions, adhering to the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993, ratified by India in 2003. Working with recognized adoption agencies, CARA facilitates the adoption of orphaned, abandoned, and surrendered children. To streamline the adoption process, CARA launched the CARINGS portal, an e-governance initiative that ensures transparency, efficiency, and accountability in facilitating adoptions while providing a seamless experience for all stakeholders. The CARINGS (Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System) portal was launched in February 2011. It serves as the sole platform for adoption, complying with the Hague Convention, international protocols, and national laws. It has been facilitating both in-country and inter-country adoptions since 2015. Its latest version (3.2), operational since November 10, 2022, incorporates new provisions under the Adoption Regulations 2022, including modules for In-Country Relative Adoption and Post-Adoption follow-ups, Foster-care and Foster Adoption Portals. The portal integrates data of legally free children with that of Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs), enabling automated matching based on preferences and providing features like Special Needs and Immediate Placement tabs for direct child selection. PAPs can track their adoption status, while stakeholders receive SMS/email alerts. New features include DM modules for online adoption orders and priority-based referrals for RI/NRI/OCI PAPs. The adoption process includes several stages: registration, home study, matching with a child, legal formalities, and post-adoption monitoring. Before understanding the adoption process, let's first understand adoption and foster care. Adoption is a legal process where a child is permanently placed with adoptive parents, who take on full parental rights and responsibilities. It offers children in need a stable, loving home. Adoption is a transformative journey that provides children with the love and stability of a family while enriching the lives of adoptive parents. Initiatives like Adoption Awareness Month play a crucial role in explaining the adoption process, inspiring more families to open their hearts and homes. By fostering awareness and understanding, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a nurturing environment, creating brighter futures for all involved. (ANI)
The fifth edition of the bilateral military exercise VINBAX 2024 between the Indian and Vietnamese armed forces is currently underway at Ambala, Haryana. This significant exercise, being conducted from November 4 to 23, aims to enhance the joint military capability of both nations, particularly in deploying Combat Engineering Companies and Medical Teams for Peacekeeping Missions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, Indian Army said The validation phase of the exercise was conducted on November 19 and 20. This critical phase validated the training standards achieved in constructing force protection assets and other activities as mandated by the UN. The joint contingent also undertook rehabilitation and restoration tasks, showcasing interoperability and the effective employment of medical teams for humanitarian assistance. Indian Army officials said, "Strengthening the Indo-Vietnam friendship, The fifth edition of Exercise VINBAX-24 is currently underway at Ambala. Troops of the Indian Army and VPA are being trained on employment and deployment of the engineering company and a medical team in the UN Mission." For the first time in the VINBAX series, the exercise incorporated the extensive use of air assets, including contributions from the Indian Air Force and Indian Army Aviation. These assets were deployed for reconnaissance, aerial insertion of personnel and materials, and underslung carriage of engineering equipment, reflecting the advanced coordination between the two nations'' forces. VINBAX 2024 represents a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing mutual confidence, and fostering the exchange of best practices. The exercise underscores the commitment of India and Vietnam to global peace and stability and reinforces their readiness to address multifaceted challenges in peacekeeping operations. According to Ministry of Defence, "The exercise is a sequel to previously conducted bilateral exercise in Vietnam in 2023 and a major milestone in strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Vietnam." This edition marks a significant increase in the scope with Bi Service level participation for the first time by personnel of Army and Air Force from both the countries. "The Indian Army contingent comprising 47 personnel is being represented by a Regiment of the Corps of Engineers along with personnel from other arms and services.The Vietnamese contingent comprising of similar strength will be represented by the troops Vietnam People''s Army," the statment added. (ANI)
AIUDF MLA and Party General Secretary Rafiqul Islam on Wednesday hit out at Chief Minister Himant Biswa Sarma over the state cabinet decision of renaming Karimganj as Sribhumi District, saying that they only see 'Muslim' in Karim. Speaking to ANI, he said that it is difficult to say that he is the Chief Minister of Assam, referring to his role as the BJP election in charge of Jharkhand. "The CM has nothing to do right now. He stayed in Jharkhand for a month. It is difficult to say that he is the Chief Minister of Assam," he stated. He further said that Karimganj is a historical name. "Karimganj is a historical name. So if those who are saying that the names that are not in the dictionary, which are not meaningful, will change it, then thousands of names in Assam will have to be changed," he added. Describing the meaning of Karim, he said, "Karim has a good meaning; why there is no meaning, it has a good meaning. Karim means love and affection." "They only see Muslims in Karim," Rafiqul Islam added. He underscored the role of his ancestors in keeping Karimganj with India, adding that he takes pride in the matter. "When India-Pakistan was divided, at the time of the referendum, some people came together to split this district into two pieces and took the piece of Sylhet with Pakistan. But it remained in Assam. We speak in pride that our ancestors made efforts to keep Karimganj with India during partition," he noted. "Karimganj remained in Assam. If Matlubur Rahman Majumdar voted in favor of Pakistan that day. The area would not have been in Pakistan... The Chief Minister should read all this and then put your hand into these things," he claimed. This came after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday stated that the Karimganj District will be renamed Sribhumi. The key decision has been taken in the state cabinet meeting held on November 19. "Over 100 years ago, Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore had described modern-day Karimganj District in Assam as 'Sribhumi'--the land of Maa Lakshmi. Today the #AssamCabinet has fulfilled this long-standing demand of our people," CM Sarma posted on X. (ANI).
The Kochi Biennale Foundation (KGF) on Wednesday announced artist Nikhil Chopra and his team, HH Art Spaces, as the curators for the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), a major international contemporary art event. The selection was made by a committee of art world professionals, including Shanay Jhaveri, Dayanita Singh, Rajeeb Samdani, Jitish Kallat, and Bose Krishnamachari. The event will begin on December 12, 2025, and will continue for four months until March 31, 2026, featuring 60 artists and artistic practices from India and across the world. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan introduced Chopra at a press conference in Kochi as the curator for the event. Chopra is known for his work in performance, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and installation, and his artistic practice explores themes of identity, politics, history, and the body. Chief Minister Vijayan further extended a welcome to Chopra and his team, HH Art Spaces, based in Goa, and invited people from Kerala, India, and globally to attend the event, which aims to promote art, community engagement, and dialogue. "We invite the people of Kerala, the nation, and the world to join us in celebrating this spectacular event that fosters the spirit of art, community, and dialogue," Vijayan said. KBF was established in 2010 by artists for artists as a non-profit, charitable trust set up in Kerala, South India, to promote art, culture, heritage, and education. The Government of Kerala has been a principal supporter of the Kochi Biennale Foundation.KBF''s mission is to promote artistic and cultural education through engagement and dialogue with exhibitions of diverse and inclusive art practices. KBF aims to catalyse Kochi and its surroundings with contemporary art and ideas and to work towards the restoration and conservation of heritage properties and monuments and the revival of traditional forms of art and culture.KBF hosts the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), India''s largest contemporary art festival that is presented biennially in the historic port city of Kochi, on the Malabar coast of India.KMB draws from Kerala''s rich multicultural history, including the fabled Chera harbour of Muziris that traded with the Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean regions. In the recent past, Kochi was ruled and influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial cultures and has been home to a number of ethnic communities, including Jews, Konkinis, and Gujaratis. (ANI)
Union Minister of State and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar was detained by police on Wednesday while he was on his way to visit the violence-affected area in Murshidabad's Beldanga. Majumdar, along with his convoy, was stopped by police at the Jalangi Bridge while he was on his way to the region that had recently witnessed communal violence between two communities on Saturday night due to an objectionable message displayed on a board at a temporary gate set up for a religious event. After he was stopped by the police, the Union Minister staged a sit-in. Majumder alleged that the police had stopped him and his convoy illegally, and because of this they were forced to sit on the highway. He further alleged that the police were doing this under the supervision of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. "The police have stopped us illegally. They stopped the National Highway, which is illegal. Now they have forced us to sit here on the highway. We told the police that we would meet the Maharaj at Bharat Sevashram Sangh in Beldanga and then come back. Police are not allowing us to go...Police are doing all of this under the supervision of Mamata Banerjee," the Union Minister said. On Monday, the media cell of the West Bengal Governor, CV Ananda Bose, took to the social media platform X, stating that a response team from the state government was sought on the representations received on the matter and that law enforcement has been put in the area. "It has been brought to the notice of HG that reportedly communal tension has flared up in Beldanga in Murshidabad district from the night of 16.11.2024, giving rise to serious law and order issues. Targeted violence has been cited in the representations resulting in injuries to several persons and palpable tension in the area. An immediate response from the State Government has been sought on the representations received in this connection, indicating inter alia the steps that the law enforcement mechanism is taking and the system that has been put in place as a deterrent to flaring up of law and order issues," the WB Raj Bhavan Media Cell stated. (ANI)
In a shocking incident, a 26-year-old woman teacher was hacked to death by a man allegedly over personal rift on the premises of a government school in Thanjavur district on Wednesday. The deceased identified as Ramani (26) was attacked with a knife by the accused identified as Madhan (30) on Wednesday morning in personal vengeance. According to the Thanjavur police, "Preliminary investigations revealed that Madhan had love interest for Ramani following which his family expressed interest in arranging their marriage, to which Ramani declined. Frustrated by her refusal, Madhan attacked Ramani in the staff room of the government school." Upon receiving the information, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh promptly visited the scene and directed the Thanjavur District Collector to arrange counselling for the students who witnessed the tragic incident, to help them cope with the trauma. Thanjavur DIG Ziaul Haque, IPS, and SP Ashish Rawat, IPS, conducted an inspection of the site. Addressing the media, Thanjavur DIG Ziaul Haque stated, "This morning, an unfortunate incident occurred. The inspector concerned near the site responded swiftly, apprehending the accused within 30 minutes. Preliminary findings indicate that both individuals were from the same area and were acquainted. A misunderstanding appears to have led to the incident. The attack took place in the staff room, which was accessible as the gate was open and no watchman was present. The accused was already familiar with the staff room's location. Further investigations are underway." School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh spoke to ANI over the incident and said, "It is a huge loss for our teacher community. The main person involved in this incident has been arrested. The Chief Minister has asked me to immediately go to the spot, so I will reach the spot by 5 pm. I have asked the District Collector to give some counselling to the students and declare a holiday today immediately. Within a day or two we will give counselling and only after that we will open the school." Meanwhile, the opposition parties AIADMK and BJP criticized the DMK government over the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu. Taking to his social media handle X, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami posted, "It is shocking to know teacher Ramani hacked to death at Thanjavur. Condolences to her family. Law and Order under DMK government is in very had shape as government teachers, government doctors and other government staff are not safe even in their working premises. DMK should focus more on law and order in the state." (ANI)
Shiv Sena leader and its candidate from Dindoshi constituency Sanjay Nirupam on Wednesday alleged that the Shiv Sena (UBT) workers attacked one of their booth workers. Sanjay Nirupam is contesting Maharashtra assembly polls from the Dindoshi constituency on Shiv Sena's ticket. Speaking to ANI, Sanjay Nirupam said, "Peaceful polling was being held in the Dindoshi assembely segment; voters were voting as per their choices, recently in Sanjaynagar, which was a Muslim majority area. One of our booth workers in that area was attacked by the Shuv Sena (UBT) workers in that area. I reached that place, called the police, and asked them to book FIR." He said that polling must happen peacefully; if someone is causing disruptions, immediate action must be taken against him. When asked about the allegation of cash for votes against BJP's Vinod Tawde, Nirupam said, "5 crore rupees were not found anywhere. Usually rumours were spread during elections if a few people gathered at one place. He went there to discuss with party members, and opposition parties created a ruckus there." Meanwhile, Maharashtra recorded a sluggish voter turnout of 32.18 percent in the single-phase assembly elections. In contrast, a turnout of 47.92 percent was registered in the second phase of assembly polls in Jharkhand as of 1 pm, according to the Election Commission of India. The Naxal-hit Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra recorded the highest voter turnout of 50.89 percent, while Mumbai city recorded the lowest turnout at 27.73 percent by 1 pm. Other areas saw varying turnout percentages, with Mumbai Suburban at 30.43 percent, Nagpur at 31.65 percent, Thane at 28.35 percent, and Pune at 29.03 percent, among others. As voting is underway for Maharashtra Assembly elections, BJP leader Pankaja Munde expressed confidence that the BJP and Mahayuti were going to win a majority and form a government comfortably. Pankaja Munde said, "I am a leader of the (BJP) Maharashtra Core Committee. I have tried to visit and attend as many public gatherings as possible But I was only able to attend 40 percent of public meetings due to time constraints. BJP and Mahayuti are going to win a majority and form a government comfortably." (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president YS Sharmila Reddy on Wednesday staged a protest at the Kadapa Collector's office demanding the establishment of the Kadapa steel factory. She symbolically broke coconuts to express her dissent against both the YSR Congress and the TDP-led government for not fulfilling their promise, despite the foundation stone for the factory having been laid. "Kadapa Steel is now reduced to just breaking coconuts. Changing Chief Ministers and breaking coconuts has become a recurring spectacle," Sharmila Reddy said while speaking at the protest venue. Former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy first laid the foundation for the steel plant on December 23, 2019, at Sunnapurallapalle village in Jammalamadugu mandal, about a year after his predecessor had done so in 2018 at a different location, Kambaladinne village in Mylavaram mandal. Jagan Mohan Reddy then laid the foundation stone again at Sunnapurallapalle in February 2023. Sharmila Reddy said that in 2014, Congress could not return to power at the centre, and hence Andhra Pradesh did not get Special Status or other promised bifurcation rights, including the Kadapa Steel Plant. "The BJP, despite being in power for the last decade, has failed to deliver on these bifurcation promises. Both Chandrababu Naidu and Jagan Mohan Reddy supported the BJP but did not ensure the implementation of the bifurcation assurances. In 2014, after becoming Chief Minister, Chandrababu initiated the Kadapa Steel Plant project but merely broke a coconut at a different site than the one earmarked by the YSRCP government," she said. Similarly, in 2019, after becoming Chief Minister, Jagan performed another symbolic coconut-breaking ceremony at a new site but did not progress the project, she added. She said that Congress is issuing an ultimatum to the government to establish the Kadapa Steel Factory, fulfilling the long-standing demand of the district's people. If no action is taken, the Congress Party will organize protests, rallies, and roadblocks, she said. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted eight weeks time to the Manipur government to respond to a plea challenging the system of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti granted time to the Manipur government to respond after the counsel for the state government sought time. On January 3, 2022, the apex court issued notice to the Centre and state government on the petition filed by Amra Bangali, a Kolkata-based organisation with a unit in Assam, demanding revocation of the ILP in Manipur. The plea has challenged the permit system contending that it provides unbridled power to the state to restrict entry and exit of non-indigenous persons or those who are not permanent residents of Manipur. The permit system was introduced by way of the Adaptation of Laws (Amendment) Order, 2019 which extends 140-year-old "colonial legislation" Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873 (BEFR). The plea said that the BEFR was enacted by the British to create a monopoly over the tea plantations in Assam (then part of Bengal) and to protect its commercial interests in the hilly areas from Indians. It prohibits Indians from engaging in trade with the tribal populace in the areas contained in the preamble of the BEFR. By virtue of the 2019 order, the ILP system has effectively been made applicable to the States of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and districts of Nagaland which are notified from time to time. The 2019 order violates the fundamental rights of citizens guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Indian Constitution since it grants unqualified power to the state for restricting the entry and exit of non-indigenous persons, the petition stated. It added, "The draconian ILP system is fundamentally opposed to the policies of social integration, development and technological advancement in the area beyond the Inner Line, apart from hampering tourism within the state, which is a major source of revenue generation for these areas." (ANI)
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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Bolivian President Luis Arce on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and Bolivia to align Belt and Road Initiative with Bolivia's 2025 development plan.

Xi made the remarks when meeting Bolivian President Luis Arce on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Noting that China and Bolivia are good friends and good brothers, Xi said that bilateral relations have maintained a sound momentum of development in recent years.

The two sides have firmly supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, and Belt and Road construction has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, said Xi.

China supports Bolivia in independently exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and is willing to take the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Bolivia next year as an opportunity to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen strategic mutual trust, expand win-win cooperation and lead the China-Bolivia strategic partnership to a new level, he said.

Xi stressed that the two sides should strengthen exchanges between governments, legislatures and political parties as well as at local level, carry out in-depth exchanges on governance experience, and expand cooperation in infrastructure construction, plateau agriculture, green development and digital economy.

The two sides should also deepen coordination within multilateral mechanisms, including the United Nations, BRICS, to promote unity, self-improvement and common development among Global South countries, he said, adding that China supports the integration of Latin America and stands ready to work with Bolivia to strengthen the building of such mechanism as the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum.

Hailing the profound and brotherly friendship between Bolivia and China, Arce expressed gratitude to China for helping Bolivia in its fight against COVID-19 and its efforts to promote Bolivia's economic and social development.

China has made remarkable accomplishments in its modernization process under Xi's leadership, providing valuable experiences and guidance for the development of Bolivia and other countries, he added.

Congratulating Xi on the recent opening of the Chancay Port in Peru, Arce noted that Bolivia is willing to jointly celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China next year, further deepen their strategic partnership and strengthen cooperation in such areas as infrastructure connectivity, so as to support Bolivia's national development and improve the well-being of its people.

Bolivia is ready to enhance cooperation with China in multilateral frameworks such as BRICS and the China-CELAC Forum, he said.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the promotion of 295 Chief Medical Officers in state-run hospitals to the next level, his office said in a statement on Wednesday. The promotion of a Medical Superintendent has been put on hold due to an alleged case of sexual harassment against him. According to the LG Office, "Since his joining as LG Saxena has been regularly issuing strict directions to all Departments to resolve pending issues of Government Employees' welfare i.e. Promotions, Service Matters, Cadre Restructuring as well as recruitment in a time-bound manner". "In line with his commitment to ensure timely promotions, career progression and providing better work conditions to Government Employees, Delhi LG, VK Saxena has approved the promotion of 295 Chief Medical Officers to the Pay Band 4 of Rs 37,400-67,000 (Grade Pay 8700/-) in terms of Delhi Health Service (Allopathy) Rules-2009. These promotions were pending since long," his office said. The case of the Medical Superintendent of Maharishi Valmiki Hospital, who was charged by a female doctor of sexual harassment has been deferred and has not been promoted. Altogether cases of 302 CMOs were considered for promotion of which 295 CMOs were found fit for grant of promotion. Among 7 left out cases, one case was kept under sealed cover pending the outcome of a vigilance case against him and 6 cases were not found fit for promotion, it added. The statement added that LG Saxena, right since the time he took over, has been pushing for due promotions, timely pensions and better service conditions for Government Employees. He has repeatedly said that timely promotions and improved service conditions not only boost morale and enhance the efficiency of the employees but also help them overcome career fatigue due to prolonged stagnation. Earlier on November 16, taking cognizance of reports that there was a "spurt" in the number of illegal immigrants in Delhi, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena issued instructions to police to remain "extra vigilant" and conduct a month-long drive to identify them. The principal secretary of Delhi LG wrote to the Chief Secretary, Police Commissioner, Commissioner MCD and Chairman NDMC and raised concerns that there are reports that efforts are underway for getting their identity documents such as Aadhar, Election identity Card, etc, prepared on the basis of fake documents and adopting manipulative process. "Election Identity Card, if issued to illegal immigrants, provides them with the most powerful right of democracy i.e., the Right to Vote in our country. Giving such rights to illegal immigrants cannot be accepted by any Indian Citizen and such moves can even be detrimental to National security," the letter said. It also mentioned that the Chief Secretary may issue instructions to District Magistrates through the Divisional Commissioner to exercise extra vigil in the verification of people applying for identity documents. (ANI)
Lashing out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav said that the BJP has been losing in the Uttar Pradesh by-polls. She added that the BJP's hooliganism is going on continuously wherever elections are taking place. "The Bharatiya Janata Party is losing, and the kind of rumours they are constantly spreading show that they are losing badly. BJP's hooliganism is going on continuously, and wherever elections are taking place, we have seen that the entire administration is working like an agent of the BJP. If such incidents are happening where people are being stopped from casting their votes, then I think this is a very serious matter," said Dimple Yadav. Slamming the BJP over the 'batenge toh katenge' slogan, the Samajwadi Party MP said, "They (BJP) have lost the Lok Sabha elections and are scared somewhere; that is why they are using the entire administration... I do not think that this (batenge toh katenge) slogan is going to get any place... This time our PDA voters are ready and will work to remove the BJP from Uttar Pradesh in the coming times." Earlier in the day, the Samajwadi Party alleged that the police are affecting voting in all nine seats in Uttar Pradesh where by-polls are underway, while the BJP has written a letter to the Election Commission complaining about "fake voting," specifically in Kundarki and Sisamau seats. "At booth number 357,422 in Kundarki assembly constituency of Moradabad, police are harassing voters and affecting voting. The Election Commission should take cognisance; fair voting should be ensured," the party alleged on X. On the other side, the Uttar Pradesh BJP wrote a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer alleging that fake ID cards are being provided to the people who came from outside to cast their vote. Voting is underway at nine seats in Uttar Pradesh--Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari, and Majhawan. The by-elections in Uttar Pradesh are significant for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which suffered a major setback in the state, winning only 36 out of 80 seats in the last general elections. (ANI)
The Madras High Court on Wednesday ordered the transfer of the Kallakurichi illicit liquor tragedy case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In June, 67 people died and more than 150 were hospitalised in Tamil Nadu's Kallacurichi allegedly after consuming spurious liquor. The case was earlier being investigated by the Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID). According to reports, the cause of death was due to ethanol being mixed with the liquor. Advocate Bala, who had filed the case in court, said, "Today, the Madras High Court has given directions that the further investigation be conducted by the CBI. We filed the case because 67 persons died after consuming illicit liquor. This is very shocking for Tamil Nadu, and the entire public is deeply upset. Therefore, a detailed inquiry was conducted and today, the court has directed the state government CB-CID to hand over the case to the CBI. We feel that this judgement will ensure that the real culprits are brought to justice." The advocate further alleged that the supplier of spurious liquor, Kannakutty, was protected by the ruling DMK party. "The person, Kannakutty (alias Govindaraj), who has sixty-eight cases against him, was protected and safeguarded by the ruling party. This allegation was made on a public platform and we have during the course of argument," the advocate claimed. Kannakutty and six others were arrested by the police in connection with the case. The AIADMK and other parties had earlier demanded that the case be transferred to the CBI. Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, Edappadi Palaniswami, and other leaders staging a hunger strike, seeking justice for the victims and calling for the case to be handed over to the CBI inquiry. Responding to the demands, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased and assured financial assistance for the education of victims' children. The police conducted multiple raids in Kallakurichi, seizing and disposing of more than 250 litres of illicit liquor. (ANI)
BJP candidate from Sishmau, Suresh Awasthi on Wednesday alleged that Samajwadi Party candidate Naseem Solanki came with SP goons to cast "fake votes" and urged the administration to restrict his entry at any polling station. "(Samajwadi Party candidate) Naseem Solanki came here with Samajwadi Party goons to cast fake votes. I request the administration that he should not be allowed to enter any polling station. And even if he goes, he should go as a candidate, so many goons should not be allowed with him," Suresh Awasthi told reporters. BJP's Suresh Awasthi is locked in a direct contest with Samajwadi Party's (SP) Nassem Solanki. Earlier today, Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad expressed confidence in NDA candidates contesting elections in nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh bypolls and asserted that the candidates will win by a 'huge majority'. Speaking to ANI, he said, "The candidates of the NDA are going to win with a huge majority. The public is voting for us on the basis of the promises we made. Others have united to stop the progress of the country." Uttar Pradesh Minister OP Rajbhar stated that the opposition is creating 'drama' due to their 'frustration and disappointment'. "The feedback we got from the public is that they want to vote for the ruling government. The drama that the opposition is creating is due to their frustration and disappointment, and the public knows that giving another two and a half years to the opposition would be like creating a hurdle in the path of development, and the opposition also knows that the people will not vote for them," OP Rajbhar said. On ruckus at a polling station, Kanpur Police Commissioner Akhil Kumar said that PWe have received a complaint. We have asked them (BJP candidate) to file an FIR. Legal action would be taken..." Notably, the voting for nine seats in Uttar Pradesh--Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari, and Majhawan--are underway. As of 3 pm, in Uttar Pradesh by-polls, Meerapur recorded a voter turnout of 49.06 per cent, Majhwan 43.64 per cent, Khair 39.86 per cent, Phulpur 36.58 per cent, Kundarki 50.03 per cent, Karhal 44.70 per cent, Katehari 49.29 per cent, Ghaziabad 27.44 per cent and Sishmau 40.29 per cent. The by-elections in Uttar Pradesh are significant for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which suffered a major setback in the state, winning only 36 out of 80 seats in the last elections. The results for all the seats in Maharashtra and Jharkhand and by-poll sets will be announced on November 23. (ANI)
More than 1.76 crore school students from all 36 States and UTs participated enthusiastically in Project Veer Gatha 4.0 on Wednesday in the national capital, a press release said. The students have sent poems, paintings, essays, videos, etc. in honour of the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces. Project Veer Gatha was instituted in 2021 with the aim of disseminating the inspiring tales of valour, selfless sacrifice and courage of the Gallantry Awardees and the life stories of these bravehearts among the students to inculcate the spirit of patriotism amongst them. Education Ministry in a statement said that Project Veer Gatha enhanced this noble aim by providing a platform for the school students to do creative projects/activities based on heroic deeds and sacrifice of gallantry award winners. Three editions of the Veer Gatha Project have been conducted in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. Under the Veer Gatha Project 4.0, the following activities have been conducted to date: As per the Education Ministry, "Schools have conducted various projects/activities (from September 16 to October 31) and have uploaded a total of 4 best entries from each school, on the MyGov portal." "Simultaneously, to enrich the knowledge about the gallant heroes and unsung stories among school students, the Ministry of Defence, through its field organisations or Army/Navy/Air Force, has organized virtual meets/face-to-face awareness programmes/sessions for schools across the country," the Ministry added. Since its inception, the project has witnessed increasing participation of students across the country. It may be noted that 8 lakh students had participated in the Veer Gatha Project (Edition-I); 19.5 lakh students participated in the second edition and the third edition saw a participation of 1.36 crore students. According to the release, during the Veer Gatha Project Editions I and II, 25 winners (Super 25) were selected and their felicitation was done by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Defence in New Delhi. In Veer Gatha Project 3.0, 100 winners (Super 100) were selected at the National Level. This year too, under Project Veer Gatha 4.0, 100 winners will be selected and their felicitation will be done jointly by the Education and Defence Ministry. Each winner will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 10,000. Also, there will be 4 winners each at the District level and 8 winners each at the State/UT level and all such winners will be felicitated by the respective District & State/UT, it added. (ANI)
Nita Ambani, the Founder-Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, cast her vote at a polling booth in Mumbai on Wednesday for the Maharashtra Assembly elections. "I have just cast my vote. It is an extremely proud feeling as a citizen of Mumbai to exercise my right to vote. I hope all Mumbaikars have come out and voted today. (I am) looking forward to the results," Nita Ambani told reporters. Earlier in the day, Mukesh Ambani, his sons Anant Ambani and Akash Ambani, Akash's wife Shloka Mehta, exercised their franchise at a Mumbai polling booth. After casting their votes for the Maharashtra assembly polls, the Ambanis showed their indelible ink-smeared fingers in front of the media, outside the pooling booth. Polling for 288-seat Maharashtra assembly elections concluded on Wednesday, with an approximate voter turnout of 58.22 per cent recorded till 5.00 pm. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the highest turnout was seen in Gadchiroli district at 69.63 per cent, while Mumbai city recorded the lowest at 49.07 per cent. Thane recorded 49.76 per cent. Polling for the second and last phase of Jharkhand assembly elections also concluded on Wednesday with an approximate voter turnout of 67.59 per cent till 5.00 pm. Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single phase on 288 seats of the Maharashtra assembly elections and the second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, covering the remaining 38 seats. The results for Maharashtra and Jharkhand will be announced on November 23. Earlier, Anand Mahindra also cast his vote and posted his inked finger picture on X saying, "Our greatest personal wealth is our right to vote in the world's largest democracy". Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das along with his wife cast their vote at the Activity School polling centre in the Malabar Hill assembly constituency and commended the arrangements at the polling station, lauding the Election Commission for its efficient planning. "The arrangements (at the polling station) were very good. I congratulate the Election Commission. The elections are being held in the middle of the week, so everyone is expecting a high voter turnout," Das said after casting his vote. The single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections commenced at 7 a.m. today across 288 constituencies, with voting set to conclude at 6 p.m. The elections have attracted 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, vying for seats in the politically significant state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting 149 seats, while its alliance partners, Shiv Sena and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), are fighting for 81 and 59 seats, respectively. On the other side, the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), is aiming to regain political ground. (ANI)
According to a Public Relations Officer, Meghalaya, "In its continuous efforts to curb smuggling, on 19th November 2024, vigilant troops of BSF, Meghalaya successfully thwarted a smuggling attempt of contraband items at the international border in Meghalaya. The items were intended to be smuggled into Bangladesh through the border area of the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya".

"Acting on specific information, troops of 4th Battalion BSF conducted a special operation near the international border and managed to seize the items which were concealed in a jungle area near the border," the PRO added.

The seized items were handed over to the Customs Office at Pynursla for further necessary action, it added.

In October, the Border Security Force successfully prevented a smuggling attempt in Meghalaya by seizing contraband worth Rs 12 lakh. The soldiers seized 12 cartons of ointment cream (Skin Shine) along the international border of Meghalaya.

In another operation earlier in the year, alert troops of the 4th Bn BSF Meghalaya rescued 27 cattle heads valued at Rs 2,85,400 while they were being smuggled to Bangladesh through the international border in the West Jaintia Hills district. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court has put a stay on the evidence proceedings in an attempt to murder case that is currently pending in the Rohini District Court. The stay was granted following a plea challenging the trial court's order to proceed with the evidence phase of the trial. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, in an order passed last week, noted that there is a distinction between merely referencing material or evidence on record and actually examining it. He observed that the trial court's order dated October 26, 2023, lacked any meaningful discussion or application of mind before framing charges against the petitioners. As a result, Justice Bhambhani stayed the further proceedings in the case, FIR registered under sections 307/34 of the IPC in Kanjhawala, Rohini, Delhi, in the Sessions Court, with respect to the petitioners--Ran Singh, son of the late Ved Prakash, and Vishal, son of Subash--until the next hearing before the High Court. The case has been re-notified for hearing on February 18, 2025. Advocates Ravi Drall and Aditi Drall, representing the two accused, argued that the charges were framed in a mechanical manner without proper consideration of key facts. They pointed out that the name of one of the revisionists, Ran Singh, was not mentioned in the FIR, and the other revisionist, Vishal, was not present at the scene of the incident according to the Call Detail Records (CDR). Additionally, both accused were not visible in the CCTV footage. The revision was admitted after the court allowed the condonation of a one-year delay in filing the revision. It was noted that both the complainant and the revisionists were known to each other. Adv Ravi Drall, representing the revisionists, submitted that a plain reading of the order dated October 26, 2023, revealed that there was no reference to any material that had come on record during the charge sheet or any reasoning provided by the Sessions Court to justify the framing of charges under sections 323, 325, and 307 of the IPC, read with sections 34 and 37 of the IPC, against all accused. Considering the contradictions in witness statements and delays in recording witness testimonies, the revision was partly allowed. (ANI)
Coming out heavily against Congress leader Nana Patole and NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule over their alleged involvement in a 'bitcoin scam', BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan expressed his discontent, stating that it was a "new low" in Indian politics and public discourse. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Kesavan stated, "These scandalous and alarming allegations involving Congress leader Nana Patole and Supriya Sule in this cryptocurrency corruption and bitcoin mark a dismal new low in Indian politics and public discourse." He described the charges involving attempts to extort and misappropriate money as disturbing and disquieting. "The allegations, as we have seen, are about money trying to be extorted and misappropriated. These are very disturbing and disquieting charges," he said. Retired IPS officer Ravindranath Patil from Pune on Wednesday, accused Supriya Sule and Nana Patole of being involved in a cryptocurrency fraud case from 2018, claiming that the funds from this fraud were used for election campaigns. These allegations have surfaced amid the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly elections, which are being held in a single phase on November 20. The BJP spokesperson further contrasted these allegations with the initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, according to Kesavan, has led the way in promoting digital India through UPI and other schemes, making significant changes in the country's digital landscape. "On one side you have Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has pioneered digital India, and through UPI and other initiatives, he has made a tectonic transformation in the lives of people. On the other side, you have the Congress and the MVA faced with serious allegations of digital scams and digital frauds," he added. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) today conducted raids at the premises of Gaurav Mehta, an employee of audit firm Sarathi Associates, in connection with an alleged bitcoin scam case. The searches were being carried out in Chhattisgarh's Raipur. The move comes after Supriya Sule, a Member of Parliament from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction), filed a cybercrime complaint with the Election Commission of India following allegations of using Bitcoin to fund the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly elections. The complaint targets Gaurav Mehta and a former Indian Police Service officer from Pune, Ravindranath Patil. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla joined the Uttar Pradesh Raj Bhavan as the chief guest in the Samagam 2024 program organised by Safe Society at Lucknow on Wednesday. Addressing the event, the Governor congratulated the Safe Society, a social organization working for child rights, protection, and development in Uttar Pradesh, for its efforts to advance child rights and for the upliftment of the deprived population. He said that this Samagam was started in the year 2023, and through this, a creative initiative was taken to ensure the investment of corporate social responsibility in line with government schemes, especially the safety and development of children. The Himachal Pradesh Governor said that this society is a ray of hope for millions of children who look up to us for a brighter, safer, and more equitable future and that children are the foundation of the progress of the nation. "Their well-being determines the health of our communities and the direction of our country's development. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child gets the opportunity to grow, learn, and live a life of dignity," he said. The governor said that every capable person had the power to impact a child's life, whether it was through volunteering, mentoring, donating, or advocating for child-friendly practices in their daily lives. He expressed confidence that the event would inspire meaningful dialogue, innovative solutions, and unwavering commitment to child rights and protection. The director of the Safe Society, Vishwa Vaibhav Shamadhya, welcomed the Governor earlier today. Vijayalakshmi Gautam, Minister for Rural Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Kaushal Kishore, former Union Minister; CP Verma, Secretary to Governor; Suresh Chandra Tiwari, former MLA from Lucknow Cantt; Devendra Kumar Sharma, Chairman, Child Development Commission; and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. (ANI)
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An Israeli airstrike targeted on Tuesday a Lebanese army center in the southern village of Sarafand, killing three Lebanese soldiers, according to a statement by the Lebanese army on X platform.

The health ministry said that the airstrike also injured eight other people, including civilians residing in surrounding areas.

Lebanese security sources told Xinhua that the incident occurred when an Israeli drone fired two air-to-surface missiles at an army post in Sarafand, killing three soldiers from the army's intelligence branch and destroying the post.

This follows an Israeli artillery attack on Sunday that killed two Lebanese army personnel and wounded three others near the town of Mari, in the eastern areas of southern Lebanon.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants instructed on Monday Lebanon's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York to file a complaint with the UN Security Council in response to the repeated Israeli targeting of the Lebanese army.

The deaths of the three soldiers have raised the army's death toll to 39 since the beginning of the war on Oct. 8, 2023.

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.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar set aside the Rajasthan High Court order granting bail to the three accused.

The top court directed the three accused--Satyaprakash, Abhimanyu, and Jaiveer--to surrender immediately before the jail authorities.

The brother of the deceased has challenged the High Court decision granting bail to the three accused.

Dinesh Kumar, a former Sarpanch of Silapur village in Neemrana, Rajasthan, was shot dead while ploughing his field on May 31, 2023. According to the prosecution, the shooters, Yashpal and Sachin, were hired by the accused--Satyaprakash alias Satya, Abhimanyu alias Mintu, and Jaiveer-- to kill the former sarpanch.

The prosecution alleged that the accused met on multiple occasions to conspire and finance the murder, arranged a stolen motorcycle for the shooters through another accomplice and coordinated the attack using WhatsApp, with Jaiveer providing live updates about the deceased's location.

The murder was premeditated and stemmed from longstanding enmity and rivalry over village politics, the prosecution alleged.

However, the accused claimed innocence.

The Additional Advocate General of Rajasthan, Shiv Mangal Sharma, appearing for the State, strongly opposed these arguments. The argument of the complainant was advanced by advocate Rupesh Kumar. (ANI)
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari slammed the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), calling them "Maha Vinash Aghadi" over the alleged involvement of NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole in a Bitcoin scam. Bhandari, on Wednesday, claimed that the MVA attempted to use "looted money of Rs 100 crores" through Bitcoin transactions in the ongoing elections in Maharashtra. Bhandari raised questions about the alleged involvement of Sule and Patole with a Dubai-based dealer and demanded answers regarding the identity of other leaders implicated in the Bitcoin scam. He stated that neither of the two leaders had responded to these questions or clarified their connection to the deal. "It has been proven now that 'Maha Vinash Aghadi' has tried to use the looted money of Rs 100 crores in these elections through bitcoin transactions. Neither Supriya Sule nor Nana Patole has been able to answer our specific questions. They have not been able to tell why they were in touch with the Dubai-based dealer and who the other big leaders involved in the Bitcoin cash scam are," Bhandari said. Notably, retired IPS officer Ravindranath Patil from Pune has accused Supriya Sule and Nana Patole of being involved in a cryptocurrency fraud case from 2018, claiming that the funds from this fraud were used for election campaigns. These allegations have surfaced amid the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly elections, which are being held in a single phase on November 20. Earlier today, BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan expressed his discontent over the matter, stating that it was a new low in Indian politics and public discourse. "These scandalous and alarming allegations involving Congress leader Nana Patole and Supriya Sule in this cryptocurrency corruption and bitcoin mark a dismal new low in Indian politics and public discourse," Kesavan said. (ANI)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over Tuesday's massive fire in Srinagar's Rainawari area, which damaged numerous structures and displaced several families. https://x.com/JKNC_/status/1859167918304395664 In a post on X on Wednesday, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) said, "Honourable Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah has expressed deep sorrow over the massive fire incident in Abi Gurpora Rainawari, which has damaged many houses and displaced several families. As soon as he was informed, MLA Tanvir Sadiq rushed to the spot to assess the situation and ensured that the administration provided all possible assistance." Omar Abdullah has directed his Minister for Food and Supplies, Satish Sharma, along with Advisor Nasir Wani, to personally visit the affected area and monitor the ongoing relief efforts. He has also initiated the process to extend additional support to the victims through the CM's Relief Fund. He assured the affected families that the Government stands firmly with them in this time of hardship, the JKNC said. The fire, which broke out in the Abi Gurpora area of Rainawari on Tuesday, caused extensive damage to structures. Authorities in Srinagar have urged residents to exercise caution when using heating devices during winter to avoid such incidents. Visuals from the spot showed distressed people sitting amid the remains of their houses. DM Srinagar, Bilal M Bhat, said on Wednesday that their teams are assessing the damage done by the fire. "Yesterday evening (Tuesday) a very unfortunate incident occurred... Our teams have been deployed here since yesterday. Necessary coordination efforts are being made, and we are trying to make arrangements for accommodation and food for those who have been displaced. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) will be providing relief today. Assessment of damage is being done by our teams... " "We will work on connectivity to the region and widen the roads... People are advised to exercise caution while using heating devices in winter, so these incidents can be averted...," DM M Bhat added. (ANI)
Two persons have been arrested for allegedly defrauding a 71-year-old man of Rs 40.7 lakh in a case involving a fake "digital arrest" in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, police said on Wednesday. The incident occurred on October 3. The accused were identified as Himmat Devani (58) and Atul Goswami (46), both from Gujarat. The incident occurred last month on October 3 in the district. The accused have been identified as Himmat Devani (58), a resident of Surat, Gujarat and Atul Goswami (46), a resident of Kachchh, Gujarat. DCP Crime Branch, Rajesh Tripathi said that the victim reported an online fraud. On October 3, the victim received a WhatsApp call from someone posing as a police officer from Bandra Police Station. The caller accused him of a 15 per cent commission from a Rs 2.6 crore re-transaction from a Mumbai bank. To make the deception convincing, the fraudsters showed him forged documents, including a fake Supreme Court order, and claimed the police and CBI were going to arrest him. The call was then transferred to someone impersonating a CBI officer, who demanded the victim's bank account details and instructed him to deposit his money into an RBI account for verification. Believing the story, the victim transferred Rs 40.7 lakh but later realized he had been scammed when the money was not returned, and approached the police and lodged a complaint, DCP Tripathi said. Acting on the complaint, a case was registered at Crime Branch Police Station under sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyay Sahita, 2023 and an investigation was initiated. During the investigation, police tracked down one of the accused, Himmat Devani, who was trying to flee to Nepal. Atul Goswami was arrested in Gujarat. The other accused, Atul Goswami was arrested from Gujarat. The accused admitted to providing bank accounts for the gang to facilitate the fraud, DCP Tripathi said. The Crime Branch is further interrogating the accused to identify other members of the gang and find out more details of the operation, he added. (ANI)
Assam Rifles and police recovered a huge consignment of Methamphetamine tablets and heroin worth Rs 85.95 crore in two separate operations in Mizoram's Zokhawthar, officials said on Wednesday. In a significant success against drug cartels, Assam Rifles, acting on precise intelligence, seized 28.520 kg of Methamphetamine and 52 gms of Heroin No 4 worth Rupees 85.95 crore in two separate operations on 20 Nov 24. This substantial recovery marks another milestone in Assam Rifles' relentless efforts to eliminate the drug menace from Mizoram and protect India's borders from the rising threat of narcotics smuggling, an official release said. The operation of recovery of Methamphetamine tablets was launched after receiving credible inputs about the movement of a suspicious consignment across the Tiau River, by two persons. As the joint team of Assam Rifles and Police closed in, the traffickers attempting to evade capture, fled the scene and crossed over to Myanmar abandoning their load. A thorough search of the consignment by the team led to the recovery of 28.520 kg of Methamphetamine tablets, valued approx at Rupees 85.56 crore, it said. In the second operation one female and a male, both residents of Myanmar were apprehended after they were found in possession of 52 gms of Heroin No 4 worth Rs 39 Lakh while moving in a Kenbo Bike. The seized contraband along with other items and the bike were handed over to the Police Department, Zokhawthar, for further investigation and legal proceedings, the release added. (ANI)
A delegation of senior secretaries of the Madhya Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, is on a two-day visit to Gujarat. The delegation, joined by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Finance and Energy Minister Kanubhai Desai, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Hasmukh Adhia, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM MK Das, and senior secretaries from various state departments, held a high-level meeting in Gandhinagar to gain detailed insights into Gujarat's holistic and inclusive development model, according to a press release. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, while praising Gujarat's inclusive development strategy, stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat has become a national role model through its emphasis on public good governance, innovation, and the effective use of technology in public welfare schemes and initiatives. The delegation appreciated Gujarat's initiatives shared during detailed presentations. These included brownfield and greenfield medical colleges in medical education, road infrastructure, energy efficiency, self-reliance in renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, bulk drugs, pioneering initiatives in the MSME sector, transparency in urban development, modern town planning with full facilities, the saturation approach in development schemes, and cluster development for emerging sectors like semiconductor industries and road transport, stated the press release. Referring to Gujarat's development model, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh praised the strong foundation laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as Gujarat's Chief Minister. He also acknowledged the dedication of Team Gujarat, working under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, to take the state to new heights. In the meeting, CM Bhupendra Patel stated that with the ongoing guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat has achieved significant development and remains committed to realising the vision of Viksit Gujarat for a Viksit Bharat, stated the press release. The MP Chief Minister and his senior secretaries had earlier reviewed the activities of the CM Dashboard and gained a thorough understanding of the feedback mechanism through the Real-Time Monitoring and Jan Samvad Kendra (Public Relations Centre). CM Yadav conveyed interest in exploring how Gujarat's initiatives could be implemented in Madhya Pradesh and invited a high-level delegation from Gujarat to visit for further discussions. At the end of the meeting, the Gujarat Chief Minister presented a memento to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, according to the press release. (ANI)
According to officials, the incident occurred at Aurora Pharmaceutical Company in the Suram area on Wednesday morning while workers were cleaning a reactor.

The injured were rushed to Yashoda Hospital in Secunderabad.

Two of the workers, who suffered severe burn injuries, are in critical condition, while the third is out of danger, police added.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
The assembly expressed their condolences, remembering Ramamurthy Naidu's contributions and his legacy as a prominent leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

Ramamurthy Naidu, 72, passed away on November 16 in a Hyderabad hospital after a prolonged illness. Naidu, a prominent TDP leader, won the Chandragiri constituency seat in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections in 1994.

On Sunday, his mortal remains were brought from the airport to Nara Vari Palle. Family members, including Minister Nara Lokesh, participated in the procession. TDP leaders had expressed deep sorrow over his passing during a mourning session. They remembered him as the voice of the poor and a man of the people. Floral tributes were paid to his portrait during the session.

Leaders across party lines had expressed their sorrow on his passing.

"Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's brother... Former MLA Nara Rammurthy Naidu's death is shocking. Praying God to rest his soul in peace...my deepest condolences to his family," Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had said in a post on X. (ANI)
Nasir Aslam Wani, advisor to Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Wednesday criticized the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for its decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014, a move he claims led to the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. "They (PDP) never thought about the progress and prosperity of the people of J-K. Had they not supported the BJP in 2014, Article 370 would not have been abrogated," Wani said while speaking to reporters. Following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories of J-K and Ladakh. Political parties in the region have since been demanding the restoration of statehood. Earlier this month, the Legislative Assembly passed a resolution calling for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370. However, the resolution was opposed by the BJP, which holds 29 seats in the assembly. Notably, the restoration of Article 370, the reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, and the implementation of the autonomy resolution were key promises in the National Conference's manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir elections. Earlier in the month, Jammu Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) President Farooq Abdullah said that the NC-Congress government in the Union Territory is doing 'very well' and assured of fulfilling all promises made in their election manifesto. "Our government is going very well...we will fulfil the promises made in our manifesto in 5 years," JKNC President Abdullah told reporters. The BJP-led Centre has said that Article 370 is history and said no power in the world can restore Article 370. The first session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, which concluded on November 8, also witnessed uproar over the issue of Article 370. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that Swahid Smarak Kshetra will become a pilgrimage to honour the sacrifice of those who laid down their lives during the Assam Agitation. CM Sarma visited Paschim Boragaon and inspected the Swahid Smarak Kshetra which is being built in the honour of supreme sacrifice of men and women of Assam Agitation. The Smarak Kshetra being built with a financial outlay of Rs 100 crore, will be dedicated to the people either on December 10 of this year or early next year. Taking stock of the construction work as well as the finishing touches, CM Sarma said, "The Swahid Smarak Kshetra, once completed will be a pilgrimage to honour the sacrifice of men and women who laid down their lives during the Assam Agitation. The complex will have one of the tallest towers and feature busts of all Veer Swahids." He also said that the State government took the project in honour of the people of the state who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Assam. He said that though 90 per cent work of the complex has been done, another work consisting of 'light and sound' and an 'auditorium' is in the pipeline which will add more beauty and convenience to the people who visit the complex. "The complex will have a meditation hall, a gallery featuring photographs related to Assam Agitation, and an outlet for ethnic cuisine for the people. The 225 feet Smarak symbolises the magnanimity and sacrifice of the martyrs of Assam Agitation," Dr Sarma added. The Chief Minister also talked to senior officers of PWD (Building) and the Assam Accord Implementation Department on different aspects of the project. He also asked the PWD (B) department for its early completion. Assam Accord Implementation and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Secretary Assam Accord Implementation Department Neera Daulagupu, Special Secretary PWD (B) Raj Chakrabarty, and other senior officers were present during the Chief Minister's visit to the Smarak. (ANI)
The Border Security Force (BSF) Tripura Frontier has announced an array of activities to celebrate BSF Raising Day on December 1, commemorating the establishment of the force in 1965. The celebrations will include a blood donation camp, border tours for children, motivational speeches, and lectures at educational institutions, aimed at fostering awareness and community engagement. A key highlight of the celebrations is a motor rally scheduled for November 22 starting at 8:30 AM. The rally will see participation from various forces, including BSF, CRPF, TSR, Assam Rifles, Tripura Police, and other central and state security personnel. Semi-military personnel and the general public of Agartala will also join the rally, which will commence at the BSF camp in Lichu Bagan and conclude at the BSF camp in Gokulnagar. The primary objective of the motor rally is to unite the public and raise awareness about the role and contributions of the BSF in safeguarding the nation. This initiative underscores the BSF's commitment to fostering a strong bond with the community while promoting a sense of pride and responsibility among citizens. Rajesh Kumar Langeh, Second in Command, said, as per the order of the Border Security Force (BSF) Headquarters, Tripura Frontier, we will be celebrating the 1st of December as BSF Raising Day, which marks the day in 1965 when the BSF was raised. On this occasion, several activities will be organized, including a blood donation camp, a border tour for children, motivational speeches and lectures at schools and colleges, and a motor rally, he said. He said that the motor rally will take place on 22nd November 2024 at 8:30 AM, with participation from BSF, CRPF, TSR, Assam Rifles, Tripura Police, and other central and state forces, as well as semi-military personnel. The general public of Agartala will also take part in the rally, Kumar Langeh added. Kumar Langeh further said that the rally will start from the BSF camp at Lichu Bagan and proceed to the BSF camp at Gokulnagar. The main objective of this motorbike rally is to unite and raise awareness among the general public, he added. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday announced Rs 5 lakhs ex gratia for the next of kin of a 26-year-old woman teacher who was hacked to death in the Thanjavur district of the state. The gratia would be given to the victim's family from the Chief Minister's Public Relief funds. The Chief Minister described the murder incident as brutal and said that the state government would ensure that the perpetrator gets the maximum punishment as per the law. "It was shocking and painful after learning about the unfortunate incident in Mallipattinam Government School, Thanjavur. Condolences to the Teacher Ramani's family. It is a brutal incident where the teacher was hacked to death. The accused was arrested immediately and this case would be given more focus, ensuring that the accused get maximum punishment as per law," MK Stalin said in a statement. The deceased identified as Ramani (26) was attacked with a knife by the accused identified as Madhan (30) on Wednesday morning in personal vengeance. According to the Thanjavur police, "Preliminary investigations revealed that Madhan had a love interest for Ramani following which his family expressed interest in arranging their marriage, to which Ramani declined. Frustrated by her refusal, Madhan attacked Ramani in the staff room of the government school." Upon receiving the information, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh visited the scene and directed the Thanjavur District Collector to arrange counselling for the students who witnessed the tragic incident, to help them cope with the trauma. Thanjavur DIG Ziaul Haque, IPS, and SP Ashish Rawat, IPS, conducted an inspection of the site. Addressing the media, Thanjavur DIG Ziaul Haque stated, "This morning, an unfortunate incident occurred. The inspector concerned near the site responded swiftly, apprehending the accused within 30 minutes. Preliminary findings indicate that both individuals were from the same area and were acquainted. A misunderstanding appears to have led to the incident. The attack took place in the staff room, which was accessible as the gate was open and no watchman was present. The accused was already familiar with the staff room's location. Further investigations are underway." School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh spoke to ANI over the incident and said, "It is a huge loss for our teacher community. The main person involved in this incident has been arrested. The Chief Minister has asked me to immediately go to the spot, so I will reach the spot by 5 pm. I have asked the District Collector to give some counselling to the students and declare a holiday today immediately. Within a day or two we will give counselling and only after that we will open the school." Meanwhile, the opposition parties AIADMK and BJP criticized the DMK government over the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu. Taking to his social media handle X, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami posted, "It is shocking to know teacher Ramani hacked to death at Thanjavur. Condolences to her family. Law and Order under DMK government is in very had shape as government teachers, government doctors and other government staff are not safe even in their working premises. DMK should focus more on law and order in the state." (ANI)
As the Jharkhand Assembly elections concluded on Wednesday, BJP candidate from Jamtara constituency Sita Soren thanked people for their support saying that the women of the state have decided to bring change. The BJP leader emphasised that the people of the state have come forward for 'Roti, Beti and Maati', adding that a change will be seen on November 23. "I thank the public for supporting BJP. The government which has been running for five years has betrayed the youth and women for the last five years. In this election, the women of Jharkhand have decided to bring change. Everyone came forward for 'Roti, Beti and Maati'...on (November) 23, we will see the change," she told ANI. Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly and BJP candidate from Chandankiyari seat Amar Kumar Bauri expressed confidence in the victory of BJP-led alliance in the state saying that the people were in a mood for change for the last two years. "People were in a mood for change for the last two years... Here the BJP-NDA government will be formed. The departure of this corrupt government is certain... We have said earlier also that if BJP government is formed, then whoever gets the opportunity under the guidance of the BJP Legislative Party and central leadership that leader will take the Jharkhand forward," he said. Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahay said that in areas where the second phase of polling took place, the JMM-led alliance has historically dominated, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) struggling to secure even a single seat. "The areas where polling took place in the second phase of elections, the JMM-INDIA alliance has always swept polls and BJP ever got even one seat. JMM's tally will only increase, not reduce. BJP could not raise even one issue during their campaign based on which they could claim to bring change...Hemant (Soren) will certainly become the CM again," the Congress leader said. Elections were held in two phases for 81 assembly seats in Jharkhand. According to three exit polls Jharkhand is likely to see a change of government with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance coming to power in the state, while one poll gives the majority to the ruling JMM-led alliance. According to the Chanakya Strategies exit poll, the BJP-led NDA is likely to win 45-50 seats in the state while the JMM-led alliance could win 35-38 seats. It said others could get 3-5 seats. Peoples Pulse exit poll said that the NDA may get 44-53 seats, the JMM-led alliance 25-37 seats and others 5-9 seats. Polling for the second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections across 38 constituencies in 12 districts concluded on Wednesday, recording an approximate voter turnout of 67.59 per cent till 5 pm. The first phase of the Jharkhand polls was held in 43 of 81 assembly seats on November 13. The results for all 81 constituencies will be declared on November 23, alongside those for Maharashtra Assembly elections and bypolls across several states. (ANI)
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has amended the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), introducing stricter measures to address escalating air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). According to the revisions, it will now be mandatory for NCR states to discontinue physical classes up to Class V under GRAP Stage III and up to Class XII under GRAP Stage IV. This marks a significant policy shift, removing the discretionary power previously held by state governments. The amended GRAP also includes a new directive under Stage III, requiring state governments to implement staggered timings for public offices and municipal bodies to reduce traffic congestion and associated emissions. This measure reflects the commission's commitment to proactive and coordinated action against deteriorating air quality in the region. Under GRAP Stage IV, a "mask advisory" has been introduced, urging individuals to wear masks when stepping outdoors during periods of hazardous air quality. This addition emphasizes the importance of personal health precautions alongside institutional interventions. The amendments come amidst heightened concern over Delhi-NCR's air pollution, which recently entered the 'Severe+' category with Air Quality Index (AQI) levels exceeding 450. Earlier on Monday, environmentalist Vimlendu Jha described the GRAP Stage IV measures as "similar to lockdown" but cautioned they are only temporary solutions. He highlighted the need for comprehensive, long-term strategies to address systemic causes of pollution, such as stubble burning, which has contributed significantly to the crisis. "This is the second day when the air quality index of Delhi NCR has been in the severe plus category. Glad that the government or Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced GRAP IV measures to be executed in Delhi NCR. It was important that these similar to lockdown measures are implemented in Delhi but we need to understand that this is not a solution," he said. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate to dense fog over Delhi-NCR in the coming days, potentially exacerbating the pollution crisis by trapping particulate matter closer to the ground. CAQM's amendments and GRAP's expanded scope signify a renewed push for coordinated efforts to combat air pollution. However, experts stress the urgent need for sustainable and preventative measures to ensure long-term improvements in air quality across the region. (ANI)
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Tuesday (local time) stated that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi reviewed the progress in recent disengagement efforts along the India-China border during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil. Misri noted that this meeting was mandated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit held last month. At the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, India and China held their first bilateral talks in five years, marking a significant step towards mending strained relations between the two neighbours. These ties have been marred by a prolonged military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The disengagement is seen as a concrete step towards restoring the pre-2020 status quo. The Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which resulted in casualties on both sides, was the most severe conflict between the two nations in decades. Additionally, agreements have been reached in other sectors along the LAC. During a press briefing, Vikram Misri said, "The meeting took place yesterday, and the two foreign ministers, as mandated by the two leaders during the meeting between the Prime Minister and President Xi Jinping in Kazan at the BRICS Summit last month, exchanged views. They reviewed progress in the recent disengagement in the India-China border areas and discussed the next steps in the bilateral relationship. The two sides are also discussing the possible scheduling of an early meeting between their special representatives." Earlier, EAM Jaishankar informed that India and China concluded the final phase of disengagement on October 21. Additionally, Misri highlighted key developments from the India-Australia annual meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. He emphasised the launch of the Renewable Energy Partnership, aimed at boosting two-way investment in the renewable energy sector. "The Prime Minister met with Prime Minister Albanese of Australia for the 2nd India-Australia Annual Summit. This was the 11th meeting between the two leaders. The highlight of the meeting was the launch of the Renewable Energy Partnership between the two countries," Misri said. The Renewable Energy Partnership aims to provide a framework for practical cooperation in priority areas such as solar PV, green hydrogen, and energy storage. Australian Prime Minister Albanese expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "I am delighted to welcome the launch of the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership. This is a significant milestone in our cooperation. Our new partnership will boost two-way investment in renewable energy." Misri also noted that discussions touched upon the upcoming QUAD Summit, scheduled to be held in India in 2025. "Naturally, there was a significant focus on cooperation under the QUAD format, as well as exploring the possibility of encouraging investments between the two countries in both directions," Misri said. (ANI)
Tel Aviv [Israel], November 20 (ANI/TPS): Israeli soldiers seized a weapons cache located beneath a schoolyard in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces disclosed on Tuesday. The weapons were found in an underground Hezbollah facility tens of meters long. Rockets, explosive charges, rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons were seized. The army added that soldiers also captured rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles, military equipment, and intelligence documents in a nearby building. On Monday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed not to allow the Iran-backed Hezbollah return to its pre-war strength. "We will be required, in order to ensure our security in the north, to systematically carry out operations--not only against Hezbollah's attacks, which could come. Even if there is a ceasefire, nobody can guarantee it will hold. So it's not only our reaction, a preventive reaction, a reaction in the wake of attack but also the capacity to prevent Hezbollah from strengthening," said Netanyahu during an address to the Knesset. Sarit Zahavi, president and founder of the Alma Research Center, told The Press Service of Israel in August that Hezbollah doctrine makes extensive use of civilian areas, where many more weapons, including ballistic missiles, are kept. "Hezbollah stores their weapons everywhere, both between villages and within the villages themselves," she said. "By and large, every third house in the Shi'ite villages of south Lebanon is used in some way by Hezbollah for military purposes, be it weapons storage, the entrance of a tunnel, or a launchpad for shooting rockets at Israel," she explained. Soldiers have even found cruise missiles inside homes ready for launch. After the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, Hezbollah began launching rockets and launching drones at northern Israel communities daily. More than 68,000 residents of northern Israel are displaced from their homes. Hezbollah leaders have repeatedly said they would continue the attacks to prevent Israelis from returning to their homes. According to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War, Hezbollah is forbidden from operating in southern Lebanon south of the Litani River. At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 97 remaining hostages, more than 30 have been declared dead. Hamas has also been holding captive two Israeli civilians since 2014 and 2015, and the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014. (ANI/TPS)
Dubai [United Arab Emirates], November 20 (ANI/WAM): H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council (UAE GBC), President of Dubai Women Establishment (DWE), wife of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, expressed deep appreciation and gratitude to the UAE's wise leadership for its continued support for women and commitment to strengthening their role in the nation's developmental and future-building journey. "As the Global Women's Forum convenes for its third edition in Dubai, it continues to fulfil its founding mission set eight years ago, aiming to galvanise international efforts in women's empowerment and advance gender balance. This underscores the UAE's distinguished position in this area, highlighted by its remarkable progress in global competitiveness indicators. The UAE remains committed to furthering these achievements. It strives to reach the highest levels of excellence by reinforcing women's influential and pivotal role in society." H.H. Sheikha Manal emphasised that the UAE's forward-thinking leadership has positioned the country among the world's leaders in gender balance and women's empowerment indices, elevating the UAE to 1st regionally and 7th globally in the 2024 Gender Equality Index, issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She added that the UAE is committed to supporting international efforts to empower women across all sectors through influential global partnerships that expand opportunities for women to actively participate in creating sustainable societies. Mona Al Marri announced that the Forum's discussions will centre around three thematic pillars: -"Future Economies, Future Societies" will examine the role of women in economic development and their contributions to building progressive societies. -"Collective Engagements, Collective Actions" will discuss strategies to establish clear frameworks to increase women's economic and social participation through exchanging best practice principles and key insights. -"Impactful Technologies, Impactful Innovations" will reflect on the Forum's significant focus on technology as a fundamental element that drives future development. Hosted at the Government Dubai Media Office, Dubai Women Establishment revealed the impressive agenda and accompanying list of esteemed speakers and partners for the third edition of the Global Women's Forum - Dubai 2024, which will be hosted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on November 26 and 27 at the Madinat Jumeirah. In line with H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision and strategic directives, the Forum's comprehensive agenda features sessions that reflect the many facets of women and their roles within society. Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Chairperson of the Board and Managing Director of Dubai Women Establishment, along with representatives from the Forum's key partners: Khawla Rashid Al Muhairi, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Government Communications at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) (Strategic Partner), Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Cultural Partner), Moaza Al Marri, Chief Executive Officer of Executive Affairs Sector at Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) (Mobility Partner) and Amira Al Falasi, Vice President of Human Resources at Emirates Group (Official Carrier) discussed details of this significant event. During the press conference, Mona Al Marri announced the global partners for the Global Women's Forum Dubai 2024, which include the World Bank Group, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Economic Forum, the Atlantic Council, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, as well as the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative and the International Finance Corporation. In addition, the international organisations will host by invitation workshops focused on women's economic empower, entrepreneurship, gender balance and government policies. Local partners and sponsors include the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, alongside the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Emirates Airlines, ADNOC, Emirates Global Aluminium, e&, Cartier Women's Initiative, and Mediclinic Middle East. Media partners include Dubai Media Incorporated, Abu Dhabi Media, Arabian Radio Network (ARN), Sky News Arabia, Al Mashhad Channel, CNN Business, CNBC Arabia, Asharq News, Al Khaleej newspaper, The National, An-Nahar newspaper, Forbes Middle East, Al Ain News and Hills Advertising. Over the two days, the Forum will welcome attendees from around 65 countries and feature over 130 sessions led by more than 250 influential speakers, more than 25 regional and global Ministers, and representatives from international organisations alongside prominent youth figures and distinguished entrepreneurs. Attendees can look forward to captivating sessions featuring H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) who will discuss her perspective on cultural diplomacy and the role of culture in shaping creative societies.In another session, H.H. Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum will share insights into her passion and the challenges and inspirations she has encountered in the world of equestrianism. To further compliment the line-up of insightful discussions, the Arena Hall will host the Forum's keynote speakers namely: Emine Erdogan, the First Lady of Turkiye, Wife of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye and Saida Mirziyoyeva, Assistant to the President of Republic of Uzbekistan. Beyond serving as a platform for knowledge exchange and showcasing global expertise and best practices, the Forum will spotlight successful initiatives launched and supported by the UAE to promote gender balance, further highlighting the country's efforts to empower women both personally and professionally. (ANI/WAM)
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully rescued seven Indian fishermen apprehended by a Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) vessel near the India-Pakistan Maritime Boundary, according to an official release. At approximately 1530 hours on November 17, an ICG ship on patrol received a distress call from an Indian fishing boat (IFB) operating near the No-Fishing Zone (NFZ). The call reported that another Indian fishing boat, *Kal Bhairav*, had been intercepted by a PMSA vessel, and seven Indian crew members had been taken into custody. In response, the ICG ship immediately proceeded to the reported location at maximum speed, the release stated. Despite efforts by the PMSA vessel to retreat, the ICG ship intercepted it and persuaded the crew to release the Indian fishermen. The ICG ship successfully rescued the seven fishermen, all of whom were found to be in stable medical condition. Unfortunately, the Indian fishing boat *Kal Bhairav* was reported to have been damaged and had sunk during the incident, the release added. The ICG ship returned to Okha Harbour on November 18, where a joint investigation involving the ICG, state police, intelligence agencies, and fisheries authorities was initiated to examine the circumstances leading to the incident and the subsequent rescue operation. This successful effort underscores the ICG's continued commitment to safeguarding the safety and interests of Indian fishermen at sea, showcasing its resolve to protect the Indian maritime community, the release stated. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (local time) witnessed a presentation of Ramayana in Brazil. The Ramayana was performed by the students of Vishwa Vidya Gurukulam, a Brazilian organisation dedicated to promoting Vedanta and Sanskrit. The founder of Vishwa Vidya Gurukulam, Jonas Masetti also known as Acharya Vishwanath, welcomed PM Modi by reciting 'Sanskrit Mantra'. Speaking with ANI, Masetti said Ramayan is a tribute to 'Dharm'. "Ramayan is a tribute to Dharm. Ram represents Dharm and performing Ramayan and being in touch with Ram Katha is a way of purifying ourselves and having like a better way of living. It took like six years (to prepare). In the beginning, we were very nervous and emotional because it meant a lot to us," he said. Masetti said that PM Modi was "very impacted" from the performance. He also encouraged Indian Youth to believe in Indian way of life. "I'm very glad that he could receive that... I get very sad when I hear that the youth in India are not so much interested in the Vedic tradition and all the old ways. I have to tell you that the way of the West, you think is very dry and very poor, so don't fall for that. You have a very nice culture inside your home," he said. Mariana Viana who played Lord Ram said that she's been studying Vedanta, Sanskrit and reciting mantras for the past eight years. "I studied Vedanta for eight years and Sanskrit and Mantras. Ramayan is the path, the journey of Ram in his fight against evil against Adharma and we've been studying the Ramayan in our Sanskrit classes... We did this performance - an adaptation of this bigger play and it's an honour, it's a blessing that we are able to perform for the Prime Minister of India," she said. Gleifer Vaz Alves who played Lord Hanuman said that Hanuman represents devotion to the Dharma. "To prepare for the play, it was more than one year but we also studied Sanskrit for more than three years and I am very grateful to my Sanskrit teacher. The main lesson from Ramayan is Dharma and Hanuman represents the devotion to the Dharma," he said. PM Modi attended the G20 Leaders' Summit in Brazil, where he emphasised India's role in combating hunger and poverty. He also held the second India-Australia bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit. (ANI)
Members of the Indian diaspora in Guyana have put on a magnificent display of Indian culture ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Guyana. PM Modi is visiting Guyana in the last leg of his three-nation tour. He will become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Guyana in 56 years. Expressing great enthusiasm, people from across all age groups gathered welcome PM Modi. In an exclusive interview with ANI, the Director of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Guyana, Rudra Jayanta Bhagawati said, "It was 1968 when an Indian PM came here for the last time. People are very excited and we are waiting for PM Modi". He said, "It is a big gift for Guyana that PM Modi is coming here. Here we maintain the Indian culture, customs and traditions. The community members sang songs to welcome PM Modi and raised chants of Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai. Another member of the diaspora said, "We are very happy to welcome PM Modi. He is a world leader and a 'shanti-doot' who is striving hard to unite the world. He is working hard to take India into its golden age". More than 40 per cent of Guyanese people are of Indian origin and were brought there by the British over 200 years ago. Since then they have preserved Indian culture and tradition through music, dance, attire and food. The visit of PM Modi becomes significant for the community. During his visit, PM Modi will co-chair the second India-CARICOM Summit alongside the Prime Minister of Grenada, the current Chairman of CARICOM, in the presence of leaders from all CARICOM countries. PM Modi is also scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with President Irfaan Ali and address the National Assembly of Guyana. the Prime Minister's visit is expected to open new avenues for collaboration, strengthen India-Guyana ties, and encourage broader regional partnerships. PM Modi's departure from Brazil follows his participation in the G20 summit, where he emphasized India's role in combating hunger and poverty. He also held the second India-Australia bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit. (ANI)
Chinese tea culture promotes friendship with Mongolia

Xinhua) 10:02, November 20, 2024

DARKHAN, Mongolia, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- A cultural event on China's tea traditions was held on Tuesday in Darkhan, the capital of Mongolia's northern province of Darkhan-Uul.

Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia Shen Minjuan said tea is a treasure of the Chinese nation, embodying thousands of years of cultural heritage. It is both drink and culture, and the Great Tea Road, an ancient trade route connecting China, Mongolia and Russia, has played a vital role in fostering goods and cultural exchanges.

The event aimed to enhance friendship between peoples of the two countries with tea culture, the ambassador said.

The event, titled "Tea for Harmony: Yaji Cultural Salon," featured tea culture demonstrations alongside an exhibition of various teas, tea sets, and photographs highlighting China's rich tea heritage.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Sharing details on X, the Defence Minister said, "Today, 20th November, I'm leaving for Vientiane to attend the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) in Lao PDR".

He noted that "Various regional and international security Issues will be discussed during the meeting".

https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859050168374751652

Singh is also scheduled to engage in separate bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other participating countries.

In Laos, Singh will address the forum on Regional and International Security issues .

On the sidelines of the 11th ADMM-Plus meeting, the Defence Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with participating counterparts from Australia, China, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and the US. These meetings are aimed at further enhancing bilateral defence cooperation with these countries.

These meetings become significant as they are taking place after Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the leaders of various ADMM-Plus during the sidelines of the recently concluded G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

PM Modi had met US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol among other world leaders.

ADMM is the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN.

ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and its eight Dialogue Partners (India, US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand) to strengthen security and defence cooperation.

India became the dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992 and the inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam on October 12, 2010.

Since 2017, ADMM-Plus Ministers have been meeting annually to bolster the cooperation between ASEAN and the Plus countries. Lao PDR is the chair and host of the 11th ADMM-Plus. (ANI)
Guyana and Barbados are set to confer their top awards to PM Modi. The presentation of the awards will be made during the Prime Minister's historic visit to Guyana. Guyana will confer its highest national award, 'The Order of Excellence' to PM Modi. Barbados will confer the prestigious 'Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados' on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Dominica had ealier announced its highest National Award-"Dominica Award of Honour" to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This was conferred in recognition of his contributions to Dominica during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to strengthening the partnership between India and Dominica. Earlier, Nigeria too felicitated the Prime Minister with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). This made PM Modi the second foreign dignitary to receive this honour. Queen Elizabeth is the only other foreign dignitary who was awarded the GCON, in 1969 This takes the tally to 19 international awards which have been conferred on the Prime Minister. Earlier the Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Georgetown Guyana and was recieved at the airport by President Irfan Ali and PM Mark Phillips. "Landed in Guyana a short while ago. Gratitude to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, PM Mark Anthony Phillips, senior ministers and other dignitaries for coming toPM Modi the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Guyana in 56 years. The PM will co-chair the second India-CARICOM Summit alongside the Prime Minister of Grenada, the current Chairman of CARICOM, in the presence of leaders from all CARICOM countries. He is also scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with President Irfaan Ali and address the National Assembly of Guyana. India-Guyana relations are classified by structured bilateral mechanisms, including a joint commission at the ministerial level and periodic consultations between foreign offices. Cultural exchange programs and a joint business council, established between the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), further bolster ties. (ANI)
Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley on Wednesday said that visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a "historic moment" for the Caricom countries and that they were honoured to have the summit between India and the group of island countries of the Caribbean Sea. "I think we are all happy that we can have this opportunity to meet with PM Narendra Modi. It is a historic moment for most of us in CARICOM to be able to meet with and have the CARICOM-India at the level of Heads of Government...," the Babados PM said. She said the visit at the level of heads of the Government highlights the strength of the relationship between the countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival in Guyana today received a warm welcome from the President of Guyana Irfaan Ali as well as the Prime Ministers of Grenada Dickon Mitchell, and of Barbados Mia Mottley, along with four ministers from Guyana at a hotel in Georgetown. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is a grouping of 21 countries, 15 member states and six associate members. It is home to approximately sixteen million citizens, 60 per cent of whom are under the age of 30, and from the main ethnic groups of Indigenous Peoples, Africans, Indians, Europeans, Chinese, Portuguese and Javanese, as stated by its official website. CARICOM came into being in 1973 with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas. The Treaty was later revised in 2002 to allow for the eventual establishment of a single market and a single economy. As per the official website, CARICOM rests on four main pillars namely, economic integration, foreign policy coordination, human and social development and security. The Barbados PM, while speaking to ANI observed that the last time the leaders met was on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. She said that the interactions between them, "speaks of the strength of the relationship between the two regions". India and Barbados enjoy close and cordial relations and interact actively in the UN, Commonwealth and NAM and other international fora. A statement by the External Affairs Ministry highlighted that Barbados has been supporting India's candidature on various multilateral platforms including elections of different bodies under UN. Approximately 3000 people of Indian origin have settled in Barbados and most of them have since acquired local nationality Significantly, PM Modi has become the the first Indian PM to visit the Caribbean country in 56 years. During his visit, PM Modi will address a special sitting of Guyana's parliament. He will also join leaders from the Caribbean partner countries for the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit. In a press briefing ahead of the PM's visit to Guyana, the Ministry of External Affairs noted that the Prime Minister's visit comes at the invitation of Guyanese President Mohammad Irfaan Ali. (ANI)
The victims have staged a protest against the Pakistan Coast Guard at the Kaldan Cross near the Gubad border and blocked the Makran Coastal Highway after ongoing harassment and seizure of local vehicles in Gwadar city of Balochistan. The protesters lamented that the illegal activities by the Coast Guards have hampered the business and daily life of the people in the region, as reported by the Balochistan Post. They further claimed that the government made a false promise to grant them concessions and would take action against such illegal activities. On the other hand, the government is projecting a false narrative that the situation in the region is under control. Recently, the Pakistan Coast Guard opened fire at a Baloch fuel vehicle that led to protests in the area. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee informed about the incident and said," "Yesterday, a tragic incident unfolded in Panwan Jewani, District Gwadar, where the paramilitary force Coast Guard opened fire directly on a vehicle carrying fuel. Fortunately, the driver survived, but the vehicle was burned to ashes." The BYC also condemned the situation and stated," It is a well-recognized reality that the people of Balochistan lack economic incentives and a basic economic structure. They are heavily reliant on border trade, which has long been an integral part of Baloch culture. The region is mired in poverty, with the majority of the population living below the poverty line. In such dire circumstances, where many struggle to afford even two meals a day, state atrocities and oppression only exacerbate their suffering. Daily, border dwellers face humiliation and torture, violating their fundamental rights to income and sustainability." According to the Balochistan Post, the protesters demand an immediate cease to the harassment and seizure of local vehicles by the Coast Guard. They also demanded the restoration of local trade to save their basic economic structure. (ANI)
On Tuesday, November 19, a U.S. congressional commission recommended a legal change that would allow Taiwan to receive the same arms sales status as NATO Plus countries. In its annual report, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) put forward two recommendations concerning Taiwan, with one major proposal being an amendment to the Arms Export Control Act, as reported by Taiwan News. The 793-page report covers topics including U.S.-China trade relations, security issues, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. In the section on Taiwan, it proposed amending the 1976 Arms Export Control Act to upgrade Taiwan's status for military sales, placing it on par with NATO Plus countries such as Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel, and New Zealand. According to the report, if the amendment is approved, U.S. military sales to Taiwan would only require congressional approval for deals exceeding $25 million (NT$893 million), up from the current $14 million threshold. Additionally, the report proposes the creation of a "Taiwan Allies Fund" by the U.S. Congress to support countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan. These nations could receive up to 15% of the fund each year, but any country that severs ties with Taiwan would immediately become ineligible for assistance. The report also highlights that Taiwan continues to be a "potential flashpoint for conflict with China." The USCC noted that China persistently aims to annex Taiwan through various methods, ranging from "information operations to influence Taiwan's public opinion to the use of military force." While President Lai Ching-te's administration plans to address China's military threat with asymmetric defense strategies, the report states that China's gray zone military activities near Taiwan have created difficulties. The authors of the report believe this will compel Taiwan to decide between countering these activities or prioritizing defense against a potential invasion. The USCC recommends that the U.S. support Taiwan in countering China's gray zone military activities and supply the necessary weaponry for asymmetric warfare. However, it also notes that Taiwan faces challenges in rapidly arming itself due to limitations within the U.S. defense industrial base and long delivery timelines. As a result, the USCC stated that Taiwan will remain dependent on U.S. deterrence as the People's Liberation Army approaches its "2027 and mid-century modernization objectives." Even if an invasion is successfully deterred, the report cautioned that China is still working to develop the ability to isolate or blockade Taiwan. (ANI)
The Premier made these comments while responding to questions from Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Hung Sun-han during a legislative hearing, reported the Central News Agency Taiwan.

Hung highlighted that nearly 20 per cent of the sailors employed by CSE, a subsidiary of Taiwan's state-run China Steel Corp. (CSC), are Chinese nationals, as reported by Taiwan Focus. He raised concerns that they could represent a national security risk to Taiwan if tensions in the Taiwan Strait escalate.

Hung pointed to public utilities like Taiwan Power Co. and oil refiner CPC Corp., Taiwan, noting that neither company employs Chinese sailors on their cargo ships. He questioned why CSE does not follow the same practice.

Hung recommended that the Ministry of Economic Affairs develop a plan within the next two months to address the issue, aiming to eliminate any national security risks associated with CSE, whose vessels primarily transport "critical goods."

In reply, Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei admitted that it "would be detrimental" if operational information from CSE were to be leaked.

The report further stated that Kuo pledged to engage in discussions with CSC and push for the implementation of improvement measures as soon as possible.

Supporting Kuo's stance, Cho stated that he would instruct the Ministry of Economic Affairs, CSC, and CSE to properly manage foreign and Chinese sailors to protect operations and ensure national security. He emphasized that the matter would be handled "logically, safely, and effectively."

CSE, founded in February 1996, is a fully owned subsidiary of Kaohsiung-based CSC, with a paid-in capital of NT$4.225 billion (USD 130 million).

The company's operations include providing shipping services for raw materials, ship chartering, managing ships, serving as a shipping agency, and transporting steel products to ensure a steady supply of raw materials for the CSC Group, in line with its goals for growth and diversification. (ANI)
The World Uyghur Congress condemned the arrest of pro-democratic supporters for up to 10 years by the Chinese government on Tuesday. The pro-democracy activists were charged with "conspiracy to commit subversion" under the city's 2020 National Security Law. In July 2020, 47 former pro-democracy lawmakers and opposition activists organized a primary election to identify the strongest candidates for a pan-democratic list in Hong Kong's Legislative Council elections scheduled for September 2020. In a post on X, the WUC President Turgunjan Alawdun stated," "Jailing pro-democracy key figures, who risk their freedom for democracy, as China continues to restrict key fundamental rights and allows for the shrinking of civil society, should worry all of us." The WUC president further lamented "Instead of welcoming Chinese leaders with open arms, democratic nation-states need to address with sincere actions the erosion of the global rule of law and the silencing of dissidents under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)." The WUC has appealed the democratic countries to raise their voices against the arrest of pro-democratic activists. Beijing argued that the law was essential to protect the economic success of the Asian financial hub, while critics condemned it as signalling the end of the "one country, two systems" arrangement. This formula, established when Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule in 1997, was intended to preserve freedoms not found in mainland China for 50 years, as reported by Radio Free Asia. Meanwhile, the prosecution stated that the opposition activist's bid to win the majority was a "conspiracy" to weaken the government and take the Legislative Council under their control. According to Radio Free Asia, democratic activist Benny Tai was arrested for 10 years for organising the 2020 primary election. Another activist, Joshua Wong was arrested for four years while activist Owen Chow was sentenced to seven years of jail. (ANI)
General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday on a five-day official visit upon the invitation of General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of the Army Staff, Nepali Army. During his visit, General Dwivedi will pay homage at the martyrs' memorial in the Army Pavilion and receive a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army Headquarters. He will engage in an official meeting with General Sigdel from the Nepali Army. As per the announcement of the Nepal Army last week, General Dwivedi will also interact with the student officers at the Army Command and Staff College in Shivapuri and visit to Western Divisional Headquarters in Pokhara, Nepal. General Dwivedi will be the conferred honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by the President of Nepal on Thursday. The practice follows a seven-decade-old tradition of conferring Army Chiefs of each other's country with the honorary title. Commander-in-Chief General KM Cariappa was the first Indian Army Chief to be decorated with the title in 1950. Additionally, General Dwivedi will also meet the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister of Nepal. The strong relations between Nepal and the Indian Army have been further cemented via the Gurkha Regiment. Currently, over 30,000 Gurkha soldiers from Nepal are serving in the Indian Army. In addition to the Military Pension Branch in Kathmandu, Pension Paying offices also function in Dharan and Pokhara, along with the District Soldier Boards, which helps in the effective disbursal of pensions and in organizing various welfare programs including re-training, re-rehabilitating and assisting ex-Gurkha soldiers and their families. Nepal shares the border with 5 Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The age-old civilizational and cultural ties that exist between India and Nepal are exemplified by the strong people-to-people link between both countries. Nepal is a priority partner of India under its 'Neighbourhood First' Policy. These bonds of friendship are also strengthened by regular exchanges at high-level between India and Nepal. These frequent high-level visits and exchanges have added momentum to the bilateral partnerships and helped the leadership to review at regular intervals the entire gamut of the relations. India and Nepal have a long-standing and extensive mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of defence and security. Both armies share an excellent and harmonious relationship based on mutual trust and respect. India and Nepal also have long-standing tradition of awarding Honorary rank of General to each other's' Army Chief.(ANI)
A report in Focus Taiwan cited Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang as saying that "it has been a longstanding practice for China to speak on other countries' behalf concerning Taiwan."

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on November 16 said China had issued an "unmistakable false" statement concerning Taiwan after Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on November 15 on the sidelines of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru.

The Chinese foreign ministry had released a statement after the meeting stating that "Singapore fully understands the Chinese government's position on the Taiwan question, opposes any form of 'Taiwan independence,' and firmly abides by the one-China principle." However, a statement issued by Singapore's foreign ministry after the same meeting stated that "Singapore has a clear and consistent 'One China' policy and is opposed to Taiwan independence."

Focus Taiwan cited minister Tien as saying that the difference between the two statements and Beijing replacing the phrase one-China "policy" with "principle" was further proof of "disinformation warfare" by China.

The Taiwanese foreign ministry has urged the international community to denounce "China's unilateral and deliberate bullying practices that undermine regional peace and stability."

The Taiwanese MOFA also condemned China for using APEC and other international forums to "spread falsehoods that belittle Taiwan's sovereignty" and mislead international public opinion.

China has heightened its military activity around Taiwan since September 2020, deploying aircraft and naval vessels and employing grey zone tactics to achieve its security objectives. (ANI)
In a post on the social media platform, MoS Margherita said, "Delighted to receive High Commissioner of Sri Lanka H.E. Kshenuka Senewiratne on her farewell call".

He thanked her for the support and cooperation extended to deepen the bilateral ties between India and Sri Lanka.

https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/1859124392166650176

India greatly values its close relationship with Sri Lanka. This relationship has become multifaceted and diverse, encompassing all areas of contemporary relevance, including connectivity, development partnership, cooperation in agriculture, power, education, human resource development and culture, and greater economic engagement. The relationship has been further strengthened through bilateral exchanges, including at the highest level in the recent past.

Recently, Sri Lanka concluded its elections where President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's leftist coalition registered a landslide victory, according to official results announced by the country's election commission

Dissanayake, needed a clear majority to fulfil his promises and his National People's Power (NPP) coalition secured a two-thirds majority in the 225-member parliament, winning 159 seats, whereas, opposition leader Premadasa's party won 35 seats.

Dissanayake won the presidential elections held in September this year. With his coalition holding just three seats in the outgoing parliament, the 55-year-old leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) called snap legislative elections in search of a new mandate.

The parliamentary poll mandate enables Dissanayake to push austerity measures in crisis-stricken Sri Lanka. EAM Jaishankar had paid a visit to Sri Lanka, earlier in October this year. His visit underscored the importance India attaches to Sri Lanka.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar had conveyed India's strong commitment to advance bilateral cooperation based on its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and SAGAR outlook. In this context, he assured that India's ongoing development assistance to Sri Lanka through projects of Sri Lankan priority will be continued. (ANI)
Amidst heightened tensions of Moscow with Washington and other western countries, a spokesperson of Kremlin on Wednesday said that the special telephone hotline between Russia and the US, created after the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, is not currently in use. Russian news agency TASS cited Kremlin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying that there has been no contact between the two countries via the channel. When asked whether the hotline remains active Peskov said, "No. We now have a special protected communication channel for the two presidents. Moreover, [it] even has the option of the video conference format" as per the Russian state news agency. According to the Kremlin's official website, the latest phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart took place on February 12, 2022. The Washington-Moscow hotline created for emergency talks between the leaders of the USSR and the United States had begun operating on August 30, 1963. During the Cold War, the line was used for emergencies, but in recent years, the presidents of Russia and the United States communicated directly by phone when necessary. TASS reported that in 2016, there were media reports that the acting US President Barack Obama allegedly used the 'red phone' to discuss the situation with cyber interference in the US election. However, the Kremlin denied this, explaining that the conversation was held through a regular closed line. The Kremlin spokesman also said he did not have a chance to communicate with Donald Trump and Joe Biden's press secretaries even when the Russian-US summit in Geneva was being organized. While incoming US President Donald Trump announced that his campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt will be the new White House press secretary, the Kremlin spokesperson said although he is not acquainted with Leavitt, he is ready for dialogue. Meanwhile, Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh on Wednesday in a daily briefing refrained from commenting on reports that Ukraine had used US supplied ATACMS missiles on Russia's Bryansk Region. "I don't have a comment on that," she said. Singh also declined a request to comment on the US permission to use ATACMS missiles for deep strikes on Russia. On November 17, the New York Times reported, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden allowed Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles for deeper strikes inside Russia. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols later confirmed this information. Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell said some EU countries also authorized the use of their weapons for deeper strikes inside Russia. Russia on Tuesday reported that Ukrainian forces fired six US-produced ATACMS missiles at Russia's Bryansk region, with five being shot down by S-400 and Pantsir AA systems, and one causing a fire after its fragments fell in the technical zone of a military facility. Notably, this incident comes following the decision of outgoing US President Joe Biden reportedly allowed Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia using long-range missiles, a move strongly condemned by Russia as a significant escalation of tensions, and involvement of the United States in the conflict. Sharing a post on X, the Russian Foreign Ministry wrote, "Russia's Defence Ministry: At 3.25 am, Ukrainian forces fired 6 US-produced ATACMS missiles at Russia's Bryansk region.""Five missiles were shot down by S-400 and Pantsir AA systems, one was damaged, its fragments fell in the technical zone of a military facility, causing a fire," the Russian Foreign Ministry added. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a press breifing also spoke about the Ukrainian attack on Bryansk and said, "ATACAMS are being used against Bryansk Oblast of Russia. [The missiles] cannot be used without American experts & specialists. We will be taking this as a qualitatively new phase of the Western war against Russia & will react accordingly." According to Al Jazeera, Washington provided the first ATACMS long-range ballistic missiles to Ukraine last year but did not let Kyiv use them for strikes deep inside Russia. Meanwhile, Putin on Tuesday signed a decree approving the Foundations of State Policy in the Field of Nuclear Deterrence, the country's updated nuclear doctrine, just days after US President Joe Biden reportedly allowed Ukraine to fire US-supplied long range American tactical ballistic missiles ATACMS deep into Russia. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has warned that Russia's updated nuclear doctrine provides for the possibility of a nuclear response to the use of Western non-nuclear warheads against Russia. Earlier, he said that the US decision to allow Ukraine to use American missiles to attack deep into Russia meant a "qualitatively new round of escalation of tensions." (ANI)
The US Government and Sesame Workshop India Trust, on Wednesday, launched Learn Play Grow at the American Center in New Delhi, as part of International Education Week, a release stated. As per the relese, the program is a collaboration between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAD) and Sesame Workshop India Trust designed to support early childhood education and health practices for young children and their families across India. With interactive learning led by Sesame Street characters Chamki, Elmo, and their friends, Learn Play Grow will provide foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and hygiene to children in Rajasthan and Telangana, with digital content in Hindi and Telugu reaching millions more across the country. U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said, "Today's launch of Learn Play Grow represents a step forward in our U.S.-India education partnership. With this program, we're bringing educational and health resources directly to children and families, making early learning engaging and accessible. By investing in initiatives like Learn Play Grow, we're not only supporting India's young learners but also building brighter futures and stronger communities across India. Together, the United States and India are advancing a shared vision for inclusive, quality education for all!." The launch event featured a public showcase of USAID-supported initiatives that align with the Government of India's NIPUN Bharat mission for universal foundational literacy and numeracy, with a focus on inclusive and gender-equitable education. Ambassador Garcetti showcased displays that highlighted USAID's impact on India's education vision, including gender-inclusive classrooms, support for children with disabilities, and multilingual resources --underscoring the US government's commitment to accessible education for all, especially girls and marginalized communities. The event was also joined by Sesame Street's Chamki, Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Grover. The Learn Play Grow program, driven by play-based pedagogy, will be implemented in more than 1,000 Anganwadi Centers in Rajasthan's Baran district and Telangana's Bhupalpally district, with the goal of engaging 20,000-25,000 children and their families and reaching millions more through digital programming. Sonali Khan, Managing Trustee, Sesame Workshop India Trust said "Together with USAID, through the Learn Play Grow initiative, we're building a foundation where children can grow smarter, stronger, and kinder." Today's launch of Learn, Play, Grow is part of longstanding US Government efforts to drive foundational literacy, numeracy, and inclusive learning by strengthening early education systems and empowering educators. Through initiatives like the Scaling-up Early Reading Intervention (with Room to Read) and the India Partnership for Early Learning (with CARE USA), USAID enhances curriculum design, teacher training, and digital tools to support early learning across diverse settings. Complementing these efforts, the Equity in Access to Numeracy and Basic Literacy Education (with Pratham India) program ensures that children with disabilities have equitable access to foundational skills, while the Learning and Innovation in Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (with British Asian Trust) initiative mobilizes private investment to bring sustainable, innovative solutions to public education. USAID is the world's premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. The United States and India are partnering to advance and achieve shared global development priorities. (ANI)
Paank, the human rights department of the Baloch National Movement demanded the immediate release of Rashid Bangulzai and Farid Baloch, who were abducted by the Pakistan security forces in Balochistan. The Pakistan security forces forcibly abducted Farid Baloch from the Panjgur district in Balochistan during a raid. The Balochistan Post reported that Fareed was forcibly disappeared by the Pakistan security forces in the Khudabadan area of Panjgur. In a similar incident, Rashid Bangulzai and his cousin were forcibly abducted by the Pakistan security forces from Sona Khan Chowk in Quetta, Balochistan. In a post on X, Paank stated, "We demand their immediate release and urge Pakistan to end this grave violation of human rights." https://x.com/paank_bnm/status/1858958382054731861 Recently, Paank had also condemned the Pakistan Coast Guard to open fire against women in Gwadar, Balochistan. This highlighted growing brutalities against the local population in Baluchistan. "Such actions are a violation of basic human rights and dignity, particularly towards women. We call on the authorities to ensure that the victims are provided justice and that such abusive behaviour is thoroughly investigated. The continued harassment of the poor and vulnerable, including the seizure of vehicles, must cease immediately. The right to a dignified livelihood and freedom from violence is non-negotiable," it stated. The families of the victims have organised numerous protests against the Pakistani forces, but their calls for justice have been ignored. The authorities have suppressed their voices using violent tactics. These families claim that the government is also involved in the oppression of the Baloch people. Earlier, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee criticised the Pak security forces stating, "The ongoing oppression by the Pakistan forces has aggravated the miseries faced by the Baloch people. These people struggle to get proper education, health and food facilities. Under such woeful circumstances, the Pakistani forces commit atrocities against such innocent people." (ANI)
This autumn, Yokohama City resonated with music during the 4-day event "Live Yokohama." The city continues its efforts to become an even more vibrant and comfortable place to live. A standout feature of the event was a jazz band formed by local residents, bringing together both young and senior musicians. They delighted audiences with jazz renditions of popular anime songs. Yokohama boasts a rich connection to jazz. In 1925, the city hosted its first jazz performance, and by 1933, a dedicated jazz cafe had opened its doors. Today, with more than 40 venues, including live houses showcasing jazz performances, Yokohama is recognised as one of the world's premier cities for jazz music. Official of Yokohama City, Kaori Mori said, 'Live Yokohama' is the first event of its kind held this year. Over four days, more than 30 stages offered visitors a wide range of music, art, and live performances. Looking ahead, venues like the 'K Arena,' with a capacity of 20,000 people, along with 'Pia Arena' and others, are set to draw countless music enthusiasts to Yokohama over the next five years. High school students also showcased their talent during the festival, performing music with wind instruments. Ten brass bands from schools nationwide participated, each with 50 to 100 students. These young musicians took on the challenge of performing beloved Japanese songs that have remained popular for over 70 years, preserving this timeless music for the younger generation. Yokohama citizens also had the chance to engage with music directly. Yamaha set up a special booth where visitors could try out eight different instruments, including the violin, saxophone, and drums. One of the visitors said, "It was a great opportunity because I wanted my daughter to have a variety of experiences. The visitor said, "Violins are very expensive, so I thought it was wonderful that my daughter could try one here. I think it's amazing that we could try all these different instruments for free. It's a great way to spark children's interest in music. The best way is to let them experience it first-hand. We had a lot of fun. With its rich musical history, Yokohama City continues to evolve, making strides to become an even more vibrant, attractive, and comfortable place to live. (ANI)
United States President-elect Donald Trump nominated renowned heart surgeon Dr Mehmet Oz to serve as the country's Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS is the federal agency that provides health coverage to more than 160 million through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and the Health Insurance Marketplace in the United States. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Trump said, "I am very pleased to nominate Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator. America is facing a Healthcare Crisis, and there may be no Physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again. He is an eminent Physician, Heart Surgeon, Inventor, and World-Class Communicator, who has been at the forefront of healthy living for decades. Dr. Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake." "Our broken Healthcare System harms everyday Americans, and crushes our Country's budget. Dr. Oz will be a leader in incentivizing Disease Prevention, so we get the best results in the World for every dollar we spend on Healthcare in our Great Country. He will also cut waste and fraud within our Country's most expensive Government Agency, which is a third of our Nation's Healthcare spend, and a quarter of our entire National Budget," the statement added. Dr Oz expressed his gratitude for the nomination, stating that he looks forward to serving the country and making America healthy again under the leadership of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Sharing a post on X, Dr Mehmet Oz wrote, "I am honored to be nominated by @realDonaldTrump to lead CMS. I look forward to serving my country to Make America Healthy Again under the leadership of HHS Secretary @RobertKennedyJr." Robert F Kennedy also shared a post on X and wrote, "Very excited that my friend @DrOz has agreed to run CMS. Thank you @realDonaldTrump for this outstanding nomination. Welcome Dr . Oz to The Avengers. Let's Make America Healthy Again!" https://x.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1859010148477661273 Notably, Dr. Oz graduated from Harvard College and earned a joint MD and MBA degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Wharton Business School. He rose to become a Professor of Surgery at Columbia University, while receiving numerous patents on his medical inventions, authoring more than 400 original publications, and publishing numerous New York Times Best Selling books. He won nine Daytime Emmy Awards hosting "The Dr. Oz Show," where he taught millions of Americans how to make healthier lifestyle choices, and gave a strong voice to the key pillars of the MAHA Movement. Dr. Oz and his wife, Lisa, expanded this effort by founding HealthCorps, a non-profit that has improved the lives of millions of underserved teens Nationwide over the past two decades. 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. Following his victory, President-elect Donald Trump has moved swiftly with finalising his foreign policy and national security team ahead of his formal inauguration in January 2025. (ANI)
Dismissing the possibility of direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, a prominent Russian journalist on Wednesday advocated for dialogue between Russia and the United States to end the Ukraine war, suggesting India as a suitable venue for such discussions. Speaking with ANI, Dmitry Kiselev, General Director of Sputnik News Agency, noted that India's neutral stance and strategic ties with both Russia and the United States make it a fitting venue for potential talks. "We need to talk with the United States, not Zelenskyy, who does not represent anyone. His presidential term expired in March. Peace can only be achieved on Russian terms, ensuring equal security for the US, Russia, and the global majority," Kiselev, who is on a visit to India, said. Kiselev dismissed the idea of mediation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling the latter an "illegitimate president who does not call the shots." However, he emphasised that Russia is open to dialogue, noting that it was Zelenskyy who signed an executive order barring Ukrainian officials from engaging in talks with Russia. When asked about the role of India in the conflict, Kiselev said India could provide a venue for talks between India and the US. "India offers a perfect venue for these talks, considering its geographical location and its relations with both countries," he added while noting that asserted that neither Europe, with its hostile position toward Russia, nor Latin America, due to its distance, can serve as viable locations. Amid a fresh escalation in tensions between Ukraine and Russia, Kiselev said, "Some are already saying it is World War III." He emphasised that the growing confrontation between Russia and Western powers, including the United States, UK, and France, is pushing the world toward a dangerous brink. The Ukraine-Russia war, which has been ongoing for the last two-and-a-half years, has witnessed some fresh escalations. President Vladimir Putin updated his military's nuclear doctrine, refining the circumstances in which Moscow may use such weapons. Moscow's move follows the US decision to allow Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia with American-made weapons. This came after the US approved sending anti-personnel mines to Ukraine for the first time. Russia's revised nuclear doctrine emphasises retaliatory strikes in the face of existential threats. Kiselev explained, "If the West provokes Russia into a situation where its existence is threatened, Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons and deploy all capabilities at its disposal." Kiselev expressed concern about the authorisation for Ukraine to use American, British, and French missiles to strike deep into Russian territory, warning that such actions significantly raise the risk of further escalation. He noted that while France lacks the military capability to launch missile strikes independently, Western intelligence and officers are involved in such operations, which Russia views as a coordinated attack. "This is why Russia has amended its nuclear doctrine to state that any military aggression by a nuclear state against Russia will be viewed as aggression by both nuclear and non-nuclear states involved," Kiselev said. When asked about Putin's views on the conflict, Kiselev, who has interviewed Putin multiple times, said the Russian president has always advocated peace and reducing tensions with the West. "Putin has consistently sought to lower tensions, but it was the West that turned a blind eye to these proposals. NATO's eastward expansion and the movement of its infrastructure closer to Russia's borders exacerbated the situation," he explained. On US President-elect President Donald Trump's recent remarks that he could end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours, Kiselev responded, "Trump's message is a message of peace, while [President Joe] Biden is focused on war. It's unclear how Trump plans to achieve this, but the fact that he is talking about peace is encouraging." When asked about the growing ties between India and Russia, Kiselev pointed to the strong rapport between Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "There is a sense of chemistry between the two leaders, which is a major asset," he remarked, adding that the partnership is also driven by mutual benefits. Highlighting India's increasing oil imports from Russia, Kiselev said, "India benefits from a major discount on oil prices instead of paying the market rate. Meanwhile, Russia ensures global security by maintaining the nuclear balance with the United States, which comes at a heavy cost." He noted that 40 per cent of India's oil imports now come from Russia, showcasing the deepening economic ties between the two countries. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday engaged in bilateral meetings with his counterparts from China, Laos, and Malaysia to strengthen defence cooperation and address regional security concerns, on the sidelines of 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Vientiane. During his visit, Singh met with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun, Lao Defence Minister General Chansamone Chanyalath, and Malaysian Defence Minister Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin to discuss issues of shared interest and explore ways to bolster bilateral defence ties. Notably, Rajnath Singh met the Chinese Defence Minister for the first time following the recent disengagement agreements, and the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. Singh highlighted the fact that amicable relations between India and China, the two largest nations in the world, would have positive implications for global peace and prosperity. Considering that both countries are and will continue to remain neighbours, he mentioned that "we need to focus on cooperation rather than conflict." He also called for reflecting on the lessons learnt from the unfortunate border clashes of 2020, taking measures to prevent the recurrence of such events and safeguarding peace and tranquillity along the India-China border. He emphasised and looked forward to greater trust and confidence building between the two sides through de-escalation. Both sides agreed to work together towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding. The Defence Ministry shared a post on X and wrote, "Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh today held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Mr Dong Jun in Vientiane, Lao PDR and discussed issues of shared interest." https://x.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/1859203544173416829 In another post, it said, "Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh today held a bilateral meeting with Defence Minister of Lao PDR General Chansamone Chanyalath in Vientiane. They discussed ways to further bolster bilateral defence cooperation, along with issues pertaining to regional security." "After arriving in Lao PDR, Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh met his Malaysian counterpart Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin in Vientiane. They briefly discussed defence cooperation & #regionalsecurity, to foster a stronger bilateral partnership," the Defence Ministry said in another post. Singh described the meeting with his Chinese counterpart as "extremely productive" and said that they agreed to collaborate on a roadmap aimed at rebuilding mutual trust and understanding. On X, Singh wrote, "Had an extremely productive meeting with the Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun in Vientiane. We agreed to work together towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding." https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859215653628236164 Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation with Malaysia. In a post on X, Singh wrote, "It was a pleasure to interact with Malaysia's Defence Minister Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin in Vientiane, Lao PDR. India is strongly committed to strengthen and expand our bilateral defence cooperation." https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859205656034570738 On his meeting with his Lo PDR counterpart, Singh said, "Delighted to meet the Defence Minister of Lao PDR General Chansamone Chanyalath in Vientiane. India and Lao PDR have huge potential for Defence Industry Cooperation. I invited him to Aero India 2025 to be held in Bengaluru from 10-12 Feb 2025." https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859210461079834932 Prior to his departure from Delhi, the Defence Minister said, "I'm leaving for Vientiane to attend the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) in Lao PDR. Various regional and international security Issues will be discussed during the meeting. There would also be separate bilateral meetings with my counterparts from other participating nations. Looking forward to it." Singh will be in Vientiane to attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) from November 20 to 22, 2024. The summit gathers Defence ministers from ASEAN countries and eight key partners including India, China and the United States to address pressing security challenges like maritime safety and disaster management. ADMM is the highest Defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN. ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and its eight Dialogue Partners (India, US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand) to strengthen security and defence cooperation. India became the dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992 and the inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam on October 12, 2010. Since 2017, ADMM-Plus Ministers have been meeting annually to bolster the cooperation between ASEAN and the Plus countries. Lao PDR is the chair and host of the 11th ADMM-Plus. (ANI)
12 personnel were killed, and six terrorists were killed when a checkpost was attacked in the Mali Khel area of Bannu in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to Pakistan military's media wing on Wednesday. The incident occurred against the backdrop of a significant rise in attacks on security forces, law enforcement agencies, and checkpoints, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as reported by Dawn. Bannu district, which has been increasingly affected by militant violence, has recently witnessed incidents such as the abduction of police officers, an attack on a girls' school, and a shootout that resulted in the martyrdom of three security personnel. In a press release, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that on November 19 (Tuesday), "khwarij" attempted to launch an attack on a Joint Check Post in the Mali Khel area of Bannu District. The ISPR confirmed that the attack was successfully repelled, but a suicide blast caused the perimeter wall and nearby infrastructure of the checkpost to collapse, leading to the martyrdom of 10 soldiers and two Frontier Constabulary personnel. The ISPR added, "During the subsequent exchange of fire, six khwarij were eliminated." According to the report, in July, the government labelled the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as Fitna al Khawarij and instructed all institutions to refer to those responsible for terrorist attacks in Pakistan as "khariji" (outcasts). The ISPR statement highlighted that the troops successfully prevented the attempt to breach the post, forcing the khwarij to drive an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall. The statement further mentioned that the suicide blast caused part of the perimeter wall to collapse and damaged nearby infrastructure, leading to the martyrdom of twelve brave soldiers, including 10 security forces personnel and two Frontier Constabulary soldiers. The ISPR also reported that a sanitization operation was in progress and assured that those responsible for the attack would be held accountable. "Pakistan's security forces and law enforcement agencies are committed to eradicating terrorism, and the sacrifices of our brave men only reinforce our determination," the military reiterated. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their grief over the killing of the 12 personnel, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan. In their individual statements, both leaders honoured the armed forces for their sacrifice and bravery in eliminating six terrorists while protecting the country. President Zardari was quoted as saying, "The entire nation salutes the soldiers for laying down their lives to protect the security of their homeland." He emphasised the nation's determination to eradicate terrorism. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz said, "The sacrifices of our soldiers will never go in vain. The Fitna al Khawarij, who pose threats to the lives and property of the people, will face severe consequences." Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the terrorist attack. Referring to the soldiers as "heroes of our nation," Naqvi remarked, "The courageous sons of our homeland gave their lives to foil the malicious plans of the terrorists." The interior minister, pledging continued support for the families of the martyrs, emphasised, "The nation remains forever indebted to their unwavering commitment to peace." He stressed that such sacrifices are unparalleled globally and noted that the attack highlights the persistent threats posed by extremist groups in the region. https://x.com/IraninIslamabad/status/1859160665665257679 The Iranian embassy in Islamabad also condemned the attack in a statement on X, saying, "The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Mali Khel, Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which resulted in the martyrdom of twelve security personnel." The statement continued, "We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the Government, Army, and people of Pakistan, as well as to the families of those who lost their loved ones." In a separate statement, the United States reiterated its commitment to collaborating with Pakistan to strengthen its ability to detect, prevent, and respond to terrorist threats, according to State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Miller stated, "We are dedicated to working with government leaders and civilian institutions to explore ways to enhance capacity in detecting, preventing, and addressing threats from militant terrorist groups." His comments were made in response to a question about how the US could assist Pakistan in eradicating terrorism from the region. The report stated that Miller acknowledged the recent abduction of seven policemen in Bannu, who were later rescued, and reports of a military convoy being ambushed near the Afghan border. He condemned these and all other terrorist acts, recognising the significant suffering endured by the Pakistani people due to terrorism and violent extremism. He extended his condolences to those affected by the recent attacks, including the deadly bombing at Quetta's train station. In response to questions about US actions targeting terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan, a concern repeatedly raised by Pakistan to Kabul, Miller emphasized the ongoing "important bilateral counterterrorism partnership" between the US and Pakistan. He noted that this collaboration involved "regular high-level dialogues and working-level consultations" aimed at strengthening both civilian and military capabilities to identify and counter such threats. Terrorist attacks have surged since the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke a fragile ceasefire with the government in 2022 and pledged to target security forces. In 2023, Pakistan recorded 1,524 fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terrorist attacks and counterterrorism operations. Overall fatalities, including those of criminals, reached a six-year high. Just a day ago, four people, including a tribal leader and a woman, were killed, and four others were injured when armed assailants opened fire on a double-cabin vehicle in Bannu. On Monday, more than six policemen were abducted from a check post near North Waziristan but were safely rescued by police, with the assistance of tribal elders. Over the weekend, eight security personnel were killed, and three others were wounded in intense gunfights with militants in the Tirah Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). In Balochistan's Kalat, seven security forces were killed, and 18 others were injured in a pre-dawn terrorist attack on a check post. The military also reported killing six terrorists and wounding four more in the same incident. Earlier this month, a suicide bombing at Quetta railway station claimed the lives of 26 people, including 16 security personnel, and left 61 others injured. (ANI)
The United States has temporarily closed its mission in the Ukrainian capital in the wake of a potential air attack, after the embassy received specific information about the threat, Al Jazeera reported. The Italian, Spanish, and Greek embassies in Kyiv also announced that they will remain closed to the public today after air raid sirens were activated in the Ukrainian capital several times overnight, CNN reported. This development comes amid escalating tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Ukraine on Wednesday, marked 1000 days since Russia launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The Greek Embassy in Kyiv told CNN it will be closed on Wednesday for "security reasons." The Spanish Embassy in Kyiv will also be closed today after receiving information about a possible major airstrike on the city, CNN reported citing Spanish outlet EFE. The Italian Embassy announced that it will be closing its doors to the public in Kyiv, Ukraine today due to a potential high-intensity airstrike warning issued by the US Embassy. The Italian Embassy on its official website wrote, "The US Embassy has shared information on its website about a possible high-intensity airstrike today, November 20. As a precaution, the Embassy in Kyiv will be closed to the public today. The Embassy remains operational." Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reported that Israel will not shut down its embassy in Kyiv. Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky said, "We are operating as normal currently." Earlier on Tuesday, Russia reported that Ukrainian forces fired six US-produced ATACMS missiles at Russia's Bryansk region, with five being shot down by S-400 and Pantsir AA systems, and one causing a fire after its fragments fell in the technical zone of a military facility. This incident came following the decision of outgoing US President Joe Biden to allow Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia using long-range missiles, a move strongly condemned by Russia as a significant escalation of tensions, and involvement of the United States in the conflict. Sharing a post on X, the Russian Foreign Ministry wrote, "Russia's Defence Ministry: At 3.25 am, Ukrainian forces fired 6 US-produced ATACMS missiles at Russia's Bryansk region." "Five missiles were shot down by S-400 and Pantsir AA systems, one was damaged, its fragments fell in the technical zone of a military facility, causing a fire," the post added. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a press breifing also spoke about the Ukrainian attack on Bryansk and said, "ATACAMS are being used against Bryansk Oblast of Russia. [The missiles] cannot be used without American experts & specialists. We will be taking this as a qualitatively new phase of the Western war against Russia & will react accordingly." (ANI)
A total of six businessmen have filed complaints with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police after receiving threat calls in the name of Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, police officials have confirmed. As per the Nepal Police, those six individuals including bankers and other entrepreneurs received the threat calls over weeks' duration asking for ransom. "A total of 141 calls has been traced to be originating from India alone. Some of the calls also were made from Dubai as well. This is what we have uncovered in our preliminary investigations regarding the calls," Deepak Thapa, AIG (Assistant Inspector General) confirmed ANI over the phone. "The callers claimed themselves to be members of the Lawrence Gang and demanded financial support stating it is required in the fight for the protection of Hinduism," the official added. The authenticity of the calls is still in doubt as the callers have been mentioning the name of Nepali medical entrepreneur Durga Prasain who currently is in jail on charges including cybercrime. Prasain, also a pro-monarch activist was arrested by Police on 19 November for his alleged involvement in cyber-crime. The doubts are further supported by some of the recordings made to the businesses reveal the callers asking bankers and members of the Marwari community to apologize to Prasain. The Superintendent of Nepal Police's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) also stated that coordination is being established with Indian authorities to investigate the involvement of Bishnoi's gang in threatening Nepali businessmen. Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently in India's high-security Tihar Jail, faces charges of extortion and murder and has previously issued death threats against Bollywood actor Salman Khan. Further details details are awaited in the case. (ANI)
India-China needs to move from disengagement to de-escalation to further build trust and confidence, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told Chinese Defence Minister, Admiral Dong Jun in Laos on Wednesday. Singh held a bilateral meeting with Defence Minister of China Admiral Dong Jun in Vientiane. The bilateral meeting was held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus where Singh emphasized and looked forward to greater trust and confidence building between the two sides through de-escalation This was the first meeting of Defence Ministers following the recent disengagement agreements and the meeting of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. In the meeting, Singh highlighted the fact that amicable relations between India and China, the two largest nations on earth, would have positive implications for global peace and prosperity. 'Considering that both countries are and will continue to remain neighbours.' He mentioned that 'we need to focus on cooperation rather than conflict'. Singh called for reflecting on the lessons learnt from the unfortunate border clashes of 2020, taking measures to prevent the recurrence of such events and safeguarding peace and tranquillity in India-China border areas. The Defence Minister further emphasized and looked forward to greater trust and confidence building between the two sides through de-escalation. Both sides agreed to work together towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding. Earlier in the day, Singh also held bilaterals with Khaled Nordin, Minister of Defence, Malaysia and General Chansamone Chanyalath, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Lao PDR. Rajnath Singh also participated in a well-attended Indian Community event where he highlighted the progress India has made in various spheres in recent years. He dwelt upon the commitment of the government to make India fully developed by 2047. The Defence Minister also met General Chansamone Chanyalath, Lao PDR Defence Minister. Both sides appreciated the signing of the revised MoU, which was exchanged during the visit of Hon'ble PM to Laos recently. They concurred that it would go a long way in building stronger bonds and enhancing exchange in capacity and building spheres. He complimented Lao PDR for its efficient and inclusive leadership as the Chair of ASEAN this year. He conveyed India's strong support for ASEAN's unity and centrality for promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, and assured General Chansamone Chanyalath that India will continue to strengthen its ties with Lao PDR and ASEAN in all spheres. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday termed his visit -- first by an Indian PM to Guyana -- as a "significant milestone" for the ties between the two countries. Expressing gratitude to Guyana's President Irfaan Ali for the warm welcome, PM Modi acknowledged his personal connection to Guyana, having visited 24 years ago as a regular citizen. Addressing the press meeting with President Irfaan Ali of Guyana, PM Modi said, "I thank President Dr Irfaan Ali for the grand welcome. It is a significant milestone that an Indian PM has come here after 56 years. I have a personal connection with Guyana. 24 years ago, I had the opportunity to come here as an ordinary citizen. Today, I am fortunate to come here as a Prime Minister." He added, "President Irfaan Ali has a special relationship with India. He attended the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas last year. His visit inspired us to take our cooperation to a new level." PM Modi further said that India and Guyana reaffirmed their commitment to resolving issues through "dialogue and diplomacy," and recognising the importance of reforming global institutions to address the complexities of today's world. He added that both countries also underscored their shared priority of climate justice, pledging to continue striving for progress in all areas. "India and Guyana agree that dialogue and diplomacy should be used to resolve all issues. We are united in our belief that reforming global institutions is essential in today's world. Climate justice is a shared priority for both nations, and we will continue to strive for progress in all areas," he said. "Our relations were established by those who arrived from India here, in Guyana, 180 years ago. Today, the Indian community plays a significant role in the development of Guyana," PM Modi added. Earlier, PM Modi and Guyana President Ali witnessed the exchange of MoUs between India and Guyana. He also held delegation-level talks in Guyana's capital, Georgetown. Earlier in the day, PM Modi arrived in Guyana and became the first Indian PM to set foot in the country in 56 years. In an unprecedented gesture, he was received at the airport by President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and over a dozen cabinet ministers. On PM's arrival, the President of Guyana shared a hug and exchanged pleasantries. He received a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour in Georgetown, Guyana. He also received the 'Key to the city of Georgetown' during his state visit to Guyana. Upon his arrival, he was greeted with cultural performances of traditional dances and in a warm gesture, received the 'Key to the city of Georgetown.' The Prime Minister interacted with various ministers of the Government of Guyana and members of the Indian diaspora. PM took to X to post "A heartfelt thank you to the Indian community in Guyana for their warm and spirited welcome. They have shown that distance is never a barrier to staying connected to one's roots. Glad to see the community making a mark here across different sectors." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that India will be increasing its pharma exports to the Caribbean nation and is planning to set up 'Jan Aushadhi Kendras' there. Addressing a press conference with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the cooperation between the two countries in the fields of defence, food security and energy security. He also affirmed that both India and Guyana agree on the need for the reformation of global institutions. "We have identified multiple new initiatives to strengthen our relations...India has made an important contribution to skill development and capacity building in Guyana...We have contributed to food security by providing millets last year...We will assist in the cultivation of other crops also...The agriculture MoU signed today will strengthen our attempts...We will also work on opening Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Guyana," he added. Higlighting, India's vision for a green and sustainable future, PM Modi affirmed, "In (India's) energy security, Guyana will play an important role. A blueprint will be prepared for a long-term partnership... We are moving towards a green and sustainable future in the world... In the field of defence, close cooperation is the sign of our mutual trust... India supplied two Dornier aircraft to Guyana last year... We will continue to contribute to the capacity building of the soldiers of Guyana through scholarships and training... We unanimously agree that global institutions need reforms... President Dr Irfaan Ali is a huge brand ambassador of the Indian community." Expressing gratitude to Guyana's President Irfaan Ali for the warm welcome, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged his personal connection to Guyana, having visited 24 years ago as a regular citizen. PM Modi also termed his visit 'the first by an Indian PM to Guyana' as a "significant milestone" for the ties between the two countries. "I thank President Dr Irfaan Ali for the grand welcome. It is a significant milestone that an Indian PM has come here after 56 years. I have a personal connection with Guyana. 24 years ago, I had the opportunity to come here as an ordinary citizen. Today, I am fortunate to come here as a Prime Minister," he said. He added, "President Irfaan Ali has a special relationship with India. He attended the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas last year. His visit inspired us to take our cooperation to a new level." PM Modi further said that India and Guyana reaffirmed their commitment to resolving issues through "dialogue and diplomacy," and recognising the importance of reforming global institutions to address the complexities of today's world. He added that both countries also underscored their shared priority of climate justice, pledging to continue striving for progress in all areas. "India and Guyana agree that dialogue and diplomacy should be used to resolve all issues. We are united in our belief that reforming global institutions is essential in today's world. Climate justice is a shared priority for both nations, and we will continue to strive for progress in all areas," he said. "Our relations were established by those who arrived from India here, in Guyana, 180 years ago. Today, the Indian community plays a significant role in the development of Guyana," PM Modi added. Earlier, PM Modi and Guyana President Ali witnessed the exchange of MoUs between India and Guyana. He also held delegation-level talks in Guyana's capital, Georgetown. After PM Modi's arrival in Guyana on Wednesday morning, he was received at the airport by the President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and over a dozen cabinet ministers. On PM's arrival, the President of Guyana shared a hug and exchanged pleasantries. He received a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour in Georgetown, Guyana. He also received the 'Key to the city of Georgetown' during his state visit to Guyana. Upon his arrival, he was greeted with cultural performances of traditional dances and in a warm gesture, received the 'Key to the city of Georgetown.' The Prime Minister interacted with various ministers of the Government of Guyana and members of the Indian diaspora. PM took to X to post "A heartfelt thank you to the Indian community in Guyana for their warm and spirited welcome. They have shown that distance is never a barrier to staying connected to one's roots. Glad to see the community making a mark here across different sectors." (ANI)
Guyanese President, Irfaan Ali expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India's commitment to supporting Guyana's sugar industry and highlighted the fruitful discussions between both nations. He further said that PM Modi's visit -- the first by an Indian PM to Guyana in 56 years -- represents a "significant milestone" in enhancing cooperation between the two nations and across multiple sectors. Addressing the press meeting with PM Modi, President Irfaan Ali of Guyana affirmed, "PM Modi, we are very grateful and humbled for your visit here in Guyana. I had the honour of welcoming PM Modi to the State House...Our discussions were not only fruitful but also reinforced our shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and to collaboratively address regional and global concerns. PM Modi's visit represents a significant milestone in enhancing cooperation between the two nations and across multiple sectors." Both nations signed several key agreements focusing on critical areas such as hydrocarbon, health, agriculture, and technology transfer "We signed several key agreements in critical areas such as hydrocarbon health, agriculture, and technology transfer. We further discussed collaboration on infrastructure, education, human capital development and a continued diversification of our economy... India has also committed to supporting us in our sugar industry," said Guyana's President. After President Irfaan Ali's address, PM Modi also expressed gratitude to Guyana's President for the warm welcome and acknowledged his personal connection to Guyana, having visited 24 years ago as a regular citizen. Addressing the press meeting with President Irfaan Ali of Guyana, PM Modi said, "I thank President Dr Irfaan Ali for the grand welcome. It is a significant milestone that an Indian PM has come here after 56 years. I have a personal connection with Guyana. 24 years ago, I had the opportunity to come here as an ordinary citizen. Today, I am fortunate to come here as a Prime Minister." He added, "President Irfaan Ali has a special relationship with India. He attended the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas last year. His visit inspired us to take our cooperation to a new level." PM Modi arrived in Guyana on Tuesday night (local time) and became the first Indian PM to set foot in the country in 56 years. On PM's arrival, the President of Guyana shared a hug and exchanged pleasantries. He received a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour in Georgetown, Guyana. He also received the 'Key to the city of Georgetown' during his state visit to Guyana. Upon his arrival, he was greeted with cultural performances of traditional dances and in a warm gesture, received the 'Key to the city of Georgetown.' (ANI)
US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti expressed his excitement at the launch of 'Learn, Play, Grow,' a collaborative initiative between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Sesame Street Workshop in India Trust on Wednesday as part of International Education Week. Garcetti said that the initiative uses some of the most famous characters to teach children about washing hands, counting numbers and reading. While speaking to ANI on Wednesday, "We're so excited to launch today 'Learn, Play, Grow', which is an initiative between USAID (United States Agency For International Development) and also the Sesame Street Workshop in India that's looking at ways we can connect with kids, help them read, count and know about their health, those three things, literacy, numeracy, and health education." "We know that characters can connect with kids. So we've got some of the most famous characters in the world here today to be able to in Rajasthan and Telangana about washing hands, counting numbers and reading? Those basic things will give these kids a supercharged start on their lives and a foundation for success in the future... It's very exciting to see these global characters in local languages... Through our digital content, we'll reach millions of students in India and directly through some of the workshops, tens of thousands of students in their classrooms in Telangana and Rajasthan," he added. The program is a collaboration between the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and Sesame Workshop India Trust designed to support early childhood education and health practices for young children and their families across India. With interactive learning led by Sesame Street characters Chamki, Elmo, and their friends, 'Learn Play Grow' will provide foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and hygiene to children in Rajasthan and Telangana, with digital content in Hindi and Telugu reaching millions more across the country. The launch event featured a public showcase of USAID-supported initiatives that align with the Government of India's NIPUN Bharat mission for universal foundational literacy and numeracy, with a focus on inclusive and gender-equitable education. Ambassador Garcetti showcased displays that highlighted USAID's impact on India's education vision, including gender-inclusive classrooms, support for children with disabilities, and multilingual resources --underscoring the US government's commitment to accessible education for all, especially girls and marginalized communities. The event was also joined by Sesame Street's Chamki, Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Grover. The Learn Play Grow program, driven by play-based pedagogy, will be implemented in more than 1,000 Anganwadi Centers in Rajasthan's Baran district and Telangana's Bhupalpally district, with the goal of engaging 20,000-25,000 children and their families and reaching millions more through digital programming. USAID is the world's premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. The United States and India are partnering to advance and achieve shared global development priorities. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali planted a sapling under the 'Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam' initiative. Lauding the "special gesture," Prime Minister Modi said that it marks the "shared commitment" towards sustainability. "A shared commitment to sustainability! In a very special gesture, the President of Guyana and my friend, Dr. Irfaan Ali, took part in the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (a tree for Mother) movement by planting a tree with his grandmother and mother-in-law," PM Modi stated in a post on X. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1859289118276301119?t=LI2bNirZNFouWuQMR6gGFg&s=08 Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam is a special country-wide Tree Plantation Campaign launched on World Environment Day, June 5, 2024. Under the campaign, people are encouraged to plant a tree as a mark of love, respect and honour for their mother and also to take a pledge to protect trees and Mother Earth. The campaign aims to halt land degradation and eco-restoration of degraded land parcels. Prime Minister Modi had emphasised the importance of collective efforts to improve the environment and spoke of India's strides in increasing forest cover over the past decade. This campaign, he said, aligns with the nation's quest for sustainable development. Meanwhile, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said that PM Modi and President Ali engaged in extensive discussions on various aspects of India-Guyana relations, including defence, energy, health, pharmaceuticals, digital public infrastructure, and more. Sharing a post on X, Jaiswal wrote, "A warm beginning to a historic State visit. President @DrMohamedIrfaa1 of Guyana welcomed PM @narendramodi at the State House in Georgetown, Guyana. PM was accorded ceremonial guard of honour." "Both leaders held extensive discussions on various facets of the India-Guyana ties, including on defence, energy, health, pharmaceuticals, digital public infrastructure and UPI, infrastructure, agriculture, telemedicine, Ayurveda and capacity building," the post added. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1859284821576462599 Earlier, PM Modi termed his visit -- first by an Indian PM to Guyana -- as a "significant milestone" for the ties between the two countries. Expressing gratitude to Guyana's President Ali for the warm welcome, PM Modi acknowledged his personal connection to Guyana, having visited 24 years ago as a regular citizen. Addressing the press meeting with President Ali of Guyana, PM Modi said, "I thank President Dr Irfaan Ali for the grand welcome. It is a significant milestone that an Indian PM has come here after 56 years. I have a personal connection with Guyana. 24 years ago, I had the opportunity to come here as an ordinary citizen. Today, I am fortunate to come here as a Prime Minister." He added, "President Irfaan Ali has a special relationship with India. He attended the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas last year. His visit inspired us to take our cooperation to a new level." PM Modi further said that India and Guyana reaffirmed their commitment to resolving issues through "dialogue and diplomacy," and recognising the importance of reforming global institutions to address the complexities of today's world. He added that both countries also underscored their shared priority of climate justice, pledging to continue striving for progress in all areas. "India and Guyana agree that dialogue and diplomacy should be used to resolve all issues. We are united in our belief that reforming global institutions is essential in today's world. Climate justice is a shared priority for both nations, and we will continue to strive for progress in all areas," he said. "Our relations were established by those who arrived from India here, in Guyana, 180 years ago. Today, the Indian community plays a significant role in the development of Guyana," PM Modi added. Earlier, PM Modi and Guyana President Ali witnessed the exchange of MoUs between India and Guyana. He also held delegation-level talks in Guyana's capital, Georgetown. (ANI)
The US Department of Defence (DoD) on November 20, announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defence needs. The USD 275 million worth of assistance consists of the 70th tranche of military aid to Ukraine, which the Biden Administration has provided to Ukraine from DoD stockpiles since August 2021, includes ammunition for HIMARS, artillery, anti-tank systems, UAVs, and other equipment the Pentagon said in a statement. "This Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) package, which has an estimated value of USD 275 million, will provide Ukraine additional capabilities to meet its most urgent needs, including munitions for rocket systems and artillery and anti-tank weapons," it said. The capabilities included in the package include ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition; 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds; Unmanned Aerial Systems; Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles; Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems; Small arms and ammunition; Demolitions equipment and munitions; chemical biological, radiological, nuclear protective equipment; and spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation. "The United States will continue to work together with some 50 Allies and partners through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and its associated Capability Coalitions to meet Ukraine's urgently needed battlefield requirements and defend against Russian aggression," as per the Department of Defence statement. In an earlier report Fox News had reported that once the announcement on the weapons package is made, the US will have a remaining USD 6.9 billion in PDA funding and USD2.21 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funding for Ukraine. As per the DoD, The United States has committed more than USD 61.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration, including approximately USD 60.7 billion since the beginning of Russia's unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24, 2022. The Biden administration has approved supplying Ukraine with American anti-personnel mines to bolster defences against Russian attacks, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters on Wednesday in Laos, as per the New York Times. Austin as pert the NYT, said the US decision was prompted by Russia's increasing reliance on foot soldiers to lead their assaults, instead of armoured vehicles. Speaking to reporters in Laos he said the shift in policy follows changing tactics by the Russians. Because of that, Ukraine has "a need for things that can help slow down that effort on the part of the Russians," Austin was cited by the NYT. Last month, the US provided Ukraine with an additional USD 425 million in supplies and weapons using PDA money to help Ukraine meet its most urgent needs at the time in terms of air defense, air-to-ground weapons, rocket systems, artillery munitions, armoured vehicles and anti-tank weapons. This comes after US President Biden Ukraine to use American long-range missiles on Russian soil, Fox News reported. Russia on Tuesday reported that Ukrainian forces fired six US-produced ATACMS missiles at Russia's Bryansk region, with five being shot down by S-400 and Pantsir AA systems, and one causing a fire after its fragments fell in the technical zone of a military facility. The Russian Defence Ministry said yesterday that it defeated a Ukrainian ATACMS attack in the western Bryansk region. Sharing a post on X, the Russian Foreign Ministry wrote, "Russia's Defence Ministry: At 3.25 am, Ukrainian forces fired 6 US-produced ATACMS missiles at Russia's Bryansk region." "Five missiles were shot down by S-400 and Pantsir AA systems, one was damaged, its fragments fell in the technical zone of a military facility, causing a fire," the Russian Foreign Ministry added. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a press breifing also spoke about the Ukrainian attack on Bryansk and said, "ATACAMS are being used against Bryansk Oblast of Russia. [The missiles] cannot be used without American experts and specialists. We will be taking this as a qualitatively new phase of the Western war against Russia and will react accordingly." US Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh in a briefing on November 19 said that Russia escalated the war with Ukraine by bringing in more than 11,000 soldiers from North Korea, to fight alongside Russian soldiers in the Kursk region. She also said the Biden administration has a commitment to continue arming Ukraine with what it needs on the battlefield. "We don't see that as escalatory," Singh said. "We see that as a commitment that we set out from the very beginning of this administration." (ANI)
Bangladesh will seek the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to neighbouring India after her government was overthrown by student-led street protests in August.

The International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka on 17 October issued arrest warrants for the former prime minister as well as 45 of her cabinet ministers, advisors, and military and civil officials.

Ms Hasina,77, has been living in exile in India since 5 August when protesters stormed her residence in Dhaka, ending her 15-year rule in the South Asian country.

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The deposed leader has continued her political activities from India, Muhammad Yunus, who heads the interim government as the chief adviser, told The Hindu newspaper. Indias refusal to send her back could sour relations between the South Asian neighbours, he said.

Mr Yunus previously said in an address to the nation his interim administration would "seek the extradition of the ousted autocrat from India".

"We have already taken initiatives to try those responsible for enforced disappearances, murders and the mass killings during the July-to-August uprising, he said.

Ms Hasina, leader of the Awami League party, has been living in a safe house in the capital New Delhi.

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Calling India and Bangladesh twins "born to be together", Mr Yunus said he wanted to meet Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

"Our dream is imagining a relationship like the European Union, he added, wishing for freedom of movement and trade between the neighbours. That's the direction we want to go.

Ms Hasinas government faced mass protests in July against public sector job quotas which quickly escalated into the deadliest violence the nation had seen in over four decades. More than 1,000 people, including children, journalists and law enforcement agents and journalists, were killed in the capital Dhaka alone, authorities said.

Police were accused of using lethal force to contain the protests before stepping back in the wake of the prime ministers ouster.

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At least 13 former top government officials arrested after the fall of the government appeared in a court Monday to face charges of enabling massacres". Another six people were set to appear on Wednesday, officials said.

Ms Hasina faces charges of "massacres, killings, and crimes against humanity".

Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said that the former top officials were "complicit in enabling massacres by participating in planning, inciting violence, ordering law enforcement officers to shoot on sight, and obstructing efforts to prevent a genocide".

The prosecution has contacted Interpol for help in arresting Ms Hasina as she has committed crimes against humanity", he added.

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The court has asked the prosecution to submit their investigation report by 17 December.

Meanwhile, the US has urged Dhaka to end crackdowns on peaceful protesters after a demonstration sparked by a Facebook post led to a clash with law enforcement officials.

"We have made it clear to the government of Bangladesh, as we do to countries around the world, that we support the right to peaceful protest and that no government should engage in violent crackdowns on peaceful demonstrations," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.
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A solitary dolphin in the Baltic Sea appears to be talking to himself, potentially because he's lonely, according to a new study.

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are social animals that typically live in pods. But, in September 2019, a solitary dolphin, known as Delle by the locals, started hanging around the Svendborgsund channel, south of Funen Island, Denmark. This area is outside bottlenose dolphins' usual range, and no other dolphins were seen nearby.

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Researchers had put down underwater recording devices to see how the presence of the solitary dolphin affected harbor porpoises. They were shocked when they heard Delle making so many noises. "Out of curiosity, I decided to add a recorder that captures actual sounds," lead author Olga Filatova , a cetacean biologist at the University of Southern Denmark, told Live Science via email. "I thought we might pick up a few distant whistles or something along those lines. I certainly didn't anticipate recording thousands of different sounds."

Over 69 days between Dec. 8, 2022 and Feb. 14 2023, the researchers detected 10,833 sounds, including several usually related to communication. These included 2,291 whistles, 2,288 burst-pulses  a rapid series of clicks sometimes associated with aggression  5,487 low-frequency tonal sounds and 767 percussive sounds. The findings were published in a new study on Oct. 31 in the journal Bioacoustics .

Among these noises, the dolphin produced three distinctive whistles. "Bottlenose dolphins have what are known as signature whistles, believed to be unique to each individual, much like a name," Filatova said. "If we hadn't known that Delle was alone, we might have concluded that a group of at least three dolphins was engaged in various social interactions."

Related: Dolphins are 'literally acting like jerks' by beating up baby manatees

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Filatova wasn't expecting to hear any vocalizations, certainly not noises associated with communication. "These sounds are traditionally considered communicative, meaning there should be at least two dolphins 'talking' to each other. But Delle was completely alone," she said.

At first, the scientists wondered if the dolphin might be trying to communicate with a local paddleboarder, but they also recorded the sounds at night time. "There were definitely no humans in the water," Filatova said.

For other experts, the results aren't entirely shocking. "Dolphins are very vocal animals, so I'm not overly surprised that this individual was still making sounds despite being alone," Thea Taylor , managing director at the Sussex Dolphin Project, who wasn't involved in the study, told Live Science via email.

"Dolphins rely on sound for key activities such as hunting and to sense their surrounding environment," she said, adding that they also use sound to communicate over large distances.

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Why the solitary dolphin was so vocal remains a mystery. He could have been talking to himself or they might have been involuntary sounds triggered by a certain emotion, "much like how we sometimes laugh when we read something funny, even if no one else is around to hear," Filatova said.

Another theory is that he was calling out in the hope of attracting the attention of other dolphins nearby. "Though this seems unlikely," she said. "He had already spent three years in the area and would likely know by now that no other dolphins are present."

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For Taylor, the idea that the dolphin's vocalizations may be involuntary emotional signals was the most intriguing element of the study. "This opens up so many questions about whether we can utilize dolphin communications to understand more about their behavior and emotions in the wild," she said.

Researchers don't usually record the sounds made by solitary dolphins. "They're seen as outcasts, as oddities, and no one truly expects them to produce any sounds worth documenting," Filatova said.

However, there is still much more to learn. "We still have some way to go before we fully understand why dolphins make the various sounds in their repertoire," Taylor said.
Donald Trump is poised to recognise a former British protectorate as an official country, according to a former UK defence secretary who lobbied the president-elect.

Sir Gavin Williamson told The Independent he has held talks with Trumps team about the official recognition of Somaliland, which holds a crucial strategic position on the Red Sea.

He said he was confident Mr Trump would take up the issue once he assumes office in January.

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The former Tory cabinet minister has been the leading advocate for official recognition of the ex-British protectorate, which has in effect been independent from Somalia since 1991.

It is uncomfortable for Labour that a senior Tory figure is seeking to influence US foreign policy, and potentially bounce the UK government into changing its stance on the issue.

Donald Trump could recognise Somaliland (AP)

They should agree to it, though when he assumes office it will probably all take a little longer than we hope, he said. But had really good meetings with his policy leads so fingers crossed.

He added: One of Trumps last orders as president was to withdraw troops from Somalia but then Biden countermanded that order. There is nothing that Trump hates more than someone overruling him so I used that to push the argument.

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It comes after Somaliland recently successfully held free and fair elections which the opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi won on a 53 per cent turnout.

While Somaliland has close links with the UK as a former part of the empire, the only country which recognises it is Ethiopia which signed a deal for access to the sea at the port city of Berbera.

The agreement, signed on 1 January this year, caused an international row with Somalia which still lays claim to the territory after the two countries united in 1960.

Previous attempts to recognise Somaliland were effectively blocked by former US president Barak Obama who supported Somalias claim. President Joe Biden supported this position even though Somalia is a centre for international piracy and terrorism; US intelligence flagged possible discussions with the Houthis  who are attacking shipping in the nearby Gulf of Aden  to provide weapons to the militant al-Shabaab in Somalia.

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The first Trump administration came close to recognising the tiny de facto state before Mr Trump lost the election in 2020. If he were to go ahead with recognition, it would put pressure on the UK to follow suit.

News of Somaliland came as Sir Keirs government has attracted pressure over its deal with Mauritius to give them sovereignty over the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean.

The Independent recently revealed that Mr Trump is looking at vetoing foreign minister David Lammys recent deal because of concerns over China getting access and security around the UK/US Diego Garcia airbase.

Sir Gavin began his interest in Somaliland when he was defence secretary between 2017 and 2019 and visited the breakaway country. He has since become a leading advocate in parliament and a regular visitor to Somaliland, even receiving honourary citizenship for his efforts on their part.

Gavin Williamson as been in talks with Trumps team over Somaliland (PA Archive)

There are hopes that official recognition will allow a deal for Western allies to use the Berbera port to help with operations in the Red Sea, which has become a major international flashpoint.

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There was disappointment before the election when David Cameron, as foreign secretary, agreed to demands from the Biden administration to continue to support Somalias claim, even though Somaliland is a stable country that runs free and fair elections.

Earlier this year, Liverpool City Council became the first British body to formally recognise Somaliland, in the hope it would raise the issues profile and put pressure on Mr Lammy.

Meanwhile, sources in Washington DC have told The Independent that the State Department has warmed up to the idea of supporting Somalilands claim in the days following Mr Trumps victory.

Peter Pham, a former US special envoy to the Sahel region and a senior official in the last Trump administration, also noted: I am sure this will be up for review after the inauguration. Similarly, a smooth election in Somaliland will, in addition to its other achievements, undoubtedly strengthen its case in an overall policy review.

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A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office source said: It would be wrong to speculate on any policy decisions that the incoming administration of President-elect Trump may make.

The UK, alongside others in the international community, does not recognise Somalilands unilateral declaration of independence. It is for authorities in Mogadishu and Hargeisa to resolve Somalilands status through dialogue and broad consultation.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, OH (WVNS)  A person wanted out of southern West Virginia died and an officer was shot during an arrest attempt in Ohio.

According to a press release from the U.S. Marshals, U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) members tried to arrest a fugitive in Ohio on Monday, November 18, 2024, who was wanted for a federal weapons offense violation out of southern West Virginia.

Mingo County man sentenced for drug crime after traffic stop in Wyoming County

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The person of interest was found at a hotel in the Jackson Township area of Ohio, and barricaded themselves inside a hotel room with a gun despite members of law enforcement offering them multiple chances to surrender.

Due to the wanted person refusing to surrender, Canton Regional SWAT was called and arrived at the scene, where the fugitive proceeded to shoot at members of law enforcement from inside the hotel room.

A Canton Regional SWAT team member was hit by one of the bullets fired by the person in the hotel room, and was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Another bullet hit one of the law enforcement cars that was at the scene of the incident.

Wyoming County woman pleads guilty to charges involving drugs

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The wanted person was shot and killed by members of law enforcement after shooting multiple rounds at officers, and spent bullet casings and two guns were found in the hotel room where the fugitive barricaded themselves.

This fugitive with an extensive violent criminal history dating back to the 1970s attempted to kill officers on scene during the arrest. Unfortunately, one officer was shot but all officers on scene responded with professionalism, commitment and dedication to safely resolve the situation. U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott

Members of local, state, and federal agencies such as the United States Marshals Service, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Stark County Sheriffs Office, Canton Police Department, Carrollton Police Department, Holmes County Sheriffs Office, North Canton Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Perry Township Police Department, Stark County Park District, and Stark County Probation make up the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
At least five people were killed in the latest Israeli attack on a densely populated residential area in Beirut even as Lebanon and Hezbollah were reported to have agreed to a ceasefire proposal.

Israeli forces fired two missiles at the Zoqaq al-Blat neighbourhood which houses the local UN headquarters, Lebanon's parliament and prime minister's office, state-run National News Agency reported.

The strikes came as the US said it was working on a ceasefire proposal that would remove Israeli forces from Lebanon and push Hezbollah far from the border.

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Ali Hassan Khalil, aide to parliament speaker Nabih Berri, said Lebanon had delivered its written response to the US ambassadors proposal.

"Lebanon presented its comments on the paper in a positive atmosphere," Mr Khalil told Reuters, declining to offer further details.

People gather around the rubble of a house destroyed in an Israeli attack in central Gaza City on 18 November 2024 (AFP via Getty)

Mr Berri, a Hezbollah ally mediating for the group, was expected to meet with US envoy Amos Hochstein in Beirut on Tuesday.

Israel has dramatically escalated its bombardment of Lebanon since September, vowing to severely weaken Hezbollah, which has been firing rockets and drones at Israel since it launched its air and ground assault on Gaza over a year ago.

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The Israeli attacks have killed over 3,500 people across Lebanon, according to the nation's health ministry. Hezbollahs rockets have killed at least 77 people, including 31 soldiers, according to Israel. The Lebanese group has also killed more than 50 Israeli soldiers over the course of their ground offensive in the country.

Firefighters and rescuers gather outside a computer shop struck by an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut (AP)

In Gaza, meanwhile, several people were killed in an operation targeting suspected gangs accused of looting dozens of trucks bringing aid to the battered and besieged Palestinian territory.

The interior ministry run by Hamas said on Monday that 20 people were killed in a security operation carried out by security forces in cooperation with tribal committees.

The looting severely affected society and led to signs of famine in southern Gaza, the ministry said, adding that the operation was the start of a broader campaign to tackle the problem.

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Nearly 97 trucks carrying food aid were looted in Gaza over the weekend, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees Unrwa said.

Unrwa commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini said there was a "total breakdown of civil order" and there was "no longer local capacity of people to escort the envoy".

"This has completely gone."

Palestinians line up for food distribution in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip (AP)

The drivers of the truck were forced at gunpoint to unload the aid packages, the agency said in a post on X.

The Israeli authorities continue to disregard their legal obligations under international law to ensure the population's basic needs are met and to facilitate the safe delivery of aid, it added.

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Almost all of Gaza's roughly 2.3 million people rely on international aid for survival and doctors and aid groups say malnutrition is rampant. But only about 34,000 tonnes of food entered the Palestinian territory in October, according to Israeli data.

A UN special committee found that Israeli policies and practices in Gaza are consistent with the characteristics of genocide, such as using starvation as a weapon and causing mass casualties.

The incident highlights the severity of access challenges of bringing aid into southern and central Gaza," Louise Wateridge, senior emergency officer for Unrwa, told Reuters.

The urgency of the crisis cannot be overstated; without immediate intervention, severe food shortages are set to worsen, further endangering the lives of over 2 million people who depend on humanitarian aid to survive.

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Israel's war on Gaza has killed more than 43,000 people, according to the territorys health ministry, since Hamas attacked Israel last October and killed around 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostage.

Meanwhile, leaders of the G20 nations who are meeting in Brazil expressed deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip as well as the escalation in Lebanon and called for a ceasefire.

They highlighted the human suffering and negative impacts of the war and called for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Circuit Judge Coleman Robinson announced a mistrial Wednesday in the case of Sheila Agee, the woman accused of helping her son murder Brooklyn Sims at a Pensacola Home Depot.

Agee, who was on trial as a principal to first-degree premeditated murder, will have to wait longer for her day in court after Robinson was forced to declare a mistrial because some jurors reported they felt concerned with their physical safety.

One of the jurors who spoke individually with Robinson in open court described a loud verbal disagreement between certain jurors while deliberating. She told the judge that she felt the physical safety of the jurors was in peril due to the argumentative nature of one of their fellow jurors.

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The juror then said some of the heated arguments during deliberation became racially motivated, but it was unclear whether the remarks were directed toward Agee or another juror. The deliberations became so heated that they asked the court if one juror could be replaced by an alternate, which is not allowed under Florida law.

Sheila Agee is the mother of convicted murderer Keith Agee, who fatally shot his girlfriend Brooklyn Sims at Home Depot and sits in the courtroom of Circuit Judge Coleman Robinson as Jury Selection begins on Monday, November 18, 2024. Agee is charged with principal to first-degree premeditated murder for her alleged texts to her son on the day of the murder.

Agees attorney, Chris Rabby, motioned for the mistrial on the grounds that jurors fearing for their safety and possible racial bias would prevent his client from receiving a fair trial.

I am concerned it would not be a fair and just verdict, Rabby told Robinson.

While explaining to the jury he was declaring a mistrial, Robinson also denounced the actions of one juror who was ordered to pay attention during Tuesday's trial session after it came to the court's attention the juror was playing a crossword puzzle. That same juror then returned Wednesday with another crossword puzzle and was using it during the deliberations, according to other jurors.

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"There is a particular juror who has not treated this case, and it's evident, with the seriousness it should have," Robinson said as he addressed the jury, "and it continued back into the deliberation room."

Following the mistrial and the excusal of the jury, the News Journal asked Rabby his thoughts on the trial and the apparent problem with the jury, but he declined to comment.

Robinson placed Agee's case back on the court docket, with her next court date scheduled for Feb. 5.

What happened to Brooklyn Sims at the Pensacola Home Depot?

On Aug. 11, 2023, Sims was working at the Home Depot on Davis Highway as a contracted inventory counter with WIS International when her ex-boyfriend Keith Agee drove from Alabama to kill her.

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He walked into the store, headed toward aisle 52 and fatally shot Sims at least seven times before fleeing the store and later turning himself in to law enforcement.

During his trial in December 2023, Agee testified he that he was so mad at Sims after receiving a call at work on Aug. 11 that he tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease, that he immediately left his job in Alabama and drove to his grandmother's house, grabbed his firearm and proceeded to drive to Pensacola.

Agee said he felt "enraged, betrayed, and hurt" after receiving the call about his diagnosis, and he told the jury after hearing the news he intended to drive to Pensacola and "get revenge" on Sims.

Bridgette Jensen, who was one of the prosecutors on both cases, noted during Keith Agee's trial that Sims tested negative for any sexually transmitted disease.

Texts show Sheila Agee convinced Keith Agee to commit murder in Pensacola instead of Alabama

Prior to the shooting, the mother-son duo sent each other dozens of messages, which came out during both trials.

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During Sheila Agee's trial, messages submitted into evidence show Sheila Agee tell Keith to come to Pensacola to carry out the shooting so that she isn't shot accidentally.

Keith Agee told his mom via text, "Buh that's another thing if she don't get out that car momma and I have to drag her out or can't ima ask u to step out Cuz I'm open the door jus shoot her."

Sheila Agee replied, "Hell if you getting off work now I'll give you address here and you can ride over here and do it so you don't have to do it in front of (his daughter)."

After Keith Agee asked for the address, Sheila Agee then sent him the address for the Davis Highway Home Depot, according to attorneys.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Home Depot murder case declared mistrial
Tens of thousands of people have marched on New Zealands capital against a bill to redefine Maori rights in one of the largest protests in the countrys history.

Haka chants rang out across the 42,000-strong crowd as it moved through Wellington on Tuesday in the final stage of a nine-day 100km walk from the north, a Maori stronghold.

Bare-chested men draped in traditional feather cloaks were joined by horse riders waving the red, white and black Maori flag.

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Children marched alongside adults bearing distinctive full-face Maori moko tattoos and clutching ceremonial wooden weapons.

The protests up and down the country are in response to a minor party in New Zealands conservative coalition government drafting a bill to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi.

The pact, signed in 1840 between the British Crown and more than 500 Maori chiefs, was a guarantee of Maori rights and autonomy and became the countrys founding document.

After the bill was presented in parliament last week, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, a Maori Party MP, ripped the bill in half and launched into a haka.

Instagram/keanuflavell

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In the chaos that ensued, parliament was briefly suspended and Ms Maipi-Clarke was thrown out of the chamber.

Outside parliament on Tuesday, she said: I may have been suspended for 24 hours and not let into the gates of the debating chambers, but the next day I showed up outside the steps with a hundred thousand of my people, marching with our heads held high and our flags waving with pride.

We are the kingmakers, we are the sovereign people of this land and the world is watching us here.

Many on the demonstration wore traditional Maori clothing - Mark Tantrum/AP

Campaigners say the bill threatens to promote racial discord - Mark Tantrum/AP

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Eru Kapa-Kingi, who has become the face of the protest movement, told the crowd: The Maori nation has been born today.

Every single one of you who joined this march today, I hope you realise what you have committed to today. You have committed to a future where we revert back to the reality of our rangatira [chiefs].

The proposed legislation is seen by many Maori and their supporters as undermining the rights of the countrys indigenous people, who make up around 20 per cent of its population of 5.3 million.

The bill, they argue, threatens to promote racial discord and constitutional upheaval.

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The Treaty of Waitangi has long been a source of contention because key distinctions exist in its English and Maori forms.

Rulings by the courts and a separate Maori tribunal have progressively expanded Maori rights and privileges over the decades. But critics argue this has led to non-indigenous citizens being discriminated against.

An estimated 42,000 people attended the march - SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP

Ngira Simmonds, a key advisor to New Zealands Maori Queen, told news agency AFP: Its not the best way to have a conversation.

We will not accept unilateral change to a treaty that involves two parties. There is a better way.

David Seymour, the author of the bill and leader of the libertarian ACT Party, has long rallied against affirmative action policies designed to help Maori people, who remain far more likely to die early, live in poverty or wind up in prison.

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His legislation aims to wind back these so-called special rights.

The bill, which has dominated debate in New Zealand for months, passed its first reading last week, but is highly unlikely to garner enough support to pass into law.

Christopher Luxon, New Zealands prime minister, has voiced opposition to Mr Seymours proposals.

Jenny Shipley, the former conservative prime minister, said just putting it forward threatened to divide New Zealand in a way that I havent lived through in my adult life.

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Two safari travel agents shared common mistakes travelers make on their first visit to Africa.

Mistakes include sticking to overcrowded destinations and overpacking your itinerary.

The experts urged travelers to go off the beaten path and approach their trips with open mindsets.

There's a lot of pressure when it comes to a safari vacation.

The average vacationer spends between $5,500 and $6,500 on a safari, according to travel company Go2Africa's 2023 safari report.

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Many North American travelers who travel to popular safari destinations like Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Botswana spend 30+ hours getting to the destination.

And trips are typically planned months  if not years  in advance.

The effort means that, naturally, there's hope the trip will go flawlessly.

While Meg van Niekerk, a safari planner for Go2Africa, said that's not always the case, she added that it's impossible not to fall in love with the vacation style.

Van Niekerk and Shaun Stanley, the owner and founder of the luxury safari planning company Stanley Safaris, shared with Business Insider some common mistakes travelers can avoid on their first safari vacation.

A traveler takes a picture of a lion from a safari vehicle. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

When it comes to planning, don't do it by yourself

Travel agents help clients get to destinations all around the world, but a safari, in particular, benefits from the help of an expert. That's because planning a safari involves endless options and often confusing logistics.

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Stanley said that working with a travel planner allows you to curate the best vacation for you. That might mean a trip centered on adventure and adrenaline or relaxation and over-the-top luxury.

"We don't send out a quote to a guest unless we've spent time talking to them and understanding who they are," Stanley told BI. "And that's what gives us that opportunity to really offer them that personalized service."

Beyond finding the best lodges for a traveler, travel agents know which places positively impact the surrounding communities and ecosystems and the best times to visit for specific animal sightings.

Travel agents will also coordinate transfers and work with budgets since safaris often have hidden costs, such as conservation fees, park fees, and tipping expectations.

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Van Niekerk added that the travel agent's support extends beyond securing the right itinerary for the traveler.

An agent will ensure their clients don't forget any timely tasks as the trip approaches, including securing visas, booking vaccination appointments, and sharing packing guidelines.

Finally, if a part of your trip doesn't go as planned, your agent is there. Van Niekerk connects with her clients via WhatsApp, so if I flight is delayed or something goes wrong, she's just a message away.

Six safari cars lined up to see a cheetah in Central Serengeti. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Some guests fail to consider off-the-beaten-path destinations

Many parts of Africa are overpopulated with tourists. Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve increased park entrance fees to deter overtourism. Other places, like Tanzania's Ngorongoro Conservation Area or South Africa's Sabi Sands, are also experiencing overcrowding.

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Not only does overtourism put negative stressors on the environment, but it's often not the ideal place to vacation.

"There are really cool places out there that are not in the mainstream," Stanley said. He encourages travelers to look beyond Africa's most popular parks and destinations and consider places with fewer tourists.

Stanley might suggest the Republic of Congo to a traveler focused on adventure over more popular destinations like Kenya or Tanzania.

If you insist on traveling to a popular area, consider where you'll stay. Many luxury lodges operate on private game reserves, protected wildlife areas, or in private concessions.

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For example, TAASA Lodge, at the edge of the Serengeti National Park, is located in a private game reserve where travelers can offroad, go on nightly game drives, and avoid overcrowded animal sightings.

Don't try to squeeze too much into your trip

Both van Niekerk and Stanley encouraged first-time visitors to travel slowly.

"You don't want to spend half your trip on transfers," van Niekerk said.

Instead, she recommends evaluating your top vacation priorities and carving out enough time to truly experience them. If you really want to see leopards or cheetahs, make sure you're spending enough time in the region where those animals live. This might mean only visiting one country for a weeklong safari instead of checking off two or three countries.

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"We try to tell people to slow down, spend time in each place, and get to know it," Stanley said.

Stanley said travelers will leave feeling more connected to a place, its people, and its animals. Avoiding timely transfers and flights will also make the trip less stressful.

A safari guide on a guided walk. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Don't just stick to driving safaris

While it can be tempting to adhere to a schedule of daily game drives, Stanley urges travelers to try other ways of exploring the bush.

For example, a safari lodge might offer walking safaris. Here, guests can hike into the bush with a guide and gain a new perspective on the landscape. They might learn about medicinal plants, spot bugs and new creatures up close, and view animal behaviors that can't be seen from inside a car.

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"Bringing all of that to life is incredible, and you can miss that on a vehicle," Stanley said.

Beyond guided walks, Stanley said visitors should also consider nighttime game drives, boat safaris, and visits to villages, where travelers can interact and learn about new cultures.

"I try to get guests to understand that there is more to Africa than spotting the big five, sitting in a vehicle, ticking boxes, and trying to find animals," Stanley said.

Van Niekerk said she also encourages travelers to know what lodges offer.

Some luxury lodges include massages or sauna visits within their rates. Other lodges might offer sunset drinks in the bush or laundry services.

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"Take advantage of all the things you're paying for," she said.

Unrealistic expectations could set you up for disappointment

Finally, van Niekerk and Stanley stressed that visitors should go in with an open mindset. Since aspects of safaris like animal sightings and weather are unpredictable, they encouraged visitors to be mindful of their expectations and enjoy their time in the bush.

"It starts with it being a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but you will come back," van Niekerk said. "There's something incredibly special about Africa."

Read the original article on Business Insider
As the relationship between the United States and China continues to deteriorate, and with the looming return of former President Donald Trump to the White House promising the possibility of further escalation, countries in Southeast Asia are increasingly worried about having to choose between the two giants. But with the exception of the Philippines, none of the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, want to explicitly align with the United States. Indeed, nearly all of them are historically known for hedging between great powers.

In exploring their options to avoid being completely caught up in U.S.-China tensions, many Southeast Asian states are eagerly building robust ties with Asias middle powersJapan, Australia, South Korea and, to some extent, Indiaas well as outside powers like Russia and the European Union.

If these smaller Southeast Asian states are expanding their economic and security partnerships, it is not just to resist pressure from the U.S. to join an anti-China coalition, pressure that is likely to increase under a second Trump administration. It is also to create checks and balances against China under President Xi Jinping. Xis increasingly aggressive rhetoric and actions in disputed regional waters like the South China Sea have already raised concerns in the region. Now there are fears that he may use further coercive activities as the Chinese economy falters.

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With Trump now headed back to the White House, they must add to those concerns the worry that the moderate stability they enjoyed during the administration of President Joe Bidendespite some complaints about Biden ignoring parts of the regionwill now give way to economic and security chaos.

To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter.

Building security ties with a range of middle powers serves several purposes for smaller regional countries. It reduces their reliance on U.S. and Chinese arms sales and security cooperation, further blunting the ability of both giants to pressure them. In the event of a U.S.-China crisis, and especially if it comes to being pressured to enter an eventual conflict, it offers options for avoiding a zero-sum choice between Washington and Beijing. And particularly important for the regions democracies, powers like Japan and the European Union are far more popular among publics than the U.S. and China, which can make it easier for regional governments to work with them.

In addition to offering Southeast Asian states more hedging room against zero-sum regional politics, these links also broaden their investment opportunities. This is especially important given Washingtons increasing focus on luring companies to invest domesticallywhich will now be exacerbated by Trumps obsession with tariffsand Beijings shift toward more modest outbound investment amid a struggling Chinese economy.

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Meanwhile, for the middle powers now cultivating ties with Southeast Asian states, these links allow them to promote their own outbound investment and defense industries. In the past decade, Japan in particular has become far more assertive in Southeast Asia, increasingly expanding its arms exports to the region, while also providing an alternative source of economic assurance for regional states. Indeed, the 2024 State of Southeast Asia survey published by the ISEAS  Yusof Ishak Institute identified Japan as the most trusted and strategically relevant middle power to ASEAN.

In addition to offering Southeast Asian states more hedging room against zero-sum regional politics, links with middle powers also broaden their investment opportunities.

In recent years, Japan aggressively cultivated recently inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto while Prabowo served as the countrys defense minister under his predecessor, former President Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi. Japan, which already has a decades-long relationship with Indonesia, has pledged to upgrade security ties with Jakarta. Prabowo will almost surely welcome this move, given that he appears ready to play a bigger role in foreign policy than Jokowi and more willing to assertively defend Indonesias South China Sea claims against Beijings encroachment.

Though Prabowo will continue to nurture Indonesias ties with China developed under Jokowihe traveled to Beijing two weeks ago to solicit investmentdeepening ties with Tokyo would be consistent with his stated interest in cultivating a variety of partners to diversify Jakartas diplomatic portfolio. Prabowo may also understand that boosting ties with Japan is a way to reassure the U.S. that he, too, shares concerns about Beijings regional security posture, while allowing him to avoid the appearance of catering to Washington, which is highly unpopular in Indonesia today, especially due to its support for Israels war in Gaza.

In addition to helping Southeast Asian states balance their security interests, Japan was also the largest country donor of development aid in the region from 2015 to 2022. Tokyo may not be able to offer splashy projects like Beijing or Washington, but it has distinguished itself as a reliable partner in the provision of public goods.

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In addition to Japan, Australia has increasingly played a role as a regional power providing alternatives for security cooperation. Again, despite historically prickly ties between Jakarta and Canberra, Prabowo has been a leader in this regard. In August, as president-elect, Prabowo met with top Australian officials in Canberra to increase defense cooperation. Australia is set to hold its largest-ever military exercises with Indonesia in November and recently announced it also would also partner with the Philippines on joint maritime patrols of the South China Sea.

Indias rise as a middle power has also offered another balancing option for Southeast Asia, with RANDs Derek Grossman even arguing that India is becoming a strategic actor in the region. India has become a defense supplier to Vietnam, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visited New Delhi in August to strengthen economic and security ties, at a time when Anwar and the Malaysian public have soured on the U.S., in large part due to the Gaza war. Indias membership in the Quadrilateral Security Dialoguealongside the U.S., Japan and Australiaoffers another avenue for cooperation, and Southeast Asias political elites seem more open to the prospect of working with India via the Quad, as it is known, than they once were.

Prior to Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow was Southeast Asias largest weapons supplier. Although this trend has slowed considerably in the past few years, some of the more authoritarian states in the region continue to use Russia to balance against Chinas influence. Vietnam in particular has long relied on Russia for its defense base. In June, then-Vietnamese President To Lamhe has since relinquished the position while continuing to serve as the Communist Partys secretary-generalconducted a state visit to Moscow, where he signed deals on oil and gas exports, arms transfers and more. Myanmars military junta, meanwhile, has obtained specialized surveillance drones from Russia in its civil war against resistance forces and ethnic armed organizations, even as China seems to be increasingly angry at the junta for the chaos it has created.

At the most recent ASEAN Summit in October, the attendance of representatives from Australia, Japan and South Koreaalong with Russia, India and the EUdemonstrated the value middle powers place on ties with Southeast Asia. Conversely, the smaller states of the region will continue to develop ties with middle powers to pursue their interests and maximize their geopolitical room for maneuver. With the U.S. and China attempting to force Southeast Asian governments to choose, many are instead increasingly looking for a third option.

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Joshua Kurlantzick is senior fellow for Southeast Asia and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Abigail McGowan is a research associate for Southeast Asia and U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The post The U.S. and China Arent Southeast Asias Only Options appeared first on World Politics Review.
TOKYO, Nov 20 (News On Japan) - NVIDIA has thrown its weight behind Sakana AI, a Tokyo-based startup rapidly gaining traction in the booming generative AI field. Since ChatGPT's debut in November 2022, industry giants like Google and Meta have entered the fray, intensifying the competitive landscape.

NVIDIAs investment in Sakana AI highlights the startups prominence, as it attracts major funding both domestically and internationally. This includes significant interest from tech leaders like Google and Microsoft, who are also eyeing a surprising facility tied to the companys innovations.

According to economic editor Satoshi Matsuo of Kyodo News, Sakana AI is at the center of a broader AI development wave, reflecting Japans growing role in global AI advancements.

Source: Kyodo
Nov 20 (NHK) - Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has expressed his eagerness to develop cooperation with China and other nations after a series of summit meetings in South America.

Ishiba held a news conference in Brazil after attending the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Peru and the Group of 20 summit in Brazil.

He spoke about one-on-one summits he had with the US, South Korean and Chinese leaders on the sidelines of the APEC forum. He said he had candid discussions with them and took the opportunities to build and deepen personal relations.

Ishiba said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping found themselves on the same page in discussions.

He said Japan will work together with China to promote frequent bilateral communication and visits at all levels, including the summit level. He expressed his hope that such efforts will help reduce challenges and pending issues and will enhance cooperation and coordination between the two countries.

Ishiba said he stressed the importance of a free and open international order based on the rule of law through the APEC and the G20 summits.

He explained his proposal at the G20 forum for Japan to share its disaster prevention efforts with other countries. He said disaster prevention is a top priority for Japan and that his country will contribute to overcoming the vulnerability in some countries or regions.

Ishiba talked about the agreement with Brazil 50 years ago by former Japanese Prime Minister Tanaka Kakuei to jointly develop a vast Brazilian savanna known as Cerrado. Ishiba calls Tanaka his political teacher.

Ishiba said the joint project successfully turned the barren area into a major area for soybean production in about 25 years. He said such efforts are the foundation for the peace and prosperity of the world and Japan, indicating that Japan will continue to build relations with emerging and developing economies.
OSAKA, Nov 21 (News On Japan) - The operator of a strip theater in Osaka's Tenma district, advertised as "Western Japan's largest," has been arrested alongside nine others for exposing dancers' lower bodies to customers, police announced.

The theater's owner, Katsuya Tashiro, 66, and nine others were taken into custody on November 19th under charges of public indecency. The incident reportedly involved dancers exposing their lower bodies to approximately 60 patrons inside the venue.

The theater, named the Tenma Toyo Show Theater, had reportedly boasted an annual revenue of around 260 million yen by promoting itself as "Western Japan's largest strip theater." About 10% of its customers were foreign tourists, making it a known attraction in the area.

Tashiro has admitted to the charges during questioning, and police are continuing to investigate the case in detail.

Source: YOMIURI
OSAKA, Nov 21 (News On Japan) - Initiatives to turn Osaka into the 'holy ground' of F1 are gaining momentum as discussions around building a new circuit have begun.

On November 20th, the Osaka Motorsports Promotion Council held its first meeting in Osaka City to explore the possibility of hosting F1 Grand Prix races. Experts, including professional driver Juichi Wakisaka, exchanged views on how to bring world-class racing to the city.

Hiroshi Mizohata, Executive Director of the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, emphasized the importance of building a solid foundation for motorsport in the region, stating, "Initially, it seemed like we were focusing solely on hosting the event, but without creating a true motorsport hub, the effort to bring F1 here will remain superficial."

Attempts to host an F1 race in Osaka were previously abandoned in 2022 due to logistical challenges at the former Expo site. Over the next year, the council plans to draft a detailed plan to develop a circuit that could serve as a motorsport "holy ground" in Osaka.

Source: MBS
Understanding the Importance of Local SEO

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Local SEO ensures that businesses appear in relevant searches when potential customers are looking for nearby services. Phrases like plumber near me or best bakery in [city] illustrate the growing importance of location-based searches. If your business isnt optimized for these queries, you risk losing out to competitors who are.

How Local SEO Impacts Consumer Behavior

Every day, countless consumers rely on search engines to solve immediate problems or fulfill needs. Businesses that optimize their digital profiles for location-based queries gain a significant edge, often becoming the first choice for local customers.

Backspace Marketing recommends focusing on key strategies like updating your Google Business Profile and ensuring consistent citations across directories. These steps align your business with search intent, making it more likely for customers to choose your service over others.

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Future Trends in Local SEO

The landscape of local search is constantly evolving, with new technologies and trends shaping consumer behavior. One emerging area is the integration of artificial intelligence in search engines, which enhances personalization. Additionally, optimizing for voice search has become increasingly important, as users often ask location-based questions like, Where is the nearest grocery store?

Backspace Marketing predicts that staying ahead of these trends will be vital for maintaining a competitive edge.

Investing in Local SEO for Long-Term Growth

Local SEO is not a one-time task but a long-term investment. As digital searches become more ingrained in daily life, businesses that prioritize local SEO will be better positioned to thrive. Backspace Marketing stresses the importance of this strategy for fostering lasting connections within communities and driving growth.

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By Henry Umoru

THE Senate has invoked the provisions of Section 157 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended and sacked Yakubu Danladi Umar as the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT for what it described as unacceptable acts of misconduct.

According to the Senate, it became imperative to remove him from that sensitive position because his actions were unbecoming of a holder of such an office and his level of gross misconduct no longer acceptable.

The sack of Umar as Chairman of CCT was sequel to two third of Senators as 74 members signed, 10 senators present, totally 84 Senators.

The Senate had at 1.17pm gone into a closed door session on the matter that was listed as the first motion in the order paper and soon after the came out of the closed door session at 2,36pm, the Senate Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, APC, Borno North moved that the action can be carried out in line with Section 157 (1) of the Constitution.

The motion to sack Umar as CCT Chairman was moved in the Order Paper by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central.

It was titled, Invocation of the provision of Section 157 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended for the removal of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

According to Bamidele, The Senate: Notes that the Code of Conduct Tribunal is one of the key components of Federal Institutions in the country, saddled with the sacred statutory responsibilities of maintaining high standard of morality in the conduct of government business and to ensure that the actions and behaviours of public officers conform to the highest standards of public morality and accountability;

Also notes that a statutory institution of such magnitude is expected to be an epitome of moral rectitude and should be seen to uphold the virtues of integrity, probity and accountability. However, the conduct of Mr. Yakubu Danladi Umar, who is the Chairman of the Tribunal has fallen short of the requisite standard of a public officer to conduct the affairs of such Tribunal;

Concerned that the Senate has been inundated with series of petitions and allegations of corruption/misconduct against the Chairman, a situation that necessitated the 9th Senate, through the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions to invite him to series of its investigative hearings in order to unravel the circumstances surrounding those allegations.

However, he appeared before the Committee only once and thereafter avoided subsequent invitations;

Also concerned about his alleged absenteeism from office for more than one month, without permission and recuse to his position, coupled with preponderance of corruption allegation, misappropriation, and physical street brawl with a security man in the FCT vis-a-vis his current investigation by the EFCC, ICPC and the DSS. All these are tantamount to acts of negligence and gross misconduct, unbecoming of a Chairman of such a reputable Tribunal;

Aware of the series of overwhelming allegations against the Chairman, Mr. President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, forwarded the name of Mr. Abdullahi Usman Bello to the Senate for confirmation as the new Chairman of the Tribunal, and at the Plenary Sitting of the Senate on Thursday, 4th July, 2024, his appointment was duly confirmed, hence the need for the erstwhile Chairman to vacate the office for the substantive Chairman to officially resume office.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, the nod to arraign a former lawmaker for Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Andy Uba, on a two-count charge bordering on alleged N400million fraud.

The court, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, fixed February 18, 2025, to take the plea of the defendant following an allegation that he defrauded one Mr. George Uboh, whose petition to the police led to the charge.

Equally cited as 2nd and 3rd defendants in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024, which was filed before the court on October 10, are; Crystal Chidinma Uba and Benjamin Etu.

Specifically, the IGP alleged that the defendants, alongside one Hajiya Fatima who was said to be at large, had sometimes in 2022, conspired and defrauded the complainant.

The former lawmaker and his co-defendants were accused of obtaining by false pretence, by making a presentation to Mr. Uboh that they had perfected way to secure the position of the Managing Directorship of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for any person that could afford the sum of N400 million.

The prosecution told the court that the defendants knew that the claim they made in the presentation was not true.

They were said to have committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006.

More so, in the count-two of the charge, the IGP alleged that the defendants and Fatima (at large), had in 2022, conspired amongst themselves with intention to defraud, induced Uboh with a presentation that they had perfected a way to give an appointment of the post of MD of the NDDC to who could afford the N400m.

The defendants were said to have obtained the money and converted it into their own personal use, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (2) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006.

Processes before the court indicated that Uboh had in a letter dated April 5, 2023, and addressed to the IGP, detailed how he was allegedly defrauded.

The petition was said to have been supported by both documentary evidence and voice recordings.

According to Uboh, Andy Ubah stated unequivocally to me that he has perfected a way to give NDDC Managing Directorship to any candidate who brings N400,000,000.

That if the appointment does not occur, he will refund the money.

I nominated my sister, Honourable (Engr.) Doris Uboh, who by profession is qualified to be NDDC MD.

Andy Ubah provided two accounts and instructed a transfer of N200,000,000 each into the accounts.

I instructed another sister of mine, Princess Engr. Ify Akanmode, who is a business partner and whose account I had some funds, to do the transfers.

Till date, Andy Ubah has promised to pay and has not, the petitioner alleged.

The prosecution said it has more than six witnesses that are lined up to testify in the matter.

However, police prosecutor, Mr. M. L. Anthony, told the court that he has not been able to effect personal service of the charge on the defendants.

He alleged that the defendants, who are currently on administrative bail, have been evading service of the charge on them.

The prosecuting counsel decried that the defendants could not be charged to court since 2023 owing to a fundamental right enforcement suit they filed to halt their trial.

He said the instant charge was filed after a restraining order that was obtained by the defendants, was vacated.

After he had listened to the prosecution, trial Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to take the plea of the defendants.
The 4th Global Member Care Network conference held in Maanzoni, 35 kilometers outside of Nairobi, Kenya, gathered over 350 participants including 80 speakers from around the world to deliberate and learn how missionaries and their families can be supported to do effective and impactful work in the mission field.

The conference, which was held on 29th October to 1st November, 2024, brought together participants from 48 countries spread across 6 continents. Africa, Asia and Latin America had 135, 31 and 23 representatives while 114 were from North America, 45 from Europe and 12 from Australia and New Zealand. The participants were drawn from church and para-church organizations, community based organizations, counselling professional and individual registrations.

The workshops and plenary sessions centered on highlighting and coping with spiritual, psycho-social, financial and cultural challenges that missionaries face. Harry Hoffman, the coordinator of the Global member Care Network and convenor of the conference told Christian Daily International that missionaries face unique challenges that are often not understood or not addressed adequately.

He explained that missionaries - a majority who live and work in cross cultural environments - are exposed to drastic transitions which can lead to stress and burnout.

They work in international teams so there are language problems, coping with cultural differences (of the host communities), and raising their children in the mission field. So member care is about missionary care which focuses on the emotional, relational and spiritual well-being of workers, said Hoffman.

He added that a critical aspect of member care is providing support to the children of missionaries who are impacted by the physical and cultural differences of new environments. Hoffman shared an example of one of the participants of the conference who missed years of school because his parents were missionaries in Northern Kenya where schools were not easily accessible. He later founded the African Missionary Kids Ministry to offer spiritual, social and educational support to children of missionaries.

The conference, whose theme was Caring for the Harvest Force, provided a platform for members to learn from each other and create network partnerships. Hoffman explained that more mature and developed member care networks such as Nigeria, Korea could provide their experience to growing countries such as China, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Burundi.

In addition to country-specific member care lessons, participants learnt that they could plug in into region wide network missions networks. In Latin America, COMIBAM focuses on co-ordinating mission initiatives in the region as well as providing care to missionaries. The Movement for African National Initiatives (MANI), Member Care Europe, Indian Missions Alliance and and the South Pacific Member Network provide support and resources to missionaries in the respective regions.

Hoffman said that the conference allows members to learn from one another what culturally contextualized care means.

In Latin America or Africa, it means you have very strong family and social connections. So what do you need socially to thrive as a missionary? What do you need when you live in the bush or when you move to Saudi Arabia? Through collaboration, they are interested in making sure the missionaries are well cared for because training up missionaries takes a lot of time and also costs money, said Hoffman.

There were also sessions that looked into the cultural and biblical perspective of suffering and to handle suffering in different contexts. Participants also got to join sessions in crisis and trauma, skills and training, rest and sabbatical for missionaries, inner healing and forgiveness and working in multicultural teams. There were also panel discussions and workshops on finances, counselling children, strengthening Mission Marriages and caring for Singles in Missions.

By connecting people with similar interests, the conference provided an opportunity for participants to network and share experiences and approaches with each other, said Hoffman.

A participant who provided anonymous feedback days after the conference said GMCN catalyzed 38 attendees from Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda to create an East African Member Care practitioners group.

Pray with us as we seek to come together to help and strengthen each other on this journey. Thanks for the opportunity to meet, said the participant.

Thank you for choosing such good speakers who are passionate about what they are doing. It is truly a divinely inspired occasion that brought such a diverse group of people together all on the same path to provide meaningful care and support for those who serve. God bless you all! Already looking forward to the next one! said another participant.

Held every 3 years, the GMCN conference was last hosted in Quito, Ecuador which helped a lot of missionaries in the Spanish speaking Latin American community to develop care structures and systems. Hoffman said the member care structures in Brazil are advanced, so to see young movements in Chile, Bolivia, Colombia and Argentina expanding is a testament to the impact of hosting the conferences in different regions.

The idea is to bring the globe to one continent, to one region to help stimulate member care developments in Africa here, but also to learn from Africa because Africans are now everywhere on the mission field around the world and in many organizations, said Hoffman.
By Ruth Nwokwu

North Korean government has deployed around 10,900 of its troops to join forces with Russias airborne unit and marines, with some already participating in battles in the Ukraine war.

A South Korean lawmaker disclosed this on Wednesday citing the countrys spy agency.

North Korea has also shipped additional arms for the war in Ukraine, including self-propelled howitzers and multiple rocket launchers, parliament intelligence committee member, Lee Seong-kweun told reporters, citing the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Huis meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during her visit to Moscow this month was unusual in terms of protocol.

The meeting likely went beyond exchanging greetings to cover more significant issues including a possible visit to Russia by Kim Jong Un, another parliament intelligence committee member Park Sun-won said, citing NIS.

The lawmaker disclosed that the spy agency was trying to determine the exact number of North Korean troop casualties and whether any had surrendered amid conflicting information.
As China has come to dominate global supply chains for critical raw materials (CRM) over the last two decades, the European Union and the United States have played a catch-up in race for the control of the CRM supplies  with African countries being caught in the cross-fire.

Faced with Chinas lithium mining head-start, the EU has scrambled to ink strategic partnerships with several politically friendly African states in an effort to build CRM supply chains insulated from China, says a new policy brief recently released by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). As the energy transition accelerates and demand for affordable clean energy capacity grows, the West is frantically trying to break Chinas stronghold on supply chains to boost adoption rates and cut costs, Audun Martinsen, head of supply chain research at Rystad Energy, noted. But experts also highlight the dark side of this white gold rush for lithium in Africa, with many investigations showing it is fueling corruption and harming local communities and the environment.

In its earlier report, the London-based Global Witness revealed the findings of its investigation into three emerging lithium mines in Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In Zimbabwe, the Sandawana mine saw a lithium rush involving thousands of artisanal diggers working in unsafe conditions, with reports of child labor and miners being buried by a mine collapse. In Namibia, Chinese-owned firm Xinfeng Investments has been accused of acquiring its Uis lithium mine through bribery. In DRC, the development of the Manono lithium deposit  stalled by a dispute involving Australian and Chinese mining companies  has raised numerous corruption red flags. The Global Witness report warns that while the African continent has for centuries been exploited for its minerals, with the soaring demand for transition minerals, there is a danger of history repeating itself.
A conference tackling the development of a multi-dimensional partnership between Morocco and Austria was held in Vienna on Wednesday, at the initiative of Moroccan Millennium Leaders (MML) and Austrias Young Professional Network.

A number of elected representatives, economic operators, community actors and academics attended this event, part of the Moroccan civil societys commitment to promoting the Kingdoms influence among its European partners.

Erragheb Hormatallah, President of the Dakhla Communal Council, highlighted the economic assets of the Kingdoms southern provinces, particularly that of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region.

The prospects for economic cooperation and investment between Morocco and Austria could reach their full potential, he said, underscoring the economic opportunities and assets the Kingdom has to offer.

Morocco has been undergoing major transformation and economic development for nearly 25 years, he stressed, recalling that it has adopted a new-generation investment charter, providing investors with a unique opportunity and a reliable business climate.

Highlighting the shared desire of economic players, the government, and various stakeholders to be part of this momentum, Hormatallah pointed out that the city of Dakhla is a key hub in various economic fields, such as tourism, renewable energies, and aquaculture.

Thanks to its air connectivity with several European countries, Dakhla is ready to continue hosting investments from all over the world, he stressed.

Nico Marchetti, member of the Austrian National Council and deputy of the ruling OVP party, underlined the outstanding dynamics of relations between Morocco and Austria.

We are not only improving the political aspect of our relations, but also working to strengthen the cultural and economic ties between both countries, said Marchetti, who hailed the Kingdoms pioneering experience in the field of wind energy.

He indicated that these efforts are likely to create a framework conducive to even stronger collaboration between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of fostering closer ties between young leaders from both sides, with the aim of sharing ideas to build the future of both nations.

Thomas Mark, President of MK Illumination S.A., a company specializing in manufacturing and project design, said the meeting offered a fantastic opportunity to build bridges between the two countries through innovation and creativity, noting that the solutions we build together will have a lasting impact in both Morocco and Austria.

For her part, Jalila Morsli, the President of the Casablanca-Settat Regional Chamber of Crafts emphasized the symbolic and strategic significance of bilateral cooperation, asserting that the partnership between Morocco and Austria is symbolic of a dialogue between two millennia-old civilizations.

She went on to say that  today, significant cooperation bridges are built thanks to the contribution of various players, noting that a number of diplomatic, political, parliamentary, cultural and economic cooperation between the two countries continues in a spirit of friendship.

She also urged all stakeholders to seize every opportunity to strengthen this strategic partnership, pointing out that several partners in Europe and elsewhere have understood what Morocco is: a thousand-year-old civilization and a reliable and indispensable partner on the African and Mediterranean continents.

Henri Louis Vedie, Professor at HEC Paris and Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS), spoke of the strategic partnership between Morocco and France, hailing it as a European model of strategic cooperation.

This partnership is much more than economic: it reflects a shared vision of solidarity between continents. Together, we can build a more just and resilient future, he noted.

He also reviewed the investment potential and opportunities in the Southern Provinces, as part of the new development model.

For his part, Mario Ralon, Sales Director of Austrian company KapschTrafficCom, a leader in the smart mobility sector, highlighted Moroccos ripe business climate for foreign investment.

Ralon, an Austrian investor operating in Morocco, talked about his companys experience in toll road solutions. He said that the company would like to support the Kingdom in setting up road infrastructure, namely for the upcoming sporting events Morocco will be hosting.

The event, which was attended by over 80 leading figures from the Austrian political, economic and academic arenas, addressed key issues such as energy, mobility, sustainable development, and cultural exchanges.
The General Staff of South Zone of the Royal Armed Forces is hosting in Agadir preparations for the African Lion-2025, a multinational military exercise which aims to strengthen interoperability among participants and build readiness to respond to crises and contingencies in Africa and around the world.

What started as a bilateral exercise between the U.S. Marines and the Moroccan Army has grown every year to include additional African host nations (Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia), multiple African and European partners and allies, and the entire U.S. joint and total force.

This joint, all-domain and multi-component exercise includes more than 10,000 participants from more than twenty nations, including contingents from NATO.

This years exercise includes combined and joint maneuvers, civil-military actions, as well as exercises aimed at countering attacks by weapons of mass destruction (Nuclear, Radiological, Biological, and Chemical).

African Lion 25 will be held from May 12 to 23, 2025, in Agadir, Tan-Tan, Kenitra, Benguerir, and Tiznit.
Representatives from nearly 50 U.S. agribusinesses & trade groups and 14 state departments of agriculture will visit Casablanca Dec. 2-5 to explore joint business opportunities and expand U.S. farm & food exports to Morocco and other West African markets.

The trip of this American trade mission is organized by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This mission offers a crucial opportunity for U.S. agribusinesses to enter into Moroccos dynamic market and leverage its strategic position for wider African access, said Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley, who will lead the mission.

USDA says Morocco is the second-largest export market for U.S. agriculture in Africa. U.S. sales of farm and food products to the country topped $619 million last year, representing 16 percent of the continents market share.

American agricultural exports to Morocco have doubled since the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2006. Morocco offers a stable market and growing economy and serves as a key distribution hub for the African continent.

The country is already a major importer of bulk and intermediate commodities from the United States and its expanding food processing sector and rising consumer demand are creating new potential for sales of consumer-oriented products. U.S. exporters have opportunities in numerous sectors, including beef, dairy, feed grains, live animals and genetics, rice, seafood, seed potatoes, soybeans and tree nuts.

Throughout the mission, U.S. company representatives will engage in business-to-business meetings with potential buyers from Morocco and other West African countries.
Who will come between Donald Trump and the attorney general of his hearts desire? Photo: Jay Paul/Reuters

There are a lot of theories floating around as to President-elect Donald Trumps motives in putting forward a raft of highly objectionable Cabinet picks. Perhaps hes just firing a shot across the bow of Establishment Washington by proposing nominees who are blatantly unqualified for their positions or actively hate the agencies they would lead. Or maybe hes pursuing a flood the zone strategy whereby dangerous nominees glide to confirmation while sharks gather to devour weaker candidates whom Trump is willing to sacrifice.

But either of these explanations depends on the assumption that once hes told by Senate allies that Matt Gaetz or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or Tulsi Gabbard or some weirdo yet to be named cannot be confirmed, Trump will withdraw the nomination to avoid embarrassment all around. That has been the practice for a long time: In the last century, 12 Cabinet nominations have been withdrawn (several other announced nominations were never made official), one failed to clear the requisite Senate committee, and just three were rejected on the Senate floor. The last rejected nominee was Senator John Tower in 1989; his colleagues refused to confirm him as secretary of Defense after allegations arose of alcohol abuse, sexual misconduct, and possible conflicts of interest. At that time, the Senate was controlled by Democrats. The last occasion on which a Cabinet nomination was rejected by a Senate controlled by the presidents party was in 1925, when unsavory business connections (in the wake of the Teapot Dome scandal) torpedoed Calvin Coolidges nomination of Charles B. Warren as attorney general.

So clearly Senate Republicans are counting on Trump to deep-six problematic nominees so they dont have to defy him with a formal rejection that exposes them to charges they are faithless RINOs who are protecting the deep state. What if he refuses to play ball? So far there is no evidence he is rethinking his choices, particularly when it comes to the biggest clown in the Cabinet clown show, Matt Gaetz, CNN reports:

The president-elect has asked allies about the likelihood of Gaetz being confirmed but has not been deterred in his efforts, despite some hesitation from those around him, multiple sources briefed on the conversations told CNN 

The president-elect has made clear that he views Gaetz as the most important member of the Cabinet he is quickly assembling, sources with knowledge of Trumps thinking told CNN, and he considers the nomination of the former Florida congressman an urgent priority for the new GOP majority in the Senate.

Trump wants Gaetz confirmed 100 percent, a source told CNN. He is not going to back off. Hes all in.

It would be entirely in character for Trump to force Judiciary Committee and Senate-floor votes on Gaetz. That would either give him the attorney general he wants to blow up federal law-enforcement agencies, or expose disloyal senators, who would then be isolated and spurned by MAGA activists everywhere. This could be Trumps idea of a win-win proposition.

The only way around this quandary for restive Senate Republicans and their allies elsewhere would be to make Gaetz (or other trouble magnets on the Cabinet list) so absolutely toxic via anonymous means that there are large-scale GOP defections, and thus no distinctive penalties for disloyalty. If Democrats or media outlets suddenly come into possession of horrific information about various Trump Cabinet nominees, its likely they will have silent partners among the Senate Republicans who would do almost anything to avoid publicly denying the 47th president anyone or anything he wants. We can already see this process at work in the gradual emergence of allegations about Gaetzs partying habits that bear no particular Republican fingerprints. Woe to anyone who gets caught playing this dangerous if patriotic game!
The Catholic Church in Kenya has returned financial donations from the countrys President and Nairobi Governor emphasizing its policy against political contributions. The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) released a statement on Nov. 14, which was read in all churches of the Archdiocese of Nairobi on Sunday (Nov. 17), where Archbishop Philip Anyolo reiterated the Church's position that politics has no place in the Church.

The Catholic Church strongly discourages the use of church events such as fundraisers and gatherings as platforms for political self-promotion. Politicians are urged to refrain from turning the pulpit into a stage for political rhetoric, as such actions undermine the sanctity of worship places, he said.

The Church announced it had refunded KSh 200,000 (approx. $1,500) donated by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and KSh 2.6 million (approx. $20,000) from President William Ruto. It also declined the Presidents pledge of KSh 3 million (approx. $23,000) and a parish bus offered during a Sunday service at Soweto Catholic Church.

According to Archbishop Anyolo, these actions were in line with both Church policy and the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill, 2024, which requires individuals seeking to raise funds publicly to obtain a permit. He emphasized that political donations violated these directives and the law. Consequently, the donations made to Soweto Catholic Church on Sunday, November 17, are in violation of these directives and the law. These funds will be refunded to the respective donors, the statement read.

The Church must remain a neutral entity, free from political influence, to effectively serve as a space for spiritual growth and community guidance, he said, adding that politicians are most welcome to attend Church for their spiritual nourishment, but they are encouraged to do so as ordinary Christians, without leveraging their positions for political gain.

In the same statement, the KCCB had also accused the government of perpetuating a culture of lies and failing to fulfill its promises, particularly in addressing the high cost of living and tax burdens. The Bishops called for genuine stakeholder consultation on pressing national matters, describing the current approach as insufficient. This culture of lies, unkept promises, and misplaced priorities is unacceptable and needs to be dealt with.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki responded by welcoming constructive criticism from the Church and civil society. The government has no fight with the Church because we know governments are led by humans. Humans sometimes fall short, and we are open to receiving opinions on how we can improve government performance for the sake of Kenyans, said Kindiki. He added that constructive dialogue, rather than incitement, should guide national discourse.

The Anglican Church of Kenya expressed solidarity with the Catholic Churchs stance. Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit criticized government officials who dismissed the Catholic Bishops' statements as misleading and erroneous. Calling church leaders names or dismissing their statements is itself dishonest, said Ole Sapit, urging respect for religious institutions.

The controversy comes amid growing public concern over Kenyas economic performance. Central Bank Governor Kamau Thugge recently revised the 2024 economic growth projection downwards, citing a slowdown in the second quarter of the year. The growth projection for 2024 has been revised to 5.1% from the previous projection of 5.4%, reflecting the growth outcome for the second quarter of 2024, Thugge said in a media briefing last month.

The political and economic challenges Kenya is facing continues to fuel national debate with a rising trend of religious and civil society organizations sharply criticizing the government for the current state of affairs. While addressing members of his cabinet yesterday, Nov. 19, President Ruto strongly defended his government stressing Kenya will not fail. I promise you, we will confound the naysayers, we will succeed. This country will not fail, this great nation that God has given us, will succeed. The enemies of Kenya will be put to shame because we are going to succeed and take this country forward.
Photo: NDZ/STAR MAX/AP Photo

Mayor Eric Adams announced on Wednesday that he would be appointing Jessica Tisch, current head of the Sanitation Department, as the next commissioner of the New York City Police Department. She will be the second woman to lead the department and the fourth person to hold the role during Adamss tenure of less than three years.

Tisch is a 17-year veteran of city government who spent 12 of those years in civilian roles at the NYPD. Prior to her time at DSNY, she was the commissioner of the citys Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications from 2019 to 2022. With the NYPD, she first started in the departments counterterrorism bureau and previously served as deputy commissioner of information technology, where, Adams said, she managed the implementation of the departments body-worn cameras and helping modernize CompStat. I need someone who is going to take the police department into the next century. I need a visionary, Adams said in announcing his decision.

Tisch has been in charge of the Sanitation Department for nearly three years, and her tenure has widely been viewed as a success. She took over from Edward Grayson, who served as Sanitation commissioner under Bill de Blasio and had been with the agency for more than 20 years. Under her leadership, the agency has implemented extensive new rules around trash containerization for both residential buildings and commercial businesses aimed at cleaning up city streets and decreasing rat sightings.

She will officially take office Monday, replacing Edward Caban, who resigned as NYPD commissioner in September after his personal devices were seized under a federal search warrant. Adams then appointed Thomas Donlon, the states former Homeland Security director, as interim commissioner, but Donlon soon also found himself under scrutiny after federal investigators raided his homes. Though Tisch previously served in the NYPD in a civilian capacity, shell come into the office without uniformed experience, unlike many of her predecessors. Tisch hails from a prominent New York City family; her father, James Tisch, is the current CEO of the Loews Corporation, a multibillion-dollar conglomerate with stakes in real estate, energy, and hotels.

During brief remarks, Tisch promised to address concerns about public safety that have only continued to grow despite city crime rates largely trending downward. The mission is to keep you safe, to make you feel safe, and to improve your quality of life. To restore dignity and order to every street, every neighborhood, every borough in the city of New York. Not just policing of, but policing for. Fear has no place on our streets, she said.


The church is more worried about her video than they are about children getting molested by these priests....

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Came in here just to make this comment, glad someone beat me to it!

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big W for getting a priest fired big L for being anywhere near katy perry

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sabrina already sold her soul to xtina! katy can try sears camila

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No way the church transferred him for the video. He was probably stealing from the church and they realized it when they started investigating where all the money from extra activities went. Blaming the video is just better PR for the church.

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Yeah thats just the fun spin on the scandal. People are forgetting that its not just the church and this priest caught up in the scandal. Theres the whole Eric Adams of it all too.

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I know and I do enjoy the fun too or I wouldn't be on ONTD, but sometimes we forget just how much gets swept under the rug with distractions.

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He wasn't stealing!..

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Wasn't this priest/church somehow involved with the Mayor Eric Adams fraud and bribery shenanigans? I could've sworn I read something about it a few months back.

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You remember correctly. You know there's a lot more to this story.

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what happened with the federal case the church/priest got caught in

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still active, but trump could interfere

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A *lot* of cases are going to be thrown out in his presidency. And I'm not referring to his own cases. It's bleak and alarming.

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Good!!! Get a job you leech!!!

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is that Katy photo from the show that her and John Mayer were seated in front of each other? it was such whiplash to see them together again after all these years

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This is hilarious because my catholic grade schools church was a church, gymnasium, auditorium, and cafeteria in one. PLUS the church often says that is not the building but the community sooooooo

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this was faster than all the predators that the church employs.



Sabrina, girl, find the names of all the predators, ask to film in their church and they'll get fired!!!!

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well yeah, its not like he molested children for decades. he messed with the churchs money!

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lol damn

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Take down the others too

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Iron Foundry Faces Nearly $1 Million in OSHA Penalties Following Recent Inspection

The agency cited Frazer & Jones LLC with 27 safety violations involving fire risks, fall hazards, silica overexposure and more.

OSHA has cited Frazer & Jones LLC  an iron foundry operating in Syracuse, New York, for over 150 years  with 27 safety violations and $990,186 in proposed fines.

According to a recent release, this includes four willful, 13 repeat, seven serious and three other-than-serious violations. OSHA inspectors found hazardous conditions exposing employees to fire and explosions, struck-by hazards, falls, risk of ashphyxiation, caught-in dangers, thermal and chemical burns and overexposure to respirable crystalline silica, following a history of noncompliance with safety regulations.

In 2021, Frazer & Jones  which produces components for industries such as automotive, construction and utilities  entered a settlement agreement to resolve 60 safety violations from a 2019 inspection, paying $276,189 in penalties. In 2023, the company was cited for an additional two serious violations.

Frazer & Jones troubling history of exposing its employees to serious hazards must end, OSHA Area Director Jeffrey Prebish in Syracuse said via statement. Despite their agreement to correct violations, they once again failed to implement proper safeguards. OSHA will continue to perform its mission and hold employers accountable when they fail to meet their legal obligations to protect the safety and health of their workers.

Frazer & Jones has contested the current citations and penalties, referring the case to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Two months ago, Nigerias beleaguered energy sector witnessed a very significant event: the Dangote Oil Refinery began producing gasoline and selling it domestically to Nigeria's state oil firm, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), marking the first time in decades Africas largest oil producer is refining its own crude. The state-of-the-art $20 billion refinery was launched in January 2024, but only began producing gasoline in September, expected to reach full operations in November. The giant refinery has a capacity to process 650,000 barrels of crude per day, more than enough for the countrys needs. To sweeten the deal further, the facility is buying crude and selling refined fuels in Nigeria in the local currency, saving the countrys much-needed foreign exchange, especially the US dollar.

Unfortunately for Aliko Dangote, Africas second richest man and owner of the refinery, his bold move has put him on a collision course with what he refers to as Nigeria's oil mafia.

"I knew there would be a fight. But I didnt know that the mafia in oil, they are stronger than the mafia in drugs," Mr Dangote told an investment conference in June.

"They dont want the trade to stop. Its a cartel. Dangote comes along and hes going to disrupt them entirely. Their business is at risk, says Mr Emmanuel, a Nigerian oil expert.

Related: PetroChina Set to Close Its Biggest Refinery in 2025



According to the BBC, since oil was discovered in the West African nation in 1956, the countrys downstream sector has largely been a cesspit of shady deals with little accountability by the NNPC. For decades, Nigeria has been producing and exporting its crude which is then refined abroad. NNPC swaps Nigerias crude oil for refined products, including petrol, which are shipped back home. Incredibly, it only started publishing its accounts five years ago, despite the fact that oil revenue accounts for nearly 90% of Nigerias export earnings. In other words, until recently, only the NNPC knew exactly how much money changed hands and who was involved in these "oil swaps".

Dangotes new refinery should definitely be a boon for the country. Unfortunately, its arrival has coincided with developments completely out of his control. Since the 1970s, the NNPC has been subsidizing fuel prices for local buyers. Every year, the state-owned firm has been gradually clawing this money back by depositing lower royalty payments with the Nigerian treasury. However, Nigerias new President Bola Tinubu was forced to scrap the subsidy in 2023 after it cost the government $10bn, more than 40% of the total money it collected in taxes. Further, he stopped the policy of artificially propping up the value of the naira, and let market forces determine its value. Nigerians are now paying ~$2.30 per gallon of gasoline, dirt-cheap by U.S. standards but triple what they were paying just a couple of years ago.

Only time will tell whether the Dangote Refinery is able to achieve its full potential. Nigeria is the home of the famous Bonny Light crude, a light-sweet crude oil grade produced at the Bonny oil hub and an important benchmark crude for all West African crude production. Bonny Light has particularly good gasoline yields, which has made it a popular crude for U.S. refiners, particularly on the U.S. East Coast. Two years ago, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCGROUP) CEO Melee Kyari revealed that Nigeria is losing nearly all the oil output at oil hub Bonny,

As you may be aware, because of the very unfortunate acts of vandals along our major pipelines from Atlas Cove all the way to Ibadan, and all others connecting all the 37 depots that we have across the country, none of them can take delivery of products today. The reason is very simple. For some of the lines, for instance, from Warri to Benin, we havent operated for 15 years. Every molecule of product that we put gets lost. Do you remember the sad fire incident close to Sapele that killed so many people? We had to shut it down, and as we speak, we have a high level of losses on our product pipeline, he said.

Oil theft remains a major problem for the Nigerian energy sector, and could hinder the refinery from buying all of its crude locally.

NNPC doesnt have enough crude for Dangote. Despite all this instruction to give ample supply of crude to the refinery, NNPC cant supply Dangote with more than 300,000 barrels per day," says Mr Akinosho of the Africa Oil+Gas Report told BBC.

Meanwhile, the oil and gas multinational divestment from the Niger Delta that kicked off over a decade has hit a peak. Numerous oil and gas majors have exited the Nigerian market over the past few years despite Africas largest economy opening its doors for wider exploration courtesy of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. Nigerias oil production has declined to 1.3 million barrels per day currently from around 2.1 million barrels per day in 2018.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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As governments worldwide invest heavily in a green transition, both the public and private sectors are exploring alternative options for heating that do not rely on fossil fuels. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the operations of buildings account for 30 percent of global final energy consumption and 26 percent of global energy-related emissions. Therefore, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels for heating and power in residential and commercial buildings will significantly support decarbonisation efforts. One method being used to provide clean heat to buildings is district heating, which is being increasingly used in big cities and densely populated areas.

District heating, also known as heat networks, involves generating heat in a centralised location and then distributing it to residences, businesses, and industry in a local area. District heating networks are efficient, low-cost and often low-carbon, meaning they offer a promising alternative to fossil-fuel-powered heating options. However, most areas that could benefit from the development of district heating networks have yet to tap into the heat source.

In 2022, district heating production accounted for around 9 percent of the worlds heating need in buildings and industry, and many of the projects continued to rely on fossil fuels. To support decarbonisation efforts, governments must, therefore, encourage the uptake of bioenergy, solar thermal, large-scale heat pumps, and geothermal technologies.

Several countries have already developed district heating networks and others are looking to do the same. In Hamburg, the government developed a network powered by the Borsigstrassee waste incineration plant (MVB) in the east of the city. Waste heat from the MVB is fed straight into the district heating network. The project has the potential to supply 35,000 households in Hamburg with heat and reduce emissions by 104,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.

In Belgium, the city of Antwerp hopes to become the first to connect its buildings to a sustainable heating network by the end of the decade. The City of Antwerp is working with the global design and consultancy organisation Arcadis to produce a roadmap for the implementation of a district heating network programme that draws residual heat from industrial businesses to buildings in the city via an underground network. They hope to connect 35,000 homes to the network by 2030.

Sweden is taking an even more low-carbon approach to district heating by using body heat to reduce its conventional energy use. The government has created a network to transfer heat from Stockholm Central Station  which around 250,000 people pass through every day  to the nearby 17-story Kungsbrohuset building, to reduce energy consumption. Similarly, the Mall of America, in Minnesota, United States, does not use a central heating system and instead maintains its 21oC year-round temperature using passive solar power through 1.2 miles of skylights, with heat generated from lighting and body heat.

Now, the U.K. has big plans to develop a district heating network in London. The government announced plans to heat around 1,000 buildings, including the Houses of Parliament and the National Gallery, using low-carbon heat sourced from the River Thames, London Underground, and sewer networks. This is part of a plan to develop seven heat network zones with almost $6.4 million of public funding. The project will use a network of pipes to carry excess heat from underground to power hot water and central heating systems in London.

The $1.27 billion initiative will be carried out by heating specialists Hemiko and Vital Energi and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by as much as 75,000 tonnes a year. At present, district heat networks contribute just 3 percent of the U.K.s heating needs. However, they could supply as much as one-fifth of the countrys heating, according to estimates by the Committee on Climate Change.

Miatta Fahnbulleh, the Minister for Energy Consumers, stated, Taking waste heat from the River Thames and London Underground to heat such iconic places as the Houses of Parliament and the National Portrait Gallery is a really exciting example of what lies ahead on our journey to low-cost, low-carbon heating. Fahnbulleh added, This project will help support hundreds of jobs and make bold new strides towards boosting our energy security.

A report published in February by the global engineering company Danfoss estimated that in the EU alone, excess heat was equal to 2,860 TWh annually, which could almost meet the EUs total energy demand for heat and hot water. This suggests that the development of widescale district heat networks could massively reduce heat waste and help decarbonise residential and commercial heating. Supermarkets, transport networks, data centres, and commercial buildings are constantly releasing waste heat, yet few companies are doing anything to capture and use this heat. There is huge potential for the development of district heat networks in cities around the world, which would reduce the need for gas and electric heating and help the buildings sector decarbonise by sustainably reusing waste heat.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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About a month ago, news emerged that Seadrill and Transocean, the offshore drilling heavyweights, were discussing a merger aimed at capitalizing on a rebound in investments in the business. Soon after, Portugals Galp launched its second drilling campaign offshore Namibia after a huge discovery, and Suriname is about to become the second Guyana. Offshore is backand its back to stay.

Earlier this month, Wood Mackenzie reported that offshore drilling was going to increase significantly in the coming years, with production from the deepwater sector alone facing a surge of 60% by 2030. Fellow forecaster Rystad Energy in 2023 saw investments in offshore oil and gas drilling at $100 billion annually for 2023 and 2024. This year, it is expecting 2024 investments to reach $104 billion. Thats just the start of a boom.

Deepwater drilling has been a strategic focus for big oil companies for several years now, as fields in shallower waters mature and production declines, while demand for oil appears to keep going higher. Shale has been one diversification venue, but there isnt space for everyone in the Permianand there has been so much oil discovered in some parts of the world ocean.

Guyana comes to mind, of course, with the string of discoveries that Exxon, Hess, and CNOOC made off the coast of the tiny South American country. Its neighbor Suriname was a no-brainer in terms of more exploration, and it seems the results are encouraging: TotalEnergies announced a $10.5-billion commitment for drilling in the countrys water.

There is also Namibia, which appears to be the next hotspot for oil and gas in Africa. Big Oil majors are reporting discoveries potentially containing billions of barrels of crude, along with trillions of cubic feet of natural gas. And they are drilling more. Because shale oil wont last forever.

Related: Oil Falls After EIA Confirms Small Crude Inventory Build

The Financial Times reported this week that in 2025, offshore oil will account for more non-OPEC oil supply than U.S. shale oil. By 2030, offshore oil, and more specifically deepwater oil, will be the key, if not the only, source of non-Opec oil growth, according to Rystad Energy senior partner Espen Erlingsen, who added that This comeback looks set to make the 2020s deepwaters decade.

Naturally, it is possible that U.S. shale could serve more surprises in the coming years. There are reports that Tier 1 production is running out, with the oil coming out of the ground increasingly light and sweet, but production growth has surprised before when predictions had it peaking. Even so, the investment trends in offshore oil suggest shales peak is on the horizon. The 2024 sum is a 50% increase on 2020. Even accounting for the fact that 2020 was a devastating year for oil investments as a whole, the increase is substantial in the context of the transition push.

The fact this investment may very well rise even further in the years to 2030 signals a rather optimistic frame of mind among energy companies even as they double down on their emission reduction pledgesbecause they have the technological know-how to make offshore drilling both cheaper, safer, and, apparently, lower-emission. Because this is where the oil of tomorrow will come from, per the industry.

Vito represents the future of Shell in the Gulf of Mexico, Shells general manager for U.S. growth assets, Ireti OMotoso, told the FT recently. She is faster, leaner, creates less emissions, and is technologically more advanced than earlier platforms. She does a lot more for less.

This seems to be the general message of Big Oil when it comes to offshore drilling. Because it is normally a lot more expensive than shale drilling, the industry has made an effort over the past decade or so to make every dollar countand it seems to have succeeded. Sure, offshore drilling will remain a lot more expensive than shale drilling but those offshore wells will keep producing for decades, unlike shale wells.

This has, of course, raised the hackles of environmentalists who claim the world does not need any more oil and gas. Some have called for a moratorium on offshore drilling. Big Oils attitude shows a lack of imagination beyond oil and gas, Mark van Baal, head of activist group Follow This, told the FT. At a time when the world must rapidly transition away from hydrocarbons, these companies are betting on decades-long fossil fuel projects and pouring huge amounts of capital into a market that will start declining before the end of the decade.

The thing is that this market may well keep growing after the end of the decade. Guyanas Stabroek Block alone is seen generating profits of $170 billion between 2024 and 2040, the FT notes in its report, citing Wood Macand thats just the profits for the partners developing the field. Guyana will make another $190 billion in income from its oil in the same period. With profits like this, you dont really need an imagination beyond oil and gas.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Winter is near, and so is peak natural gas demand in the northern hemisphere. For the worlds largest natural gas producer, this could mean greater price volatility and potential supply tightness.

The predictions come from Wood Mackenzie, which listed in a recent article a total of five factors affecting the natural gas market in the United States this winter. Control of supply is at the top of the list as natural gas producers respond to persistently low market prices for their commodity. Natural gas prices have been depressed for over a year, and earlier in 2024, producers had enough of that and started delaying well-drilling plans.

The effect of this decision will take a while to manifest due to the fact that a lot of the natural gas produced in the U.S. comes out of oil wells in the shale patch as associated gas. Yet, Wood Mac predicts some tightness when winter demand kicks inif it kicks in.

The energy consultancy lists the buildout in wind and solar as a reason for potential surprises in natural gas demand growth this winter. Because of this buildout, the pattern of demand fluctuations this winter could be different from the usual one, Wood Mac analysts said, with new demand surges when wind and solar cannot perform.

Related: Why the Utility Industrys Conventional Strategy Could Backfire

This raises the question of natural gas in storage and whether there is enough of it to cover such surges. Here, the U.S. has a problem because building new gas storage capacity has not been a priority for anyone, it seems.

Storage capacity should act as a shock absorber at times of heightened demand or reduced supply. In recent years, however, little or no new storage has been commissioned, Wood Macs analysts wrote, only to add that interest in storage capacity tends to spike ahead of summer and winter peak demand seasons. The spikes, it appears, have not been high enough to actually motivate adding storage capacity. Per Wood Mac, there is some 50 billion cu ft in new capacity that has been plannedand that is a lot less than the pace at which the gas market in the country has expanded, potentially creating the risk of a shortage in case of a sudden spike in demand.

According to the firm, such sudden spikes are more likely than they were in the past due to climate change, which, they say, is making extreme weather more extreme than before, affecting energy demand. The report cites the so-called Arctic blast that swept the Lower 48 this January, even though the month as a whole was milder than usual. That blast led to a natural gas demand spike to 163 billion cu ft daily at one point.

The fifth factor affecting this winters supply and demand for natural gas in the U.S. is, of course, liquefied natural gas and the impact of its exports on domestic prices, which in turn affect demand. U.S. LNG exports are quite likely to increase in the coming weeks as Europes appetite for the superchilled fuel returns with temperatures dropping. In the first half of the year, this appetite was muted because there was plenty of gas in storage, demand destruction had tempered prices, and spring was on the way.

In the first half of the year, U.S. exports to Europe were weaker than last year. Now, with the last conduit for Russian pipeline gas to Europe about to be cut off by Ukraines Naftogaz after the expiry of the transit contract, Europe will need to fill the gap. As suggested by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the filling would likely come from U.S. LNG as the EU seeks to signal to Trump that it would be happy to raise imports of U.S. energy to possibly avoid tariffs on European exports to the United States.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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China is tightening the investment criteria for solar products manufacturing in a bid to rein in the overcapacity that has plagued the sector in recent months.

The Chinese industry ministry on Wednesday issued final  but not binding  investment guidelines for solar PV manufacturing projects.

The local industry has been calling for government intervention to curb the booming solar manufacturing.

The government now wants a minimum capital ratio of 30% for solar PV projects, up from 20% previously. This ratio typically refers to the share of total investment shareholders invest with their own assets.

The booming solar panel manufacturing in China has led to losses for the major producers who have been forced to sell their products at below-market prices.

The manufacturing boom and the competition for market share have prompted some Chinese manufacturers to sacrifice quality for the sake of higher profits, an industry executive said earlier this year. Companies are looking to survive in the race to the bottom in Chinas solar component market and some are skimping on quality and testing.

The Chinese solar panel market remains oversupplied and this glut could last up to two more years, Longi Green Energy Technology said in July.

The company, which is one of the worlds top solar panel manufacturers, warned it would book a loss for the first half of 2024, amid a fierce price war and overcapacity in the sector. Longi Green expects at least $660 million in losses for the first half, following that a mismatch of supply and demand that has crushed prices for its leading products.

The situation among smaller solar equipment manufacturers is even more alarming.

Earlier this year, the China Photovoltaic Industry Association said that China urgently needs consolidation in the solar manufacturing industry as overcapacity and price wars are leading local companies to a race to the bottom.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Europes natural gas market is in a precarious balance as winter begins and external factors will likely lead to a tight market at the end of 2024 and early 2025, according to Torgrim Reitan, chief financial officer at Norwegian energy major Equinor.

The natural gas market and prices in Europe will be shaped in the coming months by the end of the Russia-Ukraine gas transit deal and demand for LNG in Asia, Reitan told Bloomberg TV in an interview on Wednesday.

Equinor is the biggest producer of gas offshore Norway, which is now the single biggest supplier of natural gas to Europe, holding around 30% of the total European market.

Two years ago, Norway replaced Russia as Europes top gas supplier after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the cut-off of pipeline supply to many European countries.

The European natural gas market has been on edge for weeks with the start of the winter heating season, a massive lull in wind speeds in northwestern Europe, a dispute in Austria over Gazproms gas deliveries, and the upcoming end of the gas transit deal via Ukraine.

The European gas market is bracing itself for the end of the gas transit deal for Russian flows via Ukraine. The deal expires on December 31, 2024, and Ukraine has said that it would not pursue talks about renewing the agreement with Russia.

Last week, Slovakias national energy company, SPP, signed a short-term pilot contract with SOCAR to buy natural gas from Azerbaijan as it prepares for a possible halt to Russian supplies via Ukraine.

Apart from a potential halt to some of the remaining Russian pipeline gas deliveries, European natural gas prices were also pushed up by colder weather in Europe, which boosted demand for heating and gas-fired power generation.

Gas demand and gas-powered electricity demand have jumped in recent days amid the so-called Dunkelflaute, German for dark wind lull, which resulted in low wind speeds and low levels of wind power generation.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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A Muslim teacher at an Islamic school in eastern Uganda who became a Christian on Oct. 4 was killed on Oct. 21, area sources said.

Wanjala Hamidu was a teacher at Swidiki Islamic School in Nankoma, Bugiri District, four kilometers from his home in Masita village, where his brothers beat him to death after learning he had put his faith in Christ, the sources said. Hamidu was 32.

Hamidu converted to Christianity at an Oct. 4 evangelistic event in Bulange that he attended with his brother, Wulasiyo Swamadu. As Hamidu remained after the event for further Christian teaching, Swamadu returned home and told other Muslim family members about his conversion, said an area source who spoke with villagers and Christian sources.

Word of Hamidus new faith spread quickly in Masita and at the school, where the head-teacher learned of it and planned to fire him at the end of the school term, the source said. On Oct. 21, four of his brothers arrived at the school led by Hiire Isifu and Hawumba Jamada and found Hamidu teaching, he said.

After the brothers had a long meeting with administrators, the school officials gave them permission to take him and his belongings back to his home village of Masita, the source said. Upon their arrival, he said, the brothers ordered Hamidu to renounce Christ, but he refused.

Isifu slapped him as the other brothers looked for a stick to beat him with the 39 blows they believed Islam prescribes for apostates, said the area Christian source.

We heard a very loud cry, wailing and alarm that required help and attention, so neighbors thronged in large numbers to the scene of the incident, the source told Morning Star News. When we arrived, we found Hamidu on the ground held tightly by his three brothers bleeding as the brothers were shouting, Infidel, infidel, shame, shame to our family.

Hamidus mother stood nearby shouting for help, but no one dared to defy the Muslims and their vigilante administration of sharia (Islamic law), the source said. Ugandas constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate ones faith and convert from one faith to another.

Soon he was dead and lying in a pool of blood, the source said. He had deep injuries in the head and chest from a sharp object that hit him.

The source had called police, who soon arrived, and the brothers fled, he said.

Local council security members were still searching for the four brothers, who remain missing since killing Hamidu, the source said.

Worldwide, most Islamic jurists believe sharia  derived from the Quran, the Hadith (a collection of teachings, sayings and deeds of Muhammad) and the Sunnah (body of traditions about and practices by Muhammad)  holds that apostasy is a crime that should be punished by death.

Police took Hamidus body to Bugiri for autopsy, and his family later received it for burial.

The attack marked the second killing of a Christian convert in eastern Uganda in October. Muslim extremists on Oct. 30 killed evangelist Emmanuel Dikusooka, a 29-year-old father of three children, after he helped lead 18 Muslims to Christ at an event in Kaliro District and refused their demand to return to Islam.

The killing of Hamidu was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented.

Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of Ugandas population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country.
Pipeline owner and operator DT Midstream will buy three interstate natural gas pipeline systems from ONEOK for $1.2 billion in cash as the consolidation in the industry has extended to midstream operations.

Detroit-based DT Midstream, which owns and operates natural gas pipelines in the Southern, Northeastern, and Midwestern United States, as well as Canada  reached an agreement to buy 100% operating ownership in the three FERC-regulated natural gas transmission pipelines from ONEOK.

These pipeline systems, Guardian Pipeline, Midwestern Gas Transmission, and Viking Gas Transmission, have a total capacity of more than 3.7 Bcf/d with approximately 1,300 miles across seven states in the attractive Midwest market region which is expected to experience continued growth in power demand, DT Midstream said.

The company will finance the transaction with about $900 million in debt and $300 million in common equity.

The deal, already approved by DT Midstreams board of directors, is expected to close in late 2024 or early 2025, subject to regulatory approvals, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

Expanding our scale through this bolt-on natural gas pipeline acquisition fully aligns with our pure play natural gas strategy, the companys president and CEO, David Slater, said.

This transaction also increases the revenue contribution from our pipeline segment, supported by take-or-pay contracts with strong credit quality utility customers, Slater added.

For ONEOK, the deal is a strategic move to optimize its asset portfolio to reinforce its standing as one of the largest diversified energy infrastructure companies, it said.

Last year, ONEOK bought Magellan Midstream Partners, creating a combined U.S. oil and gas pipeline giant with a total enterprise value of $60 billion.

The midstream merger frenzy in North America continued into 2024, with gas station owner Sunoco LP announcing in January that it would buy pipeline and liquids terminal operator NuStar Energy in an all-equity transaction valued at around $7.3 billion, including debt.

None of the midstream deals came as a surprise to analysts, who have been expecting consolidation in the pipeline space for some time.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Javed Masih heaved a sigh of relief last week when he saw his 18-year-old daughter for the first time since she went missing for five months in Pakistan and was forcibly converted and married to a Muslim.

Sana Javed, at 18 the youngest of his seven children, had gone to a nearby shop in Lahore, Punjab Province on June 9 and not returned.

Our frantic search for her ended in mid-October, when I received a phone call from a Christian in Balochistan Province who informed me about her whereabouts, said Masih, a Catholic truck driver. He would not see her return home until Thursday (Nov. 14).

Masih said that a Muslim woman identified only as Hafsa had befriended his daughter on WhatsApp a few days before she disappeared.

Sana told us that the girl emotionally blackmailed and forced her to meet in person without her familys knowledge, Masih told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. She even sent her money and directed her to board a bus to Dera Ismail Khan, a city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. From there, Sana boarded another bus to cross into a remote village in Balochistan Province.

When Sana Javed reached Hafsas house, she was immediately deprived of her phone and held hostage, he said.

A cleric was called, and Sana was forced to recite the Kalima [proclamation of conversion to Islam] and marry an elderly Muslim man under threats of violence, he said. She later found out that he was a maternal uncle of Hafsa.

Three days after filing a report with police the same day of her disappearance, the family discovered officers had misplaced it, he said. Masih filed a new report and police registered a First Information Report (FIR), but officers made no effort to find her, he said.

He would instead ask us to provide leads for the investigation, when in fact we neither had the information nor the resources, Masih said.

Putting their trust in God, family members began asking others to pray along with them for her return, he said. They began visiting various pastors and churches for prayer support, and finally their prayers were answered when Masih received a call from a Christian schoolteacher in Balochistan Province identified only as Waseem. The teacher told him his daughter was in his village, and that a local politician had contacted him to help find her family.

The Muslim politician had received information from a female family member about her, Waseem told Masih.

I do not know the mans name, but God used him to rescue our daughter from captivity, Masih said of the Muslim politician. When I informed the police about my daughters location and sought their help, they told me that they would need official permission and resources to travel to another province. I contacted a Christian paralegal group for help, and Im grateful that they provided us with legal and financial support to help bring Sana back to Lahore.

A legal team from Christians True Spirit (CTS) accompanied police and the family to the village in Balochistan, where they recovered Sana Javed on Thursday (Nov. 14), he said.

I cannot express my gratitude for the Baloch political leader and Waseem, the schoolteacher, who not only helped us in rescuing Sana but also forced her husband to sign an affidavit of divorce, Masih told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. The Muslim [political] leader also used his influence to ensure the security of the visiting team who otherwise could have faced resistance from the hostile villagers.

Sana Javed said she hoped others would learn from her ordeal to be cautious about befriending others on social media.

Im unable to explain how she managed to influence me to make this huge mistake of leaving my home, Sana Javed told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. I was forced to convert to Islam and put my thumb impression on the marriage certificate. They said they would kill me if I did not obey their order.

Prayers kept her hope of returning home alive, she said, adding that despite her circumstances, she found solace in hymns and some biblical verses that she had memorized in church.

There were times when I would slip into depression, but then I would recite Psalms and verses, and it helped in uplifting my spirit, she said.

The U.N.s Human Rights Committee on Nov. 7 expressed concern about persistent reports of abduction and forced marriages of girls from minority religions, regardless of their age and prevailing law. Forced to convert to Islam under threat of violence, they suffer rape, trafficking and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence.

The U.N. body 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 in its concluding observations on Pakistans second periodic review of human rights situation earlier this month.

It urged Pakistan to intensify efforts to eradicate forced conversions and 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.

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.
LittWorld 2024, the triennial global publishing conference organized by Media Associates International (MAI), took place in Puebla, Mexico, from November 3 to 8 with the theme Publishing for Lasting Impact. Half of participants were in the 20 to 30 age group, which bodes well for the industrys future, according to outgoing MAI President John Maust.

Maust is retiring after 26 years in the role hes handed to incoming MAI President Heather Pubols, with conference attendees lauding both leaders. He said the young age of the Christian publishing staff and writers at the event indicated the continued hunger and need for the kind of training and networking offered by this unique global publishing conference.

Pubols, who is also a current advisor and former Acting Managing Editor for Christian Daily International, also spoke of her excitement at seeing so many new people at the event and particularly a good group of young people.

This demonstrates how the next generation is eager to be equipped to share words of hope that will impact their communities and beyond, she added.

Pubols told Christian Daily International that many Christians worldwide never consider the importance of books and literature when they think about spreading the gospel. Yet a book written in the language and context of a community can be an incredible low-tech messenger of the gospel, she added.

As more of the world's 7,000-plus language communities around the world gain access to translated Scriptures for the first time, they need a culture of reading to engage regularly with written Scriptures. This requires more than one book, Pubols said.

What is needed for these communities of believers is literature in their own language, including theological books for pastors, Christian living books for their congregants, other nonfiction books that help believers and non-believers alike delve into key issues and ideas, and quality fiction that engages the imaginations of the young and old alike.

A translated Bible for a community with no other literature can quickly move from a cultural milestone to a cultural artifact, Pubols explained.

Most people won't read the Bible if it is their only book. No one wants all the effort to translate Scriptures to result in books that end up dusty on shelves in peoples homes or lost in the anthropology section of a university library, or worse... stacked in a warehouse.

Apart from books, Pubols explained that written language forms the foundation for many other types of media, from scripts used in audio and video production, to texts used in social media.

Written language helps the global Church spread the gospel of the kingdom of God to the ends of the earth, she said.

MAI has developed literary professionals from the majority world since 1985, so far helping some 10,000 people from 90 countries with specialized training.

LittWorld presents an opportunity for interested parties to meet and learn together, with the event hosting important discussions about aspects of Christian publishing for current and aspiring writers, editors and publishers from across the globe.

The latest triennial event enjoyed Comix35 NextGen President Jose Carlos Gutierrez M., a team from MILAMEX led by Sally Isais and the newly formed MAI-America Latina Board serving as conference hosts.

Gods creativity is evident in the diversity of his church, a fact that LittWorld showcases beautifully, said editor Daniel Faria, from Brazil. MAI has created a space for diverse perspectives within the Christian publishing world, allowing us to gain a broader understanding of the gifts and talents bestowed by the Holy Spirit on his church. Im grateful to witness this in person.

Delegates were challenged not only to be proactive in the general marketplace, but to create quality content for children. Stories are the best way to tell [the] truth to young people, said author and MAI-Europe Board Chair Janet Wilson. Giving a child a book is like taking them to Jesus.

The experience has been inspirational and eye-opening, agreed Shantal Artieda de Odicio of BCM Peru, whose ministry involves creating engaging content for children to grow in faith.

Awards on the final night of LittWorld included MAIs Distinguished Trainer Award given to Keila Ochoa, herself a Mexican and an author of 20 books. She received the accolade in recognition of her tireless efforts to raise up Christian writers serving the global Church.

Meanwhile Celimene Bada of Benin became the first winner of the Judith E. Markham Editorial Legacy Award, an annual grant for the training and professional development of Christian editors in the Majority World. She is an editorial assistant with Presses Bibliques Africaines (PBA) and manager of her church library.

Representatives from three generations are leading Certeza. Talk about publishing for lasting impact! MAI Director of Publisher Development Ramon Rocha said, upon presenting the Robert B. Reekie Global Publisher Award to publishing house Certeza Argentina. Certeza is led by Beatriz Buono, who serves with her daughter, Daniela, and granddaughter, Flor.

The globalization of publishing makes the MAI community more valuable than ever, Beatriz said. I thank God for you.

About 40 speakers and workshop leaders from Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas led vision-building and how-to sessions for Christian communicators, weaving the conference theme Publishing for Lasting Impact into their sessions.

Do you always wait until a new idea is safe before investing in it? Mark Carpenter, CEO of publishing house Mundo Cristao in Brazil, asked rhetorically. Were protagonists in the marketplace. If were not innovating, were dying. Lets engage all of societynot just the churchand create useful, delightful, transformational products.

A spirit of generosity should be at the heart of every authors desire to write, said Jeremy Taylor, President of Tyndale House Foundation. I would love to see more local authors, writing in local languages, being published by local publishers, for the benefit of the local church.

Connecting Gods people together to do his work yields a greater harvest for his kingdom, commented Pubols after the event. LittWorld does just this as it connects Christian writers, editors, and publishers from across the world and amplifies their impact.
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Australia's gender pay gap has been shrinking year by year, but is still over 20% among Australia's private companies, a new national report card shows.

But that gender gap is even bigger at 25% among chief executive officers, according to figures collected for the first time in 202324.

And the widest gap of all is among older workers, with women in their late 50s typically earning $53,000 less each year than men the same age.

The release of the scorecard coincides with the federal government announcing it will introduce legislation this week requiring employers to set gender targets for boards, for narrowing the pay gap and for providing flexible work hours.

These and other measures will apply to companies with 500 or more employees. They build on legislative changes that enables the Workplace Gender Equality Agency to publish the size of their gender pay gaps, which came into effect this year.

Tracking Australia's gender pay gap

Each year, the gender equality agency measures the gender equality performance of all private sector employers with 100 or more employees. This adds up to more than 7,000 employers and 5 million employees nationally.

Drawing on data collected in the annual employer census, the agency looks at several key indicators including gender composition of the workforce, gender balance of boards and governing bodies and equal pay for equal work.

One important indicator is the gender gap in average total remuneration. This is calculated for all employeesfull-time, part-time and casualby converting employees' pay into a full-time annualized equivalent.

The gap continued to shrink in the past year to 21.1%. This has been largely fueled by growth in the pay of the lowest-earning women in the workforce.

This came about, in part, because in June 2023, the Fair Work Commission awarded a 15% minimum pay rise to several aged care awards, where women hold 80% of jobs. Raises were also given to the retail trade, accommodation and food services sectors, also large employers of women.

Another reason the gap narrowed was because the remuneration of women managers rose by 5.9% from 2022 to 2023, compared to men's which increased by 4.4% over the same period.

A bigger gap among high earners

The increase was particularly significant for high earning women (up 6.3%) compared to high earning men (4.1%). However, men still outnumber women in management, holding 58% of positions.

For the first time in 202324, the agency collected CEO salaries. The gender gap in CEO total remuneration was 25%.

Just one in four CEOs are women, and the gender pay gap for these key roles is the largest of all management roles. Women CEOs are paid, on average, $158,632 less total remuneration than men.

When CEO salaries are added into the mix, the overall gender pay gap stretches to 21.8%.

Little change for women on boards

The gender agency knows that women's representation on governing boards matters for steering organizational change towards gender equality, monitoring these changes on the scorecard.

However the overall percentage of women on boards has hardly budged in recent years, at around one-third.

And about one-quarter of companies have no women on their governing board at all. This share is even higher in male-dominated industries, such as construction where the boards of 55% of companies are all men.

Women in their late 50s face the biggest pay gap

In dollars, it means Australian women are earning, on average, $28,425 less each year than their male colleagues.

This gap widens further among older workers. At its widest point, women aged 55 to 59 years are earning $53,000 less each year than mena gap of 32.6%.

One of the big drivers of this pay gap are gender patterns in different industries and occupations.

The gender agency's scorecard shows that half of all private sector employees work in an industry that is either male-dominated or female-dominated, meaning its workforce least 60% of a single gender.

It's been a longstanding feature of the workforce that male-dominated industries outstrip the average earnings are female-dominated industries of education and training, and health care and social assistance.

How supportive are employers?

The workplace gender agency also measures employers' policies supporting work and family balance, such as flexible hours and extra paid parental leave on top of minimal government provisions.

The finding that more employers are offering paid parental leave, rising from 63% to 68% in the past year, is a tick on the scorecard.

Men's involvement in caregiving has a direct impact, enabling women's involvement in the workforce. The proportion of parental leave being taken by men is up from 14% to 17%.

These improvements are set to increase under the government's new legislation.

Providing a safe workplace

The final indicator on the scorecard looks at employers' actions to prevent and respond to sexual harassment and discrimination in their workplace, as required under new Respect@Work laws.

Almost all (99%) of employers report having a policy in place. But there is scope for improvement in other ways.

Almost half (40%) don't monitor the outcomes of sexual harassment and discrimination complaints and half don't review the policy and consult with employees. As well, about 25% don't incorporate inclusive and respectful behavior into regular performance evaluation.

How reporting can drive change

As with any report card, there are marks for effort.

In the last year, 75% of companies reported they had analyzed their own organization's gender pay gap and had made changes. This was up from 60% the previous year.

The gender agency attributes this to the publication of individual organization's gender pay gaps for the first time earlier this year.

Almost half (45%) of employers are now setting goals to improve gender equality. This includes targets to boost the number of women in management, reduce the gender pay gap and to achieve a gender-balance in their governing body.

These higher aspirations are likely to also be a response to plans to make target-setting part of the requirements for bidding for government contracts.

These changes show how incentives can bring about improvements. They arose from the 2021 Review to the Workplace Gender Equality Act that used research-based insights, data and community consultation to develop practical steps to reduce the gap and improve conditions for women.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.